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Phone 212.319.6383 x.118
Fax 212.319.6507
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PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, December 9, 2004

AGBU MANOOGIAN-DEMIRDJIAN SCHOOL STUDENTS EARN HIGH MARKS IN AP
SCHOLAR AWARDS 2004: SELECTED FROM OVER ONE MILLION STUDENTS

New York, NY – Thirty-nine students at AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian
School have earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board
in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level
Advanced Placement Program (AP®) Exams.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program offers students the
opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in
high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or
both for successful performance on the AP Exams.

About 17 percent of the more than one million high school students in
almost 15,000 secondary schools worldwide who took AP Exams performed
at a sufficiently high level to merit the recognition of AP
Scholar. At AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, 39 percent of all
students who took AP Exams in May 2004 have earned AP Scholar Awards.

The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on
student performance on AP exams. At AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian, three
students qualified for the National AP Scholar Award, eleven students
qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award, five students
qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award, and twenty students
qualified for the AP Scholar Award.

Most American colleges and universities award credit, advanced
placement, or both based on successful performance on the AP
Exams. More than 1,400 institutions award a full year’s credit
(sophomore standing) to students presenting a sufficient number of
qualifying grades.

The College Board’s mission is to connect high school students to
college success and opportunity. The College Board is committed to the
principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied
in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns.

Established in 1976, AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian () is
one of AGBU’s largest Armenian schools in the Diaspora and continues
to serve Southern California’s growing Armenian community.

For more information on AGBU and its programs around the world, please
visit,

Speaker accuses Georgian leader of reneging on promise made to ethnic Azeris

Zaman, Baku
9 Dec 04

Excerpt from Aziz Mustafa’s report by Azerbaijani newspaper Zaman on 9
December headlined “Relations with Georgia turn sour”, subheaded “The
reason is that President Saakashvili does not keep his promise to our
compatriots living in this country made in the run-up to the
elections”

Our compatriots submitted their demands to the Georgian government
yesterday [8 December]. They demanded that the person who killed our
compatriot [67-year-old Hilal Idrisova] during the recent events [in
Marneuli District] be arrested within the next 24 hours and that
[Georgian] President Mikheil Saakashvili issues a decree giving land
to our compatriots to be declared on TV. Our compatriots said that
otherwise they will march to Tbilisi.

[Passage omitted: details of the incident]

The Azerbaijani parliament also expressed concern about the recent
developments in Georgia. Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov could not conceal
his concern about the developments at the last parliamentary
session. He said that Saakashvili reneged on a promise made in the
run-up to the elections to provide the Azerbaijanis with plots of
lands. However, he has taken appropriate measures to provide Armenians
with land.

Alasgarov said that Saakashvili discriminated against our compatriots
in favou r of the Armenians.

This is a very serious accusation. Alasgarov’s accusations did not end
there. He also recalled that the Azerbaijanis living in this country
had not been involved in the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
oil pipeline and described this as inadmissible. The speaker stressed
that the Georgian budget depends on the income to be gained from the
oil pipeline. Having stressed this, he gave a specific warning to the
neighbouring country. He promised to phone the Georgian parliament’s
leadership to discuss the issue.

Commenting on the issue, the Georgian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Zurab
Gumberidze, said the developments were being investigated
officially. However, judging by the course of events it will not be
easy at all to avoid some misunderstanding between the two countries.

[In an interview with Xalq Cabhasi newspaper, the deputy chairman of
United People’s Front of Azerbaijan Party, Elcin Mirzabayli, called on
the Azerbaijani government to appeal to international bodies and the
UN over the issue]

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – December 9, 2004

CATHOLICOS ARAM ISSUES STATEMENT ABOUT
BOMBING OF CHRISTIAN SITES IN IRAQ
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, issued a
statement about the bombings in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul that took
place on Tuesday, December 7. The attacks were against an Armenian Catholic
church and the residence of the Chaldean Bishop.
His Holiness said that it is impossible to understand fully and
accurately the history of the Middle East, with its upheavals and challenges
and achievements, without the Christian-Moslem coexistence which remains a
vital dimension of the history of the region.. For centuries Christians and
Moslems have talked to each other and have lived together, worked together,
dreamed and struggled together and have sustained their life by common moral
and ethical values.
Referring to the latest bombings, His Holiness said: I cannot understand
nor accept these bombings of churches in Iraq, [and] how such a thing
happens between followers of two religions who have lived together for
centuries as one community and as good neighbors. I cannot understand such
an attitude towards Christians who have been an inseparable part of the
Middle Eastern society and have played a major role in all aspects of
society life.
The Catholicos appealed to the leaders of the Christian and Moslem
communities in Iraq to come together and to reaffirm the Christian-Moslem
coexistence.

PRELACY 2005 POCKET DIARY CELEBRATES SEMINARY ANNIVERSARY
The 2005 pocket diary is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the
Zarehian Seminary of the Cilician See located in Bikfaya, Lebanon. Next year
all of the dioceses within the jurisdiction of the Cilician See will mark
this anniversary with gala celebrations.
The Prelacy diary has been published every year since 1974. Watch the
mail for your copy, and use it throughout the year as a reminder of Armenian
holidays and the Seminary which during the past 75 years has produced an
impressive number of clergymen, choir directors, educators, and leaders.

PHILLY CHURCH HAS TRAINING SESSION FOR ALTAR SERVERS
St. Gregory Church in Philadelphia conducted a training session for all
altar servers last Saturday, December 5. Twenty candle bearers and seven fan
bearers attended the two hour hands-on training.
Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, the pastor, welcomed the students and thanked
them for their desire to serve God and the Church on the altar. He reminded
them that God rejoices in all of our service and that the effort of everyone
is equally important in God’s eyes.
The servers not only learned what to do, but why they do it. Questions
were asked and answered. Deacon Vartan pointed out that what is done on the
altar is always to honor and please God, and is done with joy and in a
spirit of teamwork.
Reported by Garabed Sarkessian

WCC COMMISSION ON COMMUNICATIONS MEETS IN ANTELIAS
The World Council of Churches Commission on Communications met on
December 5, at the headquarters of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in
Antelias, Lebanon. The Commission includes experts in the area of
communication and information, who come from different parts of the world.
The Commission is chaired by Ms Manoushag Boyajian, Dean of the Yeghishe
Manougian College and Chairperson of the Ecumenical Committee of the
Catholicosate. Also attending were the director and the staff of the WCC
Communications department.

UNITED BIBLE SOCIETY AND CATHOLICOS MEET IN ANTELIAS
Rev. Dr. Miller Milloy, Director and General Secretary of the United
Bible Societies (UBS) met with His Holiness Aram I on Sunday, December 5, in
Antelias, Lebanon. Discussed were items pertaining to the new projects,
collaborations with the Orthodox churches, and the translation of the Bible
into modern Armenian undertaken by the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia and
the UBS.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT BRINGS JOY TO CHILDREN
With a capacity audience of children and parents, the Christmas Family
Concert brought wide smiles to the faces of children and adults alike, as
Nvair and Taline presented a wonderful array of songs and dances. The stage
was bedecked with a beautiful Christmas tree and huge red poinsettia plants.
Favors, made in Armenia, were presented to the children.
Yes, Gaghant Baba was there, and guess what? He speaks Armenian! Great
fun.

CROSSROADS AND SPAM
A cautionary word to our readers: It has come to our attention that
occasionally Crossroads does not reach the electronic mailboxes of some of
our devoted readers. Please note that Crossroads is transmitted every week
on Thursday afternoon to our entire email list. After investigation we have
found that occasionally (usually AOL accounts) Crossroads may find its way
into your spam folder. (We at Crossroads were mortified to learn of this
abomination). Should this travesty occur to you please come to our rescue
and identify us as not spam. We also remind you that Crossroads is on the
Prelacy web page,

THIS SUNDAY IS THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT;
AND FIRST ANNIVERSARY SERVICES FOR ARCHBISHOP ASHJIAN
This Sunday, December 12, is the third Sunday of Advent. Advent is a
good time to be extra kind to people. There are many people who dread the
holiday season because of personal losses, or because of some other tragedy
that has touched them. Seek them and make their lives a bit brighter.
We remind you that this Sunday, Requiem Services for the late, beloved
Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian will take place in all Prelacy churches. Contact
your area parish for details. On this occasion, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
will be at St. Illuminator Cathedral in New York City where the former
Prelate of Aleppo, Archbishop Souren Kataroyan, will officiate, deliver the
sermon, and preside over the Requiem Service. Madagh will be offered
following the Service.

TOMORROW IS INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
Fifty-six years ago on December 10, 1948, the United Nations General
Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Eleanor
Roosevelt, the wife of the 32nd President, helped draft the document and was
a passionate advocate of its adoption. Following its adoption, the General
Assembly called upon all member countries to publicize the text and to cause
it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools
and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the
political status of countries or territories.
While the struggle for human rights has greatly benefited from the
Declaration, for many people around the world the doctrine of the
Declaration has yet to take on real meaning and purpose in all areas of
human rights, i.e., civil, political, social, and economic.

Now, Therefore, the General Assembly proclaims this Universal Declaration of
Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all
nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society,
keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and
education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by
progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal
and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of member
states themselves and among the peoples of territories under their
jurisdiction.
>From the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Visit our website at

AZERBAIJAN WANTS TO SEE ARMENIA DEFEATED WHEREVER POSSIBLE

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9. ARMINFO. Azerbaijan wants to see Armenia defeated
wherever possible, Armenia’s Defence Minister Serzh Sargsyan says in
an interview to Golos Armenii.

Asked why Azerbaijan is so uncompromising and objectig to Armenia’s
involvement in NATO programs Sargsyan says this is not so
evident. Azerbaijan begins to openly act only when Armenia refrains
from cooperating with NATO or the US or when they change their
attitudes to Armenia. There are many reasons for that: first of all
Azerbaijan has lost its war against Armenia and naturally is trying to
do something to rehabilitate itself in the eyes of its people. That’s
why it makes a serious problem of even an ordinary visit by an
Armenian journalist to Baku.

Asked if Azerbaijan’s threats to resolve the Karabakh problem by force
are serious Sargsyan says that the Armenian army is ready to defend
the independence and the borders of its country. “One can understand
Azerbaijan – what else can it do to calm down its people.” The war
resumption is possible but not in the near future, says Sargsyan.

KARS MAYOR: IF AZERBAIJAN IS SURE THAT IT WILL NOT FACE PRESSURE OF
DEFINITE FORCES IN THE WORLD, IT WILL INVADE ARMENIA AT THE SAME
MOMENT

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9. ARMINFO. If Azerbaijan is sure that it will not
face pressure of definite forces in the world, in particular, the USA
and Russia, it will invade Armenia and level it to the ground at the
same moment, Kars Mayor, the member of the ruling Justice and
Development Party in Turkey, Naif Alibeyoghlu says in his interview
with Zerkalo newspaper.

Taking into account that the military resolution of the conflict is
not on the agenda, we can establish relations through bilateral ties,
trade and cultural interaction in the region. But, if there is a
military situation, I shall be the first to arm and fight on the part
of by Azerbaijani brothers, Alibeyoghlu says. At the same time he says
that they believe in peaceful resolution of Karabakh conflict and Kars
is ready to do everything possible for establishment of peace in the
region. Alibeyoghlu refuted the statements on imposition of embargo on
the relations with Armenia by Turkey. If it takes place, so why the
air space between Yerevan and Istanbul is opened, 40,000 Armenian live
in Turkey, visas are provided to them, trips to Antalia and Trabzon
are organized?” It should be noted that in 1999 Alibeyoghlu signed a
Protocol on twin-towns with Gyumiry Mayor. He is known in the Eastern
regions of Turkey with his pro-Armenian sentiments.

REPRESENTATIVES OF RULING COALITION OF ARMENIA HAVE PRACTICALLY
REACHED CONSENSUS IN ISSUE OF RATION OF PROPORTIONAL AND MAJORITY
SEATS IN PARLIAMENT

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9. ARMINFO. In the issue of the ration of
proportional and majority seats in the parliament members of the
ruling coalition of Armenia have practically reached a consensus. Head
of the faction of the party ARF Dashnaktsutiun Levon Mkrtchian stated
during the briefing at the National Assembly of Armenia.

According to him, the representatives of the ruling coalition have
practically agreed to increase the number of proportional seats to
70%. It should be noted that the parties Orinats Yerkir, United Labor
Party, as well as opposition forces represented by the bloc Justice
and the party National Unity come out for the increase of the number
of the proportional seats in the parliament to 70%.

As regards the position of the Republican party in this issue, head of
the faction of RPA Galoust Sahakian stated that the party is ready to
support any decision concerning which the parliamentary forces will
reach a consensus. According to him, now the parliamentary forces are
discussing two possible ration of proportional and majority seats in
the parliament – 60%-40% and 70%-30%.

OPINIONS OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENTARY FORCES ON DISPATCH OF ARMENIAN
PEACE-MAKERS TO IRAQ DIFFER

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9. ARMINFO. Party Orinats Yerkir attaches special
importance to participation of Armenia in peace-making actions in
Iraq. Vice Chairman of the party, Head of the Parliamentary Commission
for Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs, Mher Shahgeldyan,
made this statement at a briefing at the Armenian Parliament,
Thursday.

He says that Armenia’s participation in the peace-making actions will
contribute to the country’s integration into international
processes. He informs that only volunteers will be included into the
peace-making contingent, who will receive $1,000 monthly salary. In
his turn, Representative of the United Labor Party Grigor Gonjeyan
states that if such super power as the USA asks Armenia to participate
in any joint action, official Yerevan cannot refuse from it, the more
so as these actions are aimed a combatting terrorism.

In his turn, Secretary of the Justice opposition bloc Victor Dallakyan
states that the bloc is against dispatch of the Armenian contingent to
Iraq, as it may endanger the safety of the local Armenian
community. He did not rule out the Justice bloc’s participation in
parliamentary discussions on this issue and voting against its
adoption. Justice bloc’s position is shared by the opposition party
National Unity. Meanwhile, RPA and ARF Dashnaktsutyun representatives
promised to determine their position at relevant parliamentary
discussions. It should be noted that the Constitutional Court of
Armenia recognized the provisions of the Memorandum on Dislocation of
a Multi-National Division, including Armenian peace-makers, in Iraq in
conformity with the country’s Basic Law.

ARMENIAN DM: IN CASE OF SETTLING RELATIONS WITH OUR NEIGHBORS THE
NUMERICAL FORCE OF THE ARMY WILL BE UNDOUBTEDLY REDUCED BY 3-4 TIMES

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9. ARMINFO. The numerical force of the army is very
big for a peace-time and this is a very crippling burden for our
people (let the people and army forgive me), says Armenian Defense
Minister Serzh Sargsyan in Not Line interview with Golos Armenii
newspaper.

“In case of settling relations with our neighbors the numerical force
of the army will be undoubtedly reduced by 3-4 times. That time we
shall have an opportunity of choice and the army will be replenished
only with the educated soldiers and officers. But the existing
numerical force of the army and the level of fighting capacity will be
preserved for a long period of time. This problem may not be settled
tomorrow or during the next conscription. At the same time specific
measures are being taken by us. First, we are trying to settle the
education problems of soldiers and officers in the army by means of
organization of different short-term and long-term training
courses. We also have the military units where there are the so-called
schools where soldiers get secondary education. But the main resource
are those who serve in the army under contract. Professional army is
the shortest way for this problem settlement. But today Armenia cannot
have a professional army as it is connected with very big
expenditure. For this reason we are creating contract subdivisions,
i.e. some elements of the professional army and are trying to keep our
battle capacity. Today we have many such subdivisions especially in
the border regions. There is such a subdivision in Yerevan –
peace-keeping battalion. At present 3500 women serve in tghe army
under contract. Civilians also serve in the army where it is
possible. This allows us on one hand to settle social problems of
population, and on the other hand purely military problems,” the
minister said.

“Simultaneously, we are acting together with the Education Ministry
and Sport Committee for restoration of the patriotic and physical
training system. The main vector of the problem should be directed
towards school. I would like to mention specially our joint work with
the Health Ministry. It is for the first time that we have started
medical examination of the young men of the preinduction age. Since
2004 we have start a work on satisfaction of the health needs of the
family members of the enlisted men,” the minister added.

SERGE SARGSIAN: I DON’T SEE ANY FACTS SPEAKING OF OUR POSSIBLE DEFEAT
IN NEGOTIATING PROCESS ON NAGORNY KARABAKH

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9. ARMINFO. All the statements on supposedly signed
documents are not true. Minister of Defence of Armenia Serge Sargsian
stated in the interview to Yerevan’s newspaper Golos Armenii,
answering the question on that themes about the defeat of the Armenian
side in the negotiating process concerning Nagorny Karabakh and
signing of an agreement with Baku on unfavorable for us conditions
have been made recently with new force.

According to the Defence Minister, there is a little coincidence of
today’s situation with that in 1992. “I do not fully understand the
noise raised today. I am always ready to listen to the just
criticism. But why do they have such malevolence? There is no ground
for this. In 1992 they also cried that Karabakh was sold, lost, but
everybody were assured that was not so. Today I do not see real facts
that are evidence of our possible defeat in the negotiating
process. All the talks about allegedly signed documents do not
correspond reality. I can certainly say: no document will be signed
out of the three principles announced by the president of Armenia,
according to which Karabakh cannot be within Azerbaijan, Karabakh
should have a fully-fledged land link with Armenia (but not a “path”
as many ill-wishers say), and Karabakh should have serious security
guarantees including a guarantee that the war will not be restarted,
Sargsian said

THERE ARE PEOPLE IN ARMENIA WHO AGREE FOR ANY MISFORTUNES AND
DISTRESSES OF THE COUNTRY FOR THEIR COMING TO POWER: SERGE SARGSIAN

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9. ARMINFO. “It seems that there are people in
Armenia who agree for any misfortunes and distress of the country for
their coming to power”. Defence Minister of Armenia Serge Sargsian
stated.

Answering the question of Yerevan’s newspaper Golos Armenii on that
the opposition is spreading rumors on that after the events in the
Ukraine Armenia is the next, the minister said: “The people who do not
accept today’s power of Armenia, dream of somebody who will come from
outside and establish other orders, though we have just 2-3 years
before the elections and a democratic victory is possible for them. In
this context it is painful to see some of our politicians that are
openly offer themselves to the external forces. Have they forgotten
the times of Tibzon? I do not want to transfer all these talks to the
personal level, but sounding assessments of the situation do not
promote raising of our defensive capacity. They do not promote the
Karabakh issue settlement either, as not only we are aware of our
domestic political situation. For instance, our press is read out of
the country as well. All this pours water to another person’s
mill. When in Azerbaijan they read public statements of some of our
politicians, not knowing who is the author (but we know that nobody is
behind them) the Azerbaijani people and army get a wrong impression
about our realities. There is an impression that there are people in
Armenia which agree to any misfortunes and catastrophe of the country
for their coming to power. If some deadly incidents affect fighting
capacity of the army, such kind of shouts cause not less damage to it,
the defence minister of Armenia said.