Author: Nahapetian Boris

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:

WD Newsletter

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church

The Lincy Foundation Officials Visited Hovsepian School and
Western
Diocese[ m/foundation-officials-visited-hovsepian-school-an d-western-diocese/]

The Lincy Foundation Officials Visited Hovsepian School and
Western Diocese
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, Very
Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General, the
Vice-Chair of the Diocesan Council, Mr. Joseph Kanimian,
Esq., Mr. Armen Hampar, Chair of the Cathedral Building
Committee, Benefactor Shahe Shahbazian, Architect Mr. Kaaren
Khoudikian, and Mr. Raffi Kendirjian greeted The Lincy
Foundation President Mr. Jay Rakow and Mr. Harut Sassounian,
Senior Vice-President of the Foundation.

By Divan of the Diocese
Published: Apr 09 2008

Mr. Jay Rakow, President of The Lincy Foundation,
accompanied by Mr. Harut Sassounian, Senior Vice-President
of the Foundation, for the first time, visited the Alfred
and Marguerite Hovsepian School of St. Gregory the
Illuminator Armenian Church in Pasadena, on April 8, 2008.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, accompanied by
school officials as well as representatives from the church
greeted the President and Senior Vice President of The Lincy
Foundation. The guests were then greeted by the students in
the Galstian-Dunaians Hall where the Primate welcomed Mr.
Jay Rakow and Mr. Harut Sassounian and highly praised The
Lincy Foundation for its enormous contributions to Armenian
Schools throughout the world. His Eminence congratulated Mr.
Rakow for his appointment to the presidency of The Lincy
Foundation.

Mr. Jay Rakow in his remarks stressed the importance of
education and thanked the dedicated staff of the school for
their diligent service.

*************

The President of The Lincy Foundation, Mr. Jay Rakow and,
Senior Vice-President, Mr. Harut Sassounian paid a visit to
the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church in the afternoon
of April 8, 2008.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, Very
Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General, the
Vice-Chair of the Diocesan Council, Mr. Joseph Kanimian,
Esq., Mr. Armen Hampar, Chair of the Cathedral Building
Committee, Benefactor Shahe Shahbazian, Architect Mr. Kaaren
Khoudikian, and Mr. Raffi Kendirjian greeted The Lincy
Foundation officials.

Architect Mr. Khoudikian briefed the guests about the
Mother Cathedral. During the luncheon at the Armen Hampar
Room of the Western Diocese, Mr. Kanimian, Esq., praised The
Lincy Foundation for its enormous contribution to Armenia as
well as the interest shown by the leadership of the
Foundation to the cause of education in the Diaspora,
especially the Armenian schools in Southern California.

H [null] is Eminence led The Lincy Foundation delegation on
a tour of the Diocesan Headquarters while explaining the
various aspects of the Diocesan activities and their
importance in the life of the community.

The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
America, providing spiritual guidance and leadership to the
Armenian Apostolic community, is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit,
tax-exempt organization comprised of 47 churches in 16
western states. It was established in 1898 as the Diocese of
the Armenian Church encompassing the entire United States
and Canada. In 1927 the Western Diocese was formed to
exclusivly serve the western United States.

3325 North Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474 Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
April 5 2008

MEDIATORS EXPECT POLITICAL COMPROMISE ON KARABAKH’S FINAL STATUS

YEREVAN, 04.04.08. DE FACTO. The OSCE Minsk group Co-Chairs
circulated a joint statement in Bucharest. According to the document,
April 2-4, within the NATO summit frames, the MG Co-Chairs Bernard
Fassier (France), Matthew Bryza (the U. S.) and Yuri Merzlyakov
(Russia) held meetings with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and
the RA PM, Armenia’s President-Elect Serzh Sargsian with the
participation of FMs Elmar Mammadyarov and Vardan Oskanian.
The two leaders and the Co-Chairs exchanged views on searching the
ways for reducing dissensions between the parties and reaching a
consensus on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict basic principles.
The Co-Chairs expressed support to Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity
and again reaffirmed their stand, according to which the conflict’s
peaceful settlement will require political compromise in the issue
referring to the Nagorno-Karabakh’s final status, expecting future
approval by its population.
The Co-Chairs also underscored that the parties had agreed to
continue the talks on existing basis to verify the proposals on the
negotiating table. To achieve the goal the mediators consider it
necessary to hold a top level meeting in the shortest possible time.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenia’s recognition of Karabakh shouldn’t be a `single shot’
05.04.2008 14:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `However, such a move on behalf of
the Republic of Armenia, to put it figuratively,
should not be a single shot. It must be followed by
similar statements by other countries. If no
preparations have been made, it is necessary to get to
work as new international relations are being
established,’ Masis Mayilyan said.

`Theoretically, it would be desirable if Azerbaijan
were among countries which will recognize NKR first.
In that case the conflict would be settled, and
opportunities for effective regional cooperation,
beneficial for all the nations of the South Caucasus,
would appear. However, since our neighbors are not
ready for such actions, NKR and Armenia must pursue a
policy on the Karabakh issue in two parallel
directions. On the one hand, it is necessary to resume
the talks in the full three-party format under the
aegis of the OSCE Minsk Group, on the other hand, it
is necessary to work with separate countries and
international organizations for the de jure
recognition of NKR. Such an approach is positive in
every sense since the least success on the second
track will help the Minsk process move forward,’ he
said.

A `solo’ recognition of NKR by Armenia would be of
vital necessity in case of armed aggression against
NKR on behalf of Azerbaijan, according to him.

`Meanwhile, in this phase it would be expedient to
establish a legal basis for the military cooperation
of the two states. It will help to solve a number of
issues, including that of the military service of
volunteers from Armenia in the NKR Army of Defense. It
is evident that the NKR Army of Defense defends not
only the border of NKR but also the eastern border of
the Republic of Armenia, from the ridge of Mrav to the
Armenian and Iranian border in the south. It is also
necessary to set down in an agreement the status of
the Republic of Armenia as a guarantor of the security
of NKR and its people,’ he said.

As to Azerbaijan’s attempt to replace the OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairs, Mr Mayilyan said, `The recent actions
of the Azerbaijani side were like blackmail rather
than real steps toward changing the composition of the
co-chairs or to thwart the Minsk process. The point is
that besides Azerbaijan there are other sides of the
conflict, and the choice of mediators is not made by
one of them. All the three sides should agree. To some
extent, this blackmail was successful. I was a bit
surprised at the excusing tone of the interview of one
of the co-chairs,’ Karabakh-Open.com reports.

April 7 is World Health Day

armradio.am
05.04.2008 13:51

World Health Day, on 7 April, marks the founding of the World Health
Organization and is an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to a
subject of major importance to global health each year. In 2008, World
Health Day focuses on the need to protect health from the adverse
effects of climate change.

The theme `protecting health from climate change’ puts health at the
centre of the global dialogue about climate change. WHO selected this
theme in recognition that climate change is posing ever growing threats
to global public health security.

Through increased collaboration, the global community will be better
prepared to cope with climate-related health challenges worldwide.
Examples of such collaborative actions are: strengthening surveillance
and control of infectious diseases, ensuring safer use of diminishing
water supplies, and coordinating health action in emergencies.

The objective of World Health Day 2008 is to catalyse public
participation in the global campaign to protect health from the adverse
effects of climate change. WHO aims to put public health at the centre
of the UN agenda on climate change.

This is an opportunity for the international agencies, nongovernmental
organizations, and governments as well as WHO to:

¢ Establish links between climate change and health and other
development areas such as environment, food, energy, transport;

¢ Hold events/activities in countries to publicize issues related to
the impact of climate change on health;

¢ Involve as wide a spectrum of the world population as possible in
efforts to stabilize climate change;

¢ Create advocacy campaigns for generating momentum that compels
governments, the international community, civil society and individuals
to take action;

¢ Protect poor and vulnerable populations from the effects of climate
change, especially in Africa.

MATTHEW BRYZA: "THERE IS CURRENTLY NO NEED TO CHANGE THE FORMAT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT RESOLUTION"

Today.Az
s/politics/44029.html
April 4 2008
Azerbaijan

Matthew Bryza, US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group for resolution
of the Karabakh conflict, said in Bucharest that there is currently
no need to change the format of Karabakh conflict resolution, the
press service for the government reported.

"There is the only format of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement
and this is the OSCE Minsk Group and there is no need to change the
format of talks today. I think the process is advancing", Bryza said
during the meeting with Serzh Sarkisyann, newly elected president of
Armenia, taking part in the NATO summit in the Romanian capital.

M.Bryza noted that the negotiation process will continue in the
future. "We are familiar with the newly elected president of Armenia,
we know him and we know that we will be able to continue talks with
him. The point is that after inauguration of the Armenian Presidents,
the heads of the two countries will be able to meet and communicate.

We are looking forward for such an opportunity", the US co-chairman
said.

Speaking about Azerbaijan’s stiff position as to the continuation
of talks on the peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict, the
US co-chairman said he considers that Azerbaijan is also ready for
continuation of the process despite existing complicated moments.

He voiced confidence that the talks will continue and hope that they
will soon be completed.

"The talks have been resumed today and we should advance forward step
by step", M.Bryza noted.

April 3, 2008

PRESS RELEASE
American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Contact: Gaiane Khachatrian
Tel: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: <;

On March 27, 2008, Vice President Robert Saroyan of the Community Hospitals
of Central California Foundation, hosted Dr. Jack Saroyan of San Francisco,
at a luncheon presentation on the proposed implementation of salt
fluoridation for the Republic of Armenia at the Pangea Restaurant in Fresno.
The luncheon addressed the need for private financial support for the
project from the diasporan communities.

As water fluoridation is not economically feasible, salt fluoridation, used
primarily in Europe and South American countries, is the best solution for
reducing dental decay in Armenia. Salt fluoridation can reduce dental decay
by 50 to 60 per cent among children. This cost effective public health
measure can not only save teeth, but reduces the need for future dental
treatment for individuals in rural and urban areas.

This dental decay prevention project will benefit Armenia’s 815,000 school
children significantly. Many of their parents cannot afford dental care and
most children in small towns and villages do not have access to dental care.
The cost for the first year is approx. $68,000 and the annual cost is only
$46,000 per year. This amounts to a cost of 6 cents per child annually.

Beginning in 1997, Dr. Saroyan has made several humanitarian visits to
Armenia with the Armenian Dental Society of California. He and his
colleagues have provided dental care for thousands of Armenian children. But
according to these dentists, individual dental care is not sufficient to
meet the huge needs of the children as toothaches are one of the most common
of their health complaints.

Fortunately, Armenia produces its own salt at the Avon Salt Plant in Yerevan
and is already iodizing the salt for prevention of goiters. After a
feasibility study of the salt plant and a discussion with the owner and
chief executive officer, Dr. Saroyan was informed that the salt plant, with
some modifications, could add fluoride to their salt, if directed by the
government. The Minister of Health has met with the American University of
Armenia President Dr. Haroutune Armenian and the Dean of the College of
Health Sciences, Dr. Robert Bagramian. The Minister told the AUA that when
sufficient money is available, he would recommend that the government direct
the salt plant to add the micronutrient to the table salt to prevent dental
decay.

Some of the guests present were Senator Chuck Poochigian, Dr. Dennis
Kelebjian, Pastor Bernard Guekguezian, Mr. David Nalchajian and Dr. Tim
Baker.

Dr. Saroyan is an Assistant Professor at both the University of the Pacific,
School of Dentistry and the AUA. He has established a Salt Fluoridation
Account at the American University of Armenia offices in Oakland, where the
funds would be held. All accounting, disbursement and auditing will be done
by the AUA. Anyone interested in more information about this project may
contact Dr. Jack M. Saroyan at the AUA office telephone (510) 987-9452 or
email [email protected]

PACE SUBCOMMITTEE ON KARABAKH TO SIT LATE JUNE

PanARMENIAN.Net
02.04.2008 16:13 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A regular session of the PACE Subcommittee on
Nagorno Karabakh will be held in Strasbourg late June, Committee
Secretary on Political Issues Agnieszka Nachilo said.

"The Subcommittee will focus on the ways of Nagorno Karabakh conflict
settlement, the negotiation process and the results of Subcommittee
chairman’s regional visit," she said, Trend Azeri news agency reports.

Initially, the session was expected in the framework of PACE spring
session on April 18 but was delayed over the presidential election
in Armenia.

RA HAS SHOWED POINTED INDIFFERENCE TO EXCAVATIONS OF ARTSAKH TIGRANAKERT, EXPEDITION HEAD SAYS

Noyan Tapan
April 2, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 2, NOYAN TAPAN. Artsakh Tigranakert’s excavations
continue for already the second year, but due to lack of funds it is
impossible to present the results of the excavations to the world. As
Hamlet Petrosian, the head of Artsakh archeological expedition of
the Archeology and Ethnography Institute of the RA National Academy
of Sciences, said at the April 1 press conference, only last year
nearly 38 thousand USD was spent on excavations. These funds were
provided by the Yerkir union. However, according to him, 160-200
thousand USD is needed for the research, but the union does not have
such a possibility.

According to H. Petrosian, they have applied to the RA Prime Minister
in connection with the problem and have been refused, they have also
applied to VivaCell and ArmRosgazprom, but have received no response
from them yet.

According to the head of the expedition, the National Academy of
Sciences shows pointed indifference. Meanwhile, according to him,
the NKR authorities have expressed readiness to provide 30m drams
(nearly 96.7 thousand USD), which will give a possibility to carry
out excavations for another three months.

It was mentioned that the excavations revealed that Tigranakert
was on the Stepanakert-Martakert highway and occupies an area of
50 hectares. Mijnaberd is one of the most prominent monuments of
Tigranakert. Its wall with the length of 40 meters has been already
discovered, it functioned until the 11th century. By the way,
at present excavations have been done only in 0.02% part of the
total area.

ARMAVIA TO REDUCE TICKET PRICES OF YEREVAN-ISTANBUL-YEREVAN FLIGHTS BY ABOUT 50% FROM APRIL 1

Noyan Tapan
April 1, 2008

YEREVAN, APRIL 1, NOYAN TAPAN. Starting from April 1, Armavia airline
will reduce the price of a plane ticket of Yerevan-Istanbul-Yerevan
flight by about 50%: the price will make 200 dollars instead of the
current 450 dollars, NT correspondent was informed by spokeswoman
for the airline Nana Avetisova. Armavia operates two Yerevan-Istanul
flights weekly.

On April 1 Armavia operated its first charter flight to Astrakhan
(Russia).

The airline also envisages to operate flights to Marseilles, Duseldorf
and Riga soon.

ARMENIAN TENNIS PLAYER 7 IN WORLD

Panorama.am
19:03 31/03/2008

Today the association of the professional tennis published the
list of the best tennis players in the world. Argentinean-Armenian
tennis player Davit Nalbandyan having 2100 scores occupied the 7th
horizontal. The first tennis player of the list is Roget Federrer with
6550 scores; the second is Spanish Rafael Nadal with 5705 scores. And
the best third is Serbian Novak Jokovich with 5280 scores.