Author: Chavushian

PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA ANNOUNCES STATE PROGRAM TO TEACH GEORGIAN TO ETHNIC MINORITIES

The Messenger, Georgia
Black Sea Press
July 19 2007

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has announced a state program
to teach Georgian to ethnic minorities residing in the countryside.

"We plan to train 100 representatives of ethnic minorities from
Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli in the Georgian language,
and have them study at Georgian institutions of higher education,"
Saakashvili said.

Many ethnic Armenians and Azerbaijanis reside in these regions, and
many do not know the state language. This bars them from working in
most places.

Saakashvili then went on to say, "It’s not their fault that they
can’t speak Georgian. However, it’s our job to remove the language
barrier so that they can succeed."

PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

July 19, 2007
___________________

JAMES KALUSTIAN DEDICATES RENOVATION IN ETCHMIADZIN TO HIS PARENTS

On Saturday, June 30, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the opening ceremonies of the
newly renovated Guest House of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Originally built in 1978, the three-story building recently underwent a
major renovation sponsored by Diocesan Council Treasurer James Kalustian,
who funded the project in honor of his parents, Mardiros and Mariam
Kalustian.

The Kalustian family, along with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), members of the Diocesan
Council, and other supporters were in Armenia for the opening. During the
ceremony, the Catholicos presented James Kalustian with the highest award of
the Armenian Church, the Order of Saint Gregory the Illuminator and the St.
Gregory Medal.

HOME FOR VISITORS

The Guest House, also known as Vanatun, was built in 1978 through the
generousity of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and has been used since as
a home for visiting Armenian clergy and ecumenical delegations.

Kalustian sponsored the renovation of the three-story building as a way to
honor the importance his faith has played in his life.

"I have been blessed in so many ways, not the least of which has been the
important role our Church has played in my life," he said. "I wanted to
give back and say ‘thank you’ in some small way."

Restoring and improving the Vanatun was an important project, Kalustian
said, because it serves as a representative of the Armenian Church to
visiting dignitaries and clergymen.

"I felt that it was important for the Mother See of our beloved Church and
our people to be seen in the best possible light," he said. "In some small
way, this project represents to visitors the progress that is being made in
the rebirth of the Church in Armenia."

HONORING HIS PARENTS

Kalustian sponsored the project in honor of his parents, Mardiros and Mariam
Kalustian, who proudly attended the opening ceremony alongside their son.
It was the couple’s first trip to Armenia.

Kalustian said he received so much support and direction from his parents,
who have been strong supporters of the Church themselves, and this project
was a way for him to thank them for their years of guidance.

"My parents never pushed me or forced me to be involved in the Church," he
said. "They did afford me many opportunities to get interested and involved
and then they encouraged me to stay involved. I think the best analogy I
can come up with is that they planted the seeds of faith and love — for
both our people and Church. They then allowed the arms of the Church to
nurture and grow those seeds."

MEDAL OF DISTINCTION

During the opening ceremony of the Vanatun, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presented Kalustian with the St.
Gregory Medal, the highest award the Church presents to lay leaders.

"It was a humbling experience to say the least," Kalustian said of the
honor. "I never feel that recognition is warranted when we choose to serve
our Church and people. It is a privilege for which I am very grateful. I
only pray that I learn to be worthy."

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, who attended
the ceremony, said Kalustian was indeed a worthy recipient of the accolades,
not just for his financial support of the Church but for his time and
energy.

"Jim Kalustian and his life of service to the Armenian Church community is
an example of the power of parents in shaping their children. He comes from
a family that is respectful and supportive of our faith and heritage, and he
has chosen to live the life of stewardship," the Primate said. "I am
grateful to have him on the Diocesan Council, where his continued support
and guidance has been a true benefit to the entire Diocese. He is, indeed,
truly worth of such an honor."

— 7/19/07

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

PHOTO CAPTION (1): His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, and James Kalustian, joined by his parents
Mardiros and Mariam, cut the ribbon of the newly renovated Guest House at
the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, during a celebration on Saturday, June
30.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Catholicos Karekin II presents the St. Gregory medal to
Diocesan Council Treasurer James Kalustian in honor of his years of service
to the Armenian Church.

IF TURKEY WISHES, IT CAN JOIN EURO-MEDITERRANEAN PARTNERSHIP, BUT NOT EU

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.07.2007 14:18 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ France offers to form an ad hoc committee of
experts on issues concerning borders of the European Union. Moreover,
position of official Paris on Turkey’s membership in the EU has not
changed, French State Secretary on European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet
stated. He said, Paris offers to form an ad hoc committee of experts
on the level of the European Union. Solution of issues concerning EU
borders will be the main task of the committee.

At the same time Jouyet excluded the possibility that official Paris
will change its policy towards Turkey’s membership in the EU. "Our
stance towards Ankara has not changed. We have already made concessions
to include technical articles in the membership talks.

France on no account is trying to create additional obstacles for the
Turkish State in his way to the European Union. However, the issue
of Turkey’s membership will be discussed only when the country will
be ready for it," Jouyet underlined.

He also noted, if Turkey wishes, it can join the Euro-Mediterranean
Partnership, but not the EU. "If Turkey is interested in this project,
let it acquaint himself with membership conditions. However, it is not
an alternative for EU membership," the French State Secretary added,
Deutsche Welle reports.

RUSSIAN LAWYER WHO ALLEGED PHONE BUGGING LEAVES FOR OVERSEAS

Agence France Presse — English
July 17, 2007 Tuesday 5:22 PM GMT

A Russian lawyer who is being tried for revealing state secrets after
claiming that his client’s phone was tapped by the secret service,
said Tuesday he was in hiding abroad.

"I would have liked to say where I am but the people with whom I am
in contact and who helped me are scared," Boris Kutznetsov was quoted
as saying by the Ria-Novosti news agency.

The Russian judiciary on July 11 gave the green light for proceedings
against the lawyer, who said that the secret services had tapped
the phones of his client — Armenian-born former senator Levon
Chakhmakhchian.

The lawyer argues that rights violations cannot be hidden under the
guise of being state secrets.

AAA URGES CONGRESS TO PRESS ON BAKU TO INVESTIGATE FACTS OF DESTROYING ARMENIAN MONUMENTS

PanARMENIAN.Net
16.07.2007 13:32 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) expressed
serious concerns over Azerbaijan’s attempts to restrict basic rights
and freedoms for minorities and called on Congress to urge Baku
to thoroughly investigate the deliberate destruction of Armenian
headstones in the medieval cemetery of Old Julfa (Nakhichevan)
in 2005. In its statement submitted for a House Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee hearing, the AAA condemns Azerbaijan’s unwillingness to
develop civil society based on legal norms. "This regime has fostered
an atmosphere of intolerance for free speech and free press by
regularly resorting to violence and arbitrary judicial practices. It
also restricts the most basic rights and freedoms of its citizens,
including those of ethnic and religious minorities, in particular
members of the Armenian minority, who are routinely harassed and
intimidated," the Assembly stated in its testimony. Turning to
Azerbaijan’s military expenditures, the Assembly highlighted that the
country is one of the world’s most rapidly militarizing regimes, having
increased its spending from $141 million to $900 million in the past
three years. "We remain concerned that the rapid military escalation by
Azerbaijan not only poses a threat to democratic development and human
rights, but also to regional stability and security. We therefore,
urge this Subcommittee and Congress to implement policy measures that
will bring about a de-escalation of tensions in the region, as well
as foster greater respect for human rights," says the AAA statement
passed to the PanARMENIAN.Net.

Jennifer L. Windsor, executive director of Freedom House stated that
the Azeri regime has been able to effectively utilize its enormous
petrol wealth to further consolidate its control over society:
"Azerbaijan as a hydrocarbon-dependent quasi-dynasty".

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

Armenian version: nian.htm

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I AND HIS HOLINESS PAULOS ARRIVE IN CAIRO

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, and Patriarch
Abune Paulos of the Church of Ethiopia arrived in Cairo on July 13.
Patriarch Paulos was accompanied by a delegation of ten bishops. His
Holiness Aram I’s delegation included Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical
Officer, V. Rev. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer and philanthropist
Gabriel Chemberdjian.

A delegation of Bishops and secular representatives from the Coptic Church
welcomed the two spiritual leaders at the airport. After a short break in
the VIP hall they headed to the guest house of the Coptic Patriarchate.
Patriarch Shenouda III, who was in medical care in the United States, had
arrived a day before to attend the reconciliation meeting between the Coptic
and Ethiopian Churches.

Surrounded with Bishops, Patriarch Shenouda III greeted Catholicos Aram I
and Patriarch Paulos. After a short brotherly meeting, a public reception in
honor of the spiritual leaders was held in the Patriarchate’s large yard,
which was decorated with huge images of the three spiritual leaders and
words of welcome.

##

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

ARMENIA WAS LEFT OUT AGAIN

A1+
[08:41 pm] 12 July, 2007

A group of geodesists and platters began the preparatory works of
constructing Kars-Akhalkalaki-Baku railway at about 07.00 a.m. in
Kartsakh, on the border line of Georgia and Turkey.

According to Javakhq-info geodesists work in four-five groups.

As our sources inform, the preparatory works will last one month.

FATTOUCH INVESTMENT HAS NO PLANS TO SELL VIVACELL NETWORK

hp?article_id=18702&email=html
Friday, 13 July 2007

The owner of Karabakh Telecom (K-Telecom’s) Lebanese parent company,
the Fattouch Investment Group, says it has no intention of exiting the
Armenian telecoms market, scotching an earlier press rumour suggesting
that Russia’s largest mobile operator MTS had offered to purchase
the company’s VivaCell mobile network. In a meeting held yesterday
to celebrate the second anniversary of VivaCell’s launch, Pierre
Fattouch said the Lebanese group had already invested about USD340
million in its Armenian wireless network and had plans to further
expand its operations in the country. Fattouch also revealed that
VivaCell has broken the one-million barrier for mobile subscribers,
giving it a commanding 70% share of the local wireless market. ‘The
one million is just the beginning and we are actively expanding our
network to a capacity of 1.5 million subscribers as well as preparing
the launch of third-generation services,’ he said.

According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms database, Armenia’s second
mobile network operator K-Telecom entered the market on 1 July 2005
when it launched commercial GSM-900/1800 services under the trademark
VivaCell.

K-Telecom was licensed by the Armenian government on 4 November 2004,
with the state issuing no official explanation as to why it awarded
the USD7 million wireless concession without a competitive tender. The
arrival of competition led to an explosion in mobile phone use in
the country as fierce competition between ArmenTel and VivaCell
dramatically reduced the hitherto high cost of mobile services.

THREE TOURS COMPLETED IN LAKE SEVAN INTERNATIONAL CHESS TOURNAMENT

Noyan Tapan
Jul 09 2007

MARTUNI, JULY 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The 3rd tour’s games were held on July
8, in the Lake Sevan international chess tournament being held in
Martuni. Yuri Vovk (Ukraine) has gained 2.5 out of 3 possible points,
he is in the lead.

Ji En Gopal (India) has 3 points, Bartolomey Macheya (Poland) 2 points,
and Avetik Grigorian, Hrant Melkonian, Arman Pashikian (Armenia),
and David Haroutiunian (Georgia) 1.5 points each.

HSBC Bank Armenia Secures Highest Level of Assets on July 1 2007

arminfo
2007-07-06 17:58:00

HSBC Bank Armenia secures the highest level of assets – 80.995 bln AMD
or $237.6 mln – as of July 1 2007, HSBC Bank Armenia told Arminfo. The
indicator grew by 13.3% as compared to the same period of 2006 and by
1% over the first half of 2007.

The source reports that the total capital of the bank was increased to
9.368 bln AMD ($27.5 mln) on July 1 2007. The growth over the first
half of 2007 was 29.8% and 29% as compared to the same period of 2006.
HSBC Bank Armenia liabilities decreased by 1.9% over the first half of
2007 and by 11.5% as compared to the same period of 2006 and amounted
to 71.627 bln AMD or $210.1mln or $210.1 mln.

According to the data of the Ranking of Commercial Banks of Armenia
prepared by the Agency of Rating Marketing Information (ArmInfo), HSBC
Bank Armenia Assets totaled $221.6 mln on April 1 2007 (the 1st
position in the banking system of Armenia), liabilities totaled $198.6
mln (the 1st position), and total capital amounted to $22.9 mln (the 5t
position).