PRESS RELEASE
MASHDOTS COLLEGE
616 N. Glendale Avenue
Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: Sofi Kambourian Boyle
Tel: 818-548-9345
Fax: 818-548-9342
E-mail: [email protected]
A NEW RESEARCH STUDY CONDUCTED BY DR. GARBIS DER YEGHIAYAN
A demographically representative 200-page opinion survey of Armenian
Americans was recently released on CD by Mashdots College in Glendale,
California. The study, conducted by Dr. Garbis Der Yeghiayan,
president of the college, reveals an array of attitudes, beliefs,
values, views, perceptions and experiences about a broad range of
subjects. Among the topics covered in the survey are: Armenian
identity; family structure and interests; moral, ethical and spiritual
issues; social concerns; Armenia-related issues; volunteerism;
interest and involvement in the life of the community; inter-ethnic
issues; political participation; community support and contributions;
the role of the media; economic and fiscal status and priorities;
attitudes towards education and religion; assimilation challenges; the
affects of September 11; individual and community concerns and
priorities.

In order to adequately capture the research needs of the study, a
unique questionnaire was devised based on the writer’s vast experience
within the Armenian and non-Armenian communities, combined with
invaluable input from three research scientists and numerous community
leaders and members. The questionnaire was mailed to 8,624 Armenian
Americans residing in 22 states from California to New York. The names
were randomly selected from a demographically representative mailing
list of 75,000 addresses compiled from numerous sources. Responses
totaled 3,014 or 35%. The study was conducted between May and
December, 2004. The completed questionnaires from across the country
were scored, coded, tabulated and statistically analyzed. The study is
presented in color graphs. The margin of error for the sample as a
whole is plus or minus 3 percentage points.
The study is a serious attempt to define the status, role and
prospects of the Armenian American community. It is the writer’s
earnest hope that it may stimulate further interest and action among
the religious, educational, political, professional and civic leaders
who serve our community.
Please contact Mashdots College at (818) 548-9345 (telephone) or
[email protected] (e-mail) to request a copy of the CD free of charge.
Donations to Mashdots College are always welcome and appreciated.

SIX CORRESPONDENCES OF SOCIAL CARDS TO APOCALYPSE FROM ARMENIAN ARYANS
YEREVAN, AUGUST 24. ARMINFO.
“Armenia’s government did no keep its words on re-examine of laws
“On social cards” and “On personal data” having antinational nature”,
stated chairman of Armenian-Aryan order Armen Avetissyan and his
assistant Artur Hovhannissyan at today’s press-conference.
The only indulgence, in Hovhannissyan’s words, was the issue of new
social cards without bar-codes to protesters. He tried to assure
that 666 – “the animal number” is under the bar-code. Thus, Aryans
thinks that “The Union against social cards” removed one of six
correspondences to Apocalypse by John Theologian. “Centralization
of all the personal data by use of social cards opens a way for the
appearance of the most awful, the seventh correspondence – general
obligatory use of backdrops, which are nothing but the stamp of the
apocalyptical Animal and Antichrist”, speakers stated.
Avetissyan tried to assure that laws “On social cards” and “On personal
data” adopted by Armenia’s parliament break Armenia’s Constitution
in 9 points and are written by the order of some Masonic lodge. He
promised to organize protest actions and mass-meetings against the
centralization of personal data. At the same time both Avetissyan
and his assistant recognized that personal information on Armenia’s
citizens had removed from Armenia long before the appearance of social
cards: sect of Mormons had microfilmed considerable size of personal
information in the Central Archive and get out it to the USA.
To note, the main Aryan in his previous press-conference on Jul 16,
2005 stated with honor about his commonness with Armenian pagans. “I
was ordained in Armenian religion in the temple of Garni (the only
preserved pagan temple in the USSR – edit.) by supreme pagan priest
Slak Karkossyan”, confessed Avetissyan with honor. Known for his
anti-christian statements in mass-media Karkossyan did not present
at the press-conference and did not hear evangelical citations of
Aryans. And, if Aryans have read “Afflatus”, one cannot exclude that
supreme pagan priest have read “Karamazov brothers” by F. Dostoevsky
and could find “correspondence” with Dmitriy Karamazov. “Man is
wide, I would like to narrow him”, exclaimed an ineradicable hero
of Dostoevsky.

ARMENIAN CONFERENCE IN ISTANBUL CANCELLED IN MAY FIXED FOR SEPTEMBER 23
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23. ARMINFO.
The “Armenian Conference” in Turkey cancelled in May 2005 will be
held on September 23, at Bosfor University of Istanbul with the same
agenda and n the same staff, CNNTurk reports.
It should be noted that on May 25-27 in Istanbul a scientific forum
on the topic “Armenians in the period of collapse of the Ottoman
Empire” was planned. However, the forum was postponed because of
hot counteraction by Turkish nationalists. The forum participants
and its organizers – Bosfor University, several pro-governmental and
opposition figures were announced “betrayers” and on may 24 the forum
was postponed for indefinite period of time. The well-known statement
by Justice Minister of Turkey Cemil Cicer played a leading role
in the forum’s failing. He stated that the “forum of oppositionist
intellectuals is a stab in the back of the Turkish people.” At the
same time, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in this
connection: “Let them speak, we’ll see what they will say.”

HEAD OF UNION OF ARMENIANS OF RUSSIA TO PARTICIPATE IN PROCESS OF RELEASE OF RUSSIAN SAILORS ARRESTED IN NIGERIA
MOSCOW, AUGUST 24. ARMINFO.
Head of the Union of Armenians of Russia, UN Good Will Ambassador
Ara Abrahamyan will participate in the process of release of Russian
sailors arrested in Nigeria. According to Gazeta.ru, today Ara
Abrahamyan leaves for Nigeria on a special mission.
According to the source, it is expected that his personal ties and
the previous experience of dealing with African governments will help
achieving release of 11 Russian sailors from custody. The sailors
of African Pride vessel have been kept at an African prison for two
years already charged with contraband. On August 5 the Nigerian court
made a decision that the Russians can be released under pledge and
warranty of the Russian Embassy. The source does not rule out that
the tactics used when releasing the Armenian pilots from the prison
in Equatorial Guinea will be used.
The Armenian pilots working in that country on AH12 plane registered
in Armenia were imprisoned charged with attempted state coup and
espionage. Malabo Court sentenced the crew commander to 24 and
the pilots to 14 years of imprisonment. They were kept in the
prison one year and then were granted amnesty by the president of
that country. Before release of the pilots Ara Abrahamyan visited
Equatorial Guinea. According to some data, he was empowered by
the Armenian Government to undertake some social and economic and
financial commitments to that country. After the commitments were
fulfilled, the Armenian pilots were released. What was the cost of
their released remained unknown, Gazeta.ru writes.

PACE CHAIRMAN SATISFIED WITH PROCESS OF PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23. ARMINFO.
PACE Chairman Rene van der Linden expressed satisfaction with the steps
taken in direction of peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict. He made
this statement during his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev, APA reports referring to the press-service of Azerbaijani
President.
According to the source, PACE Chairman pointed out that resolution
of the conflict is the most important issue for Azerbaijan. He stated
that while in Yerevan he discussed the given issue with the leadership
of Armenia. PACE Chairman expressed hope for the conflict resolution
within the nearest future. – M-

ARMENIA’S GYMNASTICS FEDERATION REFUTES INFORMATION ON REMOVAL OF ARMENIA FROM IGF
August 23, 2005
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23. ARMINFO. The International Gymnastics Federation
(IGF) did not decided to punish Armenia and deprive of its membership
in the IGF because of non-payment of membership fees, stated Albert
Azaryan, Head of Armenia’s GF, famous gymnast, twice champion of the
World and Olympic Games, champion of Europe.
Commenting on information of some Azeri mass-media with refer to the
press-service of the GF of Azerbaijan on that the IGF supposedly
punished Armenia, Azaryan noted that they have already paid $550
membership fees for the participation of Armenian sportsmen in the
European Championship. As regards $800 fees for participation in the
World Championship, the Armenian side has already informed the IGF
leadership that the fees will be paid on the spot in November 2005.

DUTCH STUDENTS INTEND TO PRESENT REAL SITUATION IN NAGORNY KARABAKH TO EUROPE UNDER PROJECT “STORIES FROM ABROAD”
STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 23. ARMINFO.
Under a project “Stories from Abroad” and under the aegis of the Dutch
Peacemaking Movement supported by the World Interchurch Council,
a student of Oriental-European Department of Amsterdam University
G.Tolbo is in Nagorny Karabakh. In his interview to the Karabakh public
newspaper Demo, the student stated that the project is implemented
to arise interest of the Dutch in the problems of the South Caucasus,
including political, cultural and other aspects. G.Tolbo will stay in
the region for 3 months. Several weeks after, he will visit Yerevan
and then Baku.
The student admits that he has got a pleasant and some unexpected
impression of Karabakh. He thinks the atmosphere very good. He admits
that before arriving in Karabakh he had some prejudices, but he
thinks open meetings and talks with politicians, religious leaders,
public workers, the youth and ordinary citizens will bring light to
the situation and he will be able to present the real situation to
the Dutch public.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EUROPEAN OFFICIAL CALLS AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA FOR PEACEFUL KARABAKH SOLUTION
Azad Azarbaycan TV, Baku
23 Aug 05
[Presenter] The president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe [PACE], Rene van der Linden, has ended his visit
to Azerbaijan. At a news conference he gave on the results of his
meetings, the PACE president said that Baku and Yerevan should resolve
the Nagornyy Karabakh problem peacefully if they wanted to continue
the course of integration into Europe.
[Linden at news conference, speaking in English with Azeri voice-over]
As newly-elected president of PACE, I visited countries which have
recently become members of the body [as heard]. I discussed the
Nagornyy Karabakh problem in Armenia and Azerbaijan. The conflict
might be solved only in a peaceful manner. If Azerbaijan wants to
join the European Union, then it must solve the conflict, but only
peacefully. I am convinced that this is important to the region’s
future. Only in this way the region will become a stable part of Europe
in the future. I am very pleased at the fact the presidents of the two
countries base their positions on this principle alone. Moreover,
a peaceful solution to the conflict is important to Armenia as
well. Because it is currently in isolation in the region. It should
have economic cooperation with neighbouring countries.
[Passage omitted: reported details]
[Linden] There are difficult times ahead for the two countries. A
referendum and a parliamentary election will be held in Armenia and
Azerbaijan respectively. I think that the two countries have to carry
out these events as transparently as possible which will give a then
a good chance of showing the development of democracy.

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT CRITICAL OF OPPOSITION’S ATTITUDE TO CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
24 Aug 05
[Presenter] Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today expressed his
opinion in connection with constitutional reforms in the country.
Kocharyan stressed that the reformed version of the constitution
is an impartial document which has been highly rated by the best
European experts and everybody, including the opposition which has
distanced itself from the process without waiting for the results of
the constitutional reforms, will gain from this.
[Correspondent] What do you expect from the process of constitutional
reforms and the forthcoming extraordinary session of parliament when
the opposition has issued a statement that they refuse to accept the
package of constitutional reforms?
[Kocharyan] First of all, I want speak about the draft constitutional
amendments which are being discussed now. I am confident that this
is a document of high quality which has been drawn up together
with the best European experts and the [Council of Europe] Venice
Commission. We should not accept the constitutional reforms as a
compulsory document. First of all, it is necessary for our people
and our country.
When they say that an official of the Council of Europe points out
that if the document is not accepted, you will have problems and so on,
this also is an important issue. First of all, it will be our basic law
and we need it. This is an important way of integrating into Europe.
Now I want to speak about the opposition’s attitude. The opposition
refused to cooperate with the coalition on reforming the constitution
from the first day. I think that they thought the authorities would
not take radical steps that would bring our constitution completely
into line with European standards. They believed that the authorities
would have problems with the Council of Europe Venice Commission and
the opposition would use this situation in order to solve domestic
political tasks.
In fact, we see eye-to-eye with the Council of Europe and the
opposition has found itself offside and created a situation when the
positive results of the reforms will look like the authorities’ victory
and the opposition’s defeat. This is a more dangerous situation. I
am confident that the constitutional reforms should not be looked at
from such a point of view. This cannot be the authorities’ victory
or the opposition’s defeat. This can be only the victory of our people.

AZERI ELECTION BODY ASKS OSCE TO HELP GET LIST OF VOTERS IN KARABAKH
Lider TV, Baku
24 Aug 05
The Central Electoral Commission [CEC] has appealed to the OSCE for
assistance in acquiring a list of voters – Azerbaijani citizens of
Armenian origin – in Xankandi constituency No 122, Rovzat Qasimli,
head of the CEC’s international relations department, has told APA.
Qasimli said the CEC stressed the importance of receiving the list
for holding the election in the aforesaid constituency.
During a meeting with Maurizio Pavesi, head of the OSCE office in Baku,
CEC chairman Mazahir Panahov also told him about this.
Qasimli said the CEC would make similar appeals to the OSCE Minsk
Group, the Council of Europe and other international organizations
as well. He said the process of making a list of Azerbaijani voters
in the constituency was continuing, adding that the voters would get
voter’s cards after the process ends.