Author: Vasilian Manouk

ARMENIAN BILL APPROACHING ON US CONGRESSIONAL HORIZON

Hurriyet, Turkey
Jan 8 2007

US Congressman Adam Schiff has announced that he will soon be proposing
a bill to the House of Representative addressing Armenian claims of
genocide. Speaking in front of the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles,
Schiff, who represents the 29th District in California, said "With
the new leadership in Congress, I am hopeful that we will finally
bring this bill forward."

Schiff also noted in his statements that "The American nation must
recognize this genocide," and that Turkey should accept responsibility
for what the Armenians claim was a genocide against them.

Sources in Washington, DC meanwhile affirm that it looks likely that
under the new Democratic leadership, a bill supporting official
recognition of the Armenian claims will in fact pass through the
Congress. Former President Bill Clinton, who 7 years ago prevented
such a bill from passing, told Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
recently that preventing its passage now would be difficult.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

AGBU HOSTS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY & CENTENNIAL GALA IN PARIS, FRANCE
Over 800 Members and Friends Fete a Hundred Years of Excellence

On the occasion of AGBU’s 84th General Assembly, which took place on
December 9, 2006, in Paris, France, over 800 AGBU members and
supporters from 17 countries convened in the French capital to attend
a weekend of events, meetings and activities, including a
Saturday-night banquet at the Grand Hotel Intercontinental, a concert
at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, and a gala at the world-renowned
Château de Versailles.

Founded in 1906, a century later AGBU has grown from its visionary
beginnings as a non-political philanthropic organization for the
benefit of all Armenians to become the world’s largest Armenian
non-profit organization with an annual budget of $36 million and
programming on six continents.

Today, with a steadfast belief in maintaining a clear dedication to
its mission in the 21st century–to promote the Armenian heritage
around the world–AGBU marked the beginning of a new century of
adaptation, innovation and excellence, with a festive weekend in
Paris, the home of the organization’s central office from 1922 to
1940. Guests from the four corners of the world joined AGBU leaders,
benefactors and members to toast the foremost organization, which
continues to safeguard the global Armenian heritage for future
generations.

Organized by AGBU France District, the weekend-long event was
organized by dozens of volunteers who tirelessly devoted their time
to ensure the success of the festivities. During this Centennial
weekend, AGBU also launched the first of its two-volume History of
AGBU published by AGBU Nubarian Library in Paris and written by
leading French Armenian historians Raymond Kévorkian and Vahé
Tachjian. Also commissioned for the landmark event was a special
90-minute documentary written and directed by Manuel Toulajian on the
history of the organization. The film integrates rare archival
footage of AGBU’s early educational and humanitarian programs, and
presents the powerful and rippling effect of the organization’s
programs on the lives of Armenians today.

STRENGTHENING A POWERFUL INSTITUTION

Hosted at the Intercontinental Hotel, the Saturday-morning General
Assembly welcomed AGBU leaders, donors, members and visiting
dignitaries to discuss matters relevant to the organization’s mission
and work. During the 2006 Opening Session, AGBU President Berge
Setrakian spoke about the ongoing effort to modernize AGBU and the
pursuance of the organization’s mission to improve the lives of
Armenians globally within the framework of its humanitarian,
educational and cultural programs.

During the biennial meeting, AGBU members voted to establish a new
Council of Trustees composed of some of the most senior members of
AGBU’s Central Board of Directors, and longtime contributors to
AGBU’s projects and mission. The founding members of the newly formed
Council are Sarkis Demirdjian, Richard Manoogian, Nazar Nazarian,
Louise Manoogian Simone, Karnig Yacoubian, as well as the President
of the Union, Berge Setrakian.

In addition, the 2006 Assembly witnessed the election of eight new
members to AGBU’s distinguished Central Board. The recently elected
members are Yervant Demirjian, Nazareth Festekjian, Vahé Gabrache,
Sarkis Jebejian, Ruben Kechichian, Levon Nazarian, Berge Papazian and
Vasken Yacoubian.

The following Central Board directors will continue to serve in their
capacity as sitting members: M. Michael Ansour, Carol Bagdasarian
Aslanian, Aris Atamian, Joseph Basralian, Arshavir Gundjian, Levon
Kebabjian, Sam Simonian, Sinan Sinanian, and Dickran Tevrizian.

Michael Ansour presented AGBU’s financial statement to the General
Assembly, indicating that the assets of the organization at the end
of 2005 totaled $272.5 million, a $22.5 million increase from 2003.

During the Assembly, AGBU France District Chairman, Denis
Ketchedjian, introduced two short films that were created on the
occasion of the Centennial, one of which illustrates the breadth of
the organization’s historical and current projects on six continents,
while the focuses on the AGBU’s European programs in France, and its
growing success at creating programs that serve the diaspora, Armenia
and, most recently, Karabakh.

Saturday’s biennial meeting was attended by a number of dignitaries,
including His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians; His
Excellency Vartan Oskanian, Foreign Minister of the Republic of
Armenia; His Excellency Edward Nalbandian, Ambassador of the Republic
of Armenia to France, Israel and the Vatican; Patrick Devedjian,
Member of the French Parliament and former Cabinet Minister; François
Rochebloine, Deputy of the French National Assembly and President of
the "France-Arménie" friendship group; Alexis Govciyan, President of
the pan-French Armenian organization CCAF (Comité de coordination des
associations arméniennes de France); His Eminence Archbishop Barkev
Mardirossian, Primate of Karabakh; His Eminence Kude Nakashian,
Primate of Paris and the Pontifical Legate of Western Europe; and
Nelly Tardivier-Henrot, Commissioner General for the Year of Armenia
in France.

Setrakian spoke about the organization’s dedication to the original
vision of AGBU’s founders with an emphasis on meeting the challenges
of the upcoming century through new programs which will allow the
Union to pursue and address the needs of its new constituencies. He
further emphasized the importance of investing in Armenia for the
development of projects that will benefit the diaspora, such as the
development of a student center for diasporan youth in Yerevan that
will facilitate college exchanges. He addressed the symbiotic
relationship between the diaspora and Armenia, "It is necessary to
develop a close and fruitful relationship between the two faces of
our people, the diaspora and Armenia. It is a privileged relationship
for the diaspora but equally essential for the prosperity of
Armenia."

Patrick Devedjian spoke about AGBU’s crucial role in the lives of
Armenians through its programs, which he feels complements the
Armenian Apostolic Church’s role as spiritual guardian. He expressed
a great optimism about the flourishing of the Armenian identity in
the new global age, an era when organizations like AGBU will prosper,
"Globalization does not offer the same risk to us that conversion
once did in our history. Armenians are a people of resistance…their
history, their dispersion have given us a disposition to
globalization. I think French Armenians are possibly better equipped
to adapt than others, including other French citizens."

His Holiness Karekin II spoke about the solid foundations of AGBU,
and quoted Luke 6:48, "He is like a man building a house, who dug
deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred,
the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because
it had been well built." He lauded the bond that AGBU creates between
Armenians, one that brought together hundreds of people from around
the world to mark the important celebration, "We see all of you from
various parts of the diaspora, from Armenia and Karabakh, assembled
here together to mark this great historic occasion of AGBU’s
Centennial. The mission of AGBU was established with faith, hope,
love and charity and built on solid foundations."

The Armenian Pontiff praised Boghos Nubar’s idea to create an
organization with the breadth and reach of AGBU, and paid tribute to
past presidents, Calouste Gulbenkian, Zareh Nubar, Arshag
Karagheusian, Alex Manoogian, Louise Manoogian Simone, and current
president, Berge Setrakian, who have never veered from the original
vision. His Holiness blessed the past and present leaders of AGBU and
its worldwide membership. On the occasion of the Paris gathering, He
prayed for the continuing friendship between Armenia and France, and
mentioned France’s decision to honor that special relationship with
this year’s "Year of Armenia" initiative, which is creating bridges
between the people of both nations.

In a small ceremony that concluded the day’s assembly, AGBU
recognized the longstanding tireless devotion and service to AGBU of
two French District Committee members whose efforts made the Paris
Centennial weekend possible, Sona Attamian and Michel Sabbagh.
Setrakian bestowed each honoree with Honor Membership and an engraved
crystal award to mark the occasion.

VISITING PARIS’ ARMENIAN LANDMARKS

Following the General Assembly, members of the AGBU Central Board of
Directors and guests visited the mausoleum of Boghos Nubar, which is
located in the city’s famed Père-Lachaise cemetery. A brief service,
presided over by Archbishop Kude Nakashian, Primate of Paris and the
Pontifical Legate of Western Europe, blessed the memory, vision,
lifetime devotion and achievements of AGBU’s founding father and
first president. On this occasion, in a brief address at the
conclusion of the prayers, President Setrakian asked for a minute of
silence in the memory of the Founder and stated "Here we are a
hundred years latter to pay tribute to our founder and renew our
pledge to continue his visionary mission we inherited for the future
of the organization."

As a further honor to his memory as an AGBU pioneer, visitors
continued on to "Maison Arménienne," a dormitory that houses students
of Armenian descent which was founded by Boghos Nubar as part of the
Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris. The majestic building,
inspired by historic Armenian architecture and stone carving and was
built in 1927, has helped to encourage generations of Armenians to
reconnect with their cultural heritage.

A MUSICAL FEAST

On Saturday and Sunday nights, French organizers treated the
international gathering of guests to two exciting musical events that
underscored the organization’s commitment to cultural excellence.
During Saturday night’s gala at the Grand Hotel Intercontinental,
AGBU showcased the finalists of the inaugural Sayat Nova music
competition, which sought out the most gifted young composers
demonstrating an understanding and appreciation of the Armenian
musical heritage. Juried by world-renowned composers and musicians,
both Armenian and non-Armenian, the contest attracted entrants from
France, Armenia, Argentina, Italy and the United States.

AGBU Board Member Aris Atamian introduced the evening’s program and
was joined by President of the Jury, Marie-Madeleine Krynen, to
present the awards to the winning composers, along with a bursary to
help support their growing interest in Armenian music. 2006 Sayat
Nova award winners are Arthur Akshelyan of Armenia (first prize) for
his composition "Pray," Grégoire Lorieux of France (second prize) for
his "Mémoire Pleine Étoile," and Hernân Dario Palmieri of Argentina
(third prize) for his "Suite Arménienne."

Guests were treated to a special performance of Akshelyan’s winning
composition and received a CD in their program booklet, which
contained a recording of all three award-winning songs.

Sunday night’s concert at Théâtre des Champs-Élysees–one of the
city’s leading venues for classical music–attracted an audience of
1,200, which was a vibrant mix of the city’s classical aficionados
and AGBU members. Organized by AGBU France District, with the
creative input of pianist Vahan Mardirossian, the program featured
compositions from various European composers, including Arno
Babadjanian, Claude Debussy, Manuel De Falla, Edward Grieg, Aram
Khachaturian, Edward Mirzoyan, and Piotr Ilitch Tchaïkovski, and the
debut of the Ensemble Maestria at Champs-Élysees. The evening’s
performance showcased four emerging soloists of Armenian descent who
have been garnering a growing international reputation for their
musical mastery: violinist Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabédian, cellist
Xavier Phillips, pianist Vahan Mardirossian and harpist Iris
Torossian.

A YOUTHFUL PRESENCE

Throughout the Paris Centennial Weekend, a strong contingent of young
AGBU members and Young Professionals (YPs) was highly visible and
eager to participate in each activity to demonstrate the growing
enthusiasm of the emerging generation for AGBU and its mission to
promote the Armenian heritage.

In addition to the over 150 YPs who attended Saturday night’s gala
event, YPs were welcomed Friday night with an introductory dinner at
the popular restaurant and nightclub, La Suite, while on Sunday
afternoon YPs were treated to a lecture on feminism in the workplace
by Valérie Toranian, editor in chief of French Elle magazine.

A PALATIAL GALA

Under the patronage of French President Jacques Chirac, Monday
night’s black-tie gala at the French royal palace of Versailles was
one of the pinnacle celebrations that marked the first century of the
world’s foremost Armenian non-profit organization.

Armenian and French dignitaries, political, business, cultural and
community leaders from around the world were among the over 600
guests that joined His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, and His Excellency Vartan Oskanian, Foreign Minister of
the Republic of Armenia, for the event hosted by AGBU.

Among the distinguished guests were French Armenian musical legend,
Charles Aznavour; Patrick Devedjian, former French cabinet minister;
François Rochebloine, deputy of the French National Assembly and
president of the "France-Arménie" friendship group; René Rouquet,
deputy of the French National Assembly and Mayor of Alfortville;
André Santini, deputy of the French National Assembly, Mayor of
Issy-les-Moulineaux and former French cabinet minister; Jacques
Toubon, former French cabinet minister; Nelly Tardivier-Henrot,
Commissioner General for the Year of Armenia in France; His
Excellency Edward Nalbandian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia
to France, Israel and the Vatican; His Excellency Viguen
Tchitetchian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the European
Union; Her Excellency Sylvie Fadlallah, Ambassador of Lebanon to
France; Her Excellency Dina Kawar, Ambassador of Jordan to France;
His Excellence Archbishop Kude Nakashian, Primate of Paris and the
Pontifical Legate of Western Europe; Bishop Norvan Zakarian of Lyon;
Alexis Govciyan, President of the CCAF (Comité de coordination des
associations arméniennes de France); and a vast cadre of AGBU
benefactors, donors and members from 17 nations.

Upon entrance to the royal palace, guests were welcomed in a
reception hall lined with statues of French monarchs. The visitors
were then led on a tour through the palace’s regal rooms, some of
which had musicians, attired in eighteenth-century costumes, playing
tunes that marked the golden era of Versailles.

After touring room after room of majestic splendor, including the
crystalline Hall of Mirrors, dinner guests were escorted into the
grand Hall of Battles for a dinner celebration. The banquet hall,
which houses an epic series of paintings recounting the historic
battles of France, was an appropriate setting to reflect on the
sweeping history of an organization that has had a powerful impact on
the lives of the Armenian nation. Six hundred guests joined together
to celebrate AGBU’s successes in the past and ambitions for a united
future for all Armenians.

After the invocation by His Holiness Karekin II, and welcoming
remarks by AGBU France District Chairman, Denis Ketchedjian,
President Setrakian, in his address, thanked President Chirac for
extending his patronage to the Paris Centennial events and then
renewed his appeal to all Armenian organizations and individuals to
work together to meet the overwhelming challenges facing the nation
in general and the diaspora in particular.

Foreign Minister Oskanian, who proudly stated that he himself has
been a beneficiary of AGBU educational and youth programs, lauded the
Union’s role as one of the leading institutions in the Armenian
world, "The Armenian diaspora is a means of widening the living space
of our nation, a way to pass the cultural wealth of the nation to
each other, a solid basis for economic and political investments,
with the help of which the Diaspora can participate in awakening of
the state and people. After independence in Armenia, AGBU became one
of those national structures, which actively participates in
reconstruction of the Armenian state. I am sure that in the upcoming
10 years Armenia will be on a steady path to progress. We do not have
an alternative. Only by this way we can preserve the national
originality of the new diaspora, offering them a democratic and
prospering Armenia, to which they can resemble and be proud of."

Laurent Bili, Diplomatic Advisor of French President Jacques Chirac,
delivered a special Presidential message on this important occasion
applauding the devotion of so many AGBU members to an organization
that continues to grow and help more and more individuals.

To date over 50 Centennial events on six continents have marked
AGBU’s century of accomplishments. Celebrations will continue until
April 2007, when the organization will sponsor a working conference
in Yerevan, Armenia to conclude a yearlong salute to its proud past
and its exciting and dynamic future.

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with
an annual budget of $34 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the
Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and
humanitarian programs, annually serving some 400,000 Armenians in 35
countries.

–Boundary_(ID_ldVb0yKdwqa3rl8WnyYY 7w)–

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
December 29, 2006 Friday

CAMOUFLAGED WAR;
Of Iran against Azerbaijan

by Nurani

IRAN’S UNDECLARED WAR ON AZERBAIJAN; Iran’s behavior with regard to
Azerbaijan is anything but amiable.

Spymania is sweeping over Iran. Azerbaijan is the enemy this time.
Iranian journalists discovered a "clandestine US spy center"
operating in Baku. As a matter of fact, Iranian media’s
anti-Azerbaijani bias is nothing new. Even a fleeting glance at the
pro-government Iranian media (there are no independent or
oppositionist media outlets in this country) shows that Azerbaijan is
smeared and denigrated with frightening regularity. The Azerbaijan
authorities (branded as the Baku State, by the way) are accused of
encouragement of separatism, abandonment of Islam, advancement of
contacts with the West (too close, in the eyes of Tehran) and
particularly with the United States and Israel.

Baztab news agency made a report titled "US Spy Mission In Baku" on
November 29, 2006. Author of the report Mohammad Horrami stunned
readers with the conclusion drawn from the article The New York Times
featured on November 19 that the US was establishing some spy centers
in Dubai and Baku to operate against Iran. A search in The New York
Times archives failed to uncover any such story.

According to Horrami, the authorities of Turkey denied Washington the
permission to use the territory of this country in subversive
activities against Iran, but the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan
had no objections. The journalist then proceeded to concentrate on
Azerbaijan and the alleged spy center in it (neither the name of the
establishment nor its location were given). "With the opening of the
center, we see activization of the anti-Iranian policy in Baku
promoted by non-governmental organizations and the State Committee
for Contacts with Azerbaijanis Abroad," he wrote.

Horrami stated in the report that a forum titled the II Azerbaijani
World Congress allegedly took place in Baku this March, attended by
"the persons trained in incitement of separatism and clashes at US
bases", "representatives of separatist TV networks", etc.

No names are given (but of course). It does not take a genius to
guess in the meantime that the term "separatist" is applied to
satellite networks in Europe and North America broadcasting in the
Azerbaijani language. These broadcasts are mostly aimed at people
from South Azerbaijan. "These individuals helped provoke disturbances
in Iranian cities in May 2006," Horrami wrote referring to the brutal
suppression of a peace demonstration in Tebriz by Iranian security
structures. As far as Baztab is concerned, the disturbances were
"orchestrated" by "separatist TV networks" broadcasting from the
United States, the ones whose representatives visited Baku.

It goes without saying that Tehran lacks any facts or evidence
corroborating "subversive activities" of Azerbaijan against Iran or
even any such activities directed from the territory of Azerbaijan.
Iranian counterintelligence has never bagged a single spy, American
or Israeli, who penetrated Iran from Azerbaijan. An Iranian agent in
Azerbaijan in the meantime was exposed, tried, and sentenced to 11
years behind the bars. It is the only episode leaked to the media. It
is clear that the intelligence gathering network is actually much
broader. It is just that secret services know how to solve their
problems without making a fuss and that facts of this sort become
public knowledge only in emergencies.

One could talk long about Iran’s own subversive activities. The
number of people going to Iran "to study" swelled. What they study
there and what they are trained at is anybody guess. According to
official information, they study theology at Kuma and Meshkheda
medreses. When they come back, however, these people remain in the
focus of the Iranians’ attention. Iranian foundations pay for their
apartments and find them jobs. These people are even entitled to
interest free loans. In return, they are supposed to indoctrinate the
Azerbaijani. Their teaching is 1. pro-Iranian, and 2. incites hatred
between Sunni and Shi’ah.

Few care to remember that The Islamic Party that once operated in
Azerbaijan was eventually exposed as an organization of Iranian
agents. Export of the Iranian revolution is not off the agenda even
now, and Azerbaijan is a likely target. Particularly since Iran has
its own plans for Azerbaijan. Iranian media outlets close to he
government are openly aggressive with regard to Azerbaijan.

The newspaper Jumhurije Islami, for example, this Iranian equivalent
of the Pravda in the late USSR, featured an article titled "Shimali
Iran" in its November 27 issue. "Shimali Iran" stands for North Iran,
a term authors of the article applied to Azerbaijan. They maintain
that Azerbaijan nowadays is the territory of Iran and that all lands
that comprised Iran during the Kanjar Dynasty rule should be returned
to Iran. According to the newspaper, the Iranian people is prepared
to take measures to this end.

This provocation of an article is an element of the Iranian policy.
It seems that Israel is not the only country Iran would like to erase
from the map of the world.

In the meantime, Iran understands that just sending the regular army
to Azerbaijan won’t do. Iran makes preparations for the time being,
inventing "PR grounds" for actions against Azerbaijan on the one hand
and doing what it can to transform Azerbaijan into a "soft target".
At least 50 pro-Iranian "religious societies", cultural centers, and
non-governmental organizations operate in Azerbaijan nowadays. Their
activities worry the powers-that-be, and justly so. Iran wouldn’t
even balk at using drugs as a weapon against Azerbaijan.

It is common knowledge that "stuff" is mostly smuggled into our
country from Iran. It is, however, precisely the case when quantity
gives way to quality. It does not even matter that Iran is a logical
transit country for traffic from poppy fields in Afghanistan. Iran is
a special case, and so is its society. Secret police controls
everything in Iran and it is capital sentence for drugs. Given the
situation, it is hard to believe that traffic into Azerbaijan on such
a scale is possible without the connivance and therefore outright
encouragement of the official authorities.

What really counts, however, is close Iran’s close friendship with
Armenia. Foreign Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanjan made yet another
visit to Iran last week. Iran and Armenia even plan construction of a
hydroelectric power plant on the occupied Azerbaijani lands. Armenia
is importing gas, oil, and oil products from Iran. Shortly speaking,
all of that clearly comes down to more than what may be attributed to
"actions of the Armenian diaspora" as the Iranian officials usually
do.

Azerbaijan has been doing its best not to aggravate relations with
Iran. This is a neighbor country which with we have a lengthy border
and active bilateral contacts in many spheres. It seems, however,
that Iran either does not see or does not want to see a difference
between peace-loving disposition and fear.

Source: Ekho (Baku), December 23, 2006, EV

Translated by A. Ignatkin

December 29, 2006

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Website: <;

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER HOLY MASS AT THE
CRESCENTA VALLEY PARISH

On Sunday, December 31st, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will preside over Holy Mass and deliver the sermon at the Armenian
Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley. Mass will begin at 1:00 p.m.
Mass will take place at Unity Church of the Valley, located at
2817 Montrose Avenue in La Crescenta.

MORNING SERVICE ON NEW YEARS DAY

Over the years, it has become a tradition for us to welcome the New Year
with prayer and by expressing gratitude to Almighty God for our blessings.
In keeping with this tradition, all Prelacy churches will be
open on New Year’s Day and will offer morning service.

HOLY MASS AT ARARAT HOME

In keeping with tradition, Holy Mass will be offered at Ararat Home in
Mission Hills on the occasion of the New Year and the Feast of the Nativity
and Epiphany of our Lord. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
will preside over the Mass, which will take place on Thursday, January 4,
2007, at 10:30 a.m.
Rev. Ashod Kambourian, Pastor of Holy Cross Cathedral in
Montebello, will conduct Mass with the participation of all Prelacy clergy
and the Holy Martyrs Choir, led by Mr. Gomidas Keshishian.

HOLY MASS ON THE FEAST OF

THE NATIVITY AND EPIPHANY

Friday January 5 is the eve of the Feast of the Nativity and Epiphany of our
Lord Jesus Christ. On this day, Holy Mass will be offered at all Prelacy
churches.
The Prelate will conduct Mass and deliver the sermon at St.
Sarkis Church in Pasadena. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian will be at Holy
Cross Cathedral in Montebello, and Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian at St.
Gregory Church in San Francisco.
Holy Mass will also be offered on the morning of Saturday,
January 6, followed by blessing of the water.
On this Feast, the Prelate will conduct Mass, deliver the
sermon, and perform the blessing of water at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.
H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian will be at St. Garabed Church in
Hollywood, while Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian will be at Holy Martyrs Church
in Encino, and Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian at St. Gregory Church in San
Francisco.

PRELATE’S NEW YEAR AND CHRISTMAS DINNER

On the evening of Saturday, January 6, 2007, the Prelate’s New
Year and Christmas Dinner, a traditional event organized by the Prelacy
Ladies Auxiliary, will take place at Bagramian Hall of Holy Cross Catherdral
in Montebello starting at 7:30 p.m.

REQUIEM SERVICE AT FOREST LAWN

On Sunday, January 7, requiem service will be held at the Hollywood Hills
Forest Lawn Hall of Liberty and the Glendale Forest Lawn Church of the
Recessional. The service, presided over by the Prelate and with the
participation of Prelacy clergy, will begin at 9:00 a.m.
Afterward, Holy Mass will be offered at all Prelacy churches.

VISIT TO ARMENIAN INMATES

On the threshold of the New Year and Epiphany, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev
Gulumian and Chaplain Rafi Garabedian are visiting Armenian inmates to
convey to them the message of the Nativity and Epiphany.
On Saturday, December 23rd, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev visited the
inmate rehabilitation center and conveyed the Prelate’s best wishes. On
Friday, December 29, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev and Chaplian Rafi will visit the
North County Correctional Facility to meet with the inmates.

SARGSYAN: I WILL WELCOME RUSSIA’S DECISION TO MODERNIZE MILITARY BASE IN RA

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.12.2006 18:14 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Defense Minister welcomes the idea of
modernization the Russian military base in Armenia. As he told the
Armenian Public TV, he will be glad if Russia decides to modernize
the base and replenish it with the most modern armament. "I will be
particularly glad is Russia decides to provide the RA armed forces
with such armament," he added. According to the RA Minister, the issue
concerns Armenia and Russia only and "we are not obliged to ask for
permission from anyone else." Moreover, Armenia is not boasting of
her military budget and it’s not Yerevan that launched the armament
race. Serge Sargsyan reminded of Azerbaijan’s purchasing Ukrainian
MIG-29 and other armament. In his words, "they should mind their
business while we will mind ours and it’s not correct complaining
about each other."

MAY NAGORNO KARABAKH APPEAR UNDER THE AEGIS OF EU?
Davit Mikaelian

Azat Artsakh, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
26 Dec 2006

"I believe that presently perhaps the most acceptable way would
be if Nagorno Karabakh appeared under the aegis of the EU until the
resolution of the conflict (up to a referendum on the status of Nagorno
Karabakh). In other words, Nagorno Karabakh would become a special
area of the EU where the laws of the EU would be valid," said Hrant
Melkumian, the leader of the Communist Party of Artsakh in commenting
on the recent developments. He thinks this approach is justified in
terms of sustaining stability and peace in the region and development
of the country’s economy, and finds that if the members of the EU are
interested in "having a positive precedent of conflict resolution,"
they should not miss this exceptional chance. Mr. Melkumian thinks that
despite the statements of the mediators that they are ready to accept
the agreement achieved by the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan and
reach a lasting solution, in this stage there cannot be significant
progress because the lasting fruitless negotiations do not inspire
optimism. And the defensive factor is, according to him, the main
obstacle. "And in order for the conflict parties not to feel obliged
in the talks," the political scientist considers the variant of making
the area of Nagorno Karabakh subject to the EU as quite realistic.

The statement of the leader of the NKR Communist Party contains
interesting suggestions on overcoming the defensive syndrome. The
problem acquires more importance when the EU Special Representative
for the South Caucasus Peter Semneby states that the EU is likely to
promote contact with Nagorno Karabakh, which may facilitate a peace
settlement. Hrant Melkumian reminded that in 1988, at the height of the
Karabakh movement there was a similar proposal on temporary unification
of Nagorno Karabakh with the Russian Federation, which unfortunately
failed because the Armenian party was not interested. "This proposal
remained as an idea." With regard to the EU, Hrant Melkumian thinks the
idea is quite realistic, and this organization can be trusted, "because
the EU is a union of states based on democratic principles, consensus,
and has an authoritative parliament." With regard to the coordination
of the return of refugees, Hrant Melkumian said, "I am not against
that the Azerbaijanis return to live in Karabakh. However, Karabakh
will receive as many Azerbaijani refugees as displaced Armenians will
return to Azerbaijan," said the leader of the NKR Communist Party.

ANCA-WR, REP. SHERMAN AND "SCREAMERS" DIRECTOR CARLA GARAPEDIAN CALL FOR ACTION TO END CYCLE OF GENOCIDE

ASBAREZ
12/23/2006

ENCINO–The Armenian National Committee of America –Western Region
(ANCA-WR), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and "Screamers" film director
Carla Garapedian called for action to end the cycle of genocide from
the Armenian Genocide of 1915 to the genocide going on in Darfur
today. They also condemned Variety Magazine, which covers the movie
industry, for supporting the Government of Turkey’s on-going Armenian
Genocide denial by casting doubt upon the historical facts of the
Genocide.

Rep. Sherman spoke of the pressing need to stop the on-going genocide
in Darfur in order to break the cycle of genocide that has been
plaguing our world over the last century. The Congressman, who will
be spearheading efforts on an Armenian Genocide resolution in the
House of Representatives next year, noted why the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide is essential if the world is to end the global
cycle of genocide. He said it was "Hitler who proclaimed, who today
remembers the Armenians?" In answer to Variety Magazine casting doubt
upon the historical facts of the Armenian Genocide with their use
of the terminology "so-called Armenian Genocide," he ridiculed the
publication by saying that there are also people who still believe
O.J. Simpson is innocent.

The call to action was made at a press conference organized by the
ANCA-WR outside the Laemmle Theatre in Encino, California, where
the new documentary movie "Screamers" will begin showing on December
22nd. The movie provides a comprehensive examination of how genocide
was first used by Turkey as a state policy in 1915 in order to kill
1.5 million Armenian citizens which Hitler later used as a blueprint
for the Holocaust. Since then genocide has been repeated in Cambodia,
Bosnia, Rwanda and now Darfur. The film looks at the issue through
the eyes and music of the Grammy award-winning rock band System of
a Down, based in Los Angeles, whose members are all grandchildren
of Genocide survivors. Covering the press conference were various
members of the media including FOX News, regional media outlets and
Armenian community media.

"Genocide recognition should never be a currency for better economic
relations or more arms deals with other nations," stated Carla
Garapedian, director of "Screamers." She emphasized that by seeing
"Screamers," people will send a clear message to the whole nation
that this is an issue that they care about and that genocide in our
time can and must be stopped.

Nishan Bostanian, spokesperson for the San Fernando Valley ANC,
thanked Rep.

Brad Sherman for his leadership role in fighting for justice for the
martyrs and survivors of the Armenian Genocide and his role in helping
bring attention to the genocide taking place in Darfur. Bostanian
stated that when the 110th Congress convenes in January of 2007 the San
Fernando Valley ANC looks forward to working closely with Rep. Sherman
in his efforts with Speaker Pelosi and other key members of Congress
to pass a resolution on the Armenian Genocide.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO COMBINE SELF-DETERMINATION AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRATION PRINCIPLES

PanARMENIAN.Net
26.12.2006 18:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Helsinki Final Act is a fundamental bases
for security and relationship in Europe and it defines different
principles, including principles of territorial integrity and the right
of people for self-determination, said Peter Semneby, the EU Special
Representative for the South Caucasus. In his words, they often collide
with each other in practice. "For example, when talking about all the
frozen conflicts in the South Caucasus. But it does not mean that the
use of these principles is impossible, these principles must not be
combined. It is difficult but possible," Semneby stressed, answering
the question about his latest statement on the Nagorno Karabakh and
self-determination of nations, reports ‘Nezavisimaya Gazeta’.

BRANCH OF NATIONAL PICTURE GALLERY OF ARMENIA TO BE CREATED IN SISIAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. Accepting the offer of citizens
Zakar Khachatrian and Artashes Hovsepian (Khachatrian), the Armenian
government at the December 21 sitting made a decision to accept
thier property – the two-story detached house of 196.06 sq.m. and
the 980 sq.m land plot at 16 Spandarian Street in the city of Sisian
(Syunik marz) as a donation to the Republic of Armenia with the aim
of creating a house-museum – branch of the National Picture Gallery of
Armenia. According to the RA Government Information and PR Department,
the RA minister of culture and youth issues was instructed to implement
state registration of the property rights indicated in the decision,
after which to ensure the creation of the branch of the National
Picture Gallery at the above mentioned address within three months.

GAZPROM TO CONTINUE GAS TRANSIT VIA GEORGIA AT SAME TARIFF

Moscow, December 23. ArmInfo. In 2007 Russia will continue gas transit
to Armenia via Georgia at the same tariff even though it is too high,
says Gasexport President Alexander Medvedev.

Russia media report Medvedev to say that the terms of gas transit via
Georgia are contrary to international standards but still Gazprom is
ready to continue the transit in 2007.

RIA Novosti reports Medvedev to say: "Georgia’s transit tariff is $8
for 1,000 per 100 km. You can go all around the world but you’ll find
no such tariff," he said.