Author: Liana Toganian

August 3, 2018 
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: www.westernprelacy.org


ARCHPRIEST FR. VAHAN GOSDANIAN APPOINTED PARISH PASTOR OF ST. GARABED CHURCH
OF LAS VEGAS

        We hereby announce to our faithful that by the decision of H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and the Religious and Executive
Councils, Archpriest Fr. Vahan Gosdanian has been appointed Parish Pastor of
St. Garabed Church in Las Vegas as of August 1st, 2018. He will be replacing
Rev. Fr. Arsen Kassabian, who has served as Parish Pastor since 2013.
        On Sunday, August 5, the Prelate will preside over Divine Liturgy at
St. Garabed Church in Las Vegas to introduce the new Parish Pastor to the
congregation. Fr. Vahan will celebrate his first Divine Liturgy and deliver
his first sermon at the parish.  
        Fr. Vahan was ordained to the priesthood in 1993. He previously
served as Parish Pastor of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Pasadena
(presently St. Sarkis Church) and Holy Trinity Church of Fresno. 
        We wish Fr. Vahan success in his new mission.  

***

ARMENIA'S MINISTER OF DIASPORA VISITS THE PRELACY

        On Tuesday, July 31, 2018, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy Armenia's new Diaspora Minister Mkhitar
Hayrapetyan, who is on first official visit to the United States. The
Minister was joined by his assistant Mr. Vagharshak Hakobyan and Counsellor
at the Consulate General of Armenia in Los Angeles Mr. Razmik Stepanyan. His
Eminence was joined by Vicar General Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Religious
Council Chair Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Central Executive member Mr.
Gaidzag Zetlian, ARF Central Committee member Mr. Levon Kirakosian,
Executive Council Chair Mr. Garo Eshgian and members, and members of the
Ladies Auxiliary.
        The visit began with a prayer at the "St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen"
Chapel, and continued at the "Sulahian" reception hall. Following
introductions, the Prelate welcomed the Minister and guests on behalf of the
Prelacy family and noting that he has been closely following the positive
changes in Armenia wished for our compatriots to live a free, independent,
safe, and good life in our motherland. His Eminence gave a brief overview of
the Prelacy's mission and endeavors over the past forty-five years,
expressed hope that the visit will be a new beginning for stronger
collaboration and strengthening of ties between Armenia, Artsakh, and the
Diaspora, and wished the Minister great success in his new mission.
        Remarks were delivered by Mr. Garo Eshgian, who affirmed the
Prelacy's support for the government and people of Armenia, and by Bishop
Torkom Donoyan, Mr. Gaidzag Zetlian, Mr. Levon Kirakosian, and Executive
Council Vice-Chair Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian, all of whom commended the
Minister and the efforts of the Ministry and conveyed well wishes. 
        Mr. Hayrapetyan expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and
sentiments. He highlighted the role of the Armenian Church in the
preservation and advancement of our heritage in the Diaspora and its unique
role throughout history in that regard. He stressed the importance of unity,
collaboration, and productivity, commended the leadership of Diaspora
institutions, such as the Prelacy, which aptly fulfill their role and
mission to bridge the people with our nation and heritage. 
        A discussion followed, during which the Minister thoroughly and
openly answered all questions and suggestions. The visit concluded with an
exchange of mementos.
        On the evening of Monday, July 30 a community town hall hosted by
Mayor Zareh Sinanyan under the auspices of the Ministry of Diaspora and the
Consulate General of Armenia in Los Angeles was held at Pacific Community
Center in Glendale. In the afternoon, a luncheon hosted by Armenia Fund in
honor of the Minister was held at Los Angeles Club. The Prelate attended
both events. On Sunday afternoon, the ARF Central Committee hosted a
reception at Holy Martyrs Church "Dikranian" Hall, which the Vicar General
attended.

***

SUMMER ACADEMY FOR YOUTH UNDERWAY AT THE CATHOLICOSATE IN ANTELIAS

        Under the auspices of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, on Monday,
July 30, 2018, the Summer Academy for Youth convened at the Catholicosate of
Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon with the participation of nearly 20 youth from
the Prelacies of the Eastern U.S., Western U.S., and Canada. The aim of the
Academy is to introduce participants to the Bible, Armenian Christianity and
the Church, as well as address various contemporary moral and ethical
issues. Stole-bearers Gary Markarian (Holy Martyrs Church, Encino), Vartan
Baltayan (St. Sarkis Church, Pasadena), Hrag Harboyan (Holy Cross Cathedral,
Montebello), and Menas Arisian (Holy Trinity Church, Fresno) are
participating from the Western Prelacy. 
        His Holiness presided over the opening session where he addressed
the participants and delivered the first lecture of the Academy titled "The
Armenian Church in World Christendom." Lecturers Very Rev. Fr. Boghos
Tinkjian, Very Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian, Prof. Teni Pirri- Simonian and
Prof. Joe Pirri participated.
        In his message to the youth, His Holiness stressed that though they
come from different communities they belong to one nation and one church,
adding that each participant will enrich the Academy with their unique
experiences and input. His Holiness stated that though the Academy is an
opportunity for the youth to increase their knowledge, it is important that
they implement what they learn in their service, adding, "Service within the
Armenian Church is not limited to serving at the altar; it extends to active
participation in the life of the Armenian nation." In his lecture, His
Holiness touched on the history of the Armenian Church, ecumenical and
inter-faith relations, social issues, and contribution to the Armenian
Cause. These topics will be discussed in further detail by the
aforementioned lecturers as well as by Dr. Mohammed Sammak, Dr. Nora
Bayrakdarian, Mrs. Seta Kedeshian, and Dr. Hovannes Geokjian. His Holiness
also spoke briefly about the Armenian community in Lebanon and the Church's
role in community life. 
        Participants had the opportunity to become acquainted with one
another and received a tour of the Catholicosate and its various
departments. At the session's conclusion, the youth engaged in a dialogue
with His Holiness. 

***
 

                                        Thursday, 

Armenia Not Eligible For U.S. Aid Scheme

        • Nane Sahakian

Armenia - First Deputy Prime Minister Ararat Mirzoyan speaks at a cabinet 
meeting in Yerevan, 22 May 2018.

Armenia can no longer qualify for a multimillion-dollar U.S. aid program 
because of what the World Bank regards as growth in living standards in the 
country, according to First Deputy Prime Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

The administration of former U.S. President George W. Bush launched the 
Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) program in 2006 in an effort to reward 
developing nations committed to major reforms. Shortly afterwards Armenia 
received $177 million in MCA funding for the rehabilitation of its rural 
irrigation networks.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government agency running 
the aid scheme, also planned to allocate $60 million for the reconstruction of 
the country’s rural roads. But it scrapped that allocation shortly after a 
disputed 2008 presidential election that was followed by a government crackdown 
on the Armenian opposition.

Former President Serzh Sarkisian’s government tried unsuccessfully to get the 
MCA to unfreeze aid to Armenia. U.S. officials said, among other things, that 
it is not doing enough to combat widespread corruption.

The United States signaled its readiness to boost its economic assistance to 
Armenia following a democratic revolution that swept Nikol Pashinian and his 
allies to power in early May. U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills said in late May 
that Washington is now exploring possibilities of doing that, including the MCA.

Mirzoyan discussed the issue with U.S. officials when he visited Washington 
last week. He said he was told that Armenia is not eligible for MCA funding 
anymore because the World Bank recently upgraded its status from a “lower 
middle income” to an “upper middle income” country.

Mirzoyan said he suggested that the U.S. government consider other channels of 
financial support for the new authorities in Yerevan. “If we no longer meet MCA 
criteria, then I think it’s definitely possible to think about a new mechanism 
whereby the U.S. would provide assistance to democracy in Armenia,” he told 
RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).

Ambassador Mills said last week that Washington is still considering increasing 
assistance to Armenia. “We are looking at what is possible, including changes 
in levels of our funding through the USAID and other U.S. government agencies,” 
he told reporters.

Suren Sargsian, an Armenian political analyst, was skeptical about the 
Pashinian government’s chances of securing greater U.S. aid. “I consider that 
unlikely at least at this stage, under the Trump administration, because the 
Trump administration’s [international] priorities are a bit different,” he said.

Sargsian suggested that the situation might change if the Democratic Party 
gains control over the U.S. Congress in the November mid-term elections. 
Democratic lawmakers have traditionally been more supportive of causes 
championed by the Armenian-American lobby groups than their Republican 
colleagues.




Kocharian Questioned Over 2008 Crackdown

        • Artak Hambardzumian

Armenia -- Former president Robert Kocharian gives an interview to RFE/RL, 
Yerevan, 5Sep2015

Investigators interrogated former President Robert Kocharian on Thursday in 
connection with a deadly 2008 crackdown on opposition protesters in Yerevan 
which he ordered during the final weeks of his rule.

Armenia’s Special Investigative Service (SIR) had for years avoided questioning 
Kocharian or his successor Serzh Sarkisian amid opposition allegations of a 
cover-up of the use of lethal force against supporters of Levon Ter-Petrosian, 
the main opposition candidate in the February 2008 presidential election.

Ter-Petrosian staged nonstop demonstrations against what he regarded as 
fraudulent results of the vote that gave victory to Sarkisian. Eight protesters 
and two police servicemen were killed as security forces quelled the protests 
on the night from March 1-2, 2008. Nobody has been prosecuted in connection 
with those deaths so far.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, who was a key backer of Ter-Petrosian in 2008, 
told the SIS to finally solve the killings when he appointed a new head of the 
law-enforcement agency, Sasun Khachatrian, on June 12. Shortly afterwards, the 
SIS decided to question Kocharian as a witness in the case.

The SIS gave no details of the interrogation which apparently lasted for 
between two and three hours. Khachatrian told reporters earlier in the day that 
it will be videotaped. He made clear that the video will not be made public.

Journalists waiting outside the main entrance to the SIS headquarters in 
Yerevan did not see Kocharian. The 63-year-old ex-president, who governed 
Armenia from 1998-2008,made his way into the building through another entrance.

Kocharian has repeatedly defended the post-election crackdown in the past, 
saying that it prevented a violent of seizure of power by the Ter-Petrosian-led 
opposition. Earlier this year, he blamed Pashinian for the post-election 
bloodshed. Pashinian was the main speaker at the anti-government protest broken 
up on that night.

Early this month, the SIS issued an arrest warrant for retired General Mikael 
Harutiunian, who served as defense minister during the 2008 unrest. It charged 
Harutiunian with illegally using the armed forces against the protesters, 
saying that amounted to an “overthrow of constitutional order.”

Kocharian declared a state of emergency and ordered army units into downtown 
Yerevan late on March 1, 2008 amid vicious clashes between protesters and 
security forces trying to disperse them. According to the SIS, Harutiunian 
started “illegally” deploying troops in the Armenian capital a week before the 
unrest.

On July 9, a spokesman for Kocharian denounced the accusations levelled against 
the fugitive ex-general as a “mockery of the law”




Kocharian Charged Over 2008 Crackdown

        • Artak Hambardzumian

Armenia -- Former president Robert Kocharian gives an interview to RFE/RL, 
Yerevan, 5Sep2015

Investigators moved to arrest Armenia’s former President Robert Kocharian on 
Thursday after filing criminal charges against him stemming from a deadly 2008 
crackdown on opposition protesters in Yerevan which was ordered by him.

The Special Investigative Service (SIR) charged Kocharian with “overthrowing 
constitutional order of Armenia” during the final weeks of his rule. The SIS 
asked a Yerevan court to remand him in pre-trial custody.

The extraordinary move followed Kocharian’s first-ever interrogation by SIS 
officials investigating the use of lethal force against supporters of Levon 
Ter-Petrosian, the main opposition candidate in the February 2008 presidential 
election.

Ter-Petrosian staged nonstop demonstrations against what he regarded as 
fraudulent results of the vote that gave victory to Serzh Sarkisian, 
Kocharian's preferred successor. Eight protesters and two police servicemen 
were killed as security forces quelled the protests on the night from March 
1-2, 2008. Nobody has been prosecuted in connection with those deaths so far.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, who was a key backer of Ter-Petrosian in 2008, 
told the SIS to finally solve the killings when he appointed a new head of the 
law-enforcement agency, Sasun Khachatrian, on June 12. Shortly afterwards, the 
SIS decided to question Kocharian as a witness in the case.

The SIS gave no details of the interrogation which apparently lasted for 
between two and three hours. Khachatrian told reporters earlier in the day that 
it will be videotaped. He made clear that the video will not be made public.

Journalists waiting outside the main entrance to the SIS headquarters in 
Yerevan did not see Kocharian. The 63-year-old ex-president, who governed 
Armenia from 1998-2008,made his way into the building through another entrance.

Kocharian has repeatedly defended the post-election crackdown in the past, 
saying that it prevented a violent of seizure of power by the Ter-Petrosian-led 
opposition. Earlier this year, he blamed Pashinian for the post-election 
bloodshed. Pashinian was the main speaker at the anti-government protest broken 
up on that night.

Early this month, the SIS issued an arrest warrant for retired General Mikael 
Harutiunian, who served as defense minister during the 2008 unrest. It charged 
Harutiunian with illegally using the armed forces against the protesters, 
saying that amounted to an “overthrow of constitutional order.”

Kocharian declared a state of emergency and ordered army units into downtown 
Yerevan late on March 1, 2008 amid vicious clashes between protesters and 
security forces trying to disperse them. According to the SIS, Harutiunian 
started “illegally” deploying troops in the Armenian capital a week before the 
unrest.

On July 9, a spokesman for Kocharian denounced the accusations levelled against 
the fugitive ex-genera l as a “mockery of the law”




Defiant Kocharian Decries ‘Political Vendetta’


Armenia - Former President Robert Kocharian is interviewed in his office, 
Yerevan, 8Apr2015. (Photo courtesty of 2rd.am)

Former President Robert Kocharian on Thursday rejected as baseless and 
politically motivated coup charges levelled against him by an Armenian 
law-enforcement body investigating the 2008 post-election violence in Yerevan.

“This is an absolutely fabricated accusation,” Kocharian told the Yerkir Media 
TV channel in an interview.

“This is clear political persecution, a vendetta by the ‘velvet revolution,”’ 
he said, adding that Armenia’s new government wants to “neutralize” him ahead 
of parliamentary elections expected in the coming months.

The Special Investigative Service (SIS) charged Kocharian with “overthrowing 
constitutional order” in the wake of a February 2008 presidential election 
official results of which gave victory to his preferred successor, Serzh 
Sarkisian. The main opposition presidential candidate, Levon Ter-Petrosian, 
rejected those results as fraudulent and held nonstop demonstrations in the 
Armenian capital, demanding a rerun of the disputed ballot.

Security forces broke up those protests on March 1-2, 2008. Eight protesters 
and two police servicemen died as a result.

Kocharian said that the coup charges brought against him ran counter to the 
decisions of Armenia’s Central Election Commission and the Constitutional Court 
that validated the official election outcome. He insisted that Ter-Petrosian 
garnered only 21.5 percent of the vote.

“As incumbent head of state, I was the carrier and guarantor of constitutional 
order. Did I overthrow myself in some strange way?” he said.

The SIS announced its decision to prosecute the ex-president and ask a Yerevan 
court to allow his arrest just hours after interrogating him in connection with 
the March 2008 unrest. It had summoned him to testify as a witness in the case.

Kocharian said SIS investigators told him right at the beginning of the 
interrogation that they now consider him a criminal suspect. “As soon as they 
changed my status I decided not to give testimony because when I read that 
indictment I was stunned,” he said.

The ex-president also made clear that he will not try to flee the country to 
avoid arrest. “I will go to jail and will fight till the end,” he said. “Where 
would I flee?”




Press Review



“Zhoghovurd” sees a serious toughening of Armenia’s official rhetoric in the 
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The paper says that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian 
has repeatedly stated that the existence of an “atmosphere conducive to peace” 
is essential for making progress towards the conflict’s resolution. “It is 
evident that Pashinian’s statements are primarily addressed to the 
international community, namely the world powers and the co-chairs of the OSCE 
Minsk Group,” it says. “After all, it is the international community which must 
be consistent in reining in Azerbaijan.”

“Zhamanak” reports that a radical opposition group whose armed members seized a 
police station in Yerevan in July 2016 plans to participate in snap 
parliamentary elections which are due to be held in Armenia later this year or 
in the first half of 2019.“Many believe that this force will be playing an 
unconstructive role and, having no big political prospects and being conscious 
of that, will heighten tensions,” writes the paper. It says it is too early to 
say whether the movement led by Zhirary Sefilian will revert to armed struggle 
in case of faring poorly in the elections.

“Aravot” questions the need for pre-term municipal elections in Yerevan, saying 
that former Mayor Taron Markarian or one of his allies could have continued to 
run the city under the new central government. “The main thing is for 
law-enforcement authorities to closely monitor things and prevent corrupt 
practices,” the paper writes in an editorial.

“We need reforms and other changes badly,” writes “Hraparak.” “The swap that 
was formed in Armenia over the decades is anathema to any progress and 
development. There is no doubt that our country needed fresh air brought by 
Nikol Pashinian and the public. It is only natural that people took to the 
streets in hopes of seeing positive change and is now patient. This is another 
reason why our young rulers are in a hurry. That haste is fraught with many 
dangers. One thing is clear: Nikol Pashinian’s government has hit various 
sectors and individuals and has moved many things at a time. It therefore runs 
the risk of failure.”

(Tigran Avetisian)


Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
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