Author: Tamamian Anna

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:

September 29, 2004
___________________

ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL AVAKS GROUP RESUMES ACTIVITIES

By Florence Avakian

September starts another fall season of vibrant activities for the Avak
seniors group at New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral. Already on the
schedule is a two-day trip to the Eastern Diocese’s new Ararat Center in
upstate New York, on September 29 and 30, and an all-day trip to
Lancaster, PA, to see the Sight and Sound Theatre production of “Noah,”
on Thursday, October 14.

These special outings are in addition to the group’s regular meetings,
which are held every Thursday, starting at noon at the cathedral.
During those meetings, the Avaks meet for a Bible study session, after
which the members move from the sanctuary to one of the Diocesan
Center’s halls for lunch and topical program.

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

The upcoming events come on the heels of a spring 2004 season of
lectures, films, musical events, and trips, organized by Fr. Mardiros
Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral and director of the Avaks group.

Last spring’s activities included lectures by Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian,
pastor of the Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY; fitness instructor
Arpine Dod; journalist Florence Avakian; as well as musical
presentations by St. Vartan Cathedral choir director Khoren Mekanejian,
singers Hasmig Meikhanedjian, Maro Partamian, and pianists Jeannette
Chirikjian, and Anna Mintanciyan.

One of the past season’s high points was a visit to St. Vartan Cathedral
by the newly ordained pastor of St. George Armenian Church in Hartford,
CT, Rev. Father Gomidas Zohrabian, and the Hartford church’s senior
citizen group. After a tour of St. Vartan Cathedral, Mrs. Eojen
Sukiasian, sister of the late primate of Georgia, Archbishop Kevork
Seraydarian, presented Fr. Gomidas with a hand-engraved silver incense
holder for his parish in memory of her late brother.

Another highlight of the spring season was an all-day trip for Avak
members and guests to Lancaster County, PA. More than 35 happy campers
enjoyed a choreg and cheese breakfast in their first-class bus while
rolling through the wintry landscape. Following an all-you-can-eat
lunch, the group shopped at a massive mall, then attended a special
showing of “Behold the Lamb” at Lancaster’s Sight and Sound Theatre — a
unique musical and dramatic production presenting Jesus Christ’s
agonizing path to the Cross and the miracle of His Resurrection.

The spring season also included a happy birthday celebration for Avak
member Mary Selvinazian, a fun-filled Valentine’s Day party, and a
rollicking picnic in June on the St. Vartan Cathedral Plaza replete with
a delicious shish kebab lunch, raffle gifts, and dancing to the catchy
Armenian tunes of the Johnny Vartan band. For faithful Avak member
Araxie Chirishian, the season was one of “interesting activities,
enjoyable trips, and great fellowship”.

The fall activities have now resumed, with the Avaks meeting each
Thursday at noon for Bible study, followed by lunch and a presentation
at 12:30 p.m. For more information, call Fr. Mardiros Chevian at (212)
686-0710, ext. 53.

— 9/29/04

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

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Mrs. Eojen Sukiasian presents Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian
with a hand-carved silver sensor in memory of her brother, the late
Primate of Georgia, Archbishop Kevork Seraydarian.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): The seniors groups of St. Vartan Cathedral and St.
George Church of Hartford, CT, during a joint gathering in New York
City.

# # #

ARMENIAN METALLURGICAL PLANTS REPORT MAJOR OUTPUT GROWTH

ArmenPress
Sept 28 2004

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: The output of 26 ore mining
enterprises in the first eight months of this year, monitored by
a trade and development ministry department, amounted, in terms
of money, to 90 billion Armenians Drams, virtually as much as in
the first eight months of last year. The department head, Arthur
Ashughian, said last year’s figure included also the 11 billion AMD
output of Armenal foil manufacturing plant.. Armenal is not operative
now because of undergoing a sweeping process of equipment upgrading.

This year’s increase was due to efficient operation of an ore mining
plant in Agarak, in southern Armenia, whose production capacity has
gone up by 25 percent after it was privatized by a foreign company. The
plant has doubled its production growth rate against last year. Another
ore mining plant in Kapan, also in southern Armenia, has also doubled
its output after implementation of a development plan of Shahumian
mines.

The leading Armenian metallurgical company, the Armenian Copper
Program, has designed developments plans for both Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh, reporting also a 20 percent output increase. According to
Ashughian, if Armenian metallurgical plants maintain this dynamic,
their overall output may amount to $280 million by the end of the
year against $170 million in 2003.

He said a total of $8 million were invested in Agarak and Kapan plants,
more than committed by their new owners.

The gold extracting plant in Ararat has produced this year 10.5
billion worth gold, 30 percent less than last year. According to
Arthur Ashughian, the decrease had been planned after the Zod mines
began exploring new mines. He said the current capacities of the mine
could be exploited for another 6-7 years, as it has been exploited
for decades. He said there are other gold mines in Armenia, but added
that they do not contain much gold.

Russian nuclear power station holds accident drill

ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow
28 Sep 04

Yekaterinburg, 28 September: Wide-ranging exercises on dealing with
an emergency started at 0800 [0400 gmt] today at the Beloyarskaya
nuclear power plant near Yekaterinburg, the plant’s spokesman,
Marianna Bakanova, told ITAR-TASS.

The exercise is organized by the Rosenergoatom company which operates
the plant. Over 500 people are taking part in the drill observed by
officials from the USA, France, China, Ukraine and Armenia.

Management and personnel of the plant are taking part in the drill
along with experts from the emergency and crisis centre of the
Rosenergoatom concern and technical support centres for nuclear
power stations (OPAS) [Russ: okazaniye pomoshchi atomnym stantsiyam]
as well as some hardware and forces invited for the purpose from the
Russian Emergencies and Defence Ministries.

Operational cooperation and the exchange of information when dealing
with a possible emergency at the plant are to be improved during the
drill. The work of special communication equipment and hardware will
be checked as well.

One BN-600 reactor is operating at the plant now. It is the most
powerful fast neutron reactor in the world. Experts from Rosenergoatom
have plans to use nuclear waste that is being brought to Russia in
such reactors.

The third unit of the station is expected to be in service for 30
years and is to be closed by 2010. The fourth power unit with an
800 MW BN-800 reactor is being built at the plant at present and is
expected to be finished in 2009.

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 28 2004

AZERBAIJANIS HOLD MEETING IN MOSCOW
[September 28, 2004, 12:23:11]

“Movement for Azerbaijan” has conducted a meeting under the motto “No
Azerbaijan without Garabagh!” at the Teatralniy Square of Moscow, 25
September. The Azerbaijanis who came from the Kaluga, Tula and
Kostroma oblasts of the Russian Federation, as well as
representatives of intelligentsia of other nations and a number of
international organizations attended the event.

Speakers at the meeting, resolutely condemned aggressive policy of
Armenia against Azerbaijan, underlined that Azerbaijan would never
reconcile with the occupation of its territories. The orators
expressed protest against the “double standard” in approach to the
question.

Participants of action addressed the Presidents of Azerbaijan and
Russia, as well as adopted a statement addressed to the permanent
representations of the UN and OSCE, embassies of USA, France, Great
Britain, China and Armenia in Russia.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT HOSTS ARMENIAN ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION

ArmenPress
Sept 28 2004

BRUSSELS, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS: The Forum of Armenian Organizations
of Europe launched at the European Parliament on September 27 an
exhibition, titled Armenian Architecture Heritage in the South
Caucasus and Middle East. Armine Grigorian, the chairwoman of the
Forum, told Armenpress that the opening ceremony was attended by
members of the European Parliament, European Commission, members of
the Belgian government and foreign diplomats.

Four sections of the display feature Armenian architectural monuments
in these regions as they go through different historical periods and
aims also to predict their future.

The main focus is on Armenian architectural monuments scattered across
Turkey, a great majority of which was also subjected to “genocide”
alongside with annihilation of Armenians in 1915 and later. The major
objective of the exhibition is to draw European officials’ attention
to what a country desires to join their ranks.

The exhibition will be displayed in different European parliaments
to be timed with the 90-th anniversary of the genocide in 2005.

ArmenPress
Sept 22 2004

ARMENIAN COMPANY AWARDED QUALITY STAR

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: Lyudmila and Hamazasp
Harutunians, a couple from the town of Hrazdan, who established and
run Vordi Armen company, have been invited by Quality Stars
international convention to participate in its annual October 11
presentation in Paris.
Vordi Armen was one of 70 companies worldwide competing for the
Quality Star. Alfonso Kassale, the president of Quality Stars, said
in the invitation letter that awarding the Quality Star to the
Armenian company is a good opportunity for it to compete in the
international market and find new partners.
Vordi Armen produces dairy products and is able to process daily
around 5 tons of milk, which it buys from farmers who have 2-3 cows.
The company was founded with the help of the US Department of
Agriculture Armenia office.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Sept 21 2004

Meeting of Azeri, Turkish and Armenian FMs postponed

A meeting of Azerbaijani, Turkish and Armenian foreign ministers,
initially scheduled within the UN General Assembly session in New
York, has been put off.
The reason for the postponement is the different timing of arrival by
Foreign Ministers of the three countries in the USA.
The time for the meeting will be clarified through diplomatic
channels.*

Le Figaro, France
21 septembre 2004

Les dérives autoritaires de l’ex-URSS

par Laure MANDEVILLE

Treize ans après l’effondrement du système communiste, la carte
politique de l’ex-URSS n’affiche pas vraiment des couleurs
démocratiques. Partout, à l’exception des trois pays Baltes qui ont
miraculeusement tiré leur épingle du jeu, le verrouillage du pouvoir
central exécutif se précise.

De Moscou à Astana, en passant par Minsk ou Tachkent, de petites
castes, issues des anciennes élites soviétiques converties au
capitalisme, ont remis la main sur les leviers de commande, avec la
ferme intention de ne plus les lcher. Après une brève période
libérale, au tournant des années 90, les élections y sont redevenues
des procédures formelles, dont le seul but semble être de parer le
pouvoir des nouveaux autocrates d’atours démocratiques. Gangréné par
la corruption, l’Etat prédateur, mais non protecteur, y a abandonné
les populations paupérisées à leur triste sort. Confortant les
bureaucraties et les services de renseignements héritiers du KGB, au
détriment d’une société civile quasi inexistante.

C’est le cas de la Russie, qui, après la libéralisation chaotique,
mais réelle, de l’ère gorbatchévienne et eltsinienne, s’est engagée
sous Poutine dans une voie nettement autoritaire, au nom d’une plus
grande efficacité économique.

Mais le verrouillage est encore plus spectaculaire en Asie centrale,
où les traditions autoritaires et claniques s’étaient toujours fort
bien accommodées du communisme soviétique. Le Tadjik Rakhmonov,
l’Ouzbek Karimov et l’ubuesque président turkmène Niazov tiennent
leurs républiques d’une main de fer, réprimant férocement tout germe
d’opposition, au nom, notamment, de la lutte contre le terrorisme
islamiste. Considéré comme le plus présentable des régimes d’Asie
centrale, le Kazakhstan n’en est pas moins totalement contrôlé depuis
quinze ans par le président Noursoultan Nazarbaïev, face auquel
seule… sa fille peut prétendre faire figure d’opposition, les
autres partis restant largement décoratifs ! Autoritarisme et
népotisme se portent aussi très bien au Kirghiztan, en Moldavie, en
Arménie et Azerbaïdjan, où le fils Aliev s’est aisément coulé dans le
siège de son père Gueïdar, en octobre dernier. En Biélorussie, où un
scrutin législatif est prévu mi-octobre, le dictateur Alexandre
Loukachenko mijote un changement constitutionnel qui lui permettrait
de se faire réélire en 2005.

Et puis il y a le tableau de la campagne électorale ukrainienne pour
la présidentielle du 31 octobre. Dans ce dernier pays, sur lequel
l’Occident a les yeux fixés, vu sa taille et son importance
stratégique sur la frontière orientale de l’UE, les jeux ne sont pas
encore faits, mais l’équipe au pouvoir du président Koutchma semble
prête à tout tenter pour garder le contrôle du pays. Ce week-end, le
chef de l’opposition Viktor Iouchtchenko, actuellement crédité de 5 à
10 % d’avance sur le premier ministre Viktor Ianoukovitch, a dû être
hospitalisé à Vienne en urgence, après avoir absorbé des substances
chimiques toxiques. Son entourage a accusé le pouvoir ukrainien
d’avoir tenté de l’empoisonner… Alors que les observateurs du
Conseil de l’Europe ont exprimé récemment leur vive préoccupation,
les deux tiers des Ukrainiens estiment que les résultats du scrutin
seront falsifiés.

Seule la petite Géorgie a pour l’instant réussi à promouvoir de
nouvelles élites, lors de la fameuse révolution de la rose de
décembre 2003, qui a porté au pouvoir le jeune président Mikhaïl
Saakachvili. Ce précédent a d’ailleurs frappé de stupeur les autres
dirigeants des ex-républiques soviétiques, bien décidés à tout faire
pour ne pas subir le sort du vieux président géorgien Edouard
Chevardnadze.

Interfax, Azerbaijan
Sept 21 2004

Azerbaijan-Armenia-Turkey meeting postponed

Baku. (Interfax-Azerbaijan) – The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan,
Turkey and Armenia have decided to postpone their trilateral meeting
on ways to put an end to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and bring
Armenian-Turkish relations back to normal, which was due to take
place on the sidelines of this week’s session of the UN General
Assembly in New York.

“The parties decided to postpone the meeting due to the fact that the
ministers will be in New York at different periods of time,” the
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s press service told Interfax on Monday.

The countries’ diplomats will negotiate a new date for the meeting,
the press service said.

Major oil pipeline to be built on time despite Georgian public protest
– BP chief

A-Info news agency, Akhalkalaki
13 Sep 04

Akhalkalaki, 13 September: Despite the existing problems with
residents of Georgia’s Borjomi and Akhalkalaki Districts, the
construction of the Georgian section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline, in general, will be finished at the end of October, the
president of BP Azerbaijan, David Woodward has said.

He said that neither the residents’ protests nor the Georgian-Ossetian
conflict would have an influence on the pipeline
construction. ”Enough people are working on the construction of the
pipeline, which will allow us to finish it on time,” Woodward said.

But it cannot be ruled out that the residents of Borjomi and
Akhalkalaki Districts will attempt to hinder the construction.