Author: Karagyozian Lena

DAYS OF ARMENIAN CULTURE TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 21-27 IN BEIJING

Noyan Tapan
Dec 10 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, NOYAN TAPAN. Days of Armenian Culture will be
held on December 21-27 in Beijing within the framework of the agreement
on Armenian-Chinese Cultural Cooperation in 2005-2010. As Noyan Tapan
correspondent was informed by the Public Relations Department of the
RA Ministry of Culture, Hasmik Poghosian, the RA Minister of Culture,
the head of the Armenian delegation, will meet with responsible persons
of the Chinese Ministry of Culture, will visit cultural institutions.

The collective of the State Theater of Pantomime, solo singers,
laureates of international competitions, Barsegh Tumanian and
Irina Zakian, the Kadans string orchestra headed by pianist Armen
Babakhanian, and pianist Arus Achemian will also leave for Beijing for
the purpose of taking part in the Days of Armenian Culture in China.

It should be mentioned that the Puppet Theater of the Chinese town
of Chzhoun, state of Funczhan, for the first time performed on tour
in Yerevan in October 2007 within the framework of the agreement.

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WESTERN DIOCESE E-NEWSLETTER
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Diocesan News
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3RD ANNUAL ORIENTAL ORTHODOX JOINT SPIRITUAL GATHERING

On Saturday, December 8, 2007, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the joint
Oriental Orthodox Churches Sunday School Students (between ages 9 to
15) event will take place at the Western Diocesan Headquarters of the
Armenian Church, in Burbank, California.
( story.php?id=746)

4TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BANQUET & PRIMATE’S 50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

The annual Christmas celebration of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church has become a beautiful annual tradition, a joyous
opportunity for the active and involved members of the Western
Diocese, clergy, and distinguished friends  of the Armenian
Community in the realm of public service, to gather and enjoy the
beginning of the holiday season . The 4th annual Christmas celebration
banquet was of a different significance. It was also the 50th birthday
of our Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
( tory.php?id=747)

CONCLUSION OF 80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
( /story.php?id=748)

CYMA’S FIRST ANNUAL DINNER DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA A SUCCESS

The Christian Youth Mission to Armenia held its first annual dinner
dance extravaganza on November 30 at the Long Beach Hyatt. With a
crowd of approximately 180 guests, consisting of ACYO members,
supportive parents, and dedicated donors, the event was a success.
( ry.php?id=745)

Upcoming Events
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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:

HEADS OF DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS WILL BE INVITED TO OBSERVE THE ELECTIONS

armradio.am
07.12.2007 15:01

Secretary of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Armenia Abraham
Bakhchagulyan declared in Yerevan today that the issues of meetings,
demonstrations and speeches of politicians are not regulated by the
Electoral Code before the official start of the election campaign.

Abraham Bakhchagulyan reminded that the registration of candidates
will start on December 31Cand will continue through January 20,
the election campaign will be officially launched on January 31.

The CEC Secretary said that recent changes in the Electoral Code
will allow to guarantee the franchise rights of the handicapped. The
CEC has assumed the responsibily to help the blind voters, and one
polling station will be opened in every electoral district for the
disabled in wheelchairs.

Abraham Bakhchagulyan noted that the CEC will invite the Heads of all
diplomatic missions accredited in Armenia to observe the presidential
elections.

AZG Armenian Daily #226, 07/12/2007

Social

ARMENIA THE 77TH

"Reporters without borders" organization has published the state of
freedom of the press in 169 countries of the world.

According to that statistics, Armenia is the 77th. >From CIS
countries Latvia, Litvania, Estonia come to the fore. Georgia is the
66th. Moldova is the 81st, Ukraine – the 92nd, Azerbaijan – the 139th
and Russia – the 144th.

It is mentioned that Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine and Kirkistan have
improved their indexes during last one year.

Translated by L.H.

COLOMBIER MEETS WITH RA JUSTICE MINISTER AND PROSECUTOR GENERAL

Noyan Tapan
Dec 5, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. George Colombier, the Co-Rapporteur
of PACE Monitoring Commission, on December 4, met with RA
Justice Minister Gevorg Danielian and RA Prosecutor General Aghvan
Hovsepian. Despina Chatsivasiliu, the Secretary of the PACE Monitoring
Commission, took part in the meeting.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by Lana Mshetsian, the Spokesperson of the
RA Justice Minister, during the meeting, the Minister was proposed
presenting information on a number of questions concerning court
and legal problems. In particular, the Commission took interest in
the following issues: a) the guarantees of courts’ independence when
carrying out judicial enquiry on cases of violation of the suffrage, b)
the state of ensuring budget allocations in connection with increase of
the number of judges during judicial system’s financing and court and
legal reforms, c) the directions and results of fighting corruption
in the judicial system, d) the necessity to present Judicial Code’s
principles to the international experts, e) the events aimed at
improval of the condition of obligatory execution of judicial acts, f)
issues concerning publication of the international report on tortures
in the penitentiary system.

According to the same source, the Minister gave the respective
explanations about these and a number of other issues, which "were
evaluated by the Commission as exhaustive and complete."

According to Sona Truzian, the Spokesperson of the RA Prosecutor
General, issues regarding court and legal reforms, human rights
protection in Police structures, criminal persecution of electoral
violations were discussed during the meeting with the Prosecutor
General. A. Hovsepian presented the reforms being implemented in the
system of Prosecutor’s Office, saying that the status of independence
of Prosecutor’s Office has considerably risen in this context, its
functions have become more clear. The transitional stage envisaged
by the new law On Prosecutor’s Office finished on December 1, 2007
and according to it, the new structure of Prosecutor’s Office was
established.

The RA Prosecutor General also informed the guests that the electoral
violations registered during the 2007 May parliamentary elections
have been studied, examination has been carried out in connection with
all signals received, as a result of which 8 cases on 17 persons have
been sent to the court, 12 members of district electoral commission
have been found guilty on 4 cases, 11 out of which for falsifying
voting results, 1 hampering district electoral commission’s work,
3 persons have been sentenced on 2 criminal cases for hampering free
fulfilment of voters’ will.

At the same time, it was registered that as a result of examination of
the formed judicial practice, a bill making stricter the punishments
envisaged by the RA Criminal Code for electoral falsifications has
been worked out and adopted by the RA National Assembly.

According to the same source, J. Colombier expressed the hope that
the Prosecutor’s Office will be consistent in calling to account
those guilty if electoral violations are registered in the upcoming
presidential elections.

ROBERT KOCHARYAN: OUR PEOPLE WILL NOT GO AFTER CHATTERERS AND CARPETBAGGERS

armradio.am
06.12.2007 12:39

RA President Robert Kocharyan declared in an interview with Golos
Armenii newspaper that "all potential revolutions are political
bankrupts."

"The struggle is not between the authorities and the opposition,
but for the president’s seat. If the leader of the parliamentary
majority wins, we shall have a strong president capable to make
decisions and carry responsibility for those. If someone else wins,
the country will have a president having the status of the Queen of
England. Read the Constitution.

The executive power belongs to the government. As for the revolution,
the parliamentary elections have already answered this question. All
potential revolutions are political bankrupts. Our people is clever
and pragmatic and will not go after chatterers and carpetbaggers,"
Robert Kocharyan declared.

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
Dec 7 2007

NKR PRESIDENT AND REPRESENTATIVES OF MASS MEDIA DISCUSSED SITUATION
IN KARABAKH’S INFORMATION FIELD

The issues referring to the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic’s information field, interrelations of power, public and
press and political situation were considered at NKR President Bako
Sahakian’s meeting with the representatives of the Republic’s mass
media.
According to the information DE FACTO received at the NKR President’s
Press Office, at the meeting held December 5 Bako Sahakian had spoken
up for the necessity to ensure wide cooperation between various mass
media. NKR President specially underscored that the cooperation did
not imply mass media’s control but served to establishing efficient
connection between the authorities and mass media.
The President resolutely ruled out the establishment of any special
state organ to control independent press’s activity. According to
Bako Sahakian, ensuring press’ freedom is one of the most important
achievements of Karabakh statehood.
The participants of the talk welcomed the President’s readiness to
regularly hold such meeting to discuss urgent issues.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 7 2007

Event on anniversary of Armenian poet Eghishe Charents held in
Tbilisi

YEREVAN, December 7. /ARKA/. An evening on the 110th anniversary of
the birth and 70th anniversary of death of great Armenian poet
Eghishe Charents was held in the hall of Caucasus House in Tbilisi
today.

At the event the results of the competition devoted to Charents have
been summarized. Among the participants of the competition were 30
representatives of Georgian intelligentsia of different origin,
researchers and admirers of Charents heritage, the press service of
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry reported.

Opening speeches were made by Deputy Director of the Caucasus House
Mikhail Beroshvili, Armenian Ambassador to Georgia Hrach Silvanian,
the Head of Georgian diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Vazgen
Mirzakhanian, Director of the Museum of Charents in Yerevan Lilit
Hakobian and Honoured Artist of Armenia Azat Gasparian.

Ambassador Silvanian pointed out the importance of the celebration of
jubilee of Charents in Georgia having in mind the ties the great poet
had with Georgia and Georgian cultural workers and intelligentsia.

`’Charents not only continued best traditions of ancient and medieval
Armenian literature, but also enriched them with achievements of the
Eastern and Western literature,” Silvanian said adding that the
poetry of Charents is a `’unique example of national world
identity”.

The Ambassador welcomed the participants and thanked the jury for the
work done to deepen and develop Armenia-Georgia cultural links.

The Ambassador handed diplomas and presents over to the winners of
the contest – Artiusha Gevorgian (first prize), Murad Mtvarelidze
(second prize), Liudmila Oragvelidze (third prize).

The Director of Charents Museum Lilit Hakobian gave diplomas of
gratitude and presents to the participants of the contest.

Among the participants of the event were high-ranking officials of
Georgia’s Foreign Ministry, representatives of the Ministry of
Culture and cultural workers of Georgia, as well as Member of
Georgian Parliament Van Bayburd. -0–

Hayots Ashkharh, Armenia
Dec 7 2007

WHAT HELPED RECONSTRUCT THE DISASTER ZONE?

Change of ideology

Before the 1998 shift of power, we seemed to have somehow put up
with the idea that the phenomenon known as `disaster zone’ would
exist in our reality forever.
Although it seemed for a moment that after the 1994 ceasefire the
authorities would pay a little attention to the disaster zone,
allocating to it at least a small part of the state expenditures,
inevitably decreasing in connection with the end of war. But that
didn’t happen for the simple reason that the official ideology and
the ideologists considered it quite natural that the population of
Armenia would decrease, reaching to 1-1.5 million.
So, is there any need to think about reconstructing the disaster
zone and keeping the population of Spitak and Gyumri in their places,
when a few hundred stalls reselling cheap products brought from
Turkey were enough to create the `heavenly place’ they were dreaming
about, so as the remaining population of Gyumri, Spitak and the other
towns could drag out its miserly existence.
The reconstruction of the disaster zone required that both the
former and the new authorities introduce a change of ideology in
their specific goals, the fundamental value of such change being the
idea of the unity and inseparability of one’s nation and motherland
vs. a citizen doing services for an oriental `bazaar’. The
fundamental turning point observed in the process of the
reconstruction of the disaster zone, which began in 1988 and took a
more active turn during the subsequent years, resulted first of all
from a new perception of the sense of the existence of the state and
the prospects of its development.
The rest, i.e. procuring supplies from different sources, speeding
up the paces of the construction, handing over a large number of
schools and cultural establishments for operation were just simple
derivatives of the above-mentioned.
But even after 1988, when the reconstruction of the ruined
dwelling areas began to speed up drastically, the activists, who held
responsible posts under the former authorities and later became
representative of the Opposition, were trying to substantiate the
viewpoint that R. Kocharyan’s special attention to the construction
of the disaster zone was nothing more than a waste of means and
efforts.
The reason for advancing such statements of question is obvious.
As the members of the Armenian pan-National Movement believe, the
state works for itself, and the citizen lives on his/her own; and the
former doesn’t care whether the latter lives in a hut or in a flat.
And despite all that, despite all the material and subjective bars
and obstacles, the authorities continued their strategy of
prioritizing the reconstruction of the disaster zone. As a result, we
are now the eye-witnesses of new districts built in the towns of
Spitak and Gyunri. Therefore, now it is already possible to speak
about the elimination of the term `disaster zone’.
The political sense and significance of the unprecedented
construction implemented in the disaster zone during the past 10
years is first of all that hundreds and thousands of people received
flats, got firmly attached to their native land, gave up the idea of
carrying the stick of a migrant and recovered their distorted faith
in their motherland.
The fundamental turning point observed in the disaster zone
results from a mentality deriving from a certain clear-cut ideology
and prioritizing the national goals over the laws of some market
place. Now, on the eve of the presidential elections, it is acquiring
a specific content and significance, becoming a clear alternative of
either preserving or waiving the national goals adopted by the state.

KAREN NAHAPETYAN

Hayots Ashkharh, Armenia
Dec 7 2007

9 CANDIDATES SUBMIT CLAIMS FOR PRESIDENCY

Yesterday, 18:00 p.m. was the deadline for the RA presidential
candidates to submit their claims to the Central Election Commission.
The candidates had a 15-day time-limit for the submission of the
documents.
During the meeting with the journalists, CEC Chairman GAREGIN
AZARYAN announced, `Before the deadline for the submission of the
candidates’ claims for presidency, we received documents from 9
citizens.
The candidates submitted their documents in the following order:
ARTASHES MAMIKON GEGHAMYAN, `National Unity’ party, LEVON HAKOB
TER-PETROSYAN, a self-nominated candidate, SERZH AZAT SARGSYAN, the
Republican Party of Armenia, VAZGEN MIKHAEL MANOUKYAN, `National
Democratic Union’, TIGRAN KARAPET KARAPETYAN, `The People’s Party’,
VAHAN EDUARD HOVHANNISYAN, Armenian Revolutionary Federation –
Dashnaktsutyun, ARTHUR VAHAN BAGHDASARYAN, `Rule of Law’ party, ARMAN
VARDAN MELIKYAN, a self-nominated candidate, ARAM SERGEY
HAROUTYUNYAN, `National Consent’ party.
The registration of the nominated candidates will take place from
December 3 till January 20. The pre-election campaign will start on
January 21 and may continue till February 24, 24:00 midnight.’
The registered candidates have the right to withdraw their
candidacies till February 9. The ballot-papers will have been printed
by February 9.
The total number of the voters registered in the voting registry
will be published on February 18.
The presidential elections will take place on February 19, from
8:00 a.m. till 20:00 p.m. The precinct election commissions will have
published the protocols of the election results by February 20, 20:00
p.m. The claims for recalculation will be accepted till February 20,
14:00 p.m.
The preliminary results of the elections will be published by
February 20, 20:00 p.m., and the election results will be summed up
and ratified by a protocol by February 26.