PRESS RELEASE
IREX
2121 K Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20037 USA
Tel: 202-628-8188
FELLOWSHIP – 2006 Individual Advanced Research Opportunities (IARO)
Fellowships
IREX is pleased to announce the 2006 competition of the Individual
Advanced Research Opportunities (IARO) Program. The IARO Program
provides fellowships to US scholars and professionals for overseas
research on contemporary political, economic, historical, or cultural
developments relevant to US foreign policy. Limited funding is also
available for non-policy-relevant topics.
IARO applications and supporting materials are available on the IREX
website at
The application deadline is November 15, 2005.
Fellowships will be awarded to Masters students, Predocs, Postdocs and
Professionals with advanced degrees.
The countries eligible for research are Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia and
Montenegro, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
Limited funding is also available for the Czech Republic, Estonia,
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
Fellowships are also available for cross-regional research in Iran with
one or more of the countries above.

IARO Fellowships cover travel expenses, housing costs and a stipend.
IARO is funded by the United States Department of State Title VIII
Program and the IREX Scholar Support Fund.
Questions may be addressed to the IARO Program Staff at [email protected] or
by calling 202/628-8188.
You may find a list of all IREX International Fellowship opportunities
on the website:

ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE, CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
Post Office Box 626
Fresno, California 93709
;;
PRESS RELEASE
Sept. 16, 2005
Contact: Rich Sanikian

(559) 273-8442
Cong. Radanovich Co-Authored Legislation Wins International Relations
Committee Vote
Congressman Radanovich introduced legislation House Resolution (H.Res)
316, with Congressmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Adam Schiff (D-CA). H. Res. 316 has the support of 140 co-sponsors.
On September 15, 2005, House International Relations Committee voted in
favor of two measures calling for proper U.S. recognition of the
Armenian Genocide and urging Turkey to end its decades long denial of
this crime against humanity.
Both H.Res.316 and House Concurrent Resolution (H.Con.Res.) 195 were
adopted by overwhelming margins of 40 to 7 and 35 to 11, respectively.
“This is a Turkish Ottoman crime of brutality and death called genocide
not o-nly to Armenians but to all of humanity. Proper acknowledgment
by our government is long overdue. All eyes are o-n House Speaker
Hastert to honor his pledge and to schedule a full floor vote o-n
Armenian Genocide legislation,” stated, Hygo Ohannessian Chairwoman of
the Armenian National Committee, Central California.
Armenian-Americans throughout the Central Valley would like to thank
Congressman Radanovich for his 10-year tireless effort to push this
noble and humanitarian cause forward.
For more information log on to:
;;

turkishpress.com
Armenian Resolutions Adopted At The Committee
Published: 9/16/2005
WASHINGTON – Committee on International Relations of the U.S. House of
Representatives passed two resolutions acknowledging the so-called Armenian
genocide, although the U.S. Department of State sent the committee a letter
opposing this move.
Matthew Reynolds, U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary for Legislative, sent a
letter to Henry Hyde, the chairman of the Committee on International
Relations, and said that the U.S. administration was against the adoption of
these resolutions.
In his letter, Reynolds also underlined that discussion of this matter at
the full house was against national interests; would harm Turkish-U.S.
relations and hamper development of relations between Ankara and Yerevan.
Also, Reynolds said that the USA not only continued to support discussion of
this matter by academicians, diplomats and non-governmental organizations,
but also emboldened Turkish and Armenian governments to establish economic
and political dialogue.
In the letter, Reynolds recalled that the USA had welcomed Turkish
government’s initiatives to reach a consensus with Armenia.
Noting that these resolutions would harm concerted efforts of the USA and
Turkey in East Mediterranean, Caucasus, Central Asia and Middle East,
Reynolds underlined the importance of Turkey in reinforcing of democracy,
tolerance, regional peace and stability.
Reynolds said that Turkey was a secular and democratic country, which was
overwhelmingly Muslim. Therefore, he noted, it (Turkey) could be a source of
inspiration for the Middle East and other regions exploring democracy.
Also highlighting the importance of Turkey’s cooperation in the settlement
of Upper Karabakh dispute, Reynolds said that Turkey was supporting U.S.
efforts to establish a pacifist and democratic Iraq.
In his letter, Reynolds stated that Turkey could also play a role in safe
transport of Caspian energy to western markets, and thus independence and
prosperity of Caucasian and Central Asian countries would be reinforced.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Erebuni Armenian Chorus of Greater Boston
P.O. Box 378
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-484-1451
Contact: Zareh Maserejian
EREBUNI CHORUS RESUMES REHEARSALS; AUDITIONS SCHEDULED
Following its much-acclaimed performances this past winter
and spring, the Erebuni Armenian Chorus of Greater Boston announces its
rehearsal schedule for the 2005-2006 season. Chorus members are looking
forward to coming together after the summer vacation period to begin
preparations for Erebuni’s Christmas Concert which will be held this
year at St. Stephen’s Armenian Church in Watertown in December as well
as additional programs and appearances to be announced shortly.
Rehearsals will commence on Wednesday, September 21, and
will continue on subsequent Wednesdays, beginning promptly at 8:30 p.m.,
in the Armene and Veronica Tarvezian Hall beneath the sanctuary of the
St. James Armenian Apostolic Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown.
Openings are available in all sections; singers who are
willing to make a serious attendance commitment are invited to observe
and also audition on the September rehearsal dates. Tenors and basses
are especially welcome.
Under the direction of Maestro Artur Veranian, distinguished
award-winning musician from Armenia and founder of the Erebuni Chorus,
the group continues to receive much attention and invitations to
perform. A highlight of the 2006 year will be a major tenth
anniversary concert and celebration planned for October 2006. Details
will be shared as they are finalized.
For further information about the Erebuni Chorus, its
opportunities for fellowship, and an extraordinary musical experience,
interested singers may contact Chairman Zareh Maserejian at
617-484-1451 or write to Erebuni Armenian Chorus of Greater Boston, P.
O. Box 378, Belmont, MA 02478.

caucaz.com
Breaking News published on 16/09/2005
Georgia gives green light to construction of Kars-Tbilisi Railroad
Tbilisi, September 16 – Georgian prime minister Zurab Nogaideli confirmed
yesterday that Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan would get down to building a
railway road to connect Turkish Kars with Georgian Tbilisi.
Speaking at a meeting of Georgian and Turkish businessmen in Tbilisi,
Nogaideli said they would start the work shortly after the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline started pumping oil. Turkish state minister
Kursad Tuzmen, who led a 200-strong delegation of Turkish businessmen, said
Turkey wants to increase its bilateral trade with Georgia from current $500
million up to $2 billion in the next three years.
He also said that Turkey and Georgia should focus on cooperation which will
enable services, capital and goods to move freely, adding that Turkey wants
the Black Sea region to be a free trade zone. Meantime State Railway
Department of Azerbaijan said a meeting of transport ministers of Georgia,
Turkey and Azerbaijan to discuss the Kars-Tbilisi-Baku railway project,
originally scheduled for August 24, will now be held in September.
The length of the railway is 98 kilometers; 68 kilometers of the railway
will stretch across Turkey while 30 kilometers will run through Georgia.
Preliminary estimates place the cost of the project at USD 400. This project
is opposed by Armenia, whose transport minister, Andranik Manukian, said
recently that the railway that would circumvent Armenia, would further
isolate the country.
US Congress Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg along with Caucus
Co-Chair Frank Pallone and Congressman George Radanovich recently introduced
a resolution, which would prohibit United States assistance in developing or
promoting rail connections that traverse or connect Azerbaijan, Georgia and
Turkey, and bypass Armenia.
In a recent letter to United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
Members of Congress expressed their dismay over plans to develop the
Kars-Tblisi-Baku rail link that could take years to construct, while
overlooking the existing Turkey-Armenia (Kars-Gymuri) line, which could be
operational in weeks with only a few minor repairs.
In pertinent part, the letter stated that open and integrated transportation
routes among Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey are necessary to
promote cooperation, support economic growth and help resolve regional
conflicts.

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 15, 2005
Regarding the U.S. Embassy Website
The U.S. Embassy website provides links to various external web pages
regarding Armenia, as well as the United States, as a service to our website
users. These privately run links do not express the views of the U.S.
Government, and the U.S. Embassy takes no responsibility for their content.
The U.S. Embassy in Armenia would like to clarify that the U.S. government
does not define what may or may not be “part of Armenian historical lands,”
as some reports have stated. The U.S. government supports the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan and holds that the future status of Nagorno Karabakh
is a matter of negotiation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

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 15, 2005
USAID Statement on the Electricity Networks of Armenia
It has been reported that Midland Resources Holding (MRH) has recently
requested permission from the Government of Armenia and the Public Services
Regulatory Commission (PSRC), as required by Armenian laws and regulations,
to sell its shares of Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA).
The PSRC took aggressive steps to seek clarification of this issue in early
August. USAID notes that these steps fall squarely within the mandate of the
PSRC, as the regulating body tasked with implementing relevant Armenian
laws.
A transparent and robust decision-making process, managed by a strong
regulator, is key to protecting the interests of energy consumers. USAID is
happy to continue assistance to the PSRC and others to ensure the design and
implementation of such a process.
USAID will continue to observe, with interest, the process currently
underway to evaluate and respond to MRH’s request.

Thursday, September 15, 2005
***************************************
The private conversations of a former Canadian Prime Minister have been published in a book. A big scandal! Politicians, even when they happen to be megalomaniacal wheeler-dealers, must sound like elder statesmen with vision. They are not supposed to have private thoughts and feelings that may reflect badly on others and themselves. But perhaps this is true of all of us. White man must speak with a forked tongue. To say out loud what one thinks is a luxury very few people can afford. Good manners compel us to pretend, distort, and lie — unless of course we deal with a subordinate or someone who is dependent on our goodwill.
*
We spent 600 years kissing Ottoman derriere and now we compensate by hurling verbal abuse at them. And when we die our epitaphs will read: “Here lies an Armenian who hated Turks.”
*
In one of his books Puzant Granian writes: “Whenever Armenians are mentioned, so is the Genocide, as if our sole contribution to world civilization had been victims of Turkish massacres.”
*
We have become a nation with a score to settle, and we divide the world into those who are for us and against us. As for the rest (the overwhelming majority) who are not even aware of our existence, we dismiss them as ignorant rednecks.
*
And I ask myself: What do I really know about other people and places? I know that there is something rotten in the State of Denmark. What else? I know that the word “bugger” has something to do with a supposed birth control method practiced by Bulgarians. I may know more about Greeks because I was born and raised there. But what do I really know about Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Patagonia. Tierra del Fuego, the Inuit, Estonians, and so on and so forth…
*
We brag about the Golden Age of our literature but I wonder how many of us have read a single golden masterpiece?
*
A boozed up British academic with ulterior motives and with the financial assistance of the Gulbenkian Foundation calls Armenia “the Cradle of Civilization” and we believe him. As Saroyan was fond of saying, “Ahmot!”
#
Friday, September 16, 2005
***********************************
The roles we play in life are seldom ours. We adapt and we conform, which means we accept guidelines imposed on us by others. To be a good Armenian means to accept definitions and values formulated by others.
*
During and after World War II Germans were divided into good and bad Germans. Thomas Mann disagreed with these distinctions. Every German, he said, carries within him qualities that were both good and bad. He went further and wrote an essay about Hitler titled “A Brother.” Perhaps we will mature as a nation only on the day we call Turks “our brothers.”
*
Armenian role models come in all sizes and shapes. Armenians who say, “the only good Turk is a dead Turk,” unwittingly echo Talaat for whom the only good Armenian was a dead Armenian.
*
Sometimes I am criticized and even censored by self-assessed patriotic Armenians on the assumption that they are infallible and as if, as a human being with his share of limitations, I were not entitled to be fallible. But if I were to accept their definition of a good writer as one who is infallible, I would be no better than a self-righteous, dogmatic megalomaniac, a Stalinist without Stalin, a Nazi without Hitler, and a fascist without Mussolini. Which is why I feel justified in saying I’d rather be wrong as a human being than right as a fascist.
#
Saturday, September 17, 2005
************************************
There is a type of patriotism that gives patriotism a bad name. Example: patriotism that is an extension of one’s salary. I once knew a professional propagandist who asked for a raise, was refused, and was never heard from again.
*
If you are on the wrong path, sooner or later you will know about it. Even if you are the smartest man on earth, you cannot always predict reality’s next move.
*
Sharing one’s understanding must also mean making the inaccessible accessible; otherwise it will be like serving a glass of water to someone who is not thirsty.
*
You reject barbarism not by reasoning against it, but by behaving in a civilized manner. Sometimes the most effective refutation is silence.
*
Even the wisest among us must teach himself to say “I don’t know” and “I don’t understand,” because to be human means to have limitations.
*
Totalitarianism in politics and dogmatism in religion recognize only one legitimate school of philosophy – deviate an inch and you are toast.
*
When I think of all those writers and thinkers who were silenced and the strident voices of fools who are everywhere in our media and discussion forums, I want to hand in my resignation as a member of the human race.
#

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
His Holiness Aram I to Preside Over USC Symposium
Important Conference Will Focus on Christian Response to Violence

(Los Angeles, CA – September 15, 2005) – The University of Southern
California will be the site of a major conference that His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, will preside over, focusing on the
Christian response to violence with a special emphasis on the Armenian
Genocide. Co-sponsored by the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, the USC Institute of Armenian Studies and the
USC Center for Religion & Civic Culture, the conference is one of several
public forums during which His Holiness will address such issues under the
theme of his visit “Towards the Light of Knowledge.”
Many notable scholars will speak on various related topics covering events
ranging from the Armenian Genocide of 1915 to the current impact of violence
on the daily lives of communities, families and youth today. His Holiness
Aram I is deeply involved in the World Council of Churches where he has
demonstrated leadership in confronting issues of violence throughout the
world and it is his desire to drive discussions on this issue within
Armenian communities as well. He will address the symposium with a
presentation entitled, “Christian Stewardship in Violent Times – The Quest
for Peace.”

“The church has been witness to the racial violence the Armenian people have
suffered throughout the course of history and especially with the Armenian
Genocide,” said Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian.
“With this year marking the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the
church has an even more important role to play today in addressing many of
these violence issues facing our communities and families throughout the
world.”

Among the scholars presenting at the conference will be Professor Hrair
Dekmejian of the USC Department of Political Science and Director of the USC
Institute of Armenian Studies who will speak about “Christian Perspectives
on War and Political Violence;” Professor Donald Miller, Director, USC
School of Religion & Center for Religion & Civic Culture who will set the
parameters of the conference and moderate one of the panels; and Simon
Payaslian, Professor of Armenian Genocide Studies, Clark University on “The
Church Bearing Witness to the Genocide of 1915: Martyrdom, Resistance,
Remembrance.” There will also be two panel discussions during the symposium
including, “The Church’s Response to Political Violence in Today’s World”
with presenters Dr. Rubina Peroomian, UCLA and member of the World Affairs
Council central committee and Mrs. Lorna Tourian; and “The Church’s Role in
Combating Community Violence” with presenters Dr. Levon Jernazian; Dr. Viken
Yacoubian; and Dr. Garbis Der Yeghiayan. Following the symposium will be an
exhibit by Research on Armenian Architecture (RAA) on “Cultural Genocide –
The Destruction of Armenia’s Religious and Cultural Heritage.”

The USC Symposium will be held on October 15, 2005 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM at
USC’s Davidson Conference Center, in the Embassy Room, on the corner of
Jefferson and Figueroa Streets in Los Angeles. Space is limited, so those
interested in attending should call the Prelacy office at (818) 248-7737, or
e-mail: [email protected].
# # #

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +37410. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +37410. 562543
Email: [email protected]:
PRESS RELEASE
16-09-2005
Bilateral Meetings of the Foreign Minister Oskanian in New York
Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian held several bilateral meetings on his
first working day in New York, where he is accompanying Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan to the 60th anniversary of the UN General Assembly.
On Thursday, the Foreign Minister met with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European
Union Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy.
They spoke about the ENP. The Minister briefed the Commissioner on the
current state of negotiations regarding the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
Minister Oskanian also met with George Iacovou, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Cyprus. They discussed regional issues as well as cooperation in
international organizations. Later, Minister Oskanian met with Ahmed Aboul
Gheit, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. Minister Oskanian presented to
Minister Aboul Gheit President Kocharian?s letter of congratulations to
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The two discussed developments in the
Middle East, and in the Caucasus.
Minister Oskanian spoke with Pierre Chevalier, Belgium?s special envoy to
the OSCE. The Minister explained Armenia?s cooperation with the OSCE at
various levels, expressing Armenia?s appreciation for OSCE support in
various areas, including democratic development, regional development. The
Minister briefed Ambassador Chevalier on the ongoing Karabakh talks and
prospects for a resolution.
In the margins of the UN General Assembly, the Francophonie Association held
a high level meeting. Minister Oskanian participated in the meeting which
focused on ways the developed world can help the developing world to
alleviate poverty.
The Minister also held a working meeting with OSCE Minsk Group US co-chair
Ambassador Steven Mann.
Prime Minister Margaryan will address the General Assembly on Friday,
September 16, and Foreign Minister Oskanian will do so on Sunday, September
18.