WILL HRANUSH HAKOBIAN BECOME MINISTER?
A1+
27 June, 2008
On June 27 Serzh Sarkissian signed a decree on appointing Hranush
Hakobian Head of the State Committee for Relations with the Diaspora
of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia.
Under another June 27 decree of the RoA President, Robert Nazarian
was appointed Head of the Public Services Regulatory Commission for
a term of five years.
The decree comes into force from July 1, 2008.
SIX YOUNG ARMENIAN CYCLISTS PERFORM WELL IN MOLDOVA
ARMENPRESS
JUNE 26
Six young Armenian cyclists have won places among ten best of an
international President Cup of Moldova, held in Chishinau.
Karen Mkrtchian, head of the Armenian cyclist delegation to Moldova,
told Armenpress that that was the first international experience of
young Armenian cyclists.
The head coach of the Armenian team is Hovhanes Hovhanesian.
Karen Mkrtchian said Armenia will join a new European cyclist
organization established by the International Cyclist Federation.
He said 6 Armenian youth and six junior cyclists will be invited by
the new organization to take part in European tournaments.
PRESIDENT REMAINED STABLE TO ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONSHIP
Panorama.am
21:10 26/06/2008
The approaches of the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan towards the
relationship of Armenia and Turkey remained stable and unchanged,
said the press secretary of the President Samvel Farmanyan. The
President has talked about the issue in Moscow also when meeting
with the representatives of Armenian Community and Russian Expertise
Society. The announcement in those both meetings expressed the same
approach and ideology.
"A recommendation is made by Turkey to form an expertise committee
which would examine the historic facts of the Genocide. We are not
against any examination as examination does not mean to doubt the
real facts. But the establishment of such committee would be quite
logic if we have set diplomatic relations and have opened borders.
therwise the problem will be prolonged. In 21 century there should
not be any closed borders among neighbor countries."
HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON THE SOUTH CAUCASUS REGION, CHAIRMAN BERMAN RAISES STRONG CONCERNS ABOUT TURKEY’S 15-YEAR BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA WHILE REP WATSON DEMANDS A RESPONSE ON THE ADMINISTRATION’S FLAWED POLICY WITH RESPECT TO AFFIRMA
KarabakhOpen
26-06-2008 13:40:13
Washington, DC – Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) raised strong concerns
about Turkey’s "punishing policy" of blockading its neighbor Armenia
during a hearing on the Caucasus today, reported the Armenian Assembly
of America (Assembly). In his opening remarks during a House Foreign
Affairs Committee hearing entitled "The Caucasus: Frozen Conflicts
and Closed Borders," Chairman Berman stated that "the land blockade
is also, quite possibly, illegal, as it seems to breach Turkey’s
undertaking in the 1922 Treaty of Kars to keep its border-crossings
with Armenia open. And it violates the spirit of the World Trade
Organization, of which both Turkey and Armenia are members." Berman
termed it "one of the most puzzling and problematic matters" that
holds the Armenian economy back and "enormously increases the cost
of much of Armenia’s trade with other nations."
During a question and answer session with Assistant Secretary of State
for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried, Members of Congress
raised key policy and funding issues, including the Turkish blockade,
Azerbaijan’s ongoing war rhetoric, increased military expenditures,
and the Armenian Genocide, among other issues.
In addition to Chairman Berman who correctly pointed out that progress
on Turkey’s lifting of the blockade should not be linked to the
Nagorno Karabakh peace process, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) stated
that the blockade "violates U.S. policy." Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA),
while expressing support for the self-determination of the people of
Nagorno Karabakh, stated that we have to fight against the blockade
and that "there is no excuse for it." Sherman asked what pressure the
Administration was putting on Turkey to lift the blockade, of which
Assistant Secretary Fried responded that the Administration wants to
see lifted and has encouraged both sides to normalize relations.
Berman asked Assistant Secretary Fried to lay out the steps that the
government has taken to convince Turkey to end this "counter-productive
practice of closed borders," and "why hasn’t the State Department –
which opposes the land blockade – spoken out more forcefully on this
matter?" Rep.
Schiff also echoed Berman’s request for more specificity and upon
listening to Fried’s response, concluded that the Administration must
do more in this regard.
In addition to the blockade issue, Members were also deeply
concerned about Azerbaijan’s ongoing warmongering and bellicose
statements. Rep. Ed Royce’s (R-CA) concerns were echoed by Armenian
Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone, Jr (D-NJ) and Joseph Knollenberg
(R-MI). Rep. Knollenberg noted that Azerbaijan is a dictatorship
that continues its bellicose statements unabated and asked what the
Administration is doing to stop the Azeri war machine. Rep. Pallone
also raised this critically important issue and called upon the
Administration to ensure greater contact between the Nagorno Karabakh
government and the Azerbaijani government, as well as confidence
building measures. Rep. Pallone further noted his concerns about
Azerbaijan’s pressure on the State Department with respect to
U.S.-Nagorno Karabakh contacts. Fried for his part, responded that
bellicose statements are not helpful and added that the Azeris deny
that they have any intention of resuming hostilities. Fried also
believed that increased contacts overall were important and noted
that a solution to the peace process, which the U.S. and the parties
are working toward, will be the best way forward.
In perhaps the most intense exchange during the hearing, Rep. Diane
Watson (D-CA) focused her attention on the Armenian Genocide and
questioned the State Department’s policy on instructing its staff
not to use the term genocide. In his response, Secretary Fried said
that the Administration does not deny the historical events, but fell
short of employing the proper term.
Stating that the Armenian Genocide, with its "mass killings, murder,
mass exile, brutality" is "beyond denial," the Congresswoman asked
"Why does the United States not recognize that it was genocide?"
"Was it genocide? Yes or no?" Watson demanded. After several attempts
to receive an answer, Watson yielded back her limited time stating,
"it is clear that I am not going to get an answer to my question."
Reinforcing Watson, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) recalled the efforts and
reports of then Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Henry Morgenthau,
who described in great detail the horrors of 1915. Fried noted that
he was very familiar with Morgenthau’s reports stating that they were
"stark, stunning and sadly accurate and that the intent was not to
move people in a peaceful way."
Adding to questions in regard to genocide, Rep. Schiff asked Secretary
Fried, "Would you describe the mass killing during the holocaust
as a genocide?" "Yes," Fried responded. Schiff then asked, "Would
you describe the mass killing in Cambodia as a genocide?" Fried
responded, "I’d like to reserve only because I am not as familiar
with that." Schiff then asked, "Would you describe the mass killing
in Rwanda as a genocide?" Which Fried said "We have used that word,
the administration has used that word, yes."
Moving on, Schiff asked "Would you describe the mass killing in
Darfur as a genocide?" "I’d like to reserve on that but I believe
we have used that word," Fried responded. Schiff quickly added, that
"You have used that word, I can tell you have, and we should."
In closing his questions, Schiff then asked, "Would you describe the
mass killings of the Armenians as a genocide?" Fried responded "This
Administration and the President’s policy is not to use that word,
although I want to be clear, we have never denied the historical
facts of the mass killings, murders, forced exiles and brutality that
occurred in those years as a matter of historical fact."
On other policy matters, Rep. Sherman (D-CA) discussed Section
907, calling it another part of the embarrassing history of the
administration in evading laws passed by Congress and then asked
Fried if the State Department counsels its employees to avoid using
the term genocide. And again, Secretary Fried reiterated that
the State Department follows the President’s policy, therefore,
since the President does not use the term, neither will the
State Department. Sherman also took the Secretary to task on the
Administration’s proposed assistance cut to Armenia, noting that it was
more than fifty percent, from fiscal year 2008. Sherman also sought
clarification on whether the Millennium Challenge Account funding
served as a replacement or supplement to the Freedom Support Act,
of which Fried indicated that it was supplemental.
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, who attended today’s hearing
along with Assembly Congressional Relations Associate Bianka Dodov and
Assembly Associate Director of Grassroots Taniel Koushakjian, stated
that "We applaud the leadership of Chairman Berman in holding this
important and timely hearing in which these critical policy issues
were raised. For too long, these issues have been on the backburner
and I want to thank the members of the Committee for placing them
in the forefront. In a region where the U.S. is facing competition
for influence, this hearing sends a clear message that the U.S. is
deeply interested in and concerned about developments in the region."
Below, please find excerpts of Fried’s testimony:
Testifying on behalf of the Bush Administration, Daniel Fried,
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, told
Members of Congress that Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia are "diverse
both in their histories and in the challenges that they face today"
adding that "America’s policy toward them has been steady, steadfast
and supportive."
"The policy of the United States is unambiguous: we want to help the
nations of this region travel along the same path toward freedom,
democracy and market-based economies that so many of their neighbors
to the West have traveled."
Fried painted a brief description of how in 1989, a wave of democracy
began sweeping eastward from its origins in Central Europe, questioning
how far "this wave of freedom and democracy" will reach, asking, "Will
it, and can it, extend to the easternmost reaches of wider Europe?"
"Armenia can be a great success story, but its recent history has
been one of difficulties," Fried said. He was quick to add that "the
Armenian people have demonstrated extraordinary resilience through
their long history of hardship and tragedy."
"The last decade has witnessed an economic turnaround in Armenia,
with double-digit GDP growth year upon year coupled with, until
recently, low inflation. The Diaspora community around the world
continues to extend its hand to Armenia, in both humanitarian and
philanthropic giving and direct investment. Through their advocacy
and indications of a will to reform, Armenia in 2006 entered into a
Millennium Challenge Corporation compact worth $236 million."
Touching on integration in the region, Fried said "one major step would
be a peaceful, just, and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict," while another principle concern would be in "achieving
normal relations between Armenia and Turkey." Adding that "the United
States supports the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border" because
"the status quo is not helpful to anyone."
Panorama.am
15:04 25/06/2008
Yesterday Danelyan admitted the Delegation of Assistant Secretary
of the USA Yesterday Gevorg Danielyan, minister of justice of RA,
had a meeting with the David Kramer, assistant secretary of the
USA and the head of the delegation. Press office of the ministry
of justice informs that among the members of the delegation are
Joseph Prescott, USA temporal charge d`affaires, and Daniel Pasting,
executive of political affairs. During the meeting the delegation
expressed its worry to the events happened in 1-2 March in Yerevan
and the efficiency of the studies of the NA`s temporal committee`s
work. The minister of justice assured that the temporal committee
with its stuff was able and had all the legal rights to solve this
problem effectively and unbiased.
The next question concerned the problem of disclosure and criminal
responsibility of people who are charged in the victims of the event
in 1 March. The minister assured that law enforcement bodies did
their best and possible to find out trespassers.
The delegation also worried about the anti-Semitic statement done by
one of the Armenian press journalists. Danielyan said that these
materials shouldn`t be accepted as anti-Semitic as there are no
qualifying reflections in it. Besides, he added that Armenian
authorities are against such things and always criticize them.
The both sides agreed that chargeable is Levon Ter-Petrosyan`s
insulting and obscene statements against authorities. The minister
agreed that just these kinds of announcements assist to the creation
of unhealthy atmosphere and spread new illegal ones.
Doghouse Boxing, Canada
June 22 2008
Arthur Abraham blasts his was past Edison Miranda
By Media Report on Doghouse Boxing (June 22, 2008) DoghouseBoxing
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (June 22, 2008) – With three well-timed power punches,
`King’ Arthur Abraham blasted his was to a definitive fourth-round TKO
over nemesis Edison Miranda in a thrilling rematch Saturday on
SHOWTIME. In a terrific co-feature, an IBF middleweight eliminator,
veteran Raul Marquez won a close unanimous 12-round decision over
Dominican upstart Giovanni Lorenzo. All three judges scored the bout
114-113.
The two-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast was presented by
Seminole Warriors Boxing and Sauerland Event in association with The
Seminole Tribe of Florida.
In one of the most anticipated rematches since Marquez-Vazquez II,
Abraham and Miranda had unfinished business. In their first fight, in
September 2006 in Germany, Abraham won a controversial, and some say
confusing, unanimous decision after suffering a broken jaw in the
fifth round. Miranda had five points deducted in that fight (for a
head butt and repeated low blows).
On Saturday, they met at a catchweight of 166 pounds with Abraham’s
IBF middleweight title belt sitting safely in his dressing room. But
Abraham left no doubt with a powerful display that Miranda could not
withstand.
Despite winning two of the first three rounds on the scorecards,
Miranda went down three times in the fourth round. The first came
after a straight right hand landed squarely on Miranda’s chin. Abraham
sent Miranda reeling just moments after he got up with a vicious left
hook. A final, flush left hook sent Miranda down for the third time in
the round and referee Tellis Assmenios waved it off at 1:13.
`Abraham showed us that he is a force to be reckoned with,’ said
SHOWTIME analyst AL Bernstein. `For one thing, he is very difficult to
hit and hurt. More importantly, he has serious power.’
`Boom, Boom, Boom,’ said Abraham as he watched the replay of his
knockdown punches with SHOWTIME reporter Jim Gray immediately after
the fight. `In this fight, I was more cautious. The last time, I
didn’t pay as much attention to that. Tonight, I tired him out then
knocked him down.’
The undefeated middleweight champion, Abraham (27-0, 22 KOs) is an
Armenian native now living and training in Germany. After the fight,
he told the SHOWTIME audience that he enjoyed fighting in America and
for the enthusiastic crowd at Hard Rock Live. And that he wanted the
opportunity to fight Oscar De La Hoya and Kelly Pavlik next.
Miranda, of Yonkers, NY, by way of Colombia, drops to 30-3, (26 KOs)
and has said he plans to campaign at 168 regardless of the outcome of
this fight. (more)
`He came very well prepared,’ said Miranda. `I have no quarrels
tonight. He felt very strong. I don’t know what happened. I was 100
percent coming into this fight. The last fight, I was 50 percent. I
don’t know. He was too strong today. He’s a great champion.’
The Lorenzo-Marquez fight was a bruising, physical and entertaining
affair. Marquez, at 36-years-old, clearly showed that he has the
heart, will and skill to fight Abraham for the IBF title.
Despite a slow start, Marquez dominated Lorenzo in the middle
rounds. He found a rhythm in the fourth round and fought a tough and
intelligent fight. Marquez sustained two deep cuts over his right eye
in the 10th as Lorenzo pressed him in the last three rounds. But it
wasn’t enough to overcome the game and gritty veteran.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Al Bernstein called
the action from ringside with Jim Gray serving as a roving
reporter. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast was David
Dinkins Jr., the producer was Chuck McKean with Bob Dunphy directing.
REPLAYS Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will re-air
on SHO Sports Presents on Tuesday, June 24, at 10 p.m. ET/PT
(SHO2). SHO Sports Presents, a daily weekday series, replays
heart-pounding boxing and EliteXC fight telecasts from SHOWTIME
Sports’ arsenal every Monday through Friday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHO2.
For more information on SHOWTIME Sports, including exclusive
behind-the-scenes video, photo galleries and complete telecast
information, please visit
http://www.doghousebox ing.com/dhb/dhbpr062208.htm
PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version: nian.htm
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM
DIALOGUE COMMITTEE
His Holiness Aram I received the Christian-Muslim Dialogue committee headed
by Hares Shehab and Dr. Mohammed Sammak in Antelias on Thursday. The
representative of the Armenian community in the committee, Dr. Jean
Salmanian, also attended the meeting.
The main purpose of the visit was to brief the Armenian Pontiff on the
results of the committee’s meetings with Muslim spiritual heads and to
consult His Holiness on the various challenges facing Lebanon and the
upcoming meeting of spiritual heads in the Presidential Palace. His Holiness
welcomed the meeting organized on the initiative of the President, pointing
out that the gathering of spiritual heads around the President has an
important symbolism and message for the Lebanese people. With respect to the
statement to be adopted by the meeting, His Holiness emphasized that it
should be more general in nature without touching upon political issues and
underlining the principles of strengthening the state’s authority, Lebanon’s
unity, integrity and sovereignty.
The representative of the President of Lebanon had visited His Holiness
recently with regard to the upcoming meeting of spiritual heads, which will
be held next Tuesday and will be followed by a luncheon with the President.
##
View the photo here:
tos/Photos278.htm#2
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.
The Boston Herald
June 20, 2008 Friday
ALL EDITIONS
Pike to OK Armenian Genocide memorial
By CASEY ROSS
The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority today is expected to end a
long-running dispute over a downtown greenway parcel that will soon
host a memorial recognizing victims of the Armenian genocide.
Pike officials said they expect the agency’s directors to approve an
agreement with the Armenian Heritage Foundation that could allow
construction of the park to begin by year’s end.
“This is going to be an amazing addition to the Rose Fitzgerald
Kennedy Greenway,” said state Rep. Peter Koutoujian (D-Waltham), who
has advocated for the memorial. “It’s something that people from
Boston and around the world will come and visit, a place they’ll
treasure.”
The inclusion of the genocide memorial has been a source of heated
debate for years, with city planners raising concerns about
politicizing the greenway with a bevy of monuments and memorials to
various historical causes.
But the agreement to be reached today creates a memorial sculpture
that recognizes the contributions of all immigrant groups and makes
special mention of the mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman
Empire during World War I.
The proposed wording on the sculpture reads, in part: “Boston and the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts have offered hope and refuge for
immigrants seeking to begin new lives. . . . The sculpture is offered
in honor of the one and one-half million victims of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915-1923.
“May it stand in remembrance of all genocides that have followed, and
celebrate the diversity of the communities that have re-formed in the
safety of these shores.”
The park, which is near Christopher Columbus Park in the North End,
will include a labyrinth of grass and granite stone with a single jet
of water at its center. It will also feature a 16-foot-diameter
reflecting pool.
RUBEZH 2008 COMMANDER-HEADQUARTERS EXERCISES’ FIRST STAGE TO START ON JULY 22 IN YEREVAN
Noyan Tapan
Ju ne 20, 2008
YEREVAN, JUNE 20, NOYAN TAPAN. Artur Baghdasarian, the Secretary of the
RA National Security Council, on June 20, held a working consultation
with the participation of heads of operative groups of state government
bodies involved in the Rubezh 2008 commander-headquarters exercises
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to be held in
the territory of Armenia.
According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA President’s
Press Office, during the consultation, proper instructions and
explanations were given for properly preparing for the coming exercises
and holding them. The first stage of the exercises will start on July
22 in Yerevan.
MINUTE OF SILENCE FOR 1 MARCH VICTIMS
A1+
[09:51 pm] 20 June, 2008
Member of the political board of the "Hanrapetutiun" (Republic)
Party Suren Surenyants is conducting the rally in the Matenadaran
square. First of all he congratulated people on 3 victories they
had won.
According to him the first victory was the breaking of the police
barrier and holding the rally in the Matenadaran square. The
second victory was the success of "A1+" in the European Court of
Human Rights. The third one was the issue of Armenia to be urgently
discussed in the agendum of the PACE summer session.
Surenyants considers that national movement is well-organized
in Armenia, even better than in all the other former Soviet
countries. "The unanimous hunger-strike of the political prisoners
can serve as a typical example of it," Surenyants declares.
Chairman of the "New Times" Party Hrachya Sargssian suggested that the
people present observed a minute of silence for 1 March victims. "Every
citizen struggles for himself. So each of you should bring another
2 people with you for the next rally," Sargssian advised.