Category: News

Construction of railway line in Azerbaijan’s interests
Azer News, Azerbaijan
May 27 2004
Transport Minister Ziya Mammadov told journalists on Wednesday
with regard to Georgian President Saakashvili’s proposal to build
the Turkey-Georgia Gars-Akhalkalaki railway line that the project
represents importance for Azerbaijan’s economy.
He said that opening of this railway corridor meets the interests of
Baku. The implementation of the project will allow the establishment
of another railway line connecting Azerbaijan and Turkey.
It is for this reason that Yerevan considers this an attempt to put
Armenia in a blockade. Mammadov dismissed Armenia’s position on the
issue as groundless.

Enlarged EU to expand role in south Caucasus ‘neighbourhood’
EUbusiness, UK
May 27 2004
The newly-enlarged European Union is to expand its political, economic
and security co-operation with the south Caucasus region as part of its
new “neighbourhood policy,” an EU envoy to the region said Thursday.
Anthonius Devries, the EU’s special ambassador to Azerbaijan, said an
action plan was being drawn up to “strengthen the activities of the
EU on co-operation and integration,” with the three south Caucasus
states of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
“New forms of co-operation will appear,” the envoy told a press
conference.
“Greater attention will be paid to the energy sector. You can expect
new joint agreements. Co-operation on the fight against terrorism,
on science, education and culture, will be strengthened.”
He added that the EU was ready to take a bigger role in international
efforts to resolve the armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan
over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
“If the sides approach us with a request to make more active efforts,
we can look at the options,” said Devries. “We do not rule out that
the EU could have a positive influence on the search for peace.”
The envoy said the specifics of the new relations between the EU and
the south Caucasus would be hammered out over the next few months.
After its historic enlargement on May 1 from 15 member states to 25,
the EU inaugurated its “neighbourhood policy” to foster links with
dozens of countries on the eastern and southern fringes of the new
Europe and prevent the appearance of “new dividing lines.”
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, during a visit to Brussels
earlier this month, urged European Commission President Romano Prodi
to take a more active role in the search for a peace settlement over
Nagorno-Karabakh.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Abelyan turns up the heat ahead of fight with Harrison
ic Lanarkshire.co.uk, UK
May 27 2004
WILLIAM Abelyan has turned up the heat ahead of his WBO World
Featherweight title fight with Cambuslang’s Scott Harrison.
They are set to meet on June 19 at the Braehead Arena, and the
tough Armenian is riled by comments he read on the internet from the
champion, stating that he would give Abelyan a “hammering”.
The WBO mandatory challenger, speaking from his training camp in Las
Vegas, said: “Harrison’s got a big mouth and I’m going to shut it
for him.
“I’ve read what he’s been saying on the internet and he’s talking a
lot of garbage.
“He’s scared – that’s why he’s talking big but I’ll be over there
for the fight soon and we’ll see if he talks just as big when he’s
face to face with me.”
The 25-year-old claims his training has not been disrupted despite
the second postponement of the fight following Harrison’s injury.
“I’m ready to fight Harrison right now,” he said.
“If my team said to me ‘William we’re going to Scotland tomorrow to
fight Harrison’ I would be straight on the plane. I have never been
up for a fight more than this one.”
Originally from Yerevan in Armenia, Abelyan moved to America when he
was nine years old and now lives in California.
He says it’s the glory of being world champion, not the money, that
is motivating him to dethrone Harrison.
“It’s the world title and the fame I want, not the money,” he said.
“After I win the title, I will return to Armenia a hero.
“I have never been back since I moved to America because I wanted to
achieve something spectacular before I returned. I will be the first
world champion boxer to ever come out of the country.”
Abelyan added: “The boxing ring is my house and Harrison is not
welcome.”
Tickets purchased for the original date of May 29 will remain valid
for the rescheduled date of June 19.
Tickets, priced at £30, £50, £75 and £125, are available from Keith
Prowse Ticketing on 0870 906 3839, Braehead Arena Box Office on 0870
444 6062 and online at

STATE REGISTRY LAUNCHES OWN INTERNET PAGE
ArmenPress
May 27 2004
YEREVAN, MAY 27, ARMENPRESS: Armenian justice ministry and USAID signed
a memorandum of understanding in 2002, envisaging to strengthen state
registry and making it more simple and predictable. As part of the
memorandum, yesterday presentation of state registry internet page
was held.
Armenian justice minister Davit Harutunian said that in a rule of
law country it is necessary that steps taken by state structures be
predictable for citizens. “Today we can state that most of project
responsibilities are met,” the minister said.
Presenting the difficult way that the state registry has passed,
he said that today the system is rather transparent. Most of the
registration procedures are simplified.
Internet project has two main components, one of which is electronic
communication system which creates a single database on more that
130,000 legal entities and entrepreneurs. The data is accessible to
8 territorial and 10 regional departments.
Later an attempt will be made to register legal entities and companies
through Internet. According to the minister, this is important
especially as an anti-corruption strategy. He said that most of the
corruption cases occur when the citizen has direct contact with the
executive body. Reducing or formalizing these contacts will eliminate
corruption in this field totally.

RINGSIDE; ARMENIAN FRIGHT NIGHT FOR BOSS MALONEY
BY JIM BLACK
The Express
May 27, 2004
FRANK MALONEY watched a tape of Armenian William Abelyan for a bit
of light relief following his team’s FA Cup Final defeat – and ended
up seeing a horror movie.
Millwall fan Maloney was gutted after the Lions lost 3-0 to Manchester
United, but he was even more upset after watching Scott Harrison’s
next opponent in action.
The Scot’s manager revealed: “I wanted to cheer myself up by watching
tapes of Abelyan and looking to see what a devastating job Scott was
going to do on this kid.
Instead, it depressed me.
“What I saw was a fighter who could give Scott the toughest fight
of his life. If Harrison is not in sparkling form the title will be
changing hands.
“Abelyan knows how to box and force the pace.
He can also punch hard and spoil a fight. His unorthodox style will
give Scott problems and may take some working out.”
But despite Maloney reckoning that Harrison is in for the toughest
fight of his career when he comes face-to-face with Abelyan at Braehead
Arena on June 19, he is also convinced the WBO featherweight champion
will show the heart and class of a true star.
“I have said it before, Scott Harrison is the best fighter I have
ever managed and worked with, ” said Maloney. “He is special.
“Scott’s commitment, desire and strength is amazing and he will
destroy any man who gets inhis way. The challenge Abelyan represents
will certainly be motivating Harrison to do a real job on him.”
Maloney also believes the patriotic Scottish crowd will lift Harrison
on the night, when he makes the second defence of the title he regained
from Manuel Medina last November.
The fight boss added:
“Even though Scott will be in the ring on his own he will be lifted
by the support of thousands of loyal fans.
“When he hears them sing Flower of Scotland that really gets him going,
and if that happens we will see Scott at his destructive best like
he was against Julio Pablo Chacon and Wayne McCullough.”
Meanwhile, promoters Sports Network have confirmed that tickets bought
for the original May 29 date are valid for the rescheduled showdown.

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.