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:
May 11, 2006
___________________
DELEGATES LOOK TO BRING CHURCH TO HOME
By Jake Goshert
During the Diocesan Assembly, delegates were introduced to the Diocesan
theme for the year: “Church and Home: Building One Spirit.”
The year’s theme stems from the Diocesan Council’s “statement of intent”
created five years ago, which states: “The Armenian Church is significant in
the life of every Armenian in the Eastern Diocese, and his or her family.”
“That statement has guided our actions, with each of our assemblies, with a
particular emphasis on one specific ‘focus area,'” said Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate, as he outlined the work done in the past five years in
the focus areas of leadership, worship, communication, stewardship, and
youth. “By focusing on these areas, we have made a positive impact on our
Diocese. And my impression is that many of you have been able to make a
tangible difference in your home-parish life.”
Last year, the Diocese focused on youth, working to encourage and promote
the next generation to take a leadership role in the life of the church.
“That effort — indeed, all our efforts over the past five years — proved
to be a great success,” the Primate said. “This year, I want to bring all
of these successes to each and every one of you — throughout the church,
throughout the community, and to every family and home. That is the meaning
of our theme for this year.”
CONNECTING CHURCH AND HOME
Diocesan Council Vice Chairman Oscar Tatosian spoke to the delegates about
the importance of connecting church and home to build strong morals and
values. He spoke about a recent family gathering where he saw his young
family members and thought about their future.
“Are they going to get the same Armenian spirit that I got growing up in my
home? Do we, as adults, do our part? Was I being a good uncle? Do they know
their Armenian nation? Do they know their history,” he asked. “Are their
hearts inspired in hearing the legends of St. Gregory or Gomidas or Gorky?
And who among them will recognize the virtues of this heritage and determine
that they want to wear the robes of the Armenian faith and hold that
Armenian flame with pride.”
He stressed the importance of the values taught at home, especially in
today’s secularized world.
“We go into the world prepared by what we have learned in our homes,” he
said. “Home is where I was tutored in my identity, and home was where my
faith was instilled in me, and home is where I became who I am.”
The Primate echoed those ideas in his remarks, describing the Armenian
people as an action-oriented people who expressed their courage and
determination in securing Armenia as the first Christian nation.
“Who we are is a gift from God. And God wants us to share them with others
— especially with our own,” the Primate said. “During this ‘Year of Church
and Home,’ we want to bring all of our riches into our parishes and
households.”
YOUNG SPEAKERS
The Primate invited several young speakers to talk to the delegates about
how their faith and Armenian identity had shaped their lives.
“These are the next generation of Armenian leaders,” said Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate. “It is important to understand how they are connected
to the Armenian Church.”
First to speak was Antranig Garibian, 28, a member of the Holy Trinity
Church of Cheltenham, PA. A sub-deacon, member of parish council, and now a
delegate, he said being ordained has changed how he feels about the Armenian
Church.
“It made me realize that it wasn’t enough anymore just to participate in our
worship, but now I was expected to lead and to teach,” he said. “With every
worship service, I made new friends and became closer to the Armenian
Church. I hope that others see what a gift it is to worship in the Armenian
Church.”
The next speaker was Taleen Terjanian, 17, a choir member from the St.
Stepanos Church of Elberon, NJ, and a recent graduate of the leadership
development program operated by the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of
America (AACCA).
“I remember the sensation that came over me when I first put my love into
prayers and song. It was a completely different connection between me and
God,” she said.
She will join other young choir members later this year in a special trip to
Armenia. “Thanks to programs like these, Armenian-American youth are
remaining active in our culture and faith,” she said. “And we will be able
to pass on our experiences to keep our heritage and culture alive.”
Speaking about his leadership experiences, Gregory Andonian, 26, a choir
member and ACYOA leader at the St. Gregory of Narek Church in Cleveland, OH,
spoke about his experience leading the planning of a recent ACYOA General
Assembly and Sports Weekend.
“I needed to motivate and delegate to a wide variety of Armenian youth,” he
said. “Our community supported us because they saw we were accomplishing,
we were working hard, coming together, and we were not succumbing to
barriers; we were growing stronger. As a leader you can use the strength of
the church and do you part to protect our Armenian church.”
He said now as an ACYOA Central Council member, he enjoys working to assure
our churches have productive chapters and an opportunity for Armenian youth
to be involved in their church.
“Activities of the youth are so important because they bring energy and
community and strength, and they strengthen us the protectors of the
Armenian Church,” he said.
The youngest speaker, 16-year-old Bethanie Mangigian, a member of the St.
John’s Church of Southfield, MI, spoke about her experiences with Diocesan
staff and other church leaders.
She spoke about interactions with the Diocese’s coordinator of youth
outreach, Jennifer Morris, as well as various clergymen who have welcomed
her into the church.
“These amazing adults understand the importance of developing personal
relationships with young adults: never patronizing us, and always balancing
education with fun in our discussions,” she added.
By being welcomed into the life of the church, she said she has been able to
be a stronger person.
“In today’s atmosphere the church offers a rare place of peace for me. In
church itself I communicate personally with God every week. I receive a
loud communication from God through Holy Communion, where God tells us he
not only forgives our sins but welcomes us,” she said. “This is a powerful
message. As a youth in the Armenian Church, I use this message to combat the
influences of the outside world.”
The last speaker, Karinne Hovnanian, 19, also of Cheltenham, PA, spoke about
the need to give of one’s self through service.
“Sharing our love as God intended us to, with all those around us, sharing
our skills and sharing our energy to bring God’s love to those who need it
most, this is service,” said Hovnanian, who is a choir member, active in St.
Vartan Camp and the Armenian Service Program, and the Diocese’s “Alternative
Spring Break” Habitat for Humanity program. “It is through stewardship and
sharing with others that I have become who I am today. It is now my time to
take that flame of love and pass it on to someone else.”
The delegates erupted in a standing ovation following the presentations.
“These young people have eloquently detailed the success of our goals,” the
Primate said. “It is my commitment to engage more and more young people on
an ongoing basis — in our assemblies, at Diocesan meetings, and in other
occasions.”
“With such youth among us, we have nothing to fear about the future and
everything to hope for,” the Primate added. “They are a living testament to
a bright future. It is my sincere belief that our efforts over the past five
years, your efforts as leaders of the Armenian Church, are beginning to bear
fruit. I want to thank you all for everything you have done.”
WORKSHOP BRAINSTORMING
Delegates broke into small workshop groups, led by trained young people, to
discuss the issues surrounding how to build a strong connection between home
and church. Delegates were asked to find ways to increase the church and
community bonds among members of all ages.
They looked at all ages, from infants to senior citizens, and came up with
ideas ranging from educating new parents about the importance of early
exposure to the Divine Liturgy to building inter-generational bonds by
having children visit home-bound seniors.
Initial ideas were later presented to the delegates. Diocesan staff will
further examine and expand upon the ideas and create resource booklet for
parishes.
— 5/11/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Bethanie Mangigian, from the St. John Church of
Southfield, MI, speaks to delegates at the Diocesan Assembly about the
importance of building personal connections to the next generation of
Armenian faithful.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): ACYOA Central Council Vice Chair Karen Khatchadourian
leads one of the break-out groups during the Diocesan Assembly.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Young people join the delegates at the 2006 Diocesan
Assembly in a morning prayer service.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Alex Topakbashian, a young parishioner from the Holy
Trinity Church in Cheltenham, PA, leads delegates in a brainstorming session
on ways to connect church and home.

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
Wednesday, May 9, 2006
AGBU CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY IN CAIRO & ALEXANDRIA
Hundreds from 17 Countries Attend Week-long Festivities in Egypt
Between April 12 and 18, 2006, AGBU Egypt hosted the kick-off
celebrations for AGBU’s highly anticipated year-long centennial
commemoration that began in Cairo and will conclude in April 2007 in
Yerevan, Armenia. For this landmark in the history of the thriving
organization, leaders and supporters gathered in the city of its
founding to assess the past achievements and explore the future
challenges that remain fundamental to securing a dynamic role for AGBU
in years to come.
Armenians in Egyptian History
The six-day event began with a cocktail reception at the Armenian
Embassy in Cairo, hosted by Ambassador Roupen Garabedian. Local
Chapter Chair, Onnig Belekdanian, welcomed guests to the historic AGBU
Chaker building located in the heart of Cairo’s embassy row. This
property was made available for the use of the Armenian Embassy by
AGBU.
In the official message of Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed
Aboul Gheit, read by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Fatma El Zahraa
Etman, Gheit acknowledged the significant role that Armenians played
in the history of Egypt and emphasized the value of Armenian-Egyptian
diplomatic relations.
In a message addressed to AGBU President, Berge Setrakian, on the
occasion of the centennial, the Foreign Minister of Armenia, Vartan
Oskanian, highlighted the important position of AGBU in Armenian
communities around the world and the significance of Egypt as its
birthplace.
Egyptian Tour
The following morning, the Egyptian Armenian hosts treated the AGBU
guests to the sights and sounds of the ancient land. The Great
Pyramids of Giza and the Sakara step pyramid were among the landmarks
visited by the seven tour buses of AGBU participants from five
continents. The day concluded with an elegant nighttime Egyptian
dinner cruise down the Nile on the Nile Maxim complete with
traditional Middle Eastern entertainment and festivities.
Armenian Language Conference
A conference on Armenian language education dominated the Centennial
program on Friday, April 13. Entitled “Armenian Education and Armenian
Language Teaching,” the panel of academic experts from four continents
presented informed perspectives on the future of Armenian education
while evaluating the current state of Armenian schools, particularly
those administered by AGBU. The speakers also addressed the
organization’s role in diasporan education.
Moderated by AGBU District Committee of Egypt Chairman, Berdj Terzian,
the panel invited academics and educators to speak on critical
topics. Educator and Secretary of the District Committee of Egypt,
Gassia Djeghalian, addressed the question: “Is the Armenian Language
Necessary for the Survival of the Armenian Identity?” Editor of AGBU’s
Egyptian publication, Deghegadou, Araxi Devletian, spoke for Jirair
Tanielian, who was unable to attend, on “The Present Status of the
Western Armenian Language in the Diaspora.” Educator and former AGBU
school principal, Dr. Nadya Sarafian, evaluated the current state of
instruction by examining the “Level of Armenian Language Teaching in
Schools.” Principal of AGBU Manoogian Demirdjian School, Hagop
Hagopian, proposed new directions in his presentation, “Suggestions
for the Improvement or Planning of the Armenian Language Teaching and
Armenian Education Programs.” Ashot A. Melkonian, Director of the
Institute of History of the National Academy of Science of the
Republic of Armenia, offered a look at the history of the diaspora and
AGBU in his discussion entitled, “The Armenian Language as a Means of
Survival: Historical Perspective and Profiting from Existing
Possibilities.”
All the papers presented at the panel were available at the conference
in a bilingual (Armenian and English) publication.
Gassia Djeghalian overviewed communities that have worked to maintain
their linguistic identity, including the Celtic of the British Isles,
the Maori of New Zealand, and the First Nations of Canada. She
suggested that the Armenian language needed a revival like those
experienced by other groups that had long been disconnected from their
linguistic heritage. Araxi Devletian spoke extensively about the
media’s role in retaining language and used her knowledge as a
diasporan editor to encourage greater efforts to energize a vibrant
Armenian media culture. Nadya Sarafian spoke about her practical
experience as longtime principal of the AGBU Manoogian School in
Michigan, USA, its transition to a charter school, and its continuing
success at increasing enrollment among Armenians and non-Armenians
alike. She also cited the school’s success at Armenian language
instruction to non-Armenian students. In addition, Sarafian spoke
about AGBU’s prominent role in saving the Armenian nation from
destruction during the perilous years of the Armenian Genocide, and
addressed the new challenges of maintaining language instruction in
the diaspora.
Hagop Hagopian outlined current priorities of Armenian schools and the
future obstacles facing diasporan institutions, namely, competition
from free public schools and access to Armenian language resources.
Ashot Melkonian delved into the history of the diaspora and the
Armenian community’s successes and failures at retaining its
linguistic and cultural identity. He focused on Western Armenian as an
endangered dialect that was almost wiped out as a result of the 1915
Genocide. He reminded the audience about AGBU’s own roots in the
vibrant pre-1915 intellectual culture that sought to bridge the
cultural and dialectical differences among its various members and to
create a universal Armenian identity.
Digitalizing Armenian Education
AGBU Silicon Valley Chairman and 2005 IEEE (Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers) Industrial Pioneer Award Recipient, Yervant
Zorian, concluded the daylong Armenian Language Conference by
presenting an innovative online educational program to teach Armenian
language, history and culture mainly to non-Armenian-speaking youths
and adults alike.
“We need to encourage students to learn,” Zorian said when
demonstrating the attractive bilingual multimedia website.
The audience was captivated by the colorful demonstration that
included learning puzzles, crosswords, memory flash cards, and short
lessons, each emphasizing one aspect of a growing curriculum. AGBU
President, Berge Setrakian, stressed that this project was to be
officially launched on the occasion of the centennial.
Celebrating Cultural Heritage
The weekend’s festivities highlighted the vast and varied cultural
heritage of Armenians in Egypt. On Saturday, April 15, guests visited
the world-renowned Egyptian Museum for a tour of the most remarkable
repository of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the world. In the
afternoon, AGBU Egypt District organized a unique book exhibition of
60 publications in Armenian, Arabic, and English, printed in Egypt and
made possible through AGBU Cairo’s Satenig Chaker Fund.
District Chairman Berdj Terzian addressed the attendees about the
importance of Armenian books in the cultural continuity of the local
and global communities.
One of the highlights of the week was the official Gala Night at the
Marriott Hotel, which attracted over 400 guests and featured famous
pop vocalist Nune Yessayan from Armenia for her first performance in
Egypt.
At a ceremony to mark the official April 15th birthday of the
organization during the Gala, Berdj Terzian, in his capacity as Chair
of the Diocesan Executive Committee, welcomed AGBU delegates and
guests. Terzian was joined by Roupen Garabedian, Armenian Ambassador
to Egypt, Berge Setrakian, AGBU President, Onnig Belekdanian, Chairman
of AGBU Cairo, Antranig Mesrobian, Chairman of the Cairo Diocesan
Council, and Levon Katzaghian, Chairman of the Alexandrian Diocesan
Council, for the ceremonial cake cutting.
The following day, AGBU guests visited the city’s St. Gregory the
Illuminator Armenian Church for Easter service followed by the
traditional Easter blessing of the salt, water and bread by Bishop
Ashod Mnatzaganian, Primate of Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan and South
Africa. The event was attended by AGBU Board Members and guests, and
took place at the Egyptian Diocese adjacent to the church.
Cultural Gala
In the evening, a special cultural program was organized at Cairo’s
Gomhoreya Theater. Speeches by AGBU President Berge Setrakian and AGBU
Egypt Chairman Berdj Terzian preceded the performance. Then, AGBU
Chapter Chairmen or their representatives from around the world were
invited to the stage to receive commemorative plaques marking the
centennial celebration.
Viennese Soprano Hasmik Papian and renowned Paris-based pianist Vardan
Mamikonian performed a selection of arias and compositions by Verdi,
Puccini, Catalani, and Chopin. The second half of the program was
devoted to Armenian musical pieces by Komitas, Arno Babadjanian, and
Armen Tigranian.
For her debut Egyptian performance, Papian received thunderous
applause from the large audience of Armenians from around the
world. The performers ended the evening with a rousing rendition of
the popular song “Cilicia.”
Day Trip to Alexandria
With the conclusion of the Cairean leg of celebrations, AGBU guests
ventured to the coastal city of Alexandria to visit the old Armenian
community that continues to call Egypt’s second-largest city
home. Following a trip to the local Armenian Apostolic church, Saints
Peter and Paul, the guests visited the elegant Nubar family memorials
located on the grounds of the church and diocesan building complex,
and were welcomed by Chairman Levon Katzaghian and his fellow Diocesan
Council members.
After paying respects to the AGBU founder and his family, the guests
visited the new Alexandria Library, which has become a leading
repository of learning in the Arab world and a modern facility for
researchers and scholars. Director of Library Foreign Relations, Taher
Khalifa, and Chief Librarian, Dr. Sohair Wastawy, welcomed AGBU guests
and spoke about the importance of Armenia and Armenians in the history
of the city and the Armenian love of the written word. As a ceremonial
gesture, President Setrakian donated a vast array of books on Armenian
topics on behalf of AGBU to the library to demonstrate AGBU’s
continuing commitment to education around the world.
After taking in the magnificent views of the Mediterranean during a
lunchtime break in Alexandria, the guests toured the manicured gardens
of the Montazah Palace, a local landmark.
In the evening, AGBU Alexandria organized a dinner reception for the
visiting guests and local community in the AGBU Alexandria Center and
HMEM Nubar Sports Club. Guests toured the historic facility and were
treated to local musical talent and speeches by Alexandria
representatives, including Dr. Garo Ansourian, member of the
Alexandria Chapter.
At the conclusion of the week’s activities, Mr. Berdj Terzian,
Chairman of AGBU Egypt said, “I and my fellow Committee Members of
both AGBU District Committee of Egypt and Cairo Chapter are proud that
the Centennial Celebrations of AGBU kicked off in Cairo, where it was
founded 100 years ago by ten prominent Egyptian Armenians. It is a
great feeling that the organization created by our ancestors was able
to assist the Armenian people both in Armenia and the Diaspora during
the most difficult moments of our history and is still contributing to
the welfare of our nation and homeland. We have done our best to make
the Cairo Celebrations as near as possible to perfection, in order to
match a century of great achievements of AGBU, and hope we have
succeeded.”
AGBU is the largest Armenian non-profit organization in the world and
reaches 400,000 Armenians annually in 35 countries through its
educational, humanitarian and cultural projects. For more information
about AGBU and its centennial celebrations, please visit

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian International Policy Research Group
P.O. Box 28179
Washington, DC 20038-9998
USA
Phone: (202) 623-8605, (202) 458-2589
Fax: (202) 478-0934
E-mail: [email protected]
Yerevan Office
40 Baghramian Ave.
Yerevan, Armenia 375 019
Phone: (3741) 512-670
Fax: (3741) 512-679
Conference on Economic Development of Armenia in honor of
Professor of Economics Armen Alchian of UCLA
Contact: [email protected],
David.Grigoria [email protected]
On May 6, 2006, a conference entitled “Armenia: Challenges of
Sustainable Development,” organized in honor of Professor Armen Alchian,
was held at the University of California, Los Angeles. The conference
was organized by the Armenian International Policy Research Group
(AIPRG), UCLA Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian
History, UCLA Department of Economics, and UCLA Center for Near Eastern
Studies. The event was attended by over 150 participants, including
members of the UCLA Economics faculty and of various Armenian
organizations, as well as students.
Professor Richard Hovannisian, the Armenian Educational Foundation Chair
in Modern Armenian History, welcomed the participants and offered his
insights on the role of economic development in Armenia. He was followed
by a prominent UCLA economist, Professor Harold Demsetz, who discussed
the contributions of Armen Alchian to Economic Theory. His remarks
covered Alchian’s insightful observations and theories about the Great
Depression, the behavior of the firm, and consumer rationality.
Professor Demsetz also discussed his own research collaboration with
Alchian, and the impact Alchian had on his students throughout the years
of his career at UCLA. The participants then greeted Professor Alchian
with a standing ovation. Alchian, who is 92 years of age and is retired,
thanked the organizers of the event and spoke about his affection for
economics.
The first plenary session of the conference focused on the recent book
on Armenia published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), “Growth
and Poverty Reduction in Armenia: Achievements and Challenges,” and was
moderated by another prominent UCLA economist, Professor Michael
Intriligator. The presenter, IMF’s former mission chief to Armenia, Dr.
Enrique Gelbard, outlined the key elements of Armenia’s macroeconomic
performance in recent years. While focusing on impressive aggregate
growth and low inflation numbers in Armenia, Dr. Gelbard also emphasized
the need for more structural reforms, particularly those in the
governance realm, for Armenia to sustain this growth momentum. This was
followed by comments from three discussants-Professor William Ascher of
Claremont McKenna College and AIPRG Advisory Board; Professor Daniel
Mazmanian of the University of Southern California; and Professor Ara
Khanjian of Ventura College and AIPRG. While Ascher’s comments spoke to
the potential vulnerabilities of Armenia’s performance going forward and
ways to mitigate those, Mazmanian focused on reducing corruption and
improving governance as a strategy in the drive for sustainable growth,
and Khanjian reviewed poverty and related social aspects of the IMF’s
report. This was followed by remarks from Professor Intriligator, who
offered his perspective on challenges of the transition period and
opened the floor for questions. The subsequent active
question-and-answer session was followed by the lunch recess, during
which the participants exchanged views.
The afternoon session was chaired by Professor Lee Ohanian of UCLA
Economics Department. The first of the three presentations, made by Dr.
David Grigorian of the IMF and AIPRG, touched upon the issue of low tax
revenue collection in Armenia and factors behind this phenomenon.
Subsequently, Dr. Federica Saliola of the World Bank and University of
Rome III presented her work on business climate and firm productivity in
Armenia in 2002-2005, and put that in perspective with Armenia’s
regional competitors. Finally, Nerses Yeritsyan of the Central Bank of
Armenia and AIPRG discussed the achievements and challenges of Armenia’s
financial sector and laid out the Central Bank’s ambitious plan of
reforming the sector. As earlier, active question-and-answer sessions
took place after each presentation.
The conference was followed by a dinner reception hosted by Mr. and Mrs.
Vahik and Alice Petrossian at their Glendale residence.
About Professor Alchian
Professor Armen Alchian was born on April 12, 1914, in Fresno,
California. In 1932 he enrolled at Fresno State College and transferred
to Stanford in 1934, where he received his B.A. in 1936 and his Ph.D. in
1943, with a dissertation titled “The Effects of Changes in the General
Wage Structure.” In 1940-41 he was at the National Bureau of Economic
Research and Harvard University and in 1942 at the University of Oregon.
>From 1942 to 1945, he served in the U.S. Army Air Force as a statistical
specialist. He arrived at UCLA in 1946, becoming associated at the same
time with the RAND Corporation, and was promoted to full professor in
1958. He has received numerous awards and honors over the years and in
1996 was selected as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Economic
Association.
Professor Alchian is widely known to his students and colleagues as the
founder of the “UCLA tradition” in economics, a tradition that continues
to this day. It emphasizes that individual behavior is self-seeking and
“rational” and that this has many unanticipated consequences. Above all,
Alchian is noted for the impact he has had on generations of UCLA
graduate students, in no small measure through his first year course in
microeconomics. Among his many well-known students is William Sharpe,
who received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Science in 1990 for
his work on finance.
About AIPRG
The Armenian International Policy Research Group is a nonpartisan,
nonpolitical association that researches and encourages the discussion
of public policy issues in Armenia and the Diaspora. AIPRG aims to
consolidate the existing Armenia-related expertise by bringing together
accomplished researchers and practitioners who specialize in economics,
political science, law, and government affairs. To obtain more
information about AIPRG’s mission and activities, including the
materials presented at the Armen Alchian conference, please visit

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
MAY 11, 2006
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
WILL CONVENE IN NEW JERSEY NEXT WEEK
Plans are complete and the New Jersey community of Sts. Vartanantz
Church is prepared to welcome delegates and guests to the Eastern Prelacy’s
National Representative Assembly next week. Clergy conference begins on
Tuesday, May 16. The general assembly will begin Wednesday afternoon, May 17
and conclude on Friday, May 19.
The concluding reception and banquet will take place Friday evening, May
19, at the Fort Lee Hilton, Route 4 East, Fort Lee, New Jersey. During the
banquet program a number of individuals will be honored including “Persons
of the Year,” and “Youth Leadership” awards. “Certificates of Merit” will be
presented to deserving members of the local host community. To make
reservations for the banquet ($75. per person) contact any of the following:
Sts. Vartanantz Church, 201-943-2950; Bea Movsesian, 201-445-6867; Sonia
Setrakian, 201-313-7157; Lynn Mahlebjian, 201-440-3018.
The following four items all pertain to special events during the
Assembly.
CONFERENCE FOR YERETZGEENS
Archbishop Oshagan and the Religious and Executive Council are pleased
to announce that a conference for Yeretzgeens of the Eastern Prelacy will be
held in New Jersey on May 16-17, in conjunction with the National
Representative Assembly. All Yeretzgeens are invited to attend the
conference. Archbishop Oshagan will open the session with a prayer and
deliver the opening message. The remainder of the conference will feature
two sessions on various aspects of the life of a priest’s wife (family,
parish life, work) by Presvytera Athanasia Papademetriou of the Greek
Orthodox faith and one session titled, “Women of Noble Character,” by
Yeretzgeen Joanna Baghsarian.
VESPERS AND BOOK PRESENTATION
TUESDAY EVENING
Clergymen serving the Prelacy will begin their conference on Tuesday,
May 16, at 8 a.m. and continue through the day. The public is invited to
attend the Vespers service at 7:30 pm, and the book presentation that will
follow in the church’s large hall, 461 Bergen Blvd., Ridgefield, New Jersey.
The newly published Light from Light: An Introduction to the History and
Theology of the Armenian Church, by Professor Michael B. Papazian, will be
introduced with a wine and cheese reception at 8 pm, immediately following
Vespers. Archbishop Oshagan will present the book and the author, who will
be available to autograph copies of his book.
VISIT TO CATHEDRAL, PRELACY AND
ANOTHER BOOK PRESENTATION
On Wednesday evening, delegates and guests will cross the Hudson River
to visit St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, where Vespers
service will take place. Immediately afterward they will go northward to the
Prelacy office on 39th Street for a reception and introduction of another
newly published book, “The Historiography of Fifth Century Armenia,” by
Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian, of blessed memory. This work is the
doctoral dissertation of the late Archbishop, the first Prelate of the
Prelacy. It has never been published in book form. Archbishop Oshagan will
make the presentation in the presence of members of Archbishop Hrant’s
immediate family, including his brother, Antranig Khatchadourian, from
Providence, Rhode Island.
DELEGATES AND GUESTS WILL VISIT HOVNANIAN SCHOOL
On Thursday evening, May 18, delegates and guests will visit the
Hovnanian School in New Milford, New Jersey. The Hovnanian School, which
started at Sts. Vartanantz Church, is celebrating its 30th anniversary and
was recently featured in The Record, one of New Jersey’s major newspapers.
The students will make a presentation including their acclaimed Dzalabadig,
a rendition of a moving story of school children in Aleppo after the
Genocide, reading and writing while sitting cross-legged (dzalabadig). Since
the students’ original presentation in 2004 it has been repeated several
times by popular demand.
PRELATE ATTENDS JOINT MEETING TODAY
Archbishop Oshagan attended the third meeting of “Christian, Arab and
Middle Eastern Churches Together” today, at the Eparchy of St. Maron in
Brooklyn, hosted by Archbishop Gregory Marsour.
VICAR IS ATTENDING POST-ASSEMBLY WCC EVENT
V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy
and Ecumenical Officer for the Eastern and Western Prelacies, is attending
the U.S. Conference for the World Council of Churches Post Assembly Event in
San Jose, California, today and tomorrow, May 11 and 12. The Conference will
focus on a discussion of the 9th Assembly of the WCC which took place in
Brazil in February.
On Sunday, May 14, Father Anoushavan will officiate at the Divine
Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Gregory Armenian Church in San
Francisco, California.
PRELATE WILL PRESIDE AT ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, May
14-Mothers’ Day-at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New
York City.
REGISTER NOW FOR DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM
Urge your teenagers to enroll in the St. Gregory of Datev Summer
Institute. The weeklong program will take place July 2 to 9 at the St. Mary
of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. This year the Institute is
marking its 20th anniversary and various commemorative events are being
planned. Watch the Prelacy’s web site for details.
EMMA GREGORYAN EXHIBIT OPENS TOMORROW
An exhibit of the works of noted artist, Emma Gregoryan, will open
tomorrow evening, Friday, May 12, at the Prelacy’s Vahakn and Hasmig
Hovnanian Hall, 138 E. 39th Street, New York City. The opening reception
will begin at 7 pm. The artist will be present to welcome guests.
Refreshments will be served.
Ms. Gregoryan’s works are currently being shown at the Susquehanna Art
Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as part of an exhibition of the Armenian
art collection of the late John Vartan.
Born in Gumri, Armenia, Emma Grigoryan graduated from the Fine Arts and
Theatrical Institute of Yerevan. Her paintings have been exhibited in
Yerevan, Paris, Beirut, New York, Washington and throughout Canada.
PLG MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON BIG HIT
The Prelacy Ladies Guild’s Mothers Day luncheon this past Monday was a
crowd pleaser on many different levels. The Roof Garden of The St. Regis was
the site of the annual luncheon, which attracted many attendees from near
and far.
Archbishop Oshagan presented the Mother of the Year award to Mrs. Araxie
Varjabedian in the presence of members of her family and friends. Mrs.
Varjabedian accepted the award with humility and thankfulness. At the
conclusion of the event a gift of $5,000 from Mrs. Varjabedian to the
Prelacy Ladies Guild was announced.
Entertainment this year included a wonderful musical interlude entitled
“Voices of Spring.” The program was put together specially for this event by
the vocalists, Ross Chitwood, Jeanette Vecchione, and Solange Merdinian,
with Vlad Iftinka on the piano.
CAMP HAIASTAN EXTENDS CAMPERSHIPS
TO EASTERN PRELACY PARISHES
Archbishop Oshagan and the Board of Directors of the AYF Camp Haiastan
of Franklin, Massachusetts, recently announced a joint program. Each parish
in the Eastern Prelacy is extended one two-week fully paid campership by
Camp Haiastan. Eastern Prelacy clergymen will select a boy or girl in their
Sunday School or church community who have never attended the camp. The
sessions being offered for the camperships are the Teen Session for 15 and
16 year olds, or Session 3 for 8 to 14 year olds.
TWO NEW VOLUMES IN KAREKIN I SERIES ARE PUBLISHED
Two new volumes in the “Karekin I Theological and Armenological Studies
Series,” were issued last week. Volume six of the series, “The Council of
Chalcedon and the Armenian Church,” is a new edition of the classic work
which was the late Catholicos’ thesis at Oxford University. Although
faithful to the original, this new edition includes translations of the many
long passages in Greek, Latin, French and German.
The seventh volume (in Armenian) is titled “Encyclicals and Messages,”
and includes the Catholicos’s major pontifical encyclicals and messages.
The series editors are Dr. Vazken Ghougassian and Iris Papazian. The
sponsor of the series is “The Haig and Elza Didizian Fund.”
The next volume (number eight in the series) is “Think and Enter,” a
translation of His Holiness’s early work in Armenian, Khorheh yev Medir.
Translated by Iris Papazian, this volume is expected to be issued later this
year.
FEAST OF THE APPARITION OF THE HOLY CROSS
This Sunday, May 14, is the Feast of the Apparition of the Holy Cross
(Yerevman Khach), which is celebrated on the fifth Sunday of Easter in
remembrance of the sign of the cross that stretched in the sky over the city
of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives to Golgotha in 351 A.D. This cross in
the sky remained for hours and was seen by the people in Jerusalem, many of
whom rushed to church to glorify God and give thanks.
SUNDAY IS MOTHERS’ DAY
This Sunday, May 14, is Mothers’ Day. Mothers’ Day was first celebrated
in 1907 when Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia persuaded her mother’s church in
West Virginia to celebrate Mothers’ Day on the second anniversary of her
mother’s death.
It was an idea that took on a life of its own. By 1911 Mothers’ Day was
being celebrated in nearly every state. Three years later, in 1914,
President Woodrow Wilson made it official, by proclamation, that Mothers’
Day would be a national holiday to be celebrated each year on the second
Sunday of May.
HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY!
Calendar of Event
May 12-Exhibition of the works of artist Emma Gregoryan at the Prelacy, 138
E. 39th Street, New York City.
May 13-Dinner-Dance organized by the St. Sarkis Church Ping-Pong Club. For
details 718-224-2275.
May 17-19-National Representative Assembly (NRA), hosted by Sts. Vartanantz
Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Concluding reception and banquet will take
place Friday, May 19, at the Fort Lee Hilton, Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Reception at 7 pm, followed by dinner. For information/reservations: Sts.
Vartanantz Church office, 201-943-2950.
May 16 and 17-Conference of Yeretzgeens in conjunction with the National
Representative Assembly, hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New
Jersey.
May 20-Year-end Hantes for Sunday School and Saturday School, St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York. For information, 718-224-2275.
June 4-16th Anniversary Celebration of the new St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York. For information, 718-224-2275.
July 22-Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
and Ani Chapter of Armenian Relief Society co-host gala dance at Greek
Orthodox Annunciation Church. For information, 401-286-8107.
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.
Visit our website at

Azad-Hye
Dubai
06 May 2006
Giragos Kuyumjian is one of the prominent members of the Kuwaiti
Armenian community. He has been active in the last two decades, not
only in the Armenian community, but also in the Arab press, where he
has signed dozens of significant articles mostly on Armenian subjects
(history, politics, literature, etc.).
During the latest visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia, to
Kuwait (November 2005), Kuyumjian wished to inform the Catholicos on the
present situation of the Armenian community in Kuwait and the difficulties
the members are facing, especially in the administrative domain. He prepared
a letter in Armenian language and handed it over to His Holiness during the
above visit.
Although generally speaking the visit of Catholicos Aram I to Kuwait was
considered – in terms of contacts with the Kuwaiti officials and the
presentation of the Armenian subjects to the journalists – a successful one,
nevertheless this success did not have any impact in resolving inner
problems of Kuwaiti Armenians, some deeply rooted in the existing structure.
Kuyumjian notices that the public figures in the Kuwaiti Armenian community
are forming groups of influence, pursuing their own benefits, thus wasting
the time of the other members and burdening the meetings with trivial
issues.
 
He believes that this and other negative aspects in the community could be
corrected only with the direct intervention of Catholicos Aram.
Kuyumjian refers to the malpractice of assigning people with no
qualification to important positions in the community. He says that
efficient individuals are being excluded from the public life and the stage
is occupied with those who have moderate capabilities. As a result,
community life quality is deteriorating. Same persons are being `elected’ to
the same or similar positions, thus projecting the impression that there are
no new talents.
The authoritarian aspects of community rule are shown when the decisions
taken during official meetings are replaced with other decisions, tailored
by people of influence.
Another deadly aspect of the society, Kuyumjian says, is the `hidden or
sometimes even noticeable tendency of ignoring each other’. The result is
that hundreds of Armenians are left out and their capabilities are ignored,
without giving them the chance to bring any benefit to the society.
Kuyumjian concludes his thoughts be underlining the need for `genuine
reforms’. He regrets that no development has been achieved in community life
during the last period. Only few acts of individual bravery have been
recorded.
Kuyumjian pleads to the Catholicos `to wipe up and burn once and for all the
thorns and shrubs that are spreading under the fruitful trees of our
national orchard starting from Kuwait’.
He believes that Kuwaiti Armenians can serve as a model for reforms, if only
the Catholicos acknowledges the existing situation and gives the signal for
long awaited changes.
________________________________________
Below is Giragos Kuyumjian’s translated letter. See original Armenian letter
at the end of the English translation.
To His Holiness Aram I
Catholicos of Cilicia
Your Holiness,
The Armenians of Kuwait had been the first organized and active progressive
community in the Gulf and enjoyed a good reputation for long. Unfortunately,
this process that lasted for several decades, has not reached to the point
of genuine maturity, a fact that is highlighted every year with recurring
setbacks.
Regrettably, we are all witnesses of the prevailing undesirable conditions.
A general hopeless view is nestling inside many of us, according to which it
is not possible to confront the declining trend of events.
With overwhelming zeal, I would like to mention herein several phenomena,
against which I cannot remain silent or inactive, leaving matters to sheer
luck or fate, especially that the issues under perspective need your serious
and decisive intervention.
I have been dealing with community affairs for more than two decades now,
during which I have been closely following the affairs concerning the
society, maintaining always the hope that the main issues concerning our
community will be eventually resolved and open new horizons in front of our
new generations and prosperous community life.
Sadly, I have noticed that the issues under discussion, are not only
remaining without solution, but also they are adding new complications to
the already existing one (examples are abundant). Thus the Armenians of this
country are facing more difficulties & challenges:
Please allow me to elaborate:
1- In order to lead a public life, it is important to be organized in a way
that each individual undertakes a certain responsibility, under the general
understanding of pursuing common goals. This organized effort, however,
becomes an objective in itself and ceases to provide any benefit to the
community, if the participating individuals start forming distinctive groups
of people. In that case, others who are outside this group are under the
risk to be disadvantaged, ignored and rejected.
Such tendency to form group cliques leads to antagonism, as individuals will
be easily carried away with intense feelings of blind revenge and changing
temperaments. They always and intentionally waste the time of the other
members and the official meetings with trivial matters, harm the efforts of
achieving harmony amongst the different elements of the society and lead the
step of the public life: church, school, unions, etc. from one failure to
another.
The remedy of this phenomenon that has taken firm roots in our community
cannot be done without the intervention of Your Holiness, because it has
come to the level of endangering the future of the community.
2- Supported individuals in leading positions are used to intervene in all
fields, without taking into consideration any limit or right to do so.
Moreover, they continue to deal with the national establishments as if they
were dealing with their own possessions, by arbitrarily appointing the
members of different national councils, without evaluating their
qualifications or what they have achieved in practical life to get the said
positions. As a result, efficient individuals are excluded from public
positions and are replaced with individuals who are void of personal
opinion, ready to say yes and no according to what is required from them,
thus exhibiting excellent flexibility towards the desires of their sponsors.
Individuals with moderate capabilities and low ceiling ambitions are pushed
forwards. Our national structure has become a playing toy in the hands of
such people, who – it is painful to admit – have the support and blessing of
some of our political and religious higher circles.  
The appointing and especially the selection of the Chairmen of the various
councils is continuing to take place in the most inherited manner. As if
there are no other personalities with capacity and intelligence in this
community. The same names are mentioned in the community bodies, inheriting
the positions from one session to another, just changing their assistants or
deputies in the course of this rotation. Sometimes certain reshuffling of
positions may take place, but still this happens within the circle of the
same group of people. Due to political interference, some loud-speaking
personalities may occupy the stage, displaying their pompous characters. The
masses are not able anymore to recognize its leadership. It is not clear who
decides what: The National Council, the Diocesan Council, the Prelacy, etc.
The majority of the members of the above bodies also do not recognize their
duties and rights and they are not certain about the sphere of their
influence. The implementation of the greater part of the decisions taken
during these meetings is not guaranteed. On the contrary, entirely different
decisions are adopted by influence (dictatorial principles and no democracy
at all).
3- A hidden or sometimes even obvious tendency of ignoring each other is
prevailing in the community, something that has started from the days of
Archbishop Father Oshagan. It is a policy that has served the targets of
those who have started it, but which had and continues to have harmful
implications on the society. As a consequence dozens, if not hundreds, of
powerful, graduate high dignity generous Armenians have stayed away from the
mainstream community life, because they have not found the necessary
respect, consideration and sympathy. It is regretful that the persons behind
this harmful tactic still have under their disposal all the opportunities
and means to continue their destructive behaviour. Only with Your
intervention these people would refrain, at least on temporary basis, from
practicing their bad habits. Hence in order to get steady results it is
imperative to reconsider the way we are administrating our national affairs.
This will be possible through genuine reforms. Decades of deteriorated state
of affairs had taken us to the point where no whatsoever development or
progress is noticed, not any success is achieved in the level of external
relationships, not any progress in the domain of public and religious life
of the community, excluding very few acts of heroism, which have personal
characters, which, as much as they are effective, they cannot replace the
expression of the collective will.
Your Holiness, as a member of the Armenian community of Kuwait, my direct
concern is the situation of the Armenian community here, in the way that I
tried to describe with the most sincere and honest words. However the circle
of my concerns is wider and includes the other Diasporan communities.
Father, if there are similar situations in our other communities, I would
like – in the sake of the preservation of the noble feelings of our suffered
Armenians, in the sake of our Holy Church and the safeguarding of our
faithful people – To plead you to wipe up and burn once and for all the
thorns and shrubs that are spreading under the fruitful trees of our
national orchard, so that our nation and specially our young generation,
would breathe healthy fresh air, they would progress and develop according
to the best prevailing political and social needs, far away from any
artificial obstacles and polluted national atmosphere starting from Kuwait.
Very respectfully yours,
Giragos N. Kuyumjian
Kuwait
24 November 2005
=112ahz92

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
MAY 5-11, 2006
HIGHLIGHTS:
TIGRANUHI TYUTYUNJYAN PASSED AWAY
“PRESS-CLUB+”: COMMUNIST PARTY DISCUSSING THE POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OF
ARMENIA AND COOPERATION WITH CIS COUNTRIES
“FOURTH ESTATE” AND “THIRD SECTOR” CONSIDERED POSSIBILITIES OF JOINT
INITIATIVES
GOVERNMENT ALLOCATED PREMISES TO “A1+”
“YERKIR-MEDIA” NEWS ON MEDIASCRAPE
NEW PRESS-SECRETARY OF FOREIGN MINISTRY APPOINTED
PRESS WON THE DIALOGUE ON THE GREEN FIELD
TIGRANUHI TYUTYUNJYAN PASSED AWAY
On May 5 at the age of 55 having suffered through a long disease the Chief
Editor of TV broadcasting of “Mir” Interstate TV and Radio Company Tigranuhi
Tyutyunjyan passed away. She was a wonderful person and a true professional,
who educated numerous generations of journalists. At her rare leisure time
she had a particular hobby – collecting photographs of smiles. Smile never
left her face either. We all call her Tiga…
Yerevan Press Club expresses its condolences to the family and friends of
Tigranuhi Tyutyunjyan.
“PRESS-CLUB+”: COMMUNIST PARTY DISCUSSING THE POLITICAL ORGANIZATION OF
ARMENIA AND COOPERATION WITH CIS COUNTRIES
On May 9 the seventh talk show of “Press Club+” series went on the evening
air of “Yerkir-Media” TV company.
The invitees of the program host, the Chief Editor of “Aravot” daily Aram
Abrahamian were the leaders of Communist Party of Armenia as guests and NGO
and media representatives as experts. The TV discussion focused on the
political organization of Armenia; prospects of cooperation between Armenia
and former USSR republics, involved in CIS.
It is expected that at 21.00, May 16 (next Tuesday) “Press Club+” will give
floor to the representatives of “National Unity” party, sharing their
opinions on the issues of the day.
“FOURTH ESTATE” AND “THIRD SECTOR” CONSIDERED POSSIBILITIES OF JOINT
INITIATIVES
On May 4-5 in Yerevan seminar “Cooperation of Media, Journalistic and Other
NGOs to Develop Freedom of Speech and Press” was held. The event was
organized by Yerevan Press Club under “Strengthening Advocacy Potential and
Networking of Journalistic Associations of Armenia” project, supported by
the Open Society Institute. YPC President Boris Navasardian presented to the
representatives of NGOs and regional media the YPC strategy on networking of
journalistic communities of Yerevan and the regions of the country. The
meeting participants also discussed the possibilities for the improvement of
media legislation, activation of work to protect rights of journalists,
cooperation between regional media and NGOs, development of their potential.
GOVERNMENT ALLOCATED PREMISES TO “A1+”
On May 4 at the session of the RA Government it was decided to allocated
premises to the “A1+” TV company founder, “Meltex” LLC. The press release of
the Department of Information and Public Relations of the RA Government
informs that territory of 221 sq. m in a building in the center of Yerevan
is allocated to “Meltex” LLC “with a right of free use for five years’
term”.
As it has been reported, on July 20, 2005 “A1+” TV company Director Mesrop
Movsesian addressed a written request of assistance to the Prime Minister of
Armenia Andranik Margarian. The request was due to the demand of the RA
National Science Academy to vacate the premises that “A1+” had been renting
from NSA since 1992. “A1+” motivated the refusal to comply with this demand
by the violation of existing financial agreement by the National Academy. In
early 2005 the NSA filed an appropriate suit with the RA Commercial Court.
On April 11, 2005 the suit was secured, and the “A1+” founder challenged the
ruling with the RA Court of Cassation, which left it unchanged on May 26,
2005. On March 16, 2006 NSA made another attempt to evict “A1+”: the
representatives of RA Compulsory Execution Service who visited the editorial
office demanded to vacate the premises until 12.00 March 17 to implement the
court ruling. The intervention of the Prime-Minister prevented the
“expedient” eviction. A little later the Department of the State Property at
the RA Government, as commissioned by the Prime-Minister, offered “A1+” to
use the new premises above (see details in YPC Weekly Newsletter, March
17-23, 2006).
“YERKIR-MEDIA” NEWS ON MEDIASCRAPE
Since May 10 the main news of “Yerkirn Aysor” newscast of “Yerkir-Media” TV
channel can also be viewed on the Internet. This became possible due to the
cooperation of the TV channel with Canadian MediaScrape Internet Broadcast
News Company. According to the Vice-President Tyler Cavell, MediaScrape is
the information global network, uniting companies from around the world,
whose news pieces are translated into English and placed on the site.
“Yerkir-Media” video news with English subtitles is accessible on
NEW PRESS-SECRETARY OF FOREIGN MINISTRY APPOINTED
On May 10 the web-site of the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the
replacement of the Press-Secretary of the Ministry. Hamlet Gasparian, who
held the position since September 2003 as well as headed the Department of
Press and Information, was appointed Envoy in the Embassy of Armenia in
France. The duties of the Press-Secretary are temporarily assumed by
Vladimir Karapetian, the Head of the Media Relations Division of the same
Department.
PRESS WON THE DIALOGUE ON THE GREEN FIELD
On May 8 at “Pyunik” stadium in Yerevan a football match between teams of
journalists and public officials of Armenia was held. The game had a slogan
of “Dialogue on the Green Field” and was organized under the project “Role
of Media in the Process of Monitoring Government Programs”, implemented by
the British Council Armenia and UNDP Office in Armenia. Assistance in the
conductance of the match was provided by the Football Federation of Armenia.
The victory in “The Dialogue…” with a score of 4:2 was gained by the team
of journalists. The hat-trick was made by the correspondent of “Zhamanaki
Ughekits” newspaper David Nazarian, and another goal was stricken by the
sports observer of the Public Television of Armenia Edward Kalantarian. In
the team of public officials goals were hit by Mher Badalian (RA Ministry of
Foreign Affairs) and Edward Badoyan (RA National Assembly).
The revenues from the ticket sale will be transferred to the assistance
account to the families of passengers and crew members of Yerevan-Sochi air
plane, who periled on May 3.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
_____________________________________ _______
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
0002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
0033 Yerevan, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 10) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 10) 52.48.46
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:
May 11, 2006
ACNIS Takes Part in Vilnius Conference 2006
Vilnius–Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)
director of research Stiopa Safarian and director of administration Karapet
Kalenchian represented Armenia respectively at the NGO and the Intellectuals
fora, entitled “Common Vision for Common Neighborhood,” which were
separately convened in the capital of Lithuania from May 3 to 5. On May 5,
the ACNIS officials attended the Heads of State Summit held under the
auspices of President Valdas Adamkus of Lithuania and Polish President Lech
Kaczynski.
Stiopa Safarian participated in the Non-Governmental Organizations’ Forum on
“Europe’s New Democracies and the Euro-Atlantic Agenda” where the conferees
examined the ex-socialist bloc’s and post-Soviet countries’ integration
process into Euro-Atlantic structures and the challenges they face to that
end. Against the backdrop of the conference, Safarian also held meetings
with Hilde Hardeman, the European Commission’s director general on external
relations and head of unit for relations with Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus;
Michael Emerson, senior research fellow at the Center for European Policy
Studies (EU); Andrei Illarionov, president of the Institute of Economic
Analysis and the Russian president’s former adviser on economic issues
(Russian Federation); Professor Oleksandr Potyekhin of the Diplomatic
Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ukraine); Zeyno Baran, senior
fellow at the Hudson Institute’s Center for Eurasian Policy (US); founder
and president Bruce Pitcairn Jackson of the Project on Transitional
Democracies (US); Wojciech Kononczuk, coordinator of the Stefan Batory
Foundation (Poland); director Cornelius Ochmann of the Bertelsmann
Foundation (Germany); president Jean-Dominique Giuliani of the Robert
Schuman Foundation (France); and several others.
Meanwhile, Karapet Kalenchian attended and addressed the Intellectuals Forum
held at the conference hall of the Presidential Palace of Lithuania. The
participants discussed the advancement of democracy in Europe’s east, the
formation of a European neighborhood domain, and the pacific regulation of
disputes. In the margins of the event, Kalenchian met with distinguished
post-Soviet scholars and academicians: Dean Leonidas Donskis of the Vytautas
Magnus University School of Political Science and Diplomacy (Lithuania);
director Jurij Afanasjev of the Russian State University of Human Science
(Russian Federation); journalist and political analyst Evgeny Kiselev
(Russian Federation); director Andrei Piontkovsky of the Center for
Strategic Studies (Russian Federation); writer Andrey Kurkov (Ukraine);
historian Igor Sarov (Moldova); executive director Igor Munteanu of the
Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (Moldova); opera singer
Mihail Muntean (Moldova); poet and former Belarus ambassador to the United
Nations Genady Buravkin (Belarus); journalist Vladimir Dorokhov of Deutsche
Welle (Belarus); director Irma Khvedeliani of the “Civic Dialogue and
Counsel” European Integration Forum (Georgia); and many others. The
resolution adopted by the delegates summarized the issues raised throughout
their active deliberations.
On May 5, the Armenian representatives attended the Heads of State Summit,
the official conclave of Vilnius Conference 2006, as observers. The meeting
brought together Presidents Valdas Adamkus, Lech Kaczynski, Georgi Parvanov
(Bulgaria), Arnold Rüütel (Estonia), Mikheil Saakashvili (Georgia), Vaira
Vike-Freiberga (Latvia), Vladimir Voronin (Moldova), Traian Basescu
(Romania), and Viktor Yushchenko (Ukraine); US Vice President Richard
Cheney; Secretary General Javier Solana of the Council of the European
Union; UK Minister of State for Europe Douglas Alexander; and others. The
open atmosphere of the convention afforded the Armenian delegates an
opportunity to hold informal meetings and conversations with prominent
individuals who shape European and Eurasian policy, to explore their vision
for the future of the Euro-Atlantic system, and to present Armenia’s course
in that connection.
Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors, ACNIS serves
as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy challenges
facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet world. It also
aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic thinking and a wider
understanding of the new global environment. In 2006, the Center focuses
primarily on civic education, conflict resolution, and applied research on
critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the nation.
For further information on the Center call (37410) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18; fax
(37410) 52-48-46; email [email protected] or [email protected]; or visit

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
Government House # 2, Republic Square
Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
11-05-2006
Minister Oskanian Met with Crew of Cilicia
Minister Oskanian met with the crew of the Cilicia ship as they
prepare to leave for their third seafaring voyage.
During the meeting, the sailors discussed their work in preparation
for the final stage of their voyage repeating the routes traveled by
medieval Armenian sailors from Cilicia.
Minister Oskanian assured the crew of 12 that the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs will do what it can to assist in their efforts and in journey.
The Minister underscored the significance of this extraordinary
journey and commended the courage and determination of the crew. He
also noted that in this sense the Cilicia has become a symbol of
Armenia. He wished the sailors good luck.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
May 11, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
Assembly attends annual Days of Remembrance Commemoration
Armenian Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie
Totah and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny attended the annual Days of
Remembrance Commemoration for victims of the Jewish Holocaust in
Washington, DC last month. The event included a special keynote speech
by Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick. Following Zoellick’s
remarks, Totah and Ardouny discussed with him the importance of learning
the lessons of the Holocaust, and the Armenian Genocide, as well as
other instances of man’s inhumanity to man. Under cover of World War I
and II, Armenians and Jews respectively were subjected to genocide.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
/2006-048-1.JPG
Caption: Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick flanked by
Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah and
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny at the Days of Remembrance
Commemoration at the United States Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC.
###
NR#2006-048

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:
May 11, 2006
___________________
DELEGATES RE-ELECT PRIMATE
By Jake Goshert
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian was re-elected to the position of Primate during
the 2006 Assembly.
Speaking to the delegates after his re-election, the Primate thanked them
for their efforts to strengthen the Armenian Church and spoke about the joy
he feels from his job.
“On many occasions young people ask me why I became a priest, what was the
moving force. I tell them why I made the decision, and then I say it has
been a very fulfilling experience for me as a priest, as a clergyman for the
Armenian Church, as a servant of the Armenian Church,” he said. “I thank
God for giving me this opportunity. Even though life is not always smooth
— there are ups and downs and challenges — overall it has been a moving
experience.”
He said serving the Diocese for the past 16 years as Primate has been very
satisfying. He said it is a job made easier by the dedicated clergy,
devoted parish and Diocesan leadership, and the work of the Diocesan staff.
“It is the most rewarding experience for me as a clergyman, when I visit our
parishes to celebrate badarak and to ordain tbirs, sub-deacons, and deacons.
In one word, it is wonderful to visit parishes and to be in communion with
the parishioners and together to continue our communion with God, fulfilling
the mission of the Armenian Church,” he said.
— 5/9/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Delegates cast their vote for primate during the 2006
Diocesan Assembly.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Diocesan clergy line up to congratulate Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian on his re-election to Primate, during the Diocesan Assembly
on Saturday, May 6, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, addresses the
delegates at the Diocesan Assembly hosted by St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn,
NJ.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress