Author: Chavushian

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
Email: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

MAY 29, 2008

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN DEPARTS FOR LEBANON
Archbishop Oshagan is leaving tonight on his journey to Lebanon where he
will participate in the meeting of the Brotherhood of the Holy See of
Cilicia, June 5-6, and in the Blessing of the Holy Muron on Saturday, June
7.

CATHOLICOS ARAM I CONGRATULATES
NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF LEBANON
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, expressed
his warm words of congratulations to the newly elected president of Lebanon,
General Michel Suleiman, during a telephone conversation with the President
on May 27. The Pontiff noted that taking on this responsibility at this
critical time is a great challenge. He expressed the hope that the new
President would succeed in opening a new page of understanding between the
Lebanese communities, as well as development and progress throughout the
country. His Holiness offered his full support and endorsement.

TEACHERS CONFERENCE IN ANTELIAS THIS SUMMER
A conference of teachers of Armenian language, history and religion will
convene at the Catholicosate of Cilicia Antelias from July 17 to 19. The
Armenian school, with its mission of formation-both of people and
Armenians-is one of the important fields of the Catholicosate’s mission.
With this in mind, His Holiness Aram I continues organizing initiatives in
cooperation with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation’s Armenian Department,
that bring to the forefront issues related to Armenian education.
It is in this context that the conference of Armenian history, language
and religion teachers will be convened as a follow-up to the pan-Diaspora
conference that took place four years ago. The conference will discuss
language, methodology, teachers, textbooks, curriculum, and other related
areas of concern. Educators throughout the Diaspora are expected to
participate.

TRUSTEES OF PASHALIAN FUND MEET;
2008 GRANTS ANNOUNCED
The trustees of the Pashalian Family Scholarship Fund met last month at
the Prelacy offices in New York to discuss the annual grants. Since its
founding in 1991, the Fund has allocated more than $75,000 to educational
institutions in accordance with the parameters of the Fund.
The 2008 grants are as follows: St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School
(Woodside, NY), $2,500; St. Sarkis Suzanne and Hovsep Hagopian School
(Douglaston, NY), $1,000; St. Gregory of Datev Institute, $1,000; Siamanto
Academy, $1,000; Armenian Sisters Academy (Radnor, PA), $500; Hovnanian
School (New Milford, NJ), $500; St. Stephen’s Elementary School (Watertown,
MA), $500.
Pashalian Fund trustees are: Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, President;
Gloria Tarsy, George Dermksian, MD, and Michael Derian. For more information
click here.

MAJOR RENOVATION UNDERWAY AT ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL
Major renovation of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City has
begun. Until the renovation is completed the Divine Liturgy will be offered
every Sunday at 10:40 a.m. at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Street,
Woodside, New York.

SUMMER CAMP AT ST. SARKIS
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, will once again have a summer
camp for children from age 5 to 12. The camp will take place at the church
facilities from Monday, July 7 to Friday, July 18, from 10 am to 3 pm.
Registration must be completed by June 8. The program includes arts and
crafts, music, dance, prayer, Armenian language and history, introduction to
the Bible, sports, games..and more. See calendar of events below for more
details.

YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
designated the year 2008 as the "Year of Christian Education."
To read His Holiness’ message in Armenian click here.
To read His Holiness’ message in English click here.

"STILL ROOM AT THE INN," FOR 2008 DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM
"There’s still room at the inn," says Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of
the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), about the 22nd annual St.
Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program, for youth ages 13-18. So, if you
have not yet registered for this popular program, do it right now. Sponsored
by AREC, the program will take place at St. Mary of Providence Center in
Elverson, Pennsylvania, June 29 to July 6, 2008. By popular demand, this
year the Institute will extend the Summer Program by a weekend retreat
(optional) June 27-29. For details click here.

PAN-DIASPORA YOUTH CONFERENCE
A pan-Diaspora youth conference will take place in Antelias, Lebanon, on
August 14-16. Under the theme, "The Armenian youth face the challenges of
the 21st century," the conference will feature lectures, and round table and
group discussions. More than 100 youth from the various dioceses within the
Catholicosate of Cilicia will participate.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, May 29, are: Proverbs 6:1-5; Isaiah
33:5-8; Romans 8:18-27; Luke 21:12-19.
The Lord is exalted, he dwells on high; he filled Zion with justice and
righteousness; he will be the stability of your times, abundance of
salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.
Listen! The valiant cry in the streets; the envoys of peace weep bitterly.
The highways are deserted, travelers have quit the road. The treaty is
broken, its oaths are despised, its obligation is disregarded. Isaiah
33:5-8
For listing of the week’s Bible readings click here.

ST. NERSES THE GREAT
This Saturday, May 31, the Armenian Church commemorates St. Nerses the
Great, who is remembered for his many benevolent accomplishments. Perhaps
one of his greatest was the Council of Ashdishad (364) where canons were
drawn up concerning the sanctity of family life, improvement of social
conditions, establishment of various social institutions such as hospitals
and inns for pilgrims, and the establishment of monasteries and convents.
St. Nerses truly fulfilled the words of our Lord as recorded in the
Gospel of Matthew: "I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you
gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was
naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in
prison and you visited me."
In the 1990s, the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian did not hesitate a
moment in his decision to name the Prelacy’s charitable agency in Armenia
"Saint Nerses the Great Charitable Organization," in honor of the saint
whose deeds to improve the condition of the common people earned him the
honorific, "Great," by a grateful nation.

CONSTANTINE AND HIS MOTHER HELENA
Next Tuesday, June 3, the Armenian Church remembers Constantine the
Great and his mother, Helena. Constantine was the first Christian emperor of
Rome. In 330 he founded Constantinople as a second Rome and considered
himself to be a servant of God. He was buried amid the apostles in the
basilica he founded in their honor in Constantinople. Helena followed her
son, becoming a Christian and devoting her life to charitable work. She
built many churches and monasteries and is believed to have been
instrumental in the recovery of the true cross.

READING OF NEW PLAY SET FOR JUNE 16
Award winning writer, actor and producer Nora Armani and Pemart are
hosting a reading of Richard Kalinoski’s new play, A Crooked Man, on June
16, 7 pm at the Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street, New York City. In his
new dramatic play, Richard Kalinoski, who wrote the acclaimed Beast on the
Moon, brings to the stage the fictional story of Armenian Genocide survivor,
Hagop Hagopian. Hagopian, a revered elder of the Armenian community, had in
the past tracked down and executed the Turkish leader, Mehmet Pasha, the man
he believed was responsible for master-minding the Armenian Genocide of
1915. Much like the real life figure, Soghomon Telirian, Hagopian is
acquitted. Now in his late 80s, Hagopian must confront the past through the
eyes of his grandson. What follows is a clash of cultures and generations.
The reading on June 16 will be preceded by a wine reception and will be
followed by a "Dollars and Sense" panel with invited prominent Broadway and
Off-Broadway producers to discuss the best course for the play towards a
full production in New York and other regions.

FROM THE BOOKSTORE THIS WEEK..

SOJOURN AT ARARAT, Armenian poetry performance in English, created and
performed by Nora Armani and Gerald Papasian. Hailed by critics, this
performance is described as "a spirited and spiritual journey." The history
of the Armenian people is revealed through its sublime poetry in this simple
love story. 59-minute CD, $20.00, plus shipping and handling.

ON THE COUCH WITH NORA ARMANI, written and performed by Nora Armani. With
humor and nostalgia, Nora takes us back to the Bosporus and Istanbul, to
pre-1915 Anatolian summers, Alexandria and its ports, Nasser’s
post-revolution Egypt, Hollywood and its follies.a true diaspora story! 68
minute DVD, $20, plus shipping and handling.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND OTHER ITEMS AT THE BOOKSTORE VISIT THE
PRELACY’S WEB SITE () OR CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY
EMAIL ([email protected]) OR BY TELEPHONE (212-689-7810).

WHERE GOD DESCENDED
The May issue of One magazine, published by the Catholic Near East
Welfare Association, has a nice article about Etchmiadzin, described as the
"world’s oldest cathedral." Titled, "Where God Descended," the article,
written by Paul Rimple, describes the "daunting challenges as the church
struggles to redefine itself in this resource poor and geopolitically
fragile country." To read the article go to and then click on
"One Magazine."

TIMELY ARRIVAL OF CROSSROADS
During the past month we have heard from a number of our readers that
they have not been receiving Crossroads regularly. We are checking for any
possible problems at our end. We again ask all of our readers to enter
[email protected] in your address books so that your computer will
recognize Crossroads as friendly and safe. Please continue to inform us of
any problems.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 3-5-World General Assembly of the Catholicosate of the Great House of
Cilicia, which was scheduled to convene in Antelias, Lebanon has been
postponed and will take place in the autumn.

June 7-Blessing of Holy Muron in Antelias, Lebanon. Click here for details.

June 11-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Young Adults Bible Study
Group’s 2nd Annual Open House. 7:30 pm. Join the fellowship and camaraderie
and bring your friends. Refreshments, food and music. For information
718-224-2275.

June 24-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, 5th annual Golf Outing,
Juniper Hill Golf Course, Northboro, Massachusetts. For information
508-852-2414.

June 27 to July 6-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, Summer Christian Studies
Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council. For
more information click here.

July 7 to July 18-Summer Camp at St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New
York. For children age 5 to 12. 10 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday, lunch and
snack included. Minimum donation is $150. Summer camp is sponsored by Mr. &
Mrs. Antranig and Marion Boudakian. Registration deadline is June 8. For
information contact the church office, 718-224-2275.

June 22-St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, Anniversary
Celebration, under auspices of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. Special program
and exhibit dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy’s affiliation
with the Holy See of Cilicia. For reservations contact the church office,
718-224-2275.

June 22-St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, Divine Liturgy, Luncheon
and Program dedicated to Father’s Day. Organized by the Cathedral’s Ladies
Guild. Mardo Anastasian will be honored as Father of the Year. Information
and reservations: 212-689-5880.

July 19-"A Hye Summer Night 3," dance hosted by Ladies’ Guild of Sts.
Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode Island. For details
401-434-4467.

August 3-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Blessing of the
Grapes picnic. Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, noon to 6 pm, rain or
shine.

August 10-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. Annual
picnic on church grounds. Free admission; free parking.

August 17-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, annual church
picnic and blessing of the grapes at Dunkerhook Park, Pavilion D, Paramus,
NJ. For information 201-943-2950.

September 14-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Celebration of
the Holy Cross and Madagh. For information 201-943-2950.

September 21-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, annual
church banquet. Details to follow.

September 25-Sixth annual golf outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For information contact Richard Krikorian 201-784-2236 or church office
201-943-2950.

September 26-28-National Youth Conference at Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

September 29-30-Clergy conference at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

October 21, November 1 and 2-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.

October 25-Gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America under the jurisdiction of the Great
House of Cilicia and the 110th anniversary of the establishment of the
Armenian Church of America. Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New Jersey.
Details to follow.

November 21 and 22-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Fall Food Festival.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox, add
[email protected] to your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please credit
Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]

REAL OPPOSITION STILL TO BE CREATED
Lilit Poghosyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on May 28, 2008
Armenia

The activists of the pan-national movement, in the person Levon
Zourobyan – L. Ter-Petrosyan’s former spokesman, have recently
rejected the authorities’ proposal on taking part in the process of the
formation of a public chamber under the President. The excuses are the
same: no dialogue will be possible unless the "political prisoners"
are released. How to promote a "dialogue" between the authorities
and the opposition?

In response to our question, political scientist ALEXANDER ISKANDARYAN
touches upon this issue.

"I believe the opposition’s attitude is quite logical, considering that
the goal of the ‘big confrontation’ which started before the elections
and continued at least till March 1 was to win. In this case, mutual
concession and a dialogue with the authorities will actually mean to
admit one’s own defeat. If you intend to continue the struggle, you are
logically required not to recognize the victory of the opposite party.

The opposition announces that the elections were thoroughly falsified
and their candidate has de facto held victory. That’s to say, they
do not admit the legitimacy of Serge Sargsyan. The authorities in
turn insist that due to Mr. Ter-Petrosyan and his proponents, we are
dealing with a marginal minority whose activeness is conditioned by
the shadow effect of some foreign forces and the United States or
just by the desire of someone.

In both cases, one of the parties refuses to admit the other as
a political subject. So what negotiations, dialogue and mutual
concessions are possible if, by responding to the call for a dialogue
and starting negotiations with the opposite party, L. Ter-Petrosyan
will de facto confirm his own defeat, recognizing the legitimacy of
the current regime? That’s why he refused to make that step.

Correspondingly, when the authorities propose that L. Ter-Petrosyan
speak and have a dialogue with their representative, they thus say
to him, ‘recognize us, and we will recognize you as the opposition
leader’."

"What solution to the conflict between the authorities and the
opposition and what scenario of possible developments do you see in
such conditions?"

"L. Ter-Petrosyan receives support by people some of whom stand by
him with purely ideological considerations. But in comparison with
the majority, it was a union of some part of the electorate, a kind
of battering ram created with the purpose of crushing the existing
political system. That tool did not serve its purpose; the political
system weakened but it wasn’t crushed.

Two scenarios of developments are possible in this case. The tool
sooner or later rusts, goes out of order or diminishes, losing its
influence and becoming restricted to relatively small circles of
radical activists who are not widely supported by the public. Secondly,
the tool designed for one-time use is converted into a "club" envisaged
for a long-term use.

This is, of course, a very complicated issue which, in our reality,
is practically unfeasible. However, it’s quite possible that something
may come out of it, i.e. we may have a normal opposition which will
be capable of exercising its functions as a true opposition. As to
which scenario the developments will follow, it’s difficult to say
anything in this connection at the moment because the situation has
not yet been resolved, i.e. the process is not over yet. I believe a
serious conversation around the issue will be possible only in autumn.

L. Ter-Petrosyan is to make his speech in the near future and then,
the summer season will follow. Judging by all, one more attempt of
raising a new wave of protest will be initiated in autumn; it will
either succeed or a fail.

The inertia of pre-electoral and post-electoral confrontations is now
in process, and in this context, the attitude of L. Ter-Petrosyan
and his proponents is logical. That is, a dialogue may take place
only in case you release my proponents; thereafter, we will be able
to have a dialogue around extraordinary elections. This is the logic
of confrontations rather than consensus, and such logic has worked
in our reality since 1995."

"But agree with me that what happened after February 19 was impossible
to imagine even in the worst nightmares."

"Tragic as they were in terms of their consequences, the March 1
events do not essentially differ from the previous post-electoral
developments in political terms. In this case too, the defeated party
did not recognize the election results, and there were quite a lot
of people who appeared in the street, and the authorities resorted
to violence, having felt their weakness. The use of force by the
authorities is a sign of weakness; if the authorities had felt they
were strong enough they wouldn’t have had to resort to violence.

This, actually, is becoming a specific kind of political
tradition which has been accompanying elections since the times of
L. Ter-Petrosyan’s rule.

In our reality, the appearance of an X person (Vazgen Manoukyan, Arkadi
Vardanyan or Levon Ter-Petrosyan) prior to the elections results in an
‘explosion’; thereafter, everything returns to the same spot.

Society again finds itself in the ‘swamp’ where the authorities are
weak because they are not controlled by the opposition; and acting
on behalf of the opposition are groups of individuals who shout that
everything is bad, terrible, the criminal regime is undermining the
state and the like.

This is an obstacle to normal criticism and the accomplishment of
the same political system.

This is Armenia’s number 1 problem, and in order to solve it, is
necessary to create a normal opposition. How to do that? It should be
achieved through everyday painstaking work and permanent activeness vs.

severe criticism of the opponent and the rejection of the possibility
of a dialogue. What you do after the elections is much more important
than what you do before them. The important thing is the goal for the
sake which you come to power and not the fact of seizing power. Not
the individual, but rather, the program and ideology uniting his
co-thinkers are important.

There is such a party in Armenia. It is Dashnaktsutyun. Not having
outstanding leaders, the party has traditions, ideological principles
and hence – a relatively steady electorate which votes for the sake
of something and not against certain things; it supports certain
programs and ideas and not separate individuals.

As far as the Republican is concerned, by casting their vote in
favor of the party, the people vote in favor of the stability
and sustainability of the situation and against revolutionary
manifestations. If Armenia had 10 parties like Dashnaktsutyun it
would be possible to speak about a political system enabling society
to express its desires to a certain extent."

Serzh Sargsyan: Financial sector of Armenia will fail to achieve
desirable results unless the economic growth covers all the people
living in the country

2008-05-26 08:57:00

ArmInfo. The financial sector of Armenia will fail to achieve desirable
results unless the economic growth covers all the people living in the
country, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said during the 1st
financial-banking conference in Dilijan today.

"We all love Yerevan, but Armenia is not only Yerevan. We will not
develop unless we develop business in our regions and the financial
sector can help in the matter," Sargsyan said.

He complimented the Central Bank of Armenia for its work in Dilijan:
the construction of new building of Stock Exchange and a CB training
center.

Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan, Vice Chairman of the Central
Bank of Armenia Artur Javadyan and the heads of the key financial
institutions of Armenia took part in the conference.

The objective of the conference is to specify the key priorities of the
financial-banking system of Armenia and its role in the country’s
development programs.

ARMENIAN PREMIER APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR GENERAL OF ARMENIAN DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

ARKA
May 26, 2008

YEREVAN, May 26. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan
appointed Robert Harutyunyan as director general of Armenian
Development Agency CJSC, governmental press office reports.

This post became vacant after appointment of Tigran Davtyan as
finance minister.

Armenian Development Agency was established in 1998 by the Government.

The activity of this agency is mainly focused on spurring direct
investments in Armenia and expanding exportation.-0—

MEETINGS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA IN STRASBOURG

National Assembly of RA
May 23 2008
Armenia

The President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia
Mr Tigran Torosyan, being in Strasbourg within the framework of the
European Conference of Presidents of Parliaments, on May 22 met with
the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr Terry Davis.

Touching upon the events, which took place in Armenia at the beginning
of March, the NA President noted that they had a shocking influence on
all of us. From 1988 there have been numerous assemblies in Armenia,
but none of them had such outcome. The people’s discontent from
social situation could not be a reason for tragic events because
during the recent years it had been gradually improved, and from
January the pensions had been raised by 60%, the salaries had been
considerably increased.

The approach that the police applied force towards the peaceful
demonstrators was primitive. The shootings testify that there were not
only peaceful demonstrators, but also people armed with metallic rods
and "Molotov cocktails," grenades were used, shops were burgled and
destroyed up to a kilometer away from where the demonstrators were
assembled. The NA President highlighted the creation of the Ad-hoc
Committee of the National Assembly at the beginning of June, according
to the PACE 1609 resolution, and the studies to which should give
answers to other questions. The NA President said that in the National
Assembly a working group had already been set up in order to improve
the electoral process, as well as work was underway for the improvement
of the law On Radio and Television in order to define the procedure of
the election of the committee members of the national committee. It
was also noted that the draft law On Making Meetings, Assemblies,
Rallies and Demonstrations, which enjoyed the approval of the Venice
Commission, had been adopted in the first reading. And at the four-day
sittings in June the draft law would be adopted in the second reading,
being fully complied it with European standards. Touching upon the
PACE 1601 resolution, the NA President noted that the authorities
of the opposition had already been provided with the content of 21
clauses from 27 abovementioned. The 3-4 clauses would be created by the
amendment of the NA Rules of Procedure. Regarding the detained persons
the NA President noted that the following approach had been adopted:
everybody should be punished unreservedly, and nobody should be
persecuted for the expression of his/her political views or position.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Mr Terry Davis thanked
for the support and full information given to Ms Boer-Buquicchio
during her visit to Armenia. The CE Secretary General agreed that
those who committed grievous crime should be certainly punished, and
nobody should be persecuted for his/her political views. Mr Davis
welcomed the creation of the committee for the study of the March
events and at the same time noted that the committee could not become
the only responsible body regarding the disclosure of the reasons of
what happened. In particular, the investigation of the case by the
law enforcement bodies is very important, as well as disclosing the
reasons of the death of every victim and punishing those guilty. Mr
Davis also welcomed the other steps undertaken for the fulfillment
of the 1609 resolution.

Mr Tigran Torosyan also met with the President of the House of
Representatives of Cyprus Mr Marios Garoyian. The NA President
congratulated him on the occasion of his election to high post and
expressed confidence that the friendly and effective relations of
the two countries and parliaments had very good prospects of further
development. The NA President noted that besides the issues of
bilateral interest the Cyprus’ membership of the European Union had
opened new prospects for expanding cooperation. Moreover, that the
European integration is the priority of the foreign policy. In that
aspect, the study of the Cypriot experience was highlighted. Within the
framework of deepening the inter-parliamentary relations Mr Torosyan
invited his colleague from Cyprus to Armenia on an official visit.

The President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus Mr Marios
Garoyian expressed confidence that the constructive dialogue between
two countries would deepen. In his assessment, the two countries
have common concerns and interests. Mentioning about his Armenian
roots Mr Garoyian noted that they would assist to the development of
the relations.

At the meeting the sides also touched upon the cooperation in
international structures. The issue of the possibility of the
inter-party cooperation was also discussed. Accepting the invitation
of the NA President to visit Armenia Mr Garoyian noted that they would
gladly expect the President of the parliament of the friendly country.

During the meeting other issues of mutual interest were also discussed.

ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPING BRIGADE TO MEET NATO STANDARDS BY 2015

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.05.2008 17:58 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian peacekeeping brigade will meet NATO
standards by 2015, the RA Defense Minister said.

"The first step will be replenishment of the Armenian peaceful
contingent in Kosovo. As result of the transfer of the mandate from
UN to NATO, some countries, including Azerbaijan, withdrew troops from
the region. However, this will not influence of Armenia’s decisions,"
Seyran Ohanyan said.

Presently, the number of Armenian blue berets in Kosovo reaches 34. An
extra rifle regiment is awaiting dispatch.

Minister Ohanyan reminded that the Armenian peacekeepers have been
numerously praised for their efficient service. "Pursuing a peaceful
policy on Karabakh, Armenia strengthens its peacekeeping contingent,"
Minister Ohanyan said, Novosti Armenia reports

2 RA NA MPs AS WELL TO OBSERVE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS OF GEORGIA

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 19, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Volodia Badalian and Armen Purtoyan,
members of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) faction of the
RA National Assembly, will implement monitoring mission in the
parliamentary elections to be held in Georgia on May 21. This
information was provided to a Noyan Tapan correspondent by Tigran
Torosian, the Speaker of the RA National Assembly.

The above-mentioned two MPs will not be included in the staff of the
monitoring mission of any international organization. According to
Tigran Torosian, the RA National Assembly has preferred to respond
to the invitation of Nino Burjanadze, the Speaker of the Parliament
of Georgia, on sending its representatives.

GENOCIDE TEXT PULLED FROM HIGH SCHOOL READING LIST

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 19, 2008

TORONTO, MAY 19, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. A text about genocide
has been pulled from the recommended reading list of a new Toronto
public school course because of objections from the Turkish-Canadian
community, the author says. Barbara Coloroso’s Extraordinary Evil:
A Brief History of Genocide was originally part of a resource list for
the Grade 11 history course, Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity. The
book examines the Holocaust, which exterminated six million Jews in
the Second World War; the Rwandan slaughter of nearly one million
Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 1994, and the massacres of more than a
million Armenians in 1895, 1909 and 1915. But a committee struck to
review the course decided in late April to remove the book because
"a concern was raised regarding its appropriateness". The Committee
determined this might be included in a course on the social psychology
of genocide because of her posited thesis that genocide is merely
"the extreme extension of bullying".

THE BANKER: HSBC BANK ARMENIA BEST BANK OF ARMENIA 2007

ARKA
May 16, 2008

YEREVAN, May 16. /ARKA/. "The Banker" magazine recognized HSBC Bank
Armenia the Bank of the Year in Armenia in 2007.

HSBC Bank Armenia showed considerable growth in all business spheres
in the period: its net profit grew by 38.5% (up to $8.7mln) and assets
increased by 38.9% (up to $220.8mln), the bank’s press service reports.

The Banker points out that the bank has the largest amount of attracted
deposits and assets.

According to the report, HSBC Bank Armenia has intensified commercial
lending, particularly consumer loans, car loans and mortgage. In
2006-2007 the bank started offering new services – credit cards,
renewable credit lines, and etc.

HSBC Bank Armenia closed joint stock company – a daughter bank of HSBC
Banl plc – was registered on September 25 1995. HSBC Bank plc owns 70%
of the shares of HSBC Bank Armenia with the remaining 30% belonging
to foreign Armenian investors. The bank has 10 branches in Yerevan.

Currently HSBC Bank Armenia is among the leaders in terms of basic
indicators of banking activities. Particularly, the bank ranks fourth
in terms of the total capital by the end of the first quarter, second
– in terms of assets and the third in terms of credits extended and
other borrowings. As regards deposits attracted from individuals and
legal entities the bank is the leader among other banks and ranks first
also in terms of retained balance income on the capital account. The
bank ranks third in terms of profit.

The bank’s assets had totaled 101.1bln drams and the banks’ capital
had totaled 12.6bln drams by March 31. The bank’s profit was 841.3mln
drams in the first quarter and the balance profit was 9.6bln drams
on the capital account. ($1=307.58drams).

RUSSIA’S MEGAFON RULES OUT ARMENIAN EXPANSION
by Michael Lacquiere

World Markets Research Center
Global Insight
May 16, 2008

Russia’s third-largest mobile operator, MegaFon, has indicated that
it has no plans to expand into the Armenian market, according to
company representative Tatyana Zvereva, as quoted inARKA. Armenia’s
existing two mobile operators, Armentel and VivaCell, are owned by
MegaFon’s two Russian rivals, VimpelCom and Mobile TeleSystems (MTS)
respectively. A third GSM licence in Armenia is due to be issued this
year at a starting price of 10 million euro ($15US.5 million).

Significance:With its ownership structure now becoming clearer,
MegaFon is beginning to outline its long-term strategic plans, which
appear to include a possible initial public offering (IPO), as well as
entry into the Iranian mobile market (seeRussia: 14 May 2008:and13
May 2008:). Unlike MTS and VimpelCom, MegaFon has opted against
expansion across the CIS region, with Tajikistan the only country in
which it has a presence beyond Russia. While the investment of MTS and
VimpelCom has helped to stimulate subscriber uptake in Armenia, mobile
penetration in the country remains fairly low and a third operator
would therefore have a reasonable chance of establishing itself.