Author: Kalantarian Kevo

ASIAN BANK TO PROVIDE 66 MILLION DOLLAR CREDIT TO ARMENIA

YEREVAN, MARCH 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The Asian Bank’s Board of Directorts
will, in all likelihhod, approve a 66 mln dollar credit program and a 2
mln dollar grant program for Armenia. The RA Minister of Finance and
Economy Vardan Khachatrian told reporters on March 9 that 30 mln
dollars of the credit will be allocated for repairs of roads of 230 km,
while 36 mln dollars and the grant – for improvement of the driniking
water system. V. Khachatrian said that for the first time the European
Bank for Construction and Development will provide an environmental
protection credit of 14.5 mln USD, which will mainly be used to build
cleaning stations on rivers flowing into Lake Sevan.

SERBIA DELAYING ARMS SALES TO ARMENIA

AssA-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 6, 2007 Tuesday

Armenias planned arms purchases from Serbia a deal that Azeri officials
labeled as the neighboring countrys illegitimate armament defying
international law – have been delayed since mid-January but the first
consignment of weaponry is to be delivered by Friday, reports say. The
deliveries have been put off due to the complex licensing procedures
for the exports of arms, eastbusiness.org website reported. Under
a deal signed with Yerevan last year, Serbias Zastava plant was
to supply the first consignment of ammunition worth $1.7 million to
Armenia by January 10, but the order was not fulfilled due to problems
with documentation.

But after all the arrangements were completed, Serbs pledged to
deliver the arms by February 15. After the consignment is delivered,
Serbian gun-makers and Armenia plan to continue cooperation. Reports
say they plan to ink another arms supply contract worth $900,000.

However, certain issues concerning the deal are yet to agreed,
as none of Serbias ministries in charge have endorsed the needed
papers so far. According to unofficial sources, the problem concerns
Serbias national interests, in particular, the future status of the
Kosovo and Metohia regions, as Serbs beware that selling weapons to
the conflict zone could turn out costly. The issue remains open, as
Serbian ministries of foreign affairs, defense and interior are in
no rush to authorize the second arms deal. The agreement on Serbian
arms deliveries was reached last summer, causing a wave of uproar due
to the Serbian governments position on the issue. Serbian Foreign
Minister Vuk Draskovic criticized the move, and warned that the
arms sales would violate the OSCEs embargo and a UN Security Council
resolution, which bans the sales of weapons to Azerbaijan and Armenia
due to the lingering conflict over Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh. Russia,
which has long been Serbias ally, also came out against the deal,
on apparent concerns that it was losing a share of its weaponry
sales market. Moscow stated that the weapons could be used against
Russians or Russia as a whole. But the developments took a different
turn late in December when Serbian President Boris Tadic said he
agrees to Russian arms sales to Armenia. Azerbaijani officials earlier
announced plans to raise the issue of Armenias illegitimate armament
at the spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the OSCE.

RIGHT OF SECRET BALLOT OF DISABLED IS VIOLATED DURING ELECTIONS IN ARMENIA, UNISON’S CHAIRMAN DECLARES

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The right of secret ballot of disabled
is violated during almost all – presidential, parliamentary, local
self-government elections in Armenia. Armen Alaverdian, Chairman of
Unison NGO engaged in problems of disabled people, declared this at
the March 6 press conference.

Besides, in his words, according to the data of monitoring held
during the previous presidential and parliamentary elections,
only 10 out of 423 polling stations were accessible for disabled
people. A. Alaverdian said that candidates for deputy, parties
and Central Electoral Commission should undertake measures for
providing accessibility of polling stations for disabled people at
the forthcoming parliamentary elections. In addition to this, deaf
and blind people are not well-informed, either, on the threshold of
the elections. "For providing information to deaf people the parties
should have surdo-translation or information by running line in their
advertisement reels," he said. And brochures with Broil fonts on
activity of parties and candidates nominated by majoritarian system
should be published for blind people. Suren Ohanian, Chairman of
Paros NGO, said that soon they are going to implement programs aimed
at disabled people’s awareness in nine towns of the country. "The
disabled people will be provided information on electoral law and
parties’ preelection campaigns," S. Ohanian said.

AZERBAIJAN SOCIETY OF AMERICA HOSTS DISCUSSION FOR MEMBERS OF U.S. CONGRESS

Today, Azerbaijan
March 5 2007

The Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA) hosted a lunchtime discussion
for members of the U.S. Congress and Congressional staff members on
Thursday, March 1 in Washington, DC.

"U.S. – Azerbaijan Relations: "From Engagement to Strategic
Partnership" event took place at the Cannon House Office Building,
Washington, DC, APA-Bureau reports.

Moderated by ASA’s Washington, DC representative Bedir Memmedli,
the speakers were H.E. Yashar Aliyev, the newly appointed Ambassador
from the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States, and Mr. Thomas
Goltz, Professor at the University of Montana, journalist, and author
of the book "Azerbaijan Diary."

Among the Congressional members and their staff who attended were
Congressman Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania and many other staff members
of both branches of the U.S. Congress. In February, 2007 Rep. Shuster
made a speech before the U.S. House of Representatives which officially
marked the 15th Anniversary of the Khojaly massacre.

After opening remarks by Mr. Memmedli, Ambassador Aliyev took the
podium and he stressed the importance of Azerbaijan to the United
States. "We are strategic ally of the United States, We were one of
the earliest supporters of America’s war on terrorism and our soldiers
are serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosova next to American soldiers,"
he said.

Ambassador Aliyev also gave background on the history and circumstances
surrounding the tragedy at Khojaly.

He was followed by Professor Goltz, who spoke of his own eye witness
accounts in the days following the massacre and addressed the unjust
U.S. legislation which was attributable in large part to Armenian
lobbying efforts in the United States.

A CNN report on Khojaly was viewed and then the floor was opened to
questions and discussion.

"We are pleased to be able to make this kind of event available to
Congressional members," said ASA president Tomris Azeri. "As we have
said in the past and continue to stress, it is absolutely imperative
that U.S. legislators become educated and aware of the history of
the massacre and the continuing conflict. This will directly impact
on possible future legislation and will also help strengthen the
already excellent relations between Azerbaijan and the United States,"
she continued.

"Ambassador Aliyev is an outstanding representative for the country
of Azerbaijan and Professor Goltz is one of the most knowledgeable
and respected experts on the subject. ASA was proud to be able to
present such informed speakers at this discussion," said Ms. Azeri.

URL:

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WESTERN DIOCESE E-NEWSLETTER
============================

Bible Readings
—————–
Sorry, there are no readings for this week.
Diocesan News
—————–

PRIMATE ATTENDS MEETING OF MAYORS OF YEREVAN AND LOS ANGELES

On Friday February 23rd 2007 an important meeting took place at the
City Hall in Los Angeles where American political figures, Armenian
Clergy, and Representatives from cultural and education institutions
attended.
(http://www.armenianchurchw d.com/news/story.php?id=360)

ST. PETER ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH HOSTS "BEAT CANCER" EVENT

Steve Kechichian has leukemia. He needs a bone marrow transplant. You
can help. It’s that simple.
( y.php?id=359)

WESTERN DIOCESE HOSTS 2007 DEBUTANTE BALL

On Sunday, February 18th the Ladies Auxiliary hosted the 2007
Debutante Ball at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills,
California. Once again, after months of hard work the ladies hosted an
amazing evening for faithful of the Western Diocese. Most remarkably
this year had a record number of debutantes participating. 24
debutantes and their family and friends, as well as those of the
escorts gathered to celebrate our young generation. Master of
Ceremonies was Adrienne Krikorian, prominent lawyer and long time
servant of the Armenian Church.
( y.php?id=357)

ACTION REQUIRED FOR THE HOLY FIRE CEREMONY
Urgent Demand

The Holy Fire Ceremony is a religious ceremony that takes place on the
Saturday of Holy Week, within the Tomb of Jesus Christ in the Church
of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Christians believe that, during
the ceremony, the Holy Fire descends from Heaven and lights up the
lamp within the Tomb of Christ, thereby symbolizing the Resurrection
of Christ and his victory over death. The descent of the fire from
heaven is one of the greatest miracles of Christianity, being the
divine revelation of Jesus himself. For this reason, the Holy
Saturday ceremony is the holiest one for the Eastern Churches. These
churches include the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Coptic
Orthodox and Jacobite-Syrians; all participate in the Holy Saturday
ceremony.
( m/news/story.php?id=358)

Upcoming Events
—————–

3/11: Special Requiem Service for Hrant Dink & Khoren H. Balian
( etail.php?id=48)
3/11: All-Armenian Memorial Tribute to Hrant Dink
( ail.php?id=49)

===========================
The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, providing
spiritual guidance and leadership to the Armenian Apostolic community,
is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization comprised of 47
churches in 16 western states. It was established in 1898 as the
Diocese of the Armenian Church encompassing the entire United States
and Canada. In 1927 the Western Diocese was formed to exclusivly serve
the western United States.

3325 North Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474 Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

EU Special Envoy to South Caucasus: Unwinding of events in Iran is directly
connected to South Caucasus

Arminfo
2007-03-03 12:51:00

Development of situation in Iran is directly linked to South Caucasus,
Peter Semneby, EU Special Envoy to South Caucasus, told ArmInfo
correspondent

The Ambassador refused to comment in detail the situation in Iran and
just stated that – events in Iran have a direct relation to Armenia
and Azerbaijan. Mr. Semneby added that Iran is an important trade
partner of Armenia and that a large community of Azeris.

Reminder – In the end of Feb., UN Security Council imposed sanctions
against Tehran for the refusal to stop works on concentration of
uranium.

PARTIALLY SANE CRIMINAL SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS’ IMPRISONMEMT FOR MURDER OF DISABLED FREEDOM FIGHTER

Noyan Tapan
Mar 01 2007

KAPAN, MARCH 1, NOYAN TAPAN. The court of first instance of Syunik marz
sentenced resident of the city of Kapan Vrezh Barseghian to 15 years’
imprisonment. At about 2:30 pm on September 10, 2006, V. Barseghian
killed disabled freedom fighter Alexander Hayrapetian in the city
lavatory of Kapan children’s park after Vazgen Sargsian. The court took
into account the facts that V. Barseghian has under-age children and is
partially sane. During a talk with NT correspondent, deputy prosecutor
of Synik marz Petros Hayrapetian said that law enforcement bodies had
been lenient twice towards V. Barseghian. First, he was not convicted
for theft because of his illness, in the second case he was released
under an amnesty after spending two months in prison for robbery.

However, this time the criminal may be released ahead of his term
only after 12 years in prison.

6 RADIO COMPANIES DISPUTE IN COURT GOVERNMENT’S COMPETENCE TO SET BROADCAST PAYMENTS

Noyan Tapan
Feb 28 2007

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. 6 Armenian radio companies applied
to the RA Economic Court with the request to recognize as invalid
the government’s decision about setting payments for broadcast
frequency. The decision authorizes the RA Ministry of Transport and
Communication to set the amount of broadcast payments.

Lawyer Olga Safarian, who represents interests of these radio
companies, told NT correspondent that in accordance with Article 45 of
the RA Constitution, the order and amount of taxes, duties and other
mandatory payments are prescribed by law. However, according to her,
the Law on Television and Radio does not conatin a provision on the
amount and order of setting broadcast payments.

Representative of the defendant – Head of the Juridical Department
of the RA Ministry of Transport and Communication Artashes Hovsepian
said that the demand of the radio companies is unfounded because by
the law on legal acts, the government regulates legal relations which
are not regulated by the RA Constitution, laws or presidential decrees.

He noted that the radio companies must pay the same amount as they
paid previously. Out of the 64 TV and radio companies registered in
Armenia, 15 did not make payments envisaged for 2006, including the
companies that filed the lawsuit.

These comnpanies state that they do not refuse to pay and dispute in
court not the amount of payments but the order of their setting.

At the February 27 sitting, the court decided to grant O. Safarian’s
petition and postpone the case examination until March 12. Lawyer
Olga Safarian said that she needs time to familiarize herself with
the government’s answer and present her objections.

BAKU ACCUSES OSCE MINSK GROUP OF WRONG APPROACH TO KARABAKH CONFLICT

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.02.2007 13:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Official Baku thinks that the latest differences
in OSCE MG Co-Chairs’ opinions are results of delays in the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement, Novruz Mamedov – Chairman of the
Presidential Administration’s International Relations Department
stated. He said, "it is a wrong approach."

There are precedents in the world for such conflicts.

For example, the concept, which was put forward in regard with the
situation in Kosovo. "Road Map" plan was worked out in regard with
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Some years ago UN Secretary General
Kofi Annan offered a plan for Cyprus. In our case, the Minsk Group
Co-Chairs as OSCE members and experts, can present their offers for
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, of course, in the framework
of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity. But instead of giving such
offers, they make various statements, and in most cases it results
in delay of negotiation process," Mamedov stressed.

He thinks, "the Co-Chairs cannot display a necessary and
concrete position in regard with the Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement." Touching upon "the efforts of Co-Chairs to make Armenia
and Azerbaijan responsible for the settlement of the conflict", N.
Mamedov said, "it is a categorically wrong approach".

"Azerbaijan’s position in the region in international processes
strengthens, that’s why the time has come to solve this conflict,"
he thinks, Trend reports.

UN GA CAN RETURN TO "FROZEN CONFLICTS" ISSUE

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.02.2007 13:50 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During the spring session of UN General Assembly
the issue of "frozen conflicts" in GUAM will be discussed, Aleksey
Tulbule, Moldova’s permanent representative to the UN stated. He
said, the preliminary draft resolution offered by the GUAM countries
is ready. "In regard with discussion and adoption of the resolution
active discussions with a number of countries, including Russia, are
being carried out. I think that during spring session of UN General
Assembly a significant progress will be reached in this issue. There
is nothing original or shocking in our draft resolution, we refused
from opposition," he stated.

A. Tulbule stressed that the draft resolution offered to the
UN General Assembly is a bit softened. "The document does nit
include some issues, which a number of countries could put forward
individually, for example, the issue of unconditional removing troops
from territories of these states. We also do not demand participation
of UNO peacekeeping troops.

Authors of resolution satisfied only with declarations, which
confirm territorial integrity of their countries. The possibility of
adoption of this variant of resolution by UN General Assembly is much
higher. The GUAM countries are going to use the UN platform for not
adopting concrete decisions, but for drawing attention to existing
problems. Negotiations with Russia around "frozen conflicts" are
continuing like before-they are against and we are for the adoption
of the resolution. But if Russia speaks against this resolution,
that confirms territorial integrity, it will mean that he will harm
himself," the representative of Moldova thinks, APA reports.