Author: Emil Lazarian

“BOOK EXPO AMERICA” EXHIBITION-SALE TO START IN WASHINGTON
ArmRadio.am
18.05.2006 11:20
“Book Expo America” exhibition-sale of books will start today in
Washington. The Armenian national association of publishers will
also participate in the event. About 120 Armenian books, including
publication about the Armenian Genocide will be presented.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AMBASSADOR OF KUWAIT HANDED CREDENTIALS TO RA PRESIDENT
ArmRadio.am
18.05.2006 13:35
Today the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Kuwait to
Armenia Majdi Ahmad Ebrahim Al-Daffi (seat in Tehran) handed his
credentials to RA Presidnet Robert Kocharyan.
The President underlined the necessity of expanding the relations with
Arab countries, thus emphasizing the role of Kuwait in this context.
Turning to the relations between the two countries, the interlocutors
noted that there is considerable potential for collaboration. They
attached importance to immediate business contacts and exchange of
information in the de velopment of economic ties.
The Ambassador thoroughly presented the situation in Kuwait and the
regional developments.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

KOSOVO CONFLICT SETTLEMENT TO BECOME PRECEDENT FOR POST-SOVIET PEACE PROCESSES
Yerevan, May 17. ArmInfo. If Kosovo is given self-determination, one
will hardly be able to convince Transdniestria, Abkhazia, South Ossetia
and Nagorny Karabakh that they are unrecognized states of second rate –
as such a decision on Kosovo will in fact mean secession of territory
and violation of territorial integrity, says Russian political expert
Andranik Migranyan.
The Russian president and FM have repeatedly said that if the West
tears Kosovo away from Serbia this solution may become a precedent
for other conflicts in other regions.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CSTO TO DISCUSS THE CREATION OF A COMMITTE OF HEADS OF GENERAL STAFFS OF ARMED FORCES
ArmRadio.am
18.05.2006 10:53
During today’s sitting of the Heads of General Staffs of Armed Forces
of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states
issues related to some power structures within the organization will
be discussed. The issue of creation of a Committe of Heads of CSTO
General Staffs is also on the agenda of the sitting.

SENIOR DIPLOMATS FROM US, RUSSIA AND FRANCE TO ACCOMPANY THE OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS
ArmRadio.am
17.05.2006 18:10
During their visit to the region May 24-26 the OSCE Minsk Group
Co-Chairs will be accompanied by senior diplomats from Russia, United
States and France.
MEDIAMAX Agency informs that the delegation of mediators will comprise
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigori Karasin, US Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State Daniel Fried and Director on Political Issue of
the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Stanislas D’Labouiet.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

REPUBLICANIZING OF TEACHERS IS UNDERWAY
Lragir.am
17 May 06
The head of the Department of Education of Armavir region
Gayaneh Sardaryan, a cadre of Albert Heroyan, governor over the
past 10 years, who has occupied different offices following the
forever-with-government principle, called the directors of schools of
the region on May 16 and instructed them to write two applications:
one for resignation, the other for affiliation with the Republican
Party. The first application is for those who are reluctant to write
the second application. Those who choose the second application and
join the Republican Party will have to create party cells in places.
Some school directors are said to be dissatisfied with this instruction
of the regional administration. A direction said, “if I tell my
teachers to become Republican, they will tell me you sold yourself,
and now you are making us sell ourselves, won’t they?”
Note that in early May “republicanizing” of 120 teachers was reported
in Yerevan. In the meantime, the government has been constantly
asserting how unacceptable it is to turn schools politically partisan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ORINATS YERKIR GIVES WAY TO SHADE FIGURES
Lragir.am
17 May 06
Member of Parliament Hmayak Hovanisyan thinks that Speaker Arthur
Baghdasaryan resigned and seceded from the coalition because he imposed
his candidacy to president on his coalition colleagues. There was
nothing the coalition could do but to hope that Arthur Baghdasaryan
would repent. This did not happen. “If Arthur Baghdasaryan had not
stated twice that in case of disagreement he would secede from the
coalition, the other steps would not follow.
Arthur Baghdasaryan was careless enough to reveal his calculations,
enabling his coalition colleagues to take steps in advance.”
Hmayak Hovanisyan reminds that the president was placed in a difficult
situation by the Republican Party which defined Robert Kocharyan’s
statement as “a call for war” and by the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation with their statement on genetic incompatibility with
the Turks. However, at that time no such steps were taken because
Dashnaktsutiun and the Republican Party were reluctant to secede from
the coalition. Hmayak Hovanisyan says the secession of Orinats Yerkir
from the coalition does not fit Robert Kocharyan’s plans. Robert
Kocharyan, who would not like to give the position of the speaker
of the National Assembly to the Republican, will have to give
away, for there is nothing he can do, “the situation developed too
fast.” Hmayak Hovanisyan is said to have disapproved the decision
of Orinats Yerkir to secede from the coalition, he had even tried
to warn the other members of the coalition to prevent them. However,
they did not listen to Hmayak. In his undertaking Hmayak Hovanisyan
is not driven by his affection for Orinats Yerkir, but cool-headed
calculations. “The process of ousting Orinats Yerkir from power goes
along a process of becoming engaged in power, which shows that the
connection between the political and business elites has grown into
fusion, and the business elite will no longer be subjected to political
figures and will not act in the political sphere on the instructions
of political figures; it will act directly. Arthur Baghdasaryan is
a bearer of qualities typical of a public political figure. If he
is ousted, he will be replaces by people who are devoid of these
qualities, which is a tragedy for our country.”
Many are encouraged because they believe that if Arthur Baghdasaryan
quits, he will give way to them to the pro-Western’s niche.
Hmayak Hovanisyan is not encouraged by this. Hmayak Hovanisyan,
like Arthur Baghdasaryan, would like Armenia to become more deeply
integrated with NATO and the European organizations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Byuzand Street, 375010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100,
New York, NY 10111, USA
Contact: Mariam Dilakian
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8201
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Internet Connects Karakert to the World
The Karakert Schools Celebrate the Launching of the Internet
Karakert, Armavir District, Republic of Armenia, May 16, 2006 ¾ Today,
the Children of Armenia Fund’s (COAF) Model Village Karakert celebrated
the launch of internet connectivity in the school and the larger
community. The project, realized through partnership with Project
Harmony (PH), will benefit the students of both schools in Karakert
allowing the young generation and other members of the community to
expand their horizons and take advantage of the unlimited informational
and technological potential internet offers.
The School Connectivity Project implemented by PH is in its end phase of
connecting the last group of six schools in Armenia. In Karakert, PH
will provide up-to-date digital equipment necessary for the organization
of educational activities and will conduct training of teachers and
students in the multiple uses of computers and the internet. Within the
parameters of this partnership, COAF provided the furniture and
computers of the Internet Classroom in the newly renovated Karakert
School #2.
The official launch took place today in a ceremony attended by David
Simpson, PH Country Director. Addressing a happy crowd of students and
staff of both Karakert schools, Mr. Simpson emphasized the importance of
being connected through the internet, whether with the rest of Armavir,
with other schools in Armenia, or globally. Mrs. Tamara Baghdasaryan,
principal of the Karakert School #1, noted with pride, “We are happy
today to acknowledge the input of donors for the revitalization of our
village and the contributions made for making our community a better
place for these talented children. This Internet Classroom is yet
another example of the opportunities our children now have to learn and
become productive citizens.”
Both schools of Karakert are co-located in the renovated school building
and have an equal opportunity to be connected to the world. COAF and PH
believe that this joint initiative will open new doors in the lives of
the children of Karakert. COAF will also pursue bringing connectivity
to the other villages of the Model Cluster.
Children of Armenia Fund was founded in 2000 with the aim to reduce
poverty through the revitalization of rural Armenia and the realization
of projects that are instrumental for the revival of communities. With
the introduction of its novel approach to clustering in February 2006,
COAF is currently implementing the Model Cluster working in six villages
in the Baghramyan region of the Armavir District. The key components of
COAF’s Model Cluster project comprise Infrastructure and Economic
Development Programs, and Community Development including Health, Social
and Educational Programs. In 2006, besides its Model Village Karakert,
COAF is also working in Myasnikyan, Shenik, Dalarik, Lernagog and
Argina.
The Armenia School Connectivity Program (ASCP), a program of the US
Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, funded
through the Freedom Support Act and implemented by Project Harmony,
builds local, regional and national capacity to assume responsibility
for the long-term sustainability of the program. ASCP provides
resources, Internet access, and training for a network of schools across
all 11 regions of Armenia. The program allows students, educators and
community members opportunities to access and share information, to
engage in online collaborative projects, and to develop technical skills
marketable in a digital world.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/17/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) Karabagh's Participation in Peace Talks Is Necessary 2) Oskanian to Visit France, Canada, And The US 3) Mkrtchian Appointed Minister of Science And Education 4) Nationalist Protesters Attack Hrant Dink during Trial 1) Karabagh's Participation in Peace Talks Is Necessary YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Former Russian Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, which mediates the Karabagh conflict settlement, Vladimir Kazimirov said that he considers the participation of the Mountainous Karabagh Republic's (MKR) delegation essential to the success of peace talks. According to Kazimirov who co-chaired the Minsk Group from 1992-1996, the exclusion of MKR's delegation from the negotiation process started immediately after the OSCE summit in Budapest in December 1994. He said the exclusion of MKR was initiated by Azerbaijan. "Official Baku said that if Karabagh is engaged in the talks, it should be represented by the Azeri community headed by Nizami Bahmanov as well," said Kazimirov. This offer was rejected both by the Armenian side and the mediators. "Then Baku insisted on the exclusion of the Armenian delegation of Karabagh. Nevertheless I consider that the participation of the MKR representatives is essential," Kazimirov underlined. As for the current stage of negotiations, Kazimirov stated that the responsibility of resolving the conflict should be shared by the Foreign Ministers and Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. He said that NGO's should also engage in the process. 2) Oskanian to Visit France, Canada, And The US YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian will fly to Strasbourg, France on May 18 to attend a gathering of the Council of Europe Foreign Ministers Committee, reported the Armenian Foreign Ministry. Oskanian is scheduled to have an unofficial meeting with Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis. The meeting will also be attended by former Foreign Minister of Finland, Marti Ahtisaar, a special envoy of the UN Secretary General for Kosovo talks. According to the ministry, the meeting will be about Kosovo's future status. While in Strasbourg, Oskanian will also meet with his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mamedyarov and the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk group. On May 19 Oskanian will address the gathering of Foreign Ministers and then head for the US and Canada, where he will meet with the leaders of Armenian communities of Los Angeles, Boston, and Ottawa to discuss the third Armenia-Diaspora conference which is to take place September 18-20 in Yerevan. 3) Mkrtchian Appointed Minister of Science And Education YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) boosted its presence in Armenia's government on Wednesday when President Robert Kocharian named one of its leaders minister of science and education. Levon Mkrtchian, who has led the party's parliament faction until now, replaced Sergo Yeritsian as a result of the Orinats Yerkir party's expulsion from Kocharian's ruling coalition. Kocharian replaced Yeritsian despite his defection from Orinats Yerkir along with the two other ministers representing the party led by Artur Baghdasarian, the outgoing parliament speaker. He is expected to be given another, less important government post. Orinats Yerkir has controlled the Armenian ministries of education, urban development, and culture under a power-sharing agreement which it had signed with Kocharian, the ARF, and Prime Minister Andranik Markarian's Republican Party (HHK) three years ago. The ARF had been given three other ministerial posts. Mkrtchian, who already served as Education Minister in 1998-99 and 2001-03, emerged as the top contender for the job. "The idea of taking over [the ministry] for a third time is not quite attractive to me, but I am the kind of person who complies with party discipline," said Mkrtchian on Tuesday. 4) Nationalist Protesters Attack Hrant Dink during Trial ISTANBUL (BIA)--Ultra-nationalist spectators attacked defendants, their lawyers, and observers during the court hearing of bilingual Armenian-Turkish Agos newspaper editor Hrant Dink, the paper's editor-in-chief Sarkis Seropyan, and columnist Aydin Engin at the Istanbul 2nd Court of First Instance. Dink, Engin and their lawyers Fethiye Cetin and Ergin Cinmen said that tensions in Tuesday's hearing, where the defendants are on trial for "attempting to influence the judiciary," started when they turned up in front of Istanbul's Sisli justice hall. The group arrived at the court building to find its entrance blocked by angry nationalists shouting "get the hell out of this country" and physically threatening them. "We had to enter the court building surrounded by a police cordon," Cetin explained. Dink added, "Thankfully the police officers did everything to get us into the court building safely. They took us up to the court room in a special elevator." The defendants and their lawyers were then verbally harassed and had to dodge physical assaults in the corridor before they entered the court room itself. During the hearing, coins and pencils were thrown at them as a group of observers believed to be led by nationalist lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz shouted insults. Nationalist "Jurists Union" lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz, Civilian Society Organizations Union of Turkey (TSTKB) member Ramazan Kirkik, retired general Veli Kucuk, and Independent Turkish Orthodox Patriarchy spokesman Sevgi Erenerol were among those at the hearing demanding to be accepted as official complainants against the defendants. Agreeing with prosecutor Mustafa Dag's views, the court decided to reject three separate appeals by the nationalists to be accepted as complainants on grounds that they were "not directly affected by the alleged offense" while judge Yalcin Hayret issued a warning to Kerincsiz and those around him for repeatedly interfering in the case. Kerincsiz claimed the judge himself had "lost his objectivity" and asked for his removal on the grounds that he was preventing the intervention of complainants. Kerincsiz's requests for Hayret's removal were rejected. The verbal and physical assaults endured by the defendants and their lawyers were so intense that they were noted in the court's records and according to Cetin, the judge almost called the police into the courtroom. When the hearing came to an end a group gathered downstairs and attacked the defendants, lawyers, and observers. Two people were hit and the defendants could only leave the building an hour later under police escort. Following Tuesday's hearing the trial was adjourned to July 4. Hrant Dink is on trial in this case for his article titled "Is democracy going to be established with this penal clause?" while Aydin Engin is charged for his article "One should touch the justice system." Both defendants are charged under Turkish Penal Code article 288 for attempting to influence fair justice. Dink's son, Arad Dink also went on trial Tuesday. Dink, Engin, and Arad Dink refuted the charges brought against them and maintained they had committed no offense. Dink: I have been made a deliberate target Aside from defending themselves to the court, Dink and his co-defendants were forced to defend themselves to the intervening groups and nationalists that turned up at the hearing. "The marginal nationalists are clearly trying to make such cases popular and are trying to produce a nationalist policy" Dink said after the hearing. "We should not fall into this trap." Dink added, "In all of the cases launched against me up till this day, I have not asked any support from inside or abroad, from the press or politicians, because this would mean falling into the trap of the marginal nationalists." "I have been deliberately made a target. And they want to use this target over and over. By giving the impression that I have committed a crime that I have not, the impression that I have insulted, they want to isolate me in front of the Turkish society. At least those who know how to read and who understand are standing up against this." Aydin Engin said, meanwhile, that justice itself was being lynched. "A group led by Kerincsiz and his friends have attempted to lynch justice" he said. "And in a big way they have succeeded." He added, "I have seen many trials but throwing coins and pencils at us and the defense lawyers by those who managed to enter the court room as complainants is something I have seen for the first time." Engin argued that the conditions of a "fair trial" no longer existed in the case noting, "we ourselves are being put on trial for influencing a fair trial but in reality today the conditions of a fair trial have been eliminated." Defense Lawyer Cetin agreed, explained that the case of Dink and his co-defenders was launched based on allegations of influencing justice. "What has taken place today and what is being done in other trials is influencing justice itself," she added. "They are creating such an atmosphere that one cannot talk about a fair trial. They are putting pressure on the defendants, the defense, the judge, and prosecutor. During the hearing they insulted the prosecutor," she said. Cetin continued, "The pressure is directed at the court. When [the nationalists] wanted to be accepted as complainants they said the Turkish nation is a complainant and we are watching." Defense Lawyer Cinmen said the incident at the end of the hearing "reflected the intolerance toward freedom of expression in Turkey." "The number [of protestors] is small but because they are extremely fanatic, it is a mass that can show itself," he said. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:
news from the western diocese

Primate Presides over DIVINE Liturgy
Armenian Apostolic Church of Burbank

On May 14, 2006 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of
the Western Diocese, presided over Divine Liturgy at the Burbank
Parish. He related his message bearing the theme, `Our Communion With
God’ to Mother’s Day, stating that our mothers have been the first
influence in our lives who have established within us a bond with
God.
On the occasion of Mother’s Day he congratulated all mothers, and
asked the faithful in attendance to pray for one mother in
particular, Mrs. Sylva Natalie Manoogian, whose son Vahan will soon
depart to serve in the Army in Iraq. His Eminence prayed for Vahan’s
safe return and the welfare of his parents. Mrs. Manoogian is the
Director of the Diocesan Library.

anglican armenian Dialogue

The Committee for Anglican-Armenian Dialogue met on May 15, 2006 at
All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Pasadena to deepen the relations
between the two churches through collaboration in the various
missions of the two dioceses. During the meeting the representatives
of the churches also reflected upon the joint commemorative service
held at St. Mark Episcopal Church for the Armenian Genocide, the
first Genocide of the 20th Century.

Meeting of
Los Angeles COuncil of Religious Leaders

The monthly meeting of the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders
will take place on May 17, 2006 at the Claremont School of Theology.
The meeting will also serve as an opportunity for the Religious
Leaders to get acquainted with the Claremont Seminary, where
currently two of our candidates onto the priesthood, Deacon Vahe
Abovian and Deacon Mayis Shahbazyan, are working on their degrees of
Master of Divinity.
Each month the monthly meetings of the Los Angeles Council of
Religious Leaders are hosted by a different religious group.

Primate Presides over meetings

The Summer Camp Committee and the Summer Camp Board will hold their
regular meetings at the Diocese on May 20, 2006, presided by His
Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate.
The summer camp program has served the youth of the Western Diocese
for over 40 years. If you or someone you know is interested in
attending Summer Camp 2006, please visit
{} for more information.
To make camp part of your summer plans, follow these instructions:
Step 1: Pick a week of camp to attend

Week 1 – July 23, 2006 through July 29, 2006
Week 2 – July 30, 2006 through August 5, 2006
Week 3 – August 6, 2006 through August 12, 2006

Step 2: Visit our website beginning Easter Sunday,
April 16, 2006
Step 3: Print out a camper application, fill it out and mail it in
Step 4: Get ready to make friends and memories that will last
forever!

Cathedral Fundraising and Celebration Gala

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate will preside over
the Mother Cathedral Fundraising and Celebration Gala to be held on
Saturday, May 20, 2006, at the Kalaydjian Hall of the Western
Diocese, under the Chairmanship of Antranik Zorayan.
Total proceeds and donations received on the evening of May 20th
will benefit the construction of the long-awaited Mother Cathedral of
the Western Diocese.
The committee is proud to announce that Hovig Krikorian’s wonderful
voice and music will ensure the night to be an evening of
celebration. Dr. Varoujan Altebarmakian, Chair of the Diocesan
Council, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the gala.
Festivities of the night will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a Cocktail
Reception and will continue with Dinner and an entertaining program.
For your invitation, please contact the Diocesan Office at
818-558-7474.

Primate TO Preside over Divine Liturgy
St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church, Van Nuys

On May 21, 2006 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate,
will preside over Divine Liturgy at St. Peter Armenian Church in Van
Nuys. During the Liturgy, His Eminence will bestow the St. Nersess
the Graceful Medal of Honor upon Mr. and Mrs. Arpiar Janoyan, issued
by the Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, in appreciation for their dedication and service to the
Armenian Apostolic Church.

Primate Attends Events by armenian Schools

On May 21, 2006 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate,
will attend the 25th anniversary celebrations of TCA Arshag
Dickranian School. The Primate will also attend the 13th annual
Paradon of the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School.

OFFICE OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE
May 16, 2006
Burbank, California