Author: Nalbandian Albert

CEASEFIRE PRECONDITION FOR KARABAKH TALKS

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.05.2006 15:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The ceasefire at the contact line of the Nagorno
Karabakh and Azeri armed forces is generally preserved. However from
time to time tension increases, Personal Representative of the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk stated. In his words, everyone
should remember that each party to conflict wished to maintain the
ceasefire. “The ceasefire is also a precondition for the delicate
talks on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement,” he remarked.

He also noted that a casualty or fire that lasts over 20 minutes is
considered to be a ceasefire violation.

“We expect the parties to show maximal restraint at the frontline. If
serious incidents are fixed we expect the parties to use the safety
communications.

Much depends on the commanders, since they observe discipline in the
military units,’ Kasprzyk emphasized.

In his opinion, the monitoring factor has a stabilizing effect and
alleviates tension. “There were cases when a party requested for a
monitoring of a certain sector to stabilize the situation. Monitoring
is also a warning both the conflicting parties and the OSCE Minsk
Group, since there is a risk of escalation,” Andrzej Kasprzyk said,
reported Trend.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

MAY 25, 2006

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES:
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN RE-ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION;
DELEGATES APPLAUD ASSEMBLY THEME, PARISH DEVELOPMENT;
FIRST CONFERENCE OF YERETZGEENS IS APPRECIATED
The 2006 National Representative Assembly (NRA) of the Eastern Prelacy
concluded last Friday with a banquet at the Fort Lee Hilton. The meetings
took place at the host parish, Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New
Jersey. His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan was re-elected to a third
four-year term by acclamation of the NRA.
The delegates received the Assembly’s theme, “Parish Development,”
enthusiastically with presentations made by Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian,
pastor of St. Gregory Church in Philadelphia, and Steve Hagopian, secretary
of the Prelacy’s Executive Council. Small panel discussions on the same
theme followed the presentations.
For the first time a two-day conference for the Yeretzgeens took place
and was well attended by the wives of the parish priests serving the
Prelacy.
During the concluding banquet the Prelate honored seven individuals who
had received medals in New York during the Pontifical visit of His Holiness
Aram I in October, as the “Persons of the Year,” including: Honorable Sarkis
Teshoian, Hagop Kouyoumdjian, Dr. Dertad Manguikian, Antranig Boudakian,
Harry Koundakjian, Iris Papazian, and Richard Sarajian, Esq. Six couples
from the host parish received certificates of merit in appreciation of many
years of devoted service: Zohrab and Talin Daghlian, Charles and Alice
Kasparian, Berj & Varsenne Massoyan, Charles and Helen Mesropian, Sarkis and
Mary Ohanessian, Zarmair and Sonia Setrakian. Youth Leadership Awards were
presented to Shogher Baronian, Tamar Samuelian, Yeghya Sanboulian, and Ara
Sarajian.
Full details about the NRA, photographs, and the two presentations about
parish development will be available on the Prelacy’s web page next week.

PRELATE AND VICAR MEET WITH NEW ENGLAND CLERGY
On Monday, May 22, the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan and the Vicar, V.
Rev. Fr. Anoushavan, met with the clergy of the New England area to continue
informal discussions on the NRA theme of parish development. Rev. Fr. Aram
Stepanian, pastor of St. Asdvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
hosted the meeting.

THE DA VINCI CODE
The release of the movie The Da Vinci Code last week seemed to generate
much more “heat” than the book itself which in the hard and paper versions
has sold in the millions. To read an article about The Da Vince Code by
Michael B. Papazian, as well as links to other articles click

CATHO LICOS ARAM I CONSECRATES CHURCH IN BOURJ HAMMOUD
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
consecrated the new Sts. Vartanantz Church in Norashen in the municipality
of Bourj Hammoud in Lebanon on Sunday, May 21. The new church-on the site of
the old church-was constructed with the generous contribution of the late
philanthropist, Garbis Harboyan.
In his sermon, the Catholicos stressed the concept of becoming a church
through the church. He spoke about the need to gather around the church
noting that “participation in the church’s life is fulfilled by contributing
to its mission. A church is not only stones and a building; beyond these
walls, a church should become a mission.”

DELEGATION OF AMERICAN CHURCHES VISITS ANTELIAS
Catholicos Aram I received a special delegation of American churches in
his office in Antelias, Lebanon, on May 19. The aim of the visit was to
become closely informed about the current situation in the Middle East and
particularly the challenges faced by Christianity. His Holiness stressed the
following priorities: Giving tangible expression to the unity of the church;
giving new impetus to the Christian-Muslim dialogue; reorganizing the role
of Christianity through families, Sunday schools and everyday schools;
making the social services offered by the church reachable to the people
through effective methods; and reemphasizing the role of the church in
issues related to human rights.

COMMUNION AND BREAKFAST FOR GRADUATES AT
ST. GREGORY CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA
St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, is hosting its 38th annual Graduates’
Communion and Breakfast, honoring all of the parish’s high school and
college graduates and their parents, on Sunday, June 4. Holy Communion will
be given during regular church services. Breakfast and program will be
presented in the church’s Terhanian Hall immediately following the services.
For information, 215-482-9200.

FATHERS’ DAY CELEBRATION AT THE CATHEDRAL
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City will host a luncheon and
program dedicated to Fathers’ Day on Sunday, June 18, immediately after the
Divine Liturgy. The event is organized by the Cathedral’s Ladies Guild and
is under the auspices of the parish’s priest, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian.
Hagop Tehlirian and Antranig Vartanian will be honored as the fathers of the
year. For information and reservations, 212-689-5880.

SERVING IN ARMENIA
Aura Arslanian, daughter of Ara Arslanian and Corine Nyssens Arslanian,
is currently in Armenia where she is volunteering her services at the
Noubarashen Orphanage in Yerevan. The Noubarashen Orphanage is one of the
orphanages where the Eastern Prelacy provides assistance. Arrangements for
Aura’s service to the orphanage was arranged by Archbishop Oshagan. This is
Aura’s third trip to Armenia. In 1998 she worked on the rebuilding of a 13th
century church and in 2002 she cared for children in an orphanage.

REMEMBERING HAGOP NERSOYAN
We note with regret the recent passing of Hagop Nersoyan, a noted
educator and theologian, whose service to the Armenian church and nation
spanned many decades. His most recent work, “The Other Tower: An Armenian
Christian Looks at Terrorism,” was reviewed in the November/December 2002
issue of Outreach. The reviewer, Professor Michael B. Papazian, described
the work as a “brief though evocative book,” “filled with valuable insights
on Christian repentance and its relation to politics.” and concluded that
“Nersoyan has admirably shown that the Armenian Christian faith and theology
is neither obsolete nor impractical. Instead, the living faith remains a
compelling response to the evils and afflictions of the contemporary world.”
We here at Crossroads particularly remember an earlier work by Professor
Nersoyan, From Istanbul to Aghtamar: An Armenian Pilgrimage, published by
Ashod Press in 1990.
Professor Nersoyan was Professor Emeritus at the University of Dayton in
Ohio.

CAMP HAIASTAN EXTENDS CAMPERSHIPS
TO EASTERN PRELACY PARISHES
Archbishop Oshagan and the Board of Directors of the AYF Camp Haiastan
of Franklin, Massachusetts, recently announced a joint program. Each parish
in the Eastern Prelacy is extended one two-week fully paid campership by
Camp Haiastan. Eastern Prelacy clergymen will select a boy or girl in their
Sunday School or church community who have never attended the camp. The
sessions being offered for the camperships are the Teen Session for 15 and
16 year olds, or Session 3 for 8 to 14 year olds.

TODAY IS ASCENSION OF OUR LORD
Forty days after the Resurrection is the feast day commemorating the
Ascension (Hambardzoom) of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to Biblical
scripture the Ascension took place at the village of Bethany, on the Mount
of Olives, in the presence of His disciples. After giving them commandments
and blessings, the Lord was “received up into heaven and sat on the right
hand of God,” (Mark 16:19), and “a cloud received him out of their sight,”
(Acts 1:9).
In the early centuries of Christianity Hambardzoom was one of the most
popular feast days for the faithful and was celebrated with merriment and
festivities.

SUNDAY IS SECOND PALM SUNDAY
This Sunday, May 28-the seventh Sunday of Easter-is Second Palm Sunday
(Yerkrord Tzaghkazard). On this occasion all the readings and hymns of Palm
Sunday are repeated. This feast day was first celebrated by Catholicos
Grigor Vkayaser, based on an event that according to tradition took place
during St. Gregory’s imprisonment. When Gregory was in the deep dungeon
(khor virab), an angel ministered to him. On the fourth day of Hambardzoom
the angel did not appear. When the Illuminator asked why, he was told that
the heavens were celebrating Christ’s Ascension into heaven.

88TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
This Sunday, May 28, we commemorate the 88th anniversary of the
independent republic of Armenia of 1918. After defeating Turkish forces at
Sardarabad, Bashabaran and Karakilise, the Armenians proclaimed an
independent democratic Armenian Republic on what was left of their homeland
on May 28, 1918.
On this occasion Archbishop Oshagan has asked all Prelacy parishes to
conduct a service of thanksgiving and blessing of the flag this Sunday, May
28, in honor of the 88th anniversary of the first republic and the 15th
anniversary of the Armenian Republic of today.
O Lord, hearken the voice of the supplication of your servants and keep
unshaken the Armenian Republic which was restored by your mercy. Increase
the wisdom of all those ministers who are appointed for the leadership of
the Republic in order that they may lead your people with equity to justice.
Those who respect wisdom will rule forever. Grant abundantly the spirit of
courageousness to our generals and armies in order that their arrows
straightly aim at their targets. Plant in all of us the love of holiness,
wisdom and good sense, to know the wisdom and instruction and bring our part
to the observance of all laws that are useful for our nation. Pour into our
hearts the mercy of your benevolence, in order that we may manifest through
good works our love towards our homeland. For if the words are not
accompanied with good works of virtue, according to the Proverbs, the hearts
of such people are like ashes, their hope aimless, and their life worse than
clay.. Bless, O Lord, this flag, in order that as the rainbow-which shone in
the skies over Mt. Ararat after the Deluge-became the sign of your eternal
covenant with man, likewise, this flag, after the huge floods of our blood,
becomes the symbol of our indissoluble covenant with you. (from “Prayer of
Thanksgiving for the Republic of Armenia,” prepared in 1920 by Archbishop
Torkom Koushagian.)

MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY
This Monday, May 29, is Memorial Day. Originally called “Decoration
Day,” it is a day of remembrance for those who died in service to our
nation. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by General
John A. Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was
first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of
Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first
state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. After World
War I, the holiday changed from honoring those who died in the Civil War to
honoring all American servicemen who died in battle. It is now celebrated in
every state on the last Monday in May.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me:
As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marking on..
(from the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” a Civil War song written by
Julia Ward Howe.)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 4-16th Anniversary Celebration of the new St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York. For information, 718-224-2275.

June 4-Communion and Breakfast honoring high school and college graduates,
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, 8701 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia. For
information: 215-482-9200.

June 18-Fathers’ Day celebration at St. Illuminator Cathedral, 221 E. 27th
Street, New York City, following Divine Liturgy. Organized by the Cathedral’s
Ladies Guild. For information: 212-689-5880.

July 8-9-Datev 20th Anniversary Celebration at St. Mary of Providence
Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania. Weekend program will include seminar,
banquet, Badarak, and farewell picnic. For more information, contact the
Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or visit

July 22-Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
and Ani Chapter of Armenian Relief Society co-host gala dance at Greek
Orthodox Annunciation Church. For information, 401-286-8107.

September 28-4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox, add
[email protected] to your address book.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]

Visit our website at

DANIEL FRIED CALLS ON THE PARTIES TO TAKE DECISIVE STEPS

ArmRadio.am
24.05.2006 18:05

US Assistant Secretary of State declared today in Baku that the
“parties should take decisive steps for the final resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Daniel Fried noted that the situation in the negotiations will be
finally known by the end of the week.

“Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan are able to resolve the conflict
in a peaceful way,”the American diplomat said.

AS OIL ENRICHES RUSSIA, TENSIONS SURFACE IN EUROPE
by Sacha Kumaria

Human Events
May 23 2006

On July 15, the leaders of the world’s eight great industrial nations
will convene in St. Petersburg, Russia, to discuss the future of
the global economy. Chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin,
it will mark the culmination of Moscow’s 20-year transformation from
the spiritual home of communism into a major capitalist power.

But the meeting will be held against a backdrop of increasing
international tension about Russia’s resurgence. Relations between
Washington and Moscow are at their lowest ebb in 10 years, and in his
recent Address to the Federal Assembly — equivalent to the State
of the Union address — Putin remarked that “far from everyone in
the world has abandoned the old bloc mentality and the prejudices
inherited from the era of global confrontation.”

The speech as a whole was an intricate balance between the need
to arrest Russia’s internal societal decline — one-third of the
population, which is shrinking rapidly, lives in poverty — and
a desire to play an ever-greater role in world affairs. Moscow’s
involvement in the Iranian nuclear affair is a case in point. Its
refusal to sanction serious Security Council measures against Tehran
is a growing source of concern to the United States and Britain.

This newfound confidence has its basis in Russia’s economic resurgence
since the collapse of the rouble in 1998, the single largest cause of
which is the high (and rising) price of oil. Russia is the world’s
second-largest producer of oil, and the wealth pouring into Moscow
has allowed it to retire most of its foreign debt and build up a $62
billion “stabilisation fund” to buttress its economy against a fall
in oil prices. But if oil is underpinning Russia’s economic growth,
natural gas is the basis for its geopolitical resurgence. It possesses
the world’s largest reserves, and through its ownership of Gazprom
— now the world’s third-largest company — the Kremlin exercises a
total monopoly on exports.

There is a growing concern in Washington and some European capitals
that the actions of Gazprom and RAO UES, the state-owned electricity
monopoly, are not solely driven by the profit motive. Both companies
are pursuing an aggressive policy of acquiring “downstream” (i.e.
distribution) assets in Europe and the Caspian basin to complement
their “upstream” (i.e. production) facilities in Russia. For example,
RAO UES recently purchased a majority stake in both Georgia’s and
Armenia’s electricity networks in return for the offer of subsidized
electricity. And Gazprom is currently purchasing transmission networks
and distribution companies, often through middlemen organizations
(one of which is being investigated by the Justice Department),
in Eastern Europe and Germany. As a consequence, these state-owned
monopolists are increasing Europe’s structural dependence on Russian
energy. And unlike oil, which can be transported anywhere in the world,
gas and electricity require considerable investment in infrastructure,
and hence long-term supply contracts, to be delivered to the market.

While such dependence has been growing for some years now, it was not
until the Ukrainian crisis in December — when Gazprom cut supplies
to Kiev on the basis of an irresolvable “commercial dispute” — that
Europe and the United States began to question Russia’s reliability
as an energy partner. Since then, the EU has been scrambling to
develop a new energy policy towards Russia, but a consensus remains
elusive. Some countries are already too reliant on Russian energy,
by dint of pipelines that date from the Soviet era, to ruffle any
diplomatic feathers.

The Baltic States, Hungary and the Czech and Slovak Republics all
receive more than 80% of their gas from Russia. By contrast, Berlin
recently signed an agreement with Moscow to build a pipeline from the
vast Shtokman field in the Barents Sea to the north German coast via
the Baltic Sea. The plan has provoked a furious response from many
Eastern European nations.

The Polish Defence Minister, Radek Sikorski, likened it to the
pre-World War II Molotov-Ribbentropp Pact, wherein Nazi Germany and the
Soviet Union secretly agreed to divide up Poland. But while such fears
are overstated, the fact remains that, if the pipeline is completed,
Poland and other Eastern European nations will be more vulnerable to
Russia’s political machinations because any ‘disruptions’ to supply
won’t now have a knock-on effect on the politically powerful Western
European markets.

Such concerns were the basis of Vice President Cheney’s recent comments
in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius when he accused Moscow of using
its energy resources as “tools of intimidation and blackmail” and
its “back-sliding on democracy.” Europeans share many of the same
concerns, and following the rift over the Iraq war, the issue of
Russia’s growing assertiveness may offer the opportunity for greater
transatlantic cooperation. Notwithstanding its traditional antipathy
towards Russian authoritarianism, Washington has another considerable
reason for weighing in on behalf on Europe: China.

Moscow has rapidly scaled up its diplomatic efforts with Beijing over
the last few years — both are fervent supporters of a multi-polar
world order — and trade tripled to $16 billion between 1999-2004.

China’s growing demand for energy, combined with Russia’s vast untapped
resources in Eastern Siberia, represents an opportunity for a further
deepening of relations. However, Russia will struggle to meet both
projected Chinese demand and its current European commitments without
massive investment in new infrastructure. Such investment is unlikely
to come from foreign investors as the climate for business in Russia
becomes ever less encouraging, and it will therefore have to come
from the Russian government.

If Europe feels that it cannot rely on Moscow as a stable source
of energy, it will seek to diversify away from Russian gas and oil
toward more expensive forms of power generation including nuclear and
renewables, further undermining the continent’s weak economic growth.

Similarly, investing in exports to China is a very expensive, long-term
proposition for Moscow, but one they are willing to undertake if they
feel their European market share is sufficiently threatened.

By contrast, a free-market approach would greatly facilitate the
trade in energy between Russia and Europe, because it makes eminent
economic sense — the infrastructures already exists, and demand is
slowly rising. The EU, therefore, needs the United States’ support to
pressure Russia toward further integration into global trading system
of liberalized markets and the privatization of its vast state-owned
energy firms which too often conflate Russia’s economic and political
interests — often to the detriment of both.

Mr. Kumaria is director of programmes for the Stockholm Network.

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ARMENIAN OFFICIAL COMMENTS ON SPEAKER’S RESIGNATION

Ayots Ashkar, Yerevan
23 May 06

Text of Vaan Vardanyan’s report in Armenian newspaper Ayots Ashkar
on 23 May headlined “We have seen no evidence of maturity”

An interview with the most likely candidate to the post of parliament
speaker, [deputy speaker of parliament and a member of the Republican
Party of Armenia] Tigran Torosyan. He comments on the situation in
the parliament.

[Ayots Ashkar correspondent] How do you assess talks around the
resignation of the speaker of the parliament and the dispute between
[Speaker] Artur Bagdasaryan and [the leader of the National Unity
Party] Artashes Gegamyan in the parliament?

[Tigran Torosyan] I have already said that next month will be
a unique probationary period for politicians. Parties should
demonstrate that they have become mature and passed their teenager
period. Unfortunately, what happened could hardly be the evidence of
maturity, though I hope everything will be put back in order.

[Correspondent] The opposition says that today there is no political
majority in the parliament even in the form of a coalition. Will you
comment on this?

[Torosyan] The most painful thing is that not only many wrong ideas
were sounded in parliament today, but also the regulations were
broken. Saying something with a clever face does not mean that you
really tell the truth.

Who says that the “parliamentary majority” should be formed by means of
signing a memorandum? The first step like this was made after the 2003
[parliament] election and that was an important step. But nobody has
to sign a memorandum. In many countries coalitions are formed and
they split and there is no tragedy. Certainly, today we do not have
the coalition that was created at that time.

[Correspondent] Today they speak about two candidates to the post of
parliament speaker: you and [Republican Party MP] Galust Saakyan.

[Torosyan] I am saying once again that as there is no vacant post all
the discussions are in vain. It is senseless to answer this question.

[Correspondent] In fact, the United Labour Party [ULP] will become part
of the new majority. Does that mean that a new coalition memorandum
could be signed?

[Torosyan] I think there is absolutely no need to sign a new
memorandum. As to who our partners will be and how we shall work,
it will be correct to answer this question a few days later. Real
talks will be held soon.

[Correspondent] But the prime minister has already signed a decree
on the appointment of three representatives of the ULP. Does this
mean that Orinats Yerkir [Law-Governed Country Party] is replaced by
the ULP?

[Torosyan] This means that the first steps have already been made.

But we do not substitute somebody for somebody else. Everybody has
their own place and role.

[Correspondent] The MPs who have left Orinats Yerkir are setting up
a new group. Will you negotiate with them?

[Torosyan] It is nonsense to rule out negotiations with any force.

Unfortunately, there are political forces in Armenia which are enemies
to each other. Finally, no matter what happened or will happen, one
should have one purpose: to provide the normal work of the parliament.

REGNUM STATEMENT ON ARCHITECTURAL SITES IN THE WORLD AND TRANSCAUCASUS

Regnum, Russia
May 22 2006

On May 21, Azerbaijani Day.az web-site released information that
Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bul-Bul Ogli was going “to
take very serious measures against REGNUM, including taking it into
court, if it is necessary.” The statement was based on REGNUM reports
about discussion of members of the Russian Public Chamber on future
of Armenian architectural sites (khachkars) located in Nakhichevan.

According to the ambassador, the Russian Public Chamber did not
actually discuss the question.

Sincerely respecting Mr. Bul-Bul Ogli as an outstanding artist,
long-term Culture Minister of Azerbaijan, we have to note that he
arrogates information to REGNUM, which has not actually been released
by the agency.

As it is evident from our May 17 report, the appeal on the khachkars
future was discussed by Commission of the Public Chamber on Cultural
Sites and Spiritual Heritage and not at a plenary session of the
chamber itself. Primarily, editors of Russian Armenians’ Yerkramas
Newspaper received information about the commission’s session. Our
news article contained reference to the source pointing out in such way
to the fact that only viewpoint of the Armenian side on the event was
presented. Later, we received and published exclusive commentary on the
held session of Commission Deputy Chairperson Galina Bogolyubova. Her
commentary clearly demonstrated that the Public Chamber Commission had
approached to difficult question of Transcaucasian cultural heritage’s
preservation from positions of peace and tolerance, not focusing on
accusations against any single country of the region.

Question of Armenian cultural sites in Nakhichevan, as well as
Azerbaijani sites in Nagorno Karabakh, was politicized to the highest
extent during Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and it often became
subject of verbal dueling of the conflicting parties. Covering the
situation in Transcaucasus every day for many years, REGNUM wishes to
become the site, where both Armenian and Azerbaijani public figures and
experts could express their ideas concerning ways of Karabakh conflict
settlement. The position of us has already obtained recognition of
many people in both countries. And we believe it to be inadmissible
to allow that our agency’s activities in this direction would suffer
as a result of the misunderstanding.

RICHARD HOVANNISYAN’S “REPUBLIC” RELEASED IN ARMENIAN

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
May 22 2006

Yerevan–Professor Richard G. Hovannisian, chairholder in Modern
Armenian History at UCLA, was publicly honored today on the occasion
of the Armenian-language publication of the first volume of his
four-part epic, entitled “The Republic of Armenia: The First Year,
1918-1919.” The event was organized by the National Academy of
Sciences and the Writers’ Union of Armenia, with support from the
Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS). The
presentation brought together prominent specialists in Armenian
studies, leading scholars and intellectuals, political and public
figures, diplomats, and media representatives.

Held in the auditorium of the Writers’ Union of Armenia, the program
was opened by Academician Vladimir Barkhudarian, vice president of
the National Academy of Sciences. “There remain historical phenomena
which call for further, deeper research. One such experience is the
history of the first Republic of Armenia which, through four decades of
diligent dedication and groundbreaking work with a wealth of primary
sources, Academician Richard Hovannisian has fully and objectively
brought to light,” he said.

The next speaker was chairman Levon Ananian of the Writers’ Union. In
his words, “The Republic of Armenia” is a colossal oeuvre and thus
one of the greatest achievements in contemporary Armenian studies.

“It is noteworthy that the author of the book is a unique symbol of our
national pride. An incisive thinker and a scholar with professional
methodology, Hovannisian’s international standing and pre-eminence
in the field keep growing.”

Volume One of “The Republic of Armenia” was presented in detail by
Professor Ashot Melkonian, director of the Academy’s Institute of
History. He first underlined the historiographic value of the work.

According to Melkonian, in the 1960s and 1970s, when the historical
truth about the First Republic was concealed by political strictures,
this masterpiece by Richard Hovannisian was an underground imperative
for those in Soviet Armenia who were researching and studying the
topic. “The ultimate importance of this book is that the concept of
statehood forms its entire backbone,” he concluded.

In his turn, Professor Babken Harutiunian, chairholder in Armenian
History at Yerevan State University, commended “The Republic of
Armenia” in terms of its reliance on a broad spectrum of sources as
well as its application of the precept of continuity in historical
science. “Aside from presenting the historical record completely and
truthfully, each chapter and every line of the work are founded in a
supreme notion of patriotism.” It is not a coincidence, he continued,
that owing directly to the incessant efforts of Professor Hovannisian
a school of modern Armenian history has been developed in the diaspora.

Raffi Hovannisian, founding director of ACNIS and Armenia’s
first Minister of Foreign Affairs, congratulated his father on
the accomplishment of finally bringing the whole history of the
First Republic home to Armenia. “Comprehensively researched and
objectively presented, Richard Hovannisian’s authoritative account
both gives cause for moments of historic pride and achievement and
offers a record of losses and shortcomings which the new Armenia must
avoid repeating. It is a valuable lesson of liberty and legitimacy,
democracy and diplomacy, sovereignty and security, which must be
drawn today–in the name of the Republic of Armenia, past and present.”

Also noteworthy were artistic contributions by literary expert Svetlana
Khanumian and professor of theology Khoren Palian.

Finally, Richard Hovannisian took the floor and extended his
deep appreciation to the organizers of the event, the scholars,
intellectuals and everyone present, and acknowledged Vrezh Markosian,
director of the Tigran Mets Publishing House, for his high-caliber
production of the volume. Hovannisian shared vignettes from his
childhood, his student years, and his four-decade quest for “The
Republic of Armenia.” A well-rounded understanding of the history of
the First Republic, he said, will enable its modern-day heir to steer
clear of mistakes and never place false hope in paper guarantees for
security, which we have trusted on numerous historical occasions and
suffered setbacks as a result.

The capacity crowd of assembled leaders, intellectuals, and students
stood to express their appreciation of the work and its creator.

REORGANIZATION OF EDUCATION SECTOR

Lragir.am
19 May 06

The first sphere that underwent a redistribution after the secession
of the Orinats Yerkir Party from the coalition was education. As
a result of arrangements “inside the coalition” the office of the
minister of education and science went to Dashnaktsutiun, the office
of the rector of Yerevan State University went to the Republican
Party, and the position of the president of the National Academy of
Sciences went to the third party of the coalition – the president. The
same process is underway in lower ranks of the sphere. Another large
educational institution, the State Engineering University of Yerevan,
may go to the Republican Party. Besides the redistribution of offices,
affiliation of educational workers with political parties has been
rather intensive recently. In this respect the Republican Party
is quite active, making teaching staffs of schools in Yerevan and
the regions to become members of this political party. The sphere
of education may have a significant role in the upcoming elections,
because it is the largest and is related to the entire society. This
might be the reason for the hasty actions of the coalition.

IRAN-U.S. RELATIONS CAN HAVE IMPACT ON ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
19.05.2006 18:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Iran-U.S. relations can have an impact on Armenia
in all respects, well known political scientist Andranik Mihranyan
stated in Yerevan. In his words, the only stable path joining Armenia
with the outer world lies through Iran. “It’s true that the principal
communications come through Georgia, but we do know how unreliable
this neighbor is,” Mihranyan underscored.

The Russian political scientist supposes that if the U.S. deals a
blow the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline can be damaged. “A counterblow
will destabilize the whole Near East. At that, taking into
account the tension in the Russian-Georgian relations, the
Georgia-Azerbaijan-Turkey axis and absence of any relations with
Turkey, Armenia is threatened with isolation. Under such circumstances
a policy for preventing isolation should be developed,” he said,
reported Novosti-Armenia.

SEMIFINAL OF THE “EUROVISION-2006” TO BE HELD IN ATHENS

ArmRadio.am
18.05.2006 12:11

The semifinal of the “Eurovision-2006″ song contest will be held today
at the Olympic Stadium of Athens, meant for 18 spectators. Armenia
will be represented by best singer of the year Andre, who will present
a song titled ” Without your love.”