Author: Chakhmakhchian Vatche

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
Feb 28 2009

Turkey rapporteur: I am receiving threats from the Armenians

The European Parliament’s rapporteur on Turkey, Ria Oomen-Ruijten, has
said Armenian lobbyists have threatened to destroy her career because
she has refused to refer to the World War I-era killings of Anatolian
Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as "genocide."

The Dutch Christian Democrat, whose report on Turkey was approved with
a record 65 votes against only four votes in opposition and one
abstention in the Committee on Foreign Affairs on Feb. 12, said the
Armenians have told her that they will do their best to prevent her
re-election to the European Parliament.

Oomen-Ruijten, one of the most senior members of the European
Parliament, has been hailed for her balanced reports on Turkey in
recent years. Despite enormous pressure from the Armenian lobby,
Oomen-Ruijten has so far refused to refer to the 1915 events as
"genocide." Her predecessor as the rapporteur on Turkey, Camiel
Eurlings, who was also a Dutch Christian Democrat, was heavily
criticized for being too pro-Armenian and for authoring biased reports
on Turkey. Oomen-Ruijten, who is expected to run for a European
Parliament seat again in June, will defend her report in a plenary
session on March 11. The report is expected to win the approval of the
European Parliament without any major changes.

Speaking Thursday night on "European Desk," a news program on the
STVHaber news channel, Oomen-Ruijten agreed that the Armenian lobby
did not like her much and revealed that the lobby has made it clear
that they will work hard to remove her from the European
Parliament. When asked to comment if these warnings should be seen as
threats, Oomen-Ruijten replied: "Absolutely. Ask my office what sort
of threats I have already received." Vowing that she would work hard
to keep her report as it was, she said: "But I will never step
away. If I am convinced that the document is good for both Turks and
Armenians, then I will keep the report as it is."

Elaborating on what sort of threats she was receiving, she said, "They
vowed that in the next European elections they would do everything in
their power to remove me from the European Parliament."

Stressing that she very much appreciated Turkish President Abdullah
Gül’s visit to Armenia last fall, the first by a president in Turkish
history, and also Foreign Minister Ali Babacan’s efforts for
reconciliation with Yerevan, Oomen-Ruijten added that the
Turkish-Armenian border should be opened, but that the Armenians
living in Europe and the US are not very interested in the opening of
the border.

Joost Lagendijk, co-chairman of the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary
Committee, was also on the program. He said he does not receive
threats from the Armenians any more because he is considered a "lost
cause." He said he supported the stance taken by Oomen-Ruijten on the
1915 events. "Looking back on eight years of how the issue has been
handled, I am so happy that we are now out of the trap that we had put
ourselves in. The debate was done around whether someone would call it
genocide or not. It was such a sterile discussion that did not mean
much in terms of present-day relations between Turkey and Armenia,"
Lagendijk said.

Ergenekon: cleansing of dirty history

While stressing that she did not want to get involved in an ongoing
court-case, Oomen-Ruijten said it was absolutely necessary for Turkish
society to clear up the question of Ergenekon, a clandestine criminal
network charged with attempting to overthrow the government. By
strengthening the language of her report’s paragraph on Ergenekon this
year, she said, she wanted to put pressure on the investigation
itself, but also to draw attention to the rights of the defendants.

Lagendijk acknowledged that he was very happy with the latest version
of the paragraph on Ergenekon and said: "Ergenekon is the cleansing of
Turkey’s dirty past, but please play it by the rules and the book. If
you don’t, it will turn against you and all the attention will go to
the procedures."

In this year’s report the paragraph on Ergenekon calls on Turkish
authorities to take the Ergenekon case more seriously, particularly on
the issue of extrajudicial killings and the murder of Armenian-Turkish
journalist Hrant Dink.

‘Baykal should behave in Ankara as he talks in Brussels’

Oomen-Ruijten criticized Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz
Baykal for getting involved in the Ergenekon case and revealed that
she had warned the CHP to be careful with regard to the
investigation. "In my private meetings with CHP members, I tell them
to be careful with the Ergenekon court case and not to get involved
with it. I am coming from another sort of democracy. In my country
politicians would never ever get involved in a judicial process," she
said.

Lagendijk said Baykal’s recent visit to Brussels was very good news,
but stressed that the "nice words" of Baykal in Brussels should be
followed up with "voting" in Ankara. "I hope the nice words of
Mr. Baykal saying they are the only pro-EU party in the country will
be proven true during voting in the Turkish Parliament. Because I
still remember, unfortunately, that it was his party that voted
against a few reforms that were requested by Brussels, such as the
revision of Article 301 [of the Turkish Penal Code] and the Law on
Foundations. I wish I could believe him. I hope I can believe him. The
proof of the pudding is in the eating; in the CHP case it is in their
voting. Their willingness to sit with the government to try and find a
solution for those big parts of the Constitution that should be
revised or changed completely should be put into action."

28 February 2009, Saturday
TODAY’S ZAMAN BRUSSELS

Agence France Presse — English
February 25, 2009 Wednesday 9:31 AM GMT

Armenia used ‘excessive force’ during deadly riots: HRW

YEREVAN, Feb 25 2009

A leading rights group called on Armenia Wednesday to investigate the
use of "excessive force" by police during clashes with anti-government
protesters a year ago that left 10 people dead.

New York-based Human Rights Watch said it had also documented cases of
police abuse of those detained during the clashes, including beatings,
threats and refusals to provide legal representation.

The group urged Armenian authorities to prosecute both individual
police officers and those who ordered the use of excessive force.

"While the Armenian authorities have investigated, prosecuted and
convicted dozens of opposition members, sometimes in flawed and
politically motivated trials… they have not prosecuted a single
representative of the law enforcement agencies for excessive use of
force," the group said in a statement.

Thousands of supporters of former Armenian president Levon
Ter-Petrosian rallied for 11 days to denounce President Serzh
Sarkisian’s victory in last February’s election, before street battles
broke out with riot police.

Two police officers and eight civilians were killed in the clashes and
dozens more were injured, many from gunshot wounds. Ter-Petrosian had
finished second in the vote.

Armenia has seen repeated political violence and post-election
protests since gaining independence with the Soviet Union’s collapse
in 1991.

NOT ALL AZERI MASS MEDIA HAVE JOINED IN THE NEW MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN OF THE AZERI DEFENSE MINISTRY

ArmInfo
2009-02-27 18:01:00

ArmInfo. The press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has issued the following press statement:

"We have already got used to Azerbaijan’s misinformations concerning
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The comments on the wrecking of the
Feb 26 OSCE monitoring of the Azeri-NKR contact line near Horadiz
are not an exception.

Many Azeri news agencies have hurried to spread the statement of the
Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan, which blames the Nagorno-Karabakh side
for the incident. Azeri newspapers have appeared with articles like
"Armenian Separatists Have Wrecked OSCE Monitoring."

However, it has turned out that not all Azeri mass media are going to
join in this misinformation campaign. For example, says:
"It was clear that the monitoring group was fired at from the Azeri
side, which can be confirmed by the members of the group."

To remind, earlier the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of NKR reported that on February 26, the OSCE mission scheduled to
conduct a regular monitoring of the line of contact of Nagorno Karabakh
and Azerbaijani Armed Forces near Horadiz settlement of Fizouli region.

However, from the very beginning of the monitoring a single-round
firing was opened in the direction of coordinator of the OSCE
office Imre Palatinus (Hungary), Field Assistant of the Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Irji Aberle (Czech
Republic), who conducted the monitoring from the positions of the NKR
Defense Army, and the representatives of the NKR Ministries of Defense
and Foreign Affairs, accompanying them. Then, burst of machine-gun
fire was opened from the Azerbaijani positions that passed to the
left from the monitoring group.

Afterwards, another single shot was made in the direction of the
mission.

Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej
Kasprzyk, who headed the monitoring group from the Azerbaijani
territory ordered to stop the monitoring.

Besides, the Azerbaijani party did not lead the OSCE mission to the
arranged point of its front- lines once again.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:
Email: [email protected]

February 26, 2009

GHEVONTIANTS CLERGY CONFERENCE IN PHILLY

Last week we reported on the annual Ghevontiank clergy
gathering that took place in Philadelphia, February 16-18. Every two
years the clergy from the three North American Prelacies gather for a
joint conference. This year’s combined gathering was hosted by St.
Gregory the Illuminator Church in Philadelphia. Presiding over the
gathering were the three Prelates: Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
(Eastern), Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian (Western), and Archbishop
Khajag Hagopian (Canadian).

During the three-day conference the clergy participated in
prayer services, attended lectures, and discussed a number of agenda
items including the commemoration of the "Year of the Youth," the recent
World General Assembly, the 50th anniversary celebration ns,
inter-church relations, and last month’s visit of His Holiness Aram I to
the Vatican.

This week we offer some additional photographs of this event.

Archbishops Oshagan, Moushegh and Khajag and Bishop Anoushavan
during the opening of the clergy conference.

A workshop during the conference.

Bishop Anoushavan delivers the Sermon during the Liturgy.

The clergy with Yn. Marie Hagopian at the gravesite of Archpriest
Fr. Arsen Hagopian.

The clergy lead a visit to the gravesite of Rev. Fr. Dickran
Khoyan.

The Prelates and clergy visit the Armenian Sisters Academy, where
they were welcomed by the principal, Sister Louiza and the students.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL BE IN NEW JERSEY

Arcbhishop Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy and
deliver the Sermon this Sunday, March 1, at Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by
Archpriest Moushegh Der Kaloustian

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL TRAVEL TO LEBANON AND KESSAB

Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Lebanon next week where he
will confer with His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia. The next weekend (March 7 and 8), His Eminence will be in the
Armenian village of Kessab in Syria where he will officiate over the
ordinations ceremonies of Deacon Hrair Bedourian. Dn. Hrair is a
graduate of the Armenian Theological Seminary of the Cilician See, and
has been continuing his higher education at the Near East School of
Theology in Beirut. After his ordination and 40-day retreat, he will
come to the United States for a training period of one year before he is
assigned to a parish in the Eastern Prelacy.

Archbishop Oshagan noted that he decided to have this
ordination in Kessab, not only because the candidate from Kessab, but
primarily because he wanted the local community to have the opportunity
to witness an ordination of a priest. The historic community of Kessab
has produced a number of clergymen-the best known being His Holiness
Karekin I, of blessed memory.

LENTEN LECTURE SERIES BEGINS

The Prelacy Lenten program started last night, the first in a
series of six consecutive Wednesday evenings, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Held
at the Armenian Center in Woodside, New York (due to the renovation of
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral), the two-hour program included a Husgoom
Service and a lecture, followed by a meal/fellowship, presided over by
His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, with the participation of
Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church (Douglaston, New
York), and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral (New York City).

The "Beatitudes" (yeraniner) is the theme for the Lenten
lecture series. Last night, Bishop Anhoushavan reflected on the verse,
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"
(Matthew 5:3). His Grace first gave an overall introduction to the
Beatitudes. He then showed how the words "poor" and "blessedness" are
used in different parts of the Bible. He said, the one who is poor in
spirit is a humble person who recognizes his spiritual condition that he
is dependant on God, in that he is in need of God’s grace and mercy.

Next Wednesday, March 4, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of
St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York, will reflect on "Blessed are
those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled"
(Matthew 5:14).

The Lenten program is sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG), and
the Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral.

For information forthcoming lectures click here.

NEXT FORUM SCHEDULED APRIL 16

The next Forum for young professionals will take place on
Thursday, April 16. The special presentation is entitled, "Remembering
the Forgotten: The Untold Story of Clergymen Lost to the Genocide."
Yeretzgeen Joanna Baghsarian of Sts. Vartanantz Church in Providence,
will tell the story of how a group of her students took a proactive role
in remembering these forgotten martyrs, reminding us that not even
genocide could destroy our Armenian faith and spirit. Between 1915 and
1938, the Armenian Church lost 5,000 clergymen to the Ottoman Empire’s
genocide and to Joseph Stalin’s purges.

Admission is free, but RSVP is required. The presentation will
begin exactly at 7:15 pm and will take place at the Prelacy’s Vahakn and
Hasmig Hovnanian Hall. RSVP to [email protected] or
212-689-7810.

To see a short video about the April 16th Forum click here.

26th ANNUAL MUSICAL ARMENIA

On Sunday, March 8, the Prelacy and Prelacy Ladies Guild
proudly present the 26th Musical Armenia concert at Will Recital Hall at
Carnegie Hall, New York City. The featured artists are the cellist David
Bakamjian and the violinist Cecee Pantikian. They will be joined by the
violist Molly Carr, the pianist Christine Diwyk, and the pianist Anna
Petrova.

Mr. Bakamjian, Ms. Pantikian and their collaborators will
perform an eclectic program that includes a violin sonata by Edvard
Grieg, Leos Janacek’s Pohadka for cello with piano accompaniment, the
violin and viola duo Passacaglia, written by Johan Halverson and based
on a set of variations for harpsichord by George Frideric Handel, as
well as compositions by Aram Khachaturian, Alexander Arutunian, and
others.

Tickets can be purchased ($30) at the Carnegie Hall Box
Office, 212-247-7800, or at the Prelacy, 212-689-7810. For more
information click here.

YEAR OF THE YOUTH

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
has designated the year 2009 as the "Year of The Youth."

To read His Holiness’ message in Armenian click here.

To read His Holiness’ message in English click here.

BIBLE STUDY PROGRAM WILL BEGIN NEXT THURSDAY

A Six-part program on "Great Prayers of the Bible" will begin
at the Prelacy next Thursday, March 5, and continue every other
Thursday, from 7:15 to 8:45 pm (March 5, 10, April 2, 16, 30 and May
14). The program will include a number of biblical prayers that have
been incorporated into the liturgical prayers and services of the
Armenian Church. Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Prelacy’s Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC), will conduct the Bible studies. The
program is open to all and is free of charge. To register, please send
an email to [email protected] or call 212-689-7810.

EXTENDED BOOKSTORE HOURS

On Bible Study evenings, the Prelacy Bookstore will remain
open until 7 pm. The dates of the upcoming Bible Study series are: March
5, 10, April 2, 16, 30, and May 14.

DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM: MARK YOUR CALENDAR

The 23rd annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program,
for youth ages 13-18, is scheduled to take place at the St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 28 to July 5,
2009, preceded by a weekend retreat (optional) from June 26-28, 2009.
The Program is sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council
(AREC).

For more information click here.

PILGRIMAGE TO DEIR ZOR

As part of the year-long celebration of the "Year of the
Youth," the dioceses of Aleppo and Lebanon are organizing a pilgrimage
to Deir Zor for the youth on May 2. His Holiness Catholicos Aram I will
join the youth in this pilgrimage. Details will follow.

ARMEN HAGHNAZARIAN

We note with sadness the death of Armen Haghnazarian, one of
the best authorities on Armenian architecture, on February 19. He was
born in Tehran in 1941. He studied architecture in Germany from 1961 to
1968. He was the founder of the organization, Research on Armenian
Architecture. He worked tirelessly to bring attention to the necessity
of the reconstruction of St. Thaddeus Monastery in Iran, and he took
part in the actual reconstruction. He was an ardent supporter of the
Land and Culture Organization. One of his last activities was alerting
UNESCO and European Union special committees about the annihilation of
the Armenian cemetery by Nakhijevan’s Azerbaijan authorities.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

Bible reading for today, Thursday, February 26, is: Romans
6:3-14.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into
Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried
with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from
the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of
life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will
certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that
our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be
destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has
died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that
we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the
dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The
death he died, he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives, he
lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive
to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in
your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. No longer present
your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves
to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present
your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have
no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
(Romans 6:3-14)

For listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here.

ST. THEODORE, THE WARRIOR

This Saturday, February 28, the Armenian Church commemorates
St. Theodore the Warrior. Theodore was a soldier in the Roman army
during the reign of Emperor Lucinius and noted for his exceptional
bravery. His parents were devout Christians and he was educated in the
Christian faith. The traditional story relates how Theodore, armed with
a sword and prayer to the Lord, killed a serpent that was terrorizing
people and animals. In appreciation of his bravery he was elevated to
the rank of Captain. The Roman emperor began a campaign against the
Christians with the intention of eradicating the new faith. When it
became known that Theodore was a Christian the military tribunal, taking
into consideration his brave service, found him to be a good soldier who
made a mistake and was given the opportunity to renounce his Christian
faith. He refused and was martyred in 319 A.D. in Heraclea, Thrace.

SUNDAY OF THE EXPULSION

As of Monday we entered the period of Great Lent (Medz Bahk)
and the Church has taken on a mournful and penitential manifestation.
The altar is closed with a black curtain, symbolic of the expulsion of
Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Holy Communion is not offered
during the liturgical service. It is a period of reflection in our
spiritual journey toward Easter.

Each of the Sundays during Lent has a theme. This Sunday,
March 1, is the Sunday of the Expulsion (Artaksman Kiraki). The message
is a continuation of the last Sunday’s Paregentan theme, namely, Adam
and Eve’s fall and banishment from Paradise because of their
disobedience. "Of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil
you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die,"
(Genesis 2:17). With their expulsion from Paradise, humankind was thus
condemned to experience death, pain, and sorrow. The hymns sung on the
first two Sundays of Lent remind us of the expulsion, and give sinners
the good tidings that they may render themselves worthy through
repentance.

O Lord, you first gave the holy observance of the law in
paradise. But the first creatures disobeyed you by eating the forbidden
fruit and thus tasted the bitterness of sin and death. Therefore, enable
us to taste the sweetness of your commandments.

(from the sharagan sung on the Sunday of the Expulsion).

MET LECTURES ON THE INTERNET

The lectures on Armenian Art that were part of the Sunday at
the Met series (Armenian Khatchkar Sunday at the Met), at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC), are now available on iTunesU. URL is:
rowse/metmuseum.org.1926687282

Please note: If you do not have iTunes on your computer, you will
be directed to a free download of the application.

FROM THE BOOKSTORE.

Armenian Coloring Book for Children, crearted and designed by
Taline Najarian and illustrated by Suzanne Anoushian Froundjian. What
could be a better pastime for children than a coloring book? This
78-page coloring book is extra special because it combines fun and
learning. Children are introduced to the Armenian alphabet in an
easy-to-follow format. It ALSO introduces words and pronunciation along
with sentences for usage and illustrations that children recognize.

Soft cover, 78 pages, 8-1/2 x 11, $14.00 plus shipping and
handling.

TO ORDER THIS OR OTHER BOOKS, OR FOR INFORMATION CONTACT THE
BOOKSTORE BY EMAIL AT [email protected] OR BY TELEPHONE AT
212-689-7810.

A LENTEN MEDITATION.

The Gospel reading for the Eve of Great Lent reminds us that
although we celebrate the Sunday of Good Living (Poun Paregentan) prior
to beginning our Lenten journey, it is also the Sunday of forgiveness as
evidenced in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ who told us to forgive
others as God has forgiven us, for it we cannot forgive others their
transgressions God will not forgive our sins.

True forgiveness is first manifested in our being able to
forgive one another; God’s mercy is revealed by the way we treat one
another. Great Lent is a gift from God. We have forty days to look into
ourselves and seek forgiveness and repentance. When we bring back God
into our hearts we find the goodness in ourselves which makes it so much
easier to find goodness in others.

This period of examination helps us in our struggle to be more
forgiving of others, and to realize that when we forgive others we life
a heavy burden from our own shoulders. As always the choice is ours. A
blessed a peaceful journey through Great Lent.

Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian

Pastor, St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley

North Andover, Massachusetts

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 1-Medical Workshop, hosted by St. Illuminator’s Cathedral,
New York City, featuring the Armenian American Health Professionals
Organization (AAHPO).

March 1-Annual Membertship meeting, Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. For information, 201-943-2950.

March 1-Annual Membership Meeting in Community Center, Expulsion
Sunday, immediately following Divine Liturgy, St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church, Granite City, Illinois.

May 3-Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, will present
the musical "Hello Ellis Island," by Hourig Papazian Sahagian, performed
by the musical ensemble "The Way We Were," Sunday, May 3, 2 pm at
Quinsigamond Community College’s Hebert Auditorium, 670 West Boylston
Street, Worcester. For information: 508-852-2414.

March 5-New six-part Bible Studies program at the Prelacy begins
and continues on the following Thursdays: March 5, 19, April 2, 16, 30,
May 14, from 7:15 to 8:45 pm. Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the
Armenian Religious Education Council will lead the sessions. Open to all
and free of charge. For registration and information contact
[email protected] or 212-689-7810. The Prelacy bookstore will
remain open from 5 to 7 pm on each of these evenings.

March 8-Musical Armenia, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New
York City, sponsored by Prelacy and Prelacy Ladies Guild, featuring
David Bakamjian, cellist, and Cecee Pantikian, violinist. For details
click here.

March 14-New England Ladies Guilds Regional Conference, hosted by
St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts,
and the National Association of Ladies Guilds. Alternate date in case of
inclement weather, March 21. For information [email protected].

March 15-Mortgage Burning Celebration Banquet, St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York, 1:30 pm. For information contact church office
718-224-2275.

March 15-Seminar for Sunday School teachers and staff, Sts.
Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey), conducted
by Deacon Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC), 2 pm to 6 pm. Theme: The Creed (Havadamk).

March 28-ARS Eastern USA Centennial Gala Banquet, Yale Club, New
York City. Dr. Herand Markarian, MC; keynote speaker Representative Anna
G. Eshoo. Cocktails 7 pm, dinner 8:30 pm. For information:
[email protected] or 201-934-8930.

APRIL 16-Quarterly Forum Series for young professionals. Yn.
Joanna Baghsarian of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, will speak
about the untold story of the Armenian clergymen lost to the Genocide
and the Stalin purges, at the Prelacy’s Hovnanian Hall. Program will
begin promptly at 7:15 pm. Reception will follow. Admission is free but
RSVP is required. Contact [email protected] or 212-689-7810.

April 26-94th anniversary commemoration of the Armenian Genocide,
sponsored by the Knights of Vartan and participating organizations, at
Times Square (NYC), 2 pm. For information

April 22 & April 29-Introduction to the Divine Liturgy, St.
Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts.
(Please note: originally scheduled for January; dates have been
changed.)

May 3-50th anniversary celebration of consecration of Sts.
Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.

May 7-9-National Representative Assembly of Eastern Prelacy,
hosted by All Saints Armenian Apostolic Church, Glenview, Illinois.
Clergy Conference begins May 6.

May 7-8-National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) annual
conference. For information 781-762-4253.

June 28-Annual Madagh Picnic, St. Hagop Church (Racine), at
Johnson Park Picnic Grounds, 6200 Northwestern Ave., Racine, Wisconsin,
10:30 to 7 pm.

June 29 – July 5-St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute, St. Mary
of Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania.

July 18-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Ladies
Guild/ARS Chapter present a Hye Summer Night 4 Dance at The Annunciation
Greek Church, Cranston, Rhode Island. For information, 401-434-4467.

———————————————– —————————

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s
web site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic
mailbox, add [email protected] to your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information
about their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]

SECRETARY OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY DOES NOT WANT HE SITUATION TO AGGRAVATE
Lilit Muradyan

"Radiolur"
25.02.2009 13:40

First Secretary of the Communist Party of Armenia Ruben Tovmasyan
today spoke about the internal political developments in the country,
particularly the rally expected on March 1. "The events of March
1 happened because of unwise decisions of the authorities," the
Secretary of the Communist Party said and advised the authorities
not to prohibit the rallies.

"Of course, it’s up to them to hold demonstrations, but I would not
like the authorities to aggravate the situation. Let them hold the
rally wherever they want. Why not allow if the Constitution provides
for that right," Ruben Tovmasyan said.

Center for Armenian Remembrance (CAR)
PO BOX 250322 . Glendale . CA 91225-0322
Phone: 818-281-9992
CENTERARNEWS.COM

POLL: ARMENIANS WORLDWIDE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT OBAMA PROMISE

An ongoing Poll at Centerarnews.com of over 700 hundred on-line
responders from 55 countries shows that Armenians are overwhelmingly
optimistic that Pres. Obama will recognize the Armenian Genocide this
April.

The Poll reveals that 44% of responders believe that Obama will
absolutely recognize, while 32% think he probably will. On the other
hand, 17% believe he will probably not recognize, while 8% think he
will absolutely not recognize.

The poll at centerarnews.com will remain open till the week of April
24. Please be aware that the poll tracking software accepts only one
vote per computer. Members of a family with different votes should use
different computers. Those of you who want to track the poll, please
click on the red VOTE button on the Poll Panel on the left of the
site.

The possible passage of a Genocide Resolution and President Obama’s
possible use of the "G" word in April has already rattled the Turkish
establishment yet again.

Mr. Nebi Sensoy, Turkey’s Ambassador in Washington, told a meeting in
New York that, he believes Turkey’s relations will see much better
days with the Obama Administration, "unless, of course, wrong steps
are not taken on a couple of issues," he said. He then implied that
once again he will be recalled back to Ankara if President Obama
utters the "G" word.

Ironically, Rouben Safrastyan, director of the Institute of Oriental
Studies in the Armenian National Academy of Sciences, asserted that
since the war in Afghanistan had become important again, Obama would
not alienate Turkey in order to secure Turkey’s help in fighting the
war on America’s side.

The true face of the Turkish Government’s strategy, however, can be
seen in a statement made by Suat Kýnýklýoðlu, deputy chairman for
external affairs for the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AK
Party). He stated: "Also, I think it would be timely to underline an
important and for me astounding fact. The Armenian Diaspora appears to
be totally indifferent to the Armenian government’s desire to
normalize relations with Turkey. The Diaspora is projecting an
extremely negative influence on Yerevan. All they care about is one
word and that is it. If they manage to push this through I believe
this would be a historic example of how a small ethnic Diaspora
subverts US national interests and causes great harm to a delicate
region. I am confident that there are enough responsible people on all
three sides to prevent this from happening, especially when all the
stars are lined up to make a historic rapprochement between Turkey and
Armenia a reality."

"Of course, we are extremely upset about the necessity to spend our
energy on this issue every fall but we are not going to let the
Armenian Diaspora get its way."

And there you have it. According to this well-educated politician,
Armenian-Americans are undermining the United States by talking about
Genocide. Next thing you know, he will brand us all terrorists.

For these reasons we believe that this Poll is vitally important to
the nine-decade long bi-lateral relationship between
U.S. Administrations and politically active American citizens of
Armenian descent.

Will realpolitik trump principle once again? Or will Obama bring real
change and rectify a monumental historical injustice?

You can vote in the poll by visiting: Centerarnews.com.

U.S. HAILS ARMENIAN-TURKISH THAW

ARKA
Feb 19, 2009

YEREVAN, February 19. /ARKA/. The United States hails the thaw between
Armenia and Turkey, U.S. Deputy Ambassador to Armenia Stephen Banks
said on Wednesday.

The U.S. government has vowed staunch support to both countries,
and their leaders are well aware of that, according to Banks.

The Turkish president’s visit to Armenia last September testifies
to the recent thaw in Armenia-Turkey relations, the U.S. Deputy
Ambassador said, expressing a hope the Armenian and Turkish leaders
would put bilateral relations on a steady course.

No diplomatic relations exist between Armenia and Turkey, and the
Armenian-Turkish border has been closed since 1993 initiated by
official Ankara.

Official Yerevan says it is ready to establish relations with
Turkey without any preconditions. But Turkey puts preconditions for
establishing bilateral relations, particularly requests Armenia to give
up the policy of international recognition of the Armenian genocide
of 1915 when about one and a half million Armenians were slaughtered.

The Armenian-Turkish relations began to thaw last year, when Turkish
President Abdullah Gul visited Yerevan on September 6 to watch
Armenia vs. Turkey World Cup qualifier.

PRES. OBAMA’S DRIVE TO FREE THE U.S. FROM TYRANNY OF OIL BENEFITS AMERICANS AND PAVES THE WAY FOR REUNIFICATION OF ARMENIA

By Appo Jabarian Executive Publisher / Managing Editor USA Armenian Life Magazine
February 13, 2009

Since its first discovery about 150 years ago, oil has made both
positive and negative impacts on humanity. Some would argue that
had there not been oil, the nearly seven billion inhabitants of this
planet could not have been fed properly, and that a sizeable segment
could not have survived without oil-supported food industry.

But oil has already "harvested" a great portion of the world’s
population by way of two major world wars, and a series of genocidal
campaigns starting with the Armenian Genocide, all the way to Darfur,
the catastrophic war in Iraq, and the miscalculated war against South
Ossetia/Russia instigated by Georgia’s oil-financed Pres. Mikheil
Saakashvili.

Dependence on foreign oil has undermined the interests of the
American people. According to several economists and other observers,
uncontrolled importing of oil has become one of the top reasons of
the weakening of the U.S. economy.

And now, the United States recognizes its need to transform its
economy from war-time to peace-time. In an effort to usher in the
latter, the issue of over-dependence on foreign oil has become part
and parcel of a set of problems that are being addressed.

As a petroleum over-consuming nation, the U.S. is in the process
of re-evaluating the pros and cons of oil as a dominant factor in
its economy.

Armed with healthier ideas on alternative energy policies, a home-grown
American political movement, led by Pres. Barack Obama, is actively
contemplating on ending oil’s political and economic dictates.

Speaking of oil’s negative impact on U.S. foreign policy in the former
Soviet block, George Gregoriou, Professor Emeritus, Department of
Political Science, Critical Theory and Geopolitics at The William
Paterson University in Wayne, N.J., wrote on Feb. 9 on The Greek News
Online: "Bush II’s White House’s … geopolitical strategy to encircle
Russia, control the paths to oil, and push the Russian borders to
Russia ‘proper’ seems not only troublesome, but costly as well. This
is due primarily to the United States spreading its resources and
energies too thin, maintaining 769 overseas bases and thousands of
facilities, and short-changing the American people of basic needs."

He added: "The country was exhausted, politically, militarily,
and economically, in two wars without an end in sight, the global
war on terrorism, and the requirements of maintaining spheres of
influence and access to markets and trade; borrowing billions or
trillions of dollars from banks and lending institutions, spending
this money without any return benefits to the American people, other
(than) the defense contractors connected to=2 0the White House;
the national debt leapfrogging to over 10 trillion dollars, with an
annual interest of $700 billion paid to banks and foreign investors;
and a collapsing economy due to a frenzy of deregulation policies in
the Clinton and Bush II years."

He continued: "The Wall Street financial meltdown and the collapse
of capitalism, globally, have yet to hit bottom. The Bush (II) White
House was really on a path to nowhere, at home and abroad, other
than warmongering, and bullying Russia to submit to US power and the
facts created on the ground. The Russian response to Washington was
given in the Georgian military adventure. The Bush plan to install
the radar system in the Czech Republic and the missile system in the
Poland to protect Europe from Iranian missiles (not now, but fifteen
years from now!), had credibility only inside the Bush White House
and among those still fighting the Cold War."

Prof. Gregoriou asked: "If Washington were to continue this path
towards Cold War II, could the US economy and the American people
sustain such a confrontational policy and the sacrifices, as in the
last 70 years?"

In the light of presidential promotion of the Stimulus Package to
resuscitate the economy, it is refreshing to learn that Pres. Obama
declared on Feb. 6 in Williamsburg: "This plan will begin to end
the tyranny of oil in our time. It doubles our capacity to generate
alternative sources of e nergy like wind, solar, and bio-fuels in
three years."

Speaking of oil’s other casualties; its dictates have also inflicted
so much devastation and deprivations on Armenia.

At the end of WWI in 1918, according to the Treaty of Sèvres,
Armenia, as an Associated Power, had entered into agreement with the
Allied Powers and then-defeated Turkey to recover the Turkish-occupied
Western Armenia also known as Wilsonian Armenia. Since the borders of
Armenia were drawn by President Woodrow Wilson of the United States,
"Ottoman" Armenia was also referred to as "Wilsonian Armenia." But
conniving U.S.-based oil interests sabotaged the implementation of
the Treaty and as a result, the reunification of Wilsonian Armenia
with Eastern Armenia has been delayed until now.

Post-WWI Turkey (1918-), benefiting from active support from
self-serving oil interests in the U.S.; and from the general apathy
actively promoted by these interests, went on to complete its
genocidal campaign against the Armenians. Kemalist Turkey not only
reneged on returning Western or Wilsonian Armenia, but additionally
occupied Kars and Ardahan regions that belonged to Eastern Armenia
(Armenia 1918-1920).

Pres. Obama’s drive to free the U.S. from the tyranny of oil will
benefit the American people. And it will also pave the way for the
correction of the historic wrong done to the Armenians through the
long overdue reunification of their homeland.

FINANCIAL CRISIS HAS REACHED ARMENIA

A1+
[12:05 pm] 18 February, 2009

A1+’s recent survey shows that most Armenians have suffered from the
recent economic crisis which is deepening day by day.

"Sick people no longer see doctors. The number of patients keeps
falling down, and if they continue ignoring their health problems
they will surely die.

"I get a salary of 25 000 drams. Yesterday a woman came in a grave
state. She said she had no money to pay. What could I do? Shouldn’t I
help her?" says cardiologist Anita Mkhitaryan who works in a Yerevan
hospital.

"Only my father works in our family. During the past five years my
uncle living in Volgograd used to send us money. But it is three
months he has sent no penny, and we have appeared in a tight," says
23-year-old pedagogue Narine Hovsepyan.

Newsagent Tigran Bayatyan says his clients also began complaining
of the crisis which greatly affects his trade. "One of them used
to buy five newspapers a day. Today he buys only two. My friend
importing journals and magazines from Russia has reduced the import
by 50 percent.

I can no longer rent the newsstand. Sometimes I have to go to work
at the weekends. If once I earned 5000-6000 drams a day, now I get
3500 drams at the best," said Tigran.

36-year-old Vardan thinks the "so-called financial crisis" is
bluffing. "A labourer will always find a job. They delude people
saying there is a financial crisis worldwide. People are feared to
spend their money. This is a crisis," he says.

GRAND HOLDING TO EXPAND ACTIVITIES

PanARMENIAN.Net
17.02.2009 18:44 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Not all governments and spheres are subject to
direct influence of world economic crisis. This fact is proved by
Grand Holding activities, the company’s President Hrant Vardanyan
told a news conference today.

Speaking about the Masis Tabak company strategy, Hrant Vardanyan said
that a new American technology is implemented to automate tobacco
drying process.

"Besides 72 compartments, 36 more were imported this year which will
promote significant production growth," he said. "New generation
tobacco manufacturing equipment, which will be competitive in the
international market for 30 years, was purchased to the amount of
$1 million."

"A printing department, with 30 percent working capacity is opened
in confectioneries; other construction works will be finished this
year. As for waste paper, a new conveyer line is installed to provide
napkin and paper production in Armenia," Mr. Vardanyan said.

Among programs planned, he specified waste paper recycling,
construction of a dwelling house in Shengavit community, a sports
club and a church in Masis.

Also, a natural juice and vodka production will be set up.