PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE PRESIDENT OF KARAPAGH PRAISES THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE
CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA IN THE STRENGTHENING OF KARAPAGH
Antelias, Lebanon – His Holiness Aram I recently donated about 100
thousand dollars for the construction of a Church in Sdepanagerd, the
capital of the Republic of Nagorno Karapagh. On this occasion, the president
of the republic, Argati Ghougassian, sent the following letter to the
Pontiff.
“His Holiness Aram I
Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia
On behalf of the people of Nagorno Karapagh and myself I would like to
express warm words of gratitude to the Catholicosate of Cilicia and to
yourself for your contribution to the construction of a church in the
capital of Karapagh, Sdepanagerd.
Your initiative, an act which is appealing to God and profitable for the
nation, is an invaluable contribution to guaranteeing the spiritual security
of the people of Karapagh. The church to be constructed will become a
spiritual and tangible witness and symbol of the unity of the three sectors
of the Armenian nation: Armenia, the Diaspora and Karapagh.
Grabbing this opportunity, I would like to reaffirm the readiness of the
people of Karapagh to welcome you in this small corner of our historic
homeland.
With respect and warm greetings,
Arkati Ghougassian”
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE MEETING OF EDAN
The World Council of Churches (WCC) has been actively involved in issues
related to the disabled since 1971. For the first time ever, 21 disabled
people participated in the WCC 6th Assembly in Vancouver in 1983.
EDAN, the Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network was established by the WCC
8th Assembly in Zimbabwe in 1998. The aim behind founding the network was to
invite churches to provide more opportunities to the disabled and to involve
them in the churches’ mission. The network today has disabled
representatives in seven regions. They coordinate the union’s works.
A consultation meeting organized by the WCC Middle East office, was held
21-24 June 2006 at the Bristol Hotel, between the general secretary of EDAN,
Samuel Kabue (a blind man from Kenya), representatives from the WCC Middle
East office, the general secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches
(MECC), Gerges Saleh, as well as disabled representatives of churches from
Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Jordan and Palestine and spiritual and lay social
workers.
Kevork Merdjanian represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia in this meeting.
The disabled expressed their concerns and praised the work of the network in
the life of churches. They presented proposals on developing the work of the
network in the Middle East. Two people from Lebanon were appointed to
coordinate the network’s activities in the Middle East.
Representatives from several communities were present at the meeting’s
concluding session. Rev. Fr. Housig Mardirossian represented the Armenian
Church at this session. Conveying the Pontiff’s greetings to the meeting,
the reverend said: “the disabled have always been in the prayers of His
Holiness Aram I throughout his 15 year chairmanship of WCC as well as
today.” He added: “Rest assured that the concerns of the disabled are the
concerns of our churches and our personal concerns. We hope that the
creation of this union in this region would further obligate the churches
you represent and particularly yourselves and that you would exert all
efforts for its success.’ He then thanked the organizers of the meeting.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
His Holiness Aram I received the president of the University of Boston, Dr.
Aram Chobanian, and his wife in the Antelias headquarters of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia on June 27. Dr. Chobanian, a prominent physician in
the United States, has been the head of the university’s medical department
for years and then its president.
Dr. Chobanian and His Holiness Aram I discussed issues related to the
Armenian community of the United States, the presence of Armenian students
in the University of Boston and the Armenian community’s contribution in the
various walks of life of the American society.
His Holiness praised the progress in the organization of the Armenian
communities in the United States and their connectedness to our national
structures, values and demands.
The president was then invited to lunch with His Holiness and they were
joined by the chairman of the National Central Council of the Catholicosate,
André Tabourian, president of Haigazian University, Rev. Dr. Paul
Haidostian, and former minister Alain Tabourian.
Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon Bishop Kegham Khatcherian will present the
guest with the “St. Mesrob Mashdots” insignia on behalf of His Holiness Aram
I. Dr. Chobanian is invited to Lebanon as a guest of Haigazian University,
to lecture at the university’s year-end ceremony.
##
View the photo here: tm#2
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

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 29-06-2006 Vartan Oskanian Comments on the Statement of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group in an Interview to Armenpress ARMENPRESS: The co-chairs in their statement say that ³our approach has been a modified one: we have not tried to solve all aspects of the conflict in one phase. Instead our principles seek to achieve a major degree of progress but defer some very difficult issues to the future and envision further negotiations.² What does this mean? OSKANIAN: The actual negotiating document on the principles that is on the table today is all-encompassing. It covers all the principles affecting the resolution of the conflict. It includes the core issue of status of Nagorno Karabakh, territories, refugees, security issues, peacekeeping and every other conceivable issue that is necessary in order to arrive at a lasting resolution of the conflict. Only after full agreement on all these basic principles would the parties, as the actual negotiating text says, ³in cooperation with the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk group to begin work on the elaboration of an agreement on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.² In other words, the agreement on principles will be comprehensive. The final agreement may envision implementation over time. ARMENPRESS: In their report, the co-chairs say ³the principles include the phased redeployment of Armenian troops from Azerbaijani territories around Nagorno Karabakh, with special modalities for Kelbajar and Lachin districts.² What are these special modalities? OSKANIAN: This formulation is indeed very broad, and for a reason. This issue has two layers. One is the issue of Lachin, where the actual negotiating text on principles provides clear language stating that there will be ³a corridor linking Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia.² For Armenia, it¹s very clear that this corridor must have the same status as Nagorno Karabakh. The second layer is the issue of Kelbajar. For Armenia, this also is clear: based on security concerns, Kelbajar can be returned only after the referendum is conducted and the final status of NK is determined. Azerbaijan¹s position is different on Kelbajar. That¹s the disagreement that the co-chairs are addressing in their statement. The co-chairs¹ language in the actual negotiating text, with regard to this issue, is generally in line with our approach. ARMENPRESS: The co-chairs say that there will be a referendum / popular vote ³to determine the final legal status of Nagorno Karabakh,² but they don¹t say who will vote. OSKANIAN: The actual negotiating text on principles clearly specifies that ³the final legal status will be determined through a referendum / population vote by the population of Nagorno Karabakh.² ARMENPRESS: The co-chairs also say ³certain interim arrangements for Nagorno Karabakh would allow for interaction with providers of international assistance.² What does this mean? OSKANIAN: This is only one element of a much more detailed section in the actual negotiating text which addresses interim status for Nagorno Karabakh. We think the co-chairs have emphasized international engagement, because that¹s a major problem for the people of Nagorno Karabakh. Their current, unrecognized, de-facto status, has not allowed them to benefit from the generosity of international organizations. In the actual negotiating text, the provisions address such rights as control over their political and economic viability and security, upholding their personal privileges and freedoms, the right to democratically elect officials to govern Nagorno Karabakh, the authority to effectively legislate and administer the internal affairs of Nagorno Karabakh. ARMENPRESS: What is Armenia¹s overall assessment of the content of the document as it stands today? OSKANIAN: This is not a perfect document. For anyone. However, there are enough solid and balanced provisions, with the right trade-offs on the main issues - status, territories and security - that we are prepared to continue to negotiate on the basis of these principles. In today¹s context, Azerbaijan¹s rhetoric about autonomy and desperate calls for militarization surprise us. We have at hand a real opportunity to resolve all issues, including the much-maligned issue of refugees. But Azerbaijan must revert to real situations and real opportunities, rather than illusory maximalist hopes. Today, we hope that Azerbaijan will realize that we have a chance to resolve the conflict and achieve a lasting peace.

Armenian Patriarch Karekin Investigated
Following the first visit to Turkey of the Head of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, an investigation is launched against Karekin II under article 301
of Anti-Terror Law for “insulting Turkishness”.
BI.A News Center
29/06/2006
BI.A (Istanbul) – An investigation has been launched in Turkey
against the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church Catholicos Karekin II
related to remarks he made during his first visit to the country last week.
The investigation was started under controversial article 301 of the
Turkish Penal Code for “insulting Turkishness” and is related to a criminal
complaint filed by an individual named Recep Akkus and the right-wing
Jurists Union that has pursued a series of similar complaints against
high-profile Turkish authors and intellectuals.
Akkus himself as among those who filed a criminal complaint against
Turkey-EU Mixed Parliamentary Commission co-chairman Joost Lagendijk for,
“insulting the Turkish army and judiciary organs and attempting to
influence the judiciary?.
The complaint related to a press conference held at the Armenian Patriarchy
last week where Karekin II said “genocide is not an issue of research for
our people, it is an incident that has happened and it should be
recognised”.
Turkey’s NTV channel reported that as Karekin II is currently in Armenia
and there is no judicial assistance agreement between Turkey and that
country, it is not likely for a statement to be taken from the head of the
Armenian Apostolic Church by Letter of Request.
If the prosecution deems it necessary, it can issue a warrant to all border
doors and entry points for Karekin II to be questioned and a statement
taken from him on his next entry into the country. (EO/TK/II/YE)

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES SHEIKH KABALAN
His Holiness Aram I received a delegation headed by the Head of the Higher
Islamic Shiite Council (HISC) Sheikh Abdel Amir Kabalan in Antelias on June
29.
Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, member of the
National Council, Tsolag Tutelian, chairman of the Armenian Political
Council in Lebanon, Hagop Shamelian, representative of the Armenian
community in the Christian-Muslim Dialogue committee, Dr. Jean Salmanian and
chancellor of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, Khatchig Dedeyan.
The two spiritual leaders met for over an hour during which discussions
focused on the Middle East in general and the internal situation in Lebanon
in particular. Sheikh Kabalan talked with great respect about the Armenian
community of Lebanon as an organized and exemplary community. He emphasized
the important role of community leaders in strengthening the internal unity
of Lebanon, keeping the people above internal sensitivities and personal
interests and pursuing the collective and chief interests of Lebanon.
His Holiness Aram I recalled his first encounter with Imam Moussa Sader in
1970 when he was still a young priest attending a Christian-Muslim
international conference. His Holiness also recalled his warm cooperation
with Sheikh Shamseddine, reminding his guest of the existence of a strong
and an organized Armenian community in Iran.
Speaking about Lebanon, His Holiness said: “The unity of Lebanon, its
sovereignty, integrity and the coexistence of its communities have become
unchangeable principles and chief values for the Armenians of Lebanon. The
approach and commitment of the Armenians of Lebanon stays the same: it is
with this realization that we, as a community, have first fulfilled our
obligations and then demanded our rights. More than ever, today I consider
the strengthening of the internal unity of Lebanon to be an imperative
necessity.”
At the end of the meeting Sheikh Kabalan invited the Catholicos to
participate in the Chrisitian-Muslim inter-communal meeting to be held in
the center of Shiites in Hazmiyeh on July 20. The two spiritual leaders then
answered the questions of reporters. The pontiff and Sheikh Kabalan
condemned the recent attacks of Israel against Palestinians during their
press conference.
##
View photos here: tm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Galust Sahakyan: Matthew Bryza made no revelations

ArmRadio.am
30.06.2006 17:55
`Matthew Bryza made no revelations, since every day in the course of
the last two month the press was writing about the negotiations
process,’ Head of the Republican faction Galust Sahakyan declared.
Head of the Republican faction is confident that the Armenian side did
not agree to anything, and the leakage pursued one aim ` to check the
dispositions of the societies of the twp countries.
The meeting of the Republican Party scheduled July 22 is
extraordinary, but not an emergency one. According to the Republican,
the confusion around the meeting is a result of the heat in Yerevan
and the snoozing internal political life.
Turning to the extraordinary meeting of the Republican Party, Galust
Sahakyan said, `Serge Sargsyan should decide himself whether he will
become Co-President of the Party of not.’
In response to the question how the other political forces will take
Serge Sargsyan’s joining the Republican Party, Mr. Sahakyan said,
`They take it normally. I’d like to note, however, that the Republican
Party has never put an aim to conquer the whole field.’
In a interview to `Haykakan Zhamanak’ newspaper, independent Deputy
Manuk Gasparyan resolutely asserted that after Serge Sargsyan joins
the Republican Party, Andranik Margaryan will resign because of
unsatisfactory health condition, and Serge Sargsayn will replace him
as Prime Minister. The Republicans do not take such scenarios
seriously. `We do not even discuss it, it has been six years that they
are speaking about Andranik Margaryan’s resignation. At last everyone
` the politicians and the society ` should understand that Andranik
Margaryan is an important factor.
Predicting which political forces will be represented in the National
Assembly of the fourth convocation, Galust Sahakyan expressed the
opinion that the status quo will be maintained. However, if one or two
of the new parties manage to lead a clever election campaign, the
number of the factions may increase with one.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

First International Youth Conference on National Democracies to open in
Yerevan July 3

ArmRadio.am
30.06.2006 18:00
July 3 the first International Youth Conference on National
Democracies will open in Yerevan. The conference will be held on July
3-7 and will cover topics related to National Democracy, such as Youth
and Democracy, National Culture and Democracy, Nationalism,
Cosmopolitism and Democracy and Democratic Education. It involves
students from different countries including Armenia.
There will be speakers from Stockholm City Hall, Sweden, Caucasus
Media Institute, Armenia, Russian Embassy in Armenia, Yerevan State
University, the “European Integration” NGO, the “Sociometr” Research
Center, Caucasus Research and Resource Center, Armenian Center of
Political and International Research, OpenArmenia.com, ICSRD, Florida
State University and AIPRG.

ARMENTEL TO BE SOLD TO A COMPANY OFFERING MOST FAVORABLE CONDITIONS
FOR ARMENIA
Yerevan, June 30. ArmInfo. The Armenian economy is organically tied up
with the Russian economy, consequently, Russia is the key market for
Armenian goods, says the leader of the parliamentary faction of the
Republican Party of Armenia Galust Sahakyan.
He says that there is nothing strange or dangerous in Russia’s
increasing its economic capital in Armenia.
Concerning the possibility of a Russian company buying the 90% stake
of the ArmenTel telecom company, Sahakyan says that ArmenTel will be
sold to a company who will offer conditions that will be most
favorable for Armenia.

GALOUST SAHAKIAN: THE STRICT STATEMENTS OF THE US OFFICIALS ARE AIMED
TO ACHEIVEMENT OF USA’S GOALS IN THE SOUTH CAUCASUS
Yerevan, June 30. ArmInfo. The statement of Mathew Bryza, US Co-Chair
of OSCE MG, who said that Armenia should follow the example of
Azerbaijan in democratic development, is merely aimed to settle the
economic interests of USA in Azerbaijan. Galoust Sahakian, head of the
Republican Party Faction, expressed such an opinion at today’s press
conference.
He said that even the most radical Armenian opposition members would
never dare to say that Azerbaijan is a more democratic party than
Armenia. “From the viewpoint of democratization, Azerbaijan can’t be
compared even to Turkey, as Turkey is a much more democratic country,”
Sahakain said.
As for the strict statement of John Danilovic, head of “Millenium
Challenges” Office in Armenia, about probable stopping of the
program’s implementation in Armenia, Sahakian emphasized that USA
tries to exert pressure on Armenia for reaching its own goals in the
region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress