AzerTag, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2005
PREMIER OF AZERBAIJAN RECEIVES SENIOR VICE-FOREIGN MINISTER OF JAPAN
[January 14, 2005, 20:18:57]
Azerbaijan is interested in creation by Japan in the production
capacities with full or joint capital of Japan, Prime Minister of
Azerbaijan Artur Rasizade stated at the meeting with the Japanese
delegation headed by the senior vice-foreign minister of this country
Mr. Ichiro Aisava.
Head of the Azerbaijan Government welcoming the guests, have high
assessment to the Azerbaijani-Japanese relations, dynamically
developing in all fields. Current visit of such authoritative
delegation of Japan will be another element in development of
bilateral links. Mr. Rasizade expressed gratitude to the Japanese
government for all-round financial assistance rendered to Azerbaijan.
Dwelling on the socio-political stability established thanks to the
farsighted policy of the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar
Aliyev in the country, the Premier of Azerbaijan spoke of the
accomplishments in the economic sphere, growing foreign investment
flow, the measures undertaken by the leadership of Country in the
social policy.
Mr. Artur Rasizade updated the Japanese delegation on the painful
problem of Azerbaijan – Armenian-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh
conflict that led to occupation of the Azerbaijan lands by Armenia,
and presence of over one million of refugees and IDPs in Azerbaijan,
on the efforts the Azerbaijan state makes for peaceful settlement of
the conflict.
Head of the Japanese delegation, senior vice-foreign minister Ichiro
Aisava stressed necessity of deepening of bilateral cooperation in
all fields, including in the non-oil sector, and assured the Premier
of Azerbaijan that his country would further render assistance to
Azerbaijan.
Ambassador of Japan in Baku Tadahiro Abe took part at the meeting.

ARMENIAN INSURANCE SETTLEMENT FUND BOARD
Post Office Box 5053
Portland, OR 97208-5053
U.S.A.
PRESS RELEASE
January 14, 2005
Contact: Board Member Paul Krekorian
[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected])
818-848-7750
ARMENIAN INSURANCE SETTLEMENT FUND BOARD
DELIVERS FIRST $3 MILLION TO ARMENIAN CHARITIES
The Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Board released the sum of $3
million last week for distribution to nine Armenian charitable
organizations. The funds were the first distributions from the
proceeds of the settlement in Marootian v. New York Life Insurance Co.
The Marootian case was a class action suit filed in United States
District Court by the heirs of Armenians who had purchased life
insurance from New York Life in the Ottoman Empire prior to 1915. The
heirs contend that upon the deaths of the policyholders, many of whom
were murdered by Turks during the Armenian Genocide, New York Life did
not pay the benefits on these policies.
Last year, New York Life agreed to settle the class action suit by
paying a total of $20 million, including up to $11 million for the
heirs of the policyholders, at least $3 million for specified Armenian
charities, and $6 million for attorneys’ fees and administrative
expenses.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the initial $3 million
distribution is to be divided equally by the AGBU, the Armenian Relief
Society, the Armenian Education Foundation, the Armenian Missionary
Association, the Armenian Catholic Church, both the Eastern and
Western Dioceses of the Armenian Church of North America, and both the
Eastern and Western Prelacies of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The
Settlement Fund Board released these funds to the attorneys for the
plaintiffs in the case, who will deliver the checks to the charities.
In addition, the Settlement Fund Board released the funds allocated by
the settlement agreement to various named plaintiffs, including lead
plaintiff Martin Marootian.
The Settlement Fund Board is an independent panel appointed by
California State Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi for the purpose
of evaluating the claims of individuals who contend they are heirs who
are entitled to compensation from New York Life under the agreement
and distributing the funds allocated by the settlement agreement. The
Board members are attorney and law professor Berj Boyajian; attorney
and Burbank Board of Education Vice President Paul Krekorian; and
physician and health care activist Viken Manjikian.
The Board is scheduled to begin considering individual claims in
March.
Anyone who believes there is even a possibility that they are the heir
of a New York Life policyholder whose benefits were not paid must
submit a “Notice of Claim” form to the Settlement Fund Board in order
to avoid waiving the right to recover. All Notice of Claim forms must
be postmarked no later than March 16, 2005. Claims may come from
anywhere in the world.
For further information or to obtain a Notice of Claim form, please
call the toll free information line at 1-866-422-0124 or visit
The website includes a
partial list of policyholders, but it is not necessary that your
ancestor’s name appear on the list in order to submit a Notice of
Claim.

Jordan Times
Friday-Saturday, January 14-15, 2005
Bisharat progresses to the 2nd round at World Cup tournament
By Maram Sweis
AMMAN – Equestrian Ibrahim Bisharat progressed to the second round of
competitions in the World Cup tournament at the Sharjah Equestrian and
Racing Club on Wednesday, bringing him closer to qualifying for the 2006
World Cup which will be held in Las Vegas, USA.
The Jordanian missed his initial shot for Grand Prix qualifications after
his horse, Qwinto, fault by refusal prior to a jump in the first leg of the
tournament in Abu Dhabi. The mishap resulted in four faults and lost points
that counted towards qualifying for the championships.
After receiving no faults atop his other horse Ghazal, Bisharat, who was in
third place, advanced to a decisive stage at the Sharjah event, or stage two
of the tournament.
Saudi Prince Abdullah Ben Mehtab Ben Abdul Aziz came in first place, while
Qatar’s Ali Rumaihi took second place in the tournament.
Bisharat, who competed in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, is among 210 riders
representing countries from the Middle East and Europe – Qatar, Bahrain,
Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Kuwait, United Kingdom, Germany,
Netherlands, Armenia, Bulgaria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Another Jordanian taking part in the tournament is Aya Nasif, who competed
against 25 other young equestrians. She is placed 15th in the juniors
category, with eight faults.
The 5th Sharjah International Showjumping Championship is held under the
patronage of Sheikh Sultan Ben Mohammad Al Qassimi, member of the supreme
council and ruler of Sharjah, and organised by the Emirates Equestrian and
Racing Federation, along with the Federation Equestre Internationale.
Upcoming World Cup qualifying tournaments will take place in Ajman, UAE,
from Jan. 19-21, Doha, Qatar, Feb. 6-13, and Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 23-25.
Friday-Saturday, January 14-15, 2005

nashuatelegraph.com
Jan. 14, 2005
Judge allows purchase of St. Francis Xavier to continue
By ALBERT McKEON, Telegraph Staff
[email protected]
Published: Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005
ENLARGE PHOTO
Staff file photo by Don Himsel
A judge has rejected parishioners’ bid to halt the sale of St. Francis
Xavier, shown here in 2002. Order this photo
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER’S HISTORY
This is a timeline of recent events involving St. Francis Xavier Church.
SEPTEMBER 2002 – St. Stanislaus and St. Casimir churches close. St.
Stanislaus merges with St. Louis de Gonzague Church, and St. Casimir merges
with St. Patrick Church. St. Francis Xavier Church parishioners succeed in
delaying the closure of their church.
DECEMBER 2002 – St. Francis Xavier Church Foundation forms, aiming to
preserve the religious aspects and architectural value of the building.
MARCH 2003 – St. Francis Xavier Church closes, and the parish merges with
St. Louis de Gonzague.
FEBRUARY 2004 – Diocese of Manchester puts St. Francis Xavier on the market.
St. Francis Xavier Church Foundation offers to buy the property from the
diocese for an undisclosed amount after a fund-raising drive. Diocese does
not comment on offer.
MAY 2004 – Diocese announces it has entered into a 90-day, purchase-and-sale
agreement for $1 million with a representative of the Armenian Orthodox
Church.
NOVEMBER 2004 – Hillsborough County Probate Court rules the diocese will not
violate intent of an 1885 deed if the property is sold to another religious
institution. The deed’s terms protect the donation of the land by an old
manufacturing company.
JAN. 12, 2005 – A civil lawsuit filed by former parishioners and the St.
Francis Xavier Foundation is dismissed. The judge rules that parishioners
cannot prove the diocese will violate the deed. The court also cites First
Amendment protections for the diocese, and does not rule on the
parishioners’ complaint that the closure process was unfair.
NASHUA – The Diocese of Manchester has cleared another legal hurdle in its
move to sell the century-old St. Francis Xavier Church to the Armenian
Orthodox Church.
A judge dismissed a civil suit filed by former parishioners and
architectural preservationists, ending another battle over the French Hill
church’s closure. A probate court has already upheld the potential $1
million sale, and the transaction apparently needs only the final approval
of the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
`The faithful parishioners of St. Francis Xavier are disappointed the
diocese has defaulted in its commitment to French Hill,’ said attorney
Randall Wilbert, who represents the protesting group of parishioners and
preservationists. Wilbert said he does not know if the group intends to file
an appeal.
Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge William Groff handed down the
ruling last Friday, and it was publicly released Wednesday.
A linchpin of the case was a 119-year-old deed granted by The Jackson Co., a
textile manufacturer that donated the hilltop land on which the building
sits. A deed stipulation is the land must always hold a place of religious
observance.
In November, a Hillsborough County Probate Court judge ruled that the
proposed sale follows the precepts of the deed. Groff recognized that
ruling.He did grant the former parishioners legal standing on any deed
challenge because they are beneficiaries of the statutory trust in which the
presiding Catholic bishop oversees St. Francis Xavier property.
But Groff found no evidence that Bishop John McCormack, as the trustee,
would use sale proceeds for any other purpose than the benefit of these
former parishioners. Any contrary claim is `hypothetical’ and the suit
failed to establish `a present controversy, definite and concrete,’ Groff
wrote in his dismissal.
St. Francis Xavier merged with St. Louis de Gonzague Church in 2003, so the
proceeds should be earmarked for the West Hollis Street parish. The diocese,
through attorney Ovide Lamontagne, repeated Wednesday that the merged church
would receive any sale profits.
`Today’s decision provides stability and clarity to a very painful process
for the people in Nashua,’ Lamontagne said. `But I know for Bishop
McCormack, as difficult as it is to take these actions in these communities
and parishes, he’s responsible to answering to the task force and (in) his
responsibility as a trustee.’
The task force referred to by Lamontagne oversaw the closing of three
downtown Catholic churches. A group of parishioners and clergy recommended
closing St. Francis Xavier, St. Casimir and St. Stanislaus churches, and
McCormack approved the decision.
But many parishioners of those now-defunct churches complained the task
force was an empty vehicle, and that church hierarchy had predetermined the
parishes for closure. St. Francis Xavier parishioners protested the loudest,
and delayed the shutting of their parish. But many have since moved on,
either to St. Louis de Gonzague or other churches.
The small group of former parishioners who have kept fighting had pinned
great hopes on the civil suit. They want to block the sale, and sought the
court’s opinion on the closure and merger process.
Groff, though, stayed clear of the work of the diocese and task force. He
cited the diocese’s First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. The
parishioners had claimed their rights were suppressed in the process, but
Groff found `the Court would clearly be required to become entangled in
church doctrine or ecclesiastical law, over which the secular laws has no
authority,’ the dismissal said.
The Diocese of Manchester has a $1 million purchase-and-sale agreement with
local real estate developer Vatche Manoukian, who has said he intends to
donate the property to the Armenian Orthodox Church. Manoukian, through his
attorney, Gerald Prunier, has said he identified a potential parishioner
base for the church.
An approval from Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Orthodox
Patriarchate of Jerusalem, is imminent, Lamontagne said.
Wilbert said his clients are not disappointed in the court – particularly
Groff’s stance on constitutional issues – but rather are dissatisfied with
the diocese for having them seek no other avenue than legal recourse.
`They’ve been nothing but faithful, but now they have to wear their emotions
on their sleeve,’ Wilbert said.
Francis Bonner, a former parishioner, said, `Naturally, we’re all
disappointed.’ He withheld further comment until he could read Groff’s
dismissal.
Georgi Hippauf was not a St. Francis Xavier parishioner but is an ardent
supporter of preserving the building as a religious institution. Hippauf
does not object to the Armenian Orthodox Church claiming the old parish as a
home, but she wonders if it will have enough support to thrive.
`We have not abandoned our game plan,’ she said. `We have opportunities to
make it right, to at least ensure it’s not used for anything but religious
purposes. After all this time, though, fighting it . . . it’s devastating.
It seems likes the bad guys are winning against the good people, ordinary
people.’
Albert McKeon can be reached at 594-5832 or [email protected].

New Zealand Herald
Jan 15 2005
System of A Down all fired up

System of A Down

by Rebecca Barry

It’s common to hear American rock stars bagging the war in Iraq.
But few have System of A Down’s personal connections. Daron Malakian,
guitarist and songwriter for the American metal band, has family
living in Iraq.
“It’s brought out a lot of good songs,” he says, chatting from his LA
living room. “The last few years of my life have been a crazy
rollercoaster ride. There’s these people who go, ‘Yeah, go ahead and
bomb them’ and my grandmother lives there.”
A handful of those songs are about to be road-tested when the band
play the Big Day Out but fans will have to wait for the album if they
want to hear the rest. Then they’ll have to wait again.
SOAD plan to release two albums, Hypnotize and Mesmerize, six months
apart. It was a decision born out of sheer necessity – Malakian had
spent so long writing that by the time the band had reached the
studio, there were too many good songs to ignore.
“We don’t believe in double albums,” he says. “I think the attention
spans of people these days can’t cope with them.
“In the 60s and 70s kids were frying their brains on acid and a bunch
of them would sit down and commit themselves to listen to Tommy or
something. I dunno, maybe there’s not enough kids on acid anymore.”
Aside from 2002’s odds-and-sods collection, Steal This Album!, it’s
been a long time since fans have had any new music from the band.
“It takes me such a long time to write songs,” he says. “They have to
be great, I have to wait until I’m a huge fan of them. I would rather
write four, five, six great songs than 10 shitty ones.”
Malakian is coy about revealing too much but he says there will be
more vocal interaction between himself and frontman Serj Tankian, and
that emotion will remain at the core of their sound. And if it’s
possible, he promises Hypnotize/Mesmerize will outdo the
schizophrenic nature of their breakthrough Toxicity, an album that
incorporated Slayer’s breakneck riffs, Faith No More’s complex sense
of melody and the Armenian folk music the band members – also
including bassist Shavo Odadjian and drummer John Dolmayan – were
brought up listening to.
Their uniquely abrasive style quickly soaked up a huge following and
Toxicity sold more than four million copies worldwide. Malakian
laughs when he recalls someone urging them to tour in Iceland because
they were apparently as big as Michael Jackson there.
But before that, it was a different story.
“People would say to us, ‘You guys will never get signed’. We
accidentally became rockstars I guess. It’s strange to think that
four Armenian guys who make the kind of music we do would be in this
position.”
Now that they are, SOAD use their profile to throw a spotlight on the
issues they are passionate about, and that’s not just the war. (One
of the band’s most memorable projects was a collaboration with
anti-Bush campaigner Michael Moore for their music video, Boom!.) The
band are also committed to raising awareness about the genocide of
the Armenian people early in the century. However Malakian, who was
born in Hollywood, is the only member of the band not to have visited
his country.
“We have plans to play there. But it’s an emotional thing. I’m
worried that if I go there – with the troubles with Turkey and
everything – that I’ll leave feeling more depressed.”
It’s not the only thing on his mind. Malakian admits to feeling
“freaked out” by the tragic events that saw ex-Pantera guitarist
Dimebag Darrell gunned down at a concert last month. The incident
reminded him that fame is a part of the job he will never get used
to. Just from chatting for a few minutes, it’s easy to tell Malakian
is a genuine, down-to-earth, nice guy.
“None of us think, ‘Hey, I’m a rockstar. I’m Daron and I’m no
different to who I was before. But it’s weird when you’re signing
autographs and these kids come up to you and their eyes turn
different. We saw this girl break a CD once and she was slicing her
body and going ‘Shavo! Shavo!’ And you can tell it freaks him out
because Shavo’s face turns white.
“I get so [expletive] nervous because I just feel like, wow, nobody’s
special. Some guys know all there is to know about plumbing. I know
just a little bit about music.”
THE PROTEST GROUP
WHO: System of A Down
MEMBERS: Singer Serj Tankian, guitarist Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo
Odadjian and Drummer John Dolmayan.
ALBUMS: System of A Down (1998), Toxicity (2001), Hynotize/Mesmerize
(due this year).
FORMED: Southern California in the mid-90s.
TRIVIA: Serj Tankian has looked at buying property in New Zealand.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Jan 15 2005
MOSCOW READY WITHIN OSCE MINSK GROUP TO PROMOTE SETTLEMENT OF NAGORNY
KARABAKH CONFLICT
[January 14, 2005, 21:15:51]
As correspondent of AzerTAj informs, on January 14, the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Russia has disseminated the message on the next
round of consultations on the Nagorny Karabakh problem which have
taken place on January 10-11 this year in Prague between Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Armenia Bardan Oskanian with participation of
co-chairmen of the Minsk Group of OSCE on behalf of Russia, the USA
and France.
In the message of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian
Federation it is noted that Moscow is satisfied with meetings of the
Armenian and Azerbaijan sides at various levels, including at the
level of presidents and in frameworks of the “Prague process’, have
got regular character. The Armenian and Azerbaijan representatives
during consultations under the international aegis consider
practically all aspects of the situation connected to the Nagorny
Karabakh conflict. Among them are such sharp ones as withdrawal of
armies, demilitarization of territory, the international guarantees,
status of Nagorny Karabakh, etc. In connection with discussed
questions, are marked certain motions in rapprochement of views of
Yerevan and Baku and their conceptual approaches. Both sides confirm
readiness to continue teamwork, being guided on necessity to achieve
reduction in intensity around of the Nagorny Karabakh problem and
accordingly improvements of position in the entire all region of the
South Caucasus.
It is noted that agreements of the sides are entered in the same
context to continue realization of the adopted earlier decision on
sending to the occupied territories around Nagorny Karabakh missions
of the OSCE Minsk Group for establishment of the facts, and also to
prepare a new meeting of presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the
summer of this year in Warsaw.
In Moscow, as before, it is expressed readiness together with other
participants of the OSCE Minsk Group to promote deepening of mutual
understanding between Armenia and Azerbaijan with a view of
settlement of the Nagorny Karabakh conflict by negotiations and peace
way.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2005
FOREIGN MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN MEETS DELEGATION OF JAPAN
[January 14, 2005, 22:01:31]
Foreign minister of the Azerbaijan Republic Elmar Mammadyarov has met
on January 14 the delegation led by the senior vice-foreign minister
of Japan Ichiro Aisava.
Noting that the official visit of nationwide leader of Azerbaijan
Heydar Aliyev to Japan in 1998 has given strong impulse to
development bilateral relations between two countries, the Minister
expressed pleasure with the existent high level of the friendly and
cooperation ties, and hoped for further development of them. Mr.
Mammadyarov thanked the government of Japan for the rendered
humanitarian assistance and grants for a number of economic projects
and underlined the necessity of investing in the non-oil sector in
Azerbaijan as well.
Touching the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, updated
the guests on the recently held Prague negotiations. The Minister
expressed necessity of execution of the resolutions adopted by the UN
Security Council and other international organizations on settlement
of the conflict by peace way and on the base of international legal
norms, in the frame of territorial integrity and inviolability of
borders.
Mr. Ichiro Aisava said that he attaches great importance to
development of the links with Azerbaijan noting that he supports
expansion of the bilateral cooperation.
Speaking of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict, Mr. I.
Aisava emphasized importance of continuation of talks and expressed
hope for quick solution of the problem with efforts of the
international community.
The sides also focused other questions of mutual interest.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan
Jan 14 2005
FOREIGN MINISTER OF AZERBAIJAN MEETS AMBASSADORS OF GREECE AND
UZBEKISTAN IN BAKU
[January 14, 2005, 23:17:44]
Foreign minister of the Azerbaijan Republic Elmar Mammadyarov on
January 14 has met ambassador of Greece to Azerbaijan Merkurios
Carafotias on completion of his diplomatic mission and the newly
appointed ambassador of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan Ismatill Ergashev.
Expressing his gratitude for attention he was shown during his
activity in Azerbaijan, the Greek ambassador said he did his best for
development of relations between Greece and Azerbaijan. He stated his
confidence that his successor would also continue working in this
direction.
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov highly assessed the Ambassador’s activity
for development of bilateral relations, also noted that visit of the
Greek president to Azerbaijan had positive influence on the
cooperation of both countries, added that these relations would
further successfully develop.
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov congratulated the Uzbek diplomat Ismatill
Ergashev on his new appointment and expressed hope that the
cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan would develop in the
years ahead.
Speaking of expansion of the relations between two countries,
increase of cooperation in all fields and existent opportunities, the
Ambassador said he would do his best for development of the
Azeri-Uzbek economic links.
Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has informed on the Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorny Karabakh conflict, on the ongoing negotiations and expressed
gratitude to the ambassadors for fair position of their countries
related to the problem.
Mr. Mammadyarov wished success to the Greek ambassador in his further
activity and received copy of the credential of the Uzbek ambassador.

RIA Novosti, Russia
Jan 14 2005
MOSCOW HAILS PROGRESS TOWARD KARABAKH SETTLEMENT
MOSCOW, January 14 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian foreign ministry has
circulated a report noting certain positive shifts in Yerevan’s and
Baku’s conceptual approaches to Karabakh settlement.
On January 10-11, Prague was the venue of a routine meeting between
Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan and his Azeri counterpart
Elmar Mamedyarov with the participation of the co-chairmen of the
Minsk OSCE group on Karabakh settlement (Russia, the USA and France).
“Moscow is delighted to note that meetings between the Armenian and
Azeri sides on various levels, including summits and Prague dialogue,
have assumed a regular nature,” says the report.
Azeri-Armenian consultations under the international aegis have
proved to consider virtually all aspects of the Nagorny Karabakh
conflict.
“These include such disputes as the withdrawal of the Armenian
troops, demilitarization of this territory, international guarantees
and the future status of Nagorny Karabakh [Armenian enclave on
Azerbaijan territory, a self-proclaimed republic],” says the report.
“Both sides confirm their readiness to continue joint work with a
view to abating tensions around the Karabakh problem and consequently
improving the situation in all the South Caucasian region.”
“The sides can be only praised for their agreement on advancing in
the implementation of the earlier-made decision to send a
fact-finding Minsk OSCE Group mission to occupied territories in the
Karabakh zone as well as on seeking to stage an Azeri-Armenian summit
in Warsaw this summer.”
“As before, Moscow is ready to assist together with other
participants in the Minsk OSCE Group in an ever deeper mutual
understanding between Armenia and Azerbaijan so as to attain Karabakh
settlement through peaceful talks,” concludes the Russian foreign
ministry’s report.

ArmenPress, Armenia
Jan 13 2005
NEW POLICE DIVISIONS TO FIGHT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CRIMES
YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Police press office
denied today some press reports that new divisions in the police set
up to fight against crimes committed in the area of intellectual
property would replicate notorious Soviet-time departments, which
were fighting against embezzlement of public funds.
A press release, distributed by the press office, said such
divisions exist in all developed countries. It said Armenia as a
member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has assumed obligations
to fight intellectual property violation crimes.
The police said fighting against copy rights crimes is important
in terms of ensuring economic development, adding also that such
crimes are punishable under Armenia’s new Criminal Code.