Author: Kajoyan Gevork

KAREKIN II DIRECTS MESSAGE ON INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSIAN

ARMENPRESS
April 9, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS: Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin
II directed a message on the inauguration of Armenian New President
Serzh Sargsian.

The Catholicosate press service told Armenpress that in his message
His Holiness said: "President of the Republic of Armenia, the
Honorable Serzh Sargsian, President of the National Assembly, the
Honorable Tigran Torosian, President Robert Kocharian, Your Eminences,
Reverend Fathers, state authorities of Armenia, representatives of
diplomatic missions, and dear guests, We greet you on the occasion
of the inauguration of the third president of the Republic of Armenia
and extend the blessings of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin – our
cherished holy cradle of faith built by God – with the prayers of the
psalmist on our lips, "Let thy steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
as we have placed our hope in thee." Psalms 33:22.

On the paths of a life blessed by God, our Armenian nation has
received manifold graces. Under the gaze of Biblical Mount Ararat,
Jesus Christ has transformed our people into the inheritors of the
grace of salvation, granting us the power of a creative life, the
spirit of self-sufficiency, and the glory of keeping the legacy of our
forebears brilliant and alive. He has delivered us from difficulties
and tragedies, guided us in the ways of liberty, peace and justice; and
has made us worthy to greet the dawn of native independent statehood.

Today, our people are building the new life of the homeland, with
the hope to see our country in goodness and prosperity, progressing
in science and culture, alive with the faith and sacredness of our
forefathers. Truly, the foresight of the prophet has been manifested
in the life of our people: "Consider the ancient generations and see:
who ever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame?" Sirach 2:10.

On this solemn day of inauguration of the president of the republic,
we have the opportunity to reflect that you, President Sargsian, along
with many worthy sons of the nation, have brought your commendable
contribution to the liberation of Artsakh and the stability and
reinforcement of Armenia’s statehood.

During these years of independent statehood, our homeland has
experienced significant transformations and reconstruction. We all
are happy for the achievements and victories, which we shall increase
and multiply. The creation of a more thriving and dignified life
and establishment of a lawful society are the just expectations and
aspirations of our people, which we expect to see quickly brought
to fruition.

Our people as yet are experiencing the tribulations connected to
post-election developments. Mr.

President, the events of the past months increase the responsibility
you – and all of us – bear: to implement utmost effort toward
increasing the spirit of love, brotherhood and solidarity in the hearts
of the sons and daughters of our people, and to reject intolerance.

You are taking on the position of president of our republic at a
decisive time for our country, with greater responsibility to continue
your service to our homeland and our people dispersed throughout
the world. The experience you have gained from previous high state
positions; your will and devotion to strengthen our country; your
plans and your proposed methods and prerequisites; inspire us with
confidence, that under your leadership, through ongoing and consistent
efforts, the challenges and obstacles which confront our lives will
be overcome as well in the coming years.

Thus, our country will be greater reinforced in the spheres of peace,
justice and human rights, and with the desire to greater strengthen our
freedom. Our Holy Church will assist you on these paths blessed by God,
and will always support our native state as it has done for centuries.

Through its unity, our people have achieved victories, and today as
well, together we shall secure the welfare of our homeland. Incidents
which endanger the unity of our people must not find a place in our
lives. Through unity, we shall ensure an enduring blessed life,
keep vibrant the Armenian Diaspora, and transform our dispersion
throughout the world into strength for the homeland. Through unity we
shall be able to find the peaceful solution to the Nagorno Karabagh
conflict, and see our just claims for recognition of the Genocide of
the Armenians prevail.

The words of the wise man said in a past era remain as truth:
"Through unity, the small become great; through division, the great
become small."

President Kocharian, today when you conclude your term as president of
the Republic of Armenia, we offer our sincere prayers to the Almighty,
asking Him to bless your life and grant you success in your future
endeavors. The economic growth and efforts aimed at improving societal
life and the tangible results which occurred during your presidency
will guide our country to increased fundamental improvements and
new advances.

It is our prayer to heaven, that God protect our homeland in peace
and security, and that our people, with their productive labors,
keep it beautiful, vibrant and blossoming.

President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsian, we ask that the
blessing, graces and daily guidance of our Lord be with you throughout
your responsible mission. May God grant you new energy, strength and
vigor, and bless your efforts and those of all our people, so that your
term of office be recorded in our history as a period of stability,
progress and development for Armenia and Armenian life.

"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for
the Lord!" Psalms 31:24. With these words of the psalmist, we invite
you all to stand and pray in unison: "Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy Will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against us, And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

"Protector and hope of the faithful, our Lord Jesus Christ, keep and
defend the Republic of Armenia, its elected President and members
of the National Assembly, its ministers and all authorities of our
native land. Grant them perfect wisdom to lead the Armenian people to
goodness and peace. Bless and strengthen the Armenian Church and her
faithful in Armenia, Artsakh and the dispersion, to walk in paths
of love and unity, justice and piety under the protection of Your
holy and sacred Cross. Save us, O Lord, from enemies seen and unseen,
make us worthy to praise and glorify You with the Father and the Holy
Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen."

MAYOR OF MUNICH VISITS EDITORIAL OFFICE OF "AGOS" WEEKLY

Noyan Tapan
April 8, 2008

ISTANBUL, APRIL 8, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The mayor of Munich
Christian Ude, who was in Istanbul at the invitation of the chairman
of Shishli district council Mustafa Sargul, viisted the editorial
office of "Agos" weekly.

The Turkish press reported that the mayor of Munich, who arrived in
Istanbul on the occasion of April 4 – commemoration day of reporters
killed in Turkey, laid a wreath at the place where the editor-in-chief
of "Agos" Hrant Dink was assassined, then he went to the editorial
office and met with the coordinator Mayda Saris.

PREMIERE OF RED DOG HOWLS DRAMA TO TAKE PLACE IN HOLIWOOD

Noyan Tapan
April 7, 2008

Tony nominee Kathleen Chalfant will star in the world premiere of
Red Dog Howls – a drama about family secrets relating to the early
20th-century Armenian genocide – at North Hollywood’s El Portal Theatre
in May. Red Dog Howls begins performances on May 14 and will continue
through June 13.

ERDOGAN VISITING SWEDEN TO PREVENT DISCUSSION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL?

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.04.2008 14:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It was a surprise to hear that the Turkish Prime
Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was coming for a visit to Stockholm,
Sweden on April 1-3 to meet his Swedish counterpart Fredrik Reinfeldt
for negotiation, the Union of Armenian Associations in Sweden told
PanARMENIAN.Net.

It was said bilateral questions and negotiation for an agreement
about EU membership is on the agenda. But the Armenian Union in Sweden
cannot help wondering if this really is the reason for the meeting.

Mr Fredrik Reinfeldt wrote a letter to the Armenian Union earlier
to inform of the demands Turkey has to face before the membership
talks. But Vahagn Avedian, the chairman for the Armenian Union wonders
if those demands have a more profound meaning or not.

"Turkey breaks the law when it comes to human rights, freedom of
religion and freedom of speech and oppresses the minorities by
governmentally financed hate-campaigns," he said.

"The fact that the Turkish Prime Minister is visiting Sweden just
two weeks before the discussion of the Armenian Genocide bill in the
parliamentary committee on foreign affairs due on April 17, 2008, makes
it difficult to ignore what the real purpose of his visit actually is."

Avedian reminded that Erdogan’s press conference in Sofia was postponed
to prevent Bulgarian members of the parliament to ask questions about
the Armenian Genocide.

"Is the reason for the visit to Sweden to somehow prevent the
parliamentary bill about the Armenian Genocide in the Swedish
Parliament? It is well known that Turkey is spending a great amount
of money on propaganda to hamper international recognition of the
Armenian Genocide in 1915," he said. "It would be unfortunate if
Erdogan’s visit affected the Swedish foreign policy."

"ARMAVIA" RECOMMENCES YEREVAN-ASTRAKHAN- YEREVAN REGULAR FLIGHT

ARKA
April 1, 2008

YEREVAN, April 1. /ARKA/. "Armavia" Armenian air company recommenced
Yerevan-Astrakhan-Yerevan passenger flight on April 1, the Press
Secretary of "Armavia" Nana Avetisova told Novosti-Armenia agency.

The General Director of "Armavia" Norayr Belluyan said that the flight
is to be operated on Tuesdays. Later the flight will be operated
more often.

The first Yerevan-Astrakhan-Yerevan flight was operated by TU-134 that
belonged to the President of Armenia before. The airplane is in line
with European standards and has 32 economy seats and 5 business seats.

"I would like to mention that all 37 seats were filled," Belluyan said.

Airplanes for the flight will be changing and one of them may be
the CRJ-100.

According to passengers, the flight was needed as before the only
way to reach Astrakhan was via other Russian cities.

Soon "Armavia" will launch
Yerevan-Marseille-Yerevan,Yerevan-Dusseldor f-Yerevan and
Yerevan-Riga-Yerevan.

Armavia national air company is the leader at Armenia’s aviation
market.

The company was established in 1996 by Aviafin Ltd and Mika Armenia
Trading Ltd.

In June 2005, Mikhail Baghdasarov became the owner of 100% of the
company’s shares.

The company operates over 70 regular flights a week to 10 countries.

The aircraft fleet of the company contains one A320, two A319,
one Boing 737-300, Soviet make Yak-42 and Il-86 and a Canadian
CRJ-100ER.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY HONORS REP. RON KLEIN DURING ITS ANNUAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

armradio.am
31.03.2008 10:55

Highlighting 36 years of activism, the Armenian Assembly of America
held its Annual Trustees Meeting in Boynton Beach, Florida. Congressman
Ron Klein (D-FL), the Assembly’s honored guest, discussed the
importance of congressional passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution
(H. Res. 106), which reaffirms the Armenian Genocide and recalls the
proud history of U.S. intervention in preventing the crimes and aiding
those that survived.

"I believe that we must learn from the lessons of our past and that we
must work to make sure that history’s most tragic events will never
repeat themselves," Klein said, adding that the United States cannot
make excuses for genocide.

"I voted to recognize the Armenian Genocide," Klein added. "I plan
to support this resolution when it comes before the full House of
Representatives, and I will work to further passage of this important
resolution."

Executive Director Bryan Ardouny presented Klein with an award
in appreciation of his leadership and commitment to the Armenian
community of Florida and for reaffirming the historical truth of the
Armenian Genocide.

Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian opened the morning
business meeting, welcoming trustees and introducing two new Board
Members – Peter Kezerian, Jr. of Pasadena, CA and Rachel Kaprielian
of Watertown, MA.

In addition to Kezerian and Kaprielian, Van Krikorian, Anthony
Barsamian, Lisa Kalustian, and Noubar Afeyan were re-elected. Assembly
members voted for the Board of Trustees slate by mail ballot in
December.

Hovnanian outlined major developments relative to the Armenian Genocide
Museum of America (AGMA), after which Krikorian, as chairman of the
AGMA Building and Operations Committee, provided an overview of the
architecture and exhibit designs before presenting a video of the
current plans for the facility.

Also officially announced was the Assembly’s partnership with the
Congress of Canadian Armenians (CCA), a Montréal-based organization
which serves as a united voice in promoting Armenian issues to the
Canadian public. Hovnanian introduced CCA

Chairperson and President Taro Alepian and Vice-Chairperson Pierre
Akkelian, who welcomed the partnership with the Assembly and briefly
discussed their organization’s vision and mission.

Board of Trustees Treasurer Edele Hovnanian also reviewed the
Assembly’s 2007 budget while Armenia Tree Project Founder Carolyn
Mugar and Director of Advancement Robert Surabian reported on the
activities of the organization over the last year.

–Boundary_(ID_uuzlcVAjNfoxFGM5dirq1Q)–

Replacement of the Minsk Group co-chairs will give nothing, Azeri MP
considers

armradio.am
29.03.2008 14:58

Replacement of the OSCE Minsk Group’s Co-Chairs engaged in settling of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with other mediators will not give
results, MP Mubariz Gurbanli, Deputy Executive Secretary of
Azerbaijan’s governing New Azerbaijan Party (NAP) said, Trend reports.

`Three countries – France, Russia and the United States ` are
represented in the OSCE Minsk Group and they are the permanent members
of the UN Security Council and of the G8. The three countries have
great authority in the world. Which other countries can replace them? A
mediator should be strong. If strong mediators fail to settle the
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, so how will weak intermediaries do that?
Through strong countries we have more chances to achieve the goal.
Formal participation of weak countries in the Minsk Group will give no
result. The problem can be solved within the framework of the OSCEK
Minks Group through sticking to the principle that `the strong one is
the right one’,’ Gurbanli said.

Several days ago Azerbaijan sent a letter to the OSCE Secretariat
urging to recall or replace the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Panorama.am

16:50 29/03/2008

SMBAT LPUTYAN IN 4-8 HORIZONTALS

Armenian GM Smbat Lputyan occupies 4-8 horizontals in
the third international open chess competition held in
India. Lputyan gained 3.5 from the possible 5 scores.
Armenian GM is behind the favorites of the competition
by 1 score only. Vietnamese Bgjuen Anh Dang, Czech
Laznichka and Rahman presenting Bangladesh have 4.5
scores and lead the competition.

116 chess players take part in the third open
international chess competition held in Kalkata.

Source: Panorama.am

CATHOLICOS ARAM I AND CONSUELLO VIDAL MEET IN ANTILIAS

Noyan Tapan
March 28, 2008

ANTILIAS, MARCH 28, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. The Catholicos
Aram I of the Great Cilician House received Consuelo Vidal, the
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Armenia, and her assistants
in Antilias on March 26.

She introduced His Holiness Patriarch the work conducted by the
United Nations Organization in Armenia, particularly in the social
and economic soheres.

During the meeting , which lasted more than an hour, His Holiness
Patriarch stressed the necessity for assisting Armenia, however,
according to him, the help should come the way that the people
participate in the work.

As they report from the Mother Church of Antilias, Consuelo Vidal
introdiced the UN activities in Armenia to the representatives of
the Lebanese-Armenian community in the hall of the Mother Church on
March 27.

"RETURN TO STALINISM"

A1+
28 March, 2008

A number of NGOs have made a statement headlined "Armenia 2008:
Return to Stalinism" which runs:

"Democratic reforms in Armenia resulted in sowing state terror. In the
wake of the lifting of state of emergency the Armenian authorities
unleashed a new wave of violence and intimidations. Having adopted
Soviet KGB methods, the Armenian police and National Security Services
subject unprotected people to organised repressions.

Without any grounding or explanation, citizens are detained in broad
daylight and forcibly taken to police stations, thus any occasional
person passing by may fall a victim to suchlike violence. Only
afterwards in the police station is their identity revealed, their
participation in the March 1 rally clarified. People are subjected
to psychological pressure and intimidation.

The scale of such violence increases day by day. The Armenian
authorities arbitrarily violate constitutional rights and fundamental
freedoms of the people.

We, the undersigned, urge to immediately cease terror against the
people of Armenia

1."Youth for Democracy" NGO

2.Transparency International Anti-corruption Center NGO

3."Asparez" Journalists’ Club

4. "Krtutyan Asparez" NGO

5 Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Armenian Committee NGO

6 Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office

7. "Huys" NGO

8. "We Plus" NGO

9. "Victims of State Needs" NGO

10. "Sksela" Youth Movement