Armenian president praises army
Mediamax news agency
16 Mar 04

YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan announced in Yerevan today that
“the Armenian army is improving year by year”, Mediamax news agency
quoted Robert Kocharyan as telling journalists this after his visit to
the Vazgen Sarkisyan Military School. He said that “this applies both
to the Armenian army’s combat readiness and level of discipline”.
[A separate Arminfo report quoted him as saying: “The level of
training of the military is now sufficiently high, nevertheless we
discussed with the leadership of the institute steps aimed at
developing further the quality of military education in Armenia.”]

Armenian leader hopes for peaceful solution to Ajaria crisis
Mediamax news agency
16 Mar 04
YEREVAN
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today expressed the hope that the
leaders of Georgia and Ajaria will succeed in resolving their
disagreements through negotiations.
According to Mediamax news agency, Robert Kocharyan said this in
Yerevan today, speaking to journalists after his visit to the Defence
Ministry’s Vazgen Sarkisyan Military Institute.
Robert Kocharyan stressed that “Georgia at large and the Black Sea
ports of that country are of extremely special importance to Armenia”.
The president noted that Armenia’s wish for a peaceful settlement to
the situation in Ajaria was expressed during Georgian President
Mikheil Saakashvili’s official visit to Yerevan at the end of the last
week.

Useful advice to Misha
Aravot, Yerevan
13 Mar 04

On the eve of his visit to Armenia, Georgian President Mikheil
Saakashvili gave an interview to Armenian journalists and said that he
wanted very much to learn Armenia’s experience in the law-enforcement
agencies and especially, in fighting corruption in the police, as the
level of corruption in Georgia is incomparably higher than in Armenia,
according to Saakashvili. So the Georgian president wants Kocharyan to
explain how he manages to do this and in addition, how our president
has managed to establish law and order in the state service system. We
are also eager to discuss this issue with Kocharyan. To be short, the
young president of Georgia has come to Armenia not only for
establishing friendly relations with the Armenians, but also for
learning our country’s experience that will be applied in Georgia
afterwards.
If, for example, the police in Georgia do not simply take bribes as
they do in our country, but demand money from drivers threatening them
with a gun, then Kocharyan may give really good advice. The same
concerns the state system, as nobody is being robbed in our country,
and people and private companies “pay taxes” of their own volition. In
this case, Kocharyan will teach Saakashvili how to create a system
under which people will give bribes to officials and policemen of
their own volition.
But corruption is not the most important issue. The newly-elected
president of Georgia should be thinking of gaining victory in the next
presidential elections, when the people’s euphoria ends and most of
social problems are not resolved. Our president will really become an
inestimable adviser for Saakashvili on the issue of “being re-elected”.
For example, Kocharyan may give very valuable advice about how to
revoke the licence of any undesirable independent TV company, about
how to turn the parliament into a puppet, about the laws that the
parliament should be forced adopt in order to restrict freedom of
speech and the press and about how to fight the opposition that
irritates them from time to time. Saakashvili may get advice about how
to stuff ballot boxes and rig the results of elections. And remember,
my friend Misha [meaning Mikheil Saakashvili], opposition activists
should be definitely arrested. The people should be kept in an
atmosphere of fear. To be honest, Saakashvili will learn all these
skills without his counterpart’s advice in a year.

Senior US official comes to Azerbaijan with “concrete” proposals, analyst
says
Sarq, Baku
16 Mar 04
US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage is expected to visit the
South Caucasus countries in a few days. The US official is also
expected to hold talks with the presidents of the three countries of
the region during his visit. It is also said that the goal of the
visit is to discuss bilateral relations and regional problems.
This visit by Armitage can be assessed as yet another step by the West
and the USA which have recently increased their interest in the
region.
The director of the Centre of Political Innovations and Technologies,
political analyst Mubariz Ahmadoglu, thinks that the major goal of the
US official’s visit to the region has to do with Azerbaijan.
“There is an issue that the USA has always kept in the focus of
attention. At the moment it is the settlement of all regional
conflicts. Apart from the conflicts in Georgia and Azerbaijan, the USA
is also interested in regional integration. There are almost no
uncertainties in Georgian-US relations. What is not certain is that it
is difficult to predict [Georgian President Mikheil] Saakashvili’s
steps. But this is not of great concern for the USA. So, Georgia is
not a problem,” Ahmadoglu said.
He said that interestingly, ahead of Armitage’s visit, US officials
had made several statements in connection with the settlement of the
Nagornyy Karabakh conflict. Thus, it cannot be ruled out that Richard
Armitage will address regional leaders, in particular the Azerbaijani
and Armenian presidents, with concrete proposals on the settlement of
this problem.
“He will also try to get more precise answers to his proposals from
the sides,” Ahmadoglu said.
[Passage omitted: there might be other proposals on regional
integration]
Ahmadoglu believes that the USA is interested in the strengthening of
Azerbaijan. “There can be statements on human rights and
democracy. But the USA accepts the incumbent authorities. The White
House will boost both economic and geopolitical and military
cooperation with Azerbaijan,” the analyst said.

PRESS RELEASE
Noah’s Landing, LLC
PO Box 22168, Cleveland, OH 44122 USA
CONTACT: Anita P. Kazarian
Phone: 216.932.8100
[email protected]
ARMENIA FORMING TEAMS TO COMPETE IN THE 2004 INTERNATIONAL CHILDRENS
GAMES
The 2004 International Children’s Games, a five-day celebration of
athletic competition and cultural festival taking place for the first
time in the United States this summer is looking forward to Armenia’s
participation.
In all, 3,000 children, aged 12-15, from around the world will compete
in International Olympic Committee endorsed games in Cleveland Ohio from
July 29 to August 2.
Coaches in Armenia are assembling the best athletes to compete in
tennis, table tennis, gymnastics, swimming, water polo, track & field,
soccer, baseball, volleyball and basketball. The opening ceremonies will
be held in the Cleveland Browns Football Stadium where it is hoped
Armenia will also be there to raise her flag along with other nations.
Dr. Sebouh Setrakian, of Cleveland Ohio, believes “it is of utmost
importance for Armenia to participate in these Games with qualified
competing athletes.” As a tireless contributor for Armenian cultural
preservation in NE Ohio, and a galvanizing force for this small
community, Dr. Setrakian said, “the children of Armenia cannot
participate and compete without the help of American Armenians.”
Anita Kazarian, of Noah’s Landing, arranged for donations to be
tax-deductible through a 501 (c) 3 organization. Checks made out to the
Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, the organizing body for the Games,
should be mailed to PO Box 22168, Cleveland, OH 44122.
The youth of Cleveland joined forces to help make Armenia’s
participation a reality. Gregory Andonian of the Cleveland ACYOA and
Sosi Pounardjian, of the Cleveland ARS have calculated $2,000 will
sponsor one child. This will cover round-trip airfare from Armenia to
Cleveland, hotels, food, and visa for the one week.
The all-volunteer Armenia Task Force of the International Children’s
Games is asking you to donate any amount. Please mail checks to PO Box
22168, Cleveland, OH 44122. Anita Kazarian will answer any questions on
a special Hot Line 216.932.8100.
###

PRESS RELEASE
March 12, 2004
Noah’s Landing LLC
CONTACT: Anita P. Kazarian
PO Box 22168
Cleveland, OH 44122
216.932.8100
[email protected]
ARMENIAN TEAMS GOING FOR THE GOLD!
Cost? $1.00
Three Armenian cities filed papers to participate in the Olympic
sanctioned 2004 International Children’s Games in the United States this
July. This will be the first time since the Games started in 1968 that
Armenia will compete.
Yerevan, Armavir and Artashat are forming teams of up to 30 children
each. If all 90 children come, “Going for and getting the Gold” is a
sure bet according to the ICG – Armenia Task Force.
Carmen Policy, the President and CEO of the Cleveland Browns football
team is the Chairperson of the Competitions. With the colorful opening
ceremonies taking place in the Cleveland Browns Stadium, media coverage
will be the largest in the history of these Games.
With three Armenian teams, the Tri-Color will wave proudly from July 29
to August 2 in the United States of America. The ICG -Armenia Task
Force is made up of volunteers from around the country to help bring the
children to the US for these Games.
They are confident that if each Armenian in the United States makes a
tax deductible donation of $1 all the three teams will be here to raise
the Armenian Tri-Color at the opening ceremonies and go home with gold.
And each Armenian American can proudly say ‘I made it happen!’
Once here, the ICG will house, feed and provide local transportation for
the children, their coaches and delegation head for the full time they
are in Cleveland for the Games.
All donations and expenses will be posted on a special link to
for further information telephone 216.932.8100 or
e-mail [email protected] To become a volunteer on the ICG – Armenia
Task Force for your community, write or call the above.
###

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
A CANADIAN CHURCH DELEGATION IN ANTELIAS
ANTELIAS, LEBANON – 13 March, 2004 – A Canadian high ranking church
delegation was received by His Holiness Aram I at the Center of the Armenian
Catholicosate of Cilicia, in Antelias, Lebanon. The delegation was
representing the Kairos a Canadian Ecumenical Organization, and the purpose
of its visit to the Middle East was to get a better understanding of the
situation in the region, and to know more about the actual problems and
challenges facing the churches, and express their ecumenical partnership.
The Kairos has been ecumenically involved in the region in the last years,
particularly in the areas of justice, peace, advocacy and accompaniment.
His Holiness Aram I by welcoming the delegation appreciated this important
ecumenical initiative considering it “a concrete sign of growing ecumenical
partnership” between the Churches in the Middle East and the Churches in
Canada. He said: “our mission is one wherever we are; we must together take
the gospel to the world. Our witness to Jesus Christ becomes more credible,
reliable and relevant when we stand together against all forms of injustice
and violence. Christian faith is not a sheer of reflection or meditation. It
is spirituality expressed through action. It is prayer translated into
concrete work. It is mission manifested through committed engagement. The
church cannot be passive in view of the kind of situations and developments
and realities that endanger God’s image in human being and destroy the human
dignity and moral and spiritual values”.
His Holiness than identified those areas of concern in the life of the
churches in the Middle East which require serious attention.
At the end of the meeting reference was made to the Armenian community in
Canada and particularly its growing participation in the life of the
Canadian society in general and in inter-church and inter-religious
participation in general.
##
View printable picture here:
*********
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
“GENOCIDE, IMPUNITY AND JUSTICE”
AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ANTELIAS, LEBANON
(22-23 APRIL, 2004)
ANTELIAS, LEBANON – An International conference on Genocide, Impunity and
Justice which has been initiated by His Holiness Aram I and organized by the
Armenian Cathoilcosate of Cilicia, will take place in the Headquarters of
the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, in Antelias, Lebanon.
The conference will focus on the question of impunity, which will be
analyzed from juridical, religious and political perspectives. The Armenian
Genocide, the first genocide of the 20th century (1915) and the Rwandan
Genocide, the last genocide of the 20th century (1994) will be presented as
two different cases of impunity. An international body of scholars,
politicians and academicians will take part in the conference. The
presidents of Lebanon and Rwanda will send their messages through their
personal representatives. His Holiness Aram I will give his message at the
opening session.
The question of impunity has become a critical issue on the agenda of the
world community. The conference will provide a framework for people coming
from different religions and backgrounds to discuss this question in a
spirit of creative dialogue.
In the following two weeks you will find on the website of the Catholicosate
the detailed program and schedule of the conference with
related information. We have limited space to accommodate those interested
in this conference. You may fill out the attached Application Form, or
contact us at [email protected] .
##
APPLICATION FORM:
*************
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
March 16, 2004
ANEC ORGANIZES ARMENIAN JEOPARDY
Who is Toros Roslin?
Who is called “The Poet of all Armenians”?
What was the original name of Etchmiadzin?
Armenian students from the Mid-Atlantic region will contend with similar
questions during the Armenian Jeopardy tournament scheduled to take place at
the Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church Hall in Ridgefield, NJ on Saturday,
March 27, 2004 at 3:00 PM.
Organized by the Jeopardy Committee of the Armenian National Education
Committee (ANEC), plans are underway for the highly anticipated innovative
cultural event that will engage students from Armenian schools in regional
competitions.
In the function of its original namesake, this ethnic, electronic version
will feature cultural topics running the gamut of Armenian literature,
history, geography, religion, politics, current events and fine and
performing arts.
Participating students from the following Mid-Atlantic schools and parishes
are hard at work preparing for the tournament: Siamanto Academy, NY; Holy
Martyrs Armenian Day School, NY; Nareg School, NJ; St. Gregory Armenian
Sunday School, PA; Armenian Sisters Academy, PA; and Hamasdegh School,
Washington DC.
The objective of activities such as this one, is to reinforce the cultural
edification of the new generation, to strengthen pride in their shared rich
background and to bolster well rounded citizenship in a young generation
that would be securely anchored in their national heritage.
Dr. Ara Caprielian has been invited to serve as the Armenian Alex Trebek, to
pose the questions to the participants. The Jeopardy Committee is comprised
of: Dr. Meline Karakashian, Mr. Hovsep Melkonian, Mrs. Nayiri Balanian, Mrs.
Sossy Jeknavorian, Mrs. Sossy Shekookian, Ms Ann Marie Bokatzian and Ms
Gilda B. Kupelian. Dr. Herand Markarian and Mr. Haroutune Misserlian have
contributed questions to the program and Mrs. Silva Kouyoumdjian has been
helpful in logistical matters.
The public is invited to attend and encourage the students.
For further information, kindly contact the ANEC office at 212.689.7810 or
[email protected].

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Foreign Press Office
Tel: (374 1) 517 163
Fax: (374 1) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
March 16, 2004
Rev. Fr. Aren Shahinian Appointed as Spiritual Pastor of the Armenian
Community of Rome
By the Pontifical Order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, Rev. Father Aren Shahinian is appointed as
spiritual pastor of the Armenian community of Rome. The Armenian
communities of Italy are under the jurisdiction of the Pontifical Legate for
Western Europe, His Eminence Archbishop Kude Nakkashian, Primate of Paris.
Fr. Shahinian is a member of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.
* * *
Father Aren Shahinian
(baptized Shant)
Father Aren Shahinian was born on January 20, 1970, in Baghdad, Iraq. He
received his primary education in the local elementary school.
>From 1989-1992, he studied at the College of Mechanical Sciences in the city
of Kirkuk.
In 1993, he began attending a five-year ecclesiastical course organized by
His Eminence Archbishop Avak Assadourian, Primate of the Armenian Church
Diocese of Iraq. Concurrently, he pursued his education at the “Babylon”
Theological University of Baghdad.
On January 29, 1999, he was ordained a deacon by Archbishop Avak
Assadourian.
On March 2, 2000, he was ordained a celibate priest by Archbishop Avak
Assadourian, in the Armenian Church of St. Gregory the Illuminator, of
Cairo, Egypt. The same year, he successfully defended his thesis entitled:
“The Gospel and the Koran”, and was awarded with a Bachelor’s Degree in
Theology and Philosophy from the “Babylon” Theological University.
Following his ordination, Father Aren departed for Rome to continue his
theological education.
In 2004, upon the Pontifical Order of the Catholicos of All Armenians, he
was appointed spiritual pastor of the Armenian community of Rome.
##