Author: Kafian Jirair

BOXING: LIFE SENTENCE

Glasgow Daily Record, UK
June 17 2004

If Scott had lost his court case it would have been the end of his
boxing career, admits Maloney

By Hugh Keevins

SCOTT HARRISON’S manager Frank Maloney last night admitted he feared
the world featherweight champion might have had his career ended by
a legal judgment rather than a lethal blow.

Maloney was campaigning in the election to choose London’s Lord
Mayor last week but he spent 48 hours of simultaneous worry over his
fighter’s appearance at Hamilton Sheriff Court on a charge of assault.

The manager said: ‘Scott didn’t fully appreciate the extent of the
predicament he was in but his father did. Peter knew and I was only
too well aware that a conviction for assault would automatically be
followed by the British Boxing Board of Control withdrawing Scott’s
licence.

‘The career of the Scottish sportsman I consider to be without peer
as a two-time world champion would have been extinguished overnight.

‘Boxer’s hands are considered to be lethal weapons and, while Scott
told me he was innocent of all charges, I was worried his fate lay
in the hands of one man on the bench.’

Sheriff Rae Small acquitted Harrison and after Maloney had downed
champagne in celebration he advised Scott on how to conduct the
remainder of his professional life.

He said: ‘Scott has told me he wants to fight for another four years.

He wants to retain his world title against William Abelyan on Saturday
night and then go after the big pay days that will undoubtedly follow.

‘But he has to remember that being a world champion cuts you off from
the rest of the world, even if you come from the streets like him.

‘It is hard for boxers to have a social life. When I managed Lennox
Lewis the heavyweight champion of the world would be challenged to
fight by 5ft midgets if hewent out in public.

‘I know of two fighters whose careers came to an end after they were
sent to prison for losing control of their fists.

‘My first inclination was to tell Scott and his dad to go for a
postponement when I realised how close the court appearance would
come to the fight with Abelyan.

‘But it is a measure of the man that the champion wanted to go ahead
with the defence of his title.’

Harrison junior thought the worst that could happen to him would be
a fine from the boxing authorities if found guilty by the courts.

The revelation his career was hanging by a thread only served to
intensify his determination to increase his reputation in the ring
while restoring his public image at the expense of the Armenian this
weekend. Harrison said: ‘I now know when you are in a court of law
you are in another man’s world. My life was in somebody else’s hands.

‘I knew I was innocent when I was sitting in the dock but I was being
confronted by lies and that experience has hardened me.

‘The end of the trial has taken a huge weight off my mind but now
I have to answer the people who were trying to bring me down by
delivering the best performance possible in the ring against Abelyan.

‘My preparation hasn’t been affected by the time spent in court. I
trained in the mornings and went to Hamilton before going back to
the gym.Butnow I’m backon track.’

The test of how much has been taken out of Harrison’s mind and body
will be set by a fighter who claims a year out of the ring will not
have blunted his threat to Harrison.

But the champion said: ‘He insists he couldn’t find anybody to fight
him over the last 12 months but I don’t accept that. I think it’s
a definite draw-back for him that he hasn’t absorbed any punishment
over the last year.

‘I’ve given Frank my list of ambitions for the immediate future. I
want to unify the featherweight titles and then move up a weight
division. And I want to fight for a title in one of Glasgow’s football
grounds one day.

‘In short, I want to be the best in the world onan undisputed basis.’

ARMENIAN OFFICER KILLED IN FIGHTING NEAR AZERI BORDER
By Gevorg Stamboltsian

Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
June 16 2004

YEREVAN, 16.06.04. An Armenian army officer was shot dead last week
in a fierce cross-border firefight with Azerbaijani forces in the
northern Tavush region which heightened military tension in the area,
the Armenian military revealed on Tuesday.

It also emerged that the fighting prompted urgent intervention
from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe which
has been monitoring the decade-long regime of ceasefire along
the Armenian-Azerbaijani frontier and the line of contact east of
Nagorno-Karabakh.

Colonel-General Mikael Harutiunian, chief of staff of Armenia’s Armed
Forces, said skirmishes erupted after Azerbaijani troops occupied
a hill in a no-man’s land near the regional town of Ijevan which
overlooks a local water reservoir. He said Armenian forces responded
by moving their positions forward in order to defend a nearby facility
that pumps irrigation water to five local villages.

Harutiunian said the slain Armenian officer had the rank of
lieutenant but refused to disclose his identity. He also claimed
that the Azerbaijani side suffered more casualties. “It’s hard for
me to give a number, but we do know that many died on their side,”
he told reporters.

The Defense Ministry in Yerevan said in a separate statement that OSCE
officials began an urgent monitoring of the situation in the area at
the weekend and are trying to defuse the tensions. Harutiunian said
his troops will not pull pack to their previous positions unless the
Azerbaijanis withdraw from the hill. “Once they leave the hill and
ensure the safe work of the pump station we will make a corresponding
decision,” he said.

The incident highlighted the shaky nature of the Armenian-Azerbaijani
ceasefire, the tenth anniversary of which was marked last month.
Although the truce has largely held, hundreds of soldiers from both
sides are believed to have died in skirmishes periodically reported
from the line of contact. The most serious of them occur on the
Karabakh frontline which has the heaviest troop concentration.

RFE/RL

Azeri rights activist under pressure after visiting Karabakh, Armenia

Turan news agency
10 Jun 04

Baku, 10 June: A group of unidentified people today insulted and
humiliated the Azerbaijani coordinator of the international working
group for the release of POWs and hostages and for the tracing
of missing persons, Avaz Hasanov. Hasanov told Turan that in the
afternoon five young people turned up at the humanitarian research
centre he heads and demanded that he stop visiting Nagornyy Karabakh
and Armenia. They threatened that they might settle scores with him
otherwise. The “patriots” said that Hasanov should not go to Karabakh
through Armenia. They think that people should go there only via
Azerbaijan. Moreover, they demanded that the human rights activist
report on the work carried out in Karabakh and Armenia.

Hasanov said that he had been regularly receiving intimidating phone
calls since he returned from Karabakh.

To recap, the Azerbaijani press and some public organizations attacked
Hasanov after his statement that he will continue to trace POWs and
hostages despite Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s call for an
end to contacts with Armenia.

Immigrants from former Soviet Union mourn Reagan
By GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press Writer

Fresno Bee
June 9, 2004

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Rabbi Velvel Tsikman remembers a time when the only
link he had to his Jewish heritage was a line in his Soviet passport
that read: “Nationality: Jewish.”

Now, Tsikman – who in the former Soviet Union was forbidden to wear
a yarmulke – watches over a vibrant Russian Jewish community in West
Hollywood from his office at the Chabad Russian Jewish Community
Center.

Tsikman says he credits his spiritual freedom to the late Ronald
Reagan, whose anti-missile program drew the Soviets into a costly
arms race, helping lead to the collapse of what Reagan called the
“evil empire.” His 1987 demand to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev
at the Berlin Wall – “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” – was the
ultimate challenge of the Cold War.

Tsikman recalled with emotion the first time a Jewish synagogue opened
in the Ukraine after years of religious oppression. He began to wear
a yarmulke openly and grow his beard; he soon veered from a career
in computers to the spiritual life of a rabbi.

“It was like going from the basement to the street and seeing the
light,” Tsikman said. “(Reagan’s) doctrine, what he did, was very
helpful to destroy the monster that was there in Europe.” Those
sentiments were echoed across Southern California, home to large
Russian and Eastern European immigrant communities. They were also
reflected in poignant signs and flags placed outside the Santa Monica
mortuary where Reagan’s body was taken after his death Saturday at
age 93.

Lithuanian and Polish flags sprouted from the grass. Posters paying
homage to Reagan – some decorated with pieces of the Berlin Wall –
sat propped against a fountain alongside flowers and balloons.

“Sir – You told Gorbachev to ‘Take down this wall.’ We helped. Thanks
for your courage and leadership,” read one sign that was affixed with
two quarter-sized bits of the Berlin Wall.

Another sign, accompanied by a Lithuanian flag, read: “President
Reagan, Thank you for Lithuanian freedom.” Still another said:
“Solidarnosc! With love from Poland,” a reference to Reagan’s efforts
to promote the Solidarity labor movement in Poland in the 1980s.

Pope John Paul II sent a message Tuesday to Nancy Reagan, expressing
“deep gratitude” for her late husband’s commitment to the cause of
freedom in the world and his work to help end the Soviet grip on
eastern Europe.

In West Hollywood, Tsikman has for 12 years watched over the Russian
Jewish community center, an anchor for up to 50,000 Soviet bloc
immigrants in greater Los Angeles. The neighborhood is dotted with
Russian, Ukranian and Armenian groceries, pharmacies and video stores,
and people speak more Russian than English.

Dozens of seniors chatted Tuesday about the impact Reagan had on
their lives.

“This is a guy who changed the world. It wasn’t only his speeches – it
was his actions,” said Aleksandr Shakhnovich, 57, a former shipbuilder
for the Soviet navy.

“He cut down the economy of the USSR and it was one of the main reasons
the country just shut down. He did something that not only changed
my life, but changed the lives of everyone in the former Soviet Union.”

Down the street, Armenian grocer Paul Khostikyan paused from unloading
fresh fruit to remember the man he called “the best president in
U.S. history.”

Khostikyan, 54, who immigrated in 1990, said he remembered Reagan’s
famous speech at the Berlin Wall – and recalled being moved by his
bold words.

“I liked how he talked about freedom,” said Khostikyan, now a
U.S. citizen. “He really meant it, not like other presidents. He will
be in history much more than Clinton or Bush.”

At the community center, Tsikman brushed his finger against his
yarmulke and watched contentedly as dozens of elderly people ate at
long tables, laughing and chatting in Russian.

“They are living in a paradise here. It’s like God is paying them for
a terrible life in Russia,” Tsikman said. “These people were sitting
home waiting to die. When they came here, they came alive again.”

Armenian opposition holds demonstration in capital despite ban

Associated Press Worldstream
June 4, 2004 Friday

YEREVAN, Armenia — About 5,000 anti-government protesters defied an
order by the mayor of the Armenian capital and held a rally Friday,
the latest in a two-months-long series of protests aimed at forcing
the resignation of President Robert Kocharian.

Such protests have aimed at galvanizing dissatisfaction over the
country’s poverty and over the alleged fraud in elections that brought
Kocharian a second term last year.

Authorities have tolerated some of the demonstrations, but one
gathering in front of the presidential palace was broken up forcefully
by police. The mayor of Yerevan forbid holding a protest on Friday,
but the gathering went ahead.

“At the same time that the parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe called on the Armenian authorities not to hinder peaceful
actions by the opposition, the mayor just forbid demonstrations,”
said an opposition leader Albert Bazeian.

Rapid Tourney Set For Sunday
by Robert Howard

Newcastle Herald (Australia)
June 4, 2004 Friday

THE Newcastle Chess Association has announced that a rapid tournament
will be held on Sunday at the Bridge Club, 12 Young Street,
Broadmeadow. Each side will have 25 minutes for all moves. Prizemoney
will depend on entries. First round starts at 9.30am.

The June Australian Chess Federation rating list is out. The top
players are as follows:

Rogers 2646 (down 22 points),Wallace 2505 (no change), Johansen 2494
(down 15), Solomon 2466 (up 20), Lane 2463 (down 30), Gluzman 2458
(no change), Tao 2439 (no change), Zhao 2424 (up a whopping 44 points
after his Doeberl Cup win), Bjelobrk 2393 (up 15), Froelich 2389
(down 11) and Smerdon 2389 (up 9).

KERRY Stead won the Mingara Major tournament held on the Central
Coast last weekend on 5.5/6. He won his first five games and then
drew with Mosaddeque Ali in the last round. Daniel Clint and Alex
Mendes da Costa shared second on 5/6.

ALEXEI Shirov swept through the field at the Bosnia 2004 tournament
held in Sarajevo. He triumphed with 7.5/9, well ahead of second place
Sergei Movsesian on 6. And Vassily Ivanchuk won the European
Individual Championship. He and Predrag Nikolic shared first on 9 but
Ivanchuk won the play-off.

THE Women’s world title series has seen a variety of upsets. Humpy
Koneru of India eliminated the last surviving player from China, Xu
Yuhua, in a 2-0 sweep, ensuring that China will not retain the title
this series. The semi-finals saw the following pairings: Ekaterina
Kovalevskaya v Humpy Koneru and Antoaneta Stefanova against former
world title holder Maia Chiburdanidze. The winners were Stefanova and
Kovalevskaya who now will play a final match for the title.

THE 75th anniversary of the birth of the late Armenian world champion
Tigran Petropsian will be marked in Moscow by a match Armenia v The
Rest of the World. It will be a six-player team match. The Armenian
team will consist of three Armenians, Vladimir Akopian, Smbat Lputian
and Rafael Vaganian and three players with Armenian connections,
Garry Kasparov, whose mother is Armenian, Peter Leko, whose wife is
Armenian, and Boris Gelfand, who studied under Tigran Petrosian. The
Rest of the World team is likely to be Viswanathan Anand, Michael
Adams, Peter Svidler, Loek Van Wely, Etienne Bacrot and Paco Vallejo.
The event should run from June 10.

Here are some games from the Women’s world title series.

Xu Yuhua (2474)v Tkeshelashvili (2307) [C10](Womens World
Championship,Elista, 2004)1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Nf3
Ngf6 6.Nxf6ch Nxf6 7.c3 c5 8.Be3 Nd5 9.Ne5 Nxe3 10.Bb5ch Bd7 11.Qf3
Nf5 12.Bxd7ch Ke7 13.Qxb7 Kf6 14.Bc6 Be7 15.Qxa8 Qxa8 16.Bxa8 Rxa8
17.Nd7ch Resigns.

Galliamova (2502) vKhaziyeva (2110) [C41] (Womens WorldChampionship,
Elista, 2004)1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nbd7 4.Nf3 e5 5.Bc4 Be7 6.00 00
7.a4 c6 8.a5 Qc7 9.Re1 Rb8 10.h3 b5 11.axb6 axb6 12.b3 b5 13.Bf1 Re8
14.Bb2 Bf8 15.Bd3 Bb7 16.b4 exd4 17.Nxd4 Ne5 18.Nf5 Nc4 19.Bxc4 bxc4
20.Qd4 d5 21.e5 Nd7 22.Na4 c5 23.bxc5 Bxc5 24.Qg4 g6 25.e6 Rxe6
26.Rxe6 fxe6 27.Nh6ch Kf8 28.Qxe6 Qf4 29.Nxc5 Nxc5 30.Ba3 Rc8
31.Qg8ch Ke7 32.Qxh7ch Ke6 33.Re1ch Ne4 34.Qe7 mate.

Solution to Problem 1117

(The position was: 1B4k1, 5p1p, 6p1, 8, P2b4, 2p2P1P, 5P2, 5K2)1. …
Be3 wins. If 2 fxe3 c2. Whites best is 2. Be5 c2 3. Bb2 but he has a
lost endgame.

Problem 1118

Belov v Lautier, Aeroflot Open, 2004.Black to move and gain a winning
material plus.(Check: 6k1, p5pp, 8, 1b6, 4B3, P3PK2, 1rp2PPP, 4R3)

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 3, 2004
___________________

DADOURIAN RECEIVES ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL

Haig Dadourian, chairman of the Diocesan Council, was honored with
the Ellis Island Medal of Honor during a ceremony on Ellis Island,
on May 15, 2004.

The medal, presented by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations,
is presented to Americans of diverse origins for their contributions
to their own ethnic groups and to American society. About 3,500 people
are nominated for the medal each year.

Dadourian is an owner and director of the Dadourian Export Corporation.
He is also a real estate developer. A graduate of Columbia Business
School, Dadourian is also the past president and owner of Deluxe
Storage Systems, a manufacturer of commercial steel shelving and
storage equipment, and the InterRoyal Corporation, a maker of
commercial furniture.

He has served the community at the local level, at the St. Mary Church
of Livingston, NJ, as parish council member, assistant music director,
and delegate. He has also assumed a variety of leadership roles within
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). Currently,
he is chairman of the Diocesan Council and a member of the Board of
Directors of the Armenian Church Endowment Fund, the Fund for Armenian
Relief, and St. Nersess Seminary.

Despite all his accomplishments, Dadourian said that when he was
onstage at Ellis Island being honored, he kept thinking of someone
else’s success.

“I was thinking of my father. I wish he were there, because he was the
one who went through the massacres, and went through Ellis Island as
a 10-year-old,” said Dadourian of his father, Dadour, who came from
the village of Gurin in historic Armenia. “He was more than just a
survivor. He became successful in this country and continued to be
very supportive of his church and his whole ethnic community.”

The Ellis Island Medal of Honor was created in 1986 to honor the many
ethnic groups who have made America a strong nation. More than 1,300
individuals have since been honored with the award since its inception.

The award is recognized by both the U.S. Senate and House of
Representatives, and the names of award recipients are listed in the
Congressional Record.

“We need to recognize Armenians who have built successful lives in
America,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese. “We need to praise them and show that they have made this
country richer, while honoring their ethnic origins and their church.”

— 6/03/04

# # #

EU halts EUR100m aid to Armenia in nuclear row

The Irush Times
Saturday May 29, 2004

ARMENIA: Alarmed at the potential for another Chernobyl-type
nuclear accident, the European Union has frozen ?100 million of
grant aid to this small state in the Caucasus following the refusal
of the government here to agree to a date for closure of an ageing
Russian-built nuclear power plant sited in one of the world’s most
active seismic zones.

Government behind country’s deprivation of US aid programme – Azeri opposition

Azadliq, Baku
26 May 04

The statement says: “The US Congress has decided to allocate 5bn
dollars to developing countries within the framework of the Millennium
Challenges programme.”

[Passage omitted: reported details of the programme]

As has already been reported, Azerbaijan is one of the countries which
will not receive the financial aid allocated within the framework of
the Millennium Challenges programme. Unlike Azerbaijan, the other two
South Caucasus countries – Georgia and Armenia will receive 500m and
330m dollars respectively.

This shows that the suppression of democratic values in the country
by the incumbent government and the employment of corruption as a
state policy caused Azerbaijan, the overwhelming majority of whose
population live in poverty, the loss of 100m dollars.

The rule of the corrupt regime over 10 years led to the gradual
deterioration of the Azerbaijani people’s living conditions and to
misappropriation of funds in the sum of a billion dollars by a group
of people in the authorities. At the same time, this fact objectively
expresses the negative opinion of the international public about
Azerbaijan. Traditionally, Azerbaijan is described in reports by
international organizations as a country flagrantly violating human
rights, suppressing democratic values and as highly corrupt. That means
that this government’s presence does not enable our country to get the
support of the international public for the resolution of its problems.

The People’s Front of Azerbaijan Party [PFAP] states this huge
material damage on our country, just because of this fact, is another
unforgivable step harming the Azerbaijani people’s living conditions
and the state.

The PFAP thinks the incumbent government, which has turned corruption
and legal nihilism into a state policy and is trying to suppress the
democratic processes, is responsible for Azerbaijan’s deprivation of
[US] financial aid when Armenia, fighting a war with Azerbaijan,
received 300m dollars [as published].

The PFAP states that Azerbaijan’s deprivation of major financial
assistance to support the formation of democratic and open society
and economic reforms, is a heavy blow to our country’s national
development and the interests of the state and the government should
answer to the Azerbaijani people for this.

PRESS OFFICE
ARMENIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA WESTERN DIOCESE
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Webiste:

News from the Diocese

The Following are the activities of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of
North America, during the months of March – May, 2004.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, had
intimate meetings with several delegates, in order to further his
involvement with various facets of the community.

* His Eminence met with Mariam Mihranian, Chairlady of Armenia Fund,
on March 11, 2004 at the Western Diocesan Headquarters in Burbank,
where she presented to the Primate her vision for the future of
Armenia Fund.

* On March 12, 2004 Archbishop Derderian held an official meeting
with Ms. Armine Hovannisian, founder of Orran and Junior Achievement
of Armenia. It was decided at the meeting that Orran and JAA will
become the partners of CYMA.

* His Eminence paid an official visit to Bishop Bruno, the Primate
of the Episcopalian Church on March 15, 2004.

* On March 18, 2004 the Primate held an official meeting with
Sheriff Lee Baca at the Diocesan Headquarters, to discuss the formation
of a committee to address issues related to community life and the
youth. The two leaders met for a second time on April 16, 2004.

* Also on March 18, 2004 Archbishop Hovnan Derderian met with
Father John Bakas of the Greek Orthodox Church.

* On March 19, 2004 His Eminence was officially visited by Very
Reverend Father Mesrob Sulahian, Administrator of the Mekhitarist
School in Venice. After being closely acquainted with the Diocese,
Fr. Mesrob left the meeting with warm embraces and the best
impressions.

* Also on March 19, 2004 the Primate met with the Armenian Academy
of Los Angeles, whose mission is to establish a high school in the
Los Angeles area that will open in September 2005. The meeting ended
with mutual interest in cooperation.

* Rev. Fr. Baruyr Avetisyan and Rev. Fr. Khoren Kirakosyan
visited the Western Diocese from April 26, 2004 to May 26, 2004. They
represented the Mother See in the 77th Diocesan Assembly.

Several events were hosted at the Arshag and Eleanor Dickranian Complex
of the Diocese in Burbank, under the auspices and presidency of His
Eminence Archbishop Derderian.

* His Eminence hosted a gathering for fifty students of the Alfred
and Marguerite Hovsepian School at the Diocesan Headquarters on March
10, 2004, where the students had the opportunity to personally meet
the Primate in a warm and informal setting.

* On March 18, 2004 Archbishop Derderian met with the students
of the Merdinian Armenian School at the Western Diocesan Complex,
where he addressed the students and personally greeted them.

* His Eminence and the Ladies’ Auxiliary hosted a reception for
the Debutantes and Escorts of the 2004 Debutante Ball at the Arshag
and Eleanor Dickranian Complex on March 21, 2004.

* On March 22, 2004 the Primate hosted the students of the St.
Sahag-Mesrob Armenian School at the Diocesan Complex, for an intimate
discussion of current issues.

* A conference entitled “Armenian Women Facing Contemporary Trends”
organized by the AGBU Hye Geen was held at the Diocesan Headquarters
on March 27, 2004 under the auspices of Archbishop Derderian.

* To bring to a close the Vigil Services that were held regularly
during Lent in all churches of the Diocese, a Collective Lenten Vigil
Service was held at the Diocesan Headquarters on April 2, 2004 under
the Presidency of His Eminence.

* Kemal Yalcin, author of the new book “My Heart Rejoices with
You”, spoke at a gathering in the Kalaydjian Hall of the Dickranian
Complex on April 4, 2004, organized by the Tekeyan Cultural Committee
and under the Auspices of the Primate.

* On Friday evening, April 23, 2004, in commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide, Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian celebrated Divine
Liturgy and performed a Requiem Service in the Kalaydjian Hall of
the Diocesan Complex under the presidency of the Primate and with
the participation of the Diocesan Clergy and the Diocesan United Choir.

* On May 5, 2004 a welcoming reception was held in the Kalaydjian
Hall in honor of Very rev. Father Dajad Yerdemian, who became a
member of the Armenian Apostolic Church on February 19. The evening
also included a cultural program.

* Dr. Gerard L. Libaridian, author of the newly published book
“Modern Armenia: People, Nation and State” spoke at the Diocese on
May 6, 2004. He presented his book and discussed Armenian politics
from the mid-nineteenth century to the present.

* On May 12, 2004 over 100 faithful and clergy gathered in
the Kalaydjian Hall to honor the 50 years of dedicated service of
Mother Hripsime Sassounian, who currently serves the Kalfayan Home
in Constantinople.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian took part and presided over
the following conferences and meetings.

* On March 13, 2004 His Eminence presided over several meetings at
the Diocesan Headquarters, including the Building Committee Meeting,
the Diocesan Council Meeting, Clergy Stipend Meeting, and the meeting
of the Christian Education Council.

* Archbishop Derderian presided over the Diocesan Clergy meeting on
March 16, 2004, which is held at regular intervals to discuss issues
relating to the needs of the Clergy.

* The Primate attended the Religious Leaders’ Meeting on March 17,
2004 held with the participation of leaders from various religious
denominations.

* On March 19, 2004 the Primate participated in the Diocesan Ladies’
Auxiliary meeting to discuss past and current projects. Among many
other items, the meeting discussed the upcoming Diocesan Ladies’
Assembly.

* Upon the invitation of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of all Armenians, His Eminence Archbishop Derderian
participated in the meeting of the Supreme Council in the Mother See
of Holy Etchmiadzin, on April 1 – 2, 2004.

* On the weekend of April 30 – May 1, 2004 His Eminence presided
over the 77th Diocesan Assembly which took place at St. John-Garabed
Armenian Apostolic Church in San Diego, with the participation of over
250 clergy and delegates from the Western Diocese. Each committee and
organization that functions within the Diocese presented its report
and discussed pertinent issues.

Consistent with his mission to maintain direct contact with the
Diocese, the Primate paid several visits to various parishes and
schools throughout the Diocese.

* On March 10, 2004 the Primate presided over a Lenten Vigil
Service at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in East Los Angeles.
During his visit His Eminence also met with the Parish Council.

* On March 11, 2004 Archbishop Hovnan Derderian presided over
a Lenten Vigil Service at the Armenian Church of La Verne, with an
overwhelming presence by the youth.

* Archbishop Hovnan Derderian celebrated Divine Liturgy and
delivered the Sermon at St. James Armenian Apostolic Church in Los
Angeles on March 13, 2004.

* The Primate officiated over a Lenten Vigil Service on March 17,
2004 at St. James Armenian Apostolic Church in Los Angeles, and also
presided over the meeting of the Parish Council.

* On March 18, 2004 His Eminence presided over a Lenten Vigil
Service at St. John-Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood, accompanied
by His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian and His Eminence Archbishop
Sebouh Chouljian, Primate of Gougark, Armenia. Archbishop Derderian
also met with the Parish Council.

* The Primate conducted a Lenten Vigil Service at the Armenian
Church of La Crescenta in Tujunga on March 19, 2004, during which the
Primate also officiated over the ordination of Deacons. A reception
and cultural program followed.

* On March 21, 2004 His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy,
delivered the Sermon and officiated over the ordination of six
Deacons and Sub Deacons at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in
Costa Mesa. A reception followed in honor of the elevation of Father
Moushegh Tashjian to the title of Archpriest.

* The Primate visited Central California on Wednesday and Thursday,
March 24 – 25, 2004 where he presided over a Lenten Vigil Service at
St. Gregory Armenian Church in Fowler on Wednesday, and on Thursday,
paid a visit to Bakersfield, after a meeting with the Clergy of the
Fresno Area.

* Archbishop Hovnan Derderian officiated over a Lenten Vigil
Service at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Costa Mesa on March
25, 2004, where he also officiated the ordination of 10 Stole-Bearers
and 34 Acolytes.

* On March 26, 2004 the Primate officiated over a Lenten Vigil
Service at the Burbank Parish held at the Diocesan Headquarters, with
the participation of Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian, Very Rev. Fr. Asbed
Balian, and other Clergy from the Los Angeles Area.

* On the evening of April 12, 2004 Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
paid a pastoral visit to the newly established parish of Palmdale,
accompanied by Pastor in Charge Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian.

* On April 25, 2004 the Primate celebrated Divine Liturgy and
delivered the Sermon at St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena.
Following the Liturgy, His Eminence blessed the four cornerstones of
the new Church. A reception followed in the hall.

* On May 2, 2004 His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy and
delivered the Sermon at St. John Armenian Apostolic Church in San
Diego.

* Archbishop Hovnan Derderian was the Keynote speaker at a Mothers’
Day luncheon at St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church in Van Nuys,
in honor of Mother of the Year Mrs. Marguerite Zavian, on May 12, 2004.

* On May 20, 2004, the feast of Ascension, the Primate officiated
over a ceremony at the Armenian Church of Crescenta valley,
Tujunga. Present also were Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian, Very
Rev. Fr. Asbed Balian and other clergy.

* On May 21, 2004 Archbishop Derderian paid a Pastoral visit to
St. Andrew Armenian Apostolic Church in San Jose to preside over a
program by the Friday Armenian School.

The Primate was invited to and attended several events and ceremonies
throughout his Diocese.

* On March 8, 2004 is Eminence paid his first official visit to
the center of the Organization of Istanbul Armenians, where he was
greeted by the Executive Board of the Organization, as well all
Auxiliary Bodies, in a cordial Reception.

* His Eminence visited the Claremont School of Theology on March
11, 2004 accompanied by Attorney Joseph Ganimian. The Primate was
greeted by President Philip Emerson and Vice President Jack Fitzmier.

* On the evening of March 13, 2004 His Eminence attended the 24th
Anniversary Celebration Banquet of the Sts. Sahag-Mesrob Armenian
Christian School, held in the Banquet Hall of the Ararat Home,
marking the first attendance of the Primate to an event by the school.

* On March 14, 2004 Archbishop Derderian was the keynote speaker at
the 10th Anniversary Banquet of New DAY, New Direction for Armenian
Youth. The Primate addressed the guests with a message entitled
“The Stewards of God’s Light”.

* His Eminence was invited to the Mayor’s Breakfast meeting on
March 18, 2004 with the attendance of several community leaders from
the Los Angeles Area.

* The Primate presided over the funeral service and read the
eulogy of renowned Armenian singer Arpine Pehlivanian on March 20,
2004. In his address to the attendees he centered on her faith,
humility and vision for the Arts.

* Also on March 20, 2004 His Eminence attended the Annual Banquet
of the TCA Arshag Dickranian School.

* On March 24, 2004 the Primate spoke to the student body of the
Milken Community High School, after a meeting with Rabi Eli Herscher
and Head of the school Rennie R. Wrubel, Ed.D.

* On April 6, 2004 Archbishop Derderian, accompanied by Archbishop
Vatche Hovsepian and Very Rev. Fr. Asbed Balian, participated in
the inauguration of the Honorable Bob Yousefian as Mayor of the City
of Glendale.

* The Primate paid a visit to the Homenetmen Cupertino Chapter on
the night of April 10, 2004, where he was greeted by Chairman of the
Chapter, Dr. Yenikomoushian.

* On April 13, 2004 the Primate paid a second visit to the Claremont
School of Theology, accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian
and several Deacons of the Western Diocese, who are candidates for
the Priesthood.

* His Eminence visited the Friendly Adult Center in Tujunga on
April 14, 2004, accompanied by Fr. Hovsep Hagopian, where he greeted
and addressed the residents.

* In the evening of April 14, 2004 the Archbishop Derderian
addressed the students of the University of California San Diego in a
stimulating discussion of “The Armenian Church in the Context of the
Post Former Soviet Era”. The event was organized by Heritage Western
Armenian and the ASA.

* On April 16, 2004 the Primate presided over a commemoration
ceremony of the Armenian Genocide. The event was organized by the
Armenian Society of Los Angeles.

* On April 18 – 19, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Derderian
participated in the 2004 National Conference in Washington, DC,
organized by the National Assembly and in cooperation with the AGBU
and the Eastern and Western Dioceses of the Armenian Church of North
America.

* On April 22, 2004 the Primate attended the April 24th
commemoration service of the TCA Arshag Dickranian School.

* Also on April 22, His Eminence and various Diocesan clergy
participated in a joint Liturgical Service at the St. George Coptic
Church, in Pomona.

* The Primate attended a Genocide Commemoration event organized by
the ADL Hye Tad Committee, where he addressed the faithful on April
23, 2004.

* His Eminence, with the participation of the Diocesan clergy
presided over a Requiem Service at the Armenian Memorial Monument in
Montebello, on April 24, 2004.

* Also on April 24, the Primate attended an April 24th Commemoration
Ceremony and candle-light vigil co-sponsored by the City of Glendale.

* On April 26, 2004 Archbishop Derderian conducted the opening
prayer at a Genocide Commemoration ceremony in the State Assembly,
in Sacramento, California.

* His Eminence attended a program at the Center of the Armenian
Ecclesiastical Brotherhood May 17, 2004 accompanied by Very Rev. Fr.
Dajad Yardemian, and other clergy of the Diocese. The program was
followed by a reception in the hall.

* On May 19, 2004 the Primate gave a presentation at the UCLA
Center for Religious studies on the topic, “Reflections on the Armenian
Church and a Vision for Renewal”.

Several noteworthy donations have been made within the community.

* Since the inception of the United Armenia Fund, the Western
Diocese has participated in its projects and missions, for the benefit
of the Motherland. This year the Western Diocese has transferred
$11,000 to the United Armenia Fund.

* Mr. and Mrs. Nshan and Ruby Derderian have graciously donated
$100,000 to the Western Diocese, making them one of the Godfathers
of the Diocesan Cathedral.

* St. James Armenian Apostolic Church and Mr. and Mrs. Martin and
Bertha Yacoobian have each donated $15,000 to the Diocesan Summer Camp,
towards its renovation project.

* Mr. John Stephens has made a pledge to donate $20,000 to the
Western Diocese, to be allocated towards the training of candidates
for the Order of Priesthood.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian officiated over the following
ceremonies during Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter.

* On Palm Sunday, April 4, 2004 His Eminence celebrated Divine
Liturgy and delivered the Sermon at St. John Armenian Apostolic Church
in San Francisco. On the occasion of the church’s 80th Anniversary,
a banquet followed in the church hall.

* On the evening of Holy Wednesday, April 7, 2004 His Eminence
presided over a Youth Worship Service at the St. Peter Armenian
Church Youth Ministries Center in Glendale. The service was written
and directed towards the youth.

* On the morning of Holy Thursday, April 8, 2004 the Primate
celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the Sermon at St. Paul Armenian
Apostolic Church in Fresno. A luncheon followed the Liturgy in the
Church Hall.

* In the afternoon of Holy Thursday Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
presided over the Washing of the Feet at St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic
Church in Fowler.

* His Eminence presided over the “Khavaroom” Ceremony Thursday
night at St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church in Fresno.

* The Primate officiated the Order of Crucifixion at Sts.
Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church in Reedley on Good Friday,
April 9, 2004.

* On Friday evening, April 9, 2004 the Burial Service took place
at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Yettem, presided by His
Eminence Archbishop Derderian.

* On Holy Saturday, April 10, 2004 Archbishop Derderian attended a
joyous gathering with the children of the Saturday and Sunday Schools
and Scouts of St. Andrew Armenian Church in Cupertino, where breakfast
was served during which the Primate participated in an egg-cracking
contest with the children.

* In the afternoon of April 10, 2004 the Primate celebrated Easter
Eve Divine Liturgy and delivered the Sermon at St. Mary Armenian
Apostolic Church in Yettem.

* On Easter Sunday, April 11, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the Sermon at
St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church in Van Nuys, with a congregation
that filled the church to full capacity.

* On Monday, April 11, 2004, His Eminence, accompanied by several
clergy of the Los Angeles area, presided over an Easter House
Blessing and Holy Communion Ceremony at the Ararat Home for the Aged
in Mission Hills.

In the afternoon of April 11 the Primate officiated over a requiem
service at the Forest Lawn Mortuaries, for the memory of departed
souls. His Eminence was accompanied by several Clergy of the Diocese.

In the upcoming week, the Primate will participate in the following
activities.

* The Primate will pay a Pastoral visit to Carmel on May 22, 2004,
where he will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the Sermon. A
reception will follow the Liturgy.

* On May 23, 2004 His Eminence will pay a Pastoral visit to
Oakland, where he will celebrate Divine Liturgy and officiate over
the ordination of Acolytes and Sub-Deacons. A reception will follow
in the church hall.

* On the weekend of May 27 – 29 His Eminence will preside over
the Annual ACYO Sports’ Weekend in Fresno.

* On May 30, 2004 the Primate will pay a Pastoral visit to St.
Mary Armenian Church in Yettem, for a Centennial Celebration.

DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE
May 22, 2004
Burbank, CA