Author: Kajoyan Gevork

SEPTEMBER 2 OF 1991 IS OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE FOR ARMENIANS – KARABAKH PRESIDENT

news.am
Sept 1 2011
Armenia

STEPANAKERT. – Nagorno-Karabakh President Bako Sahakyan held solemn
ceremony of rewarding on Thursday. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan
was also present at the event.

Active participants of the Karabakh conflict, servicemen, outstanding
social-political figures, philanthropists, representatives of culture,
education and sport, journalists from Karabakh, Armenia and Diaspora
were awarded with Karabakh state reward on the occasion of the 20
years of Karabakh independence.

Karabakh president congratulated all for the memorable day. Head of
Karabakh state called September 2 the day of historical importance,
marking the day of independence of Artsakh.

Armenian President also congratulated and stated that the independence
was an important event for Armenia too. Artsakh is the pride for all
Armenians. Other high-ranking officials participated in the event
as well.

Turkey to Station U.S. Radar to Counter Iranian Rockets
SEPTEMBER 2, 2011
BY ADAM ENTOUS

WASHINGTON – Turkey has agreed to station a high-powered U.S. radar on
its territory as part of a missile defense system to protect NATO
allies from the threat of long-range Iranian rockets.

The deal for Turkey to host the so-called X-Band radar at one of its
military bases accelerates deployment of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization-backed early warning system.

The deal could also ratchet up tensions between Turkey and Iran, which
sees the system as a threat.

Relations between Ankara and Tehran have deteriorated in recent
months, particularly over differences over how to respond to Syria’s
violent crackdown on antiregime demonstrations. Turkey has condemned
the violence and appears to be moving increasingly toward breaking
with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Iran is supporting Mr. Assad, providing him with equipment and
know-how to put down the demonstrations, U.S. officials say.

A senior U.S. defense official said the goal was to have the AN/TPY-2
radar in place in Turkey before the end of this year.

A site has already been identified for the radar at a Turkish military
installation. The senior defense official declined to identify its
location.

Negotiations with Turkey over hosting the radar started earlier this
year and picked up pace in June.

Turkey was concerned that data collected at the radar site could be
shared real time with Israel.

U.S. officials told Turks that the United States has a “separate and
robust” missile defense relationship with Israel, where the United
States based a high-powered X-Band radar in 2008 to bolster Israel’s
missile defenses. The system is identical to the radar going to
Turkey.

That radar can track any Iranian missile aimed at Israel.

But the U.S. made clear that data from any U.S. radars around the
world may be fused with other data to maximize the effectiveness of
its missile defenses.

The sharing of data with Israel was a sensitive political issue for
Turkey. Relations between the two states have frayed over Israel’s
blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The senior defense official attributed Turkey’s decision to host the
radar to stepped up efforts by Ankara to close ranks with NATO and
improve relations with the U.S.

The official playing down the impact of Syria tensions on Turkey’s
decision. “I don’t think recent events played a role. They were
heading in this direction,” the official said.

Turkey was one of several NATO states in talks to host the advanced
X-Band radar as part of the NATO missile shield.

Several Republican senators have voiced reservations with Turkey
hosting the radar because of the government’s refusal to share the
data collected with Israel.

Though the radar systems in Turkey and Israel will operate separately,
the senior U.S. defense official made clear the U.S. could integrate
the data.

“Any U.S. radars around the world may be fused with other data to
maximize the effectiveness of our missile defenses,” the official
said.

President Barack Obama announced plans in September 2009 to integrate
sea- and land-based missile defenses in and around its NATO allies in
Europe in a system referred to as the “phased adaptive approach.”

The system slated for Turkey to protect NATO states is similar to the
AN/TPY-2 radar deployed in Japan to help protect against the North
Korean threat.

Under the European system, data from the new radar site in Turkey will
be integrated with U.S. Navy cruisers and destroyers equipped with the
Aegis ballistic missile defense system in offshore waters.

Built by Raytheon Co, the system locks on to targets in their boost,
midcourse and terminal phases. U.S. officials say the AN/TPY-2 system
works best when the installations are arrayed along an arc around the
perceived threat area.

U.S. intelligence agencies have long warned about Iran’s growing
missile threat and officials say antiballistic missile systems should
cover all of Europe by 2018.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:

SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

HURRICANE IRENE CAUSES WATER DAMAGE AT PRELACY

Hurricane Irene which brought extensive havoc along the east coast
caused heavy water damage at the Prelacy headquarters in
Manhattan. The first floor offices where most of the Prelacy personnel
have offices sustained water damage to the offices and the computers,
printers, copier, etc. that are located in that area.

Since Monday the Prelacy staff, led by the Executive Director
Dr. Vazken Ghougassian, has been actively involved in trying to
salvage as much as possible. Most affected personnel have been
relocated to other areas in the building and some are working from
their homes. This issue of Crossroads is being prepared off-site and
will be transmitted off-site since the Internet connection at the
Prelacy has been compromised and has not been working since last
weekend.

Still, when we see the widespread flooding and suffering of thousands
of people, we are thankful that our losses are minor in comparison. We
express our thanks to the Prelacy staff members all of whom have been
working above and beyond the call of duty and whose efforts will
return us to normalcy very soon.

YERESGIN SIRARPI KIHOYAN, 106

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Yeretsgin Sirarpi
Khoyan on August 26, at the age of 106.

The viewing and homecoming services took place last night, August 31,
at Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, where Yeretsgin was a
beloved member. Funeral services took place this morning, followed by
a Memorial luncheon in the Soorp Khatch Community Hall. Interment will
take place in Philadelphia tomorrow, September 2, at Westminster
Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. In Lieu of Flowers donations
are being accepted for Soorp Khatch Church, 4906 Flint Drive,
Bethesda, Maryland 20816.

Archbishop Oshagan, who is enroute from overseas, expressed his
condolences to the family and to the parishioners of Soorp Khatch
Church. The Prelate noted how “Every April I looked forward to
Yeretsgin’s presence on Capitol Hill during April 24
commemorations. She was always there as a representative of a
generation whose physical presence will soon be gone, but they will
always live in our hearts, minds, and souls.”

PRELATE CALLS FOR PRAYERS ON 10th ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11

Archbishop Oshagan has announced that on Sunday, September 11, on the
occasion of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, all Eastern Prelacy
parishes will remember and honor the victims of the attacks in New
York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001.

His Eminence has asked that the sermon on that day reflect on the
events that took place ten years ago, and he asks the faithful to pray
for the souls of the victims, as well for their families during the
Der Voghormya (Lord have mercy).

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL OPEN AYF OLYMPIC GAMES

Archbishop Oshagan will offer the opening prayer at the AYF Olympic
games on Sunday, September 4, which this year is being held in
Chicago. Thousands of Armenians are expected to attend the three-day
sports and social events.

MID-WEST REGIONAL CONFERENCE

The Mid-West Regional Conference for members of the Boards of Trustees
and National Representative Assembly delegates, will take place on
Saturday, September 10 at St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan. The
conference is organized by the Religious and Executive Councils of the
Prelacy. The conference is open to all clergy, board members, and NRA
delegates in the Mid-West area. The conference will begin at 10 am and
conclude at 4 pm.

TEACHERS’ SEMINAR ORGANIZED BY ANEC

The Armenian National Education Committee will hold a teachers’
seminar on Saturday, October 1, at the Prelacy headquarters in
Manhattan. The seminar will address challenges and needs that Armenian
schools confront in their educational activities. The seminar will
include presentations by Dr. Arsine Oshagan, a recognized educator
from Philadelphia, and Dr. Vartan Matiossian, Executive Director of
ANEC. It will be a welcome opportunity for all schools and teachers to
come together and reflect on the particulars of Armenian education.

For information and registration, please contact the ANEC office at
212-689-7231 or 212-589-7810 or write to [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]?subject11 Teachers’ Seminar).

LINKED IN 2011

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The Prelacy’s annual LinkedIn gathering for young professionals and
college students will take place October 7 to 9, at the Archdiocesan
Center at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Connecticut. The
educational and social program begins Friday evening and continues to
Sunday, with lectures, spiritual enrichment, Bible studies,
meditations, liturgical services, and bonding with peers through
various activities including discussion groups and fellowship
hours. Registration information is posted on the Prelacy’s web page (

). There is also information on Facebook (

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VICAR IS PARTICIPATING IN YOUTH CONFERENCE

Bishop Anoushavan is in Lebanon where he participated in a number of
meetings and conferences. Today and tomorrow he is participating in an
Armenian Youth Conference in Bikfaya organized by the youth department
of the Holy See of Cilicia.

His Grace also participated in a conference devoted to the Western
Armenian language, and the joint meetings of the committees
considering the canonization of the Armenian Martyrs.

BLESSING OF GRAPES

Parishes throughout the Eastern Prelacy celebrated the traditional and
popular Blessing of the Grapes ceremony.

In this photo Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, pastor of St. Gregory
Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, blesses the grapes that were
later distributed to the parishioners

BLESSING OF GRAPES AT NEW YORK HOME

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, and
parishioners visited the Armenian Home for the Aged in Flushing, New
York, on August 17, at which time Der Mesrob conducted the Blessing of
the Grapes ceremony for the residents and staff members of the Home.

Rev. Fr. Lakissian explained the centuries-old tradition of the grape
blessing ceremony prior to the service. The tradition was incorporated
into Christianity in Armenia and now coincides with the Christian
feast of the Assumption of St. Mary.

Der Mesrob, Seta Balmanoukian, Tamar Lakissian, and Sossi Essajanian
recited prayers dedicated to St. Mary. An extra added treat for the
residents this year were recitations and songs performed by three
young girls, Taleen Lakissian, Anna Maria Manoogian, and Salpy
Ketchelian.

Der Mesrob visits the Home and worships with the residents every
Wednesday. He also makes special visits to those who are ill at the
Home or in the hospital. His weekly visits are lovingly anticipated by
the residents and the staff.

Der Mesrob distributes the blessed grapes to the residents of the
Home.

Der Hayr with board members and staff of the Home and parishioners of
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral.

HAIGANUSH BEDROSIAN APPOINTED IN RHODE ISLAND

Congratulations to Haiganush Bedrosian who was recently appointed
chief judge of the Rhode Island Family Court, by the governor, Joseph
Carcieri. She is the first Armenian American and the first woman to be
appointed to this post.

Judge Bedrosian is an active member of Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Providence, Rhode Island, and she currently serves as a delegate to
the Eastern Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly (NRA)
representing the Providence parish.

Judge Bedrosian received her law degree from Suffolk University in
Boston. Early in her illustrious career she worked in private
practice, specializing in family law and also worked as a presecutor
in the early 1970s.

SUPPORT SOUGHT FOR TANIEL VAROUJAN ARMENIAN SCHOOL

Severe storms on July 23 (not related to Hurricane Irene that affected
the east coast) inflicted serious damage to the Taniel Varoujan
Armenian School in Chicago. The school, which depends on the All
Saints Armenian Church in Glenview, Illinois, was flooded with a foot
of water, which included sewage that ruined many essential materials
used in the school. The water was pumped out with the help of many
community members. The school was cleaned and disinfected, making it
suitable for the start of the 2011-2012 academic year on September 17.

Some items were recovered, but the list of losses is significant,
including new computers, copy machine and printer, two projectors,
caninets, book shelves, games, textbooks, instructional materials,
etc. The school board and administration are asking the support of the
greater community to help cover the the cost of replacing the
losses. Donations in any amount will be appreciated and can be sent
to: Taniel Varoujan Armenian School, 1701 N. Greenwood Road, Glenview,
IL 60026.

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BIBLE READING

Bible readings for Sunday, September 4, third Sunday after the
Assumption, Eve of the Fast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, are:
Isaiah 14:1-11; 2 Corinthians 7:4-16; Mark 7:31-37.

Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon
towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They
brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and
they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private,
away from the crowd, and put his finger into his ears, and he spat and
touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to
him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were
opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus
ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more
zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure,
saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear
and the mute to speak.” (Mark 7:31-37)

THE 318 FATHERS OF THE HOLY COUNCIL OF NICAEA

This Saturday, September 3 the Armenian Church commemorates the First
Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea in Asia Minor in the year 325, and
the 318 Church Fathers who attended. The Council was cconvened by
Emperor Constantine. The Armenian Church participated in this Council
and contributed toward the victory of orthodoxy. Aristakes, son of
Gregory the Illuminator, represented the Armenian Church. The Council
is mentioned in the writings of Moses of Khoren and Agathangelos. In
later centuries and in all their doctrinal writings, the Fathers of
the Armenian Church referred to the Council of Nicaea with veneration
and the Nicene Creed (Havatamk) was incorporated into the Armenian
Liturgy. The Council condemned Arianism (which denied the full
divinity of Christ) and proclaimed that the orthodox position is the
belief in “one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of God and
Father, Only Begotten, of the substance of the Father. God from God,
Light from light, true God, beg!
otten and not made.” (from the Nicene Creed recited during the
Armenian Divine Liturgy).

PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF EXALTATION

This Sunday, September 4, is the Paregentan of the Fast leading to the
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachveratz), which is next
Sunday, September 11). Because the Exaltation is a Tabernacle Feast,
it is preceded by a week (Monday to Friday) of fasting.

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE HOLY MOTHER

Next Thursday, September 8, is the Feast of the Nativity of the Holy
Mother of God. The birth of Mary is not recorded in the Bible. The
account of this event comes to us from other writings that are not
part of the New Testament. According to tradition, Joachim and Anna
were faithful and pious, waiting for the promised Messiah. They were
elderly and childless. They prayed to God for a child and were blessed
with a daughter, who they named Mary and who would become the Mother
of the Messiah.

MONDAY IS LABOR DAY

This Monday, September 5, is Labor Day, celebrated in the United
States and Canada. Labor Day, which always falls on the first Monday
of September, was initiated by the labor movement more than a century
ago, and became a Federal holiday by an act of Congress. It is
dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. Through
the years it has become the marker for the unofficial end of summer.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September 10Mid-West Regional Conference, organized by the Religious
and Executive Councils of the Eastern Prelacy, and hosted by
St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan. Conference is open to all
Prelacy clergy, board of trustee members, and NRA
delegates. Conference begins at 10 am and ends at 4 pm.

September 11Picnic-Festival, sponsored by St. Gregory Church and
St. Michael Parish on Main Street in North Andover Town Center
(Massachusetts), 1 to 6 pm. Main Street in front of both parishes will
be closed to traffic. Delicious Armenian and American cuisine;
Armenian and American music; games and activities; plenty of free
parking. For information: 978-685-5038 (St. Gregory) or 978-686-4050
(St. Michael).

September 16Annual Golf Tournament, All Saints Armenian Church,
Glenview, Illinois. For details contact Hagop Soulakian, 847-858-7685.

September 18Annual picnic of St. Stephen’s Church, New
Britain-Hartford, Connecticut, at the Quartette Club grounds, Wooster
Street, New Britain, beginning at noon. All invited to enjoy Armenian
food, delicacies, music and hospitality. Admission is free.

September 19St. Stephen’s Armenian School/ACEC, Watertown,
Massachusetts, 16th Annual Golf Outing at Framingham Country Club. For
golf or sponsor information: 781-326-5764.

September 19St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Golf
Outing. For information: 215-482-9200.

September 229th Annual Golf Outing, Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Shotgun start. Lunch, dinner, golf with cart,
raffles, and prizes. River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New
Jersey. Information: Mark Alashaian 201-394-2270 or Sarkis Shirinian
201-307-0825.

September 25St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Annual
Lobster Fest. For information: 215-482-9200.

September 268th Annual Golf Outing, Sterling National Country Club,
Sterling, Massachusetts, sponsored by the Men’s Club of the Holy
Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. For
information contact Kap Kaprielian [email protected] or call
508-872-9629.

October 7-9LiNKEDin 2011: “Commitment: The First Step of a Spiritual
Journey,” at The Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary,
Boomfield, Connecticut.

October 15St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gala Banquet
at Founders Hall. For information: 215-482-9200.

October 16St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York, NY, Book presentation
of Yergir-2, by Hrair Hawk Khatcherian, at 1 pm. For information:
212-689-5880.

November 4-5St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ladies
Guild Annual Bazaar. For information: 215-482-9200.

November 18-20Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual
Bazaar and Food Festival. Live entertainment Friday and Saturday,
Children’s Activities, Vendors. Holmemade Manti, Kufte, Sou Buereg,
Choreg and more. Traditional Kavourma dinner on Sunday. Extensive
mezze and dessert menu for your Thanksgiving table available for
take-out.

November 26St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Men’s Club
Steak Dinner. For information: 215-482-9200.

December 3St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Men’s Club
Steak Dinner. For information: 215-482-9200.

December 18St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sunday
School Christmas Pageant. For information: 215-482-9200.

December 31St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New Year’s
Eve Celebration. For information: 215-482-9200.

May 9-12, 2012National Representative Assembly of the Eastern Prelacy,
hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island. Clergy
conference on May 9; full delegation May 10 to 12. Accommodations at
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick, Rhode Island. Details will be forthcoming
to parishes and delegates.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys web
site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to
your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

ARE ARMENIAN DIPLOMATS ENTERPRISING?

08:42 pm | September 01, 2011

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Manasaryan gave an interview
to “A1+”.

“A1+”: How would you assess the readiness and efforts of Armenia’s
diplomatic corpus? :

Sergey Manasaryan: If we speak of that, we must take into account
the fact that we didn’t have a diplomatic corpus twenty years
ago. Of course, the situation has changed because we are seeing a new
generation of educated and experienced diplomats and we finally have
a diplomatic school that we created through combined efforts. That
was a serious step. I took part in the exams and can say that the
youth are at a rather high level. Today, we have diplomats speaking
more than one language and I see a good future.

“A1+”: Can you tell us the percentage of diplomats that have vocational
education?

S. M.: It’s hard to say, but it’s not right to speak of vocational
education. If we used to speak of those who graduated from MSIIA
(Moscow State Institute of International Affairs-ed.) during the
Soviet era, it would be a little wrong to speak of vocational education
since most of the best diplomats hadn’t graduated from that institute.

“A1+”: There is a tradition that the RA President’s or the RA Foreign
Minister’s press speakers move on to diplomatic service after their
dismissal. Let us recall Dzyunik Aghajanyan, Vahe Gabrielyan, Ashot
Kocharyan and Ara Papyan.

S. M.: Perhaps we could say the opposite. The diplomats commissioned
to the presidential apparatus continue to work as diplomats. Vahe
Gabrielyan and Ashot Kocharyan are diplomats at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.

“A1+”: Mr. Manasaryan, the granting of a juridical status to national
churches in Georgia raised a big wave of protest among Armenians. What
is the official Yerevan doing to resist that?

S. M.: It is all a little exaggerated. Of course, there are people who
look at the matter differently. According to the Georgian church’s
official explanations (it didn’t only refer to Armenian churches),
what happened was the result of the rather high-level relations between
the countries and the presidents. Yes, that step led to a big wave
of protest among Armenians, but I don’t think it is serious and that
it will be ongoing.

“A1+”: Are you assuring that Georgian-Armenians and Armenians in
Javakhk are not in danger?

S. M.: No, there is no and won’t be any danger because I hope that
Georgia is treating the matter as seriously as Armenia is, and nobody
needs further tension.

“A1+”: You have been working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
since 1996. How would you assess Armenia’s current policy? There is
an opinion that Armenia is passive. Do you think Armenia’s Ministry
of Foreign Affairs is passive or enterprising?

S. M.: Armenia’s foreign policy now has many vectors. I wouldn’t
say it is passive. Leading a policy in quite a lot of directions is
enterprising. In many cases, we try to criticize and not notice the
many achievements. I would like to bring up the failure of Azerbaijan’s
latest initiative as an example. It was a victory. If joint efforts
weren’t made, we wouldn’t have achieved such a result.

The current state of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is like no other
in the past.

“A1+”: In what sense?

S. M.: In the sense that the international community accepts Armenia’s
position.

“A1+”: Perhaps Armenia is the one accepting the international
community’s position.

S. M.: No, let’s remember that about six years ago, everyone said
the issue of territorial integrity should have been taken out of the
proposed document. Who recalls that now? Now they say everything is
equivalent and they can’t be separated. Isn’t that a victory?

“A1+”: Wasn’t Armenia imposed to sign the Turkey-Armenia Protocols?

S. M.: No, who could have imposed?

“A1+”: Super powers.

S. M.: I don’t think so. Armenia could have given an evaluation from
different angles, but I don’t think it was imposed. Those Protocols
are in Armenia’s interests. We will have an open border and an open
road. Turkey showed the world that it isn’t ready or tolerant, but
I think the opening of the Armenian-Turkish border is a matter of time.

Interview by Diana Markosyan

NEVER TOO LATE: TAKING MEASURES TO PROMOTE ARMENIAN WIKIPEDIA
by Lusine Grigoryan

Watching the Watchers.org

Sept 1 2011

(This is the eighth installment in a series of updates from the
WikiHistories summer research fellows, who will be studying the
virtual community history of different Wikipedia editing communities.)

Almost 15.000 articles since 2003 and just a few dozen active
contributors: how to change the situation?

Well, looks like 2011 can be a year of change for
Õ~NÕ”O~DÕ”O~CÕ¥Õ¤Õ”Õ¡- the Armenian Wikipedia, as the community,
supporting organizations and even the state have started taking
Wikipedia seriously.

Armenian Wikipedians and volunteers translating Wikipedia guidelines
at the hackathon, April 2011 For the first time on April 3 of this
year, a 1-day Wikipedia hackathon was organized for Wikipedians and
their friends to come together in one place and translate Wikipedia
policies and guidelines.

About 50 people gathered and 17 guidelines were translated during
the day. Even though many of those 50 people did not edit another
article afterwards, it was an important step for the development of
the Õ~NÕ”O~DÕ”O~CÕ¥Õ¤Õ”Õ¡: this in fact was the first event organized
by a few interested parties such as educational — humanitarian
foundations, software developing firms, IT NGOs and of course, the
Wikimedia community.

It all started after Richard Stallman’s visit to Armenia. The
Web2.0 activist shared his enthusiasm about open, interactive and
collaborative online platforms and suggested, “Why not have another
look at Wikipedia?”.

Armine, who works for the educational NGO “Instigate” says that
Stallman’s enthusiasm was contagious and, soon after his visit, she
and her colleagues registered on Wikipedia, tried and loved it. They
thought this was something particularly useful for kids and students
and they announced the start of the “Wikipedia: School and University-
Armenia” project that now unifies 6 organizations and groups, including
the Wikipedia community.

Apart from the hackathon, the initiators of the project visited
a few schools: not all of the school headmasters greeted them with
enthusiasm, but some were really open to innovations. However, it was
Spring, the end of the school year, and both teachers and pupils were
too busy to try something new.

15-year-old Mariam is the head of the student council at the Anania
Shirakatsi National Lycee. She is eager to take the first steps as
soon as the schools open in September. She has asked some of the
active Wikipedians to teach the students the basics of editing and
the main principles of the Armenian Wiki community. She says that
every student in the Lycee writes over 10 essays during the school
year that can be suitable for the online encyclopedia. Besides,
she thinks that Wiki platform can be a good place for developing and
editing the articles in collaboration with classmates and teachers.

“What can be more attractive for children than the feeling that their
work will be available and useful for millions of people. This will
also make them more responsible and motivated”,- says Armine. She
believes that the sense of collaboration is ideal for classrooms and
hopes that more schools will adopt the tool.

The idea has been proposed to the Ministry of Education as well. The
reaction was positive, but so far it hasn’t gone any further.

Separate from the School and University project, another Wikipedian –
SusikMkr (Susanna Lazarian), has started a process for establishing
a Wikimedia Chapter in Armenia. “The community will not grow without
a proper organization”, she says.

Susanna works at the Science Management Department of the National
Science Academy Computing Institute of Armenia. Discovering Armenian
Wikipedia, she was astonished to find the right tool for promoting
science and knowledge but disappointed with the current situation. She
registered as a Wikipedia contributor last December. Since then she
has been reading the policies and studying the experience of other
countries trying to find ways for developing Wikipedia. In August
she took part in the WikiMania 2011 conference in Haifa and gave
a presentation about the situation in Armenia, with suggestions on
how to change it. Now she says she is in touch with the Wikimedia
Foundation and has their full support to realize her plan, i. e. to
increase the number of contributors and articles, and establish a
chapter for coordinating the job.

Armenian Wiki community discussing the measures of Wikipedia promotion
in Armenia This Saturday she invited the active Wikipedians for a talk
and discussion of her ideas. She says she already has the support of
the Science Academy: they will provide a room and most likely some
computers for the workshop and training. Also, the Academy is happy
to help with the content.

“We have lots of great minds, scientists who are retired and do
not know how to keep themselves busy. We also have high rates of
unemployment in the country, so there are a lot of people who have
the knowledge but don’t know how to share it. They do not know about
Wikipedia. We need to inform and train people”, Susanna insists.

She is also up for more practical approaches: schools should
incorporate Wikipedia in the curriculum, universities should
take responsibility for enriching the encyclopedia with X number
of articles per month, including policy translations. Also, there
might be competitions for Wikipedia articles to encourage children
to start contributing.

The veteran-Wikipedians, however, are a bit sceptical about these
plans. Being guards of Wikipedia traditions and rules, they strongly
believe in “good faith”, “openness”, voluntarism” of Wikipedia. If
there is any chance that anyone will be paid or forced to contribute
to Wikipedia, the community will resist.

Susanna promises not to break the rules and to discuss every step with
the community and the Foundation, but one thing is clear for her:
she needs to do something about the situation. For her Wikipedia is
not just a tool but a philosophy that can be used in all spheres of
cultural, social and academic life. 10 years after the creation of
Wikipedia, Armenians want to give it another try and really make use
of it.

SINGER ANDRE SAYS HE’S RECEIVED NUMEROUS THREATS FROM AZERBAIJAN

Panorama
Sept 1 2011
Armenia

Famous Armenian singer Andre’s official website has been attacked by
Azerbaijani hackers on August 31. “We Never Forget Mubariz Ibrahimov”
message is posted on the homepage of It’s said the
website is broken by AsSerT. Hacking websites is a cyber crime and
is subjected to criminal punishment.

Panorama.am asked the singer to make remarks on this respect. Andre
told us he’s being subjected to Azerbaijani xenophobic attacks since
2006, when a singer from Artsakh presented Armenia in “Eurovision”
song contest.

– How did you find out that andre.am has been hacked?

– As soon as I was back from USA, I received messages and calls
from friends informing that my website was broken. This isn’t the
first attempt; in 2006 it happened twice after I, being a singer
from Artsakh, presented Armenia in “Eurovision”. I quickly turned to
appropriate structures, who are involved in this issue.

– So, you’ve felt Armenophobia just because you were born in Artsakh.

– I’ve received numerous threats from Azerbaijanis in address to
my family and to myself. I’ve saved all those data and sent them
to appropriate structures. Azerbaijan demanded from the European
Broadcasting Union to cut any point on Artsakh, Stepanakert and NKR
out from my biography. The only thing they managed to do is moving
of the word “republic”, while the rest has been left unchanged.

– Why have you again been targeted by Azerbaijan?

– I think that after the victory of Azerbaijan in “Eurovision”,
my fan clubs urge my second participation in Eurovision 2012 in
Baku. When I was asked to have another participation in Eurovision,
I used to joke that I would do it only when the contest was held
in Baku. To be serious, if a decision is adopted I’m ready to go to
Baku and present Armenia. Maybe Azerbaijani hackers decided to act
now. They just don’t understand that the most important victory we
already have – the independence of Artsakh.

ANGELA SARAFYAN – CRUSH OF THE DAY
By: Chris Illuminati

KOWB

Sept 1 2011
Wyoming

Angela Sarafyan was born in Armenia and moved to the United States
at the age of four. Finally! Immigration the whole country can get
behind. We should be all for sneaking people into the country illegally
so long as they are obscenely attractive and either immediately,
or eventually, end up in a bikini on the cover of a magazine. Now
there is a platform that will get a person elected.

Sarafyan played Samantha Evans on the Fox sitcom ‘T’he Good Guys.’
Wasn’t that the show with Tom Hanks’ son that doesn’t rap and the guy
who played Alpha Beta leader Roger in the second greatest movie in
the last 100 years, ‘Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise?’ To
answer the question on everyone’s mind, the greatest movie of the
last 100 years is ‘Revenge of the Nerds.’ Don’t argue. Losing battle.

Sarafyn is scheduled to play an Egyptian vampire in some movie called
‘Breaking Dawn,’ the fourth in the ‘Twilight’ series and the answer
to the question “what’s the third greatest movie of the last one
hundred years?” You are learning so much today. You’re welcome.

Sarafyan will also star in the upcoming comedy ‘A Good Old Fashioned
Orgy,’ which was also the name of your grandmother’s autobiography.

MILITARY PROSECUTOR PROMISES FULL DISCLOSURE OF DECEASED SOLDIER’S CASE

Tert.am
16:42 01.09.11

Armenia’s Military Prosecutor Gevorg Kostanyan says the investigation
into the death of Aghasi Abrahamyan, an Armenian conscript who
served in Nagorno Karabakh, will soon lead to a full disclosure of
the incident.

“The investigation continues, and I think we’ll have a full picture
in the near future,” he told Tert.am from Karabakh.

Abrahamyan, 18, was conscripted to Nagorno Karabakh from Yerevan. He
was hospitalized with serious injuries on August 26 and died an
hour later. The soldier was reportedly unconscious when taken to a
military hospital.

To clarify the circumstances of the incident Kostanyan and the head
of the Defense Ministry’s Investigative Department, Armen Harutyunyan,
left for Nagorno Karabakh last week.

Later, a soldier and an officer of the military unit were reported
to have been detained in this connection.

RUSSIA SIGNS DEALS UNDER AMBITIOUS WEAPONS PROCUREMENT PROGRAM

PanARMENIAN.Net
September 1, 2011 – 16:33 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said he
has signed all deals under an ambitious weapons procurement program
except for one, following official criticism that the military was
falling short of its annual plan.

“The signings took place yesterday and the day before, there’s only
the contract with the United Shipbuilding Corporation that’s left,”
Serdyukov told reporters on Thursday, September 1.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin instructed the ministry
to conclude all deals under the procurement program for 2011 by
September. The ministry has been criticized by the Kremlin for making
slow progress on the program.

Alexander Sukhorukov, the former head of the Russian arms procurement
service Rosoboronzakaz, was appointed deputy defense minister by
President Dmitry Medvedev earlier on Thursday.

Sukhorukov will be overseeing an $730-billion procurement program
through 2020, RIA Novosti reported.

GRAND OPENING OF PAROS LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION’S SHELTER/WOMEN’S CENTER

Noyan Tapan
01.09.2011 | 13:15

Organisations

Paros “Lighthouse” Charitable Foundation is proud to announce the
Grand Opening of its 13,000 sq. ft. shelter/women’s center in the
village of Ptghounk in the Armavir region. This impressive facility
is the first of its kind in Armenia.

Special guests from around the world, Armenian government officials,
and NGO representatives attended the opening ceremony on July 2, 2011.

Very Reverend Fr. Barthev Gulumian blessed the altar in the prayer
room as well as the staff and residents a few days following the
event. The building is the achievement of California residents Zuhrab
and Seta Ghazarian who have been inspired to serve their homeland by
their humble wish to fulfill God’s work.

The Ghazarian’s have constructed the center to assist pregnant girls,
abused mothers and their babies, feed the elderly, offer Bible study
classes for people in the surrounding community, and with local clergy
perform the sacrament of Holy Baptism in the Armenian Church. Fifteen
fully-appointed rooms safely house and feed neglected mothers with
their babies as well as pregnant women. In addition, the complex
accommodates the Foundation’s administrative offices, medical exam
rooms, dental office, restaurant-style kitchen, reception hall, and
sewing and computer training centers. All services are provided free
of charge.

The shelter is currently home to three teenage mothers and their
babies.Each of these young women relates a heart-rending story of
abuse and tragedy.

Seta shared, “On July 28th, God used us for His Glory again. We were
blessed by saving another life. We welcomed our third teenage girl with
her four-month old baby boy. She grew up in an orphanage and married
very young. She had the baby, but her husband and mother-in-law kicked
her out of the house with her infant son. After spending several
days and nights in the streets, she decided to commit suicide. She
put her baby safely on the ground and tried to throw herself from a
bridge. But God sent an angel down to help her, and save both mother
and child. When they reached our facility, they were examined by our
in-house physician, and found to be undernourished, but otherwise
healthy.”

On August 21st, Paros Lighthouse Charitable Foundation saw the birth
of its first baby of the shelter. This happy event came after much
tragedy for the new mother. She miscarried her first baby because of
repeated beatings by her husband. When she turned to her father for
safety, her stepmother sent her back to her husband. Soon, she was
pregnant again. The husband started beating her and she again ran
to her parents, who insisted that she get an abortion. However, her
parents had no money, so they tried to force an abortion by starving
and beating her. Determined not to lose another baby, the young woman
phoned a hotline, which led her to the shelter.

After spending the last four months of her pregnancy at the shelter,
the young mother gave birth to a healthy, 6lb. 5 oz. baby girl named
Irina. The pair will reside at the shelter until the child is ready
to attend preschool. During her time at the shelter, the mother will
receive childcare classes, regular health and wellness check-ups,
dental exams, and on-site vocational training. Once the mother and
child leave the center, the Foundation will continue to offer free
daycare in its cheerful and well-equipped playroom.

“Feeding the Elders” is a new program offered at the facility. Once
a week, senior citizens from nearby villages are picked up by the
Foundation’s van and driven to the center where they receive a
three-course, home-cooked meal in the dining room.

Seta noted, “In the U.S., seniors receive Social Security and
Medicare. Here in Armenia, they are often a forgotten sector of
society, especially the ones who don’t have grown children to care for
them. Most stay hungry. We have compiled a list of needy elderly from
five local villages in the Armavir region. In addition to providing a
healthy meal, every week we supply them with basic living essentials.”

The money to pay for “Feeding the Elders” is received from donations
of 0 per week as “madagh” or alms.

Other programs include weekly “Bible Study,” which boasts a rapidly
growing attendance ranging in ages from 4-74, and “Group Christenings”
with local priests who have baptized more than 30 adults and children
since June. Since the Bible study class began three months ago, local
residents have been flocking to the center to receive the Word of God
as well as requesting to be baptized. An in-house gynecologist and
therapist provide more vital services. The gynecologist works five
days a week and gives free check-ups to women from the surrounding
villages. Seta explained that “50% of the women have gynecological
problems” that require hospital care. An in-house therapist is
available to counsel the shelter residents and women from the nearby
villages. These services and treatments, including hospital stays,
are offered free of charge.

The opening of the shelter/women’s center has not detracted Zuhrab
and Seta from the humanitarian outreach they began over ten years ago.

Each month in small, poverty-stricken villages tucked away in Armenia
and Artsakh, they distribute clothing, shoes, toys, blankets,
kitchenware, wheelchairs, and foodstuffs. In May, they received
their eleventh shipping container of donated items from the U.S.,
which Zuhrab and Seta packed and loaded from a suite of warehouses
they own in Long Beach, California.

Paros Lighthouse Charitable Foundation collaborates with many
local, regional, and international organizations in its benevolent
work. Its partners include the U.S. Embassy, United States Agency for
International Development, local women’s rights groups with their hot
lines, Tufenkian Foundation, Fund for Armenian Relief, Armenian Relief
Society chapters, Fuller Center for Housing Armenia, and supporters
from the United Arab Emirates. The Foundation also collaborates
with seven different maternity hospitals. Recently it established a
hot line, which is advertised on radio stations throughout Armenia,
to give at-risk girls and young women the information they need to
contact the center directly.

Zuhrab and Seta Ghazarian have been providing assist ance to the
poorest of the poor in Armenia since 2000. The idea of Paros (meaning
“lighthouse” in Armenian) was established by friends and supporters of
the Ghazarian family, and grew out of their concern for Armenian women
and children as well as the integrity of the Armenian family. Paros
Lighthouse Armenian Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit,
public benefit corporation registered in the State of California and
Republic of Armenia. â~@¨In addition to monetary donations to feed
the elderly and the shelter’s residents, the Foundation currently
needs folding or stackable chairs, new computers, a podium, area
rugs, and a piano. For more information and to donate, please visit