Author: Tavakalian Edgar

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version: nian.htm

THE PARTICIPATION OF THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA IN AN
INTERRELIGIOUS CONSULTATION ORGANIZED BY THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS OF AUSTRIA

At the invitation of Dr Ursula Plassnik, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Austria, 20 Christian and Muslim women from Europe, the Middle East, the
Gulf Region and North Africa met at a three-day workshop, from 23 through 25
June in Vienna in order to share their perspectives on interreligious and
intercultural dialogue. The meeting gave visibility to women’s scholarship
on the topic, and the participants proposed recommendations for future
action to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The women, all of whom represent
different academic disciplines in the social sciences, are experts on
dialogue. Many of them are expatriates and as such were able to serve as
bridges between two cultures.

The Ministry, in partnership with the Europe Desk of the Arab League, will
host an International Interreligious and Intercultural Conference on Europe
and the Middle East in Autumn 2008; the conference will include women’s
perspectives in the plan of action.

Mrs. Teny Pirri-Simonian, the Vice President of the Ecumenical Committee of
the Catholicosate of Cilicia, and Director of the European Project for
Interreligious Learning (EPIL), was invited as an expert who bridges the
Middle East and Europe. EPIL was born in the World Council of Churches while
His Holiness Aram I was the Moderator. The organization held one of its
general meetings in Antelias in 2004.

At the end of the workshop, Mrs. Pirri-Simonian met with the Chief
Representative of the Ministry who informed her of their work with women on
the Armenian Question, and expressed the wish to pursue the matter within
the larger framework of the forthcoming process.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

DAVIT HARUTIUNIAN ADVISES CITY HALL TO READ PACE RECOMMENDATION CAREFULLY

A1+
02 July, 2008

"Resolution 1620 does not replace Resolution 1609, and both remain
in effect," Head of the Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe, Davit Harutiunian, told a press
conference on July 2.

He says that in September the PACE monitoring commission will listen to
the human rights defender’s report on the ad hoc committee to inquire
into the March 1 occurrences, political persecutions and release of
the political prisoners.

"Depending on the defender’s report the monitoring commission will
likely make a corresponding decision during a September 11 session,"
said Mr. Harutiunian and added: "Although Resolution 1620 gives time
to Armenia to implement Res. 1609 by January, it does not mean that
January is the deadline for meeting all the demands.

One of the notable demands of PACE Res. 1620 is to refrain from undue
constraints on rallies and their venues. In this connection, A1+
asked Davit Harutiunian to comment on the City Hall’s decision not to
authorise opposition rallies in the city centre. "I think we must pay
more attention to PACE recommendations. I advise that the authorities,
including the City Hall, read the PACE resolution carefully as it
provides a distinct explanation regarding the recommendation not to
bar rallies," he said.

In answer to the question if the procuracy is ready to meet the demands
of the PACE resolution, i.e. to release the political prisoners and
stop political persecution under Articles 225 and 300, the head of
the Armenian delegation to the PACE said "he cannot answer for the
procuracy." He added, however, that the PACE resolution is binding
not only for the parliament but also for the government.

THE RIGHT: WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE
Michael Isikoff

Newsweek
Oct 17, 2005 Issue

The cheerleaders for Bush’s judicial pick found little to cheer.

After Sandra Day O’Connor resigned from the Supreme Court in July,
the White House reached out to an informal network of conservative
lawyers and academics to help build support for the next nominee. The
group of about three dozen worked smoothly during the confirmation
battle over John Roberts, plotting strategy in conference calls with
administration officials and penning newspaper op-eds. But last
week members of the "brain trust," as one called it, rebelled. In
a string of sometimes testy e-mail exchanges among themselves, the
lawyers agonized over the selection of White House counsel Harriet
Miers. They also debated vigorously whether they should go public
with their dismay, or simply say nothing.

"We are keeping quiet. And hiding from the media," wrote Abigail
Thernstrom, the Bush-designated vice chair of the U.S. Civil Rights
Commission and a prominent critic of affirmative-action policies, in
an e-mail copied to other members of the network. "As for undermining
trust in the president, I am afraid he has accomplished that all on
his own–without any help from us." (Asked for comment last week,
Thernstrom said she was upset that a "private e-mail exchange ends
up in the news media.")

The e-mails, copies of which were obtained by NEWSWEEK from one of
the participants, illustrate the depth of conservative angst over
the Miers selection. Many on the e-mail trail fretted about their own
"credibility" if they publicly took up the cause for Miers, who seemed
to lack the credentials they value. "It no longer matters whether she’s
the second coming of John Marshall; the cronyism charge has stuck,
bec. [ sic ] it’s so obviously true," wrote Michael Greve, a legal
scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute. Greve
wondered what was next. Would Bush, he asked, replace Fed chair
Alan Greenspan with "a young lady in the basement of the West Wing
who did a terrific job on the TX Railroad Commission [and was the]
first Armenian bond trader in Dallas…"

Others stuck by the president. George Terwilliger, a former top Justice
Department official who worked for the GOP on the 2000 Florida election
battle, said that "unless it does violence to one’s conscience, I
would respectfully suggest that we suck it up and show our support"
for the administration.

Even so, some of the most biting criticism came from prominent
Washington hands who have zealously defended Bush in the past–but who
have been conspicuously silent about Miers. One, Michael A. Carvin,
the lawyer who argued the president’s case in Bush v. Gore before
the Florida Supreme Court, was riled by a newspaper article about
Miers. The story reported that Miers had once been quoted saying she
wouldn’t belong to the Federalist Society, an influential conservative
legal group, because she viewed it as "’activist’ and ‘partisan’." In
an e-mail to the group, Carvin–who did not respond to repeated
calls for comment–wrote, "This is becoming more embarrassing as
every day passes."

COE TO APPLY SANCTIONS AGAINST AZERBAIJAN IF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS MARRED

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.06.2008 18:47 GMT+04:00

The Council of Europe calls on Baku to hold a democratic and fair
election.

The CoE watches the election campaign in Azerbaijan and threatens
to apply sanctions against the republic if the October presidential
election is marred, Bakililar.az reports.

ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
June 26, 2008
Contact: Nieri Avanessian
Tel: (202) 775- 1918
[email protected]

MICHIGAN ANC ACTIVIST DISCUSSES ARMENIAN AMERICAN CONCERNS WITH
REP. THADDEUS McCOTTER

WASHINGTON, DC – Three-term Michigan House Member Thaddeus McCotter
(R-MI-11) pledged his support for legislation concerning Turkey’s
15-year blockade of Armenia during a meeting this week with
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) activists.

The resolution, H.R. 6079, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA-
29), requires the State Department to submit a report outlining the
steps taken and plans made by the United States to end Turkey’s
blockade of Armenia.

During the thirty-minute meeting, Michigan resident Nieri
Avanessian, ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian, and
activist Zori Eurdekian thanked Rep. McCotter for his support of
Armenian American concerns and especially his cosponsorship of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res. 106). The meeting also
provided an opportunity to discuss other issues of interest,
including continued US aid to Armenia, reducing military assistance
to Azerbaijan, and self-determination for the people of Nagorno
Karabagh.

Avanessian, who lives in Rep. McCotter’s hometown of Livonia, drew
a personal tie with the Congressman on local issues. "Rep. McCotter
continues to be a vocal advocate of Armenian-American concerns. We
appreciate the strong example he sets for his Congressional
colleagues on issues of human rights," stated Avanessian.

A member of the Republican leadership and chairman of the
Republican House Policy Committee, Rep. McCotter has cosponsored a
number of resolutions of importance to the Armenian-American
community including H. Res. 3361, the South Caucasus Integration
and Open Railroads Act, and H. Res. 3127, the Darfur Peace and
Accountability Act. Over the years, Rep. McCotter has also
diligently participated in Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide
Observances.

Avanessian is in Washington, DC, participating in the ANCA Leo
Sarkisian Internship Program, an eight-week intensive program
designed to give student leaders and activists the tools necessary
to effectively advance Armenian American concerns on campus and in
their communities. It is an integral part of the ANCA Capital
Gateway program, a year-round internship / job placement service
which provides Armenian Americans greater opportunities to explore
careers on Capitol Hill, in the U.S. Foreign Service and key
Washington, DC foreign policy think tanks. To learn more about the
ANCA Capital Gateway Program, visit:
w.php

#####

Photo Caption: Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) with ANC Michigan
activist Nieri Avanessian.

NVALIDS WERE HANDED OVER DRIVING LICENCES
Zarine Mayilyan

Azat Artsakh Daily,
25 June 08
Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]

As we have informed, On May 7th, by corresponding program of the
government, formed on the basis of pre-election program of NKR
President Bako Sahakyan, keys of cars ruled by hand were delivered
to 8 invalids of the first group of Artsakh war.And on June 21st, in
traffic police 5 of 8 invalids were gathered with the workers of the
ministry of social maintenance.As the head of department of social
assistance of NKR Ministry of Social Maintenanec Samvel Israelyan
noted, the invalids, for driving the cars, had got corresponding
driving licences, which would give them right to run free by means
of transport. The licences take a character of having right to rule
by hand.And why only 5 of 8 invalids appeared in traffic police,
S.Israelyan explained: other 3 invalids haven’t had abilities of
driving cars yet, but they have already taken account in carschool.

The Union of Artsakh azatamartiks also give a present to the invalids,
giving them a certain amount of fuel.The owners of cars expressed
their appreciation to the authorities of the country, all benefactors.

By the information of S.Israelyan, the program will take a continuous
turn, which is foreseen to realize either by state means or by
benefactors’ assistance.In future again a group of invalids will
be awarded.And the main aim of the program is social integration
of invalids.

RISON MANAGEMENT’S PROBLEMS ARE IN DISCUSSION

Panorama.am
24/06/2008

Today 3-day experimental seminar started organized by the ministry
of Justice and EC.

According to Gevorg Danielyan, the minister of Justice, this
arrangements will allow the experts, who has long-term experience in
our country`s criminal executive system, to approach and understand
present problems more exactly and objectively. A particular problem
was people’s healthcare in the criminal executive establishments and
the European experts introduced the standards of EC.

Emphasizing prison management and the modernity of the problem of
the prisoner`s med help the minister informed the participants that
before the seminar he had talked with the European experts and said
that there was a need to go the works over again. Gevorg Danielyan
said:’ When we speak about med help and med service in criminal
executive establishments, it is not only medical problem and isn`t
limited with certain process of legal regulation, it is rather deep
problem and supposes the review of the worldview.

The minister brought an example that if in criminal executive
establishments one went on hunger-strike there used to be unequivocal
approach as it was considered regime was broken and the one was placed
under the liability now another approach is adopted.

‘Not encouraging this phenomenon, nevertheless we don`t find it a
reason to place the people under the liability. Those people should
be placed under it who organize and kindle hunger-strike, which is
the result of the people`s poor health’. -informed the minister.

Julieta Kassa, the manager of the department of the developing human
rights, had a report during the seminar who returned the results of the
work done in Armenia in 2005-2006 and notified that many arrangements
have been organized during this period in order to solve problems in
the criminal executive system.

During the next 2 days of the seminar besides these problems, other
ones like prisoners` distribution and disposition, the legal aid for
them, the connection with the external world, the planning of their
verdicts, as well as problems connected with juvenile offenders will
be discussed especially the problems of the assistant of the prisoners
after imprisonment.

Experts of EC, representatives of the ministry of defense as well
as representatives of the criminal executive administration, general
prosecutor`s office, police and judicial departments.

FRENCH IN NEW AND MODERN PEDAGOGICAL METHODS

Panorama.am
16:30 24/06/2008

Today about 180 teaches and lecturers of Armenian all schools,
universities and other educational institutions took part in four-day
seminar headed under the title ‘Teach French as a Foreign Language.

Variety of Approaches and Harmony.’ This annual seminar of teaching
French is the sixth one. This year the lecturers of the seminar are
3 high-quality specialists arrived from the best educational centre
in France.

The arrangement has been held with the joint efforts of the Armenian
organization "Alias Frances", Armenian association of French teachers,
French embassy in Armenia and the ministry of education and science.

Suzan Gharamyan, the head of the Armenian organization ‘Alias Frances’
and the Armenian association of French teachers, notified that the
aim of the seminar is to raise the teacher`s professional quality to a
higher level and to attach importance to the role of French in Armenia.

Serj Smesov, the ambassador of French in Armenia, said that this
6-year-organized seminar was an important mission in order French
lecturers and teachers could teach with new and modern pedagogical
methods.

KHAZAR IBRAHIM: "RUSSIA SHOULD STATE TO ARMENIA THAT AGGRESSIVE POLICY IS UNACCEPTABLE"

Azeri Press Agency
June 23 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku. Lachin Sultanova-APA. "Everybody knows that there is close
military cooperation between Russia and Armenia. The main factor
is that whether aggressor is supported or not", Khazar Ibrahim,
Spokesman for Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, APA reports.

Asked whether Armenian President and Defense Minister’s visits to
Russia are of supporting character of Moscow to aggressive country
or not, he answered:

"We have stated to Russia many times that they should take into account
their commitments in their policy. This is duty of Russia to mediate in
the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict as one of the co-chairs of
OSCE MG. Moscow should take this factor into account in the relations
with Yerevan and state to Armenia that its aggressive policy is
unacceptable and call the country for constructive dialogue", he said.

InTheNews.co.uk, UK
June 20 2008

David Nalbandian

Thursday, 19 Jun 2008 00:04

David Nalbandian: Argentinean unlikely to improve on 2002 final
appearance Printer friendly version Date of birth: 01/01/1982 (Age
26).

Nationality: Argentinean
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 175lbs
Plays: Right-handed
Turned professional: 2000
Current ATP singles ranking: 7
Best Wimbledon performance: Finalist – 2002
Grass court pedigree

Nalbandian seemingly came out of nowhere to reach the Wimbledon final
against Hewitt in 2002 – it was his first professional tournament on
grass.

Since then he has established his credentials on the surface further
with steady runs at the tournament, including a quarter finals
performance in 2005.

Following time out last year nursing injuries, the baseliner returned
to the surface at Queen’s earlier this month, reaching the semi-finals
before a straight sets thrashing from Novak Djokovic.

Wimbledon seeding: 7th

Chances of SW19 success

While Nalbandian at his best is capable of beating anyone on the
circuit, 2008 has thrown up some questionable performances from him.

Not least was his 6-1, 6-0 Queen’s exit in a humiliating 47 minutes
and he also recently lost in the second round of Roland Garros to a
little-known French player.

That said; he’s one of the most experienced players in the
Championship with a great grass court pedigree.

Prediction: Semi-finalist

Nalbandian will be desperate to go one better than his 2002 Wimbledon
highlight and finally get his hands on the trophy this year.

Flashes of genius should see him through to the latter stages of the
tournament but without the consistency of Roger Federer and Djokovic,
it’s unlikely he’ll make the final two.

Sarah Henshaw

sport/features/wimbledon-profile-men/david-nalband ian-$1228103.htm