Author: Nahapetian Boris

MEGAPHONE PRESENTED AZERBAIJAN AS ARMENIAN TERRITORY

armradio.am
25.07.2007 16:52

Mobile communication operator Megaphone OPSC presented Azerbaijani
territory as Armenian territory in the geographical map in the trailer
on making phone calls to the CIS countries.

APA reports quoting Azertag state agency that the map did not show
Azerbaijani capital, Baku, while shows not only Armenian capital but
also medieval town Armavir.

Azerbaijani embassy officially demanded Megaphone OPSC to correct the
mistake regarding Azerbaijan on the map. And the trailer was removed
from the channels from July 18. The Company expressed regret for the
misrepresentation on the map and thanked the Embassy for the appeal.

Megaphone said in the letter that it was an unpleasant misunderstanding
and was not deliberately made in order to misrepresent factual
information on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, sovereignty
and internationally recognized boundaries.

ALBANIA VOWS TO CONTINUE EXPORTING ARMS TO ARMENIA DESPITE TURKISH PROTEST

Gazeta Shqiptare, Tirana
19 Jul 07

‘Turkey’s Blockade: We Will Seek Another Route’

"There is no reason for outrage. Problems between Turkey and Armenia
resulted in a consignment of weapons being turned back. The consignment
has been unloaded at the port of Durres," said MEIKO Director Pinari,
a company dealing in arms sales, yesterday. In his view, the conflict
between Armenia and Azerbaijan is none of Albania’s business. "It
is none of Albania’s business. All the sales procedures are in order
and in conformity with the law. We are examining the possibility of
using other routes. The arms trade is no problem for Albania, its
Defence Ministry, or, for that matter, Armenia, as no international
organization has laid an embargoed it. If there were an embargo,
there would be an international scandal," Pinari said yesterday.

Armenia, once part of the Soviet Union, has been showing an interest
in the arms offered by this country. Because of political differences,
Russia no longer supplies weapons to Armenia, whose army has the same
arms and ammunition as those of the former states of the Soviet bloc.

The consignment of Albanian weapons, however, failed to reach Armenia,
because Turkey refused the Albanian ship transit through the Straits.

However, the Albanian state says that it will look for other ways
for its weapons to reach Armenia.

PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

July 24, 2007
___________________

DIOCESAN SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM PROVIDES FOCUS ON FAITH, CULTURE

On Friday, July 20, 2007, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), drove from New York
City’s busy, bustling streets to the scenic Catskill Mountain town of
Greenville, New York, home to the Diocesan Ararat Center. With him was
Diocesan Vicar Fr. Haigazoun Najarian and two AGBU interns.

The St. Vartan Camp was in full swing at the Center, and the Primate spent
Friday visiting with campers, peeking in on religion and language classes,
and answering all manner of questions from the quizzical youngsters.

The next day, he joined hundreds of Armenian families from throughout the
Diocese for the annual Ararat Center Festival. This year the festival
highlighted the continued growth of the center, as the Primate blessed the
newly constructed pavilion and classroom building.

"This new facility is just another example of the commitment the Eastern
Diocese has to the spiritual nourishment of our children," the Primate said.
"The Ararat Center is a home for all Armenians; and, indeed, these young
campers at St. Vartan Camp have found a real sense of community and embraced
their Armenian heritage here at the Ararat Center."

"I want to express my appreciation to the Ararat Center Board, the many
donors, and the volunteers, who have made the dream of a camp and retreat
center into a beautiful reality," the Primate added.

FOCUS ON FAITH, CULTURE

The Diocesan summer camps — St. Vartan Camp led by director Fr. Krikor
Sabounjian and Hye Camp led by director Fr. Aren Jebejian — are following a
five-year curriculum plan recently developed by the expert staff of the
Diocesan Department of Youth and Education.

The curriculum rotates campers through four daily classes: arts and crafts,
religion, Armenian language, and heritage and culture. This year, class
sessions explore the meaning and themes behind the Feast of the
Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Each year’s camp session has
focused on different feast days.

"By focusing on different feast days we ensure that each year at camp is
unique, but, more important, it allows us to ensure that the campers leave
after a couple of summers with the basics of our faith and heritage," said
Jennifer Morris, the Diocesan youth outreach coordinator who is serving as
the counselor-in-training program coordinator for St. Vartan Camp. "Not
only will our campers make new friends and form life-long bonds with other
young Armenians, but they are experiencing their faith in a uniquely
Armenian community."

Adding to the Christian community build at the Diocesan summer camps is the
participation of a number of clergymen. At St. Vartan Camp six priests have
served as religious instructors.

Campers also were served by an army of volunteers, including many nurses who
stayed on site to handle the inevitable bumps and bruises that come with
outdoor fun.

Diocesan staff were also on hand, some for the long term such as college
ministry facilitator Julie Hoplamazian who served as programming director
and youth and education intern Lydia Kurkjian who served as camp office
coordinator; while others went up for specific classes or one-day stays.

FOR THE KIDS

But it’s not just religion and language, St. Vartan Camp is also about fun
and fellowship.

"I like it all, but especially playing soccer with everyone," said
14-year-old Areen Patatanian, a parishioner at the St. Kevork Church in
Houston, Texas, who is spending his first summer at St. Vartan Camp.

The facilities at the Ararat Center allow for swimming, tennis, and sports
like soccer. In addition, there’s the ubiquitous movie nights, dances, and
camp Olympics.

"I like making friends and going to the dance," said 14-year-old Serena
Seferian of the St. James Church of Watertown, Massachusetts, who has been
going to camp for five years.

With many families sending vanfuls of children up to Greenville each year,
the St. Vartan Camp can also literally seem like a family reunion from time
to time. That family feel can help new campers get acclimated.

"I like being here with Taline, because she’s my cousin and shows me
around," said Paul Keurajian, 9, from the St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, New
Jersey, who is spending his first summer at St. Vartan Camp.

HUNDREDS OF CAMPERS

This year’s St. Vartan Camp welcomed 245 campers, age 8 to 15, from New
England, Louisiana, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Illinois, and
even California. The camp had three two-week sessions running from June 24
to August 4.

In addition to the campers, St. Vartan Camp had 60 counselors-in-training.
The teens, 16 and 17 years old, served as mentors to the younger campers and
underwent a thorough leadership training program.

"Our camp programs are really about building a well rounded individual, a
young Armenian ready to serve a life of stewardship to the Church and the
larger Armenian community," Morris said.

Older teens serve as counselors or staff at the camp, providing continued
leadership experience.

"My favorite part of camp is group time, because we get to bond with all the
kids from all over," said Alex Oganesyan, 19, a counselor from the St.
Vartan Cathedral community who has been going to St. Vartan Camp for 10
years.

Parents of campers stayed up to date on the camp happenings thanks to
regularly updated website blog found at

While campers do pay for the experience, many parishes offered camper
scholarships to help families with need. Additionally, the Diocese was able
to cover the costs for some campers thanks to generous donors who sponsored
campers. If you are interested in learning how to help a young person
experience the Diocesan camp programs next year, contact Jennifer Morris at
[email protected] or by calling (212) 686-0710 ext. 118.

— 7/24/07

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, speaks with some
of the campers at this year’s St. Vartan Camp.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): The Primate speaks to the crowd at the dedication of the
Ararat Center’s new pavilion during the Ararat Center Festival on Saturday,
July 21, 2007.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): The Primate leads a group of clergy in the blessing of
the Founding Faithful memorial and the new pavilion at the Ararat Center on
Saturday, July 21, 2007.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, joins campers at
St. Vartan Camp’s Session B outside the new pavilion and classroom building
at the Ararat Center in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.

PEOPLE MAKE THEIR CHOICE
S. Hatoutyunyan

Hayots Ashkharh Daily
21 July 07

To what extent are the complaints substantiated? And thus, Bako
Sahakyan held a convincing victory in the NKR Presidential elections.

Yesterday morning, the Central Election Commission published the
preliminary results according which, 71287 citizens or 77.36 per cent
of the voters participated in the elections.

Bako Sahakyan obtained 85.36 per cent of votes. Masis Mayilyan,
having 21.21 per cent of votes, ranks as the second candidate. 1.26
per cent (856 votes) of voters balloted in favor of Armen Abgaryan,
0.8 percent (539 votes) – in favor of Hrant Melkoumyan and only 0.3
per cent (202 votes) – in favor of Vanya Avanesyan.

In response to our questions, CEC Chairman SERGEY NASIBYAN estimated
the overall course of the elections as normal. Of course, "without
regard to some technical and other minor flaws, that couldn’t influence
the election results. In some cases attempts were made to act beyond
the requirements of the Electoral Code, but such attempts were mainly
hampered in time.

Studying the appeals of complaints received from Masis Mayilyan’s
headquarter (the other "alternative" candidates had not submitted
written appeals of complaint), the following was particularly recorded.

In the electoral precinct No. 7/3, situated in the Agricultural
College of Stepanakert, the voting was organized in a corridor
on the first floor, and this created certain problems for the
commission members, entrusted individuals and the observers in terms
of visibility. However, due to the intervention of the constituency
commission, this gap was bridged: after receiving the alarm-call
required measures were taken and the existing flaws were eliminated.

In the electoral precinct No. 22/1 the commission member tried to vote
instead of another person, however, this attempt was hampered by M.

Mayilyan’s entrusted individual. The precinct commission received a
strict warning by the constituency commission; as to the wrongdoing
of the commission member, a decision was made to discuss it during
the sitting of the higher body.

In the community of Kolatak, Martakert region, the commission member
helped a voter who was unable to fill in the ballot-paper on his
own. Mayis Mayilyan’s headquarter estimated this as an infringement
of legitimacy.

However, in the estimation of the Central Election Commission, this
is not in breach of, but rather – in compliance with the requirements
of the Electoral Code.

The supporters of M. Mayilyan also complained about cases of stuffing
the ballot-boxes in the electoral precincts of Khnapat and Khndzoristan
Askeran region, Karintakh Shoushi region as well as in the electoral
precincts of the center of Shahoumyan region, and in the precinct
stations No. 10/9 of Khnatsakh, No. 11/1 of Hadrut, No. 12/12 of
the village of Togh, No. 9/1 of Askeran and No. 19/9 of Martouni
region. However, those cases were not confirmed. The members and the
responsible representatives of the commissions, sometimes even the
entrusted individuals, have sharply denied the cases of wrongdoings
notified by the proponents of Mr. Mayilyan.

The same is true for the appeals condemning the "massive referral of
voters" in the precinct station No. 12/1 of Hadrut region. As to the
electoral precinct No. 11/1, one of the citizens tried vote instead of
his family members through ignorance, and the commission, of course,
prevented such attempt.

Mr. Mayilyan’s proponents also complained about cases of stuffing the
ballot-boxes in the community of Gyune Tchartar, Martouni region. In
response to the CEC inquiry, Head of the Precinct Electoral Commission
refuted such information, complaining that an entrusted individual
is not in command of the provisions of the Electoral Code in general
and the rights of an entrusted individual – in particular. And this,
according to him, gave way to inappropriate disputes.

There were also appeals of complaint regarding the violation of the
rights of the people receiving in-patient treatment in hospitals, as
these people were allegedly deprived of their right to vote. Whereas,
as indicated in the response received from the Central Election
Commission, medical establishments make up the voters’ electoral lists
in advance – 3 days prior to the elections, and there is no provision
prescribed by the Electoral Code for making up additional lists. In
general, as estimated by the Central Election Commission, the facts
indicated in the appeals of complaint are very often unaddressed and
not supported by specific facts.

Osian film festival rocking Delhi

Zee News, India
July 21 2007

New Delhi, July 21: Film lovers will have the opportunity to watch
nearly 140 movies from over 35 countries at the 9th Osian’s Cinefan
Festival that began here on Friday night.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit inaugurated the festival dedicated
to Asian and Arab cinema, which will continue till July 29.

The Iran-Azerbaijan co-production "Raami", directed by Iran’s Babak
Shirinsefat, was the opening film of the fest.

It tells the story of a middle-aged Azerbaijani folk music composer
who has spent a decade in a war refugee camp in Sabirabad and then
goes looking for his Armenian wife and child 10 years after the
Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Two films from Tunisia, "Tender Is The Wolf" and "Making Of", one
from Lebanon — "Falafel" — and eight others from Asia are in the
fray for the top award.

A competition for first feature films has been introduced for
newcomers. Among the films selected for this section are "She And He"
(Tunisia) and "Crossing The Dust" (Iraq-Kurdistan).

Rachid Bouchareb’s war epic, "Days Of Glory", nominated for the
foreign film Oscar this year, will also be screened. It won the Best
Actor Award for the Ensemble of Actors at Cannes in 2006.

Coinciding with the India-Japan Friendship Year, the festival will
have a focus on Japan, including films, exhibitions and lectures.

Contemporary Japanese cinema, samurai films and a tribute to Kenji
Mizoguchi, known for championing the cause of women, are all part of
this focus.

IN COUPLE OF WEEKS WESTERN DIPLOMATS WILL FORGET THAT THEY "DID NOT RECOGNIZE" ELECTIONS IN KARABAKH

PanARMENIAN.Net
20.07.2007 18:54 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The people of Nagorno Karabakh voted for themselves
but not for international structures, Paul Williams, the head of the
Public International Law and Policy Group (PILPG), which observed
the NKR presidential elections, told a news conference in Yerevan.

"Their aim was to elect the President and they succeeded brilliantly. I
am convinced that in a couple of weeks western diplomats will forget
that they "did not recognize" elections in Karabakh," Mr Williams said.

He also noted that the conclusions of the PILPG on the NKR elections
will be submitted to consideration of the U.S. Congress.

"The U.S. observation mission attended 50 polling stations and met
with representatives of executive structures and NGOs as well as with
observers from other states," he said.

US CONGRESSMAN AGAIN SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
July 16 2007

The Armenian Assembly commended Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone,
Jr. (D-NJ) for his remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives
in support of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H. Res. 106.

Pallone honored Henry Morgenthau, U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire
during the start of the Armenian Genocide, for providing first-hand
descriptions of the atrocities that had been taking place.

To note, Armenian Caucus Co-Chair plans to give a series of speeches to
emphasize the importance of passing the Armenian Genocide Resolution,
which is currently supported by a majority of House members.

RA MFA: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN NKR ARE KARABAGH PEOPLE’S SOVEREIGN DECISION

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
July 18 2007

Presidential elections in Nagorno-Karabagh Republic are Karabagh
people’s sovereign decision, RA MFA Acting Spokesman Vladimir
Karapetian told Novosti-Armenia Agency.

‘~RTo hold Presidential elections in the Nagorno-Karabagh is Karabagh
people’s sovereign decision, and it is natural that we support steps
targeted at NKR’s further democratization’~R, he said commenting
Turkish MFA statement concerning non recognition of Presidential
elections in NKR.

Karapetian noted Karabagh people had the right to decide their fate
by choosing democratic way of development. In his words, they will
choose their President themselves, the way they held Parliamentary
elections in 2005 and a referendum, on the results of which NKR
Constitution was adopted in December, 2006.

The Presidential elections in Nagorno-Karabagh will be held current
July 19. 5 nominees will run for the post – ex Director of the NKR
National Security Bako Sahakian, Deputy FM Masis Mailian, a deputy
of NKR National Assembly Armen Abgarian, a lecturer of the Artsakh
State University, professor Vania Avanesian and Karabagh Communist
Party leader Hrant Melkoumian.

,1249,69519289 9,00.html

——-

Utah

Woman faces trial in fatal stabbing

By Ben Winslow
Deseret Morning News
OGDEN – In a few words, Monika Ann Dilmaghanian confessed to the
murder of her boyfriend.
"I killed Nathan Daniel Harris," she said in a written statement, a
Weber County sheriff’s deputy testified Tuesday.
Dilmaghanian, 34, was bound over for trial on charges of first-degree
felony murder and domestic violence in the presence of a child, a
third-degree felony, after a preliminary hearing here in 2nd District Court.
Her defense attorney, Bernie Allen, indicated there may be a resolution in
the case within a couple of weeks.
Prosecutors said on April 6, Dilmaghanian and Harris, of Eagle
Mountain, were enjoying an outing at a campground near Causey Reservoir with
her three children when they began arguing about a pagan ceremony.
"The argument started over the cleansing of a knife (ceremony)," Weber
County Sheriff’s detective Dewain Sorensen said on the witness stand.
The couple are pagans, prosecutors said. Dilmaghanian wore a small
dagger around her neck with a handle made of an antler. During the argument,
police said Dilmaghanian demanded they leave the campground.
Prosecutors based much of their case on interviews with Dilmaghanian’s
three children, ages 10, 9 and 8.
"The victim walked up the hill, put some items in the car and went
back to try and assist her," Sorensen testified. "He said, ‘Stop. I want to
talk to you.’ She said, ‘Get away from me."’
It was then, prosecutors said, that Dilmaghanian grabbed the knife
from around her neck and stabbed Harris in the chest.
"’I just turned around and stabbed him,"’ Sorensen said that
Dilmaghanian told officers.
Allen said his client told police she didn’t know she had stabbed
Harris until the blade came out of his chest. Authorities said that as
Harris dropped to his knees and his head slumped down, Dilmaghanian
continued to yell at him to give her the car keys. Realizing what happened,
she loaded up the children in the car and drove off.
Dilmaghanian flagged down a U.S. Forest Service officer, declaring
that she had just stabbed her boyfriend and needed help, Sorensen testified.
She handed the officer the bloody dagger.
Harris’ stab wound was only 3 1/2 inches deep, but the state medical
examiner said it penetrated the heart.
"This injury would produce death within a matter of minutes," Dr. Todd
Grey testified.
As Grey described in clinical detail the graphic nature of the
stabbing, Dilmaghanian broke down crying. A bailiff brought her a tissue
that she used to wipe her nose and dab her eyes.
Dilmaghanian, who remains in the Weber County Jail without bail, is
scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 1.

ARMENIA SAYS NOT AIMING FOR NATO, EU MEMBERSHIP

A EurasiaNet Partner Post from RFE/RL, 7/16/07
EurasiaNet, NY
July 16 2007

Armenian President Robert Kocharian says his country has no intention
of joining NATO.

In remarks published on July 15 by the German magazine "Der Spiegel,"
Kocharian said NATO membership would harm Armenia’s relations with
neighboring countries and would do little to improve its national
security.

Kocharian said Armenia is currently not aiming for EU membership
either. "We are realistic," he said.

Although Kocharian’s remarks do not represent a shift in Armenia’s
foreign policy, they are more blunt than previous declarations.

Analysts in Armenia believe the president, whose term of office ends
next year, has decided to stress relations with Russia as Armenia’s
highest foreign-policy priority.

At the same time, Armenia is concerned about maintaining relations
with Iran, a major strategic and trading partner.

Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian, who seems poised to succeed Kocharian
as president, told Reuters recently that NATO membership would not
guarantee Armenia’s security. He noted that NATO member Turkey has
been keeping Armenia’s border closed for years and added that Turkey
is not a "predictable" factor, noting that Turkey was a NATO member
when the Cyprus conflict erupted in 1974.

Public opinion in Armenia remains divided on the issue of
NATO membership. A recent poll organized by the U.S. Agency for
International Development and the International Republican Institute
found that 40 percent of Armenians think the country "definitely"
or "probably" should join the alliance, while 45 percent said it
"definitely" or "probably" should not. The same poll found that 80
percent of Armenians favor EU membership.