Category: News

ARMENIAN CHURCH TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN CAPITAL OF REPUBLIC OF KOMI
YEREVAN, August 3 (Noyan Tapan). According to the Information System
of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Catholicos of All Armenians
Karekin II received President of the Republic of Komi of Russia
Vladimir Torlopov and a delegation headed by him in his residence in
Etchmiadzin on August 3. The Catholicos of All Armenians touched upon
the centuries-old friendship of the Armenian and Russian peoples, the
mission of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the life of our people and
the warm relations between the Armenian Apostolic and Russian Orthodox
Churches. During the meeting Torlopov spoke with admiration about the
Armenians living in Komi, according to him, they are worthy citizens
and contribute to the prosperity of the Republic of Komi. The
President of the Republic of Komi told Karekin II that an Armenian
church will be constructed in the capital of the Republic of Komi
soon.

Yerevan, July 30, 2004
Re: Bi-Annual Progress Report, Summer 2004
Dear friends, active NGOs, concerned businesses, and government
agencies:
We are sending this letter to inform you of CENN’s current activities in
Armenia. We are sending an official progress report twice a year to
keep all interested parties informed of CENN activities with a
localized, specific focus on development in Armenia. We are pleased and
excited to report our activities since the opening of our Yerevan office
in March in the Environmental Conservation Research Center (ECRC) at the
American University of Armenia (AUA):
Environmental Panel Discussions at the American University of Armenia
(AUA)
CENN and ECRC have joined to create a series of Environmental Panel
Discussions to present urgent environmental issues and to allow for
public discussion with the panel experts. The first panel discussion
was held in April regarding solid waste management, and the second was
held in July regarding water supply and water quality in Armenia.
Building upon the interest and success of the first two, CENN plans to
continue this program with ECRC indefinitely. Before each event an
invitation will be sent out and the media will be invited. Future
potential topics include deforestation from the regional viewpoint, the
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the South Caucasus, and current
agricultural practices in Armenia.
Pre-training Seminar on the Hazards of Metzamor and Emergency Response
CENN, in partnership with Muskee alum Edward Safaryan, has recently
received a grant to present a seminar to leaders from throughout the
regions on the environmental health risks of living near a nuclear power
plant, with a special focus on the particular problems of the Metzamor
plant. The goal of the seminar will be to pre-train these leaders and
to empower them to train their communities to be aware of the issues, to
know the best ways to handle the risks, and to feel more involved in
public affairs regarding the plant. The keynote speaker will be Olga
Denyshchyk, Executive Director of the Ukrainian NGO `Mama-86,’ an
organization devoted to the issues affecting children born after the
Chernobyl accident in 1986.
We are currently seeking 30-40 participants from throughout the regions.
If you know of any NGOs or individuals who may be interested, please
have them contact [email protected]. The seminar will be held in
October.
Kanach Janabarh Foundation
CENN in Armenia has been working directly with other NGOs in the
formation of an Environmental Media Coalition, which has been named
`Kanach Janabarh,’ or `Green Paths Foundation.’ The group has recently
become a project of the Kanach Foundation, and will be launching its
website as well as its first environmental campaign shortly. The latter
offers an alternative to plastic bags, using canvas bags instead.
Kanach Janabarh Foundation plans to use media tools such as television,
radio, and print ads as well as the internet to advertise environmental
problems in Armenia and to encourage and foster public awareness on
these issues. The first issue chosen was waste management, and will
focus on individual behavior patterns that can be modified to be more
sustainable and environmentally-friendly. We are currently seeking
funding for this project, and new partners are always welcome. You can
contact [email protected] or alternatively
[email protected] for more information.
Expect an announcement of the Kanach Janabarh website and further
activities soon!
CENN in Armenia Website
In recognition of the rapidly expanding nature of the CENN Armenia
office, it was decided to create a website specifically devoted to the
Armenian projects of CENN. Here will be hosted many interactive
activities of CENN, such as the internship program for local university
students and the environmental panel discussions presented in
partnership with the Environmental Conservation and Research Center
(ECRC) at AUA. This website is still under construction but should be
active within the next few months.
CENN in the future
In addition to the projects listed above currently being implemented,
future projects include the Caucasus Explorer Video Magazine project in
partnership with Bars Media Documentary Film Studio in Yerevan
(described in the last Bi-Annual progress report), an internship program
in the environmental field for local university students, a student
exchange program between Georgian , Armenian and Azeri students, and a
newsletter in each Caucasus country presenting both national and
regional environmental issues. If you have any ideas or would like to
collaborate with CENN on a project, please contact us at
[email protected]!
We look forward to hearing from you!
Best wishes,
Ursula Kazarian – CENN Armenia Country Director
[email protected]
Irina Kitiashvili – CENN Regional Coordinator
[email protected]
—
*******************************************
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:

Iranian president inaugurates 184 telecommunication projects
IRNA web site, Tehran
3 Aug 04
Tabriz, East Azarbayjan Province, 3 August: President Mohammad Khatami
here Monday 2 August inaugurated 184 telecommunication projects in
this northwestern province.
Over 20bn rials has been spent on the projects which include a major
one providing audio and visual telecommunication facilities between
Iran and Armenia through the use of optic fibres.
The project with a cost of over 4bn rials, covers a distance of 140 km
of which 71 km is within the Iranian territory.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the launching of the projects, the
president referred to the contract to have a second operator in
country’s telecommunications system as a very well-calculated and
valuable plan.
He said the contract will make it possible to offer an extra 5m
telephone lines within two years.
Pointing to the exclusive geo-strategic and geo-political situation of
Iran, Khatami described the country as the linking point of East and
West and said making investments in telecommunications and information
is very important and valuable.
Talking in the same ceremony, Minister of Communications and
Information Technology (CIT) Ahmad Mo’tamedi said his ministry was
aiming at updating the communications system in all parts of the
country.
He said 15,340,000 telephone lines were currently used by people while
3,450,000 cell phone numbers have been sold in the country so far.

ARMENIAN VETERANS DEMAND FREE FLATS
Noyan Tapan news agency
3 Aug 04
YEREVAN
Members of the Artsakh liberation movement went on an open-ended
sit-in in Yerablur today. The protesters are demanding that funds be
allocated from the budget so as to provide them with flats.
Armen Avetisyan, leader of the Armenian Aryan Union, told Noyan Tapan
that a commission of the Armenian Defence Ministry has prepared a
special list which says that the families of killed azatamartiks
(freedom fighters) and disabled azatamartiks must be provided with
flats. However, he said, the Armenian government has not started
allocating money for these purposes yet.
The protesters are demanding that the government and the National
Assembly pass a law on granting the status of volunteer azatamartiks
to people who fought in the front line for six and more months and
also to restore privileges and the rights of all the
azatamartiks. They want pensions paid to disabled azatamartiks of the
third degree to be equalled to pensions of warrant officers.
Avetisyan also said that the government and parliament have been
informed about the sit-in which will be halted only when an agreement
is reached between the protesters and the government.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERBAIJAN CONDEMNS ARMENIA’S MILITARY EXERCISES IN KARABAKH
ANS TV, Baku
3 Aug 04
The heads of the Armenian community of Karabakh and the Armenian armed
forces started joint military exercises in Nagornyy Karabakh
today. Reserve officers are also taking part in the exercises which
will continue until 12 August.
(Passage omitted: Russian news agency RIA is quoted)
We condemn these exercises as the aggressor country is staging them on
the occupied territory. We know the level of the Armenian armed
forces, and therefore, we know that the exercises will not be
successful, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry press service has said.

ISLAMIC CONFERENCE CONDEMNS LOCAL POLLS IN BREAKAWAY KARABAKH
Turan news agency
3 Aug 04
BAKU
The secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference
(OIC), Abdelouahed Belkeziz, has sent a letter to the Azerbaijani
foreign minister, condemning the “local elections” in Nagornyy
Karabakh scheduled for 8 August.
The press service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reports that in
his letter, the OIC head confirms the OIC resolutions demanding that
Armenia vacate the occupied Azerbaijani territories, including
Nagornyy Karabakh.
The letter says further that the “illegal elections” in Nagornyy
Karabakh will have a “negative” impact on a negotiated settlement to
the conflict.

AZERI, ARMENIAN LEADERS TO MEET IN SEPTEMBER SUMMIT OF CIS
Bilik Dunyasi news agency
3 Aug 04
BAKU
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will meet Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan in the Kazakh capital, Astana. The meeting will be joined by
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, the meeting will be
part of the CIS summit due in September.
Political circles in Azerbaijan explain Putin’s participation in the
meeting by Russia’s desire not to lag behind Turkey in resolving the
Karabakh conflict.
The main topic on the agenda of the Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian
presidents’ meeting will be regional stability. In addition to that,
the sides are expected to discuss new recommendations of the OSCE
Minsk Group.

AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email [email protected]
Webpage
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
AGBU GEN NEXT’S 2ND ANNUAL ARTISTIC SHOWCASE A HIT
Pasadena, CA – The Second Annual Artistic Showcase was held on Sunday
June 27, 2004 in the AGBU Pasadena Center’s Boyajian Hall. The unique
program brought together an array of musical, artistic and fashion
personalities that demonstrated to the Generation Next mentees the
cultural creativity in their own community.
Along with the performances of guest artists Lucy Nargizyan, Jaime
Avila, and Zvart Zulfayan, one of the mentees displayed rare talent
when they played a moving piece by Armenian composer Chebotaryan.
Those that attended the event, were also welcome to tour a special
exhibit of the visual culture of Armenians that included art,
photography, historical Armenian maps, and select objects from the
postal history of Armenia.
In addition to the exhibit, mentee Sona, who mounted a popular fashion
show at last year’s Artistic Showcase, returned this year to explain
the extensive work involved in designing dresses and accessories.
The afternoon ended with a surprise video production entited “Let’s
Dance,” which was realized through the combined efforts of a group of
mentors and mentees. Produced under the direction of Edna Shakhmalian,
who spent many hours finalizing the tape, all those involved in the
project were exposed and educated about the process of filming and
editing footage.
The AGBU Generation Next Mentorship Program is currently seeking
dedicated, qualified young adults to mentor the Armenian youth of
Southern California. Established in 1997 by AGBU Young Professionals
of Los Angeles, AGBU Generation Next’s mission is to serve the
Armenian youth of Southern California by providing them with guidance
and mentorship. Adult volunteers from the Generation Next Mentorship
Program act as positive role models and introduce young Armenians to
new experiences and alternatives, enabling them to become responsible,
self-sufficient, and independent adults.
To receive more information about the program or to request an
application to become a mentor, please call 626-794-7942 or email
[email protected].

AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email [email protected]
Webpage
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
LEO HAMALIAN REMEMBERED AS A LITERARY MENTOR
New York – Friends, family and colleagues of Leo Hamalian attended a
special commemorative ceremony to honor the memory of the longtime
editor of AGBU’s Ararat quarterly. Known as a distinguished writer,
educator and editor, Hamalian had a great impact on Armenian and
American literature not only through his work as an essayist, critic
and anthologist, but also through his ability to recruit new writers
and assist in their literary development. “Leo Hamalian has
demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the role literature plays in
defining the Armenian identity. As editor, he has fostered new talent
and been supportive of Armenian American writers so that they feel
part of a strong cultural community,” AGBU President Berge Setrakian
said about the long-time editor of Ararat.
Emceed by Ararat Board members, Peter Sourian and Nishan Parlakian,
longtime friends and colleagues, including Peter Balakian, Lynne
Kassabian, Harry Keyishian and Valerie Krishna, spoke about Hamalian’s
life at the May 20th event at the New York Society of Ethical Culture
on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Ararat Chairman and Interim Editor
Aram Arkun welcomed the guests and thanked those that made the event
possible.
Each speaker reminiscenced about the genteel and insightful nature
that was a hallmark of Hamalian’s life and Balakian summarized
Hamalian’s gift to his readers and friends: “Leo’s work as a writer,
editor, scholar, teacher and cultural emissary and friend-meant a
great deal to many people-people in this room tonight-and generations
of his students scattered around the country. He was a true
cosmopolitan; he brought the wider world of literature and culture to
Armenians all over the world, and brought Armenians to that wider
world. His good work made a difference; his kindness, his generosity
touched many of us. We’re indebted to him and we’ll miss him.”
Kassabian refered in her words to Hamalian’s remarkable role, “Leo was
at the center of a giant, turning wheel, and probably the single
vehicle that could contain us all-could carry us all-was the journal
AraratA.” Keyishian remembered Hamalian’s sophisticated sensibility
that easily engaged and celebrated every aspect of human
experience. While Valerie Krishna shared a personal story about
Hamalian’s sensitivity that helped her overcome the sense of loss she
felt from her mother’s death-it was a moment, she said, that gave her
insight into the beauty of his nature.
The speeches were followed by a number of works performed by pianist
Sahan Arzruni and the event concluded with a reading by James
V. Hatch’s of an excerpt from a seven-part poem by Hamalian entitled,
“Suite for Shushanik”.
Over a hundred guests attended the event, and a special memorial fund
has been established in Leo Hamalian’s name to guarantee that the work
of Ararat continues to foster a new generation of Armenian American
writing. Donations can be mailed to: Ararat, c/o AGBU, 55 East 59th
Street, New York, NY 10022-1112.
A special memorial issue is also being prepared for release later this
year that will highlight Hamalian’s life and work for over four
decades. For more information, please call, 212.319.6383, fax,
212.319.6507, or email, [email protected].
Established in 1959, Ararat has for over forty years been a leading
forum for Armenian American literature and ideas. It is published by
AGBU and is part of the organization’s mission to promote Armenian
culture and heritage around the world.

AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email [email protected]
Webpage
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
AGBU NEW YORK SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE CONCLUDES EXCITING PREMIER
SEASON

Last Two Events Sold Out with New Activities in Progress

New York – The AGBU New York Special Events Committee (NYSEC) recently
joined together with the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club of America,
where more than 75 supporters gathered for the annual Kips Bay
Decorator Show House in Manhattan. This important fundraising event
brought together area residents, Armenian and non-Armenian alike, in a
show of support for the Boys and Girls Club of America. The sold out
afternoon continued for NYSEC participants at the trendy restaurants
JoJo and Barbaluc on the Upper East Side of New York City.
In addition to the Kips Bay event, the recently initiated committee
also hosted several other programs. During its inaugural event last
fall, NYSEC gathered a sizeable number of guests for an afternoon tour
and high tea at Caramoor in Katonah, New York. Winter outings for the
group have included a day trip to Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and a
special luncheon at Becco’s Restaurant, along with a lecture by
Dr. George Bournoutian the following month.
Entitled, Armenian History 101, Dr. Bournoutian’s informative lecture
was well received by a sold out NYSEC audience at the AGBU Central
Office. The program was followed by a question and answer period and
concluded with an afternoon reception.
The NYSEC members have already begun to organize new events for the
local community in the coming months, and anticipate another
successful season. Details and dates for the September event will be
announced shortly.
Launched in 2003 by a dedicated group of AGBU volunteers, NYSEC seeks
to promote a better understanding of both Armenian and American
culture and history in New York City. NYSEC organizes activities that
support AGBU membership and brings together Armenians in the local
community. Those interested in joining the Committee or being placed
on the mailing list should call the AGBU Central Office: 212.319.6383
ext. 128.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress