California Courier Online, September 21, 2006
1 – Commentary
After Hold on Hoagland, State Dept.
Should Take Armenians More Seriously
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – . Violinist Armen Anassian Will Perform
Vivaldi with Glendale Symphony, Oct. 7
3 – Hagop Baronian Musical Comedy From Armenia
To Perform in Los Angeles and Orange County
4 – Abkarian Appointed
To California State
Board by Governor
5- Oct. 12 NAASR Lecture to Examine
‘The Armenian Lobby: Then and Now’
6 – UN, NASA, European Space Agency Endorse
Cosmic Ray Division’s SEVAN Network
7 – Amb. Evans’s Wife Responds to Recall
8 – – Westside Guild of Ararat Home
Will Hear TV Actress at Oct. 4 Meeting
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1 – Commentary
After Hold on Hoagland, State Dept.
Should Take Armenians More Seriously
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
The Turks were a little premature two weeks ago when they were
boasting that the Armenian lobby failed to stop the nomination of
Richard Hoagland, the Ambassador Designate to Armenia, after the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmed him on Sept. 7.
Last week, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) proved the Turks wrong when he
placed a hold on Hoagland’s confirmation last week, thus blocking the
full Senate from approving his nomination.
“I believe that the United States, Armenia, and all who are committed
to human rights should support an ambassador to Armenia who
recognizes the genocide that took place there more than 90 years
ago,” Sen.Menendez (D-NJ) said. “If the Bush Administration continues
to refuse to acknowledge the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide,
then there is certainly cause for great alarm, which is why I am
placing a hold on this nominee…. I have great concerns that Mr.
Hoagland’s confirmation would be a step backward. Considering Mr.
Hoagland’s refusal to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide as anything
more than horrifying events, I do not feel that his nomination is in
the best interest of Armenia and her Diaspora.”
On the eve of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s vote, and
after Amb. John Evans was ordered to leave Armenia, Jeffrey Bergner,
the Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs, in a 3-page
letter to Sen. Biden, offered several inducements and tricky
arguments desperately trying to secure his as well as the other
Senators’ vote for Hoagland.
Bergner falsely claimed that the American grant of $235 million to
Armenia to reduce poverty could be jeopardized if the U.S. did not
have “an ambassador in Yerevan.” Several Senators parroted this false
argument in voting for Hoagland. Bergner also stated that the
Armenian Government had not expressed any reservations concerning
Hoagland when accepting his nomination last March. He hid from the
Senators the fact that the Armenian authorities had delayed giving
their agreement for a couple of months, as a sign of protest against
the dismissal of Amb. Evans over his use of the term “Armenian
Genocide.”
In a further effort to appease Sen. Biden, who was instrumental in
delaying an earlier Committee vote on Hoagland, Bergner wrote, “the
President’s annual statement on Armenian Remembrance Day makes clear
our recognition of those horrible events of that period, and firmly
sets the United States apart from those who would deny or minimize
these atrocities.”
Bergner then made the incredible claim that “the President’s
approach appears to be yielding a new readiness in Turkey to
reexamine this horrible chapter of Turkey’s past with greater moral
clarity, building on previous efforts, such as the Turkish-Armenian
Reconciliation Commission.”
Bergner further suggested that if confirmed, Hoagland and Ross
Wilson, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, would “work closely together
on this issue [genocide recognition].” He wrote that the two envoys
“would envision, among other efforts, joint visits to Yerevan and
Ankara to bring greater focus on reconciliation, which could lead to
a re-opening of the border and enhanced regional integration.
Ambassador Wilson and Ambassador-designate Hoagland, if confirmed,
will be available to brief Congress on U.S. efforts. We also welcome
your suggestion that the State Department and Senate Foreign
Relations Committee maintain a dialogue on helping to forge a common
Turkish-Armenian understanding of this period.”
Bergner also promised that Amb. Hoagland plans to meet with several
Armenian American groups prior to his departure to Yerevan and would
“travel back to the United States to meet with the larger community
shortly after presenting his credentials in Yerevan, if confirmed.”
After falsely insisting for several months that Turkish officials
had no contacts whatsoever with the State Department to protest Amb.
Evans’ acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide, Bergner finally
admitted that indeed The Livingston Group, a high-powered lobbying
firm hired by the Government of Turkey, had contacted three State
Department officials within days of Amb. Evans’ statement.
Finally, Bergner sent on Sept. 5 to Sen. Biden “revised versions” of
Ambassador-designate Hoagland’s June 28 responses to Senators John
Kerry, Barbara Boxer and Paul Sarbanes. Needless to say, Amb.
Hoagland was submitting these more accommodating letters that were
more in line with what the Senators wanted to hear.
For example, in his June 28 response to Senators Boxer and Sarbanes,
Hoagland had specifically mentioned the requirement of “intent” to
qualify a mass killing as genocide, implying that such an element was
absent in the Armenian case. In the Sept. 5 version of his reply to
the same question, he deleted that sentence, thus removing any doubt
on whether there was the intent to destroy the Armenians in 1915.
Hoagland significantly added to his revised answer to Sen. Boxer that
the “historical assessment” of what took place in 1915 should be
“consistent with our values and historic truth.”
After the hold was placed by Sen. Menendez, State Dept. spokesman
Sean McCormack, reflecting the Bush administration’s frustration and
inability to secure Hoagland’s confirmation, claimed that if given a
chance in the Senate, the Ambassador-designate would get “the 51
votes required for confirmation.” McCormack is not being fair when he
selectively asks for a vote on this nominee, while the administration
has been blocking for months Armenian Genocide resolutions both in
the House and the Senate from coming to a floor vote, knowing full
well that they would pass by an overwhelming majority. Sen. Menendez
may consider removing his hold on Hoagland, in return for the
administration allowing a vote on the two genocide resolutions!
There are several scenarios as to where Hoagland’s nomination may end
up in the coming weeks. After months and months of waiting for his
confirmation, Hoagland may end up withdrawing his name and ask the
State Dept. to nominate him to another country. A second possibility
is that President Bush may make a recess appointment, naming him
ambassador to Armenia, while the Senate is not in session. A third
option would be for the State Dept. to come back to the Senate and
pressure Sen. Menendez to remove his hold.
The best option for the State Department, Ambassador Hoagland, Sen.
Menendez, and the Armenian American community would be to get
together and see if there are certain inducements that the State
Department would offer on one or more Armenian issues which might
convince Sen. Menendez to remove his hold.
The Armenian American community should call Sen. Menendez
(202-224-4744) and thank him for placing a hold on Hoagland’s
nomination.
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2 – . Violinist Armen Anassian Will Perform
Vivaldi with Glendale Symphony, Oct. 7
GLENDALE, Calif. The Glendale Symphony Orchestra will open its 83rd
season with an evening of music – “Tango Through the Four Seasons” –
on Saturday, October 7, at 8 p.m. at the Alex Theatre in Glendale.
Twenty string players from the orchestra will gather on stage, under
the baton of recently appointed Music Director Olivia Tsui, to
present an evening of music that includes two tributes to the four
seasons as well as two tributes to heavily ‘seasoned’ dance forms.
On the program for Opening Night are: Dmitri Shostakovich’s Spanish
Dance K.570, written originally for the Soviet film, Gadfly; the Four
Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi, which has provided the soundtrack for
numerous Hollywood films, including the 1981 movie of the same name;
Cuatro Estaciones en Buenos Aires by 20th century Tango composer
Astor Piazzola; and Three Tangos for Flute and String Orchestra by
film composer and former GSO Music Director, Lalo Schifrin.
Inarguably, the work with which most music lovers are most familiar
is Vivaldi’s popular set of four violin concertos, the Four Seasons.
Violinist Armen Anassian – who has served as a conductor, soloist and
concertmaster for ensembles ranging from the Heidelberg and Freiburg
Chamber Orchestras in Europe to the Pacific Symphony in Southern
California – will appear as featured soloist.
“We’re delighted to welcome Armen because he is an exceptionally
talented musician who never fails to exhilarate and awe those who
hear him,” says Tsui. “We’re also thrilled that P.J. Ochlan, host of
K-Mozart’s ‘The Arts Report,’ will narrate the sonnet Vivaldi himself
wrote to accompany the Four Seasons. This will be a truly
groundbreaking performance of the Four Seasons. Those who hear it
will remember it for years to come.”
Beginning and concluding the Opening Night concert are works inspired
not so much by the seasons of the year as by heavily ‘seasoned’
dances. Shostakovich’s Spanish Dance, a work that perfectly
complements and foreshadows the Tango-esque flavor of much of the
evening, will open the program while Schifrin’s Three Tangos for
Flute and String Orchestra, with help from GSO principal flautist
Sheridon Stokes, will provide a show-stopping finale.
However, Tsui – who is keenly aware that today’s orchestras face
tough competition from movies, television, video games and a myriad
of other entertainment options – has arranged for two additional
guest artists to join Armen Anassian and Sheridon Stokes on stage,
Tango dancers Elizabeth Rocella and Claudio Otero.
“We’ll engage the audience on every level,” says Tsui. “They’ll be
captivated by what they hear – a great performance of great music,
live in a historic venue like the Alex – and, at the same time,
they’ll be entranced by what they see, two gifted dancers bringing
the music to life in a new, uniquely visual way.”
tickets for Tango Through the Four Seasons – which begin at just $20
– are available by calling the Alex Theatre box office at
818.243.2539 or online, by visiting the theatre’s website,
The box office is open from noon until 6 p.m.
daily. The Alex Theatre is located at 216 North Brand Blvd. in
Glendale
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3 – Hagop Baronian Musical Comedy From Armenia
To Perform in Los Angeles and Orange County
LOS ANGELES – The Armenian American Theatrical and Musical Society
will once again provide theater-goers in Los Angeles and Orange
County the opportunity to be entertained by the theatrical “elite” of
Armenia.
Through the efforts of Society Chairman Victor Mardirossian, a
touring group of The Hagop Baronian Musical Comedy State Theatre will
perform at the Wilshire EbellTheatre, 4401 West 8th St., L.A. on
Sept. 29 and Oct. 8. It will mark California’s participation in
commemorating the Hagop Baronian Musical Comedy Theatre’s 60th
Anniversary.
The program consists of two individual productions. A comedy, by
playwright Jirayr Ananyan, “Our Landlords,” will be presented on
Sept. 29, at 730 p.m. It is directed by Yervand Ghazandjian, whose
career spans 50 years in the theatre. The cast is led by popular
actress, Svetlana Grigoryan, celebrating 55 years on the Armenian
stage
On Oct. 8, at 6 p.m., the audience will enjoy the merriment of a
musical comedy, “Late But Worth the Wait,” by musical composer
Ardemi Aivazian and Playwright Garegin Yeretsyan. The musical is
directed by Gayaneh Barseghian. and the cast includes guest artist
Razmik Mansourian .
An additional performance of “Our Landlords” is scheduled for the
convenience of Orange County residents on Oct. 13, 7:30 PM at the
Huntington Beach Playhouse. This will mark the first time a
distinguished theatre company from Armenia will perform in Orange
County. The playhouse occupies a special wing of the Huntington Beach
Library and Cultural Center, 7111 Talbert Avenue, Huntington Beach.
Seating reservations are moving quickly and to insure attendance for
the Wilshire Ebell dates, call AATMS at (323) 668-0374, (323)
668-1030, or (323) 668-4918.
Free delivery of tickets for Los Angeles performances may be obtained
by calling (818) 265-0506 Reservations and ticket information for
the Huntington Beach performance to be announced at the AATMS office.
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4 – Abkarian Appointed
To California State
Board by Governor
SACRAMENTO – Albert Abkarian, 42, of Glendale, has been appointed to
the Osteopathic
Medical Board, by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
He has served as senior partner and associate for the law firm Albert
Abkarian & Associates since 2002, specializing in personal injury and
workers compensation law. Abkarian has also served as owner of
CoasterCD since 2005 and the OMNI Continental Trading Group since
July 2006.
Additionally, he is Glendale Civil Service Commissioner, an advisory
member on the Glendale Educational Foundation and volunteer
arbitrator/mediator for the Los Angeles and Orange County Superior
Courts.
This position does not require Senate confirmation and the
compensation is $100 per diem.
Abkarian is a Republican.
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5 – Oct. 12 NAASR Lecture to Examine
‘The Armenian Lobby: Then and Now’
BELMONT, MA – Gregory Aftandilian, currently a Research Fellow at the
Belfer Center at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard
University, will present a lecture entitled “The Armenian Lobby Then
and Now: The 1918-27 Period and the Present Day,” on Oct. 12, at the
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) Center
, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA.
Aftandilian, a member of the NAASR Board of Directors since 2004, has
previously worked at the National Democratic Institute for
International Affairs, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and
the U.S. Department of State. A recognized expert on Middle East
affairs, he is the author of two books: Egypt’s Bid for Arab
Leadership: Implications for U.S. Policy and Armenia: Vision of a
Republic: The Independence Lobby in America, 1918-1927. He holds
degrees from Dartmouth College, the
University of Chicago, and the London School of Economics.
this lecture will examine the activities of the American Committee
for the Independence of Armenia in the period of 1918 to 1927 and
compare it to today’s Armenian Lobby in terms of effectiveness,
shortcomings, access to leading policy-makers, and sustainability.
Key issues that will be addressed are the makeup of the lobby
groups, the socio-economic conditions of the Armenian-American
community, the impact of opposing lobbies and countervailing
pressures, the attitudes of Congress and the
White House, and the salience of the “Armenian issue” in the American
political context.
Aftandilian will highlight some important similarities and
differences between the two eras. In both periods, the pro-Armenian
Lobby had the difficult task of supporting a small country that
lacked natural resources. Whereas in the earlier periodthe lobby
relied primarily on American public sympathy as well as important
political figures for support, the current period has witnessed a
reliance on the rising stature of the Armenian-American community and
its increasing involvement in the American political
system. Countervailing pressures in both periods have included the
impact of oil and other economic interests.
Admission to the event is free (donations appreciated).
More information about the lecture is available by calling
617-489-1610.
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6 – UN, NASA, European Space Agency Endorse
Cosmic Ray Division’s SEVAN Network
In November 12005, UN, NASA, and the European Space Agency (ESA)
jointly organized a multinational meeting to promote international
cooperation in space research. A particular interest of the
consortium is to study energetic events on the sun and the effects of
these events on the Earth’s environment. Prof. Ashot Chilingarian,
head of the Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) represented Armenia and
proposed a multinational Space Environment Viewing and Analysis
Network (SEVAN). The proposal received very high marks and was one
of the few programs endorsed by the consortium for the International
Heliophysical Year 2007 (IHY-07).
The Cosmic Ray Division is among the world’s top 5 research
organizations in cosmic ray physics and space weather research.
SEVAN, a nine-country space weather network of ground based cosmic
ray particle detectors, will be led by the CRD physicists in Armenia
under the leadership of Professor Chilingarian. The network will
utilize advanced concepts, technology, data acquisition methods, and
computer analysis techniques developed at the CRD. SEVAN will open
windows to enhanced understanding of solar phenomena that affect the
earth and will promote international cooperation.
At a July 2006 meeting of the international Committee on Space
Research (COSPAR) in Beijing, Prof. Chilingarian represented Armenia
and promoted the SEVAN network. His reports were received with great
and tangible enthusiasm. Nat Gopalswamy of NASA and the
international coordinator IHY-07 mentioned SEVAN in his own
presentation as one of the most important projects of IHY-07.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the IHY-07 steering committee, Joseph
Davila stated, “Space Weather issues are becoming more and more
important and the approach advocated by CRD to deploy new type of
particle detectors in near-equator countries is very important”.
At home, CRD continues to attract smart and energetic students from
Yerevan State University. Artur Reimers, a third year PhD student
at the CRD won a $5000 grant from the Graduate Research Support
Program organized by Armenia’s National Foundation for Science and
Advanced Technology (NFSAT) and the Civilian Research Defense Fund
(CRDF) in the US. Tigran Karapetyan and Bagrat Mailyan are the two
new graduate students and Armen Hovhannisyan is a new upper class
undergraduate student from the Yerevan State University. All three
talented students have chosen to focus their studies on cosmic ray
physics at the Cosmic Ray Division. The CRD is grateful to Mary Anna
Brown for supporting them with tuition and books.
Thanks also go to the many Diaspora members for the continued support
of the CRD. Several important organizations also are being thanked
for their continued support in various ways to facilitate/supplement
the Diaspora giving: Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America
national headquarters, Michigan, and Greater Metropolitan DC
chapters; United Armenian Fund; Nor Serount Cultural Organization;
the Armenian Heritage Cruise; and the National Foundation for Science
and Advanced Technology.
For more information visit or write to the
Support Committee for Armenia’s Cosmic Ray Division at SCACRD, P.O.
Box 655, Menlo Park, CA 94026.
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7 – Amb. Evans’s Wife Responds to Recall
YEREVAN – Prior to the return of US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans
to the US on Sept. 10, Armenia’s “168 Hours” publication spoke with
the US envoy’s wife Donna Evans in Yerevan.
“Ambassador Evans has on numerous occasions answered questions
regarding his early recall,” “168 Hours” wrote.
“But what is Mrs. Evans opinion about this?” the publication asked.
“I can only speak for myself,” she replied. “That was truly a very
emotional period for us, it was also very difficult for me, since my
husband was being recalled because he spoke the truth about the
events which took place in 1915, and it was painful that he was being
punished for speaking the truth.
“My husband has been working as a diplomat for 35 years, and he is a
very professional diplomat. For him, it is truly a big honor to
represent the United States of America’s foreign service abroad, and
serve the United States,” said Mrs. Evans.
“In any event, I consider that the punishment is too severe for the
words spoken,” She said.
“My husband spoke that truth in the United States of America, to
American citizens, in a university and in an academic setting. Those
were extremely difficult times for me; but when you realize that you
are right, that helps you walk tall with your head held high,” the
ambassador’s wife observed.
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8 – Westside Guild of Ararat Home
Will Hear TV Actress at Oct. 4 Meeting
LOS ANGELES – The Westside Guild of the Ararat Home will meet at the
Bistro Garden in Sherman Oaks on Wednesday Oct. 4 at 11:30 a m to
hear actress-author Marjorie Lord speak about her career path from
acting to charity work. Ms. Lord who has written a book
of her memoirs will relate stories of her fantasy life as the TV wife
of Danny Thomas on “Make Room for Daddy,” her Broadway acting debut
on stage with Dame Judith Anderson, her marriage to banking genius
Harry Volk which put her on the charity circuit and her commitment to
being the mother of Gregg and Anne Archer. A native
Californian, the teenaged Marjorie left her family and moved to
N.Y.C., where she immediately found a job on Broadway . She has been
acting ever since in films, theater and television. At the
conclusion of the presentation, her long time friend Joan Agajanian
Quinn will open the floor to questions. .
Co-Presidents of the Westside Guild Andrea Fehring and
Diana Hekimian will outline future group activities and Barbara
Poladian will report on preparations for the December 9th Christmas
luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel. After lunch, Ms.
Lord, who plans to donate a portion of the book sales to the Ararat
Home, will sign copies of her memoir, “A Dance and A Hug.”
Reservations can be made by calling Diana Hekimian at 714-960-2318.
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STUDENTS CLEAN YEREVAN
Panorama.am
15:52 18/09/06
Frunzeh Basentsyan, construction, improvement and utilities
department head at Yerevan municipality, said 10,000 students,
21,000 schoolchildren took party on a subbotnik, September 16, a
cleaning day in Yerevan. Some 380 cars of garbage was transported to
Nubarashen disposal tip. Basentsyan praised the participants, saying,
“The subbotnik passed at a desired level.”
The municipality employee called all residents of Yerevan to keep the
city clean. Ignoring the collected garbage on the streets of Yerevan,
Basentsyan said “certain progress is registered in keeping the city
clean determined by new garbage cars.” The official also informed the
reporters that a garbage collection project plans to establish one or
two organizations which will conduct cleaning in the city. However,
Basentsyan said it will not be soon.

JUSTICE MINISTER HANDS OVER A MEDAL TO CITIZEN OF FRANCE
Panorama.am
17:36 18/09/06
A medal was ceremonially awarded Monday to Levon Jolakyan, citizen
of France. The medal was awarded by the Armenian prime minister and
was handed over by Davit Harutunyan, minister of justice, justice
ministry spokeswoman Anahit Voskanyan said. The minister praised
Jolakyan’s contribution in Armenia’s membership to Latin Notary
International Union. He also gave credits to Jolakyan’s contribution
in the development of the law on notary and establishment of notary
institute in Armenia. Jolakyan thanked to the Armenian government
for appreciating his contribution in the notary service of Armenia
and expressed readiness to further cooperate.

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS ADDRESSED TO THE THIRD ARMENIA-DIASPORA CONFERENCE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Panorama.am
18:06 18/09/06
Your Excellency Mr. President,
Dear Brother in Christ,
and Beloved Participants of this Conference,
The convening of the third “Armenia-Diaspora” Conference under the
festive light of the 15th anniversary of re-established statehood
for Armenia and Artsakh, has filled our souls with joy. With
thanksgiving and praise to God, we have come to welcome you, the
honorable participants, and extend the blessings of the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin to the deliberations of this conference.
Our motherland is once again united with her children in the same hopes
and aspirations, and also with the belief that together, we shall
traverse a new path of progress toward prosperity for our people;
toward strengthening of our spiritual and national life.
The difficulties and triumphs of the past fifteen years belong to
all our people. All of our people, those living in our homeland
and those dispersed throughout the world, experienced the elation
of independence, and in equal measure, confronted the dangers
threatening our freedom; we equally bore the difficulties on the path
of sovereignty and the creation of statehood; and together won the
victories and successes. Let us offer glory to God, that He blessed
the undivided efforts, love and devotion of our people to re-establish
the independent statehood of our homeland.
Every generation has its imperative. Today we are living in a
remarkably important epoch of our history.
The time has come, that our present capabilities, which are greater
through the free and independent life of our homeland and the
unobstructed ties with our diaspora, completely and perfectly serve
the prosperity, unity and solidarity of our people and the renaissance
of spiritual and national life everywhere.
It is this outlook which today inspires us and directs our paths. Our
gathering is called to pursue this supreme goal and to face the present
obligation. Yes, the possibilities to freely work are greater than
they were fifteen years ago, however the urgent issues which trouble
us are not few. The time has come, and we can no longer delay. In our
contemporary world, in the political realm, in the rapid development
of science, technology and communication, in the hour-by-hour narrowing
gap between economies and cultures, the Armenian people must be in the
forefront, and they shall turn their hopes for a peaceful and creative
life into reality through a strong state and a vibrant Diaspora. When,
at present, there are great changes in the communities of the Diaspora
– some getting smaller, new ones being formed – the creation of a new
structure for maintaining the Armenian identity is becoming imperative
to meet these developments. The construction of new churches and
schools, the complete and total reorganization of education, and the
triumph over the unnatural situation facing our Church life which
was inherited by this generation, have all become essential.
Before us all today is the imperative to reinforce Armenia and Artsakh,
to secure in every manner well-armed and competent armed forces, and
to insure progress in all realms. The just rights of Artsakh have
yet to be recognized, and the threat to renew hostilities against
our people continues. There are positive developments in our homeland
in the economic, social, educational and cultural spheres; however,
poverty, unemployment, under-employment and the export of our labor
force remain undefeated. The villages and rural settlements are in
a state of need and vulnerability. The plans for their improvement
and better future are the aims for this conference. We welcome the
initiative to improve the rural settlements, which today have a pivotal
significance in the development of the economic and social life of
our country and the well-being of our people. Together we shall find
the correct answers and decisions to all imperatives with a unified
spirit, through the united efforts of national and ecclesiastical
organizations, and possessing the power of our free statehood. During
the recent events in Lebanon, the importance of the support through
our state policy was evident. So that the role our state plays in
any situation be greater, we must see the vision of our developed
homeland and prosperous country as something near rather than far,
and which in itself is the aim of having independent statehood –
to create and build in a free environment, to form a secure and good
life, and to freely express our spiritual vitality. The strength and
progress of the homeland are the might and power of the Diaspora as
well. For continuous centuries, in good times and bad, in conditions
of ease and difficulty, the Diaspora has lived and has been maintained
with the dream of seeing the homeland free and returning to her. Today
the dream has become reality on this portion of our homeland, and
the faith in a free life for Armenia and Artsakh is also a reality,
which shall become for us the light which leads us forward.
We extend our Pontifical message and exhortation to all our people in
Armenia, Artsakh and dispersed throughout the world, to accomplish this
great and important homeland-building initiative of restoring villages
and rural settlements. The Armenian Church as well shall bring her
active participation to the realization of this project, which will
serve the welfare and prosperity of our nation. We believe that our
children, as always, will be standing in support of our homeland, and
our people will together build their native home, so that it may always
be the sanctuary of hope, the inspiration and axis of Armenian life,
and the consolidating strength of all Armenians. Our people, proud with
work, will forget about misery on their native soil. We shall present
to our children a country strong with a harmonious societal life,
bright with the light of faith, knowledge and culture – a Christian
nation – philanthropic, humanitarian and decent. May God’s spirit
of truth lead us all, and may our Lord’s grace and strength be our
helper, so that our plans and works bear good results and victories,
and from generation to generation, we shall tell the story of God’s
blessing in the lives of our people.
May the work and good initiatives of this conference be blessed.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA READY TO ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH TURKEY WITHOUT ANY PRECONDITIONS
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 14 2006
YEREVAN, September 14. /ARKA/. Armenia is ready to establish diplomatic
relations with Turkey without any preconditions, Armenian Deputy
Foreign Minister Arman Kirakosyan said Thursday at his meeting with
schoolchildren dedicated to 15th anniversary of Armenia’s independence.
However, he said, Turkey wants Karabakh-related concessions from
Armenia and demand Armenia to stop seeking the 1915 Genocide fact
admission.
KIrakosyan stressed that the Genocide fact admission is one of
top-priority issues in Armenia’s foreign policy.

OSKANYAN: PROSPECTS OF DISPATCHING ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS TO LEBANON UNDER DISCUSSION NOW
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 14 2006
YEREVAN, September 14. /ARKA – Novosti-Armenia/. Armenian Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan said Thursday that the prospects of
dispatching Armenian peacekeepers to Lebanon are under discussion now,
but the final decision depends on some factors.
In his words, Armenia has received official proposals from some
countries to take part in the peacekeeping mission. These offers are
under discussions now, he said, but there are some questions in need
to be clarified before making decision.
“Such mission shouldn’t be an end in itself. Our presence there
should pursue certain goal. When this goal is become clear, Armenia
will make a final decision”, Oskanyan said.
He said that, yet before the last Israeli strike against Lebanon,
the latter asked Armenia to send a mine-sniffing crew to the country.
The minister didn’t rule out that Armenia would take part in
mine-clearing work in Lebanon later, when the situation gets under
control.
Oskanyan also said that Armenian community in Lebanon urged Armenian
authorities to dispatch peacekeepers to the troubled country.
“We take into consideration the community’s view and maintain constant
contacts with it, but there are some other circumstances we should
take into account. I’m convinced the right decision will be eventually
made”, the minister said.

FRENCH PRESIDENT TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA ON SEPTEMBER 29 FOR 3-DAY VISIT
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 18 2006
YEREVAN, September 18. /ARKA – Novosti-Armenia/. French President
Jacques Chirac is to arrive in Armenia on September 29 for a tree-day
visit, Armenian Ambassador to France Edward Nalbandyan said Saturday
in an interview with state-run Public Television of Armenia.
Nalbandyan stressed the importance of the visit saying Chirac will
travel to the region for the first time and will visit only Armenia.
In his words, the French delegation will include ministers, lawmakers,
politicians and businessmen.
The ambassador said in his interview that French ministers would meet
their Armenian counterparts.
Nalbandyan also said the program will be saturated with interesting
events such as opening Square of France in Yerevan and Charles
Aznavur’s concert at the Square of Republic in Yerevan on September
30.

HEARINGS ON CASE OF TURKISH ASSOCIATIONS AGAINST TEACHING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE SUBJECT IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TO BE HELD TODAY IN BOSTON DISTRICT COURT
ARMINFO News Agency
September 18, 2006 Monday
Hearings on the suit of the Assembly of Turkish-American Associations
against the charter of the Education Department of Massachusetts
state, which allows teaching of the Armenian Genocide subject in the
educational program, will be held today in Boston District Court.
As ArmInfo was told in the Armenian Assembly of America, the court
action was initiated by the Assembly of Turkish- American Associations
last year. The Turkish associations insist on the Education Department
of Massachusetts to remove the Armenian Genocide subject from the
training materials. In its turn, the Armenian Assembly had responded
without delay and forwarded an answer suit, as well as created a
command of well-known advocates to deal with the protection of the
Armenian Genocide fact in the USA territory.

AT 82, CHARLES AZNAVOUR IS SINGING A FAREWELL THAT COULD LAST FOR YEARS
By Alan Riding
The New York Times
September 18, 2006 Monday
Late Edition – Final
At 82 Charles Aznavour is on his farewell tour, but don’t let anyone
confuse this with retirement.
No, for this last practitioner of a decades-old musical tradition known
as the chanson francaise (French song), the tour better resembles
a slow lap of honor, one taking him to scores of cities around the
world and, health permitting, that may last until 2010 or beyond.
“We’re in no hurry; we’re still young,” Mr. Aznavour said
good-naturedly several weeks ago before embarking on a 10-city swing
through North America, which includes dates in New York at Radio City
Music Hall on Monday and Tuesday. “There are some people who grow
old and others who just add years. I have added years, but I am not
yet old.”
As proof he claims with no little pride that his voice is in better
shape than 30 years ago. He has just signed a three-record contract
with EMI. He is still busily writing new songs about the travails of
love and life. And, let’s face it, he doesn’t look his age: dapperly
dressed, he seems as sure on his feet as he is quick in his repartee.
Nonetheless the plan is to say goodbye to fans in each city he visits
this month. He has already been to Montreal, Ottawa, Seattle, San
Francisco, Toronto and Washington. After his New York shows, Boston,
Los Angeles and Saratoga, Calif., will complete his schedule.
“Later I’ll return to the cities I haven’t done, Philadelphia,
Dallas, Miami and so on,” he explained. “This is all part of the
English-language tour: London — that’s in the Royal Albert Hall —
and Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. I’ve already done Germany:
10 cities. Japan next year, then all of Latin America.”
Still, by bunching together many of the English-speaking cities, where
half of his songs are usually performed in English, Mr. Aznavour is
finally acknowledging his age.
“In the past I could mix languages,” he said, sitting in the offices of
Editions Raoul Breton, one of several music publishers he owns, before
he began his current tour. “My memory was better. I passed easily
from language to language, Spanish, Italian, French, English. But I
can’t do that any longer.” He tapped his head and laughed. “Calma,
calma, I’m 82.”
When he began, though, he was almost the youngest of the crooners
who made the chanson francaise popular in the postwar years. And to
his good fortune, it was Edith Piaf, the legendary “little sparrow,”
who took him under her wings: in time they came to enjoy what he calls
“une amitie amoureuse” — an amorous friendship — which, he said,
“means more than friendship and less than love.”
It was a time when the smoke-filled clubs and theaters of the Paris
Left Bank were bursting with talent. Maurice Chevalier was already
an international star, but new voices were gaining a following,
among them Georges Brassens, Jacques Brel, Leo Ferre, Yves Montand,
Gilbert Becaud, Charles Trenet and Juliette Greco. (Of these only
Ms. Greco is still alive and, at 79, very occasionally performing.)
Mr. Aznavour had one strong card. This short, wiry son of Armenian
immigrants (his real surname is Aznavourian) had a talent for writing
lyrics that echoed the language and sentiments of ordinary people.
And long before his husky tenor became as recognizable as that of, say,
Brassens or Becaud, he won a place in their circle as a songwriter.
Even now, while best known around the world as a singer (he has
also appeared in more than 50 French movies), Mr. Aznavour considers
himself first and foremost a songwriter: he starts with the words,
and only later does he or another composer add the melody and rhythm.
For him the chanson francaise is quite simply the art of telling
stories to music.
For material he has always counted on love and its pitfalls, but
recent songs confirm that he is also ever-alert to what is topical.
“I don’t write stories like novels,” he said. “I don’t invent
anything. I bring language to existing facts and events. I read all
the newspapers. I watch all the news programs on television. I was
the first to write about social issues like homosexuality and the
deaf. In my new record I write about unrest in the suburbs, about
ecology. I find real subjects and translate them into song.”
One recent record, “Le Voyage,” includes two songs about journalists:
in “La Critique,” he snipes at critics and concludes that, “in the
end, only the public is right”; and in “Un Mort Vivant,” or “A Living
Death,” which he dedicated to Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal
correspondent assassinated by Islamic extremists in Pakistan in 2002,
Mr. Aznavour pays tribute to reporters who risk their lives while
seeking the truth.
“What really matters is that you hear the text clearly,” he noted.
Now, reflecting on his long final bow, he feels confident that he
will be best remembered by his songs. “When a singer dies, only his
records survive,” he said. “But when I die, there are at least two
songs which will continue to be played regularly in the United States:
‘Yesterday When I Was Young’ and ‘She.’ There will be no break because
the songs exist. I will remain in the business.”
And he will do so all the more if a project under discussion in the
United States and France comes to fruition: to create a stage show
built entirely around his songs and modeled after “Jacques Brel Is
Alive and Well and Living in Paris.”
So, still very much alive and well and living in Geneva, Mr. Aznavour
could easily rest on his laurels. In France he is regularly voted one
of the country’s 10 most popular personalities. In Armenia, the land
of his forebears, where an Aznavour Museum is planned, he is warmly
remembered for organizing help after a devastating earthquake that
killed 45,000 people there in 1988.
But his farewell tour is also an excuse to get back on stage and show
that he has not lost his touch as a performer extraordinaire. Then,
after North America, he is to fly to Havana to make his next record
with the Cuban musician Chucho Valdes. And he has already agreed to
appear in a movie adaptation of Georges Simenon’s novel “The Little
Man from Archangel.”
Tomorrow evidently still beckons.
“Once I have done something,” he said conclusively, “I think of
something else. I never look back.”
Except, that is, when he claims a place in the Guinness Book of
Records.
“I have been married to the same woman for 43 years,” he said with a
smile, referring to his Swedish-born wife, Ulla, “and, in my business,
that’s a record.”

ROBERT KOCHARYAN: ARMENIA TAKES INTO ACCOUNT DIASPORA’S INTERESTS IN ITS FOREIGN POLITICAL COURSE
ARMINFO News Agency
September 18, 2006 Monday
Armenia takes into account the interests of Diaspora in its foreign
policy, said President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan at the plenary
session of the 3rd All Armenian Forum Armenia-Diaspora, Monday.
The president said it is very important to take into consideration
the factor of Diaspora in the sphere of political lobbying in the
international arena. Acknowledged Armenian organizations engaged in
the political sphere greatly support the native diplomacy, making
the international community hear Armenia’s voice, the president said.
Regarding the foreign political course, Armenia continues its
complementary policy. Serious and large-scale economic projects are
implemented with Russia, the Armenian-Russian military cooperation
is deepened. Infrastructure projects are implemented with Iran which
the country has rather stable and effective relations with. At the
same time, Armenia implements active steps to deepen the relations
with the European Union. Individual Partnership Action Plan with
NATO is being implemented. The Armenian army participates in the
peacemaking operations in Kosovo and Iraq. “We deepen our international
integration, at the same time strengthening the relations with
traditional partners,” the president said.