Author: Chmshkian Vicken

ARMENIANS FOR OBAMA ACTIVISTS RALLY SUPPORT IN NEVADA

armradio.am
03.10.2008 11:13

Glendale area Armenians for Obama volunteers, working with the Obama
campaign "sister-state" outreach efforts, shored up support for the
Obama-Biden ticket in neighboring Nevada last Saturday – a critical
piece of the 2008 electoral map in the race for the Presidency of
the United States.

"Armenians for Obama volunteers have spent hours upon hours reaching
out to voters in Nevada and other swing states making the case for
Senator Obama.

Working closely with the Obama campaign has not only allowed volunteers
to get a real taste of presidential politics, but has also proven
to be an effective training grounds for broader Armenian community
engagement in the American political process," said Areen Ibranossian,
Chair of Armenians for Obama.

Following last Friday’s Presidential debate at Ol’ Miss, the race
headed into its final 5 weeks with Barack Obama showing an increasing
lead in national polling. As both candidates continue to make their
case to the American people, Armenians for Obama volunteers have
ramped up efforts in battleground states to ensure Armenian Americans
understand the fundamental differences between the two presidential
candidates.

"Senator Obama is the only candidate in the race to reach out to
our community in a meaningful manner and to express his commitment
to Armenian Genocide recognition, self-determination for th e people
of Nagorno-Karabakh, and aid to Armenia," explained Ibranossian.

"Senator McCain is opposed to all of those things, as we saw in
his superficial statements released just this week. The choice for
Armenian-Americans is clear: Barack Obama for President."

Obama for President campaign coordinators in the 29th Congressional
District praised Armenian American participation in local efforts. "The
Obama Campaign is about people from different backgrounds coming
together and taking ownership of the campaign to create change that
will benefit all Americans. We are happy to see so much community
involvement, as the campaign is powered by grassroots volunteers" said
Patrick O’Connor, Regional Field Organizer for the 29th Congressional
District.

LOCAL ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA SHOW THAT LOCAL DEMOCRACY NEEDS FURTHER TANGIBLE CONSOLIDATION

Panorama.am
19:28 29/09/2008

Congress delegation, headed by Ms Véronique Moreira (France, NR),
arrived in Yerevan on Wednesday last and conducted a number of key
meetings with representatives of institutional bodies, political
parties, NGOs and media.

Subsequently, observers deployed to all electoral districts in Yerevan
and visited some 100 polling stations.

Council of Europe observers, at yesterday’s local elections in Yerevan,
are worried that lack of transparency, and tensions at a number of
locations overshadow the continuing development of local democracy
in Armenia.

On the one hand, observers noted that low participation in areas
where there was an election for the Community Council underscores
low interest among voters in local government affairs.

On the other hand, in areas where there was a perceived high
political stake, irregularities, frequently reported tensions
in polling stations and disproportionately high turn-out in some
instances give the impression that political democratic culture in
Armenia need further buttressing.

Amidst reports conveyed to them of transporting voters from a
locality to another and of bribery, they themselves observed a lack
of transparency in both voting and counting procedures.

During the Autumn Session of Congress (December 2008) Mr Paolo Rondelli
(San Marino, SOC), Rapporteur, will present all the findings of
the mission.

The Congress encourages the Armenian authorities to take advantage
of its recommendations, particularly with a view to the tangible
consolidation of local democracy in the country.

Members of the delegation: РMs V̩ronique Moreira, Congress (France,
NR) – Head of delegation – Mr Paolo Rondelli, Congress (San Marino,
SOC) – Rapporteur – Mr Joe Conway, Congress (Ireland, ILDG) – Mr
Mihkel Juhkami, Congress (Estonia, EPP/CD) – Mr Dobrica Milovanovic,
Congress (Serbia, NR) – Ms Dominique Ronga, Congress (France, SOC) – Mr
Uldis Rozenbergs, Congress (Latvia, EPP/CD) Congress Secretariat – Mrs
Antonella Cagnolati, Director – Mr Michel Rivollier, Project Manager
РMs G̦nul Kocak, Secretariat Press contacts: Dmitri Marchenkov,
Communication Unit, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of
the Council of Europe Tel. +33 (0)3 88 41 32 81 ; Fax+33 (0)3 88 41
27 51 ; [email protected] ;

–Boundary_(ID_t6HelCuf2k8rW 0NAsT85bw)–

GUL ASKS FOR BAN’S SUPPORT FOR TURKEY’S CAUCASUS PROJECT

worldbulletin.net
Saturday, 27 September 2008 09:57
Turkey

Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul had a meeting with UN Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon and discussed the situation in the Caucasus and
the Cyprus problem, a spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

The Turkish president met the secretary general of the United Nations
(UN) in New York on Friday.

Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul had a meeting with UN Secretary
General Ban Ki-moon and discussed the situation in the Caucasus and
the Cyprus problem, a spokesman of the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

Spokesman Burak Ozugergin said Gul asked for Ki-moon’s support for
a platform for cooperation and stability in the Caucasus.

Gul told Ban Ki-moon that his visit to Armenia was positive, and it
would improve not only Turkish-Armenian relations but also create a
new climate in the region.

President Gul also said that he visited Azerbaijan immediately after
his trip to Armenia, and thus established a balance.

During the meeting, Ban said the UN was supporting Cyprus negotiation
process.

President Gul also met Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on the sidelines
of the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly.

Talabani reiterated his invitation to Gul, and Gul told him that he
would visit Iraq.

President Gul congratulated Talabani for the provincial election
law passed by the Iraqi parliament, and said that this was an
indicator that active groups in Iraq wanted to reach a compromise
among themselves.

Gul later participated in a reception hosted by Tajik President
Emomali Rahmon.

September 25, 2008
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

YOUTH GATHERING AND DIVINE LITURGY AT THE PRELACY

Under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, a youth gathering has been organized at the Prelacy "Dikran and
Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall on Saturday, October 4th, at 4:00 p.m. During
the gathering, the 11 youth who participated in the Youth Conference at the
Catholicosate of Cilicia last month will report on their experiences and
thoughts on the conference.
At 6:00 p.m., the youth will participate in Divine Liturgy at the
"St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen" Chapel. Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian will
celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon.

PRELATE TO ATTEND AEF CELEBRATION LUNCHEON

On the afternoon of Sunday, September 28th, the celebration luncheon
of the Armenian Educational Foundation will take place at the Roof Garden of
the Sheraton Universal Hotel, during which Mr. Vartkes Yeghiayan will be
honored with the AEF Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Prelate will attend and deliver the invocation.

PRELATE TO ATTEND HOMENETMEN "ARARAT" CHAPTER 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Homenetmen "Ararat" Chapter of Glendale will celebrate its 30th
anniversary on the evening of Sunday, September 28th, at the Hall of Liberty
of Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn.
The Prelate will be in attendance and will deliver the invocation.

"YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION" LECTURE

The third lecture in the "Year of Christian Education" series took
place under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
on the evening of Tuesday, September 23rd, at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.
The lecture was the first of a three part series titled "Christian Education
in Family, School, Social, and Community Life", and was presented by
Christian Education Department Co-Director Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian.
The second and third lectures in this series will take place on October 1st
and October 8th respectively.
Following the opening prayer by the Prelate and clergy members,
Master of Ceremonies Mrs. Tamar Tufenkian-Seraydarian welcomed the guests
and reflected on the message of H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia in declaring 2008 to be the "Year of Christian Education",
emphasizing that the Armenian Church, school, and family are all vital to
the proper development of our youth. Mrs. Seraydarian then invited Fr.
Muron to present his lecture.
Fr. Muron began his lecture by speaking on the bases that comprise
the overall mission of the Church, with Christian Education as the heart of
that mission. Referencing Biblical passages and the message of His
Holiness, Fr. Muron went on to speak of the different stages in the
development and rearing of children, and of the great responsibility of
parents, and especially of mothers, to provide the right instruction
starting at a very young age. Stressing that spiritual nourishment is just
as vital as physical growth and nourishment, Fr. Muron presented a number of
prayers that can be recited at different times of the day and in different
circumstances to assist parents in the religious instruction of their
children. He concluded by reminding the faithful that the first true
Christian family was the earthly parents of Jesus Christ, Joseph and Mary,
calling on each and every Christian family to hold as their ideal the family
of Jesus Christ.
The program also included an artistic portion in which high school
students from Rose and Alex Pilibos School participated with songs and
recitations.
In his closing remarks the Prelate first commended Fr. Muron, Mrs.
Seraydarian, and the students for their participation. The Prelate
emphasized the value of Christian Education and of living a Christian-based
life, which entails that one be God-fearing and follow in the path of
righteousness by living in accordance with the commandments set forth by
Jesus Christ. The Prelate then spoke of the family-church-school
connection, while stressing the individual role of each, and concluded by
noting the unique contributions of our clergy, parents, educators, and
community leaders in the instruction of our youth with our Christian and
Armenian values and traditions, and the importance of mutual cooperation
among all three towards this purpose.
The program came to a close with the benediction by the Prelate,
which was followed by a reception in the hall by the Board of Trustees and
Ladies Auxiliary.

KARABAKH QUESTIONS TURKEY’S SINCERITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.09.2008 17:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It’s premature to give assessments to Turkey and
Iran’s initiative to mediate for the Karabakh problem resolution,
chairman of the NKR NA committee on foreign relations Vahram Atanesyan
told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

NKR will announce its position after exact proposals are made,
according to him.

"As far as I remember, Iran was a mediator on the initial stage of
talks and it has experience in resolution of problems of the kind. As
for Turkey, I do question sincerity of its intentions. A supporter
to Azerbaijan, it will hardly be an impartial mediator," he said.

Iran and Turkey announced intention to mediate for resolution of the
Karabakh conflict after the Georgian-South Ossetian clashes. Russia
welcomed the initiate. However, OSCE Minsk Group French Co-chair
Bernard Fassier stated that the MG format is not subject to
transformation.

GUL’S LANDMARK VISIT TO ARMENIA UNIQUE CHANCE TO SETTLE ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS, ARMENIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS

ARKA
Sep 22, 2008

YEREVAN, September 22. /ARKA/. Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s
landmark visit has given Armenia a unique chance to reestablish
relations with Turkey, RA Prime Minister Edvard Nalbandyan said during
his meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovich.

Talking about reopening of the Armenian-Turkish border, Nalbandyan
said Armenia is ready to establish diplomatic ties with its neighbor
without any preconditions.

The newly-appointed U.S. Ambassador presented copies of her credentials
to the RA Foreign Minister.

Trying to be in solidarity with Turkish-speaking Azerbaijan, Turkey
closed its border with Armenia as a protest against Armenia’s backing
for the Karabakh’s independence.

The Turkish denial of the Armenian Genocide in 1915 make Relations
with Ankara much more complicated.

On the invitation of his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan, Turkish
President Abdullah Gul visited Armenia on September 6 to attend a
soccer match between Armenian and Turkish teams.

WAS EXTRAORDINARY SITTING THAT URGENT?

A1+
[05:49 pm] 19 September, 2008

Today’s extraordinary sitting of the National Assembly lasted an
hour. Obviously, it was convened to publicise NA Speaker Tigran
Torossian’s "long-awaited" resignation.

In reply to A1+’s question whether he will no longer attend NA
sittings, Tigran Torossian said in bewilderment: "Why shouldn’t I
attend? I will participate in NA activities as a non-party MP."

Reminder, after the ex Speaker had handed in his resignation he could
no longer attend the National Assembly as an ordinary parliamentarian.

Today NA former deputy Arshak Sadoyan could be seen in the
Parliament. He turned out to have been involved in the NA ad hoc
Commission studying the March 1 occurrences.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO ARMENIAN PRESIDENT ON DAY OF INDEPENDENCE

ARMENPRESS
Sep 19, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Queen Elizabeth II sent a message
to the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of the Day
of Armenia’s Independence.

An official from the British embassy in Armenia told Armenpress
that the message of the Queen says the following, "It gives me much
pleasure to send Your Excellency my congratulations on the celebration
of your National Day, together with my best wishes for the happiness
and prosperity of the Government and people of Armenia in the coming
years."

KHALIFA CONGRATULATE PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND BELIZE

Emirates News Agency
September 17, 2008 Wednesday 12:53 PM EST

Abu Dhabi, Sep.17th,2008(WAM)–President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed
Al Nahyan today sent a congratulatory cable to President Serzh Sargsyan
of Armenia on his country’s independence day.

In a separate cable, President Khalifa also congratulated the Governor
General of Belize Dr. Colville Young on his country’s national day.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime
Minister and Ruler of Dubai also congratulated President Sargsyan
and Governor General Young.

RA PRESIDENT RECEIVES OSCE MINSK GROUP FRENCH CO-CHAIRMAN

Noyan Tapan

Se p 17, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 17, NOYAN TAPAN. On September 17, RA President Serzh
Sargsyan received Ambassador Bernard Fassier, the OSCE Minsk Group
French Co-chairman. According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan
by the RA President’s Press Office, the main subjects of meeting’s
agenda were the Nagorno Karabakh peaceful settlement process and the
latest developments in the region.