The Messenger, Georgia
April 12 2005

One more year: Enguri dam repairs must wait
Government delays overhaul because import line from Russia remains
disabled; other breakdowns cause outages on Monday
By Christina Tashkevich

Gardabani power plant close to Tbilisi
Unnerved by the loss of the Kavkasioni import line from Russia, the
Georgian Ministry of Energy has decided to postpone major repairs to
the Enguri hydroelectric station by a year.

Enguri, the country’s largest hydroelectric station, currently has
two working units, which can produce 200 megawatts of electricity
each. A full overhaul of the stations remaining three units, which
can only take place in the spring, could increase its output
potential to 1,000 megawatts but the government has delayed the
overhaul because another major electricity source, the Kazkasioni
line, has been knocked out by landslides.

Despite this, the Ministry of Energy says parts of the Enguri station
will still be rehabilitated this year. The station will be turned off
in May for 20-30 days for the repair works. The major overhaul, now
set for spring 2006, is slated to take twice as long.

As a result of the upcoming repairs, “the energy system will be
guaranteed against frequent accidents on the Enguri units,” Deputy
Minister of Energy Aleksander Khetaguri said on Monday.

The ministry stated on Monday that there will be no electricity
crisis created by the repairs at Enguri because in May the water
levels at other hydroelectric dams are expected to be high.

Originally, the station was scheduled to stop production in April for
major repairs but because of the accident on the Kavkasioni high
voltage transmission line, the repairs were postponed.

General Director of the Georgian State Electric System Joe Corbett
said on Monday, however, that the repair work at Enguri in May will
still make a positive contributions to the system. “It is good from
the generation point of view that the gate on unit one will be
repaired,” he told The Messenger.

Because of high snowfall and rugged terrain, officials have still
been unable to access the damaged section of the line, which
transmits 500 kilovolts from Russia.

Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli recently said that restoring
Kavkasioni to permit renewed imports from Russia is of “vital
importance” before rehabilitating Enguri.

“It’s very important to us to resume imports from Russia at the level
we need while Enguri is being rehabilitated,” he said at the
beginning of April, adding that the rehabilitation of Enguri would
help prevent similar crises in the future.

With the Kavkasioni line still inoperable, Georgia’s only other major
outside source of electricity is from Armenia through another
transmission line.

“We need both Enguri and Kavkasioni back by July 1,” says Corbett,
adding that he is optimistic the repairs on both will be completed by
then.

Proving the need for other sources of light, two major domestic
production facilities went offline late Sunday leaving most of
Tbilisi, and the country, without electricity for most of Monday. On
Sunday night the third and ninth power units in Gardabani were
switched off because of unspecified emergencies. As a result the
power grid had to compensate with energy supplies from Enguri.

“The defect [in the ninth bloc] will be eliminated by April 14,” the
Telasi press office announced on Monday. According to the
government’s official energy plan, Georgia should receive 24-hour
electricity from October 2006.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

San Gabriel Valley Tribune, CA
April 12 2005

Strides toward forgiveness
Rotarian chairs conference for Armenians, Turks

By Shirley Hsu , Staff Writer

Garbis Der Yeghian speaks candidly about the horrors of the past
without bitterness in his voice.

Ninety years ago, 40 of his ancestors were among those killed by
Ottoman Turkish troops in a massacre the Turkish government refuses
to call a genocide, Der Yeghian said.

His great-grandfather, a Christian priest, was maimed and left to
drown.

Two soldiers chopped off both his arms and tossed him alive into the
Euphrates River, Der Yeghian said.

“It’s not humanly possible to forget this,’ said Yeghian. “But it is
humanly possible to forgive.’

Der Yeghian, 53, is trying to honor his great-grandfather by
resolving the bitterness between Turks and Armenians and by promoting
peace in the young states of the Southern Caucasus region.

The La Verne resident recently co-chaired a Rotary International
peace conference in Ankara, Turkey, inviting officials and Rotarians
from Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

It was the first time officials from those countries had come
together to discuss peace, Der Yeghian said.

“It was a historic moment when we got together under the same roof,’
he said. “We were very concerned that there would be obstacles’ (to
keep representatives from attending), he said.

“But they all attended,’ he said, recalling that some Armenians
traveled for three days to bypass closed borders between Turkey and
Armenia.

On April 24, millions of Armenians will mark the 90th anniversary of
the beginning of the Armenian massacres that took place during and
after World War I. Armenians say 1.5 million of their people were
slaughtered by Ottoman Turks in a state-sponsored genocide between
1915 and 1923. The Turkish government maintains that a much lower
number of Armenians died, mostly of famine and disease during forced
deportations for aiding Russian invaders.

The United States does not officially recognize the event as a
“genocide,’ although France does.

The conference called for Rotarians to form a multinational committee
to organize cooperation between Rotary clubs in the region, and to
make the peace conference an annual tradition.

Born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, Der Yeghian began teaching
elementary school and high school mathematics at 18. By the age of
22, he was the principal of a Lebanese high school.

After moving to the United States, he earned a Ph.D. in International
Relations from Northwestern University, and a second doctorate in
educational management from the University of La Verne.

He joined the Rotary Club of La Verne about 24 years ago. In 1999, he
became the first Armenian American in Rotarian history to serve as a
district governor. He is now president of Mashdots College in
Glendale.

It was on a recent trip that he was inspired to hold a peace
conference.

On his way to visit the Genocide Museum in Yerevan, Armenia, to pay
respects to his great-grandfather, he was approached by a gentleman
who exclaimed, “I know you!’ and pointed to the Rotary pin on his
lapel, Der Yeghian recalled.

The stranger was Erhan Ciftcioglu, a fellow Rotarian and governor of
a district in Turkey. He had concealed his identity, afraid it
wouldn’t look right for a prominent Turkish community member to visit
the museum.

“He hugged me, and we were like brothers,’ he said.

The two men visited the monument and paid their respects to the
victims.

“That’s when we decided to hold a peace conference,’ Der Yeghian
recalled.

In 1990, the La Verne Rotary Club established the first Rotary Club
in the former Soviet Union, in Yerevan. Since then, about 60 clubs
have been established in the countries of the former Soviet Union.

“Rotarians can succeed where governments cannot,’ he said.

Journal of Turkish Weekly
April 12 2005

Turkish Prime Minister Addresses anti-Turk Sentiments in Europe

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan currently on a state visit to
Norway, met with Turkish citizens at the Oslo Military Museum Meeting
Hall, Monday. Speaking at the meeting Erdogan addressed the
“anti-Turk sentiments” that have been felt across Europe recently.

“We regret to see negative attitudes against Turkish and Muslim
people in some European countries recently. it is impossible to
understand such attitudes against Turks and Muslims in a period when
the world focuses on dialogue among different civilizations and
cultures.”

“We saw similar attitudes before December 17th. However, we overcame
them. the EU is not a Christian club. It is the outcome of compromise
among civilizations.the EU is a whole of political values.”

On the subject of the so-called Armenian genocide the Turkish PM said
that the issue would be addressed in a special session April 13. and
will be debated in parliament, the outcome of which will be a
statement signed by 550 MPs that will then be sent to several
countries including Britain.

The PM also addressed the issue of sensationalized domestic events,
in comparison with domestic events within EU countries. “Students
held demonstrations in France and in other European countries. Police
used force to disperse demonstrators and beat some of them. none of
these events in Europe are mentioned or criticized.”

Erdogan also reiterated Turkey’s stance on a peaceful and fair world.
“We have been advocating since the very beginning that a peaceful
world cannot be established on hatred and enmity.”

Source: Hurriyet, 12 April 2005

Itar-Tass, Russia
TASS
April 12 2005

Yerevan draws up Armenia-NATO partnership plan

YEREVAN, April 12 (Itar-Tass) – A document featuring the main
directions of a plan for individual partnership between Armenia and
NATO will be submitted to the alliance’s headquarters within a
month’s time, Armenian deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday.

The foreign ministry official, Armen Baiburtyan and Deputy Defence
Minister Artur Agabekyan spoke on Tuesday at a seminar, organized
here by the George C. Marshall European Centre for Security Studies.

`A political decision to join that programme came when it became
clear that the implementation of that plan could help reform and
update the Armenian security sphere, while the republic, for its
part, could make steps that are the core of the partnership plan,’
the top Armenian diplomat said.

According to the deputy defense minister, the Armenian army is facing
serious transformations. He said the country would be guided by the
principle of stage-by-stage work in reforms in defense sphere.
Agabekyan said the country seeks `to create by 2015 an army meeting
the demands of the 21st century’.

He said the main principles underlying reforms in the defense sector
are their `realistic nature, stage-by-stage work, flexibility, broad
analysis and democracy’.

Christian Post, CA
April 12 2005

Assyrian Christians Raise Alarm Over Iraq Elections, Representation

`Iraq was liberated to have freedom for everybody, not just Shi’ites,
Kurds and Sunnis.’

Despite the emergence of a fledgling democratic government and a
minority president, Assyrian Christians in Iraq have expressed
concern over the persecution and disenfranchisement of minority
groups during the past two months since the Jan. 30 elections.

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Assyrian Christians make up about three percent, or 800 thousand, of
Iraq’s 26 million people. The majority of Iraqi Christians belong to
the Chaldean Catholic Church, the Iraqi branch of Roman Catholicism.
Their patriarch is known as the `Assyrian,’ according to the Middle
East Media Research Institute.

There are other smaller Churches in Iraq, including the Roman
Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Nestorian and Armenian.

For Assyrian Christians, the path to democracy and representation in
the new government has been filled with pitfalls.

The head of the Save the Assyrians campaign, Andy Darmoo spoke at a
news conference at the United Nations on Feb. 18 raising a call
attention to the plight of Iraqi Christians.

Darmoo, an Assyrian who left Iraq in 1965, urged the United Nations
and European union to increase international pressure on Baghdad to
give Assyrians more humanitarian aid and a voice in the new Iraqi
government, according to Reuters.

`Iraq was liberated to have freedom for everybody, not just Shi’ites,
Kurds and Sunnis,’ said Darmoo.

He said that Assyrian Christians were the targets of a `quiet
campaign of ethnic cleansing,’ according to Reuters.

The Assyrian International News Agency reported that pleas for help
regarding vote fraud, threats, and killings targeting Assyrian
Christians had been whitewashed by the Iraqi Independent Electoral
High Commission’s report on voting irregularities and lockouts in
North Iraq.

In addition, another report said that the Al-Rafidayn Democratic
Coalition, the main party representing ChaldoAssyrians blasted a
February report by the IEHC. They said the report failed to explain a
decision by the Niniveh governorate to open only 93 of 330 voting
centers on Election day, according to AINA

In terms of parliamentary representation, the agency also reported
that four of six Assyrians elected to the National Assembly are under
the `explicit direction’ of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, which
carried out the `terror campaign’ that was `whitewashed’ by the IEHC,
according to AINA.

Talabani belongs to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, which had been
at odds with the KPD in the past.

At the Feb. 18 U.N. news conference, Darmoo said that Talabani had
assured minority groups such as the Assyrian Christians that they
would have a role in drafting the constitution.

Journal of Turkish Weekly
April 12 2005

Turkish PM Erdogan: EU is not a Christian Club
THE WEST SHOULD BE FAIR

OSLO – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said ”we regret
to see negative attitudes against Turkish and Muslim people in some
European countries recently. It is impossible to understand such
attitudes against Turks and Muslims in a period when the world
focuses on dialogue among different civilizations and cultures.”
Prime Minister Erdogan, who is currently paying a state visit to
Norway, met Turkish citizens at the Oslo Military Museum Meeting
Hall. Turkish PM said the West abused the Kurdish issue in Turkey for
the years and the West did not make distinction between terrorism and
ethnic and democratic demands.
Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Erdogan said, ”we saw
similar attitudes before December 17th. However, we overcame them.
The EU is not a Christian club. It is the outcome of compromise among
civilizations. The EU is a whole of political values.”
`The PKK and the Kurdish people are the different things. Kurds are
my citizens. PKK is a terrorist organization. But the West abuse the
problems. We are against any nationalism based solely on regional,
racist or religious discrimination. We will not allow those who want
to separate our country’ added PM Erdogan.

CYPRUS NEEDS A FAIR SOLUTION
Replying to a question about the Cyprus question, Prime Minister
Tayyip Erdogan said, ”the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
has been exposed to international isolation for years. Any country,
except for Turkey, does not recognize the TRNC. Our government has
been expending great efforts to find a fair and lasting solution to
the Cyprus issue. 65 percent of Turkish Cypriot people supported the
plan of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in the referendum
on April 24th, 2004. They displayed their will for a solution.”
While the Turkish Cypriots supported the UN Peace Plan, the Greek
side rejected. The US and the EU promised to end isolation of the
Turkish Cypriots if the Turks approved the UN Plan. However both have
done very little to end the isolation.
ARMENIAN ISSUE AND NEED FOR A `FAIR WEST’
Upon a question about the allegations of so-called Armenian genocide,
Prime Minister Erdogan said, ”our parliament will hold a special
session on April 13th to debate the Armenian issue. A statement will
be signed by 550 MPs at the end of the session. It will be sent to
parliaments of several countries including Britain… ‘We have been
advocating since the very beginning that a peaceful world cannot be
established on hatred and enmity. We have opened our air corridor
with Armenia. Unfortunately, our western allies take some decisions
about Turkey on ground of baseless comments of marginal groups. It is
seriously unfair. For instance, students held demonstrations in
France and in the other European countries. Police used force to
disperse demonstrators and beat some of them. None of these events in
Europe are mentioned and criticized. However, they criticize any
similar event in Turkey. In fact, we never allow any attempt in
support of terrorist organizations. Also, we never admit such support
as human rights since we have suffered much from terrorism. Our first
priority is the safety of our people.”
Armenia does not recognize Turkey’s territorial integrity and
Tashnaks who are influential over the Armenian Government claims that
many Turkish provinces are historical Armenia. Even some Armenian
party leaders declare that Armenians will fight to get the eastern
part of Turkey. Armenian forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan and
the Armenian irredentist movements are increasing against Georgia.
Turkish Prime Minister and Parliament called the Armenian side to
discuss all the issues, including the 1915 Resettlement Campaign.
However the Armenian Foreign Minister Hovanisyan rejected the call,
saying `there is nothing to be discussed’.
Erdogan said in Oslo `We open all archives and we expect the same
thing from the Armenian side. All should come and see the reality’.

Source: Turkish newspapers and news agencies

Journal of Turkish Weekly
April 12 2005

Turkish Armenians Talk about ‘Genocide’
TNA Parliamentary Bureau /Ankara

Complaining about the attitude of the diaspora, Etyen Mahcupyan,
Hrant Dink, and Levon Debagyan maintain it’s stuck living in 1915

For the first time in Turkish history, Armenians voiced their point
of view on the genocide allegations under the roof of the Turkish
Parliament.

Agos Turkish-Armenian weekly Editor Hrant Dink, Zaman reporter Etyen
Mahcupyan, and author Levon Debagyan all stressed that Armenians
living in Turkey, rather than the Armenia diaspora, should be
representatives in the genocide debate .

Establishing diplomatic ties with Armenia, and opening the Armenian
border would be an important step to help ease tension in the
genocide controversy, Mahcupyan and Dink went on to say.

Both Mahcupyan and Dink, acting as mediators, tried to persuade
Turkish deputies to establish ties with Armenia.

Increasing international pressure on Turkey to recognize the
so-called genocide has caused Parliament to discuss the events that
took place in 1915 during the Ottoman era.

Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk on the
ashes of the Ottoman Empire.

Following calls of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party,
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and opposition Republican
People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal to seek the truth in the
archives, U.S. history Professor Justin McCarthy last month addressed
Parliament on “The Truth about the Armenian Genocide Allegations.”

Three Turkish Armenians, as well as retired diplomats, made speeches
recently at a joint meeting of Parliament’s Commissions for European
Union Harmonization and Foreign Affairs.

No tension was observed during the meeting, which last more than
three hours.

It highlighted the differing views held by various persons.

Diaspora not important

Here are excerpts of Mahcupyan’s testimony before Parliament:

– Discussing the death toll is not very helpful. We can’t know the
exact figures for similar events in history. Who knows the exact
death toll during the French Revolution? Consequently, I don’t
believe focusing on the death toll alone is that helpful.

– Armenians would probably act the same way if they were in Turkish
shoes. The point of view was clear: The state is under threat, and if
we don’t do something radical, we will lose control of the state. In
such circumstances, would you do something radical, or would you
agree to lose your state?

– The ‘genocide’ is currently a foreign policy issue. In terms of
Ottoman law, it was a crime, and, a result of this, an inquiry
commission was formed at the Ottoman Parliament. There were Armenian
deputies in that Parliament. This commission passed on its findings
to the War Crimes Tribunal and tried hundreds of people. This shows
that it was clearly considered a crime.

– Turkey should implement proactive politics by establishing contacts
with Azerbaijan and Armenia. This will help Armenia to create a more
rational environment for discussion. And if Turkey aims to write an
alternative version of history by saying, ‘History wasn’t like that
but like this,’ it will only cause a deadlock.

-Criticisms of The Blue Book, and inviting Justin McCarthy, were big
mistakes. The Blue Book is a work of propaganda and such books are
based on factual but selected documents. Apart from two documents,
the rest of what was used can be found in the U.S. archives.

– The diaspora is not important and we can leave them out of this
discussion. The main representatives for this discussion are
Armenians in Turkey because they are citizens of this country. Next
comes Armenia, as it’s a neighboring country.

The world is acting irresponsibly

Here are excerpts of Dink’s testimony:

– I would prefer that this issue were kept inside Turkish borders
rather than being seen it as a Western issue. The world, especially
the West, today, as well as in the past, is acting really
irresponsibly. If someone has to pay the cost for what happened 90
years ago, then we must lay the responsibility with Western
countries. They’re repeating the same mistakes as they made in the
past.

– Angela Merkel [German opposition leader] has other concerns, such
as seeking an excuse to prevent Turkey’s membership in the European
Union. When I visit the Armenian diaspora, I could tell them to wake
up and see that Merkel is not doing it for their sake. How can we put
so much power into Merkel’s hands? There’s only one way, to bring the
issue to here, Ankara, and discuss it. And most important of all, the
quick establishment of healthy relations between Turkey and Armenia.

– Nothing can be achieved without having contact with Armenia. This
is the essence of Armenia’s message. There are no conditions attached
to establish ties with Turkey. This will be the first step towards
curing damaged relations in the region.

– In Turkey, [Turkish] people can built monuments and hold ceremonies
to the memories of their relatives killed by Armenians. I am a
Turkish Armenian and I, too, lost my grandparents at that sad time.
But I can’t commemorate them because if I do so, this would be
misunderstood. Can you imagine such a panorama: Turkish Armenians
commemorating their beloved ones every April 24. This would be the
best answer that could be given to the world.

Why does it matter to Pamuk?

Here are excerpts of Debagyan’s testimony:

– Armenians living in Turkey should take part in the discussion.
Turkish Armenians are the Turkish representatives. Let’s come
together and say, ‘This is our issue. Why does matter that it took
place in Turkey? What’s the point?’ These are the questions nobody
asks.

– All of this is part of games played on Turkey. Its aim is to incite
enmity between us. I listened to one of the Armenian diaspora myself,
and he’s telling real lies. The word belongs to the Turkish
Armenians. No other party, including Armenia itself, can have a say
in this issue.

– They shouldn’t forget the existence of Armenian gangs of insurgents
in the southeast and east who came from Russia and Armenia at the
time. Nobody wants to be abused. They say 1.5 million Armenians died.
Who did the counting? Turkish Armenians should think about whether
its correct. This is part of an ongoing game being played on Turkish
Armenians.

– Why did Orhan Pamuk get involved in this issue? Did we ask him to
do so? He’s a writer and he should stick to writing novels. There are
some who let Orhan Pamuk talk. Why? The goal is enmity between Turks,
Kurds, and Armenians as they want civil war in Turkey. And they want
to use the Armenians again in this civil war.

Source: The New Anatolian, 12 April 2005

Turkish Press
April 12 2005

Yakis: Armenian Bill Prepared By CDU/CSU Is Full Of Misinformation

BERLIN – Parliamentary Commission for Adjustment to the European
Union (EU) Chairman Yasar Yakis said on Monday that the Armenian bill
submitted by German union parties (CDU/CSU) to Federal German
Parliament was full of misinformation.

The Turkish parliamentary delegation, including of members of the
Commission for Adjustment to the EU and the Turkey-EU Joint
Parliamentary Commission met Greens Parliamentary Group Foreign
Policy Spokesperson Fritz Kuhn.

Speaking after the meeting Yakis said the bill which the CDU/CSU
presented to Federal German Parliament on Armenians and the bill
about the excessive force used by Turkish police on individuals were
discussed at the meeting.

Yakis said that there is not one single sentence which does not
contain wrong information in the bill presented by CDU/CSU on
Armenian demands and allegations, noting that, “we expressed our
concern that Turkish-German relations can be damaged in case the
mistakes are included in the bill. We told them that this bill was
not beneficial either to CDU, Turkish-German relations or
Turkish-Armenian relations, but on the contrary, it would be very
harmful.“

Yakis said Kuhn told him that they were also preparing a bill on
Armenian issue, and he offered cooperation in preparation of this
bill. “This cooperation does not mean `listen to us alone. Listen
also to us. We will not stand on the archives of only the Ottomans.
We can present you with the documents from German archives as well.
You may also take documents from the Armenian side. Then, write
whatever you will.“

Yakis said he told Kuhn that the problem of police`s applying to
force was also seen in other countries, and noted that, “I also told
Kuhn that the country should be accused if the government fails to
carry out necessary procedures on the police.“

Yakis said Kuhn told him that such scenes should not often be seen in
a country which is a candidate to the EU.

Yakis said, “we also discussed what kind of cooperation could be
made between Turkey and Germany for Turkey`s progress on the way to
become an EU member. As you know, Greens expend the most powerful and
stable support to Turkey`s EU membership.“

The Turkish Parliamentary delegation will meet representatives of
various parties and Turkish community during their till Thursday.

NTV MSNBC, Turkey
April 12 2005

The PKK cannot speak on the behalf of Kurds: Erdogan

The Turkish Prime Minister said that there was no Kurdish problem in
Turkey.

April 12 – There was no such thing as a Kurdish problem in Turkey,
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during an address at
the Nobel Institute in Norway Tuesday.

`If you say, ‘ there is a Kurdish question in Turkey,’ this is
unfortunately creating an artificial problem. There is no such
problem for us,’ Erdogan said.
Erdogan’s comments came as a response to a person in the
audience who said he was the representative of the Kurdistan National
Congress who said that almost 30 separate ethnic groups lived in
Turkey.
`The PKK cannot speak in the name of Kurds. Who are you to
talk about ending the war? Is there a separate state within Turkey?’
Erdogan said.
The Prime Minister also underlined that it was not possible
that the security forces of Turkey would not react to the acts of
terrorism.
As he was leaving a meeting with the head of the Norwegian
Parliament Erdogan was confronted by supporters of the terrorist
group the PKK. The Prime Minister escaped the eggs thrown at him by
ducking down, though his bodyguards were splattered by the thrown
eggs.
On Monday, Erdogan made a statement blaming the west and the
European Union for the raising the issue of the Kurdish question and
the so-called Armenian genocide. In his statement Erdogan said that
the west was confused over the terms of Kurds and the PKK and was
trying to divide Turkey.
`To show all Kurds as members of the PKK is very ugly. The
west is making use of this,’ he said.

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web:

PROFESSOR VAHAKN DADRIAN AT THE DIOCESE

On April 8 and 9, 2005 the Western Diocese was delighted to host and
honor Professor Vahakn Dadrian, a renowned expert on the Armenian
Genocide of 1915.

On Friday, April 9, 2005 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
America, presided over a lecture by Professor Dadrian at the Diocesan
Headquarters in Burbank, organized by the organization of Istanbul
Armenians (OIA). An audience of over 400 guests had come to hear
Prof. Dadrian, who gave a detailed account of the Genocide, supported
by countless facts gathered by him through several years of dedicated
research around the world.

On April 9, 2005 under the auspices of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church of North America and organized by over 10 cultural
and compatriotic organizations, a tribute banquet was held at the
Diocese honoring Vahakn Dadrian for a lifetime of academic
achievement.

Professor Dadrian was presented by Taner Akcam, researcher and
professor who has published over ten books on the topic of the
Armenian Genocide and Turkish nationalism.

`Professor Dadrian is the most authentic historian of the Armenian
Genocide,’ said His Eminence Archbishop Derderian in his address to
the attendees of the banquet. `Through his outstanding achievements
and scholarly works he has been recognized internationally, and above
all, through his extensive research of Austrian, German and Turkish
archives he has been able to reach out to the people of the world,
making them aware of the undeniable facts of the Armenian Genocide.’

During the Banquet the Pontifical Encyclical issued by His Holiness
Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, was read. The Encyclical was
issued on March 5, 2005 granting Prof. Dadrian the St. Sahag and
Mesrob Medal of Honor. `Your many years of distinguished public and
literary services as well as your important and tangible input in the
serious and necessary endeavor to condemn the Armenian Genocide and
the phenomenon of Genocide in general throughout the world are worthy
of praise,’ read the Pontifical Encyclical.

The Primate also commended the efforts of the organizations that had
joined in planning this event. The participating organizations were,
Ararat Eskigian Museum, ARCA – Western Region, Armenian Assembly of
America, Armenian Cultural and Educational Society – Hamazkayin,
Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, Armenian General Benevolent Union,
Armenian National Committee, Nor Seroont Cultural Association,
Organization of Istanbul Armenians, social Democratic Hunchakian
Party, and Tekeyan Cultural Association.

Proceeds will benefit the Zoryan Institute Genocide Research Fund.

primate’s first divine liturgy

in portland, oregon

On April 10, 2005 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate
of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, paid
his second pastoral visit to the Armenian Church of Portland Oregon,
where he celebrated his first Divine Liturgy with the presence of
over 150 faithful, marking the first time such a great number of
faithful had gathered at the church.

During the Divine Liturgy the Primate performed the ordination of
Kevork Parseghian into the order of diaconate and also ordained four
acolytes.

The Primate addressed the faithful with the words, `Today my heart
rejoices as I join all of you with my prayers to celebrate a new
beginning in the Armenian community of Oregon. I am all the more
overjoyed with the ordination of Deacon Kevork Parseghian and the
four acolytes. I convey to you all my warmest regards and challenge
you to reawaken within your hearts the spirit of devotion and
sacrifice on the verge of the creation of a new and vibrant community
in the Western Diocese.’

primate and clergy

participate in swearing-in ceremony

On April 11, 2005 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate
of the Western Diocese, accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Vatche
Hovsepian, Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian, and Diocesan clergy,
attended the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected mayor and
officers of the City of Glendale.

Prior to the ceremony the Primate and assisting clergy conducted the
wedding ceremony of Mayor Bob Yousefian, at St. Peter Armenian Church
Youth Center in Glendale.

Primate represented at

community events

· Inaugural banquet of Armenian academy of los angeles

On April 1, 2005 Very Rev. Fr. Asbed Balian represented the Primate
at the inaugural Banquet of the Armenian Academy of Los Angeles,
which is targeted to open its doors to Armenian high school students
in the fall of 2006. The goal of the Academy is to create a college
preparatory four-year high school curriculum, focused on Honors and
Advanced Placement classes, with an emphasis on the Arts as well,
thus giving Armenian students a solid basis for higher education.

· ART EXHIBITION ORGANIZED BY LA CITY ATTORNEY

On April 7, 2005 Mr. Vahe Ashjian, Chair of the Armenian
Professionals Network (APN) of the Diocese, represented the Primate
at an art exhibition organized by the office of Los Angeles City
Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, held at the LA City Hall.

During the event Rocky Delgadillo placed special emphasis on the
accomplishments of the Armenian community in Los Angeles, and
extended his words of commendation to the community.

· 20th anniversary of CSUN Armenian Studies Program

On Friday, April 8, 2005 Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian and
Rev. Fr. Shnork Demirdjian, Pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church in
Van Nuys, represented the Primate at the 20th Anniversary banquet of
the Armenian Studies Program at the California University of
Northridge, California.

Fr. Dajad presented to the attendees the message of the Primate
which read, `On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Armenian
Studies Program at California State University, Northridge, we
congratulate Dr. Hermine Mahseredjian, Director of the Armenian
Studies Program; Dr. Vahram Shemmassian, and over 3000 Armenian
students of CSUN. We are proud that alongside various academic
topics, with utmost love our Armenian students are dedicated to
Armenian education, thanks to which they maintain the traditions of
our forefathers, and impart those traditions upon future
generations.’

· CLIMATE OF TRUST PROGRAM

On April 11, 2005 Fr. Tavit Zelveyan represented the Primate at the
first ever Los Angeles-Based Climate of Trust Program, welcoming a
delegation of Russian law enforcement and community leaders, who are
in LA to address issues connected to anti-Semitism

· Meeting of interreligious council

Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian, Pastor of St. James Armenian
Church in Los Angeles will represent the Primate at the meeting of
the Interreligious Council on April 12, 2005 hosted by Fr. Alexei
Smith, at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral.

Upcoming SCHEDULE OF

April 14 – May 1, 2005

The following contains items scheduled for the month of April 14 –
May 1, 2005.

Thursday, April 14 His Eminence will preside over the Clergy
Executive meeting and the Clergy Recruitment Committee meeting at the
Diocese.

Evening – The Primate will attend an exhibition by the students of
the TCA Arshag Dickranian School dedicated to the Armenian Genocide.

Sunday, April 17 The Primate will celebrate Divine Liturgy at St.
John Garabed Armenian Church in San Diego where he will consecrate a
Stone Cross on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide.

Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian will represent the Primate at
an evening of lecture dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide, organized by the Armenian Cultural and Educational
Society – Hamazkayin, to be held at the Glendale Public Library.

Wednesday, April 20 His Eminence will meet with Supervisor Michael
D. Antonovich at the Diocesan Headquarters, accompanied by Diocesan
council members and members of the Cathedral Committee.

Evening – The Primate will preside over an event in honor of the
Armenian Genocide at St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood.

Thursday, April 21 the Primate will attend the conclusion of `March
for Humanity’ in Sacramento, following which the delegation from the
Western Diocese will head to the state Assembly where a resolution
will be passed in recognition of the Genocide.

Sunday, April 24 The Primate will perform the ordination pf Deacon
Vahe Abovyan into the Order of Priesthood at St. John Garabed
Armenian Church in Hollywood.

Evening – all community event in honor of the Armenian Genocide

April 26 – 30 78th Annual Diocesan Assembly

April 27 Clergy Conference

April 28 Ladies’ Assembly

April 29-30 Delegates’ Assembly

Sunday, May 1 The Primate will preside over Divine Liturgy at the
culmination of the Assembly.

The Khachadoorian Choir will celebrate the anniversary of its
establishment.

The Primate will attend the 25th anniversary of the St. Sahag and
Mesrob Armenian School.

OFFICE OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE

April 12, 2005

Burbank, California

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress