Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE
October 12, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ANCA STATEMENT ON AXA SETTLEMENT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ERA INSURANCE
CLAIMS

NOTE TO THE EDITOR: Following is the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA) statement on the AXA Class Action Lawsuit
settlement dealing with Armenian Genocide era insurance claims.

___________________________________________________________________

The Armenian National Committee of America today welcomed the
settlement of a class action lawsuit against AXA Insurance company,
allowing descendents of Armenian Genocide era insurance policy
holders to seek the assets denied to them for far too long. The
historic case is the second of its kind, following the New York
Life Insurance class action case settled in February, 2004. In
both cases, the heirs of genocide-era claim holders were
represented by Yeghiayan and Associates, Geragos and Geragos, and
Kabateck Brown Kellner.

To place this settlement in its proper context, it is important to
note that, while the heirs and grandchildren of Genocide-era policy
holders will now receive some small portion of those funds, we
should remember that those monies were not available when these
orphans of the Genocide needed them the most. Instead, they were
collecting interest in AXA coffers and remained there for some 90
years until this corrective action was taken.

The European affiliates of the ANCA played an important role in
educating the European citizenry in general and the Armenian
community in particular regarding the AXA case, through a media
outreach and a far-reaching email campaign. As part of this
effort, the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy
(EAFJD) initiated a petition campaign to AXA France Supervisory
Board Chairman Claude Bebear, urging the firm to accept a fair
settlement that would extend a measure of dignity and recognition
to the victims wrongfully denied their property for the past nine
decades.

The Armenian American community expects a fair, effective, and
orderly claims process be put in place that fully accounts for each
policyholder and appropriately disburses funds to European Armenian
charities and organizations with a long-standing record of fighting
for the rights of the descendants of Armenian Genocide victims.

While the AXA case is significant in that it recognizes the
legitimacy of the insurance claims of Armenian Genocide victims, it
is by no means related to any claims for the deaths, thefts, bodily
harm, and real and personal property confiscations undertaken by
the government of Ottoman Turkey and the Republic of Turkey between
1915 and 1923, the liability and responsibilities for which
continue to be held by the modern day government of Turkey. Nor
does the damages calculation assigned in this case relate in any
way to those claims, which continue to remain outstanding.

The ANCA remains committed to ensuring that, in time, the Armenian
people will receive the restitution they are owed from all those
who unjustly profited, either directly or indirectly, from the
Armenian Genocide.

RIA Novosti
12/ 10/ 2005
U.S. energy establishment expresses interest in Iran-Armenia pipeline

YEREVAN, October 12 (RIA Novosti, Gamlet Matevosyan) – U.S. Energy Secretary
Samuel W. Bodman said Wednesday that the United States would be interested
in contributing to the Iran-Armenia natural gas pipeline project.
Bodman met with his counterpart Armen Movsisyan in Armenia’s capital to
discuss the pipeline, as well as to consider the possibility of holding a
U.S.-Armenian energy forum for private companies and financial institutions
in order to boost Armenia’s energy sector, the Armenian Foreign Ministry
reported.
Movsisyan said Armenia’s only nuclear power plant could be shut down only if
there were other energy-generating facilities available to replace it. He
said Armenia expected the U.S. to help it in ensuring the plant’s safety and
developing alternative energy sources.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN CD “ARAM KHACHATRYAN: LIFE AND WORK” BEST IN WORLD IN 2005

YEREVAN, October 12. /ARKA/. The Armenian multimedia CD “Aram
Khachatryan: Life and Work” has been recognized the best CD on culture
in the world in 2005, Chairman of the Information Technologies
Foundation, Executive Director of the Information Technologies in
Education Company Garegin Chukaszyan told a press conference. Three
other Armenian products were recognized the best at a contest held on
the threshold of the Tunisian Summit of information community.
Specifically, the multimedia CD “Armenian Genocide 1915-1923” was
among the ten best education projects and won a special diploma, and
the and sites were among the ten best sites
in the categories e-business and e-healthcare.According to Chukaszyan
it is an unprecedented result for such a small country as Armenia,
especially so as it is the winner in one of the categories of the
contest of the World Summit for the second time. He said that it is a
special honor as Armenia is among such winners and IBM with its CD
“Historical heritage of Egypt”, US Smithson Museum, “Virtual Paris” of
the Ministry of Culture of France and the Russian web-site on World
War II. “We consider it a great success for Armenia. Although we rank
last in communication systems, we can compete with the world’s leaders
in programming and design,” Chukazszyan said.

The multimedia CD “Aram Khachatryan: Life and Work”, designed by the
“Bazmaweb” studio of the Information Technologies in Education
Company, is dedicated to the 100th birthday anniversary of the great
composer. The CB contains the composer’s biography and compositions,
tells about the atmosphere he lived and worked in, his letters,
pictures, archives, contemporaries’ memories and a film on his life.

The CD “Armenian Genocide 1915-1923” is dedicated to the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. It
contains documents on the life in Western Armenia from 1877 to
1965. The CD contains the information that has never been published
before, photo-archives, articles in the leading newspapers of the
world, evidence of witnesses, the most frequently asked questions,
process of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, maps and over 100
names of books and publications, recommendations, etc..

The Armenian winners are to receive their prizes and diplomas at the
World Summit of information community in Tunis on November 16-18,
2005. Armenia presented eight winner-works of the national contest
“Mashtots 1600”. Specifically, the CD “Armenian Genocide 1915-1923”,
CD “Aram Khachatryan: Life and Work”, (Byurtakan
observatory), (RA Economic Court), medical site
, , (a payment system), (RA
public TV), (Armenian Agency for Tourism
Development). P.T. -0–

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Contact: Talin Gregorian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

COUNCILMAN ERIC GARCETTI VISITS ARMENIA

Councilmember Visits Armenian Heartland in an Attempt to Create Sister
City Relationship with Yerevan

LOS ANGELES, CA – As a part of an official delegation of the Armenian
National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR), Los Angeles
City Councilmember Eric Garcetti recently returned after visiting
Armenia for nearly a week and a half where he met Armenian local and
national political leadership. The delegation included Garcetti’s
staff members Baydsar Thomasian and Lynette Amerian with husband Bruce
Bogstad, and ANCA-WR Board members Leonard Manoukian and Vahagn
Thomasian.

Upon their arrival, Councilmember Garcetti and the delegation were
greeted with a warm welcome by the Armenian officials as well as
American expatriates. Local television crews who waited until three in
the morning to interview Councilmember Garcetti were also on hand. The
following day, the delegation met with several Parliamentary leaders
including Levon Lazarian, Armen Rustamyan and the Mayor of Yerevan,
Yervand Zakharyan. During these meetings, Garcetti and the Armenian
officials discussed creating a Sister City relationship between Los
Angeles and Yerevan, and issues that are of concern to both the
diasporan and native Armenian communities.

`The meetings were all very encouraging about establishing a Sister
City agreement with Yerevan and using the Sister City relationship to
promote economic, cultural, and political interaction between the two
municipalities,’ said Councilmember Eric Garcetti. `We looked at
cooperation on the issues of law enforcement and we explored possible
cooperation around seismic standards for buildings, considering we
both live with fault lines in and around our cities.’

Throughout the remainder of their trip, as Garcetti and the delegation
traveled through the highlands of Armenia, they met with US Ambassador
to Armenia, John Marshall Evans, and the Deputy Minister on Foreign
Affairs, Arman Kirakossian. During these meetings, they discussed the
possibilities for development and success of both cities, if a Sister
City relationship were to be established. Ambassador Evans spoke of
his thoughts on creating a program in which the police and fire
departments of the City of Los Angeles and Yerevan would work with one
another in an exchange of knowledge and ideas in order to promote the
capabilities of each.

`I am very hopeful of the outcome Councilmember Garcetti’s trip to
Armenia will have for both the residents of Los Angeles and
Yerevan. It will undoubtedly create a relationship in which both
cities will benefit from one another,’ said delegation member and
ANCA-WR Board member Vahagn Thomasian.

During their visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial, the
Tzizernakabert, Garcetti and the delegation were joined by Democratic
National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. The two took part in a tree
planting ceremony in which they planted a pine tree in a grove where
elected officials from around the world have done the same in
remembrance of the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed by the
Ottoman Turkish government.

`The truth is that the Armenian genocide took place 90 years ago,’
said DNC Chairman Howard Dean. `Over a million people were
killed. There is no question that the United States should recognize
this.’

Dean’s visit to Armenia was spurred by an invitation by the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF). During his short trip, which lasted a
few days, he stressed his support of the Armenian American community’s
efforts to gain recognition for the Armenian Genocide. He also went on
to express his support for the congressional resolutions that urges
President Bush to `accurately characterize the systematic and
deliberate annihilation of 1,500,000 Armenians as genocide’ in his
annual message to the U.S.-Armenian community.

Garcetti was first elected in 2001, becoming one of the youngest
Councilmembers elected in the city’s history. He represents the 13th
district, which is known as the heart of Los Angeles, and stretches
between Hollywood and Downtown and includes the area known as `Little
Armenia.’

The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United
States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a
broad range of issues.

Editor’s Note: Photo 1: (Left to right) Chairman of the Defense,
National Security, and Internal Affairs Mher Shahgeldyan, Los Angeles
City Councilman Eric Garcetti, member of the National Democratic Party
Shavarsh Kocharyan, highest ranking Armenian Revolutionary Federation
member of the Parliament Levon Lazarian, Democratic National
Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean, Chairperson of the Standing
Committee on Science, Education, Culture, and Youth Affairs Hranush
Hakobyan, and Secretary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)
Hrayr Karapetyan. Photo 2: (Left to right) ANCA-WR Board member
Leonard Manoukian, long-time ANCA activist Michael Mahdesian,
Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean, Los Angeles
City Councilman Eric Garcetti, and ANCA-WR Board member Vahagn
Thomasian visit historic Khor Virap, just miles away from the biblical
Mount Ararat.

#####

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
10/12/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey open Georgian Section of Caspian Oil Pipeline
2) Governor Signs Senator Scott’s Armenia Trade Office Bill
3) ARF Armenia Youth Organization Gains 42 New Members
4) Catholicos Aram I Blesses New Western Prelacy Building

1) Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey open Georgian Section of Caspian Oil Pipeline

TBILISI (AP)–The presidents of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey on Wednesday
ceremonially opened the valves on the Georgian section of a US-backed Caspian
pipeline that is seen as key to cutting Western dependence on Mideast oil.
They said the new route would help their countries prosper.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, AzeriPresident Ilham Aliyev, and
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer each pushed a button opening valves at a
pumping station for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in the Gardaban district
outside the capital, Tbilisi.
`What does this pipeline mean for Georgia? Economically, it means
investment,’
Saakashvili said at the ceremony. `But the significance of this pipeline is
first of all political. Georgia’s significance is growing on the world map and
in this region.’
`Next year we’ll get a gas pipeline, which means economic and energy
independence for Georgia,’ he added.
Known as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, or BTC pipeline, the $3.2 billion project
aims to boost the energy-hungry West’s access to the rich Caspian fields,
estimated to hold the world’s third-largest reserves. Iran, Russia,
Azerbaijan,
Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan all claim shares of the Caspian’s undersea
wealth.
The three leaders opened the first section, transiting Azerbaijan, in May.
By year’s end, the 1,100-mile project is to ship up to 1 million barrels a
day
to Turkey’s Mediterranean port of Ceyhan. It will take approximately 10
million
barrels of crude to fill the entire pipeline.
Most Caspian oil exports currently go through Russian pipelines to the Black
Sea port of Novorossiisk, where the oil is loaded onto tankers that squeeze
through the crowded Bosporus Strait.

2) Governor Signs Senator Scott’s Armenia Trade Office Bill

SACRAMENTO(Combined Sources)Senator Jack Scott’s bill that extends the sunset
date for the operation of a privately funded trade office in Armenia has been
signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
California, home to about half-a-million Armenian-Americans, conducts most of
the nearly 50 million in trade between Armenia and the United States. The
trade
office is expected to increase business and trade and tourism between
California and Armenia.
`This is an important step forward in cementing ties between the people of
California and Armenia,’ said Senator Scott. `It is also a responsible step in
these tight economic times. This office is the first privately funded trade
office for the state and it will be a win-win for California and Armenia.The
trade office will open new and large growth markets for California businesses
and investors. For Armenia and its neighbors, the office will generate
much-needed business and investment.’
The state’s trade office in Armenia opened last week in the capitol city of
Yerevan. It was funded with $75,000 in private donations. The Glendale-based
Foundation for Economic Development helped create the trade office.
Because the money was raised privately, the state was able to open the office
in Armenia even though California’s other foreign trade offices were closed
recently because of state budget woes. That could be a model for the state if
it opens other foreign trade offices, officials said.
Senator Scott recently completed a fact-finding trip to Armenia where he met
with President Robert Kocharian and foreign minister Vartan Oskanian to
announce the opening of the trade office.
`The Armenian officials that I met with are very excited about it because
they
recognize that one of the ways as a developing country they’re going to
progress is to count on the expertise and the products that would come from a
place like California,’ said the Senator Scott, who was in Armenia September
19-23. `We will be the first in the nation to reap the trade benefits of the
enormous economic potential of this region.’
Officials expect that the office will facilitate in the export of information
technology and health products going into Armenia and help Armenian businesses
export foodstuffs and other products to California.

3) ARF Armenia Youth Organization Gains 42 New Members

YEREVAN (Aztagdaily.com)–Forty-two youth recently joined the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation’s (ARF) Agbal Aghbalian Student Union in Armenia at a
ceremony that took place at the grave of Aram Boghosian who died fighting for
the Liberation of Mountainous Karabagh.
The October 7 swearing-in took place at Yerablur Military Cemetery in
Yerevan.
ARF Parliamentary faction secretary Hrair Garabedian noted the symbolism of
the
students taking their oath in the `presence of dedicated and martyred ARF
members.’
He asked the students to continue the mission of those who have sacrificed
themselves, `because the ARF is a party that carries out strugglesnot only on
the battlefield,’ but also in professions the students have chosen in their
various fields of study, he stressed.
Speaking to the new members, ARF-Armenia Supreme Body member Hratch
Tadevosian
said the people gave birth to the ARF at the end of the 19th century, and
during the subsequent 115 years, the party led a resolute fight to protect the
rights of Armenians. `But there remain many unresolved issues, and they await
you; we must be able to pursue these together, step-by-step. I hope that you
will provide force to the ARF.’

4) Catholicos Aram I Blesses New Western Prelacy Building

LOS ANGELES–Saturday, October 8 marked a historic day for the Western Prelacy
as His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, blessed the
new building that will house the Western Prelacy headquarters. The ceremony
began with His Holiness blessing a large cross that was then lifted with a
crane and placed on top of the dome of the St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen
Chapel in
the new building in La Crescenta.
While construction is not yet fully completed, several hundred guests and
clergy attended to witness the Pontiff’s blessing of the new structure, to
usher in a new era of expanded spiritual leadership for the church in the
western United States.
Many of the major benefactors who made the building possible were on hand to
take part in the special occasion including Mrs. Ashken Pilavjian and Mr. and
Mrs. John and Asdghig Bedrossian. Following the blessing and placement of the
cross, the Catholicos led a procession of clergy and benefactors into the
building to officially bless the alter inside and the overall building.
`This marks a historic day,’ said Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate of
the Western United States. The Archbishop thanked the benefactors who
facilitated the construction of the building, as well as the tireless efforts
of the Prelacy Executive Council, the Building Committee and others who have
worked tirelessly to make the building a reality. `When our people work
together for the common good of the community no resources are beyond the
reach
of those who take initiative,’ the Archbishop continued. The Archbishop also
noted the presence of a representative from the Forest Lawn memorial park that
also made a sizeable donation for the Prelacy building.
His Holiness declared that this is not just a building that will house the
Prelacy’s offices, rather `the home of our faith and nation which will serve
our church and people.’ The Catholicos also noted the integral role played by
Archbishop Mardirossian and the various benefactors and committee members who
drove the idea and realization of the structure. `May God bless and look over
all those who will care for and work in this building and the Armenian
American
community who will support this effort,’ the Pontiff concluded.
The building is expected to be completed within a year at which time all
Prelacy functions will be consolidated at this location from their temporary
location in Encino.

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Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
October 12, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]

U.S.: TURKEY EXERTS EXCESSIVE CONTROL OVER RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

Says Citizens Don’t Have Right to Practice Faith Freely

Washington, DC – A recent report by the United States Mission to the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) criticized
Turkey for exerting excessive state control over minority religions,
saying the Muslim country risks eroding the centuries-old Ecumenical
Patriarchate of Istanbul, as well as the historic Syriac and Armenian
Orthodox churches.

The report, which was delivered to the OSCE Human Dimension
Implementation Meeting in Warsaw on September 28, also called on
Turkey to clarify the legal status of 55 Protestant Churches that have
been unable to register in Turkey and are vulnerable to closure and
harassment.

“We regret that [Turkish]..authorities continue to inhibit the opening
of places of worship outside the Sunni Muslim mainstream and
systematically disregard the OSCE’s 1990 Bonn Document by
expropriating the properties of religious groups without
compensation,” the U.S. statement said.

Concurrently, the European Court of Human Rights is weighing a
decision on the property rights of two minority foundations in Turkey.
The Soorp Purgich Armenian Hospital Foundation and the Fener Greek
Boys High School Foundation filed cases against Turkey arguing that
they are in compliance with the provisions of the Treaty of Lausanne.
The 1923 Treaty affords protection to foundations that provide public
services for religious minorities.

In both cases, property gifted to the Armenian and Greek foundations
were seized as the Turkish courts upheld orders declaring that the
bequest violated a decree disallowing non-Muslims from donating real
estate. If the court rules in favor of the foundations, hundreds of
buildings seized in the past may be returned.

“The Armenian Assembly commends the OSCE for continuing to closely
monitor religious freedom and minority rights in Turkey,” said
Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian. “Rather than
thwart freedom, Turkey must conform to EU standards where individual
freedoms are protected and respected.”

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.

###

NR#2005-102

Editor’s Note: The full text of the U.S. statement can be accessed at
the following link:

_28_05.pdf

Diane Rumbaugh
Rumbaugh Public Relations
2166 Flintridge Court
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
805-493-2877
[email protected]

CONTACTS:

Brian S. Kabateck Diane Zakian Rumbaugh

Kabateck Brown Kellner LLP
Rumbaugh Public Relations

213-217-5000
805-493-2877

[email protected]
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE
October 12, 2005

ARMENIAN HEIRS SETTLE

AXA CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT

Los Angeles, CA – Descendants of victims of the 1915
Armenian Genocide will share a $17 million settlement in a class action
lawsuit brought against French insurance giant AXA for unpaid life
insurance benefits. (Kyurkjian, et. al. v. AXA, Case No: CV 02-01750 and
Ouzounian, et. al., v. AXA, Case No: CV 05-02596, U.S. District Court,
Central District of California).

The class includes Armenians living in the United States and
abroad who are descendants and heirs of policyholders who perished in
what is considered the first genocide of the 20th century. The
settlement, subject to court approval, will be administered in France,
which was one of the first countries to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
AXA is headquartered in France and does business in the United States
through various subsidiaries.

Under the terms of the $17 million settlement, AXA will
donate a minimum of $3 million dollars to various France-based Armenian
charitable organizations and will contribute $11 million towards a fund
designed to pay, under procedures to be determined later, valid claims
of heirs of policyholders and beneficiaries of policies issued by AXA
Group subsidiaries that did business in the Turkish Ottoman Empire prior
to 1915. Certain of these policyholders and beneficiaries were among
the 1.5 million Armenians who perished and were unable to obtain their
insurance proceeds in the ensuing chaos.

The suit is the second of its kind. Class Counsel Vartkes
Yeghiayan, Brian S. Kabateck and Mark J. Geragos–all of Armenian
descent–are internationally representing Armenian descendants in
similar cases. Earlier this year in another class action (Martin
Marootian, et al. v. New York Life Insurance Company), New York Life
agreed to pay $20 million to descendants of Armenian policyholders
killed during the genocide. Attorneys representing the class against AXA
also represented class members in the New York Life case.

Class Counsel praised the efforts of U.S. District Court
Judges Christina Snyder and Dickran Tevrizian for their assistance in
fostering the dialogue that ultimately led to the settlement and also
praised AXA for dealing in a transparent and responsible manner in
bringing this matter to a successful conclusion.

“This is an example where dead men can’t speak but they can
file lawsuits,” says Yeghiayan of Yeghiayan & Associates. “It writes
another chapter about persistence and hope. The resolution of the case
helps the healing process.”

“The AXA and New York Life settlements are important
building blocks not only toward seeking financial recovery for the
losses resulting from the Armenian Genocide but also in our ultimate
goal, which is for Turkey and the U.S. to officially acknowledge the
genocide,” says Geragos of Geragos & Geragos. “These cases are
historical because they are the only cases ever brought on behalf of
genocide survivors.”

“My grandparents lost their entire families in the genocide.
Our continued legal efforts to bring attention to the terrible events of
90 years ago honor their memories,” says Kabateck of Kabateck Brown
Kellner. “Today, AXA made the right decision by agreeing to establish a
claims fund for the heirs of those killed in the Armenian Genocide.”

An announcement will be made shortly on when and how
individuals can file claims under this settlement.

###

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Tel: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Email: [email protected]
Web: <;

October 12, 2005

Building a Bridge Between the Silicon Valley and the American University of
Armenia (AUA)

Oakland, CA – Mr. and Mrs. Papken and Claire Der Torossian opened their home
in Saratoga, California, for AUA to host a unique evening dedicated to
promoting cooperation and communication between Silicon Valley executives
and the AUA School of Business and Management.

Dr. Rubina Ohanian, the Dean of the School of Business and Management, an
accomplished marketing solutions specialist with over fifteen years of
consulting and corporate experience, was among the guests. She gave a brief
overview of the MBA program, emphasizing that the School of Business and
Management strives to provide its students with quality instruction and a
state-of-the-art curriculum to help them achieve their professional goals.

Dr. Ohanian spoke very highly of the MBA students’ aptitude and the
potential that they have to make a difference to Armenia’s future. She
invited the Silicon Valley leaders to support the University, get involved
in the future of its students. Outsourcing of successful Silicon Valley
businesses to Armenia will create job opportunities for our youth.

President Haroutune Armenian shared with the guests that AUA is an
institution of change and transformation, offering its students quality
education, technology and know-how for entrepreneurial endeavors. “As a
student-centered university, the top priority is our students, and our most
important objectives are maintaining academic excellence, becoming a
knowledge enterprise and developing regional role”, said Dr. Armenian.

This was an emotional evening for Seta Karamardian, the widow of Stepan
Karamardian, who was the founding Dean of the School of Business and
Management. “Seeing AUA Business School prosper is the realization of my
husband’s dream and vision”, said Mrs. Karamardian.

Yervant Zorian, Vice President and Chief Scientist at Virage Logic
Corporation, also a member of the American University of Armenia Corporation
(AUAC) Board of Trustees, highlighted the main purpose of the evening, which
is to establish a permanent bridge between the Silicon Valley Armenian
Community and AUA, that will be beneficial to both groups over the years to
come. “AUA is one of the best fruits that the independence of Armenia
resulted in”, said Dr. Zorian. “It fully realizes the vision of its three
founders and it has been materialized with the great patronage of AGBU”.

Dr. Zorian told the guests that he has had the chance to witness the growth
of AUA at different intervals during the past decade, and has been impressed
with the quality of its programs that Virage Logic employees in Armenia were
offered as part of their continuing education.

It was an informative evening. Some of the guests rediscovered AUA. Many
valuable ideas were exchanged, and pledges for continuous support renewed.
This will help the American University of Armenia to improve its
entrepreneurship programs to enhance the leadership and organization skills
of the students, and to prepare them for active participation in building a
brighter future for Armenia.

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
Email: [email protected]

For more information:
Zanku Armenian (818) 243-3557
Mercata Group

Catholicos Aram I Blesses New Western Prelacy Building

New Building to Usher in Era of Expanded Spiritual Role in Community

(Los Angeles, CA – October 12, 2005) – Saturday, October 8 marked a historic
day for the Western Prelacy as His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, blessed the new building that will house the Western
Prelacy headquarters upon completion. The ceremony began with His Holiness
blessing a large cross that was then lifted with a crane and placed on top
of the dome that will house the St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen Chapel in the new
building in La Crescenta. While the building is not yet fully completed,
several hundred guests and clergy attended to witness the Pontiff’s blessing
of the new structure ushering in a new era of expanded spiritual leadership
for the church in the western United States.

Many of the major benefactors who made the building possible were on hand to
take part in the special occasion including Mrs. Ashken Pilavjian and Mr.
and Mrs. John and Asdghig Bedrossian. Following the blessing and placement
of the cross, the Catholicos led a procession of clergy and benefactors into
the building to officially bless the alter inside and the overall building.

“This marks a historic day,” said Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
of the Western United States. The Archbishop thanked all the benefactors
who made the building possible as well as the tireless efforts of the
Prelacy Executive Council, the Building Committee and others who have worked
very hard to make the building a reality. “When our people work together
for the common good of the community no resources are beyond the reach of
those who take initiative,” the Archbishop continued. The Archbishop also
noted the presence of a representative from the Forest Lawn memorial park
that also made a sizeable donation for the Prelacy building.

His Holiness declared that this is not just a building that will house the
Prelacy’s offices but rather “it is the home of our faith and nation which
will serve our church and people.” The Catholicos also noted the integral
role played by Archbishop Mardirossian and the various benefactors and
committee members who drove the idea and realization of the structure. “May
God bless and look over all those who will care for and work in this
building and the Armenian American community who will support this effort,”
the Pontiff concluded.

The building is expected to be completed within a year at which time all
Prelacy functions will be consolidated at this location from their temporary
location which is currently in Encino.

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network
(CENN)

Weekly Digest
October 12, 2005

News from Georgia

Italian Businessmen Interested in Agriculture, Food Industry and Tourism

Source: News Agency Sakre (`Mirror’), October 4, 2005

Italy Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Productive Activities, Adolfo
Urso has said at an opening ceremony of the second business forum of
Italy and Georgia today, Italian businessmen are interested in
Georgia’s
<; more

Oil spill on Baku-Supsa western pipeline

Source: AssA-Irada News Agency, October 5, 2005

An oil spill took place on the Baku-Supsa western pipeline in the
Gardabani district of Georgia on Wednesday.
<; more

Georgia and Kazakhstan Decided to Continue Cooperation Within
BТС Framwork

Source: Black Sea Press-Turan, October 5, 2005

On October 4 Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Georgian
President Mikhail Saakashvili signed the joint communiqué on
results of top-level bilateral negotiations in Tbilisi.
<; more

Georgia to Get $20 Million from Wild Bank to Eradicate Poverty

Source: The Georgian Times, October 10, 2005

Georgian state budget will receive USD 20 million from Wild Bank (WB)
this year for primary activities which will lead to eradication of
poverty.
<; more

Georgian Section of BTC to be Commissioned October 12

Source: The Messenger, October 10, 2005

The Georgian section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) main export
pipeline will be commissioned on October 12, Georgian President Mikhail
Saakashvili told journalists.
<; more

Dogfights

Source: Nika Tsiklauri, October 10, 2005

On Sunday, 9th of October, near Tbilisi Reservoir, dogfights were held
with participation of about 50 Caucasian Sheepdogs.
<; more

Transportation through Batumi Oil Terminal will be Reduced

Source’ `24 Saati’ (`24 Hours’),
October 10, 2005

>From the end of October the amount of petroleum transported through
Batumi oil terminal will be significantly reduced. As Prime News was
informed by the representative of oil terminal George Kharazishvili, the
member of BTC consortium
<; more

BTC pipeline’s poverty reduction credentials rubbished by new report

Source: Press Release of Bankwatch Network, October 11, 2005

Tbilisi, Georgia A new report out today reveals the real impacts of
BP’s Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline and catalogues the
Georgian people’s unfulfilled hopes of increased welfare and development
arising from BP’s billion dollar project, hopes which have been
fuelled by project backers the World Bank and the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
<; more

News From Azerbaijan

Birdwatch Day Held in Azerbaijan

Source: State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, October 4,
2005

A Birdwatch Day was held in Gizilgol (Golden Lake) wetland and the
Heydar Aliyev Deepwater Jackets Fabrication territory, Caspian Sea, by
<; more

New Platform to be on Gunashli Filed

Source: State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, October 4,
2005

Construction of the new platform in Gunashli structure, one of the
largest oil and gas field of the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian, will
start in 2006, State Oil Company of Azerbaijan / SOCAR/ has announced.
<; more

ILham Aliyev Has Stated About Reliable Providing of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan

Source: Turan Informational Agency, October 5, 2005

<; On October 5 the president Ilham Aliyev visited administrative building
of State Guard Service (SGS) and meets with personal staff of the
department. He familiarized with samples of arms, devices that can be
used while acts of terrorism, as well as cars and equipment bought for
protection of export pipelines.
<; more

9-Month Oil and Gas Production Targets Beaten

Source: State Telegraph Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, October 6,
2005

According to the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic /SOCAR/, oil
production exceeded the targets by 178,1 thousand tons and made up
6.723.1 thousand tons in January-September, thus, beating 9-month target
by 102,7 percent.
<; more

News From Armenia

Armenia signs deal to upgrade nuclear waste facility

Source: RIA Novosti, Gamlet Matevosyan, October 3, 2005

An agreement to upgrade the radioactive waste management facility at the
Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) was signed Monday, a senior official
said.
<; more

Armenian Agriculture Minister Calls on U.S. Counterpart
Source: Press Release of Armenian Republic Embassy, October 4, 2005

On September 26, 2005, Armenia’s Agriculture Minister Davit Lokian met
with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns to discuss U.S.-Armenian
cooperation in the area of agriculture. Ambassador Tatoul Markarian also
took part in the meeting. Minister Lokian expressed his appreciation for
the past USDA programs in Armenia, which he said strengthened
<; more

Gold Plant Near Lake Sevan

Source: ARMENPRESS, October 5, 2005

Armenian nature protection minister Vartan Ayvazian has endorsed today
the arguments of local ecological non-governmental organizations who
claim that construction of a gold ore processing plant in Vardenis near
Sotk mines would prove catastrophic for environment and especially
Armenia’s biggest lake of Sevan, located some miles off.
<; more

Two Ministers: Who Will Win in Fight for Shikahogh Reserve

Source: ARMINFO, October 6, 2005

Minister for Transport and Communication of Armenia Andranik Manukyan
has submitted a project of Armenia-Iran highway to the Ministry of
Nature Protection. The project provides for construction of the highway
via Mtnadzor, 3.5 km area of Shikahogh reserve.
<; more

Aarhus Centers to open in Armenian regions with OSCE support

Source: Latest press release from the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), 6 October, 2005

Local public environmental information Centers (Aarhus Centers) will
soon open in the capitals of the Syunik, Tavush and Lori regions of
Armenia with the help of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, which today signed
an agreement with the Ministry of Nature Protection and local
administrations.
<; more

Armenian-Georgian Working Group Will be Formed to Prepare Feasibility
Study for Fourth Power Line Armenia-Georgia

Source: ARMINFO, October 7, 2005

An Armenian-Georgian working group will be formed shortly to prepare a
feasibility study for construction of a fourth power line
Armenia-Georgia. Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan told ARMINFO.
<;
more

International News

Preservation of Caspian Sea natural resources is important task for
Government: Kazakhstan Environmental Minister

Source: Kazinform: By Serik Koshkenov, October 3, 2005

During the live broadcast with the Kazakhstan President he was asked
about the situation in the Caspian region, where hydrocarbon production
is performed. The Head of the State noted, the country would always take
care of ecological clearness and enormous fish resources of the Caspian
Sea. First of all every investor should undertake environmental
commitments. Alongside with earth interior exploration we are to
preserve natural resources.
<; more

US Government Unveils Energy Hog to Promote Conservation

Source: Planet Ark, October 4, 2005

Washington – With US heating bills expected to hit record highs this
winter, the Bush administration on Monday launched a conservation
campaign featuring a cartoon mascot “Energy Hog,” which critics said
does little to discourage energy use.
<; more

IUCN helps set up transboundary cooperation on water resources
management in White Volta Basin

Source: The World Conservation Union (IUCN), October 4, 2005

`Water is life but it can also be a source of conflict if the two
partners sharing the resource are not collaborating’. As a response
to these opening words of Mr. Gilbert Nuriteg, District Coordinating
Director of Ghana’s Garu Tempane Municipality at the first White
Volta Basin Community Consultative Forum, the Forum delegates agreed to
set up a joint transboundary committee of water management associations.
<;
more

Breaking waste laws costs Worcestershire company more than £42,000

Source: Environment Agency: By Oliver Blackburn, October 4, 2005

On Friday (30 September 2005) a Worcester company which ran two illegal
waste dumps was fined £39,000 by Worcester Magistrates.
<; more

Demolition company fined for illegal waste burning

Source: Environment Agency: By Mike Dunning, October 4, 2005

A Dorset demolition company has been ordered to pay £4,079 in fines
and costs after neighbors were plagued by thick black smoke from burning
rubbish. The case was brought by the Environment Agency.
<; more

UK Government to Decide Within Year on New Nuclear Build

Source: Planet Ark, October 4, 2005

London – Britain must decide within a year whether it will invest in a
new wave of nuclear power generation, but no conclusions have yet been
reached, the government said on Sunday.

In a speech to his ruling Labor party’s conference last week, Prime
Minister Tony Blair pledged an assessment next year of all Britain’s
energy options, including civil nuclear power.
<; more

The CMS Secretariat hosts the 4th meeting of the Biodiversity Liaison
Group

Source: Conservation on Migratory Species (CSM), October 4, 2005

<; The
biodiversity liaison group was established in response to a request from
the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
( <; CBD), in order to increase the
collaboration and synergies among biodiversity-related Conventions. The
Convention on Migratory Species was asked to join with CBD, the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora
and Fauna ( <; CITES), the Ramsar Convention on
Wetlands ( <; Ramsar) and the World Heritage
Convention ( <; WHC) and regularly meet to discuss
priorities and options for collaboration.
<; more

Kyoto Agreement Implementation in Russia will Cost 2 Million Euros

Source: Bellona News, October 5, 2005

Russia will present 2 million euros project for Kyoto agreement
implementation to the European Commission on October 6th.
<; more

Denmark clean but not spotless

European Environmental Agency, October 5, 2005

Denmark is among the European leaders in environmental performance in
areas such as renewable energies, water protection and organic farming,
but there are other areas which could still be improved, says EEA
Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade in an interview in the latest
issue of “MiljøDanmark” in connection with the launch of the Danish
state of the environment report 22 September.
<; more

Bush Pushes For US Oil Refinery Construction

Source: Planet Ark, October 5, 2005

Washington – President Bush Tuesday repeated his call for more oil
refineries to be built in the United States, a need he said was
highlighted by “tight” petroleum supplies and high energy prices caused
by hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
<; more

Climate change and pollution are killing millions, says study

Source: John Vidal, Environment Editor, October 6, 2005

· Poor sanitation to blame, says World Bank report

· Economic growth stalled by environmental factors

Almost a fifth of all ill health in poor countries and millions of
deaths can be attributed to environmental factors, including climate
change and pollution, according to a report from the World Bank.
<; more

NGO News

WWF launches forest and trade network in Vietnam

Source: WWF News, October 3, 2005

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – WWF, in partnership with Vietnam’s
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, will launch the Vietnam
Forest & Trade Network (VFTN), the first ever network to promote
business links between producers of responsible forest products in
Vietnam and concerned buyers around the world.
<; more

Many Dangerous Chemicals in European Blood – WWF

Source: Planet Ark, October 7, 2005

Geneva – European children are absorbing dangerous chemicals into their
blood from computers, textiles, cosmetics and electrical appliances,
according to a new study released on Thursday.

The conservation body WWF said results of its first European Union-wide
family testing survey found a total of 73 man-made hazardous compounds
in the blood of grandmothers, mothers and children from 13 families in
12 countries.
<; more

Legal News

Amendment of Georgian Law on Entrepreneurship

On October 11, 2005 the Ministry of Justice held the Round Table in the
hotel `Tbilisi Marriott’. On the meeting the
representatives of the Corporate Management Group of International
Finance Corporation (IFC) and German Association for Technical
Cooperation (GTZ) represented
<; more

Job, Internship and Study Opportunities

Translator/ Interpreter

Source: The Messenger, October 10, 2005

For the purpose of BP pipeline projects, and under the BP management
supervision, IRA Ltd is seeking to recruit a suitable qualified
individual for the short-term position of Translator/ Interpreter.
Translator/ Interpreter will be a third-party contractor for BP pipeline
construction project in Georgia working under BP management supervision.
<;
more

EASY ECO Training – open online application

Dear Colleagues,

I am happy to announce the next EASY-ECO event, the EASY-ECO Szentendre
Training which will be held from 25th January-3rd February, 2006 here at
the REC. The course explores key elements in sustainability evaluations
and is specifically focused towards bringing together young researchers
with evaluation practitioners as well as local and international experts
in the field. Participants will gain knowledge applicable in practice
and will be able to conduct actual sustainability evaluation projects
after attending the training.
<; more

Seminars, conference and meetings

Health & Wellness Convention 2005 in Costa Rica COSTA RICA

Source: World-Wire, October 5, 2005

There are few environmentalists today who are not aware of how the
increasing proliferation of pollutants, poisons, and toxic compounds in
our earth, air, and water are drastically affecting our physical health.
The medical and pharmaceutical industries have side-stepped the issue,
preferring to market symptom-masking drugs rather than confront the
corporate takeover of our health and well-being.
<; more

Announcement

BP Publishes Sustainability Report 2004

Source: The Messenger, October 10, 2005

According to a report released by BP on October 7, the oil giant has
spent nearly USD 2 million on social projects through out the country,
funding everything from repair to heritage projects in an effort to
encourage `sustainability’ in the country.
<; more

Courageous Baku-Ceyhan pipeline film wins festival prizes

Source: Media Advisory, October 10, 2005

Prague, Czech Republic — A documentary film about the social and
environmental implications of BPs Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline in
Azerbaijan was awarded prizes at two prestigious film festivals this
weekend. The Source, a joint Bionaut-CEE Bankwatch Network production
shot by Czech director Martin Marecek, received the international jury
prize and an award from the Czech Ministry of Environment at the Ekofilm
festival in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic and was also awarded the prize
<;
more

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