Author: Dabaghian Diana

BAKO SAHAKYAN: PEACE HAS BEEN PRESERVED BY NOW THANKS TO HEROIC ARMY OF ARTSAKH

Panorama.am
17:37 10/05/2010

Politics

Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan delivered a speech Sunday
in connection with the Victory Holiday, the Day of the NKR Defense
Army and the liberation of Shoushi, congratulated the veterans,
defense army soldiers, officers, generals.

"Dear compatriots,

Respected veterans of the Great Patriotic and Artsakh Liberation Wars,

Soldiers, officers and generals of the Artsakh Republic Defense Army

I cordially congratulate you on the Victory Holiday, the day of the
Artsakh Republic Defense Army and the liberation of Shoushi.

Today our people celebrate one of the dearest and brightest holidays
– the 65th anniversary of the Victory Day. The entire Soviet people
have been standing in the source of this victory paying a very high
price to withstand the evil threatening both their Motherland and
the whole mankind.

The brave sons of Artsakh had a considerable contribution to forging
this sacred victory. From the very first days of the Great Patriotic
every third person in Artsakh, over 45 thousand people, left for the
battlefront. Half of them never came back.

During the Second World War years our small highland gave 3 marshals,
one admiral of the USSR, dozens of generals, 35 heroes of the Soviet
Union, two of which have been conferred this title twice.

The contribution of the Artsakh people to securing a viable rear
was also heroic. Every single family partook at this cherished
undertaking. Everybody worked day and night guided by this very slogan:
"Everything for the battlefront, everything for the victory".

>>From 1992 to 1994 our generation brought up by the example of
their brave fathers and grandfathers managed to carry on a struggle
against the enemy who wanted to force Nagorno-Karabakh to knees. Our
people not only gave a worthy counter-stroke to the enemy, but also
liberated one of the ancient Armenian fortresses – historical Shoushi,
which symbolizes the beginning of our victories.

For all this we primarily owe to all those who sacrificed their lives
for the freedom of our Motherland. Eternal memory to our martyrs!

With joint efforts of the whole Armenian people, due to the
Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity our nation managed to confront severe
ordeals and establish peace in the native land. This peace has been
preserved by now thanks to the heroic army of Artsakh that was fated
to be formed and tempered in the war imposed on us.

The Defense army has worthily conquered the right to be the reliable
guarantee of the independence and security of our country and people.

The state will continue direct all efforts to increase efficiency of
the army, to provide continuous development of the country, improve
living conditions of the people, secure peaceful and prosperous life
of the citizens.

Friends, today we celebrate on a nationwide basis the 65th anniversary
of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Day of the Artsakh
Republic Defense Army and the liberation of Shoushi. The heroic pages
of our history became the symbol of dignity, hope, selflessness,
unity and patriotism for all generations. The sons of Artsakh as
worthy descendents of their fathers and grandfathers will continue
their deeds with flying colors and do their best for the sake of our
free and independent Motherland.

Honor and glory to the Armenian people, Honor and glory to the Armenian
Army, Honor to the Artsakh Republic!," the President’s speech reads.

RA OFFICIAL DELEGATION LED BY NA SPEAKER HOVIK ABRAHAMYAN TAKES PART AT MAY FESTIVITIES IN NKR

parliament.am
National Assembly
May 10 2010
Armenia

The official delegation of the Republic of Armenia led by the RA NA
Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan on May 8-9 in the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh
took part in the solemn ceremonies dedicated to the 65th anniversary
of the victory in the Great Patriotic War and 18th anniversary of
the Liberation Day of Shushi and the Day of the NKR Defense Army.

On the delegation were the Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan,
the NA Vice Speaker Samvel Nikoyan, the Chairman of the NA Standing
Committee on State and Legal Affairs Davit Harutyunyan, the deputies
Karine Achemyan, Artak Zakaryan, Rustam Gasparyan, Ashot Tonoyan, Ruben
Gevorgyan, Artyush Shahbazyan, Bagrat Sargsyan, Larisa Alaverdyan,
Armen Martirosyan, the Minister of Finance Tigran Davtyan, the Minister
of Urban Development Vardan Vardanyan, the Governor of Syunik Surik
Khachatryan and other officials.

On May 8 NKR NA Speaker Ashot Ghulyan and NKR officials met the
delegation led by the RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan in the outskirts
of Shushi.

After the short meeting on the same day with NKR President Bako
Sahakyan in Stepanakert the official delegation of the Republic of
Armenia took part in the solemn evening dedicated to three holidays,
which took place in the House of Officer. There the NKR President gave
awards the veterans of the Great Patriotic War, the freedom fighters,
who took part in the Artsakh battle, military servicemen of the NKR
Defense Army.

On the morning of May 9 in the name of the Armenian authorities the
RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan laid a wreath and flowers in memory
of the victims in the city memorial of Stepanakert.

On the same day the delegation led by the RA NA Speaker Hovik
Abrahamyan left for Shushi. After paying tribute at the tank-monument
near the outskirts of the city the RA NA Speaker laid flowers at
the statue of Vazgen Sargsyan in Shushi, after which he took part
in the Holy Mass ceremony in the Saint Holy Savior Ghazanchetzotz
Mother Cathedral.

In the courtyard of the church the RA NA Speaker in his short
conversation congratulated the whole Armenian people on the occasion
of the May three holidays and said in particular: "The peoples of
Armenia and Artsakh must always be united, as today, more than ever
our unity and tolerance are very important."

Later, RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan took part at the house-warming
ceremony of the military servicemen of the NKR Defense Army in Shushi,
during which 14 families of the military servicemen were given keys
of newly built flats. The latter received valuable presents by the RA
NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan. RA NA Speaker had a walk in the flats,
talked with the new dwellers.

After having a walk Hovik Abrahamyan in his briefing with the
journalists once again congratulated the Armenian people on the
occasion of the May three holidays and said: "We as a power must do
everything for peace and happiness. Today, 14 families of the military
servicemen were given flats, which were built with high quality. Let
God give these 14 families happiness and peace in their flats."

On the same day, ending the visit to the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
the official delegation of the Republic of Armenia the delegation
led by the RA NA Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, returned to Yerevan.

MAMIGONIAN: ‘DIVIDE ET IMPERA’: THE TURKISH-ARMENIAN PROTOCOLS
By: Marc Mamigonian

The Armenian Weekly
April 2010 Magazine
Mon, May 10 2010

In the discussions surrounding the Turkish-Armenian protocols that have
taken place throughout the last year, there has been a disappointing,
yet hardly unforeseeable, tendency to oversimplify matters and draw
a clear-cut picture with "practical," pro-protocols Armenians on one
side, and "hawkish" diaspora "fanatics" who are dead-set against the
protocols and any normalization with Turkey on the other side. We can
see this as a minor refinement of the well-worn discourse of the Bad
Armenians and the Good Armenians that we have come to know and some
have come to love, or at least to make good use of.

As the Turkish scholar Taner Akcam has aptly described this discourse:

According to the defensive strategies developed by our intellectuals,
the ‘bad’ Armenians aren’t the ones in Turkey or the ones in
neighboring Armenia. The ‘bad’ Armenians are the ones in the diaspora
because the ones who keep ‘insisting on recognition of the genocide’
are actually they. In other words, instead of directly stating that
the problem has to do with defining Armenians as ‘the bogeyman’ and
‘bad,’ they accepted those definitions but changed the object of those
definitions; instead of saying Armenians are ‘bad,’ they stated that
the diaspora is ‘bad.’ In conclusion, the mentality that predominates
in Turkey continued unabated in our intellectuals and continues to
do so.1

In recent discussions, it is the critics of the protocols who have
become the "bad" Armenians, then, and interestingly enough, some
Armenians who had previously been lumped into the "bad" category
because of their emphasis on genocide recognition as such now find
themselves, due to their support of the protocols, transformed
(perhaps only temporarily) into "good" Armenians.

This leads us to Kerem Oktem’s article "The Armenia-Turkey process:
don’t stop now" on OpenDemocracy, which was in turn a response to
articles by Vicken Cheterian and Juan Gabriel Tokatlian.2

It is interesting to note that while Oktem rightly decries a
reductionist understanding of "the highly cosmopolitan Armenian
diaspora" as a univocal entity when, in fact, there is on the
protocols, as on other issues, a wide array of opinions (both pro-
and con- as well as within the pro- and con- "camps"), he seems to
fall into the hardly less reductionist trap of equating those who
oppose the protocols with those who oppose any normalization, of
presenting those who oppose the protocols as a nationalists and those
who support them as humanists. In other words, we have not really
moved beyond the categories of Bad Armenians and Good Armenians-we
have just done some rebranding.

In the former category, clearly, Oktem has placed the political
party the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), which has been
vocally opposed to the protocols. Oktem writes of the ARF that "it
has become trapped in the cage of an old-fashioned, if virulent
nationalism: retribution, compensation, and transfer of land to
Armenia are central to its vocabulary." He contrasts this with the
"humanist organizations" the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU),
the dioceses of the Armenian Churches of America, and the Armenian
Assembly of America (AAA)-groups that support "normalization" even
though genocide recognition "might be the first casualty." He does
not define what he means by a "humanist" organization.

What is at issue here is not these organizations per se or the merits
of their respective approaches to the protocols as such (or to other
issues), but rather how they are being depicted and deployed to suit
a version of the Good Armenian/Bad Armenian discourse. The Armenian
Assembly, in particular, is regularly grouped with the Bad Armenians
due to its long record of working for genocide recognition and lobbying
for the U.S. to pass resolutions affirming the genocide-work that it
shows no signs of abandoning and that has long been the sine qua non
of the Bad Armenian.

It is true that to support the protocols is to support "normalization,"
at least as it is defined by the protocols. But it does not follow
that to oppose the protocols is necessarily to oppose any sort of
normalization, unless one believes that the protocols represent the
only possible route to normalization. Oktem also appears to lump
together all critics of the protocols as virulent nationalists-which
is barely an improvement on lumping together the entire diaspora
as Bad Armenians. It is no wonder, then, that he cannot reconcile
the fact that "serious observers such as Juan Gabriel Tokatlian and
Vicken Cheterian" also take a stance against the protocols. It seems
he simply cannot imagine any "serious" critique of the protocols,
any critique that is not rooted in "virulent nationalism."

But there is an obvious solution to his confusion: Just as there
are people and organizations who support the protocols more or less
uncritically and those who support them with serious reservations,
so, too, are there people and organizations who are in favor of
normalization but who oppose the protocols either in whole or in
part for one or more of a variety of reasons-that is to say, it may
be that their concerns about this or that aspect of the protocols are
so strong that they cannot support them. Is it so inconceivable that a
"serious observer" might hold such a view?

Furthermore, it is fair to say that one "political persuasion" (read:
Dashnak) is more uniformly critical of the protocols, but it does not
follow that all who are critical are of the same political persuasion;
some, in fact, have close connections with organizations that have
publicly stated their support for the protocols, and many (most?) have
no political or organizational ties or loyalties whatsoever. Some
critics, as should be obvious, are not Armenian.

Nonetheless, Oktem crafts a sharp distinction between the "nationalist"
Armenians who oppose the protocols mainly because they hamper genocide
recognition and the "humanist" Armenians who support the protocols
even though it means sacrificing genocide recognition.

Yet the ABGU and the other organizations that issued a joint public
statement said clearly that they do not support the protocols at
the expense of genocide recognition-declaring that there "should be
no question that we also continue to stand firmly with the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic to ensure its freedom and security as well as with
all those working for universal affirmation of the Armenian Genocide."3

Oktem concludes that opposition to the protocols is motivated by
fear among those who "have long used the genocide to scare critical
minds into conformity, to rule over their flocks as they pleased,
and to claim the right to speak in their name" that they will lose
their power. He does not seem to consider other things that would
cause reasonable people not to support the protocols. For example, as
he himself says, "The joint historical commission, which the second
protocol proposes, is indeed a bad compromise, if not a complete
sell-out." Would it not be a reasonable or "serious" stance to advocate
normalization without such a "bad compromise"? For some, clearly,
the proposed commission is too high a price to pay, for reasons that
have been well expressed by Roger Smith among others.4 Is such a
stance incomprehensible and incompatible with "serious" thinking?

It is striking how similar some of Oktem’s points are to those in a
column by Cengiz Aktar in Hurriyet entitled "The Armenian Initiative
and the Hrant Dink Case," in which he nearly proclaims the end of
nationalism in Turkey.5 Aktar, one of the initiators of the 2008
"apology campaign," also observes that "[o]wing to the protocols,
differences have surfaced within the diaspora-clear evidence that it
never was a monolithic entity." Evidently, if nothing else, we have
the protocols to thank for this breakthrough in perception. However,
"Within the diaspora, there are a limited number of people who are
making a lot of noise. They do not care about the future of the
Armenian Republic, make unrealistic demands and claim that it sold
out the diaspora." It is self-evident, apparently, that anyone who is
critical of the protocols must "not care about the future of Armenia."

Aktar, too, contrasts the "unrealistic," "uncaring" noisemakers with "a
silent majority that is calm and sober enough to grasp the importance
of the protocols," which he identifies with the AGBU. He does not,
of course, say how he knows it is a silent majority.

Aktar then gives a short quote from the statement from the AGBU Central
Board of Directors: "[The protocols] mark a significant moment in
the history of relations between the Armenian and Turkish peoples.

It presents major ramifications for both the government of the newly
independent Republic of Armenia and the Armenian nation worldwide."

There is nothing controversial in these words. They state the obvious:
The protocols are "significant" and present "major ramifications."

Such language could derive from either a declaration in favor of the
protocols or one against them. There is no dispute over whether the
protocols are "significant" or present "major ramifications." The
dispute is over what the significance is and what the ramifications
are.

It is revealing to read the entire AGBU statement in the context of the
sharp "nationalist" vs. "humanist" distinction that has been drawn (see
the AGBU statement here: ).

For example, after favorably noting the "pragmatic policy [of the
Armenian government] in its negotiations with Turkey," it goes on to
state: "However, as practical as such a policy may be, it should not
be implemented at the expense of the inalienable rights of the Armenian
people. We believe the authorities in Armenia, as administrators of the
state, must be guided by the same pan-national goals and aspirations
in making these difficult and far-reaching decisions. The documents
establishing diplomatic relations between Armenia and Turkey touch
directly or indirectly upon the Armenian Genocide and our territorial
demands. While we understand the importance for the Republic
of Armenia to have normal diplomatic relations with neighboring
countries, including Turkey, we believe that the inviolable Armenian
Case in its broadest sense and the international recognition of the
Armenian Genocide should transcend any diplomatic consideration"
(emphasis mine).

And then towards the end: "AGBU unwaveringly adheres to its national
policy of supporting the homeland and safeguarding the inviolable
rights of the Armenian nation, and its historical, material and
cultural legacy" (emphasis mine).

If such language as appears in bold above were used in a statement
against the protocols, would the "humanist" tag be stripped away and
replaced with the label "old-fashioned, if virulent nationalism"? Or
should one assume that Aktar and Oktem are fully in support of these
aspects of the statement?

It is interesting to see how organizations that have hitherto mostly
been lumped together as part of the powerful, nationalistic Armenian
Diaspora lobbying machine are now being distinguished among. Noisy
nationalists over here! Sober humanists over there! Oktem asks the
rhetorical question, "Is it possible that the highly cosmopolitan
Armenian diaspora, in 2009, can or would speak with a single voice?"

He answers with a resounding "No!" But the more complete inferred
answer from both his and Aktar’s commentaries appears to be "No! It
speaks with two voices!" An optimist might view that as an improvement
of 100 percent!

It appears that, within the current revised Good Armenian/Bad Armenian
schematic, if you support the protocols and talk about "the inalienable
rights of the Armenian people" you are a "humanist." But if you do
not support them and talk about "the inalienable rights of the entire
Armenian Nation" you are a "nationalist."6

You are a "humanist" if you support the protocols and say "we
understand the importance for the Republic of Armenia to have normal
diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, including Turkey,
we believe that the inviolable Armenian Case in its broadest sense
and the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide should
transcend any diplomatic consideration." But you are a "nationalist"
if you do not support the protocols and say, "As neighboring states,
Armenia and Turkey are bound to take steps to normalize relations [but]
neighborly relations can be established between the two countries
only when Turkey recognizes the Armenian Genocide and reestablishes
the rights of the Armenian people."7

If you support the protocols, it is "humanistic" to refer to
"the inviolable rights of the Armenian nation." But it if you do
not support the protocols, it is "nationalistic" to refer to "the
unwavering rights of the Armenian people."8

And there is "humanism" in "our territorial demands" if you support the
protocols, but "nationalism" if you oppose the protocols and mention
"the dispossession of Western Armenia."9

Again, this is not about the AGBU, ARF, AAA, Armenian National
Committee, etc. The point to be made is not that the so-called
"nationalists" are really "humanists," or the so-called "humanists"
are really "nationalists."

The point to be made is about how problematic it is to divide up
Armenians along such lines. It is about recognizing a trap that is
part of the legacy of imperialism. The Romans had a name for it:
Divide et impera.

***

Endnotes

1. Taner Akcam, "Armenia, diaspora, and facing history,"
The Armenian Reporter, posted Nov. 28, 2008 on
iaspora-and-facing-history.

2. Kerem Oktem, "The Armenia-Turkey process:
don’t stop now," posted Oct. 14, 2009 on
ia-turkey-process-don-t-stop-now.

Juan Gabriel Tokatlian, "Armenia and Turkey:
forgetting genocide," posted Oct. 12, 2009 on
nd-turkey-forgetting-genocide.

Vicken Cheterian, "Armenia-Turkey: genocide,
blockade, diplomacy," posted Oct. 13, 2009 on
urkey-genocide-blockade-diplomacy.

3. "Joint statement of major Armenian-American institutions welcoming
the president of the Republic of Armenia," posted Oct. 1, 2009 on

4. Roger Smith, "The Politics of Genocide and the Turkey-Armenia
Protocols," The Armenian Weekly, posted Oct. 24, 2009 on
itics-of-genocide-and-the-turkey-armenia-protocols /.

5. Posted Oct. 16, 2009 on
wards-armenia-and-the-hrant-dink-murder-case-2009- 10-16.

6. "ARF-ER Issues Statement After Meeting with
Sarkisian in New York," Asbarez, posted Oct. 4, 2009 on
fter-meeting-with-sarkisian-in-new-york/.

7. "ARF Bureau Issues Announcement on Protocols,"
The Armenian Weekly, posted Sept. 2, 2009 on
sues-announcement-on-protocols/.

8. Ibid.

9. "ARF-ER Issues Statement After Meeting with Sarkisian in New York,"
Asbarez, posted Oct. 4, 2009.

Interfax, Russia
May 7 2010

Armenian, Azerbaijani leaders do not plan to meet in Moscow

YEREVAN May 7

So far no arrangements have been made for a possible meeting between
the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents, Serzh Sargsyan and Ilham
Aliyev, on the sidelines of an informal summit of the CIS and the
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) that are planned to be
held in Moscow on May 8, the Armenian leader’s spokesman Armen
Arzumanyan told journalists.

Azerbaijan’s media reported earlier that Aliyev and Sargsyan could
meet in Moscow during the summit.

ARMENIA’S MINISTER OF DIASPORA ATTENDS SEMINARS HELD IN ISRAEL FOR STATES WITH LARGE DIASPORAS

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 7,2010
TEL AVIV

TEL AVIV, MAY 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The delegation of
Armenia’s Ministry of Diaspora led by Minister of Diaspora Ms. Hranush
Hakobian participated in the seminars held in Israel for 4 states with
large diasporas. The seminars were organized by the United Nations,
as well as the U.S. and Israeli governments.

During her visit to Israel, Ms. Hakobian had many official meetings,
including the meeting with members of the Armenian community in
Jerusalem in the evening of May 4. The minister spoke about the
work done and the further activities and responded to the community
executives’ questions related mainly to issues of dual citizenship
and repatriation.

She emphasized the fact that the state of Israel was established
mostly thanks to repatriates, and since the further programs of
Armenian Ministry of Diaspora are aimed at encouraging repatriation,
it is important to examine Israel’s programs which helped so many
people return to their homeland.

Minister Hakobian also met with Israel’s Immigrant Absorption Minister
Sofa Landver and Minister of Information and Diaspora Yuli Edelstein.

Armenian-Israeli relations, the role of the Armenian community in
the life of that country, other issues were discussed at the meetings.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

May 7, 2010
___________________

Assembly Showcases an Eastern Diocese committed to local parishes, while
global in outreach

The 108th Diocesan Assembly, hosted in Chicago by the St. James Church of
Evanston, Ill., from April 29 to May 1, continued the Diocese’s focus on
vocations and the need to increase the ranks of Armenian priests in America.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), presided over the meeting of 147 clergy and lay
delegates, representing parishes from across the Diocese.

The Assembly opened on Thursday, April 29, with a reading of the message of
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians.

"You have provided special attention to the fruitful and noble purpose of
enhancing the call for spiritual and dedicated service in the hearts of
young Armenians," the Catholicos wrote. "We send you all our pontifical
appreciation for your praiseworthy work that reflects your love of God, your
dedication to our nation, and you filial love towards our homeland."

Delegates then heard reports from the Diocesan organizations, including the
Fund for Armenian Relief, the Armenian Church Endowment Fund, the Ararat
Center, the Legate’s Committee, St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, and the
Diocesan Council.

* Multi-faceted mission

Garnik Nanagoulian, executive director of the Fund for Armenian Relief,
spoke about the organization’s accomplishments since its founding 20 years
ago, paying particular attention to FAR’s transition from serving the
immediate needs of the Armenian people in the aftermath of the 1988
earthquake to establishing long-term development programs.

In the past two decades, FAR has allocated $280 million in humanitarian
assistance and developed more than 220 programs in Armenia, including
initiatives to bolster education, infrastructure, and medicine.

Bruce Ballard, treasurer of the Armenian Church Endowment Fund, spoke about
ACEF’s response to the challenges of the financial difficulties of the past
year. At the end of 2009, ACEF had assets of $71.6 million, with 1,270
endowed funds, he said.

ACEF strives to maintain consistent distribution to its beneficiaries, even
during challenging years; beneficiaries received a total of $3.7 million
form the fund in March 2009, and $3.5 million in March 2010.

Mr. Ballard also stressed that ACEF represents a diverse class of
investments to ensure income, appreciation and safety, and said that since
1999, ACEF’s average annualized returns have outperformed the market as well
as the organization’s own benchmark. A question session followed Mr.
Ballard’s presentation, giving delegates the opportunity to learn more about
ACEF’s future plans.

Thomas Ashbahian, chair of the Ararat Center board of directors, spoke about
volunteer efforts which have helped improve facilities at the 65-acre
camping, retreat, and conference center.

He said that some 155 volunteers have helped save more than $250,000 in
recent years, but added that "there is always work to do" and reminded
delegates that building up the center is "a Diocesan-wide effort." Mr.
Ashbahian also encouraged parishes and other Diocesan organizations to make
use of the Ararat Center.

Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and Legate’s Committee member
Lisa Esayian spoke about efforts to raise awareness about the Armenian
Church among ecumenical groups and to advocate for the Armenian community at
various levels of government.

Last December, Archbishop Aykazian completed his term as president of the
National Council of Churches, though he continues to be closely involved
with the NCC, and plans to work with the Diocese’s parishes to help them
build ties with local ecumenical organizations.

Other focus area include the Legate’s commitment to supporting the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Armenian community in the Holy Land, as
well as reaching out to Armenian refugees from Iraq and seeking action on
the Armenian situation in Georgia.

Michael Haratunian, a member of the St. Nersess Armenian Seminary board of
directors, highlighted the seminary’s achievements since its founding in
1961 by then-Primate Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan. In the past five decades,
the seminary has graduated 39 clergy and welcomed more than 3,000 young
people to take part in its summer conferences. This May, four students will
graduate from the seminary, and prepare to serve as priests in the Eastern
Diocese.

The past year has seen a reduction of costs, as well as the reorganization
and strengthening of the board of directors, Mr. Haratunian said. He
explained that the existing facility needs major renovations, and said that
the board of directors is considering the possibility of selling the current
property in New Rochelle, N.Y., and either sharing facilities with another
seminary, or building a new center on the property of a nearby Diocesan
parish.

Richard Norsigian, chair of the committee appointed to study the "Guidelines
for Diocesan Bylaws of the Armenian Church"-a constitutional framework for
all Armenian Church dioceses, worked out during meetings of diocesan
representatives at Holy Etchmiadzin-presented the committee’s report to
delegates.

The committee was appointed by the Diocesan Council and Primate two years
ago at the request of the Diocesan Assembly. In addition to Richard
Norsigian, committee members include the Very Rev. Fr. Krirkor Maksoudian,
the Rev. Fr. Mampre Kouzouian, the Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian, and James
Kalustian.

Delegates received the committee’s report and accepted its recommendation to
appoint two attorneys to the committee and to empower the committee to
compare the guidelines to the bylaws of the Eastern Diocese, and to present
the review to the Diocesan Assembly at a later date.

* Diocesan programs

Oscar Tatosian, chair of the Diocesan Council, opened the council’s
presentation with a video reviewing the programs and activities organized of
the past year. He said that the Diocese has largely focused on initiatives
for young people and that the council has launched a process to reduce
operating expenses while maintaining existing programs.

Rachel Goshgarian, director of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information
Center at the Diocese, spoke about the Zohrab Center’s progress of
cataloguing its collection, and highlighted the center’s internship program
and lecture series. She also presented the goals of the Diocese’s
Communications Department, including plans to reduce publication costs.
Christopher Zakian, director of the Communications Department, introduced
the Diocese’s new website, scheduled to launch in early summer.

Dr. Goshgarian and the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian, co-directors of the
Diocese’s Department of Youth and Education, outlined the programs underway
in the fields of Armenian Studies, Christian Education, and Youth Outreach.

Dn. Rubik Malian, chair of the Sacred Music Council, spoke about the growth
of the training program for young people, which has been renamed the
Boyajian Choir Leadership Development Program in honor of the organization’s
late chair Socrates Boyajian. He summarized the Music Council’s regional
workshops held last year and its plans for the inaugural National Choir
Workshop, scheduled for August 20-22 at the Ararat Center.

Leslie Movsessian, chair of the Women’s Guild Central Council, discussed
activities the organization has planned for the coming year, including a
symposium in the fall, a Holy Land pilgrimage, regional retreats, and a
possible program to support a seminarian studying at St. Nersess Seminary.

The Women’s Guild Central Council has also worked to implement
recommendations of a committee of clergy and non-Women’s Guild members, and
to reorganize positions within the council to provide better support for
local chapters. There are currently 35 churches with Women’s Guild chapters
and close to 1,800 members across the Diocese.

Prior to the official start of the Assembly on Thursday afternoon, parish
council chairs and representatives from more than 30 Diocesan churches held
their annual business meeting. Under the leadership of Diocesan Council
member Paul Mardoian, the two-hour meeting proved to be a dynamic forum
where parish leaders exchanged ideas, concerns, and "best practices" for
operating their respective churches.

Attendees also received information on several Diocesan
initiatives-principally involving the Vocations-related programs which will
be enacted throughout the Diocese during the coming year. Additional topics
covered in the meeting included discussions on attracting new members to the
parishes, ideas and resources to enrich local stewardship efforts, and
clarification on how parishes should approach taxation and employment
matters.

* Austere discipline

At the Second General session on Friday, April 30, delegates heard from
James Kalustian, treasurer of the Diocesan Council, about the Diocese’s
financials, and approved revisions to the 2010 budget and a new 2011 budget.

Mr. Kalustian emphasized that the Diocese would need to implement "austere
discipline" in the coming years. In 2009, he said, the Diocese faced a
deficit of $376,000, and saw a decline in overall donations.

He said that the revised 2010 budget and the new 2011 budget were designed
to cut expenses and to reduce Diocesan borrowing by $871,000, and to
eliminate all borrowing within the next five years. He added that the
Diocesan Council expects the Diocese’s financial situation to grow stronger
as the economy stabilizes.

Diocesan Council member Sandra Shahinian Leitner spoke about the Diocese’s
development goals, and encouraged clergy and delegates to contribute to the
Archbishop’s Appeal. She summarized the results of the Matching and
Challenge Initiatives the Diocese held last year, highlighting that
participation rates rose during 2009.

Dr. Sam Mikaelian, coordinator of development at the Diocese, announced that
through the end of May 2010, an anonymous donor has agreed to double
donations made by Diocesan leadership, encouraging clergy and lay delegates
to consider participating in the challenge.

* Promoting new leaders

At the Third General Session on Saturday, May 1, Dr. Garo Garibian, chair of
the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem Committee, presented a photo
slideshow of sites and services in the Holy Land. Delegates passed a
proposal to start raising money to expand clergy quarters for members of the
Brotherhood of Jerusalem. To date, the committee has collected $20,250 of
the $300,000 needed for the project. The Rev. Fr. Arnak Kasparian and two
delegates each pledged $10,000 for the undertaking.

ACYOA Central Council chair Alex Derderian spoke about goals to strengthen
programming and to enhance the organization’s communications efforts. He
highlighted the success of this year’s Young Adult Leadership Conference,
and delegates viewed a video where young people reflected on leadership
roles they have assumed in their parishes.

Dr. Marvin Zonis, a professor at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of
Business who addressed the Leadership Conference participants this spring,
told delegates that he is impressed by the motivation of Armenian youth and
their commitment to the church. He also invited delegates to assign young
people to leadership positions so that they can further build on their
skills. "These young people cannot become the leaders of the future unless
everyone in this room gives them the opportunity to do that now," he said.

The Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, director of the Mission Parish program at the
Diocese, gave an overview of activities in the mission parishes, including
the leadership seminar held for Parish Council members last October, the
establishment of new ACYOA chapters, and a growing interest in summer camp
programs and other opportunities for young people. He also described the
virtual Sunday School program the mission parish of Nashville, Tenn., has
launched to allow Sunday School teachers and students to "meet" and conduct
online classes in the absence of permanent classrooms.

Sandra Shahinian Leitner gave an update on the Diocese’s collection of
Arshile Gorky’s artwork, highlight the recent loan of several pieces for the
Gorky retrospective exhibition which was on view in Philadelphia last year,
and is now traveling to other museums in the U.S. and abroad. Delegates also
voted to bind all future lenders to note that the artist was an Armenian
Genocide survivor alongside the exhibition of his works.

Other proposals adopted include a policy to regularly schedule bone marrow
drives at the parish level, and a request that the Diocesan Council report
to delegates about the makeup and the organization of the Supreme Spiritual
Council.

Before adjourning, delegates thanked Dn. Levon Kirakosyan, deacon-in-charge
of St. James Church of Evanston, and the host parish’s Assembly Committee,
which was chaired by Dr. Larry Farsakian. Delegates also expressed their
gratitude to Assembly chair Antranig Garibian, vice chair Dennis Papazian,
secretary Terry Peterson, and assistant secretary, the Rev. Fr. Hratch
Sargsyan.

The next Diocesan Assembly will be hosted by Holy Trinity Armenian Church of
Greater Boston.

–5/6/10

* * *

SEE SIDEBAR STORY BELOW

2010 DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS

Below are the names of individuals elected to Diocesan boards and positions
during the 108th Diocesan Assembly.

Diocesan Board of Trustees

Edward Korkoian (10-year term)

Zaven Dadekian (5-year completion of term)

Auditing Committee

Russell Kaishian, Ph.D.

Nominating Committee

Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian (chair pro tem)

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan (alternate)

Shakeh Derderian

Jacqueline Melkonian El Chemmas

Mona Karoghlanian

Nathalie Yaghoobian

Proposals Committee

Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian

Howard Atesian

Lynn Beylerian

Edward Brewster

Lisa Kouzoujian (chair pro tem)

Dn. Serop Demirjian (alternate)

* * *

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Asmbly General1

Delegates from throughout the Eastern Diocese converged on Chicago for the
108th annual Diocesan Assembly.

Asmbly General2

Antranig Garibian of Philadelphia chaired the Diocesan Assembly.

Asmbly General3

The Diocesan Assembly was the occasion for the yearly meeting of parish
council chairmen. This year some 30 local parishes were represented at the
meeting.

Asmbly General4

Diocesan Council member Paul Mardoian among the delegates at the 2010
Diocesan Assembly.

# # #

ORANGE ANNOUNCES LAUNCH IN TUNISIA

Panorama.am
15:52 06/05/2010

Economy

Exactly six months after the launch in Armenia, on May 6th, Orange
and Investec, a Tunisian subsidiary of the Mabrouk group announced the
launch of Orange Tunisia. Orange Tunisia will offer customers mobile,
fixed and internet services, according to Orange Armenia press office.

This partnership represents an important step forward for France
Telecom-Orange and its development in the Mediterranean and North
Africa. Despite the high penetration rate in the country (90%), there
is strong demand for the wide-ranging, innovative services that have
forged the reputation of the Orange brand across the world.

Orange Tunisia has built the country’s first 3G network. This network
already covers the majority of Tunisia’s major cities. Overall coverage
will be doubled by the end of the year.

Orange is now present in 18 countries in Africa and the Middle East.

With this launch, Tunisian customers will join a worldwide community of
130 million people who already enjoy the benefits of the Orange brand.

ARMAN MELIKYAN: BAKU WILL NOT START WAR WITHOUT SUPERPOWERS’ SUPPORT

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 6, 2010 – 17:27 AMT 12:27 GMT

Azerbaijan will not start a war against Karabakh without superpowers’
support, according to former NKR Foreign Minister Arman Melikyan.

As Arman Melikyan told a joint news conference with LPA chairman
Hovhannes Hovhannesyan , "Today, negotiation process is being conducted
in accordance with Baku’s wishes, so Azerbaijan will not withdraw from
the process. Still, Azerbaijan seeks to speed up negotiations. Soon our
authorities will see the necessity to change current format of talks."

Melikyan characterized Baku’s statements on withdrawal of Armenian
forces from Lachin and Kelbajar as a mere wish on behalf of Azerbaijan
and Turkey.

"Yet, Karabakh territories can become an object of bargain between
Russia and Azerbaijan. However, neither Azerbaijan nor Turkey became
reliable partners to Russia, thus giving us a chance to maneuver,"
ex-FM stated. According to Arman Melikyan’s forecast, active
negotiations will be continued for another 3-5 years.

Hovhannes Hovhannesyan, in turn, expressed doubts over the possibility
for Turkey to become OSCE MG Co-Chair. "Given US efforts to alter
the status quo, Karabakh issue might soon be resolved," LPA chairman
concluded.

NOVRUZ MAMMADOV NOTORIOUS FOR ABSURD STATEMENTS

news.am
May 5 2010
Armenia

Head of the Azerbaijani presidential staff Novruz Mammadov is
notorious for absurd statements. He is a political figure that
has exhausted his potential and is trying to remind the public of
himself in any way possible, Hovhannes Sahakyan, a Parliament member
of the Prosperous Party of Armenia (PAP), told NEWS.am, commenting on
Mammadov’s statement that Armenia allegedly asked for time to vacate
Lachin and Kelbajar.

He pointed out that the information on the withdrawal of Armenian
troops from the regions is false. Sahakyan added that Nagorno-Karabakh
will never be part of Azerbaijan. "Moreover, Azerbaijan must leave
the territories it occupied, including Shahumyan, for several hundreds
of Armenian refugees to settle down there. It is not until that time
that any concessions on Armenia’s part can be discussed," he said.

NEWS.am reminds readers that Novruz Mammadov stated that Armenia
allegedly asked for time to vacate Lachin and Kelbajar and the process
had allegedly been worked out by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

Armenian National Committee-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Tel: (818) 500-1918

PRESS RELEASE
April 30, 2010
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

LOS ANGELES AREA ANC ACTIVISTS GIVE BACK TO COMMEMORATE GENOCIDE

LOS ANGELES, CA—On Friday, April 23rd, while Armenian National Committee
(ANC) activists joined the Los Angeles City Council as it commemorated the
Armenian Genocide in chambers, just a couple of miles away in downtown Los
Angeles, ANC activists from local ANCs across the city were volunteering at
the Union Rescue Mission to commemorate the genocide in their own way by
giving back to the community.

"At the time of the Armenian Genocide, the United States launched a great
humanitarian relief effort to help save the victims. America, particularly
California and Los Angeles, became a refuge for those who barely escaped
with their lives," said Tereza Yerimyan who organized the effort as an
intern with the Armenian National Committee-Western Region.

Volunteers, like the Chalian family from the San Fernando Valley and ANC
Hollywood Chairman Rostom Sarkissian and activist Jennifer McGraw joined
Tereza as well as ANC-WR Community Relations Director Haig Hovsepian to help
the Union Rescue Mission feed those less fortunate for the day. The Union
Rescue Mission, which serves the Los Angeles community, tends to the needs
of over a 1000 individuals every day.

"Americans from throughout the country helped genocide survivors in their
time of need. As descendents of those survivors, we wanted to give back to
those today who are in their time of greatest need," said Sarkissian. "We
honored and remembered those we lost and those who helped us as a way to
shine a spotlight on the Armenian Genocide, its continued denial and the
current cycle of genocide which still exists to this day. I encourage
everyone to confront this crime against humanity by showing our humanity to
those who need a helping hand."

The Armenian National Committee-Western Region is the largest Armenian
American grassroots community organization in the Western United States.
Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the
country, the ANC-WR works to promote understanding regarding issues of
concern to the Armenian American community.