Author: Karagyozian Lena

RA PRIME MINISTER AND RF PRESIDENT’S AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE EXPRESS ANXIETY ON OCCASION OF VIOLENCES COMMITTED UPON ARMENIANS IN RF

Noyan Tapan
Jun 19 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 19, NOYAN TAPAN. At the June 16 meeting of RA Prime
Minister Andranik Margarian and the delegation headed by Dmitry Kozak,
the RF President’s Authorized Representative to the South Federal
Okrug of the Russian Federation, the sides attached importance
to stimulation of the bilateral mutually benefitial cooperation
of administrative subjects of Armenia and Russia, particularly,
among separate regions of the South Federal okrug, taking into
account both their being close to Armenia in the geographic sense,
and presence of the great Armenian community. A.Margarian emphasized
that possibilities of development of an effective cooperation not only
at the level of the two states’ Governments but also at the level of
separate administrative subjects are also periodically discussed at the
Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation.

Mentioning that the first event organized within the framework of the
Year of Armenia in Russia in 2006 at the regional level was holding
of the days of Armenia in the region of Rostov, A.Margarian thanked
Vladimir Chub, the Governor of the Rostov region who was present at
the meeting with the RF delegation staff, for the warm reception of
the Armenian delegation, preparing and holding the events at a high
level. The RA Prime Minister expressed confidence that events to be
held in the marz of Astrakhan in June and in the country of Krasnodar
in August within the framework of the year of Armenia in Russia will
take place as successful as those ones were.

The interlocuters emphasized that improvement of the transport
communication between the two countries may considerably assist
stimulation of the mutual cooperation, particularly, regular usage
of the Poti-Caucasus railway-ferry direction and re-opening of the
Abkhazian part of the Georgian railway, what will give possibility
to increase volumes of goods circulation.

During the meeting A.Margarian expressed anxiety on the occasion of
cases of violences and murders committed upon Armenians in the Russian
Federation during the recent period. He expressed confidence that
the administration of the Russian Federation including ones of its
separate administrative subjects as well will take serious steps to
reveal those quilty and to call them to account as well as to prevent
similar events from now on.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Government’s Information and
Public Relations Department, D.Kozak as well expressed anxiety on the
occasion of the above-mentioned cases and condemned them. He assured
the RA Prime Minister that those are not led especially against
Armenians, and the authorities of Russia do their best to reveal and
exclude similar crimes.

MONUMENT TO ARCHBISHOP MESROP ASHJIAN OPENS IN MUGHNI

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 19 2006

ASHTARAK, JUNE 19, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Monument to
Archbishop Mesrop Ashjian opened in the yard of the "Archbishop Mesrop
Ashjian" school of the village of Mughni, Aragatsonts marz, on June 18.

The ceremony of opening the monument was followed by the Surb
Liturgy and requiem service at which Archbishop Tatev Sargsian and
Archimandrite Torgom, the primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese of the
Armenian Apostolic Church were present.

Chairman of the Writers’ Union of Armenia Levon Ananian, Director
of the "Archbishop Mesrop Ashjian" school Mushegh Galstian,
Academician-Secretary of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia
Vladimir Barkhudarian, Director of the RA NAS History Institute Ashot
Melkonian, Raffi Hovhannisian, Avik Isahakian, Varazdat Haroutiunian,
American Armenian writer Hrant Margarian and Hripsime Ashjian, sister
of latter His Holiness made speeches at the ceremony.

Poetess Silva Kaputikian’s speech was also read. Hrayr and Liza
Ashjians, relatives of His Holiness opened the monument.

Author of the monument is Ara Shiraz.

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

Armenian version:

DEAC ONS’ ORDINATION IN ANTELIAS

Four students of the Seminary of the Catholiocsate of Cilicia, sub-deacons
Alexan Kalaidjian, Mihran Balkevorkian, Hagop Kortmosian and Hovsep
Loshkhadjian were ordained as deacons in Antelias on June 11.

Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon Bishop Kegham Khatcherian conducted the
ordination service and delivered the sermon to the newly ordained deacons.
During the service, the candidates climbed to the Holy altar on their knees
and turning towards the people, promised to give up earthly pleasures and
dedicate themselves to the Church. The candidates were then ordained and
handed their special deacons’ clothes.

Bishop Khatcherian congratulated the deacons, calling on them to guard their
ranks, preserve sanctity of their clothes and flourish their Christian
values through endless work and efforts. He also spoke about the mission of
the Seminary, where spirituals, intellectuals, teachers and other national
leaders, dedicated to the service of the Armenian Church and nation, are
formed.

"You shall give your best to the Seminary so our nation and Church are
equipped with the best of strength. The Seminary is the building where the
youth form to become servants of the Church and nation. This service is
divine, it is Holy and only suitable people should be invited to take it
up," said the Bishop.

A procession of spirituals then walked towards the Veharan, where His
Holiness Aram I gave his blessings to the newly ordained deacons. The
Pontiff spoke about the transfer of Armenian spiritual-intellectual values
from one generation to the other through the Seminary.

The Catholicos saw the true spiritual man in his loyalty towards biblical
truths, the Armenian Church’s traditions, rites, belief, hymns and the faith
passed on to us by our predecessors.

"We do not have and we won’t have another path. We will form on this path
spiritually, intellectually. The true spiritual servant is he who not only
gives, but also takes. You will open up and flourish with our values. For
more than 1700 years our Church has praised God. Our Church guided our
people towards God through our language, our culture, our traditions, our
values, our conflicts and our dreams. We will always remind you that this is
the path," said the Pontiff.

He added: "By way of Christianity God approached nations through their
culture and language. This is the path of a spiritual’s service: bringing
God close to God. Our Holy See will always be committed and demanding
towards this issue with spirituals of all ranks, with its Seminary, with its
Brotherhood, with its dioceses and with our youth and people. More than
ever, our Church should accomplish itself in the life of our people through
service. And that service is nothing but becoming the live and life-giving
presence of Christ’s Holy Book."

The Pontiff also praised the Seminary’s principal and staff, considering
their contribution to be fruitful in the formation of the students.

Seminary students then sang "Cilicia", "I Veh Partsants" and "Der Getso",
after which the Pontiff blessed the newly ordained deacons with
"Bahbanitch."

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View photos here:
es83.htm

ctures84.htm

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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 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.

MOST PART OF POLITICAL FORCES REPRESENTED AT PARLIAMENT INTEND TO ACTIVELY WORK IN SUMMER AS WELL

Noyan Tapan
Jun 16 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 16, NOYAN TAPAN. Heads of only the "RPA," "ARF,"
"Ardaroutiun" (Justice) and "Azgayin Miabanutiun" (National Unity)
factions from the RA NA 6 factions and 2 deputies’ groups participated
in the June 16 summing up briefings of the spring session. The "Orinats
Yerkir" (Country of Law) party considered purposeful to sum up results
of the session at a separate press-conference to be convened soon. It
became clear from the briefings that the most part of the political
forces represented at the Parliament intends to actively work in
summer and has not thought about having rest yet. Galust Sahakian,
the "RPA" faction head assured that the party will implement in
summer inner-party organization works, and he himself will be at the
Parliament in summer. According to Stepan Demirchian, the "Ardarutiun"
faction head, the People’s Party of Armenia headed by him will also
be engaged in solution of inner-party problems, connected, in all
probability, with the party congress to be convened in November.

Besides solving inner-party problems, political forces intend to
actively be involved in editing the draft amendments to the Electoral
Code, taking into account the CE Venice Commission’s already got
preliminary conclusion concerning the draft as well as proposals
of political forces. At the consultation convened on June 19 on
RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosian’s initiative, representatives of the
parliamentary forces will decide order of the coming discussions,
and, as "ARF" faction head Hrayr Karapetian assured, they will
inform journalists about it. The deputy also mentioned that the
ARF, supporting increase of women’s role in the executive and
legislative authorities, intends to pursue corresponding amendments
of the Electoral Code. "Ardarutiun" faction head Stepan Demirchian
re-affirmed that in the case of not accepting the party’s reservations
connected with amendments in the Electoral Code, the "Ardarutiun"
faction will take back its signature. He also mentioned that it is
mentioned in the Venice Commission’s conclusion as well that usage
of the Electoral Code is finally important. The European observers
expressed an opinion in 2003 that the acting Electoral Code gives
possibility of securing a normal electoral process, so, according to
the deputy, the issue of elections’ justice may not be solved only by
amendments to the Electoral Code. Artashes Geghamian, the head of the
"Azgayin Miabanutiun" faction considered to be itself too anxious
the circumstance that "we have reached a state that any news from
Venice is a lifebuoy for us or just the opposite, a sentence, and it
will mean that the Armenian legislative idea has got dry." However,
"Azgayin Miabanutiun" will participate in the summer discussions at
the deputies’ and experts’ level, if "issues of modern sonority are
discussed." "In the end, we do a common work, and a work that may be
decisive for future developments of Armenia," Geghamian mentioned.

AZERBAIJAN CAN AGREE ON TRIEST MODEL

PanARMENIAN.Net
15.06.2006 17:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ It seems that the Nagorno Karabakh problem gradually
recedes to the background in the system of priorities of the Azeri
society, Zerkalo Baku-based newspaper reports. Otherwise the public
wouldn’t neglect a statement made by FM Elmar Mammadyarov upon
completion of the presidential meeting in Bucharest. "There is still
hope for a peaceful settlement and we will proceed with efforts in
this direction," he said. At that the Azeri FM said the Azeri party
doesn’t exclude the appliance of the Triest model.

The resolution on the Free Territory of Triest says, "The integrity
and independence of the Free Territory will be secured by the United
Nations Security Council. The Free Territory will have its flag and
state emblem. It will be governed by the Governor, Governing Council,
National Assembly elected by the people of the Free Territory
and a Juridical department. The governor will be appointed by the
U.N. Security Council after consultations with the governments of
Yugoslavia and Italy. He should not be a citizen of Yugoslavia,
Italy or the Free Territory.

The Governor will be empowered to prevent implementation of agreements
on foreign relations that conflict with the Statute, Constitution
and laws of the Free Territory. The Free Territory will have its own
currency and freed from payment of the Italian state debt."

"All the items of the peaceful agreement on the formation of the
Free Territory of Triest, including the ones we are concerned about,
are based on reality, the Armenian side often mentions as regards
the Karabakh conflict. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry is cunning
a little when assures that the Triest Model provides for a wide
autonomy. If official Baku agrees on appliance of the model to
the Karabakh conflict it will mean that Azerbaijan relinquishes
the sovereign rights for Karabakh. Some circles, which are close
to the negotiation process, inform that official Baku insist the
"governor be appointed by Azerbaijan after consultations with the
authorities of the Free Territory and the international organization
that will act as a guarantor of peaceful agreements. That is to say,
Baku wishes to maintain just formal sovereignty over Nagorno Karabakh,
following the example of the UK in case with some former colonies,"
the author of the article concludes.

SPEAKING OF ARMENOPHOBIA IN RUSSIA NOT SERIOUS, RUSSIAN POLITICIAN CONSIDERS

PanARMENIAN.Net
14.06.2006 16:25 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Mass Armenophobia doesn’t reign in the Russian
society, advisor at the department of regional and cultural ties
at the RA President’s administration Oleg Hayrapetov stated when
commenting on the recent killings of Armenians in Russia,

In his words, a generation that was brought up in 1990-ies without
comprehension and moral intelligence burst out to the streets of
Russian cities. "I understand the concern of Armenians. Their reaction
to the recent events is quite natural. However it’s not serious to
speak of Armenophobia in Russia," he said.

"The Russian prosecutor offices deal with each case. I know that there
are some forces in Armenia that try to represent the incidents as
fascism and mass Armenophobia," he resumed, reported Novosti-Armenia.

EDUCATIONAL SPHERE MUSTN’T MINGLE WITH THE POLITICAL ONE

A1+
[05:36 pm] 13 June, 2006

Item Change In Educational System

Levon Lazarian, Minister of Education and Science doesn’t like the
expression “educational reforms.”

In his first press release he called on people present to use the
variant “Let’s confront the existing educational system to the
European standards.”

He avoided to give any comments on the activity of ex minister
Sergo Eritsyan but judging from the contents of the press release
lasting an hour and a half it was evident that he was displeased with
Eritsyan’s work.

Let us illustrate his words in this connection, “I have got the
impression that they took 10-year education and converted it into
12-year one.” In Lazarian’s words the educational projects of 12-year
education are not distinct yet. “I think that a child mustn’t learn
more than his age permits. In case of 12-year education the years of
higher education must be curtailed,” claims Lazarian.

He also praised the ex minister, “According to other criteria he
implemented his work properly,” noted Levon Lazarian.

New Minister and new principles

Before taking up the new office Levon Lazarian presented his demands
to the people who proposed his candidacy. He mainly demanded that
certain problems, methods and principles offered by him during his
office be finally solved.

Lazarian also referred to the shortcomings of the system and spoke
of a few questions of principle.

His first principle is that people shouldn’t deem the ministry as
the system of holding exams. He thinks that people are right while
criticizing the changes.

“If the question cannot be settled today we must frankly say that the
solution will be given in 5 years. If the salary of a teacher is low
we must say that it will be raised later,” explains the minister.

Lazarian attaches great importance to the transparency of the
system. “Each official must be transparent.” Another vital principle
for the minister is that the system mustn’t mingle with politics. “If
we take this for granted and as a principle it will greatly contribute
to the system,” he says.

The end of cooperative institutes is near.

Levon Lazarian doesn’t understand the procedure of accrediting and
licensing educational establishments.

“We shall need many years to recover the faults,” urges the minister
and adds, “The current situation must be changed and the rules of
the game are to be altered.”

As for the quality of education the minister compared it with the
level of the Medieval Asia and Turkey.

According to him the collapse of the higher education is apparent. He
maintains that we must make use of credit resources and initiate the
investment of the credit system.

BY PROGRAM OF FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF, REGULAR GROUP OF AMERICAN ARMENIAN YOUNG SPECIALISTS TO PAY 10-DAY VISIT TO ARMENIA FROM JUNE 14TH

Noyan Tapan
Jun 13 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, NOYAN TAPAN. A group consisting of 17 people, 23-40
years old American Armenian specialists, will pay a ten-day visit to
Armenia since June 14, by the “Trip to Armenia” program of the Fund for
Armenian Relief (FAR). As FAR Press Secretary Levon Lachikian informed
the Noyan Tapan correspondent, within the framework of the visit the
group will visit sightseeings of Armenia, Nagorno Karabakh as well
as will have meetings with Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians,
RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian.

L.Lachikian mentioned that this program having been implemented already
for the 10th year, has a goal to support strengthening of tis among
young Armenian specialists of Diaspora and Armenia. According to him,
during the visits Diasporan Armenian young people not only associate
with the ancestors’ land but also get possibility to orient at place
in the issue of showing practical assistance to the Fatherland.

AGREEMENT ON INTERPARLIAMENTARIAN COOPERATION BEING PREPARED

National Assembly of RA, Armenia
June 13 2006

On June 12 RA NA President Tigran Torosyam received Bulgarian
Ambassador to Armenia Mr.Stephan Dimitrov.

The issues of strengthening the interparliamentarian relations
were discussed during the meeting. Mr. Dimitrov conveyed Bulgarian
Parliament Speaker Georgi Pirinsky’s congratulatory message to RA
NA President T. Torosyan on the occasion of assuming office and
readiness of cooperation deepening between two Parliaments. The
issues of signing the Cooperation Agreement between Armenian and
Bulgarian Parliaments was discussed as well, which will become as a
legal basis for the development of ties between friendship groups,
standing committees and staff.

RA NA President T. Torosyan highlighted the steps that will
follow the signing of the Agreement: the specific work both in
the sphere of interparliamentarian relations and in international
structures.The issues of deepening bilateral ties, exchange of
legislative experience,solidarity and cooperation of two Parliaments
were mutually evaluated.

AMBASSADOR RUBEN SHUGARIAN HANDS HIS CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENT OF
PORTUGAL

LISBON, JUNE 9, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Ambassador Ruben
Shugarian handed his credentials on June 6 to President of Portugal
Anibal Cavaco Silva.

Ambassador Shugarian met on the previous day with Rui Quartin Santos,
the Portugal Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General, State Protocol Head
Manuel Corte Real, Chief of Europe Countries’ Department Liliana
Arango and Emilio Rui Vilar, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of
the “Gulbenkian” fund.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA Foreign Ministry’s Press and
Information Department, during the conversations the RA Ambassador
spoke about Armenia, the region, integration of Armenia within the
framework of the European Neighborhood Policy, the Armenian-Turkish
relations and the present stage and process of the negotiations on the
Nagorno Karabakh problem.