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07/15/2004
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1. Armenian Patriarch of Turkey Speaks in Favor of Turkey EU Membership
2. Western Prelacy Blesses Saints Dertad And Ashkhen Chapel Cornerstone
3. Russia, Georgia, South Ossetia Sign Accord to End Separatist Conflict
4. NEWS BRIEFS
1. Armenian Patriarch of Turkey Speaks in Favor of Turkey EU Membership
ISTANBUL (ARMENPRESS)–The Armenian Patriarch of Turkey, Archbishop Mesrob
Mutafian, met recently with the France’s Consul General in Istanbul,
Jean-Christophe Peaucelle, who was eager to learn about the religious leader’s
views on Turkey’s accession to the European Union (EU). To date, France has
resisted Turkey’s efforts to gain EU membership.
Archbishop Mutafian told Peaucelle that it would incorrect to view the
international community of Armenians as a homogeneous body. “French Armenians
who resist Turkish EU membership represent only one part of the Armenian
community. Along with Diaspora Armenians who advocate against Turkey’s
accession to EU, there are also Armenians who support the process because they
realize the benefits Turkey’s membership can have on Turkish-Armenian
relations,” he said.
Mutafian said that he too, as the Armenian Patriarch, often speaks in
favor of
Turkey’s drive, and believes that its membership will have a “very positive”
effect on a number of issues, including Turkish-Armenian relations, regional
stability, and the condition of Turkey’s national minorities.
2. Western Prelacy Blesses Saints Dertad And Ashkhen Chapel Cornerstone
LA CRESCENTA–The Western Prelacy marked an important milestone on Sunday,
July
11, with the blessing of the Prelacy chapel cornerstone, which signaled the
beginning of the chapel’s construction, and the renovation of the Prelacy
building.
Many faithful gathered at the Prelacy in La Crescenta to witness the historic
event and to partake in the ceremony which was conducted by Prelate Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, and Prelacy clergy.
Prelacy benefactors were on hand, along with those who have sponsored the
Chapel, Altar, baptismal font, the 16 pillars and various parts of the
Prelacy.
Also present were representatives of the Catholicosate of the Great House of
Cilicia, Prelacy Executive Council, Prelacy committees and parishes, and a
congregation of supporters.
As the reading of prayers and scripture proceeded, His Eminence the Prelate
conducted the washing of the cornerstones of the Alter and the 16 pillars of
the chapel with wine and water. The 16 pillars symbolize Christ’s Disciples,
the Evangelists, and the founder of the Armenian Church, St. Gregory the
Illuminator.
The Prelate then anointed each stone with Holy Oil and handed them to the
godfathers to be placed at the foundations of the chapel.
After the ceremony, the Prelate expressed his contentment for the achievement
of the significant milestone, accomplished with the grace of God, and informed
the faithful that the new chapel would be named after the first Christian king
and queen of Armenia, St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen.
Recalling that the year 2004 has been declared the “Year of the Armenian
Family,” by Catholicos Aram I, the Prelate said it is “most appropriate to
name
the chapel after the first Christian family of our nation.”
Thanking all sponsors and Prelacy benefactors, the Prelate extended a special
appreciation to the Bedrosian, Carolan, and Pilavjian families, who have
provided both moral and financial support, not only to the Prelacy Building
project, but also to the Prelacy as a whole, enabling it to carry out its
mission to serve the mother church and the Armenian Community.
3. Russia, Georgia, South Ossetia Sign Accord to End Separatist Conflict
MOSCOW (AFP)–Russia, Georgia and its separatist region of South Ossetia
signed
an agreement aimed at ending the escalating conflict over the disputed
province.
The tiny mountainous region on Georgia’s border with Russia has seen a string
of clashes recently that have increased tensions between Tbilisi, South
Ossetia’s self-proclaimed government, and its protector Moscow.
“All sides signed the agreement,” Russian army deputy chief for peacekeeping
operations, Valery Evnevich told reporters in Moscow.
Georgian, South Ossetian, and Russian officials had met behind closed doors
for two days in Moscow as part of a joint commission working to defuse the
recent tensions over the disputed province.
“All sides reaffirmed their aim to strictly follow the principle of
peacefully
resolving the conflict and emphasized that using force and economic
pressure as
unacceptable,” Evnevich said.
But he also said the joint commission would continue to meet in South
Ossetia’s capital Tskhnivali until the conflict was completely resolved, a
hint
that tensions in the volatile region were unlikely to die down immediately.
Recent flareups have included armed South Ossetians detaining Georgian police
officers at gunpoint and Georgia seizing two Russian convoys, including one
with military equipment reportedly for Moscow’s peacekeepers stationed in the
region.
South Ossetia declared independence from Georgia after fighting a civil war
against Tbilisi with Russian support in the early 1990s, following the fall of
the Soviet Union.
Today, the province is effectively a Russian protectorate, with most
residents
holding Russian passports, using rubles and relying on Moscow to keep Tbilisi
at bay. Peacekeepers from Russia, Georgia and South Ossetia patrol separate
parts of the province.
But tensions in the region have risen recently amid moves by Georgia’s new
president Mikhail Saakashvili, to make good on his January election pledge to
reunify his fractured former Soviet republic.
Russia, the traditional power broker in the Caucasus, has warily watched the
efforts of the pro-Western Saakashvili, who in May succeeded in ousting a
pro-Moscow leader in Georgia’s semi-autonomous region of Adjara.
4. NEWS BRIEFS
HALO Trust Continues Progress in Karabagh
STEPANAKERT (ARMENPRESS)This year, the HALO Trust has destroyed 240
antipersonnel landmines, 230 antitank mines and 718 items of unexploded
ordnance in Mountainous Karabagh. In a press relase on July 14, the
organization also announced that it has helped clear some 2,400 acres of land
in 2004 alone.
Nagorno Karabagh is one of the most mine-affected areas in the world and
accidents continue to plague the region. The per capita accident rate is
higher
in Karabagh than in more publicized countries like Afghanistan and
Cambodia. As
people are repatriated into uncharted, potentially mined territory, landmine
accidents continue to occur,” the press release noted. In the month of June
alone, HALO reported three accidents that injured four civilians.
HALO is a NGO that provides employment for 199 locals in Karabagh. At present
manning levels, the organization expects to clear the Karabagh’s mines in five
to seven years. For more information about HALO visit
Aliyev Reiterates His Position on Karabagh Conflict
YEREVAN (YERKIR)Speaking at the opening ceremony of a new plant in Baku on
Wednesday, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev reiterated his government’s
stance on the settlement of the Mountainous Karabagh conflict.
“The conflict can be resolved only by maintaining Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity. Azerbaijan will not compromise its position on the settlement of
the
Mountainous Karabagh conflict. This is a fair position…” Aliyev said.
Aliyev also indicated that the government will be able to spend one-third of
its recently generated surplus on its army. “This is our priority and
Azerbaijan has a powerful army. The army has to be stronger and it will be,”
Aliyev added.
Saakashvili Calls on West to Put Pressure on Russia
LONDON (ARMENPRESS)At a news briefing in London on July 14 Georgian President
Mikhail Saakashvili called on western powers to place pressure on Russia, over
its policy on South Ossetia.
“I do believe that some elements in Moscow are carrying out aggressive plans;
and not just plans but they are carrying out aggressive actions. These are
people who have rid themselves of their imperial ambitions,” Reuters and AP
quoted Mikhail Saakashvili as saying.
Russia says that it can not remain “indifferent towards the fate of its
citizens, which comprise an absolute majority in South Ossetia.”
Armenian Student Provides Bone Marrow to Italian Child
YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)A five-year Italian child with leukemia was saved after
her genetic makeup matched that of 22-year-old Armenian student, Vahe
Vardanian. The bone marrow transplant operation was performed on July 6 in
Italy. Experts say the results of the procedure will be evident in a year.
Last year, Vardanian was included in the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry,
which now has 8000 members. By increasing the pool of donors, registry
participants give blood-disease patients a greater chance of survival.
Armenian Minister, Indian Ambassador Discuss Cooperation
YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)On July 14, Armenian Urban Minister Aram Harutunian met
with India’s Ambassador to Armenia Deepak Vohra to discuss, according to the
ministry press office, “cooperation prospects between the two countries.”
Both men stated that cooperation between the countries may involve such areas
as the construction of seismic-resistant buildings, the preservation of
historical towns and the organization of architectural exhibitions. The sides
also plan to share information about urban planning. The meeting indicated
that
India may serve as a donor country in a Council of Europe implemented project
aimed at the rehabilitation of architectural and historical sites in Armenia.
Vohra said he will brief the newly appointed Urban Minister of India about the
details of the meeting
Construction of Entertainment Center Stopped
YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)Following public outcry, the construction of another
entertainment center in downtown Yerevan was halted. A municipal official said
the orders came from the president and mayor. Some trees in the area had,
however, been cut before government officials interfered. The construction
center, which was approved by former Yerevan mayor Robert Nazarian, was to be
built at the intersection of Isahakian and Teryan streets.
Government Releases Urgent Aid to Syunik
KAPAN (ARMENPRESS)The government has allocated 33 million drams in emergency
assistance to the southern province of Syunik, which was recently
devastated by
strong hailstorms and winds that destroyed tens of homes. The money was used
for building materials that will be distributed to the affected communities.
French-Armenian Relations Continue to Develop
YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)”I am so happy to celebrate the national holiday of
France in the company of so many Armenian friends,” Henry Cuny, the French
Ambassador in Yerevan told journalists on June 14 when the embassy organized a
special ceremony to mark the holiday. In his remarks, the ambassador, who
spoke
about the excellent relations between the two countries, noted that France
will
declare the 2006-2007 year as the Year of Armeniaan arrangement that was
agreed
to by the presidents of the two countries. “Armenian-French relations today
encompass virtually all sectors and continue to develop based on a similar
approach,” Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said. Oskanian also
thanked and commended France for helping Armenia integrate into the European
family.
Armenian-British Agreement on Cultural Center Signed
YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)On Thursday, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
and
British ambassador to Yerevan Thorda Abbot-Watt signed an agreement concerning
the development of cultural centers. Under the agreement, the British Council
is officially recognized as the body that coordinates cultural ties between
Armenia and Great Britain. The agreement also stipulates that each party has
the right to establish cultural centers in their partners’ capital city.
Armenian Fencers to Compete in Tehran
YEREVAN (ARMENPRESS)On Thursday, a 4-member Armenian team of fencers left
Yerevan for Tehran. The athletes will compete in an international fencing
competition to be held from July 17-20.
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