Author: Khoyetsian Rose

Oppositionist: Due to their illegitimacy, Armenian authorities will
always have to make concessions in international arena

2008-07-04 23:05:00

ArmInfo. "Due to their illegitimacy, the Armenian authorities will
always have to make concessions in the international arena", Secretary
of Board of the Armenian People’s Party Grigor Haroutyunyan said at the
July 4 rally of the opposition in Yerevan.

According to him, it is the lack of legitimacy that explains such large
foreign political defeat of Armenia as the July 3 signing of the
Memorandum on strategic partnership between Russia and Azerbaijan and
fixing of pro-Azeri provisions in PACE Resolution 1614. "We have been
saying for 10 years that the regime’s illegitimacy in Armenia may lead
to exclusively large defeats in the Karabakh peace process and we see
these defeats every day", he said.

The representatives of the opposition Heritage party to the Central
Electoral Commission of Armenia Zoya Tadevossyan pointed out that after
the Mar 1 events there had been no more fight between the government
and the opposition. Mar 1 divided Armenia into two camps: the corrupt
regime whose only thought is how to rob its people and the society
yearning for justice and freedom.

During the rally the oppositionists read out statements by Armenian
public organizations of the United States, Russia and a number of other
countries in support of Levon Ter-Petrossyan’s movement.

Russia and Azerbaijan against changing state borders by force

2008-07-04 16:13:00

ArmInfo-TURAN. Azerbaijan and Russia are going to strengthen their
cooperation in the South Caucasus and the Caspian region, reads the
Friendship and Cooperation Declaration signed by the Russian and
Azerbaijani Presidents on Thursday. According to the document, the
sides are against changing the internationally recognized borders by
force, and evaluate this as inadmissible. The document reads about the
necessity to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the
commonly adopted norms and principles of international law as soon as
possible. This should be based on sovereignty and territorial
integrity, the inviolability of state borders, and the relevant
resolutions of the UN Security Council and the OSCE decisions.

The Declaration noted the necessity of efforts to reach a peaceful
solution to the problem, and to provide the voluntary and safe return
of the displaced people to their native places.

The document expressed satisfaction with the work of the commission for
the delimitation of state borders. The necessity of completing the
negotiations as soon as possible in order to sign the final
international agreement was noted.

The Declaration expressed the wish of the sides to strengthen and
expand their military- technical cooperation. According to the
document, the sides and their departments, services and other
organizations should not do anything against the sovereign and legal
rights and interests of each other.

Baku and Moscow called on the Caspian states to sign agreements similar
to those signed by Azerbaijan, Russia and Kazakhstan on the
delimitation of the Caspian seabed to use the sea’s natural resources
efficiently and justly.

RA FOREIGN MINISTER’S THREE-DAY WORKING VISIT TO FINLAND FINISHES

NOYAN TAPAN

JU LY 4

RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian was in Helsinki on a working
visit on July 1-3 at the invitation of Foreign Minister of Finland,
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Alexander Stubb. During the visit, he had
meetings with A. Stubb, Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office
Heikki Talvitie, and Chairman of Finnish Parliament’s Chief Commission
Erkki Tuomioja.

During the meeting with A. Stubb, E. Nalbandian referring to
similarities between Armenia and Finland and great potential of
development of relations said that it gives a possibility for
undertaking steps aimed at activization of cooperation in various
spheres. At the request of his Finnish colleague the RA Foreign
Minister presented the results of the meeting between the Armenian and
Azeri Presidents a month ago in Saint Petersburg, the discussions held
during the regional visit of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs. A. Stubb
said that he completely supports the activity of the Minsk Group
Co-chairs and considers that the Nagorno Karabakh problem should be
solved only peacefully.

The Ministers exchanged thoughts on Armenia-EU relations and prospects,
OSCE reforms.

During the meeting with E. Tuomioja, E. Nalbandian discussed problems
of deepening of interparliamentary relations, issues related to
cooperation of Armenian and Finnish parliamentary delegations at
international organizations’ parliamentary assemblies.

Issues of ensuring regional security and stability were discussed
during the RA Foreign Minister’s meeting with H. Talvitie.

According to the report provided to Noyan Tapan by the RA Foreign
Ministry Press and Information Department, E. Nalbandian also visited
the central headquarters of the Nokia company, where he got acquainted
with company’s activity and long-term plans.

WHERE IS THE SECRET OF CORRUPTION HIDDEN?
Arthur Hovhannisyan

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
July 03, 2008
Armenia

Speaking about the anti-corruption struggle initiated by the government
Tigran Sargsyan pointed out two spheres.

"In my view the stem of corruption from where we must start if we want
to be a success is the sphere of tax and customs bureaucracy. This is
the sphere where all the secrets are hidden. Here is the secret of the
construction of a democratic society; here is the secret of the ability
to hold free and fair elections, issues connected with free rivalry,
issues connected with the formation of a normal business atmosphere.

All the bases nourishing corruption are hidden in the spheres of tax
and customs bureaucracy. And it is a very profound problem. Therefore
we have targeted these two spheres. I believe if we record success in
these two spheres during the coming 3 years, believe me after 5 years
we will live in a qualitatively different society. It is an illness.

How are we going to solve this problem? How are we going to get rid
of this sickness in the tax and customs spheres? We have elaborated
a clear program.

The best specialists of the world have participated in the elaboration
of this program, for example from New Zealand, a country, which is
considered a champion for the low level of corruption. They have
already examined our program, our approaches.

What do we need? Firstly this program must be a complex program,
which means it must cover all the issues.

Second: this program can’t be implemented eclectically, which means
we must put into effect all the points of the program.

Third: this program must be a public program and you must follow the
process of the implementation of all the points. If we are late in
something then we must make a public report and explain the reason why
we are late in the implementation of this or that point of the program.

The program that we have already submitted includes certain norms,
which will give us the opportunity to exclude corruption risks in tax
and customs spheres. They are new rules regarding the behavior of the
employees of the tax service, it is the creation of a counter-balance
inside the tax service, it is the council formed under the Prime
Minister, it is the function of monitoring, which will be implemented
in the office very close to the Prime Minister.

The formation of the before mentioned counter-balances, the exclusion
of risks and the publicity gives us an opportunity to have qualitative
changes in this sphere during the coming 3 years."

As we know one of the requirements of GREKO is to reduce the number
of the persons with immunity right. What are we doing in this regard?

According to the Prime Minister: "The clear attitude of the President
is to reduce the number of the persons with immunity right, everyone
is equal in front of the law. Only a small group of people will enjoy
this right, based on political requirement and taking into account
the international practice.

Unfortunately in our reality the list of the persons with immunity
right is too big. According to the clear stance of the country’s
President and international experts we must review this list. We
completely agree with the position of GREKO regarding this issue.

Can we consider satisfactory the work of the law enforcers in fighting
corruption?

"If we say that at the moment corruption is the most serious problem
in the Republic of Armenia, this means the problem still exists and
we didn’t manage to solve this problem together with the law enforcers.

But if we speak about the future, then we must say that the program
and the work implemented by the law enforcers at the moment really
inspires great hope. I strongly believe very soon our society will
see that these steps are really productive."

Untitled DocumentPress Release
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 689-7810
Fax: (212) 689-7168
Email: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – July 3, 2008

13th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PONTIFICATE OF CATHOLICOS ARAM I
The 13th anniversary of the election and consecration of His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, was commemorated
with pontifical blessings last Sunday, June 29, at the Cathedral of St.
Gregory the Illuminator in Antelias, Lebanon.
The consecration of His Holiness took place on July 1, 1995,
officiated by His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians.
A Pontifical Blessing will be offered in all Prelacy churches
this Sunday, July 6, 2008

22nd ANNUAL ST. GREGORY OF DATEV INSTITUTE IN PROGRESS
Seventy-five students (ages 13-18) from ten parishes, and seven
clergymen, are at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, for the 22nd annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer
Program, under the directorship of His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian,
Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy. The summer program began last Friday,
June 27 and will continue through to this Sunday, July 6.
Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) of the
Prelacy, the Summer Program offers a unique opportunity for our youth to
learn the essentials of Armenian Christianity in a wholesome and nurturing
environment. Each day the program begins with Morning Service from
7:15am-7:45am. Four classes are held from 8:30am to 12:30pm. In the
afternoons, the students enjoy recreational activities, such as volleyball,
soccer, basketball, and swimming. In the evenings, there is a general
lecture from 7:30 to 8:20, followed by three concurrent Bible studies from
8:30-9:30 for different age groups. The day comes to a close with the
Compline Service (Husgoom) from 9:45-10:30pm.
The Instructors of the Institute this year are: His Grace Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, Rev. Fr. Khoren Habeshian, Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Rev. Fr.
Nerses Manoogian, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, Dn.
Shant Kazanjian, Ms. Nayiri Baljian, Mrs. Denise Borekjian and Ms. Jeanette
Nazarian.
In addition to the regular faculty, this year the Institute has four guest
speakers: Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, Th.D., Rev. Kenneth E. Bailey, Th.D., Dn.
Dr. Vahan Kouyoumdjian, and Tom Samuelian, Ph.D.
The summer program will come to an end on Sunday, July 6, with
the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, at St. Gregory
the Illuminator Church in Philadelphia. Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar
of the Prelacy, and director of the Datev Institute will deliver the sermon.
A Blessing of the Water service will take place with the newly consecrated
Muron that took place in Antelias in June. . Graduation of students who have
completed the Datev program will follow the Liturgy.

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL VISIT DATEV ON JULY 4
On Friday, July 4, Archbishop Oshagan will travel to
Pennsylvania where he will spend the day with the youth gathered at St. Mary
of Providence Center, for the Datev summer institute. His Eminence will
attend the traditional picnic that takes place each year on July 4th during
Datev with shish kebob and all the trimmings.and more.prepared and hosted by
Mrs. Asdghig Kazanjian, owner of Philadelphia’s popular Armenian Delight
gourmet food store.

HMEM OLYMPICS
Archbishop Oshagan will open the HMEM Olympics on Saturday, July
5 in Chicago. On Sunday he will preside over the Divine Liturgy in Glenview,
IL.

PRELACY’S YOUTH GATHERING IN SEPTEMBER
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the
jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia, a youth seminar/retreat will take
place September 26-28, 2008. The retreat, open to anyone ages 18 to 35, will
take place at the St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Retreat Center in Charlton,
Massachusetts. The event is being planned and prepared for youth by youth,
in collaboration with the Prelate, the Vicar General, and the Prelacy
Executive Council. The agenda will feature a variety of excellent speakers
and two workshops on the Badarak, all aimed to educate and enrich the youth
of the Armenian Church.
If you have any questions send an email to:
[email protected].

MAJOR RENOVATION UNDERWAY AT ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL
Major renovation of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City
has begun. Until the renovation is completed the Divine Liturgy will be
offered every Sunday at 10:40 a.m. at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th
Street, Woodside, New York.

YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
has designated the year 2008 as the "Year of Christian Education."
To read His Holiness’ message in Armenian click here.
To read His Holiness’ message in English click here.

PAN-DIASPORA YOUTH CONFERENCE
A pan-Diaspora youth conference will take place in Antelias,
Lebanon, on August 14-16. Under the theme, "The Armenian youth face the
challenges of the 21st century," the conference will feature lectures, and
round table and group discussions. More than 100 youth from the various
dioceses within the Catholicosate of Cilicia will participate. Travel
subsidies are available. For information contact your local parish or the
Prelacy office, 212-689-7810.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, July 3, are: Exodus 19:16-20; 1 Kings
19:11-16; Hebrews 12:18-27; Luke 9:27-36.
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning,
as well as a thick cloud on the mountain, and a blast of a trumpet so loud
that all the people who were in the camp trembled. Moses brought the people
out of the camp to meet God. They took their stand at the foot of the
mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the Lord had
descended upon it in fire; the smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, while
the whole mountain shook violently. As the blast of the trumpet grew louder
and louder, Moses would speak and God would answer him in thunder. When the
Lord descended upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, the Lord
summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
For listing of the week’s Bible readings click here.

ST. ISAIAH THE PROPHET
Today, July 3, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the
Prophet Isaiah, who lived 700 years before the Birth of Christ. Isaiah was
called to prophetic service during the reign of Uzziah, king of Judea, and
he prophesied for 60 years. The book of Isaiah is the longest of the
prophetic books in the Old Testament. He foretold many events including the
captivity of the Jews and their return from captivity during the reign of
Emperor Cyrus. Most significantly, Isaiah foretold the coming of the
Messiah, Christ the Savior.

STS. THADDEUS AND SANDOUKHT
This Saturday, July 5, the Armenian Church celebrates the lives
of St. Thaddeus and St. Sandoukht. According to the historian Movses
Khorenatsi, the apostle Thaddeus came to Edessa where he healed the sick and
baptized King Abgar. Khorenatsi writes that from Edessa, Thaddeus went to
Armenia where he preached and converted the Armenian king, Sanatrouk, and
the king’s daughter, Sandoukht. When faced with the opposition of his
governors, the king recanted his conversion. Sandoukht, however, refused to
renounce the Christian faith. She was imprisoned and executed by order of
her father, and thus became Armenia’s first martyr.
Thaddeus was martyred at Artaz (in present day northern Iran).
The Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus is built on the apostle’s tomb.
During the early 20th century the monastery was an important crossroads for
the defense of the Armenian population of Van, Daron and surrounding areas.
A popular annual pilgrimage by Armenians from around the world takes place
in July. During the four-day festival thousands gather in tents pitched on
the monastery grounds, attend services, sing and dance in remembrance of St.
Thaddeus, one of the two apostles who brought Christianity to Armenia. St.
Thaddeus Monastery and the other famous Armenian monastery in northern Iran,
St. Stephen Monastery, on the banks of the Arax River, have undergone major
renovations in recent years.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES
This year we are marking the dual anniversaries of the 110th anniversary of
the establishment of the Armenian Prelacy of America by Catholicos Mgrditch
(Khrimian Hairig), and the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy
See of Cilicia. We continue to seek any type of memorabilia and photographs.
Please contact us by email at [email protected] or by telephone
212-689-7810, Extension 23. We thank many of you who have already responded.

This week’s photo is one of many given to us by Hagop Khatchadourian, nephew
of Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian, and currently secretary of the Prelacy’s
Executive Council. The photo was
taken in Washington, DC. Hrant Srpazan and Rev. Fr. Moushegh Der Kaloustian
are with Congressman Henry C. Schadeberg (left) of Wisconsin, and
Congressman Edward Derwinski of Illinois. The exact date of the photo is not
certain, but it is in the early 1960s.

REMEMBERING CATHOLICOS KAREKIN I
Last Sunday, June 29, was the ninth anniversary of the passing of His
Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians from 1995 to 1999;
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia from 1977 to 1995; and Prelate of
the Eastern Prelacy from 1973 to 1977.

THE FOURTH OF JULY
Tomorrow, July 4, we commemorate the 232nd anniversary of the adoption of
the United States Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was 33 years
old when he wrote the first draft of the Declaration as a member of a
committee that included John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Some changes were
made in the draft, but it remains primarily the work of Jefferson that was
adopted on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia.

REV. FR. BEDROS SHETILIAN WILL CONDUCT TROY ORCHESTRA
IN FOURTH OF JULY PROGRAM
And, speaking of the Fourth of July, Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian, pastor of
St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, and Holy Cross Church,
Troy, New York, will conduct the newly-formed Troy Orchestra in an
Independence Day concert tonight, July 3, at 6 pm, River Front Park, Troy,
New York. Der Bedros is the music director of the new orchestra. To read an
article that appeared in the Times Union click here.

A MINI SERMON
Do we really understand what the words faith and devotion mean? Can we
honestly say that we try to do our best with the gifts that God has given
us? What I have observed unfortunately among a great number of people is
that as Christians we like to pick and choose what we will or will not
believe or what we will or not do. If we call ourselves Orthodox Christians,
then we cannot say that everything and anything is acceptable. This is an
absurd assumption and conclusion especially if we profess to take our faith
and relationship with Jesus Christ with any seriousness.
Our society is in serious need of being redeemed and healed but in
order to be cured it first must come to the reality that we are suffering
from it. Are we ready to do this? There no longer exists a sense of right or
wrong, responsibility for our actions, or the acknowledgement of sin in our
daily lives. Everything has become a matter of individual convenience and
gratification, even if our action has an adverse effect on the rest of
society as a whole. There is no disputing the unmistakable reality that we
have definitely lost our way out of the light and have entered into the
realm of darkness. There is only one that can lead us back to light and that
one is Jesus Christ. The choice is ours.
Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian
Pastor, St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley
North Andover, Massachusetts

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 27 to July 6-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, Summer Christian Studies
Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council. For
more information click here.

July 7 to July 18-Summer Camp at St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New
York. For children age 5 to 12. 10 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday, lunch and
snack included. Minimum donation is $150. Summer camp is sponsored by Mr. &
Mrs. Antranig and Marion Boudakian. For information contact the church
office, 718-224-2275.

July 14 to August 1-St. Illuminator’s Day School Summer Program, July 14
through August 1, for children ages 3 to 10, Monday through Friday, 9 am to
2 pm. Armenian language, history, Bible readings, arts and crafts, sports
and much more. For information and registration contact the school office
718-478-4073 or the Cathedral office 212-689-5880.

July 19-"A Hye Summer Night 3," dance hosted by Ladies’ Guild of Sts.
Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode Island. For details
401-434-4467.

August 5-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 9th annual
golf outing at Blackstone National Golf Club, Summon, Massachusetts.
Information: 508-234-3261.

August 17-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, picnic and
blessing of the grapes, officiated by Archbishop Oshagan and New England
area clergy. On church grounds, beginning at 12 noon. For information:
508-234-3677 or

August 17-St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, Feast of the Assumption of the Holy
Mother of God and Blessing of the Grapes, and picnic, at the Armenian
Center, Woodside, NY. For information 212-689-5880.

September 7-Annual picnic Festival of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, at American Legion Grounds, Haverhill, Massachusetts,
beginning at 12 noon.

August 3-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Blessing of the
Grapes picnic. Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, noon to 6 pm, rain or
shine.

August 10-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. Annual
picnic on church grounds. Free admission; free parking.

August 17-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, annual church
picnic and blessing of the grapes at Dunkerhook Park, Pavilion D, Paramus,
NJ. For information 201-943-2950.

September 14-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Celebration of
the Holy Cross and Madagh. For information 201-943-2950.

September 21-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, annual
church banquet. Details to follow.

September 25-Sixth annual golf outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For information contact Richard Krikorian 201-784-2236 or church office
201-943-2950.

September 26-28-National Youth Conference at Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

September 29-30-Clergy conference at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

October 17-18-Annual Fall Fair of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall.

October 21, November 1 and 2-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.

November 9-38th anniversary of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, and 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy See of
Cilicia, presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan at Jaffarian Hall
following Divine Liturgy.

October 25-Gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America under the jurisdiction of the Great
House of Cilicia and the 110th anniversary of the establishment of the
Armenian Church of America. Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New Jersey.
Details to follow.

November 21 and 22-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Fall Food Festival.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox, add
[email protected] to your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please credit
Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]

"WE CONDEMN THIS FRIVOLOUS POLICY"

A1+
02 July, 2008

The Centre for Armenian National Culture (Germany), The Initiative
for Armenian Democrats (Germany) and the Committee for Armenian
Democrats (Sweden) issued a statement which runs, "We condemn Serzh
Sarkissian’s statement made during a Moscow visit. Armenia’s President
voices support to Turkey’s proposal to set up a commission to study
historic facts. Serzh Sarkissian puts the issue of the Genocide into
question with his step."

For centuries the Armenians spread all over the world have directed
painstaking efforts to the international recognition and condemnation
of the Armenian Genocide. Many governments, parliaments, social and
political institutions, international organisations, world-known
scientists, historians, writers and political figures have already
recognised the historic fact. Some countries have even adopted laws
on punishing all those who will refute the Armenian Genocide claims.

Before making such irresponsible statements Serzh Sarkissian should
think of their possible outcome.

Armenia’s President ignores the fact that the Armenian Genocide has
been recognised by many countries and by the European Parliament. He
ignores the massive efforts of the Armenian Diaspora, the vicious
assassination of Hrant Dink and numerous other facts and supports
Turkey’s thesis to study whether genocide has ever been perpetrated.

The President’s policy doesn’t reflect the Armenians’ interests and
betrays the 1.5 million Armenians killed during the Genocide.

We condemn this frivolous policy and call on Serzh Sarkissian to give
up that treacherous and perfidious idea.

ISN’T FOUNDATION IN THE KNOW?

A1+
02 July, 2008

The "Hayastan" Pan-Armenian Foundation launched a programme of rural
development in Tavush Marz on September 18, 2007.

According to the foundation’s web site the programme covers all
frontier villages of the republic.

Six villages of Idzevan are also included in the programme-Aknaghbyur,
Azatamut, Khashtarak, Ditavan, Lusadzor and Lusahovit. Actually,
only Azatamut borders on Azerbaijan. The others are about 6-10
km away from Idzevan. Obviously, the frontier villages (Chinari,
Voskepar, Berkaber, Barekamavan, and Koti) are most vulnerable from
the socio-economic point of view.

AWARDING MEDALS AND DEGREES

A1+
01 July, 2008

On July 1 in connection with the Day of Prosecutorial Associate RA
President Serzh Sargssian signed a decree on awarding a Mkhitar Gosh
medal to RA Deputy Prosecutor General, State Councilor of Justice
Aram Tamazian for his great contribution in strengthening the legal
system in Armenia.

On the same day the President also signed a decree on awarding a
degree of a third class state councilor to RA Deputy Prosecutor
General Armen Danielian.

Another degree of a third class state councilor was awarded to the
Prosecutor General of Shirak Region Davit Sargssian and Head of
the RA Office of the Prosecutor General Euro-integration Department
Hovhannes Stepanian.

KOSOVO TO RECEIVE MORE RECOGNITIONS

New Kosova Report
June 30 2008
Sweden

The Republic of Kosovo is promised to receive more recognitions as
the legal processes have began in several countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malta, Tonio Borg, announced at the
EU summit in Brussels last week that his country has begun the legal
procedure to recognize the Republic of Kosovo. During an interview he
gave for Tirana’s Alsat TV, Borg expressed enthusiasm that his country
"will be establishing diplomatic ties with the new country very soon,
most likely at the beginning of July." Another diplomatic source
is quoted saying that "Portugal is to begin the recognition process
very soon."

Last week the Armenian president during an interview for the Russian
press also stressed that "Armenia appraises the commitment for freedom
and self-determination and does not exclude the chance to recognize and
set full diplomatic ties with the new nation, the Republic of Kosovo."

The Bangladeshi Prime Minister Fakhruddin Ahmed during a meeting
with the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh, James F. Moriarty,
has affirmed that "Bangladesh will recognize the new European
country." The Prime Minister also assured the US ambassador that
"Bangladesh is committed to lobbing Asian Muslim countries to recognize
Kosovo. Bangladesh will actively contribute to the development
of Kosovo."

Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the state of Qatar, Sheikh
Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, at an Islamic summit in Uganda
declared that "his country is in the process of recognizing the
Republic of Kosovo." The information was also confirmed by Qatar’s
UN representative during a meeting with the Foreign Minister of the
Republic of Kosovo.

The Kosovo Foreign Minister, Skender Hyseni, met with several
Asian and African ambassadors and representatives at the United
Nations. According to Hyseni, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Yemen,
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman representatives at the UN have assured
him that "they will recognize the new country."

806301003/Politics/Kosovo-to-receive-more-recognit ions.html

Panorama.am

16:17 28/06/2008

ARMENIA IN BEIJING OLYMPIC GAMES

Armenian delegation is going to take part in 29th Summer Olympic Games
in Beijing on August 8-24, said the Minister of Sport and Youth
Affairs Armen Grigoryan, today. Armenia will have 25 rates of
sportsmen and will present 7 types of sport, in particular,
Greco-Roman Wrestling, boxing, weight lifting, track and field
athletics, shooting, swimming and judo.

`Sport is in its highest level in the world that it is a must to get a
certain rate and take part in Olympic games, and this is honorable for
the country and the same is for Armenia too,’ said
A. Grigoryan. According to the order all the Olympic committees which
take part in the Olympic Games celebrate a national day in Beijing.

According to the Minister, on August 11 Armenia will celebrate
Armenian Day in Beijing. The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan will
also take part in the ceremony.

Source: Panorama.am