Month: December 2008

SERZH SARGSYAN: THERE ARE SEVERAL PERSPECTIVE SPHERES IN PROMOTION OF ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN ARMENIA AND BULGARIA

ArmInfo
2008-12-11 08:45:00

ArmInfo. "There are several perspective spheres in promotion
of economic cooperation and growth of trade turnover between
Armenia and Bulgaria",- Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said at a
press-conference after the Armenian-Bulgarian high-level negotiations
in Sofia, Wednesday.

Sargsyan said that there used to be well-known Bulgarian commodities in
Armenia and added that it’s time to restore the tradition. Alongside
with the increase in import of Bulgarian commodities to Armenia,
Sargsyan also pointed out big opportunities for activation of
cooperation in the sphere of energy. "Both Armenia and Bulgaria
have one nuclear power plant. Now we want to build a new power
unit. I think that our cooperation in this sphere will be active both
before and after the launch of the new power unit of Armenian NPP",-
Sargsyan said.

According to Sargsyan, during the Armenian-Bulgarian high-level
meetings, the persons responsible for transport were given
instructions to make preparations by the time Armenia and Bulgaria
have an overland communication. In addition, the president said
that after construction of Armenia-Iran railroad, Armenia will have
also railroad communication, and this complex of measures will help
increase the commodity turnover and raise the economic component of
the bilateral cooperation to the level of international relations.

To note, in 2008 the commodity turnover between Armenia and Bulgaria
amounted to 150 mln USD.

TIGRAN SARKISYAN: HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS SHOULD BECOME NOT UTOPIA BUT PRESSING NECESSITY FOR ARMENIAN CITIZEN

ArmInfo
2008-12-11 08:34:00

ArmInfo. , Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sarkisyan said yesterday
on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of adoption of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.

According to the prime minister, having passed a history of several
thousand years, the mankind reached a consensus regarding the
fundamental human rights only 60 years ago that is a small period
for the human history.

‘Human intellect will be the primary value in the future, that
means freedom of thinking and an opportunity to get education. A
man should be educated to live worthily. An uneducated man cannot
worthily assess the necessity of the rights and freedoms. We cannot
build a prosperous country without educated people for whom freedoms
are a conscious necessity’, T. Sarkisyan said. He emphasized that

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway

The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one’s belief or religion
The right to join together and express one’s belief

========================================== ======
11 December 2008
ARMENIA: IMPRISONMENT OF SOME 80 CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS "NOT A HUMAN
RIGHTS ISSUE"
icle_id=1228
Armenia’s Foreign and Justice Ministries have denied to Forum 18 News
Service that the country’s alternative to military service is also under
military control. Karine Soudjian, who heads the Human Rights Department in
the Foreign Ministry, insisted to Forum 18 that the current Alternative
Service Law has "no contradiction" with Armenia’s international human
rights obligations, including to the Council of Europe. But the Council of
Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg says the Law "does not
provide for a genuine civilian service as the service is still managed and
supervised by the Ministry of Defence". Soudjian says the imprisonment of
some 80 Jehovah’s Witness conscientious objectors – a figure she disputes –
"is not a human rights issue". Parliamentary deputy David Harutyunyan told
Forum 18 the Law has "room for improvement" and is being discussed in two
parliamentary committees, but declined to spell out what changes are being
discussed. Jehovah’s Witnesses fear that if the system does not change, at
least a further 15 young men will face trial from January.
* See full article below. *

12 December 2008
KAZAKHSTAN: SECRET POLICE RAID, FILM AND INVESTIGATE BELIEVERS
le_id=1229
A Protestant church’s Sunday afternoon prayer meeting in the town of Aral
in October was raided by police and secret police without a warrant, church
members told Forum 18 News Service. Officers filmed those present without
their consent, summoned seven of them to the police station and tried to
prosecute the leader, Indira Bukharbaeva, on administrative charges. But
she was acquitted in December. Public Prosecutor Abdukarim Abdullaev told
Forum 18 it was too sensitive to discuss by phone whether measures would be
taken over the unauthorised filming of the church meeting. Meanwhile the
secret police in Taraz have lodged serious criminal charges against
Protestant pastor Sarybai Tanabaev for "inciting religious intolerance"
over two sermons he gave. One recording was confiscated from one church and
the other apparently covertly made by the secret police. The secret police
officer involved in the case, Major Mukhamedjan Paezov, told Forum 18 the
case was initiated from the capital Astana and is being run from there.

9 December 2008
RUSSIA: WHY WEREN’T VIOLENT CHURCH ATTACKERS CONVICTED?
cle_id=1227
None of the alleged participants in two violent attacks on a Pentecostal
church – by three people in the first attack and eight people in the second
attack – has gained either a criminal or administrative record for the
attacks, Forum 18 News Service has found. Asked why, given the seriousness
of the attacks, no criminal case had been launched and no criminal trial
had taken place, a senior investigatory official responded: "That’s your
subjective view." Only one attacker – Oleg Sumarukov – appears to have had
any form of official action taken against him. However, a local newspaper
thought to have encouraged the April 2008 attacks was given an official
warning. During the attacks, slogans such as "Sectarians are everywhere!"
and "You must be destroyed!" were shouted, parishoners were threatened with
a pistol, the pastor was beaten up and threats were made to murder him, and
a threat of an arson attack on the church was made. The attackers also
tried to intimidate the church not to call the police. There have, however,
been no attacks on the church since, and local police "even visit from time
to time to check we’re OK," a Pentecostal told Forum 18.

11 December 2008
ARMENIA: IMPRISONMENT OF SOME 80 CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS "NOT A HUMAN
RIGHTS ISSUE"

ticle_id=1228
By Felix Corley, Editor, Forum 18 News Service <;

Despite the call back in April by the Council of Europe’s Human Rights
Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg for Armenia to free all its imprisoned
conscientious objectors, those who cannot serve in the army or perform the
alternative service under military control currently being offered continue
to be arrested and sentenced, Forum 18 News Service has found. Some 80
conscientious objectors – all of them Jehovah’s Witnesses – are now
imprisoned. The current Alternative Service Law "does not provide for a
genuine civilian service as the service is still managed and supervised by
the Ministry of Defence," Hammarberg complained.

Lyova Markaryan of the Jehovah’s Witnesses told Forum 18 from the capital
Yerevan on 10 December that they have been able to meet officials to
resolve some issues, but that "nothing is clear" about whether the
Alternative Service Law will be amended to meet Armenia’s international
commitments. He fears that if there is no change, the number of prisoners
could soon rise sharply. "Cases are underway against more than 15
individual Jehovah’s Witnesses and unless there is any change their trials
could begin as early as January."

Parliamentary deputy David Harutyunyan told Forum 18 that two
parliamentary committees – the state and law committee (which he chairs)
and the human rights committee – are "discussing ways to improve the law".
"It’s questionable whether the Law provides a civilian alternative service
or not," he told Forum 18 from Yerevan on 9 December, "but there is still
room for improvement." He blamed "misunderstandings" on both sides for the
continuing imprisonment of conscientious objectors and said a solution will
be found. He stressed that alternative service must be free of military
control, but not free of state control.

Harutyunyan refused to specify what changes to the Law or to procedures
are being discussed or any timetable for any changes.

However, Karine Soudjian, who heads the Human Rights Department in the
Foreign Ministry, insisted to Forum 18 from Yerevan on 9 December that the
current Alternative Service Law has "no contradiction" with Armenia’s
international human rights obligations, including to the Council of Europe.

As of 1 November, 78 Jehovah’s Witnesses were serving prison sentences of
between one and three years for refusing military service on grounds of
religious conscience, Jehovah’s Witnesses told Forum 18. All had been
sentenced under Article 327, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which punishes
evasion of the call-up to military or alternative service. The maximum
sentence under this article was increased to three years’ imprisonment in
December 2005. One other Jehovah’s Witness was serving a suspended two-year
sentence.

As of 1 November, a further two Jehovah’s Witnesses were in pre-trial
detention in Nubarashen near Yerevan: Tigran Melikyan, who was arrested on
30 July, and Grisha Ohanjanyan, who was arrested on 13 October.

Soudjian of the Foreign Ministry dismissed the information Forum 18 had
received about the number of imprisoned Jehovah’s Witness conscientious
objectors. "This is not the real figure – you have bad information." Asked
what she believes the current figure is, she said: "We haven’t any figure."
Asked why the Human Rights Department does not seek out this information,
given that a Council of Europe commitment is to free these prisoners and
introduce a fully civilian alternative service, she told Forum 18: "This is
not a human rights issue."

Unlike representatives of the Foreign Ministry, Armenia’s Justice Ministry
does admit that Jehovah’s Witnesses who cannot serve in the military on
grounds of religious conscience are in prison. However, Lana Mshetsyan,
spokesperson of the Justice Ministry, insisted to Forum 18 back in October
that the situation for the then 86 Jehovah’s Witness prisoners was
"different", saying that they were imprisoned for refusing the alternative
service being offered. She denied absolutely that the alternative service
is under military control and believes it is adequate for those who cannot
serve in the military. "So they are not ‘prisoners of conscience’ at all,"
she told Forum 18.

The number of imprisoned conscientious objectors has barely changed over
the past year. As of September 2007, a total of 82 Jehovah’s Witnesses were
in prison serving sentences or awaiting trial. As well as the hundreds of
Jehovah’s Witness prisoners in recent years, a young Molokan Pavel
Karavanov was freed from prison in 2006 after serving a sentence for
refusing military and alternative service on grounds of religious
conscience. Molokans are a Russian Protestant church, established in the
17th century and known for their pacifism. There are about 4,000 Molokans
in Armenia (see F18News 26 September 2007
< e_id=1024>).

Soudjian of the Foreign Ministry claimed to Forum 18 that the Alternative
Service Law adopted in 2003 and amended in 2004 and 2006 meets the
obligations Armenia took on itself when it joined the Council of Europe in
2001. However, the failure to free imprisoned conscientious objectors and
introduce a civilian alternative service by 2004 has drawn repeated
criticism from officials of the Council of Europe, as well as of the
Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

The Council of Europe also criticised the length of the alternative
service (42 months compared to 24 months’ military service), a criticism
repeated by Commissioner Hammarberg in April, who described it as "far too
long".

Markaryan of the Jehovah’s Witnesses told Forum 18 that he and his
colleagues have met officials to try to help them understand the Jehovah’s
Witnesses’ position. He said they met Deputy Defence Minister Ara Nazaryan
in late November. "He told us at the end that he understood that we want an
alternative civilian service," Markaryan reported. "At the moment officials
are listening and we believe they understand what we want. But we don’t
know what reaction there will be."

Markaryan and other Jehovah’s Witnesses insist that the alternative
service now on offer remains under military control. "This became clear
back in 2004 when 22 of our young men tried it. There has been no change in
procedures since then." The 22 abandoned the service when they saw it was
under military control and were subsequently imprisoned.

Markaryan pointed out that participants are given military record books
where they are described as soldiers, are checked up on each week by the
military and need permission from the military to go on leave. Article 14
of the Alternative Service Law says that the military organises the
alternative service call-up, while Article 13 says that individuals are
assigned to their place of work by the military. Article 18 subjects those
doing alternative service to the army’s Code of Rules. Article 21 treats
those who desert from the army and those who abandon alternative service in
exactly the same way.

However, Markaryan does note two areas of progress. He said that at a
meeting in spring 2008 with Jehovah’s Witnesses, Deputy Prosecutor General,
Aram Tamazyan, said that those awaiting trial on charges of refusing
military and alternative service would no longer be held in pre-trial
detention. They would instead only be detained in the courtroom if found
guilty. "This is only half-being implemented – it seems not all local
prosecutors know about this," Markaryan told Forum 18. "But it is some
improvement."

Tamazyan confirmed that he had met the Jehovah’s Witnesses to discuss the
issue of pre-trial detention. But he insisted to Forum 18 on 10 December
that those awaiting trial for refusing military and alternative service are
treated the same regardless of which region of the country they live in. He
declined to discuss the two current cases where Jehovah’s Witnesses are
being held in pre-trial detention, one of them for more than four months.

Markaryan also noted that the previous practice of denying military cards
to those who have served terms of imprisonment for refusing military and
alternative service has now ended after Jehovah’s Witnesses met the Defence
Minister Seyran Ohanyan in summer 2008. Ohanyan then instructed all
military commissariats to issue such cards, a process that began soon
after. Markaryan said all their former prisoners now have such cards.

"This was a real problem. Without the military card the young men could
not register their place of residence," Markaryan told Forum 18, "and
without a registered place of residence they couldn’t get an identity card
or passport. So they couldn’t get a job in the government, couldn’t leave
the country and couldn’t even get married!" (END)

Further coverage of Armenian-related religious freedom issues is at
< mp;religion=all&country=21&results=50>

A printer-friendly map of Armenia is available at
< s/atlas/index.html?Parent=asia&Rootmap=armeni& gt;
(END)

© Forum 18 News Service. All rights reserved. ISSN 1504-2855
You may reproduce or quote this article provided that credit is given to
F18News

Past and current Forum 18 information can be found at

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

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE AMBASSADOR OF GREECE

The Ambassador of Greece to Lebanon, H.E. Panos Kalogeopoulos visited His
Holiness Aram I in Antelias on December 11.

The Pontiff and his guest discussed the most recent developments in Lebanese
politics and the Armenian community’s active participation in the country’s
political and social life. Upon the Greek diplomat’s request, His Holiness
Aram I briefed him on his recent visit to the Vatican.

The bilateral relations between the Armenian and Greek churches were also
discussed, in addition to the violence that has erupted in Athens and
surrounding Greek cities in the last few days.

##
View the photo here:
tos/Photos347.htm
******
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.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

December 11, 2008
Contact: Ani Garabedian

ANCWR’s Look Back at 2008

– Year of Firsts Sets Tone for Community Advocacy

LOS ANGELES – Over the course of the past year, the ANC-WR ushered in
new heights of progress and development in community efforts. A few
highlights of the year included record-breaking attendance for the
annual banquet, town hall meetings across the western United States,
the controversy surrounding Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch and the
further advancement of the ANC-WR Internship-Externship Program
(ANC-WR IEP).

Throughout most of the year, the Armenian American community eagerly
awaited the ANC-WR Annual Banquet. More than 1000 supporters gathered
on October 12, 2008 at this marquee event held at the Ronald Reagan
Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California to celebrate the
achievements of 2008. Public officials joined members of the community
in honoring Democratic Vice-President Elect Joseph Biden, Los Angeles
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, President Ronald Reagan and long time ANC
supporter Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian. Honorary chairs of the event
included Congressmen Adam Schiff, George Radanovich, Ed Royce,
Congresswoman Jackie Speier and several others.

During the course of the year the ANC-WR expanded its community
outreach and hosted town hall meetings throughout the western United
States; from Washington, to Oregon, to San Diego and several other
locales. ANC activists gathered to receive updates about various ANC
initiatives including House Resolution 106, the Senate hearings for
the newly appointed US Ambassador to Armenia, the US Presidential
Elections, congressional elections and various other issues. The
community learned more about how their local activism played a crucial
role and that their work has a vital, grassroots impact on the local
and national scene.

Most notably, the Annual Federal Issues Town Hall Briefing was held in
May in Los Angeles. This event focused on key developments in the
second session of the 110th Congress. The event featured
presentations by ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and prominent political
expert and National Politics Editor for Politico Charles Mahtesian.

One of the most noteworthy developments of 2008 occurred on March 28,
2008 when President Bush nominated Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch to serve
as America’s next Ambassador to Armenia. President Bush’s previous
nominee as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Richard Hoagland, was subject
to two legislative holds by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) in
response to the nominee’s statements denying the Armenian Genocide.
President Bush ultimately withdrew Hoagland’s nomination in August
2007.

Initiated in the days leading up to the Senate confirmation hearing
for ambassador-designate Marie Yovanovitch, the AYF and ANCA launched
an innovative campaign using YouTube video messages to encourage U.S.
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) to ask President Bush’s nominee frank
questions about the Armenian Genocide.

The ANC-WR helped support the ANCA in launching an online action
effort urging Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to
question Amb. Yovanovitch on issues including the Armenian Genocide as
well as Turkey and Azerbaijan’s ongoing blockades of Armenia and the
U.S. role in finding a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict that respects the right to self-determination of the people
of Artsakh. The online effort was combined with a postcard campaign to
key Senate Foreign Relations Committee members, urging them to take
action.

In 2008, the ANC-WR welcomed fourteen interns and externs to its
program, the largest class to date. Students from all over California
participated in this challenging program which helps shape and develop
various skills that will prepare participants for success and
leadership in their careers. Established in June 2006, the ANC-WR IEP
is a selective and intensive program that provides student leaders and
activists with an opportunity to participate in a program designed to
provide an in-depth introduction to Armenian American issues as well
as advocacy efforts on the federal, state and local level.

Looking back, 2008 was a year full of education, community outreach
and activity for the ANC-WR. The success of the ANC-WR is owed to the
dedication of its activists and the Armenian American community.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to a fruitful 2009.

The Armenian National Committee–Western Region is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in
the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States
and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances
the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.

>From "Il Giornale"
12th December 2008, 07:00

Rosselli’s book (Armenian Holocaust) on front pages around the world-
by Rino di Stefano

Are several days that the phone of Alberto Rosselli, author of the book
‘The Armenian Holocaust "(Edited by Solfanelli) does not stop ringing.
Following the publication of the review of his book on the newspaper "Il
Giornale -Liguria edition", half of European medias have begun to learn
more about death threats he
has received and continues to receive, only to have told how in the
early twentieth century one and a half million Christian Armenians were
murdered by Islamic
Turkish-Kurdish troops. Men, women, children and old: the entire
population of Anatolia, guilty only of being Christians in a land
surrounded by a Muslim majority, was brutally exterminated in the most
cruel ways. Rosselli, who in his work meticulously described what
happened in those years, from 2007 is under attack for alleged extremist
Turks who at any time of day or night, wherever he is, call at home and
on the mobile phone, threatening to cut his and his wife’s throat.
This "story" began to circle the world. "In these days I have been
called by BBC in London, by the French newspaper Le Figaro, by the
national editor of Sky, by Radio Vatican and by the newspaper Foglio" ,
says Rosselli . "Monday, December 8, for example, the Armenian
Television, a State broadcaster, aired a service on my case, citing your
article. All it started after the publication. For about a week I was
contacted only by few friends and acquaintances. Then, suddenly, the
news was taken up by numerous Internet websites which published the
entire review. It was a chain. Precisely in these days, Wednesday Dec.
3, the European Federation of Armenians, submitted to the European
Parliament in Brussels a report which, citing what you have written,
approached my name to that of the Turkish journalist Dogan Ozguden and
to that of Professor Ronald Monsch, they too threatened by Turkish
extremists, for speaking publicly on the Armenian genocide.I know that
the article was translated into English, Turkish and Armenian. For
example, there was a publication on the online newspaper ‘The
Italo-European’, a culture and deepening journal in Italian and English,
circulated in all European countries. In Canada was published on
"Corriere Italo-Canadian", and in the United States appeared in English
on an Armenian newspaper. Shortly, this story had a circulation that I
do not really expecting. " says Rosselli. According to Rosselli, the
Armenian Community of Rome acted giving a great interest to news edited
by "Il Giornale" newspaper and immediately released texts in all its
media channels. One of the first to bring the news was the site of Zatik
Italo-Armenian Friendship, immediately followed by Wikipedia, Thema
News, History Libera, Rarika-Root Blogspot and many others.
To remember the various publications, daily and periodical, which
somehow have reported the news everywhere, just as did the British BBC.
"Perhaps – says Rosselli – was the Saviano’s effect to start just this
interest. Although, I must say, the key is a problem of international
politics as the entry of Turkey into Europe. The European Union has put
in Ankara, as a precondition for the integration of Turkey, the
recognition of the genocide by the part of Ankara. Recognizing that, by
the way, has not yet happened. Not later than Tuesday, December 2, the
Dutch MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijten, the European People’s Party, presented the
provisional version of its 2008 report on Turkey to the Commission of
Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament. And it is a fact objectively
significant that this presentation was made too late and before a small
audience of MEPs, known for their unconditional support to Turkey, in
addition to some journalist of Anatolia. The interest, I mean, it is not
at the highest level. And they do not want to recognize the Armenian
Holocaust, doing nothing Turkey worsens its position towards Europe. "
In this regard, there is also the question of Human Rights and freedom
of expression that, while they are considered of primary importance in
Europe, not as much they are considered in Turkey. In fact, according to
EU sources, "the freedom of expression and press freedom are not always
fully protected in Turkey", partly because there are many journalists
who are persecuted for their ideas (as, indeed, Dogan Ozguden) .
Moreover, often uncomfortable Internet sites are blocked at the
discretion of the Turkish government.
The case of the Genoese writer Alberto Rosselli is to fit in this
context; he continues regularly to receive death threats. "The most
annoying are in the night – he admits – towards the two or three in the
night, the phone rings and on the other side someone tells me that he
will kill me. Sometimes, the caller does not speak a good Italian, he
has also difficulty to understand the words. It is certain that the
voices are always different. I do not know how seriously I should take
these so frequent episodes, but I have no doubts that among many foolish
there may be some dangerous extremist. And I am worried especially for
my wife. "

______________________________
Translated by Ari Armen (apologies for possible errors)

December 12, 2008
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE RETURNS FROM ANTELIAS

On Tuesday, December 9th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
returned to Los Angeles from a two week trip to the Vatican and Lebanon.
The Prelate had departed for the Vatican on November 22nd to join the
entourage of H.H. Catholicos Aram I on an official visit with H.H. Pope
Benedict XVI. Alongside the official meeting with the Pope, the delegation
participated in various events.
The Prelate then headed to Antelias, Lebanon for the General
Assembly of the Catholicosate. The Prelates and lay delegates from all of
the Prelacies of the Catholicosate gathered in Antelias for the Assembly,
during which a wide range of issues were discussed. Delegates from the
Prelacy also participated in the General Assembly.
The Prelate resumed his duties at the Prelacy on Wednesday, December
10th, and on Sunday, December 14th will preside over Divine Liturgy at St.
Sarkis Church in Pasadena.

35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WESTERN PRELACY

On Sunday, December 21st, the 50th anniversary of spiritual service
and growth of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in North America and the 35th
anniversary of the Western Prelacy will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church
in Glendale. The event begins at 6:00 p.m.
The celebration is being held under the auspices of the Prelate and
is organized by the Religious and Executive Councils.
The event will feature keynote speeches by Central Executive member
Mr. Khajag Dikijian in Armenian and Mr. Armand Keosian, Esq. in English. An
artistic program will also take place with the participation of the Armenian
Society of Los Angeles Choir as well as singers Razmig Mansourian and Anahid
Nercesyan.
Admission is free and open to the public.

ROSE AND ALEX PIILBOS SCHOOL STUDENTS VISIT THE PRELACY

On Wednesday, December 10th, eighth grade students from Rose and
Alex Pilibos School, accompanied by Principal Dr. Viken Yacoubian and
teachers, visited the Prelacy.
The Prelate welcomed the students at the "Dikran and Zarouhie Der
Ghazarian" Hall where he explained to them the work that is carried out by
the Prelacy and its general mission.
The students were then led on a tour of the headquarters, starting
at the "St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen" Chapel, during which they were
familiarized with the various departments and structure of the Prelacy.

Kirakosyan replaces Sukiasyan as Ararat coach
Friday 12 December 2008
uefa.com

Varuzhan Sukiasyan has stepped down as Ararat coach

Ashot Kirakosyan has been named as the new coach of FC Ararat Yerevan
five days after his predecessor Varuzhan Sukiasyan resigned following
his side’s defeat to FC Pyunik in a play-off for the Armenian title.

Differences of opinion

Kirakosyan had been working with Ararat’s reserve team and had
previously been in charge of FC Dinamo Yerevan and FC Dinamo-Zenit,
while he has also coached in Australia and Syria. Runners-up slot in
2008 represented the club’s best achievement since finishing second in
the 2000 campaign, and Ararat also won the Armenian Cup and competed
in the UEFA Cup this season. They earned a place in qualifying for
next season’s inaugurl UEFA Europa League, but Sukiasyan, who is also
coach of Armenia’s Under-21 team, nonetheless stepped down.

OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA

Panorama.am
17:52 09/12/2008

"14 years ago the national-liberation war for Artsakh independence
has been successfully crowned by the victory of Armenians. Due to
this victory Armenian soldier entered the northern-eastern borders of
our country. By the referendum of 2006 conducted in Nagorno Karabakh,
Arstakh Constitution has been consolidated.

That was not a war for land liberation only, that was a war for
justice against the Genocide conducted by Azerbaijan. By that victory
Armenians have proven to the world that such activities should not
remain unpunished."

"Club of young politicians of Artsakh", "Defender oh Mother land" NGO,
"Artsakh Youth Union" of ARF and other unions sent an open letter to
the President of Armenia asking to make changes in the map of Artsakh
by Republic of Armenia and Republic of Nagorno Karabakh.

TURKISH ACADEMICS ISSUE PERSONAL APOLOGY FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Chronicle of Higher Education
Dec 10 2008

Three Turkish scholars and a journalist have issued a personal public
apology for their country’s role in the killing of as many as 1.5
million Armenians during the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, which
modern Turkish governments have refused to characterize as genocide,
The Guardian, a British newspaper, reported today.

Academics and journalists who have flouted Turkey’s official government
line on the "Armenian question" have faced prosecution under a
controversial provision of the country’s penal law that criminalizes
"denigrating Turkishness."

According to The Guardian, the apology came in an open letter that
includes the following statement: "My conscience does not accept
the insensitivity showed to and the denial of the Great Catastrophe
that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected to in 1915. I reject this
injustice and for my share, I empathize with the feelings and pain
of my Armenian brothers. I apologize to them."

The Armenian News Agency reported that the statement would be opened
for signatures online. Armenia Liberty, an online publication, reported
that nearly 300 Armenian intellectuals appealed to Turkey’s president,
Abdullah Gul, in a separate letter, made public yesterday, to recognize
the Armenian genocide and modern Turkey’s "hereditary responsibility"
for the "monumental crime against humanity."

Relations between Turkey and Armenia have thawed in recent months,
with President Gul making an unprecedented trip in September to
the Armenian capital. The election of Barack Obama, who a leading
Armenian-American lobbyist said in an interview with The Armenian
Reporter "has repeatedly and clearly pledged to affirm the Armenian
Genocide," is also expected to focus attention on the contentious
issue. –Aisha Labi