Author: Chmshkian Vicken

Untitled DocumentPress 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

CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – July 10, 2008

LINKED IN: A WEEKEND WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Are you looking for a way to connect with friends and with your church?
Would you like to learn more about your Armenian spiritual heritage?
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the
Catholicosate of Cilicia, a workshop for young adults, 18 to 35, will take
place September 26 to 28, at St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Retreat Center in
Charlton, Massachusetts. Young adults, ages 18 to 35, are invited to
participate in this enlightening weekend.
Direct your questions via email to [email protected]

VICAR AT ARS CONVENTION
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar of the Prelacy, is in Chelmsford, Massachusetts
where he will offer the opening prayer and deliver a message at the annual
convention of the Armenian Relief Society.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO MEET THIS WEEKEND
The Religious and Executive Councils of the Eastern Prelacy will convene its
monthly meeting this weekend, Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12, at the
Prelacy offices in New York City.

NEW PEW BOOK IS HERE
The new Divine Liturgy Pew Book has been printed. Various Prelacy staff
members, headed by Archbishop Oshagan, have been working on this project for
more than a year. This guide is designed to enable the faithful to follow
the Divine Liturgy with ease and comprehension. Each two-page spread is in
four columns, the first column being the liturgy as sung in Classical
Armenian (Krapar), the second column is in Western Armenian translation, the
third is in transliteration, and the fourth is in English translation.
The new Pew Book was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Haig Didizian in memory of
their father Hagop Didizian.

CATHOLICOS ARAM I SENDS MESSAGE TO PILGRIMS
GATHERED AT ST. TATEH MONASTERY
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, sent a letter
of blessing to the pilgrims gathered in Saint Tateh Monastery in the diocese
of Azerbaijan, Iran, on the occasion of the Feast of Saint Tateos and Saint
Santoukhd. The annual pilgraimage on July 5 was the 54th pilgrimage in this
well known sanctuary in Iran where thousands of faithful from the various
cities of Iran and the world gathered.
In his message, His Holiness, said: "It gives us great pleasure to see the
strong bond that ties our people and specially the Armenians of Iran to
Saint Tateh. Next year, we will mark the 55th anniversary of the annual
pilgrimage to this centuries-old Monastery. We expect the number of pilgrims
to grow with time. It is our wish for Saint Tateh to persist in our nation’s
life as a source for the renewal of faith and the eternal survival of our
spiritual and national values."

THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN ORIENTAL ORTHODOX AND CATHOLIC CHURCHES
The sub-committee preparing the report of the theological dialogue between
the Catholic and the Oriental Orthodox Churches met on June 24-26 in Rome.
Four Oriental Orthodox and four Catholic theologians participated. The
Armenian Church was represented by Archbishop Yeznig Bedrosian, Ecumenical
Officer, Catholicosate of All Armenians, Etchmiadzin, and Bishop Nareg
Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer, Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias. The draft
of the report will be presented to the committee during the 2009 meeting.

ARMENIAN MONASTERIES IN IRAN ADDED TO UNESCO’S WORLD HERITAGE LIST
The Armenian Monastic Ensembles in Iran were added to UNESCO’s World
Heritage List last week during the annual meeting of the World Heritage
Committee which took place in Quebec City.
The complex consists of three monastic ensembles of the Armenian Christian
faith: St. Thaddeus and St. Stepanos and the Chapel of Dzordzor. In making
the announcement the World Heritage Committee noted: "These edifices, the
oldest of which, St. Thaddeus, dates back to the 7th century, are examples
of outstanding universal value of the Armenian architectural and decorative
traditions.
They bear testimony to very important interchanges with the other regional
cultures, in particular the Byzantine, Orthodox and Persian. Situated on the
southeastern fringe of the main zone of the Armenian cultural space, the
monasteries constituted a major center for the dissemination of that culture
into Azerbaijan and Persia. They are the last regional remains of this
culture that are still in a satisfactory state of integrity and
authenticity. Furthermore, as places of pilgrimage, the monastic ensembles
are living witnesses of Armenian religious traditions through the
centuries."
Four sites in Armenia were added to the list in previous years, including:
Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin; Cathedral and Churches of Etchmiadzin;
Archaeological Site of Zvartnots; Monastery of Geghart and the Upper Azat
Valley.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation
of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of
outstanding value to humanity.

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.

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."

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. Travel subsidies are available.
For information contact your local parish or the Prelacy office,
212-689-7810.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, July 10, are: Genesis 4:1-50:26
(selections); Numbers 20:23-30; Deuteronomy 34:5-12; Joshua 24:29-33; 1
Samuel 15:34-16:13; Hebrews 11: 1-31; Luke 20:34-40.
Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the
Lord’s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite
Bethpeor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one
hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his
vigor had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab
thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended.
Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid
his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had
commanded Moses.
Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord
knew face to face. He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the
Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his
servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the
terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all
Israel. Deuteronomy 34:5-12

SONS AND GRANDSONS OF ST. GREGORY
This Saturday, July 12, the Armenian Church remembers the sons and grandsons
of St. Gregory the Illuminator: Sts. Aristakes, Vrtanes, Housik, Grigoris,
and Daniel (who was not related, but was a distinguished student of St.
Gregory). All of them continued the work of St. Gregory, preaching the word
of Christ to pagans, at great personal peril.
St. Gregory had two sons, Aristakes and Vrtanes. Aristakes, the younger son,
succeeded Gregory as Catholicos and was martyred around 333 A.D. Aristakes
represented the Armenian Church at the first ecumenical council of Nicaea in
325. It was at this council that the Nicene Creed, recited to this day
during the Divine Liturgy, was written and adopted. Vrtanes-at this time
over 70 years old-was called upon to become catholicos and served for eight
years until his death. Vrtanes had two sons, Grigoris and Housig. Grigoris
preached in the northern provinces of Armenia (present day Georgia) where he
was martyred. Housig, although not a clergyman, was called upon to assume
the catholicosal throne. He was martyred in 347. Daniel, who as noted above
was not related by blood to Gregory, is included with the sons and
grandsons. He was chosen to succeed Housig as catholicos, but never actually
served as he too was martyred one year later in 348.

FROM THE BOOKSTORE.

Tigranes II and Rome, by H. Manandyan. An annotated translation and
introduction by George A. Bournoutian. Softcover, 202 pages, $35.00, plus
shipping and handling.
In his introduction the translator of this volume notes, "Tigranes II, known
in Armenian historiography as Tigranes the Great, is the sole Armenian
monarch who not only succeeded in unifying all the lands inhabited by the
Armenians, but extended Armenian rule into Syria and northwestern Iran. In
the first century B.C. he created an Armenian empire which lasted for some
two decades, taking the title of ‘King of kings,’ which until then was only
held by the kings of Parthia."
With this volume Professor Bournoutian has added another important
contribution to the Armenian Studies Series that makes Armenian historical
and literary texts available in English translation.

Jalaleddin by Raffi, translated by Donald Abcarian, 58 pages, $10.00 plus
shipping & handling.
That old adage, "The pen is mightier than the sword," was never better
demonstrated than the writings of Raffi (Hagob Melik-Hagobian). His writings
galvanized a whole generation of Armenians, and continued to inspire
subsequent generations, towards freedom and self-defense. Thankfully, in
recent years we have been blessed to have a number of good English
translations of his epic works. This little historical novel is the story of
Sheikh Jalalledin’s invasion of Turkish Armenia with its intent and
ramifications.

Daredevils of Sasun, Poetics of an Epic, by Azat Yeghiazaryan, translated by
S. Peter Cowe.
254 pages, $25.00 plus shipping & handling.
The Armenian epic Daredevils of Sasun has been passed down from generation
to generation orally. The epic tells the story of the life, loves, and
heroic struggles of four generations of the House of Sasun. Professor Azat
Yeghiasaryan’s work, expertly translated by Professor Peter Cowe, provides
great insight on this epic.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES
This year we are marking the dual anniversaries of the 110th anniversary of
the establishment of the Armenian Prelacy of America by Catholicos Mgrditch
(Khrimian Hairig), and the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy
See of Cilicia. We continue to seek any type of memorabilia and photographs.
Please contact us by email at [email protected] or by telephone
212-689-7810, Extension 23. We thank many of you who have already responded.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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. For information contact the church
office, 718-224-2275.

July 14 to August 1-St. Illuminator’s Day School Summer Program, July 14
through August 1, for children ages 3 to 10, Monday through Friday, 9 am to
2 pm. Armenian language, history, Bible readings, arts and crafts, sports
and much more. For information and registration contact the school office
718-478-4073 or the Cathedral office 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-Holy Cross Armenian Church, 50th Anniversary Blessing of the Grapes
picnic, noon to 4 pm, on the church grounds, 101 Spring Ave., Troy, NY.
Blessing of the grapes at 3 pm officiated by Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian. Eat
in or takeout; raffle. For information 518-274-1477.

August 5-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 9th annual
golf outing at Blackstone National Golf Club, Summon, Massachusetts.
Information: 508-234-3261.

August 17-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, picnic and
blessing of the grapes, officiated by Archbishop Oshagan and New England
area clergy. On church grounds, beginning at 12 noon. For information:
508-234-3677 or

August 17-St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, Feast of the Assumption of the Holy
Mother of God and Blessing of the Grapes, and picnic, at the Armenian
Center, Woodside, NY. For information 212-689-5880.

September 7-Annual picnic Festival of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, at American Legion Grounds, Haverhill, Massachusetts,
beginning at 12 noon.

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 17-18-Annual Fall Fair of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall.

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

November 9-38th anniversary of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, and 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy See of
Cilicia, presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan at Jaffarian Hall
following Divine Liturgy.

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]

ISRAEL MAY SEEK REGIME CHANGE IN IRAN "THROUGH OTHER MEANS

Palestinian Ma’an News Agency
July 8 2008

[Commentary by Nasir al-Lahham, editor in chief of the Ma’an News
Agency: "Israel May Seek Regime Change in Iran Through Other Means"]

Israeli reporters and military analysts hastened this week to draw
their own scenarios about a military confrontation between Israel
and Iran in the future. They did not hesitate to reach the conclusion
that Israeli military force would "crush" the Iranian forces without
any danger to the small but devastating Israel. Israeli Channel
10 broadcast a comparison recently between the Iranian and the
Israeli armies showing that Israel would be able to strike Iran with
devastating effect.

On the other hand, Iran’s "Shihab" missiles would have no more
effect on Israeli targets than Saddam Hussein’s famously ineffective
Russian-made Scud missiles. Despite Israeli leaders’ concerns about
Iran’s nuclear programme, analysts downplayed the power that Middle
East state. Some even expect the Iranian regime to shift from its
Islamic government to become an ally of Israel, as was the case during
the reign of the Shah, before the Islamic revolution. Consequently,
Israeli experts do not recommend that Israel destroy Iran as the US
destroyed Iraq. They, instead recommend that Israel seek to convert
the Iranian regime to something similar to the Turkish regime which
does not antagonize Israel. They believe Iran could be neutralized
because, like Turkey, it is Islamic but not Arab.

Another route Israel and the US could pursue is to assassinate
the Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad rather, than invade and
occupy all of Iran. Full scale invasion would risk destabilizing the
entire region; Iran after all borders Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
Turkmenistan, Armenia, Turkey, Iraq and the Persian Gulf. In addition,
a number of other recent developments point to Israeli manoeuvring
vis a vis Iran:

-Israel accepted the prisoners swap with Hezbollah in order to ease
tension on its northern front and save its efforts for the Iranian
front.

– Israel started negotiations with Syria on condition that no
resolution be reached regarding the Golan Heights. For military
reasons, Israel cannot withdraw from the Golan Heights. Syria was drawn
into these phony talks in order to avoid tension with the United Sates.

-From a strategic point of view, Israel is trying to show the world
that it is involved in irresolvable crises and so the Palestinian
[National] Authority and the West should help Israel face these
problems. However, Israel has determined once and for all to avoid
establishment of a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River, and
at the same time try to gradually normalize relations with the Arabs
and restructure the regimes in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan
to guarantee the existence of Israel for 60 more years.

ACCORDING TO HMAYAK HOVHANNISIAN, FAMILIES OF MARCH 1 VICTIMS SHOULD RECEIVE MONETARY COMPENSATION FROM STATE

NOYAN TAPAN

Ju ly 7

"The families of ten victims of the March 1 crime, in fact, have
lost their bread-winner, their twenty children that became orphans
have remained without means of living, but the government has made no
decision so far on paying a compensation to these families." Hmayak
Hovhannisian, the Chairman of the Union of Political Scientists of
Armenia, stated at the July 7 dispute.

According to him, today the opposition demands that the Council of
Europe honor the memory of victims and not replace one resolution
by another, but contribute to disclosure of those guilty of the
March 1 events. "Does John Prescott think that the vote of the RA
delegation in PACE is more weighty than the blood of these ten
people?," H. Hovhannisian said. He added that before demanding
proper estimation from Europeans the March 1 events should be first
of all condemned by the very Armenian citizens." "For instance, how
can chauvinistic skinheads fail to kill Armenians in Russia when we
ourselves tolerate murders of our compatriots in Yerevan streets?," H.

Hovhannisian said.

Another participant of the dispute, Mkrtich Minasian, a member of the
RA National Assembly RPA faction, opposing to him said that the most
important is human life and the rest, compensation and other things
are "derivatives."

Meanwhile he said that the government will make a decision on giving
a compensation to victims’ families without fail.

ACCORDING TO FOREIGN MINISTER OF CZECH REPUBLIC, NAGORNO KARABAKH PROBLEM SHOULD BE SOLVED PEACEFULLY AND BY RESPECTING TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY PRINCIPLE

NOYAN TAPAN
Http://
Ju ly 7

An Agreement On Deepening Relations Between Armenia and Czech Republic
in trade and economic sphere was signed at the July 6 meeting of
Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian with Foreign Minister
of Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg. E. Nalbandian reported at the
July 7 press conference.

"Cooperation between our countries proceeds successfully both in the
bilateral format and within the framework of Armenia-EU partnership,
including the European Neighborhood Policy," the RA Foreign Minister
said.

He added that an Embassy of Czech Republic has been functioning
in Armenia for already two years and expressed the hope that the
diplomatic representation of RA will be opened in Prague in the
near future.

Foreign Minister of Czech Republic Karel Schwarzenberg, in his turn,
said that during the discussions with his Armenian counterpart they
decided "to make bilateral agreements more active." "I hope my visit
will not be a usual one, but will be a start of expanded cooperation,"
he said.

Touching upon the Nagorno Karabakh problem, K. Schwarzenberg
stated that peaceful settlement is the only right way of problem’s
solution. Meanwhile, according to him, Czech Republic considers that
the principle of territorial integrity should be respected. As regards
holding a self-determination referendum, according to K. Schwarzenberg,
it still need to be cleared up who are to take part in that referendum

P. Hayrikyan: Constitution of Armenia was adopted due to our consistent
struggle against Levon Ter- Petrosyan’s regime

2008-07-04 16:30:00

ArmInfo. Constitution of Armenia was adopted due to our consistent
struggle against Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s regime, Leader of the Union for
Self-Determination Paruyr Hayrikyan said at Hayatsk Debate Club,
Friday.

He said:’Ter-Petrosyan’s team got power and it did not care for the
constitution’. ‘Levon Ter-Petrosyan wrote the Constitution for himself
and it contained no method of forming the National Assembly’, P.
Hayrikyan said. The Constitution must be above everything, he said.
Although the Constitution of Armenia is not perfect, it has become the
support of the public during emergency situations. P. Hayrikyan
outlined the omissions in the Constitution and the necessity of
reckoning with the opinion of electors. As regards the establishment of
Public Council, P. Hayrikyan said that structure will not be one of the
three power branches and will have no crucial role in implementation of
power mechanism as well as in the dialogue authorities-opposition.

Armenian opposition delivers ultimatum to President Serzh Sargsyan

2008-07-04 23:06:00

ArmInfo. While speaking at today’s opposition rally the first president
of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossyan delivered an ultimatum to the incumbent
president of the country Serzh Sargsyan.

Ter-Petrossyan said that unless Sargsyan met the opposition’s
requirements by the Aug 1 rally the opposition would demand his
immediate resignation and the conduct of mid-term presidential
election.

"Before August 1 Serzh Sargsyan must release all the political
prisoners, take measures to stop the police and tax terror against
opposition supporters, including entrepreneurs. One of our priority
ultimative demands is to immediately bring the organizers and executors
of the March 1 massacre, first and foremost former Armenian president
Robert Kocharyan, to responsibility", Ter-Petrossyan said.

The opposition also demands that Vice Premier of Armenia Armen
Gevorgyan, Head of the Presidential Administration Hovik Abrahamyan,
Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan, Head of the National Security
Service under the RA Government Gorik Hakobyan and Chairman of the
Public Television Council Alexan Haroutyunyan should resign.

U.S. CONGRESS HOLDS "FROM NUREMBERG TO DARFUR: ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY" HEARING

PanARMENIAN.Net
25.06.2008 17:20 GMT+04:00

The Armenian Assembly of America applauded Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL)
and Ranking Member Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) for holding hearing on
Capitol Hill entitled, "From Nuremberg to Darfur: Accountability
for Crimes Against Humanity," scheduled by the Senate Judiciary
Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law, the AAA told PanARMENIAN.Net.

In his opening statement, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said that "The
United States led the first prosecutions for crimes against humanity
in the Nuremberg trials, following the Second World War. These crimes,
however, are still taking place. Our promise to hold accountable those
who commit the most unspeakable crimes will ring hollow unless we
lead the world in punishing those responsible for the gravest human
rights violations."

Durbin stated that "crimes against humanity are acts of murder,
enslavement, torture, rape, extermination, ethnic cleansing or
arbitrary detention committed as part of a widespread and systematic
attack against civilian populations."

Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), the Ranking Member of the full Judiciary
Committee expressed the importance of this hearing stating that
"genocide regrettably has become a common practice."

"The Assembly commends Chairman Durbin and this Subcommittee for taking
a leadership role on these critically important issues," said Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny. "Only with constant pressure, vigilance,
and genocide education awareness, will we be able to eradicate the
scourge of genocide and ensure that those responsible for committing
such heinous crimes are held accountable," Ardouny continued.

"Despite longstanding U.S. support for the prosecution of crimes
against humanity perpetrated in World War II, Rwanda, the former
Yugoslavia and Sierra Leone, among other places, there is no U.S. law
prohibiting crimes against humanity. As a result, the U.S. government
is unable to prosecute perpetrators of these crimes found in our
country – in contrast to other human rights violations including
genocide and torture," noted Durbin in his statement.

At the hearing, speaking about the ongoing genocide in Darfur,
Gayle Smith Co-Chair, ENOUGH Project, said "To be truly effective,
the international community must fashion an unbreakable chain of
accountability – one that ensures that the perpetrators of genocide
and crimes against humanity can neither seek nor secure safe haven
in any country on earth. To be truly effective, the international
community must also ensure that its stated support for accountability
is backed by meaningful pressure on those who attempt to evade it."

Also testifying at the hearing were Daoud Hari, Author of "The
Translator: A Tribesman’s Memoir of Darfur"; Diane Orentlicher,
Professor, Washington College of Law, American University and Joey
Cheek, Co-founder and President, Team Darfur.

In the Assembly’s written testimony, Ardouny noted that "The United
States has, through its filing with the International Court of Justice
in 1951, concerning the United Nations Genocide Convention, squarely
acknowledged the Armenian Genocide" and urged the Subcommittee "to
continue to actively generate and introduce new mechanisms to better
protect potential victims from future genocides and the consequences
of genocide denial."

Moreover, Ardouny stressed the importance for the U.S. to continue to
build on the proud legacy of Ambassador Henry Morgenthau, as well as
the late Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), House Foreign Affairs Chairman
and House Congressional Caucus on Human Rights Co-Chair, in their
defense of human rights and action to address man’s inhumanity to man.

Unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts, Actress and Activist
Mia Farrow submitted written testimony for the record. The Armenian
National Committee of America, Center for Justice and Accountability,
Human Rights First, Human Rights Watch and Save Darfur Coalition also
submitted testimony.

KAZAKHSTAN TO ATTEND NATO DRILLS IN ARMENIA

Kazakhstan General Newswire
June 25, 2008

Turkey, Azerbaijan and Russia will not participate in the Cooperative
Longbow/Lancer NATO exercises that take place in Armenia this fall.

Deputy head of the general staff of the Armenian armed forces Arshaluys
Paytyan made this announcement at a final session of the NATO exercise
planning conference.

According to him, drill participants from the former USSR include
Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Moldova. "22 countries take
part in the exercises, including 7 NAT member countries, among them US,
UK, Canada, Poland and Lithuania, as well 13 NATO partner countries.

Representatives of the United Arab Emirates will arrive in Yerevan
to represent Istanbul Cooperation," said Paytyan.

According to the press service of the Armenian Defense Ministry,
NATO CP exercises are scheduled on September 26 – October 7 and
include 429 officers and a total of 748 servicemen.

ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENTS POINT OUT ABOUT ENSURING CONTINUATION OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES

ARMENPRESS
June 25

Armenian President Serzh Sargsian wrapped up his meeting with the
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev by signing a joint statement. The
ceremony was followed by the extended meeting.

During the meeting of the presidents the two sides pointed out about
ensuring the continuation of strategic cooperation, intention of
continuing intensive political dialogue between the two countries.

The sides stated about the necessity of boosting further
military-technical cooperation within the frameworks of the Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and bilateral relations. With
the request of the Russian side the Armenian president spoke about
the current pace of Nagorno Karabakh conflict regulation process. It
was noted that the Russian side supports the peaceful regulation
of the conflict and expresses its support to help finding mutually
acceptable solution.

During the meeting the sides also discussed the prospects of close
cooperation in the energy sphere including in the nuclear energy
sector. The Russian side pointed out about the exclusiveness of
cooperation with "Armrusgasard" which creates special conditions for
the supply of natural gas to Armenia. In the trade economic sphere
the two sides underscored the further increase of the trade turnover
between the two countries which is close to exceeding $1 billion. Serzh
Sargsian noted that it is not the limit of the existing opportunities
and it is necessary to undertake steps for boosting trade-economic
relations more.

During the meeting the sides also discussed the issue of Russian
Railway’s investments in the Armenian railway system, besides mutual
interest was expressed over the construction of the Iran railway. The
two presidents also underscored the cooperation in the humanitarian
sphere.

After signing the joint statement the presidents met with the
reporters. "These negotiations with the Armenian president continued
the rich and full tradition of high level bilateral partnership. We
have met recently in Moscow and Saint Petersburg but the most important
thing which we confirmed now is the strive to continue developing
our strategic partnership and cooperation," Dmitri Medvedev said.

He noted that during the meeting they discussed in details the
prospects of the development of bilateral business, humanitarian ties,
exchanged viewpoints over the regional and international developments.

"Armenian-Russian close cooperation becomes today more dynamic. The
figures which we have today reflect the real movement of the relations:
the trade turnover has increased by 1/3 reaching 1 billion USD. Russia
is considered the main investor in the Armenia’s economy and the
amount of this investments reaches 1 billion 200 million USD,"
the Russian president said, noting that the consolidation of such
tendencies and encouragement of further investments stem from general
interests, especially in case when such powerful Russian companies like
"Gasprom", "Russian Aluminum", "Vimpelcom", "VTB" are successfully
working in Armenia.

"Together with Serzh Sargsian we agreed towards a number of additional
steps for the implementation of large projects with the participation
of the mentioned companies. And of course direct ties between business
communities, small and medium-sized businesses must be more active,"
D. Medvedev said.

One of the main topics of the meeting was humanitarian ties including
in multilateral format. It was noted that a number of events were
conducted on a high level – festivals, exhibitions, educational and
cultural programs. The Russian president underscored the support of
the states in the implementation of such initiatives.

An important part of negotiations, according to the Russian president,
was connected with the discussion of regional and international
issues. "We once again expressed our readiness to expand our
cooperation within the frameworks of CIS and CSTO. I am sure that
Armenia’s and Russia’s partnership is a guarantee of the stability
of the whole region.

Russia’s priorities remain unchanged. We believe that the conflicts
in the South Caucasus must be solved exclusively in a peaceful way on
the basis of the existing format and international norm. Our country
is ready to promote the finding of such solutions which will stem
from the interests of the people living there. All this also refers
to the situation over Nagorno Karabakh. We specially point out the
role of the Minsk Group in the process of negotiations. We also spoke
of the opportunities speeding up the process," Medvedev said.

Russian president thanked Serzh Sargsian for constructive dialogue
expressing assurance that the Russian and Armenian partnership will
develop in future as well for the sake of prosperity of the countries
and welfare of the peoples.

Armenian president on his part thanked for the invitation and warm
reception, as well as for the constructive negotiations. "This is
manifestation of strive to continue developing and expanding strategic
relations between Armenia and Russia," Armenian president said.

He noted that in the joint statement not only assessment has been
given to the existing situation and readiness to boost cooperation
but also the prospects of the development.

The Armenian president added that together with his Russian counterpart
they discussed a wide range of issues on bilateral relations as well
as mutual partnership in the international arena and regional policy.

"We expressed readiness to exert efforts over the improvement of
the CIS aiming at reaching the utmost efficiency in the integration
processes," Serzh Sargsian said, noting that the CSTO importance was
also noted.

Armenian president also expressed assurance that the cooperation
in the fuel-energy, scientific, nuclear energy, leading technology
spheres are the most prospective fields of further cooperation.

"We agreed to find new opportunities to increase volume of bilateral
cooperation and we are ready to display serious attention to concrete
and mutual programs. I am sure that the results of the negotiations
will have a favorable impact on the development of inter-state ties. I
have invited Russian president to pay an official visit this year to
Armenia for continuing our dialogue," S. Sargsian said.

Yesterday Armenian president also met with Russian Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin and discussed with him a number of issues on economic
relations between the two countries. S. Sargsian also met with
S. Mironov, put a wreath on the memorial to the unknown soldier.

ARARATBANK SHAREHOLDERS TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETING

ARKA
June 25

A maiden annual meeting of Araratbank shareholders is scheduled for
June 27, 2008. Araratbank’s Public Relations Department reports that
the meeting is to be held at the Ani Plaza hotel at 11:00 a.m.

local time.

Araratbank, legal successor of Armcommunicationbank, was founded on
September 2, 1991. On October 31, 1996, the bank received License
No. 4.

Last August the bank was transformed to an open joint-stock company.

By March 31, 2008, the bank’s assets had amounted to 26.2bln AMD,
capital 5.1bln AMD. In the 1st quarter of 2008, the bank’s profit
totaled 216.9ln AMD.