THIS YEAR YBC’S GRAPE PURCHASE EXCEED 2005 INDEX BY 5 THOUSAND TONS
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The purchase season will start at
the Armavir branch of the Yerevan Brandy Company (YBC) on September
11. The plant’s director Philippe Tibaut stated at the September 8
press conference that starting September 15, grapes will be purchased
at the Aygavan branch, and starting September 21- at the comany’s
Berd branch. According to him, grapes will be purchased for 130 drams
(about 0.32 USD) a kilogram at the Armavir and Aygavab branches,
and for4 123 drams – in Berd. Those farms, which have cooperated
with the YBC based on long-term agreements and will sell by 50% more
grapes than last year, will get an extra payment of 15 drams per a
kiologram in Armavir and Aygavan, and extra 12 drams per a kiologram
in Berd. It was noted that this year the company invested 1 million
euros in its branches, thanks to which the capacities of raw material
containers were increased by 3.3 thousand hecaliters and new equipment
was installed in the Aygavan and Armavir branches. These investments
will allow the YBC to purchase about 30 thousand tons of grapes from
5.5 thousand farms this year against 25 thousand tons in 2005.
The plant, which was bought by the company Pernod Ricard in 1998,
purchased 15 thousand tons of grapes from 3.5 thousand farms for 80
drams a kilo in 2002, and 15 thousand tons from over 4,000 farms in
2005. During the press conference, the subject of the allegations
made by Aram Sargsian, leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia,
concerning the YBC management was addressed as well. Zara Nazarian,
head of the comapny’s PR and Marketing Unit, noted that A.
Sargsina’s accusations that over 6-7 years, the plant has not operated
at the required capacity are not true. It was noted that this year it
is envisaged to produce the same amount of brandy as last year – 3.5
mln decaliters, 2.5 decaliters of which will be sold in Russia. In the
words of Z. Nazarian, Rospotrebnadzor (Moscow’s Consumer Market Control
Department) has lifted the ban imposed on the operation of the comapny
Pernod Ricard Rus – the distributor of the YBC’s production in Russia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SHAVARSH KOCHARYAN SAYS LEAVING JUSTICE BLOCK IMMORAL
Panorama.am
15:05 08/09/06
Shavarsh Kocharyan, the head of the National Democrats Party who is
also a member of parliament, told reporters today his party “will go
to elections on a separate list.” He did not rule out any cooperation
with other parties, though.
Kocharyan thinks that the society has never been so disappointed and
the opposition so discredit as today in the course of 15 years of
independence. He said the opposition is guilty of concentrating on
the urge of power-change while underscoring its own programs and aims.
Asked if he will follow the example of Viktor Dallakyan and Tatul
Manaseryan and leave Justice Block, the deputy answered, “I do not
take immoral steps.” /Panorama.am/

SHAVARSH KOCHARYAN BELIEVES HE HAS BEST DRAFT ON ELECTION CODE
Panorama.am
15:36 08/09/06
The leader of National Democrats, Shavarsh Kocharyan, claims he
has proposed the best Election Code. He was very amazed when the
opposition supported the coalition draft and was even more amazed
when the opposition stepped back.
Kocharyan believes the authorities will do everything to reproduce
themselves during the upcoming elections.
He hopes that the people, opposition and the international institutions
may overcome that barrier.
The leader of National Democrats has developed a complex program of
election observation costing $4 million. Kocharyan’s fellow Arshak
Sadoyan has also proposed a program that may require $2.5 million
investment. Kocharyan thinks that Sadoyan’s plan is unrealistic since
he believes electronic voting may also be discredited in a country
that has never over passed the threshold of free elections.
In Kocharyan’s words, today criminal elements are taking the lead
being tired of serving the authorities and willing to rule on their
own. Panorama.am/

WHO IS FIGHTING FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL
Lragir.am
08 Sept 06
During their recent scandalous meeting the Council of the Republican
Party decided last week not to interfere with the local election
in Ajapniak. And on September 6 Bargavach Hayastan made a similar
decision. Logically, Ajapniak remains up to the Attorney General.
A question occurs: all this is done for the Attorney General, or the
Attorney General becomes the guard of the community, which has become
an apple of discord. Perhaps both. After the election in the village
of Nalbandyan, Armavir region the Republicans would hardly wish to
taste defeat again. Besides, the Republicans would hardly miss the
chance of conciliating Serge Sargsyan and Aghvan Hovsepyan through the
situation in Ajapniak. For the sake of this they could sacrifice the
reputation of Galust Sahakyan and the strength of the Republican Party.
The question occurs why the factor of the Attorney General is so
important for Serge Sargsyan. Serge Sargsyan relies on the Republican
Party, and the compulsory “Republicanization” may be viewed as the
guarantee of the success of Serge Sargsyan on his way to the post
of president. It seems that having considerable administrative and
financial resources this “political monster” is able to solve even
the most complicated problem. Logically, the policy of enhancing the
unity and increasing the number of members of the political party
should not have an alternative. But in fact the contrary is happening.
The leaders of the political party do not hide this. It means that in
the Republican Party a lot of things are sacrificed in the Republican
Party. First they do not hide the meaning of the strategic alliance
with the Office of the Attorney General. It means that despite the
bombastic statements about the large number of governors, mayors,
heads of village communities, the Republican leaders know their real
potential. They realize that this category of “chiefs”, in fact, has
a political lever only if it works in accord with the law enforcement
agencies. Not a local government leader can be the boss in their
“zone” if it does not appeal to the police and the procuracy. It is
not accidental that after the defeat in the village of Nalbandyan
Galust Sahakyan sighed that those who have the support of the law
enforcement agencies win.
In that case, how will the Republicans win, however? It is clear that
the expansion of the pro-president political party Bargavach Hayastan,
as well as the indistinct attitude of Robert Kocharyan towards the
plans of Serge Sargsyan the hope for the victory is almost null. It
is null because the Republican Party does not control the electoral
committees and the law enforcement agencies. The police and the
procuracy stand aloof from Serge Sargsyan’s plans. And without this
control there cannot be other guarantees of implementation of Serge
Sargsyan’s plans.
The Republicans are starting to understand that they made a bad
mistake – they overestimated the role and importance of the minister
of defense, they got cheated by the stereotype of 1998. They thought
that Serge is Vazgen Manukyan. No, there is nowhere to retreat. And
it is already visible that Serge Sargsyan and Andranik Margaryan have
adopted a policy of making Robert Kocharyan accept their plans. This
is absolutely obvious.
It is obvious, however, that they had thought a wrong thing from the
beginning. They chose the Attorney General as a target. The procuracy,
as a main lever of compulsion, is viewed as a mechanism of influence
both on their own team and President Kocharyan. The choice, as it
appears to be, is a ruse. It is supposed that in case of success
Serge Sargsyan may enhance his position. However, they carefully
hide from the members of their party that their thought is a threat
of complete failure.
As to Aghvan Hovsepyan, we should confess that he is in a complicated
position. For him, it is difficult and dangerous to oppose Serge
Sargsyan; he does not know how the struggle for power in Armenia
will end. However, an alliance is practically impossible. There is
a danger to remain without office, and Aghvan Hovsepyan’s office
is his only political resource. This circumstance is clear to both
the Attorney General and Serge Sargsyan. It means they have to wait
for complicated combinations. And it is already apparent that the
combinations will end badly for our masters of “political cards”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMAN BABAJANYAN WAS SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT
Lragir.am
08 Sept 06
On September 8 the first instance court of Center and Nork Marash
communities sentenced Arman Babajanyan, the editor of the Times
Yerevan to four years of imprisonment for forging documents and
avoiding military service.
Arman Babajanyan confessed that he avoided military service and
regretted. The counsel for prosecution Janna Kotikyan was not present
when the justice Mnatsakan Martirosyan was passing the verdict. She
had demanded 1 year of imprisonment for forging documents and 4 years
for avoiding military service, all in all 4.5 years of imprisonment.
The jugde decided, however, that the accusation that Arman Babajanyan
had stolen document is not grounded, and this charge was dismissed.
And in a way that is clear to the judge only, Arman Babajanyan was
sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment. Arman Babajanyan may go to the
court of appeals within 15 days.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2006
PRELACY SPONSORS 20TH ANNUAL
ST. GREGORY OF DATEV INSTITUTE SUMMER PROGRAM
NEW YORK, NY-“I have attended Datev for the past four summers and I must
confess that it was probably the highlight of each of those summers,” said
Garineh Panosian, a 2006 graduate of the Datev Institute. That is just one
of many observations and personal testimonials that have come forth from
students who have attended the Datev Institute during the past 20 years.
This summer, seventy-one students (between ages 13 to 18) from thirteen
parishes, and ten clergymen, gathered at the St. Mary of Providence Center
in Elverson, Pennsylvania, July 2 to 9, for the 20th annual St. Gregory of
Datev Institute Armenian Christian Studies Program, under the directorship
of His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.
In appreciation of the twenty years of Datev a celebration took place on
Saturday evening July 8, at the Holiday Inn, not far from the St. Mary of
Providence Center where the Datev Institute’s summer program takes place
each year. Attending were current and former Datevatzis. (See details of
this event in separate accompanying story.)
Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) of the
Prelacy, the Datev Institute offers an opportunity for the youth to enrich
their Armenian Christian faith in a wholesome and nurturing environment.
Worship, Christian education and fellowship are the three main components of
the weeklong program, with daily Arevakal (Sunrise) and Husgoom
(Rest/Compline hour) services, six hours of interactive classes, panel
discussions and Bible studies, as well as recreational and communal
activities. In addition, this year a special workshop was conducted for
altar servers.
The Institute is a four-year program (one week each summer) for youth.
Those who complete the four-year program may return for postgraduate
classes. All five levels of study take place concurrently. The overall
curriculum exposes the participants to Armenian Christian essentials, from
Bible and creeds, sacraments and sacred chants, feasts and saints, communal
worship and personal prayer, and ways to live today in faithful obedience to
the mandate of the Gospel of Christ.
The program began on Sunday evening, July 2, with a prayer by His Grace
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, followed by orientation led by Deacon Shant
Kazanjian, director of AREC. After presenting the preliminaries, Dn. Shant
stressed that “Datev is not just another youth program; to be sure, it is a
youth program, but with gospel in it. The Gospel of Christ is the essential
ingredient that makes Datev what it is. This gospel, as proclaimed and
celebrated by the Armenian Apostolic Church throughout the centuries, has
shaped and formed our distinctive Armenian Christian character.”
The Faculty
The roster of instructors this year included Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian,
V. Rev. Fr. Shahe Panossian, V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian, Rev. Fr. Khoren
Habeshian, Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, Rev. Fr.
Sarkis Aktavoukian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Dn. Nishan Baljian, Dn. Arsen
Mekaelian, and Ms. Jeanette Nazarian.
Guest lecturer, Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, Ph.D., Professor of Biblical
Studies and Biblical Languages at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological
Seminary, taught the upper level students a 4-hour mini course on the Letter
of James. Fr. Tarazi also held a three-hour session on the same letter with
the clergy-instructors of the Institute.
20th Anniversary
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Datev Institute, a seminar
entitled, “Youth, Faith and Life” took place on Saturday, July 8, which
attracted over 25 Datevatzis. The seminar was led by Rev. Fr. Antranig
Baljian, pastor of St. Stephen Armenian Church, Watertown, Massachusetts,
and V. Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi.
Hagop Kouyoumdjian served as the honorary chairman of the 20th
anniversary and chairman of the fund raising committee. Mr. Kouyoumdjian and
his wife, Ica, have been supporters of the Prelacy and especially Christian
education for more than two decades. His eagerness to help celebrate twenty
years of Datev provided the inspiration for others to follow and support the
future growth of this program for the youth.
The weeklong program came to a close on Sunday, July 9, with the
celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in
Philadelphia, officiated by the Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, followed by a farewell picnic, graciously provided by Mrs. Asdghig
Kazanjian, the owner of Armenian Delight in Broomall, Pennsylvania. In his
homily, which focused on prayer, His Eminence said, “Praying together is our
Christian obligation and goal. This for us is not negotiable, because it is
the teaching of the Scriptures. When we pray together, we gather in one
place as one body. That coming together in the name of Christ strengthens
our faith and builds us up as a community of faith. As a Datevatzi you have
learned these things, and it is your Armenian Christian duty to go back to
your parish and take an active role in the communal worship there in order
that you may continue to grow in your faith and contribute to the building
up of your parish community.”
Ari Nalbandian, a 2006 graduate offered this inspiring personal
observation of Datev: “I have been attending the Datev Institute since my
first year in 2003, but it was not until my fourth year that I truly began
to understand its purpose. I now realize that it is more than just a “bible
camp” or a religious retreat. The one lecture that truly spoke to me was Der
Antranig’s July 4th lecture about freedom. He explained the concepts of
servitude and freedom in a way that was revolutionary to me, and probably
all the datevatzis in that room. Servitude and obedience to God is true
freedom, the freedom from sin, which I am now trying to apply to my daily
life. Thank you Datev and Der Antranig for giving me a new Christian outlook
on my life.”
And second year student, Arpi Shetilian, had this to say: “I love Datev
more than I could ever imagine. It’s the greatest place to meet the best
people and to make great lifelong friends. Just in these past two years that
I attended Datev, it gave me a whole new perspective about God and
religion.”
Words of Appreciation
A program of this scope is possible only through the collaborative
efforts of AREC and parishes, parents, volunteer workers, and a number of
organizations and individuals. The Institute thanks the instructors for
their labor of love and the parents for entrusting their children to the
Institute for a week of spiritual formation. The Institute would also like
to express its gratitude to the following for their invaluable services as
supervisors and counselors: Dn. Bedros Kalajian, Dn. Dr. Arsen Mekaelian,
Mrs. Lena Aslanian, Ms. Barbara Baljian, Ms. Mary Gulmezian, Mr. James
Haddad, Mr. Arek Hamalian, Ms. Taleen Kupelian, Mr. Nazareth Markarian, Mrs.
Martha Mekaelian, Ms. Martha Mekaelian, Jr., Mr. Mikhail Mekaelian, and Ms.
Jeanette Nazarian. Many thanks to those parishes that subsidized a portion
of the expenses by providing scholarships.
The Institute extends its appreciation to the Pashalian Family Education
Fund for the donation of $2,000. The Institute also thanks the Prelacy
Ladies Guild (PLG) and the National Association of Ladies’ Guilds (NALG) for
their generous support.
Gregor Gregorian, a 2006 Datev graduate, categorized his experience with
these words, “Datev was an amazing experience for me. It helped me to
understand more about the Armenian Church and learn more about the services
and worships such as the Badarak. Another great aspect about Datev is that
it is strict about its educational program.. I have also learned how to
speak more Armenian which is good because I would eventually like to speak
and understand the language fluently. Overall, Datev is a great experience
for anyone who wants to learn more about the Armenian Church, history,
language, and make new or see old friends.”
For more information about the Datev Institute, visit the Prelacy website
at
# # #

DASHNAKS HELD A MEETING
Aravot.am
08 sept 06
Armenian politicized circles discuss two themes todayâ~@~] the growth of
violence and the coming parliamentary elections. It seems, nobody denies the ties
between those two themes. The parliament itself has no authority in Armenia: it
isnâ~@~Yt a legislative body and is nothing as a state institution. In that case
youâ~@~Yll ask why the whole criminal world directly or indirectly participate
in the electoral processes. Just for the above-mentioned reason: legislative
activities and state institutions are as far from them as Schubertâ~@~Ys
symphonies. The only sacred thing for the representatives of our criminal is the
MONEY; they make great efforts to have it more.
As money is the end in this «pre-electoral fight», so money and power must
be the means, and now money and power are accumulated and assigned before â~@~
decisive battlesâ~@~]. As it is known money is used to give electoral bribes, as for
power, it is necessary for administrative levers and own interests. Is it
possible for different â~@~power centersâ~@~] not to have discrepancies, the part of
which can be solved by shoots and blasts? Is it possible for media, which
detects all those mechanisms not to be oppressed?
In time, when «October 27» happened, there were people who were saying that
Karen Demirchian and Vazgen Sargsian wanted to fight against corruption, but
terrorism prevented that fight. I consider such explanation as a «black humorâ~@~]
. The services of those state men towards the Homeland are enormous but why
should we ascribe their intentions, which they have never had to them. Now the
official explanation of Shahen Hovasapian’s murder is that he wanted to
collect taxes fairly but the taxpayers persisted by terrorism. Mr. Hovasapian
also had great merits but that version will lead the investigation by a wrong
direction.
Aram Abrahamian
Armenian politicized circles discuss two themes todayâ~@~] the growth of
violence and the coming parliamentary elections. It seems, nobody denies the ties
between those two themes. The parliament itself has no authority in Armenia: it
isnâ~@~Yt a legislative body and is nothing as a state institution. In that case
youâ~@~Yll ask why the whole criminal world directly or indirectly participate
in the electoral processes. Just for the above-mentioned reason: legislative
activities and state institutions are as far from them as Schubertâ~@~Ys
symphonies. The only sacred thing for the representatives of our criminal is the
MONEY; they make great efforts to have it more.
As money is the end in this «pre-electoral fight», so money and power must
be the means, and now money and power are accumulated and assigned before â~@~
decisive battlesâ~@~]. As it is known money is used to give electoral bribes, as for
power, it is necessary for administrative levers and own interests. Is it
possible for different â~@~power centersâ~@~] not to have discrepancies, the part of
which can be solved by shoots and blasts? Is it possible for media, which
detects all those mechanisms not to be oppressed?
In time, when «October 27» happened, there were people who were saying that
Karen Demirchian and Vazgen Sargsian wanted to fight against corruption, but
terrorism prevented that fight. I consider such explanation as a «black humorâ~@~]
. The services of those state men towards the Homeland are enormous but why
should we ascribe their intentions, which they have never had to them. Now the
official explanation of Shahen Hovasapian’s murder is that he wanted to
collect taxes fairly but the taxpayers persisted by terrorism. Mr. Hovasapian
also had great merits but that version will lead the investigation by a wrong
direction.
Aram Abrahamian
–Boundary_(ID_CC0L+EYV1/XOeBzxdRlYxw) —
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PARLIAMENT OF SPAIN CAN DISCUSS ISSUE OF RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE
MADRID, SEPTEMBER 8, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Representatives
of the Armenian comunity of Spain addressed to deputies from Catalonia
Rosa Bonas and Joan Puigcercos with a call to organize discussions at
the Spanish Parliament on the issue of the Armenian Genocide committed
in the Ottaman Empire in the early 20th century. The deputies presented
a corresponding proposal to the Parliament Committee on Foreign
Affairs and persuaded their colleagues to recognize the Armenian
Genocide as a crime against mankind. Later, Rosa Bonas informed the
Turkish “Anatolia” information agency that they made changes in the
draft resolution, taking out the article in which Ankara is called
to recognize the Armenian Genocide. At the same time, Bonas stated
that she has always had special attitude towards communities small
in number, and she heard about the Armenian Genocide only after the
Spanish Armenians’ letter. Turkish Ambassador Volkan Vular said to
the Foreign Ministry and Parliament of Spain that in the case of
holding the proposed discussions, the Turkish-Spanish relations would
be damaged.

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DISCUSSES CITIZEN COMPLAINTS
Panorama.am
17:57 08/09/06
The Constitutional Court (CC) of Armenia will hold its first session
ever to discuss applications by citizens, CC Staff Head Arushan
Hakobyan, told Panorama.am. The first application was about social
cards for getting pensions or family allowances, he said.
CC will deliberate on the application of Artak Zeinalyan, board
member of Republic Party, on November 14. Zeinalyan disputes part 1,
article 150 of RA Civil Judiciary Code. The Armenian courts refuse
to consider invalid decrees issued by the president of the republic
and the Armenian government based on this provision. Zeinalyan claims
that the provision contradicts article 18 of the Constitution, which
says that every person has the right for effective legal protection.
Up to this date, 328 citizens have applied to CC and 214 of them have
received legal consultations. Some applications were poorly supported
and were returned for additional information. CC has also received
applications from prisoners who wanted to appeal court rulings. The
President of the Republic, Robert Kocharyan, also applied to the CC
to deliberate the compliance of an international treaty with the main
document of the republic.
Physical entities pay AMD 5,000 and legal entities pay AMD 20,000 as
a state due for applying to CC./Panorama.am/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

YOUNG MEN DEPRIVED OF THEIR RIGHT FOR FREE EDUCATION
Panorama.am
17:40 08/09/06
Dozens of young people gathered today at the building of the ministry
of education demanding their right for free education. Young men, who
had served in the Armenian army, were accepted to higher educational
establishment with a privilege of free educational as ex-soldiers of
the country. After studying for one year, they were told that they
have to pay tuition fee like other students. The universities said they
may be exempt from paying the tuition only if they excel in studies.
“I was accepted in the paid system in 2003 but I did not continue
the education thinking that I may be entitled for free education
after serving in the army,” Vahe Asryan says. Vahe did not know that
he may be shifted to the paid system based on his grades after two
semesters. He learned about it only September 1.
Two hundred other similar young men were disappointed in their
aspiration to receive diplomas in different specializations. They have
applied to different state officials but were mostly refused. Many
students say if they have been warned in advance, they would not
apply for higher education. “We could go to universities on paid
system even without serving in the army,” they say.
Groups of young men managed to meet Levon Lazarian, minister of
education, who advised to apply in writing and promised to raise the
issue at the government. /Panorama.am/