Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:
Ecumenical Fellowship

Upon the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese, ecumenical Divine Liturgy was
celebrated by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian in the Kalaydjian Hall of
the Western Diocese, marking the first time in Diocesan history that
such an event took place. The Liturgy began at 10:30 a.m. with the
participation of the Primates and clergy of the Armenian, Coptic and
Syriac Orthodox Churches.
His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian, His Grace Bishop
Serapion, Primate of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and His Eminence Mor
Clemis Eugene Kaplan, Primate of the Syriac Orthodox Church, took part
in the service.
Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian, Pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Church
in East Los Angeles, read the part of the Deacon. Very Rev. Fr. Muron
Aznigian, Rev. Fr. Bartev Gulumian and a clergy of the Syriac Church
served on the Altar. Rev. Fr. Asoghig Garabedian and Rev. Fr. Trdat
Bozigian, who are visiting from Etchmiadzin, Armenia, as well as
Deacon Vahe Abovian and Deacon Mayis Shahbazian, also served on the
Altar. The Liturgy was sung by the Burbank Parish Choir, directed by
Siranoosh Der Boghosian and organist Sirarpi Zirekians. Members of
the St. James Armenian Church Choir also participated.
His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, His Grace Bishop Sebouh
Chouldjian, Primate of the Diocese of Gougark, and around 100 clergy
representing the Armenian, Coptic, and Syriac Churches, were in
attendance.
A moving moment of the ceremony was when the clergy approached the
Holy Altar in four rows to receive Holy Communion from Archbishop
Derderian and the Primates.
In his message Archbishop Hovnan Derderian expressed his joy in this
ecumenical event between three churches which share the same theology.
The Primate also emphasized the fact that the Oriental Orthodox
council was called to life three years ago and has been chaired for
the past two years by Bishop Serapion. The Primate presented icons to
the three bishops present, in appreciation of their participation in
the day’s service.
In his message Bishop Serapion thanked Archbishop Derderian for
hosting this service, and thus strengthening the ties between the
Oriental Orthodox Churches.
Archbishop Kaplan, upon thanking the Primate stressed the importance
of collaboration between the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the United
States, as is done in the Middle East. He also underscored the
significance of the proper training of our youth in Christian ethics.
Archbishop Mardirosian expressed his joy in witnessing the brotherly
love which was present during the day.
Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian made a presentation entitled
`The Personal Transfiguration of a Christian.’
A reception took place in the Galleria following the Divine Liturgy.
The tradition of the joint Divine Liturgy will also continue in the
future, hosted each year by a different church.

Ecumenical Sunday School Bible Competition

Organized by the Oriental Orthodox Churches of Western America, a
Sunday School Bible Competition was held on Saturday, May 13, 2006,
at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, in Glendale, California.
Sunday school students from the Armenian, Coptic and Syriac Orthodox
Churches participated in the competition that began at 10:00 a.m. and
concluded at 2:15 p.m. His Grace Bishop Serapion, His Eminence
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian, and His Eminence Mor Clemis Eugene
Kaplan were present, accompanied by clergy.
Sunday school students from St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys,
St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena, the Armenian Church of
Burbank, and the Armenian Church of Crescenta Valley (Tujunga),
represented the Western Diocese. To promote fellowship among the
churches, students were divided into 16 groups, each containing an
equal number of children from each of the churches.
The competition began by a five minute prayer from the youth of each
church. The First and Second Rounds of competition were held between
10:45 – 12:00 pm. The Third and Final Rounds of competition were held
between 12:15 – 12:50 pm, after which, the Primates of the respective
churches addressed the students and urged them to continue to learn
about our Christian faith and teaching.
The winners were announced during the awards ceremony. The winning
team contained two students from the Sunday School of Crescenta
Valley and one from the Burbank Parish. The day’s program closed with
a prayer.
OFFICE OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE
May 16, 2006
Burbank, California

May 17, 2006 11:09:40 AM | <; Archive | <; Russian | < ot_news.html> Hot News |
<; Vacancies in Georgia | <; CENN | 17.5.2006 News From Georgia < > >>
IMF will not block poverty reduction program
Source: The Messenger, 2006-05-08

The IMF is not planning to stop its poverty reduction program in Georgia.
Permanent representative of IMF in Georgia Robert Kristiansen mentioned that
the IMF has a certain opinion for the amendments in the Georgian law
concerning illegal incomes, but this is not the reason for stopping the
poverty reduction program in the country. According to him the IMF
positively evaluates the macroeconomic policy carried out in the country.

The IMF recently made some remarks concerning the draft law on fighting
illegal incomes submitted to the parliament by the state minister Kakha
Bendukidze. The major concern of the IMF is the issue on increasing the
level of reported transfers from GEL 30,000 to GEL 50,000. This kind of
change might leave considerable amounts of money beyond the monitoring
scale.

IMF experts think also that if currency exchange offices will not require
any more licensing this will contradict the principles of combating money
laundering and terrorist threats.

Minister of Finance Lexo Aleksishvili states that the draft law already
considered the IMF recommendations and all the projects envisaged by IMF
will be continued. Deputy state minister Vakhtang Lezhava thinks that this
misinformation was disseminated by those who want to oppose the current
draft law and the amendments into legislation.

17.5.2006
News From < jan> Azerbaijan >>

OIL PRODUCTION ON RISE

Source: Azetag, 2006-05-13
Oil production in the State Oil Company’s fields was 746 thousand tons in
April. It is 20 470 tons more than scheduled. Oil production has come to 2
960 000 tons since the beginning of the year, beating the target by 67 670
tons. Oil transfer to the state outstripped the target by 14 960 tons in
April and hit 2 922 000 tons for the past four months.

17.5.2006
News From Armenia < > >>

news bulletin of environmental activities

Dear CENN Readers,

Here comes news bulletin of environmental activities carried out in ten
communities throughout Armenia within the frames of Community Environmental
Action Groups project Armenian Forests NGO is implementing under USAID
auspices.

It is interesting News < >
Bulletin about what local communities have achieved in working to improve
environmental conditions in their settlements.

Mher Sharoyan
Media Coordinator
Armenian Forests NGO
38 Moskovian St., apt. 10
Phone: (374 10) 54-15-29
Fax: (374 10) 58-20-39
E-mail: [email protected]

News
>>

BRAZIL OFFICIALLY STARTS FIRST URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY

Source: ENS, 2006-05-08
Brazil has inaugurated its first uranium enrichment facility to make the
type of fuel for nuclear power plants that Iran is running into trouble for
attempting to produce. There are strong suspicions that the objective of the
Iranian nuclear program is to eventually build a bomb, but Brazil has
managed to assure the international community its intentions are industrial
and commercial, not military.

17.5.2006
International < nce> Seminar /
Conference / Meeting >>

International conference to introduce climate change scenarios in the Baltic
Sea region

Source: Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM), 2006-05-16

Gvteborg, Helsinki, Geesthacht – Leading scientist, politicians, journalists
and interested stakeholders from the Baltic Sea countries will take part in
the First International Conference on the Assessment of Climate Change for
the Baltic Sea Basin on 22-23 May 2006 in Gvteborg, Sweden. The Conference,
organised by Gvteborg University, BALTEX and HELCOM, will provide an
assessment of ongoing and possible future climate variations in the Baltic
Sea basin.
The climate in the Baltic Sea basin has changed during the past century, and
current research shows that the area will likely continue to get warmer. In
the past century there has been a marked increase of temperature of more
than 0.70C, with consequences such as shorter ice seasons. This is larger
than the global mean temperature increase of 0.50C. No robust link to
anthropogenic warming and the increased levels of greenhouse gases on
regional scales has been established, although it is plausible that at
least part of the recent warming in the Baltic Sea basin is related to the
steadily increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases.
“Continuing analysis is needed to clarify the causes behind the increasing
temperature,” says Anders Omstedt, professor in Geosphere Dynamics at
Gvteborg University.

The observed changes in temperature in the past have been associated with
consistent changes in terrestrial ecosystems, such as earlier spring
phenological phases, northward species shifts and increased growth and
vigour of vegetation. These trends are expected to continue into the future;
induced species shifts may be slower than the warming which causes it.
Scenarios for the climate in the later part of the present century describe
an ongoing general warming, increased winter precipitation almost everywhere
and dryer summers in the southern parts. For the water body of the Baltic
Sea, a tendency towards lower salinity could be expected, which is thought
to have a major influence on the Baltic Sea fauna. The expected changes in
precipitation (and thus river runoff) may have additional detrimental
effects on the problem of eutrophication. The warming will be associated
with earlier spring phenological phases, northward species shifts and
increased growth and vigour of vegetation.

The assessment is a result of a recently established Assessment of Climate
Change for the Baltic Sea Basin Project (The BACC Project). It integrates
available knowledge of historical, current and expected future climate
change. The unique feature of BACC is the combination of evidence on climate
change and related impacts on marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems
in the Baltic Sea basin, which encompasses the entire water catchment with
runoff into the Baltic Sea. It is the first systematic scientific effort for
assessing climate change in a European region. More than 80 scientists from
12 countries have contributed on a voluntary basis. As such, the results
have not been influenced by either political or special interests.

The BACC Project is a joint venture of the BALTEX (Baltic Sea Experiment)
Program and HELCOM (Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission) as an
example of a dialogue between the scientific community and environmental
policy makers. BALTEX is a continental-scale experiment within GEWEX (Global
Energy and Water Cycle Experiment) and WCRP (World Climate Research
Program).

The first day of the Conference will be devoted to scientific discussions
and the individual chapter lead authors will present the BACC results both
as oral lectures and posters. The second day discussions will be dedicated
to bridge science, policy and the general public and includes a panel
discussion. The objective of the panel is to discuss issues of climate
change related to the entire water catchment of the Baltic Sea; possible
impacts of these changes on marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and on
society; and means how to improve the dialogue between scientists,
politicians and the public at large with regard to issues related to climate
change. The panel will consist of leading climate researchers, politicians
and journalists.

The Conference is open to the press.

For details on the BACC Project and the Conference, please visit:

BACC website <; , also see the Conference announcement flyer < _flyer.pdf>
f2006_flyer.pdf,
and program < html>
dule.html

Information for TV journalists:

TV-footage is available at the BACC website.
For information about BACC, please visit:
For information about Gvteborg University, please visit
<; For information about BALTEX, please visit <; de/baltex For information about HELCOM, please visit <; For any additional information, please contact: Prof. Dr. Hans von Storch Chair of BACC Institute for Coastal Research GKSS Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH, Germany Phone: +49 171 212 2046 E-mail: [email protected]

Prof. Dr. Anders Omstedt
Earth Sciences Center-Oceanography
Gvteborg University, Sweden
Phone: +46 31 773 2881
E-mail: [email protected]

Dr. Markku Rummukainen
Rossby Centre
Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Norrkvping, Sweden
Phone: +46 11 495 8605
E-mail: [email protected]

Camilla Carlsson, informatvr,
Fakultetskansliet fvr naturvetenskap,Gvteborgs universitet
Phone: +46 31 773 28 64
Mobil: +46 70 146 39 61
E-mail:
cami [email protected]

Dr. Torsten Fischer,
Presse- und Vffentlichkeitsarbeit
GKSS Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
Phone: +49 (0) 41 52 / 87 – 1677
E-mail: [email protected]

Nikolay Vlasov,
Information Secretary, HELCOM
Phone: +358 (0)207 412 635
E-mail: [email protected]

17.5.2006
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THE DISPATCHER DIDN’T INSULT THE ARMENIAN PILOT
A1+
[07:44 pm] 16 May, 2006
“The Russian dispatcher didn’t insult the Armenian pilot,” RA Attorney
General Aghvan Hovsepyan informed the reporter of “A1+”about it
opposing the claims of the Georgian side. According to him confusion
was aroused by an “insulting” phrase when the dispatcher said “those
Armenians are going to land” instead of saying “that Armenian pilot
is going to land.”
Asked whether the Adler dispatcher was drunk Mr. Baghdasarov answered
“he might be drunk or not.”
It is due to mention that Oleg Ermolov, deputy president of
intergovernmental aviation committee, mentioned in “Ayb-Fe” weekly
there was nothing indecent during the record of the Armenian pilot
and the Adler dispatcher’s talk whereas the Georgian side couldn’t
overhear the Russian dispatcher and the Armenian pilot’s talk.

“THE RUSSIAN POLICY IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE BORING”
A1+
[08:20 pm] 16 May, 2006
Armenia is more protected from the point of view of national risk
threat than its neighboring countries Georgia and Azerbaijan. The index
of life quality in our country outnumbers that of our neighbors. And
on the contrary, the index of dynamism is lower in Armenia than
in Azerbaijan.
These are preliminary data given by a number of Russian
politicians’survey the results of which will be summarized at the
turn of the year. Russian politician Michael Ilyin who participates in
the program titled “Modern political atlas” said during today’s press
release that the survey is very complicated but they get information
of great importance and of encyclopedia value.
Our first task was to collect information on political developments
of various countries of the world.
187criteria for survey have been worked out, the data we possess was
marked by 6 complex indexes and as a result of it we got data of more
than 36 000 points,” noted the politician. 192 UNO member countries
are engaged in the survey.
The politician presented the program which started in 2005 in the
symposium related to the political issues of post soviet countries
held in YSU on May 11 – 14.
While speaking of the Russian foreign policy Michael Ilyin noted that
Russia has always been able to establish friendly relations with its
neighbors. But the relations with Georgia are getting worse day by day
though according to the politician it is determined by the aggressive
policy of Georgia.
“The deterioration of the relations is determined by a number of
factors, but the vital of them, to my mind, is the policy of the
Georgian authorities which is very aggressive though Russia is not
wise either.”
“The prospect of negotiating with Armenia is great.
The two sides seem to be interested in it. The relations may become
worse in case there is a serious crisis in the region as they may
encounter new difficulties,” claims the politician.
As for the Russian policy he stated “The policy of Russia is becoming
more and more boring.”

SERGE SARGSYAN SUPPORTS ILYUMJINOV
A1+
[08:46 pm] 16 May, 2006
Soon Chess World Olympiad will be held in Turin during which the
session of the FIDE will be convened.
Alongside with other issues, the members of the FIDE will elect a
new president. The main candidate of the post is Kirsan Ilyumjinov,
current president of the FIDE whose rival is Dutch Vesen Coc.
Serge Sargsyan, president of the Armenian Football Federation released
an official letter to Ilyumjinov offering his assistance to the FIDE
president. “We voice hope that you will do your best to promote the
development of chess all over the world in order to keep the ancient
game away from politics.”
Let us remind you that Ilyumjinov has criticized Armenia many times for
holding international tournaments in NKR. Ilyumjinov spoke negatively
about the tournaments held in Artsakh during his election campaign
in Baku underlining the fact they don’t accept the results of the
tournaments.
By the way, Azeris also support Ilyumjinov and they have made their
decision public lately.

AND WHY WAS BAGHDASAROV AWARDED?
A1+
[09:15 pm] 16 May, 2006
Today in the Russian Embassy to Armenia a number of Armenian
authorities were awarded with great military orders of the pan Russian
academy on security, defense and legal issues.
RA Attorney General Aghvan Hovsepyan was awarded the medal of the
first degree of Peter the Great. RA Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan
will also be awarded with that medal but a bit later, as he wasn’t
present at today’s ceremony.
Colonel-General Michael Haroutyunyan, deputy minister of the RA Defense
and chief of the RA military main headquarters, was awarded with the
medal of the first degree of Alexandre Nevski, and Gurgen Dalibaltayan,
RA Military Attorney General and RA President’s councilor, was awarded
with the medal of “Great Victory.”
Michael Baghdasarov, president of the company “Mika Limited” was among
them and he was awarded with the medal of the second degree of Peter
the Great (it is difficult to say for which service exactly)
The official registration of the awards is as follows, for their
personal share and service in the establishment of RA and RF national
security and increase of fighting ability.
The ceremony was held at the head of the Russian ambassador to Armenia
Nikolay Pavlov who was also awarded with the medal of first degree
of Peter the Great.
By the way, Mher Shahgeldyan, chairman of RA Defense and National
security and Internal affairs standing committee was awarded the
medal of the first degree of Alexandre Nevski but the medal was not
given to him for certain reasons.
Nobody made a speech at the ceremony. They merely enjoyed drinks and
spoke of their personal affairs.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

YOUNG ORINATS YERKIR PARTY MEMBER ABOUT THE OLD MEMBERS
Panorama.am
15:24 16/05/06
Orinats Yerkir young members presented a symbol of a broken chair with
a paper with $ sign and several ?? stick on it with black ribbon. The
chair symbolizes the people who left Orinats Yerkir. The young members
assure that no rat movement is present among their lines. According to
youth department head of OY Samvel Faramanyan, no person has left the
party from their department. Moreoever, 500 new members joined. Tigran
Lazarian, department member, said that morality has not developed
within politics.
Young OY members have called extraordinary assemblies several times to
discuss the present situation. They issued a statement approving their
leader’s steps and rendering their support to him. Speaking on those
who left the party they write “such people are sometimes loved but are
never forgiven. We are sure that their steps are not only reflection
of being non-principle but also put en end to any human morality.”

BARGAVACH HAYASTAN TO HAVE THE SAME FATE OF ORINATS YERKIR
Panorama.am
15:26 16/05/06
National Democratic Union Head Vazgen MANUKYAN talked to a news
conference today, saying that gagik tsarukyans, prosecutors and others
must understand that being involved in the game they have either to
serve till the end or have the same fate as Orinats Yerkir. Manukyan
said so in a response to a question by Panorama.am whether Bargavach
Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) will have the fate of Orinats Yerkir.

ALL ARMENIAN CONGRESS HOLDS A SESSION IN YEREVAN
Panorama.am
16:37 16/05/06
All Armenian Congress (AAC) opened its session today in Yerevan. The
session discussed AAC activities in the course of the last 2 years
and participants watched a film about the organization.
However, the participants think that only half of the information on
what the congress does was presented.
“I can assure you that you don’t know even 1 % of what we do. I did
not want to talk about the programs of the congress as it would take
much time,” the head of the Congress and chairman of the Union of
Armenians A. Abrahamyan told Panorama.am.
A. Abrahamyan mentioned that they have provided Armenian schools with
computers and the organizers intend to continue the project both in
Armenia and Diaspora. During the last 2 years, refugees were provided
with 130 flats. “It is very important since by providing refugees
with flats we connect them with Armenia,” Abrahamyan said. They also
engage in building schools in Nagorno Karabakh. The most important
among programs may be considered AAC’s initiative to apply to the
International Court on Human Rights with a request to consider the
Armenian Genocide.
Another important aspect Abrahamyan considered the development of
Armenia-Diaspora relation which, in his opinion, is not sufficiently
well developed.
In the words of NKR prime minister Anushavan Danielyan, a more
professional and organized attitude is needed to the problem
of Diaspora. “Up till now we have been dealing on amateur
level. Concurrently, if we ask Armenians what is our economic
and intellectual capital, most frequently we will hear the answer
“Diaspora,” Danielyan said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE POLICE COMPUTER NETWORK WILL BE SIGNED
Panorama.am
20:14 16/05/06
On May 16 at the US Embassy in Yerevan, a contract for $699,000 for
development of the Police Computer Network will be signed. The company
AEAI (Advanced Engineering Associates International) with its Armenian
partner Yerevan Computer Research and Development Institute (YCRDI)
have been selected by the US Embassy to develop the Network.