KOCHARIAN: THERE ARE CERTAIN HOPES FOR SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH ISSUE
Pan Armenian News
27.09.2005 04:25
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “Since 1994 we hold continuous talks with Azerbaijan
within the framework of the OSCE MG. There were moments, when we were
close to solution of the problem, but something went wrong and it had a
negative impact on the negotiation process,” Armenian President Robert
Kocharian stated in the course of a joint news conference with Finnish
leader Tarja Halonen. He noted activation of the negotiation process
and added there are certain hopes for attaining peaceful settlement of
the issue. In her turn the Finnish President said if the parties come
to agreement, there is an opportunity of deployment of international
peacekeeping forces in the Karabakh conflict region. Tarja Halonen
also noted the amount of work the international community has to carry
out for peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Speaking
of the Armenian-Finnish relations, R.
Kocharian said he hoped for the visit of the Finnish leader encourage
further development of the bilateral cooperation. “Our relations
may develop within the EU context and I hope Finland will promote
EU-Armenia cooperation, especially taking into account that Finland
will assume EU presidency next year,” he said.

KOCHARIAN: ARMENIA INTERESTED IN PRESENCE OF RUSSIAN BASE
Pan Armenian News
27.09.2005 04:34
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The presence of the 102-nd Russian military base in
Armenia is country’s security component, Armenian President Robert
Kocharian stated at a joint news conference with Finnish President
Tarja Halonen. The Armenian leader flatly denied the opinion that
Russian military presence is imposed upon Armenia. “No one obliges
anyone, we are interested in the presence of the Russian military
base ourselves, as we have a complicated region and relations between
regional states are complex,” R. Kocharian remarked. He also added
that the issue of expansion of the Russian military presence in
Armenia is not discussed at the moment.

ARMENIA BECAME FULL MEMBER OF ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
Pan Armenian News
27.09.2005 03:47
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ According to a release of the Asian Development
Bank Monday, Armenia has become Bank 64th member. September 20, when
the necessary procedure was approved, Armenia became a full member
of the Asian Development Bank, situated in the Philippine capital
of Manila. Armenia has got 10 thousand 557 shares of the Bank. The
Bank capital totals $51.6 billion. Founded in 1966, last year the
Asian Development Bank provided various countries with credit of $5.3
billion, as well as technical assistance of $196.6 million.

BELARUS SECURITY COUNCIL SECRETARY TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA
Pan Armenian News
27.09.2005 03:21
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Secretary of the National Security Council at
the President of Armenia, Defense Minister Serge Sargsyan met with
Belarus Ambassador to Armenia Marina Dolgopolova. MOD Spokesperson,
colonel Seyran Shahsuvaryan told PanARMENIAN.Net. In the course of
the meeting the parties discussed matters referring to the visit
of Belarus Security Council Secretary Gennady Nevygals to Armenia,
as well as issues of mutual interest.
The interlocutors also discussed the program of events planned within
the Belarus Culture Days in Armenia scheduled September 30.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SAYS RUSSIAN BASE REMAINS SECURITY ELEMENT
Armenpress
Sept 27, 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: Speaking to a news conference
after talks with the visiting president of Finland Tarja Halonen,
Armenian president Robert Kocharian said Russian military bases
in Armenia were not imposed on it, but established in line with an
Armenian-Russian agreement.
He said also the Russian base is in line with Armenia’s national
interests.
Kocharian said Armenia is located in a complicated region where
relations between countries are not finally regulated yet. He said
Russian bases in Armenia are looked on as an element of its national
security. “There is no need to expand these bases, but what is there
is regulated by the intergovernmental agreement,’ he said. The press
conference was preceded by face-to-face talks between Kocharian
and Halonen, who according to Kocharian’s press office, discussed
bilateral relations, Armenia-EU cooperation, regional problems and
exchanged views on a set of key international issues.
Mrs. Halonen welcomed Armenia’s inclusion in the European Neighborhood
Policy (ENP), saying Finland was going to attach greater attention
to its relations with South Caucasian nations. President Kocharian
in turn said involvement of influential international organizations
in the process of regulation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would
have a positive impact, especially in providing political and economic
support to the sides after they reached a peace deal.
Kocharian said there were moments when the conflicting sides were
very close to hammering out the deal, but some circumstances have
slowed down the process. He said talks are very intensive now and
there is hope for reaching a mutually acceptable peace formula.
Mrs. Halonen said after learning the latest developments in the process
he encouraged Kocharian to continue active efforts for reaching final
peace with Azerbaijan.

ARMENIA BECOMES ADB MEMBER
Armenpress
Sept 27, 2005
MANILA, SEPTEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: 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.
Armenia has subscribed to 10,557 shares of the capital stock. ADB’s
authorized capital stock is 3,509,728 shares equivalent to US$51.6
billion.
The Asian Development Bank is dedicated to reducing poverty in the
Asia and Pacific regions through pro-poor sustainable economic growth,
social development, and good governance. Established in 1966, it is
owned by 64 members, with 46 from the region. In 2004, it approved
loans and technical assistance totaling $5.3 billion and $196.6
million, respectively.

HALONEN: ARMENIA SHOWS SERIOUS APPROACH TO EUROPEAN INTEGRATION
Pan Armenian News
27.09.2005 04:48
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Finnish President Tarja Halonen noted Armenian
authorities have done “much work to prepare the Plan of Actions within
the European Neighborhood Policy.” She stated it in the course of a
joint press conference with Armenian President Robert Kocharian. She
expressed hope for the Plan to be ready by the latter half of 2006,
when Finland will assume EU presidency. “Armenia shows very serious
approach to European integration,” she noted. In his turn R. Kocharian
expressed hope for the parties to come to agreement over the Plan
of Actions by the end of the year. The Armenian leader remarked,
“the process has been protracted, however it is not our guilt.” In
R. Kocharian’s words, the Plan of Actions provides for continuing
reforms in all respects and “Yerevan expects Finland to assume 2-3
directions it is most strong in during EU presidency.” The Armenian
and Finnish Presidents noted that the Armenian-Turkish relations and
the Karabakh settlement were discussed in the course of the talks in
Yerevan. T.
Halonen noted she had invited R. Kocharian to visit Finland on an
official call.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Natoinal Committee of Illinois
1701 North Greenwood Road
Glenview, IL 60026
Date: September 27, 2005
Contact: Greg Bedian
Email: [email protected]
SYSTEM OF A DOWN, ANC, AYF LEAD RALLY TO DEMAND VOTE ON GENOCIDE
LEGISLATION
Batavia, IL – System of a Down singer Serj Tankian, leaders of the
Armenian National Committee (ANC) and the Armenian Youth Federation
headed up a rally in front of Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert’s
district office in Batavia, IL, urging the Speaker to `Do the right
thing’ and schedule a vote on Armenian Genocide legislation currently
before the House of Representatives.
With the street in front of Hastert’s office blocked off by a police
cordon, hundreds of people of all ages listened to Tankian and John
Dolmayan and Armenian National Committee representatives Aram
Hamparian and Greg Bedian address the crowd, thanking them for their
support and urging them to continue to build momentum for the
legislation.
System of a Down’s four band members – Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian,
Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan – are of Armenian descent and have
made awareness of the genocide, and genocide around the world, a
central message of the band. All lost family members to the Armenian
Genocide.
Tankian and Armenian American community representatives passed on to
Hastert’s aides a letter urging the Speaker to move the legislation
forward and presented hundreds of letters from community members
calling for a vote. In a personal letter delivered to Speaker
Hastert’s office, Tankian stated `My grandfather, Stepan Haytayan, is
a 97 year-old survivor of the genocide. He’s my only link to this
past. I promised him that I would try to reach you and explain how
important American recognition is to the surviving children of the
first genocide of the 20th century.’
Greg Bedian, Chair of the ANC of IL, told the crowd, `You’ve taken the
time to stand up for justice about Turkey’s denial of the Armenian
Genocide, the precursor to the Holocaust and many other instances of
mass slaughter. The U.S. government today must set its record
straight by reaffirming the fact that Turkey committed genocide when
it exterminated 1.5 million Armenians. America must send the message
to governments around the world that the crime of genocide will
neither be forgotten nor treated with impunity.’
The rally was organized by the popular rock band System of a Down,
Axis of Justice, the Armenian National Committee of America and the
Armenian Youth Federation. In addition to members of the
Armenian-American community of Greater Chicago, attendees traveled
from Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, California and Washington, DC to
take part in the event. The numbers of Armenian Americans were buoyed
by the participation of throngs of fans of System of a Down and
supporters of the Axis of Justice.
Demonstrators from the Armenian National Committee of Illinois had
picketed Speaker Hastert’s “Mobile Office Tour 2005” on Wednesday,
July 20, demanding that he honor his five-year-old pledge to move the
Armenian Genocide Resolution forward in the House of Representatives.
Hastert made the pledge to have the full House vote on Armenian
Genocide legislation in August of 2000, but reneged in October of 2000
citing pressure from then President Clinton. He also prevented a
similar resolution from reaching the floor in 2004. Staffers committed
to provide the Speaker’s feedback to the constituents very soon
regarding the current bill.
The Armenian National Committee of Illinois is a grassroots public
affairs organization serving to inform, educate, and act on a wide
range of issues concerning Armenian Americans throughout the state of
Illinois.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
09/27/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Hundreds Gather at System Of A Down, ANC, AYF Rally Demanding Genocide Vote 2) Austria on EU Collision Course over Turkey Talks 3) Finland's President Visits Armenia 4) Armenian Conference at Istanbul University in March 2006 5) Armenia Fund Continues Tradition of Thanksgiving Day Telethon 6) US-Armenia Agriculture Heads Discuss Cooperation 1) Hundreds Gather at System Of A Down, ANC, AYF Rally Demanding Genocide Vote BATAVIA--System Of A Down singer Serj Tankian, leaders of the Armenian National Committee (ANC), and the Armenian Youth Federation headed up a rally in front of Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert's district office in Batavia, IL, urging the Speaker to `Do the right thing' and schedule a vote on Armenian Genocide legislation currently before the House of Representatives. With the street in front of Hastert's office blocked off by a police cordon, hundreds of people of all ages listened to Tankian and John Dolmayan and Armenian National Committee representatives Aram Hamparian and Greg Bedian address the crowd, thanking them for their support and urging them to continue to build momentum for the legislation. System Of A Down's four band members--Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan--are of Armenian descent and have made awareness of the Genocide, and genocides around the world, a central message of the band. All lost family members in the Armenian genocide. Tankian and Armenian American community representatives passed on to Hastert's aides a letter urging the Speaker to move the legislation forward and presented hundreds of letters from community members calling for a vote. In a personal letter delivered to Speaker Hastert's office, Tankian stated `My grandfather, Stepan Haytayan, is a 97 year-old survivor of the genocide. He's my only link to this past. I promised him that I would try to reach you and explain how important American recognition is to the surviving children of the first genocide of the 20th century.' Greg Bedian, Chair of the ANC of Illinois, told the crowd, `You've taken the time to stand up for justice about Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide, the precursor to the Holocaust and many other instances of mass slaughter. The US government today must set its record straight by reaffirming the fact that Turkey committed genocide when it exterminated 1.5 million Armenians. America must send the message to governments around the world that the crime of genocide will neither be forgotten nor treated with impunity.' The rally was organized by the popular rock band, along with Axis of Justice, the Armenian National Committee of America, and the Armenian Youth Federation. In addition to members of the Armenian-American community of Greater Chicago, attendees traveled from Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, California, and Washington, DC to take part in the event. The numbers of Armenian Americans were buoyed by the participation of throngs of fans of System Of A Down and supporters of Axis of Justice. Demonstrators from the Armenian National Committee of Illinois had picketed Speaker Hastert's `Mobile Office Tour 2005' on Wednesday, July 20, demanding that he honor his five-year-old pledge to move the Armenian Genocide Resolution forward in the House of Representatives. Hastert made the pledge to have the full House vote on Armenian Genocide legislation in August of 2000, but reneged in October of 2000 citing pressure from then President Clinton. He also prevented a similar resolution from reaching the floor in 2004. Staffers committed to provide the Speaker's feedback to the constituents very soon regarding the current bill. 2) Austria on EU Collision Course over Turkey Talks BRUSSELS (EUPolitix/Reuters)--Austria appears to be on a collision course with its European Union partners over the terms for starting accession talks with Turkey next week, raising the risk of a last-minute cliffhanger unless Vienna backs down. With 80 percent of his electorate opposed to Turkish entry, Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel is holding out for a face-saving formula in the EU negotiating mandate spelling out the prospect of less than full membership, diplomats said. `Austria is insisting on an alternative to membership,' a senior EU diplomat said. Turkey says it would walk away if the EU mentioned the `privileged partnership' sought by Vienna. The Austrians seem isolated after Cyprus, Greece, and France accepted a deal last week on the other key issue that had clouded the planned October 3 start of accession negotiations--Turkey's refusal to recognize Cyprus. Unless Vienna backs down at a meeting of ambassadors of the 25-nation bloc on Thursday, EU president Britain will call an emergency foreign ministers' session in Luxembourg on Sunday evening to seek agreement, hours before Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul is due to arrive and start the negotiations. `We could end up with Gul sitting with his suitcase at Ankara Airport waiting for word on the final language of the negotiating mandate. That would be very humiliating for the Turks and get the talks off to the worst possible start,' another EU diplomat said. Turkey has insisted that it will walk away from any negotiations proposing privileged partnership. Turkish foreign minister Ali Babacan, said Europe must not move the goal posts at the last minute. European Enlargement Commissioner Ollie Rehn has dismissed the privileged partnership option, insisting that talks must aim for full membership. `Whatever that [privileged partnership] could mean I'm willing to listen, but I have not yet heard very convincing answers,' he said. Complicating matters, Austria has informally linked its acceptance of the start of Turkey talks to the start of negotiations with Croatia. Speaking earlier this month, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel said, `I would find it grotesque if we begin negotiations with Turkey and leave Croatia outside the door to starve.' Austria's stance reflects growing public opposition in much of Western Europe to admitting the vast, poor, overwhelmingly Muslim country on the edge of Europe and the Middle East. 3) Finland's President Visits Armenia YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--Finland's President Tarja Halonen ended a two-day official visit to Yerevan on Tuesday, pledging support for Armenia's efforts to forge closer links with the European Union and stressing the importance of its democratization. `We have discussed how Finland can help Armenia within the framework of the European Neighborhood Policy,' she said after talks with President Robert Kocharian. `I am happy to see that Armenia has a serious approach to European integration and think my counterpart too realizes that it creates many opportunities for his country but requires a great deal of efforts.' Halonen was referring to Armenia's inclusion last year in the program designed to promote privileged partnership between the EU countries and their immediate neighbors. Kocharian and Prime Minister Andranik Markarian expressed hope that Finland will help Armenia benefit from the scheme and contribute to its broader European integration when it assumes the EU's rotating presidency next year. Halonen also visited the genocide memorial to 1.5 million Armenians killed by the government of Turkey in 1915-1923, and planted a tree in their memory. Halonen's visit is the first by a Finnish head of state to Caucuses Region since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, and marks the first time a woman president visits Armenia. 4) Armenian Conference at Istanbul University in March 2006 ISTANBUL--Istanbul University (IU) sources revealed on Tuesday that yet another conference dealing with the Armenian genocide is scheduled to take place in Turkey, in March 2006. After two cancellations, an unprecedented conference on the genocide of Armenians was held last Saturday at Istanbul's Bilgi University. Last May, Turkey's justice minister said the conference was a `stab in the Turkish nation's back,' prompting it to be postponed, and tapping into hard-line elements. It was again cancelled after a Turkish court ruling banning the meeting, following complaints by nationalists. The IU Rector's office said the upcoming conference would be held at IU, with `wide international participation and on basis of international criteria.' `The participants, including lawyers, scholars and politicians, of countries who have adopted resolutions accepting and remembering the so-called Armenian genocide will be invited,' stated a press release. Istanbul University said the `matter' would be studied not only historically and objectively, but also from legal, political and sociological perspectives. 5) Armenia Fund Continues Tradition of Thanksgiving Day Telethon NEW YORKA yearly tradition returns on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, when Armenia Fund Telethon 2005 will be broadcast to raise funds for `Rebirth of Artsakh,' a three-year, three-phase major regional development program for Mountainous Karabagh Republic. Since 1996, when the Telethon was first organized, millions of dollars have been raised to implement vital projects that have affected thousands of lives. The `Rebirth of Artsakh' regional development program includeds the building of schools, houses, clinics, and access roads, as well as drinking water programs and agricultural initiatives for three major regions of Mountainous Karabagh. Armenia Fund USA will spearhead the Agricultural Initiative component of the Program, aimed at providing long term sustainable economic development for the region. This year's Telethon will raise funds for the Mardakert agricultural initiative, which requires $2.5 million to assist 20,000 inhabitants. Plans are to establish six Agricultural Development Associations in order to help transition groups of subsistence farmers to becoming field crop, swine, and cattle production units. Armenia Fund is the US affiliate of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, and is a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization; the Fund represents all Armenian constituents. 6) US-Armenia Agriculture Heads Discuss Cooperation WASHINGTON, DC--Armenia's agricultural minister David Lokian met with US Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johans, in Washington on Monday, to review US-Armenia collaboration in the sector. In order to expand ties and establish joint projects, they discussed introduction of state-of-the technology to ensure food safety in Armenia. The US Department of Agriculture has expressed readiness to assist Armenia, including technical assistance to train specialists. Minister Lokian is in the US for a meeting of the US-Armenia Task Force that meets every 6 months to review the progress and objectives of US assistance to Armenia. The bilateral commission was established in 2000. Senior US officials from the State Department, Agriculture, Finance and Trade departments, as well as USAID and Millennium Challenge Account program, attended a reception at the Armenian Embassy in Washington, DC, for Task Force members. 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.

PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Prelacy of Canada
Contact Name: Dania Ohanian
Phone: (514) 856-1200
3401 Olivar Asselin
Montreal, Qc H4J 1L5
E-mail: [email protected]
His Holiness Meets with Canadian Bible Society, Ecumenic Leaders and Youth
Montreal, Qc_ His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholicosate
of Cilicia met with representatives of the Canadian Bible Society and
Ecumenic Leaders at the Armenian Prelacy of Canada on the afternoon of
Monday September 26, 2005.
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the Armenian Prelacy of
Canada, presented along with His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Untied States, the recent publication
of the New Testament and Psalms from classic Armenian to modern Armenian to
His Holiness Aram I.
Rev. Dr. Manuel Jinbashian, one of the three eminent biblical scholars who
worked on the translation of the Holy Bible from classic Armenian to modern
Armenian, presented a short history of the first biblical translation after
the Armenian alphabet was conceived 1600 years ago and of the most recent
translation.
Representing the Canadian Bible Society (CBS) and the Montreal District
Director for the CBS, Rev. Georges Legault thanked all of the efforts put
forth for this recent publication, and announced the CBS’ next venture in
Armenian: the publication of a children’s Bible in Armenian.
Also representing the CBS were Serge Rhéaume, Director of Francophone
Division, Rev. Marc Henri Vidal, as well as Adèle Brodeur, CBS Associate
Director.
Among the clergy present were Georges Zabarian of the Armenian Catholic
Church, Ven. Peter Hannen of the Anglican Diocese, Archpriest Peter Shportun
and Rev. Father Elie Touma of the St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church,
Protopresviter Stephen Smith of the Archangel Greek Orthodox Church, Mgr.
Louis Al-Dairany, Patriarchal Vicar of the Chaldéens Catholic of Montreal
and Ottawa, Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim of the Roman Catholic Church, Rev. Fr.
Kamil Ishak, Rev. Fr. Joseph Sedra and Rev. Fr. Raphael Bichara of the
Syrian Orthodox Church , Rev. Mher Khachigian of the Armenian Evangelical
Church, Rev. Georges Dabbo of the Armenian Evangelical First Church and all
clergy members of the Armenian Prelacy of Canada.
Harvey Shepherd from Montreal’s English language daily, The Gazette, also
attended the meeting after an interview with His Holiness and Rev. Dr.
Manuel Jinbashian.
His Holiness concluded the presentation by stating that as leaders and
representatives of Christianity, it is of great importance and a great feat
for all them “to stick together in the common Christian task,” all the while
preserving their own distinctive characteristics. The Ecumenical meeting
continued over a luncheon at the Montreal Armenian Community Centre.
Meeting with Youth
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia met
with the local youth later the same evening at the Armenian Community Centre
‘s Aharonian Hall for an open question and answer period.
Surrounded by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the
Armenian Prelacy of Canada, and His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, His
Holiness attentively listened to the opening statement of Lory Hovsepian,
who succinctly but thoroughly presented the mindset of the youth towards the
church.
The Q&A session was mediated by Very Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, who briefly
touched upon different topics that interest the youth, such as freedom and
technology, and warned that freedom is good but it too needs to have its
limits in order for one to have an enriching life. With regards to
technology, Very Rev. Fr. Chiftjian left the attendants with a reflective
message: should we be controlled by technology or should we be in control of
it.
The questions posed by the attending youth were candid and varied from the
basic such as how to get young people interested in attending church to the
more complex like, premarital sex and same-sex marriages.
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate, concluded the discourse
by thanking the youth for expressing their worries and stressed the need to
continue the dialogue together, in order to address the problems together.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos, will be leaving for Toronto on Thursday
September 29 to continue his North American Pontifical visit.
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