Month: May 2008

PRIME MINISTER CONSIDERS 2007 BUDGET COMPLETE

Panorama.am
17:37 12/05/2008

The state budget of 2007 is a full completed one, well organized
which gave a chance to implement all the notified projects and to
make extra expenses disposed to the social, education, scientific and
health fields, said the Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan,
in a meeting discussion evaluating the state budget of 2007.

According to the Prime Minister last year tax collecting activities
were extremely high and this way should be kept. Besides, he mentioned
that the Government should pay much attention on the decrease of
poverty level.

Talking about the 2007 state budget the Prime Minister reminded that
the organizational activities were implemented in such a political
atmosphere when parliamentarian elections were held and preparedness
achieved for the presidential elections.

RETURN FROM ITALY AFTER VICTORIES

Panorama.am
17:38 12/05/2008

Today Armenian national team under 19 returned back from Italy. Our
team has had 4 meetings in Italy, 3 victories and 1 draw. According to
the Armenian Football Federation our team met with Italian "Breshia"
on 9 May. The current meeting ended in a draw – 2:2.

On 10 May Armenian team met with famous "Juventus" club representatives
under 19. Our team won the meeting – 4:1.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

CATHOLICOS ARAM I MEETS WITH FAITHFUL ARMENIAN WOMEN

Over 150 Armenian women, who attend the weekly prayer sessions in Antelias,
visited Catholicos Aram I in the hall of the Veharan.

The first part of the meeting, which was organized by Catholicosate’s
Christian Education Department, was dedicated to hymns and prayers. The
women, who had brought companions with them on this special occasion
increasing the total number of the group to about 200, sang hymns following
the guidance of Fr. Torkom Donoyian and read specially chosen prayers.

During the second part of the meeting, Fr. Donoyian invited Catholicos Aram
I to deliver his Pontifical address to the faithful Armenian women, who come
to Antelias every Tuesday to engage in spiritual contemplation.

In his talk, the Pontiff focused on phenomena which may be rooted in our
lives and hence direct our lives in one way or the other. He presented the
viewpoints of our forefathers on sin and on ways to avoid sin and called on
everyone to flourish the life of our church. Finally, the Catholicos
stressed that the Church should not only be in a position to give order, but
should also listen. In this respect, he gave the attendants the opportunity
to present proposals and ideas for reforms. The women in turn presented
their proposals and viewpoints on introducing novelty to the spiritual
contemplation sessions next year.

##
View the photos here:
tos/Photos261.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the
jurisdiction and the Christian Education activities in both the
Catholicosate and the dioceses, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATE IN THE
STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCHES IN CAIRO

Two delegates from the Catholicosate of Cilicia, Archbishop Sebouh
Sarkissian (Primate of the Diocese of Tehran) and Bishop Nareg Alemezian
(Ecumenical Affairs Officer of the Catholicosate of Cilicia) participated in
the Steering Committee meeting of the three Oriental Orthodox Churches held
in the Coptic Patriarchate of Cairo.

This committee was established 12 years ago following the initiative of His
Holiness Aram I with the aim of bringing together the three Orthodox
Churches based in the Middle East, the Coptic, Syrian and Armenian Churches
and their spiritual leaders. The committee convenes twice a year.

The representatives of the three churches provided brief reports on
important issues related to their respective churches. The participation of
the churches in the various committees of the World Council of Churches and
the Middle East Council of Churches was also discussed.

The participants kept in close touch with the Pontiff throughout the meeting
and were informed by his guidance and recommendations.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MEDIA ADVISORY

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504
Contact: Diana Buckhantz, Jewish World Watch, 323-934-0443
Mihran Toumajan, Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
America, 323-497-1606

Date: May 12, 2008

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY HONORS JEWISH WORLD WATCH
Once Again, Armenian and Jewish Communities Come Together to Recognize
Kinship of Suffering

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES, CA – Last year, in an historic demonstration of support by
a Jewish organization, Jewish World Watch hosted a Jewish Armenian
Shabbat Dinner and Service to observe the 92nd anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. The goal of the event was to bring the two
communities together in recognition of their mutual experience of
genocide, and, in doing so, have the Jewish community acknowledge and
commemorate the heretofore unacknowledged genocide of the Armenian
people in 1915. It was the first time the Armenian and Jewish
communities had blended their two cultures to commemorate the Armenian
Genocide.

On Thursday evening, May 15, 2008 the two communities will come together
again when the Burbank-based Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of
North America honors Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, Founder of Jewish World
Watch. Specifically, the two communities will join hand-in-hand to
recognize their kinship of suffering and comfort.
-Humanity is subject to genocide and amnesia is dangerous,- said Rabbi
Harold M. Schulweis, Founder, Jewish World Watch. -If you forget or deny
the first genocide of the 20th Century, you waste the experience of the
past. Our experience with the Jewish Holocaust makes it a matter of
conscience for the Jewish people to respond and recognize the grief and
anguish of others. It is incumbent upon us to stand up and recognize the
Armenian genocide of 1915.-

WHO:
Rabbi Harold S. Schulweis, Founder, Jewish World Watch
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, Western Diocese of
the Armenian Church of North America
Tzivia Schwartz-Getzug, Executive Director, Jewish World Watch
St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church Choir
Valley Beth Shalom Choir
Traditional Armenian and Israeli dancing by the Vartan & Siranoush
Gevorkian Dance Ensemble and the Keshet Chaim Dance Ensemble

WHEN: Thursday, May 15, 2008
6:30 PM Press Availability, 7:30 PM Event

WHERE:
Sima & Nazareth Kalaydjian Hall
Arshag & Eleanor Dickranian Complex
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504

WHY: This event embodies the commitment of these two communities to
acknowledge and commemorate past genocides, and the Armenian genocide,
in particular, which has been denied by successive Turkish governments
for nearly a century.

Jewish World Watch is a coalition of almost 60 synagogues working
together to mobilize synagogues, their schools, members, and the
community to combat genocide and other egregious violations of human
rights around the world. In response to the 400,000 civilians that have
been murdered and the nearly 2.5 million people who have been displaced
in the Sudan, Jewish World Watch chose Darfur as its first advocacy
campaign. Since its inception, these synagogues have actively mobilized
to stop the genocide in Darfur, and have allocated more than $600,000 in
direct assistance to the people in Darfur.

Established in 1927, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of North America, based in Burbank, California spans the Western
United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. With the faithful of the
Western Diocese constantly growing and establishing new communities, the
Diocese is ever expanding its parishes and the scope of its various
missions.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: +374-10-517163
Fax: +374-10-517301
E-Mail: [email protected]

May 12, 2008

His Holiness Karekin II Visits His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

May 12, San Lazzaro – His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, today concludes his one week fraternal
visit to the Bishop of Rome and Pope of the Catholic Church, His
Holiness Benedict XVI.

Accompanying His Holiness throughout the duration of the visit were
His Eminence Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian, Grand Sacristan of the
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem; His Grace Bishop Aram Ateshian,
Grand Sacristan of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople; and
approximately 20 additional archbishops and bishops of the Armenian
Church – primates of Armenian Dioceses in North and South America,
Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

On Tuesday, May 6, the Pontiff of All Armenians and his delegation
arrived at Ciampino Airport in Rome. Also joining His Holiness were
more than 75 devoted laymen of the Armenian Church from throughout the
world who were invited by the Catholicos to participate in this
historic visit to the Holy See and Italy. This was His Holiness’ third
visit to the Vatican since his election as Catholicos of All Armenians
in 1999.

The visit to Italy was composed of three parts: a four-day visit to
the Vatican, a one-day visit to the Armenian community of Milan and a
two-day visit to the Mekhitarian Congregation on the Island of San
Lazzaro in Venice.

On Wednesday morning, His Holiness Karekin II and the Armenian bishops
visited the tomb of Pope John Paul II of blessed memory, in the crypt
below Saint Peter’s Basilica, and offered a solemn prayer for the
repose of his soul. The Catholicos and the Armenian delegation also
visited the newly named St. Gregory the Illuminator plaza inside
St. Peter’s courtyard and viewed the statue of the patron saint of the
Armenian Churcate of John Paul II. Immediately afterwards, the
Armenian delegation of clergy and laity participated in the general
audience in St. Peter’s Square, jointly held by Pope Benedict XVI and
Catholicos Karekin II.. The two church heads exchanged messages of
greeting, a fraternal embrace and kiss of peace on the platform in
front of the mother cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church, before a
crowd of more than 35,000 faithful.Â

In his message to the Pope and the faithful, the Catholicos stated in
part, `Dear Brother in Christ, today, on the threshold of the Feast of
Pentecost, when we unite our prayers to those of Your Holiness and of
your faithful sons and daughters, we praise and glorify the Holy
Spirit, Who is the fountainhead of unity and transforms our steps on
the paths of brotherhood with grace – steps which are for the glory of
God and are born from the love of Christ, for the sake of establishing
peace in the world and a blessed life for mankind. In spite of
different historical experiences and paths we have traversed; in spite
of dogmatic and cultural divergences, we are all children of the one
God, and we are all brothers and sisters in His Holy love. For in our
diversity, it is our unity of love that is the genuine testimony that
we are children of God. `Intolerance and confrontation must not be
allowed within the brotherhood and love of Christ. Mankind has
suffered much as a result. Today as well, the creation of God – the
world that surrounds us – is imperiled through interfaith
disagreements, through wars and terrorism, through the effects of
poverty and neglect. Our brothers and sisters are in distress in the
Middle East and many other regions of the world; where women and
children, the elderly and disabled are endangered by the blows of
disagreement and division, unjust competition and enmity.. This is not
the Will of God. This is not our calling. We aspire to live a life in
peace, of creation and creativity, to use the graces given to us by
the Holy Spirit, to sd solidarity with the love of Jesus Christ and
the message of the Gospel, since `for those that love God, all things
work together unto good.’ (Romans 8:28) `We Armenians are a people who
have survived genocide, and we know well the value of love,
brotherhood, friendship, peace and a secure life. Today, many
countries of the world recognize and condemn the Genocide committed
against the Armenian people by Ottoman Turkey, as did the Holy See, by
His Holiness Pope John Paul II of blessed memory during our fraternal
visit to Rome in 2000. Offering prayers to his luminous memory, we as
Pontiff of the Armenians, appeal to all nations and lands to
universally condemn all genocides that have occurred throughout
history and those that continue through the present day, so that those
who yield power and authority realize their responsibilities and
results of those crimes which have been and continue to be committed
against the creation of God, and that the denial of these crimes is an
injustice that equals the commission of the same.’ That same
afternoon, His Holiness Karekin II was presented with an Honoris Causa
doctorate degree from the Pontifical Salesian University recognizing
his fruitful work in Christian Education and Youth Instruction.
Attending theceremony representing His Holiness the Pope were His
Eminence Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, Vatican State Secretary and His
Eminence Walter Cardinal Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council
for Promoting Christian Unity. On Thursday, May 8, His Holiness
Karekin II and his delegation visited the Pontifical Oriental
Institute in Rome, and conveyed his blessings and warm greetings to
the participants of a symposium dedicated to the study of the Armenian
Divine Liturgy. The symposium was organized by Fr. Robert Taft and
included presentations by Armenian and Catholic learned scholars from
throughout Europe and North America. His Eminence Leonardo Cardinal
Sandri, Prefect for the Vatican’s Council for Oriental Churches, also
accompanied His Holiness delegation of 100 Armenian bishops and
faithful went to the Apostolic Palace of the Holy See, for a private
audience under the joint presidency of His Holiness Karekin II and His
Holiness Benedict XVI. The two pontiffs again exchanged warm messages
of greeting and brotherly love, embraced with a solemn kiss of peace
and spoke of the strong ties and increasing collaboration between the
Holy Armenian Apostolic Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

His Holiness Karekin II, addressing the head of the Catholic Church
and the Armenian faithful gathered for the audience, stated in part,
`We offer gratitude to the Almighty in heaven, as successor to Saints
Thaddeus and Bartholomew, and the saint co-equal to the apostles,
Gregory the Illuminator, that we are enjoying the light of this good
day when we exchange the divinely ordained kiss of peace with Your
Holiness, worthy successor to the See of Saint Peter, seven years
after experiencing the joy of receiving your predecessor of blessed
memory under the gaze of biblical Mount Ararat. It is even more joyous
that this kiss of peace is exchanged on this day, the 9th of May, when
we are celebrating Victory and Peace Day in our homeland – the day
which commemorates the conclusion of World War II – the cause of great
human tragedy and misery; as well as the triumph of our people in the
national liberation struggle for Mountainous Karabagh.

`¦Dear Brother in Christ, through the blessings of our Lord’s
All-Provident Right Hand, we stand alongside one another today, to
strengthen and testify to the fraternal love between our two
Churches. Faithful to the holy Church fathers and their legacy,
despite our differences and unique characteristics, we shall place
greater importance on that which unites us. It is especially pleasing
for us to confirm that the spirit of love and collaboration between
the Armenian and Catholic Churches finds its tangible expressions in
our time, confirming the words of the psalmist: `Behold how good and
pleasant it is for brothers t

`The love received from our Lord Jesus Christ bears much good fruit in
the field of ecumenism today. We welcome the ongoing dialogue between
the Catholic Church and the family of Ancient Oriental Orthodox
Churches. In our present, fast-paced world where developments and
changes rapidly occur, many environmental, social, political,
economic, and moral issues urgently need attention, especially in the
process of globalization, when true respect for life and man, and love
for God, is diminishing. The greater consolidation of diligent efforts
and partnership are an imperative for Christian Churches, because only
through inclusive cooperation shall we be able to better serve the
establishment of peace in the world and to better defend human rights,
and the rights of nations, families, and those classes of society
which are at-risk. The transfiguration of life through the values of
the Gospel, shall be our path to the creation of a prosperous and
virtuous world.’

A short prayer service was held under the presidency of both church
heads, following which, the faithful approached the Catholicos and the
Pope to kiss their right hands and receive their blessings.. At the
conclusion of the audience, Catholicos Karekin II and Pope Benedict
XVI met privately during lunch to discuss issues of importance to both
Churches.

In the afternoon, His Holiness Karekin II, met with His Grace
Archbishop Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, in the Vatican
Guest House for a private meeting. The head of the Church of England
and the Anglican Communion was coincidentally also in the Holy See
this week, and the two fondly recalled the Archbishop’s fraternal
visit to Holy Etchmiadzin in September 2007, as well as discussed the
upcoming Lambeth Conference for the Anglican Communion and the current
state of relations with sister Churches.

The final event at the Vatican was an Ecumenical Prayer Service,
offered at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where the
grave of St. Paul the Apostle is located. His Holiness Karekin II
presided during the service, which included the participation of Roman
Catholic and Armenian Church bishops and clergy.

In addition to the official events throughout the course of the week,
His Holiness and the church hierarchs also visited a number of
Armenian and Catholic churches and shrines. His Holiness and the
high-ranking clergymen departed Rome for Milan on Saturday morning.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]

May 12, 2008

First Message of His Holiness KAREKIN II, Catholicos of All Armenians,
To the faithful during the meeting with
His Holiness BENEDICT XVI, Pope of the Catholic Church
Vatican City, 07 May 2008

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We offer thanks to our Lord, Who gave us the opportunity through Your
Holiness’ kind invitation to visit once more the eternal city of Rome
and the Holy See of the Catholic Church. We have come from the
spiritual center and headquarters of the Holy Armenian Apostolic
Church – the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, with our high-ranking
clergymen and our pious and worthy sons and daughters, and through our
fraternal embrace with Your Holiness, we testify to the divinely
ordained love between the Catholic and Armenian Churches, which `¦is
poured into our hearts, by the Holy Spirit who is given to us.’
(Romans 5:5)

Dear Brother in Christ, today, on the threshold of the Feast of
Pentecost, when we unite our prayers to those of Your Holiness and of
your faithful sons and daughters, we praise and glorify the Holy
Spirit, Who is the fountainhead of unity and transforms our steps on
the paths of brotherhood with grace – steps which are for the glory of
God and are born from the love of Christ, for the sake of establishing
peace in the world and a blessed life for mankind. In spite of
different historical experiences and paths we have traversed; in spite
of dogmatic and cultural divergences, we are all children of the one
God, and we are all brothers and sisters in His Holy love. For in our
diversity, it is our unity of love that is the genuine testimony that
we are children of God.

Intolerance and confrontation must not be allowed within the
brotherhood and love of Christ. Mankind has suffered much as a
result. Today as n of God – the world that surrounds us – is imperiled
through interfaith disagreements, through wars and terrorism, through
the effects of poverty and neglect. Our brothers and sisters are in
distress in the Middle East and many other regions of the world; where
women and children, the elderly and disabled are endangered by the
blows of disagreement and division, unjust competition and
enmity. This is not the Will of God. This is not our calling. We
aspire to live a life in peace, of creation and creativity, to use the
graces given to us by the Holy Spirit, to serve the establishment of
unity and solidarity with the love of Jesus Christ and the message of
the Gospel, since `for those that love God, all things work together
unto good.’ (Romans 8:28)

We Armenians are a people who have survived genocide, and we know well
the value of love, brotherhood, friendship, peace and a secure
life. Today, many countries of the world recognize and condemn the
Genocide committed against the Armenian people by Ottoman Turkey, as
did the Holy See, by His Holiness Pope John Paul II of blessed memory
during our fraternal visit to Rome in 2000. Offering prayers to his
luminous memory, we as Pontiff of the Armenians, appeal to all nations
and lands to universally condemn all genocides that have occurred
throughout history and those that continue through the present day, so
that those who yield power and authority realize their
responsibilities and results of those crimes which have been and
continue to be committed against the creation of God, and that the
denial of these crimes is an injustice that equals the commission of
the same.

At this joyous moment of prayer, our sincere appeal to our Lord in
heaven is that He keep our planet unshaken with harmony, brotherhood
and reconciliation among peoples.. May Almighty God keep our two
Churches under his watchful and benevolent gaze in steadfast
friendship, protecting Your Holiness under His All-Provident Right
Hand, granting you many long years of blessed reign to lea the
Catholic Church with your vision and characteristic wisdom, `to green
pastures¦ and to the still waters¦’ (Psalms 23)

May the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now
and always. Amen.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE

Armenia Solidarity (supported by Nor Serount Cultural Association)
c/o The Temple of Peace, Cathays Park Cardiff, Wales
[email protected]
Tel: 0044 7718982732

For the first time, a minister of the UK government has used the term
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

The UK government has at last issued a strongly-worded condemnation of
the desecration of the Armenian Genocide Monument in Cardiff, Wales
which ocurred on Holocaust Memorial Day

In a reply to Mr David Burrowes MP, (who had taken up a complaint by
B. Nazarian of Armenia Solidarity about the desecration of the Armenian
Genocide Monument), the Secretary of State for Wales, the Rt Hon Paul
Murphy, replying for the UK government specifically refered to "the
desecration of The Armenian Genocide Memorial in Cardiff in january
2008" He continued:
"I wholeheartedly condemn this violent act of desecration. It is
distressing that this is yet another example of how we must all continue
to be vigilant against such acts of racism, violence and hatred; and
that we all need to stand united against them…. This attack, like many
similar crimes, is often unprovoked and undertaken under the cover of
darkness. …. I hope that when the person(s) are caught and prosecuted
for this crime, this will go some way to easing the pain and distress
that has been caused by this terrible act"
"This is a most signifigant developpment" said a spokesman for
Armenia Solidarity. "In the past government ministers have made
strenuous efforts to avoid using the phrase the Armenian Genocide.
Considering the recognition given to the Genocide by the majority of
Welsh Members of the UK parliament as well as the majority of the
National Assembly Members, the minister must have found it impossible to
persist in this avoidance. This is an example of how moral leadership
given by Welsh politicians (of all parties) on the issue consistently
since 2001 has eventualy influenced the UK government’s position
The truth of the Genocide has been set in stone in Wales, and such
violent acts of desecration by extremists can only embolden other
politicians in the UK to stand up for this truth."
He continued:"It is also signifigant that this statement is now made
public on the eve of the Queen’s state visit to Turkey. We call on
Armenians worldwide to congratulate the Secretary of State foe Wales
,the Rt Hon. Paul Murphy for this step.( The e-mail of his office is:
[email protected]) with a copy also to Armenia Solidarity
([email protected])

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Office of Assemblymember Paul Krekorian
Adrin Nazarian Chief of Staff
620 N. Brand Blvd. Suite 403
Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 240-6330
(818) 240-4632 fax
[email protected]

May 12, 2008

Assemblymember Krekorian Announces:
Judges Select 24 Finalists in FILMFEST 43

Glendale, CA – Following an "arduous, but very exciting winnowing
process," Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) announced that
judges of the first FILMFEST 43 have selected 24 finalists in four
categories: Animation; Documentary/PSA; Experimental/Music Video, and
Narrative.

Hailing an "unprecedented outpouring of interest and local talent,"
Assemblymember Krekorian said the judges-visual-arts professionals-have
chosen 11 narrative films, five documentaries, five experimental/music
video projects, and three animation entrees as finalists in FILMFEST 43,
an artistic and creative event set for 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 16, at
Glendale’s historic Alex Theatre.

"I am absolutely thrilled that, in the entertainment capitol of the
world, in the flagship city of California’s signature industry, over 100
aspiring filmmakers have submitted their short films to our Festival,"
Assemblymember Krekorian said. "Not only are these artists part of the
next wave of local movie talent," he said, "but for some of them, the
next step in their careers is here."

The finalists represent 11 public and private schools, Assemblymember
Krekorian said. They include Burbank High School, Burbank ROP Program,
Clark Magnet High School, Crescenta Valley High School, Flintridge
Sacred Heart Academy, Grant High School, John Burroughs High School,
Marshall High School, Oakwood High School, Providence High School, and
Toll Middle School. "This is an amazing and very satisfying turnout of
talent and ambition from throughout my district," Assemblymember
Krekorian said. "I thank the judges who took the time to carefully
review and consider every entry."

As chair of the Assembly Select Committee on the Preservation of
California’s Entertainment Industry, Assemblymember Krekorian has
conducted hearings aimed at keeping filmmaking jobs and projects in
California. "These young movie makers have displayed great imagination
and talent in producing their films," he noted. "This bodes well for
the future of California’s film industry and the tens of thousands of
jobs that it creates and supports."

FILMFEST 43 is open to the public and admission is free. To RSVP for
free tickets or for additional information, contact Assemblymember
Krekorian’s District Office at (818) 240-6330.

# # #

MCC CEO MEETS WITH ARMENIAN COMMUNITY LEADERS IN CALIFORNIA

armradio.am
12.05.2008 10:45

Armenian Assembly representatives attended a community briefing
by Ambassador John J. Danilovich, CEO of the Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) in Los Angeles, CA. The event was hosted by Armenian
Caucus Member Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA).

Danilovich offered a first-hand account of MCC’s work in Armenia for
the past several years. The agency signed a five-year, $235.65 million
Compact with the Armenian government in 2005 to improve irrigation
systems and rehabilitate roads.

Former Assembly Board of Trustees Member Richard Mushegain and
Assembly Western Office Director Lena Kaimian attended the event,
which included Armenian Consul General Armen Liloyan and community
leaders representing various organizations.

"MCC was pleased to participate in this meeting, co-hosted by the
Office of Congressman Adam Schiff, as a forum for open and honest
dialogue among friends and partners of the people of Armenia," said
Aaron H. Sherinian, Managing Director of Public Affairs for MCC. "This
latest meeting is part of MCC’s ongoing commitment to transparency
regarding the progress of its innovative programs, in places like
Armenia, that are helping reduce poverty through economic growth."