Author: Emil Lazarian

AZG Armenian Daily #152, 27/08/2005
Neighbors
SURP KHACH CHURCH OF AKHTAMAR BEING RECONSTRUCTED
While Half a Century Ago it Was Under Threat of Elimination
Surp Khach Armenian church on Akhtamar Island in eastern Turkey, which is
presently undergoing reconstruction on $1.5 million from Turkish government,
was under the threat of being destroyed half a century ago, Turkish Vatan
newspaper informed on August 25. “Eminent writer Yasar Kemal saved the
Armenian church of Akhtamar at the last moment. Thanks to the Lord, our
historic consciousness has ripened during 50 years. The same church is now
being reconstructed by the administration of Van province”.
The publication in Vatan being incredibly interesting, we think it’s worth
to present it wholly. Here is what the paper writes: “It was June 25 of
1951. This was the day that the church of Akhtamar was spared destruction.
Who are the savers? They were Ilyas Kitapci, one of wise men of Van, who
spearheaded military surgeon, captain Javit Bey, world famous writer Yasar
Kemal and editor-in-chief of Jumhuriet paper, Nadir Nadi. Journalist Azer
Bortajina presents this breathtaking story of salvation in his book “Eastern
Anatolia: the Legend of Fertile Lands” citing the words of Yasar Kemal, ‘I
embarked on a ship from Dadivan heading for Van. I got acquainted with an
officer aboard the ship. He was a captain and he told me: ‘It’s good I met
you. There is an Armenian church here on Akhtamar Island. The building is a
masterpiece. It’s being destroyed now. I want to take you there tomorrow.
The church, being a work of art, belongs to these lands, no matter who built
it. Can you help me and my country in this issue?”
‘Following the words of the captain, I went to Akhtamar. Though the church
was still untouched, the belfry beside was in ruins. The captain ordered
workers: ‘Don’t touch the church till I am back. I am going to the
governor’. The workers replied: ‘As you like’. We returned to Van. Finding
correspondent Jumhuriet, Ilyas Kitapci, we called the editor’s office. A few
hours later Nadir Bey was standing was standing before me. I explained him
the situation. Nadir Bey said: ‘Avni Bey will settle this issue. I know him
well. He is an intelligent person. Avni Basman was education minister at the
time. Two days later Ilyas and Javit Bey came to the hotel. Their faces were
shining with delight. Avni Basman telegraphed the governor to suspend
destruction of the church. June 25 of 1951 is the day of salvation of the
church of Akhtamar'”.
A conclusion on the salvation day ends the extract from Yasar Kemal and the
correspondent of Vatan poses a question to governor of Van, Mehmed Niyaz
Tameler, concerning the reconstruction works of Surp Khach who answers, “In
the years when these events occurred and which are described by Yasar Kemal,
our country, unfortunately, did not have the consciousness of preserving
historic and cultural monuments. We have completely different approach
today. Our government impartially cares for all monuments of spiritual and
cultural value, be it a church or a mosque. We have assigned 2 trillion
Turkish lire for reconstruction of Armenian church of Akhtamar. We bring the
stones from that very mine that was opened up especially for the
construction of the church one thousand years ago. We have invited
specialists from Italy. Many tourists are visiting Van in the recent years.
But there are no Armenians among them whereas we want them to come and see
the birthplace of their fathers and native land. Our doors are open before
everyone”.
By Hakob Chakrian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZG Armenian Daily #152, 27/08/2005
Home
HOW AND WHEN WILL NEW BUILDING OF AIRPORT BE BUILT?
Investments to Amount to $230 Million in Total
RA Government has approved the first stage of Zvatnots airport’s new
building’s main layout. Artyom Movsisian, head of Department of Civil
Aviation, said about this. He informed that “Armenia” International
Airports” company, the coordinator of the airport, suggested amendments to
the formed master-layout that was conditioned by the great number of
passengers. This number amounted to 23,3% last year. The airport had 1
million 89 thousand passengers this year. While the coordinator company
envisaged to achieve this indicator only in 2008. Anyway, it is envisaged
that this data will increase to 2 million in 2030.
Artyom Movsisian informed that new technologies that increase the security
level will be used when constructing the new building of the airport. A
high-level security system will be installed. It will help define the
identity of the passengers and watch the airport on 90 screens.
As for the new main layout, it envisages investments amounting to $230
million in total. The investments should be made till 2030.
$105 million will be invested in the first stage. The new two-storied
building of the complex will be built in this stage. The second floor of the
building will be used as the hall for departures together with the old
building of the airport. The hall for departures will be completed in late
2007.
The second stage covers 2008-2020. $140 million more are envisaged to be
invested then. The second hall for departures will be built and all the
passengers will be served there.
The second stage of the construction envisages investments amounting to $21
million that will be used for preservation needs.
Artyom Movsisian stated that the coordinator company is most likely to built
new blocks of flats for the residents of the tall buildings and two hostels.
This will be done for the security of both the airport and the residents. 15
thousand square meters of are will be allocated for the construction and
better living conditions will be secured for the residents.
By Ara Martirosian

Duluth Budgeteer News, MN
Aug 26 2005
Johnson proves the Peace Corps is not just for 20-somethings
More and more retirees are opting for ‘no RV required’ travel
Sarah Fleener
Budgeteer News
After Marlene Johnson retired, she was free to do as she pleased: sip
lemonade, play bridge and winter in Arizona. Instead, she joined the
Peace Corps.
`I wanted to do something active,’ she said. `The idea of classic
retirement just didn’t appeal to me.’
Johnson said there is a trend of older folks joining the Peace Corps
because of healthier lifestyles, early retirement and financial
stability.
Johnson was inspired by a traveling peer to look into the Corps and
once she decided to go, she said her family supported her fully.
`They were so supportive it was almost anti-climactic,’ she said.
“Go,’ they said. `You’ll love it, and they’ll love you.”
So with their blessing Johnson began her service in Lithuania in 1998
and stayed for three years. While there, she taught English in a
college setting to Lithuanian students. Before retirement, Johnson
had taught business communications at the University of Minnesota
Duluth.
And while she was the teacher in the classroom, she too was schooled
by the Lithuanian people. `The mission of the Peace Corps is to help
us understand others and well as help them to understand us,’ Johnson
said. When Johnson was there, she said most Lithuanians drew their
impressions of Americans from the TV show `Dallas.’
When Johnson was in Lithuania, it had only been seven years free of
Soviet reign. Many of the challenges Johnson ran into sprang from the
fact that Lithuania was just beginning to gain some identity.
During this crucial growing time, Johnson did what she could in the
classroom and even raised money to bring text books into the
classroom – a learning tool rarely granted to students.
After her time in Lithuania, Johnson returned home to Duluth for a
quick year and then in 2003 she was off again.
This time, she went to Armenia to teach English in the secondary
schools as well as provide teacher training.
In Armenia, Johnson’s teaching strategies of participation and
comprehension resonated with both teachers and students. In the
previously Russian occupied Armenia, rehearsal and memorization were
the common classroom practice. Johnson wanted to liven things up.
`It is the custom in Armenia to put the weaker students at the back
of the room and ignore them,’ Johnson said. But she made every
student participate in the language exercises. `Pretty soon, every
one was speaking English on their own.’
The daily life in Armenia was virtually another world for Johnson.
Pizza was a piece of bread with mashed potatoes, corn, peas and
ketchup; every window in her apartment had a view of breath-taking
mountains; and traffic jams meant there was a sheepherder going
through town.
Another challenge was communication. The phones, Internet and mail
service were all unreliable. `Things we take for granted here, are
big problems there,’ she said.
Even bigger problems included political turmoil all around the
country. `While I was there, there was a revolt in Georgia to the
north, they deposed their president in Azerbaijan to the east and
there were poor relations between Armenia and Turkey to the west,’
Johnson said.
Johnson just returned from her travels a few weeks ago. She said the
trip gave her a lot more self-confidence, insight on America as well
as other counties and taught her how to think on her feet.
Since she’s been home, she said she’s shocked at the convenience of
food, and she is relieved that she can cross the street without
worrying about a reckless driver.
Johnson said she would like to stay home now and work on some
genealogy, but she’s already received a call, asking her to teach in
Ecuador.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian American Cultural Association, Inc.
1300 Crystal Drive, Suite 1504
Arlington, VA 22202
Contact: James Faris
TEL: 703-416-2555
FAX: 703-416-2557
E-mail: [email protected]
Edward and Helen Mardigian Foundation Pledge $250,000 for the Wellness
Center in Armenia
By Christina Yagjian
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian American Cultural Association (AACA), US-based
sponsor of the Armenian American Wellness Center in Yerevan, Armenia,
recently announced a generous pledge of $250,000 from the Edward and Helen
Mardigian Foundation of Michigan. This heartfelt contribution will help to
realize the Wellness Center’s largest transformation to date – the complete
renovation, expansion, and seismic reinforcement of the six-story building
which currently houses the Wellness Center. The expansion project will cost
an estimated 3 million dollars and is expected to be completed by October
2007.
The Wellness Center, originally founded in 1997 to provide previously
non-existent breast screening services to Armenian women, expanded its
services in 2001 to include Western standard cervical screening through Pap
smears and basic gynecology, facilitated by its state-of-the-art pathology
lab.
Upon completion, the renovated Center, in addition to the quality
female-centered services it already provides, will be home to the most
modern Primary Health Care facility in Armenia, emphasizing Family Medicine
and providing quality diagnosis and on-site treatment. The building will
introduce seismic reinforcement techniques developed in California, Western
building standards, and environmentally clean energy generation through
solar power and an innovative energy system known as Combined Heat & Power.
In honor of the Mardigian Foundation’s gift, the fourth floor of the
renovated Wellness Center will be named the Edward & Helen Mardigian
Outpatient Surgery Complex, signified by a plaque placed at the floor’s
entrance. Additionally, they will be recognized by an individual plaque
displayed in the main lobby of the Center. The fourth floor will house an
outpatient surgery complex, introduced in Armenia for the first time, which
will include a fully-equipped surgery room, preparation and recovery area,
sterilization room, and post-surgery observation rooms. The floor will also
include a chemotherapy treatment area and a medical conference room.
“I believe that all of us must work to ensure Armenia’s future, and an
essential piece of the puzzle is developing the country’s capacity to
provide primary healthcare services to everyone,” said Helen Mardigian. “The
Wellness Center has done an excellent job in preventing breast and cervical
cancer in Armenia, and I fully support them as they expand their services to
provide quality healthcare to families as well. The renovated Center will
serve as a model for all other medical facilities throughout Armenia.”
As philanthropists, the Mardigians have long been dedicated to improving
access to quality healthcare and are longtime supporters of issues related
to the Armenian religion, culture, education, and social welfare. Most
notably, they have supported Saint John’s Armenian Church in Detroit, the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, the Armenian Assembly of America,
and the University of Michigan at both the Ann Arbor and Dearborn campuses.
Helen Mardigian recently made a donation to the Beaumont Hospital in Royal
Oak, Michigan in memory of her daughter, Marilynn Varbedian.
Reflecting on the Mardigian family, Rita Balian, AACA President and Wellness
Center Founder, explains, “Helen Mardigian and her late husband Edward are
highly respected among Armenian and American communities for their
humanitarian spirit, philanthropy, leadership, and kindness. Helen has been
a role model to me ever since I first met her in the late seventies when we
were working with AGBU/USA under the dedicated leadership of her husband and
I am simply elated that she has decided to reach out and support the
life-saving work of our Wellness Center in Armenia, in which I am so deeply
involved.”
Prior to his retirement in 1985, Edward Mardigian served as the Vice
President of the AGBU International Board and as President of its U.S.
Central Committee. Helen Mardigian has supported the Wellness Center since
2002, and shares in the Center’s mission to save, prolong, and improve the
lives of Armenian women and their families, through early and accurate
detection of breast and cervical cancer and the provision of primary health
care services.
AACA is currently seeking sponsors to fund the construction of individual
floors, with each floor dedicated in honor of its benefactor. The
construction of each floor is estimated at over a quarter of a million
dollars and, to date, AACA has secured sponsors for the second, fourth and
fifth floors of the building.
Although partial funding for the Center’s expansion is being provided by the
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has
supported the work of the Wellness Center since 2000, AACA is responsible
for raising over $2 million on its own through grassroots fundraising.
Without the help of generous donors such as Helen Mardigian, Anoush
Mathevosian, and others, this project would not be possible.
For more information about the Wellness Center, or to make a donation,
please contact AACA, a US-registered 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, by
e-mail at [email protected], or by phone at (703) 416-2555.

RUSSIAN-ARMENIAN RELATIONS THOSE OF DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE: KONSTANTIN
ZATULIN
MOSCOW, August 24. /ARKA/. Russian-Armenian relations are those of a
defensive alliance, and Azerbaijan must know that, Director of the
Institute of CIS Konstantin Zatulin told ARKA. According to him,
Azerbaijan is making use of the withdrawal of Russian troops from
Georgia for suspecting Armenia and Russia. “Though, as you can
understand, the distance between Armenia and Russia makes groundless
the claims that another group in Armenia will considerably change the
balance of forces in the region,” Zatulin said. According to him,
even if Azerbaijan “is so much afraid of that,” Russia can re-group
forces in its territory. “And nobody ban stop us,” Zatulin said. P.T.
-0–

Darchinyan retains flyweight title, looks to unify
By Anthony Cocks, Site Editor
Doghouse Boxing, Canada
Aug 25 2005
Pint-sized powerhouse Vic Darchinyan retained his IBF and IBO world
flyweight titles with an impressive 5th round stoppage of Columbian
Jair Jimenez at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night
on a d-Rush promoted card.
“I want to keep defending my title in Australia,” said Darchinyan, 24-0
(19), after the fight. “I do not want to fight overseas. Australia
is now my country and I need boxing fans to support me. We picked
Jimenez as a challenger because he is strong. I will defend my title
against top IBF challenger Damien Kelly in three months.”
Southpaw Darchinyan applied the pressure from the opening bell,
stalking Jimenez around the ring and throwing powerful shots to
the body and head. As the fight progressed it became more and more
one-sided, with the 29-year-old Armenian-born Australian punching
holes in Jimenez’s defence.
The beginning of the end came at the start of the 4th round when
a fusillade of Darchinyan punches punctuated by a left cross sent
Jimenez to the canvas. The 26-year-old challenger, who was making his
second attempt at a world crown after losing a majority decision to
Adonis Rivas for the WBO interim championship in 2002, never seemed
to fully recover but managed to survive the round.
The two-fisted assault continued in the 5th as Darchinyan set about
finishing off his foe. When Jimenez turned his back on Darchinyan
late in the round it was obvious that he didn’t want to continue,
prompting referee John Wright to wisely call a halt to the action at
2:23 of the round.
At the time of the stoppage Darchinyan was leading by five points on
two of the judges’ scorecards and six points on the other.
With the loss Jimenez falls to 22-5-1- (16).
This was Darchinyan’s second successful defence of his IBF title,
which he won by 11th round TKO of formerly undefeated Columbian Irene
Pacheco in December last year. In March Darchinyan annexed the IBO
title with an 8th round stoppage of South African Mzukisi Sikali.
Darchinyan’s next fight will be a mandatory defence of his IBF title
against Ireland’s Damaen Kelly. Providing he is successful, Darchinyan
plans on unifying against Venezuelan WBA champion Lorenzo Parra early
next year.
In the main support bout Billy Dib made short work of Ugandan Michael
Kizza, dropping him for the count at 2:29 of the 2nd round with a
solid right cross. Dib raises his record to 7-0 (5) and retains his IBO
Asia Pacific junior lightweight title, while Kizza falls to 19-6 (14).
Ahmed Elomar, 9-0 (3), dispatched Thailand’s Denchai Sor Tiebkoon,
1-1 (0), in the 2nd round at the official time of 2:17 to win the
vacant IBO Asia Pacific featherweight title.
Talented heavyweight Lawrence Tauasa, 21-4-1 (9), barely had a chance
to showcase his skills as he knocked out Fijian Fatu Tuimanono, 5-2
(4), at 1:24 of the 1st round.
Cruiserweight Adam Lovelock, 2-1 (0), outclassed Jarrad Treloar, 0-2
(0), to win a clear cut decision over four rounds by scores of 40-36
twice and 40-37.

Foreign ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan see hopeful signs
on Nagorno-Karabakh

AP Worldstream; Aug 24, 2005
The foreign ministers of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan said Wednesday
that they saw hopeful signs recently in the drive to find a settlement
to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
“Now there is certain progress and we have chances to reach an
agreement on this issue,” the ITAR-Tass news agency quoted Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov as saying.
His Armenian counterpart Vartan Oskanyan stressed, “The people of
Nagorno-Karabakh should have the right to self-determination,”
ITAR-Tass reported.
“Other problems are to cope with the consequences of the conflict,
settle territorial claims and return refugees,” he added.
The three ministers met in Moscow on Wednesday, along with
representatives of the United States and France, which together with
Russia are mediating negotiations on settling the conflict.
They also discussed arrangements for a meeting Saturday between
Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliev on the sidelines of a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent
States in Russia’s Volga River city of Kazan.
The bloodshed in Nagorno-Karabakh began after the legislature of the
ethnic Armenian-dominated enclave in Azerbaijan called in 1988 for the
region to be incorporated into Armenia, which like Azerbaijan was then
still a Soviet republic. Full-scale military offensives broke out in
1991; thousands were killed and a million displaced.
A tense cease-fire has held since 1994 but efforts to finally resolve
Nagorno-Karabakh’s status have failed repeatedly.

ARKA News Agency
Aug 23 2005
AUSTRIA INTENDS TO SUPPORT ARMENIA IN SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT
YEREVAN, August 23. /ARKA/. Austria intends to support Armenia in
small and medium business development, RA Deputy Minister of Trade
and Economic Development Tigran Davtyan told journalists at the
signing ceremony of the protocol of the meeting of the Armenian
-Austrian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. He
said that Austria and Armenia intend to cooperate in small and medium
business development within the Small and Medium Enterprises
Development National Center (SME DNC). Co-Chairman of the
Armenian-Austrian Intergovernmental Commission, General Director on
Foreign Economic Relations of the Federal Ministry of Economy and
Labor of Austria Johan Zaks said that SME’s share in Austrian economy
makes 99.4%. “Small and medium-size business is the base of our
economy. Their advantage is quick response to the needs of the market
and clients. We intend to support Armenia in small and medium
enterprise development and are ready to train managers for these
enterprises”, Zaks said.
During their 3-day stay in Armenia the Austrian delegation hold
negotiations at the RA Ministry of trade and Economic Development,
Ministry of Environmental Protection, and met with representatives of
SMEs.
This was the second meeting of the Armenian-Austrian
Intergovernmental Commission. The first meeting was held in Vienna
two years ago. That time the side agreed on bilateral cooperation.
A.A. -0–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 10) 517 163
Fax: (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
August 23, 2005
His Holiness Karekin II Receives DNC Chairman Howard Dean
On Saturday, August 20, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, received Howard Dean, Chairman of the
Democratic National Committee (United States) and former presidential
candidate. Mr. Dean was accompanied by Armenian Revolutionary
Federation-Dashnaktsutyun Bureau Member Vicken Hovsepian and other ARF
members.
His Holiness welcomed Mr. Dean and his delegation to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin and presented the guests with an overview of the mission of the
Armenian Church in the homeland and in the Diaspora. Reflecting on the
Armenian Church in America, His Holiness expressed his joy at the vibrant
Armenian community there and in the active role they play in the political,
economic and social life of the United States. The Pontiff of All Armenians
stated his contentment that the children of the Armenian nation, immigrants
and descendants of genocide survivors, are worthy and contributing citizens
of the United States.
Mr. Dean informed His Holiness of the purpose of his visit to Armenia, and
the two engaged in an active discussion regarding the challenges facing the
Republic of Armenia, including the eventual integration of Armenia into the
European Union, the illegal blockade of Armenia by Turkey, the importance of
universal recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and the
desire of the Armenian people to see the Nagorno Karabagh conflict resolved
in a peaceful and just manner.
At the end of the meeting, His Holiness offered a prayer asking for God’s
blessings to descend upon the Republic of Armenia and the United States.

Azerbaijan News Service
Aug 23 2005
RAMIL SAFAROV’S LAWYER SAYS AZERI SERVICEMAN TO STAND BEFORE COURT ON
SEP 27
2005-08-23 12:28
Ramil Safarov, Azeri serviceman, expecting of his next Court session
in Hungary feels normal. Lawyer Adil Ismailov, defending Ramil
Safarov, who is charged with murdering Armenian officer Qurgen
Markaryan expressed his dissatisfaction on some factors. Acording to
him in the next Court session on September 27, in Hungary, will be
held mainly due to expert examinations. Thus, in the initial expert
examinations there are some controversial moments. Adil Ismailov told
ANS that `in Court session to be held on September mainly expert
examinations will be investigated. Because the first testimonial of
the Court said that Ramil Safarov committed the crime in full
comprehension. But in the next testimony it was indicated that he
committed the murder in partial comprehension, that is while killing
the Armenian serviceman Armenian barbarism that Ramil Safarov
experienced in his childhood and some others influenced him to commit
the murder. Due to this a third expert examinations will be held’,
said Adil Ismailov. He added that no decision is expected in the next
session of the Court. What about Ramil Safarov’s extradition to
Azerbaijan, the Lawyer said that the issue is not lying to discussion
yet, but there is legal basis for it, and extradition of Azeri
serviceman to Azerbaijan can be realized only after Court decision.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress