Author: Emil Lazarian

LILIAN KESHISHIAN APPOINTED DEPUTY MINISTER OF TOURISM AND SPORTS
OF URUGUAY
MONTEVIDEO, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. By a decree of
Tabare Vazquez, the President of Uruguay, Lilian Keshishian, a Deputy
of Armenian origin of the country Parliament was appointed in the
executive power. According to Radio Liberty, Keshishian will occupy
from now on the post of the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports of
Uruguay. According to the legislation of the country, Keshishian must
leave the Deputy’s mandate. Lilian Keshishian has visited Armenia,
participated in the events dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the
Armenian Parliament.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EARTHQUAKE TAKES PLACE IN TURKEY-IRAN BORDER ZONE ON JUNE 22
YEREVAN, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. An earthquake of 3.5 magnitude took
place at 21:36, on June 22 in the Turkey-Iran border zone, 55 km
west of the city of Khoy. Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Seismic
Protection National Service that its strength made 4 in the seismic
focus zone.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

‘Lifelong volunteer’ helped Armenians
By Jim Steinberg
The Fresno Bee
June 23, 2006
Rosemarie Saghdejian of Fresno left Beirut, Lebanon, as a child,
eventually growing up to become a leader in Armenian charity around
the world and in education in Fresno.
Mrs. Saghdejian served as a board member of the international
Armenian Relief Society and the Armenian Community School in Fresno.
She founded the Trinity Adult Day Care Center in Fresno.
Mrs. Saghdejian died Saturday. She was 52.
Tatul Sonentz-Papazian, executive ARS director, said from the agency
headquarters in Massachusetts that Mrs. Saghdejian was dynamic and
committed. She worked with the Armenian Relief Society to raise funds
and involve more people in the organization’s work.
The ARS operates in 23 or 24 countries, Sonentz-Papazian says, and
Mrs. Saghdejian’s work touched people in all of them.
Yeretsgin Sossy Costanian, an ARS assistant coordinator in Fresno who
also left Beirut, came to know Mrs. Saghdejian when the two worked
together in Los Angeles.
“She had a love for humanity,” Costanian says, “and she was adored
by seniors. She was like an angel.”
Mrs. Saghdejian graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a
teaching credential. She moved to Los Angeles to become close to
its growing Armenian community. She received her master’s degree
from UCLA in French culture and arts, and met her husband, Abraham
“Apo” Saghdejian.
Former Fresno Mayor Jim Patterson lives around the corner from the
Saghdejians’ home, and recalls Mrs. Saghdejian helping him and,
especially, his wife, Sharon.
“She took Sharon under her wing, and treated her like a daughter,”
Patterson says. “Rose and Abe made us feel we were invited to their
dinners because we were part of the family. I loved her baklava and
humus. A regular plate would show up o-n our doorstep.”
Abraham Saghdejian recalls his wife’s work for others regardless of
national boundaries: “She was generous and helpful to people all over
our community. She was a lifelong volunteer, a leader who had been
to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.”
He referred to a disputed Armenian enclave inside the neighboring
nation of Azerbaijan.
The couple worked together with the ARS o-n a relief telethon for
victims of the 1988 Karabakh earthquake, which killed upward of 25,000
people and left 500,000 homeless.
Mrs. Saghdejian spoke fluent English, Armenian, French and some Arabic,
her husband says.
Apart from her work, Mrs. Saghdejian was an excellent cook and
hostess, he says: “She made beautiful dishes and set beautiful
tables. Congressmen remember her food.”
Mrs. Saghdejian’s accomplishments and contributions could not prepare
her for the tragedy of their lives, Abraham Saghdejian says. o-n
July 14, 2004, their son, Hovig, 23, was killed in a Herndon Avenue
traffic collision.
“She was very hurt,” Saghdejian says.
“She had been such a healthy woman. Then she came up with cancer in
the stomach. Grief can do anything.
“She never complained. She talked with people about their
organizations, and asked what they were doing… She brought life,
joy and happiness to people in pain.”
A funeral service was held Thursday at Holy Trinity Armenian Church
in Fresno, followed by burial in Masis Ararat Cemetery.
The reporter can be reached at [email protected] or (559)
441-6311.

GAS SUPPLY NETWORK INSTALLATION IN ARAGATSAVAN TO START SOON
ASHTARAK, JUNE 23, NOYAN TAPAN. The process of installing a gas
supply network in Aragatsavan – one of the largest settlements of
Aragatsotn marz started in early 2005 but was later discontinued
due to lack of funds, the community head Andranik Papikian told NT
correspondent. Only part of the program was implemented with 7 mln
drams allocated by the Armenian government and 2 mln drams (about
4.7 thousand USD) invested by the community. According to A.
Papikian, considerable financial resources are needed in order
to complete the program. He said that the Armenian government
and ArmRusgazprom will allocate funds for this purpose, and the
installation of a gas supply network in Aragatsavan will resume
soon. It is envisaged to complete this work in late 2006.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TREND, Azerbaijan
June 23 2006
International Crisis Group to announce its report on the situation of
national minorities in Georgia in August
Source: Trend
Author: R.Abdullayev
23.06.2006
The International Crisis Group (ICG) in August will announce its
report on the situation of national minorities in Georgia where the
main attention will be paid to the situation of Azerbaijani
community, Vugar Gojayev, the representative of ICG in Azerbaijan,
told Trend.
According to Gojayev, the preparation of the report was trusted on
Baku office of the organization and at the moment, serious measures
are taken to study problems of residents of KvemoKartli region of
Georgia populated by Azerbaijanis.
“In July, the representatives of the office will leave for Gardabani
and Dmanski (Georgia) where they will study different life aspects of
Azerbaijanis’ within 2-3 weeks, especially statistic data,
implementation of reforms, as well as land reforms,” told Gojayev. He
noted that in parallel work is carried out in Javakheti settled
manily by Armenians.
“Our group also includes Sabina Frazer, the project coordinator of
ICG on Caucasus,” stressed Gojayev, adding that for the preparation
of the report, meetings are held with Georgian citizens in
Azerbaijan.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 23 2006
MINISTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY MEETS GENERAL DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION
[June 23, 2006, 17:23:15]
Minister of National Security of Azerbaijan, general-lieutenant
Eldar Mahmudov has met a delegation being on a visit in the country
headed by the General Director of the International Organization For
migration Brunson McKinley.
Informing visitors about the processes proceeding in region, present
conditions and arising various threats, minister E. Mahmudov has
noted, that growth of the facts of the international terrorism, illegal
circulation of drugs, illegal migration and other dangerous displays of
the transnational organized crime causes serious concern all over the
world. He has brought to attention of visitors, that in this connection
the Ministry of National Security carries out adequate measures.
Having concerned the problem of the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, minister of National Security has noted,
that occupied territories of the country, and also a 130-kilometer
site adjoining on Iran are outside of the control and that this
factor represents serious threat for safety not only of Azerbaijan,
but also all Europe. Such situation creates favorable conditions for
illegal migration and drugs trafficking, he stressed.
Minister Mahmudov has noted, that Azerbaijan quickly developing from
the economic point of view where are established civil and democratic
principles, steady stability, involves not only foreign businessmen,
but also illegal migrants, he has emphasized importance of acceptance
in this connection purposeful adequate measures.
Having thanked for the detailed information, Mr. Brunson McKinley
has told, that he regards Azerbaijan especially, has concerned
intensive positive changes in Republic. He told, that the migratory
problems are solved in the country at state level. The guest also has
noted importance of creation of global system and common database,
connected with biometric measurements, carrying out of discussions
in this direction, and also an opportunity of rendering to Azerbaijan
financial support within the “Program of the assistance for voluntary
returning of migrants”.
At meeting, also discussed were other questions of mutual interest.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 12, 2006
AGBU MONTREAL MAKES NEW HISTORY
Montreal – In its inaugural meeting today, the newly formed Executive
Board of AGBU Montreal elected its first ever female chairperson.
Dr. Rita Kuyumjian, becomes the 12th chairperson of the Montreal
chapter on the eve of its 50th anniversary to be celebrated in 2007.
Dr. R. Kuyumjian is a well-known Montreal psychiatrist; she is the
director of the outpatient clinic at St. Mary’s hospital, and a
professor at McGill University. She is also a known intellectual,
author of several volumes, including a groundbreaking book on Komidas.
“I humbly accept this position to continue the great work done by all
of my predecessors”, said Dr. Kuyumjian, “I am particularly proud of
our new Executive Board, because it is formed by a wonderful balance
of seasoned former members and a strong group of newly elected young
individuals that will bring youth, vitality, international focus as
well as an experienced approach to move the AGBU Montreal chapter to
even greater achievements.”
The composition of the new Executive Board will be displayed on the
chapter website,
For further information, please contact AGBU Montreal at 514-748-2428
or at [email protected].
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE CATHOLICOS WAS MET IN ISTANBUL WITH UNPLEASANT INCIDENTS
A1+
[02:22 pm] 22 June, 2006
Security measures were taken at airport “Ataturk” in connection with
the arrival of All Armenian Catholicos Garegin II. Even journalists
were denied entry. Mesrop Mutafyan, Patriarch of Constantinople met the
Armenian Catholicos at the airport and they left the territory of the
airport without passing the VIP hall which wasn’t planned beforehand.
A car separated from others and approached the airplane. Armenian
clergymen left in that very car.
Meanwhile a rally was organized by 50 people at the airport entrance
according to “Regnum” agency.
According to the data of the official website of the Patriarchy the
strikers threw eggs at the cars meeting the supreme Catholicos of All
Armenians. The luncheon in honor of the Catholicos was also put off
which was to be held in “Patriarch Garegin Ghazanchyan” hall which
is located near the airport. Catholicos of All Armenians stopped
in the building of Patriarchy where the Turkish security service
representatives guard him around the clock.
To note, the Catholicos of All Armenians left for Istanbul on the
invitation of the Patriarch of the Greece Orthodox Church and Mesrop
Mutafyan, Patriarch of Constantinople. The Catholicos will visit
Armenian sanctuary, give his blessing to the Armenian community and
meet with clergymen and youth of the Armenian community.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NO MORE TORTURE IN RA
A1+
[02:43 pm] 22 June, 2006
The Facultative Protocol to UN Convention against Torture will be
put into effect on June 22, 2006.
This Protocol on international human rights has also a great historical
significance for RA as on May 31, 2006 RA NA ratified the UN Convention
against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment. By
this step RA becomes a member country of the Protocol and thus takes
the Protocol provisions for granted.
According to Article 17 of the Protocol each member country of the
Protocol is to set up an independent national body within a year
aimed at torture combating on home level.
The national mechanisms of combat will be in force in any
establishment; prisons, police stations, psychiatric hospitals, etc.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARIDITY IN SISIAN REGION
A1+
[07:07 pm] 22 June, 2006
150 hectares lands out of 672 hectares of Aghitu community in Syunik
marz are autumn sowing areas and 210 hectares are spring sowing areas
of barley and spelt.
Hrachik Hayrapetyan, regional head claims that peasants took
agricultural credits to sow their lands.
But at present they don’t have any expectations to get rich harvest
and repay their debts because of the regional aridity. It is noteworthy
that it hasn’t rained for two months.
According to the Sisian meteorological centre the air temperature
surpassed the normal index. No rains fell in June and the temperature
went up by 5 degrees. The grain cultured plants are already yellowing
because of the high temperature and absence of humidity. Many fields
cannot be reaped at all because of the corn shortness.
The on-going aridity may have serious outcome on the regional
budget. The regional heads are also concerned about the cattle
preservation. The on-going aridity may arouse the problem of fodder
accumulation. The pastures deprived of humidity have their negative
impact on the milk-yield index. Bee-keeping is also in terrible state
in Sisian.
TV Company “Syuni,” Sisian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress