Author: Emil Lazarian

Armenian community graves found in Turkey

ArmRadio.am
17.02.2007 14:37

New facts proving the Armenian Genocide have come up in Turkey:
community graves, where supposedly Armenians are buried, have been
found. To prove the fact diggings are needed, which the Turkish
authorities will hardly allow. Editor-in-chief of the Istanbul based
`Marmara’ newspaper Rober Hatechian informs that Turks continue to
demonstrate hostile attitude towards Armenians and other ethnic
minorities.

The Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Mesrop Archbishop Mutafyan
and the editorial office of the Agos daily still receive letters full
of threats from Turkish nationalists. The Turkish Armenian community
fears that the policy of terrifying Armenians may be applied to
Armenian establishments, particularly schools and regions inhabited by
Armenians.

Recently it became known that community graves have been found in the
cities of Martin and Nusaybin, which can belong to Armenians or
Assyrians. Turkish historian Yusuf Halajoghlu has called on all
scholars of the world to come to Turkey and carry out joint diggings.

Historians of the Swedish Academy have accepted Yusuf Halajoghlu’s
suggestion, declaring that they will arrive in Turkey to carry out
digging April 23-25.

`The Turkish society has already express negative attitude towards
these possible diggings. Now the articles include threats to Swedes,’
says Rober Hatechian.

It’s still hard to say whether digging will be carried out or not. The
authorities of the neighbor country will not allow new proofs of
Turkish barbarism to come up.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Arminfo
2007-02-17 13:56:00

STEPAN DEMIRCHYAN: COOPERATION OF ARMENIA WITH EUROPEAN BODIES
SHOULDN’T BE JUST DECLARATORY

"Stressing the importance of realization of Armenia’s obligations of
the Council of Europe (COE), People’s Party of Armenia (PPA) speaks
for the state’s not just formal cooperation with European
institutions," Stepan Demirchyan, head of PPA, said at the 6th session
of the party today.

He added that presently Armenia is among the few COE member-states
where elections are rigged. "The January resolution of Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) says that since Armenia
joined COE there have been no fare and free elections in the country
yet. The corner stone of a democratic society is – establishment of
authorities by demonstration of people’s free will. In Armenia, there
is a definite set back in this regard. It is impossible to hold
democratic reforms using non-democratic methods. The rigged
constitutional referendum discredits the very idea of integration into
Europe," S. Demirchyan declared.

He pointed out that the present parliamentary elections would show
whether the criminal governing system would continue in future or
effective solution would be found to solve Armenia’s problems.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont-Quebec H2V 3H2
Contact: Deacon Hagop Arslanian,
Tel: 514-276-9479
Fax: 514-276-9960
Email: [email protected]
Web:

Sat, Feb 17 2007

Christian Education Center
Prayer of the Week
St. Nersess the Gracious (1100 – 1173) which is commonly said during
Lent.

17 Feb 2007
Read More …

Bible reading of the Week
Giving to the Needy
17 Feb 2007
Read More …

Great Lenten Journey starts Next Week

Next Monday, February 19, 2007 the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church will
begin the journey of Prayer for the most beautiful period of the
Liturgical year: Great Lent. Thus, with prayer and fasting, the bride –
the Church – begins the uphill path to follow the beloved bridegroom –
Christ – on the steep slope of Golgotha.
17 Feb 2007 by Press Office
Read More ..

Primate Heads West

On Friday, February 16, 2007, His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian
traveled to Vancouver to preside over the Annual Assembly of Saint Vartan
Armenian Church. This Sunday, Serpazan Galstanian will be celebrating the
Divine Liturgy. During his stay in Vancouver, he will be meeting with the
Parish Council and the auxiliary bodies of the Church, to discuss issues
relating to the mission of Saint Vartan Parish.
17 Feb 2007 by Press Office
Read More ..

Mid-Year Clergy Meeting of the Diocese was held in Montreal

The mid-year Clergy meeting of the Canadian Diocese, presided by His
Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate was held on Tuesday, February
13, 2007 in the newly renovated Diocesan Center.
17 Feb 2007 by Press Office
Read More ..

A New Holy Cross Armenian Church and Community Center in Laval

It gives us great pleasure to announce that the Holy Cross Armenian
Apostolic Church in Laval will be building a new Church and new a
Community Center on Blvd. des Souvenirs in Laval
17 Feb 2007 by Press Office
Read More ..

Ecumenical Meeting in Toronto

On Tuesday, January 30, 2007, Reverend Archpriest Zareh Zargarian attended
the Installation of, His Grace Most Reverend Thomas Christopher Collins as
Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese in Toronto
17 Feb 2007 by Press Office
Read More ..

Family Support Services Newcomer’s Gathering: A New Initiative with Great
Success (Rita Odjaghian, Chair, FSS Newcomer’s Project)

Sunday February 4th, 2007, it all started with RED Carnations, suddenly,
there were a series of questions, and curiosity filled in the Church hall.
Yes, it was all about Red Carnations! Is it Valentine’s day? No, we still
had 10 more days to go
17 Feb 2007 by Press Office
Read More ..

More Good News for the Endowment Fund

On February 10, 2007, Taro Alepian invited family and friends to a
surprise party at the Omni Mont-Royal Hotel in Montreal to celebrate the
birthday of his wife, Anahid. In lieu of gifts, guests were asked to
donate to the Diocese Endowment Fund. A total of $7,000 in donations, was
received
17 Feb 2007 by Press Office
Read More ..

Mr. and Mrs. Levon & Anna Afeyan Donate to the Diocese

It is with deep spiritual joy and gratitude that we announce a generous
donation made by Mr. and Mrs. Levon and Anna Afeyan from Montreal to the
Diocese of the Armenian Church in Canada. At this time, they have donated
$5,000, following the opening of the newly renovated Diocesan Center.
17 Feb 2007 by Press Office
Read More ..

CYMA 2007. EXTEND YOUR HAND… EXPAND YOUR FAMILY…

The 14th mission of the Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia is rapidly
approaching! We hope you join us..

Departure Date: July 5, 2007
Return Date: August 4, 2007
Participation Fee: $2,500.00

Mission: Church Renovation
Location: City of Gai, Province of Armavir Diocese
17 Feb 2007 by Press Office
Read More ..

Ararat Summer Youth Camp 2007

Join us this summer for another
"Experience to Remember"
at Ararat Summer Youth Camp
17 Feb 2007 by Press Office
Read More ..

©2004 Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada. All rights reserved
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arminfo
2007-02-16 14:32:00

ARMENIAN ARMY IS THE MOST EFFICIENT AMONG ARMIES OF STATES OF
POST-SOVIET SPACE: CSTO SECRETARY GENERAL

The Armenian Army is the most efficient among the armies of states of
the post-Soviet space, Secretary General of CSTO, Nikolay Bordiuzha
told ArmInfo in Moscow.

"I have been at many manoeuvres and saw the Armenian subdivisions
which, though are few in number but well-trained and solidary by a high
moral spirit", Bordiuzha said. He also noted that the Armenian
management of Armed Forces has done much to create a real Army. In his
opinion, Armenia plays an important role in CSTO. "The representatives
of Armenia are very active in CSTO activities. We receive many
different proposals and initiatives from Armenia and further carry them
out", N. Bordiuzha said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

arminfo
2007-02-15 20:16:00

ARMENIAN EXPERTS CRITICIZE DRAFT LAW ON TV AND RADIO WORKED OUT BY
ARMENIAN JUSTICE MINISTRY

Armenian experts criticized the draft law on television and radio
worked out by the Armenian Justice
Ministry.

During today’s press-conference at the «Friday» discussion club,
Chairman of the Yerevan press-club Boris Navasardyan reminded that the
first version of the draft law was torpedoed by the Armenian

Parliament in 2006. Now, the Justice Ministry has prepared the second
version which, probably, will be soon adopted and approved by the
President if one takes into account the CE’s demands, the adoption of
amendments to the Armenian Constitution, and the forthcoming
parliamentary elections. Particularly, B.Navasardyan dwelled upon the
draft law’s item which regulates the principle of forming the National
Commission on TV and Radio. It is proposed to form a commission
consisting of 8 members, 4 of them being appointed by President, and
the rest – by Parliament. However, it is clear that Parliament will
cease working properly in March due to the elections, and at least one
seat from Parliament will remain vacant in the Commission, so the
members appointed by President will gain the majority of seats,
B.Navasardyan considers. He also emphasized that the present debate is
the last chance to change something in the law, as the Armenian and
international communities are likely to revert to the document after
its adoption.

Nune Sargsyan, the head of the Internews public organization, who also
took part in the discussion, pointed out the amazing indifference to
the debates of tele-media representatives, and David Sandukhchyan, the
lawyer of the same organization, noted that the document prepared by
Justice Ministry is direct evidence of the authorities’ intention to
take control of all the e-media.

Turkish nationalism and the Armenian Genocide to be subject of talk by
noted Turkish author

armradio.am
16.02.2007 13:42

Historian Taner Akcam, one of the first Turkish academics to
acknowledge and openly discuss the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman
Turkish government in 1915, will speak March 29, in the York Room of
Birch Mansion on the campus of Ramapo College, reports the Armenian
Natioanl Committee of America.

Sponsored by Ramapo College’s Center for Holocaust and Genocide
Studies, in cooperation with the Armenian National Committee of New
Jersey, Akcam’s talk will be based on his book `A Shameful Act: The
Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility,’
published by Metropolitan Books last November.

The 2006 Nobel Laureate in Literature, Orhan Pamuk, has called Akcam’s
book `¦the definitive account of the organized destruction of the
Ottoman Armenians written by a brave Turkish scholar who has devoted
his life to chronicling the events. No future discussion of the history
will be able to ignore this brilliant book.’

Making extensive use of Ottoman and other sources not previously done
so by historians of any nationality, Akcam places the genocide within
the context of Turkish nationalism. He shows an empire in a state of
collapse that is plagued by dissension and contradiction. In its dying
breath, as Akcam depicts, it lashes out against one of its ethnic and
religious minorities, resulting in what was to become the first of the
20th Century’s genocides in which over a million Armenian men, women
and children lost their lives and livelihoods through organized
killing, rape and deportation. Akcam also investigates the postwar
efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice and explains how the
growing strategic importance of the Middle East assured their failure.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMEN MAZMANIAN RECOGNIZED GUILTY OF INJURING PEOPLE’S PARTY CHAIRMAN

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. The examination of the action
brought against director Armen Mazmanian finished on February 14 at the
Court of First Instance of the Yerevan communities of Kentron and Nork
Marash. To recap, the latter called People’s Party Chairman Tigran
Karapetian "populist parrot," "semi-literate," "pickpocket," "one
sentenced in Bolgograd for debauching juveniles." The Court qualified
the mentioned expressions as an "injury" and "slander" and decided to
fine A.Mazmanian 300 thousand drams (about 840 U.S. dollars).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Marco Clemente appreciates the current level of Armenian-Italian
relations

armradio.am
16.02.2007 15:50

Tomorrow morning Italian Ambassador to Armenia Marco Clemente is
leaving for Rome. The Ambassador told Armenpress that he highly
appreciates the current level of Armenian-Italian cooperation. He said
bilateral relations are developing in all directions. The political
dialogue is on a high level. In the economic sphere Italy remains one
of the 10 most important trade partners of Armenia, cultural
cooperation is also actively developing.

`I’m proud of the work we have done together during my stay in this
country. A very positive atmosphere has been created. I’m sure the next
Ambassador will continue the work we’ve started,’ said Marco Clemente.
He refused to name the next Ambassador.
Marco Clemente will continue his diplomatic mission in the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Italy.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

"SAINT ARMENIA" EXHIBITION TO OPEN IN LOUVRE WITH PARTICIPATION OF
PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND FRANCE

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian will
leave on four-day official visit for France on February 17. A meeting
of Presidents Robert Kocharian and Jacques Chirac will take place in
Paris. The RA President will also have meetings with Prime Minister
Dominique de Villepin, Senate President Christian Poncelet, National
Assembly Speaker Jean-Louis Debre. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the
RA President’s Press Office, Robert Kocharian and First Lady Bella
Kocharian will be present at the "Charles Aznavour and Friends" concert
which will take place in the Opera Garnier of Paris. The concert will
be held within the framework of the Year of Armenia in France. Mr. and
Mrs. Kocharians will also visit Hovh.Aivazovsky’s exhibition organized
at the sea museum, "Armenian 12 Capitals" exhibition as well. The
"Saint Armenia" exhibition will open in Louvre with participation of
the Presidents of Armenia and France. The President will meet in Paris
with representatives of the Armenian community as well. The delegation
headed by Robert Kocharian will leave Paris for Nice where it will
participate in the ceremony of opening the Park of Armenia and will
have meetings with the city administration. Reference: The
Armenian-French mutual relations have had a stable development since
establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Besides, the national-state interests, centuries-old historic-cultural
ties of the two peoples and presence of a big and influential Armenian
community in France became a serious factor for development of mutual
relations. Taking into consideration the weight of France in world and
European processes, the circumstance of its being Co-Chair in the OSCE
Minsk Group, a problem matured to give a new meaning to the
Armenian-French relations and nominate a new agenda of dialogue. Robert
Kocharian’s working visit paid to France on June 30, 2000, became a
start for it. It had its consistent continuation during the state visit
paid on February 12-16, 2001 by RA President Robert Kocharian to France
at the invitation of President Jacques Chirac. An agreement was reached
in April of 2004 between the Presidents of the two countries to
announce the Year of Armenia to France. The state visit paid by
President of France Jacques Chirac to Armenia from September 29 to
October 1 of 2006 had an exclusive meaning in the sense of both future
development of relations and deepening of the EU-Armenia cooperation,
in general, increase of the international prestige of Armenia. The
French President’s visit was an evidence of friendly relations between
the two peoples, the high level of cooperation of the two states, a
close dialogue established among the highest administration. The Year
of Armenia in France, which is entitled "Armenia, My Friend," started
on September 30, 2006 with opening of the French square in Yerevan and
with the "Charles Aznavour and His Friends" concert at the Republic
square with participation of the two countries’ Presidents. France was
the first country in the world which recognized the Armenian Genocide
by the law. The law was signed by President of France Jacques Chirac on
January 18, 2001. The draft law was presented to the National Assembly
of France by the Socialist Party. The draft law envisaging punishment
for denial of the Armenian Genocide was proposed for discussion on the
initiative of the same Socialist Party on May 18, 2006. The National
Assembly of France adopted the draft on October 12. Commercial and
economic relations also actively develop between Armenia and France,
though those are still far from complete usage of the potential the two
sides have. Two French companies, Pernod Ricard and Castel, are among
the big foreign investors in Armenia. The Saur company, the subsidiary
enterprise of the French big Bouygues group won the competition
announced for heading the water supply system of Armenia in June, 2004.
Saur implements the World Bank "Community Water Supply and Drainage"
credit program with the total cost of 23.0 mln U.S. dollars in 37
cities and 268 rural settlements of Armenia (besides Yerevan). Another
French company, "General des Eaux" serves water systems of the city of
Yerevan and neighboring 30 settlements by 10-year tenancy starting from
June 1, 2006. The organization will also implement during 5 years the
World Bank "Water Supply and Drainage of Yerevan" credit program the
total cost of which makes 20.0 mln U.S. dollars. The French Air France
company started regular air transportations by the Paris-Yerevan-Paris
run starting from late March, 2006. In September, 2006, one of the
biggest French banks, Credit Agricole S.A became the biggest
shareholder of the ACBA bank, and the bank was renamed ACBA-CREDIT
AGRICOLE BANK CJSC. The goods circulation between Armenia and France
made 64787.1 thousand U.S. dollars in January-November of 2006, instead
of 39098.9 thousand U.S. dollars of the same period of the previous
year. Owing to the position and merit of French Armenians in different
spheres of public activity as well as from the viewpoint of interest
created towards Armenians by French highest authorities, political
forces and the whole society, the French Armenian community is one of
the most influential centers of Diaspora. This is the biggest Armenian
community of Europe (about 450.000 Armenians) and is one of the most
important communities for its thickness and organization. Armenians
mainly live in Paris and surroundings, in south – Marseilles, central
regions – the cities of Lyons, Valence. Church, educational and
cultural institutions, professional unions, youth, sports and
humanitarian organizations function in France, the number of which
passes 300 at present.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Tigran Torosyan received members of the parliamentary delegation of
Belarus

armradio.am
16.02.2007 17:50

February 16 RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosyan received the delegation
headed by President of the Armenian-Belarusian Interparliamentary
Cooperation Commission Sergey Zabolotets. The meeting was attended by
the Belarusian Ambassador to Armenia Marina Dolgopolova.
During the meeting issues related to the development of interstate and
interparliamentary cooperation were discussed. Noting that the
relations between Armenia and Belarus have been traditionally friendly,
NA Chairman Tigran Torosyan emphasized the importance of deepening of
these ties in line with the demands of time. Tigran Torosyan voiced
hope that after the parliamentary elections in Armenia in May the
Armenian-Belarusian interparliamentary relations will continue
developing at the same pace.
Vice-Speaker of the House of Commons of Belarus, Co-Chair of the
Armenian-Belarusian Interparliamentary Cooperation Commission Sergey
Zabolotets appreciated the results of the second sitting of the
commission. He informed Mr. Torosyan about the internal political
situation in Belarus and the perspectives of development.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress