Ecumenical News International
Daily News Service
05 October 2005

Noting Christians’ pressures, churches plead Turkey’s cause with EU
ENI-05-0753

By Jonathan Luxmoore
Warsaw, 5 October (ENI)–The head of one of Turkey’s largest
churches has appealed on behalf of local Christians for the
country’s admission to the European Union, after promised
membership negotiations came close to cancellation amid disputes
between EU governments.
“Turkey’s aspiration to join the EU is an opportunity for
East-West reconciliation,” the Armenian Apostolic Patriarch of
Constantinople, Mesrob II, said in a letter to EU ministers and
parliamentarians. “Pressures in recent days from various circles
to postpone the Turkish membership process cause us concern.”

Still, improved rights for Turkey’s 100 000 Christians have been
cited as a precondition for the country’s EU admission, talks on
which were promised last December after a 40-year Turkish drive.

The patriarch’s letter was published on 1 October by the
English-language Turkish Daily News in the run-up to the
projected 3 October opening of accession talks, which were
initially blocked by Austria at the EU’s weekend meeting in
Luxembourg.

Speaking “in the name of Armenians, Christians of other
confessions and Jews” living in Turkey, the patriarch said a
decision on Turkish membership would mark “an important turning
point in world politics”.

“We pray for a successful, peaceful integration process, and that
Armenians, who form the largest Christian community here, will
find their proper place,” said Patriarch Mesrob, whose church
dates from the early fourth century and has around 70 000 members
in Turkey, where more than 98 per cent of the 70 million citizens
are Sunni Muslims.

Most denominations continue to complain of discrimination,
including the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate, which has been
refused permission to reopen its theological seminary, forcibly
closed in 1971. The Orthodox church has also been stopped from
making essential repairs to its 72 Istanbul churches.

Turkish membership of the EU was also supported by Roman Catholic
Bishop Luigi Padovese, the apostolic vicar of Anatolia, who said
Turkey had been a Christian centre for centuries.

“Our Christian roots are precisely in Turkey – this is where
Saints Paul and Luke were born, where a large proportion of the
New Testament came into being, where seven of the first councils
of the still-undivided church were held, and where the Creed we
recite on Sundays gained its shape,” Padovese told Poland’s
Catholic news agency, KAI, on 3 October.

The Commission of EU Catholic Bishops’ Conferences declared
support for Turkish membership in November 2004, adding that it
saw “no religious obstacle” to the presence of a predominantly
Muslim country. However, it cautioned that Turkey had so far
failed to meet the EU’s criteria for accession, including respect
for religious freedom and the legal status of churches, the
rights of women and non-Muslim minorities. [452 words]

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PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Center for National and International Studies
75 Yerznkian Street
Yerevan 375033, Armenia
Tel: (+374 – 1) 52.87.80 or 27.48.18
Fax: (+374 – 1) 52.48.46
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Website:
October 5, 2005
ACNIS Turns Eleven: Raffi Hovannisian’s Public Address
Yerevan–Today the Armenian Center for National and International Studies
(ACNIS) celebrated its 11th anniversary of public service, creative
inspiration, and analytical research. On the occasion and in the presence of
professional staff and media representatives, ACNIS founder and Heritage
Party chairman Raffi K. Hovannisian delivered his annual address.
Underscoring the most serious challenges for Armenia in the new era, Raffi
Hovannisian pinpointed the adverse phenomena still plaguing Armenian
domestic and foreign policy, and in particular the perils of endemic
corruption, the rule of caprice and lawlessness, growing poverty, and the
predictable consequence of emigration. “In this quickly-changing world, when
the governed expect of their leaders a flexible mind, a consensus-building
capacity, and a profound worldview, we simply do not have the right to
entrust our nation’s destiny to those who have appropriated its foreign
policy in the same way as they have done with the country’s economy, turning
one and the other into a shadow structure driven by personal gain.”
According to Hovannisian, this mode of operation has made a mockery of the
national interest, has alienated the country’s citizens from their
authorities, and has weakened the foundations of our once-national
solidarity. From the standard-bearer of democracy and liberty in the region,
Armenia is now retreating to the backwaters of cynical authoritarian
dominion.
A striking reflection of the public’s shaken trust toward its governors,
Raffi Hovannisian continued, is the current package of constitutional
amendments which is likewise being used by the powers that be for cheap
propaganda purposes. “These proffered improvements will remain a mere word
game as long as the most basic and universal precept–the separation of
executive, legislative, and judicial authority–has not become a reality.”
And this, in Hovannisian’s words, can be secured only by an administration
that has received a broad public mandate through free and fair elections.
Until that day comes to pass, the constitutional changes will simply be
reminiscent of an unsuccessful attempt quickly to hide the cracks of an old
and run-down building by means of “European-style remodeling.”
The wide-ranging speech of Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs
focused also on major flaws in diplomacy and external policy which have
resulted from the situational activity of hypocritical officials who have
little in common with national interests, guiding principles, and public
confidence. Raffi Hovannisian scored the myopic and reactive nature of the
Armenian presidency not only in terms of the watershed divide in the
Armenia-Turkey relationship, but also in the context of European Union
integration. “It is foreseeable that in its best-case scenario Turkey can
only become an EU member in synchronization with Armenia, and in the process
it will have to undergo serious and irreversible reforms, confront its
history, reject any imperial ambitions, and so forge a comprehensive
resolution of all outstanding matters with Armenia.” Pursuant to the
precedents set by a number of civilized countries, Hovannisian sounded the
imperative to work for the historic opportunity to turn enmity into
partnership.
The extensive work of quality carried out by ACNIS in the past eleven years
demonstrates that, odds notwithstanding, Armenia is capable of claiming its
place of desert and dignity among the family of nations, provided of course
that it rediscovers itself as a civilizational contributor to the world and
strives to unite the tremendous political, economic, cultural, and
intellectual potential of all Armenians across the globe. Finally becoming a
real Homeland for the entire Armenian nation, Raffi Hovannisian concluded,
is the best way for Armenia to overcome the complex impasse it currently
faces.
Founded in 1994 by Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K.
Hovannisian and supported by a global network of contributors, ACNIS serves
as a link between innovative scholarship and the public policy challenges
facing Armenia and the Armenian people in the post-Soviet world. It also
aspires to be a catalyst for creative, strategic thinking and a wider
understanding of the new global environment. In 2005, the Center focuses
primarily on civic education, conflict resolution, and applied research on
critical domestic and foreign policy issues for the state and the nation.
For further information on the Center, call (37410) 52-87-80 or 27-48-18;
fax (37410) 52-48-46; e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]; or visit

P U B L I C A F F A I R S O F F I C E NEWS RELEASE
EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AMERICAN AVENUE 1
YEREVAN, ARMENIA
TELEPHONE (+374 10) 46 47 00; 46 47 01; 46 47 02
E-MAIL: [email protected]
September 28, 2005
U.S. EMBASSY BRINGS LIBRARY SPECIALIST TO ARMENIA
>From September 5 through September 17, Dr. Leigh Estabrook, professor of
library and information science, professor of sociology, and director of the
Library Research Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
participated in the U.S. Embassy Library Speaker Series. Dr. Estabrook’s
2-week visit focused on creating of a curriculum for the first Library
Science Masters Degree Program in Armenia, as well as on revising and
updating the Library Sciences Bachelors Degree curriculum at Yerevan State
Pedagogical University. During her visit, Dr. Estabrook worked closely with
library specialists in Yerevan and other regions, and visited many libraries
throughout Armenia.

PRESS RELEASE
Council of Europe Press Division
Ref: 509a05
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60
Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11
[email protected]
internet:
President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities visits
Armenia
Yerevan, 05.10.2005 – Giovanni Di Stasi, President of the Congress of
Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, is paying an
official visit to Armenia from 4 to 6 October. He has met President of
the Republic Robert Kocharyan, Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan,
Speaker of the National Assembly Artur Baghdasaryan, Minister of the
Territorial Administration Hovik Abrahamyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Vardan Oskanyan, and Mayor of Yerevan Evand Zakharyan..
During the visit, the Congress President proposed to create a Network of
Local and Regional Authorities from the Caucasian countries. Mr Di Stasi
also confirmed the readiness of the Council of Europe Congress to assist
the Armenian authorities in implementing the amendments to the Armenian
Constitution, in particular concerning the status of the city of
Yerevan.
On 5 October, Mr Di Stasi participated in the opening of the 18th Annual
Seminar of the European Network of Training Institutions for Local and
Regional Authorities (ENTO), organised in co-operation with the Congress
and the Communities Association of Armenia. The aim of the seminar is to
provide a forum for in-depth debate and exchange of information,
experiences, best practices on the theme “Training and Transborder
Cooperation in Europe”. The sub-themes of the seminar are
“Transcaucasian co-operation” and “Training for Emergency Planning”.
The seminar is targeted at directors of training centres, training
project managers, senior executive officers responsible for training and
local public services, decision-makers, local and regional elected
representatives, practitioners and academics involved in the subject.
The seminar format places special emphasis on innovative working
methods, such as the open space method, presentation of national
examples and the best practices and networking.
President Di Stasi, Minister of Territorial Administration Abrahamyan
and the ENTO President Gert Fieguth will give a press conference on
Thursday 6 October at 10.00 a.m. in the building of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
During the visit, the President was accompanied by Deputy Chief
Executive of the Congress Antonella Cagniolati and Congress Secretariat
member Vyacheslav Tolkovanov.
For further information please contact
Natalia Lapauri, Communities Association of Armenia (Tel. +374 91404853)
or
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia (Tel. +374
10544041)
To receive our press releases by e-mail, contact :
[email protected]
A political organisation set up in 1949, the Council of Europe works to
promote democracy and human rights continent-wide. It also develops
common responses to social, cultural and legal challenges in its 46
member states.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS IN THE
VATICAN
The eleventh Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church started in the Vatican
on October 2. The conference entitled “Holy Mass the source and climax of
the Church’s life and mission” will go on till October 23.
Around 250 Catholic Bishops and 12 representatives from the Oriental
Orthodox, Orthodox, Anglican and Evangelical Churches all over the world are
participating in the conference.
Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate of Cilicia,
participates in the conference on behalf of the Catholicosate.
The conference started with the Holy Mass held in the St. Peter Cathedral on
October 2. Pope Benedigdos XVI presided over the Holy Mass. The official
opening was held on October 3 in the Boghos VI hall of the Vatican.
Cardinal Francis Arinze, a member of the Synod’s presidency, welcomed the
attendants highlighting the important role of Holy Mass in the life of the
Church and the purpose of the Synod.
Bishop Nicola Eterovitch, the secretary of the conference, explained the
procedures to be followed and spoke about the importance of Holy Mass.
The conference started its sessions and discussions thereafter.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
PRIMATE BISHOP KHATCHERIAN ATTENDS A RECEPTION
ORGANIZED BY THE IRANIAN EMBASSY IN BEIRUT
The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Beirut Seyed Masoud Idrisi
organized an official reception in honor of the Iranian Parliament Speaker
Dr. Ghalam Ali Haddad Adel in the “Sheraton” hotel in Beirut on September
30.
The reception was organized on the occasion of his visit to Lebanon. Primate
of the Diocese of Lebanon, Bishop Kegham Khatcherian attended the reception
on behalf of His Holiness Aram I.
The Bishop welcomed Dr. Adeli in Lebanon, reminding him of the strong
relations and cooperation between the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the
Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly in the Christian-Muslim dialogue
field.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
HIS HOLINESS MEETS WITH ARMENIAN YOUTH IN TORONTO
His Holiness Aram I has insisted on holding meetings and discussions with
the youth along every step of his Pontifical visit to Canada and North
America. This time it was the turn of hundreds of young Armenian men and
women from Toronto to meet with the Catholicos.
His Holiness met with the young Armenians in the St. Asdvadzadzine Church
and Armenian Center “Hay Getron” of Toronto on October 3. The meeting
started at eight in the evening and lasted till midnight.
V Rev Fr Meghrig Parikian welcomed the attendants, affirming that the
youth they represent is gathered around its church.
Young men and women read passages from the Holy Book. Many young Armenians
attend the church on Monday evenings for readings from the Bible and for
gaining knowledge about the Armenian Church’s history.
His Holiness Aram I emphasized the concept of the church being a guide for
the life of the new generation. He considered Christian faith as a priority
and elaborated on the concept of the Supreme Good based on theological
understanding.
The Pontiff also spoke about translating the word of God in individual
people’s lives. “The Holy Book is a challenge to man to speak with God. God
challenges man to speak with Him, to engage in dialogue with his Creator. It
is a challenge to turn to God, like the God “turned” to us through His Son,
through humanization,” said His Holiness.
“The most legitimate path to being with God is executing His word. It’s
not enough to read it; it should be executed, brought to life.”
The youth had the opportunity to ask His Holiness various questions
related to the Armenian Church, Christian faith, the Armenian nation’s life,
social and moral issues, problems they face in their daily lives and other
issues.
After the official meeting in the church’s hall, His Holiness had dinner
with the youth in the Armenian Center of Toronto. Open and honest
discussions about various issues developed throughout dinner.
His Holiness highly praised the work of Fr. Meghrig who has been able to
gather the youth around their church and involve them in the church’s
activities.
##
View pictures here:

*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the dioceses of
the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE REPRESENTATIVE OF HIS HOLINESS
ARAM I VISITS ETHIOPIA
Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate of Cilicia
joined the delegation of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in their
official visit to the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia on September 24-28. The
delegation of seven was headed by WCC General Secretary Rev Dr Samuel Kobia.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church belongs to the family of Oriental Orthodox
Churches, which also includes the Armenian Apostolic Church with both its
Catholicosates.
During the past few years the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Church, His
Holiness Abouna Paolos has visited Antelias twice and consulted with His
Holiness on issues related to the Ethiopian community of Lebanon. Thanks to
His Holiness’ efforts, the community will soon have its own church in
Lebanon.
The members of the delegation attended the Holy Mass held in the Adis Ababa
Church on September 25. Bishop Alemezian, however, visited the Armenian
community of Ethiopia during this time.
The bishop attended the Holy Mass held in the St. Kevork Church in Adis
Ababa and delivered a lecture entitled “Jesus, let your Holy Cross be our
shelter.” He met with the pastor of the community, Rev Muron Sarkisian and
the faithful.
Bishop Nareg met with the Patriarch alone on Sunday evening, conveying him
the greetings of His Holiness Aram I and discussing cooperation between the
Armenian and Ethiopian Churches as well as issues related to the Oriental
Orthodox Churches.
The delegation visited the headquarters of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church,
a WCC member, the next day, as well as its theological university, where
Bishop Nareg delivered a lecture.
Taking into consideration the fact that in the Ethiopian community
Christians comprise a majority, while Muslims constitute a minority, the
Bishop outlined the importance of Christian-Muslim dialogue in light of the
rich Middle-Eastern and particularly the Lebanese experience.
The delegation attended the ceremony of the feast of Holy Cross, one of the
biggest feasts of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The ceremony was held in
the central square of the Adis Ababa, where one million people gathered.
Patriarch Paolos invited Bishop Nareg to participate in the mass and light
with him the traditional cross-shaped fire.
On September 27 the delegation visited a boarding school which functions on
the patronage of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The guests attended an
official dinner party organized by Patriarch Paoulos that evening.
The delegation held a meeting with the religious and lay senior officials of
the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the headquarters of United Nations on
September 28. Rev Dr Samuel Kobia and Bishop Nareg delivered the main
lectures of the day.
Bishop Nareg spoke about the “participation of Orthodox Churches in the
ecumenical movement and their contribution to WCC.” Both lecturers spoke
about His Holiness Aram I’s decisive role in the ecumenical movement as an
example of active participation of the Orthodox Church.
The same evening the guests visited the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Ato
Meles Zenaoui. Discussions revolved around church-government relations and
WCC’s projects in Africa.
Bishop Nareg returned to Antelias on September 29.
##
View pictures here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network
(CENN)
Weekly Digest
October 5, 2005
News From Georgia
Environment Protection Inspection Detects Illegal Timber Processing In
Samtskhe Javakheti Region
Source: Prime-News Agency, September 25, 2005
The officials of the inspection Ministry of Environmental Protection and
Natural Resources of Georgia detected facts of illegal timber processing
in
<; more BTC SOLEMN CEREMONY DUE IN GEORGIA Source: AzerTag, September 28, 2005 As is stated, on the occasion of achievement of the border of Turkey by the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Main Export Pipeline, there will be held a solemn ceremony on October 12. <; more Government refuels to take Million from BP Source: `24 Saati' (`24 Hours'), September 30, 2005 `Government refuses to defense the lives of its citizens,' - declared the representatives of Association of Young Lawyers. The problem concerns the inhabitants of Dgvari Village, Borjomi region, were situation is critical due to the activation of landslides. Although landslides are characteristic for this area, after the construction of BTC this natural disaster became more frequent. <; more News From Azerbaijan NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS IN PREPARATION Source: AzerTag, September 27, 2005 A three-day seminar in preparation of the national program for Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants commenced at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The seminar is attended by experts of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), representatives of the ministries and non-governmental organizations. <; more POVERTY LEVEL TO DIMINISH TO 35% IN AZERBAIJAN IN 2005 Source: Turan, September 27, 2005 The Minister of Economic Development, Farkhad Aliyev, stated that the poverty level would most probably decrease to 35% in Azerbaijan in the end of this year. He said this index had decreased from 49% to 40.2% in the last two years. <; more News from Armenia RISE OF LAKE SEVAN COULD DRAIN ARMENIA'S TREASURY Source: Environment News Service (ENS): By Arevhat Grigorian, September 26, 2005 Armenian ecologists fear a rare environmental triumph is in danger of going wrong. Buildings and beaches around Lake Sevan are rapidly disappearing under water as efforts by scientists and environmentalists to reverse the decline of this huge freshwater reservoir pay off more quickly than expected. <; more Armenia Becomes ADB Member Source: ARMENPRESS, September 27, 2005 Armenia has become the 64th member of Asian Development Bank (ADB). Armenia's membership became effective on 20 September 2005 upon completion of all formalities. <; more ARMENIA RECEIVES 260.000 TOURISTS ANNUALLY Source: AZG Armenian Daily #173, September 28, 2005 These six months 108.517 people visited Armenia of which only 20.474 people stayed at the hotels. The rest of them preferred staying at their friends and relatives or to rent apartments. The tourism agencies are really concerned about this statistics. <; more Armenian Government Approves Program on Restoration of Lake Sevan Ecosystem for 2006 Source: ARMINFO, September 28, 2005 The Armenian Government has approved a program of actions on restoration of the ecosystem of Lake Sevan for 2006. <; more Gyumri to be Cleaned of Rubbish Source: A1+, September 29, 2005 Japan, the Armenian government and the Gyumri city administration joined efforts to eliminate household rubbish by means of processing. A Japanese delegation arrived in Gyumri for the purpose. <; more Kocharian Noted Importance of Armenia- Georgia Energy Cooperation Source: PanARMENIAN.Net, September 30, 2005 Today Armenian President Robert Kocharian met with Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli, who arrived in Armenia for the participation in the 4-th sitting of the Armenian-Georgian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, RA President's press center reported. Presenting the outcomes of the Yerevan sitting to Robert Kocharian the Georgian Premier stated <; more International News Are The Millennium Development Goals Out Of Reach In Europe And Central Asia? Source: The World Bank Group News, September 24, 2005 A new World Bank report, Millennium Development Goals: Progress and Prospects in Europe and Central Asia, measures how far countries of the region have come toward attaining such internationally agreed goals as halving extreme poverty by 2015, reducing maternal mortality, achieving universal primary education, and arresting the spread of HIV/AIDS. <; more CO2 Storage May Minimize Climate Change Source: UNEP press release, September 26, 2005 A new assessment report finalized here today by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that capturing and storing the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by power plants and factories before it enters the atmosphere could play a major role in minimizing climate change. <; more Quarry owner prosecuted for illegal disposal of waste Source: Environmental Agency: By Mike Dunning, September 26, 2005 The owner of a Somerset quarry has been ordered to pay £1,350 in fines and costs for illegally storing and burning waste timber. The case was brought by the Environment Agency. <; more Connecting for Biodiversity: Countdown 2010 at European Nature Conference in Apeldoorn Source: The World Conservation Union (IUNC), September 27, 2005 The World Conservation Union together with other European environmental organizations have issued the Apeldoorn Appeal, a joint call on the European Commission, governments and civil society to achieve the 2010 biodiversity commitment. The appeal came out of the European Nature Conference, which took place from 21-25 September 2005 in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. The conference, hosted by the Dutch NGO Natuurmonumenten to celebrate its 100th-anniversary this year, brought together 620 participants from 39 countries. <; more CHINA TO LAY PRIVATE OIL PIPELINE TO RUSSIA Source: AzerTag, September 28, 2005 China's first private oil pipeline to import oil from Russia is expected to be completed and start operation next year, reported PTI. <; more Illegal dumping and burning of waste lands man in court Source: environmental Agency: By Mike Dunning, September 28, 2005 A man who dumped waste furniture in a field in Cornwall and then set fire to it was today ordered to pay £1,000 in fines and costs in a case brought by the Environment Agency. Acting on a tip off from a member of the public, an Environment Agency officer went to a small field near Little Lancarrow Farm, Four Lanes, Redruth on October 20, 2004. <; more Los Angeles Study Finds Higher Pollution Death Risk Source: By Kevin Krolicki, Reuters , September 28, 2005 The risk of dying from air pollution in parts of traffic-clogged Los Angeles appears sharply higher than previously believed, according to a study comparing the risks of living in affluent, beachfront neighborhoods to the hazy and fast-growing inland area. <; more China GMO Rice Unlikely This Year - Scientists Source: Planet Ark, September 30, 2005 China, the world's biggest producer and consumer of rice, is close to approving a genetically modified version of the staple, a state newspaper said on Thursday, but scientists denied any breakthrough was imminent. <; more Seminars, conference and meetings BEIDS Briefing 2005-35- Specialist Seminar on dockyard waste waters in Hamburg Source: Ecological North West Line (ENWL), September 29, 2005 The Specialist Seminar Environmental decision-making exemplarily applied to dockyard waste waters will be held in Hamburg on the 24th November 2005. The event is organized as part of the project Green North Sea Docks (GNSD), <; more Announcement Explore Georgia with Caucasus Travel - Surroundings of Tbilisi Source: The Messenger, September 23, 2005 This tour leads us to the surroundings of Tbilisi to explore beautiful landscape, lush forests, and cool springs of the Betania area. W will drive up a hill, where a beautiful view of Tbilisi will be open to visitors. The first stop of day will he the Betania monastery, complex, where monks are living even today. <; more Invitation to the Regional Meeting of Environmental NGOs of the South Caucasus Invitation to the Regional Meeting of Environmental NGOs of the South Caucasus States `Building a Regional NGO Platform in the South Caucasus for Involvement of Civil Society in Formulation and Implementation of European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) Process' <; 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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For more information about the program, please visit CENN web-page:
<; CENN INFO Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) Tel:++995 32 75 19 03/04 Fax:+995 32 75 19 05 E-mail: [email protected] URL:

Armenian Youth Federation
104 N. Belmont St. #206 — Glendale, CA 91206
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release ~ September 26, 2005
Contact: Razmig Haroun (818) 507-1933
3rd Annual AYF Little Armenia Cleanup Gathers Hundreds for Volunteer Service
(Little Armenia, CA September 25, 2005) – Well over two-hundred Armenian
youth gathered in the “Little Armenia” district of Los Angeles Sunday
providing their volunteer service to the AYF’s 3rd Annual Little Armenia
Cleanup. Volunteers from all over Northern and Southern California;
including Fresno and San Francisco, helped remove thousands of pounds of
trash from major streets in Little Armenia, bringing the three year total to
over 23.5 tons of trash removed by the AYF.
Organized by the Armenian Youth Federation and cosponsored by Los Angeles
City Council member Eric Garcetti’s Office, the cleanup attracted volunteers
from the public at large and community organizations such as the AYF,
Homenetmen Los Angeles Chapter, and the ARF Badanegan Organization.
Before the clean up began Nora Ounjian relayed the AYF Central Executive’s
message to the youth. “The AYF will remain at the forefront of serving our
community and, in particular, will continue to provide our youth with
opportunities of social service,” said Ounjian. Reverend Father Vicken
Vassilian representing his Grace Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
of the Western Prelacy Armenian Church, blessed both the effort of the AYF
and the volunteers’ willingness to serve the community.
Los Angeles City 13th District Council member Eric Garcetti thanked the
volunteers for their efforts and welcomed the initiative of both the
volunteers and the AYF. The Council member awarded the AYF with a desktop
plaque that carries the seal of the city of Los Angeles and reads Little
Armenia.
In the coming weeks many “Welcome to Little Armenia” light-post banners will
be added to the existing 63 erected from past years. Depicting the
Tri-color, Sardarabad Monument, and Mount Ararat, the banners have added a
touch of Armenia to the community.
The Armenian Youth Federation would like to thank the volunteers and the
official sponsors of the Little Armenia Clean Up, without whom the event
would not have been the success that it was. Adin of California, Asbarez
Daily Armenian Newspaper, Horizon Armenian Television, Nor Hayastan Daily
Newspaper, USA Armenian Life Magazine, Closet World, Color Depot, Donoyan
Insurance Agency, Sylvie’s Costumes, Carpet Show, Sun Work’s Tanning, Eric
Garcetti’s Office and staff, and the A.R.F. Hollywood Karekin Njteh Gomideh,
played a fundamental role in the success of this public service effort.
The Armenian Youth Federation of Western United States strives to serve
Armenian American Communities west of the Mississippi through education,
athletics, political activism, cultural activities and social settings. To
learn more about the Armenian Youth Federation please log on to