Author: Frangulian Shushan

PAPERBACK PICKINGS: WAYWARD MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Calcutta Telegraph
p/opinion/story_9654389.jsp
Aug 8 2008
India

The Bastard of Istanbul (Penguin, £11.99) by Elif Shafak transports
the reader to the shores of the Bosphorus where beautiful, rebellious
women break the Rules of Prudence scripted by a conservative society
to chain smoke in cafés, sprint across streets in broken high heels,
and have abortions. Retribution follows, but the women react by smoking
even more cigarettes and cooking delicious dishes with golden raisins,
dried apricots, figs, pistachios — and cyanide. The last ingredient
is added with the man who sired the bastard of Istanbul in mind. When
twenty-year-old Asya Kazanci is not drafting her Personal Manifesto of
Nihilism, she ponders over the question of her paternity. The arrival
of her American-Armenian cousin, Armanoush, results in a search
into the past of the Kazanci family and the discovery of secrets
in which the histories of Armenia and Istanbul are woven together
inextricably. Shafak’s style — understated, laconic, humorous —
makes her novel extraordinary.

Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe (Nal Accent, Rs 395)
by Jennie Shortridge is a novel whose central question is: "How does
a good girl know when to finally let herself be bad?" In the case of
Mira Serafino, it happens when she finds that her husband has fallen
for another woman. The plot gets marginally interesting once Mira
leaves for an unknown future. But at the end, after some reflections
on sex and reproduction, the novel is nothing more than a Hollywood
‘drama’ where wayward husband cheats on good wife, causing heartbreak,
only for the wife to come back on realizing that none of the men she
has bedded after she left him matches up to him. This is the kind of
novel that, when turned into film, makes teenage girls cry buckets.

No one brews coffee and conversation like Karan (Diamond, Rs 395)
reads as if the Koffee with Karan episodes have been transcribed by an
utterly incompetent sub and sent off to press without any editing. The
mistakes are too many and the conversations too incoherent at places
to be discussed in any seriousness. Karan Johar and his guests
deserved better.

Child Develop- ment: Your Questions Answered (Byword, Rs 199) provides
a comprehensive guide to raising children, with doctors, teachers,
speech therapists and psychologists coming forward to solve the
problems of parents with their young ones.

–Boundary_(ID_unocOpeMpitQpaceQYnf3g)–

TURKEY OVERACTS TO THE UPCOMING OPENING OF AMERICAN MUSEUM OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN WASHINGTON AND TRYING TO PREVENT IT

arminfo
2008-08-05 16:42:00

ArmInfo. Turkey overacts to the upcoming opening of American Museum
of Armenian Genocide in Washington and trying to prevent this event
scheduled for 2010, Director of Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
Hayk Demoyan told ArmInfo. ‘I think such attempts will continue. But
their number is growing which arouses concern. Official Ankara cannot
but feel concern about the second Genocide Museum that will occur
not far from the White House’, he said.

He outlined the great attention of Turkey to his recent visit to the
future building of the museum in Washington since it is already a real
step for development of the future exposition of the museum. H. Demoyan
mentioned that almost every year the Turkish Embassy in the USA
exerts pressure of the USA demanding removal of materials on Armenian
Genocide from the Holocaust Museum. However, the Museum honorably
sustains the Turkish pressure and do not yield to these demands.

The museum building was acquired on the funds of famous philanthropist
Gerard Cafesjian and Hovnanyan Family. Twenty countries have already
recognized Armenian Genocide particularly, Uruguay, Russia, France,
Lithuania, low chamber of Italian Parliament, over 40 of the United
States, the parliaments of Greece, Cyprus, Argentine, Belgium, Wales,
National Council of Switzerland, Canada House of Commons and Polish
Seim, as well as a number of international organizations.

ARKA NEWS AGENCY ISSUES ANOTHER BULLETIN ON FINANCIAL INDICATORS OF ARMENIAN BANKS

ARKA
Aug 4, 2008

YEREVAN, August 4. /ARKA/. ARKA News Agency has publicized the regular
quarterly bulletin – "Indicators of Armenian Banks" summarizing the
results of the second quarter 2008.

The bulletin has been developed on the basis of unified financial
reports of banking organizations published in the press, as well as
some additional information provided by the banks.

The bulletin contains 80 pages of tables with banking indicators
classified under ten major chapters. The data included in the manual
provide a general understanding on the financial results of Armenian
banks and a comparative analysis of their activity.

SLICK VIC WINS NEW BELT

WA today
Aug 4 2008
Australia

VIC Darchinyan joined the ranks of Australia’s greatest boxers
yesterday by demolishing Russian Dimitri Kirilov to win a world title
in a second weight division in Tacoma, Washington.

The Sydney-based power puncher dominated the fight with his harder
shots and knocked the champion down twice in the fifth round.

The Armenian-born fighter, who relocated to Sydney in 2000 after the
Olympics, improved his professional record to 30-1-1 with 24 knockouts.

Darchinyan said he was always confident he would win at least one
professional world title after joining the paid ranks.

Kirilov, 29, could not continue after the second knockdown and had
his fourth defeat in 34 professional fights, dropping to 29-4-1.

He simply could not match the power of the 32-year-old Australian who
yesterday added the International Boxing Federation super-flyweight
crown to that organisation’s flyweight title which he won in 2004. A
delighted Darchinyan became only the second Australian citizen to win
a world title in more than one weight class, following Jeff Fenech
who captured championships in three different divisions.

Darchinyan said he did not consider himself to be on the same level
as Fenech or Australia’s former undisputed junior-welterweight world
champion Kostya Tszyu, but hoped to be ranked alongside them by
ultimately unifying the super-flyweight division.

The ambitious Australian wants to eventually move up in weight and
win a title in a third weight class.

He said his main target now was World Boxing Association and World
Boxing Council super-flyweight champion Cristian Mijares. Mexican
Mijares, 26, is set to defend his titles against Thailand’s Chatchai
Saskul in Mexico on August 30.

Fighting under his first trainer from Armenia, Darchinyan said his
plan had been to work the jab early before throwing in some uppercuts
in the fifth round.

He always felt in control.

"Everyone is saying it is one of my best performances," Darchinyan
said afterwards. "Showtime (US cable television network) is very
happy with me and so is my American promoter Gary Shaw. I think it
is one of my best performances."

Darchinyan will travel to Armenia for a break before returning to
Australia next month. Following a fight with Mijares, he wants to
unify the division by dethroning Mexico’s World Boxing Organisation
titleholder Fernando Montiel, then look at moving up in weight.

â- Ghana’s Joshua Clottey won the vacant International Boxing
Federation welterweight title by stopping Zab Judah in the ninth
round in Las Vegas yesterday.

Clottey won his fifth-straight fight, capturing the vacant title
previously held by Antonio Margarito.

Referee Robert Byrd halted the fight in the ninth round with Judah
bleeding from a cut over his right eye.

The match was stopped and turned over to the judges’ scorecards. Two
judges scored the bout, 86-85, while the other judge had it, 87-84,
for Clottey. Clottey lost in his only previous title bout to Margarito
in December, 2006.

The vacancy for the IBF belt was created when former champion
Margarito relinquished the belt in order to face Miguel Cotto —
after the Mexican stopped the unbeaten Cotto last week to claim the
World Boxing Association title.

–Boundary_(ID_395TeMZ/DSoUab1CLKscAg)–

IRAN, ARMENIA MULLING RAILROAD PROJECT

press tv
Sun, 03 Aug 2008 12:38:26

Iran and Armenia are to create a working group to coordinate the
construction of a railroad that would link the two neighbors.

Yerevan is conducting feasibility studies on three areas as
construction points for the Armenian part of the railroad namely
Eraskh, Vardenis and Gagarin.

Armenian Minister of Communication and Transport Gurgen Sargsyan said
the country prefers the third point, a 397-kilometer railroad linking
the central cities of Gagarin and Gavar to Martuni and Jermuk which
lie further south.

About 80 kilometers of the railroad will run through Iran as far as
the northwestern city of Marand.

Russia has also voiced interest in cooperating with Iran and Armenia
in constructing the railroad and talks are underway between the three
countries, he added.

Sargsyan had earlier estimated the cost of construction of the railroad
to be around $2 billion.

12-MONTH GROWTH OF CONSUMER PRICES MAKES 10.7% IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan

Au gust 1, 2008

YEREVAN, AUGUST 1, NOYAN TAPAN. 7.4% inflation in Armenian consumer
market in January-May 2008 was followed by a 2.7% fall of prices
in June-July.

Prices fell by 2.2% in July on June.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, prices of foodstuffs
(including alcoholic drinks and cigarettes) fell by 4.4% in the
indicated period, while prices of non-food commodities and service
tariffs grew by 0.7% and 0.4% respectively.

The consumer price index made 104.5% in July 2008 as compared with
December 2007, including the index of food commodities (including
alcoholic drinks and cigarettes) – 102%, that of non-food commodities –
104.9%, and service tariffs – 109%.

The average monthly growth of consumer prices made 0.6% in January-July
2008, which exceeded the respective index of the same period of last
year by 0.5%.

The consumer price index (12-month inflation rate) made 110.7%
in July 2008 on July 2007, including the index of food commodities
(including alcoholic drinks and cigarettes) – 111.6%, of non-food
commodities – 106.9%, service tariffs – 111.1%. The same indices in
January-July 2008 on January-July 2007 made 109.2%, 111.2%, 105.1%
and 107.7% respectively.

ARMAVIA PLANE MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING IN MINERALNIYE VODI

ArmInfo
2008-07-29 16:22:00

Armavia plane carrying out the flight No509 Moscow-Yerevan landed
emergency in Mineralniye Vodi airport on July 28, Armavia press-service
told ArmInfo.

When at the height of 11.100 m and 200 km from the airport Mineralniye
Vodi, the commander was informed that the health of a 7-month-old baby
on the board was in serious danger. Despite the first aid rendered
to the baby on the board, the commander made a decision to make
emergency landing. The baby accompanied with parents was taken to
hospital immediately from the airport.

The health of the baby is no longer in danger and it will return to
Armenia shortly.

The Armenian Weekly On-Line
80 Bigelow Avenue
Watertown MA 02472 USA
(617) 926-3974
[email protected]

http://www.a rmenianweekly.com

The Armenian Weekly; Volume 74, No. 29; July 26, 2008

Calendar of Events:

NEW ENGLAND

JULY 27, 2008 . ST. STEPHEN’S CHURCH PICNIC AT CAMP HAIASTAN. Lunch starts
at 12 noon. Blessing of Madagh and Grapes begins at 3:30 p.m. Live music by
the Mal Barsamian Ensemble. Delicious shish kebab, slush, and refreshments.
Picnic will be held rain or shine!

AUG. 10, 2008 . HOLY TRINITY PICNIC. Annual church picnic at Holy Trinity
Armenian Apostolic Church, 635 Grove St. in Worcester, Mass. Live music,
delicious food, backgammon tournament, and more. For more information, call
(508) 852-2414.

AUG. 17, 2008 . ST. ASDVADZADZIN CHURCH PICNIC (WHITINSVILLE) featuring the
John Berberian Ensemble. Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes officiated by
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and New England area clergy. To be held on
church grounds in Whitinsville, Mass. Come early; church is air-conditioned!
Picnic starts at noon. For more information, call (508) 234 3677.

AUG. 24, 2008 . ARMENIAN FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL. Hosted by the Armenian
Apostolic Church at Hye Pointe (in Bradford, Mass.). Live Armenian Music by
the Jason Naroian Ensemble. Menu includes shish, losh, and chicken kebab
dinners, kheyma, pastries, and beverages. Raffles grand prize is $1,000.
Air-conditioned hall. Ball fields and hiking trails. Bring your own lawn
chairs. From 12 to 6 p.m. at the American Legion Farm, 1314 Main St. in
Haverhill, Mass. (Take Rte. 495 to exit 51B onto Rte. 125 N.) For more
information, call (978) 372-9227..

SEPT. 7, 2008 . CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT with Emil Altschuler (violin) and
Aaron Larget-Caplan (classical guitar) performing pieces by Paganini,
Piazzolla, Rodrigo, and De Falla. Hosted by Armenian Library and Museum of
America (ALMA). Begins at 4 p.m. in ALMA’s Bedoukian Hall, 65 Main St. in
Watertown, Mass. For tickets ($15), call (617) 926-2562 or email
[email protected].

SEPT 7, 2008 . ST. GREGORY’S ANNUAL PICNIC / FESTIVAL. Featuring Mal
Barsamian, Bruce Jigarjian, Bob Arzigian, and Jay Baronian. Hosted by the
St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack Valley. From 12-6 p.m. at the
American Legion grounds, Rt. 125, Haverhill, Mass. Moonwalk and baseball
fields for the kids; air-conditioned hall; 50/50 raffles. Come and taste the
best Armenian food and pastries in New England! Bring your lawn chairs and
spend an enjoyable day with family and friends.

SEPT. 13, 2008 . ‘A CULTURAL EVENING.’ Presented by the Armenian Independent
Broadcasting of Boston. Featuring renowned artists Noune Avedissian, Hovik
Krikorian, and Andranik Mouradian. Begins at 7:30 p.m. at the First Armenian
Church, 380 Concord Ave. in Belmont. Reception to follow. To purchase
tickets ($20), call (617) 926-6268.

SEPT. 14, 2008 . ARS BENEFIT CONCERT. Presented by the Providence ARS ‘Ani’
and ‘Arax’ Chapters in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the ARS.
Featuring ‘Zulal,’ the ‘a capella’ trio of Yeraz Markarian, Anais Tekerian
and Teni Apelian, who will perform Armenian classical and folk music. Also
featuring Harry Bedrossian (oud), Leon Janikian (clarinet), Ken Kalajian
(guitar) and Charles Kalajian (percussion) performing traditional and
classical Armenian music. Begins at 3 p.m. at Rhode Island College, Sapinsly
Hall, 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave. in Providence, R.I. To purchase tickets ($35;
$25 for students under 18), call Ramon Zorabedian at (401) 884-6626, Joyce
Yeremian at (401) 354-8770, or Margaret Stepanian at (401) 272-3183 or email
[email protected].

OCT. 10-12, 2008 . AYF 75TH ANNIVERSARY GALA WEEKEND. At the Hyatt Regency
in Boston. Fri., Oct. 10-Alumni and AYF gathering. Featuring the Artsakh
Band from Philadelphia and a live DJ to take us into the early morning
hours. Sat., Oct. 11-Gala Banquet and Dance. Under the Auspices of the
Armenian Prelacy of Eastern USA. Full-course dinner and program. Kef music
by John Berberian, Mal Barsamian, Michael Gostanian, Ara Dinkjian, Bruce
Gigarjian, and Steve Megerdichian. Armenian patriotic performance to
highlight today’s young and talented AYF members. Sun., Oct. 12-Farewell
Brunch hosted by the Central Hai Tahd Committee and briefing on current
events and activism. For more information on the weekend’s activities,
tickets, and hotel information, email [email protected].

OCT. 18, 2008 . PROVIDENCE HMEM DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA. Featuring Onnik
Dinkjian. Dance begins at 9 p.m. (cocktails and mezze at 7 p.m.) at the
Greek Orthodox Annunciation Church, 175 Oaklawn Avenue in Cranston, R.I.

NOV. 15, 2008 * 3RD ANNUAL ARS DINNER/DANCE. Hosted by the Suzan Terzian ARS
Chapter of Fairfield, Conn. At the Villa Bianca in Seymour, Conn. To reserve
tickets, contact Sonia Gulbenk by calling (203) 332-0332 or emailing
[email protected].

NOV. 29, 2008 . AYF KEF: BOSTON 2008. Presented by the Greater Boston
‘Nejdeh’ AYF Chapter. Featuring the All-Stars: Onnik Dinkjian, Hachig
Kazarian, John Berberian, Bruce Gigarjian, and Jason Naroian. In Watertown,
Mass.

DEC. 31, 2008 . NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER/DANCE (PROVIDENCE). Organized by the
ARF ‘Kristapor’ Gomideh. Featuring Harry Bedrossian (oud and vocals), Carnig
Mikhitarian (clarinet), Jason Naroian (dumbeg and vocals), and Bruce
Gigarjian (guitar). Also featuring DJ Rootz. Begins at 7 p.m., with mezze
and shish kebab dinner. Dance begins at 9 p.m. At the Greek Orthodox
Annunciation Church, 175 Oaklawn Avenue in Cranston, R.I. To reserve tickets
($50 for dinner and dance; $25 for dance only) or tables of 10, contact
Steve Mesrobian by calling (774) 215-0293 or emailing [email protected].

MID-ATLANTIC

JULY 25, 2008 . COMMEMORATIVE EVENT. Titled ‘Standing Guard for Our Rights:
Our Commitment is Forever’ to commemorate the 111th anniversary of the
Khanasor Expedition and the 25th anniversary of the Lisbon 5. Sponsored by
the ‘Armen Garo’ ARF Gomideh and the New York ‘Hyortik’ AYF Chapter.
Commemorative program includes feature documentary. Begins at 8:30 p.m. at
the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Avenue, Woodside, N.Y. Free admission and
refreshments. A hokehankisd will be held the following day (Sunday, July 27)
in the Armenian Center of St. Illuminator’s Armenian Cathedral. For more
information call, call (718) 651-1530 or email [email protected].

JULY 26, 2008 . SUMMER BAR PARTY. Join the New York ‘Hyortik’ AYF Chapter
for their Annual Summer Bar Party. Begins at 8 p.m. at Latitude Bar in New
York City (783 8th Ave. b/w 47th & 48th St.) Drink specials until 10 p.m.
21+ to enter. Admission $20 with RSVP by emailing [email protected]; $25
without. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Armenian Relief
Society (ARS) Sponsor a Child Program.

AUG. 17, 2008 . STS. VARTANANTZ ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC and Blessing of the
Grapes Ceremony. From 1-5 p.m. at Dunkerhook Park, off Paramus Road, in
Paramus, N.J. All are welcome to enjoy delicious foods and desserts, music,
and a playground for the kids!

SEPT. 12, 2008 . COMEDIAN KEV ORKIAN from London performs his raucous
one-man piano comedy show at the 2nd Annual ANC-Professional Network Fall
Social. Doors open at 8 p.m. Post-bar party to follow. At the Grand Hyatt in
New York City. For tickets and information, email [email protected] or call
(201) 233-9809.

SEPT.13, 2008 . ANCA-ER ANNUAL BANQUET. At the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York
City. Details to follow. Save the date! For more information, email
[email protected].

SEPT. 17, 2008 . CAPITOL HILL EVENT ON ARTSAKH INDEPENDENCE. Organized by
the Embassy of Armenia and the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
in cooperation with the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and
Armenian-American organizations. Featuring Members of Congress, Mark
Geragos, diplomats and community leaders. From 5-8 p.m. on Capitol Hill, the
Gold Room (Rayburn HOB #2168), in Washington, D.C. For more information,
contact the Embassy of Armenia by calling (202) 319-1976 or emailing
[email protected]; or the NKR Office by calling (202) 223-4330
or emailing [email protected].

SEPT. 25, 2008 . STS. VARTANANTZ 6TH ANNUAL GOLF OUTING. Lunch, dinner,
golf, and more. At the River Vale Country Club. Shotgun starts at 12:45 p.m.
For reservations or more information, call Mark Alashaian at (201) 483-3200,
Rich Krikorian at (201) 664-6885, Sarkis Shirinian at (201) 307-0825, or the
church office at (201) 943-2950.

SEPT. 27, 2008 . HAROUT PAMBOUKJIAN CONCERT. In celebration of the 90th
anniversary of the Homenetmen. Sponsored by the Homenetmen Eastern Region
Executive. Organized by the Homenetmen of New Jersey. At the Crowne Plaza
Hotel, 2 Harmon Plaza, Secaucus, N.J. For tickets ($90) or for more
information, call Silva Takvorian at (201) 779-6744; Anto Darakjian at (201)
410-0582; Zareh Haroutunian at (201) 684-0824; or Raffi Yacoubian at (201)
233-1935.

SEPT. 28, 2008 . PIANIST SAHAN ARZRUNI and friends present ‘Ins and Outs:
Armenian composers of Asia Minor’ in celebration of the 175th anniversary of
the foundation of the Surp Prgich Armenian National Hospital in Istanbul.
Begins at 3 p.m. at Merkin Hall, 129 W 67 St. in New York City. For tickets,
call either the Merkin box office at (212) 501-3330, Arto at (718) 937-7660,
or Araxie at (201) 227-9615.

OCT. 3-5, 2008 . JAG. The AYF’s annual Junior Athletic Games (JAG) will be
held in Philadelphia this year. For more information, email [email protected].
More details to come.

MARCH 28, 2009 . ARS CENTENNIAL GALA BANQUET at the Yale Club, 50 Vanderbilt
Ave. at 44th St. in New York. Cocktails from 7-8:30 p.m.; dinner from
8:30-12; premium open bar throughout the night. Donation: $250 per person.

MID-WEST

AUG. 28-SEPT. 1, 2008 . AYF-YOARF 75th ANNIVERSARY OLYMPICS IN DETROIT.
Thurs., Aug. 28-Pre-Olympics party with music by DJ ESSO. Fri., Aug.
29-AYF/Alumni golf tournament (Dearborn Country Club); swim meet (Northville
High School); Detroit’s famous Alumni Party with Armenian music by the
Johnites/Ara Topouzian and guest musicians; and the AYF Dance featuring
Harout Pamboukjian and His Band from California. Sat., Aug. 30-Tennis
(Dearborn High School); softball games/picnic (Levagood Park); Armenian
music by the Ara Topouzian Ensemble; and the 75th reunion dinner banquet
with Armenian music by the All-Stars (Onnik, Hachig, John, Bruce, and Ara),
the Nigosian Band, and Aravod. Sun., Aug. 31-Track and field (Harrison High
School); Sunday Night Grand Ball with Armenian music by the All-Stars; and
Hook-Up immediately following the Grand Ball with music by Aravod and DJ
ESSO. Mon., Sept. 1-Farewell picnic (Armenian Community Center) with music
by the Nigosian Band. For more information on the weekend and Hye Pass, 75th
anniversary tickets, and the Ad Book, visit To reserve
a room at the Hyatt Regency-Dearborn, call 1-800-233-1234 and ask for the
AYF rate ($119/night).

OCT. 16-19, 2008 . ‘THE ARMENIAN APOCALYPTIC TRADITION.’ Second
international conference by the Armenian Studies Programs at the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. (The
first conference was organized by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and
took place in Jerusalem in 2007.) The Ann Arbor conference will highlight
the Armenian Apocalyptic tradition, and in a comparative context, in both
literature and the arts. Scholars from Armenia, Europe, and the U.S. will
discuss eschatological and millennial themes, visions and prophecies,
maledictions and revelations, origins and apocrypha, and related topics.
Papers will highlight apocalyptic themes common to the Syriac, Byzantine,
Coptic, Ethiopic, Slavonic, Georgian and Armenian traditions, or comparative
aspects of one or more of these traditions. The proceedings will be
published as a volume in English. Professor Kevork B. Bardakjian is the main
convener of the conference. Open to the public. For more information,
contact Gloria Caudill by calling (734) 763-0622 or emailing
[email protected].

INTERNATIONAL

SUMMER 2008 . ARS, INC. MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE. The Armenian Relief Society,
Inc. hosts a Mediterranean cruise leaving from Barcelona, Spain, and sailing
to France, Italy, Greece and Croatia during the summer of 2008. The 12-night
cruise will be aboard one of the world’s top-ranked ships, the Celebrity
Cruiseline’s ‘Summit.’ For more information about this once-in-a-lifetime
cruise, the following contacts are available: Those residing in the ARS
Eastern USA region east of the Mississippi River should call Helen
Darakdjian at (248) 302-1660. Those residing in the ARS Western USA region
west of the Mississippi River should call Knar Avedissian at (818) 425-9493
or (818) 246-1383. For reservations, contact Travel Group International by
calling (561) 447-0750; emailing ARScruise@ travelgroup int.com; or writing
to 125 SE Mizner Blvd., Suite 14, Boca Raton, FL 33432.

SEPT. 18-OCT. 2, 2009 . RENEWAL OF FAITH PILGRIMAGE TO ARMENIA. On the
occasion of the Blessing of Holy Chrism (Muron) and the 17th anniversary of
Armenian independence. Trip highlights include the Blessing of the Holy
Chrism; a private audience with Catholicos Karekin II; a private tour of
Holy Etchmiadzin; tours of historic churches and monasteries; a Karabakh
excursion; Vesper services; and a faith renewal seminar. Organized by the
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church. For more information, call the
Diocesan office at (818) 558-7474 or email [email protected].

SEPT.30-OCT. 14, 2008 . ARMENIAN HERITAGE TOURS. Sites include Yerevan, Khor
Virap, Noravank, Areni, Haghbat, Sanahin, Lake Sevan, Dilijan, Echmiadzin
Cathedral, Sardarabad, Tzaghkadzor, Garni, Geghart and many more. Departing
from Washington, D.C. or New York. Includes stays at the Marriott Armenia
Hotel. From $2,430 + tax per person based on double occupancy. Optional
excursion to Karabagh (3 days, 2 nights) for $300. For more information,
contact Maro Asatoorian by calling (301) 340-1011; emailing
[email protected]; or visiting

OCT. 25, 2008 . AYF REUNION DANCE. Presented by the ARFYOC Toronto ‘Simon
Zavarian’ Chapter AYF Alumni in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the
AYF. Music by Hachig Kazarian, John Berberian, Onnik Dinkjian, Kenny
Kalajian, and Jason Naroian. At the Armenian Community Centre, 45 Hallcrown
Place in Toronto, Canada. For tickets, call Lucille Hamparian at (416)
424-3161. To reserve a room at the Radisson (55 Hallcrown Place), call (416)
493-7000.

JAN. 11-18, 2009 . ARMENIAN HERITAGE CRUISE XII. Sails from Ft. Lauderdale
to Western Caribbean new ports of Conzumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras;
Belize, Central America; and Grand Cayman Island. Prices from $813. For
information, call TravelGroup International at 1-866-447-0750. On the
Eastcoast, call Antranik Boudakian at (718) 575-0142 or visit
www.armenianheritage cruise.com.

NO SERIOUS POLITICAL CHANGES EXPECTED IN ARMENIA AFTER AUGUST 1 OPPOSITION RALLY: RPA

ARKA
July 28

The opposition rally of August 1 will bring no serious changes to
the country’s political life. Spokesperson of the ruling Republican
Party of Armenia, Parliament member Edward Sharmazanov expressed such
a viewpoint at a news conference on Monday.

"The opposition rally is a natural protest. Now, when the election
processes are behind, the opposition wants to find its niche in
society.

However, I believe that the upcoming opposition rally won’t change
anything," he said.

The supporters of radical opposition leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan,
ex-president, are holding their third mass rally after the early March
clashes. The first post-March rally was held on June 20 and the second
one on July 4. Both were not authorized by municipal authorities,
but after negotiations the police agreed not to hinder the rally.

However, Sharmazanov says the upcoming rally may change public
sentiments to some extent but expectations that the rally will lead
to President Serge Sargsyan’s resignation is erroneous.

Sharmazanov said he treats the opposition rallies with respect since
the main function of opposition is to criticize authorities in any
democratic country. However, Sharmazanov said he would like to see
more constructive criticism and concrete proposals by the opposition.

"The season of rallies is in the past in Armenia, now is the time for
civilized actions and for debate-based political competition. I think
the opposition should abandon its policy of uncompromising struggle and
take part in the activity of the commission probing into the events of
March 1 and in the work of Heritage parliamentary opposition faction,"
he said.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Ali Babacan: Turkey’s aim to have zero problems with its neighbors
25.07.2008 16:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey is willing to normalize its relations with
the neighboring Armenia, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said late on
Thursday.

`Turkey wants to create an atmosphere of dialogue with Armenia,’
Babacan told a news conference in New York.

"Turkish President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister sent letters
to their Armenian counterparts after recent elections in Armenia, and
these letters aimed to open a new door of dialogue with the new
(Armenian) administration," he was quoted as saying by the Anatolian
Agency.

As a signal of efforts to revive relations between the two countries,
Turkish and Armenian officials held a series of secret meetings in the
capital of Switzerland on July 8. This meeting followed Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan’s proposal for "a fresh start" with the goal
of normalizing relations with Turkey and opening the border.

Sargsyan also invited Turkish President Abdullah Gul to watch a
football match between Armenian and Turkish national teams on Sept 6
to mark "a new symbolic start in the two countries’ relations". Turkey
has been evaluating this invitation.

Turkey closed its border and severed its diplomatic ties with Armenia
in 1993 as a token of solidarity with Azerbaijan in the Nagorno
Karabakh issue. Ankara also urges Armenia to change its policy of
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide at the hands of the
Ottoman Empire.

Mr Babacan said that Turkey’s aim is to have zero problems with its
neighbors. "Naturally, we are also expecting some concrete steps from
the other party," he said, Hurriyet reports.

Babacan said he `believed that Turkey’s problems could be solved
through dialogue, and underlined importance of setting up a joint
committee of historians to deal with the 1915 events.’

In 2005, Turkey’s proposal to the Armenian government to establish of
a joint commission of historians and other experts from both sides to
study together the events of 1915 and to open the archives of Turkey
and Armenia was rejected.

Incumbent Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan gave green light recently
to Turkey’s proposal but only after the latter lifts the blockade of
Armenia.