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
October 26, 2006
YOUTH GATHERING WITH CATHOLICOS ARAM I
“We need to listen more to our youth to know what they are thinking, to
let them know that the Church needs them and they need the Church,” said
Archbishop Oshagan recently as he described his enthusiasm for the upcoming
gathering with the youth which will take place in Dearborn, Michigan,
December 1 to 3.
It was these same thoughts that prompted His Holiness to ask that a
gathering of the youth be organized during his visit to the Midwest where he
will be the keynote speaker at a conference at Notre Dame University. The
three Prelacies (Eastern, Western, and Canadian) joined together to organize
the gathering, forming a committee made up of representatives of the same
age group, 18 to 30, that is being urged to attend the gathering.
Incidentally, participants of the youth gathering who can extend their stay
are invited to attend His Holiness’s keynote address and service at Notre
Dame. More about this next week.
The theme of the youth gathering is Your Church. Your Future. Engage.
According to program committee co-chair Nayiri Baljian, the event is
intended to “provide an opportunity for the youth to learn about their
heritage of faith and to experience some of the best of what the Armenian
Church can offer.” The weekend activities will include speakers, film,
music, worship-all with the goal of answering the questions: Where have we
come from? Where are we going? How far can we go?
For details about this event click

PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO WORCESTER
The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy at
Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, this Sunday, October 29, and
the celebration of the 72nd anniversary of the church which will take place
immediately after church services.
VICAR AT WCC MEETING
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, is attending meetings of the Board of
Directors of the U.S. Conference for the World Council of Churches (WCC),
today and tomorrow, at The Interchurch Center, in New York City.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER ISSUE OF OUTREACH ON LINE
The October/November of Outreach is available on the Prelacy web page.
For a preview of the 48-page issue click
6.pdf.
CHILDREN’S CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 18
WILL CELEBRATE “FALL COLORS”
Tickets for the children’s concert “Fall Colors” are selling briskly.
There are less than 100 tickets left, so do not delay. Reserve yours today.
For information click
DE LEGATION OF FRENCH PROTESTANT CHURCHES
VISITS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, received
a high-ranking delegation representing the Protestant Churches of France.
Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate, also
attended the meeting, which took place in Antelias, Lebanon. Various issues
related to ecumenical relations, local and regional developments and the
activities of the World Council of Churches were discussed. Turkey’s
potential membership to the European Union was also discussed. His Holiness
praised the French Parliament in acknowledging the Armenian Genocide.
90th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN LEGION
Tomorrow, October 27, is the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Legion
(Legion d’Orient). The Armenian Legion was formed on October 27, 1916, two
years after the beginning of World War I. Under the agreement, Armenian and
Syrian volunteers were recruited to fight with Allied forces. France and
Great Britain promised autonomy for the Armenians in central and southern
Turkey. About 1,200 Armenian men from the United States joined Armenians
from all over the world and served in the Legion. The Armenian Legion
contributed mightily to the victory over German and Turkish forces at the
Battle of Arara (September 19, 1918). Promises made to the Armenians were
not kept.
FEAST OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE HOLY CROSS
This Sunday, October 29, the Armenian Church commemorates the Discovery
of the Cross (Giut Khatch). Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, was a
devout Christian. While in Jerusalem she wanted to find the True Cross. She
went to Golgotha (Calvary), which at this time had become an obscure and
neglected place. The Empress ordered excavation of the site, and three
wooden crosses were found. In order to identify the True Cross, the three
crosses were successively placed on the body of a youth who had just died.
When one of the crosses was placed on him, the young man came to life. This
cross was determined to be the True Cross. Christ’s exact burial site was
also found and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was built on that spot in
335. The church was destroyed by fire in 614 when the Persians invaded
Jerusalem, and subsequently rebuilt. The current dome dates back to 1870.
Three denominations (Armenian Apostolic, Greek Orthodox, Roman
Catholic), administer and maintain the church and surrounding grounds (not
always harmoniously). Agreements regulate times and places of worship for
each denomination. Ironically, a neutral Muslim neighbor family has been the
custodian of the keys for centuries. The Church, within the walled Old City
of Jerusalem, is revered and is a popular destination for pilgrims.
ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
On November 2, the Armenian Church commemorates the life of St. John
Chrysostom (Hovhan Voskeperan). He was a notable Christian bishop and
preacher from the 4th and 5th centuries in Syria and Constantinople. He is
famous for his eloquence in public speaking-Chrysostom literally means
“golden mouth.” The Orthodox Church honors him as a saint and one of the
“Three Holy Hierarchs” (with Saints Basil the Great and Gregory the
Theologian). He is also recognized by the Catholic Church and the Church of
England.
John converted to Christianity in 368 when he was barely 21 years old.
He renounced a large family inheritance and a promising legal career and
went to live in a mountain cave where he studied the Bible. He was later
ordained a priest and soon his sermons were attracting huge audiences. He
challenged wealthy Christians, whose generosity was confined to donating
precious objects for display in churches. He told them they had a duty to
help the poor and needy. He wrote often about valuing the richness of nature
created by God which should be enjoyed and protected. Although he was very
popular with the people, his outspoken criticism was not appreciated by the
hierarchy and he was sent into exile at various times. His sermons made a
great impact on Christendom. He had a profound influence on the doctrines
and theology of the Armenian Church, because he spent the final years of his
exile in Armenia. Many of his important works are extant only in Armenian
manuscripts. He is also the author of liturgical prayers used in the
Armenian Church.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS
It is that time of the year again. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m.,
this Sunday, October 29. We return to standard time by setting our clocks
back one hour.
Muse of the deep and ineffable Divine Mysteries,
Wise Prefect and Great Doctor of the world,
Like the rock of the Church, you were faithful to the key to heaven,
>From the beloved disciple, you received the Gospel.
>From the Holy Virgin Birth-giver you received your mark of authority.
O Patriarch John, by the grace of the Holy Spirit you received Wisdom.
Ode of the Armenian Church dedicated to St. John Chrysostom
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 27-Family Night at St. Gregory Armenian Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts. Dinner and fellowship. For information, 978-685-5038.
October 28-Saturday School Fall Festival, St. Sarkis Armenian Church,
Douglaston, New York.
October 29-72nd anniversary of Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts.
October 29-Auxiliary Appreciation Day and drawing of Cruise Raffle, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.
November 3-4-51st Annual Bazaar of St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, with special program for children on Saturday afternoon. For
information 617-924-7562.
November 3-4- Ladies Guild Food Festival, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
November 3, 4, 5-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual
Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.
November 4-Harvest Ball Dinner Dance to benefit programs of Holy Ascension
Sunday School, at Shore & Country Club, Norwalk, Connecticut. Information:
Judy Gavoor 203-834-1471 and Nadine Koobatian 203-421-7944.
November 5-Annual bazaar, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.
November 5-36th Anniversary Luncheon and program, St. Gregory Armenian
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts.
November 10-12-Mini Datev program for teens, ages 13 to 18. At Colombiere
Retreat Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan.
November 11-42nd Anniversary of Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, in
the church hall.
November 11-12-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual “Armenian Fest” at
Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island.
November 12-Food Festival and Bazaar. St. Sarkis Armenian Church,
Douglaston, New York, 1 to 5 pm. The newly published St. Sarkis Cookbook
will be available. For information 718-224-2275.
November 17 & 18-Annual Bazaar, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts.
November 18-Children’s Concert, “FALL COLORS”, sponsored by the Eastern
Prelacy at Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City, featuring
TALINE AND FRIENDS.
November 18-“Christian Spirituality and the Armenian Apostolic Church,” a
lecture by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, at St. Sarkis Armenian Church,
Douglaston, New York.
November 26-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
first Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.
December 9-Men’s Club Steak Dinner, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
December 1-3-Gathering of the Youth with Catholicos Aram I, Hyatt Regency,
Dearborn, Michigan. For details click

December 10-52nd anniversary of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church,
Granite City, Illinois.
December 10-General Membership meeting and elections of auditing and
nominating committees, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.
December 13-Thanksgiving Luncheon with the local NYPD and Fire Fighters, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.
December 16-“A Celebration of Service” in honor of past chairmen and board
of trustees members. Under auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, 8 pm. For information and
reservations 718-224-2275.
December 17-50th anniversary celebration of the ordination of Archpriest Fr.
Moushegh Der Kaloustian, sponsored by the Prelacy Religious Council, at
Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows, New York.
December 24-Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
December 31-New Year’s Eve Dinner-Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey and ARF Dro Gomideh. Parsippany Hilton, New Jersey. Featuring
Arthur Apkarian and Armenia Band. For full information contact the church
office 201-943-2950.
December 31-New Year’s Eve Party, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston,
New York.
January 6-Christmas party and special program for Saturday and Sunday school
students.
February 4-St. Sarkis name day, celebrating the patron saint of the churchy
and requiem service for Archpriest Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kelejian, St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York.
February 11-General Membership meeting and elections, St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.
February 18-Poon Paregentan, Eve of Great Lent, International Cuisine Night,
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.
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ANDRANIK MARGARIAN: THERE ARE WIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE SWEDISH INVESTMENTS IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Oct 25 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The Swedish Ambassador to Armenia
Hans Gunar Aden was received on October 25 by the RA Prime Minister
Andranik Margarian. According to the RA Government Information and
PR Department, congratulating the ambassador on his appointment, the
prime minister expressed confidence that his activities will promote
the further development of the Armenian-Swedish political and economic
relations. He restated the Armenian side’s interest in deepening the
mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. A. Margarian
said that he is optimistic about the prospects of cooperation between
Armenia and Sweden, taking into account the successful course of the
technical programs implemented in Armenia since 1995 with financing of
the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). Underlining the
importance of these programs, A. Margarian suggested discussing the
issue of extenstion of sectors covered by these programs by including
the local self-government and democacratic development fields as
well. Speaking about the development of the Armenian-Swedish economic
relations, the sides indicated such sectors as telecommunication,
IT, machine building, agriculture, tourism as promising ones. Noting
that favorable conditions have been created for implementation of
investment programs in the country, the prime minister considered it
desirable to carry out cooperation in science, education and culture
along with the political and economic cooperation. Noting that 9
companies with Swedish capital are currently operating in Armenia,
he underlined the existence of wide opportunities to increase their
number and the amount of Swedish investments in Armenia. At the request
of the guest, the prime minister presented Armenia’s activities aimed
at Eurointegration, cooperation with NATO, noting that for security
reasons and not contradicting the interests of any country, Armenia is
also actively cooperating as a member state of the Collective Security
Treaty Organization. Expressing his gratitude for the warm reception,
Mr. Aden said that his country is ready to develop relations with
Armenia. He assured that henceforth the Swedish side will allocate
more time and resources for the South Caucasian countries, including
for promotion of relations with Armenia, attaching importance to
Armenia’s involvement in the EU European Neighborhood Program. The
ambassador stated that Sweden will continue assisting Armenia in its
efforts aimed at Eurointegration.

BENEDICT WILL FACE TOUCHY ISSUES DURING TURKEY VISIT
By Edward Pentin – Register Correspondent
National Catholic Register, CT
Oct 25 2006
A look at the major issues that are involved, such as Catholic-Muslim
relations, issues involving the Orthodox, and also the effect the
trip might have on Turkey’s bid to get into the EU and particularly
the question of religious freedom rights in Turkey. Also, some
Italian commentators have suggested Benedict’s meeting with Armenian
Patriarch Mesrob II could fuel the ongoing controversy regarding
alleged Turkish genocide against Armenians in 1915.
October 29- November 4, 2006 Issue
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI’s upcoming visit to Turkey is both a
diplomatic minefield and a sea of valuable opportunities.
Analysts say the trip is of major importance for three reasons: for
furthering religious freedom in Turkey and other Muslim-majority
states, for improving Muslim-Christian relations, and for advancing
the cause of Christian unity.
As the Register went to press, the details of the apostolic voyage
had yet to be finalized. But according to Asia News and Vatican
sources, the Pope is scheduled to arrive in the Turkish capital of
Ankara Nov. 28, where he will spend the day with the country’s
political authorities.
The following day, the Holy Father will travel to the port city of
Izmir near Ephesus where he will visit an ancient Christian
community, before moving on to Ephesus itself where he is expected to
visit Meryem Ana, a small house on a hilltop overlooking the Aegean
Sea where, according to tradition, Mary lived out her final years and
was assumed into heaven.
On Nov. 29, Benedict is scheduled to arrive in Istanbul, where he
will have a private audience with Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I,
the person who first invited the Pope to Turkey.
On Nov. 30, on the feast of St. Andrew, the Pope will attend a solemn
Divine Liturgy presided over by the patriarch. The Holy Father is
expected to deliver a discourse on the quest for Christian unity and
comment on this year’s resumption of the Commission of Theological
Dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
Before returning to Rome Dec. 1, the Pope will also meet with
Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II, who leads a Christian community that
has suffered intermittent persecution for centuries.
Religious Freedom
Turkish Christians still face discrimination, despite residing in the
country for 2,000 years (the Orthodox have few rights over their
property and are subject to special legal restrictions).
And while Turkey is ostensibly a secular state, in recent years it
has experienced a strong trend towards Islamism. The numbers of
attacks on Christians have risen, the most notorious being the murder
of Italian priest Father Andrea Santoro earlier this year.
“We have to hope that the Pope’s visit – to an ecumenical
patriarchate that is for all practical purposes controlled by the
Turkish government – advances the cause of religious freedom in
Turkey and throughout the Islamic world,” papal biographer George
Weigel told the Register.
“No one should gainsay the difficulty of that project, however,”
Weigel said. “Not because of the Pope’s Regensburg lecture, which, in
fact, identified the crucial issues with precision, but because of
the current jihadist drift of too much Islamic thought and
sentiment.”
A number of senior Vatican officials hope Benedict will be able to
reach out to Muslims during the trip by conveying the true message of
his Regensburg speech, which sparked intense anger in Turkey and
other Muslim countries.
Some observers recommended caution in addressing that issue.
“If he refers directly to it, I don’t think it will help because
Muslims are not ready to understand it,” said Jesuit Father Samir
Khalil Samir, professor of Oriental theology at St. Joseph’s
University in Lebanon.
But others insisted that the focus of the Pope’s Regensburg address –
the need to reconcile faith and reason – is crucial to furthering
Muslim-Christian dialogue and to helping Muslims renounce violent
extremism.
“Why do we have to wait to discuss this?” asked Father Justo
Lacunza-Balda, rector emeritus of the Pontifical Institute of Arab
and Islamic Studies. “For years, we have not confronted these issues;
we have to begin somewhere.”
EU Membership
Another touchy issue is Turkey’s bid to join the European Union,
which is linked to the issues of religious freedom and
Muslim-Christian relations. The matter is made more sensitive by
Benedict’s statement in 2004 that he was opposed to Turkey joining
the economic bloc.
A Turkish government spokesman told the Register Oct. 20 that the
Pope will probably have to “clarify” his position on the matter.
The meeting with Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II might also generate
friction. Some Italian commentators have argued that by meeting the
patriarch, the Pope will bear witness to allegations that Turkey
killed 1.5 million Armenians in a planned act of genocide in 1915.
The Turkish government strongly denies those charges.
Vatican officials, however, are playing down any such interpretation
of the meeting.
Benedict’s meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew I is likely to be much
less controversial, but potentially far more significant.
The patriarch told reporters Sept. 29 he was anticipating the visit
with “great brotherly love.” That fraternal affection could be
decisive in reaching a constructive outcome now that formal
Catholic-Orthodox dialogue has resumed, and discussions have begun on
the key issue of papal primacy.
Security
Some Vatican analysts have expressed concern about the Pope’s
security in the wake of the Regensburg controversy. The Turkish
government spokesman stressed that Benedict will be welcomed as a
“foreign leader of a state” rather than a “religious leader,” in
order to “give more importance” to the visit and ensure he is
“protected as a head of state.”
The Turkish government has also moved to ease the security concerns
by noting that the country has hosted many world leaders without
problems, including President Bush in 2004.
The government spokesman said that Turks view the papal visit as an
opportunity for reconciliation, not confrontation.
“There is no opposition to his visit, but we have been heartbroken
and offended, recently after the Regensburg speech, but also
[through] the cartoon crisis and the war in Iraq and Lebanon,” the
government spokesman said. “The hope is that he will bring healing,
and there are strong indications of that.”
Edward Pentin writes from Rome.

NEW SAUDI RULES ON SUCCESSION: WILL THEY FIX THE PROBLEM?
By Simon Henderson
Washington Institute for Near East Policy, DC
Oct 25 2006
On October 20, 2006, eighty-three-year-old King Abdullah of Saudi
Arabia announced changes to the kingdom’s “Basic Law”-effectively its
constitution-that appear to formalize procedures for the selection of
future kings. However, it is difficult to know how much the current
system of succession will actually change. For the foreseeable future,
it is most likely that the world’s largest oil exporter and the
center of the Islamic world will still be led by an octogenarian,
with the probability that his successor will be of similar age,
and perhaps even infirm.
Rules of Succession
The system of succession in Saudi Arabia is different from the
primogeniture model followed by other Middle Eastern monarchies. When
the founder of Saudi Arabia, Ibn Saud, died in 1953, he was indeed
succeeded by his eldest son, Saud. However, Ibn Saud also named
his second-eldest son, Faisal, crown prince. Since then the throne
has passed from elder brother to the next in age-and Ibn Saud had
thirty-four sons who survived him, born to seventeen of his twenty-two
wives. After Saud came his half-brother Faisal, then Khaled, then
Fahd-who died last year-and, now, Abdullah. After Abdullah’s younger
half-brother Sultan, there are another twenty-one surviving sons. All
are now probably grandfathers, if not great-grandfathers.
The new rules still restrict the throne to the sons and more than
one hundred grandsons of the kingdom’s founder, over the other
approximately 6,000 princes of the larger al-Saud family, including
the so-called “cadet branches” that have held occasional power in the
260-plus years since the al-Sauds initially seized power in central
Arabia. In reality, though, the pool is smaller: those sons who are
not genetically Arab are handicapped (at least five of Ibn Saud’s
sons had Armenian mothers); character, experience, popularity, and
an appropriately pious practice of Islam also count.
Prior to the new rules, kings and crown princes were chosen by secret
family conclaves of uncertain structure. On one occasion (Saud in
1964), such a conclave even deposed a monarch deemed unsuitable. In
1992, King Fahd declared that the monarch alone should choose the
crown prince. Now, future crown princes will have to be approved by an
“allegiance commission” made up of Ibn Saud’s sons, the eldest sons
of the brothers who have died since Ibn Saud’s death, as well as the
sons of the current king and crown prince. This suggests a membership
of around thirty-five (at least one brother did not produce a male
heir). The decisionmaking will still happen in secret.
The king will suggest three candidates; in the event of disagreement,
there will be a vote. Apparently mindful of the precarious health
of some of the princes, the new system also calls for a temporary
council of five princes to lead the country if neither the king nor
the crown prince is deemed fit to rule for medical reasons-though
defining such ill health could be a problem.
The Next Kings
Observers have long tried to guess the identity of the next in line-the
crown-prince-in-waiting. The new rules open up the field. A few years
ago, the guessing game was easy. Fahd was prime minister, Abdullah
was first deputy prime minister, and Sultan was second deputy prime
minister. But the latter post was not reassigned when Abdullah became
king and made Sultan his crown prince. Indeed, the main challenger for
that position, Interior Minister Prince Nayef-a reportedly mercurial
character-appears to have been sidelined shortly after Fahd’s death. It
is said that the other senior princes permitted Nayef to retain his
ministerial title while operational control of the powerful ministry
itself was handed to his son, Prince Muhammad bin Nayef.
Now one is left to wonder whether or not King Abdullah has managed
to outmaneuver the so-called Sudairi faction, which includes Sultan
and Nayef as well as the former King Fahd. The largest group of full
brothers among the sons of Ibn Saud, the Sudairis have often been
seen as a factor restricting the authority of Abdullah (who has no
full brothers), especially in 1995-2005 when he was crown prince
and de facto monarch after Fahd fell sick. Yet the position of the
Sudairis appears to remain strong. The new rules-which essentially
call for a vote to decide the most suitable crown prince if there is
disagreement with the king’s choice-will not apply until after Sultan,
age eighty-three and recovering from cancer, becomes king.
With Nayef out of the picture, the most obvious contender for the
throne-despite a reported heart condition-is seventy-year-old Salman,
another Sudairi (the name is that of the mother’s tribe) and the
long-serving governor of the giant Riyadh province, where the capital
is located.
Immediate Saudi public comment on the new rules is, as might be
expected, laudatory: “momentous,” “it will remove the uncertainty,”
“it will ensure the continuity of the ruling family.” The announcement
suggests both King Abdullah’s concern about the kingdom’s future
leadership and his confidence in his current power within the al-Saud
family. Safeguarding the king’s grip on the new commission will be
its secretary-general, the U.S.-educated Khaled al-Tuwaijeri, who is
also Abdullah’s private secretary.
Time may test the patience of Ibn Saud’s grandsons. Which ones will
emerge as contenders remains to be seen. Ibn Saud’s youngest son,
Miqrin, sixty-three, is a former air force pilot and currently heads
the Saudi external intelligence service. If he ever became king, the
move to the next generation might be twenty years off. Of Ibn Saud’s
grandsons, arguably the most prominent, Foreign Minister Prince Saud
al-Faisal, is plagued by poor health. Prince Turki, an ambassador in
Washington, D.C., and former intelligence chief, is one possibility.
Prince Bandar, now serving as secretary-general of the Saudi national
security council, is probably disqualified because his mother was
a slave girl; he also suffers from depression, according to a new
biography. Sons of Fahd, Abdullah, Sultan, and perhaps Salman are
also likely to hope for the role.
Saudi Policy Debates Will Remain Veiled
Although Washington has grown accustomed to the glacial pace of
change in the kingdom, it will want to see more steps taken to open
up Saudi politics. Yet, under the new system, as under the old, Saudi
policymaking is an exclusively royal prerogative, so changes will
probably be part of the debates and negotiations undertaken by the
new commission. Washington will have few ways of knowing about-and
little chance of affecting-those discussions. This is a matter of
concern because Saudi oil policy has worldwide implications, as
does the kingdom’s approach to its leadership role in the Arab and
Islamic worlds.
Simon Henderson is the Baker fellow and director of the Gulf and
Energy Policy Program at The Washington Institute. His publications
include the 1994 Institute Policy Paper After King Fahd: Succession
in Saudi Arabia.
teC05.php?CID=2526

MINISTER OF TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT GIVE EXACT DATE OF COMPLETION OF KOMITAS STREET REPAIRS
Noyan Tapan
Oct 25 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. Repairs of Komitas Street (Yerevan)
with the Lincy Foundation’s funds have been delayed “in connection
with one-two problems”. The RA Minister of Territorial Administration
Hovik Abrahamian stated this in the RA National Assembly on October
25. Not giving the details of these problems, the minister said that
the issue of replacing the water pipeline is also under discussion,
for which 85 mln drams (about 223.5 thousand USD) will be allocated
from the State Water Industry Committee. Assuring that the repair
work will resume, H. Abrahamian did not give the exact date of
the work’s completion. “We all realize that winter is approaching,
so we do our best to complete the work as soon as possible,” the
minister said. According to some information, the repair of the Arabkir
community’s main street was stoped due to discontinuation of financing
from the Lincy Foundation. The foundation took this decision because
cheaper and low-quality building material was purchased instead of
the Russian one.

HISARCIKLIOGLU ON FRENCH RESOLUTION
Turkish Press
Oct 25 2006
PARIS – “I am having difficulty in understanding why a country like
France, which is a pioneer in democracy, secularism and freedom of
expression, has brought up a resolution on making denial of the
so-called Armenian genocide a crime,” said Rifat Hisarciklioglu,
the Chairman of the Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges of Turkey
(TOBB).
Hisarciklioglu, who is actually in French capital of Paris to
lobby against the resolution presented by the Socialist Party, met
representatives of Movement of French Enterprises (MEDEF) and French
chambers of commerce at a dinner last night.
After the dinner, Hisarciklioglu told Turkish reporters that he
expressed their concerns over the resolution.
Hisarciklioglu stated that Turkish-French relations would be hurt if
the resolution is adopted.
“I told my French colleagues that they should behave with common
sense and logic, and not with their feelings,” he added.

DOKURCUM MILL, SILENT WITNESS OF MASSACRE
Turkish Press
Oct 25 2006
GAZIANTEP – “Dokurcum mill in (southeastern city of) Gaziantep where
14 Turkish youths were shot to death by French soldiers should be
restored,” Tourism Association Chairman Bekir Sitki Severoglu said.
Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Severoglu stated, “French soldiers
committed massacres in Gaziantep (in 1920). All countries should be
informed on this matter.”
Severoglu noted, “I took several initiatives to condemn France,
but I did not receive any positive answer on the matter.”
He indicated that “Dokurcum Mill Monument” should be erected against
the French draft law criminalizing denial of so-called Armenian
genocide.
A group of French soldiers executed 14 Turkish youths by shooting in
front of Dokurcum Mill on March 28th, 1920 (during Gaziantep Defence
in Turkish National Independence War).

WINNERS OF EIF AND CRDF GRANT TENDER ASNNOUNCED
Noyan Tapan
Oct 25 2006
YEREVAN, OCTOBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. At the venture conference of the US
Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) and its Armenian
partner Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF) in Yerevan on October 24,
the scientific research organizations – winners of the grant tender
held by CRDF and EIF – were announced. The tender was held under the
CRDF Science and Technologies Entrepreneurship Program (STEP). For
their developments with Armenian production enterpise-partners,
5 thousand dollars will be given to the Institute of Mathematics
(for design and creation of prototype of a new piston pump), to
the scientific group led by Ruben Vardanian of State Engineering
University of Armenia (SEUA) (for development of new cost-effective
photovoltaic solar energy concentrator system), and the group led
by Gagik Aivazian (SEUA) (for design, fabrication and marketing of
photovoltaic systems based on silicon vertical multi-junction solar
cells). The scientific group led by N. Vardanian, laboratory head of
the Institute of Microbiology, will receive a grant for developing a
new integrated biometallurgical process for gold production, the same
institute’s group led by Hrachia Hovhannisian – for intensification
of probiotics production by means of burdock’s raw inulin, while
the group headed by Mikael Hovhannisian of the Institute of Botany
– for TPS technology used in elite seed-potato production. During
the conference, another four reports on applied developments were
made. EIF Director Bagrat Yengibarian said that the work on assistance
of their authors will continue separately. Natalia Pipia, Manager
of SRDF Industrial Programs, underlined the importance of the fact
that the scientific groups – tender participants found production
enterprises as partners. Jim Butterworth, jury member, expressed a
high opinion about the applied developments presented by 10 Armenian
scientific groups. The jury was also composed of Hovhannes Avoyan,
Director of Sorsio company (Armenia), Chairman of the Union of IT
Enterprises, Ara Hamazaspian, Director of the Izmirlian Foundation,
and Hayk Papian, Director of Venture Management Advisors company.
B. Yengibarian reminded that the above mentioned 10 developments
were selected out of 30 bids. According to him, it is envisaged to
spend 20 thousand dollars to assist the scientific groups which won
the tender. He expressed a hope that such a tender will be held in
2007 as well.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MANAGER OF WORLD BANK YEREVAN OFFICE AT PARLIAMENT
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
Oct 25 2006
On October 24 the President of the National Assembly of the Republic
of Armenia Mr. Tigran Torosyan received the Manager of the World
Bank Yerevan Office Mr. Roger Robinson, who is ending his mission in
our country.
Mr. Robinson thanked the President of the National Assembly for the
four and a half years of effective work noting, that during those
years our country has achieved serious economic results and a stabile
development rate, which is not less important. Mr. Robinson stressed
the importance of three factors for the development of each country –
political, economic and social. He noted that these three factors are
not achieved simultaneously because the economic development is always
ahead, while the political and social developments require longer
time because they imply a change in the mentality and perceptions of
people, as well as in the relations between each other and with the
state. The World Bank does not interfere with the politics, but the
success of the forthcoming elections is important for maintaining
the economic development, noted Mr. Robinson adding that he will
officiate in Kyrgyzstan but he will always stay friends with Armenia.
Wishing success to the future activity of Mr. Robinson, the President
of the National Assembly Mr. Tigran Torosyan noted that in the post
soviet countries the importance of economic developments was stressed
during the first years of independence, but the logical course of
the development made people realize that the social life also has
to be improved and the success of the country is conditioned by both
political, social and economic reforms. The improvement of political
mechanisms has a special significance in the reforms of the social
life. The President of the National Assembly noted that Armenia is
in an interesting state of development and expressed confidence that
it is possible to succeed through reforms of social life in 2-3 years
and create full opportunities of a worthy life for people.

JAILED SOLDIERS’ LAWYERS FACING PROSECUTION
By Anna Saghabalian and Emil Danielyan
Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
Oct 25 2006
State prosecutors have launched criminal proceedings against the
defense attorneys of three Armenian soldiers sentenced to life
imprisonment on what local and international human rights groups see
as trumped-up murder charges, it emerged on Wednesday.
Zaruhi Postanjian, Ashot Atoyan and Stepan Voskanian are being
investigated for allegedly showing contempt for three judges of the
Armenian Court of Appeals that handed down the ruling last May.
It is not clear when the judges lodged a formal complaint with the
Office of the Prosecutor-General. The latter opened a criminal
case against the lawyers on October 10, the day after the Court
of Cassation, Armenia’s highest body of criminal justice, agreed
to consider their appeal against the extremely controversial life
sentences.
The lawyers strongly deny the contempt of court accusations that
could be leveled against them and see the prosecutors’ move as a
retaliation for their vocal support for the jailed soldiers. “They
are thereby trying to force us to abandon the case,” Voskanian told
RFE/RL. He said it is the three judges that repeatedly insulted the
defense lawyers during the appeal proceedings and must be prosecuted.
The extraordinary criminal proceedings bring a new twist to the saga
of Razmik Sargsian, Musa Serobian and Araik Zalian. The three young
men were originally convicted of murdering two fellow servicemen
in Nagorno-Karabakh and sentenced to 15 years in prison by a local
court of first instance in April 2005. They protested their innocence
throughout the trial and appealed against the verdict only to see it
toughened to life imprisonment by the appeals court.
Military prosecutors allege that Sargsian, Serobian and Zalian murdered
the two other soldiers and dumped their bodies into a reservoir in
northern Karabakh in December 2003 following a brawl over a food
parcel that was delivered to one of the servicemen. The accusations
are based on Sargsian’s pre-trial testimony in which he admitted to
this version of events.
However, Sargsian subsequently retracted the testimony, saying that
he incriminated himself and his comrades under brutal torture. The
two other defendants, who never pleaded guilty to the charges, also
claim to have been mistreated in custody.
Both courts refused to investigate the alleged torture, denied by the
prosecutors, leading the defense lawyers and Armenian human rights
activists to denounce the trials as a parody of justice.
Ruben Sahakian, chairman of Armenia’s Chamber of Advocates, expressed
serious concern at the case on Wednesday, saying that the leadership
of the bar association will meet soon to discuss it. “We will adopt
a statement during that meeting,” Sahakian told RFE/RL.
The case has also had a resonance outside Armenia, with Human Rights
Watch finding the torture allegations “credible” and urging the Court
of Cassation to give the young men a fair trial.
“Human Rights Watch believes that it is very important that … a
prompt investigation into the allegations is ordered, and that all
measures are put in place to ensure that any conviction based on
evidence coerced under torture does not stand,” the New York-based
group’s director for Europe and Central Asia, Holly Cartner, said in
a September 12 letter to the Armenian Court of Cassation.
Aaron Rhodes, executive director of the Vienna-based International
Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, echoed those concerns in a
similar letter sent to Yerevan three days later. “The investigation
into the murders, and the subsequent trials, were marred with
irregularities that raise questions about Armenian prosecutors’ and
judiciary’s professional qualifications and commitment to international
standards for a fair trial,” Rhodes wrote.
The defense trio suspects that both murders were committed by Captain
Ivan Grigorian, the Karabakh Armenian commander of the army unit
where the dead soldiers served. According to their version of events,
Grigorian beat one of the soldiers to death and killed the other
after the latter refused to “confess” to the crime.
The commander of the Karabakh army, Lieutenant-General Seyran Ohanian,
lent more credence to these suspicions when he wrote to Armenia’s
chief military prosecutor in early 2004 and asked him not to bring
charges against Grigorian. Ohanian argued that the officer had greatly
contributed to the Armenian military victory over Azerbaijan.