Month: November 2006

AZERI ARMED FORCES OFFICER CONDITIONALLY CONVICTED BY HUNGARIAN COURT FOR ADDITIONAL 8 MONTHS
Author: P.Kesemenski
TREND Information, Azerbaijan
Nov 18 2006
On November 17, the officer of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces Ramil
Safarov appeared in Hungarian Court for the second time, and was
conditionally convicted by the Court of the Pesht region of Budapest
for a period of 8 months, Trend reports quoting the Azerbaijani
Embassy in Hungary.
The court session was presided by the Judge Tota Dondosh. Ramil
Safarov’s rights were protected by the Advocate Clara Fisher.
It should be mentioned that Ramil Safarov, accused of the assassination
of the Armenian officer Gurgen Markaryan, was also accused of the
resistance against the employees of the Hungarian prison during
investigation. According to the accusation, on June 19, 2004, the
employees of the Hungarian court came to the cell of Safarov and
required him to give the telephone card. Safarov refused to fulfill
the requirement and resisted against the employees of the prison.
During the court session, on November 17, two witnesses were questioned
and after this, the state accuser made a 30-minute speech, where he
stated that Ramil Safarov is accused of the items 229 (resistance
against the state employees) and 170 (inflicting physical injuries)
of the Hungarian Criminal Code, which intend a criminal punishment
of up to 3 years.
The speech of the Advocate Clara Fisher took an hour and a half. She
mentioned the discrepancy in the evidences of the witnesses and
required the court to close the case.
Ramil Safarov stressed that at the beginning of the investigation he
did not understand the Hungarian language. He added that 33 months
have past since the incident, but no incidents with the employees of
the Hungarian prison have been observed.
The Court cancelled the accusation with the item 170, conditionally
convicting Safarov with the item 229 for a period of 8 months.
It should be mentioned that on April 13, 2006, Safarov was sentenced by
the Hungarian Court for life time imprisonment due to the assassination
of the Armenian officer.

ARMENIAN SCHOOL CATERS TO DIVERSE STUDENTS
Monideepa Banerjie
NDTV.com, India
Nov 18 2006
A school in Kolkata has just celebrated its 185th anniversary. It’s
not any ordinary school but one run by Armenians for Armenians from
across the world.
Of 80 students, only two are Indian Armenian Christians, the rest
are from Iran, Iraq and Armenia.
Merchants from the central Asian country came to Kolkata in the 16th
century and now their progeny number barely 100, but the school is
striving to keep India’s Armenian connection alive.
It was 185 years ago, a Kolkata-based Armenian merchant set up a
school for children of fellow Armenians who had made the eastern city
their home.
Later it gradually turned into an international educational hub for
Armenian Christians worldwide.
In the usual Class I, students, all from Iran, are much older than
regular school beginners.
The students do not know English and are being taught here how to
speak it. Once they master it, they will go to appropriate classes.
English paramount
But learning English is of paramount importance, in fact, the main
reasons why they left Tehran for Kolkata.
“I came here to study because it is easier to go abroad from here
for higher studies. And in Iran the standard of English was very
low. We were doing three periods every day of one and a half hours and
English only once a week. Here we do it every day and it is better,”
said Aden Dawoody, a student from Iran.
The Armenian School is affiliated to the ICSE board. Iran apart,
most students in the school are from Armenia, one from Iraq and only
two from Kolkata.
At one time, the Armenian population in this city numbered in
thousands. But time and migration have reduced them to barely
a hundred.
Zaveh Stephen, an Indian Armenian is one of the 100.
“I learn Armenian language and I am almost fluent in the language.
Because mixing with the boys for so many years, it has almost become
my mother tongue,” said Zaveh.
Upgrade facilities
But times have changed and the educational needs of the Armenians
have changed.
Father Oshagan Gulgulian, manager of the school, feels they need to
upgrade the facilities.
“The world is moving toward modern technology, computers. Instead
of being simply an elementary school we need to change into more
technical school. That is our future plan,” said Father Gulguilan.
Kolkata’s Armenian community may be dwindling but they are determined
to nurture Armenia’s ties with India, the shared heritage of 500 years.
No one put it better than a young Armenian girl, a student of class
IX and a big Bollywood fan.
sp?category=National&slug=Armenian+school+cate rs+to+diverse+students&id=96580

MOSCOW EVENT HONORS TAL
By David R. Sands
Washington Times, DC
Nov 18 2006
In a tournament honoring the great Soviet world champion Mikhail Tal,
two of Tal’s foremost modern disciples did not exactly shine.
Spanish GM Alexei Shirov and Russian GM Alexander Morozevich finished
at the bottom of the cross table in the Category 20 (average rating:
2727) tournament, which wrapped up Thursday in Moscow. That is ironic,
as Shirov and Morozevich are among the most tactically imaginative and
adventurous players on the elite scene, as was Tal, who died in 1992
at age 55. Those qualities made him one of the most popular players
of all time.
Shirov, who was born in Latvia, even studied under the Wizard of Riga
as a junior star in the 1980s.
Hungary’s Peter Leko, Ukrainian Ruslan Ponomariov and Levon Aronian
of Armenia shared top honors in the 10-player round-robin event,
one of the strongest of the year, all finishing at 51/2-31/2.
Aronian took a full point from both Morozevich and Shirov in Moscow,
with both games doing full honor to the fighting spirit of the
tournament honoree. In both cases, Aronian benefited when his opponent
pushed for more than the position had to offer.
Against Morozevich in the very first round, Aronian found himself
under pressure in a Queen’s Gambit after Black launched a promising
piece sacrifice. However, cool defense and a missed opportunity by
Morozevich allowed the Armenian to turn the tables.
With White’s major pieces clustered on the other flank, Black plays
for a king-side mate with 23. Qc2 Nxg2!? 24. Kxg2 (interesting was
24. Nxe4 Nxe4 25. Qxe4 Bxh3 26. Bd3! g6 27. Rg1, but Aronian picks
up the gauntlet thrown down by Black) h4 25. Bxf7+! (clearing the
c-file for the rook and exposing the Black king as 25…Rxf7?
loses to 26. Rxc8+ Rxc8 27. Qxc8+ Rf8 [Kh7 28. Qf5+] 28. Qxf8+! Kxf8
29. Ne6+) Kxf7 26. Rc5!.
Black again offers a piece to keep his attack alive, but a nice finesse
solidifies the White defenses and hands the initiative back to Aronian:
26…Bxh3+! 27. Kxh3 Qg4+ 28. Kg2 hxg3? (English IM Malcolm Pein
recommended trading rooks first with 28…Rfc8! 29. Rc1 [Rc7+ Kg6 is
fine] Rxc5 30. Qxc5 hxg3 31. Qc7+ Kg8 32. Qxg3, with rough equality,
as White’s next move defangs the Black attack) 29.
f3! exf3+ 30. Nxf3, and Black’s g-pawn is his own worst enemy, as it
blocks the lines to the White king.
The open h-file also forces Black to take extraordinary pains not
to be mated, a key reason Morozevich should have traded a pair of
rooks when he had the chance. The pressure finally forces Black’s
own defenses to falter: 34. Rh4 Nh5 35. Rd5 Rf5 36. e4! (a highly
annoying move that knocks the props out of Black’s alignment) Nf4+
37. Kxg3 Rh4 38. Rxf4, and Black is losing a piece.
White efficiently snuffs out any hopes of counterplay along the h-file
with the killing 39. Kg4 (it was not too late to lose with 39.
Kf2?? Rh2+! 40. Nxh2 Qxh2+, picking off the queen) Re8 40. Rdf5
Rg8 41. Qxg8+! Qxg8 (Kxg8 42. Rf8 mate) 42. Rf8, and Black resigns,
as the ending is hopeless.
Three rounds later, Shirov and Aronian went at it hammer and
tongs in a Ruy Lopez Marshall, perhaps the most richly analyzed and
intricate opening variation in chess. We will not commit journalistic
malpractice by trying to evaluate who wins the theoretical battle
here, but White’s thematic exchange sacrifice on Move 19 appears to
give him perhaps a slight endgame edge by 42. f4 Rbg8 43. Bd6 Ke6,
today’s diagrammed position.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TURKISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES VOW TO BOOST CLOSER COOPERATION
People’s Daily, China
Nov 18 2006
Four Turkish-speaking countries concluded its 8th summit meeting in
Turkey’s southern Mediterranean city Antalya on Friday, vowing to
boost a closer cooperation among them.
Presidents of the four countries, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan
and Kyrgyzstan, attended the summit and signed a final statement on
closer cooperation.
“Turkish-speaking countries should work hard to boost cooperation
in the areas of economy, industry, agriculture, transportation,
communication and tourism,” the statement said.
It added that the countries should fully support activities and
initiatives that aimed to strengthen historic and cultural ties
among themselves.
“Improvement in international transportation between Turkey and
Turkish-speaking countries will create new opportunities and contribute
to economy of regional countries,” the statement noted.
Highlighting the importance of Turkey’s accession process with the
European Union (EU), the statement stressed that it would contribute
to political, economic and social development in the region and
strengthen ties between the region and the EU.
On the Upper Karabakh issue, the statement indicated that the issue,
which is an obstruction to southern Caucasus’ stability and regional
cooperation, should be solved through peaceful means in conformity
with Azerbaijan’s independence and its territorial integrity.
The statement also underlined the importance of joint fight against
terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as
drug, weapon and human smuggling and other organized crimes.
A global response must be given to the fight against terrorism which
has become a global threat, it said, adding that any kind of terrorism
could not be justified.
The summit, initiated in 1992, focuses on consolidating friendly
relations and cooperation among participating countries, and
strengthening peace and stability in the region.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

THE VICTORY OF DEMOCRATS WILL ENABLE TO PROMOTE ARMENIAN ISSUES
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 17 2006
The victory of the Democrats in the US Congressional elections will
simplify the accomplishment of Armenian Issues, Chairman of the
National Assembly of Armenia, Vice-President of the Republican Party
Tigran Torosyan told ArmInfo correspondent.
In general, the shift of balance of power in the US Congress will
not impact the spectrum of Armenian-American relations, he mentioned.
To note, leader of the Democratic Party leader, who will most probably
become House Speaker Nanci Palosi stands for the Armenian Genocide
recognition.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RELIGIONS MUST BECOME THE MORAL VOICE OF SOCIETY, HIS HOLINESS ARAM I CONSIDERS
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 17 2006
“The world is on the edge of moral collapse. If things go unchanged,
moral collapse will bring about economic, political and ecological
collapse. Religion is a source of moral values. By becoming the moral
voice of the world, religions may work together to save humanity
from new crises”, said His Holiness in his closing remarks to the
inter-religious conference, taking place at the Armenian Catholicosate
of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon.
The conference, which was the first of its kind and was initiated by
His Holiness Aram I, brought together representatives of religions
of the Middle East and Asia in order to learn more about each other.
“The knowledge gained through dialogue about each other will generate
mutual understanding and respect and will pave the way towards mutual
trust”, said Aram I and reminded that “we have our differences and we
must remain faithful to our roots, identities, values and traditions;
at the same time, we must accept each other the way we are”.
Considering their common values a solid basis for the religions to
act together, Aram I emphasized particularly the “bridge-building”
role of religions in a world characterized by “extremes, tensions and
polarizations”. He said that “because political consensus is always
provisional, societies need bridges that are sustained by faith,
spirituality and moral values”.
Referring to the theme of the conference, “Recommitment to
Spirituality”, His Holiness warned of “false spiritualities, which
are establishing their dominance in our societies”, and called for a
spirituality “that combats the evil forces and empowers human beings
by the presence of Transcendence.”

ARMENIA BEATS IODINE DEFICIENCY
Public Radio, Armenia
Nov 17 2006
A coalition of four organizations working together to address
iodine deficiency disorders throughout the world, has recognized
the elimination of iodine deficiency in Armenia through universal
salt iodization.
In a ceremony held today to mark this achievement, the UNICEF
Representative in Armenia, Sheldon Yett, presented a plaque to the
Ministry of Health of Armenia, which recognizes the Government
of Armenia’s success in its long standing campaign to eliminate
iodine deficiency disorders as a public health problem. The plaque
was presented on behalf of the Network for Sustained Elimination of
Iodine Deficiency, the International Council for Control of Iodine
Deficiency Disorders, UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
“Elimination of iodine deficiency in Armenia is a remarkable
achievement and represents a significant contribution to the protection
and improvement of health and well-being of children in this country,”
the UNICEF Representative in Armenia emphasized. He added that “some
20 million children in developing countries are affected by iodine
deficiency each year and every single case can be prevented with the
use of iodized salt.”
Iodine deficiency is the world’s leading cause of preventable
mental retardation among children. While the worst cases of iodine
deficiency can cause severe mental retardation, such as cretinism,
even mild iodine deficiency can result in a significant loss in
learning ability. Other effects include increased risk of stillbirth,
miscarriage, and goiter for women and learning difficulties for
children. Salt iodization is the most effective and sustainable way
to prevent iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) because salt is widely
consumed and iodization is safe and inexpensive. Eliminating IDD
through the promotion of the use of iodized salt is a key component
of UNICEF’s mission to ensure that every child has the opportunity
to survive, develop and achieve his/her developmental potential.
In 1995, the Ministry of Health jointly with UNICEF, conducted a
study which indicated that over 50% of pregnant women were suffering
from iodine deficiency. Since 1997 UNICEF, the Ministry of Health,
and the Avan Salt Factory have been working together to eliminate
iodine deficiency in Armenia through universal salt iodization. The
efforts were funded in part through contributions from the US Agency
for International Development (USAID).
“Ministry of Health attaches great importance to the issue of iodine
deficiency in Armenia and is taking steps to ensure the sustainability
of the Universal Salt Iodization in Armenia,” Minister of Health
Norayr Davidyan said.
A nationally representative survey of school children carried out last
year by UNICEF, the Ministry of Health and the International Council
for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) found that
the proportion of households consuming adequately iodized salt has
increased to 97% from 70% in 1998. The 2005 survey also found that
urinary concentrations of iodine were sufficiently high.
“The achievement of universal salt iodization means that 40,000
children born in Armenia each year are now being protected from the
consequences of iodine deficiency,” the UNICEF Representative said.
As the survey noted, strengthened monitoring and regulatory systems are
now required to sustain this achievement,” the Representative added.

WILL THEY DESTROY THE HOUSE OF THE PM?
A1+
[08:31 pm] 15 November, 2006
Tomorrow the residents of the alienation zones of the capital and
the veterans of the Artsakh war will organize a protest action
opposite the Government building expressing disobedience to the
RA authorities. Their initiative has lasted for several days: they
have been complaining against the adoption of the RA draft Law on
“Alienation of property for state and public needs” for the last
three days.
Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan thinks that there is not civic
disobedience, “The discontent of even 100 people does not mean that
they express the opinion of the majority. There always exist people
who are displeased with this or that law. Who says that the President
was elected with 100% votes? There were people who were against it. It
is always so”.
Answering the questions of the journalists, the Prime Minister claimed
that he is ready to give his property for the sake of state needs.
Andranik Margaryan also claimed that “the elections must not cast a
shadow on the electoral process, the newly created National Assembly
must enjoy the trust of the people, and only after that the Government
must be formed”.

BEFRIENDING HIV CARRIERS IS NOT DANGEROUS
A1+
[07:51 pm] 15 November, 2006
“Due to the lack of information HIV/AIDS has become the plague of
not only the 20th but also the 21st century”, said Elena Strizhak,
expert of the “HIV carriers network in Ukraine” who has arrived in
Armenia for cooperation and exchange of experience.
Elena Strizhak herself has been a HIV carrier for the last six
years. In Ukraine she fights vigorously against discrimination against
virus carriers.
She does not hide the fact that she is a virus carrier and speaks about
it quite calmly, saying that it is a form of work for her. According
to her, there is no difference in the attitude towards the carriers
in Armenia and in Ukraine.
“All those people have the same feelings in all the parts of the
world. I have passed through that myself.
But those who were to support me were next to me. As for those who
upon learning the news left me, I’m not very much sorry for that. Now
I do everything in order to support the virus carriers who have the
same problem”, said Elena Strizhak.
According to her, the reason that HIV carriers become social outcast
is the low level of public awareness.
In Ukraine Elena Strizhak’s organization has created information
centers in all the cities and regions in order to raise public
awareness about the ways of catching AIDS; for example, making friends
with a HIV carrier is not dangerous for catching the virus.
In Armenia NGO “Real world, real people” tries to soothe the public
discrimination against HIV carriers with the help of the UNDP.
The NGO has realized a number of programs against discrimination. They
have made posters with the photos of Armenian singers. The posters
contain a warning to be careful not to get infected and a message to
be tolerant towards those who have done it.
By the way, according to 2006 October statistics, there are 443 HIV
carriers in Armenia. The majority has got infected via drug usage.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PHONETHON LAUNCHED
A1+
[08:15 pm] 15 November, 2006
Today the annual phonethon of pan-Armenian fund “Armenia” was
launched. The workers of the fund will phone about 1300 small,
medium and large companies in Armenia until November 17 and call
on them to have their donation to the program “Revival of Artsakh”
initiated by the fund. This year the gathered money will be used for
the realization of the second phase of the program – the development
of the Hadrout region of Artsakh.
On the eve of the telethon the Fund already gets donations from
individuals, organizations, banks, educational institutions and other
structures. The residents of not only the capital but also the regions
make donations.
Tomorrow the telethon will start in France. The main telethon which
will be broadcast live for all the Armenians throughout the world
will take place on November 23 in Los Angeles.