Author: Frangulian Shushan

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Oct 26 2006

WORK FOR CREATION OF ARMENIFIED WINDOWS XP TO BE COMPLETED IN THE
BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER

The BI LINE Company will represent the final version of the
armenified WINDOWS XP Program in the beginning of November, 2006.

As the President of BI LINE, Haik Khanjyan, told ArmInfo, at present,
the Program is under final testing based on the MICROSOFT tools. He
noted that, according to the initial agreement of sides, reached in
May, 2005, the BI LINE Company has to translate over 375,000 words
into Armenian. The WINDOW XP glossary, according to Khanjyan, is
translated into the eastern-Armenian language. Both the BI LINE
Company employees and other experts, whose candidacies were suggested
by the Council for assistance to IT sphere development in Armenia,
have worked over the Program. Meanwhile, Khanjyan noted, one issue
remains unsolved as yet, that is, selection of proper fonts. "The
point is that the standard Sylfaen font, the Microsoft offers to use,
is not quite readable in the Armenian version of WINDOWS XP,
especially in the "bold" font ", Khanjyan stressed, having informed
that the BI LINE holds another point of view in this issue: to
actuate the Arial AMU font, by MICROSOFT agreement. A. Khanjyan also
informed that localization of WINDOWS VISTA has been started already,
by the order of MICROSOFT BI LINE, to be completed in July, 2007. The
interlocutor noted it is possible at present to vote for one or
another translation of words by referring to sites, including the
site

ARMENIAN DEPUTY SAYS GEORGIA SLAPS IN THE FACE OF RUSSIA

Panorama.am
14:58 25/10/06

‘The behavior of Georgian authorities may be described as a slap in the
face of Russia," Hmaiak Hovanisyan, independent deputy of the National
Assembly, told a discussion today. In the words of Hovanisyan, Georgian
threatens Russia, which is a superpower in the Caucasus. "Current
Georgian authorities try to pave their way to NATO by means of a clash
with Russia," the political scientist thinks. However, Hovanisyan
thinks that NATO is more interested in good relations with Russia
than with rapid membership of Georgia in the Alliance.

Speaking about the position of Armenia in the context of
Russian-Georgian conflict, Hovhanesyan pointed out that our country
must consider its own interests in order not to appear in the situation
of Sahakashvili.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

October 25, 2006
___________________

PARISH HONORS PAST GENERATIONS WHO LAID FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH

By Jake Goshert

One-hundred years ago, the Armenians in Union City, NJ, had humble jobs.
They were factory workers and janitors. They might have made about $7 a
week.

They had very little, and lived simple lives. But there was one thing
missing from their community: A church. Though the community had solidified
into a parish in 1891, it took eight years for the community members to
raise the $1,000 needed to start construction of the Holy Cross Church.

"The founders really did sacrifice," said Nubar Dorian, Diocesan delegate
from Holy Cross. "They decided to start collecting themselves among
themselves, to put $1 every week took aside for this project. It took seven
years of collecting pennies and quarters. And they weren’t able to build
anything but a plane structure. Our church, when you go by, if not for the
cross you wouldn’t know it was a church because the building is plain. But
they gave from the heart. That’s the significance of our anniversary."

The church marked its 100th anniversary on October 15, 2006. It is the
oldest Armenian Church location still in operation in the United States.

FOLLOWING A LEGACY

"This is an example of how our grandparents and parents believed in the
church so much that they were ready to sacrifice," Dorian said. "It is a
wonderful example, not of do what I say, but look at what I have done and
follow it. And our present members are really dedicated to the church and
continuing that legacy."

The parish can actually be considered a grandfather community. Its leaders
went on to form many of the Armenian Churches in New Jersey as demographics
shifted and the Armenians moved throughout the state. And though that
demographic shift might have decreased the size of the Holy Cross community
in recent years, the parish’s spirit is still alive and well.

"We have deep faith in the mission of the church," Dorian said. "The
continuity of the church is assured, even if at a reduced pace. Because it
is not the number of parishioners, it is the dedication of the parish
members."

THANKING THE PAST

About 425 people attended the anniversary event, including Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, who celebrated the day’s Divine
Liturgy; the parish’s former pastor, Archbishop Vache Hovsepian; and Bishop
Sion Adamian from the Armavir Diocese in Armenia.

"To me, the importance of an occasion that calls for looking back can lose
its importance, if in looking back we fail to learn the lessons of our
history, to unify us in our efforts going forward," the Primate said.
"That, to me, is why an anniversary, such as this one, is so important. The
vision forward is fortified and made bold by looking back, by looking
reverently on the foundation stones of our heritage and history, on which we
seek to build for tomorrow and beyond."

"Armenians, in Union City, were few in number at the turn of the century.
And, we were poor," the Primate added. "Nevertheless we summoned the
resolve to build. Can you imagine? New to this country, outsiders, with
limited means, yet motivated with hope and vision to build a church. They
built in hard times. I hope every time you enter this place you are both
humbled and inspired by the vision and labor of those now long departed."

The parish’s pastor, Fr. Vazken Karayan, said the Primate’s message was
fitting, because the parish today is truly buoyed by the efforts of
yesterday.

"Thanks to the former parishioners, who contributed so much, we have this
divine institution," Fr. Karayan said. "They sacrificed everything,
because, although they didn’t have money to purchase a house for themselves,
they found money to build a church. This was very touching and very
though."

During the celebration, five individuals from the parish were honored with
pontifical encyclicals from His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians. They were Dn. Hagop Hovsepian, Sylvia Bozoyan,
Philip Arpiarian, Ann Dadaian, and Mary Shalakian.

But the day was not focused on those who had given to the parish in the
past. It was forward looking, with young children from the parish’s Sunday
School getting involved.

"It was symbolic of the changing of guards," Fr. Karayan said. "It is
important because the new generation, the children who receive Christian
education in our Sunday Schools, will be the future parish council members
who will carry the torch of our Christianity."

PROVIDING TOOLS

While the founding generation secured a building, following parishioners
gave the church a solid financial footing to grow. The parish manages a $2
million endowment fund, which provides continuing financial strength to the
parish.

"Today we are the luckiest generation," Fr. Karayan said. "We inherited a
priceless treasure, the church. It is our moral responsibility to plant
healthy spiritual seeds in the hearts of our young generation. I hope we
will all follow in the footsteps of our ancestors, imitate their genuine
faith, selfless devotion, exemplary commitment, and remarkable dedication.
Today we remember them with pride and gratitude."

"It is our duty to perpetuate the legacy which they left behind," he added.
"The legacy they left behind is beyond appreciation."

— 10/25/06

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, is greeted by parishioners as he enters the Holy Cross Church of
Union City, NJ, during the celebration of the parish’s 100th anniversary on
October 15, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Hundreds of parishioners fill the Holy Cross Church of
Union City, NJ, during the anniversary badarak, which included music by the
Gomidas Choir.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Fr. Vaken Karayan, pastor of the Holy Cross Church of
Union City, NJ, speaks to the parishioners during the banquet on October 15,
2006, marking the parish’s 100th anniversary.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): During the banquet marking the 100th anniversary of the
Holy Cross Church of Union City, NJ, on October 15, 2006, the Primate and
Fr. Karayan join the five parishioners honored with pontifical encyclicals
form His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians: Dn. Hagop Hovsepian, Sylvia Bozoyan, Philip Arpiarian, Ann
Dadaian, and Mary Shalakian.

ARMENIAN GDP GROWS 12.5% IN NINE MONTHS

Armenpress
Oct 23 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS: Armenia’s GDP in the first nine
months of 2006 grew 12.5 percent, making, in terms of money, around $4
billion. GDP growth rate in September against August was 26.3 percent.

Armenian statistical service said industrial output, not counting
indirect taxes, went down 2 percent from a year ago to 468.1 billion
Armenian drams, but not counting the overall volume of diamond cutting
industry’s production, the industrial output grew 1.5 percent making
a total of 466 billion drams.

The production of electricity went down 5.2 percent from a year ago
to 4.530 billion kilowatt/hours.

Agricultural GDP grew in 2006 September against August 15.6
percent. Overall the agricultural GDP grew to 370.5 billion drams,
as much as in the first nine months of the previous year.

The biggest growth rate was reported in construction branch which
saw around 400 billion drams worth investments, growing almost 40
percent from a year ago.

The Armenian Ceramics of Old Jerusalem

By Sylvia Bourdjian-Matta

Azad-Hye, Dubai, 20 October 2006: The Balian Family of Jerusalem has been
producing exclusive hand painted ceramic tiles and pottery since 1922. This
makes them the oldest business in existence in Jerusalem.

The business is currently operated by Neshan Balian Jr., whose grandfather
Neshan Balian, a master potter, came to Jerusalem in 1917 from Kutahya,
Turkey. He was brought by the British government to renovate the ceramic
tiles of The Dome of the Rock.

We contacted Mr. Neshan Balian Jr. and asked him the following questions:

– What is remarkable in the Balian pottery and why do you call yourself
‘Ceramics of Palestine’?
There are quite a few so called Armenian ceramics artists in Jerusalem
nowadays. Apart from the Karakashians, they all started about 10-15 years
ago when the word "Armenian Ceramics" started to become a common term in the
tourist and designer market in Israel/Palestine.

I think the most remarkable aspect about Balian pottery is that we produce
all of our pottery ourselves. We do this from scratch; meaning we import the
plastic clay from Italy and then form it ourselves on the wheel (or press it
on special ceramic presses for items such as plates, trays etc) and fire it
for the first stage which is called the "biscuit" stage. At this stage the
pottery is white and porous and the girls hand-paint the pottery which is
then re-fired with a coating of glaze to give the final glossy product. No
other so called "Armenian Pottery" studios in Jerusalem produces their own
biscuit pottery. They all buy it from the Hebron potters which produce the
imitation mass produced Armenian pottery in the souk and then paint those
pieces and fire them in their small kilns. How can you call yourself a
potter or a ceramist when you are not producing your own original pieces and
just painting on ready made objects?

The reason the place is called Palestinian Pottery is that when the studio
was established by my grandfather Neshan Balian and Mr. Karakashian senior
in 1922, it was called Palestine Pottery. When the Balians and Karakashians
separated, my father changed the name from ‘Palestine’ to ‘Palestinian’. We
did not change the name when the Jordanians came in 1967 to Jordanian
pottery and did not change it to Israeli Pottery when the Israelis came. At
the end of the day, we are Palestinians of Armenian roots so we have to
respect the community that opened their arms and took us in during the
Genocide. That was the Palestinian Arab community. That is also why we have
two websites where we do most of our work now. One is the
and the other is the
website. We are proud of both of our heritages.

– How can somebody recognize the Balian pottery? Do you have any sign on
your products?
We have distinctive inscriptions behind all of our pottery. The name
‘Jerusalem’ is written in English and – given space considerations – either
the letter ‘B’ (in Armenian) or a full ‘Balian’ (in Armenian) is written
under each piece.

– Is there any Balian ceramic piece of art used in a world-known monument,
apart from the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem?
I can mention a beautiful meditation center in Holland, a church in Lyon-
France, "Zahran Palace" in Jordan and hundreds of other installations in
hotels, palaces, residential villas, swimming pools, fountains etc.

– What is remarkable in Armenian pottery (color, form, design.etc)?
I think the question should be what is remarkable about "The Armenian
Pottery of Jerusalem" rather than Armenian pottery. Armenian pottery is an
identity of Jerusalem rather than that of Armenia or anywhere else. Sure my
grandfather came from Kutahya and that 70% of the artists there were of
Armenian roots but the whole industry was known as Turkish or Kutahya
Pottery. It is only in Jerusalem that this art truly took its own identity
and this was true the hard work of such people as the Ohanessian,
Karakashian and least but not last the Balian family. I know you are going
to think I am being biased over here, but what truly gave Armenian Pottery
its true identity was the unique artistic influence of my mother Marie
Balian. She gave new life to the designs which my grandfather and Mr.
Karakashian Sr. were reproducing from the Kutahya influence. With her French
Beaux art training and talent she introduced gazelles, birds and the animals
which were never an important part of the Kutahya repertoire. Her loose and
free floral curves and patterns is what started attracting Israeli artists
and journalists to the factory, and slowly some of them started realizing
that this really is a unique form of art very different form anything else
and with its own identity. Once articles started being written, books about
us being printed and museums exhibitions opening then the "Armenian Ceramics
of Jerusalem" term was coined. Once the fame started, then a lot of young
people around the Armenian convent started to take advantage of this fame by
setting up small studios and using the Armenian Ceramics name. Some were
talented and evolved their different styles but most just copied our work.

– What are your future plans and goals?
There are two choices you can make; either stay small as a two person studio
as most others or expand to become a much larger operation. I have chosen
the latter and have studios in Amman, Jordan and yes Beirut, Lebanon. We are
soon going to open in Dubai and a new one in Armenia proper. We are second
to none in terms of technical and artistic knowledge and I am applying both
to come up with new products and ideas to make our work fresh and appealing
to a wider range of an audience. We sell mostly to the United States through
our unique websites. We are slowly moving to the Gulf countries to take
advantage of the huge markets there.

Photos and full article at:
Id=734shs67

RA FM: RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IS NOT CONDITION FOR
ARMENIA-TURKEY RELATIONS ARRANGEMENT

ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
October 20, 2006 Friday

Recognition of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915 is
not a condition of Armenia-Turkey relations arrangement, RA Foreign
Minister, Vardan Oskanyan, said in an interview to the "Haikakan
Zhamanak" newspaper.

According to him, recognition of the Armenian Genocide is a recognition
of the historical fact , according to which a monstrous crime was
committed with respect to the Armenian people, one and a half million
people had been killed, the people turned out to be alienated from its
land. The world has to recognize this crime. "Our moral debt before
the people is to achieve this", V. Oskanyan emphasized. He also noted
this problem will remain in the RA Foreign Ministry’s agenda until
Turkey recognizes the Genocide.

AMBASSADOR RECEIVED IN THE FOREIGN MINISTRY

A1+
[04:02 pm] 18 October, 2006

RA deputy foreign ministers Arman Kirakosyan and Armen Bayburdyan
have received the delegation of US permanent representative to OSCE,
Ambassador Julia Finley.

The sides discussed issues about the settlement of the Karabakh
conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk group, the relations
of Armenia with Turkey, the energy security of Armenia, the 2007
Parliamentary elections in Armenia and the reforms in the legislative
field.

The sides also referred to the activity of the OSCE Yerevan office
and the course of realization of programs by the office.

At the end of the meeting Ambassador Finley briefed the deputy
ministers on the activity of the US permanent representative in the
OSCE structures.

RA FOREIGN MINISTER PAYS WORKING VISIT TO CANADA

AZG Armenian Daily
19/10/2006

The Press Service of Ra Foreign Ministry informed that Vartan Oskanian,
RA Foreign Minister, has left for Canada to pay a working visit. It’s
worth mentioning that the meeting of Mr. Oskanian with the members of
the Armenian-Canadian Friendship Parliamentary group, as well as with
the representatives of the Armenian community of Canada is envisaged to
take place on October 18. Ra Foreign Minister will arrive in Toronto
on October 19. Here, he is expected to hold a speech at "Peace and
Creation of Development Opportunities: Role of Diaspora" International
Conference. The conference is initiated by the UN University of Peace.

Sheikh Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the 61st UN
General Assembly, will hold an opening speech for the participants
of the conference.

It is scheduled that on October 21, Mr. Oskanian will leave from Canada
for the USA. He will speak in Washington as the chief reporter at an
event initiated by RA Embassy. The festive event will be dedicated
to the 15th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia.

On the next day, RA Foreign Minister will depart to Paris, where he
is going to meet with the Azeri Foreign Minister Eldar Mamediarov. He
will also hold another meeting with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs
on October 24.

ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC
255 Duncan Mill Rd., Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
Tel: 416-250-9807 Fax: 416-512-1736
E-mail: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: George Shirinian

DATE: October, 16 2006
Tel: 416-250-9807

The United Nations’ University for Peace Partners with Zoryan Institute
in Major International Conference

A major, international High Level Expert’s Forum, titled "Capacity
Building for Peace and Development: Roles of Diaspora," is taking place
in Toronto on October 19 and 20, 2006, sponsored by the University for
Peace, a United Nations-mandated agency, in partnership with the Zoryan
Institute. The Forum will assemble over 70 international experts and
leaders to reflect on the potential of diasporas to support, engage
in and mobilize towards peace-building and development.

The keynote speaker at the opening plenary session will be
H.E. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, President, UN General Assembly
61st Session. The Foreign Minister for Armenia, H.E. Vartan Oskanian,
will speak at the Second Plenary Session. The opening speeches
will be followed by five concurrent workshops, which will examine
in depth the roles played and strategies used by various diasporan
groups to strengthen peace-building and promote development in their
countries of origin. The case studies focus on Afghanistan, Armenia,
China, Colombia, and Ethiopia. The participants in the Armenian
workshop will include Prof. Khachig Tololyan of Wesleyan University,
who is the editor of Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies
co-published by the Zoryan Institute, and Dr. Razmik Panossian,
who is Director of Policy, Programs and Planning at Rights and
Democracy in Montreal. Also participating in the conference will be
senior representatives of the Canadian government, policy-makers,
representatives of NGO’s and scholars.

As communities worldwide have begun to focus more systematically
on how to harness diversity as an asset rather than a liability,
there has been increased interest from many quarters in tapping the
creativity, energy and resources of diasporas to build peace and
promote development.

"Not only is there a growing recognition of Diasporas as effective
agents of peace and development in their home countries, but also a
nuanced understanding of Diaspora is increasingly being recognized
as fundamental to comprehending the multicultural fabric of Canada,
the United States and other host countries," stated Torrey Swan,
the Zoryan Institute’s Project Manger for the conference, "as today
there are over 190 million migrants worldwide."

The Chair of the conference, Ambassador Mohamed Sahnoun, who is Special
Advisor to the Secretary-General of the UN on Africa and Vice-President
of the Council of the University, has stated, "The role of diasporas
in peace-building, good governance, and economic development processes
is an issue that I regard as significant, timely, and warranting more
global attention. We are delighted to be convening this expert forum
in Canada, which has played a pivotal role historically in fostering
open debate on critical issues of international peace and development."

"We are very pleased to be working with the University for Peace in
the realization of this conference," stated K.M. (Greg) Sarkissian,
President of the Zoryan Institute. For twenty-five years we have
operated with the conviction that the potential of the Armenian
Diaspora would be greatly enhanced though comparative study and
dialogue with other diasporas. This high level expert’s forum is
an excellent opportunity for Zoryan to continue to expand its reach
beyond academia and share information and knowledge with many other
experts and policy-makers."

The Zoryan Institute, parent organization of the International
Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies, and co-publisher of
Diaspora: A Journal of Transnational Studies and Genocide Studies and
Prevention: An International Journal. It is the first non-profit,
international center devoted to the research and documentation of
contemporary issues with a focus on Armenian social, political and
cultural life, but with the concern for the human rights of all.

GRAPE PROCUREMENT 20,000 TONS UP FROM A YEAR AGO

Armenpress
Oct 17 2006

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 17, ARMENPRESS: Armenian agricultural ministry said
29 local wineries have already procured 104,000 metric tons of grapes,
up from 85,000 tons from a year ago.

The ministry said the French-owned Yerevan Brandy Company (YBC)
remains the biggest buyer of grape. It has bought already almost
25,000 tons of grape, the Yerevan Wine plant has bought 15,000 tons.

The ministry said 28 canneries have bought almost 64,000 tons of
fruits and vegetables. Almost 60,000 tons were tomatoes.