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Public Meeting Held on 28th March, 2004 London -- GB

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  • Public Meeting Held on 28th March, 2004 London -- GB

    PUBLIC MEETING HELD ON 28th MARCH, 2004 LONDON---GB

    http://www.accc.org.uk/
    The website of the Armenian Community of the United Kingdom

    The Following Report was delivered verbally by Mr Ara Palamoudian, Chairman
    of the Armenian Community & Church Council--GB :


    CHAIRMAN'S REPORT - 28th March, 2004

    Your grace Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian - President of the Armenian
    Community& Church Council, fellow members of the Armenian Community of
    the United Kingdom.

    May I first of all on behalf of the Council of the Community thank you
    all for coming here today and thus showing your interest in the
    matters of your Community. A Community which would be considered a
    small one if compared with the many other ethnic groups in this
    country.

    In the early fifties, when I first came to England, the Armenian
    Community numbered perhaps not more than a thousand, it could easily
    have been described as a "religious group" since the only activity
    then was to congregate around its church.

    As our community gradually grew larger and larger and in fact also
    more and more diverse in character since there was an influx of
    Armenians from a variety of Countries and cultures, the community
    naturally evolved from merely a religious group into a thriving and
    multi-faceted Community with of course its growing religious needs but
    now also with its most important secular - social, educational and
    political - needs that are so essential for the survival ofa racial
    community in a European Country where the dangers and pressures of
    assimilation and losing ones ethnic identity are so immense and so
    attractive to the new generation.

    Over the last forty years your Community's constitution has also
    evolved together with the Community's needs and character, until today
    the Community and Church Council not only has responsibility for the
    maintenance of the Community's Apostolic Church, but also attends to
    the numerous other needs and interests which give this Community its
    most important Ethnic Identity - without which we would be just a
    religious group and likened to a sect rather than a proud and
    self-respecting Ethnic Community of British Armenians.

    Your Community's Council, of which I have the honour to be the
    Chairman in its current term of office is elected by democratic public
    ballot every four years and comprises 15 members.

    The other members of the Council are:

    Zorig Gasparian - Vice Chairman
    Zepur Kiledjian - Secretary
    Hovnan Hampartsoumian - Financial Controller
    Souren Saroukhanoff - Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Council
    Arshalous Babayan
    Karineh Grigorian
    Haig Gulvanessian
    Vicken Haladjian
    Antranik Jojaghaian
    Charle Malas
    Matilda Megerdichian
    Stepan Tatulian
    Rostom Krikorian
    Ara Yeghiazarian


    In accordance with the Community's current constitution any Armenian
    who satisfies certain simple requirements such as age, residence etc
    is entitled to be elected to the Council and any Armenian over 18, who
    is registered as a member of the Community, is entitled to vote.

    The current council was elected to office in December 2002 and
    therefore has about three years left to serve.

    The Community's structure of Organisation is as follows:

    With regard to the Church - We are extremely privileged to have as our
    Primate, Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian, who has been our primate for just
    overtwo years. Previous to coming toEngland Bishop Nathan was Primate
    of the Ukraine where he was personally responsible in the
    establishment of a Diocesan Structure and for his work there, he was
    awarded the Ukrainian National Medal of Honour by the Ukrainian
    Government. So we are very privileged indeed in having him as our
    Primate and of course the Community's Churches are under his direction
    - naturally under the jurisdiction of His Holiness, the Catholicos of
    All Armenians of Etchmiadzin.

    Whilst the Churches' Ecclesiastic matters are attended to by the
    Primate, the physical administration of the Community's Church falls
    within the responsibilities of the Council, and as such, on behalf of
    the Community weare responsible for the Stipends and salaries of our
    clergymen, and all other secular matters of the Church.

    The Council appoints its EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE which in turn appoints
    and assumes responsibility for the proper functioning of its various
    sub-committees which comprise:
    - The Church Committee
    - The Ladies Committee
    - Youth and Cultural Committee
    - Membership and Electoral Register Committee etc .

    The total number of persons serving in all the various Committees
    which comprise the Community Council's Structure of Organisation is in
    excess of 53 men and women, who give up their time freely and happily
    to serve their Community.

    I should like to extend my thanks to every single one of them - too
    many to name here - , on behalf of the Community and of the Council
    for all they are doing for their Community. The names of all the
    Members of the various Committees are listed in our website -
    www.accc.org.uk

    In a few minutes I shall be asking Souren Saroukhanoff, Chairman of
    the Executive, to give you a report on the activities of the Executive
    and of their various sub committees.

    In addition to the Executive and its sub-committees, the Council also
    has direct responsibility for the appointment of the Trustees of the
    Community's K.Tahta Armenian Sunday School, and in this connection, I
    should like to express the Council's appreciation to the Headmistress
    of the school, Mrs. Anahid Kazarians for her devoted service for the
    last 20 years or so, which has contributed to its success, with about
    250 students. The Council of course makes an annual financial
    contribution to the school and also covers any deficit it may have.
    The Chairman of the School Trustees, Doctor Tarverdi will be giving us
    a report also, this afternoon.

    We are directly responsible for the appointment of the Executive
    Committee of Campaign for the Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
    (CRAG) which over the past many years has incessantly taken on the
    task of campaigning in any way possible to further the national cause
    of recognition of the Genocide. CRAG as it is popularly know had for
    the last ten years or so, been under the most able Chairmanship of Dr
    Rostom Stepanian who has retired only recently and the Chairmanship
    has now in the care his Deputy, Mr. Raffi Sarkissian. Mr Sarkissian
    will of be speaking to us today also, to give us a report on CRAG's
    activities. In connection with CRAG and its activities, over the
    manyyears, there have been numerous dedicated ladies and gentlemen who
    have given so much of their time and energy for this most important
    national cause, but I would like to mention some names who I know do
    not expect thanks, but I feel I must extend our appreciation to
    dedicated persons such as Mr Bagrad Nazarian who until recently and
    for over ten years has worked with great devotion and energy for CRAG
    and all it stands for. Appreciation also goes to - among many others
    - Ara Sarafian, Hratch Koundarjian, Andrew Kevorkian, Armine
    Gasparian, Shiraz Vartanian, Raffi Sarkissian and of course its
    current Executive Director, Mr Harry Hagopian.

    CRAG carries out a most essential function in keeping alive the
    interests of the Armenian nation and the continual struggle for the
    recognition of the awful and unforgivable Genocide perpetrated against
    our nation. It operates as an autonomous unit and because of the
    nature of its activities, it does incur certain expenses. The
    Community Council has for many years made an annual allocation of
    about £4000 to it and since the total expenses of CRAG are far greater
    than that, we are most grateful to those persons who recognise its
    value and well knowing the nature of its expenditure, have contributed
    to its funds so that CRAG can continue with its mission.


    ACTIVITIES

    The larger portion of Community activities are undertaken by our
    Executive Committee and its Sub-Committees so Mr Saroukhanoff will be
    including thosein his report .

    The Council, for the first time as a Community Function, this year
    celebrated the 12th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of
    Armenia. The function was held here to a full house and in the
    presence of the Armenian Ambassador as well as the British Ambassador
    to Armenia, Miss Abbott-Watt (whose name you may have heard, or read
    about in the last few weeks related to a most unfortunate and
    inappropriate statement she made recently.)

    For those who may not have heard, - - during an interview with a
    reporter in Armenia, Miss Abbott-Watt - the British Ambassador -
    remarked that the atrocities perpetrated upon the Armenians did not
    qualify to be described as GENOCIDE as specified by the 1948 United
    Nation Convention, and went on to say =3D "but I do not think
    recognising it as genocide would be of much use"I .

    Such a statement coming from a British Ambassador was most
    inappropriate and especially since it was stated during an interview
    in Armenia, her statement created an immense and robust reaction from
    Armenian Communities throughout world, some even going as far as to
    demand that she be declared a persona-non-grata in Armenia.

    Our Council gave this matter its most serious consideration and as
    British Armenians, we have decided to write to our Prime Minister, Mr
    Tony Blair, complaining against the inappropriate statement made by
    the Ambassador, which not only could be considered insulting and
    hurtful to the dignity and memories of the Armenian Nation but also by
    denying a historical fact in the face of overwhelming evidence, it
    represented a denial of the human rights of British Armenians whose
    parents or greatparents were the very ones who had been subjected to
    that Genocide

    We shall, of course also urge the Prime Minister that the time has now
    come that our Government should put aside economic or political
    considerations and should join other World Power countries such as
    France, Switzerland, Greece, together with many others, including the
    European Parliament, and declare that the atrocities committed upon
    the Armenian peoples in Ottoman Turkey qualify to be designated as
    GENOCIDE, and must be condemned as GENOCIDE.

    The letter will be delivered and published within the next few days.


    Administrative Visit by His Holiness:

    In November, last year, we were honoured by the visit of His Holiness
    Catholicos Karekin II with whom the Council had extended discussions
    on various matters with regard to this Community and in particular
    with regard to his wish that all the Armenian Apostolic Churches in
    the UK should agree to unite under one Diocesan Structure - albeit as
    a loose federation - with each Church still functioning autonomously
    under the terms of their relevant Constitutions or Trust Deeds. For
    this purpose His Holiness suggested some changes could be considered
    to the Community's Constitution.

    We have of course agreed to undertake that responsibility and shall be
    holding appropriate meetings and consultations with a view to making
    appropriate amendments to the Constitution so as to meet the wishes of
    His Holiness, always respecting of course the principles fundamental
    to the democratic functioning of the Armenian Community of Great
    Britain.

    I must add here that all three Churches - Manchester, St Sarkis and
    the Community's Church functioning from this Church, the St Yeghiche,
    are on excellent terms with each other and co-exist in harmony. I
    therefore do not foresee any impediment to acceeding to the wishes of
    His Holiness.


    Embassy:

    I am also very happy to report that your Community Council enjoys an
    excellent relationaship with the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia.
    We feel it is our national duty to support the Embassy in any way
    possible within our scope and ability and the Council makes an annual
    contribution on behalf of the Community towards the funds of the
    Embassy.

    We are doing, and shall continue to do all we can to establish closer
    ties between Armenia and the British Armenia Community and shall
    encourage the furthering of ties, be they Cultural, Social, Sports or
    any other. We shall also encourage the establishment of business
    relations between British and Armenian Companies.

    I should like to express my especial thanks and appreciation to
    Ambassador Gabrielyan for his keen, cooperative and helpful attitude
    which has createda fresh and friendly atmosphere between the Community
    Council and the Embassy, which is greatly appreciated.


    Re. CAIA:

    We have followed with deep concern the developments at the Centre for
    Armenian Information and Advice and noted the continued disagreements
    and disputes between the various Trustees. As the Council considered
    the Centre to beof great benefit to the Community, we made attempts at
    mediation between the two main differing groups, once in June 2003 and
    once more very recently - in December/January of this year.
    Unfortunately in both instances we were unable to secure the
    acceptance of all parties concerned for our intervention with a view
    to brokering some agreement whereby a properly assembled General
    Meeting could be held and a new, legally and universally accepted
    Board of Directors/Trustees could be elected.

    I was informed a few days ago that the Charity Commissioners have
    taken the step of appointing a group of five Trustees and removing all
    the other Trustees from office, thus creating a situation whereby the
    appointed five Trustees will be able to proceed to govern the centre
    and hold a General Meeting without much delay. The Council has never
    at any time shown bias to any group of Trustees, nor to any individual
    Trustee. Our concern was simply for the future of the Centre and a
    wish for peaceful co-existance by its members.

    We wish the appointees every success in the responsibilities they have
    undertaken and the Council will be happy to extend any assistance that
    it is able to, if requested.


    The Community's Church:

    For the avoidance of any misunderstandings or misconceptions that
    might exist within the Community, I should now like to give some
    details with regard to our Community's Church. That is to say, the St
    Yeghiche Church.

    No doubt you are all aware that since the mid-1970's, this church
    previously named St Peters, together with the adjacent Church Hall and
    offices building, was leased to the Council for use as our Community's
    Church. Whereas the Church was on a peppercorn rent of I think £10
    per annum, the adjacent building which the Council was obliged to
    lease together with the Church was at Market Value and although
    initially the rent was an affordable figure of some few thousand
    pounds, the rent demanded by the landlords - the Church of England-
    for renewal of the lease in around 1995 was in excess of £35,000 per
    annum. There was no way such a sum could be raised by the Council
    every year and therefore they were forced to decide to give up the
    Church. Furthermore, the church building was in need of extensive
    renovation and the Council had no funds to meet these expenses.

    At this juncture, Mr Vatche Manoukian offered to purchase the freehold
    of the Church with the declared intention of renovating it and
    returning it for the use of the Community. As you can see, this
    benefactor has indeed renovated the Church and having re-consecrated
    it the St Yeghiche Church, Mr Manoukian has graciously made the Church
    available for use by the Community for its Ecclesiastic needs, free of
    any charges. The Manoukian Foundation undertakes all the physical
    expenses of the Church building including heating, lighting, cleaning
    etc.

    Mr Manoukian has no wish to become involved with the functioning of
    the administration of the Community's Church and the management of our
    church is our responsibility. The Council appoints the Community's
    clergymen and is responsible for all the matters to do with the Church
    such as payment of salaries to our clergy, etc etc. and for that
    purpose, our Executive Committee appointsa "Church Committee" which
    attends to the day to day matters.

    We are most grateful to Mr Manoukian for his generosity in allowing us
    to use the Church building.

    With regard to the Community Council offices, we are also grateful to
    Mr. Manoukian for the offer he has made of advancing £200,000 towards
    the purchase of offices.

    Mr. Manoukian has also informed us that he has applied for planning
    consent to build an annexe to the Church on the space on its left hand
    side which would comprise cloakrooms and extensive lobby area where
    refreshments could be served.


    Future and Finances:

    Future plans and Finances are very closely inter-related and I should
    like to talk about them jointly.

    We have distributed by post the accounts of the Community for 17
    months ending 2003. You will note that we have again had to draw from
    very precious reserves to a very large extent.

    Up to about three years ago the Community's "Reserves" were NIL and
    therefore a large portion of the expenditures incurred would not have
    been possible.

    We were extremely lucky about three to four years ago that the Council
    received some legacies and donations as follows:

    a) From the Will of Miss K Baronian : A bedsitter flat in Wimbledon
    which produces a rental income of £6000 per annum.

    b) From the Will of Miss Sonia Keshishian : The sum £137,305

    c) From the Beneficiary of the Will of Mrs Mania Baker: A donation of
    £10,000.

    Hence the Community was fortunate enough to have acquired some capital
    to fall back on.

    However, as we said in our report last year, we must repeat with even
    greater emphasis that unless our annual income is significantly
    increased, this Community can be considered "Bankrupt".

    We do not have unlimited capital resources to draw upon, and the
    Community must realize that if they wish to enjoy all the Community
    facilities that they knowingly or un-knowingly enjoy currently, then
    the Community's funds must break even every year.

    In fact that is not at all difficult to achieve. The figures are as
    follows:

    We send out Levy demands every year to approximately 3000 addresses.
    Assuming an average of 2 adults per address, we should be receiving
    levy payments from 6000 persons.

    At £20 per person, that amounts to £120,000 per annum which not only
    would amply pay all the Community's expenses, but would also provide a
    tidy sum to be put aside for Capital reserve.

    In fact, as you can see from the accounts, instead of £120,000 income,
    we actually receive about £20,000 which means that out of about 6000
    Armenians, only 1000 actually pay their community levy. This is a
    shameful situation and I appeal to all members of our Community to
    realize their national responsibility and to contribute their annual
    dues. The amount asked forper year, per person, represents the value
    of less than five packets of cigarettes.

    Unless our Community realizes its responsibilities and decides to come
    forward with some positive action, I regret in the course of the next
    year or two the capital fund will have receded to ZERO and it will not
    be possible to administer this Community and Church in the way we have
    become accustomed.

    The old custom of one or two wealthy benefactors underwriting the
    Community have long gone and it should not be expected of such
    persons.

    This Community comprises an immense number of comfortably off
    families. The potential benefactors know this fact and one would not
    blame them at all when they show reluctance to contribute. It should
    be insulting to the dignity of each member of this Community to allow
    such a situation to develop, and I personally am not prepared to
    approach any person with a begging-bowl just because the Community is
    not realizing its responsibilities.

    I appeal to every Armenian to please send in your levy payment without
    delay.

    I would even venture to suggest that if the family total is too much
    to pay in one go, the Treasurer of our Executive will I am certain, be
    happy to hold one or two post-dated cheques so that effectively
    payment of the full amount is made in one or two instalments.

    At the beginning of our term just over a year ago we had "plans" for
    the future - - - plans for a Community Centre for Social, Cultural and
    Sport facilities - plans for a School building to accommodate our
    Sunday School as well as provide facility to offer accommodation to
    the Saturday School ( Both schools have been served notice to vacate
    within the coming two years as the schoolis being closed down and both
    schools have nowhere to go! ) - Plans for an Old Peoples Home etc etc

    We even established a special Committee with the sole responsibility
    of going out and finding suitable premises.

    They did find suitable properties - all with a price tag of one to two
    million pounds. We have no such funds and it has become patently
    clear to us that this Community which does not even bother to pay its
    annual levy of 20 pounds, cannot raise one or two million.

    Very regretfully, all those plans have had to become "aspirations" or
    "hopes" since the financial future of our Community under the present
    circumstances is extremely bleak and pitiable.

    I suggest to those who neglect to pay that when they ask the all so
    easily uttered question " What is the Council doing about such and
    such", then one ought to ask oneself, even if it is a matter of
    writing to the Prime Minister -- "Have I contributed towards even the
    postage stamp of that letter??"

    At Church : "what have I contributed towards the salaries of the
    clergy, and payments to the choir, the servers etc"

    When Commemorating for example the Armenian Independence Day: "where
    is the money coming from to pay all the expenses"

    When you receive a mailshot - 3000 addresses - postage, printing -
    each envelope costs a at least 30 pence including postage. Ask : "
    What have I contributed towards all these" "How is it being paid for?"
    "What right have I to expect anything from my Community".

    Nothing comes free...



    PONTIFICAL VISIT

    I have great pleasure in announcing that for the first time since his
    enthronement, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians,
    shall be making an official Pontifical Visit to our Community in June
    of this year.

    The planned dates are the 15th, 16th and 17th of June.

    Naturally the Community together with the other Churches will organize
    appropriate functions about which notices will be distributed in due
    course. (Please bear in mind a Dinner Reception is planned for the
    night of June the 17th. )

    News Letter and Website.

    Before I close I should also like to inform you that we are currently
    considering the publication of a Community Newsletter - probably
    monthly - which will contain comprehensive information about our
    Community in England and we are of the hope that it will be
    informative and helpful to everyone.

    I would also like to inform you that the Community Council has
    established an Internet Website which is functioning now and where
    readers will find a large variety of information. There are separate
    sections allocated for Community News, International Armenian News,
    Church Mews, messages and announcements including the Church Calendar,
    Embassy News and Announcements, Numerous Links to various other
    Armenian websites and a very useful "Events Diary" where all events
    and functions happening in the United Kingdom are listed. This isan
    excellent reference source both for the Community as well as the
    various organisations who would like to plan their activities.

    Over the past months that it has been operative, visits to the site
    have gradually increased and we were very happy indeed to note that in
    February,the site recorded a total of over 1000 visits.

    We are planning to enlarge the website in due course. We will be very
    happy to receive any advice and any news items or articles that you
    may wish to e-mail in.
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