Author: Jabejian Elizabeth

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

June 10, 2004
___________________

PRIESTS’ WIVES GATHER TO TALK ABOUT MINISTRY, FINDING BALANCE

About 20 yeretzgins from throughout the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), gathered at the St. Gregory the Enlightener Church
of White Plains, NY, on Thursday, April 28, 2004, for the first-ever
Yeretzgins’ Conference.

Organized in conjunction with the Clergy Conference and Diocesan
Assembly, the day of lectures, discussion, and prayer gave the women a
chance to learn from experts and from one another.

Lecturers included Valery Goekjian Zahirsky, an Armenian graduate of St.
Nersess Armenian Seminary, who is married to a priest in the Orthodox
Church of America; and Dr. Roberta Ervine Woods, associate professor of
Armenian studies at St. Nersess Seminary.

Zahirsky, a former religious education director at the Diocese, spoke to
the women about the different types of gifts they bring to parish life.

“She spoke about gifts people have, and seeing ourselves as having gifts
we can give to the community, even if it is something like hospitality,”
said Yn. Tirouhe Boyajian, who organized the event with Yn. Patricia
Dagley. “There are gifts anyone of us might have that we don’t
recognized as gifts. They might be simple things, like just not being
judgmental of others. She helped stretch our perceptions a little, got
us to think about ourselves as having gifts we might not have thought we
had.”

Dr. Ervine spoke about how women can find balance in their lives, filled
with parish responsibilities, family, and sometimes a full-time career.

“Her emphasis was that there isn’t any one balance that can be found for
all yeretzgins’ it is a question of balancing many things unique to each
of us,” Yn. Boyajian said.

Along with the workshops, the yeretgins also took time to talk among
themselves, sharing tips between generations. At the end of the day
they paired off for prayer, and were encouraged to keep their prayer
partner in their thoughts throughout the year.

While the yeretzgins traditionally have a breakfast together during the
Diocesan Assembly, they have never before had a full day together to
talk and socialize. However, with the conference deemed successful by
the attendees, plans are underway to hold another in conjunction with
the 2005 Diocesan Assembly in Bayside, NY.

“If this improves the morale of a yeretzgin, and makes her job as a
supporter of her husband easier, then he’s able to perform his job even
better,” Yn. Boyajian said. “Yeretzgins focus on the aspect of support
to their husbands. Sometimes it is a visible support, sometimes it’s
behind-the-scenes support. But without it, his job would be harder.”

— 6/10/04

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable on the Eastern
Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): About 20 yeretzgins gathered at the St. Gregory the
Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, on Thursday, April 28, 2004, for
the first ever yeretzgin conference.

# # #

Azeri ministry plans Baku-London satellite link, broadcast upgrade

MPA news agency
9 Jun 04

Baku, 9 June: The Teleradio company of the Azerbaijani Ministry of
Communications and Information Technology will put into operation
a Baku-London international satellite communications link by 15
June 2004.

Measures are being taken to increase the quality of radio and TV
broadcasts, the ministry has told MPA news agency. A 1-kW transmitter
[as received, does not clarify radio or TV] has been installed in
the Ganca TV and radio broadcast centre and a 5-kW transmitter [as
received, does not clarify radio or TV] is to be installed there.

By the end of 2004, radio and TV stations in Ganca and Xanlar District
[northwestern Azerbaijan] will be provided with modern technical
equipment. Similar measures are to be taken in Gadabay, Samkir,
Agstafa and Fuzuli districts [all in western Azerbaijan, along the
frontline in Karabakh and the Armenian border].

“Geopolitics trumps genocide”
Our views in brief
Opinion Section B8
Wednesday, June 2, 2004

Fresno Bee Editorial Board:
Ray Steel Jr.
Jim Boren
Edward R. Jimenez
Russell Minick
Gail Marshal

House Speaker Dennis Hastert was in Fresno on Friday for a fund-raiser
that drew a protest from the local Armenian community. Hastert has
refused to allow a resolution that recognizes the Armenian Genocide
come to the floor for a vote.

Hastert is carrying water for the Bush Administration on the touchy
issue. Like administrations before it, the Bush administration,
especially the State Department, is afraid of offending the Turkish
government by designating the savage events of early last century as
a genocide.

But the genocide did occur, and that must be recognized by
our government. Between 1915 and 1923, and estimated 1.5 million
Armenians were killed at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish empire and
its successor regime.

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

June 2, 2004
___________________

ARCHBISHOP GREETS GRADUATES OF HUDSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), delivered the invocation during Hudson
County Community College’s graduation services on Wednesday, May
26, 2004.

The Primate spoke to more than 2,500 graduates, family, and guests
at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ.

“Lord, let the pride in accomplishment our graduates feel today live
on through their lives, as a beacon of inspiration,” the Primate
said in his invocation. “Let the lessons they have learned in the
course of their schooling propel them to greater achievements in the
outside world.”

The Primate shared the stage with other speakers, including New Jersey
Governor James McGreevey and film-maker Spike Lee.

In his remarks, the Primate asked for the Lord to guide the graduates
to lives filled with mercy, justice, and human dignity. He also called
on God to watch over them.

“We are aware that this is a solemn time for all of us, as citizens
of the United States of America,” the Primate said. “The burdens of
our time fall most heavily on the generation represented by the young
men and women gathered here. They have been called to play a critical
role in the years to come.

“Bless them, Lord; inspire them with your compassion; and grant them
the spiritual strength to meet the challenges of their generation.
Above all, grant them the wisdom and resolution to act according
to the highest ideals of our country, and for the sake of civilized
people everywhere.”

— 6/2/04

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable on the
Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, delivers the invocation during the graduation ceremony at
Hudson County Community College in Newark, NJ.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Barsamian speaks with Norair Kharpertian,
who along with his fellow professor Siroun Meguerditchian, were
instrumental in arranging for the Primate to deliver the invocation
at Hudson County Community College on Wednesday, May 26, 2004.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Barsamian with the board of trustees of
the Hudson County Community College, before the commencement services
at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ, on Wednesday,
May 26, 2004.

# # #

Armenian leader, Russian official discuss mutual ties

Mediamax news agency
28 May 04

Yerevan, 27 May: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan received today
Georgiy Poltavchenko, plenipotentiary representative of the Russian
president in the Central Federal District.

The Armenian presidential press service told Mediamax today that
Kocharyan and Poltavchenko noted at the meeting that the potential
of bilateral economic cooperation remained sufficiently high. In
this regard, Kocharyan stressed the need for developing ties between
separate territorial and administrative entities of the two countries.

Kocharyan informed him of the spheres of the economy which are
developing more rapidly and could be of interest to interaction.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
May 27 2004

AMERICA-AZERBAIJAN MILITARY CO-OP TO ENHANCE
[May 27, 2004, 18:12:35]

This was stated at the meeting of defense minister of Azerbaijan
Republic colonel-general Safar Abiyev with the delegation led by Vice
Chairman of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee,
co-chair of the Congress-Milli Majlis working group, congressman
Curt Weldon.

Speaking of strengthening of the links and strategic partnership
between Azerbaijan and the United States, colonel-general Safar
Abiyev reminded that President Ilham Aliyev has presented the “Plan
of individual partnership activity” to the Secretary General of NATO
during his recent visit to Brussels. The defense minister dwelt on
joint combat against international terrorism between Azerbaijani
and US in the frame of “PfP” program. The Azerbaijan-US economic
partnership also develops successfully, he underlined.

Touching upon the current state of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorny
Karabakh conflict, the Minister said that Armenia keeps under
occupation the Azerbaijani lands and ignores the UN Security Council’s
four Resolutions on unconditional withdrawal of its armed forces
from eh area. “We are concerned that the world community still has
not recognized Armenian as an aggressor state.”

Congressman Curt Weldon presented the delegation he led saying “we
highly appreciate existence of Azerbaijan servicemen shoulder by
shoulder with the American soldiers in combat against international
terrorism. They are high-level militaries. We are thankful for this
to the people of Azerbaijan.” Speaking of the goals of his visit
to Azerbaijan republic, he said that we are going to expand the
Azerbaijan-US military cooperation. During the negotiations in the
Russian Federation, we recalled what significant role Azerbaijan
plays in security issues.

Dwelling on the Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorny Karabakh conflict, Mr.
Curt Weldon said that the United States is going to increase its
efforts in this direction. US will continue its links with Azerbaijan
as a strategic ally, he emphasized.

Congressmen attending the meeting expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan
state and people for support of the United States in combat against
international terrorism. Azerbaijan and the United States have great
and all-round cooperation in the years coming, they noted.

Defense minister Safar Abiyev expressed gratitude to the Congressmen
for kind words underlining that Azerbaijan draws attention of the
leading world countries with its geographic-strategic position.
Azerbaijan from the first day of its independence prefers integration
to the West, including the United States. This choice gave birth to
large economic projects and Azerbaijan strictly adheres this position.

Updating the visitors on the military-political situation in the
South Caucasus, Minister Abiyev said the key goal is to strengthen
Azerbaijan’s independence, also responded to the questions the guests
interested in.

Ambassador of the United States Mr. Reno Harnish attended the meeting.

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
May 26, 2004, Wednesday

CIS: QUANTITY, NOT QUALITY[]

SOURCE: Krasnaya Zvezda, May 22, 2004, p. 1

by Roman Streshnev

The latest meeting of CIS Council of Defense Ministers took place in
Yerevan under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister Sergei Ivanov on
May 21.

Agenda of the meeting included over 20 issues ranging from
military-political to military to military-technical cooperation.
Special attention was paid to development and maintenance of combat
readiness of the CIS Untied Antiaircraft Defense System. Defense
ministers endorsed the Draft program of dealing with aerial forces
and means of the potential enemy. Among other things, the document
stipulates modernization and rearmament of antiaircraft defense
systems comprising the CIS Untied Antiaircraft Defense System.

Ministers also discussed the procedures and mechanisms of
implementation of the CIS Program of military-technical cooperation
and the plan of joint actions of tactical training in 2005. A large
joint exercise is to be run in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan this August.
Exercise West-Antiterror is to be run in Moldova in late June.
Counter-terrorism units of some CIS countries including Russia,
Ukraine, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan will participate in the exercise.

Participants of the meeting also discussed coordination of positions
in the struggle to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction. Defense ministers touched upon activities of Collective
Peacekeeping Forces in the Georgian-Abkhazian conflict area and
methods of peacekeeper unit training. Some important decisions were
made with regard to flights of combat aviation, establishment of a
common system of communications, better cooperation in the sphere of
weather forecasts. Some organizational and personnel matters were
discussed as well.

Ivanov attended several tete-a-tete meetings with his CIS opposite
numbers. Specifically, he met with Defense Minister of Armenia Serzh
Sarkisjan before the meeting of CIS defense ministers. The condition
and prospects of military and military-technical cooperation between
Russia and Armenia were discussed at the talks. To be more precise,
Ivanov and Sarkisjan discussed deliveries of Russian military
hardware to Armenia. Ivanov emphasized that Armenia as a member of
the Organization of the CIS Collective Security Treaty was welcome to
buy Russian military hardware at domestic prices. Yerevan already
bought two IL-76 transports from Russia at this price. The agreement
was made to continue the training of Armenian officers at military
educational establishments in Russia.

The ministers also discussed the prospects of establishment of a
joined regional army group in the southern directorate on the basis
of the 102nd Russian Military Base in Armenia. Ivanov said that there
were no plans to reinforce the 102nd base but that it would get some
modern weapons and military hardware. Ivanov announced that an
emphasis would be made on quality, not quantity. “We view the base
seriously and want the base, an element of the Russian Army Group in
the Caucasus, to be properly equipped and capable of regular combat
training,” Ivanov said. “Generally speaking, there are no problems
with our military cooperation or any problems around the 102nd base
in Armenia…” Sarkisjan in his turn said that official Yerevan was
not even thinking in terms of demanding withdrawal of the Russian
troops from the territory of Armenia.

Defense ministers of Russia and Armenia signed a protocol when the
talks were over.

Ivanov dwelt on a great deal of issues at the press conference
afterwards. He denounced the rumors that Moscow intended to close the
military base in Tajikistan and withdraw its contingent from the
country altogether. Neither would there be a hasty withdrawal from
Georgia, he said. “Time and considerable money is needed to settle
the personnel and military hardware withdrawn from Georgia in
Russia,” Ivanov said. The upcoming Russian-Georgian are supposed to
set the date of withdrawal of the Russian bases from Georgia and
their status. Ivanov also denounced the rumors on the joint use of
the Gabala radar installation in Azerbaijan by the Russian and
American military. Asked for comments on the Russia – NATO relations,
Ivanov replied, “Russia participates in exercises together with NATO
only when it is convinced that this participation is useful. Our
approach is selective. We promote our national interests first and
foremost.”

Interior Ministry To Recommend Deposition of Armenian Patriarch

LRAPER Church Bulletin
Armenian Patriarchate
TR-34130 Kumkapi, Istanbul
Contact: Deacon V. Seropyan
T: +90 (212) 517-0970
F: +90 (212) 516-4833
E-mail: [email protected]
or [email protected]

LRAPER Church Bulletin, 23 May 2004 (Istanbul) — In a news article
prepared by the Ankara bureau of the Cumhuriyet daily newspaper and
dated 20 May, it is claimed that the Turkish Interior Ministry seeks
legal authority to recommend the deposition of the Armenian Patriarch
of Turkey.

The Cumhuriyet Bureau reported that the Interior Ministry objected to
a working paper prepared by the Foreign Ministry about the election
and duties of the Armenian Patriarch of Turkey.

The Cumhuriyet report continues, “The Interior Ministry emphasized that
the Patriarchate is “responsible only for providing religious services”
to the minority citizens, “has no political or administrative duties”
and that such a privilege would exceed what the International Treaty
of Lausanne prescribes.

“The Interior Ministry thus refuted a draft directorium prepared by
the Foreign Ministry which concerns the Patriarchal See that provides
the religious needs of the Armenians of Turkey whose minority status
is recognized by the Treaty of Lausanne.

“Experts at the Interior Ministry, who have evaluated the Foreign
Ministry working papers, indicated that there is no mention of the
Patriarchal See in the Treaty of Lausanne, and to this day, no laws,
constitutions or other binding legal arrangements of the sort have
been formulated.”

“The Interior Ministry observed that a 1961 ‘Armenian Patriarchate
Election Directorium’ had been implemented in previous elections
and that, in this case also, a similar decision by the Cabinet of
Ministers would be in order. “

U.S. helps Armenian police with training, Internet access

Associated Press Worldstream
May 20, 2004 Thursday

YEREVAN, Armenia – The United States plans to grant almost US$2.16
million to Armenia to boost the capabilities of law enforcement bodies
in the former Soviet republic, officials said Thursday.

The program is a cooperative effort between Armenia’s government and
the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and
Law Enforcement Affairs, the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan said.

Almost US$1.47 million has already been provided to fund four
programs. The programs focus on modernizing police academies by
incorporating new training methods, providing a one year Internet
connection for police offices throughout Armenia, working to prevent
the trafficking of people and helping Armenia develop a modern and
independent forensic laboratory.

The rest of the funding, which will also support the programs, must
still be approved by the U.S. Congress and the top official in the
U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs,
the embassy said.

Armenia is a cash-strapped Caucasus Mountain nation with a population
of 3.3 million.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
May 20 2004

PAKISTAN ALWAYS WAS, IS AND WILL BE CLOSE TO AZERBAIJAN
THE PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN PERVEZ MUSHARRAF STATED IT IN ISLAMABAD
[May 20, 2004, 12:48:21]

As informed to AzerTAj from the embassy of Azerbaijan in Pakistan, on
May 17-18 this year, the deputy foreign minister Khalaf Khalafov was
visiting Islamabad. At the meeting, which has been carried out on the
basis of arrangement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and under
the invitation of the foreign secretary of Pakistan, also there were
representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and economic
development of Azerbaijan.

Within the framework of the visit, Mr. Kh. Khalafov has met the
President of Pakistan general Pervez Musharraf. Before the beginning
of official talk, the head the Pakistani state has stated: “Pakistan
always was, is and will be close to Azerbaijan”. He has noted, that
is always glad to receive the delegation from Azerbaijan, stressed
that attaches special significance to development of relations with
Azerbaijan Republic.

President Pervez Musharraf has emphasized that Pakistani people
always supports fair position of Azerbaijan in the Nagorny Karabakh
problem. The president of Pakistan has explained the uncertainty of
the Nagorny Karabakh conflict, noting that the states of the world do
not take a fair position and approach to the said question from the
position of double standards. The president has emphasized: “Such
states as we, can solve the problems only by amplification of
economy, strengthening of statehood, due to will and determination of
people. He has expressed to the government of Azerbaijan gratitude
for support of the position of Pakistan in the Kashmir question.

The head of Pakistani state has dwelt on the processes proceeding in
the world and has emphasized necessity of development of economic and
trading links between the Islamic countries. The president has noted,
that the big need for revival of the work of OIC and its
transformation into the organization, capable to influence world
policy today is already felt, and, having put forward the idea of
liberal enlightenment, has emphasized, that it first of all pursues
the purpose of expansion of mutual cultural, spiritual, economic,
trading links of 57 countries belonging to the Islamic world.

President Pervez Musharraf has noted, that with impatience waits for
the visit to Azerbaijan, which will take place in the near future.
The head of Pakistani state has stated on existing between his
country and Azerbaijan historically friendly, political relations,
and also has emphasized importance of development of links in
economic and trading sphere. He stressed that during his visit to
Azerbaijan he would discuss ways of expansion of relations in this
area. Upon termination of conversation, general Pervez Musharraf
asked to pass over to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev the
kind wishes and sincere greetings.

Mr. Khalaf Khalafov has thanked the President of Pakistan for warm
reception, having noted, that the government and people of Azerbaijan
wait for his visit to Baku, that Pakistan was among the first states
which have recognized independence of our country what exactly at
support of Pakistan we have come in the Organization of Islamic
Conference, and also support of Islamabad in the Nagorny Karabakh
problem and adoption of the resolution number 822 during presidency
of Pakistan in the UN Security Council.

The next meeting of the deputy foreign minister of Azerbaijan was
with the chairman of the Senate of Pakistan Muhammadmiam Sumro. At
the meeting, discussed were issues of establishment of cooperation
between parliaments of our countries, activation of work of the
deputy commissions of friendship, mutual visits of chairmen of
parliaments, and also establishment of contacts between the
governmental and non-governmental organizations. Mr. Sumro has
expressed hope, that the visit this year of the Chairman of
Azerbaijan Parliament Murtuz Alaskarov to Pakistan would promote
development of communications between parliaments of our countries.
Kh. Khalafov on behalf of chairman of parliament of Azerbaijan has
invited the chairman of the Senate to Azerbaijan.

Then, Kh. Khalafov has met the foreign secretary of Pakistan Mr. Riaz
Kokar, has discussed ways of expansion of ties between the Ministries
of Foreign Affairs of our countries. R. Kokar has recognized
expedient carrying out before visit of the President of Pakistan to
Azerbaijan sessions of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan joint economic
commission and has suggested the Azerbaijan side to organize such
session some days prior to visit of the President. Besides the
request has been expressed to speed up delivery of the corresponding
license to the Baku branch of the Pakistan national bank, started to
function in Baku several years ago.

The last day of the visit to Islamabad Kh. Khalafov has met the
secretary of the government of Pakistan on financial and economic
affairs Vagar Masud Khan, has discussed questions of revival of work
of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan joint economic commission, development of
economic, trading links between our countries.

The meetings of Kh. Khalafov were broadcast on the Pakistan TV, and
his visit was widely covered in mass media of the country.

At the meetings, attending was the ambassador of Azerbaijan in
Pakistan Eynulla Madatli.