Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

September 24, 2004
___________________

DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA (EASTERN)
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate

* * * C O M M U N I Q U E * * *

The recent debate over the use of the vernacular in the Badarak has
mischaracterized the position of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern). It should be clearly stated that the Diocese is
committed to preserving the traditional Badarak, which has sustained our
church and people around the world for 1700 years.

Through its long history, the Armenian Church around the world has had
to confront a number of challenges. To this day it continues to address
new concerns and challenges. Some have been unique to our culture and
faith; others are challenges we share with all Christians facing the
modern reality around us. The responsibility of the Armenian Church
leadership is to identify and address those issues while remaining
steadfast in its commitment to our long and distinct traditions.

Currently some of the issues that have been raised have centered around
the church’s role in today’s contemporary life. When our members raise
concerns, we will responsibly explore them, while always coordinating
with our Mother Church in Etchmiadzin. As our community evolves, we
recognize the need to incorporate some degree of flexibility within our
church and community life to make it more accessible and relevant, and
to continue to reach out to as many Armenians as we can.

This entire process will only make our church stronger. But regardless
of what findings emerge as a result of this thoughtful process, the
Armenian community here and around the world should know clearly that
the Diocese remains committed to the traditional Armenian Badarak.

–Chancellery of the Diocese
September 24, 2004

# # #

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
24 Sept 2004

UE-TURCHIA: RICONOSCIMENTO GENOCIDIO ARMENO NON E’CONDIZIONE ;
SU QUESTIONE KURDA FATTI PASSI IN AVANTI

BRUXELLES

(ANSA) – BRUXELLES, 24 SET – La Commissione europea e
consapevole “del carattere molto sensibile” della questione
armena e del riconoscimento da parte delal Turchia del genocidio
armeno, “ma nessuno Stato membro ha mai chiesto che questo
riconoscimento dovesse far parte dei negoziati”.

Lo ha detto il portavoce delal commissione Jean-Christophe
Filori rispondendo ad alcune domande all’indomani della visita
del premier turco a Bruxelles.

Filori ha rilevato che la questione armena “e una questione
molto dolorosa che appartiene pero’ al dibattito tra gli
storici, in quanto nessuno Stato ha preteso di inserire il
riconoscimento de, genocidio armeno tra le condizioni per aprire
negoziati di adesione con la Turchia”.

Quanto alla questione del trattamento della minoranza turca,
per la Commissione “ci sono stati grandi cambiamenti. Ci sono
ancora progressi da fare, noi lo sosteniamo – ha detto Filori –
ma la tendenza e’ positiva”. (ANSA).

ARMENIA-DIASPORA: TOGETHER IN UNISON

Azg/am
24 Sept 04

For a week Armenia and Diaspora were singing together in one
voice. The goal of the initiative was to organize concerts in
Knaravan, newly built villagein Artsakh, in Stepanakert, in Shushi, in
Hadrut and in Yerevan. “Komitas” Chamber United Chorus includes the
members of Aynchar’s “Komitas” Chamber Chorus and the singers from
some of Armenian choruses. Pargev Taslakian, head and conductor of the
chorus, said that this initiative was the first practical step of “One
Nation, One Culture” festival.

“Komitas” chorus has 40-years-old history. Its members are mainly
Musaler dwellers. Being the only professional group in the Middle
East, in 2001, itwas recognized the best among the Lebanese
choruses. It deserved the right to represent Lebanon in international
musical festivals and contests. In 2001, “Komitas” chorus was
recognized the best in the Middle East.

The chorus gave over ten concerts in Armenia. It is invited to Armenia
by “Yerkir” NGO. Knaravan village was built in Nagorno Karabagh at the
initiative of “Yerkir” NGO.

On September 9, the chorus gave its last concert in Yerevan Chamber
Music Hall, performing the unique pieces of Komitas and
Kanachian. “The most important thing was that we could unite and
follow this beautiful path together,” Armen Tovmasian, singer of RA
Chamber Chorus, said after the concert. Pargev Taslakian assured that
they have many joint projects and they will certainly continue
cooperating.

In the August of 2005, “Veha” chorus, headed by Taslakian, will arrive
in Armenia to perform Armenian, European and Arabic pieces.

By Tamar Minasian

Defense Minister says Recent Meeting of Armenian and Azeri Presidents
Raises Hope

BakuToday
23/09/2004 10:49

On Tuesday, Defense Minister, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev received
Philip Dimitrov, the OSCE chairman’s special envoy on Azerbaijan and
Armenia.

AssA-Irada — General Abiyev said that the meeting of Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents recently held in Astana, Kazakhstan raises a hope
for peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict. `We think that
Armenia, which ignores the UN Security Councilâ=80=99s four
resolutions on the conflict, should be made do this. The conflict must
be settled soon within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan as the
security of huge economic projects implemented in Azerbaijan with
close participation of European countries and the USA demands this,’
Abiyev underlined.

Noting that the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh
should be solved within international legal norms and Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity, General Abiyev said that Armenia should
unconditionally withdraw its troops from Azerbaijan’s occupied
lands. Or else, Azerbaijan will be made to liberate its territory from
occupiers, he stressed.

Azeri speaker, Austrian chief prosecutor discuss Karabakh

ANS TV, Baku
22 Sep 04

[Presenter] Austrian Prosecutor-General Walter Presslauer, who is
visiting Baku, sees a solution to the Karabakh problem through
court. He has said this at a meeting with Azerbaijani Speaker Murtuz
Alasgarov.

[Correspondent, over video of the meeting] As a representative of the
justice system, I think that the parties to the conflict should appeal
to court to achieve the solution. The court should support justice,
Austrian Prosecutor-General Walter Presslauer told Azerbaijani Speaker
Murtuz Alasgarov. He said that the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict should
be solved in line with international legal norms.

[Presslauer, speaking German with Azeri voice-over] We hope that the
conflict will soon be resolved within the framework of the
OSCE. Displaced persons should be allowed to return homes. The
principle of inviolability of borders is Austria’s priority as well.

[Correspondent, over video] Speaker Murtuz Alasgarov said that
Azerbaijan denounces aggressive separatism and drew the guest’s
attention to the fact that international organizations have been
neglecting the Nagornyy Karabakh problem. He again criticized the
OSCE Minsk Group which is mediating a settlement of the conflict over
Nagornyy Karabakh.

[Alasgarov] In general, we are very much unhappy with the activities
of the OSCE and its Minsk Group. They should know that Armenia is an
aggressor state. If international organizations do not call a spade a
spade, then the solution is impossible.

[Correspondent, over video] Alasgarov is convinced that Austria as an
influential country in Europe, will support Azerbaijan’s just cause.

Afat Telmanqizi, Ramil Huseynov, ANS.

Noyan Tapan Highlights #37 (539)
20 September, 2004

Breakthrough in Karabakh?

By Haroutiun Khachatrian

Periods of International tension is not the best time to settle
conflicts. Mid September 2004 is the period of increase in tension in
Caucasus, both internal, and among the states. The increasing
uncertainty among Georgia and Russia following the impatient storming
of Georgia in South Ossetia, the shock of Azerbaijan leadership over
the cancellation of the NATO war games have greatly aggravated by the
aftermath of the tragedy in Beslan.

Russia has almost closed its borders with Georgia and Azerbaijan,
hence bringing new problems to these countries, and, of course, to
Armenia as well. On this background, the CIS summit in Astana,
Kazakhstan, brought together the presidents of Armenia and
Azerbaijan. Formally, the meeting which lasted almost five hours
(including 1.5 hour with Russian President Putin as the third partner,
and some time of talks in the presence to the Minsk Group Co-Chairmen)
has brought no results. However, there are some bases to expect some
progress here.

First, the meeting was to develop the results of the meeting of the
Foreign Ministers of the two countries held in Prague on August 30,
which both ministers characterized as very positive.

Second, the presence of the Putin, who, according to a Russian
newspaper, is eager to become the principal peace-maker in Nagorno
Karabakh, might have a certain positive impact.

Third, the above-mentioned whole atmosphere of uncertainty and the
danger emergence of additional problem every new day could also
stimulate the presidents to additional flexibility.

As “leakage” of information shows, the versions under discussion may
include some moves aimed at return of at least part of the Azeri
displaced persons to the territories around Nagorno Karabakh now
controlled by the Armenian forces. If so, Robert Kocharian has,
probably, given up from his commitment to the “package solution”
implying link between the return of those territories and the
determination of the status of Nagorno Karabakh. This path may result
in decreasing the tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but its
dangers are also evident.

In fact, nothing is clear yet. There is no guarantee that the
breakthrough will take place, even in the form of a preliminary
agreement between the two leaders. Let’s wait another couple of
months.

—

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
September 21, 2004 Tuesday

OSCE Chairman-in-Office concerned about Karabakh conflict

By Sevindzh Abdullayeva, Viktor Shulman

BAKU

OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Pasi
is concerned about the protracted conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh,
Pasi’s special envoy for Azerbaijan and Armenia Filip Dimitrov said
at a Tuesday meeting with Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev.

“The OSCE Chairman-in-Office thinks that the problem must be solved
as soon as possible,” Dimitrov said.

Abiyev thinks that the Astana meeting between the Azerbaijani and
Armenian presidents “gives hope for peace settlement of the problem.”
He agreed that the conflict should be settled quickly for the sake of
“security of large economic projects in Azerbaijan with the
participation of European countries and the United States.”

The Karabakh conflict must be settled on the basis of international
legal norms and in conformity to the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan, the minister said. “Armenia must unconditionally pull out
troops from the occupied lands. Otherwise Azerbaijan will have to
free them,” he noted.

NKR PRESENTED GRANTED AN AMNESTY

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR)
20 Sept 04

On September 17 the president of the Republic of Nagorni Karabakh
Arkady Ghukassian considered the appeals for pardon of the
prisoners. By the decree of the president 13 persons were granted
amnesty. Conditional pardon was granted to 22 prisoners. 16 prisoners
were refused pardon taking into account the degree of graveness of
their crimes. Among the prisoners granted presidential pardon are
Samvel Babayan and Erik Paramazian.

AA.
20-09-2004

EU Commission chief Prodi heads to strategic Caucasus region

Agence France Presse — English
September 16, 2004 Thursday

BAKU Sept 16 — European Commission President Romano Prodi was due
to arrive in Azerbaijan Thursday at the start of a three-day visit
to the south Caucasus, a strategic region where Moscow and Washington
compete for influence.

Prodi is scheduled to have talks with officials in oil-rich Azerbaijan
before flying on to neighbouring Georgia, scene of last year’s dramatic
“rose revolution.” He will round off his tour with a visit to Armenia.

The European Union’s top official said the aim of his visit was to
promote democracy, strengthen links with the EU and help resolve
lingering conflicts in the region, which was previously part of the
Soviet Union.

“This first-ever visit by a European Commission president highlights
the EU’s interest in the region,” Prodi said ahead of the trip.

“My visit is intended to send the important message that the EU is
fully committed to supporting the Southern Caucasus countries as they
work to build stable societies based on democratic values.”

Western governemnts have a strong interest in the region, which is
set to become a crossroads for transporting oil and gas supplies
from the Caspian Sea, home to some of the world’s biggest untapped
hydrocarbon reserves.

However, Russia, the former imperial power in the region, is also a
key player.

There are three unresolved armed conflicts in the region — between
Georgia and separatists in South Ossetia and Abkazia and between
Armenia and Azerbaijan over the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Some in the region accuse Moscow of fanning the conflicts to preserve
its influence in the south Caucasus.

In June, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia were admitted to the EU’s
European Neighbourhood Policy, a scheme designed to build bridges
between the EU and the countries on its periphery.

Prodi’s term as European Commission President ends on November
1. He will be succeeded by Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel
Durao Barroso.

UE: PRODI IN CAUCASO, PRONTI A LAVORARE CON MOSCA

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
September 16, 2004

BRUXELLES

(ANSA) – BRUXELLES, 16 SET – “I terribili avvenimenti di Beslan,
in Ossezia, mostrano chiaramente che l instabilita nutre il
terrorismo”. L’Unione europea riconosce il ruolo importante che la
Russia svolge nel Caucaso e per questo “dobbiamo e siamo pronti a
lavorare con Mosca per cercare soluzioni ai problemi della regione”. Lo
ha detto all’Ansa il presidente della Commissione europea Romano
Prodi, prima di cominciare una missione nel Caucaso del sud, che
prevede incontri con i maggiori dirigenti politici e della societa
civile e religiosa di Azerbaigian, Georgia e Armenia. (ANSA)