The civilized world’s cause
Yerkir/arm
January 14, 2005
This poster will be spread in many countries of the world in different
languages because our cause is no more only ours. To maintain its
civilization standards and values, the civilized world keeps the issue
of recognizing the Armenian Genocide on its agenda.
Not only we need this recognition and compensation, the world needs
this recognition too to become more humane, and the perpetrator needs
such recognition to become more civilized.

US envoy hails Armenian peacekeeping mission to Iraq
Mediamax news agency
18 Jan 05
YEREVAN
“US-Armenian relations are at a very good level and are getting better
day by day,” the US ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, said in Yerevan
today.
The US diplomat said this in his address to today’s ceremony of
dispatching an Armenian peacekeeping contingent to Kuwait from where
the Armenian military experts will go to Iraq in two weeks’ time.
“US-Armenian cooperation in the security field is developing very
positively,” John Evans noted. The ambassador said that the
participation of Armenian servicemen in the operation to stabilize the
situation in Iraq would help strengthen US-Armenian ties in the
security field.

Armenian peacekeepers leave for Iraq
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
18 Jan 05
[Presenter] A 46-strong group of specialists of the Armenian armed
forces today left for Iraq on a six-month humanitarian and
peacekeeping mission.
As it was planned, a commander, a representative under the Polish
command [as heard], a platoon commander, 30 drivers, 10 sappers and
three doctors – a therapist, a cardiologist and a psychiatrist left
for Iraq.
The Armenian peacekeepers will serve in Iraq as part of a
multinational division under the US and Polish commands. The Armenian
side will pay them a monthly salary worth 1,000 dollars.
The Armenian peacekeepers will stay in Kuwait for two weeks and then
leave for Iraq’s town of Karbala.
Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan and US ambassador to Armenia
John Evans attended a solemn ceremony of dispatching the peacekeepers.
[Sarkisyan, captioned, shown addressing the ceremony] The Republic of
Armenia is taking part in a humanitarian mission in Iraq. The
international community has repeatedly rendered assistance to Armenia,
and today is Armenia’s turn to take part in the international
peacekeeping mission.
This is not only a routine mission, but a mission of high
responsibility helping Armenia’s integration into the international
community. We cannot be outside the international efforts for
establishing peace and stability in our region and mostly in Iraq.
[Video showed the ceremony at airport]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

[15-01-2005 ‘Karabagh Conflict’]
————————————————- ———————
`MEETINGS OF ARMENIAN AND AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTERS REVIVED THE
MINSK PROCESS’
Source : `Azg’ newspaper (Armenia)
Author: Tatul Hakobian
`The meetings of the foreign Minister of Armenia and Azerbaijan under
the `Prague format’ have revived the Minsk Process. The fact-finding
mission that is to study the situation at the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan, must be considered as a positive step to put a basis for
further progress’, the OSCE Acting Chairman, Sloveninan Foreign
Minister Dmitri Rupel announced.
As `Mediamax’ agency reports, having spoken at the session of the
OSCE, the Slovenian diplomat, having spoken at the session of OSCE
Permanent Council in Vienna noted that this year OSCE `should double
its effort aimed at the resolution of Mountainous Karabagh conflict’.
At the evening press-conference of January 12 the Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Araz Azimov announced that the OSCE
fact-finding mission will arrive in Baku on January 28. The mission
will also include the co-chairmen of the Minsk Group. Before that, as
Azimov noted, on January 21 in Vienna the meeting of MG co-chairmen
and representatives of Finland, Italy, Sweden and Germany, taking part
in the OSCE mission, will take place.
According to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, the
mission will visit Kelbajar, Lachin, Kubatli, Zangelan and Jebrail
regions. At the same time the delegation does not envisage visiting
the Fizuli and Agdam regions, because `no facts of populating these
areas have been reported’.
Recently the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Valeriy
Loshinin in the annual report on cooperation between Moscow and the
CIS countries, noted that Baku promised not to put to UN’s agenda its
draft resolution, in exchange for which Yerevan promised to provide
assistance to the OSCE monitoring on the occupied territories.
Azimov noted that while the negotiations between Armenia and
Azerbaijan are progressing with great difficulties, `there are certain
common edges in the stances taken by the parties, however, there are
also serious controversies’. On the other hand, Azimov added, `lately
serious interest of Armenia in the activation of negotiations process
is notable’.
On the eve of the meeting Foreign Ministers Oskanian and Mamedyarov in
Prague the Russian co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group Yuri Merzlyakov
said that Armenia has agreed to certain concessions, and `it is
Azerbaijan’s turn’.
At the press-conference in Baku Azimov presented the readiness of
Azerbaijan to restore the communication with Armenia on the condition
that Armenians withdraw `from occupied territories’. According to
Azimov, within the Prague process the issue of withdrawing Armenian
forces from about 7 Azerbaijani regions of Mountainous Karabagh were
discussed.
In this regard the press-secretary of the RA Ministry of Foreign
Affairs hamlet Gasparian announced yesterday in his interview to
`Arminfo’ news agency: `We do not think it proper to speak about the
details and past resolution stages. This has been enough spoken
about. We would not like to enter into long-distance disputes with
anyone on this stage, since we think it useless’.
Azimov denied the reports about the agreement on conductance of a
referendum in Karabagh to transfer MK to Armenian authority. In the
course of his last press-conference Vardan Oskanian, answering the
question of `Azg’ newspaper on the referendum said: `Allow me to
refrain from answering this question. All the questions, related to
Karabagh are currently on the negotiations table. How they will
correlate and coordinate and in what sequence they will be applied
remain to be seen. The process will be rather complex, but there are
certain possibilities’.
Previously Oskanian recommended the journalists not to pay attention
to the articles published in the French `Figaro’ newspaper, where `the
general trends existing today in the issue of Mountainous Karabagh are
expressed’. The head of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Pierre
Lelouche and the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain Ana
Palacio wrote in `Figàro’ that `Armenia must temporarily administer
Mountainous Karabagh, the further status of which will be determined
by a referendum five or ten years ago’.
[12-01-2005 ‘Region’]
———————————————————————-
PUTIN’S STATEMENT ON ARMENIA
Source : `Vatan’ newspaper (Turkey)
Author:
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced about Russia’s willingness
to be a mediator and guarantor in settling the relations between
Armenia and Turkey, now in crisis as a result of Karabagh conflict.
According to Putin, Russia will do its utmost to settle the conflict
and noted that Armenia is also searching for solutions at present.
Prime-Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on a visit to Moscow with a
delegation of 600 entrepreneurs, met Putin on a forum at a President
Hotel. In the course of the meeting, Premier Erdogan stated, `We have
come a long way. Our joint steps will help us become more open to the
World’. He also stressed that certain tension may arise in the
relations between the two countries, however it should be
overcome. Russian President Putin stated that for developing the
relations both countries should be sincere in their aspiration for
rapprochement. He also outlined a range of issues discussed at the
meeting, particularly the issues on restoration and restructuring in
Iraq. Putin noted that Turkish infrastructure will be used to this
purpose. President declared that events in Iraq cause serious
concern. He also reminded that 30 January will witness the first
elections in Iraq after settling the state of emergency, and
emphasized that Russia will do its utmost for restoring
Iraq. According to President of Russia, the main issue of the
negotiations was economic relations: gas transportation network,
construction of a gas-holder in Turkey, transportation of Russian gas
to third countries, construction of gas stations in Turkey. Putin
informed about Russia’s willingness to participate in the system of
gas and power supply of Turkey. Russian President also stressed that
Russia aspires to transportation of oil and gas not only through
pipelines but also using land and sea routes. In this respect, it is
essential to activate cooperation with the Black Sea countries.
President Putin also stressed the necessity for developing cooperation
in the sphere of tourism. According to President of Russian
Federation, misbalanced relations in the construction sector result in
the volume of Turkish investments in Russia amounting to 1.5 milliard
dollars, whereas the volume of Russian investments in Turkey reaching
350 million dollars. Putin expressed an opinion that this issue will
be resolved after Russia’s joining World Trade Organization.
Proposal on Mediation in Relations with Armenia
In his speech, Putin also raised the issue of Mountainous Karabagh,
which has become the main cause of the crisis in Turkish-Armenian
relations. In his opinion, Russia is aware of the problem in the
relations between the two countries, stressing that Turkey and Russia
stick to the policy of good neighborly relations. Thus, Russia will
take all efforts for settling the conflicts, persisting after USSR
disintegration. President of Russian Federation stated that Russia is
ready to serve as a mediator and guarantor in solving the problem, `We
are aware of serious historical problems in place between Turkey and
Armenia. We are also aware of the Turkish position towards Armenia.
However, Armenia is searching for the ways of settling the conflict
and improving the relations with Turkey, which will be supported by
Russia as far as possible’.
Prime-Minister Erdogan expressed solidarity with Russia in this issue
and noted that Turkish policy on Armenia should lead not to an impasse
but a way out. Erdogan condemned Armenia’s position on the issue of
recognizing the Kars Treaty and stated that Turkey has opened air
communication with Armenia, however the negative stance of the latter
leads to the closed land border. Erdogan expressed his concern over
the fact that despite Turkey’s efforts aimed at normalizing relations,
Armenia sticks to anti-Turkish positions. He stated, `We aspire to
settling any disputes with Armenia. We strive for multilateral
development of the relations. Armenia is our only resentful neighbor.
We do not wish to have resentful neighbors’.
On his visit to Moscow, Prime-Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was
accompanied by State minister Kursad Tuzmen, Minster of Energy and
Natural Resources Hilmi Guler, Minister of Industry and Trade Ali
Coskun, Minister of Trade and Social Security Murat Basesgioglu, over
50 deputies, representatives of business and press.
[12-01-2005 ‘Karabagh Conflict’]
———————————————————————-
AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA KEEPING TO THEIR POSITIONS
Source : `Echo’ newspaper (Azerbaijan)
Author: R. Orujev
Foreign Ministers of the Two Countries, Elmar Mamedyarov and Vartan
Oskanian Plan to Meet Again
On Tuesday, Prague (Czechia), regular negotiations on Mountainous
Karabagh conflict settlement started with the participation of
Azerbaijani and Armenian Foreign Ministers – Elmar Mamediarov and
Vartan Oskanian, including OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmen.
According to the reports from Czech capital, the negotiations of
Foreign Ministers started at 10.00 by local time. American and Russian
Co-chairmen – Steven Mann and Yuri Merzlakov – participated at the
meeting. Among the participants was Anjey Kasprshik, representative of
OSCE Chairman. The negations lasted for three hours.
After the negotiations, E. Mamediarov declared to the journalists that
despite the problematic character of negotiations they are still
underway. He also noted that by the end of February and early March,
one of European capitals will host another meeting. Mamediarov stated
that the main result of these meetings should be withdrawal of
Armenian troops from Azerbaijani territories and return of Azerbaijani
displaced persons to their original places of residence.AR Foreign
Minister noted that in official Baku fundamental issues, Azerbaijani
side will not make any concessions; no compromise will be made as
regards the issue of the country’s territorial integrity.
In his turn, head of Armenian MFA, V. Oskanian, by the end of
negotiations declared that discussion of these issues of settlement is
in open frames. In his opinion, the sides conduct an `open
discussion’. `At these negotiations, the sides consolidated all the
principles agreed upon during previous negotiations’. Oskanian
declared that Armenia has several basic requirements, stating that
Mountainous Karabagh and Azerbaijan should have `horizontal
relations’. Azerbaijan should agree to return official Yerevan the
control over Lachin corridor, linking Armenia with Azerbaijan.
Besides, the Azerbaijani side should provide security guarantees to
Armenian population of Mountainous Karabagh. “However, the Azerbaijani
side has not yet agreed to any of these conditions’, Oskanian stated.
After that, the tête-à-tête meetings between each
of Minsk Group Co-chairmen and Foreign Ministers took place.Yesterday,
head of Azerbaijani MFA press-service, Metin Mirza made a report on
the previous negotiations. He stated that the separate meetings of
Co-chairmen with each of the Ministers raised the issue of sending to
Mountainous Karabagh and other occupied territories of Azerbaijan a
mission on establishing facts about populating these lands with
Armenian residents.
According to Mirza, the position of Azerbaijan remains the same: the
subject of negotiations cannot be territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
Settlement of Karabagh conflict may only be in the frames of
Azerbaijani territorial integrity, liberation of occupied territories
and return of the refugees to their homes.
Former AR Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tofik Zulfugarov expressed his
view about the current Prague negotiations, `The problem is that it is
the stage-by-stage option of negotiations that is meant, whereas
Armenians want the point on conducting the referendum in Mountainous
Karabagh to become a part of the agreement on liberating part of the
territories just at the first stage. Azerbaijan should agree to
provide the Armenian population of Karabagh with the right for
expressing its free will without any restrictions. Kocharian will not
agree to any other step not determining the status of Mountainous
Karabagh beforehand, because the right for a referendum is de facto
independence of Mountainous Karabagh, and Azerbaijan will not allow
it’.
[12-01-2005 ‘Region’]
———————————————————————-
GEORGIA BECOMING A REGIONAL SUPER PLAYER?
Source : `Resonasi’ newspaper (Georgia)
Author: Manana Mchedlishvili
`Kars-Akhalkalaki’ railway and `Ilchevsk-Poti’ ferry raise
significance of Georgia
Two new `fibers’ – the railway, linking the Turkish city of Kars with
Georgian Akhalkalaki, and the ferry, navigating between the Russian
port of Ilchevsk and Georgia Poti – join the `Great Silk Route’,
passing via Georgia. The significance of the new regional
transportation arteries, likely to play a large role in interstate
relations of Georgia with the great `northern neighbor’ and the
smaller `southern neighbor’ or the `same weight’ neighbors like
Azerbaijan and Armenia, is discussed by prominent Georgian experts:
economists Sandro Tvalchrelidze and Niko Orvelashvilli, political
scientist Ramaz Sakvarelidze.
In accordance with the agreement, already signed by Georgian Minister
of Economic Development, Aleksi Aleksishvili and Russian Minister of
Transportation, Igor Levitin, within a week’s time, between Georgia
and Russia, a ferry will be launched, connecting the Georgian port of
Poti with the Russian port of Ilchevsk. As regards the second project,
possible railway connection between Georgian city of Akhalkalaki and
Turkish Kars, will be thoroughly considered in early August (2-5
August of the current year) in the Turkish capital Ankara among the
representatives of the railway departments of the two countries. The
construction of 120 kilometers’ railway will be considered, of which
30 kilometers are on Georgian territory, and 90 – in Turkey. The total
cost of the project is approximately 400 million dollars. The Turkish
side is willing to cover the main portion of the costs, according
preliminary data. Russia is also very interested in the railway,
connecting Georgia and Turkey, which gives certain reasons for
assuming that Russian participation in laying the rail route is a
probability. The interest of concrete and potential project
participants is accounted for by sheer economic experience – railway
transportation of the freight is the cheapest and able to reduce the
cost of export-import operations.
For Georgia, claiming for the role of a leading transit state in the
region, implementation of the projects raises great hopes for
increasing both its activity in this plane and improving economic
situation as a whole. Particularly, expert in economic issues, Sandro
Tvalchrelidze thinks that `Kars-Akhalkalaki’ railway, alongside
strategic advantages, will concretely improve the infrastructure of
the whole Georgian railway. “It will increase the social level of the
regional population, open new job places. `Kars-Akhalkalaki’ rail
route is an integral part of the global project for restoring `Great
Silk Route’ and it may have a huge role in the functioning of
`Europe-Asia’ corridor. Taken the visible potential impact, Georgian
government’s use of the latter is very important. With an accurate
approach, Georgia may not only become a leading country in the region,
but also start playing a significant role on international level.
Neither Turkey, nor Russia will attempt to help us in this
sphere. Future serious role of Georgia largely hinges on our own
forces,’ Sandro Tvalchrelidze stated to `Resonansi’ newspaper.
Another expert in economy sphere, Niko Oravelashvili, in general
agreement with the previous respondent, keeps to the view that Turkey,
having more developed political culture than Russia, is a more
constructive ally for Turkey, as regards increasing the geopolitical
role. `Turkey, a NATO member, aspires to EU membership. In this
respect, we have similar objectives, so we can assume that coincidence
of Turkish and Georgian political vectors may engender a real
strategic alliance to be partially implemented in the construction and
operation of `Kars-Akhalkalaki’ railway. In addition, it should
certainly be kept in mind that Turkey will not undertake anything
instead of us’, he stated to `Resonansi’ newspaper.
Political scientist Ramaz Sakvarelidze holds that construction of
`Kars-Akhalkalaki’ railway will increase Turkish influence in
Georgia. Although, he thinks that it will not be that significant.
`First and foremost, I mean economic influence’. It started quite a
while ago, when the Georgian market came to be filled with Turkish
produce. I want to emphasize that Turkey did not make an optimal use
of this circumstance, since our market mostly gets low quality
commodities, and as a result, Turkish goods do not enjoy such a good
reputation on the Georgian market. For Georgia, optimal use means
functioning of Russian `horizontal’ route – Poti-Ilchevsk ferry and
`vertical’ Turkish route – `Kars-Akhalkalaki’ railway. In this case,
there will be a real economic crossroad, able to become a serious
`export-import-transit’ knot, not only on regional level, given the
right approach’, he stated to `Resonansi’ newspaper. Besides, he
emphasized that a similar model may work fully given equal
participation of neighboring Azerbaijan and Armenia. “The sooner the
work on creating or restoring full-fledged economic cooperation
between Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia starts, the better it is for
all’, expert on economic issues Sandro Tvalchrelidze agrees with
Sakvarelidze.
Ramaz Sakvarelidze also thinks that both projects – ferry and railway
ones – are intertwined. His opinion is based on the fact that Russia
has certain difficulties in exporting its oil products to European
markets. Therefore, as Sakvarelidze holds, it may use the opened sea
route to the Georgian port of Poti for subsequent, still hypothetical
connection of Novorossiysk oil terminals with `Baku-Ceyhan’ oil
pipeline route. No less profitable is `Poti-Ilchevsk’ ferry
communication for Turkey, long searching for cheapest ways of
supplying its produce to Russia, whose markets have long been most
tasty morsels for Ankara.
In addition, all three respondents stress that maximum effect from
implementation of the two transportation projects may be reaped by its
main participants in particular and the region as a whole only in case
of pure economic cooperation – free of political implications. Ramaz
Sakvarelidze thus emphasizes that, `Taken the current global
realities, one cannot dictate exclusively his own conditions,
interests. Using similar methods creates problems even for United
States of America. It should be considered that `tricks’ of `cold war’
epoch are a relic of the past’. Note from the Editor: Starting from
this issue, MediaDialogue will feature a piece from Georgian
press. Also, mailing of the Newsletter in Armenian language is
available – to subscribe for it please send a message to the Editor at
[email protected]
—
Yerevan Press Club of Armenia presents `MediaDialogue Web Site as a
Regional Information Hub’ project. As a part of the project
web site is maintained, featuring the most
interesting publications from the press of Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Turkey on issues of mutual concern. The latest updates on
the site are weekly delivered to the subscribers.

Armenian opposition party leader tenders resignation
Noyan Tapan news agency
18 Jan 05
YEREVAN
The chairman of the political council of the Republic [Anrapetutyun]
Party, Albert Bazeyan, indeed tendered his resignation on 14
January. However, there is no talk about political or ideological
disagreements, a member of the political council and press secretary
of the party, Suren Surenyants, has said commenting on some media
reports that Bazeyan and a member of the political council and former
defence minister, Vagarshak Arutyunyan, have tendered their
resignation over political and ideological disagreements with the
former Armenian prime minister [and a member of the party’s political
council], Aram Sarkisyan.
“A sitting will be convened soon and we will discuss Bazeyan’s
resignation. The political council is not inclined to accept his
resignation,” Surenyants said. As for Vagarshak Arutyunyan, the press
secretary said that he was not in the town at the moment.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian public body “outraged” by US official statement on Karabakh
Arminfo
18 Jan 05
YEREVAN
It stands to reason that the recent statement by US Assistant State
Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Elizabeth Jones, which
contained provocative assessments of the Karabakh problem, cannot but
cause outrage, said a statement of the Artsakh [Karabakh] Patriotic
Union public organization made public at today’s news conference by
its leader and member of the [Armenian] National Assembly, Gamlet
Arutyunyan.
One can see that by making this statement, Elizabeth Jones has decided
to bring to nought many years of efforts made by experienced
co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group from the USA, Russia and France,
which has more than once said that the Karabakh problem is unique and
different from any other conflict in the post-Soviet area, the
statement said. The authors of the statement stressed that it was
wrong to draw parallels between the Karabakh problem and other
conflicts in the post-Soviet area, let alone to say that separatist
regimes ruled there.
“Nagornyy Karabakh is an established state with the same level of
democratization as in other former Soviet countries,” the statement
said. The authors of the statement noted that Nagornyy Karabakh gained
its independence as a result of a liberation war against “colonisers”
just like the USA. Statements of this kind are provocative, the
statement said. The authors intend to turn to the US embassy in
Armenia to get explanations.
To recap, speaking about the forthcoming meeting between the
presidents of the USA and Russia, Elizabeth Jones said that [US
President] George Bush was concerned that Russia did not exert
appropriate pressure to resolve the Dniester, South Ossetia, Abkhaz
and Nagornyy Karabakh conflicts. She said, in particular: “It is in
Russia’s interests that Dniester, South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Nagornyy
Karabakh are stable and incorrupt and that the criminal separatist
regimes ruling there are brought down.”

Slovenia understands endeavours of Caucasus states to join EU – minister
Radio Slovenia, Ljubljana
18 Jan 05
[Presenter] A session of the 3rd plenary assembly of the South
Caucasus Parliamentary Initiative began in the National Assembly
today. The topics are dialogue, relations and exchange of opinions
between the parliaments of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The first
session was held in Scotland and the second in Bulgaria. This time,
the Initiative’s session is held in Slovenia which is also presiding
over the OSCE. [Passage omitted]
[Chairman Tigran Torosian, speaking in Russian with superimposed
Slovene translation] All three countries know how important the EU is
for our region. The fact that we are in Slovenia today is of a special
importance and we see it as a long-term assurance that our wishes to
enter European integration processes will come true.
[Reporter Andrej Stopar] This was said by the Initiative’s chair,
Tigran Torosian from Armenia.
Slovenia’s transition period was relatively short. As a member of the
EU and NATO, it is a good example for the southern Caucasus. Its
presidency over OSCE is another reason for strengthening
relations. Speaker France Cukjati:
[Cukjati] OSCE could be a source of information on best ways of
ensuring development and stability in the region. [Passage omitted]
[Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel] Slovenia
understands wishes and endeavours of the Caucasus countries on their
path towards Europe. [Passage omitted]

Russian defence minister upbeat on army-media relations
ITAR-TASS news agency
18 Jan 05

Moscow, 19 January: Thanks to joint efforts of the army and
journalists “a new model of relations in the sphere of information,
built on the principles of utmost openness, mutual interest and
constructive partnership, is currently being formed”. Russian Defence
Minister Sergey Ivanov said this at a reception for military observers
in the Russian media, held on the occasion of the Russian Press Day.
According to him, this is demonstrated by the fact, that “in the past
year over 11,000 journalists have been accredited to work within the
forces”. Over 900 journalists from central media outlets had worked at
Defence Ministry facilities in the zones of conflict and peacekeeping
operations. Over 600 of those – in Chechnya, Abkhazia and south
Ossetia, over 160 in Tajikistan, over 100 in Armenia and 16 in Sierra
Leone.
Apart from that, Ivanov said, “opportunities for direct access to
members of administration, heads of services and directorates of the
Defence Ministry on a broad range of issues are successfully being
offered under the Press Club arrangements, during assignments to visit
the troops and on foreign trips, as well as at briefings and press
conferences”. Altogether over 15,000 articles on various aspects of
military organization and day-to-day life of the army and navy have
been published in the central press in 2004.
In Ivanov’s estimate, the Defence Ministry is doing its best for the
successful development of its relations with the media. In particular,
the Defence Ministry has created “new structures, aimed at closer
interaction with the media and the public”.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
January 18, 2005
___________________
HELPING ARMENIA ON ECCUMENICAL AGENDA
On Tuesday, January 11, 2005, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), met Rev. Victor
Makari, ecumenical officer for the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. for the
Middle East and Europe.
The meeting was a follow-up to an audience Rev. Makari had in September
with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. With the Primate he
discussed recent efforts by the National Council of Churches (NCC) and
ways the two churches can strengthen their relationship.
“The Presbyterian Church has worldwide programs and so it wants to stay
in touch with the Armenian Church and maintain its good relations with
Armenian Churches worldwide,” said Michael Haratunian, who also attended
the meeting as the chair of the Jinishian Memorial Program. “But since
the Presbyteiran church is a U.S. church, it is also important that they
have good relations with the Armenian Church in America.”
Joining the Primate, Rev. Makari, and Haratunian was David Nelson,
executive director of the Jinishian Memorial Program (JMP). As part of
the Presbyterian Church’s Worldwide Ministry Division, the JMP was
founded by Vartan H. Jinishian and works to help Armenians around the
globe transition from living in poverty to being self-sustaining.
With an annual $2 million budget, the JMP has programs in areas such as
the Republic of Armenia, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and Jerusalem.
“We talked about how we can better serve the Armenian people overseas
and looked at our future plans,” Haratunian said of the courtesy visit
made to the Primate.
After meeting with the Primate, the JMP leaders also met with leaders of
the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), the Diocesan-affiliated humanitarian
aid organization.
“Both the Jinishian Program and FAR have programs in Armenia, and we
talked about possible partnerships in Armenia,” Haratunian said. “In
several areas we saw some compatibly, where we might be able to join
forces and leverage each other’s funding. The concept is a good one,
because by doing things together we might be able to do larger and more
elaborate projects.”
— 1/18/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), meets with Rev. Victor
Makari, Presbyterian Church U.S.A. ecumenical officer for the Middle
East and Europe; David Nelson, executive director of the Jinishian
Memorial Program; and Michael Haratunian, the Jinishian Memorial Program
chair.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
January 18, 2005
___________________
PRIMATE BLESSES NEW CROSS FOR WATERTOWN PARISH
To mark its name day this past month, the parishioners at the St. James
Church of Watertown, MA, gave the church a gift: a new cross to sit atop
the edifice.
In a sanctuary filled to capacity, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), consecrated
a new exterior Armenian cross following his celebration of the Divine
Liturgy on December 19, 2004.
Brothers Peter Babigian, Thomas Babigian, and K. Vasken Babigian, who
donated the new cross — joined by their wives Gloria, Linda, and
Christina — served as the godfathers of the cross during the
traditional Armenian service of blessing. Fr. Arakel Aljalian, the
parish pastor, first cleansed the cross by wiping it with water and then
wine, before the Primate consecrated it with holy oil (muron). The day
was an exciting, historical, and emotional one for the parishioners of
the church.
Following the Divine Liturgy and the blessing of the new cross,
parishioners and friends celebrated the parish’s 73rd anniversary during
St. James Church’s annual Name Day Banquet, organized by Jacob and
Audrey Pilibosian.
The highlight of the banquet was bestowing the title “2004 St. James
Parishioner of the Year” on Harry G. Adamian. Wendy Adamian Avedisian,
Denise Adamian Oldham, and the former pastor of St. James, Fr. Dajad
Davidian, reflected on Harry’s life of service to his parish. Dr.
Gregory Adamian offered moving remarks about his brother and his
commitment to his family, his Armenian heritage, and the Armenian
Church. All present gave Harry applause in appreciation for his
dedication and, likewise, showed their appreciation with his wife Diana
for her continued love, support and encouragement.
Harry expressed deep gratitude for the honor bestowed on him and shared
memories of his years at St. James and what the church has meant to him
and his family.
“You are a role model for all generations to follow. You are a true
example of Christian stewardship, and of what it means to serve God,”
Fr. Aljalian said to the honoree.
— 1/18/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), celebrates the Divine
Liturgy at the St. James Church of Watertown, MA, on December 19, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Fr. Arakel Aljalian, pastor at the St. James Church,
washes the newly donated cross for the parish’s roof during a
consecration ceremony.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Barsamian consecrates a new exterior
cross with Muron during the Name Day celebration at the St. James Church
in Watertown, MA.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): The Babigians — Peter, Thomas, and K. Vasken — who
donated the new cross to the St. James Church of Watertown, MA, served
as godparents during the cross’ consecration on December 19, 2004.