asbarez.com news room 08-12-2000

[Guest]

1. Another Armenian Candidate Picked in Lebanon Race

 

BEIRUT (Aztag)--During a press conference Thursday, Suni Muslim leader Fouad Makhzoum introduced his slate for the upcoming

Lebanese parliamentary elections. The slate includes Apraham Dedeian (Evangelical community seat), who is also a part of the United

Armenian Bloc, put forth by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the Hunchakian party.

 

Present at the press conference were the representative of the ARF Central Committee of Lebanon, the representative of current

Armenian parliamentary bloc Sebouh Hovnanian, United Armenian Bloc candidates Hagop Pakradouni and Mihran Seferaian, as well as

Makhzoum's slate candidates.

 

In his remarks, Makhzoum introduced Dedeian, who is part of the United Armenian Bloc, and praised the Armenian community for

participating in the elections in a united front.

 

On Friday, the ARF Central Committee of Lebanon issued an announcement urging all Lebanese-Armenians to take part in the elections

and vote for the United Armenian Bloc candidates.

 

"By a complete victory of the United Armenian Bloc, the Lebanese Armenian community, once again, will express its unequivocal belief in

Lebanon and will demonstrate its unwavering political clout," said the announcement.

 

"A complete victory by the United Armenian Bloc, the Lebanese-Armenian community will demonstrate to its allies and foes, as well as to

the entire Armenian nation that no one force or entity can derail the Armenian community from its national roots and aspirations,"

continued the announcement.

 

The ARF Central Committee of Lebanon urged all voters to participate in the elections and cast their vote for the candidates of the

United Armenian Bloc.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Brick Laying Ceremony Held For New Ferrahian Facility

 

ENCINO--A brick laying ceremony, marking the start of construction for an added facility at Ferrahian Armenian school was held

immediately after church services on July 30, headed by Western Prelate Bishop Moushegh Mardirossian who led a procession from the

church to the site of the new building.

 

Bishop Mardirossian was joined by the former and current pastor of the Holy Martyrs Armenian church in officiating a ground blessing

ceremony. Present among the community members were representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Rosdom chapter, the

Homenetmen Massis chapter, the Armenian Relief Society Anahid chapter, members of the Hamazkayine, as well as representatives from

the Armenian-American Council on Aging and the Compatriotic Union of Ourfa.

 

After welcoming remarks to the capacity crowd gathered at the site, Master of Ceremonies Khatchig Titizian invited leaders of the

aforementioned organizations to lay the first bricks of the project, signaling the start of the construction of the new Ferrahian facility.

 

First to lay the bricks were founding principal of Ferrahian Gabriel Injejikian and the current principal of the school Marzbed Margossian.

Joining them were benefactor Charlie Ghalian.

 

Following the brick laying ceremony, the attendees gathered at Avedissian Hall for a brief program, outlining the importance of the school

to the Armenian-American community.

 

The program began with a flag ceremony by the Homenetmen Massis chapter scout troop members.

 

Titizian welcomed the community members to the ceremony and recounted that in the 1950s, Injejikian had brainstormed about

establishing a day school in the United States. Titizian made special mention of Mattheus Ferrahian, due to whose generous donation the

current school facility was constructed. Also mentioned in the introductory remarks were the generous contribution by Kevork

Avedissian.

 

Ferrahian students presented a cultural program, based on works by Shavarsh Nartouni and Daniel Varoujan, after the distribution of

blessed Madagh, which was sponsored by Harutiun Kamarian.

 

The ARS Anahid chapter also received honorable mention for its contribution toward the building project.

 

In his remarks, Injejikian outlined the important role of Armenian schools in the life of the Armenian-American community, and raised the

imperative to build more schools in California, since, currently, only 10 percent of the Armenian population attend Armenian schools.

 

Ferrahian principal Marzbed Margossian outlined the school's expansion plans, following which, Rev. Vartan Arakelian also addressed

the crowd.

 

In his closing remarks, Bishop Mardirossian called on the community to utilize the project to renew its commitment toward the mission of

the school.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Genocide Victims Insurance Claims Bill Passes Assembly Committee

 

SACRAMENTO--Senate Bill 1915, authored by Senator Chuck Poochigian (R-Fresno), unanimously passed the Assembly Judiciary

Committee (14-0) on August 8. This measure will enable victims and heirs of victims of the Armenian Genocide to access the California

court system to compel insurance companies to pay insurance claims owed to victims of the Genocide. Senate Bill 1915 previously

passed the Senate (39-0) on May 24, 2000.

 

"SB 1915 will ensure that the California legal system does not stop legitimate insurance claims owed to victims of the Armenian Genocide

and their families," said Senator Poochigian. "I am pleased that my Assembly colleagues recognize the importance of this issue."

 

Senate Bill 1915 simply provides that victims of the genocide and their heirs be permitted to have an expeditious, inexpensive and fair

forum in which to resolve their claims against insurance companies in California courts. During the early 1900s, insurance companies

marketed insurance to Armenians living in historic Armenia, then part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire. It is estimated that approximately

10,000 policies were sold at that time.

 

"The Armenian community's support has been very important to our effort to provide legislative relief to victims of the Genocide. I have

been touched by the stories surrounding efforts to collect insurance benefits owed to their families. It is my hope that this legislation will

help bring closure to efforts by Armenians who have been frustrated in pursuing claims against insurers for claims made by victims of the

Armenian Genocide and their heirs," said Senator Poochigian.

 

Senate Bill 1915 will now be heard on the Assembly Floor in approximately two weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Armenia Hopes For Further Cooperation With The World Bank

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)--Prime Minister Andranik Markarian met with World Bank Resident Representative to Armenia Owaise

Saadat and a group of World Bank officials on August 11. The sides reportedly discussed the allocation of the last tranche of SAC-3 and

the first tranche of SAC-4, as well as the implementation of joint programs and further trends of cooperation.

 

Prime Minister Andranik Markarian hoped for the measures aimed at carrying out the reforms and the improved legislation of Armenia to

expedite the pace of the country's economic advancement.

 

The premier was quoted as saying that the relations between the president, the parliament and the government offered a good opportunity

to consummate the initiated programs. He said the government of Armenia hoped for further cooperation with the World Bank.

 

Owaise Saadat, for his part, assured the head of the Armenian government that the World Bank would further support reforms in

Armenia.

 

 

 

 

 

5. Assen, Netherlands Officials Need to Hear From You

 

We reported last Saturday, that a group of Turkish organization have urged Turks around the world to write officials at the Dutch city of

Assen and urge them to drop plans to erect a Genocide memorial monument in that city. It is time to fight back and write those officials,

explaining the importance of the Genocide monument. Below is the contact information for Assen, Netherlands officials. According to the

Saturday report, the deadline for submissions is August 18.

 

Mrs D. Van As-Kleijwegt

Mayor of City

Postbus 30018

9400 RA ASSEN – The Netherlands

TEL. 31 592 366 911 FAX. 31 592 366 595

E-Mail : Assen_bibliotheek@amazed.nl

 

Mr G. J. EERLAND

City official in charge of monuments

KENNEMERLAND 1

9405 LA ASSEN – The Netherlands

TEL. 31 592 366 911 FAX. 31 592 366 595

E-Mail : Assen_bibliotheek@amazed.nl

 

 

 

 

 

6. Five Die In Bus Crash

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)—An overcrowded coach plying between the village of Gogavan and the town of Vanadzor had an accident

during its regular run on Friday, as the driver lost control of the vehicle and let it fall into an abyss from a height of 20-25 meters, the

Interior Ministry's Public Relations Department told Noyan Tapan.

 

Five people died in the crash, including three women and two men, with another 38 people injured. All people who suffered in the road

accident were rushed to the nearby hospitals of Spitak and Vanadzor.

 

A criminal case was instituted in connection with the fact. Investigators have already established that the bus carried 43 passengers

instead of 21 required by the safety rules and was set into a free-running regime shortly before the accident occurred. The man who was

sitting behind the wheel of the ill-starred vehicle is said to have a 28-year experience in driving. Officials confirmed he wasn't in a state of

alcohol intoxication while operating the ill-fated run.

 

 

 

 

 

7. Government Pays Off Zvartnots Airport Debt To EBRD

 

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—The government of Armenia has allocated $1.76 million to make a loan payment owed by the Zvartnots

airport to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development as of March 12, 2000.

 

In all, the government has paid about $6.2 million on the debt, which the airport must repay by March 12, 2001, including interest at

LIBOR+3 percent. The European Bank Reconstruction and Development lent the airport $22.8 million in January 1995. The loan is at

LIBOR+1 percent with payments due from 1997 through 2007. The loan is to be repaid out of operating profits. The airport's freight

terminal began operating in May 1998. It has capacity to handle 80,000 tons a year but only 15 percent of capacity is being utilized.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Armenian Chapel To Be Built In Kiev

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)—Bishop Nathan Hovhannissian, head of the Ukrainian diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and

Armenian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ukraine Hrach Silvanian recently met with leaders of the International

Personnel Academy public organizations. The sides reportedly reached an agreement on constructing an Armenian chapel in the territory

of the Academy, which is in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. The ceremony of the laying and consecration of the foundation-stone is

expected to take place next month. The new chapel will be opened in 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

9. Government Approves Rehabilitation Plan For Tavush

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)—The Government of Armenia has approved a program that is aimed at solving problems in the region of

Tavush. The elaboration of the program that includes 70 measures in various spheres lasted for two months.

 

By another decision, the Government has earmarked 6 million drams from its reserves for school repairs in the village of Berd and to

assist the proprietors who incurred losses as a result of the torrential rains in June 1998. Some 2 million drams have been allocated to the

Ministry of Territorial Administration and Urban Development Coordination to ensure water supplies to the village of Partizak in

Armenia's Aragatsotn region. 40 million drams has also been marked for emergency repairs of the National Assembly building.

 

 

 

 

 

10. International Youth Day To Be Marked On August 12

 

YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)—The International Youth Day will, for the first time, be marked on August 12. The idea of the holiday arose

during the international forum of youth held in Vienna under the auspices of the United Nations on May 27-19, 1991.

 

The first meeting of the World Ministers' Council in Lisbon adopted a resolution declaring August 12 International Youth Day. At its 54th

session on Dec. 17 1999 the United Nations General Assembly ratified the resolution and adopted the resolution on "Youth policy and

programs." The resolution indicates ten priority spheres that include education, employment, hunger and poverty, public health,

environment, narcomania, juvenile delinquency, leisure, problems of girls and young women, and full involvement of young people in

public life.

 

According to the United Nations-adopted classification, people aged 15 to 24 are considered young people. This group currently makes

up 1/6 of the world's population.