Author: Felekian Ara

ORINATS YERKIR PROPOSES HIGHER COMPENSATION FOR SAVING BANK DEPOSITS

Panorama.am
15:04 15/11/06

Orinats Yerkir party proposes to double the amount of money which is
going to be compensated against deposits at the Saving Bank in 2007,
Heghine Bisharyan, faction secretary, told a parliament hearing on
budget today. She said 1 billion drams is not a big sum and it could
be doubled.

Bisharyan pointed out that despite of rising salaries of teachers they
still get some 16,000 drams. She also underscored higher salaries for
scientists. Bisharyan attached importance to health of women saying
many women get sick at younger age.

UN Development Programme (UNDP) Armenia

14, Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 375010, Armenia
Tel: +374 10 56 60 73 + 121
Mob: +374 91 43 63 12
Fax: +374 10 54 38 11
E-mail: [email protected]
URLs:

PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT: Aramazd Ghalamkaryan
E-mail: [email protected]

ARMENIAN COMPANIES AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS JOIN THE UN GLOBAL
COMPACT

17.11.2006

UNDP and two GC members in Armenia launch corporate citizenship projects

Yerevan, Armenia – Today, at the Golden Palace Hotel in Yerevan United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Trade and Economic
Development of Armenia and 19 private companies and civil society
organizations officially launched the Global Compact in Armenia. Mr. Ara
Petrosyan, Deputy Minister and Ms. Consuelo Vidal, UN resident coordinator
and UNDP resident representative presented the Global Compact.

In an address to the World Economic Forum on 31 January 1999, United Nation
Secretary-General Kofi Annan challenged business leaders to join an
international initiative – the Global Compact (GC) – that would bring
companies together with UN agencies, labour and civil society to support
universal environmental and social principles.

The Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within
their sphere of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human
rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption. The Global
Compact offers engagement opportunities to all participants through the
networks, dialogues, learning events and partnership projects.

At the event, two other important agreements were signed. The first one was
on the establishment of an Arts and Crafts Training and Production Center
for Disabled Children: the Global Compact member and UNDP’s partner
K-Telecom/VivaCell company decided to make this project a reality in
cooperation with Pyunic non-governmental organization.

Also, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Union of
Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia to enhance cooperation with the UN
office in Armenia through a number of joint initiatives.

Ms Vidal mentioned in her speech: "UNDP strongly believes that private
sector has a very crucial role to play in the development of the country and
UNDP is partner in this sense."

On the occasion of the launch, Mr. Georg Kell, Executive Director of the UN
Global Compact, sent a welcoming message to Armenia, where he noted: "It is
very encouraging to see that the United Nations has a committed partner in
the Armenian business community that is ready to join us in carrying the
Global Compact forward. Commitment and leadership of government, civil
society and academia will be crucial for the Global Compact to succeed in
your country. I am confident that the Global Compact can take root in
Armenia and help the country further integrate into global economy and
contribute to better life of the people of Armenia."

"We would like to invite more private sector companies to engage in this
initiative and sign-up to become the members of the Armenian network.
Jointly we can do more for your business, for Armenia and for its future,"
– noted the UN resident coordinator in Armenia in her speech.

Nowadays, the Global Compact is the world’s largest corporate citizenship
initiative that involves a global network of over 3,000 companies in some
100 countries, as well as close to 600 non-business participants from civil
society, labour and academia.

In Armenia, the following companies and organizations have already joined
the GC Network: American University of Armenia, Ashtarak Kat, Ameria,
Armenal, BAKSS, Broncoway, Cascade Capital Holding, Coca Cola, the
Enterprise Incubator Foundation, the International Centre for Human
Development (ICHD), KPMG Armenia, Marriott Armenia Hotel, Pyunic NGO,
Tufenkian Hospitality, Unicomp, Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen
(Employers) of Armenia (UMBA), K-Telecom/ VivaCell, Grant Thornton Amyot,
and Sourcio.

* * *

ABOUT UNDP: UNDP is the UN’s global network to help people meet their
development needs and build a better life. We are on the ground in 166
countries, working as a trusted partner with governments, civil society and
the private sector to help them build their own solutions to global and
national development challenges. Further information can be found at

* * *

For additional information, please contact Mr. Armen Matosyan at
[email protected], tel.: +374 10 547 268 or Mr. Aramazd Ghalamkaryan
at [email protected], tel.: +37491 436 312, +37410 566 073 +
121.

MINISTRY RE-EXAMINES GENOCIDE DEFINITION

http://194.6.181.127/eng/swissinfo.htm l?siteSect=105&sid=7249487
November 12, 2006 – 1:13 PM

A senior justice ministry official says the current anti-racism law
needs to be re-examined to modify a clause on genocide.

The head of the Federal Justice Office, Michael Leupold, argues that
a judge is not in a position to decide on the definition of genocide.

The debate on Switzerland’s anti-racism legislation came to the fore
after Justice Minister Christoph Blocher, a member of the rightwing
Swiss People’s Party, announced during a visit to Turkey in October
that he wanted to change the law.

Any act of denying, belittling or justifying genocide is a violation
of Swiss anti-racism legislation.

The law prompted investigations against two Turkish citizens, including
a historian, for allegedly denying the 1915 Armenian massacre.

In an interview with the SonntagsZeitung newspaper, Leupold said
there could be no question of abolishing the anti-racism law but
certain changes were necessary.

For Leupold it is up to historians and not judges to decide on the
definition of genocide. He added that it was not clear whether the
current law infringes on the freedom of speech.

However, Boël Sambuc, vice-president of the Federal Commission on
Racism she was shocked by Leupold’s comments.

"The law is very clear and Switzerland also signed an international
convention aimed at preventing genocide," she told public radio.

One expert group

Leupold added that judges should seek assistance from an international
institution or that the relevant clause be struck from the law
altogether.

His comments echo a statement by Justice Minister Blocher who said
the anti-racism law needed to be clearer and less ambiguous.

A working group re-examining the legislation is made of one person
so far, according to Leupold.

He added the he had not been asked to exclude the president of the
Federal Commission against Racism from the group.

The controversial head of the government-advisory committee has
publicly accused Blocher of telling lies.

Geneva prison

In a separate issue, Leupold announced that the justice ministry was
ready to consider a financial contribution to upgrade the overcrowded
prison of Champ-Dollon outside Geneva.

He said the federal authorities were willing to pay just over a
third of the planned costs estimated at SFr68 million ($54.8 million)
which the Geneva cantonal parliament is due to consider next year.

Champ-Dollon is notorious for being Switzerland’s most overcrowded
jail. It contains more than 500 inmates, but its normal capacity is
set at 270.

A series of hunger strikes over alleged police brutality and slow
justice, suicides, and a fire in the prison have caught media attention
over the past few months.

In April human rights campaigners described the situation in the
prison as potentially explosive.

swissinfo with agencies

CONTEXT

Swiss anti-racism legislation was adopted in 1994, among other things
to prevent revisionist views about the Holocaust.

In 2005, Swiss authorities launched criminal investigations against
the historian Yusuf Halacoglu, the president of the Turkish History
Organisation, and the politician Dogu Perincek for allegedly making
comments in Switzerland denying the 1915 Armenian massacre.

Armenians say around 1.8 million of their people were killed. Turkey
disputes this, putting the figure closer to 200,000.

Under Swiss law any act of denying, belittling or justifying genocide
is a violation of the country’s anti-racism legislation.

–Boundary_(ID_qdJPme8FXWh1N7fwEw0mg g)–

La Stampa, Italy,
9 Nov 2006

Italian, Turkish FMs urge Turkey’s admission to EU

by Antonella Rampino

"D’Alema and Gul: Turkey in EU antidote against terrorism"

Rome: Turkey in the European Union would be "the best guarantee
against the great danger that threatens world stability now, the
danger of a conflict of civilizations," that is, between Islam and
the West. The statements made by Massimo D’Alema and his Turkish
counterpart, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul were each almost a
photocopy of the other. They were made at the end of the
Italian-Turkish forum, organized by Unicredit and Limes for the third
year running, which this year exactly coincided with the arrival of a
much-expected report by the European Commission on the EU extension
towards Ankara. And precisely as Brussels’ prescriptions were being
published, Gul let it be known from Rome that "he hoped that they
were balanced, without time limits and deadlines: we well know that
there are still shortcomings, but we are determined to meet all the
conditions." However, he went on, "you must give us time, reforms
must first of all be our achievements, not a way to please the Union,
but the course of a people who deserve the reforms."

Gul spoke yesterday, saying that "he did not have the time to read
the report," which sets these same deadlines, in particular over the
thorny Cyprus recognition issue, which will be "monitored" until the
end of 2006: on Gul’s part, a means of conveying a message to
Brussels, reminding it, on this occasion, of Turkey’s economic
weight, "our foreign trade, which was 35 billion euros four years
ago, now stands at 90 billion, and the heavy engineering industry,
not textiles, is the main item."

Alessandro Profumo had already recalled that Turkey was the first
market for Unicredit (Italy comes third only) and that Turkey "thanks
to a large-scale industrial maturity is destined to become one of the
players in the world economy."

D’Alema opened the curtain on the future: "With Turkey in Europe, an
adhesion that we consider to be of strategic importance, the European
Union may become a real global protagonist, both on the economic and
the geo-strategic plane." Precisely for this reason "our government
is against alternatives to complete membership in the EU."

Former Farnesina [Italian Foreign Ministry] official Ruggiero was
even more explicit in the closed-door session of day’s meeting:
"Within 20 or 25 years the place list of the world powers will be
revolutionized, China will come first, then India, and only after
that the United States and, if it is united and if it grows, Europe
will be among the first five." "I found the Turks to be rather
downbeat, they attach great importance to the admonishments coming
from Europe," the long-serving diplomat confides.

D’Alema makes the same evaluation and, at a lunch, urged Gul to
"understand recommendations from the European Commission as a
powerful incentive."

Cardinal Poupard was also at the table, but sitting at a distance
from Gul. Apparently, there was no exchange of opinions about the
Pope’s forthcoming trip to Turkey. "I am sure it will be a success,"
Gul said, affirming that "the Vatican knew, when it set the dates for
the trip, that neither Erdogan nor I could absent ourselves from the
NATO summit that is to be held at the same time."

As for the substance of Brussels’ "recommendations," Gul would rather
not commit himself, but on Cyprus he does not intend to back down.
"Europe had also promised to open the island’s Turkish zone to free
trade," he says. Then D’Alema steps in, "on Cyprus a compromise is
needed, defusing the short circuit in the island’s unification and in
the dialogue between Turkey and the European Union": on this front,
the rotating Finnish presidency is working for the Union. D’Alema
also urges Turkey to move on to another point that Brussels stresses:
the notorious Article 301 of the Penal Code, which curbs full freedom
of expression. It is the norm under which, for example, Nobel Prize
winner Orhan Pamuk was brought to trial. "You apply it so seldom, so
there is good reason to cancel it altogether."

This is all right, but in the meantime France is passing anti-Turkish
laws with penal sanctions for those who do not recognize the genocide
of the Armenians.

ILKHAM ALIYEV VISITS BRUSSELS, MOSCOW
Dmitry Butrin

Kommersant, Russia
Nov 9 2006

Today Russian President Vladimir Putin will suggest to Azerbaijani
President Ilkham Aliyev, who is visiting Moscow after a trip to
Brussels to meet with European Commission President Jose Manuel
Barroso, that he decide whether Azerbaijan intends to continue with its
"strategic partnership" with Russia. If Azerbaijan responds positively,
Moscow will request Baku’s cooperation in Russia’s struggle with
Georgia and will offer Russian arms and investment by UES Russia and
RusAlum in return.

President Aliyev’s visit to Europe unnerved the Kremlin chiefly
because of Azerbaijan’s projected defense spending for 2007: the
country will spend $1 billion on the military next year, up from $600
million currently. Russia fears that this could be a preliminary step
towards membership in NATO. If Azerbaijan joins neighboring Georgia
in a NATO bid, the ex-Soviet Caucasus could end up hosting NATO and
American military bases as the West seeks to control Iran.

In an effort to forestall the possibility of NATO bases near its
southern border, Russia is attempting to lure Azerbaijan back to its
own camp with promises of increased sales of cut-rate Russian-made
weapons. Russia has been curtailing its arms trade with Azerbaijan,
fearing to fan the flames of Azerbaijan’s long-standing feud with
neighboring Armenia.

Russia is also focusing on Azerbaijan in an attempt to create a
unified front within the CIS against the Kremlin’s latest enemy,
Georgia. Moscow is seeking to impose an energy blockade on Georgia
in the winter of 2006-2007, while Azerbaijan last winter stepped
in with emergency supplies of electrical energy and gas when Russia
interrupted deliveries to Georgia. In 2007, Gazprom is threatening
to raise the price of gas for Georgia from $110 to $230 per thousand
cubic meters. According to unofficial sources, the same proposal
has been made for Azerbaijan as well, angering President Aliyev. The
country currently pays $95-100 per thousand cubic meters for the 1.5
billion cubic meters of gas that it imports from Russia annually.

Other proposals from the Kremlin are more palatable: according to
Kommersant’s sources, Vladimir Putin will offer President Aliyev
investment by the company RusAlum to the tune of a $1 billion aluminum
plant in Azerbaijan. Mr. Putin will also mention interest on the
part of the Russian company UES Energy in investing in Azerbaijan’s
energy sector.

Technically, Mr. Aliyev’s trip to Europe before coming to Moscow puts
Mr. Putin in the position of asking rather than dictating with regard
to his Azerbaijani colleague. Mr. Aliyev demonstrated in Brussels
that his trip to Europe was more about energy than military matters,
though he met with the NATO leadership. After his meeting with Mr.

Barroso, Mr. Aliyev announced agreements between Azerbaijan and
the EU to guarantee energy supplies from the Caspian region and
negotiations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine on a project to deliver
oil to Eastern Europe. President Aliyev has held similar talks with
Belarus, a project that cannot be interpreted as pro-Russian.

With regard to the "anti-Georgia bloc," the Azerbaijani president
announced yesterday in Brussels that he hopes that relations between
Russia and Georgia improve, since Azerbaijan "is building strategic
partnerships with both countries." That stance is hardly likely to
appeal to Vladimir Putin, meaning that today’s meeting promises to
be tense.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

November 9, 2006

ARKADY GHUGASIAN AT PRELACY
Arkady Ghugasian, President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh
(Artsakh), visited the Prelacy office yesterday afternoon where he was
welcomed by the Prelate and Vicar, Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan,
and representatives of various organizations. The President was accompanied
by Mrs. Ghugasian, Kevork Toroian, chairman of Armenia Fund USA, and several
staff members.
Archbishop Oshagan welcomed Mr. Ghugasian saying that it has become
a pleasant tradition to welcome him each year at this time in anticipation
of the Thanksgiving Telethon. His Eminence said that it is the duty of all
Armenians to participate in the Telethon to the best of their ability. He
emphasized the importance of supporting the people of Artsakh.
President Ghugasian spoke about the tremendous improvements and changes
that have already taken place in Artsakh. He spoke in particular about the
vast improvement in the roads and noted that journeys that previously took
hours now take only half an hour. He described this year’s project of the
redevelopment of villages that have been ravaged by war. The goal is to
provide all of the basic necessities and to create jobs so that the people
do not leave the villages.
Mr. Toroian reiterated the sentiments expressed by Archbishop Oshagan of
the need for every Armenian to participate in the telethon. Every donation,
large or small, is needed, he said.
For information about the Telethon, including the broadcast schedule go
to www.ArmeniaFund USA.org.
A reception, hosted by the Prelacy Ladies Guild, provided an opportunity
for intimate discussions.

YOUTH GATHERING WITH CATHOLICOS ARAM I
"We need to listen more to our youth to know what they are thinking, to
let them know that the Church needs them and they need the Church," said
Archbishop Oshagan recently as he described his enthusiasm for the upcoming
gathering with the youth which will take place in Dearborn, Michigan,
December 2 and 3.
It was these same thoughts that prompted His Holiness to suggest that
such a gathering be organized during his visit to the Midwest where he will
be the keynote speaker at a conference on "Faith and Health" at Notre Dame
University. The three Prelacies (Eastern, Western, and Canadian) joined
together to organize the gathering.
The theme selected by the young people for the gathering is Your Church.
Your Future. Engage. The weekend activities will include speakers, film,
music, worship-all with the goal of answering the questions on the mind of
the youth while gaining a better understanding of the Church.
For details about the youth gathering click

REQUIEM SERVICE FOR ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
Requiem services in memory of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, former prelate
of the Eastern Prelacy, will take place on Sunday, December 3, at St.
Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. Rev. Fr.
Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the Cathedral, will preside. Archbishop Ashjian
died three years ago on December 2, 2003.

PRELATE WILL ATTEND ARMENIA FUND USA RECEPTION
Archbishop Oshagan will attend a reception hosted by Armenia Fund USA
tomorrow evening, Friday, November 10, at the Harvard Club in honor of
President Arkady Ghugasian.

PRELATE WILL PARTICIPATE WITH NATIONAL CHURCH LEADERS
Tomorrow, Friday, November 10, Archbishop Oshagan will attend a
symposium of National Church Leaders at the Bible Society in New York City.

PRELATE WILL VISIT WASHINGTON DC
Archbishop Oshagan will visit the parish of Soorp Khatch Church, in the
Washington DC suburbs of Bethesda, Maryland. His Eminence will attend the
church’s anniversary celebration on Saturday and will officiate the Divine
Liturgy on Sunday morning.

VICAR AND AREC DIRECTOR OFF TO THE MIDWEST
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar, and Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the
Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council will head toward the Midwest
tomorrow where they will lead the Midwest Datev program at the Colombiere
Retreat and Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan. The program, based on
the popular summer program, will include interactive presentations and
instructions on faith-related topics, discussions of religious and current
issues, Bible studies, short worship services, fellowship and recreational
activities.
On Sunday Bishop Anoushavan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St.
Sarkis Church in Dearborn, Michigan. Dn. Shant will visit the parish’s
Sunday school classes.

RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS WILL MEET THIS WEEKEND
The Religious and Executive Council of the Prelacy will meet Friday and
Saturday at the Prelacy offices in New York City.

CHILDREN’S CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 18
A few tickets are available for the children’s concert featuring the
popular children’s entertainer, TALINE from California, on Saturday,
November 18. The concert venue is Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise,
New York City. For information call the Prelacy office 212-689-7810 or click

B IBLE TRANSLATION RESUMES
The translation of the Bible will continue with a four-day session in
Montreal, Tuesday to Friday, November 14 to 17. The new translation team,
led by Archbishop Oshagan, includes Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar, and
Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the Canadian Prelacy.
This project, endorsed by the Bible Society, was pioneered by the late
Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. The passing of
Archbishop Zareh in 2004 temporarily halted the project and is now being
continued, after consultation with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I.
The translation of the New Testament was completed and the Old Testament
translation was underway when Zareh Srpazan became ill. The books of the Old
Testament that had already been completed include Genesis, Exodus, I and II
Samuels, Psalms, Proverbs, Jonah, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes and many
passages from the major prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah.
During next week’s sessions the team will work on the prophetical books
of Joel and Amos.

TOM VARTABEDIAN ARTICLES ABOUT ARMENIA
The October 12th issue of The Haverhill Gazette featured articles and
photographs by popular journalist Tom Vartabedian about his recent trip to
Armenia. Under the heading of "Forum" he wrote an article titled "I left my
heart in Armenia," which describes his sentiments after his first trip to
Armenia along with others from the Merrimack Valley (Massachusetts). It is
accompanied by a full page article with ten color photographs detailing the
trip.

ARCHANGELS MICHAEL AND GABRIEL
This Saturday, November 11, we commemorate the Archangels Michael and
Gabriel. Archangel is a title given to an angel of high rank in the
celestial hierarchy.
Michael, meaning "Who is like God," is the great prince of all angels
and the leader of the celestial armies. He is considered to be the protector
of Christians against the devil.
Gabriel, meaning "Strength of God," is one of God’s chief messengers. He
was God’s messenger to Daniel to explain his vision (Dan. 8:16-26) and
prophecy (Dan. 9:21-27). He also foretold the birth of John the Baptist, and
was chosen to announce the forthcoming birth of Christ to Mary (Luke
1:11-21).

VETERANS’ DAY
This Saturday, November 11, is Veterans’ Day, once known as Armistice
Day, the anniversary of the 1918 armistice that brought to an end the "Great
War"-World War I. More than 10 million soldiers died by the time the
armistice was declared on the eleventh hour or the eleventh day of the
eleventh month, and an estimated 20 million were wounded, many maimed for
life.
In 1954 Armistice Day was renamed Veterans’ Day to honor all veterans.
In 1968, during the era when holidays were moved to Mondays to create long
weekends, Veterans Day was changed to the fourth Monday of October. There
was such a great outcry of indignation because the significance of the
number 11 was now totally lost, that in 1978 Congress returned the
observance to its traditional November 11th date.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

November 10-12-Mini Datev program for teens, ages 13 to 18. At Colombiere
Retreat Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan.

November 11-Holy Cross Armenian Church, Troy, New York, Dinner and cultural
program featuring Dr. Herand Markarian who will speak on "Hovhaness
Tumanian, the great Armenian poet." For information 518-274-1477.

November 11-42nd Anniversary of Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, in
the church hall.

November 11-12-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual "Armenian Fest" at
Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island.

November 12-Food Festival and Bazaar. St. Sarkis Armenian Church,
Douglaston, New York, 1 to 5 pm. The newly published St. Sarkis Cookbook
will be available. For information 718-224-2275.

November 17 & 18-Annual Bazaar, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts.

November 18-Children’s Concert, "FALL COLORS", sponsored by the Eastern
Prelacy at Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City, featuring
TALINE AND FRIENDS.

November 18-"Christian Spirituality and the Armenian Apostolic Church," a
lecture by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, at St. Sarkis Armenian Church,
Douglaston, New York.

November 19-Thanksgiving luncheon by Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, New York City, following the Divine Liturgy, under the auspices
of Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor. For information: 212-689-5880.

December 9-Men’s Club Steak Dinner, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

December 2-3-Gathering of the Youth with Catholicos Aram I, Hyatt Regency,
Dearborn, Michigan. For details click

December 3-Requiem service in memory of His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian on the third anniversary of his passing, St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian will
preside.

December 10-52nd anniversary of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church,
Granite City, Illinois.

December 10-General Membership meeting and elections of auditing and
nominating committees, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.

December 10-Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church, Troy, New York, Archbishop
Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy.

December 13-Thanksgiving Luncheon with the local NYPD and Fire Fighters, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.

December 16-"A Celebration of Service" in honor of past chairmen and board
of trustees members. Under auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, 8 pm. For information and
reservations 718-224-2275.

December 17-50th anniversary celebration of the ordination of Archpriest Fr.
Moushegh Der Kaloustian, sponsored by the Prelacy Religious Council, at
Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows, New York. Der Moushegh will celebrate
the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral (221 E. 27th Street, New
York City) on Sunday morning.

December 24-Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

December 31-New Year’s Eve Dinner-Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey and ARF Dro Gomideh, Parsippany Hilton, New Jersey. Featuring
Arthur Apkarian and Armenia Band. For full information contact the church
office 201-943-2950.

December 31-New Year’s Eve Party, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston,
New York.

January 6-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
first Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.

January 6-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Christmas party and
special program for Saturday and Sunday school students.

January 28-Annual Membership Meeting, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda,
Maryland, at 1 pm.

February 4-St. Sarkis name day, celebrating the patron saint of the church
and requiem service for Archpriest Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kelejian, St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York.

February 11-General Membership meeting and elections, St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.

February 18-Poon Paregentan, Eve of Great Lent, International Cuisine Night,
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

Visit our website at

2007 DRAFT STATE BUDGET DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 8 2006

The discussion of 2007 Draft State Budget continued in Parliament
today, APA reports.

Parliamentarian Jemil Hassanli said there is a monopoly in the country
and worries about the fees of agriculture commodities and unused
fields. Hassanli stressed that it is necessary to raise the salaries
of education staff. Ali Mesimov said strategy of expenditures should be
worked out. Ali Ahmadov also touched upon the state budget for the next
year and said Azerbaijan is on a new level of development. Ali Ahmadov
offered to take measures on strengthening struggle for inflation,
raise the salaries of education staff and solve young people’s flat
problem. Azer Emiraslanov said that Azerbaijan rates 64th for budget
growth. Guler Ahmadova complain that the ideological propaganda for
Garabagh is weak in Azerbaijan.

Seyavush Novruzov said conformation of Azerbaijani Army to NATO
standards will end next year. Ali Huseynov stressed Azerbaijan made
progress in the struggle for corruption. Yagub Mammadov also touched
upon the salary problems of education staff.

The discussion will be continued.

CHINESE LEADER MEETS ARMENIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER IN YEREVAN

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Nov 6 2006

YEREVAN, November 6. /ARKA/. Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing
gave a good mark to Armenian-Chinese relations as met Armenian Deputy
Foreign Minister Armen Bayburtyan on Friday in Beijing.

The Chinese minister said a mutual trust has been created by the two
countries for recent years. He pointed out that cooperation between
the countries in various areas is increasingly developing.

Bayburtyan, in his turn, said Armenia attaches a special significance
to its relations with China. He also stressed the importance of
cooperation between the two countries in international organizations.

National Statistical Service of Armenia says trade turnover between
Armenia and China totaled $71.5 million in Jan-Sept 2006 after growing
77.7% over the same period a year earlier.

WILTON PARK CONFERENCE BEING HELD IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan News Agency, Armenia
Nov 6 2006

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. Wilton Park well-known organization’s
conference under the title "The South Caucasus: Perception of the
Region and Challenges" is being held on November 6-9 in Yerevan, for
the first time in the South Caucasus. The conference was organized by
RA Foreign Ministry jointly with the Wilton Park British organization.

The conference being held in Armenia is to answer the following
questions: which are the problems and abilities of the region situated
on the crossroad of the East and the West, what lessons were learnt
during the 15 years of independence, what kind of economic policy is
demanded from the governments, business and international financial
institutions for contributing to the economic growth, investments and
efficient management, how can this policy, including policy of economic
integration, energy and transport, help to build a new region in the
developing environment, how can measures aimed at building confidence
and open borders contribute to mutual understanding, which is the
way of European integration without conflicts in the region.

As NT was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information
Department, Special Representative of UK Government to the South
Caucasus Brian Fall, Deputy Foreign Ministry of Georgia Georgy
Manjgaladze, Special Representative of OSCE Chairman-in-Office for the
Nagorno Karabakh issue Andrzej Kasprzyk, former Special Representative
of EU to the South Caucasus, Ambassador Heikki Talvitie and others
will make reports at the conference.

The Wilton Park is one of the most authoritative and leading centers
of conferences in the world, which has organized more than 1000 events
since 1946. It works as an independent academical institution attached
to the Foreign Affairs Department of the United Kingdom. It is 6
decades this intitution unites representatives of various countries
of the world for the purpose of discussing the most urgent issues
of politics. The Wilton Park is going to organize 60 events during
2006. Among the main subjects of the conferences are political,
security and economic issues, as well as environment and terrorism,
social reforms and influence of information revolution.

ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES, EU REPS DISCUSS ISSUES RELATED TO ARMENIAN NPP

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 2 2006

(ARKA) – Armenia and EU representatives discussed issues related to
the Armenian NPP, Minister of Commerce and Economic Development Karen
Chsmarityan reported.

He said that during the seventh sitting of Armenia-EU committee held
on October 25, the issues of the country’s energy sector development,
particularly the further operation of the Armenian NPP as well as the
problem of search of alternative energy sources, and the program on
the NPP closure, proposed by Armenia, reports Trend.

Chshmarityan said that the EU has not withdrawn its proposals on
giving Armenia EUR 100mln to close the power plant provided that
other donor will appear. At the same time, the minister reported
that he has no information about specific donors. At the same time,
he pointed out that the European Union plans to organize a conference
for potential investors toward this end.