Author: Karapetian Hovik

Turkish Press
Jan 5 2009

Turkey’s President Says Apology Campaign Will Harm Turkey – Armenia Relations

Published: 1/5/2009

ANKARA – Turkish President Abdullah Gul said that recent internet
campaign launched by Turkish intellectuals to apologize for the
incidents of 1915 would negatively affect relations between Turkey and
Armenia.
"People do not ask government’s permission while doing something in
this country. But considering its consequences, I do not believe that
recent debates would have contributions," Gul told private ATV channel
in an interview.
Gul said talks between the two countries were under way.
"Sometimes you work silent, sometimes you carry out works before the
public eye. But I can say that works are under way regarding this
matter," he said.
"Who could have thought that Turkey and Armenia would play in the same
group in the World Cup qualifiers? China and United States started
relations during a table tennis tournament," Gul said.
Asked about future of Turkish-U.S. relations after the new Washington
administration, Gul said relations would become stronger.
"I believe that it will be a very good era and I think we will work
together very well," he said.
(TÇ-MS)
(GEN)

Today.Az, Azerbaijan
Jan 5 2009

Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Germany: "If the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan is not restored, there will never be peace and stability in
the region"

05 January 2009 [11:05] – Today.Az

Day.Az blitz-interview with Azerbaijani ambassador to Germany Parviz
Shahbazov.

– A conference on the variants of resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict from the Azerbaijani point of view has lately been held in
the Berlin office of the political fund of Conrad Adenauer. Armenian
mass medias wrote much about it claiming that Azerbaijan was
recommended to reconcile with the established situation. Could you
please, being one of the participants in the event, inform an
Azerbaijani reader about what was really going on at the conference?

– I agree with you and I would like to note that as usually Armenian
mass medias have their specific approach towards the information about
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in the way that is favorable to
Armenia. It is not new to us.

First of all, I would like to note that those who spoke at the
conference informed in details about the position of Azerbaijan noting
that Azerbaijan supports the peaceful resolution of the conflict in
the framework of the territorial integrity of the country.

Representative of the German fund of policy and science Uwe Halbah and
referent of the secretariat of the faction of the Bundestag
Christian-Democratic faction Reine Dornzeifer voiced their own
opinions, supported the peaceful resolution of the conflict and
recommended to use the mediation of international organizations,
including the Council of Europe for the resolution of the conflict.

Refuting the information of Armenian mass medias, I would like to note
that Dornzeifer did not say that Azerbaijan must reject a part of
lands. He noted that Azerbaijan and Armenia must find ways out of the
established situation.

In a response it was confirmed that Azerbaijan is interested in the
soonest resolution of this conflict and uses all ways for the purpose.

As for the Council of Europe, it was noted that the due resolution on
the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict was adopted in the framework of this
organization in 2005. This resolution says that the Armenian armed
forces occupied a part of Azerbaijani lands, held ethnic cleansing and
currently the occupation is going on. The resolution says that the
Council of Europe is deeply concerned with the situation.

It should be noted that Armenian mass medias informing about the
conference did not say anything about the report of famous German
researcher on South Caucasus and Central Asian countries Johannes Rau.

Such approach proved again that statements, published in Armenian mass
medias, are of propagandist nature. Rau said in his report that the
conflict resolution must base on the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan, Armenian armed forces must be withdrawn from the occupied
lands. As for Nagorno Karabakh, this region can be granted a high
automony and the relations between Baku and Khankendi must be built in
the vertical way.

He added that being a researcher he studied the position of the
Armenian public and researches showed that Armenian public has an
ambiguous attitude towards the occupation of Azerbaijani lands and in
most cases it is against it, being aware that there will not be peace
in case of violation of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. To
prove his words, he listed the quotes from the statements of some
Armenian politicians.

The event was attended by some Armenians Gayane Apinyan and
L.Sargsyan, who attempted to introduce themselves as representatives
of Nagorno Karabakh Republic in Germany.

In this connection after my appeal to the representative of the fund
of Conrad Adenower, Hefelei, chairing the conference, was informed
about the status of these persons. He said the fund does not recognize
any structure as a permanent representative of "Nagorno Karabakh
Republic" in Germany and the said people can take part in the event
only as individuals, residing in Germany.

I also voiced my protest to the fact that Apinyan claims to be
permanent representative of non-existing "Nagorno Karabakh Republic"
in Germany. I noted that Apinyan holds a provocative activity in
Berlin, attempting to get political dividends from misinforming not
only German NGOs, but also state and legislative structures.

The German government does not recognize the separatist regime
functioning in the occupied lands of Azerbaijan and the structure,
which Apinyan claims to represent, is not registered in Germany. It
allows to call Apinyan and his colleagues as impostors.

Moreover, I have noted that there is no such concept as "Nagorno
Karabakh people". Azerbaijani and Armenian communities have coexisted
in the Nagorno Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. During the conflict a
part of Azerbaijani community was terminated as a result of ethnic
cleansing, while another part was driven away from the
lands. Therefore, such people as Apinyan, have no right to speak on
behalf of the Karabakh people.

I would like to note that the leadership of Azerbaijan, that supports
the resolution of the Karabakh conflict, has been taking all possible
measures in this direction and in the future it intends to continue
efforts in this direction. Yet, there is a limit to the patience of
Azerbaijani people. Under international law, application of force
against the territorial integrity allows Azerbaijan to give an
adequate response. In case the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is
not restored, there will not be peace and stability in the region. The
future development of the South Caucasus region depends on the
resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

– What can you say about the level of intergovernmental relations
between Azerbaijan and Germany?

– Azerbaijan and Germany maintain strong and developing relations.
Both countries are interested in the greater development and deepening
of cooperation. Currently most spheres in the bilateral relations
including political, economic, cultural-humanitarian – are developing
successfully and deepening.

Mutual visits, numerous documents, events in economic, political and
cultural spheres, are main indicators of bilateral relations. Two
official and one working visit of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev
to Germany have become a greater stimulus to deepening of relations.

The year of 2008 was full of significant events in the history of
relations between Azerbaijan and Germany. The year of Azerbaijan was
held for the first time in the relations with the Western European
countries in Germany. Under support of the Azerbaijani President with
participation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, other state
structures, German and Azerbaijani NGOs, as well as representatives of
Azerbaijani diaspora about 100 cultural events in the framework of the
year of Azerbaijan were held in Berlin and other federal lands of
Germany from March until December of 2008.

These events were playing an important role in the familiarization of
Europe with Azerbaijan, presenting true facts about our country. The
event on closing the year of Azerbaijan, was held in Stutgart, in the
capital of the federal land of Baden Wurttemberg. Coverage of the year
of Azerbaijan by German mass medias, including such TV and radio
channels as RBB and SVR, attracted attention of the German public to
our country.

Weeks of German culture will be held by a decision of the German
government in Azerbaijan to continue cultural relations in 2009.

/Day.Az/

URL:

ARMENPRESS

ANDREY DENISOV SAYS RUSSIA IS EQUALLY INTERESTED IN HAVING FRIENDLY
RELATIONS BOTH WITH AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA

MOSCOW, DECEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS: First deputy Russian Foreign
Minister , answering to the question of the `Trend’ on Monday in
Moscow, said that the passed year, especially its end was marked with
positive changes in Karabakh conflict regulation. According to him,
Russia is equally interested in having friendly relations with
Azerbaijan and Armenia.
`The two countries are very close to us. Quite sincerely and
unbiased Russia tries to do everything so that these two countries
find such a solution that will satisfy them, overcoming a very
complicated, heavy and painful conflict’, Andrey Denisov said.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT HAILS CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIA-IRAN RAILWAY IN 2009

ARKA
Dec 29, 2008

YEREVAN, December 29. /ARKA/. It would be preferable for the Armenian
government to launch construction of Armenia-Iran railway in late 2009,
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said as he met with local reporters
last week.

Construction will be launched as soon as the project’s feasibility
study is over, the premier said, adding the Asian Development Bank
is involved in the project.

"The private sector has shown a keen interest in the project,
allocating large sums for the feasibility study and technical
preparations," the prime minister said.

Sargsyan assured the journalists the strategically important project
will be implemented by all means, saying the government vows support
to it. The premier did not rule out possible involvement of the private
sector and overseas partners in the railway’s construction.

PRESS RELEASE
December 29, 2008
Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley
142 Liberty Street, Lowell, MA 01851
Contact: Pearl Teague
Email: [email protected]

ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF MERRIMACK VALLEY MEETS WITH
REPRESENTATIVE NIKI TSONGAS

Lowell, MA- Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley (ANC
MV) activists earlier this month met with Congresswoman Niki
Tsongas (D-MA-5) to discuss issues of concern to the Armenian
American community, including Armenian Genocide recognition and
Nagorno Karabagh self-determination.

During the meeting, past ANC MV chairmen Joe Dagdigian and Stepan
Dulgarian explained the history of Nagorno Karabagh and the
continuous human rights violations committed by the Azeri
government. ANC MV chairwoman Pearl Teague encouraged Tsongas to
take more decisive action on this issue and support appropriate aid
and other economic and political policies regarding self-
determination for the people of Nagorno Karabagh.

Activist John Dagdigian shared his views regarding genocide
recognition and Stepan Dulgarian also shared his family’s personal
experience. Tsongas who had co-sponsored H. Res. 106, the
Armenian Genocide resolution, shortly after being sworn in to the
110th Congress in October 2007, expressed her commitment to this
issue and the importance of its recognition. "The mass murders
committed by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenians was
genocide," said Tsongas. "Other countries have acknowledged dark
chapters in their past and it is time for Turkey to do the same.
The Armenians and the descendants of those who were victimized
deserve justice." The ANC MV also provided materials to the
representative as well as encouraged her to take a leadership role
during the 111th Congress on important Armenian issues.

"We are grateful to have Congresswoman Tsongas serving the 5th
Congressional district of Massachusetts. Several Armenian
Americans reside in the district and our community looks forward to
working with her in the upcoming Congress."

Rep. Tsongas earned her bachelors degree from Smith College and she
has a law degree from Boston University. While in college, she
spent a summer in Washington, D.C. where she met her future
husband, former Fifth District Congressman, U.S. Senator, and
democratic presidential candidate, the late Paul Tsongas.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest
and most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the
concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.
####
Photo Caption: Left to Right – ANC activists John Dagdigian, Stepan
Dulgarian, ANC MV Chairwoman Pearl Teague, Rep. Niki Tsongas, and
Joe Dagdigian.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Google Earth: Armenian Genocide Memorial renamed into `Khojaly
genocide memorial’
27.12.2008 14:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan was
renamed into `Khojaly genocide memorial’ in Google Earth.

A user posted 26 photos on Panoramio. In one of them, Lake Sevan was
named `Lake Goycha in West Azerbaijan,’ while Armenian churches in
Artsakh are presented as former mosques.

Earlier, the Armenian Genocide Memorial was renamed into Talaat Pasha
monument. After a wave of protests the image was removed.

CONVERSEBANK TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENTS EXCEED $500MLN THIS YEAR

ARKA
Dec 26, 2008

YEREVAN, December 26. /ARKA/. The total capital investments of
Conversebank exceeded $500mln this year, said the bank’s Executive
Director Ararat Ghukasyan.

"The financial means were spent on renovation of the bank’s branches,
as well as on purchase of new equipment and information technologies,"
he told reporters on Friday.

Ghukasyan noted a number of central issues will be settled soon.

"New servers are installed in the bank on the base of new information
technologies which speed up the process of transactions and
operations," he said and expressed his assurance that the customers
have already felt the difference.

The Conversebank CJSC was incorporated in Armenia on December 20, 1993.

Eduardo Ernekyan, an Argentina-based Armenian businessman purchased
the bank’s 95% shares last February. The other 5% is held by the
Armenian Apostolic Church.

The bank’s assets reached 63.9bln AMD this October 31, total capital
13bln AMD, liabilities 50.9bln AMD.

According to ARKA News Agency this Q3 Conversebank is the sixth in
terms of assets, crediting, liabilities, capital, third in terms of
total deposits from individuals and legal entities and the fifth in
terms of profits in Jan-Oct.

Conversebank has 25 branches with eight of them being in Yerevan. ($1 –
308.50AMD).

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT DECREES TO GRANT ARMENIAN CITIZENSHIP TO WORLD FAMOUS SINGER CHARLES AZNAVUR AND HIS IMPRESARIO LEVON SAYAN

ARMENPRESS
Dec 26, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 26, ARMENPRESS: On December 25 Armenian President
Serzh Sargsian signed a decree of granting Armenian citizenship to
world famous singer, public figure, National Hero of Armenia Charles
Aznavour and his impresario Levon Sayan, who has earlier been awarded
Movses Khorenatsi medal, presidential press service told Armenpress.

December 26, 2008
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW PARISH IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD

H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and the Religious
and Executive Councils hereby announce the establishment of a new parish in
North Hollywood which will be called the Armenian Apostolic Church of North
Hollywood.
The parish is being established to serve the spiritual needs of the
large Armenian community in North Hollywood and surrounding areas. The
Prelacy Councils and a special committee designated for this specific
endeavor have undertaken the establishment of the parish and continue to
work towards finalizing the particulars.
Christian Education Co-Director Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian has
been assigned pastor of the parish, which will hold services at St. Paul
Assyrian-Chaldean Catholic Church (13050 Vanowen St., North Hollywood, CA
91605). The first Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Tuesday, January
6th, 2009, on the Birth and Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ. The
traditional blessing of water will follow the Liturgy.
In addition to weekly Divine Liturgy, Bible study will also be
offered at the parish.
We invite our faithful parishioners to participate in these
uplifting services and contribute to the progress of this newly established
parish.

35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRELACY CELEBRATED

On Sunday, December 21st, the 35th anniversary of the Western
prelacy was ceremoniously celebrated at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. The
event took place under the auspices of the Prelate and was organized by the
35th anniversary committee.
Among those in attendance were H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
Prelate of the Eastern United States, H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian,
clergy, Consul General Armen Liloyan, ARF Bureau and Central Committee
members, Central Executive and Executive Council members, Delegates, Boards
of Trustees, representatives of community organizations, and hundreds of
faithful.
The program consisted of remarks by Archbishop Choloyan, keynote
speeches by Mr. Armand Keosian, Esq., in English, and Mr. Khajag Dikijian in
Armenian, a video presentation of the Prelacy history, and musical
presentations by Razmig Mansourian, Anahid Nersisyan accompanied on the
organ by Prof. Levon Aprahamian, and the Armenian Society of Los Angeles
Choir led by conductor Mikayel Avedissian. The program concluded with the
Prelate’s remarks and benediction. Dr.Rubina Peroomian served as Master of
Ceremonies.
Please visit the news section of our website for the full press
release and photos.

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL IN MONTEBELLO

According to the Armenian Church calendar, Thursday, December 25th,
was the Feast of St. Stephen the Proto-deacon and first martyr. The life
and martyrdom of St. Stephen will be remembered in during Divine Liturgy on
Sunday, December 28th, in all our churches.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over
Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello and deliver the sermon.

PRELATE’S NEW YEAR AND CHRISTMAS DINNER

Each year on the Feast of the Birth and Theophany of our Lord Jesus
Christ, hundreds of Prelacy faithful, sponsors, and representatives of
community organizations gather for the Prelate’s New Year and Christmas
dinner.
This year’s dinner will take place on Tuesday, January 6th, 2009, at
6:30 p.m., at "Bagramian" Hall of Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello,
The dinner is organized by the Ladies Auxiliary.

ARF ZAVARIAN GOMIDEH MEETS WITH THE PRELATE

On the evening of Tuesday, December 23rd, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy ARF Zavarian Gomideh
representative Mr. Khatchig Havatian and members. Executive Council Chair
Dr.Garo Agopian and members Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian and Dr. Navasart
Kazazian were also at the meeting.
The guests had come to convey their will wishes to the Prelate on
the eve of the New Year and Christmas and for a general discussion on their
current endeavors.
The Prelate conveyed to the guests information about the
undertakings of the Prelacy and specifically the 50th anniversary of the
North American Prelacy and the 35th anniversary of the Western Prelacy which
was celebrated just two days earlier. He expressed appreciation for the
collaboration of our community organizations in the Prelacy’s activities and
his confidence that the cooperation will continue as the work of the Prelacy
expands. The Prelate also announced the establishment of a new parish in
North Hollywood where Divine Liturgy will be celebrated for the first time
on the Feast of the Birth and Epiphany of Jesus Christ. The Prelate and
guests also discussed the importance of collaboration between the church and
organizations in the shaping of our youth. In discussing the Crescenta
Valley parish, the Prelate commended the dedication of the parish members in
advancing the church and expressed hope that the parish will have its own
church in the near future.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of mementos by the
Prelate.

LOS ANGELES CITY CONTROLLER CANDIDATE NICK PATSAOURAS MEETS WITH THE PRELATE

On the afternoon of Tuesday, December 23rd, candidate for Los
Angeles City Controller Nick Patsaouras visited the Prelacy and met with
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. President of Armenia Fund
Mrs. Maria Mehranian and Prelacy sponsor Mr. Vahe Ter-Zakarian also
participated in the meeting.
During their meeting Mr. Patsaouras relayed information to the
Prelate regarding his current endeavors. The Prelate thanked him for the
information he conveyed and wished him success in his campaign.

WHAT SHOULD WE EAT IN WINTER?

A1+
[01:29 pm] 26 December, 2008

"One should eat healthy, rational and balanced food to avoid
contracting diseases in winter," says dietician Vardanush
Petrosyan. "One should eat everything: vitamins, rock salt, fat and
carbohydrate. They strengthen our immune and nervous systems and help
us resist viruses."

There is a so-called food pyramid which includes corn and potatoes,
dairy, vegetables, fruit, meat and fat. To feel well all year round
one has to eat all above-mentioned foodstuffs by a portion compliant
with the person’s weight, age, physical activity, etc. Each product
is important for the organism. Finally, let’s not forget about old
tradition among our nation: Armenians bottle and dry fruit, vegetables
for winter.

In winter people gain weight as they move less than usual. Besides,
days become shorter and colder, people rarely go out and mostly eat
potatoes and macaroni. In such cases their physical passiveness gives
rise to different diseases. Many diseases, such as pancreatic diabetes,
overweight, obesity, cardiovascdulare diseases, alergies are resuted
by malnutrition.

People eat products with large calories in winter which do not
contain all necessary vitamins and minerals, they are recommended to
take vitamins and polyvitamins. But they should be taken only upon
doctor’s prescription. Vitamins and polyvitamins greatly promote
to the organism’s immune resistance and metabolism. One should eat
mostly hot meals and drink tea, water, and juices. Walks in the open
air are also encouraged.