PRESS RELEASE
ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE
TR-34480 Kumkapi, Istanbul
Tel: +90 (212) 517-0970
Fax: +90 (212) 516-4833
[email protected]

ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATE TAKES LEGAL ACTION TO KEEP MELKONIAN INSTITUTE OPEN

CONTACT: RAFFI ZINZALIAN
951-453-9917

On behalf of Melkonian alumni, around the world, the Patriarch of the
Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey, Mesrob Mutafyan, as the original trustee of
the Melkonian gift, filed a lawsuit on January 13, 2005, with the Superior
Court of the State of California, against The Armenian General Benevolent
Union seeking to continue the Institute as the premier Armenian educational
facility in the world and enforce the terms of the Garabed Melkonian Trust.
The suit will be prosecuted by MacCarley & Rosen, PLC of Los Angeles,
California.

Devoted alumni from around the world have banded together to oppose the
closing of their beloved Melkonian Educational Institute, a treasure of
Armenian culture and education in Nicosia, Cyprus. Using the proceeds of a
large financial gift from Garabed Melkonian, a benefactor, the Armenian
Patriarch of Constantinople, Zaven Der Yeghyayan, in 1923 established the
Melkonian Educational Institute in Cyprus. It has nurtured three generations
of Armenian teachers, educators, lawyers, doctors, poets, scientists, and
leaders. Its location in Cyprus puts it at the crossroads of the Armenian
culture-between the Armenia homeland and the millions of Armenians who have
immigrated to Europe and the America’s.

In 1925, the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople with Garabed Melkonian’s
concurrence thereafter conveyed the entire gift, including the Melkonian
Educational Institute, in trust to the Armenian General Benevolent Union,
with the express direction and expectation that the AGBU would maintain the
Institute in Cyprus and continue to educate Armenian youth long into the
future. The Melkonian School now educates over 200 students from throughout
the world every year at its 40 acre campus in Nicosia.

The AGBU has recently announced that the Melkonian Institute will be closed
at the end of the 2005 school year. Melkonian graduates from around the
world have united in vigorous opposition to any effort to sell off the
School and to do injustice to Garabed Melkonian’s vision and foresight. So
far, individual calls to AGBU to retain the school have gone unanswered.

PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia & New Zealand
10 Macquarie Street
Chatswood NSW 2067
AUSTRALIA
Contact: Laura Artinian
Tel: (02) 9419-8056
Fax: (02) 9413-1709
Email: [email protected]

24 January 2005

REMEMBERING THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VICTIMS OF BAKU & AZERBAIJAN

Sydney, Australia – On Sunday, 23 January, 2005, a solemn requiem service
was held during the Divine Liturgy in memory of the many hundreds of
Armenians killed in the course of the pogroms in Baku, Sumgait and other
regions of Azerbaijan in January 1990. The commemoration of the victims was
observed by Armenian churches worldwide at the call of His Holiness Karekin
II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

In his sermon, His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the
Diocese of Australia and New Zealand remembered the tragic events that led
to the campaign of persecution directed at the Armenians of Baku. As
history shows, the sacrifice of life is not uncommon for the Armenian people
but the memorial of Armenian martyrs will remain forever in the fibre of the
Armenian identity. Archbishop Aghan called on the voices of power to
condemn and remedy the injustices that were executed upon the Armenian
victims of Azerbaijan.

The congregation was led in prayer for the repose of the souls of these
victims.

ITAR-TASS News Agency
TASS
January 23, 2005 Sunday 8:22 AM Eastern Time

Visit by FM to Baku to help discuss reforming CIS-spokesman

BAKU, January 23

A visit by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Baku on February 1-2
“will help to discuss several questions on reforming the CIS”, along
with bilateral relations and pressing international problems, said
here on Sunday Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander
Yakovenko.

According to spokesman, Russia “heads this work in the Commonwealth
and now collects proposals from member countries”. Yakovenko noted
that Lavrov “plans to visit in the near future all the CIS states for
such discussion. For instance the diplomat noted, a trip to Georgia
is planned for February. “There are plans on visits to other
countries as well,” Yakovenko noted.

“The situation in ‘flash spots’, including Nagorno-Karabakh, will be
one of topics for talks of the Russian minister in Azerbaijan.
“Russia is a member of the Minsk Group,” Yakovenko noted. “We believe
that it is necessary to reach understandings and to follow
attentively processes in the region.”

He reported that “important events are in store” in the life of the
two countries. “2005 is Year of Azerbaijan in Russia, while 2006 –
Year of Russia in Azerbaijan.” “We are interested in consolidating
bilateral cooperation,” Yakovenko emphasized.

Speaking in Baku on Sunday at the roundtable “Russia and Azerbaijan.
United information space: issues and prospects”, the diplomat
reported that he “held today first consultations on information
coverage of foreign policy”. For instance he discussed cooperation on
such topics as struggle against terrorism, organized crime and drug
trafficking.

The spokesman underlined importance of “promoting objective
information on the contribution of our countries to the Victory in
the Great Patriotic War, 1941-1945”.

All-Women Games open in Iran

By NASSER KARIMI
.c The Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – About 600 women from 17 countries will participate
in the All-Women Games for Muslim and Asian Capitals, and men will be
barred from watching all but one of the events.

The only sport that will be open to all spectators is shooting, the
lone event in which women’s bodies will be completely covered. Other
sports at the weeklong competition – which has drawn athletes from
countries including Afghanistan, Armenia, Iraq and Thailand – include
athletics and swimming.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran promotes women sports while it
safeguards cultural values,” parliament speaker Gholam Ali Haddad
Adel said to about 10,000 men and women attending Sunday’s opening
ceremony.

“We like to prove to the world women could compete and observe the
Islamic dress code as well.”

In the past, Iranian female athletes were restricted from
participating in sporting events because of their country’s strict
dress code. In public, Iranian women are required to wear baggy
smocks and head scarves in line with strict Islamic teachings. More
traditional women cover themselves with chadors, or loose unsewn black
sheets.

Iran also bars mixed competition and restricts mingling between
unrelated males and females in public.

Iranian women have often participated in international shooting or
chess competitions, where they can keep their headscarves and
full-length outfits. Iranian women took part in the shooting events
at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the 2000 Sydney Games.

Conservative clerics have opposed women in sports, but moderates have
succeeded in promoting the idea, gradually convincing some members of
the conservative camp to soften their opposition.

Iran co-organized the Muslim Women Games with other Muslim countries
in the mid-1990s, and hosted the Third Muslim Women Games in 2001.

01/23/05 17:48 EST

SwissInfo, Suisse
Dimanche, 23 janvier 2005

France: l’UDF en congrès vote pour la Constitution européenne

PARIS – Quelque 2000 élus et militants du parti français de
centre-droit UDF ont entériné leur volonté de faire campagne pour le
“oui” au référendum sur la Constitution européenne. Ils ont réaffirmé
leur opposition à une adhésion de la Turquie à l’UE.

Les participants ont approuvé samedi soir à une écrasante majorité,
lors d’un vote à main levée, un texte disant que “l’UDF partage
l’inquiétude de ceux qui voient dans l’élargissement à des pays non
européens comme la Turquie un risque de dissolution du projet
européen”.

L’UDF “considère que la perspective d’un partenariat privilégié
aurait dû figurer dans l’accord d’ouverture des négociations (avec la
Turquie), exigeant en même temps la reconnaissance de Chypre, du
génocide arménien” et de la question kurde par Ankara, poursuit le
texte adopté à l’issue d’un débat.

Le document stipule aussi que “plus il y a risque de dissolution,
plus vite il faut rendre l’Europe solidaire et démocratique. L’UDF
votera donc oui et fera campagne résolument pour le oui au référendum
sur la Constitution européenne”.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Donald Kuspit To Speak on Arshile Gorky

ArtDaily.com
January 21, 2005

LOS ANGELES, CA.- Donald Kuspit, one of America’s most distinguished
art critics, is making a rare speaking appearance in Los Angeles at
Jack Rutberg Fine Arts, 357 N. La Brea Ave., on Friday, January 28,
7:30 p.m. Dr. Kuspit will present “A Discussion on Arshile Gorky”, on
whom he has written and lectured extensively.

In his roles as a critic, art historian, author of countless articles
and more than twenty books, Donald Kuspit is among the most respected,
prolific and at times provocative commentators on modern and
contemporary art.

Donald Kuspit is Professor of Art History at Stony Brook University,
New York. Winner of the prestigious Frank Jewett Mather Award for
Distinction in Art Criticism given by the College Art Association, he
is a Contributing Editor at Artforum, Sculpture, and Tema Celeste
magazines, the Editor of Art Criticism, and on the advisory board of
Centennial Review.

“An Evening with Donald Kuspit” at Jack Rutberg Fine Arts, 357 N. La
Brea Ave. in Los Angeles is sponsored by the Hans G. and Thordis
W. Burkhardt Foundation and is free and open to the public, but space
is limited. This lecture is presented in conjunction with “Arshile
Gorky – The Early Years,” an exhibition of 67 works by this important
20th Century artist. The exhibition extends through February 26. Those
wishing to attend should R.S.V.P. to (323) 938-5222 to reserve
seating.

;int_new=12396

HEAD OF GUGARK DIOCESE AWARDED WITH GOLD MEDAL AFTER FRIDTJOF NANSEN

YEREVAN, January 21 (Noyan Tapan). Bishop Ter Sepuh Chuljian, the Head
of the Gugark Diocese, was awarded with a gold medal after Fridtjof
Nansen. According to the press divan of the Gugark Diocese, Felix
Bakhchinian, the Chairman of the “Fridtjof Nansen” Foundation, handed
the medal to the holy father. The medal awarding ceremony was solemnly
held at the residence of the Gugark Diocese with the participation of
the clergymen of the Diocese.

SENATOR CHUCK POOCHIGIAN HONORED AT LOS ANGELES AREA DINNER FOR
CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMPAIGN

LOS ANGELES, January 19 (Noyan Tapan). California State Senator Chuck
Poochigian (R-Fresno) was honored at a dinner in support of his
campaign for Attorney General held at Sheraton Universal Hotel in
Universal City on Thursday, January 13, 2005. The dinner program
featured California’s 35th Governor, George Deukmejian, who also
served as Attorney General. Dr. Joan Otomo-Corgel, a longtime
Poochigian family friend was the emcee for the event. Governor
Deukmejian was introduced by former California Congressman and
Assemblyman Steve Kuykendall. Governor Deukmejian offered remarks on
the history and importance of the office of Attorney General and
praised Poochigian and his wife, Debbie, for their work in government
and politics. He warmly introduced Senator Poochigian to approximately
500 enthusiastic dinner guests. Senator Poochigian spoke about his
preparation for the office beginning with his work as a member of the
senior staff to Governors Deukmejian and Pete Wilson. His
responsibilities had included considerable work in assisting in the
selection of members of the judiciary and seeking men and women for
appointment who were highly respected, hard-working, and committed to
the rule of law. He spoke of the importance of similar qualities in
the state’s chief law officer who, in the ideal, should judiciously
carry out the duties of the office. Senator Poochigian spoke about the
challenges of conducting a statewide race and the necessity of having
strong involvement of committed supporters throughout California. He
encouraged guests to actively participate in the campaign and to
encourage others to join in the effort. Entertainment was provided by
Fred Travalena, a renowned singer, impressionist, comedian and song
writer who has performed internationally on stage and screen. Jill
Simonian, who is a television host of World Entertainment Connections,
sang the National Anthem and closed the evening with a wonderful
rendition of America the Beautiful. First elected to the Legislature
in 1994, Chuck Poochigian has in the course of two Assembly and Senate
terms, represented Central California from Bakersfield to the
Sacramento county line. He has been in the leadership of the
Republican Caucus for his entire time in the Legislature – beginning
in his first term when he chaired the Appropriations Committee and was
named “Republican Rookie of the Year” (in a class of 22). He has had a
distinguished legislative career with many important legislative
accomplishments in the fields of education, business and law
enforcement. Most recently, he was the author of comprehensive
legislation sponsored by Governor Schwarzenegger to reform
California’s workers’ compensation system.

ARF BUREAU REPRESENTIVE TO PARTICIPATE IN “ARF DAY” FESTIVITY ON US
WESTERN COAST

YEREVAN, January 21 (Noyan Tapan). Since January 17 the ARF Bureau
representative Hrant Margarian has been on the Western Coast of the US
where he has had meetings with various organizations of the ARF and
the community. He will also be the principal speaker at the “ARF Day”
festivity to be held on January 22. NT was informed about this from
ARF press service.

RA GOVERNMENT ALLOCATES 100 MILLION DRAMS TO ASSIST LAND USERS
SUFFERED FROM NATURAL DISASTERS IN NKR

YEREVAN, January 21 (Noyan Tapan). At the January 20 session, the RA
government made a decision to allocate in 2005 from its reserve fund
100 million drams (about 2 million US dollars) to the RA Ministry of
Finance and Economy with the aim of providing the NKR government with
resources in order to assist with seeds, fertilizers and fuel the land
users of Nagorno-Karabakh areas that suffered from frostbite, hail and
other natural disasters in 2004. NT was informed about this from the
RA governmemt’s Information and PR Department.