Author: Toneyan Mark

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WESTERN DIOCESE E-NEWSLETTER
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Bible Readings
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Is 13.1-11
9#Is%2013.1-11
9#2%20Cor 7.4-16
07-09-09#Mk%207.31-37
Diocesan News
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OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MANOOGIAN DEMIRJIAN DAY SCHOOL

On Wednesday, August 29th, 2007, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian
attended the official opening of the Manoogian Demirjian Day School
for the 2007-2008 Academic year.
( php?id=577)

ARMENIAN SOCIETY OF LOS ANGELES

On Wednesday, August 29th, 2007, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian
attended the groundbreaking of the Armenian Society of Los Angeles
Headquarters.
(http://www.armenianchurchwd .com/news/story.php?id=578)

FR. NORAYR KAZAZIAN VISITS THE WESTERN DIOCESE

We are happy to inform our faithful that the Very Rev. Fr. Norayr
Kazazian, a member of the St. James brotherhood of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem, is currently visiting the Western Diocese.
( ry.php?id=579)

OPENING OF THE DICKRANIAN DAY SCHOOL

On Wednesday, September 5th, 2007, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian
attended the opening of the Dickranian Day School.
( y.php?id=580)

PRIMATE AND CLERGY ATTEND MEETING WITH WORLD VISION LEADERS

On Wednesday, September 5th, 2007, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese, attended a meeting hosted by World
Vision International, Christian relief, development and advocacy
organization, to discuss joint service-oriented missions.
( ory.php?id=581)

PRIMATE ATTENDS OPENING OF HOVSEPIAN DAY SCHOOL

On Thursday, September 6th, 2007, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian
attended the opening of the Hovsepian Day School at St. Gregory the
Illuminator Armenian Church in Pasadena.
( ory.php?id=582)

PRIMATE ATTENDS DEDICATION OF ARDEMIS NAZARIAN PRE-KINDERGARTEN

On Thursday, September 6th, 2007, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian
attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Pre-Kindergarten at
the Manoogian Demirjian School.
( y.php?id=583)

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE HOSTS DINNER FOR PARISH PRIESTS AND COUNCILS

Diocese hosted a dinner for the Parish Priests and members of the
Parish Councils and auxiliaries of the Greater Los Angeles Area.
( php?id=584)

ST. GREGORY TO CONSECRATE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED CHURCH

It is with great joy that the Western Diocese announces to the
faithful that this weekend September 8th through September 9th, the
newly constructed church building at St. Gregory the Illuminator
Armenian Church of Pasadena will be consecrated.
( /story.php?id=585)

PRIMATE TO ATTEND TESTIMONIAL BANQUET FOR GEORGE MANDOSSIAN

( /story.php?id=586)

Upcoming Events
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9/15: Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles Celebrates the 80th Anniversary
of the Western Diocese
( detail.php?id=62) 9/16:
Verelk, A Cultural Eveing at the Alex Theater
( detail.php?id=63)

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Th e Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, providing
spiritual guidance and leadership to the Armenian Apostolic community,
is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization comprised of 47
churches in 16 western states. It was established in 1898 as the
Diocese of the Armenian Church encompassing the entire United States
and Canada. In 1927 the Western Diocese was formed to exclusivly serve
the western United States.

3325 North Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474 Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

"ARF DASHNAKTSUTIUN FACTION HAS SERIOUSLY PREPARED FOR AUTUMN SESSION OF PARLIAMENT," HEAD OF FACTION MAKES ASSERTIONS

Noyan Tapan
Sep 7, 2007

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The MPs, who are members of the
ARF Dashnaktsutiun faction, have seriously prepared for the autumn
session of the RA National Assembly by working out more than twenty
draft laws. This statement was made by Hrayr Karapetian, the head
of the ARF Dashnaktsutiun faction, at the press conference held on
September 7. He mentioned at the same time that the circumstance that
the ARF Dashnaktsutiun does not make part of the power coalition
but is an independent political force, has had an influence on the
legislative activities of the faction.

With the above-mentioned draft laws, according to Hrayr Karapetian,
the ARF Dashnaktsutiun suggests, in particular, making amendments in
the law on "Basket of Minimum Living Standards". as well as bringing
the shady economy into the tax field, which will allow to increase
salaries. In addition to this, the ARF Dashnaktsutiun offers to
eliminate the "air tax" notion and stop collecting a duty of 10
thousand drams from each of the passengers in the airport.

Referring to the legislative initiative of the Zharangutiun (Heritage)
faction about the recognition of the independence of the Republic
of Nagorno Karabakh by Armenia, Hrayr Karapetian mentioned that the
ARF Dashnaktsutiun rejects it. In his conviction, it is useless
to recognize the independence of Karabakh if, finally, it should
rejoin Armenia.

DASHNAKTSUTYUN WILL NOT SUPPORT BILL ON NKR RECOGNITION

NewsArmenia.ru
KarabakhOpen
07-09-200 7 14:37:31

The ARF Dashnaktsutyun will not support the bill on the recognition
of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic by Armenia, introduced by the opposition
Heritage faction, the secretary of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun’s faction
Artashes Shahbazyan stated to News Armenia.

"The bill was unexpected at the National Assembly, and the faction
will not support it," Shahbazyan said.

The member of parliament thinks the issues of pan-Armenian importance
should be agreed on and discussed beforehand. "If the bill is not
passed, it might be misinterpreted," Shahbazyan said.

He says Armenia recognizes de facto the independence of
Nagorno-Karabakh, and this bill might turn out to be a "backward move".

"Nagorno-Karabakh must be recognized at the right moment to have this
process become a political factor," the member of parliament said.

The head of the opposition Heritage faction, the ex-foreign minister
of Armenia Raffi Hovannisian introduced the bill on the recognition
of the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic to the National
Assembly of Armenia on August 28.

The party think after adoption and enactment Armenia would de jure
recognize the de facto sovereign state set up in 1991 in Stepanakert
in accordance with the international and Soviet law. The justification
of this bill holds that NKR complies with the international law on
sovereign states.

The Karabakh conflict occurred in 1988 when Nagorno-Karabakh with a
sheer Armenian population stated to secede from Azerbaijan.

On December 10, 1991 with only a few days to go before the collapse
of the Soviet Union a referendum was held in Nagorno-Karabakh observed
by international observers, and 99.89 percent of the population voted
for independence from Azerbaijan.

For its part, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale war against
Nagorno-Karabakh. The military actions were stopped on May 12, 1994
after the signing of a cease-fire agreement which is observed till now.

In 1992 talks for a peace settlement were launched, mediated by the
OSCE Minsk Group co-chaired by the United States, Russia and France.

ARMENIAN PUBLIC TELEVISION AND RADIO COMPANY TO SHOOT A NEW FEATURE FILM

armradio.am
05.09.2007 17:55

The Public Television and Radio Company of Armenia intends to shoot
a new full-length feature named Sardarapat, the Chairman of Council
of Public Television and Radio Company Alexan Harutyunyan said at
today’s parliamentary hearings.

In response to ArmInfo correspondent’s question, the film will be
shot jointly with one of the well known Russian producing companies,
the name of which he didn’t specify, since the contract has not been
officially signed.

He noted that the Armenian side will cover only 20% of the cost,
the rest will be provided by the Russian side. Well known Armenian
and Russian actors will star the film.

Haigazian University
From: Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Beirut , Lebanon
Tel: 961-1-349230/1

The Launching of the 27th Volume of the Haigazian Armenological Review
in Artsakh

Unlike the previous four times when the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 26th
volumes of the Haigazian Armenological Review were launched in Yerevan,
the 27th volume was launched in Stepanakert, Artsakh in August 31.

Under the auspices of the Minister of Culture and Education of Artsakh,
Kamo Atayan, the ceremony was held in the Armenological Center of the
State University of Artsakh (SAU).

After the welcoming words of the Head of the Armenological Department,
Vahram Balayan, the Rector of the University Hamlet Grigorian addressed
the audience of over 40 scholars and men of culture. The Head of the
Artsakh Writers and the Director of Narekatsi University Vartan Hakobian
welcomed the audience and passed the microphone to the Head of the
Departmemt of Literature in SAU, Sograd Khanian who briefed the public
on the articles of the volume and highlighted some of them.

HAR Editorial Board Member Armen Urneshlian urged the scholars to
contribute to the HAR, with original scholarly research papers. He
stressed that the Editorial Board has the objective of digging out and
encouraging young scholars who would work and research in the field of
Armenology. Mr. Urneshlian noted that, unlike others the Board defines
the discipline in a broader perspective in contrast to the traditional
view which locates it in the sphere of classical philology. He explained
this act as aiming at updating Armenology to a more contemporary status.
He added that the aim of launching the volume in Artsakh was to
incorporate Artsakh to the already established Armenia-Diaspora
scholarly cooperation channel and to set up a new bridge that would
create a triangular highway between the three Armenian spaces. Because,
he said, "In his firm belief in teamwork, HAR aims at bridging the
scholars of Armenia and the Diaspora".

Artsvi Bahchinian, the HAR representative in Armenia called on the
scholars to contact him and contribute to the HAR, which some, in fact,
did.

Eventually souvenirs were handed to the Minster of Culture, and to Mr.
Grigorian and Hakobian.

The function was concluded with a reception.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION GROWS BY 1.3% IN ARMENIA IN JANUARY-JULY 2007 ON SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Sep 4, 2007

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. Industrial production of 388
bln 117 mln drams (over 1 bln 96.1 mln USD) was made in Armenia in
Jnauary-July 2007.

Production of 393 bln 985.8 mln drams was sold, including production
of 44 bln 156.8 mln drams in CIS countries, that of 98 bln 717.6 mln
drams – in other countries.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, the index of
industrial production made 101.3% in the first seven months of 2007
as compared with January-July of last year, the same index without
production and distribution of electricity, gas and water made 100.2%,
without diamond production – 108.7%.

Zaman
September 5, 2007
YAVUZ BAYDAR

For Turkey, ’embracing’ a small neighbor should not be so difficult

Time is running out for shaping a new strategy in Ankara over what
increasingly more countries now regard and officially recognize as
"the genocide" of Ottoman Armenians during World War I.

The resolution in the US Congress hangs in the balance, backed by a
majority of members. As well, the sharp turn of the Anti-Defamation
League (ADL) is perhaps very timely for many of the genocide
recognition supporters and could be a turning point for the issue.

It should also come as a wake-up call for Turkish diplomacy. It seems
more than obvious that a new approach, new parameters and new strategy
are needed. One might claim that all of this is long overdue. For the
past decade, pressure has slowly been building up over the matter;
however, rather than agreeing with what by any international standards
constitutes the definition of "genocide," one parliament after another
has approved recognizing the fate of the Ottoman Armenians as such.

The flow of events in the direction of Armenian genocide recognition
now appears unstoppable. When, rather than if, the US Congress passes
the resolution, a wall will be torn down, opening the floodgates for
other countries that synchronize their actions with the US to swiftly
join in. A fair prediction is that by the year 2015, the 100th
anniversary of the killings in Asia Minor, a large majority of the
world’s nations will be in line with the recognition. In other words,
the scene will be Turkey versus the rest of the world.

"So what?" is the response by a few in positions of power when
confronted by this potential scenario. This answer is based on the
assumption that Turkey can withstand any criticism from the rest of
the world as long as it maintains a strong economy. However, there is
another crucial consideration missing in that stance — it will be
morally unsustainable. As long as you keep silent on, or even worse,
in total denial of, the tragedy, crucial supporters that are were in
favor of Turkey will continue to turn against it. The more obstinate
Ankara is in being "aggressively in denial" with "Armenians killed
Turks" or "Armenians started it all" type discourse, the more insulted
the world will feel.

What is needed is a new way of thinking. First of all, it is necessary
to be fully aware that the year 2015 (potentially the year Turkey will
be granted EU membership) will be the year of reckoning. From that
point on, the new administration in Ankara, who will certainly be a
fresh combination of a dynamic president and a prime minister with
strong aspirations to "clear the way" for a strong and reliable Turkey
for the West, should provide a detailed road map for dealing with the
issue.

Given that viewpoint, there seems to be only one way forward —
leaving aside all diplomatic hangups, starting a full dialogue with
Yerevan and opening the borders.

Will that be easy? Of course not. But keep in mind that President
Abdullah Gül was trying all possible ways to avoid the issue and
exercised great care in dealing with Yerevan directly. Although he has
met fierce resistance from some senior Foreign Ministry bureaucrats
and the National Security Council, both he and Erdoðan know that the
only way out is to begin talks with their eastern neighbor. When this
is done, most of the pressure from abroad will dissipate.

Yerevan is also in great need of opening the channels of communication
with Ankara; it is squeezed between Russia and Iran and with both a
strained balancing act is apparent. It certainly understands the
rationale behind having normalized relations with Turkey. For Ankara,
the dialogue also will serve as an efficient means to normalize its
strained relations with the US.

Both Gül and Vartan Oskanyan as foreign ministers tried hard to find
ways to open the border. There was a draft plan which provided several
options including: opening the border post only for limited hours,
opening it only to non-Turks and non-Armenians, opening only for the
transit of goods, etc. The interests of both sides have now been well
defined and should be brought to the table when talks begin.

It is a crucial moment for Turkey, and for Gül and Erdoðan it requires
facing the issue head on. Luckily, for them, the main opposition in
Turkey, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), could be a positive
force in helping to develop a feasible solution.

Let each side keep in mind that not reaching a climax of "genocide
recognition" by 2015 in refusing to normalize relations with each
other will be harmful to both countries. Winners or losers — the
decision is in their hands.

05.09.2007
Columnists

Source: berno=121217

Azat Hayrenik Party will run in local elections

01-09-2007 11:22:28 – KarabakhOpen

The Azat Hayrenik Party will run in the local elections of October 14.
The chair of the party Arayik Harutiunyan said during the meeting of
the Central Council of the party the number of candidates and the
districts will become known. Besides, the party has still to make a
decision on nominating a candidate for mayor of Stepanakert. The leader
of the party denied news on nominating Valery Harutiunyan, member of
the Azat Hayrenik Party. `It is impossible,’ he said.

ITALIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS TO VISIT ARMENIA

Panorama.am
19:10 31/08/2007

Today Tigran Torosyan, president of the National Assembly, received
Italy’s ambassador to Armenia, Masimo Lavetso Kasineli. According to
the Assembly’s press service, they went over issues relating to the
upcoming visit to Armenia by a parliamentary commission concerned
with the relations between the two countries.

Torosyan, rating highly the ties between the countries’ parliaments,
and the importance of progress in their relations, said that they
are always happy to receive their Italian counterparts in Armenia,
yet that the month of September isn’t ideal to meet with Armenia’s
newly-elected parliamentarians, as the new parliamentary groups that
are to deal with international parliaments are still not formed.

Meeting times and conditions are currently being discussed.

HAYPOST LOST MORE THAN AMD 2 BILLION

Largir, Armenia
Aug 29 2007

HayPost lost more than AMD 2 billion in past years due to systemic
violation of vehicle fleet management procedures. Police will
investigate into potential fraud and embezzlement.

Based on the results of internal investigation into the management and
operations of the vehicle fleet department of HayPost, the company
revealed serious violations of working procedures by a large number
of employees and officials of HayPost supposedly involving fraud and
embezzlement, and inflicting significant losses on the company. This
concerns procurement and usage of petrol, usage of vehicles, and
repairs and maintenance of vehicles.

Apparently the system of fraud and mismanagement has been in place
for at least the last five years. The company applied to the law
enforcement authorities to investigate the matter and proceed
accordingly.

This is the result of the Dutch Trust Management and the subsequent
executive management changes of the company undertaken in July, 2007,
aimed at creating an image of impartial, transparent accountable and
reliable company.