Author: Andres-Papazian

GEOGRAPHY QUIZ

The Monterey County Herald
Published: May 1, 2011

Questions are from the National Geography Bee, a program of the National
Geographic Society.

1.St. Paul is to Minneapolis as Fort Worth is to what?

2.Which African country is larger in area – Ghana or Libya?

3.Kansas is home to the largest sorghum harvest, with production
dominating the western two-thirds of the state. Name the largest city in
the state, which lies on the eastern edge of this region.

4.Which country is bordered by Greece and Armenia?

5. Bikini Atoll is still mainly uninhabitable because of United States
nuclear testing that took place there after World War II. Bikini Atoll
is part of which country that was a United States-administered Trust
Territory of the Pacific until 1986?

6.Which island is farther north – Sri Lanka or New Guinea?

7.Elba, where Napoleon was exiled in 1814, is an island belonging to
which present-day country?

8.Madidi National Park stretches from the Andes to the Amazon and
includes the Madidi and Tuichi Rivers. This park is considered one of
the world’s largest biodiversity reserves and is located in what country
north of Argentina?

9.The Agulhas Current, a warm current that flows mainly north to south
along southern Africa, marks the western boundary of which ocean?

10.Dzongkha is the national language of which small Asian country
located east of the Indian state of Sikkim?

Answers on page B3

Geoquiz answers from B7

1.Dallas

2.Libya

3.Wichita

4.Turkey

5.Marshall Islands

6.Sri Lanka

7.Italy

8. Bolivia

9.Indian

10.Bhutan

From: A. Papazian

National Day of Prayer: Five Coweta events planned Thursday

Times-Herald

Winston Skinner
Published: May 03, 2011

The National Day of Prayer will be Thursday, and several events are
planned in Coweta County.

A year ago, the day was observed as a lawsuit moved forward to abolish
the day. The Obama administration fought the suit, which was dismissed
last month.

At least five NDOP events are planned for Coweta County on Thursday. The
Newnan Kiwanis Club is sponsoring its annual Community Prayer Breakfast.
This year, the event will be held at 7:30 a.m. in the parish hall at
First United Methodist Church.

There is no charge for the breakfast.

R. William “Bill” Roland, a federal mediator, will be the speaker for
this year’s breakfast. He will speak of his calling to bring parties to
reconciliation in his public role as a mediator with the 11th Circuit
Court of Appeals — one level below the U.S. Supreme Court.

Roland will also share his journey from being a successful trial lawyer
in Florida for 30 years to becoming a federal mediator — and how he
incorporates his personal private prayer life as he serves in his public
position.

Roland, who attained the rank of captain in the U.S. Air Force, has been
a member of First Baptist Church in Roswell since 2002. He is an
ordained deacon.

He holds a bachelor of arts and juris doctor degrees from Florida State
University.

Roland and his wife, Janie, have been married since 1968. They have two
sons, John and Jason, and four grandchildren.

“I think our whole country needs to create more positives to wash away
the many negatives we are confronted with each day,” said Kiwanian Blake
Lambert, who helps coordinate the breakfast program each year. “This day
of prayer is a good start.”

Three events are planned for noon in various parts of the county. The
Newnan National Day of Prayer gathering will be held at the Greenville
Street Park from noon-1 p.m.

“Senoia is participating by gathering at the gazebo on Main Street,”
said Scott McInnis, pastor of WellSpring Church. “There will be a few
songs — followed by area pastors leading prayers for various parts of
our community, government, military and nation.”

At least four churches are participating in the noon program in Senoia.

Dwayne Cook of First Baptist Church in Grantville said the NDOP
observance there will be at noon at the flagpole in front of the Glanton
Building, which houses Grantville’s city hall and senior center.

There also will be a National Day of Prayer service in the sanctuary at
First United Methodist Church of Newnan on Thursday at 7 p.m. Scripture
and music — as well as prayer — will be featured.

On April 19, the Coweta County Commissioners issued a proclamation
designating May 5 as a Day of Prayer in Coweta County. Commission
Chairman Rodney Brooks presented a copy of the proclamation to prayer
teams members Don and Jonnie Porter and Dave and Brenda Jessel.

A federal appeals court on April 14 threw out a ruling that the National
Day of Prayer is unconstitutional and ordered that a lawsuit challenging
Pres. Barack Obama’s right to proclaim the day be dismissed. A
three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the
Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation did not have
standing to sue because while they disagree with the president’s
proclamation, it has not caused them any harm.

“A feeling of alienation cannot suffice as injury,” the appeals court
ruled.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled in April 2010 that the national
prayer day was unconstitutional because it amounts to a call for
religious action. Crabb said the government can no more enact laws
supporting a day of prayer than it can encourage citizens to fast during
Ramadan, attend a synagogue or practice magic. The president appealed.

The appeals court said in an opinion written by Chief Judge Frank
Easterbrook that while the National Day of Prayer proclamation speaks to
all citizens, no one is obliged to pray “any more than a person would be
obliged to hand over his money if the president asked all citizens to
support the Red Cross or other charities.”

The proclamation is a request, not a demand, the appeals court said.

The American Center for Law and Justice — representing 67 members of
Congress — filed an amicus brief urging the appeals court to overturn
the lower court decision. “We’re extremely pleased that the appeals
court rejected a flawed decision and determined that while some may
disagree with a presidential proclamation, they do not have the right to
silence the speech they don’t agree with,” said Jay Sekulow, ACLJ’s
chief counsel.

“This decision represents a victory for our nation’s heritage and
history — protecting a long-standing tradition that’s been a part of
our country for centuries,” Sekulow added. Coweta County resident U.S.
Congressman Lynn Westmoreland, R, Ga. Third District-Grantville, was
among the members of Congress represented by the ACLJ.

Thursday’s observance follows another National Day of Prayer — called
by the National Council of Churches — for Easter Sunday in honor of
Easter and in commemoration of genocide in Armenia.

From: A. Papazian

“KAZAKHSTAN BECOMES CLOSER TO ARMENIA” PROJECT

CaspioNet

May 2 2011
Kazakhstan

After a two-week visit and work in Kazakhstan, journalists from Armenia
filmed 11 hours of material, received a lot of positive emotions and
the will to know more about Kazakhstan. The “Kazakhstan becomes closer
to Armenia” television project is devoted to the 20th anniversary of
Kazakhstan’s Independence.

Anna Karapetyan, journalist/analyst, “Armedia” information and
analytical agency: – I felt that Kazakhstan is a very good country for
expatriate communities. All representatives of the Armenian expatriate
community told a lot of positive things about Kazakhstan and said
that they are satisfied with their life here. They have a job,
welfare and the atmosphere of the country does not make them feel
like strangers. Some people say that they are not Armenians, who are
living in Kazakhstan but Kazakhstan people with Armenian origins.

The acquaintance of Armenian journalists with the country started
in the capital city where the film crew observed places of interest
on the Irtysh Left Bank, visited the Palace of Peace and Accord and
the museum of the First President. Additionally, they visited such
universities as the Gumilyov Eurasian University. In an interview with
its chancellor, Bakhytzhan Abdraim, journalists discussed issues of
cultural and humanitarian interaction.

Bakhytzhan Abdraim, chancellor, Eurasian National University: –
We are ready to welcome students, who are studying in the oriental
studies and philosophy departments and who are learning the Kazakh
language. We are ready to support these students.

Irina Aivazyan, journalist/analyst, “Armedia” information and
analytical agency: – I believe that it is quite right. We should launch
a student exchange as well as educational and cultural programmes. We
have visited the “Kazakhfilm” studio and we would like to invite you
to the “Golden Apricot” international film festival in Yerevan. We
would like to see your films.

In Astana, journalists from Armenia were also acquainted with the
state and party structure of the country. In the central department
of the Nur Otan party, the guests were welcomed by the head of the
parliamentary system university. After Astana, the film crew visited
Karaganda, where they met the heads of cultural centres and officials
of the city. In Temirtau, they visited a metallurgy plant.

The filming of their series of reports finished in Almaty, where the
guests visited the “Kazakhfilm” studio, the Shymbulak ski resort and
met with representatives of the Armenian expatriate community.

Tigran Petrosyan, journalist/analyst, “Armedia” information and
analytical agency: – I enjoyed the Almaty mountains very much. When
we landed at the airport, I saw your mountains and wondered how many
Ararat mounts there were. It is very similar to us and that is why
I liked it.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN RAPPROCHEMENT DEPENDS ON KARABAKH – TURKISH PM

news.az
May 2 2011
Azerbaijan

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has restated Turkey’s stance that normalization
of relations with Armenia is impossible until solution of the Karabakh
conflict.

Addressing a public rally on Sunday in the eastern province of Igdir,
the chairman of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, Erdogan
said that Azerbaijan’s sadness and happiness were the sadness and
happiness of Turkey, TurkishNY reported.

“I want to say one more time in Igdir. Unless the issue of
Nagorno-Karabakh is resolved, it is impossible for our relations to
be normal with Armenia,” Erdogan said.

“Since the day of their establishment, we have been behind Azerbaijan
and Nagorno-Karabakh. We will continue to stand behind them always. No
one should expect otherwise,” Erdogan said.

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan began in 1988 when Armenia
made claims on the Azerbaijani territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenian
armed forces have occupied a swathe of Azerbaijani territory since
1992, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding
districts. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994,
but no permanent solution has been reached.

Turkey closed its border with Armenia in 1993 in support of Azerbaijan
and has no diplomatic relations with Yerevan.

Turkey and Armenia signed protocols on normalizing relations in October
2009, but rapprochement stalled last year when both the Turkish and
Armenian parliaments refused to ratify the protocols. The Turkish
leadership has said several times that normalization is possible only
when Armenia withdraws its troops from Azerbaijani land.

From: A. Papazian

WORLD FACES ANOTHER STAGE OF SEISMIC ACTIVITY – ARMENIAN EXPERT

news.am
May 2 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – Several earthquakes registered in several countries over the
recent weeks can be considered a regular stage of seismic activity,
deputy head of Armenia’s National Seismic Service Askhen Tovmasyan
told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to seismologist Hayk Hayrapetyan earthquakes were registered
on Sunday in Iran and Georgia. No quakes were registered in Armenia.

On May 1 tremors were also registered in Japan, Greece and Turkey.

From: A. Papazian

US MAY TEMPORARILY CLOSE EMBASSIES

news.am
May 2 2011
Armenia

U.S. may temporarily close a number of embassies after the killing
of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

State Department issued a statement saying there was an enhanced
potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism
activity in Pakistan.

The embassies and consulates may temporarily close or suspend services,
the statement reads.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, Osama bin Laden was killed
on Sunday by U.S. forces as a result of operation in Abbotabad,
Pakistan.

From: A. Papazian

ERDOGAN: CONFLICT OF KARAVAKH IS OUR ISSUE

Panorama
May 2 2011
Armenia

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to the relations with
Armenia and Karabakh conflict while appearing in the open-air rally of
“Justice and development” party (AKP) organized in the square of the
municipality of Igdir, “CnnTurk” reports.

According to the source Erdogan has particularly declared: “The
conflict of Karabakh is our issue. Nakhijevan’s also. The grief
of Azerbaijan is ours, their happiness is ours. Here, in Igdir, I
declare that unless the conflict of Karabakh is resolved, relations
with Armenia are impossible. From the beginning we used to stand next
to Azerbaijan and Karabakh. And we’ll continue it. Nobody should
expect anything else from us in this point. The same was asked in
“PACE” and we were forced to give necessary answer.”

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIANS OF FRANCE MEET WITH SARKOZY, GENOCIDE BILL ON AGENDA

news.am
May 2 2011
Armenia

Representatives of Coordination Council of Armenian Organizations
in France (CCAF) met on Saturday with President Nicolas Sarkozy to
discuss the bill penalizing denial of Armenian Genocide. French Senate
must examine the bill on May 4.

Despite the support of a majority of the Socialist party, communists
and some senators of UMP, the watchword of government may block the
adoption of the bill, journalist Jean Eckian reported from Paris.

Armenians will organize a demonstration in front of the French Senate
on Wednesday.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJAN DENIES KILLING ARMENIAN SOLDIERS

news.az
May 2 2011
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s Defence Ministry has said that it was Armenian, not
Azerbaijani soldiers, that killed Armenian troops on 29 April.

“The Armenians are lying and want to put the blame on Azerbaijan,”
Defence Ministry spokesman Lt-Col Eldar Sabiroglu told APA.

Armenian media reported that two Armenian soldiers had been killed and
one wounded in Karabakh by fire from Azerbaijani troops on 29 April.

Eldar Sabiroglu accused the Armenians of spreading false reports.

“As you know, there is hostility between Karabakh Armenians and
Armenians living in Armenia. This hostility has also affected the
army. There have been several fatal shootings in military units in
Nagorno-Karabakh involving non-resident Armenians and local Armenian
soldiers. This is the cause of the latest incident. On 29 April,
a soldier, a citizen of Armenia, killed two soldiers born in Martuni
District of Nagorno-Karabakh. This is the real situation,” he told APA.

In March, Eldar Sabiroglu denied an Armenian report that Azerbaijani
snipers had killed an Armenian soldier near Askeran in Karabakh. He
said the soldier had died during a dispute at a military unit.

Cases of severe bullying and torture have been registered in
Armenian army units in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh in recent
years. Human rights defender Karen Andreasyan said last week that
54 non-combat-related deaths had been recorded in the Armenian army
in 2010.

From: A. Papazian

AZERBAIJANI EMBASSY SENDS PROTEST NOTE TO SWISS FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Trend
May 2 2011
Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein has sent a
protest note to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in
connection with demonstrating the materials distorting the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan in the Armenian stands at the international
exhibition of books and press in Geneva, the Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministry said.

The Embassy has informed exhibition~Rs organizers about these
facts. Ambassador Murad Najafbayli met with the heads responsible
for organizing the exhibition Bernard Quiot and Adeline Beaux. He
expressed Azerbaijan’s concern and called for the removal of these
materials from the exhibition stand.

The note explains the essence of the protest. It has requested that
the Swiss side take appropriate due measures.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

From: A. Papazian