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. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.

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 ************************************************************************** Subscribing Information CENN lists are created to maintain e-mail discussions of Caucasus Environmental NGO Network members. CENN has been distributing information since 1998. All the published digests and bulletins issued in both English and Russian languages present incredibly rich environmental information base that give the reader the whole picture of the environmental process taking place during the recent 5 years in the South Caucasus region as well as abroad. To subscribe or unsubscribe from CENN mailing list service, please send an email to [email protected] and place the
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