ChurchCentral.com
April 21 2004

New report provides ethnic data for churches

ATLANTA — A new demographic report introduced by Visions Decisions
of Atlanta offers churches full data on specific ethnic populations
in their area.

According to a press release from the demographics provider, the
Ethnic Profile supplies all basic data on groups that until now were
difficult to profile. The profile shows hard data on Armenians,
Brazilians, Filipinos, Haitians, Jamaicans, Nigerians, Salvadorans,
and many other specific populations in the United States.

The six-page report covers statistics on numbers, ages, family types,
schooling, jobs, income and housing, as well as on place of birth and
time of entry into the U.S. A two-page narrative summary with graphs,
a full page of data, a map showing locations, and a page of suggested
ethnic ministries is included.

“Finally churches can enhance their ministries by getting the facts
they need to do effective ministry in their local area, whether it is
for evangelism, community mission or social concerns,” said Anthony
E. Healy, president of Visions Decisions, Inc.

“You can get specific data on Haitians in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for
example, or Armenians in Burbank, Calif.,” he said.

Data are available for most places of origins for Hispanics,
including Mexico, Nicaragua or Peru, and for most places of origin
for Asians, including China, Korea and Vietnam. Data are also
available for places of origin that include countries in Africa, the
Middle East and Europe. All the data are from the 2000 Census.

Visions Decisions is a source of demographic and congregational
studies for churches, regional bodies and denominations. Based in
Atlanta, Ga., the company has served religious bodies across the
United States for nearly 14 years.

MOSCOW NEWS, Russia
April 21 2004

Skinheads Torch 10-year Old in North Russia

A 10-year-old Armenian boy has been set on fire as a result of an
apparent racist attack in the northern Russian city of Kostroma, the
Regions.ru web-site reports. The local police believe that the boy
fell victim to skinheads.

Eyewitnesses have told the police that two friends, aged 10 and 11
had dropped into a grocery store after classes. A group of youths was
apparently waiting for them outside. As the boys came out of the
shop, the attackers splashed gasoline over one of them and set him on
fire.

Luckily, some passers-by helped the boy and quickly extinguished the
fire. He was then rushed to hospital. Doctors said the boy had burns
to his face and hands.

The attackers fled the scene. The local police reported that they
looked like skinheads. The fact that the victim was Armenian also
suggests the attack may have been racist, the police say.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

BoxingScene.com
April 21 2004

ART SIMONYAN VS FASAN 3K BATTERY

Topic: Breaking News
HEADLINES FIGHT CARD AT THE BELVEDERE IN ELK GROVE VILLAGE, ILL. ON
MAY 21, TELEVISED ON ESPN2

Promoter Art Pelullo/Banner Promotions and Bobby Hitz Boxing
Promotions will present a sensational fight card on May 21, 2004, at
the Belvedere, located at 1170 West Devon Avenue in Elk Grove
Village, Illinois. The fights will be televised on ESPN2’s “Friday
Night Fights.”

In the main event, Art Simonyan, 13-0-1, with 7 knockouts, of
Glendale, California, will fight Fasan 3K Battery, aka Narongrit
Pirang, 18-0, with 10 knockouts, of Ubon, Thailand. The fight,
scheduled for 12 rounds, will be an eliminator for the IBF’s No. 1
ranking in the jr. featherweight division and will determine the
mandatory challenger for the world title.

Now 28 years old, Simonyan is a native of Armenia. He stepped up in
class of opposition in his last three fights and scored three of his
career-best wins against former world title challenger Carlos
Contreras (19-6-3), Ablorh Sowah (17-3-1), and former world title
challenger Radford Beasley (22-1). Simonyan currently holds the USBA
jr. featherweight title and is ranked No. 7 by the IBF in the world
ratings.

29-year old Fasan is ranked No. 8 in the world by the IBF. A
five-year pro, he is making his U.S. debut and fighting outside of
Thailand for the first time.

The co-featured bout, scheduled for 10-rounds, will feature 24-year
old lightweight prospect Juliano Ramos, 13-0, with 11 knockouts,
fighting an opponent to be announced. Ramos, a native of Sao Paulo,
Brazil, has relocated to the U.S. to pursue his boxing career and is
now living in Corpus Christi, Texas.

More exciting bouts featuring Chicago’s top boxing talent will
complete the card.

Art “The Polish Warrior” Binkowski, 11-0, 8 KOs, of Chicago, will
fight in an eight-round heavyweight bout, Vitaliy “The Doctor”
Kopytko, 23-6, 9 KOs, of Chicago, will be featured in an eight-round
super middleweight bout, and Mike Mollo, 11-0, 6 KOs, of Chicago,
will fight in a four-round heavyweight bout. Their opponents are to
be announced.

All bouts are subject to change without notice.

Doors open at 7:00 P.M., first fight at 8:00 P.M. Central Time.

Ticket prices: $35 – general admission, $50 – reserved ringside, and
$100 – VIP reserved ringside.

Tickets can be purchased by telephone at Hitz Boxing – 630-295-9800,
or online at

PRESS RELEASE
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
Washington D.C.
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Tel: 202-224-3553

Statement of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
April 24, 2004

Between the years of 1915 and 1923, a million and a half of
Armenians were brutally murdered as a result of a calculated
plan to eliminate Armenians from the Ottoman Empire. Men,
taken from their families and homes, were separated out and
killed. Women, children and elderly were sent on forced death
marches across the Syrian desert. These actions constituted
the first genocide of the 20th century and one of the most
vicious and tragic events in world history.

One and one-half million Armenian lives were lost, countless
more were persecuted, and the entire Armenian community
suffered. As we reflect on these horrible years, Armenian
Americans know this story and its relevance in history.
Tragically, some question its historical accuracy. To prevent
future genocide is to face the reality that it exists.
Knowledge of past genocides in different parts of our world
assists in arming us to prevent such acts from occurring again.

At the outset of the Jewish Holocaust, Adolph Hitler said that
no one remembered what happened to the Armenian people during
the genocide. He then proceeded to implement his Final
Solution.

Today, Armenians are continuing to work to rebuild and
strengthen their great nation. After facing years of injustice
and persecution, the Armenian people’s spirit remains strong.

I join you in commemorating the 89th anniversary of the
Armenian genocide. As we remember these sad years, we must
never forget that an act of genocide is not only an act of
hatred toward one particular group, but toward all humankind.
May we learn from the tragedy of the Armenian genocide and
recommit ourselves to full equality, respect, and acceptance
for all people. An important first step is the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide by the United States Government and the
world as a whole.

===================================================
For more information on Senator Boxer’s record and other
information, please go to:

If you would like to make a comment regarding this or any other
federal matter, please feel free to do so at:

CENN – APRIL 21, 2004 DAILY DIGEST
Table of Contents:
1. Call For Papers: “Caucasus Environment” – Issue Dedicated to
Biodiversity
2. MDF-Training and Consultancy
3. Mekong Media Seminar: Final call for Journalist Application

1. CALL FOR PAPERS: “CAUCASUS ENVIRONMENT” – ISSUE DEDICATED TO
BIODIVERSITY

Dear colleagues!

As you probably know, CENN (Caucasus Environmental NGO Network) together
with Armenian and Azeri partners, is publishing quarterly regional
environmental magazine – `Caucasus Environment’, which has scientific,
educational, popular character. () The `Caucasus
Environment’ is bilingual (English and Russian) publication. The aim of
CENN is to create an independent high quality publication on
environmental issues – a magazine that could educate, inspire and
empower Caucasus citizens to make a difference for the environment. The
regional magazine covers not only purely ecological matters, but also
issues concerning the environment as a whole. These include the natural
environment, social environment (the interconnection between the
environment and poverty, gender issues, demography, health, historical
cultural heritage, ethnography, archaeology, geopolitical issues, etc.),
industry & environment, agriculture, tourism, land use, cadastre and all
types of characteristics and peculiarities of the Caucasus region,
defining environment in a broad sense. The Magazine is distributed
worldwide.

The coming issue of the “Caucasus Environment” Magazine is dedicated to
the BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY of the Caucasus. (Caucasus – meaning not only
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also southern regions of Russia,
Iran and Turkey. We are looking for your articles, dedicated to the
following themes:

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

4. Relict, endemic and rare species of flora and fauna…
5. Endangered species and species, typical for Caucasus…
6. Commercially important species and habitats (medical herbs, game
birds etc.)…
7. Refugiums and places with especially high biodiversity rates…
8. Zoos/ cities
9. Stray animals
10. Genetically modified organisms
11. Farm animals
12. Any other issue related to biodiversity of the Caucasus

NOTE!
Due to large number of articles we receive for each issue, we have
worked out Rules of submission:

1. Preliminary letter of interest, describing theme of article and its
brief abstract should be submitted latest on 15 May 2004. Please, submit
your letters as early as possible, so that we have time to work on the
article! Articles and letters can be sent to the following addresses:
[email protected] [email protected] Letters and articles can be
sent in English or Russian language.

2. The article itself should be submitted latest on 1 June 2004. We may
not accept articles that are sent without preliminary notification
letter (15 May), or the articles that are sent after the final deadline
(1 June 2004).

3. Please note that generally we do not accept articles that were
already published (though there could be exceptions), we do not accept
statistical materials, or the articles that contain only well known
data.

4. The size of article should be maximum 2 pages (4 000 symbols), each
language.

5. Priority is given to the articles that are prepared by regional
efforts (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Caspian
States etc.). Priority is also given to the articles that contain
photos, are prepared in both languages (Russian and English).

6. Contact with authors: as the topics are finalized, we provide all
authors with edited and proved versions of their articles, and wait for
their approval for 3 working days. After this time, we have the right
either to use or reject the article on our own decision. On request of
an author, we can place his/her contact address, e-mail or phone in the
article. For NGOs, we can place advertisement of their production
(`green’ products, juices, fruit, solar power etc.) with special price.
Contact us on e-mail or phone for details.

7. Please, let us know, if there is something you specially like/
dislike about our magazine, as we always look for better communication
ways and opportunities.

8. Become MEMBER OF THE CAUCASUS ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY AND GET OUR
MAGAZINE FREE OF CHARGE!!! For more information, please see:

9. We encourage all of you to send us your articles, as it is a best
chance to let the World know about your country, your activities, your
NGO and yourself! It is a good way to find reliable partners, friends,
donors, ideas, programs and – last not least – the most actual and
updated information about our common house – the Caucasus. We will be
happy to have articles not only from Caucasus – Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, but also articles provided by the
specialists and scientists interested in this region.

Looking forward to receive your feedback!

Yours sincerely,

Catherine Nakashidze

Editor-in-Chief
CAUCASUS ENVIRONMENT Magazine
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network

Tel: +995 32 92 39 46
GSM: +995 99 51 67 09
Fax: +995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:

2. MDF-TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY

Management for Development Foundation from the Netherlands is a
worldwide operating training and consultancy firm specialised in
capacity building, project management, and the standard EU management
method PCM, Project Cycle Management.

In the period 10 May – 4 June 2004 MDF organises for the 61th time its
internationally reputable Project Management Course in Ede, The
Netherlands. This course is based on the PCM method and offers managers
of developmental organisations, projects or activities everything they
might need in terms of technical management tools, personal skills and
human resources management methods and skills.

Today’s managers and advisors need to facilitate teams and groups to
analyse their situation and to make effective plans for action. From 2 –
10 June MDF offers a course on facilitation skills, also in the
Netherlands. This course improves your personal interaction skills,
provides insight in participative group processes and offers methods and
tools for different categories of participative decision-making events.
This course is designed and conducted in association with Bureau Frank
Little

Especially for clients in South East Europe involved with or interested
in projects or activities funded through one of the EC programmes such
as CARDS, TACIS or PHARE there is a new opportunity to get familiar with
the PCM management method. In close co-operation with Vakakis
International MDF organises two PCM courses in Athens, Greece in the
weeks of 24 May and 31 May. The first one focuses on the planning tool
Logical Framework whereas the second one concentrates more on Monitoring
and Evaluation. Together these courses cover the entire cycle of PCM
application throughout the lifespan of projects.

For more information consult our websites ( , )
or contact us on [email protected] and [email protected]

3. MEKONG MEDIA SEMINAR: FINAL CALL FOR JOURNALIST APPLICATION

Final Call for Journalist Application

Bangkok & Chiang Rai, Thailand

WWF Thailand, UNESCO Bangkok and IUCN invite environment and/or
development journalists from China, Vietnam, Laos PDR, Cambodia, Burma
and Thailand to participate in a three-day Mekong Media Seminar
scheduled to take place in Bangkok, from 22-24 June and Study trip to
Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai, from 25-26 June 2004.

This seminar is aiming to:

1. Raise awareness of media representatives of the importance and value
of the Mekong River, as well as environmental and developmental issues
of the Mekong River Basin
2. Raise awareness of media representatives of the significance of their
role and contribution to sustainable development of the Mekong River
Basin
3. Provide a platform for media representatives from Cambodia, China,
Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam to discuss and plan their
concerted actions contributing to Mekong River sustainable development
4. Plan future actions of the group leading to strengthening of their
capacities and network

Please note that applicants must be currently active journalists with
serious interest and having published reports on Mekong issues. The
application should be accompanied by CV in English stating the name,
sex, current post and duties, contact address (including fax number,
e-mail address and mobile phone number, if any), and experience in
environmental and developmental journalism, should reach us by 26 April
2004. Women journalists will be given priority in selection.

Selection results will be communicated to you by the May 14, 2004.
Selected candidates will be required to prepare a short country paper on
their perspectives on the way in which Mekong-related issues are
presented in the media in their country. Highlighting issues of concern,
including participation of local communities, in relation to development
programme planning and implementation, as well as gender and
youth-related issues. The papers may include examples of news reporting
from each country that form the basis for the assessment in the paper,
and will be shared with other participants at the seminar serving as a
basis for further discussions on future media actions. The selected
candidates would have to submit the country paper by the May 31, 2004.

A limited number of grants are available to participants, at most three
from each country. Candidates who are not provided financial assistance
must meet their own costs, i.e. international travel, domestic travel
(Bangkok-Chiang Rai-Bangkok), and room and board.

For further information, please contact:
Ms. Dararat Weerapong, Media and Publications Manager, WWF Thailand,
E-mail: [email protected],
Tel: (66 2) 524 6168 and (66 2) 524 6169 ext. 103,
Mobile: (66 1) 720 8662

—
*******************************************
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

Tel: ++995 32 92 39 46
Fax: ++995 32 92 39 47
E-mail: [email protected]
URL:

Canada set to recognize Armenian genocide
By David Ljunggren

21 Apr 2004 19:17:29 GMT

OTTAWA, April 21 (Reuters) – The Canadian Parliament looked set on
Wednesday to overthrow long-standing government policy, and anger
Turkey, by passing a resolution saying Ottoman Turks committed
genocide against Armenians in 1915.

Government sources said the motion was likely to be approved, making
Canada’s legislature one of the few in the world to describe what
happened 90 years ago as genocide.

Armenians say some 1.5 million of their people were deliberately
slaughtered by Ottoman Turks between 1915 and 1923. Turkey denies the
charges of genocide, saying the Armenians were among the many victims
of a partisan war raging during World War One as the Ottoman Empire
collapsed.

Ottawa’s official position is that what happened was a tragedy but not
a genocide.

“It looks as though the government will lose. The Turks are not going
to be happy about this,” one senior government source told
Reuters. The motion says Parliament should “acknowledge the Armenian
genocide of 1915 and condemn this act as a crime against humanity”.

Ankara has fought hard to block attempts to press for international
recognition of the events as a genocide. The Turkish embassy in Ottawa
warned of negative consequences if the resolution was approved.

“Certainly, relations with Canada will suffer as the result of
adopting such a motion,” embassy counselor Fazli Corman told Reuters,
citing the example of Canadian firms seeking to sign contracts in
Turkey.

Canadian legislators have regularly defeated similar resolutions over
the last decade, in part because the governing Liberal party insisted
its members vote no.

But sources said Prime Minister Paul Martin, who took over last
December promising more freedom for legislators, had decided not to
issue voting instructions. Parliament is due to vote at about 7:30
p.m. (2330 GMT).

Liberal Member of Parliament Sarkis Assadourian, one of the backers of
the resolution, predicted victory and dismissed what he said were
warnings from the foreign ministry about the possible negative impact.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. How long do people have to wait
for the injustices of the past to be redressed?” said Assadourian, who
says his parents survived the events of 1915.

“Why do we have to be selective in our memories? If you’re going to do
it for one (genocide), why not do it for the others? Who is to say
Armenian blood is less valuable than some other blood?” he told
Reuters.

France’s parliament backed the Armenian case in 2001, prompting Turkey
to freeze official visits to France and temporarily block French
companies from entering lucrative defense contracts.

The U.S. Congress dropped a similar resolution in 2000 after the White
House warned it would harm U.S. security interests in the Middle East.

(Additional reporting by Randall Palmer in Ottawa)

NBC 10.com, PA
April 21 2004

Five-Legged Calf Born In Armenia
Cow Is Center Of Attention In Town

A farmer couldn’t believe his eyes recently when his milk cow gave
birth in Yerevan, Armenia.

Slideshow: Images Of Five-Legged Calf

The new calf arrived with five legs instead of four.

The fifth leg and a fully formed hoof hang from the calf’s left
shoulder.

The calf has become the center of attention in the Armenian village
where it was born.

Veterinarians have examined the calf.

They say it is still too early to tell if the extra leg or any other
unseen deformities will affect the calf’s life span.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
April 21 2004

FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS GERMAN COUNTERPART

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov met with
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Joschka Fischer now visiting
Azerbaijan, April 21 to discuss development of bilateral relations,
cooperation on a number of joint regional projects, settlement of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorny Karabakh and other issues,
AzerTAj correspondent reports.

The Ministers then have held briefing for media representatives.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov announced
that during the one-on-one meeting with his German counterpart, they
focused on prospects of development of political, economic and
cultural relations between the two countries, Azerbaijan’s
integration into Europe, ways of solution to Armenia-Azerbaijan,
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, cooperation in combating terrorism and
touched on other issues as well.

Asked by German journalist whether opening borders between Turkey and
Armenia can complicate the conflict’s resolution, Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov answered that during President of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev’s recent official visit to Ankara this question had been
discussed with Foreign Minister of Turkey Abdullah Gul, and It was
especially stressed that Turkey would not open its borders to Armenia
until the occupied Azerbaijani lands are released.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Joschka Fischer described his
meeting Azerbaijani counterpart as very fruitful. He expressed
satisfaction with improvement of the level of German language
learning in Azerbaijan. Speaking of the resolution of the
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, Mr. Fischer said Germany sharing the
stance of the European Union towards the problem is very interested
in establishment of stability in the region. He promised as well that
Germany would do its best to assist development of democracy in
Azerbaijan.

Responding to the question from AzerTAj reporter of Germany’s
position with respect to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Foreign
Minister said Germany wants the conflict to be settled as soon as
possible. Germany is one of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, he said,
and we are aware of the existing difficulties. Mr. Fischer pointed
out the country is trying to contribute to the conflict’s resolution
in the framework of the Minsk group.

The Foreign Minister of Germany expressed satisfaction with human
rights situation in Azerbaijan mentioning the Decrees on Pardon
signed recently by President Ilham Aliyev and the work done in the
country for ensuring freedom of media. Mr. Fischer also described
activity of Azerbaijan in the Council of Europe and NATO `Partnership
for Peace Program’ as very positive factor.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
April 21 2004

FORMER PRIME MINISTER SETS UP NGO TO PROPAGATE FAIR ELECTIONS

YEREVAN, APRIL 21, ARMENPRESS: A former Armenian prime minister,
Armen Darbinian, told a constituent meeting of a new non-governmental
organization, Dignified Future, that it will work to promote
establishment of an electoral system that would meet international
standards.
Addressing the delegates of the meeting, the former prime
minister, who is now rector of Russian-Armenian (Slavonic)
University, said the non-governmental organization was not an
initiative of a same-name political party of which he is chairman.
The goal of the movement, he said, is to start the process of
national reconciliation. He said the new organization is open to all
individuals, politicians and forces concerned with the level of
national election institutions.
The organization intends to launch a large-scale explanatory work
among people to raise their awareness about electoral process and
their key importance for democracy consolidation.
IA statement, issued today, the new organization said its creation
was prompted by “unhealthy climate brought in by virtually all
national elections, marred by vote rigging and other fraud, held in
Armenia in the last ten years.”

ArmenPress
April 21 2004

NO NEW CATTLE PLUG CASES REPORTED

YEREVAN, APRIL 21, ARMENPRESS: Armenian authorities said today the
number of cattle which reportedly died of anthrax in the village of
Aygebats in Shirak province was 38. Earlier they said some 54 cattle
died of the disease. Veterinary experts probing into the case say
they are not sure the cattle plug was caused by anthrax, admitting
however, that the disease has some anthrax symptoms. They said one of
the theories of the cattle plug is that they were not vaccinated as
prescribed. Armenian veterinaries have been studying the case for
three days to make their final diagnosis, testing also the vaccines
in question on guinea pigs.
The first cases were reported on April 19 after some 700 cows in
the village had been vaccinated against anthrax. The condition of the
rest of the herd is said now to be normal. Concurrently the entire
population of the village was examined and nothing was found that may
pose danger to their health. Authorities denied rumors that part of
meat of the died cattle was taken out for sale.
The government has promised money compensations for owners of the
died cattle.