Author: Badalian Vardan

PRODUCER READY TO TAKE THE LAW CASE TO THE END

Panorama.am
19:38 12/02/2007

Armen Mazmanyan, an actor and producer, assured he is going to take the
law case with Tigran Karapetyan to its end. "I just made assessment. I
think these assessments were very mild in order to insult the real
face of that person," he told a press conference.

Earlier Tigran Karapetyan, chairman of People’s Party, opened a
lawsuit against Mazmanyan for insulting him. The prosecutor’s office
has opened a criminal case, which is now in the court.

Mazmanyan says he does not know any civilized way of fight against
Tigran Karapetyan. He just wants to beat him in the street. He says
the court may find him guilty for saying that Tigran Karapetyan is
"illiterate" even when he makes 30 mistakes in one sentence.

NUMBER OF TRANSIT FLIGHTS THROUGH AIR SPACE OF ARMENIA GROWS BY 300% SINCE 1996

Noyan Tapan
Feb 12 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. The number of transit flights
through the air space of Armenia has grown by 300% since 1996. 70-80
flights are made through Armenia’s air space daily. Deputy Director
of ArmTeronavigatsia Eduard Piloyan told reporters that airlines pay
40-55 euros for each 100 km of a transit flight. Armenia’s transit
air space makes 297 km. According to Sahak Hakobian, Head of the
Legal Unit of the RA Civil Aviation Main Department, this year it
is planned to complete preparatory work related to Armenia’s joining
JAA. Armenia has been a candidate for JAA membeship since 2004. The
main goal of JAA is to ensure the unity of aviation and flight safety
standards throughout Europe.

ARMENIAN JUSTICE MINISTER DAVID HARUTYUNYAN FILES APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO REPUBLICAN PARTY OF ARMENIA

Yerevan, February 9. ArmInfo. Yesterday, Armenian Justice Minister
David Harutyunyan filed an application for admission to the Republican
Party of Armenia, the press-service of the Armenian Ministry of
Justice told ArmInfo, Friday.

According to the source, D.Harutyunyan will participate in the May
12 parliamentary elections on RPA’s proportional ticket. To note,
the tickets of the parties intending to take part in the elections to
the National Assembly are to be officially submitted to the Central
Electoral Commission before 6 PM, March 3. The local press had earlier
reported that the Justice Minister would run for Parliament on the
proportional ticket of the Prosperous Armenia Party.

ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN DOES NOT REGRET

A1+
[06:47 pm] 07 February, 2007

Leader of Orinats Yerkir Party Arthur Baghdasaryan assured that
while being in the coalition they have not privatized any part of
land. "The OYP has never tried to steal anything from the people. We
still think that many people have assimilated territories under the
cover of privatizations".

Arthur Baghdasaryan does not apply to court as such cases are
numerous. Besides, "We know that the court system is not independent
in Armenia. This is another serious reason why we prefer to act
publicly". "We have declared political peace and non-political
war, political competition and non-political hatred", said Arthur
Baghdasaryan.

Asked what they will do if the events of April 12 repeat themselves,
the former NA Speaker got angry, "The NA Speaker is not the guard of
the building.

There is a special service which provides the security of the
building. I was the only official who publicly criticized the actions
of the government".

By the way, Arthur Baghdasaryan mentioned that they do not regret
for anything they did. He claimed that they have been firm in their
political principles. "We have had serious disagreements, but we
have stood our ground firm. There have been good things, and bad
things too".

HRANT KHACHATRIAN AGAIN FAILS TO ENTER CLU OFFICE

Noyan Tapan
Feb 08 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 8, NOYAN TAPAN. On February 8, at 12:00, founder of
Constitutional Law Union (CLU) party, RA MP Hrant Khachatrian visited
CLU office, accompanied by employees of Department of Obligatory
Execution of Legal Acts.

As the door opened, a brawl started between him and Hayk Babukhanian,
which was qualified by H. Khachatrian several hours later in his
interview to journalists as a "light incident" and by H. Babukhanian
as "an attempt upon his life." Immediately after the incident
H. Babukhanian, as he told, went to police and presented the incident
as an attack "upon free press and opposition party." He introduced
some documents to the employees of the Department of Obligatory
Execution of Legal Acts, according to which CLU obeying the court
decision invalidated the results of its 18th conference and hold a
new conference where new party leadership was elected in quite legal
way. After H. Babukhanian’s explanations employees of the Department
of Obligatory Execution of Legal Acts, then H. Khachatrian and his
supporters went away. "This is our property, our party," H. Babukhanian
said. He stated that they will not permit H. Khachatrian to enter
the party office territory. "Though juridically H.

Khachatrian is a CLU member, nevertheless his entrance is prohibited
due to a number of acts done by him," H. Babukhanian said.

ARMENIAN DELEGATION TO OSCE PROPOSED TO ELABORATE RESOLUTION ON KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.02.2007 17:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian delegation is not concerned over
the possibility of raising the Nagorno Karabakh problem at OSCE PA
session by the Azeri side, RA NA vice-speaker, head of the Armenian
delegation to the OSCE PA Vahan Hovhannissian told reporters today.

"Azerbaijan will raise the issue again and we will respond. Nothing
will change," he said.

"We have got a report and the Armenian side proposed to elaborate a
resolution on its basis,’ he added.

According to the vice-speaker, in order to avoid a one-sided resolution
the Armenian side offered OSCE PA President Goran Lennmarker to form
an independent working group that will include a representative of
Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as representatives of the European OSCE
member states. "We will invite experts from Karabakh, of course," he
underscored adding that the proposal is under discussion at present,
reports newsarmenia.ru.

PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
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. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

February 7, 2007
___________________

DECADE OF SERVICE BY FR. ODABASHIANHONORED

By Florence Avakian

Through his dedicated ministry, Fr. Simeon Odabashian has always been an
inspiration to people of all ages interested in serving the Armenian Church,
a role model of a young man who humbly dedicates his life to his faith and
community.

Over the past three years, he has shared his quiet yet strong passion with
the parishioners of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI,
where he serves as its pastor. Therefore, it took some doing by the Sts.
Sahag and Mesrob parish council and parishioners to convince the priest,
known for his humility and modesty, to have a celebration of the tenth
anniversary of his ordination as a priest.

The special day on Sunday, December 3, 2006, began with Fr. Odabashian
celebrating the badarak, after which a champagne reception was held in the
church hall, hosted by the parish’s Women’s Guild and attended by more than
200 people. In honor of Father Odabashian, a special proclamation by Rhode
Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri was read at the event.

Guests of honor attending included Fr. Odabashian’s parents Diramayr Zabel
and Norair Odabashian, along with his sister Marsha. Also honoring him was
Fr. Joseph Santos of the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Providence.

In his message of tribute to Fr. Odabashian, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), recalled
the day ten years ago when he ordained the young priest.

"It is always powerful to see one give his life whole-heartedly to service
to his church and to God. It is hard to believe that a full decade has
elapsed since that day," he wrote. "But it is not hard to believe that
Fr. Simeon has proven himself a worthy pastor and a true son of the Armenian
Church."

"Many people have benefited from Hayr Soorp’s guidance," the Primate
continued. "Though Sts. Sahag and Mesrob parish is the most recent to be
blessed, I know many Armenians in many communities throughout the Diocese
who owe a lot to the pastoral leadership of Fr. Simeon."

Following his graduation from St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and St.
Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary, Fr. Odabashian served as pastor of the St.
Gregory of Narek Church of Cleveland, OH, and then as coordinator of the
Diocese’s Mission Parish Project, through which he served the spiritual and
administrative needs of small, growing communities throughout the Diocese.

He has also been an instructor of liturgical practice at St. Nersess. In
addition to his position as pastor of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church,
he also represents the Eastern Diocese in the Joint Commission on the
Eastern/Oriental Orthodox Churches.

$1,400 IN GIFTS DONATED

Dn. Gary Alexander, who served as master of ceremonies at the celebration,
called Fr. Odabashian a long time friend.

With so many friends, more than $1,400 in gifts were sent in to celebrate
Fr. Odabashian’s anniversary. Following his wishes, the money was divided
between Providence’s sister parish, the St. Katoghigeh Church in Jervezh,
Armenia, and the Noubarashen Orphanage in Yerevan.

On behalf of the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, a hand-cross made in Armenia
as well as a volume of "The Armeniad" was presented to Fr. Odabashian by
Parish Council Chair Linda Minassian during the celebration, organized by
co-chairs Elizabeth Kooloian and Joyce Avedisian.

Additionally, a letter from Fr. Fr. Shnork Kasparian was read. And the
audience was treated to a special performance of the Junior Choir of Sts.
Sahag and Mesrob Church under the direction of Maestro Konstantin
Petrossian.

— 2/7/06

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Fr. Simeon Odabashian, pastor of the Sts. Sahag and
Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, was honored by his parishioners for his ten
years of pastoral service on December 3, 2006.

# # #

RA DEFENSE MINISTER HAD A FAREWELL MEETING WITH THE ITALIAN AMBASSADOR

ArmRadio.am
07.02.2007 17:50

February 7 Secretary of the Presidential Council on National
Security, RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan received the Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia Marco Clementi, who is
completing his mission in Armenia, Press Secretary of RA MOD Seyran
Shahsuvaryan informs.

Speaking of Armenian-Italian military relations, the parties turned
to the necessity of expanding bilateral cooperation. Reference was
made also to the reforms in the Armed Forces in the frameworks of
the Individual Partnership Action Plan.

Thanking the Ambassador for the productive activity during his tenure
in office, Minister Sargsyan wished him success in his future activity
and said: " Once again I want to emphasize the role of Rome and Italy
in our history. Again I get convinced that today Armenian culture
continues to develop in Italy.

On this positive background we are obliged to develop the military
cooperation. I’m confident we shall succeed."

AGAPI DOES NOT GIVE MONEY

Panorama.am
18:38 06/02/2007

"Agap-Hrat" Ltd tries to transfer the economic argument to the
political field. Clarifications are given by various mass media, trying
to politicize it", Nerses Haroutyunyan, advocate of Martoun Ivanyan who
has made a claim against the "Agap-Hrat" Ltd, told journalists today.

According to Haroutyunyan, his client has signed a service contract
with "Agap-Hrat" Ltd, but the company has not fulfilled its obligations
stipulated by the contract, and has not paid 7 350 000 drams for the
rendered services. Regarding the fact the court of first instance
passed a verdict, obliging the "Agap-Hrat" to pay to the plaintiff
9 048 thous. drams (the court took into account the fines as well).

Though the decision of the court satisfies the claim of the plaintiff,
but the advocate says that the enforcement service has not taken any
steps to exact the amount. Haroutyunan stated, he is going to appeal
the inactivity of the enforcement service.

ISSUES OF ARMENIAN-FRENCH COOPERATION IN SOCIAL SPHERES DISCUSSED

ArmRadio.am
06.02.2007 15:32

RA Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Aghvan Vardanyan received today
the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to
Armenia Serge Smessov. During the meeting the Minister spoke about
the cultural and political relations between the two countries,
which create a firm basis for further cooperation in economic and
social spheres.

Public Relations Department of RA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
told Armenpress that during the meeting Serge Smessov noted that
Armenia has a special place in the relations with France. Turning
to the social sphere, the Ambassador voiced opinion that it will be
beneficial for Armenia to apply the rich experience of France in the
spheres of labor and employment.

He expressed willingness to promote the contacts between the structures
of the two countries engaged in labor and social security issues,
the rise of level of mutual information.

At the end of the meeting Aghvan Vardanyan clarified the spheres of
cooperation with the French side – establishment of the institute
of social partnership, elaboration of the national programs of
demographic policy and the elderly, implementation of reforms in the
pension system.