Author: Chakrian Hovsep

Posted on Sun, Jan. 07, 2007

Stopping genocide at the wallet stage

By ADAM STERLING and SAM BELL
Special to the Star-Telegram

The first genocide of the 21st century enters its fourth year with no
end in sight. For four brutal years, the Sudanese government has
successfully silenced the international community while hoarding
foreign investment to fund its military and the brutal militias
seeking to wipe Darfur from the face of the Earth.

Hope does still exist. In October, President Bush signed the Darfur
Peace and Accountability Act (DPAA). This legislation comes at a
crucial moment for the people of Darfur, as 2 million teeter on the
brink of elimination and the government of Sudan has flatly rejected a
multilateral U.N. peacekeeping force.

Bush showed that he won’t be bullied by Sudan. He authorized action
that will hit this genocidal government where it hurts most: the
wallets of its leaders. Provisions in the bill included asset freezes
and a denial of entry at U.S. ports for oil tankers doing business
with the government of Sudan.

In September, Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison, both Texas
Republicans, supported the speedy passage of the
DPAA. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, voted for a resolution
calling on the president to appoint a special envoy on Sudan. Texans
should be proud of the important actions that their congressional
delegation have taken.

Now that Texas’ federal legislators have stepped up to the plate, it’s
time for state officials to do the same. If history has taught us one
thing in Sudan, it’s that money talks.

In September, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger joined former U.S.

Secretary of State George Shultz and actors Don Cheadle and George
Clooney in adopting a targeted divestment policy for California,
barring the state from investing in companies that enable genocide in
Darfur.

To date, five other states and more than 30 U.S. colleges have taken
similar action. Texas should follow suit. As Texas Railroad
Commissioner Michael Williams recently wrote on his Web site in
support of targeted divestment, "Texans can take an unequivocal stand
against genocide and protect the financial health of our investment
portfolios. We ought to get started."

By adopting a targeted divestment policy, Texas can focus its efforts
on the worst-offending companies in Sudan, protecting innocent
civilians on the ground and ensuring that the state’s investment
returns are safeguarded in the process.

In its latest policy briefing on Sudan, the International Crisis Group
— a world-renowned, nonpartisan think tank — called for targeted
divestment as a necessary measure for achieving long-term peace and
security in Darfur.

The Sudanese government, concerned that its genocidal credit line may
be soon cut off, sent out a news release urging U.S. institutions to
stop divesting, claiming that Sudan has entered "a new era of peace
and development."

The continuing murder, rape and pillage of Darfur indicate otherwise.
Jan Egeland, the U.N. emergency relief coordinator, said recently that
violence and insecurity were escalating in Darfur. The Sudanese
government-funded militias "are much better armed, they are more
brutal than ever," he said, "and their potential to do bad is bigger
than ever."

Genocide is an expensive venture that should not occur on our watch
and must not occur on our dime.

Last March, Bush said: "This is serious business. This is not playing
a diplomatic holding game. … When we say genocide, that means
genocide has to be stopped."

It’s time for Texas to stop investing in the carnage of Darfur. This
is a call for heroes to lead that charge.

IN THE KNOW
Read the bill
To read HB419, the bill concerning targeted divestment and Darfur, use the
"Search Legislation" feature at _
( e.tx.us/) .
Select 80(R) for the Legislature from the pull-down menu, and click on
"Word/Phrase," then enter "Darfur" and click on "Go."

Coming Tuesday
Colin Thomas-Jensen, the Africa Advocacy and Resource manager for the
International Crisis Group, on what the crisis in Darfur means to you
— and what you can do about it.

Adam Sterling is the executive director of the Sudan Divestment Task Force.

Sam Bell is the director of advocacy for the Genocide Intervention Network.

January 5, 2007

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Website: <;

HOLY MASS AT THE COLORADO AND LAS VEGAS PARISHES

On Sunday, January 7, Holy Mass will be offered at our parishes in Colorado
and Las Vegas on the occasion of the New Year and the Nativity and Epiphany
of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Rev. Nareg Pehlivanian will be at the Armenian Apostolic Church
of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region where he will conduct Mass and
deliver the sermon.
Archpriest Fr. Khoren Habeshian will conduct Mass and deliver
the sermon at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Las Vegas.

ARMENIAN YOUTH FEDERATION
FAST FOR REMEMBRANCE

The Armenian Youth Federation, in collaboration with the United
Human Rights Council, has organized a four-day `Fast for Remembrance’ in
front of the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles to raise awareness of the
Armenian Genocide. The fast began on the evening of Tuesday, January 2nd,
and will continue until the evening of Saturday, January 6th.
Rev. Ashod Kambourian, pastor of Holy Cross Cathedral, was
present at the start of the fast to offer prayers and encouragement to the
participants. Rev. Vazken Atmajian, pastor of St. Mary’s Church, will be
present at the end of the fast to offer blessings.

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT WISHES HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ARMENIAN COUNTERPART

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 28 2006

YEREVAN, December 28. /ARKA/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has
addressed a message to his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharyan.

In his message President Vladimir Putin pointed out that the
current year has been enriched by the Year of Armenia in Russia. The
large-scale humanitarian project has to a full extent contributed to
comprehensive development of Russian-Armenian strategic cooperation,
Putin said.

Combined efforts allowed the two nations to raise the level
of political dialogue and strengthen the foundations of mutual
understanding and mutually advantageous cooperation in all spheres,
says the Russian President’s message.

MCA-ARMENIA RECEIVES SECOND TRANSFER OF INTITIAL DISBURSEMENT FROM MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION

Noyan Tapan
Dec 28 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN. As it was scheduled, the Millennium
Challenge Corporation (MCC) on December 28 made the second transfer
of the intitial disbursement – 507,653 USD to the Millenium Challenge
Account – Armenia (MCA – Armenia) Program. The first transfer of 882
thousand USD was made earlier this month. The funds for Armenia’s
Millennium Challenge Compact expected to total USD 236 million over a
five year period are not disbursed as a lump sum to Armenia. They are
approved quarterly by the MCC and disbursed monthly into MCA-Armenia’s
bank account.

PREPARATION FOR KARS-AKHALKALAKI-TBILISI-BAKU RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION TO START IN MAY 2007

PanARMENIAN.Net
27.12.2006 14:20 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijani Premier Artur Rasizade stated
yesterday that efforts to establish a transportation link between
Azerbaijan and Turkey are continuing, and that an agreement on the
Kars-Akhalkkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway will be signed in January. The
announcement of the planned agreement on the railway project came
during Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli’s meeting with
Rasizade in Azerbaijan. Rasizade also announced that the construction
and preparation work for the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway
project are planned to begin in May, reports The New Anatolian.

It’s worth reminding that U.S. President George Bush signed the bill
prohibiting financing construction of the railroad isolating Armenia
from economic and regional transport corridor.

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW UNION WEAKENS NOT BY ARAM KARAPETIAN’S EFFORTS BUT BECAUSE OF ITS SOME MEMBERS’ WORSHIP OF MONEY,
IS MENTIONED IN INFORMATION SPREAD BY NOR ZHAMANAKNER

Noyan Tapan
Dec 27 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The "Nor Zhamanakner" (New
Times) party disproved the statement spread on December 26 by the
"Constitutional Law Union" party about the issue that "Nor Zhamanakner"
Chairman Aram Karapetian, whose activity assists implementation
of the authorities’ strivings, has his direct participation in the
shameful process of making to silence the Constitutional Law Union
party and its official newspaper." According to the information
of the "Nor Zhamanakner" party’s information service, A.Karapetian
"only responded Constitutional Law Union’s factual Chairman Hrant
Khachatrian’s letter and told the truth about the issue that 51
members of the "Nor Zhamanakner" party’s Talin structure took part
in the Constitutional Law Union’s congress under the guize of that
party’s delegates. "It is obvious that the Constitutional Law Union
party separated because of some people’s worship of money, dark
bargains and putting the 15-year frienship to auction," is said in
the information of the "Nor Zhamanakner" party.

ARMENIA TO HAVE EDUCATIONAL CODE IN THREE YEARS

Noyan Tapan
Dec 21 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Reforms implemented in the sphere
of education of Armenia will be summed up in a United Program of
education by the end of 2007. RA Minister of Education and Science
Levon Mkrtchian said this at the December 20 press conference. In
his words, before adoption of the United Program, with financial
assistance amounting of 800 thousand dollars by USAID, monitoring of
legislation of educational sphere and correspondence of quality will
be held. Besides, Educational Code will be elaborated within three
years. L.Mkrtchian also touched upon issues of passing to credit
system of education and permanency of education within the framework
of Bolonia process. He said that implementation of this will ensure
recognition of Armenian diplomas and free movement of students about
the territory of Europe.

FAMOUS MATHEMATICIAN ARTASHES SHAHINIAN’S 100th JUBILEE MARKED IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Dec 20 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 20, NOYAN TAPAN. At the December 19 sitting of
the chairmanship of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia
and the Yerevan State University, which was dedicated to prominent
mathematician Artashes Shahinian’s 100th anniversary, RA NAS
Chairman Radik Martirosian especially mentioned the scientists’ great
contribution in the affair of foundation of the national mathematical
school. Academician Norayr Arakelian mentioned in his turn that
A.Shahinian’s 100th jubilee celebration is a tribute of respect to the
great patriot’s life and activity. He also listed the main achievements
connected with the Armenian scientist’s name. "Owing to A.Shahinian,
the Armenian mathematical school became known all over the world,"
is said in the address of Vakhtang Gamkrelitze, the Chairman of the
National Academy of Sciences of Georgia. Yuri Osipov, the Chairman of
the Academy of Sciences of Russia also addressed a congratulation. On
A.Shahinian’s initiative, the Mathematics and Mechanics Department
was founded in 1945 which was then re-arranged in the Institute of
Mathematics and Mechanics. He occupied the academician-secretary’s
post, headed the physics-mathematical department of the academy in
1950-1963. He founded the Mathematical Analysis and Functions Theory
Department in 1929 at the Yerevan State University, which he headed
till the end of his life.

A.Shahinian was awarded a number of governmental rewards, including
two orders of Labour Red Flag and the People’s Friendship order.

ARMENIA GAS SUPPLY IN JEOPARDY OVER PIPELINE BREAK IN GEORIA: GAZPROM

Agence France Presse — English
December 19, 2006 Tuesday 5:54 PM GMT

Armenia could face a gas shortage this winter if a burst pipeline
in neighboring Georgia is not repaired quickly, Russian gas monopoly
Gazprom warned Tuesday.

"Armenia has not received Russian gas in the necessary volumes for
the past two days due to a burst gas pipeline on Georgian territory,"
Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said in a statement.

The break in the pipeline occurred on Sunday for reasons still not
known to Gazprom and "it is obvious that if repair work drags out for
an extended period Armenia could be without gas in its underground
storage tanks this winter."

"This is a very troublesome situation," Kupriyanov warned.

"We and our Armenian colleagues are counting on everything possible
being done quickly to restore Russian gas shipments to Armenia through
Georgian territory," the statement said.

Armenia was currently receiving one-third of its gas through an
alternative pipeline while drawing on its underground reserves to
meet the remainder of its needs, it added.

Press Release
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Father Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

WORK SHOP IN ANTELIAS EXAMINES ADMINISTRATIVE BARRIERS TO DEVELOPMENT IN THE
CHURCH

The "Life and Service" Department of the Middle East Council of Churches
(MECC) organized a training workshop on "Administrative Barriers to
Development in the Church" on December 14-16. The workshop’s concluding
session was convened in Antelias.

The conference brought together about 40 representatives of various
Christian communities, clergy, social workers, teachers and other people
actively involved in the life and mission of churches. Mrs. Sossi Sagherian
represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia in this conference.

The Director of the MECC Social Service Department opened the concluding
session of the conference, calling on participants to draw the best
concluding statements of the conference based on the findings and
discussions of the previous two days. She highlighted the important role of
higher education in putting an end to the obstacles to the development and
progress of churches. She pointed out that while the world makes major leaps
forward in a time of new challenges and advanced technology, most churches
still function in ‘primitive’, outdated ways.

Greeting the participants was Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia, Bishop Nareg Alemezian, who also conveyed the Pontiff’s warm wishes
of success for the conference. The Bishop spoke about the Catholicosate of
Cilicia’s support of and contribution to the Ecumenical Movement during the
last few decades.

The speakers of the concluding session underscored the barriers to
collective and "chained" action and fruitful results in the life of the
Church. The session provided a platform to the participants to share the
experiences of their churches in this respect. Among the speakers were MECC
General Secretary Gerges Saleh, Father Gaby Hashem, Father George Messouh,
Bishop George Saliba, Metropolitan of the Syrian Orthodox Community in
Beirut, Bishop Salim Ghazel, the Maronite Patriarchal Vicar and others.

##
View the photos 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.