PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) 630 Second Avenue, New
York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
October 6, 2006
___________________
DIOCESE HOSTS DAY OF DISCUSSION FOR ARMENIAN LANGUAGE EDUCATORS
The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) hosted a day-long
symposium for parish Armenian School teachers and principals on September 9,
2006, at the Diocesan Center in New York City.
More than 70 teachers attended from the St. Vartan Cathedral’s Armenian
School, 11 parish schools, the Diocese’s two Khrimian Lyceum programs, and
one Armenian day school.
The theme of this year’s start-of-school symposium was how best to lead
Armenian heritage learning, with a focus on language, literature, and
cultural traditions.
“I believe in the continuous exchange of ideas and I am grateful for the
symposium’s more experienced speakers who presented their practical
knowledge to us,” said Lucia Vorperian, a teacher at the St. Vartan
Cathedral Saturday School and the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum.
Speakers at the day-long session included Vehanoush Tekian a writer and
former literature teacher at the Hovnnanian Day School in New Jersey,
Zarmine Boghossian principal at Holy Martyrs Day School, and Gilda
Buchakjian-Kupelian, coordinator of Armenian studies for the Diocese.
“We wanted to make sure the teachers took away tools, ideas, and resources
that will help them in the coming months impart a strong sense of our
Armenian language and culture to the next generation,” Buchakjian-Kupelian
said. “The Diocese always stands ready to assist our local educators in
anyway we can, and I’m glad so many of them attended this edifying event.”
Attendees, too, were glad to have made the trip.
“When I realized we were going to drive for five hours, leaving at 4 a.m.,
and devote a whole Saturday, I thought ‘Is this going to be worth it?'” said
Norik Baboorian-Checkosky, a teacher at the St. Mary Church’s Shnorhali
School in Washington, D.C. “But from the first minute, I realized what a
great decision we had made. The speakers’ ability and knowledge and their
approach to teaching was wonderful. I am sure I will be using these ideas
in my teaching.”
Most participants said the specific ideas and new resources presented made
the day productive.
“The Symposium was very informative. These practical-oriented subjects by
the speakers were very helpful,” said Annie Altounian, a teacher at the St.
Peter Church in Watervliet, NY.
Fr. Karekin Kasparaian from the St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White
Plains, NY, delivered the opening prayer. The day also included a special
remembrance of the late poet Silva Kaputikyan.
HONORING SERVICE
Along with focusing on techniques they could use in future classes, several
educators were thanked for their years of service.
Honored for 25 years of service to Diocesan Armenian Schools were: Ardemis
Arslanian, Mary Demirjian, Maro Hajakian, Rosine Hovsepian, and Marie
Zokian.
Marking 20 years of service were: Aida Sarkissian, Mary Sarkissian, Araxi
Shamamian, Marie Vardanian, and Mary Yacoubian.
Recognized for 10 years of service were: Anahid Boghossian, Ani Derderian,
Aida Diloyan, Jacklin Ekmekjian, Silva Jinivizian, Shnorig Minassian, Nectar
Sarkissian-Monroe, and Shakeh Tokatlian.
“I am glad so many people throughout the Diocese want to help our young
students learn our Armenian language, our beautiful Armenian culture, and
our unique Armenian traditions,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
of the Diocese. “It is encouraging to think that our Armenian identity is
celebrated here in America.”
— 10/6/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Vehanoush Tekian speaks to Armenian School educators
during the new school year symposium organized by the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern).
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Zarmine Boghossian addresses 70 local Armenian educators
during a day-long symposium at the Diocesan Center in New York City on
September 9, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Fr. Karekin Kasparian, pastor of the St. Gregory the
Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, joins the educators being honored
for their years of service to parish Armenian Schools during a day-long
symposium at the Diocesan Center on September 9, 2006, marking the start of
the Armenian School year.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): More than 70 parish Armenian School educators attended
the day-long symposium organized by the Diocese.
# # #
From: Baghdasarian

October 6, 2006
PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
PROF. HANS FEULNER LECTURES ON THE ARMENIAN DIVINE LITURGY HOLY
COMMUNION IS THE SYMBOL OF OUR UNITY WITH GOD CONCLUDED THE PRELATE
A lecture on the Armenia Divine Liturgy took place on Wednesday,
October 4, at 7:30 p.m., at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale, under the
auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate.
The event was organized by the Western Prelacy Christian Education
Department and featured Prof. Dr. Hans-Juergen Feulner from the
University of Vienna, Austria.
Welcoming remarks were made by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian who gave
a historical background on the rites of the Armenian Church, stressing
that the Armenian Divine Liturgy is a gem that has inspired and
captured the attention of Armenian as well as non-Armenian scholars.
He then introduced Prof. Feulner, describing him as a close friend of
the Armenian people and a professor who has thoroughly researched the
Armenian Divine Liturgy and written his graduate thesis on the subject.
In his lecture, Prof. Feulner spoke of how the Armenian Divine Liturgy
is a beautiful expression of the Armenian language and culture, and
a testament to the Armenian Christian faith. He also spoke on the
influences of the rites of various churches on the Armenian Divine
Liturgy throughout the years, stressing that regardless of these
influences, the rites of the Armenian Church have remained distinctive.
In his closing remarks, the Prelate highly commended Prof. Feulner and
his deep affection towards the Armenian people and specifically the
rites of the Armenian Church. He also commended the Prelacy Christian
Education Department for organizing their second event dedicated to
the Armenian Divine Liturgy, the first being a book presentation for
“The Innocent Convict, Badarak” by Jacques Hagopian. The Prelate
described this event as a spiritual enlightenment, an opportunity
for the faithful to reflect on the Divine Liturgy, through which we
become united with God and with each other.
The program concluded with the “Bahbanich” prayer and the collective
singing of “Hayr Mer”, following which the guests enjoyed a reception.

Babujian holds Deepan
Hindu, India
Oct 7 2006
Yerevan: Local hopeful International Master Levon Babujian held
Grandmaster Deepan Chakravarthy to a draw in the third round of the
World Junior chess championship here on Thursday.
Woman Grandmaster Dronavalli Harika saved the blushes for the Indian
contingent on an otherwise ordinary day with a fine technical victory
over Liana Aghabekian of Armenia in the girls’ championship being
organised simultaneously.
It turned out to be a bad day for overnight joint leader Deep Sengupta
who could not hold on to his own against Grandmaster Daniel stellwagen
of Germany in the open while Tania Sachdev who was also jointly
leading the girls’ section fell prey to an optical blunder against
American Tatev Abrahamyan.
In the open section Yuriy Kryvoruchko of Ukraine, Nikita Vitiugov
and Stellwagen share the lead with 3 points from as many games. In
the girls’ section, Chinese duo of Hou Yifan and Shen Yang are at
the top of the tables along with Abrahamyan.
Deepan Chakravrthy is in joint fourth spot on 2.5 while it is a
similar case for Harika who is also on 2.5 points.
The results (Indians unless specified): Daniel Stellwagen (Ned, 3)
bt Deep Sengupta (2); Levon Babujian (Arm, 2.5) drew with Deepan
Chakkravarthy (2.5); Wang Yue (Chn, 2.5) bt Armen Tonoian (Rus, 1.5);
Boris Grachev (Rus, 2) drew with Zaven Andriasian (Arm, 2); Anton
Filippov (Uzb, 2) drew with Ildar Khairullin (Rus, 1.5); Zhao Jun
(Chn, 2.5) bt Ong Kezli (Swe, 1.5); Eduard-Andrei Valeanu (Rom, 1.5)
drew with Abhijeet Gupta (1.5); Rahul Sangma (1.5) bt Niek Chernih
(Aus, 0.5)
Girls: Hou Yifan (Chn, 3) bt Beata Kadziolka (Pol, 2); Bianca Muhren
(Ned, 2) lost to Shen Yang (Chn, 3); Tatev Abrahamyan (US, 3) bt Tania
Sachdev (2); Mongontuul Bathuyag (Mgl, 2.5) drew with Zhang Jilin
(Chn, 2.5); Liana Aghabekian (Arm, 2) lost to D Harika (2.5); Maka
Purtseladze (Geo, 2.5) bt Mikadze Miranda (Geo, 1.5); Dana Aketaeva
(Kaz, 2) drew with Yulduz Hamrakulova (Uzb, 2); Olga Dolgova (Rus,
2.5) bt Alexandra Savurko (Blr, 1.5); Elena Tairova (Rus, 2) bt
Kruttika Nadig (1); Eesha Karavade (1.5) drew with Nune Darbinian
(Arm, 1.5); Mary Ann Gomes (2) bt Mona Khaled (Egy, 1); Priya (1.5)
bt Frisk Ellinor (Swe, 1.5); Soumya Swaminathan (0.5) drew with Zarkua
Elisabed (Geo, 1). – PTI

CHAIRMAN OF GREEK UNION OF FRIENDS OF ARMENIA, ARTSAKH AWARDED “MARSHAL BAGHRAMYAN” MEDAL
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Oct 6 2006
YEREVAN, October 6. /ARKA/. The Chairman of the Greek Union of Friends
of Armenia and Artsakh, philanthropist Hrant Basmajan was awarded a
“Marshal Baghramyan” medal.
The medal was conferred on Basmajan for his patriotic activities by
RA Minister of Defense Serge Sargsyan, who was on a visit to Greece.
The ceremony was held at the Armenian Embassy in Greece, during
Minister Sargsyan’s meeting with representatives of the Armenian
community, including members of the organ of trustees “Yerevan”
and Union of Friends of Armenia and Artsakh.
The meeting participants discussed the issues of improving the
professional level of Armenian students studying at Greek military
schools. P.T. -0–

Georgian elections: Saakashvili’s party collected about 60% of votes in Akhalkalaki – local Armenians dispute results
Regnum, Russia
Oct 6 2006
Local elections are over in Georgia; about 60% of voters participated
in the elections in areas populated by ethnic Armenians; A-Info
reports.
According to data of Javakheti regional electoral commission of
Akhalkalaki area populated by ethnic Armenians, Saakashvili’s United
National Movement (UNM) Party collected here about 60% of votes in
the majoritarian vote, and opposition Industry Will Save Georgia
Party – 40%.
However, according to Industrialists’ Akhalkalaki branch leader
Meruzhan Yezoyan, his party collected over 50% of votes in
Akhalkalaki. Yezoyan expressed concern about the commission’s being
silent on the elections’ preliminary outcomes and falsifying the
results. According to preliminary data, most deputies elected by the
majoritarian system were known in Akhalkalaki by noon Oct 6. They
are as follows: Vitalik Torosyan (Khando village), Simon Manasyan
(Alastan village), Grigor Tsormutyan (Azavret village), and Norik
Karapetyan (Kadjo village).
The UNM Party was reported to collect 96% of votes in Ninotsminda
region. However, no other parties participated in the area’s
majoritarian elections. Head of the local electoral committee Seyran
Kiuregyan said that votes given for candidates in the majoritarian
vote were still being counted, and preliminary results would be
published later.
According to a source of A-Info, Simon Tumasyan (Gorelovka village),
Sedrak Shakhbasyan (Khanchkali village), Valery Antonyan (Gondura
village) were elected in the majoritarian vote. Emin Baloyan was
elected local deputy in the only village of Damale of Aspindza
electoral district.
According to preliminary reports, the UNM collected about 85% of
votes in Akhaltsikhe area. Davitashvili-Khidashvili-Berdzenishvili
Bloc collected 7.5% of votes; Salome Zourabichvili’s Georgia’s Way
Party collected 2.5% of votes.

Regnum, Russia
Oct 6 2006
Georgia: International, not political struggle in Tsalka municipal
elections
Municipal elections in the Tsalka region of Georgia stirred a rather
tense situation. According to A-Info Agency report, buildings of the
local electoral commission and local government were cordoned by
police special forces.
Observers – ethnic Armenians – are forbidden to enter the electoral
commission building. Only MP Ayk Melitonyan succeeded in getting in.
Armenian population representatives said they feared that number of
votes for the ruling United National Movement Party would be
artificially increased, judging on the a priori falsified lists.
Candidate Nairi Dimaksyan nominated by opposition Industry Will Save
Georgia Party assured that the struggle was not between parties but
between Armenian population and the local authorities. Meanwhile,
United National Movement Party representative Ketiko Lagidze stated
she would do the utmost to minimize the number of Armenians at the
area’s sacrebulo (local governing body).

Armenian-populated Akhalkalaki was the only city where Saakashvili’s party lost
Regnum, Russia
Oct 6 2006
The city of Akhalkalaki (whose Armenian population totals 95%),
where four voting stations functioned, was probably the only urban
Georgian settlement, where the ruling United National Movement Party
was defeated, Akhalkalaki mayor Nairi Iritsyan, elected in 2002,
informed REGNUM correspondent.
“According to preliminary assessments, candidates from the Industry
Will Save Georgia Party nominated by the United Javakh Movement won
the Akhalkalaki municipal elections. 60% of voters who participated
in the elections supported majoritarians. Our success is the result
of the last several years of work,” the mayor accounted.
As REGNUM was informed by the former mayor who was candidate at the
local elections, 1,829 voters of over 7,000 registered have taken part
in the Akhalkalaki municipal elections. According to data provided by
the staff office of Nairi Iritsyan, statistics on the city elections
show: 532 voters participated in elections according party lists, of
which 289 voted for Industrialists and 219 – for the United National
Movement (UNM). At voting on majority lists, 174 residents voted for
the UNM representative and 350 – for Industrialists.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Stratfor
Oct 6 2006
Turkey, EU: Accession Reluctance on Both Sides
October 06, 2006 19 16 GMT
Summary
During a state visit to Turkey, German Chancellor Angela Merkel laid
out the conditions under which Turkey can continue membership talks
with the European Union. The conditions are ones the Turks do not
particularly care for, and mark an inflection point in Turkish-European
relations. This time next year, Turkey will be a very different place.
Analysis
In an Oct. 5 speech in Turkey, German Chancellor Angela Merkel flatly
informed the Turks that restarting the country’s stalled EU accession
negotiations would require Turkey to first allow for unrestricted
trade with both Greek and Turkish Cypriot ports — a step it has
already agreed to but that is tantamount to recognizing Cyprus.
Merkel’s statement marks the beginning of the end of rapprochement
between the Europeans and the Turks, and the beginning of a new era
of Turkish angst.
By many measures, Turkey is the perfect candidate for EU membership,
but from Europe’s point of view, every bonus has a drawback. The
Turkish market might be large and growing, but the country’s wealth
level is at the low end of the European scale. Turkey might have a
long history of interaction with Europe, but most of that was as a
conqueror that laid siege to Vienna twice (which explains why Austria
is the most hostile to Turkish membership of any EU state). But most of
all, though Turkey’s population is young and large, it also is Muslim.
Thus, though all European leaders have voiced their commitment to
Turkey’s accession process, few are genuinely excited about it.
Merkel’s statement simply publicized the feelings of most of Europe:
Turkey cannot join.
However, contrary to conventional wisdom, Europe is not the only
partner in this tango who is having second (and third, fourth and
fifth) thoughts about Turkish admittance.
Turks love the idea of being a member of the European Union, but
there are some big steps that country would have to take before it
could even begin implementing the reforms necessary to qualify.
Turkey would have to admit to ongoing persecution of the Kurds
and to Armenian genocide — and perhaps even pay reparations and
allow limited resettlement. The country would have to surrender
all territorial claims it has with existing EU states, most notably
islands in the Aegean Sea that are disputed with Greece. Turkey would
have to fully and irrevocably sever all political connections between
its government and its military — the EU only admits states with
full civilian control. And, as per Merkel’s statement, Turkey would
have to not only allow trade with Cyprus, but fully recognize it as
a political and economic ally.
Once these steps — which all existing EU states took early in their
own accession negotiations — are done, Turkey can seriously begin
to discuss joining the European Union. However, any Turkish leader
who did these things would be lynched in the streets — assuming he
lived long enough to reach them.
Policymakers in both Brussels and Ankara have sought to sidestep
these thorny problems for the past several years, with leaders on
both sides suggesting the issues be put off until the tail end of
the accession process. This is good in theory but bad in practice —
particularly if neither side ever really intends to budge.
The Turks now need to answer one very simple question: What is next?
First, they will seek confirmation of Merkel’s stance. This will not
be difficult; they need simply look to places such as Vienna, Athens
and Nicosia to discover that the anti-Turk feeling is alive and well.
Should they want further confirmation, they need wait no longer than
May 2007, when French elections will likely replace the pro-Turk
Jacques Chirac with a far more circumspect leader. Whether the French
choose Segolene Royal or Nicolas Sarkozy, both have argued that Turkey
does not belong in the European Union as a full member.
After that, the Turks will have some soul searching to do. Though
the customs agreement they currently enjoy with Europe can withstand
a change in the relationship’s overall tenor, Turkey has framed its
policies for more than a decade with the goal of knocking on Europe’s
door. The Turks will now need to re-evaluate their other (less than
spectacular) options.
Ankara wants to enhance its influence in Central Asia, given its
linguistic and ethnic ties to the region, but this is something that
provided only middling returns in the 1990s. It also is looking to
assert itself as a leader of the Muslim world through the Organization
of the Islamic Conference, in which Ankara currently holds the position
of secretary-general; yet since Turkey was one of the non-Turkic
region’s past conquerors, it is not altogether trusted. The only
option left — as politically unpopular as it might be — is a firmer
U.S. alignment.
For obvious reasons, none of these is a good choice. What is certain
is that Turkey’s identity crisis will resonate most strongly at home.
If secular Europe is not to frame Turkey’s future, then Islam will rush
in to fill the vacuum, setting up a vast array of possibilities for
clashes between Turkey’s Islamophilic government and its Islamophobic
(and coup-prone) military. The Turkish balancing act just got a whole
lot tougher.

Paris Link, France
Oct 6 2006
Chirac the Kingmaker
Fri, 06 Oct 2006 19:15:00
Gareth Cartman
Chirac loyalists are making noises – they do not seem to want Nicolas
Sarkozy in the Elysee. Should Jacques Chirac decide not to stand next
year for a third term, he finds himself in the position of Kingmaker.
Just like the socialists, his leitmotif is “Anyone But Sarkozy”.
There is no Chirac building yet in Paris. There is no Bibliothèque
Chirac, no Centre Chirac, not even a Roissy-Jacques-Chirac. Two terms
in office, and apart from the quai Branly museum, there is little to
remember Jacques Chirac by. However, he is refusing to go quietly –
if he does go at all – and his desire to stop Nicolas Sarkozy getting
into the Elysee could see one last swipe from this political monster.
Sarkozy used to be a Chirac protege. The young Sarkozy was often seen
at the side of Chirac, but that all stopped with the ‘betrayal’ of
Edouard Balladur in 1995 and Sarkozy’s defection to Balladur’s camp.
The ambitious Interior Minister’s plans for ‘la rupture’ have been
met with distaste by Chirac and the chiraquiens, who are planning
ahead to stop Sarkozy.
First of all, Chirac’s rehabilitation has been swift. A visit
this week to an Agriculture salon pitched Chirac right back in his
element. Chirac never hides the fact that his favourite period during
his political lifetime was at the Agriculture Ministry. He has racked
up airmiles like never before, travelling the world to make speeches –
controversial or otherwise. He pushed Turkey to recognise the genocide
of the Armenians recently, and back home reformed the pensions scheme
for war veterans of immigrant origin.
Many suspect that this is the first part of one of the many Chirac
‘revivals’. Considered politically dead before both Presidential
elections, Chirac kept on coming back to win. If he feels that he
will not be able to complete his comeback this time, expect Chirac
to place an ally on the way to the Elysee.
Current favourite seems to be Michelle Alliot-Marie. The Defense
Minister already has the backing of at least 50 MPs and has set up
her own association, la Chene (the Oak Tree) on the same road as
Chirac’s former RPR party. A chiraquienne at heart, Alliot-Marie has
been manoeuvring for the nomination for several weeks already. She
is likely to run against Sarkozy, and would have the full support of
Chirac should he not run.
A few weeks ago, it appeared that all faith had been lost in Dominique
de Villepin. Still the golden boy of the chiraquiens, de Villepin
has done everything within his capacity to distance himself from
Sarkozy. Where Sarkozy says “fire”, de Villepin says “hold your
fire”. Notably effective in the resolution of the Cachan crisis,
de Villepin has steadily climbed in popularity and could represent
an option should Alliot-Marie fail.
Should Chirac be re-elected, he will more than likely use his third
term to promote a chiraquien to succeed him, much as he has been trying
to do with Dominique de Villepin. The favourite for this proposal would
be Alain Juppe, who is expected to walk back into his position as Mayor
of Bordeaux. Juppe, who took the rap for corruption charges, went into
exile for two years, and Chirac feels he owes his favourite protege.
Juppe is a born fonctionnaire. A devout believer in the power of
the state, and in the power of those chosen to execute the state’s
decisions, Juppe simply could not believe how he had been treated
when charged with corruption. He remains a wholehearted chiraquien,
with the 2012 Presidential elections his true target.
This trio represent the best chances of Chirac leaving a lasting legacy
at the Elysee. As Sarkozy rejects Gaullism, the chiraquiens preach
it. Whether it is Chirac himself or one of his proteges running against
Nicolas Sarkozy, the big man in the palace will have the ultimate say
in who wins next year’s election. Indeed, he would probably even choose
Segolène Royal over Sarkozy, such is the rift between the two men.
CLE/1233/2006-10-06.html
–Boundary_(ID_1NxHRgRoQ fno2A1xS0V8LQ)–
From: Baghdasarian

NEXT ROUND OF TALKS ON ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN, NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT ENDS IN MOSCOW
[October 06, 2006, 21:18:21]
AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Oct 6 2006
Next round of talks to find peaceful resolution to the
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict passed at the level
of foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia with participation of
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs ended in Moscow.
The meeting passed behind closed doors, foreign minister of Russia
Sergey Lavrov made statement on its results, estimating the meeting as
“positive and productive”.
In trilateral meeting, held in MFA of Russia, attending was the
foreign minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov, foreign minister
of Armenia V. Oskanian, as well as troika of OSCE MG co-chairs.
Azerbaijan delegation also included deputy foreign minister of
Azerbaijan Araz Azimov.