Author: Zargarian Hambik

MAGAZINE FEATURING ARMENIAN ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS PRESENTED IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.02.2010 19:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ First issue of the Vardzk scientific journal with
scholarly articles on Armenian monuments and cultural studies was
presented on February 15 in Yerevan.

The idea of creating a new magazine matured long ago, after articles
featuring a 40-year-long activities of the Armenian Architecture
Research Organization (RAA) published in 1997.

As the editor-in-chief of Vardzk", head of RAA NGO Samvel Karapetyan
said, the first issue has already been translated into English. He
expressed hope, the magazine will be published in Armenian and
English bi-annually.

"The next issue will be released in November, which is not linked
to funding. We have been provided funds for the for the issue of
the journal from the state budget. In the next 5 months we intend to
travel to the Republic of Artsakh and the Islamic Republic of Iran to
study the Armenian architectural monuments," Samvel Karapetyan said,
adding that they have a lot of work to do in Iran and Western Armenia.

The first issue of Vardzk is dedicated to the memory of the founder
and leader of RAA NGO Dr. Armen Hakhnazaryan.

news.az, Azerbaijan
Feb 13 2010

US Azerbaijanis to protest outside Armenian embassy in Washington
Sat 13 February 2010 | 08:17 GMT Text size:

Protest against occupation of Azerbaijani lands by Armenia will be
held in Washington dated to February 26 – Khojaly genocide.

The event organized by the Azerbaijani diaspora has already been
coordinated with the police and special services of Washington.

"The protesters will be provided with sound amplifiers and slogans.
They can also bring their placards, flags and other means to express
protest. Considering the strained traffic in Washington, the
participants asked to use public transport, for example, underground
to arrive on the spot", one of the action participants said.
The protesters will gather at Dupon Circle from which they will move
to the Armenian embassy.

The Azerbaijani and Turkish Diasporas also intend to organize the
ceremony of commemoration of victims of Khojaly in Washington and
San-Francisco, as well as Pax Turcica seminars.

APA

SHOOTING OF FIRST ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN MOVIE STARTS IN TWO MONTHS

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.02.2010 14:03 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ After a visit to Moscow, Gevorg Gevorgyan, Director
of the RA National Cinema Center, said that the shooting of the first
Armenian-Russian movie will begin in two months.

Russian Film Commission will make the final conclusion on Marina
Sahakyan’s script and allocate essential funds. Alaverdi will be
co-financed in compliance with the agreement concluded by Prime
Ministers of CIS member countries in 2008.

The RA National Cinema Center will provide Marina Sahakyan with
65 thousand euro. Russia will donate 195 thousand euro. Paradise
Moscow-based company will invest 150 thousand euro, French partners
will contribute 240 thousand euro.

Mr. Gevorgyan also informed that three joint films will be produced
in 2011.

February 12, 2010
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]
Website:

IN MEMORIAM
ARCHPRIEST FR. VATCHE NACCASHIAN

H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Clergy members, and
the Religious and Executive Councils mourn the passing of Archpriest
Fr. Vatche Naccashian which occurred on Monday, February 8th, 2010,
following a long illness.
Orphaned as a child, he entered the Seminary of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia and devoted the rest of his life to serving
the Armenian Church. In 1961 he was ordained into the priesthood and
served the communities of Brazil, and the Eastern and Western
Prelacies. From 1976 on, he served for two decades within the Western
Prelacy as pastor of St. Garabed Church in Hollywood.
Extreme Unction will take place during funeral mass on
Saturday, February 13th, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Garabed Church.
Our deepest condolences to Yeretsgin Lousadzin Naccashian,
children Kevork, Dzovig, Krikor, Zareh, and their families and
relatives.
May his memory remain ever blessed.

GREAT LENT SUNRISE AND VESPER SERVICES

Monday, February 15th, 2010, is the first day of Great Lent. During
the 40-day period, sunrise and vesper services will take place in all
churches on Wednesdays and Fridays.
On Wednesday, February 17th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over the first sunrise service at
Holy Martyrs Church in Encino and will deliver his message on Great
Lent to Ferrahian School students who will be in attendance.
Following the service a Great Lent luncheon organized by
the ARS Anahid Chapter will take place at `Dikranian’ Hall. The
Prelate will attend and convey his blessings.

CLERGY CONFERENCE AND DIVINE LITURGY ON THE FEAST OF STS. GHEVONTIANK

The annual clergy conference on the occasion of Sts. Ghevontiank took
place on Tuesday, February 9th, at the Prelacy `Dikran and Zarouhie
Der Ghazarian’ Hall, presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, and with the participation of the clergy order.
Former Prelate H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian also participated.
The day began with morning services at the Chapel,
followed by lectures and spiritual meditations. Speaking on the topic
`The Calling of Clergy’, Pastor of St. Gregory Church of San Francisco
Very Rev. Fr. Vaghinag Meloian lectured on the characteristics of
being a good shepherd in the example of Jesus Christ.
The conference discussions largely focused on the
responsibilities and mission of clergy members, from pastoral duties
to administrative.
In celebration of the `Year of the Armenian Woman’
proclaimed by H.H. Catholicos Aram I, a number of educational and
cultural events were drafted and clergy members were encouraged to
organize events in their local parishes exalting the lives and virtues
of women in the Bible and our saints.
In the evening, Divine Liturgy was celebrated at
St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. The celebrant was Very
Rev. Fr. Vaghinag Meloian.
At the conclusion of the service, the Prelate presided
over requiem for departed clergy members. The evening concluded with
the singing of songs dedicated to the Feasts of Sts. Ghevontiank and
Vartanank.

PRELATE CONDUCTS OPENING CEREMONY AND BLESSING OF THE PRELACY VESTRY

On the evening of Saturday, February 6th, 2010, Divine Liturgy was
celebrated at the Prelacy `St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen’ Chapel. Divine
Liturgy or evening services take place at the Chapel on the first
Saturday of each month.
Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev
Gulumian. The `Lousavorich’ youth choir participated in the Liturgy.
Following the service, the Prelate conducted the opening
and blessing of the Vestry located adjacent to the Chapel. Vestry
sponsors Mr. and Mrs. Hovsep and Elo Boyajian and family members were
present for the ceremony. Also in attendance were this year’s
Christmas Dinner sponsors, the Jabarian and Hasbanian families.
The Prelate spoke highly of the Mr. Boyajian’s many years
of service to the Armenian Church and community, which includes his
contributions as a member of the Prelacy Building Committee as well as
to St. Sarkis Church of Pasadena and Holy Cross Cathedral of
Montebello.
Requiem for the souls of departed Boyajian, Jabarian, and
Hasbanian family members was offered prior to the ceremony.

PRELATE WELCOMES SERGEANT KERWIN WONG OF THE
LOS ANGELES SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

On the morning of Wednesday, February 10th, 2010, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy Sergeant
Kerwin J. Wong, head of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Religious
and Volunteer Services. Sergeant Wong was accompanied by Chaplain
Rafi Garabedian who heads the Prelacy prison ministry program.
Sergeant Wong spoke of his responsibilities within the
Sheriff’s Department and familiarized the Prelate with the duties
entrusted to him in his particular department. He welcomed such
meetings for they offer him the opportunity to become more closely
acquainted with our community leaders, and result in closer
collaboration.
The Prelate detailed the spiritual services that our
offered to Armenian inmates through the prison ministry program,
noting that alongside Chaplain Rafi, clergy members regularly visit
inmates and rehabilitation services are also offered to released
inmates to ease their transition back into society. The Prelate also
elucidated on the historical and present-day struggles of the Armenian
people and other related issues.

SETTLEMENT MUST BE BASED ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH PEOPLE’S WILL – SARGSYAN

Interfax
Feb 10 2010
Russia

Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh are not planning military operations
against Azerbaijan, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said at Chatham
House in London on Wednesday.

"Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have never started and will never start
a war. We hate war with all our hearts," the Armenian presidential
press service quoted Sargsyan as saying.

"But we are aware that we must be prepared for war when others want
to fight. We cannot turn a deaf ear to the bellicose threats coming
from the neighboring country, or to the Azeri president’s New Year
greetings reminiscent of a commander-in chief’s statements in a time
of war," Sargsyan said.

War rhetoric has been increasing in the region, he said.

"Armenia mostly disregards the threats. But this is not the way to
settle the problem. Threats are a manifestation of violence, and
violence breeds violence," he said.

Nagorno-Karabakh is an accomplished state with its state structures,
armed forces and citizens, Sargsyan said.

"The times of colonization have passed. The Karabakh conflict must
be settled on the basis of human rights and the will of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh. Only then will the settlement be lasting, feasible
and peaceful," he said

"A forced return to Azerbaijan leading to ethnic purges" is an
alternative to that, he said.

Nagorno-Karabakh located inside the territory of Azerbaijan, but the
population is mainly ethnic Armenian. It unilaterally declared itself
as an independent republic in 1991.

TEHRAN HOSTS CONFERENCE ON INVESTMENTS IN ARMENIA

Tehran Times
Feb 10 2010
Iran

TEHRAN – Iran started an international conference on trade and
investment opportunities in Armenia on Tuesday.

In this two-day event the Armenian chief economic advisor to the
president and the Armenian minister of transportation are present,
the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network reported.

In addition, Iranian acting deputy for economic affairs of the Foreign
Ministry, as well as the director of the Trade Development Organization
has taken part.

The Iranian official said that the current $200 million trade balance
between the two countries should improve significantly.

Amir-Mansour Borqei stated that Tehran and Yerevan have common
historical relations which can lead to all-out and stable cooperation
in economic, social and political fields between the two countries.

He added that the two sides are committed to further boost the
currently growing ties between the two countries in activities such
as peaceful use of nuclear energy and human rights.

The Iranian official said that a mutual bank should be established
between Iran and Armenia, adding the road and rail connections of
the two must be developed.

Meanwhile, the Armenian chief economic advisor to the president said
that the main objective of the conference is to enhance the activities
of the private sector.

Vahram Nercissiantz pointed out that his country is keen on expanding
relations with Iran, and stated that the two sides must make efforts
to remove any obstacles hindering trade and investments.

He stated that his government is currently working on developing
ties in the fields of road and rail transportation, transmission of
electricity and a gas pipeline.

Nercissiantz noted that 4.6 percent of the imported goods in Armenia
come from Iran.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT WILL SUBMIT ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS TO RA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.02.2010 19:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During the last year, Armenia has made significant
progress towards the normalization of relations with Turkey without
any preconditions. We regard the Armenia-Turkey relationship in a much
broader regional and international context. I am confident that the
time of closed borders and ultimatums has passed, Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan said in his speech at Chatham House, Royal Institute
of International Affairs.

"The palette of the modern world is much more diverse than just black
and white. We all must realize it and create possibilities for natural
relations, cooperation, and dialogue. It must be done not only because
Armenia and Turkey will benefit from it, but also because it will do
good for the whole region, and therefore, Europe.

We have indeed approached a milestone at which we can achieve a
breakthrough. It is the path of cooperation without preconditions,
without making bilateral relations contingent upon issues related
to third party states. At this time, we have the signed protocols
on the establishment of diplomatic relations and the development of
bilateral relations between Armenia and Turkey, which are awaiting
ratification by the parliaments of our two states.

In Armenia, the ratification process is progressing in accordance
with the regular procedure, without any undue delays, as proven by
the decision of the Constitutional Court of Armenia issued over a
month before the statutory deadline for its adoption. I would like
to draw your attention to the fact that the Constitutional Court made
the decision unanimously, without any dissenting opinions: this fact
in itself is telling. The Constitutional Court of Armenia found that
the Protocols do not contain any provision that could be interpreted
as contravening the requirements of the Armenian Constitution. The
decision is now in the Office of the President, and the whole package
of documents is ready for submission to the Parliament. Immediately
after today’s meeting here at the Chatham House, I am going to instruct
my staff to submit the Armenia-Turkey protocols to the Armenian
National Assembly for the ratification process to be initiated.

Speaking at this esteemed institution today, I reiterate the commitment
of the Republic of Armenia to this process. As the political leader
of the political majority of the Armenian Parliament, I reiterate
that I rule out any possibility of the Armenian Parliament failing
to ratify the protocols in case Turkey ratifies the protocols without
preconditions, as agreed.

Senior Turkish officials repeatedly assert the political independence
of their parliament and the unpredictability of its decision.

Moreover, they try to obtain non-partisan ratification by securing
the potential support of opposition parties, as well. It is
understandable. However, they ought to remember that in case of
Armenia they deal with a country, which persevered throughout the
process and did not stop even in spite of losing a key ally in the
ruling coalition. I am confident that President Gul and Prime Minister
Erdogan will, subject to the demonstration of political will, find
sufficient support within their party that holds the majority of
seats in the Turkish Parliament.

We are confident that the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations
can become the greatest input of the recent decades in achieving peace
and stability in the South Caucasus. With this vision, we have agreed
to move forward without any preconditions, not making our relations
contingent upon Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

However, if, as many suspect, it is proven that Turkey’s goal is
to protract, rather than to normalize relations, we will have to
discontinue the process," the speech said.

The Protocols aimed at normalization of bilateral ties and opening of
the border between Armenia and Turkey were signed in Zurich by Armenian
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet
Davutoglu on October 10, 2009, after a series of diplomatic talks
held through Swiss mediation.

On January 12, 2010, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of
Armenia found the protocols conformable to the country’s Organic Law.

NEWLY-APPOINTED UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR IN ARMENIA ASSURES ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SHE WILL CONTRIBUTE TO UN’S INVOLVEMENT IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Feb 8, 2010

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 8, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan on February 5 received the newly-appointed UN Resident
Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia Ms. Dafina
Gercheva. She handed the president the UN Secretary-General’s letter
about her appointment as UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident
Representative in Armenia.

The RA presidential press service reported that Serzh Sargsyan spoke
highly of efficient cooperation between Armenia and various agencies
of the UN and the joinly implemented projects. He expressed a hope
that the newly-appointed UNDP resident representative will make
her contribution to the expansion of the Uinted Nation’s activities
in Armenia.

Dafina Gercheva expressed satisfaction with excellent cooperation,
considering the 2010-2015 UN development assistance program as evidence
of that. Noting that last year the first sage of the program was
successfully completed, and the second stage has begun this year, she
stated one of the major aims of the UN is to assist with sustainable
development, and the projects being implemented under the program
were brought into line with Armenia’s priorities, including poverty
reduction, ensuring accessibility of public services such as education
and healthcare, decentralization, and the struggle against disasters.

In the president’s words, Armenia as a state cherishes the same values
as the UN as an organization does so we have common interests. Serzh
Sargsyan gave priority to the construction of a legal state and
ensuring human welfare.

The newly-appointed UN official assured the president that during
her term of office she will contribute to further involvement of
the UN in Armenia, she has new ideas and will do her best so that
the current programs will efficiently contribute to the Armenian
people’s prosperity.

Kazakhstan use every opportunity to achieve breakthrough in Karabakh conflict
06.02.2010 15:23 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The last meeting between the Presidents of Armenia,
Russia and Azerbaijan in Sochi, has given new breath to the Karabakh
conflict negotiations," Kanat Saudabayev OSCE Chairman, Secretary of
State and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan said.

"As a regional country we have more opportunities to get closer to the
final stage of the Karabakh process. We expect that the conflict
solution will be found before we pass the OSCE chairmanship next
country," Saudabayev said. Last year, the Presidents of Azerbaijan and
Armenia met six times – in Munich, Chisinau, Moscow, St. Petersburg,
Prague and Zurich. Meetings in Moscow and St. Petersburg were also in
the trilateral format.

"We will do our utmost to resolve the Karabakh conflict. OSCE Minsk
Group has now reached the big breakthrough," Kanat Saudabayev said,
Trend News reported.

The conflict between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan broke out in 1988
as result of the ethnic cleansing the latter launched in the final
years of the Soviet Union. The Karabakh War was fought from 1991 to
1994. Since the ceasefire in 1994, sealed by Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh
and Azerbaijan, most of Nagorno Karabakh and several regions of
Azerbaijan around it (the security zone) remain under the control of
NKR defense army. Armenia and Azerbaijan are holding peace talks
mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group up till now.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the
world’s largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its
mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of
the press and fair elections. Most of its 3,500-plus staff are engaged
in field operations, with only around 10% in its headquarters.

The OSCE is an ad hoc organization under the United Nations Charter
(Chap. VIII), and is concerned with early warning, conflict
prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation. Its 56
participating states are in Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and
North America and cover most of the northern hemisphere. It was
created during the Cold War era as an East-West forum.

news.az, Azerbaijan
Feb 6 2010

Turkey does’nt let French composer of Armenian origin to visit native village
Sat 06 February 2010 | 06:40 GMT Text size:

Michelle Legrand Turkish authorities did not allow the French composer
of Armenian origin, Michelle Legran, to visit his native village
located in Turkey.

The Turkish authorities did not like the statements by French
composer, author of famous "Sherburg umbrellas" Michelle Legran about
his relations with Armenia during the trip to Krasnodar.

"The events that occured in 1915 are unbearable and the fact that
Turkey does not want to recognize ‘genocide’ means it will never be
part of the European community. Today the relations between Armenia
and Turkey are smoothing which is good. But it would be better if
Turkey returns the Armenian lands that it has stolen. Though I
understand that this will be not easy", he told in his interview to
Khachmar magazine.

"After this interview, the Turkish authorities said sarcastically that
it is impossible to visit the country now", Legran said.

He considers that he refusal is connected with his Armenian origin.

1news.az