Author: Khondkarian Raffi

Suspect in Carnival Crash Charged

WXYZ.com (Channel 7 in Detroit, ABC Affiliate)
May 24, 2006

By Takisha Roberson, web produced by Sarah Morgan

The man accused of plowing his van into a crowded carnival in Southfield
was charged with almost 30 felony counts, Wednesday morning.

34-year-old Timothy Buss faces life in prison for assault with intent to
murder, felonious assault for failing to stop his vehicle after an
accident and property charges.

Buss is accused of driving his minivan into a carnival outside the Alex
and Marie Manoogian Schools and injuring nine children and two adults on
Sunday.

Police said Buss was driving nearly 60 miles per hour at one point. He
was later arrested at his Troy home.

Buss appeared to be close to tears as the judge read the charges against
him. The judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and gave him a
court appointed attorney.

Buss has a history of substance abuse and told the judge he had been
drinking earlier in the day, but alcohol has not been determined to be a
factor in the crash.

ticle/0,2132,WXYZ_15924_4723317,00.html

Collective Bella ciao, France
May 26 2006

Bush pedocide – complicity in 0.1 million US &1.6 million Iraqi &
Afghan avoidable infant deaths

By : Dr Gideon Polya
May Friday 26th 2006

For decent human societies the worst imaginable crimes involve the
killing of children (paedocide, or pedocide in America) or the
killing of infants (infanticide) – and unthinkably before Nazism, the
Jewish Holocaust and other 20th century genocides from Armenia and
Namibia to Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur and Timor Leste – mass paedocide
(mass pedocide) and mass infanticide. As outlined below, the Bush
Administration – Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld & Dr Rice aka Dr Death – are
complicit in the AVOIDABLE DEATHS of 0.1 million US under-5 year old
infants and of 1.6 million under-5 year old Iraqi and Afghan infants.
America, Cuba and Singapore have `annual per capita incomes’ of
$38,000, $1,200 and $21,000, respectively, but their `annual under-5
infant death rates’ are 0.17%, 0.17% and 0.07%, respectively. The US,
the richest country by far in the world, should have the lowest
infant mortality – i.e. that of Singapore – and the difference of
0.1% and a US under-5 infant population of 20.1 million translates to
an avoidable under-5 infant deaths of 20,1000 each year. Over the
last 5 years, the perverted priorities of the Bush Administration
have killed 100,000 American infants (see:
and
).

The Bush Wars have been very expensive for America and for the
foreign victims of US state terrorism: 2.3 million post-invasion
avoidable (excess) deaths and 1.8 million post-invasion under-5
infant deaths (90% avoidable) in the Occupied Iraqi and Afghan
Territories due to gross Coalition violation of the Geneva
Convention; a Nobel Laureate-estimated economic cost totalling $1-2
trillion (see: ); 2,752
American military deaths (2,456 in Iraq and 296 in Afghanistan);
18,587 American soldiers wounded (17,869 in Iraq and 718 in
Afghanistan) (see: ); about 50,000
post-2001 American opiate drug deaths due to Coalition restoration of
the Taliban-destroyed Afghan opium industry to a current 87% of world
market share (see: ); and
about 100,000 avoidable under-5 year old American deaths over the
last 5 years (see: and
).

Of course, none of this will be reported by racist, lying,
holocaust-ignoring Mainstream Media in the UK, US or their blindly
loyal ally, Racist White Australia.

How many Iraqi and Afghan infants does Bush have to kill before he is
arraigned before the International Criminal Court?

How many AMERICAN infants does Bush have to kill before he is
impeached?

hp3?id_article=12088

Alexan Harutyunyan: Teamwork won at Eurovision

ArmRadio.am
26.05.2006 18:20

These days many publications in the media include views, general
wording of which is as follows: `It was not Andre that won at the
Eurovision but Alexan Harutyunyan through his ties and means. Just the
way Lusine Tovmasyan acquired the title of `Vice Miss Europe.’

In his interview to `Radiolur’ correspondent Alexan Harutyunyan,
President of the Council of Public Radio and Television of Armenia,
did not agree with the idea, saying that he merely headed the team
that participated in the contest. `The most important here are the
singer, the song, the team, the instrumentation. We would not succeed
if these were not good, no matter how hard I would try to promote.’

Generally, the diverse views and evaluations do not surprise Alexan
Harutyunyan, He considers it is natural. Mr. Harutyunyan was surprised
only with the atmosphere over the song and the singer in Armenia
before the contest, which was exerted as pressure on the part of
specialists and political figures.

`Doing such things is merely impermissible, such phenomena do not
exist in any other country. But it’s good that these negative
evaluations perished after the results were issued and everyone saw
that what we did was not incorrect, ‘ Alexan Harutyunyan said. His
personal evaluation of Armenia’s performance at Eurovision is
positive. This is a show watched not only in Europe but also all over
the world, and only participation here is of great importance
already. This is show business, which has its own rules, which we
should follow.

`I think that what we did was not bad for our first entry, it was even
good, since many countries participating for the 40th ` 45th time did
not even enter the top ten. Our next representative will go directly
to the final. This was also a good opportunity to make whole Europe
and the world speak about Armenia. It was a chance to speak about
Karabakh, since the singer was coming from there. It was important
also for the unification of Armenia and the Diaspora,’ President of
the Council of Public Radio and Television considers.

Alexan Harutyunyan does not share the views that the voting was
politicized.

`The votes were cast in most part by young people, who are not that
politicized. Of course, the factor of being neighbors or speaking the
same language sometimes plays its role here; however, the opposite can
be noticed as well. In the semi-final we received points from Spain,
Belgium, Moldova, where there are no large Armenian communities.’

It has not been decided so far who will represent Armenia at
Eurovision next year. This time, however, different from our first
entry we have more time to work and correct the faults.

`Considerable resources were spent, which were unprecedented for
Armenia but yielded their results. It was worth doing only for the
inspiration the Armenians and Diaspora experienced,’ Alexan
Harutyunyan said.

LEGISLATORS’ OPTIMISM FADES FAST
By Sean P. Sullivan
Lakeland Regional High School

NorthJersey.com, NJ
May 25 2006

WAYNE — Student legislators met with high hopes Monday for the
first session of the 2006 Model Congress at the Business School of
William Paterson University in Wayne. Successes were few, however,
as the Senate passed only one of its six proposed bills while the
House passed four of nine.

First to be discussed in the House was a bill to commemorate the
Armenian genocide by naming April 24 “Armenian Genocide Recognition
Day.”” The House then moved on to more controversial matters,
bringing to the floor a bill dictating “ballpark” limitations on the
war in Iraq.

Many representatives-including Anthony Marzacco, Republican, 18, of
Wayne Valley High School — considered the bill unconstitutional and
warned that even if the House passed it, it would be “struck down by
the Supreme Court the first chance they get.” The bill did not pass.

The war in Iraq resonated once again on the House floor as the
Committee on International Relations presented a bill proposing
requirements for worker’s compensation benefits for all hired civilian
personnel in combat zones. Although Daniel Akkerman, Democrat, 18,
of Fair Lawn High School drummed up support for the bill as it was
presented to the House, the outspoken Marzacco came out against it,
proclaiming it incomplete.

“If you have a heart — vote for this bill,” said Akkerman in support
of the measure.

“If you have a brain – wait for the amendment,” contested Marzacco.

House Democrats and Republicans found common ground on economic issues,
however, passing two bills aimed at controlling spending. The first
was much broader, simply calling for a balanced federal budget,
while the latter more specifically sought to reduce federal debt by
restricting add-ons to spending bills not directly requested by the
president. Likewise, few representatives opposed the Committee on
Education and the Workforce (HEDU) bill requiring all U.S. citizens of
age and sound mind to draft a notarized, legally binding living will.

Aside from the two bills concerned with economic activity and the
two uncontroversial bills, the representatives found no other common
ground throughout the first session, failing to pass all other
measures proposed.

Among the ill-fated bills was legislation proposing tax breaks for
middle-class college students, a reallocation of funding provided in
the No Child Left Behind Act, and a national “obesity” tax on fast
food products, to be used in obesity education.

Said Christopher Mawson, 18, Democrat, of Lakeland Regional High School
of the latter: “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t know that fast food
is bad for them. And if not – you should go outside.”

Meanwhile, on the Senate floor, the first session saw overwhelming
failure among proposed bills, as only one was passed. The Source
of Disclosure Act, which protects journalists from revealing their
sources, presented by the Senate Judiciary Committee (SJUD), passed
narrowly, 11-10.

None of the other bills left the Senate floor. Among those that did
not pass was proposed legislation for a renewable, three-year guest
workers permit for all immigrants, which lost 14-7.

Of the more contentious bills discussed, few raised more eyebrows
than one suggesting stricter punishments for violators of immigration
laws. The Senate was split on the issue, however, as some senators
found the bill too stringent, while others considered it too lenient.

Matthew Tietjen, 18, of Clifton High School contended that it did not
provide strict enough punishments for those who cross U.S. borders
illegally. “I think death is a little extreme, but the punishment
[for illegal immigrants] should be a little more extreme. They are
a detriment to society,” said Tietjen.

No discussion was given to a bill brought forth by the Senate Armed
Services Committee (SARM) to provide bonuses to armed servicemen and
women who opted to re-enlist, most likely because it was felt that
the bill would discourage the possibility of implementation of a draft.

Similar to the House, the Senate rejected a bill mandating changes
to the No Child Left Behind Act, as well as an “All College Students
are Created Equal” bill. Both failed in the Senate and similar bills
met the same fate in the House.

The Congress’ sponsors were William Paterson University, the Nicholas
Martini Foundation, Verizon, PSE&G, the Office of the Passaic County
Superintendent of Schools and the North Jersey Media Group Foundation,
which is the charitable arm of the group. The group is the publisher of
the Herald News, The Record and more than 30 weeklies in North Jersey.

May 25, 2006

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] <mailto:[email protected]>
Website: <;

34TH PRELACY NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES ASSEMBLY CONVENES AT THE NEW PRELACY
BUILDING FOR THE FIRST TIME

WESTERN PRELACY NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES ASSEMBLY
HIGHLY PRAISED THE WORK OF THE PRELATE,
AND RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS

– REPRESENTATIVES CONGRATULATED THE PRELATE ON THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY
OF HIS ORDINATION AND HIS 10TH ANNIVERSARY AS PRELATE
– ELECTION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY DELEGATES, AND RELIGIOUS AND
EXECUTIVE COUNCILS

According to our Prelacy tradition, the National Representatives Assembly
(NRA) convenes on the third weekend of May.
In keeping with this tradition, the assembly took place from Friday, May 19,
to Saturday, May 20, at the `Dickran and Zarouhi Der Ghazarian’ Hall of the
new Prelacy building, under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, and hosted by St. Sarkis Church, with the
participation of delegates, as well as representatives of the Board of
Regents, school principals, and parish Board of Trustees by invitation.
Also invited and in attendance were representatives from the newly
established parish communities of Riverside, La Crescenta, and Las Vegas.
The assembly was comprised of four sessions.

The first session opened on Friday, May 19, at 3:00 p.m. with prayer and
requiem service for the departed, specifically for Archbishop Ghevont
Chebeyan, and for the sponsors of the hall, Mr. & Mrs. Dickran & Zarouhi Der
Ghazarian.
Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian read the letter of blessing from H.H. Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, directed to the Prelate and the
representatives. The Catholicos, in his letter, commended the work of the
Prelate and delegates, which He witnessed first hand during His Pontifical
visit in October of last year, and wished them success for the future.
Afterward Mr. Khajag Dikijian, member of the Central Executive Council, made
remarks in which he commended the previous year’s works of the Prelate, and
the Religious and Executive Councils as evidenced in the annual reports
given to each representative.
Mr. Hrair Balian, Chairman of the Executive Council, briefly spoke of all
the endeavors undertaken by the Prelacy in the past year, highlighting the
Pontifical visit of His Holiness. He expressed thanks to the parishes and
Prelacy friends for contributing to these successes. He then thanked the
Prelate and fellow Executive Council members, wishing them all success.
Mr. Sarkis Tatuigian, Chairman of the St. Sarkis Board of Trustees,
expressed appreciation on behalf of the St. Sarkis Pastor and Board of
Trustees for entrusting them with the task of hosting the assembly.
Mr. Tatuigian subsequently invited the Prelate to deliver his remarks. The
Prelate began with welcoming remarks and by giving thanks to our Lord for
the successful completion of the previous year’s endeavors. He specifically
spoke of the Pontifical visit and the progress of the Prelacy building,
stressing that these successes are not the result of a few people but rather
due to the collaboration between all the parishes and Prelacy friends and
sponsors. The Prelate also gave special attention to the work being done by
the Christian Education Department and also of the addition of three new
parishes to the Prelacy family. He concluded by wishing success to the
assembly for the resolution of all the issues on the agenda, giving special
attention to issues regarding our schools and education, especially since
His Holiness has proclaimed 2006 to be the Year of the Armenian School.
Following the Prelate’s remarks the permanent divan was elected, consisting
of Chairmen Dr. Garo Agopian and Mr. Roubin Gourjian, and Secretaries Very
Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian and Mr. Hamo Kasbarian.
Elections then took place for the Resolutions and Election Committee.
Elected for the Resolutions Committee were Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Mr.
Haigaz Terterian, and Mr. Vartan Minassian, and for the Election Committee
Mr. Ara Jierian, Mr. Dajad Yeretsian, and Mr. Haroutioun Beshlian.
Before the end of the first session a representative from each parish Board
of Trustees, and also from the newly formed parishes, gave brief reports on
the activities of their respective church.

The second session opened at 6:30 p.m. of the same day.
Before getting back to the agenda, the Prelate reminded the attendees of the
lovely tradition of honoring a dedicated individual at every Representatives
Assembly. Prior honorees include Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian and Brother
Krikor Misserlian. He announced that this year, the Executive Council has
decided to honor Chairman of the Prelacy Building Committee and Executive
Council member Mr. Vahan Bezdikian, who has devoted his time and efforts to
the building project even before he became a member of the Prelacy Executive
Council. Thus, the Prelate invited Mr. Hrair Balian so that they may
together present Mr. Bezdikian with the memento. Mr. Bezdikian expressed
sincere thanks on this occasion and graciously accepted the memento on
behalf of all the members of the Building Committee.

The Divan then invited Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian to say a few words. He
announced that this year’s assembly coincides with the 30th anniversary of
the Prelate’s ordination and his 10th anniversary as Prelate. He briefly
recounted the Prelate’s service over the past 30 years and expressed
congratulations and best wishes on behalf of all those present. He then
announced that on this occasion, Mr. Ghazaros Ghazarossian, a delegate from
Holy Martyrs Church, would like to present the Prelate with a ring.
Mr. Hrair Balian and Mr. Khajag Dikijian congratulated the Prelate and
expressed their best wishes, after which the Prelate articulated his sincere
thanks to all, but especially to Mr. Ghazarossian, and highly commended the
work of all the parishes and delegates, hoping that in this Year of the
Armenian School that we would be blessed with a new secondary school.
The assembly then returned to the agenda, with the presentation of the
Prelacy financial report, and the reports of the Auditing Committee, Board
of Regents, and CASPS (Committee for Armenian Students in Public Schools).

ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Taking into account that the General Assembly of the Catholicosate will take
place in October of this year, the assembly had on its agenda the election
of delegates to the General Assembly.
The representatives elected as delegates Mr.’s Khajag Dikijian, Hrair
Balian, Armand Keosian, Peklar Pilavjian, Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian, Vahan
Bezdikian, Garbis Bezdjian, Boghos Sassounian, Hagop Yedalian, Garo Avakian,
Noubar Demirjian, Dr. Hagop Dickranian, Dr. Garo Agopian, Khatchig
Yeretsian, and Deacon Mark Shirin. The substitute delegates are Mr.’s
Krikor Sulahian, Sarkis Kitsinian, and Vartan Minassian.
The second session came to a close at 10:15 p.m.

ELECTION OF RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS

The second half of the National Representatives Assembly began on the
morning of Saturday, May 20, and concluded at 3:00 p.m.
Among the various items on the agenda was the by-laws of Prelacy schools.
The assembly decided that a special session would convene in four months to
further examine and analyze the by-laws.
Subsequently, the election of the Religious and Executive Councils took
place along with the election of the Auditing Committee.
The newly elected Religious Council consists of Very Rev. Fr. Muron
Aznikian, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, Rev.’s Vahan Gosdanian, Vazken
Atmajian, Ardak Demirjian, Razmig Khatchadourian, and Gomidas Torossian.
The newly elected Executive Council consists of Mr.’s Boghos Sassounian, Dr.
Hagop Der Megerdichian, Garbis Bezdjian, Vahan Bezdikian, Garo Avakian, Dr.
Garo Agopian, Dr. Navasart Kazazian, Nerses Melkonian, Vahe Hovaguimian,
Varoujan Der Simonian, and Mher Der Ohanessian.
Elected for the Auditing Committee were Mr.’s Roubin Gourjian, Garo Eshgian,
and Zareh Markarian.
On behalf of the Divan, Dr. Garo Agopian thanked the attendees for another
fruitful Representatives Assembly and wished the newly elected committee
success.
Closing remarks were made by the Prelate, who commended the activities of
the previous Religious and Executive Councils and wished success to the
newly elected councils and committees. He also thanked and commended
honorary Executive Council member Mr. Noubar Chorbajian for his many years
of service and support. Turning his attention to our schools, the Prelate
expressed hope that our parishes and schools will do their best to honor our
schools ceremoniously, especially being that His Holiness proclaimed 2006 to
be the Year of the Armenian School, and also expressed hope that we would be
blessed with a new secondary school in the near future. The Prelate also
hoped for a closer bond between our churches and schools and for more
emphasis to be placed on our youth groups.
The 34th National Representatives Assembly came to a close at 2:30 p.m. with
the Prelate’s `Bahbanich’ prayer and the collective singing of `Giligia’.

REPUBLICANS SAY ROBERT KOCHARYAN WILL NOT RUN FOR THE THIRD TERM

Lragir.am
25 May 06

Garnik Isagulyan, adviser to the president of Armenia, had stated May
20 that Robert Kocharyan would not run for the third term. Isagulyan
also announced that soon everyone would be able to see that Kocharyan
is unlikely to become prime minister. Isagulyan’s statements were
approved by Galust Sahakyan, the leader of the Republican faction
on May 24. “I think there is not going to be another term, for the
post of prime minister, he has the right to be prime minister, but
this question is not considered yet,” said Galust Sahakyan to the
reporter of Lragir.am. He mentioned that the stance of the Republican
will become known after a debate which has not been held yet.

Galust Sahakyan says the Republican will also nominate president,
and according to Galust Sahakyan, there are more than one worthy
candidates. “I think there are many worthy candidates of president,
in the course of time there will be references,” says Galust Sahakyan
adding that people will make the deciding vote.

RESTORE THE DUELS
Anna Israelian

Aravot.am
24 May 06

According to one of the ARF deputy if tradition of duels is restored
we w?n’t be forced to hear the offences which the OEP and “National
Unity” addressed to each other in the NA yesterday.

Here are passages from those declarations.

Hovhannes Margarian /OEP/; “Where were today’s Pharisees when hundreds
of thousands issues were being discussed in the parliament? Where was
that same Geghamian who betrayed the leader of the opposition Stepan
Demirchian in the second stage of the presidential elections in 2003
taking some thousands of dollars? Where was he when the question of
deposits was being discussed, when schools and nursery schools were
being privatized very cheaply, when problems of disaster zone were
being discussed? When were you, the Savior, when the opposition was
fighting in favor of justice? Certainly he was hiding waiting for
new commands from the influential officials who using Geghamian’s
oratorical potential were financing him in indirect way. Everybody
knows what happens to those who have become unnecessary after
being used. I must mention that Arthur Baghdasarian being 37 years
old and the OEP is 10 have had more serious achievements than you
with your empty critics addressed to Robert Kocharian and Serge
Sargsian. Speaking about robbery you ownbuildings and complexes,
criticizing the corruption you are fed by the authority.

Hmayak Hovhannisian /independent deputy/; “A scenario is being realized
here making each other abolish public politicians for anti-ideological
and anti-political elements. Our so-called political field has become
a stable… The journalists and I are the unhappiest persons in this
hall, because we have to find some regularity in the stable. Stable
rules act here.

Mher Shahgeldian /OEP/; “If anybody likes to feel himself in the
stable it is his choice… I turn to “National Unity”, you try to
carry out your policy by craftiness. Don’t you ask for economic
orders periodically from the Minister of Defense and get it. We know
about it.”

Samvel Balasanian /OEP/; “I don’t know what Hmayak Hovhannisian speaks
about. I compare this misfortune with Alyonka from Russian tale who
was sinking.

Dear Alyonka, Alyonushka, maybe you have lost your patrons. /”Sheep”, –
Hmayak Hovhannisian cried from his sit. A.I./. Becoming the opposition
we are criticized by Hmayak Hovhannisian, we also were being criticized
when we were the authority”.

Gagik Kostandian; /National Unity/ “You betrayed the ANM and Levon
Ter- Petrosian in 1998, and you betrayed the coalition in 2006. If
you have taken money for your betrayal, it’s a problem but if you
are a principal betrayer, it’s another problem. You declare that
you have defended Robert Kocharian in the first and second stages,
but how can we understand your step, is it a betrayal or next play
of the authorities to form a false opposition. Didn’t you know with
whom you were going to work? Your partner political powers are the
same, they haven’t changed, admit that posts admired you. And you
awakened before the elections, that the coalition///// I have been
in the boxing ring since for about 17 years, and I have seen a lot
of blows below the belt, we considered those sportsmen as sons of
the beach. I haven’t seen a political power, which blows below the
belt. Your declaration that we are financed by Serge Sargsian and
are engaged in supplies, that information is false and old”.

Artashes Geghamian; “I’ll compliment Arthur Baghdasarian. He is too
///. He said here that the way of lie is short like the way of the
thief, it lasts 40 days. It seems he saw today. His way last only a
day /and read the declaration signed on 19 of February according to
which the results of the elections can’t be recognized legal. -A.I./
Let the people decide which category he is.”

Stepan Zakarian /”Justice”/; If there was a healthy society it would
be interested from the beginning where Serge Sargsian has got such
big money for being able to but a politician or a party… I think
that the feeling of fear about which he was speaking prevented the
NA chairman to say it.”

Vram Gyulzadian /OEP/; “Geghamian says that when the Public Prosecutor
is engaged in planting trees, potato specialist must carry out
policy. It is honor for me to be a potato specialist. And thanks
to my farmer partners we had potato in cold and famine years. Has
anybody been saved by your pompous speeches?”

CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF OF ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE HERE ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT

ArmRadio.am
24.05.2006 15:10

The delegation headed by Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces of
Ukraine, Colonel-General Sergey Kirichenko arrived today in Armenia on
a two-day official visit. Kirichenko had a meeting with his Armenian
counterpart Colonel-General Mickael Harutyunyan. Members of the
delegation will visit the memorial to the victims of the Armenian
Genocide and the mine-clearing center. Later the guests will visit
the Military Institute after Vazgen Sargsyan.

The Ukrainian delegation will be received also by the Catholicos
of All Armenian Garegin II. In the evening the Chiefs of General
Staffs of Armed Forces of the two countries will sign a memorandum
on cooperation. Mickael Harutyunyan and Sergey Kirichenko told the
journalists they are going to share the experience gained.

“We are pleased with the warmth, hospitality and friendliness we saw
here in Armenia today. We are confident that today’s work will yield
great results.

Your experience of participating in peacekeeping missions will be
especially useful for us,” Sergey Kirichenko said.

FIRST ANCA TELETHON RAISES $2.7 MILLION

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 23 2006

WASHINGTON, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. In an overwhelming
display of unity behind the Armenian National Committee of America’s
mission to educate, motivate and activate our communities, Armenian
Americans, organizations and communities across the United States
raised $2.7 million during the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA) Telethon on May 21st with additional donations still coming
in, the ANCA reported. The groundswell of donations came from the
entire spectrum of the Armenian community. “The Telethon was one
of the ANCA’s most ambitious endeavors to date, pulling together
every part of our grassroots network, and the results demonstrate
the overwhelming support for our mission to unite the community
behind the Armenian Cause – Hai Tahd,” said Ken Hachikian, National
Chairman of the ANCA. “We are gratified by the confidence Armenian
Americans across the nation have placed in us and pledge to the
Armenian community that we will make every dollar count as we work to
vigorously pursue and represent the interests of the community in the
local, national and international political and policy arenas.” The
Telethon touched a common emotion and desire in people to support the
Armenian Cause in all the different parts of Armenian communities,
regardless of organizational affiliations or politics. Countless
organizations, volunteers, churches, community leaders, ANC local
chapters, performing artists, Members of Congress and state legislators
from across the nation participated in the Telethon contributing to
its enormous success. The Telethon featured several documentaries
that highlighted the various ANCA programs and numerous results the
ANCA has achieved over the years largely through its volunteer and
grassroots network. In addition to hundreds of thousands of viewers
who watched the Telethon on TV in all major U.S. media markets,
thousands nationally and internationally also watched the Telethon
online via a simultaneous webcast over the Internet and donated
online. While the Telethon raised funds for the ANCA Endowment, it
also served to expand the level of knowledge and understanding among
many parts of the community on the important work that is being done
on a daily basis by the ANCA. One of the ANCA’s goals is to engage
and activate more segments as part of the ANCA’s grassroots network
and the Telethon helped expand that reach. Donations are still being
accepted for the ANCA Telethon and those interested in contributing
should call 1-866-402-2622 (ANCA) or go to and click on
the Telethon logo to make a donation online.

KOCHARYAN CONGRATULATES CHARLES AZNAVOUR ON HIS BIRTHDAY

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 23 2006

YEREVAN, May 23. /ARKA/. The President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan
congratulated world-known French singer Charles Aznavour on his
birthday.

According to the Press and Information Department of the RA President,
Kocharyan sent a congratulating message to Aznavour wishing him sound
health, long and fruitful creative life.

“Your image of a unique art figure and great Armenian inspires and
gives power to many people. You are the pride of our nation, many
generations admired you songs and patriotism”, the Message says.

Famous French singer, composer and actor Charles Aznavour was born
in France in a family of Armenian immigrants on May 22, 1924.