Month: December 2008

From: Catholicosate of Cilicia <[email protected]>
Subject: ANTELIAS: HH Aram I conveys condolences to Russian Orthodox Church

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 CONVEYS HIS CONDOLENCES TO THE RUSSIAN
ORTHODOX CHURCH FOR THE PASSING AWAY OF HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEXY II

This is the text of the letter that His Holiness Aram I send to His Eminence
Metropolitan Kirill the Locum Tenens of the Russian Orthodox Church.

His Eminence
Metropolitan Kirill
Locum Tenens
Russian Orthodox Church
Moscow

Your Eminence,

It is with profound sorrow that we heard the passing away of His Holiness
Alexy II, the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. We, as former
Moderator of the World Council of Churches and as spiritual leader, have
known His Holiness, his perspectives and vision. In fact, His Holiness was a
great spiritual leader who led with courage and commitment the Russian
Orthodox Church for eighteen years. He was called to his pontifical ministry
at a most crucial period of the his­tory of Russia. At a time of great
change and challenge His Holiness was able to engage his church in a process
of spiritual renewal by responding to the emerg­ing realities and
expectations of the people. He gave a renewed dynamism to church-society
relationship, enhanced the evangelistic, educational and diakonal witness of
the church, strengthening at the same time its ecumenical and
inter-re­ligious dialogue and collaboration.

On this sad occasion, on behalf of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia,
its hierarchy and people, and personally we would like to extend our deep
condo­lences to Your Eminence, to the Holy Synod, to the clergy and the
faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church. May God accept the soul of His
Holiness Alexy II in His heavenly kingdom.

Your in Christ

ARAM I
CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

"THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN
AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR NATION’S LIFE THROUGH ITS SERVICE"

SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I

The Catholicosate of Cilicia’s General Assembly concluded its sessions on
December 5, opening up new prospects and horizons for the Catholicosate’s
services.

Three topics were on the agenda of the fourth day of discussions: the youth
and the church, ecumenical relations and Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. Ms.
Asdghig Djamboulian (Lebanon) and Mr. Kevork Hagopdjanian (Syria) gave talks
on the challenges facing the youth today from the perspective of the
youth-church mutual relations. Moving on to the second topic, Dr. Nora
Bairakdarian-Kabakian (Lebanon) talked about the significant aspects of the
ecumenical work of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Mrs. Seta Khedeshian
(Lebanon) gave a talk about the Middle East Council of Churches. The
speakers on the third topic were Dr. Aida Hovhannisian (Iran) and Mr. Zohrab
Tazian (U.S.A.).

The participants in the Assembly comprehensively discussed these topics
during three consecutive issues, always basing their positions on the
supreme interests of our church and nation. An emphasis was put on finding
new ways of attracting the youth. The inter-faith and inter-church relations
were considered particularly important, especially given the Catholicosate
of Cilicia’s geographical position and its rich ecumenical experience and
its active involvement in Christian-Muslim dialogue. With respect to the
Armenia-Diaspora cooperation, the Assembly reaffirmed the Catholicosate of
Cilicia’s positive approach and firm commitment.

The final item on the agenda of the meeting was the election of the Central
Committee’s Religious and Lay Committee for the next four years. The
following were elected as members of the Religious Committee: Archbishop
Ardavazt Terterian, Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, Archbishop Varoujan
Hegelian, Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian,
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, Bishop Nareg
Alemezian, Bishop Shahan Sarkissian, Bishop Shahe Panossian V. Rev. Fr.
Krikor Chiftjian, V. Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Mandjigian and Father Masis
Tchobouyan.

Elected as members of the Lay Committee were Hagop Ateshian, Vicken
Kassabian, Dikran Djinbashian, Dr. Bedros Karadjerdjian, Dr. Hratch
Hadjetian, Dr. Vahe Yacoubian, Dr. Dertad Mangigian, Khajag Dikirdjian, Dr.
Jirayr Basmadjian, Hagop Yapoudjian, Dr. Levon Tavtian, Daron Avedissian and
Ara Denirdjian, representing the world-wide dioceses of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia.

Concluding the General Assembly, His Holiness Aram I addressed the
attendants and praised the dedication they demonstrated towards our church
and nation. His Holiness summarized that dedication in three words:
faithfulness, commitment and vision. The Pontiff then spoke about the
mission of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and its priorities for the next four
years on the national, church, inter-church, inter-faith and international
levels. "The Catholicosate of Cilicia will continue its ecumenical vocation.
Our Holy See will continue its cooperation with the Catholicosate of All
Armenians. It will continue supporting Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. The
Catholicosate of Cilicia has always been at the forefront of our nation’s
life through its service, commitment and vision. This is the source of our
strength," said His Holiness.

At the end of his Pontifical address, His Holiness commended all the
delegates. Particular praise was paid to the Religious and Lay committees
ending their terms of service. Two members, Mr. Yervant Pamboukian and Mr.
Tsolag Tutelian, received special recognition for their active participation
in the life and mission of the church for over 50 years.

The Diocese of Lebanon organized a dinner in honor of the General Assembly’s
participants in the evening.

##
View the photos here:
tos/Photos346.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 Solidarity
contact: name: Eilian Williams
c/p The Temple of Peace, Cathays Park
Cardiff, Wales
Tel: 00 44 07876561398
Email: [email protected]

A warm invitation to a meetings on Middle-East Minorities to mark the
60TH anniversary of the UN Genocide Convention, on Tuesday, 9TH December

"The Minorities of Turkey face continuing Cultural Genocide"

In Committee Room 17 of the House of Commons, London

at 12 noon, 9th December 2008

Agenda:

1 – The recent comments by the Turkish Prime Minister and
Defence Minister

Prime Minister Recep T. Erdogan, on 4th November 2008 (at the press
conference for the visit of the Lebanese Prime Minister, Fuad
Siniora),said that "Turkey consists of one nation, one flag and one
land and that anyone who is not in agreement with this should leave
the country".

On the 10th november in Brussels,Turkish Defence Minister Vecdi Gönül
celebrated the genocide of Armenians, praising the policy of what he
termed the "deportation", because it allowed the construction of the
Turkish nation. And he added: "Would it be possible today to maintain
the same national State if the existence of Greeks in the Aegean
region and of Armenians in several regions of Turkey had continued as
before?"

2 – The Human Rights of Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians,
Crypto-Armenians, Crypto-Assyrians

Speakers:

Desmond Fernandes(Author of The Kurdish and Armenian Genocide)

Prof Khatchatur Pilikian

Akif Wan

Rebwar Fatah (Kurdish Media)

An Assyrian/Syriac speaker from Turkey

Sponsor and Chair : Dr. Bob Spink MP (Independent)

Co-organisers: Solidarity with the Victims of All Genocides, (SVAG)

Nor Serount Cultural Association

CHAK (Centre of Halabja)

supported by

Seyfo Centre

RSVP to [email protected] 07876561398 or 07718982732

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Monitoring body for the anti-trafficking convention to start work in
2009

Strasbourg, 08.12.2008 – 13 independent experts from as many countries
will be the first members of the Group of Experts on Action against
Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), a new body that will monitor the
implementation of the Council of Europe anti-trafficking convention.

The Committee of the Parties of the convention, which has met in
Strasbourg on 5 and 8 December, elected the following members of GRETA
for a term of office of four years, beginning on 1 January 2009:

– Vessela Banova (Bulgarian)
– Louise Calleja (Maltese)
– Josie Christodoulou (Cypriot)
– Davor Derencinovic (Croatian)
– Vladimir Gilca (Moldovan)
– Hanne Sophie Greve (Norwegian)
– Nicolas Le Coz (French)
– Alexandra Malangone (Slovak)
– Nell Rasmussen (Danish)
– Leonor Maria Da Conceição Cruz Rodrigues (Portuguese)
– Gulnara Shahinian (Armenian)
– Robert Stratoberdha (Albanian)
– Diana-Florentina Tudorache (Romanian)

GRETA will use a similar methodology to other Council of Europe
monitoring bodies. It will publish reports evaluating the measures
included in the Council of Europe on Action against Trafficking in Human
Beings (CETS No. 197)
< QueVoulezVous.asp?NT=3D197&CM=3D2&DF=3D&am p;CL=3DENG> . The convention, which entered into force on 1
February 2008 and has been ratified by 19 states, aims to prevent this
crime, protect the victims and prosecute the offenders.

Contact: Jaime Rodríguez, Press Officer, Tel. +33 (0) 689 99 50 42;
[email protected]

Le Comité de suivi chargé de la convention contre la traite des
êtres humains débutera ses activités en 2009

Strasbourg, 08.12.2008 – Treize experts indépendants venant d’autant
de pays seront les premiers membres du Groupe d’experts sur la lutte
contre la traite des êtres humains (GRETA), la nouvelle instance de
suivi du Conseil de l’Europe qui s’assurera du respect de la Convention
sur la lutte contre la traite des êtres humains.

Le Comité des Parties à la convention, réuni à Strasbourg du 5
au 8 décembre, a élu les membres suivants du GRETA pour un mandat de
quatre ans à compter du 1er janvier 2009.

– Vessela Banova (Bulgare)
– Louise Calleja (Maltais)
– Josie Christodoulou (Chypriote)
– Davor Derencinovic (Croate)
– Vladimir Gilca (Moldave)
– Hanne Sophie Greve (Norvégien)
– Nicolas Le Coz (Français)
– Alexandra Malangone (Slovaque)
– Nell Rasmussen (Danois)
– Leonor Maria Da Conceição Cruz Rodrigues (Portugais)
– Gulnara Shahinian (Arménien)
– Robert Stratoberdha (Albanais)
– Diana-Florentina Tudorache (Roumain)

Le GRETA aura un mode de fonctionnement similaire à celui des autres
organes de suivi du Conseil de l’Europe. Il publiera régulièrement
des rapports d’évaluation des mesures prises par les Etats en
application de la Convention du Conseil de l’Europe sur la lutte contre
la traite des êtres humains (STCE n° 197)
< QueVoulezVous.asp?NT=3D197&CM=3D2&DF=3D&am p;CL=3DENG> . Entrée en vigueur le 1er février 2008 et
ratifiée par 19 Etats, cette convention vise la prévention de la
traite des êtres humains, la protection des victimes ainsi que la
poursuite des trafiquants.

Contact : Jaime Rodríguez, attaché de presse, tél. : +33 (0) 689
99 50 42 ; [email protected]

ED225b08

Armenian National Committee – Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

December 8, 2008

Contact: Ohannes Boghossian

ANC of Sacramento Congratulates President Pro Tempore of the
California State Senate Darrell Steinberg

Sacramento, CA – Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of
Sacramento (ANC of Sacramento) Ohannes Boghossian attended a special
event held for State Senator Darrell Steinberg on December 1, 2008.
Boghossian congratulated Steinberg for his recent election to become
the 46th President Pro Tempore of the California State Senate.

"We have had a great relationship with State Senator Steinberg over
the years as he has been a close friend and supporter of the Armenian
American community," said Boghossian. "We congratulate the Senator in
his new post as President Pro Tempore of the California State Senate
and we look forward to continue our close work with him," he added.

Darrell Steinberg was elected on November 7, 2006 to the California
State Senate, representing the 6th District, which includes
Sacramento, parts of Elk Grove and Citrus Heights. On August 21, 2008,
Steinberg was voted by his Senate colleagues to be the next President
Pro Tempore of the State Senate. The President Pro Tempore is the
highest ranking leader and most powerful member of the California
Senate. The President Pro Tempore also chairs the Senate Rules
Committee. At the beginning of each two-year session, all Senators
elect a new President Pro Tempore, with Senator Steinberg being the
most recent Senator to be elected to this high post.

Prior to his election to the State Senate, Steinberg served three
terms representing the 9th District of the State Assembly, which
includes most of the capital city of Sacramento.

During his tenure in the Assembly, Steinberg served as Chair of the
Assembly Committees on Budget, Appropriations, Judiciary, Labor and
Employment, and the Select Committee on High Priority Schools. He
also served as a member of the Assembly Housing and Local Government
Committees.

Steinberg authored 70 state laws that cover a wide range of vital
public policy issues. He has also voted in favor of every Armenian
Genocide Resolution that has been put forth in the State Senate.

The ANC of Sacramento advocates for the social, economic, cultural,
and political rights of the area’s Armenian American community and
promotes increased Armenian American civic participation at the
grassroots and public policy levels.

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 8, 2008
Contact: Ani Garabedian

ANC-WR Intern Spotlight: Patil Aslanian

Los Angeles, CA – Community Activist Patil Aslanian is one of four
participants of the Armenian National Committee – Western Region’s
Autumn 2008 Internship-Externship Program (ANC-WR IEP). Over the past
several weeks, Aslanian has developed many important skills within the
fields of administration and media. In addition to building media
relationships, Aslanian continues to work on educational presentations
for non-Armenians to raise awareness about issues of concern to the
Armenian American community.

"The ANC is a grassroots organization that relies on the commitment
and passion of volunteers," said Aslanian. "Being an intern has
taught me the value of contributing to the Armenian Cause – especially
here in the ANC-WR office where I have learned that the ANC is an
organization that defends Armenia both here in America and
internationally," she added.

Aslanian has spent her internship working on various assignments and
projects including voter registration and a voter outreach program.
"Every single person that votes makes a difference in every election;
we have to get our voices heard, especially the youth," remarked
Aslanian.

Aslanian is a 3rd year senior currently attending the University of
California at Irvine majoring in Political Science with an emphasis on
Middle East Studies. After graduation, she plans on spending her year
off participating in various internships, following which she plans to
continue her education and attend law school.

Aslanian learned about the Internship-Externship Program through the
Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) as well as many of her friends who had
previously participated in the program. She is currently an active
member and serving on the executive body of the AYF – West San
Fernando Valley "Sardarabad" Chapter. "So many other activists and
friends had recommended the program that I knew I had to apply,"
stated Aslanian.

The application for the 2009 Spring Session is now available and the
deadline to submit is December 1st. For more information about the IEP
and a downloadable version of the application please visit
.php.

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.

###

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Review
80 Bigelow Avenue
Watertown, MA 02472-2012
Contact: Dr. Asbed Kotchikian
Tel: +1-617-926-4037
Email: [email protected]
Web:

Armenian Review Appoints New Editor

/Watertown, Mass, December 8, 2008/ – The /Armenian Review/, an
academic, peer reviewed journal featuring articles by highly acclaimed
academicians, will resume publishing biannually under the direction of a
new editor.

Dr. Asbed Kotchikian, who is a lecturer in political science at Bentley
University of Waltham, Massachusetts, has recently been appointed the
new editor of the /Armenian Review/. Dr. Kotchikian has written and
lectured on topics related to foreign policies of small and weak states,
national identity, and regional developments in the Middle East and
Eurasia. His PhD dissertation, `Dialectics of Small States: Foreign
Policy making in the South Caucasus,’ focused on foreign policy issues
in Armenia and Georgia.

`The /Armenian Review/ will retain its traditions and remain an
academic, peer-reviewed journal focusing on the examination of
sociopolitical, historical and economic issues related to Armenia and
Armenians, without falling into the trap of ethnocentrism,’ Dr.
Kotchikian said. `We believe that the examination of issues confronting
the world at-large is a prerequisite to understanding those issues that
Armenia and Armenians throughout the world face,’ he added.

Dr. Dikran Kaligian will continue to be the journal’s managing editor
and Dr. Vartan Matiosian will be the newly appointed book review editor.

The /Armenian Review/ was first published in 1948 by Hairenik Press and
soon became a leading quarterly journal featuring mainly academic papers
written by some of the most respected scholars and experts on Armenian
historical, social, political, and cultural affairs.

The editorial board includes Richard G. Hovannisian; Stephan Astourian;
Levon Chorbajian; S. Peter Cowe; Vahakn N. Dadrian; G. M. Goshgarian;
Ara Khanjian; Dickran Kouymjian; Marc Nichanian; Susan Pattie; Ronald
Grigor Suny; and Khachig Tololyan.

Dr. Kotchikian can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected].
For subscriptions, contact [email protected]. The new website of
the /Armenian Review/ is available at

###

US PRESIDENT EXTENDS CONDOLENCES TO ARMENIANS

A1+
[11:32 am] 08 December, 2008

US President George W. Bush sent a message of condolences on the 20th
anniversary of the Spitak earthquake. The message states:

"Laura and I send our condolences on the 20th anniversary of the
massive earthquake that struck northern Armenia on December 7,
1988. This disaster took the lives of nearly 20,000 people and left
many thousands of others homeless.

On this solemn anniversary, we are reminded of the strong bonds between
America and Armenia and the resilience of the Armenian people. They
rose from this tragedy and have reclaimed a bright future of hope
and opportunity. Through hard work and support from the international
community, including the United States, the Republic of Armenia gained
its independence. Today, our nations stand together, pursuing peace,
prosperity and freedom for the citizens of our countries and the world.

I join with my felloe Americans and all Armenians in commemorating
this national tragedy. We pay tribute to the lives lost, and we send
our best wishes to Armenians throughout the world as you remember
loved ones and the hardships you have to overcome.

May God bless you."

ARMENIAN Prime Minister TO MEET MIKHAIL SAAKASHVILI

A1+
[01:08 pm] 08 December, 2008

The government delegation headed by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
will leave for the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, on December 9 for a
one-day working visit.

The Armenian delegation is comprised of the Minister of Finance
of Armenia Tigran Davtyan, Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan,
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan, Minister
of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, the Head of Government’s Staff David
Sargsyan, President of the State Incomes Committee adjunct to RA
Government Gagik Khachatryan, First Deputy Minister of Transport
and Communication Hrant Beglaryan, Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh
Kocharyan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Levon Rukhkyan, Deputy
Minister of Culture Gagik Gyurjyan, Armenian Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary to Georgia Hrach Silvanyan, Member of Parliament
Vladimir Badalyan and other top officials.

Within the framework of the visit the delegation will participate
in the seventh sitting of the Armenian-Georgian Intergovernmental
Commission on Economic Cooperation. The Prime Minister of Armenia
will have meetings with the President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili
and Prime Minister Grigol Mgalobashvili. Tigran Sargsyan will visit
the Armenian Embassy in Georgia and the Armenian St. Norashen Church.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

"KILLER QUEEN" WINS AGAIN

A1+
[01:39 pm] 08 December, 2008

Germany’s WBA and WIBF flyweight World Champion Susi Kentikian ("Killer
Queen") defended her titles against Russian Anastasia Toktaulova. She
received a reward of â~B¬50 000 after the out-right victory.

"Anastasia was a strong contender. During the fight we hit each other
so hard that there is still a ringing in my ears," Kentikian said
after the fight.

The "Killer Queen" already has two champion belts but she is not
going to end her ring career. "It is very important for me to show a
high-quality sport in the ring. When I go out to the ring, I am sure
to have a good fight. It is still too early to say how many belts I
would like to have but I think three will do," she said.

"I have already got used to my nickname which testifies to my
abilities. I am an angel in life, but I become a devil on the
ring. Since early childhood I have been interested in swimming, judo
and karate. Boxing appealed to me after I watched a fight by German
boxer Regina Halmich. At first my father was against my decision but
he gave in after seeing my abilities. He agreed on condition that I
should always win…"

–Boundary_(ID_66sZGZDo8LfV5SSKy6TH1 g)–