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01/19/2005
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1) ARF Bureau Member Hovannisian Slams Jones’s MKR Statement
2) Youth Demonstration Vocalizes Concern about US Remarks on Karabagh
3) Vatican Unveils Monument of Saint Gregory the Illuminator
4) ARS Annual Christmas Party Honors Longtime Volunteer Sarkissian

1) ARF Bureau Member Hovannisian Slams Jones’s MKR Statement

YEREVAN (Yerkir)–Responding to the outgoing US Assistant Secretary of State
Elizabeth Jones’s incendiary statement about the Mountainous Karabagh
Republic,
Armenian National Assembly vice speaker and Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(ARF) Bureau member Vahan Hovannisian told Yerkir media on Wednesday that the
American official’s stated opinions were the result of Turkish and Azeri
lobbying efforts.
As reported by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) on
Wednesday,
Jones, during a January 13 video conference discussing US bilateral relations
with Russia, called for increased US engagement in resolving regional
conflicts
in the former Soviet Union, stating: “It is in Russia’s interest for these
areas–for Transnistria, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Mountainous Karabagh–to be
stable, for corruption to end there, for the criminal secessionists who rule
there to be removed. It is not appropriate for this kind of instability and
criminality to exist right in the middle of Europe.”
Hovhannisian said that Jones’s statements are both obnoxious and baseless.
“Jones is an outgoing official, and had never made similar comments during her
tenure as assistant secretary of state.” This fact, according to Hovhannisian,
indicates that high ranking American officials had not authorized her to
express such statements. He added that Jones’s stance does not actually
reflect
official US policy.
“Don’t forget former Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly rapporteur on
Karabagh, Terry Davis, who issued a report after leaving the post. The same
goes for the next rapporteur, David Atkinson,” Hovhannisian said.
On Wednesday, the US embassy in Yerevan issued a statement in response to
situation, noting, “US policy with respect to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
has
not changed. The United States does not recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an
independent country, and its leadership is not recognized internationally
or by
the United States.”
“The United States supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and holds
that the future status of Nagorno-Karabakh is a matter of negotiation between
the parties in the Minsk Group process,” continued the statement. “The United
States remains actively engaged in advancing a peaceful settlement of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the Minsk Group process. We are
encouraged by
the continuing talks between the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“Assistant Secretary Jones’s comment quoted in the Moscow Times was directed
at the need for the US and Russia to work together to resolve the conflicts
and
advance transparency and rule of law in the conflict areas. We recognize that
the circumstances of each conflict are unique.”

2) Youth Demonstration Vocalizes Concern about US Remarks on Karabagh

YEREVAN–Representatives of several youth organizations in Armenia expressed
their indignation with US Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones’s
recent
statement referring to Mountainous Karabagh’s leaders as “criminal
secessionists” and calling for their removal from power.
Organized by the “Baze” youth group, demonstrators gathered in front of
the US
embassy in Armenia on Wednesday. Participants included representatives of the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Republican, and Orinats Yerkir youth
groups,
as well as non-governmental organizations.
The demonstration closed down Bagramyan Avenue, while police protected
them by
forming a chain and controlling the traffic. Carrying posters that read “Shame
on Elizabeth Jones” and “No to double standards,” the youth expressed their
outrage at Jones’s remarks on January 13 during a digital video-conference
with
journalists in US Embassies in Moscow, Rome, and Bratislava.
Expressing the Armenian American community’s shock and outrage at Assistant
Secretary Jones’s remarks, the ANCA, on Tuesday, also condemned her statements
“as counter to the long-standing US policy of helping the parties reach a
negotiated settlement.” The ANCA also called on the Administration to begin
repairing this damage by immediately and clearly renouncing the unfair and
inaccurate remarks.

3) Vatican Unveils Monument of Saint Gregory the Illuminator

(VATICAN CITY)–Pope John-Paul II, along with Armenian Church officials,
attended the official inauguration of the statue of Saint Gregory the
Illuminator in the Vatican on January 19.
The almost 18 feet high statue was placed in the last remaining empty niche
along the walls leading to St. Peter’s Basilica, which house the statues of
famous saints. It is situated at the site where visitors wait to climb the
cupola.
An almost two-foot gilt bronze Armenian Cross is situated in the right
hand of
the statue, and a Holy Bible in the left. Two Armenian crosses and Saint
Gregory’s adorn the statue’s vestment.
The Latin and Armenian inscription on the pedestal reads, “Saint Gregory
Illuminator of Armenia 301.”
On his trip to Armenia to mark the 1700th anniversary of the conversion of
the
Armenian nation to Christianity, Pope John-Paul II became inspired by a visit
to Khor-Virab where Saint Gregory was confined, crouched in the dark for 13
years.
Thus, at the urging of the Armenian catholic Patriarch Nerses-Bedros XIX, the
Pope pledged to do his utmost to erect, in the Vatican, a statue of the Saint
Illuminator of the first Christian nation.
In 2001, the Vatican Launched an international design contest for a marble
statue of the Founder of the Armenian Church.
The winner was artist Khachik Kazandjian from Paris, who recently created
a 30
feet high monument of Alfred Nobel. That statue is in the center of the
city of
Sevran where Nobel lived and worked. Kazandjian is also a founding member and
the First President of the Society of Armenian Artists of France.

4) ARS Annual Christmas Party Honors Longtime Volunteer Sarkissian

GLENDALE–The Armenian Relief Society Western Region (ARS-WR) annual Christmas
party took on a special celebratory mood on January 4, not only because 350
ARS
members from San Diego to the San Fernando Valley, representing three
generations, gathered to celebrate, but also because one of its finest members
was honored.
ARS social services worker Annig Sarkissian was honored for her dedicated
volunteer work throughout the years. As Santa escorted Sarkissian, who was a
little shy, from her seat to the stage, ARS members were ready to speak of her
efforts and present a commemorative plaque.
Explaining that volunteer work lies at the heart of the ARS, ARS-WR Social
Services Director Sona Zinzalian explained Sarkissian’s work as incomparable.
Zinzalian described her as the kind of volunteer who does not stop when her
work is done, but asks if other committees need help. ARS-WR Regional
Executive
Chair Angela Savoian expressed the Regional Executive’s appreciation of
Sarkissian’s presence within the office saying, “We are so happy that we have
someone like you among us.” In her turn, the honoree, who is in her eighties,
promised to volunteer until she turns 100.
Members of the ARS Central Executive (CE) and ARF Central Committee
representative were among the attendees. An east coast transplant, Yeretzgin
Habeshian, officiated the prayers. Speaking on behalf of the ARS-CE, Anahid
Meymarian urged the membership to stay physically and mentally healthy in
order
to carry on the name and reputation of the ARS–an organization which will
celebrate its centennial in 5 years.
Savoian invited the Regional Executive members to join her for a toast,
expressing her appreciation for being surrounded by like-minded board members
who make the meetings an enjoyable place to discuss serious issues for the
ARS.
She also announced the start of a campaign to assist the tsunami victims. On
January 15, the ARS-WR Regional headquarters were open to accept donations.
ARS General Accountant Jassik Jarahian, party coordinator, had arranging for
performances by Razmig Mansourian and Alen Aghajanian, as well as a cappuccino
service, and a uniquely decorated fruit table donated by Arthur Hamedi.
For a brief few hours, the ARS enjoyed the company of fellow members in a
happy and carefree atmosphere, only to return to their chapters and continue
working for their communities.

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