Author: Torgomian Varazdat

Dogs of war? These men in shackles have been whipped into submission
By Raymond Whitaker in Malabo
Independent/UK
01 September 2004
Their wrists and feet shackled, the accused half-crawled, half-fell
out of the high four-wheel-drives that had delivered them to a garish
conference centre-turned courtroom in Equatorial Guinea’s capital.
The flashing lights, blaring sirens and escort of camouflage-clad
troops merely made the gaunt, grey crocodile of men, shuffling silently
through the rain in their T-shirts, shorts and rubber sandals, seem
more pathetic. If these were dogs of war, they had been whipped into
submission long ago.
Since their arrest on 8 March on charges of attempting to overthrow
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, eight former members of South Africa’s
apartheid-era special forces, six Armenian air crew and five local
men have been kept chained 24 hours a day in Malabo’s notorious Black
Beach prison.
Although their leader, Nick du Toit, faces a possible death sentence,
even he must have welcomed the start of their trial last week as an
escape from the uncertainty. But, yesterday, Mr du Toit and his 18
co-accused were thrust back into limbo.
Diplomats and lawyers gathering at the conference centre were expecting
yesterday’s hearing to be the last, with the defence team making
their final pleas before the three judges retired to consider their
verdict, possibly as early as Friday. But after a delay lasting well
over an hour, Equatorial Guinea’s Attorney General, Jose Olo Obono,
began by asking for the case to be suspended indefinitely. All the
proceedings were conducted in Spanish, the language of the country’s
former colonial rulers, but in the midst of the unfamiliar legalese,
the name “Mark Thatcher” could clearly be understood.
The defence objected that it would be inhumane to keep the alleged
mercenaries locked up in harsh conditions with no knowledge of when
they might be freed, but after an adjournment lasting only a couple
of minutes, the judges granted the suspension. Their spokesman, Judge
Salvador Ondo Ncumu, said the case had acquired an “international
dimension”, and it should not continue until investigations elsewhere
had been completed.
The misfortune for Mr du Toit and his colleagues is that two days after
their trial began last week, it was upstaged by the arrest in Cape
Town of Baroness Thatcher’s son. Even though the Equatorial Guinea
arrests coincided six months ago with the seizure of a planeload
of private soldiers in Zimbabwe, led by Simon Mann, an Old Etonian
former SAS officer, the affair generated only moderate international
interest until South Africa’s elite Scorpions crime-busters turned
up at Sir Mark’s mansion in Cape Town.
President Obiang’s regime, which wants to demonstrate the conspiracy
against him went to the highest levels, suddenly found it might be
able to land a much bigger fish. With Mr Thatcher under house arrest
in South Africa and Mr Mann on trial in Zimbabwe – he was convicted of
illegally attempting to buy arms, though the rest of the 90 arrested
with him were acquitted or found guilty of minor offences – the Malabo
case risked becoming a sideshow.
Equatorial Guinea wants Mr Thatcher and Mr Mann to be extradited
but it has received little encouragement from the South Africans or
the Zimbabweans.
Like Britain, South Africa refuses to send suspects to countries
that retain the death penalty, although it may allow lawyers from
Equatorial Guinea to question Sir Mark in Cape Town. But the whole
affair has already drawn more attention to this tropical dictatorship,
which consists of a few lush volcanic islands and a jungle-covered
strip of the African mainland, than it has enjoyed since the Spanish
loosened their grip in the 1960s.
President Obiang appears to be revelling in it. Yesterday he summoned
the foreign press for what turned out to be little more than an
opportunity for him to be photographed giving them an audience. The
men on trial, he told us, were “individuals without morals who
attempted a crime against our country which would have resulted in
blood being spilt”.
But since he deposed and executed his despotic uncle in 1979, the
President has been accused of spilling plenty of blood on his own
account, and even of eating the testicles of his murdered enemies to
imbibe their masculinity.
The accused were not in the courtroom to hear the debate that will
prolong their uncertainty. But a door to their holding room was ajar
as they were told the news, and one could see the looks of defeat
as they shuffled back out to the prison vehicles, a young soldier
clapping his hands to speed them up.
Mr Mico, their defence lawyer, said: “All the accused apart from Mr
du Toit have told me they were tortured.” Belinda du Toit, who says
her drawn, grey-bearded husband was once the same, ample shape as her,
looked on wondering when she would see him again.

AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email [email protected]
Webpage
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, August 30, 2004
AGBU SPONSORS KARABAKH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
CONTINUES TRADITION OF PROMOTING PERFORMING ARTS
New York, NY – As part of AGBU’s ongoing mission to promote and
preserve the Armenian heritage and to encourage cultural life in
Karabakh, AGBU, responding to the request of the Karabakh government,
has agreed to sponsor a Chamber Orchestra in Karabakh.
Consisting of 26 members, the Orchestra will initially be housed at
the Musical College is Karabakh’s capital of Stepanakert. At first,
the Karabakh Chamber Orchestra will operate as a string orchestra with
19 musicians and will eventually expand to include brass and drums. In
a show of support, the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Armenian
Chamber Orchestra and the Serenade Chamber Orchestra will assist the
new Karabakh Orchestra with musical notes and publications. Rehearsals
are expected to commence in September 2004.
AGBU has long recognized the importance of the performing arts
throughout its history – in just the past year, the organization has
sponsored the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra in Armenia, the
production of Armenia State Opera’s “Anush” and Gayane Ballet, the
Zvart Operetta in California, and the special 100-year Aram
Khachaturian Anniversary tour with performances and lectures by Sahan
Arzruni.
“On behalf of the Central Board of AGBU, it is with a great sense of
pride and enthusiasm that we engage in this project to advance the
government’s call for cultural programs and revival,” said AGBU
President Berge Setrakian. “We look forward to the Chamber’s
successful debut,” Setrakian continued.
With the addition of the Chamber Orchestra, AGBU’s presence in
Karabakh continues to grow. In fact, AGBU recently opened an office
in Stepanakert to oversee its numerous projects including: the
AGBU-launched Norashen Centennial Project, which is currently helping
to rebuild and repopulate Karabakh; and the reconstruction of a
building to house the widows and veterans of the Karabakh war, as well
as Stepanakert School # 7, among others projects.
AGBU ( is the largest international, non-profit Armenian
organization in the world, and is dedicated to preserving and
promoting the Armenian heritage and culture through humanitarian,
educational, cultural and social programs that serve some 400,000
Armenians annually.

The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney, Australia)
August 29, 2004 Sunday
Cocky attitude a threat to title
by Grantlee Kieza
THE supreme confidence of Australian boxer Vic Darchinyan is his only
danger going into the IBF world flyweight title fight in Florida on
Saturday.
That’s the opinion of the powerful southpaw’s trainer Jeff Fenech,
who won three world titles himself and sees a similar future for the
2000 Olympian.
Darchinyan, 28, fights undefeated Colombian world champion Irene
Pacheco, 33, at the Seminole Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on
Saturday afternoon (AEST) and has been training for two weeks in Los
Angeles with Fenech and world super-middleweight champ Danny Green.
Born in Armenia, he has lived in Sydney since the 2000 Olympics and
is undefeated in 21 fights with 16 knockouts.
“Vic has been sparring some great fighters in LA,” Fenech said.
“He has gone in with Orlando Salido, who fights for the world
featherweight title in a couple of weeks, and he has boxed with IBF
super-bantamweight champ Israel Vasquez and the Hawaiian Olympian
Brian Viloria.
“He looks tremendous in sparring but my only fear is that he’s going
to be too confident against Pacheco and try to take his head off in
the first round.
“I’ve told Vic that he has to give Pacheco the utmost respect as a
great champion who has never lost and has held the title for five
years.
“Our tactics will be to put pressure on Pacheco from round one and
just wear him down constantly with body shots.”

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Aug 28 2004
AZER GASYMOV: THE VISIT BY PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV TO GERMANY WAS
FRUITFUL AND SUCCESSFUL
[August 28, 2004, 19:50:31]
The following is the interview President’s press-secretary Azer
Gasymov gave to the Azerbaijan National Television to comment on the
results of the visit by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to
Germany.
As you know, President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev stayed on
an official visit in the Federative Republic of Germany in August
24-26 . This visit was very successful and fruitful from the
standpoint of both bilateral and multilateral relations. It is well
known that Azerbaijan-Germany cultural relations have rich history.
These relations have been developed for many centuries, and entered a
qualitatively new stage by the end of the 20th since nationwide
leader Mr. Heydar Aliyev returned to power in Azerbaijan.
The official visit by Mr. Heydar Aliyev to Germany in 1996 laid the
foundation of the today’s Germany-Azerbaijan relations. Since Mr.
Ilham Aliyev’s election as President of Azerbaijan Republic, the
course towards Germany’s priority in foreign policy of Azerbaijan has
been further developed. These relations are being developed and
expanding day by day.
Germany today is one of the politically and economically most
important developed countries not only in the European but also in
the global scale. Germany is one of the world’s leaders in trade
turnover. Besides, Germany is one of countries enabling to strongly
influence the political processes taking place around the world. From
this standpoint, development of relations with Germany is extremely
important for Azerbaijan, as well as Azerbaijan plays very important
role in Germany’s foreign policy. Thus, the Southern Caucasus is one
of the main parts of the European security architecture, and the fact
that Germany considers Azerbaijan as a leading state in the Southern
Caucasus, the most developed one in all spheres, and attaches special
significance to our country, is also very important. Keeping in mind
the above-mentioned, one can say that the visit by President of
Azerbaijan Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany was of
paramount importance for development of our relations in political,
economic, cultural and other spheres.
One of the most important results of the visit for the political
viewpoint is the Germany’s unambiguous position as to the settlement
of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that was
reflected in the statement by Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.
Chancellor of the Federative Republic of Germany Mr. Gerhard
Schroeder stated unambiguously: Germany has always supported and will
continue to support the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. That is
very important statement. This fact reaffirms that our country’s
stance with respect to Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict settlement based
on the norms and principles of the international law gets more and
more support from the international community.
Touching on our political relations, it should be noted that during
the talks, the parties reaffirmed with deep satisfaction the
realization of a high-level political dialogue between our two
countries, and further continuation of this dialogue still remains on
the agenda. They exchange views on a wide range of regional and
international security issues.
The results of the visit naturally cover the economic sphere, as
well. A number of important documents on economic cooperation were
signed during the visit. One of the noteworthy facts is that German
businessmen, as well as the country’s leading companies are involved
in economic development of Azerbaijan. They stated that they are
going to increase the volume of investments in Azerbaijan, and that
Germany is interested in bringing new technologies to Azerbaijan.
This indeed is a graphic evidence of recognition of Azerbaijan as a
country of rapid economic growth. Another important result of the
visit is the agreement on purchasing several passenger aircrafts from
Germany.
The visit was significant also from the standpoint of multilateral
relations development. As you know Azerbaijan and Germany are
carrying out very fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation in the
framework of international organizations including the Council of
Europe, European Union, NATO and other structures. Our cooperation at
the European Union, which is playing increasingly important role in
the European political and economic space, should be noted in
particular. During the visit, the German side stated once again its
readiness to contribute to integration of Azerbaijan into the
European family, the European Union.
I want to note that political and business circles of Germany, as
well as the country’s leading mass media were closely watching and
widely covering the visit by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. A
number of influential TV channels of Germany prepared a lot of
special programs related to the visit.
All these factors indicate that Germany attaches special importance
to relations with Azerbaijan, and that Azerbaijan is on its way to
take a worthy place in the region and the European family on the
whole. This visit will undoubtedly contribute to further development
of Azerbaijan-Germany relations.

PRESS RELEASE August 26, 2004
CONTACT: Christopher Close/Knollenberg
(202) 225-5802
Andrew Souvall or Jennifer Cannata/Pallone
(202) 225-4671

ARMENIAN CAUCUS CO-CHAIRS COMMEND NAGORNO KARABAKH ON 13TH ANNIVERSARY
OF INDEPENDENCE
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Reps. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank
Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), cochairmen of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues, today commended the people of Nagorno Karabakh on the
13th anniversary of their independence.
“Despite all the difficulties, today Nagorno Karabakh is a proud state
committed to the values of democracy, respect for human rights, and an
open civil society,” Knollenberg and Pallone wrote in a letter to
President Arkady Ghoukasian of Nagorno Karabakh. “Today, as we extend
our congratulations to the people and the authorities of Nagorno
Karabakh on the 13th anniversary of the Proclamation of the NKR, we
welcome your determination and efforts in strengthening Karabakh’s
democratic institutions and market economy.
“Karabakh has proven to be a capable, reliable and serious partner of
the international community,” the lawmakers continued. “Peace and
stability in the South Caucasus are not possible without a
contribution from Nagorno Karabakh. We assure you of our strong
commitment to Karabakh’s security and development.”
On September 2, 1991 the people of Artsakh adopted the Proclamation of
the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, declaring their independence from
Azerbaijani rule.
The text of the letter to President Arkady Ghoukasian follows.
August 26, 2004
H.E. Arkady Ghoukasian
President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
3 February 20th Street
Stepanakert, NKR
Dear Mr. President
As you know, September 2 is a historic day for Nagorno Karabakh. On
this day in 1991 the people of Nagorno Karabakh declared their
intention to create their own independent state. This is the day when
the Declaration proclaiming the Nagorno Karabakh Republic was adopted.
With this Declaration the courageous people of Artsakh expressed their
determination to live in freedom.
The people of Artsakh have persevered through many challenges to peace
and stability as the Soviet oppression, Azerbaijan’s military
aggression, consequences of a devastating war, and the continuing
blockade imposed by Azerbaijan failed to break the spirit of Artsakh’s
people. Despite all the difficulties, today Nagorno Karabakh is a
proud state committed to the values of democracy, respect for human
rights, and an open civil society.
Today, as we extend our congratulations to the people and the
authorities of Nagorno Karabakh on the 13th anniversary of the
Proclamation of the NKR, we welcome your determination and efforts in
strengthening Karabakh’s democratic institutions and market economy.
Karabakh has proven to be a capable, reliable and serious partner of
the international community. Peace and stability in the South
Caucasus are not possible without a contribution from Nagorno
Karabakh. We assure you of our strong commitment to Karabakh’s
security and development.
Sincerely,
Joe Knollenberg Frank Pallone, Jr.
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Jennifer Karch Cannata
Press Secretary
Office of U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.
420 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4671 office
(202) 225-9665 fax
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

The Straits Times, Singapore
Aug 26 2004
Wooing the stork: No easy solutions across the world
By Joseph Chamie
‘SWEETIE, please have a baby!’ No, this is not the gentle plea of a
would-be father or eager grandparent-to-be. It is the appeal of a
growing number of governments concerned with the consequences of low
birth rates.
Today, in one country out of three, fertility is below two children
per woman, the level necessary to ensure stable population numbers,
or, in the term preferred by demographers, the ‘replacement’ of
generations. In some countries, such as Armenia, Italy, South Korea
and Japan, average fertility levels are now closer to one child per
woman.
In the absence of immigration, when fertility remains below the
two-child replacement level long enough, a population shrinks and
ages. This is the projected future for most low-fertility countries.
In a couple of generations, for example, the Italian population is
projected to be 20 per cent smaller than it is today, with the
working age population (15-64 years) shrinking by some 40 per cent.
It is not difficult to imagine the social and economic consequences
of such a drastic change.
The picture for Europe as a whole is not much different than Italy’s.
By mid-century, Europe’s population is projected to be 13 per cent
smaller, with the working age population declining by 27 per cent,
and the median age increasing by a third, reaching 50 years.
Population decline and ageing is also in the future for Japan,
Singapore and South Korea. In contrast, Australian and Canadian
populations, which also have below-replacement fertility levels, and
the United States, which has fertility near replacement, are expected
to continue growing throughout the century – a trend due largely to
immigration.
Many governments view low birth rates, with the resulting population
decline and ageing, to be a serious crisis, jeopardising the basic
foundations of the nation and threatening its survival. Economic
growth, defence, and pensions and health care for the elderly, for
example, are all areas of major concern.
While population decline has been an issue in the past, today’s
concerns are more widespread, involving virtually all regions of the
world. Also, these concerns have extended over a lengthy period of
time and consequences have become progressively evident to gov-
ernments as well as the general public. In addition, the problem of
below-replacement fertility is spreading rapidly.
Why are birth rates falling? With expanding opportunities for higher
education, careers and economic independence, combined with highly
effective contraception, young women are postponing – or altogether
avoiding – motherhood.
In many parts of Europe, for example, more than 10 per cent of women
in their early 40s are childless. In Finland, Germany, Italy and the
Netherlands, the number approaches 20 per cent.
Moreover, for women choosing to have children, the average age at
first birth has risen in most low fertility countries. Today, that
average is in the late 20s, with many women having their first child
in their early 30s.
Postponing the first birth often translates into fewer subsequent
births. The end result: an average family with fewer than two
children.
The responses governments can take to raise fertility rates closer to
replacement levels may be grouped into seven broad categories.
The first category relates to restricting or limiting access to
contraception and abortion. While most countries have policies
regulating the use of contraception and abortion, however, few
governments are prepared to ban their usage in order to raise
fertility levels.
A second category of options focuses on limiting the education of
girls, employment of women and the broader participation of women in
society. Here again, few, if any, countries are prepared to take such
steps in order to encourage childbearing.
A third set of measures centres on promoting marriage, childbearing
and parenting through various means, including public relations
campaigns and matchmaking services. Many public relations campaigns
promote the vital role of maternity and motherhood, stressing that
women are making a valuable contribution to the welfare of the family
and societal development.
These campaigns have been especially prominent among a number of East
Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea and Singapore. For
example, a recently launched campaign by the South Korean government
has the slogan: ‘Let’s Have One More Kid.’
The most recent example comes from Singapore, where the Government
launched a drive to give a package of incentives for childbirth.
MODEST EFFECT ON FERTILITY
A FOURTH category of pro-natalist measures aims at transferring some
of the costs and activities related to childbearing and child-rearing
from the parents to the larger community. Examples of these policies
include cash bonuses and/or recurrent cash supplements for births or
dependent children, infant and childcare facilities, as well as
pre-school and after-school care facilities. Recently, payments of
cash bonuses for the birth of a child (or additional child) have been
popular in such countries as France and Italy, at 800 euros (S$1,700)
and 1,000 euros, respectively.
A fifth set of policies aims primarily at helping women balance work
and family responsibilities. These include maternity leave, part-time
work, flexible working hours, working at home, and nurseries and day
care at the office. In addition to the financial costs, such measures
are often difficult to implement, due to resistance from employers as
well as the reluctance of some women to interrupt their careers.
In parallel, a sixth category of policies is aimed primarily at men.
These policies are intended to increase the involvement of men in
activities that have been traditionally considered the realm of women
(for example, parenting, family maintenance and household chores).
Although these measures include paternity leave, the principal
emphasis of this category of measures is to encourage husbands to
share in the rearing of children. Here again, such policies are
difficult to implement, both for economic and cultural reasons,
especially among countries where gender roles tend to be more rigidly
defined.
A seventh category of policy measures centres on financial, political
and legal preferences to couples with children. This includes
granting parents priorities or assistance in securing mortgages,
loans, low-cost or subsidised housing, welfare assistance, increased
pensions, government services and benefits.
More recently, some governments are considering changes in the
political system in order to be more responsive to the needs and
concerns of couples with children. For example, granting extra voting
rights to the parents of minor children, as is being discussed in
Austria, may provide an opposing counterweight to the increasing
political strength of elderly voters.
Will government policies, incentives and various other pro-natalist
measures be sufficient to raise birth rates to replacement levels?
Taking into account the considerable social, economic and political
constraints, the policies most governments will be able to offer may
have only a modest – and temporary – effect on raising fertility. It
also seems likely that fertility may increase somewhat above the very
low rates of today as the lowering effect of postponing childbearing
runs its course over the coming years.
Nevertheless, current and foreseeable efforts available to most
governments to raise their fertility rates seem highly unlikely to
succeed, at least for the near term. In other words, a government
appeal to Sweetie to have a baby is unlikely to reverse the trend any
time soon – even with a little sugar on it.
The writer is the director of the Population Division, Department of
Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations. Rights: YaleGlobal
Online,

ARMY TO LOSE ITS ROLE IN THE POLITICAL LIFE OF TURKEY
Azg/am
21 Aug 04
The importance of the Turkish army in the political life of the
country is out of doubt. Having assumed the role of a guarantee for
secular and republican order it also controls the legislative and
executive powers of the country. The National Security Council,
having more military than civil members, became the means of
supervision.
In other words, the president, prime minister, deputy prime minister,
foreign and home ministers oppose the head of the supreme
headquarters, commanders of the land, marine and air forces. The first
deputy of the supreme headquarters is also the secretary general of
the National Security Council.
The National Security Council was the body that discussed and made
decisions on issues like Turkey and the EU, the Cyprus issue, the
Kurdish issue as well as the issues of Armenian-Turkish relations and
the Karabakh conflict.
Though the Turkish policy towards all these issues of national
importance remained unchanged with the Justice and Progress party
coming into power, the role of the National Security Council reduced
as another major power, the EU, with its demands emerged. The discord
between Erdogan’s government and the supreme headquarters grew worse.
Though the pressure from the EU didn’t result in the dissolving of the
Council, there were created preconditions for considering its
staff. As a result of this the number of civilians in the Council
multiplied, two more ministers were included and the military
secretary general was replaced by a diplomat.
The former Turkish ambassador to Greece Mehmed Yighit Alpogan became
the new secretary general. On its August 19 publication the Turkish
Vakit writes that the president Ahmed Naced Sezer confirmed his
appointment.
This refill of the National Security Council with civil members
supposes weakening of military forces in its structure. We can
conclude that the supervision over the legislative and executive
powers will reduce, as the National Security Council was the main body
of control for the army. Now Erdogan will have more freedom to act
apart from the army. The initiative in national issues will pass to
executive power now, which will not have the backing of the army any
more.
By Hakob Chakrian

SOLEMN OPENING OF “ONE NATION, ONE CULTURE” FIRST PAN-ARMENIAN
CULTURAL FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE ON AUGUST 15
YEREVAN, August 16 (Noyan Tapan). On August 15, the solemn opening of
the “One Nation, One Culture” first Pan-Armenian cultural festival
took place in the National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet after
A.Spendiarian. RA President Robert Kocharian, Catholicos of All
Armenians Karekin II, Vardan Oskanian, RA Foreign Minister, Hovik
Hoveyan, RA Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs, and other officials
were present at the ceremony. Numerous well-known cultural workers
from France, Austria, Great Britain, the US, Syria, Lebanon, Iran,
Turkey, Russia were also taking part in opening of the festival.
Greeting the participants of the festival, V.Oskanian mentioned that
the “One Nation, One Culture” festival is a historic event. Quoting
the words of the President, he emphasized: “Every generation living in
its homeland or the Diaspora should newly reveal the depth and wealth
of one united culture of the national originality of his origin,
should be newly filled with aesthetic and moral spirit of national and
human real values.” The State Dance Ensemble of Armenia and the
“Barekamutiun” ensemble, dudukist Jivan Gasparian, RA People’s Artist
Gegham Grigorian, singers Hasmik Papian, Hasmik Hatsagortsian,
Svetlana Navasardian, Ruben Matevosian, actors Vladimir Abajian,
Hovhannes Babakhanian, Zhenia Avetisian and other well-known Armenian
art workers performed at the concert that followed the opening of the
festival.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Communications Officer
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
August 12, 2004
___________________
Week of August 6 to August 12, 2004
* * *
SUNDAY IS THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
This Sunday (8/15) is one of the five tabernacle feast days of the Armenian
Church: the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God. The story
of the Assumption, preserved in extra-Scriptural tradition, tells how St.
Mary was taken up in body and soul into heaven, after having completed her
life on earth. This was a special courtesy performed by Christ many years
after His Ascension, out of love for the mother who bore and raised Him.
For more on St. Mary, resources to help teach your children about this
feast, and a description of the “Blessing of the Grapes” tradition that
accompanies the feast day, click to our website:
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 8/11/04)
* * *
PRIMATE HEADS TO BELLEVILLE THIS WEEKEND
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), will be in Belleville, IL, at the Holy Virgin Mary
and Shoghagat Church. He will celebrate the Divine Liturgy (starting at
10:00 a.m.) and ordain Mark Marifian as a tbir on Sunday (8/15) before
taking part in the “Blessing of the Grapes” service. The church is located
at 400 Huntwood Rd., in Belleville, IL.
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 8/11/04)
* * *
EUROPE REFUSES TO LABEL SUDAN MASSACRES AS “GENOCIDE”
On Monday (8/9), the European Union said the mass murders, rape, and
burning of villages in the Darfur region of the Sudan should not be
classified as “genocide”. Critics say the finding underlines Europe’s
reluctance to intervene in the ongoing violence. European officials did
acknowledge that there is “”widespread, silent and slow killing and village
burning of a fairly large scale.” However, no nation is yet willing to
send troops to stop the violence and if it were deemed a genocide, United
Nations rules would require them to act to end the slaughter.
Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously voted to
designate as “genocide” the violence in Sudan which has lead to the deaths
of 30,000 people and the displacement of one million.
The Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America has been working with
ecumenical groups in urging American political and media leaders to
strongly affirm that the campaign of mass killing is indeed a
genocide. The Primate will issue a parish directive to that effect in the
coming week.
To read about the Eastern Diocese’s effort to bring light to the Darfur
genocide, go to our website:
;selmonth=8&selyear04
(Source: The Guardian, 8/10/04)
* * *
HOLY ETCHMIADZIN OPENS NEWLY RENOVATED SEMINARY
Last Thursday (8/5), the newly renovated Gevorkian Theological Seminary of
the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin was re-opened during a ceremony presided
over by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians. Present for the opening ceremonies were hundreds of clergy and
faithful, including Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian, who sponsored the
year-long construction and renovation work on the historic building. (Mr.
Hovnanian is chairman of the Fund for Armenian Relief and the Armenian
Church Endowment Fund.)
Speaking at the opening celebration was Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Eastern Diocese, who told of the unique role the Gevorkian
Seminary plays in the preparation of young clergymen, noting that it has an
irreplaceable duty in guaranteeing the future of the Armenian Church.
Currently, more than 300 seminarians study at the school, which was founded
in 1874 by Catholicos of All Armenians Gevork IV.
(Source: Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, 8/7/04)
* * *
LEARN ARMENIAN
Preserve your heritage — and have a lot of fun — this fall by taking an
Armenian language course. Classes aren’t just for kids; many parishes have
adult classes at nights or on the weekends. And classes are for everyone:
beginners who can’t say “parev” or more skilled speakers who want to learn
to read. Check with your local parish today to see if it offers Armenian
classes. For a list of parishes, click to our website:
If you’re in the New York City metro area, the Diocese is offering 15 weeks
of classes on Wednesday nights starting September 22. For more information
click here:
TEACH ARMENIAN
If you speak Armenian, volunteer in your parish to be a teacher. Or, if
your parish doesn’t have an Armenian language class, start one! You can
pass on your love for your culture and make new friends. Call your parish
pastor or chairman today to volunteer your time and skills. You don’t have
to be an expert to be a teacher, just be energetic about sharing your love
of Armenian.
To volunteer, call your parish or contact Sylva der Stepanian, coordinator
of Armenina studies at the Diocese, by e-mailing
[email protected].
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 8/9/04)
* * *
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS HEADED TO DIOCESE
Starting Sunday (8/15), a dozen Sunday School teachers from throughout the
Diocese will be in New York City for the Mardigian Institute, a special
one-week session focusing on educational plans and resources. The
participants in the free program will learn from experts during workshops
at the Diocesan Center and spend time studying at St. Nersess Armenian
Seminary. For more on the program, click to our website:
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 8/11/04)
# # #

Centre for Public Opinion and Democracy, Canada
Aug 10 2004
Armenians Plead For New Economic Policies
(CPOD) Aug. 10, 2004 – Many citizens of Armenia are unhappy with the
way their elected officials are pursuing financial strategies,
according to a poll by the Armenian Center for National and
International Studies (ACNIS). 48.4 per cent of respondents believe
their government is not pursuing an economic policy that supports the
development of enterprise and investments.
Armenia’s national currency – the dram – has gained strength in the past
few months. While Central Bank officials believe the fluctuation is a
result of incoming United States dollars, finance and economy
minister Vardan Khachatrian admitted that the phenomenon could be the
result of speculation.
Most Armenians would like to boost their country’s financial profile.
32.6 per cent of respondents believe the country should pursue closer
economic ties with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) – a
coalition encompassing 12 former Soviet republics – while 13.9 per cent
favour cooperation with the European Union (EU).
President Robert Kocharyan was re-elected to a new four-year term in
March 2003 in an election marred by fraud allegations.
Polling Data
Do you think Armenian authorities pursue an economic policy that
supports the development of enterprise and investments?
Yes
22.0%

No
48.4%

Difficult to answer
28.6%

In your view, Armenia should have the closest economic relations
with…
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
32.6%

European Union (EU) member states
13.9%

Countries of the region, including Turkey,
Georgia, Azerbaijan and Iran
7.0%

Countries of the American continent,
particularly the United States and Canada.
2.7%

All of them
35.3%

Source: Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS)
Methodology: Interviews with 1,127 Armenian adults, conducted from
Jun. 20 to Jul. 12, 2004. No margin of error was provided.