Author: Torgomian Varazdat

WATCHMAN OF FOOTBALL FEDERATION BUILDING ASSAULTED

Noyan Tapan
March 28, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 28, NOYAN TAPAN. At 2 am on March 27, two masked men
entered the sentry-post of the RA football federation’s administrative
building.

Making threats against the watchman Suren S, 63, they demanded the keys
of the offices of the federation president and the accountant. When
the watchman refused to do so, they beat him and tied his hands and
feet with sticky tape. According to a press release of the RA police,
then the men opened the door of the safe in the accounting office by
means of some tools and stole the money kept in the safe.

An investigation is underway.

ARMEN MARTIROSIAN TO GIVE LECTURE ON GENOCIDE IN TUFTS UNIVERSITY

Noyan Tapan
March 27, 2008

WASHINGTON, MARCH 27, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. Ambassador
Armen Martirosian, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of
Armenia in the United States of America, will give a lecture in the
Tufts University of Medford on April 8. The subject of the lecture is
"The Armenian Genocide: Remembering a past, building a future."

CONSULTS THE LAW ENFORCERS

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
March 26, 2008

The former employees of Armenian Foreign Ministry breached RA Law on
"Diplomatic Service". Foreign Minster Vardan Oskanyan signed the
decree on their dismissal, after consulting the law enforcers.

Acting Head of the Department of Press and Information of RA Foreign
Ministry Tigran Balayan reported, commenting on the fact of the
dispute regarding the legitimacy of the decree on the dismissal of
the former employees of RA Foreign Ministry.

We must remind you that the former four employees of RA Foreign
Ministry have filed an appeal against their dismissal. Vladimir
Karapetyan, Marta Ayvazyan, Karine Afrikyan, and Arakel Semirjyan
filed a case to the Administrative Court against the Foreign Ministry.

T. Balayan said they have joined the political agreement, something
that contradicts the legislation. T. Balayan also underscored that,
as a respondent, RA Foreign Ministry hasn’t received any note from
the Administrative Court.

ISRAELI KNESSET TO DEBATE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.03.2008 13:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On March 26, 2008, Israel’s Knesset arrived at a
decision to discuss the Armenian Genocide issue. As reported by Hay
Dat Jerusalem office, the issue is likely to be considered by the
parliamentary committee on education.

On March 14, 2007, the initiative was taken by member of Knesset
Haim Auron, the brother of Jerusalem University professor Yair Auron
specializing in the Armenian Genocide issue. The motion was supported
by 11 deputies.

Minister of Agriculture Shalom Simhon also voted in favor although he
used the term ‘tragedy’ but not ‘genocide’. "We all know history and
the issue should be put on agenda," he said, reminding that Israel
proposed mediation between Armenia and Turkey.

"Dialogue should be launched," the Minister said.

Representatives of Hay Dat Jerusalem office, who attended the Knesset’s
session, thanked Mr Haim Auron for submission of the draft.

NEW AMBASSADOR OF VIETNAM HANDS HIS CREDENTIALS TO RA PRESIDENT

Noyan Tapan
March 25, 2008

YEREVAN, MARCH 25, NOYAN TAPAN. On March 25, Bui Dinh Dinh, the
newly appointed Ambassador of Vietnam to Armenia (residence Moscow),
handed his credentials to RA President Robert Kocharian. As Noyan
Tapan was informed by the RA President’s Press Office, congratulating
the Ambassador on the occasion of assuming his post, R. Kocharian
mentioned the traditional warm contacts and attitude between the
Armenian and Vietnam peoples.

Emphasizing the high level of political relations between the two
peoples, the efficient cooperation formed within the framework
of international organizations, the sides attached importance to
development of economic contacts expressing readiness to undertake
concrete steps in that direction.

They considered important organization of mutual visits, activization
of business contacts, exchange of many-sided information, which will
permit to clarify possible spheres for cooperation.

SARGSYAN: ARMENIA TO DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA IN ALL FIELDS

PanARMENIAN.Net
24.03.2008 14:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President-elect Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia and Dmitry
Medvedev of Russia met in Kremlin Monday.

Welcoming the guest, Mr Medvedev said, "This visit testifies the high
level of the Russian-Armenian ties.

I hope for further development of our relations."

"Armenia is willing to develop relations with Russia in all fields
on the basis of existing agreements," the RA President-elect remarked.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his First Deputy Andrey
Denivos also attended the meeting, NEWSru.com reports.

HURRICANE BLUSTERED

DeFacto Agency
March 24 2008
Armenia

YEREVAN, 24.03.08. DE FACTO. Strong hurricane that swept past
Nagorno-Karabakh completely deprived the Republic’s citizens of
electro supply. The Hadrut, Martakert regions and the capital city
of the Republic – Stepanakert – remained without electricity.

The hurricane has caused appreciable damage to the Republic. Trees
have been torn up by their root; many houses’ roofs have been blown
off. Fortunately, there have been no victims.

March 22 the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakian called
an urgent meeting with the participation of the government’s members,
the representatives of the Department for emergency situations,
law-enforcement organs, Defense Ministry and the Stepanakert Mayor. A
decision to establish Operative headquarters for the elimination of
the hurricane’s consequences was made in the course of the meeting.

The NKR PM Ara Harutyunian was appointed the headquarters’ chair.

At the meeting the NKR President was also informed of the situation
in each region of the Republic, pursuant to which he gave instructions
to structures and set tasks.

According to the Central Department of Information under the NKR
President, the situation in the Republic is completely under control.

The measures, which will enable to turn life to normal channel,
have been elaborated.

The NKR President also gave instruction to coordinate the actions of
appropriate structures to eliminate the natural calamity’s consequences
in the shortest possible time.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
March 23, 2008

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II
SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS
ON THE FEAST OF THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION
OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, 23 March 2008

In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Christ is risen from the dead.  He defeated death with death, and through
His resurrection, He granted us life.
    Armenian Breviary (Book of Hours)

Dear Faithful Sons and Daughters in Armenia and the Diaspora,
We greet you all with a joyful heart and the tiding of the glorious
resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We lived the prayerful and solemn days of Great Lent with the Almighty; we
lived with our petitions, appeals and the emotions of our souls, as well as
with the crisis and pain which resulted from the tragic events of March 1. 
And through the sacred mystery of Holy Week, we communed with our Lord’s
acts of salvation during His final days on earth.

When the Teacher was crucified, His disciples and followers had dispersed in
uncertainty and grief.  Some had disowned Him and were suffering with
feelings of guilt.  Others had tied great hopes of power and glory to Him
and were now experiencing the pain of hopelessness.  But the Risen Christ
appeared to them and dispelled their sorrow and doubt, reestablished them in
true faith and hope, and confirmed them in their mission to proclaim to the
world the grace of salvation, to preach the teachings of God’s love and
peace, and the Gospel of the heavenly kingdom.

Today, our Lord no longer stands defenseless before Pontus Pilate.  He is no
longer the accused – abandoned and rejected by men.  Neither is He the One
tortured, harassed and condemned to ascend Golgotha with the cross on His
shoulders.  He is not the One buried in the tomb; rather He is the Risen –
the Lord of creation and the triumphant Savior of mankind.

`O death, where is thy sting?  O grave, where is thy victory?’ (I
Corinthians 15:55)

Death is no longer despair, no longer is it the end of life or existence. 
The tomb is no longer the end.  The `end’ was destroyed through the
Resurrection of Christ, and on the other side of the grave, we see the path
toward eternity.  Our savior, addressing His and our Father, says `And this
is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus
Christ, whom thou hast sent.’ (St. John 17:3)

The path to eternal life in this world is the new, resurrected life through
Christ Jesus, which He bequeaths to man by His divine power.  The renewed
life of the reborn soul is free of the power of evil.  Our Lord defeated
evil, destroyed death and granted humanity the grace to be reborn, to become
sons and daughters of God.

God has created the world in which we live.  Everything is the work of His
hand.  Whatever we have belongs to Him.  But in this world, since the time
of Adam, either willingly or unwillingly, man frequently becomes a tool in
the hands of evil, destroys God’s handiwork and darkens the joy of a
creative life.  In our present day, evil, lack of faith, materialism,
falsehood, hatred, and lust for power plant seeds of death and prepare large
and small graves in the life of mankind.  Today as well, we must regrettably
accept that life is not valued to the extent and manner equal to the call of
the Lord and His Saving Will.  In his quest for peace and justice, man opens
doors to conflicts and sows injustice, since it is not the peace and justice
granted by the Lord that he seeks; rather individual security and personal
interest in the name of those virtues.  Truly, actions opposed to the Will
of God are ruinous.  Christ gave His life for mankind to save us from
destruction, and called us to live with faith, hope and love.  It is with
these values that the spiritual renaissance and moral development of
humanity become a reality.  It is with these true values that the progress
of societal life occurs, that rights are respected and laws actually work,
for the welfare of mankind.

Dear Armenian sons and daughters dispersed throughout the world,
Throughout our history, we have frequently been enveloped by the shadow of
death, we have been wounded deeply and we have lived in times of darkness;
but with a gaze thirsting for light, we have sought the heavenly break of
day.  We have measured the depth of suffering and pain, and have emerged
time and again by soaring high with heroic flight.  Today as well, we find
ourselves in trying times.  The peaceful life of our homeland is troubled
and the stability of our state is threatened; the reputation of our country
and the good name of our people have certainly been damaged – our greatest
achievements are endangered.  Intolerance, hatred and confrontation are not
ways to eliminate the negative realities from our lives or to determine
solutions to problems challenging our nation.  These result in new wounds
and new difficulties increasing the threats to our lives.  We must exercise
care, so that every word and deed that is borne of evil and reeks of
falsehood is rejected.  We are obligated to be vigilant so that true
brotherly love, a sense of justice and respect of the law, confidence,
faith, and a spirit of reconciliation and peace smoothes the path of our
lives.  Let us spare nothing in our efforts to strengthen our statehood and
the uninterrupted progress of our country, so that we overcome the
difficulties afflicting our lives, and our homeland soars with strength – a
homeland which is the hope for our united life and our endurance.

Our exhortation to you all – ranks of clergy and laity – is to make
goodness, love and benevolence abundant in your lives through the
resurrection faith in our Savior Jesus Christ.  Heal all wounded hearts. 
Cast out all evil from our hearts, our souls and the borders of our
homeland.  Be one flock with one shepherd.  Under the protection of the Holy
Right Hand of our Father in heaven, with the Holy Sign of the Cross of our
Risen Savior, and guided by the grace of the Holy Spirit, let us create the
future of our dreams – a strong, unshakeable Armenian state and a patriotic,
happy Armenian people devoted to God.  By caring for our homeland and
people, we shall store treasures and store them abundantly for the eternal
life proclaimed to us by the feast of the Holy Resurrection.

`As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. 
Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been
taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.’  (Colossians 2:6-7)

With the tiding of the glorious resurrection of our Lord, from the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Illuminator’s holy throne, we extend
greetings with fraternal love in Christ to the incumbents of the hierarchal
sees of our Holy Apostolic Church:  His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia; His Beatitude Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch
of Jerusalem; His Beatitude Mesrob Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of
Constantinople; and all graceful heads of Sister Churches.  We convey our
pontifical love and blessings to all diligent servants of our Holy Church
and our faithful sons and daughters dispersed throughout the world.

We greet and bless the president of the Republic of Armenia, Robert
Kocharian; president-elect and prime minister of Armenia Serzh Sargsian;
president of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh Bako Sahakian, all Armenian
state officials and leaders and representatives of diplomatic missions
accredited to Armenia.

We pray for heavenly peace to be established in our homeland, throughout the
world and within the souls of all men.

May the giver and guide of life – our Lord Jesus Christ – bless our lives
and illuminate the path of the Armenian nation with the light of His
resurrection, and may grace, love, faith, hope and strength be with all our
people and the world entire.  Amen.

Christ is Risen from the dead.
Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ.

OUR PROBLEMS AND SUPREMACIES
Editorial

`HAYOTS ASHKHARH’
Published on March 22, 2008

There is a feeling that because of these endless elections and all the
developments deriving from them we have stopped to see the real
problems faced by the country.

All the candidates to president, observers, committees, demonstrations,
disorders, involved our society in a unique whirlpool, leaving no time
and strength for other problems. Of course another one or two months
and people will forget about all this, but we will lose the necessary
tempo and time for the solution of fatal issues.

The first and foremost problem for us is the weakening of our will,
loss of inexorability to continue the work we have already started.

It is high time to be in direct contact with our real problems,
especially those problems that hinder the development of the economy
and the country in general. We must raise the effectiveness of all the
branches of power.

Otherwise people can’t rely on neither the law nor the authorities and
justice. They will pin their hopes upon themselves, nothing more. In
this case why do they need the authorities?

The other problem that we face is the absence of the clear rules
accepted by everyone. The society can’t exist without these rules. And
the rules, in the condition of the state, are the law, the
constitutional law and order, the security of the family, and the
citizen, and the trust towards the steadiness of established rules.

The state must start from itself, not only to set up equal rules but
also follow these rules.

We have forgotten that the court issues a verdict on behalf of the
state and must correspond to that great honor. The Police and the
Prosecutor’s must serve the law and not separate people, they shouldn’t
use their power in their own interests.

Rules are necessary and important for each of us, the authorities, the
entrepreneurs, and especially those who need social protection. Is it
possible to help the weak layer of society if the taxes are not being
paid? Is it possible to build a civilized market in the conditions of
corruption? Economic progress is impossible if the official depends on
the capital.

It is characteristic of a strong state to live according to the law.
And these states can guarantee freedom for entrepreneurs, personal and
social freedom.

For us fighting poverty, protection of the market from the officials
and foreign invasion must be supremacy.

Of course in this term state supervision is indispensable, but it is
not enough. Let’s see what’s going on: people don’t have trust in the
security of their personal business, because they can’t rely on the
strength of law and the honesty of the officials. This means they are
disapproved of the state service and consequently they evade taxes.
Moreover this way they will be fairly well off.

But the state is deprived of maintaining an impartial judicial system,
because they can’t give good salary to the officials and the latter
ones will certainly take bribe.

The essence of the state order is far not in suppressing the market or
extending the bureaucratic expansion. On the contrary they must help
people find a way out, they must provide honest competition rules for
the entrepreneurs.

They must provide equal rights for everyone; they mustn’t use the state
institutions for the interests of clan or certain groups. The pivotal
solution for the whole economic policy must be honest work rather than
stealing.

Of course we can continue to list the supremacies faced by our country,
but the before mentioned ones are enough to start solving them one
after another.

DUE TO DONATION ARMENIA FUND TO RENOVATE HAGHARTSIN MONASTERY COMPLEX

Noyan Tapan
March 21, 2008

Hayastan All Armenian Fund will completely renovate and Haghartsin
Monastery Complex due to the princely donation by His Highness
Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi. The letter is a member of the
United Arab Emirates Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. On March
17, an agreement specifying construction and renovation activities was
signed between the Armenia Fund and the H.H. the Sheikh. Construction
and renovation will begin in April 2008.