ARMENIAN SOLIDARITY
contact: name: Eilian Williams
c/p The Temple of Peace, Cathays Park
Cardiff, Wales
Tel: 07876561398
Email: [email protected]
ARMENIA SOLIDARITY at the fringe of the Labour Conference, Manchester, England
(an offshoot of Wales-Armenia Solidarity c/o The Temple of Peace, Cardiff)
“Is it any wonder that the people of Darfur again face the prospect of
genocide, when the UK and US governments deny the truth of the first
genocide of the twenteeth century, namely the genocide of the Armenians?
Is it surprising that the world is today plagued by terrorrism, when the
British and American governments persist in denying the truth of the
Holocaust of the Armenians, the first example of state terrorism of the
twenteeth century?”
These questions will be raised by “Armenia Solidarity” at the Labour
Conference in Manchester. Encouraged by the overwhelming support given
by Welsh Labour MPs to the recent EDM in the Commons(1454, tabled by
Stephen Pound ) on the Assyrian and Armenian Genocides (in opposition to
government policy), campaigners for the genocide to be recognised
officially by the UK parliament see a window of opportunity in the next
few months for a motion in the Commons on Recognition to go forward for
an unprecendated vote.The loyal supporters of recognition who sign EDMs
annually on the issue are predominantly from the Left of the Party, but
campaigners hope to broaden support by means of three fringe meetings(
at the Armenian Taverna, Princess St (on Albert Sq). on sunday, the 24th
. and on tuesday , as well as on monday at Brannigans Pub, Peter St(all
meetings to start at 6.00 p.m.,)
“We know we shall be competing against fringe meetings on many other
pressing issues, but I hope people will realise that the Armenians have
been waiting for justice for 91 years. Also it is important to grasp
that it is the depth of the injustice, not the strength of the lobby
which should move governments to act.”said a spokeman.
The spokesman continued:.. : “The plain truth is that Turkey’s
present borders are based on the Genocide of her Armenian population.The
government denies this, and Minister at the Foreign Office Geoff Hoon
recently went as far as to deceive the Commons by implying that the
government had taken the advice of historians in deciding there was not
enough evidence for the Armenian Genocide. We know this to be a
mischevious deception as there are no reputable historians in the UK who
deny the truth of the Armenian Genocide”
.The Iran president’s Holocaust revisionism has now been matched by
a more callous genocide denial by the UK government.
Their position that there was no genocide in 1915 because Turkey is
today(as in the past) a strategic ally of the UK is not tenable.This
last denial is the fourth major betrayal of Armenia by Britain. The
first three were as follows:
1 British foreign policy in the nineteenth century of diminishing
Russian influence in the region (for Britain’s imperial self-interest)
led to the Armenians being exposed to the terrible massacres of 1894-96,
and ultimately the genocide of 1915..
2 To gain support for the war effort, Lloyd George in 1916 promised
that Armenia would never again have to suffer Turkish rule. This was
again a vain promise as the Turkish army was not disarmed in 1918, and
Britain refused to take up the mandate for an independent Armenia
following the treaty of Sevres.
3 At the end of the second world war, Britain opposed the return of land
to Armenia from Turkey, on the basis that ” There is no longer a
nationality problem in the region ” (Bevin in the Commons in 1946.) ie
The success of the genocide had, in the eyes of the British government,
entitled Turkey to keep the entirety of Western Armenia. This logic has
certainly encouraged many tyrants in the post-war era.
Contact Armenia-Solidarity: 07876561398 [email protected]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

September 14, 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: <; SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS SEMINAR On Saturday, September 9, 2006, a seminar was held for Western Prelacy Sunday School teachers in preparation for the 2006-2007 academic year. The seminar, held under the auspices of and presided by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and organized by the Prelacy Christian Education Department, took place at St. Mary's Church in Glendale from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Christian Education Department Directors Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian and Barthev Gulumian participated in the seminar along with pastors and Sunday School directors and teachers. Following opening prayer and the singing of the Sunday School hymn, welcoming remarks were made by Mr. Hagop Chaghasspanian, Chairman of the Sunday School Central Council. The seminar was comprised of four sessions: (1) Presentation of projects and activities related to the feasts of each Sunday during the academic year. (2) Presentation of topics to be taught in September and October (prayers, psalms, hymns, feasts). (3) Instruction of special hymns relating to the Feasts of the Exaltation of the Cross and of the Holy Translators, which occur in September and October respectively. (4) Video presentation of stories and events of the Bible. A question and answer session followed each presentation. The Prelate commended the seminar, which gave participants the opportunity to voice concerns and plan future projects. Speaking of the endeavors of the Christian Education Department serving under the Prelacy, the Prelate reminded the teachers that new teaching aids would soon be released, including illustrations of Biblical stories and events, a monthly curriculum, and a CD of songs and hymns. The seminar concluded with the Sunday School hymn and prayer. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

September 14, 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: <; PRELATE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE THIRD ARMENIA-DIASPORA CONFERENCE Upon official invitations extended to him, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will depart for Armenia on Sunday, September 17, 2006, to join the entourage of His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia at the third Armenia-Diaspora Conference. The main topics of discussion at this year's conference will be the development of cooperation between Armenia and the Diaspora and rural development in Armenia. Alongside the three-day forum, the Prelate will accompany His Holiness on his travels and meetings at Etchmiadzin and elsewhere. His Eminence will also participate in celebrations and events dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the declaration of independent Armenia. DIVAN WESTERN PRELACY

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
September 14, 2006
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL ATTEND ARMENIA-DIASPORA CONFERENCE; PRESIDE AT THE
DEDICATION OF NEW OFFICES
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan will attend the third Armenia-Diaspora
conference in Armenia as part of the official delegation representing the
Holy See of Cilicia. The conference will begin on Monday, September 18 and
continue to September 20. The first such conference took place in September
1999 and the second in May 2002.
On the evening of Tuesday, September 19, His Eminence will preside over
the official opening of the new offices of the St. Nerses the Great
Charitable and Social Organization, which oversees the Eastern Prelacy’s
charitable work in Armenia and Artsakh. The new office will be named “The
Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian Center,” in honor of the late Prelate who
established and named the agency in 1993.
VICAR GENERAL WILL TRAVEL TO SPRINGFIELD
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, the Vicar General, will travel to
Springfield/Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, this weekend where on Sunday he
will officiate over the Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory Church.
BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN ATTENDS ANNIVERSARY OF
MALANKARA ORTHODOX CHURCH
Bishop Anoushavan represented Archbishop Oshagan at the 25th anniversary
of St. Mary Malankara Orthodox Church, on Saturday, September 9. The
Malankara Orthodox Church is one of five churches in the Oriental Orthodox
family, which includes the Armenian Church.
BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN ATTENDS ECUMENICAL SERVICE
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy and Ecumenical
Officer on behalf of the Holy See of Cilicia in the United States, attended
an ecumenical service on the occasion of the opening of the 61st session of
the United Nations General Assembly. The service took place at the Holy
Family Catholic Church in New York City, on Monday evening, September 11 and
was hosted by the Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio to the United Nations. U.N.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan spoke.
EPISCOPAL CONSECRATION OF BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN
WILL BE CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 1
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the celebration in honor of the
recent Episcopal consecration of Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian. A
community-wide banquet will take place on Sunday, October 1 at 3 pm at the
Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, New York. In the morning, Bishop
Anoushavan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York, a parish he served for more than a decade. Bishop
Anoushavan’s elevation and consecration took place on June 4, in ceremonies
officiated by Catholicos Aram I in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the
Illuminator in Antelias, Lebanon.
NEW SERIES OF BIBLE STUDY AT PRELACY
An eight-session course on the “Letter to the Hebrews” will start on
Monday, October 2, at the Prelacy from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm, and will continue
to be held on the first and third Mondays of the month. Sponsored by the
Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the course will be conducted by
Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of AREC.
The Letter to the Hebrews is a profound homily, a “word of exhortation”
(Hebrews 13:22). One of the main themes of the Letter is that the old
covenant has been superseded through the sacrificial death of Christ. And
for that reason, studying the Letter to the Hebrews gives a solid biblical
understanding of the “Soorp Badarak” (Holy Sacrifice) that we celebrate on
Sundays.
Registration is required (suggested donation: $25). For registration and
information, please call 212-689-7810 or e-mail at [email protected].
CHILDREN’S CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 18
WILL CELEBRATE THE “COLORS OF FALL”
With the extraordinary success of the Prelacy’s Children’s Concert two
years ago, another concert for children will take place on Saturday
afternoon, November 18, at Florence Gould Hall, at the Alliance Francaise in
New York City, featuring the talented and popular TALINE AND FRIENDS, from
California.
The theme of the concert will be “Fall Colors” (Ashnan Kouyner). Tickets
are $20 each and can be purchased by contacting the Prelacy office,
212-689-7810, Ext. 26.
MIDWEST DATEV PROGRAM NOVEMBER 10-12
The popular summer Datev program goes on the road again with a weekend
program scheduled in the Midwest, November 10 to 12, at the Colombiere
Retreat and Conference Center, Clarkston, Michigan.
The program will include interactive presentations and instructions on
faith-related topics, discussions of religious and current issues, Bible
studies, short worship services, fellowship and recreational activities.
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian and Deacon Shant Kazanjian will be the
instructors and facilitators. For information contact Carolyn Sirian at
248-553-7585 ([email protected]) or Deacon Shant Kazanjian at 212-689-7810
([email protected]).
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES FIRST MEETING
The first meeting of the World Council of Churches’ new Central
Committee took place in Geneva from August 30 to September 6. Participating
on behalf of the Armenian Church were Bishop Vicken Aikazian and Mrs. Paul
Devedjian for the Catholicosate of All Armenians; and Bishop Nareg
Alemezian and Dr. Nora Bairakdarian-Kabakian for the Catholicosate of
Cilicia.
The Armenian Church will have the following representatives in the WCC
consultative bodies for the next seven years:
Faith and Order Standing Commission: Bishop Nathan Hovhannissian
(Etchmiadzin). Faith and Order Plenary Commission: Bishop Vicken Aikazian
(Etchmiadzin), Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian (Cilicia). Commission on World
Mission and Evangelism: Ms. Nayiri Baljian (Cilicia). Commission of the
Churches on International Affairs: Ms. Tsovinar Ghazaryan (Etchmiadzin), Ms.
Vanna Kitsinian (Cilicia). Joint Working Group between the Roman Catholic
Church and the World Council of Churches: Bishop Vicken Aikazian
(Etchmiadzin). Joint Commission between Christian World Communions and the
World Council of Churches: Bishop Nareg Alemezian (Cilicia). Youth Body: Ms.
Nayiri Baljian (Cilicia).
FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
This Sunday, September 17, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of
the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachverats), which is one of the five
Tabernacle (Daghavar) Feasts commemorated by the Armenian Church. This
holiday is a general celebration of the Cross and is commemorated by all of
Christendom. Most churches celebrate it on September 14; the Armenian Church
celebrates it on the Sunday closest to the 14th. The Cross, once a means of
death for criminals, gradually became the dominant symbol of the Christian
world and an object of reverence and worship. There are four feasts of the
Holy Cross in the Armenian Church with the Exaltation being the most
important. The ceremony begins with the decoration of the Cross with sweet
basil, symbolizing the “living cross”. After Bible readings, the officiating
priest lifts the Cross and makes the sign of the cross with it, and blesses
the four corners of the world (Antasdan) and asks the Almighty to grant
peace and prosperity to the people of the world.
The Khachverats ceremony was first prepared by Catholicos Sahag
Dzoraporetsi (677-703). He is also the composer of the hymn sung on this
occasion.
As with the other Tabernacle Feasts, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is
preceded by a period of Fasting (Monday to Friday), and followed by a
memorial day (Monday).
15th ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE
Next Thursday, September 21, Armenians worldwide will be commemorating
the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s declaration of independence from the
Soviet Union.
Various events in Armenia and the Diaspora will mark this occasion. Here
in New York City the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia is
presenting a concert, “Now & Then: Music in Armenia after Khachaturian,” at
Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center, 129 West 67th Street. For
tickets: 212-501-3330.
GIVING WEEDS A CHANCE..
As those of you who have been following our gardening stories know, this
season our vegetable garden was dormant, for a variety of reasons. So, we
decided to give weeds an opportunity for redemption. We sat back and did
nothing. The result was not pretty! We have the ugliest looking weeds ever
seen. Ever the groundhogs want no part of them. Secretly I had hoped that
left on its own, our garden would produce large quantities of an edible weed
called purslane (PerPer), a very hearty plant known to grow in most unlikely
places-like cracks in the sidewalk. Most of America considers purslane a
weed (like crabgrass) to be destroyed at all cost, and tons of chemicals are
used each year on lawns across the U.S. (Sometime we will share our thoughts
on the American obsession with lawns). Lately, the great virtues of purslane
are being touted, because it has been found to be extremely high in many
nutrients, especially omega-3-higher than in some seafood. I suppose it was
inevitable that some of our upscale restaurants would get wind of this. We
understand that Thomas Keller’s Per Se restaurant in the Time Warner Center
in New York (where a single meal can cost in the hundreds) has been offering
a “Baby Purslane Salad,” dressed in olive oil and vinegar.
As for our weeds: We anxiously await our first frost.
We end this week with this quote…
“This tragic day should become a universal day of remembrance of similar
tragedies in the past decade. It should become a day when we commit
ourselves to respect human life and its sacredness as a gift of God and not
to be used as a weapon for any cause. Religion, as a moral and a spiritual
force, should lead the way in this commitment.”
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, speaking
about the September 11 anniversary.
Calendar of Events
September 15-2nd Annual Golf Outing of All Saints Church, at Hilldale Golf
Club, Hoffman Estates, Illinois. For reservations and/or information,
847-858-7685.
September 17-Sunday School registration and fellowship, Holy Trinity
Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, following the Divine
Liturgy.
September 17-First Annual Lobster Fest, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 215-482-9200.
September 17-Annual Picnic, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, on the
church grounds, following church services and the blessing of Basil. For
information: 718-224-2275.
September 18-11th Annual ACEC/School golf outing at Stow Acres Country Club,
Stow, Massachusetts. For information, 781-326-5764.
September 22-Family Night at St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack
Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, 6 pm at Jaffarian Hall.
September 22-23-Retreat, “Nurturing Faith,” for Sunday School teachers and
staff of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 25-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, 3rd Annual Golf Outing and Award Dinner at Raceway Golf
Course, Thompson, Connecticut. Registration 7:30 a.m. For information
508-872-9629 or church office 508-852-2414.
September 25-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Third Annual Golf Outing. For information, 215-482-9200.
September 28-4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.
October 1-Banquet honoring Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian on the occasion of
his recent elevation, at Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows, New York, 3
pm. Details will follow.
October 2-New eight-session Bible study on the “Letter to the Hebrews”
begins at the Prelacy, 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm, first and third Mondays of the
month, sponsored by AREC. Conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian. For information:
212-689-7810.
October 8-81st anniversary celebration of St. Stephen Church, New Britain,
Connecticut.
October 19-22-Annual bazaar, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland.
October 22-Holy Cross Church, Troy, NY, anniversary celebration.
November 3-4- Ladies Guild Food Festival, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
November 3, 4, 5-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual
Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.
November 5-Annual bazaar, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.
November 5-36th Anniversary Luncheon and program, St. Gregory Armenian
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts.
November 10-12-Mini Datev program for teens, ages 13 to 18. At Colombiere
Retreat Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan.
November 11-42nd Anniversary of Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, in
the church hall.
November 11-12-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual “Armenian Fest” at
Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island.
November 17 & 18-Annual Bazaar, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts.
November 18-Children’s Concert, GIVING THANKS, sponsored by the Eastern
Prelacy at Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City, featuring
TALINE AND FRIENDS. Details will follow.
November 26-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
First Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.
December 9-Men’s Club Steak Dinner, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
December 24-Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Visit our website at

PRESS RELEASE
The University of Georgia
Cobb House
Athens, GA 30602, USA
Contact: Dr. Glenn Ames, Vahé Heboyan
Tel: 706-542-7887; 542-0856
Fax: 706-542-7891
E-mail: [email protected] ; [email protected]
Web:
The University of Georgia (Athens, GA) is pleased to offer a 3-week
study abroad & cultural experience course in Armenia for Maymester,
May 13-June 3, 2007. UGA Study Abroad in Armenia provides
opportunities to young people across US to gain a genuine study abroad
experience in Armenia and gain transferable academic credit from the
University of Georgia.
UGA in Armenia gives an opportunity to learn about the socio-economic
and political developments in Armenia and the Region since its
Independence. Additionally, the students will be exposed to the rich
cultural, religious, and historical heritage of Armenia.
The group will be accommodated in Yerevan (Yerevan State University’s
Foreign Guest House) and will make daily field trips throughout
Armenia to visit major businesses (Yerevan Brandy Company, diamond
processing, wine production, hand made carpets and rugs, high
technologies), major political and international organizations
(Government, Parliament, EU, UN, US Embassy) and sights of historical
significance.
Daily activities will be enriched through evening social gatherings
and cultural events as well as exploration of Yerevan’s more than 200
open air terrace cafés, authentic ethnic restaurants and
discos. Spring is the perfect season for relaxing while listening to
Armenian, jazz, and classical music in Yerevan’s many renowned concert
halls as well as the monumental Cascade.
The University of Georgia is the flagship land-grant University of the
State of Georgia and allows non-UGA students to pay in-state tuition
for UGA study abroad programs. Students participating at UGA sponsored
study abroad program will be able to get transferable credits from
UGA.
There are several scholarships available for students of Armenian
ethnicity. Contact Birth-Right-Armenia for details: Linda Yepoyan,
610.291.2165 ( html ).
Please visit our website to learn more about the course, its
itinerary, application process and Armenia:
.
You may contact Dr. Glenn Ames ([email protected]) or Vahé Heboyan
([email protected]) for additional information, or check our website
for the latest updates and detail info:
.

POST OFFICE NAMING THRIVES IN CONGRESS
By Brit Hume
FOX News
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine:
Confirmation on Hold
New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez has put the confirmation of Richard
E. Hoagland – the Bush administration’s nominee to be U.S. ambassador
to Armenia – on hold. Why?
Menendez said the move comes in response to the Bush administration’s
refusal to recognize the Armenian genocide and added: “As a leader and
defender of democracy, it is our nation’s responsibility to speak out
against injustice and support equality and human rights. If the Bush
administration continues to refuse to acknowledge the atrocities of
the Armenian genocide, then there is certainly cause for great alarm,
which is why I am placing a hold on this nominee.”
The atrocities Sen. Menendez speaks of took place from 1915 to 1923.
Lucrative Legislation
There’s a once rarely used legislative privilege now thriving in
Congress.
In a culture where scrutiny of earmarks and other constant goodies
is on the rise, post office naming is now the most common form of
legislation.

TURKISH FM CAUTIONS OVER POSSIBLE RIFT DURING FRENCH ‘YEAR OF ARMENIA’
Today.Az
13 September 2006 [20:14] – Today.Az
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul’s visit to France to take part
in an intercultural dialog meeting coincides with the inauguration
of France’s “Year of Armenia.”
Noting that Turkey would not intervene in France’s relations with third
parties, Gul said that the Armenian issue would not harm bilateral
relations between Turkey and France, which have significantly improved
recently. In a press conference held in Paris, Gul, who first recalled
that more than 400,000 Turks live in France, said both France and
Turkey should take precautionary measures to prevent possible rifts
between the country’s Armenian and Turkish communities. Stressing
that Turkey’s E.U. membership bid had been used as a propaganda tool
in French domestic politics, Gul stated they respected pluralistic
democracy. To this end, Gul said, “Democracy has both weaknesses and
strengths; this is natural.”
Gul also said Turkey would initiate a comprehensive campaign in a
few months to convince the French public, which has been opposed
to Turkey’s E.U. membership, to accept Turkey. Stating that Turkey
attached great importance to its relations with France, Gul said:
“The views of France have been very important throughout Turkey’s
venture toward full membership. Turkey would have never begun
negotiation talks with the E.U. if French President Jacques Chirac
had not offered his support on Dec. 17.”
In response to a comment over France’s demand for a military base in
Cyprus, Gul noted with regard to the Cyprus issue that every country
should consider international treaties, adding: “France has interests,
and so does Turkey. When these are taken into account, common sense
will prevail.”
Meanwhile, at a press conference held at the French foreign ministry,
the country’s foreign minister responded harshly to an Armenian
reporter who asked whether it was a contradiction for France
to organize the “Year of Armenia” in France as Turkey prepared
celebrations for the “Year of France.” The French foreign minister
replied, “Cultural and political affairs should never be confused
with each other.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

OLD GYUMRI, OLD FRIEND
~ By Richard Foss ~
LA City Beat, CA
09-14-06
Glendale spot offers Armenian specialties in a friendly atmosphere
Photo by Richard Foss
Unimaginably tender: Oxtail stew has tomatoes, peppers, and a hint
of seasoning
“For an exotic ethnic capital, this looks a lot like Glendale,”
I remarked to my companions as I drove down San Fernando Road. As
indeed it should; the population of Glendale is more than 40 percent
Armenian, but, though signs in angular script are everywhere, the
buildings look like California strip malls. (Not that I could tell
you what traditional Armenian architecture looks like, but I’m pretty
sure that pastel stucco walls and glass doors aren’t it.)
We were on our way to Old Gyumri, a restaurant I’d last enjoyed
about 10 years ago. When my friends and I arrived this time, I was
pleased that the place looked exactly the same, even to the faded sign
announcing “Fast Food Takeout.” There was irony in this, because the
service on that first visit was fast only by the standards of the
former Soviet bloc.
This time the service was actually both fast and polite, and we were
handed menus and served water by a waiter who offered to explain any
unfamiliar dishes.
Since Armenian food draws on traditional styles from the Middle East
and Eastern Europe, we were familiar with many items, but we were
most interested in those ones unique to Armenia. Our server seemed
surprised and first suggested chicken kebabs, but readily helped us
when he realized we really wanted the more unusual dishes.
Our meal started with “Turshu,” a huge plate of pickled cabbage,
carrots, celery, garlic, and peppers ($4.99). These were lightly
spicy and sour, a terrific pick-me-up for a hot day and pleasant
even on the relatively cool evening of our visit. The hot pepper was
as zingy as any pickled jalapeño I’ve had at a Mexican restaurant,
the celery and cucumber a refreshing contrast. We also ordered a
dip called Ikra ($3.99), a mix of cooked eggplant, tomato, and red
bell pepper that was a lightly sweet and tangy contrast to the sour
pickles. It came with both a thin flatbread of the type usually seen
in Persian restaurants and a thick, crusty white bread, and we were
very happy with the balance of flavors.
We continued with a Russian salad called Stalichni ($4.99) and an
eggroll-like starter called a blinchik ($1.50). The blinchik was
decent but ordinary – mildly spiced beef wrapped in thin bread,
then fried. The salad was more interesting, a mixture of chopped
vegetables, minced pork, mayonnaise, and sour cream, enlivened with
liberal amounts of dill. Despite liking it very much, we packed more
than half of the salad and pickles to take home – the portions were
big and we had obviously over-ordered, and we needed to save room
for our main courses.
My companions paired the starters with an Armenian yogurt drink and
a tarragon-lemonade soda, while I tried a glass of a red wine called
Khachkar. It was a decent light red, not about to make the folks
in Napa look over their shoulders, but well balanced and suited to
the meal.
We continued with oxtail stew ($7.99), barbecued lamb heart and
lung ($7.99), and barbecued sturgeon ($13.99). This was a study
in contrasting textures, starting with the oxtail, which had an
intense beefy flavor and soft, almost gelatinous feel. This may not
sound appetizing, but it really was – it was the most tender meat
imaginable, cooked with tomatoes, peppers, and a hint of seasoning
to near-melting consistency.
The lamb heart and lung was another matter, the heart intensely
flavored and slightly chewy, the lung mild, but – well, there’s no
other word for it but squishy.
I’ve enjoyed lamb offal in a good haggis (and, yes, there is such
a thing), but this preparation emphasized textures that I regard as
a drawback. One of my companions grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania
where organ meats are a delicacy, and he liked it just fine, but I
didn’t care for it much.
The sturgeon suited everyone’s tastes much better, three magnificently
grilled filets of lightly seasoned fish with pomegranate syrup on
the side for dipping.
It was the last item to arrive and ended our dinner on a high note. We
ate every speck of it.
We asked about dessert and were told that the restaurant doesn’t serve
it – Armenians go from their dinners to cafes where champagne and
fruit are served, and the restaurateur was happy to recommend one if
we wished. We had dined so well that nothing else was needed, and we
left with a new appreciation for the exotic cuisine of a deceptively
ordinary-looking neighborhood.
Old Gyumri, 4441 San Fernando Rd., Glendale, (818) 550-0448. Open
daily, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Wheelchair access good; parking lot. Beer and
wine; some vegetarian items.
–Boundary_(ID_I91AIkU/4PsTeRYRrFNnAw)–

RUSSIAN POLICE CADET ARRESTED IN RACIST SLAYING
Agence France Presse
September 13, 2006
Union of Councils for Jews in the Former Soviet Union, DC
A Russian police cadet has been arrested on suspicion of racially
motivated murder after a knife attack on a 17-year-old student of
Armenian descent, the prosecutor’s office said Wednesday.
“Nikita Senyukov, who was born in 1988 and was a fourth-year student
at Police Academy Number One in Moscow, has been arrested on suspicion
of killing Vigen Abramyants this April,” the prosecutor general said
in a statement.
The prosecutor refused to comment on a report in Russian daily
Kommersant that the police cadet was a member of a nationalist
organization linked to a racist market bombing in Moscow that killed
11 people last month.
Senyukov, who is the son of a high-ranking policeman, was arrested
due to information provided by three suspects in the market bombing,
Kommersant reported.
The newspaper described the three bombing suspects and police cadet
Senyukov as “supporters of the nationalist organization Russian
All-National Union,” though it said that the organization denied that
the four were members.
The stabbing of Vigen Abramyants, an ethnic Armenian, took place in
the Pushkinskaya metro station in central Moscow in the daytime.
Russian NGOs have decried the rising number of racially motivated
killings in the country, with the Sova group counting 14 such
killings from March to May of this year, up from four in the same
period of 2005.
NGOs accuse police and prosecutors of frequently disregarding
racial hatred as a motivation, classifying the attacks instead as
“hooliganism.”

FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY REIGN IN KONDOPOGA
By Carl Schreck – Staff Writer
The Moscow Times
Thursday, September 14, 2006. Issue 3497. Page 1.
Margarita Slezova, mother of one of the men killed in the Kondopoga
brawl, motioning toward a recent photograph of her son, Grigory Slezov,
who was 27.
KONDOPOGA, Karelia — In the aftermath of the ethnic explosion here
that left two men dead, destroyed numerous businesses and kiosks,
and forced hundreds to flee, Russians across the country are asking
the same question: Could it happen here?
Aside from its picturesque setting on Lake Onego, Kondopoga — with
its Soviet-era streets names, Lenin statue and World War II memorial —
differs little from thousands of towns struggling to stay afloat.
There’s the paper mill, employing one out of five of Kondopoga’s
roughly 38,000 residents. There are the same crumbling apartment
blocs and storefronts that can be seen everywhere in Russia.
And, like numerous towns in post-communist Russia, there’s the local
outdoor market, which is dominated by dark-skinned natives from the
Caucasus, much to the dismay of ethnic Russians.
The white people in Kondopoga say “hot-blooded” Azeris, Chechens and
others don’t respect local mores and accuse them of flaunting their
wealth and paying off the police so they can sell illegal drugs.
That the recent ethnic riots were sparked by a fight at an Azeri-run
restaurant, Chaika, in which natives of the Caucasus purportedly
killed two ethnic Russians has only reinforced that sentiment.
“The only things Chechens understand is force,” said Sergei, 46, a
retired Army officer whose sons served in the North Caucasus. “Everyone
gets into fights, but here we do it with our fists. They showed up
with weapons and the intent to kill.”
Natives of the Caucasus, many of whom fled north after the outbreak
of the first Chechen war in 1994, counter that the ethnic Russians
are too drunk or not enterprising enough to start their own businesses.
“If we are paying off the police, it certainly didn’t do us much good,”
said Hamzat Magamadov, a Chechen.
“When the pogrom started, we had to hide our children, who were
trembling with fear. The police did nothing.”
Officials from Kondopoga to the republic of Karelia’s capital of
Petrozavodsk to Moscow blame the riots on everything from alcohol to
police ineptitude to mafia turf wars to political opportunists trying
to stoke racial fires for their own ends.
But Kondopoga residents — ethnic Russians and Caucasus natives alike
— say government authorities are unwilling to face an ugly truth:
Ethnic tensions have been brewing here for years, they say, and all
it took for widespread turmoil to break out was the Aug. 29 bar fight.
“This was just the last straw,” said Margarita Slezova, whose son,
Grigory Slezov, 27, was killed in the fight at Chaika, once one of
Kondopoga’s few watering holes. As she spoke, Slezova, dressed in
black, tended to a small shrine for her son in her apartment.
Her son, she said, had stopped by the restaurant and bar for a drink
with friends to celebrate the new apartment he had moved into with
his common-law wife, Kristina, who is due to give birth to their
child in November.
“I can’t say for sure what happened,” Slezova said, “but when things
turned violent, he apparently defended himself.”
Carl Schreck / MT Flowers and broken glass adorning the veranda
outside Chaika restaurant.
Prosecutors and witnesses say a group of ethnic Russians had been
drinking at Chaika and began arguing with the Azeri bartender. The
argument led to a fight, and soon the bartender was getting pummeled
by the group of ethnic Russians. The bartender escaped, returning later
with a group of Chechens bearing knives, baseball bats and iron rods. A
brawl ensued, spilling onto the cement veranda outside. Along with
Slezov, Sergei Usin, 32, lost his life. Several others were injured.
In the days following the brawl, mobs armed with Molotov cocktails
torched Caucasian-owned businesses, including Chaika, and rampaged
through the outdoor marketplace, smashing dozens of kiosks that remain
unrepaired. Most of the Chechens living in Kondopoga fled. Forty-nine
Chechens are at a summer camp outside Petrozavodsk under police
protection. Four Chechen men, meanwhile, have been charged with
murdering Slezov and Usin. A Chechen, a Dagestani and an ethnic
Russian have been charged with hooliganism.
There have been numerous attempts to make sense of the chaos and
violence, and the loss and confusion and uncertainty about what
looms ahead.
State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov recently called the violence a
“criminal showdown” and a “provocation of interethnic violence,”
Interfax reported.
Alexander Belov, head of the ultranationalist Movement Against Illegal
Immigration, or DPNI, turned up in Kondopoga soon after the riots
to address a crowd of 2,000 angry white people. He called for the
expulsion of natives of the Caucasus lacking residence permits.
Everyone blames the police. “The only people the police are protecting
right now are themselves,” said Yury Zakharnyov, a friend of Usin’s
who is a turbine operator at the paper mill. A police officer speaking
at a recent town meeting was shouted down by the 300 residents in
attendance.
What’s clear is the devastation and recrimination, and the lingering
fear that, in a way, nothing has changed.
“Look at those empty stands,” said Artur Galstyan, an Armenian shoe
trader at the Kondopoga market, pointing to a dozen kiosks. “Those
were empty before the pogrom. Nobody was stopping the Russians from
selling anything there. But all they do is drink.”
Galstyan said he wasn’t afraid of being attacked; Armenians, after all,
like Russians, are Christian.
But he conceded that locals had trouble distinguishing between
different peoples. “Azeri, Chechen, Armenian — it’s all the same to
them,” he said.
Like Galstyan, a beefy 37-year-old, not all natives of the Caucasus
have left town. And a modicum of normalcy has returned. Police were
on constant patrol.
But an uneasy current persists. “No to Gooks!” is scrawled on a
kiosk hawking honey; on Proletarskaya Ulitsa, Kondopoga’s main drag,
windows had been smashed in and building facades charred.
An odor redolent of a steaming landfill emanated from Chaika. Broken
glass, stray clothing, a one-legged table and random blocks of wood
and concrete were strewn on the veranda. Passersby don’t seem terribly
fazed by the rubble, but people have laid flowers in front of the
restaurant in memory of Slezov and Usin.
No one appeared to have been lulled into thinking the violence was
over for good, especially if the Chechens who fled the town return. “I
don’t think things will remain calm,” Slezova said.
Alexander Brod, head of the Moscow Bureau of Human Rights, said that
ethnic violence similar to the riots in Kondopoga had broken out in
several Russian regions in recent years and that a Kondopoga-like
scenario could happen anywhere.
“With such a high level of xenophobia,” he said, “such conflicts
could emerge across the country.”
The natives of the Caucasus who once lived in Kondopoga seemed aware
of that much. Satsyta Visayeva, who came to the town 12 years ago with
her husband, said she didn’t know where the family would go after
they left the summer camp, which is outside Petrozavodsk. There is
talk of some of the self-exiled Chechens seeking political asylum in
Finland or elsewhere in Scandinavia.
“Maybe they can come back eventually,” Slezova added, her crisp speech
suddenly breaking into a sob. “But only later. The city needs time
to calm down.”
Staff Writer Anatoly Medetsky contributed to this report from Moscow.