PRESS RELEASE
September 17-20, 2005
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA
40 Marshal Baghramian
Yerevan 375019 ARMENIA
Telephone: (37410) 512-522
Fax: (37410) 270-859; 512-512
Contact: Diana Manukyan
E-mail: [email protected]
XXVII Annual ASPHER Conference hosted by the College of Health Sciences at
the American University of Armenia
Yerevan- The College of Health Sciences (CHS) at the American University of
Armenia hosted the XXVII Annual ASPHER (Association of Schools of Public
Health in The European Region) Conference entitled `Educating the Public
Health Workforce: Development Perspectives for the European and
Mediterranean Regions’ from 17-20 September 2005.
The conference addressed development perspectives of Public Health schools
in the European and Mediterranean regions of the World Health Organization,
revealing possible barriers and catalysts to the process of development. For
the first time this exclusive conference hosted about 130 participants from
the Public Health Schools of the European, Mediterranean, and African
regions. Delegates came from 5 continents and over 50 countries, ranging
from South Africa to Finland and from the United States to Mongolia.
The conference was opened by AUA graduate (MBA and MPH) and Honorary Chair
of the Scientific Committee Dr. Tatul Hakopyan Vice Minister of Health,
Armenia, along with, Dr. Haroutune Armenian, AUA President (Chair,
Scientific Committee) and Dr. Michael E. Thompson, Director of the AUA
Center for Health Services Research and Development (Chair, Organizing
Committee).
`Beyond all the assistance from international donors and agencies, the
health care system of Armenia has been running primarily on a capital of
dignity invested by the health care professionals. A dignity that has become
second nature when your history is pot marked by generations of repression
and destruction and you have that continuing urge to survive and move
forward,’ said Haroutune Armenian, AUA President.
Keynote speakers were Dr. Huda Zurayk, Dean, and Faculty of Health Sciences,
American University of Beirut and Dr. Donald A. Henderson, Dean Emeritus,
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Henderson led the
World Health Organization program leading to the eradication of smallpox.
`It seems to me that there is not only a need but an important opportunity
for a fuller mature development of Schools of Public Health that are
professional schools; that work closely with those who are dealing with real
world problems… and that define and actively advocate for needed public
policy. The need is international’, pointed out Dr.Henderson, professor of
Public Health and Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and Resident
Fellow of the Center for Biosecurity of the University of Pittsburgh Medical
Center.
During the conference the Association of Schools of Public Health in the
European Region (ASPHER) awarded its 13th Stampar Medal to Mr. George Soros
of Open Society Institute (OSI), in recognition of OSI’s support to the
development and improvement of public health training in Central and Eastern
Europe and the former Soviet Union. Mr Michael Borowitz, Director of Open
Society Institute’s Public Health Programs, accepted the award on behalf of
OSI’s Public Health Programs.
According to Dr. Anders Folsprang, ASPHER President, `We were delighted to
have the first time the conference is held in a former Soviet Republic
coincide with the College of Health Sciences’ 10th Anniversary. The
Scientific and Organizing Committees did a superb job in preparing a well
organized, stimulating scientific and cultural program.’
—————————————-
The American University of Armenia is registered as a non-profit educational
organization in both Armenia and the United States and is affiliated with
the Regents of the University of California. Receiving major support from
the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the Masters Degree in eight
graduate programs. For more information about AUA, visit
<; .

EBRD Development Lead for Armenia
BISNIS Consulting Update
21 September 2005
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EBRD
Deadline: 29 Sept 2005 at 17:00, London time
Leadlink,
EBRD – Regional, Consultancy Services, Depository credit (Banks),
Medium-sized Co-financing Facility – Advisory Services
Deadline: October 10, 2005
Leadlink,
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Conference on the Genocide in the Ottoman Empire 1915/16
90 years of denial – The atrocities against Armenians,
Assyrians, Syriacs, Chaldeans
Date: 15th of November
Place: ABF, Sveavägen 41, Stockholm, Sweden
Programme
* 8.30 – 9.00 Registration
* 9.00 – 9.10 Introduction
(Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson, Chairperson, ABF – Workers’ Educational
Association and member of The Living History Forum board)
* 9.10 – 9.50 The Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century.
(Dr Tessa Hofmann, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Germany)
* 9. 50 – 10.20 Coffee break
* 10.20 – 11.20 The Armenian genocide
(Professor Vahakn N Dadrian, Director of Genocide Research with the Zoryan
Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA)
15 minutes discussion with the moderator
* 11.20 – 11.35 Short break
* 11.35 – 12.35 Atrocities against Assyrians, Syriacs, Chaldeans
(Professor David Gaunt, Södertörn University College)
15 minutes discussion with the moderator
* 12.35 – 13.50 Lunch
* 13.50 – 14.25 Official Turkish opinion on the Armenian genocide and the
atrocities against Assyrians, Syriacs, Chaldeans
(Prof.Dr.Kemal Cicek from the Turkish Historical Society)
10 minutes discussion with the moderator
* 14.25 – 15.20 Different opinions on the Armenian genocide and racism
against Armenians, Assyrians, Syriacs, Chaldeans
(Ms Yelda Ozcan, Journalist and Author)
15 minutes discussion with the moderator
* 15.20 – 15.50 Coffee break
* 15.50 – 17.15 Situation for Ethnic Minorities in Turkey today and the
Concept of the 20th Century history among the General public in Turkey. Panel debate
(Professor Vahakn N Dadrian, Professor David Gaunt, Ms Yelda Ozcan,
Journalist and Author, Dr Tessa Hofmann, Representative of the Turkish Embassy
and two representatives of the Armenian, Assyrian, Syriac, Chaldean communities)
Moderator: Arne Ruth, author and former editor-in-chief
Conference language: English
Please notice: The numbers of seats are limited. The closing date for
entries is the 21st of October. Use the form below to apply.
Photographing prohibited
The Conference is arranged in cooperation between The Living History
Forum, Södertörn University College, ABF – Workers’
Educational Association, The Armenian Federation in Sweden, The
Assyrian Federation in Sweden, The Syriac Federation in Sweden, ACSA –
The Assyrian, Chaldean, Syriac Association
Free admission.

YEREVAN PRESS CLUB WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 16-22, 2005
HIGHLIGHTS:
LITIGATION BETWEEN VANADZOR BRANCH OF HCA AND THE MUNICIPALITY CONTINUES
“AZG” IN RUSSIAN LANGUAGE
VITALIY DANILOV PASSED AWAY
LITIGATION BETWEEN VANADZOR BRANCH OF HCA AND THE MUNICIPALITY CONTINUES
On September 20 the court of primary jurisdiction of Lori region started the
hearings on the suit of Vanadzor Branch of Helsinki Citizen’s Assembly
versus the Lori Regional Department of RA Service of Compulsory Execution of
Judicial Acts. The Vanadzor Branch of HCA demanded to oblige the Service of
Compulsory Execution to perform the court decision on the suit of the
organization versus the municipality of Vanadzor. The lengthy litigation
between the HCA Vanadzor Branch and the city administration started in 2004
due to the refusal of the latter to provide the human rights organization
with the copies of all 2,614 resolutions, adopted by the municipality and
the Council of Elderly of the community in 2002-2003. On April 30, 2004 the
court of primary jurisdiction of Lori region secured the demand of the
plaintiff: the documents requested were to be provided, excluding those
containing secret information. The total amount of duty for the documents
was defined to be 1,000 AMD (about $ 2). This resolution was further
confirmed by courts of supreme jurisdiction (see details in the report on
freedom of speech in Armenia in 2004 on YPC web-site: )

Due to the fact that the municipality continued to deny access to documents,
the HCA Vanadzor Branch addressed the RA Service of Compulsory Execution of
Judicial Acts. As YPC was informed by HCA Vanadzor Branch, in February 2005
the staff of the Service of Compulsory Execution provided the NGO with
copies of about 240 resolutions of the municipality and the Council of
Elderly – for 2004, instead of 2002-2003. The next set of documents (around
270 resolutions), this time for 2002-2003, was received by the human rights
organization in May 2005. After this the HCA Vanadzor Branch got no
documents, which prompted it to address the court.
“AZG” IN RUSSIAN LANGUAGE
On September 20 the weekly of “Azg” newspaper was published in Russian
language. The 16-page full-color publication of A3 format was intended
primarily for Armenians, residing in Russia. Assistance to the publication
of the weekly is provided by the Union of Armenians of Russia and World
Armenian Congress. The activities of these organizations “will receive
particular attention in the weekly”, says the piece, published in the
homonymous Armenian daily on September 21, 2005, telling about the issuance
of the weekly.
According to the Chief Editor of “Azg” Hagob Avedikian, the first two issues
of the weekly with a print run of 1,500 copies will be free of charge.
Further it is planned to publish the weekly on Saturdays, with a print run
of up to 30,000 copies to be disseminated mostly in Russia. It is also
expected that a part of the print run, about 500 copies, be sold in Armenia,
through subscription.
VITALIY DANILOV PASSED AWAY
On September, at the age of 66 the veteran of Armenian journalism Vitaliy
Danilov passed away before his time. From 1968 till 1983 Vitaliy Danilov
worked with “Communist” newspaper, later – for the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of Armenia. In 1981 Vitaliy Danilov was awarded the diploma
of the Journalists Union of USSR for successful newspaper campaigning in
1980. Being an active participant in Karabagh movement, in 1991 Vitaliy
Danilov was elected to be the Chairman of the Association of Protection of
Rights of Karabagh and the Co-Chairman of the International Congress of
Human Rights in the framework of OSCE. Since 1999 he had lived in Moscow.
Having authored numerous articles on the problem of Mountainous Karabagh,
published in a number of Russian media, during the past years Vitaliy
Danilov was writing a book on the resolution of Karabagh conflict. He did
not have time to publish the book…
Yerevan Press Club expresses its condolences to Vitaliy Danilov’s family and
friends.
When reprinting or using the information above, reference to the Yerevan
Press Club is required.
You are welcome to send any comment and feedback about the Newsletter to:
[email protected]
Subscription for the Newsletter is free. To subscribe or unsubscribe from
this mailing list, please send a message to: [email protected]
Editor of YPC Newsletter – Elina POGHOSBEKIAN
____________________________________________
Yerevan Press Club
9B, Ghazar Parpetsi str.
375002, Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 53 00 67; 53 35 41; 53 76 62
Fax: (+374 10) 53 56 61
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site:

PRESS RELEASE
Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society
104 N. Belmont St., Suite 200
Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: Roger Khadarian
Tel: 213-278-2020
Fax: 818-450-0248
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
ARMENIAN ALPHABET CELEBRATES 1600th ANNIVERSARY
S. Peter Cowe, Stephan Astourian, Manoug Seraydarian and Ani
Hovannisian-Kevorkian to Speak, Armenian Folk Group Element and Lark
Chorus to Perform
Los Angeles, CA – In 405 A.D., Mesrop Mashtots, a cleric of the
Armenian royal court, invented the letters of the Armenian alphabet,
allowing for the creation of a vast literary tradition. In
celebration of the 1600th anniversary of the alphabet, the Hamazkayin
Educational and Cultural Society is organizing a free public cultural
event at the Alex Theatre in Glendale on Sunday, October 2, 2005.
S. Peter Cowe, Professor of Armenian Language and Culture at the
University of California, Los Angeles, will be featured as one of the
keynote speakers along with Dr. Stephan Astourian, Director of
Armenian Studies at UC Berkeley. Horizon TV anchor and host of the
weekly program Focal Point, Manoug Seraydarian, is teaming up with TV
producer and director, Ani Hovannisian-Kevorkian, to be the evening’s
co-Masters of Ceremony.
The event will feature musical performances by the Lark chorus and the
eclectic Mediterranean sounds of the 7-person Armenian folk group,
Element. Hamazkayin’s Ani Dance Ensemble will perform traditional
Armenian folk dancing and the evening will include an original
theatrical performance, written and directed by Elly Award winning
director Aram Kouyoumdjian, with original music composed by Sebu
Simonian. There will also be poetry recitations by students from
various Armenian schools throughout California.
For more information on the event please visit or
write to [email protected].
About Hamazkayin:
Hamazkayin is a non-profit organization, presently functioning under
the official name of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society. The objective of Hamazkayin is to provide a sound education
to the new generation, and to strive towards the preservation of the
ethnic identity and cultural heritage of the Armenian people living
outside of their homeland. Subsequently, Hamazkayin chapters were
founded throughout the Middle East, Europe, the United States, Canada,
South America, Australia, and an office was recently opened in the
Republic of Armenia. Hamazkayin has been successful in establishing
secondary and higher educational institutions which have prepared
scholars, literary figures and community leaders. It has also played
a major role in the field of publishing, and for over seventy years,
including thirty years in the United States, has contributed to the
advancement of culture in general.

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
U.S. House of Representatives Marks Upcoming Visit of Catholicos Aram I

(Los Angeles, CA – September 22, 2005) – Two prominent Members of Congress
have submitted official statements in the Congressional Record marking the
upcoming visit in October of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia. Los Angeles area U.S. Representatives Adam Schiff (D-29)
and Brad Sherman (D-27) both expressed their great anticipation of the
arrival of His Holiness.
Congressman Schiff stated “The main theme of the Pontiff’s visit is ‘Towards
the Light of Knowledge.’ This theme reflects the Pontiff’s deep faith that
only with greater education and dialogue can the world’s conflicts be
properly addressed.” Meanwhile Congressman Brad Sherman followed by saying
“Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing His Holiness Aram I, a man who
has been a strong voice for mutual understanding among religions, cultures
and civilizations; a true spiritual leader committed to peace, justice, and
human rights.
The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and
debates of the United States Congress. It is published by the United States
Government Printing Office, and is issued daily when Congress is in session.
Following are the full statements that were submitted by the two
congressmen.

U.S. Representative Adam Schiff
Member of Congress
In Recognition of Catholicos Aram I’s Pontifical Visit to California

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join my Armenian American constituents in
California’s 29th Congressional District in welcoming the upcoming
Pontifical visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia. His Holiness will be visiting the State of California this October
at the invitation of His Eminence, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian of the
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia is the
spiritual leader for hundreds of thousands of Armenians around the world and
one of the most prominent Christian leaders in the Middle East. The Pontiff
presently serves as the Moderator for the World Council of Churches (WCC).
This prominent ecumenical organization is comprised of more than 340
churches from different cultures and nations around the world representing
over 400 million Christians. The Pontiff, who is the first Orthodox and the
youngest person to be elevated to this post, is currently serving his second
term as Moderator.
The main theme of the Pontiff’s visit is “Towards the Light of Knowledge.”
This theme reflects the Pontiff’s deep faith that only with greater
education and dialogue can the world’s conflicts be properly addressed.
The Catholicos’s visit will be marked by a number of major events, including
a speech he will deliver on October 14th at the Los Angeles World Affairs
Council concerning the challenges to inter-religious dialogue in the Middle
East. He will also participate by giving the main address at a symposium to
be held at the University of Southern California focusing on “Christian
Responses to Violence.”
Of special significance to the 29th Congressional District, the Catholicos
will be consecrating the Saint Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Pasadena
and blessing a new headquarters for the Western Prelacy. I ask all Members
to join with me and the Armenian American community throughout the State of
California in welcoming the upcoming Pontifical visit of His Holiness Aram
I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.
U.S. Representative Brad Sherman
Member of Congress
Tribute To His Holiness Aram I
Mr. Speaker it gives me great pleasure to join my Armenian American
constituents of California’s 27th Congressional District in welcoming His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, to the State of
California.
His Holiness Aram I was elected Catholicos on June 28, 1995. Four years
earlier, His Holiness had been selected to serve as the Moderator for the
World Council of Churches (WCC). This prominent ecumenical organization is
composed of more than 340 churches from around the world and represents over
400 million Christians. His Holiness is the first Orthodox Christian and
the youngest person to be elevated to the post of Moderator of the WCC.
Aram I was ordained a priest in 1968 and obtained the title of Vartabed
(Doctor of the Armenian Church) in 1970. In 1979 he was elected Primate of
the Armenian Orthodox community in Lebanon. The next year he received his
Episcopal ordination. His tenure as Primate of the Armenian community in
Lebanon coincided with the Lebanese Civil War. During this time and after,
His Holiness reorganized parishes and schools, restructured and reactivated
church-related institutions, and renewed community leadership.
As a strong supporter of inter-religious relations, dialogue and
cooperation, Aram I has played a significant part in promoting common
values, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among religions. He
has worked tirelessly as Primate to foster tolerance and build mutual
confidence between Christian and Muslim communities.
His Holiness is also active as a scholar and has written several books in
which he frequently admonishes the vital importance of dialogue and
collaboration among the living faiths of the world.
We can expect a message of peace and unity when His Holiness addresses the
Los Angeles World Affairs Council on October 14th, 2005. His Holiness will
also present the main address at a symposium to be held at the University of
Southern California that will focus on how Christians respond to violence. I
am honored that the Catholicos will be visiting the 27th District on October
7th to preside over church services to be held at Holy Martyrs Armenian
Apostolic Church in Encino, California.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing His Holiness Aram I, a man who
has been a strong voice for mutual understanding among religions, cultures
and civilizations; a true spiritual leader committed to peace, justice, and
human rights.

CONVERSE BANK RECOGNIZED BEST ARMENIAN BANK FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Armenpress
Sept 22, 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: Experts of Financial Times
Corporation ranked Armenian Converse Bank as the best bank of Armenia
for the second consecutive year for quick introduction of state-of-the
art banking technology and raising the level of clientele services.
Converse Bank executive manager Smbat Nasibian said the prize will
be awarded on September 27 at an event organized by Global Finances
magazine.
He said the award will further raise the bank’s standing at home
and abroad.
He also said the American Express bank has approved a $1 million
credit limit for Converse Bank, ‘and though this is not a big sum
the fact itself says a lot.”
Nasibian said his bank also received the right to service VISA
chip cards. Converse Bank has opened this year three more branches,
raising them to 16.

KOCHARIAN RECEIVES OUTSTANDING YOUNG VIOLINIST
Armenpress
Sept 22, 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: Armenian president Robert Kocharian
received today young violinist Sergey Khachatrian.
Winner of numerous prestigious international contests Sergey
Khachatrian now lives in Germany. Recently he was awarded the Grand
Prize of a prestigious contest in Belgium, sponsored by Queen Elizabeth
and was granted the right to play a Stradivarius violin for four years.
Kocharian’s press office said the president congratulated the young
musician on his exclusive victory, which he said was a great pride for
all Armenians. Wishing the musician new victories Robert Kocharian
expressed a wish that he perform at least once a year in his home
country. On September 24 Sergey Khachatrian will play together with
Armenian National Chamber Orchestra.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARF OFFICIAL ENDORSES REFERENDUM IDEA FOR KARABAKH
Armenpress
Sept 22, 2005
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: Armen Rustamian, a senior official
of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, endorsed today the idea
of holding a referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh to decide its political
status, saying it would allow people of Nagorno-Karabakh to decide
their future by application of the principle of self-determination.
But he said the proposal must be scrutinized to avoid any loophole
that would play into the hands of Azerbaijan. Rustamian then spoke
in favor of Karabakh’s inclusion in the talks, since the conflict is
between Azerbaijan and Karabakh.
He also said any resolution option must envisage exclusion of Karabakh
as part of Azerbaijan, it must provide a border with Armenia and high
security guarantees to its people.

ARMENIA TO SIGN AGREEMENTS ON MUTUAL PROTECTION OF INVESTMENTS WITH LITHUANIA AND KOREA
Pan Armenian News
22.09.2005 06:39
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ In the course of its recurrent session the
Government of Armenia has approved of the signing of Agreements between
Governments of Armenia and Lithuania, Armenia and Korea on Encouraging
and Mutual Protection of Investments. By another decision the proposal
on signing of an Agreement between Governments of Armenia and China
on Technical and Economic Cooperation is approved, reported IA Regnum.