Author: Emil Lazarian

PARLIAMENT OPENS DEBATES ON REVISED BILL ON FIGHTING MONEY-LAUNDERING
ArmenPress
Nov 23 2004
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS: Armenian parliament resumed Monday
debates over a Central Bank-designed bill that calls for a crackdown
on money-laundering and financing terrorism. The bill was turned down
last week when it was put on the first reading. Presenting the revised
draft law to parliament members Central Bank chairman Tigran Sarkisian
said several remarks and proposals suggested by lawmakers were
incorporated into the bill. Particularly, the notion of “suspicious
transaction” that was vehemently rejected by lawmakers, was specified.
The revised notion sets forth four formulations of what “suspicious
transaction’ is. It sets that the authorized body must be notified
about all money transfers exceeding 5 million drams. According to
Sarkisian, around 95 percent of all money remittances are less than
5 million drams (about $10,000). The bill also says that all deals
costing more than 20 million US dollars, with the exception of deals
related to sale and purchase of real estate property must be likewise
notified. The authorized body must be notified only about those sale
and purchase deals which cost more than 50 million drams.
Sarkisian said these mechanisms will not create obstacles for business
entities and individuals, adding that the draft law was developed
based on international conventions already passed by the parliament.

CONTINUATION OF KARABAKH TALKS DEPENDS ON WHETHER UN GA WILL ADOPT
AZERI RESOLUTION DRAFT
PanArmenian News
Nov 23 2004
23.11.2004 15:46
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “If the General Assembly session adopts the draft
resolution, introduced by the Azeri party, the negotiation process
“will decease” and Azerbaijan will have to hold talks with the Nagorno
Karabakh legally elected authorities,” Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanian stated today. In case the resolution, based on the
compromise option, is passed, Armenia is ready to continue the talks,
he added. It should be reminded that initiated by Azerbaijan the
UN General Assembly is to discuss the question of the territories
of the security belt around Nagorno Karabakh today. The control of
those territories today is the only actual guarantee of security
of the Nagorno Karabakh Armenians and of prevention of resumption
of hostilities.

Tajik, Russian top brass pledge closer military ties
Khovar news agency, Dushanbe
24 Nov 04
A meeting was held between Defence Minister Col-Gen Sherali
Khayrulloyev and a Russian military delegation at the Tajik Defence
Ministry on 23 November. The delegation led by the commander-in-chief
of the Russian air force, Army General Vladimir Mikhaylov, is visiting
Tajikistan.
The meeting discussed Russian-Tajik military and military-technical
cooperation both between the two countries and within the framework of
the CSTO [Collective Security Treaty Organization includes Armenia,
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan] and other
regional organizations.
The discussions focused particularly on cooperation within the
framework of the CIS joint air defence system, the involvement of
Russian military aircraft in the joint command and staff exercise
Rubezh-2005, to take place in Tajikistan in April 2005, and other
issues of mutual interest.
During the businesslike and constructive conversation, the sides
confirmed their willingness for fruitful cooperation in the interests
of strengthening regional cooperation in the spirit of strategic
partnership, the head of the Tajik Defence Ministry press centre,
Zarobiddin Sirojov, told the Khovar national news agency.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijan seeking new UN resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh
Interfax
Nov 23 2004
Baku. (Interfax-Azerbaijan) – Azerbaijan is seeking a fifth resolution
on Nagorno-Karabakh to be passed by the United Nations, President
Ilham Aliyev said on Monday.
“We want a new resolution to be passed. The text for it is ready,”
Aliyev told reporters in comments on a planned debate on the Nagorno-
Karabakh issue at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
“We are trying to obtain support from a larger number of countries,”
he said.
He said the purpose of debates on the problem in the United Nations,
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and other
international organizations was “to bring to the international public
the truth about Armenia and its aggressive policy.”
“We want the world public to know this problem and take part in trying
to solve it,” he said.
He dismissed claims by the Armenian government that, if the United
Nations intervenes in the conflict, Armenia will be left out of the
negotiation process and Azerbaijan will be forced to hold talks with
Nagorno-Karabakh instead.
“Armenia is a party to the conflict, and we are holding our
negotiations with Armenia. If Azerbaijan is left one on one with
Nagorno-Karabakh, the problem will be solved even more quickly by
other methods,” Aliyev said.
“If Armenia pulls aside, withdraws its troops, and stops financing
Nagorno-Karabakh from its state funds, we will resolve the conflict
by whatever means within a brief period,” he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NATIONAL PRESS CLUB DEMANDS THE AUTHORITIES TO PUT AN END TO LAWLESSNESS IN ARMENIA
A1 | 17:20:19 | 23-11-2004 | Politics |
On Tuesday Armenian National Press Club came up with a statement
condemning “another terrorist attack on independent press”.
On Monday, Haykakan Zhamanak newspaper car blew up just outside the
newspaper office.
National Press Club expresses solidarity with the newspaper editorial
board and voicing alarm at growing atmosphere of impunity and
lawlessness in the republic demands the authorities to track down
and prosecute masterminds and perpetrators of the act.
Attacks on independent media journalists became dangerously commonplace
and their lives are under constant threat in Armenia, the statement
says.
the Club says time had already come to restore law observance in the
republic. Otherwise, mounting violence can inflict irreparable damage
to the republic.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Nov 23 2004
PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF
OF BELGIUM, LIEUTENANT-GENERAL AUGUST VAN DAELE
[November 23, 2004, 17:25:41]
On 23 November, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
received Chief of the General Staff of Belgium, Lieutenant-General
August Van Daele.
The Head of State expressed satisfaction with existing relationship
between Azerbaijan and Belgium. Recalling, in this connection, his
latest visit to Brussels, where he had participated in the European
Union and NATO events as well as met with the Belgian Prime Minister,
President Ilham Aliyev highly valued the visit from the standpoint of
the bilateral cooperation development.
The Azerbaijani leader expressed confidence that General Van Daele’s
visit to Baku would make a considerable contribution to development
of military cooperation between the two countries, as well.
Touching on the Armenia’s aggression against Azerbaijan, the Head of
State emphasized that the conflict, which had led to occupation of
20% of the Azerbaijan’s territories and over one million refugees and
internally displaced persons in the country, constitutes a serious
threat to peace, stability and security in the region. President
Ilham Aliyev stated that his country wants the conflict to be settled
only in accordance with the international legal norms, principles of
territorial integrity and inviolability of borders.
Chief of the General Staff of Belgium, Lieutenant-General August Van
Daele thanked the Azerbaijani leader for finding time to receive him,
and expressed satisfaction with his first visit to Azerbaijan. He
described his meetings in Baku as very successful, and informed the
president in detail on their results.
As to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, General
Van Daele expressed confidence in its urgent peaceful resolution. He
also pointed to the successful development of the military
cooperation between Azerbaijan and Belgium.
Present at the meeting was Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan
Colonel-General Safar Abiyev.
–Boundary_(ID_5LodLeNzT2J+9PqxZKhV8g)–

MHER SHAHJELDIAN: VERY DIFFICULT PERIOD IN KARABAKH PROBLEM STARTS
FOR ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Nov 22 2004
YEREVAN, 22.11.04. During the recent session of the MATO Parliamentary
Assembly in Venice the report on the South Caucasus was discussed. The
RA NA deputies Mher Shahgeldian and Alexan Karapetian who had
participated in the session informed reporters about this at the
November 19 press conference. According to M. Shahgeldian, the issue
of opening Armenia`s borders with Turkey was also raised during the
NATO PA Political Committee session. The issue may become a subject
of discussion at a plenary session in the future. When answering
the reporters` questions, M. Shahgeldian noted that in the report at
the NATO PA session the Nagorno Karabakh problem was given as much
attention as to other regional problems, and the matter concerned only
an informational report. At the same time the deputy considered as
worrying the fact that Azerbaijan`s efforts aimed at discussing the
Karabakh problem in various international organizations have been
crowned with success. He underlined that a difficult period starts
for Armenia in terms of the Karabakh problem.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azerbaijani president pushes for a U.N. resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh
by AIDA SULTANOVA; Associated Press Writer
Associated Press Worldstream
November 22, 2004 Monday 12:03 PM Eastern Time
NEFT DASHLARI, Azerbaijan — Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev
said Monday he will push for a U.N. resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh
that reflects international recognition of his nation’s territorial
integrity.
“We will not be content solely with discussion. We want to see a new
resolution passed,” Aliev said. The United Nations’ General Assembly
is to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on Tuesday.
Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave, has been de facto
independent. Armenian-backed forces won control over the territory
in 1994. Some 30,000 people were killed and a million others were
driven from their homes in the 1988-94 war.
Despite a cease-fire, Armenian-backed forces and Azerbaijani troops
continue to face off across a demilitarized zone, and shooting
occasionally erupts.
In 1993 the General Assembly passed four resolutions demanding
the withdrawal of occupation forces and the return of refugees to
Azerbaijan. However, none of the resolutions has been enforced.
Aliev voiced hope Monday that the new resolution would help solve
the conflict.
“We are trying to increase the number of countries supporting us,
and I am convinced that the role of the resolution will be decisive,”
Aliev said.
He also accused Armenia of hampering the adoption of the resolution
and stalling negotiation efforts. Aliev said Azerbaijan would only be
too glad to see Armenia drop out of the talks and leave negotiations
to Nagorno-Karabakh.
“If Armenia suggests conducting negotiations with Nagorno-Karabakh, let
it … withdraw its occupation forces from Azerbaijan’s territory and
stop providing resources to separatists from its budget. Then we will
solve the Karabakh problem in the shortest period of time,” Aliev said.
He also expressed hope that the Council of Europe, Europe’s top
human rights body, would give “a political evaluation” to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected]
Website;
November 19, 2004
ORDINATION OF “TBIR” ACOLYTES IN ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL IN MONTREAL
Last Sunday, November 14th, 2004, faithful Churchgoers were witness to the
solemn and joyous celebration of the ordination of the “tbir”s in Montreal’s
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral, in the presence of and under
the auspices of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of the Canadian
Diocese as well as on the testimonial of the Church’s Pastor, Father Vazgen
Boyajyan.
The participants in this ordination entered the Church, led by His Eminence
Bishop Bargat Galstanian, accompanied by the melodious “Oorakh Ler Soorp
Yegeghetsi” hymn.
On this occasion, Bishop Galstanian directed his blessings to the
newly-ordained “tbir”s and prayed for God to bestow upon them His heavenly graces of
understanding and humble servitude, so that they may faithfully serve and perform
their duties to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Canadian Armenian
Church community, to the glory of the Holy Trinity.
During this humbling ceremony, the newly-ordained “tbir”s were bestowed both
the order of Psalmist and Sweeper, considered the first step in the liturgical
orders and ranks of the Armenian Church, as well as the four Minor Orders in
the Armenian Church. Combined, these four Minor Orders are usually referred to
as that of “tbir”.
By acceding to the rank of Psalmist and Sweeper, the candidate is received by
the Church and blessed by the Bishop, allowing him (or her) to participate in
the liturgical services of the Church as reader and cantor of the psalms and
granting the candidate the authority to maintain the Church building, its
sanctuary, court and entrance. At the beginning of this service, the Bishop cuts
four locks in the form of a cross from the hair of the candidate as a sign of
initiation.
Following this are the four Minor Orders of the Church. These prepare the
candidate for the rank of Deacon which is the first Major Order in the Armenian
Church. The first of the four Minor Orders is Doorkeeper where the candidate
receives the authority to protect everything kept under lock and key in the
Church, including the building itself. The candidate is presented with a key by
the Bishop, as a sign of this authority and honor. The second is Reader where
the candidate receives the authority to read the Holy Scriptures during Church
services. The candidate receives a Lectionary, a book containing the daily
readings of the Scripture, as a sign of this authority. The third order is
that of Exorcist which bestows upon the candidate the authority to lay hands on
the sick and renounce Satan with those who come to receive the sacrament of
Holy Baptism. The candidate receives a copy of Mashdots, the Book of Rituals.
The fourth and final order is that of Acolyte which grants the candidate the
authority to light the candles and lanterns in the Church and to prepare the
bread and the wine for Holy Communion. Symbolically, the candidate receives a
candlestick and a cruet, with which wine is blessed and served during Communion.
The following are the newly-ordained “tbir”s, who all received the five
orders: Talar Chichmanian, Hilda Tursucuyan, Sandra Afeyan, Emma Kasbarian, Alex
Palabikian, Phillip Palabikian, Avedis Salizyan, Jano Salizyan, Hagop Redjebian
and Ardak Khatchadourian.
A reception in the Church’s Hovsepian Hall followed the ordination ceremony,
where the newly-ordained candidates received the appropriate certificates from
His Eminence and many congratulations from their proud and loving community.
* * *
CANADIAN PRIMATE CELEBRATED DIVINE LITURGY IN ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL AT NEW
YORK CITY
On Sunday, November 21, 2004, His Grace Bishop Galstanian, Primate of the
Armenian Church Diocese of Canada, celebrated Divine Liturgy at the St. Vartan
Cathedral in New York City.
Upon the initiative of His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian a small group of
pilgrims accompanied their Primate at St. Vartan Cathedral. Beginning with his
election, Bishop Galstanian planned youth pilgrimages on inter-Diocesan level.
This is the inauguration towards the realization of the Primate’s project to
encourage the faithful, especially in Northern United States and Canada to move
forward and pray together, reflecting upon the challenges and difficulties
ahead.
* * *
COURTESY VISITS TO CANADIAN CHURCH LEADERS CONTINUES
On Thursday, November 18, 2004, His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian visited
the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto and met with Metropolitan Archbishop
Sotirios.
Bishop Galstanian thanked the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan, for creating the
opportunity to meet and discuss many issues concerning the role and mission of
Christian Churches in Canada. The two leaders spoke extensively about the
importance of involvement and participation in the ecumenical life, and examined
the possibilities of further cooperation regarding the views of their
respective churches on various social issues.
Bishop Bagrat Galstanian invited Archbishop Sotirios to participate in an
Ecumenical Pilgrimage to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Spiritual Centre
of Armenian Christianity. His Eminence graciously accepted the invitation to
join the Canadian Church leaders and Ecumenical representatives on a
pilgrimage, organized under the auspices of Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, to the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin in August-September 2005.
* * *
THE THEOLOGICAL LECTURE IN THE HOLY TRINITY AMENIAN CHURCH
Aret Boyajian
The Christian Church Mission of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Toronto
was honored to have Reverend Peishon Vasfy from the St Mark. Orthodox Coptic
Church in Toronto who visited the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church for an
evening seminar, on Saturday Nov 6, 2004.
The title of the seminar was called “Jesus, the Son of God” and covered a
wide range of scripture passages that proved Jesus Christ’s divinity.
Reverend Vasfy began making his statement that we (Christians) are all, in a
way “theologians”, in that we all have some basic knowledge of God through the
reading of Holy Scripture, and that we should not feel lesser than those who
have a formal training in Theology. This means that church going Christians
are responsible and are encouraged to become knowledgeable relating to spiritual
matters both through Holy Scripture (Bible) and the proper Orthodox Church
structures such as clergy and literature.
He also stressed in his lecture by saying that the heresy’s that were
circulated by Arius in the life of the early Church, concerning the divinity of
Christ, is still with us today and that they have to be dealt with seriously by
Christians. This is the reason why the Church fathers of the Orthodox persuasion
were compelled to remain faithful to the true essence of Christ by the
adoption of the Nicene Creed (Havadamk) in the year 325 AD, which affirms the deity
of the “Son of God”.
These religious misconceptions that deny the divinity of Christ can easily be
countered with basic knowledge of Scripture. One of the most compelling
passage evidences that “the Son of God” is divine is found in the book of John,
verse 3:13: “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from
heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” Clearly here, Jesus is
referring to himself on earth and at the same time being God in heaven.
The evening was adjourned with a question and answer period followed by
coffee and Armenian pastry for all the participants.
The Christian Church Mission of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church would like
to thank all the members who participated and the following individuals for
this successful evening. Dr Edward Rauf, who is the Chairman of St. Mark Orthodox
Fellowship, helped in the organization of the evening, Deacon Vrej Berberian,
who was our evenings host and last but not least Mrs. Surphui Evran, who
helped secure pastries for the evening.
* * *
THE SHARING OF A UNIQUE HERITAGE BONDS CHILDREN AND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER
It has been the vision of Our Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian to encourage
cooperative Sunday School activities such as multi school visit with the purpose
of bringing together children from all Sunday Schools in Southern Ontario.
Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church Sunday School in Toronto was the host for
the first visit of the school year.
As usual, the Morning Assembly at HTAAC stared with little children arriving
in their red uniforms and Bibles in hand. Mrs. Takoush Knadjian, the new Vice
principal, coordinated and guided the assembly to its scheduled events of the
day. Children sang the morning prayers, the Sunday School march and waited to
hear from the special guest speaker of the day Mrs. Georgina Sarkisian of St
Gregory the Illuminator of St Catharines Ontario. Mrs. Sarkisian is the
Director of the Department of Religious Education of the Canadian Diocese. (DRE)
Mrs. Sarkisian spoke about Remembrance Day. She asked the children if they
knew the reason for Remembrance Day and whether they knew of any Armenian
soldiers who were in the wars. The children were surprised to hear there were 22
soldiers from the Southern Ontario region who volunteered to serve our great
nation, Canada. Today, only three soldiers were living and resided in the Southern
Ontario area.
Mrs. Sarkisian asked the help of Tamar Sarkisian, a visitor from St
Catharines, to give the children red poppies to wear in Remembrance of the 22 soldiers
who were of Armenian heritage.
Following morning assembly Mrs. Sarkisian and Miss Alexia Citak, member of
the DRE from Hamilton St Mary Sunday School, toured the school visiting with the
students and teachers in their classes. The visitors found colorful artwork
and Christmas ornaments being made as an arts and crafts project. In other
classes children stood up and recited Psalms 23 in Armenian. All in all it was a
very important day for the visitors to observe first hand the activities
children participate in at HTAAC Sunday School
Later in the day, the children attended Church and took communion. On behalf
of HTAAC Sunday school we would like to thank our visitors and hope they will
return with many more children from their local Sunday schools.
The idea of cooperative School activities is an exceptional one. We hope the
next activity; the second annual Armenian Children’s Christmas on January 2,
2005, will continue to encourage children to make friends with others who share
their valuable heritage. The friends one makes as a child, last a lifetime.
* * *
MEMBERS OF CENTRAL COUNCIL DEPARTMENT OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TELECONFERENCE
Georgina Sarkisian, Director
On November 9th, 2004 the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church, Diocese of Canada
Department of Christian Education, Central council held a teleconference upon
the request of His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian. Members participating were
from Hamilton, Mississauga/Oakville, St. Catharines and Toronto.
Highlights of this conference were the completing of Sunday School logos and
colour selection for the new uniforms. A crest for all the Sunday Schools has
been established with the individual church names and colors. The upcoming
joint events were discussed further, with participation by all the Sunday
Schools, at Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Toronto, on Sunday, January 2nd./04. The
Children’s Christmas Service and party will be held at this time.
Also discussed, were the plans to complete the launch on January 2nd. of the
upcoming art competition, under the jurisdiction of His Grace Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian, and directed by the Very Reverend Fr. Hayrig Apegha Hovhannisian.
The theme for this competition is ‘MY VISION OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN’ encompassing
the spiritual visions of events that brought about the holiest of places in
Christendom.
Pentecost celebrations will be held in St. Catharines and an end of the year
picnic in June will be hosted by Hamilton. The summer activities of Camp
Ararat with the inclusion of Teacher Training, were very enthusiastically greeted,
as the dates and permanent location were being completed. The teleconference
ended on a very positive accord.
* * *
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Pope denounces use of religion as tool of violence
Catholic News, Australia (cathnews.com)
Nov 22 2004
Greeting a delegation of Muslim, Orthodox and Jewish religious
representatives from Azerbaijan, Pope John Paul II has insisted that
no one has the right to use religion as an instrument of intolerance
or violence.
The delegation was in Rome to return the Holy Father’s visit in 2002
to their Caucasus country, which has only about 300 Catholics.
“No one has the right to present or use religions as instrument of
intolerance, as a means of aggression, violence or death,” he stressed
in his address, which he delivered in Russian.
“On the contrary, their reciprocal friendship and esteem, if supported
also by the government leaders’ commitment to tolerance, constitutes
a rich resource of authentic progress and peace,” the Pope said.
“Together – Muslims, Jews, Christians – we wish to address in the name
of God and of civilization an appeal to humanity to halt murderous
violence and undertake the path of love and justice for all,” the
Holy Father continued.
He highlighted the fact that “this is the path of religions” and
expressed the hope “that God will help us to go forward on this path
with perseverance and patience.”
John Paul II also referred to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh,
an Armenian enclave in Azerbaijani territory, which triggered a war
between both states in 1991 and ended with the cease-fire of 1994
and Armenia’s annexation, not only of the disputed territory, but of
other Azerbaijani lands as well.
The Pope expressed his heartfelt hope that “Azerbaijan will return
to the fullness of peace.” He said that this conflict, “as all other
disputes, must be addressed with good will, in the mutual search
for reciprocal openings of understanding and in a spirit of genuine
reconciliation.”
In a statement published after the meeting, Vatican spokesman
Joaquín Navarro Valls revealed that “during the audience the religious
leaders confirmed to the Pope their constant commitment to collaborate
with peace and to promote peaceful coexistence among the different
religions.”
The republic of Azerbaijan, which became independent after the
collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, has 7.8 million inhabitants,
mostly Muslims.
The Catholic community in Azerbaijan virtually disappeared during
Stalin’s persecutions, and the Catholic church in Baku was destroyed.
On the occasion of the Pope’s visit, then President Heider Aliev made
available a plot of land in the center of Baku to build a Catholic
church.
–Boundary_(ID_iLCi7M/aEfUs/PjtAxkLcQ)–