Author: Tavakalian Edgar

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

July 15, 2005
___________________

DIOCESE FOCUSES ON HABITAT AS WAY TO HELP ARMENIANS

In an effort to continue the economic development and stabilization of
Armenia, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) is
working to promote the activities of Habitat for Humanity in Armenia.

Bishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate and ecumenical officer, traveled
to Armenia on June 24, 2005, with Dr. Ken Benson, president of Habitat
for Humanity in Michigan and a leader of the international Habitat for
Humanity movement. This was the third trip to Armenia for the pair.

This journey had a particular purpose: to meet with the chairman of the
National Assembly of Armenia, Arthur Bagdasarian. They discussed the
ongoing projects of Habitat for Humanity in Armenia; the recent meeting
between His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, and former U.S. President Carter in Michigan; and the need
for increased support for Habitat for Humanity from residents of
Armenia.

Bagdasarian, who has worked on a Habitat for Humanity construction
project, agreed to spearhead a fundraising drive to raise $1 million
from residents of Armenia. The money will go to supplies to build 100
homes.

“The time is right. Not only must the diaspora help Armenia, but the
local people also must try to help Armenians who are not in a good
condition financially,” Bishop Aykazian said. “Those who are going to
give are already well off. We’re asking wealthy Armenians who have more
than what they need to help the less fortunate. I’m sure they will
collect a lot of money.”

Bishop Aykazian said if the fundraising effort is successful, the target
of 100 homes could be built within one year. There will also be a
simultaneous drive to increase the number of local volunteers. A large
number of people from outside of Armenia travel there each year to work
on Habitat for Humanity projects. This year 13 groups from America will
be heading over to work. But Bishop Aykazian said more and more locals
are also helping.

“At the beginning it was difficult, but fortunately there are a lot of
people from Armenia who now volunteer as well,” he said. “It means they
see this as something important to do.”

— 7/14/05

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

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate and ecumenical
officer of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern),
left, with the chairman of the National Assembly of Armenia, Arthur
Bagdasarian, and Ken Benson, president of Habitat for Humanity in
Michigan.

# # #

President cannot run for third term – Armenian speaker

Arminfo
14 Jul 05

YEREVAN

“I am a lawyer and do not see any grounds for any talk about the
possibility of re-electing the president for a third term in office as
the constitution makes it clear that nobody can run for the presidency
more than twice,” Armenian Speaker Artur Bagdasaryan told reporters
today.

He said that the relevant article of the constitution contains
comprehensive comments and cannot cause a difference of opinion. As
for the possibility that the president will be granted the right to be
elected for a third term in office after the approval of the new
constitution, the speaker regards as indisputable the idea under which
the draft amendments to the current constitution cannot be considered
as a new constitution.

At the same time, he said it would be fair if the incumbent president
preserved until 2008 his powers which will be reduced under the
constitutional reforms. “The president should exercise the powers with
which he was elected,” Bagdasaryan said. He also said that the
parliament will get new powers after the approval of the
constitutional reforms.

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Occupied Northern Cyprus
July 14 2005

Gul confident that Turkey will start accession negotiations while
40,000 Turkish troops are occupying EU territory and violating the
human rights of EU citizens

Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.07.05) reported from London that the
Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Abdullah Gul sees no risk
regarding the start of full membership negotiations between Turkey
and the European Union (EU), on October 3rd.
After having a breakfast with investors in British capital of London,
Gul told a press conference that Turkey had adopted all required
reform laws, and therefore, expected that the entry talks will start
as scheduled.

Touching on terrorism, Gul said that fight against terrorism was the
common responsibility of all countries, and stressed that a joint
platform should be established to combat it.

“Terrorism is a severe crime committed against humanity, and
therefore we strongly condemn it,” said Gul.

Commenting on attacks on some mosques in London after last week’s
bombings, Gul said: “This is another kind of violence. Islam has
nothing to do with terrorism. Terrorists may be Muslim, Christian,
Jew or members of some other faith. Religion and terrorism cannot be
considered together. So, we should condemn terrorism altogether.”

Regarding the Armenian genocide, Gul said that Turkey had opened up
all its archives, including military ones, to all foreign scientists,
and stressed that even a single document proving the Armenian
allegations could not be discovered.

Mr Gul has been awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the British
Exeter University today. Gul was awarded the degree due to his
solution-seeking approach in international matters and his
contribution to human rights and democracy in domestic policies.

“The award I have received today will help me increase efforts for
regional peace and a better world,” said Gul.

In his acceptance speech, Gul pointed out that in the upcoming years
cooperation against military clashes, poverty, terrorism, fanaticism,
religious and ethnic discrimination, racism, discrimination against
Muslims, deadly viruses, drug and human trafficking will be
essential.

Condemning the attacks in London last week, Gul stressed that such
incidents (as in London) will only motivate nations to cooperate
against global threat of terrorism.

Moreover, Ankara TRT 1 Television (12.07.05) broadcast that Mr
Abdullah Gul, has disclosed that Turkish and Armenian diplomats are
holding talks to solve the problems between the two countries. He
said: Our only aim is to ensure peace in the Caucasus.

After receiving the honorary doctorate from Exeter University in
Britain. Gul spoke to TRT as follows:

A dialogue has been going on for some time. That is not new. The
dialogue is sometimes held at the ministerial level. Our only aim is
to ensure peace and stability in the Caucasus, to ensure that the
problematic issues are resolved in a way agreeable to all sides.

Asked if Britain was upset by the fact that Turkey would issue a
declaration saying it does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus when
signing the additional protocol, Gul said that Jak Straw did not tell
him anything of the sort during their meeting in Bosnia and
Herzegovina.

He did not tell me such a thing. Of course we are in close contact
these days because Britain is term president. We talk with Foreign
Secretary Straw frequently. Our colleagues convey our views to their
counterparts. The issue calls for close consultations, Gul said.

WE NEED SUPPORT OF YOUTH

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
12 July 05

On July 10 NKR President Arkady Ghukassian met with Diasporan students
participating in the project of Birthright Armenia NGO in
Artsakh. Birthright Armenia was set up in the United States by Edil
Hovnanian in May 2003. The NGO was registered in Armenia in 2004. The
goal of the project is to set up and develop relationships between
Homeland and Diaspora youth. In the framework of the project the
Diaspora youth study and volunteer in Armenia and at the same time
make friends in the homeland. Instead of launching new volunteer
programmes Birthright Armenia prefers developing the programmes of
charity and cultural organizations, the Church, youth and university
unions of the Diaspora and the Homeland. Executive director Linda
Yepoyan said in the framework of the programme young people aged 18 32
are involved in an eight-week travel fellowship. The programme is
operated all year round. Forty Diasporan volunteers representing the
Armenian Volunteer Corps, the Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian
Youth Federation, Armenian Church Youth Organization of America, the
New York Armenian Students Association, Land and Culture Organization
and the Armenian Medical Association, were sponsored by the summer
programme of Birthright Armenia. At present the number of sponsored
organizations has increased by 12 which are mainly NGOs operating in
the Republic of Armenia. Owing to the successful work done last year
already about 90 young people from 10 countries, the US, Canada,
Argentina, Brazil, France, Great Britain, Austria, Iraq, Lebanon and
Australia will arrive in Armenia this year. There are 60 volunteers in
Armenia now. Emphasizing the importance of the undertaking of
Birthright Armenia among other similar projects, Arkady Ghukassian
said: Your visit is extremely important for us. You are our future and
hopefully you will be committed to contributing to the development of
Artsakh. The people of Artsakh won the war imposed on them, defended
the country and in this very hall NKR was declared independent in
1991. You must help us build and develop this country and provide a
prosperous life for our people, corresponding to the European
standards. Then the young people asked questions to the head of
state. They were interested to learn about the relationships of
Karabakh with other countries, the future of NKR, the issue of status,
whether the independence of the republic was the final aim or it will
unite with Armenia. In reference to unification the president told
them that Karabakh and Armenia share their financial resources and
Karabakh is integrated in the economic environment of Armenia. The
independence declared in 1991 had the political aim of keeping Armenia
free from political pressure. Certainly, unification is our dream, but
becoming independent from Azerbaijan was a vital issue for us, he
said. The young people were also interested in the programmes of
re-settlement of Karabakh and reconstruction of Shushi. In this
reference Arkady Ghukassian mentioned that in implementation of these
programmes the support of the Armenian Diaspora is also greatly
needed. After a few days of stay in Artsakh the students shared their
impressions from Artsakh with us. Harout Manookian (Canada): In these
two months I worked at the American University of Armenia and an
energy company. I am in Karabakh for the second time and with each
visit I get convinced that it is the most beautiful place in
Armenia. I think, in order to improve the quality of life of people
the factories should be operated. I will be very happy to share my
experience in electronics with my colleagues here. Narek Seferian
(India): This is my fourth visit to Karabakh. I have worked in
building in Armenia. Certainly, Artsakh is dear to us. We won Armenia
in one way, Artsakh in another. Naturally, we paid a very high price
for Artsakh and it is dearer to us. Laleh Manjikian (Canada): We are
now making a film about Artsakh with our colleagues in Yerevan. This
is my first visit to Karabakh. The impressions are incredible. We have
heard a lot about Artsakh at home and supported as much as we
could. But to see the life, the strong will of the people living in
the ruined Shushi is touching. I think my impressions will never leave
me in all my life.

SRBUHI VANIAN.
13-07-2005

PEACEFUL AGREEMENT NOT READY YET

A1+
12-07-2005

Upon completion of the meetings with the Azeri leadership the Minsk
Group Co-Chairs rendered a press conference. Russian Co-Chair Yuri
Merzlyakov said, `The draft agreement will hardly be ready by the
meeting of the Armenian and Azeri Presidents in Kazan. We are working
at the formulation and principles of the settlement. The process of
their coordination will probably take several months.’

`Peaceful agreement can be prepared as within the next several months
as within the next century. The terms depend on the political will of
the leaders and people’, the US Co-Chair added.

French Co-Chair Bernard Fassier shared the opinion. In his words, the
Minsk Group is a mediator only while the Presidents are responsible
for the establishment of peace.

The mediators reported that during the negotiations with the
Azerbaijani leadership the issue of opening communications between
Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan via Armenia and Karabakh. In their opinion
when the issue is urgent it will be advisable to include the Armenian
and Azeri communities of Karabakh in the process.

Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
July 12 2005

Hope Seen For Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement

(RFE/RL)
12 July 2005 — International mediators involved in the territorial dispute
between Armenia and Azerbaijan said today there is hope for a settlement.

Representatives from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
have been trying to resolve the dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over
the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave that ethnic Armenian forces seized more than a
decade ago. A truce was agreed to in 1994 but both countries continue to lay
claim to the enclave.

U.S. diplomat Steve Mann, speaking in Baku, said much was possible “if we
can count on the goodwill and the desire of the Azerbaijani and Armenian
people” to reach a settlement.

The U.S., Russia, and France co-chair the OSCE’s so-called Minsk Group
attempting to resolve the long-standing conflict between the two Caucasian
nations.

Azeri leader, OSCE mediators discuss Karabakh talks

Azartac news agency, Baku
11 Jul 05

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received the co-chairs of the Minsk
Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe at
the Presidential Palace on 11 July.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on the current state and
prospects for the negotiating process towards the resolution of the
Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy Karabakh conflict and a number of issues
of mutual interest.

Daily Press, VA
July 10 2005

‘Closest thing to eternity’ is government board

Name an issue and the state likely has a board for it. It is shrewd
politics, mostly harmless, sometimes redundant, and virtually
eternal.

JOHN M.R. BULL

State government is chock-full of appointed boards-of-this,
commissions-for-that and advisory panels for the offbeat or plain
weird.

The governor’s commission on Armenian affairs. The advisory board on
athletic training. The aquaculture advisory board.

Then there are the potato boards. Yes, boards. There is one for Irish
potatoes and another for seed potatoes.

Many of these boards have been around for decades, about 325 of them
packed with roughly 4,000 political appointees.

They are a fine way to placate special interest groups with a show of
appearing to be doing something on an issue.

They are also a way for governors to reward supporters with a snazzy
appointment to an impressive-sounding state board, said Larry Sabato,
a veteran University of Virginia political scientist. You get your
name on an official appointment letter, embossed with the state seal
and signed by the governor – quite suitable for framing.

“These things are hanging on thousands of walls in Virginia,” Sabato
said. “Collectively, they are the prime way for governors to reward
the faithful.”

The boards are inexpensive, mostly innocuous and all-but
indestructible.

“The closest thing to eternity on Earth is a government board or
commission,” said Sabato. “You can’t abolish these things. You could
be accused of not caring. It’s more trouble than it’s worth to get
rid of these things.”

Appointees are unpaid, but the boards do cost a bit of money. Some
appointees get $50 per diems and are reimbursed for mileage and
board-related expenses.

The annual cost to the state couldn’t be determined. But in an annual
state budget of $30 billion the expenditures are peanuts, for which
there is, naturally, a state board.

Some boards do important work for various state departments in the
fields of higher education, health, agriculture, land conservation or
economic development.

Some seem to be redundant, such as the three boards that handle
various aspects of the nursing profession, despite the existence of a
state board of nursing and a board of medicine.

The Virginia Marine Products Board, the Virginia Marine Resources
Commission (not to be confused with the Virginia Resources Authority)
and the Aquaculture Advisory Board handle marine-related issues,
separate outfits that fall under the purview of different state
departments.

The first markets marine products. The second regulates ocean and bay
fishing, crabbing, clamming and the like. The third advises on
regulating farm-raised fish, clams and crabs.

“There’s no question there’s room for consolidation,” said Stephen
Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary
Washington. “Some boards are very important. They can serve a vitally
important role. Some don’t. This sounds like a good thing for a
lieutenant governor to sit down with legislative leaders in an
off-session year and figure this out.”

Some may have had a point when they started but no longer have a
discernable purpose.

The state’s advisory board on athletic training was created in 2000
under the board of medicine in the department of health professions
to help figure out the best way to license athletic trainers, said
board member Renee Cork of Williamsburg. Once that was done, the
board was kept alive to review the cases of anyone caught without a
license.

It’s never had a case, she added.

The state has a board for pretty much every major cash crop grown in
the state – corn, cotton, grains. Agriculture interests fund those
and other agriculture boards such as the cattle board, the sheep
board and the egg board.

The state has two boards for potatoes. It used to have a third potato
board, for sweet potatoes. It was disbanded in 2002 after bureaucrats
realized that few, if any, sweet potatoes are grown in Virginia
anymore.

It used to be worse.

In 2002, the state purged 67 boards determined to be unnecessary.
Some had seen their funding cut off by the General Assembly over the
years, such as the Southside Virginia Business and Education
Commission.

Some boards, such as the charity food assistance advisory board, had
never met but remained on the books.

Many obscure boards remain.

The United Nations Day in Virginia board continues to exist. So does
the plant pollination advisory board.

The governor has advisory boards on Armenian affairs, Latino
relations, and Asian relations.

The Virginia-Israel advisory board helps the state department of
economic partnership attract business from Israel. Set up three
governors ago, the board has 29 members, and “they help
tremendously,” said director Ralph Robbins.

Perhaps the strangest is the state board of regents for Gunston Hall,
a plantation originally owned by George Mason, the colonialist known
as the father of the Bill of Rights.

It is now a museum, deeded over to the state in the 1950s with the
provision it be administered by a private foundation.

The foundation picks the 48 members of the hall’s board of regents,
whose appointments are rubber-stamped by the governor of the state
that owns the place but has no other say in how it is run.

All of the board members are women, from across the country. They all
are descendents of colonists who contributed in some way to the
country’s creation. Many have five or six names each, clearly women
of pedigree.

“They are inarguably blue-bloods,” said Susan Blankenship,
spokeswoman for Gunston Hall.

They probably wouldn’t fit in on the state soybean board. Of course
there is one.

Racing Post
July 6, 2005, Wednesday

TENNIS: VETERAN SARGSIAN LIVING ON BORROWED TIME IN GSTAAD

by PAUL KEALY

Sargis Sargsian Lucky wnnner

IT looks like a day for favourite backers in Sweden and Switzerland
with most of the secondround matches featuring hotpots that are hard
to oppose, writes Paul Kealy. Some may be tempted to get with
rapidly-improving youngster Gael Monfils against Tommy Robredo in
Bastad following his straight-sets demolition of Jonas Bjorkman
yesterday, but today’s challenge represents a much stiffer task.

Bjorkman has always been at home on faster courts, while Robredo is
one of the world’s finest clay-court exponents, as he showed when
making the French Open quarter-finals in May.

The Spaniard also hammered Monfils on a hard court earlier this year
and it may be too much of an ask for the teenager to turn the form
around at this early stage of his career.

Those who like short-priced accumulators have a choice of plenty,
with Rafael Nadal, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Moya and Gaston Gaudio
all looking nailed-on against inferior opposition.

Those who like a bit more meat on their prices should consider
little-known Razvan Sabau at 8-13 with Stan James to beat Sargis
Sargsian in Gstaad.

The Romanian can hardly be called an improver at the age of 27, but
he has won a couple of clay-court Challenger events this year, but he
has beaten Sargsian once before and is almost certainly playing him
at the right time.

The veteran Armenian had won just two main-tour matches this season
before this week and though he took his tally to three yesterday, he
was mighty fortunate. Opponent Nikolay Daveydenko, who pulled out
with a wrist injury at Wimbledon, did so again having won the first
set 6-1.

Recommendation R Sabau 3pts 8-13 (Stan James)

A1plus

| 19:37:31 | 01-07-2005 | Official |

USA CELEBRATES THE INDEPENDENCE DAY

On July 1 the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan will hold a reception to celebrate the
229th anniversary of the Independence Day of the United States of America.
U.S. Ambassador John Evans will welcome guests to the celebration, during
which Americans and Armenians will jointly celebrate the independence of the
United States.

United States Independence Day honors the day in 1776 when the Declaration
of Independence was signed by the Founding Fathers. The principles found in
this document have brought change to countries around the world and have
continued to be influential through the centuries to our own day.