Author: Emil Lazarian

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY CANDIDATES DID NOT WIN LOCAL ELECTION IN BELGIUM
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.10.2006 13:42 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As reported earlier, ethnic Armenian candidates were
included in election lists of various parties at regional elections in
Belgium. In Jette Brussels district, where Armenians compactly live,
Melik Melikyan was nominated from the Liberal Party, while Krikor
Kaspar represented socialists. As the Armenian community of Brussels
told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, none of Armenian candidates won
the elections. As for ethnic Turk candidates, they won in regions,
where the Turkish population forms the majority.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MECHANISM TO DISCUSS GENOCIDE BETWEEN TURKEY AND ARMENIA NEEDED
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.10.2006 13:59 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “There should be initiatives to boost mutual
understanding and dialogue,” Armenian Patriarch in Turkey Mesrob II
said in regard to French bill which aims to criminalize denial of
the Armenian Genocide that will be voted in the French parliament
on October 12th. Releasing a statement, Mesrob II underlined that
all countries, especially Turkey and Armenia, should make necessary
arrangements to discuss and examine the matter of the Armenian
Genocide.
Indicating that all efforts hampering freedom of expression would harm
the process of dialogue between Turkish and Armenian communities,
Mesrob II stressed: “initiatives to boost mutual understanding,
dialogue and empathy should be undertaken without wasting time,”
Turkishpress writes.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ALMOST 400 GEORGIAN CITIZENS EXPELLED FROM RUSSIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
11.10.2006 14:54 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Within past few days Moscow courts passed 380
decisions on expelling Georgian citizens from Russia owing to breaking
the migration legislation. October 5 and 6 courts considered 327
cases and decided to administratively expel 305 persons. Another 70
decisions on deportation were taken within the following days.
Owing to deportation of illegal migrants, detaining criminal
authorities and closing of gambling houses, the Georgian party accused
Russian authorities in xenophobia and nationalism. Along with that
Georgian President M. Saakashvili urged all compatriots on October
9 to return to the fatherland from Russia, irrespective of their
citizenship, reports Lenta.ru.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NEW QUALIFYING EXAMS FOR ADVOCATES
A1+
[04:44 pm] 11 October, 2006
After an interval of five years licensing exams were held for advocates
in Armenia. 75 points of the overall 100 was considered the passing
threshold. The pretenders took written and oral exams. Of all the
310 applicants only 207 passed the threshold of the qualifying exams.
As for who will get license, chairman of the Chamber of Advocates
Ruben Sahakyan and President of the qualifying committee Yenoq Azaryan
found it difficult to say. They represented the course of the exams
in every detail and claimed that everything was extremely fair and
transparent. The procedure excluded any possibility of promptings
or supporting the applicants. The tests were made by computer,
enveloped immediately after printing without even reading and sealed
with two seals.
By the way, Mrs. Catharine Matis, the chairman of the US Chamber of
Advocates, also arrived in Armenia in order to follow the course of
the exams. She was on the whole content with the organization of the
exams and claimed that the US Court system has gained its independence
thanks to the institute of advocates.
Ruben Sahakyan thinks that advocates can make a revolution in Armenia
too in case they are more active, “We lived 70 years in the USSR
and another 16 years in independent Armenia. The court system of the
United States was formed during 230 years. I’m sure that in about 100
years we will have an independent court system too”, Mr. Sahakyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Writers Association Of California
c/o 410 E. Fairview Ave, #3
Glendale, CA 91207 USA
Tel: 818-500-1532
Email: [email protected]
LITERARY EVENING

Monthly literary meeting of the Armenian Writers Association of
California (AWAOC), sponsored by Glendale Public Library, took place
at 7-9 PM, on Thursday, October 5 2006, at the Auditorium, of the
library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA 91205. The month of
October is culture month in the Armenian tradition; therefore, like
the past years, the meeting was open podium for writers and poets to
read their literary works. Grish Davtian, President of AWAOC,
initiated the meeting; he introduced the following newly published
books by the members of AWAOC: “AFRICAN SYMPHONY” short stories in
English, by novelist Poghos Raymond Gubelian. “SMILE MY DEAR”, poems
in English, by poet Termine Manukian. “ADAGIO”, poems in Armenian, by
Termine Manukian. “OJAKH” (Hearth), poems in Armenian, by Astghik
Topcnian. “SRTI AGHBYUR” (Spring of Heart), poems in Armenian, by
Gusan Aper.

Poet Nerses Ter-Mesropian presented the historic beginning of the
Culture Day in Armenian national calendar. The following writers read
their works: Samvel Shahbazian, poems; Vazgen Abovian, a discourse on
the sources of Armenian national epos; Ester Davtian, poems; Victoria
Sanasarian, short story; Kima Kirakosian, short story; Rubik
Keshishian, short story; Albert Grkiasharian, poems; Garush Haryants,
poems.

After the meeting, Mr. A. Vanetsyan of Radio Free Europe / Radio
Liberty interviewed Mr. Grish Davtian. The interview was broadcast on
Sunday, October 8, in their program.

AWAOC
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia Fund, Inc.
111 N. Jackson St. Ste. 205
Glendale, CA 91206
Tel: 818-243-6222
Fax: 818-243-7222
PRESS RELEASE
Contact ~ Sarkis Kotanjian
[email protected]
Armenia Fund Completes Yerevan’s Nork-Marash Hospital Reconstruction
YEREVAN, ARMENIA – Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region is pleased to
announce that on September 19 its Brazilian affiliate – Fundo Armenia do
Brazil – unveiled the newly-reconstructed Nork-Marash Infectious
Diseases Hospital. Since November 2005, Armenia Fund has been
coordinating and implementing the vital reconstruction of this
specialized healthcare facility. The project was financed by the
Brazilian-Armenian community in Sao Paulo, through Armenia Fund.
Her Excellency Renate Stille, the newly appointed Ambassador of Brazil
to Armenia, Mrs. Naira Melkoumian, Executive Director of Armenia Fund
International, Mr. Ochin Leon Mosditchian, Chairman of Fundo Armenia do
Brazil as well as several community leaders and heads of organizations
from Sao Paulo and Yerevan were present at the opening ceremony.
The Soviet era hospital, which was built in 1956, has not seen any major
renovation. The hospital is unique in its kind since it is the only
medical facility specializing in infectious diseases in Armenia. Due to
years of neglect and lack of proper maintenance, the hospital seriously
fell below healthcare protocols, in terms of proper sanitation and
sterilization. This hazardous environment posed a serious challenge for
healthcare personnel as well as critically ill patients.
Thanks to the Brazilian affiliate of Armenia Fund, the reconstruction
project included the complete repair of the first and second floors,
including the isolation ward, patient rooms, and administrative offices.
After the complete reconstruction of each floor, the roof and windows
were also replaced. This weatherization phase will prevent heat loss
from the building, especially in areas where the room temperature is
critical to the patient’s health.
Armenia Fund and its 19 affiliates around the world continue to provide
vital infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh. While much of the focus is on rebuilding the war torn republic
of Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia Fund continues to implement large scale
projects, such as schools, irrigation networks, healthcare facilites,
and sports complexes, among others in the Republic of Armenia.
Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation
established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and
infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Armenia Fund, Inc. is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of `Hayastan’
All-Armenian Fund. Tax ID# 95-4485698
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
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. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
October 11, 2006
___________________
PRIMATE MARKS 75 YEARS OF PARISH LIFE, HONORS PARISHIONERS
It’s been central to generations of Detroit-area Armenians — a pillar of
faith and culture in the heartland of America. This year, St. John Church
of Southfield, MI, marked its 75th anniversary.
The anniversary is being celebrated in a variety of ways by the parish this
fall. From art shows to dances, the St. John parishioners, led by parish
pastor Fr. Garabed Kochakian, are joyously commemorating the occasion.
The highpoint of the celebratory schedule was a visit by Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern). He traveled to the parish September 8 to 10, 2006.
While there, he met with parish and community leaders and celebrated the
Divine Liturgy, during which he ordained as deacons Steven Mangigian and
Shahin Uzunjian and ordained as sub-deacons were: Ghazar William Der
Ghazarian, Nicholas Mangigian, Jeffrey Movsesian, Jordan Norsigian, Aram
Sarkisian, and Stepan Terjimanian. Parish priest Fr. Garabed Kochakian and
Fr. Diran Papazian, pastor emeritus, assisted the Primate during the
service.
“How fitting that on this occasion, as we mark the past successes of this
parish, we also look to the future,” the Primate said. “These new deacons
and subdeacons represent that future: Armenians today stepping forward to
take part in the life of the parish built by an earlier generation. They
are the living legacy of the founders of this parish.”
The Primate said that having young Armenians step forward to serve the
church is an example of the importance past generations placed on the church
as the repository of Armenian culture and faith here in the new home of
America.
“The founders of this parish knew the importance of tying church and home
life together, and it strengthened their faith and their Armenian identity,”
he said. “This year, as the Diocese focuses on building a spiritual link
between church and home, it is heartening to see these new deacons and
sub-deacons, the product of homes where our unique Armenian faith was
embraced.”
CELEBRATING HISTORY
On Friday night the Primate attended a reception dinner kicking off the
weekend of festivities. Attending were parish leadership, along with board
members of the AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School and the Tacvor and
Tacoohe Manoogian Manor for the Armenian Aged.
“I give thanks to God for affording us the opportunity to come together at
this, the 75th anniversary celebration of St. John’s Armenian Church,” the
Primate said. “What a wonderful and inspiring occasion this is.
Congratulations for all your efforts in preparing for this great occasion.
Appreciation to you Fr. Garabed, for your work and never-ending labor here
at St. John’s. I am inspired by your commitment to this church, this
community, and to our faith.”
The weekend’s Honorary Co-Chairmen of the Celebration Committee Helen
Mardigian and Richard Manoogian, president of Masco Corporation and
president of St. John’s Apostolic Society, were also in attendance at the
reception.
Richard Manoogian told the 80 guests how his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs.
Alex and Marie Manoogian, loved their Armenian heritage and loved St. John
Church. He reflected on his remembrances of the joyful looks on their faces
when the community completed construction on the present St. John Church
building in 1964.
“I am truly honored to be with you here at St. John’s, to share with you
this joyous and sacred occasion, to reflect on the accomplishments of this
parish over the past 75 years and consider the possibilities for this body
75 years from now,” the Primate added.
HONORING COMMUNITY LEADERS
Following the Divine Liturgy, the Primate joined 400 parishioners and the
mayor of Southfield, MI, at a brunch reception celebrating the parish’s
anniversary. During the banquet two honors were bestowed upon community
leaders.
The Primate presented Dennis Papazian, an historian specializing in Armenian
history at the University of Michigan at Dearborn, with a pontifical
encyclical and the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Medal on behalf of His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
“God has blessed with success your scholarly and educational endeavors,”
wrote the Catholicos in his encyclical. “For centuries you have mined new
sources of knowledge and generously disseminated information to young
people, educating hundreds of students.”
Dr. Papazian has served the church on both the parish and the Diocesan
levels and has also served in many other Armenian organizations. He
established the Armenian Research Center at the University of Michigan,
Dearborn.
“He has furthered the understanding of our people, given a voice to our
ancestors,” the Primate said. “He is very well known in our Diocese through
his many dedicated services and contributions.”
Also on behalf of the Catholicos, the Primate also presented Dn. Mihran
Hoplamazian with a pontifical encyclical and the St. Nersess Shnorhali
Medal. Dn. Hoplamazian, who has served the St. John Church for 77 years,
was one of the Godfathers of the present St. John Church building and served
on the board of the AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School for 30 years.
“We are pleased that for decades you have with unceasing zeal exerted great
effort so that liturgical services in the St. John Church of Detroit would
be regularly held in a befitting manner,” wrote the Catholicos in his
encyclical.
Dn. Hoplamazian told the crowd that he became an altar boy at the age of
eight because his father said that he was needed. In his emotional remarks,
he spoke of his desire and efforts as a youngster to understand the Badarak
and to read and write Armenian.
“Dn. Mihran lives his life the way an Armenian Christian should,” the
Primate said. “Not only does he faithfully serve on the altar each Sunday,
but he has raised his children to be active members of the church community.
He is a wonderful role model for our younger generation of Armenia-Americans
and the young altar servers.”
With additional reporting by Elizabeth Aprahamian
— 10/11/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, joined by Fr. Garabed Kochakian, ordains new sub-deacons at the St.
John Church of Southfield, MI.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Barsamian, Fr. Kochakian, and Fr. Diran
Papazian take part in an ordination of new deacons during the anniversary
celebrations at the St. John Church of Southfield, MI.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Dr. Dennis Papazian speaks after being presented with
the St. Mesrob Medal.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Dn. Mihran Hoplamazian speaks after being presented with
the St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FORMER MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS ATTACKED BY UNKNOWN PERSONS ON OCTOBER 8
Noyan Tapan News Agency
Oct 9 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. As Noyan Tapan was informed,
Major-General Suren Abrahamian, ex-Minister of Internal Affairs of
RA, member of the Political Board of Hanrapetutiun (Republic) Party,
was attacked by two unknown persons at 10:00 – 10:30 am on October
8, during a morning walk not far from the office of the Shant TV
company situated in the Arabkir community. The attackers, who, as
eye-witnesses say, were about 30 years old, beat S.Abrahamian and
inflicted corporal injuries to him. They took to flight after people
began to run out of the nearest houses for helping S.Abrahamian.
To recap, in the 1990-s Suren Abrahamian held posts of Administration
Head of Syunik Region, Yerevan Mayor and Minister of Internal
Affairs. He resigned after the terrorist act at the Armenian National
Assembly on 1999 October 27. Starting 2003, S.Abrahamian has been
engaged in active political activity and joined the Hanrapetutiun
(Republic) opposition Party. Currently he takes part in activities
of the anti-criminal movement headed by the Forum of Intelligentsia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJAN AIMS TO UNDERMINE NKR FOOD SECURITY
PanARMENIAN.Net
10.10.2006 14:16 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The main causes of the ignition of fields in
the borderline zone are unprecedented drought, hostile actions of
Azerbaijan – Azerbaijani servicemen were burning dry grass on the
neutral territory and used tracer bullet while shooting, Deputy
Foreign Minister of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Masis Mayilian
stated at a meeting with members of the OSCE Mission on assessment
of the ecological situation in the borderline zone between Nagorno
Karabakh and Azerbaijan. “The Azerbaijani party pursues the aim to
undermine the food security of the NKR. As a result of the fires
damage of 3.5 billion drams was caused to Nagorno Karabakh. At the
same time it is comforting that the fires did not cause damage to the
ecological environment: the crops of cereals were mainly burning”,
Masis Mayilian said.
At the same time he spoke for the necessity of joint actions of the
Karabakh and Azerbaijani structures. He noted that even in 2001
the NKR authorities had offered Azerbaijan a complex of measures
on establishing confidence (over 20 proposals), one of which
supposed working out mechanisms of preventive measures of pasture
ignition. “However, the proposals of the Karabakh party were turned
down by Baku and the mediators themselves did not demonstrate necessary
support. If our suggestions were accepted the current situation would
have never occur. We are ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan now but,
unfortunately, Baku does not get into contact with the Karabakh party
even around the issues of mutual interest”, Masis Mayilian noted.
The Deputy Foreign Minister answered numerous questions of the Mission
members who thanked him for comprehensive information. Representatives
of the NKR Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, Ministry of Industrial
Infrastructures and Territorial Department, State Department on Ecology
also took part in the meeting. The OSCE Mission which will conduct the
monitoring of the borderline zone with Azerbaijan in Nagorno Karabakh
for 3 days includes representatives of the USA, Germany, Macedonia,
Switzerland, Italy, France, Moldova and Estonia.
It should be reminded that on October 5-7 the OSCE Mission conducted
similar monitoring from the Azerbaijani side with the participation
of the Karabakh experts. The NKR Deputy Foreign Minister expressed
dissatisfaction by the fact that the recent discussions in Vienna
on the issues of fires had been conducted without representatives
of Nagorno Karabakh – the most concerned party. “You know that this
monitoring was almost disrupted and thanks to our efforts it was
carried out. But currently 15 % of the territory of Nagorno Karabakh
is occupied by Azerbaijan: the eastern part of the Martouni region,
north-eastern part of the Martakert region, the whole Shahoumian
region. If we had had an opportunity to participate in the preparatory
part of the monitoring we’d have managed to send the Mission to
the territories we are concerned in We are greatly sorry that the
international experts will not visit the territory of the Shahoumian
region as we greatly bother about the ecological situation established
there. According to our data mass felling of woods is carried out
there, as well as fires take place”, Masis Mayilian noted, reports
NKR MFA Press Office.

TURKEY MORE DANGEROUS TO EUROPE, THAN CROATIA OR BULGARIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
10.10.2006 13:59 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Blackmail of European countries, first of all France,
by Turkey is very strong, Armenian Vice-Speaker Vahan Hovhannisyan
stated at a news conference in Yerevan, when commenting on the
threats by Turkey against the French Parliament against the possible
adoption of the law criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide. In
his words, EU member states are well aware what awaits for them in
case that country joins the EU. “Turkey is more dangerous to Europe,
than Croatia or Bulgaria. The European Constitution was not adopted
in Holland and France just due to these countries being afraid of
Turkish presence. However, Turkey has no money to pursue its policy
thus it resorts to blackmail,” Hovhannisyan remarked.
As for the statement of French Minister of the Interior Nicolas Sarkozy
that Turkey’s place is not in the EU, the Vice-Speaker noted that he
had expressed the viewpoint of the majority of France’s population.
“He is a very popular politician and an obvious presidential
hopeful. He speaks on behalf of his constituents and their number is
enough not to admit Turkey to the EU,” Hovhannisyan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress