Church news: Mission to armenia

Church news: Mission to armenia

Belfast Telegraph, UK
June 18 2005

SIX members of Elmwood Presbyterian Church, in Lisburn, will travel
to Nor Gekhi near the Armenian capital, Yerevan, in July to work
at a Scripture Union campsite. It is the third year in succession
for the Elmwood representatives to take part in the event, held in
conjunction with the Brotherhood of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In
previous years, they have helped with building work on the site and
participated in local Christian and church meetings.

Armenian Ambassador to Russia visited Russian Saratov region

ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA VISITED RUSSIAN SARATOV REGION

Pan Armenian News
18.06.2005 03:19

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Within the framework of an unofficial visit Armenian
Ambassador to Russia Armen Smbatyan visited Saratov Friday. The
diplomat met with Saratov region Governor Pavel Ipatov, Bishop of
Saratov and Volsk Longin and representatives of the local Armenian
community. The Ambassador also planted a tree in the National Village
Armenian yard of the local ethnographic museum under open sky. “The
foreign policy of our state lies in building relations exactly with
Russian provinces,” A. Smbatyan commented on the goal of his visit to
Saratov. In his words, “the Saratov region is one of the closest and
most interesting regions to Armenia.” “The Governor was changed here
lately and I considered necessary to come here to get acquainted with
Pavel Ipatov, invite him to Armenia with an official call and adjust
the framework and the terms of the signing of a large agreement on
cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Saratov region
of Russia that will include the economic, cultural and educational
blocks,” the Ambassador explained. “We are interested in increasing
the volume of commodity turnover between Armenia and the Saratov
region, especially in the military industry and tourism,” the Armenian
diplomat said.

BANGKOK: A force more powerful

A force more powerful

Bangkok Post – Thailand; Jun 17, 2005
Mimi Grachangnetara

She comes from a land where the air is clean and the puddings are to
die for. Yet years ago, an inscrutable force drew Linda and her late
husband to Asia, and eventually to Thailand, where they founded Baan
Nor Giank, a home for abandoned children from HIV infected parents,
right in the heart of Bangkok. What was the driving force behind this
decision and in which direction will life lead her next? Linda
Kevorkian tells real.time that God alone has the answers to all of
her questions.

Coming from as far as Yorkshire in England, tell us about how you
ended up in the Far East? You’ve been in Thailand since 1992?

Before living in Thailand I lived between the UK and Singapore where
my husband Bob ran a construction company. I came to Thailand when
Bob moved his business interests here.

Baan Nor Giank Home was set up 6 years after you came to Thailand.
Tell us about its history, and what motivated you to establish such a
home?

As a Christian, I am a firm believer that God can _ and does _ talk
to us if we are willing to listen. Although some people may find that
odd, I know that’s what happened to me. There was obviously a need
for the home _ I had seen that already _ but had no thoughts about
setting out on the road I did until the idea just seemed to “drop”
into my mind during my morning prayers.

To me it was the clearest message of God’s will, and how could I
possibly ignore that. My husband Bob was very supportive, especially
when he saw how determined I was. He was Armenian and so we chose the
name Nor Giank, which is Armenian for new life _ for that is what we
are giving these children who without the home would face enormous
obstacles in life.

How well-informed do you think Thais are in general about the Aids
problem?

Something that has really surprised me since taking up this work is
the reactions of different people, which are often different from
what you would expect. In particular I have found that it is often
the working people, those with less education, who are more willing
to embrace HIV positive kids and happy to have contact with them day
by day.

By contrast, it is distressing to find that some better-educated
people, who should know better, still maintain prejudices. But in
general, I think Thailand has done a good job of education on the
subject _ certainly better than some other countries.

The general misunderstanding is that someone who is HIV positive has
got Aids. What’s the difference between the two?

People don’t actually die of Aids, but from any of the hundreds of
opportunistic infections and cancers that can attack the body because
of the damage the HIV virus can do to the immune system. But when
someone is HIV positive, they have been infected with the HIV virus
but do not show any symptoms. In the 1980s, when this virus first
showed up, the progression from being positive to what we call
“full-blown Aids” was common and often quite rapid.

But these days, so great have been the advances in therapy that the
virus, while still a threat to the carrier’s immune system, can be
easily kept in check. All this takes is money to pay for the drugs
and sensible choices about a healthy lifestyle. The point is that no
one can tell just by looking at someone whether they are positive or
not. The other point is that the disease is very difficult to catch _
it’s important to remember that because there is still needless fear
among many people out there.

How would you rate Thailand in terms of fighting this disease
compared to other developing countries?

I am very impressed by the way the government has been so willing to
be involved, making sure that the country is at the forefront of
benefiting from worldwide research. They have worked well with NGOs _
and I must single out Medecins Sans Frontieres here _ to fight the
large pharmaceutical monopolies in Aids drugs and make the cheap
generic drugs available to keep positive people healthy.

The Kevorkian Foundation, which fully supports Baan Nor Giank, relies
solely on donations from companies, individuals and friends. Do you
sometimes go to sleep worrying about not having enough money to
operate the foundation one day?

To be honest I don’t. Partly that’s my faith and belief that this is
the work God wants me to do. But it’s also due to the great
generosity I’ve seen from all sorts of people around the world when
they hear of the home. That has been really overwhelming. People have
opened their hearts _ and their wallets _ and have been offering
their time to make the home possible.

What puts a smile on your face?

I love to smile and laugh, but I think the thing that gives me the
most pleasure is to see my little ones coming home from school _
having the brood all back again. We send them off looking spick and
span and they come back tired out and a lot messier _ tired but
happy, with a real sense of something achieved after a busy school
day.

Some people don’t believe in adoption _ how can you change their
minds?

I wouldn’t try. Adoption can provide as safe and loving an
environment as biological children receive, but I recognise that it
isn’t for everyone. And for the children’s sake, the commitment must
be there.

Is Thailand your home? Do you plan to go elsewhere to set up a
Kevorkian Foundation?

Thailand is my home. Bob and I made a good life here and despite the
tragic loss of my husband earlier this year, I have no plans to move.
I have quite enough on my plate at present. But I will follow God’s
will, should He wish me to do this work elsewhere. I would ask Him,
though, that He not do that too soon, as there are plenty of
challenges here and now!

Yorkshire or Bangkok _ which do you prefer and why?

I love both places in different ways. I miss the seasons in Yorkshire
_ well not winter so much _ but spring and autumn. But Bangkok is my
home and where most of my family live. The lifestyle here is very
good and I have many good friends in town. Home is, after all, where
the heart is. My husband Bob said he found Thailand welcoming from
the very start and we have been happy here.

Being the mother of five children, how do you find the time and
energy to run the foundation and provide for your brood?

While I think that your children always need you, most of my family
are now grown up, although as a lively seven-year-old, Sam takes
time. But I have a lot of helpers, from staff at home to those who
work tirelessly at Nor Giank. You just get on with it really.

How do you turn away an aspiring foster parent whom you think is not
ready to adopt?

The children’s welfare is the most important thing. But in Thailand
there are very strict criteria for adoption and the Department of
Public Welfare does the sifting.

Where do you see yourself going from here?

Our most difficult challenge now is to find land to build our own
permanent home. There have been a few possibilities, but none have so
far worked out. Ideally, we want something not too far from Bangkok,
but with clean air and good communications.

What’s been the most difficult part of establishing this foundation?

The hardest part was, in the beginning, finding a landlord who was
willing to accept HIV positive people living there, but we got over
that with God’s help the same way that we will deal with all of our
future challenges.

For more information about the Kevorkian Foundation, which runs Baan
Nor Giank, kindly contact 02-258-5252, email
[email protected] or visit

www.bangkokbabyhome.com

Cathedral “Avaks” head up north

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 16, 2005
___________________

ARARAT CENTER HOSTS SENIOR GROUP

The St. Vartan Cathedral “Avaks” senior citizens group spent three days
at the Diocesan Ararat Center in Greenville, NY, from June 1 to 3, 2005.

This year, 30 seniors made the trip. It was the second year the seniors
group had a retreat at the Ararat Center in the heart of the Catskill
Mountains, and this year’s program was expanded to three days after last
year’s successful event.

The group visited with the senior citizens of nearby St. Peter Church in
Watervliet, NY, before heading to the Ararat Center. During the
retreat, lead by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, the
seniors had worship services, Bible study, and watched a movie. They
were also treated to a performance by the Armenian Dance Ensemble from
the St. Peter Church. Part of the program also included a refreshing
tour of the Catskill area.

Joining Fr. Chevian were Fr. Bedros Kadehjian and Dn. Levon Kirakosyan.

“The whole retreat was a wonderful get away from the city,” Fr. Chevian
said. “And the Ararat Center is the perfect place for such a retreat.
It’s good to see groups like our Avaks and others from our parishes
using this resource. It’s beautiful up there, and very contusive to
building fellowship and growing spiritually and educationally.”

The public will have a chance to visit the Ararat Center on August 6,
when it hosts the second annual Ararat Center Festival, a chance for the
Armenian public to gather for fun, music, and food in the
picture-perfect location.

Since it was bought last year, the Ararat Center has been used not only
by the St. Vartan Camp program, but also seniors groups, seminarians
from St. Nersess Seminary, parish organizations, and the Association of
Armenian Church Choirs of America (AACCA).

For more information on renting the facilities or the Ararat Center
Festival, visit the Ararat Center website:

— 6/16/05

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): The St. Vartan Cathedral “Avaks” meet with the
seniors of the St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY, on Wednesday, June 1,
2005, on the first day of a three-day get away to the Catskill
Mountains.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): About 30 members of the “Avaks” senior citizens
group from New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral spent three days at the
Diocesan Ararat Center in upstate New York from June 1 to 3, 2005.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral,
and Fr. Bedros Kadehjian lead a morning service for members of the
cathedral’s “Avaks” senior citizens group at the Ararat Center in
Greenville, NY.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): Young dancers from the St. Peter Church of
Watervliet, NY, entertain the St. Vartan Cathedral “Avaks” seniors group
during the seniors’ three-day stay at the Diocesan Ararat Center in
Greenville, NY, from June 1 to 3, 2005.

# # #

www.armenianchurch.org
www.araratcenter.org.
www.armenianchurch.org.

Armenian President Hands St. Mesrop Mashtots Order To Gasprom OJSCCh

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT HANDS ST. MESROP MASHTOTS ORDER TO GASPROM OJSC CHAIRMAN

YEREVAN, June 16. /ARKA/. Armenian President Robert Kocharyan handed
St. Mesrop Mashtots order to Gasprom OJSC Board Chairman Alexey
Miller for considerable contribution to Armenian-Russian economic
relations development. According to Armenian Presidential Press
Service, Kocharyan and Miller discussed Armgasprom CJSC activity and
expressed satisfaction with it.

They also talked about Iran-Armenia gas pipeline and Gasprom’s other
investment programs in Armenia. The sides also discussed regional
energy programs.

ArmRosgasprom CJSC is the only natural gas provider to Armenia. The
company was established in 1997. Its cofounders are Gasprom Russian
OJSC (45%), ITERA (10%) and Armenian Energy Ministry (45%).

ArmRosGasprom CJSC authorized capital totals $270mln. M.V. -0–

Cossacks of Azerbaijan << intend to help Baku solve Karabakh issue>>

COSSACKS OF AZERBAIJAN «INTEND TO HELP BAKU SOLVE KARABAKH ISSUE»

Pan Armenian News
16.06.2005 06:55

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Friendly Association of Azeri Cossacks (FAAC)
has asked Republic President Ilham Aliyev to form a Cossack battalion
within the National Army. Baku MPs have supported Cossacks. FAAC
leaders do not conceal that the decision of the Russian State Duma,
passed the Bill on State Service of Russian Cossacks in the first
reading on May 18 ~V on the day of the 200th anniversary of the Don
Cossacks’ capital of Novocherkassk. By the way, it is submitted for
consideration by the MPs by Vladimir Putin. The document provides
for service of Russian Cossacks in Armed Forces. The formations they
will join will given traditional Cossack names. FAAC Chairman Victor
Mereshkin explained that Cossacks of Azerbaijan has studied the bill
and asked President Ilham Aliyev to lobby a similar one. «We are
ready to do everything to assist the country leadership in solving
the Karabakh problem. Karabakh should belong to Azerbaijan not only
de jure, but also de facto,» Mereshkin said. In his words, there are
1.5 thousand Cossacks in Azerbaijan. He reported that according to
the statute of Cossacks, representatives of other nationalities,
including Azeris, can serve in Cossack battalions. Baku MPs have
already stated they are ready to support the FAAC initiative. Milli
Mejlis Deputy Mais Safarli urged to legalize the activities of
local Cossacks. «Victor Mereshkin has fought in the Karabakh war at
Azerbaijan’s part. All Cossacks he leads are people, who are ready
to fight for Karabakh. They propagate Azerbaijan everywhere and have
attained the support of Russian Cossack societies’ support of our
country,» the MP said. In his words, in the near future the Azeri
Parliament intends to discuss the matter of service of local Cossacks
in a detachment within the National Army, the Novye Izvestia reported.

–Boundary_(ID_0Ho+q7yIj+fIHvJuBTzdIA)–

Azeri internal forces intend to keep public order in Karabakh

AZERI INTERNAL FORCES INTEND TO KEEP PUBLIC ORDER IN KARABAKH

Pan Armenian News
16.06.2005 05:13

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijani leaders are concerned over cases of
breaking the cease-fire in the Karabakh conflict zone becoming more
frequent, stated Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan,
lieutenant general Zakir Hasanov at a meeting with journalists in
Moscow. The delegation of Internal Forces of Azerbaijan, headed
by him, is in Moscow on an official visit on the invitation of the
Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. «International organizations,
including the UN, deal with the problem,» the Azeri military said. He
also added that after the Karabakh problem is solved via political
means, Azeri Internal Forces will keep public order there.

–Boundary_(ID_ZKRSFKiW5+tGxgLuanqiIg)–

Do authorities try to change status of Shikahogh?

AZG Armenian Daily #110, 16/06/2005

Ecology

DO AUTHORITIES TRY TO CHANGE STATUS OF SHIKAHOGH?

“SOS Shikahogh” working group initiated to hold a press conference on
the issue of Shikahogh state preserve and especially on constructing
a road through its territory. The press release of the organization
says the following:

“SOS Shikahogh” working group that represents ecological alliance of
40 international NGOs provides new information on the decision of RA
Government and the construction that is on full swing already.

In the course of the experts’ June 10-12 visit to Shikahogh, the
members of the working group saw that “Dorozhnik” CJSC has already
began large-scale road construction works. As a result, the asphalted
road is already reaching the preserve by its south and north borders.

The road construction experts stated that the envisaged road doesn’t
keep in line with any criteria, as when passing though Shikahogh’s
territory it goes up and down twice which makes it impossible for the
tracks to travel there. Moreover, in case of exploiting these hills,
the local flora and fauna will be greatly damaged.

Moreover, “5th Wheel” program of RA Public TV broadcasted on June 9 was
dedicated to the issue of Shikahogh. The representatives of ecological
organizations participated in the program. Their opponents were the
officials of RA Agency for Ecological Resources Management led by
Artashes Ziroyan. It became clear from Ziroyan’s statement that the
government took 15 days of “time out” to change the status of Shikahogh
state preserve changing that into the status of a national park.

Russia, Armenia discuss exchange of diplomatic missions

Russia, Armenia discuss exchange of diplomatic missions
By Syuzanna Adamyants

ITAR-TASS News Agency
June 15, 2005 Wednesday 12:52 PM Eastern Time

MOSCOW, June 15 — Russia and Armenia discussed the exchange of
diplomatic missions on Wednesday.

Russian Foreign Ministry Director General Doku Zavgayev and Armenian
Ambassador in Moscow Armen Smbatyan discussed questions concerning
the establishment of an Armenian diplomatic mission in Russia and of
the Russian consulate general in Gyumri, Armenia.

They also exchanged views “on topical issues of Russian-Armenian
relations”.

“The sides confirmed their readiness to solve questions that arise
on the bilateral agenda in the spirit of understanding and in full
conformity with the high level of allied relations between Russia
and Armenia,” the Foreign Ministry said.

“The meeting was held in a warm and friendly atmosphere,” it said.

BEIRUT: Erdogan arrives in Beirut for Arab forum

Daily Star – Lebanon, Lebanon
June 16 2005

Erdogan arrives in Beirut for Arab forum

By Osama Habib
Daily Star staff
Thursday, June 16, 2005

BEIRUT: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Lebanon
last night to attend the 11th Arab Economic Forum which opens in
Beirut later today. Erdogan was met by Lebanese Prime Minister Najib
Mikati upon his arrival at Beirut International Airport.

Hundreds of Armenians also gathered at the airport for the occasion
to protest Turkey’s failure to recognize claims of genocide.

Last night, Erdogan attended a government reception at the Grand
Serail, where he met with a host of local MPs, ambassadors and
business leaders.

Erdogan is accompanied on this trip by a delegation of Turkish
businessmen who are keen to explore trade opportunities with Arab
governments and investors who will be attending the two-day forum.

Erdogan is expected to meet with President Emile Lahoud and other
Lebanese officials during his short visit.

Prior to his speech today, there will be a special ceremony to honor
late former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

The reform-minded Erdogan is expected to stress the need for more
economic liberalization in the region during his keynote speech to
the forum today.

Erdogan’s presence at the AEF, the first time Turkey has been invited
to the exclusively Arab event, adds extra interest to this year’s
forum.

A large number of Arab governments are looking closely at economic
reform in Turkey which has transformed the historically unstable
Turkish economy into one of the world’s top performing emerging
markets.

Delegations from governments and businesses across the Arab world have
arrived in Beirut for the forum, which will be dominated by economic
reform in the middle East and examining ways of attracting greater
foreign investment.

Total FDI in the 22 Arab states in 2003 stood at $110 billion, an
improvement over 2002.

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attack in the United States and
the security measures in the West have induced many Arab investors
to transfer assets to their own countries.

In addition, rising oil prices in the last two have boosted investments
in the Arab region and GDP achieved a good growth in oil-rich Arab
countries.

Speakers at the forum will raise the issue of privatization and
economic liberalization.

They will also highlight positive and negative points in all free
trade agreements with special emphasis in the World Trade Agreement.

Some of the participants at the forum will also call for more Arab
investments in the region, noting that Arab assets in the West exceed
$1 trillion.

Turkey’s gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated at $458 billion
in 2004, or twice the size of Saudi Arabia’s GDP.

Yet Turkey’s foreign direct investment is only $2.9 billion a year
and is not enough to reduce unemployment, which stands at 10.5 percent.