ARMENIAN JOURNAL: SITE PROVIDES CONSTANT UPDATES OF AIRLINER CRASH
By Timothy Spence, Knight International Press Fellow
International Journalist’s Network
May 11 2006
Region :Eastern Europe-Central Eurasia
Country :Armenia
Within hours of when an Armenian airliner plunged into the Black Sea
on May 3, killing all 113 people on board, the staff of the ArmeniaNow
online newspaper were providing readers with hourly updates on the
country’s first major air accident in decades.
It is the first time in its four-year history that the news
organization provided such intensive coverage of a breaking news event,
said editor John Hughes.
“I always wondered how our staff would react to a disaster like this,
but in my mind it was always going to be an earthquake,” said Hughes,
co-founder of ArmeniaNow and a veteran American newspaper reporter.
“Given what we all have to work with, what I saw was as good as
anything I’ve seen.”
The day’s news gripped the Caucasus nation of 3.2 million people.
Cafes and restaurants kept televisions tuned to local and international
news reports of the accident. Nearly all the 105 passengers and eight
crew members on board Armavia Flight 967 were Armenian.
“Armenia is a small country and I’m sure most people had relatives
or friends or friends of friends on that plane,” said ArmeniaNow
reporter Suren Musaelyan. “It’s a huge tragedy and everybody feels
sympathy to the victims and wants to know what happened.”
Most of the public and independent television stations interrupted
their regular programming throughout the day to provide live coverage
and updates of the crash of the Airbus 320, which went down in stormy
weather after trying to make a landing at Sochi, Russia.
The last major crash of a plane that originated in the Armenian
capital of Yerevan was in 1976.
Musaelyan said he last saw such energy in the news media when he
covered the 1999 assassination of Armenian Prime Minister Vazgen
Sargsyan and five other members of Parliament. He worked at the time
as a reporter for the independent Noyan Tapan news agency.
Hughes mobilized eight reporters, a photographer and three translators,
who provided hourly updates throughout the day and evening.
Veteran Armenian reporter Aris Ghazinyan flew to the crash site off
the Russian coast and phoned in reports from there. Three ArmeniaNow
staff members filed reports from Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport.
At the ArmeniaNow office in central Yerevan, three reporters worked
the phones while the newspaper’s three translators provided real-time
updates in English and Armenian.
Gayane Abrahamyan, who normally covers the arts for ArmeniaNow, said
being assigned to cover the scene at the airport was emotionally trying
but an important experience in how to deal with covering tragedies.
She said families of the victims, overcome with grief, did not want
to answer reporters’ questions. “I tried to approach people from a
different point, by trying to understand and sympathize with their
personal emotions,” Abrahamyan said, and found that people were
willing to talk freely with her.
But that was a challenge for the 22-year-old reporter. “It was
impossible not to cry. It was even difficult to talk. But I tried to
gather all my strength and just to talk to them.”
ArmeniaNow also produced special coverage for the regular weekly
update of the Web site, interviewing family members of those who
perished in the crash and covering announcements from the airline
and Armenian and Russian airline safety officials.
ArmeniaNow is published every Friday in Armenian and English, serving
the nation’s large Diaspora community in the United States, Europe and
Australia, as well as people in the country. The online publication
claims a weekly readership of 12,000 “unique visits.”
Figures for visits on May 3 were not immediately available.
It routinely updates breaking stories during the week and provided
updated results of the 2003 presidential election. But Hughes said
the air crash coverage was something new to his 20-person staff.
“It’s the first time there’s been an event like this that merited
that kind of coverage,” he said. “The reason what we did was pretty
much my instinctual reaction.”
Hughes said he first heard about the crash from a friend who phoned
from the airport around 9 a.m., about five hours after the crash
occurred. Within 90 minutes, ArmeniaNow published its first detailed
news bulletin from reporters.
ArmeniaNow is independently financed and is a partner of the Knight
International Press Fellowships in Washington. Along with Knight,
it is sponsoring an internship program for journalism students at
Yerevan State University. It also participates in a Yerevan State
training program sponsored by the International Center for Journalists.
Timothy Spence is a Knight Fellow working with journalists
in Armenia. This is his second tour with the program; he
was previously in Ethiopia. The John S. and James L. Knight
Foundation sponsors the fellowships, administered by the
International Center for Journalists. For more information, visit

‘FRANCE SHOULD FIRST ADDRESS ALGERIA AND RWANDA’
Zaman, Turkey
May 11 2006
British-Armenian historian Ara Sarafian spoke to Zaman daily about the
controversial bill at the French parliament which would criminalize
denial of the so-called Armenian genocide. Despite his defense of the
genocide thesis, Sarafian criticized France, recalling the massacres
that took place in Algeria and Rwanda, and said “The French attitude
is ironic in light of its past.”
The historian voiced fierce objection to the Armenian bill at the
French parliament, citing France, who appears willing to pass the
bill, should first start with Algeria and Rwanda. Sarafian, whose
“Blue Book” caused a small-scale crisis between Turkey and Britain,
has reservations that the bill in France would stop the discussions
in Turkey. Regarding the declaration by nine Turkish intellectuals
that was published in the French daily Le Liberation, Sarafian said
he would sign the document “in principal.”
Sarafian, who heads the Gomidas Institute in London, told Zaman that
approval of the bill will have a negative impact on Turkish-European
Union relations, and the nationalist tendency would gain momentum in
Turkey, essentially cutting off the democratic process. Sarafian went
on to say that this scenario will work to the advantage of the Armenian
as well as Turkish nationalists, only fostering the problem in the end.
With an emphasis on the need for continuation of discussions, Sarafian
pointed to the opportunity of dealing with the Armenian issue in a
peaceful way.
In this regard, Europe received a warning from Sarafian to evaluate
and judge Turkey and Armenia on the basis of progress they have made.
The bill stands to be a game of “power politics,” said Sarafian when
he challenged the administration in Paris to face its own history.
“It is ironic that France should choose this path as the country
accountable for all that has happened in Algeria and Rwanda.”
In his criticism of the Armenian Diaspora as well as Turkey, Sarafian
said the Armenian issue has become a power politics for which both
Turkish and Armenian nationalists are struggling.
Sarafian, stressing his point that the Turkish government has by
far refused to acknowledge the existence of an Armenian “question,”
went on to say that it has been the Turkish government that wrote “the
rules of the game,” and that helped the radical Armenian nationalist
front to gain additional power.
The Armenian nationalists have found themselves in a powerful position
during the Turkish negotiations with the EU, said Sarafian, and added
that the Armenian question is being addressed in two different ways,
which is contradictory.
On the one hand, there are efforts to measure Turkish respect for
EU standards by way of considering the difference in the Turkish
retrospection of the Armenian question, said Sarafian, adding that
on the other hand, this difference in the Turkish vision of the
Armenian question provides racists, xenophobes and anti-Islamists
the opportunity to block Turkey’s progress towards the ideal of the
European Union.
Previously, while conducting research in the Turkish archives,
Sarafian’s research permit had been cancelled. The British-Armenia
historian took part in the Armenian Symposium held at Istanbul
University, despite the harsh reactions of the Armenian Diaspora. He
was granted an “unconditional” research permit in archives recently for
the second time. Sarafian referred to the present Turkish government’s
serious efforts to resolve the Armenian issue as a real tragedy,
and noted that the Justice and Development Party government at least
did not “censure” debates over the Armenian genocide in Turkey.
Sarafian emphasized the Turkish government opened the thesis of the
Turkish History Council to discussions at the arena where there are
other voices and where discussions are slow to move forward, and some
laws are used to suppress the discussions.
Noting that Turkish people have started to openly talk about the issue
regardless, the Armenian-born historian highlighted some publications
do not welcome an official thesis on the “genocide.” The historian
believes occasions to solve the situation peacefully will be available
the near future.
Algerians maintain that under the French administration, hundreds of
thousands of people were killed, as well as those exposed to “identity
genocide,” and that France should apologize. While France refuses
to heed demands calling for an apology, it is also been accused of
training Hutu militia and encouraging genocide by turning away from
the reality.

TURKEY QUITS INTERNATIONAL MILITARY MANEUVERS IN CANADA
By Cihan News Agency, Toronto
Zaman, Turkey
May 11 2006
Turkey, recalling its ambassador to Canada after Canadian Prime
Minister Stephen Harper used the word “genocide” in a statement he
made on April 24, the date Armenians remember the events of 1915,
also withdrew from international military maneuvers in this country.
Turkey Embassy officials announced aircraft and support craft of the
Turkish Air Forces that were earlier confirmed to take part in the
international maneuvers at Canada’s Cold Late Bay in the province of
Alberta on May 17-June 24, withdrew from the maneuvers.
Canada Defense Ministry spokesman Gordon O’Connor confirmed Turkey
withdrew from the military maneuvers on Friday.

TURKEY WARNS OF DIPLOMATIC DAMAGE OVER ARMENIAN ISSUE
By Andrew Borowiec
Washington Times, DC
May 11 2006
NICOSIA, Cyprus — Turkey this week summoned its ambassadors to France
and Canada for consultation in an escalating row over the World War
I massacres of more than 1 million Armenians.
The government in Ankara has warned of “irreparable damage” to its
relations with France if the National Assembly approved law to make
any denial of the massacre a criminal offense.
In Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently referred to the
deaths of Turkish Armenians as genocide, drawing Turkish ire.
In an unusual move, the Turkish Foreign Ministry has suggested that
the French government should prevent the adoption of the denial bill
by the lower house of parliament.
“Accepting this draft law would cause irreparable damage to
Turkish-French relations. It should not be permitted,” the ministry
said.
Unlike Germany, which has acknowledged the Holocaust of the Nazi era
and compensated some of the survivors, Turkey dismisses the massive
documentation of the Armenian massacres by the Ottomans.
The European Parliament has already approved a nonbinding resolution
requiring Turkey to recognize the death of Armenians as genocide
before it is admitted to the European Union.
The draft bill before the French National Assembly was strongly
influenced by the presence in France of some 400,000 Armenians,
the largest Armenian diaspora in Europe. Many are active in French
political life.
Turkish authorities continue to oppose any public discussion of
the Armenian problem. Several journalists have been charged with
violating the code on “insulting Turkishness” for writing about the
90-year-old massacres.
However, under strong EU pressure, similar charges were dropped
against Orhan Pamuk, an internationally known Turkish novelist who
had called on Turkey to admit its guilt.
According to the prevailing Turkish version, Armenians living in
Turkey had to be resettled in the desert areas of the Ottoman Empire
because they were “the fifth column” on behalf of Russia and the
Western Allies.
Turkey fought on the side of Germany and Austria in World War I.
According to the version of the London-based Minority Rights Group,
in the spring of 1915, less than a year after the start of the war,
“Turkish Armenians in the Ottoman army were disarmed and herded into
labor battalions where they were starved, beaten or machine-gunned.
“A ‘resettlement campaign’ followed in which most Armenian men were
summarily executed while women and children were “forced to walk
southward in huge convoys to the burning desert of northern Syria.
Few survived the privations of these terrible death marches.”
The Minority Rights Group concluded that before 1914 over 2 million
Armenians lived under the Ottomans, but the figure has hardly exceeded
100,000 since World War I.
“Thus the number of Armenian dead may safely be put at around
1,500,000. Another half a million became homeless refugees whose
descendants, with their tragic memories, can be found today in a
score of countries.”

CHAIRMAN OF CENTER FOR POLITICAL INNOVATIONS AND TECHNOLOGIES LEADS NEWS CONFERENCE
Author: J. Shakhverdiyev
TREND Info, Azerbaijan
May 11 2006
Mubariz Akhmedogli, Chairman of Center for Political innovations and
technologies, led a news conference devoted to the political totals
of April in the region and the world as whole. Akhmedogli reportedly
said April’s most important events were happening around Iran.
Among the top events were the Persian Gulf countries refusals to sign
a non-aggression pact with Iran and Russian-Turkish power cooperation.
Most events on South Caucasus relate to Nagorno-Karabakh. Akhmedogli
recalled the words said by Terry Davis, the CE General Secretary,
who outlined the importance of Karabakh conflict resolution in making
peace between Turkey and Armenia.
Last month the issue of so-called Armenian genocide was in the air.
Inability of official Yerevan to lead independent politics poses a
threat both to Armenia itself and the region as whole.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
May 11, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ARMENIAN AND HELLENIC CAUCUS LEADERS JOIN
TOGETHER IN OPPOSING MISSILE SALE TO TURKEY
— Reps. Bilirakis, Pallone, Radanovich, and Maloney
Warn that SLAM-ER Missile Transfer Will Undermine
Cyprus Peace Process and Threaten Armenia
WASHINGTON, DC – The Co-Chairpersons of the Hellenic Caucus, Reps.
Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), were joined
today by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor George Radanovich (R-CA)
in calling on Congressional leaders to reexamine a controversial
$162 million U.S. missile sale to Turkey.
In letters addressed to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the
House Armed Services and International Relations Committees, the
four legislators voiced their “deep concern and opposition to the
application currently before your Committee for the foreign
military sale to Turkey of 50 AGM 84K Joint Standoff Land Attack
Missiles – Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) and associated equipment and
services.”
Noting that Turkey has enforced an illegal blockade against Armenia
for the last twelve years, provides support to Azerbaijan against
Nagorno Karabagh, and refuses to normalize relations with Armenia,
they stressed that, “there are no safeguards in place to ensure
that the transfer of these advanced new weapons to Turkey will not
be used to threaten Armenia.” Commenting on the presence of more
than 40,000 Turkish military troops in the Turkish-occupied area of
Cyprus, the legislators argued that the sale would “exacerbate the
already existing military imbalance over Cyprus,” and “worsen the
uneasy, insecure and disadvantaged position of the Republic of
Cyprus in terms of its defense and weapons proliferation.” They
closed the letter by requesting a “thorough reexamination of all
factors pertaining to the sale” of the missiles to Turkey.
“We join with our friends at the American Hellenic Institute in
thanking Representatives Bilirakis, Pallone, Maloney, and
Radanovich in calling for a careful review of this ill-advised and
destabilizing arms sale to an already over-armed Turkish military,”
said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “Neither U.S.
interests nor American values are served by providing advanced
offensive weapons to a government that used U.S. arms to invade
Cyprus in 1974, transferred weapons to Azerbaijan during the
Nagorno Karabagh conflict, regularly invades Greek airspace over
the Aegean Sea, and has used American military equipment in
committing human rights abuses against its own citizens.”
The full text of the Congressional letter is provided below.
#####
Dear Mr. Chairman:
We are writing to express our deep concern and opposition to the
application currently before your Committee for the foreign
military sale to Turkey of 50 AGM 84K Joint Standoff Land Attack
Missiles – Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) and associated equipment and
services.
Considering the presence of more than 40,000 Turkish military
troops in the Turkish-occupied area of Cyprus, this particular sale
– if materialized – will exacerbate the already existing military
imbalance over Cyprus. It will worsen the uneasy, insecure and
disadvantaged position of the Republic of Cyprus in terms of its
defense and weapons proliferation.
We also believe that U.S. approval of this sale will negatively
influence the ongoing efforts of the Administration to encourage a
negotiated settlement of the Cyprus question. Support for the sale
could be perceived as adversely affecting our third-party role in
helping to bring the interested parties together.
Turkey has also has enforced an illegal blockade against Armenia
for the last twelve years, continues to provide support to
Azerbaijan against Nagorno Karabagh, and refuses to normalize
relations with Armenia. There are no safeguards in place to ensure
that the transfer of these advanced new weapons to Turkey will not
be used to threaten Armenia.
This potential sale sends the wrong political message at the wrong
time to Turkey and the neighboring countries. In a time of
delicate diplomatic balance by the United States in that region of
the world, the sale of this particular weapon to Turkey runs the
real danger of being seen by the other countries of concern as a
politically insensitive move.
We therefore request a thorough reexamination of all factors
pertaining to the sale of the cruise missiles to Turkey.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
[signed]
Michael Bilirakis
Co-Chair, Hellenic Caucus
[signed]
Frank Pallone
Co-Chair, Armenian Caucus
[signed]
Carolyn Maloney
Co-Chair, Hellenic Caucus
[signed]
George Radanovich
Member, Armenian Caucus

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church
79th Annual Diocesan Assembly
May 5-6, 2006
St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, Costa Mesa

Registration for the 79th Annual Diocesan Assembly began at 10:00
a.m. on Friday, May 5, following which upon the invitation of Deacon
Steve Adams, Assembly Chair, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, entered the church and
conducted the opening prayer.
The Primate introduced Rev. Fr. Asoghig Garabedian and Rev. Fr.
Trdat Bozigian, who had come to the Western Diocese to represent His
Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, in the 79th Annual
Assembly.
The officers of the Assembly were comprised of the following:
Deacon Steve Adams, Chairman; Deacon Rod Jorjorian, Vice Chairman;
Mr. Frank Korkmazian, English Secretary; and Archpriest Fr. Sipan
Mekhsian, Armenian Secretary.
Following his opening remarks Deacon Steven Adams invited Dr. Vahram
Biricik, who on behalf of the Organizing Committee of the host church
greeted the delegates and wished them luck.
Upon approval of the agenda and appointment of committees, the
delegates approved the minutes of the 78th Annual Assembly.
The delegates then discussed the following reports, which had
already been published in the Assembly booklet: Diocesan Council,
Christian Education Council, Ladies’ Society Central Council,
Diocesan Ladies’ Auxiliary, Etchmiadzin Children’s Fund, Clergy
Executive Council, Clergy Compensation Committee, Summer Camp Board,
Summer Camp Committee, ACYO (a. Youth Director’s Report; b. ACYO
Central Council; c. CYMA; d. Brighter Future for Armenia), St.
Gregory Hovsepian School, Cathedral Building Committee, Association
of Armenian Church Choirs, Arakel and Shake Aga-Sarkisian Library,
Publications (`The Mother Church’, Diocesan wall calendar and other
publications).

SECOND SESSION

The Second Session was also held on Friday, May 5, after lunch. The
discussion of agenda items continued following the opening prayer of
the Primate. Topics discussed included: Prison and Hospital Ministry,
Western Diocese Endowment Fund, Stewardship Committee, Fundraising
Committee, Armenian Professionals Network, Kevorkian Seminary, St.
Nersess Seminary, Auditing Committee, Diocesan Council Financial
Report, Amendments to by-laws.
Rev. Fr. Asoghig Garabedian conveyed the blessings of the Catholicos
and read the message of His Holiness, issued on the occasion of the
Assembly. Rev. Fr. Trdat Bozigian read the message in English. The
Delegates were asked to stand to hear the message of the Catholicos
of All Armenians, which read, `During our Pontifical visit to the
Western Diocese last year we were witness to the many activities
which are implemented at the Diocese thanks to your hard work and
dedication. We also had the pleasure to greet the members of the
Diocesan Council who had arrived in Armenia to participate in the
meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council, to bring to their attention
spiritual, educational and other concerns pertaining to your Diocese.’
The Primate’s Annual report, which was published separately in both
Armenian and English, was distributed to the delegates. In his
message the Primate mentioned the following issues:
A. Mission of preparing candidates for the priesthood
B. Christian Education
C. Reorganization of the Diocesan structure
a. department of new parishes and mission parishes
b. full time youth director
c. Social Services Office
d. Mother Cathedral administration – maintenance and permanent
caretaker

`With her spiritual and national mission and role, the Western
Diocese has a significant position within the Armenian Church with
the Mother See as her hierarchical head,’ said the Primate. `The 79th
Assembly has the responsibility to organize the spiritual and
administrative life of the Diocese, her parishes and subcommittees.
We are well aware that we are faced with many issues: the
strengthening of the church, pastoral and administrative missions,
ecumenical relations, and social concerns. It is our duty to maintain
and uphold the strength of the Western Diocese, and above all to
dedicate ourselves to spiritual service led by the Word of God.’
On behalf of himself and the delegates of the Assembly the Primate
then extended heartfelt gratitude to His Holiness Karekin II, for his
fatherly care and guidance. He also commended the dedicated service of
the clergy of the Diocese, and emphasized the dedication of the
Yeretzgins, who serve the church along with our pastors.
Deacon Steve Adams introduced Mr. Raffi Kendirjian, Executive
Director of the Diocese, to the delegates and invited him to inform
the assembly of his activities. Mr. Kendirjian thanked the Primate
and the Diocesan Council for entrusting him with the position of
Executive Director, which is comprised of the responsibilities of the
general accounting of the Diocese and various other executive tasks.
In January of this year Mr. Parsegh Kartalian, who performed his
responsibilities as the accountant of the Diocese with utmost
meticulousness, transferred his duties to Mr. Kendirjian. An expert
in economics, Mr. Raffi Kendirjian has thus far performed an
outstanding service at the Diocese.
The delegates unanimously approved the 2006-2007 annual budget
presented by the Diocesan Council. They then discussed proposals to
amend the by-laws, elections, old and new business.

BANQUET

The official banquet took place on Friday evening in the Fesjian
Hall of the church, presided by His Eminence Archbishop Derderian.
All participants in the clergy conference, the Ladies’ Assembly and
the Diocesan Delegates’ Assembly enjoyed the evening’s warm
atmosphere.
The Primate presented this year’s Archbishop’s Award to Mrs. Lily
Balian, Chair of the Ladies’ Auxiliary. The Primate commended Mrs.
Balian’s service over the past many years, as well as her extensive
accomplishments in a variety of fields.
His Eminence presented certificates of `Blessings and Appreciation’
to the sponsors of the banquet, donors, and the members of the
organizing committee.

THIRD SESSION

The third session of the Diocesan Assembly began at 9:00 a.m. on
Saturday, May 6, with the Primate’s prayer.
Rev. Fr. Shnork Demirjian, pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church in
Van Nuys, delivered the message of the day, in which he stressed the
spirit of dedication and service. He commended the unrelenting
services of the parish councils, ladies’ societies, diocesan
delegates, ACYO, as well as all appointed and elected committees, who
under the leadership of their respective pastors provide a great deal
of assistance to their parishes and the Diocese.
Election of officers then took place, the results of which are as
follow:

Diocesan Assembly Chair Deacon Steven Adams
Diocesan Assembly Vice Chair Deacon Rod Jorjorian
Diocesan Assembly Armenian Secretary Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian
Diocesan Assembly English Secretary Shoghig Giragosian

Diocesan Council – clergy Rev. Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian
Archpriest Fr. Vartan Kasparian

Diocesan Council – laymen Ben Krikorian
Deacon Barlow Der-Mugrdechian
Joseph Kanimian, Esq.
Armen Hampar

Auditing Committee Sarkis Der Sarkisian

The delegates also approved the members nominated to the Western
Diocese Endowment Fund. Following the announcements of the results of
the elections, Shoghig Giragosian read the report of the
Acknowledgements Committee.
The 79th Annual Diocesan Assembly closed with the prayer of the
Primate. The Primate, Diocesan Council, as well as Assembly Chairman
Deacon Steven Adams extend their heartfelt gratitude to Archpriest
Fr. Moushegh Tashjian, Pastor of St. Mary Armenian Church, as well as
the parish council, ladies’ society, organizing committee and all
those individuals who helped make the 79th Annual Diocesan Assembly a
success, for their warm hospitality.

OFFICE OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE
May 11, 2006
Burbank, California
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

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