Author: Torgomian Varazdat

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:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES SHEIKH KABALAN
His Holiness Aram I received a delegation headed by the Head of the Higher
Islamic Shiite Council (HISC) Sheikh Abdel Amir Kabalan in Antelias on June
29.
Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, member of the
National Council, Tsolag Tutelian, chairman of the Armenian Political
Council in Lebanon, Hagop Shamelian, representative of the Armenian
community in the Christian-Muslim Dialogue committee, Dr. Jean Salmanian and
chancellor of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, Khatchig Dedeyan.
The two spiritual leaders met for over an hour during which discussions
focused on the Middle East in general and the internal situation in Lebanon
in particular. Sheikh Kabalan talked with great respect about the Armenian
community of Lebanon as an organized and exemplary community. He emphasized
the important role of community leaders in strengthening the internal unity
of Lebanon, keeping the people above internal sensitivities and personal
interests and pursuing the collective and chief interests of Lebanon.
His Holiness Aram I recalled his first encounter with Imam Moussa Sader in
1970 when he was still a young priest attending a Christian-Muslim
international conference. His Holiness also recalled his warm cooperation
with Sheikh Shamseddine, reminding his guest of the existence of a strong
and an organized Armenian community in Iran.
Speaking about Lebanon, His Holiness said: “The unity of Lebanon, its
sovereignty, integrity and the coexistence of its communities have become
unchangeable principles and chief values for the Armenians of Lebanon. The
approach and commitment of the Armenians of Lebanon stays the same: it is
with this realization that we, as a community, have first fulfilled our
obligations and then demanded our rights. More than ever, today I consider
the strengthening of the internal unity of Lebanon to be an imperative
necessity.”
At the end of the meeting Sheikh Kabalan invited the Catholicos to
participate in the Chrisitian-Muslim inter-communal meeting to be held in
the center of Shiites in Hazmiyeh on July 20. The two spiritual leaders then
answered the questions of reporters. The pontiff and Sheikh Kabalan
condemned the recent attacks of Israel against Palestinians during their
press conference.
##
View photos here: tm
*****
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.

Today, Azerbaijan
June 30 2006
Embassy of Azerbaijan in Britain investigate the fact of Swedish MPs
visit to Nagorno Karabakh

30 June 2006 [14:24] – Today.Az

Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan ordered Embassy of Azerbaijan in
Britain to investigate the fact of Swedish parliament members
visiting Nagorno Karabakh.

According to Foreign Ministry Press and Information Policy Office
chief Tahir Tagizade, if Swedish parliament members have visited
Nagorno Karabakh without warning Azerbaijan will send its official
protest to foreign policy office of this country.
Delegation headed by member of Swedish parliament Ulla Hofman visited
occupied territories of Azerbaijan June 28.
Swedish Left Party includes delegation. Swedish parliamentarian
coming to Azerbaijan from Armenia they met with vise-speaker of
co-called Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Rudik Usnunch.
Thanking to Swedish parliament for recognizing Armenian genocide,
Rudik Usnunch asked parliamentarian to help in the direction of
recognizing Nagorno Karabakh Republics as an independent state.
In his turn Ulla Hofman sated his party concern to Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh, and will get in touch regularly with Nagorno
Karabakh Republic.
Swedish parliament members have accepted the invitation to
participate in the “measures on 13th anniversary of liberation of
Nagorno Karabakh Republic Mardakert region from occupation of
Azerbaijani Armed Forces”.

URL:

ANTRANIK TEYMOURIAN OF IRAN ON EUROPEAN CLUBS WANTED LIST
Author: Farhad
IranFootballOnline, CA
Persian Football, CA
June 29 2006
Upcoming Iranian star Andranik Teymourian is flooded with offers from
European clubs after his powerful performance in the World Cup.
The 23-year-old Iranian of Armenian descent won hearts back home in
Iran with his courageous approach and never-say-die attitude, and
came close to scoring for Team Melli against Portugal in the match
they lost 2-0.
And, Iranian fans were not the only ones sitting up and taking notice
of the midfielder’s outrageous talent.
Speaking exclusively to , Teymourian confirmed that
the club he currently plays for – Iran Pro League outfit Abo Moslem –
had already been approached by several European clubs.
“My club has already received offers (for me) from the Bundesliga,
Italy, Turkey and the Emirates,” said Teymourian, who has a one-year
contract with Abo Moslem.
“The decision will be made by my club and I will be talking to them
(Abo Moslem) shortly on this issue.”
“Going to Europe is a dream come true for a football player like me,”
added Teymourian.
Teymourian started his football career at Tehran’s Ararat Club and,
after a series of age group competitions, caught the eye in Iran’s
third place finish at the Islamic Solidarity Games.
It was only a matter of time before he broke through to the senior
ranks as coach Branko Ivankovic handed the promising midfielder his
international debut against Libya last August. Since then Teymourian
has made the defensive midfielder’s position his own in 10 starts
for Team Melli.
“I always believed that I would be a regular player in Germany,” said
Teymourian. “I trained hard and was inspired. When people say I got my
chance because of injuries to Nikbakht Vahedi and Fereydoon Zandi it
doesn’t matter as I would have been better prepared had they been fit.”
The midfielder said the key to his playing uninhibited football
against vaunted rivals was his fitness. “I took great care about my
sleep and food and worked hard on my fitness. I knew that I had to
make the most of this opportunity.”
The Iranian refused to find fault with Ivankovic’s tactics at the
World Cup, saying the team could have done better with a little bit
of luck. “I regret our elimination. Tactical issues are none of my
business. I am a player and should follow the rules. But I wish we
were more lucky.”
The one abiding memory for Teymourian in this World Cup is decidedly
the fierce shot which shook the woodwork in the match against
Portugal. “Yes…it was offside but I enjoy it when I remember it. It
was my biggest slice of action out there!”
“But the goodbye was as painful as it was untimely. I will never forget
the moment when Farakki (Hossein; assistant coach) came to me and said
‘don’t cry…this is football, we should accept it…we can show our
ability in next year’s AFC Asian Cup and in the 2010 World Cup.
The world has not come to an end’.”

KARABAKH PROBLEM TO BE DISCUSSED IN WASHINGTON, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER AND FOREIGN MINISTER OF NKR MAIN SPEAKERS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 28 2006
WASHINGTON, JUNE 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. A discussion
“Karabakh Conflict: Peace Prospects” will take place at the United
States Institute of Peace in Washington on June 28. The main speakers
are Speaker of the NKR parliament Ashot Ghulian and Foreign Minister
Georgy Petrosian.
According to Radio Liberty, the following issues will be discussed: Has
the deadline for signing a peace agreement expired? What prerequisites
are necessary in order to complete the negotiation process and sign
a peace agreement?
How can the US contribute to this process? How will the problems of
thousands of Armenian and Azerbaijani refugees be solved? What are the
lessons to be drawn from other conflicts in the post-Soviet territory?
“This visit was envisaged long ago and has no relation to the latest
developments. Yesterday we arrived in Washington and a few hours
later had a meeting with the new US Co-Chairman of the OSCE Minsk
Group Matthew Bryza at the NKR representative mission,” Ashot Ghulian
told Radio Liberty. “To us, the meeting is of cognative character,
we have a lot of things to tell each other. I think we have succeeded
in exchanging preliminary information,” he noted.
In response to the question that Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian stated that the Armenian and Azerbaijani Presidents have come
to an agreement on the issue of referendum on Nagorno Karabakh status,
to which the Karabakh side has always objected, Ashot Ghulian replied:
“I think the Armenian foreign minister told that quite clearly,
and there is no need to make comments.”

ERDOGAN’S GOD WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED
Karine Asatryan
A1+
[04:01 pm] 28 June, 2006
“I can curse but I won’t. But I can’t help saying that in 1915 the
Turks massacred the Armenians and do not accept it. I can’t help
saying that Turkey has occupied part of Cyprus”, announced Danish
deputy Run Lyund after the speech of the Prime Minister of Turkey,
Recep Tayyip Erdogan who considered certain restrictions of the
freedom of speech normal.
According to Erdogan, there are sacred values – national, religious
and others stirring of which causes terrorism. Erdogan considered the
fuss and mass rallies in connection with the caricatures of prophet
Mohammad natural. According to him, there is growing tension between
the West and the Islamic world.
Erdogan called on Europe to take into account the fact that 10-15%
of the population of the European capitals is Turks and their rights
must be respected.
Referring to the speech of Mr. Lyund, the Turkish Prime Minister
mentioned that the discussion of the Armenian Genocide is neither
criticism, nor offence.
But it is the concern of the historians and not the
politicians. According to him, Turkey called on Armenia to discuss what
took place in 1915 on the scientific level, but Armenia refused. By
the way, Erdogan referred to the Jewish Holocaust mentioning that as
a true Moslem he is convinced “that their God would not have allowed
anything of the kind”.
During the discussion of the report on “Freedom of Speech and Respect
for Religion” Armenian delegate Artashes Geghamyan made speech. He
reminded how the Turks destroy Armenian monuments, how the Armenian
pupils in Turkey are deprived of the possibility to study the history
of Armenia and the Armenian Church, and, which is most important,
that Turkey keeps Armenia in a blockade.
The discussion is under way, there are still many amendments offered
to be made. Nevertheless, according to delegate Yurgens from the
Netherlands, if the amendments are adopted, the balance of the report
will be violated.

“INTERNAL AND INDIVIDUAL ACTS OF EMPLOYERS” PUBLISHED IN YEREVAN
Panorama.am
16:41 27/06/06
A manual titled “Internal and individual acts of employers” has been
published in Yerevan. The manual contains abstracts from Labor Code
of Armenia.
Contracts are drafted for 43 specializations. June 21 was the
anniversary of the Labor Code of Armenia.
According to the law, all employers were responsible to conclude
contracts with their employees during that time.
In the opinion of one of co-authors of the manual, drafting contracts
has become necessary in Armenia with the adoption of the labor
code. “Everything is done here according to custom whereas the contract
should regulate the responsibilities of the employee,” Poghosyan says.
It should be reminded that this is the second book on the subject. 2
more books are expected to come.

The Standard, Kenya
June 22 2006
Kenya: Armenians: New Rules Could Shield Big Names
Cyrus Ombati and Joseph Murimi
Nairobi
Investigation into the Armenians’ saga has run into fresh trouble,
just a day after the Government attempted to block an independent
probe into the affair by two parliamentary watchdogs.
New tough rules published on Wednesday to govern the Shedrach
Kiruki-led commission of inquiry could gag the media and shield
influential individuals believed to be linked to State House and
suspected to have been involved with the Artur brothers. No witness
invited to testify before the team, for instance, shall be allowed to
adduce evidence relating to any matter prejudicial to the security
of State or that of the Head of State without the permission of the
commissioners.
The hearings are public, but this clause could be used to deny the
public first-hand access to information, which is in their interest.
The commissioners may also direct that the public shall not be admitted
to all or any specified part of the proceedings, a clause that could
also be used to bar the media from covering the proceedings.
Released just a day after Justice minister Martha Karua shocked
MPs with a statement in Parliament on Tuesday that the Government
had asked Speaker Francis Kaparo to rule on whether the two House
watchdog committees were legally constituted, the new rules reinforced
concerns that the Kiruki commission would not carry out impartial
investigations.
Renewed onslaught
The rules are published in a Gazette notice No. 4522, under the
Commissions of Inquiry Act Cap 102. Kiruki, who chairs the commission,
signed the notice. The commission will sit Mondays to Fridays from 9
am at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, beginning
next Wednesday.
It will inquire into the various wrongful, criminal or otherwise
unlawful acts and omissions, including breaches of security by
Artur Margaryan, Artur Sargasyan, Arman Damidri, Alexander Taschi and
others. And the Government was under renewed onslaught in Parliament on
Wednesday, where it was accused of attempting to scuttle investigation
into the Armenian brothers saga because it was heavily implicated.
In a letter tabled in Parliament, Kabete MP Paul Muite dismissed
arguments by Justice minister Martha Karua as without merit in law and
fact. Muite said the letter tabled by Karua in the House on Tuesday
should be seen for what it was – “an attempt to block impartial,
independent and thorough investigation into a matter where the
Executive is heavily implicated.”
Muite, who co-chairs the joint parliamentary committees probing the
Armenian brothers debacle, said emerging evidence showed the two
enjoyed close relations with powerful individuals within the Executive.
In the Gazette notice, Kiruki says individuals may be barred from
appearing before the commission for the preservation of order,
due conduct of the inquiry, and to protect the person, property or
reputation of any witness or person referred to in the proceedings.
No comment in the media
It remains at the discretion of the commissioners what names,
addresses or witness photographs may be published. Any person who
contravenes the order may be guilty of an offence and liable to a
fine not exceeding Sh10,000. Kiruki said a lawyer may represent those
implicated or mentioned.
The rules state that any person likely to be adversely mentioned by
any witness in the course of the public hearings shall be served with
a notice in advance and may appear in person or through an advocate
to cross-examine the witness. But Kiruki also cautions any such person
who would be adversely mentioned before the commission not to comment
on the allegations in the media.
It appealed to those wishing to give evidence to communicate with
the joint secretaries, indicating in writing the substance to be put
before the commission.
“The counsel assisting the inquiry will warn witness that after
examination-in-chief, they may also be cross-examined by him,” said
Kiruki in the notice.
The commission will have the right to “summon any person to testify on
oath and to produce any exhibits that the commissioners may require”.
On Wednesday, Muite told Parliament that for a long time the Executive
put up a spirited defence of the two Armenian brothers. He said that in
view of the gravity of the issues and the involvement of the Executive
arm, only Parliament can unravel the truth.
He said a President-appointed Commission of Inquiry cannot seriously
be expected to unravel the whole truth regarding the activities of
the two brothers.
He said unlike the joint committee that will report to Parliament,
the commission will report to the President.
Muite said it was in the public interest that the whole truth be
established.
“Parliament has the unique opportunity of restoring the dignity,
self-respect and sovereignty of the Kenyan nation by unravelling the
Armenian saga and letting the Kenyan people and the world know the
truth,” Muite says in the letter to Speaker Francis ole Kaparo.
He said the two brothers may have been involved in the raid on the
Standard Group that Internal Security minister John Michuki later
described as a “Government operation.” Muite said the two brothers
may have visited State House or been in the presidential entourage
to Uganda.
He further said the Arturs had committed a number of crimes and
the Executive’s move to hurriedly deport them instead of having
them charged in court was suspect, and so was its move to appoint a
commission of inquiry.
“Many Kenyans will be excused for seeing the commission as part of
a cover-up of involvement of individuals within the Executive with
the Armenians,” he said.
He said it was necessary to investigate whether Kiruki was part of
the Armenian saga, especially in his alleged capacity as a consultant
on security matters.
Muite asked Kaparo to consider those issues as he makes his ruling
and urged him to dismiss Karua’s arguments.
“The Joint Committee invites Mr Speaker to dismiss those arguments
off-hand as indeed they deserve. In so doing, he will be striking a
blow for public good and promoting public interest,” he said.
Parliamentary business
Separately, Karua insisted it was wrong for MPs to investigate the
deported Artur brothers’ saga when the President had appointed a
commission to probe it.
Karua stood her ground, saying she had raised “serious and legitimate”
issues in Parliament.
She criticised Leader of the Official Opposition, Uhuru Kenyatta,
for speaking on the matter outside Parliament.
“I raised a legitimate issue in Parliament because there are
serious issues that should be addressed,” she said in response to
questions from journalists about the Government’s attempt to block
two parliamentary committees from probing the Armenian brothers’ saga.
But she declined to comment further, saying it was before Parliament
and awaiting the Speaker’s ruling.
“I can’t dwell on the issue since it’s already before Parliament.
Let’s wait for the ruling of the Speaker,” said Karua at Dagoretti
in Nairobi after commissioning a borehole.
She said she did not want to discuss parliamentary business in public
“like my colleague Uhuru” as that would not be in order.
On Tuesday, Karua told Parliament that she believed it was wrong for
MPs to investigate matters on which the President had appointed a
commission of inquiry. She asked Speaker Francis Kaparo to rule on
whether the two committees jointly investigating the Armenians were
legally constituted.
The minister expressed concern that the parallel investigation by
MPs was tantamount to Parliament usurping the role of the Executive.

ISSUES RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESSES IN THE FOCUS OF RA PRESIDENT’S ATTENTION
ArmRadio.am
21.06.2006 16:54
Issues related to the development of small and medium businesses were
discussed today during RA President Robert Kocharyan’s recurrent
meeting with a number of representatives of the sphere, featuring
also Ministers of Agriculture and Trade and Economic Development.
Robert Kocharyan noted that small and medium entrepreneurship is
actively developing, which is evidenced by the fact that its portion
comprises 40 percent in the GDP and 16 percent in the export. “It
is hard to find a person in Armenia who would not have a desire to
open his own business. This is a strong internal aspiration to be
the master of own fate, which can serve as a serious impetus for the
development of small and medium business, and we appreciate this,”
the President said.
Head of the country encouraged over twenty businessmen representing
all marzes of Armenia to launch an open and just discussion.
Participants of the meeting noted that the development of the sphere
has entered a new phase. There are, however, problems that should
be addressed.
Particularly, reference was made to the decrease of the frequency of
carrying out inspection in small and medium enterprises, providing
business recommend to entrepreneurs in marzes, the necessity of
preparing cadres with professional education and a number of omissions
in the legislature.
The interlocutors thoroughly discussed issues of receiving long-term
and low-interest loans and expansion of leasing services. Reference
was made also to the fluctuations of the currency rates.
Robert Kocharyan said that the suggested questions will be discussed
once again during the special consultations to be held in the future,
and final solutions will be found.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel:  (374 10) 517 163
Fax:  (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail:  [email protected]
Website: 
June 21, 2006
First Day of Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II to Turkey
On the evening of June 20, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians arrived in Istanbul on his first
Pontifical Visit to Turkey.  Upon arrival at the Istanbul airport,
His Holiness and his entourage were greeted by His Beatitude
Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople;
high-ranking clergy of the Armenian Patriarchate; two metropolitan
archbishops representing the Greek Ecumenical Patriarchate; Mr. Karen
Mirzoyan, Representative of the Republic of Armenia in Turkey; and
representatives of the Armenian community of Istanbul.
During the official reception and dinner at the Armenian Patriarchate,
His Beatitude Mesrob greeted the Catholicos of All Armenians and
welcomed him and his accompanying clergymen to Istanbul.  His Holiness
Karekin II offered thanks to Almighty God for having granted him
this opportunity to be in Istanbul for a Pontifical Visit, to meet
the faithful Armenian people of this historic city and extend to
them blessings and love from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. 
His Holiness also noted his happiness for the fraternal visit to the
Ecumenical Greek Patriarch, His All Holiness Bartholomew I.
On the morning of June 21, the Pontiff of All Armenians, accompanied
by His Beatitude Mesrob Mutafian and the members of the pontifical
entourage, visited the headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and
participated in Morning Services at the Greek Mother Cathedral.  At
the conclusion of morning services, His Holiness and the Armenian
delegation were escorted to the throne room of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate during the singing of the Armenian Church hymn, “Rejoice,
O Church”.
In the presence of the members of Holy Synod of the Greek Church,
Ecumenical Patriarch His All Holiness Bartholomew I, greeted His
Holiness Karekin II with a fraternal embrace, followed by his official
and warm address of welcome.
Thereafter, the Catholicos of All Armenians extended his greetings of
love to the Ecumenical Patriarch, noting in part, “…Our predecessors
of blessed memory have visited Your All Holiness and your revered
predecessors.  Today, we are visiting you with brotherly love and a
joyous heart.  We are visiting a people and a Church, who share with
us the inheritance of Christ, His witness and His love.  We visit a
Church, with whom we have shared a history of accomplishments and
achievements, persecutions, suffering and martyrdom, prayer and
witness, and which is alive in our hearts and minds today.  We are
visiting a Church, which through her rich past and present, continues
the testimony of the Lord with love and peace.
“By visiting Your All Holiness, we are confident, that through our
prayers and discussions, and during our meetings, we will enjoy the
gifts of the love and brotherhood of Christ, which we shall transmit
as a blessing to our faithful sons and daughters.”
In his remarks, the Catholicos of All Armenians also recalled the
historic visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch to Armenia in November
of 2001, during the jubilee festivities surrounding the 1700th
Anniversary of Official Christianity in Armenia.  His Holiness
offered prayers to heaven, asking God to “illuminate and provide
warmth with the peace flowing from the Eternal Light of the world,
to the souls and hearts of all, benefiting the strengthening of our
faith, and the reinforcement of peace, reconciliation and friendship
among all nations, religions and churches, founded upon the timeless
principles of justice and truth.”
His Holiness Karekin II concluded his remarks by praying for the
cooperation between the two Churches to greater flourish under the
blessings and protection of our Lord Jesus Christ, for the love and
glory of His Holy Church.
At the conclusion of the official reception, a personal meeting
occurred between the two delegations, whereupon general inter-church
and specifically Armenian and Greek relations were discussed.
Later that day, the Ecumenical Patriarch hosted the Armenian delegation
to an official lunch organized in honor of the Catholicos of All
Armenians.
##
–Boundary_(ID_GFQKMAsAmxo0jNw 6pziD4w)–

ARMENIAN PLANE DID NOT CRASH IN THE AIR
Lragir.am
19 June 06
The Russian website Gazeta.ru published information with this title
on June 19. The article reports that the International Civil Aviation
Committee finished deciphering the parameters of the flight data
recorder of the Armenian plane, which had plunged into the Black Sea
near Sochi. The parameters of the FDR were deciphered and compared
with the data of the ground services, reported the ICAO press service,
referring to the head of the task force, investigating the causes
of the crash of the Armenian plane. The FDR contained parameters on
eight flights of the plane from April 30 till May 3, 2006, including an
emergency flight. The duration of the record was 26 hours 20 minutes,
including the last flight, lasting for 1 hour 26 minutes. The data
of the last flight show that the plane did not crash in the air,
the engines worked until the moment when the plane hit the water,
the fuel was sufficient, during the last minute of the flight the
autopilot was off. The committee has started the complex deciphering
of the records. Earlier the CVR data was deciphered.
During the complex deciphering the committee will work out the
simulation model of the flight, afterwards the conclusion on the
cause of the crash will be published.