Author: Toneyan Mark

EU: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT POSTPONES VOTE ON PROTOCOL TO ANKARA AGREEMENT

European Parliament

Sept 29 2005

/noticias.info/ – The Parliament postponed voting on approval of the
protocol extending Turkey’s association agreement with the EU to the
ten new member states. MEPs feared that the Turkish declaration that
the protocol does not mean any form of recognition of Cyprus would
form part of the ratification process in the Turkish parliament and
thus gain legal force. Nevertheless, in a political resolution voted
afterwards, Parliament noted that accession negotiations with Turkey
can start on 3 October as foreseen.

At the request of the EPP-ED group, Parliament voted 311 votes
in favour, 285 against and 63 abstentions to postpone the vote on
Parliament’s approval of the protocol extending Turkey’s customs union
with the EU to all its new members, including Cyprus. The vote to
postpone has no legal consequences in terms of the starting date for
accession negotiations. Stumbling blocks were the Turkish declaration
that the signing of the protocol to the Ankara Agreement does not mean
any form of recognition of Cyprus and the Turkish refusal to admit
vessels and airplanes from Cyprus. A majority of MEPs first wanted
guarantees from the Turkish authorities that the declaration was
not going to be part of the ratification in the Turkish parliament,
fearing that it would then have legal implications.

Nevertheless, in a political resolution adopted afterwards by 356
votes in favour, 181 against and 125 abstentions, Parliament noted the
Commission’s and Council’s view that access negotiations with Turkey
can start on 3 October. But by the end of 2006, the Commission must
assess if Turkey has fully implemented the protocol. If not, this could
lead to halting the accession negotiations. During the negotiations,
which are open-ended and will not automatically lead to Turkish EU
membership, Turkey should be kept under permanent scrutiny and pressure
to ensure that it maintains “the pace of the necessary reforms”.

Parliament also said it considered Turkish recognition of “the Armenian
genocide … to be a prerequisite for accession”.

MEPs deplore that the Annan plan for a settlement of the Cyprus
question has been rejected by the Greek Cypriot community and hopes
that Turkey will maintain its constructive attitude in finding an
equitable solution. Meanwhile, the Council should keep its promise
and reach an agreement on the financial aid and trade package for
northern Cyprus.

On other issues, MEPs voiced their concern about the criminal
proceedings against Turkish author Orhan Pamuk, about article 305
of the penal code which criminalises “acts against the fundamental
national interest”, about the restrictions on foreign funding for
associations, and about the “Law on Foundations” concerning religious
communities.

Parliament wants each negotiation session at ministerial level to be
preceded by an assessment of the fulfilment of the political criteria,
both in theory and in practice, “thus exerting permanent pressure
on the Turkish authorities to maintain the pace of the necessary
reforms”. Also, a full programme of clear targets, timeframe and
deadlines should be fixed for the fulfilment of the political
criteria. The Commission and the Council should report annually to
the European Parliament and the national parliaments on the progress
made by Turkey in this respect. MEPs reiterate that the accession
negotiations are an open-ended process and will not automatically
lead to Turkey joining the EU, even if the objective is Turkish EU
membership. Finally, Parliament underlines that the EU’s capacity to
absorb Turkey is an important consideration as well, and needs to be
monitored by the Commission during the negotiations.

Debate on opening of accession negotiations with Turkey

Speaking on behalf of the Council, Britain’s Minister for Europe,
Douglas ALEXANDER said the strategic case for opening negotiations
with Turkey was convincing, but it was necessary to be scrupulous in
ensuring all the requirements were met before Turkey could join.

Turkey had met the two conditions laid down by the Council in December,
and its declaration stating that it had not recognised the government
of Cyprus had no legal effect. The negotiations would be the most
rigorous yet, and Turkey would not accede imminently. The Turkey
which would join would be a different Turkey, and the EU might also
be different by then too. Progress so far had been encouraging,
and the conditions for opening talks had been met, he said.

Enlargement Commissioner Oli REHN agreed that the formal conditions
set out by the Council for opening negotiations had been met. He also
stressed that the talks would be the most rigorous yet undertaken.

There were good signs – such as the Turkish government’s recognition
that there was a Kurdish issue and that the conference on the Armenian
question would finally go ahead – but also bad signs – such as the
uneven implementation of freedom of expression rights. “Both Europeans
and Turks should work to build a relationship based on mutual trust,
” he said, pointing out that the common goal would be accession but
that by their very nature the talks were open as to the result they
would achieve.

Roger KNAPMAN (IND/DEM,UK) said that he opposed political union with
Turkey as much as he opposed it with France, Germany or Italy. “But
what of the euro-fanatics whose ardour suddenly cools when they reach
the Bosphorus? It is not hypocrisy, but fear, fear that public support
for the whole EU project will collapse if Turkish membership were
seriously pursued.” For this reason, he said, he was happy to see the
EU plough ahead with negotiations, destroying itself in the process.

Andrew DUFF (ALDE, UK) said “It is extraordinary that those who
have profited so much from EU integration in terms of prosperity,
security and liberal democracy should not refuse to extend these
prizes to Turkey.” He said the EU’s absorption capacity was a real
issue, with the need for a settlement of the constitution ahead of
Turkish or Croatian entry. He also argued that the Cyprus issue and
instability in the Balkans could not be resolved if the EU refuses
membership to Turkey, and called for a stepping up of trade relations
with northern Cyprus.

Roger HELMER (NI, UK) said there were powerful reasons in favour and
against Turkey’s accession to the EU. The key condition, he said,
should be “democratic accountability”, Mr Helmer felt that Turkey’s
accession would “dilute the influence” of his constituents in terms
of self-determination and he therefore opposed Turkish membership
of the EU. Mr Helmer welcomed the proposal from Angela Merkel on
privileged partnership for Turkey as it would incur fewer costs for
Turkey. Mr Helmer wished the option of privileged partnership could
also be made available to the United Kingdom.

Geoffrey Van ORDEN (EPP-ED, UK) stated that “last Christmas the
Council voted for Turkey”. The conditions laid out at that time had
been met and Turkey was therefore ready to start negotiations. Mr
Van Orden warned against the separatist dissidents still at large
in Turkey that risked undermining Turkish secularism and unity. He
stated that Turkey should be treated in the same way as all other
candidates for accession. Mr Van Orden stated that the Cyprus question
should be treated separately from the accession negotiations. However,
he recalled that the people of Northern Cyprus had voted in favour of
the Annan plan on reunification and that Greek Cyprus had rejected. He
said the EU had done little to support Northern Cyprus. Mr Van Orden
welcomed the imminent opening of negotiations and recognised that
the talks would last many years.

Datos de Contacto : Contact: Marjory VAN DEN BROEKE Press Room
Unit – Press Officer E-mail address : [email protected]
Telephone number in Brussels : (32) 2 28 44304 (BXL) Mobile number :
(32) 0498 98 3586 Telephone number in Strasbourg : (33) 3

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:

THE CATHOLICOSATE AND THE GULBENKIAN FOUNDATION
TO PUBLISH CHILDREN’S BOOKS

His Holiness Aram I and the director of the Department of Armenian Affairs
of the Gulbenkian Foundation have initiated a project of publishing a series
of books in the field of children’s literature.

The decision comes after recommendations by the educational seminar held in
August 2004 in the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Over 100 teachers, pedagogues
and intellectuals from all over the Diaspora proposed giving a new impetus
to children’s literature during the seminar organized by the Catholicosate
of Cilicia.

A special plan will be drawn out for the execution of the project and a
committee of professionals will oversee the works. Further details will be
provided in the future.

##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the books
published in the Printing House of the Cilician 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.

PRESS 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
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

September 26, 2005

ANEC EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR IN NEW JERSEY
PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHERS
by Nayiri Balanian

NEW YORK, NY-“She is our community’s answer to Mayr Hayastan in the
manner with which she has nurtured the growth and education of our younger
generation at such an essential time in their lives when language is being
lost and traditions often fall by the wayside in what’s become society’s
melting pot. Teaching is one thing. Implementing is another. Sossy’s
annual hantess celebrations bring out the best in children. She’s not only
taught her students song, dance and recitation, she’s sewn their costumes,
given them poise, stage presence and personality.”
Those were some of the words that Tom Vartabedian wrote when asked about
ANEC’s Principal-of-the-Year, Mrs. Sossy Jeknavorian. Mrs. Jeknavorian is
principal of the St. Gregory School, North Andover, Massachusetts. She was
honored during the Armenian National Education Committee’s National
Educators’ Seminar, which was dedicated to the creation of the Armenian
Alphabet and the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The Seminar
took place on Saturday, August 27, 2005, at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church
in Ridgefield, New Jersey.
Mrs. Nayiri Balanian, chairperson of ANEC, introduced and thanked the
ANEC members who were present: Mrs. Sossy Jeknavorian, Mrs. Silva
Kouyoumjian, Mrs. Knar Apkarian and Dr. Asbed Vassilian. She welcomed all
the teachers, principals and board members from the seven schools that were
represented. She emphasized the importance of Armenian teachers. She noted
that Armenians have a beautiful saying, God Became Human, So that a Humans
can become God-like. “This was true for St. Mesrob, an ordinary priest,
born in the village of Hatzyegatz, who through his work became a Saint.
Armenian teachers are the direct followers of St. Mesrob. They have the most
difficult and responsible task of preparing our next generations, to become
good human beings and excellent Armenians.” Mrs. Balanian went on to explain
the necessity for teachers to improve themselves, by reading books,
attending seminars and by keeping in step with modern technology.

Keynote Speaker
The keynote speaker, Dr. Mary Shamshoian- Olson, the current director of
Instruction and School Improvement at the Warren Township High School in
Gurnee, IL, is a multitalented educator with diverse affiliations in civic
and professional organizations. An author, teacher, principal, panelist,
speaker, workshop leader, the Loyola University graduate with a doctorate in
Curriculum and Instruction, is versed in teaching methods and assessment.
Dr. Olson also holds a Master of Science degree in the same discipline with
an emphasis on secondary mathematics education as well as post-graduate work
in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin and Marquette
University.
In addition to being a consultant to the Armenian Religious Education
Council, a board member of the Racine Marzbed School, she also is the
chairperson of ANEC’s Curriculum Committee.
Her presentation focused on “Teaching Armenian as a Second Language.”
She started by separating the audience into groups and asking questions. The
purpose of the project was to develop a curriculum for one-day a week
Armenian schools for students whose first language is not Armenian. Dr.
Olson explained that generally speaking, students in this program range from
ages 5-15. It cannot be assumed that there is an Armenian speaker in the
home, regardless of the level of fluency. Students who attend Armenian
School from age 5 through 15, will have had approximately 500 hours of
instruction. This assessment is based on instruction for two hours per
week, for twenty-five weeks each year. This is comparable to a four-year
high school course in a foreign language as structured in most American
public schools.
Dr. Olson said that given these parameters, it was decided to recommend
the development of a curriculum kit. Given the number of hours, 250 lesson
bundles must be developed in order to have a complete course. In order to
begin the actual writing of the lesson bundles, a scope and sequence has to
be developed. The organization of this scope and sequence has to be
topical, with vocabulary and grammar lessons being driven by the topics.
Dr. Olson’s presentation was described by attendees as interesting,
educational and very motivating. It gave the teachers a good idea of what to
expect from the new ANEC curriculum that is currently being developed.
The second speaker of the day was Mrs. Nayiri Balanian, who spoke about
“How to Teach the Armenian Genocide to Students.”
She started saying, “According to the historian Agathangelos in 301,
St. Gregory baptized half a million Armenians, members of the royal family
and the army, as well as four million people, so there were four and a half
million Armenians in 301, and the world population was 190 million. Today
world population is 6.5 billion and Armenians are 7-9 million. If we
multiplied like other nations, we should have been around 200 million. This
raises a question, “Why are we so few?”
She spoke about how the term “Genocide” was coined in1944 by a lawyer
named Raphael Lemkin. The Greek geno means “race” or “tribe” together with
the Latin derivative cide means “killing.” Genocide has come to mean
deliberate destruction or murder of a particular group of people. She
emphasized the importance of teaching the students to be the pursuers of
justice for the Armenian people. She said students should be encouraged to
become active in all aspects of life, including the Armenian American
community, and American society by taking part in the American government
and political system and serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Each school was given the opportunity to introduce itself and speak
about its achievements and concerns. This exchange resulted in a good
learning experience for all of the schools. At the conclusion of the
seminar each school was given books and a new map of Armenia and each
teacher was given a folder with educational materials.
Forthcoming ANEC activities include a School Festival on November 19,
2005, dedicated to the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian
alphabet, and to the Armenian Genocide Commemoration. In March 2006, ANEC
will host another popular Armenian Jeopardy tournament.
ANEC is jointly sponsored by the Eastern Prelacy and the Armenian Relief
Society, Eastern Region.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 21 2005

WE MUST STRENGTHEN OUR STATE: ARMENIAN PREMIER

YEREVAN, September 21. /ARKA/. Today we do not have to discuss
whether we need independence or not, stated RA Premier Andranik
Margaryan, who visited the Yerablur memorial complex on the occasion
of the 14th anniversary of Armenia’s Independence. “We must be able
to strengthen our state in the future, ensure its stability and
security,” he said. Margaryan added that social problems need first
of all to be resolved, and conditions for the return of emigrants
should be created, “for them to be able to participate in building up
a free state with us.”
In his turn, RA Minister of Defense Serge Sargsyan said that the most
important achievement of independence is the right to free life. On
the other hand, “we too late started dealing with social problems of
the guys that sacrificed their lives and health for independence.”
President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Arkady Ghukasyan
said that “independence is a military, moral, economic, and political
victory.” “Without Armenia’s independence, Karabakh’s independence
would not exist. When we speak of Armenia’s independence, we mean
independence of the entire Armenia people,” he said. P.T. -0–

Pan Armenian News

MARGARYAN AND RULER OF SHARJAH DISCUSSED ESTABLISHMENT OF UAE EMBASSY IN
ARMENIA

21.09.2005 04:28

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ September 20 Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan
met with Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member
and Ruler of Sharjah and the delegation headed by him, RA government’s press
office reported. During the meeting the parties expressed satisfaction with
the level of the relations established between Armenia and the Arabian
countries including the UAE, signing of agreements on cooperation in various
fields and beneficial cooperation within international structures. The
parties also stressed that the friendship between the two peoples
contributes to the bilateral cooperation and development of cultural and
trade ties. Andranik Margaryan noted the balanced UAE policy pursued both in
the region and at international level. The interlocutors also touched upon
the economic cooperation. Andranik Margaryan voiced assurance that the visit
of the Ruler of Sharjah and the Days of Arab Culture held in Armenia will
convey an impulse to the development of relations between the RA and UAE,
strengthening of cultural and scientific ties. The Armenian Premier noted
the importance of opening the Arab Cultural Center in Armenia and thanked
Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for the readiness to partly finance
the project. He also expressed gratitude for granting a ground area in 1995
for the construction of the Armenian Church which the only in the Emirates
to date. Andranik Margaryan expressed hope that in the near future the UAE
will establish an embassy in Armenia. To note, the Armenian party has
already granted a territory for its construction.

KINGS AND LEGENDS OF ANCIENT PERSIA;
by Souren Melikian

The International Herald Tribune
September 17, 2005 Saturday

Persepolis survived in Iranian psyche

LONDON

It was a great idea to devote an exhibition to the first classical
age of one of the three oldest cultures in the world, Iran.

“Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia,” at the British
Museum, focuses on the Achaemenid period (557-333 B.C.). It should
not be missed, but it is marred by curious flaws.

The Achaemenid Empire came into existence when the first Iranian
emperor documented in history, Kurush (later known to the Romans
as Cyrus), ascended the throne around 557 B.C. For the first time,
all Iranian groups, the Medes in the northwest, the Persians in the
center and south, the Sogdians in the northeast and the Scythians,
right up to the Sir Darya, which flows through present-day Uzbekistan,
were united under one rule.

But the empire soon extended far beyond Iranian territory. Assyria,
which had waged war against the Medians, was included in it. So were
Armenia, which had recently arisen in ancient Urartu (now mostly
in eastern Turkey), Lydia and other territories. By the late sixth
century B.C. the entire Middle East was under Achaemenid control,
up to the Mediterranean shores.

It would take the world-conquering fury of Alexander to break up the
empire in 333 and burn down its jewel, the huge royal palace-shrine
called by the Greeks Persepolis, “the Persian City.”

The mark left by the empire in Iranian culture remained indelible.

The memory of Persepolis continued to resonate through time in
the collective Iranian psyche long after its ancient name had been
forgotten it is called today Takht-e Jamshid, “The Throne of Jamshid,”
after a legendary king.

Iranian poets writing in Islamic times lamented its ruins. Solemn
visits were made to the site by kings who left calligraphic
inscriptions recording their presence down to the late 19th century.

This was not just the result of curiosity. As Sufi mysticism, long
confined to closed circles, spread across Iranian society from the
13th century on, the visits took a mystical turn.

The most extraordinary pilgrimage of all was organized in 1476 when
Sultan Khalil and his troops, accompanied by religious leaders, went to
Persepolis and spent an entire day gazing at the bas-reliefs. The great
Sufi master Jalal ad-Din Davani recounts in a work titled Arz Name
(“The Military Review Book”) the visions experienced by the sultan,
who saw the standing figures coming out of the stone walls and going
back into place.

The ruler’s son Ali, a child prodigy who was a calligrapher, engraved
a poem made up from verses by the 12th-century Sufi poet Nezami. The
visit and the poem made a lasting impression in Iran. In 1606, the
author of a treatise on calligraphy and painting “The Rose Garden of
Art” cited it and reproduced it. The verses can be seen to this day.

I photographed and published them in 1971 in an essay on Islamic
period pilgrimages to Achaemenid sites in the journal Le Monde Iranien
et l’Islam.

The entire Achaemenid age continued to evoke echoes, however imprecise,
in the collective memory of Iran in a way that has no equivalent in
other cultures. Its precise history became lost, but the names of
one ruler, Daraya-vahush (Darius I in Latinized form, 522-486 B.C.),
shortened to Dara, and of his father, Vishtaspa (Hystaspes in Latin),
changed to Goshtasp, are easily recognized in the “Book of Kings”
versified in the 10th century.

In the 15th century, Davani still observed that royal gatherings once
took place at Persepolis on new year’s day.

Mystery surrounds the destination of the huge palatial structure
with walls carved with processions of guards and laymen bringing wine
vessels or driving animals. Debate still rages among scholars as to
the exact nature of the Achaemenid kings’ religious beliefs and the
meaning of many symbols, including the mythical creatures that loom
large at Persepolis, eludes us. Alexander’s troops destroyed the
palace in 330 B.C., and anything that might have shed light on it.

Even reduced to rubble and bereft of their meaning, the remains
profoundly impressed the Iranians. They continued to perceive the
Achaemenid period as a golden age. From its very beginnings, the
Sasanian dynasty, which ruled Iran from 224 to 651, made attempts
at revivalism. At Naqsh-e Rostam, near Persepolis, the Sasanian rock
reliefs are carved under the Achaemenid reliefs. Some of the characters
have a closely resembling smile, barely suggested. The lips are closed,
the eyes stare as if in ecstasy.

The reasons for this admiration are fairly obvious to anyone
strolling through Persepolis. The plaster casts that take up much
of the exhibition space fail to convey the grandeur of the setting,
the mastery of space and the rhythm of the figures. A few sculptural
fragments do not re-create the effect of bas-reliefs as a whole.

The figure of a charioteer who stands holding the reins of the
two horses that pull his vehicle is remarkable. But the fragment
“obtained at Persepolis by Sir Gore Ouseley” in 1811 would look
better if the front part of the two horses, given by him to his son,
had not turned up many decades later at auction. The Miho Museum in
Japan bought them in 1985. Instead of reuniting the two fragments,
the exhibition organizers supplied a plaster cast of the Miho piece,
which does not help much.

Another fragment retains the bust of a camel driver ripped off the
north staircase of the Apadana. This was purchased by the British
Museum in 1894, when the monument was quarried by passing European
travelers.

Not a great deal of Achaemenid sculpture in the round survives. A
small lapis lazuli head of a king dug up at Persepolis in 1946
is on loan from the National Museum in Tehran. It is one of those
rare masterpieces that justify a visit on their own. The smile of
certainty that illuminates the face, as serene as it is mysterious,
is not easily forgotten.

The foreparts of a lion also carved out of lapis lazuli again gives
in miniature size some idea of the greatness of animal sculpture in
the round that reached an apex in the sixth century B.C. So do three
lions cast in bronze in a larger size to serve as a pedestal.

It would have been desirable to include as an introduction some of the
beakers and cups in gold and silver from the 10th and 9th centuries
B.C. recovered at Marlik or perhaps some copper vessels worked in
repousse from northern and western Iran in the eighth and seventh
centuries B.C. All show examples of low-relief animal sculpture that
would help to understand the blossoming of the Achaemenid age.

One of the greatest and most original aspects of Achaemenid art
is represented by gold, silver or bronze vessels. The exhibition
selection is uneven and disparate. Only one of the so-called rhytons,
or vertical beakers linking up at an angle with the foreparts of
an animal, real or mythical, to serve as a pouring vessel, rates as
a true masterpiece. Said to have surfaced at Erzincan, in Armenia,
now part of Turkey, it was acquired by the British Museum in 1897.

Another British Museum rhyton, reputedly from Mar’ash in Syria,
displays Iranian influence, but is clearly not Iranian.

One wonders why the Louvre bronze rhyton ending with the foreparts of
a gazelle is not in the show. It would look better than the heavy gold
rhyton with the foreparts of a winged lion bought in France by the
shah’s regime shortly before the 1961 Paris exhibition “7,000 Years
of Art in Iran.” It bears a troubling similarity in workmanship to
other gold pieces now recognized as duds. The same comment applies to
a gold bowl from the same source. A beautiful silver bowl reputedly
from Erzincan and another from the so-called “Oxus treasure” do not
make up for the presence of four other shallow bowls that despite their
cuneiform inscriptions again raise questions as the catalogue admits.

The display, cramped and clumsy, does little to improve the mixed
impression with which one leaves an exhibition probably put together
under very difficult conditions. It should have been dazzling, and
it is not.

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address: Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Rev. Fr. Ktrij Devejian
Tel: (374 10) 517 163
Fax: (374 10) 517 301
E-Mail: [email protected]
September 19, 2005

Seven New Priests Ordained in Holy Etchmiadzin

On Saturday, September 10, the evening prior to the Feast of the Holy Cross,
seven young deacons, all graduates of the Gevorkian Theological Seminary of
Holy Etchmiadzin, were called to serve the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church as
married clergymen. Their sponsoring priest was Rev. Fr. Mushegh Babayan, a
member of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The following morning, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, His
Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Krikorian, Pontifical Legate to Central Europe,
celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin.
During the liturgy, he ordained the seven deacons to the rank of priesthood.

As he anointed the forehead, right and left hand of each young man, Abp.
Mesrob called them by their new priestly names: Deacon Vazgen Kesablian was
renamed Father Khatchatur; Deacon Manuk Ghalachian became Father Sebeos;
Deacon Davit Mikaelian was renamed Father Derenik; Deacon Gor Grigorian
became Father Grigor; Deacon Andranik Hakobian was renamed Father Mashtots;
Deacon Armen Mkrtchian became Father Mesrop; and Deacon Vardan Avetisian was
renamed Father Stepanos.

Following the ordinations, Abp. Mesrob addressed his sermon to the newly
ordained, “The priesthood, dear ones, is not simply offering the services of
our Church. Worship is very important, the Holy Sacraments are very
important, but these are not the only responsibilities of the clergyman.
The words of the Gospel are equally as holy and as vital. We are the
servants of the Gospel, and therefore we transmit the holy words of the
Gospel to the people. We must bring it to them in the orthodox way,
explaining it to them and sealing these words on the hearts of our people.”

The same day in Yerevan, at the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Mother
Cathedral, Bishop Arakel Karamian, Primate of the Diocese of Kotayk,
ordained ten graduates of the Accelerated Course for Priesthood to the rank
of deacon.

RA PRESIDENT AND US AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA DISCUSS PROCESS OF
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS AND COURSE OF KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 16, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA President
Robert Kocharian received John Evans, the Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the US to the Republic of Armenia, on September 15.

The Ambassador thanked the Government and people of Armenia for
assistance and sympathy displayed towards those suffered from the
hurricane Katrina.

They touched upom the process of the Constitutional reforms, on the
occasion of what John Evans mentioned that reforms will open new
possibilities for the development of Armenia.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA President’s Press Office, the
sides discussed the process of settlement of the Karabakh problem as
well.

P U B L I C A F F A I R S O F F I C E NEWS RELEASE
EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AMERICAN AVENUE 1
YEREVAN, ARMENIA
TELEPHONE (+374 10) 46 47 00; 46 47 01; 46 47 02
E-MAIL: [email protected]

September 15, 2005
Regarding the U.S. Embassy Website
The U.S. Embassy website provides links to various external web pages
regarding Armenia, as well as the United States, as a service to our website
users. These privately run links do not express the views of the U.S.
Government, and the U.S. Embassy takes no responsibility for their content.
The U.S. Embassy in Armenia would like to clarify that the U.S. government
does not define what may or may not be “part of Armenian historical lands,”
as some reports have stated. The U.S. government supports the territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan and holds that the future status of Nagorno Karabakh
is a matter of negotiation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

DID HRACHYA ACHARYAN UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION MARK VICTORY?

A1+

| 14:58:53 | 13-09-2005 | Social |

“If they are not going to compromise I am not going either. I intend
to leave the university. It’s a pity I have paid the fee for three
years in vain”, a 4th year student of the university after Hrachya
Acharyan said.

University Pro-rector Aram Khachtryan explained that in 2001 the
students of the most expensive faculty paid 449217 AMD, in 2002 –
459756 AMD, in 2003 – 470334 AMD, in 2004 – 417150 AMD. Thus, the
fee have raised as compared to last year and lowered as compared to
the year of 2003.

Today the protesting students divided into two groups, one of which
returned to the classrooms.

The protester appealed to the Human Rights Defender, however were
told that the Ombudsman does not deal with the private universities.

To note, the university pro-rector said that the administration is
ready to make concessions partially. “If they do it proceeding from
a principle – we cannot help, but if there are students who are not
able to pay we will meet them halfway as we always do”, he said.