Author: Tvankchian Parkev

MAN GETS 26-YEARS-TO-LIFE IN ROAD-RAGE SLAYING

NBC4.TV, CA
Sept 27 2006

34-Year-Old Was Extradicted To US From Armenia For Trial

VAN NUYS, Calif. — The first man to be handed over to U.S. authorities
by Armenia to face criminal charges was sentenced Wednesday to
26 years to life in state prison for the road-rage murder of a
documentary filmmaker.

Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Kathryne Stoltz rejected the defense’s
request for a new trial for Shahen Eghia Keshishian and refused to
reduce his first-degree murder conviction to second-degree murder.

Keshishian, 34, was also found guilty Aug. 25 of vehicular manslaughter
with gross negligence and leaving the scene of an accident.

Jurors also found true the allegation that Keshishian used his GMC
Suburban as a dangerous and deadly weapon when he ran down Michael
Craven on April 29, 2000, as he stood on the shoulder of the Hollywood
(101) Freeway, south of Barham Boulevard.

The 44-year-old Canoga Park resident had been driving southbound when
someone in the SUV that Keshishian was driving began lobbing eggs at
his Jeep, authorities said.

Both motorists pulled over and Keshishian ran down Craven as he stood
on the shoulder, then sped away.

The filmmaker died at a hospital.

Keshishian was charged with Craven’s slaying on June 23, 2000, and
charged separately by federal authorities that November with unlawful
flight to avoid prosecution.

He was placed on the Los Angeles Police Department’s most wanted list
and named as a fugitive on the FBI’s Web site.

In October 2004, with the help of various agencies in the United
States and in Yerevan, the LAPD’s homicide unit located Keshishian
in Armenia, where he had ties, according to Glendale police.

He was arrested a month later by the Armenian government for
overstaying his visa and subsequently extradited to the United States.

Glendale police said then that it was the first time someone located
in Armenia was handed to U.S. authorities to be returned to face
criminal charges.

Armenia Fund, Inc.
111 N. Jackson St. Ste. 205
Glendale, CA 91206

Tel: 818-243-6222
Fax: 818-243-7222

PRESS RELEASE
Contact ~ Sarkis Kotanjian

[email protected] g

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Visits Armenia Fund Office
New Jersey Congressman Rallies Support for Telethon 2006

LOS ANGELES – On September 23, 2006, U.S. Congressman and Co-Chair of
the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)
visited the offices of Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region and met with
leadership and staff of the organization.

Maria Mehranian, Chairperson of Armenia Fund, Sarkis Kotanjian,
Executive Director, and Greg Boyrazian, Director of Development held a
breakfast meeting with the congressman. Among the various topics
discussed during the meeting was the U.S. Millennium Challenge
Corporation’s generous grant of $235.65 million made to the Republic of
Armenia over a course of five years. The grant is designed to combat
rural poverty through the construction of new rural roads and a modern
irrigation network for the purpose of revitalizing Armenia’s rural
economy. The project is aimed at making Armenia the region’s breadbasket
through this critical socio-economic stimulus project. According to the
Millennium Challenge Corporation, the compact includes a $67 million
project to rehabilitate up to 943 kilometers of rural roads, more than a
third of Armenia’s proposed Lifeline road network. The program will be
joined by Armenia Fund’s major Rural Poverty Eradication program later
in fiscal year 2007. The ambitious infrastructure development program
was unveiled by the Foreign Affairs Minister of Armenia, H.E. Vartan
Oskanian during the 3rd Armenia-Diaspora Conference in Yerevan.

Mehranian thanked Congressman Pallone for his unyielding support of
issues vital to the development of the Republic of Armenia. She
emphasized that U.S. foreign aid to Armenia, along with the growing
support of the Diaspora through Armenia Fund, are contributing to the
critical development of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Pallone stressed
that the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s grant should not be used as
an excuse for decreasing any type of aid to Armenia under the Foreign
Aid Operation act. He pledged to continue to fight for more foreign aid
to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

Executive Director Sarkis Kotanjian also thanked the Congressman for his
support, especially to the fledgling Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. It is
noteworthy that Congressman Pallone has been to the republic several
times and highly commended Armenia Fund’s ongoing projects, especially
in Nagorno Karabakh. Kotanjian later added details about the ongoing
regional development program in Martakert. In 2007 Armenia Fund plans on
implementing a parallel regional development program in the southernmost
poverty-stricken Hadrut region as well. The 2006 Telethon will raise
funds for that purpose.

Congressman Pallone warmly welcomed the program and highly commended the
Fund’s activities throughout Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. He pledged to
push for more assistance to Nagorno Karabakh in the context of regional
development. Pallone wished the Armenia Fund a successful Telethon and a
strong future as it embarks on the Rural Poverty Eradication Program.

Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation
established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and
infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Since 1991, Armenia Fund has rendered more than $160 million in
development aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia Fund, Inc. is
the U.S. Western Region affiliate of `Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund. Tax
ID# 95-4485698

AZERBAIJANI EMBASSY EXPRESSES PROTEST TO IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Sept 26 2006

Azerbaijan’s embassy in Iran expressed an official protest to the
Foreign Ministry in connection with some Iranian businessmen’s
establishing relations with the alleged regime in Nagorno Garabagh
province of Azerbaijan, Ambassador Abbaseli Hasanov told the APA
exclusively.

He said Armenia is cheating foreign businessmen into taking them to
the occupied Azerbaijani territories in order to change the negative
international opinion on the regime functioning in Nagorno Garabagh.

"They try to convince businessmen that foreign capital is guaranteed
by the government of this regime," the ambassador underlined.

Mr.Abbasov said some Iranian tradesmen believe this propaganda and
go to Armenia and Garabagh, "Iranian businessmen attended the events
organized in the Armenian-occupied lands of Azerbaijan. They agreed
to hold Iranian industry and trade exhibition in Nagorno Garabagh in
future. I was at Iranian Foreign Ministry and expressed Azerbaijan’s
official position related to this. The Ministry tried to assure us
that the Iranian government has nothing to do with this matter and
that it is not keen in Iranian businessmen convinced by Armenians
engaging in trade in the occupied Azerbaijani territories."

PAMUK CONSIDERS EU TOOL FOR DEMOCRATIZATION

The New Anatolian, Turkey
Sept 26 2006

Turkey urgently needs democracy; if we attain that, we won’t consider
the European Union necessary, said Orhan Pamuk, a renowned Turkish
novelist, yesterday.

Pamuk, who recently avoided a prison sentence for remarks opening the
so-called Armenian genocide claims to discussion, and faced fierce
criticism in the country for doing so, said that he wants to express
his ideas free from fear of prison or attack.

Speaking to leading Spanish daily El Pais, the author complained
about the appearance of an "attack culture" in his country, adding
that one has to be very careful about what they are about to say.

According to Pamuk, there’s a strong nationalist group in the Turkish
army that also has anti-Western sentiments, which he claimed is
working against the government’s European Union bid. "Concerning
EU membership, I can say that the government has slowed down after
facing solid opposition," said Pamuk.

He also criticized views equating Islam with terrorism and said
that the Muslim world has been inflamed by recent conflicts, and
not because of Western ideas. "There’s a growing anger in the Muslim
world due to recent wars," he said.

The full interview is to be published in El Pais’ Sunday supplement.

California Courier Online, September 28, 2006

1 – Commentary
In Next Elections, Armenian Caucus
Can Become Majority in Congress
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

2 – AEF Celebrates Renovation of 150 Schools
In Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk
3 – AMAA Awards $110,000 in Scholarships
4 – Los Angeles Armenian Students Arrive in Nebraska
In Cross-Country Walk to Raise Awareness of Genocide
5- Ayrapetyan’s Dollar Essay Wins $5,000 Prize
6 – Orange County Armenians Prepare for
Sept.30-Oct. 1 Festival in Laguna Hills
7 – Historic Armenian Textiles
To Begin Exhibit in Glendale
8 – George Krikorian Breaks Ground For
New Theatre Multiplex in Pico Rivera
9 – Ani Kavafian, Antonio Lysy Launch
Dilijan Series’ Second Season at Zipper Hall
********************************************* *********************
1 – Commentary
In Next Elections, Armenian Caucus
Can Become Majority in Congress

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

In the past eleven years, 163 members of the House of Representatives have
joined the bipartisan "Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues." The Caucus
addresses the concerns of the Armenian American community and helps improve
relations between the United States and Armenia.
With a new concerted effort by Armenian Americans, the Armenian Caucus could
easily surpass 218, which would constitute a majority of the 435 House
members. The Congressional elections on November 7 provide the perfect opportunity
to reach this goal, thus providing the Armenian American community with a
powerful political base in Washington, D.C.
Last Saturday, Cong. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), the co-chair of the Armenian
Caucus, visited Glendale and briefed the Armenian community on several Armenian
issues now pending in the U.S. Congress. Earlier this month, Cong. Joe
Knollenberg (R- Mich.), the other co-chair of the Caucus, also met with Armenians in
Southern California. The co-chairs and the members of the Caucus have played a
key role in pushing for the successful consideration by the House of
Representatives of various Armenian issues over the years, ranging from foreign aid to
Armenian Genocide resolutions.
The Armenian Caucus is currently the second largest ethnic Caucus in the
House, after the India Caucus which has 182 members. Given the many tight races
in the upcoming elections, congressional candidates are eager to court the
support of voters. This is the ideal time to ask the candidates to promise that
they would join the Armenian Caucus, should they win a seat in the House. Unless
they pledge to join the Caucus, no candidate, whether Republican or Democrat,
should receive the votes, campaign contributions or the endorsement of
Armenian individuals or organizations. Incumbents who are running for re-election
should be asked to join the Armenian Caucus immediately — before November 7 —
as a pre-condition for endorsement or support in the upcoming elections. Most
candidates would eagerly oblige, once they are informed of the existence of
the Armenian Caucus and told that their membership in that Caucus is an
important consideration in gaining the backing of the Armenian American community. To
check if a particular Congressman is a member of the Armenian Caucus or not,
Armenian American voters can contact the Armenian National Committee of America
or the Armenian Assembly of America. Should the congressional candidate make
a pledge to join the Caucus, the above groups should be advised so that they
can to follow up with that candidate and secure his or her membership in the
Caucus after the election.
A new initiative must be launched to form an Armenian Caucus in the U.S.
Senate where an India Caucus exists ever since 2004, but not one for Armenia.
Imagine the political and psychological impact on both the supporters as well as
opponents of the Armenian Cause when 218 or more House and 51 or more Senate
members join the Armenian Caucus. While this would not be an ironclad majority
on every Armenian-related issue, it would provide a tremendous boost to the
political clout of the Armenian American community.
It is also important that the Armenian American community keep an eye on the
growing strength of "the Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish
Americans" which currently has 70 members and "the Azerbaijani Friendship Group" which
has 17 House members. Armenian Americans should be aware of the names of the
members of the Turkish and Azeri caucuses and make sure not to support their
re-election. They should, in fact, vote for candidates running against members
of these two caucuses in the November elections. The list of the Turkish and
Azeri caucus members could be obtained by contacting the ANCA and the Armenian
Assembly.
Having a majority of House and Senate members join the Armenian Caucus by
this November would solidify the recent political gains registered by the
Armenian American community, particularly after the showdown in the Senate with the
Bush administration over the nomination of Richard Hoagland, the nominee for
Ambassador to Armenia, following the dismissal of Amb. John Evans for uttering
the words Armenian Genocide. The "hold" placed on the confirmation of Amb.
Hoagland forced the State Department to have a greater respect for the political
clout of the Armenian American community.
After the November elections, should the Armenian Caucus acquire a majority
in both the House and the Senate, the Bush administration as well as Turkey
and Azerbaijan would think twice before challenging the interests of the
Armenian American community in the U.S. Congress.
************************************************* *************************
2 – AEF Celebrates Renovation of 150 Schools
In Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk
GLENDALE – The Armenian Educational Foundation will celebrate the renovation
of 150 schools in Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk since 1999 at its 2006 gala
dinner dance, Dec. 3 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Pasadena.
Proceeds will go towards the renovation of additional schools in remote
villages.
Program includes dinner, music, dance and recognition of 150 school sponsors
and supporters.
Since 1950, the Armenian Educational Foundation, Inc. (AEF) has been the
backbone of the Armenian educational movement worldwide. It has lent a helping
hand to thousands of students and to hundreds of schools throughout the world.
During its 56 years of giving, the AEF has proven to be one of the most enduring
and productive educational organizations in the Diaspora.
The AEF’s fundamental aim has always been the advancement of the Armenian
heritage through support of education. Its great successes have earned the
organization widespread respect, recognition and appreciation.
Over the past half century, the AEF has grown into a thriving organization
with a diverse membership of dedicated individuals. The AEF welcomes anyonewho
shares the commitment of its founding members, and who will bring to the
organization new energy and fresh ideas.
For further information, contact the AEF office in Glendale at (818) 242-4154
or
************************************************** ***********************
3 – AMAA Awards $110,000 in Scholarships
PARAMUS, NJ – The Chairman of the Armenian Missionary Association of
American (AMAA) Scholarship Committee, Robert Hekemian, Jr., just recently
reported the awarding of $110,000 in direct scholarship grants to college and
university students for the 2006-07 academic year. This year, 72 students applied
and, upon verification of need and academic qualifications, 65 students were
awarded scholarships.
In addition, $10,000.00 was awarded to university students in Armenia and
$300,000 has been provided to various institutions of higher learning, and
charitable organizations for distribution. These institutions include Haigazian
University of Beirut, in Lebanon and California State University in Fresno.

The Scholarship Committee, in cooperation with the AMAA Publication
Committee, this year evaluated the essays submitted by the students with their
applications and chose the best essays. Additional grants from the James Jameson Essay
Contest Fund were awarded to the following students: Aram Levon Shemassian,
Charles Kaladjian, Karine Manukyan, Jessica Vitale and Gregory Chavoor. Their
essays were qualified to be the best five. The scholarships, which were granted
this year, were awarded from 70 AMAA endowment funds established for this
purpose.

"I just wanted to let you know that I have received the response to my AMAA
Scholarship application and now I am the proud recipient of an AMAA
Scholarship," writes one applicant in her thank you note to the AMAA. "Thank you so much=80¦
it means a lot to me to know that there are people who are interested in
helping struggling students like myself."

As the rising cost of education in the United States becomes a profound
concern, many undergraduate students who desire to secure a better future, rely on
scholarship aid. Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), sharing
this same concern, established its scholarship program to help needy and
promising undergraduate students. Over the past 35 years of its existence, this
scholarship program has helped thousands of college and university students. So far
AMAA has provided three million dollars in direct scholarship aid.

The AMAA was founded in Worcester in 1918 and incorporated in New York in
1920, with the purpose of strengthening and supporting the Armenian people in
their Christian faith and to encourage religious education as well as literary
and philanthropic work everywhere. Since its founding, the AMAA has expanded
its programs to 22 countries around the world.
The AMAA is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization (Fed No. 13-5670954).
Tax-free donations should be made out to Armenian Missionary Association ofAmerica
and sent to: AMAA, 31 West Century Road, Paramus, NJ 07652.
************************************************** ************************
4 – Los Angeles Armenian Students Arrive in Nebraska
In Cross-Country Walk to Raise Awareness of Genocide
By Kristin Zagurski
Omaha World-Herald, Neb.
OMAHA, NE – Six Armenian college students passed through Omaha Sept. 15 on
their walk across America to raise awareness of genocide.
The students — Ed S. Majian, 22; Albrik Zohrabyan, 23; Hasmig Tatiossian,
23; Vahe Abovian, 30; Sarkis Nazaryan, 28; and Levon Sayadyan, 24 — began their
walk June 27 in Los Angeles.
They walk 30 miles a day, followed by a recreational vehicle in which they
sleep. They plan to end their journey Oct. 30 in Washington, D.C., where a rally
will be held.
The group — walking under the name Journey for Humanity – is holding rallies
in other major cities along its way, including one in Des Moines at the Iowa
State Capitol. That rally is being held in conjunction with the local chapter
of Save Darfur.
In the Omaha area, the students met with staff members of U.S. Reps. Jeff
Fortenberry and Tom Osborne and Sen. Chuck Hagel. They also talk to citizens
along their way, telling them about the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of
Sudan.
The group’s main goals are bringing change to help Darfur and encouraging
people to recognize past genocide — specifically the Armenian genocide of 1915,
Majian said. Amid the chaos of World War I, Turkey killed an estimated 1.5
million Armenians.
********’****************************** ***********************************
5 – Ayrapetyan’s Dollar Essay Wins $5,000 Prize
By Bethania Palma
Whittier Daily News
WHITTIER, CA – What would it be like to be a dollar bill?
Eight-year-old David Ayrapetyan can tell you. In fact, he did just that in a
recent essay contest and won a $5,000 savings bond in the process.
Ayrapetyan entered an Allstate Foundation and Southern California Junior
Achievement joint "Money Smart" competition, in which he was asked to pretend that
he was a dollar bill and describe his day-to-day experiences as such.
"It was his first time and we just wanted to try," said David’s mother, Anna
Ayrapetyan. "We submitted the essay to Junior Achievement and they sent us a
letter, inviting us to a reception at headquarters in Los Angeles."
It was there that David learned he had won. He received a standing ovation
after reading his essay.
David’s essay compared dollar bills to humans, pointing out that they both
have a finite time in which to produce something constructive. In David’s story,
the dollar bill in question goes through several hands before it makes its
way to a homeless woman, who forgoes buying food for herself in order to donate
to hungry children in Africa.
"He really followed the directions of the essay. He gave some interesting
facts about how long a bill stays in currency, what percentage of currency is one
dollar bills, so he did his research,: said Tim Hackett, director of
development for Junior Achievement. "He was also able to put in some thingsabout
charity, giving the bill to a homeless woman. She even turned that into charity,
so it was really heartwarming and excellent."
Ayrapetyan said David’s second-grade teacher, Nancy Studebaker, at Wallen L.
Andrews Elementary first informed them of the contest and encouraged David to
try.
Anna Ayrapetyan said that she plans to help David use the money for his
college education.
"It’s a really valuable thing," said Hackett. "We’re giving these kids a real
opportunity to invest in their future. By the time he’s 30 years old, it
could really be something."
Hackett said the overall creativity and originality of the essay was what
stood out to judges.
"He’s really a brilliant kid," he said. "He’s really smart."
************************************* *************************************
6 – Orange County Armenians Prepare for
Sept.30-Oct. 1 Festival in Laguna Hills
LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. – Orange County’s flourishing Armenian community is
coming together to support education. A festival will be held Sept. 30-Oct.1 at
the Laguna Hills Community Center, 25555 Alicia Pkwy., Laguna Hills
Over 20 Armenian-American organizations have joined together to plan this
event.
The musical venue includes all types of music from Armenia, including modern
popular, folk dance, and chorale musig and singers throughout the weekend. The
dance program includes authentic dance ensembles performing in traditional
costumes, line folk dancing and lessons for the brave-hearted.
Food will be plentiful with authentic and familiar favorites. Several
varieties of appetizers, shish kebab, rice and boulghour pilaf, and desserts,
including several varieties of baklava, will be available.
Special planning has been made for children’s programs and activities
throughout the weekend including a large supervised kids’ fun zone and playgrounds
with slides, swings, clowns, contests, games and prizes.
Participating groups will be present in booths for more information about
their activities and organizations. Additional booths will be available for
products and services from Orange County-based providers.
Admission is $3 for adults, and $1 for kids.
Participating organizations include: The Ari Guiragos Minassian Armenian
School, AYF "Ashot Yergat" Chapter, Armenian Christian Fellowship of OC, Armenian
Cultural Foundation, Armenian General Benevolent Union, AGBU-OC Saturday
School, AGBU-OC Young Professionals, Armenian National Committee of Orange County,
Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural Association, Armenian Relief Society "Karni "
Chapter, ARS "Karni" Chapter Saturday Armenian School, ARS "Sevan" Chapter,ARS
"Sevan" chapter Saturday Armenian School, Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic
Church, Forty Martyrs Church Ladies Auxiliary, Orange County Homenetmen
"Sartarabad" Chapter, St. Mary Armenian Church, UCI Armenian Students Association.
For more information, visit the website at
************************ **************************************************
7 – Historic Armenian Textiles
To Begin Exhibit in Glendale
GLENDALE – The Armenian Dress &Textile Project (ADTP), with initial funding
from The Glendale Historical Society, announces Visits among Ancestors:
Memories and Treasures at the Doctor’s House Museum and Gazebo in Glendale’s Brand
Library Park, 1601 West Mountain Street, Glendale. The exhibit will run
consecutively on Sundays from 2 to 4 pm starting Oct. 8 and ending November5.
ADTP’s purpose is to add to the growing collection of dress and textile,
currently housed in Los Angeles, and to expose to the Armenian and non-Armenian
public how women’s dowry items, textiles, clothing/costumes and stories area
means to identify one’s family ties and history.
This exhibit will feature newly loaned and donated clothing, textiles, and
personal belongings of Armenian families, obtained both locally and nationwide,
who emigrated from central and western Turkey and came to the United States
early in the 20th century.
ADTP founder Tina Demirdjian and ADTP textile experts Sofi Khachmanyan and
Carol Tuntland will provide the interpretive tours. Additionally, this exhibit
pays special tribute to and is in memory of Mirielle Kalfayan, poet, friend,
and supporter of ADTP.
The Armenian Dress &Textile Project (ADTP) began in 1998 after the discovery
of 100-year-old family dowry items and costumes from Turkey. This material
culture had survived the Armenian Genocide of 1915, overseas migration, and
time. ..
*********************************************** ***************************
8 – George Krikorian Breaks Ground For
New Theatre Multiplex in Pico Rivera
By Araceli Esparza
Whittier Daily News
PICO RIVERA, Calif. – After years of delays, Pico Rivera residents moved a
step closer Thursday to watching digitally projected Hollywood blockbusterson
wall-to-wall screens while relaxing in high-backed seats.
City officials and Krikorian Premiere Theaters President George Krikorian
broke ground on a 14-screen Cineplex.
The Krikorian Metroplex Entertainment Center will become Pico Rivera’s first
and only movie theater when it opens at Paramount and Whittier boulevards next
summer.
The theater will be the entertainment anchor of a planned retail complex
designed to boost the local economy and provide dozens of new jobs, city officials
said at a ceremony marking the start of construction.
"This is an exciting day, but can you imagine the excitement a year from now
when this place opens?" Mayor Pro Tem Ron Beilke said.
"This community has been absent a theater for many years," said Krikorian.
Nikki Kealalio, a marketing representative for Krikorian, said the new venue
will be similar to others the company has opened throughout the Southland.
It will total 69,000 square feet and have stadium seating, high-backed
rocking chairs, wall-to-wall screens and digital projectors.
Pico Rivera Mayor Pete Ramirez called it "first class."
Krikorian paid Pico Rivera $3.4 million for the property, about $8 million
less than the actual valuation of the land-$12 million,Ramirez said.
******************************************** **********************************
9 – Ani Kavafian, Antonio Lysy Launch
Dilijan Series’ Second Season at Zipper Hall
LOS ANGELES – After a series of well-received performances in its initial
season, the Dilijan Chamber Music Series is gearing up for its second season
with an opening concert on October 1, at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
Featured artists include internationally renowned violinist Ani Kavafian,
founding Artist Member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and widely
acclaimed cellist and UCLA professor Antonio Lysy. They will be joined by
Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition Gold Medalist pianist Robert Thies,
LA Chamber Orchestra Principal Violist Roland Kato, and the Dilijan Series
Artistic Director violinist Movses Pogossian. The program will consist of
Beethoven’s String Trio in G Major, Arno Babajanian’s Violin Sonata (1959), and
Johannes Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F Minor.
Highlights of the 2006/07 season include three world premieres commissioned
by the Dilijan Series, appearances by distinguished musicians such as oboist
Allan Vogel, clarinetists Michele Zukovsky and Gary Bovyer, violinist Ida
Levin, violists Paul Coletti and Brian Dembow, cellists Peter Stumpf and Tim
Landauer, and pianist Norman Krieger, among others. The final concert of the
season, in commemoration of the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
features world renowned violist Kim Kashkashian in a program of music by Tigran
Mansurian.
Founded by members of the Glendale, California-based Lark Musical Society,
the Dilijan Chamber Series is dedicated to showcasing masterpieces of Western
classical music, as well as popularizing Armenian chamber music. Tickets for
each concert are available by calling (818) 572-5438, or at the door.
Inquiries can be addressed to [email protected].
*********** ************************************************** **************
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************************************** ************************************

EDUCATIONAL MASTER’S PROGRAM ON MICROELECTRONIC DEVICE DESIGN TO BE PRESENTED TO RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BY SYNOPSYS ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Sept 22 2006

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The Russian President Vladimir
Putin will visit on September 25 the Microlelectronic Technics
Research Institute in the technopolis Zelenograd near Moscow. A
higer educational master’s program developed by Synopsys Armenia
company will be on display in one of the pavilions. Hovik Musaelian,
Director General of Synopsys Armenia, said that during the September
22 press conference, reminding that the indicated program is operating
at Yerevan State University and the State Engineering University of
Armenia. A total of 230 students of the microelctronic device design
departments use this program in their educational process.

According to H. Musaelian, in terms of its work volume, Synopsys
Armenia is second among subdivisions of Synopsys company (US), a world
leader in the design of microelectronic devices and the manufacture of
design software. It was noted that chips designed by Synopsys Armenia
are used in manufacturing 70% of memory devices of 70% of cell phones
produced worldwide. The company’s chips are also used in aeronautics
and other spheres. As of December 2005, the company had 300 employees.

According to the company’s director general, over the past two
years, Synopsys has installed software of 350 mln USD at two Yerevan
universities where microelectronic device design laboratories were
set up.

SEMINAR: AL-ANFAL, HOLOCAUST AND ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Kurdish Media, UK
Sept 24 2006

London (KurdishMedi.com) 24 September 2006: Dr Burhan Yasin, a
Kurdish intellect and historian, in his coming seminar comparers and
analyses the similarities and dissimilarities between three campaigns
of genocide during the 20th century of three distinct people, Kurds,
Jewish and Armenians. Their genocides are respectively known as the
al-Anfal campaign against Kurds by the former Iraqi Arab state, the
Holocaust of Jewish by Nazi Germany and the Armenian genocide by Turks.

The Jews of Europe were the main victims of the Holocaust in what the
Nazis called the "Final Solution of the Jewish Question" (die Endlosung
der Judenfrage) or "the cleaning" (die Reinigung). The commonly
used figure for the number of Jewish victims is six million, though
estimates by historians using, among other sources, records from the
Nazi regime itself, range from five million to seven million. Millions
of other ethnic groups also perished in the Holocaust in addition to
this figure.

The Armenian Genocide also known as the Armenian Holocaust or the
Armenian Massacre – refers to the forced mass evacuation and related
deaths of hundreds of thousands or over a million Armenians, during the
government of the Young Turks from 1915 to 1917 in the Ottoman Empire.

The al-Anfal Campaign was an anti-Kurdish campaign led by the Iraqi
regime of Saddam Hussein in the second half of 1980s. The campaign
takes its name from Surat Al-Anfal in the Qur’an, which was used
as a code name by the former Iraqi Baathist regime for a series of
military campaigns against the Kurdish civilian population of southern
Kurdistan. An estimated 182,000 people, mainly members of the entire
community such as a village or a tribe, were parished.

Their reamins were found in mass graves in deserts of southern Iraq
after ousting of Saddam Hussein’s regime. Some of the women and young
girls were sold to Egypt and Gulf Arab Sheiks.

Speaker: Dr Burhan Yasin

Organiser: The centre of Halabja against genocide and Anfalization
of the Kurds – CHAK

When: 30 September 2006 >>From 14:30 to 17:30

Where: Nørre Alle 7 2200 København N Denmark.

–Boundary_(ID_IiCoih9ce6f3jEyTIGB0tQ)–

Oregon Senator Praises President’s Special Envoy To Bring America’s Power To Bear On Darfur
By office of Senator Gordon Smith

Glendale Oregon News, OR
Sept 23 2006

WASHINGTON, DC – Recently, U.S. Senators Gordon H. Smith (R-OR) and
Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) released statements regarding the
president’s appointment of former USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios
as Presidential Special Envoy to lead America’s efforts to protect
the people of Darfur. In legislation introduced in August, Senators
Smith and Kennedy called for the appointment of a special envoy to
work with the international community to advance the ceasefire and
disarm the Janjaweed militia.

"This is a much needed step to stop the bloodshed and killing,"
Senator Smith said. "A Sudanese leader needs to know the eyes of the
world are watching their actions closely. Mindless murder is
intolerable. Sudan must allow the UN peacekeeping force to secure
the region."

"Convincing the Sudanese Government to end the genocide must be the
Envoy’s top priority," Senator Kennedy said. "If the Sudanese
Government continues on its perilous course of intransigence, there
must be economic and diplomatic consequences. The United States must
make it clear that our government is prepared to impose economic
sanctions and restrict the travel of Sudan’s leaders and their
families.

Sudan’s membership in international organizations, restrictions on
loans to and investment in the Sudanese Government, and bilateral
diplomatic relations should also be on the table. It must be crystal
clear that the United States is prepared to urge our allies across
the globe to do the same. Our basic humanity compels us to remember
the Holocaust, the Armenian, Rwandan and Cambodian genocides. We
must act, and act now."

The Peace in Darfur Act of 2006 (S.3801), introduced by Senators
Smith and Kennedy, outlines several formidable actions that need to
be taken to enforce the Darfur Peace Agreement. The bill calls for:

The Government of Sudan to immediately allow a UN peacekeeping force
to operate in Darfur and implement the Darfur Peace Agreement
NATO, if requested by the UN, to enforce the no-fly zone over Darfur
and to provide airlift, logistical and intelligence support to the
peacekeepers
The international community to support the current African Union
Mission in Sudan and a follow-on UN peacekeeping mission to Darfur,
and to promptly act to fill the outstanding humanitarian assistance
needs
The President of the United States to impose economic sanctions if
Sudan fails to implement the peace agreement
An additional $150 million in funding to be authorized by the U.S.

Congress that can be spent in fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to fill
the unmet humanitarian needs in Darfur.

To contact Senator Smith, go to
ction=Contact.Home

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towns throughout Oregon.

Do you have a story you’d like to publish about your community? You
can publish it using our Citizen Journalism feature.

There is no cost for using our news sites. Registering as a citizen
journalist is free. It’s easy to publish your stories on our
news-sites.

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news websites when you place an ad in any one of our sites.

The following link provides a list of all 350 news websites,
including forums, event listings and Citizen Journalism sections:

ex.cfm?artOID=300803&cp=10995

Armenian Church in Baku to Be Transformed into Library

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.09.2006 19:00 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Preparations for transformation of the Armenian
Church into a library with a reading corner for the Azeri President
are going on in Baku, Azerbaijani Minister of Culture and Tourism
Abulfas Garayev said. In his words, Ilham Aliyev attended the Armenian
Church lately and inquired of its activities. "There came suggestion
on its transformation into a library. In my opinion, science should
develop and there should be books in a church, which is considered
to be God’s home. There is nothing strange in it," Garayev said,
reported APA news agency.

HAIK BABUKHANYAN INTERVIEWED ON RESIGNATION OF CRU CHAIRMAN

Panorama.am
15:25 22/09/06

After the resignation of Hrant Khachatryan, Constitutional Right
Union (CRU) chairman, everybody is interested in what’s going on in
the party. Today Panorama.am interviewed the acting chairman of CRU,
Haik Babukhanyan.

– Mr. Babukhanyan, what is the situation in CRU after Hrant
Khachatryan’s resignation? Everybody is working.

We have held sessions of chairmanship and executive board. All services
and committee are working in their normal realm. The regional and
community units are also working as normal.

– Some mass media outlets made an impression that with the resignation
of Hrant Khachatryan your dream has come true. Have you ever dreamt
that Hrant Khachatryan resigns? I have never dreamt of leading the
party. On the contrary, I had a wish that Hrant Khachatryan stays
as the head of the party. I have told the conference and will repeat
that he is the honorable chairman of the party. But every person has
the right to choose what to be busy with. Taking up the leadership
is an extra burden and responsibility for me.

– In fact do you take up the post of the party’s head?

According to the charter and our conference decision, yes, in case
the head of the party resigns, I take up his responsibilities.

– Mr. Babukhanyan, before his departure Hrant Khachatryan said he
has several demands. What is your reaction to them and will they be
called to life? I accept them as normal. His wishes are our wishes. We
have never had arguments in this regard. There will be no problems
in that sense.

-How did you depart with ex-chairman of CRU, as friends or…?

– Not only we are partners, we are political friends.

In my case, I consider Mr. Khachatryan as my friend.

– What are your reactions to Hrant Khachatryan’s supporters who blame
you in financial misappropriations?

– I myself am part of Mr. Khachatryan’s team.

– I mean after disagreements and disputes.

Both before the dispute and after it I am against that there will be
such a notion as "Mr. Khachatryan’s supporters" because I am personally
his supporter.

When our conference elected him as a chairman, it means all the
delegates supported him. We think people should be free and decline
from using words like "supporters, people of the same team."

As far as some party members are concerned who have used libel
through statements and newspapers (Babukhanyan is speaking about
Karen Vardanyan who said Babukhanyan has misappropriated funds),
they have performed the order of the state in order to create
disagreements within the party. An application is forwarded to
the supervision committee to check what they say. So, it will be
checked how truthful these statement are. If they meet the reality,
corresponding conclusions will be drawn. If they don’t, the libelers
will give an answer according to our charter.

/Panorama.am/