Month: October 2008

DRAFT LAW ON DEFENCE PUT UNDER CONSIDERATION

A1+
[07:50 pm] 22 October, 2008

Today the Armenian Parliament considered the draft law "on Defence"
authored by the RoA Government. The main idea of the bill is that the
defense minister should be a civil personality, member of the leading
political team and will have a full civil control over the armed
forces. At the same time, under the suggested bill, the armed forces
will have nothing in common with politics. Political affiliations,
campaigns and political activities are prohibited in the army.

Defence Minister Seyran Ohanian noted that Armenia will have a
professional army in a few years’ time. "The idea of a professional
army lies in the heart of our reforms," he said.

SECURITY, SPECIAL SERVICE LEADERS AT PRESIDENT

Panorama.am
17:02 22/10/2008

Today the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan received the Security,
Special Service Heads of CIS countries, reported the press service
of the President’s Administration.

According to the source, the President signified such multisided
meetings especially for information, change experience, working
on activities against dangerous things, etc. According to him the
world is changing rapidly and new challenges should be met, hence
the demands of security service officers are changing also.

The Chairman of Security, Special Service of CIS countries, the Head
of Federal Security Service of Russian Federation Alexander Bortnikov
has briefly presented the questions discussed during jubilee 25th
session of the council.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GHARIBJANYAN AND DIARA DISCUSSED FOREIGN COMMUNICATION AFFAIRS OF ARMENIA

Panorama.am
18:01 22/10/2008

Today the Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Gegham Gharibjanyan
has received Sheikh Sidi Diara, the vice secretary of UN. During
the meeting the officials have discussed a range of questions on the
countries which do not have way out to sea and their communication
problems. The sides have signified that such countries should be
given a way to sea, and in this regard regional cooperation is of
great importance.

In this regard the Deputy Foreign Minister said that current situation
is a real problem for Armenia as very often various projects are not
implemented only because of that.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRIME MINISTER ABOUT SELLING GOLD RESERVES

Panorama.am
18:22 22/10/2008

Struggle against international financial crisis supposes meeting
4 problems, and the first one is it should not be talked about so
much, announced Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan in National
Assembly session. The second one is increasing capitalization level
of financial system; in this regard Armenia has no problems as our
capitalization level is high enough.

According to the Prime Minister the third point is how solvent
financial organizations are.

Regarding the question that in 2004 Central Bank sold gold reserves,
the Prime Minister said "Central Bank bought the gold by 280 dollars
and sold it by 400. The revenues have been sent to State Budget to
implement social expenses."

ARMENIAN PRELACY LAUDS COEXISTENCE OF ARMENIANS WITH MUSLIMS

Tehran Times
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Iran

TABRIZ (IRNA) — Prelacy of Iranian Armenians in the northwestern
province of East Azerbaijan, Archbishop Neshan Topozian, said
on Tuesday that Armenians are living peacefully with their Muslim
brothers in Iran.

He made the remarks in a meeting with Governor General of East
Azarbaijan province, Ahmad Alireza-Beigi.

He voiced readiness of Iran’s Armenian community to help develop
their Islamic country.

Referring to registration of nine Armenian historical sites as the
World Cultural Heritage, he appreciated efforts made by the provincial
governor to that end.

The provincial official, for his part, praised active participation
of the Armenian community in Iran’s social affairs.

He added that contrary to the enemies’ propaganda campaign, the
Armenian community enjoys full freedom in observing their religious
rituals.

FAITHFUL CELEBRATE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL IN NEW YORK
by Florence Avakian

Armenian Reporter

http://www.reporte r.am/index.cfm?objectid=235C3AF0-3FF3-752C-2569048 AC39B0F21
October 22, 2008
Armenia

Abp. Khajag Barsamian blesses the faithful in a procession through
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral at the start of the Divine Liturgy,
celebrated on Oct. 12 on the occasion of the cathedral’s 40th
anniversary.

New York – It was more than 80 years ago that dedicated survivors
of the Armenian Genocide conceived the idea of having an Armenian
cathedral in New York City. The visionary and far-sighted idea came
to fruition 40 years ago, in 1968.

On Sunday, October 12, in a gala ceremony honoring the close to 300
founders, planners, organizers, and workers, both living and deceased,
were honored during the Divine Liturgy at that cathedral, St. Vartan,
and at a celebratory luncheon.

"Our people left their homes which they lost in the Genocide, but they
never lost their deep faith," said Archbishop Khajag ­Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern),
during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

"They made it a true sanctuary of God, not only for themselves, but
for their children, grandchildren, and future generations. It’s the
legacy for all of us, and we thank God and those visionary people."

Just returned from ­Etchmiadzin, from where he brought back newly
consecrated Holy Muron, the Primate noted that the holy oil which is
the "sign of the Holy Spirit" will be distributed to the 43 parishes
of the Eastern Diocese by 66 young people representing those churches.

A church for all "Muron symbolizes how we are connected to each
other. The Armenian church is a church of engagement also for the
community," the Primate related. "We are not only a church for
Armenians, but also a church of the community," he said, recalling
how hundreds of people streamed into St. Vartan Cathedral following
September 11, 2001.

The eventful day had begun with the Primate accompanied by more
than two dozen priests and deacons entering the packed St. ­Vartan
Cathedral to the majestic hymn, "Hrashapar." During the service, a
special encyclical from Catholicos Karekin II was read by Archbishop
Yeghishe Gizirian. The liturgy was sung by a combined choir with
singers from St. Vartan Cathedral, and churches in New York, New
Jersey, and Connecticut, under the direction of St. Vartan Cathedral
choirmaster Khoren Mekanejian. Accompanying on the organ were the
Very Rev. Mamigon Kiledjian, and Florence Avakian.

Following a requiem service for the deceased founders of St. Vartan
Cathedral, 66 young people from 43 parishes approached the altar two
by two, in an inspiring ceremony, receiving flasks of the Holy Muron,
which they will deliver to their home parishes. The day before, Very
Rev. Daniel Findikian, rector of St. Nersess Armenian Theological
Seminary, had held a training session with the youth, explaining the
significance of the Holy Muron, and how to receive it.

Day of celebration continues The day of celebration continued
with a gala luncheon in Kavookjian Auditorium, with close to 500
in attendance, including Armenia’s permanent representative to the
United Nations, Amb. Armen Martirosyan.

Following the singing of the U.S. and Armenian national anthems
by the St. Vartan Choir, and an invocation by Archbishop Gizirian,
Rev. Father Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, introduced
the two young emcees, Gregory Andonian, a seminarian at St. Nersess
seminary, and Anoush Varjabedian, a graduate student at Harvard
University. "These talented individuals are two beneficiaries of this
visionary dream which became a reality for all future generations,"
he said.

The chairperson of the Diocesan Council, Oscar Tatosian, offering two
toasts, one to St. Vartan Cathedral, and one to the Primate, remarked
that "we can always see the kmpet (dome) of St. Vartan Cathedral,
but we don’t see the foundation. But that foundation is rock solid."

Ambassador Martirosyan, in bringing good wishes from Armenia and
its people, called St. Vartan Cathedral "our new home here in New
York." He paid tribute to the "wisdom and virtue of the founders to
whom we owe so much. The cathedral is not just a building, but rather
a key center of leadership. It is necessary to protect our national
values and interests."

The Shushi Dance Ensemble of St. Vartan Cathedral, under the tireless
direction of Seta Paskalian­-­Kantardjian, offered a spirited and
exuberant performance of several dance numbers with both the adult
and young members of the troupe, bringing on a standing ovation by
the attendees.

An inspiring seven-minute video showing the making of the Holy Muron
in Etchmiadzin, which takes place every seven years, allowed the
audience, though thousands of miles away, to witness and be part of
this sacred ceremony.

In his closing message and benediction, Archbishop Barsamian called
St. Vartan Cathedral "the home of God, of prayer, of the Armenian
spirit, of the Armenian translators, and of culture. He recalled
that a special evening of art and music had been celebrated at the
cathedral for this 40th birthday on June 19, and expressed special
appreciation to the two co-chairs of the Fortieth Anniversary
Committee, Lynn Beylerian and Sandra Shahinian Leitner, as well as
to all who participated in the day of celebration.

The Primate then presented the St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral Award to
three of the Cathedral godfathers who were present, ­Nazar Nazarian,
Vahan (Vay) Najarian, and Alex Dadourian who accepted the honor also
for his father Dadour and brother Haig, who were godfathers.

In another special tribute, the Primate presented an encyclical and
medal from the Catholicos to each of four extraordinary artists who
have donated their unique talents to the Diocese and church during
the past forty years – celebrated ­Metropolitan Opera divas Lucine
Amara and Lili Chookasian, famed concert violinist Anahid Ajemian, and
stage and screen legend Kay Armen, who was unable to be present. "We
are one family, one Armenian family," he said in conclusion. The
memorable event ended with the singing of the Hayr Mer by all present.

For artist Mirian Attarian, the day had been "like a beautiful family
reunion. It was especially sweet to name those we have known over
the years, and who have been so important for us."

Longtime TV columnist for the NY Daily News George Maksian, who had
organized the two musical galas for the St. Vartan Cathedral’s 25th
anniversary, and who was thanked for his tireless work by the Primate
during the dinner, commented that it was a "wonderful event. I’m
happy that they honored our artists."

–Boundary_(ID_1+I+CdJ+dtGXJmnGzrY Xbg)–

A NORTHERN NEIGHBOR GROWLS, AND AZERBAIJAN ADJUSTS
By Sabrina Tavernise

New York Times
October 22, 2008

BAKU, Azerbaijan — This country has always had tricky geography. To
its north is Russia. To its south is Iran. And ever since the collapse
of the Soviet Union it has looked west, inviting American companies
to develop its oil reserves and embracing NATO.

But since Russia and Georgia fought a short war this summer, its path
has narrowed.

Azerbaijan, a small, oil-rich country on the Caspian Sea, has
balanced the interests of Russia and the United States since it won
its independence from the Soviet Union. It accepts NATO training but
does not openly state an intention to join. American planes can refuel
on its territory, but American soldiers cannot be based here.

"Azerbaijan is doing a dance between the West and Russia," said Isa
Gambar, an Azeri opposition politician. "Until now, there was an
unspoken consensus. Georgia was with the West, Armenia was an outpost
of Russia, and Azerbaijan was in the middle."

But with the war in Georgia, Russia burst back into the region,
humiliating Tbilisi and its sponsor, the United States, which issued
angry statements but was powerless to stop Russia’s advance. It was
a sobering sight for former Soviet states, and one that is likely to
cause countries like Azerbaijan to recalibrate their policies.

"The chess board has been tilted, and the pieces are shifting
into different places," said Paul Goble, an American expert on the
region, who teaches at the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy in Baku,
the capital. "What looked balanced before does not look balanced now."

A Western official said, referring to Azerbaijan: "Georgia was very
much a wake-up call. This is what the Russians can do and are prepared
to do. Georgia events underscored their vulnerability."

Azerbaijan will be under more pressure from Russia when undertaking
energy contracts and pipeline routes that Russia opposes, said one
Azeri official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of
the delicacy of the matter. Officials from Russia’s gas monopoly,
Gazprom, on a trip here this spring, offered to buy Azerbaijan gas at
European prices, rather than at the former reduced rate. That offer,
if the Azeris chose to accept it, could sabotage a Western-backed
gas pipeline project to Europe called Nabucco.

Rasim Musabayov, a political commentator in Baku, said that under
the new conditions, many Azeris think that selling gas to Russia is
not such a bad idea.

New projects carry political risks, he said, and if Russia "will pay
us a price we agree on for our gas, why build something new?"

"You can’t have a foreign policy that goes against your geography,"
he added. "We have to get along with the Russians and the Iranians. We
can’t afford to provoke them."

After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia was weak, with a collapsed
economy and a scattered, inconsistent foreign policy. Azerbaijan
used that to its advantage. Now Russia is stronger and speaks in one
voice, and Azerbaijan has to be more careful in its relations with
its big neighbor.

Georgia is now so hostile to Russia that working with it as a partner
in the region is increasingly difficult, said Borut Grgic, chairman
of the Institute for Strategic Studies in Ljubljana, Slovenia, an
expert on Caspian energy infrastructure.

"Azerbaijan will never seek E.U.-NATO integration at the expense of
functional and working relations with Russia," he said. The Georgian
president, Mikheil Saakashvili, he said, "is making this balance
difficult to sustain."

At no point in the crisis did Azerbaijan take a position that would
have made Moscow bristle. When the fighting began, Azerbaijan appealed
to Russia, asking it to preserve its infrastructure in Georgia —
a port, an oil terminal and a pipeline. Moscow agreed, according to
Azerbaijan’s foreign minister, Elmar Mammadyarov.

Azerbaijan helped European diplomats enter Georgia while it was
under attack, but when the leaders of Ukraine, the Baltics and
Poland traveled to Tbilisi to express solidarity with the Georgians,
the Azeri president, Ilham Aliyev, did not make the trip. And after
Vice President Dick Cheney visited Baku in September, Mr. Aliyev flew
immediately to Moscow for talks with Russian leaders.

But the issue closest to this country’s heart is that of
Nagorno-Karabakh, an area in its southwest where Armenian separatists
rose up and formed an independent enclave in the 1990s. For years,
Azerbaijan has tried, through international mediation, to reclaim
the territory and allow Azeri refugees who fled to return.

Since the war this summer, the Russians seem to have grabbed the
initiative. President Dmitri A. Medvedev, on a trip to Yerevan,
Armenia, this week, said Russia was pushing for a meeting between
the Azeri and Armenian presidents.

"I hope such a meeting will take place in Russia," he said, Reuters
reported.

Russia has traditionally backed the Armenians, but times are changing.

"One of the positive effects of the Georgian crisis is that the
Kremlin will try to show that they are not crazy guys," an Azeri
official said. "That they can be good neighbors, too."

The Russian attitude toward Azerbaijan, one Azeri official said, was
that "the U.S. has come to your country and is plundering your natural
resources, but not giving you any support. Why not go with us instead?"

Mr. Cheney, on his visit to Baku, also pledged to redouble efforts,
causing some Azeris to remark ruefully that it took him eight years
to make the trip.

Ali Hasanov, an official in Azerbaijan’s presidential administration,
said concrete progress would win many points in Baku.

"If a big country takes a position, stands on the side of unbroken
territory, we will follow its interests," he said.

LAND AND CULTURE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES ITS MISSION IN ARMENIA

Armenian Reporter
=FA81E764-3FF3-752C-28B575EF1F0A54F7
October 22, 2008
Armenia

Local volunteers in Syunik help restore monuments

Land and Culture organization volunteers cleaning up the Vorotnavank
monastic complex.

SISIAN, Armenia – Concerned about the progressive destruction of
historical Armenian monuments and sites throughout the world, a group
of young French Armenians founded the Land and Culture Organization
(LCO) in France in 1977. Realizing that Armenian architectural
monuments were defenseless against the ravages of time and people, the
LCO set out to help restore and preserve them. Soon after its creation,
the LCO opened branches in the United States and England. After the
devastating earthquake in Armenia in 1988, LCO started working in
Armenia and in 1994 officially registered a branch in the homeland.

The organization has organized summer programs which they call
campaigns, where volunteers from all over the world travel to locations
where Armenian ancestral sites can be found. They work in the area
of architectural preservation, land cultivation, and community
development. These summer campaigns serve as an opportunity for
Armenians to come together to discover their ancestral roots and expand
their cultural horizons. They also put their common ideals into action.

This past summer, the LCO organized its Faith and Heritage Youth
Campaign in Sisian and Goris in the Syunik region of Armenia. The
Youth Campaign had been the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian’s vision
and this year’s campaign was held in his memory.

During these LCO campaigns, young men and women travel to monasteries
and other national historic monuments to clean the surrounding areas of
the monument. They are joined by young volunteers from local villages
to bring the historic monument to a presentable state. This year’s
campaign included about 50 young volunteers from Yerevan and other
regions of the country who were then joined by volunteers from local
villages near the sites.

The Faith and Heritage Youth Campaign visited the 7th-century
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Sisian, including the
Karadaran, an open air repository of ancient khatchkars (stone
crosses), gravestones, and rock carvings where they conducted a
clean-up. They also worked on a 7th-century mausoleum in the village
of Aghitu. According to organizers, the site was completely cleared
of wild, overgrown weeds and vegetation. The group also spent time
at the Vorotnavank monastic complex, where they cleared the site of
garbage, filling large garbage bags with rubbish, and also cleared
away overgrown thorns and vegetation.

The volunteers also cleared the entire area surrounding the Shake
Hydroelectric station. The young people were amazed at the incredible
amount of garbage in the area but were able to secure promises from
local representatives that they would be disposed of properly.

These dedicated young volunteers also worked on the site of a monastic
complex from the Middle Ages in the steep ravine by the river Vorotan
before traveling to the city of Goris where they visited the local
church, the ancient caves of Goris, and the local museum of geology.

The Land and Culture Organization will continue to organize these youth
campaigns on a yearly basis ensuring the clean-up and maintenance of
national historical sites and at the same time giving young Armenians
the opportunity to take part in a worthwhile cause while discovering
their roots..?

THE DILANCHYAN ART CENTER THRIVES ON AN INCLUSIVE APPROACH
by Mariette Tachdjian

Armenian Reporter
=242A9B14-3FF3-752C-2E1D728A00EFEF1E
October 22, 2008
Armenia

Learning and being creative at the Dilanchyan Art Center in Glendale.

Glendale, Calif. – There are few learning environments within
the Los Angeles Armenian community where creativity, imagination,
and self-expression are fostered through a multitude of artistic
media. One such place lies behind an unassuming storefront window
along a stretch of industrial establishments on San Fernando Boulevard
in Glendale. The Dilanchyan Art Center, dubbed "Norik’s Art Studio,"
is run by the Dilanchyan family: father Norik and his two sons, Narek
and Vartan. The business thrives on inspiring and teaching students
of several generations, from small children to septuagenarians.

At the Dilanchyan Art Center, children and adults share the same
learning space, playing with canvases while dipping into bountiful
color palettes. Owner and master artist Norik Dilanchyan operates the
center on the principle that all students must have a solid training in
the fundamentals of art – including sketching, perspective, and figure
drawing. Among stacks of palettes and easels, students soak in the
nurturing art environment up to twice a week, with 90-minute classes,
and receive a fair amount of one-on-one attention. The second-floor
classroom, in particular, is reminiscent of an old European-style
art institute.

"Kids of different ages are choosing to come here, whereas at [their
regular] schools art is part of the curriculum and they have to fulfill
the requirement," says Norik, who, prior to launching the Dilanchyan
Art Center, taught at local institutions such as the Los Angeles Art
Academy, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles Valley College, and
Holy Martyrs Ferrahian School. Of all his professional engagements,
Norik said, starting his own art school has been the most satisfying.

Narek Dilanchyan is committed to teaching students with the same
dedication as shown by his father. As a student at the Pasadena Art
Center, he feels he is guided by his father’s principles while learning
avant-garde art styles and techniques and in turn offering a fresh
perspective to his students. His brother, Vartan, the business-savvy
member of the team, handles the logistics of the Dilanchyan Art
Center’s operations. "It’s a collective effort," he says Vartan. He is
soon to graduate from Woodbury University with a business degree. The
Dilanchyan faculty also includes graphic designer Tigran Tashchyan,
who teaches various programs in computer design. Tashchyan says he
is sometimes challenged by the younger generation. "They know more
about computers than I do," he notes lightheartedly.

The art of teaching art The art of teaching art is not limited
to the classroom. Through his television program, broadcast four
times a week on the Armenian channel AMGA 280, Norik has recently
been able to reach out to more kids who would otherwise be stuck in
their two-dimensional video-game world. On his show, Norik conducts
a 30-minute art session, during which he demonstrates techniques in a
variety of art forms including basic figure sketching, painting, and
cartooning. "We wanted to expand the business and enroll more Armenian
kids," explains Norik, whose television program can be seen at 7:00
a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Although Norik received his formal art education in Armenia, his
career didn’t really begin until he moved to the United States with
his family, in 1992. He credits his wife as a main support during
the years he acquired professional training in a new country. Soon
thereafter he entered and won an art competition sponsored by the
Lincy Foundation, which commissioned him to illustrate a series
of eight Armenian school textbooks. While working on the project,
Norik also gained recognition for his paintings – which are currently
represented by the Mark Allan Art gallery in Laguna Beach, California.

Norik says he finds great satisfaction in seeing kids and adults
discover their artistic potential and build self-confidence. When
asked what makes the Dilanchyan Art Center different from other such
schools, he says, "We don’t limit ourselves to a single teaching
methodology." He explains that students are encouraged to experiment
in different artistic techniques and media, though never at the expense
of a solid foundation. Both Norik and Narek find that students love to
come up with their own styles, and in the process discover unexpected
solutions.

The Dilanchyan Art Center, where enrollment is not limited to students
of Armenian descent, holds an annual student exhibition, where budding
artists between the ages of 5 and 75 get to showcase their work.

In a time when art is ever-evolving through digital media and
traditional art forms take a back seat, it is good to know that there
are folks out there who still care about sharing art as both a labor
of love and an invaluable service to the community.

RA MFA DOESN’T CONFIRM OSCE MG VISIT TO REGION

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.10.2008 17:47 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Foreign Ministry does not confirm
that the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs are arriving in the region net
week, RA MFA media relations division head Tigran Balayan told a
PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

The office of OSCE MG Russian Co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov did not confirm
the information either. "The mediators’ arrival is expected after the
Azerbaijani presidential election but the exact date is not known yet,"
said a representative of Ambassador Mezrlyakov’s office.

Earlier, Trend Azeri news agency quoted OSCE MG French Co-chair
Bernard Fassier as saying that "the mediators are planning a visit
to the region next week."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress