Parents told no new Melkonian class this year
By Jean Christou
Cyprus Mail
June 18 2004
PARENTS who believed they had registered their children for the
first year at the Melkonian Educational Institute (MEI) were shocked
yesterday when they were told no such class would be operated from
September this year.
Troupia Samonian told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that she had enrolled
her primary school-age daughter for the first year of secondary school
at the Armenian school weeks ago but when she went yesterday with
another parent, they were told that no children were being registered
for the new school year.
Parents were also told that entrance exam dates for graduates from
the Armenian Elementary Nareg in Nicosia, Larnaca, Limassol, scheduled
for yesterday and today had been cancelled.
The New York-based Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), which
plans to close the 78-year old school in June 2005, despite fierce
opposition, had invited parents to enroll their children for day school
in September. The advertisement in early May said registration would
take place from May 19. Those who recently contacted the school were
told their children could not be registered because they had missed
the deadline. However, no deadline was specified in the advertisement.
Samonian was one of the parents who registered early, but she said
when she went to MEI yesterday she was told there would be no class
for her daughter to attend.
“I registered three weeks ago and I sat back thinking my daughter
would be attending school in September,’ she told the Mail yesterday.
“I was totally surprised that they had changed their minds again.”
She said that she was not even informed of the situation until she
visited the school yesterday.
Samonian said that when she asked to see the principal, she was
instead directed to Gordon Anderson, the representative of the AGBU
in Cyprus. He told her there would be no registrations for the school
year but recalled that there had been an advertisement telling parents
they could enroll their children for the new school year.
“He remembered but it was all changed,” she said. “I asked why
parents were not informed and why no one had bothered to call about
the changed decision. This concerns our children`s futures and we
didn’t know about it.”
Samonian said all she managed to get out of them was a lot of “blah
blah blah”. ‘The only conclusion we can draw is that they plan to
close down the school at all costs,” she said.
Anderson told the Cyprus Mail that they had decided not to run the
first-year class from September because so few parents had applied
to register their children. Asked why parents had not been informed
that the class would not be run, he said: “It’s not my responsibility.”
However sources told the Mail that the teachers were also in the dark
about what was going on so they could not have informed the parents
there would be no class.
“They have backtracked and now are not accepting anyone,” said a
member of the school’s alumni, who are trying to fight the closure
decision. The alumni believe the AGBU wants to get its hands on the
property, worth £40 million and sell it to developers.
“It was a nice little trick,” said the alumni member. “They are also
in the process of shutting down the school’s website and plan to fire
the local board over the summer. Verbally they are saying one thing
but they are doing another.”
Yesterday, seven parents from the Armenian primary school in Larnaca
wrote to the Education Minister asking for his intervention and
enclosing a letter to the AGBU asking why their children were being
denied an Armenian education.

A MONKEY TO EACH OFFICIAL?
A1 Plus | 14:34:20 | 17-06-2004 | Social |
The protest action held for defense of the political prisoners
near the General Office of Prosecutor has today ended in the unique
awards. Eleonora Manandyan, Chair of “New Armenia” social organization
introduced 3 statues of monkeys – the prizes set for attitude towards
the political prisoners. {BR}
The statue of the monkey closing its eyes with own hands, “I see
nothing”, was given to Armenian Ombudsman Larissa Alaverdyan.
The monkey with closed ears, “I hear nothing” was awarded to Pargev
Ohanyan, Judge of the First Instance Court of Kentron-Norq Marash
Communes, for the trial of Edgar Araqelyan.
“I say nothing”, the monkey closing its mouth, was given to Public
TV Company of Armenia. Other representatives of Mass Media as well,
“H2”, “Armenia”, “Arm News”, “Yerevan” TV Companies could win the
latter prize. But Public TV Company was preferred.
“The pickets proved that one can achieve his purposes just by
overcoming the sense of fear. We will keep fighting and will carry
it through”, Manandyan says.
Opposition representatives were present for the award. Albert Bazeyan
thinks a Grand Prix was to be handed to Robert Kocharyan.
All the prizes will be sent to the “winners” after the protest action.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer News, Azerbaijan
June 17 2004
Iranian journalists unwilling to visit Armenia until Azerbaijani
lands liberated
Jalal Mahammad, head of the Iranian group of journalists visiting
Baku, told a news conference at the International Press Center on
Thursday that the goal of the visit was to expand relations between
the two countries’ journalists and to inform the Iranian people of
the real political, economic and cultural situation in Azerbaijan.
He said that over the past 10 days spent in Baku, the Iranian
journalists met with employees of both pro-government and opposition
newspapers. The Iranian journalists said that if they were invited to
visit Armenia, they would not do so until the occupied Azerbaijani
lands are liberated.
Asked about the way the Upper Garabagh conflict is covered in Iranian
media, they said they referred to Upper Garabagh as Azerbaijan’s
territory. Touching upon the Iranian-Armenian relations, Iranian
reporters said Armenia has been overstating the issue in an effort to
hurt the relations between Iran and Azerbaijan.

HARRISON HITS BACK AT ABELYAN
SkySports, UK
June 17 2004
Scott Harrison has hit back at William Abelyan as the rivalry between
the two boxers heats up ahead of their showdown on Saturday, live on
sky sports.
The Scottish fighter puts his WBO featherweight title on the line
against the Armenian after regaining the belt from Manuel Medina at
the end of last year.
The Armenian has been quick to taunt Harrison for his problems in
overcoming the veteran Mexican at the second attempt and is confident
he can take the title.
However the current champion has dismissed his opponents comments and
believes he has the experience to come out victorious at the weekend.
“I put Medina down about seven times and he could have been stopped
in the first round,” said Harrison.
“He’s going to say that anyway but that’s good. He’s going to be
ready for the fight and so it’s going to be good for the fans.”
His sentiments were echoed by his father, and trainer, Peter who
questioned Abelyan’s abilities and suggested he was a ‘spoiler’.
“The guys not a Medina and he’ll never be a Medina,” he stated. “They
can talk him up and do what they want but he’s just an awkward guy,
that’s all he is.
“I don’t see him as a fighter, I see him as a runner who’s more
interested in defence. The guy’s a spoiler.”
He added: “People just talk about Scott’s size and strength but he’s
got everything and can be ready for any tactic during the fight.”

FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS NATO DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL
[June 17, 2004, 16:23:11]
Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
June 17 2004
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic Elmar
Mammadyarov met Deputy Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization Jean Fournet, Jun 16.
Having greeted the guest, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov expressed
satisfaction with conducting NATO Summer School Week in Azerbaijan.
He stressed the country attaches great importance to further
development of cooperation with the Alliance in the framework of the
Partnership For Peace Program in all spheres including science.
NATO Deputy Secretary General Jean Fournet thanked the Foreign Minister
for the warm meeting and noted that opening of the NATO Summer School
Week would have a positive impact on the all sided development of
relationship between Azerbaijan and NATO. Mr. Fournet also informed
the Minister on the meeting of the NATO Science Committee held in
Baku on June 13-15.
During the meeting, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov was speaking of
significance of the Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev’s visits to
the Kingdom of Belgium in May and to Georgia in June 14-15, situation
in the region, economic reforms implemented in the country, as well
as development of oil sector, including Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil and
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines construction, insuring their
security etc. He also touched upon the work being carried out at
resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh,
activities of the OSCE Minsk Group and hard living conditions of the
Azerbaijani refugees.
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and NATO Deputy Secretary General
Jean Fournet discussed a number of other issues of mutual interest,
as well.

Business Wire (press release), CA
June 17 2004
Tech Museum Awards Applicants Reach Record Number; From Armenia to
Zimbabwe, Global Program Honors Those Benefiting Humanity Through
Technology
SAN JOSE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 17, 2004–The Tech Museum
Awards, which honors individuals and groups around the world who
leverage technology to benefit humanity, received its highest ever
volume of applicants for the 2004 season from a record number of
countries. This year, 321 applications were sent from representatives
in 60 countries, a 5% and 20% jump from 2003 in number of applicants
and represented countries, respectively. Select wide-ranging
countries represented include developing countries like Armenia,
Malawi, Moldova, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe and industrialized countries
like China, Hong Kong, India, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
Applicants are currently under independent review by Santa Clara
University’s Center for Science, Technology, and Society, a global
network of academic and industry experts dedicated to understanding
and influencing how science and technology impact society. Worldwide,
the center assembles panels of judges for each category, recruited
from research institutions, industry and the public sector.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the tremendous response The Tech
Museum Awards is receiving from the international community,” said
The Tech’s President and CEO Peter Giles. “The Tech Awards celebrates
the creation of technologies for the sake of humanity rather than
just for the sake of technology, and the increased interest from an
even wider range of countries this year underscores that growing
trend.”
Five laureates in each of five categories – Equality, Environment,
Economic Development, Education, and Health – will be announced in
early September 2004. Subsequently, one laureate in each of the five
categories will be granted a $50,000 cash prize at the November 10,
2004 awards gala to further their work. Annually, twenty-five Tech
Award laureates are recognized for their pioneering use of technology
to improve the quality of life for people around the world.
Presented in partnership with Applied Materials, Inc., The Tech
Awards give primary recognition to technologies with a high potential
of yielding lasting, beneficial impact. In addition to Applied
Materials’ presenting sponsorship, award category sponsors include:
Intel, Accenture, Microsoft, and Agilent.
About The Tech Museum Awards
The concept for The Tech Awards and its five categories was inspired
in part by The State of the Future report of The Millennium Project
of the American Council for the United Nations University, which
recommends that award recognition is an effective way to accelerate
scientific breakthroughs and technological applications to improve
the human condition. The Tech Awards were inaugurated in 2001, and
have since recognized 75 Laureates for their pioneering work to
benefit society through the use and/or development of new
technologies. For more information visit
The Tech Museum Award Partners
The Tech Awards represent a collaborative effort among educational
institutions and business. Silicon Valley leaders supporting The Tech
Awards include presenting sponsor Applied Materials, Inc. and Santa
Clara University’s Center for Science, Technology, and Society.
Category sponsors include Intel, Accenture, Microsoft, and Agilent.
Sponsorship of The Tech Awards provides an organization with an
opportunity to showcase its support of the global community and align
itself with a prestigious program whose sole focus is to address
critical challenges facing the world. For more information on
sponsorship opportunities, email [email protected].
About The Tech Museum of Innovation
Located in the heart of downtown San Jose, Silicon Valley, Calif.,
The Tech Museum of Innovation, a non-profit organization, engages
people of all ages and backgrounds in exploring and experiencing the
technologies affecting their lives and aims to inspire the young to
become innovators in the technologies of the future. For more
information, visit or call (408) 294-TECH.

SkySports, UK
June 17 2004
HARRISON SIMPLY HAS TO WIN – MCGUIGAN
Harrison hits back at Abelyan
Scott Harrison v William Abelyan
WBO featherweight title
Saturday Fight Night Live
Sky Sports 2, 8pm
On Saturday night Scott Harrison defends his WBO featherweight title
against William Abelyan in the white-hot atmosphere of Glasgow’s
Braehead Arena.
Scott often gets overlooked when we talk about our world champions,
so this is a chance for him to shine against what looks like a very
tough opponent.
We do not know too much about Abelyan, but he is a southpaw and from
what I gather, he’s ostensibly a boxer.
He was born in Armenia but grew up in California and appears to be
a consummate professional who will often train three times a day.
He comes to Glasgow having won 13 fights in a row since being knocked
out in the first round by Victor Polo back in January 2000, but reports
say he was ill that day, which would explain how he was floored by
a body punch so early on.
Abelyan: southpaw
I gather he has enlisted the help of Manuel Medina – who Harrison
lost to, and then beat of course – to help plan his fight strategy.
As long as Medina is not sparring with him, because his style is
nothing like Harrison’s, that is a smart move and should prepare him
for what to expect from the marauding Scot.
Harrison only knows one way to fight and that is to walk forward and
swarm all over his opponent.
He has been accused of being a little one-dimensional unless he gets
some top-quality sparring – and I fear he hasn’t – his style is never
going to change. He likes to shut himself away and train up to three
times a day, but running up mountains in Fort William is not going
to improve his boxing ability.
Harrison’s style may well suit a clever counter-puncher, who can
draw him on and then pick him off, and Abelyan’s record (28 fights,
23 wins and 12 KO’s) suggest he could be that type of fighter.
But he will not be prepared for the absolute frenzy that will greet him
when he walks out at the Braehead. Scott might not be as high-profile
as our other top fighters, and he may not be as comfortable with
the media, but he does have a great fan base behind him north of
the border.
Harrison: marauding
Believe me, Abelyan will have heard nothing like it and the Braehead
crowd will have a big part to play.
Scott may have to be prepared to lose the first few rounds, but he
needs to walk Abelyan down and get him into a war of attrition. He
may not be the most devastating puncher, but he is powerful and has
to make the Armenian-born challenger fight at his pace.
It is a question of imposing his will on Abelyan and eventually
slowing him down. That might take some time and it might not be pretty,
but Scott simply cannot afford to lose.
He is good enough to beat the likes Injin Chi, Manny Pacquiao and
Juan Manuel Márquez at the moment, but that could change in time.
Right now he needs to win – even if it means winning ugly.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
June 17 2004
IRAN SUPPORTS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF AZERBAIJAN AND THIS POLICY IS
UNCHANGEABLE
[June 17, 2004, 19:08:59]
Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament Murtuz Alaskarov received the
delegation led by justice minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Muhammadismail Shushteri, 17 June, AzerTAj correspondent reported.
Touching upon the existing friendly relations between the two
countries Mr. Alaskarov expressed satisfaction with the current
level. A number of documents signed during the reciprocals visits of
the by heads of state set reliable ground for these links.
Azerbaijan has always been keen in expansion of ties with Iran and
this policy successfully continues today, he underlined. Highly
appraising the inter-parliamentary links, Murtuz Alaskarov emphasized
that there is a working group on cooperation between the legislative
bodies of the two countries. According to the agreement reached by
this Group and Parliaments of the two countries, members of
parliament of both countries have the same position in the
international organizations.
Updating on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict,
Speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament said that Azerbaijan adheres
peaceful settlement of the problem in the frame of territorial
integrity of states and international law. “We also highly appreciate
Iran’s support in this problem and hope that this policy will be
further continued”, Mr. Alaskarov stated.
Expressing gratitude for warm reception, Mr. Shushteri said that his
country is also interested in development of relations with
Azerbaijan. Approval of the agreements on cooperation in the field of
law-enforcement by the Parliaments eases our mutual activity.
Security of our citizens, legal environment for investment and other
actions have especially promoted our cooperation, he stressed. “We
are convinced that and the parliaments will benefit our common
cause”. Touching upon the Nagorny Karabakh conflict, the Minister
said that Iran has always supported Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity, condemns the Armenian aggression and adheres peaceful
resolution to the problem. “This policy is unchangeable”, the Iranian
Minister underlined.

PRESS OFFICE
ARMENIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA WESTERN DIOCESE
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474
Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
COMMUNIQUÉ
PRIMATE PRESIDES OVER THE
12TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF
ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH IN COSTA MESA
On Sunday, June 13, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Armenian Church of North America Western Diocese,
celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Mary Armenian
Apostolic Church in Costa Mesa, on the occasion of the twelfth
anniversary of the consecration of the church. The Divine Liturgy was
followed by a reception in the church hall.
The Primate addressed the faithful with the message, ÓThe twelfth
anniversary celebration of the consecration of St. Mary Armenian Church
is certainly a time for us to reflect upon our individual lives and the
life of the community, as to how much do we accomplish our duties in our
God-given lives. Therefore celebrations are special times for
thanksgiving and the renewal within us of the vocation and calling to
serve the Lord and the Church.
^ÓToday^Òs celebration reawakens in us the vision to make God ever-present
in our spiritual life. Today^Òs celebration calls on us to lead a
creative life, but above all to follow the messages of or Lord ^Å ^ÑGo,
therefore, and teach all the nations of the world^Ò. To teach means to
share; therefore through celebration we are reminded once again that
life is more meaningful if we share our God-given gifts^Ô.
We congratulate St. Mary Armenian Church on this joyous
occasion.
CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF MR. YERVANT BABAYAN
Sunday evening, June 13, 2004 a celebratory reception was held in honor
of the 90th birthday and 70th anniversary of the services of Mr. Yervant
Babayan, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate, and organized by a committee headed by Mashdots College. The
event was held at the Kalaydjian Hall of the Arshag and Eleanor
Dickranian Complex of the Western Diocese and was attended by several
Clergy of the Diocese.
Mr. Yervant Babayan has dedicated his life to the education of the
Armenian people and community. He is well known as the principal of two
schools, in Aleppo and Lebanon, as a writer, editor, and community
activist.
Hosted by Dr. Garbis Der Yeghiayan, the program of the evening included
recitations, music, as well as congratulatory remarks from the various
distinguished members of the community.
After a touching speech by Mr. Yervant Babayan, the clergy, headed by
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, walked onto the stage, where
in his message His Eminence commended Mr. Babayan on his many years of
unrelenting service and dedication. Following, Very Rev. Fr. Asbed
Balian read the encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians. The program closed with a prayer by the clergy.
We congratulate Mr. Yervant Babayan for an impressive career that spans
a period of seventy years. We wish him and his family health and
prosperity for many years to come.
DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE
June 14, 2004
Burbank, CA

June 17, 2004
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Distribution
Armenia Tree Project
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-926-8733
Email: [email protected]
Web:
Armenia Tree Project Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Special Anniversary Event Held on June 5 in Boston
BOSTON – The Armenia Tree Project (ATP), one of the few Armenian
Diaspora-based environmental protection organizations working in
Armenia, held a special celebration event on June 5 commemorating 10
years of greening Armenia. The event was held in the Grand Ballroom
of the Seaport Hotel.
The evening’s program included award presentations, congratulatory
messages, and honorary speeches as well as dinner and dancing, with
musical performances by Artie Barsamian’s Big Band, the Seventh Veil,
and the Richard Hagopian Ensemble.
Ms. Stella Aftandilian, the 10th anniversary committee co-chair,
opened the program by welcoming and thanking the nearly 600 attendees
and guests. Several dignitaries were present at the event, including
Armenian Ambassador to the US Dr. Arman Kirakossian, US Congressman
Edward Markey, and State Representative Peter Koutoujian.
ATP Executive Director Mr. Jeff Masarjian was the program’s first
speaker, who briefly discussed the progress the organization has made
since 1994.
“The ATP has planted and restored over half a million trees in
Armenia, while providing jobs for hundreds of people, Mr. Masarjian
explained. “Our plans for the next decade include expanding our
community reforestation programs in partnership with villagers and
other organizations, which will also provide social and economic
development opportunities. Our new tree nursery in Vanadzor will
produce over one million saplings each year to begin reforesting the
devastated landscape of Armenia.”
Mr. Masarjian then introduced a film depicting the ATP’s new
reforestation and poverty reduction programming in remote Armenian
villages. The 18-minute long film was produced and directed by Kennedy
Wheatley of Los Angeles.
Following the film, 10th anniversary committee co-chair Mrs. Annie
Balikian announced that over $1 million had been raised thus far
in honor of the ATP’s 10th anniversary. These collected funds will
provide a firm foundation for expanding the ATP’s community forestry
and economic development programs and launching its large-scale
reforestation program in the northern city of Vanadzor.
Several ATP staff members based in Yerevan were also in attendance,
including Country Director Susan Yacubian Klein, Deputy Director Jason
Kauffeld, and Program Managers Anahit Garibyan-who is the ATP’s first
Yerevan staff member-Samvel Ghandilyan, and Tigran Palazyan.
Ms. Garibyan discussed the history of the ATP’s activities in Armenia,
and how the two-person staff was at first equipped only with a donated
laptop computer, working in a corner of the Armenian Assembly of
America’s Yerevan office. She commented on how far the organization
has grown, citing its multiple accomplishments and the increase of
the Yerevan office staff to over 45 employees.
Ms. Carolyn Mugar, the ATP’s founder, presented a brief history
timeline of the organization and how it came into existence, beginning
with her 1993 visit to Armenia. She honored Dr. Nora Gabrielyan, who
holds a PhD in botany and is the author of over 16 books studying
Armenia’s diverse plant life. Dr. Gabrielyan spoke about Armenia’s
unique and varied ecosystems and identified examples of rare and
endangered flowering plants that rely on rapidly disappearing forest
habitats.
“The forests, which recently covered only 10% of the territory of
our country, now cover even less,” Dr. Gabrielyan explained. “If
trees are chopped down without any plan or thoughtful system, the
consequences will affect everything-underbrush with rare plants
immediately disappears, the rain washes away soil, springs dry up,
the biodiversity becomes impoverished, and the climate changes.”
Dr. Gabrielyan is the first recipient of the John T. O’Connor
Environmental Activist Award, which was presented to her by
Ms. Mugar. Additionally, Dr. Gabrielyan has been awarded a $25,000
grant by a private donor for publishing her latest book, printed
in English and Armenian, titled the “Illustrated Guidebook-Index of
Armenian Flora.”
Ms. Mugar continued by honoring Ms. Regina Eddy, ATP’s former Executive
Director, for her tireless efforts in guiding the organization during
its early years. She revealed that Ms. Eddy rose to the challenge of
spearheading the organization’s initial project planning by performing
extensive research on Armenia’s biodiversity as well as the grave
environmental risks facing the country in modern times. Ms. Eddy was
honored with a special plaque commemorating her achievements, which
was accepted by her close friend Ms. Ellen Kurz, due to Ms. Eddy’s
inability to attend the program.
Another advocate recognized for the preservation of Armenia’s
environment was Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, who passed away earlier this
year. He was a founding member of the Land and Cultural Organization
and was the chief planner for the renovation of St. Gevorg of Moughni
Monastery in Armenia, having also planted several hundred trees
in its surrounding environs. He also served as an advisor to ATP’s
programs in Armenia and inspired the planting of over 19,000 trees
at 51 church sites during ATP’s 1700th Anniversary of Christianity
in Armenia tree planting campaign in 2001.
Mr. Robert Aram Kaloosdian, ATP advisor and supporter, gave closing
remarks and made reflections on the importance of the organization’s
undertakings. Ms. Mugar and her late parents, Stephen and Marion
Mugar, were also honored for their long-standing commitment to Armenia,
as plans were revealed to develop a special site for reflection and
contemplation at the Tsitsernakerberd Armenian Genocide Memorial
in Yerevan.
The organization is now gearing up to expand its programs in Armenia,
which will include large-scale reforestation, social and economic
development in rural villages, public education, and the promotion
of sustainable forest management policies.
The ATP is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1994
during Armenia’s darkest and coldest years with the vision of
safeguarding Armenia’s future by protecting its environment. Funded
by contributions from Diasporan Armenians, the ATP has planted and
rejuvenated 531,000 trees at more than 400 sites ranging from Gyumri
to Goris.