PRESS RELEASE
September 7, 2006
American University of Armenia
40 Marshal Baghramian
Yerevan 375019 ARMENIA
Tel: (37410) 512-522
Fax: (37410) 512-523
Contact: Diana Manukyan
E-mail: [email protected]
Thomas J. Samuelian is awarded the St. Sahak- Mesrop medal
Etchmiadzin. On August 30, 2006, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, bestowed AUA Law Dean Tom Samuelian with the St. Sahak-Mesrop
medal in recognition of his nearly three decades of service to the Armenian
Church and nation. The Order of Sts. Sahak and Mesrop is one of the
church’s highest honors, reserved for individuals who have made outstanding
contributions in the fields of scholarship, education, culture, and service.
The Catholicos stated that he knew Dr. Samuelian personally and sincerely
appreciated his cheerful willingness to assist the Church on many occasions.
He cited Dr. Samuelian’s distinguished career as a scholar in the United
States at leading universities, church institutions, and community schools.
He made special mention of his many publications, including Armenian
textbooks, dictionaries, web-sites, and translations of Armenian classics,
such as the Narek and Yeznik Koghbatsi. He underscored Dr. Samuelian’s
long service in church parish life, as a choir member and trustee, and as a
bridge between Armenia and the Diaspora. He praised Dr. Samuelian as a
committed Christian and son of the Armenian Church and gave his Patriarchal
blessing.
The Hover Chamber Choir added luster to the evening, performing Komitas
sacred and secular pieces as part of the ceremony, which was attended by
over a hundred well-wishers and friends. US Ambassador John Evans was also
in attendance and delivered warm greetings, adding his appreciation for Dr.
Samuelian’s unique ability to integrate scholarly wisdom and practical
service and his contributions to Armenian-American relations. RA Foreign
Minister Oskanian also sent his congratulations, calling Dr. Samuelian “a
Renaissance man, a son of his nation, endowed with a deep spiritual inner
world, strong convictions and high principles,” which inspire his work and
which “he generously shares with his co-workers and students.”
The AUA Community joins in congratulating Dean Samuelian on this high honor
and wishes him many years of fruitful accomplishments.
——————————– ——————————————–
The American University of Armenia Corporation (AUAC) is registered as a
non-profit organization in the United States and as the Armenian University
of Armenia Fund (AUAF) in Armenia .The American University of Armenia (AUA)
is affiliated through AUAC with the Regents of the University of California.
Receiving major support from the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the
Masters Degree in eight graduate programs. For more information about AUA,
visit

PRESS RELEASE
September 7, 2006
American University of Armenia
40 Marshal Baghramian
Yerevan 375019 ARMENIA
Tel: (37410) 512-522
Fax: (37410) 512-523
Contact: Diana Manukyan
E-mail: [email protected]
Summit of Mount Ararat
On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s independence and the
founding of the American University of Armenia, a group of six members from
the faculty and friends of the University made to the summit of Mount Ararat
(5,165m, 16,945feet). The group was made up of: President Haroutune
Armenian, Sona Armenian, Arsen Grigoryan, Arthur Melkonyan, Varduhi
Petrosian and Ara Tekian.
The team started its ascent from Dogubeyazit on the 25th of August; it
reached first camp in the afternoon of August 25th at an altitude of 3200m;
they continued their ascent and reached second camp at an altitude of 4200m
on August 26th; they reached the summit at 6:30am on August 27th. They made
it back down to the plain in the same day.
“The group had both a sense of collective and individual achievement and
marked these15th anniversary occasions in a most appropriate manner” said
President Armenian.
————————————— ————————————-
The American University of Armenia Corporation (AUAC) is registered as a
non-profit organization in the United States and as the Armenian University
of Armenia Fund (AUAF) in Armenia .The American University of Armenia (AUA)
is affiliated through AUAC with the Regents of the University of California.
Receiving major support from the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the
Masters Degree in eight graduate programs. For more information about AUA,
visit

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +
PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Thursday, September 7, 2006
Contact: Lerna Kayserian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
ANCA-WR Summer Interns Contribute to Grassroots Initiatives
GLENDALE, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region (ANCA-WR) completed its 2006 Summer Internship Program last
month. The program began on June 23rd and ended on August 18, with
interns from across the western region United States working to
advance the Armenian Cause.
Salpi Demirjian, a high school student from Gilbert, Arizona and an
active member of the Armenian Youth Federation Phoenix Chapter, was
among the participants of the internship program. During her time at
the ANCA-WR office, she created and updated a community database of
Arizona Armenians and identified state grant programs in California
related to the mission of the ANCA.
Sossie Mahroukian, a recent graduate of the California State University
at Fullerton, joined the program from Orange County. Ms.
Mahroukian earned her degree in Business Marketing. During the
internship, she explored opportunities for collaboration between the
ANCA and community organizations that share similar goals. Her main
project involved outreach to local Democratic and Republican party
clubs in an effort to connect the Armenian American community with
each political party’s base. Her project fell within the broader
efforts of the ANCA to engage Armenian Americans more actively in
local community politics.
Teresa Petrosyan, a Valley Village resident and a UCLA junior studying
International Development, spent her internship working with the
Genocide Education Project. The Genocide Education Project assists
educators in teaching about human rights and genocide, particularly the
Armenian Genocide, by developing instructional materials and providing
teaching resources and organizing training workshops. Working closely
with Raffi Momjian, the Genocide Education Project’s Executive Director
and Sarah Cohan, the Genocide Education Project’s Education Director,
Ms. Petrosyan identified school districts in California in which
genocide education workshops should be organized.
Allen Yekikan, a Glendale resident and UCLA junior studying history,
worked on increasing the accessibility of the ANCA as a resource for
the Armenian community. As part of his project, he catalogued the video
and book library of the Western Region office and created a digital
lending system. Mr. Yekikan also compiled a speaker bureau featuring
ANCA and community leaders, which could be used by Armenian collegiate
organizations to help them identify speakers on various topics. Both
the library lending system and speaker bureau will be launched via the
ANCA website this fall. In addition to interning at the ANCA-WR office,
Mr. Yekikan also worked as an extern with Asbarez Daily Newspaper,
where he served as an assistant editor for the English edition.
In addition to their individual projects, the interns participated in
the daily activities of the Western Region office. They participated
in meetings during the Congressional summer recess along with ANCA-WR
board members, staff and local ANC leadership. The interns also joined
former interns and volunteers in staffing the ANCA-WR exhibit at
the California Republican Party state convention, where they helped
introduce the organization to elected officials, party leadership
and delegates from across the state.
The program also included a lecture series as well as weekly press
reviews in which the interns presented and discussed news articles
related to Armenian American issues. The lecture series began with
an introduction to the history of Armenian American advocacy and
political awareness in the United States, including the inception,
growth and continued development of the ANCA.
“The meetings and press reviews are inspiring, informative, and
educational,” remarked Ms. Petrosyan. “We met professionals with
political knowledge and skills. They are good advisors – especially
to those of us interested in pursuing a career in public service.”
The interns were treated to a special lecture presentation by
Glendale City Councilman Rafi Manoukian and Glendale City Clerk
Ardashes Kassakhian, who discussed the importance of Armenian American
involvement in public service. The interns were also given a tour of
Los Angeles City Hall, led by former Leo Sarkissian Intern Rostom
Sarkissian. The tour was made possible by Areen Ibranossian, ANCA
activist and aide to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
“I enjoyed the atmosphere of the program. The staff members were
friendly and I learned a lot from them about how the ANCA runs
day-to-day,” commented Mr. Yekikan. “It was interesting to learn about
the long history of the organization and I am amazed with the amount
of progress we have made in empowering our community in the past
decades. I was glad I could contribute to advancing our community’s
issues through the internship program.”
The ANCA-WR Internship Program is also offered during the fall
and spring. More information about these programs is available by
contacting ANCA-WR Community Relations Director Haig Hovsepian.
Editor’s Note: Photo included(left to right): Allen Yekikan,
Teresa Petrosyan, Former ANCA-WR Chairman Levon Kirkosian, Sossie
Mahroukian, Salpi Demirjian, and ANCA-WR Community Relations Director,
Haig Hovsepian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SEPTEMBER 7, 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:
THE LINCY FOUNDATION MAKES A GENEROUS $ 535,000 ANNUAL ALLOCATION TO
WESTERN PRELACY SCHOOLS
With distinct pleasure and heartfelt gratitude we announce that the
LINCY Foundation has once again made a generous donation in the
amount of $535,000.00 to the Armenian schools of our Western Prelacy
for the 2006-2007 academic year.
Renowned and respected for its charitable mission, the Foundation
continues to provide for the various and numerous needs of both the
Armenian Diaspora and our Homeland with its generous endowments.
The donation will be disbursed as follows:
– Ferrahian Armenian High School, Encino $100,000.00
– Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian High School, Hollywood $100,000.00
– Mesrobian Armenian High School, Montebello $100,000.00
– Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School, Glendale $100,000.00
– Ari Guiragos Minassian Armenian School, Orange County $50,000.00
– Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan Armenian School, San Francisco $50,000.00
– Levon and Hasmig Tavlian Armenian School, Pasadena $25,000.00
– Richard Tufenkian Armenian Preschool $10,000.00
On this occasion, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, the Prelacy Religious and Executive Councils, and the Board
of Regents of Prelacy Schools, together with the committees
functioning under their auspices convey their heartfelt thanks and
gratitude to the LINCY Foundation and to its administrators for their
dedicated services to our people, our new generation and our
Homeland.
We would like to emphasize that for many years now the LINCY
Foundation has been providing invaluable moral and financial support
to the schools operating under the jurisdiction of the Western
Prelacy, and has participated in the implementation of their sacred
mission to educate our younger generations in the spirit of our
national heritage and the values of humanity.
May Almighty God reward the founders and the Administration of the
LINCY Foundation with His grace and bless their charitable and
humanitarian endeavors.
SECRETARIAT WESTERN PRELACY
September 10, 2006

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE HOAGLAND
State Department Responds to Senator Biden’s Letter
Washington, DC – After a lengthy confirmation process which challenged
the Bush Administration’s policy on the Armenian Genocide, the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee today approved the nomination of
Ambassador-designate Richard E. Hoagland as America’s next Ambassador to
Armenia.
The panel vote, 13-5, clears a major hurdle for Hoagland, who has been
repeatedly questioned by Republican and Democratic lawmakers over U.S.
policy on the Armenian Genocide following his nomination by President
Bush to replace Ambassador John M. Evans. Senators Paul Sarbanes
(D-MD), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), John Kerry (D-MA)
and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) – all longtime supporters of U.S. reaffirmation
of the Armenian Genocide – voted against the nominee, citing concerns
over the Administration’s flawed policy which neither denies nor
properly affirms the events as genocide.
“My vote is no,” Kerry told Committee Members. “It is not against the
nominee personally, but against the Administration.” Kerry said that
the U.S. must honor history and honor the truth, pointing to America’s
own record as documented by U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire Henry
Morgenthau who warned during the time of the killings that a “campaign
of race extermination” was in progress.
“It was the policy of our government to stop what was happening,” Kerry
said. “For us to allow an Ambassador [John Evans] to be recalled
because he uttered the word genocide, is to cow tow.”
Ambassador Evans was rebuked by the State Department after publicly
affirming that “the Armenian Genocide was the first genocide of the
twentieth century.” He tendered his resignation after serving only two
years of what is typically a three-year assignment. To date, the State
Department has provided no additional justification for Evans’ departure
other than to say that all Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the
President and that allegations that Turkey was involved in pressuring
for his early departure are untrue.
More than 60 Member of Congress, including Boxer, voiced their support
for Evans’ statements and sent letters to Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice, seeking clarification for the circumstances surrounding his
departure. During the Committee deliberation, Boxer referenced a
statement by then-Governor George W. Bush, which said that Armenians
were subjected to a genocidal campaign that defies comprehension. The
February 2000 letter said that, “if elected President, I would ensure
that our nation properly recognizes the tragic suffering of the Armenian
people.” Boxer told Committee Members that the President did not fulfill
his pledge, but Evans did acknowledge the truth and was recalled from
his post as a consequence.
Dodd focused on several world events, including the alarming situation
in Darfur, and also noted the approaching 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. “I think it’s important at this point that we make a
stand,” Dodd said, explaining his reasons for voting against the
nomination.
Sarbanes took issue with the Administration’s explanation for Evans’
recall. Sarbanes said he welcomed Hoagland’s revised responses but
raised questions as to the nominee’s “understanding and sensitivity to
the answers in the first place.”
Coleman said that understanding and remembering the truth about the
Armenian Genocide is vital. As a person of the Jewish faith, he said he
remembers growing up with the mentality of “Never Forget.” He expressed
regret over the fact that the Administration is placing an Ambassador in
a position in which he cannot acknowledge the truth.
Ranking Member Joseph Biden (D-DE), said “it was his instinct” to vote
no for the all reasons cited by his colleagues. He said that the
Administrations policy is factually flawed and inconsistent, adding “it
is long past time for the Administration to acknowledge the historical
fact of the genocide.”
“I am still deeply frustrated with the State Department’s continuing
semantic games, but Richard Hoagland isn’t responsible for the current
policy and it won’t help Armenia or the U.S. if there is no American
Ambassador in Yerevan this fall,” Biden told the Assembly. “At my
urging, the State Department has promised to have Ambassador Richard
Hoagland consult extensively with the Armenian-American community before
he departs for Yerevan.”
Biden recently received a response to a letter he had written to
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, concerning Hoagland. The State
Department letter noted that the President’s annual statement on
Armenian Remembrance Day firmly sets the U.S. apart from those who would
deny or minimize the atrocities. [See letter attached.]
“The Administration’s policy on this issue is not based on any desire to
show deference to Turkey,” stated the letter from Jeffery Bergner,
Assistant Secretary of Legislative Affairs. “Rather, we were guided by
U.S. national interests which, in this case, means reconciliation
through an honest, unflinching examination of a tragedy of enormous
human significance.”
The letter also stated that the State Department deals directly with the
Turkish Government and not foreign agents, and “at no point has the
State Department received any communication from the Turkish Government
urging a recall of Ambassador Evans.”
Although the majority of the panel members voted in favor of Hoagland,
several said they disagreed with U.S. policy on the genocide but
recognized the important of having a U.S. envoy in Armenia.
Committee Chairman Senator Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) noted that many
Senators raised concerns about the Administration’s policy and noted
that “Armenia is very important to the U.S.- both culturally and
strategically.”
“The Bush Administration’s policy concerning the Armenian Genocide is
wrong and is untenable,” Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) said in a press
statement. “[However] I believe it is in the best interest of the
U.S.-Armenia relationship to have an effective U.S. Ambassador in
place.”
Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) said that everyone understands that what
happened was a genocide, however noted that the Administration must have
its reasons and that the U.S. needs to have an Ambassador in Armenia.
“Richard Hoagland is well equipped to take on this role of Ambassador to
Armenia and I look forward to supporting him with my vote on the floor
of the Senate,” Senator George Allen (R-VA) told the Assembly. “I’m
confident that once confirmed, this fine University of Virginia graduate
and career diplomat will apply his wealth of knowledge and experience to
encourage stronger ties between Armenia and the United States.”
“We appreciate the remarks of the Senators to squarely affirm the
Armenian Genocide and to urge the Administration to review and rethink
its current policy,” said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “The
historical truth is undeniable and we will continue to pursue universal
and irrevocable affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.”
Hoagland previously told Committee Members that if approved, he will
faithfully represent the President’s policy. The panel twice postponed a
vote on Hoagland. Both Biden and Kerry (D-MA) voiced concerns last
month and delayed consideration until today’s meeting.
Hoagland, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, currently
serves as United States Ambassador to the Republic of Tajikistan.
Previously, he served as Director of the Office of Caucasus and Central
Asian Affairs at the Department of State and as Director of the Office
of Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of South Asian Affairs.
The next step in the confirmation process is consideration by the full
Senate.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#2006-078
How They Voted
YES, 13: Senators Richard E. Lugar (R-IN), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Lincoln
Chafee (R-RI), George Allen (R-VA), George V. Voinovich (R-OH), Lamar
Alexander (R-TN), John E. Sununu (R-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mel
Martinez (R-FL), Joseph Biden, Jr. (D-DE), Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Bill
Nelson (D-FL), Barack Obama (D-IL).
NO, 5: Senators Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Christopher
Dodd (D-CT), John Kerry (D-MA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA).

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
V. REV. FR. SHAHE PANOSSIAN APPOINTED DEAN OF THE SEMINARY
His Holiness Aram I appointed V. Rev. Fr. Shahe Panossian as the new
Dean of the Seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. V. Rev. Fr.
Panossian comes to replace V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, who
occupied the position for one year only according to a decision by
His Holiness Aram I. V. Rev. Fr. Chiftjian will henceforth continue
to serve as the director of the Catholicosate’s Communications
Department. V. Rev. Fr. Shahe is an active member of the Cilician
Brotherhood. During the last 25 years he has occupied several
important administrative and spiritual posts in the Catholicosate,
the “Birds’ Nest” orphanage and in the dioceses of Greece, the
United States and Canada. V. Rev. Fr. Panosssian will dedicate
himself to the difficult task of educating new generations. Rev. Fr.
Sipan Ketchedjian remains the deputy dean of the Seminary while Rev.
Fr. Magar Ashkarian continues to serve as assistant to dean. Taking
into consideration the new challenges facing the new generations,
our nation and Church, the Seminary’s curriculum was recently revised.
## The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two
Catholicosates of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed
information about the Theological Seminary of the Cilician
Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the Catholicosate,
The Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative
center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
&quo t;THE UNITED NATIONS MUST RECAPTURE ITS
ESSENTIAL MISSION”
Said His Holiness ARAM I
His Holiness Aram I has welcomed the removal of the air and sea blockade on
Lebanon imposed by Israel, and he has praised the efforts of the Secretary
General of the UN. He said that in the past “the unilateral decisions of
some states were directed towards discrediting the role of the United
Nations as a model for governance expressed by the general will”, and that
“the removal of the blockade responds to the will of the Lebanese people to
rebuild their economy not only through aid, but primarily through their own
entrepreneurship.” His Holiness went on to say that “it also shows the
commitment of many sovereign states to the democratic values that place the
will of the people at the center of any viable strategy for peace.”
His Holiness Aram I has described the UN as “a concrete model of
multilateralism” and he has stressed the need of “strengthening the UN by
making it more active, effective and credible”.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Habitat For Humanity Armenia
Yerevan Aygestan 8th street, No. 5
Tel: (+374 10) 556 114
Cell (+374 93) 376 980
Email: [email protected]

Habitat for Humanity Armenia Building site
Gavar Armenia, September 8, 2006
The last construction day at Habitat for Humanity Armenia site in
Gavar. The volunteers accomplished the last paintings of floors in
the homes and entrances.
Joining the international and local volunteers was today a team from
Embassy of Lebanon in Armenia led by Ambassador Gabriel Geara and
Honorary Council of Estonia in Armenia Avetik Ghukasyan.
“We joined to this project by the call of Supreme Patriarch the
Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II: Everything is created by the
hard work and today we can see that without a faith the work will
not serve to its goal.” said Honorary Council of Estonia Mr. Ghukasyan.
For all the volunteers, homeowners and guests the day became memorable
around the lunch time when Habitat for Humanity international
volunteers Rena Davis and James Cradler were married by Dr. Bob
Edgar(General Secretary National Council of Churches of Christ of
America) on the Construction site.
The Crescent City, California couple joined a Habitat for Humanity
Global Village team to Armenia Sept. 5-9, for the “Catholicos Karekin
II- Armenian Build on Faith Work Project”. The wedding ceremony was
witnessed by more than 200 Habitat volunteers, families and supporters
among tears, cheers, singing monks, and traditional Armenian wedding
dances. The bride was dressed in a Habitat for Humanity T-shirt,
with an Armenian wedding garland of flowers in her hair. In another
traditional Armenian gesture, the bride and groom tasted a spoonful
of honey, to symbolize the sweetness of their union. The symbolic
marriage certificate, which read “Certificate of Spiritual Union”,
Dr. Bob Edgar says, is “totally illegal in the eyes of both the U.S.,
and Armenian governments, but blessed in the eyes of God!”.
At the end of the day the Ambassador of Lebanon plant one of 37 trees
with the homeowners, symbolizing Armenian Apostolic Church with its
Dioceses and the Holy Chair.
It was the last construction day. On September 9th 24 Armenian
families will get the keys of their new homes, keys of the bright
future for their children, which was created by the help of more than
300 individuals.
Participating in the Armenian Building on Faith 2006 are National
Council of Churches of Christ of America led by the General Secretary
Dr. Bob Edgar, a team of volunteers from the Netherlands, Europe
and Untied States of America as well as joining them a team from UK
Embassy led by Deputy Chief of mission Richard Hyde, a team from
Embassy of Lebanon in Armenia led by Ambassador Gabriel Geara and
Honorary Council of Estonia in Armenia Avetik Ghukasyan, volunteers
from the Armenian Volunteer Corps, Birthright Armenia and World Council
of Churches. Representing Local volunteers are Youth movement from
Dioceses in Armenia and Church dignitary and Armenia Tree project.
On April 20th an agreement between Habitat for Humanity and Armenian
Apostolic Church was assigned. In the frame of this agreement
“Catholicos Karekin II Work Project – Armenian Build on Faith” was
launched. HFH Armenia will build 37 homes in the frame of this project,
symbolizing The Holy See of Mother Etchmiadzin and 36 dioceses of
Armenian Apostolic Church.
In the number of the 37 24 will be located in Gavar. The abandoned
Soviet- Era residential building will be finished by the volunteers
from September 5 to 9 and will get its inhabitants finally.
Habitat for Humanity Armenia supports community development in the
Republic of Armenia by assisting in the construction of simple, decent
and affordable homes. The purpose of the organization is to help
families in need improve their living conditions, to raise funds to
support the vital work, and to give hope to thousands of people across
the country. The organization was formed in March of 2000 and to date
has dedicated 209 homes giving shelter to more than 1000 people.

All Headline News
Sept 7 2006
Senate Approves Bush’s Pick For U.S. Armenia Envoy
September 7, 2006 7:58 p.m. EST
Shaveta Bansal – All Headline News Staff Writer
Washington D.C. (AHN) – The U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations
Committee, on Thursday, in a 13-5 vote approved President George W.
Bush’s choice of the new U.S. ambassador to Armenia, despite strong
objections voiced by several members of the panel. The nomination, if
endorsed by the full Senate, will entitle U.S. Ambassador to
Tajikistan Richard Hoagland to take over from fellow diplomat John
Evans, who had been withdrawn by the administration after he
described Turkey’s 1915-1923 assault on Armenia as genocide.
Some of the committee members said that the nomination of Hoagland
should be rejected to protest the administration decision to recall
John Evans in May after he asserted the killing of 1.5 million
Armenians in Ottoman Turkey as genocide.
The Bush administration has avoided using the term for the massacre
in order not to offend Turkey, which Washington holds up as a model
of democracy among Islamic countries.
“In Darfur we are witnessing the first genocide of the 21st century
and the Bush administration called it that,” said Sen. Barbara Boxer,
a California Democrat. Boxer said she could not support Hoagland
“until we call the first genocide of the 20th century by its rightful
name.”
Committee Chairman Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican, said no one
was questioning Hoagland’s credentials, adding that rejecting a
qualified nominee “because of concerns of U.S. policy toward that
country would set a troubling precedent.”
While Turkey has acknowledged that atrocities were committed, it has
contended that it had no intention to eradicate Armenians so it was
not genocide.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Italy supplants Turkey’s place
Sabah, Turkey
Sept 7 2006
While the debates continue about where in Lebanon Turkish soldiers
would go, Italian soldiers deployed between Sur and Litani, a location
which was demanded by the Turkish government.
The place and the task of Turkish soldiers that would join United
Nations Force in Lebanon became definite: Tukey first wanted the
region between Sur and Litani; however, military discharge decision
was delayed and Italy snatched this region. ‘Turkish city’ will be
established in two towns nearby Sur. The region was chosen because
of the fact that there were no Armenians and Hezbollah members.