Author: Kanayan Tamar

PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
Fax: 617-484-1759
E-Mail: [email protected]

LECTURE ON ARMENIANS IN EGYPT TO TAKE PLACE AT ARARAT-ESKIJIAN MUSEUM

Sona Zeitlian of Los Angeles, CA, will give a lecture on "Armenian
Pioneers and Statesmen of Egypt," at the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, 15105
Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills, CA, on Sunday, March 4, at 4:00 p.m.
The lecture will be co-sponsored by the Museum and the National
Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR).

Zeitlian is the author of The Armenians in Egypt: Contributions of
Armenians to Medieval and Modern Egypt (2006). This is a richly
illustrated study of the Armenian involvement in the politico-military
and cultural developments of 11th and 12th centuries, as well as the
input of Armenians in the politico-economic evolution of modern Egypt,
the overhaul of its legal system and the reform of its educational
system.

Unique Perspective on Small But Significant Community

Although there have been several books written about Armenians in Egypt,
this volume offers a unique perspective on Armenians and the Armenian
community in the context of the sociopolitical reality of Egypt’s most
interesting and pivotal periods of history.

Armenians have had an uninterrupted presence in Egypt from the Roman and
Byzantine periods to modern times and, although numerically the
smallest, they rose to rank first among Egypt’s diverse minorities
mainly because of their active involvement in the fabric of Egyptian
society.

As personalities have counted far more than systems in Egypt, Muslim
Armenians have held leadership positions during the 11th and 12th
centuries, contributing to the political, economic, military, and
cultural development of medieval Egypt. Most of them were former
slaves, yet they had a palpable awareness of their identity and an
appreciation of their heritage as Armenians. During their tenure, the
Armenian See was established which functions to this day, Armenian armed
forces were instituted, and waves of Armenian refugees were given
opportunities to rebuild their lives, worship freely, and develop a
prosperous community.

The author also documents the achievements of Armenians in ministerial
and other leadership positions whose talents, foresight, and
statesmanship played a major role in shaping the Egyptian society and in
helping develop a vibrant Armenian community during the 19th and 20th
centuries.

Zeitlian offers a unique perspective on Armenian leaders, highlighting
their sense of responsibility as citizens, their respect for the law and
social justice, and the humanitarian treatment of people, regardless of
rank, economic standing, religion, or ethnic origin. They upheld these
values at a time when the concept of human rights did not even exist.

Sona Zeitlian was born in Cairo, Egypt. She has studied social sciences
and psychology at the American University in Cairo and taught in
community schools in Cairo and Beirut, and finally in Los Angeles since
1989. She has acted as senior editor of Los Angeles-based HSZ
Publications. In 1995 she was nominated to the Advisory Board of the
Gustave E. Von Grunebaum Center for Near Eastern Studies at UCLA. She
has been active in educational work and community service and is highly
acclaimed for her lectures, panel discussions, and seminars.

Her previous publications include The Role of Armenian Women During the
War of Liberation (winner of the Cilician Catholicosate’s Melitinetsi
Award), The Folktales of Musa Dagh (with illustrations by Lucy
Tutunjian), Legendary Armenian Braves (four volumes, with illustrations
by Lucy Tutunjian), and The One and Only (Armenian/English folktale,
with illustration by Shushig Arslanian).

More information on Zeitlian’s lecture may be had by calling
617-489-1610, by fax at 617-484-1759, by e-mail at [email protected], or by
writing to NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478; or by contacting
the Ararat-Eskijian Museum at 818-838-4862 or by e-mail at
[email protected].

PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
31 Moscovian Street
Yerevan 0002, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 27.00.03, 27.16.00 (temporary)
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46 (temporary)
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:

February 27, 2007

Heritage Finally Allowed to Remove Property

Yerevan–Today marshals from the Service for Mandatory Execution of Judicial
Acts (SMEJA) of the Ministry of Justice at long last reopened the locked and
sealed doors of Heritage Party headquarters, and allowed the office staff to
remove the property belonging to Heritage and its founder Raffi K.
Hovannisian. The property had been held captive for nearly one year inside
the premises which Hovannisian had lawfully leased from the Paronian State
Theater.

During the inspection of the main office, which took place in the company of
SMEJA officials, Heritage staff noticed that several pieces of equipment and
other items in Raffi Hovannisian’s bureau had been moved from their original
places. Despite the demands of the party representatives, the marshals did
not officially take note of this evident fact.

The opening of the office doors followed Heritage’s numerous formal
petitions–to SMEJA, the Minister of Justice, the Prosecutor General, and
the Republic’s ombudsman–which previously had not received the courtesy,
and legal imperative, of a reply. The sole response came on February 26,
three days after Raffi Hovannisian had reminded a Yerevan press conference
that Heritage was entering the registration cycle of the upcoming
parliamentary elections still locked out of its party headquarters and
deprived of its rightful access to its property and documentary resource
base, including the party’s original bylaws which are required for election
registration. Hovannisian had promised to secure his civil rights "in
emergency fashion" if the doors were not opened immediately.

As such, the yearlong saga of Heritage’s office lockdown and subsequent
break-in moved into its next phase.

Founded in 2002, Heritage has regional divisions throughout the land. As of
today, its central office is no longer located at 7 Vazgen Sargsian Street,
Yerevan 0010, Armenia. The new address is 31 Moscovian Street, Yerevan 0002,
Armenia, with email contact at [email protected] and website at

PRESS RELEASE

February 27, 2007

American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Contact: Gaiane Khchatrian
E-mail: [email protected]

AUA appoints Dr. Robert Bagramian Dean of College of Health Sciences

Oakland, CA – The Board of Trustees of the American University of Armenia
Corporation (AUAC) has approved the appointment of Dr. Robert Bagramian as
Dean of College of Health Sciences.

Dr. Bagramian is an accomplished scholar and the recipient of many awards in
the dental and public health spheres. He currently is a Professor in the
Schools of Dentistry and Public Health at the University of Michigan, where
he also served as a Professor and Chair in the Department of Community
Dentistry for seventeen years.

AUA President, Dr. Haroutune Armenian welcomed Dr. Bagramian in his new
position, "Dr. Bagramian is a highly respected academic with a distinguished
and international reputation. His teaching career spans over four decades at
major universities including the University of Michigan, University of
California, University of Berne, Switzerland and the National University of
Singapore. I am confident that Dr. Bagramian will have a significant impact
on the MPH program and AUA in general based on his academic and
administrative experiences, his ability to work with a variety of key
constituencies including governments, agencies and individuals, and his
successful development of training and health service programs both in the
United States and internationally."

Dr. Bagramian holds a Ph.D in Public Health from the University of Michigan,
School of Public Health, and a DDS Degree from the Temple University School
of Dentistry in Philadelphia. He provides consultancy services both
nationally and internationally, and serves as Chair of the Dental Health
Section of the American Public Health Association.

———————————— ——————–

The American University of Armenia Corporation (AUAC) is registered as a
non-profit educational organization in both Armenia and the United States
and is affiliated with the Regents of the University of California.
Receiving major support from the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the
Masters Degree in eight graduate programs. For more information about AUA,
visit

REQUIEM CEREMONY IN MEMORY OF WOODROW WILSON TO BE HELD IN ETCHMIADZIN AND ANTELIAS ON FEBRUARY 4

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 01 2007

ETCHMIADZIN, FEBRUARY 1, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A requiem
ceremony dedicated to former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson will be
held at the end of the Sunday Surb (Saint) Liturgy at the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin, on this Sunday, February 4. Noyan Tapan was
informed about it by priest Vahram Melikian, the information system
responsible of the Mother See.

This decision was made responding the proposal presented by
Rafayel Hambardzumian, the Chairman of the "Oath of National Unity"
organization, to hold requiem ceremony in memory of the Armenian
people’s great friend every year, on Sunday nearest to Woodrow Wilson’s
death anniversary (February 3, 1924). As Mr.Hambardzumian informed
Noyan Tapan the same proposal was approved at the Catholicosate of
the Great House of Cilicia as well.

The "National Unity Oath" party presented a proposal in November
of the previous year to implement events in Armenia and Diaspora to
perpetuate Woodrow Wilson’s memory. President Wilson, particularly,
is the author of the map on territories to be returned to Armenia
by the Treaty of Sevres by which it was envisaged that Turkey was to
return about 90 thousand square km territory to Armenia.

PROPORTIONAL LIST OF REPUBLICAN PARTY IS BIASED: RPA REPRESENTATIVE

Arminfo
2007-03-01 14:16:00

The proportional list of the Republican party of Armenia is biased,
RPA member, the Head of the Commission on State-Legal Affaires Rafik
Petrosyan said at today’s press-conference. The parliamentarian’s
discontent was caused by the fact that first ten of RPA’s proportional
list included the newly-made republicans- businessmen Karen Karapetyan
and Harutiun Pambukyan. According to him, the RPA’s Council forecasts
that 40-45 members will enter the Parliament by a party list during
the May 12 elections. He also said that the parliamentary elections
in Armenia will again be held with violations. "In case the elections
are held with gross violations, Armenia will possibly be ruled out of
the Council of Europe, as well as of the program of the "Millennium
Challenges" American Corporation", he said.

To note, the proportional list of RPA was approved at the recently
held session of the party’s Council. Thus, according to the Council’s
decision, the candidates from RPA will stand for in the Republic’s
27th and 41st majority districts.

ARMENIAN ELECTORAL BODY APPROVES APPEARANCE, SIZE OF BALLOT BOXES

Mediamax news agency
27 Feb 07

Yerevan, 27 February: Armenia’s Central Election Commission [CEC]
has approved the appearance and dimensions of the ballot boxes and
ballot envelopes.

Transparent boxes will be used in the 12 May parliamentary polls. The
CEC passed a decision to reduce the size of the hole in the boxes
from 21 mm to 15 mm to prevent attempts to drop a large number of
ballots into the boxes.

The ballot envelopes for candidates under the first-past-the-post
system will be white, and those for candidates under the proportional
system will be beige. The CEC emblem will be depicted on the envelopes.

CEC chairman Garegin Azaryan said that the commission had passed
a decision on the procedure of entering data on the results of
voting. The chairpersons of all regional electoral commissions
will have to enter the results of vote counting into a nationwide
database. However, Azaryan said, in Yerevan, the old data transferring
system (using transport means) will be used because Yerevan is not
connected to the computer network. After the records arrive, the data
for Yerevan will be entered into the database too, Azaryan said.

REPRESENTATIVE OF ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH ALSO TO TAKE PART IN MEETING OF WCC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Noyan Tapan
Feb 27 2007

ETCHMIADZIN, FEBRUARY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. Archbishop Vigen Aykazian,
the Interchurch Relations Responsible of the U.S. Eastern Diocese and
the Chairman of the U.S. National Council of Churches will represent
the Armenian Apostolic Surb (saint) Church at the next meeting of the
Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches to take place in
Geneva from February 27 to March 2. Issues relating to international
ecumenic peace-keeping meeting, the 10th congress of the WCC and
to the 10th (2001-2010) anniversary of overcoming violence will be
discussed at the meeting. The Executive Committee will also discuss
issues relating to spreading of nuclear weapons, state existing in
Africa and the role of the Church in similar cases. As Noyan Tapan
was informed by the Information Services of the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, the Committee meets twice a year and is elected by the
Central Committee which is the main heading body of the WCC.

CULTURE: FILM FESTIVAL FEATURES OFTEN-UNTOLD STORIES
By Claire Bigg

Radio Free Europe. Czech Rep.
Feb 27 2007

PRAGUE, February 27, 2007 (RFE/RL) — The ninth annual One World
documentary film festival opens on February 28 in the Czech capital.

>>From India to Belarus, from Kyrgyzstan to Brazil, the annual festival
offers a chance to catch little-seen documentaries on political and
social issues across the world.

One such film, "Three Comrades," tells the story of three young
men whose lives, like tens of thousands of others in Chechnya, were
shattered by the war waged by Moscow on Chechen separatists.

The film shows footage of Grozny in the early 1990s. Three friends —
Ruslan, Ramzan, and Islam — are seen driving through the streets of
the Chechen capital, listening to loud rock music on their car radio.

In voice-over, Islam Bashirov, speaking in the present, remembers that
time of his youth. "Fifteen years ago, we never would’ve believed
that this would be our story," he says in Russian. "Ruslan, Ramzan,
me. Together we were one."

"Some girls said that after a while I’d get used to it… I got used
to it all right, to alcohol, to this."

— Tatyana, Russian trafficking victim A few months after that carefree
ride through Grozny, the first Chechen war breaks out.

Ruslan is arrested and executed by Russian soldiers. Then Ramzan is
killed in an air strike on the city.

Only one, Bashirov, flees Chechnya and survives.

Mankind’s "Big Challenges"

The weeklong One World Festival, held annually in the Czech capital
since 1999, brings together little-seen documentaries like "Three
Comrades" that examine political and social issues across the world.

"The aim of the festival is to bring a more complex picture,
understanding, of what’s happening on the international arena, of
the main issues of our times, the political and social issues, the
big challenges of mankind," says Igor Blazevic, the festival director.

"We are trying to get people to re-think what they see on the news
every day or to see those things they do not see on the news. We want
to make them become active citizens."

One World, which runs in Prague cinemas from February 28 to March 8,
will show 123 films from 34 countries.

While the festival hopes to attract a broad audience, One World,
Blazevic says, targets mainly young people — "basically the new
generation, those who are looking for their values, for their places
in a globalized world, for private or generational answers to what
role they are playing in the world today."

The festival explores a series of armed conflicts, both current and
past, and the legacies they have left.

One of the documentary films, "A Story of People in War and Peace,"
tells the story of Vardan Hovhannisyan. The camera follows this
Armenian journalist as he tries to come to terms with his four years
fighting against Azerbaijani troops over the disputed enclave of
Nagorno-Karabakh, in the early 1990s.

"The war changed my life. It changed all our lives in Armenia,"
Hovhannisyan says to the camera. "Struggle, suffering, pain. I’ve
enjoyed 12 years of peace. I’m married with two beautiful children.

Life is so wonderful, and I don’t want to look back. But once,
my young son came up to me. He asked me: ‘Daddy, have you been a
soldier?’ And I don’t know what to say."

Global Issues, Local Stories

One World puts a human face on a wide range of hot-button topics, from
the spread of HIV, to ethnic tensions in Myanmar, ongoing violence
between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland, the life of
Chornobyl victims, child rape in South Africa, or the treatment of
prisoners at the U.S. Guantanamo naval base.

Trafficking of women is also high on the festival’s agenda this year.

In "Fallen Angel," a Russian girl, Tatyana, recalls how she was forced
into prostitution in the Netherlands after her boyfriend sold her to
a pimp.

"Some girls said that after a while I’d get used to it. ‘A week or
so, and you’ll get used to all that,’" Tatyana says. "I got used to
it all right, to alcohol, to this. I wish I could turn back time and
that I’d never come to the Netherlands."

After some time, Tatyana found the strength to stand up to the abuse
and sought help. But instead of finding salvation, she became entangled
in a legal process that left her with vulnerable to a criminal gang
with no protection from the Dutch authorities.

Above all others, the main topic this year is political freedom. A
number of films are being presented under a special section called
"Democracy Report."

Festival director Blazevic says the films on this topic are not
limited to countries ruled by authoritarian regimes.

"We have films from countries like Azerbaijan, Belarus, Afghanistan,
where people are still striving to achieve democracy," he says. "But
we also have films questioning the quality of democracy in countries
like the United States, the Czech Republic, and Poland."

LAW TO SETTLE HISTORICAL INJUSTICE

A1+
[06:44 pm] 27 February, 2007

‘The clause on dual citizenship has basis for historical injustice
settlement,’ said Hrayr Karapetyan, leader of NA ARF faction. By
injustice he means the Diaspora as a result of the 1915 Genocide and
its increase after 1990s."Unless we settle the injustice, we become
an accomplice."

As Hrayr Karapetyan claims, there is no difference how many people
voted for the bill, but he has more expectations. I hoped the bill
of so much importance should have been passed with no votes against
and no abstentions. The adoption of the will empower our country both
through economic investments and population increase, as well as from
the point of view of the army."

To his mind, we should follow the counties having great Diaspora
such as Israel, etc. "Their experience may be knowledgable. The
ideal variant is that the dual citizen will have the same rights
and responsibilities, but as far as some political issues elicited,
ARF has made some compromise," Hrayr Karapetyan highlighted.

"ECHO": CENTER ON STUDY ARMENIA-RELATED ISSUES TO FUNCTION IN BAKU

Ïðaâî Âûaîða, Azerbaijan
Democratic Azerbaijan
Feb 26 2007

Accordingly to head of this organization, they are ready to wage
information ideological war against Armenians in their native language.

>From this day Center on study Armenia-related issues will be
functioning at "Azerbaijan" publishing house. It is attached to
League of Journalists-Researches. Head of this organization, Gafar
Chakhmagli, informed "Echo" about it. Accordingly to him they decided
to unite Armenia-related specialists with the purpose of carrying out
researches in order to bring truth to the notice of world community
concerning territorial and other claims of Armenians.

5 specialists (mainly those who came from Armenia) are working
for the center. Among them member of National Academy of Science,
Israfil Mamadov, can be mentioned. For many years he was the chief of
"Soviet Armenia" newspaper. Accordingly to Chakhmagli, Mamadov is not
only professional journalist he is also perfect expert of psychology
of Armenians. Journalists-researchers, Nazim Mustafa, Allahverdi
Mamadov, jurist Islam Huseinov, and the only woman Sanubar Saralli
will be working with him. The later got secondary and high education
in Armenian language. Gafar Chakhmagli himself knows Armenian language
very well. "For example, editor of "Dirchalish-XXI century", Araz
Gurbanov, will collaborate with us. We are ready to wage information
and ideological war against Armenian in their native language. We will
publish books, booklets dedicated to Armenian issue. Internet sites
will inform about our researches not only in Azerbaijani language
but in English, Russian and Armenian languages.

We are planning to publish journal once in three months. Booklets and
books first will be published in Azerbaijani language, then they will
be translated in Armenian language", Chakhmagli stressed.

By the way he holds that it is necessary to create many such centers.

"They are of great use for us. It would be better if such centers would
operate at National Academy of Science and different universities. Many
people can be involved with this business. In Turkey similar centers
are operating. For example, in Erzurum university center for study
"Armenian genocide" is functioning and we are cooperating with it".

Head of center believes that they are right and society shouldn’t
be surprised by their undertaking, as country can get benefit on
international area owing to revealing true policy of Armenians.

Moreover, center intends to bring the essence of ongoing processes
in Armenia to the notice of Azerbaijani and world community. For this
purpose knowledge of Armenian language is necessary. Chakhmagli said
that number of persons who knows Armenian language is reducing.

"Starting from 1988 they didn’t speak this language and that is
why they forgot it. But there are some specialists in Baku and
in Nagorni Garabagh region of Azerbaijan including our citizens of
Armenian origin. When conflict will be regulated within the frames of
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, knowing Armenian language will
be useful. We should prepare our specialists of Armenian language".

He also paid attention to the fact that in Armenia itself in academy
in universities and public organizations there are specialists on
Azerbaijan-related issues. They learn Azerbaijani language and our
country. Chakhmagli informed that part of them applied to Turkey
to provide conditions for starting research works in archives to
study Azerbaijan and Turkey. "We also should do our best in this
direction". He said that in case persons willing to learn Armenian
language apply to them they are ready to organize such courses. "As far
as I know these courses are organized in high schools. For example, in
Baku State University there are students learning Armenian language".

–Boundary_(ID_FQ2KKspe66WstH4sb1 TYTw)–