Author: Khondkarian Raffi

ARA ABRAHAMIAN ON RECENT NOTORIOUS EVENTS IN RUSSIA
AZG Armenian Daily
22/11/2006
In the course of a meeting at RA Writers’ Union on November 20, Ara
Abrahamian, Chairman of the World Armenian Congress and the Union of
Armenians of Russia touched upon the recent notorious events in Russia.
“We live in the Russian Federation, according to its laws and
Constitution, I cannot bring the members of the World Armenian
Congress (WAC) and the Union of Armenians of Russia to the streets of
the Russian towns and declare war to the nationalists”, he said in
response to a question about his attitude to the recent of murders
of Armenians and RA citizens in Russia. He stated that after each
murder in the territory of Russia, it becomes known in 5 minutes.
The attorneys of the World Armenian Congress work, an active
cooperation with the Russian law machinery is carried on and, as a
result, clearance of a number of murders of Armenians in Russia,
committed on a national ground. At the same time, Abrahamian
stated there is still much to do in this direction. He reminded
that the representatives of WAC and the Union of Armenians of
Russia hold meetings with the Russian youth, delivered lectures,
telling them about the history of Armenia and the Armenians. As for
the coming parliamentary elections, Ara Abrahamian stated the World
Armenian Congress (WAC) will define its preferences in the coming
2007 Parliamentary elections in Armenia by January 2007. Besides, he
called for the Armenian political parties to refrain from ambitions
and come out with clear program documents. “Having studied the
program of each political party, the WAC and the Union of Armenians
of Russia will define their position,” Abrahamian said. Touching upon
the issue of Armenia’s relations with its closest neighbor Georgia,
Mr. Abrahamian said that Armenia should build its relations with
Georgia grounded on a well-developed governmental program. He added
that the Armenian authorities have to clearly explain the Russian
authorities that any economic sanctions against Georgia will also make
harm to Armenia. “They should explain to Moscow that Georgia does
not suffer from closing the Upper Lars checking point, but Armenia,
their strategic partner in the region suffers. So, be so kind to find
some alternative, some way out,” Abrahamian said.

TALKS ON RESOLUTION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT INTENSIFIES – FRENCH CO-CHAIR AT OSCE MINSK GROUP
Author: A.Mammadova
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 22 2006
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, Russian Ambassador, Yuriy Merzlyakov,
stated in Baku on 22 November that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have
further proposals on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
which at present is being discussed confidentially, Trend reports.
Speaking on the results of the visit to Yerevan and talks held
with the Armenian leaders, the mediator said that the Armenian side
confirmed its willingness to participate in the talks. We hope the
same applies in Baku by the Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev,”
he added. The diplomat also noted that the U.S. Ambassador, Matthew
Bryza, intends to meet with the leader of the Armenian community of
Nagorno-Karabakh, Arkadiy Gukasian in Los Angeles, and therefore,
was unable to visit the region with the Minsk Group mission.
Nevertheless, he voiced his hope that all 3 co-chairs would be present
at the meeting of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Minsk
on 28 November 2006.
The French Ambassador Fassie announced that negotiations are continuing
intensively. “We have met with the Foreign Ministers three times
over the last few weeks. We are trying to build a wall in the hope
of establishing a base for future agreements on the resolution of
the conflict. We add a brick each time a positive step is taken,”
he stated .

RA PRESIDENT TO DEPART FOR CYPRUS ON FIRST-EVER STATE VISIT NOVEMBER 22
PanARMENIAN.Net
20.11.2006 15:56 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian President Robert Kocharian will depart for
Cyprus on a first-ever state visit November 22, Victor Soghomonian told
a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. The President will meet with the Cypriot
leadership to discuss the Armenian-Cypriot relations, specifically
establishment and expansion of the trade and economic relations
between the two states.

ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES DIVISION BEGAN MILITARY TRAININGS IN OCCUPIED AZERI TERRITORIES
Author: Sh.Jaliloglu
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2006
The division of the Armenian Armed Forces began large-scale military
training in the occupied territories of Agdam district of Azerbaijan
from 16:20, Trend reports. The training is mainly held in the Uzundere
village. Explosions can be heard in the territories where the Armenian
Armed Forces hold training. Observation of the training was deterred
by cloudy weather.

ALIYEV SAYS ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL COOPERATION MUST BE IMPROVED AMONG TURKISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES
Today, Azerbaijan
Nov 20 2006
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Friday that economic
and political cooperation among the Turkish speaking countries must
be improved.
Speaking at the 8th Summit of Heads of State & Government of
Turkish-Speaking Countries in the southern Turkish city of Antalya,
Aliyev remembered that Turkey was the first country recognizing
independence of Azerbaijan.
“Economy of Azerbaijan develops rapidly. We have left economic
difficulties behind. Other Turkish-speaking states also overcame the
difficulties,” Aliyev added.
“World is changing. The incidents occurring in our region require
new relationships and cooperation,” he recalled.
“Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline is a historic step. This will serve
economic development of the region. Inclusion of Kazakhstan to this
cooperation brings a new dynamism. Completion of Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum
natural gas pipeline means shipment of Azerbaijani gas to Turkey and
Europe,” Aliyev said.
Emphasizing that countries of the Caspian region have very rich natural
resources, Aliyev said, “these resources bring financial prosperity
to the region. The cooperation which was considered as a dream before,
is now realized.”
Stating that there were problems that create uneasiness in Azerbaijan,
Aliyev said, “ongoing Armenian occupation on Azerbaijan`s territory
is the biggest problem of our country. This is also a problem of
the region. We favor resolution of the problem through peaceful
means. The problem must be solved in line with the principles
of the U.N.. European Organizations do not have any effect on
Armenia. Azerbaijan lost 20 percent of its territory in the ethnic
cleansing. More than 1 million people were made refugee in their own
country.”
URL:

HRANUSH KHARATYAN: CERTAIN INTOLERANCE AGAINST ARMENIANS IS BEING SHAPED
By Gohar Gevorgian
AZG Armenian Daily
17/11/2006
15-Year-old Narek Kocharian Killed in Moscow Last Saturday
On November 11, Saturday, Narek Kocharian, 15, was murdered near the
railway station of Ivanteevka town, Pushkin region, Moscow. The young
man was brutally beaten and stabbed with knife for many times.
According to the information rendered by the Union of Armenians of
Russia, the murderers tried to hang or throttle the victim. Besides
a scarf with a “jolly roger” was found near the body prove that the
murderers belonged to the Fascist groups. The Public Prosecutor’s
Office of Ivanteevka has opened investigation into the case.
The frequent cases of murdering of the Armenians aroused the
indignation and concern of the Armenian intelligentsia members. On
November 15, they held a press conference at “Hayeli” club and
discussed the problem.
Levon Ananyan, chairman of RA Writers’ Union, stated that the chain of
murders is endless. He added that they are caused by xenophobia that
is blooming in Russian society, besides, quite an obvious political
order. Ananyan said that there are only two countries in the world,
where Armenians are being killed: Azerbaijan and Russia. Ananyan is
sure that diplomatic circles and intelligentsia members should be
involved in the settlement of the issue. “What does or embassy in
Russia do? Our states also keep silent,” he underscored.
In his turn, arts critic Henrik Igitian said Russia doesn’t treat
seriously its own embassy in Armenia.
“The murders are committed and they get no response.
RA Government, RA Foreign Ministry and RA Embassy in Russia should
deal with this issue. We shouldn’t cease our relations with Russia,
but our authorities should touch upon the issue very roughly when
meeting with Putin,” Igitian said.
Hranush Kharatian, ethnologist, head of National Minorities
and Religious Issues department at RA Government, said that the
anti-Armenian murders are not only Armenia’s but also Russia’s concern,
as Russia contributes to deepening and spreading of such killings
by characterizing them as criminal cases. “I can see that these is
a political program. Certain intolerance is being shaped against the
Armenians, but not at ethnic level,” Kharatyan emphasized.
Professor Hayk Ghazarian, doctor of history, condemned our state that
made 2 millions of Armenians find shelter in Russia. He added that the
Slavonic nations had woken up and carry out the policy of Pan-Slavonism
without respecting other nations. Theatre director Armen Mazmanian
said that we should definitely struggle against this phenomenon,
at the same time, adding that there are wealthy Armenians that can
built an entire city in Russia, adding that none would stand such a
behavior of a stranger in their home city or country. “You shouldn’t
be in Russia, take your millions, get back, take a village in Lachin
and become princes there,” he said. In response Mrs.
Kharatyan said that only the victims of the Nazi Russia should come
back and die from starving in Armenia.
Anyway, the intelligentsia members stated that we shouldn’t fear from
Russia, although, they took into account the fact that we depend of
Russia in certain aspects.

PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES HIGHER SALARY FOR TOP PUBLIC EMPLOYEES
Panorama.am
15:07 16/11/06
The Armenian parliament discussed draft law which envisages 40%
higher salary for top public officials starting from July 1, 2007.
Pavel Safaryan, deputy minister of finance and economy, said the bill
is connected with draft budget 2007 and is its component part. He
said the salary of top public officials have not been raised since
2003 whereas the salary of ordinary public employees has risen up to
70%. “As a result, low rank public employees may get higher salary
that top officials,” he said also saying similar situation is not
observed in any other country.
In the words of the deputy minister, the draft will cost 710 million
Armenian drams also saying the salary of public officials will depend
on minimum salary which is 20,000 drams in 2007.

NKR SPEAKER MET WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
Nov 16 2006
On November 9 NKR Speaker Ashot Ghulian met with some representatives
of youth NGOs of Artsakh on the eve of the international day of the
youth. The speaker of the National Assembly emphasized the role of
the youth NGOs in building a civil society and promoting democracy
in all the spheres of life. He also appreciated that the problems
put forward by these NGOs are relevant to the needs of the society,
and are directed at the resolution of problems in parallel with the
efforts of the government. The speaker of the National Assembly
also asserted the willingness of the leadership of the country,
including the parliament to assist in the development of the youth
organizations. The speaker of parliament answered the questions of
the participants of the meeting on enhancing government control on the
education of the young generation, employment of young people, housing
of young families, establishment of a youth parliament in NKR, etc.

November 16, 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]
Website:
CELEBRATION OF THE 106TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH OF FRESNO
On Sunday, November 12, 2006, the 106th Anniversary of Holy Trinity
Armenian Apostolic Church in Fresno was celebrated with Divine Liturgy
and a sermon by His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, and Rev. Vahan Gosdanian
assisted at the altar. In his sermon, the Prelate credited the founders
of the church, who made every effort possible to establish the church
on solid ground for our children and for the coming generation of
faithful Armenians.
Following Divine Liturgy, the parishioners gathered at the church
social hall where the annual banquet of the church was held. Rev.
Vahan Gosdanian offered the opening prayers, followed by the
singing of the American and Armenian National Anthems by Ms. Angele
Ohannessian. The master of ceremonies was Board of Trustees Chairman
Mr. Jeff Tanielian, and the meal was prepared by the parish Men’s
Society. More than 250 individuals were in attendance to celebrate
the anniversary of the church.
It has become the annual tradition of the parish to honor individuals
for their outstanding service to the church and community. The honorees
this year were Mrs. Patricia Bouloutian, Mrs. Lylian Chooljian,
and Ms. Patricia Sevoian. As the recipients were unaware of the
recognition they were about to receive, this was a pleasant and
special moment for each one of them and their families.
Subsequently, Mr. Hrair Messerlian, chairman of the newly formed
Outreach and Strategic Committee, reported on various concerns
collected through a questionnaire and offered his observations. The
artistic portion of the program consisted of musical selections
in Armenian and English by Salbi Mailyan accompanied by Naira
Shahsouvarian. As the grand finale, Naira pleased everyone by playing
Alexander Haroutounyan’s Sasountsineri Bar on the parish’s new baby
grand piano.
The event concluded with encouraging remarks by the Prelate and Rev.
Vahan Gosdanian, followed by the collective singing of Giligia.

ARMENIAN LIEUTENANT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO GERMANY
A1+
[03:46 pm] 13 November, 2006
Armenian senior lieutenant Georgi Nalbandyan who was injured
as a result of a terrorist act in Iraq on November 11 is out of
danger. Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan informed today that the
officer has been taken to Germany and after recovering will return
to Armenia to continue his military service.
Let us remind you that the leg of the senior lieutenant has been
amputated. “I would like to support his family in these difficult
times. I am sure that we will need his experience and knowledge”,
Serge Sargsyan said.
Early in the morning the Defense Minister left for Iraq to get
acquainted with the life of the Armenian peace-keepers, as well as
to meet the Defense Minister of Iraq and the heads of the forces
fulfilling peace-keeping mission.
Let us remind you that in July the fourth shift of the Armenian
peace-keepers left for Iraq.
The Armenian peace-keepers have been leaving for Iraq since January
2005. Each shift consists of 46 soldiers.