Month: May 2008

SLOVAKIA: THOSE WHO DECLINE GENOCIDE WILL BE IMPRISONED

Panorama.am
19:53 26/05/2008

Till the end of this year the Parliament of Slovakia will make
correspondent legislative changes and reforms by defining imprisonment
for those who decline Armenian Genocide, said the deputy Prime
Minister and the Minister of Justice of Slovakia Stephan Harrapin
in Yerevan. According to him in January-February 2009 the norm will
be implemented.

S. Harrapin said that there is a law in Slovakia which defines a
punishment for those who decline Holocaust.

The Parliament will make reforms by using the same point of punishment
for the other genocides.

Note that according to the law declining of Armenian Genocide by
a citizen of Slovakia and by anyone in the territory of Slovakia
will define 5 years imprisonment. According to Harrapin even if the
punishment is too strict every democratic country should treat the
question like that.

Remind: the fact of condemning Armenian Genocide was adopted by the
Parliament of Slovakia in 2004.

FRANCE AIMS TO BOLSTER EU’S SWAY

The Associated Press
May 26, 2008

BRUSSELS: Bolstering Europe’s influence on the world stage – and
especially on the new American administration – will be the top
priority for France when it takes over the presidency of the European
Union in July, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner of France said Monday.

Kouchner said France wanted to promote efforts to create a common
EU defense policy and to work closely with Washington, once a
new U.S. president is elected, on issues like peace in the Middle
East. France will take over the EU’s six-month rotating presidency from
Slovenia on July 1, and a new American president will be inaugurated
in January.

"The American election offers a historic opportunity," Kouchner
told a gathering of diplomats and EU officials, to offer the new
administration "an agenda, a road map, that will correspond to
our priorities, our understanding of how to solve crises and find
solutions together."

He said a more effective EU foreign policy was needed, backed by better
and more effective cooperation on defense policies. "Our objective
is to put in place credible civil and military defense capacities
and means," Kouchner said.

EU nations had to overcome past problems in raising enough peacekeepers
to fill promised missions to Chad. "We learned difficult lessons when
we had to assemble 3,000 men for Chad," Kouchner said.

Today in Europe Health care fees trouble Eastern EuropeRussian jet
shot down Georgian spy drone, UN saysU.S. courts the support of
French Muslims There were problems in mustering enough soldiers from
EU nations to protect refugees who were flooding into Chad from the
Darfur region of neighboring Sudan. The EU mission also was hampered
by a shortage of helicopters and airplanes.

Similarly, EU nations have hesitated to participate in a joint police
training mission in Afghanistan.

Kouchner said the 27-nation bloc stood at a crossroads where it had
"to define renewed ambitious goals" to better the lives of Europeans,
notably in implementing the club’s new governing treaty, which is
currently being ratified by EU nations.

The Lisbon Treaty, signed last year in Portugal, aims to streamline
the way the bloc makes decisions and bolster its powers in such areas
as immigration and fighting crime. It also aims to make the EU’s
foreign policy more effective with the creation of an EU president
and a single envoy to represent the bloc abroad.

As EU president, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France will be
responsible for getting EU leaders to fill new posts created
by the treaty and setting up a new joint EU diplomatic corps in
Brussels. Kouchner said France aims to have posts filled before the
planned entry into force of the new treaty on Jan. 1, 2009.

France also aims to address growing fears that globalization spells
bad news for manufacturing and other industry jobs across Europe,
Kouchner said, as China and other emerging Asian economic powers
attract more industry from overseas.

Kouchner said investing more in innovation, research and technology
is key to economic growth. He said EU nations must also agree on a
common immigration policy, which could bring in more high-skilled
workers to fill increasing job openings.

In another development Monday, Poland and Sweden sought support from
other EU nations for a new outreach program to build closer ties with
Ukraine and the EU’s other former Soviet neighbors to the east.

The plan would go beyond the EU’s current "neighborhood policy,"
which groups East European countries like Ukraine and Belarus with
nations in North Africa and the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski of Poland said it was important
to make a distinction because the easterners are European nations
who could one day apply to join the EU. Poland and Sweden presented
the plan at a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Russia was not included in the Polish-Swedish plan, but the EU
approved plans Monday to begin negotiations with Moscow on a new
cooperation agreement, which had been long delayed because of Polish
and Lithuanian objections.

"We are trying to normalize our relations with Russia," Sikorski
said before the EU talks. But he predicted the talks with Russia
would be tough, particularly over sensitive issues such as energy
and human rights.

Poland, which joined the EU in 2004, is concerned about instability on
its eastern borders as former Soviet countries are squeezed between
Russia and the West. With older EU nations wary about offering
membership to the likes of Ukraine, Poland is seeking other means to
draw the easterners close to the Western bloc.

Foreign Minister Carl Bildt of Sweden said the plan would aim to
forge closer ties with countries that are of "fundamental importance
for all of Europe," including Moldova, Belarus and nearby Caucasus
nations like Georgia and Armenia.

"We think its time to look to the east to see what we can do to
strengthen democracy," Bildt said.

The Polish-Swedish plan includes easing visa restrictions on countries
to the east, closer cooperation on environmental issues and freeing
up trade.

PRESS RELEASE
42 Garegin Nzhdeh
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel: +37410 44 47 92
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

RA Government Licenses All Mission Armenia Services and Day Centers

USAID/SPSS Launch Sustainability Program

Yerevan – The Mission Armenia NGO announced that on April 28 the
Government of Armenia has granted full licensing to the organization’s
social and health services and Day Centers.

Established in 1988 in Yerevan, Mission Armenia has grown into a major
provider of community-based services and an advocate of legislative
reforms in the sphere. The organization operates 50 centers in 24 towns
and cities across eight marzes of Armenia. The centers comprise day-care
facilities, health clinics, social-gathering sites, and soup kitchens.

Mission Armenia provides nutrition, healthcare, counseling, referrals,
and training to more than 12,000 vulnerable citizens. Beneficiaries
include incapacitated elderly, disabled individuals, refugees, destitute
families, and the unemployed. A distinguishing characteristic of Mission
Armenia is that it provides nutrition and health services to elderly
citizens both at its facilities and through home visits, with the
purpose of ensuing maximum beneficiary comfort.

Since 2007, a portion of Mission Armenia services have been financed
through the Armenian Government’s Medium-Term Expenditures program as
well as by a number of local-government bodies.

Referring to the government’s licensing of Mission Armenia Day Centers,
Aghvan Vardanyan, RA Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, said, "I very
much appreciate the milestones achieved by Mission Armenia and its
dedicated staff. This organization, which has emerged as an essentially
grass-roots effort, has set the gold standard for altruism and
specifically social-service delivery in the homeland. My ministry is
committed to supporting the continued growth of Mission Armenia, as
Armenian society as a whole stands to gain from improving the lives of
our vulnerable citizens."

With its recognition of the organization’s diverse services as
representing an effective model of social-service delivery, the
Government of Armenia has also expressed commitment to expand its
support in 2009, by partially funding ten Mission Armenia day centers.
In addition, Mission Armenia has concluded cost-sharing agreements with
14 municipalities for the same period.

"This is a wonderful turning point for our organization and
beneficiaries," said Hripsime Kirakosyan, President of Mission Armenia.

"Beginning in 2009, donor organizations that support Mission Armenia
will reduce their funding, based on Armenia’s economic-growth
projections," Kirakosyan continued. "Given this fact, securing the
long-term sustainability of Mission Armenia’s community-based services
has become an urgent matter. As many of our services are unique to
Mission Armenia and as of yet are not offered by the state, a decrease
in donor funding would mean to have to turn away thousands of
beneficiaries and even close several of our centers, which have been
established through major investments."

Kirakosyan went on to say, "As both president of a public organization
and a citizen concerned for the continuity of a community-based service
system that has taken years to create, I express my profound gratitude
to the RA Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. I would also like to
stress that the licensing of Mission Armenia services and structures is
a great advance toward self-sufficiency, as it indicated the willingness
of Armenia’s central authorities and local-government bodies alike to
invest in the social sector and expand collaboration with organizations
offering social services."

According to Kirakosyan, as an advocate of providing systemic assistance
to vulnerable citizens, Mission Armenia not only provides core social
and health services to beneficiaries, but strives to help improve
social-service policy at the national level and develop social-delivery
partnerships. Currently the organization is working with the Government
of Armenia toward the elaboration of a national policy on aging and a
host of legislative reforms. Such collaboration is expected to further
bolster social-service delivery, helping it become institutionally
grounded and better targeted, productive, and sustainable.

Kirakosyan also expressed gratitude to the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) and its Social Protection Systems
Strengthening Project (SPSS), a long-term development initiative
implemented by TSG International.

"USAID and, more recently, SPSS, continue to have an instrumental role
in the development and expansion of Mission Armenia," Kirakosyan said.
"Their support is not just about financial help, but a high level of
technical assistance which will enable us to become self-sufficient in
the long run."

While USAID has been a major supporter of Mission Armenia, recently the
American agency expanded its assistance through the introduction of a
sustainability program, which will help Mission Armenia further enhance
its organizational capacities and eventually become less dependent on
outside funding.

This month Mission Armenia announced plans to reach out to individual
and corporate donors in both Armenia and the Diaspora, in an effort to
secure wider public involvement in the organization’s growth.

"Today our goal is not only to excel at our services, but expand them
considerably, as the needs of our marginalized population remain
critical," Kirakosyan said. "By promoting corporate social
responsibility in Armenia and reaching out to potential supporters in
the Diaspora, we are aiming to make them an active, powerful part of the
solution."

Kirakosyan added that Mission Armenia centers try to ensure not only the
physical but also psychological well-being of beneficiaries. "What we
ultimately strive to give them are hope, self-esteem, independence, and
dignity," she said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

‘Armenia’s Stonehenge’ opens as tourist site
26/ 05/ 2008

YEREVAN, May 26 (RIA Novosti) – Authorities in southern Armenia have opened
a 5,000-year-old prehistoric monument dubbed "the Armenian Stonehenge," but
known locally as Carahunge, as a tourist site.
The monument, located some 200 km (124 miles) away from the capital,
Yerevan, consists of over 200 shaped stones, some bearing smooth angled
holes of 4 to 5cm in diameter, directed at different points at the sky.
"This territory will be developed for tourism," said Samvel Musoyan, deputy
chief of the Armenian culture ministry’s department for cultural heritage.
Funding has already been raised from the country’s budget to develop the
tourist site, build a transparent wall around the monument and for
maintenance and security of the site.
Following excavation of the site, it is believed to have served
simultaneously as a temple of Ari, the ancient Armenian deity of the sun, a
university and an observatory. According to recent archaeological findings,
the site could be used to define the precise name of sunrise and lunar
phases and the day when a year began.
The fact that chips of transparent obsidian glass were found at the site
spawned the theory that the pre-historic dwellers, that inhabited the
region, placed them inside the holes for magnification.
Though some scientists believe that Carahunge was built some five thousand
years ago, Armenian scientists argue that it is 7,500 years old.
The more famous Stonehenge site located in the county of Wiltshire in
southwest England is at least 5,000 years old and was declared a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1996.
The structure comprises standing stones, believed to date back to 2200 B.C.
which are surrounded by a circular earth mound and ditch constructed some
1000 years earlier. Its original purpose is unclear, but it is believed to
have been used as a temple or an observatory.

Arab States May Move Financial Center To Armenia From Lebanon
Huliq.com
May 26, 2008

The Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan says that Arab states
express a wish to move their financial and banking center from Lebanon
to Armenia as Armenia makes serious steps to become the regional
financial center by dedicating northern town of Dilijan specially for
this purpose.

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Arab states express a wish to move their financial
center from Lebanon to Armenia, proposing to carry out the
corresponding legislative changes in the republic.
Mediamax reports that the Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sarkisian
said this today, speaking in Dilijan at the first financial-banking
conference, organized by the Union of Banks of Armenia (UBA).
`Armenia can become a bridge between Europe and Moslem states’, Tigran
Sarkisian stated, adding that to turn into a financial center for the
Arab world, Armenia should gain the outline of an off-shore zone, which
will present profitable financial services according to world
standards.
The Prime Minister also noted that Armenia can organize trading of
securities of CIS states.
`Along with the development of securities markets of CIS states, there
is yet the problem of securities’ entry to foreign markets unsolved,
and Armenia can propose CIS auspicious conditions to place their
securities.
OMX Group operator, which has entered the Armenian market, may realize
crucial programs’, Tigran Sarkisian stated.
Head of the government also noted the importance of establishing in
Armenia investment funds and systems of assets management. According
to Tigran Sarkisian, the Armenian population has about $2bln cash on
hand and the presence of investment funds will allow placing those
assets. He added that the transition to accumulative pension system
will contribute to the formation of share investment funds and a
system of assets management.
`The insurance market and the market of securities of Armenia fall
behind in development from the banking system, and active reforms are
necessary in these spheres. The main resource of the financial sphere
is intellect, consequently, special attention should be paid to
financial education’, Tigran Sarkisian stated.

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]

27 May 2008

VICAR GENERAL CONTRIBUTES TO MULTI-FAITH EDUCATION PROJECT FOR HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS

Sydney, Australia – On Tuesday, 20 May, 2008 the NSW Jewish Board of
Deputies facilitated an interschool multi-faith project entitled "Respect,
Understanding and Acceptance" aimed to "provide opportunity for students of
different faiths and backgrounds to meet, learn from each other and develop
some understanding and appreciation of the others." The day brought
together 250 Year 9 students from Masada College (Jewish faith), Hamazkaine
Arshak & Sophie Galstaun College (Armenian Apostolic faith), Australian
International Academy (Muslim faith), Brigidine College (Catholic faith) and
Davidson High School (government school).

The day’s events included student and teacher presentations and special
guest speakers including the Mayor of Ku-ring-gai, Mr Nick Ebbeck. Under
the arrangements of His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand, Very Reverend
Father Vardan Navasardyan, Vicar General of the Diocese was one of five
keynote speakers. He firstly introduced the audience to Armenians as an
ancient culture that has perpetuated even from the time Noah’s Ark came to
rest on its historical landform, Mt Ararat.

Father Vardan explained the origins of Armenians as a Christian nation and
how its faith and culture are so entwined. The crux of his presentation
however based on the thematic focus "Respecting Differences" was on the
importance of communication to break down barriers, seeking truth and
understanding through interaction and consultation to enrich relationships
and live life on the premise of love which comes from a changed life.

"Life can change only by the individual’s desire," said Father Vardan.
"Society impacts the individual to some extent, but it is the person’s
decision whether he or she will take the good or the bad choice . The
important thing is our eyes and how we see. We can change every bad to
good. We can change the whole world in our little world."

The program also included guest speakers from the Catholic, Muslim and
Jewish faiths as well as an indigenous perspective.

Opportunities of learning such as this are heartily welcomed and encouraged
by the Diocese especially as an educational tool to equip future generations
to live in harmonious and productive communities.

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9904-8446
Email: [email protected]

27 May 2008

COMMEMORATING THE FEAST OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN AND THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
BATTLE OF SARDARABAD

Sydney/Melbourne, Australia – Sunday, 25 May, 2008 marked The Feast of the
Universal Church of Holy Etchmiadzin and also coincided with commemorations
of the 90th anniversary of the battle of Sardarabad.

The Feast of the Church of Holy Etchmiadzin is commemorated two weeks after
Pentecost and celebrates the establishment of the Holy Armenian Church. By
tradition, St Gregory the Illuminator saw a vision of the Only Begotten Son
of God descending from heaven and striking the ground with a golden hammer
at the place where the holy church would be built. The site on which stood a
pagan temple was demolished and so too was pagan worship in Armenia as a
nation bloomed into Christian faith. On it was built the Mother Cathedral
of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Church of the Armenian nation and the spiritual
centre of faith.

The battle of Sardarabad was fought in 1918 when Ottoman forces began
attacking in an attempt to conquer Armenia. The Armenians defeated the
Ottoman troops in a three day battle at Sardarabad and the victories here
were instrumental in establishing the independence of the Democratic
Republic of Armenia on 28 May, 1918.

Commemorations for these dual occasions took place on Sunday in the three
parishes of Australia.

In the main church of the Diocese, the Church of Holy Resurrection in
Sydney, Holy Mass was offered by Reverend Father Bartev Karakashian under
the primateship of His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian who delivered the
day’s sermon. Very Reverend Father Vardan Navasardyan read the directive of
His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians
for Diocesan Churches worldwide to unite in commemoration of the 90th
anniversary of the battle of Sardarabad on Sunday 25 May during the Divine
Liturgy.

Concurrently in the parish of Melbourne at St Mary’s Armenian Church,
Reverend Father Hagop Cherkezian offered Holy Mass presided by His Eminence
Archbishop Voskan Kalpakian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of Greece who is presently visiting Australia. Archbishop Kalpakian
presented the day’s sermon which commemorated the dual occasions.
Meanwhile, Reverend Father Norayr Patanian celebrated Holy Mass with the
parishioners of western Sydney at St Benedict’s Catholic Church where
monthly services are held for the faithful of the district. All three
services observed the two occasions which included the "Hayrabedagan
Maghtank" (Patriarchal Prayer) for Holy Etchmiadzin.

WESTERN SYDNEY PARISH OPEN DAY ON SUNDAY

Sydney, Australia – In the afternoon of Sunday, 25 May, 2008 an open day was
held by the Sydney West Church Council to members of the Armenian Community
residing in the region to view the newly acquired property by the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of Australia which will be developed into the second
Armenian Church in Sydney.

The afternoon commenced with an opening prayer by His Eminence Archbishop
Aghan Baliozian after which a small program was presented by the Sydney West
Church Councillors outlining plans for the future development.

The property located in Wentworthville comprises of a large two-storey
building which had previously been utilised as a Masonic hall. The plans
for the building include the conversion to a church along with
congregational facilities and offices.

The open day welcomed members from the local community and was supported by
Armenian community organisations of the area. All who attended were pleased
with the opportunity that was presented them to inspect the property and
everyone showed much enthusiasm about the development proposals. So much so
that community members pledged generous donations in support of the project
development.

The Armenian community of western Sydney has experienced real growth since
the 1990’s. A Church Council was established in 1993 and monthly church
services have been held in local host churches ever since. The community
was blessed to have been visited by both Armenian Catholicoi on their
Pontifical visits to Sydney, His Holiness Karekin I of blessed memory in
1997 and His Holiness Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians in 2002.

Plans to formerly establish a new parish in the region with its own church
and parish priest have been developing for the past two years. In 2007, the
prospective property was acquired for this very purpose and development
plans are now in the early stages of preparation to make the church a
reality for the community of Sydney west.

For information on the Sydney West Church Project contact the Diocesan
office on [email protected]

THEY DIDN’T LIKE SIRUSHO’S DEBUT

A1+
[01:18 pm] 26 May, 2008

Russia’s representative Dima Bilan won the International Song Contest
Eurovision 2008. Armenia’s representative Sirusho took the 4th place
with 203 points. Nine countries, Poland, Czech Republic, Netherlands,
Belgium, Israel, France, Georgia and Russia gave Armenia the highest
score -12. Turkey, Spain, Cyprus gave us 10 points and San Marino,
Bulgaria- 8 points.

Our citizens have been discussing the song contest for a few days. Most
people didn’t like Sirusho’s debut.

"I am glad Armenia could move up from the eighth place but I hoped
we would take at least the third place," says 34-year-old Gayane.

"The song was a good one. Armenia would have taken the second place
provided the performance matched the song," says 20-year-old Aram.

Reminder: the show was staged by Russia’s best dancing-master Sergey
Sandrikin and the dancers were invited from the famous Street Jazz
group.

"To tell the truth, I think Sirusho’s presentation failed. Thanks God,
we took the forth place as Sirusho sang badly," noted 18-year-old
Hamlet.

"Sirusho could have performed better but for her excitement
characteristic of our nation. Our singers won’t be that tense unless
they attach a great importance to such contests," says 18-year-old Ani.

Sirusho didn’t sing badly. And yet, in comparison with Ukrainian
and Greek representatives we understand that she is far from being
a professional singer," says 48-year-old Gaspar.

Many citizens say it is no use criticizing our singers.

"Sirusho looked splendid on the stage. Besides, the forth place is
not that bad," says 24-year-old Vardan.

PLENARY SITTING

A1+
[11:56 am] 26 May, 2008

Upon the initiative of the Armenian MPs the National Assembly of the
Republic of Armenia convenes a plenary session at 12.00 May 26. Some
draft laws of the agenda will be put to a vote for the third time
while others for the second. Alongside with other draft laws the NA
will consider the amendments to the RoA Law on "Regulations of the
National Assembly."

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) urged
Armenia’s leadership in its recent resolution to foster a dialogue
with the opposition and increase the latter’s role in the parliament.

ARMENIA – REAL CHANCES TO BECOME REGIONAL CENTER

Panorama.am
20:45 24/05/2008

Armenia has quite realistic chances to become regional financial
center, said the president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan in the opening
ceremony of finance-banking first conference conducted in Dilijan. The
president said that he believes in that perspective and that they
should direct their activities to gain that missionsin the nearest
years.

"We should invest the international experience and new methods of
service in the finance market," said the president. In this regard he
has highly evaluated the entrance of Stockholm bourse in the Armenian
fund market.

President Serzh Sargsyan said that in the future when the responsible
of the current field present the reports they should not only compare
the data with the regional countries but state how much closer we do
stand to the international standards.

According to the president the development of finance-banking branch
in Armenia can become a "locomotive" of the other branches and result
in the creation of new branches.