US diplomat says 2006 ideal year for resolving Karabakh conflict
ANS TV, Baku
25 Jul 06
Presenter] US ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Derse will visit the
populated areas bordering Armenia, Public Affairs Officer of the US
embassy Jonathan Henick has said. Henick commented on the fires set to
occupied Azerbaijani territories by the Armenians and the settlement
of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. He said that 2006 is an ideal year
for resolving the conflict.
[Correspondent over video of Henick] The USA will try to ensure that
the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict is completely solved by the end of this
year. Representative of the US embassy in Azerbaijan Henick believes
that it is impossible to solve the problem in 2007.
[Henick, speaking in Azerbaijani] Elections [presumably 2007 Armenian
parliamentary election] will be held next year and we all know that
it is very difficult to solve such problems during an election. We
still have six months left in 2006. We will continue our attempts to
solve this problem together with the two presidents [of Armenia an
Azerbaijan]. This simply does not depend on the [OSCE Minsk Group]
co-chairs. This is a mutual project.
[Passage omitted: reported details about Karabakh fires]
[Correspondent] The US diplomat also said that the US government will
reconsider the allocation of financial aid to Azerbaijan because of
increasing oil incomes. The US government will most probably reduce
humanitarian and increase military aid to Azerbaijan, end of quote.
Vaqif Hasanov, Sahla Abdinova, Rafiq Nagiyev, ANS.

Iran’s Jews steer clear of furor over Mideast battles
AP Worldstream; Jul 25, 2006
BRIAN MURPHY
Nothing in the office of Iran’s sole Jewish lawmaker calls attention
to his faith. No Star of David, no menorah nor any of the well-known
symbols of Judaism. But _ as in nearly every public building in Iran _
there’s a portrait of the Islamic Revolution’s patriarch, Ayatollah
Ruhollah Khomeini.
Moris Motamed’s political headquarters highlight the well-practiced
survival skills of Iran’s remaining 25,000 Jews _ caught again in
a political no man’s land by the fighting between Israel and the
Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Any public expression of sympathy for Israel would invite a sharp
crackdown from authorities and hard-line Islamic groups.
“We are Iranians. We work for what’s best for Iran. The fighting,
fortunately, does not affect the Jewish community in Iran,” said
Motamed, who holds the single parliament seat reserved for Jews. Other
seats are set aside for the Christian Armenian and Assyrian minorities
and followers of Iran’s pre-Islamic Zoroastrian faith.
But Iran’s Jews have undeniable bonds with Israel _ most notably
Israel’s Iranian-born President Moshe Katsav. Thousands of Iranian
Jewish families have relatives in Israel and the historical links
between Persia and the Holy Land go back to antiquity and are
celebrated each year with the festival of Purim.
In January, the leader of Iran’s Jewish community, Haroun Yashayaei,
issued a rare challenge to Islamic authorities after President Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad called the Holocaust a “myth.” He said Ahmadinejad was
questioning “one of the most obvious and saddening incidents in
human history.”
Israel, however, presents a red line no one is willing to cross. Iran’s
Jews have remain publicly silent as Iranian leaders have called for
Israel’s destruction, including Ahmadinejad’s call last year for
Israel to be “wiped off the map.”
Last week, Jews in the southern city of Shiraz held a pro-Hezbollah
rally that was covered by state-run television _ a sign that the march
was likely overseen by the Islamic regime to reinforce the idea of
national solidarity.
The Web site of the Tehran Jewish Community includes statements
opposing Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip and praising
uranium enrichment by Iranian scientists. The U.S. and many of its
allies _ including Israel _ believe Iran is using its nuclear reactor
project as a cover for a weapons program.
“For Iranians, there is a distinction in their mind between Zionism and
Judaism,” said Motamed. “This is a very important distinction for us.”
Iranian Jews face no restrictions on their religious practices,
but they must follow Islamic codes such as head scarves for women in
public. The same rules apply to the larger Christian and Zoroastrian
communities.
But the Jewish population in Iran continues to shrink from emigration
to Israel, the United States and elsewhere. Before the 1979 Islamic
Revolution, nearly 100,000 Jews lived in Iran, Motamed said.
Anti-Semitic acts are rare, but Jews often are the target of degrading
caricatures in the Iranian press. Tensions rose considerably in 2000
when 10 Iranian Jews were convicted of spying for Israel. An appeals
court later reduced the sentences under international pressure and
all the inmates were eventually freed.
Iran’s Persian ancestors, meanwhile, figure prominently in Jewish
lore and tradition.
Hebrew canons and the Old Testament recount the story of Persia’s
King Cyrus allowing Jews to return to Jerusalem from Babylon and
rebuild the temple nearly 2,600 years ago.
Iran also is the site of one of Judaism’s most important sites:
the shrine of Esther and Mordechai in the western city of Hamedan.
The Book of Esther tells the story of how she was raised by her
relative, the royal adviser Mordechai, and becomes a Persian queen. She
saves her fellow Jews from slaughter by persuading King Xerxes to
call off a plan to attack the
community on a date that would be decided by lot, or “pur.” The
change of
heart is marked each year by the festival of Purim.

Turkish Speaker protests to Dutch counterpart on draft Armenian genocide bill
Anatolia news agency
25 Jul 06
Ankara: 25 July: Turkish Speaker of parliament Bulent Arinc has
sent a letter to the Dutch House of Representatives Speaker Frans
Weisglas expressing his dismay on a draft law that, if accepted,
would make any rejection of the so-called Armenian genocide a crime
in the Netherlands.
Arinc’s letter pointed out that, if the Dutch House of Representatives
vote in favour of the draft, this would put barriers in front of those
willing to conduct historical research on and/or debate historical
events.
Bulent Arinc stressed that allegations of a so-called Armenian genocide
are sensitive issues for the Turkish people and government.
“All documents we possess prove that there has not been a genocide,”
noted Arinc. “What took place was a re-location and deportation of
a portion of Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 during
a time of war,” remarked Arinc.
According to Arinc, the draft law will also hurt Turkish-Dutch
relations.
“Turkey’s call to Armenia to jointly study historical documents has
not received a positive response. Although the Netherlands should
support Turkey’s call to Armenia, it is acting in a way that will
have a negative impact on bilateral relations,” expressed Arinc.

Armenia rotates peacekeepers in Iraq – agency
Noyan Tapan news agency
25 Jul 06
Yerevan, 25 July: The fourth batch of Armenian peacekeepers left
Yerevan for Iraq on 23 July. As was the case during the previous
rotation, among 46 servicemen there are doctors, mine experts and
drivers.
Only 10 per cent of the group took part in peacekeeping operations
in Iraq earlier, the commander of the Armenian contingent, Vasak
Avetisyan, told a Noyan Tapan correspondent. There are servicemen
who have been to Kosovo, however for the larger majority, like him,
this is the first visit to Iraq.
The fourth batch of Armenian peacekeepers, as happened previously, will
stay in Iraq for six months. The previous group will return five days
after the arrival of the new group. They will pass on to the newcomers
their experience and information about their responsibilities.
Armenian Deputy Defence Minister Artur Agabekyan said that Armenian
peacekeepers would stay in Kosovo for another year. But the mission
of Armenian peacekeepers in Iraq would be longer. At the end of 2006
the Defence Ministry will appeal to the National Assembly to extend
the peacekeeping mission in Iraq for another year, Agabekyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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
July 26, 2006
ARMENIAN NATIONAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE
AWARDS ANCIENT ARMENIAN COINS TO STUDENTS
NEW YORK, NY-With the ending of the school year, some lucky (and
exceptional) students at Armenian schools heard an extra jingle in their
pockets. The jingle was not the traditional noise of change, but ancient
coins depicting Armenian royalty, specifically during the reign of King
Levon II of Cilicia.
Donated by Mr. Gary Setian of Massachusetts, each year coins are
presented by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) during the
year-end ceremonies at several Armenian schools. Only a select few students,
who have excelled in Armenian studies and are active members of the Armenian
community, receive this special annual recognition.
“It was heartwarming to see the joy and pride in the eyes of those
students who I had the privilege of personally presenting the ancient
coins,” said Mrs. Nayiri Balanian, chair of ANEC. This year, 45 students
received the awards at 19 schools throughout the Eastern United States. In
celebration of “The Year of the Armenian School,” ANEC awarded more coins
than in previous years.
Levon II was crowned King of Armenia in 1198 and he started striking his
royal series of coins. The obverse was patterned after the contemporary
bracteates of Henry VI of the Holy Roman Empire and the reverse displayed a
single lion turned to the left. However, because he received two crowns at
his coronation (one from Henry VI and another from Alexius III of
Byzantium), Levon struck a series of silver coins with two lions,
symbolizing the two crowns sent by the two emperors.
The coveted awards this year went to the following students:
Antranik Pogosian, St. Sarkis Suzanne & Hovsep Hagopian Armenian School,
Douglaston, NY; Natalie Kublbeck, Michael Guzelian, Megerditch Kassabian,
Justin Gostanian, St. Gregory Armenian School, North Andover, MA; Mardiros
Afarian, St. Stephen Armenian School, New Britain, CT; Mary Daniel, Taniel
Varoujan School, Glenview, IL; Aline Vosganian, Tsoghig Hovhannessian,
Hamasdegh School, Bethesda, MD; Talar Manjikian, Lorig Manjikian, Ani
Zarifian, Sosse Beujekian, St. Stephen School, Watertown, MA; Ashod Oshagan,
ARS Zavarian School, Detroit, MI; Kevork Torossian, Nareg School,
Ridgefield, NJ; Vana Ekmekjian, Sipan School, Paramus, NJ; Arakel Khaligian,
ARS Marzbed School, Racine, WI; Ann-Marie Manougian, Vicken Bastajian, Sourp
Hagop Saturday School, Montreal, Canada; Missak Sarkissian, Vatche
Asadourian, Shogher Baronian, Chris Baronian, Tamar Samuelian, Siamanto
Academy, New York, NY; Talene Taraksian, Rita Minasian, Mourad School,
Providence RI; Ari Kazanjian, Varteni Jamakorzian, Jirair Manoukian, Rose
Arslanian, St. Stephen Elementary School, Watertown, MA; Sara Selverian,
Anna Selverian, Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Radnor, PA; Sarkis Mesrobian,
Elizabeth Bekilian, Armenian Sisters’ Academy, Lexington, MA; Alexandra
Kaprielian, Marielle Jamgochian, Emmadora Boutcher, Hovnanian School, New
Milford, NJ; Jessica Megerian, Andrew Reed, Holy Martyrs Armenian Day
School, Bayside, NY; Nayiri Mardiros, Serge Bourkoulian, Nayiri Iwazian,
Tavit Kojaoghlanian, Vigen Endinian, Sourp Hagop Armenian School, Montreal,
Canada.

PRESS RELEASE
“YERKIR”, UNION OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
FOR REPATRIATION AND SETTLEMENT
20 Bakunts str.,Yerevan, Armenia
Contact: Robert Tatoyan,
Tel. +(374 1) 21 10 21
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
July 26, 2006
Yerevan, Armenia
AN ATTEMPT TO HACK THE SITE OF “YERKIR” UNION OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS FOR REPATRIATION AND SETTLEMENT
On July 25, 2006 the site of `Yerkir’ Union of Non-Governmental
Organizations for Repatriation and Settlement at was
hacked by some Turkish hackers. While trying to open one of the
sections of the site visitors would find Turkish flag with the picture
of Ataturk on it.
Fortunately, at this moment the site is restored and functioning
properly.
`Yerkir’ Union considers this act as a hooliganism aimed at hindering
the activity of our Organization. Such a mean methods are not proper
for the citizens of the country considering itself as a democratic
state and applying for the EU membership.

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
July 26, 2006
MEMBERS OF CILICIAN SEE PARTICIPATE IN
ECUMENICAL DIALOGUE IN SWITZERLAND
NEW YORK, NY-His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the
Eastern Prelacy of the United States and Ecumenical Officer of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia for the United States, and Ms. Nayiri Baljian,
delegate to the 9th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC), joined
18 other men and women from around the world for an ecumenical seminar
entitled, “What It Means to be Human: Orthodox and Evangelicals in
Dialogue.” The Seminar, which took place at the Ecumenical Institute,
Bossey, Switzerland, was the fourth in a series of topical dialogues between
members of Evangelical and Orthodox churches. The previous three seminars
each focused on one of the following themes: salvation, ecclesiology,
scriptures, and the way in which Orthodox and Evangelicals perceive one
another.
As indicated by its title, the agenda for this seminar centered on the
theme of theological anthropology, with the first two full days of the
program dedicated to hearing and responding to papers prepared by Rev. Dr.
Andrew Louth, Antiochian Orthodox priest and lecturer at the University of
Durham (England), and Dr. Mark Elliot, an evangelical and professor for the
School of Divinity at the University of St. Andrew’s (Scotland). Dr. Louth,
in his paper entitled, “An Orthodox Understanding of What it is to be
Human,” discussed both the idea of human creation in the image of God and
the notion of hypostases, a Greek term used to express the existential
nature of human beings. Dr. Louth noted that from the Orthodox perspective,
and opposed to Western individualism, humans primarily exist in
relationship, with one another and God. Via current Orthodox scholarship,
Dr. Louth linked creation in the image of God to the individual’s prayer
life, while Orthodox participants in the seminar insisted that the
hypostatic reality of humanness relates to participation in the Eucharist,
i.e. corporate worship. Dr. James Stamoolis, Professor of Biblical Studies
at Trinity International University (United States), read a thoughtful
statement of response from the Evangelical perspective. Dr. Elliot presented
his paper on humanness from the Evangelical perspective, acknowledging that
a single “Evangelical perspective” on any matter is difficult to define. Dr.
Elliot concluded that in general Evangelicals view anthropology with
“sobriety,” given Calvinistic views on the seriousness of sin and the
hopeless nature of the human soul sans Christ; however, in light of human
salvation and redemption through Jesus, humanness assumes a hopeful,
service-oriented significance.
Rev. Dr. Stelian Tofana, Romanian Orthodox priest and member of the
Theological Faculty at Cluj (Romania), responded to Dr. Elliot’s paper from
the Orthodox perspective. Through response statements and group discussion,
the plenary concluded that despite obvious differences pertaining to human
salvation and the depravity of human nature, Evangelicals and Orthodox share
a similar theological understanding of anthropology.
Day three of the seminar was spent in nearby Geneva, at the headquarters
of the WCC. Participants heard two lectures under the heading “Revisiting
the thought of the Reformation about anthropology within the context of
patristic views.” Lecture one was given by Rev. Dr. Sven Opengaard, from the
Lutheran perspective, lecture two by Rev. Dr. Odair Pedroso Mateus, from the
Reformed perspective. Immediately following, Rev. Dr. Kersten Storch
presented recent work on anthropology by the Faith and Order commission of
the WCC. This work has been published in a booklet entitled, “Christian
Perspectives on Theological Anthropology: A Faith and Order Study Document”
(Faith and Order Paper No. 199, WCC, 2005, 58pp).
Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the WCC, met briefly with
the group, discussing his vision for the WCC, including facilitating breadth
and depth of relationship among churches, via means such as ecumenical
dialogue.
The final two days of the seminar were dedicated to work in small
groups. Groups first focused either on the idea of creation in the image of
God or on the corporate vs. individual nature of anthropology, discussing
each (as assigned) from the Orthodox and Evangelical perspectives. Groups
next discussed practical matters pertaining to our convergent and divergent
views on anthropology. Various suggestions were made regarding steps that
might be taken jointly, particularly on social and ethical issues, in light
of the strong agreement between Evangelicals and Orthodox regarding
theological anthropology. A publication encompassing the reports of groups
and the papers/response statements presented from the entire series of
Evangelical-Orthodox dialogues at Bossey will be forthcoming.
Participants at the seminar strongly recommended continuing the
Orthodox-Evangelical dialogue in the same forum, and as such, a similar
seminar has been tentatively scheduled for the summer of 2008 at Bossey,
with a topic yet to be determined. The newly-formed dialogue steering
committee, to which Ms. Baljian was named, will stress the recruitment of
Orthodox theologians and lay leaders, as out of 20 attendees on this
occasion only six were Orthodox while 14 were Evangelical. Although the
Ecumenical Institute at Bossey is affiliated with the WCC and its seminars
receive support from WCC staff, the Orthodox-Evangelical dialogue series is
considered “unofficial,” as participants need not be official delegates of
their churches. Open to the public, all Bossey seminars may be applied to,
following the instructions found online at

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
July 26, 2006
FIVE STUDENTS ARE GRADUATED FROM SIAMANTO ACADEMY
NEW YORK, NY-“When I was attending Siamanto Academy many moons ago, I was
told by many people how important my education from Siamanto was for me and
my future. At the time of my graduation, I remember wondering where my
Armenian education would fit in the grand scheme of things and what
significance it would have in the years to come. Over time, I came to
realize that the well-intentioned people were right. I see that Siamanto had
done more than teach me the Armenian language, history and faith. It had
provided me with an Armenian identity that I have carried with me at every
stage of my life.”
Tamar Harutunian, Esq., a Siamanto Academy graduate, began her message
to the 2006 Siamanto Academy graduates with those words providing an
eloquent beginning to the commencement exercises that took place on June 24
at the Armenian Center in Woodside, New York. The graduates of 2006 are:
Tamar Samuelian, Shogher Baronian, Mesak Sarkissian, Chris Biramian and
Vatche Asadourian. Mrs. Ani Nercessian, principal of the Academy, opened the
program and invited Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, New York, to offer the invocation.
The keynote speaker continued her inspiring words directed at the
graduates and their families: “You see, our Armenian schools provide us with
an education that we cannot find at any other institution. There we learn
about a people who have persevered throughout centuries of struggle and have
found the will to survive by teaching future generations in their homes and
schools. By attending Siamanto you learned about the people to whom you
belong, and thus you have learned quite a bit about yourselves. As you go on
to the next phase of your lives, such as college, take this knowledge with
you and let it provide you with a sense of belonging to the Armenian family
you have found here. Also, remember that like any family, this family needs
your love, care, and support. It falls upon each of us to continue to
support our Armenian schools so that the coming generations may also learn
about themselves and the Armenian identity will continue to be preserved.
Congratulations to all and best of luck.”
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the
Siamanto Academy, under the sponsorship of the Armenian National Education
Committee (ANEC). A three-year, weekly, comprehensive course of study in
Armenian language, literature, Christian studies, history and culture,
entitles students to college credit recommendations.
Following Ms. Harutunian’s speech, each of the graduates gave a brief
message about their years at the Academy. Their fond memories focused on the
cultural knowledge they acquired and the many friendships they forged. Their
statements were witty, eloquent and truthful, reflecting their appreciation
of their unique experiences. It was followed by a short program of
recitations and solo musical performances.
Mrs. Nayiri Balanian, chair of ANEC, congratulated the students and
said, “As our Lord Jesus Christ sent His apostles to spread the Good News,
baptize and spread Christianity, the Siamanto Academy tells its graduates to
go and remain good Armenians and spread love towards Armenia among all
Armenians, and also keep the memories of St. Gregory the Illuminator, Saints
Sahag and Mesrob, and other great Armenians, alive. Always remember the love
and care that you received at the Academy, take it with you, but remember
the responsibilities that you have as an educated Armenian.”
Each of the graduates was presented with an ancient Armenian coin
donated by Mr. Gary Setian of Massachusetts, a copy of The Flames of Artsakh
by Peter Khanbegian and Meg, Yergou, Yerek, by Nayiri Balanian.
It was a special day for Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, because these
graduates began their study at the Academy when he was the principal of the
Academy. Der Hayr conveyed the congratulations and blessings of the Prelate,
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and the Vicar General, Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian.
The Siamanto Academy is designed for high school students who are
graduates of Armenian schools. The Academy offers accredited, college-level
courses in Armenian studies. With an accomplished faculty of Christian
educators, literature professors, historians, and guest speakers who
specialize in various disciplines, the Siamanto Academy is a gateway to
higher cultural awareness, preparing students for effective leadership in
our community.
Armenian school graduates are invited to enroll in the Siamanto Academy,
which will resume classes in September. Send inquiries to
[email protected] or 212-689-7810.
The Armenian National Education Committee, the sponsor of the Siamanto
Academy, is under the sponsorship of the Armenian Relief Society (Eastern
US) and the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
07/26/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1. House Backs Funding Ban on Turkish-Georgian-Azeri Rail Link 2. Baroness Cox Presents Julfa Monument Desecration at House of Lords 3. Armenia To Provide Relief To Lebanon 4. ARF Lebanon Meets with Religious Leaders, Ambassador 1. House Backs Funding Ban on Turkish-Georgian-Azeri Rail Link WASHINGTON (RFE/RL)--The US House of Representatives has passed legislation banning US government assistance to controversial plans for the construction of a railway that would link Turkey with Georgia and Azerbaijan and bypass Armenia. A resolution approved by legislators late Tuesday contains a provision which says that the US Export-Import Bank can not finance or promote "any rail connections or railway-related connections that do not traverse or connect with Armenia, and do traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan, Tbilisi, Georgia, and Kars, Turkey." The provision was unanimously backed by the House Financial Services Committee last month under pressure from Armenian-American lobbying groups. Its main sponsor, Congressman Joseph Crowley of New York, said the ban will "assist in promoting stability in the Caucasus region, help in ending long standing conflicts, and save US taxpayers the responsibility of funding a project that goes against US interests." "We thank Congressman Crowley, his Financial Services Committee colleagues Ed Royce and Brad Sherman, as well as the authors of the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act - Joe Knollenberg, Frank Pallone and George Radanovich - for securing the adoption by the House of this measure protecting American taxpayers from subsidizing an ill-advised and over-priced railroad project that--at the insistence of Turkey and Azerbaijan--has been proposed solely for the purpose of excluding Armenia," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America. The administration of President George. W. Bush did not voice objections to the bill, indicating its opposition to the railway project currently discussed by the governments of Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. "The proposed railway would bypass Armenia and thus not be beneficial to regional integration," Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said earlier this year. Similar legislation is due to be debated in the US Senate soon. If passed, it will effectively block participation of US companies in the $400 million project that has prompted serious concern from Armenia's government. However, Turkish and Azeri officials have already downplayed the impact of US funding restrictions. "I think the three countries have enough funds to finance [the project] in one way or another," the Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman, Namik Tan, told RFE/RL on June 21. The Armenian government argues that there already exists a railroad connecting Turkey to the South Caucasus via Armenia and that the regional countries should reactivate it instead of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on building a new one. The Kars-Gyumri rail link has stood idle more than a decade as part of the continuing Turkish economic blockade of Armenia. Tan said it could be reopened only after a resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. 2. Baroness Cox Presents Julfa Monument Desecration at House of Lords YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Deputy Speaker of the British House of Lords Baroness Caroline Cox told a press conference in Yerevan Tuesday that she has presented the ongoing desecration of Armenian monuments in Julfa (Nakhichevan) to the House of Lords, outlining that Azerbaijan systematically has destroyed 1000 such landmarks. During her presentation, Cox has demanded that the British government to exert pressure on Azerbaijan to allow international monitors and experts to visit the area to become acquainted with the situation. "What Azerbaijan is doing is a horrible crime. I will do my utmost to inform people about that and tell the world the truth," said Cox. Azeri army units stormed an Armenian cemetery along the banks of the Arax River in December, and with large hammers, shovels and tractors destroyed Armenian monuments, which had been salvaged in 2002. Cox also told journalists that Karabakh Armenians have the right to determine their future. Answering a question about her visions for Karabakh's future, the Baroness stated, "I cannot advise what to do; the people themselves should decide what is the most important thing for them" and added she was ready to support any action, which could lead to the conflict settlement and secure peaceful life. According to Baroness Cox, who has repeatedly been to the conflict area both during the war and after the cease-fire, Azerbaijan was the major aggressor in the Karabakh conflict and committed serious crimes against human rights. Perpetrating ethnic cleansing of the Armenians in Karabakh was a crime against humanity, the Baroness said. 3. Armenia To Provide Relief To Lebanon YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--The Armenian government pledged on Wednesday to send humanitarian assistance to Lebanon as the number of people arriving in Armenia from the war-devastated country continued to rise. A government statement said Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan's cabinet will allocate on Thursday an unspecified amount of medicines, tents and fire-fighting equipment to the Lebanese authorities and ship them to Beirut via Syria later in the day. It said the aid will be provided in response to the Lebanese leadership's appeal to the international community to help hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the two-week Israeli bombardment. Details of the relief operation were discussed at a meeting of senior Armenian officials chaired by Minister for Local Government Hovik Abrahamian. The statement cited Deputy Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanian as telling the officials that more than 550 people have been evacuated to Armenia since Israel launched its onslaught on Lebanon on July 12. He said another 120 Lebanese residents are due to arrive in Yerevan on a special flight from Aleppo, Syria on Thursday. Most of the evacuees are Armenian nationals, the others being mainly ethnic Armenian citizens of Lebanon. In Gharibjanian's words, 49 Lebanese and two residents of Israel have applied for and will be granted asylum in Armenia. The government in Yerevan announced shortly after the start of Israeli military action that all Lebanese fleeing the conflict zone will be able to take refuge in Armenia for at least three months. The measure was primarily intended for members of the Lebanese-Armenian community. The cash-strapped government has not promised any financial aid to the arriving evacuees, though. But it said on Wednesday that it will look into ways of helping those of them who have no relatives and can not support themselves in Armenia. 4. ARF Lebanon Meets with Religious Leaders, Ambassador BEIRUT (Aztag)--A delegation from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Lebanon Central Committee met with His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great See of Cilicia Tuesday at the Bikfaya monastery to discuss the ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon and the Armenian community's role in light of the crisis. The ARF delegation updated the Catholicos on the humanitarian and relief efforts set forth by the Central Committee through corresponding organizations and the Bourdj Hammoud City Council to assist Lebanese refugees and victims of the attacks. The Catholicos praised the Armenian community's efforts, stressing that the community will be able to weather this crisis, as well. A Central Committee delegation also met with Armenia's Ambassador to Lebanon Vahan Ter-Ghevondyan and discussed coordination of efforts with the embassy. The delegation also met with the chairman of the Middle East Evangelical Church Organization, the patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church and the Prelate of Lebanon. During each meeting, the Central Committee delegation emphasized the importance of guaranteeing the safety and security of the community and the imperative for unity at the time of the crisis. They also discussed and coordinated refugee relief efforts with community leaders. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

AFA-Supported High School Training Held in Stepanakert
Students Learn about International Affairs, Gain Conflict Management Skills
PRESS RELEASE
July 26, 2006
AMERICANS FOR ARTSAKH
Contact: Hrant Jamgochian
[email protected]

Washington, DC – Seepan Parseghian of the Stanford University has just
successfully completed a peace education course for Nagorno Karabakh
(Artsakh) high school students. Based on an Armenian-language
curriculum Parseghian himself designed, the training course held in
Stepanakert built on a pilot project conducted in 2005 and supported
by the Americans for Artsakh (AFA) organization.
The summer 2005 pilot program, created in collaboration with the
Stanford University’s Haas Center of Public Service, School of
Education, Institute of International Studies, and Center on
International Conflict Negotiation, and organized through the
Association of International Diplomacy in Artsakh (AIDA) established
by Parseghian, involved thirty students from Stepanakert’s Eighth High
School. The students learned international relations theory and gained
conflict management and resolution skills. The program concluded with
a simulation conference of the Karabakh peace talks.
On the basis of the successfully completed pilot program, Parseghian
won the Donald A. Strauss Foundation Scholarship in Political Science,
expanding the summer 2006 program with the objective of promoting
leadership and understanding of international affairs among Armenian
youth living both in the homeland and Diaspora.
`I wanted to express my appreciation for AFA’s encouragement and
support for the AIDA project,’ said Parseghian. `The program has
already benefited dozens of bright young people in Artsakh, inspired
their interest in international relations, and I hope will encourage
them to pursue careers in public service and contribute to
strengthening Artsakh’s civil society.’
This summer twenty students were selected on a competitive basis from
all of Stepanakert’s high schools to participate in the program. From
June 19 through July 17, the students practiced team cooperation and
exercised individual initiative on case studies such as Rwanda,
Bosnia, Kosovo, and Northern Ireland. They also had an opportunity to
meet and communicate with senior government members, academics and
civic activists. Parseghian is working with Artsakh educators to
establish permanent student clubs focusing on international affairs
that would organize discussions, simulation conferences and other
similar activities.
`I had learned so much and Seepan presented the material in such an
enjoyable way that made it easy for me to participate alongside my
classmates,’ said one of the program participants Tigran Grigoryan. `I
am very happy that I chose to participate in the AIDA program with
Seepan, and I will definitely be continuing these activities with my
friends in the future.’
`With Seepan and the success of his AIDA program, Karabakh’s civil
society has taken another promising step forward towards becoming more
conscious of diplomacy and its power in defending the interests of our
people through peaceful means,’ commented the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic (NKR)’s Deputy Foreign Minister Masis Mayilian.
The project is set to continue this year and into 2007, with a series
of information sessions at university campuses throughout the United
States and concluding with the AIDA Youth Conference to take place
next spring.
`We are very excited about the AIDA project’s potential to contribute
to Artsakh’s education system and, over long-term, to NKR’s civil
society and diplomacy,’ said the AFA President Zaven Khanjian. `We
congratulate Seepan on his achievements and hope he continues his
efforts while encouraging many more Armenian Americans to contribute
to Artsakh’s development and continued success.’
Americans For Artsakh is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
organization established to preserve freedom, strengthen democracy,
foster economic development, protect the cultural identity and promote
the heritage of the people of Artsakh. The founding Board of Directors
include: Zaven Khanjian, President; Dr. Hratch Abrahamian, Vice
President; Savey Tufenkian, Treasurer; Rita Balian, Secretary; and
Edward Chobanian.
To contact Seepan Parseghian about the AIDA project, e-mail him at
[email protected].