MOSCOW (Combined Sources)–President Robert Kocharian confirmed on Monday that Russia’s state-run Gazprom monopoly would gain a controlling stake in Armenia’s national gas distribution company that will almost certainly own the incoming gas pipeline from Iran. Gazprom’s board approved and announced on Friday the issuance of additional shares in the ArmRosGazprom operator, saying that it will [...]

LOS ANGELES–The Armenian National Committee – Political Action Committee (ANC-PAC) announced its endorsement of , the Democratic Party candidate for California Lieutenant Governor. "John Garamendi’s service to the people of California, specially his steady hand as the Insurance Commissioner, and his vision for this State, make him the best choice for Lieutenant Governor in this [...]

BUCHAREST (Armenpress)–Romania nominated a new candidate for the job of Romania’s EU commissioner after the previous nominee, Varoujan Voskanian Saturday withdrew his nominations due to concerns in Brussels over his European credentials. The withdrawal followed last week’s meeting with European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, which failed to result in his official nomination, unlike the [...]

STEPANAKERT–In an interview with Karabakh Open, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic foreign minister Georgy Petrossian discussed the recent meeting in Paris between Armenia’s foreign minister Vartan Oskanian and his Azeri counterpart Elmar Mammedyarov. Foreign minister Petrossian said it was very early to properly assess the October 24 meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs, adding that it was [...]

YEREVAN (Armenpress)–Foreign minister Vartan Oskanian appointed Armen Liloyan as Armenia’s new consul general to Los Angeles. Liloyan, 35, is a graduate of Yerevan State University where he majored in Oriental Studies. He also graduated from the London Diplomacy School. He has been with Armenia’s Foreign Ministry since 1995 holding various positions.

Hard to believe, but it’s been a year since Californians went to the polls in a special election called by the Governator who himself was elected in a special election. At least this one is a regularly scheduled election, not something that the right wing of society is trying to ram down normal human beings’ [...]

In the best tradition of our ancient people, we are gathered here–the sons and daughters of the Armenian nation–to mark our progress on this special occasion and to chart our way forward through the ever-evolving landscape of the Armenian reality. We celebrate this milestone in our nation’s long journey with a profound appreciation of the [...]

I am pleased, honored, and still a little awed by the fact that I can stand before you, as foreign minister, at the official celebration of 15 years of Armenia’s independence. The fact that we are celebrating in this important capital, with the representatives of a strong, active, prosperous, proud and engaged Diaspora, in the [...]

LOS ANGELES–The American University of Armenia will be celebrating its 15th anniversary this year with a fundraiser dinner, on Sunday November 12 at the Universal Sheraton Hotel. The banquet celebrates the achievemen’s of AUA and honors the great philanthropic efforts of Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes and Jean Barsam and Mr. & Mrs. Jerry and Pat [...]

The Congressional elections on November 7 could be a turning point for all Americans, particularly on the issue of the war in Iraq, should the House of Representatives, and possibly the Senate, come under the control of the Democrats. For Armenian Americans, the upcoming elections could finally provide the opportunity they have been waiting for [...]

WASHINGTON–Armenian American community and religious leaders from throughout the United States joined with Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian for the inauguration, on October 21, of the Armenian National Committee of America’s new national headquarters. The centrally located, state of the art building provides the ANCA with a permanent home in the heart of the nation’s [...]

The Society for Armenian Studies (SAS) will hold its 32nd Annual Membership meeting in Boston on November 18. SAS President Joseph Kchichian will preside over the meeting, which is held in conjunction with the Annual Middle East Studies Association Conference. SAS officers for 2006 are Vice-President, George Shirinian; Secretary, Vahram Shemmassian; Treasurer, Barlow Der Mugrdechian; [...]

What’s the nexus between our "Free, Independent, and United Armenia" and "Recognition, Reparations, Return of Lands"? What ultimately is the guarantor of the perpetuation of Armenian nationhood and statehood? What is our biggest, most complicated issue with Turkey and our other neighbors, the Kurds? Land, of course. Land is the foundation of all we seek [...]

GLENDALE–The recent Armenian Community Health Fair organized by the Armenian American Medical Society of California, the Armenian American Nurses Association, and the Armenian Dental Society of California was an overwhelming success. More than 300 community members visited the St. Mary’s Church, in Glendale on Saturday, October 14. Various free screenings, such as blood pressure, blood [...]