Author: Boshkezenian Garik

PanARMENIAN.Net

US to Intensify Efforts in Karabakh Settlement

08.04.2006 20:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ United States are in support of the peaceful
resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and will intensify its
efforts in that direction, the US State Secretary, Condoleezza Rice
stated at her meeting with the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov in Washington. Rice expressed her support towards the
democratization policy in Azerbaijan and suggested that the strategic
development dialogue should be continued during the visit of the
Azerbaijani president to Washington.

Mammadyarov in his turn thanked for consistent policy on `recognition
of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan’ and support in the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict resolution. After the talks with Washington
officials, Mammadyarov stated they wish to enhance US-Azeri relations,
which meets Azerbaijan’s national interests. `The US supports the
far-sighted strategic policy of President Ilham Aliyev regarding the
country and the region. The US is grateful to Azerbaijan for efforts
within the anti-terror coalition. They view us as a regional leader,’
Mammadyarov underscored.

KARS-AKHALKALAKI RAILROAD IS DISSIPATION

Lragir.am
05.04.2006

The European Union thinks it is necessary to invest money in the
reconstruction of the Kars-Gyumri-Tbilisi-Baku railroad instead
of dissipating money on the construction of Kars-Akhalkalaki,
which passes by Armenia. The news agency ARKA informs that this was
stated by the foreign minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan on April
5.According to him, the standpoint of the EU with regard to this
question is definite. “The EU has announced for a number of times
that the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railroad project does not
enjoy the political and economic support of Europe,” says Vardan
Oskanyan. Peter Semnebi, the EU Special Representative on the South
Caucasus, who participated in the same news conference, declined to
speak on this, saying that it is not in his competence.

ARMENIAN MP ATTACKED IN MOSCOW

PanARMENIAN.Net
06.04.2006 20:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ April 5 the Prosecutor’s Office of the Western
District of Moscow instituted proceedings on a criminal case on robbery
article of the Russian Criminal Code on the fact of attack against
Armenian MP. As it was possible to specify in Yerevan, Executive
Director of Great Valley Brandy, Wine and Vodka Company Tigran
Arzakantsyan, 39, is the victim of the attack. He was attacked March
29 at a casino in the Minsk Street in Moscow. At about 4:00 a.m. a
group of unknown persons beat the MP and then they took away his Frank
Muller watches and cellular phone. The stolen things are estimated to
cost 1.5 million rubles. March 30 the victim was hospitalized with a
cranial and cerebral injury. April 4 one of the assistants of the beat
Deputy called the police and reported the happening. The malefactors
are being identified at present, reports IA Regnum.

US WARNS CITIZENS AGAINST TRAVELING TO GARABAGH

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
April 5 2006

Baku, April 4, AssA-Irada
The US State Department has prohibited Americans from visiting the
Armenian-occupied Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh and sent a special warning
to US citizens of Armenian descent.

“US citizens must refrain from visiting Upper Garabagh and the
occupied territories surrounding it, as their security there cannot
be guaranteed,” says a special statement of the State Department’s
consular bureau.

The statement indicated further that although a ceasefire agreement was
reached in 1994, small pockets of hostilities are still in evidence
on the frontline. Since military action is still underway, there is
no consular service for Upper Garabagh which US citizens could use,
it said.

Touching on the crime situation in Azerbaijan, the State Department
said that while the rate of grave crimes is relatively low, the
muggings and attacks on foreigners have become regular. Those traveling
to Baku have to be prepared for assaults in any part of the city. It
is also recommended that visitors do not walk alone after the fall
of darkness and report all incidents to the police or the US embassy.

WESTERN PRELACY
OF THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF AMERICA
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
Tel: 818-248-7737/8, Fax: 818-248-7745, E-mail:
[email protected]

On the Name Day of St. Gregory Armenian Church of San Francisco

Reaffirmed by the faith of our Spiritual Father St. Gregory the Illuminator,
let us be prepared for the second coming of Christ

Declares H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate

According to the calendar of the Armenian Apostolic Church, on the
34th day of Great Lent we commemorate the descent of St. Gregory the
Illuminator into the Pit. Armenian faithful worldwide celebrate this feast
with deep love and respect, remembering Christ’s loyal soldier who for 13
years prayed in the depths of the Pit for the enlightenment of the Armenian
nation and people.
On this occasion, special Holy Mass is conducted in all Armenian
churches, with churches bearing the name of St. Gregory the Illuminator
organizing celebrations and Blessing of the Offerings (madagh). It is
particularly a day of spiritual joy for the Catholicosate of the Great House
of Cilicia, where pilgrims flock to the Holy See of Cilicia to kiss the
relic forearm of St. Gregory the Illuminator.
With this same enthusiasm, the faithful of San Francisco’s St.
Gregory Church celebrated the Feast of St. Gregory and the name day of their
church. The Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian was
present along with members of clergy and Executive Council.
On Saturday evening, the Prelate and members of the Executive
Council met with Parish Priest Rev. Avedis Torossian, and the Board of
Trustees and Delegates to hear their concerns and to discuss future plans.
On Sunday morning, the Prelate conducted Holy Mass, joined by Very
Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian at the altar.
The Prelate entered the church with the singing of `Hrashapar’ and guided by
H.M.E.M. scouts. Prior to the sermon, the hymn `Oorakh Ler’ was sung as the
Pontifical Encyclical was brought forth to the altar in a procession. The
Encyclical, which was read by the Prelate, grants Rev. Torossian the
privilege of wearing an ornament pilon. The Prelate congratulated the
Pastor, after which he delivered his sermon. In his sermon, the Prelate
spoke of St. Gregory’s immaculate life and his devotion in spreading the
light knowledge of God to the Armenian nation and people, thus calling on
those present to take example from his life and reaffirmed by his faith to
be prepared for the second coming of Christ, and to make a vow to live a God
pleasing life from this day forward.
At the conclusion of Holy Mass, the Blessing of the Offerings took
place, after which the parishioners joined the clergy members in singing
`Cilicia’, `Ee Veh Partsants’, and `Mer Hayrenik’.
Following church services, a reception took place at
`Khatchadourian’ Armenian Community Center `Saroyan’ Hall, with more than
200 guests in attendance. Remarks were made by the host Pastor Rev. A.
Torossian, Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Nerses Teshoian, and Executive
Council Chair Mr. Hrair Balian. On this occasion, the Prelate handed
certificates to Pontifical Visit Welcoming Committee members for their
invaluable work during the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, to San Francisco.
In his closing remarks, the Prelate commended the members of the
Executive Council who were in attendance both for Holy Mass and also the
reception. He expressed thanks and wished success to the Pastor, Board of
Trustees, and Delegates in all of their endeavors. He then announced that
during Holy Week, the parish community will be blessed with the presence of
H.E. Archbishop Suren Kataroyan, former Prelate of the Diocese of Aleppo,
and urged everyone to attend Holy Week services. The Prelate also praised
Mr. Henry Khatchadourian, who on this special occasion donated $25,000 to
the Prelacy Building. Accordingly, he read the Pontifical Encyclical
addressed to Mr. H. Khatchadourian in which the Catholicos honored his long
time service to the church, community, and school with the insignia of
`Prince of Cilicia’. Let us remember that during His Pontifical Visit His
Holiness personally presented Mr. Khatchadourian with the aforementioned
medal. Mr. Khatchadourian expressed his thanks for the honor.
The reception came to a close with the recitation of `Bahbanich’
prayer and the singing of `Cilicia’.

BODY OF 80-YEAR-OLD MAN FOUND IN ONE OF BUILDINGS IN HOVHANNISIAN STREET

Noyan Tapan
Apr 03 2006

YEREVAN, APRIL 3, NOYAN TAPAN. On April 1, at about 4:35 pm, a call
was received from the Ashtarak hospital: L. Gyulnazarian, 44, of the
Parpi village of Aragatsotn marz, had been bitten by a snake. The
hospital has no antidote to provide the neceassry medical aid. The
man was immediately taken to the acute poisoning unit of the Armenia
Medical Center (Yerevan) where he was injected an antidote provided
by the operative group of the Emergency Management Center of the
Rescue Service of Armenia. Doctors evaluated L. Gyulnazarian’s health
condition as that of medium gravity. According to a summary of the
Rescue Service of the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration, on
April 2 at about 8:45 pm, an alarm call was received that nobody had
entered and left for a long time one of the apartments of a 8-storied
building in Hovhannisian Street (Yerevan). Upon arriving at the scene
and opening the door, the rescuers found the body of a 80-year-old
man. A criminal case was opened in this connection.

GENERAL CONSULATE OF AZERBAIJAN IN ISTANBUL ORGANIZES SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AGAINST TURKS – AZERI CONSUL IN ISTANBUL
Author: R.Abdullayev

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 3 2006

The General Consulate of Azerbaijan in Istanbul organized a scientific
symposium entitled “Armenia’s genocide policy against Turks and future
of the Turkish-Azerbaijani mutual relationships.

Ibrahim Nabioglu, the General Consul of Azerbaijan in Istanbul, told
Trend that attending the event were over 500 scientific and public
figures of Turkey, heads of diplomatic missions, MPs, officers in
reserve, representatives of the Azerbaijani Diaspora.

The speakers to the event were the head of Marmara society, Akkin
Suver, ex-head of the gendarmerie forces, General Shener Eyruyrug
and Prof Shener Ushumezsoy.

The symposium was divided into three plenary meetings – first dedicated
to the anniversary of the Azerbaijani Genocide Day 31 March, the
second on the development of the Azerbaijani-Turkish relationships,
the third – general discussions. There was an exchange of opinions
on the so-called ‘Armenian genocide’ by the Osmanly Emore in 1915.

“Such events will continue. Armenians’ bloody policy on the termination
of Turks, in particular, criminal acts committed 88-year ago when the
Armenian nationalists killed ten thousands of innocent Azerbaijani
civilians are stick on memory of the nation of Azerbaijan and Turkey,
Nabioglu underlined, marking the importance of the organization of
such events abroad.

“Istanbul for the first time saw such a scaly event. The current
symposium was of great interest, as we desired,” the General Consul
underlined.

DARTMOUTH CONFERENCE IS ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO NAGORNO KARABAKH PROBLEM
PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN. Though the Dartmouth conference
format can in no way replace the negotiations conducted under the
aegis of OSCE, nevertheless, it is able to have a positive impact on
the atmosphere formed around the conflict and to contribute to the
peaceful settlement of the conflict.

This was mentioned at the March 31 meeting of Karen Baburian, NKR
Security Council Secretary, with Co-chairmen of Dartmouth Conference
Working Group on Nagorno Karabakh Issue, Vitaly Naumkin, Russian
political scientist, representative of the Center for Strategic
Studies, and Harold Sanders, Chairman of the International Institute of
Continual Dialogue. Presenting the approaches of official Stepanakert
on settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh problem, NKR Security Council
Secretary appreciated the Dartmouth Conference efforts in the issue of
establishing a dialogue and mutual confidence between the neighbor
societies. In its turn, as K.Baburian mentioned, in case of the
consent of the other parties of the conflict, the Karabakh side is
ready the next day to sign under an agreement which will oblige the
sides to put an end to instigation of mutual hatred and to express
their consent to the peaceful settlement of the conflict. As Noyan
Tapan correspondent was informed from NKR President’s Press Service,
the interlocutors mutually confirmed the importance of the process
going on at the level of the societies of the conflict parties.

CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS EXPRESSES SATISFACTION RELATING CSTO STATES’ COOPERATION IN ANTI-DRUGS STRUGGLE

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Mar 30 2006

ETCHMIADZIN, MARCH 30, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Karekin II
Catholicos of All Armenians received on March 29 at the Mother See of
Holy Etchmiadzin the members of the Coordinating Council of heads of
competent bodies of counteracting the illegal circulation of drugs
of the CSTO member states, The guests were accompanied by RA Police
Chief Lieutenant General Hayk Haroutiunian.

His Holiness first of all presented to the guests the history of
the all Armenian spiritual center and its mission in the Armenian
people’s life. “It’s pleasant for us to see that such a cooperation
exists especially in the sphere of narcotism, what, of course is our
anxiety as well. And clergymen as well, certainly, implement their
corresponding propaganda for that event doesn’t find spreading, and
if there are persons who are in the claws of that delusion, are able
to get rid of it. Every delusion is a quilt according to the church
perception, especially the narcotism, which is addressed to disturbance
of natural process of mind, thinking of a man having the God’s image,”
His Holiness said. As Noyan Tapan was informed by the Information
Services of the Mother See, on behalf of the Coordinating Council,
Viktor Cherkesov, the Council Chairman, the head of the Federal
Service for Contol of Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Circulation
of the Russian Federation welcame the Catholicos of All Armenians and
presented results of the done works and programs. “We’re obliged to be
engaged in people’s salvation,” V.Cherkesov mentioned, emphasizing that
legal bodies cooperate with different civil structures and religious
trends, to protect people from those harmful events and to prevent
the increase in crime of drugs circulation. He particularly informed
about the cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church concerning
that sphere.

GRECO SUBMITS 24 PROPOSALS TO ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Mar 29 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 29, NOYAN TAPAN. In early March the Armenian national
report on corruption was discussed and adopted in the Council of
Europe. As Bagrat Yesayan, RA President’s Adviser, informed at the
March 29 press conference, at the same time, 24 proposals of the Group
of States against Corruption, GRECO, were also adopted. Armenia should
carry out them in the coming 1.5 years.

In particular, for strengthening full independence of judges in
their relations with the executive power it is suggested that the
legislation on organization of the judicial system be reconsidered, the
categories of persons inviolable from criminal prosecution be reduced,
the immunity of MP candidates, members of the Central Electoral
Commission, regional and local electoral commissions, community
heads and councillor members be liquidated. According to B.Yesayan,
the adoption of the law on declaration of physical persons’ property
is also one of the important steps in fighting corruption. It was
also mentioned that as a result of fighting corruption a material loss
amounting to 3 bln 487 mln drams has been revealed up to this day. Only
236.4 mln drams (about 524 thousand USD) out of this was restored.