Author: Frangulian Shushan

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
April 12, 2007

Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR Joins California Legislature in Marking Armenian Genocide

Sacramento, CA – On Monday April 9, 2007 the California State Assembly
and Senate passed Assembly Joint Resolution 15 (AJR 15), which declares
April 24, 2007 an "Official Day of Remembrance" in California.

During the assembly session the coauthors of AJR 15, Assemblymembers
Paul Krekorian and Greg Aghazarian presented the legislation. They
emphasized that, while resolutions have been adopted in the past to
designate April 24th as a Day of Remembrance, this resolution goes
further by expressing that the Congress and President should
appropriately recognize the Genocide, demanding that the Republic of
Turkey acknowledge the Genocide and condemning them for their current
abuses of human rights. Specific reference was made to the assassination
of Hrant Dink.

After being put to a vote, the resolution was accepted on the assembly
floor. The resolution was principally coauthored by Senators Jack Scott
and Joe Simitian, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, and Assemblymembers
Charles Calderon, Kevin De Leon, Mark Leno, Fiona Ma, and Anthony
Portantino. Before the closing of the session Assemblymember Krekorian
thanked those in the Armenian community in attendance, especially ANC
2000 Man of the Year J. Michael Hagopian, a distinguished film maker and
genocide survivor who received a standing applause from the members.

Following the vote, a special commemoration ceremony was held in the
Assembly chamber. At the conclusion of the session a reception was held,
which was hosted by the Armenian Caucus of the State Legislature. Many
members of the delegation, as well as members from the Armenian American
community, were able to meet with legislators and legislative staff.

Additionally, on the same day a commemoration ceremony was held on the
California Senate floor. Both AJR 15 coauthors, Senators Jack Scott
and Joe Simitian, addressed the Senate on the occasion of commemorating
April 24 and the Armenian Genocide. The opening prayer was given by the
designated representative of Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Father
Vahan Gosdanian of the Holy Trinity Church of Fresno. After the remarks
of both Senator Simitian and Senator Scott, Senator Simitian introduced
The Consul General of the Republic of Armenia to Los Angeles, Armen
Liloyan. Liloyan extended gratitude and appreciation to both Houses of
California’s legislature and applauded the reaffirmation of California’s
firm stance against injustice.

"The California legislature today demonstrated its commitment to the
protection of human rights everywhere," stated ANCA-WR Board Member
Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian. She added, "We are happy to see
California’s commemorative ceremonies calling for recognition of the
Armenian Genocide – and with 38 states that have issued similar
declarations and resolutions – the time is ripe for the United States
Congress to do the same."

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working
in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the
world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American
community on a broad range of issues.

###

Photo caption #1: (left to right) Artur Artenyan, ANC of San Francisco
Bay Area District Director Matt Senekerimian, ANCA-WR Board Member
Pattyl Aposhian-Kasparian, Genocide Survivor J. Michael Hagopian, Consul
General Armen Liloyan, Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, ANCA-WR Board
Member Hovannes Boghosian, ANCA-WR Board Member Souzi
Zerounian-Khanzadian, Assemblymember Greg Aghazarian, Daniel Adenian,
Rev. Vahan Gosdanian, ANC of San Francisco Bay Area Activist and former
ANCA-WR Executive Director Armen Carapetian, and ANCA-WR Board Member
Leonard Manoukian.

Photo caption #2: (center) California State Senator Jack Scott, (left to
right) ANC of San Francisco Bay Area Activist and former ANCA-WR
Executive Director Armen Carapetian, ANC of San Francisco Bay Area
District Director Matt Senekerimian, ANCA-WR Board Member Leonard
Manoukian, ANCA-WR Board Member Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, Foundation
for Economic Development, Inc. Director Johnny Nalbandian, and ANCA-WR
Board Member Pattyl Aposhian-Kasparian.

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

PRELACY LADIES GUILD MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON
BRINGS TOGETHER GENERATIONS IN CELEBRATION OF WOMANHOOD

MRS. LALIG BAYRAKDARIAN IS 2007 MOTHER OF THE YEAR

"MUSICAL SOUNDS OF ARMENIA" WILL PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT

NEW YORK, NY-Each year the Prelacy Ladies Guild presents its annual Mothers
Day Luncheon bringing together generations of women in celebration of
motherhood and the contributions of women in general to society and
especially our Armenian American community.
The luncheon will take place on Monday, May 7, at the elegant St. Regis,
located on 55th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, with reception at
11:30 a.m., followed by luncheon.
"It is a pleasure to see generations of women coming together for the
Prelacy Ladies Guild Mothers’ Day luncheon," said Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. "It is
heartwarming to see mothers and daughters, grandmothers and even
great-grandmothers, and aunts and nieces coming together and all of them
equally enjoying the afternoon."

Mother of the Year
Honored as the Mother of the Year will be Mrs. Lalig Bayrakdarian, a
mother of six children-three sons and three daughters-all successful in
their respective fields. Perhaps, the one known most widely is the
Metropolitan Opera star, Isabel Bayrakdarian, whose beautiful and charmed
voice is recognized throughout the world.
As a close friend of the Bayrakdarian family, Archbishop Oshagan recalls
how Mrs. Bayrakdarian lost her husband at a young age and was left to raise
her six children-sons, Carlo, Kegham, Ishkhan and daughters Siroon, Marijan,
and Isabel. "In spite of her struggle to provide for her family, she
continued her service to the church and community in Zahle, Lebanon," said
the Prelate. "And she inspired the same kind of dedication toward the
Armenian Church in each of her children. All have grown up serving the
church in one capacity or another in various parts of the world: Siroon in
Abu Dhabi; Kegham in Canada; Ishkhan in Fresno; Carlo in New York; Marijan
in Toronto, and Isabel, whose distinguished career has literally made her a
citizen of the world."
By the example of her own life, she has instilled the love of the church
and community and the joy of service in her entire family. Even now, when
away from her home base Isabel seeks out the nearest Armenian Church and
sings with the choir. Isabel makes her contribution with her God-given
musical talent; the other children do the same through their respective
professions, said Archbishop Oshagan.
Mrs. Bayrakdarian remains very close to all of her children and their
families. At one time she used to design and make all of Isabel’s gowns for
her performances, and she still continues to design many of them. And Isabel’s
highly successful CD, "Joyous Light," which is a collection of Armenian
sacred music, features mother and daughter on one of the selections.
The PLG is honored to have Mrs. Lalig Bayrakdarian as its 2007 Mother of
the Year and invites the community to join in this well deserved tribute to
this extraordinary woman.

Musical Sounds of Armenia
Musical entertainment will be in two parts. A quartet will provide a
medley of Armenian favorites. Members of the quartet, all graduate or
current students at Juilliard are: Kinga Augustyn, violin; Alexandr
Dzyubinsky, violin, Anush Simonian, viola, and Lilit Kurdiyan, cello. Solo
dances, with accompaniment on kanon and piano, will be provided by the
talented Raele Sabounjian, a member of the Shushi dance group. Accompanying
on the kanon is Izabella Alexadrovsky and on the piano Vagharshak Ohanyan.

PLG at 33
The Prelacy Ladies Guild was established in 1974 by the then Prelate,
Archbishop Karekin Sarkissian. For the past thirty-three years the PLG has
been a dynamic force and attentive to the needs of the Eastern Prelacy.
During the year the PLG is the host of the many receptions at the Prelacy
for visiting dignitaries and also a major contributor to the Prelacy’s
educational and cultural programs such as the St. Gregory of Datev Summer
Institute, the Prelacy’s Lenten Lectures series, and Musical Armenia, to
mention just a few of the projects that benefit from PLG support.
"The Prelacy Ladies Guild has truly earned the respect and support that
is evident in our community," said Archbishop Oshagan. "They are dedicated
and gifted women who serve the Church with devotion. I am very grateful to
them."
Tickets for the luncheon are $120 per person. For information and/or
reservations contact the Prelacy office, 212-689-7810.

MOVIE REVIEWS: ARMENIAN QUEST
By Deirdre Swain

Now Toronto, Canada
April 12 2007

JOURNEY TO ARMENIA (Robert Guediguian). 125 minutes. Subtitled. Opens
Friday (April 13) at Canada Square. Rating: NNN

Anna ( Ariane Ascaride ) is a brusque French cardiologist whose ailing
father ( Marcel Bluwal ) disappears to his homeland of Armenia before
he can undergo heart surgery. Anna follows him, visiting the country
for the first time.

As quests go, Anna’s is vague and unfocused, but it and a subplot
involving black-market meds, an exotic dancer and a former general
( Gerard Meylan ) are really just a pretext for gorgeous scenery and
history in thistravelogue about beleaguered Armenia.

The dialogue is pretty exposition-heavy. The locals are continually
explaining things to Anna (although it’s refreshing to hear the
merits of communism, capitalism and other "isms" discussed in an
even-handed way). Anna is imperious and hard to like, so Ascaride,
who also co-wrote the film, deserves credit for making us care about
what happens to her.

As the story unfolds, Anna and the audience are drawn in by the history
of a country, once the nexus of all the great European empires, that’s
currently recovering from Soviet-style communism and yet retains its
character and language.

Maybe that’s the reason for Anna’s Gallic version of the ugly American
tourist: Armenia and its people seem even more beautiful by contrast.

4-12/movie_reviews5.php

RA PRESIDENT INSTRUCTS LAW ENFORCEMENT BODIES TO DISCLOSE THOSE GUILTY OF EXPLOSIONS AT BARGAVACH HAYASTAN’S OFFICES

Noyan Tapan
Apr 12 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 12, NOYAN TAPAN. RA President Robert Kocharian
instructed law enforcement bodies to undertake all necessary measures
to disclose as quickly as possible those guilty of explosions that took
place at Bargavach Hayastan Party’s offices, as well as to prevent
such crimes in the future. Noyan Tapan was informed about it by RA
President’s Spokesperson Viktor Soghomonian.

"All conditions are created in the country for carrying out a civilized
political struggle. Strictly condemning this crime, we estimate it
as an attempt to destabilize the situation, to form an atmosphere of
intolerance on the threshold of elections. Manifestations of extremism
cannot damage the resolution to hold democratic elections in Armenia,"
President’s Spokesperson said.

PRELIMINARY TRIAL ON CASE OF CAPTURED AZERBAIJANI SOLDIER TO BE HELD

Today, Azerbaijan
April 12 2007

Preliminary court proceeding on case of Azerbaijani soldier Vusal
Garachayev will be held in the Military Court of Grave Crimes on
April 19.

Vusal Garachayev faced charge under articles 274 (betrayal to state),
334.3 (desertion) and 338.1 (violating guard rules) of the Criminal
Code.

22-year old Azerbaijani soldier Vusal Garachayev was captured by
Armenians in December, 2006. He was released through the International
Committee of the Red Cross on December 31.

~Z Law enforcement bodies carried out investigation about him after
he returned, and Garachayev was arrested on January 27, APA reports.

URL:

U.S. GOVERNMENT PROVIDES FUNDING FOR NEW PHYSICAL SECURITY SYSTEM FOR ARMENIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

Arminfo
2007-04-10 17:15:00

On April 10, 2007, the staff of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant
dedicated an improved and upgraded Physical Security System.

The press service of the US Embassy in Armenia reports that this new
system, developed with $3.5 million in technical and financial support
from the U.S. Department of Energy, includes upgraded physical access
infrastructure, badges and video monitoring. Acting Deputy Chief of
Mission Robin Phillips presented the remarks below at the dedication
ceremony.

ANPP Dedication of the Physical Safety Upgrade Project Remarks as
prepared for Delivery April 10, 2007

– It is a pleasure to be here today to mark another milestone in the
long-standing cooperation between Armenia and the United States on
improving safety at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant.

– We appreciate the Armenian government’s commitment to promoting
safer operations at the plant while at the same time working towards
plant decommissioning.

– Since 1996, the USG has provided more than $35 million to upgrade the
plant and to ensure the safest possible operation until its closure.

– We are here today to dedicate an upgraded physical security system
at the plant. New access and badge policies, improved security
infrastructure and video surveillance are all tools which we are
proud to provide to help you maintain high levels of security.

– Strong nuclear security is particularly important given the current
threat environment and the risk that terrorists and others will try
to use nuclear material against innocents.

– In addition to improved security, it is critical that the Armenian
government continue to build a culture of safety at the plant,
by completing IAEA identified safety upgrades, and reinvesting a
sufficient portion of the cash flow obtained from the energy sector
into plant safety and maintenance.

– As Armenia follows through on its commitment to a culture of safety
and a comprehensive decommissioning plan, we will continue to work
with Armenia to develop safer and more sustainable alternatives to the
Armenian Nuclear Power Plant including providing technical assistance
to support plans for a new nuclear power plant.

– The U.S. government will not, however, be able to fund plant
construction directly and any proposal for U.S. assistance would have
to compete for scarce development assistance funds.

– I thank you for our excellent and on-going cooperation on nuclear
safety issues and urge you to make the most of this new equipment to
better protect this plant and the Armenian people.

BOOK DEDICATED TO PROBLEMS OF ETHNIC MINORITIES OF GEORGIA PUBLISHED IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Apr 10 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, NOYAN TAPAN. "This book is not only necessary,
but maybe is even late. The book makes a successful attempt to unite
discourses about Armenians of Georgia held in Armenia, Georgia,
Russia, in the West and in Javakhk." Alexander Iskandarian, Director
of Caucasian Media Institute, stated this at the April 10 presentation
of the book of Head of Scientific Studies Department of the Institute
Sergei Minasian entitled "Ethnic Minorities of Georgia. Potential of
Integration by the Example of Armenian Population of the Country."

Paata Zakareishvili, member of Republican Party of Georgia, mentioned
that his country’s being multi-ethnic is wealth, but unfortunately,
not everybody realizes this. In his opinion, S. Minasian’s book has
"fresh ideas that make readers fall to thinking." P. Zakareishvili
highly estimated the analysis of a number of legal acts of Georgia,
as well as bills regarding ethnic minorities of the country presented
in the work. He considers that the main advantages of the book are
its being of encyclopaedic character, as well as its unique invitation
for a discussion.

Revaz Gachechiladze, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Georgia to Armenia, was also present at the presentation. He made a
number of remarks and expressed his good wishes.

To recap, besides the Caucasian Media Institute, the initiator and
the general sponsor of the project is the Yerkir union of NGOs on
repatriation and familiarization. The book’s complete version has
been published in Russian and Armenian and the abridged version in
English and Georgian. Book’s translation into French is being prepared
for publication.

ARMENIAN COURT OVERRULES REGISTRATION OF TWO ARMENIAN CANDIDATES

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
10 Apr 07

An Armavir court today ruled to void the decision, according to which
former MP Hakob Rafik Hakobyan and Susanna Harutyunyan, who is not a
member of any party, had been registered as candidates for parliament
in the 19th Echmiatsin constituency. Another candidate from the same
constituency, an assistant to the Arabkir district head, Hakob Varsham
Hakobyan, had filed a suit against the officials. He based the suit
on the fact that former MP Hakob Hakobyan and Susanna Harutyunyan
faked the signatures of those who offered their candidacies [as
heard]. Armenpress [news agency] reported that the court investigation
showed that the signatures were fake.

"MIKA-CEMENT" COMPANY WAS AWARDED THREE PRIZES OF INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT OF LEADERS OF XXI CENTURY

Arminfo
2007-04-10 10:19:00

The "Mika Cement" Company was awarded three prizes of the international
summit of leaders of XXI century, Director General of "Mika Cement"
Naira Martirosyan told ArmInfo.

As she said, the awarding ceremony was held on March 19-21
in Oxford (Great Britain). She noted, in particular, that the
"Mika Cement" was awarded the "European Quality" prize for the
achievement of high quality and services in line with the European
standards. Moreover,Naira Martirosyan was also awarded a prize for
quality assurance and the development of European integration –
the "United Europe".The Company President Mikhail Baghdasarov was
awarded prizes as well, in particular, the Queen Victoria order
for the personal contribution to the European integration, honor,
dignity and prowess. The solemn ceremony was held in the presence
of representatives of business, political circles, great scientists,
diplomats.

NOBEL LAUREATES’ LETTER CALLS FOR TURKISH-ARMENIAN COOPERATION

Newsday, NY
April 9 2007

NEW YORK (AP) _ Fifty-three Nobel laureates called for Turks and
Armenians to open their border, improve official contacts and resolve
differences over the mass killings of Armenians by Turks in the early
20th century.

In a letter released Monday by the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity,
the Nobel laureates urged Turkey to end discrimination against ethnic
and religious minorities and to abolish Article 301 of its penal code,
which makes it a criminal offense to denigrate Turkishness. They said
Armenia should "reverse its own authoritarian course, allow free and
fair elections and respect human rights."

The letter, which was released to the Turkish and Armenian media,
referred to the Jan. 19 slaying of Hrant Dink, an Armenian journalist
who had made enemies among nationalist Turks by labeling as genocide
the mass killings of Armenians toward the end of the Ottoman Empire.

The laureates said that the best tribute to Dink would be "through
service to his life’s work safeguarding freedom of expression and
fostering reconciliation between Turks and Armenians."

Besides Wiesel, the Holocaust survivor and 1986 winner of the Nobel
peace prize, the signers include J.M. Coetzee, the 2003 winner in
literature; Mairead Corrigan Maguire and Betty Williams, the 1976
peace prize winners; and Wole Soyinka, the 1986 winner in literature.

"We do feel strongly that Turks and Armenians need to interact with
each other," said David L. Phillips, executive director of the Wiesel
Foundation. "The more they engage and trade personal stories, the
deeper will be their understanding."

Telephone calls by The Associated Press to the Turkish mission
to the United Nations and to the Republic of Armenia’s permanent
representative to the United Nations seeking comment were not
immediately returned Monday.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers introduced a resolution in Congress
earlier this year urging the U.S. government to recognize as genocide
the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians at the end of World War I.

Turkey has denied claims by scholars that its predecessor state,
the Ottoman government, caused the deaths in a genocide. The Turkish
government has said the toll is wildly inflated and Armenians were
killed or displaced in civil unrest during the disarray surrounding
the empire’s collapse.