Author: Karapetian Hovik

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

June 8, 2009

___________________

ACYOA MEMBERS DISCUSS VOCATIONS IN THE CHURCH AT ANNUAL ASSEMBLY IN N.Y.

For members of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America, Memorial
Day weekend is marked by a potpourri of activity, ranging from meetings to
athletic events and spiritual and cultural activities.

This year’s holiday break was no exception, as ACYOA members from across the
Eastern Diocese gathered at the IBM Dolce Palisades Center in Palisades,
N.Y., to take part in the organization’s 64th annual General Assembly and
Sports Weekend, from May 21 to 25.

As part of this year’s Diocesan theme of "Vocations: The Call to Serve,"
young people learned about steps they can take to help strengthen the ranks
of the priesthood in the Armenian Church.

A total of 80 delegates and observers – including close to 20 members of the
clergy – attended the General Assembly, on May 21-22.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), shared with delegates his personal story of entering
the seminary at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and encouraged young people to
think about ways they can serve their church and people.

"The priests and the pastors among us are one way that God makes his
presence known to his children," he said. "Time and again, through courage
and moral conviction, priests made the difference in ensuring the survival
and advancement of our people."

The Primate also thanked the ACYOA Central Council and members of the youth
organization for their continued involvement in the Armenian Church.

"Our church is blessed by your faithful presence and active embrace,"
Archbishop Barsamian said. "Tomorrow you are going to take the leadership
role in our Diocese."

Also addressing the assembly was the Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, pastor of
St. Hagop Armenian Church in St. Petersburg, Fla. Fr. Demerjian spoke about
the importance of remaining open to God’s call and working with others to
respond to it.

"Calling is a bit like falling in love," he said, explaining that everyone
has the potential to "fall in love with God."

"As Christians, we are called more to a way of life than a job," he added.
"A way of life which overrides all jobs and relationships, and underpins
those."

The Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, director of vocations at St. Nersess
Seminary, introduced a group exercise in which delegates discussed how they
might encourage their friends, relatives, and each other to find their
vocation, and what steps can be taken to encourage potential seminarians.

Among the suggestions were proposals to establish a shadow program for young
men to work with priests across the Eastern Diocese and to increase training
options for acolytes and deacons at the parishes.

"I think the breakout session on vocations was extremely effective," said
Talin Hitik, vice chair of the ACYOA Central Council. "It was interesting to
hear in those small group sessions what other young men had to say on their
thoughts about entering the priesthood."

Six New Chapters This Year

During the remainder of the meeting, members of the ACYOA Central Council
delivered an organization-wide report, highlighting the success of
activities such as the Armenia Service Program, the summer pilgrimage to the
Holy Land, participation in the international ACYO meeting at the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin, the blood drives organized at local chapters to
commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, and the
Pan-North American Retreat held in the fall with the Western and Canadian
Dioceses.

Other accomplishments include the continued expansion of the Young Adult
Leadership Conference, which marked its 10th anniversary last March, and the
launching of the Mission Service Project, which gives ACYOA members the
opportunity to assist with the training of altar servers and choir singers
at the mission parishes.

In the past year, the ACYOA saw the addition of six new chapters, bringing
the Diocesan-wide total to 23 chapters.

Delegates at the assembly also heard Jennifer Morris, Youth Outreach
coordinator at the Diocese, speak about Diocesan Summer Camp programs, where
many ACYOA members serve as counselors. Julie Hoplamazian, College Ministry
facilitator at the Diocese, highlighted resources available to college
students and young professionals.

Delegates reviewed the findings of the auditing committee, approved a new
budget for 2010, and passed a proposal to publish and distribute an annual
report prior to future assemblies. They thanked the Primate and the ACYOA
Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian for their support of the organization’s
initiatives.

During the traditional Primate’s Luncheon on Friday, Archbishop Barsamian
presented all delegates with a personalized copy of the Diocese’s
newly-published Armenian Canon Bible, which contains the entire canon of
scriptural books considered authoritative in the Armenian Church, in English
translation.

Central Council members also announced the recipients of five service
awards.

Dn. Sarkis Altunian, of St. Sarkis Church in Dallas, received the "Fr.
Haroutiun Dagley Award" in recognition of his many contributions to various
ACYOA programs.

The Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, dean of St. Nersess Seminary, was
presented with the "Fr. Haigazoun Melkonian Award" in honor of his
leadership and dedication to the youth of the Armenian Church.

Laurie Odabashian received the "Sam Nersessian Award," given to individuals
who display the Christian values of love, patience, humility, and
understanding.

Lydia Kurkjian received the "Gregory Arpajian Award" for her leadership and
contributions to the Armenian Church.

"The Chapter ‘A’ Award," given to the best all-around chapter, went out to
St. John’s Church of Detroit, Mich.

Annual Elections

Delegates elected members to the Central Council, and the Nominating and
Auditing committees.

Danny Mantis, Lydia Kurkjian, and Ara Janigian were elected to the Central
Council, and Danielle DerAsadourian was re-elected to the organization’s
governing body.

The new Central Council was blessed by the Primate after Sunday’s Divine
Liturgy.

Alex Derderian, of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church in Wynnewood, Pa., will
serve as chair; Talin Hitik, of St. Gregory Church in Chicago, as vice
chair; Lydia Kurkjian, of St. Gregory the Enlightener Church in White Plain,
NY, as secretary; Danny Mantis, of St. Mesrob Church in Racine, Wis., as
treasurer; Danielle DerAsadourian, of St. James Church in Evanston, IL, as
chapter relations coordinator; Gervork Vartanian, of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob
Church of Providence, RI, as programming coordinator; and Ara Janigian, also
of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob in Providence, as public relations coordinator.

Elected to the Nominating Committee were: Jonathan Dadekian (Watervliet,
N.Y.), Harry Kezelian (Detroit, Mich.), and Arthur Sabounjian (Framingham,
MA). Arpi Paylan (Evanston, IL) will serve as the alternate.

Elected to the Auditing Committee were: Raffi Gulbenk (Trumbull, Conn.),
George Macarian (Boca Raton, Fla.), and Andrew Piligian (Framingham, MA).
Nick Bazarian (Washington, D.C.) will serve as the alternate.

"This year’s General Assembly was a great success," said incoming Central
Council chair Alex Derderian. "It’s always inspiring to see youth who are
this dedicated that they are willing to take time out of their personal
schedule, to take time away from school, and to come and help run the
organization that is so important to all of us."

The General Assembly was chaired by Danny Mantis, with Arthur Sabounjian
serving as vice chair. Lorie Odabashian served as secretary, and Ara
Janigian and Krikor Javardian were appointed the sergeants-at-arms. Rev. Fr.
Tateos Abdalian and Rev. Fr. Yeprem Kelegian assisted as parliamentarians.

Next year’s General Assembly and Sports Weekend will take place in
Watertown, Mass. The assembly voted to hold the 2011 gathering in Charlotte,
N.C.

* * *

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

Photo 1: A delegate listens to the ACYOA Central Council report during the
General Assembly.

Photo 2: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese,
addresses ACYOA delegates at the General Assembly.

Photo 3: A delegate at the ACYOA General Assembly reviews the Auditing
Committee report.

Photo 4: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese,
addresses ACYOA delegates at the General Assembly.

Photo 5: The Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, pastor of St. Hagop Armenian Church
in St. Petersburg, Fla., addresses the ACYOA General Assembly.

Photo 6: Delegates work in small groups to brainstorm vocations ideas.

Photo 7: Delegates vote on a proposal to publish and distribute an annual
report prior to future assemblies.

Photo 8: A group photo of clergy and delegates at the 64th annual ACYOA
General Assembly.

Photo 14: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese,
blesses Alex Derderian, the incoming chair of the ACYOA Central Council
after the Divine Liturgy and installation service on Sunday, May 24.

Photo 15: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, and
Nancy Basmajian, Executive Secretary of the ACYOA, with newly installed
Central Council members.

PRIME MINISTER OF ARMENIA TO PARTICIPATE IN MEETING OF EURASEC INTERGOVERNMENTAL COUNCIL

ArmInfo
2009-06-08 12:44:00

ArmInfo. Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan will participate
in the 23rd meeting of the EurAsEC Intergovernmental Council on June
9 in Moscow.

The governmental press-service told ArmInfo the Armenian delegation
will leave for Moscow early in the morning on June 9. The delegation
comprises David Sargsyan, Chief of the Governmental Staff, Tigran
Davtyan, Finance Minister, Armen Movsisyan, Minister of Energy and
Natural Resources, Shavarsh Kocharyan, Deputy Foreign Minister,
and others. Armenia has a status of observer at the EurAsEC.

US Department of State
June 5 2009

Remarks With Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu

Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State

Treaty Room
Washington, DC
June 5, 2009

SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon. Minister Davutoglu and I just had a
very productive, broad-ranging, comprehensive discussion. And it is a
great privilege to welcome him here to the State Department within the
very first weeks of his having been appointed foreign minister. Of
course, I was very honored to have gone to Turkey very early in my
term as Secretary of State, and President Obama had a wonderful visit
to Turkey.

And all of that is to confirm the strength and importance of our
partnership and alliance. We have a lot of work to do
together. Turkey, the United States, and the entire global community
certainly face a great number of challenges, but we also see
opportunities. So our message coming out of the meeting today and our
prior meetings is that we’re going to deepen and strengthen our
cooperation on an ongoing basis, because we believe that both Turkey
and the United States have unique roles to play.

Now, we obviously already collaborate. Not only are we both members of
NATO, but we are working with the G-20 to respond to the global
economic crisis, we’re exploring ways to enhance our trade and
commerce between our two countries, we’re working to develop new
energy sources, including resources from the Caucasus and Central
Asia. We’re partners in the fight against global terrorism. We share
the goal of a stable Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to deny al-Qaida
safe haven that can threaten our countries and many others. We support
Turkey in its fight against the terrorist activities of the PKK, which
has been a very important cooperation.

And I underscored again today the United States’ strong support for
Turkey’s bid to become a member of the European Union. Turkey has made
significant progress toward membership. It’s been in a process of
reform that is generated by its own internal decisions but which has
certainly responded to many of the concerns regarding the strength of
the bid that Turkey had. And so we applaud what Turkey has already
done and pledge our efforts to continue working with Turkey.

And so we ranged across a broad number of issues, and I want to just
make a special note. As President Obama said yesterday in Cairo, the
United States is committed to broad engagement with Muslims everywhere
across the globe based on mutual interests and mutual respect. We
believe strongly in the freedom of religion and expression, in vibrant
civil societies, and we know that those are values that Turkey shares.

And I want to thank the minister and his government for the role that
Turkey plays as a force for peace and stability. This is important,
and it’s already been demonstrated in the work that Turkey has done
for a number of years and continues with respect to comprehensive
peace in the Middle East. And we are strongly supportive of the
Turkish efforts to normalize relations with Armenia, and we are also
very strongly supportive of the efforts to resolve the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

We discussed Cyprus, which is an issue that the President also
addressed when he was in Turkey in April. The two Cypriot leaders have
an opportunity through their commitment to negotiations under the
United Nations Good Offices Missions, and the United States is willing
to help the parties. We want to work toward a settlement that
reunifies Cyprus into a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation.

We discussed many, many concerns, and I’m just grateful for the
commitment by the minister and by his government to play an active
role in our dynamic world. Our relationship is not just about
security; it is about seizing these opportunities, and I look forward
to working with you.

FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Thank you very much, Secretary
Clinton. It’s a great honor and pleasure for me to meet with Secretary
Clinton today in a very historic time after the speech of President
Obama yesterday and the new commitment of United States for regional
and global peace everywhere. We know of her wisdom, her approach, and
we always appreciate and admire her approach to all the issues
regarding to our bilateral, regional, and global issues.

Basically, the purpose of my visit was to follow up her historic visit
to Turkey immediately after the new Administration in March and
President Obama’s historic visit in April. So these historic visits
showed the strength of our bilateral relations. So I came here in my
first month of my duty in this ` as minister to follow up all the
contents, all the issues regarding our relations. We had a very
constructive meeting. I am grateful for that. And we went through all
the issues regarding the depth and scope of our agenda. We decided to
have a much more broader comprehensive approach in our bilateral
relations, not only security issues but economy, energy security,
cultural issues. Also on the main regional issues like Middle East,
Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Caucasia, (inaudible) and all the
relevant issues we have as common agenda we went through. And I am
very happy to see that we have very identical, similar approaches to
many of these issues.

On global affairs also, we agreed together that our cooperation should
not be limited only by regional efforts, but there is a big potential
between Turkey and the United States to work together on global issues
like relations between civilizations, Alliance of Civilizations, like
G-20 and economic ` the situation after economic crisis, like our
cooperation in United Nations Security Council. As you know, Turkey
took over the presidency a few days ago. And I was in New York
yesterday for the first formal meeting of UN Security Council.

As Turkey ` as minister of foreign affairs of Turkey, and as the
Government of Turkey, we are ready to cooperate with the United States
in all these significant issues for achieving regional and global
peace. That is our contribution to the (inaudible). Thank you very
much.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Very well said, Minister.

MR. WOOD: The first question will be from Jill Dougherty of CNN.

QUESTION: Thank you. Madame Secretary, what is the U.S. doing to free
the journalists being held in North Korea? And how open are you to
using a special negotiator/envoy, perhaps former Vice President Gore?

And also, if I could, just one very quick question. Any update on the
situation of the Goldman boy in Brazil?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Jill, the concern that we feel for these two
young women who are in prison in North Korea has been driving our
efforts. We want to strike the right balance between expressing our
deep concerns, our belief that these two young women should be
released immediately. The trial which is going on right now we
consider to be a step toward the release and the return home of these
two young women.

I personally have spoken with a number of foreign officials who have
influence through various channels with the North Koreans. The State
Department has had direct contact with the North Koreans through the
channel by which we communicate. The Swedish ambassador has been
extremely helpful. He has actually met with the two young women on
three occasions. He’s helped to facilitate the delivery of materials
and the passing of messages. So we are incredibly concerned on both a
diplomatic and, on my behalf, a personal basis. I have met with their
families, and I share the grave anxiety that they feel about the
safety and security of these two young women.

We call again on the North Korean Government to release them and
enable them to come home as soon as possible. We have explored other
approaches, including the use of special representatives strictly for
this humanitarian mission. But as things stand now, we know that
they’re in the middle of a trial in Pyongyang, and we hope that the
trial is resolved quickly and that the young women are released.

With respect to Sean Goldman, we were very pleased when the Brazilian
courts reached the conclusion they reached earlier this week. And we
were very disappointed when a hold was placed on the release of this
young boy and his return with his father to the United States. We will
continue to support Mr. Goldman in his efforts to speak out on behalf
of the family relations that is at the core of this legal case, and to
urge the Brazilian Government and judiciary to release Sean and enable
him to return to his father now that the legal decision has been
rendered.

QUESTION: This is Umit Enginsoy with Turkish NTV television. Madame
Secretary, since the release in April of Turkish, Armenian, and Swiss
statements about joint intention for normalization of ties, have you
observed any progress toward that end, and also toward resolution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh problem? And are you hopeful that these could be
resolved in the not-too-distant future? Thank you.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I have been very encouraged by the progress
that has been made and by the commitment of the governments
involved. Certainly, Turkey and Armenia, with the assistance of the
Swiss Government, have committed themselves to a process of
normalization. We’re well aware that this is difficult. It requires
patience and perseverance. But we have seen no flagging of commitment.

The minister and I discussed this at length. He brought me up to date
on developments. And we are continuing to encourage the parties to
proceed on the path which they themselves have set. We are supportive,
but it is up to the Turkish and Armenian governments and people to
realize the great opportunity this poses. The normalization of
relations not only continues what I have seen from the Turkish
Government, which is a desire to actually solve problems, and I
applaud that, but we think it will bring great benefits to the region.

Similarly, with the ongoing negotiations over Nagorno-Karabakh, the
Government of Azerbaijan and of Armenia are proceeding and working
together. They were just in a recent meeting in St. Petersburg. So we
believe that a lot of progress has been made in a relatively short
period of time to resolve issues that are of long standing.

What’s important is the commitment to get to a point of resolution of
these conflicts, and I see that commitment. Now are there problems
along the way? Of course. There is in any difficult undertaking. But I
do not doubt the commitment, and I certainly appreciate the very
strong position that the Turkish Government has taken. And perhaps,
Minister, you would like to add to that?

FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: I would like to express also my thanks to
Secretary Clinton because of her personal and American Government’s
support for these two processes. We are very optimistic. We want to
achieve a prosperous, peaceful Caucasia. And in that sense, we are
fully committed to our normalization process with Armenia, and also,
we are fully committed and we are ready to work together with United
States and other co-chairs of Minsk Group for the resolution of
Armenian-Azeri issues.

And I was very impressed and I want to repeat my thanks for the
commitment of Madame Secretary Clinton in this sense, and we will be
working together. There is a strong will politically by Turkish side
to continue all the efforts to achieve our common goal of creating a
prosperous, peaceful Caucasia together.

MR. WOOD: Next question will be from Arshad Mohammed of Reuters.

QUESTION: Secretary Clinton, how seriously is the United States
considering imposing either multilateral or unilateral financial
sanctions on North Korea and its banks? And what makes you confident
that such a step wouldn’t be counterproductive? When the sanctions
were imposed on BDA, it essentially froze the process for months on
end until the United States effectively removed them and returned the
money.

And a small ` well, a separate thing, maybe not small. Dov Weissglas,
the former Israeli chief of staff to former Prime Minister Sharon,
argues publicly this week that Israel had understandings with the Bush
Administration, under which it was permitted to continue so-called
natural growth under the Roadmap, that it could continue building
within the construction line. Do you believe that there were such
understandings or agreements between Israel and the Bush
Administration? Do you feel bound by them?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Arshad, let me start with North Korea. As you
know, the United States is working very hard in the Security Council,
now chaired by Turkey, to come up with a resolution that would
represent the will of the international community with respect to
North Korea’s actions that are viewed with considerable concern on the
part of not just the United States or South Korea or Japan, but also
China, Russia, and many other countries internationally.

We’ve made considerable progress in devising the kinds of actions that
would represent consequences imposed upon the North Koreans by the
international community. I have personally spoken with a number of the
foreign ministers, our ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice and
her team are involved on a hour-by-hour basis, because we want to come
up with the strongest possible resolution.

And I think we’ve learned a lesson. One of the lessons we’ve learned
is that with the North Koreans, it’s never over till it’s over, that
if there are effective sanctions that we believe can be imposed, an
arms embargo and other steps to be taken, we need to see real
results. We, along with other neighbors in Northeast Asia as well as
the international community, stand ready to resume negotiations with
the North Koreans over their nuclear program. Our goal remains to have
a denuclearized Korean Peninsula. So I am quite heartened by the
progress that we’re seeing in the United Nation Security Council. And
when we believe we’ve gotten the strongest possible resolution we can
get, we will table it and then proceed.

With respect to the conditions regarding understandings between the
United States and the former Israeli government and the former
government of the United States, we have the negotiating record. That
is the official record that was turned over to the Obama
Administration by the outgoing Bush Administration. There is no
memorialization of any informal and oral agreements. If they did
occur, which, of course, people say they did, they did not become part
of the official position of the United States Government. And there
are contrary documents that suggest that they were not to be viewed as
in any way contradicting the obligations that Israel undertook
pursuant to the Roadmap. And those obligations are very clear.

QUESTION: Foreign Minister Davutoglu, how do you evaluate President
Obama’s speech to the Muslim world in Cairo? And Secretary Clinton,
after President Obama’s visit to Turkey, what is the state of
Turkish-American relations?

FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Thank you very much. President Obama’s
speech yesterday in Cairo is a speech of wisdom, a speech of vision,
and a speech of peace. And we share the insight with Secretary Clinton
as well. We share this vision and we are ready to cooperate. I am sure
you remember President Obama’s visit and his speech in Turkish
parliament. And when you look at the substance of two speeches, you
can see an integrated approach, the continuation and follow-up of many
issues that are very important principles for regional issues as well
as global order in general. And it is a good message, clear message to
the Muslim world that the future relations between the United States
and the Muslim world, as well as between different cultures will be
bright, based on a mutual understanding of coexistence, living
together, sharing all human values in all fronts. And therefore, we
share that vision and we will continue to work to realize this vision
as a
program and project together.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I appreciate the minister’s perceptive
remarks about President Obama’s speech yesterday. Clearly, the
President is laying out a vision, and it is a vision that invites all
people of good faith to come together, to work together, to recognize
that we may have differences of experience, differences of background,
of religion and race, but that we are all part of common humanity. And
we have an opportunity in the 21st century to work toward realizing
that vision. And I applaud the Turkish Government for taking a
practical, hands-on approach to solving problems, to clear away the
obstacles that prevent people from living up to their own God-given
potential, of countries breaking the bounds of the past so that they
can have a better future.

And I think the relationship between Turkey and the United States is
extremely strong. We have a durable bond that goes back many decades,
but we’re exploring new ways of expanding and deepening that strong
relationship. And that was the purpose of our meeting today is to
begin to look at how we can take our shared vision of what Turkey and
the United States can do to further humanity’s quest for peace and
prosperity and progress, recognizing and respecting our legitimate
differences of culture and religion, but making it clear that we’re
going to share this increasingly interdependent world. And we can
either have positive or negative interdependence. And Turkey and the
United States believe in a positive future.

So I could not be happier and more optimistic about the relationships
and what we together can do for the future.

Thank you all very much.

FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Thank you.
4409.htm

SH. SHAYDULIN SAYS NO ISSUES WILL RISE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RAILWAY TRANSPORTATIONS IN CASE OF THE OPENING OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH BORDER

ARMENPRESS
JUNE 4, 2009
YEREVAN

The Armenian railways are fully ready for the opening of
Armenian-Turkish border.

During today’s press conference chief director of "South Caucasian
Railways" company which took up the accredited management of Armenian
railways Shevket Shaydulin informed that works of modernization of
infrastructures are being implemented in this direction. "We are ready
to restore the railway communication between Armenia and Turkey. Today
there already exists a definite program according to which the works
will be conducted; a business plan is being worked out. Corresponding
steps are undertaken towards the modernization of bordering Akhurian
railway station," he said.

Sh. Shaydulin assured that there will rise no railway transportation
issues in case the border opens. The company intends to make an
investment of nearly 900 million rubles in this direction.

ARMENIAN, AUSTRIAN SIDES DISCUSS JOINT ECONOMIC PROGRAMS

armradio.am
03.06.2009 16:45

The 4th two-day sitting of the Armenian-Austrian Trade-Economic and
Scientific-Technical Cooperation Commission kicked off at the Ministry
of Finance today, Information and Public Relations Department of the
Ministry of Finance of Armenia reported. The sitting was chaired by
Armenian Finance minister Tigran Davtyan and head of the Austrian
delegation Johann Sachs.

During the sitting members of the Armenian and Austrian delegations
will discuss the joint programs implemented in the fields of tourism,
information technology, energy, agriculture and industry, determining
the possible directions of cooperation in these and other spheres.

The parties will refer to the current state and the perspectives of
economic development in both countries, issues of bilateral cooperation
in the filed of economy and investments.

ARMENIA: YEREVAN VOTE IS DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN
Marianna Grigoryan

Eurasianet

June 1, 2009

Armenians appear headed for another round of election-related acrimony
following a contentious Yerevan Council Election on May 31. As in
recent national elections, official results favored the governing
Republican Party of Armenia by a wide margin. Opposition supporters
complained bitterly about irregularities, but, as in the past,
international observers offered only cautious criticism.

The vote marked the first time a Yerevan mayor was determined
on the basis of the City Council election results, rather than
by presidential appointment. With that significance in mind, media
presented the election as a second chance for the political comeback of
ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosian, the lead candidate for the Armenian
National Congress (ANC), after his defeat in the 2008 presidential
elections. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

But, based on preliminary official results, Ter-Petrosian’s comeback
stalled almost as soon as it began. The Republican Party secured
more than 46 percent of the ballots cast, easily enough to ensure
that its top council candidate — incumbent mayor Gagik Beglarian —
would retain his post.

Government coalition member Prosperous Armenia, a deep-pocketed
contender headed by oligarch Gagik Tsarukian, garnered roughly 22
percent of the vote, while the opposition Armenian National Congress,
headed by former president Ter-Petrosian, finished a distant third,
with some 17 percent of the vote.

The Rule of Law Party, a government coalition member, and the
nationalist Armenian Revolutionary Federation failed to make the cut
for seats in the 65-member city council. Turnout was placed at 52.85
percent of Yerevan’s 771,477 eligible voters.

To protest the results, Ter-Petrosian announced a rally in central
Yerevan for the evening of June 1. The former Armenian president
declined to field reporters’ questions on election day, however,
and has not released a statement. In a May 31 press conference,
senior ANC member Levon Zurabian charged that the government would
focus on falsifying the vote count.

It would seem that even some government agencies see the possibility
of wrongdoing. According to a report distributed by the Interfax
news agency, the Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office has called
for a recount in eight voting precincts. Prosecutor General Agvan
Hovsepyan indicated that his office may open a criminal investigation.

Even so, in an apparent warning to Ter-Petrosian supporters, Prime
Minister Tigran Sarkisian underlined the need for Armenian politicians
to learn how to "have the courage to accept defeat gracefully."

"These are . . . partly mayoral elections," commented independent
political analyst Yervand Bozoian. "It’s a [national] political
struggle, in fact."

And like the 2008 presidential elections, it was a struggle that
occurred amid accusations of electoral skulduggery.

The opposition Heritage Party’s representative to the Central Election
Commission refused to sign the final vote protocol as a result of what
she termed "large-scale election fraud." "Signing the document would
mean concluding a bargain with the authorities," Zoya. Tadevosian said,
A1plus.am news site reported.

Attacks against journalists headlined the list of complaints. At
least five such cases were reported by the end of voting on May
31. Ballot-box stuffing, transportation of out-of-town voters to
Yerevan, polling-station scuffles, vote buying, and the expulsion of
observers from polling stations were among other reported abuses.

Gohar Vezirian, a reporter for the pro-opposition Chorrord Ishkhanutiun
newspaper, told EurasiaNet that she was beaten and verbally abused
by supporters of Mayor Beglarian after complaining to one polling
station commission chairman about the "intrusion" of a Republican
Party MP and "three dozen supporters." She declined, however, to file
a police report.

Representatives of Transparency International and the Helsinki Human
Rights Assembly of Armenia both declared the conduct of the vote
"terrible."

Helsinki Assembly observer Artur Sakunts, who monitored the voting
in polling station No. 9 in Yerevan’s Malatia-Sebastia District,
asserted that vote falsification surpassed levels for any election
he had observed in the past decade. "Cases of [ballot box] stuffing
have been witnessed everywhere. They bring people by cars . . . they
tried to find reasons to have us leave the station several times to
try to make falsifications," Sakunts claimed.

Central Election Commission representatives were not immediately
available to respond to the specific observer allegations. One hour
after polling stations closed on May 31, however, CEC Chairman Garegin
Azarian claimed that most of the violation reports "did not correspond
with reality."

"We have gotten alarmed calls as well, but not all of them are
confirmed," Azarian stated on Armenian Public Television.

Some 5,635 local observers and the Council of Europe’s Congress of
Regional and Local Authorities monitored the vote. At a June 1 news
conference, the 15 Council of Europe observers noted the occurrence
of "some shortcomings." But the observers added that the vote was
"largely conducted in compliance with European standards."

Voter reactions ran the gamut. Arevhat Mkrtchian, an 80-something
voter in Malatia-Sebastia district, affirmed that Armenians need
"to believe in the country’s rulers." Hairdresser Inessa Gharibian,
however, weary of opposition-government jousting, said that she had
decided not to vote. "The outcome of elections in this country is
pre-determined," she said.

Republican Party spokesperson Eduard Sharmazanov took a pragmatic
view, echoing official statements that the vote is "a step forward
on the road to democracy."

"We need to realize there can’t be ideal elections in a country that
gained independence only 18 years ago," Sharmazanov said.

SPECIAL SITTING

A1+
01:49 pm | June 01, 2009

Official

Upon the initiative of the Armenian government, the National Assembly
convenes a special sitting at 12.00, June 2.

According to the NA press service, the following issues are put on
the agenda of the special sitting:

1. Draft law on proposing amendments to the RoA Law on "Budget system"

2. Ratification of international agreements: "Agreement on state
credits between the governments of Armenia and Russia".

3. Second hearing of the draft law on proposing amendments to the
RoA Law on "Budget system".

GEORGIA THROWS DOWN CHALLENGE TO SAAKASHVILI

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
29.05.2009 18:46 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Iliya II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia
called on Mikhail Saakashvili and his team to conduct extraordinary
elections. The authorities were shocked over the statement.

Firstly, as the Patriarch’s authority in Georgia possesses is
considered colossal and indisputable. Secondly, as early as the day
before Iliya II made the opposite statement: extraordinary elections
could be dangerous. Now it has been clarified that the statement was
made under the pressure of Saakashvili’s closest team-mates.

"Our yesterday’s statement was made to take the strain off the
situation. It was known that the authorities were not prepared to
compromise; in case of decisive actions on behalf of demonstrators,
bloodshed could be expected. Based on national interests, The Church
assumed a heavy burden and made a step to protect our nation from
serious danger. It does not mean the problem is solved. The situation
remains serious. The authorities have to undertake steps in order to
relieve the strain – by either conducting extraordinary election or
negotiations," Izvestia cited the Patriarch as saying.

ANC ACTIVISTS CONTINUE THEIR LAST PRE-ELECTION RALLY NEAR MATENADARAN

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
29.05.2009 20:15 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ ANC activists continue their last pre-election rally
near Matenadaran institute of ancient manuscripts. In his opening
speech, Narek Hovakimyan, member of "Now" youth initiative, announced
that he wouldn’t sit in idleness unless positive developments were
observed in the country.

Then other ANC leaders’ speeches followed. Ex-premier Hrant Bagratyan
called on people to vote for the Congress, promising to make Yerevan
a prosperous town. "That requires common sense and specific programs,
something authorities lack," the ex-premier noted, stressing that
elections were the last chance to change the situation for the better.

There were over 5000 people participating in the rally.

CONGRESSMAN BECERRA REAFFIRMS HIS SUPPORT FOR US AFFIRMATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

armradio.am
29.05.2009 11:37

Addressing a crowd of Armenian and Hellenic activists, Congressman
Xavier Becerra (D-CA) reaffirmed his support for U.S. affirmation
of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly).

At an event cosponsored by the Assembly, along with the American
Hellenic Council of America and the Armenian National Committee of
America, Rep.

Becerra stated, "As a close friend and ally of Armenia, it is long
past time for us to recognize the historical fact of the genocide
committed against the Armenian people at the turn of the last
century – a historical fact that should be recognized, and learned
from regardless of the strong relationship that exists between us
[and Turkey]. That is why I continue to be a strong supporter and
cosponsor of Rep. Adam Schiff’s ‘Affirmation of the United States
Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution’ in Congress."

"As an advocate for human rights issues, Congressman Becerra
has demonstrated his unwavering support to the Armenian-American
community. The Assembly appreciates his steadfast support as an active
member of the Armenian Caucus and as a cosponsor of H. Res.252,
the Armenian Genocide Resolution," stated Assembly Western Region
Director, Yeghig L. Keshishian.