Author: Taslakhchian Andranik

RUSSIAN INVESTMENTS IN ARMENIA 1.7 BILLION

Panorama.am
21:22 20/10/2008

Russian investments in Armenia form 1 billion 700 million USD, said
Igor Levitin, the Minister of Transport of Russia after the session
o Armenian-Russian intergovernmental committee on economic cooperation.

According to him the commodity circulation between Armenia and
Russia can reach 1 billion USD and notified that this should not be
limited. He said that this should serve as an alarm for the businessmen
to develop the circulation index.

FURNITURE MOGUL, EX-CELTICS OWNER DIES AT AGE 82
Claudia Vargas and Bob Matthews, [email protected], [email protected]

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
October 20, 2008
NY

Rochester native Harry T. Mangurian Jr., who made his family’s local
furniture business a nationwide success, went on to become a prominent
businessman and horse breeder in Florida and was the sole owner of
the Boston Celtics for several years, died early Sunday morning in
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Mr. Mangurian, 82, died after an eight-month battle with leukemia.

Mr. Mangurian was born in Rochester on Oct. 1, 1926. His father, an
Armenian immigrant, opened an Oriental rug business in 1925 on Park
Avenue near Goodman Street, which later became a furniture store. The
flagship store at 531 Monroe Ave., Mangurian’s Inc., opened up in
the 1940s. In the 1960s, Mr. Mangurian took over the business and
made it into a successful national chain that eventually included
more than a dozen stores.

Around the same time, Mr. Mangurian moved to Ft. Lauderdale and
immersed himself in the business world — in 1969 he purchased the
jet charter company, Southeastern Jet Corporation, and operated it for
more than 30 years; he also owned Drexel Investments, through which he
built and sold thousands of condominiums in south Florida in the 1970s.

In the early ’70s, Mr. Mangurian became very involved in breeding
thoroughbred race horses and bought a 310-acre horse farm in Ocala,
Fla., where he bred many top stallions until 2000 when he sold
Mockingbird Farm.

Family friend Gordon Latz said breeding horses was Mr. Mangurian’s
passion and provided a place where he could find refuge.

"With all his success and fame, he wasn’t interested in it," said Latz,
66, of Ft. Lauderdale. "He just liked breeding horses and going to the
(Ocala) farm."

In 1977, Mr. Mangurian bought 50 percent of the Buffalo Braves of the
National Basketball Association. But at the end of the 1978 season,
he and Braves co-owner John Y. Brown swapped ownership of the Braves
team for the Boston Celtics, which he stayed with until 1983. In 1979,
Mr. Mangurian became the sole owner of the Celtics and was behind the
signing of some big stars such as Larry Bird and Robert Parish. In
1981, the Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship.

During his time as Celtics owner, Mr. Mangurian brought the basketball
team to Rochester for charity exhibition games. His daughter, Terry
Skuse, 60, of Pittsford, said her father always enjoyed giving back
to organizations he believed in.

"He was quiet about his generosity. … He did a lot of things for
people that most did not know about," Skuse said.

Mr. Mangurian also leaves behind his wife Dorothy, daughter Tracy
Jenkins, four grandsons and two great-grandchildren.

When Mr. Mangurian’s wife became ill in 2000, he retired from many
of his businesses to spend more time with her, Skuse said. In his
last years, Mr. Mangurian liked spending time with his family and
watching sports.

"He really liked watching sports, he had two TVs in his room," Skuse
said. "He loved to watch golf, football and basketball."

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN TO CONTINUE "DEVELOPING" AT THE SAME PACE AS AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT HASN’T CHANGED

ArmInfo
2008-10-17 20:39:00

ArmInfo. The relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan will continue
"developing" at the same pace as Azerbaijani president hasn’t
changed, Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan told journalists
in parliament, Friday.

Commenting upon Azeri media’s daily statements that Armenia allegedly
violates the cease-fire regime, Ohanyan said: "The attempts to violate
cease-fire are repeated regularly, and in the majority of cases,
by Azerbaijan. If they are intentional, we give the corresponding
reply", the minister stressed.

Ohanyan also noted that the geopolitical events, particularly, in our
region show that in a conflict settlement the use of military force
is fraught with various developments. "Armed forces of Armenia and
Nagorno- Karabakh are ready to protect the values acquired in the new
history of our state", the minister said. He added that the militant
statements of Azeri President Ilham Aliyev had a domestic political
character in the pre-election period.

"The goal of such statements is to influence the organizations which
are engaged in Karabakh conflict settlement. However, there is a peace
process which needs Nagorno-Karabakh’s participation", Ohanyan said.

ARMENIA SIGNS DEAL FOR MILITARY OVERSIGHT

Middle East Times
October 17, 2008
Egypt

YEREVAN, Armenia, Oct. 17 (UPI) — Armenian government officials
signed an agreement Friday that would allow new oversight of the
country’s armed forces.

The Armenian parliamentary committee on defense, national security
and internal affairs signed a deal to work with the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe on strengthening oversight of the
armed forces in Armenia, the OSCE reported.

The memorandum of understanding signed Friday is part of an OSCE
effort to establish better armed forces monitoring capabilities in
European countries. Official say the agreement will assist Armenia in
identifying areas in its armed forces that need reform and encourage
more transparency in the military.

"By signing this agreement with the Standing Parliamentary Committee
on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs, the OSCE is
expressing its profound will to assist Armenia in exerting effective
parliamentary oversight over the armed forces," said Ambassador Sergey
Kapinos, head of the OSCE office in Armenia.

"Transparency, accountability and division of powers are the
cornerstones of good governance."

MIKHAIL POGREBINSKY: ANY CIVILIZED PERSON KNOWS THAT 1915 EVENTS CONSTITUTED GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.10.2008 18:12 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Groups of influence which could lobby the interests
of the Armenian people in the Rada have not formed yet, a Ukrainian
political scientist said.

"Any civilized person knows that 1915 events constituted a genocide,"
Mikhail Pogrebinsky said.

The problem is that President Viktor Yushchenko discredited the theme
of Genocide among the Ukrainian public, according to him.

"It’s conditioned by the fact that the hunger of 1930ies when millions
of people died is used now to monger hostilities between Ukraine and
Russia. The incumbent authorities gamble on the memory of the victims
to play of their political games," he said.

At the same time he supposes that the level of the Armenian-Ukrainian
relations is not sufficient.

"Ukraine’s foreign policy problems have emerged because of
the leadership’s ambitious plans and servility to the United
States. Armenia is beyond Ukraine’s schemes, that is why it has been
not paid proper attention so far," Pogrebinsky said, Analitika.at.ua
reports.

SADDLEBACK WIND ENSEMBLE PERFORMS AT MCKINNEY THEATER
Bill Bridgeford

Lariat Saddleback College
10/14/08
Irvine Valley

On Fri. evening, the Saddleback College Wind Ensemble performed to
a nearly full house at the McKinney Theater, conducted by Carmen
Dominguez, head of the musical theater studies program. The concert
offered an upbeat selection of compositions that were as varied in
age as the audience and musicians themselves. It was a testament to
the fact that music, and the love of it, truly does transcend all
ages and backgrounds.

The performance was, for the most part, performed with precision and
verve. There were a few rough patches, but they in no significant way
diminished the enthusiasm of the players, the warmth of the conductor
or the enjoyment of the audience.

The program featured works composed as early as the 18th century to
compositions penned as recently as the last decade. For as large of a
time span that this encompasses, the program was remarkably seamless
and was a perfect immersion for both long time listeners and neophytes
of this genre of music.

"Be Glad Then, America," composed by William Schuman (1910-1992), which
incorporates elements of the William Billings composition "Fast Day"
(1746-1800), must have certainly served as an inspiration for the
great Aaron Copeland (1900-1990). "Esprit de Corps" marks both the
pride and the solemninity that is the life of our nations’ veterans.

"Tempered Steel," as the program remarked, "is a celebration of
our triumph over [the] unavoidable hardships and obstacles that we
regularly face." It was a most apropos selection.

Dominquez is certainly a most engaging conductor, and it was enjoyable
and educational to hear and see her animation as she provided the
audience with anecdotal information and light banter between pieces.

Her love of music and the pride which she has in the ensemble members
were palpable. No less evident was the discipline with which she
conducts both herself and the musicians under her tutelage.

Even the audience was gently admonished when they inadvertently
interrupted the second movement of "Armenian Folk Song and Dance"
with an applause.

Quite frankly, it was the least pretentious, most engaging performance
of this type.

The only regret was that this was a short program. More pieces would
have been much enjoyed.

LES LEADERS DIPLOMATIQUES CONCENTRES SUR LA RESOLUTION DU CONFLIT

Nouvelles d’Arméni
lundi13 octobre 2008
France

KARABAGH

Le ministre russe des Affaires étrangères, Sergei Lavrov, a
rencontré ses homologues arménien et azerbaïdjanais, vendredi
10 octobre, afin de discuter des détails du traité de paix
Haut-Karabagh, proposé par la Russie et d’autres médiateurs
internationaux.

La rencontre a eu lieu sur en marge d’un sommet de la Communauté
des Etats Indépendants a Bichkek, au Kirghizstan, pour ce que Lavrov
décrit comme des chance" très réelle"d’une solution a court terme
du conflit du Karabagh. Selon une interview publiée dans la presse
mardi, les différentes parties doivent seulement se mettre d’accord"
sur deux ou trois points non résolu", dont l’avenir du couloir Lachin
entre l’Arménie a la région disputÃ

Le ministre des Affaires étrangères arménien, Edouard Nalbandian,
aurait fait des remarques ambigu"s sur l’attitude de Lavrov après les
pourparlers de Bichkek : "A propos des problèmes a régler en vue de
la résolution du conflit de Haut-Karabakh, j’ai dit que le problème
majeur, a savoir son statut, devrait se décider a l’intérieur de
la République, par consultation de son peupe.

–Boundary_(ID_Q8UNFdWJ1T7WQQvoCCy+0w)–

CONGRATULATORY ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT BAKO SAHAKYAN

Azat Artsakh Daily
10 Oct 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

In Connection with the Day of Stepanakert and the 85th Anniversary of
the Capital (October 11, 2008) Dear friends and residents of
Stepanakert, I cordially congratulate you on the Day of Stepanakert and
the 85th anniversary of our capital. The city that is more than 1500
years old became capital only in 1923. Since then Stepanakert has been
the face of Artsakh and the pride of Karabagh people. It is a hub of
scientific, cultural and economic potential of our country. This is why
even in the harsh years of Artsakh war, when the city was one of the
main targets of the enemy, state authorities and citizens did
everything possible for fast restoration of the capital. Today the
rapidly developing and prospering city of Stepanakert appears before
the world in a new status – as the capital of free and independent
Nagorno Karabagh Republic, which has special significance and role for
the entire Armenian people. The issues related to the development of
the capital are in the spotlight of the state’s authorities. A number
of projects that aim to give a new impetus to economic development and
improvement of living standards of the population have been realized.
Great attention is paid to sports and cultural life. Among the top
priorities is water supply of the capital. This project has alrea
dy
been launched and will be completed in a few years. A new impulse is
given to of house construction, development of suburban areas and
improvement of courtyards. Friends, all these projects can be
successfully fulfilled if each of us becomes more compassionate and
attentive towards our native city, works with a greater devotion and
diligence and does everything possible to keep our native Stepanakert
always clear and beautiful, happy and young, strong and prosperous. I
am confident that the present day residents of Stepanakert will do
everything to multiply all the good traditions formed in the course of
the city’s history, preserve its glory and historical character. I
heartily congratulate all of us on this memorable day once again and
wish peace, prosperity and further success to our capital, its old and
new, adult and young citizens. They are the true wealth of our city.
Happy holiday, dear citizens!

STUDY RESULTS FROM YEREVAN STATE UNIVERSITY PROVIDE NEW INSIGHTS INTO CONSERVATION RESEARCH

Life Science Weekly
September 30, 2008

"The turtles of the Caucasus are poorly studied, and basic data
on their geographic distribution in some Caucasian regions are
poorly collated, hard to access, or entirely lacking. We present a
comprehensive review of turtle localities in such a region, Armenia
and Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh), based on literature records,
personal observations, and museum specimens," scientists in Yerevan,
Armenia report (see also Conservation Research).

"The compiled data for the 3 native species (Emys orbicularis,
Mauremys caspica, and Testudo graeca) show that their distributions
in this region are restricted to 3 areas of low elevation. In the
northeast, turtles can be found in the Kura River drainage. In the
south and west, turtles can be found in the Arax River drainage. The
distributions of species within these areas vary, with E. orbicularis
being the most restricted by elevation. We note that the 3 regions here
form part of an important transect from the interior Arax drainage
(in the Ararat region of western Armenia) to near its confluence
with the Kura drainage (in southern Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh)
to the Kura drainage sensu stricto (in northeast Armenia)," wrote
M. Arakelyan and colleagues, Yerevan State University.

The researchers concluded: "Future studies of turtles in these
areas will play an important role in understanding the historical
biogeography of Caucasian turtles."

Arakelyan and colleagues published their study in Chelonian
Conservation and Biology (The geographic distribution of turtles
in Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh). Chelonian
Conservation and Biology, 2008;7(1):70-77).

For more information, contact M. Arakelyan, Yerevan State University,
Dept. of Biology, Alek Manukyan 1, Yerevan 375025, Armenia.

Publisher contact information for the journal Chelonian Conservation
and Biology is: Chelonian Research Foundation, 168 Goodrich St.,
Lunenburg, MA, USA.

October 10, 2008
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:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH

On Sunday, October 12th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino.
The Prelate will also deliver the sermon.

PRELATE TO DELIVER INVOCATION AT ANC BANQUET

The annual banquet of the Armenian National Committee Western Region
will take place on Sunday, October 12th, at the Ronald Reagan Library in
Simi Valley. This year’s honorees include the late President Ronald Reagan
(posthumously), Vice-Presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden, Los Angeles
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and national benefactor Mrs. Ashkhen Plavjian.
The Prelate will attend the banquet and deliver the invocation.

BURBANK COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

The Burbank Armenian Center has organized a community festival which
will take place on Sunday, October 12th, starting at 11:00 a.m. at Robert
Gross Park in Burbank.
Rev. Fr. Gomidas Torossian will attend on behalf of the Prelate.

PRELATE TO ATTEND HAMAZKAYIN RECEPTION IN HONOR OF DR. LILIT GALSTYAN

On Monday, October 13th, a reception in honor of Armenian Parliament
member and president of the Hamazkayin Foundation in Armenia Dr. Lilit
Galstyan will take place at the Prelacy "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian"
Hall.
During the reception organized by the Regional Executive of
Hamazkayin, Dr. Galstyan will speak on the work of the Hamazkayin Foundation
over the last 17 years and of cultural life in Armenia in general.
The Prelate will attend the reception.
PRELATE’S VISIT TO PRELACY SCHOOLS

Over the past week the Prelate has been paying visits to Prelacy
Schools and meeting with principals, teachers, and students to convey his
blessings and well wishes for the 2008-2009 academic year.
On the morning of Thursday, October 9th, the Prelate visited Richard
Tufenkian Pre-School in Glendale. He was accompanied by St. Mary’s pastors
Rev. Fathers Vazken Atmajian and Gomidas Torossian, as well as Board of
Regents member Ms. Charlotte Sassounian. Upon their arrival the Prelate and
delegation were greeted by director Mrs. Arsine Aghazarian and school
administrators. Following a presentation by the students, the Prelate
offered his remarks in which he explained to the students the parable of the
Good Shephard.
On the afternoon of Friday, October 10th, the Prelate visited Vahan
and Anoush Chamlian Schools, accompanied by St. Mary’s pastors Rev. Fathers
Vazken Atmajian and Gomidas Torossian, and Board of Regents member Dr.
Vartkes Tomassian. The Prelate was welcomed by Principal Mr. Vazken
Madenlian and Vice-Principal Mrs. Rita Kaprielian, and administrators.
During his visits to the classrooms, the Prelate was welcomed by the
students with songs and recitations.
The Prelate’s visits will continue in the coming week.

PRELATE CONSECRATES DOME AND BELL TOWER CROSSES AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH

On Sunday, October 5th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Sarkis
Church in Pasadena. At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, the Prelate
conducted the consecration and placement of the dome and bell tower Crosses.
The Prelate was assisted at the altar by Christian Education Department
Directors Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian and Barthev Gulumian, and parish
priest Rev. Fr. Khoren Babochian.
The Prelate began his sermon by thanking God for the historic day,
then congratulated and commended the Pastor, Board of Trustees, Delegates,
Ladies Auxiliary, and building committee members for their diligence
throughout the construction phase and their commitment to seeing the project
through. The Prelate addressed the faithful saying though the physical
construction of the church is complete, that it is imperative that they
maintain and strengthen their ties with the church and have a more active
involvement in the endeavors of their parish community. He concluded by
praying to God for His "holy and venerable cross to deliver us all from
enemies both visible and invisible".
At the conclusion of services the Prelate was led in a procession to
the main entrance where the crosses were laid out. The Reverend Fathers
applied wine and water to the crosses, after which the Prelate began the
consecration with Holy Muron. Hundreds of faithful including main church
sponsors Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Suzan Kitsinian, and bell tower sponsors
Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis and Noune Septejian and Mr. and Mrs. Garo and Maral
Ghazarian. Following the consecration, the crosses were ceremoniously
placed atop the dome and bell tower. At the conclusion of the service, the
faithful were invited for a reception organized by the Ladies Auxiliary.
Later in the evening, over 350 guests attended the annual banquet of
the church at the Pasadena Armenian Center to celebrate this latest
accomplishment of the parish. During the banquet, the Pastor and Board of
Trustees commended the members of the building committee by presenting them
with mementos. Remarks were offered by Board of Trustees and an artistic
program also took place. The banquet came to a close with the Prelate’s
remarks and benediction.

YOUTH GATHERING AT THE PRELACY

On the afternoon of Saturday, October 4th, members of the Armenian
Church Youth Association assembled at the Prelacy "Dikran and Zarouhie Der
Ghazarian" Hall for a gathering organized by the Armenian Church Youth
Association (ACYA) central board and presided over by H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate.
The youth had gathered for a presentation by the delegation, led by
Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, which had participated in the Catholicosate
of Cilicia Youth Conference which took place from August 13-20 in Bikfaya,
Lebanon.
The gathering opened with welcoming remarks by Chairman Raffi
Naljian, and was followed with remarks by delegation member Liza Sarkis who,
on behalf of all the participants, thanked the Prelate for the opportunity
to attend the conference, then shared the experiences of the delegation at
the conference.
The delegation members then presented a video clip and pictures for
the youth to get a better understanding of what took place at the
conference, as well as an audio recording of the message of H.H. Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, geared towards the youth. A
question and answer session followed.
Closing remarks were offered by the Prelate in which he commended
the event organizers for their efforts in the planning of the gathering, and
the delegates for their participation in the conference. He stressed the
importance of the active participation of our youth in parish life,
reminding them that His Holiness has declared 2009 as "The Year of the
Armenian Christian Youth".
At 6:00 p.m., the youth participated in Divine Liturgy which was
celebrated by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian in the "St. Dertad and St.
Ashkhen" Chapel. Given that it was the Feast of the Seventy-two Disciples
of Christ, Fr. Barthev in his sermon addressed the youth saying that they
too are the students of Christ and are called upon to spread our faith.
A reception followed the service.