Author: Kanayan Tamar

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710
Fax: (212) 779-3558
Web:
Email: [email protected]

TOP STORY July 14, 2011

_Exploring the Vocation of Lay Ministry _

_`Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe whatever
I have commanded you. And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of
the world’ (Mt 28:19-20)._

With those words, known as the `Great Commission,’ the risen Jesus Christ
charged his followers to take his mission to the entire world. Those words
echo down to us today, guiding the actions of the church and shaping the
life decisions of its members. This call to serve God-a person’s
`vocation,’ or purpose-has been a subject explored by the Diocese in its
programs and publications for the past two years.

In the Armenian Church, the ordained clergy have a unique and indispensible
vocation, having received the transformative power of the Holy Spirit
through the laying-on of hands, which constitutes a living continuance of
the Apostolic mission our Lord Jesus Christ established.

But Christ also calls upon each and every person to exemplify his life and
teaching through his own activities. His call to the lay members of the
church is the vocation of lay ministry-the `Ministry of the Faithful,’ to
which the Diocese has turned its focus for the coming year.

As the Great Commission suggests, at the heart of the vocation of lay
ministry lies the call to teach others as Jesus has taught us. We are called
to minister to the church, to each other, and to the world around
us-reminding them all that Christ is truly in our midst.

The `Ministry of the Faithful’ theme was introduced during the 109th
Diocesan Assembly, hosted in Boston last spring by the Holy Trinity Church
of Cambridge, MA. [4]Click here to watch the Diocese’s latest web video, and
see how parish leaders view their role as lay ministers of the Armenian
Church.
Links:
4.

Scripture of the Week

Is 2:5-11
Rom 8:31-10:4
Mt 13:24-30

Prayer of the Week

O giver of good gifts and bountiful in all your gifts, immortal God, we
beseech you, dispel from us dark thoughts, preserve us from the deceits of
the tempter, and grant us in faith to take refuge in the all-Holy Trinity,
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always, forever and
ever. Amen.

Upcoming Saints & Feasts

_14 July: _Holy Translators Sahag and Mesrob

_16 July:_ Sts. Tiridates the King and Queen Ashkhen

_21 July:_ St. Elisha the Prophet

CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Documents on the Armenian Genocide will be exhbited by the Vatican next
winter.

_Vatican to Exhibit Documents on Armenian Genocide _

The Vatican announced last week that its archives contain
never-before-released documents pertaining to the persecution of Armenians
in the Ottoman Empire during the Genocide of 1915. In addition to grim
eyewitness accounts of atrocities endured by Armenians at the hands of
Turkish forces, the documents seem to refer to reports on the Hamidian
massacres of the 1890s.

The documents are slated for publication in a book being prepared by the
Vatican Secret Archives. They will also be on view starting this winter at
an exhibit titled “Lux in Arcana: The Vatican Secret Archives Revealed.”

The Vatican archives have never been unveiled to the public in their more
than 1,000-year history. Other items in the upcoming exhibition include
papers from the 17th-century trial of Galileo Galilei and a letter asking
the Pope to annul Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
[5]
Click here to read more.
Links:
5.

_Holy Etchmiadzin Launches Redesigned Website _

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin launched a redesigned website earlier
this week: [6]
Links:
6.

The site features content in English and Armenian-including an overview of
Armenian Church history and information about programs at the Mother See.
Other highlights include a video library, photo galleries, a new section on
youth, and links to Holy Etchmiadzin’s social media sites.

Additional updates will be made to the website in the coming months.

DIOCESAN NEWS

A GTech graduate presents her thesis project.

_FAR’s GTech Celebrates Projects by Graduates_

On Friday, July 8, 13 graduates of the Fund for Armenian Relief’s Gyumri
Information Technology Center (GTech) defended their theses, highlighting
the knowledge they’ve gained in the areas of application development,
project management, and teamwork.

Their projects led to the creation of GTech’s Information and Library
Portal, the IT Community Blog, and the development of websites for other
organizations in Gyumri.

GTech was established in 2005 by FAR, in partnership with several technology
companies. The goal of the center is to strengthen the information
technology skills of young Armenians and to expand opportunities in the
region. GTech also helps to bolster development by providing an incubator
space for new start-up IT businesses. [7]

Click here
to visit FAR’s blog and learn more.
Links:
7.

_Growing Readership for Diocesan Website _

We are excited to announce that traffic on the Diocese’s
website-[8] – has increased by 50 percent in the
last month.
Links:
8.

Visitors worldwide are using the website’s multitude of features-including
its news section, blog, and video and photo galleries-to keep up to date
with the latest happenings in the Eastern Diocese and to learn more about
the history and traditions of the Armenian Church.

The website, which was redesigned last summer, is complemented by Vemkar-a
free mobile phone application for the [9]Android and [10]iPhone platforms.
The Vemkar app allows users to view daily scripture readings, listen to
Armenian spiritual and folk music, request prayers, post comments, and much
more.
Links:
9.
10.

If you’ve already downloaded the application, please consider reviewing it
in the App Store or on the Android Market.

_Ararat Center Festival Scheduled for July 23_

The Ararat Center will host its 8th annual festival on Saturday, July 23,
from noon to 5 p.m. on the center’s grounds in Greenville, NY. Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will preside over the day’s program.

The day will feature worship, remarks by Ambassador Garen Nazarian,
Armenia’s Ambassador the United Nations, and a book-signing by Michael
Bobelian, author of _Children of Armenia_. The Shushi Armenian Dance
Ensemble of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will perform.

Guests are invited to enjoy Armenian delicacies, vendor booths, and
activities for children. [11]Click here for more information.
Links:
11.

PARISH NEWS

Fr. Shnork Souin distributes Holy Communion during his first Divine Liturgy
in Providence, RI.

_Providence Parish Welcomes New Pastor_

On Sunday, July 10, parishioners at Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of
Providence, RI, welcomed their new pastor, the Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin. Fr.
Souin celebrated the Divine Liturgy and offered the day’s message.

Most recently, Fr. Souin served as the pastor of St. Mary Church of
Livingston, NJ, where he began his ministry in 2001. He was assigned to
serve the Providence parish this spring by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Diocesan Primate.

A native of Canada, Fr. Souin was ordained a priest in 1994 by Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, then-Primate of the Canadian Diocese.

YOUTH NEWS

His Holiness Karekin II blesses the participants of the Pan-ACYO assembly.

_Pan-ACYO Assembly Concludes in Armenia_

Some 150 young delegates gathered for the international Pan-Armenian Church
Youth Organization (Pan-ACYO) assembly in Tsakhadzor, Armenia, from July 7
to 10. Gevork Vartanian, secretary of the ACYOA Central Council, represented
the Eastern Diocese at the four-day meeting.

The assembly opened on July 7 with a visit to St. Gregory the Illuminator
Cathedral in Yerevan, followed by a drive to Tsakhadzor for the start of the
sessions. Participants began working on a long-term goal to establish a set
of bylaws for the Pan-ACYO. They also elected 15 people to a Pan-ACYO
Council-an important step for the young organization.

The young people had opportunities to worship together, share experiences
from their dioceses, and plan activities and programs that will be carried
out at the local level. They also took part in social and cultural
activities.

[12]Click here to read more.
Links:
12.

Campers at St. Vartan Camp.

_St. Vartan Camp Welcomes Session B Participants _

The Diocesan summer camp program welcomed campers taking part in Session B
of St. Vartan Camp at the Ararat Center in upstate New York this week.
Session B will conclude with the celebration of the Ararat Festival on
Saturday, July 23, and Session C will begin on the following day. [13]Click
here to read the daily camp blog, and to view photos and videos.
Links:
13.

Meanwhile, staff are preparing for Hye Camp in the Midwest region. Hye Camp
staff training will begin on Wednesday, July 27; campers will arrive on
Saturday, July 30. The camp is housed at Camp Hickory in Ingleside, IL.

To learn more about St. Vartan Camp or Hye Camp, e-mail the Diocese’s Youth
Outreach coordinator, Jennifer Morris, at [14][email protected].
Links:
14. mailto:[email protected]

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:

July 14, 2011

PONTIFICAL BLESSINGS FOR CATHOLICOS ARAM I OFFERED IN PRELACY PARISHES
LAST SUNDAY

Archbishop Oshagan presides over the Pontifical Blessing service at
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Philadelphia. The celebrant was
Bishop Anoushavan.

All parishes of the Eastern Prelacy offered Pontifical Blessings and
Prayers last Sunday on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the
pontificate of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia.

His Holiness Aram I, the spiritual leader of the Holy See of Cilicia
was consecrated Catholicos on July 1, 1995, after serving as Primate
of the Armenian Orthodox community in Lebanon for 15 years.

Catholicos Aram was ordained a celibate priest in 1968 and obtained
the title Vartabed (Doctor of the Armenian Church) in 1970. He
received his Episcopal ordination in 1980.

Born in Beirut in 1947, His Holiness studied at the Armenian Seminary
of Antelias and the Near East School of Theology before attending the
American University of Beirut. He pursued his graduate education at
the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, Oxford University and Fordham
University, earning two Masters Degrees and a Doctor of Philosophy
(PhD).

His Holiness was the first Orthodox and the youngest person to be
elected Monderator of the Central and Executive Committees, the
highest position in the World Council of Churches, serving two
unprecedented consecutive terms.

He is a prolific writer with more than two dozen published books, the
most recent being St. Nerses the Gracious and Church Unity and A
Journey of Faith, Hope and Vision.

CAMP IN ARMENIA CONTINUES

The summer camp program for more than 30 youngsters enrolled in the
Prelacys Orphan Sponsorship program is continuing under the
directorship of Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian, pastor of
St. Asdvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts. The campers
are enjoying various summer recreational activities combined with
religious instruction and liturgical services.

While learning about the sacrament of baptism, it became known that
nine of the campers are not baptized. After receiving permission from
a surviving parent or guardian, eight campers were baptized by Der
Aram.

The campers with Der Aram and counselors in front of St. Gregory
Church in Kecharis.

Campers participate in discussion hour each evening.

Der Aram officiates the sacrament of baptism.

Morning prayers before the study period.

DATEV INSTITUTE COMPLETES ANOTHER SUMMER SESSION; 25TH ANNIVERSARY
MARKED IN PHILADELPHIA

Fifty-six teen-agers attended the 2011 St. Gregory of Datev Summer
Institute and also helped celebrate the 25th anniversary of Datev
with a gala banquet and festivities last Saturday evening in
Philadelphia at St. Gregory the Illuminator Churchs Founders
Hall. Full details next week.

Archbishop Oshagan with the faculty, staff, and students of the
St. Gregory of Datev Institute.

BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN OFFICIATES AT FUNERAL OF MICHAEL TOPALIAN

Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, conducted funeral
services for Michael Topalian who died on July 10, at the age of
74. The service took place yesterday, July 13, at the DiCicco Funeral
Home in Cleveland, Ohio. Interment followed at Highland Cemetery.

Mr. Topalian was a successful businessman and entrepreneur in a
number of fields, and an active member of the Armenian
community. Along with his father Kevork Topalian, he played a major
role in the building of the Armenian Community Center and Church in
N. Royalton, Ohio. He was a member of the AYF, ARF and ANC. He
followed his fathers footsteps in chairing the Educational
Association of Malatia, a compatriot organization that supported
schools and awarded hundreds of scholarships.

He is survived by his wife Shirley, four children from his first
marriage, four stepsons, and his brother Mourad Topalian, and ten
grandchildren.

VICAR AT ARS CONVENTION

Bishop Anoushavan is representing His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan at
todays opening session and the banquet on Saturday, July 16, of the
Armenian Relief Societys (Eastern U.S.) annual convention, which is
currently taking place in Providence, Rhode Island.

(

)

BIBLE READING

Bible readings for Sunday, July 17, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost,
are: Isaiah 1:21-31; Romans 7:25-8:11; Matthew 12:38-45.

He put before them another parable: The kingdom of heaven may be
compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while
everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat,
and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then
the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came
and said to him, Master, did you not sow good seed in your field?
Where, then, did these weeds come from? He answered, An enemy has
done this. The slaves said to him, Then do you want us to go and
gather them? But he replied, No; for in gathering the weeds you would
uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together
until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers,
Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but
gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:24-30)

For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (

).

FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSLATORS

Today, July 14, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy
Translators, Sts. Sahag Bartev and Mesrob Mashdots. The feasts
dedicated to the Holy Translators are among the most beloved
celebrations for Armenians. Sahag and Mesrob are honored two times
during the liturgical year: on the Thursday following the fourth
Sunday after Pentecost (which is today), and on the second Saturday of
October.

St. Sahag is remembered for his strong leadership during some of the
most difficult days for the Armenian Church, as well as during some of
the most glorious. He is also remembered for his vast body of literary
work. After the development of the Armenian alphabet, he was the
guiding force for the translation of the Bible as well as in the
translation of the works of the Holy Fathers.

St. Mesrob developed the Armenian alphabet with the aid and support of
St. Sahag, after a long period of travel and investigation. According
to tradition, during one of his travels Mesrob was meditating in a
cave in Palu, and it was there he saw a vision that helped him
complete his task of creating an alphabet for the Armenian language.

The two saints, Sahag and Mesrob, are forever linked in the minds and
hearts of the Armenian people. There are many Armenian churches
throughout the world named in their dual honor.

That you may know wisdom and instruction, and understand words of
insight (Proverbs 1:2the first words in the Bible to be translated
into Armenian).

The creation of the Armenian alphabet was a momentous event, a crucial
turning point in the history of the nation that ensured the
preservation of the Armenian identity in religion, culture,
traditions, and literature for centuries to come. It unleashed the
spiritual and intellectual potential of an entire people, to the
extent that within the very same century a great intellectual revival
occurred, giving rise to a literary output that is impressive both in
quality and in quantity: the fifth century became the Golden Age of
Armenian literature. The Heritage of Armenian Literature, Volume 1

KING DRTAD, QUEEN ASHKHEN, PRINCESS KHOSROVITOUKHT

This Saturday, July 16, the Armenian Church remembers King Drtad
(Tiridates), Queen Ashkhen, and Princess Khosrovitoukht. After
torturing and condemning St. Gregory to the pit and because of the
cruel and fatal treatment of the Hripsimiantz nuns, King Drtad became
inflicted with strange and debilitating maladies. Queen Ashkhen, and
the kings sister, Princess Khosrovitoukht (who had secretly become a
Christian) convinced the King that only Gregory could cure him. Thus,
Gregory was released from the deep pit. With the Kings subsequent
recovery, all three helped Gregory spread Christianity throughout
Armenia. In their later years the Queen and Princess lived in the
fortress of Garni, and the King retired to St. Gregorys retreat on
Mt. Sepouh.

FROM THE BOOKSTORE.
It is summertime and the children need reading material. Consider
these Armenian-ized versions of familiar childrens stories.

Hagop and the Hairy Giant
By Talene Dadian White
An Armenian-ized version of Jack and the Beanstalk.

The Gurabia Man
By Talene Dadian White
An Armenian-ized version of The Gingerbread Man.

Little Red Hood and the Kesh Kayl
By Talene Dadian White
An Armenian-ized version of Little Red Riding Hood.

All three of these books are written in English with some Armenian
words and a lot of Armenian flavor. They all include a glossary and
pronunciation guide. All have full-color illustrations. $15.95 each,
plus shipping and handling

The bookstore has many other childrens books in Armenian and English.
To order these books or for information contact the Prelacy Bookstore
by email ([email protected]
(mailto:[email protected])) or by telephone (212-689-7810).

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 11-July 22St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Sixth Annual
Summer Camp, 10 am to 3 pm. American heritage, religion, music, arts &
crafts, Armenian dance, trips. Space is limited; apply now. Camper
ages: 5-15, $325; CIT ages: 16-18, $225. Fees include daily meals and
snacks. Minimal fee for field trips. Installment payments welcome. For
information contact church office: 718-224-2275.

July 14-17The Armenian Relief Society 91st Eastern Regional Convention
Meetings, banquet and dance at the Hilton Providence, 21 Atwells Ave.,
Providence. Banquet Saturday, July 16; cocktail hour 6:30 pm; dinner
7:00 pm, $50. Music by Leon Janikian, Ken Kalajian, Robert Raphaelian
and Jason Naroian. For information: Joyce Yeremian,
401-354-8770. Reservations for banquet with check can be mailed to
ARS, 402 Broadway, Providence, Rhode Island 02909.

August 1St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 12th
Golf Tournament. For details contact Gerry at 508-234-8763, or Hagop
at 508-473-7695.

August 7Annual picnic of St. Stephens Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Massachusetts, 12 noon to
5 pm. For information: 617-924-7562 or at (

) .

August 13-14Annual Armenian Fest and Blessing of the Grapes, at All
Saints Armenian Church, Glenview, Illinois. Join us for a fun-filled
day and enjoy our delicious food, music, backgammon tournament,
childrens activities, and more. Admission free. For information
847-998-1989.

August 14Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, Divine Liturgy,
Blessing of the Grapes, and Indoor Picnic in John Pashalian Hall,
presented by Ladies Guild of St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York
City. Various dishes of your choice for purchase. For information
212-689-5880.

August 14Annual picnic and Blessing of the Grapes at Holy Trinity
Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us for a
fun-filled day and enjoy our delicious food, music by DJ Shaheen,
backgammon tournament, childrens activities, and more. Admission is
free. For information [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
or 508-852-2414.

August 14Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
Annual Picnic at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, 12 noon to 6
pm, under auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. Divine
Liturgy will be celebrated in the Hye Hope Pavilion (lower camp) at 11
am. Free pony rides for children 2-4 pm, and the Bouncing
Bubble. Delicious shish, losh and chicken kebab and Armenian pastries
available all day. Live music provided by Michael Gregian and
Ensemble. Madagh and Blessing of the Grapes at 4 pm with the New
England clergy participating. All welcome. For information:
401-831-6399.

August 21St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
presents the greatest picnic in New England. Presided by His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate, with participation of clergy
from the New England area. All invited.

September 11Annual picnic of St. Stephens 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 16Annual Golf Tournament, All Saints Armenian Church,
Glenview, Illinois. For details contact Hagop Soulakian, 847-858-7685.

October 23Student Festival in celebration of the Year of the Armenian
Child. Details will follow.

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])

SAFRASTYAN: THE US PUBLIC DOES NOT DENY THE FACT OF GENOCIDE

ARMENPRESS
JULY 14, 2011
YEREVAN

The public of the United States admits that what happened in 1915 with
Armenians is genocide. Turkologist Ruben Safrastyan said speaking to
Armenpress that the circumstance that the ambassadorial nominee John
Heffern did not utter the word genocide is the result of the current
policy of the USA.

“Regretfully, Heffern did not utter the word “genocide” but it is
not his fault. Naturally the ambassador must continue the line of
the USA not to lose his office”, Safrastyan said.

The Turkologist said the US public does not deny the fact of the
Genocide. In scientific, political circles many people recognize the
Armenian Genocide.

“I was in the United States and spoke with the representatives of the
scientific circles. It is clear like water that they admit the Armenian
Genocide. Besides, we have big number of supporters in the Senate. The
US Administration stemming from certain factors persists”, Safrastyan
said. He expressed conviction that in near future the US will refuse
the wrong policy it has adopted as it first of all harms its image.

EU OFFICIAL: BRUSSELS MUST PLAY ACTIVE ROLE IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Trend Daily News
July 12, 2011 Tuesday 11:07 AM GMT +4
Azerbaijan

EU intends to increase its role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
resolution process, but this should not be done through the OSCE Minsk
group, EU Managing Director for Eastern Neighborhood Miroslav Lajcak
said in the interview with Radio Liberty of Armenia.

“EU supports the Minsk Group and its efforts to a find political
resolution for the conflict. Meanwhile, there is an increasing belief
in the EU member-countries that Brussels should also have an active
and visual political role,” he said.

He said the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the only issue in “our
neighborhood where the EU is not directly involved.”

“We cannot establish relations with our Eastern neighbors and pretend
that the conflict does not exist,” Lajcak added.

He said now the EU is negotiating with the OSCE Minsk Group on which
concrete steps are to be taken, when, and how Brussels can such take
the steps towards conflict settlement. “However, the answer does
not depend on discussions with the Minsk Group, but on the talks,”
he added.

Now a political settlement is on the table that will open a new series
of actions for many, including the EU, he said.

Brussels, Lajcak said, can do much. For example, bring together the
parties to promote a dialogue between the societies and introduce
European standards.

“However, these steps will depend on the dynamics of the negotiation
process: if progress is achieved, a much larger field will be opened
for the EU to participate, and if it fails to achieve progress,
the European family will have fewer opportunities to do something,”
Lajcak said.

The European Union is evidently interested in this conflict given
that the High Commissioner for Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton will
soon appoint a new representative of the EU in the South Caucasus.

“The appointment will allow implementation of EU’s position, interests
and policy in the region,” he added.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group – Russia, France, and the U.S. –
are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the
surrounding regions.

AZERIS MUST RETURN TO OCCUPIED LANDS – PRESIDENT ALIYEV

Interfax
July 12 2011
Russia

Nagorno-Karabakh cannot receive any legal status without Baku’s
approval, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said at a government
meeting that focused on the first half-year results of Azerbaijan’s
socio-economic development on Tuesday.

“Azeri citizens must return to all the lands currently occupied before
peace and cooperation can begin,” he said.

“As regards the legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh, the 2009 principles
stated that this issue is a question of the future, which can be
resoled in event of an agreement between the parties. In other
words, without Azerbaijan’s consent, there can be no legal status
for Nagorno-Karabakh,” Aliyev said.

“And this is why I spoke about it repeatedly before and want to say
it once again that the secession of Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan,
granting it independence or its annexation to Armenia has never been
and never will be a subject of negotiations. Neither the leadership
nor the people of Azerbaijan will accept it,” Aliyev said.

Meanwhile, one of the factors that caused the current intensification
of global efforts in the Karabakh settlement process is the growing
might of Azerbaijan and its army, he said.

The latest statements by the leaders of the countries mediating the
conflict about the unacceptability of the status quo in the Karabakh
conflict are encouraging, he said.

At a meeting in Sochi in March 2011, thanks to the mediation of Russian
President Dmitry Medvedev, Azerbaijan accepted a renewed version of the
Madrid Principles presented by the mediators in 2009, whereas Armenia
has been using various pretexts to avoid a similar step, Aliyev said.

TWO ARTISTS CREATE ALTERNATIVE ‘MONUMENT TO HUMANITY’

Hurriyet
July 13 2011
Turkey

Two Dutch artists’ project ‘Helping Hands,’ an alternative to Mehmet
Aksoy’s sculpture that was removed in the eastern Kars,does not
carry a fixed political message but accommodates space for ongoing
negotiation by gathering plaster hand molds from people

The mobile project ‘Helping Hands’ by two Dutch artists includes a
giant hand sculpture being wheeled around on a junk cart in Istanbul’s

Those walking around Istanbul’s Pangaltý, Elmadað and Taksim
neighborhoods might find it surreal to see a giant hand sculpture
being wheeled around on a junk cart. The sculpture, however, is not
destined for the scrap yard; instead it is a mobile project by two
Dutch artists touching on a current debate between art and politics.

Wouter Osterholt and Elke Uitentuis walk around Istanbul all day with
their junk cart with a copy of

sculptor Mehmet Aksoy’s long-debated sculpture, the “Monument to
Humanity,” placed on top of it and

ask people whether they could make a plaster cast mold of their hands.

Aksoy’s sculpture was built in the eastern province of Kars and
dedicated to Turkish-Armenian friendship. Yet, during a Jan. 8 visit
to the area, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoðan pointed

to the 35-meter-tall “Monument to Humanity,” called it “freakish”
and demanded its removal. Kars’ municipal assembly promptly passed
a motion to tear down the monument, saying it had been illegally

erected in a protected area.

“We were in Turkey during the debates and we felt there were a lot
of opposing views on the sculpture,” Uitentius recently told the
Hurriyet Daily News. “We started to question the role of monuments in
representing political propaganda and decided to make an alternative
‘Monument

to Humanity’ that does not necessarily provide symbolic ‘goodness,’
but could also include critique,

resistance and rejection.”

Indeed, the pair’s alternative project called “Helping Hands” does
not necessarily carry a fixed political message but accommodates
space for ongoing negotiation by gathering plaster hand molds from
people who have different opinions on the topic.

“When we are walking with our cart, a lot of people stop and ask
us what it is and want to start a dialogue,” Uitentius said. “We
interview them on what they think about the sculpture and its debate
and we also ask whether we can make a copy of their hand. We make
it open to decide what gesture they want to make, most people choose
hand shakes, victory signs or fists.

So far, the pair has collected 105 hands; at the end of the project,
Osterholt and Uitentuis said they

would take them all to Kars and leave them in the place where the
monument once stood.

“The project is really about the democratization of public space
through the monuments. We want

it to be inclusive and reflect all kinds of views, those who support
the monument; those who say art

should be free of politics and those who say art is being used for
political propaganda,” Uitentius said.

The artists will also exhibit the project at PiST///, a nonprofit
interdisciplinaryproject space. PiST///’s curators Didem Ozbek and
Osman Bozkurt said they found the project quite interesting.

“They could make even more hand plasters if they had more material,”
Ozbek said. “We are located in

Pangaltý and there are a lot of Turkish and Armenian people in this
neighborhood. Therefore it is an important site to discuss these
issues.” The project will run until July 14 while the exhibition dates

will be announced at http:// in the
near future.

HIGH-VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE TO BE SET UP BETWEEN ARMENIA AND GEORGIA

news.am
July 13 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN. – High-voltage transmission line will be set up between
Armenia and Georgia in the near future, Armenian Minister of Energy
and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan told at a press conference.

The implementation of the project will cost $25 million instead of
planned $20 million.

“However, Armenia’s benefit from the project will be bigger. We can
export electricity from Armenia to Georgia and from there to Turkey,”
added the Minister.

AZERBAIJANI MFA: “ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S OPINION ON GIVING INTERIM STATUS TO NAGORNO KARABAKH IS ABSURD AND ILLOGICAL”

APA
July 13 2011
Azerbaijan

Baku. Victoria Dementieva – APA. “The opinion of Armenian president
on the interim status for Nagorno Karabakh, which will be recognized
in the international world is absurd and illogical”, spokesman for
the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Elkhan Polukhov told APA.

Commenting on Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan’s statements at
the meeting with “Golos Armenii” newspaper’s collective that the
interim status will be given to this region till the referendum which
will be held in Nagorno Karabakh, Polukhov considers that Sargsyan
doesn’t understand what he says: “The interim status recognized
by the international world doesn’t correspond to the international
relations terminology and if any status is given to Nagorno Karabakh
in the future, it will be only within Azerbaijani borders which are
recognized by the international community”.

Commenting the speech of Armenian president in front of Armenian
officers, Polukhov said: “It seems that by issuing populist statements
and especially during the negotiations between the sides, making
military rhetoric against Azerbaijan, Armenian President wants to
distract the attention of the Armenian public, which is against the
authorities and seriously dissatisfied, from the internal problems to
the foreign factors. In that case Azerbaijan is the most “convenient”
country”.

BAKU READY TO START WORK ON PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

news.az
July 13 2011
Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan proposes Armenia to begin work on a peace agreement on
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict without further delay.

‘I believe that some progress has been made, and we can safely go to
a peace agreement,’ Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov
said in Baku.

Asked when Baku was ready to begin negotiations on a peace agreement
with Armenia, the minister said: “Right today.”

“Many media outlets write that the meeting in Kazan was not successful,
but I do not agree with this,” Mammadyarov said referring to the
Kazan meeting of presidents of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia held
on 24 June.

“I agree rather with the position that, firstly, as also reflected
in the statement of the presidents, the rapprochement did occur, and,
secondly, we – Azerbaijan and Armenia – should continue negotiations
with no hysterics and work on rapprochement of positions,~T the
minister said.

~SMoreover, Azerbaijan is still in the same position that it were
after Sochi in 2010. We are ready to begin drafting a peace agreement
with the understanding of what has been achieved. Kazan allowed us
to move forward. We understood that there are still uncoordinated
elements, but in any case they should be reflected in the peace
treaty, and if there is actually a free will, then let’s work on it
immediately, without waiting for the next phase of negotiations on
basic principles,’ Azerbaijani minister noted.

“The basic principles already exist as a base, and there is an
understanding in what direction we are moving in terms of a peaceful
settlement. There are uncoordinated details within the basic principles
and there is no need to triple efforts to harmonize these elements
as they still need to be reflected in the peace agreement. So why
make a fuss? Let~Rs work towards a peace agreement, and show the
world our political will that we are ready to work immediately on a
legally binding peace agreement, rather than on a political document,”
Mammadyarov added.

Mammadyarov also believes that the Russian military base in Gyumri
(Armenia) will not be used against Azerbaijan.

“We have quite high military-political cooperation with Russia,
too. I do not think that the Russian military base in Gyumri will
take some anti-Azerbaijani actions that are contrary to the level
of relations between Azerbaijan and Russia,” Mammadyarov said in an
interview with Interfax.

Commenting on development of relations between Russia and Armenia in
the sphere of security, the Foreign Minister noted that Azerbaijan
does not interfere “in Moscow’s relations with its outpost.”

“Therefore, it is up to Russia to decide how to strengthens and
keep its outpost. On the other hand, we certainly would like more
transparency and openness of decisions so that things will be more
predictable and so that everyone decides what position it takes,”
Mammadyarov noted.

Gabala radar

Baku is holding talks with Moscow to reschedule Russia’s Gabala radar
station lease, the foreign minister continued.

“Yes, negotiations are underway. The issue is being discussed.”

In any case, it was necessary to extend the document on lease of the
station or revise it in accordance with the existing agreement on the
Gabala radar station. “That is, life itself pushes us to reconsider
the terms of the contract,” the foreign minister stated.

“At one time, when we just started to discuss it, and even before it,
the Russian side came up with the initiative for Azerbaijan to give
consent to use this station by Russia and the United States. And,
naturally, we told that it will be our modest, perhaps, but very
important contribution to the nonproliferation regime, and we are
ready to discuss this topic. After several rounds of talks between
Moscow and Washington, both parties informed us about the essence of
the negotiations,” said Mammdyarov.

Azerbaijani foreign minister stressed that under current conditions
the Gabala radar station is of great strategic importance “and it
should find an adequate assessment as a strategic facility.”

POST-CRISIS SITUATION MORE FAVORABLE FOR ARMENIAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY – GOVERNMENT

news.am
July 13 2011
Armenia

YEREVAN.- Neither Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan nor any
other official, any resident of Armenia are co-owners of Rainoville
company owning Armenia’s Nairit chemical plant, said Minister of
Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan.

Owner of Nairit plant is Rainoville company control stock of which
belongs to CIS Interstate bank.

Speaking about the reasons why Rainoville company was unable to cope
with the management of chemical giant, Movsisyan said that there are
objective and subjective reasons. He claimed it was the only company
which agreed to buy Nairit for $ 40 million in addition to debts.

Among the objective reasons he mentioned rise in gas prices in Armenia
and AMD revaluation.

Minister Movsisyan said that the government has drafted a plan for
rehabilitation of Nairit. If implemented, chemical giant will be able
to work at full capacity.

German C.A.C company is interested in management of the plant,
he added.

“Negotiations with the company are underway. If they do not succeed,
there are other proposals from Poland and Russia,” said Movsisyan.

He stressed that more favorable atmosphere for the chemical industry
developed after global crisis.