Author: Chalian Meline

PROGRAMMES RANKED AS CHARITY

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
30 March 05

The March 25 meeting of the central committee for humanitarian aid
chaired by the NKR minister of social security Lenston Ghulian
discussed the programmes implemented in the republic by the Armenian
Relief Fund of America, Armenian General Benevolent Union and the
humanitarian foundation `Tufenkian’. In accordance with the March 5,
2005 decision of the state tax service the commission defined the
programmes implemented by the above-mentioned organizations as
charity. According to the committee, in the framework of the contracts
signed with building companies 17 600 US dollars will be provided by
the Armenian Relief Fund of America for engineering and costing of
reconstruction of the water supply systems in the villages of
Harutyunagomer, Shahmasur and Haterk, Martakert region. AGBU will
provide 1.5 million drams for engineering and costing of the
construction of the school building in the village of Norashen, Hadrut
region. The foundation `Tufenkian’ assumed providing 3105.85 US
dollars for the reconstruction of the Shushi museum of history and
lore.

AA.
30-03-2005

National Council of Churches USA, NY
March 29 2005

Special NCC Report on Faith Communions’ Resources
For Observing the September 11 Anniversary

Faith groups and their congregations across the United States will be
observing the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist
incidents in a variety of ways. This brief survey samples some of
the plans of the 36 member communions of the National Council of
Churches, plus non-member denominations that participate in various
activities of the Council. Where available, links to more details
are shown.

You will also want to see “Eleven Days in September,” a web
collection prepared by The Shalom Center, where an extensive survey
of interfaith observances has been collected, in partnership with the
NCC.

American Baptist Churches
The ABC-USA website features many of the denomination’s terrorism
responses and resources, including the Relief Fund for Victims of
Terrorist Attack . . . Shalom Response at National Ministries Online
. . . Song “United We Stand” . . . Resources for discipling children
at Educational Ministries . . . Litany by Garth House . . . Judson
Press publications . . .Caring statements from around the world . . .
and a link to the Pastoral resources Web site developed through NCC
and its partners.

Armenian Church of America
and Oriental Orthodox Churches
The Church Remembers the Victims and Survivors of September 11 with a
special Memorial Service on Sunday, September 8 in New York City.
The service begins at Ground Zero at 3:00 pm and continues with a
requiem service at St. Vartan Cathedral. A reception follows in the
Kavookjian Auditorium. For more information, contact
[email protected]. This memorial service is sponsored by the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and the Oriental
Orthodox Churches. Clergy of many of the Oriental Orthodox Churches
will be participating. All Faiths are welcome.

Christian Church-Disciples of Christ
The Disciples website carries a special section that suggests a daily
response to commemorate the terrorist events: “In soup kitchens, In
neighborhood centers, In schools, shelters and hospitals.With service
groups that can tell us what needs to be done, right now. AND with
our brothers and sisters of all shades, faiths, and cultures working
beside us. God is calling us to Ground Zero…and it’s right here, in
our own community.”

Episcopal Church
Presiding Bishop The Most Reverend Frank T. Griswold has written his
monthly column with a focus on the commemoration of the September 11
events, and the following prayer that could be used in observances of
the anniversary: “God the compassionate one, whose loving care
extends to all the world, we remember this day your children of many
nations and many faiths whose lives were cut short by the fierce
flames of anger and hatred. Console those who continue to suffer and
grieve, and give them comfort and hope as they look to the future.
Out of what we have endured, give us the grace to examine our
relationships with those who perceive us as the enemy, and show our
leaders the way to use our power to serve the good of all for the
healing of the nations. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord
who, in reconciling love, was lifted up from the earth that he might
draw all things to himself. Amen.”

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
In a special web section, the ELCA provides its congregations with
resources in worship, prayer and action, highlighting printed and
spoken resources through The Lutheran magazine and Lutheran Vespers.
A litany and a photo album are among the materials on the website. A
Joint ELCA and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Declaration of
September 8 as a day of commemoration is also included.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
“In Memory, In Faith, In Hope -The Church’s Response to Tragedy” is
the theme of a web-based summary of the Greek Orthodox connections to
the September 11 events and their aftermath, including the rebuilding
plans for the only church destroyed in the attacks — St. Nicholas
Greek Orthodox Church, which was located opposite the World Trade
Center.

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
The LCMS website carries a lengthy index of worship resources for
commemorating the 9/11 anniversary, including hymns, choral settings,
scripture references, responsive readings and other instrumental
arrangements suitable for downloading. The LCMS has long been a
participant in the NCC Communication Commission.

Mennonite Church USA
The church’s website offers extensive material on observing the
anniversary of 9/11/01. In addition, the Mennonite Central Committee
website carries additional resources for Mennonite and Brethren in
Christ congregations in both the U.S. and Canada. The Mennonite
Church is an active partner in the work of the NCC Communication
Commission.

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
A summary of statements and actions from the tragedy, plus resources
for “those laboring with issues of our peace process” are offered on
the PYM website.

Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church’s website offers numerous resources,
including the outline of a service of prayer and remembrance and a
message from the moderator, The Rev. Dr. Fahed Abu-Akel . . . a forum
on PresbyNet for discussing issues in the aftermath of terrorism and
another for sharing worship aids . . . an extensive initiative in
peacemaking — the Interfaith Listening Project . . .and an extensive
array of suggestions for commemorating the anniversary from the
editors of Ideas! For Church Leaders magazine.

Reformed Church in America
The RCA website offers many helps for commemorating the tragic day of
terrorism, including an Order of Worship . . . a litany of
remembrance, healing, and hope, and a litany for the church. . . and
suggestions for age-graded studies on topics such as death, violence,
tolerance . . . a primer on Islam . . and an online forum for
discussing the issues surrounding the events.

Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada
The church’s website has an extensive index of resources for
commemorating the first anniversary of the September 11 events,
including statements by church officials, a background paper on
terrorism, a prayer for peace, and other articles of interest.

Seventh Day Adventist Church
This partner in the work of the NCC’s Communication Commission is
featuring a complete index to its responses to 9/11 on its website.
Included are reproductions of the church’s advertisements in the New
York Times and Washington Post.

Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch
A summary of activities in the aftermath of the tragedies, mostly
from fall 2001, is carried on the church’s website.

Ukranian Orthodox Church of the USA
The Council of Bishops’ statement on the anniversary of the September
11 events is carried on the church’s website.

United Church of Christ
The focus of the UCC’s website resources for the terrorism
anniversary is on worship, with suggestions for liturgy, Bible study
and music. You may also want to use the website’s “search” function
to locate many other resources — simply type the word terrorism in
the search box and hit enter; a recent such search yielded 84 items
of interest.

United Methodist Church
The largest of the NCC’s member denominations is co-sponsoring with
the Council an electronic billboard at the entrance to New York’s
Holland Tunnel bearing words of hope and encouragement to commuters
headed to lower Manhattan during the month of September . . . the UMC
website carries an extensive series of articles focused on
Remembering 9/11: One Year Later . . . The church’s Igniting
Ministry program of outreach and renewal has also prepared special
September initiatives which are on their website.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The publishing arm of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops has posted to its website a comprehensive resource titled
Nine Days to 9/11, presenting visitors with a day-by-day spiritual
response to the observance of the anniversary of the terrorist
attacks. The USCCB is a long-time partner with the NCC in the work
of the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission, which produces faith-based
network TV programming.

Bucyrus Telegraph Forum, OH
March 28 2005

Diplomat speaks to students
EU administrator once attended Wynford High

By Margaret Thornton
Special to the Telegraph-Forum

BUCYRUS — The euro, the common currency among 12 of the countries in
the European Union (EU) doesn’t have pictures of national leaders.
Instead, the euro has pictures of bridges and windows, symbolic of
looking outward and of building bridges of international
understanding.

Tuesday, Bill Pedersen, an administrator for the European Union,
spoke to students at Wynford and Bucyrus high schools and built some
bridges of understanding among area teens.

An exchange student from Denmark, Pedersen was enrolled at Wynford
High School during the 1981-82 school year. He returned to this area
for two days to visit his host family, Rodger and Carol Carpenter.

When Pedersen came to the United States through the Youth for
Understanding exchange program at age 15, he believed that the U.S.
was filled with tall buildings. Instead of being placed in a city,
however, Pedersen wound up on a farm on the edge of Wyandot County,
living with the Carpenters and their children, Jeff, Gary and Karen.

Pedersen’s year at Wynford High School taught him much about America
and prepared him for his career in foreign relations.

“I learned to feel at home in a new place,” said Pedersen, certainly
something he must do often now because his profession requires
extensive travel. “The Carpenters made me feel welcome, and after two
weeks they said that they felt as though they had a new son. Spending
time in Ohio has helped me better understand the United States.”

After leaving Wynford, Pedersen returned to Denmark and finished his
education. He studied European law and international relations, and
he traveled extensively. For three years, he worked at the Danish
Embassy in Madrid before taking his current post as an administrator
with the EU. The young diplomat speaks eight languages.

Although Pedersen was eager to roam the familiar halls of Wynford
High School again after so many years, most of the familiar faces
were gone. However, he did speak with two of his former teachers, as
well as with science teacher Lee Rowlinson, who was a student when
Pedersen was at Wynford. He also shared his experiences with the
current Wynford students by speaking in four classes. He then went to
Bucyrus High School, where he spoke to about 40 students in the media
center.

Pedersen gave a brief history of the European Union (EU), a “club”
that began with six countries (Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, the
Netherlands and Luxembourg) after World War II and has now grown to
25, with other countries seeking admission. Based in Brussels, the
European Union encourages economic cooperation as a means to
prosperity and peace and makes Europe an “actor on the world stage.”

Pedersen’s post deals with the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Georgia), an area he describes as “a bit messy” because of ethnic
conflicts. In order to join the EU, a European country must apply and
then meet extensive economic and political criteria. To be a member,
a country must “clean up its act” and live up to the standards of
human rights, including abolishing capital punishment. The process of
joining the “club” can take many years.

Speaking about the European view of Americans and President Bush,
Pedersen said that many Europeans know about America through the
media’s focus on crime and violence. President Bush’s image as a
Texan makes him seem extreme to many Europeans. He noted other
differences between Europe and the U.S., such as the fact that
Europeans have gun control and that they focus more on rehabilitation
of prisoners than on punishment.

Regarding the war in Iraq, Pedersen said his own country of Denmark
has committed troops to the conflict and that personally he agrees
with the U.S. actions there. He believes that most Europeans agree
with the U.S. goals in Iraq, but not necessarily on the means to
reach those goals.

Next stop for Bill Pedersen: Georgia, on the Russian border. He is
one of three EU experts being sent to Georgia to report on the
removal of monitors that have been in place to protect Russia from
Chechnyan terrorists. He describes his mission as “very sensitive”
and he expects to be stationed in Georgia for three months.

Before leaving Wynford High School to head for his next faraway
assignment, Pedersen had to take one quick look into the Wynford
gymnasium and inquire about the success of the basketball team. Once
a Royal, always a Royal.

GEORGIA PROPOSES ARMRUSGASPROM CONTINUE SUPPLYING ELECTRICITY

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The United Georgian Energy Distribution
Company made ArmRusgasprom an offer to continue supplying electricity
from Armenia. According to the ArmRusgasprom press service, in all
likelyhood, the Armenian side will accept the offer and extend the
term of the contract. To recap, the contract on electricity supply
between ArmRusgasprom and the Georgian company expires on March
31. ArmRusgasprom has been supplying electricity to Georgia from
October 16, 2004.

Russia Year in Armenia – key event of Putin’s visit to Yerevan
By Mikhail Petrov

ITAR-TASS News Agency
March 25, 2005 Friday

YEREVAN, March 25 — President Vladimir Putin believes the Russia
Year in Armenia is a most important event.

“It is extremely important from the point of view of our cooperation,
since it is not a one-time function, but a long-term undertaking,”
Putin noted on Friday during his negotiations with President Robert
Kocharyan.

“Our artists will visit Armenia throughout the year and I hope not
only Yerevan alone,” he added. In Putin’s opinion, the Russia Year
in Armenia will allow the sides to promote their relations not only
in the humanitarian domain, but in the political sphere, too.

“The holding of such functions with other countries has revealed
their very positive effect not only on humanitarian contacts, but has
also helped to lay a very good foundation for economic cooperation,
has created a favourable atmosphere for the development of political
relations. I hope very much that this will be so in the given case,
too, since our two countries are known to have amicable, longstanding
relations,” Putin stated.

Kocharyan noted, in turn, that the Russia Year in Armenia was a key
event of the Russian President’s visit to Yerevan. “I hope we shall
be able to replete this Year with Russia’s active participation so
that it would produce an indelible impression on our people. I also
hope very much that we shall be able to discuss the current state of
our bilateral relations during this visit,” he added.

NKR FOREIGN MINISTRY URGES WORLD COMMUNITY TO FOLLOW ARMENIA’S AND USA’S EXAMPLE

Azg/arm
25 March 05

The Foreign Ministry of Nagorno Karabakh issued a press release
yesterday urging the world community to follow the example of Armenia
and the USA in providing humanitarian, financial and other aid to
Nagorno Karabakh.

The Nagorno Karabakh Republic proclaimed independence in 1991 but no
state of the world has so far recognized the right of Artsakhi people
for free life Armenia and the USA are the only UN member states that
have separate paragraphs in their state budges to assign financial
aid to Nagorno Karabakh.

The deputy foreign minister of NKR, Masis Mayilian, in phoned talk
with daily Azg labeled “high objectivity” the report of the OSCE Minsk
group’s fact-finding mission. The report indicates that the number of
settlers in neighboring territories of Nagorno Karabakh is 15 thousand.

“The NKR authorities accept their responsibility for the lives of
those people and will make every effort to improve their life, restore
their rights and compensate their lost possessions”, Mayilian said.

The Foreign Ministry’s press release reads: “Despite the fact that
the NKR authorities responded to RA Foreign Ministry’s request and
agreed to receive the OSCE fact-finding mission and provide them with
necessary technical support, the NKR authorities’ appeal to OSCE to
allow NKR representatives to take part in the hearing of the mission’s
report was turned down.

“It must be noted that the mission’s investigation was within the
territories, which are under NKR’s control since the ceasefire and
for that reason do not depict the overall picture of the humanitarian
disaster that took place after the war provoked by Azerbaijan and when
500 thousand Armenians turned into refugees losing their possession,
homeland and faith in future”.

Mayilian expressed hope that the world community will put an end to
double standards and will take a look at the Armenian refugees who
found shelter in the territory of Nagorno Karabakh.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also issued a press release on the
OSCE fact-finding mission’s report on March 22. Expressing satisfaction
on the whole, Baku noted: “If the fact-finding mission did not find
direct evidence of Armenia’s participation in the settlement then it
shows only that Armenia acted in this case with the hands of Karabakh
secessionists”. “The attempts to leave Armenia out of the frameworks
of this issue are inexplicable and groundless”, the release reads. In
an interview to Baku ANS TV Russian OSCE Minsk group co-chair, Yuri
Merzlyakov, confirmed that the fact-finding mission found no evidence
proving that inhabitation of neighboring territories of Karabakh is
the result of Armenia’s policy.

“The Nagorno Karabakh authorities informed the OSCE co-chairs from
the very beginning of the fact-finding that they encourage formation
of new settlements in Lachin”, Merzlyakov said.

By Tatoul Hakobian

PREMIER CANNOT BE FRIGHTENED WITH EXPLOSIONS

A1+
24-03-2005

Before proceeding to the discussion of the agenda today Armenian
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan touched upon the explosion at the
State Customs Committee building.

Andranik Margaryan condemned the incident and said that if the
terrorist act was directed against the activities of the bodies,
which provide the flows to the state budget – the customs and tax
services, the initiators should know that the state bodies will
carry out the orders of the President and government. «No actions of
the kind can impede the activities of the above mentioned bodies»,
the Premier stated.

–Boundary_(ID_wMsqUY+tjJKCg9VEtT9uSA)–

Putin to visit Armenia

Ros Business Consulting, Russia
March 22 2005

MOSCOW. March 22 (Interfax) – Russian President Vladimir Putin will
pay a working visit to Armenia on March 24-25 to attend a ceremony
that will open the Year of Russia in Armenia, the presidential press
service said.

LONG STAY OF SETTLERS IN NAGORNO KARABAKH CONTROLLED TERRITORIES TO
SERIOUSLY COMPLICATE NAGORNO KARABAKH PEACE PROCESS

YEREVAN, MARCH 18. ARMINFO. The OSCE Minsk Group Fact-Finding Mission
says in its conclusions from a visit to the territories controlled by
Nagorno Karabakh that although most settlers interview by the FFM
expressed a desire to return to the areas from which they fled it is
clear that the longer they remain in the controlled territories the
deeper their roots and attachments to their present places of
residence will become.

Prolonged continuation of this situation could leader to a fait
accompli that would seriously complicate the peace process.

In most areas examined except Lachin settlers were found living in
miserable and isolated conditions, In this respect their situation is
comparable to that of many persons dislocated by the conflict.
Considering also the appalling conditions of the refugees and IDPs on
the Azerbaijan side the situation in the occupied territories should
also be seen in humanitarian terms as an additional factor motivating
efforts to achieve a negotiated settlement., Prolonged lack of
resolution of the conflict hampers economic development and impedes
the possibility of improving living conditions for all its victims.

In conclusion the co-chairs appreciate the cooperation extended by the
governments of Azerbaijan and Armenia as well as by the NK authorities
before and during the work do the mission.

ROADWORKS ON `NORTH-SOUTH’ GO ON

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
18 March 05

During the telethon held by the all-Armenian fund `Hayastan’ in Los
Angeles and phonothon in a number of European countries last November
more than 11 million dollars was raised for the construction of the
highway `North – South’ in NKR. The construction of the backbone of
Artsakh was resumed at the beginning of this year, at several parts
simultaneously: Tsakuri – Hadrut 11.2 km, Kichan – Chldran 10.3 km and
Stepanakert (crossroad of Shushi) – Avetaranots – crossroad of
Sarushen 8.7 km. The construction of the mountainous parts of the road
brings about many problems. In this reference the road Stepanakert –
Sarushen is especially difficult. Road works are done by `Karavan’
Ltd. which also built the 14 km section of the road connecting
Sarushen and Karmir Shuka. Especially the mountainous road
Stepanakert – Avetaranots requires much effort. The huge rocks near
Zarun Bagh can be removed only through explosions. Moreover, during
the roadworks on the rocky edge of the gorge the traffic between
Stepanakert and the southern and southwestern areas of the republic
will be blocked. We had a talk with the president of `Karavan’
Ltd.Hakob Hakobian on the problems occurring during the construction
of the highway. `There are all the necessary conditions for finishing
work in time and even ahead of schedule. Another favourable condition
is that our builders gained very good experience working in the
mountain pass of Selim.’ He added that the company is equipped with
powerful machines which will enable working efficiently. The company
also owns two tarmac factories. Hakob Hakobian said there will be need
to involve in the roadworks several other companies specialized in
overcoming landslides, rocks. Arrangements were made with the company
`Bekor’ fromYerevan which will deal with explosions. The volume of
explosions will total 180 thousand cubic meters. The total sum of
money provided for the construction of this part of the road is 2
million 418 thousand drams, that is to say, there will be no financial
problems. Roadworks started a month and a half ago.

NIKOLAY BAGHDASSARIAN.
18-03-2005