Month: December 2008

ARMENIAN, AZERI FMS HOLD TALKS WITH OSCE MG IN HELSINKI

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.12.2008 12:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian of Armenia and
Elmar Mammadyarov of Azerbaijan met Wednesday in Helsinki with the
Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassador Yuri Merzlyakov of
Russia, Ambassador Matthew Bryza of the United States and Ambassador
Bernard Fassier of France as well as with Personal Representative of
the OSCE Chairman in Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk to discuss
the process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, RA MFA press
office told PanARMENIAN.Net.

The diplomats highlighted the positive atmosphere created during the
June 6 and November 2 presidential meetings and stressed the necessity
to continue negotiations on the basis of Madrid principles by the
instrumentality of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs for reconciliation
of the sides and peaceful resolution of Karabakh problem.

ARMENIAN, RUSSIAN PMS TO DISCUSS WAYS TO OVERCOME FINANCIAL CRISIS

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.12.2008 13:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan is
departing for Moscow Friday on a working visit to meet with his
Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The Prime Ministers wills focus on the ways to overcome the
consequences of the world financial crisis, Shavarsh Kocharyan,
RA Deputy Foreign Minister told a news conference today.

Besides, PM Sargsyan is expected to meet with entrepreneurs.

RA FM: EUROPEAN SECURITY SYSTEM NEEDS IMPROVEMENTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.12.2008 13:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Currently in Helsinki, Armenia’s Foreign Minister
Edward Nalbandian met Wednesday with OSCE Secretary-General,
Ambassador Marc Perrin de Brichambaut to discuss the OSCE activities
and exchange views on OSCE reorganization, the RA MFA press office
told PanARMENIAN.Net.

"The OSCE is a guarantor of European security but it needs improvements
to respond to challenges," Minister Nalbandian said.

The two also stressed the importance of joint efforts to make the
Organization more effectual.

The OSCE Secretary-General informed that he is planning a visit to
Armenia in the near future.

NOBODY BUYS GOLD

A1+
[12:24 pm] 04 December, 2008

Gold prices have gone down again in Armenia due to world prices,
yet trade is still down.

A gram of gold costs 26.3 dollars, compared to 26.7 dollars a couple
of days ago. Businessmen believe the drop in oil prices determines
the drop in gold prices. is due to the drop in fuel prices.

"Gold prices go up and down, just like oil prices. It has gone down
much. Before a gram of gold cost 33 dollars," told "A1+" goldsmith
Arshak. The price for average gold is 18.5 dollars.

There were many gold buyers at the gold market located on Khorenatsi
Street when paid a visit. Most of the visitors were simply checking
out the gold pavilions and traders explain that the passivity is due
to the fact that the holidays are on the way.

"There is a lot of trade these past two days, but until then there
was no trade anywhere," said seller Anna. Her colleague Elya said
that gold is currently not in demand and it is due to the global
financial crisis.

"Fifty percent of gold stores close in the U.S. Armenian consumers
are mainly tourists. On the one hand, you have the crisis and on the
other hand, the gold market was dead after the events of March 1 and
there were no tourists coming to Armenia."

The gold traders also complained about the installation of
cashiers. They don’t think that it makes any sense and say that
traders can simply hide the taxes that he has to pay.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

"CHINA’S NUMBER OF DIVERS EQUALS ARMENIA’S POPULATION"

A1+
[12:49 pm] 04 December, 2008

Armenia plans to have divers participate in the 2012 Olympics to take
place in London. During the past couple of years, Armenian divers
have participated in teen and youth international competitions.

"Despite the dark years, thanks to diver Avtandilyan Armenia won
the right to participate in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics," told "A1+"
vice-president of the Diving Federation Robert Grigoryan.

Armenia didn’t have any divers for the Olympic games that followed,
which Grigoryan explained as follows:

"When the swimming pool began to function normally, the federation
decided to pay more attention to raising the level of professionalism
of young divers by participating in teen and youth competitions. Now
we have promising divers, who have won over 30 medals in the course
of three years in international competitions."

Two of them are at the required age to participate in the European
and world championships.

There are not too many diving fans in Armenia. "Armenia lacks the
required conditions. Those who privatized the swimming pools took
out the planks needed for diving and the only school for diving that
exists today is the David Hambartsumyan school," says Robert Grigoryan.

The chief trainer of the Armenian diving team predicts that if Armenia
had a couple of diving schools, it would reach victories at the
international level. "China has as much divers as our population. They
pick 2 out of all divers, while we pick 15-20 divers from one school."

The federation keeps hope alive and has appealed to the Sport Ministry
for help. "We are ready to provide equipment to the school so that
the divers can at least practice diving," said Grigoryan.

THEY CAME, AS EVERY THURSDAY

A1+
[02:24 pm] 04 December, 2008

Screams were once again heard in front of the government building
today. On yet another government session day, relatives of political
prisoners had gathered in front of the building to demand the release
of the prisoners and punishment of those responsible for the events
of March 1.

They are certain that all political prisoners are innocent and are
in jail because they did not share the administration’s opinion and
expressed their personal views

RALLY ON THEIR OWN?

A1+
[02:32 pm] 04 December, 2008

"Bjni" mineral water factory workers wish to organize a rally to
raise their voices against the problems caused by Armenian authorities.

They submitted a notice to the Yerevan city council with the request
to hol a rally on December 12.

Although they have not received permission to hold a rally several
times, this time workers have declared that from now on, they will
not pay attention to any rejection and will hold a rally on their own.

Let us recall that worker of "Bjni" mineral water factory Valerik
Gevorgyan has received a notice from the Yerevan city council with
the request to hold a peaceful rally and march.

Based on the results of the notice presented on October 30, the Yerevan
city council sent Valerik Grigoryan a reply in written form stating:

"The route you stated in your notice are the highways and streets of
Yerevan with the most traffic and your march will cause traffic jams
in Yerevan and problems for drivers and pedestrians."

The appeal presented on November 13 had also been rejected.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

AGBU Europe Hosts Groundbreaking Conference on Armenian Heritage in
Turkey

Brussels, Belgium – On November 13, AGBU Europe organized a conference
in the European Parliament, entitled "A Journey of Cultural Rediscovery:
Armenian Heritage in Turkey." The event highlighted the efforts of
individuals in Turkey who are currently trying to reclaim the memories
of the 1915 Armenian Genocide and rescue its cultural heritage today in
their country.

Many attendees were either of Armenian or Turkish backgrounds,
professional educators or journalists, as well as representatives of the
European Commission and Parliament, all of whom predominantly expressed
unreserved support for the objectives of the conference.

Speakers throughout the day discussed years of research, documentation
and results surrounding the striking highlights of worthy Armenian
contributions to Turkey, which mostly remain unknown to a majority of
people in their country. For example, the Armenian architect Sinan
created a beautiful 16th-century mosque in Edirne and an Armenian school
in Erzerum hosted Ataturk’s Erzerum Congress.

Fethiye Cetin, a Turkish author, spoke about her own journey after
discovering late in life that her grandmother was Armenian. She spoke
about the moving and overwhelmingly sympathetic response to her book in
Turkey, and stressed how personal emotions can lead the way to
reconciliation and a fresh start for Armenian-Turkish relations.

Historian Ara Sarafian, returning from another prolonged stay in eastern
Turkey, reported on two parallel yet competing currents and personal
stands in the country: one seeks to continuously portray Armenians as
alien and threatening, while the other is concerned with the rediscovery
of positive Armenian-Turkish bonds.

Lastly, Professor Patrick Donabedian from France described in great
detail some disheartening examples of Armenian architectural
destruction, both intentional and through neglect, which is happening in
present-day Turkey. On a more positive note, there are several
initiatives in Turkey to protect the few remaining vestiges of Armenian
heritage. Recently the minister of culture declared a museum would be
built in honor of Armenian-American author William Saroyan in his
parents’ hometown of Bitlis. Donabedian is hopeful that one day the
Turkish government may even give back several buildings that have been
confiscated from the Armenian Church.

The head representative in the European Commission’s Turkey team
presented a three-million-euro cultural heritage project launched in the
Balkans to serve as inspiration for similar work with Turkey, stressing
the importance of such issues in European Union policy.

A tone emphasizing the importance of preserving and rejuvenating the
Armenian cultural heritage in Turkey was universal among the audience
and presenters. There was also common consensus that with the help of
European institutions, research, education, and shared personal
experiences, steps can be taken to reach this goal and, with a revived
Armenian culture in Turkey, important developments can then be made in
Turkish society, positively affecting the Armenian diaspora.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City an
annual budget of $36 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
program, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 37 countries.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

AGBU Camp Nubar Reflects on a Successful Year, Looks Toward 45th
Anniversary & Prepares for Holiday Reunion

On August 16, 2008, after six weeks of fun, friendships old and new, and
a slew of original activities, AGBU Camp Nubar wrapped up its 44th
season in Andes, New York.

In the scenic Hudson Valley, first-time director, Garin Kaligian was
joined by a highly qualified staff who not only kept camp traditions
alive, but created several new and exciting cultural, athletic and
social activities for summer 2008.

"I never saw our entire staff get together as they did this summer.
Their high level of enthusiasm, camaraderie, motivation and love for
their campers was unprecedented," said Camp Nubar committee Chairman
Mardi Merjian. "The result — the happiest bunch of campers with more
smiling faces than I have ever seen up there."

During a one-week counselor-only "pre-camp," staff members were trained
in extensive Red Cross, First Aid, CPR and life-saving tactics. After
camp was set up, the first-session campers finally arrived on July 5.
Over 25 of these campers came from Montreal and Toronto. The second
session featured a mid-summer Open House visitor event, while the camp
had over 130 campers during the third session.

Summer highlights included talent shows, camp fires, Halloween, a buddy
day with the younger and older campers, lip syncs, scavenger hunts,
counselor hide and seek, capture the flag, ultimate Frisbee, and red,
orange and blue Olympics. Weekly dances included a luau on scenic Lake
Arax, Mardi Gras and Hollywood themes. This year, campers were also
treated to professional square dancing instruction.

It has become a tradition that another local group, Camp Lake Delaware,
comes to the Nubar grounds each summer for a basketball game. This year,
Camp Nubar came out on top. Another mainstay throughout the summer are
visits by various priests, including Fathers Stepanos Doudoukjian,
Taniel Karadjian, Karekin Kasparian, and the Archbishop himself, His
Eminence Khajag Barsamian.

Two new evening activities included a camp spin on the popular TV show,
"Extreme Makeover: Counselor Addition," and an Animal Kingdom-themed
Fashion Show. Bringing back camp outs led by the Camp Craft team for the
older campers was also a huge success. A new morning reveille show
hosted by counselor Peter Endrigian with weather reports, updates on pop
culture, traffic, and news woke up the camp every morning. Canteen also
saw new improvements with healthier snack selections like Vitamin Water,
100-calorie packs and granola bars, plus fresh fashionable Camp Nubar
gear.

In addition to the regular schedule throughout the day, campers also had
a free "elective" period to participate in original activities this
year, like Taebo, Zumba, Armenian dancing, a tennis tournament, an
ongoing basketball league as well as archery and sailing instruction by
certified staff members.

Color War during the last two weeks of camp is a highly anticipated
event throughout the summer, if not the entire calendar year. After a
surprise start, the entire camp is split in half for three days of
cultural, athletic, intellectual, and spirit competitions. This year,
the Gold Minotaurs, led by generals Aram Bowen and Jackie DiStasi and
captains Armen Shamamian and Tamar Merjian, defeated the Blue Magic led
by generals Christina Lalama and Alex Distasi and captains Arno Isnar
and Linda Ravul.

After Color War ended, camp wrapped up with a formal banquet with the
theme of the popular board game "Clue." Counselors put on a skit and
campers were treated to a delicious dinner and dessert. The last night
of camp always ends with a bittersweet "candlelight" to reflect on the
summer and say goodbye to friends, both old and new.

"Summer 2008 was a huge success. It’s an indescribable feeling to
witness Armenian youth come together to make lifelong friendships, and
to watch counselors continue to grow into mature, responsible adults
from one year to the next," said Assistant Director Dan Antreasyan.

Thanks to modern technology, it is now possible to stay in touch with
these friends all year long. Each camper went home with a camp
newsletter, cabin photos, and a multi-media slideshow that is also
available on You Tube and the website.

"This summer, everyone at camp seemed more tightly bonded than in
previous years and will definitely stay in touch," said camper Sarah
Halejian. "Whether old friendships were renewed or new ones were made,
they will all definitely last forever."

Christmas Reunion

On Saturday, January 10, 2009, Camp Nubar will host a special Christmas
Reunion at St. Leon Armenian Church in New Jersey (12-61 Saddle River
Road, Fair Lawn, NJ). The annual event allows campers, counselors and
friends to socialize and reminisce about their summer experiences while
anticipating the upcoming season. To RSVP for the gathering, please
email [email protected].

Founded in 1963, AGBU Camp Nubar is a first-rate modern facility that
has been highly ranked by the American Camp Association, American Red
Cross, and American Academy of Pediatrics. For more information about
AGBU Camp Nubar, please visit , email
[email protected], or call 212-319-6383.

For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit

ANCA

Azat Artsakh Daily
03 Dec 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

President-elect Barack Obama’s choice of Senator Hillary Clinton
(D-NY) to serve as his Secretary of State was welcomed by the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA), Elizabeth Chouljian, ANCA
Communications Director, told PanARMENIAN.Net. "We extend our thanks
to President-elect Obama for this choice and our congratulations to
Senator Clinton on her appointment to our nation’s top diplomatic
post," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "We are
certainly pleased to see that, for the first time in recent memory,
an individual with a strong record in support of Armenian Genocide
recognition will serve as America’s Secretary of State." During
her tenure in the U.S. Senate, Hillary Clinton has both called upon
President Bush to honor his campaign pledge to recognize the Armenian
Genocide, and also cosponsored every Armenian Genocide Resolution
since coming into office in 2001. "I believe the horrible events
perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against Armenians constitute a
clear case of genocide," Mrs. Clinton said on January 24, 2008.