DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER OF GREECE TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA
ArmRadio.am
28.03.2006 10:52
The delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece Evripides
Stiliandes will arrive today in Armenia. The visit aims at reinforcing
the bilateral economic relations.
The delegation will comprise businessmen and representatives of the
Greek-Armenian community. The next sitting of the Armenian-Greek
Intergovernmental Committee will be start today.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
ALICE PANIKIAN – MISS UNIVERSE 2006
ArmRadio.am
28.03.2006 12:01
20 year-old Canadian-Armenian Alice Panikian won on March 21st the
title of Miss Universe Canada 2006 at an event held at the Casino de
Montreal. Alice Panikian received her crown from Miss Universe 2005,
Russian in origin, Natalia Glebova.
49 contestants competed in the annual event produced by ‘Beauties
of Canada’.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
IRANIAN AMBASSADOR: THOSE WORKING FOR WORSENING TEHERAN-BAKU RELATIONS WILL NOT SUCCEED
PanARMENIAN.Net
28.03.2006 20:27 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “My attitude to anti-Iranian statements at the II
World Azerbaijanis Congress cannot cause worsening relations between
our countries. Those, who work for that will not succeed,” Iranian
Ambassador to AzerbaijanAfshar Suleymani stated in a conversation
with journalists. In his words, though statements like that cannot
upset bilateral relations, they can result in misunderstanding.
The Iranian diplomat said he supports the idea of creation of a
commission to overcome misunderstanding between the two countries
over historical matters.
“Many Azerbaijanis live in Iran. This means that from the
moral point of view we also have the right to convene a world
Azerbaijanis congress. Using Azerbaijanis as a tool in the relations
is inadmissible. It would be better if there was transparency in
relations between our countries,” the Iranian diplomat said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
DIASPORA ARMENIANS NOT TO HAVE SUFFRAGE AT ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA
PanARMENIAN.Net
28.03.2006 20:37 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The matter of dual citizenship remains a
disputed one in Armenia. No clear decision is made in this respect,
Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated in an interview with Turkish
Hyurriet newspaper. In his words, the suffrage will not be granted
to Armenians of the Diaspora. In the Minister’s words, as in any
independent country, the political life in Armenia is determined
by its residents. There are various gossips, incorrect comments and
erroneous perception about Armenia in Turkey, Oskanian said. One of
the causes of that is official Ankara refusal to establish diplomatic
relations with Yerevan, the Armenian FM remarked. “If relations are
established between Armenia and Turkey, both peoples will feel the
outcomes of their contacts and the Turkish people will see they have
no ground for worrying in respect of Armenia,” Oskanian said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
03/28/2006
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM
1) Armenia Ready to Suppress Attack by Azerbaijan
2) Oskanian Urges Diaspora to Continue Partnership with Armenia
3) Millennium Challenges Corporation Signs Five Year $235 Million Compact with
Armenia
4) Kurdish Protesters Attack Police in Turkey
5) Turkey to Buy 100 Combat Jets Worth $10 Billion
1) Armenia Ready to Suppress Attack by Azerbaijan
YEREVAN (Yerkir)Armenia’s Armed Forces are prepared to suppress a possible
attack by Azerbaijan or any other state, said Armenian Deputy Defense
Minister,
Lieutenant General Artur Aghabekian.
Commenting on the more frequent cease fire violations between the Armenian
and
Azeri Armed Forces recently, Aghabekian said that similar incidents have
occurred since the Karabagh cease fire was established in 1994.
Aghabekian said the violations have become more frequent lately for a number
of reasons, such as the restructuring of trenches near troop positions and
more
aggressive statements by Azeri officials.
“I can assure you that in case our positions are fired on, we will respond in
an adequate manner,” the lieutenant general said.
2) Oskanian Urges Diaspora to Continue Partnership with Armenia
YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Speaking at a Washington DC conference on Armenian
issues, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian discussed Monday Armenia’s
relations with the US, democracy in Armenia, Armenia-diaspora relations, and
the aid Armenia will receive from the US under the Millennium Challenge
Account
program.
US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Freid, USAID Armenia Mission Director
Robin Phillips, Congressmembers and various other officials attended the
conference organized by the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), Armenian
General Benevolent Union (AGBU), and Western and Eastern Dioceses of the
Armenian Church in America.
In his speech, Oskanian discussed cooperation between the US and Armenia in
the war on terror, non-proliferation, regional security, and in supporting
democratic and economic freedoms.
“Not only are we ideological partners, but we share the values that have made
America. We want those values to be not just aspirations for the citizens of
Armenia but solid realities.”
Referring to the development of democracy in Armenia, Oskanian said: “The
entire process of nation-building has been different for us [than the US],
since we had to undo an existing system and build a new one. That is why we
have welcomed the various US programs which have supported our institutional,
democratic and economic reforms.”
Speaking of the aid Armenia will receive through the Millennium Challenges
program, Oskanian said that, “the US government determined to contribute to
the
budgets of those countries that are themselves attempting to grow in the right
direction–to govern justly, to encourage economic openness and to invest in
people.”
“Armenia is a part of the MCC because not only is there plenty about our
society that needs to be put right, but because we are on a path that is
right,” he said.
Oskanian also spoke of the important role the diaspora plays in Armenia.
“If I think back, I don’t know where Armenia would have been without the
diaspora,” said Oskanian. “The Armenia-diaspora collaboration has been
invaluable in this decade and a half of upheaval, confusion and learning. The
value of the diaspora is in its ingenuity, non-conformity, its belief in a
dream, its access to networks, its ability to be international and national
all
at the same time, and its tremendous resources.”
“I am now going to ask you [the diaspora] to partner with Armenia–even more
deeply and broadly and seriously than you have already done–in addressing
Armenia’s domestic and international challenges,” said Oskanian.
He ended his speech by saying: “The Republic of Armenia exists, it is
independent, and it is ours. It still needs its diaspora, more than ever. We
must cooperate, not compete, in order to turn the Armenia of our dreams into
the Armenia of our future.”
3) Millennium Challenges Corporation Signs Five Year $235 Million Compact with
Armenia
(ARMENPRESS/RFE/RL)–The United States formally released on Monday $235
million
in economic assistance to Armenia, to be provided over the next five years
under the Bush administration’s Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) program.
Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC),
Ambassador John Danilovich and Armenia’s Minister of Finance and Economy,
Vartan Khachatrian signed the compact, which is designed to reduce widespread
rural poverty by upgrading the country’s battered irrigation networks and
rural
roads.
MCC Chair Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice officiated and witnessed the
signing. She was joined by Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian.
Rice said the assistance is a “testament to the hard work and dedication of
the Armenian people and their elected government.”
“I congratulate the people of Armenia for developing a results-focused and
transformational program that will improve the lives of the poor,” said
Danilovich. “MCC assistance will be used to rehabilitate roads needed for
Armenians living in rural areas to access social services such as healthcare
and markets to sell their products. The Compact also includes funding for
projects that will increase the productivity of farm households through
improved water supply, higher yields, higher-value crops, and a more
competitive agricultural sector.”
Ambassador Danilovich added, “Continued eligibility for Millennium Challenge
Account funds depends on adherence to our indicators measuring performance in
ruling justly, investing in people, and encouraging economic freedom. MCC will
continue to monitor Armenia’s policy performance in these three categories
throughout the life of the Compact.”
“Our partnership will help Armenia to fight poverty through sustainable
economic growth,” Rice said during the signing ceremony held at the State
Department. “To ensure that progress toward this end remains constant, Armenia
must continue to advance its democratic reforms.”
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, who also spoke at the ceremony, assured
Washington that his government is “aware that we have the obligation to build
on the confidence that has been placed in our government and people.”
“We know that corruption must not be tolerated and that law must rule, that
the principles of democracy must be transformed to traditions of democracy in
our country,” he said.
The launch of the aid program came nearly two years after Armenia was
included
on the list of 16 developing nations eligible for MCA funding. The Millennium
Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US government agency administering the scheme,
approved the Armenian government’s detailed aid application late last year.
Most of the MCA funds, $146 million, will be spent on rebuilding and
expanding
the country’s battered irrigation networks. Another $67 million would go to
pay
for capital repairs of about 1,000 kilometers of rural roads that have fallen
into disrepair since the Soviet collapse. Officials say these projects will
directly benefit 75 percent of approximately one million Armenians living in
rural areas.
The MCA aid will be disbursed parallel to regular US assistance to Armenia
which has totaled $1.6 billion since 1992. Oskanian described it as
“invaluable.”
4) Kurdish Protesters Attack Police in Turkey
(AP)–Kurdish protesters hurled firebombs at armored police vehicles in
southeastern Turkey Tuesday after a funeral for some of the 14 Kurdish
guerrillas killed by troops last week.
Police launched tear gas canisters at the crowd of hundreds in return,
triggering street clashes which left at least five people injured and several
businesses and vehicles damaged in Diyarbakir, the largest city in the
Kurdish-dominated southeast, images broadcast by private NTV television
showed.
The clashes erupted after protesters chanted pro-Kurdish slogans and attacked
the police after the funeral of four of the dead guerrillas from the Kurdistan
Workers Party (PKK), which has been fighting for autonomy in southeastern
Turkey since 1984.
NTV footage showed at least one armored police vehicle engulfed in flames
after being hit by a firebomb in Diyarbakir. The operator of the vehicle
immediately turned on the vehicle’s pressurized water canon in an attempt to
extinguish the fire.
Further west in Adana, some 3,000 Kurdish protesters attending the funeral of
another killed guerrilla clashed with police, prompting the police to detain
dozens.
Turkish troops had killed 14 Kurdish guerrillas in the province of Mus in a
two-day clash that ended on Saturday.
Tensions have been running high in the Kurdish-dominated southeast, where
violence has escalated recently.
The fight for autonomy has claimed the lives of more than 37,000 people. The
PKK is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and
the
European Union, reports the AP.
5) Turkey to Buy 100 Combat Jets Worth $10 Billion
ANKARA (Reuters)–Turkey’s Air Force plans to buy 100 new generation combat
aircrafts worth $10 billion and will decide by the end of 2006 which ones to
purchase, a senior Turkish official said Tuesday.
NATO member Turkey will choose between the US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
(JSF),
whose construction is being led by Lockheed Martin, and the Eurofighter
Typhoon, being built by a European consortium.
Ankara may also opt for a combination of the two planes.
Defense Industry Undersecretary Murad Bayar said that the new warplanes would
replace F-16 and F-4 aircraft currently used by the Turkish Air Force.
He was also quoted as saying Turkey wanted its own defense industry
facilities
to handle half of the warplane project.
Bayar, Turkey’s chief procurement official, was expected to hold talks with
Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon and US defense industry officials during a visit
to the United States.
The JSF, the Pentagon’s costliest weapons project at more than $250 billion,
is a US-led effort to develop a family of radar-evading, supersonic,
multi-role
warplanes with co-financing from eight other countries, including Turkey.
Other partners include Britain, Australia, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands,
Denmark and Norway. But the project has been hit by a row over Washington’s
reluctance to share technology.
Turkey, whose largest arms supplier has traditionally been the United States,
has invested $175 million for the development phase of the JSF and is
hoping to
win contracts worth up to $5 billion for its domestic industry, reports the
Turkish media.
The Eurofighter, a supersonic, twin-engine aircraft, is being built by a
consortium including firms from Britain, Italy, Spain and Germany. EADS is the
major shareholder in the Eurofighter.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE PRESIDENT OF HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY LECTURES IN THE SEMINARY
The president of Haigazian University, Dr. Paul Haidostian, delivered a
special lecture entitled “Shepherd-flock mutual relations” during an event
organized by the Student Committee of the Seminary of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia on March 24. The invitation to lecture for the Seminary students had
been sent by the Seminary’s administration to Dr. Haidostian.
The opening remarks were delivered by Deacon Trasdamad Donoyan, who
highlighted the responsible mission trusted to the clergy within the church’
s service mission. The Seminary’s choir then performed two songs that
symbolize the heavy but sweet “burden” placed on the followers of Christ.
Dr. Haidostian drew parallels between spiritual service and the role of a
spiritual leader in his community. He expressed his viewpoints with a
pedagogical approach, making them understandable for 12-21 year old
students, who are preparing themselves to serve God, the Armenian Church and
nation in the Seminary.
Dr. Haidostian summarized his lecture in five main points:
I. The readiness and commitment of the shepherd to know and find the lost
sheep. “A person preparing himself for leading a community or for a
spiritual mission is obliged to develop in himself a caring heart along with
administrative, social, intellectual and other skills so he can recognize
lost people. That person could be lost at his own free will and consciously
or he could be misled by others. The shepherd’s task is to reveal, recognize
and save that person,” said Dr. Haidostian.
II. It is the shepherd’s duty to find the lost sheep for whom he will be
paying a very “high price.” “The spiritual leader should go after the lost
people whatever the circumstances of leaving behind the entire community to
do so. He will pay a high price for his search, because in various
circumstances he could get injured, face dangers and suffer many times, just
as the shepherd chasing his lost sheep in the mountains or fields could be
injured,” he said.
III. The shepherd knows the way to reach lost people. “With his formation,
proficiency and experience the shepherd knows the way, the direction.
Otherwise he could mislead all the flock following him. Consequently, when
he knows the way, he will find those lost. The shepherd’s loving heart is
the driving force for finding the lost sheep. Watch people seeing off their
loved ones before the latter travel; they fix their eyes on them until their
disappearance in the horizon. Why? Because they love those people they were
separated from because of travel. The same is true for the spiritual leader.
When he loves his community, he puts his heart in his service,” Dr.
Haidostian emphasized.
IV. The shepherd carries the lost sheep on his shoulders and comes back.
“The found sheep should not be scolded for being lost. They could be lost
because of a concern, they could have conflicts, be tired or confused. On
the contrary, the image shown in the Gospel explains that the shepherd
carries the lost sheep on his shoulders. It’s the same for the spiritual
leader; he shows the right way to the lost person, until the latter goes
back to normal life. It’s only natural that the lost person would not rise
>From his lost condition instantly; however, it is the spiritual leader’s
obligation to follow his steps and showing him the right way,” he said.
V. It’s the shepherd that is happiest for finding the lost people. “The
shepherd who witnesses the recovery of his lost sheep lives his happiest
moments of spiritual satisfaction. Can we completely succeed in our mission?
Surely not, because many times we will fall and get injured. We are not
perfect; only the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, is perfect. We are destined
to love, just as the Good Shepherd himself loved his sheep,” Dr. Haidostian
concluded.
V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian delivered the closing remarks on behalf of the
Seminary’s administration, thanking Dr. Haidostian for his easy delivery of
the lecture. Referring to images of walking barefoot on the thorny path of
spiritual service and following Christ in his suffering, the Dean of the
Seminary spoke about the duty of the spiritual leader to reach those in need
even in an injured state.
The event came to its end with prayers, leaving a deep impression on the
students and clergy.
##
View photos here: tm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Theological
Seminary 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
REGULAR SITTING OF ARMENIAN-GREEK INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN ON MARCH 28-30
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 27 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 27, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A regular session of
the Armenian-Greek intergovernmental commission will be held in Yerevan
on March 28-30. The Greek delegation headed by Evripidis Stilianidis,
the Commission’s Co-Chairman, Deputy Foreign Minister, will arrive
in Armenia in order to participate in the sitting. According to the
RA MFA Press and Information Department, during the visit to Armenia,
Evripidis Stilianidis will meet with the RA President Robert Kocharian,
RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian, Minister of Trade and Economic
Development Karen Chshmaritian, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II,
will visit the memorial complex of the Armenian Genocide, as well as
will have meetings with representatives of the Greek community and
the staff of Yerevan school No 132. The opening of the 4th sitting
of the Armenian-Greek interstate commission is scheduled for March
29. Evripidis Stilianidis will meet with RA Deputy Foreign Minister
Arman Kirakosian on the same day, while the signing of the 4th
sitting’s protocol will take place in the evening.
MAMMADYAROV: BAKU POSITION ON KARABAKH UNCHANGEABLE
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2006 22:21 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan is ready to proceed with the talks
on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, Azerbaijani Foreign
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told journalists. “The negotiations should
be continued and our MFA is ready for the dialogue,” he said. In his
words, Azerbaijan’s position remains unchangeable. “We insist on the
liberation of the seized territories, return of the refugees to the
residence,” Mammadyarov said.
The Azeri FM noted that the conflict should be settled is accord
with the principles of the international law and “demands of the
Azerbaijani Constitution”. “If the dialogue is fruitless we will have
other possibilities to settle the conflict,” reported RIA Novosti.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
U.S. AND ARMENIA TO SIGN MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE COMPACT MARCH 27
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2006 22:51 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The U.S. government’s Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) is set to award a $235 million grant to improve
Armenia’s transportation and agricultural infrastructure. Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice, who chairs the MCC board, is scheduled to speak
at the signing ceremony March 27, the State Department said. Armenian
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, and MCC Chief Executive Officer
John Danilovich also are scheduled to make remarks at the compact’s
signing. Danilovich approved the grant in December 2005 but also
wrote a letter to Armenian President Robert Kocharian warning that
the United States has concerns about the country’s respect for human
rights and free elections following Armenia’s constitutional referendum
in November 2005. The $235 million is scheduled to be awarded over
several years; some of the grant money could be withheld if Armenia
does not meet MCC goals of “sound policies and good governance.”
The Millennium Challenge agreement for Armenia aims to combat rural
poverty through improving economic performance in the agricultural
sector, according to the State Department’s announcement. The compact
features two programs: a rural road rehabilitation project and an
irrigated agriculture project. The compact is expected to affect 75
percent of Armenia’s rural population and to boost annual incomes of
poor farmers.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
DENIZ BAYKAL: TURKISH RULING PARTY ALIKE MASONIC LODGE
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2006 23:02 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The ruling party of Turkey is like Masonic lodge,
secretary general of the Republican People’s Party, parliament member
Deniz Baykal stated at a briefing. “The Justice and Development party
resembles Masonic lodge. Party fellows settle their relations line
Masons, they show an original manner of solidarity, and the party
regulations base on specific inter-party laws. The party members
divided the Turkish laws in two parts – for themselves and for the
others. Such policy will inevitably have serious consequences,”
Baykal noted, reported Turkish media.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress