Author: Baghdasarian Karlen

March 8, 2013
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY ON THE NAME DAY OF
FORTY MARTYRS CHURCH IN ORANGE COUNTY

Saturday, March 9, 2013 is the Feast of the Forty Martyrs, which is
also the name day of Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County.
On this occasion, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
will celebrate Divine Liturgy, conduct the blessing of madagh, and deliver
the sermon at Forty Martyrs Church.

PRELATE PRESENTS MANAS BOUJIKIAN WITH
PONTIFICAL ENCYCLICAL

On Thursday, March 7, 2013, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy long-time community activist and benefactor
Mr. Manas Boujikian, who was accompanied by Asbarez Newspaper Editor Mr. Apo
Boghikian. During the visit the Prelate presented Mr. Boujikian with the
Pontifical Encyclical of H.H. Catholicos Aram I honoring him with the
“Knight of Cilicia” medal as appreciation and commendation for his many
years of dedicated service to the Armenian cause and community.
Mr. Boujikian was awarded the medal in May of 2012 during a
reception in his honor hosted by the Armenian National Committee Western
Region and Asbarez Newspaper.
On this occasion the Prelate once again highly commended Mr.
Boujikian for his contribution to the advancement of the Armenian cause and
people through his service in various organizations, and for his financial
support of a number of community institutions and organizations.

PRELACY PARISHES CELEBRATE MID-LENT

In celebration of mid-Lent, or Michink, on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Prelacy Churches were filled with faithful who had gathered to celebrate
this special occasion with Sunrise Service followed by traditional luncheons
organized by their Parish Ladies Guilds or local ARS chapters.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated the
halfway point of Lent with the Holy Cross Cathedral parish community of
Montebello. The day began with Sunrise Service held at “Tumanjian” Hall,
given that the Cathedral is undergoing renovation. Parish Pastor Rev. Fr.
Ashod Kambourian and Crescenta Valley Pastor Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian
assisted in the service. Mesrobian School students were in attendance with
their new principal Mr. David Ghoogasian and teachers.
In his address to the students, the Prelate explained the meaning of
Lent as a time of prayer and reflection, and directed questions to the
students which they were able to answer correctly. Speaking to them on why
prayer is important and how to pray meaningfully, he urged the students to
write prayers expressing their love and gratitude to their mothers on the
occasion of the “Year of the Armenian Mother”. The Prelate greeted the new
principal, wishing him success in his mission and stressing the importance
of having students regularly attend Church services. The students then
recited a prayer, after which the service continued, concluding with the
confession and the Lord’s Prayer.
The traditional mid-Lent luncheon organized annually by the Parish
Ladies Guild followed at “Bagramian” Hall. This year’s luncheon was
sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. Haig & Hilda Manjikian and Mrs. Zabel Iknadossian.
The luncheon featured a cultural program of songs presented by Mesrobian
students.
The Prelate delivered the invocation and greeted the guests,
expressing joy and at the participation of Mesrobian School students in the
service and cultural program. His Eminence reflected on the meaning of
Michink, which besides being the halfway point of Lent is a special occasion
for families and friends to come together to celebrate having successfully
endured the first half of Lent, and to encourage and inspire one another to
remain steadfast in the second half of Lent and continue this spiritual
journey with reinforced strength and commitment. The Prelate noted that
Michink is also an invitation for self-examination and introspection, a good
time to examine our lives and consciences to see how faithfully we have
followed through on the promises we made at the start of the season, and to
correct ourselves and make a renewed commitment to our Lenten promises if
our actions have fallen short thus far.
The luncheon concluded with the Prelate’s message and benediction.
The Prelate blessed and commended the organizers for keeping this beautiful
tradition alive, and the students, luncheon hosts, and guests for their
participation and support. His Eminence thanked and commended the sponsors
for their continued support, namely respected community leader and
benefactor Mr. George Tumanjian, who was a surprise guest, and members of
his family who have inherited his benevolent spirit, and announced that the
Tumanjian family was sponsoring the expenses of the Cathedral renovation.

PRELACY HOSTS 8TH ANNUAL ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES SUNDAY SCHOOLS BIBLE
ADVENTURE DAY

On Saturday, March 2, 2013, the 8th annual Oriental Orthodox
Churches Sunday School Bible Adventure Day was held at St. Garabed Armenian
Church in Hollywood, under the auspices of the Council of Oriental Orthodox
Bishops, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, H.E. Archbishop Mor
Clemis Eugene Kaplan, and H.G. Bishop Serapion, and hosted by the Western
Prelacy. Clergy members from the three Churches also participated.
One hundred and fifty students, ages nine to fourteen, from twelve
Churches participated in the event, which began at 10:00 a.m. with Divine
Liturgy conducted according to the rites of the Armenian Apostolic Church
and celebrated by the Prelate. Accompanied by the singing of the
“Hrashapar” hymn, the Prelates entered the Church and ascended the altar.
During the Liturgy, two students from the Coptic and Syrian Orthodox
Churches read the daily Bible readings. The students also participated in
the singing of hymns in their respective languages, and received Holy
Communion from the Prelates. At the conclusion of the service, the Prelates
conveyed their messages on the following topics; Great Lent, what unites the
Oriental Orthodox Churches and our future in today’s world in relation to
current world events in the Middle East.
Our Prelate began his message by greeting the Prelates, clergy,
teachers, and students, stating, “It is spiritually fulfilling to see so
many of our Sunday School students participate in this wonderful event every
year where you join your Armenian, Coptic, and Syriac brothers and sisters
in the celebration of Divine Liturgy in unity and harmony, and enjoy this
fellowship based on common faith, beliefs, and values.” His Eminence also
thanked and commended the Oriental Orthodox Churches Sunday School Committee
Chair Mrs. Patricia Allaf and the members and volunteers for their hard work
and dedication in organizing this important event every year for the past
eight years. Speaking on what unites the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the
Prelate highlighted that “Although there are three distinct churches
represented here, we are, in effect, members of one family, the Oriental
Orthodox family, with shared faith, beliefs, and values. The Oriental
Orthodox Churches are of the most ancient in the Christian world, each
tracing its origins to the apostles in the first century, and we have some
of the richest and most beautiful traditions. But the strongest unifying
factor that makes us one family is that we are all children of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. We are one in Jesus Christ and united in Him through
our faith and belief. And today, as children of God and of the Oriental
Orthodox Church, you have gathered here in praise and worship to celebrate
our mutual Christian faith and to grow in knowledge of the Word of God which
will strengthen you spiritually and mentally.”
The second portion of the Prelate’s message centered on the
importance of following God’s Word, for which he cited James 4:8, “Draw near
to God and He will draw near to you”. “Studying the Bible and learning
about the miracles, parables, and commandments of Christ will not only teach
you how to live a Christian faith, it will draw you closer to God. Lent
offers a uniquely special opportunity to draw closer to God and to grow in
our relationship with Him; to deepen our commitment to Him and to the
Christian way of life through prayer and repentance”. The heart of Lent is
for us to ”grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). This is achieved through prayer and through the
study of God’s Word. Thus, Lent is a time for more frequent prayer, for
more personal communication and communion with God; to drawing nearer to Him
by speaking with Him from the depths of our hearts and souls.” His Eminence
concluded by wishing that the Lenten journey is a meaningful one for each
and every students, and that they will welcome the good news of the Glorious
Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday renewed in mind,
body, and spirit.
Students were then invited for lunch, after which the second portion
of the day began. Students were assigned to groups according to age, and at
different testing stations created posters on one of the miracles of Christ,
were quizzed on the miracles of our Lord, and created and performed a skit
on a miracle of their choice. When a group was not at a station, they had
the opportunity for a question and answer session with priests inside the
Church. Winning teams from each age division received trophies, and all
students received an award ribbon, group photo, and a religious icon for
their participation. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian awarded trophies to the
students who were in the top three teams. The gathering concluded with the
Lord’s Prayer.

From: Baghdasarian

“Women, Demystified: Overcoming Myths in Armenia’s Villages”

21:40, March 8, 2013

Myths about women’s health make their way up and down gravel stone
streets, traveling from the rocky mountainside to homes casted in
concrete and tufa, meandering from the bedroom to the laundry line,
whispered from neighbor to neighbor, friend to friend, sister to
sister, mother-in-law to daughter-in-law. Myths are a way of life in
the remote villages of Armenia.

Did you know that the pill causes your hair to fall out, damages your
internal organs, and leads to infertility? Have you heard that
condoms aren’t effective, bad for a man’s health, and causes
allergies? What about the IUD? Did you know that it leads to
infections and cysts? Well, if you haven’t heard about these side
effects before, it’s because none of what I just wrote is true. But
these are the myths I hear every week.

I’ve been working with COAF as a volunteer since the autumn of 2012,
and my role has primarily been as a women’s health myth-buster. (Yes,
I’m like the science educators on TV, except my myth busting is less
explosive.) Each week, I accompany the Lusine Antonyan & Lusine
Sahakyan dynamic duo to one of the COAF target villages. During the
first couple months of my time with COAF, I was meeting with women
one-on-one or in small group sessions and counseling them about their
contraceptive options, alongside former volunteer, Taleen Khoury
Moughamian. Since the start of the new year, I have been conducting a
research study on the social influences that impact family planning
decisions, as well as continuing the counseling sessions at the end of
each of my interviews.

At first I was surprised by these myths about contraception that the
women would relay to me and alarmed at how abortion is still used as
the main method of family planning. However, in reading about Soviet
health `education’ campaigns and the lack of available information on
this topic, I now understand why these myths have perpetuated and how
the deep-seated reliance on abortion stems from Soviet ideology,
policies, and current socio-economic conditions.

When I speak with the women, I like to share anecdotes from my own
experiences. Though raised in different countries and under different
conditions, I, like many of the women with whom I speak, am a young
woman in my mid-to-late 20s, married, and thinking about family
planning. I know that by being able to relate to the women that my
impact is greater. But myth busting is just touching the surface.
What we need to create is a community-led initiative that will
continue to spread knowledge about reproductive health, as well as
help empower women and enable them to create better livelihoods.

With the help of COAF, there will soon be a shuffle of women’s voices
>From up and down the gravel stone streets, from rooftop to rooftop,
>From home to home… but these whispering voices will have taken on a
new narrative. In place of myth-spreading, there will be an exchange
of knowledge. Women will become empowered to make good decisions for
themselves and their families. Husbands and mothers-in-law will
understand the importance of family planning for their wives,
daughters-in-law, and children. The village status quo will have
become a distant memory of the past.

Ani Jilozian

Fulbright Research Fellow

Masters of Public Health Student

From: Baghdasarian

Special commission in Azerbaijan bans naming children with Russian names

14:47 08/03/2013 » SOCIETY

`The local Committee on Terminology undertook the right to decide how
to name and how not to name a child. The list of objectionable names
is already compiled and given to the government. A special place is
given to the Soviet legacy,’ the article of `russian.rt.com’ portal
published under the title of `There is no room for Ivan in the
mountains of Azerbaijan – Baku bans Russian names’ says.

`Not every Azerbaijani family will give his daughter to Dmitry,’
Chairman of the Commission Sayala Sagidova believes. However,
according to her women names like Maria, Catherine, Olga should fall
under the ban too, the InoTV says.

`The names should be short, succinct and specific,’ Sagidova sums up.

The bill has caused a mixed reaction with the Azerbaijani population.
One part of the community supports the initiative, and the other is
seriously concerned about it. Opponents believe that the restrictions
not only will significantly limit the choices, but will also impinge
on the highly revered family traditions in Azerbaijan. It is noted
that the law will affect only the titular ethnic group.

The government has to make up the final decision. Some experts believe
that the Parliament of Azerbaijan will opt for the individuality even
if it is controversial.

As Azerbaijani news agency “ANS-Press” notes there are young people
with non-standard and sometimes ridiculous names in Azerbaijan at
present like Bibigulu, Packet, Piapish, Siarkhosh, Gulbasar, Jindar
and girls with not less strange names like Dibir, Toykhanim,
Siaikhanim, Gilas, Aiva, Taiiara, Findig, Limon, Zhaket, Ufune, etc.
In Soviet times there were names like Ingilab, Traktor, Kombain,
Kolkhoz, Otiaber, Bolshevik, Comsomol, Prikaz, Novella, etc. There is
a kid in azerbaijan registered with the name of Jallad (executioner),
the article says.

According to the agency, the deputy chairman of the terminology of the
Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan Saialla Sadigova said that this
year a special control over names given to children will be held in
Azerbaijan. Commission on Terminology in this connection has prepared
proposals to the relevant governmental bodies. Soon the Names and
Surnames department under the terminology Commission will prepare a
list of available names in the country. This list will be sent to all
state registration of acts of civil status services.

`We are concerned with the two-and three-syllable names that are given
to children. A ban will be put on such names. A ban will be put on
names like Mary, Catherine, Alya and other Russian names. In addition,
the educational activities will be held among the population. People
are involved in the invention of names by themselves. Till now names
like Denise (sea), Darya (Ocean), Yagmur (Rain) and Ugur (Luck) were
not so common. But these names sound good, so there is no ban on these
names,’ said S. Sadygova.

Last year, the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan adopted the
`principle of traffic lights’ according to which the state agencies
themselves determine “trustworthy” and “forbidden” names of the
children that their parents may chose. Armenian names were in the
“red” list of forbidden names. Also the special committee of the
National Academy of Sciences approved the draft law according to which
the ending of the last names in Azerbaijan will be changed from “ov”
and “ev” to Turkish “lu-li”, “bailey”, etc.

Chairman of Culture Committee of Azerbaijani Parliament Nizami
Jafarov, answered the question, how will the new law affect on
national minorities of Azerbaijan, like Lezgin, Talysh, Avars, Tats
and other people: `The issue is posed in such a way that anyone who
considers himself an Azerbaijani, and most of the small peoples in
Azerbaijan are now mixed with the Azerbaijani people and consider
themselves Azerbaijanis, will have to change their names.’

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

Yelena Khachatryan: This European Champion Wants to Win World Title for Armenia
Sona Avagyan

00:10, March 8, 2013

27 year-old Yelena Khachatryan holds the European Championship in the
sport known as Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

She won the title competing under the flag of Germany. Yelena hopes
that one day she will win the world title competing under Armenia’s
tri-color.

Now in Armenia, Yelena is still getting offers to return to Germany
and train with the Frankfurt team in preparation for the world
championship.

Yelena has rejected such proposals and for the past three years has
looked high and low for a sponsor here in Armenia.

`I haven’t given up hope and am still looking,’ Yelena says, even
though her last bout was three years ago. `It’s tough because there is
no Brazilian jiu-jitsu federation in Armenia.’

Friends have told her to seek out Gagik Tsarukyan, who heads Armenia’s
Olympic Committee. And she’s tried her best, sending letters here and
there in order to get in touch with the businessman/MP.

`Since I’ve yet to receive a response, I have to believe that my
letters never reached Tsarukyan. Otherwise they at least could have
written or phones to say that they aren’t interested,’ Yelena says.

Yelena started training in the combat sport when she was fifteen in
Etchmiadzin. One year later, she became the jiu-jitsu open competition
champion in Armenia. In Germany, she has trained at the Sports
Institute.

She says that the world of sports was a natural place for her and
where she could fulfil childhood dream of becoming a professional
sports fighter.

`I always wanted to acquire the skills of fighting correctly. That’s
what attracted me and not your run of the mill street fighting. I’m
the kind of person who will intervene if I see that someone is being
harassed. If need be, I’ll even exhibit my skills,’ says Yelena,
adding that she’s never had to put her combat skills to practice
outside the ring. Her words alone seem to discourage any
troublemakers.

Her parents have always respected Yelena’s decision to enter combat
sports as a profession. In Etchmiadzin, her sports teachers advised
her to become a trainer instead. Yelena found their comments to be
offensive, as if someone with brains doesn’t need to get into the
ring.

Yelena has fought in over twenty professional fights without a defeat.

`After each fight, I never think that I’ve won and can sit back and
relax, that there’s nothing new for me to learn. Each victory propels
me to the next one. That’s why I endure the pain of training,’ she
says.

At the Southern German Championship, the federation president
suggested that Yelena get in the ring with a male opponent, since
there weren’t any females. It was the first time that a woman would
square-off with a man for the Brazilian jiu-jitsu title.

`Of course the guy was physically stronger. It doesn’t matter how much
a woman trains, a man will always have the edge. So I decided to
counteract his strength by technical prowess. I parried his attack and
threw him to the mat and then applied an arm lock. He threw in the
towel,’ Yelena says.

Now she works as a security staffer at the State Educational
Institute. Her job is to maintain order among the students and to
prevent any untoward disturbances.

Her male colleagues carry guns. Yelena carries an electric taser and a
truncheon. She hasn’t had any weapons training and says she prefers it
that way.

`I can handle myself without the use of a weapon. Since I deal with
women for the most part, I can’t imagine myself ever pulling out a
pistol and shooting one of them.’

Despite her physical prowess and combat skills, Yelena says that
what’s more important is spiritual strength.

Yelena confesses that while she doesn’t utilize her physical strength
all the time, there are decisions in life that truly require a reserve
of spiritual fortitude.

From: Baghdasarian

ANCA: Aliyev’s language similar to those who seek to destroy Israel

March 8, 2013 – 12:27 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA),
giving voice to the Armenian American community’s growing alarm over
anti-Armenian tirades by Azerbaijani leaders and diplomats, officially
registered a protest with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
(AIPAC) regarding remarks made by Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the
United States Elin Suleymanov, at the organization’s recently
concluded annual conference.
According to news reports, Azerbaijani Ambassador Suleymanov, during a
breakout session at the AIPAC Policy conference titled “New Allies:
Israel and the Caucasus Region,” threatened supporters of Israel not
to `fall under the influence of pro-Armenian lobby groups.’
In the March 7th ANCA letter, Executive Director Aram Hamparian
explained that: “Strengthening the relationship between the United
States and Israel need not involve support for dictatorial regimes.
Nor should supporting Israel require providing a platform for those,
like Ambassador Suleymanov, who engage in the very sort of hateful,
conspiratorial rants that have, for far too long, been used to
demonize Israel and her supporters worldwide.”
Hamparian specifically asked AIPAC to “reevaluate the moral and
practical dimensions of your organization’s association with
Azerbaijan’s war-mongering President, Ilham Aliyev, a dictator who,
echoing the venomous Holocaust-era rants of Adolf Hitler against Jews,
has announced openly that, `all the Armenians of the world’ are his
enemies.” He added that Aliyev, by saying that “Armenia as a country
is of no value… it is actually a colony, an outpost run from abroad,
a territory artificially created on ancient Azerbaijani lands,” was
“attacking Armenia’s very right to exist in language chillingly
similar to those who seek to destroy Israel.”

From: Baghdasarian

Today is International Women’s Day

11:36, 8 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS: March 8 is international women’s day and
there are several versions regarding its origin.

As reports Armenpress, there used to be a women’s day in Ancient Rome
when married and elite women were magnified. That was a day of
presents and attention.

In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general
celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a
celebration for women’s economic, political and social achievements.
Started as a Socialist political event, the holiday blended in the
culture of many countries, primarily Eastern Europe, Russia, and the
former Soviet bloc. The first national Women’s Day was observed on 28
February 1909 in the United States following a declaration by the
Socialist Party of America. In August 1910, an International Women’s
Conference was organized to precede the general meeting of the
Socialist Second International in Copenhagen. Inspired in part by the
American socialists, German Socialist Luise Zietz proposed the
establishment of an annual ‘International Woman’s Day’ and was
seconded by fellow socialist and later communist leader Clara Zetkin,
although no date was specified at that conference. Delegates (100
women from 17 countries) agreed with the idea as a strategy to promote
equal rights, including suffrage, for women. The following year, on 18
March 1911, IWD was marked for the first time, by over a million
people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. In the
Austro-Hungarian Empire alone, there were 300 demonstrations. In
Vienna, women paraded on the Ringstrasse and carried banners honoring
the martyrs of the Paris Commune. Women demanded that women be given
the right to vote and to hold public office. They also protested
against employment sex discrimination. Americans continued to
celebrate National Women’s Day on the last Sunday in February.

In 1913 Russian women observed their first International Women’s Day
on the last Sunday in February (by Julian calendar then used in
Russia). In 1917 demonstrations marking International Women’s Day in
Saint Petersburg on the last Sunday in February initiated the February
Revolution.

Following the October Revolution, the Bolshevik Alexandra Kollontai
persuaded Vladimir Lenin to make it an official holiday in the Soviet
Union, and it was established, but was a working day until 1965. On
May 8, 1965 by the decree of the USSR Presidium of the Supreme Soviet
International Women’s Day was declared a non-working day in the USSR.

>From its official adoption in Russia following the Soviet Revolution
in 1917 the holiday was predominantly celebrated in communist and
socialist countries. It was celebrated by the communists in China from
1922, and by Spanish communists from 1936.

In the West, International Women’s Day was first observed as a popular
event after 1977 when the United Nations General Assembly invited
member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights and
world peace. Nevertheless, actually, March 8 is celebrated only in
post-soviet republics. Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan,
Kirgizstan, Moldova, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are celebrating
International Women’s Day.

After the Independence there were attempts to remove March 8 from the
list of holiday and instead create a new one -April 7, Day of Mothers
and Beauty. Nevertheless, March 8 had such deep roots in our society
that March8 – April 7 is non-officially announced to be women’s
months.

From: Baghdasarian

Syrian opposition is willing to have a dialogue without additional
preconditions. Sergey Lavrov

12:46, 8 March, 2013

YEREVAN, MARCH 8, ARMENPRESS: Recently Syrian opposition shows signs
of willingness to have a dialogue with Syrian government without
preconditions. As reports Armenpress, this was noted by Russian
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during March 8 interview with BBC
channel.

Mr Lavrov said he welcomed some of the “constructive elements” in the
recent position of the Syrian National Coalition.

“The leader of the coalition has been speaking about his interest in
dialogue,” Mr Lavrov said. “The government reiterated its readiness to
do the same including with those who are fighting on the ground. I
believe we must encourage this trend on both sides.”

He said he would be discussing such developments in detail with William Hague.

“Unless we all act in sync, telling the parties we don’t want any
military solution, that we don’t want any further loss of Syrian
lives, that we want them to start negotiating in earnest, this crisis
will continue and more blood will be shed,” he said.

The UN estimates that about 70,000 people have died since the uprising
against President Assad began nearly two years ago.

The UN also says about one million Syrians have now fled abroad, and
some 2.5 million have been forced from their homes inside the country.

From: Baghdasarian

ARMENIE
L’Arménie a adhéré à l’Alliance des Civilisations de l’ONU

Hayastani Hanrapetoutioun fait état de la rencontre du Ministre des AE
avec le SG/ONU, Ban Ki-moon, en marge du 5ème Forum mondial de
l’Alliance des civilisations des Nations-Unies à Vienne, le 27
février. Le SG/ONU a transmis ses félicitations au chef de l’Etat
arménien pour sa réélection. A la demande du Secrétaire général, le
Ministre arménien a fait le point sur l’étape actuelle du règlement du
conflit du HK. Ban Ki-moon a exprimé son plein soutien aux activités
du Groupe de Minsk. M. Nalbandian s’est également entretenu avec son
homologue iranien en marge de ce forum.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Arménie en
date du 1er mars 2013

vendredi 8 mars 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com

From: Baghdasarian

HEAD OF AZERBAIJANI FRATERNITY IN PFUR APOLOGIZED TO ARMENIAN GRADUATES FOR PROVOCATION OF AZERBAIJANI MEDIA

18:19 06/03/2013 ” SOCIETY

On February 27 Azerbaijani news agency “Salamnews” published
misinformation about an event allegedly held at the Peoples Friendship
University of Russia (PFUR) promoting Azerbaijani version of Aghdam
events that took place in 1992.

Agency correspondent in Moscow reported that allegedly the event
that was organized by the World Azerbaijanis Congress (WAC) with the
support of the youth organization “AZE PROJECT” and the Youth Club of
“Friendship” of PFUR, Azerbaijani version of events was presented.

Allegedly “in his statement, the representative of the “Friendship”
youth club noted the importance of such an event in Russia in order
to present to the international community the truth about the events
in Khojalu and the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict in general.”

In connection with the appearance of such provocative information in
the Azerbaijani press, a group of graduates of the university, sent
a letter to PFUR rector V. Filippov in which they expressed their
concern and outrage for exploitation of the image of the university
by the Azerbaijani disinformators. The University, however, is aimed
at strengthening the friendly relations between nations, the search
for dialogue and agreement.

The Rector answered promptly: “These kinds of events are unacceptable
to be held in the People’s Friendship University, and moreover to be
covered by media. The materials are sent to the pro-rector for court
examination. A conversation between the pro-rector of non-Academic
Affairs A. Gladush, President of the Armenian and Azerbaijani national
groups, with the participation of the head of the sector of the CIS
and European countries and regions of the Russian Federation Igor
Ephraim was held fairly quickly.

During the meeting, the head of the Azerbaijani national groups Binnat
Buniatov noted that an article published on the website salamnews.org,
did not correspond with the truth. The President of the Azerbaijani
national groups appealed to the graduates of PFUR of Armenian origin,
apologizing for the provocative activities of his compatriots.

“As one of the organizer I completely refute the information that
is found on salamnews.org website. However I admit that the event
was devoted to the last decades of the history of Azerbaijan and
the unity of the Azerbaijani Youth and coordination of actions in
order to increase the efficiency and quality of the activities of
the Azerbaijani youth organizations in the Russian Federation.

As chairman of my Diaspora in People’s Friendship University, I could
not allow such misunderstandings to be committed, in which you can
get sure by looking through the materials covering the event.

On my behalf and on behalf of the organizers I apologize and express
regret for the possible incorrect statements of some individuals.

Fraternity students from Azerbaijan are always ready and willing to
cooperate with other affinity groups, including students from the
Republic of Armenia in PFUR “Hayastan,” the statement says.

B. Buniatov addressed to the editor of the Azerbaijani news agency
with a demand to publish a refutation of misinformation, but instead
the material available at the following address, was simply deleted.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Baghdasarian

EX-MP: ARMENIA MUST PURSUE PROACTIVE POLICY ON KARABAKH ISSUE

March 6, 2013 – 17:51 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Heritage party leader Raffi Hovannisian’s statement
addressed to OSCE Minsk Group was also a call to Armenian authorities,
former member of Heritage parliamentary group said.

“Further pursuing the policy based on Madrid principles will imply
the three co-chair countries’ mere willingness to preserve the peace
rather than resolve the conflict,” Larisa Alaverdyan said.

She further stressed the need for Armenia to have urged Minsk Group
for a discussion on Azerbaijan’s racist statements and anti-Armenian
policy, following Azeri axe-killer Ramil Safarov ‘s extradition.

“Armenia resolved to counter Azerbaijani propaganda only in 2009 by
unleashing an information war. Armenia must have pursued a proactive
policy. Why should Yerevan endure Baku’s position, claiming it owns
the liberated territories and the rest of the areas illegally passed
over to Azerbaijan during the Soviet period,” Alaverdyan said.

From: Baghdasarian