Author: Jabejian Elizabeth

RUSSIA ALARMED OVER NEW EU PACT

BBC NEWS
urope/8061042.stm
2009/05/22 08:13:25 GMT

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned the European Union not
to turn a proposed partnership with former Soviet countries against
Moscow.

Mr Medvedev was speaking at the end of a Russia-EU summit held
against a background of deep divisions over security, trade and
energy supplies.

He also signalled a new gas crisis may lie ahead, suggesting Ukraine
lacks the money to pay for gas Russia provides.

A row over prices severely affected supplies to Europe in January.

The BBC’s Richard Galpin in Moscow says divisions between Russia and
the European Union seem to be growing ever wider, and this latest
summit, held in the far east of Russia, made that abundantly clear,
with little sign of progress on any significant topic.

‘Anti-Russian bent’

"We would not want the Eastern Partnership to turn into partnership
against Russia. There are various examples," Mr Mevedev told a news
conference at the end of the summit.

"I would simply not want this partnership to consolidate certain
individual states, which are of an anti-Russian bent, with other
European states," he said.

Moscow has accused the 27-member bloc of creating new dividing lines
in Europe by offering closer ties to six former Soviet republics.

The Eastern Partnership Initiative aims to forge close political and
economic ties in exchange for democratic reforms.

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine have signed
up to the initiative, which seeks to bolster stability in the region.

However it does not offer the prospect of eventual EU membership.

Divisive issue

On the divisive issue of energy supplies, President Medvedev raised
questions about whether Ukraine can afford billions of dollars to
top up its gas stocks.

"We have doubts about Ukraine’s ability to pay," he said.

He also proposed that Moscow and the EU should help Ukraine get a
loan for gas payments.

Ukraine has denied there is any problem.

Russia supplies 42% of EU gas imports. Its decision to cut all gas to
Ukraine – a vital transit country – meant that many EU member states
also lost their supplies of gas for two weeks in January.

Speaking in Khabarovsk, European Commission President Jose Manuel
Barroso warned there should be no more disruptions to gas supplies
from Russia.

May 22, 2009
Press Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH

40TH DAY REQUIEM FOR DIRAMAYR MARIE MARDIROSSIAN

On Sunday, May 17th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
will preside over Divine Liturgy at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino.
Following the Liturgy, 40th day requiem service will be conducted
for Diramayr Marie Mardirossian. H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian will
preside over the requiem.

PRELATE TO ATTEND CASPS RECEPTION HONORING OUTSTANDING ARMENIAN GRADUATES

The Committee for Armenian Students in Public Schools (CASPS), which
serves under the auspices of the Prelacy, has organized a reception to honor
outstanding Armenian students graduating from the Glendale Unified School
District. The 13th annual reception will take place on the evening of
Tuesday, May 26th, at Anoush Restaurant in Glendale.
The Prelate will attend and convey his blessings to the students.
A reception for graduating students from the Los Angeles Unified
School District will take place on June 3rd, at Valley College.

THE FEAST OF ASCENSION CELEBRATED WITH DIVINE LITURGY AND TRADITIONAL
LUNCHEON

On Thursday, May 21st, 2009, the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord
Jesus Christ was celebrated within the Prelacy with Divine Liturgy followed
by the traditional luncheon. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, presided over Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated at St. Mary’s
Church in Glendale by Rev. Fr. Hrant Yerestian. Rev. Fr. also delivered the
sermon, in which he spoke of the meaning of the Ascension in our individual
lives.
Participating in the services were clergy members, the Consul
General of Armenia the Honorable Grigor Hovhannisyan and his wife Victoria,
and faithful.
The traditional luncheon, which is organized each year by the
Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary, followed at First Congregational Church in
Glendale, with the participation of the Prelate, Rev. Fr. Hrant Yeretzian,
Rev. Fr. Gomidas Torossian, and over 250 sponsors and friends.
Master of Ceremonies and Ladies Auxiliary member Mrs. Hourig
Abdulian welcomed the guests then invited the Prelate to deliver the
invocation. The Prelate welcomed the guests and commended the Ladies
Auxiliary members for their contributions. The Prelate also thanked and
commended Mrs. Kohar and Mrs. Peggy Sulahian for hosting the luncheon.
Rev. Fr. Hrant spoke about the religious and national traditions
associated with the Feast of the Ascension and their significance in our
lives today.
Guests also enjoyed a performance by singer Gagik Badalyan,
participated in the traditional casting of lots and the singing of songs
with the help of a song book compiled for this occasion by the Ladies
Auxiliary. Throughout the event, donations were also made by the guests on
this joyous occasion.

CHAMLIAN SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS RECEIVES HOLY COMMUNION AT THE PRELACY
CHAPEL

On the morning of Wednesday, May 20th, 2009, and the eve of the
Feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy the graduating class of Vahan
and Anoush Chamlian School. The students were accompanied by their teachers
and Parent Teacher Committee members. Pastor of St. Mary’s Church Rev. Fr.
Vazken Atmajian was also in attendance.
It has become a tradition for the graduating class to come to the
Prelacy and receive Holy Communion by the Prelate prior to their graduation.

Upon their arrival, the students and teachers gathered at the St.
Dertad and St. Ashkhen Chapel where they recited the Lord’s Prayer then
received Holy Communion.
After breakfast, the students and teachers headed to the "Dikran and
Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall. Vice-Principal Mrs. Rita Kaprielian thanked
the Prelate for the warm reception and announced that the students had a
memento to present, a framed portrait of the Kecharis Monastery of Vanadzor.
The students then presented an artistic program consisting of songs and
poetry.
In his address to the students, the Prelate urged them to keep the
Armenian spirit alive and strong in them wherever they may find themselves
in the coming years.
The gathering came to a close with the singing of the Armenian
national anthem.

PRELATE PRESIDES OVER OPENING CEREMONY OF NEW DAVIDIAN & MARIAMIAN
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION CENTER

On the evening of Monday, May 18th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over the opening of the new center of
Davidian and Mariamian Educational Foundation (DMEF) at the Pacific
Education Center in Glendale. Participating in the ceremony were DMEF Board
members and Glendale Unified School District board members. Accompanying
the Prelate were H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian and Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Torossian.
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, a reception followed, after
which guests gathered in the auditorium for the official portion of the
program. In his remarks, the Prelate highly commended the efforts of the
board members over the past 20 years in providing a quality Armenian
education to our youth and bridging them to our heritage and culture, and
reaffirmed the collaboration that continued between the Prelacy and the
foundation.
Remarks were also delivered by Glendale Unified School District
members and representatives and by Davidian and Mariamian Educational
Foundation board members who thanked both the Prelate and School District
members for their support.

37TH PRELACY REPRESENTATIVES ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES

On the afternoon of Saturday, May 16th, 2009, the 37th Prelacy
Representatives Assembly concluded. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, presided over the two-day assembly which had convened at the
"Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall with the participation of clergy
members, Central Executive Council members, Executive Council members,
delegates, Boards of Trustees Chairmen, Board of Regents members, and
Prelacy Schools’ principals and directors. The Assembly was hosted by St.
Gregory Church of San Francisco.
During the four sessions, the Assembly discussed and analyzed the
undertakings of the Prelate and Religious and Executive Councils over the
previous term, which they found highly commendable. In addition, issues
concerning our parishes and schools were discussed with the focus on the
intellectual and spiritual development of youth, especially considering that
this year has been designated the Year of the Youth by His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I. In conclusion, delegates offered their suggestions and
proposals for the coming term.
Please visit the news section of our website
() for the detailed press release and photos.

ARMENIA’S WOMEN TEAM TO TAKE PART IN WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
21.05.2009 17:42 GMT+04:00

Women chess national team of Armenian will take part in the world
women’s team championship between September 1 and 12 this year in
Ningbo (China). National teams of Georgia, Ukraine, U.S., Russia,
Poland, China will take part in the tournament, as well as the
continental champions of Asia, America and Africa, Chess Federation
of Armenia was told by the FIDE Secretariat (Athens).

STAR DOESN’T RULE OUT CLOSED ISSUE OF SHARES

ArmInfo
2009-05-20 19:49:00

ArmInfo. The STAR company doesn’t rule out holding of a closed issue
of shares to increase the capital, Executive Director of STAR Vahan
Kerobyan told ArmInfo correspondent. "During the crisis, the growth
of capitalization is special necessity for the company to operate as
steadily as possible",- he said. At the same time, Kerobyan said that
during the recent annual meeting of stockholders of the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development in London, EBRD confirmed that it is
going to increase the capitalization of the STAR company. To recall,
STAR was also going to attract financing from various international
financial organizations.

To recall, at present, the STAR network, which has been operating since
1998, numbers 13 supermarkets (12 in Yerevan, 1 in Hrazdan). One of
the STAR shareholders is EBRD with 28.3% share of participation.

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

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

THE ARMENIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AND
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL MOVEMENT

On Friday 15 May 2009, the student’s Council of the Seminary organized an
evening on Sunday School Movement in the Armenian Orthodox Church. The
speaker was Rev. Sarkis Sarkissian, a married priest, a member of the
Religious Council of the Diocese of Beirut and active in the organization of
Sunday Schools. In his presentation he first referred to the history of the
movement in the Church and paid tribute to the two Catholicoi Sahak and
Papken who saw the importance of Sunday Schools in enhancing the spiritual
growth of children and youth. He then quoted from the Pontifical Letter of
Catholicos Sahak announcing the beginning of Sunday Schools to be run by the
Church. The speaker said that Sunday Schools must complement the educational
processes begun at home and in the schools. In the end, the Vice-Dean of the
Seminary thanked the speaker and underlined the importance of spiritual and
moral education of children as they begin their life journey.

##
View the photo here:
tos/Photos385.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Theological
Seminary of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician
Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church is located in
Antelias, Lebanon.

ARMENIAN JUDOISTS WIN 6 GOLD MEDALS AT TOURNAMENT IN BELGIUM

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
19.05.2009 15:21 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian junior judo team won 8 medals (6 of them
gold) at an international tournament held in Herentals, Belgium on
May 16 and 17.

The gold medalists are Yerjanik Karapetyan, Garik Harutyunyan, David
Nikoghosyan, David Ghazaryan, Mher Tavakalyan and Arthur Kroyan. Arman
Soghomonyan and Gevorg Torosyan won silver.

RUSSIA WILLING TO PROLONG GAS SUPPLY DIALOGUE WITH TURKEY

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
18.05.2009 21:39 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Russia and Turkey have agreed upon extending the
gas delivery contract which ends in 2012, Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a news conference in Sochi.

"The 1986 agreement on delivering Russian gas via the so-called
western route expires in 2012, and we have agreed to immediately
start preparation for prolonging the document," Erdogan said.

According to the Turkish premier, Russia has always been faithful to
his country in gas delivery issues.

"At hard moments, when we were faced with gas supply problems, Russia
always lent a helping hand to us and provided us with the required
volume of gas," Erdogan said.

"On behalf of the Turkish nation and myself, I express my gratitude
to the country", RIA Novosti quoted Erdogan as saying.

ARMENIAN JUDO NATIONAL TEAM TAKES FIRST PLACE IN INTERNATIONAL YOUTH TOURNAMENT OF BELGIUM

Noyan Tapan
May 18, 2009

BRUSSELS, MAY 18, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenia’s national team took the
first place in the team competition in the Judo International Youth
Tournament held on May 17 in Belgium. Tournament’s individual winners
are Yerjanik Karapetian (48 kg, Yerevan), Garik Haroutiunian (50 kg,
Vanadzor), David Nikoghosian (55 kg, Yerevan), David Ghazarian (60 kg,
Vanadzor), Mher Tavakalian (73 kg, Charentsavan), and Artur Kroyan (81
kg, Yerevan). Arman Soghomonian (81 kg, Yerevan) and Gevorg Torosian
(60 kg, Yerevan) took the second place.

NEW ARMENIAN NUCLEAR PLANT TO BE TWICE AS POWERFUL AS METSAMOR

menian-nuclear-plant-to-be-twice-as-powerful-as-me tsamor/
18th, 2009

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)-Armenia will start building a new nuclear power
station in place of its Metsamor plant by the beginning of 2011,
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisian said on Monday.

With a projected capacity of 1,000-1,200 megawatts, the new nuclear
plant would be more than twice as powerful as Metsamor’s sole
operating reactor that generates more than 40 percent of Armenia’s
electricity. The Soviet-built reactor is due to be decommissioned
in 2017.

"According to preliminary estimates, the new atomic block will cost
approximately $5 billion," Movsisian told RFE/RL. "A more precise
figure will emerge after the completion of design works."

"In my opinion, the construction work will start at the end of next
year or at the beginning of 2011," he said.

The Armenian government last week declared an Australian engineering
company, Worley Parsons, the winner of an international tender for
the right to manage the ambitious project. The two sides are due to
hold negotiations and sign a relevant contract soon.

"The next step will be to design the future block, after which we
will enlist and select potential investors," said Movsisian. "That
will be followed by the design work and the construction process
itself." The company that will carry out the construction will be
chosen in a separate tender, he added.

SAMVEL NIKOYAN ELECTED NA VICE-SPEAKER

A1+
06:46 pm | May 18, 2009

Politics

Armenia’s National Assembly today elected the secretary of the
Republican Party of Armenia (HAK), Samvel Nikoyan, NA vice-speaker
with 104 votes for, 3 votes against and no abstentions.

The Parliament also elected Republican Artak Davtyan Chairman of the
NA Standing Committee on science, education, youth and sports affairs.

Note that before the election, all parliamentary forces made speeches
with the exception of the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun which used to hold the
position of the vice-speaker.

"I cannot say why the Dashnaktsutyun kept silent. You had better
address the question to the Party" Samvel Nikoyan said to A+.

At present Samvel Nikoyan is most concerned over the revelation of the
March 1 deadly clashes and the position of Chairman of the NA Ad-Hoc
Inquiry Committee into the events of March 1-2, is most important
for him.

Mr. Nikoyan promised that the NA MPs will attend all parliament
sittings, and no one will vote for the other. "Today the National
Assembly is overcrowded. I have never seen so many deputies in the NA,"
said Mr. Nikoyan.