Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

ACUS A LECTURE SERIES FOCUSES ON THE FOUR HIERARCHICAL SEES OF THE ARMENIAN
CHURCH

The Armenian Church University Students’ Association’s lecture series
continued this Saturday with a special focus on the Four Hierarchical Sees
of the Armenian Church.

On Saturday 2 December 2006, lecturer V. Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Manjikian
presented a brief history of the four Holy Sees, focusing on their
establishment and mission. He spoke in detail about the two Armenian
Catholicosates, their history and brotherly relations over the centuries. He
also talked about the past and present role of the Patriarchal Holy Sees of
Constantinople and Jerusalem.

The lecturer also touched on temporary sees such as that of the
Catholicosate of Aghtamar and the relocation of the Holy See.

The question and answer period that followed, centered on the Catholicosate
of Cilicia’s mission and service.
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View the photos here:

*****

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the youth
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE December 6, 2006
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Armenia Unveils Armenian Rugs Exhibit at the World Bank

The opening ceremony for the exhibition of traditional and contemporary
Armenian rugs was held in the World Bank in Washington, D.C., on December 6,
2006. The exhibition, organized by the Embassy of Armenia in conjunction
with the World Bank Art Program, showcases more than 30 ancient and
contemporary rugs woven in Armenia and Artsakh and is dedicated to the 15th
anniversary of Armenia~Rs independence.

The one-month-long exhibition will provide an opportunity to the
multinational staff of the World Bank, the high-level delegations visiting
the WB headquarters, members of the DC professional network and diplomatic
corps, and the general public to view masterfully woven pieces of the
millennia-old Armenian of carpet-making art and to read the materials on the
history and present of the Armenian heritage and culture.

Ambassador of Armenia to the U.S., Tatoul Markarian, high-ranking officials
and staff members of the World Bank and IMF, and representatives of the
Armenian-American community were present at the reception marking the
opening of the exhibit.

From: Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Haigazian University
Mexique Street, Kantari
P.O. Box 11-1748
Riad El Solh 1107 2090
Beirut – Lebanon

Haigazian University Appreciates the International Committee of the
Red Cross Delegation to Lebanon

In spite of the gloom in the country over the recent national crisis,
a number of people could overcome the prevailing mood and attend the
cultural hour public lecture on Thursday, November 30, 2006, at
7:00p.m. in the Auditorium of Haigazian University.

The lecturer was Mr. Juan Koderque, in his first public appearance
after being appointed to head the International Committee of the Red
Cross Delegation to Lebanon, which will be commemorating its 40 years
of humanitarian service in Lebanon in 2007. The lecture was about the
legacy of Mr. Henry Dunant, the Swiss businessman, who was the key
figure in establishing the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC).

In her opening words, the Dean of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Arda Ekmekji,
talked about Mr. Dunant, who received the Nobel Prize for Peace in
1901. Then she introduced the Spanish speaker, Mr. Juan Koderque, who
had served in some of the ~Shot~T zones (Apkhazia, Georgia, Kongo,
the Sudan, Gaza and the Ivory Coast) of the world before being
appointed to his present post in Lebanon.

Mr. Koderque~Rs speech started with the history of the international
movement of humanitarian aid which included the ICRC, the Geneva
Conventions and the Federation of the Red Cross & the Red Crescent.

He said that their main task was to help the victims of wars and
natural disasters. But the ICRC, along with the national Red Cross
Societies, also visits war and political prisoners & detainees, helps
the latter to be in touch with their families, and is available at
the devastation zones to assist the people in infrastructural needs
(water, medical help and shelter) that may arise because of
hostilities and natural disasters. The lecturer also noted that in
times of peace the ICRC works to promote the International
Humanitarian Law (IHL) and tries to secure its recognition by all the
countries of the world.

It was noteworthy that Mr. Koderque highly praised the Lebanese
National Red Cross Society, who, along with the Lebanese Red Crescent
~Swere on the front lines to help the victims during the last war on
Lebanon in the summer of 2006,~T he said.

After the speech the audience present watched a film on the
humanitarian services of the ICRC and addressed any questions they
had.

The evening ended with Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, the President of
Haigazian University, presenting an appreciation token to the ICRC
Delegation in Lebanon for their outstanding and exceptional
humanitarian services to the Lebanese people.

Public Relations Office
Haigazian University

Dec. 1, 2006

Vartoug Balekjian
President’s Secretary
Haigazian University
P.O. Box 11-1748
Riad El Solh, 1107 2090
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel./fax: 00-961-1-739 412
E-mail: [email protected]

PLEASURE WITH "VYMPELCOM"

A1+
[06:22 pm] 06 December, 2006

It is not known whether the brand of "ArmenTel" will be changed or
will remain the same. "Vympelcom" which has bought 90% of the shares of
"ArmenTel" does not have the answer to that question yet. The reason,
according to the representatives of "Vympelcom", is the respect for
"ArmenTel": the issue is still being discussed.

Until then, the subscribers of "ArmenTel" must be ready to "enjoy
the connection and feel free in time and space" together with
"Vympelcom". This is the mission of "Vympelcom" in Armenia which
will be fulfilled under the direction of Oleg Bliznyuk who has been
appointed director of "ArmenTel" replacing Vasilis Fetsis from Greece
who occupied the position since 2004.

"Vympelcom" realizes that they have bought a large company which
"is an important step in the development of your own business in
the CIS countries". By the way, this bargain is the first attempt
of the Russian company in the telecommunication field. Nevertheless,
the director promises that the quality of the connection will improve
considerably. "Vympelcom" intends to become the leader in the Armenian
market and to provide the subscribers with high-quality service.

The representatives of the company did not inform how much money they
are going to invest in order to achieve their aims. They also refused
to say how the investments will affect the pockets of the subscribers.

Oleg Bliznyuk also claimed that their company is not afraid of
competition and stated that they are ready to renounce the monopoly
in the internet field. As for the fate of the 10% of the shares which
belongs to the RA Government, it is not yet clear. Let us remind
you that the Minister of Transport and Communication, who has been
entrusted with the shares, said the RA Government is ready to sell
that part if the new owner of the company renounces the monopoly.

ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT EXTENDS PRESENCE OF TROOPS IN IRAQ FOR 12 MONTHS

Armenpress
Dec 06 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 6, ARMENPRESS: The National Assembly of Armenia
has endorsed today a proposal by president Robert Kocharian to extend
the stay of a small Armenian contingent in Iraq for another 12 months.

rmenia has in Iraq a 46-member non-combat contingent comprising truck
drivers, sappers and medics, who are serving in the Shia-populated
area as part of the Polish led-multinational force. Armenian servicemen
are volunteers rotated every six months.

Presenting a draft memorandum on prolongation of the Armenian troops
presence in Iraq to the lawmakers yesterday defense minister Serzh
Sarkisian said besides adding to the efforts of bringing stability to
Iraq it adds also to Armenia’s international standing and strengthens
trust in its armed forces.

HOMAGE TO THE 1988 EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

ArmRadio.am
07.12.2006 13:46

Today in Gyumri RA President Robert Kocharyan paid tribute to the
memory of the victims of the 1988 devastating earthquake. The President
laid a wreath of flowers at the memorial to the earthquake victims
in front of the St.

Savior Church. Head of the Shirac Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church Mikhael Bishop Ajapahyan conducted a commemoration service.

The President was accompanied by RA Minister of Territorial
Administration Hovik Abrahamyan, Minister of Urban Development Aram
Harutyunyan, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy Pavel Safaryan,
Shirak Marzpet Romik Manukyan and the Mayor of Gyumri Vardan Ghukasyan.

ARMENIAN FM MET WITH THE AGO GROUP IN STRASBURG

Armradio.am
07.12.2006 14:40

In Strasburg Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian met with
members of the Ago Group of the Council of Europe Ministers, who
are following the process of accomplishment of Armenia’s obligations
before the Council of Europe.

MFA Press and Information Department informs that during the meeting
the Minister familiarized the Ago Group members with the process of
peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict, the preparation of the
constitutional referendum in NKR and the parliamentary elections in
Armenia. Members of the Group called the attention of the Minister
to issues connected with elections, particularly the amendment of
the Electoral Code and correction of the voting lists.

KOCHARIAN COMMEMORATES VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE

Armenpress
Dec 07 2006

GYUMRI, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS: President Robert Kocharian and senior
government officials traveled today to Armenia’s second largest town of
Gyumri to commemorate the victims of a disastrous earthquake that hit
and destroyed the country’s northern provinces 18 years ago killing
25,000 people.

Kocharian laid a wreath at a monument to the earthquake victims
erected in front of a church in downtown Gyumri. Head of the local
Diocese of the Armenian Church, served a liturgy in memory of the
killed. Kocharian also spoke to local residents who were gathered
near the monument.

Powerful underground tremors wiped out the towns of Spitak, Leninakan
(now Gyumri), Stepanavan, Kirovakan (Vanadzor) and dozens of villages
and settlements from the face of the earth on December 7 eighteen
years ago.

GAZPROM MAINTAINS REDUCED GAS PRICE FOR ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.12.2006 13:16 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Gazprom confirmed that it maintains the reduced price
for gas for Armenia. Yerevan will receive the ‘blue fuel’ for $110
for thousand cubic meters, said Gazprom’s Spokesman Sergey Kupriyanov.

The delivery terms will be valid till January 1, 2009.

"We agreed on unchangeable price for 3 years," he said adding that
the company will increase its share in ArmRosgazprom.

He remarked that the practice was applied to Armenia since it agreed to
share its gas actives. The other South Caucasian states – Azerbaijan
and Georgia – are offered to buy gas for $230 for thousand cubic
meters, reports Neftegaz.ru.

A YEZIDI WOMAN AND 4 CHILDREN BURN THEMSELVES DEMANDING JUST PROBE INTO THEIR RELATIVE’S MURDER

Armenpress
Dec 07 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS: The mother of a 42 year-old Yezidi man
and his four children tried to burn themselves today in front of the
presidential residence in downtown Yerevan. Emergency officials rushed
the five to the Center for Treatment of Radioactive Diseases and Burns.

The 42 year-old Yezidi man, Kyaram Avdalian, a resident of Zovuni
village near Yerevan, was killed lately, allegedly by several residents
of a village in Gegharkunik region, led by their community head.

Avdalian’s relatives who gathered outside the presidential residence,
told journalist they expect law-enforcement bodies to carry out an
unbiased probe into the murder, warning otherwise they would burn
themselves.

Doctors in the Center said the woman and four children were out of
danger, but their condition was grave as the burns were deep. The
mother of the killed man was said to have 15 percent of her skin
burned, while the faces and hands of the children were also affected
by fire.