REGNUM
September 17, 2006
Armenia gives opportunity to Nagorno Karabakh to become political
party in the conflict
`Lately, there has been much talk about taking the process of conflict
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict from the format of the
OSCE Minsk Group to another institution. In the context of withdrawing
the issue we are getting ready to play our own role and speak with our
own position,’ Nagorno Karabakh Foreign Minister Georgy Petrosyan has
stated to reporters in Yerevan.
`The world is developing, the issue of Nagorno Karabakh is not an easy
one and should be discussed in various alternative institutions. Our
task is to be ready for discussions in various formats. In future, the
official Stepanakert will make its own specifications on the issue. I
think it will be done in the near future,’ he added. As Georgy
Petrosyan said, the highest assessment of the recent talks and
discussions on the Nagorno Karabakh issues is the fact that Armenia
gives an opportunity to Nagorno Karabakh to become a political party
in the conflict.
It is worth mentioning, GUAM member-countries (Georgia, Ukraine,
Azerbaijan, Moldova) introduced a new item into the agenda of the 61st
session of the UN General Assembly called `Frozen conflicts in the
territory of GUAM member-countries, their consequences for the world
peace, security and development.’

Panorama.am
13:58 16/09/06

HERO SAVING 20 LIVES TO VISIT ARMENIA TOMORROW
Thirty years ago on the same day, September 16, one of
the most tragic car accidents took place in Yerevan –
a trolleybus, full of passengers, lost control and
went into Yerevan Lake. At that moment, Shavarsh
Karapetyan, multiple champion of Europe in underwater
swimming, and his brother, Kamo Karapetyan, master of
international rank, were training near the lake.
Shavarsh Karapetyan managed to save the lives of 20
passengers diving into the water without diving
clothes. Of coarse, he could not save everyone. About
seven dozens people were killed in the accident.
The fatal accident was kept secret under the Soviet
regime and people learned about it only years ago. The
heroic deed of Shavarsh Karapetyan cost him a lot –
Karapetyan had to quit the great sport. However,
Shavarsh Karapetyan became known to people as a real
hero. Neither the Soviet Union, nor Independent
Armenia gave credits to the deed of the sportsman and
did not award him the title of hero. Moreover, in mid
1990s Shavarsh Karapetyan had to leave Yerevan and
reside in Moscow where he currently lives and has a
small shoes repair service. Tomorrow, it is expected
that Shavarsh Karapetyan will again visit his
Motherland. /Panorama.am/

Panorama.am
15:32 16/09/06
ANDRANIK OZANYAN’S MUSEUM HOUSE RE-OPENED IN YEREVAN
The sculptures of Vazgen ISAKOV, a sculptor, will be
exhibited at museum house of Andranik Ozanyan. The
re-opening of the museum house took place Saturday at
the pantheon after Komitas. The eighty-years-old
sculptor is happy that he is donating his sculptures
to the museum house on the occasion of 15th
anniversary of independent statehood in Armenia. The
museum house exhibits about ten thousand samples
telling about the leaders of fidai movement, a
national liberation movement in early 20th century.
In the words of Iliech Beglaryan, the founder of the
museum, the exhibition aims to `educate the new
generation in the spirit of the great people of the
nation who have fought for the sake of our
independence.’
`Wherever there is violence, there is my sword,’
Zoravar Andranik had said. And his sword is right here
– in this museum -house. /Panorama.am/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Panorama.am
15:54 16/09/06
ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA REFUTES ANTI-ARMENIAN MOODS IN RUSSIA
The Armenian Ambassador to Russia, Armen Smbatyan, believes the
violence against Armenians in Russia is not related to anti-Armenian
moods of Russians. `Russia is a big country and such attacks are
common. Some organizations are suffering from xenophobia and
Armenians fall victim to them,’ Smbatyan mentioned Saturday. In his
words, the Armenian embassy and the law enforcement officials are very
serious to such incidents and are watchful for their disclosure.
Asked why the prosecutor’s office has suspended the case on Vigen
Abrahamiants murder, the ambassador said, `Vigen Abrahamiants case was
never suspended. Recently a person was arrested on the case who
admitted that he has killed Abrahamiants. This man is a student of
police school and is related to skinheads.’
Note: Almost all Russian media told August 22 that the case in Moscow
subway was suspended due to `impossibility to identify the identity of
criminals.’ /Panorama.am/

Panorama.am
16:22 16/09/06

WORLD ARMENIAN CONGRESS PROPOSES TO SET UP COORDINATION UNIT OF
ARMENIA-DIASPORA RELATIONS
The World Armenian Congress (WAC) proposes to set up a ministry or any
other structure for coordination of Armenia-Diaspora relations, Ara
Abrahamyan, WAC chairman and head of Union of Armenians in Russia,
told a press conference Saturday.
In his words, 10 years ago the political situation in Armenia was much
better than today. Any conflict in the region and any sanction to this
or that country negatively affect the political situation in Armenia.
`To meet the challenges, Armenia and Diaspora must unite,’
Abrahamyan said indicating to the need of a joint national program.
Abrahamyan says the Diaspora uses only 1-2% of its potential but it
can become much stronger if close ties are established with the
government. `We need the support and mediation of the Armenian
authorities,’ WAC chairman said.
Abrahamyan indicated that the major issues for WAC today is the
recognition of the Armenian genocide. The organization has submitted
mechanisms for such recognition to the Armenian foreign ministry in
May proposing to apply to the International Court in Hague. Besides,
Abrahamyan said WAC lawyers have found documents in Russian archives
that have been closed to everyone until today. /Panorama.am/

ARMENPRESS
ARF WARNS BAKU AGAINST TRYING TO SHIFT KARABAKH
SETTLEMENT EFFORTS TO UN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: A senior member
of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) has
warned authorities in Azerbaijan that Yerevan will
pull out of the negotiations over the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict if Baku persists in trying to get the United
Nations to deal with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; as
a result, he said, Baku would have to negotiate with
authorities in Stepanakert.
Spartak Seyranian from the ARF ruling board,
denounced Azerbaijan for its efforts to shift the
conflict process to the UN, saying Baku is doing this
because of facing serious difficulties in the OSCE
Minsk group.
The UN General Assembly decided on September 13 to
include a new item on conflicts in the Black Sea-South
Caucasus region in the agenda of its 61-st session.
The decision to include the issue in the General
Assembly session -which was pushed for by GUAM-member
states Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova – was
adopted `following a contentious procedural debate.’
Sixteen countries, including the Baltic States,
GUAM-member states, the United States and United
Kingdom voted in favor of including the item entitled
`protracted conflicts in the GUAM area and their
implications for international peace, security and
development.’ Fifteen countries, including Russia and
Armenia, voted against, while 65 abstained.
Seyranian said Armenia has always been opposed to
UN involvement in Karabakh peace talks, insisting that
the Minsk Group of the OSCE is the most effective
international peace-brokering body to help settle the
Armenian-Azerbaijani dispute.

ARMENPRESS
ARMENIAN PRESIDENT RECEIVES LINCY FOUNDATION
VICE-PRESIDENT

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS: President Robert
Kocharian received today Harut Sassounian, the vice
president of the U.S.A-based Lincy Foundation.
Kocharian’s press office said the two men discussed
the progress in a set of projects implemented here on
Lincy Foundation’s funds. They also referred to some
issues which are on the agenda of the third
Armenia-Diaspora Conference.
Kocharian and Sassounian also exchanged ideas on a
range of issues in which the American Armenians take a
particular interest.

Panorama.am
15:05 16/09/06
COCHAIRS TRY TO REVIVE THE PROPOSED PEACE DEAL
The move of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement to
U.N. is a new challenge for Armenia, Vartan Oskanyan,
foreign minister of Armenia, said pointing out to some
qualitative and quantitative changes. `We will have to
deal with four different countries and not only with
Azerbaijan. Each of these countries has its circle of
friends. So, the scope of interests enlarges,’ he
said. However, Oskanyan expressed his readiness to
`enter into concrete discussions when there is a
resolution.’ Anyway, he said it changes the focus of
attention from the main process.
The minister said OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs want to
revive the peace deal which was approved by the
Armenian side and to record positive move by the end
of this year. He also said if the conflict gets into
U.N., Nagorno Karabakh should become part of the
negotiations. `U.N. is comprised of 159 countries
which have no idea about the process and have no
interests. They can vote based on political sympathies
for this or that side. We cannot leave the fate of
Karabakh to the vote of some countries in Latin
America and the Caribbean islands. This means that
Karabakh must be a part of the process. It does not
mean that Armenia will not be involved. It will but
only with Karabakh,’ the minister said. /Panorama.am/

Congressional Record: September 14, 2006
>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access
wais.access.gpo.gov
HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY AND SHOGHAGAT
ARMENIAN CHURCH
HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join
me in recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Holy Virgin Mary and
Shoghagat Armenian Church located in Swansea, Illinois.
The Church has historically been an integral part of the Armenian
community. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its
official religion in 301 A.D. So it was natural that the Independent
Club, an organization of Armenian Americans, would seek to start a
church for their community in 1956.
The new Church, then named Holy Shoghagat Armenian Church, began in a
small white structure at 13th and Summit Avenue in East St. Louis,
Illinois. A neighboring parish house and additional parcel of land were
later acquired.
Circumstances required that the original church properties be sold in
the early 1970’s and for several years the congregation had to
celebrate the liturgy in different local churches. Throughout this
difficult period, the parish family stayed together and finally, in
1978, the new Church in Swansea, Illinois was consecrated.
On the occasion of their 50th Anniversary, in addition to celebrating
that milestone for their local Church, the members of Holy Virgin Mary
and Shoghagat Armenian Church are paying tribute to their ancestors who
were victims of the Armenian Genocide, both those who lost their lives
and those who survived. A large khatchkar, carved in Armenia, will be
dedicated to honor those who suffered during that terrible period in
history.
For 50 years, Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Armenian Church has
served, not only as a place of worship, but as a unifying religious
center for the local Armenian community. Though their numbers may be
small, their dedication to their Church and their culture remains
strong.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 50th
Anniversary of Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Armenian Church and to
wish the best to them for many years to come.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Youth Federation
104 N. Belmont St.
#206 Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: Vic Sosikian
Tel: 818-507-1933
Contact: Marie Minassian
Wednesday, September 13, 2006

COUNCILMEMBER ERIC GARCETTI TO DELIVER SPECIAL REMARKS DURING LITTLE ARMENIA
CLEANUP
Hundreds of Youth Will Participate in the 4th Annual Little Armenia
Clean Up Organized by the Armenian Youth Federation

What: Little Armenia Cleanup
When: Saturday, September 16, 2006
9:00 a.m.
Where: Little Armenia, Hollywood
Rose & Alex Pilibos High School
1615 N Alexandria Avenue, Hollywood

Details: Hundreds of participants, including youth from the ages
of 8-30, will come together in Hollywood on September 16 to clean the
streets of Little Armenia. This initiative is organized by the Armenian
Youth Federation and co-sponsored by Los Angeles City Councilmember Eric
Garcetti’s office.
The opening ceremony will take place at Rose & Alex Pilibos High School on
1615 N Alexandria Ave. in Hollywood beginning at 9:00 a.m. The ceremony is
open to the public. Councilmember Garcetti will be present to deliver
remarks during the opening ceremony.
The clean up will include youth removing litter from sidewalks, weeds from
streets, and curbs. Volunteers will be cleaning Santa Monica Blvd, Sunset,
Blvd., and Hollywood Blvd. All volunteers will be provided t-shirts, lunch,
and water free of charge. The event is expected to conclude no later than
4:00 p.m.

For more information on the day of the event, contact
Marie Minassian at (213) 910-4664.