Author: Karagyozian Lena

ARMENIA AND NATO HAVE EFFECTIVE COOPERATION

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 23 2007

YEREVAN, April 23. /ARKA/. Armenian and NATO have effective
cooperation. The press service of the Armenian government reported
Friday referring to the greeting message of NATO Secretary General
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in connection to the appointment of Serge
Sargsyan as Prime Minister of Armenia.

"The effectiveness of this cooperation is reflected in mission of the
Armenian peacemaking battalion in Kosovo, as well as the successful
implementation of the Armenia-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan,"
the message says.

At the same time, NATO Secretary General expressed gratitude to
Sargsyan for the productive cooperation and the tangible contribution
to the development of relations between Armenia and NATO.

"I am sure that your active participation in the development of the
Armenia-NATO relations will be sustained in the course of your new
office," Scheffer’s message says.

Armenia’s cooperation with NATO goes under the NATO Individual
Partnership Action Plan and the program Partnership for Peace. IPAP
implementation is divided into two stages and will last two years.

The Action Plan was launched in January 2006.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT DEMANDED FROM THE HEADS OF TAX AND CUSTOMS SERVICES TO CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE SHADOW ECONOMY

Mediamax Agency, Armenia
April 24 2007

Yerevan, April 23 /Mediamax/. Armenian President Robert Kocharian held
today a working conference following the fulfillment of the budget in
the first quarter of 2007, in which the Prime Minister, the Minister
of Finance and Economy, the Head of the National Statistical Service
and the Heads of the Tax and Customs Services of the country took part.

As Mediamax was told in the presidential press service, Robert
Kocharian informed that the economic growth in the first quarter made
11%, instead of the 9%, planned by the state budget, and expressed
contentment as to the indices and the work, carried out by the fiscal
bodies, at that noting that higher speeds of growth of economy give
the opportunity to gain more revenues and to pay more attention to
the solution of social problems.

The President stated that today the leadership of the country should
make correct decisions and set correct tasks for the Tax and Customs
Services, noting that there are still serious reserves for their
work. Robert Kocharian demanded from the Heads of the Tax and Customs
Services daily consecutive work, noting that their activity and the
solution of the set tasks will remain in the center of his attention.

Robert Kocharian described as "primary" task of the Armenian
authorities the struggle against the shadow economy. In this connection
the President noted that the struggle can be productive only if it
is just and concerns everyone, securing equal conditions for all the
managing subjects.

NEWS WATCH: TURKEY CHRISTIANS ANXIOUS AFTER MUSLIMS KILL THREE BELIEVERS
By BosNewsLife News Center with BosNewsLife’s Stefan J. Bos

BosNewsLife, Hungary
April 22 2007

Turkish police officers detain a suspect following attack on a
publishing house in Malatya, southeastern Turkey, 18 Apr 2007. Via VOA
News ISTANBUL, TURKEY (BosNewsLife)– Christians in Turkey on Sunday,
April 22, remained anxious amid fears of more violence after police
arrested suspected Muslim militants believed to be involved in killing
three evangelical believers at a Christian publishing house.

Police said they detained a dozen suspects linked to the slayings
of a German man and two Turks, all former Muslims, who were found
with their hands and legs tied and their throats slit at the Zirve
publishing house in the town of Malatya Wednesday, April 18.

The German man, identified as 45-year-old interpreter Tilman Ekkehart
Geske, had been living in Malatya since 2003. Two other Turkish
Christians, Necati Aydin, 35, and Ugur Yuksel ,32, – were also found
tied up and their throats slit.

Turkish media reports said the suspects were believed to be members
of a cell of nationalist-Islamist extremists similar to one in
the northern city of Trabzon blamed for the January murder of
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

WOMAN DETAINED

On Saturday, April 21, police detained a woman who was described as
the girlfriend of one of the 11 suspects already in custody, Malatya
Gov. Halil Dasoz told reporters.

Media reports said one of the other suspects tried to escape from
police by jumping from a fourth floor balcony at the scene of the
killings on Wednesday, April 18. Hospital officials reportedly said
he was in stable condition and was improving.

The killings has added to concern within Turkey’s tiny Christian
community about its future amid growing nationalism and intolerance
following Dink’s killing and the shooting of Italian Roman Catholic
priest Andrea Santoro in the town of Trabzon in February 2006..

As new details emerged about the killings, Geske’s wife Susanne Geske,
said she did not harbor any thoughts of revenge, Evangelical news
agency Idea reported. She said she had been living in Malatya for ten
years and intends to stay there. Susanne Geske said she is hopeful
that the aftermath of the murders will signal a new beginning for the
relations between Christians and Muslims in Turkey. Many Muslims had
shown their outrage about the murders and expressed their condolences
to the bereaved.

PROTESTANT CHURCHES

In a statement monitored by BosNewsLife the Chairman of Turkey’s
Protestant Churches’ Union, Bedri Peker said anti-Christian sentiment
has been fostered by Turkey’s nationalist education system and
encouraged by politicians and the media. Peker reportedly added that
Turkey’s Christians have the right to worship freely and spread their
faith through peaceful means, but they are regarded as what he called
"spies and enemies of the state."

Ihsan Ozbek, the pastor of the Ankara-based Kurtulus Church that
reportedly received many anonymous threats, told the Voice Of America
(VOA) network that the government appeared reluctant to tackle the
violence against Christians. He said no government official outside
Malatya has contacted church officials to offer condolences.

Turkey’s government, led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a
former Islamist, has expressed concern over the spread of Christian
missionary activity in Turkey, VOA reported. Mehmet Aydin, minister
of state in charge of religious affairs reportedly called missionaries
"separatist and destructive."

In published remarks, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who as Vatican
secretary of state is Pope Benedict XVI’s top aide, called the attack
"an insane act by a fanatic minority," and urged renewed dialogue.

"We must not waste the fruits of the pope’s visit to Turkey, which
has really brought us closer," Bertone was quoted as saying by Italian
news agency ANSA. But on Sunday, April 22, his words appeared wishful
thinking.

SITTING OF PERMANENT COMMITTEE OF MIDDLE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCHES CONVENED IN ANTELIAS

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 18 2007

ANTELIAS, APRIL 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The regular
sitting of the permanent committee of the Middle Eastern Orthodox
Churches with participation of representatives of the Copt, Assyrian
and Armenian Churches was convened at the Antelias Cathedral on April
16. The goal of this sitting is the preparatory works of the agenda
of the annual meeting of the three Middle Eastern Orthodox spiritual
heads to take place in Damascus soon.

Members of the permanent committee, headed by Metropolit Bishop Bisso
(Copt Orthodox Church), Metropolit Bishop George Saliba (Assyrian
Orthodox Church) and Bishop Narek Alemezian (Armenian Apostolic Church,
the Great House of Cilicia Catholicosate), met with Aram I Catholicos
after the sitting and presented the issues put on the agenda of the
coming meeting to him.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY MEETS WITH NEVADA SENATORIAL DELEGATION

armradio.am
17.04.2007 10:27

The Armenian Assembly’s Western Office led a community meeting with
the offices of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator
John Ensign (R-NV) in Las Vegas, Nevada to discuss issues critical
to the Armenian-American community.

Western Office Director Lena Kaimian, along with Parish Council
Member Fredrick Gregoryan and Ladies Guild Chair Olga Gregoryan
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Las Vegas, Jerry Guederian who
serves as Armenian Council of America’s Nevada Representative and
community activist Gerard Costantian, discussed the importance of
congressional passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution pending
in the Senate and House (S. Res. 106 and H. Res. 106 respectively)
as well S. Res. 65 condemning the murder of Hrant Dink. Additional
topics included the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations requests for
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, military parity and the importance of
lifting the Turkish blockade and regional transportation corridors.

"We are fortunate to have such an active community in Las Vegas
and the strong bipartisan support of the State’s Senators," said
Kaimian. "We look forward to expanding these relationships, and
hope that S. Res. 106 will be scheduled for a vote in the Senate,"
Kaimian added.

SOCIAL DEMOCRAT HNCHAKIAN PARTY PROPOSES USING PROFESSIONAL POTENTIAL OF ITS MEMBERS FOR "CRYSTALLIZING" LAW "ON DUAL CITIZENSHIP"

Noyan Tapan
Apr 17 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, NOYAN TAPAN. The idea of dual citizenship "is
acceptable for the whole Armenian people," but the adoption of the
bill on dual citizenship being in circulation at present may generate
serious problems. Lebanese Armenian Sedrak Achemian, Chairman of
Central Board of Social Democrat Hnchakian Party, stated at the April
17 press conference. He said that once he had a meeting with late
Andranik Margarian and proposed using the professional potential
of members of Social Democrat Hnchakian Party to "crystallize" the
bill. In Achemian’s words, though his proposal found no response at
that time, nevertheless, it continues to remain valid today, too.

Touching upon the subject of parliamentary elections, S. Achemian said
that Social Democrat Hnchakian Party has always expressed discontent
with imperfection of elections held so far. He qualified the estimation
of international organizations about previous parliamentary elections
"as a sad phenomenon."

According to S. Achemian’s observation, for not repeating the
anti-democratic picture registered in their reports the political
forces taking part in the electoral struggle currently should reach
an agreement with one another "about not falsifying the electoral
process."

By the way, in S. Achemian’s words, to have an office in the
independent Armenia is the dream of the Party members, and they are
going to fulfil it.

AUSTRIA’S PLASSNIK, ARMENIAN FM DISCUSS EU, ENERGY, SOUTHERN CAUCASUS

Austrian Foreign Ministry website, Vienna
16 Apr 07

[Press release: "Plassnik: ‘Dynamic Development of Relations With
States in South Caucasus’; Foreign Minister Plassnik Meets With
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian"]

Vienna, 16 April 2007 – "This year marks the 15th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between Austria and the Republic
of Armenia. During this period bilateral relations have developed
very well -thanks to Armenia’s positive economic development our
trade relations have multiplied in recent years.

Nevertheless, there is still a great potential for the further
expansion of our contacts in fields such as business and culture," said
Foreign Minister Plassnik today on the occasion of the visit to Vienna
by Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian. "South Caucasus is the
bridge between Europe and Asia and is therefore of great significance,
not only for Austria but for the entire EU. Hence, the development of
this region was an important concern of both Austria’s EU Presidency
in 2006 and OSCE Chairmanship in 2000," said Plassnik.

The Minister welcomed the signing of an action plan within the
framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy in November 2006 as
an important step to promote political and economic reforms. This
endeavour focused on the principles of democracy and human rights.

"In this context the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia
are of special significance," emphasised Plassnik, reminding that
essential preliminary preparations for the action plan had been
carried out under Austria’s EU Presidency. "I expect these elections
to be conducted in full compliance with international standards,"
said the Foreign Minister. According to Plassnik Austria will also
send election observers to support the local authorities.

Another point on the agenda was Armenia’s Medzamor nuclear power
plant. Plassnik expressed her concern about Armenia’s plans to
maintain operation of this plant until 2016. "In the event of a binding
agreement between the EU and Armenia on closing down Medzamor before
the end of 2016 Austria is prepared to participate in EU support for
Armenia in the energy sector," said the Foreign Minister.

Plassnik emphasised the importance of extensive cooperation in the
energy sector and welcomed the plan for the construction of a common
gas pipeline by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Iran.

The talks also focused on the conflict over Nagorny-Karabakh and
the situation in Georgia: "We hope that acceptable solutions to
all partners to these unresolved conflicts can be found. A peaceful
solution would make an essential contribution to stabilising the whole
region, which would enable the people in the region to look to the
future once more," said the Foreign Minister. In this connection the
Foreign Minister expressed her support for an improvement of relations
between Armenia and Turkey and in particular for an opening of their
common border.

ARMENIA’S PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES POLICE STAFF ON PROFESSIONAL HOLIDAY

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
April 16 2007

YEREVAN, April 16. /ARKA/. Armenia’s President Robert Kocharyan
congratulated the Police staff and veterans on professional holiday,
celebrated in Armenia on April 16.

"A policeman’s image in a democratic society should inspire a feeling
of confidence and security. Your rating in the society is directly
connected with the crime rate in the country and the scale of its
detection," said the President’s letter of congratulation.

Kocharyan pointed out that the reforms in the Police system are called
to increase the productivity of Police staff’s work, its modernization,
as well as extermination of negative phenomena.

"Many functions committed to you by the Government, directly refer
to citizens, starting from passport issuing up to traffic security
provision. You are those officials, who represent the Republic of
Armenia," Kocharyan said.

"I wish you to do your difficult professional job with the sense of
high responsibility, dignity and success," the letter said.

ARMENPRESS

HMML TO DIGITIZE MATENADARAN MANUSCRIPTS

YEREVAN, APRIL 16, ARMENPRESS: The Hill Museum and
Manuscript Library (HMML) of Saint John College of
Minnesota University and the Armenian Matenadaran
Institute of Old Manuscripts signed last Friday in
Yerevan an agreement whereby the US-based museum will
help Matenadaran to digitize about 14,000 Armenian
language manuscripts and books and another 3,000 in
other languages.
Matenadaran director Sen Arevshatian said this
technology will allow to create high quality copies of
the manuscripts kept in Matenadaran, many of which are
unique. He said Matenadaran launched years ago
microfilming its depository, but said the new
technology of digitizing is incomparably better, since
microfilms have to be renewed every 40-50 years, while
data on CDs can be kept for centuries.
Colomba Stewart from HMML said the photographic
preservation of manuscripts has been the core mission
of the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library for forty
years. He said it is a great honor to cooperate with
Matenadaran.
He said HMML has preserved more than 90,000
manuscripts on microfilm and in digital form. Since
2003, HMML has been capturing manuscript images
through high-resolution color digital photography.
The Hill Museum & Manuscript Library (HMML)
currently holds more than 1300 microfilms of Armenian
manuscripts from the libraries of the Mechitarist
Congregation in Vienna and the University of Tubingen.

In 2002, HMML began discussions with leaders of the
Armenian Orthodox and Catholic communities about
preservation of their manuscripts. In April 2004, HMML
announced the inauguration of a new project at the
Armenian Apostolic Catholicosate of the Great House of
Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon. Among the
Catholicosate’s 300 manuscripts are many superb
examples of Armenian illumination.
In March, 2005 HMML began a new preservation
project at the Armenian Catholic Clergy Institute of
Bzommar in Lebanon. The Bzommar collection of more
than a thousand manuscripts in Armenian, Syriac, and
Arabic is considered one of the outstanding manuscript
collections in the Middle East.
Rich collections in Italy and Eastern Europe are
also in need of preservation. By creating a virtual
Armenian library through the use of digital
photography and online access, HMML hopes to create a
lasting resource that will unite a people and their
heritage.

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:

AGBU Hosts Genocide Commemoration

DATE: Saturday, April 21, 2007
LOCATION: AGBU-AYA Nazarian Center, 6844 Oakdale Ave, Canoga Park
Time: 8:00 – 10:00 PM

Please Join the AGBU-AYA San Fernando Valley Chapter in remembering
the Armenian Genocide of 1915

– Opening ceremony by the AGBU-AYA Antranig Scouts with Anthems
performed by the AGBU-AYA Hye-Herosner Marching Band
– Performances y the AGBU-AYA Sardarabad Dance Group
– Participation of top bands Sight of Sound and Silent Noise
– Special guest appearance by famous vocalist, Daniel Decker
– Inspirational words by distinguished speakers

FREE ADMISSION