Author: Ara Felekian

MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND FRANCE TAKES PLACE IN PARIS

Noyan Tapan
Jul 16 2007

PARIS, JULY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Robert Kocharian, the RA President,
who was in France on an official visit, met with Nicolas Sarkozy,
the President of France, on July 13. A wide circle of bilateral
relations was discussed, issues concerning the development of economic
cooperation and regional problems, as well as Year of Armenia in
France, the final ceremony of which will was to be held on July 14,
were touched upon during their meeting.

According to the message of the RA President’s Press Office, Robert
Kocharian also met with Bernard Accoyer, the Chairman of the National
Assembly of France. During their conversation the interlocutors
expressed satisfaction with the process of the activities of the
Armenian-French Deputy Friendship Groups.

AFFA PRESIDENT RAMIZ MIRZEYEV: I DID NOT EXPECT SUCH DECISION FROM UEFA

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 25 2007

"I didn’t expect UEFA to pass a decision on cancellation of matches
between Azerbaijan and Armenia. I thought UEFA would consider our
appeal and make a decision to play in neutral field", AFFA president
Ramiz Mirzeyev told APA-Sport.

Mirzeyev said they do not intend to protest the decision.

"We are not going to appeal. The decision is passed and it is to be
followed. We cannot force them to change it", he said.

AFFA president also answered a question whether the decision favors
Azerbaijan.

"I cannot talk about Armenia but AFFA wanted to play matches from
the beginning. We expressed our intention to play in neutral field
more than once", he underscored.

“PARK OF LYONS” TO OPEN IN YEREVAN
Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 25, 2006
YEREVAN, July 25. /ARKA/. David Gevorgyan, head of foreign relations
department of the Yerevan Municipality, informed journalists that in
the nearest future a “Park of Lyons” was going to be opened in Yerevan.
“The park will be one of the symbols of Armenian-French friendship
and close cooperation between Yerevan and Lyons”, he emphasized.
Gevorgyan said 5thsd-sq. m. park will be divided into territories of
Erebuni community of Yerevan. “It is an offspring of diversification
of the cooperation between the two cities”, he said. S.P.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT URGES CRACKDOWN ON SMUGGLING
Mediamax news agency
12 Apr 06
Yerevan, 12 April: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan held a meeting
today with the head of State Customs Committee, Armen Avetisyan. They
discussed the committee’s activity in last three months and the fight
against smuggling.
Armen Avetisyan told the president that customs duties collected in
the first quarter of 2006 had totalled 31.5bn drams which was 400m
drams more than planned.
The two men also discussed the recent agreement with Georgia on the
closure of the Bagratashen border market.
In this connection, Kocharyan instructed to draw a map of all transit
routes used by smugglers and establish full control over these routes
as soon as possible till the establishment of a relevant border zone.

Jewish Review, OR
March 10 2006
Week examines genocide
Genocide Awareness Week: A Call to Conscience will feature a series
of free, diverse events at multiple locations in Portland the week of
March 12-18.
A group of high school and college students, individuals and
organizations have created this grassroots program to respond to the
silence about genocides around the world. For a complete listing of
all of the week’s events, all of which are free, visit
American Jewish World Service President Ruth Messinger returns to
Portland for two workshops on March 15 – one on global responsibility
and one on the crisis in Darfur.
During her last visit, Messinger said, “I urge all of you … to take
action to make a difference against the genocide in Darfur … What
will stop this is our indignation.” Messinger said that legislators
interpret society-wide silence as indifference. She urged people to
write letters to the editor, write congressional leaders, and visit
and to e-mail a letter to your
congressional representatives and for other ideas for action.
This conference was created to encourage Portlanders to end the
silence.
Messinger’s Wednesday workshops are part of a day-long program at
Portland State University’s Multicultural Center in the Smith
Memorial Center, 1825 S.W. Broadway. The days events also include a
panel discussion on Southeast Asia and an evening keynote address by
Mohamed Yahya, volunteer executive director of Damanga, an
organization that works on human rights and advocates for peace and
democracy in Darfur and Sudan.
The week includes presentations from survivors of genocides around
the world.
Benson Deng, one of the lost boys of Sudan, fled his village on foot
at age 7. Resettled with 3,600 other Lost Boys in the United States
three years ago, Deng will speak about this experiences March 17 at
the First Unitarian Church.
Denese Dominga Becker survived the massacre of Mayans and other
indigenous tribes in about 440 villages in 1982 in Guatemala. Adopted
by a couple from Iowa, Becker will be in Portland to speak about her
experiences in conjunction with a film “Discovering Dominga,” on
March 13 at the Guild Theater. The program that evening begins at
6:15 and includes a showing of “Genocide in Me,” the story of the
Armenian genocide.
It also includes films, plays and art dealing with genocides
throughout history. A weeklong exhibit at the Interstate Firehouse
Cultural Center focuses on “Women Betrayed: The Invisible Women of
Darfur,” a series of 10 paintings by Beverly Collins.
For more information about the week’s events, call Sarah Stark at
503-282-1108 or Marti Fromer at 503-246-3347.
?Article06-03-15-2156
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
October 17, 2005
___________________
ARMENIAN CHURCH TAKES PART IN PRAYER SERVICE FOR UNITED NATIONS
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), led a delegation of Armenians who
attended the 5th annual Orthodox Prayer Service for the United
Nations Community.
“This event is a symbolic representation of the power of faith and
the importance of assuring that our faith has a place at the table of
international politics and diplomacy,” the Primate said. “It is also
important that the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox Churches join forces
and stand with a united voice in calling for a full representation
of our faith at the United Nations.”
The annual event is organized by the Joint Commission of the Standing
Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas and the
Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches. This year’s service
was hosted by the Serbian Orthodox Church at the Holy Trinity Greek
Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York City. Each year a different
participating church hosts the event, which also rotates in location
from the Greek Cathedral to St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral.
Attending this year with the Primate was Fr. Daniel Findikyan, dean of
St. Nersess Seminary; Fr. Simeon Odabashian, pastor of the Sts. Sahag
and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI; Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St.
Vartan Cathedral, a number of seminarians from St. Nersess Seminary;
and Diocesan staff.
Armenia was also represented by His Excellency Armen Martirossyan,
the permanent representative of the Republic of Armenia to the
United Nations.
The guest speaker at this year’s service was His Excellency Dr. Milos
Prica, the permanent representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the
United Nations. He spoke eloquently about his faith and how emulating
the teachings of Christ can help us live in a world of peace. His
Eminence Metropolitan Christopher, Metropolitan of the Midwest American
Metropolitanate of the Serbian Orthodox Church, also spoke on peace,
focusing on the Biblical references to the idea of peacemakers.
“The fact that the prayer service was dedicated to all the personnel
at the United Nations and to bringing piece to the world was very
powerful,” said Jennifer Morris, the coordinator of youth outreach
for the Diocese, who attended the service. “The whole event was very
moving. To see all the bishops on the altar, together, putting aside
any differences they have and coming together to share their love
for Jesus Christ was just amazing.”
— 10/17/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Bishops gather at the altar of the Holy Trinity
Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York City on Tuesday,
October 11, 2005, for the 5th annual Orthodox Prayer Service for the
United Nations Community.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Dr. Milos Prica, the permanent representative of
Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations, speaks about the need to
live the lessons of Christ.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Church leaders and diplomatic dignitaries following
the 5th annual Orthodox Prayer Service for the United Nations Community
on Tuesday, October 11, 2005.
# # #
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE ADVOCATE WILL NOT REMAIN DEFENCELESS
Panorama
18:32 13/10/05
“Vahe Grigoryan will not remain defencelss. We shall discuss his
question in the plenary meeting of Armenian Bar. Afterwards we’ll find
out what do further”, said today the president of AB Ruben Sahakyan.
Let us mentioned that the advocate of four families Safaryans,
Danielyans, Grigoryans and Vahanyans living in Buzand street,
was arrested.
Vahe Grigoryan is charged with extortion. /Panorama.am/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EU WARNS AZERBAIJAN MAY ‘FALL BEHIND’
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Oct 13 – 19, 2005
A high-ranking European Union official has warned Azerbaijan may
‘fall behind’ in joining the EU New Neighborhood Policy due to its
forging ties with the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC), Armenia media reported.
Cyprus is an ethnically-divided island and only the southern Greek part
is internationally recognized. The European Commissioner for Foreign
Affairs Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the international community
recognizes the Cyprus republic, which is an EU member state. This
country is blocking the progress achieved by Baku within the mentioned
program due to the opening of direct flights with TRNC, she said.
“I have informed Azeris that if they do not change their decision,
we will continue collaborating only with Georgia and Armenia.
Nonetheless, we hope Azerbaijan will find a solution for the problem”,
said Ferrero-Waldner. Cypriot Turks hope the newly-established ties
with Azerbaijan will help to end three decades of international
isolation. The Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Taghizada
said Baku’s policy is aimed at facilitating efforts to prevent
crisis both in the Turkish and Greek communities of Cyprus. “The
initiative to launch flights is of commercial nature and has no
bearing on the government’s foreign policy.” Former state adviser,
political analyst Vafa Guluzada said Azerbaijan is pursuing a proper
policy with regard to Turkish Cyprus. “The European Union has blocked
access to TRNC, as it does not want other states to cooperate with
this country. Official Baku is on the right path. The EU will not be
able to influence Azerbaijan on the issue in any way.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 30 2005
THE CBA TO PUT IN CIRCULATION TWO SETS OF MEMORIAL GOLDEN AND SILVER
COINS FROM OCTOBER 1, 2005 DEVOTED TO THE ARMED FORCES OF ARMENIA
YEREVAN, September 30. /ARKA/. The CBA will put in circulation two
sets of memorial golden and silver coins from October 1, 2005 devoted
to the Armed Forces of Armenia, according to the Press Service of
CBA. According to the Press Release, the coins each of which is at
par AMD 50 thsd, are minted from gold of 999 standard and have the
diameter of 22 mm and weigh 8,6 gr. Silver coins, each at par of AMD
5 thsd, are minted from silver of 925 standard and have the diameter
of 38 mm and weigh 31,1 gr. All coins have “proof” quality.
The national Emblem of the RA is on the back side of each of the
coins. Under the National Emblems the par of the coin is mentioned.
On the reverse side of the coins the order of “Battle Cross” of the
RA is depicted and in the left side of it a symbol of the RA Armed
Forces is etched. “Armed Forces of Armenia” is etched in Armenian and
English in the edges of the coins.
The drawing of silver coins having a form of an octahedron makes 500
coins, and those of golden round ones – 1000 coins.
Both coins are minted in the World Coins Netherlands. A.H. –0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Dansk Boldspil-Union, Denmark
Sept 23 2005
English Futsal on the up
Gary Macbeth, event director of the UEFA Futsal Cup preliminary round
in London, says the event has shown how the game in England is
developing.
Competitive European Futsal came to the capital of England for the
first time last week – and the finish could not have been more
exciting.
Heartbreaking exit
Hosts London White Bear FC, having lost to Dinamo Tirana but defeated
France’s Roubaix Futsal, went into their last UEFA Futsal Cup
preliminary round game needing what seemed an unlikely two-goal win
against experienced Tal Grig Yerevan, and the odds increased when the
Armenian champions scored after only ten seconds. But London
equalised early in the second half and took the lead late on, and
when the whistle went there was some number crunching before they
realised that Yerevan and Dinamo Tirana had pipped them on
head-to-head record, on goals scored.
Praise for city
The chance to come to London was relished by the visiting teams.
Roubaix president Messaoud Ferkioui said: “We have learned so much
just being in London, it has confounded our expectations. It is as
beautiful as Paris!” Yerevan coach Ruben Nazaretyan added: “We
enjoyed it – thank you London!”
English improvement
London’s performance shows the development that is taking place in
English Futsal, as promoted by the Football Association (FA) and the
burgeoning leagues. One prominent example is the Futsal Premier
League (FPL), whose CEO Gary Macbeth was the event director of the
mini-tournament at the Crystal Palace National Sports Arena.
‘Fantastic experience’
Eastern European-influenced London are the current FPL champions, and
Macbeth told uefa.com: “This truly was a fantastic experience for our
team in hosting this event and bringing European competition to our
shores. The opportunity to offer a higher level of Futsal was a real
treat and we hope the Futsal fans that came out to support the event
thought so too. For me personally, I think it was also a huge success
in demonstrating the positive results that can come from UEFA and the
FA working with league organisations like the FPL to advance Futsal.”
‘Desperately unlucky’
Macbeth was certainly pleased with London’s performance in
representing his league and English Futsal. “Having not seen the
other teams, I had no idea really what to expect from them or how
well the White Bear team would do,” he said. “They were desperately
unlucky not to qualify. Winning two games, including coming from
behind and beat the group winners Yerevan, is a testimony to the
improvement in Futsal in this country over the last few years.”
Brazilian influence
He added: “The standards have raised here in the UK.. The competitive
league structure is going from strength to strength. The Futsal
Premier League is fortunate in that we benefit from a strong presence
of Brazilian and Eastern European teams. This is a definite help in
raising the level of the game overall.”
Future years
Next year’s English representatives will be Doncaster College for the
Deaf from the Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA’s Elite Futsal
league, who beat London in this year’s national finals. But there is
no doubt that London’s performance on their European debut has raised
the expectations for English teams, and Macbeth hopes that
improvement will continue.
Benefit gained
“I think the teams know now they can compete in Europe,” he said.
“There’s still a long way to go, but only by competing at that level
can teams learn what it will take. The cost of international fixtures
is high of course, but the benefit from the experience is significant
and obvious. It’s our hope of course to continue now in working
closely with UEFA and the FA, but any sponsors out there who love
football, should seriously take a look at Futsal.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress