Author: Ekmekjian Janet

Macedonian Press Agency
MONDAY, 24 JANUARY 2005
SAE PRESIDENT VISIT TO WASHINGTON
Washington, 24 January 2005 (14:39 UTC+2)
World SAE President Andrew A. Athens, attended the festivities for President
Bush’s inauguration in Washington and concluded a series of meetings dealing
with the U.S. position on Turkey and Cyprus, Omogeneia issues in Albania and
SAE’s medical program.
`It was a very productive visit, especially in planning Omogeneia actions on
Cyprus’, Mr. Athens stated. `At the meeting with the officers of the major
Cypriot organizations we decided to focus on a short-term, intensive effort
in anticipation of the October deadline Turkey is facing on the future of
its discussions with the European Union.’ The meeting was requested by PSEKA
President Phil Christopher and attended by Cyprus Federation of America
President Panicos Papanicolaou and former president Savvas Tsivicos; Greek
Ambassador George Savvaidis and Cypriot Ambassador Evripides Evriviadis.
In meetings with highly placed Congressmen and State Department officials,
Mr. Athens sought and received key U.S. backing in support of the
application of Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and Albania to be granted
Albanian citizenship. `Because Albania does not have clear laws regarding
citizenship, it has taken a long time to act on the application of his
Eminence’, Mr. Athens said.
At a dinner hosted by Mr. Athens and Mr. Andrew Manatos of the Coordinated
Effort of Hellenes, the Omogeneia honoured his Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
of America. Among about 50 invitees were Congressman Bilirakis and State
Department and National Security Council officials, including Undersecretary
Barbara Pope, and USAID Director Andrew Natsios.
During his visit to Washington, Mr. Athens also presented reports on the
Primary Health Care Initiative to USAID Director Natsios and Ambassador for
Humanitarian Assistance Tom Adams. The development agency supports SAE’s
health care program for Hellenes and recently utilized PHCI to upgrade
health care stations in Armenia and Georgia.
After the visit to Washington, Mr. Athens was scheduled to fly to
Thessaloniki to attend the commemoration of the Memorial Day honouring Greek
victims of the Holocaust.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN MP SAYS USE OF FORCE AGAINST IRAN “UNACCEPTABLE”
Arminfo
19 Jan 05
YEREVAN
Armenia believes that any use of force against neighbouring Iran is
unacceptable and might have dangerous repercussions, the head of the
Foreign Relations Commission of the Armenian National Assembly and a
representative of the supreme body of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation – Dashnaktsutyun, Armen Rustamyan, told an Arminfo
correspondent today when commenting on the US president’s statement
about the possibility of using military force against Iran if the
latter continues developing its nuclear programme.
“Iran is Armenia’s closest neighbour and strategic partner. Not very
long ago when Armenia was facing difficult times, it was the friendly
relations with Iran that helped the republic overcome the blockade and
economic recession. And it is quite natural that any use of force
against Iran runs counter to the interests of Armenia,” Armen
Rustamyan said.
The head of the commission stressed that the military action in Iraq,
which the United States carried out without the consent of the UN
Security Council, should give Washington food for thought. He said
decisions on the use of military force against any country without the
consent of the UN Security Council threaten with dangerous and
unpredictable consequences, which was the case in Iraq.

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
January 18, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA CRITICIZES STATE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT DESCRIBING THE
NAGORNO KARABAGH REPUBLIC AS “CRIMINAL SECESSIONISTS”
— Incendiary Remarks by Assistant Secretary of
State Jones Undermine the Karabagh Peace Process
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
today condemned highly incendiary statements by U.S. Assistant
Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones referring to Nagorno Karabagh’s
leaders as “criminal secessionists” and calling for their removal
from power. The statement came as part of a January 13th digital
video-conference with journalists in U.S. Embassies in Moscow, Rome
and Bratislava.
“Assistant Secretary Jones’s comments seriously weaken the
foundation of our role – as Americans – as impartial mediators of
the Nagorno Karabagh conflict,” said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.
“Her remarks unfairly attack the right of the people of Nagorno
Karabagh to express themselves democratically through elections.
They also prejudice the outcome of the OSCE negotiations,
materially compromising the search for peace, and – very
significantly – embolden the growing chorus in the Azerbaijan
government that are calling for renewed aggression against Nagorno
Karabagh.”
“The Armenian American community is shocked and outraged at
Assistant Secretary Jones’ remarks. We condemn her statements as
counter to the long-standing U.S. policy of helping the parties
reach a negotiated settlement, and call on the Administration to
begin repairing this damage by immediately and clearly renouncing
these patently unfair and demonstrably inaccurate remarks,” said
Hachikian.
During the video conference, Jones, in discussing U.S. bi-lateral
relations with Russia, called for increased engagement in resolving
regional conflicts in the former Soviet Union, stating:
“It is in Russia’s interest for these areas, for Transnistria,
Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno-Karabakh, for these areas to be
stable, for corruption to end there, for the criminal secessionists
who rule there to be removed. It is not appropriate for this kind
of instability and criminality to exist right in the middle of
Europe.”
When asked to clarify her reference to “criminal secessionists” in
the region, Jones stated:
“What about the areas that are right around Russia’s borders where
there are, as I said, secessionists who are criminals that seem to us
to undercut Russia’s security by allowing and not really addressing
in a concrete way the fact that there are secessionist, two
secessionist areas remaining in Georgia and one in Moldova. There
are still outstanding questions with Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia can
play a very positive leadership role in addressing these questions.
It cannot be in Russia’s interest to allow this kind of criminal
activity to take place so close to its borders. This is where there
can be a breeding ground for terrorists. That is not in Russia’s
interests. It is not in Russia’s interest, or in the interests of
the United States or Europe for these areas to be free for weapons
transportation, for narcotics transportation and trafficking. It
cannot be in Russia’s interests.”
The complete transcript from the video conference may be obtained
on the U.S. Embassy-Moscow, Russia website:

The Union Leader, NH
Jan 13 2005
Judge allows sale of Nashua church
By SCOTT BROOKS
Union Leader Correspondent

NASHUA – A superior court judge tossed out a lawsuit that threatened
to block the proposed sale of the St. Francis Xavier Church.
In a decision released yesterday, Judge William Groff said the First
Amendment barred him from considering the suit, which was filed by a
group of former parishioners who hoped to preserve the 120-year-old
building as a Roman Catholic church. Bishop John McCormack closed the
church in March 2003 and has signed a purchase and sale agreement
that stands to convert the building into an Armenian Orthodox church.
“In order to resolve this claim, the court would clearly be required
to become entangled in church doctrine or ecclesiastical law, over
which the secular law has no authority,” Groff wrote. “In such a
case, this court must give deference to the bishop’s determination.”
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH

The judge’s decision clears the way for the diocese to complete its
deal with Vatche Manoukian, a Hollis developer who plans to donate
the building to the Armenian Orthodox Church. The deal hinges on
whether the Armenian church leaders accept Manoukian’s gift.
“As far as we know, all indications are that the leadership of the
church will authorize the acceptance of the title, and we hope that
will be completed within the next few weeks,” said Ovide Lamontagne,
the diocese’s attorney.
Lamontagne said the decision should bring stability to the St.
Aloysius of Gonzaga parish, which absorbed the former St. Francis
Xavier parishioners when that church closed. The diocese has said it
will donate all money from the sale of St. Francis Xavier to the
consolidated parish, in accordance with deed restrictions.
Last month, a Hillsborough County Probate Court judge ruled that the
proposed sale was consistent with the conditions in the 1885 deed,
which requires that the building forever be used only for religious
purposes.
In his decision, Groff wrote that the former parishioners, known as
the St. Francis Xavier Foundation, failed to present a sufficient
claim for declaratory relief. There is no evidence, he wrote, that
the bishop “intends to use the proceeds of the sale for any purpose
other than for the benefit of the unified parish.”
Randy Wilbert, the attorney representing the former parishioners,
said Groff’s ruling was understandable, although certainly
disappointing. Mostly, though, he said he is disappointed in the
diocese for taking away their church.
“The diocese has made its faithful do something no one wanted to do,
basically take action to try and preserve a church, a community, that
the diocese should have been preserving in the first place,” Wilbert
said.
Wilbert said the foundation has not yet decided whether it will
contest the ruling. It is still possible for him to ask the court to
reconsider or to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.
“Emotionally, do you want to take people through this some more? It
takes its toll on the faithful,” he said. “Some may say, ‘Enough is
enough.’ Others may say, ‘Let’s take it on further.’ I don’t know
yet.”
Lamontagne said the ruling should make it clear that the bishop is
ultimately responsible for all decisions involving the creation or
closing of a Catholic church.
“What is important for the faithful to understand is that as painful
as it is to lose a parish through merger or unification, and
therefore to lose a building, the church’s mission does not involve
historic preservation or urban renewal,” Lamontagne said. “It’s about
supporting the spiritual life of the people and to meet their needs
as best as possible, and sometimes at the expense of buildings or
places that no longer serve the needs of the church at any particular
time.”

AZERI OFFICIAL SAYS ARMENIAN PULL-OUT FROM SEVEN DISTRICTS ON AGENDA
Turan news agency
13 Jan 05
BAKU
Armenia has acquired an interest in resolving the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict and this gives us hope that the negotiations will produce
some results, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told a
news conference in Baku today when commenting on the results of the 11
November meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in
Prague.
Azimov said the negotiations were “objective”, however, there are
“very many” differences and the situation remains “difficult”.
Pointing to Armenia’s growing interest in resolving the conflict,
Azimov said he was cautiously optimistic that the negotiations would
produce concrete results. The Armenian side wants to resolve the
conflict. Armenia has to take a more active part in NATO programmes,
the European Union is getting ever nearer, international public
opinion is changing in favour of Azerbaijan and one of the examples of
that is the report by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE) rapporteur on Karabakh, David Atkinson.
(Passage omitted: Reported details)
Azimov described as “speculation” the reports that Armenia’s pullout
from three of Azerbaijani districts was discussed in the
negotiations. He said that as part of “the Prague process” the sides
were discussing the liberation of all seven districts outside Nagornyy
Karabakh in the first stage.
At the same time, Azimov said that in 1998, Azerbaijan had suggested
that five districts be vacated in the first stage in the name of the
TRACECA project. In the spring and summer of 2002, Azerbaijan raised
this issue again. In both cases, the European Union supported the
idea, but it was rejected by the Armenians.
Azimov also dismissed the Armenian side’s speculation about a Key West
agreement. He said the sides had signed only one written document so
far – a joint statement by (former Azerbaijani and Armenian
presidents) Heydar Aliyev and Levon Ter-Petrosyan in Strasbourg on 10
October 1997. The sides were close to reaching an agreement in 1999 as
well, but the Armenian side rejected it, Azimov said.

Azeri education official fends off Karabakh diary questions from TV
ANS TV, Baku
10 Jan 05
[Presenter] The former Nagornyy Karabakh Autonomous Region has been
described as the former Nagornyy Karabakh area in over 1m diaries
published for the 2004-05 academic years. Even though the
[Azerbaijani] Education Ministry admits this was a mistake, it does
not hurry to withdraw the diaries from circulation.
[Correspondent over video of a sample of the diary] This is a diary
used in secondary schools. There is a note on the second page of the
diary which attracts attention. Xankandi [Stepanakert], Susa, Xocali,
Xocavand, Askaran and Agdara Districts were described there as
formerly Nagornyy Karabakh areas. This means that Nagornyy Karabakh is
already an area that belongs to the past. To recap, the diary endorsed
by the Education Ministry is being distributed among all schools in a
centralized manner. Let us also say that over 1m of such diaries have
been published for the 2004-05 academic years. The chief of the
Education Ministry department for education and pre-school education
in rural districts, Aydin Ahmadov, – [correspondent stops in
mid-sentence].
[Aydin Ahmadov in his office, captioned] When compiling the diary the
authors meant the abolition of the formal title, the Nagornyy Karabakh
Autonomous Region, in 1988 [as heard, in fact in 1990]. A question may
arise, for instance, about the elimination of the notion of autonomy
by the Supreme Council. The description – former Nagornyy Karabakh –
was used here in that sense. Let us admit that this was somehow a
result of inaccuracy as well. When they wrote this phrase they simply
did not refer to Karabakh as an area that belongs to the past. They
did not mean that it [Nagornyy Karabakh] was no longer part of
Azerbaijan.
[Correspondent over video] Ahmadov said that they do not intend to
take the diaries out of circulation since a large amount of money was
spent on their publication. But the mistake will be corrected in the
next publication of the diaries.
[Ahmadov] In the future publications, we will keep the notion of
Nagornyy Karabakh as it is.
[Indistinct question from correspondent]
[Ahmadov] We will render it just as Nagornyy Karabakh territory.
[Passage omitted: nobody to be punished for the mistake, no-one turned
to the ministry over the problem]
Rasad Isgandarov, Emil Babaxanov, ANS.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Messenger, Georgia
Jan 10 2005
Russia’s transport minister visits Georgia
Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin was in Georgia on January 9
to mark the opening of ferry transport between the ports of Poti in
Georgia and Kavkaz in Russia.
The Russian minister also held negotiations with the Georgian side
concerning the opening of a Georgia-Russia railway line through
Abkhazia. Representatives from Azerbaijan and Armenia also attended
the meeting.
According to Minister of Economy Aleksi Aleksishvili, “a special
consortium will be created between the Georgian, Azerbaijani,
Armenian and Russian railway departments to rehabilitate the line,
after which it will be possible to restore railway movement.”

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
01/05/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// Due to the holidays, our next issue will be published on Tuesday, January 11. Our staff wishes everyone a jolly Christmas and a new year abundant with happiness and tranquility. 1) Armenian American Campaign Contributions Hit All-time High 2) ARS Campaigns for Tsunami Victims 3) Western Prelacy Steps up Fundraising Drive for Tsunami Victims 4) Glendale, Pasadena, and Montebello ARS Continue Circle of Giving 5) For a Life-Centered Spirituality: A dialogue with the youth 6) TABDC? 1) Armenian American Campaign Contributions Hit All-time High --ANCA study reveals well over $5 million in donations to federal candidates and committees during 2004 elections WASHINGTON, DC--Armenian American campaign contributions hit a record high this election cycle, with more than $3.9 million in documented donations and an estimated $5 million in total campaign contributions to federal level candidates and committees, according to a study released today by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). "These findings confirm what we see across the country every day: the steady growth of Armenian American involvement in the American political process--as campaign contributors, policy advocates, party activists, and informed voters," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "Even more than in years past, the depth and scope of Armenian American campaign contributions this election cycle reflect our community's broad reach across the political spectrum." Among the findings in the ANCA study of higher-level (over $200) campaign donations by Armenian Americans with common Armenian surnames: Federal candidates/committees: $3,942,106 (4754 donations) Republican candidates/committees: $1,506,706 (1548 donations) George W. Bush: $347,105 (350) Republican National Committee: $429,746 (209) Nat'l Republican Congressional Committee: $139,699 (277) Nat'l Republican Senatorial Committee: $23,740 (26) Democratic candidates/committees: $1,396,833 (1585 donations) John Kerry: $336,578 (395) John Edwards: $55,350 (59) Howard Dean: $31,495 (71) Wesley Clark: $17,500 (22) Dick Gephardt: $15,500 (18) Democratic Nat'l Committee: $121,718 (84) Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee: $61,402 (14) Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee: $40,857 (25) Among the Members of Congress who received the highest levels of campaign contributions from Armenian Americans were Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell (R-KY), "Schiff Amendment" author Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Genocide Resolution lead sponsor Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA). Terms of the ANCA study: The ANCA examined public records of contributions by donors with common Armenian surnames in Federal Election Commission filings for the first seven quarterly reporting periods of the 2004 election cycle. Left out of the study, for technical reasons, were two important categories: 1) Armenian American donors who do not have common Armenian last names and 2) Armenian American donors whose contributions to a particular federal candidate or committee did not aggregate to $200 during the 2004 election cycle. This latter category covers a large number of smaller-dollar donors, including many who contributed via the internet. While it is not possible to compile totals for these two categories, they can safely be estimated, based on past Armenian American giving patterns and overall US political campaign demographics, at over two million dollars. Contributions to state and local candidates or committees were not covered by this survey. 2) ARS Campaigns for Tsunami Victims GLENDALE--In response to the devastating Tsunami in Southeast Asia, the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA (ARS-WR) has called on its communities to donate generously to a special ARS Tsunami Fund. "How can we as Armenians not remember the generosity of the world community when the entire world opened their hearts and gave tremendous support following the 1988 Spitak earthquake that took the lives of thousands?" asked Angela Savoian, Chair, ARS-WR Regional Executive. "In turn, we must do our part in helping the victims of this overwhelming disaster that has left millions in parts of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Maldives in such dire straits." The Boston-based ARS Central Executive has already made a contribution to the American Red Cross and has appealed to its entities in 24 countries to mobilize their membership and communities to also provide assistance. ARS-WR chair Angela Savoian launched the start of the fundraising campaign for the tsunami victims, at the ARS-WR regional membership Christmas party on January 4; following her announcement, members, who had gathered from chapters across the Southland from San Diego to the San Fernando Valley, observed a moment of silence for the 160,000 victims of the tragedy. During a day-long fundraising campaign on January 15, volunteers will be stationed at ARS-WR headquarters, located at 517 W. Glenoaks, Glendale, CA 91202-2812, to accept monetary donations for the ARS Tsunami Fund; local dignitaries and the press are invited to visit the center at 3:00 p.m. Donations may also be mailed directly to the ARS-WR, to the above address. All donations are tax-deductible. 3) Western Prelacy Steps up Fundraising Drive for Tsunami Victims Faithful urged to give generously during upcoming holiday services LA CRESCENTA--The Armenian Prelacy's fundraising efforts for the victims devastated by last week's Tsunami in Southeast Asia will continue throughout all Prelacy parish churches in the Western United States. Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian launched the fundraising drive last week with a special prayer during services, and collection drive, both last Sunday and on Christmas Eve. The drive at churches will continue during Christmas Day services on January 6, through Sunday, January 9. 4) Glendale, Pasadena, and Montebello ARS Continue Circle of Giving GLENDALE--Armenian Relief Society (ARS) members say the ARS takes with one hand, but gives out with both. The ARS of Western US accomplished that this holiday season as it received and generously donated gifts to the needy, once again, bringing joy to children during the Christmas season. "The Social Services offices and our entire membership and staff work so hard to benefit and serve our people locally and abroad," said Angela Savoian, Chair of the ARS Regional Executive Board. She added, "We are humbled by the generosity of our donors who allow us to fulfill our commitments." During the week of December 20, the ARS Social Services Center in Montebello handed out baskets to needy clients from surrounding communities. Then, on January 4, the ARS Social Services Center in Glendale gave gifts to needy children from surrounding cities of Glendale, Burbank, and Pasadena. In a festive atmosphere at the ARS Glendale headquarters, nearly a hundred children sang and recited poetry for Santa, as he handed gifts to them one by one. Among the donators were Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School in Glendale; HyeRiders, a motorcycle club; Alpha Epsilon Omega, an Armenian fraternity; the Arcadia Police Department; and the Armenian Social Work Caucus of Cal State Los Angeles School of Social Work. The Commerce Casino, a giving and regular donor to ARS projects, donated one thousand dollars to provide Christmas gifts to the needy. The gifts also included sweaters donated through the efforts of Congressman Adam Schiff's (D-CA 29th District) district office. Cong. Schiff arranged for the donation of sweaters from Pasadena resident Sam C. Y. Ip, President and CEO of TOP-In Fashion, to the ARS and eight other non-profit organizations. On December 14, ARS Regional Executive member and Pasadena resident, Maral Nashalian-Arsenian met Cong. Schiff and his staff at the warehouse, where the donated clothing was being distributed to the agencies. Nashalian remarked, "We wholeheartedly thank Congressman Schiff for his continued support and for facilitating the donation of the very much needed 630 sweaters for distribution to needy families here and abroad." Pasadena was once again the place to be for a toy ride and coin drive for the ARS organized by the HyeRiders. The donors were motorcycle riders, Armenian and non-Armenian, who came to the Pasadena Armenian Center on December 18, with toys and donations in hand. ARS Executive Accountant-Controller, Jassik Jarahian, provided support to AREV, a young women's group who organized the coin drive, while ARS Regional Executives were on hand to provide information about on-going ARS programs within the Western Region and in Armenia. The Alpha Epsilon Omega, a fraternity whose top priority is academic achievement, delivered gifts to the ARS headquarters in Glendale during the last week of December for distribution here and abroad. The ARS helps the needy year round. When ARS members arrive in a remote village in Armenia or Artsakh bearing gifts, an ordinary summer day turns into a holiday for the villagers, especially for the children. The ARS Regional Executive expresses sincere gratitude to all who have provided financial and moral support throughout the year for any one of the ARS projects or funds. The circle of giving continues "from your heart, to our heart, to the hearts of those we serve." 5) For a Life-Centered Spirituality: A dialogue with the youth We lived the last days of 2004 confronting an unprecedented disaster caused by nature. This tragedy comes to add to the burden human beings and, particularly, youth are facing as a result of man-made tragedies, like wars, violence, poverty, unemployment, and a sense of meaninglessness and uncertainty. These are times when people question, pray, and yearn for spirituality. Indeed, spirituality is a frequently and widely used word today, a word employed in different contexts and with different connotations. In Christian life, spirituality means being with God. Being with God? Is this not the very meaning and purpose of Christian life? Is this not the way a Christian should live his or her life? God became man in Jesus of Nazareth in order to be with us. The evangelist describes Jesus Christ as Emmanuel, which means God with us. In fact, in Christ, God became a man with us, like us, and for us in order to restore His fallen image in human beings. Through the incarnation, by becoming man, God recovered the authentic humanity in the human beings. In Christ, God became the true life of the world. Christian spirituality invites us to acknowledge Christ in word and deed as the center of our life. Christian spirituality challenges us to follow Jesus Christ as the only way of our life. Christian spirituality is life-centered. It is rooted in Christ. The Christ-event is the recreation of life. Hence, whoever is in Christ, he or she is endowed with a new quality of life, with the "abundant life," the "eternal life" (John 1: 16). What are the significant features of a life-centered spirituality? 1. It values life as God's gift. The existence of life on this planet is not a sheer accident. For centuries, the human mind has failed to understand the origin of life. The Bible clearly affirms that God is the creator of life in all its forms and expressions. 2. It perceives life as God centered. Being the gift of God, life must be lived as a God-centered reality. A human-centered life is the rejection of God; and a life without God is a source of evil. 3. It considers the values and principles revealed through Christ as the purpose of human life. The human being is called to live his life for the promotion of love, justice, peace, unity, reconciliation, and other values of the Kingdom of God. 4. It upholds life as a sacred reality. The sacredness of life pertains to its very nature since life comes from God and is owned by God. Therefore, any attempt aimed at corrupting the sacredness of life and undermining its integrity and dignity is a sin against God. As Christians, life-centered spirituality must guide our life in a world full of life-destroying forces. In this context I want to draw your attention to the following: a) Globalization, in all its aspects, manifestations, and implications has become integral to our daily life. Our individual and community life are strongly impacted by the values and forces of globalization. This means that we must discern those values that enhance life, and challenge those forces of globalization that destroy identity, morality, and community. b) Violence, in different forms and ways, has become omnipresent in our societies. It touches all aspects and areas of our life. Violence is the negation of God's gift of life. The Christian way is active nonviolence. Life-centered spirituality rejects any way of life or form of action that generates violence. c) Pluralism has become an important feature of modern societies. People of different religions, races, and cultures are living together. I consider this living together both as a gift of God and a task. In this small globe we are bound to live together, and therefore, must learn to respect our differences and accept and trust each other. We must live as one community, preserving at the same time our own religious, cultural, and human values and traditions. Life-centered spirituality challenges the Christian to turn to God whoever, whatever, or wherever he or she is. The world in which we live is full of life destroying forces. Some of these forces are due to ecological disorder, and others to moral and spiritual disorder, namely to human sin. Millions of people lose their life each year because of AIDS pandemic; millions of children die because of poverty; millions of people are killed each year due to natural disasters. We are all shocked watching on our TV screens the horrible images of people, men and women, children and elderly, dying in Africa because of genocide, AIDS and mal-nutrition; or in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and Bangkok because of the Tsunami disaster. The human beings, who are endowed by God's gift of life, are destroying everyday and everywhere, the life itself in its human and ecological manifestations. Life, as a supreme gift of God, must be respected, preserved, and enhanced. This is basic in our Christian faith. It is my expectation that our youth will sustain and enrich their lives by the spirituality that is rooted in the Bible, and experienced and witnessed for centuries by the church. The world of today offers many kinds of "spiritualities" with attractive names. Our youth are called to neglect the kind of false "spiritualities" that cause moral decay, endanger identity, and destroy community. Our youth must reject the kinds of "spiritualities" that abuse religious principles and promote violence and death. The Armenian Church, with its rich spiritual heritage and moral teachings, can offer a life-centered spirituality to our youth as they prepare themselves to become the future leaders of our church and people. On the eve of the New Year and Christmas, I wanted to share these few reflections with our youth. This is not a formal message but the beginning of a frank dialogue with our youth because it is of crucial importance for the future of our church and nation. Therefore, I would like to continue this dialogue by addressing, from time to time, issues, challenges and concerns pertaining to the present day societies in general, and the Armenian Church and community, in particular. Prayerfully, Aram I Catholicos of Cilicia 6) TABDC? By Garen Yegparian You're wondering, "What's tabdik?" Well, I refuse to get vulgar, but it would have been appropriate, 'cause it's an outfit that could be described as TARC-lite. The Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council's says it was organized in 1997 and posts protocols signed by both parties. It has addresses/contact information in the EU and the US, (recently incorporated as Turkish-Armenian Business Council) in addition to Armenia and Turkey. Reading the documents posted on their website, it becomes clear that those involved are of the type who can't see beyond their commercial noses. Everything is about trade. They are our own microcosm of the pell-mell globalizers wreaking havoc with people's lives world-wide. The whole thing reeks of the "world is our commercial toy" mentality emanating from DC. One of their big concerns is opening the Armenia-Turkey border, one of those seems-like-a-great-idea-until-you-think proposals. This would decimate what little productive capacity Armenia has been able to develop under a flood of inexpensive Turkish goods. But hey, it's commerce, therefore it must be good! They even claim to advocate passage of the Baku-Jeyhan pipeline through Armenia. TABDC's activity report reads like a stereotypical money-grubbing, to-hell-with-the-consequences merchant's wet dream. So? Why is this such a big deal? How this any different from our Armenian importers and grocers supporting the Turkish economy? Cultural exchanges seem to dominate the visual portions of this outfit's website. Sure, you might think, if we appreciate one another on that level, other aspects of Armeno-Turkish relations will be easier. Their photo gallery posts shots, in the following order, of founders themselves, a Richard Hagopian and Lalezar concert (reported in Armenian papers at the time), the Ankara String Quartet in Yerevan, the Komitas Quartet in Ankara, the Regional Economic Working Group, and TABDC-EU. Note this last one. The Diaspora is also mentioned as a participant. But TABDC's presence in the EU and US under that guise is very telling. Couple that with the remark "politics is stifling...possibilities." Then add the fact of the website's being marked all over with "Copyright 2003." Finally, the New Year's congratulatory e-mail sent to "TABDC Mail Group Members," a list that somehow included the Burbank ANC, is what triggered this article. Why, after being in existence for six-seven years, does this website get created? Why the e-mail? Why the sudden burst of activity? Could something be going on? If I were a suspicious type, I might think it was because of Turkey's activity on the European stage and the progress it's making there. Clearly they want to subdue, subsume, any discussion of the Genocide. What better way than to claim to promote trade and amity between two "historic enemies?" Show pictures of a bunch of smiling Turks and Turmens (you know, those folk who carry an "ian" on their surname but are frequently indistinguishable from the highest functionaries of the Turkish government). Still don't buy it? TABDC supports "the efforts of TARC." How about Edward Boghosian's presence on this website? This unsavory editor's (The Armenian Reporter) interview with Abdullah Gul (Turkey's Foreign Minister) is one of the items listed in TABDC's list of relevant news items. In that interview, he describes how he got the interviewthrough the good offices of his "friend," NY dwelling Kaan Soyak, who, now hold your breath, is the Turkish half of the TABDC's founding duo. The other is one Arsen Ghazarian. Intriguing? Suspicious? I think so. Let's add this to the slime list of US Department of State instigated outfits. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RIA Novosti, Russia
Jan 9 2005
RUSSIA, GEORGIA TO BE LINKED BY FERRY CROSSING
TBILISI, January 9 (RIA Novosti) – In the framework of Russian
Transport Minister Igor Levitin’s two-day visit to Georgia, an
agreement on railway ferry communication between the Georgian port
Poti and Russian port Kavkaz (on the eastern coast of the Kerch
Strait) will be signed.
RIA Novosti was told in Georgia’s State Chancellery that a railway
train made up of 24 cars would move between the two countries’ ports
with the help of the ferry crossing every three days.
On January 10, Poti will see a symbolic ceremony of opening the ferry
communication. Before the end of the current month, experts are
supposed to coordinate the financial details of the agreement, after
which it will be implemented in practice.
Besides, at Levitin’s meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab
Zhvania, the sides will discuss technical details of creating a
consortium between the Russian Federation, Georgia, Azerbaijan and
Armenia on restoration of a railway on the territory of the
unrecognized republic of Abkhazia. The consortium, to comprise
transport officials of the four states, will have to undertake
financial commitments to carry out repairs of railroads.
Earlier, Poti mayor Vakhtang Alaniya said the existing technical
difficulties had been eliminated. “Earlier, all Armenian cargoes
[Armenia has no outlet to the sea] went through the Ukrainian port
Ilyichevsk [south of Odessa] and further to Poti. So, when the
Kavkaz-Poti ferry crossing is commissioned, the transport component
will be reduced both in terms of time and financially. On the
average, transport expenditures will reduce by 25%,” said Alaniya,
adding that cargoes would be delivered to Armenia by railway from
Poti.

ARKA News Agency
Jan 7 2005
Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers to meet in Prague on Jan,
11, 2005
In Jan-Nov, 2004 243 cases of economic crimes recorded in Armenia
Development of relations with the CIS countries priority for Russian
Foreign Minsitry in the year 2005
In Jan-Nov 1098 traffic accidents recorded in Armenia in Jan-Nov,
2004
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ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTERS TO MEET IN PRAGUE ON JAN,
11, 2005
YEREVAN, January 7. /ARKA/. Vardan Oskanian, Armenian Foreign
Minister is to leave for Prague by invitation of the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairs. As Armenian Foreign Ministry Press and Information
Department told ARKA, Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers
Vardan Oskanian and Elmar Mamedyarov plan meeting on Jan 11 around
the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The meeting will be
held in presence of the OSCE Co-Chairs. T.M. -0–
*********************************************************************
IN JAN-NOV, 2004 243 CASES OF ECONOMIC CRIMES RECORDED IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, January 7. /ARKA/. In Jan-Nov, 2004 243 cases of economic
crimes were recorded in Armenia, that is 1.8 times higher of the
indicator of the same period in 2003, as Armenian National
Statistical Service told ARKA. According to the Agency, from the
overall number of the recorded economic crimes 38 cases were related
to production, keeping and realization of the false money, while the
remaining 205 cases were crimes aginst the economic activity. T.M.
-0 –
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DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS WITH THE CIS COUNTRIES PRIORITY FOR RUSSIAN
FOREIGN MINSITRY IN THE YEAR 2005
Yerevan, January 7. /ARKA/. The development of relations with the CIS
countries continues to remain priority for Russian Foreign Minsitry
in they year 2005, as `Plans and expectations of the Russian Foreign
Ministry in 2005′ reports mentions. `Our pririty is the development
of relations with the CIS’, the statement placed on the Russian
Foreign Ministry website says.
As it is mentioned in Moscow, `Russia as the Chairman of the
Commonwealth in 2005 will actively promote mechanisms of improvement
of the CIS mechanisms and intergration sructures (Shanghai
Cooperation Organization, Collective Security Treaty Organization,
Eurasian Economic Community, Central Asian Commonwealth, Single
Economic Space Agreement)’, Interfax reports. T.M. -0–
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IN JAN-NOV 1098 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS RECORDED IN ARMENIA IN JAN-NOV,
2004
YEREVAN, January 7. /ARKA/. In Jan-Nov, 2004 the number of traffic
accidents recorded in Armenia was 1098 (110 in November), that is by
15.8% exceeds the indicator of Jan-Nov, 2003. As Armenian National
Statistical Service told ARKA, as a result of these accidents 232
people lost their lives (22 in November), that is by 3.6% is more
than in Jan-Nov, 2003 and 1432 peoples were injured (155 in November)
that is by 20.1% is more than in Jan-Nov, 2003. T.M. -0–