Dilijan Chamber Music Series
411 East Acacia Street
Glendale, CA 91205
Contact: Mihran Toumajan
Office: 818-572-5438
Fax: 818-500-8500
Email: [email protected]
Web:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dilijan Chamber Music Series Kicks Off Inaugural Year with Successful
Fundraiser at the Darakjian Residence
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — The ever evolving Armenian-American
community in the greater Los Angeles area will soon be the beneficiary
of a new and unique chamber music series called Dilijan. Such is the
name of a beautiful, mountainous town in Armenia where the Armenian
Composers’ Union has had its year-round retreat. It is an inspiring
haven for composers who have produced masterpieces during their stay
there. Starting this September, the Dilijan Chamber Music Series will
showcase traditional pieces of classical chamber music, pearls from
the treasury of Armenian chamber works, and newly-commissioned works.
Dilijan is the joint brainchild of maestro Vatsche Barsoumian,
Director of the Lark Musical Society in Glendale, California,
and virtuoso violinist Movses Pogossian, Dilijan’s Artistic
Director. The Lark Musical Society was founded by conductor and
music scholar Barsoumian in 1990 with the aim of preserving the
Armenian musical tradition throughout the Diaspora. Pogossian is
a prizewinner of the 1986 Tchaikovsky International Competition,
and the youngest-ever First Prize winner of the USSR National Violin
Competition, who performs as a soloist and chamber musician around
the world. Renowned Armenian composer Edward Mirzoyan welcomes the
formation of Dilijan, and emphasizes that “we [Armenians] must spare
no effort in establishing stable and suitable foundations for similar
projects in the near future. Such initiatives will only buttress the
development of our nation’s culture, and solidify the sacred cause of
our existence and preservation.” Indeed, Barsoumian and Pogossian’s
collaborative efforts have motivated a number of prominent musicians
of an international caliber to perform for Dilijan in its inaugural
season. Further, a dedicated group of classical music aficionados
has coalesced to form Dilijan’s Board of Directors and oversee public
relations and fundraising initiatives.
As a prelude to the upcoming concert season, on Sunday evening,
June 12, Dilijan’s Chairman of the Board, Dr. Nazareth Darakjian
and his gracious wife, Dr. Ani, hosted a number of guests in
their palatial home to kick off the Dilijan series with a benefit
concert. Professor Osheen Keshishian, editor and publisher of The
Armenian Observer weekly newspaper, served as master of ceremonies
and welcomed the audience to the fundraiser. He then introduced Dr.
Darakjian who encouraged attendees to become Charter Members of the
chamber music series. Maestro Barsoumian later took the floor and
presented a timeline of completed activities, including a glimpse
of the first season’s six concerts, and PR achievements ranging
from the establishment of an efficient and informative web site
() to the creation of a neat
and concise brochure.
Artistic Director Movses Pogossian was then invited by maestro
Barsoumian to present the evening’s program and performers, featuring
works by Babajanian, Dvorak, Handel/Halvorsen, and Brahms. Violinist
Ana Landauer, violist Evan Wilson, cellist Paul Cohen, and pianist
Robert Thies joined forces with Pogossian in a program replete with
technical dexterity, emotional intensity, and enchanting melodies. The
attendees’ standing ovation, coupled by their financial largesse,
translated into a successful fundraising effort. Ultimately, over
$40,000 was raised at the Darakjian residence. Additional donations
are most welcome in order to sustain high quality programs, and enable
the creation of new masterpieces from Armenian composers.
The following individuals and couples became Charter Members (a
minimum donation of $1,500) of the Dilijan Chamber Music Series: Mr. &
Mrs. Ara and Esther Assilian, Mr. & Mrs. Mardiros and Rose Baroutjian,
Hrayr and Nadia Darakjian, Drs. Nazareth and Ani Darakjian, Dr. &
Mrs. Roupen and Sylva Dekmezian, Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel and Anahid
Halabi, Mr. & Mrs. Harold and Christina Jabarian, Mr. & Mrs. Walter
and Laurel Karabian, Drs. Sarkis and Sylvia Karayan, Dr. & Mrs.
Onnig and Kristine Keshishian, Mr. & Mrs. Ara and Frieda Kourouyan,
Drs. Noubar and Tracy Ouzounian, Mr. & Mrs. Dikran and Nora Tatarian,
Dr. & Mrs. Ara and Elizabeth Tilkian, Mr. Hovhannes Yacoubian,
Mrs. Marguerite Yardemian, and China Pearl. Moreover, Dilijan’s
corporate sponsors include the Los Angeles County Arts Commission,
Cafe Santorini, Carousel Restaurant, Carpet Wagon, City National Bank,
and Town & Ranch Realty.
The inaugural concert of the Dilijan Chamber Music Series will commence
on Sunday, September 25 at 3:00 pm in downtown Los Angeles’ majestic
Zipper Hall. Tickets are available at the Dilijan web site (see the
above link), or by calling the Dilijan ticket office at (818) 572-5438.

African carriers dominate 14-strong airline blacklists
29/08/2005
Ni ne of the 14 blacklisted airlines published by France and Belgium
on Monday are based in Africa, while two are based in eastern Europe.
Belgium and France took the decision to publish their blacklists after
four airline crashes in August–including the Helios Airways flight
from Cyprus to Athens that killed 121 people–led to calls from the
European Commission to produce an EU-wide list of banned airlines.
None of the airlines on the list included those involved in the recent
crashes, but an earlier crash in January 2004 was later revealed to
have involved an airline that was banned by Switzerland.
The Civil Aviation Authority of France (DGAC) published the following
five airlines which are already prohibited from landing in France:
*Air Koryo (North Korea, banned since April 2001)
*Air Saint-Thomas (USA Virgin Islands, banned since March 2003)
*International Air Services (Liberia, banned since January 2004)
*Lineas Aer de Mozambique (Mozambique, banned since December 2004)
*Phuket Airlines (Thailand, banned since June 2005)
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport of Belgium published a list of
nine banned airlines:
*Africa Lines (Central African Republic)
*Air Memphis (Egypt)
*Air Van Airlines (Armenia)
*Central Air Express (Democratic Republic of Congo)
*I.C.T.T.P.W. (Libya)
*International Air Tours Limited (Nigeria)
*Johnsons Air Limited (Ghana)
*Silverback Cargo Freighters (Rwanda)
*South Airlines (Ukraine)
Although the European Commission–the EU’s executive arm–brokered
a deal to create an EU-wide criteria for a blacklist last February,
it is having difficulty finding consensus. This has led to an EU-style
“coalition of the willing” to go ahead and publish their lists.
The EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot has welcomed the move
by France and Belgium.
The UK already has a blacklist, while Switzerland–not an EU member
state–is expected to publish its own blacklist later in the week.
The French government said it would increase the number of checks on
aircraft landing in France.
Companies organising package tours will soon be required to inform
travellers of the airline they will be travelling on.

BIRTHRIGHT ARMENIA IMMERSES YOUNG DIASPORANS INTO ARMENIAN FAMILY LIFE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2005
Contact: Linda Yepoyan
Phone: 610-642-6633
[email protected]
Yerevan, Armenia – In Birthright Armenia’s second year of operation
in the Homeland, the organization has ramped up efforts to provide
real-life experiences in Armenia through homestay living, a program
service connecting young diasporan participants from all over the
world with Armenian host families. Birthright uses the homestay
experience to “immerse” volunteers in Armenian family life so they see
the Homeland beyond the eyes of a tourist. Over 25% of this summer’s
group of Birthright participants opted for host family arrangements
over apartment living – almost triple that of last year.
While volunteers are free to choose from several different living
options during their eight-week minimum stay in Armenia, Birthright
places special emphasis on the homestay living option as it is one
of the most important tools in the volunteers’ “journey of self
discovery” into their Armenian heritage. Not only does homestay
living promote language use, especially for those who have little
or no understanding of the Armenian language, but it also promotes
youth-to-youth interaction, as host families are required to have at
least one family member in the 18-32 year age bracket. If the above
benefits are not enough to convince volunteers to choose the homestay
living option, Birthright Armenia offers further incentives by paying
for the first month of host family expenses for every volunteer who
wants to experience it.
>>From the volunteers’ perspective, the homestay living option is
a success. Many Birthright Armenia participants form a lasting bond
with their homestay families, with some making return visits after
their programs finish. When asked how a homestay has contributed to
her overall experience in Armenia, Maral Kasparian, a biology teacher
in Canada volunteering with the Diaspora Armenia Connection (DAC),
answered, “My Armenian language skills have improved and I have a
better understanding of people’s issues and struggles and concerns for
their lives, their country and about world issues.” Another Birthright
Armenia participant, Washington, DC resident Sophia Malkasian, who is
volunteering for the Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC), agrees, saying
“It has enabled me to establish direct relationships with Armenians
and it allows me to see the particular nuances of an Armenian family.
For example, I have learned how expressive, affectionate and loving
families are with each other because I observe it every day.”
Another key aspect of homestay living is involvement in Armenian
customs and traditions. Massachusetts resident and AVC volunteer
Ani Sarkisian stated that one of the most interesting experiences
she had in Armenia was participating in her host sister’s nephew’s
“atam hatik,” which is performed after a baby gets his first tooth.
This ritual, where a child chooses one of several items placed
in front of him to predict his future profession, was Ani’s first
introduction to Armenia’s unique family rituals. “I am involved in
all my family’s activities and I love it. The second I met them,
I felt as though they treated me as a member of their family.
That’s the joy of my experience.”
Host family members are also very excited to participate in the
homestay experience as they discover more about young diasporans
and gain unique insight into their way of life in the Diaspora.
Arsen Andreasian, who is hosting volunteer Celine Derebekian, a
professional photographer from France, says “I look at her photos of
places that are ordinary for me, but now I see it through her eyes
and find new meaning in them.”
Gohar Avetisian, who is currently hosting two young volunteers, one
from London and the other from Montreal, says she feels fortunate to
have welcomed these two young men into her home. “I know everything
about them – how they work, how they study, how they live. When I
think about them returning to their own countries, I feel very sad
for Armenia.” She went on to say that she would like to continue
working with Birthright Armenia by hosting future volunteers.
Birthright Armenia’s mission is to strengthen ties between the Homeland
and Diaspora youth by affording them an opportunity to be a part of
Armenia’s daily life and to contribute to Armenia’s development through
work, study and volunteer experiences, while developing life-long
personal ties and a renewed sense of Armenian identity. For those
interested in learning more about Birthright Armenia, please visit
or email [email protected].
###

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
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
Armenian Pontiff to Make Historic Visit to California
The Largest Armenian Diasporan Community in the World Eagerly Awaits
Pontiff’s Arrival
(Los Angeles, CA – August 29, 2005) – His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia will begin a 15-day Pontifical visit to
the State of California on October 5, 2005. The historic trip of the
Pontiff, who prominently serves as the Moderator for the World Council
of Churches (WCC), an organization representing over 400 million
Christians worldwide, will be framed around the theme of “Towards the
Light of Knowledge.” His Holiness represents hundreds of thousands of
Armenian American Christians whose ancestors made Armenia the first
nation to officially adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 A.D.
During his visit to California, His Holiness will participate in a
number of religious ceremonies, educational programs and youth forums
in Los Angeles, Fresno and San Francisco. The Pontifical visit will
begin on October 5th with an official welcoming ceremony at Saint
Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church in Hollywood and conclude with
a visit to the Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan Armenian School in
San Francisco on October 18th. The Pontiff will visit a number of
other areas, including Fresno, where he will deliver his Pontifical
message on October 10th at the historic Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic
Church. His Holiness will expand on the theme of his Pontifical visit
“Towards the Light of Knowledge” at a luncheon hosted by the Los
Angeles World Affairs Council on October 14th.
As the spiritual leader of the Great House of Cilicia, His Holiness
represents a religious center established in 1441 to serve the
spiritual needs of Armenians living in the Near East. For centuries,
the Great House of Cilicia maintained a network of over 15 dioceses,
dozens of monasteries and was served by hundreds of faithful
priests. Following the Armenian Genocide of 1915, during which 1.5
million Armenians were massacred and their houses of worship destroyed,
the Catholicosate was relocated to Antelias, Lebanon.
As the Moderator for the WCC, His Holiness represents the broadest
and most inclusive organization of the modern ecumenical movement,
a movement whose goal is Christian unity. The WCC brings together
more than 340 churches, denominations and church fellowships
in over 100 countries and territories throughout the world,
representing some 400 million Christians. The WCC brings together
most of the world’s Orthodox churches, scores of denominations from
such historic traditions of the Protestant Reformation as Anglican,
Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed, as well as many united
and independent churches.
Today the Catholicosate of Cilicia houses a prominent Cathedral,
a Veharan (the Catholicos residence), accommodations for visiting
clergy, modern printing facilities, a museum, a library, as well
as administrative offices to run a prominent Seminary and various
dioceses in the United States, Canada, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Greece
and Cyprus operating under its jurisdiction.
The visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia to the United States has been initiated by His Eminence,
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church on the occasion of the 90th commemoration
of the Armenian Genocide and the 1600th anniversary of the creation
of the Armenian alphabet.
The Pontifical visit will be marked by a number of memorable occasions,
including; a pontifical mass at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale on
October 9th, a youth forum in Fresno on October 10th, a visit to Fresno
University’s campus on October 11th, a major address on “Christianity
in the Middle East” to be delivered at the World Affairs Council on
October 14th and a symposium on the “Christian Response to Violence”
to be held at the University of Southern California on October 15th.
# # #

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
CONGRESSMAN MOORE JOINS ARMENIAN CAUCUS
Total Membership Reaches 146
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly today welcomed the news that
Congressman Dennis Moore (D-KS) has joined the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues, making him the second representative from the
Sunflower State to join this all important body.
ARAMAC State Chair for Kansas Alex Kotoyantz, a longtime Armenian
issues advocate, personally encouraged the Congressman’s membership
and provided his office with information on pertinent issues.
“I am proud to be the latest member to join the Armenian Caucus,
and to participate as part of this bi-partisan group,” Congressman
Moore said. “It is my hope to coordinate with the Caucus Co-Chairs
and this diverse coalition to help foster greater ties between the
United States and Armenia.”
“The Assembly extends its appreciation and thanks to Congressman Moore
for joining the Caucus and appreciates his expression of support for
issues of importance to the Armenian-American community and homeland,”
said Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian. “We also
commend Alex Kotoyantz, who once again has demonstrated the power of
grassroots advocacy.”
Earlier this year, Kotoyantz worked with community activists to
encourage Governor Kathleen Sebelius to issue a proclamation formally
recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Previous to that, he helped secure
the “Kansas-Armenia Partnership Day” proclamation recognizing the
importance of the recently forged relationship between the Kansas
National Guard and Armenia within the framework of the State’s
Partnership Program.
Congressman Moore is currently serving his fourth term in office and
is a member of the House Financial Services and Budget Committees.
The Armenian Caucus was formed in 1995 to provide a bi-partisan forum
for legislators to discuss how the United States can better assist the
people of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Co-Chaired by Representatives
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), the Caucus has,
over the years, played a critical role on a wide range of issues,
including assistance programs for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, the
ongoing Azerbaijani and Turkish blockades, the Karabakh peace process
and efforts to reaffirm the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2005-087

NOT THE PRESENT, BUT THE SUM IS IMPORTANT
A1+
| 20:11:57 | 29-08-2005 | Politics |
“In Germany an official or a journalist must not receive presents of
more than 30 Euros from the same person for a year”, said expert of
political PR Rolf Steltemeiter. If the sum of the presents surpasses
30 Euros, the one who gave them will have problems with the tax
services. By the way, in this case the type of the presents does not
matter as even the flowers are included in the sum.
Rolf Steltemeiter, the ex-speaker of the Democratic Part in the
Bundestag, represented his experience of organizing election campaigns
and working with the journalists to the representatives of Armenia and
Georgia in Tsakhkadzor. The international seminar “Ways of working with
Mass Media” was organized by the German fund after Fridriech Naumann.
Mr. Steltemeiter told how they organized dinners for the journalists
twice a week. “It is almost electoral bribery”, mentioned some
people. The Georgian PR experts noted that they are not allowed
to accept even a pen as a present. In Armenia there are no such
restrictions for the journalists by the law, but it is not acceptable
here to, at least theoretically.
The German expert also referred to the image behavior of the Tran
Caucasian political bodies. “There are several Caucasian political
bodies whom I would not like to meet in the street when it is dark”,
he said hinting at their gloomy appearance.

THE COLLAPSE OF THE COMMONWEALTH BEGINS WITH THE BREAK-UP OF DEFENSE STRUCTURES
by Vladimir Mukhin
Nezavisimaya Gazeta, August 26, 2005, p. 1
Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
August 29, 2005, Monday
Although the scheduled summit of the CIS leaders opens today, it’s
obvious that collective defense cooperation between the CIS member
nations comes to grief. The abolition of the Staff for coordinating
military cooperation and other moves linked with the CIS nations’
unwillingness to participate in collective defense of the CIS air
border and conduct anti-terrorist and peacekeeping operations testify
that the end is close…
For instance, there are plans that ten former Soviet republics
would participate in the active phase of the Combat Commonwealt-2005
exercise of the CIS joint anti-aircraft system, which began on the
Ashuluk firing range in Russia on August 22. In reality, only six
nations participate in such exercises (members of the Organization
of the collective security treaty). It seems that this coalition
fails to reach an agreement as well. Only four countries sent
military units, warplanes and anti-aircraft complexes to Ashuluk –
Armenia, Belarus, Tajikistan and Russia. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
sent observers. Georgia and Turkmenistan ignore the exercise,
and Ukraine and Uzbekistan participate in the maneuvers only on a
bilateral basis. This is a symptomatic fact. Russia’s closest allies
(Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) refused to participate in the exercise
and organized alternative maneuvers on the Sary-Shagan firing range
in Kazakhstan in early August. Meanwhile, it would be more advisable
if they participate in the exercise in Ashuluk. Vladimir Mikhailov,
Russian Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, said that the partners
will create a regional group of forces during the exercise. He noted,
“This is what we seek to achieve.”
Mikhailov said that this group of forces will be controlled
automatically, and all anti-aircraft units will be coordinated by
one command post. He noted, “This has a very important strategic
significance.” Is it strategic if Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan do not
participate in the active phase of the exercise in Ashuluk?
Their decision has military-political reasons. It’s no secret that
Astana seeks to become the leader among the post-Soviet republics
and carries out an alternative military cooperation policy. It’s
no coincidence that President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan
initiated the abolition of the Staff for coordinating military
cooperation and some other CIS structures. At present Kazakhstan
proposes to conduct all joint exercises on the Sary-Shagan firing
range. The republic states that it’s larger, which would minimize
the possibility of losing missiles deviating from the course. As is
known, a range of such incidents have happened on the Ashuluk firing
range. Missiles launched from this firing range often fell near
Kazakh settlements. Russia agreed with these arguments and discussed
the possibility of testing the S-400 anti-aircraft complex on the
Sary-Shagan firing range. However, Russia has forgotten about it.
Testing of the S-400 complex has been postponed due to financial
problems. All exercises are conducted in Ashuluk.
It should be noted the closest allies’ attitude to Russia changes.
Kyrgyzstan supported the idea of withdrawing the US bases from Central
Asia at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana
but agreed to deploy the US air group withdrawn from Uzbekistan on
its territory after Donald Ramsfeld’s visit.
Moscow has repeatedly emphasized the necessity of demilitarizing
the Caspian region. In the meantime, Astana supports Washington’s
initiatives to strengthen the Pentagon’s influence in this oil
region. (…)
In other words, the collapse of the CIS has begun. The CIS nations’
attitude to Russia, which previously determined military policy in
the post-Soviet republics, has changed. Russia’s influence goes down
along with the increase of the CIS nations’ desire to realize their
own defense interests. Unfortunately, Moscow does not manage to awake
the CIS nations’ interest in constructive defense cooperation.

NO ONE FROM VENICE
A1+
| 13:35:44 | 29-08-2005 | Politics |
The representatives of the Venice Commission do not take part in the RA
NA special session. As Vahan Hovhannisyan and the NA deputy President
Tigran Torosyan informed the A1+ correspondent, the Venice Commission
secretary Gianni Buquicchio and the other members of the delegation
missed the plane. Instead, their message to the RA Parliament and
the political powers was read today.
Representatives of the Foreign Diplomatic Corps in Armenia and the
head of the OSCE Armenian office Pryakhin participated in the NA
Constitutional discussions.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
August 29, 2005
___________________
NEW YOUTH OUTREACH COORDINATOR JUMPS RIGHT INTO WORK
She was only in the office for a week before heading off to St. Vartan
Camp for seven days; then it was on to Midwest Hye Camp for a week; and
then another week at the St. Nersess Seminary summer sessions.
And soon she’ll be coming to a parish near you. Jennifer Morris, past
chair of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA),
began as the full-time youth outreach coordinator at the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern) this July.
A native of Michigan, she received her bachelor’s degree in psychology
and elementary education and a master’s degree in curriculum and
teaching from Michigan State University. For the past seven years she
has taught second grade in the Rochester, MI, Community Schools.
She is a life-long member of the St. John Church of Southfield, MI, a
graduate of its Sunday School, and a former Hye Camp and St. Nersess
counselor.
“Coming to work at the Diocese was an opportunity that came upon me that
I couldn’t say no to,” said Morris. “Initially I was so hesitant,
because I am so comfortable in Michigan. But I realized this was an
opportunity that, if I didn’t take it, later I would regret it.”
She sees working at the Diocesan Center in New York as a way to be an
active, witnessing Armenian Christian.
“Being a Christian is who I am, it’s at the very center of everything I
do,” she said. “To be able to make that a part of my everyday work is
very powerful. Being able to bring children to Christ is very powerful.”
Morris will begin her position by spending time at both St. Vartan and
Hye Camps to look at how the newly devised curriculum is working. She
will provide feedback to improve it even further next year.
As youth outreach coordinator, one of her main focuses will be on
providing leadership training to parish youth directors and identifying
parishioners who should be tapped to serve as local youth directors. She
will also be working with parish ACYOA Jrs., which target 13- to
18-year-olds, to provide national cohesiveness to the purely local
program.
“I’m most excited to get into the life of the parishes, to understand
what is going on and how we can improve it,” she said. “We need to work
with parishes and youth leaders locally and regionally. We need to work
together because everyone has ideas but we’re not sharing those ideas,
so I want to be a springboard for youth directors, to help them with
planning things beneficial for our kids.”
Though she’ll have a wide variety of responsibilities, Morris sees her
job very simply. “Through my work I hope to bring children closer to the
Armenian Church. I hope to bring them Christ-centered programming that
is effective and meets their needs, that makes them want to be a part of
the church and make them feel special and important and loved by the
church,” she said.
Morris will be taking over the youth outreach coordinator
responsibilities from Yn. Arpi Kouzouian, who had been splitting her
energies between that position and director of St. Vartan Camp. Yn.
Kouzouian will now focus entirely on the camp program.
“We are excited that such a dedicated young person as Jennifer Morris
has chosen to serve the Armenian Church and share her love of Christ and
of the Armenian people. She is definitely an asset to our community,”
said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese. “It is
also exciting to learn that this year our St. Vartan Camp is reaching
more children then ever. I am certain that with the full focus of Yn.
Arpi our summer camp efforts will be one of the best ways we bring the
next generation into the life of the church.”
— 8/29/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Jennifer Morris, a life-time member of the St. John
Church of Southfield, MI, spent her first few weeks as the Diocese’s new
coordinator of youth outreach at the Diocesan summer camps and at St.
Nersess Seminary’s summer sessions.
# # #

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/29/2005
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) No Karabagh Accord Announced after Kocharian, Aliyev Summit 2) Demonstrators Rally in Baku to Demand Free Elections, Exiled Guliyev on Ballot 3) Final Debates on Constitution Reforms Begin Pre November Vote in Armenia 4) Wisman Names Armenia Squad for World Cup 5) SKEPTIK SINIKIAN/ LIBRARIANS AT THE GATES: THE BLUE PILL BLUES 1) No Karabagh Accord Announced after Kocharian, Aliyev Summit (RFE/RL)Armenia and Azerbaijan have made contradictory statements on the meeting between their presidents that took place in Russia over the weekend. International mediators had hoped the talks would mark a turning point in their protracted search for a solution to the Mountainous Karabagh conflict. Presidents Robert Kocharian and Ilham Aliyev did not speak to journalists after their talks in the Russian city of Kazan on Saturday, and it is unclear whether or not they reached any formal or informal agreements on Karabagh. Reports from Kazan said the two leaders conferred in a tête-à-tête format for an hour before being joined by French, Russian and US diplomats spearheading the peace process. Kocharian, according to his spokesman Victor Soghomonian, came away satisfied from the meeting held on the sidelines of a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States. "The Armenian side assesses the meeting in Kazan positively and considers it a positive development in the negotiating process," the Itar-Tass news agency quoted Soghomonian as saying. The official added that Foreign Ministers Elmar Mammadyarov of Azerbaijan and Vartan Oskanian of Armenia will continue that process "based on the agreements reached in Kazan." He did not say what those agreements are. "In general, I cannot say that there has been any major progress or breakthrough," Mammadyarov said for his part, according to the Azeri ANS television. "We did not reach any agreement." "I think that we, both Armenia and Azerbaijan, need a couple of weeks to analyze the thoughts voiced by the two sides and think what the results may be and whether we are prepared for any progress or not," he added. Mammadyarov and Oskanian held talks in Moscow earlier in the week to prepare for the Armenian-Azerbaijani summit and appeared satisfied with their results. Highlighting the importance of the Kazan meeting, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned Aliyev and Kocharian August 25 to urge them to make mutual concessions that will pave the way for a Karabagh peace deal. Regional observers believe that Aliyev and Kocharian will not announce any compromise deals until November, which will see parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan and a constitutional referendum in Armenia. It is widely assumed that opposition groups in both countries would exploit unpopular concessions on Karabagh in their struggle against the ruling regimes. 2) Demonstrators Rally in Baku to Demand Free Elections, Exiled Guliyev on Ballot MOSCOW (Combined Sources)A large number of demonstrators rallied in Azerbaijan's capital Baku Saturday to demand free and democratic parliamentary elections while an opposition leader was registered to run in the November poll. About 15,000 protesters paraded through the center of Baku to demand changes to the country's election laws to guarantee a fair parliamentary poll on November 6, the Itar-Tass news agency reported. The rally, organized by the opposition electoral alliance grouping the Musavat party, the People's Front and the Democratic Party, proceeded without incidents. Protesters requested equal conditions for all candidates and permission for opposition leaders, including former president Ayaz Mutalibov and former parliament speaker Rasul Guliyev, to return to Azerbaijan without being arrested. Mutalibov, who served as president in 1991-92, has been living in exile in Russia since his resignation. Guliyev, who was the subject of a fraud investigation and has lived in exile in the United States since 1996, faces criminal charges on his return to Azerbaijan. However, Guliyev, who heads the Democratic Party, was registered Saturday to run in the elections. Mekhriban Aliyeva, wife of President Ilham Aliyev, is one of 109 candidates from the ruling New Azerbaijan party vying for the 125 seats in the Milli Majlis, the parliament. 3) Final Debates on Constitution Reforms Begin Pre November Vote in Armenia YEREVAN(RFE/RL)--Opposition leaders suspended their 18-month boycott of parliament on Monday as it began final debates on draft amendments to Armenia's constitution that are due to be put to a referendum in November. Their approval by the majority of lawmakers is almost certain. The debates were broadcast live on national television on Monday, featuring only two of the 39 deputies registered to address the parliament, suggesting the proceedings could take at least two more days. The session began with an angry dispute between the parliament leadership and some opposition lawmakers over procedural matters. Speaker Artur Baghdasarian told them they were hampering discussions by raising insignificant issues, and emphasized the proposed reforms enjoy the backing of the Council of Europe and in particular its advisory body on constitutional law, the Venice Commission. The commission's Italian secretary, Gianni Buquicchio, did not make it to Yerevan to address the parliament and urge Armenians to vote for the proposed amendments. According to the head of the Council of Europe office in Armenia, Bojana Urumova, he simply missed a connecting flight to Yerevan at the weekend. "The Venice Commission believes in this text and supports it fully," Urumova told the parliament, speaking on behalf of Buquicchio. The constitutional reform is also supported by the European Union and the United States. "The United States supports the efforts of all those who have been involved in the process of attempting to amend the current Armenian Constitution, and encourages all parties to engage in responsible and constructive debate on this issue," US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans said in a statement published by Yerevan newspapers on Saturday. "In our view the current package represents a notable step forward, but its approval is of course a matter for the voters of the Republic of Armenia to decide," Evans added. 4) Wisman Names Armenia Squad for World Cup (uefa.com)--Armenia coach Henk Wisman has named a 21-man squad for the September FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. Captain Harutyun Vardanyan returns after a year on the sidelines with a knee injury, while FC Banants's Samvel Melkonyan and FC Pyunik's Armen Tigranyan hope to make their debuts. ARMENIA SQUAD Goalkeepers: Roman Berezovski (FC Dinamo Moskva), Gevorg Kasparov (FC Pyunik). Defenders: Valery Aleksanyan (FC Pyunik), Sargis Hovsepyan (FC Pyunik), Robert Arzumanyan (FC Pyunik), Alexander Tadevosyan (FC Pyunik), Harutyun Vardanyan (FC Aarau), Karen Dokhoyan (FC Krylya Sovetov Samara), Yegishe Melikyan (FC Metalurh Donetsk). Midfielders: Agvan Lazarian (FC Pyunik), Romik Khachatryan (OFI Crete FC), David Grigoryan (FC Yesil Bogatyr Petropavlovsk), Karen Aleksanyan (CSF Zimbru Chisinau), Hamlet Mkhitaryan (FC MTZ-RIPO Minsk), Armen Tigranyan (FC Pyunik), Samvel Melkonyan (FC Banants). Forwards: Edgar Manucharyan (AFC Ajax), Ara Hakobyan (FC Stal Alchevsk), Aram Hakobyan (FC Banants), Aram Voskanyan (FC Yesil Bogatyr Petropavlovsk),Galust Petrosyan (CSF Zimbru Chisinau). 5) LIBRARIANS AT THE GATES: THE BLUE PILL BLUES Before we get to the meat of this week's column, I just want to point out to all my readers that if you search "Turkish drug money" on Google.com today, my last article is in the top five results. Thank you. Thank you. No really, I couldn't have done it without you, my loyal readers. Anyway, time to get the Sinikian show on the road. If you thought last week's column was the stuff Hollywood summer blockbusters are made of--drug money bribing politicians, international espionage, intrigue, attractive FBI agents, and the mean bosses who double cross them--then you'll love this week. The plot? A one armed man of such prestige and power is revealed to everyone. Never have heroes. They'll only let you down. Remember that because it will save you a whole lot of grief in life. It's a lesson I was reminded of last week when I read about the most recent scandal to rock the world of Armenian academia. I know that most of my readers spend as much time reading Armenian news as they spend probably debating various interpretations of the evolution of the market economy in the early American colonies prior to the Revolutionary War. Did I lose you? I thought so. I promise not to do that again. Fine. I'll cut to the chase. But first, a little background. Remember Bob Dole? You might remember him as the famous Senator from that state named after the legendary seventies rock 'n' roll band Kansas. He was a great war hero, having been wounded in the Second World War. He ran for President a few times. But his real claim to fame amongst Armenians was that he was their bestest friend in the whooole WIDE world. It was the perfect relationship. It was a love story worthy of a Hollywood movie. A young war hero comes back home with a horrible injury that will cause him to lose his arm. A young doctor tells the boy that he can save his arm from amputation, and through multiple surgeries and therapy sessions helps the kid keep his arm, but not fully useable. The kid and his hometown rally to scrap and save pennies to pay the doctor who refuses to accept a dime. The only thing this guy asks of the young soldier is to be a kind human being and remember the stories he'd heard during the long therapy sessions about the doctor's homeland and his people--Armenia. The young soldier gets involved in politics attaining the highest position in the Senate and running for President--not just once but twice. He's a national figure and a well respected politician and leader. He keeps the promise to the Armenian doctor and fights for the rights of Armenians while in the Senate 'til the day he retires. He leaves office with a heavy heart because as hard as he tries, he's unable to achieve the one thing he had wanted to do so badly: to pass a bill setting the historical record straight about the Armenian Genocide. Now flash forward to 2005. A young Turkish-Kurd scholar by the name of Yektan Turkyilmaz is arrested in Armenia on suspicion of smuggling rare books out of the country. This incident gets more complicated by the fact that Turkyilmaz is a "pro-Genocide" scholar. WOW! Can you imagine someone who actually accepts the historical facts as they actually happened? Someone give this guy a medal... not! Anyway, what really gets my blood boiling is the fact that Senator Bob Dole, the same young man who rose to national prominence and defended the Armenian Cause in Senate, writes a scathing letter to the Armenian Government lambasting them over a number of issues related to human rights violations. The distinguished gentleman from Kansas has sunk even lower than when he was hawking the little blue pill (Viagra) in magazine, newspaper and television advertisements. I'm going to refrain at this point from making any jokes related to erectile dysfunction, partly because it's a serious issue not to be joked about (snickering) and partly out of a fear that if I did make any jokes about it, then karma would come back to bite me in the voreeg. Here's a quote from the Senator's letter which can be viewed at "Yekten's detention seems to highlight problems sighted in numerous human rights reports about Armenia, including those of Freedom House and the US State Department. Your detention of Yektan for seven weeks on any grounds would draw attention to failings in Armenia's democratic evolution." If you're still confused, this is what happened: Yekten tried to smuggle some books out of the country and was arrested. Sen. Dole, whose wife is now the Senator from North Carolina and a graduate of Duke University, wrote a letter to Armenia calling the government a bunch of idiots for enforcing such ridiculous laws like not allowing books out of Armenia. Let's just say that those were the kindest of words in Senator Dole's letter. The rest of it sounded like an angry diatribe that a controlling ex-boyfriend would write to their former girlfriend-almost-fiancee. This is just the tip of the iceberg. In addition to dragging Dr. Vartan Gregorian into this mess, somehow Raffi Hovanissian has gotten involved as well, going so far as to appear in front of the court to criticize the government for arresting Yekten. The average person, after reading all of this and the A-list of people lining up in support of Yekten, may quickly assume that not only is Yekten an innocent Turkish scholar who is being railroaded by corrupt Armenian officials, but that the Armenian government is on rung above a dictatorship run by the Three Stooges on the ladder of fair and democratic governments. Nothing could be further from the truth. Does Armenia have problems? Yes. Is it a prefect country? No. Is Yekten being railroaded by corrupt Armenian officials? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! This Skeptik has, from very reliable sources who wish to remain unnamed, learned that our friend Yekten is involved in the smuggling of rare and antique books for personal profit. The Armenian government has known this and has been keeping an eye on this man who uses his credentials as a well-known scholar to travel into Armenia, purchase books illegally and some legally from unsuspecting desperate salespeople trying to make a living, and turns around to sell them to private collectors abroad. And I'm not just talking about 1987 copies of Brezhnev's memoirs translated to Armenian but really rare volumes of which only few copies remain around the world. In fact, this is a growing problem in Armenia. While Armenia's economy continues to struggle, many crooks have resorted to selling off national treasures for a fist full of dollars--they don't even have the dignity to deal in Drams. It's very similar to Egyptians selling off rare artifacts to tourists just to make a few bucks. For anyone wondering, this is absolutely illegal and tourists are usually informed of these rules before they enter into a country. Armenia, with its rich literary history, is no exception. Our books are as precious as the churches and castles we've built. I doubt Senator Bob Dole knows about any of this. He's too busy to get involved in the nitty-gritty details of such a case. I doubt Dr. Vartan Grigorian or Raffi Hovanissian knew either. But that is all the more reason for them to have given the benefit of doubt to the folks in Armenia who are trying to do their job instead of jumping on the bandwagon to kiss up to a Turkish scholar who has finally "seen the light" and come around to acknowledging the validity of the Armenian Genocide. This is becoming an epidemic in our community, where Armenian scholars who have been doing legitimate research on the Genocide are treated with less respect than a placemat at Denny's, while Turkish scholars who accept the Genocide are hailed as the greatest thing since pocket pita bread. I'm not picking sides here. I, personally, am guilty of checking out a few books from my own public library and never returning them. (The difference is that I didn't turn around and sell those books at the used bookstore). But what I am saying is that everyone should just chill out. Put the bottle of blue pills down and chill out! Skeptik Sinikian's library card was revoked due to excessive late fees. He is currently working off his penalties by reading his past columns to children at the local library as part of his community service. If you would like to email him or read his past articles, contact him at [email protected] or visit 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. --Boundary_(ID_jLpiY6CXp72UrxzJTl9R1w)--