Author: Emil Lazarian

Pyunik waltz to Armenian title
Monday, 23 October 2006
by Khachik Chakhoyan
from Yerevan
FC Pyunik coasted to a sixth consecutive Armenian
Premier League title in some style as an overwhelming
12-1 victory against FC Kilikia saw them build an
unassailable 14-point lead atop the table with three
matches remaining.
Blistering start
Samvel Petrosyan’s side went into the weekend’s
fixtures eleven points clear of FC Banants, and as
their nearest rivals were slipping to a 1-0 defeat by
FC MIKA, Pyunik underlined their dominance with an
overwhelming performance. Levon Pachajyan set the tone
as early as the second minute and by the quarter-hour
further strikes from Tigran Gharabaghtsyan, Armen
Tigranyan and Arsen Avetisyan had left the champions
four goals to the good.
Captain’s seal
Avetisyan went on to add another, while Gharabaghtsyan
completed his hat-trick as Kilikia struggled to stem
the flow. Rafael Nazaryan, Agvan Lazarian, Valeri
Aleksanyan and Artur Stepanyan also added their names
to the scoresheet before captain Sargis Hovsepyan made
it 12 with 15 minutes remaining. Kilikia pulled one
back late on but it failed to take the gloss off a
masterful performance as Pyunik claimed their ninth
title since Armenian independence in 1992. It secures
a place in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying
round.
uefa.com
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS CONGRATULATES ARMENIAN CYPRIOT MP
ON HIS ELECTION AS PARTY LEADER
His Holiness Aram I congratulated Cypriot Armenian Member of Parliament, Mr.
Marios Garoyan, for election as President of the Democratic Party (DIKO).
During a phone conversation with Mr. Garoyan, His Holiness considered him to
be a great honor for the Armenian nation in general and the Cypriot Armenian
community in particular. His Holiness Aram I wished the newly elected party
leader full success in his new mission.
A highly educated man from the Cypriot Armenian community, Mr. Garoyan has
for years been an active member in DIKO and was recently elected as a Member
of Parliament from that party.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
E-mail: [email protected]
Contact: Marc A. Mamigonian
LECTURE AT NAASR ON POST-1915 ARMENIAN DIASPORAN CULTURAL IDENTITY
Zeynep Turan, a Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Psychology at the City
University of New York, will give a lecture entitled “Objects of Legacy:
Material Culture and Post-1915 Armenian Cultural Identity in Diaspora”
on Thursday, October 26, at 8:00 p.m., at the National Association for
Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) Center , 395 Concord Ave.,
Belmont, MA.
The displacement and involuntary resettlement of the Armenians of the
Ottoman Empire from their ancestral lands created the need to rebuild
identities based on lost landscapes, nostalgia, and collective symbols.
Having been displaced from one’s homeland, one might make one’s new
dwelling in language, in stories, or in personal objects. An identity
based on being from “there” but living “here” encourages a sense of
place maintained as much by stories and memories as by the topography of
one’s homeland.
Material Objects Provide a Link To Lost Homeland
Since the experience of forced migration destabilizes a person’s
relationship to the environment, a collection of personal objects may
allow one to form a safe area from which one can reclaim (or disclaim)
personal and cultural identity. For Armenians originally from Asia
Minor, as well as Greeks and displaced Palestinians, the personal
objects brought from their homelands provided a sense of cultural
identity and security that has been taken for granted. These objects
took on the roles that family, friends, and a familiar ancestral
environment would have played had the 1915 genocide, the population
exchange, and the displacements never happened. These material objects
enable their owners – the displaced persons and their descendants – at
least to imagine a security that has been lost.
Turan is in the final year of a doctoral program in Environmental
Psychology at the City University of New York (CUNY). A native of
Izmir, Turkey, she is focusing her research on the effects of
displacement on Armenians, Greeks, and Palestinians, as well as others
forced to flee their homelands, and their descendants. She holds
Masters degrees in Psychology and Architectural History and Theory.
The NAASR Center and Headquarters is located opposite the First Armenian
Church and next to the U.S. Post Office. Ample parking is available
around the building and in adjacent areas. The lecture will begin
promptly at 8:00 p.m. More information about the lecture is available
by calling 617-489-1610, faxing 617-484-1759, e-mailing [email protected], or
writing to NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of Canada
130 Albert St., Suite 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel. (613) 235-2622 Fax (613) 238-2622
E-mail:[email protected]
PR ESS RELEASE
October 18, 2006
Contact: keveork Manguelian
Tel. (613) 235-2622
Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Armenia Concludes a Successful
Visits to Canada
“It is not our Intention to Humiliate or Corner Turkey,”–Minister Oskanian
Ottawa-Vartan Oskanian, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Armenia,
concluded a successful working visit to Ottawa on October 18 meeting Canada’
s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Peter MacKay and Canadian
legislators.
To honour His Excellency Vartan Oskanian, Gary Goodyear, (MP – Cambridge)
and Chairman of Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, in
cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Ottawa, and the
Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC), hosted a luncheon-meeting for
House of Commons and Senate of Canada members.
After welcoming the minister, Gary Goodyear emphasized that the high turn
out of Parliamentarians demonstrates “the positive relationship that exists
between Armenia and Canada. It also illustrates the importance of our
commitment to developing bilateral agreements with our Armenian friends and
counterparts.” Goodyear concluded that by establishing Canada-Armenia
Parliamentary Friendship Group “we have the opportunity to share experiences
and develop warm friendships that will serve and strengthen our two
countries.”
After thanking the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada members, and
the Canadian Government for their recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
Minister Oskanian said that the purpose of his visit is to strengthen
Canada-Armenian bilateral relations in economic and political fields,
Canada -Armenia cooperation in international organizations and obtain Canada
‘s assistance in enhancing Armenia’s peace-keeping capacities.
Minister Oskanian reviewed Armenia’s political, economic and social
development, Armenia’s relation with its neighbours, and the French National
Assembly’s principled stand on the Armenian Genocide.
Minister Oskanian stressed that Armenia has always advocated dialogue and
the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Armenia and Turkey
without precondition. “It is not our intention to humiliate or corner
Turkey,” stated Minister Oskanian.
Jason Kenney, Parliamentary Secretary of the Prime Minister of Canada, on
behalf of the Government of Canada welcomed Minister Oskanian and wished him
a successful visit.
The two-hour meeting provided an excellent opportunity for Canadian
legislators to get first-hand knowledge of Armenia, its concerns and hopes.
In addition to the Parliamentarians, the gathering was attended by ANCC
Chairman Dr. Vagharch Ehrmdjian, ANCC central and regional board members,
Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Rev. Mher Khatchigian
and representatives from the Congress of Canadian Armenians.
Later in the day, Minister Oskanian met his counterpart– Hon. Peter
MacKay–to discuss issues of mutual interest to Canada and Armenia.
Minister Oskanian’s visit was covered by many major Canadian media
organizations.
“We are sure that such ministerial visits will pave the way for closer
relation between the two nations. The vibrant Canadian-Armenian community
and ANCC, will play, as they have done in the past, a pivotal role in
bringing Canada and Armenia closer,” said Aris Babikian, Executive Director
of ANCC.
#
For media inquiries please contact:
Kelly Williams, Gary Goodyear- MP Office. Tel. (613) 996-1307
The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of
the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.
Regional Chapters
Montréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge – St.
Catharines – Windsor – Vancouver
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE October 23, 2006
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected] ;Web:
Armenian Embassy, with Leading Armenian American Organizations, Celebrates
Armenia’s Fifteenth Anniversary in Washington, DC
On October 21, 2006, the fifteenth anniversary of Armenia’s independence was
celebrated in Washington’s renown Omni Shoreham Hotel with a special event
drawing near 500 guests from all Armenian communities in the United States
and the heads of all the leading Armenian-American political, cultural,
religious, and benevolent organizations. Represented at the event were
organizations that made an essential contribution to sustaining the Armenian
independent statehood, such as the Armenian National Committee of America,
the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Assembly of America,
Fund for Armenian Relief, the Armenian Missionary Association of America,
the Cafesjian Family Foundation, and the Armenian Relief Society, whose
representatives had the opportunity to make congratulatory remarks.
Also present at the event were representatives of U.S. State Department,
USAID, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, as well as former U.S.
Ambassadors to Armenia. An official delegation headed by Minister of Foreign
Affairs Vartan Oskanian traveled to Washington to participate in the
celebration.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador of Armenia to the U.S. Tatoul Markarian
noted that among the major and irreversible achievements of independence
were democratic development, liberal market economy, strong state
institutions, and consolidation of the entire Armenian nation around the
newly-independent state. Ambassador Markarian stressed the essential role of
the strong Armenian-American community and U.S.-Armenian relations in
sustaining the newly-independent statehood and promoting Armenia’s economic
development. He noted that the above organizations and the Diaspora in
general enthusiastically embraced the newly-independent Armenia and
supported the efforts of the Armenian government. The Ambassador of Armenia
noted that the presence of all the leading organizations at the celebration
once more demonstrated the unity of the Armenian nation and the Armenian
state, which is the best guarantee for success of Armenia and all Armenians
in the twenty-first century and beyond. Excerpts from the Ambassador’s
remarks are presented below.
Speaking on behalf of U.S. administration, Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State for Europe and Eurasia and Special Negotiator Matthew Bryza offered
warm congratulations on the fifteenth anniversary of independence and noted
the friendly relations and close cooperation between the United States and
Armenia on issues of regional and global importance.
Delivering the keynote address during the celebration, Minister Oskanian
drew historical parallels between the current independence and the
experience of the First Republic and noted that upholding Armenia as an
independent, democratic, and prosperous state is a task for the Armenian
nation as a whole. He stressed the importance of unity and solidarity
between Armenia and Diaspora in further enhancing the indepependent
statehood. The keynote address by the Minister is available in full at the
Foreign Ministry website, at
——————
Excerpts from remarks by Ambassador Tatoul Markarian at the special event
celebrating fifteen years of independence
It is a great honor to welcome you to the event celebrating the fifteenth
anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia. Fifteen years
ago, the citizens of Armenia voted to make Armenia an independent and
democratic state. The newly-born Republic of Armenia has made enormous
efforts and tremendous sacrifice to build Armenia we all dream about. Among
the major and irreversible achievements of independence are democratic
development, liberal market economy, and strong state institutions. Armenia
has become an active and responsible member of the international community.
The restoration of Armenia’s independence also gave new life to the Armenian
Diaspora, helping revitalize the Armenian identity, revive the strength of
the Armenian communities, find new mission and adjust towards new goals,
especially in Armenia and Artsakh. Not having been a nation-state in the
conventional sense of the word, independent Armenia has become a truly
national state.
…
Celebrating the anniversary of Armenia’s independence in Washington, D.C. is
indeed appropriate since the U.S. government, and also the World Bank and
the IMF have been the biggest investors in Armenia’s independence from the
very beginning. Its latest manifestation is the Millennium Challenge
Corporation program in Armenia. The U.S. Congress has always been an
unreserved supporter of Armenia throughout its political and economic
transition. Our American friends on the Hill and in the Administration have
never had doubts about the dedication of the Armenian people and leadership
to our shared values and principles, and I want to thank them for that. Our
strong cooperation all these years and your eagerness to share our today’s
celebration express the warm friendship between the United States and
Armenia.
…
Washington also symbolizes the strong Armenian American Diaspora, which has
distinguished itself by its essential contribution to sustaining Armenia’s
independence from day one. The Armenian-American community was in the
forefront of the efforts to help make true the centuries-long dream, the
building of Armenian statehood, and worked tirelessly to help expand
U.S.-Armenian relations.
The Armenian Church, the Diasporan communities, patriotic individuals, and
organizations such as the Armenian National Committee of America, Armenian
General Benevolent Union, Armenian Assembly of America, Fund for Armenian
Relief, Cafesjian Foundation, Armenian Missionary Association of America,
and Armenian Relief Society have enthusiastically embraced the
newly-independent Armenia. These organizations supported the efforts of the
Armenian government, and not only – in a way – co-sponsored the newly-born
independence, but also willingly came forward to co-sponsor with the Embassy
today’s celebration, which we appreciate highly. The list of patriotic
organizations naturally is not limited to those only, and there are also
great examples like Kirk Kirkorian’s Lincy Foundation and others.
I cannot enumerate all of them today but I want assure you that their
commitment and dedication will be admired and deemed even more monumental
from the horizon of the future by generations to come.
Independence has always been a unifying factor, and tonight’s celebration
once more demonstrates the unity of the Armenian nation and the Armenian
state, which is a prerequisite for success of Armenia and all Armenians in
the twenty-first century and beyond.
Once again, I want to congratulate and also thank each and every one of you
for being with us tonight. And thanks to all the individuals and
organizations who have helped us in organizing this event.
Thank you.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Federation of Armenian Organisations of the Netherlands (FAON)
24 April committee for recognition and commemoration of the Armenian
genocide of 1915
Address: Weesperstraat 91 – The Hague, The Netherlands
K.v.K. 27264382
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: M. Hakhverdian
PRESS RELEASE

Armenian Federation meets minister Verdonk
Genocide education is necessary

The Hague, 24 October 2006 – Representatives of the Federation of Armenian
Organisations in the Netherlands (FAON) met today with minister Verdonk of
Immigration and Integration. The reason for this meeting was connected with
the commotion after the removal of three MP candidates of Turkish descent
from the candidates¹ lists of CDA (Christian Democrat Party) and PvdA
(Labour Party) for publicly denying the Armenian Genocide.

The FAON asked the minister to clearly express and continue to express the
Dutch position on this subject both internationally, such as the policy
carried out by Foreign Minister Bot with respect to Turkey since the motion
of Rouvoet (December 2004), as well as in the Netherlands, by showing
solidarity with the Armenian minority.

In response to that Minister Verdonk underlined that in the international
context the Dutch government has raised the Armenian question repeatedly,
both in EU framework and in the bilateral contacts with Turkey and will
continue to do so.

The Armenian Federation, that got the ball rolling on the matter of the MP
candidates through a letter to the CDA (Christian Democrat Party), expressed
concern towards the minister on the one-sided way in which particularly
Turks in the Netherlands are informed about this episode of the history,
which hampers their integration into Dutch society. Moreover, because of
current Turkish legislation, it is in fact impossible for Turks, also those
living in the Netherlands, to give other opinions on this matter than the
official Turkish point of view.

The FAON for this reason urged the minister to adapt the education programme
on this subject. By means of objective material, attention should be paid to
this history on different levels, as is the case in neighbouring countries,
in one package together with the Holocaust and other genocides. The
Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies in Amsterdam can play an
important role in this matter.

Minister Verdonk promised that she will transmit the request of the FAON
concerning the adaptation of the history curriculum on this subject to her
colleague of Education, Culture and Sciences. The minister subscribes to the
need of sound provision of information on the matter.

Additionally, the FAON asked for an active attitude of the Dutch government
by acting against denial on internet sites stirring up hatred, and other
forms of public denial, minimisation, justification or reversing of the
Armenian Genocide; action is also necessary against hackers who continuously
try to destroy Dutch and Armenian internet websites with pictures of the
Turkish flag and the Grey Wolves.

In response to this request, minister Verdonk promised to ask the Dutch
Complaints Bureau for Discrimination on the Internet (MDI) to be alert to
any form of discrimination towards Armenians.

Finally minister Verdonk also promised that under her orders a profile (an
information booklet) of the Armenian community in the Netherlands will be
established.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

WESTERN ARMENIAN LITERATURE AND LITERATURE OF ARMENIAN DIASPORA TO BE DIGITALIZED SOON
By Melania Badalian
AZG Armenian Daily
24/10/2006
As a result of “Digital Library of Armenian Bibliography” project
launched at the American University of Armenia in 1999, the digital
collection of the Armenian literature of 5th to 18th centuries
was created. This initiative greatly contributed to spreading and
recognition of the Armenian Classical Literature. The readers may
find the digital version of the Armenia literature pieces at www
digitab.am. At present, thanks to the donation of Tourpanjian family
fund, the library launches the digitalization of the Western Armenian
and the Literature of the Armenian Diaspora of 1800-2000.
On October 10-12, the DIGITAB Coordination Scholarly Board held
its first sitting at the AUA. The members of the board, namely
Karo Armenian, Henrik Bakhchinian, Vazgen Gabirielian, Souren
Danielian, Albert Makarian, Albert Sharounian, Haroutiun Gevorgian,
Zhirayr Danielian, Mark Nshanian, Grigor Pltian, Poghos Snapian and
Harutyun Kyourkchian, discussed such issues as, the main principles of
digitalization, the lists of the authors and their works, the working
stages, as well as various issues concerning the copyright principles.
Certainly, the initiative of digitalization of the Western Armenian
and the Literature of the Armenian Diaspora will make these literature
pieces more available for everyone.
We believe that this important initiative would have been more
successfully and professionally implemented, if other Literature
critics from the Armenian Diaspora, such as Yervand Azatian, Oshin
Keshishian and Gevorg Bardakchian from USA, or Karo Abrahamian from
Lebanon and Yuri Khachatrian from Yerevan, were included in the
Digitab Scholarly Board.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TAX REVENUES TO EXCEED 1 BILLION DRAMS IN 2007
Panorama.am
13:11 23/10/06
Tax revenue indicators will exceed 1 billion Armenian drams in the year
2007, deputy head of tax services, Armen Alaverdyan said. In his words,
revenues from income tax for the last 5 years have doubled. However,
he said this indicator does not meet the demands of the public and our
international rating. “A tradition must be developed in the public
to voluntarily pay taxes,” he said. He also said taxes will not go
up in the year 2007.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF ARMENIA DECLINED PROPOSAL TO CREATE INTERIM COMMITTEE ON GENOCIDE
Panorama.am
14:57 23/10/06
Opposition deputy Tatul Manaseryan made a proposal at the National
Assembly of Armenia to set up an interim committee on genocide of
Armenians. Deputy Hmaiak Hovhanisyan said the standing committee on
foreign relations must deal with the issue. Spartak Seiranyan from
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnakcutiun) said setting
up a committee may torpedo recognition of the genocide throughout
the world. He said if our discusstion may mean that we are not sure
if there was really a genocide or not. “The decision may put under
question the decisions of many parliaments throughout the world which
have already recognized and condemned the genocide,” he said. On the
other hand, Tatul Manaseryan believes, “We urge countries to recognize
the genocide but fail to fix it on legislative level.” He also said
Armenia does not have any law punishing refusal to recognize the
Armenian genocide like France does. Anyway, the draft decision on
setting up an interim committee on genocide was declined from the
big agenda and Manaseryan suggested to organize closed hearing on
the issue.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN AND BELARUS PRIME MINISTERS HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON YEREVAN
Panorama.am
16:14 23/10/06
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan is content with the pace of
cooperation between the governments of Armenia and Belarus. “I am
content with today’s negotiations,” he told a press conference with
Belarus Prime Minister Sergei Sidorski.
Respective officials in the field of trade and economy, culture,
sports and tourism, social, customs signed documents today aimed to
bolster small and mid size business.
Prime Minister Sidorski who arrived with a big delegation late
yesterday said his country has high level of interest in high and
information technologies, cognac production and other fields of
Armenia. Sidorski said information technologies have high priority
both for Armenia and Belarus, saying his country has 40% of GDP in
information technologies.
Sidorski also said the two countries may seriously cooperate in the
field of energy. “Like Armenia, Belarus has no gas and oil,” Sidorski
said saying the president of the country has assigned the government
to cut fuel energy resources by 25% on behalf of alternative energy
sources.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress