Month: August 2008

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

August 14, 2008

Assemblymember Paul Krekorian Co-Hosts Free Citizenship Workshop in
Glendale

GLENDALE-Assemblymember Paul Krekorian will co-host a free citizenship
workshop on Saturday, August 23, 2008 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm at St. Mary’s
Armenian Church in Glendale. Co-hosted with Neighborhood Legal Services
of Los Angeles County and St. Mary’s Armenian Church, the workshop will
provide free assistance to those who have questions about the
naturalization process or are seeking help completing citizenship forms.

"Since its founding, our great nation has welcomed into its embrace
countless men and women seeking a better life and an opportunity to
share in the ‘American Dream,’" stated Assemblymember Krekorian.
"Immigrants have always occupied a special place in our country’s
history, and I am pleased to be co-hosting this workshop that will
provide assistance with the procedural aspects of gaining citizenship,"
continued the Assemblymember.

The free workshop will help participants determine whether they can
apply for citizenship; offer assistance with completing official
naturalization forms; and, provide sample questions for the interview
exam. The workshop is free and open to the public, but space is limited
and appointments are required. To make an appointment, please contact
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County at (800) 433-6251
ex.472. Assistance is provided in English, Armenian, Spanish, Cantonese
and Mandarin.

Assemblymember Krekorian represents the 43rd District, which includes
the cities of Glendale and Burbank, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of
Atwater Village, Franklin Hills, Los Feliz, North Hollywood, Silver
Lake, Toluca Lake, Valley Glen, Valley Village and Van Nuys. For more
information about the citizenship workshop, please contact
Assemblymember Krekorian’s District Service Office at (818) 240-6330.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 689-7810
Fax: (212) 689-7168
Email: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – August 14, 2008

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL PRESIDE OVER SERVICES
AT ST. ASDVADZADZIN CHURCH IN WHITINSVILLE
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Whitinsville, Massachusetts, where
this Sunday he will preside over services at St. Asdvadzadzin Church, on the
occasion of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. He will officiate the
Blessing of the Grapes ceremony that will follow the Liturgy on the church
grounds with the participation of New England area clergy.

LINKED IN: A WEEKEND WORKSHOP FOR STUDENTS & PROFESSIONALS
Are you looking for a way to connect with friends and with your church?
Would you like to learn more about your Armenian spiritual heritage?
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the
Catholicosate of Cilicia, a workshop for students and professionals (ages 18
to 35) will take place September 26 to 28, at St. Mary Coptic Orthodox
Retreat Center in Charlton, Massachusetts.
Direct your questions via email to [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE: The registration form is now on the web page. Don’t delay. Send
in your form right away as space is limited.

PAN-DIASPORA YOUTH CONFERENCE BEGINS TODAY IN BIKFAYA
The Pan-Diaspora Youth Conference opened today at the St. Asdvadzadzin
Monastery in Bikfaya,
Lebanon, with participants from around the world. Participation was limited
to a maximum of 110 in order to make the lectures and round-table
discussions more intimate and focused. Thirteen young people from parishes
of the Eastern Prelacy are attending the youth conference which will
continue through to Saturday, August 16. The general theme of the conference
is "The Armenian Youth Face the Challenges of the 21st Century."

WEEK OF PRAYERS IN BIKFAYA ON EVE OF ST. ASDVADZADZIN
A week of prayers began on Monday, August 11 and will continue until
tomorrow, August 15 at the St. Asdvadzadzin Monastery in Bikfaya, Lebanon,
the summer residence of the Catholicosate, as preparation for the Feast of
St. Asdvadzadzin (The Assumption). The prayers, under the auspices of His
Holiness Aram I and organized by the Catholicosate’s Christian Education
Department, start each day at 10 am and include Bible studies, sermons,
singing of hymns, and Gospel readings.

CATHOLICOS ARAM I RECEIVES AGBU PRESIDENT
His Holiness Aram I received Berj Setrakian, president of the Armenian
General Benevolent Union (AGBU), in Bikfaya, on August 10. Hagop Ateshian, a
member of the Central Committee of the Catholicosate also attended the
meeting. His Holiness and Mr. Setrakian discussed issues of interest to the
Armenian nation worldwide, as well as projects underway both in Armenia and
the Diaspora under the auspices of the AGBU.

ANNIVERSARY BANQUET SET FOR OCTOBER 25
The dual anniversaries of the 110th anniversary of the establishment of
the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and the 50th
anniversary of the Prelacy’s affiliation with the Great House of Cilicia
will be marked with a gala banquet on Saturday, October 25, at the Marriott
at Glenpointe in Teaneck New Jersey. An exhibit about the history of the
Prelacy and a DVD film, "A Journey of Faith" will be on display during the
cocktail hour. We will provide regular updates about this event.

MAJOR RENOVATION UNDERWAY AT ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL
Major renovation of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City has
begun. Until the renovation is completed the Divine Liturgy will be offered
every Sunday at 10:40 a.m. at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Street,
Woodside, New York.

ARMENIAN-AMERICAN NIGHT IN NEW YORK
Armenian-American night-a free concert under the stars-will take place
this Sunday evening, August 17, 7 pm, at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre
of Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, New York. The concert will feature the
singer Karno with his band and the Akhtamar Dance Ensemble. For information:
516-572-0355.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, August 14 are: 1 Corinthians
15:34-49; Mark 3:20-30.
.and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat.
When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were
saying, "He has gone out of his mind." And the scribes who came down from
Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts
out demons." And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, "How
can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that
kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house
will not be able to stand. And Satan has risen up against himself and is
divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a
strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the
strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.
"Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever
blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can
never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"-for they had said,
"He has an unclean spirit." (Mark 3:20-30)

FEAST OF ASSUMPTION AND BLESSING OF GRAPES
This Sunday, August 17, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of
the Assumption (Verapokoum) of the Holy Mother of God and the Blessing of
the Grapes. Although in modern Armenian verapokoum means "change again," in
classical Armenian it means "transport up."
According to tradition, Mary, the Mother of Christ, died and was buried
by the apostles. The apostle Bartholomew, who was not present at her
funeral, wished to visit her grave, but when the gravestone was lifted they
were surprised to find that the body had disappeared. It was believed that
Christ had come and taken his mother to the Heavenly Kingdom. Based on this
event, the Church Fathers established the Feast of the Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, which is one of the five tabernacle feast days in the
Armenian Church’s liturgical calendar. It is celebrated on the Sunday
closest to August 15. The feast is preceded by a week of fasting and a
memorial day the day after.
Because Bartholomew was very fond of the Holy Mother, the apostle John
gave him an image of her (which she had given to John). Bartholomew took
this image with him to Armenia to Darbnots Kar in the province of Antsev,
Vaspourakan (Western Armenia) where a convent of nuns, Hagyatz Vank
(Monastery for the Spirits) was built and where the icon was kept. Most
images of Bartholomew show him holding this icon.
The concept of the Virgin Mary’s Assumption is an old one as seen in
sacred prose and poetry dedicated to the Holy Mother. However, it did not
become a basic doctrine of the church until the ninth century and it was in
the twelfth century that the feast was called "The Assumption."
In the Armenian Church the Blessing of the Grapes takes place on this
holy day, although there is no direct connection. Similar to other holidays,
it coincides with a pagan era festival, which the Church Fathers
incorporated into the church calendar. The hymn Park Sourp Khatachesi (Glory
to Your Sacred Cross) is sung; Biblical passages are recited, followed by a
prayer composed by Catholicos Nerses Shnorhali specifically for this
occasion. After the prayer, the grapes are blessed three times with
Orhnestsee Bahbanestsee and then the blessed grapes are distributed to the
faithful, many of whom refrain from eating grapes until this blessing takes
place.
Certainly we can say that the Blessing of the Grapes commemoration is a
celebration of the fruitfulness of the earth. Grapes are one of the oldest
cultivated plants in the world, and according to biblical history, Noah
planted a vineyard immediately after disembarking from the Ark (Genesis,
chapter 9) in Nakhichevan. And, of course, the wine of the Divine Liturgy
comes from grapes.

We leave you this week with a portion of the prayer written by Catholicos
Nerses Shnorhali for the
Blessing of the Grapes.
"Bless, O Lord, the grape plants and vineyards from which these grapes are
taken and presented to the holy church, and make them bountiful and
fruitful; let them be like good and fertile land, protect the vineyards from
all kinds of misfortunes and destruction which come from above because of
our sins, from hail, from cold, from hot winds, and from destructive
insects, so that we may enjoy that which You have created in this world for
our enjoyment and for Your glory, and grant that we may be worthy to eat and
drink with You from the bounty of Your most fruitful vine at the table of
Your Father’s Kingdom, according to the just promise which You made, to the
nor and glory of Your coexisting Trinity, the Father, the Son and the most
Holy Spirit to whom is due glory, power and honor, now and forever. Amen."

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August 17-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, picnic and
blessing of the grapes, officiated by Archbishop Oshagan and New England
area clergy. On church grounds, beginning at 12 noon. For information:
508-234-3677 or

August 17-St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, Feast of the Assumption of the Holy
Mother of God and Blessing of the Grapes, and picnic, at the Armenian
Center, Woodside, NY. For information 212-689-5880.

September 7-Annual picnic Festival of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, at American Legion Grounds, Haverhill, Massachusetts,
beginning at 12 noon.

August 3-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Blessing of the
Grapes picnic. Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, noon to 6 pm, rain or
shine.

August 10-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. Annual
picnic on church grounds. Free admission; free parking.

August 17-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, annual church
picnic and blessing of the grapes at Dunkerhook Park, Pavilion D, Paramus,
NJ. For information 201-943-2950.

September 7-St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain-Hartford, Connecticut,
annual picnic, 1 pm to dusk at Quartette Club Grounds, 225 Wooster Street,
New Britain. Rain or shine. Free admission.

September 14-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Celebration of
the Holy Cross and Madagh. For information 201-943-2950.

September 19-Sts. Vartanantz Church Ladies Guild, Providence, Rhode Island,
present "Remembering the Good Old Days. 8 pm, Aramian Auditorium. For
tickets and information 401-434-4467.

September 21-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, annual
church banquet. Details to follow.

September 22-13th annual St. Stephen’s School/ACEC Golf Tournament,
Framingham Country Club, Framingham, MA. For information, Astor Guzelian,
781-326-5764.

September 25-Sixth annual golf outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For information contact Richard Krikorian 201-784-2236 or church office
201-943-2950.

September 26-28-National Youth Conference at Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

September 29-30-Clergy conference at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

October 17-18-Annual Fall Fair of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall.

October 19-St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain-Hartford, first Connecticut
performance of "Hello Ellis Island," at Silas Deane Middle School, 551 Silas
Deane Highway, Wethersfield, Connecticut. Program starts at 3 pm; reception
follows. Advance reservation desired. Adults $25; Students $10; Children
under 12 $5. Tickets at door $30. For information: 860-229-8322.

October 31, November 1 and 2-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.

November 2-St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain-Hartford, Connecticut, 83rd
anniversary banquet at Indian Hill Country Club, 111 Golf Street, Newington,
Connecticut. Reception 1 pm, dinner at 2 pm. For information: 860-229-8322.

November 8 & 9-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, largest
Armenian Fest in New England. Saturday 12 noon to 10 pm; Sunday 12 noon to 8
pm. Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Broad Street, Cranston, Rhode Island. Kebobs and
kufta dinners. Live Armenian music. For information: 401-434-4467.

November 9-38th anniversary of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, and 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy See of
Cilicia, presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan at Jaffarian Hall
following Divine Liturgy.

October 25-Gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America under the jurisdiction of the Great
House of Cilicia and the 110th anniversary of the establishment of the
Armenian Church of America. Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New Jersey.
Details to follow.

November 21 and 22-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Fall Food Festival.

November 23-William Saroyan Centennial Celebration, co-sponsored by the
Anthropology/Armenian Museum at Queens College and the AGBU, 3 pm at Lefrak
Concert Hall, Queens College, Flushing, New York. Archbishop Oshagan will
participate. The program includes readings and a play by Saroyan. Also
special performance by the Aaron Copeland School of Music students of the
music of composer Arno Babadjanian. For information: 718-428-5650.

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

August 14, 2008
(818) 240-6330

Assemblyman Krekorian Condemns Congressman for Anti-Armenian Statements

GLENDALE-California Assemblyman Paul Krekorian strongly condemned a US
Congressman from Tennessee who attacked an Armenian journalist and made
bigoted anti-Armenian statements last week.

Congressman Steven Cohen, one of the most strident opponents of
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, is seeking reelection to represent
a district in Memphis, Tennessee. On the eve of his Democratic primary
election last week, Cohen conducted a press conference that was attended
by Armenian-American journalist Peter Musurlian. In a bizarre incident
that was covered by the local television news, Cohen physically
assaulted Musurlian and forced him out of the press conference. Cohen
went on to justify his outrageous conduct by referring to Armenians as
assassins and murderers.

Assemblymember Krekorian, who represents the largest Armenian community
in the United States, was outraged by the inexcusable behavior of the
Congressman. In a strongly worded letter to Cohen, Krekorian demanded a
formal apology to the Armenian people. (A complete copy of Krekorian’s
letter is attached). Krekorian has also asked the Speaker of the House
of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to investigate possible disciplinary
actions that can be taken against Cohen for this misconduct.

"I cannot tolerate this kind of bigoted slander against the Armenian
people from anyone, and especially not from a member of Congress,"
Krekorian said. "I’m deeply disappointed that a man with such
intolerant and ignorant views will be returning to Congress for another
term."

Television reports about Cohen’s behavior can be seen at
ws/Politics/Detail?conten
tId=3D7150474&versio n=3D1&locale=3DEN-US&layoutCode=3DVSTY&amp ;pageId=3D3.14.1

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ASSEMBLYMEMBER KREKORIAN’S LETTER TO CONGRESSMAN COHEN

August 11, 2008

Congressman Steve Cohen
1004 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515-4209

Dear Congressman Cohen:

As a member of the California State Legislature, I have the privilege of
representing the largest Armenian community in the world outside
Armenia. I am also an American of Armenian descent. As such, I must
tell you how disgusted and infuriated I was as I viewed your recent
bigoted tirade against Armenians – which I consider to be an attack
against me, my family, and the millions of good and decent and patriotic
Americans who share our ancestry. Frankly, your actions and words were
a disgrace and an embarrassment to the Congress and to our Party.

The journalist whom you physically attacked and forced out of your press
conference, and to whom you referred as "the Armenian guy" and a "yahoo
from Glendale, California" was Peter Musurlian, one of my constituents.
He is a well known, Emmy-nominated journalist and filmmaker who is
admired and respected by Armenians and non-Armenians alike in our area.
I would have been outraged by your inexcusable behavior toward my
constituent under any circumstances, but the fact that you tried to
justify your misconduct to the media by spewing hateful, slanderous and
racist invective makes the matter much more serious.

I’ve been in very tough campaigns myself, and I can sympathize with a
candidate who might temporarily lose emotional control in the heat of
the battle. What I cannot understand is how any member of the United
States Congress, and especially one claiming to be a Democrat, can make
the outrageous statement that you made to the press last week:
"…there have been Armenians who have assassinated and killed many
people, including people in this country in Los Angeles in the ’70s and
’80s, and so I don’t rest very comfortable with one of those fellows
coming into my home. . . .I don’t want these people in my home."

Given your fear of people of my ethnic background, I can only imagine
you must be downright terrified when you go to work at the Capitol and
find yourself having to deal with potentially murderous colleagues like
Armenian-American Congresswomen Jackie Speier and Anna Eshoo.

Sir, I don’t know any assassins or killers, but I know thousands of
hard-working, patriotic American citizens who are of Armenian ancestry
whom you gravely insulted with your remarks. Some of these Armenians
serve our country proudly and bravely in our Armed Forces – people like
my constituent Carla Stewart, an Armenian-American woman who was killed
in action in Iraq; and like my dad, who fought in the Battle of Okinawa
with the US Marines; and yes, like Peter Musurlian – the man you
assaulted for merely filming you at a press conference – who is a US
Army veteran who served our country in Bosnia and Croatia.

There are about two million Armenian-Americans who contribute
significantly to the great fabric of this country in countless other
ways every day. Is it too much to ask that a member of the United
States Congress not slander us all as potential terrorists and
murderers?

On behalf of all Armenian-Americans, and in fact on behalf of Americans
of every background who care about living in a society of tolerance and
who reject bigotry, I demand that you make a full and public apology for
your sickening conduct.

Very truly yours,

PAUL KREKORIAN

Assemblymember, 43rd District

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ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE
August 14, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Email: [email protected]

ARMENIAN AMERICANS IN ORANGE COUNTY AND SAN DIEGO
SHOW STRONG SUPPORT FOR ANCA ADVOCACY

TUSTIN, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America’s (ANCA)
confident and strong message of political activism was welcomed by
Armenian Americans from across Southern California recently during
two well-attended fundraising events held in Orange County and San
Diego. The ANCA gathering in the San Diego area was hosted by John
and Cynthia Andonian of Rancho Santa Fe, while the Orange County
function was organized by the Orange County ANC and generously
hosted by Garbis and Zov Karamardian at their restaurant in Tustin,
appropriately named Zov’s.

"Many thanks to John and Cynthia, Garbis and Zov and the Orange
County ANC team for hosting these two beautiful gatherings,"
remarked ANCA National Chairman Ken Hachikian. "I appreciated the
opportunity to exchange ideas and share the work of the ANCA in
Washington, DC and across the U.S. It is no secret that the
success of Armenian American advocacy efforts stems directly from
grassroots activism. These gatherings in San Diego, Orange County,
and around the nation help us build on past achievements and re-
energize our team to advance the Armenian Cause," Hachikian added.

The event at the home of John and Cynthia Andonian brought together
a combination of longtime ANCA supporters and individuals
interested in learning more about the organization’s efforts.
Hachikian gave an update about ongoing efforts to secure U.S.
reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, building an economically
strong Armenia, and broadening the U.S.-Armenia bilateral
relationship.

The fundraiser hosted by the Orange County ANC featured remarks by
local ANC chair Chris Guldjian and community leader Dikran
Sassounian and included the participation of many special guests,
including perennial ANCA benefactors Dr. Garo aand Sylvie
Tertzakian and Manas Boujikian, who served on first ANCA National
Board. Sassounian and Boujikian each recently traveled with
friends and family to Washington, DC and made their first visits to
the ANCA headquarters. Boujikian, along with Asbarez Armenian
Newspaper editor Apo Boghigian met with the ANCA Leo Sarkisian
interns and gave insight about the dramatic expansion of Armenian
American advocacy efforts over the past twenty-five years.

#####

Photo Captions:

ANCA event hosts John and Cynthia Andonian with national and local
leaders and supporters

ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian with supporters in Orange County,
California.

ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
August 14, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Email: [email protected]

ANCA INTERNS RETURN TO UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY LIFE COMMITTED
TO STRENGTHENING GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM

WASHINGTON, DC – A summer of intense grassroots activism and
political training came to an end this week as the 2008 Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) "Leo Sarkisian" summer
interns returned to their campuses and communities, energized to
put their enhanced skills to work in advancing Armenian American
advocacy priorities.

This year’s participants gathered from across the U.S., Canada,
and as far away as Argentina to work in the ANCA national
headquarters and gain first-hand Armenian American advocacy
training in the heart of Washington, D.C. "Having such a
diverse group of motivated and intelligent young activists, each
with different backgrounds and experiences, really added to the
richness of this year’s internship experience," said Internship
Coordinator Serouj Aprahamian. "I think they’ve gained a lot,
not only from working in the office but also from one another
and I’m sure they will go on to be true torchbearers for our
Cause well into the future."

As in years past, each intern was assigned a specially tailored
project geared toward enhancing the ANCA’s efforts and
strengthening their advocacy skill-set. The internship group
also took part in a comprehensive lecture series featuring such
highly acclaimed speakers as Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward
Nalbandian, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Tatoul Markarian,
Senior Council to the U.S. Senate Banking Committee Dean
Shahinian, as well as ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and former ARF
Bureau member Garo Armenian.

Participants were also given the opportunity to attend a number
of foreign policy and human rights briefings on Capitol Hill,
including the testimony of US Undersecretary of State Dan Fried
on American policy toward Armenia and the nomination hearings
for the newly confirmed U.S. Ambassador to Yerevan, Marie
Yovanovitch.

Throughout this whirlwind of Hai Tahd education, training and
activity, each participant gained a broader understanding of the
factors at play when it comes to Armenia and the advancement of
Armenian American issues. They also walked away with a variety
of newly gained skills ranging from conducting in-depth
research, to working with the media, meeting with representative
officials and even engaging in international diplomacy.

Named in honor and memory of pioneering ANCA activist Leo
Sarkisian, this eight-week intensive program, now in its 24th
year, gives student leaders and activists the tools necessary to
effectively advance Armenian American concerns on campus and in
their communities. It is an integral part of the ANCA Capital
Gateway program, a year-round internship / job placement service
which provides Armenian Americans greater opportunities to
explore careers on Capitol Hill, in the U.S. Foreign Service and
key Washington, DC foreign policy think tanks. To learn more
about the ANCA Capital Gateway Program, visit:
w.php

#####

Photo Captions:

Photo #1:Visiting the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol
Hill. From (l to r) Razmig Nalpatian, Zori Eurdekian, Rita
Astoor, Nieri Avanessian, Arbi Vartan, and Razmik Tchakmakian

Photo #2: ANCA Interns gain insight on U.S.-Armenia relations
and Armenia foreign policy during a visit with Armenian
Ambassador Tatoul Markarian (center). From l to r: Longtime ANCA
activist Manas Boujikian, Arbi Vartan, Rita Astoor, Nieri
Avanessian, Markarian, Razmik Tchakmakian, Zori Eurdekian,
Razmig Nalpatian, and ANCA leader Garo Armenian.

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

PAN-DIASPORA YOUTH CONFERENCE OPENS IN ANTELIAS

Young Armenians from around the world gathered in the summer headquarters of
the Catholicosate of Cilicia on Thursday to inaugurate the youth conference
organized by the Catholicosate’s youth department.

Held under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I, the conference convenes
under the theme "The Armenian youth in the face of the challenges of the
21st century." It will feature lectures by the President of Haigazian
University, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, Lecturer at the University of Geneva,
Dr. Joe Pirri, historian Garo Hovhannesian and other prominent
intellectuals.

A committee responsible for organizing the conference limited the number of
participants- young Armenians from communities worldwide- to 110 to ensure
the effectiveness of discussions and a result-oriented conference.

The delegates will discuss serious issues affecting the Armenian youth today
through a series of lectures and group discussions over the next three days.
Community representatives will convene round tables on previously assigned
topics, following which small groups will discuss the issues at hand in
depth and present summaries of their conclusions.

The conference will be a podium to shed light on the concerns and conflicts
that Armenian youth face in present times particularly in the Diaspora. All
the proposals made by the conference will be passed on to His Holiness who
will take them into consideration while formulating the Catholicosate’s
future projects and table them for discussion by National General Assembly
to be held in early December this year.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission 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.

The National Citizens’ Initiative
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected]
Website:

August 14, 2008

NCI Tackles the Sevan Issue

Yerevan–Today, the National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) convened a public
hearing entitled "Restoration of the Ecosystem of Lake Sevan: A Temporary
Halt in the Restoration Process, or An Undesirable Finish Line?" The meeting
brought together government representatives, MPs, scholars, social and
political activists, NGO officials, analysts, and members of the press.

The roundtable was called to discuss the challenges facing Lake Sevan’s
bionetwork–and specifically with respect to the pumping out of the lake’s
water–and the National Assembly’s special session, to be held on August 19,
during which the members of the parliament will examine a law proposal on
making amendments to the law concerning the ecology of Lake Sevan. It is
worth to mention that in line with this draft proposal, the annual amount of
maximum water release, which previously was 240 million cubic meters, is
expected to increase and reach up to 360 million.

In his intervention, Mher Mkrtumian of the State Committee on Water Economy
reflected on the reasons behind the aforesaid governmental proposal.
According to the speaker, this decision was made in consideration of the
current drought and the deficit of irrigation water at the country’s
agricultural areas. He also pointed to the insufficient water level at Azat
and Aparan Reservoirs and of the Hrazdan River and all this, in Mkrtumian’s
view, calls for additional water release from Lake Sevan. He noted that 213
million cubic meters already have been pumped out from the lake so far and,
since the irrigation season is not over, additional water still is in need.
"And the release of up to 360 cubic meters of water in 2008 will not
jeopardize Lake Sevan and therefore the relevant concerns are baseless,"
Mkrtumian stated.

In her turn, Evelina Ghukasian of the Institute of Hydroecology and
Fishbreeding spoke about the key pressing issues of Lake Sevan that
challenge the lake’s entire ecosystem. Reflecting on the lack of atmospheric
precipitation and the climatic changes, which the government points to very
often, Ghukasian mentioned that these phenomena have an adverse affect both
on agriculture and Lake Sevan. She informed that the lake’s isolating layer,
which is situated at the bottom of the lake and enables the lake to clean
itself, is not restored until now and this is the basis for those scientific
calculations which show that the water level of Lake Sevan needs to be
increased by at least six meters. And in response to the government’s
approach that the irrigation needs must be met on the account of Lake Sevan,
Ghukasian remarked with regret that, "Lake Sevan has become a cheap water
resource which can be ‘spent,’ but without making other ‘payments.’ The lake
already is unstable and each new fluctuation, whether raising or reducing
its water level, can become crucial."

The next speaker, chairwoman Karine Danielian of the "Sustainable Human
Development" NGO and representative of the Armenian National Committee of
the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), examined the mysterious
aspects of the restoration process of Lake Sevan’s ecosystem. She noted that
according to their most recent observations the Azat and Aparan Reservoirs
truly are not to their full capacity but, still, this picture is quite
different than what the government portrays. Danielian also gave statistical
data on the amount of atmospheric precipitation in 2008 and, according to
the speaker, these facts and figures are not too unusual in comparison with
the other unfavorable years. And considering this and other circumstances,
Danielian did not hide her bewilderment as to why the amount of water
release in 2008 should no less than double the amount that was pumped out in
those adverse years. Also speaking about Lake Sevan’s actual environmental
challenges–some of which are the result of an increase in water level, and
a newly emerged underwater and nearshore vegetation and the resulting
marshes–the speaker expressed concern that the lake’s cleaning process is
not in full capacity and asked: "Is this likewise linked to this proposal by
the government to stop the increase of the water level?"

The roundtable discussants also examined other relevant matters and
expressed their shared view against the government’s draft law on augmenting
the amount of water being released from Lake Sevan. They also proposed that
a communique, which will include all the concerns and opposing reviews made
during this public hearing, be prepared prior to the special parliamentary
session and asked that the Heritage Party’s Parliamentary Group present that
communique to the special session of the National Assembly.

The discussion participants also agreed to reconvene after August 19, when
the National Assembly’s position with respect to this issue will become
clear. And this position will outline the civil society’s future steps to be
taken with the support of NCI and environmental NGOs.

For further information, please call (37410) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax
(37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected]; or visit

The National Citizens’ Initiative
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 0033, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 27.16.00, 27.00.03
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected]
Website:

August 14, 2008

Escalation of the Politico-Military Tension in Georgia Could Result in
Unforeseeable Consequences for the Caucasus, and the Near and Middle East

Yerevan–Today, the National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI) convened a
roundtable devoted to the recent developments in Georgia. The meeting
brought together MPs, political scientists, human rights advocates, NGO
officials, and media representatives.

Welcoming the audience with opening remarks, NCI coordinator Hovsep
Khurshudian underscored that the Armenian body politic was extremely
concerned with respect to the recent events in Georgia and noted that these
developments had a direct impact on Armenian interests. "The military
operations already have resulted in the influx of thousands of refugees to
Armenia and in the disruption of the regular activity of transit and
transportation routes entering the country," he said. "What is more,
thousands of our compatriots who live in Georgia also have suffered by this
situation."

The day’s first speaker, chairman Stepan Grigorian of the "Globalization and
Regional Cooperation" NGO and political scientist, argued that the
marionette-like nature of the South Ossetian authorities was the real cause
behind the resurgence of the conflict. And this situation, according to the
speaker, allowed for the foreign powers–in this case, Russia–to pull
official Tskhinvali into perilous processes. In Grigorian’s view, by
deploying a large number of military units into Georgian territory Russia
violated all the commitments it had assumed as part of its peacekeeping
mandate and, consequently, it no longer can remain as a mediating side. "And
therefore the conflict transcended onto an all-encompassing phase, and, in
addition, Russia was prepared for an informational warfare in advance and
now it conducts that warfare most effectively," Grigorian maintained.

In his turn, political scientist and Heritage MP Stepan Safarian maintained
that the true reason behind the escalation of the tension was the Georgian
side’s operation toward "reestablishment of the constitutional order in
South Caucasus" and its inaccurate calculation. This calculation, according
to the speaker, was based on the hypothesis that the Russian side would
remain passive just like in 2004 when, in violation of the ceasefire, the
Georgian troops had entered the Kodori Gorge, which is a part of Abkhazia.
And on the other hand, according to Safarian, these developments will
accelerate Georgia’s accession into NATO. "Georgia made an attempt to make
the West, and specifically NATO-member countries, get involved in resolving
the matter of its territorial integrity. But in actual fact, Georgia will
have to enter NATO without Abkhazia and South Ossetia," Safarian concluded.

The remainder of the session was dedicated to an exchange of views and
recommendations among the public figures and policy specialists in
attendance. Noteworthy were interventions by Heritage MP Armen Martirosian;
coordinator Mane Hakobian of "The People are Masters of the Country" civic
union; chairwoman Karine Danielian of the "Sustainable Human Development"
NGO; and several others.

For further information, please call (37410) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax
(37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected]; or visit

Newropeans Magazine
Friday, 15 August 2008
Aspects of the Caucasus conflict – You may not be aware of…
Written by Armen Kouyoumdjian
Friday, 15 August 2008

One has to pity the unfortunate timing of the US state of Georgia, for
having chosen the very week of the Caucasus conflict to organise a seminar
in Santiago about the attractions of the peanut state (considering the
natives’ weak hold on geography).
Based on my interest and activities in the region, I tried to interest the
Chilean media in a more informed coverage of the South Ossetia conflict, but
as usual with no response. "No necesitamos asesorías extranjeras", as
Mexico’s former president Lopez Portillo once declared. Here are some
additional thoughts and facts, for anyone who is interested.

PROVOKING THE BEAR
For centuries, Russia has had a defensive fortress attitude, and is
extremely touchy of any actual or potential hostility on its borders and
"near abroad". The end of the USSR suddenly created a number of such risks,
and a power struggle between actors as to which camp they would jump in.
Having had to swallow the loss of influence upon such reluctant former
allies as Hungary or Poland, things became more serious when the struggle
moved onto more threatening ground. The Baltic villages with nationhood
ambitions may be irrelevant as risks, but the Islamic republics of Central
Asia are not, though its current Muslim battles are in Chechnya. It managed
to keep a hold on Belarus, but the Ukraine has been the subject of a deep
political struggle. In the Caucasus, Armenia is the only almost
unconditional fan (notwithstanding foreign financed groups who try to push
towards an alignment with the West). Azerbaijan appears to be firmly in the
hands of a family dictatorship financed by energy resources, and backed by
neighbouring Turkey and the countries from where the oil multinationals
came. Georgia has been the plum prize over which the struggle has been the
hottest.
One can discuss for hours as to who bears the blame for conflict, though
remember that policing Southern Ossetia was handed over to Russia by the UN.
The latest episode is obviously the result of a misplaced Georgian bravado,
only comparable to the Argentine invasion of the Falklands/Malvinas, by
thinking that there would be no reaction. Russia has now shown, if there was
any need to prove it, that it will continue to be the mover and shaker in
the area. The whole thing had been simmering for some time, and Russia
accused Georgia of helping the Chechen rebels in the past.
GEORGIA
A nation with an old tradition and culture, independent Georgia has
nevertheless failed to project itself internationally and modernise. It has
no vibrant Diaspora like Armenia, and the only famous Georgian is Stalin,
and that says a lot. It has become an uncouth and corrupt place (even by the
non exacting standards of the region). It has at least two separatist
regions (Abkhazia and South Ossetia), and a third potential one about which
people outside the area know nothing. Its Southeast region of Akherkhalaki
is mainly populated by Armenians, and was until recently the location of a
huge Russian military base, which has had to be evacuated. For the anecdote,
Charles Aznavour’s family comes from that region. Though there is no formal
separatist movement in what is a godforsaken place, becoming even poorer
after the closure of the Russian base, the Georgian authorities are
sufficiently paranoid about it to encourage ethnic Georgians from other
parts of the country to settle in recent years so as to modify the
population mix.

Whereas most people, even youngsters and children, still learn and speak
Russian in Armenia, where Moscow TV stations are accessible without cable
connection and old street signs in Cyrillic on streets and shops have
remained untouched, Georgia has actively pursued a "derussification" policy.

THE ISRAELI CONNECTION
Did Israel mistakenly empower Georgian aggression? The Israelis have been
very active in the Caucasus region since the end of the USSR. This takes
several forms. In the case of Azerbaijan, they have been the technical
partners of the USA and Britain, countries backing their oil multinationals
operating in the country, providing on the spot training and intelligence.
They have the advantage of possessing a good supply of Russian speakers who
emigrated from the region during and after the Cold War, and Russian is
still the lingua franca round the place. With Armenia, they have shamefully
cooperated with Turkey in Genocide negation, enlisting the sometimes
reluctant help of Diaspora Jewish organisation. They shall have to atone for
that disgraceful attitude one day.

However, the link with Georgia has been the closest. Within the effort to
"turn around" the country towards the West and NATO, Israel’s
military-industrial complex found its niche. The effort gathered momentum
from 2001, and has been helped by the close links of Georgian defence
minister Davit Kezerashvili with Israeli. He is not only Jewish (as is the
minister in charge of "re-integration", Temur Yakobashvili), but actually
emigrated to Israel in his youth, and had part of his education there,
before returning to Georgia and entering politics. He maintains close links
with Israel, and is also very close to the Georgian president. Both he and
Yakobashvili are fluent in Hebrew.

His presence and help encouraged Israeli firms such as IAI and Elbit to
offer sophisticated equipment, as Georgia went on a shopping spree to
modernise its armed forces to NATO standards. They delivered UAVs, upgraded
armoured vehicles, and supplied AA systems, communication and other
electronic equipment, rockets and ammunition.

The effort was not limited to hardware. Reserve Israeli generals Hirsh and
Ziv provided instruction on intelligence, urban combat, etc..even setting up
an elite deep penetration unit modelled on the Israeli Sayeret Matkal. Maybe
Hirsh was not the most judicious choice as an adviser, as he had to leave
the active list as one of the top officers responsible for the 2006 Lebanon
debacle. As for Yisrael Ziv, he runs Global CST, a security firm which has
been associated with the Ingrid Betancourt rescue operation, and is widely
considered as a Mossad arm.

The military flirting between Georgia and Israel was not problem-free. As
the planned sales got more sophisticated, the Russians pressured the
Israelis and told them in no uncertain terms that they were not amused, and
that it would have consequences in other areas of relations between the two
countries. The Foreign ministry pressured its Defence colleagues, who had to
clamp down on frustrated suppliers. It is also significant that all sales
were suspended when the latest conflict started.

The human material they trained was also less than top. The corrupt and
unmotivated Georgian military establishment was certainly not the top of the
class (news footage of the recent conflict actually shows them looking like
a ragtag guerrilla band rather than a disciplined army, not to mention
pictures of abandoned military vehicles whose crews seemed to have fled
without even bothering to fight). Still, if it is true that they managed to
bring down 19 Russian planes, they must have learned something.

Well apart from the military links, there is also reported to have been
quite a bit of business investment from Israel into Georgia.

ENERGY ASPECTS
In my July 30 paper on oil I wrote, referring to the triumvirate of Iran,
Russia and Venezuela, "They cannot afford either an interruption in supplies
or a collapse in the oil price. They will do everything, and I mean
anything, in order to avoid such a possibility". Though Russia did not start
the current conflict, it might well have escalated it more than it needed to
as a way of reversing the slide in the price of crude, which is off some 20
% from its record highs (Mrs. Bachelet seems to ignore that because on
August 13, she said "the price of oil keeps going up"). So far, the price
has failed to recover, but Russia may have achieved a more important
longer-term objective: to discourage future projects through the Caucasus,
competing with its own lucrative business which includes supplying the
greater part of all the gas consumed in Europe. Already, BP has shut off two
of its pipelines going through Georgia as a "safety measure". Some time ago,
Armenia, which has no energy of its own beyond an elderly nuclear station,
and whose conflict with Azerbaijan has meant that all the pipelines from the
Caspian to the West by-pass it, once discreetly reminded the world that
several of the lines passed within reach of its long-range artillery, even
if they were outside its territory.

The Caucasus has a very old oil tradition. The world’s first oil well was
drilled in what is today Azerbaijan as far ago as 1847, and by the turn of
the century, the Nobels, the Rothschilds and my compatriot Calouste
Gulbenkian were all active in the Baku oil fields. Gulbenkian subsequently
moved West, and between he and his son Nubar, were instrumental in setting
up not only the Iraq Petroleum Company, but also to finally persuade Shell
to drill in Venezuela, despite its reluctant chairman who insisted that "my
dear Gulbenkian, you know there is no oil in Venezuela". I wonder if
comandante Chávez knows this story. Armenians, all ways creative.

Currently, only Azerbaijan has hydrocarbons among the three Caucasus
republics, but the region had been planned to transport, in particular gas,
from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan to European markets by-passing the Russian
network.

THE NEIGHBOURS
I mentioned earlier that Azerbaijan appeared to be in firm hands. In fact,
it is full of instabilities. The dictatorial Aliyev Jr. does not have the
mettle of his father, though he is as corrupt, and despite the oil and gas
wealth, the people are poorer than in Armenia. The mainly Shi’a-Muslim
population is divided between a westernised capital dominated by Turkish
investors and the oil industry expats, and a countryside where
Iranian-financed Islamic Madrasas simmer against the sinners in the capital.
A potential time bomb not made any easier by the appearance in recent years
of the Salafi ultra-orthodox current of Islam.

Neighbouring Iran also has a large and restive Azeri minority, which Tehran
does not want to get any more bright ideas. Despite the common brand of
Islam, the Turko-Iranian competition in influence has meant that relations
with Iran are somewhat subdued.

Last but not least is the Karabagh conflict, where Azerbaijan not only lost
control of the Armenian populated territory given to Azerbaijan by Stalin in
an attempt to ingratiate himself to Kemal Ataturk, whom he expected to head
a friendly Communist regime in Turkey (!). In the same war, Azerbaijan also
lost 20 % of its territory proper, which is still occupied by Armenian
troops, and has created a major refugee problem. Since a mid-90’s ceasefire,
and despite numerous negotiations, the situation is a stalemate.

For Armenia, the South Ossetia conflict is a good news/bad news situation.
The presence of thousands of Russian troops and two bases on its territory,
with additional materiel transferred from the closed base in Georgia and
thus ready to equip more, is an additional guarantee against any Azeri
adventure, now that the Russians have shown that they are ready to act.

On the negative side, the conflict has shown the vulnerability of Armenia to
events in Georgia. Though disruptions were kept miraculously to a minimum so
far, much of the gas supplies and trade in and out of landlocked Armenia,
transit through Georgia. With the Turkish border closed, the only other
alternative route is through Iran. It is longer and more expensive. Iran is
also an alternative source of gas, with the onset of a pipeline from the
south, though it is not clear whether this has yet been connected to the
central Armenian network.

The psychological damage is also important. Foreign investors and tourists,
already affected by corruption and poor governance in the first instance,
and expensive air fares and a strong Armenian currency which has doubled
against the dollar in recent years, may become more reluctant. One good move
would be to achieve a motus vivendi with Turkey to re-open the border, and
some progress had been reported in that direction prior to the Ossetian
conflict.

THE GREAT POWERS
We Armenians know very well that in geopolitics, distance does not make the
heart grow fonder, and when push comes to shove, you are on your own. The
Georgians have now found it out at their expense, belatedly. Did they really
think, or had someone had told them, as in the attempted Bay of Pigs
invasion of Cuba, that they should take the lead in attacking and others
would follow? In the event, even the unscrupulous Israelis let them down,
and it took
several days for the Americans to say tut tut to Russia, not very
convincingly. They apparently offered transport to bring back the Georgian
battalion from Iraq, and are to send humanitarian aid. Britain’s Royal Navy
cancelled a joint exercise with Russia. Big deal. The French sent in two
planeloads of humanitarian aid, and their busybody president who happened to
chair the EU and fancied himself as having brokered an agreement which the
Russians planned to play to in any case, for the moment and as they wish.
Sarkozy may yet turn out to have played Daladier in the show. At the time of
writing, the ceasefire was already under stress.

Anyway, what could the foreign powers do? Attack Russia? The bottom line
might be to convince those Eastern Europeans still pondering which side of
the fence to jump, that in foreign politics, there are no friends, just
interests. As British energy and security specialist John Roberts writes:
"Frozen conflicts are simply ice-covered volcanoes".
Armen Kouyoumdjian
Country Risk Strategist
Valparaiso – Chile

Feature: Ukraine champion Ayvazian’s unfulfilled wish

2008-08-15
By sportswriter Bai Xu

BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) — After he won the Olympic gold medal,
Ukrainian shooter Artur Ayvazian said he wanted to attribute it to his
coach.
"He helped me a lot," said the 35-year-old who had just been crowned in
men’s 50-meter rifle prone event at the Beijing Olympics.
But his coach, Vadim Klemenko, could never see the medal.
In fact, he had been dead for six years.
Born in Armenian capital Yerevan, Ayvazian received training in track
and field when he was ten years old, while his younger brother practiced
shooting.
Once his brother asked him to try with the rifle, he did. However, the
fifth-grader later found it tiring to juggle classes, track and field, and
shooting at the same time.
"I thought of giving up shooting, but my local coach believed I have the
talent in the sport and dissuaded me," said Ayvazian, then 12 years old.
The local coach was later proved right.
In 1990, Ayvazian enter a sports school in Lviv, a cultural center in
Ukraine.
He graduated in 1995, when Ukraine claimed independence. The shooter
thus chose to stay there.
Ayvazian met Klemenko in 1997, after the coach had paid attention to him
for two years.
"He is a good and professional coach, one that is rarely seen," the
champion recalled.
They were together all the time: when Ayvazian was running for physical
exercise, Klemenko held a stopwatch to record the time; when the shooter
went for competitions, Klemenko shared a room and dined together with him.
That was not all.
"He also gave me mental support," the athlete said.
The old man, born in 1941, was a retired shooter. In their spare time,
he told Ayvazian his past experiences.
"To me, he is not only a coach, but a good friend, or like father, who
could enter my heart," Ayvazian said.
Gold medalist in 50-meter rifle three positions at the World Cup in
Milan earlier this year, the shooter brought a photo snapped at that time
with him, putting it beside his pillow.
The day before the competition, he said he had a foreboding as what
would happen on Friday, which he believed was destined.
On Friday morning, the wind in qualification hall troubled some ace
shooters, like American Matthew Emmons.
"I had to fight harder than ever. The wind just swirled around. It was
definitely challenging," said the 27-year-old who later won a silver.
But Ayvazian found that the competition progressed as he imagined, even
the wind.
Still single, the shooter had his parents and brother living in Armenia.
He said he would have a two-month rest before making preparations for
the Bangkok World Cup. But the shooter hadn’t decided how long he would
continue shooting, as it was just part of his interest. Apart from it, he
likes diving and hunting in the nature.
"Becoming a public figure is likely to deprive a person of his freedom.
I am now afraid. I just don’t like it," he said.
"Shooting is something that requires particularity. It is easy to win,
and equally easy to lose — when you lose your feeling."
Whatever Ayvazian’s choice would be, seeing this hard-won Olympic gold
of his apprentice, the late old man would be contented in Heaven.