Author: Harutyunian Christine

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext. 202
Fax: +37410. 565601
Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

19-12-2007

MFA Spokeprson Vladimir Karapetian’s Response on Azerbaijani Days in Armenia

"APA": What is your position on Azerbaijani Days in Armenia?

Answer: We are positive regarding any initiative aimed at developing a
dialogue in the South Caucasus.

We think this initiative is real proof of our faith in dialogue and
peace about which Armenia’s Foreign Minister Oskanian spoke in his
interview to you in Madrid. Such events should not be one-off events,
but should see a continuity in the countries that the program
addresses. Only with public diplomacy and civilian contacts will it be
possible to support the Nagorno Karabakh settlement process.

Disclaimer – This message may contain information that is not intended
for you. If you are not the addressee or if this message was sent to
you by mistake, you are requested to inform the sender and delete the
message.

GOVERNMENT EXPECTS A 26.7 BILLION DRAM LOAN FROM ARMENIA

KarabakhOpen
18-12-2007 10:31:26

The estimated budget receipts in 2008 surpass last year’s by 35
percent, and total 49 billion drams. In addition, own receipts are
estimated at 19.8 billion drams. The government of Karabakh expects
to get a 26.7 billion interstate loan from Armenia.

Budget outlays will total 52.5 billion drams, including 62 percent
on social needs.

Apparently, this sum does not include 3.7 billion drams foreseen
for sustaining government agencies. By the way, the number of civil
servants is said to increase by 250 and will total 8926. Salaries
of government officials and civil servants will grow as well. On the
whole, 3.3 billion will be spent on their salaries.

Social expenditure will grow by 56.9 percent. 1.4 billion drams will
be spent on agriculture instead of 288 million drams. 1.5 billion
will be transferred to Artsakh Investment Fund for the mortgage and
business loans to citizens. 13 billion is foreseen for construction,
1.3 billion for irrigation.

ARMEN ASHOTYAN: ARMENIA HASN’T LOST INFORMATION WAR TO AZERBAIJAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.12.2007 18:34 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Armenia has not lost information war to
Azerbaijan. But I should mention some factors.

We are not losing the information war, for most part thanks to
information resources and Diaspora’s efforts. However, we lack state
information policy. We often run after events instead of pursuing
a preemptive tactic," member of the Armenian National Assembly’s
committee on European integration, political scientist Armen Ashotyan
said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

"There is no coordination between analytical centers and political
leadership. Furthermore, we underestimate the importance of Internet
and act as amateurs. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan say that we are
neighbors and there is no escape from each other but both pursue a
policy that leads to abyss," he said.

550% RISE IN IMPORT OF CARS TO ARMENIA DURING RECENT SIX YEARS

ARKA News Agency , Armenia
Dec 13 2007

YEREVAN, December 13. /ARKA/. The import of cars to Armenia rose
by 550% in 2001-2007. The press service of Armenia’s State Customs
Service (SCC) told ARKA that SCC Chairman Armen Avetisyan said this
during his visit to a specialized customs for registering vehicles.

"Thus the average annual rise is 50-60%," he said.

Avetisyan pointed out that in 11 months the number of imported cars
exceeded the index of the previous year and totaled 30,677 cars,
5,868 of them of Russian production.

According to the SCC press release, in 2006 the number of cars imported
to Armenia totaled 26,157 cars, 7,302 of them of Russian production,
in 2005 – 19,801 cars, 8,118 of them of Russian production.

As compared to the last year the number of imported cars the cost of
which is up to $5,000 has reduced, and those costing $10-15ths and
$10-30ths have increased.

He pointed out that according to March 14, 2003 order set by the
joint order of CSS and Police Heads of Armenia, customs clearance of
cars is done in the essence of positive recommendations provided by
specialists of the national Interpol and Police.

"If the transport means passes the border, its data is immediately
transferred to the national bureau of the Interpol. Within three hours
through special communication the customs body gets the information
on the place of the car or whether it is wanted or not," runs the
message.

Armenia Solidarity, Nor Serount, and Firodil Institute
c/o The Temple of Peace,Cardiff
[email protected]
Tel(from UK) 07718982732

"Will the EU inherit Turkey’s guilt for its past crimes and have to
assume liability for reparations for the Genocide of Armenians and
Assyrians?"

This is the question that was raised in the House of Commons, London
yesterday in a meeting to launch a new Early Day Motion on the Genocide
of the Armenians and Assyrians. The sponsor was Andrew George MP.The
special Honoured Guest was Bishop Gueorges of the Ancient Church of the
East. This latest EDM follows the success of last year’s motion , which
185 MPs signed.

Mr George Jerjian, author of "The truth will set us free", (the book,
whose translation into Turkish, led to the present prosecution of Ragip
Zarokulu) was the main speaker.

Nineb Lamassu, from the Firodil Institute gave the Assyrian perspective
on this campaign for Genocide Recognition. This was the first time that
Armenian and Assyrian groups have co-operated to hold a lobbying meeting
at the House of Commons.

Parliamentarians were urged to to explore the above question by the
establishment of a Commission.

Armenians, Assyrians and their friends were urged to contact their MPs
requesting that they sign EDM 119(below)

"That this House believes that the killing of over a million Armenians
and over half a million Assyrians between 1915 and 1923 was an act of
genocide; further believes that it is in the long-term interests of
those countries involved to acknowledge this; and calls upon the
Government to join others in formally recognising these events as
constituting genocide."

——————————— ——————————-

George Jerjian’s Speech to the House of Commons
Committee Room 17 – On 12 December 2007

In the coal-mining industry, the danger was always that miners would die
as a result of methane gas being released in underground mines. For a
long time, the only early warning system available, even if low
technology, were yellow canaries. On the slightest whiff of methane gas,
yellow canaries would start to wobble on their perch, giving sufficient
time for the miners to evacuate the mine.

The Armenian genocide is the early warning system that will ensure that
the EU does not asphyxiate from the toxic fumes of extreme Turkish
nationalism.

So what is the significance of the Armenian (and Assyrian) genocide to
the European Union and United Kingdom?

1. Turkey needs to be held up to the same legal and human rights
standards as other EU countries, if it is to be admitted. Failure to do
so will in a very short period of time corrupt our own laws. As Ragip
Zarakolu, my Turkish publisher, has pointed out; why are the stringent
rules applied to Eastern European countries who have joined the EU,
lowered substantially in the case of Turkey? Why is Turkey not held to
the high standards of civil liberties that EU countries must attain? Why
is she allowed to abuse the human rights of its people? Why is there a
double standard in the EU? He has a worthy point.

2. The Armenian Genocide is not open to debate as to its veracity.
If Turkey can pressure the EU to drop this issue, what message is the EU
sending to the Turks in future negotiations? In 1997, over 125 scholars
and historians at the International Association of Genocide Scholars
(IAGS), including Prof. Israel Charney and Elie Wiesel, released a
unanimous statement that what happened to the Armenians was in fact
Genocide. The Turks can only muster about five mediocre historians, one
of whom is discredited as he was caught writing a letter on behalf of
the Turkish ambassador to the US. The only eminent historian on the
Turkish side, who states openly that what happened to the Armenians was
not genocide, is Prof. Bernard Lewis of Princeton University. Yet, in
1961, he wrote a book called The Emergence of Modern Turkey, in which he
stated in no uncertain terms that 1.5 million Armenians perished in a
"Holocaust". Against all the empirical evidence that points to genocide,
the reasons offered by Prof. Lewis, for his changed position, are banal,
partisan, and light-weight.

3. The recognition of the Armenian Genocide will level the playing
field of the EU-Turkey negotiations. For example, it will compel the
Turks to completely revamp their oppressive penal code. The Turkish
Penal Code runs contrary to all European concepts of civil liberties and
human rights. Article 301 which covers insulting Turkishness was used to
bring famous Turkish author Orhan Pamuk to trial, resulting in his
fleeing to New York. Article 301 caused a Turkish nationalist to
assassinate Turkish-Armenian publisher Hrant Dink in January 2007. Now,
my Turkish publisher is facing trial on 31st January 2008, having made
half a dozen court appearances, which act as an insidious mechanism to
deter other writers and publishers from meddling with this highly
sensitive issue. As I write some 60 writers, editors and publishers face
jail in Turkey. Turkish President Gül said that he wants this article
301 removed, but Turkish officials have hinted that they want to see
some of the EU chapters re-opened, in exchange. While Turkey plays
cat-and-mouse with the EU, a journalist based in Turkey told me in
confidence that when Article 301 is removed, there are dozens of
articles in the penal code that can be used to silence people. Turkey
has been changing its laws since the 1839 Tanzimat, to no avail; nothing
ever filters down. The Turkish penal code has now been translated into
English with the help of a British barrister; this clearly sends a
message to the EU that Turkey will only negotiate these issues on a
piece-meal basis. This is detrimental and dangerous to EU citizens and
Turkish citizens alike.

Lastly, Turkey denies the Armenian and Assyrian Genocide. Denying the
Armenian Genocide and blaming the victims is the last component of the
act of genocide. By denying it, the Republic of Turkey has in effect
continued the genocide started by the Ottoman Empire to completion. This
being the case, if Turkey were allowed to join the EU, without admitting
to the Armenian Genocide, there is a strong legal argument that the EU
will have assumed the obligations and reparations of Ottoman Empire and
the Turkish Republic and therefore open to class action lawsuits by the
descendants of the Armenian victims? Perhaps the cost-benefit analysis
of the Turkish EU accession needs to be re-calculated or re-negotiated.

The yellow canary of the Armenian Genocide has wobbled on its perch. The
early warning system has been activated. The EU and the UK governments
ignore this alert at their peril.

"THIS YEAR WAS SUCCESSFUL FOR ARMENTEL"

Mediamax Agency
Dec 11 2007
Armenia

Interview of the General Director of "ArmenTel" Company Oleg Bliznyuk
to Mediamax Agency and Banks.am portal

– "ArmenTel" Company ceased being a monopolist in the
telecommunications market of Armenia on October 1. What does this
mean for the Company and for the market as a whole? I remember you
said that "universal happiness will not start on October 1".

– Firstly, the decision on liberalization of the market only was
made on October 1 of 2007. The procedure itself is still subject to
discussion: corresponding political and economic levers have to be
elaborated yet.

As to my vision, the liberalization of the market does not mean that
if someone wants to provide services, he goes and receives a license
and starts providing those services at home or in the basement. In
practice, the very notion of "service" consists of many components,
starting from the quality and up to, for example, international
commitments in the sphere of internet and the international connection.

I am not at all against appearance of new providers, I am simply
against low-quality services. See, if people do not buy from us a
channel with the corresponding transmission line capacity, the final
quality of their services, naturally, will suffer, but the completely
unjustified references, according to which "ArmenTel" is the one to
be blamed, will continue appearing.

Another question appears as well: how are those companies going to pay
the taxes? Will the situation, which was in the past, remain, or will
everything become official? Various kinds of abuse are possible here.

So, indeed, "great happiness", of course, will not take place. I
believe that in the course of time, only a few companies will remain
in the market, which will really carry out transparent work and will
provide quality services.

I believe that it will become possible talking about real
liberalization of the market only in a few years. The regulator, to
give its due, has done volume work, but I still have the impression
that we are running ahead of the locomotive.

What concerns "ArmenTel", we, of course, know how we will act. We
will surely defend our economic interests, at that obeying the
Armenian laws.

Liberalization will not have negative influence on our customers.

Renouncement of monopoly did not cause our Company major
consequences. Yes, we can lose a part of our international and
inter-town traffic, but we are ready for that and we are ready to
compete. The most important is that the competition is fair and honest.

– Can we assume that the purchase of 80% of "VivaCell" shares by
MTS will make your competition more predictable and civilized, since
"VimpelCom" and MTS have been for a long time competing in Russia?

– I do not think that MTS will make any notable changes in the work of
"VivaCell" before the spring of 2008. MTS is a high-tech and advanced
company, and they will undoubtedly try to implement the culture of
high technologies in Armenia.

We know what to expect from MTS, we are competing in many markets,
and this competition is of civilized nature. We realize that there
will be no abrupt changes in Armenia, capable of collapsing the market
or harm any of the companies.

– More than a year has passed from the moment of acquisition of
"ArmenTel" by "VimpelCom" Company. What achievements have been made
in the course of this year, and what, on the contrary, you did not
manage to do?

– First of all, we realized then that much time and many efforts would
be needed to understand what was going on in the company, since a
certain part of information at the moment of purchase was unavailable
for us. In the course of a year, we had to pay much attention to the
organizational issues. Let’s say, we planned to prepare a basis this
year for advancing in future – to settle the things with billing,
the fixed connection, construction of new basic stations.

A very important fact is to settle the matters with the people, who
work here, to solve the issue of social guarantees of the employees.

Professional examination of employees has never been realized here.

Of course, it took us much time to understand everything and to
establish order.

It took certain amount of time for the implementation of special
procedures in "ArmenTel", which existed in "VimpelCom" and which
correspond to the international accounting standards. Of course,
it is difficult working with old procedures and simultaneously
implementing the new ones. The shift of the billing system was
accompanied with technical costs, which are inevitable in such cases,
since we implemented a completely new version, which is not used even
in Russia yet.

Having analyzed the existing equipment of the mobile connection, we
realized that we could not work with it. Despite the fact that the
equipment was relatively new, it did not support many new functions,
necessary, in particular, for the implementation of 3G. As a result,
there was a decision made on changing the whole equipment, and this,
of course, took us much time.

I consider this year a successful one for the Company, since we put
an important start for the future, carried out huge amount of rough
work, which is not visible beyond the borders of the Company.

– Will the technical modernization that you mentioned lead to the
extension of the coverage zone of "ArmenTel" mobile network?

– By the end of 2007 376 basic stations will function in the
"ArmenTel"’s network. As a result, even today we have almost reached
parity with the competitor, concerning the coverage part. When we
purchased the company, the coverage made 65% of the populated territory
of Armenia. Today the mobile network of "ArmenTel" covers over 90% of
the populated territory of the country. We continue installing basic
equipment and we intend to conclude the work, planned for this year,
by mid-December.

– So, you consider that the correlation, which exists today in the
mobile connection market of Armenia – 65% of "VivaCell" subscribers
and 35% of "ArmenTel"- will still change?

– Of course, the picture will change and we work for that. We are
not going to accept the situation, when "VivaCell" became the leader
of the market in the course of two years. We use the potential,
the knowledge and the financial opportunities of "VimpelCom" Group
to change the situation.

You know, it is possible to build a wonderful network, but if no one
knows about it, the old stereotypes will function. Unfortunately,
those stereotypes still exist, although "ArmenTel" is the national
property of Armenia irrespective of who the owner of the Company is.

We stand face to face with our subscribers and we worry very much,
when we are informed that someone was rude with the customer in the
service office. We have even launched a "helpline" for the people to
inform us timely on violation of their rights. I assure that if you
call this number and say the name of the employee of "ArmenTel", who
was rude and unjust to you, and the results of the check prove that,
we will say good-bye to such an employee.

We have set for ourselves the task to become the best service
company in Armenia. We have all the necessary components for that –
the experience of "VimpelCom", technical opportunities, good people,
who want to work and who think about the Company.

– Lately, the leaders of Armenian companies, irrespective of their
sphere of work, in increasing frequency raise the problem of lack of
qualified personnel. Does "ArmenTel" come across this problem? If we
talk about the high and middle level managers, is it better to train
them within the company or invite from abroad?

– The problem of invited specialists is not that acute for purchased
companies. I believe that the invited managers are necessary for the
first 2-3 years to implement certain business-processes and implant
corporate culture. But for the most part, the personnel should be
the local one – Armenians should work in an Armenian company.

There is the problem of shift of generations. We have a project
called "HR Reserve" in "VimpelCom", the essence of which is that each
top-manager brings up people to a certain degree, since those people,
sooner or later, will come to substitute him. We will implement this
scheme in "ArmenTel" as well.

– In summer of 2007, you put into commercial exploitation the service
of broadband internet with the use of ADSL technology. How demanded it
proved itself and can we assume that in the course of time "ArmenTel"
will develop this type of services under an independent brand?

– There is a specail group established in the Company, which works to
develop this direction. It is yet quite cumbersome for the subscriber
to connect to this service and we strive to facilitate the process as
much as possible. I believe that in the beginning of 2008, serious
changes will take place, which will concern both the prices and the
types of the services provided.

– Returning to the issue of stereotypes, certain part of the society
has negative emotions for the very name of "ArmenTel", which is
conditioned by the "Greek past" of the Company. On the other hand,
you repeatedly stated that you do not consider the change of the
brand justified before securing high quality of services. How can
this dilemma be solved?

– My personal attitude towards "ArmenTel" brand is very positive. It
is another question that very serious mistakes were made in the past.

I believe that we will not renounce the "ArmenTel" brand concerning
the fixed connection.

What concerns the court examination with the Armenian "Bi Line"
Company, I think that soon this contingency will be solved and we will
have an opportunity to present mobile connection services under our
brand in Armenia. But my strict stance is that we should fundamentally
improve the service, the quality of services and the attitude towards
the subscribers before that. We do not want to position the existing
negative attitude to the new brand.

ARMENIAN JOURNALISTS EMPOWERED TO SOLVE CHILD PROTECTION ISSUES

Source: World Vision Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO)
10 Dec 2007 06:51:45 GMT

Previous | Next Journalists and NGO representatives are discussing
issues on child protection coverage.

World Vision MEERO, Armenian journalists
were equipped to increase public awareness on child protection issues
through a meeting organized in Yerevan by World Vision and the Child
Protection Network in honour of the International Day of Disabled
People, 3 December.

‘The purpose of this meeting is to create a group of journalists who
will cooperate with the Network to present child protection challenges
to the advantage of children,’ said Mira Antonyan, director of Child
Reception and Orientation Center of Fund for Armenian Relief.

The Network emphasized that the present coverage of child protection
issues is limited and lacks a comprehensive and consistent approach.

At the meeting, ten journalists representing both print and broadcast
media were provided with comprehensive information on the state
of child vulnerability in Armenia. As a result of the information
sharing they will be able to provide more accurate and purposeful
coverage of child protection issues.

‘As actors in civil society the media are responsible for covering
child protection issues in a way that contributes to a solution,
rather than a simple engagement of the topic,’ said Artur Martirosyan,
World Vision Armenia’s Child Protection Program policy officer.

Journalists can play a greater role in improving the vulnerability of
children by proactively finding cases of child’s rights violations,
informing the public, NGOs and governmental organizations of the cases,
and following how the cases are handled.

The journalists agreed to inform the Child Protection Network of
all child rights violation cases through a hotline established for
that purpose.

The Network will continue to collaborate with participating journalists
through subsequent information sharing meetings and by coordinating
media coverage.

The Child Protection Network aims to improve collaboration and
coordination of child protection activities. It was established in June
2005, by one governmental and ten non-governmental organizations that
advocate for child protection in Armenia. The Network has established
a hotline so that vulnerable children and their parents can find
psychological, social and material assistance.

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and
not of Reuters. ]

POLICY OF SETTLEMENT IS OUR VULNERABLE SPOT

KarabakhOpen
10-12-2007 12:18:43

When we discuss the drawbacks of the policy of settlement, we usually
recall Kashatagh, part of the population of which left their homes
due to those mistakes.

The reason is the absence of a policy. "The policy of settlement
is our vulnerable spot," said Member of Parliament Vahram Atanesyan
elected from Kashatagh, chair of the National Assembly Committee of
Foreign Relations, in an interview with Karabakh-Open.com. The member
of parliament says no annual program on Kashatagh has been presented
to the parliament by either the former government or the new one,
in which "the activities and budget would be clearly set down, how
many houses should be built, how many people should be settled in
each region, and how much money it should take."

Besides, the houses are ruined, and the stone and other materials
are sold.

They say it is necessary to reconstruct infrastructures but they sell
the old pipes. "It is at least immoral to sell everything that is found
in the region, machines, building materials, and complain that the
government allocates little money for settlement. The administration
of the region lacks public consciousness. They sold the concrete roof
of the dairy farm as building material, put the money in their pocket,
now they are criticizing the government that the money allocated for
repair of houses is not sufficient," said Vahram Atanesyan in a talk
with us. "Would you please at least use those building materials
for the region? If you have sold, do please pay the money to the
budget. This money might have solve certain problems," the member of
parliament said.

Vahram Atanesyan said with regret the unawareness of the society and
our worries that when we criticize drawbacks we favor the foe have
led into a closed circle in which some think they can do whatever
they wish.

AZG Armenian Daily #226, 07/12/2007

Regional

MFA OFFICIAL ANSWER

Armenian Foreign Ministry commented on Turkish and Azerbaijani mass
media’s report on the intention of PKK to install its bases in Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh, and qualified it as having no relation to the
reality and being absurd.

According to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Vladimir Karapetian those
baseless allegations are, but another attempt of provocation.

Translated by L.H.

December 7, 2007
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

WESTERN PRELACY CELEBRATION OF THE
YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE

On Sunday, December 16th, a celebration of the Armenian Language
will take place at "Karapetian" Hall of St. Garabed Church in Hollywood, at
4:00 p.m. The event is being held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and is organized by the Prelacy Outreach
Committee. Dr. Viken Yacoubian, Principal of Rose and Alex Pilibos School,
will lecture on "The Armenian Language: Anchor of our Survival:
The event will also feature a book presentation of Jacques
Hagopian’s "Mesrobaveb" which was published recently by the Prelacy and is
dedicated to the Year of the Armenian language and the inventor of our
Alphabet St. Mesrob Mashdots.

PRELATE PRESIDES OVER DIVINE LITURGY AND
UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL AT ST. GARABED CHURCH

On Sunday, December 2nd, the Feast of the Apostles Saints Thaddeus
and Bartholomew were celebrated at St. Garabed Church with Divine Liturgy
presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who also
delivered the sermon on the first enlightener Apostles of our nation.
Divine Liturgy was celebrated by parish pastor Archpriest Fr. Vicken
Vassilian who was assisted at the altar by the newly ordained deacons.
Referencing the parable of the barren fig tree, the Prelate in his
sermon extolled the lives of Saints Thaddeus and Bartholomew stating that
they planted the seeds of Christianity and, unlike the barren fig tree, bore
the fruits of their labor and illuminated the Armenian nation with the light
of Christ. He continued "let us use our God-given graces and gifts to
glorify Him, to become closer to Christ, nourish our spirits, and enhance
our church, our families, and our community life.
Following Divine Liturgy and requiem the Prelate was led in a
procession to the courtyard to officiate over the unveiling and blessing of
the new memorial. The white marble memorial depicting the Virgin Mary with
baby Jesus in her lap was donated by Mr. Haroutiun Ojenian and his children
Khatchadour and Ojen in memory of his parents Khatchadour Ojenian and
Zarouhie Jawahirian. A marble fountain was also built adjacent to the
memorial.
The Prelate, surrounded by the pastor, deacons, donors, Board of
Trustees, and delegates, blessed the memorial, recited a prayer blessing the
memory of Khatchadour Ojenian and Zarouhie Jawahirian, and expressed his
appreciation and best wishes to Mr. Ojenian and family.
The ceremony came to a close with the Lord’s Prayer and "Giligia".

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
OF ORIENTAL ORTHODOX BISHOPS

On the morning of Tuesday, December 4th, the meeting of the Council
of Oriental Orthodox Bishops of the Western United States took place at St.
Mary and St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in Northridge.
The Prelate participated in the meeting along with Very Rev. Fr.
Muron Aznikian and Rev. Razmig Khatchadourian.
Among the items on the agenda was the third annual gathering for
Oriental Orthodox Churches’ Sunday School students to take place on
Saturday, December 8, at the Western Diocese in Burbank.
Also discussed was the plan of a youth gathering during the Lent.
The council members also sent a joint congratulatory letter to H.H.
Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, who was recently elected
President of the Middle East Council of Churches.

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH CELEBRATION OF THE ARMENIAN
LANGUAGE

Holy Martyrs Church in Encino has organized a celebration of the
Armenian language which will take place under the auspices of the Prelate on
Tuesday, December 11, at 7:30 p.m. The event is organized by the parish
Pastor and Board of Trustees and features Mrs. Azadouhi Ghazarian as the
keynote speaker.
The parish choir members and Sunday School students will participate
in the artistic portion of the program.

PRELATE PRESIDES OVER THE ANNUAL BANQUET OF
THE CRESCENTA VALLEY PARISH

On the evening of Friday, November 30, the annual banquet of the
Crescenta Valley parish took place under the auspices of the Prelate.
The Prelate attended the banquet and was accompanied by Very Rev.
Fathers Muron Aznikian, Fr. Barthev Gulumian and St. Mary’s Church Pastors.
Also in attendance were Executive Council member Mr. Nerses Melkonian, St.
Mary’s Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Zareh Markarian, Delegate Mr. Isahak
Kazanjian, and representatives of sister organizations.
The invocation was offered by Rev. Ardag Demirjian followed by
welcoming remarks by Parish Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Dikran Der
Sarkissian who detailed the activities and projects of the church.
The evening concluded with the benediction by the Prelate who also
conveyed his message to the parish and commended their service.