Author: Jidarian Alex

SABAH: RUSSIA BACKS TURKEY’S BID FOR NON-PERMANENT MEMBER IN UN SECURITY COUNCIL

Focus News, Bulgaria
May 31 2006

Moscow/Ankara. Russian Foreign Minister voiced support for Turkey’s
bid to join the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member in
2009-2010. He announced that in an interview, which he gave in Moscow
and which was published by the Turkish newspaper Sabah. Lavrov is on
an official visit to Turkey today.

The Russian Foreign Minister said the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
should not remain closed and isolated. He added that Iran should not
be left isolated. According to him, the Presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan should meet again to seek a solution to the conflict in
Nagorny Karabakh.

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected] Website; _www.armenianchurch.ca_
(http://www.armenianchurch .ca/)
May 26, 2006
* * *

CANADA: Diocesan Clergy Conference was held in Montreal

The conference of the clergy of the Canadian Diocese of the Armenian
Church was held on Friday May 26, 2006 at the Diocesan Office of the
Armenian Church in Canada, and was presided by, His Eminence Bishop
Bagrat Galstanian, Primate.

The daylong meeting’s agenda items were mainly issues relating to the
mission of the Church and discussion of the activities of the past
year. The Primate offered the invocation. Bishop Galstanian
interpreted the message from the Gospel of St. John (Chapter 17.)
Pointing its relevance to our contemporary issues of today, he said,
`The formation of a community is the reflection of the Holy Trinity.
The Church is involved in that mission, by not only trying to change
the shape of the world, but also to change its essence.

He said, `The Church is for the world.’ Today, particularly on these
shores, it is our sacred duty to lead our children to a spiritual life
and to the orthodox faith.’ The Pontifical message of His Holiness
Karekin II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians addressed
to the Clergy conference was read by Deacon Hagop Arslanian.

The clergy conference then discussed in detail, the spiritual and
re-organizational activities of each parish. Serpazan Hayr
congratulated the pastors for their dedicated work. The conference
highly commended the tireless efforts of the Primate, in actively
pursuing the objectives of the Diocesan Spiritual mission, with a
special attention to the programs of Sunday Schools and the training
of teachers for Christian Education. It was noted that the Ararat
Summer Camp is the most vibrant and rewarding Youth program of our
Diocese where the teaching of our Church History, Rites, and Hymns is
based on modern pedagogical principles. Serpazan Hayr informed the
clergy that during thisyear significant projects are underway such as
the establishment of the Diocesan Youth Ministry Office, Christian
Education Department as well as the development of Armenian Projects.

The Clergy Conference noted with pride the many visits and meetings
that the Primate held; with heads of sister churches, of the Roman
Catholic, Anglican and Evangelical faiths, as well as with Islamic
religious leaders. These co-operative efforts will certainly have a
positive impact on the future course of the Diocesan activities. The
spiritual pilgrimage of Christian Church leaders to Armenia and the
efforts to initiate close contacts with the government officials were
highly appreciated by the Diocesan clergy. The Conference welcomed
the initiative of our Primate to dedicate this year’s Diocesan
Assembly to launch, `The Year of Stewardship.’

The conference ended by prayers to Almighty God for the Brotherhood of
the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and for the health of His Holiness
the Catholicos, as well as for the strengthening of our Motherland,
Armenia.

The Conference was closed by the Lord’s Prayer.

* * * * *

NINOTSMINDA REGION EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE-CENTER HEAD DISCHARGED WITH
REASONING OF NOT KNOWING GEORGIAN

AKHALKALAK, MAY 29, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. With the reasoning
of not knowing Georgian, Robert Skoyan, the former Education
Department head of the Education Resource-Center of the region of
Ninotsminda was discharged.

According to the “A-Info” agency, Marine Zalalian who earlier worked
at Georgian National Security Ministry’s bodies and knows the Georgian
language took the place of Skoyan on this post.

GURGEN ARSENYAN’S TAX BURDEN IS RELIEVED

Lragir.am
24 May 06

On May 23 the National Assembly of Armenia voted down the bill on a
cut in the lump-sum tax on imports of cigars to Armenia. The bill,
which was adopted on the first reading, was introduced by Member
of Parliament Mnatsakan Petrosyan, United Labor Party. The address
of this legislative action was not accidental because the import of
cigars to Armenia is the business of the leader of the United Labor
Party Gurgen Arsenyan. The bill provides for a cut in the lump-sum
tax from 1.5 million drams per 1000 cigars to 550 thousand drams.

Obviously, Gurgen Arsenyan took a legislative action on tax allowances
for himself, which is approved by the majority of the parliament,
at least on the first reading.

Most probably, this is part of the recent deal between the United
Labor Party and the government. The government guarantees softer
conditions on the import of cigars, and Arsenyan agrees to vote for
the legislative actions of the government, somehow filling in the gap
in the coalition. Of course, in return for this the United Labor Party
has also been granted the posts of two deputy governors, one deputy
minister and one minister, but Gurgen Arsenyan apparently knows that
government posts are not stable, whereas he will be importing cigars
for a longer period, having the guarantee of the law. The evidence to
the reliance of Gurgen Arsenyan on import of cigars is the building
in the park in front of the conservatoire, which is said to become a
Cigar Club, reported to belong to Gurgen Arsenyan. In this context,
it is possible that besides arrangements with the government and
government’s instructions the members of parliament had a more
serious motive to vote for more convenient conditions on the import
of cigars. The members of parliament have probably heard about the
Cigar Club, and they are probably hopeful to get an invitation to
the opening night and even try free and quality cigars. Besides,
they probably also expect that with lowers costs on import Gurgen
Arsenyan will sell cigars at a cheaper price, and they will smoke
a good deal of cigars. And we may be sure that he will do, because
Gurgen Arsenyan has already announced once that he is ashamed of
getting excess profit. Although it is also possible that this feeling
has become habitual for Arsenyan, and it may not force him to lower
the price of this product along with the cut in tax on this product.

ELECTIONS OF THE NA PRESIDENT MAY BE SPECIAL

A1+
[11:45 am] 24 May, 2006

“It is possible to not convene a special session and to elect a
NA President during the regular session,” head of the NA majority
Galoust Sahakyan informed “A1+”. “But as June 12 is the fortieth day
since the air crash, I think the elections of the NA President must
be special as it is an important political issue, and on June 12 the
majority of the deputies will be busy in connection with the crash.”

What has the NA Committee done during these forty days? “The NA
Committee mainly supported the work of the Governmental committee. We
also raised money. Our faction itself organized help through the
deputies. We all had friends on board, and this was the approach of
people not of deputies,” Galoust Sahakyan said.

DISCIPLINARY PUNISHMENT IMPOSED ON 66 TRAFFIC POLICEMEN IN 2005

Noyan Tapan
May 22 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. 66 policemen of the RA Police State
Automobile Inspection (SAI) were subjected to disciplinary liability
in 2005.

Disciplinary fines have been imposed on 7 policemen since early
2006. Chief of the RA Police SAI Ishkhan Ishkhanian stated this at
the May 19 press conference.

According to him, a large number of traffic policemen failed the
attestation conducted on the instructions of the RA Police Chief –
due to lack of knowledge.

570 employess currently work in the SAI.

IRAN REPORTS SUSPECTED BIRD FLU DEATHS

Armenpress
May 23 2006

TEHRAN, MAY 23, ARMENPRESS; Medical officials in Iran say local
tests indicate two people have died of bird flu. If confirmed by
international laboratories, they will be the country’s first deaths
from the H5N1 strain of the disease.

A 41-year-old man and his 26-year-old sister are among five members of
the same family who became sick after returning from a trip to the town
of Marivan, close to their home in the northwestern city of Kermanshah.

Officials say the three surviving relatives are in hospital and one
of them remains dangerously ill. A number of Iran’s neighbors have
reported deaths from the virus in recent months. Bird flu has killed
at least 123 people, mostly in Asia, since December 2003.

ARMRUSGAZPROM’S AUTHORIZED CAPITAL TO GROW ALMOST TWOFOLD SOON

Noyan Tapan
May 22 2006

YEREVAN, MAY 22, NOYAN TAPAN. Proportions of ArmRusagazprom’s
authorized capital will change soon, as the 5th power unit of Hrazdan
Thermal Power Plant will make part of this authorized capital in the
amount of its sale value. The company’s authorized capital currently
makes 280 mln USD. Director General of ArmRusgazprom Karen Karapetian
stated this during a round table on May 22.

In his words, the Armenian government will keep the number
of its shares unchanged. K. Karapetain said that the owners of
ArmRusgazprom have decided to expand their business, which requires
additional financial resources. It was noted that the founders have
the opportunity to invest the increased resources immediately after
taking a decision, or in the future, or else not to make invsetment at
all. The proportion of investments to be made will be determined after
the end of negotiations that are currently underway. It was indicated
that in case the Armenian government does not make any investment in
the additional business, it will not affect the number of this extra
business’ shares in any way. In the words of K. Karapetian, the sale of
Hrazdan TPP’s 5th unit was a profitable tranbsaction, since it offers
Armenia an unprecedented opportunity to have a guaranteed and logical
tariff for three years. And if the economy is managed efficiently,
the Armenian manufacturers will be able to occupy all markets of
the region in the next three years. The speaker noted that work on
relaunching the 5th power unit will start soon.

FRENCH PARLIAMENT POSTPONES DISCUSSION ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CLAIMS

ABHaber, Belgium
EU Turkey News Network
May 18 2006

French Parliament postponed yesterday discussions on a draft law
which proposes “any denial of Armenian genocide claims a crime”.

French National Assembly President Jean-Louis Debre closed the session
on Thursday without voting on the draft law. The issue will be taken
up later.

French parliament sources said that a possible voting on the draft
law would not be held until new legislation term began in October.

EAT AND SHOP AT ARMENIAN FAIR

Belmont Citizen-Herald, MA
May 18 2006

The Armenian Memorial Church in Watertown will host its Annual Fair
this Saturday, May 20, at the church from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., rain
or shine.

In addition to Armenian food, the fair will feature a semi-annual sale
of new gift and household merchandise as well as a silent auction of
gift certificates and jewelry.

For months the women of the church have been preparing Armenian
delicacies. Some of the main dishes and pastries available for sale
are paklava, khadayif, cheoreg, monti., kufte, tourshi (Armenian
pickles), and other baked desserts. The Ladies’ Aide of the church,
under President Angel Parseghian of Belmont, coordinates the specialty
foods tables.

Barbecued beef, chicken and josh (ground meat) kebabs will be served
under the tent all day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will include sauce,
pilaf, salad and bread. Take-out is available.

The sale of new gift and household merchandise from a chain store,
all at bargain prices, features indoor and outdoor furniture, outdoor
patio and summer accessories, lamps, chairs, rugs, a large collection
of children’s books and games, and much more.

The Armenian Memorial Church is located at 32 Bigelow Avenue,
Watertown, just off Mount Auburn Street in Coolidge Square. Admission
is free. For more information, call the church at 617-923-0498.