If you have anything to love

If you have anything to love

November 23 2013

There are serious, thoughtful people in all nations, and our
neighbors, in this respect, of course, are not an exception. An
Azerbaijani writer and publicist Vahid Gazi, living in the West,
trying to analyze why his country failed in the 1992-94 war, notes, in
particular, that the winners were not only the soldiers but Arno
Babajanyan, Saroyan, Parajanov, Saryan, and Aznavour. This is a very
deep and right notion, and as a journalist covering the war, I can
assert it peculiarly: the guys returning from the position were
singing not only patriotic songs, but were reciting Charents and
Pushkin.

Our people won because its back was facing the spiritual and
intellectual heritage. It cannot be fabricated or created from scratch
in a few years, it is a legacy of generations and centuries.
Pulverizing, embezzling, destroying the heritage in pathological greed
of the authorities and endless complaints and grunts of others, yes,
it is possible. We see the signs of it, God give us strength to
discontinue this path.

If Azerbaijani elite Vahid Gazi’s view were dominant, we would have a
serious problem: their authorities would not be boasting that they
have oil for sale and make money, but would try to establish (just
establish, and not steal) their own national identity, which can’t be
replaced by Russian weapons donated to us and sold to Azeris.

But, fortunately, our neighbors are still far from it. A bill is under
discussion at Azerbaijani Milli Majlis, according to which the
citizens of Azerbaijan who will be cooperating with any Armenian
organization, institution or private person, would be subjected to
serious criminal charges. Pursuant to the plan, this law is valid
until `complete liberation of occupied lands.’ All those who cooperate
with Armenians in any place of the planet and in any industry,
business, mass media, peace initiatives and so on, would be punished.

The authors of the bill, apparently, think that in doing this they
raise the fighting spirit of their own people, the greater is the
hatred towards the Armenians, the higher are the chances to win the
war. They have not yet come to the conscious that hatred and malice
gives only hang-ups to a person, that success can be achieved not by
hating the other’s, but loving yours. If, I repeat, you have the
values that you can love. It would be good if some of our fellow
citizens do not forget it, too.

ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
Read more at:

From: Baghdasarian

http://en.aravot.am/2013/11/23/162681/

Karabakh’s independence must be achieved – Artsakh-resident Azerbaij

Karabakh’s independence must be achieved – Artsakh-resident Azerbaijani

November 23, 2013 | 16:48

A few Azerbaijanis are still left in Karabakh-Nagorno. But because of
the concern that their families in Azerbaijan would be persecuted,
their names are kept secret for a long time.

Irina Kovalchuk writes the aforesaid in her article published at
Segodnya.ua and devoted to her trip to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
(Artsakh).

`They had arranged a meeting for me with a 60-year-old Azerbaijani
women [living in the NKR]. Her Armenian husband had died in the first
days of the [Karabakh] war. The woman had not left [Karabakh] because
of her children, who consider themselves Armenian,’ Kovalchuk writes.

`Sometimes I forget that I am Azerbaijani. But a person that does not
respect and love his nation cannot respect and love another nation.
[But] now, Karabakh’s independence must be achieved.

`For me, the important thing is my children, and I have stayed here
for their sake.

`The local Armenians have always protected me, and if ours [i.e., the
Azerbaijanis] come, they would first shoot me as a traitor,’ the
Azerbaijani woman told Kovalchuk.

The Azerbaijani woman, however, no longer dreams of ever being able to
stroll along her Azerbaijani capital city Baku.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

UAE signs customs coop agreement with Armenia at sidelines of ECF

UAE signs customs cooperation agreement with Armenia at sidelines of ECF

DG says commercial relationships are increasingly growing with Armenia

Staff Report
Published: 18:49 November 23, 2013

Abu Dhabi: Represented by the Federal Customs Authority (FCA), the UAE
on Wednesday signed a technical cooperation agreement for customs
assistance with the Republic of Armenia in Abu Dhabi, represented by
the Armenian State Revenue Committee (SRC).

The agreement was signed by Khalid Ali Al Bustani, FCA Acting Director
General and Gagik Khachatryan, SRC Director General for the UAE and
Armenian sides respectively.

Al Bustani said the UAE is keen to consolidate the cooperation
relations with the commercial partners and maximize the economic value
added through bilateral agreements in customs technical cooperation.

The map of the UAE commercial partners has significantly developed
during the recent years under the strategic plan implemented by the
FCA as a part of UAE Vision 2021, with a view to signing customs
bilateral cooperation agreements to activate the exchange of
information and experience to confront the challenges facing the world
trade movement, Al Bustani said.

In its plan to improve relationship with the international partners,
said Al Bustani, the FCA relies on the UAE position as a world trade
hub with extensive and manifold relationships with most of the
countries in the world. This relationship needs a legal framework most
notably the bilateral agreements.

The UAE has close commercial relationships with Republic of Armenia,
Al Bustani said. With growing diplomatic relations between the two
countries, these commercial relationships are increasingly growing as
Armenia is one of the UAE strategic partners in Europe, he said.

From: Baghdasarian

http://gulfnews.com/business/economy/uae-signs-customs-cooperation-agreement-with-armenia-at-sidelines-of-ecf-1.1258869

U.S. firm to invest $180 million in Armenia’s Voroton hydro-electric

U.S. firm to invest $180 million in Armenia’s Voroton hydro-electric plant

11:26 23.11.2013

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) today welcomed the
realignment of the U.S.-Armenia economic dialogue away from primarily
`donor-recipient’-based discussions and toward a focus on practical
steps to promote a robust bilateral trade and investment partnership.

At a State Department press conference, held this evening at the end
of a day-long meeting in Washington, DC of the U.S.-Armenia Task
Force, the U.S. and Armenian government’s welcomed the formal
announcement of a $180 million investment by the U.S. firm Contour
Global in Armenia’s Voroton hydro-electric plant, the implementation
of a new visa relaxation regime for business travelers, the selection
of Armenia as one of 20 countries in USAID’s Science Technology
Innovation Program (STIP) in the areas of energy independence and
water management, Armenia’s edibility for a second Millennium
Challenge Corporation grant, and, more broadly, an overall shift –
long advocated by the ANCA – away from primarily aid-based discussions
toward a trade and investment focused bilateral economic dialogue.
The Voroton investment represents the single largest U.S. investment
in the history of the U.S.-Armenia bilateral relationship.

`We welcome today’s meeting as a positive watershed in the history of
the U.S.-Armenia economic relationship. The results of today’s talks
hold the promise of a meaningful escalation, on a policy level, of
this trade and investment partnership, and, on a more practical level,
set the stage for sustainable future growth,’ said ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian. ‘We want to share our appreciation to all the stakeholders
in this process, for their work and commitment to the U.S.-Armenia
relationship. We very much look forward, in the spirit of the enduring
American-Armenian friendship, to closely following the implementation
of today’s decisions, to seeing the real-world results of these
efforts, and to building upon today’s progress for the benefit of both
our nations.’

Commenting to the ANCA following the meeting, U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia, John Heffern, noted that the U.S. and Armenia are moving
toward a `more mature relationship,’ `getting away from the
`donor-recipient’ model and focusing on the partnership model – a
partnership model that does include assistance.’ USAID Mission
Director Karen Hilliard shared with the ANCA that the meeting was
`very cordial, very fruitful, and of great mutual benefit,’ noting, in
particular, U.S.-Arenia comoperation to liberalize the aviation
sector, which she hopes will have an `enormous impact’ on tourism and
cross-border trade.’ She added that a key focus going forward will be
energy diversification and water resource conservation, noting that
USAID Director Rajiv Shah `has selected Armenia as one of 20 focus
countries for applying science and technology to development problems
and here today, we agreed to focus in on the energy and water sectors
for that effort – which I think will bear tremendous dividends for
Armenia in the future.’

Washington was represented at these talks by Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State for European Affairs Eric Rubin, U.S. Agency for
International Development Assistant Administrator Paige Alexander, and
Coordinator for Assistance for Europe Daniel Rosenblum. U.S.
Ambassador to Armenia, John Heffern, a consistent advocate for the
expansion of bilateral economic relations also took part, as did USAID
Armenia Mission Director Karen Hilliard. Rubin, speaking at the press
conference, noted: `Today we held positive discussions on customs and
tax reform, energy security and integration, workforce development,
and, importantly, we discussed potential mechanisms to increase trade
and investment between Armenia and the United States.’

Yerevan was represented by Minister of Finance Davit Sargsyan, along
with representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economy,
Justice, Energy and Natural Resources, and Nature Protection.
Armenia’s Ambassador to the U.S., Tatoul Markarian, played a key role
in both the preparations for this meeting and in today’s discussions.

From: Baghdasarian

http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/11/23/u-s-armenia-economic-dialogue-focuses-on-practical-steps-to-promote-bilateral-trade/

Air France augmentera le nombre de ses vols hebdomadaires Paris-Erév

ARMENIE-TRANSPORTS
Air France augmentera le nombre de ses vols hebdomadaires Paris-Erévan
de quatre à six en mai 2014

A partir de mai 2014, la compagnie Air France augmentera ses vols
hebdomadaires Paris-Erévan-Paris en passante de quatre vols
actuellement à six vols. L’information fut communiquée à Erévan par
Lévon Baghdassarian le directeur de Saberatours-Sevan. Selon ce
dernier, cette augmentation du nombre des vols soutiendra le
développement du tourisme en Arménie et développera les relations
politiques entre la France et l’Arménie. De son côté l’Ambassadeur de
France en Arménie, Henri Reynaud a affirmé sa satisfaction de voir
augmenter le nombre des vols d’Air France vers l’Arménie et remercia
Lévon Baghdassarian pour ces efforts. Henri Reynaud a salué le
développement du tourisme en Arménie. Selon lui entre 15 000 et 20 000
touristes Français se rendent chaque année en Arménie, et que ce
nombre connaissait une croissance de 10 à 15% par an.

Krikor Amirzayan

samedi 23 novembre 2013,
Krikor Amirzayan ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

Western Prelacy News – 11/23/2013

November 22, 2013
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

Dear Faithful,

Thanksgiving is upon us and soon we will celebrate the Glorious Birth and
Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ. During this blessed season, let us
reflect on the good in our lives and express our gratitude to our Lord for
His abundant love, mercy, and blessings. Let us remember also the less
fortunate and share our gifts with them to make the season a joyous one for
all.

Thanksgiving Day is all the more special for the Armenian people as our
community rallies to lend a helping hand to our brethren in Armenia,
Artsakh, and Syria, through the annual Armenia Fund Telethon, a much-beloved
tradition. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, has issued a
directive to all Prelacy Churches and Schools to encourage their
parishioners, parents, and students to bring their participation to the
Telethon.

The Prelate calls on our community to once again contribute to this
worthwhile cause, which this year will benefit construction of the
Vardenis-Martakert Highway, a vital pathway linking Armenia and Artsakh and
which will be mutually beneficial for both countries and their citizens. In
addition, a portion of the proceeds raised in the Western United States will
benefit the Syrian people. Please open your hearts this season and give a
hand to those in need. Your donation will make a difference in the lives of
our people and our nation.

***

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
ST. MARY’S CHURCH IN GLENDALE

On Sunday, November 24, 2013, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St.
Mary’s Church in Glendale.

PRELATE VISITS COLORADO PARISH COMMUNITY ON THEIR
30TH ANNIVERSARY

On November 16 and 17, 2013, the Armenian Apostolic Church of
Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region celebrated a joyous occasion, the
30th anniversary of its organization, with Divine Liturgy celebrated by H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and community gatherings.
By the invitation of the Board of Trustees, the Prelate, accompanied
by Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian and Deacon Shahe Jierian arrived in Denver on
Saturday and was greeted at the airport by Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Vahe
Berejiklian.
In the evening, a reception in honor of His Eminence was held at the
home of Kaloust and Arous Christianian. It was a memorable evening for the
parish community as they enjoyed the presence and encouraging words of the
Prelate. Given that we are approaching the Christmas season, His Eminence
conducted the traditional blessing of the home service and also blessed the
guests in attendance, through which he extended his blessings to the
community. A surprise performance of song and music was presented by the
Christianian grandchildren.
On Sunday morning, the community gathered at St. Gabriel the
Archangel Episcopal Church for Divine Liturgy. Fr. Vazken and Deacon Shahe
assisted at the altar. The Church Rector, Fr. Chris Ditzenberger, attended
the service.
To start his sermon, the Prelate first greeted the Church Rector and
commended the Board of Trustees, the members, volunteers, and visiting
clergy who work together to keep the parish community active. He stated
that “though you are far from us physically, know that you are always in our
hearts and thoughts, and it is our wish to see this parish grow, become more
organized, and be the best that it can be with a strong and active group of
parishioners and regular services to draw the community closer to one
another.” Given that the day was the eve of Advent, the fifty day period
until the Birth and Theophany of our Lord, the Prelate reflected on the true
meaning of Advent as a spiritual journey, a time of prayer and reformation
of our hearts and spiritual preparation to welcome Christ’s coming. Turning
to the day’s Gospel reading from Luke 9:44-50, His Eminence spoke on the
message of humility and service imparted to us by the reading. The Almighty
humbled Himself and submitted to death on the Cross out of His great love
for us, said the Prelate, and He calls us to humble ourselves and join Him
in service for others. As children of God and of one family, we are called
to respect and love and encourage each other, to love each other in the same
way that He loves us, humbly and sacrificially.
As the eve of Advent also signals the approach of Thanksgiving and
the Christmas season, the Prelate stressed that this time of year is a time
of love and joy, but also of charity, a time to remember the less fortunate.
“As Armenians, we have an added responsibility to help our less fortunate
brothers and sisters in Armenia, Artsakh, and in Syria,” said His Eminence,
calling on the faithful to lend a helping hand and make the Christmas season
a joyous one for as many people as possible by contributing to the upcoming
Armenia Fund Telethon, which this year will benefit construction of the
Vardenis-Martakert highway and with ten percent of the proceeds raised in
the Western United States allocated to the Syrian-Armenian community.
Speaking on Thanksgiving, the Prelate reminded the faithful to
always give thanks to God for all our blessings, stating that our lives may
not be perfect, but we all have countless reasons to be thankful for. Let
us express our gratitude to God not just with words but with actions, by
sharing our blessings with others and spreading the love and mercy of Christ
through charity, concluded the Prelate.
Following the collective confession, the parishioners approached the
altar to receive Holy Communion from the Prelate. The service concluded
with the requiem service, after which guests took a group photo with His
Eminence.
Guests were then invited to a luncheon hosted by the Board of
Trustees.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and parishioners, Mr. Berejiklian
conveyed gratitude to the Prelate for his and the Prelacy’s thirty years of
support to the community. The Prelate commended the Board of Trustees and
Ladies Guild for their dedicated service, and expressed joy that in
conjunction with the Board of Trustees and with the purpose of further
organizing the parish, Divine Liturgy would from now on be celebrated on a
monthly basis. His Eminence also praised the choir for their beautiful
singing of the Liturgy, led by Mrs. Anoush Peterson and accompanied by Mrs.
Lilian Krikorian on the organ, and presented a memento to Church Rector, Fr.
Chris Ditzenberger, in thanks and appreciation for his support. The Prelate
also presented mementos to all in attendance.
The 30th anniversary cake, prepared by a member of the community,
was cut and served, and the luncheon came to a close with the Cilician and
Armenian national anthems and the benediction by the Prelate. Guests
departed renewed and invigorated in spirit, having lived a memorable and
joyous weekend.

PRELATE TO ATTEND ARMENIA FUND ANNUAL GALA
AND TELETHON

On Sunday, November 24, the Armenia Fund annual gala will take place
at the Glendale Hilton, with guests of honor His Excellence Bako Sahakyan,
President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and H.E. Archbishop Barkev
Martirosyan, Primate of Arstakh.
The Prelate will attend and convey his blessings. Executive Council
members will also be in attendance.
On Thursday, November 28, Thanksgiving Day, Armenia Fund 16th
international Telethon will air from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. PST. Proceeds
from this year’s Telethon will benefit construction of the
Vardenis-Martakert Highway. Ten percent of donations raised in the Western
Untied States will be allocated to the Syrian-Armenian community.
The Prelate will participate in the Telethon with a prayer and will
also deliver his message on this occasion. We appeal to our faithful to
once again lend their support to this important cause.

PRELATE TO ATTEND CASPS CONCERT

The Committee for Armenian Students in Public Schools (CASPS) has
organized a special program of music and poetry dedicated to Komitas,
“Father of Modern Armenian Music”, performed by the Lark Musical Society.
The event, benefitting Armenian students in public schools, will be
held on Sunday, November 24, at 3:00 p.m. at the Colburn School of
Performing Arts in downtown Los Angeles.
The Prelate will attend and convey his blessings. Executive Council
Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian and member Dr. Dikran Babikian will also be in
attendance.

PRELATE TO ATTEND LEBANESE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

Friday, November 22nd, is the 70th anniversary of the Independence
of the Republic of Lebanon.
On this occasion, the Consulate General of Lebanon in Los Angeles
has organized a reception to be held on Saturday, November 23rd, at the
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, hosted by Consul General the Honorable Johnny
Ibrahim and his wife.
The Prelate will attend and convey the congratulations and well
wishes of our Prelacy and the Armenian community to the Lebanese community.
Executive Council members will also attend.

MESROBIAN SCHOOL HONORS TEACHER NEIL DODD

On Friday, November 15, the Mesrobian School family gathered at
“Bagramian” Hall of Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello for a special
reception honoring long-time teacher Mr. Neil Dodd for his 40 years of
service.
On this occasion, the Prelate had issued a Letter of Blessing and
Commendation to Mr. Dodd. Holy Cross Cathedral Dean Very Rev. Fr. Muron
Aznikian attended and read and presented the Prelate’s letter.
In his message, His Eminence saluted Mr. Dodd’s over four decades of
devoted service to Armenian students and his fundamental contributions to
the life of Mesrobian School. He praised Mr. Dodd as a great teacher who
not only provided top-notch instruction to over a thousand students, but has
and continues to go above and beyond the call of duty, becoming a father
figure, mentor, role model, supporter, and friends. The Prelate commended
Principal Mr. David Ghoogasian, Holy Cross Cathedral Board of Trustees,
School Board, organizing committee, the administration, faculty, staff,
students, parents, alumni, and auxiliary committees of Armenian Mesrobian
School for their efforts in organizing this event worthily honoring and
celebrating Mr. Neil Dodd for his invaluable service in educating,
instructing, and shaping the minds, hearts, and souls of our youth.

From: Baghdasarian

www.westernprelacy.org

Crossroads E-Newsletter – November 21, 2013

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:

PRESENTATION OF THE HOLY MOTHER TO THE TEMPLE

Today the Armenian Church commemorates the Presentation of the Holy
Mother to the Temple (Undzayoum Sourp Asdvadzadzini), one of the eight
feast days devoted to Mary in the Armenian Liturgical Calendar. The
doctrine of the Holy Mother as `Mother-of-God’ (Asdvadzamayr) and
Bearer-of-God,’ (Asdvadzadzin) was established in the fifth century at
the Holy Ecumenical Council of Ephesus.

IN SUPPORT OF ARMENIA FUND

Archbishop Oshagan sent a directive this week to all Prelacy parishes
to support the goals of the 2013 Armenia Fund Thanksgiving Telethon
with a special collection of donations this Sunday, November 24, the
first Sunday of Advent.

In his message the Prelate emphasized the importance of this year’s
campaign that will help build an alternate route between Armenia and
Karabagh (Artsakh). The goal is to turn the roads that currently link
a string of strategically important towns in northern Armenia and
Karabakh into a modern highway system. The new route will promote
trade, cooperation, and economic development among vulnerable border
communities that are vital to national security. The sum collected
will be donated to the Armenia Fund’s 2013 campaign on behalf of the
Prelacy and Parishes of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.

YEAR OF THE MOTHER OF THE ARMENIAN FAMILY CELEBRATED; WATCH FOR FULL
DETAILS IN DECEMBER 5TH ISSUE OF CROSSROADS

The 2013 `Year of the Mother of the Armenian Family’ was celebrated
with a gala banquet with tributes and presentations all related to
mothers and their dedicated service to church and family. Guests from
the Mid-Atlantic region enjoyed a congenial afternoon at the Terrace
in the Park.

A comprehensive report with photo gallery will be in the December 5th
issue of Crossroads. Next week, a special Thanksgiving issue will be
sent on Wednesday, November 27.

Program booklet and gifts given to attendees.

A scene from the dinner.

VICAR WILL CELEBRATE LITURGY AT ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH

Bishop Anoushavan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the
sermon at St. Stephen’s Church in Watertown, Massachusetts, this
Sunday, November 24. Following the Liturgy, His Grace will make a
special presentation commemorating the 50th anniversary of the passing
of Catholicos Zareh I and the 30th anniversary of the passing of
Catholicos Khoren I.

VICAR’S SCHEDULE

Bishop Anoushavan represented the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, last
night at an Organ and Choral Concert organized by the Carnegie
Corporation of New York at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the
Divine in New York City. The Cathedral Choirs with the Oratorio
Society of New York and the Manhattan School of Music Chamber Choir
performed Tudor anthems and works by 20th century composers. Works by
J.S. Bach and Felix Mendelssohn were also performed. This concert, as
well as a concert in Scotland last month, is in celebration of Andrew
Carnegie’s generous support of organ and choral music during his
lifetime.

Tomorrow, November 22, Bishop Anoushavan and Chris Parnagian, Esq., a
member of the Prelacy’s Executive Council, will attend a reception on
the occasion of Lebanon’s Independence Day at the Lebanese consulate
in New York.

On Saturday, November 23, the Vicar will visit Holy Trinity Church in
Worcester where he will have the opportunity to visit with
parishioners and the parish’s recently appointed pastor, V. Rev. Sahag
Yemishyan at the parish’s annual bazaar.

NEW ENGLAND PRELACY PUBLIC RELATIONS SEMINAR

More than 30 representatives from New England churches throughout the
Eastern Prelacy turned out Saturday for a special seminar on public
relations, hosted by St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown.

The idea originated at the National Representative Assembly last May
in Washington, DC, introduced by long-time journalist and first-time
St. Gregory Church (North Andover) NRA delegate Tom Vartabedian in an
effort to foster greater exposure among our churches in outside media
circles such as television and newspapers.

Emphasis was paid to social media circles in this computer age and the
Internet. Joining Vartabedian at the speaker’s platform were Stephen
Kurkjian, a 3-time Pulitzer Prize winner from The Boston Globe, and
Nanore Barsoumian, assistant editor of The Armenian Weekly.

Much input was provided by three pastors in attendance: Archpriest
Fr. Antranig Baljian, Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian, and
Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian

Story ideas for each parish were hashed out, along with
vrecommendations on how to penetrate different media sources. More
ideas emanated from cluster groups that were formed in the afternoon.

Kurkjian emphasized two important stories that have penetrated the
Armenian community recently: efforts to display the Armenian Orphan
Rug locked in storage inside the White House, and the Armenian
Heritage Park Memorial in Boston. He also encouraged parishes to
better expose the personal side of each church community, particularly
with stories on the emergence of our youth population.

Special thanks to St. Stephen’s Church for hosting the event, along
with the Ladies Guild for serving such a delectable lunch. Other
seminars are being considered for the Mid-West and Mid-Atlantic
regions.

Reported by Tom Vartabedian

Representatives from five of the six New England churches turned out
for a Public Relations Seminar Saturday, hosted by St. Stephen’s
Church in Watertown.

Speakers at New England Prelacy seminar on public relations are, from
left, Nanore Barsoumian, assistant editor, The Armenian Weekly; Tom
Vartabedian, St. Gregory Church NRA delegate and conference
facilitator, and Stephen Kurkjian, 3-time Pulitzer Prize winner from
The Boston Globe.

Photos by Violet Dagdigian

BIBLE STUDY ON ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO ROMANS

The Bible study program on St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans continues
every Thursday up to December 19, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221
East 27th Street, New York City. Please note that next Thursday,
November 28, is Thanksgiving and there will be no Bible Study
session. The next session will be Thursday, December 5. The Bible
studies are being presented by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director
of the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), and is
sponsored by AREC and the Cathedral. New attendees are welcome to join
the group. For information contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810,
[email protected], or the Cathedral at 212-689-5880,
[email protected].

BIBLE READINGS

Bible readings for Sunday, November 24, First Sunday of Advent, are:
Isaiah 36:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Luke 12:13-31.

Someone in the crowd said to him: `Teacher, tell my brother to divide
the family inheritance with me.’ But he said to him, `Friend, who set
me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?’ And he said to them, `Take
care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does
not consist in the abundance of possessions.’

Then he told them a parable: `The land of a rich man produced
abundantly. And he thought to himself, `What should I do, for I have
no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, `I will do this: I will
pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all
my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample
goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God
said to him, `You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of
you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is
with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich
toward God.’

He said to his disciples, `Therefore I tell you, do not worry about
your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will
wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than
clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have
neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more
value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a
single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so
small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the
lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you,
even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But
if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and
tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you-you
of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and
what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations
of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows
that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things
will be given to you as well. (Luke 12:13-31)

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

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

This Sunday, November 24, is the first Sunday of Advent (from the
Latin adventus, meaning `coming’). Advent is a season of penitence,
anticipation and preparation. Advent serves as a reminder of the
original anticipation of the birth of Christ, as well as the waiting
of Christians for Christ’s return. Ideally, it should be a time of
quiet reflection and meditation. In modern times the period leading to
Christmas is far from calm, and is more accurately described as
frenetic. It is a good time to pause and reflect on the proper
observance of the birth of our Lord and Savior.

In the true spirit of Christmas remember that this time of the year,
although filled with joy for most, can be lonely and sad for many
people. Reach out to an elderly person living alone, someone who is
ill, or someone who is mourning the loss of a loved one.

ARMENIAN FEST 2013 CELEBRATED BY STS. VARTANANTZ (RHODE ISLAND)

Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, celebrated its
Armenian Fest 2013 during the weekend of November 2 and 4 at the
Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston. The delicious food and pastries
were prepared by the dedicated women and men of the parish. Members of
the Ladies Guild prepared many craft items and the Mourad Armenian
School students provided a wonderful performance of Armenian folk
dances.

The annual Armenian Fest sponsored by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Providence, Rhode Island, is one of the largest food festivals. The
two-day event is a popular destination not just for Rhode Islanders
but from various areas of New England.

Mourad Armenian School students perform Armenian folk dances.

STS. VARTANANTZ (NEW JERSEY) BAZAAR ATTRACTS MANY FROM METRO AREA

The Annual Bazaar of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
took place last weekend for a three-day extravaganza of food and
merchandise. Friday and Saturday evenings included many elements of
entertainment, raffle drawings, along with the delicious food to eat
in or take out.

Sunday afternoon, following the Divine Liturgy, the traditional lunch
of Khavourma was enjoyed by many who wait all year for this treat.

Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian blesses the table at the Sts. Vartanantz
Bazaar.

Entertainment on Friday evening included a performance by parishioner
Robert Aslanian (aka Bobby Lane).

THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
(Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])

Birth of Monte Melkonian
(November 25, 1957)

Rather than his uncommon life journey, the ending part of it, as one
of the commanders of the self-defense force of Karabagh, turned the
Armenian American modern-day freedom fighter Monte Melkonian into a
legend.

Monte Melkonian was born in Visalia (California), an all-American
child who in the spring of 1969 visited the ancestral town of his
maternal grandparents, Marsovan (nowadays Merzifun), with his family
and discovered the =80=9COld Country’ of which his parents had rarely
spoken. This sparked his interest in his background.

After a study abroad program in East Asia, he returned to the United
States and graduated from high school, and from the University of
California at Berkeley, in three years, with a major in ancient Asian
History and Archaeology.

Upon graduating in the spring of 1978, he was accepted into the
archeology graduate program at Oxford University. Instead, he chose to
begin his lifelong struggle for the Armenian Cause.

After a short sojourn in Iran, where he participated in the movement
to overthrow the last Shah, Melkonian made his way to Beirut in the
fall of the same year, and participated in the defense of the Armenian
quarters against the attack of right-wing Phalangist forces for the
next two years. By this time, he had learned the fourth language he
would speak fluently, Armenian, the others being Spanish, French, and
Japanese, and of course his native English.

Between 1980 and 1983, he was a militant of the Armenian Secret Army
for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA), one of the organizations that
carried armed struggle against the Turkish state from 1975 to
1985. After the split of the organization in 1983, he spent over two
years over ground, until his arrest in Paris in November 1985. He was
sentenced to six years in prison for possession of falsified papers
and carrying an illegal handgun.

He was released in early 1989 and expelled from France. He reunited
with his long-time confidante and future wife Seta Kebranian, whom he
had met in early 1980s in Beirut. After living for a year and a half
underground in Eastern Europe, they arrived in Soviet Armenia in
October 1990, where they married the next year. He first worked at the
Armenian Academy of Sciences to prepare an archaeological research
monograph on Urartu, which was published after his death.

During the turmoil that led to the independence of Armenia and the
collapse of the Soviet Union, Melkonian focused his attention on
Mountainous Karabagh. “If we lose [Karabagh],” the bulletin of the
Karabagh Defense Forces quoted him as saying, “we turn the final page
of our people’s history.” He traveled to the region of Shahumian
(today occupied by Azerbaijan), where he fought for three months in
the fall of 1991. He arrived in Martuni as the regional commander in
February 1992, without any army experience, and succeeded in pushing
back Azeri troops. He was one of the chief strategists who planned
and led the capture of the region of Karvajar (formerly Kelbajar),
between Armenia and the Autonomous Region of Mountainous Karabagh, in
April 1993.

He was killed in the abandoned Azerbaijani village of Merzili on June
12, 1993, during the battle of Aghdam, in an unexpected skirmish that
broke out with several Azerbaijani soldiers who had gotten lost. He
was buried with full military honors a week later at Yerablur military
cemetery in Yerevan and is revered by Armenians in Armenia and
Karabagh as a national hero.

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

THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CORNER
(Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])

Sweet in Every Language

There are words that have an ultimate common source from another language,
but have found their way through different itineraries. Such is the case of the word sugar.

The sugarcane was originally from India. The soldiers of Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great, after reaching India in the fourth century B.C., brought back to Europe `honey bearing reeds’ that produced a
product called sharkara (`ground sugar’) in Sanskrit, which they transcribed as ζάκÏ=87αÏ=81ι (sacchari). The Indian product spread to different Asian regions and reached Iran, where it was called shakar. The word was borrowed straightforwardly from Persian into Armenian, where it first appeared in the seventh-century Atlas ascribed to Anania Shirakatsi as Õ·Õ¡Ö=84Õ¡Ö=80 (shakar). Another Iranian language, Kurdish, borrowed it as sheker, which is the likely source for the Turkish word sheker.

However, the actual expansion of the sweet substance to the West occurred when Arabs began to cultivate it in Sicily and Spain, while the Crusaders did their part too. The Arabic word sukkar entered Europe and spread through
various languages: Medieval Latin succarum, French sucre, Spanish azucar, Portuguese açúcar, Italian zucchero, and German Zucker. The ultimate source for English sugre > sugar was, most probably, the French language.

One of the many Voskeporik (Õ=88Õ½Õ¯Õ¥Ö=83Õ¸Ö=80Õ«Õ¯, `Miscellanea’), collections of useful and not-so- useful material of various origins compiled during the Middle Ages, included the following phrase quoted by the most important dictionary of Classical Armenian, the New Haigazian Dictionary of 1836-1837 published by the Mekhitarist Fathers: `Õ=85Õ«Õ´Õ¡Õ½Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ±Õ¥Õ¼Õ¡Ö=81Õ½ Õ«Õ=9BÕ¶Õ¹ Õ¡Õ¼Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Õ½Õ=9D Õ·Õ¡Ö=84Õ¡Ö=80 Õ§’. Whether said in Classical Armenian or in Modern Armenian (`Ô»Õ¶Õ¹ Õ¸Ö=80 Õ¡Õ¼Õ¶Õ¥Õ½ Õ«Õ´Õ¡Õ½Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ±Õ¥Õ¼Ö=84Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¤ Õ´Õ§Õ»Õ=9D Õ·Õ¡Ö=84Õ¡Ö=80
Õ§’), the phrase has not lost its eternal meaning: `Whatever you take in your wise hands, is sugar.’ Sweetness comes with wisdom, at all times.

SYRIAN ARMENIAN UNITED COMMITTEE ISSUES REPORT

The Emergency and Reconstruction Committee of Syrian Armenians issued a report of its activities during its first year of operation. The report describes an atmosphere of fear, dangerous situations, and many hazards. The report emphasizes that they were able to strengthen their united front.

The committee, which is composed of representatives of the community, acted in an atmosphere of total solidarity and became witness to the spirit of unity and willingness among Armenians. The committee expressed its thanks to `Our fellow Armenians worldwide who tried to share our pain and suffering spiritually and materially.’

The activities of the committee are continuing amid an ongoing difficult and dangerous situation. As of July 2013, the committee has received 1.7 million dollars through the Catholicosates of All Armenians and the Holy See of Cilicia, as well as other bodies, organizations, and individuals. The committee estimates that $150,000 is needed monthly to provide for the safety,
health, food, lodging, and education of the Armenian community in Syria.

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.

The Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief is a joint effort of: Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Eastern Prelacy); Armenian Catholic Eparchy; Armenian
Evangelical Union of North America; Armenian Relief Society (Eastern USA, Inc.); Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

Thank you for your help.

50th ANNIVERSARY OF KENNEDY ASSASINATION

Unless you have been in a deep Rip Van Winkle type of slumber, you are aware that tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

We end with President Kennedy’s 1963 Thanksgiving Proclamation that he officially issued more than two weeks before his death. He died a week
before Thanksgiving but his 1963 proclamation remains as the official Thanksgiving message of 1963.

Over three centuries ago, our forefathers in Virginia and in Massachusetts, far from home in a lonely wilderness, set aside a time of thanksgiving. On the appointed day, they gave reverent thanks for their safety, for the health of their children, for the fertility of their fields, for the love which bound them together and for the faith which united them with their God.

So too when the colonies achieved their independence, our first President in the first year of his first Administration proclaimed November 26, 1789,
as “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God” and called upon the people of the new republic to “beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions… to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue . . . and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.”

And so too, in the midst of America’s tragic civil war, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November 1863 as a day to renew our gratitude for America’s “fruitful fields,” for our “national strength and vigor,” and for all our “singular deliverances and blessings.”

Much time has passed since the first colonists came to rocky shores and dark forests of an unknown continent, much time since President Washington led a young people into the experience of nationhood, much time since President Lincoln saw the American nation through the ordeal of fraternal war–and
in these years our population, our plenty and our power have all grown apace. Today we are a nation of nearly two hundred million souls, stretching from coast to coast, on into the Pacific and north toward the Arctic, a nation enjoying the fruits of an ever-expanding agriculture and industry and achieving standards of living unknown in previous history. We give our humble
thanks for this.

Yet, as our power has grown, so has our peril. Today we give our thanks, most of all, for the ideals of honor and faith we inherit from our forefathers–for the decency of purpose, steadfastness of resolve and strength of will, for the courage and the humility, which they possessed and which we must seek every day to emulate. As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.

Let us therefore proclaim our gratitude to Providence for manifold blessings–let us be humbly thankful for inherited ideals–and let us resolve to share those blessings and those ideals with our fellow human beings throughout the world.

Now, Therefore, I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States of America, in consonance with the joint resolution of the Congress approved December 26, 1941, 55 Stat. 862 (5 U.S.C. 87b), designating the fourth Thursday of November in each year as Thanksgiving Day, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 28, 1963, as a day of national thanksgiving.

On that day let us gather in sanctuaries dedicated to worship and in homes
blessed by family affection to express our gratitude for the glorious gifts of God; and let us earnestly and humbly pray that He will continue to guide and sustain us in the great unfinished tasks of achieving peace, justice, and understanding among all men and nations and of ending misery and suffering wherever they exist.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the
United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this fourth day of November, in the year of
our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-eighth.

JOHN F. KENNEDY

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

October 24 to December 19-St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans,
an 8-week Bible study program beginning Thursday, October 24, and continuing on Thursdays up to December 19 (no session on Thanksgiving, November 28). Sessions will be presented by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). Sessions will take place at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City,
7:15-8:00 pm, Presentation; 8:00-8:45 pm, Q/A & Discussion. Registration is required. Register at or contact the Prelacy 212-689-7810, or the Cathedral at 212-689-5880.

November 22 & 23-Fall Food Festival at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us on Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm and Saturday from noon to 4 pm for shish, losh, chicken kebob, or kheyma dinners. Country Store and Bake Table. Stock up on katah, choreg, manti, porov kufta, simit, and much more.

November 24-Special program following the Divine Liturgy presented
by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian commemorating the passing of Catholicos Zareh I (50th) and Catholicos Khoren I (30th) will take place at St. Stephen’s Church, 38 Elton Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts.

November 24-Ladies Guild Annual Bazaar, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

November 24-Thanksgiving Luncheon and Cultural Program, organized by the Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, in John Pashalian Hall immediately following church services. Poetry recitation by Seta Balmanoukian; musical performance by Maral Tutunjian (piano) and Meghry Tutunjian (flute).

December 6-Anniversary celebration by Lowell `Aharonian’ Gomideh, 6:30 pm, St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts;
dinner and program honoring 50-year members Steve Dulgarian and Joe Dagdigian; remembering the 25th anniversary of the earthquake in Armenia; soloist
Nina Hovsepian, accompanied by Mary Barooshian. Donation: $20 adults; $10 students.

December 7-Annual Church Bazaar of St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, will take place at Christian Reform Church, 25 Cross
Street, Whitinsville. For information: 508-234-3677.

December 7-Annual Holiday Bake Sale, St. Paul Church, 645 S. Lewis
Avenue, Waukegan, Illinois, 9 am to 3 pm. Enjoy authentic Armenian & American pastries and plan to stay for lunch at St. Paul Café. For information or pre-orders, 847-244-4573.

December 7-ARS New York Erebouni chapter presents dinner & dancing
honoring the Mother of the Armenian Family, St. Sarkis Church, Main Hall, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New York, 8 pm. Featuring Steve Karageozian
and his Band. Full mezze and dinner. Donation $60 adults; $20 children age
5 to 12; under age 5 free. For tickets and reservations: Nayda, 516-739-0805 or Vicky 516-365-0971.

December 7-St. Hagop Church, 4100 Newman Road, Racine, Wisconsin, Annual Holiday Food Fair, 11 am to 4 pm. Come and enjoy Armenian food prepared by the parishioners including pilaf, hummus, cheese puffs, katah, choreg, sari bourma, khurabia, pulled beef sandwiches, plus many other delicious
Armenian delicacies. For information contact Denise Lansing 261-672-9265.

December 8-Requiem Service marking the 10th anniversary of the passing of His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy, deliver the sermon, and preside over the Requiem Service.

December 8-Luncheon Fundraiser to benefit the Armenian community in Syria hosted by the ARS New York Mayr Chapter, 2 pm at Almayass Restaurant, 24 E. 21st Street, New York City. Donation: $75; children under 12, $25.
Includes full lunch, wine, and soft drinks. All proceeds will benefit Syrian-Armenian relief efforts. Seating is limited. For reservations: Anais (718-392-6982) or Houri (917-690-3060).

December 12 to 22-`Lost and Found: The Pinajian Discovery,’ a special exhibition from the extraordinary discovery of paintings by Arthur Pinajian that were rescued and preserved will take place at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. The
limited run exhibition of 25 paintings will feature the artist’s lyrical landscapes and mid-century abstractions. An afternoon reception hosted by St. Illuminator’s Cathedral and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan will take place on Sunday, December 15, from 1 to 4 pm. Art historian Peter Hastings Falk will discuss the discovery and the art.

December 15-Simply Christmas Concert, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

February 1, 2014-Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

February 24-26, 2014-Annual Clergy Ghevontiantz Gathering hosted by Holy Cross Church, 255 Spring Avenue, Troy, New York.

March 28, 2014-Musical Armenia Concert presented by Eastern Prelacy and Prelacy Ladies Guild, at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, 8 pm.

June 1, 2014-Ladies Guild Annual Brunch, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

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]

From: Baghdasarian

http://www.armenianprelacy.org/
http://e2.ma/click/0k5xd/4f4cee/ce455
http://e2.ma/click/0k5xd/4f4cee/s6455
www.armenianprelacy.org
www.armenianprelacy.org

Newspaper: Arkady Vardanyan Arrested For Organization Of Attempted A

NEWSPAPER: ARKADY VARDANYAN ARRESTED FOR ORGANIZATION OF ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF TOP LEADERSHIP OF ARMENIA

by Tatevik Shahunyan

Thursday, November 21, 15:41

Notorious political figure Arkady Vardanyan and his friend Arsen
Avetisyan, who were arrested for attempted assassination of Arsen
Avetisyan Ruben Avetisyan, actually were suspected in organization
of attempted assassination of the top leadership of Armenia, a
Yerevan-based Hraparak newspaper writes after familiarizing with the
materials of the criminal case against Vardanyan and Avetisyan.

The paper writes that the National Security Service officers began
tracing Vardanyan and Avetisyan after certain Samvel Kuroyan told the
NSS that they were plotting a state coup with assassination of the
top leadership of Armenia. Afterwards, the paper writes, Kuroyan was
not summoned to the police for either interrogation or identification.

Arkady Vardanyan was arrested on 18 May for suspicion of plotting
attempted assassination of his friend Ruben Avetisyan together with
the latter’s son Arsen Avetisyan. In the source of the investigation,
Ruben Avetisyan said he did not believe in the suspicions of the
Investigative Agency. Arkady Vardanyan arrived in Armenia from Russia
in 2011 and tried to seize power through public unrest. He was arrested
and jailed for several months. Later, the measure of restrain was
changed and he was set free. Afterwards, he left the country.

From: Baghdasarian

http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=3955F760-52AA-11E3-B95A0EB7C0D21663

Armenia: Romancing History & Scintillating Beauty – TravelBiz Monito

ARMENIA: ROMANCING HISTORY & SCINTILLATING BEAUTY – TRAVELBIZ MONITOR

November 20, 2013 | 02:54

“A relatively unexplored paradise,Armenia is blessed with three UNESCO
World Heritage Sites. The country is a tourist’s delight because of its
wide array of wines, number of festivals, and pre-historic Christian
monuments, taking one back in time and its beautiful landscape.”

TravelBiz Monitor writes the aforesaid adding that Armenia is situated
at a cultural, historical, and religious intersection located at the
crossroads between Europe and Asia.

“Armenia is a country of miracles…if you ask me where on earth you
can find more miracles, I would say, first of all Armenia…It is
involuntarily amazing that in such a small corner of the world you
can find such monuments and such people,” American author R. Kent
Huges noted.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

From: Baghdasarian

Levon Zurabyan Calls On Armenian Government For Self-Immolation

LEVON ZURABYAN CALLS ON ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT FOR SELF-IMMOLATION

by Karina Manukyan
Wednesday, November 20, 14:28

There is systematic corruption in Armenia and high- ranking officials
are on the top of the corruption pyramid, says Levon Zurabyan, Head
of the Armenian National Congress Faction in the Parliament.

He addressed reporters on Wednesday recalling that ANC sent a number
of corruption-related questions to the Government on 5 November.

Particularly, Zurabyan said, nearly $700 million budget embezzlement
is recorded every year. This was figured out on the basis of the data
of the World Bank, Policy Forum Armenia and other organizations.

“Adding this figure to the budget revenue embezzlements, we will
find out that these robbers pocket up to $2 billion of taxpayers’
money every year. But for this circumstance, Armenia would become a
prospering country,” the parliamentarian said. In addition, he said,
ANC is concerned over the offshore scandal around Prime Minister
Tigran Sargsyan. Zurabyan said the prime minister still fails to
bring any facts to prove that he is not involved in the case.

There were corruption processes connected also with Armavia air carrier
that underpaid 7 billion drams to the state budget. In addition,
ANC demands the Government to explain corruption in the government
procurement system, acquisition of cars by Mihran Poghosyan, Head
of Service of Compulsory Enforcement of Criminal Acts, from his own
company, as well as corrupt purchase of fuel of Flash Company.

Zurabyan touched upon the insurance companies that received 10 billion
drams from the Government and provided services for some 4 billion
drams, the paid parking, speed measurement devices and cameras in
the street. Zurabyan said that only one company participated in the
tender and 70% of annual incomes (that is $7-$8 billion according to
Zurabyan) will be pocketed by privates. Nothing will be submitted to
the budget. Zurabyan said the Armenian president’s brother is involved
in this.

The last question to the Government indicates at the contradictory
property declarations by statesmen. According to Zurabyan, such
wealth is impossible to buy having no incomes besides a salary of a
civil servant. ANC’s list includes the president, the prime minister,
the head of the State Revenue Department Gagik Khachatryan, Deputy
Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan, Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan, former
governor of Syunik Suren Khachatryan and former prosecutor general
Aghvan Hovsepyan.

“What has the Government done to expose these criminal practices and
punish those guilty?” Zurabyan asked. He is sure that those guilty will
hardly ever admit their guilt and leave their posts. Zurabyan thinks
that the Government has nothing to do but resort to self-immolation.

By the Government Regulations, the Government is to reply to the
written questions within 20 days. On 3 December, the questions will
be discussed at the regular four-day meeting of the Parliament.

From: Baghdasarian

http://www.arminfo.am/index.cfm?objectid=D9EDAC10-51D6-11E3-B43F0EB7C0D21663