Author: Kanayan Tamar

PRIME MINISTER SOLVED PROBLEMS ON THE SPOT

KarabakhOpen
24-01-2008 12:40:54

On January 22 Prime Minister Ara Harutiunyan visited the villages
of Verin Horatagh, Harutiunagomer and Vaghuhas of the region of
Martakert. All the three villages had been occupied during the war and
destroyed by the Azerbaijani troops, the population had been displaced.

After liberation reconstruction was launched. During the visit
it became known that the most urgent problem remains housing, the
department of information and public relations of the government
reports.

Ara Harutiunyan stated that the government will build houses for
the families of killed soldiers, then the disabled of war and
underprivileged families. Others will also get assistance from the
government, the prime minister said. The government is likely to
provide long-term interest-free loans to families to reconstruct their
houses. This proposal was approved by the people of the communities.

The population of the three villages has grown despite housing
problems. In addition, there is no water supply in any of the
villages. In Verin Horatagh, for instance, people carry water from a
source which is outside the village. The prime minister promised to
help solve the problem of water.

It also became known that in the villages of Martakert people do not
work the land because of the shortage of machines. Another reason is
that most men of the village work for the copper factory of the Base
Metals and get a high salary and do not need to work the land.

The prime minister said this year the government is likely to provide
considerable assistance to farmers, including financial support,
fertilizers, extension. During the visit the prime minister solved
several problems on the spot, namely leasing of agricultural machines
for mechanization, the construction of the new school building in
Baghuhas and transmission of the Armenian and Russian TV channels.

NOBODY ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT REAL SETTLEMENT

KarabakhOpen
22-01-2008 15:52:38

Recently the basic issues of a peace settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict have been discussed more often. Some time ago the OSCE Minsk
Group visited Stepanakert. Judging by NKR President Bako Sahakyan’s
statement, some points of this agreement do not correspond to the
interests of Karabakh. Consequently, the basic issues have not been
agreed on. The fate of people is at stake but people are unaware,
they only guess. They guess that may be the return of territories
and refugees is discussed. Nobody assumes the responsibility to tell
people about the reality.

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs stated they had extended a document
to the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, which contains
the basic issues of the settlement of the conflict. Ostensibly,
the points are the following: withdrawal of Armenian force from the
territories around the former autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh,
deployment of peacekeeping force, mine clearance and reconstruction,
return of refugees, referendum on independence in Karabakh in 15
years. The issues are highly sensitive.

Therefore, perhaps, they are not revealed.

"Maybe the co-chairs should nevertheless ask the people of Karabakh
what to return and what not to return, and whether it should be
returned. Do we need peacekeepers, which will probably include
conscientious "defenders" of peace? Let us remember Kosovo. Has
anyone thought about the impressive demographic indices, which will
become deciding after the return of the Azerbaijani refugees to
Karabakh? There would be a demographic explosion in Karabakh. What
about the Armenian refugees? They are also refugees, aren’t they? How
about mine clearance? It has already started, hasn’t it? If we agree
to those points, we will run into a deadlock, at least for another 70
years, or even a century. Does history repeat?" says Narine Stepanyan
from Stepanakert.

"Most sources of water of Karabakh are in Karvachar. Who thought of
returning this region? A person with a good sense would never sign
such a document. Does anyone worry about the physical security of
the people of Karabakh?" Anna Mnatsakanyan asks.

NKR DEFENCE MINISTER: AT PRESENT THERE IS ONLY ONE ARMENIAN WAR PRISONER IN AZERBAIJAN

arminfo
2008-01-21 09:41:00

ArmInfo. Nagornyy Karabakh Republic keeps to strict arrangements
regarding immediate returning of Azerbaijani army servicemen that
came over the Karabakh party, the NKR Defence Minister Movses Hakopyan
told journalists, as ArmInfo correspondent reports from Stepanakert.

He also added that after the relevant work with war prisoners they
are returned to their native land via the Red Cross International
Committee. At the same time Hakopyan worries about the attitude towards
war prisoners in Baku. He also said that there few cases when the NKR
Defence Army servicemen come over the Azerbaijani party. At present
there is only one Armenian war prisoner in Azerbaijan, which came
over the enemy party having served in the army for a week, and today
he does not want to come back to his native land.

A criminal case was initiated against him.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Jan 20 2008

Azerbaijan Appeals International Organization to Assist in Compiling
list of Armenian Electors: CEC Head
20.01.08 12:44

Azerbaijan, Baku, 19 January / corr Trend E.Huseynli / The Central
Elections Commission (CEC) repeatedly appeals the international
organizations to assist in injecting the names of Azerbaijani
Citizens of Armenian origin residing in Nagorno-Karabakh in electors’
list.

The Azerbaijani citizens of Armenian origin like other nations
residing in Nagorno-Karabakh should be authorized with an election
right and Azerbaijan is prepared for it,’ Mazahir Panahov, the
chairman of the CEC, said on 20 January.

In connection with the presidential elections scheduled for October,
the elections lists are being clarified. Last year 4,218 electors
were registered in Khankandi constituency commission ¹122. There are
five constituencies in Khankandi. The final lists will be developed
by the end of April.

According to Panahov, it was decided to use the assistance of
international organizations in injecting the Azerbaijani citizens’
names in the electors’ list. He said that international organizations
take passive part.

Armenian National Committee of Canada
Comité National Arménien du Canada
130 Albert St., Suite/Bureau 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel./Tél. (613) 235-2622 Fax/Téléc. (613) 238-2622
E-mail/courriel:national.office@anc-canad a.com

PRESS RELEASE

January 18, 2008
Contact: Kevork Manguelian

Turkish Ultranationalists Try to Silence Prominent Canadians

Toronto-The Turkish Government’s propaganda machine tried to intimidate and
silence many prominent Canadians who had come forth to make deputations
during the monthly meeting of the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB)
program and services committee.

During the Jan. 16 meeting the TDSB committee provided an opportunity to two
Turkish representatives (Ozay Mehmet of the Council of Turkish Canadians,
and Lale Eskicioglu) and four Canadians (Prof. Frank Chalk, director of the
Montréal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies; David Warner,
former Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly; Leo Adler, prominent
criminal lawyer and human rights advocate; and Hon. Jim Karygiannis, MP) to
present their points of view on the board’s Grad 11 ‘Genocide: Historical
and Contemporary Implications’ curriculum.

The Turkish representatives protested the inclusion of the Armenian Genocide
in the curriculum. The prominent Canadians’ group praised the TDSB for its
moral fortitude, vision, and commitment to develop such a timely curriculum
and asked for the inclusion of the Armenian Genocide in the curriculum.

Mr. Warner read a letter signed by prominent Canadians from all walks of
life, urging the TDSB to "stand firm by its decision and not to be swayed by
politically-motivated pressure groups." Among the signatories were Stephen
Lewis, Gerald Caplan, Jack Layton, Bob Rae, Joy Kogawa, Amir Hassanpour,
Jacques Kornberg.

During the presentations of Chalk, Warner, Adler and Karygiannis,
ultranationalist Turks hackled the speakers and tried to stop them from
speaking. Several times committee chair, trustee Chris Bolton, was forced
to call for order and ask the Turkish representatives not to disrupt the
meeting.

After the meeting, members of the Turkish group approached some of the
pro-Genocide inclusion speakers and taunted them with abuse and profanities.
The scene was reminiscent of the trials of many righteous Turkish
individuals who in recent years have challenged the Turkish Government on
its denial of the Armenian Genocide and have been silenced under Article 301
of the Turkish penal code.

At the meeting, Aris Babikian, executive director of the Armenian National
Committee of Canada, tabled a petition in support of the curriculum. The
petition carried 2,643 signatures. Among the signatories were many teachers
from the TDSB system.

For the past two years the TDSB has been developing ‘Genocide: Historical
and Contemporary Implications’ curriculum for Grade 11 students. The course
comprises of three genocide case studies: the Armenian Genocide; the
Holocaust; the Rwandan Genocide, in addition to other cases of ethnic
cleansing and crimes against humanity.

The course has been approved by the Ontario Minister of Education. An
overwhelming majority of principals, teachers and program directors have
commended the TDSB for this timely project. They have also indicated that
they are eager to teach the program.

In the last two months the Turkish denial machine has launched a vicious
campaign of falsehood, misrepresentation, unsubstantiated accusations,
innuendo and revisionist historical discourse to persuade the TDSB to remove
the Armenian Genocide from the curriculum.

######

The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of
the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.

Regional Chapters/Sections régionales

Montréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge – St.
Catharines – Windsor – Vancouver

Armenian President stated that the leadership of Yerevan did not impose
bans for rallies and processions

January 18, 2008

Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian President Robert Kocharian stated today
that the realization of rallies and processions in rush hours within
the framework of the pre-election campaign `does not meet the interests
of the population of Yerevan’.

Mediamax reports that the President stated that the political figures
should `understand that’ and urged them to coordinate their actions
with the city authorities when planning such events.

Robert Kocharian noted that the leadership of the City Administration
made the corresponding address and urged the candidates for the
position of the President to demonstrate common sense and not to create
needless problems in the streets of the capital city.

The Armenian President stated that `all the remaining is the personal
business of the candidates, since the Yerevan leadership imposes no
bans and does not violate anybody’s constitutional rights’.

NINE TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN ARMENIA

armradio.am
18.01.2008 16:40

Today the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Armenia registered
9 candidates, who will participate in the presidential elections on
February 19, 2008.

The registered presidential contenders are: leader of "Orinats Yerkir"
Party Arthur Baghdasaryan, leader of "National Unification" Party
Artashes Geghamyan, leader of People’s Party Tigran Karapetyan, Leader
of "National Democratic Union" Vazgen Manukyan, former Adviser to
the President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arman Melikyan, member
of ARF Dashnaktsutyun Bureau, Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly
Vahan Hovhannissian, leader of the Republican Party of Armenia,
Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan, first President of Armenia Levon
Ter-Petrosyan, Leader of "National Consent" Party Aram Harutyunyan.

The pre-election campaign will last from January 21 through February
17, 2008.

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

Bible Readings
—————–
Is 63.7-19
1-20#Is 63.7-192 Tim 3.1-12
1-20#2 Tim 3.1-12Jn 6.22-38.
1-20#Jn 6.22-38.
Diocesan News
—————–

CHAIRLADIES OF LADIES’s SOCIETIES FROM LOS ANGELES AREA GATHERED AT

On Monday, January 14, 2008, the Chairladies and Representatives of
the Ladies’ Societies from the Greater Los Angeles area gathered at
the Diocesan Headquarters for an open forum and luncheon to discuss
mutual interests and areas of cooperation and exchange ideas regarding
the general activities of the Ladies’ Societies of the Western
Diocese.
( news/story.php?id=799)

"GOOD SAMARITAN" MISSION

On January 14, 2008, the Primate presided over the â??Good
Samaritanmeeting.
(http://www.armenia nchurchwd.com/news/story.php?id=800)

LOS ANGELES TIMES RELIGION EDITOR STEVE PADILLA VISITED WESTERN DIOCESE

On January 15, 2008, Steve Padilla, Religion Editor of the Los Angeles
Times, visited the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church in Burbank,
California, and met with His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
( tory.php?id=801)

REPRESENTATIVES FROM ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC AND EPISCOPALIAN CHURCHES MET AT

On Wednesday, January 16, 2008, a joint meeting between the
representatives from the Armenian Apostolic and Episcopalian Churches
took place at the Western Diocese.
( ry.php?id=802)

PRIMATE MET WITH HOVESPIAN SCHOOL TRUSTEES

On Wednesday, January 16, 2008, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church,
accompanied by the Very Rev. Fr. Baret Dz. V. Yeretsian, Pastor of
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Pasadena, met with the trustees
of the Hovsepian School and discussed matters pertaining the school
life.
( /story.php?id=803)

ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES JOINTLY CELEBRATED DIVINE LITURGY

On Wednesday, January 16, 2008, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church,
accompanied by the Very Rev. Fr. Baret Dz. V. Yeretsian, Pastor of
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Pasadena, met with the trustees
of the Hovsepian School and discussed matters pertaining the school
life.
( /story.php?id=804)

ANNUAL REQUIEM FOR UNBORN IS HELD AT ARCHDIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES

( d=805)

DIVINE LITURGY CELEBRATION AND ORDINATION AT

( d=806)

DIVINE LITURGY CELEBRATION AND ORDINATION AT

( d=806)

DIVINE LITURGY CELEBRATION AND ORDINATION AT

( d=806)

STEWARDSHIP EVENT IS HELD AT WESTERN DIOCESE

( d=807)

SUMMER CAMP COMMITTEE MEETS; PLANS UPCOMING YEAR

The Western Diocese Summer Camp Committee gathered for its second
regular meeting of the 2008 Summer Camp season on Saturday, January
5th at St. Paul, Fresno. We joined other Diocesan organizations,
including Camp Board, Diocesan Council and ACYO Central council, at a
luncheon and open forum discussion hosted by Abp. Hovnan Derderian.
( tory.php?id=808)

$11,600 DONATIONS MADE BY ST. ANDREW OF CUPERTINO IN 2007

During year 2007, St. Andrew Armenian Church of Cupertino, Santa
Clara Valley, raised and donated $11,600 to various causes within and
without the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church.
( y.php?id=809)

Upcoming Events
—————–

1/19: 4th Annual ACYO-WD Leadership Conference
( ar/detail.php?id=75)

============================ =
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:

REGULAR MEETING OF RA FIRST PRESIDENT LEVON TER-PETROSYAN’S SUPPORTERS TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 22

2008-01-17 14:38:00

ArmInfo. The regular meeting of RA first President Levon Ter-
Petrosyan’s supporters will be held the next Tuesday, January 22 at
4:30 PM on the Yerevan Liberty Square, by the Opera Theatre building.

As the ex-president’s official site reports, the meeting is organized
by Levon Ter- Petrosyan and several political parties, public
organizations and civil initiatives, which support his candidacy at
the forthcoming presidential election. The Yerevan Mayor has taken
note of the event (decision N1).

SERGE SARGSIAN: ARTSAKH PROBLEM SHOULD BE IN CENTER OF ATTENTION OF
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT’S ACTIONS

YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, NOYAN TAPAN. The Artsakh problem should be in the
center of attention of the Armenian president’s actions, is said in the
pre-election program of the prime minister Serge Sargsian who has been
proposed as a candidate for the post of the Armenian president.

According to the program, the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh
problem will be based on the following principles: the international
recognition of the Arstakh people’s right of self-determination and the
creation of conditions for exercise of this right, the security of the
NKR’s population and borders, the existence of a common border between
the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. It is stated
that the conflict’s settlement is not possible in one day – it is a
group of actions implemented by several steps. "The agreement among all
the Karabakh conflict parties should include as a package the solutions
to all the issues and those mechanisms that should ensure the
implementation of these issues," is said in the document.

In accordance with S.Sargsian’s program, Armenia should establish
normal relations with neighboring states. It is stated in the program
that Armenia should show willingness in the issue of establishing
diplomatic relations with Turkey and opening the borders, considering
that its basis cannot not be formed by the preconditions for rejecting
the necessity of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict-related and other preconditions.

The pre-election program of the Armenian prime minister states that the
RA national security strategy should be aimed at ensuring the stability
of the country and the region and overcoming the existing
contradictions. Based on it, the major task of the state’s security in
the coming years will be the construction of a united multilevel system
of national security with the participation of state government bodies.