Author: Emil Lazarian

INFLATION IS DETERMINED BY THE STATE OF AGRICULTURE
Lragir.am
5 May 06
The president of the Central Bank of Armenia told the reporter of
Lragir.am May 5 that sustaining a 3 percent inflation projected for
2006 is quite realistic. “Our estimations show that it is realistic
to sustain a 3 percent inflation determined by monetary factors by
the end of this year. Especially that the growth of the price of
gas was softer than it had been expected,” said Tigran Sargsyan. He
mentioned that the rate of inflation will greatly depend on the state
of agriculture, the rate of growth in this sector.
“For the fluctuations of the price of agricultural products has an
essential effect on the level of prices, and it will determine the
rate of inflation this year,” said Tigran Sargsyan.

OSKANIAN SAYS ARMENIAN AND AZERI LEADERS LIKELY TO MEET NEXT MONTH
Armenpress
May 05 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS: Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian
said today Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents are likely to have
another meeting early next month, but added there were no concrete
arrangements about the venue and the date of the possible meeting of
Robert Kocharian of Armenia and Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of “Armenia and the Council
of Europe: Five Years of Membership” conference, kicked off today in
Yerevan, Oskanian said the anticipated meeting may suffer a setback
as the one earlier this year in the French castle of Rambouillet.
Oskanian said again that Armenia had done everything it could and now
the turn was for Azerbaijan to make its concessions in order to give
a fresh push to the process of peaceful talks.
“The problem now is to avoid a setback and we expect appropriate
moves from Azerbaijan,” he said, adding otherwise it would be very
difficult to move forward. Oskanian downplayed media allegations that
Aliyev’s recent visit to Washington has given an additional weight to
Azerbaijan’s positions. “We know that Aliyev was made understand in
Washington by very top US government officials that seeking a military
solution to the Karabakh conflict is not an option. We appreciate it,”
he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARA ABRAHAMYAN SAYS THEY ARE THE RUSSIAN PATRIOTS
Panorama.am
13:44 05/05/06
According to Armeina Union of Russia (AUR), 4 Armenian nationals were
murdered during the first quarter of 2006, AUR Chairman Ara Abrahamyan
told Echo Moscow today. According the him, the statistics shows that
this number is increasing year by year and said that “nothing has
been done to prevent that in the course of 10 years.”
“When Vigen Abramyants was murdered, I was personally talking to 500
young men talking them into not to go out,” Ara Abrahamyan said.
The Chairman noted that the Union is pursueing its own investigation
on the case of 17 year old Vigen Abramyants. He said the law entitled
them to do so.
According to Ara Abrahamyan, when 16-17 year old becomes a mudered,
this is a social problem. The more we think on that and take actions,
the less criminal acts will be committed. It seems that they are better
organized than we. Those who cover such actions are only seemingly
“patriots”. We are the patriots who name things as they are, Ara
Abrahamyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
MAY 4, 2006
ARMENIAN AIRLINE PLANE CRASHES IN BLACK SEA
We mourn the loss of the 113 passengers on an Armavia Airbus A-320 that
crashed yesterday near the southern Russian resort city of Sochi on the
Black Sea. Officials believe the crash was caused by poor visibility due to
pouring rain. Many of the passengers were vacationers.
Upon hearing the sad news Archbishop Oshagan telephoned His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to express
condolences. In a message issued to the Faithful circulated yesterday in a
special edition of Crossroads, the Prelate said: “We extend our heartfelt
sympathy to the families who lost loved ones. May the love of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ comfort them in this time of deep sorrow. We urge our
Faithful to join our brothers and sisters in Armenia in offering special
prayers on Friday, May 5. May the souls of the victims find everlasting
peace in our Lord’s Heavenly Kingdom.”
PRELATE WILL ATTEND ST. ILLUMINATOR SCHOOL GALA
Archbishop Oshagan will attend the dinner dance gala sponsored by the St.
Illuminator School, tomorrow, Friday, May 5, at the Terrace on the Park in
Corona, New York. In an innovative change of pace the event is also a
reunion of Armenian School students going back to the 1930s to the present.
Many remember with great fondness the first-rate Aharonian Mayr Varjaran
where the first generation of Armenian Americans was taught the Armenian
language, history and culture. Back then (yes, some of us here at Crossroads
are old enough to remember those days) students went to Armenian School
three afternoons a week (after regular school was dismissed). Dressed in
“Sunday-best” attire, most of the students were from the Armenian enclave in
the neighborhood near the Cathedral on the lower east side, but many others
traveled by subway or trolley from distant parts of the city-including the
outer boroughs.
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO PHILADELPHIA ON SUNDAY
TO ATTEND ST. GREGORY ANNIVERSARY GALA
On Sunday, May 7, Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Philadelphia where he
will preside over the Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church
and the church’s 39th anniversary celebration that will follow the church
service.
The Philadelphia community is one of the oldest Armenian communities in
the United States. Its history goes much further than 39 years. However, the
current church complex was built and consecrated in May 1967. Since then it
has been serving the growing needs of the large Armenian American community
in the sprawling Philadelphia area, which includes southern New Jersey and
nearby Delaware. Last year the church embarked on a new phase of growth and
is now in the midst of a fundraising campaign for a much-needed renovation
and expansion of facilities in order to provide spiritual, educational and
cultural services to the community.
DEACON SHANT WILL LEAD RETREAT IN PHILLY
Deacon Shant Kazanjian, director of the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious
Education Council, will lead a retreat for the Sunday School teachers and
staff of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, beginning
tomorrow evening, Friday, May 5, through Saturday, May 6. The theme of the
retreat is “Nurturing Faith.”
SCHOOL VISIT PLANNED BY ANEC
In her continuing schedule of visits to Armenian schools, Nayiri
Balanian, chair of the Armenian National Education Committee, will visit the
Taniel Varoujan School in Chicago on May 12 and 13. She will meet with the
teachers and the principal on May 12 and the next day will attend a Mothers
Day luncheon where she will honor the teachers for their dedicated service.
ANEC is jointly sponsored by the Eastern Prelacy and the Armenian Relief
Society (Eastern).
TURKISH NOVELIST SELECTED AS TIME MAGAZINES
100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
Orhan Pamuk, the acclaimed and prize-winning Turkish writer, was named
this week as one of the one hundred most influential people in the world by
Time Magazine.
Describing Pamuk as the “Teller of the Awful Truth,” Time writes: “Pamuk,
already the most famous author in contemporary Turkey, became a global cause
celebre early last year after he pointedly criticized his country’s
all-too-willful historical blind spots: the genocide of Armenians in 1915 by
the Turkish military and a similar suppression of the country’s Kurdish
minority.” All this led to fierce criticism from nationalist groups and the
government prepared to put him on trial. Human rights organizations and
writers’ unions around the world came to his defense attracting intense
worldwide publicity. In the end, as Time Magazine notes, “Pamuk’s name has
become even more recognized and his words even more influential. In the
confrontation of rock-hard reality and paper-thin artistry, sometimes, as in
the children’s game, paper overcomes stone.”
PRELATE WILL ATTEND SYRIAN ORTHODOX LEADER’S ANNIVERSARY
On Saturday, May 6, Archbishop Oshagan will attend a celebration of the
10th anniversary of the Episcopal Consecration of Archbishop Mor Cyril
Aphrem Karim, Metropolitan of the Syrian Orthodox Church (Eastern U.S.)
The Syrian Orthodox Church is within the family of Oriental Orthodox
Churches which includes the Armenian Apostolic Church.
PRELACY LADIES GUILD MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON
WILL TAKE PLACE MONDAY, MAY 8
The Prelacy Ladies’ Guild’s Mothers’ Day Luncheon will take place on
Monday, May 8, at The St. Regis, 2 East 55th Street, New York City. The
event, which has become an anticipated event for women in the metropolitan
area and beyond, will take place in the beautiful St. Regis Roof with
reception beginning at 11:30 am, followed by luncheon at 12:30 pm. A special
Musical Interlude, “Voices of Spring,” will provide entertainment and the
“Mother of the Year” will be announced and honored.
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
WILL CONVENE IN NEW JERSEY
The Eastern Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly will convene May
17 to 19, at the host church, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New
Jersey.
The concluding reception and banquet will take place Friday evening, May
19, at the Fort Lee Hilton, Route 4 East, Fort Lee, New Jersey. During the
banquet program a number of individuals will be honored including “Persons
of the Year,” “Spirit of Armenia,” and “Youth Leadership” awards.
“Certificates of Merit” will be presented to deserving members of the local
host community. To make reservations for the banquet ($75. per person)
contact any of the following: Sts. Vartanantz Church, 201-943-2950; Bea
Movsesian, 201-445-6867; Sonia Setrakian, 201-313-7157; Lynn Mahlebjian,
201-440-3018.
CONFERENCE FOR YERETZGEENS WILL TAKE PLACE
DURING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN NEW JERSEY
Archbishop Oshagan and the Religious and Executive Council are pleased to
announce that a conference for Yeretzgeens of the Eastern Prelacy will be
held in New Jersey on May 16-17, in conjunction with the National
Representative Assembly. All Yeretzgeens are invited to attend the
conference. Archbishop Oshagan will open the session with a prayer and
deliver the opening message. The remainder of the conference will feature
two sessions on various aspects of the life of a priest’s wife (family,
parish life, work) by Presvytera Athanasia Papademetriou of the Greek
Orthodox faith and one session titled “Women of Noble Character,” by
Yeretzgeen Joanna Baghsarian.
PRELATE AND VICAR WILL ATTEND JOINT MEETING
Archbishop Oshagan and V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan will attend the third
meeting of Christian, Arab and Middle Eastern Churches Together next
Thursday, May 11, which will take place at the Eparchy of St. Maron of
Brooklyn, hosted by Archbishop Gregory Marsour.
REGISTER NOW FOR DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM
Urge your teenagers to enroll in the St. Gregory of Datev Summer
Institute. The weeklong program will take place July 2 to 9 at the St. Mary
of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. This year the Institute is
marking its 20th anniversary and all kinds of commemorative events are being
planned. We will provide full details in the coming weeks.
THE ART OF EMMA GREGORYAN
TO BE EXHIBITED AT THE PRELACY
The works of noted artist, Emma Gregoryan, will be shown beginning on
Friday evening, May 12, at the Prelacy’s Vahakn and Hasmig Hovnanian Hall,
138 E. 39th Street, New York City. The opening reception will take place
Friday, May 12, at 7 p.m. The artist will be present to welcome guests.
Refreshments will be served.
Ms. Gregoryan’s works are currently being shown at the Susquehanna Art
Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as part of an exhibition of the Armenian
art collection of the late John Vartan.
Born in Gumri, Armenia, Emma Grigoryan graduated from the Fine Arts and
Theatrical Institute of Yerevan. Her paintings have been exhibited in
Yerevan, Paris, Beirut, New York, Washington and throughout Canada.
CATHOLICOS ARAM I ISSUES FIFTH DIALOGUE WITH YOUTH
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I recently issued the 5th in a series of
dialogues with the youth, entitled “The Imperative of a Faith-Sustained
Life.”
His Holiness describes the general understanding of faith and then say,
“.being Christian does not mean merely knowing about our faith or even
witnessing about it. It means keeping firm our faith. This is the message of
our Lord Jesus Christ. The church, the mystical body of Christ, constantly
reminds her faithful to remain faithful to the Christian faith by responding
to its challenges, demands and implications.”
His Holiness says faith means to “remain faithful to the Christian faith
by responding to its challenges, demands and implications.” The Pontiff
expands on other important aspects including, placing faith at the center of
life, preserving the integrity of faith, participating fully and actively in
the life and mission of the church, and translating faith into work.
GEORGE MGRDICHIAN: FRIEND AND EXTRAORDINARY MUSICIAN
This week we mourn the loss of a personal friend and an extraordinary
musician, George Mgrdichian. His funeral took place today in Philadelphia at
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church. He grew up in Philly, but later moved to
New York.
George was an accomplished musician and also a talented artist, who loved
to draw cartoons, including a parody of himself and his world he called
“Kokorig.” He had undergraduate and graduate degrees from Juilliard and was
a gifted classical clarinetist.
Most probably he could have had a distinguished career in symphony
orchestras, but his true love was the oud, an instrument that he
single-handedly elevated to concert status. He performed in almost every
major concert hall in the U.S., wrote and performed musical scores for
movies, television and Broadway. His obituary was published today in the New
York Times and the New York Sun, and we are sure dozens of other newspapers
around the country.
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING TURNS 75
On Monday, May 1, New York’s Empire State Building (ESB) marked its 75th
birthday, beginning a year-long celebration. Built at the height of the
Great Depression, the building has gone through many hardships including a
1945 plane crash. When built, the ESB was the tallest building in the world
and remained the tallest in New York until the completion of the World Trade
Twin Towers in 1972. After September 11, 2001, the ESB again became New
York’s tallest building and remains so today. It now ranks 9th in the world,
and second in the United States behind Chicago’s Sears Tower.
Construction of the 102 floors was considered to be one of the most
remarkable feats of the 20th century. More than 3,400 workers-most of them
immigrants, desperate and grateful for employment-worked on the
construction, which took a mere 410 days to complete. Which leads us to
wonder: Why is it taking so long to repair the FDR drive?
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 5-Reunion of all students beginning from the 1930s who attended St.
Illuminator Armenian School in New York. Dinner Dance at Terrace on the
Park, Corona, NY. For reservations or information contact the St.
Illuminator’s Day School, 718-478-4073.
May 7-Mothers’ Day celebration at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.
May 8-Mothers’ Day Luncheon by Prelacy Ladies Guild, St. Regis, New York
City.
May 12-Exhibition of the works of artist Emma Gregoryan at the Prelacy, 138
E. 39th Street, New York City.
May 13-Dinner-Dance organized by the St. Sarkis Church Ping-Pong Club. For
details 718-224-2275.
May 17-19-National Representative Assembly (NRA), hosted by Sts. Vartanantz
Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Concluding reception and banquet will take
place Friday, May 19, at the Fort Lee Hilton, Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Reception at 7 pm, followed by dinner. For information/reservations: Sts.
Vartanantz Church office, 201-943-2950.
May 16 and 17-Conference of Yeretzgeens in conjunction with the National
Representative Assembly, hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New
Jersey.
May 20-Year-end Hantes for Sunday School and Saturday School, St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York. For information, 718-224-2275.
June 4-16th Anniversary Celebration of the new St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York. For information, 718-224-2275.
July 22-Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
and Ani Chapter of Armenian Relief Society co-host gala dance at Greek
Orthodox Annunciation Church. For information, 401-286-8107.
September 28-4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.
Visit our website at
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/04/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) Senators, Representatives Mark Armenian Genocide in Remarks at Their Respective Chambers 2) Rescue Workers Step up Search after Armenian Plane Crash 3) NATO Parliamentary Assembly Invites Armenian And Azeri Presidents to Paris 4) Armenia to Hold Economic Forum And Conference in September 5) Requiem Mass for Plane Crash Victims to Be Held Sunday 6) US Legislators Urge President Bush to Condemn Azeri War Rhetoric, Demolition of Armenian Cemetery 1) Senators, Representatives Mark Armenian Genocide in Remarks at Their Respective Chambers WASHINGTON, DC--More than a dozen Senators and Representatives took to the floors of their respective chambers during the week of April 24 to mark the 91st anniversary of the beginning of the Armenian genocide and share with their colleagues the moral imperative to enact legislation condemning this crime against humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). These remarks were in addition to the annual Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance, held on April 26, which drew forty Senators and Representatives and featured the presentation of the ANCA's Voice of Justice award to Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan of System Of A Down. On the Senate side, speeches were delivered by Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Carl Levin (D-MI), and Jack Reed (D-RI). The House initiative was organized by Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Co-Chairman of the Armenian Caucus, and featured remarks by Chris Smith (R-NJ), the Vice-Chairman of the International Relations Committee; Howard Berman (D-CA), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Mark Foley (R-FL), Sander Levin (D-MI), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), James McGovern (D-MA), Michael McNulty (D-NY), Jon C. Porter (R-NV), John J.H. "Joe" Schwarz (R-MI), Hilda Solis (D-CA), and Henry Waxman (D-CA). Among the most compelling Senate remarks were the following: * Senator Russ Feingold: The international community has made the first steps, but it has a long way to go in punishing and, particularly, preventing genocide. As we move forward, we must learn the lessons of Armenia's genocide. We cannot be misled by the rhetoric of scapegoating, denial, and obfuscation used by murderous leaders to disguise their agenda. And we cannot respond to evidence of methodical, brutal violence by wringing our hands and waiting for some definitive proof that these events qualify as genocide. Enforcing a collective, international commitment to prevent and stop genocides from occurring is imperative. We owe the victims of the Armenian genocide this commitment. * Senator Barbara Boxer: The brutality of the genocide was atrocious. But the inhumanity continues today because the Turkish Government refuses to acknowledge the massacres as genocide. The wounds cannot heal until the Armenian people receive recognition. * Senator Jack Reed: So as history does not repeat itself, we must study and remember the events of our past. In instances such as the Armenian genocide, all nations must educate their youth in the hatred, the wrongdoing, and the oppression to deter future atrocities against humanity. Not more that two decades after the Armenian genocide, Hitler said to his generals on the eve of sending his death squads into Poland, "Go, kill without mercy... who today remembers the annihilation of the Armenians." We remember the Armenians. "Menk panav chenk mornar." We will never forget. * Senator Dianne Feinstein: The Armenian-American community knows this all too well and today, we stand with them in commemorating the start of the Armenian genocide. So let us renew our commitment to support those around the world who face persecution and even death simply because of who they are. We will never forget the Armenian genocide, and we look to the present and future with a newfound sense of hope and optimism so that we may have the strength to stand up and prevent such atrocities. Among the more compelling excerpts from the speeches in the US House are provided below: * Congressman Chris Smith: Unfortunately, President Bush, in his annual message about the Genocide, did not use the word. Once again, terms like "mass killings" and "forced exile" mask the depth of the horror that took place, carefully avoiding the plain truth. In fact, as has been described in numerous newspaper articles, Ambassador John Evans, who was posted in Yerevan, is being recalled for having the courage to say publicly that what happened to the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire was genocide. It saddens me that the US Government would go to such lengths to deny the undeniable. I would like to commend Ambassador Evans for his braveryas a career Foreign Service Officer, he must have known what the consequences might be. * Congressman Frank Pallone: Last week I was joined by my Co-Chair of the Armenia Caucus and many of my colleagues in Congress on a bipartisan basis in sending yet another bipartisan congressional letter to President Bush urging him to use the word "genocide" in his April 24th commemorative statement. With over 178 signatures, the message in that letter is loud and clear: 90 years is too long to wait for justice to be served and proper recognition to be made. The US owes it to the Armenian American community, to the 1.5 million that were massacred in the Genocide, and to its own history to reaffirm what is fact. As we have seen time and time again, the United States has a proud history of action and response to the Armenian genocide. During a time when hundreds of thousands were left orphaned and starving, a time when a nation was on the verge of complete extermination, the US took the lead and proudly helped end these atrocities. In fact, Americans helped launch an unprecedented US diplomatic, political, and humanitarian campaign to end the carnage and protect the survivors. Regardless of President Bush's inaction, I call on Speaker Hastert to bring the resolution to officially recognize the Armenian genocide to the House floor. The resolution that passed in committee last September, again on a bipartisan basis by an overwhelming majority, has over 148 cosponsors. Now is the time to allow Members to reaffirm the United States' record on the Armenian genocide. The US Government needs to stop playing politics with this tragic time in history and take a firm stance for the truth. Genocide must not be tolerated. * Congressman James McGovern: Luckily, such leadership and courage is not lacking among the Armenian American community. Not only do they continue their historic work on the recognition and documentation of the Armenian genocide, but they are genuine leaders and partners in efforts to educate Americans about the other genocides of the 20th and 21st Centuriesthe Holocaust of World War II, Cambodia, Rwanda and Bosnia, to note some of the most prominent. * Congressman Howard Berman: The debate on this historical issue has been settled. The distinguished International Association of Genocide Scholars, among others, has concluded that it is undeniable. Others, including some who accept the historical facts, say Congress should not pass a resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide because it will irreparably damage our relationship with Turkey. This is a phony argument. * Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney: The tragic events that began on April 24, 1915, which are well known to all of us, should be part of the history curriculum in every Turkish and American school. On that dark April day, more than 200 of Armenia's religious, political and intellectual leaders were arrested in Constantinople and killed. Ultimately, more than 1.5 million Armenians were systematically murdered at the hands of the Young Turks, and more than 500,000 more were exiled from their native land. * Congressman Jerry Costello: Despite the effort of some to minimize the scope and deny its occurrence, the Armenian genocide is a historical fact. In the years since, descendants of Armenian immigrants have clung to their identity and have prospered across this nation and throughout the world. In my district, there is a significant population of Armenian survivors and their families that showed heroic bravery and a will to survive. With faith and courage, generations of Armenians have overcome great suffering and proudly preserved their culture, traditions, and religion by sharing their story of the Genocide. It is through their unforgettable tragedy that we are able to share in their history and strong heritage. The full text of all the Senate and House remarks is available on the ANCA website at: < eleases.php?prid=942>
/press_releas es/press_releases.php?prid=942.
2) Rescue Workers Step up Search after Armenian Plane Crash
(AFP/Armenpress)–Anguished relatives faced the grim task Thursday of
identifying their loved ones as rescue workers stepped up the search for
bodies, debris, and the data recorders of an Armenian plane that plunged into
the Black Sea, killing all 113 on board.
Russian rescue teams continued searching the area where the Airbus A320
plunged into the sea near the Russian resort of Sochi on Wednesday,
investigating the depths with special equipment, including sonars.
An official with Russia’s emergency situations ministry, Andrei Pakulov, told
AFP that a signal had been picked up from what might be one of the Airbus
A320’s black box flight recorders. Officials said that the signal was detected
at a depth of 680 meters where the rescuers found a great number of debris of
the plane.
Once the black boxes are found, they can be compared to the recorded
conversations between the pilots of the plane and the air traffic controllers,
providing a better understanding of what went wrong.
For now, investigators have said bad weather was most likely the cause of the
crash, which occurred as the aircraft was approaching the landing strip,
awkwardly located between the sea and the Caucasus Mountains.
The RIA news agency, quoting an official in the search operation, said a
major
section of the plane had been located with the help of a submersible search
vessel. “All our deep water special equipment will be assembled at that point
in the coming hours,” RIA quoted the official as saying.
At a nearby Armenian school a memorial ceremony took place for two former
students of the school. Afterwards, students and teachers went to the seashore
and placed 113 carnations and roses into the water.
Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin addressed over 200 relatives of the
victims desperate to find the bodies of their loved ones. Investigators will
work “for as long as it takes to recover all the bodies and body parts,”
Levitin said, adding that it was too early to say for sure what had caused the
crash.
“Do everything you can to recover the bodies–I implore you,” urged one young
man, in tears. “How will the bodies be identified? Let us enter the morgue and
see the personal belongings,” urged another relative.
By Thursday morning 53 bodies had been fished out of the water and 22 had
been
identified, news agencies said. The remains of the aircraft were submerged in
more than 400 meters (1,300 feet) of water, but Levitin said a team of French
specialists brought in to search for the jet’s black boxes had “all the
technical means needed” to locate them.
Relatives of the victims were to visit the crash site by boat on Friday to
drop commemorative wreaths into the water. Both Armenia and Russia have
declared Friday an official day of mourning.
On Wednesday, relatives began identifying their loved ones from photographs
taken of the bodies recovered so far, including that of a child. On Thursday,
Tamara Mkrtchian, 36, said she had lost her husband Markar, their 17 year old
daughter Flora, and two other relativeswho were returning from a wedding in
Yerevanbut had yet to recognize any of their bodies.
“The photos are horrible. Imagine what they suffered. My daughter had
forebodings. She had been afraid to take the plane, afraid it would fall into
the sea. I suggested she change the ticket but she didn’t want to,” said
Mkrtchian.
3) NATO Parliamentary Assembly Invites Armenian And Azeri Presidents to Paris
BAKU (Armenpress)President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Pierre
Lellouche invited Armenian and Azeri Presidents Robert Kocharian and Ilham
Aliyev to Paris in late May. Aliyev has agreed to the visit.
Regarding the Karabagh conflict, Lellouche said that the NATO PA is making an
effort to help the parties reach a resolution to the conflict. He said during
his meeting with the two Presidents, they will discuss the regulation of the
conflict.
“This conflict is very destructive and results in the exhaustion of resources
and causes human losses,” said Lellouche. “The Caucasus needs stability.”
Lellouche also said that a military solution to conflict is not the right
one.
4) Armenia to Hold Economic Forum And Conference in September
In order to promote increased economic cooperation between Armenia and the
diaspora, Armenia will hold the Second Armenia-Diaspora Economic Forum in
Yerevan on September 20, 2006. Marking the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s
independence, the third Armenia-Diaspora economic conference will be held
later
that week, from September 18-19, also in Yerevan, followed by the
“Pan-Armenian
EXPO-2006” exhibit on September 22.
The First Economic Forum, which was held in 2003, resulted in increased
investment from the diaspora, better export quality, and sustainable economic
development.
The Second Forum will build on these achievements, strengthening the economic
development of Armenia and cooperation between Armenia and the diaspora. It
also reflects increased interest from diasporan Armenians in investing in
Armenia.
To participate in the conference or for more information, call (310) 657-6102
or visit the Consulate General of Armenia at 50 N. La Cienega Blvd., #210,
Beverly Hills, CA 90211.
5) Requiem Mass for Plane Crash Victims to Be Held Sunday
The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and the Western
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America released separate
statements Thursday announcing that on Sunday, May 7, all churches of the
Diocese and Prelacy will hold requiem mass services in honor of the Armavia
airplane crash victims.
The Prelacy also stated that Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian will preside
over the requiem service at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino to give his message
on this somber occasion.
6) US Legislators Urge President Bush to Condemn Azeri War Rhetoric,
Demolition
of Armenian Cemetery
–Representatives Knollenberg, Pallone, Radanovich, and Schiff Registered
Concerns on Eve of Bush-Aliyev Meeting
WASHINGTON, DC–The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has
expressed its appreciation to four leading legislators–Armenian Caucus
Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and
Representatives
George Radanovich (R-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA)–for urging President Bush to
personally encourage Azeri President Ilham Aliyev to stop his government’s
threats against Armenia and Karabagh.
The two leaders met at the White House last week in a meeting, which was
reported to have covered, among other items, energy security issues, Iran’s
nuclear program, and democratic reform in Azerbaijan. It was not immediately
clear, based on media accounts, if President Bush addressed the issues raised
in the Congressional letter.
In their letter, the four legislators voiced their concern that, “in the
years
since the 1994 cease-fire agreement in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict,
Azerbaijani government officials have consistently threatened war and fostered
anti-Armenian intolerance. Ignoring international criticism, President Aliyev
has repeatedly declared that Azerbaijan could launch a new military offensive
against Karabakh, and that he is waging a ‘cold war’ against Armenia where the
ongoing negotiations are only a way to achieve unilateral Armenian
concessions.”
Furthermore, the letter condemned Azerbaijan’s demolition of an over
1,000-year-old Armenian cemetery in Julfa, Nakhichevan, noting that
“[k]nowingly expunging traces of Armenian presence also raises serious
questions about Azerbaijan’s commitment to engage in the peace process.” The
legislators credit the Administration for its assurances that “US
opposition to
such tactics has been officially conveyed. However, the United States will be
unable to advance its policy objectives and the OSCE Minsk process will
achieve
nothing if Azerbaijan is allowed to risk war with impunity. These
counterproductive strategies are undermining the stability of the South
Caucasus region.”
The full text of the Congressional letter is provided below.
#####
Congress of the United States
Washington, DC 20515
April 27, 2006
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
It is our understanding that you will be meeting with President of Azerbaijan
Ilham Aliyev later this week. We urge you to take this opportunity to condemn
the Azerbaijani war rhetoric and other actions taken against the Republic of
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh which undermine U.S. objectives in the region.
In the years since the 1994 cease-fire agreement in the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, Azerbaijani government officials have consistently threatened war
and
fostered anti-Armenian intolerance. Ignoring international criticism,
President Aliyev has repeatedly declared that Azerbaijan could launch a new
military offensive against Karabakh, and that he is waging a “cold war”
against
Armenia where the ongoing negotiations are only a way to achieve unilateral
Armenian concessions.
As part of this campaign, this year Azerbaijan has increased its military
spending by 100% over the previous year to more than $600 million. It has
also
tightened the seventeen year economic blockade against Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh. Moreover, President Aliyev has indicated he would not engage in any
confidence-building measures with Armenia and he had “no desire” to tone down
his country’s war-mongering and anti-Armenian propaganda.
Under the backdrop of the peace talks last December, eyewitnesses captured on
film Azerbaijani soldiers destroying historical Armenian monuments in the
medieval cemetery of Julfa, Nakhichevan of Azerbaijani Republic. Condemned by
the European Parliament, this incident is not isolated. A Scottish expert on
Armenian architecture, who traveled though Nakhichevan in the summer of 2005,
found that a number of Armenian monuments that were intact as late as the
1980’s were razed to the ground. Knowingly expunging traces of Armenian
presence also raises serious questions about Azerbaijan’s commitment to engage
in the peace process.
We acknowledge and appreciate the assurances of the Administration that U.S.
opposition to such tactics has been officially conveyed. However, the United
States will be unable to advance its policy objectives and the OSCE Minsk
process will achieve nothing if Azerbaijan is allowed to risk war with
impunity. These counterproductive strategies are undermining the stability of
the South Caucasus region.
We urge you to condemn these actions and call upon President Aliyev and
Azerbaijan to desist from making any further threats against its Christian
neighbors Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
We look forward to working with you on this issue and look forward to your
response.
Sincerely,
JOE KNOLLENBERG
Member of Congress
GEORGE RADONOVICH
Member of Congress
FRANK PALLONE, JR
Member of Congress
ADAM SCHIFF
Member of Congress
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

From: Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Haigazian University
Rue Mexique – Kantari
P.O. Box 11-1748
Riad El-Solh 1107 2090
Beirut – LebanonBeirut, 04/05/2006
HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETS IN BEIRUT
U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Jeffrey Feltman: We applaud Haigazian’s
role as a strong voice for American values, for freedom and democracy,
education and service.
On May, 1, 2006, after completing a successful day of meetings
with the Board of Trustees, during which the future academic and
development plans of the university were discussed, the president
of Haigazian University, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian hosted a special
dinner of fellowship in hotel Le Bristol, Hamra.
In attendance were the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Jeffrey Feltman,
the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia, Vahan Der Ghevontian and
his spouse, the Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy, Juliet Wurr,
the Executive Director of the Armenian Missionary Association of
America, Andrew Torigian, the President of the Union of the Armenian
Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Rev. Megrdich Karagoezian,
members of the board, and the academic and administrative leadership
of the University.
During dinner, President Haidostian acknowledged the vigorous efforts
of the Board members, the support and friendship of the US Embassy,
as he congratulated the Armenian Ambassador for his appointment
to Lebanon.
“In our consciousness, the USA denotes a people, a system, a
tradition, a set of values, a heritage of virtues, where voluntarism,
philanthropy, respect for life, critical thinking and democracy
are taught for the benefit of all, especially the underprivileged
ones of this world…In fact, the Armenian experience of suffering,
coupled with the American outlook created a strong foundation for an
educational system at Haigazian”, said Haidostian during his address.
Ambassador Feltman was struck by the real family spirit of the evening,
as he considered the event a celebration of Armenians, Lebanese and
Americans gathered for the sake of Haigazian University.
During his speech, Feltman expressed his admiration of Haigazian
University in promoting a tolerant, multi-confessional society,
respectful of the rights of minorities. Moreover, he applauded
Haigazian’s role as a strong voice for American values, for freedom
and democracy, education and service.
“The long-term, non-negotiable commitment of the United States to
Lebanon remains as strong and vibrant as ever…The ties between the
American and Lebanese people span generations and are sustained by
mutual affection. As U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, I am proud to affirm
the commitment of the United States to Lebanon and to pledge America’s
support to Lebanon and the Lebanese people today, tomorrow and in the
future, to build and support a secure, sovereign, democratic, united
and prosperous Lebanon”, noted Feltman upon concluding his speech.
The Haigazian University Women’s Auxiliary (LA), represented by
its chairwoman Joyce Stein and 3 other members, donated a generous
amount of USD100,000 towards the funding of the new building project
of the University.
On accepting the donation, the president expressed his gratitude by
presenting the ladies a plaque which acknowledged the auxiliary’s
43-year unconditional dedication in supporting needy Haigazian
students.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2006
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]
ARAMAC STATE CHAIR PAMELA BARSAM BROWN WORKS WITH COLORADO PBS
AFFILLIATE TO BROADCAST GENOCIDE AWARENESS PANEL
Washington DC — The Armenian Assembly of America today commended
the leadership of Assembly activist Pamela Barsam Brown for taking
the initiative and working with Colorado PBS station KBDI, which
broadcast a genocide awareness panel following the debut of Andrew
Goldberg’s documentary, “The Armenian Genocide” on April 26.
The panel, which featured genocide scholar and Assembly Member
Dr. Dennis Papazian, examined issues surrounding past and present
genocides including the Holocaust, Armenian Genocide and the recent
situation in Darfur.
“Weappreciate thework of Peter Boylesand KBDIfor helping raise
awareness of these crimes against humanity,” said Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny. “We also applaud our State Chair, Pamela Barsam Brown,
forrallying community support andfor spearheading this initiative
in Colorado.”
“Dr. Papazian’sinsightful and historically revealing comments,
asguest panelist,providedColoradoan’s with animportant and timely
opportunity to learn about the Armenian Genocide,” said Barsam Brown,
Colorado State Chair for ARAMAC.
“I am particularly proud that my local PBS affiliate chose to create
a unique and positive post-program format. OurPBS audience was
well-served by a robust discussion which touched upona wide range of
past and presentGenocide topics,” Barsam Brown continued.
Dr. Papazian served as the Armenian Assembly’s first Executive Director
as well as Co-Chair of the Assembly’s Board of Directors. Currently,
he is the Director of the Armenian Research Center at the University
of Michigan, Dearborn.
Other panelists included Ved Nanda, Director of the International
Legal Studies Program at the University of Denver, United Nations
Association of Colorado President Dr. Tim Kubik, and Ahmed Adam Ali
Mohammed, the Secretary General of Darfur Association in the U.S.
The program also promoted a local Conference entitled “Genocide and
Crimes Against Humanity: Challenges and Actions” that will be held
on May 8 under the sponsorship of the Colorado Coalition for Genocide
Awareness and Action of which the Armenian Assembly is a part of.
For more information about the Conference or the Coalition,
contact Roz Duman, Project Director at (303) 320-6565 or email
[email protected].
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN DAILY SAYS AZERI LEADER GOT “NEW STATUS” AFTER US VISIT
Aykakan Zhamanak, Yerevan
2 May 06
Text of unattributed report by Armenian newspaper Aykakan Zhamanak
on 2 May headlined “New status”
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the USA has made us
more nervous than expected. He went to Washington as an authoritarian
president from the South Caucasus but returned in the role of a
mediator in the settlement of the most urgent conflict between Iran
and the West.
Five days before Aliyev’s visit to the USA Iran’s Defence Minister
Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar was in Baku. In fact, he confirmed that he
had come to Baku to send messages to Washington via Aliyev. After
meeting Aliyev, George Bush declared that he had assured the
Azerbaijani president that he wanted to resolve the Iranian crisis
only by peaceful means. A statement like this from the US president is
strange because a week before meeting Aliyev he said that he treated
pessimistically an opportunity of a peaceful settlement to the
Iranian problem. Finally, who is Ilham Aliyev for the US president
to report about his intentions? The same US president did not take
into account the views of the French, Russian and German presidents
when attacking Iraq.
For this reason, this change in the American president’s mood may have
the following explanation: Aliyev has passed some Iranian messages
on to Bush which made Bush think that a peaceful settlement to the
conflict was still possible. This means that Bush has also sent
reply messages to Iran. That is to say, over this period of time the
Azerbaijani president will have permanent contacts with the leaders
of the USA, Iran and several European states. This process will lead
to a sharp increase in Azerbaijan’s and its leader’s rating in the
world. If Aliyev really manages to facilitate a peaceful settlement
to the conflict, the world community will be ready to offer him its
services and the Karabakh issue may be one of them.
[Armenian President] Robert Kocharyan and [Foreign Minister] Vardan
Oskanyan, who do not want to accept an opportunity to settle the
Karabakh conflict in the context of the Iranian issue, are playing
a cruel game with Armenia and Karabakh. The primary condition for
overcoming the problem is to understand that, but our authorities do
not understand. They are simply looking forward to swallowing 235m US
dollars promised by America [under the Millennium Challenge Programme].
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BUSH ADMINISTRATION PRESENTED CONDOLENCES TO FAMILIES OF A-320 VICTIMS
Panorama.am
12:53 04/05/06
US President George Bush’s Administration has presented its condolences
to families of A-320 crash victims. “We present our sincere condolences
to the people of Armenia and Russia, as well as to the families of
those, who died in the crash of Armavia flight heading from Yerevan to
the south of Russia,” the statement released in Washington says. Wires
with condolences to Armenia and Russia have been arriving from the
whole world.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SECTION 907 TO BE APPLIED TO AZERBAIJAN UP TO SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH ISSUE
PanARMENIAN.Net
04.05.2006 18:57 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act will be
applied to Azerbaijan up to settlement of the conflict in Nagorno
Karabakh,” stated Public Affairs officer of the US Embassy in
Azerbaijan Jonathan Henick. In his words, in spite the US Government
was against application of Section 907 to Azerbaijan, Congress kept
it in effect. “we are very content with the fact that Section 907
regarding Azerbaijan and continuation of our business cooperation
with that country is frozen for 5 years,” the US diplomat noted,
reports APA.
We note that Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act was adopted by
the US Congress in 1991 after Azerbaijan and Turkey blocked the border
with Armenia and Azerbaijan’s aggression against Nagorno Karabakh.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress