Author: admin

Azeri foreign minister says setting up of NATO bases may take time

Ekho, Baku
20 Aug 04

Judging by the nature of Russian media reports, Moscow is most of all
concerned about Azerbaijan’s military development. The first question
journalists asked Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov at a
final news conference in Moscow was about Azerbaijan’s prospects for
entering NATO.

“I am always asked whether Azerbaijan wants to become a member of
NATO. This question had better be addressed to NATO members,”
Mammadyarov said.

Asked about the possibility of setting up NATO bases in Azerbaijan,
Mammadyarov said: “It is naive to think that military bases can be set
up overnight.” The minister also spoke about how difficult it was to
agree the issue of establishing military bases, namely, between
parliaments.

Touching on military and technical cooperation with Russia, he said
that the issue had been discussed at his meeting with Russian Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov. Mammadyarov mentioned that Azerbaijan and
Russia were already maintaining military and technical cooperation and
Azerbaijan had leased its Qabala radar station to Russia. Also, there
is an exchange programme between the defence ministries of the two
countries.

Speaking about the role of Russia in the region, the minister said
that Moscow should step up its role in resolving the Karabakh
conflict. “We are expecting the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen to say
their word in resolving the conflict,” the minister said. The minister
pointed to the inviolability of the territorial integrity principle.

Mammadyarov also spoke about the Caspian legal status and said that
Azerbaijan was counting on the speediest solution of the issue. “A
solution to this issue is not too far off,” he said. According to him,
the problem of dividing the Caspian should not be “viewed as a serious
one”. “The recent visit by the Iranian president to Azerbaijan and my
visit to Tehran have laid the foundations for progress,” the
Azerbaijani foreign minister said.

[Passage omitted: reported details]

“Azerbaijan stands for further cooperation with Russia in the energy
sector,” he said. Speaking about economic cooperation between the two
countries, he said “cooperation in the energy sector is part of
it”. “[Russia’s] LUKoil is actively working in Azerbaijan but there
are opportunities for other companies as well,” Mammadyarov said.

He also said that Azerbaijan was implementing a number of projects
towards establishing a transport corridor from Russia through
Azerbaijan and Iran to the Persian Gulf. Namely, both Russia and Iran
support the construction of the North-South railway corridor.

“Russia supports the idea of accessing the Persian Gulf through
Azerbaijan and Iran,” the minister said. He mentioned that Azerbaijan
had completed the construction of the railway to Astara [town on
Azerbaijan-Iran border], while Iran was building a railway line to the
town with the same name on its own territory. “When a railway bridge
between these two towns is built, the corridor will start working. An
agreement on the construction of the bridge has already been reached,”
he said.

Also, Azerbaijan is in talks with Greece on possible supplies of
natural gas there. “Agreements have been signed with Georgia and
Turkey and talks with Greece are under way,” he said when answering a
question about ways of exporting Azerbaijani gas. “I think more
customers will be found in Europe after Greece,” he added.

According to him, oil is now of higher priority than gas. “We hope
that first tankers with our oil will leave the port of Ceyhan [in
Turkey] in the summer of 2005,” he said and added that about 1m
barrels of oil are to be pumped through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
pipeline every day.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Aug. 19, 2004

Teri Bond Michael, [email protected]
(310) 206-3235
Sasha Stone, [email protected]
(310) 206-5490

$1.1 Million Gift to UCLA Establishes Rouben Mamoulian Endowed Chair in
Directing for Film and Theater

UCLA Film and Television Archive screens Mamoulian’s ‘Love Me Tonight’
during Festival of Preservation Aug. 21

The estate of Azadia Mamoulian, widow of film and theater legend Rouben
Mamoulian, has donated $1.1 million to the UCLA School of Theater, Film
and Television to establish an endowed chair in theatrical and motion
picture directing, announced Robert Rosen, dean of the school.
Mamoulian’s musical masterpiece, “Love Me Tonight” (1932), was recently
restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive and will screen at the
James Bridges Theater, at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 21, as part of their
12th Festival of Preservation. For information, call (310) 206-FILM or
visit .

“To have an artist of the distinction of Rouben Mamoulian associated
with the chair is a great honor for us,” Rosen said. “It is particularly
appropriate since Mamoulian moved easily between stage and screen, just
as our students are encouraged to do during their time on campus.”

The Mamoulian Chair enables the school to invite film and theater
artists of great distinction to teach at UCLA and enhance the
curriculum. During the most recent academic year, the chair funded the
residencies of veteran award-winning directors Robert Butler, Barry
Primus and Joe Sargent in the Department of Film, Television and Digital
Media. The residency of distinguished musical theater director Jeremy
Mann also was funded and resulted in a sold-out Ray Bolger Musical
Theater production of “Into the Woods.”

Mamoulian’s films are known for their sex and seduction, wit, lyricism,
and highly inventive filmmaking techniques. “Love Me Tonight” is an
enchanting tale of an amorous tailor (Maurice Chevalier) who woos a
lovelorn princess (Jeanette MacDonald). The film was a landmark
collaboration between Mamoulian and composers Richard Rodgers and Lorenz
Hart. They produced a technique that was revolutionary at the time
wherein the story, action and dialogue were seamlessly integrated with
irresistible songs. The Packard Humanities Institute funded the
restoration of the print.

In addition to “Love Me Tonight,” the UCLA Film and Television Archive
has restored such Mamoulian classics as “Applause” (1929), “City
Streets” (1931), “The Song of Songs” (1933), “Becky Sharp” (1935), “The
Gay Desperado” (1936), “High, Wide and Handsome” (1937) and “The Mark of
Zorro” (1940).

Additional films directed by Mamoulian include “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
(1932), “Queen Christina” (1934), “We Live Again” (1934), “Golden Boy”
(1939), “Blood and Sand” (1941), “Rings on Her Fingers (1942), “Summer
Holiday” (1948) and “Silk Stockings” (1957).

Born and raised in Russia, Mamoulian studies law at the University of
Moscow and pursued his love of theater by taking acting courses in the
evening. He began his directing career on stage in London and New York
and received critical acclaim for his 1926 Broadway non-musical
production of “Porgy,” featuring an all-black cast. That hit led
Paramount studios to sign Mamoulian to direct the drama “Applause”
(1929).

Throughout his moviemaking career, Mamoulian returned frequently to the
stage, overseeing productions of the Gershwin opera version of “Porgy
and Bess” in 1935 and “Carousel” in 1945. He won much praise as the
original director of “Oklahoma” in 1943. In later years, he turned to
writing. He died in 1987 at the age of 90.

The Mamoulian Chair is part of UCLA’s Ensuring Academic Excellence
initiative, a five-year effort aimed at generating $250 million in
private commitments specifically for the recruitment and retention of
the very best faculty and graduate students. The initiative was launched
in June 2004. Its goals include $100 million to fund 100 new endowed
chairs for faculty across campus, increasing the number to 331. In
addition, campus officials plan to increase support for an estimated
3,500 graduate students per year by raising $100 million to fund
fellowships and scholarships in the UCLA College and $50 million for
fellowships and scholarships in UCLA’s 11 professional schools.

About the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television
The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television offers its students a
unique blend of scholarship and practical training, bringing together
the highest levels of professionalism with the social mission of a
public university. Its landmark integration of theater, film, television
and digital media and its outstanding faculty and facilities nurture
creative innovation, personal vision and social responsibility.
Comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs are offered in acting,
animation, critical studies, design, digital arts, directing, production
and writing. The recipients of Oscars, Emmys, Tonys and other
prestigious awards, alumni include such notable artists as Allison
Anders, Carol Burnett, Charles Burnett, Nancy Cartwright, Francis Ford
Coppola, Susan Egan, David Koepp, Frank Marshall, Greg Nava, Alexander
Payne, John Rando, Tim Robbins, Eric Roth, John Rubinstein, Pietro
Scalia, Paul Schrader, Tom Schumacher, Tom Shadyac, Brad Silberling,
Penelope Spheeris, Gore Verbinski and many more.

About the UCLA Film and Television Archive
The UCLA Film and Television Archive is internationally renowned for its
pioneering efforts to preserve and showcase not only classic films and
television, but also contemporary, innovative moving image media. The
archive also is a unique resource for media study, with one of the
largest collections of media materials in the United States – second
only to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. – and the largest of
any university in the world. Its vaults hold more than 220,000 motion
picture and television titles and 27 million feet of newsreel footage.
The combined collections represent an all-encompassing documentation of
the 20th century.

-UCLA-
SS379

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 20, 2004 Friday 10:04 AM Eastern Time

CSTO wants UN stronger role in provision of peace

By Alexandra Urusova

MOSCOW

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) wants a stronger
role of the United Nations in the provision of peace, participants in
Moscow consultations of CSTO member countries said on Friday.

Diplomats of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and
Tajikistan attended the consultations.

“There was a detailed exchange of opinions on main items on the
agenda of the 59th session of the UN General Assembly,” a source in
the CSTO press service said. The delegates also discussed the CSTO
attitude to the Proliferation Security Initiative and a common
position in fundamental areas of the CSTO activities.

The delegates called for regular exchange of opinions about key
issues, concerning their interests and security.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
August 19, 2004 Thursday 5:19 AM Eastern Time

Baku to insist on peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict

MOSCOW

Azerbaijan will insist on the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh
conflict, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov told a news
conference in the news agency Itar-Tass on Thursday.

According to him, the Karabakh conflict is “the biggest problem in
the region, and the conflict is the oldest.” The minister opposed
“the freezing” of the conflict. “We do not believe in an idea of
“frozen” conflicts,” he emphasized.

“The world community should realize that combat actions is not a
method of solving the issue. Armenian forces occupy territories,”
Mamedyarov pointed out. “Without the return of forced migrants it is
difficult to hope for the successful outcome of negotiations,” he
indicated.

“Such countries as the United States, France and Russia should say
their loaded word. The principle of territorial integrity is hard and
fast,” the Azerbaijani foreign minister remarked.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NAGORNY KARABAKH ACTUALLY INDEPENDENT STATE: VARDAN OSKANYAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 19. ARMINFO. Nagorny Karabakh is actually an
independent state now, and the Armenian side’s task is international
recognition of the status quo, RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan
told reporters.

He said that Nagorny Karabakh will never be part of Azerbaijan. “I
find it difficult to say how the conflict will be settled, but Nagorny
Karabakh cannot in any way be part of Azerbaijan,” Oskanyan
said. Commenting on RF Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement that
the Russian side sees the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem
in the context of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, which statement
was published by mass media, Oskanyan said that official statements of
the RF Foreign Office do not contain such wording. “Russia is for a
peaceful settlement of the conflict and has repeatedly stated its
willingness to accept any solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem
that will be approved by the conflicting parties,” Oskanyan said.

Speaking of the possibility of hostilities, the Foreign Minister
stated that “this possibility cannot be ruled out completely, but it
is extremely small.” According to Oskanyan, the Armenian army is the
guarantor of peace. Oskanyan also reported that his regular, fourth,
meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart is to be held in Prague on
August 29-30, and the next round of negotiations between the two
countries’ Presidents is expected to take place during the CIS Summit
in Astana, this autumn. “We must be able to continue and finish what
we began,” Oskanyan said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

LOS ANGELES-BASED FRUNZIK MKRTICHYAN THEATER MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY IN
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, AUGUST 19. ARMINFO. Today, the Armenian Frunzik Mkrtichyan
Theater in Los Angeles, USA, is marking its 10th anniversary in
Yerevan as part of the Panarmenian cultural festival “One nation, one
culture”.

At their press conference, the founders of the theater, Rafael
Grigoryan and Gayane Karapetyan pointed out that on various stages the
theater performed Armenian authors’ plays, which enjoyed popularity
with the audience. Karapetyan said that the theater is chiefly
supported by donations of diasporan Armenians. The founders were
happy to be invited to the festival, as it encouraged them to come to
Armenian after a long interval and get acquainted with Armenian
workers of culture from various countries. She pointed out that the
idea of organizing a all-Armenian festival is brilliant. On the other
hand, she expressed her discontent with the fact that many of the
participants are for the first time in Armenia and need guides and
transport.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Los Angeles Daily News, CA
Pasadena Star-News, CA
Aug 20 2004

Martirosian bows out to Cuban veteran

Of course, it had to be a Cuban.

That’s the way it’s gone more often than not for the U.S. boxing team
in recent Olympics. Some Cuban fighting gray at the temples schooling
some U.S. boxer fresh from earning his learner’s permit.

The boxing program on that little tropical island remains one of the
hottest in the world. The once great amateur program in the U.S.,
cold as ice.

Since the 1988 Olympics the U.S. has won a grand total of two boxing
gold medals. Meanwhile, Cuba brought home 13.

Nothing is expected to change here. Cuba is favored to advance six
boxers to the finals and the U.S. maybe one.

So it came Thursday afternoon that the USA’s Vanes Martirosian drew
Cuba’s Lorenzo Aragon in his second-round match.

Aragon owns cigars older than Martirosian. He’s 30 and has won two
world championships. One more serious Cuban boxing veteran.

Understand, in Cuba they don’t turn pro. Their best boxers just keep
appearing at Olympics and world championships. They get better and
better until deemed too old and replaced by the next 28-year-old
rookie.

Fidel Castro may be on his last legs, communism crumbling, the Cuban
economy in shambles, but the country’s boxing remains a regular world
leader.

On the surface, Thursday offered the biggest of mismatches. A few
months ago, no one in the U.S. even knew Martirosian. He was 17 years
old and ranked 14th nationally at 152 pounds when he went to trials.

But with two of the top boxers in his weight class disqualified Andre
Berto for throwing Juan McPherson to the ground, forcing McPherson
out with an injury Martirosian turned it on and stunned just about
everyone by winning the welterweight class.

Martirosian was born in Armenia and came to the U.S. at age 4 with
his family. He’s now the pride of Glendale’s swelling Armenian
community, but all logic pointed to his being outclassed against
Aragon.

Martirosian entered the ring first. You figured his knees might be
shaking. He won his first Olympic bout against Algeria’s Benamar
Meskine, but Aragon was a whole other level.

“I wasn’t nervous,’ Martirosian said. “I just love boxing so much, I
can’t wait to get into the ring.’

Martirosian talks about boxing with the kind of enthusiasm most
teenagers reserve for PlayStation 2. And he clearly was not afraid of
the veteran.

But Aragon is a serious veteran, and looked it. Apparently the judges
thought so, too.

He scored early and often with punches that barely seem to graze the
kid. He’d tie Martirosian up, then stick his arms out straight like
it was the kid holding him.

Several times Martirosian was warned by the official from Lestho (a
small South African country) not to hold.

“He was holding and I was getting called for it,’ Martirosian said.
“It was frustrating. He was trying to get into my head, but I stuck
to my game plan.’

He had fought and lost to Aragon once before in May, starting well
but getting a little too excited and allowing the Cuban to score
easily with jabs.

This time out, it went the other way. In the electronic scoring
system in the Olympics, a point is scored for each blow landed,
regardless of its power.

Aragon jumped to a quick 8-2 lead after the first round. Martirosian
scored the first two points of the second, and Aragon the last six.

A 14-4 lead is huge in this four- round format. Still, Martirosian
kept up the pressure and actually won the next round 4-3 and split
the final round.

That ended his dreams of gold, the Cuban advancing with a 20-11
victory.

“I thought he scored more points than he did,’ said U.S. coach
Basheer Aboullah.

“I wanted that one. I thought if he beat the Cuban we could really
build some momentum for the rest of the tournament.’

Aragon, the 2003 and 2001 world champion, acted like it was so much
in a day’s work. At least a Cuban boxer’s work.

“We Cubans are always optimistic because we are the best team,’
Aragon said. “We aim at getting gold at all 11 weight classes.’

Martirosian made Aragon look like a very beatable fighter. He landed
the hardest blow of the bout, staggering Aragon with a right. But the
official warned him for slapping. Must have been some slap.

“He showed me a lot of respect this time,’ Martirosian said. “He knew
I hit hard. I caught him good in the first round.’

Now he gets to play cheerleader for his surviving U.S. teammates.
Typically, boxers use the Olympics as a springboard to a pro career,
but Martirosian now 18 isn’t so sure.

“I’m still young,’ he said. “I’m still going to get better. He’s 30
years old. You might see me in 2008, who knows?

“To me, it’s not about the money. I just love amateur boxing.’

The pros do offer one major advantage, though. No Cubans.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Utopiana
L’actualité, août 2004

UTOPIANA
Anna Barseghian Stefan Kristensen
Quai Capo d’Istria 9, 1205 Genève, Suisse
[email protected], [email protected]

t|m+41 76 329 28 30
t|f+41 22 320 98 30

Thierry Fontaine, Hurloir

Installation sonore, proposée dans le cadre de
La Btie – Festival de Genève <;

Dates : 3 – 11 septembre 2004
Lieux : pl. Charles Aznavour, Erevan / pl. des Volontaires, Genève

Hurler depuis l’Arménie et être entendu sur la Place des Volontaires à
Genève : une opportunité offerte grce à un micro installé sur la Place
Charles Aznavour en plein centre d’Erevan. Une intervention artistique
est organisée chaque soir à 18h (heure de Genève). En l’absence de
prise de parole organisée ou spontanée, l?ambiance sonore de l’espace
public sera toujours perceptible.

Avec le soutien de :
Armenian Telephone Company <;
Fondation Armenia (Genève)
Union arménienne de Suisse
Association Courants d’Art (La Réunion)
M. Vahé Gabrache
M. Gilles Clément
M. et Mme Alfred et Claudine Bagdjian.

Curateurs: Anna Barseghian, Nazareth Karoyan, Stefan Kristensen
Programmation à Erevan: Mariné Karoyan
Mise en place technique: association provisoire (André Loz)
Remerciements particuliers à l’équipe du Festival de Genève et à son
directeur, M. Olivier Suter.

Dans un prochain message: programmation définitive des interventions
artistiques.

—

The Screamer

To scream in Armenia and be heard on a square in the center of Geneva:
an opportunity given to anybody thanks to a microphone on the Square
Charles Aznavour in the heart of downtown Yerevan. An artistic
performance is organized every evening at 6pm (GMT +1) from September
3 to 11. When nobody shouts, speaks or sings, the background noises of
the public space will any time be perceptible.

To Be Heard

The Screamer is a device for one way communication. Such a
communication is naturally perceived as a scream or a howling. In the
heart of a festival animating the Genevan cultural life, the Screamer
opens a space of reflection on the relations between the centers and
the peripheries of the world. But due to the reversal of the habitual
communication flows, it also touches on the good old fantasy of the
Orient: in France, one burns “Armenian paper” to purify the air in the
appartments… In the other end, Geneva is a sort of emblem of a
prosperous Occident, which stands for democracy and human rights.
Apart from the artistic perfomances on the program, anyone can take
the microphone and send her or his sounds to the West.

Friday 3.9. Hover, choir
Saturday 4.9. Violette Grigorian, Karen Karslian, poetry
Sunday 5.9. Vahan Artsrouni, songs
Monday 6.9. Sanctus, vocal quartet
Tuesday 7.9. Grigor Khatchatrian, Azat, sound performances
Wednesday 8.9. Ani, string quartet
Thursday 9.9. INZEST, female rock band
Friday 10.9. Jivan Gasparian, duduk
Saturday 11.9. Penetro, electronic music

Project carried out within the Festival de la Bbtie <;.

With the support of Armenian Telephone Company <; ,
Fondation Armenia (Geneva), Union arménienne de Suisse, Association
Courants dArt (La Réunion), Mr V. Gabrache, Mr G. Clément, Mr et Mrs
A. et C. Bagdjian.

Special thanks to Marine Karoyan, Eva Khachatrian, PROVISOIRE

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected]
Website;
August 20, 2004

JOYOUS FIRST ANNUAL YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO ST. CATHERINE’S

Georgina Sarkissian

Saturday, August 14th was a glorious day for those who attended the
First Annual Youth Pilgrimage to St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in
St. Catharine’s. As the youth arrived, sleeping bags in hand, they
were greeted warmly. This historic event was under the auspices of His
Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian.

The day began with a sight-seeing tour of the Niagara area and
returned to a barbecue prepared by Julia Sarkisian-Dumanian and her
husband Loris. Later, the group sat around a campfire with Serpazan
Hayr, Der Gomidas and Der Datev. During the night, His Eminence held
a prayer session that was an emotionally moving time for everyone.

The morning dawned on a weary, but happy group of youth, ready to
devour a breakfast prepared by the dinner crew. Following their early
morning program the youth participated in the church service with the
flocks of faithful in attendance.

The Blessing of the Grapes took place in the park of the church with a
processional of the youth carrying flowers and candles. His Eminence
BishopBagrat Galstanian blessed the grapes and all those present with
his prayers and sprinkled them with rose water according to the
tradition of the day.

The afternoon consisted of food, fun, dancing to a live Armenian band
and cementing friendships for the following year. What a great
beginning to an annual event that will hopefully draw more youth to
celebrate together the traditions of the Assumption of Mary, Mother of
God and the Blessing of theGrapes. The First Armenian Church in Canada
proudly welcomes all the faithful youth of our diocese to attend next
year, sleeping bag in hand.

* * *

TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY
MOTHER OF GOD IN MONTREAL

The feast of Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God (Verapokhoumn Sourp
Asdvadzadzni) is one of the five major holidays (Daghavar) of the
Armenian Apostolic Church. It is held each year on the Sunday closest
to August 15. This year it was celebrated on Sunday August 15, in the
St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral of Montreal.

Prior to the Divine Liturgy, the traditional ceremony of Antasdan was
held, whereby prayers are raised to the Lord to bless the four corners
of the earth. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Vazken
Boyadjyan, Pastor of the Cathedral. In his sermon Fr. Boyajyan
highlighted the Feast of Assumption as a major Christian holiday in
the entire Christian world, and related the historical Biblical
representation of the Assumption, when Jesus’ Disciplesfound
St. Mary’s tomb empty, indication the Mother-of-God’s ascension to
Heaven. Fr. Boyajyan then stressed the sanctity of motherhood as
exemplified by St. Mary, and talked about the Armenian tradition of
blessing of grapes at this time, symbolizing fruition of God-given
blessings. At the end of the Badarak, grapes were blessed, which were
then distributed to the faithful.

Following the ceremonies, an open-air luncheon was held on the church
grounds, instead of the banquet usually held in the church hall.

* * *

THE FEAST OF ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD IN TORONTO

On Sunday, August 15, 2004 the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church
of Scarborough, Ontario celebrated the Feast of Assumption of Holy
Virgin Mary. Rev. Arch. Fr. Zareh Zargarian celebrated the Divine
Liturgy.

During the liturgy Rev. Arch. Fr. Zareh Zargarian asked all women who
bear the name Mary or similar names which characterize the Holy Virgin
Mary to come forward and be blessed as it was their name day. Each
was given candles and a special prayer of blessing was said over them.

Immediately following the Divine Liturgy (badarak) the “Blessing of
the Grapes” ceremony was performed on the church grounds in front of
the Genocide Memorial.

The Annual Assumption Day Picnic organized by the Parish Council of
Holy Trinity Armenian Church was held immediately following the
Blessing of the Grapes ceremony. Those present enjoyed delicious
Armenian foods, Armenian music and the fellowship of the Armenian
Church community.

* * *

AN UNPRECEDENT EVENING TO HONOR THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES 2004

It is with deep spiritual joy that we announce to the faithful of the
Armenian Church Canadain Diocese that the Armenian College Ministry
Department in conjunction with a group of young Armenians called
“Armenians for Higher Education” have been working hard over the
summer, planning an unprecedented event for all High School graduates
in the greater Montreal area to publicly showhow proud the Armenian
community is of the accomplishments of the Class of 2004.

The event will take place on Sunday, September 19th (6:00 pm), at the
Bolsahay Cultural Center. There will be a separate cocktail for the
graduates and another one for the accompanying family members. Each
graduate will receivea certificate of merit from the Primate, His
Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian.

For more information please visit the website at or
contact the Diocesan office at 514-276-9479.

* * *

BISHOP GALSTANIAN MEETS WITH THE MAYOR OF MISSISAUGA

On Monday August 9, 2004 the Primate of the Armenian Church of Canada
H. E. Bishop Bagrat Galstanian met with the Mayor of the City of
Mississauga Honorable Hazel McCaillon in the Mayor’s office. Present
to the meeting were Der Zareh Zagarian, Der Komidas Mirzakhanian,
Mr. Les Hamlin, Mr. Vartegez Simonian, Mrs. Lilian Sevadjian.

During the meeting discussions were focused on the future plans and
projects of the Saint Vartan Armenian Community of Mississauga. Bishop
Galstanian mentioned the importance of having a church and community
center in order to organize Youth activities within the church, thus
shaping a new portrait for the coming generations. The Honorable Mayor
Hazel McCaillon agreed that building churches and community centers
are vital and important factors for the growth of a healthy
community. His Eminence then thanked the Mayor and presented a stone
cross (khatch- kar) and a book on the History of the Armenian Church.

* * *

DIOCESAN ARARAT SUMMER CAMP 2004 A FUN-FILLED WEEK HAS COME TO AN END

Taline Baltayan

During the week of August 9-14, forty-seven campers from the Toronto,
Mississauga and Montreal parishes attended Camp Ararat at Woodland
Trails, just north of Toronto. The children, who were between 7 and
14 years of age, spent an active and educational week at camp where
new friendships were made and old ones were strengthened and renewed.
The camp was led by Fr. Komitas Mirzakhanyan and run by a crew of 13
dedicated counsellors and staff members. The camp’s delicious meals
were prepared by Mrs. Maro Menengitchian.

What was a typical day at camp? After a 7:30 am wake-up, campers
began their day with morning exercises before eating a hearty
breakfast. Next, time for morning worship and bible study class.
After a bit of free time, campers headed for arts & crafts and sports.
Lunch time! Following lunch came the highlight for most campers â=80¦
swimming! After a few hours in the pool, campers would have some
group time and free time before dinner. The camp evening program
usually consisted of a guest speaker or a group activity, a campfire
complete with singing and marshmallow roasting, and then evening
prayers. Once campers headed back for the dorms, it would be time for
a bit of journal writing and then bed!

In keeping with the Olympic spirit, the campers were placed in their
own Olympic teams where they earned points for various activities
during the course of the week. Congratulations go to Team Yellow for
bringing home the gold!

Visitors to Camp Ararat included Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Mrs. Maida
Icliates, Rev. Blain MacLeod, and circus performer Souren Torosyans .
Our Primate, Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan also visited the camp on a few
occasions to speak and spend time with the campers.

Once again, Camp Ararat was a great success this year. Stay tuned for
details regarding Camp Ararat 2005!

* * *

GENERAL ELECTIONS HELD AT THE DIOCESE OF DAMASCUS

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of Damascus announces that on
Sunday, August 15 2004 Diocesan Council meeting (Central Governing
Body) has been held at St Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in
Damascus.

Under the auspices of the Primate of the Diocese of Damascus Very
Reverend Father Armash Nalbandian the delegates have elected eleven
new Diocesan Council members who, together with the Primate of the
Diocese, would lead and serve the needs of the Armenian Community of
Damascus.

We pray the Almighty God to grant the newly elected Diocesan Council
members good health and many successes in their future undertakings.

* * *

ANNUAL SUMMER BARBEQUE WITH THE BOYAJYAN FAMILY

Saturday August 7, 2004, continued the tradition set by the members of
the Boyajian family who organize a summer barbeque each year in the
backyard of their residence This tradition began in 1992 and has
continued once a yearwhen the Boyajian family graciously opens their
home and hearts to His Grace Bishop, Bagrat Galastanian, Primate of
the Canadian Diocese, Rev. Arch. Fr. Zareh Zargarian, Pastor of Holy
Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Mr. Hratch Shishmanian, Chairman of
the Parish Council, Deacon Vrej Berberian and the members of the
Ladies Sewing Circle of Holy Trinity Armenian Church. Mrs. Zevart
Boyajian is the Chairperson of Ladies Sewing Circle. Through the years
they work voluntarily sewing and providing the beautiful vestments
worn by Primates and Priests as well as the deacons and choir robes
and the alter coverings for Holy Trinity Armenian Church as well as
churches in Armenia.

The party started in early afternoon and continued until
evening. Those in attendance enjoyed a delicious Armenian barbecue and
good music. The gathering came to a close with a prayer offered by His
Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanyanand Rev. Arch. Fr. Zareh Zargarian.
They thanked the Boyajian family on behalf of all present and
expressed their gratitude for their hospitality.

Secretariat of the Diocese

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
 
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2004
CONTACT: David Zenian
E-mail: [email protected]

ASSEMBLY ACTIVISTS ASSURED OF CONTINUED SUPPORT BY SENATORS VOINOVICH AND
DeWINE

Washington, D.C. – Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH), reiterating his
support of issues of concern to the Armenian-American community, will
co-sponsor a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide, his key field
office staffer told a group of Armenian Assembly activists during a meeting
in Cleveland Friday.

“We were very encouraged by the positive news that came out of our very
successful meeting with Michael Kobylka of Voinovich’s staff in Cleveland.
We appreciate his understanding and support of our core issues that impact
the Armenian-American community and Armenians in general,” Assembly
Grassroots Director Nancy Yerian Hiteshue said after the meeting which was
also attended by Cleveland state chair Anita Kazarian and activists Hovig
Tumasyan, Dick Arslanian and Zahn Askaryan.

Also on Friday, the Armenian Assembly group visited the Cleveland district
office of Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) to discuss issues of concern to the
Armenian-American community including military aid parity between Armenia
and Azerbaijan in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 Foreign Operations bill and
legislation granting permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to Armenia.

Sen. Voinovich, who is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
has supported restrictions on U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan until it lifts
its illegal blockades against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, by voting in
1999 to retain Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Sen. DeWine has supported
congressional efforts to reaffirm the Armenian Genocide and has also
repeatedly pressed for increased levels of U.S. assistance to Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh. He has also favored restrictions on U.S. assistance to
Azerbaijan by casting one of the decisive votes in 1999 to retain Section
907 of the Freedom Support Act.

“August being the month when both the Senate and House are in recess and
legislators are back in their home states, it is a great opportunity to
involve our members and activists in the political process in support of
Armenian issues and express their concerns to the elected officials who
represent them in Washington,” she said.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

NR#2004-076

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress