ARMRUSGASARD PROPOSES THAT GEORGIA STORE GAS IN ABOVYAN
Lragir.am
23 May 06
Karen Karapetyan, the executive director of Armrusgasard, told
news reporters the company had proposed that Georgia store gas in
the reservoir of Abovyan, reports ARKA News Agency. “We offered our
Georgian partners to contribute to the expansion of the gas reservoir
in Abovyan, imparting it with a regional importance,” said Karen
Karapetyan. According to him, the Georgian party is likely to build a
reservoir similar to that of Abovyan. The initiative of Armrusgasard
is currently under consideration. “We suggested that Georgian party
make a financial contribution to the reconstruction of the reservoir
in Abovyan, because Armenia will soon have the alternative Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline,” said Karen Karapetyan.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I WELCOMES THE ELECTION OF A NEW REPRESENTATIVE
FOR THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY OF CYPRUS
Parliamentary elections in Cyprus on May 21 led to the election of a new
representative of the Cypriot Armenian community in the country’s
parliament.
Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, Catholicosal Vicar to Cyprus, held a phone
conversation with the Pontiff on the evening of May 21 and informed him that
Vartkes Mahdessian has been elected as the new representative of the
Armenian community in the Cypriot parliament. The newly elected MP then
called the Catholicos himself, assuring him of his readiness to serve the
Armenian community of Cyprus.
His Holiness welcomed the election of Mahdessian, granted his pontifical
blessings and advice to the MP. Aram I stressed the importance of
strengthening the integrity and unity of the Armenian community of Cyprus,
encouraging cooperation between its structures, gathering Armenians around
the church and pursuing the interests of the community with the government.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PEOPLE’S DEPUTY TURNED DOWN PROPOSALS OF COALITION
Lragir.am
23 May 06
Member of Parliament Karen Karapetyan, the leader of the People’s
Deputy Group, told news reporters May 23 that they had proposed to
nominate him speaker of the National Assembly. But Karen Karapetyan
declined this offer.
“I received certain proposals to occupy higher positions, but I
think occupying a position is not a goal, not a means for fulfilling
goals. Now I do not find it expedient to take up a post. As to the
group, it was also offered posts in the government and the National
Assembly. But the group finds that it must not be an end in itself.
If at the moment we took this chance and used these opportunities
not in favor of our people, at the moment, over this short period of
time, this work would not be effective, therefore we think it cannot
be our goal, it is merely a means,” states Karen Karapetyan.
However, according to him, it does not mean “we believe in ultra
approaches.”
The leader of the People’s Deputy says they have their logic, which has
its goal – political balance. “The key problem is political balance in
the country. If we fail to maintain political balance in the country,
forces from outside may impose their interests on many political forces
and attempt at fulfilling their interests in our country and try to
control our political sphere,” says Karen Karapetyan. According to
him, the People’s Deputy acted similarly over the past years, and it
is not going to change the logic of its activities.
“Since the correlation of forces in the National Assembly, the
opposition-government balance has changed, our main goal is also
political balance, in other words, we will be giving greater support
to the government to maintain political balance together,” says Karen
Karapetyan. He assures that the People’s Deputy was and will remain
in the constructive field.
“Hence, the prime problem: there is a single word at the top of the
pyramid – political balance. Any activity will be made to correspond
to this,” says Karen Karapetyan. He declined to say what posts the
People’s Deputy Group had been offered in the executive and the
legislative. Karen Karapetyan also declined to say if the government
offered stipulations along with offices. “I think our behavior
has always been adequate, and over this period our activities were
dignified. I think we did right. Besides, what does it mean “to offer
stipulations”? They proposed, they said there were such proposals,
we said we would think on these proposals, then we said no,” says the
leader of the People’s Deputy Group. He says the reason for declining
the proposal of the government was the lack of time rather than the
unsatisfactory levers offered to us.
Nonetheless, Karen Karapetyan gave an ambiguous reply with regard to
stopping the talks for entering the coalition. “I will say only one
thing: I think the group behaved in a highly dignified manner. In
fact, it means that there is no necessity to negotiate. We will be
working together, our priority is the political balance, we will be
working with them in this framework,” said Karen Karapetyan.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE AMBASSADOR OF NORWAY VISITS ANTELIAS
His Holiness Aram I received the Ambassador of Norway to Lebanon and Syria
in his office in Antelias on May 22. The Catholicos and the Ambassador
discussed the situation in the Middle East, the Syrian-Lebanese relations
and the Christian-Muslim dialogue. The Pontiff in particular expressed some
concerns related to the dialogue.
The talks also included discussions on Turkey’s accession to the EU and the
current efforts in the pursuit of the Armenian Cause.
The Ambassador has been appointed by his government as a representative of
Norway in issues related to the Middle East and the peace process in
particular.
##
View the photo here: tm#2
****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

TO COOPERATE OR NOT TO COOPERATE?
Lragir.am
23 May 06
Tbilisi remains a center of regional cooperation and contacts. The
ombudsmen of Abkhazia and South Osetia have meetings here. Armenian and
Azerbaijani political and public figures prefer to meet in “neutral”
Georgia. Besides the tolerance and commitment to dialogue that Georgia
displays, regional meetings bring considerable financial inflows to
Georgians. Thousands of people are employed in Georgian NGOs fostering
cooperation, promotion of democracy and other political aims.
On May 19 the international conference entitled Evaluation and
Effective Management of Conflicts ended in Tbilisi. From Karabakh
the director of the Civic Action Center Albert Voskanyan participated
in this conference. The representatives of 6 countries of the region
participated in the conference.
Another meeting of almost the same format took place in Tbilisi in the
framework of the UN program of global partnership for the prevention
of armed conflicts. The representative of Karabakh, the coordinator
of Helsinki Undertaking 92, participated in the meeting.
The past month was marked by the statement of the Azerbaijani NGOs
that they would cooperate with only those Armenian organizations which
will recognize the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. This statement
did not receive a serious response from Armenians, perhaps because
it was nonsense. Cooperation under the auspices of international
organizations went on; however, even the Azerbaijanis are ashamed to
say whether their Armenian partners have recognized their territorial
integrity. Or maybe meetings in Paris are not counted?

PEOPLE PAYING HOMAGE TO VICTIMS WERE SCARED
Lragir.am
23 May 06
The parliamentary minority failed to gather enough signatures to
set up an ah-hoc committee on the government actions directed at
aviation. May 23 was the deadline of the poll, initiated by Member
of Parliament Victor Dallakyan. He had gathered 26 instead of the
required 44 signatures. Ardarutiun Alliance, the National Unity, the
Orinats Yerkir Party and even a member of the People’s Deputy Group,
Artusha Movsisyan had signed. Emma Khudabashyan and Hmayak Hovanisyan
had also joined the poll.
“Our purpose was to set up a committee after the poll during the
meeting of June 12, which failed, unfortunately,” stated Victor
Dallakyan. He said it had been foreseen that the committee would
operate through the summer and publish the findings in autumn.
“I think the atmosphere of fear spoken about over the past few days
played its role, and the National Assembly, which had observed two
minutes of silence for the victims, feared to join this initiative,”
says Victor Dallakyan. He rejects the view of Republican Member of
Parliament Galust Sahakyan that the initiative of the opposition was
an attempt of political manipulation with the plane crash. In reply
Victor Dallakyan merely read an extract from this legislative action,
where the goals of the ad-hoc committee are stated. “I just read:
a study of safety guarantees in civil aviation. Hence, there is
nothing to manipulate. In other words, probably, Galust Sahakyan is
not interested in the state of the civil aviation. Did you see any
implications of manipulation in this single line? Probably, they are
now busy with minibus lines,” stated Victor Dallakyan.

NATO IS NOT OFFERING PEACEMAKERS TO KARABAKH
Lragir.am
23 May 06
It is unlikely that NATO will deploy peacemaking forces in the
Karabakh conflict area. This viewpoint was expressed by Robert
Simons, the special representative of the Secretary General of NATO,
who is visiting Armenia for two days. Simons said the question of
peacemakers could be considered only after an agreement between the
parties. Moreover, Simons thinks that the parties will be deciding
the number of these forces, what organizations they will represent
and where they will be stationed.
Simons said the question of peacemakers could be decided by the sides
after reaching an agreement. He mentioned that NATO is not offering
participation in the peacemaking mission. Generally, Robert Simons
states that NATO is not engaged in the settlement of the Karabakh
conflict but it is willing to support the OSCE Minsk Group. According
to Robert Simons, the mandate of mediation of the settlement of the
conflict belongs to the OSCE.
Robert Simons states that the head of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
Pierre Leluche can have his stance on the settlement, and he can
even offer mediation. He states that the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
is an independent organization and can have its standpoint, but
the standpoint of NATO is that the talks for the Karabakh conflict
are mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group, and they can only give their
support. He says almost the same thing about the Armenian-Turkish
relations, stating that it is a matter of bilateral relations.
Although Turkey approved launching an individual partnership program
with Armenia, Simons said, nevertheless, that NATO does not attend
to the internal political problems of its members.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
A DELEGATION OF AMERICAN CHURCHES VISITS ANTELIAS
His Holiness Aram I received a special delegation of American Churches in
his office in Antelias on May 19. The aim of the visit was to become closely
informed about the current situation in the Middle East and particularly the
challenges faced by Christianity.
His Holiness talked with detail about the current situation in the region,
talking in general about the dominant political situation and highlighting
concerns and projects related to the Christian presence and witness in the
Middle East.
The Pontiff stressed the following as priorities: giving a tangible
expression to the unity of the church, giving new impetus to the
Christian-Muslim dialogue, relationship and cooperation, reorganize the role
of Christianity through families, Sunday schools and everyday schools,
making the social service of the church reachable to the people through
effective methods, reemphasizing the role of the church in issues related to
human rights.
The Catholicos stressed the importance of cooperation with and support by
American churches in this context.
##
View the photo here: tm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

ARMENIAN OFFICIAL COMMENTS ON SPEAKER’S RESIGNATION
Ayots Ashkar, Yerevan
23 May 06
Text of Vaan Vardanyan’s report in Armenian newspaper Ayots Ashkar
on 23 May headlined “We have seen no evidence of maturity”
An interview with the most likely candidate to the post of parliament
speaker, [deputy speaker of parliament and a member of the Republican
Party of Armenia] Tigran Torosyan. He comments on the situation in
the parliament.
[Ayots Ashkar correspondent] How do you assess talks around the
resignation of the speaker of the parliament and the dispute between
[Speaker] Artur Bagdasaryan and [the leader of the National Unity
Party] Artashes Gegamyan in the parliament?
[Tigran Torosyan] I have already said that next month will be
a unique probationary period for politicians. Parties should
demonstrate that they have become mature and passed their teenager
period. Unfortunately, what happened could hardly be the evidence of
maturity, though I hope everything will be put back in order.
[Correspondent] The opposition says that today there is no political
majority in the parliament even in the form of a coalition. Will you
comment on this?
[Torosyan] The most painful thing is that not only many wrong ideas
were sounded in parliament today, but also the regulations were
broken. Saying something with a clever face does not mean that you
really tell the truth.
Who says that the “parliamentary majority” should be formed by means of
signing a memorandum? The first step like this was made after the 2003
[parliament] election and that was an important step. But nobody has
to sign a memorandum. In many countries coalitions are formed and
they split and there is no tragedy. Certainly, today we do not have
the coalition that was created at that time.
[Correspondent] Today they speak about two candidates to the post of
parliament speaker: you and [Republican Party MP] Galust Saakyan.
[Torosyan] I am saying once again that as there is no vacant post all
the discussions are in vain. It is senseless to answer this question.
[Correspondent] In fact, the United Labour Party [ULP] will become part
of the new majority. Does that mean that a new coalition memorandum
could be signed?
[Torosyan] I think there is absolutely no need to sign a new
memorandum. As to who our partners will be and how we shall work,
it will be correct to answer this question a few days later. Real
talks will be held soon.
[Correspondent] But the prime minister has already signed a decree
on the appointment of three representatives of the ULP. Does this
mean that Orinats Yerkir [Law-Governed Country Party] is replaced by
the ULP?
[Torosyan] This means that the first steps have already been made.
But we do not substitute somebody for somebody else. Everybody has
their own place and role.
[Correspondent] The MPs who have left Orinats Yerkir are setting up
a new group. Will you negotiate with them?
[Torosyan] It is nonsense to rule out negotiations with any force.
Unfortunately, there are political forces in Armenia which are enemies
to each other. Finally, no matter what happened or will happen, one
should have one purpose: to provide the normal work of the parliament.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
Watch the recorded video here:
artanants.wmv
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CONSECRATES THE SOURP VARTNANATS CHURCH OF NORASHEN
“LET’S BECOME A CHURCH WITH THIS CHURCH SO WE CAN ACHIEVE THE MISSION OF
THE CHURCH”
SAYS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
His Holiness Aram I consecrated the Sourp Vartanants Church of Norashen on
May 21 which became a historic day for the Armenian community of Lebanon and
particularly for the people of Bourj Hammoud.
The consecration of the newly built church formed an important part of His
Holiness’ pontifical visit to the Diocese of Lebanon, on which the
Catholicos embarked on May 19 following the invitation of Primate Bishop
Kegham Khatcherian and the Armenian national council in Lebanon.
Escorted by groups of soldiers, the Pontiff arrived to the municipality of
Bourdj Hammoud, where sheep were sacrificed and salt and bread were blessed.
His Holiness was welcomed by the Primate, the mayor of Bourdj Hammoud, the
municipality’s committee, MP Hagop Pakradouni, representatives of political
parties and the community’s structures as well as a large number of
faithful.
Led by the Homenetmen scouts’ trumpet band, His Holiness Aram I walked
towards the newly build Sourp Vartanants Church is a procession among the
cheerful claps of faithful.
Arriving to the church at 10:30, the Pontiff presided over the holy
consecration of the church. The celebrant of the Holy Mass was V. Rev. Fr.
Norayr Ashekian with the participation of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s
“Shenorhali” choir.
The Church’s altar was washed with water and wine after which His Holiness
Aram I consecrated the top of the alter, its front, and its right and left
sides pouring Holy Chrism on it. Primate Bishop Khatcherian then consecrated
the church’s pillars in the name of the apostles, Saint John the Baptist,
and the Armenian Church’s Patron Saint, St. Gregory the Illuminator.
In a very touching moment His Holiness blessed the church, naming its
“Sourp Vartanants Yegeghetsi.” What was 16 years ago the site of a humble
church built by the hands of our predecessors, survivors of the Armenian
Genocide, now became the host of a beautiful church equipped with all the
particularities of Armenian architecture. The new church was constructed
with the generous contribution of late philanthropist Garbis Harboyan.
Priests, representatives of the Armenian community, MP Hagop Pakradouni,
former MPs and ministers and a large number of faithful attended the
consecration.
Primate Bishop Khatcherian delivered a speech after the consecration,
reminding that during his tenure, His Holiness Aram I had come up with the
idea of replacing the old Sourp Vartanants Church with a new house of
worship that would be a true expression of Armenian Architecture.
“On the occasion of Your pontifical visit we don’t want to present an
ordinary gift from a community to its Pontiff. We want to present You with
this house of God, in the planning and construction of which Your
contribution and encouragement played a definite role,” said the primate.
The Pontiff then delivered his sermon, stressing on the concept of
becoming a church through the church. He remembered the historical
circumstances leading to the construction of the church, “when the Armenian
community of Lebanon had emerged from the devastating civil war and was not
able to build such a structure in very harsh economic conditions.”
His Holiness then remembered the late philanthropist Garbis Harboyan who
kindly took on the financial obligations of building the beautiful church
and all those dedicated people “be they pastors, members of churches board
of trustees, the principals of Noubarian school or its teachers, students or
parents, who as the children of Norashen kept the Armenian spirit alive and
today enjoy the result of their work.”
Speaking about the need to gather around the church, the Pontiff
considered that participation in the church’s life is fulfilled by
contributing to its mission. “A church is not only stones and a building;
beyond these walls, a church should become a mission. God help that church
which does not grasp its life and service as such” he said.
As for the role of the Armenian Church in the life of the Armenian nation,
the Pontiff drew a comparison with other Christian nations “for whom the
church does not have the same meaning as does the Armenian Church. The
Armenian Church is the mother who has protected the children of our nation
under its shoulders throughout the storms of history; it’s the mother from
whom we are eternally born.”
“Great empires, large organizations and structures have risen and fallen
throughout history and today exist as names only. Whereas our God-founded
church has survived the floods and storms of history and continues its
mission; a mission which has always included the cultural field alongside
religious and church functions, enlightening the eyes of our nation’s
spirits and minds,” the Catholicos added.
An official banquette was organized in honor of His Holiness in the hall
of College Yegishe Manoukian after the consecration. The Primate and
representatives of the Diocese said words of gratitude and warm thanks to
His Holiness Aram I during the banquette.
##
View photos here:
tm
tm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses of
the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.