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  • ASBAREZ Online [04-04-2005]

    ASBAREZ ONLINE
    TOP STORIES
    04/04/2005
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    1) Armenian Government, Church Mourn Pope
    2) Pope's Body Makes Final Journey
    3) Marchers Make History as They Begin the Journey for Humanity
    4) Belgian Leader Visits Armenia to Evaluate Cooperation with Europe
    5) World Chess Federation Rates Armenian Chess Team Third
    6) GLENDALE ELECTIONS--A NEW REASON FOR ARMENIANS TO BE DEPRESSED IN APRIL

    1) Armenian Government, Church Mourn Pope

    YEREVAN (cathcil.org, RFE/RL)--Armenia's political and spiritual leaders have
    joined the worldwide outpouring of sympathy for Pope John Paul II, hailing him
    as a champion of peace and a friend of the Armenian people.
    Catholicos Karekin II presided on Sunday over a special service held in
    memory of the pontiff at the main cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic
    Church in
    Echmiadzin. "The death of His Holiness is a great loss for the entire
    Christian
    world," he said. "He was a tireless preacher of peace and custodian of the
    Christian values."
    The head of the Armenian church also paid tribute to the pope's
    legacy in
    a message of condolence to the Vatican. "Throughout his 26-year reign, His
    Holiness Pope John Paul II was a staunch defender of life and champion of
    justice," he wrote. "His Holiness's calls for peace and reconciliation in the
    world were anchored in his moral convictions and love for humanity."
    As moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee,
    Catholicos of
    Cilicia Aram I had met His Holiness on different occasions. The Catholicos
    said
    he "witnessed the strength of his faith, the depth of his wisdom, and the
    clarity of his vision."
    Expressing his profound sadness, His Holiness Aram I said, "His Holiness Pope
    John Paul II will remain an outstanding figure in the modern history of world
    Christendom. In fact, his relentless effort to make the Gospel of Christ a
    living reality in the life of people, his unyielding prophetic witness to make
    the moral values the guiding principles of human societies, his firm
    commitment
    to the cause of Christian unity, his openness to other religions with a clear
    vision of living together as a reconciled community in the midst of
    diversities, and his continuous advocacy for justice, human rights and freedom
    made him an exceptional figure of great achievements."
    President Robert Kocharian also offered his condolences to the Vatican's
    secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano. "The bright memory of His Holiness
    Pope John Paul II will always remain in our hearts," he said. "We will never
    forget His Holiness's blessing and great respect and warmth toward our people,
    which was best manifested during his historic visit to Armenia as well as our
    last meeting that took place in the Vatican in January."
    Kocharian was among the last foreign dignitaries received by the ailing pope
    before the drastic deterioration of his condition. John Paul used the meeting
    to call for a "real and lasting peace" in Karabagh. He also praised Armenians
    as people "always linked to their culture and Christian traditions."
    John Paul was the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to set foot on
    Armenian soil and describe the 1915 slaughter of Armenians in Ottoman
    Turkey as
    genocide--a fact emphasized by Karekin II. The pontiff spoke of a "moment of
    grace and joy" as he arrived in Yerevan on September 25, 2001 on a three-day
    visit that coincided with official celebrations of Armenia's adoption of
    Christianity as a state religion.
    "For ever, the annals of the universal Church will say that the people of
    Armenia were the first as a whole people to embrace the grace and truth for
    the
    Gospel of our Lord Jesus Chris," he declared. "You zealously guard the memory
    of your many martyrs: indeed, martyrdom has been the special mark of the
    Armenian Church and the Armenian people."
    A visit to the genocide memorial in Yerevan marked the most emotional moment
    of the papal trip. Appealing to Good by its eternal fire, John Paul said:
    "Look
    upon the people of this land who put their trust in you so long ago, who have
    passed through the great tribulation and never failed in their faithfulness to
    you. Wipe away every tear from their eyes and grant that their in agony in the
    twentieth century will yield a harvest of life that endures for ever."
    The pope had termed the 1915 tragedy a genocide in a joint communiqué with
    Karekin issued in the Vatican in November 2000. Another joint statement signed
    by the two spiritual leaders in Yerevan likewise referred to "the
    extermination
    of 1.5 million Armenian Christians in what is generally referred to as the
    first genocide of the 20th century."
    John Paul's papacy saw a historic rapprochement between the Armenian and
    Catholic Churches that culminated in their 1996 joint declaration ending an
    old
    theological dispute. The dispute had led the Armenian and other denominations
    of the "oriental family" to split from the Universal Church in 451 AD--long
    before the 11th century Great Schism that gave birth to Roman Catholicism and
    Greek Orthodoxy. The Armenian Church has since been fully independent and
    currently maintains good relations with all Christian denominations.
    John Paul will also be remembered by Armenians for acknowledging their
    suffering since the break-up of the Soviet Union. "Dear Armenian friends, hold
    on to hope," he said at the farewell ceremony at Yerevan airport. "Remember
    that you have put your trust in Christ and said yes to him for ever."


    2) Pope's Body Makes Final Journey

    VATICAN CITY (Combined Sources)--The doors of St. Peter's Basilica opened to
    tens of thousands of mourners to view the body of Pope John Paul II on Monday,
    four days before it was to be entombed in the grotto below the church
    alongside
    popes of centuries past.
    Swiss Guards escorted the procession from a palatial hall in the Vatican,
    accompanied by many of the cardinals who will choose the Pope's successor. The
    pontiff's body was moved through St. Peter's Square and into St. Peter's
    Basilica, where it will lie in state until his funeral on Friday.
    The basilica will remain open until Friday's funeral. Rome expects up to two
    million extra visitors coming to pay their respects.
    Heads of state from around the world are expected to attend.
    President Bush said Monday that he would lead the US delegation that will
    attend the funeral, and leave for Rome as early as Wednesday.


    3) Marchers Make History as They Begin the Journey for Humanity

    FRESNO--Hundreds gathered at the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church
    Hall in
    Fresno, California on Friday, April 1, for the March For Humanity opening
    ceremony.
    Following welcoming remarks by Vicken Yepremian, representative of the ARF
    "Soghomon Tehlirian" chapter of Fresno, the Reverend Vrouyr Vartabed Demirjian
    delivered a message from Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and blessed the
    marchers.
    As the marchers were called to the stage, they received a two-minute standing
    ovation from the audience. Noushig Karpanian read a statement to the marchers
    by California Assembly Majority Leader Assembly member Dario Frommer.
    March for Humanity coordinator Vicken Sosikian applauded the courage of the
    marchers and reaffirmed that the youth is on the forefront of the battle for
    proper recognition of the Armenian genocide. The March For Humanity, he
    emphasized, has become the march of the Armenian people organized and led by
    the youth.
    After a second round of echoing applause, California State Assembly member
    Juan Arambula expressed best wishes to the marchers and commended their
    initiative. Assembly member Arambula recounted the horrors the Armenian people
    faced during the Genocide and reaffirmed his support for the March For
    Humanity
    and justice for the Armenian people worldwide.
    Armenian Youth Federation Western Region chairman Shant Baboujian delivered a
    powerful and moving speech praising the marchers' sacrifice and willingness to
    make a difference in advancing the Armenian case by using themselves as a
    means. As they embark on their journey, Baboujian asked the marchers to
    turn to
    the souls of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian genocide as their source
    of guidance and strength.
    ARF Western Region Central Committee member and youth representative Dikran
    Sassounian saluted the marchers for their sacrifice, willingness, courage, and
    political maturity. He also spoke about new courses of action the Turkish
    government is taking to deny the Genocide, as well as the important role the
    Armenian community and Armenian organizations play in the quest for proper
    recognition of the Armenian genocide.
    The following morning, Genocide survivors, community members, and the
    marchers
    gathered at the Holy Trinity Church where they received blessing as they began
    on their 19 day journey.
    Close to 50 marchers began the journey at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 2,
    walking from the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church. By Sunday evening,
    the
    marchers had already walked 36 miles and ended their day at the St. Joachim
    Church, where they slept in a room provided by the church.
    The opening ceremony and Church services attracted various Fresno-based
    broadcast and print media. Armenian communities across the world have already
    shown their support for the March For Humanity. Television reports in Armenia,
    radio broadcasts in South America, websites in Europe, and Armenian and
    non-Armenian newspapers and television newscasts have already covered the
    march
    and shown their solidarity with the marchers during the first two days.
    Many organizations and businesses have also been very supportive. Major
    supporters of the March For Humanity include the Armenian Relief
    Society-Western Region, ANCA Western Region, Homenetmen Western Region,
    Adin of
    California, Sunworks Tanning, GBH, Horizon Armenian Television, Asbarez Daily
    Armenian Newspaper, and Kerovision, among others.


    4) Belgian Leader Visits Armenia to Evaluate Cooperation with Europe

    YEREVAN (Armenpress)--Belgium's Minister of State and President of the Belgium
    Chamber of Deputies arrived in Armenia on Monday, on the first-leg of a visit
    to the region. Belgian leader Herman de Croo and Foreign Minister Vartan
    Oskanian reviewed expanding Armenia's cooperation with European organizations,
    as well as the Mountainous Karabagh conflict and Armenia-Turkey relations.
    The Belgian leader paid respect to the victims of the Armenian genocide, with
    a visit to the Dzidzernagapert memorial where he planted a tree in remembrance
    of the 1.5 million Armenians killed by the government of the Ottoman Turkey in
    1915.
    "The best way to keep the memory of all victims of the past is to have peace
    in future," de Croo told journalists, as he stressed that the tragic past
    should not be forgotten.
    In 1998, the Belgian Senate passed a resolution condemning the Armenian
    genocide and calling on Turkey to recognize its past.
    National Assembly Speaker Arthur Baghdasarian also held talks with de Croo,
    focusing on legislative reforms in the country, regional issues,
    Armenian-Belgian inter-parliamentary relations, and cooperation within
    international organizations. Baghdasarian said that Belgium's support is key
    for Armenia within the framework of the European Union's "Wider Europe: New
    Neighborhood" program.


    5) World Chess Federation Rates Armenian Chess Team Third

    YEREVAN (Armenpress)--According to the World Chess Federation's (FIDE) April
    2005 Rating List, five Armenian chess players are among the world's top 100
    players. The rankings are effective April 1 to June 30, and include Vladimir
    Hakobian, Levon Aronian, Smbat Lputian, Rafael Vahanian, and Gabriel
    Sarkisian.
    Aronian is ranked in the 21st position, while Armenia's top player Hakobian--a
    three-time former world champion--is ranked 70th.
    Armenia's national team has moved from sixth in the world to the third
    position, after Russia and Ukraine.


    6) GLENDALE ELECTIONS--A NEW REASON FOR ARMENIANS TO BE DEPRESSED IN APRIL

    BY SKEPTIK SINIKIAN

    Tuesday April 5, 2005 is Election Day in Glendale, which means one of two
    things. Either Armenian-Americans living in Glendale will be able to voice
    their opinions loud and clear--and send a message that they are an integral
    part of the fabric of the Jewel City--OR they will beat each other up to a
    bloody pulp and miss a golden opportunity to have more Armenians involved in
    civic affairs.
    I predict the latter only because I see Armenians unable to differentiate
    between qualified candidates and other political latecomers. What baffles
    me is
    that most Armenian-Americans vote based on familial ties or what their
    acquaintances say about a person rather than basing their decisions on an
    individual's qualifications. I have to be honest with you and tell you that
    I've been itching at the opportunity to let loose on some of these people for
    even announcing their candidacies, but I hesitate now seeing that most of
    these
    Armenians are doing a better job of bashing one another than I could ever do.
    At this point, if I were to jump in and dish out my critique of this person or
    that, I would just be kicking a dead horse. Plus, I'm still hearing grumblings
    from my rant last week.
    So what does this leave us with? A very important lesson. I don't know what
    the results of the elections will be on April 5, but whatever happens, our
    community will have gotten what it deserves. Everyone I speak to has a
    different opinion. No two people have the same prediction as to who is
    going to
    win. What a mess. I hope that whatever happens, this ridiculous election will
    never be repeated. And I hope that the inevitable loss by some of these clowns
    will be a message to anyone else who is sitting at home right now
    contemplating
    their run for council next time.
    I have to admit that there are some bright spots amidst all of this
    confusion.
    For one, I have come to realize that Armenian television is the worst quality
    television on earth. I'd rather be watching ESPN Uzbekistan! Watching grown
    men
    use sticks to knock around the carcass of a goat is much more fascinating than
    watching grown men knock around each other like the carcass of a goat only to
    make themselves AND their guests look stupid. The elections will come and go.
    Candidates will either get elected or disappear, but unfortunately, TV hosts
    are here to stay.
    On the other hand, there have been some pretty creative campaign commercials.
    One more entertaining than the next. My favorite game to play with my friends
    is to turn the volume off while watching Armenian TV, wait for the campaign
    ads
    to come on and then try to guess whether it's a commercial for a lawyer,
    candidate, insurance salesman, real estate agent, or some other stereotypical
    Armenian white collar professional. If you guess wrong, then you have to
    take a
    shot of whatever hard alcoholic beverage you happen to have around. It's a
    lot
    of fun but I have to warn you to start off slowly. The quality of some of
    these
    commercials makes a person want to start channel surfing for infomercials on
    personal finance.
    Well, I think I'm through for this week. I won't harass you anymore than I
    have. But I will urge you to go out and VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
    And
    for the ethically challenged, I didn't just ask you to go out and vote six
    times! I asked you to vote once and repeated myself for emphasis. (Trust me,
    with some of these folks you have to make that VERY clear). So, until next
    time, remember, that if you don't vote, you have no right to complain.

    Skeptik Sinikian was heavily intoxicated while he wrote this last column. He
    had watched over 47 continuous hours of Armenian television and gotten all of
    the campaign commercials wrong. If you wish to give him a piece of your own
    mind, email him at [email protected] or www.Sinikian.blogspot.com.


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    (c) 2005 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved.

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