Author: Badalian Vardan

TURQUIE
La délicate et périlleuse stratégie kurde de la Turquie en Syrie

La Turquie joue en Syrie une partition délicate : elle a poussé des
renforts de Kurdes d’Irak vers Kobané assiégée mais refusé de
renforcer le camp des Kurdes de Syrie, menaçant le processus de paix
engagé avec les rebelles du PKK.

Mal comprise, volontiers ambigüe, très critiquée, la ligne turque
s’oppose frontalement à celle des Etats-Unis et des Occidentaux. Si
eux ont fait des jihadistes du groupe Etat islamique (EI) leur
principal ennemi, Ankara semble d’abord s’inquiéter de l’activité des
mouvements kurdes, aussi bien turcs que syriens, qui les combattent.

Ces dernières semaines, le président turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a
qualifié de “terroriste” le principal parti kurde de Syrie (PYD), à la
pointe du combat contre l’EI, au même titre que le mouvement frère du
Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) qui mène depuis 1984 la
guérilla sur le sol turc.

Pressé par ses alliés d’intervenir, le régime islamo-conservateur
d’Ankara a finalement fait un geste en autorisant le passage par son
territoire d’un symbolique contingent de 150 “peshmergas” kurdes
irakiens pour renforcer la défense de Kobané.

Mais sans pour autant revenir sur sa ligne férocement hostile au couple PKK/PYD.

Plus que celle des jihadistes, M. Erdogan redouterait ainsi par dessus
tout une victoire des Kurdes à Kobané, synonyme d’une indépendance de
fait de la Rojava, la partie kurde de la Syrie, aux frontières de son
pays.

“Le gouvernement turc continue de traiter PKK et PYD comme son pire
ennemi, pire encore qu’EI”, note David Romano, spécialiste de la
question kurde à l’université d’Etat du Missouri. “On peut donc
craindre que les Kurdes de Turquie en éprouvent de plus en plus de
ressentiment contre leur gouvernement”.

Lors de son passage en Turquie, le convoi des peshmergas irakiens a
été accueilli par des foules kurdes turques en liesse, provoquant
l’embarras du gouvernement.

“Avec leur politique étrangère prudente et leur ligne politique
procapitaliste et conservatrice, les Kurdes d’Irak ont offert à la
Turquie l’occasion de montrer qu’elle était juste anti-PKK, et non pas
antikurde”, juge M. Romano.

Coup porté à la paix –

Mais malgré ce geste contraint, la crise de Kobané menace désormais de
faire dérailler les fragiles pourparlers de paix entamés il y a deux
ans avec le PKK.

Le mois dernier, la politique syrienne d’Ankara a provoqué de
violentes manifestations prokurdes en Turquie, principalement dans
tout le sud-est du pays, qui a fait plus de 30 morts. La plupart de
ces victimes ont été tuées lors de heurts entre Kurdes favorables au
PKK et ceux du mouvement islamiste Huda-Par.

De son île-prison d’Imrali (ouest), le chef historique du PKK Abdullah
Öcalan a prévenu que la chute de Kobané signifierait de fait la fin du
processus de paix.

“C’est la Turquie qui a ouvert la porte à l’EI”, a accusé, après bien
d’autres, un des chefs militaires du PKK, Cemil Bayik. “Nous ne
pouvons séparer le processus de paix du sort de Kobané”, a-t-il
déclaré au quotidien autrichien Der Standard.

Dans une récente étude, l’Institut international d’études stratégiques
(IISS) a qualifié cette crise de “coup majeur aux espoirs de
résolution de la question kurde en Turquie”.

A son tour, l’International Crisis Group (ICG) a mis en garde contre
les risques de voir le conflit syrien “rouvrir les vieilles failles
ethniques, sectaires et politiques de la Turquie” et appelé
gouvernement et PKK à “définir un objectif commun qui va au-delà d’une
simple survie du processus de paix”.

Pour l’heure, les protagonistes ne semblent pas avoir encore renoncé à
une solution. Le quotidien Hürriyet a révélé vendredi que M. Öcalan et
les services de renseignement (MIT) avait repris leurs discussions
pour relancer le processus.

M. Davutoglu a répété dimanche sa “détermination absolue” à conclure.

De son côté, M. Bayik s’est dit prêt à solliciter un médiateur. “Nous
sommes en guerre avec les Turcs depuis des années”, a confié le chef
militaire du PKK, “ni nous, ni la Turquie ne parviendrons à nos fins
par la guerre, il faut une solution politique”.

AFP

dimanche 9 novembre 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com

VALUES ENSHRINED IN ARMENIA’S CONSTITUTION NOT WORTH EVEN A PENNY – OPINION

12:00 * 08.11.14

The chairman of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia says he doesn’t
expect the proposed constitutional reforms to bring about major
changes without the society pressure.

In an interview with Tert.am, Avetik Ishkhanyan expressed his
skepticism about the proposed package, describing it as just a tool
enabling the ruling Republican Party of Armenia to strengthen its
positions in government.

“In the Constitution, we have a chapter which declares our freedom
and rights, but those declarations are not worth even a penny,
as the formation of power never ensures any protection of those
rights. From that point of view, it think, the constitutional reforms
are important, but what we know from the international experience is
that the separation of powers is possible only under the society’s
pressure. The society understands that the country’s development is not
possible as long as these authorities are in power,” he told Tert.am,
adding that he doesn’t see any specific demands by eiter the society
or the political forces.

Asked how he treats the proposed switchover to the parliamentary
model, Ishkhanyan said he doesn’t think that the authorities have
any right to embark on such changes now. “One of the reasons I think
is that it used to be a slogan, but for some reason, they now think
about the possibility of a power change. If we accept the fact that
this change is just a trap by the authorities, I think it is always
possible to reveal that it. If they supported the parliamentary
government model, why didn’t they then initiate that when they saw
their proposals never met an approval?. There is really a trap here;
so it was always possible to boycott,” he replied.

Armenian News – Tert.am

OVER 1,000 GATHER TO CELEBRATE A YEAR OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT ANCA-WR GALA

[ Part 2.2: “Attached Text” ]

Friday, November 7th, 2014 | Posted by Contributor

[Archbishop_HMEM_LARK_Opening.jpg]

The opening portion of the sold-out ANCA-WR Banquet

BEVERLY HILLS-Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
hosted, to maximum capacity, its sold out annual gala banquet held
on Sunday, November 2, 2014 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. More than
1,000 supporters, activists, and generous donors of the ANCA-WR from
throughout the country were joined by dozens of prominent Members of
Congress, state, and local legislators and officials.

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ANCA-WR Banquet Sponor Michael Sarian

The event began at 5 p.m. with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a
silent auction, and a VIP reception with major donors and elected
officials. A three-course dinner followed at 7:00 p.m. with
a powerful program and presentation of awards kicked off by the
presentation of flags and national anthems performed by the Homenetmen
Western USA Regional Color Guard and members of the Lark Musical
Society’s Tziatsan Children’s Choir Nayiri Artounians,
Nanor Deirbadrossian, Stephanie Keledjian, and Hermine Keshishyan.

Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church,
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian conducted the invocation for the
evening.

[ANCAWR_Legacy_Award_Vahe_Karapetian.jpg] As the crowd took their
seats, Banquet Gala Committee Chair Arsho Beylerian took stage to
welcome guests and thank all those that made the successful evening
possible.

[ANCAWR_Banquet_Chair_Arsho_Beylerian_Opens_Banquet.jpg]

Banquet Committee Chair Arsho Beylerian

“We gather today to hold hands with the ANCA and ensure that now
more than ever our voice is heard loud and clear. Be it on Capitol
Hill, a town hall meeting, at our schools, within publications,
blogs, and social media. We are here today to support the ANCA as
it continually speaks up, stands up, and makes our collective voices
heard 365 days a year,” said Beylerian.

Beylerian’s remarks were followed by a powerful year in
review video presentation highlighting the unprecedented year of
accomplishments by the ANCA WR wrapped in the theme of counting the
ANCA grassroots stars who were at the forefront of these efforts.

At the end of the video presentation, ANCA WR Chair Nora Hovsepian
stood in the spotlight to deliver the Chair’s address.

Hovsepian opened her remarks by thanking all the guests, the Banquet
Chair Arsho Beylerian, and her stellar team of banquet committee
volunteers for their dedicated leadership, vision, and skill, and went
on to express gratitude to Mr. Michael Sarian, the 2014 ANCA WR Gala
Banquet sponsor, for joining an exemplary list of major donors and
past banquet sponsors like the Melkonians, Shirvanians, Ghailians,
Pilavjians, Nadjarians, Karapetians, Boujikians, Kradjians, and so
many others whose unwavering commitment have kept the ANCA WR offices
staffed and the organization’s lights on.

[ANCAWR_FreedomAward_PresidentBakoSahakyan.jpg]

Artsakh Representative to the US Robert Avetisyan accepts the ANCA-WR
Freedom Award on behalf of Artsakh President Bako Sahakian

Instead of going through a list of the organization’s
extraordinary list of accomplishments for the year, Hovsepian asked
guests to review the annual report and took the opportunity to speak
frankly and openly about the harsh realities facing the community
and the organization, calling on them to join the ANCA WR monthly
and annual giving programs as she stated, “With the Genocide
Centennial looming around the corner and the security of Armenia and
Artsakh being threatened on a daily basis, our needs are greater than
ever. While we stretch every single dollar that comes in, you may be
surprised to learn that all we have accomplished has been achieved
with a bare bones annual budget of less than a half million dollars,
just a handful of paid staff, and an army of board members, committee
activists, interns, and volunteers who leave their families and their
paying jobs to come to the ANCA to passionately do the work of Hye
Tahd on behalf of all of us. So if we are going to successfully meet
the increasingly daunting challenges posed by the Turkish and Azeri
lobbies, which literally outspend us by a ratio of at least 10 to
1 across the board, then we are going to need to double, triple,
or even quadruple that tiny budget of ours.”

[ANCAWR_LegislatoroftheYear_SenatePresident_Kevin_deLeon.jpg]

California State Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon accepts the Legislator
of the Year Award

Hovsepian concluded her remarks calling on all Armenians to stand up,
speak loud, and participate consistently and persistently and noted,
“You’ve taken the step of supporting our Cause by being
here today, but we need you every day. From Yerevan, Stepanakert,
Western Armenia, and Javakhk all the way to our local neighborhoods:
this is a call to action for our army of activists of all ages,
young and old, from all walks of life. You are the second army of
the Armenian Nation.”

Following Hovsepian, ANCA WR Board Members Pattyl Aposhian-Kasparian
and Haik Petrosian, and ANCA WR Advisory Board Member Michael
Mahdesian presented the 2014 ANCA WR Legislator of the Year Award to
CA Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de Leon for his principal role
and outspoken position on the Armenian Genocide and the recognition of
Artsakh’s Independence, as well as his dedication and commitment
to advancing the fundamental principles of justice in the halls of
the CA State Capitol.

[ANCAWR_HumantiarianAward_NearEastFoundation.jpg]

Near East Foundation receives the Humanitarian Award

In his acceptance speech Senator de Leon stated, “I’m
honored to receive the Legislator of the Year award from the largest
and most active Armenian-American political advocacy group. As I
lead the Senate in the next four years, I will stand in solidarity
with the Armenian community as we prepare to commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the Genocide. The great state of California will not
let your demands for justice go unanswered. The passing of AB 1915
and AJR 32 with my colleagues Nazarian, Achadjian and Gatto set a
precedent-not only for the State of California but for the nation.

California stands in solidarity with the people of Artsakh and their
determination for independence.

“I look forward to working with you all in my new position as
Senate President pro Tem and continuing to represent Little Armenia
up in Sacramento,” he added.

[ANCAWR_AdvocateforJusticeAward_DavidBalabanian.jpg]

David Balabanian receives the Advocate for Justice Award

Prior to dinner, ANCA WR Advisory Board Member Harut Sassounian
introduced to the crowd the 2014 ANCA WR Gala Banquet Sponsor and
President of Prime Health Care Services Mr. Michael Sarian, who in
his remarks stated, “Hye Tahd is dear to my heart and dear to
every Armenian’s heart. Our cause is just, but the injustice
against us is still going on. The latest examples are Mosul, Kessab,
Aleppo and Der Zor. Der Zor is the most horrible name in our history,
where thousands of innocent Armenians were marched to their deaths.

The monument and the church to honor them has been destroyed. We will
survive these atrocities as we survived the past ones. Not only we
will survive, we will thrive. It is in our Armenian DNA to survive
and thrive.”

[ANCAWR_Chair_Nora_Hovespian_Delivering_Chair_Address.jpg]

ANCA-WR Board Chairwoman Nora Hovsepian

“I will do my best to support ANCA’s advocacy for our
cause and bring our demands to the political leaders’ attention,
starting with President Obama whom I met recently and pushed our
cause. Bring our demands to our congressional leaders starting with
Senator Reid on the Senate side, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, House
Majority leader. My good friend Senator Jim Brulte arranged for us
to meet and push our cause for his support. I have no doubt that our
flag will proudly wave on Mt. Ararat again. My dream and the dream
of all Armenians will become a reality,” he concluded.

ANCA WR Executive Director Elen Asatryan and Government Affairs
Directors Tereza Yerimyan opened the second portion of the
program by recognizing the 2014 ANCA Western Region and ANCA Leo
Sarkisian Internship Program participants, Denise Altounian, Nelli,
Astvatsatrian, Hakop Azatyan, Ripsime Biyazyan, Sareen Habeshian, Zareh
Hairapetian, Gerard Khatchadourian Rudy Keshishian, Alina Sarkissian,
Arevik Shahnazari, and Lori Sinanian, who have gone above and beyond
the call of duty for Hye Tahd.

Asatryan opened her remarks by acknowledging the pivotal role of the
youth in taking the Armenian community to new heights of distinction
and continued on and state, “But what the youth do, depends
actually on what they think, and what they think depends on what they
read, hear, see and the kinds of exposure and opportunities that are
available to them.

[ANCA_WR_VahanCardashian.jpg]

The Vahan Cardashian Award was presented to activists who championed
the recognition of Arsakh’s independence

Acknowledging this very fact and that resources do matter, the ANCA
Western Region, through its year round internship program has been
heavily investing in the biggest assets of our community, our youth
– providing latters of opportunities, teaching them the life skills
they need to succeed, providing them a wide network of contacts, and
mentors that will push them, nurture them, and guide them.”
She went on to note the countless ways the group of youth have
contributed to the organization’s success in the last year,
including their involvement in the Genocide Education bill and
Artsakh’s resolution, the organization’s Hye Votes and
America We Thank You initiatives, and the college campus resolutions,
which have brought genocide education and awareness to the frontline.

She concluded by thanking the participants for their dedication and
commitment to the advancing the Armenian Cause and asked the crowd
to join her in welcoming to the stage “our biggest assets,
the nerve center of the nation, the heart of our society, and the
lifeline of our community, the 2014 ANCA Western Region Internship
Program participants.”

[ANCAWR_InternshipParticipants.jpg]

ANCA-WR interns were recognized for their dedication

Following a heartwarming moment with the youth on stage, all eyes were
on the 40 foot screen for a video tribute to the Near East Foundation,
the successor to the Near Relief (NER), the United States’
oldest Congressionally-sanctioned non-governmental organization,
which for the first time in American history, expressed the collective
generosity and humanitarianism of the American people.

The video highlighted the accomplishments of the NER from 1915 –
1930, with the backing of US President Woodrow Wilson (and thereafter
Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge), and under the leadership of James
L. Barton and Cleveland Dodge, whereby the organization mobilized the
American nation, and the world, into a well-organized and well-funded
relief effort which successfully saved 132,000 Armenian orphans and
1 million refugees following the Armenian Genocide, while raising
over $117 million dollars and building over 400 orphanages, food and
clothing distribution centers, hospitals and vocational trainings
schools throughout the Near East to house and care for the survivors.

ANCA WR Board Members Arpie Jivalagian and Pierre Yenokian, ANCA
WR Advisory Board Member Karo Khanjian, and Co-Chairs of the ANCA
WR’s America We Thank You initiative Vanna Kitsinian and Hermineh
Pakhanians then presented the 2014 ANCA WR Humanitarian Award to the
Near East Foundation in honor of the efforts of the Near East Relief
and the humanitarian spirit of Henry Morgenthau, Cleveland H. Dodge,
and Jackie Coogan.

“The legacy of the NER is not merely a part of Armenian history,
but also a significant part of American history. In light of this and
our upcoming centennial, the ANCA WR has launched the ‘America
We thank You: An Armenian Tribute to Near East Relief.’ This
initiative is our way of continuing to honor the lives of those who
were lost, of those unsung heroes who risked their lives to help our
people who were displaced and ultimately, as a way to give thanks
to the American people for their ultimate act of humanity,”
stated Jivalagian in her introductory remarks.

“In addition to the work and efforts of the Near East Relief,
there were many individuals who were instrumental in helping
raise awareness, funds, and overall recognition to the atrocities
taking place in the Near East. Although it is impossible to name
each and every person, I would like to recognize 3 individuals in
particular: Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, Cleveland Dodge and Jackie
Coogan..,” added Jivalagian.

[ANCAWR_Banquet_Gala_Committee.jpg]

2014 ANCA-WR Banquet Committee

As the Near East Foundation Board Chairman Shant Mardirossian and
President Charles Benjamin, along with Ambassador Morgenthau’s
great grandson Dr. Henry Morgenthau IV, Mr. Dodge’s
great-grandson and current Vice Chairman of the Near East Foundation
Johnson Garrett, and Jackie Coogan’s grandson Keith Coogan
joined the ANCA WR leadership on stage to accept the award, the
overflow crowd of over 1,000 greeted them with a standing ovation,
which was perhaps the most emotional portion of the evening.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of the Near East Foundation,
Mardirossian stated, “For most, the story of the Near East
Relief is largely unknown, but thanks to the ANCA and the many
dedicated individuals and historians around the world that is about
to change. We are pleased to have partnered with the ANCA Western
Region’s America We Thank You initiative to raise awareness
about this lost chapter in American history.”

“The work of the Near East Relief is a reflection of the
strong bonds between the American and Armenian people. Nearly 1,000
relief workers volunteered and risked their lives to help an ancient
civilization they knew little about; twenty-seven of them made the
ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives. Thousands more volunteered
around the country, raising millions in aid and supplies. Everyone from
the President down to the school children were engaged…It is
unimaginable to think of how many Americans responded to the call
to duty to save the starving Armenians. I can think of no other
humanitarian effort, which mobilized the American public for such a
sustained period of time, nearly 15 years. Many of us, including me,
would not be here today had it not been for this undertaking.”

[ANCAWR_Leadership.jpg]

ANCA-WR Boad and Advisory Board members (partial)

“On September 16, 2015, one hundred years to the date the
Near East was founded, let us celebrate the altruism and generosity
of the America people and the resilience of those, who, with their
help had the will to survive. So today we say, America we thank you,
Near East Relief we thank you, to our friends around the world who
came to our aid during our darkest moments, we thank you, but most
of all, to our grandfathers and grandmothers, a whole generation
of orphans who instilled in us our sense of dignity, perseverance,
and commitment to justice, we thank you too,” he concluded.

The emotional presentation was followed by yet another with ANCA WR
Board Member Steve Artinian and ANCA WR Advisory Board Members Aida
Dimejian and Berdj Karapetian presenting the 2014 ANCA WR Legacy
Award to Mr. Vahe Karapetian for his decades of community service
and support, and for setting an example of dedication, service,
selflessness and generosity.

In his remarks, Karapetian reaffirmed his continued support for the
ANCA and called on the community to become even more organized and
united then we are today, not just in the US, but worldwide as he
stated, “We are all here tonight as proof to the ANCA that we
are behind you and stand in support of you. I have always supported
the ANCA and I will be supporting more and more in the future.”

After the acceptance speech, Artinian took the podium to proudly
announce “Vahe follows the ANCA and all that it does from halls
of congress to the streets of Little Armenia in Hollywood where he
played a pivotal role in the construction of the St. Garabed Church
and Alex Pilibos School. I’m proud to announce that today in
support of the ANCA Western Region, he is standing up and speaking
loud with a generous donation of $50,000.”

This was all topped off with ANCA WR Board Members Raffi Kassabian
and Nareg Kitsinian, along with ANCA WR Advisory Board Member Garo
Madenlian presenting the 2014 ANCA WR Advocate for Justice Award to
Mr. David M. Balabanian, Esq., the first President of the Armenian
Bar Association and litigator of more than 40 years who utilized his
legal skills, resources, and network to further advance issues of
concern to the Armenian American community.

In describing the selfless dedication of Balabanian to advocating for
Armenian American rights, Kassabian stated, “David’s work
has had a far-reaching impact in the courtroom and has brought the
issue of genocide awareness to the forefront of the U.S. judicial
system. Among other contributions, David has represented the ANCA,
the Armenian Bar Association and other organizations in filing an
amicus brief in the Movsesian/Arzoumanian Armenian Genocide-era
life insurance case and has successfully defended the Mt. Davidson
cross in San Francisco from Turkish attempts to silence speech on
the Armenian Genocide. David is also currently an active member of
the Bay Area’s Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee.”

“David is not only a brilliant legal scholar, a leader and an
activist, but he is also a true Hye Tahd soldier. His body of work
has demonstrated that the “power of the pen” can educate,
motivate and activate our community and beyond. This man is at the very
top of his field and instead of turning his back to the community, he
has turned his heart and his hands towards the community to give and
give again. David is in it for all of the right reasons, with an agenda
none other than to elevate the Armenian Cause,” added Kassabian.

After accepting the award, Balabanian called on the community to
regain our history in tangible ways as he stated, “I want to
also thank you for this opportunity to reaffirm with you the need for
us to obtain redress for the wrongs done to our community and to put
an end to the denial. To the denials of things that simply cannot be
denied…The consequences of those events continue to be felt
by nearly all of us and the pain of that loss is inflicted anew with
each false statement about what occurred…What distinguishes
our loss is not simply its magnitude, the obliteration of nearly the
entire Armenian population of Asia manor, but the obliteration as well
of its history, the wiping clean of record of centuries of peaceful
and productive achievements by our people in all fields of human
endeavor. Indeed, it is not too much too say that the foundations of
what is today the prosperous Turkish Republic were laid in significant
part by people whose very existence it denies.”

“We must regain our history not just in words, but in tangible
ways that not only acknowledge the heroic sufferings that our people
endured, but that also convey recognition and respect for their
contributions to the life in the region….It is however something
we owe to our children and grandchildren and to Armenians around the
world whose lives and fortunes continue to be impacted daily by these
century old events. In accepting tonight the honor you have given me,
I pledge to do what I can to help achieve that goal. I hope you will
too,” he added.

Following Balabanian’s empowering speech, ANCA WR Board
member Souzi Zerounian Khanzadian and ANCA WR Advisory Board Members
Mourad Topalian and Artin Manoukian presented the 2014 ANCA WR Vahan
Cardashian Awards to a group of ANCA grassroots stars from across the
nation, Anna Astvatsaturian Turcotte, Ani Haroian, Bearj Barsoumian,
James Kalustian, and Ani Martirosian, who helped lead the way in
their respective hometowns to defeat countless anti-Armenia and
anti-Artsakh resolutions and obtain recognition of the Genocide and
the independence of Artsakh.

In introducing the stars of the evening, Zerounian Khanzadian stated,
“These five individuals braved the storms of injustice,
misinformation, and powerful foreign lobbies working against them.

Their legislators were told that their state’s relationship
with Azerbaijan was a good thing. Their legislators were told that
the Independent Republic of Nagorno Karabagh did not exist – that it
was a fantasy. Their legislators were told that the Armenians were
perpetrators of genocide. With odds against them, Anna, Ani, Bearj,
James, and Ani turned the scales of justice in our favor. Thanks to
their ability to engage their communities, thanks to their knowledge
of the truth and their compelling personal stories of survival, the
countries of Turkey and Azerbaijan didn’t see a victory in the
states of Maine, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Massachusetts and Hawaii.

Thanks to their grassroots organizing efforts, their legislative
bodies recognized the independence of Nagorno Karabagh and rejected
the lies being fed to them.”

“The ability of the grassroots is to take an issue and
educate the masses, igniting the sense of urgency, and organizing
the community. How will you organize your community tomorrow? As you
allow this thought to mull in your mind, remember the great words of
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘Everybody can be great…because
anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree
to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree
to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by
love.’ And it is that love for Hai Tahd, for the Armenian Cause
that drives this year’s Vahan Cardashian Honorees to do daring
things” she added.

Attendees were then asked to direct their attention to the screen for
a video message from the 2014 Freedom Award recipient, Bako Sahakyan,
President of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh) who in his
remarks thanked the ANCA Western Region and the Armenian diaspora
for their relentless efforts in fighting for the self-determination
and the independence of the people or Artsakh.

ANCA National Board Members Raffi Hamparian and Steve Dadaian, ANCA
WR Advisory Board Member Levon Kirakosian, and ANCA National Board
Chair Ken Hachikian then presented the award to Robert Avetisyan,
Permanent Representative of Artsakh to the United States who accepted
the award on behalf of His Excellency.

The 2014 ANCA WR Gala Banquet concluded with powerful remarks by
Hamparian who stated, “We are the sons of Ararat, we are the
daughters of Artsakh, we are the children of our proud past, and
we are the fathers of our future. We are united tonight in support
of the ANCA, which mans the watchtower of the Armenian Cause. We
provide 360 degree coverage of the Armenian Cause. We plow the
field, we plant the seed, we beat the drum, we turn the wheel, we
cut the thorns, we slash the weeds, we harvest goodwill, we dream,
we compromise. Sometimes we fail. We work in fair weather, we work
in stormy weather. We work when it is convenient and we work when
it is inconvenient. We work before a thousand people, we work before
just one. We defend our community and we are unafraid to attack our
enemies. We always fight the good fight and we fight for all the right
reasons. We man the watchtower of justice. The watchtower that your
grandmother and grandfather believed in, the watchtower that your
parents had faith in, the watchtower that we, the ANCA, stand ready
as the second army of the Armenian Nation. Vigilant, with fidelity,
with honor, with courage, without fear, and with love.”

The ANCA-WR Annual Banquet is the largest event of its kind and
helps raise funds to operate the nation’s largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots and political advocacy
organization. Through these funds, the ANCA-WR is able to educate the
general public about the Armenian Genocide, the Republic of Armenia,
Artsakh, and other vital issues of concern to the Armenian American
community.

In addition to the dignitaries, elected officials, community leaders
and representative who took the stage also in attendance were: Primate
of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church His Eminence Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, Former Minister to the Armenian Evangelical Union
of North America Reverend Joseph Matossian, Representing the Armenian
Catholic community the Very Reverend Thomas Garabedian, Representing
the Armenian Evangelical Bretheran Church Father Hendrik Shanazarian,
Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles & Mrs. Sergey
Sarkisov, Consul & Mrs. Artak Galstyan, Chair of the House Foreign
Affairs Committee, United States Congressman Ed Royce, Congressman
Adam Schiff, Congressman Brad Sherman, Congresswoman Judy Chu,
Congresswoman Janice Hahn, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, California
State Controller and ANCA-Western Region Endorsed Candidate for
California State Treasurer John Chiang, CA State Superintendent
of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, CA Senator and Ricardo Lara,
CA Assemblymembers Katcho Achadjian, Adrin Nazarian, Scott Wilk,
Ian C. Calderon, Mathew Dababneh, and Marc Levine, Los Angeles City
Attorney Mike Feuer, Los Angeles City Councilmembers Paul Krekorian
and Mitchel Englander, Los Angeles City Controller Ron Gaprin, ANCA
WR endorsed candidate elect for the LA County Assessor Jeffrey Prang,
LAUSD School Board Member Steve Zimmer, Mayor of the City of Burbank
Dr. David Gordon, Vice Mayor of the City of Burbank Bob Frutos,
Burbank City Council Members Emily Gabel-Luddy and Jess Talamantes,
Mayor of the City of Glendale Zareh Sinanyan, Glendale City Council
Members Paula Devine and Dave Weaver, Pasadena City Council Member
Gene Masuda, Mayor of Sierra Madre John Harabedian, Mayor Pro Tem of
the City of Montebello Jack Hadjinian, Montobello City Council Member
Vivian Romero, Santa Monica School Board Member and ANCA Western Region
Endorsed Candidate for California Senate District 26 Ben Allen, Artesia
City Council Member Victor Manalo, Rolling Hills Estates City Council
Member Frank Zerounyan, Norwalk City Council Members Marcel Rordarte
and Leonard Shyrock, Pico River City Council Member Bob Archuleta,
Glendale City Clerk Ardashes “Ardy” Kassakhian, Glendale
City Treasurer Rafi Manoukian, President and Superintendent of Glendale
Community College Dr. David Viar, Glendale Community College Board
of Trustees President Dr. Vahe Peroomian, Glendale Community College
Board of Trustees Member Anita Quinonez Gabrielian, Superintendent
of the Glendale Unified School District Dr. Richard Sheehan, Members
of the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education Nayiri
Nahabedian and Dr. Armina Gharpetian, Crescenta Valley Town Council
President Harry Leon, Montebello School Board and Grand Teton National
Park Superintendent David Vela, Former Assemblymember of the 41st
Assembly District Anthony Portantino, Former California State Senator
and Past Chair of the California Republican Party Jim Brulte, Burbank
Police Chief Scott LaChasse, Board Member of the Greater Griffith
Park Neighborhood Council Christina Khanjian, Members of the Glendale
Planning Commission Greg Astorian, Arthur Devine and Erik Yesayan,
Chair of the City of Glendale’s Community Development Block
Grant Commission Zanku Armenian, Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee
Chair and Glendale Civil Service Commissioner Garo Ghazarian, Pasadena
Recreation and Parks Commissoner Ciran Hadjian, Los Angeles Police
Permit Review Panel Commissioner Lara Yeretsian, North Valley Planning
Commission Oshin Harootoonian, Director of the City of Los Angeles
Bureau of Street Lighting Ed Ebrahamian, Los Angeles County Superior
Court Judges Greg Keosian, Zaven Sinanian, and Armen Tamzarian,
A.R.F. Western USA Central Committee Chairman Dr. Viken Hovsepian
and members of the Central Committee, Armenian Relief Society Central
Executive Board Chairperson Vicky Marashlian, Armenian Relief Society
Regional Executive Board Co-Chair Becky Berberian, Armenian National
Committee of America Board of Directors Chair Ken Hachikian, Chair
of ANC Canada – Western Region Vahe Andonian, ANC Australia Executive
Director Vache Kahramanian, Hamazkayin Central Executive Board Member
Dr. Viken Yacoubian, Hamazkayin Regional Executive Board Chairman
Manoug Joukhajian, Homenetmen World Committee Viggen Davidian,
Armenian Bar Association, Armenian American Chamber of Commerce
Chair Alissa Asmarian, Armenian Medical Association, Armenian Youth
Federation of Western USA Central Executive Chair Arpa Hatzbanian,
Western Prelacy Board of Regents Co-Chairs Sako Berberian and Maggie
Sarkuni, Asbarez Editor in Chief Apo Boghigian, Asbarez English
Editor Ara Khachatourian, Chairman of the Board of Ararat Home Los
Angeles Joseph Kanimian, Kessab Education Association of Los Angeles
Chair Esther Chelebian Tognozzi, Organization of Istanbul Armenians
Chair Edvin Minassian, major philanthropist and business leader from
Armenia Ruben Vardanyan, among others.

Corporate sponsors of the 2014 Annual Gala Banquet included: Silver
Level Sponsors Commerce Casino, Keosian/Berberian LLP, Attorney at
Law, Southern California Edison, Bronze Level Sponsors Comcast Cable,
EH National Bank, Mr. Garo Mardirossian, Southern California Gas
Company, Sun Dairy, Inc., and Youth Sponsors Altounian Family Trust,
Bank of the West, Anita Q. Gabrielian.

To financially assist the ANCA WR in its work, community members
are encouraged to enroll in the newly launched Friends of the ANCA
WR Monthly Giving and/or the ANCA WR Founders’ Circle Annual
Giving programs by visiting ancawr.org/donate.

ments-at-anca-wr-gala/

THIRTY-FIVE NEW MEMBERS JOIN THE AYF RANKS

Friday, November 7th, 2014

Thirty-five young AYF Juniors took their oaths to become members of
the AYF

GLENDALE–Thirty-five Armenian Youth Federation Juniors joined the
ranks of the AYF on Saturday during an oath ceremony that took place
at the Glendale Youth Center.

The AYF – Western United States, along with the Juniors Central Council
and the AYF Glendale “Roupen” Chapter, held an educational workshop the
same morning for the 35 young activists that transferred to the AYF.

“The JCC body is so proud of the 35 AYF Juniors that have worked so
hard to be here today,” said Saro Shirinian, chairperson of the JCC.

During the workshop, the Juniors transfers received a hands-on
educational regarding AYF and ARF history, as well as a review of
important dates and events. The workshop was organized by the AYF
Central Executive and led by the Central Executive.

The transfers were then faced with a teambuilding and leadership
challenge where they were given the opportunity to work and compete
with one another. Aram Kaloustian, youth advisor to the AYF, concluded
the workshop with a brief educational on the subject of what it is
to be an Unger within the organization.

Upon completion of the educational workshop, Dr. Talar Chahinian
administered the oath ceremony for the 35 bright and eager transfers.

Chahinian welcomed the new members to the organization, recounting
her days as an AYF member.

“It is always such an amazing feeling to watch such a large group of
juniors take their AYF oath,” said Hrache Novruzyan of the AYF CE.

“The group of AYF Juniors we had transferring this year are all
very active in their respective communities and shared fresh new
ideas with us throughout the educational workshop. I can say with
confidence that our future is in good hands.”

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and
most influential Armenian American youth organization in the world,
working to advance the social, political, educational and cultural
awareness of Armenian youth.

COMMENT S’ORGANISE L’ANNEE DU CENTENAIRE A MARSEILLE ? PAR JACQUES DONABEDIAN

OPINION

En general les craintes, les croyances les plus farfelues, les
suspicions, naissent de l’ignorance des choses. Quand on n’arrive pas a
comprendre quelque chose on va chercher les explications extremement
compliquees. D’ailleurs c’est ainsi que se creent les sectes qui
justement exploitent l’ignorance des gens qui croient y trouver >.

Il y a les aigris de la vie communautaire, les revanchards,
ceux qui sont encore dans les querelles et règlement de compte de
l’après-guerre, ceux a l’ego sur dimensionne qui se croient les seuls
a pouvoir sauver la nation, ceux qui ont des ambitions personnelles,
ceux qui se servent de > pour leur cause a eux, bref
il y a la secte des gens anti-CCAF, ceux qui disent que le CCAF ne
represente rien, ceux n’ont toujours pas compris ce qu’est vraiment
le CCAF ou pire qui ne veulent pas comprendre. Malgre tout, comme
tous les descendants des rescapes du genocide, ils ont au fond d’eux
meme la hargne que justice soit rendue au peuple armenien.

Ce constat est particulièrement vrai a Marseille et ce a la veille
du centenaire du genocide des Armeniens. Quel est-il plus precisement ?

Il est necessaire de rappeler ce qu’est le CCAF. Il est forme par le
CCAF Paris, le CCAF Centre (a Lyon) et le CCAF SUD (a Marseille).

Le Conseil de Coordination des organisations Armeniennes de France
pour la region Sud regroupe plus de trente associations, les partis
traditionnels, les structures laïques des eglises apostoliques,
protestantes et catholiques, les associations culturelles, sportives,
caritatifs, les amicales, bref les structures les plus representatives
de la communaute. A ce titre on peut dire qu’il la represente et est,
en tous cas, consideree en tant que telle par les autorites locales
tout comme le CCAF l’est par les Gouvernements francais et armenien.

Le CCAF SUD est fier de ses titres de noblesse acquis sur les fronts
des batailles pour la reconnaissance du genocide, pour la lutte
contre le negationnisme, pour la reconnaissance du Karabagh et de
sa reactivite aux evènements qui ponctuent notre triste realite
quotidienne. Il est nationalement reconnu qu’avec et grâce a la
quasi-totalite des Elus, Marseille a joue et joue un rôle capital
dans ces batailles politiques.

Certes etant donne ses statuts le CCAF n’est pas parfait. Il ne
regroupe que des associations et est donc hermetique aux individus. Il
se prive ainsi de la competence d’un grand nombre de personnes
desireuses de servir. Un projet existe pour une meilleure structure
plus democratique.

Pour aborder ce centenaire avec plus d’efficacite, le CCAF SUD
affiche l’unite du monde associatif armenien (comme s’il etait
encore necessaire de le montrer !) en se dotant d’une presidence a
trois : Dachnak-JAF-UGAB, une union sacree validee a l’unanimite des
associations qui le compose.

En 2012 il a ete decide a Erevan que l’organisation du centenaire
devait s’appuyer sur l’Etat armenien, l’Eglise et le CCAF pour ce qui
concerne la France. Ainsi est ne >, emanation du CCAF.

> travaille pour etablir une bourse des projets,
pour les coordonner, pour les labelliser, pour aider les associations
dans leurs demarches financières auprès des collectivites. Il
existe des grands projets nationaux en relation avec par exemple, le
Gouvernement, l’Education nationale ou les instances religieuses. Il
y a egalement les projets regionaux, finalement plusieurs centaines
a l’echelle nationale, et tout ceci doit etre coordonne pour que
tout soit judicieusement etale tout au long de l’annee 2015. Quant au
financement des projets, le CCAF et les associations qui le composent
ont l’experience des relations et du travail avec les Elus et les
Collectivites.

A Marseille il ne devrait pas poser de problème d’autant que le
Senateur-Maire Jean-Claude GAUDIN a declare que 2015 serait une annee
consacree a l’Armenie.

Seulement voila !

Nous devons saluer et remercier Monsieur le Senateur-Maire de son elan
spontane, toujours desireux de servir la cause de la verite et de la
justice. Nous n’oublions pas qu’il a mouille sa chemise quand il a
fallu livrer combat pour la reconnaissance du genocide. A cette epoque
il a travaille en etroite collaboration avec le CCAF qui s’appelait
alors Comite 24 Avril. Il est a l’ecoute de nos aspirations et essaye
toujours d’apporter une solution a nos nombreuses demandes.

J’etais recu mardi 23 septembre dernier dans son bureau avec son
Excellence l’ambassadeur d’Armenie en France M. Viken TCHITETCHIAN
et le consul general d’Armenie a Marseille M. Vartan SIRMAKES. Le
Senateur-Maire a confirme son desir de nous aider et reciproquement son
Excellence lui a rappele que l’organistion du centenaire s’appuyait
sur l’Eglise, l’Ambassade et le CCAF avec sa >
qui de partout en France travaille avec le soutien des autorites
locales. Tout allait bien et ce en presence de l’adjoint au Maire M.

Didier PARAKIAN.

Le lendemain un communique signe par lui annoncait la creation
d’une structure regroupant les collectivites locales et la chambre
de commerce franco-armenienne. Cette structure avait pour tâche de
reunir des fonds auprès des collectivites et du secteur prive afin
d’alimenter le financement des projets qu’elle selectionnerait.

Et le CCAF dans tout ca ! Le CCAF n’a pas ete consulte. Il est
evident que la volonte etait de l’ecarter. Comment peut-on, justement
pour le centenaire, ostraciser le CCAF qui de par ses statuts est
l’organisateur officiel des commemorations concernant le genocide ?

Immediatement, le jeudi 25 septembre, le CCAF SUD avec l’appui du
CCAF a reagi par un communique denoncant violemment cette situation
et demandant la suppression de cette structure qui ne fait que
compliquer les relations des associations avec les collectivites,
de plus illegale car il est interdit de redistribuer les subventions
attribuees par les collectivites.

Le CCAF SUD et M. Didier PARAKIAN ont ensuite essaye de trouver
un compromis. Finalement cette structure n’allait pas recolter les
fonds pour les redistribuer mais simplement presenter les dossiers
aux collectivites au vue de leur financement. Dans cet eventuel
partenariat le CCAF SUD devait conserver la maîtrise de la selection
et de la labellisation des projets. Avant de prendre sa decision le
CCAF SUD a demande les statuts de cette nouvelle association.

Heureusement ! car a la lecture des statuts de la structure > le CCAF SUD n’a pas retrouve les
elements allant dans le sens d’un accord. Entre autres anomalies,
le bureau n’a pas ete decide en commun, les collectivites n’etaient
pas inscrites en tant que telles, toutes n’etaient pas representees
et des personnes n’appartenant a aucune des structures y avaient des
responsabilites. Devant tant de legèrete et d’imprecisions le CCAF
SUD a de nouveau manifeste son desaccord. Par l’article paru hier
sur le site de Nouvelles d’Armenie on decouvre que le bureau de cette
nouvelle association a encore ete change avec des personnes qui y sont
sans leur accord et que toutes les collectivites n’en font pas partie.

A mettre la charrue avant les boeufs on multiplie les incoherences.

Ce qui est regrettable c’est que finalement on s’achemine vers deux
structures concurrentes pour l’organisation du centenaire. Je ne pense
pas que tel est le voeu de notre Senateur-Maire Jean-Claude GAUDIN et
encore moins celui de notre communaute qui risque de le lui reprocher.

Pourquoi en est-on arrive a une telle situation ?

C’est une question essentiellement politique. Le CCAF SUD est considere
a tort comme le bastion de la gauche revolutionnaire foncièrement
anti droite et donc contre notre bienaime Senateur Maire.

Il y en a qui surf sur ce faux constat et qui en rajoute creant
ainsi un climat deletère qui ne peut qu’entrainer la division de
la communaute qu’ils desirent probablement. Ce sont en general les
memes que ceux qui sont cites plus haut. Au sein du CCAF le clivage
ancestral lie a la rivalite des partis politiques armeniens n’existant
plus, ils cherchent a le remplacer par un clivage gauche-droite
franco-francais. Les laisser- pour-compte se souviennent que lorsqu’on
veut tuer son chien on dit qu’il a la galle. Certes il y a au sein
du CCAF SUD des dirigeants qui ont un peu trop sans doute exprime
leur couleur politique. Et alors ! Nous sommes francais dans un
pays où règne la democratie et libres de nos opinions. Chacun a le
droit d’exprimer son desaccord et puis les associations sont libres
de choisir leurs dirigeants sans que l’on y trouve quoique ce soit
a redire et sans qu’on leur impose tel ou tel dirigeant. Faut-il
absolument mettre une etiquette politique sur chacun de nous alors que
ne nous sommes tous, avant tout, que des representants venu defendre
une cause qui est celle de la verite et de la justice ? Tous les
membres du CCAF SUD ont en commun ce meme but.

Et meme si dans le passe ces dirigeants ont faute, il y a maintenant
prescription. Devant l’enjeu que represente l’organisation du
centenaire ces querelles paraissent ridicules.

Le CCAF SUD fort de sa legitimite et assure de la sympathie et du
soutien de la quasi-totalite de la classe politique poursuit son
travail. La reunion d’hier temoigne de l’enthousiasme des associations
porteuses de projets. Plus d’une cinquantaine deja a ete exprimee et on
en attend d’autres ! : des conferences, des expositions, des colloques,
des grands evènements vont se derouler tout au long de l’annee 2015
en memoire de nos martyrs, pour montrer que le peuple armenien est
malgre tout vivant et pour affirmer nos legitimes revendications.

Il est imperatif que très rapidement un terme soit mis a cette
division artificielle.

Que tous les descendants des rescapes du genocide, qui ont au fond
d’eux meme la hargne que justice soit rendue au peuple armenien
s’associent au CCAF SUD.

Marseille le 6 novembre 2014

Jacques DONABEDIAN Co-president du CCAF SUD

vendredi 7 novembre 2014, Ara (c)armenews.com

LA TURQUIE NE RECONNAITRA JAMAIS LE GENOCIDE A DECLARE LE MINISTRE TURC DES AFFAIRES ETRANGERES

TURQUIE

Le ministre turc des Affaires etrangères Mevlut Cavusoglu a declare
qu’il est impossible pour son pays de reconnaître le genocide armenien.

Mevlut Cavusoglu a fait cette declaration jeudi lorsqu’il s’exprimait
au Parlement turc a rapporte l’agence de presse Gercekgundem.

Il a aussi evoque l’affaire qui concerne Dogu Perincek devant la
Cour europeenne des droits de l’homme sur la question de la negation
publique du genocide armenien et a souligne que son ministère suivait
de près le cas.

Et en ce qui concerne les “evenements qui ont eu lieu en 1915,”
Mevlut Cavusoglu a affirme qu’il est impossible pour la Turquie de
reconnaître le genocide armenien qui est attribue a leurs ancetres
et a la nation turque.

“Nous insistons a chaque fois” a declare le ministre turc des Affaires
etrangères.

vendredi 7 novembre 2014, Stephane (c)armenews.com

HRAPARAK: ARMENIAN PRESIDENT TO HAVE CONFIDENTIAL MEETINGS IN MOSCOW

09:10 * 07.11.14

President Serzh Sargsyan’s working visit to Moscow is not reportedly
limited to the earlier announced plan to attend the Tigran Petrosyan
Chess Memory Tournament.

The paper claims that the Armenian leader is set to have several
confidential meetings in the Russian capital to discuss the
developments in Georgia and his new talks with Azerbaijani President
Ilham Aliyev over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Citing its “well-informed sources”, the paper says that Armenia’s
accession to the Eurasian Economic Union has given rise to a serious
race among the wealthy Armenians residing in Moscow ahead of the
government’s reported plans for replacing the prime minister in
March-May next year.

Armenian News – Tert.am

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PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:

November 6, 2014

The Armenian Prelacy =99¦ 138 East 39th Street =99¦ New York, NY
10016

tel: 212-689-7810 =99¦ Fax: 212-689-7168 =99¦ Email:
[email protected]

PRELATE AND VICAR WILL ATTEND

SYNOD OF BISHOPS IN ETCHMIADZIN

Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan, Prelate and Vicar,
respectively, of the Eastern Prelacy will travel to Etchmiadzin,
Armenia, next week where they will join other bishops of the Armenian
Church from all over the world for a three-day synod that will begin
on Tuesday, November 4. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of
the Holy See of Cilicia, will preside.

The bishops met last year in September for the first time in nearly
six centuries, and agreed to meet again in the autumn of 2014. The
bishops will continue their examination of the collective canonization
of the victims of the Armenian Genocide and the holy sacrament of
Baptism and Chrismation. Serving as co-chairs are Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan; Archbishop Nareg Alemezian
and Archbishop Arshak Kachatryan serve as secretaries.

CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION IN WASHINGTON

The National Centennial Committee has announced events that will take
place from May 7-9, 2015, in Washington, DC. His Holiness Karekin I
and His Holiness Aram I will preside over the events that are
organized under the patronage of the Diocese and the Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church.

50th ANNIVERSARY OF SOORP KHATCH CHURCH

Archbishop Oshagan will travel to the Washington, DC area this weekend
where on Sunday he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the
sermon at Soorp Khatch Church in Bethesda, Maryland. Following the
Liturgy, His Eminence will preside over the celebration marking the
50th anniversary of the parish.

PRELATE AT ALL SAINTS CHURCH

Last Sunday, Archbishop Oshagan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and
delivered the sermon at All Saints Church in Glenview, Illinois, on
the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the parish. Following the
services His Eminence presided over the anniversary banquet that took
place in the parish’s Shahnasarian Hall.

Archbishop Oshagan with deacons and altar servers during the Divine
Liturgy at All Saints Armenian Apostolic Church, Glenview.

Bishop Anoushavan ordains Stephen Sherokey to the diaconate.

VICAR IN SPRINGFIELD LAST WEEKEND

Bishop Anoushavan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the
sermon at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, of Springfield & Indian
Orchard, Massachusetts, last Sunday. During the service His Grace
ordained Stephen Michael Sherokey to the diaconate and consecrated an
icon of Saint Sarkis the Warrior. The Vicar presided at the banquet
that followed the liturgical services.

The newly ordained deacon, Stephen Sherokey, graduated from the
University of Balamand’s American Program in 2004 with a Master of
Arts in Applied Orthodox Theology. In 2010 he received a Doctor of
Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. One of his major
interests and studies has been Armenian Orthodoxy. Deacon Stephen will
serve two Prelacy parishes, Holy Cross Church in Troy, New York, and
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Vicar with the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian, altar
servers, choir, and members of the community.

BOOK FAIR AT ST. ILLUMINATOR

St. Illuminator Cathedral’s annual Book Fair and Lecture will take
place this Sunday, November 9, following the Divine Liturgy in the
Cathedral’s John Pashalian Hall, 221 East 27th Street, New York
City. A large selection of Armenian books, CDs and gift items will be
available.

Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar of the Prelacy, will present a lecture on
=80=9CThe Holy Translators and the Survival of St. Ephrem’s
Prayerbook.’

ST. ILLUMINATOR’S SISTER COMMUNITY IN ARMENIA

Last Friday evening, Archbishop Oshagan and many parishioners and
friends of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral gathered in John Pashalian Hall
for a special dinner and program featuring Ms. Margarita Hakobyan,
Oxfam Armenia’s Country Director who spoke about the first joint
project in the Lchkadzor sister community in the Tavush region of
Armenia.

The dinner also honored H.E. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, the recently
appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations of the
Republic of Armenia, on the occasion of his first visit to the
Cathedral. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the Cathedral,
welcomed the attendees and thanked all of the donors to the sister
community project. In her presentation, that also included a film,
Ms. Hakobyan introduced the process of launching a green-house
installation in Lchkadzor, and provided details on how each dollar of
the donations raised by St. Illuminator’s was
spent. Ms. Hagobyan’s visit is the second to New York City to
show how much progress has been made in just one year.

In his comments, Mr. Mnatsakanyan described the operations of
Armenia’s Mission to the United Nations, and his vision of
Armenia-Diaspora cooperation. He praised Oxfam for its exceptional
work in Armenia. He thanked the Cathedral for its partnership with
Oxfam on this important initiative.

Archbishop Oshagan expressed his appreciation to Ms. Hakobyan for
Oxfam’s professional performance. He noted that although the concept
of sister communities is not new for the Diaspora, the way it is done
through partnership with an internationally known and respected
organization like Oxfam is new and innovative. The Prelate noted that
the funds raised by the Cathedral are matched by Oxfam who assures
accountability, transparency, and visibility. The Prelate expressed
the hope that other parishes in the Eastern Prelacy will follow the
example of the Cathedral.

The event included a performance by the Cathedral’s `Huyser’ musical
ensemble that delighted the audience. Contributions for the
Cathedral’s Lchkadzor sister community project can be sent to the
Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York, NY 10016. Checks should be
payable to St. Illuminator’s Cathedral with `Sister Community’ noted
in the memo area.

Margarita Hakobyan, Director of Oxfam Armenia, explains the sister
community project for green-house installations.

A green-house installation in Lchkadzor.

BIBLE READINGS

Bible readings for Sunday, November 9, Ninth Sunday of the Exaltation
of the Holy Cross, are: Isaiah 24:1-13; Ephesians 5:15-33; Luke
8:49-56.

While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to
say, `Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.’
When Jesus heard this, he replied, `Do not fear. Only believe, and she
will be saved.’ When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to
enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father
and mother. They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said,
`Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at
him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and called
out, `Child, get up!’ Her spirit returned, and she got up at
once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. Her parents
were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had
happened. (Luke 8:49-56)

For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
().

A modern depiction of Archangel Michael.

ARCHANGELS MICHAEL AND GABRIEL

This Saturday, November 8, the Armenian Church commemorates the
Archangels Michael and Gabriel. The word `angel’ (hreshdag) means
messenger. Archangel is a title given to an angel of high rank in the
celestial hierarchy.

Michael (Hebrew meaning `Who is like God’) is the prince of all
angels and the leader of the celestial armies. He is considered to be
the protector of Christians in general and soldiers in particular, and
the guardian of the orthodox faith and defender against heresies.

Gabriel (Hebrew meaning `Strength of God’) is one of God’s chief
messengers. He was God’s messenger to Daniel to explain his vision
(Dan. 8:16-26) and prophecy (Dan. 9:21-27). He foretold the birth of
John the Baptist and was the messenger announcing the forthcoming
birth of Christ (Luke 1:11-21).

`Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that
some have entertained angels without knowing it.’ (Hebrews 13:2)

You who see the unseen One who reveal to mankind the depths of God’s
mysteries, you came down with the Only-Begotten to serve his economy
at his birth you were announcers to the Shepherds and to the
myrrh-bearing women; you were proclaimers of the Good News of the life
of the risen one; we beseech you, be our intercessor before the Lord
for the purification of our sins.

Guardians of the world, the Lord’s guardians of those who fear God,
friends of the human race, mediators between death and resurrection,
great Michael and Gabriel who stand before the all-Holy Trinity; we
beseech you, be our intercessor before the Lord for the purification
of our sins.

(Canon to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel and all the Heavenly
Powers, from the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church).

NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE

HIS HOLINESS PRAYS, MEETS YOUTH,

VISITS WITH OFFICIALS IN IRAN

His Holiness Catholicos Aram spent his last weekend in Iran meeting
and praying with members of the Iranian Armenian community. He also
met with Ali Larinjani, chairman of the Parliament of Iran, and
Dr. Abuzar Ibrahimi, director of the Islamic Culture and Relations
Organization.

His Holiness presided over the Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church, met with
the Sts. Vartanantz parish in the Sardarabad area for canonical
prayers, and visited the Armenian schools in Tehran, cultural centers,
and the offices of ALIK, the Armenian daily newspaper, where he met
with the editorial board, representatives of the Armenian Cause
committee, and members of the Central Committee of the ARF.

On Sunday October 26, His Holiness presided over the Holy Liturgy at
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Tehran. Bishop Sebouh
Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran, introduced the activities of the
community to His Holiness, who praised the community and emphasized
that faith and good works must go together. Later in the afternoon the
Catholicos met with the youth at the Prelacy of Tehran. After the
young people spoke about their various projects, His Holiness
expressed his confidence in the Armenian youth and in their ability to
face difficult challenges. He urged them to remain attached to
Armenian spiritual and cultural values and to participate in the life
of the community. In the evening the Catholicos was the guest of honor
at a farewell dinner hosted by the Prelacy Council of Tehran. Speaking
on behalf of the Armenian community in Iran, Eduard Papakhanian,
President of the Council, said that His Holiness’ visit had
invigorated the community and strengthened their ties with the Holy
See of Cilicia. In his concluding message, the Catholicos said,
`Antelias belongs to the people, and the aim of the Catholicosate is
to respond to the aspirations and needs of Armenians.’

DEIR ZOR MEMORIAL LISTED AS PRICELESS LOSS BY CNN;

WCC CONDEMNS DESTRUCTION OF GENOCIDE MONUMENT

There are two items on the internet today concerning the Armenian
Church and Genocide Memorial at Deir Zor that was recently destroyed.

CNN includes the Genocide Memorial in its list of `The greatest
buildings you’ll never see: 19 priceless monuments lost in conflict.’
You can see it here ().

The World Council of Churches posted on its web site a `Reflection on
the destruction of the Armenian Church in Deir Zor.’ Read it here
().

SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER

The crisis in Syria requires our financial assistance.

Please keep this community in your prayers, your hearts, and your
pocketbooks.

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE ARMENIAN
COMMUNITY IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE
DIFFICULT.

THE NEED IS REAL.

THE NEED IS GREAT.

DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON LINE.
TO DONATE NOW CLICK HERE
() AND SELECT SYRIAN
ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU. OR IF YOU PREFER YOU MAY MAIL YOUR
DONATION TO:

Armenian Prelacy

138 E. 39th Street

New York, NY 10016

Checks payable to: Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief

Thank you for your help

THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY

Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)

Inauguration of the National Library of Armenia (November 7, 1922)

The biggest repository of Armenian literature in the world is the
National Library of Armenia, founded in 1921, but officially
inaugurated on November 7, 1922.

The beginning of its history is linked to the foundation of the
library of the Boys Gymnasium of Yerevan, in 1832. (`Gymnasium’ was
the name of Russian schools that emphasized strong academic learning,
similar to U.S. preparatory high schools.) During the first
independence of Armenia, this library, with a collection of 18,000
volumes, became the main state library after a decree was passed by
the Council of Ministers of the Republic. The first director of the
library was Stepan Kanayan, between 1919 and 1921. His efforts were
instrumental to collect and buy the libraries of various Armenian
organizations and schools in Tiflis, Baku, Akhaltskha, and Kars, and
transfer them to Yerevan.

Various private and public collections were assembled and became the
basis for what was known, during the Soviet period, as the Yerevan
Public Library. Alexander Miasnikian, chairman of the Soviet of
Popular Commissars (Council of Ministers) from 1921-1925, was
instrumental in its foundation and initial growth. After his death in
an airplane accident in 1925, the library was named after him and
maintained that name until 1990 when it became the National Library of
Armenia. Since 1999, July 4 is celebrated as day of the National
Library of Armenia.

The library has four buildings. The oldest is the main building
designed by architect Alexander Tamanian (1868-1936), who designed the
master plan of Yerevan, and finished in 1939.

The number of daily visitors to the library is about 900. An annual
average of 1.5 million pieces is delivered to library users. The
library collection encompassed more than 6.3 million units as of
January 1, 2014, including books, journals, newspapers, maps, posters,
dissertations, musical notes, postcards, stamps, calendars, ex libris,
banknotes, audiovisual and electronic supports (CDs, DVDs),
etcetera. The library has the first printed book in Armenian,
Urbatagirk (Venice, 1512); the first newspaper in Armenian, Azdarar
(Madras, 1794); and the first map printed in Armenian,
Õ=80Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Õ¿Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Õ® Õ¡Õ·Õ-Õ¡Ö=80Õ°Õ¡Ö=81Õ¸ÕµÖ=81 (Worldwide Map;
Amsterdam, 1695). Its current director is Tigran Zargaryan.

Previous entries in `This Week in Armenian History’ can be read on
the Prelacy’s web site ().

FROM THE BOOKSTORE

The Prelacy Bookstore has an extensive collection of books (in
Armenian and English) about the Genocide including histories,
historical novels, memoirs, eye witness testimonies, essays, and
poetry. From now through next April we will feature one or two books
each week from the Bookstore’s collection.

My Father’s Journal: A Soliloquy

By Toros Ari Gochigian

Translated by Aris Sevag

Although technically this is not the story of a survivor, since its
author had left his native village of Odour in Western Armenia in 1913
and was living in the United States when the Armenian Genocide
began. However, he suffered the loss of his wife, two children, and
many members of his family. The book reflects the vicissitudes he
experienced through an eclectic mix of autobiography, letters from
home, soliloquies, dreams, reminiscences, poems, and lamentations.

$15.00 plus shipping & handling

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ÔµÖ=80Õ¥Ö=82Õ¡Õ¶, Ô±Õ´Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Õ½, 2000

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Ô³Õ«Õ¶Õ=9D 13 Õ¿Õ¸Õ¬Õ¡Ö=80 (Õ©Õ²Õ©Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¦Õ´)

To order these books or for information contact the Armenian Prelacy
Bookstore by email ([email protected]) or by phone
(212-689-7810).

ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CORNER

Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)

Money, Money, Money…

Before the European Union officially introduced the euro as currency
in 1999 and Greece adopted it in 2001-2002, it had its own currency,
called drachma, with a very long history. It had been used by many
Greek city-states between the second and the first millennium B.C.,
including the Classical period; then it was used in the Hellenistic
period and finally under Roman domination. Greece obtained its
independence in 1830 from the Ottoman Empire, and two years later, the
drachma was restored as the official currency.

The drachma was also a weight unit, first equivalent to 66.5 grains,
and then approximately to one gram. It is likely that this quantity
was first used as monetary unit before metals were adopted; the word
δÏ=81αÏ=87μή (drakhmḠ– ) was derived from
δÏ=81άÏ=83Ï=83ομαι (drássomai, `to grasp, seize’) and
originally may have meant `fistful.’

The Greek word was loaned by the Iranian languages, and thus we have
words like Persian diram, Pahlavi dram (`a small weight; money’) ,
and Kurdish diraw (`money’). On its way, it lost the middle sound kh
(an aspirated h) and the final e. And yes, we also have Armenian
Õ¤Ö=80Õ¡Õ´ (Classical/Eastern Armenian dram; Western Armenian tram),
which most probably came from Middle Persian or, otherwise, had a
similar bumpy road of lost sounds from Greek drakhmḠ– . In any case,
the word was already mentioned in the Armenian translation of the
Bible (before the first half of the fifth century A.D.).

The word dram was already used as a monetary unit during the time of
the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia, particularly in the 13th and 14th
centuries, and the second republic of Armenia adopted the dram as the
name of its own currency in November 1993.

However, you should not be confused in the streets of Yerevan:
although Modern Armenian uses the word dram in both Western and
Eastern Armenian, for instance for the word tghtatram
(Õ©Õ²Õ©Õ¡Õ¤Ö=80Õ¡Õ´ `banknote’), in Eastern Armenian the word pogh
(Ö=83Õ¸Õ²) is used in colloquial language with the meaning of
=80=9Cmoney.’ This word, which was also utilized in Cilician times
as a monetary unit, comes from Persian pul (`small coin’).

Previous entries in `The Armenian Language Corner’ can be read on the
Prelacy’s web site ().

11-11-11

Tuesday, November 11, is Veteran’s Day, formerly called Armistice Day
marking the end of what was then called the Great War, subsequently
known as World War I. The Armistice between the Allies and Germany was
signed at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 1918 at
Compiegne, France. Veterans Day in the United States now honors all
American veterans, living and dead.

Please pause this Tuesday and remember those who made the ultimate
sacrifice, and pray for the safety of all of our service men and women
serving around the world.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

November 7-8-9-Rouben Mamoulian Film Festival, 7 pm, at the Museum of
the Moving Image in Astoria, New York. Sponsored by the Anthropology
Museum of the People of New York, the Armenian Cultural Educational
Resource Center Gallery at Queens College, and The Museum of the
Moving Image. Opening night and reception will feature Love Me
Tonight, the 1932 musical comedy film produced and directed by
Mamoulian, with music by Rodgers and Hart, starring Jeanette MacDonald
and Maurice Chevalier. For tickets and information:
[email protected] or 718-428-5650.

November 7 & 8-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 58th
Armenian Bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm at Armenian Cultural & Educational
Center, 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts. Meals served from
11:30 am to 8:30 pm (take out is available). Enjoy delicious meals,
Armenian pastries, gourmet items, arts and crafts, books, raffles,
attic treasures. For information: 617-924-7562.

November 8-ARF Day Celebration, hosted by the New York Armen Garo
Gomideh. Dinner followed by patriotic songs by Karnig
Sarkissian. Guest speaker, Vicken Hovsepian, Central Committee Western
Region, at Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Avenue, Woodside, New York, at
8 pm. For reservations/info: 718-651-4687.

November 9-St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York
City, 1 pm, Armenian Cultural Month, `The Holy Translators and the
Survival of St. Ephrem’s Prayerbook,’ presented by Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian. Book Fair with hundreds of Armenian books, CDEs and gift
items at reasonable prices.

November 14-Lecture by Hagop Balian, `Boghos Snabian (1927-2014),
Armenian Center, Woodside, New York, 8 pm. Organized by
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral and Hamazkayin of New York.

November 14-15-Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, Annual
Fall Fest. Friday, 4 to 8 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. Shish, chicken,
losh kebab and kheyma dinners. Home made pastries and special
desserts. For information: 508-852-2414.

November 15 &16-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
Armenian Fest 2014 at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Broad Street, Cranston,
Rhode Island. Largest indoor festival in Rhode Island. Delicious
shish and losh kebob, chicken and kufta dinners and Armenian pastry
available all day. Live dance music. The Mourad Armenian School and
Providence Hamazkayin dance groups will perform on Saturday and Sunday
at 5 pm. Hourly raffles, silent auction, country store, gift baskets,
flea-market, arts and crafts. Main raffle prizes worth total
$2,700. Fun for all ages. Free admission, parking and valet. For
information: 401-831-6399 or

November 20-`Reflections,’ CD release concert, music by Karen
Hakobyan, at Louis K. Meisel Gallery, 141 Prince Street, New York
City; Wine & Refreshments 7 pm to 8 pm; music and wine, 8 pm to 9:30
pm. For information and tickets contact [email protected].

November 21, 22, 23-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar, Food Festival, and Hantes. Mezze and Kebab dinners
(chicken, shish, luleh); dessert table and trays of home-made
delicacies; Boutique Booths; Chinese Auction; Supervised Game Room for
children; Pre-packaged Monte, Sou Buereg, Kufteh, and Lehmejun;
Take-out available; Live Music for dancing and listening. Traditional
Kavourma dinner on Sunday served immediately after church service. For
information: 201-943-2950.

November 23-Thanksgiving Luncheon, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New
York City, John Pashalian Hall, Featuring St. Illuminator’s Huyser
Music Ensemble. Admission: $30. Reservations: email
([email protected]) or phone (212-689-5880).

December 6-Armenian Winter Dessert Festival, Soorp Khatch Church,
Bethesda, Maryland.

December 6-Lowell Gomideh anniversary celebration, 6 pm, at
St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street, North Andover,
Massachusetts. Dinner, entertainment, program, speaker: David
Boyajian, `The Survival of Armenia: Dangers and
Opportunities. Admission: $20 adults; $10 students. For information:
[email protected] or 978-373-1654.

December 6-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
Annual Bazaar at Christian Reform Church, Whitinsville, 10 am to 5 pm.

December 7-Ladies Guild of St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain and
Hartford, Connecticut, will host a Wine Tasting Party at noon in the
church hall, 167 Tremont Street, New Britain. A wine talk, tasting,
and Armenian food pairing will be provided by Taylor Brooke Winery,
Woodstock, Connecticut, owned by Linda Varjabedian Auger. For
information: 860-229-8322.

December 7-8th Annual ANC Eastern Region Banquet, Ritz-Carlton Battery
Park, NY. Freedom Award Honoree: former Manhattan District Attorney
Robert Morgenthau and the Morgenthau family; Vahan Cardashian Award
Honoree: ANCA activist Alice Movsesian. Tickets are $250.

For reservations and information, please visit
or 917.428.1918.

December 12-Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) 11th Annual Holiday Gala,
Cipriani 42nd Street, New York City. Cocktails and Silent Auction, 7
pm; Dinner & Program, 8 pm; Dancing & After Party, 10 pm. For tickets
and information or 212-994-8234.

December 13-St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, =80=9CA
2014 Christmas Celebration’ at 7pm in the Sanctuary. Usher in the
Christmas season with family and friends. Featuring master organist,
Ara Eloian, group caroling in Armenian and English. Reception
following in Terhanian Hall. Admission is Free. RSVP to church office
215-482-9200.

February 9-11, 2015-Ghevontiantz gathering of clergy serving the
Eastern Prelacy.

March 13-15, 2015-`Responsibility 2015,’ International conference for
Armenian Genocide’s centennial at Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York,
featuring prominent historians, policymakers, authors, and
artists. Organized by the ARF Eastern US Centennial Committee, under
the auspices of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America,
Eastern Region. for information.

March 20, 2015-Musical Armenia, presented by Eastern Prelacy and
Prelacy Ladies Guild, Weill Recital Hall, 8 pm, Carnegie Hall, New
York City.

October 5-9, 2015-Clergy gathering of Eastern, Western, and Canadian
Prelacies.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web
site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add [email protected] to your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]

POLITICAL EXPERT: WITH IRAKLIY ALASANIA’A RESIGNATION WE DOUBT ABOUT TBILISI’S ADHERENCE TO THE PROCESS OF THE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

by Ashot Safaryan

Thursday, November 6, 09:35

With Georgian Defense Minister Irakliy Alasania’a resignation we doubt
about Tbilisi’s adherence to the process of the European integration,
Georgian political expert, Giya Nodia, told Arminfo correspondent.

He said that the political leadership of the country have decided to
replace Irakliy Alasaniya as he is a rather influential politician
with high rating. The “Free Democrats” party has left the coalition
together with Alasaniya.

‘The formal reason of Alasaniya’s resignation is the arrest of several
officials in the Defense Ministry for corruption. But everybody
understand that a political motivation is behind that. They simply
wanted to get rid of him. One thing is clear that “Free Democrats”
and Alasaniya’s staying within the coalition guaranteed Georgia’s
remaining committed to the process of the European integration and
rapprochement with NATO. But with Irakliy Alasania’a resignation
we doubt about Tbilisi’s adherence to the process of the European
integration”, – Nodiya said. He also added that the ideas about the
Kremlin’s direct immixture in these process is hypothesis.

GEOTEAM
Hanrapetutyan 37, 4 floor,
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel: +37410546037

The discussion formed part of the rigorous Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment (ESIA) process for the Amulsar Project undertaken by
the company together with its major investors, the International
Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group and the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
————————————————————

GEOTEAM JOINS CONSTRUCTIVE ROUNDTABLE WITH NON-GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANISATIONS ON AMULSAR PROJECT

YEREVAN, Armenia, 5 November 2014-Lydian International Ltd and its
Armenian subsidiary Geoteam yesterday took part in a roundtable
meeting organized within range of discussions on development of Local
environmental action pland for Jermuk hosted by the Regional
Environmental Centre for Caucasus (REC Caucasus) in Yerevan alongside
representatives from a diverse range of civil society organisations
and scientific and research institutes. It was a constructive
conversation which gave participants the opportunity to discuss
environmental and social considerations associated with the
development of the Amulsar mine.

The discussion formed part of the rigorous Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment (ESIA) process for the Amulsar Project undertaken by
the company together with its major investors, the International
Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group and the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Lydian and Geoteam are
committed to following the highest international and environmental
standards in accordance with the practice of these organisations; the
Company has spent around US $5 million on a comprehensive scientific
environmental research and socio-economic assessment with the help of
world-class specialists. As part of this commitment, the company
places great importance on ensuring that local communities and civil
society help shape this project while being kept well informed on its
design and impact assessment.

The event was organised to give all participants the opportunity to
engage in a frank, open and broad conversation. All NGOs who have been
involved in the process were invited and the event was open to all
civil society groups. Lydian plans to organize additional similar
events.

Didier Fohlen, Executive Vice President of Lydian International, said:

`We at Lydian are grateful for the input from those who participated
in today’s discussion and, we continue to welcome every opportunity
for open and constructive dialogue. We are committed to ensuring that
Amulsar will raise the bar for environmental management in the mining
industry in Armenia. We hope that an open and transparent discussion
around the impact assessment and the mitigation measures included in
the ESIA will help to establish a roadmap for civil society engagement
with mining companies. The successful development of the Amulsar
project offers a major opportunity to Armenia. The $420 million
financing required will be one of the largest private investments ever
made in the country, helping to enhance the economic development of
Armenia.’

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