Category: News

His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate of Western Prelacy
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, Ca 91214
Tel: 818-248-7737
Fax: 818-248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected])
H.E. ARCH. MOUSHEGH MARDIROSSIAN, THE PRELATE RECIVED SHERIFF LEROY BACA
Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca visited the Western Prelacy of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of America on Thursday, July 22, and was
receivedby His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, the
Prelate. Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian, the Vice Chairman of the Prelacy
Executive Council also attended the meeting.
Sheriff Baca explained that he had come to ask the cooperation of His
Eminence and other Armenian Community leaders in dealing with certain
fields of his mission. Taking into consideration that several towns
under his department’s jurisdiction had intense Armenian population,
he planed to form local committees composed of community
representatives and police force members in order to tackle with
juvenile problems. He proposed to form a central committee headed by
the spiritual leaders of the Armenian Apostolic Church who would
coordinate and oversee the proposed task in coordination with his
office.
His Eminence the Prelate welcomed the sheriff’s plans and good
intention. He told him that the Western Prelacy has a long experience
in this regards through the CASPS (Committee for Armenian Students in
Public School), a committee that functions under the auspices of the
Prelacy and provides advice and services to students that attend
public schools in Glendale and their parents.
The Prelate expressed full support to the proposed plan and said he
would do his utmost to achieve these goals.

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected] Website;
Saint Sahag and Saint Mesrob Armenian School students visited His
Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians
Reporting: Ashkhen Shishmanian from Armenia
On Sunday, July 18, 2004 the students of St Sahag and St Mesrob
Saturday school of Toronto visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
and had a formal meeting with His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of
All Armenians. The meeting was arranged by His Eminence Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian, Primate of the Canadian Armenian Church Diocese. The
students then visited the Museum of Etchmiadzin at the
Veharan. Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia participants joined the
Holy Badarak, where Serpazan Bagrat had arranged special seats at both
sides of the altar. They received Holy Communion and also had the
chance to see the Treasures at the Holy Etchmiadzin and the remains of
the Pagan Temple under the Altar.
The children were inspired and so amazed that they asked to visit Holy
Etchmiadzin again. You could see and feel from their expressions that
they felt at home as they belonged to the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin.
We thank the Primate of the Canadian Diocese His Eminence Bishop
Bagrat Galstanian for making Sunday a memorable day for all of us. We
thank him for his attention and care that he has shown to us for the
past several days.
Hereby we present some of the thoughts of our students:
Coming Back Home
Aida Knadjian
After I left Armenia last year, I wanted to come back right away. I
kept thinking about wonderful experiences we had shared and the warm
people we had met everyday. I would never have thought that I would be
given the chance to revisit my homeland.
When in Armenia, I felt at home and going back to Canada made me feel
like I was going on vacation. I had experienced something here that I
never had in Canada: The people treat you like family – from David,
our bus driver, to Ara and Zabelle, our tour guides, and from Nigol
and Zabelle to strangers in the streets. This feeling is something you
will never experience in any other country.
I visited Armenia last year to see all the churches, monuments that I
had learned about. It was only then that I realized that I belong
somewhere in the world. The statues and churches motivated me to come
back and try to help my country in any way I could. Now I see Armenia
in a positive light. Althoughwe have been massacred and
underestimated, I see a wonderful livelihood everywhere: Armenians
working hard and rebuilding their country. That reflects our history
and character.
I just hope to help as many people as I can in my short stay here
until I return to my homeland to have a greater input. Not being able
to touch Ararat is encouraging me to become an entrepreneur like Nigol
and Zabelle and try to help Armenia and its people in any possible way
that is in my power.
I loved my homeland Armenia.
First Impressions
My name is Vanch Boghoumian, a graduate of St Sahag St Mesrob Saturday
school in Toronto. This summer we came to our homeland Armenia. It was
a long journey, but when we finally arrived, we no more felt tired and
agitated. Ifelt as though there was a relief inside of me, because I
finally came to a place where all Armenians can call HOME.
Until this day, we have visited Sartarabad, Lake Sevan, Dilijan, Garni
and Geghart, the Zeitun Orphanage and Yerablur, where Armenian
soldiers have been buried. Armenia has surprised me in so many ways:
its beauty, culture, heritage and all sorts of rituals and
traditions. The first time I laid my eyes on Mount Ararat, I was in
shock. Surprisingly my eyes seemed unable to move, and I thought to
myself that one day Mount Ararat will be ours again. I would love
waking up early, climb to the upper balcony and just stare at the
mountain.Now I am extremely proud of being an Armenian, convinced that
I have to speak my mother tongue.
When I go back to Toronto, I will tell my family and friends about
Armenia and make sure that we visit our homeland as often as possible.
In two weeks I will go home a better Armenian and a proud one as well.
Seeing is believing and Living
My name is Christopher Yeretsian and I have been attending St Sahag-St
Mesrob Saturday School in Toronto for the past eight years. Following
the commendable tradition already established for the past four years,
I am in Armenia now, along with my fellow graduates (a group of 19
students plus our teachers.)
Guess where I’m writing this from? Correct!
My friends and I have been here for only a few days and seen a lot of
important land- marks of Armenian history: Garni, Geghart, Sevan,
Dilijan, the world-renowned Matenadaran and Waterworld (one of my
personal favorites). It may seem as though we have seen a lot over the
past four days, but there are still many sights we have not yet
visited.
Along with the beauty and cultural atmosphere of Armenia, there are
many areas in different sectors of the economy that are being
improved.
My current feelings toward my Armenian heritage have drastically
changed over the days that we have been here. Three days ago our group
visited Zeitun Orphanage. We brought toys and clothes to comfort the
children. I handed out my toys, explaining how each worked and spent
time with most of the children. We played together and colored. It was
very special moment for me to see how these children coped with no
parents or family. It made me feel fortunate to have parents that love
me dearly. Every toy we played with and every word we exchanged, put a
smile on their faces.
I feel that I have contributed now to a very good cause.
I look forward to the rest of the trip, that will include visits to
Khor Virap, Spitak, Gumri and most of all, Karabagh.
Rev Fr Vazgen Boyadjyan and Deacon Hagop Arslanian attended a luncheon
hosted by the Consul General of Lebanon in Montreal H. E Khalil el
Habre
On Wednesday, July 21 2004 Rev. Fr Vazgen Boyajian Pastor of St
Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral of Montreal and Deacon Hagop
Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate attended a luncheon hosted by the
Consul General of the Republic of Lebanon in Montreal H. E Khalil El
Habre in Outremont.
Present were high ranking spiritual leaders of Maronite, Assyrian,
Catholic Churches as well as the heads of Montreal Muslim
community. During the luncheon at the Consul’s resident interfaith
representatives had the chance to discuss the relations amongst their
respective communities as well as the paths for further
cooperation. In his word, Consul General Mr. el Habre thanked the
attendees and wished them continued success in their future missions
and undertakings.
Rev Fr Vazgen Boyajian presented the Consul General with an Armenian
Cross and thanked him on behalf of His Eminence Bishop Bagrat
Galstanian for sucha warm reception.
CYMA members enjoying their stay in Motherland, Armenia
“CYMA participants are doing great and enjoying every second on the
soil of the Motherland, Armenia”. That’s how CYMA Director, Very Rev
Father Ararat Kaltakjian described the Mission’s working visit to
Armenia.
“The reconstruction work is going well and the participants are in
high spirit” said Hayr Ararat in a telephone conversation on Thursday,
July 23, 2004. Very Rev Fr Ararat Kaltakjian informed that the
participants visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin as well as
they had the chance to visit famous sites in Armenia.
The Canadian Youth Mission departed to Armenia on Thursday July 8,
2004 under the guidance of Very Reverend Father Ararat Kaltakjian. 16
participants from all across Canada and Europe met in Prague
International Airport and then continued their way to Armenia. This
year CYMA members will achieve their mission in the kindergarten of
Saghmosavank. The team is currently working to renovate the walls,
floor and repaint the rooms and hallways of the kindergarten.
During their stay in Armenia, a day camp will give CYMA participants
the opportunity to interact with the local children by working on arts
and crafts, and engage in social activities and sports. Visitations
will be made by CYMA participants and clergy, offering spiritual and
humanitarian relief to families living in dire
circumstances. Participants will have many opportunities to visit
churches, landmarks and monuments. Under the guidance of local
professionals, participants will take part in workshops to learn the
history of the land and of the Church, as well as the culture through
singing, dancing and drawing
First Annual Armenian Youth Pilgrimage to St Catharine’s
The oldest and the first Armenian Apostolic Church in Canada,
St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church of
St. Catharine’s, On., will be hosting the first Annual Armenian Youth
Pilgrimage.
His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian will join the pilgrims from
Montreal, Laval, Toronto and Ottawa at this historic event that will
take place starting Saturday, August 14th. in the evening and continue
on Sunday, August 15th. with the 74th. Annual “Blessing of the
Grapes” Holy Badarak and traditional Picnic.
St. Vartan Summer Day Camp 2004
On the morning of July 12, 2004 a group of 25 Armenian children (aged
between 3 and 8 years old) gathered at Fogolar’s Country Club in
Oakville. They were there to participate in the week long St. Vartan
Summer Day Camp under the leadership of Reverend Father Komitas
Mirzakhanyan, Pastor of St. Vartan Armenian Church of
Mississauga. During the week the campers participated in a variety of
activities with each day having its own theme (e.g. Armenian Alphabet,
Holy Badarak, Armenia, and “I am special”). A variety of crafts were
made including a mosaic of Etchmiadzin, Pourvar, and Armenian flag
magnets amongothers. The children also participated in games like
Armenian Bingo, learned Armenian traditional shoorch bar and singing
Armenian songs. The children were also given the chance to play soccer
and swim.
The camp wrapped up on Friday with an exhibition of crafts, a slide
show from the camp and a performance for the parents. The campers sang
the beautiful Hye Menank song and Ayp ou Pen song which they had
learned over the past week. The campers also recited the Lord’s
Prayer, Hayr Mer to open the show.
A camp like this was a major undertaking for the St. Vartan
Mississauga parish and could not have been possible without the
contribution of time and money of various individuals.
Thank you to the team of eight counselors who assisted Der Komitas
during the week. The counselors were Steve Beler, Armen Dumanian,
Garen Hamblin, Nairi Kazazian, Arlaine MacClennan, Caroline
MacClennan, Christine Sevadjian, Peter Sevadjian, and Tanya
Sevadjian. A thank you also goes out to the parent volunteers who
helped during the camp: Taline Paroyan, Ani Badiani, Alessia Aivazian,
Ani Altounian, Christine Sakarya, Christine Ermarkaryan as well as the
organizing committee of the camp who included Ani Altounian, Taline
Paroyan, Houri Houldsworth, and Christine Ermar-karyan.
We would like to thank the following members of our community for
their donations towards the operating expenses of the camp: Ian & Seta
MacLennan,Loris & Julia Dumanian, Arlette Boghoskan, Mardig & Lilian
Sevadjian, Vic & Aida Sevadjian, John & Houri Houldsworth, Vazken &
Ani Altounian, Edouard & Taline Paroyan, Arno & Christine Ermarkaryan,
First Choice Haircutters, Kraft Canada, and Voortman Cookies.
Special thanks to the parents who supported the camp with the presence
of their children and made the 2nd annual St. Vartan Summer Day Camp
such a success!
Last but not least, a special thanks to Der Komitas for his leadership
and efforts to continue to make this camp a reality
Divan of the Diocese

BOTANICAL RESEARCHES NEED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Azg/am
27 July 2004
Yerevan Botanical Garden is engaged in studying the Armenian flora, as
well as preserving and elaborating thousand of plant-sorts. At
present, the scientific researches are in a very bad state in the
botanical garden that has a history of 70 years. Lack of financial
assistance hinders the scientific researches.
The garden was greatly damaged during the early 90s, when many of the
rare and valuable plants died or were frozen because of the lack of
the materials needed. During the cold winters the garden was deprived
of many of the trees as most of the thick ones were just cut. At the
same time during the same years the construction of the ecological
center that is unique in the region was initiated in the garden. Many
rare species belonging to the Armenian naturewere gathered and
elaborated thanks to a number of devoted people. These speciesare
being preserved in the green house of the garden. The construction of
the green house began in the Soviet times, but during the years of
independencethe garden received no financial support and the
construction-works were stopped. But thanks to the efforts of a
number of scientific officers the giant greenhouse ‘s construction was
completed. Afterwards, 7 artificial landscapes peculiar to the
Armenian nature, i.e. prairie, highland prairie, arboretum, rocky,
desert and watery-mash. About 450 sorts of wild plants grow in this
micro-landscapes that secures constant blossoming of the
flora. Endemic species that are peculiar to only some of the Armenian
regions grow here. Many of such species are of the verge of being
annihilated as they are brutally picked up by some irresponsible
citizens and flower-sellers during their blooming period. Buttheir
samples are preserved and elaborated in the ecological center that has
popular scientific orientation. This is a unique ecological museum,
where one can get familiarized to the Armenian nature in an hour.
The center has many problems today, as it’s hard to have such a giant
greenhouse with no financial support. The scientists have many
programs andprojects that can’t be realized because of the lack of
financial sources. One can only hope that the time will come when the
Armenian budget will allocate financial sources for the botanical
researches.
By Ani Chetimian, student at Yerevan State Linguistic University after
Valery Brusov

SYMBOL FOR PAN-ARMENIAN FESTIVAL IS CHOSEN
Azg/am
27 July 2004
Recently the journalists were among the happy that saw Nare and Narek,
the young Armenians, symbols for “One Nation, One Culture”
Pan-Armenianfestival. They wore tricolor national dresses decorated
with Armenian ornaments. R. Sahakian managed to elaborate this
variant after testing many. Over 100 volunteers will accompany the
participants of the festival on August 14-23 in Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh. The employees of the hotels, cafes and halls will wear the
uniform. Karnie Khodikian, RA Deputy Culture Minister, Naira
Melkumian, RA Fund’ s director, and Hrachia Ashughian, director of the
festival were present at the meeting with the journalists.
The festival will contribute to the development of the relations
between Armenia and Diaspora, it will represent the cultural values
and help discussing the art and cultural issues.
By Marieta Makarian

ANOTHER STORY ON ARMENIAN NAVY TRADITIONS
Azg/am
27 July 2004
“Respecting the traditions and the customs of our ancestors, the Human
Rights Declaration, we call for all the nations of the Earth to spare
no efforts to preserve peace in our planet that is fragile like a
highland crystal,” wrote “Cilicia” sailors in their statement,
enclosed it in the bottle of a newly drunk vine. On the very first
moment of the Sochi-Novorossiysk voyage Karen Balayan, the captain,
will throw the bottle into the sea. The statement also runs that the
sailors carry the Armenian state flag with pride. The sailors saidthat
the flags of the countries they will travel to will wave by the side
of the Armenian flag constantly. “By this, we not only follow the
traditions of the international navigation ethics but we also express
our sincere respect to all the nations of the planet,” the
declarations stretches.
“Cilicia” is very likely to continue its voyage. Hmayak Tarakhchian,
Deputy-Chairman of the club, informed Azg Daily that thanks to the
efforts of Stepan Kargosian, head of the Armenian Community
headquarter in Sochi, a new pair of steering oars is being made in one
of Sochi’s graving docks. He said that the sailors would have an
additional pair of steering oars to be on the safe side.
By Tamar Minasian

His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate of Western Prelacy
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: 818-248-7737
Fax: 818-248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected])
SPIRITUAL CONCERT IN MEMORY OF ARCHBISHOPS
SAHAG AYVAZIAN, MESROB ASHJIAN AND ZAREH AZNAVORIAN
The Christian Education Department of the Western Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America held a spiritual concert on
Wednesday, July 14,2004 at the St. Marys Church in Glendale. The
unique cultural event was dedicated to the memory of three members of
the Holy See of the Great House of Cilicia, Archbishops Sahag
Ayvazian, Mesrob Ashjian and Zareh Aznavorian who had passed lately.
The concert was held under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, the Prelate. Present were the representatives
of the Central Executive of the Holy See, Prelacy Council members,
Parish Boards representatives and hundreds of faithful parishioners
who had gathered to pay their respect in memory of the Archbishops.
The evening started with the Lord’s prayer. Very Rev. Fr. Vrouyr
Demirdjian introduced the program and the speaker of the event
Mr. Garo Bedrossian, a well known educator. Mr. Bedrossian and Arch
Ayvazian had been classmates in the Seminary of the Holy See in
Antilias. He had also collaborated with the Archbishops Ashjian and
Aznavorian as educators. He spoke about his experiences and the legacy
of the three Archbishops stressing that they had served the Armenian
Church and the nation deservedly and left a tremendous cultural and
spiritual inheritance to the new generation.
The program continued with a series of contemporary spiritual songs by
a young artist, Salpy Keleshian from Beirut, Lebanon. Many of the
songs were newly composed works of Armenian artists and were delivered
by the singer in an atmosphere of spiritual enlightenment.
At the end of the concert, His Eminence the Prelate delivered his
message. He highlighted the life long mission of his spiritual
brothers and thankedMr. Garo Bedrossian and Salpy Keleshian for their
part in the program.
The event was concluded by a benediction by the Prelate and the song
`Cilicia ‘.

ARMENIA THIS WEEK
Monday, July 26, 2004
U.S. ENVOY COMPLETES ARMENIA TOUR, SEES “ACROSS THE BOARD” PROGRESS IN
RELATIONS
U.S. Ambassador John Ordway, who is completing his three-year tour in
Armenia later this week, said he was encouraged by the “really strong
improvement in relations” between the United States and Armenia. Ordway, who
is due to assume the post of the U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, will be
replaced by Ambassador John Evans, a decorated foreign service veteran with
experience in Eastern Europe and Iran.

In his farewell press conference last week, Ordway said there was “across
the board” progress in bilateral relations, noting particularly “remarkable
improvement” in the military and security relations, deeper cooperation via
the U.S.-Armenia Task Force and successes of U.S. assistance programs in
Armenia.

At the same time, Ordway said that last year’s elections and post-election
political confrontation were the “biggest disappointment.” While noting the
civil society’s development, Ordway said that everyone’s hopes were for more
rapid progress. The U.S. envoy further urged the Armenian opposition to end
its boycott and return to the parliament in order to “work together to
achieve solid aims for the country.”

Turning to Armenian-Turkish relations, Ordway said that since “Armenia has a
policy of being ready to improve relations and open the border without any
preconditions” the focus was “to have Turkey take more steps towards
improving the relationship.” Commenting on recent activation of the Karabakh
peace process, Ordway said that “while it is a little early to tell whether
[an agreement] would be possible” there is renewed hope for some progress.

Ordway dismissed frequent speculations that Armenia was somehow a
“pro-Russian country.” “To Armenia’s credit it has not pursued a sort of
single vector direction for its foreign policy,” Ordway said, pointing again
to the development of U.S.-Armenia relations and Armenia’s efforts to
integrate into the international trade system and with Europe.

Also last week, Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh hosted a delegation of U.S. and
European non-government representatives led by Bruce Jackson, a former
Pentagon official and President of the U.S. Committee on NATO, a group that
has facilitated NATO expansion into Eastern Europe. Meeting with Presidents
Robert Kocharian and Arkady Ghoukasian, Jackson pledged to work for greater
U.S. and European involvement in the settlement of the Karabakh and other
post-Soviet conflicts. Ghoukasian urged an end to a militant rhetoric by
Azerbaijan as the first necessary step towards reconciliation. (Sources:
Arminfo 7-22, 23; Mediamax 7-22)
AZERI PRESIDENT SACKS SECURITY CHIEF
President Ilham Aliyev dismissed Azerbaijan’s long-time National Security
Minister Namik Abbasov last Friday, replacing him with a mid-level police
official. In charge of the Ministry for nearly a decade, 64-year-old Abbasov
had been a key sponsor of anti-Armenian and pro-war propaganda actions and
rhetoric. Abbasov’s agents also sought to shut down peace-building contacts
between Armenian and Azeri civic groups.

Most Azeri commentators linked Abbasov’s sacking to Ilham Aliyev’s effort to
create a new, more loyal ruling structure. They point to Abbasov’s unusually
cordial relations with the opposition and his initial reluctance to endorse
Ilham as a successor to his father, Heydar Aliyev. The Azeri daily Zerkalo
reported that Abbasov was in Europe last week and unaware of the President’s
decision. Five of Abbasov’s immediate predecessors were either exiled or
imprisoned following their dismissals.

A former Communist Party apparatchik and Heydar Aliyev’s protégé, Abbasov
rose through the ranks of the Soviet Azeri KGB to become its deputy director
by the late 1980s. During anti-Aliyev purges in Azerbaijan, Abbasov
relocated to Russia to head a provincial KGB office there. Upon returning to
Azerbaijan, Abbasov promoted Stalinist-style paranoia of foreign and
opposition “conspiracies,” and branded all Azeri POWs in the war over
Karabakh as “traitors.”

The new National Security Minister, 47-year-old Eldar Mahmudov, was only
recently reinstated as a department chief within the Ministry of Interior
and put in charge of narcotics trafficking. In 1999 Mahmudov was sacked as
Interior Ministry’s department chief in charge of economic crimes on the
insistence of Western companies working in Azerbaijan who claimed they were
harassed by Mahmudov’s department. Analysts at Azerbaijan’s leading news
agency Turan suggested that an appointment of a policeman to lead the Azeri
successor to the KGB showed that President Aliyev distrusted Abbasov and his
cadres. (Sources: AAA R&I; Armenia This Week 7-11-03, 1-30, 3-26, 6-25;
Azertag.com 7-23; Turan 7-23; Zerkalo 7-24)
Visit to read Armenia This Week
issues since 1997.
A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
122 C Street, N.W., Suite 350, Washington, D.C. 20001 (202) 393-3434 FAX
(202) 638-4904
E-Mail [email protected] WEB

US MEDIATOR URGES PARTIES TO KARABAKH CONFLICT TO MAKE COMPROMISE
Turan news agency
26 Jul 04
BAKU
The USA is interested in a negotiated settlement of the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict. Washington stands for stability in the region and
against any developments that could undermine it, the US co-chairman
in the OSCE Minsk Group, Steven Mann, has told Regnum news agency.
The breach of regional stability could pose a threat to such major
regional projects as the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline, he added.
Commenting on the results of a recent visit to the region by the Minsk
Group co-chairmen, Mann noted that it was an attempt to bring the
sides’ positions closer together and help them find ways of resolving
the conflict.
According to him, co-chairmen understand how difficult the situation
is for the heads of the two countries. Tensions on both sides run
high, however, the issue must not be dealt with under the influence of
emotions.
“We will do everything to prevent a new tragedy,” Mann stressed.
Responding to the criticism of the Minsk Group Mann said: “We are not
gods, a solution to the conflict has to be found by the parties to the
conflict themselves.”
The US co-chairman believes that a solution has to be found by the
heads of the two states. Responsibility rests with them, not with
mediators, Mann said. He added that the parties to the conflict had
chosen the OSCE themselves and that the Minsk Group would continue its
work.
Mann also spoke in favour of Nagornyy Karabakh’s involvement in the
talks. In his opinion, this may speed up a settlement.
At the same time, the diplomat dismissed reports that he had urged
Armenia to unilaterally vacate some of the occupied territories.

KARABAKH DENIES PRINTING CURRENCY – ARMENIAN AGENCY
Noyan Tapan news agency, Yerevan
26 Jul 04
STEPANAKERT
No Karabakh currency has ever been printed, the central bank of the
Nagornyy Karabakh Republic has told Noyan Tapan news agency.
Noyan Tapan contacted the bank in connection with the report carried
by the Baku-based Ekho newspaper which claimed that a “journalistic
investigation” had revealed that the Austrian state printing works had
printed “Karabakh currency”.
(Passage omitted: Recap of Ekho’s report)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FRENCH SOCIALISTS CONSIDER RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AS
CONDITION OF TURKEY’S MEMBERSHIP IN EUROPEAN UNION
PARIS, July 26 (Noyan Tapan). The Socialist party of France considers
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide as an indispensable condition
for Turkey’s membership in the European Union. Francois Holand,
Secretary General of the party, reported about it after his meeting
with Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayipp Erdogan, answering Turkish
correspondents’ questions. “It is impossible to specify the term of
negotiations on membership as long as Turkey didn’t recognize the
Genocide,” he said. According to the “Marmara” newspaper of Istanbul,
when journalists said that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide
isn’t considered as a criterion in the issue of the EU membership, and
for what basis the Socialist Party lays down such a condition,
F. Holand reminded that the French parliament had recognized the
Armenian Genocide. News agencies report that the issue of the Genocide
was touched upon during the Holand-Erdogan meeting and Erdogan noticed
that this issue should be submitted to historians for discussion.