Author: Nahapetian Samvel

METALLIC CROSS WITH HEIGHT OF 2.5 M MADE FOR AKHTAMAR ISLAND’S CHURCH

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 11 2007

ISTANBUL, APRIL 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Hurriyet Turkish
newspaper published a large report on the metallic cross made on the
initiative of Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople for Akhtamar’s
Surb Khach Church and presented a big picture of the cross.

Architect Zakaria Mildanoghlu said that the metallic cross was made
by specialist of Armenian church architecture Varazdat Haroutiunian by
similarity with the former cross and has 2.5 m height. But Mildanoghlu
as a specialist considers that the cross should have been made
from stone.

Touching upon the story of the former cross, the newspaper reports
that though some icons of the church were moved to Tavris, the cross
was not among them and he considers it probable that it had been lost
after falling down during the earthquake.

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
April 12, 2007
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR Welcomes Passage of SB 515 by California Senate Committee

— Passage Extends "Sunset" of the California Armenia Trade Office

Sacramento, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region (ANCA-WR) welcomed news of the passage of SB 515 through the
California Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development
Committee. The Senate Committee passed SB 515, which extends the
"sunset" of funding for the California Armenia Trade Office (CATO) by 2
years until 2010. The CATO, which opened under the leadership of
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) and California Senator Jack Scott
(D-Pasadena), was administered to stimulate trade between California and
the regions of Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and the newly independent
states of the former Soviet Union.

Testimony in support of the CATO was provided by Johnnie Nalbandian,
Executive Director of the Foundation for Economic Development, Inc.
which is the privately-funded sole contractor of the CATO. Mr.
Nalbandian discussed the past, present and future of the CATO and
specifically mentioned that the "gateway" that exists must be cultivated
to bring markets in Eastern Europe and Western Asia closer to
California. Mr. Nalbandian also discussed various companies that are
interested in pursuing opportunities through the CATO. Specifically,
Mr. Nalbandian mentioned feasibility studies that are in the process of
being conducted for Cedarlane Natural Foods and Mattel Toys. Marani,
which has already begun to work with CATO and can be found in almost
1000 stores, utilized demographic research studies done by the CATO to
identify marketing and resale opportunities. Other companies with which
the CATO works are Nic Nak clothing, which has agreed to work with an
Armenian company to knit children’s clothing to be shipped for the
winter season, and Tesco Stores, a United Kingdom-based retail grocery
chain which has already contacted the CATO to determine the viability of
products that it could import from Armenia.

Also providing testimony in support of the CATO was Souzi
Zerounian-Khanzadian, who testified on behalf of the Los Angeles –
Yerevan Sister City Association. Zerounian-Khanzadian discussed the
distinguishing characteristics of the CATO from previous trade offices;
namely that 1) it is a contract trade office, 2) it does not receive any
state funding, and 3) the authorizing legislation provides
accountability provisions. She also noted the stabilizing factors
associated with extending the sunset date which include helping
interested companies grow in California’s robust economy while
strengthening opportunities for California companies to reach out to
untapped regions in Eastern Europe, the Caucus region and Western Asia.

After testimony, the Committee passed SB 515 by a vote of 8-0.

"The CATO represents a wonderful opportunity for the State of California
to establish viable economic ties to global markets that are not yet
saturated," commented ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. "We
are happy to see the California Senate Business, Professions and
Economic Development Committee move forward with this measure."

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working
in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the
world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American
community on a broad range of issues.

###

Photo Caption: The Foundation for Economic Development, Inc.

WE ARE FOR UNBIASED EVALUATION IN ANY CASE
Norair Hovsepian

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
10 April 07

On April 4 Prosecutor General Armen Zalinian held a news conference
to sum up the work of the Office of Prosecutor General in 2006. The
Prosecutor General began with information on the state of crime
in the country. Namely he said 513 offenses were reported in 2006
against 538 in 2005. In the regions, the rate of crime went down,
but in Martuni, Shushi and Shahumian the rate of crime went up. Armen
Zalinian also informed that in 2006 the Office or Prosecutor General
enforced repayment of government loans, 105 929 381 drams were repaid
to the state budget, as well as 24 million drams for the rent of
land. He assured that the target was not minor borrowers. "It is
impossible to collect 133 million from minor borrowers. The Office
of Prosecutor General mainly focused on major borrowers who did not
repay the loan for years on." The prosecutor general touched upon the
recent mutual accusations of the City Hall and the Office of Prosecutor
General. Mr. Zalinian said the statement of the Office of Prosecutor
General released on March 3 answered all the questions. As to the
explanations in the media, those were meant to prevent misunderstanding
among people rather than to answer Mayor Edward Aghabekian. "The
impression is that with such behavior the mayor is trying to prevent
the Office of Prosecutor General from revealing illegal actions,"
said the Prosecutor General, adding that the Office has checked
different government agencies and offices on reports from people,
charges were brought, but only the City Hall opposed.

The news reporters raised the "cadastre case", "doctors case" as
well. The prosecutor general assured that they treat any sphere,
especially health workers with respect. However, once you transgress,
you are responsible. The recent scandal involved the director of
Artsakhkap, who was charged with embezzlement and forgery. In the
end, the prosecutor general said the Office of Prosecutor General is
ready to cooperate with the media and expects unbiased evaluation in
any case.

CONCERT NOT CANCELED DUE TO THREATS, ASA PRESIDENT SAYS
Debbie Lehmann

The Brown Daily Herald, RI
April 10 2007

The Turkish-Armenian concert planned for Friday that was canceled
last week was not called off because the president of the Armenian
Students Association received threats, ASA President Ruben Izmailyan
’09 wrote Monday in an e-mail to The Herald. Izmailyan wrote that he
was not in any way "threatened, intimidated or even asked to pull out."

The Herald reported Monday that the concert was canceled due to
threats, citing an e-mail from a Turkish Cultural Society member.

That e-mail, which included a message sent from the TCS president to
the group’s members, read that the ASA president and musicians received
"warning messages" from members of the Armenian community and that as
"the situation got serious, warnings turned into threats."

Izmailyan, who declined to explain the cancellation for Monday’s
article, told The Herald the cancellation was a joint decision between
the two groups after the Armenian musicians decided not to participate.

"I have received nothing but encouragement in my handling of the
innate complexities involved in such an event," Izmailyan wrote
Monday, "including from individuals who believed that this event was
inappropriate at this time and with the given circumstances."

Izmailyan wrote that the musicians pulled out of the concert because
many members of the Armenian community expressed concern about the
"potential misuse of the event." The musicians "did not wish to
participate in an event that the Armenian community was not united
behind," he wrote.

Izmailyan added that he was the only person who spoke to the musicians
about their decision to withdraw from the concert.

SPIRITISM EVENING TO BE ORGANIZED AT U.S. CONGRESS ON APRIL 24

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Apr 10 2007

WASHINGTON, APRIL 10, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A spiritism
evening which will be dedicated to the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide will be organized in the Capitolium of the United States on
April 24.

This all-Armenian event will be held jointly with the Armenian Embassy
to the United States. During the event U.S. former Ambassador to
Armenia John Evans will perform as the main speaker.

The Armenian Genocide already for few years was marked at the Congress
on the initiative of Congress Armenian Caucus head Frank Pallone and
Joe Knollenberg.

ONLY 4-5 PARTIES CAN APPEAR AT PARLIAMENT OF NEW CONVOCATION, SOCIOLOGIST AHARON ADIBEKIAN SAYS

Noyan Tapan
Apr 10 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, NOYAN TAPAN. At best 4-5 parites can appear at
the National Assembly of new convocation. Aharon Adibekian, Head of
Sociometer Center, expressed such opinion on April 10 at the Urbat
(Friday) club.

Taking as a basis the results of sociological surveys conducted by
now, the sociologist conventionally divided political parties having
opportunity to get over the passage barrier into three groups:
heavyweights (the Republican Party of Armenia and the Bargavach
Hayastan), mediumweights (the ARF Dashnaktsutiun, the National Unity
and the Orinats Yerkir) and lightweights (the United Labor Party, the
People’s Party of Armenia, the People’s Party, the Dashink Party). The
last group, in A. Adibekian’s words, has serious problems connected
with being represented at the parliament, but it can overcome this
problem in case of organizing efficient agitation campaign.

In his words, for lightweights the most dangerous is dispersion of
votes, as each of those parties receiving even 4.5% votes and not
getting over 5% barrier will not only lose the opportunity to appear
at the parliament, but also involuntarily will increase the number
of mandates of winning parties. As the sociologist affirmed, from
point of view of all political directions’ being fully represented
at the parliament it is expedient that parties having no chances to
pass refuse to take part in the future struggle announcing what force
they support.

A. Adibekian explained absence of the Nor Zhamanakner Party in the
above mentioned categories by the circumstance that "their times are
very new, their times have not come yet."

ASHOT GHULYAN: IN THE TALKS WE HAVE NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF

KarabakhOpen
10-04-2007 10:30:09

The presidential election in NKR is on July 19. The president has
already stated for several times that he will not run a third term. The
likely presidential candidates are said to be Speaker Ashot Ghulyan,
the head of the National Security Service Bako Sahakyan, and the deputy
foreign minister Masis Mayilyan, the Yerevan-based Azg Daily wrote.

Ashot Ghulyan said in the interview with the Azg that the list
"does not include everyone who should be there." The speaker of the
parliament declined to say anything about his nomination.

In the interview Ashot Ghulyan also touched upon the resolution of
the Karabakh problem, underlining that at the moment there is nothing
to be proud of.

"If we clearly set the goal to reach the international recognition of
NKR and try to consolidate all our resources, and not only in Karabakh,
the goal will be quite realistic," said Ashot Ghulyan. The speaker
declined to say what the goal of the settlement had been earlier.

"The present format of the talks cannot give a sufficient evaluation
of the prospects of settlement. We need to define the stage we are
living through.

Although we remember there were times on this way when we were close
to the resolution. However, in this stage there is nothing we can be
proud of," he said.

As to the first step towards resolution, Ashot Ghulyan suggests
creating an atmosphere of confidence in the region. "We cannot
negotiate with eternal hostility on our minds," said Ashot
Ghulyan. "The participation of Karabakh in the talks will restore the
real format of the conflict. Moreover, this is what the international
documents require," the speaker said.

SERGE SARGSYAN TRIES TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH AZERBAIJAN

A1+
[08:33 pm] 09 April, 2007

"Our foremost task is to come to a peaceful agreement with Azerbaijan
on the Karabakh issue," RA Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan reported
"Financial Times" newspaper.

During the interview Serge Sargsyan focused on the protection
of human rights and Russia-Armenia relationship, APA agency
reports. Mr. Sargsyan says that Armenia doesn’t support the idea of
opening a military base in South Caucasus.

Mr. Sargsyan noted that the May 12 parliamentary elections will be
the most transparent ones in the history of Armenia.

The RA Prime Minister urged the Diaspora representatives to make
investments in Armenia, as the Diaspora makes only 1% of the total
investments.

ARMENIA’S GDP GROWTH THE SECOND HIGHEST IN THE CIS

ArmRadio.am
04.04.2007 14:50

Armenia is the second among the CIS countries with the growth of GNP
in January-February of the current year. This is evidenced by the
data of the Interstate Statistical Committee of the Commonwealth of
Independent States.

The highest growth of GDP was registered in Azerbaijan (41.7%). Armenia
follows with 9.2% growth. The GDP growth reached 9% in Belarus, 8.8%
in Russia, 8.6% in Ukraine, 4.6% in Tajikistan and 3.6% in Kyrgyzstan.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
April 4, 2007

Bishops and Priests from Holy Etchmiadzin Depart for Jerusalem

On April 3, His Grace Bishop Mikael Ajapahian, Primate of the Diocese of
Shirak; His Grace Bishop Sion Adamian, Primate of the Diocese of Armavir;
Very Rev. Fr. Tadeos Zirekiants, Very Rev. Fr. Hovakim Manukian and Rev. Fr.
Gabriel Sargsian departed from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for the
Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin shall participate in Holy
Week and Easter services in Jerusalem with the blessings of His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.