Author: Torgomian Varazdat

Armenian president welcomes Russian purchase of ailing plant

ITAR-TASS News Agency
June 15, 2004 Tuesday

YEREVAN, June 16 — Armenian President Robert Kocharyan welcomed the
purchase by a Russian company of a controlling stake in the domestic
synthetic rubber plant that faces a financial plight.

Board chairman of the Volgaburmash machine-building enterprise Andrei
Ischuk told Kocharyan Tuesday his company is completing a deal to buy
a controlling interest in the Yerevan-based Nairit chemical enterprise
that produces synthetic rubber.

Kocharyan expressed hope Volgaburmash will be a stable and reliable
partner for Armenia.

Founded in 1936 Nairit faced financial problems and had to periodically
stop production in the past 10-12 years, according to plant director
Sergei Muradyan.

Ischuk said Nairit has all the grounds for profitable production. An
investment program worth several dozen million dollars and a
rehabilitation business plan have already been designed.

Abelyan: Harrison is there for taking
STEPHEN HALLIDAY

The Scotsman, UK
June 16 2004

WILLIAM Abelyan will be a long way from home on Saturday night but
if the Armenian-born, California-based mandatory challenger to Scott
Harrison’s WBO featherweight title is to be believed, the Braehead
Arena will be the scene of a comfortable coronation.

The 25-year-old, fighting outside the United States for the first time
in his six-year career, provided a withering and dismissive analysis
of Harrison yesterday as he met the Scottish media for the first time.

Dethroning Scotland’s world champion, according to Abelyan, will be
little more than a formality. He bases his claim on the evidence of
Harrison’s contests with Mexican veteran Manuel Medina last year. The
Scot, of course, slumped to a shock points loss to Medina in July
before regaining his belt with an 11th-round knockout in the rematch
four months later.

“I can’t believe Medina went the distance and then another 11 rounds
with Harrison,” said Abelyan. “I was Medina’s sparring partner and
I put him on the canvas twice. Medina is an old man.

“For me, Scott Harrison is a typical, come-forward fighter. He is a
strong kid, no doubt about it, but he just comes straight on to you.
There is no movement. I will be ready for him. I’m not going to say
I’ll knock him out, but I will do my stuff in the ring on Saturday
and the knockout will come.

“I’m a boxer, not a fighter, and I will show what’s going to happen
on Saturday. It’s nothing personal as far as I’m concerned, I’m just
here to become the world champion and take the belt home.

“I haven’t fought for a year, because everyone wants to avoid me.
When I become champion, they will all have to fight me.”

Don House, Abelyan’s trainer, echoed his boxer’s confidence. “Scott’s
a decent fighter but he doesn’t possess anything I’m worried about,”
said House. “William has fought tougher guys in the past and I’d just
like to thank Scott for allowing us to come here and win the belt.”

The taunts are unlikely to disconcert highly-motivated Harrison,
whose preparations for the second defence of his second reign as
champion were disrupted by his court appearance last week which saw
him found not guilty of assault.

Frank Maloney, Harrison’s manager, issued a vote of confidence in
his man, but not without some reservations.

“I am concerned about Abelyan,” said Maloney. “I would have preferred
to avoid this fight, but it’s typical of Scott that he didn’t want
to go down another route. Most guys who have had the problems Scott
went through over the past week would have cried off, but Scott isn’t
most guys. He is either incredibly single-minded or just has a screw
missing, I’ve never worked with anyone like him.

“Scott won’t be able to take a backward step in this fight, he’s
going to have to corner Abelyan and slow him down. I think that’s what
will happen but Scott is fighting for his career. Unlike with Medina,
if Scott loses this one, there is no rematch clause. Win it, though,
and there are some massive paydays ahead.”

YEREVAN MUNICIPALITY MAKES STUNNING DECISION AUTHORISING OPPOSITION RALLY

A1 Plus | 21:00:27 | 14-06-2004 | Politics |

Artarutyun opposition bloc’s Press-Secretary Ruzan Khachatryan said
Monday Yerevan municipality had authorized a rally scheduled for
coming Wednesday.

This is the first time the municipality has given its authorization
to an opposition-staged rally. Before that, the opposition has been
repeatedly denied authorization.

The opposition activists explain such a precipitous shift in the
authorities conduct with the PACE approaching session and PACE
representative Yerzi Yaskernia’s visit to Armenia.

The Shield Finale Scoop!
by Daniel R. Coleridge

TV Guide
June 15 2004

Last week on FX’s The Shield, Lem freaked out and pulled an
unbelievable stunt. Cracking under pressure, he burnt up most of the
Strike Team’s “retirement fund” — aka their stolen Armenian
money-train loot — in the furnace! Admit it: You thought Vic Mackey
(Michael Chiklis) and Co. might whack him Sopranos-style, right then
and there. Well, in tonight’s season finale at 10 pm/ET, Shield fans
will learn Lem’s fate after the guys fought over that cash. Can’t
wait? Read our revealing interview with Kenny Johnson, who plays Lem.
Spoiler alert: If you don’t want any hints, better stop reading
now…

TV Guide Online: Just curious. What is Lem’s actual name?
Kenny Johnson: [Chuckles] Curtis “Lemonhead” Lemanski. The real story
is Shawn Ryan, the creator, has a bald head. Back when he wrote for
Angel, he wore these lemon-scented ice packs in the writers’ room to
keep his head cool. So they called him Lemonhead, and he gave his
nickname to my character on The Shield.

TVGO: Strange! So why did Lem suddenly go nuts and torch the moolah?
Johnson: The money is evil. It’s destroying the team and making Lem
sick. There’s a lot of guilt involved because people all around us
are dying. On top of that, they’re closing in on the four of us.
Aceveda and Dutch are suspicious, plus the Armenians know our names.
That’s why Lem has a bleeding ulcer, where he’s starting to puke up
blood. He’s internalizing stuff. My character was never about the
money, unlike Shane, who’s selfish and full of BS.

TVGO: It’s weird that Vic and Shane left Lem and Ronnie to transport
the money in their van.
Johnson: Exactly, man! So Lem’s thinking, “If the Armenians or the
police are surveilling us and I get stopped, I’m the one with the
money, so I’m screwed!” So he made a choice in the moment.

TVGO: It’s a huge betrayal, though. Without revealing too much, have
you worried that Lem will be killed or somehow written off?
Johnson: When the finale script came out, people read the script and
thought I was going. [CCH Pounder] called me and asked, “How do you
feel? If they wrote that about me, I’d be on the phone asking what’s
gonna happen!” After a few days, I got calls from Shawn Ryan and FX.
They told me, “You’re okay. You’re not leaving the show or going
anywhere.” I played it off like I wasn’t worried for a whole weekend,
but I was!

TVGO: Phew! How do you feel about Lem emerging as the Strike Team’s
conscience?
Johnson: I’ve always asked that Lem have his own voice and a point of
view, so he wasn’t always just going along with Vic Mackey. Shawn
wanted to slowly build up to Lem standing up for himself. So it’s
great for me.

TVGO: Switching gears. Besides The Shield and Pensacola: Wings of
Gold, there are lesser known gigs here on your résumé — like Red Shoe
Diaries! Oh, really?
Johnson: [Laughs] It was one of their classier episodes. I played the
pool boy who hooks up with this Italian maid. Ally Sheedy and her
rich husband spy on us, so they can live out their sexual fantasies!

TVGO: Wow, your career’s come a long way. Did that role require any
nudity? It was late-night cable, after all.
Johnson: I wasn’t naked in that. But you did see my naked backside in
The Shield’s “Co-Pilot” episode last season, where the gay cop,
Julian, saw me drop my towel in the locker room. He was checking me
out. I also did a movie with Jennifer Tilly called At Home with the
Webbers where I was naked, except for leather chaps. Oh, and I was in
Lambada: The Forbidden Dance. People still make jokes about that
one… It was a cool dance, just a bad movie.

Daily Star, Lebanon
June 12 2004

AUB to award honorary doctorates
4 men to receive doctor of human letters

By Daily Star Staff

BEIRUT: For only the second time since 1969, the American University
of Beirut will be awarding honorary doctorates in a special midday
ceremony in Assembly Hall on commencement day, June 26.

This year the university will award the degree of doctor of humane
letters to four outstanding individuals: mathematician Michael Atiyah,
Carnegie Corporation president Vartan Gregorian, ABC TV anchor Peter
Jennings and world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, an AUB statement said.

Michael Atiyah, whose father was Lebanese, has carved a name for
himself throughout the 20th and 21st centuries in the world of
mathematics.

He was referred to as one of the greatest living mathematicians. In
March of this year, Atiyah received, in collaboration with professor
Isadore Singer of MIT, the Abel Prize for mathematics, which is almost
the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for this field.

Their Atiyah-Singer index theorem, linking pure mathematics and
theoretical physics, has been described by the Norwegian Academy of
Science, as one of the great landmarks of 20th century mathematics.

Vartan Gregorian, born and raised until the age of 15 in Tabriz,
Iran, was then educated in Beirut at the Armenian College.

He then went on to Stanford University, where he received both his
Bachelors degree and doctorate in history.

He taught at San Francisco State College, University of California, Los
Angeles, the University of Texas and the University of Pennsylvania,
where he became the first dean of Arts and Science.

Peter Jennings, the popular and suave anchor of ABC Evening News
since 1983, established the first American television news bureau in
the Arab world in Beirut in 1972. He conveyed breaking news stories
throughout the Arab world and broadcasts in hotspots in Europe,
the Middle East and Asia.

Yo-Yo Ma, born of Chinese parents in Paris, was playing the cello
when he was four years old.

Moving to New York with his musician parents, he studied at the
Juilliard School and debuted at Carnegie Hall at the age of 9.

Foreigners show keen interest in serving in Russian army

Ekho Moskvy radio, Moscow
7 Jun 04

Presenter Foreign citizens are showing a very keen interest in serving
in the Russian army. This is borne out by the figures of the military
enlistment centres. Anastasiya (?Izyumskaya) has the details.

Correspondent In the northwest of the country alone, nearly 40
foreigners have expressed a desire to serve under contract in the
Russian armed forces. I would remind you that the possibility of doing
this arose in spring this year after the appropriate amendments had
been made to the law on military service.

The Leningrad Military District mobilization HQ told Interfax news
agency that it is mainly citizens of the former Soviet republics who
want to serve under contract. Among those who have applied there are
also members of the fair sex.

Actually, this interest in military service in Russia is quite easy
to explain: after three years of serving in our army, a foreigner,
if he is from one of the former Soviet republics, can obtain Russian
citizenship.

Presenter I would add that Russian legislation stipulates a three-month
probationary period for contract soldiers.

The Russian news agency Interfax-AVN web site (Moscow, in English
0810 gmt) quoted the acting chief of the Leningrad Military District
mobilization HQ, Col Viktor Martynov, as saying the highest number
of applications by foreign citizens was made in Leningrad and Pskov
Regions.

“The applicants are primarily Ukrainians and Belarusians, and there
are some people from Moldova and Armenia. They are going through
professional selection and medical examination at assembly points of
military commissioner’s offices,” Martynov said.

MILLENNIUM CHALLENGES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE OFFICER ARRIVES IN ARMENIA

ArmenPress
May 31 2004

YEREVAN, MAY 31, ARMENPRESS: Armenian prime minister Andranik Margarian
received today, Paul Applegarth, a senior US official, who heads the
executive committee for supervising the Millennium Challenges Account
(MCA) program of $1 billion this year as part of a new U.S. policy
to help some countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the former
Soviet Union to continue their political and economic reforms. The
MCA was unveiled by President George W. Bush in 2002. Armenia is among
16 developing countries selected by the United States to benefit from
the program.

Only two former Soviet republics, Armenia and neighboring Georgia,
were picked by the board administering the MCA. The other chosen states
are Benin, Cape Verde, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique,
Senegal, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu, Bolivia, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Applegarth will also mee with President Kocharian, government
officials, and with representatives of other sectors of Armenian
society, including the media, NGOs, and the business sector. Their
visit has a two-fold purpose: to acquaint themselves with the current
situation in Armenia, and to inform the various sectors in Armenia
about the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA). Paul Applegarth, MCC CEO,
says that although the government of an MCC-eligible country will
eventually be responsible for submitting a project proposal for an
MCA compact to the MCC, the proposal will also be evaluated for its
“inclusiveness,” among other criteria. “Inclusiveness” in this case
means that the proposal is the result of wide discussions among the
sectors of society, leading to consensus on the top priorities for
promoting development in a country.

According to some reports, the Armenian government will request $40
million for the current U.S. fiscal year which ends on September 30,
to spend the money on improving education standards, healthcare and
water supplies.

Russia’s Aeroflot holding talks on buying up Georgian Airlines

RIA news agency
28 May 04

Tbilisi, 28 May: Aeroflot is holding talks on buying the Georgian
Airlines company, director-general of the Russian company Valeriy
Okulov has said. He is attending a Russian-Georgian business conference
in Tbilisi.

“The talks will take more than a week,” Okulov said. He refused to
disclose any other details of the deal.

RIA-Novosti has learnt from a member of the Russian delegation that
there is talk about purchasing 100 per cent of shares in the Georgian
company. The source said that Aeroflot had already initialled an
agreement with Georgian Airlines on acquiring the company. “The deal
is worth several million dollars,” the source said.

The source also said that talks had began at the business conference
between the Volga car manufacturer and the Georgian leadership and
the Tbilisi aircraft factory [as received] on setting up the assembly
of Niva cars in Tbilisi.

He said that talks had also started on the construction of a railway
branch from Georgia to Armenia, which will be financed by Russian,
Armenian and Georgian businessmen.

VTB intending to acquire a majority stake in one of Georgian bank majors.

Analytical Information Agency, Russia
May 28 2004

Vneshtorgbank (or VTB) is intending to acquire a majority stake in one
of Georgian bank majors. VTB said the principal agreement on the issue
has been announced over the formal meeting of Georgian’s President
Mikhail Saakashvili with the delegation of Russian manufacturers
headed by the RF Economic Development Minister German Gref.

As informed earlier, VTB completed the deal in March to get 70%
stake in Armsberbank, second largest bank of Armenia.

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

CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER: May 27, 2004

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES IN
PHILADELPHIA WITH BANQUET; AWARDS PRESENTED
The National Representative Assembly concluded last Friday evening with
a banquet in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. The host parish was St. Gregory
the Illuminator Church of Philadelphia.
During the banquet, presentations were made to a number of local
parishioners in recognition of their many years of service to the church.
The Prelacy honored three individuals: Mrs. Alice Sachaklian was named the
Person of the Year; Aram Hamparian was presented with the Spirit of Armenia
award; and K. Yervant Terzian was bestowed with the Prince of Cilicia
insignia, the highest honor given by the Catholicate of Cilicia. The local
parishioners who were honored with certificates of merit included: Philip D.
Pilibosian, Martin Shelengian, Ralph Jehanian, Albert Soltanian, Jack
Papazian, Asdghig Kazanjian, Jeanette Nazarian and the St. Gregory Church
Choir. The Prelacy’s Youth Awards were given to: Garen Nigon, Paul
Sookiasian, Ani Jilozian, Peter Yeremian, Katrina Selverian, and Niki
Arakelian, Jr.
Archbishop Oshagan expressed his profound thanks to all of the delegates
and especially to the Philadelphia community for the warm hospitality they
provided.

RAFFLE WINNERS
The annual raffle drawing of the Prelacy took place at the conclusion of
the banquet. The winners were: First prize, Nerme & Albert Sarkessian,
Melrose Park, PA; Second prize, Zaven Sarkissian, Toronto; Third prize,
Amalia Deravedisian, Springfield, PA; Fourth Prize, Bedros Givelekian,
Flushing, NY; Fifth prize, Dr. V. Khachadurian, Franklin Square, NY.
Congratulations to the winners; and thanks to all the purchasers. The
raffle is a major source of funding for many of the educational programs
instituted by the Prelacy. In that respect we are all winners.

CALLING ALL PARISHES: ENCOURAGE YOUNG
PARISHIONERS TO ATTEND DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM
Parishes should encourage their junior and senior high school age
parishioners to make plans to attend the St. Gregory of Datev Summer
Institute. The annual program takes place at the St. Mary of Providence
Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, June 27 to July 4, 2004. For registration
and information visit the Prelacy website at
or contact Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian,
212-689-7810.

CRITICAL ISSUES OF LIFE AND FAITH ARE FOCUS
OF SEMINAR FOR ADULTS
Interest is mounting for the adult seminar that is planned for June
25-27, 2004, at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. The
three-day seminar will focus on critical issues of life and faith with an
Armenian Orthodox perspective.
On Saturday, June 26, Professor Vigen Guroian will be the main speaiker.
Professor Guroian is professor of theology and ethics at Loyola College,
Baltimore, Maryland.
The program will include Bible studies, panel discussions, small group
discussions and worship services. Some of the issues discussed include:
Marriage, Reproductive technologies, abortion, suicide, and cremation.
Participation fee is only $90 per person, which includes lodging and
meals.
Visit the Prelacy web site for more information,
or contact Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, 212-689-7810.

ST. SARKIS CHURCH, DOUGLASTON, HOPES TO
ACQUIRE ADJACENT PROPERTY
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, has embarked on a campaign to
purchase an adjacent piece of property that belongs to the city of New York.
St. Sarkis has the first option to acquire the land, which would fulfill
a long-time goal of the parish. Last Sunday, May 23, the parish sponsored a
“Land and Vision” gala fund-raising banquet under the auspices of His
Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. State Senator Frank Padavan was
honored for his assistance during the past two years concerning this piece
of land.
The tentative plans include new construction for a day care center that
would serve both the Armenian community and the surrounding community.

PRELATE WILL VISIT SYRACUSE COMMUNITY
Archbishop Oshagan will visit the St. John the Baptist Church community
in Syracuse, New York, this Sunday, where he will officiate at Morning
Services and Requiem Services for the founders and other departed members of
the community. A banquet will follow the services at which time several
members of the community will be honored including: Vartkas Minasian, Zephyr
Minasian, Harry B. Telian, Nevart Apikian, Arpina Mesrobian and Anoush
Minasian Santangelo.
Accompanying the Prelate will be Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, Noubar
Megerian, Executive Council member and Karen Jehanian, former member of the
Executive Council.

SUNDAY IS PENTECOST
This Sunday, May 30, is Pentecost (Hogegaloust). Pentecost, which is
fifty days after Easter, commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost on the
disciples.
The New Testament describes the descent of the Holy Ghost on the
disciples:
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one
accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a
rushing mighty wind, and it filled the house, where they were sitting. And
there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon
each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to
speak with other tongues. (Acts 2:1-3).
The Apostles were ordinary people of Galilee, who did not possess the
ability to transmit the Truth of the Word to the many different people with
different backgrounds, culture, and languages. Christ advised His disciples
not to start their teaching immediately after the Ascension, but rather to
wait for the Descent of the Holy Spirit so that they would be empowered with
the ability to convey the new faith to all.
And behold, I send you the promise of my Father upon you, but stay in the
city, until you are clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)

MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY
This Monday, May 31, is Memorial Day. Originally called Decoration Day,
it is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan,
national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. It was first observed
on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and
Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to
officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was
recognized by all of the northern states. The South did not officially
accept the date until after World War I when the holiday changed from
honoring just those who died in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died
fighting in any war. It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last
Monday in May.
Unfortunately, most of us have forgotten the true meaning and traditions
of Memorial Day and it has become the symbolic start of summer, the barbecue
season, and of course, sales in shopping malls. To help remind Americans of
the true meaning of Memorial Day, the National Moment of Remembrance
resolution was passed in December 2000 which asks that at 3 pm local time
all Americans observe in their own way a moment of silence.

WE END WITH ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND
POETIC STATEMENTS IN AMERICAN LITERATURE:
THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this
continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the
proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or
any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a
great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that
field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that
that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should
do this.
But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate-we cannot consecrate-we
cannot hollow-this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled
here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The
world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never
forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated
here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so
nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task
remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion
to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-that we
here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this
nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of
the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

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