Author: Basmajian Ani

AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR TO UN CRITICIZED ARMENIA HARD IN THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

Today.Az
s/51687.html
April 22 2009
Azerbaijan

Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to UN Ambassador Agshin
Mehdiyev condemned Armenia in attempts to get legal sovereignty over
the Nagorny Karabakh and the nearby occupied regions during the UN
Security Council debate, APA US bureau reports.

Ambassador Mehdiyev delivered speech at the open debate in the
Security Council on "Maintenance of international peace and security:
mediation and settlement of disputes", on April 21, 2009. "Despite
the relevant binding rulings set forth in the United Nations Charter,
we are still facing with inconsistent behavior that undermines the
basic elements of international legal order, threatens the integrity
and stability of States, and leads to grave violations of human rights
and international humanitarian law", said the ambassador.

The Armenian policy has resulted in the occupation of almost one-fifth
of the territory of Azerbaijan and made approximately one out of
every eight persons in the country an internally displaced or refugee,
said Ambassador Mehdiyev in his statement. "The actions of Armenia,
up to and including the resort to force, constitute a violation of the
fundamental norm of respect for the territorial integrity of States, as
well as a violation of other relevant international legal principles,
such as rule prohibiting the use of force", said the ambassador. "As
far as the model and legal framework of a self-rule status for the
Nagorny Karabakh region within Azerbaijan is concerned, we believe
that the process of its definition shall take place in normal peaceful
conditions. Attempts to define such status in a situation of continued
occupation of the Nagorny Karabakh region and surrounding territories
of Azerbaijan and forced displacement of Azerbaijani population
contradict international law, as well as the principles and ideas
of peace, democracy, stability and regional cooperation. In order to
ensure the success of the settlement process and mediation efforts,
a number of important steps have to be taken to reach a stage when
the negotiations on a self-rule status for the Nagorny Karabakh
region within Azerbaijan can start. First and foremost, the factor
of military occupation must be removed from the conflict settlement
context and Armenia must completely withdraw from the all occupied
territories of Azerbaijan. Delay of return of the territories can
complicate the already difficult settlement process. Following the
liberation of the occupied territories, internally displaced persons
should return in safety and dignity to their places of origin in the
Nagorny Karabakh region and adjacent districts. Upon release of the
territories of Azerbaijan from the occupation, the rehabilitation
and economic development of the region shall take place and all
communications there shall be made available for mutual use", the
Azerbaijani ambassador said.

"Although the mediation efforts conducted for already quite a long
period of time within the framework of the OSCE have not always
been consistent and have yet to yield results, Azerbaijan continues
to be committed to solving the conflict by political means and in a
constructive manner. The conflict can only be solved on the basis of
respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability
of the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan. The
aforementioned understanding, reflected also in resolution 62/243 of
the General Assembly, is an expression of constructive compromise that
Azerbaijan is ready to make within the framework of international
law and with the view of achieving lasting peace, stability and
cooperation", the Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to UN said.

CLINTON AVOIDS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REFERENCE, PLAYS UP ARMENIA-TURKEY, KARABAKH TALKS
Emil Sanamyan

The Armenian Reporter
nton-avoids-armenian-genocide-reference-plays-up-a rmenia-turkey-karabakh-talks
Wednesday April 22, 2009

Washington, – Despite strong indications that talks between Armenia
and Turkey have ground to a halt, and few signs of movement in the
Karabakh peace process, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on April
22 expressed optimism about both issues today.

Speaking just 48 hours before Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day in a
hearing held by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Mrs. Clinton did
not refer to and was not asked about the Genocide. Like her predecessor
Condoleezza Rice before her, Mrs. Clinton only alluded to the Genocide
as a "shared tragic history" that needs to be addressed by Armenians
and Turks.

The subject was brought up by Turkey Caucus co-chair Rep. Robert Wexler
(D.-Fla.), who asked about "possible extraordinary breakthroughs"
between Armenia and Turkey. Turkish officials and their Washington
lobbyists have been playing up such a "breakthrough" for weeks, while
simultaneously warning U.S. leaders not to refer to the Genocide,
as that might prevent the would-be "breakthroughs."

Mrs. Clinton responded that she has "been very encouraged by the bold
steps that have recently been taken by Turkish and Armenian leaders
to reconcile their countries with each other and with their shared
and painful past." She did not specify the "bold steps," adding that
the United States has been asked to and was supporting Armenia-Turkey
"reconciliation" efforts.

[Also on April 22, the foreign ministries of Armenia and Turkey issued
a joint statement announcing agreement on a "road-map" for an "on-going
process" of normalizing relations. But the Turkish prime minister just
three days earlier effectively ruled out the normalization of relations
with Armenia in the foreseeable future, saying "Turkey will not open
its border gate" before the resolution of the Karabakh conflict.]

Mr. Wexler also asked about the Karabakh conflict. In response,
Mrs. Clinton said the United States has "assured the government of
Azerbaijan that we will intensify our efforts to resolve the conflict
over Nagorno-Karabakh and other outstanding issues between Azerbaijan
and Armenia."

She promised that the United States would continue to be "deeply
engaged" through the OSCE Minsk Group, adding that she hoped that
"there will be some resolution in the next month."

Asked about that latter comment, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
Matt Bryza declined to comment on the secretary’s stated timeframe,
but said that he, along with the French and Russian envoys for
Karabakh talks "welcome continuing progress in efforts with Armenia
and Azerbaijan to resolve the final differences in the Basic Principles
for a Nagorno Karabakh settlement."

In a comment to the Armenian Reporter, Mr. Bryza added, "The presidents
of Armenia and Azerbaijan are demonstrating mutual respect for each
other, as they engage in give-and-take discussions that are gaining
momentum."

Also at the hearing, committee member Rep. Brad Sherman
(D.-Calif.) suggested that the United States should increase aid to
Armenia and either "eliminate or at least maintain parity" in military
aid to Azerbaijan; the secretary of state was expected to respond to
that issue in writing.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:

ACNIS Director Richard Giragosian Comments on the
RECENT TRILATERAL ARMENIAN-TURKISH-SWISS JOINT STATEMENT

Richard Giragosian
Director
Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)

(23 April 2009, Yerevan)–Armenian Center for National and International
Studies (ACNIS) Director Richard Giragosian issued a statement today
commenting on the recent joint declaration issued on 22 April by the
Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of
Turkey and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Only two days before the April 24th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, a
trilateral statement was issued by the Armenian, Turkish and Swiss
governments declaring that "Turkey and Armenia, together with Switzerland as
mediator, have been working intensively with a view to normalizing their
bilateral relations and developing them in a spirit of good-neighborliness,
and mutual respect, and thus to promoting peace, security and stability in
the whole region."

The statement went on to note that "the two parties have achieved tangible
progress and mutual understanding in this process and they have agreed on a
comprehensive framework for the normalization of their bilateral relations
in a mutually satisfactory manner. In this context, a road-map has been
identified."

Concluding by stating that "this agreed basis provides a positive prospect
for the on-going process," the joint statement represents one of the most
serious strategic blunders by the Armenian government to date. Although
this brief 95-word statement may accurately reflect an opportunity for a
genuinely historic breakthrough in relations between Armenia and Turkey, the
message of its text and the timing of its release raise important concerns.

Most clearly, by issuing such a joint statement just prior to the annual
commemoration of the Armenian genocide, the Republic of Armenia has only
bolstered, and seemingly endorsed, Turkish attempts to pressure US President
Barack Obama from fulfilling his campaign promises to recognize the Armenian
genocide in his traditional April 24th statement.

Moreover, by agreeing to not only issue a joint statement that clearly
conforms to Turkish attempts to distort and deny the historical veracity of
the Armenian genocide, but to also release such a statement just two days
prior to the traditional April 24th anniversary, the Armenian government has
demonstrated an appalling degree of short-sightedness and irresponsibility.
Such a strategic error raises further questions over the sophistication,
sincerity and seriousness of Armenian leadership, particularly at such a
vulnerable point in Armenian history when the security and status of
Nagorno-Karabagh remain unresolved and the future course of democratic and
economic reform in Armenia remains in doubt.

Within a broader context, this strategic error by the Armenian authorities
is considerably more than simply a deficiency in foreign policy, but
suggests a truly tragic, and possibly irrevocable step, whereby the Armenian
government has not only sacrificed the integrity of the state, but has
abdicated its responsibility to both the passing generation of genocide
survivors and the present generation of their ancestors. Such a disdainful
disregard for the historical legacy of the Armenian genocide has been an all
too common characteristic of the Republic of Turkey, but for the Republic of
Armenia, such irresponsible collaboration deserves only intense
condemnation. It is truly a tragic start to the annual commemoration of the
Armenian genocide.

————————————— ————————-
The Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) is a
leading independent strategic research center located in Yerevan, Armenia.
As an independent, objective institution committed to conducting
professional policy research and analysis, ACNIS strives to raise the level
of public debate and seeks to broaden public engagement in the public policy
process, as well as fostering greater and more inclusive public knowledge.
Founded in 1994, ACNIS is the institutional initiative of Raffi K.
Hovannisian, Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs. Over the past
fifteen years, ACNIS has acquired a prominent reputation as a primary source
of professional independent research and analysis covering a wide range of
national and international policy issues.

For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax
(37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected]; or visit

Armenian National Committee – Pasadena
740 E. Washington Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91104
Tel: 626.798.1098

Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

April 23, 2008

Contact: Ishkhan Boghossian

Pasadena ANC Joins With Diverse Groups To Mark Past And Current Genocides

Pasadena, CA – Over two hundred Armenian, Jewish, Congolese and Darfur
activists joined together on April 21, 2009 for a panel discussion to
mark acts of man’s inhumanity against man. The event, which was held
at Pasadena Jewish Temple, was co-sponsored by the Pasadena chapter of
the Armenian National Committee and included the participation of
experts on the Holocaust, the Darfur and Congo Genocides and the
Armenian Genocide.

`The power and importance of this genocide commemoration event was in
the unity of purpose that brought diverse communities together,’
remarked Pasadena ANC Executive Director Ishkhan Boghosian. `This
evening we learned of the incredible pain and suffering genocide
inflicts on its victims and subsequent generations. And we also
rededicated ourselves to ending the denial of the Armenian Genocide
and stopping the ongoing genocide in Darfur,’ Boghosian added.

The genocide commemoration began with opening remarks by Rabbi Joshua
Levine Grater of the Pasadena Jewish Temple. He then welcomed a
number of young people who participated in an emotional candle
lighting ceremony, in which candles were lit in the memory of genocide
victims from Darfur, from the Holocaust and from the Armenian
Genocide.

The first speaker at the commemoration was Dr. Garabet Moumjian. He
thoughtfully outlined the powerful role the nation-states have played
in orchestrating genocides. He also discussed the many dimensions of
the denial of the Armenian Genocide. The second speaker was Brad
Brian, a distinguished attorney with Munger, Tolles & Olson, LLP who
has been very active in the effort to bolster the legal rights of
Darfurians. Other speakers included Jewish Holocaust & Global Genocide
Issues expert Ms. Naama Haviv and Congolese Genocide expert Martine
Mfwilwakanda.

Representatives of the Pasadena `Nigol Touman’ Armenian Youth
Federation chapter participated in the event by maintaining an
informational desk that was full of books and other literature on the
Armenian Genocide.

The Pasadena ANC advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and
political rights of the area’s Armenian American community and
promotes increased Armenian American civic participation at the
grassroots and public policy levels.

ROMANIA’S ACTIONS REVEAL TRUE COLORS OF "THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP"
Pyotr ISKENDEROV

en.fondsk.ru
Ð~^rbis Terrarum
18.04.2009

The European Union officers in Brussels announced the 7th of May as
a momentous day not only for the European Union but for the whole our
continent. They did it in advance looking forward to the inauguration
of "the Eastern partnership" which is to be held in Prague on this very
day. The Eastern partnership program implies financial assistance to
six countries of the former Soviet Union (Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Moldova and Belarus) as well as liberalizing visa regimes
for the countries’ citizens.

Amid the current economic problems and the EU’s failing to work out
sound principles for itself this program is another option for the EU
to prove its competence (while the prospects of adopting the Lisbon
agreement are still vague). But "the Eastern partnership" has more
serious intentions. It is an attempt of the Western world to change
the existing geopolitical situation on the territory of the former
Soviet Union by spreading its financial and diplomatic control over
six states of the CIS and forcing Russia out of this area.

How efficient these financial assistance to the East European
countries will be – this question is quite interesting and of course
controversial. Considering hot disputes around the financing of
the EU’s "sacred cow" – the Nabucco gas pipeline project – it seems
unlikely that European tax payers would be happy to spend hundred
millions euro on supporting Ukraine with its permanent political
crisis or Georgia preparing for its military revanche.

However the EU has already started to take some of its measures
in Moldova.

The EU’s position in connection with the recent dramatic events in this
republic, which is neighboring Romania, is very illustrative. It shows
how cynical the EU and its country-members can be when it comes to
the introduction of the Eastern partnership, where the CIS countries
are destined to play the role younger brothers" and be the objects
of ethno-political assimilation and other geopolitical experiments.

They expected Romania to explain its intervention into the internal
affairs of Moldova and Romanian president Traian Basescu gave his
explanations and did it even in accordance with the rules of drama
acting – he was speaking from the scaffold in the national parliament,
in a live television broadcast, while the chronicle of rallies and
disorder in Chisinau (Moldova’s capital) was shown on the background.

The picture was intended to form the public opinion that Moldova’s
president Vladimir Voronin and his government are trying to suppress
the rightful fight of Romanian nationals in Moldova for freedom and
happy future as part of Romania and the EU.

The speech of Romanian president Traian Basescu deserves memorizing
alongside with the famous Fulton speech of British prime-minister
Winston Churchill or the words of US president Ronald Reagan, who
called USSR "the Evil Empire".

"When Moldova is in trouble we cannot stand on the sidelines. Romania
and Moldova share the same history, culture, language, they were
as one before the fascist Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact separated them",
with these pathetic words he started his speech on the situation in
Moldova. Reminding that his country observes the UN Statute and the
final act of Helsinki agreement, the Romanian leader promised that his
country would "provide help to all citizens of Moldova, who needed it".

The first step is making urgent amendments in the law
on citizenship. According to Basescu, Moldova citizens are the
descendants of those who lived on this territory before 1940 (when
Moldova was part of Romania) have the right to get the citizenship of
Romania. "Everyone who has the right to get the Romanian citizenship
should really have such opportunity. These residents on the left bank
of the Prut river should be under protection of Romania and the EU".

The Romanian president rapidly condemned the acts of violence and
destruction was surprised with the fact that the Moldovan police
which was obliged to prevent such acts did not secure the state
institutions’ buildings and let the demonstrators in. But it is also
easy to imagine how more emotional the speech of Basescu would be if
the Moldova’s authorities had used the whole arsenal of their means
against the demonstrators. Anyway even what happened was enough for
the Romanian leader to accuse Chisinau authorities of violation of
human rights and freedom of speech. "I call for the establishment of
the commission under the sponsorship of the European organizations
to investigate the events in Moldova", Basescu said.

The accents in the message of the Romanian president were put very
clearly which is quite surprising. At the parliamentary elections held
on April 5 almost 50% of voters in Moldova voted for the Communist
party of Vladimir Voronin, which in fact marked the triumph of
totalitarianism. "The young should know that future belongs to them and
totalitarian communistic regime belongs to the past. It is a matter
for regret that Moldova’s authorities are pulling the country back
to the Soviet past", stated president Basescu and openly supported
the participants of Chisinau rallies. He said his country would not
agree with the fact that "the Romanians on the other bank of the Prut
river are being humiliated fighting against the hostile regime".

The intention of the Moldova government to introduce visa regime for
Romania, which was sending its people to support the demonstrators,
was called "the creation of the new Iron Curtain between the banks of
the Prut river". However Moldavians still have to get visa to go to
Romania. It is when Romania is acting as "a free-of-charge advocate
for Moldova’s entering the EU", according to Basescu.

It is enough for quotations. The dramatic events in Moldova on April
6-8 became the first test for the Eastern partnership in terms of
the EU’s readiness to provide real help to its partners. This test
reveals the true colors p.

The intervention into domestic affairs of the sovereign country,
which citizens reject their right for democratic choice, labeling,
approval and even support off acts of violence and all this for
the sight of participants of these rallies with the EU flags –
these were the methods the EU (the statements of the EU officers
were similar to the statements of Basescu) plans to promote its
interests on the Post Soviet territories. Is Russia ready to oppose
this policy? Up-to-date Russia’s position on the territory of the CIS’
countries (namely in Russian geopolitical area) has not been active,
fundamental and consistent.

Hürriyet, ANKARA
April 18 2009

California starts ‘genocide’ mourn

WASHINGTON – California has declared next week to be ‘days for the
remembrance of the Armenian genocide.’ This is the fifth consecutive
year, the week around April 24 has been designated for the remembrance
of the "genocide" under California Republican Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger

California, the most populated state in the United States, has
declared the week of April 19-26 to be "days of remembrance of the
Armenian genocide."

California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a former movie
actor, said in his proclamation Thursday that nearly "1.5 million
Armenians had been killed and 500,000 others had been forced out of
their homeland" during the last years of the Ottoman Empire in the
early 20th century.

This is the fifth consecutive year that the week including April 24
has been designated for remembrance of the "genocide" under
Schwarzenegger.

"We honor that commitment as we stand with our Armenian friends and
neighbors here and across the world in remembering and acknowledging
the genocide, the families it destroyed and the history it changed,"
Arnold Schwarzenegger said.

"We do not like to recall such sorrows, but we must so that we can
learn from history and renew our efforts to make sure nothing like
this ever happens again," he said.

U.S. Armenian groups praised Schwarzenegger’s move.

Seeking federal government’s recognition Schwarzenegger, an Austrian
immigrant, was elected California’s governor in 2004 and has since
backed the Armenian cause. A large Armenian-American community lives
in California. Forty-two of the 50 U.S. states have recognized World
War I-era killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide. But
the federal government has declined to make a similar recognition.

Armenians are urging the federal government’s executive and
legislative branches to formally recognize what they see as the
"Armenian genocide." Turkey warns that any such U.S. recognition would
damage relations between the two nations in a major and lasting way.

U.S. presidents designate April 24 as the day of remembrance for
Armenian deaths.

PanArmenian, Armenia
April 18 2009

Week of Germany held in Armenian regions

18.04.2009 14:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Gyumri will host an exhibit of Horst Janssen’s works
from April 20 to May 11 in the framework of Week of Germany held on
the initiative of the German Embassy in Yerevan.

The exhibition will also open in Martuni and Kapan.

German drawer and graphic artist Horst Janssen was born outside
marriage on November 14, 1929 in Hamburg. He spent his childhood in
Oldenburg.

After his grandfather’s death in 1939 and the death of his mother in
1941, Janssen was raised in the National Political Institute of
Education in Haselünne in the Emsland.

Horst Janssen returned to Hamburg in 1945 and studied at the State
School of Art from 1946 to 1951 under Alfred Mahlau.

Besides portraits in oil, Janssen made ceramic objects, but he most of
all learned the art of lithographs in the factory’s lithographic
workshop.

AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV: "I HOPE THE NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT WILL BE SOLVED SOON ENOUGH"

APA
April 17 2009
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude to Russian
authorities for their efforts aimed to bring closer the positions
of the parties in the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, APA
reports quoting RIA Novosti.

Azerbaijani President said in Moscow that he hoped the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict would be solved soon.

"I hope the Nagorno Karabakh conflict will be solved soon enough. Of
course, we are not pleased that there are no results, but we should not
close our eyes to the improvement in the process of negotiations. This
improvement increases our hopes that the conflict will be solved soon
enough. The positions of the parties have recently come closer, some
issues causing difficulty before have already been agreed. This creates
a good basis for the continuation of the negotiations," he said.

President Ilham Aliyev said there were issues that had not been agreed
by the sides.

"The efforts of official Baku are based on constructive approach,
international law and restoration of the historical justice. It is
no secret that Azerbaijani territories have been under occupation
for 20 years and this fact has been recognized by the international
community. We hope we will be able to move the process of settlement
forward, find solution meeting the interests of both nations, ensuring
restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and international
norms and principles in the region. It will be to the advantage of
everybody and in this case we can speak about large-scale regional
cooperation in the South Caucasus," he said.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

HIS GRACE BISHOP NAREG ATTENDS THE SEARCH COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE WORLD
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC)

>From April 1-4 2009, the Search Committee of the WCC met on the Island of
Crete. His Grace Bishop Nareg, Director of Ecumenical Relations of the
Catholicosate of The Holy See of Cilica, and a member of the Central
Committee of the WCC, is one of the members of the Committee. The task of
the Committee is to recommend candidates for the Position of General
Secretary to the Executive Committee.

Members of the Committee heard from member churches and ecumenical bodies
regarding their expectations from a WCC General Secretary; they received an
evaluation report from the Presidents and the staff on the role of the
General Secretary, and screened new applications. In the end of their
deliberations, they prepared a report for the Executive Committee meeting in
September 2009. The new General Secretary is expected to take office on
January 1 2009.

##

AN EXPERTS’ GROUP MEETS TO CONTINUE ECUMENICAL CONVERSATION ON CHRISTIAN
SELF-UNDERSTANDING IN RELATION TO ISLAM

29 March to 1 April a group of experts from WCC member churches and
confessional families, scholars and educators met at the Ecumenical
Institute Bossey, near Geneva. Mrs. Teny Pirri-Simonian was invited to join
the group as representative of the Armenian Orthodox Church Catholicosate of
Cilicia.

The purpose of the meeting to study the listeners’ report prepared at an
earlier meeting held at Chavannes de Bogis near Geneva in October 2008. The
experts also discussed the keynote speech of His Holiness Aram I entitled
"Living As A Community With Islam – Concerns, Challenges And Promises, and
other papers presented at the first meeting The participants agreed that
it was not possible to speak with one Christian voice, yet it was important
to prepare together any Christian-Muslim dialogue. They also emphasized the
political context in which such dialogues happen, and the role of power. At
the end of the meeting they proposed a framework to be discussed by WCC
Programme staff and the Secretaries of Christian World Communions.

##

THE ARMENIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ATTENDS THE MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (CCIA) OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

The Commission on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches met
15-20 March 2009 in the Carribbean Islands. Commissioner Mrs. Vana Der
Ohannessian represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia.

The global economic crisis and the response of the ecumenical movement were
at the center of CCIA’s discussions. The commissioners also discussed
matters of political urgency and interreligious issues affecting the lives
of the churches. The geographic context of the meeting also provided the
opportunity for the commissioners to discover the vibrant Christian churches
in the region.

##

THE ASSEMBLY DISCERNMENT COMMITTEE (ADC) OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
PREPARES ITS REPORT TO THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE

The ADC met for the second time in Dortweil near Frankfurt in Germany 16-19
March 2009. Mrs. Teny Pirri-Simonian attended the meeting on behalf of Dr.
Nora Bayrakdarian, a member of the WCC Central Committee.

The mandate of the group was to propose to the Central Committee new models
for an expanded Assembly. The ADC affirmed that it was possible to create
space for greater participation and involvement from those ecumenical actors
that are already in relationship with the WCC such as, Christian World
Communions (CWCs), Regional Ecumenical Organizations (REOs), National
council of Churches (NCCs), and other ecumenical partners. They also
underlined the importance of preserving the integrity and uniqueness of the
WCC as a fellowship of churches, as well as the ethos and method of
consensus. In their report to the Central Committee in September 2009, they
said that such an Assembly would become meaningful only when a new matrix of
relationships is designed. ADC hoped that the new Assembly Planning
Committee would plan differently than earlier Assemblies.

PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA: ARMENIAN AND IRANIAN PEOPLES HAVE WARM RELATIONS

ArmInfo
2009-04-15 13:38:00

ArmInfo. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met with the Armenian
community of Iran as part of his official visit to the Islamic Republic
of Iran.

The presidential press-service told ArmInfo that during the meeting S.

Sargsyan said: ‘The friendly peoples of Armenia and Iran have warm
relations on the one hand and business and mutually advantageous
relations on the other hand. I can call my talks in this country
rather successful. I’d like to thank by Iranian colleagues for
constructive position and readiness to development Armenian-Iranian
relations. Iran’s warm approach to Armenia and the Armenian people
is mostly connected with the characteristic and behavior of Iranian
Armenians. I think we ought to introduce the ideology of stability
and peace of Armenian-Iranian relations in the whole region’.