Author: Antonian Lara

ARMENIAN JEWISH COMMUNITY BRINGS PURIM TO YOUNG, OLD AND HOMEBOUND
Federation of Jewish Communitites of CIS, Russia
March 16, 2006
YEREVAN, Armenia -In the Armenian capital of Yerevan, local Jews
felt the joy of this holiday, leaving behind their personal problems
and gathering at the ‘Mordechai Navi’ Jewish Community Center for a
good party.
Plenty of rattles for use during the reading of the ‘Megilat Esther’
were waiting for participants in this Purim festivity. On the eve of
the holiday, Chief Rabbi of Armenia Gersh Meir Burshtein read out
this exciting story, which happened many years ago in the Persian
Empire. The kids did their best to make as much noise as possible,
which was heard even outside the JCC.
After reading the ‘Megilat Esther’, the organizers had prepared a
wonderful kosher feast for everybody, featuring the traditional food
of Purim, with homentaschen and wine.
For homebound Jews, who are either sick or else frail and elderly,
community workers brought the merriment of Purim right to their
homes, by paying home visits and bringing them ‘mishloach manot’ –
traditional Purim treats.
A separate Purim festivity for children also occurred. Held in a
local cafe, the youngsters enjoyed a delicious kosher meal and a
lively Purimspiel. These youngest community members wore carnival
masks and costumes, playing the characters of the Purim story.
Following this, Rabbi Burshtein announced a contest for the best Jewish
dance, which involved both children and their parents, the winners
taking home various prizes. As the party wrapped up and community
members headed home, they took with them the joy of being part of
the amazing history of the Jewish people.
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AZERI DELEGATION VISITED STYRIA
Austria Today
March 15, 2006 Wednesday 8:05 PM (Central European Time)
A delegation led by Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Austria Fuad Ismayilov
has been visiting the federal province of Styria, Austria, the press
service of Foreign Ministry said. In the meeting with President of the
Styrian Chamber of Economy, Peter Muhlbacher, discussed were questions
of the development of economic ties between Azerbaijan and Styria,
and focused on cooperation in the field of tourism and construction.
The sides stressed necessity of expansion of links between businessmen
of two countries, in this connection, touched was the questions of
their participation in fairs and exhibitions conducted in Azerbaijan
and Styria. Training of young Azerbaijani specialists in Styria was
also in spotlight. In the meeting with Governor of the Province Franz
Voves, the Azeri Ambassador updated on the current situation in the
country, informed in detail on the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh
conflict, as well as on the Austria-Azerbaijan relations. The parties
expressed readiness for cooperation in the political, economic and
cultural fields. Also was underlined the necessity of the strengthening
of cultural and education relations between Azerbaijan and Styria,
and mutual cultural actions. In the meeting with vice-president of
the Austria-Azerbaijan Association Farhad Abdin in Graz, capital of
the Province, discussed was the Diaspora’s activity in this country,
creation of coordination council, as well as protection of investment
of the Styrian businessmen in Azerbaijan.

ALEXAN HARUTYUNYAN: ARMENIA HAS CHOSEN THE CORRECT SONG AND THE CORRECT SINGER
ArmRadio
16.03.2006 16:05
Armenia has chosen the correct song to present at the “Eurovision,”
President of the Public Television and Radio Company of Armenia Alexan
Harutyunyan has received the first foreign response from the experts
of this most popular European song contest.
The song (“Without your love”), which was presented to the attention
of the Armenian pubic yesterday, has already managed to become a
subject of controversial views and criticism in Armenia.
“Some complain that Andre is going to present an English song at
the ” Eurovision,” some have found Eastern tunes in the song. The
“Eurovision” is a special song festival, and I have to disappoint all
those who were anticipating that we would present Komitas there. And
let’s not forget that the song has been written by one of out best
composers Armen Martirosyan, and has been instrumented by Murzik,
one of our best arrangers. Besides, national musical instruments have
been used,” Alexan Harutyunyan said in his interview to ” Radiolur”
correspondent.
As for the Eastern tunes, Alexan Harutyunyan noted, “Eastern tunes
exist also in Sayat-Nova’s music.”

ARMENIAN ORGANIZATIONS DEMANDS INTRODUCTION OF SECOND STATE LANGUAGE
Prime News
March 16, 2006, 9:53 pm
Tbilisi. March 16 (Prime News) – Birk and Javakhk NGOs operating in
Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia, largely populated with Armenians,
demand introduction of the Armenian language with a status of the
second state language.
The above-mentioned organizations drafted a letter of appeal to
the Parliament of Georgia at the meeting in the town of Akhalkalaki
on Thursday.
According to them, the major part of the local population is of
Armenian origin and must enjoy Armenian record keeping.
Besides, the representatives of Birk and Javakhk say that they suffer
frequent violations of their rights for their ethnicity.; the Armenians
are deprived of an opportunity to work as public officers and they
are replaced by the Georgians, who arrive in Samtskhe-Javakheti from
other regions, they say.

PHOTOS OF FORMER ARMENIAN CEMETERY IN NAKHICHEVAN PUBLISHED
PanARMENIAN.Net
16.03.2006 01:29 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spread
photos of the former Armenian cemetery in Djulfa, Nakhichevan. The
MFA press release says in part, “By 2005 only 3500 out of 10 000
of Armenian khachkars remained standing in Old Djulfa. These 3500
monuments were demolished by Azeri soldiers.”

SAY NO TO TURKISH PRODUCTS OF INFERIOR QUALITY
Panorama.am
15:32 15/03/06
One of the sad phenomena of our times is the fact that Armenian
“merchants” import Turkish goods to Armenia securing circulation
of more than 10s millions. One of the essential conditions is that
while buying any product of Turkish origin (sweets, chewing-gums,
washing powders, etc.) one cannot be sure it won’t harm his/her health.
On the other hand: “After the examination of 103 samples of 45
Turkish products it was found out that they correspond to standards
of technical safety, that is to say they are not dangerous to human
life,” announced the deputy of the head of Quality Inspectorate George
Gyozalyan. As a result of the examination it was found out that the
above mentioned standard is the only one that the examined goods
corresponded to. Chocolate bars “Safari”, “Derby”, “Nuss”, chewing
gums “Golfresh” , “Pencil-Gum” and “Bubble Gum”, biscuits “Twin”,
“Look”, “Gold”, washing means “Bingo”, “Tara” did not correspond to
the fixed standards.
As G. Gyozalyan assured the realization of the above mentioned goods
has been prohibited and the importing companies have been ordered to
take the goods back from the consumers.
To remind, “Defence of Consumers’ Rights” Public Organization has
worked out a corresponding order and it is being discussed at the
moment.
To note, the fine has been fixed not for the importers but for the
sellers. As G. Gyozalyan stated this is not a raid against Turkish
goods, yet the greatest number of complaints refers Turkish products.
To note, this year the Government has let 80 million drams to put
goods under control.

THERE ARE COUNTRIES INTERESTED IN WORSENING ARMENIA-GEORGIA RELATIONS
PanARMENIAN.Net
15.03.2006 00:11 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Situation in Samtskhe-Javakheti is
serious. Undoubtedly, it is not so much political, as social and
economic problem, expert, political scientist Stepan Grigoryan stated
in an interview with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In his words,
social and economic problems of the region will become more acute
against the background of withdrawal of the Russian military base. “I
think there are countries interested in politicization of the problem
and worsening the Armenia-Georgia. Armenians of Javakheti should be
integrated in the political processes in Georgia.
Georgian leaders should not resort to force. E.g. if the education
reform is painful for the Armenian population, its implementation
should be postponed,” Grigoryan remarked. At that he noted that the
Armenian Government should coordinate the work with the Georgian
Government, which should be interested in constant contact with
Armenian ministries and departments.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
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Phone: 212.319.6383, x128
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, March 8, 2006

AGBU São Paolo Attracts 350 Supporters for Annual Anniversary Event
The well-known Maison France of São Paolo was the venue for AGBU
Brazil’s 41st Anniversary event on December 4, 2005. Supporters
numbering over 350 came together to salute not only the Chapter’s
achievements, but also to pay tribute to Man of the Year Ochin
Mosditchian, who has served the local community through AGBU for over
25 years. Mr. Mosditchian has served as the Chapter’s director and led
many delegations to the organization’s biennial General Assemblies.
Most encouraging was the presence of the community’s youth, who
comprised almost half of the guests. AGBU São Paolo enjoys the
incredible support of the local Armenian community, as it hosts
monthly events, sponsors youth athletics and an annual fashion event
that draws large numbers, including many non-Armenians. The 2005 show,
which displayed the fashions of Claudete & Deca, hosted 500 spectators
and feted Areknaz Kherlakian, who has been a staunch supporter of the
Brazilian chapter for decades.
Founded in 1964, AGBU Sao Paulo is dedicated to preserving and
promoting the Armenian heritage and culture through educational,
cultural and humanitarian programs. For more information, please
contact AGBU Sao Paulo at 55-113-814-9299 (or 9930) or e-mail
[email protected].
For more information on AGBU and its worldwide chapters, please visit

AZERBAïDJAN ET ARMENIE S’ACCUSENT MUTUELLEMENT DE RUPTURE DU CESSEZ-LE-FEU
Agence France Presse
7 mars 2006 mardi 1:59 PM GMT
Bakou
L’Azerbaïdjan a accuse mardi l’Armenie d’avoir viole le cessez-le-feu
au Nagorny Karabakh et provoque la mort d’un soldat azerbaïdjanais,
Erevan reprochant pour sa part a l’armee azerbaïdjanaise d’avoir tue
un soldat armenien le 3 mars.
Les Armeniens ont ouvert le feu mardi a 04h45 (00h45 GMT) depuis la
region de Terter a la limite du Nagorny Karabakh (enclave separatiste
peuplee d’Armeniens en territoire azerbaïdjanais) et du reste de
l’Azerbaïdjan, tuant Parviz Cahangirov, un soldat ne en 1986, a
declare le ministère azerbaïdjanais de la Defense dans un communique.
Le ministère accuse egalement les Armeniens d’avoir blesse un soldat
qui se trouverait “dans un etat grave”.
“Cette information (…) ne correspond pas a la realite. De plus,
nous sommes fatigues des violations periodiques du cessez-le-feu de la
part de l’Azerbaïdjan”, a declare de son côte a l’AFP le responsable
de l’information de l’Armee de defense du Karabakh, Senor Astratian.
Ces derniers jours, le ministère armenien de la Defense a diffuse
des informations faisant etat de violations du cessez-le-feu.
“Le 3 mars, la partie azerbaïdjanaise a ouvert le feu en direction
de la division armee d’Idjevan (nord de l’Armenie) blessant a la tete
l’appele Arsen Zakvossian, âge de 19 ans, qui est decede a l’hôpital”,
a indique le ministère dans un communique.
Le cessez-le-feu a ete viole les 4, 5, 6 et 7 mars par l’Azerbaïdjan,
a affirme le responsable de presse du ministère, Seïran Chakhsouvarian.
Un conflit meurtrier avait eclate au debut des annees 1990 a propos
du Nagorny Karabakh, qui a proclame unilateralement son independance
en 1991. L’Azerbaïdjan veut en reprendre le contrôle.
–Boundary_(ID_kGVUUDsKHPPBH+XVkGcsbA)- –

MURDERER OF ARMENIAN OFFICER TO GET SENTENCE ON APR 13, 2006
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
March 8 2006
YEREVAN, March 8. /ARKA/. On April 13, 2006, the Budapest court is to
pass a sentence on the Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov, who killed
the Armenian officer Gurgen Margaryan, the lawyer Nazeni Vardanyan,
who represents the Armenian side, told the RA Public Television.
She reported that the next court sitting is scheduled for April 4,
2006. Vardanyan pointed out that the Azerbaijani side is trying to
delay the trial by submitting numerous petitions to the court.
Specifically, the Azerbaijani side petitioned for a witness to be
summoned and for another psychiatric examination to be made. The court
rejected both the petitions, the reason being that the Azerbaijani side
might have invited the witness during the whole year of court hearings.
According to the results of the latest psychiatric examination, the
murderer is criminally sane, does not suffer from any serious disease,
including mental diseases, and was not in a state of affect at the
moment of murder.
On February 19, 2006, Lieutenant of the RA Armed Forces Gurgen
Margaryan, which was attending English language courses in Budapest
under the Partnership for Peace program, was brutally killed with an
ax while asleep by the Azerbaijani officer Ramil Safarov. In Baku,
Ramil Safarov was declared a man of the year.