Russian defence minister to visit Armenia
By Alexander Konovalov

Itar-Tass, Russia
May 20 2004

MOSCOW, May 20 — Russian Acting Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov will
leave for Armenia on Thursday for a two-day working visit.

After arriving in Yerevan, the minister will have talks with his
counterpart Serzh Sarkisyan to discuss prospects for development of the
military and technical military cooperation between Russia and Armenia,
including deliveries of Russian military machinery and weapons and
forming of a Russian-Armenian regional military unit similar to that
being formed by Moscow and Minsk, a Russian Defence Ministry source
told Itar-Tass.

The two ministers will also discuss international and regional
security issues, including the situation in Iraq, the Middle East,
Afghanistan and the Caucasus.

Ivanov will participate in the meeting of the CIS defence minister
council on May 21.

There are 20 issues on the meeting agenda, including development of
the CIS united air-defence system, joint exercises and cooperation
to prevent proliferation of mass destruction weapons.

The same day, the Russian minister will have a series of bilateral
meetings with CIS counterparts.

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan is expected to receive the meeting
participants.

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:

May 20, 2004
___________________

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ASKS FOR INTERVENTION IN SUDAN

Joining efforts by the U.S. government, the United Nations, and a
variety of international aid organizations to stop the violence in
Sudan before it becomes genocide, the National Council of Churches
(NCC) this week issued a call for intervention in the troubled region.

During its meeting in Chicago, the NCC’s executive board passed a
resolution on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, urging member churches to push
for cessation of the apparent attempt at ethnic cleansing in the
Darfur region of western Sudan.

The violence has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and
displaced a million people.

A NEW GENOCIDE?

The year-long battle in the Darfur region is being propagated by the
majority Arab population which controls most of the nation’s wealth
and power. U.N. officials report a systematic attempt to rid the
Darfur region of non-Arab residents.

News reports tell of bombings from government airplanes followed by an
invasion by the Jinjaweit — a government-backed nomadic Arab tribe
which has been promised the land in Darfur — who are using rape,
killings, and arson to force the surviving black residents to leave.

Those able to flee the Sudan — which was recently elected to a
three-year term on the U.N. Human Rights Commission — have been
pouring into neighboring Chad, where food, water, and shelter are
growing scarce. American officials have unsuccessfully called on
Sudan to allow humanitarian aid to flow into the Darfur area.

“My family is victim of the first genocide of the 20th century,” said
Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate and ecumenical officer of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and a member of the NCC
executive board. “I am very much concerned when I see that people in
other nations now are being massacred as well, simply because they
are black. Ten years ago, in Rwanda, in front of the civilized world,
one million people were slaughtered. The same thing is happening now
in Sudan. The NCC must take this very seriously and do something.”

The first NCC resolution dealing with the Sudan was approved in 2002.
This recent resolution “affirms and extends” the calls to action made
in the earlier statement of the NCC Executive Board — an 80 member
body representing leaders from the NCC’s 36 Protestant, Orthodox,
and Anglican member churches.

— 5/20/04

# # #

IRAN SEEKS ENERGY COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA

IPR Strategic Business Information Database
May 20, 2004

According to “Tehran Times”, a member of Sadid Saba Nirou Company’s
board of directors stated that Energy Ministry sought more cooperation
with Armenia in the field of wind energy. Shahram Aminian said that
Iran was capable of exporting technical know-how to neighboring
countries. He noted that Iran – Armenia negotiations in this regard
had not been finalized, but the Energy Ministry is following up the
issue. The official said Iran enjoyed technical know-how to build
wind turbines and was capable of exported relevant services to other
countries.

RINGSIDE; ABELYAN LETS RIP AT SCOTT
BY JIM BLACK

The Express
May 20, 2004

ARMENIAN William Abelyan went on the attack yesterday when he launched
a fresh verbal assault on WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison.

Abelyan is fired up after reading that Harrison plans to give him a
“hammering” when he bids to dethrone the title holder at Braehead
Arena on June 19.

Abelyan, who also had plenty to say prior to the enforced postponement
of the pair’s planned showdown in March, claims Harrison is all mouth
and is running scared.

“Harrison’s got a big mouth and I am going to shut it for him, ” vowed
Abelyan. “The boxing ring is my house and Harrison is not welcome.

“I’ve read what he’s been saying and he’s talking a lot of garbage.
He’s scared and that’s why he’s talking big. But we’ll see if he’s
talking just as big when he’s face-to-face with me.”

Fight bosses are praying it’s third time lucky after 26-year-old
Harrison also suffered a training injury, forcing promoters Sports
Network to scrap a second date on May 29.

But Abelyan insists he’s not fazed by the delay, adding that he
intends returning to his homeland for the first time in 16 years as
world champion.

“The reason I have not been back since moving to California at the
age of nine is because I wanted to achieve something special first,
” said Abelyan.

“I want the world title more than money and I will return to Armenia
as a hero and as the first champion to come out of the country.

“I’m ready to fight Harrison right now. If my handlers told me that
we were going to Scotland tomorrow I would jump straight onto the
plane because I have never been more up for a fight than this one.”

But Harrison, who has been receiving treatment for a damaged bicep
in his left arm sustained while doing pull-ups, has warned Abelyan
he is facing ring heartbreak.

“Abelyan is standing in my way and he will be removed, ” he said.

“The fact that he is mouthing off yet again tells me that he isn’t
very confident. He’s trying to talk himself up by sounding good.”

Meanwhile, Scottish amateur boxing has lost one of its staunchest
supporters following the death of David Jackson.

A former Scottish champion, David, who was in his early 70s, was both
a trainer and promoter and ran a number of shows at the Kelvin Hall.

He was also a highly respected European referee.

His funeral will be held at St Bridget’s Church, Baillieston at
9.30am tomorrow.

Armenia turns to Cyprus as bridge to E.U.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur
May 20, 2004, Thursday

NICOSIA — Cyprus can act as a bridge between the European Union and
its neighbours, including Armenia, Parliament President Demitris
Christofias said Thursday after a meeting with Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanian, on a working visit to the island.

Christofias said they discussed the latest developments in Cyprus as
well as the prospect of enhanced bilateral cooperation.

“Friendly relations, development of economic and cultural exchanges,
when accompanied by practical steps, become more solid,” said
Christofias.

“In future, we will focus on economic cooperation. There are no
political differences between our two countries. Just the opposite, we
have a lot in common on the resolution of conflicts and regional peace
and stability so we will continue to work together in international
organisations,” he said.

Meanwhile, Oskanian also discussed Cyprus’ accession to the E.U.,
the problems in the Caucasus and the issue of Nakorno Karabakh with
his Cyprus counterpart George Iacovou.

He said “we see Cyprus as a friendly country, as an insider in the
E.U. and we can rely on its help to further advance our integration
processes with European structures and particularly with the E.U.”

Iacovou referred to the presence of an Armenian community in Cyprus
that is active in the economic, social and political life of the
country.

Oskanian said he listened to the explanation of the Cypriot minister
about the the U.N. unification plan and the reasons the Greek Cypriot
community rejected it in a referendum on April 24.

“We’ve also talked about other regional matters, particularly Armenia’s
relations with its neighbours, Turkey in particular,” he noted, adding
“as a goal before us we have the normalisation of ties between Armenia
and Turkey.” dpa mdp bg

HENRY’S GOLD RUSH
by NEIL MARTIN

Daily Star
May 20, 2004

THIERRY HENRY is set to complete a sensational season by claiming
the European Golden Boot this weekend.

The French striker has already topped the Premiership scoring chart
after netting 30 league goals as Arsenal won the title with an amazing
unbeaten record.

And he is almost sure to take the European award. Ailton Concalves
needs a hat-trick for Werder Bremen against Hansa Rostock to pip him.

The European Golden Boot is now based on a weighted system with goals
in the best leagues worth two points each, compared to just one point
apiece in smaller competitions.

Although Ara Hakobyan has scored 45 goals for FC Banants in Armenia,
Henry tops the charts with 60 points ahead of Concalves on 56 and AC
Milan’s Andrei Shevchenko on 48.

Henry has already been voted PFA and Barclaycard Player of the Year.
He will miss collecting the Football Writers’ Association award in
London tonight as he is on duty with France.

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

CROSSROAD E-NEWSLETTER: May 20, 2004

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
CONVENES IN PHILADELPHIA

OPENING ADDRESS BY PRELATE FOCUSES
ON THE ARMENIAN FAMILY
Delegates from the parishes under the jurisdiction of the Eastern
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, arrived in Philadelphia
yesterday to begin the deliberations of the National Representative Assembly
(NRA). The host parish, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, welcomed the
delegates as they arrived to participate in the formal opening of the annual
meeting at 2 p.m. Welcoming words were offered by Jack Papazian, chairman of
St. Gregory Board of Trustees, and Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, the Pastor. A
message from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
offering congratulations and encouragement was read.
Reports were presented by the Religious and Executive Councils, the
Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) and the Armenian National
Education Committee (ANEC).
The keynote address was delivered by Professor Vigen Guroian who
captivated the delegates and guests with his timely and provocative analysis
on the institution of marriage. Professor Guroian said:
For reasons that on this occasion I can review in only the smallest
detail, it may no longer be possible or permissible for the Armenian Church
in the state of Massachusetts and no doubt soon in many other states to
cooperate or collaborate with government in marrying persons, as has been
carried on in one form or another within Christendom since the fifth and
sixth centuries. It may be time for our bishop to instruct priests that in
states that adopt gay marriage laws the Armenian Church must withdraw from
the standard process and not deliver marriage consecration on behalf of the
state, in simple terms not to sign marriage certificates. It may be, that in
fact, Armenian Church faithful must for a time live defacto under a two-tier
arrangement in which they obtain a civil marriage to meet legal requirements
and qualify for married status in the eyes of the state and come to the
church to receive true, sacramental marriage. …Today in our land this
profound Christian truth about the divine and salving nature of marriage is
being contradicted in the most destructive and hateway way. We have seen the
celebration of this rejection of Christian truth spilling over into the
streets of San Francisco and Boston. There is little doubt what is coming.
We must fight to prevent this explosion of the meaning of marriage, not for
the sake of, at best, a Pyrrhic victory, but as testimony of our faith in
the love of God and his holiness.
An extended and lively question and answer period followed.
Later that morning Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, the Prelate, delivered
his message, which focused on the Armenian Family. He spoke about the
Armenian Family as a Church and the Armenian Family as a Nation. The Prelate
said:
We are all aware that His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia, proclaimed 2004 the Year of the Armenian Family. The family with
its narrow and wide meaning comprises all of us individually and
collectively with a national and universal understanding.
. The Armenian Church turned the Gospe’s message and salvific mission
into the sustenance that strengthened and spread the faith transmitted by
the apostles, giving Armenian nuances to our peoples distinct character. Our
language and literature were born and advanced within Christianity; stones
were given form and quality and became God’s Churches-Hripsime and
Zvartnotz. Sound was given the modulation of songs and became angelic
prayers, hymns, and melodies. For the simplicity and purity of the Armenian
soul, our church fathers defined our theology, ecclesiology and liturgy. All
of this formed the identity of the Armenian Church. She had her special
place in God’s family, praying in her style and tongue, singing with her own
mode and spirit, and a theology with her own philosophy and understanding.
These qualities imprinted such a deep and defining stamp on our nation’s
spiritual and intellectual bedrock, which became our image, our uniqueness.
In the words of our historian Yeghishe, it became the color of our skin.
Because of this, during our peaceful and prosperous times, but especially
during the times of destructions, massacres, and invasions by our enemies
and during the time we were deprived of our government, the Armenian Church
spread her protection over her faithful with total dedication, keeping them
members of the Christian and Armenian Church family. And it is a fact that
those who distanced themselves from the Mother Church lost a part of their
identity, to say the least. For centuries we lived safely with our own
identity thanks to the Armenian Church and her spiritual, cultural,
philanthropic, and Christ- and nation-loving mission. Today our confident
expectation is that the Armenian Church will continue her centuries old
mission to her children with the same understanding and dedication.
The theme of the family continued with the keynote address delivered by
Dr. Vigen Guroian, Professor of Religion and Ethics at Loyola College in
Baltimore. Professor Guroian spoke about the Armenian Christian Family Under
Fire.

ASCENSION DAY WILL BE CELEBRATED TONIGHT
Today is Ascension Day (Hampartzoum) and it will be celebrated tonight
in Philadelphia by the Prelate, the Prelacy clergy, NRA delegates, and the
faithful of the Philadelphia community. The Divine Liturgy will start at
7:30 pm, officiated by V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar of the
Prelacy.

MIDWEST JEOPARDY TOURNAMENT WINNER
IS ARS ZAVARIAN SCHOOL
The Armenian Jeopardy Tournaments, organized by the Armenian National
Education Committee (ANEC), have become even more popular than expected.
Last Sunday, May 15, the Midwest Tournament took place in Chicago and the
first place winner was the Armenian Relief Society Zavarian School of
Detroit. Second place winner was the Taniel Varoujan School.
The championship game will take place this Sunday, May 23, at St.
Gregory Church, Philadelphia. The regional champions will compete for the
grand championship. Competing will be: ARS Zavarian School (Detroit);
Armenian Sisters Academy (Philadelphia); and St. Stephen Saturday School
(Watertown).
Good luck to all!

AKHTAMAR CHURCH ENDANGERED
The Assembly of Armenians of Europe issued an appeal following an
article that appeared in the Turkish Zaman newspaper about the Church of the
Holy Cross on the island of Akhtamar. The church is not protected by UNESCO
and the Assembly of Armenians of Europe is asking that letters be sent to
Mr. Laurent Levi-Strauss (Deputy Director for the Division of Cultural
Heritage, Chief of Section for Tangible Heritage, UNESCO, e mail:
[email protected] and to Mr. Francis Childe (Senior Programme
Specialist, Europe, Asia, Pacific, UNESCO, e-mail: [email protected] and
to the AAE Brussels Head Office, e-mail: [email protected]
The Church of the Holy Cross is situated on an island in Lake Van. The
church was built during the reign of King Gagik I and is one of the finest
examples of Armenian architecture.

U.S. CHURCH LEADERS PRESS PRESIDENT BUSH
ON PROBLEMS FACING HOLY LAND CHRISTIANS
Fifty leaders of evangelical and mainline Protestant, Catholic, and
Orthodox churches and church-related organizations in the United States
delivered a letter to President Bush on May 7, asking for a full
understanding of the crisis in the Holy Land confronting Christian
Palestinians, Christian institutions, and those who wish to visit the
birthplace of Christianity.
Stating that the churches have directed their concerns to the Israeli
government but to little avail, the church leaders appealed for the
President’s intervention to help restore the normal function of Christian
institutions in Israel and the occupied territories.
The letter addressed the concerns specifically regarding the effects of
the separation being constructed by Israel, taxation issues that may force
many church institutions to close due to the rescinding of their
longstanding tax-exempt status, and the denial and delay of visas by Israel
for clergy and church personnel resulting in understaffed seminaries,
churches, hospitals, education and other institutions.
The signers stated clearly that they do not mean to minimize the
suffering of Muslims and Jews, and asked the President to assist all
Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the Holy Land for peacemaking that builds
bridges to a new and hopeful future.
Source: National Council of Churches

THE VOICE OF GOD
I sought to hear the voice of God,
And climbed the topmost steeple.;
But God declared: Go down again,
I dwell among the people.
(Louis I. Newman)

Visit our website at

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AGBU PRESS OFFICE
55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone (212) 319-6383
Fax (212) 319-6507
Email [email protected]
Webpage

PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, May 20, 2004

SETRAKIAN TOURS ARMENIA
ANNOUNCES PLANS TO ESTABLISH A NEW INSTITUTE FOR DIASPORAN ARMENIANS

During his first official visit as AGBU President, Mr. Berge Setrakian
toured Armenia April 1 – 10, 2004, and held a series of meetings with
top government and church officials from the Republic and neighboring
Karabakh. He toured AGBU’s diverse array of Armenia-based projects
and announced plans for a new Melkonian center for Armenian youth
in Yerevan.

With a long record of assistance to Armenia that began with
pioneering projects of the 1920’s and 1930’s–humanitarian relief,
the repatriation of Armenians, the creation of new villages, and the
building of medical and educational institutions–AGBU continues its
contribution to the development of a strong and independent state.

Today, AGBU’s initiatives, with the generosity of its members and
donors, touch the lives of thousands and thousands of Armenians
worldwide. AGBU President Berge Setrakian’s recent trip reinforced
the organization’s interest in the development of Armenia’s spiritual,
economic and intellectual infrastructure.

TIES THAT BIND

Since the 1988 Gyumri earthquake and Armenia’s independence in 1991,
AGBU, while continuing to develop its Diasporan programs, has paid
special attention to the homeland and more recently, Karabakh.

During his visit to Armenia, Setrakian met with President Robert
Kocharian and other high ranking officials, including Premier
Andranik Markarian, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Education and
Science Minister Sergo Yeritsian, Culture Minister Tamar Poghossian,
Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Gagik Harutyunyan, as well as the
American, Russian, French and Lebanese ambassadors. At these meetings,
the AGBU President outlined the organization’s vision to work with
local Armenians to preserve a common Armenian heritage. The government
officials expressed their appreciation for AGBU’s accomplishments
and for its important achievements and programs both in Armenia and
the Diaspora in pursuance of the organization’s goals and mission.

Continuing on his ten-day tour, Mr. Setrakian visited the American
University of Armenia (AUA), where he received a warm reception
by university staff and members of the student body. He expressed
great pride in the continuous growth of AUA since its founding as a
partnership venture of the Armenian government, AGBU and the University
of California corporation.

“I am very glad that 80 percent of AUA graduates find employment
locally and remain in Armenia. We are proud to be part of the
university,” Mr. Setrakian said at the event.

The AGBU President also met with Rector of Yerevan Medical University,
Dr. Vilen Hakobyan, and visited the state-of-the-art Ultrasound Center
(UC), which boasts an extensive training program that attracts medical
students not only from Armenia but India, Nepal, Russia, and the United
States. The UC was established jointly with the Yerevan State Medical
University and Philadelphia’s Thomas Jefferson University through
the financial support of AGBU and the leadership of Dr. Levon Nazarian.

Mr. Setrakian paid a visit to the president of Yerevan State Univeristy
(YSU) and met with the members of the University Council. YSU Rector
Radik Mardirossian expressed his appreciation for AGBU’s continued
support of higher education in the country and the funding it provides
for various YSU’s projects.

In his remarks, Mr. Setrakian emphasized the importance of
the development and strengthening of the country’s educational
system. He said that the future of the country would be best secured
by maintaining the highest level of quality public education. Private
institutions, he added, can only compliment a more broad-based national
public educational program.

A COMMON BELIEF

Mr. Setrakian visited AGBU-funded projects administered by the Holy
See of Etchmiadzin, including St. Nersess the Great Hospital and the
various churches in the capital constructed with funds provided by
AGBU benefactors, including, St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral-the
largest Armenian church in the world.

Mr. Setrakian toured the Arapkir Soup Kitchen and Nork Childrens’
Center, which have been joint projects of AGBU and the Holy See
since their establishment in 1993 and are a part of a network of
six soup kitchens and three Childrens’ Centers. These programs
provide daily meals to more than 1200 elderly pensioners and 5,000
young Armenians the opportunity to supplement their daily education
in a number of fields including art, music, sports, and computer
science. Mr. Setrakian met with many Soup Kitchen recipients during a
lunchtime meal and listened carefully as they explained how crucial
AGBU’s help is in their lives. On the same day, the AGBU President
attended a multi-talented performance presented by the Nork Center
students.

That evening, Setrakian attended a dinner with all senior directors and
managers of AGBU-run projects in Armenia. He stressed the importance
of coordination among AGBU’s respective activities in order to create
a better synergy that would benefit all programs. Mr. Setrakian had
the opportunity to attend the premier of the “Gayaneh” ballet by
the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet, a production co-sponsored
by AGBU.

On April 4, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians,
received President Setrakian at the Holy See of Etchmiadzin. His
Holiness thanked AGBU for its steady financial and moral support of
various projects undertaken by the Church. His Holiness expressed
satisfaction regarding the close cooperation between AGBU and the
Holy See in the areas of Christian education, church building, social
program development, and community-church relations. Setrakian shared
his thoughts about the new programs that AGBU is planning both in
Armenia and the Diaspora. He further congratulated His Holiness on
the incredible renovations that have taken place at Etchmiadzin in
recent years, the progress in the dissemination of Church teachings
among Armenians, and the level of new clergy recruitment with the
development of extensive religious educational programs.

Mr. Setrakian renewed the commitment of AGBU to continue assisting
the Church to further develop and strengthen its role in the daily
life of all Armenians.

After their audience, Setrakian accompanied His Holiness to the
AGBU-supported Vaskenian Theological Seminary in Sevan to view
first-hand the cooperation between Etchmiadzin and AGBU. Created
through the generous donations of AGBU members, the Vaskenian Seminary
is a modern facility for training and preparing future clergy to
serve Armenians around the world.

THE ROAD TO KARABAKH

While in Armenia, Mr. Setrakian made a special two-day journey
to Karabakh, where AGBU France has successfully implemented a
repopulation project–AGBU’s centennial initiative–for an enclave
still scarred by the effects of war. Along with the construction
of new homes, schools and centers for the local population, the
ambitious plan offers humanitarian and economic assistance for local
residents. Following AGBU France’s successful rehabilitation of the
village of Norashen, AGBU chapters worldwide have adopted other similar
village reconstruction projects. The Karabakh Repopulation Centennial
Project mirrors AGBU’s first accomplishments in 1906 to reach out to
the rural Armenian populations in the provinces of the Ottoman Empire.

In Stepanakert, Mr. Setrakian met with Karabakh President Arkady
Ghukassian along with Prime Minister Anushavan Danielian and Foreign
Minister Ashot Ghulian, before traveling to Shushi where he was
received by H. E. Archbishop Barkev Martirossian. Mr. Setrakian
congratulated the Karabakh administration on the modern highway,
created through Diasporan funds, that links the Republic with Armenia
through the Kashatagh (Lachin) corridor.

Setrakian toured the devastated areas and institutions that remain
damaged since the war, particularly the hospitals, schools and other
basic facilities. He also visited various revitalization projects
accomplished through AGBU funds, including a residential complex that
houses 50 families of the Karabakh war heroes and one of the main
roads of the city named after the late AGBU President Alex Manoogian.

BACK TO YEREVAN

As he concluded his trip, Mr. Setrakian made a special point of meeting
with the Armenian Writers’ Union (AWU). Levon Ananian, President of
AWU, thanked Mr. Setrakian for AGBU’s support of some of the Union’s
activities that help it to maintain the Armenian heritage.

“Today in Armenia, AGBU is implementing vital projects. We appreciate
AGBU’s attitude towards Armenian literature and Armenian writers,”
Ananian said. With a belief in cultural exchanges between Armenia
and its Diaspora, last year AGBU translated Peter Balakian’s Black
Dog of Fate into Armenian. Now with AGBU’s support, AWU has announced
more ambitious plans to publish a ‘contemporary Armenian literature
in translation’ series to expose Armenian language writing to a
global audience.

A NEW MELKONIAN FOR A NEW MILLENNIUM

Education has always been a vital component of AGBU’s mission, thus,
it came as no surprise that Mr. Setrakian chose his Armenia-trip to
announce plans to establish an Armenia-based institute for Diasporan
youth. Mr. Setrakian discussed the program with government officials
who showed great interest and pledged their assistance to the endeavor
to ensure its success. While project details have not been finalized,
the initiative, Mr. Setrakian said, would be AGBU’s latest and most
innovative venture to connect Diasporan youth with their homeland.

The proposed center to be established in the memory of the Melkonian
Brothers, according to the AGBU President, will include an educational
building, a 100-room boarding facility, a state-of-the-art Armenian
language study center, a sports complex and other facilities. It
promises to strengthen cultural bonds and create exchange programs
for Armenian youth from all parts of the Diaspora.

CONTINUED SUPPORT

After a week of meetings and surveying AGBU’s local projects, President
Setrakian summarized the organization’s work in Armenia and its
symbiotic relationship with the nation’s aspirations. He emphasized
the importance of developing and strengthening the ties between
Armenia and the Diaspora for the benefit of the future development
of the Armenian nation as a whole. He added that Armenia’s strength
and survival will provide the strongest and most vital component for
the preservation of our identity in the Diaspora.

AGBU is the largest Armenian non-profit organization and promotes
Armenian heritage around the world. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization. It was established in 1906 to preserve
and promote the Armenian identity and heritage through educational,
cultural and humanitarian programs. AGBU supports and operates schools,
centers and offices in 23 countries around the world and serves some
400,000 Armenian annually.

For more information on AGBU and its programs in Armenia, please
visit

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
05/20/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://

1) Turkey’s Interior Ministry Rejects Draft Constitution for Armenian
Patriarchate
2) Russian Defense Chief Arrives in Armenia
3) Georgian Leader Visits Turkey, Urges Closer Ties
4) Armenia Turns to Cyprus as Bridge to EU
5) COMMUNIQUE

1) Turkey’s Interior Ministry Rejects Draft Constitution for Armenian
Patriarchate

ANKARA (Marmara)–Turkey’s interior ministry opposed a new constitution
drafted
by the country’s foreign ministry for the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey,
reported Turkey’s Cumhuriyet newspaper.
Citing the Treaty of Lausanne, the interior ministry said the rights foreseen
by the constitution exceed those of the treaty, and would succeed in making
Armenians of Turkey a privileged minority, thus setting an unfavorable
precedent for other minorities.
To date, the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey has not had a constitution, and
Patriarchal elections have always been carried out based on the decision of
Turkey’s Council of Ministers. The government of Turkey does not officially
recognize the Patriarchate.
It appears that the foreign ministry drafted the constitution in response to
numerous appeals to correct the situation. Though the details of the document
are not public, the interior ministry said the function of the
Partriarchate is
solely religious, and in no way does it possess political or executive
privileges.
The interior ministry also reminded that the Treaty of Lausanne makes no
mention of the Armenian Patriarchate, and that its elections have been guided
in accordance with the 1961 bylaws of Turkey’s Council of Ministers, saying
that the trend must continue.
What is most disturbing about the Cumhuriyet article is the interior
ministry’s proposal on defrocking the Patriarch. The paper reports that
whereas
the foreign ministry draft constitution stipulates that only the religious
assembly has the authority to remove the patriarch from his position, the
interior ministry grants the authority to Turkey’s Council of Ministers,
recommending the body amend its constitution to grant itself this power.
“If it
becomes understood that the elected Patriarch does not possess the expected
qualifications, or abandons any one of the qualifications at any point, as
confirmed by the courts, then the Council of Ministers may defrock the
Patriarch, on the recommendation of the interior ministry,” writes Cumhuriyet.

2) Russian Defense Chief Arrives in Armenia

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov arrived in Yerevan on
Thursday to hold talks with Armenian leaders and attend a meeting of his
counterparts from the Commonwealth of Independent States.
No further Russian-Armenian military agreements are expected to be signed
during the two-day visit, which will underscore close military ties between
the
two countries. Ivanov said that military cooperation is “developing
dynamically.”
“We are going to discuss the whole spectrum of Russian-Armenian
interaction in
areas of defense, security, and military-technical cooperation,” he told
reporters on his arrival in the Armenian capital. He said he will also discuss
regional issues such as the Karabagh conflict.
Asked whether Moscow plans further arms deliveries to Armenia, Ivanov
replied,
“We discuss such issues regularly within the framework of the Collective
Security Treaty organization. All relevant political decisions have already
been taken. The deliveries of weapons, military hardware, and other military
production [to Armenia and other organization members] are being carried
out at
domestic Russian prices.”
Visiting Yerevan last November, Ivanov assured that Russia will continue to
supply the Armenian military with new weaponry “on privileged terms,” and
plans
to modernize its military base in Armenia. No details have been given by the
two governments since then.
Ivanov revealed later in the day that the Armenian Defense Ministry has
purchased two Russian-made Ilyushin-72 transport planes within the Collective
Security Treaty framework. He said they landed at Yerevan airport shortly
after
his arrival, but Armenian and Russian officials declined to disclose how much
the aircrafts cost Armenia.
The military alliance has been the linchpin of Armenia’s defense strategy
since its independence. Yerevan has tried to balance it in recent years with
its growing participation in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program.
The Armenian government will host an annual meeting of the defense ministers
of the CIS countries on Friday.

3) Georgian Leader Visits Turkey, Urges Closer Ties

ANKARA (Reuters/Zaman)–Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili urged Turkish
investors on Thursday to help rebuild his country’s battered economy,
including
that of the formerly breakaway Black Sea region of Ajaria which borders
Turkey.

Saakashvili took charge of Ajaria earlier this month pledging to entrench
democracy there with new elections after forcing its rebellious leader Aslan
Abashidze to flee. “The resolution of the Ajaria problem brings a chance for
closer relations. New possibilities are being created for improving our
economic relations and border trade,” Saakashvili said at the start of a
two-day official visit to Turkey.
“We expect Turkey and Turkish investors to contribute to Ajaria’s development
and to the Georgian economy. What is important for us is to improve economic
cooperation.”
Turkey and its NATO ally, the United States, have strongly backed the
youthful
Saakashvili, fearing that prolonged instability in Georgia could imperil an
oil
pipeline under construction across its territory.
The pipeline, which is being built by a BP BPL-led consortium, will pump
crude
from Azerbaijan’s Caspian oilfields across Georgia to Turkey’s Mediterranean
port of Ceyhan. It is due to start operating from May 2005.
Georgia said recently it expected to receive revenues of about $50 million a
year from the pipeline.
Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer reaffirmed Ankara’s support for
Georgia’s
territorial integrity and praised the 37-year-old, American-educated
Saakashvili’s handling of the Ajaria crisis, which ended peacefully.
Sezer said Turkey hoped Georgia would be able to resolve its disputes with
two
other rebellious regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, in the same peaceful
way.
Georgian officials say winning back these two provinces will prove much
tougher
because, unlike Ajaria, they have fought ethnic separatist wars with the
authorities in Tbilisi.
Georgia’s young leader will hold a series of meetings in Istanbul and Ankara
during his 3-day visit to Turkey. Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer
welcomed
Saakasvili earlier on Thursday. The Georgian President will also meet with
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul during his visit. Saakashvili will be unable to
meet with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan because Erdogan who will
be in Romania during the duration of Saakasvili’s visit.

4) Armenia Turns to Cyprus as Bridge to EU

NICOSIA (dpa)–Cypriot Parliament President Dimitris Christofias, said that
his
country can act as a bridge between the European Union and its neighbors,
including Armenia, after meeting with Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, who is
on a working visit to the island.
The latest developments in Cyprus were discussed, as well as the prospect of
enhanced bilateral cooperation. “Friendly relations, development of economic
and cultural exchanges, when accompanied by practical steps, become more
solid,” Christofias said.
Noting the absence of political differences between the two countries,
Christofias said that they will continue to cooperate in international
organizations, along with an increased focus on economic development.
Meanwhile, Oskanian also met with his Cyprus counterpart George Iacovou,
where
on the meeting’s agenda were Cyprus’ accession to the EU, the problems in the
Caucasus, and the Karabagh issue. Oskanian said, “We see Cyprus as a friendly
country, as an insider in the EU, and we can rely on its help to further
advance our integration processes with European structures and particularly
with the EU.”
Iacovou referred to the presence of an active economic, social, and political
Armenian community in Cyprus.
Oskanian said the Cypriot minister also explained the UN unification plan,
which envisaged joining Turkish Cypriots with Greek Cypriots, and the reasons
the Greek Cypriot community rejected it in an April 24 referendum.
“We also talked about other regional matters, particularly Armenia’s
relations
with its neighbors, Turkey in particular,” he noted, adding that “as a goal
before us, we have the normalization of ties between Armenia and Turkey.”

5) Communique

THE 32ND REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY UNANIMOUSLY RE-ELECTS ARCHBISHOP MOUSHEGH
MARDIROSSIAN PRELATE

RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS ALSO ELECTED UNANIMOUSLY

On behalf of the 32nd Representative Assembly of the Western Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America, we are pleased to announce that the
Representative Assembly unanimously re-elected His Eminence Arch. Moushegh
Mardirossian as the Prelate of the Western Prelacy, and also unanimously
elected the new members of the Religious and the Executive Councils of the
Prelacy.
The Representative Assembly presided by His Eminence Arch. Moushegh
Mardirossian was convened Friday through Saturday, May 14-15, at the Holy
Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church “Avedissian” Hall in Encino.
The Assembly reviewed the activities of the Prelate and both Councils of the
Prelacy and discussed the plans for the forthcoming year in diverse activities
of the Prelacy, beginning with spiritual guidance, the expansion and
organization of the parishes, as well as the educational mission of the
Prelacy
and the schools functioning under its auspices.
At the conclusion of the first day’s agenda items, His Eminence Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian was unanimously re-elected as the Prelate of the Western
Prelacy for a third four-year term.
The Assembly resolved that the forthcoming year should be a period of
rejuvenation of the Parishes, so that not only should the current
activities be
revitalized, but should also be extended to new areas. For that purpose, the
Prelacy should prepare plans to establish new churches, through which the
spiritual services should extend to many more believers in the Armenian
Community on the West Coast. Furthermore, the Assembly stressed plans to
revitalize and expand the activities of youth organizations under the auspices
of our churches, because the new generation has spiritual needs that can be
fulfilled through the expansion of Bible Studies sessions and the creation of
an atmosphere in which our younger generations practice their belonging to our
churches directly.
The Assembly was content about the fulfillment of the first part of the new
Prelacy Building. The renovation plans will hopefully reach its final stage by
the next Representative Assembly meeting next year.
After a detailed discussion of the plans for the fiscal year 2004-2005, the
Assembly unanimously elected the new Religious and Executive Councils.
The members of the Religious Council are: Very Rev. Vrouyr Demirjian, Rev.
Fathers Vicken Vassilian, Hrant Yeretzian, Vazken Atmajian, Vahan Gosdanian,
Razmig Khatchadourian, Nareg Pehlivanian, Khoren Babochian, and Ardag
Demirjian.
The members of the Executive Council are: Armand Keosian, Esq., Arsen
Danielian, Esq., Hagop Yedalian, Jack Kahvedjian, Peklar Pilavdjian, Hagop Der
Megerdichian, Vahan Bezdikian, Dr. Sahag Arslanian, Hrayr Balian, Garbis
Bezdjian, and Boghos Sassounian.
The unanimity observed at the election of the Prelate and the Religious and
Executive Councils is the latest expression of solidarity of the Prelacy
Parishes with respect to the mission of the Western Prelacy and all units
functioning under its auspices. The Representative Assembly strongly believes
that the Prelate and the both Councils will successfully carry on the tasks
entrusted to them.

The Divan of the 32nd Representative Assembly

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PRESS RELEASE

Camp Haiastan
P. O. Box C
Franklin, MA 02038
Contact: Robert Avakian, Executive Director
Tel: 508-528-0505
Fax: 123-456-7890
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

CAMP HAIASTAN APPOINTS ROY S. CALLAN AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Camp Haiastan Board of Directors is most pleased to announce
the appointment of Mr. Roy S. Callan as Executive Director of Camp
Haiastan. Mr. Callan will be replacing Robert A. Avakian, the current
Executive Director, who will be retiring after many years of service
to the Camp.

Roy Callan has been active in Armenian circles for several decades,
both on the West Coast and in the Mid-West. Born in California and
the grandson of an Armenian priest (Der Levon Parunakian), Mr. Callan
graduated from California State University with a Bachelor’s Degree
and California Lutheran University with a Master of Arts. He moved to
Detroit, has run the AGBU Camp Ararat summer camp in Michigan and is
currently a Social Studies teacher and Athletic Director at the Alex &
Marie Manoogian School in Southfield, Michigan. He and his wife have
also successfully run several businesses together in the Detroit area.

Dedication to family and the Armenian community has been the central
focal point of Mr. Callan’s life. He has been a church school teacher
at St. John ‘s Armenian Church for twenty-six years, an adult and
youth basketball coach for twenty years in the St. John’s Armenian
Church Basketball League, a member of the Knights of Vartan for over
fifteen years, a fund raiser for the Manoogian School, a Detroit
AYF Olympics coach, a Grants chairman for the One Hundred Hyes
Philanthropic Organization and a member and past president of the
Armenco Investment Club.

Roy Callan and Yerchanig Hoplamazian of Detroit were married in 1977
and have three children, Dickran, Vahan and Knar. All three are
Camp Haiastan veterans, having attended as campers in the 1990s.
They all have also been members of the AYF Kopernik Tandourjian
Junior and Senior chapters with Dickran serving as President of
the Senior chapter. Vahan has had the opportunity to serve in the
Armenian National Committee intern program in Washington, D.C. and
is currently an aide to a United States Congressman from New Jersey.
Knar is presently a student at Western Michigan University where she
is majoring in Education.

This next phase in Roy’s life story is the move to Franklin,
Massachusetts. The Callans will move East in June, after completing
the school year. When discussing the move to Franklin he was quite
clear in his motivation of adding to the Camp Haiastan legacy.
He is quoted as noting “…Camp Haiastan is clearly very special; it’s
mission is unique and extremely important to the Armenian community.
Robert Avakian has made immeasurable contributions and is clearly
“Mr. Camp Haiastan”. I look forward to adding my contribution to this
wonderful community asset.”

Stephen Mesrobian, the Board member who chaired the Search Committee,
was most impressed with the Callan appointment. “Roy brings everything
to the table; a committed member of the Armenian community, a
successful businessman, pertinent experience in the area of Armenian
camping, connections to Camp Haiastan, a born teacher, interest in
athletics and a deliberate, sound reasoning process. We have been
fortunate to have Bob Avakian as our Executive Director for so long.
Bob’s unique talents and experiences are impossible to replace.
But, as we enter this next phase in the life of Camp Haiastan, we
think we have in Roy Callan the right person for the right job at
the right time.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress