Author: Yeghisabet Arthur

TRANSSEXUAL OYKU EVREN PUTS FORWARD HER CANDIDATURE IN PARLIAMENTARY
ELECTIONS OF TURKEY

BURSA, JUNE 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Oyku Evren, Head of Tsiatsan (Rainbow)
Turkish union of those having non-traditional sexual orientation will
take part in the parliamentary elections to be held in Turkey. This was
reported by Milliyet daily.

The head of the union, presenting the interests of transsexuals and
homosexuals, was nominated as an independent deputy from Bursa.

36-year-old Oyku Evren, made woman by an operation, declared that in
case she is elected, she will become the only parliamentarian defending
the rights of transsexuals and homosexuals in the Grand National
Assembly of Turkey. "I can become a better parliamentarian than a
number of people. With the assistance of the members of my union and
co-thinkers I will try to get into the Grand National Assembly,"
declared the transsexual candidate.

POLISH PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO COUNCIL OF EUROPE: AZERBAIJAN COULD PLAY ACTIVE ROLE IN THE STABILIZATION OF THE SOUTH CAUCASUS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 7 2007

"We have very good relations with Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, Poland
is not a member AGO Group from the Council of Europe Committee of
Ministers that monitors implementation of commitments and obligations
by Azerbaijan and Armenia," head of Polish Permanent representation
to PACE Piotr A. ~Lwitalski told APA.

The Ambassador said the Poland is closely following the developments
in Azerbaijan.

"Taking into consideration the historical complications, armed
conflicts, and the establishment of Azerbaijan statehood in a very
crucial period we understand your problems. Naturally, evaluating
Azerbaijan’s efforts first of all we take into consideration the
trends. Despite complications and problems, these efforts are made
on the true direction. If there are negative facts, we react on it
openly. For example, freedom of expression, freedom of press are among
these issues. For many times we observed that Azerbaijani government
reacts positively to critical remarks. It is very important. I want
Azerbaijan’s durable integration into the European society" Piotr
A. ~Lwitalski unveiled his views about Azerbaijan’s position on
the background of US-Russian tensions observed recently. "I think
Azerbaijan keep good relations with all its neighbors. Of course,
Armenia is exception. There is conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenian
and it needs to be settled soon. I consider Azerbaijan has very good
relations with Russia, Georgia and Turkey. Regional stability could
be based upon this experience. Azerbaijan could play active role in
the stabilization of the South Caucasus. It needs to have friendship
relations with everyone in these hard times," the representative
underlined.

PRIOR TO KOCHARIAN-ALIYEV MEETING, VARTAN OSKANIAN AND OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS AGAIN DISCUSS NAGORNO KARABAKH PROBLEM SOLUTION PRINCIPLES

Noyan Tapan
Jun 07 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian foreign minister Vartan
Oskanian on June 7 received the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, who
are on a regional visit to Yerevan, and the personal representative
of the acting chairman of the OSCE. According to a press release of
the RA MFA Press and Information Department, the sides discussed
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement principles currently on
the negotiation table, with the aim of preparing the meeting of the
Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents, which is scheduled to take place
in Saint Petersburg on June 9, 2007.

COMPANIES GIVE POSITIVE ASSESSMENTS TO THE PROSPECTS OF ENTERING THE ARMENIAN MARKET OF CAPITAL

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
June 6 2007

Yerevan, June 6 /Mediamax/. The results of a few companies’ entrance
to the Armenian market of capital may become a catching example
for others.

Mediamax reports that the Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia
Tigran Sarkisian said this in Yerevan today, speaking during the
"Development Prospects of Armenian Market of Capital" round-table.

According to him, once 5 large companies enter the market of capital,
the others may wish to transform into joint-stock companies.

The General Director of "ArmRosGazprom" CJSC Karen Karapetian noted
that the Swedish OMS Group chose the right time to enter the Armenian
market of capital.

"We are interested in the prospect of cooperation with OMX; we have
held discussions with them. In the nearest future, "ArmRosGazprom"
will start issuing the first bonds, which have good chances to become
reliable and liquid securities", Karen Karapetian stated.

According to the founder of "Sil" Concern Khachatur Sukiasian, at
the initial stage of formation of the Armenian market, a decisive
role may be played by the Armenian Diaspora, providing inflow of
capital to the country. He stressed that the formation of the market
of securities is very important from the point of view of reformation
of the pension system as well.

The industrial sector of "Sil" Concern is ready for cooperation with
various financial structures and, in particular, with OMX, Khachatur
Sukiasian stressed.

The Director of Armenian Copper Programme (ACP) Company Gagik
Arzumanian voiced hope that the initiative on reanimation of the
Armenian market of capital will be a success.

KOCHARIAN: OBJECTIVE OF NEW PARLIAMENT – TO KEEP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RATES OF ARMENIA AND HER IMAGE

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.06.2007 14:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The legitimacy of the parliament is irreproachable,
which will allow to carry out effective work in future, Armenian
President Robert Kocharian stated during the first session of the 4th
convocation parliament. "The latest parliamentarian elections became
a large forward move towards democratization of the country and made
a great contribution to providing stability in Armenia. The newly
formed parliamentarian majority and chosen formats of cooperation
inspire hopes that its work will be effective. Mechanisms of political
cooperation are established in the country; those are the coalition
memorandum, the agreement on cooperation and democratic traditions,"
the President stated.

Robert Kocharian also noted that currently it is necessary not to drag
out the process and to elect the leadership of the National Assembly
and to form the government, as well as the program of activities
of the future cabinet. He reminded, after constitutional reforms
responsibility for the above-mentioned objectives generally lies
on the parliament. "Activity of authorities and especially of the
executive body cannot be interrupted. There are a lot of problems
in the country, which wait for your solutions," Kocharian stated,
adding that he believes in the parliament.

"The impressive rates of economic development just oblige this
parliament to work better," the President underlined.

"Today Armenia is among those states, which do not export oil
products at the same time being one the most rapidly developing
countries, and your objective is to keep those rates of development
and Armenia’s image," Robert Kocharian stated. At the same time he
added, undoubtedly it is difficult to keep those rates of development,
since the base itself continues to increase. "But it is possible,"
the President thinks.

He also stressed the importance of carrying out reforms in the social,
educational and scientific spheres, noticing that there are a lot
of things to do in those fields, as well as in the issue of tax
administration and formation of an equal competitive field.

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin the II also participated in the
first session of the 4th convocation National Assembly of Armenia,
who wished the MPs productive work, IA Regnum reports.

PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

June 7, 2007
___________________

DIOCESE RESTARTS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN COOPERATION WITH AGBU

On Tuesday, June 5, 2007, two interns joined the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern). The two — Haigouhi Vartanian and Natalia
Maraslioglu — are participating in the summer internship program in New
York City run by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).

During the program, they will join others in the AGBU program in various
educational events, fieldtrips, and social functions. They are living in
NYU dormitories with the rest of the AGBU group as well. These two
students, however, are also attending weekly Bible study sessions at the
Diocese led by Armenian clergy in the area.

"These are two impressive young people who have expressed a desire to know
more about their faith and community, to explore ways they can use their
skills and knowledge to give back," said Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of the
St. Vartan Cathedral, who, along with ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy
Basmajian, is overseeing the interns. "We appreciate the AGBU has welcomed
these two interns into their program and allowed us to partner with them to
make the summer a success."

Haigouhi Vartanian was born in Yerevan, Armenia. Her parents, Anush and
Apet, moved their family to America 19 years ago. Now an active ACYOA
member from the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, Rhode Island,
Haigouhi grew up attending Sunday and Armenian School because it was
expected of her. As she got older, without such programs available for
young people her age, her visits to church became less frequent.

It was four years ago when her brother asked her to be a counselor at St.
Vartan Camp that she started reclaiming her heritage.

"Camp helped me grow as a person. I learned a lot about myself and my
culture, things I never realized and took for granted. Since I wasn’t born
here in America, I think I neglected my heritage to fit in," she said.
"Camp was the first time I met individuals my age who embraced our culture
and knew so much more than I did. They also had a strong, positive bond
with one another. This made me want to go out and do things for the
Armenian community. This internship was a way to do just that."

Working for the Diocese, she said, will give her a better understanding of
how the Church’s programs and ministries provide crucial development to the
next generation.

"I want to keep learning about what the Diocese does and how it functions,"
she said. "People who hold our Diocese together are getting older, and it
is important for young people to move up and take leadership. But we have
to learn from those people who have been bolding it together for this long.
Also, our generation has had more opportunities to advance and more
opportunities for education, so we have much to offer the Church."

A recent psychology graduate from Rhode Island College, Haigouhi will work
on special communications projects for this fall’s Pontifical Visit by His
Holiness Catholicos Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians.

Natalia Maraslioglu grew up in Argentina, before her parents, Sahin and
Dikranuhi, moved the family to Dallas, Texas, in 2002. Back in Argentina,
Natalia had been involved in various Armenian Church youth organizations.
But in Texas, she found there was little youth activity.

"All my life I was part of the AGBU and other organizations, but in our
parish there was no youth unity or activities. So Fr. Mikael Devejian asked
me to get involved, and I did," said the chair of the St. Sarkis Church
ACYOA chapter.

The parish now has 30 ACYOA Seniors and 30 ACYOA Juniors. But they didn’t
just show up, Natalia had to phone them, e-mail them, text message them, and
basically stalk them to get them to attend.

"I eventually told them if they get involved in our activities then I’d take
them to Armenia for free," she said.

"I can raise the money, no problem," she said with confidence, when asked
about how she planned to take a group to Armenia next year. "Raising money
isn’t the hard part, getting them involved is. They just needed some
encouragement to get involved."

Natalia, a pre-law student studying literature at the University of Texas at
Dallas, will work in the Diocesan Zohrab Information Center. She plans to
continue being involved in the Armenian Church for her life.

"If I don’t do it, who will," she said, noting how important the Church has
been to her. "Having the Church community really helped me transition from
Argentina to America, and I want to keep that alive."

— 6/7/07

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Natalia Maraslioglu, left, and Haigouhi Vartanian are
interning at the Diocesan Center in New York through the AGBU summer
internship program.

PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTY DETERMINED ITS PROPORTIONAL LIST

ArmInfo
2007-06-05 20:23:00

Prosperous Armenia party determined its proportional list: Gohar
Enokyan, Ishkhan Zakaryan, Vardan Bostanjyan, Mkhitar Mnatsakanyan,
Arevik Petrosyan, Aram Safaryan, Ernest Sogomonyan, Avet Adonts, Karo
Karapetyan, Murad Guloyan, Vahe Hovannisyan, Arshak Mkhitaryan, Armen
Markhudyan, Armen Abraamyan, Arutyun Karagezyan, Robert Zakaryan, Naira
Zohrabyan and Arsen Avakyan found themselves in the parliament. Another
seven deputies found themselves in the parliament from the PA party
under the first-past-the-post election system, and the leader of the
party Gagik Tsarukyan was among them.

Aram Safaryan will become secretary of Prosperous Armenia faction. The
former head of foreign relations department under the president,
Avet Adonts, will head the parliamentary commission on European
Integration. The former deputy chairman of Civil Services department
Arevik Petrosyan will occupy either the post of deputy ecology minister
or labour and social issues minister. The former head of the State
Committee on Physical Culture and sports Ishkhan Zakaryan will become
vice-speaker of the parliament.

Rector of the State Art Academy Aram Isabekyan, deputy transport and
communication minister Vardan Vardanyan, which will become urban
minister, chairman of the board of the medical centres Erebuni
and Nairi Arutyun Kushkyan, which become health minister, rector
of the Pedagogical Institute of Gyumri Vardevan Grigoryan, rector
of the Armenian State Physical Culture institute Vahram Arakelyan,
dean of philological faculty of Yerevan State University Artsrun
Avakyan, a member of the Armenian Central Bank Amalya Saribekyan,
deputy chairman of Civil Aviation General Board Artashes Bakhshyan,
which will become deputy finances and economy minister, the member
of the state commission on radio and television Shamiram Agabekyan
and deputy prosecutor general Tital Jndoyan refused of a deputy
mandate. According to ArmInfo’s information, "corrections" in the
proportional list of the party happened because of sharp disagreements
and inner-party showdown. Several members of PA party, that refused
the deputy mandates, were blamed for not bringing "enough" votes at
the parliamentary election. To note, the first sitting of the forth
convocation parliament will take place on 7 june. As press-secretary
of the RPA Eduard Sharmazanov told Arminfo correspondent, mandates
will be delivered to the deputies tomorrow evening.

UNITED ARMENIAN FUND
1101 N. Pacific Avenue # 204
Glendale, CA 91202
Tel: 818.241.8900
Fax: 818.241.6900

June 2, 2007

UAF’s 143rd Airlift Delivers
$14 Million of Aid to Armenia

Glendale, CA – The United Armenian Fund’s 143rd airlift arrived in Yerevan
on June 2, delivering over $14 million of humanitarian assistance. This is
the highest value airlift sent by the UAF in the past 18 years.

The UAF itself collected $13 million of medicines and medical supplies for
this flight, donated by AmeriCares ($6.8 million); the Catholic Medical
Mission Board ($6.4 million) and Direct Relief International ($7,000).

Other organizations which contributed goods for this airlift were: Armenian
General Benevolent Union ($400,000); Armenian Missionary Association of
America ($68,000); International Academy of Telepathology from Germany
($33,000); Foundation Semra from Switzerland ($30,000); Hologic Inc.
($30,000); Dr. Hrair Garabedian ($28,000); Armenian International Ophthalmic
Association ($27,000); and Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation
($27,000).

Also contributing to this airlift were: Dr. Stephen Kashian ($23,000); Bay
Area Friends of Armenia ($21,000); Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief
($21,000); Dr. Samvel Malayan ($18,000); Armenian Youth Federation
($15,000); and Fund for Armenian Relief ($13,000).

Since its inception in 1989, the UAF has sent $496 million of humanitarian
assistance to Armenia on board 143 airlifts and 1,449 sea containers.

The UAF is the collective effort of the Armenian Assembly of America,
Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Missionary Association of
America, Armenian Relief Society, Diocese of the Armenian Church of America,
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and The Lincy
Foundation.

For more information, contact the UAF office at 1101 North Pacific Avenue,
Suite 204, Glendale, CA 91202 or call (818) 241-8900.

###

KOCHARIAN-ALIYEV MEETING IF SUCCESSFUL WILL FORCE TURKEY TO OPEN ITS BORDER WITH ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.06.2007 17:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders are due to meet in
St. Petersburg, Russia on June 9 to talk on the basic principles of
the settlement on Nagorno Karabakh, which if successful will force
Turkey to open its border with Armenia, said Omer Luthem, retired
ambassador and chairman of the institute for Armenian research at ASAM.

However, settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is not enough
for it, according to him.

The settlement may help normalization but this would not be sufficient
in itself. Turkey additionally insists on Armenia giving up claims
of the Armenian Genocide, the Turkish diplomat said.

If they agree on the settlement, then Turkey has to give an "award"
by opening its border which was closed in 1993, Omer Luthem said. A
peaceful solution to Nagorno Karabakh is one of the preconditions set
by Ankara for establishing diplomatic relations with Yerevan, he added.

If the two leaders can agree on the status of Nagorno Karabakh,
the withdrawal of Armenian forces from seven nearby regions around
Nagorno Karabakh is expected to be resolved easily, Omer Luthem said.

However diplomatic sources based in Ankara do not expect a swift
solution pointing to other problems such as the timing of withdrawal
of Armenian forces from seven regions, the corridor problem between
Azerbaijan and Armenia, the timing of the referendum and the return
of refugees and so on, the Turkish Daily News says.

KAVKAZ-POTI FERRY WON’T FUNCTION?

PanARMENIAN.Net
30.05.2007 19:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Presently, the Port Kavkaz-Poti ferry is out of
operation over absence of orders, said Arsen Ghazaryan, president of
the union of manufacturers of Armenia. He also voiced discontent with
the tariff policy.

The memorandum on restoration of the ferry line Port Kavkaz-Poti
between Armenia and Reserve Capital Enterpising Corporation
(Switzerland), the owner of the ferry, was signed in Yerevan February
13, 2007.

The ferry has made several test voyages. It has no economic basis
and to all appearance will not function, InfraNews reports.