CONSTRUCTION OF NORTH-SOUTH HIGHWAY’S DRMBON-MARTAKERT ROAD’S 4,865 KM-LONG SECTOR LAUNCHED
Armenpress
YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS: “Hayastan” Pan-Armenian Foundation has
announced competitions for the implementation of a number of programs
in Armenia and Artsakh.
Particularly, the reconstruction of the Sysian town hospital will be
carried out by “Surham” organization.
The reconstruction works are expected to be finished at the beginning
of the 2007. The program which is financed by the foundation’s French
local body will give an opportunity to ensure relevant conditions
for providing good medical services to the population of the town of
Sysian as well as to the people of the nearby villages.
In the coming days the results of the competition announced for the
reconstruction of Artik hospital will be summed up. The program is
financed by the foundation’s Great Britain’s local body.
Public relations service of the foundation told Armenpress that as
part of Martakert regional development program, the construction
works in Artsakh have already launched. In the town of Martakert the
construction of water pipe line as well as the “North-South” highway’s
Drmbon-Martakert road’s 4,865 km-long sector has already launched.
In August the foundation is going to announce a competition for
carrying out programs on connecting Chldran and Arajadzor villages of
the Martakert region to the gas network. Soon a competition will be
conducted for the construction of North-South highway’s Kichan-Drmbon
sector’s bridge.

CHAIRMAN OF COURT OF CASSATION SAYS JUDGES AND COURTS ARE PROTECTED AND INDEPENDENT
Armenpress
YEREVAN, AUGUST 7, ARMENPRESS: The chairman of the Armenian Court of
Cassation Hovhannes Manukian told today at a press conference that
there is no more protected and independent official in Armenian than
a judge is.
“Today the judges and courts are more independent than ever,” he said
adding that it is nonsense to think that the judicial system depends on
prosecutor’s office or on an executive power. “If a judge has certain
principles, established system of values and finally, he/she is brave
it will be difficult to exert influence on him/her,” Manukian said at
the same time noting that not all the judges have relevant principles.
According to him, there are many gaps in the judicial system and it
is necessary to undertake urgent steps for their elimination.
“The judicial system, state and the public must not tolerate the judges
who do not justify their title. In any case of the violation of the
judge’s ethics the society must respond and apply to the relevant
body,” the chairman of the Court of Cassation said.

ARMENIAN RAILWAYS AMONG DOMINANT ENTITIES
Panorama.am
15:02 07/08/06
State Customs Committee sources say 16471 cars were imported to
Armenia in 2005, 5524 of which by economic entities and 10947 –
by individuals. However, comparative analyses of the information
received from State Customs Committee and the economic entities
indicates that economic entities imported only 552 new foreign cars
to Armenia in 2005.
The Economic Competition Protection State Committee (ECPSC) considered
doubtful these facts thinking that economic entities may have ordered
individuals to import cars for them.
ECPSC has registered Armenia Lada, Karkomavto and the Armenian Railways
among the entities with dominant positions. /Panorama.am/

UNITED ARMENIAN FUND
1101 N. Pacific Avenue # 301
Glendale, CA 91202
Tel: 818.241.8900
Fax: 818.241.6900
For Immediate Release
5 August 2006
UAF’s 139th Airlift Delivers Over $1 Million of Aid to Armenia
Glendale, CA – The United Armenian Fund’s 139th airlift arrived in Yerevan
on August 5, delivering over $1 million of humanitarian assistance.
The UAF itself collected $530,000 of medicines and medical supplies for this
flight, most of which were donated by AmeriCares ($484,000) and Catholic
Medical Mission Board ($46,000).
Other organizations which contributed goods for this airlift were: Nork
Marash Medical Center ($75,000); Armenian American Cultural Association
($67,000); Armenian General Benevolent Union ($63,000) and Centre d’
Assistance Mondiale Armenien de Montreal ($55,000).
Also contributing to this airlift were: Dr. Samuel Malayan ($33,000); Dr.
Stephen Kashian ($27,000); Women’s Guild Central Council ($26,000); Bay Area
Friends of Armenia ($25,000); Armenian American Medical Association of CA
($23,000) and Shushi Music School Society ($22,000).
Since its inception in 1989, the UAF has sent $444 million of humanitarian
assistance to Armenia on board 139 airlifts and 1,341 sea containers.
The UAF is the collective effort of the Armenian Assembly of America, the
Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Missionary Association of
America, the Armenian Relief Society, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America, the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and the
Lincy Foundation.
For more information, contact the UAF office at 1101 North Pacific Avenue,
Suite 301, Glendale, CA 91202 or call (818) 241-8900.

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:
August 7, 2006
___________________
ARCHBISHOP AND AGBU INTERNS DISCUSS ROLE OF FAITH IN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), welcomed 34 young Armenians to the St. Vartan
Cathedral and Diocesan Center in New York City on Thursday, July 13, 2006.
The young students are working in New York City this summer through the
summer internship program operated by the Armenian General Benevolent Union
(AGBU). The interns come from around the globe and work in banks,
government institutions, media, and non-profit organizations.
“I am always pleased to see such energetic, young Armenians,” the Primate
said. “They are skilled and knowledgeable, but, more important, they share
a deep love for their unique Armenian Christian faith.”
After a tour of the St. Vartan Cathedral led by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean
of the Cathedral, the Primate hosted the interns for dinner in the Diocesan
Center.
He welcomed questions from the young Armenians, leading to a frank
discussion of issues ranging from church teachings to the challenges faced
by young Armenian Christians in today’s modern society.
“It is important that we, the clergy of the church, engage our young people
in an open discussion,” he said. “Each year the interns bring up such
interesting questions and topics. I enjoy hearing from them and having them
share their ideas as well.”
The AGBU New York Summer Intern Program (NYSIP) was established in 1987 to
provide professional opportunities for Armenians living in the United States
and abroad. While working in their internships, the AGBU participants also
get involved in the community by visiting the Diocese, local Armenian
schools, and retirement homes.
— 8/7/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, answers questions posed by young Armenians interning in New York
City this summer through the AGBU summer internship program.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): The Primate listens as one of the AGBU interns discusses
her faith and heritage during a dinner at the Diocesan Center in New York
City.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): The Primate and Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of the St.
Vartan Cathedral, with the AGBU interns during their visit to the cathedral
and Diocesan Center on July 13, 2006.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, August 7, 2006
AGBU PLOVDIV ORGANIZES THE GREEN SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP FOR A SECOND
CONSECUTIVE YEAR
From June 19 to 25, 2006, at the Balkan complex in Zdravetz
campground, a picturesque mountainous region near Plovdiv, Bulgaria,
the local AGBU Chapter hosted 26 Armenian youth at the Green School
Summer Camp. Designed for Armenian youth 5 to 12 years of age, the
Green School focuses on various activities aimed at teaching the
Armenian language, while familiarizing the youth with Armenian
Christian traditions.
This year’s enrollment in Green School has grown in response to its
popularity last year. As a result, the camp was able to open
admissions to children from AGBU Plovdiv’s six associated
chapters-Dobrich, Haskovo, Rouse, Silistra, Sliven, and Yambol.
The Green School is a well-equipped facility with all the necessities
for campers to enjoy their stay and learn about their heritage,
including educational activities, language courses, sports and games,
discussions, film and cartoon screenings, music, dancing, and various
indoor and outdoor activities. All camp activities are carried out in
the Armenian language, allowing the children to be fully immersed in
an Armenian environment.
AGBU Plovdiv is dedicated to preserving and promoting the Armenian
heritage and identity through humanitarian, educational and cultural
programs. For more information on AGBU Plovdiv, please email
[email protected] or visit web.hit.bg/agbupl.
For more information on AGBU and its worldwide chapters, please visit

At Mostly Mozart, a Tousle-Haired Newcomer Joins a Returning Hero
By STEVE SMITH
New York Times
August 7, 2006
The notion of viewing Mozart from the vantage point of what followed him –
both in close proximity and at a farther remove – is a central principle of
this year’s Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center. The program presented
by the guest conductor Osmo Vanska and the festival orchestra at Avery
Fisher Hall on Friday evening neatly illustrated the concept, with a major
work by Mozart preceded by a modern homage and followed by a masterpiece by
Beethoven, whose revolutionary gestures were built on Mozart’s foundation.
Mr. Vanska, whose debut in the festival last year was a star-making event,
was greeted as a returning hero. An exacting musician, he quickly revealed a
care for textural balance and a predilection for extremes of dynamics in the
Swiss composer Frank Martin’s `Overture in Homage to Mozart,’ a tart but
genial Neo-Classical curtain-raiser commissioned in 1956 to celebrate the
200th anniversary of Mozart’s birth.
Taking advantage of the improved acoustics of the reconfigured Avery Fisher
Hall, Mr. Vanska established a subdued base-line dynamic. Hushed pianissimos
compelled listeners to lean in close, and accented notes and louder passages
leapt out in striking contrast.
Wielding his baton with an urgent sweep, Mr. Vanska propelled Mozart’s
Symphony No. 35, the `Haffner,’ at a tempo that initially seemed too driven
to sustain. Fine details of articulation were occasionally lost in the
headlong surge of the Allegro con spirito; that the ensemble never lost
cohesion was a testimony to its marked improvement over the last few
seasons.
Violins that were divided left and right on the stage yielded heightened
clarity in the clockwork Andante. Mr. Vanska led a courtly Menuetto free of
expressive quirks, and spurred a breathless Presto finale.
The Armenian violinist Sergey Khachatryan, a 21-year-old past champion of
the Jean Sibelius and Queen Elisabeth competitions, made his New York debut
in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, a work that expanded Mozart’s model of a
virtuoso showcase into a forum for philosophical rumination. Lanky and
tousle-haired, Mr. Khachatryan projected intense concentration in the first
movement, his sweet tone and strikingly introverted phrasing suggesting
vulnerability and internal debate. He shaped his lines fastidiously and
executed them cleanly. Mr. Vanska, departing from his previous metronomic
precision, provided ideally flexible accompaniment.
Clocking in at 26 minutes, the opening movement felt slightly prolonged and
episodic. Still, Mr. Khachatryan’s rapt account of Fritz Kreisler’s cadenza
was quietly dazzling, and his gentle sound against the muted strings of the
Larghetto was bewitching. The orchestra seemed to breathe a collective sigh
of relief when unleashed at last in a buoyant Rondo, which elicited Mr.
Khachatryan’s most effusive playing.
The audience responded with a tumultuous ovation, and Mr. Khachatryan
rewarded those who lingered with the Largo from Bach’s Unaccompanied Sonata
No. 3, broadly spun and richly expressive.

AZERBAIJAN GETS A JUMP ON ITS NEIGHBOURS IN DEVELOPING CASPIAN SEA OIL
BAKU’S OIL BOOM
(August 08, 06)
By SCOTT TAYLOR
BAKU, Azerbaijan– “It’s getting too bloody soft around here for my
liking,” says Terry, a 46-year-old ex-British paratrooper who now runs
a bar in Baku. “It used to be the case that the sight of a foreigner
in Azerbaijan was so rare that the locals would stop and gawk at you
when you walked down the street.”
Missing a front tooth and sporting a shaved head, the barrel-chested
combat veteran would likely still create a stir in most civil
societies. But over the past decade the renewed oil boom has brought
a cast of such characters into this previously isolated former Soviet
republic.
In 1994, the newly independent Azerbaijani government signed a deal
with several Western companies to develop and export the vast, untapped
offshore oil and gas reserves in the Caspian Sea. British Petroleum
is the key player in this region, with established pipelines through
neighbouring Kazakhstan. The experience gained in its North Sea oil
projects has given BP a tremendous advantage in the international
race to develop the Caspian Sea reserves. As a result, Azerbaijan has
kept well ahead of the other four nations who share a border on this
newly discovered wealth.
“The Russians, Iranians, Kazakhs and Turkmens have no idea how much
oil we are already pumping through (BP’s) oil rigs,” said Terry, who
spent 10 years in the region as a BP employee before opening his pub,
the Garage, which caters strictly to foreign oil workers. “Our gap
on the competition in terms of technology would need to be measured
in light-years.”
The outer-space analogy is appropriate, as a patron in the Garage
describes expatriate bars in Baku as being like the intergalactic
nightclub in the Star Wars movies, “only instead of strange individuals
from foreign planets, they are bizarre representatives from across
the globe.”
The original bars and clubs were deliberately rough around the edges
to appeal to the mostly ex-military types who blazed the trail through
this previously non-Westernized territory. For instance, at the Garage
they serve bowls of free hot french fries at the bar instead of the
traditional peanuts (“I’m an Englishman, not a monkey,” says Terry
when asked about this custom). But as the boom in the Azerbaijan
economy — 25 per cent growth last year in GDP alone — spreads into
sectors outside the oil industry, the hospitality business has begun
to cater to a much greater variety of foreign tastes.
“First it was McDonald’s, then a whole bunch of fancy restaurants
and now we’ve even got expensive wine bars,” bemoaned the Garage’s
owner. “Baku will never be the same.”
This recent wave of change will not be the first time outside forces
have left an indelible imprint on Azeri society and culture. As
descendents of central Asian Turkic tribes, the Azeris are essentially
Muslim Turkmen. But in 1920, Russian Bolsheviks occupied the oil-rich
territory of the current Republic of Azerbaijan. The subsequent seven
decades of communism and Russian influence drastically diminished
the Islamic influence in this region.
Throughout my weeklong visit I spotted just one Azeri woman wearing
a traditional hijab; most dressed in Western-style, MTV-inspired
fashions. Although minarets and mosques still dot the cityscape, the
call to prayers is not broadcast over loudspeakers five times a day.
Culturally, the long period of Soviet control has left an ongoing
legacy of authoritarianism. Journalists are still escorted about the
city by official handlers wearing dark suits and driving old black
Volgas, once considered a “Mercedes equivalent” in the Soviet Union.
On the plus side, many of the hosted luncheons were capped off by the
Russian tradition of exchanging elaborate toasts with over-proof vodka
— certainly not something one would expect from a member nation of
the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
The impact of the sudden economic boom in Azerbaijan is illustrated
by the two separate currencies. The worn-out manats are valued at
4,800 US, while the crisp new (Yeni) mantas trade in at about $1.20
US. Of course, with such a tremendous influx of foreigners, a lot of
international currency is also accepted in the marketplace, although
Canadian dollars have yet to be introduced.
“It is regrettable that we have achieved the lowest of co-operation
from Canada among all of the world’s developed nations,” says Novruz
Mammadov, special adviser to the president. “It is frustrating
for us when we see so little interest in something which holds so
much potential.” Canada is alone among the G8 nations to have no
diplomatic representation in Baku, and the nearest consular functions
are conducted either in Ankara, Turkey or Moscow.
“In the 15 years since independence, Canada has sent just two official
delegations to visit our country, one from your foreign ministry in
2005 and some members of Parliament back in 2003,” says Mammadov
The Azeris, on the other hand, maintain a full embassy in Ottawa and
are keen to encourage Canadian trade. After years of Soviet communism
and post-collapse instability, the Azerbaijan infrastructure is in
need of just about every commodity conceivable. Add to this the vast
oil revenues and ongoing development in the region, and the Azeri
government is in a cash-rich position to acquire its needs.
“You have to remember that we are starting from absolute zero —
we need just about everything,” said Mammadov. “There are still
tremendous opportunities for international companies in the energy
field, telecommunications, agriculture, electronics — the list is
endless. And we have the revenue to pay for it.”
One drawback to foreign investment is that in the immediate post-Soviet
climate, corruption was rife. Every level of government — right down
to the policeman on the street — wanted a piece of the huge windfall
that was expected to follow development of the oil fields. But as
the volume of foreign business increases, such practices are being
more seriously challenged.
An ad in a Baku English-language daily newspaper calls upon foreign
corporations to create an investor forum to fight corruption.
It’s not easy doing business in Azerbaijan, reads the headline.
Corruption? Unfair practices? Vague regulations? Unjust courts?
Monopolies? Unseen traps for investors? Together, let’s try to
change things!
Another sign that the flow of new money is having an impact is that
the police are no longer as aggressive in their encounters with
foreign nationals. “One night the local police stopped a BP employee
on his way home from the bar. When he refused to pay them the usual
‘We’ll let you go this time’ bribe, they locked him in jail,” said
Hermann Lehmann, a six-year veteran on the Azerbaijan oil scene.
“The next day, when he informed his bosses at BP, they immediately
demanded justice and heads rolled at the police station. Believe me,
money talks in Baku.”
A reputable free press has yet to be established in Azerbaijan. A
recent report by the international watchdog agency Freedom House
strongly criticized the ruling party (New Azerbaijan Party) for
“eroding democracy” through media controls. The chairman of the
Azerbaijan Press Council, Aflatun Amashov, admits journalism in his
country has no credibility but says the problem is a lack of control.
“There are 3,000 registered newspapers in Azerbaijan, most funded
by various political interests, and there is no control mechanism
to challenge libellous statements,” he said. “Everyone is free to
publish what they want. You can even libel the president without
real fear of recrimination. As a result, the media reports have
become so contradictory and sprinkled with lies that no one knows
what to believe.”
Amashov and his council are lobbying the government for more money
for independent media to diminish their vulnerability to political
pressure. They are also working on initiatives such as freedom of
information legislation to help build a legitimate news media. “These
things will inevitably take some time,” said Amashov. “You cannot
create a climate for a western-style free press overnight.”
Westernizing Azerbaijan seems to be the cornerstone of government
policy. Virtually every official I interviewed proclaimed: “We are
a European nation — our values are oriented toward the West.” Given
the country’s pivotal location in the Caucasus region, this shift in
attitude threatens to alter the international trade balance.
When Alexander the Great conquered Baku in the third century BC, he
proclaimed it to be “the gateway to China” — the vital link between
eastern and western civilizations. In addition to development of
the Caspian Sea oil reserves with western corporations, Azerbaijan
is also the key link in the newly built Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline.
The pipeline is already carrying vast amounts of oil through Georgia
to the Turkish Mediterranean seaport of Ceyhan; within a few months,
it is expected to deliver one million barrels of oil per day.
Tension between the U.S. and Iran also puts the Azeris in a very
delicate situation. In addition to the 8.5 million people living
in the independent Republic of Azerbaijan, about 17 million ethnic
Azeris live within the borders of Iran. This division occurred in 1828,
when Imperialist Russia and Iran divided the territory.
Azeris constitute about one-third of Iran’s population. Although until
recently the nationalist sentiment of Azeri-Iranians has been tempered
by their strict adherence to the Shiite fundamentalist movement,
there are indications that a rift is developing between them and the
Persian majority.
In May, Iranian newspapers published a controversial cartoon that
depicted Azeri-Iranians as cockroaches too dumb to realize what
they were. This prompted several days of violent protests throughout
northern Iran, culminating in a riot in the town of Naghadeh that left
four protesters dead and more than 70 injured. Iranian authorities were
quick to respond by arresting the cartoonist and editor responsible
for the offending graphic, and calls rang out for the impeachment of
the interior minister for the mishandling of the crisis.
Naturally, Tehran blamed the U.S. State Department for trying to ignite
the flames of Azeri nationalism. During the wave of demonstrations,
U.S. agencies and nationalists in Azerbaijan used the Internet
and radio broadcasts to whip up protesters. While the Azerbaijani
government denies that any policy exists to establish stronger links
to Azeri-Iranians, it does recognize there will only be an increase
in such sentiments in the coming years.
“What do you think will happen when Azeri-Iranians look north of
their border and see their brothers enjoying a prosperous democratic
lifestyle with all the western amenities which they are denied?”
asked Samad Seyidov, director of the foreign relations committee to
the European Union.
Another concern for Tehran as the U.S. steps up the sabre-rattling
is the ever-increasing military ties between Azerbaijan and NATO.
Although officially denied, the presence of British and American
forces along the Azerbaijan-Iran border is an open secret throughout
Baku. More openly, the government proudly proclaims its contributions
to the U.S.-led war against terrorism. “We have troops in Iraq,
Afghanistan and Kosovo; furthermore, as a secular Islamic nation
that recognizes and has good relations with the state of Israel,
I believe we are a key ally of the United States,” said Seyidov
How deep that relationship has developed may soon be put to the
test over the unresolved issue of the Armenian occupation of the
Nagorno-Karabakh region, now mainly under Armenian control.
The Azeri-Armenian conflict over Armenian separatist aspirations
in Nagorno-Karabakh dates back more than a century. Although the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe has recommended
that inhabitants of the region, mostly of Armenian descent, be allowed
to vote on their area’s fate, Azerbaijan has said it cannot agree to
the region’s secession.
“With the completion of the B.T.C. pipeline, their increased military
capability and key regional strategic significance, the Azerbaijanis
have certainly increased their bargaining position (with regards
to Nagorno-Karabakh),” said one Baku-based U.S. official. “However,
you have to remember that there are 1.2 million Armenians residing
in America and they are too powerful a lobby to ignore.”
While Armenia cannot keep pace with Azerbaijan’s recent arms build-up,
it can still count on potential political and possible military support
from both Russia and Iran. Armenia’s tactical deterrent to any Azeri
military offensive to retake the occupied territory is the threat
of missile strikes against Azerbaijan’s oil infrastructure. The
new pipeline tops the list of potential targets. For their part,
Azeri military officials are coy about any possible time frame for
an offensive, but they are convinced the disputed territory will one
day be back under their control.
“Sooner or later we will come to terms with the Armenians, given
the steady growth of (Azerbaijan’s) military strength,” said
Maj.-Gen. Ramiz Najafov. “Up until now we have shown patience in our
resolve for a peaceful solution, but our patience is not endless.”
For the foreign ex-pats in Baku, it is apparent that the Azeri
government has very limited options in dealing with this conflict.
“Before he died, the old man (Heydar Aliyev) promised that he would
take (Nagorno-Karabakh) back,” said Terry, the publican. (Aliyev
was the former member of the Soviet politburo who led the country
to independence from the Soviets in 1991.) “Now he is revered as a
virtual saint and as president, his son (Ilham Aliyev) has inherited
that legacy. It’s not a matter of ‘if,’ but rather when they try to
settle this again.”
In the meantime, the oil continues to flow, the revenue pours in and
Azerbaijan sits at the vortex of what is a potential perfect storm
of geopolitical, cultural and strategic interests.
staylor
Scott Taylor is a columnist for The Chronicle Herald and
editor-in-chief of the military affairs magazine Esprit de Corps.
Second of a two-part series by The Chronicle Herald’s military
affairs columnist.

California Courier Online, August 10, 2006
1 – Commentary
It’s not the Power of the Lobby,
But Righteousness of its Cause
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – Hrand and Manoushak Simonian
Literary Fund Awards Prize to Writers
3 – ‘Little Armenia’ Premieres
At Fountain Theatre, Aug. 11
4- USC Institute of Armenian Studies,
ArmenBar Present Judges Forum, Aug. 11
5 – ADAA Hosts Hollywood Luncheon
For Director/Actor Simon Abkarian
6 – Levik Abramians Named LACC’s
New Women’s Volleyball Coach
7 – AuthorHouse Releases Boghos
Kupelian’s ‘African Symphony’
8 – 500 People Walk in ABMDR
First Annual ‘Walk of Life’
******************************************** ******************************
1 – Commentary
It’s not the Power of the Lobby,
But Righteousness of its Cause
Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
In recent years, as Armenian Americans have been getting better organized in
carrying ut their political objectives, there has been repeated talk about
“the powerful Armenian obby.” The most recent example is Julie Corwin’s report
on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on August 2, titled: “Confirmation Row
Shows Power of Diaspora Lobbies.”
The analyst for RFE/RL expresses her surprise that a large number of
Senators, Republicans and Democrats, challenged the Bush administration’s refusal to
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, during the confirmation hearing of
Ambassador-Designate Richard Hoagland. The current U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John
Evans, is being dismissed for speaking publicly and truthfully about the
Armenian Genocide. On August 1, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee postponed, for
the second time, Amb. Hoagland’s confirmation.
Corwin wrote: “The prominence of the issue is due in large part to the
efforts of two powerful lobbying groups “the Armenian National Committee ofAmerica
(ANCA), and the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA). There are lobbying groups
representing the concerns of nearly every diaspora community in the United
States. The Armenian lobby is one of the most successful.”
Another interesting article about the Armenian lobby, written by Heather S.
Gregg, a doctoral candidate in the MIT Political Science Department, has been
published a number of times in different versions and lengths (from 6 to 30
pages) over the past five years. The article is titled: “Divided They Conquer:
The Success of Armenian Ethnic Lobbies in the U.S.” Various Turkish
publications and websites have featured this article to explain why the Armenian lobby is
“so powerful.”
Gregg writes: “Within the last decade, Armenian lobby groups in the United
States have achieved considerable success in gaining political and material
support from Congress, the White House and other federal bodies.” She explains
this success by “the intense lobbying efforts of Armenian-Americans in the United
States. The lobbying success of this small ethnic minority is largely the
result of two factors. First, an inter-community rivalry within the
Armenian-American population represented by two lobby groups in Washington,the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) and the Armenian Assembly of America (the
Assembly), has led to hyper-mobilization of this ethnic group’s resources.
Second, the Armenians have formed key alliances in Washington including members of
Congress, other lobby groups and organizations, and the bipartisan
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues in the House of Representatives, which have
rallied behind Armenian policy objectives. Together, hyper-mobilization and
alliance building have allowed the Armenians considerable success in achieving
specific policy objectives.”
Why is there such a fascination, to the point of obsession, with the
Armenian lobby? Why Turkish and Azeri publications and officials make frequent
references to the “powerful Armenian lobby?” There are three possible reasons as to
why Turkish and Azeri officials, political organizations and media outlets are
interested in presenting the Armenian lobby as being all too powerful:
1) To help rally domestic and international support to their side;
2) To create sympathy among their supporters for having to face such a
“powerful enemy;”
3) To cover up their errors and incompetence after losing a particular
political battle.
One must not exclude the possibility that all those who are lobbying on
behalf of Turkey and Azerbaijan, be they U.S. lobbying firms, Jewish organizations
or Israeli government officials, are intentionally exaggerating the power of
the Armenian-American community in order to exact a higher price from Ankara
and Baku for their artificially inflated services.
It is simply amazing that a powerful country like Turkey and oil rich
Azerbaijan, with their political clout, financial resources, lobbying firmsin
Washington, D.C., and the support of the highest officials of the Bush
administration, are complaining about the political activities of the tiny
Armenian-American community. Turkish and Azeri officials along with their U.S. cohorts, on a
regular basis, pressure, censure and threaten, anyone around the world who
dares to support an Armenian issue. And yet, they are the ones crying “wolf!”
While it is true that the Armenian American community has become politically
more active and effective in recent years, the fact remains that no matter
how many millions do the Turks and Azeris spend, they cannot whitewash their
lies and present them as the truth. They are simply wrong on the issues.
What empowers the Armenian lobby is the righteousness of its cause!
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2 – Hrand and Manoushak Simonian
Literary Fund Awards Prize to Writers
YEREVAN – Levon Ananian, president of the Armenian Writers’ Union of Armenia,
announced the winners of the Hrand and Manoushak Simonian Literary Fund,
which annually rewards writers in the Republic of Armenia for their excellence in
literature.
Ardashes Aram was awarded first prize for poetry with his piece entitle
“Nairyan Kronigon.” Raphael Nahabedian won for his prose “Rise of Darkness.”
Recognition for outstanding achivement in journalism was given to Eknad Mamian,
Grigor Janigian and Samvel Garabedian, who compiled his “Armenian America” book
written entirely in the Armenian language.
“Well known writer and dedicated public servant Hrand Simonian’s genuine
interest in advancing Armenian literature and culture is highly appreciatedby
Armenians in Armenia and in the Diaspora, said Mr. Ananian.
The award recipients also had their speeches aired on Armenian television.
The literary fund is awarded annually in the month of April.
Hrand Simonian, of Hollywood California, is a columnist and community
leader. He was born in Aleppo, Syria, and immigrated to the United States with his
wife Manoushak in 1952. He was a successful businessman prior to retiring in
1974 to pursue his interest in journalism. He was the founding editor of Nor
Gyank and USA Armenian Life weekly newspapers, and has a weekly column in USA
Armenian Life, commenting on issues of interest to the Armenian Community.
Manoushak Simonian is also a community leader and former President of the
USC Friends of Armenian Music. The couple is dedicated to promoting excellence
in the field of literature which lead to the formation of the fund.
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3 – ‘Little Armenia’ Premieres
At Fountain Theatre, Aug. 11
LOS ANGELES – “Little Armenia,” an original play based on the real life
stories of three generations of Armenian Americans in Los Angeles, will have its
World Premiere production at the Fountain Theatre, Hollywood, opening August 11
at 8 pm (running through September 3). Previews begin August 4.
Commissioned by The Fountain Theatre and directed by Armina LaManna, “Little
Armenia” was created by a trio of award-winning playwrights, Lory Bedikian,
Aram Kouyoumdjian and Shahe Mankerian. Based on their extensive research and
personal interviews with the citizens of Little Armenia over a period of one
year, the play focuses on three different age groups: teenagers, middle-aged
working families, and seniors – all of whom struggle to stay connected to their
cultural roots as they try to assimilate into contemporary American society.
Their stories capture the spirit, conflicts, music, language and day-to-daylives
of one of Los Angeles’ most unique communities.
Stephen Sachs, co-artistic director of the Fountain Theatre, assisted in the
development of the play. As he explains: “for decades this neighborhood
(District 13) was the target point, the ‘Ellis Island’ for Armenians who first
arrived in Los Angeles. By the year 2000, the L.A. City Council, led by Jackie
Goldberg, officially designated the area as Little Armenia. There are now over
500,000 Armenians living in the L.A. area.”
“Little Armenia” is produced by Deborah Lawlor and Armina LaManna. The cast
features: Ludwig Manukian, Karine Chakarian, Jack Kandel, Anoush Nevart, Maro
Ajemian, Salem Michael, Johnny Glacalone, R.B. Dllanchian, Jade Hykush and
Hunter Lee Hughes. The design team includes: Scott Siedman (set design),
Henrik Mansourian (lighting design), Laura King (costumes), Shahen Hakobian(sound
design), Goar Galstyan (props) and Yvette Khalafian (Photography/Graphics).
Lory Bedikian received her BA in English (with emphasis in Creative Writing
and Poetry) from UCLA. Her poetry has been published and has won many awards.
For the stage, she has written and performed her own solo works and was
awarded the Mercedes Ashjian Award for “Most Promising in Drama” from the Armenian
Allied Arts Association. Her play, Yatuh Dasuh Gantsnee, was performed at the
Fountain Theatre, produced by the AGBU Ardavazt Theatre Group.
Aram Kouyoumdjian grew up in Little Armenia. He co-founded the Vista Players
in Sacramento in 1999 where he served as Artistic Director. His play, The
Farewells, was honored with the Elly Award for Best Original Script by the
Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance. His solo piece, Protest, and his newest
play, The Delicate Lines, are being performed in Sacramento, San Francisco
and Los Angeles.
Shahe Mankerian won the 1999 Henry Coulette Memorial Award from the Academy
of American Poets. In 2003 he won both the Erika Mumford Prize and Daniel
Varoujan Award from the New England Poetry Club. His play, Teenage Wasteland, was
presented by AGBU in 2004; his new play, Vort (Worm), was recently staged in
Los Angeles and his poetry was recently honored with a Pushcart Prize
nomination.
The performance schedule: Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 2pm.
Tickets are $25-$28. Reservations: (323) 663-1525. The Fountain Theatre is
located at 5060 Fountain Avenue, Hollywood (near corner of Normandie Ave.)
Secure, low-cost parking is adjacent to the theatre. Website:
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4 -. USC Institute of Armenian Studies,
ArmenBar Present Judges Forum, Aug. 11
LOS ANGELES – The USC Institute of Armenian Studies and the Armenian Bar
Association will present an Armenian-American Federal Judges’ Forum, Aug. 13 at
USC’s Davidson Center’s Embassy Room, from 2 to 4 p.m.
The three federal judges of Armenian descent participating in this highly
engaging event are Dickran Tevrizian, U.S. District Court, Central District of
California; Samuel Der Yeghiayan, U.S. District Court, Northern District of
Illinois; and Jacqueline Chooljian, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Central District of
California.
This unprecedented event will cover questions of law and opportunities in the
legal profession; a day in a federal judge’s life; and legal issues facing
the Armenian community, such as immigration, organized crime, gangs, social
security, retirement, housing, health care, and elder abuse.
This is a rare opportunity for Armenian-Americans to meet these jurists who
occupy leading positions in the judicial profession.
This event is open to the public free of charge.
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5 – ADAA Hosts Hollywood Luncheon
For Director/Actor Simon Abkarian
LOS ANGELES – The newly formed Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance (ADAA) hosted
a July 24 luncheon in honor of French Armenian actor/director Simon Abkarian
who was in town to direct Love’s Labor’s Lost, a Shakespeare play for the
Actor’s Gang Theater of Los Angeles.
The play which has been receiving rave reviews, can be seen at the Ivy
Substation in Culver City where it will run through September, 2006. It also
features the wonderful music of composer and musician, Ara Dabandjian.
Abkarian, who has had a distinguished film career, most recently was in the
Bahamas filming for the new James Bond film “Casino Royale” due out in November
this year.
The luncheon was attended by various Hollywood professionals as well as a
host of ADAA advisory board members including screenwriter Jose Rivera, artist
Vahe Berberian and journalist Joan Agajanian Quinn.
Some new faces amongst the group were FOX TV correspondent, Anita Vogel,
documentary film-maker Carla Garapedian and award wining producer and casting
director, Valerie McCaffrey.
During the course of the meal, board of directors members Karen Kondazian and
Bianca Bagatourian led a discussion regarding the goals and growth of the
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance whose aim is to project the Armenian voice
through the arts of stage and screen. Various artists also had a chance to talk
about their particular needs and how ADAA could serve them best.
Through many such events and discussions, this new non-profit organization
hopes to establish specific channels through which to help Armenian artists
prosper in the dramatic performing arts fields. More information and photoscan be
viewed at their website at: or write to
[email protected]
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6 – Levik Abramians Named LACC’s
New Women’s Volleyball Coach
LOS ANGELES – Levik Abramians, the new women’s volleyball coach at LA City
College, said he’s confident that his team will be a competitive one. “I’ma
positive person,” he said. “I love to win. And I plan to use all the training
techniques I’ve learned in the past to effectively coach the team.” For the
past six years he’s served as volleyball coach at local middle and high
schools, and at the club level. He was recently named to his LACC post.
He currently serves as coach at Pilibos Armenian School located in Hollywood
where he led the boys’ varsity volleyball team to win valley league
championships two years in a row (’05, ’06) with an 8-0 record this year and 7-1 last
year. He also coaches the girls’ varsity team as well as the boys’ and girls’
middle school teams.
In addition, he was head coach of the JV women’s team for three seasons at
Hoover High School in Glendale, the coach for the Soph-Frosh team for one year,
and was the assistant for the varsity team.
For the past seven years he played volleyball for Homenetmen Ararat, an
organization in Glendale which provides athletic, cultural, and educational
programs for Armenian-American youth.
A resident of Eagle Rock, Abramians was born in Iran of Armenian descent, and
has been a resident of the United States for 18 years. He attended Hoover
High in Glendale and received his associate in arts from LA City College.
He
plans to continue his education at Cal State LA in order to pursue a careeras
kinesiologist and get his teaching credential.
The women’s volleyball program at LACC will start August 15 and the first
game will be played Sept. 29. Home games will be played in LACC’s “women’s gym”
on the 900 block of N. Heliotrope Ave.
Coach Abramians reports that he has already recruited 12 players for the
team. “There’s a saying,” he said. “You’re only as good as your weakest player.
So that means that everyone on the team needs to be strong player and I have
to build the confidence of each and every player.”
LACC is part of the South Coast Conference which includes teams from
Cerritos, Long Beach, East LA, Pasadena, Mt. SAC and El Camino community colleges.
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7 – AuthorHouse Releases Boghos
Kupelian’s ‘African Symphony’
MONTROSE, Calif. – Raymond Boghos Kupelian is an adopted child of Africa. A
native Armenian, his 20-year sojourn there cultivated his attraction to the
landscape and its people. His acclaimed works about the tragedy of Africa and the
plight of the natives were first published in Armenian, and one of his vivid
collections of short stories, African Symphony (now available through
AuthorHouse), is now available in English.
“At the age of 23, I set my feet on the African continent and was overwhelmed
by the colorfulness of its daily life, the breathtaking beauty of its nature,
the secrecy hidden behind the thickness of its forest and, especially, the
universally extended boundary of poverty and hunger,” Kupelian writes.
In this collection, which includes his captivating art pieces of African
scenes and people, Kupelian captures the heartbeat of the modern realities of
Africa. With poignant descriptions and sensual tones, his stories are vibrant and
emotionally affecting.
Ishkhan Jimbashian, an author and literary critic, describes the stories:
“Kupelian’s heroes represent the spectrum of West African society: from thesand
boys and domestic helpers to the president of the republic and civil servants,
from the underage murderer and illicit diamond dealer to the primeval
fisherman, the sophisticated scholar of ancient Greek and golf club guru, these are
the characters that allow Kupelian to depict the daily struggles, but also the
complex interracial relations, prejudices and hatred that suffuse the
continent.”
In these vivid portrayals of anguish and hope, the author writes that his
more than 40 years of writing about Africa has an important purpose. “=80¦I came to
the conclusion that my writing experience was a journey undertaken with a
mission to discover and tell the truth, to try to put an end to the suffering of
millions of unfortunate people who are created in the image of Almighty God.
If, by some chance, through my writings, I succeed in bringing even a little
relief to the underprivileged people of the world, in order to stop man’s
inhumanity to man, and provided some pleasure of reading to others, I will consider
myself rewarded.”
Kupelian has written more than 10 books. African Symphony is the second of
his publications, and its stories were written in the 1970s. He currently lives
in Montrose, California.
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8 – 500 People Walk in ABMDR
First Annual ‘Walk of Life’
LOS ANGELES – Armenians and non-Armenians alike rallied together on July 29
in the First Annual 5k/10k Walk/Run around the Pasadena Rose Bowl to help
raise awareness in support of further expanding the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor
Registry’s (ABMDR) critical life-saving mission to recruit more Armenian bone
marrow donors. In addition to raising needed funds and awareness through the
Walk of Life, 100 new donors signed up.
“We are thrilled with the spirit of giving and life expressed through the
overwhelming participation in our first annual ‘Walk of Life’,” said Frieda
Jordan, PhD, President of the ABMDR based in Los Angeles. “We are also greatly
appreciative of all our sponsors and the organizational and individual support
that made the first Walk a resounding success and will enhance our ability to
fulfill our life-saving mission.” Corporate sponsors included Glendale Memorial
Hospital, St. Josephs Hospital, Closet World, Next Day Color Printing,
Glendale Water and Power, City of Los Angeles and GNC.
A key method of treating leukemia patients or people with other
life-threatening blood diseases is through bone marrow/stem cell transplants. In order to
treat Armenian patients, bone marrow transplants require compatible tissue
types that match the genetic makeup of the patient which is most likely to come
from other Armenian donors. There are currently 630 patients throughout the
Diaspora and Armenia who are desperately waiting to find a matching donor to
help save their lives. On average, it takes 200 donors to find a precise match
for one patient. The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry has a goal of
increasing their registry from its current 11,000 donors to 126,000 to meetthe
critical need. The ABMDR partners closely with Glendale Memorial Hospital and St.
Josephs Hospital in addition to being a member of global organizations such
as the World Marrow Donor Association and World Marrow Donor Worldwide
“By simply walking today, you are helping save a life” said Steve Artinian,
chairman of the Walk of Life organizing committee. “With this Walk we hope
you will spread the message that by taking the simple step of signing up with
the registry every Armenian can give the most precious gift of a second chance
to another fellow Armenian who is fighting for their life against these
destructive diseases.” Special guests included Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America,Very
Rev. Father Dajad Yardemian, representative of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church of North America, Dr. Sevak Avagyan, Executive Director ofABMDR
in Armenia and Varant Melkonian, CEO of Closet World and treasurer of the
ABMDR. There also was entertainment at the end of the Walk welcoming participants
at the finish line including the band Element and singer Mariette Soujian.
“The Walk of Life is a huge success today because of all the hard work and
dedication of our volunteers,” said master of ceremonies and director of
operations for the Walk, Taleen Khatchadourian at the post-Walk event. “If we join
together like this for our common mission we can make a big difference in the
lives of Armenian patients in need.”
During the short program after the Walk, the family of Biurad Moghadasian,
who is an eight-year old Armenian patient currently at Los Angeles’ Children’s
Hospital being treated for leukemia, approached organizers to stress the
urgency of the ABMDR’s mission using their son’s plight as an example. Thefamily
made a plea to all present to recruit additional bone marrow donors which is
the only way her son and others like him will have a chance at beating the
disease. Biurad is currently looking for a matching donor to help save hislife.
The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry encourages all Armenians to call and
join the registry with the hope of saving another life. The registration
process is very simple and non-intrusive and only takes a few minutes. ABMDR is
a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization and welcomes tax-deductible donations.
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Institute for War & Peace Reporting
Caucasus Reporting Service
Caucasus home

Armenian Government Takes On Gold Company
An American mining group accuses the Armenian government of trying to
expropriate its assets.
By Susanna Petrosian in Yerevan (CRS No. 350, 27-July-06)
Armenia’s environment ministry is trying to revoke the license of an
American gold company in a dispute that puts investors’ rights under the
spotlight.
Connecticut-based Global Gold Corporation, GGC,is contracted along with
the Australian company Iberian Resources to mine gold, silver and zinc
in the Marjan district of southern Armenia until the end of 2007.
Now the ministry is claiming it has lost its right to do so ` though GGC
continues its exploratory work, saying it has the law on its side.
Some say Armenia wants to take back the mine in order to then sell it
off to a Russian group. Russia is by far the biggest investor in Armenia
with investments worth 400 million US dollars.
The government, however, insists GGC has lost its license because it has
failed to meet its obligations.
`The ministry gave the license and it can take it away,’ said Grant
Avetisian, who heads the department for protecting underground resources
at the environment ministry. He declined to say whether the ministry was
planning to go to court to enforce its claim against GGC.
`GGC carried out only five per cent of the work,’ added environment
minister Vardan Aivazian. `They did not fulfil their duties as
investors. As they cannot work legally, they should go and someone else
should replace them.’
But GGC’s regional director Ashot Boghosian told IWPR that the company
had only just begun work in the mines and there was no legal basis for
stopping them continuing.
Boghosian says that by law his company’s right to do exploratory work
can be suspended only by a court, and that the company must be informed
of the allegations levelled against it 90 days before the court hearing.
Gagik Adibekian, head of the department that deals with agreements and
contracts at Armenia’s trade ministry, confirmed that a court order was
needed for a company to lose its license.
`We did not receive any warning, and we don’t know what infringement we
have committed,’ said Boghosian.
`If the ministry tries to deprive us of our licenses and to give them to
another organisation, the best definition of this action will be
expropriation,’ said Boghosian. `I don’t think this is the situation,
and I hope that GGC’s investments will not be expropriated, as that is a
serious responsibility.’
Van Krikorian, president and chief adviser to the company, told IWPR,
`The decision to strip us of our license is illegal.’
GGC has a number of projects throughout Armenia and says it will invest
almost 10 million dollars in the country by the end of this year. It
says it is spending 1.2 million dollars on its exploratory work in the
Marjan mine, which contains an estimated 17.8 tonnes of precious metals.
Around 400 people are employed on the project. Ashot Saakian, head of
administration of the nearby village of Arevis, told IWPR that locals
are pinning their hopes on the mining project and on GGC restoring
outdated infrastructure.
The company has won the support of economist and opposition
parliamentary deputy Tatul Manaserian, who said revoking the company’s
license without proper justification could hurt Armenian-American
relations.
`Statements like this made against GGC will make the investment climate
unpredictable in the future, and this lack of clarity is the most
serious threat for business in terms of instability,’ said Manaserian.
However, the ministry is not backing down. It says not only has GGC has
lost its license, but that it may soon announce the name of the new
company contracted to work in the mines.
A source in government told IWPR on condition of anonymity that a
Russian investor was interested in acquiring the Marjan mine.
Under a `debt-for-assets’ deal, Russian companies now control almost the
entire energy network of Armenia and have expressed an interest in
acquiring the telephone network.
Some experts see this is an economic takeover that undermines Armenia’s
sovereignty, although trade minister Karen Chshmaritian says there is
nothing to be worried about.
`All of these processes, including the energy sector, are under our full
control,’ said the minister.
Critics are not convinced, seeing the travails of GGC as a symptom of a
wider phenomenon.
`Today Armenia’s attitude to investors is defined by its foreign policy,
which is basically focused on Russia,’ said Stepan Grigorian, head of
the Analytical Centre on Globalisation and Regional Cooperation in
Yerevan.
`Russia thinks it is not enough to keep its influence over Armenia
through the military sector alone, and is now using economics as well.’
Susanna Petrosian is a journalist with the Noyan Tapan news agency in
Yerevan.
From: Baghdasarian