Armenian parliament tightens laws on smoking

.c The Associated Press

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – Armenia’s parliament voted to tighten
restrictions on smoking Friday, approving legislation that will hike
fines and outlaw lighting up in schools, on public transport and in
other public places.

The legislation passed by the National Assembly calls for fines of up
to 100,000 drams (US$200) for violators and also bans smoking by
teenagers under 16.

The legislation, which goes into effect in January, will also prohibit
smoking in cultural institutions and at sporting events.

Packs of cigarettes and other tobacco products that do not have
medical warnings about the dangers of smoking on them will be
destroyed.

The World Health Organization estimates that 63.7 percent of Armenian
men are smokers – the highest rate in Europe.

By comparison, an estimated 60 percent of men in neighboring Georgia
are smokers and 31.2 percent in Azerbaijan.

12/10/04 14:52 EST

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RIA Novosti, Russia
Dec 11 2004

POPE JOHN PAUL II MIGHT HELP ARMENIAN PILOTS CONVICTED IN EQUATORIAL
GUINEA

EREVAN, December 11 (RIA Novosti, Gamlet Matevosyan) – A human rights
representative in Armenia appealed to Pope John Paul II to help
Armenian pilots convicted in Equatorial Guinea.

According to Armenian Ombudsman Larisa Alaverdyan, 85% of the
population in Guinea are Catholics.

President of Guinea is supposed to meet with Pope John Paul II
shortly.

Ms. Alaverdyan told journalists that the international human rights
organization Amnesty International had also expressed concern about
the fate of Armenian pilots

We made an appeal to Amnesty International and received its consent
to provide assistance in organization of a visit to Equatorial Guinea
to conduct meetings with all authorized agencies that might influence
the situation,” Ms. Alaverdyan said.

On November 26, the court of the capital of Equatorial Guinea,
Malabu, brought in a verdict on a coup d’etat case involving 6
Armenian pilots. The court sentenced the crew captain to 24 years of
imprisonment, and the rest of the crew – to 14 years each.

A South African citizen, accused of organizing the coup d’etat
attempt was sentenced to 63 years of imprisonment. Three other South
Africans received sentences varying from 50 to 60 years. Local
residents involved in the attempt received a year sentence each.

The court ordered to confiscate the plane used by the Armenians and a
fishing boat used by South Africans.

Six Armenian pilots worked since January 2004 in Equatorial Guinea
flying the An-12 transport plane registered in Armenia. On March 7,
Armenian pilots were arrested in Malabu. Equatorial Guinea
authorities accused Armenian pilots of participation in a coup d’etat
attempt as mercenaries and of espionage.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Zaman, Turkey
Dec 12 2004

The European Union or the Heresy of the ‘Miraculous Conception’

by Daniel Cohn-Bendit
Co-Chairman of the EP Greens

If reconciliation between France and Germany had waited for the
“people”, I believe that this novel way of managing our relations
that the EU consist of, would simply not have happened.

Nothing predisposed Europe to find the political will required to
abandon war in favour of the pact that currently makes possible the
peaceful co-existence of generations that all share in the same
project: an anti-totalitarian Europe. The political map that has been
redrawn across Europe with democratic states has enabled us to
determine our existence according to co-responsibility and led to,
after the “miracle of the Rhine”, to the “miracle of the “Oder”.
Today, I contend that within the world as it has become,
co-responsibility means to realise the “miracle of the Bosphorous”.
This ambitious goal requires, on the one hand, an aptitude to
undertake the necessary changes to be in step with the current world,
whilst at the same time, preparing for tomorrow’s world. On the other
hand, and simultaneously, this presupposes a Turkey that takes full
responsibility for the attainment within its territory of the
necessary democratic reforms, and, obviously, the consequential
changes in mentality. Thereafter, a necessary softening will be
required to a nationalistic, authoritarian Kemalism, which will
especially imply innovation in the models of coexistence for Kurds,
religious minorities and others. The assumption of the Armenian
genocide, in part perpetrated by Kurds, will also be the symptom of a
metamorphosis enabling Turkey to further acclimatise to the European
practices of sharing sovereignty, a process not easy for any nation
to accept.

I have never thought for a single moment that this path would be
simple. I even support the critics of the politics of the “fait
accompli” that enlargement has been, and, I and many others, have
pleaded in favour of deepening before enlargement. Furthermore, not
even the “cultural difference” argument so often couched in
politically correct language but often dissimulating a more
xenophobic undertone, would constitute a sufficient reason to exclude
Turkey. In a decade or so, neither the EU nor Turkey will be or can
be what they are today. Turkey will have to integrate a Union
governed by the Constitutional Treaty, that, I hope, will have also
help us progress down the path of further communtarisation. This also
means that tomorrow’s Union will have increased the exigency it set
on itself and on candidate states. On the other hand, the Union will
also have foreseen the conditions of possibility of “absorption” of
such a large and populated country as Turkey, therefore not simply
comparable to previous enlargements

At this stage, I would like to make an important remark, especially
to my French friends: Turkey made its membership application and it
has been accepted unanimously. And as the Commission keeps on
repeating, there is no “Plan B”. To pretend this is not the case and
continue to seek engagement whilst giving the impression that a
“privileged partnership” is of value to Turkey, a state that has a
full customs union with the EU, is really taking people for a ride.

Therefore, I am convinced that the tomorrow’s European Council in
Brussels must give a precise date for the start of negotiations. Any
other decision would be entirely irresponsible.

When one considers the world we live in, in all its complexity, where
radical Islamic terrorism coincides with the Union’s attempts to
exist on the international scene and where Muslims minorities make up
an important section of our populations, the perspective of Turkish
membership is not only politically sound but above all a “win -win”
scenario. This is clearly the path that Turkey has followed over the
years and that it will continue, thereby continuing its cultural
evolution, affecting not only itself, but also Islam as well. This
does not allow us to downplay the negative effects that the hostility
felt against the perceived threat to national identity that Turkey’s
accession is having in certain member states. We cannot simply do as
if the “crusaders of national and cultural identity” had sung their
last psalm. In my mind, any attempt to glue back together the
symbolic orders within our societies should prevent the further
compartmentalisation of our societies and deal head on with the
identity crisis within them. This would prevent the use of such
concepts as “the people”; what does this mean? Do the Turks born in
Germany belong to the German ‘Volk’? What is the German People? How
far can we discriminate when we know that over 3 million Turks live
in the EU? One thing is clear, however: the viability of Turkey’s
integration into the EU depends on our ability to establish an open
debate and a pedagogy susceptible of unleashing the collective
imagination that is current bounds by backward reactions that I would
qualify as a pseudo-identity. This is not some replacement for
cultural relativism. This would, in effect, only lead to a dead end
for the recognition of both the specificities and the autonomy of
individuals and the universals principals given to us by Modernity,
which have since then become an integral part of our political
culture. In contrast, European culture has since many a year turned
its back on “revelatory” dogmas and has sufficiently integrated the
concepts of diversity in order to affirm itself through a dynamic
identity, capable of evolution. It is therefore up to us, in these
historic times, to exploit these resources at our disposal in order
to both live and believe ourselves an “open society”.

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Dec 11 2004

Turkey’s EU Membership and the Armenian Question
View: Sedat Laciner

Some radical groups in Europe link Turkey’s EU membership with the
Armenian question and advocate that Turkey should not become an EU
member before it addresses the Armenian demands. The question spans
over a large area from the events that are argued to have taken place
during Ottoman times, interpreted differently by Armenians and Turks,
to the problem of terrorism and the invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh. It
can be understood that the problem cannot be solved at once. Even
though the emergence of Armenia in the international scene as an
independent state has brought expectations that there is a chance for
solution , in due course it has become evident that there are some
psychological problems at the root of the problem. The initiatives
taken by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE) and the US on the international stage have been disabled by
some radical groups. The manipulative efforts of this narrow group of
people make it extremely difficult for convergence to occur. They
have established a virtual industry of enmity and argue that Turkey
should accept their allegations without any debate and claim that
otherwise dialogue between Turkish and Armenian peoples and states is
impossible. However, the true problem can be said to stem from the
security / threat perceptions in Armenia and the prejudices against
the Turks among the diaspora Armenians:
As a country of 2.5 to 3 million, Armenia is surrounded by a Turkish
population over 100 million and has lived through a perceived
`Turkish threat’ for over a decade. Unfortunately, various radical
groups and some countries have fueled this perception. This is such
that even though no Armenian territory is invaded, conversely,
Armenia occupies a fifth of Azerbaijan’s territories, these fears
still linger on and some important circles in Armenia advocate an
increase in the defense budget against the so-called Turkish threat.
The case of the Armenian Diaspora is even more tragic: The Armenian
Diaspora is twice the size of Armenia’s population and these people
are scattered all across the world. As there was no independent
Armenian state for a long time, these people drew closer to radical
groups in order to promote Armenian interests. Moreover, by
underlining cultural and religious differences, they avoided
assimilation in other societies. One instrument that was used in
avoiding assimilation was the `Turkish threat’. The common feelings
against the Turks united the Armenian diaspora societies and they
enjoyed of being part of a society, nation and race. Though an
independent Armenian state was established the Armenian Diaspora was
not changed in nature and continued to use victimization and
historical hostilities as a uniting factor. Interestingly the
Diaspora with its financial and political superiority has dominated
the Armenia’s domestic politics. It can be argued that the Armenian
Diaspora in Europe and the US with the Karabakh Armenians are the
most significant group who radicalize Turkish-Armenian relations.
Etyem Mahcupyan, a Turkish Armenian columnist, criticized the
Diaspora Armenians in an international conference held in France in
November 2004:

`You do not want a solution, but revenge… The diaspora makes politics
by using the deaths and the past sufferings. But the politics is for
the living people… The Armenians in diaspora oppose Turkey’s entry to
the EU. It means that they do not sincerely wish Turkey’s acceptance
`genocide’. They prefer to make politics by using the deaths and the
past… Opposing Turkey’s EU membership is not Armenia’s and Turkey
Armenians’ interest.’

Hrant Dink, another Turkish Armenian, argued in the same conference
that the Armenian diaspora has not been able to change itself:

`The Armenian diaspora usually claim that Turkey and its policies on
Armenian issue cannot be changed. They are wrong. As a matter of fact
that the diaspora do not change. The world has changed. Turkey has
been changing. However the diaspora cannot catch the change. Normally
the diaspora has to be in the change and must support the change and
democratization process in Turkey. Today the European Armenian
diaspora, the French Armenians in particular, oppose Turkey’s EU bid.
They must question their anti-Turkey campaigns, because Turkey’s
entry to the EU changes and democratizes Turkey. If Turks and
Armenians will find a solution, it will be in Turkey’s EU process.’

As it can be seen from this account, an important part of the
Armenian question is historical and cultural prejudices and a
perception of threat rather than an actual one is preeminent.

The efforts to improve Turkish-Armenian-Azerbaijani relations have
continuously hit this barrier since 1992: For example, the US
government admits that in implementing its Caucasian plans, the
Turkish-Armenian dispute has always served as an obstacle. The EU has
much to drawn on the US’s endeavors to foment Turkish-Armenian
friendship since Armenia’s independence. The US has applied many
different ways which included pressurizing Turkey, Armenia, and
Azerbaijan; implementing economic sanctions against Azerbaijan;
forcing the sides to the negotiating table; increasing economic aid
to Armenia on an unprecedented scale; using Azerbaijani oil as a
motive for convergence. However, as it was previously stated, it has
proven impossible to break down the prejudices and psychological
barriers on all sides, especially on the Armenian side. The most
effective way to break this deadlock is the genuine guarantee by a
credible power that all three countries can accept. The US’s
guarantees have not fulfilled any of the three, and mostly Armenia.
However, the EU’s position can be different:

Turkey’s EU membership and the EU’s assurances towards the region
would prove tangible and suitable for the region. Moreover, both
Armenia and Azerbaijan will seek full membership next and will live
through this promise, traversing a serious divide.

The most promising aspect of this picture is that all sides give
priority to EU membership. A government that is keen on EU membership
is in power in Turkey. Moreover, the current Erdogan government’s
foreign policy is based on an understanding that can be epitomized as
`zero problem with neighbors’ and `win-win policy’. According to this
understanding, Armenia and Turkey can mutually benefit from closer
association. That is, Armenia’s loss is not Turkey’s gain. In the
same light, there is a serious transformation on the Armenian side.
The government is the same and is led by a `hawk’, Robert Kocharian,
and makes caustic remarks every now and then. However, following
September 11, it is observed that Armenia can no longer sustain a
policy that is mostly military in nature and is closely based on
military cooperation with Russia, Iran, and Syria at the expense of
the US. Even though Armenia terms these policies as `complementary
foreign policy options’ and argues that it satisfies all countries
and groups, international conjuncture does not allow this to go on
and that Armenia is now in a serious quest for new a option. For the
first time since independence, EU membership began occupying a
serious position in Armenia. There is a significant increase in the
number of those who express that Armenia’s future lies in the EU. In
short, just like Turkey, Armenia also aims to become an EU member.
The similarity in their goals will ease the tension in the two
countries’ relations. It is unavoidable for the two countries,
members of the same organization, to come to a better understanding
and stop perceiving each other as a threat. In this respect, Turkey’s
EU membership can abate Armenia’s fears. For at the center of the
fear fed by the radicals in Armenia is the understanding that Turkey
is an intractable power and can lay great harm to Armenia. Even
though this is mere fantasy, this is how reality is understood.
Turkey’s EU membership will at first alleviate this fear. For no EU
member can singularly pursue aggressive policies. Moreover, Armenia
will come to understand that Turkey, seeking EU membership, will
refrain from pursuing an aggressive policy towards Armenia.
In this respect, it is unrealistic and ill-willed to argue that
Turkey’s EU membership will negatively affect Turkish-Armenian
relations. Those who advocate this statement argue that the two
countries do not have diplomatic contacts and with EU membership,
Turkey would have less use of Armenia and will become even less bound
in its dealings with Armenia. However, even at Turkey’s present
economic and political position, it is not in dire need of Armenia.
Turkey is not a country to sustain great economic losses, even if the
borders remain closed for centuries. Despite this fact, it was Turkey
for the past 14 years that has taken the steps for convergence and to
hold, bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral meetings. Even though
the Karabakh question involves Armenia and Azerbaijan, Turkey
endeavored arduously to bring the two countries together.

Secondly, there is no economic embargo or sanction in practice:
Thousands of Armenians work in Istanbul, Turkey and the Turkish
international airports are open to civilian Armenian planes. As a
matter of fact that the Turkish-Armenian trade volume is over 200
million dollars though the Turkish-Armenian border is closed. All
these events signal that Turkey has a clear intention to establish
diplomatic relations with Armenia, improve relations, and even move
beyond from neighborly relations to lifting the borders between the
two countries’ markets.

In this respect, Turkey has three simple requests from Armenia:

1) To expressly recognize the borders of Turkey and Armenia’s
neighbors and the declaration that these borders will be respected,

2) To end the occupation of one-fifth of Azerbaijan’s territories and
to stop resorting to violence in solving problems,

3) To stop situating the events of 1915 that Armenia claims to have
taken place at the center of its relations with Turkey.

As it can be seen, these requests are both quite easy to fulfill and
based on the basic principles of the UN, NATO, and the EU, namely,
respect for borders and the unchangeableness of borders through
violence. In view of how the EU considered Northern Cyprus to be
under occupation and imposed a harsh embargo on the Turkish Republic
of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), denying recognition, not even admitting it
as a political entity and how severe NATO’s response was towards
Serbian aggression, Turkey’s response towards the occupation of
one-fifth of Azerbaijan by Armenia can be considered to be quite
innocent and even moderate.

As with the Armenian side’s interpretation of 1915, suffice to say
that people are entitled to their opinions. Some radical Armenian
groups interpret the Armenian insurgency of 1915 in the Ottoman
Empire as `genocide’ and demands Turkey to recognize this as such or
be denied EU membership. It is not right to think that just because
some Armenians think that should Turkish-Armenian relations remain
frozen for eternity. Genocide is a legal term and its scope is
determined by international legal treaties. As much audience is
granted to one side, the other side of the equation also deserves to
be heard. More importantly, while the past is dealt with, the
construction of the future should also paid attention. From here
onwards, the radical Armenian groups can interpret the 1915 the way
they want but if there is a desire to improve relations with the
Turks, the insult-like remarks against Turkey and the Turkish people
need to be avoided when talking about events that happened almost a
century ago. Dialogue can start from the most debatable subject, not
the most problematic one.

To sum up, it can be said that Turkey’s most problematic relationship
in the region is with the Armenians and that despite its
well-intended efforts, progress has been limited. As there are two
sides in the Turkish-Armenian dispute, the EU and other Western
countries have had an obstructive effect in the Caucasus. Armenia’s
reluctance to join the regional strategy of Western institutions and
countries due to its security perceptions both isolates Armenia and
plunges it into harder situations and bars the West from implementing
its strategy. In this context, a healthy Caucasus policy should aim
at Turkish-Armenian convergence. This can only be achieved through
Turkey’s EU membership that will bring Armenia closer to EU
institutions. With Turkey’s EU membership, Armenia will approach
Turkey with less suspicion and prejudice and new channels of dialogue
will spring by the EU. As the only EU member in the region, Turkey
will assume a role aiming to increase stability and cooperation even
further and change its policies against Armenia from one of
adversaries to that of bringing Armenia closer to the EU system.

In concluding the Armenian question, a useful point to mention is
Turkey’s Armenians. Some Armenian lobby groups in Europe talk about
the minority rights in Turkey and demand accession to be held back
until improvement in this area comes about. First of all, these
claims, not shared by Turkish-Armenians and the Istanbul Armenian
Patriarchate, are not reflective of the truth. Even if it is accepted
for one moment that there is an element of truth in these arguments,
it will be seen that as Turkey converges with the EU, its
self-confidence grows and demonstrates significant progress in the
field of minority rights. The great effort spent by Mesrob II, the
Patriarch of Istanbul, supporting Turkey’s EU membership and his
touring of Europe to persuade EU members is quite telling. Also, a
survey conducted among Istanbul’s Armenians that yielded a pro-EU
rate of 60 percent is also very important in showing the support for
Turkey’s EU membership among Armenian citizens.

Dr. Sedat LACINER
Director International Strategic research Organization (ISRO), Ankara

Agence France Presse
Dec 11 2004

German coup suspect in Equatorial Guinea died of torture: co-prisoner

BERLIN, Dec 11 (AFP) – A German who died in March in Equatorial
Guinea’s notorious Black Beach prison whwere he was held on suspicion
of involvement in a coup plot, was tortured to death, a South African
who was in jail with him said in an interview published Saturday in
the Frankfurter Rundschau daily.

Officials in Equatorial Guinea said on March 18 that Gerhard Eugen
Merz, a logistics expert who worked for a German air freight company
in the Equatorial Guinea capital Malabo, had died of cerebral malaria
just over a week after being arrested along with 14 other suspected
putsch plotters.

But one of Merz’s co-accused, 56-year-old South African Mark Schmidt,
told the Frankfurter Rundschau that the German was “beaten and burned
on the soles of his feet” in the few days he was in jail.

According to the paper, Merz’s body was repatriated in June and the
prosecutor’s office in Frankfurt had ordered a post-mortem to be
carried out to determine the cause of death.

But the prosecutor’s office has refused to say if the post-mortem
showed that Merz had been tortured, and even months after the
autopsy, has said its investigations are still ongoing, said the
paper.

“Incredible,” was Schmidt’s reaction in the paper.

“Didn’t they see the burn marks on Gerhard’s feet? The scrapes on the
tibia and the large scar on his chest?” he asked.

Schmidt dismissed reports that Merz had died of malaria.

“I’ve had malaria four times. The symptoms are completely different.”

Schmidt was released from prison last week after spending nine months
behind bars.

German-born Schmidt was one of three South Africans who were
acquitted late last month of plotting to oust Equato-Guinean
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. Five South Africans and six
Armenians were given stiff jail sentences, as were an Equato-Guinean
opposition leader and his government-in-exile.

During his time in jail, Schmidt said that he and his co-detainees
“all became religious and prayed four times a day.

“Otherwise, we would not have been able to stand the beatings, the
disease.”

PRESS OFFICE
Armenian Holy Apostolic Church Canadian Diocese
Contact; Deacon Hagop Arslanian, Assistant to the Primate
615 Stuart Avenue, Outremont Quebec H2V 3H2
Tel; 514-276-9479, Fax; 514-276-9960
Email; [email protected]
Website;
December 11, 2004

ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL OF MONTREAL MARKS 34TH ANNIVERSARY

This weekend, St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral will celebrate the 34th
anniversary of the establishment and consecration of the Church under the
auspices of the Primate, His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian.

Saturday night, December 11, 2004 is dedicated to the Sacred Music of the
Armenian Apostolic Church. Prof. Khoren Palyan is specially invited from the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to deliver a speech on the foundation, structure
and development of the Armenian Sacred Music at St Gregory the Illuminator
Cathedral.

On Sunday, December 12, 2004 His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian will
celebrate the Divine Liturgy starting 10:30. A special requiem service will be
held in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the passing of His Holiness
Catholicos Vasken I, of blessed memory.

* * *

THE PRIMATE CELEBRATED DIVINE LITURGY IN TORONTO

On Sunday, December 5, 2004 His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate
celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon in Holy Trinity Armenian
Apostolic Church of Toronto. The parish marked the 51st anniversary of the
consecration of the Church and the 76th anniversary of the establishment of the
congregation.
Serving the Holy Altar were the Pastor, Rev. Archpriest Fr Zareh Zargarian,
Deacons Krikor Tozak, Shanour Aynedjian, Nourhan Ipek and Vrej Berberian as
well as the Acolytes-dpirs. The Church choir sang the Divine Liturgy conducted by
Deacon Mark Ipekian. Professor Khoren Palyan accompanied the Choir.
On this occasion Serpazan blessed 16 Oil Lamps KANTEGHS which were made by
artists George Sandrouni and Samuel Mamikon from Jerusalem. Serpazan thanked
both artists, godfathers and sponsors and wished them good health and prosperous
life. His Eminence then conveyed his message and emphasized on the spirit of
Love. On this occasion Bishop Galstanian highly praised the efforts of Rev
Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian to further flourish and better serve the community
and the Holy Trinity Armenian Church. The benefactors for the Oil Lamps
KANTEGHS are Gregory Kasbarian, Nazar Madjarian, Noubar Yeretsian, Jirayr Pederian,
Bedros Kokorian, Sarkis Melkonian, Arpine Mansourian, Taniel Madzounian, Iza
Basmadjian, Hrant Citak, Anahit Toughlayan, Habibian Family, Souren Adjemian,
Zvart Boyadjian and family, Manuel Sakarya, Mario Gumushdjian.
A requiem service took place for the repose of the victims of the December 7,
1988 earthquake in Armenia as well as for the souls of late pastors,
parish council members, benefactors, sponsors and parishioners of the Holy Trinity
Armenian Church.
A reception followed the Church celebration at Magaros Artinian and Maral
Ishkhanian halls. The MCs were Ms. Talar Yardemian and Mr. Levon Stepanian. A
brief cultural program was presented by the Church choir and Sassoun dance group.
The Diocesan Council chairperson Mr. Jack Stepanian, Parish Council
chairperson Mr. Hratch Shishmanian and Pastor Rev. Archpriest Fr. Zareh Zargarian
greeted the 450 attendees. On this occasion, donations were made to the Holy
Trinity Church by.-
Levon and Perouz Babayan Foundation 20.000 to the Church, 20.000 elevator
project, 8.000 Saturday schools, 2.000 Sunday school of the Church.
Ladies Guild Auxiliary 35.000
Ararat-Gamar Cultural Union 8.000
Seta Pederian Library 2.500
Siroun Hamamdjian Seniors Organization 4.750
Knights and Daughters of Vartan 1.500
A.C.Y.O.C 500.00
Certificates of Merit were given to the members of the Church honoring their
committed service and devotion to the Church. Seta Kandaharian (Woman of the
Year), Mario Gumushdjian (Man of the Year). From the youth Mariana Gharibyan
and Gregory Kalaydjian. Certificates of Appreciation were given to Bedros
Kokorian, Hovig Tanielian, Barouyr Sevazlian and John Hovagimian.
The Holy Trinity Church is the most flourishing Church within the Canadian
Diocese which has 35auxilliray organizations. May God bless our Church, the
Diocese and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Amen.
* * *
REINSTITUTING AN EARLIER TRADITION TO “BREAK BREAD”

On Wednesday, December 8, 2004, His Eminence Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim, Primate
of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church in Canada and Economos Anthony Gabriel
hosted a luncheon at St George Orthodox Church, 555-575 Jean Talon East.
Attending the luncheon were high ranking spiritual leaders of Orthodox,
Maronite, Assyrian, and Catholic Churches. On behalf of the Diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of Canada Very Reverend Fr. Ararat Kaltakjian and Deacon
Hagop Arslanian were present to convey the greetings of the Primate, His
Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galstanian.

Economos Anthony Gabriel welcomed the attendees and thanked them for taking
time to “share the bread as well as common concerns”.
The invocation was presented by His Eminence Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim, Primate
of the Greek Melkite Catholic Church in Canada. During the luncheon, Very
Reverend Fr Ararat Kaltakjian conveyed the greetings of His Eminence Bishop
Bagrat Galstanian, who was out of the city and sang the hymn “Ourakh Ler”. He then
thanked both Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim and Economos Anthony Gabriel for hosting
the luncheon and praised the initiative of these gatherings, more specifically,
for reinstituting a long standing tradition of “Breaking Bread” of the Middle
Eastern Church Leaders-Representatives, affirming the common spiritual and
cultural heritage.
* * *

VISIT TO ST. SAHAG AND ST. MESROB SATURDAY SCHOOL

His Eminence, Primate, Bishop Bagrat Galstanian with an entourage of Diocesan
Council Members and Arch. Rev. Father Zareh Zargarian, Pastor of the Holy
Trinity Armenian Church visited the Holy Trinity Armenian Church St. Sahag and
St. Mesrob Saturday Scholl on Saturday December 4, 2004 at noon recess and was
met by the Board of Trustees, Principal, Staff and students who were gathered
to greet His Eminence on his first official visit of the current scholastic
year.

On behalf of the school the Principal, Mrs. Lucy Hopyan, greeted the
dignitaries and Hovsep Kazandjian, a grade 6 student, said welcoming words on behalf
of the students. A short program was presented after which His Eminence took
the podium, greeted the children with enthusiastic words and wished them all
well. He promised to come back in the future and with prayers and blessings
dismissed the students.

The Board of Trustees for a brief coffee break greeted the Primate and
entourage in the library.

* * *

DONATION TO THE ARMENIAN CHURCH CANADIAN DIOCESE

It is with immense joy and gratitude we announce to our faithful that the
Levon and Perouz Babayan Foundation has donated the sum of 43.000 dollars to the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada.

The 25.000 to the general fund of the Diocese, 10.000 to the Primate’s Annual
Appeal and the other 8.000 to the Gevorkian Theological Seminary in the
blessed memory of the late Catholicos His Holiness Karekin I. The donation is
intended to promote the spiritual mission of the Diocese and to foster the
realization of many projects.

For the past twenty years, under the auspices of the Mother See of Holy
Etchmiadzin, the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada has been serving the
faithful of the Armenian Church by advancing spiritual, cultural and educational
enrichment.

On behalf of the Primate of the Diocese, the Diocesan Council, the Clergy and
the faithful, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Haig Selian, President
as well as to each and every one in the Babayan Foundation governing board.
We pray that Almighty God protect and grant them good health and long life.
* * *
VISIT TO MANOIR CARTIERVILLE
Through the coordination efforts of Father Vazgen Boyajyan, students from
Ecole Alex Manooguiabn visited a group approximately 30 Armenian senior citizens
residing at Manoir Cartierville on Grenet Street on Monday, December 6th.
The students sand festive songs in Armenian, French and English to the
enthusiastic response of all. Various students also read poems that were much
appreciated. The students were accompanied by Mrs. Vartouhie Balian, Mrs. Vartouhi
Festekjian, and Mr. Arto Muhendisian who worked with our students to prepare
them for this week’s trip that proved to be emotional not only for our senior
citizens but also for our young students.
Mr. Robert Kechayan, Principal, presented a “poinsettia” plant and a copy of
the school’s current souvenir yearbook to Mrs. “Bolos”. Mr. Kechayan promised
to arrange regular visits to Manoir Cartierville over the course of the new
year.
* * *

DONORS REGISTRATION FOR (ABMDR) PROJECT AT THE DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH

On Sunday December 5, 2004 donors registration for the ABMDR project took
place under the auspices of the Armenian Church Canadian Diocese at St. Gregory
the Illuminator Cathedral’s Marie Manoogian Hall, 615 Stuart Avenue. Around 30
members of the Church participated in this drive. Next year, Donors registry
will take place in Toronto, February 12-13, 2005 on the Feast of Dyarentaratch
(presentation of our Lord to the temple) which is the blessing day of Newlywed
couples that symbolizes the continuation of life.

Founded by Dr. Frieda Jordan and Dr. Sevak Avagyan in 1999, the ABMDR is a
member of the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) and the World Marrow Donor
Worldwide (WMDW), and although it shares its database information with other
registries around the world, it still needs as many donors as it can recruit.
The first donor and honorary chairperson of the ABMDR is the First Lady of the
Republic of Armenia, Dr. Bella Kocharian.

The mission of the ABMDR is “to recruit and provide matched unrelated donors
for Bone Marrow Transplantation in the Republic of Armenia and to the Armenian
communities of the Diaspora and worldwide. To create and maintain the
registry and data bank of information about Armenian donors. To coordinate and
process patient search request rapidly and provide bone marrow matching services for
potential bone marrow transplant recipients”. For more information visit

* * *

DIOCESAN COUNCIL MEETING IN TORONTO

On Saturday Dec. 4, 2004, the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of The Armenian
Church of Canada, held its regularly scheduled meeting in Toronto at the Holy
Trinity Armenian Church. The meeting was presided by His Eminence Bishop
Bagrat Galstanian and Chaired by Mr. Jack Stepanian. In addition to the
operational and administrative matters, the Diocesan Council reviewed a number of new
proposals and studies pertaining various parishes as well as the youth. Given
the future vision of the Diocese, the level of supporting resources as well as
the generosity of our faithful, the Diocesan Council registered its favorable
endorsement of a number of new initiatives that will be announced in due course

RIA Novosti, Russia
Dec 11 2004

RUSSIAN GAS SUPPLIES TO ARMENIA TO BE INCREASED TO 1.350 BILLION
CUBIC METERS BY END OF 2004

YEREVAN, December 11 (RIA Novosti’s Gamlet Matevosyan) – By the end
of 2004 the Armenian-Russian company ArmRosgazprom is to increase gas
supplies to Armenia from 1.300 to 1.350 billion cubic meters,
ArmRogazprom CEO and director general Karen Karapetyan told
journalists.

According to him, next year the company is to increase gas supplies
to Armenia to 1.6-1.7 billion cubic meters taking into account the
rates of gasification and consumption volumes in the country.

The capacity of the Abovyan gasholder will be expanded from current
85 million cubic meters to 220-250 million cubic meters, said Mr.
Karapetyan. This will cost $27 million, he added. To finance the
program the company is negotiating with several banks, including
foreign ones, on granting credit.

“The implementation of this program will guarantee our security in an
emergency. I am convinced that the problem of Armenia’s energy
security will be solved soon, given the forthcoming opening of the
alternative Iran-Armenia gas pipeline,” Karen Karapetyan noted.

The Armenian-Russian company ArmRosgazprom is the single supplier of
natural gas to Armenia.

Armenian veterans’ union ready to defend Karabakh

Arminfo
11 Dec 04

YEREVAN

The peaceful settlement of the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict is the job
of diplomats, but if it is necessary to defend Nagornyy Karabakh with
weapons in our hands, the Yerkrapa Union of Volunteers will do so
without any hesitation, Lt-Gen Manvel Grigoryan, chairman of Yerkrapa
and Armenian deputy defence minister, said in his address to the 6th
congress of the union in Yerevan.

Grigoryan said that they never leave any task unfinished. He also said
that social-economic problems should not cause a split in the
union. “The Yerkrapa Union of Volunteers must not split to please its
internal and external enemies,” Grigoryan said.

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan congratulated the participants in
the congress. In his congratulatory letter which was read out by the
Armenian deputy defence minister and the chief of the general staff of
the armed forces, Mikael Arutyunyan, the president wished them
effective work and “the green light”. The defence minister of the
Nagornyy Karabakh republic, Lt-Gen Seyran Oganyan, a representative of
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun, Levon
Lazarian, a representative of the Orinats Yerkir [Law-Governed
Country] Party, Mger Shakhgeldyan, the leader of the Union of
Constitutional Law, Grant Khachatryan, and representatives of other
political parties also sent their congratulations to the participants
in the congress.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian premier rules out Karabakh concessions to Azerbaijan

Arminfo
11 Dec 04

YEREVAN

Nagornyy Karabakh will never be part of Azerbaijan, Armenian Prime
Minister Andranik Markaryan has told a congress of the Yerkrapa Union
of Volunteers in Yerevan.

He went on to say that Armenia’s territory can never be a subject of
bargaining during discussions about options for settling the conflict
and that Nagornyy Karabakh should have status that would ensure the
security of the people and borders of both Nagornyy Karabakh and
Armenia. “Therefore, proposals that run counter to these principles
will be accepted neither by the Yerkrapa Union nor by the Republican
Party or political forces which do not want peace at all costs just to
resolve the problem,” Markaryan said.

Armenia looking for alternative sources of energy to close nuclear plant

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
10 Dec 04

[Presenter] The European Union is helping Armenia create the necessary
conditions for the closure of the Metsamor nuclear power
plant. Armenia has to provide itself with alternative sources of
energy before the closure of the power plant. However, it is not easy
to preserve security in this sphere as there are no gas reservoirs in
the country.

The programme on upgrading the Abovyan gas reservoirs is estimated at
27m dollars. It is planned to allocate these funds as a credit within
the framework of the European Union’s TACIS programme.

[Correspondent] The programme on creating a system of safe natural gas
supplies within the planned closure of the Metsamor nuclear power
plant envisages first of all the replacement of obsolete equipment at
the Abovyan underground gas reservoirs. A total of 50 new pieces of
equipment have already been installed at three underground gas
reservoirs.

[Passage omitted: minor details]

[Ashot Hovsepyan, deputy executive director of the AyRusgasard gas
company] The aim is to increase the number of such stations and
provide all of Armenia with such stations within one or two years. The
Iran-Armenia gas pipeline will also be involved in the system.

[Correspondent] Successful first steps have been taken to establish a
safe system of natural gas supplies. The final aim in spending
millions of euros is to close down the nuclear power plant. However,
the main condition for closing down the power plant is to find
alternative sources of energy.

[Areg Galstyan, Deputy Energy Minister] Natural gas is the most
important source of energy for us, because the country’s heating
system is based on natural gas.

[Karen Karapetyan, executive director of AyRusgasard gas company] We
have to do this work irrespective of the existence of the nuclear
power plant.

[Passage omitted: Repeating the same ideas]