QUAKE IN TURKEY DEC 14
Yerevan, December 15. ArmInfo. A 3.9-point earthquake took place in
Turkey 10 km south-west of Ttak Dec 14 5:48 PM local time.
The National Seismic Protection Service of Armenia reports that in the
epicenter the magnitude was 5 points (12-point scale).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
SHOULD ARMENIAN-GEORGIAN ARMED CLASHES START IN JAVAKHQ ARMENIA WILL
HAVE TO INTERFERE: SAMVEL BABAYAN
Yerevan, December 15. ArmInfo. Of course, we all would like the
problems of Javakhq and Nakhichevan to be also solved along with the
problem of Nagorno-Karabakh, says the leader of the Dashink party, ex
commander of the Nagorno-Karabakh Defence Army Samvel Babayan.
Javakhq is very important for the Armeian statehood, it is a zone of
interest for the Armenian nation. But in 1988-1994 the Armenia nation
had no right to raise this problems too as it would mean a war with
Georgia and the blockade of Armenian also from the north. Armenia
would be quickly exhausted and might even lose its own statehood.
To raise the Karabakh problem was also dangerous venture. At that time
Armenia had no regular army, was ridden by devastating quake in 1988
and had no efficient economy. It was a great risk but we won due to
right tactics, says Babayan.
He notes that today the Georgian authorities are openly
anti-Armenian. And now much depends on Armenia’s policy in the
matter. The position of the present Armenian authoirities is not right
as it is contrary to the interests of the Armenian nation. They do not
realize the importance of Javakhq and treat it as a step-child. This
is not right.
Babayan notes that should Armenian-Georgian armed clashes start in
Javakheti, Armenia will be forced to interfere.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
December 15, 2006
___________________
ZOHRAB CENTER PAYS TRIBUTE TO DOCUMENTARIAN ANDREW GOLDBERG
By Florence Avakian
The April 17, 2006, airing of the one-hour documentary "The Armenian
Genocide" on PBS was a record breaking evening for the organization’s
fund-raising efforts. Responsible for this soul-searing film, which moved
so many to give, was producer Andrew Goldberg.
On Tuesday, December 12, 2006, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern) hosted a tribute event for the filmmaker organized by the
Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center. During the evening,
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, presented the
honoree with the St. Vartan Award.
NO GENOCIDE HAS BEEN SO VOCIFEROUSLY DENIED
Goldberg, who is actively involved in working for the prevention all
genocides, is also an avid animal rights activist. During his remarks, he
related the rocky road he traversed in order to get his most recent
documentary aired.
He said his dedication stemmed from the "intensive denial waged. This story
of the Genocide had never been properly used in the media. No other
genocide has been so vociferously denied. I was frustrated by not being
listened to, by the corporate manipulators, and by a lying Congress that
tried to stop PBS from airing the documentary. I wanted to educate the
millions who don’t know."
Relating the issue to the current situation in the Darfur region of Sudan,
he asked the audience to get involved to prevent the continuation of the
genocide there.
"It rests on all of us individually to do whatever we can, including writing
letters to members of Congress, and contributing financially. I’m asking
for help for those who desperately need it," he said.
HAS GONE WHERE NO ONE BEFORE HAS GONE
Noted author and poet Dr. Peter Balakian, a friend of Goldberg for more than
eight years, related that in feting the filmmaker, the Armenian community
was celebrating his craft as a story teller in the medium of film.
"He shows us slices of history, often dark and violent, but also humane and
emotional. He deeply absorbs the material of history, never separating it
from the communities associated with those histories," he said during the
reception. "It is a complex relationship between history, politics, with
textures that come alive, and with scholars as well as common people, in an
interesting weave. That’s good storytelling."
"Obsessed by corruption and bigotry, and possessing a passion for ethical
issues, this documentary, ‘The Armenian Genocide,’ was an odyssey for him
and the Armenian community. He has gone where no one before has gone,"
Balakian added.
Goldberg has made four documentaries pertaining to Armenian themes. In
1998, he first touched the community with "The Armenian Americans;" then
came "Armenians: A Story of Survival;" followed by "Images of the Armenian
Spirit;" and finally "The Armenian Genocide" this year.
The latest film encompassed "haunting shots" of Ottoman heads of state,
Turkish scholars speaking elegantly of the Armenian Genocide, and voices of
ordinary Turkish citizens.
"It sank into layers of history and its aftermath, and reached millions of
people in the United States, and millions more worldwide," Balakian said.
"Film is the medium of our time. It’s a legacy that goes beyond the one
showing. It’s in the archives forever, and has a life of its own."
HONORING DEDICATION
In presenting the St. Vartan Award to the honoree, the Primate called the
filmmaker "a dedicated friend of the Armenian people. It is through his
fresh eyes that our centuries-old culture has been brought to life in the
powerful medium of film. Our stories – those of our artists, of our
families here in America, and of our ancestors who perished in the Genocide,
have been made accessible to millions of viewers, due in large part to Mr.
Goldberg’s talent as a cinematic story teller""
During the program at the Diocesan Center, Goldberg showed two videos. One
depicted his tireless efforts to speak to Turkish diplomats about the
Armenian Genocide outside the European Union headquarters in Brussels. The
other, which will be shown on PBS at 10 p.m. on January 8, 2007, focuses on
anti-Semitism throughout the world.
Goldberg also has two future documentary projects already in the works: "The
Story of the City of God – Jerusalem" and "For the Love of Animals."
A soulful interlude during the evening was provided by the well-known singer
Hooshere, whose modern interpretations of traditional Armenian music was
used in "The Armenian Genocide."
Aram Arkun of the Zohrab Center organized the event, which drew 150
attendees, including Armen Martirosian, Armenia’s ambassador to the United
Nations. Scheduled speaker New York District Attorney Robert Morgenthau,
grandson of America’s ambassador to Ottoman Turkey during the Armenian
Genocide, was unable to be present due to a family illness.
— 12/15/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
Photos by Florence Avakian.
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Filmmaker Andrew Goldberg speaks during a reception
honoring him at the Diocesan Center in New York on December 12, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Singer Hooshere performs during a reception at the
Diocesan Center in New York City honoring documentary filmmaker Andrew
Goldberg.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, presents filmmaker Andrew Goldberg, producer of the documentary
"The Armenian Genocide," with the St. Vartan Award during a reception on
December 12, 2006.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Armenian peacekeeper Georgy Nalbandyan to be transported to the US
ArmRadio.am
15.12.2006 17:27
Armenian peacekeeper Georgy Nalbandyan, who was seriously injured in
Iraq on November 10, will be transported from Germany to the US, Head
of the Engineering Department of the Ministry of Defense,
Major-General Vostanic Adoyan said, Mediamax agency reports. He said
an artificial limb will be prepared for Lieutenant Georgy Nalbandyan
in the Washington Hospital. The peacekeeper will be able to return to
Armenia early spring 2007.
Let us remind that the Armenian peacekeeper was taken to the Lndsstuhl
regional medical center of Germany near the American Ramstein military
base. Here Georgy Nalbandyan underwent several serious surgeries.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
ONES IGNORING PROBLEM OF REFUGEE ARMENIANS FROM AZERBAIJAN ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR INEFFECTIVENESS OF NEGOTIATIONS, REFUGEES CONSIDER
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, NOYAN TAPAN. The "Refugees and International
Right" civil society network states on behalf of a hundred of thousand
of refugees from the Azerbaijani SSR and Nakhijevan that adoption of
the NKR Constitution corresponds to the Artsakh people, radical
interests of refugees and will serve as a weighty spur to move the
negotiation process to a reasonable course."
This is said in the network statement. In the opinion of the statement
authors, the NKR people’s and authorities’ next step must be adoption
of the law "On NKR Citizenship" not less significant for the country
which will give possibility to refugees to again get a country of
citizenship in the person of the NKR. It is mentioned in the statement
that "OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmen Matthew Bryza, Yuri Merzliakov and
Bernard Fassier as well as all those officials who in this or that way
ignore and pass by in silence the problem of a half a million of
refugees from the Azerbaijani SSR and Nakhijevan, bear individual
responsibility for ineffectiveness of the bilateral negotiations." To
recap, the "Refugees and International Right" civil society network,
formed in the summer of this year involves a number of public
organizations which unite hundred of thousand Armenian refugees from
Azerbaijan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
December 15, 2006
PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Website: <;
PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER HOLY MASS AND SUNDAY SCHOOL CELEBRATION AT HOLY
MARTYRS CHURCH
On Sunday, December 17, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will
preside over Holy Mass and deliver the sermon at Holy Martyrs Church in
Encino.
Following Mass, the Prelate will preside over the Sunday School
Christmas celebration that is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
PRELATE TO ATTEND ARF ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
On Sunday, December 17, the 116th anniversary of the A.R.F. will be
celebrated at Glendale High School, starting at 6:00 p.m.
The Prelate and Executive Council representatives will attend
the event.
PRELATE TO ATTEND RECEPTION ORGANIZED BY THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF ARMENIA
The Consulate General of Armenia in Los Angeles has organized a reception on
the joint occasions of the 15th anniversary of the independence of the
Republic of Armenia and the recent appointment of Mr. Armen Liloyan as
Consul General in Los Angeles. The reception will take place on Monday,
December 18, at 7:00 p.m., at Le Meridien Beverly Hills Hotel in Los
Angeles.
The Prelate, accompanied by Clergy and Executive Council
members, will be in attendance.
HOLY MARTYRS ACYA LECTURE
On Wednesday, December 20, the Holy Martyrs Church youth association has
organized a spiritual educational lecture to take place at 7:00 p.m. inside
the church.
Christian Education Department Co-Director Very Rev. Fr. Barthev
Gulumian will speak on the topic `The Dates of Christmas and the Armenian
Church’.
PanARMENIAN.Net
Armenia Remains Russia’s Only Political Ally in South Caucasus
15.12.2006 15:56 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia has failed to elaborate a strategy on the
South Caucasian states and this resulted in indistinct foreign policy
towards these states, head of the center of Caucasian Studies at the
Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) Vladimir
Zakharov said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. `I can say that
Russia assumed a strange and temporizing position. Absence of precise
interests in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia leads to wrong
decisions. With all responsibility I say that Russia has maintained
one political ally in the South Caucasus – Armenia. On one hand it
gratifies but on the other hand it upsets because during the recent
decade our foreign policy and economic relations led not to
development of ties with Russia but worsened them. Hasty decisions of
the Russian government forced the Armenian people and power structures
to turn to other political players,’ he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
PanARMENIAN.Net
Romania and Bulgaria Accepted to EU
15.12.2006 16:54 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The European Union leaders holding their summit in
Brussels today welcomed today Bulgaria and Romania as new EU
members. Thus, from January 1, 2007 the number of the EU member states
will reach 27.
Joining of these two states to the EU embodies a successful final of
the 5th EU enlargement, the summit participants said, reports
ITAR-TASS.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Armenpress
CURBS ON DRUGS ADVERTISEMENT ENTER INTO FORCE
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: A set of new
restrictions on advertisement of medicines and medical
equipment by television stations and newspapers is
coming into force from December 16.
Under these restrictions pharmaceutical companies
or dealers before commissioning advertisement of any
licensed drug will have to seek a written permission
of the Armenian healthy ministry. The new procedure
has banned altogether television and newspaper
advertisement of unregistered drugs.
Parunak Zeivelian, chairman of the Armenian Medical
Association, told a news conference today the new
restrictions were prompted by serious concerns
articulated by medical authorities and doctors about
the growing use of televised advertising of medicines.
Zeivelian said their Association will conduct close
monitoring of all ads on Armenian television and
newspapers to inform the ministry about every breach
of the law.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Armenpress
THREE VOLUMES OF ARMENIAN ANTHOLOGY IN ENGLISH RELEASED
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS: The first three
volumes of English language anthology of Armenian
literature were presented today. This extensive work
that took 24 months became possible due to generous
financing of the Armenian General Benevolent Union
(AGBU).
The first volumes embrace the Armenian drama,
poetry and prose, enabling English-language readers to
shape an impression of the Armenian literature.
Chairman of the Union of Armenian Writers, Levon
Ananian, said the books include the best works of
Armenian playwrights, poets and prose authors.
"We are proving to the international community that
we have presently a literature,:"’ he said. Ashot
Ghazarian from the AGBU Armenia Office said the Union
has been assisting Armenian writers for a decade.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress