Author: Tumanian Talar

Azeri Foreign Ministry: Azerbaijan supports the OSCE MG format of the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process

Arminfo
2007-03-10 12:21:00

Azerbaijan supports the OSCE Minsk Group format of the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. That’s why we continue the talks, the
spokesman of the Azeri Foreign Ministry Khazar Ibragim told Day.az
(Baku) while commenting on the statement of Armenian FM Vardan
Oskanyan that, once there is an OSCE MG format, a UN decision on the
issue would be illogical.

As you may know, very shortly we will decide on the next round of the
talks between the Armenian and Azeri FMs in Geneva, says Ibragim. The
adoption of any UN resolutions, documents or statements concerning
conflicts and the inclusion of such problems in the agenda of the UN
General Assembly are a positive moment. The international community
should be aware of these problems and should solve them. Final
decisions can be made within other formats but all the other
organizations, especially a universal organization like the UN, are
obliged to support negotiating formats, says Ibragim.

From: [email protected]
Subject: Boom and gloom

Boom and gloom

Mar 8th 2007
The Economist Intelligence Unit ViewsWire

Azerbaijan’s economy, drunk on oil, is suffering rapid inflation

Azerbaijan is the world’s fastest growing economy, thanks to an oil
boom, but it is already running into serious difficulty. A huge
expansion in budgetary spending has pushed inflation close to double
digits’in month-on-month terms’ and there are early but ominous signs
that the non-oil economy is losing competitiveness. The economy is
already showing signs of Dutch Disease’and the maintenance of
artificial monopolies throughout the economy will serve to exacerbate
the problem.

Azerbaijan is in the midst of a dizzying period of economic
expansion. Real GDP grew by 26.4% in 2005 and 34.5% in 2006, and is
forecast to grow by around 21% this year. The main driver of this is
the oil sector. The BP-led Azerbaijan International Operating Company
(AIOC) has been steadily ramping up production from the
Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli offshore complex and has now completed the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, which lays the foundations for yet
higher output. Oil output grew by 41% in 2005 and 45% in 2006, and is
set for a similar performance this year.

The oil boom has fuelled other sectors of the economy. The non-oil
sector grew by 11% in 2006, propelled mainly by services. Baku, the
capital, is in the midst of a construction boom that is impressive
even by the standards of the transition region. Yet already distress
signals are apparent. In 2006 the government increased budgetary
spending by an astonishing 80%; a further 50% increase is anticipated
this year. At the start of 2007, the impact of the huge fiscal
stimulus began to tell on inflation. In annual average terms,
inflation was 8.3% in 2006 and ended the year at 11.4% year on
year. Doubt about the official number has spawned a number of
alternative indices, some of which suggest the 2006 inflation rate
could have been as high as 20%.

Even on the official measure, inflation is now surging. In January,
the rate was 16.8% year on year and 6.4% month on month. Again, some
private-sector economists grumble that the real rate is higher
still. According to one USAID-funded NGO, January inflation was 14.3%
month on month, which is more than double the official figure. Given
that the government raised a host of regulated prices on January
8th’electricity tariffs trebled, water charges more than doubled,
gasoline prices rose 50% and public transport costs increased by 30%’
the unofficial estimate seems perhaps more credible than the official
one.

Oil’s curse One of the dangers for Azerbaijan of rampant inflation is
that it will put pressure on the real effective exchange rate and thus
undermine the competitiveness of the non-oil economy. In any case, the
influx of petrodollars has in the past two years forced the
strengthening of the manat in nominal terms against the dollar. In
2005 it appreciated by 8% against the dollar, and by a further 5% in
2006. According to the head of the central bank, Elman Rustamov, the
2006 figure would have been significantly higher but for central bank
currency interventions to the tune of US$1bn.

Ostensibly, the growth of the non-oil economy in 2006 suggests there
is as yet little to worry about with regard to competitiveness. Yet
that growth rate is primarily due to the success of non-tradeables
such as construction, which are barely affected by exchange rate
appreciation. Azerbaijan’s tradeables, by contrast, are already
showing signs of strain. Agricultural output last year grew by just 1%
and output of staples such as cotton, rice and potatoes actually
contracted. In Baku’s markets, local fruit is beginning to lose ground
to Latin American competition; considering the cost of transport, this
is a very worrying development. Agriculture is on some measures the
most important part of the non-oil economy, as it is the largest
source of non-oil exports. In addition to exchange-rate problems,
agriculture is suffering from an outflow of labour, as the
construction boom sucks labour from the countryside into Baku and
other urban centres.

Elsewhere in the economy, there are clear signs of strain. In 2006,
for instance, tax receipts from the non-oil sector actually fell in
year-on-year terms ‘this despite a national headline growth rate of
over 30%. Agriculture is not the only sector that is losing ground in
the home market to importers. Also, now that power prices in
Azerbaijan are sharply rising, following Russia’s decision to hike gas
prices for its CIS customers, it will be interesting to see how the
energy-intensive metals sector, and particularly the country’s
aluminium enterprise, performs. Metals are the second largest source
of non-oil related exports after agriculture, with 2.3% of total
exports.

Wasting away Although Azerbaijan is at an early stage of its oil boom,
the signs of Dutch Disease’in essence, a loss of competitiveness in
the non-oil economy prompted by exchange-rate appreciation and other
factors’are particularly ominous. At this point, it is possible that
Azerbaijan will make the transition from a sizeable agricultural
exporter to a major importer in less than the 15 years it took fellow
Dutch Disease sufferer Nigeria.

In Azerbaijan’s case, several factors conspire to deepen and
accelerate the problems associated with Dutch Disease. First, its oil
boom will be relatively short-lived on current forecasts: oil
production will begin to decline in 2012. At least while oil receipts
are gushing into the state budget, Azerbaijan will be able to throw
money at some of the most obvious symptoms, as it is currently by
hiking wages and offering to subsidise fuel purchases for farmers.

Second, the country’s physical and financial infrastructure is
underdeveloped and/or dilapidated, and this puts the non-oil economy
at a huge disadvantage. The banking sector, for instance, scarcely
exists beyond the major cities; this makes life harder for the
country’s farmers as they seek to modernise and expand. Electricity
and water supplies outside the cities are also unreliable, and the
road network is underdeveloped and in a very poor state of repair. The
government’s fiscal boom will alleviate some of these issues,
particularly with regard to the physical infrastructure, although this
will not improve utilities and the financial sector.

Third, the country’s business environment is hazardous and getting
worse and this makes life close to impossible for the private
sector. The headline problems include: rampant corruption on the part
of state officials, particularly in the tax and customs departments,
as evidenced by Azerbaijan’s very poor rating in Transparency
International’s Corruption Perceptions Index; a court system that is
open to abuse, delivers verdicts at odds with the country’s legal code
and is often ignored by the authorities it relies upon for
enforcement; the maintenance of a number of artificial monopolies in
the country, including the import of basic commodities such as
bananas, run for the benefit of well-connected individuals; and a high
level of interference in the economy by government figures.

A self-serving elite This last problem is probably the most
threatening, as in its scale it is excessive even by the standards of
countries such as Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, as well as
neighbouring Georgia and Armenia. Within the last two years, a number
of major enterprises have been subject to Yukos-style assaults by the
authorities. Downstream oil company Azpetrol, which was widely
considered to be the best-run company in the country, was taken over
around the time of the 2005 parliamentary election and its major
shareholders were jailed. Barmek, the Turkish-run power company, was
forced out soon after. These are merely the highest-profile examples
of a declining business environment. Although not reported in the
international media, since the second half of 2006 a stream of
Azerbaijani entrepreneurs have migrated to Georgia and Kazakhstan,
because they find the business climate more attractive.

The phenomenon of well-connected Azerbaijanis muscling in on
successful businesses has got noticeably worse since Ilham Aliyev
succeeded his father, Heydar, as president in 2003. At the time,
Western states hoped that Ilham would prove to be a modernising and
liberalising force in the country. Instead, perhaps because he has
been unable to fully control some senior members of the government,
the country’s political elite has encroached further into the private
sector. This magnifies the corrosive effects of Dutch Disease, and at
present it is more a matter of hope than expectation that the private
sector will be allowed sufficient space to develop.

Mr Aliyev’s government is quite aware of the phenomenon of Dutch
Disease, and has taken some sensible preventative steps. A large part
of the oil revenues are directed to a stabilisation fund, and
institutions are in place to support the development of the non-oil
economy. Yet the best chance for Azerbaijan to avoid the worst effects
of Dutch Disease rests on Mr Aliyev implementing measures that he is
politically unwilling or unable to take’namely to break up the
artificial monopolies, rein in budgetary spending, curb the business
empire-building of his inner circle, and promote anti-corruption and
the rule of law.

TUZMEN SEEKS ISRAEL’S SUPPORT AGAINST ‘GENOCIDE’ RESOLUTION
Oznur Cevik

The New Anatolian, Turkey
March 7 2007

Turkish State Minister responsible for Foreign Trade Kursad Tuzmen
yesterday sought the support of Israeli businessmen against an Armenian
"genocide" resolution now facing the U.S. House of representatives.

In a speech at a seminar on "Turkish-Israeli Economic and Commercial
Cooperation", Tuzman said that the peoples of Turkey and Israel have
lived together in harmony and friendship.

"We now expect your support for Turkey on the Armenian matter,"
he added.

Tuzmen stressed that relations between Turkey and Israel do not merely
stem from historical roots.

"Turkey is the country that receives the second-highest number of
Israeli tourists. Only the U.S. receives more Israeli tourists than
Turkey," said Tuzmen.

Tuzmen underlined that with the realization of an energy pipeline
between the Black Sea and Red Sea, the region will become more
prominent globally.

Turkish diplomatic sources told The New Anatolian yesterday that
Israel is planning to construct a high technology park in Erzurum.

Israel and Turkey did $2.1 billion worth of trade last year, with
Israel exporting $838 million worth of products. Israeli companies
mainly exported chemicals and electronic equipment, consisting mostly
of cell phone accessories. The communications market in Turkey,
however, is vast, worth approximately $12 billion, and is expected
to grow over the coming years.

Turkey exported $1.27 billion worth of products to Israel last year
and is similarly looking to expand its presence in the Israeli
market. Chief among Turkish exports to Israel were textiles and
building materials and supplies.

Israel’s minister of industry, trade and labor and Tuzmen will sign
an agreement by which products shipped between the two countries will
be standardized as well as expedite the shipping process.

With the agreement, proceeds from imports and exports are expected
to rise, and time taken in process of shipment will be reduced.

STATE DUTY FOR OPERATION OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION NETWORKS TO BE REDUCED

Noyan Tapan
Mar 07 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN. At the March 7 sitting, the Armenian
government approved the bill on making an amendment to the RA Law
on State Duty. The bill proposes reducing the rates of state duty
for operation of public electronic communication networks. It was
noted that this will create favorable conditions especially for small
and medium enterprises of the sector, as well as promote the use of
Internet connection and the establishment of the electronic society
in Armenia. Zhenja Azizian, Head of the IT Development Department
of the RA Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, told reporters
after the sitting that by the proposed amendment, a company will pay
500 thousand drams instead of 3 mln drams (about 8.5 thousand USD)
a year for operation of the Internet network in Yerevan and one or
several marzes. Payment for Internet network operation in Yerevan
will make 300 thousand drams instead of 2 mln drams, in more than one
marze – 200 thousand drams instead of 1 mln drams, and in one marz –
100 thousand drams instead of 500 thousand drams.

EUROPEAN NEW NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM OPENS SERIOUS PROSPECTS OF ARMENIAN-ROMANIAN COOPERATION

Noyan Tapan
Mar 06 2007

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Newly appointed Ambassador of Romania
to Armenia Mrs Crina Rodica Prunariu handed her credentials to RA
President Robert Kocharian on March 6. Congratulating the diplomat on
the occasion of assuming her post, RA President expressed confidence
that her activity will be useful for further deepening of relations
between the two countries. Robert Kocharian estimated Armenian-Romanian
political dialogue as rather active and dynamic.

Emphasizing the importance of extending cooperation especially after
Romania’s membership to European Union, the President said that there
are sufficient legal-contractual bases for this. According to the
report provided to Noyan Tapan from RA President’s Press Office,
Robert Kocharian also attached importance to cooperation between
the two countries in the context of Armenia’s policy of European
integration and said that the European New Neighborhood program opens
serious prospects of cooperation.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

March 8, 2007

PRELACY LENTEN MEDITATIONS CONTINUE

The third of the six Prelacy Lenten Meditations took place yesterday
evening, Wednesday, March 7. The 2007 Prelacy Lenten program focuses on the
seven vices and seven virtues. Last evening, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian,
pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, spoke about "Anger
and Patience." Der Mesrob led the participants through a scriptural
reflection on various aspects of anger and patience. Der Hayr highlighted
the difference between righteous anger and sinful anger, giving examples
from the Bible and from our daily life. "Be angry but do not sin" (Eph.
4:26).
Next Wednesday, Dr. Michael Papazian, professor of Philosophy and chair
of the Religion and Philosophy Department at Berry College, Rome, Georgia,
will continue the series on the seven vices and virtues by offering his
meditation on "Sloth and Diligence."
The annual Lenten series is sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild, the
St. Illuminator’s Ladies Guild, and the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). All of the programs take place at St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City, with the following general
schedule: Lenten Service at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary; Lecture at 8 pm in
Pashalian Hall, followed by a light Lenten meal and fellowship. For a
complete schedule of lectures click

PRELA TE IN NEW JERSEY
This Sunday, March 11, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, will preside over
the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey.

VICAR IN WORCESTER
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, will visit the parish of
Holy Trinity Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, this weekend.

CATHOLICOS ARAM EMPHASIZES IMPORTANCE OF DIALOGUE
BETWEEN ORIENTAL ORTHODOX AND EASTERN ORTHODOX
His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel, representing the Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew, met with His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia,
and the Catholicosate’s ecumenical officer, Bishop Nareg Alemezian, in
Antelias, Lebanon. Metropolitan Emmanuel was delegated by His Holiness
Bartholomew, to explore with the Catholicos the possibilities of resuming
the theological dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox
family of churches that started in 1985 and last met in 1993. The Catholicos
emphasized the unique importance of this dialogue. "The solid foundation of
common basis was already laid down in this theological dialogue. Basic
Christological issues have been discussed, but there is still a long way to
go. We need more discussion in respect to a number of matters pertaining to
our theology, liturgy, canons and traditions. I understand that in both
families there are a few churches that have still some reservations
concerning this theological rapprochement between our two families. We must
take their approaches and concerns seriously and proceed carefully,"
Catholicos Aram said.

MUSICAL ARMENIA
The 2007 Musical Armenia concert will take place Sunday, March 25, 2 pm,
at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City. Tickets are $25.
Featured artists are bass Serge Barseghyan (accompanied by Evan Solomon)
and the Ararat Trio, comprised of Patil Harboyan, piano; Van Armenian,
violin; and Hrant Parsamian, cello.
Serge Barseghyan has appeared as a soloist in the United States and
Europe, including New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Barcelona, and Valencia.
Patil Harboyan was awarded first prize at the Margo Babikian Piano
Competition in Lebanon and the Armenian Allied Arts Association Competition
in Los Angeles. Van Armenian has served as concertmaster of the Pacific
Music Festival Orchestra in Japan and of the Colorado-based National
Repertory Orchestra. Hrant Parsamian was awarded highest prizes at the
Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition and the Olga Koussevitzky
Competition.
The Musical Armenia concerts have been presented since 1982. Its goal is
to showcase the talents of young Armenian artists. If you would like to
purchase tickets and/or become a sponsor of this year’s Musical Armenia
concert please contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or by e-mail to
[email protected].

2007 DATEV INSTITUTE SUMMER PROGRAM
The 21st annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Christian summer studies
program will take place July 1 to 8 in Elverson, Pennsylvania. For details
click

40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDINATION OF
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN CHOLOYAN
The 40th anniversary of the ordination of our Prelate, Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, will take place in three different regions as follows:
On Saturday, May 5, the first of the three celebrations will take place
at The Marriott in Providence, Rhode Island, with the participation of all
of the parishes in New England, Connecticut, and Troy, New York.
On Saturday, May 12, the second celebration will take place at the The
Marriott at Glenpointe, in Teaneck, New Jersey, with the participation of
all of the parishes in the Mid Atlantic, which includes New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.
The final celebration will take place during the National Representative
Assembly (NRA) which is being hosted by St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn,
Michigan. This will take place on Friday, May 18, at Double Tree Hotel in
Dearborn, with the participation of the parishes in the Mid-West, as well as
the NRA delegates and guests.

SUNDAY OF THE STEWARD
Our journey through Great Lent continues. This Sunday, March 11, is the
Sunday of the Steward (Tntesi Kiraki). The reading on this day is from the
Gospel of Luke (chapter 16, verses 1 to 8) which relates the parable of The
Unrighteous Steward. This parable is about a rich man and his steward. The
steward was one who looked out for his own personal benefit and through his
cunning arrangements made deals with those who were in debt to his master.
Jesus used this parable not to condone the behavior of the steward but
rather as an illustration of qualities that have a necessary place in the
life of true disciples. Since we are stewards of this world, we are
accountable to our Lord for the talents we have and the things that have
been entrusted to our care.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus used parables as a teaching tool. His
parables were common stories, usually short and always interesting.
Generally, the stories were used to convey important moral and ethical
messages. Some of the parables were simple and easy to understand. Others
were more complex and challenging.

SAINTS REMEMBERED THIS SATURDAY
This Saturday, March 10, the Armenian Church remembers Hovhan Odznetsi,
Hovhan Vorodnetsi, and Krikor Datevatsi.
Hovhan Odznetsi (St. John of Otsoon) was catholicos between 717 and 728
which was a period when Armenia was under Arab rule. He defended Armenians
from forced conversion and was successful in securing the right of worship
for Armenian Christians. He was also successful in receiving tax-exempt
status for the church. He received the title of philosopher and was educated
in the Hellenic school of thought.
Hovhan Vorotnetsi (St. John of Vorotan) was born in 1315. Following his
ordination he served at the monasteries of Kailitzor and Datev. He dedicated
most of his efforts toward the preservation of the orthodox faith, and
against the attempt to merge the Armenian Church with the Latin Church. He
wrote commentaries on the Gospel of John and the epistles of St. Paul.
Krikor Datevatsi (St. Gregory of Datev), born in 1346 in the province of
Vayotz Tzor, is the best known of the three. He was a student of John of
Vorotan and a great defender of the character of the Armenian Church. He was
a brilliant scholar; he knew Latin fluently and had studied the Greek
philosophers extensively. He is regarded to be the greatest teacher of the
Armenian Church. His most famous work is the Book of Questions (Kirk
Hartsmants), which examines questions of faith. He is also credited with
setting a new high standard for preaching. He is often referred to as "the
second Gregory the Illuminator."

NEXT WEDNEDAY IS MEDIAN DAY OF LENT
Next Wednesday, March 14, is the median day of Lent (Meechink). It is
the 24th day of Lent and it occurs on the Wednesday of the fourth week.
Although it does not have any specific religious significance, this
mid-point day has been traditionally marked as a special occasion. It often
features gatherings of fellowship and friendship and the sharing of a Lenten
meal.

AREC DIRECTOR WILL LECTURE AT ST. SARKIS
Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC) will lecture at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, on
Sunday, March 18, following the Mid-Lent traditional luncheon prepared and
served by the Ladies Guild. Dn. Shant’s topic is, "Great Lent: A Biblical
Map for our Journey of Faith." For information contact the church office,
718-224-2275.

ARMENIAN CHURCHES SPORTS ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIPS
Championship games of the Armenian Churches Sports Association (ACSA)
will take place this Sunday, March 11, at Hackensack Middle School,
Hackensack, New Jersey, with the following schedule: 1 pm, Men, Saints
Vartanantz vs. St. Sarkis; 2:30 pm Juniors, St. Leon vs. Sts. Vartanantz;
4:00 pm, Girls, St. Leon vs. Armenian Protestant Church; 5:30 pm, Seniors,
St. Leon vs. St. Sarkis.
In addition to the above teams, the league includes teams from the
parishes of St. Mary, St. Thomas, and Holy Martyrs.

IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
"St. Mesrob did not fall victim to collective excitement; neither did he
try to be satisfied with his laurels. After the translation of the Bible,
that apostolic saint which had propelled him to inventing the Armenian
alphabet this time led him to the lands of the Georgians and the [Caucasian]
Albanians and subsequently to the most distant corners of Armenia, always
zealously preaching the gospel and spreading the word of God to the
multitudes. With the same attentiveness, in turn, he would visit the Greek
part of Armenia and create among the different masses of politically divided
Armenians that unbreakable chain, which was the Armenian culture and by
which our people knew how to live and survive, maintaining its spiritual
independence through fire and sword which, alas, would constantly be at
risk, constantly reach the edge of the abyss, only to always emerge
triumphant."
(Excerpt from a Sermon delivered by Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian on the Feast
of the Translators in the church of Oshagan, Armenia, on October 12, 1979).

The Pontifical Message issued by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia, proclaiming 2007 as the Year of the Armenian
Language is on the Prelacy’s web page. To read the message in Armenian click
To read the message in English click

DAIL Y BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, March 8, are Isaiah 45:17-25; Ephesians 3:14-4:13.
But Israel is saved by the Lord with everlasting salvation; you shall not be
put to shame or confounded to all eternity. For thus says the Lord, who
created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he
established it; he did not create it a chaos, he formed it to be inhabited!)
"I am the Lord, and there is no other. I did not speak in secret, in a land
of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in chaos.’ I
the Lord speak the truth, I declare what is right. Assemble yourselves and
come, draw near together, you survivors of the nations! They have no
knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god
that cannot save. Declare and present your case; let them take counsel
together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the
Lord? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none besides me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the
earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, from my
mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me
every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.’ Only in the Lord, it shall
be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be
ashamed, all who were incensed against him. In the Lord all the offspring of
Israel shall triumph and glory. Isaiah 45:17-25

For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
.

AND.DON’T FORGET.DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
This Sunday, March 11, we switch to Daylight Saving Time (three weeks
earlier than normal). Don’t forget to advance your clocks ahead by one hour
(spring forward; fall back). Congress made this decision as a supposed
energy-saving move.

O Lord, You who have created the heavenly world of angels and established
the princes of the fiery spirits as stewards there; we bless Your
inconceivable powers. You who have created in a lordly manner the second
world and placed the first man as a steward in the Garden of Eden; You who
have built Your church highest of all in mystery and have ordained in it the
preacher of the word of truth as steward.
(from hymn sung on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of the Steward)

Calendar of Events

February 21 to March 28-2007 Prelacy Lenten Program, to be held at St.
Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, Wednesday evenings during Great
Lent. Lenten service at 7:30 pm; Lecture and Q/A at 8 pm; Lenten meal and
fellowship at 8:45 pm. Theme: Seven Vices and Seven Virtues. For further
information click

March 18-Membership meeting, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.

March 18-"Great Lent: A Biblical Map for our Journey of Faith," by Deacon
Shant Kazanjian, director of AREC, at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York, following Mid-Lent traditional luncheon. For information 718-224-2275.

March 25-Musical Armenia 2007, Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, 2 pm.
Sponsored by Prelacy Ladies Guild. Featured performers are: vocalist Serge
Barseghyan (bass); and Ararat Trio (Van Armenian, violin; Paul Harboyan,
piano; Hrant Parsamian, cello).

April 1-Ladies Guild Annual Palm Sunday Bake Sale, St. Stephen’s Church,
Watertown, Massachusetts.

April 14-Ladies Guild Comedy Night featuring Mel Gibson, Meze and dessert
will be served, St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts. For
information, 617-924-7562.

May 5-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in the
New England area will take place in Providence, Rhode Island.

May 6-30th anniversary of St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School, Terrace on
the Park, Corona, New York, at 5 pm.

May 7-Prelacy Ladies Guild Mothers’ Day Luncheon, St. Regis Hotel, New York
City.

May 12-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in Mid
Atlantic area will take place at the Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New
Jersey.

May 12-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, 50th anniversary concert
featuring Onnik Dinkjian and John Berberian.

May 12-Armenian Dance party, St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard,
Massachusetts.

May 18-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in
Midwest will take place at the National Representative Assembly.

May 20-"Hello Ellis Island" and Reception, St. Stephen’s Church Hall,
Watertown, Massachusetts. $20 per person. Information, 617-924-7562.

July 1-8-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, 21st annual summer Christian
studies program for junior and senior high school students, at St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. For information click

August 7-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual golf
tournament at Blackstone Country Club.

August 19-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church picnic.

September 29-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 50th
anniversary banquet at Pleasant Valley.

December 1-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church bazaar.

December 9-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web site.

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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:

ARAM I EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESUMPTION OF
ORIENTAL-EASTERN ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE

The representative of His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel yesterday was received in a private
audience by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia. The Ecumenical
Officer of the Armenian Catholicsoate of Cilicia also attended the meeting.
His Eminence was delegated by the Ecumenical Patriarch to explore with the
Catholicos Aram the possibilities of resuming the theological dialogue
between the Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox families that was started
in 1985 and had its last meeting in 1993.

Welcoming the readiness of the Ecumenical Patriarch to continue the
theological dialogue between the two Orthodox families, Catholicos Aram I
emphasized the unique importance of this dialogue considering it essential
for the common Orthodox witness in the world today. He said: "The solid
foundation of common basis was already laid down in this theological
dialogue. Basic Christological issues have been discussed, but there is
still a long way to go. We need more discussion in respect to a number of
matters pertaining to our theology, liturgy, canons and traditions. I
understand that in both families there are few churches who have still some
reservations concerning this theological rapprochement between our two
families. We must take their approaches and concerns seriously and proceed
carefully".

His Holiness Aram I, who was one of the founding members of this
theological dialogue, shared with Metropolitan Emmanuel, co-Moderator of
this dialogue, his personal perspectives in respect to the agenda and
procedure for the coming phase of the dialogue.
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View the photo here: #2
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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.

ARMENIAN DEFENSE MINISTER: ARMENIA AND RUSSIA CONSIDERING POSSIBLE LAUNCH OF CAR FERRY SERVICE

Arminfo
2007-03-05 19:35:00

Armenia and Russia are considering a possible launch of car ferry
service, Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sargsyan, the Armenian
co-chair of the Armenian-Russian intergovernmental committee on
economic cooperation, told Radio Liberty.

Admitting that the Upper Lars check-point will shortly open, the
Minister stressed that both sides are looking for additional solutions
of the transport problems. Besides the railway ferry, S.Sargsyan and
Igor Levitin, the Russian co-chair of the committee and the Russian
Transport Minister, also discussed the issue of the car ferry service,
S.Sargsyan noted.

IBERIAN RESOURCES INVESTS $10 MLN IN ARMENIAN MINING INDUSTRY

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS Business and Financial Newswire
March 5, 2007 Monday 3:16 PM MSK

Australia’s Iberian Resources has invested around $10 million in
Armenia’s mining industry in the last 18 months, Manvel Bagratian,
the head of the company’s Armenian office, told Interfax.

Most of the money was invested in the exploration of the Terterasar
gold deposit in the Siunik district and the nearby Lichkvaz-Tei
deposit.

Bagratian said the company planned to increase investment in Armenia
following its merger with Australia’s Tamaya Resource on February 28,
2007. Tamaya Resource develops gold and copper deposits in Chile.

Bagratian said that the merger would expand Iberian’s projects in
Armenia and grant it access to Tamaya’s gold and copper projects
in Chile. Iberian could participate in other projects in Armenia,
besides Terterasar and Lichkvaz-Tei.

Management at Iberian Resources had not altered as the result of the
merger. The company’s market cap is now $200 million.

Iberian Resources and America’s Global Gold Corporation (GGC) have
formed the 80%/20% Aigedzor Mining Company to implement the Terterasar
and Lichkvaz-Tei projects.

Aigedzor Mining Company is the sole owner of the Sipan-1 mining
enterprise, which holds the licenses to these fields.

Iberian Resources consolidated full ownership of the joint venture
after buying the remaining 20% from GGC on December 19, 2006.

Peter Semneby: Isolation of the outh Caucasus is extremely dangerous

Armradio.am
03.03.2007 13:20

`The isolation of the disputed region of the South Caucasus is
extremely dangerous for the growing generations that have no contacts
with neighbor states with which their predecessors have been living
for centuries,’ EU Special Envoy for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby
told ArmInfo correspondent.

`This situation is not a normal one, since no matter whether people
want or not, they are geopolitically close and that is why the contact
is simply necessary,’ the diplomat noted. In his words, the most
important is the reestablishment of contacts between peoples. If
another generation grows without relations, resolution of this or that
conflict will be extremely difficult,’ Peter Semneby underlined. `I
think the European Union can assist both Karabakhi Armenians and
Azerbaijanis, since the EU is an important political player in the
South Caucasian region today. Besides, close relations with the South
Caucasus, and the cooperation under the Action Pan in the framework of
the European Neighborhood Policy provide certain levers, which the EU
can use to establish an atmosphere of trust and normal relations for
the purpose of final resolution of the Karabakh conflict,’ the EU
Special Envoy mentioned. He underlined that first of all these levers
will be directed at the creation of trust between the communities of
Nagorno Karabakh. Peter Semneby reminded that the European Union is
not engaged in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict. `The
resolution of the Karabakh conflict is the task of the OSCE Minsk
Group, but the EU can have its contribution to the development of
dialogue between the sides and can assist the activities of the OSCE
Minsk Group,’ the diplomat noted.