Author: Boshkezenian Garik

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

June 21, 2007

CATHOLICOS ARAM I ISSUES
TENTH DIALOGUE WITH THE YOUTH
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
issued the tenth in a series of dialogues with the youth. Entitled, "On the
Renewal of the Armenian Church," His Holiness describes the church as a
community of faith built on Jesus Christ. "The church is not a reality out
there, it does not exist outside of our lives, our thoughts and our
concerns. We are the church, the people of God united in Christ and joined
together with the bond of love and sustained by a common hope and vision."
After speaking and elucidating on a number of important aspects in the
renewal of the Armenian Church in a new world context, His Holiness says,
"Our Church is one of the ancient churches of world Christendom. It must
know how to remain young; it must not become a petrified institution but a
church for the 21st century. Our Church must be in tune with its time. Its
theology must become more intelligible, its liturgy more attractive, its
clergy more educated, its mission more evangelistic, its education more
spiritual, its service more effective and its message more prophetic. It
must reach the unreached and even the unreachable. This is not being a
progressive or modern church, but a responsive church."
To read the entire message, as well as other dialogues click

RE LIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS
WILL MEET TOMORROW AND SATURDAY
The Religious and Executive Councils will meet tomorrow, Friday, June 22
and Saturday, June 23, at the Prelacy offices in Manhattan.

2007 DATEV INSTITUTE SUMMER PROGRAM
The 21st annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Christian summer studies
program, which will take place July 1 to 8 in Elverson, Pennsylvania.
Sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council, the St.
Gregory of Datev Institute is under the directorship of Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, Vicar General. The program offers an intensive seven-day
religious educational program for youth ages 13 and older. The units of
study include: Introduction to the Old and New Testaments, Armenian Church
History and Theology, Divine Liturgy and the other Sacraments, Services and
Hymns, Saints and Feasts, Contemporary Ethical issues, Armenian history and
language. For details click

SEMINAR ON BOOK OF REVELATIONS DURING DATEV
A three-hour seminar on the Orthodox understanding of the Book of
Revelations will be presented by Father Paul Tarazi, Professor of Old
Testament at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, on Saturday, July
7, during the Datev program at St. Mary of Providence Center, Elverson,
Pennsylvania. Father Tarazi is a member of the faculty of the Datev
Institute. This seminar is open to all and is sponsored by the Prelacy’s
Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) and the Christian Education
Committee of St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia.
Father Tarazi, a specialist in Scriptural studies in Old and New
Testament and Biblical Hebrew, is noted for his dynamic speaking style and
his ability to hold an audience’s interest while explaining complex issues.
He has written several commentaries on the Bible including one on the Book
of Revelations.
Registration is required. Fees are nominal. For details click

PREL ATE WILL ORDAIN ACOLYTES AT
ST. ILLUMINATOR’S CATHEDRAL ON SUNDAY
Archbishop Oshagan will ordain four acolytes on Sunday, June 24, at St.
Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City. The Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan, will
present the following candidates for ordination: Zohrab (Mardo) Piranian,
Mgo Piranian, Garen Vartanian, and Aram Hovsepian.
On the same day the Cathedral Ladies Guild is hosting a luncheon and
program dedicated to Father’s Day. The event, which is under the auspices of
Archbishop Oshagan, will honor Dr. Roubik Melik Vartanian, Hagop Kazanjian,
Stepan Bakalian, and Henry Gabrielian as Fathers of the Year.

SIAMANTO ACADEMY GRADUATION
The 2007 Siamanto Academy graduation ceremony took place last Saturday,
June 16, at the Armenian Center in Woodside. Bishop Anoushavan congratulated
the four graduates, their parents, and the Academy’s principal and staff on
behalf of Archbishop Oshagan, who was unable to attend. The keynote speaker,
Hrayr Berberian J.D., a former graduate of Siamanto Academy, and director of
education and youth development of Graham Windham agency, recalled his own
experiences at Siamanto. He referred to the education provided at the
Academy as an investment for college years. The 2007 graduates are Antranig
Hayotzyan, Arshak Hayotzyan, Harout Kaprielian, and Mgo Piranian.

PRELATE AND VICAR WILL ATTEND HOVNANIAN SCHOOL
EIGHTH GRADE GRADUATION CEREMONY ON SUNDAY
Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan will attend the eighth grade
graduation ceremony at the Hovnanian School this Sunday, June 24, at 4 pm.
Fourteen students are in the graduating class of 2007 of the Hovnanian
School which was founded in 1976. Professor Hratch Zadoian, vice president
emeritus of Queens College will deliver the keynote address.

VICAR AND REV. FR. MESROB LAKISSIAN
WILL ATTEND SEMINAR ON COURT SYSTEM
Bishop Anoushavan and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St.
Illuminator’s Cathedral, will attend a day-long seminar of the "Manhattan
Religious Communities and the New York State Court System," next Thursday,
June 28 at the New York County Supreme Court. The seminar will examine New
York State’s justice system including an introduction to the courts,
overview of legal issues impacting communities and discussion of religious
leaders’ interaction with the court system.

MEETING OF DIRECTORS OF ARMENIA FUND
Directors of the Armenia Fund met in Armenia on June 18 and 19.
Archbishop Sebouh represented His Holiness Aram I. Mr. Vahe Aghabekian is
the new director of the Fund, which this year is celebrating its 15th
anniversary. Mr. Aghabekian was previously consultant to the Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Armenia. The Fund was created after Armenia’s independence and
"mandated with the vital task of uniting all Armenians around the world in
their efforts toward development and revival of the nation."

CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES
IN ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE IN AMMAN
The International Ecumenical Conference dedicated to the peace process
in the Middle East was officially inaugurated in Amman, Jordan, on June 18.
One hundred fifty representatives from churches around the world
participated in the conference organized by the World Council of Churches
(WCC). Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate, and
Dr. Nora Bairakdarian-Kabakian, chair of the Ecumenical Committee,
represented the Catholicosate. Dr. Bairakdarian-Kabakian made a presentation
about the Armenian Genocide, viewing it in light of the issues on the
conference’s agenda. The organizers of the conference closely consulted with
His Holiness Aram I during the past months and the Pontiff stressed the
importance of justice and peace in legal, theological, political and social
contexts. The conference began on June 18 and will end today, June 21.

CATHOLICOSATE PARTICIPATES IN SOCIAL SERVICES SEMINAR
The Catholicosate of Cilicia participated in a seminary on "Helping
Lebanon," organized by the Presbyterian Church USA. The seminar took place
in the Presbyterian Church’s social service center in North Carolina.
Asdghig Djamboulian, from the Armenian Church University Students’
Association, represented the Armenian Church.

A NEW PLAY ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Shotgun Productions and Resistance Theatre is presenting a staged
reading of a new play about the Armenian Genocide, "Red Dog Howls," by
Alexander Dinelaris. The reading will take place Monday, June 25, at 7 pm at
New World Stages (Stage 2), 340 W. 50th Street (between 8th and 9th
Avenues), New York City. Admission is free, but seating is limited. For
reservations and information, 718-291-1086.

IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
To read the message of His Holiness in Armenian click
.
To read the message of His Holiness in English click

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
designated 2007 as the Year of the Armenian Language. In celebration of this
year-long tribute, each week we will offer an interesting tidbit about the
Armenian language and literature:
Serpouhi Dussap (1841-1901) is considered to be the first Armenian
feminist writer. Dussap (nee Vahanian) was born in Constantinople.
She attended a French school in the suburbs of Constantinople and showed an
aptitude for the arts, especially literature. She was also home-schooled by
her brother. She wanted to master both classical and modern Armenian and
began taking private lessons from Mkrtich Beshiktashlian, a respected
writer. In 1871 she married a French musician who encouraged her to pursue
her interests. In 1883 she published her first novel, Mayta, followed by two
others, Siranush, and Araxia kam varzhuhin (Araxia or the teacher). Most
intellectuals and community leaders were against her and condemned her
views. Today she is recognized as a forerunner of the feminist movement who
made a great impact on the social and intellectual development of many
generations of women.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, June 21, are: Wisdom 6:11-21; 2 Corinthians
6:1-10; John 16:1-5.
I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. They will
put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill
you will think that by doing so they are offering worship to God. And they
will do this because they have not known the Father or me. But I have said
these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember that I
told you about them. I did not say these things to you from the beginning,
because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of
you asks me, "Where are you doing?" John 16:1-5.
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
.

DISCOVERY OF RELICS OF ST. GREGORY
This Saturday, June 23, the Armenian Church commemorates one of the
three feast days dedicated to St. Gregory the Illuminator: The Discovery of
His Remains. The other two commemorative days are his Entrance in the Pit,
and his Deliverance from the Pit.
St. Gregory is the greatest figure in the Armenian Church, and is
considered to be the "Apostle of Armenia." After years of evangelizing, St.
Gregory sought solitude and an ascetic life. He eventually chose a cave on
Mount Sepouh as his permanent living place. It was here that Gregory died
alone. Some shepherds found his body, and without realizing who he was,
buried him under a pile of stones. Later a hermit, Garnik of Pasen, who had
been a disciple of St. Gregory, saw a vision in his dream and went to Mount
Sepouh where he found the site of Gregory’s burial. He took the remains to
the village of Tordan for burial, where King Trtad was buried. Relics of St.
Gregory were retained and sent to different locations as was the custom of
the time. Relics from the right hand of St. Gregory are at the Holy See of
Etchmiadzin and the Holy See of Cilicia. The Catholicoi mix the new muron
(chrism) with the old muron with the Right Hand containing the relics.

GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME..
Summer started officially today at 2:06 pm, in this part of the world.

In summer, when the days were long,
We walked together in the wood:
Our heart was light, our step was strong,
Sweet flutterings were there in our blood,
In summer, when the days were long.

>From "Summer Days" by an anonymous author

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 24-Ordination of acolytes by Archbishop Oshagan at St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City. Celebrant and sponsoring
priest, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian. Father’s Day luncheon hosted by Ladies
Guild immediately following the Divine Liturgy and Ordinations. For
information: 212-689-5880.

June 24-Town Hall informational meeting for members, St. Gregory Church of
Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, to discuss the proposed
details of approved church stewardship program.

June 24-Annual Madagh of St. Hagop Church, Racine, Wisconsin. Live Armenian
music, food, raffle, and children’s activities. 10 a.m. to Dusk. For
information 262-632-2033.

July 1-8-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, 21st annual summer Christian
studies program for junior and senior high school students, at St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. For information click

July 7-St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, gathering at the
home of the parish priest, Rev. Father Bedros Shetilian.

July 9 to July 20-St. Sarkis Church Summer Camp, Douglaston, New York, for
ages 5 to 12. Prayers and hymns, Armenian classes, introduction to the
bible, arts and crafts, sports, and much more. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to
3:00 pm. Lunch and snack will be served. Summer camp is sponsored by Mr. and
Mrs. Antranig and Marion Boudakian. Enrollment limited to 30 students.
Registration deadline June 5. Minimum donation $75. For information,
718-224-2275.

July 21-Sts. Vartanantz Church Ladies Guild, Providence, Rhode Island, and
ARS Ani Chapter present "A Hye Summer Night 2." For information
401-286-8107.

August 7-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual golf
tournament at Blackstone Country Club. For information
or 508-234-3677.

August 12-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, annual church
picnic at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts. For information
401-831-6399.

August 19-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church picnic. For information or 508-234-3677.

September 9-Annual picnic of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley at
American Legion Grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

September 25-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, 4th annual golf outing at Juniper Hill Golf Course,
Northboro, Massachusetts. Registration at 8 am. Tee off at 9 am. $125
includes golf cart, dinner and prizes. For information 508-852-2414.

September 27-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 5th Annual Golf
Outing at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. Registration
begins at 11 a.m. and tee time at 1 p.m. For information, 201-943-2950.

September 29-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 50th
anniversary banquet at Pleasant Valley. For information
or 508-234-3677.

October 21-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, celebrating the
20th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, under the
auspices of the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan. For information
or 215-482-9200.

November 4-37th anniversary of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley and
ordination of Nishan Dagley to the office of acolyte and stole bearer.
Presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the
Prelacy.

November 10-11-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, annual
"Armenian Fest," at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island. For
information 401-831-6399.

December 1-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church bazaar. For information or 508-234-3677.

December 9-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562.

Visit our website at

DISCUSSIONS ON KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS

ArmInfo
2007-06-20 17:46:00

Karabakh peace process has practically run its course and the threat
of resumption of military actions in the conflict zone has sharply
increased, David Shahnazaryan, the former minister of national
security, said in the course of discussions on Karabakh conflict.

He conditionally divided the settlement process into two stages: before
and after 1998. Shahnazaryan said, before 1998, the international
community considered Azerbaijan an aggressor, Nagorny Karabakh was a
negotiating party and Armenia’s international authority was much higher
than that of Azerbaijan. The so- called staged settlement-scheme was
on the negotiating table, which became a reason for the change of
power in the country and Robert Kocharyan’s coming to power. Since
1998 Armenia has been considered an aggressor and Karabakh no longer
participates in the negotiations.

Official Yerevan "somehow forgot" about the necessity of lifting
Armenia’s blockade by Azerbaijan. The latter efficiently uses the oil
factor. Now, transfering of all the 7 territories and Nagorny Karabakh
to Azerbaijan is in question. "Unless Nagorny Karabakh declares that
Robert Kocharyan neglects its interests during the negotiations, all
the strong statements by Stepanakert are useless. OSCE Minsk Group
has taken a cloudy position and the threat of war has increased. It is
not ruled out that the new war will meet Russia’s interests as Moscow
likes ‘banging the door’ when leaving a region," D. Shahnazaryan said.

Leader of the National-Democratic Union Vazgen Manukyan categorically
disagreed with him. He is sure that negotiations are senseless if
Karabakh’s independence is not discussed and Azerbaijan expects to
get Nagorny Karabakh by other means. In such situation, Armenia needs
development of democracy and mobilization of Armenians worldwide.

Vazgen Manukyan asked David Sahnazaryan as a representative of the
former ruling party Armenian National Movement, "not to blame Robert
Kocharyan’s administration for everything, as it was the former
leadership of the country that invited R. Kocharyan from Nagorny
Karabakh. However, after the change of power in 1998, the party
tailed away." In response, D. Shahnazaryan said: "The country lacks
opposition. You never protest against the actions of the presidential
administration. Moreover, in 1998, you called his coming to power as
a victory of democracy in Armenia."

OSCE MG DOES BEST FOR NAGORNO-KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
June 18 2007

YEREVAN, June 18. /ARKA/. The OSCE Minsk Group has done its best for
the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, the Vice-Speaker of the RA Parliament,
ARF member Vahan Hovhannisyan told reporters.

According to him, the OSCE MG Co-Chairs have really carried out serious
work, and no international structure – the Council of Europe, UN,
or CIS – has a similar task group for the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement.

Hovhannisyan pointed out that OSCE MG has not yet exhausted its
potential, considering the fact that the Co-Chairs have achieved
certain results.

"Under the circumstances the Co-Chairs have do their best, and,
despite their frequently contradictory statements made in Armenia and
Azerbaijan, the mediators have carried very serious work and created a
document which can at least serve as a basis for the Nagorno-Karabakh
settlement," Hovhannisyan said.

He pointed out that Armenia is satisfied with the group’s work,
"as we see the development and more profound perception of the issue,
especially because the document reflects this perception."

Speaking of Azerbaijan’s attempts to state that this format is
inefficient and the Nagorno-Karabakh problem must be considered by
other structures, for instance the UN, Hovhannisyan pointed out that
similar attempts have repeatedly been made.

He pointed out that official Baku has tried to change the format at
various level, particularly get it included on the CE agenda.

"Azerbaijan is well aware that the larger is the structure and
the better are their chances, as numerous Muslim countries are
represented in the UN and they are absolutely unaware of the essence
of the conflict. However, showing purely religious solidarity they
will vote for Azerbaijan’s document, which is frequently the case,"
Hovhannisyan said.

The negotiations for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict have been held
within the OSCE Minsk Group since 1992. The OSCE MG is co-chaired by
the USA, Russia and France.

It is Early to Speak about Construction of Nuclear Reactor in Georgia-
Nogaideli

arminfo
2007-06-16 15:07:00

Prime-Minister of Georgia Zurab Nogaideli considers that it is early to
speak about the theme
of the nuclear reactor construction in Georgia. Today comment on this
theme is absolutely contrproductive. Talks are held for a long time,
but the final decision has not been formulated", the Prime-Minister of
Georgia stated to journalists on Friday in Tbilisi.

According to him, "this issue depends not much on us, but on Armenia".
"As it is known an old reactor is in Armenia and the question is about
replacement of the old reactor by the new one. That’s why it is early
to tell today that the new reactor will be built in Georgia or Armenia,
the old reactor will be replaced by the new one or the issue will be
resolved in another way", Zurab Nogaideli stressed.

On the eve Ambassador of Georgia to France Mamuka Kudava stated that
within few months the government of Georgia starts consultations with
French company "Areva" on possibility of the nuclear power plant
construction in the country. Mamuka Kudava noted that the sphere of
nuclear energy was within interests of both countries and it was
confirmed at the meeting of Presidents of Georgia and France Mikheil
Saakashvili and Nikolas Sarcozy. At the same time the ambassador noted
that the question was not about a concrete project so far.
Representatives of the company will come to Georgia first to study
local conditions and together with Georgian colleagues they will
elaborate recommendations. According to Mamuka Kudava, consultations on
this issue are held with countries-partners Georgia cooperates in the
sphere of energy with.

Chairperson of the parliament of Georgia Nino Burjanadze, who visits
Paris, confirmed the fact that talks were held with French party on
possible construction of the nuclear power station in Georgia, though
she stressed that there was no concrete projects in that sphere".
According to her, the issue was discussed at the meeting of Mikheil
Saakashvili with Nikolas Sarcozy. "In any case cooperation with this
company is of great importance for Georgia. Here the question is not
about creation and use of nuclear weapon, cooperation is with peaceful
aims", Nino Burjanadze stressed.

Semneby visits Karabakh

armradio.am
16.06.2007 15:12

EU Special Representative Peter Semneby is expected to visit Nagorno
Karabakh today.

ArmInfo correspondent reports from Stepanakert that meetings with the
President of Nagorno Karabakh Arkady Ghhukasyan, NKT political and
non-governmental circles are expected.

Commenting on Peter Semneby’s forthcoming visit to Nagorno Karabakh,
coordinator of the Nagrno Karabakh Committee of the `Helsinki
Initiative ` 92′ Karen Ohanjanyan noted that the meeting with
representatives of the non-governmental circle expresses the positive
and serious attitude of the European Union towards the development of
democratic processes in Nagorno Karabakh and activation of the peace
process.

AYSEL TUGLUK-THE EMBODIMENT OF PERVERSITY IN KURDISH NATIONALISM
Globe Political Desk – By Behrooz Shojai

Kurdish Aspect, CO
June 14 2007

Taking aim at a recent article by the co-leader of the DTP, the author
states that labeling the Sèvres Treaty as a societal grief for Kurds is
"distorting Kurdish history and depriving it of its legitimacy."

Aysel Tugluk, co-leader of the allegedly pro-Kurdish Democratic
Society Party in Turkey, recently suggested in an article in the
Turkish newspaper Radikal new and astonishing perspectives for a
solution of the Kurdish question in Turkey. Her solution has not only
amazed the Kurds, but also surprised the Turkish leftist Kemalists,
because she surpasses devoted Kemalists in her allegiance to Mustafa
Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. I would like to
quote a segment of her article:

With the occupation of Iraq, the imperialists’ policies towards
Kurds has been intensified, along which the trauma of Sèvres Treaty
has once again arisen. The Kurds should be sincere; the solution
can be achieved only when the frontiers of the "National Pact" are
indisputably protected!

By "intensified," she means that Kurds, particularly southern Kurds,
are marionettes of the imperialists; i.e., Americans. It also follows
that the Kurds did not have any struggles or aspirations for those
achievements they have now in the south. It is, in accordance with
her leftist ideological perversion, simply a big conspiracy against
the people of Iraq, if not Turkey, because later in the article she
argues that even Northern Iraq (the official Turkish terminology for
Kurdistan Region) is part of the so-called National Pact, a terminology
minted at the time when the Republic was founded after the defeat
of the Ottoman Empire. Hence, what happens here is inevitably of
primary interest for Turkey, but labeling this part of the country
as part and parcel of the National Pact means that she joins the
Turkish military chief’s nostalgia for the great Ottoman Empire,
within which the wilayet of Musul (southern Kurdistan) was included.

Above all, indisputably protecting the frontiers of the National Pact
not only implies the physical boundaries of the Republic, but also the
notion of the Turkish unitary state- the core principle of Kemalism:
one nation, one culture, one language and one flag. She confirms
her unconstrained belief in this pact by frequently mentioning the
"Turkish society."

For her, the Sèvres Treaty constitutes a trauma in the spirit of the
Turkish nation, pointing out that "the societal grief is still alive
with the memory of the Sèvres trauma." Nota bene that this treaty gave
the Kurds the rights to establish their state in the aftermath of the
Ottoman Empire collapse in 1919. For the Kurdish national movement,
it has been a frequent event to refer to as historical legitimacy. For
Kemalists and Turkish nationalists, and of course for Aysel Tugluk,
it is a historical grief for the Turkish nation!

Labeling Sèvres as a societal grief for Kurds is distorting Kurdish
history and depriving it of its legitimacy. The Sèvres Treaty was
perhaps an obstacle against the aggressive expansionist Turkish
nationalism, but it was a minimum for the recognition of the right
of sovereignty for dispossessed peoples like Kurds and Armenians.

Let alone the Sèvres, blinking at the just cause of the south, she
indecently is labeling it as a conspiracy initiated by imperialists!

She urges the Kurds to be sincere because the solution is, as
she argues, within the absolute protection of the frontiers of the
National Pact. Kurds have probably been very sincere in their just
cause, hence their seriousness when they suffered the deaths of their
young daughters and sons in the mountains, when their people were
tortured in prisons and gratuitously killed by their antagonists, and
when their villages were leveled to the ground. Every Kurdish patriot
should have a good conscience, because the Kurdish national movement
has never had any territorial claims on other people’s lands; it has
seldom been offensive and gone beyond the geographical boundaries of
Kurdistan. Regardless of their success or shortcomings, the Kurdish
national movement has been of the defensive nature on Kurdish soil.

In the history of the Kurdish national movement, there has never been
any expansionist discourse.

Ms. Tugluk is frequently mentioning the National Pact and rational
solutions; anything beyond that would be irrational and irrealist.

Thus, the rational and realist solution should be shaped within
the Kemalist National Pact. We know, Aysel Tugluk knows, and all
Kemalists know that there is no solution for Kurdish national rights
within the Turkish National Pact, because the National Pact has an
exclusive discourse based on the supremacy of the Turkish ethnicity,
Turkish language and Turkish culture, steadfast in the sanctuary
of the Turkish political borders. Simply expressed, what Tugluk
is offering is nothing beyond what Kurds have in Turkey now, i.e.,
some limited folkloristic exemptions for jingle-jangle.

What Kurds in the north have now would have come eventually due to
globalization. The suffering of the Kurds, particularly in the north,
was not for this petty achievement, this folkloristic reality. They
had and they still have a greater cause, a just cause, for their
human dignity and human rights and liberties. These rights cannot
be achieved without power, since the notions of rights/liberties and
power are closely interconnected. The right and liberty to be a Kurd
implies the expression of national identity. It follows that this
national identity should be steadfast in the country’s Constitution,
and the only way to be that is to share the power/sovereignty with
the Turks. Of course, it would be in contravention with the notion
of the Turkish National Pact, and Tugluk is aware of that.

Aysel Tugluk is offering perpetual Turkish supremacy over the Kurds,
who have been marginalized, dispossessed and deprived of their
dignity. Amazingly, she is supposed to advocate Kurdish rights. If she
represents the logic of the Kurdish national movement in the north,
then I have to qualify her as the embodiment of perversity of the
Kurdish nationalism in the north. It reminds me of Stockholm syndrome,
a mental illness in which victims become sympathetic to their captors.

The Kurdish intelligentsia, as the conscience of Kurdish people in the
north, should be committed to the just cause of the Kurdish national
movement. Their commitment, therefore, should be expressed through
a genuine solution based on human rights. Unfortunately, there is
not a single page of an abstract concerning the framework of such a
solution. The Kurdish intelligentsia in the north and of course in
Great Kurdistan is responsible for the emergence of personalities
like Aysel Tugluk, and Aysel Tugluk is a warning signal for the Kurds.

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–Boundary_(ID_QmR8blYMzdCEDKIC+9OtQg)–

ACCORDING TO FORECASTS, LAST YEAR’S APRICOT CROP TO BE TWO OR THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS CROP OF THIS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. Damage done by torrential rains and
floods in Armenia amounted to more than two billion drams this year,
including damage of about 420 million drams (about 1.2 mln USD)
to the agricultural sector.

The Head of the Plant Cultivation, Forest and Plant Preservation
Department of the RA Ministry of Agriculture Garnik Petrosian stated
this at the June 13 press conference. He said that on the instructions
of the prime minister, working groups have been set up to examine
the situation on the spot. "The results of the examination will
be summarized soon and submitted to the government with the aim of
allocation of funds in order to mitigate the consequences," he noted.

According to G. Petrosian, it is expected that due to heavy rains,
last year’s apricot crop will be two or three times as much than
the crop to be gathered this year: last year, 50 thousand tons of
apricots was purchased, whereas this year this index is expected to
make no more than 15 thousand tons. In the words of G. Petrosian,
the unfavorable weather has not damaged other stone fruits – good
crops of grapes, peaches and cherries are expected.

FUAD MUSAYEV NOT BELIEVES FUAD ESEDOV RESIGNS FOR HEALTH PROBLEM

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 13 2007

"I don’t believe Fuad Esedov has resigned from the post of AFFA
secretary general for health problem", former AFFA president Fuad
Musayev told APA-Sport.

Musayev said Esedov faced pressure.

"They bothered Esedov and he had to resign. He probably had some
disagreement with the leadership", he said.

Esedov worked as vice-president in 2000-2003 when Musayev was AFFA
president. Former AFFA vice-president Togrul Hadjiyev also thinks
health problem is an excuse.

"Esedov suffered diabetes when we worked together. It is common for
officials to justify health problem for resignation", he said.

Hadjiyev thinks Esedov has resigned in order to shirk responsibility
if Azerbaijan suffers failure in Euro qualifying matches against
Armenia in September.

"I don’t want Esedov to resign because, as AFFA vise-president Rauf
Aliyev said, the federation has wasted a great amount of money.

Esedov is also engaged in here. He decided to escape before the match
against Armenia", he said.

Former AFFA secretary general Chingiz Ismayilov stressed that health
problem is not serious reason for resignation.

"Esedov does have health problem but he looks much better than he
did five years ago. I think there is some other reason here", he said.

Ismayilov stated that Esedov was the only one among AFFA
leadership-in-office who has knowledge of football. He noted that
the reason of the resonation is pressure.

"Esedov might have been demanded to resign. He took the step because
he knows that it is impossible to develop football in 5 or 10 years.

AFFA reminds an office. Not a federation. They make a decision one
day and change it the other. The one who gets up earlier becomes
president in AFFA", he underscored.

O.C. EYE DOCTOR TRANSFORMS A COUNTRY: AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST BUILDS UP ARMENIA’S VISION CARE USING PEN CAPS AND CIGARETTES
By Tom Berg

Orange County Register, CA
June 13 2007

LAGUNA HILLS – It’ll never work, he was told. Not in Armenia. The
roads are too poor.

But Dr. Roger Ohanesian figured he’d buy an 18-wheeler anyway.

Not that Ohanesian, an eye surgeon with white hair and white smock,
knew anything about big rigs. He wouldn’t know a Peterbilt from
Freightliner. But he had this idea.

For nine years, he’d been flying to Armenia to perform eye surgeries
with little or no equipment, electricity or sleep. And slowly, he
transformed the nation’s eye-care system.

"He is worshipped over there," says fellow eye surgeon Dr. John
Hovanesian, who’s accompanied him several times. "His name is a
household word in Armenia. Have you heard of Jonas Salk? He’s held
in that sort of light."

Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed the vaccine for polio, never had to
buy a big rig. Or install surgery rooms in back, ship it to a former
Soviet-bloc country (with armed guards) and then roll it to the four
corners of a nation whose mountain roads could swallow a Volkswagen
whole.

"I had no idea how to design it," acknowledges Ohanesian, now 67,
of Laguna Beach. "There were none like this before."

And in Armenia, there had been none like him. But the question
remained: could this really work?

EYES FROM AMERICA

It was a blind fax – sent to an eye doctor. How could Ohanesian resist?

In 1992, Armenia’s minister of health blanketed U.S. doctors with
pleas for help. Four years of war with Azerbaijan had left too many
injuries and too few doctors.

Ohanesian dropped vacation plans and flew to Yerevan, Armenia – land
of his grandparents. What awaited him was a life-altering experience:
soldiers blinded by rockets, children injured by landmines, old people
with eye disease but no hope of help.

Ohanesian worked around the clock. The electricity faltered, but not
the endless lines who believed he could cure anything.

One family brought a blind, 6-year-old boy over a contested mountain
pass. He’d been struck by rocket fire six months earlier, and both
eyes had to be removed.

"There’s nothing I can do," Ohanesian told his interpreter. "Why is
the family crying?"

"They just learned that you didn’t bring new eyes from America,"
came the reply.

Such was the hope. Yet Ohanesian had little to work with. He
improvised, using ball-point pen caps as scleral depressors, Swiss
army knife tweezers as suture extractors and cigarette filters as
cotton swabs.

That was the state of medicine when Ohanesian started thinking he might
need an 18-wheel mobile hospital to reach everyone who needed help.

LIMITED POWER

Friday night, and eye surgeon Dr. Rick Hill’s pager beeps. He calls
back.

"I’d like to refer a patient," Roger Ohanesian says.

"No problem."

"I’ve already operated twice, and it’s failed."

"No problem."

"She’s in Armenia."

"No problem. … We’re going to Armenia?"

"Yeah, and we’re leaving Wednesday."

That’s how Hill, professor emeritus of ophthalmology at UC Irvine,
began teaming up with Ohanesian in 1994. Together, they spearheaded
the Armenian EyeCare Project, which has delivered more than $20
million in aid to Armenia.

This week, Ohanesian will make his 30th trip and Hill his 21st trip to
Armenia, each on his own time and expense. Now they fly into a modern,
well-equipped Malaian Eye Center, where patients come from Russia,
Iran and Georgia to seek eye surgery. But that wasn’t always the case.

Their early stories weave a tale of deprivation: electrical outages
with scalpel in mid-eye incision. Rooms so cold that water iced over.

Patients so desperate that they lined up 70 at a time for eye exams.

"There was just tremendous need," says Hill, 51, of Irvine. "They
had nothing. We brought what we could. But our effect was minimal."

Ohanesian had to improvise again to make their help more lasting.

CHEERING CROWDS

First, he asked the American surgeons who joined him to let the
Armenians perform the surgeries. The Americans would assist. It took
longer but taught better.

Then he talked to Southern California pharmaceutical companies, such
as Allergan, Alcon and Pfizer, to donate millions in medicine and
equipment. Then he plugged into California’s Armenian community –
less than 1 million strong, but tight-knit and generous.

Supporters include former California Gov. George Deukmejian, who says,
"When people learn of what he’s done over there, they want to help."

And retired engineer Nish Derderian, 85, of San Clemente, who tells
Ohanesian: "Anything you need, let me know. I’ll take care of it."

Derderian has written checks for things such as new lasers and
fellowships for Armenian doctors to study in America.

Six Armenian ophthalmologists have studied here, and each has returned
to run a specialty clinic, serving half of the patients for free. Such
efforts have sparked a revolution in Armenian eye care.

One that now features cheering crowds when Roger Ohanesian’s $1.5
million Mobile Eye Hospital rolls into town.

A SENSE OF FULLNESS

It is an icon. Rolling through a country of beat-up, old Russian cars:
an 18-wheel, Volvo tractor-trailer with an enormous logo featuring
the names of its major donors. Nowhere on it is Roger Ohanesian’s name.

"A lot of people would’ve put their picture on it, but you won’t find
his name," colleague Hovanesian says.

Since hitting the road in 2003, it’s screened more than 6,000 of
the country’s poorest citizens and performed more than 2,000 free
laser procedures.

They often arrive in their Sunday best and later return with
vegetables, meat pies and fruit to say thanks. Hill was on board
last year when a 40-year-old woman with cataracts regained sight in
both eyes.

"She blinked a couple times and started crying," he says.

What started with Ohanesian performing surgeries with ball-point pen
caps and cigarette filters has led to a 15-year transformation of an
entire country.

"I feel I’ve done something to help people," he says.

Yet he’s not finished.

The mobile hospital serves those on welfare. And the capital
serves those who can afford eye surgery in a country without health
insurance. But on the eve of his 30th visit, Roger Ohanesian has
trained his sights on those caught in between.

"What do you do for this vast middle class?" he asks.

He has an idea, but it may be crazier than his mobile hospital once
sounded, so he says:

"I need an answer."

Contact the Armenian EyeCare Project at 949-675-5767 or
[email protected]

http://www.ocregister.c om/ocregister/news/local/article_1727246.php

ARMENIAN PRELACY OF CANADA HOSTS ANNUAL YOUTH DRAWING EXHIBIT

ArmRadio.am
12.06.2007 10:42

Under the Auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate,
the annual youth drawing exhibit of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada
was held at the Prelacy hall.

The artistic director of the exhibit was renowned artist Areg
Elibekian, whose father, uncle and brother are also prominent
artists. During his closing speech, Elibekian emphasized the importance
of introducing children to art, especially Armenian art.

During the weekend, more than 200 people attended the exhibit,
where two to three drawings from each participant were on
display. The drawings’ themes varied from the Armenian Church,
Armenia and also depicted the personal and national sentiments of the
artists. Participants at the Exibit were: Arevig Afarian, Lori Afarian,
Nareg Assrabian, Simon Baghdassarian, Arek Bakloyan, Aren Kassarjian,
Armen Keshgerian, Nairi Ketchigian, Arto Lalevian, Katarina Melkonian,
Talar Ohanian and Alice Zaparian.

The exhibit will remain open for the public at the Armenian Prelacy
of Canada hall for the week.