Category: News

BBC programmes directed against Azerbaijan’s statehood – ruling party says
ANS TV, Baku
27 May 04
[Presenter] The [ruling] New Azerbaijan Party [NAP] has published the
results of its monitoring of the BBC Russian Service. The programmes
are directed against Azerbaijani statehood, the party concluded.
[Correspondent over video of a meeting] Representatives of political
parties today discussed the reports of the BBC Russian Service
directed against Azerbaijani statehood and national interests. MP
Mubariz Qurbanli of the NAP said that they have monitored the BBC
Russian Service.
[Qurbanli] The monitoring revealed that the BBC Russian Service is
purposefully airing programmes directed against Azerbaijan’s statehood,
history and national culture. They are directed against Azerbaijan
to create a negative image of Azerbaijan for the listeners.
[Correspondent] Quote, we protest against the BBC and have sent
several letters of protest to the Russian Service’s management. We
want the companies which take part in broadcasting BBC programmes
to express their protest as well. Otherwise, we will turn into the
BBC Russian Service’s mouthpiece of Armenian propaganda. This works
against us in the information war, Qurbanli said.
MP Sayaddin Aliyev voiced the same idea. The Milli Maclis [Azerbaijan’s
parliament] will appeal to the BBC Russian Service’s management,
Aliyev said.
The MPs demanded that the BBC air only accurate and impartial
information.

Trans-Atlantic security organization agrees to tighten export
controls of shoulder-fired missiles
Associated Press Worldstream
May 26, 2004 Wednesday
VIENNA, Austria — Europe’s largest security organization agreed
Wednesday to tighten export controls of shoulder-fired missiles to
keep the weapons, which can be used to shoot down airplanes, out of
terrorists’ hands.
Members of the 55-nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe agreed to report transfers of the weapons, known as ManPADS
(Man-Portable Air Defense Systems), during a meeting of the group’s
Forum for Security Cooperation.
“We are determined to contribute to reducing the risk of diversion of
small arms and light weapons on to the black market,” said Armenian
Ambassador Jivan Tabibian, whose country holds the chairmanship
of forum.
“We have recognized the threats posed by unauthorized proliferation
and use of (ManPADS), especially to civil aviation, peacekeeping,
crisis management and anti-terrorist operations.”
The decision means that all OSCE countries will adopt the principles
of the “Wassenaar Arrangement,” a 31-country group formed in 1996 that
promotes transparency and responsibility in transfers of weapons and
materials that could be used as weapons.
Any infringement of those principles would be a criminal offense,
the OSCE said in a news release.
Members of the Vienna-based organization also agreed to promote the use
of ManPAD export controls in countries that aren’t part of the group.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER: May 27, 2004
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES IN
PHILADELPHIA WITH BANQUET; AWARDS PRESENTED
The National Representative Assembly concluded last Friday evening with
a banquet in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. The host parish was St. Gregory
the Illuminator Church of Philadelphia.
During the banquet, presentations were made to a number of local
parishioners in recognition of their many years of service to the church.
The Prelacy honored three individuals: Mrs. Alice Sachaklian was named the
Person of the Year; Aram Hamparian was presented with the Spirit of Armenia
award; and K. Yervant Terzian was bestowed with the Prince of Cilicia
insignia, the highest honor given by the Catholicate of Cilicia. The local
parishioners who were honored with certificates of merit included: Philip D.
Pilibosian, Martin Shelengian, Ralph Jehanian, Albert Soltanian, Jack
Papazian, Asdghig Kazanjian, Jeanette Nazarian and the St. Gregory Church
Choir. The Prelacy’s Youth Awards were given to: Garen Nigon, Paul
Sookiasian, Ani Jilozian, Peter Yeremian, Katrina Selverian, and Niki
Arakelian, Jr.
Archbishop Oshagan expressed his profound thanks to all of the delegates
and especially to the Philadelphia community for the warm hospitality they
provided.
RAFFLE WINNERS
The annual raffle drawing of the Prelacy took place at the conclusion of
the banquet. The winners were: First prize, Nerme & Albert Sarkessian,
Melrose Park, PA; Second prize, Zaven Sarkissian, Toronto; Third prize,
Amalia Deravedisian, Springfield, PA; Fourth Prize, Bedros Givelekian,
Flushing, NY; Fifth prize, Dr. V. Khachadurian, Franklin Square, NY.
Congratulations to the winners; and thanks to all the purchasers. The
raffle is a major source of funding for many of the educational programs
instituted by the Prelacy. In that respect we are all winners.
CALLING ALL PARISHES: ENCOURAGE YOUNG
PARISHIONERS TO ATTEND DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM
Parishes should encourage their junior and senior high school age
parishioners to make plans to attend the St. Gregory of Datev Summer
Institute. The annual program takes place at the St. Mary of Providence
Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, June 27 to July 4, 2004. For registration
and information visit the Prelacy website at
or contact Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian,
212-689-7810.
CRITICAL ISSUES OF LIFE AND FAITH ARE FOCUS
OF SEMINAR FOR ADULTS
Interest is mounting for the adult seminar that is planned for June
25-27, 2004, at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. The
three-day seminar will focus on critical issues of life and faith with an
Armenian Orthodox perspective.
On Saturday, June 26, Professor Vigen Guroian will be the main speaiker.
Professor Guroian is professor of theology and ethics at Loyola College,
Baltimore, Maryland.
The program will include Bible studies, panel discussions, small group
discussions and worship services. Some of the issues discussed include:
Marriage, Reproductive technologies, abortion, suicide, and cremation.
Participation fee is only $90 per person, which includes lodging and
meals.
Visit the Prelacy web site for more information,
or contact Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, 212-689-7810.
ST. SARKIS CHURCH, DOUGLASTON, HOPES TO
ACQUIRE ADJACENT PROPERTY
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, has embarked on a campaign to
purchase an adjacent piece of property that belongs to the city of New York.
St. Sarkis has the first option to acquire the land, which would fulfill
a long-time goal of the parish. Last Sunday, May 23, the parish sponsored a
“Land and Vision” gala fund-raising banquet under the auspices of His
Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. State Senator Frank Padavan was
honored for his assistance during the past two years concerning this piece
of land.
The tentative plans include new construction for a day care center that
would serve both the Armenian community and the surrounding community.
PRELATE WILL VISIT SYRACUSE COMMUNITY
Archbishop Oshagan will visit the St. John the Baptist Church community
in Syracuse, New York, this Sunday, where he will officiate at Morning
Services and Requiem Services for the founders and other departed members of
the community. A banquet will follow the services at which time several
members of the community will be honored including: Vartkas Minasian, Zephyr
Minasian, Harry B. Telian, Nevart Apikian, Arpina Mesrobian and Anoush
Minasian Santangelo.
Accompanying the Prelate will be Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, Noubar
Megerian, Executive Council member and Karen Jehanian, former member of the
Executive Council.
SUNDAY IS PENTECOST
This Sunday, May 30, is Pentecost (Hogegaloust). Pentecost, which is
fifty days after Easter, commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost on the
disciples.
The New Testament describes the descent of the Holy Ghost on the
disciples:
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one
accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a
rushing mighty wind, and it filled the house, where they were sitting. And
there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon
each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to
speak with other tongues. (Acts 2:1-3).
The Apostles were ordinary people of Galilee, who did not possess the
ability to transmit the Truth of the Word to the many different people with
different backgrounds, culture, and languages. Christ advised His disciples
not to start their teaching immediately after the Ascension, but rather to
wait for the Descent of the Holy Spirit so that they would be empowered with
the ability to convey the new faith to all.
And behold, I send you the promise of my Father upon you, but stay in the
city, until you are clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)
MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY
This Monday, May 31, is Memorial Day. Originally called Decoration Day,
it is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan,
national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. It was first observed
on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and
Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to
officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was
recognized by all of the northern states. The South did not officially
accept the date until after World War I when the holiday changed from
honoring just those who died in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died
fighting in any war. It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last
Monday in May.
Unfortunately, most of us have forgotten the true meaning and traditions
of Memorial Day and it has become the symbolic start of summer, the barbecue
season, and of course, sales in shopping malls. To help remind Americans of
the true meaning of Memorial Day, the National Moment of Remembrance
resolution was passed in December 2000 which asks that at 3 pm local time
all Americans observe in their own way a moment of silence.
WE END WITH ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND
POETIC STATEMENTS IN AMERICAN LITERATURE:
THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this
continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the
proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or
any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a
great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that
field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that
that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should
do this.
But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate-we cannot consecrate-we
cannot hollow-this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled
here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The
world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never
forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated
here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so
nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task
remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion
to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-that we
here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this
nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of
the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Visit our website at

PRESS OFFICE
ARMENIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA WESTERN DIOCESE
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474
Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
PRIMATE’S MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF
THE LAST UNCTION
OF ARCHPRIEST FR. SHAHE SEMERDJIAN
We are here today to celebrate the life of the newly deceased
Rev. Fr. Shahe Avak Kahana Semerdjian, a servant of Christ and the
Armenian Apostolic Church, who has fulfilled his Christian duties and
responsibilities with utmost perseverance, with immense Christian
love, with diligence and by inspiring his faithful with his truly
exemplary sacrificial life. Fr. Shahe Semerdjian has understood well
the depth of the Christian teachings. For him the Resurrection of the
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has been the answer to many unresolved
questions. His childhood has been shattered by the Genocide; however
through the strength of his Christian faith, he has not only endured
the hardships of life, but has also nourished his soul and the faith
of his forefathers, and has become an ordained priest of the church,
thus becoming the tool of divine love and inspiration for the faithful
members of the Armenian Apostolic Church, entrusted to his pastoral
ministry.
Today we are celebrating his life. Truly this is a moment of
thanksgiving. We give thanks to the Lord for the gift of his love, for
his dedication to the Armenian Apostolic Church, for his sacrificial
life to his family and closest friends. Today we celebrate his life
with the new vision and commitment to resemble our lives to the path
of his life which has been a Christian way of life.
He touched the hearts and souls of many. He will continue to inspire
us all with the legacy he has left for the younger generation. I
myself cherish those intimate moments I have spent with him in the
past year. During each visit I was strengthened by his presence,
with his vision for a brighter church. He will always be remembered
in my prayers as a good shepherd.
Therefore as a servant of Christ and a servant of the Armenian
Apostolic church I share with you, Yeretzgin and children of Der
Hayr, your grief. However I would also like to assure you that my
faith in Christ des not allow me to mourn the death of Fr. Shahe,
for that would be an injustice to a pastor who never lost his hope in
Christ and the Resurrection of our Lord, and looked upon Resurrection
as the victory over death.
Dear Yeretzgin, Greg, Dikran, Nanette and grandchildren, rejoice
in your hearts, for God has blessed you with a wonderful husband,
father and grandfather. Let us remember him constantly in our prayers
with thanksgiving.
Let’s pray so that we, too, remain in God’s service for a long time.
As Christians we ought not to lose our hope. This liturgy is the
doorway to eternal life. As his brothers and sisters in Christ,
we are gathered here to pray for his departed soul, but at the same
time you reawaken in us the hope for Resurrection. When the departing
ship disappears over the horizon, it appears as though it has sunk;
we forget that it will be greeted by others on the other shore. Death
is not the end of life. Death for a Christian is the beginning of a
new life in the hands of God. Therefore our beloved Father Shahe is
resting in the hands of the Almighty God. May God repose his soul
in the abode of the Heavenly saints and may He grant us the vision,
wisdom, and courage to become good shepherds for Christ’s Church.
May 27, 2004
Los Angeles, CA

KAZAKH CONFERENCE CALLS FOR ENHANCED FLIGHT SECURITY MEASURES
Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency
27 May 04
Almaty, 27 May: Participants in the third international scientific
conference “Prospects for developing civil aviation and training
highly-qualified specialists” passed a resolution on Friday (as
received; presumably on Thursday, 27 May), which gives recommendations
to state bodies for flight security to be increased.
The text of the resolution, which was acquired by the
Interfax-Kazakhstan agency, says that the participants in the
conference are going to call on the governments of CIS member states
to take necessary actions to create a legal basis for cooperation in
the field of fighting against international terrorism in air transport.
That is why the CIS governments should ensure that the agreement on
cooperation to protect civil aviation from any illegal interference
(signed on 25 May 1995 in Minsk) be implemented. National budgets
should provide for funds to be allocated to finance events related
to implementing actions to ensure the security of civil aviation,
the resolution says.
Moreover, the authors of the resolution consider it necessary that
during their activities law-enforcement bodies of CIS member states
should take into account “that it is necessary to provide national
flight security services with assistance in dealing with problems of
protecting CIS civil aviation from acts of illegal interference”.
According to the resolution, CIS airmen will address international
and intergovernmental organizations within the CIS which are involved
in cooperation in the field of air transport.
The resolution says that these organizations jointly with
law-enforcement bodies, security services and other government bodies
should regularly deal with issues of comprehensively protecting civil
aviation from terrorist and other extremist attacks.
(Passage omitted: repeat)
The conference was held in Almaty on 24-27 May.
It was attended by experts from the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO), the CIS interstate aviation committee, and the
chiefs of the aviation security services of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus,
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Kazakhstan.

TRUTH AND REALITY OF KARABAKH WAR
AZG/AM
28 May 04
Azerbaijan Made Additional Weapons Purchases in Ukraine and Turkey,
and Hired Some 2,500 Mercenaries in Afghanistan
In April 2003 British NGO Safer World, funded by British and other
European government agencies and foundations, published a study
entitled “The Caucasus: Armed and Divided – small arms and light
weapons proliferation and humanitarian consequences.”
The study includes individual sections on Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh
both authored by Gagik Avagian of the Yerevan-based Cooperation and
Development NGO and Azerbaijan by Arif Yunusov of the Baku-based
Institute for Peace and Democracy, as well as an overview by Maxim
Pyadushkin of the Moscow-based Center for Analysis of Strategies
and Technologies.
The study focuses on proliferation of former Soviet Army’s weapons
in the Caucasus, and in the process debunks the widely held belief of
“Russian support for Armenia” during the NK war. Some of Pyadushkin’s
key arguments include: During the division of Soviet military
property in 1992, overseen by the Russian government, Armenia was
at a disadvantage because fewer Soviet forces were based in Armenia
than in either Georgia or [especially] Azerbaijan. According to
Yunusov, by late 1991, Soviet army units in Azerbaijan, excluding the
airborne division, held 309 tanks, 599 other armor, and 387 pieces of
artillery; in all 15% more than in Armenia. Soviet air forces based
in Azerbaijan had 124 combat aircraft, 50 transportation aircraft and
24 combat helicopters; [there were virtually none in Armenia]. Baku
had a garrison of 11,500 soldiers at Salyan barracks and a Higher
Military School. Together with 6000 sailors at the naval base at
Nargin, there were 62,000 Soviet military personnel in Azerbaijan,
which included 12,000 ethnic Azeris. Armenia inherited two out of
three army divisions stationed on its territory (most of the third
division remains under Russian control to date) and no Air Force
units; Azeris inherited nearly all of the equipment of the four
army and one airborne division, parts of the four Air Force units,
as well as a portion of the Caspian fleet.
Armenia received about 500 wagons (one wagon equals 38m3)
of ammunition, with Azeris receiving 11,000 wagons, more than 20
times as much. According to Yunusov, Azerbaijan inherited 7,000-wagon
strategic ammunition depot at Giliazi/Sumgait (which was fully acquired
by the field commander Suret Husseinov who bribed the local Russian
commander), two district depots at Agdam and Nasosny with 1,100 each
(Aghdam depot, inc. 728 wagons with artillery shells, 245 wagons with
missiles and 131 vagons with small arms ammo, was inherited by Azeris
for free) and four divisional depots at Guzdek, Ganja, Lenkoran and
Nakhichevan with 150-200 wagons.
Azerbaijan received one and a half times more small arms (machine guns,
grenade launchers, etc.; according to Yunusov at least 90,000 in all)
than Armenia and Georgia together. According to Avagian, the Armenian
side experienced shortages in weapons and ammunition throughout the
war, with some military operations conducted just to capture arms
from the Azeris.
Azerbaijan received considerably more than its share of heavy arms
under CFE limitations set at 220 tanks, 220 other armor and 280
artillery; while Armenia, at least initially, received considerably
less. According to Col. Ayaz Mamedov, late Azeri Gen. Baba Nazarli in
mid-June 1992 [at the time of the Azeri offensive in NK] bribed the
commander of the 23rd division (Ganja) Gen. Yuri Pakhomov to acquire
the division’s entire arsenal together with tank crews. According to
the Azeri Defense Ministry, by August 1992 Azerbaijan received 307
tanks, 449 other armor, 130 mortars, 33 MLRS “Grad”, 2,000 machine
guns, 57,000 submachine guns and 17,000 pistols. According to Russian
commanders, in total Azerbaijan inherited 325 tanks, 789 units of other
armor, and 458 pieces of artillery. According to Yunusov, in spite
of the huge arsenal it inherited, Azerbaijan made additional weapons
purchases in Ukraine and Turkey, and hired some 2,500 mercenaries
in Afghanistan (while most of them went on to fight in Chechnya and
Yugoslavia, at least 400 stayed in Azerbaijan after the war leading
to increase in the Islamic Jihadi activity in Azerbaijan).
Russia and individual Russian commanders are believed to have sold
additional weapons to Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan during and after the
war, although no concrete figures are available. According to Avagian,
Nagorno Karabakh made direct purchases from Russian military units
stationed throughout the FSU and some Armenian officers claim that
NKR army’s weapons holdings are kept secret even from Yerevan.
By mid-92, 40,000 people had been mobilized into the Azeri army,
more than half of them deployed in Karabakh. Additionally there
were 4,000 in OMON and 7,000 in mostly XCP volunteer detachments. In
September-October 1992, Elchibey amnestied 701 criminals (including
murderers and rapists), willing to fight in NK. According to then
Interior Minister Hamidov (quoted in Zerkalo, 28 June, 2002), 60
of them were killed in action, 120 were wounded and over a dozen
decorated with government awards. However, a large number of those
released deserted leading to increase in crime rate. In mid-93, Aliyev
disbanded 33 pro-Elchibey battalions, numbering up to 7,000 people.
Prepared by Tatoul Hakobian

$25,000 reward offered for Freeway killer
By Jason Kandel, Staff Writer
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
May 27, 2003
Thursday, May 27, 2004 – NORTH HOLLYWOOD – Officials today posted a
$25,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest
and conviction of the killer of Garen Ketikyan, 20, who was shot in
March as he and a friend were driving on the Hollywood (170) Freeway.
The family of Ketikyan, who had been working full-time at a supermarket
while studying business at Valley College before he was killed March 8,
hopes the money will encourage witnesses to come forward.
“We want to find the people who did it,” said the victim’s older
brother, Harut Ketikyan, 24, a Los Angeles County probation
officer. “The best thing for (the suspects) is to turn themselves
in. They killed the wrong person. He was a good kid. The pain is
still there.”
Someone in a white Ford Mustang fired a gun at him as he and a friend
just after midnight March 8 as he drove his 1998 Mercury Marquis
north on the freeway near Sherman Way. His passenger, whose name was
not released for his safety, was uninjured.
The suspect, who police believe was in the passenger seat of the
Mustang, is described as a bald Armenian man, 20 to 25, with a muscular
build. The Mustang had low-profile chrome rims, and Xenon headlights
that give off a blue tint.
Police were investigating whether an earlier confrontation might have
triggered the death. About 15 minutes before he was killed, Ketikyan
and his passenger were stopped at a traffic signal at Coldwater
Canyon Avenue and Victory Boulevard, and beeped their horn at two
motorcyclists who didn’t move when the light turned green.
The men got off the bikes, removed their helmets and began walking
toward the Mercury in a threatening manner, but then the confrontation
ended without incident and everyone drove away.
About 15 minutes later, Ketikyan was on the freeway when a white
Mustang, with chrome wheels and a new-car registration pulled alongside
and someone inside fired 10 to 15 rounds, Coffey said. Ketikyan was
struck in the head and died at the scene.
The passenger later told detectives he believed the men in the Mustang
were the motorcyclists who had accosted them earlier.
Ketikyan moved with his family from Armenia in 1991. He worked at Jon’s
Market in West Hollywood while studying business at Valley College.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Coffey at the
LAPD’s North Hollywood station, (818) 623-4075. On weekends and during
nonbusiness, contact the 24-hour toll-free number at the Detective
Information Desk, at (877) LAWFULL, (877) 529-3855.
—
Jason Kandel, (818) 713-3664 [email protected]

LRAPER Church Bulletin
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
Contact: Deacon V. Seropyan
T: +90 (212) 517-0970
F: +90 (212) 516-4833
E-mail: [email protected]
or [email protected]
Boyacikoy Armenian Church To Be Inaugurated On 26 June
His Beatitude Mesrob II, Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul and All
Turkey, visited the Armenian Church of the Three Holy Youths in
Boyacikoy, on May 22nd, Saturday morning, accompanied by His Grace
Bishop Aram Ateshian, the Grand Sacristan of the Patriarchal See,
and the Revd. Fr. John Whooley, currently in Istanbul continuing
his doctoral research on Armenian church history. The Patriarch was
welcomed by the Boyacikoy Parish Council, headed by the Chairman,
Mr. Nazaret Ozsahakyan.
The Boyacikoy Armenian Church was founded in 1836 during the tenure of
Patriarch Stepanos Aghavni II. The building of the Church of the Three
Young Men was constructed by Misak Amira and consecrated by Patriarch
Hagopos III in 1840. Suffering extensive damage from the 17 August 1999
earthquake, the Boyacikoy Armenian Church was closed to worship. The
Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul and the community members responded
to calls from the Parish Council to provide financial aid for the
repair and renovation of the historic church. Due to the slow flow
of funds, the renovation took over four years to complete. Patriarch
Mesrob examined the completed work during his visit and expressed
his satisfaction to the Parish Council members.
Tea was served by the members of the Sayat Nova Choir of the Boyacikoy
Church and all present gathered around a table of love. The Patriarch
informed the Parish Council that the Patriarchate has decided to
re-consecrate the renovated church building to the glory of God on
June 26th. The first Divine Liturgy in Boyacikoy, since the year 1999,
will be celebrated on Sunday, June 27th.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
May 28 2004
SPEECH OF AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV
[May 27, 2004, 23:17:20]
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
Dear friends!
I intimately congratulate you on the occasion of the national holiday
of Azerbaijan – Day of Republic. I wish all the Azerbaijani people
peace, tranquility and welfare.
In May 1918, was founded the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Creation
of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was extremely important and
significant event in our history. For the first time in the Islamic
world the democratic Republic was created, Azerbaijan people found
its independence. Our country became a member of the world community.
It was extremely significant event. Our people very highly estimate
activity of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and contributions of
its founders.
But the Democratic Republic has existed not for long, after about two
years the young Republic has fallen. Only in 1991, after collapse of
Soviet Union, Azerbaijan regained state independence. It was very
difficult years for our country. In comparison with other former
Soviet republics Azerbaijan appeared in heavier conditions.
Aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, occupation of our lands,
negative processes in the country have led to occurrence in our
country of the extremely difficult position. Besides, as a result of
unsatisfactory activity of the incompetent, unable management, the
country experienced crisis – economic, political and military crisis.
The chaos, anarchy dominated. As a whole, Azerbaijan as the
independent state could be erased from the ground.
In such conditions, the national leader of our people Heydar Aliyev
on demand of the insisting people has come back to power. All
negative tendencies has been put an end, political stability was
established, the social order restored, the illegal armed formations
disarmed, in the country the law and order was established. To carry
out all this, certainly, first of all was necessary the will of
Heydar Aliyev, courage and support of Azerbaijan people. Azerbaijan
people have believed in the leader, and with the support of people in
Azerbaijan, great creative work was launched.
For maintenance of development at each country, first of all, there
should be stability, supremacy of law, discipline. In Azerbaijan, all
these factors have been established, and our country has reached the
way of development. The country has received prompt economic
development. The major factor describing economy – volume of GDP for
last 7 years has increased for 90 percent. The large-scale program of
privatization has been carried out and this goes on.
Our country has made important steps for delivery of the oil
resources to the world markets. 10 years ago in this palace
“Gulistan» the “Contract of the Century” has been signed, and Heydar
Aliyev’s oil strategy started. After the “Contract of the Century”,
to Azerbaijan were put large foreign investments that has allowed
achieving all-around development of our country. Today, Azerbaijan in
comparison with neighboring countries, former Soviet republics is in
the lead on volume of foreign investments per capita.
After these projects, were realized other projects of Azerbaijan
representing great value for our country and entire region. There
started construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline
representing great value for entire all world. For anybody it is not
the secret, that the initiator and the architect of construction of
BTC oil pipeline is the national leader of our people Heydar Aliyev.
Not casually, members of the BTC Company named this pipeline after
Heydar Aliyev.
Azerbaijan managed to overcome international isolation. Once our
country was in the condition of isolation from the world, regional
processes. Azerbaijan managed to establish bilateral relations with
various countries and become valuable member of the international
community. Position of our country have become stronger, Azerbaijan
became a member of the various regional and international
organizations, takes active part in them.
The important steps have been undertaken in the field of army
construction. Until 1993, situation in the army was extremely
difficult. Azerbaijan had no army, there were separate formations
carried out independent activity. Today, the Azerbaijan army meets
highest standards, and it has turned to professional army and is
capable to solve any problem. Steps are undertaken in the field of
settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
Ceasefire that has allowed us to develop our country in quiet
conditions has been achieved.
In a word, the work done in Azerbaijan for these 11 years, the policy
pursued for the country find positive acknowledgement. Azerbaijan
people gives its voices for this policy, approves it. This policy
lives and today, it is necessary to carry out this policy in
Azerbaijan long years in the name of the happy future of our
country”.
Then, President of Azerbaijan gave full analysis of socio-political
life in the Country after the Presidential elections, dwelt on the
international raise of Azerbaijan’s policy, on his visits to foreign
countries, cooperation with the international an regional
organizations, including the Council of Europe, European Union, NATO
and others.
President Ilham Aliyev also touched upon the urgent social problems,
in particular, poverty reduction, opening of new working places,
condition of the refugees and IDPs, cultural-educational aspects of
social life in the Republic.
***
Foreign ambassadors accredited in Azerbaijan, heads of religious
communities congratulated President of Azerbaijan on the occasion of
the day of Republic.
Ambassador of Georgia Zurab Gumberidze made congratulatory address to
the Head of Azerbaijan State.
President Ilham Aliyev met public representatives, MPs, men of
intelligentsia – writers, artists as well as sportsmen, and was taken
his photo in memory.
Chairman of Milli Majlis Murtuz Alaskarov, Prime Minister Artur
Rasizade, head of President Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev attended
the official reception.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HM greets Armenian, Ethiopian presidents
Times of Oman, Oman
May 28 2004
MUSCAT – His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of
greetings to Robert Kocharian, president of Armenia, on his country’s
National Day.
In the cable, His Majesty wished the president good health and
happiness and the Armenian people further progress and prosperity.
His Majesty the Sultan has also sent a cable of greetings to Girma
Wolde Giorgis, president of Ethiopia, on his country’s National Day.
In the cable, His Majesty wished the president good health and
happiness and the Ethiopian people further progress and prosperity.
ONA