Author: Kanayan Tamar

WHAT TO EXPECT ON MARCH 1?

A1+
[07:16 pm] 16 February, 2009

Today the Armenian opposition has sent a letter to the Chief of Police
of the Republic of Armenia. The letter runs in part,

"Since we did not get a copy of the City Hall’s decision about the
rejection of our application within 72 hours we consider our desire
to hold a rally to have been accepted."

Thus the opposition rally of March 1 will go ahead by the Matenadaran
at 2:00. The rally will be followed by a march through the capital
central streets to the scene of the clashes between security forces
and opposition protesters.

Near the Statue of Miasnikyan the rally participants will lay a wreath
of flowers to commemorate the victims of March 1.

Copies of the letter were sent to the Human Rights Defender, diplomatic
structures and international organisations, City Hall and mass media
representatives.

70-80 per cent of nonfoods lack Armenian-language labels

YEREVAN, February 13. /ARKA/. According to rough estimates, 70 to 80
per cent of nonfood products lack Armenian-language labels.

Chairman of the Consumer Protection NGO Abgar Yegoyan said that not
only food, but also nonfood, products must be properly labeled.

He pointed out that chemical products, household appliances, clothing,
perfumes lack Armenian-language labels, which will be in the NGO’s
highlight this year.

On the other hand, Yegoyan pointed out that almost all the food
products imported to Armenia have labels in the Armenian language.

He said that economic entities selling products without
Armenian-language labels commit violations and are to pay fines, 50,000
to 100,000 AMD.

According to the RA Law `On consumer protection’ all the products must
have Armenian-language labels.

On January 1, 2007, the import of products lacking Armenian-language
labels was banned in Armenia. The ban applied to 40 food product items.
>From June 1, 2007, the ban was applied to all other products. `0–

Turkey demands Israel explain general’s remarks
The Associated Press
February 14, 2009

ANKARA, Turkey: Turkey’s foreign ministry has protested to Israel over
a senior Israeli general’s remarks criticizing Turkey.

The ministry says it summoned Israeli Ambassador Gabby Levy on Saturday
to discuss comments made Feb. 10 by Israel’s Maj. Gen. Avi Mizrahi.
Turkish media says the Israeli general accused Turkey of massacring
Armenians, oppressing Kurds and occupying Cyprus.

Turkey’s military says the remarks "cannot be accepted under any
condition" and "can harm national interests between the two countries."

The general’s remarks were an apparent response to Turkey’s prime
minister, who scolded Israeli President Shimon Peres over the Gaza war
at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

"PERSPECTIVE OF THE XXI" YEREVAN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.02.2009 14:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Perspective of the XXI" classical music festival
marks its 10th birthday this year.

"Vilnius – capital of European Culture" event will be held on the
occasion in Yerevan on February 12-14.

The audience will be offered a possibility to hear various musical
compositions performed by renowned musicians.

GAGIK TSARUKIAN: BARGAVACH HAYASTAN IS LOYAL TO POLITICAL COALITION PRINCIPLES

Noyan Tapan
Feb 13, 2009

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous
Armenia) party is loyal to the principles declared by the political
coalition, party Chairman Gagik Tsarukian stated at the party’s fourth
congress held on February 12. He reaffirmed party’s assistance to the
profound reforms (as he classed them) being implemented in the country,
to President Serzh Sargsyan’s resolution and the policy carried on by
him. "We are sure that the reforms carried on in the country with our
assistance will win, and we realizing our share of responsibility,
henceforth also continue making a contribution to RA’s development
and prosperity," G. Tsarukian said.

According to the party leader, there are also omissions and
shortcomings hindering country’s economic progress. In spite of
the economic growth, he mentioned, population’s certain part does
not feel that growth, we should realize that the situation becomes
more serious in consequence of the economic crisis. G. Tsarukian
considered inadmissible the attempt to increase the tax burden for
economic entities, while just the opposite should have been done.

The BH Chairman also considers that in order to mitigate the crisis
negative consequences an all-round state assistance should be also
in time provided to economic entities, on the activity of which the
crisis can have a destructive impact. G. Tsarukian also considered
important protection of small and medium-sized business in the
country. The business crediting conditions should be also reconsidered
in Armenian banking system, the interest rates should be decreased,
state assistance programs aimed at assistance to native manufacturers
should be implemented, he said.

Representatives of the governmental coalition member parties, ARFD
and Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law), as well as a representative
of the parliamentary opposition, Zharangutiun party greeted
the conference participants. Armen Martirosian, the head of the
Zharangutiun parliamentary faction, in particular, said: "We had
March 1, the stigma that is faced by our country up to the present,
we all have our share of responsibility," he said. A. Martirosian
also emphasized that everybody in Armenia has the responsibility of
building peace and stability together, as well as coming out of the
world financial-economic crisis with honor. "We can come out of the
crisis with honor if our political system is really based on justice,
free political competition, which will also bring free competition in
the economic sphere. Free competition is the key that will give us a
possibility to solve the tasks set before us in this situation. It is
the government system accepted by society that will make it possible
to be together and to solve the foreign challenges we face," Armen
Martirosian said.

The delegation heads of the RF Yedinaya Rossiya, Ukrainian Regions
party, Chinese Communist Party, as well as of Croatia made greeting
speeches.

ARMENIAN-TURKMEN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION MEETS IN ASHKHABAD

ArmInfo
2009-02-12 11:30:00

ArmInfo. Armenian-Turkmen Inter-governmental Commission for Economic
Cooperation has met in Ashkhabad, a press release received from the
Armenian Foreign Ministry says.

The agenda of the first session that started on February 11 consists
of some issues of mutual interest in the sectors of trade, energy,
health, education, air communication, culture and others. The
Armenian delegation to Ashkhabad is headed Minister of Energy and
Natural Resources, Co-chair of the Intergovernmental Commission Armen
Movisyan. The Turkmen Co-chair of the Commission is Vice Premier of
Turkmenistan Khidir Saparliyev. Before beginning of the session,
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov received
Armen Movsisyan. The parties discussed a number of issues of mutual
interests and highlighted the considerable potential for development
of Armenian-Turkmen relations. Armenian Ambassador to Turkmenistan
Vladimir Badalyan attended the meeting as well.

The agenda of the session: meetings of Armen Movsisyan and the Armenian
delegation with the vice premiers of Turkmenistan Khidir Saparliyev, T.

Tagiev and M. Yazsukhamedova, Energy Minister Yarmuhammed Orazguliyev
and the leadership of the Central Bank and State Air Company of
Turkmenistan. The first session of the Commission will over on
February 12.

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Armenian Minister of Diasporan Affairs Visits AGBU Groups in
Argentina, Brazil and California

On November 10, 2008, the newly appointed Minister of Diasporan
Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Hranush Hakobyan, traveled to
Argentina to become acquainted with local Armenian organizations and
she made a special stop at the AGBU Center on Armenia Street. His
Excellency Vladimir Karmirshalian, Ambassador of the Republic of
Armenia to Argentina, and his wife, Anahid Sharbatyan, hosted Minister
Hakobyan during her stay.

The Minister and her hosts stopped by the AGBU Marie Manoogian School,
where they were greeted by Principal Diana Dergarabetian de Perez
Valderrama and school staff, as well as Representative Sergio
Nahabetian, a local politician and president of the South American
Democratic Liberal Armenian Organization. The group discussed
different aspects of Armenia-diaspora relations, and the possibility
for new ministry opportunities created by Armenia’s leadership. Many
stressed the value of uniting voices across the Armenian diaspora and
the importance of tourism to Armenia as a means of fostering good
relations. Hakobyan later praised the Argentines for working to
promote the recognition of the Armenian Genocide in their home
country.

"My forefathers dreamed of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide
and I feel a warm satisfaction in having achieved this goal in the
Buenos Aires province," Hakobyan said. "We are not a vengeful people
but we demand justice."

On November 15, Hakobyan arrived in Sao Paolo, Brazil for a
three-night stay. On November 16, she attended an official dinner
attended by 120 guests, including local congressman Arnaldo Faria de
Sá. The dinner was preceded by an official meeting where Hakobyan met
with Armenian community leaders from across the country.

On November 21, Hakobyan departed for the United States of America
and, upon her arrival, she and the Republic of Armenia’s Consul
General Armen Liloyan were greeted by several AGBU
Manoogian-Demirdjian School officials and board members, including
Noubar Agopian, John Berberian and Vice Principal Dr. Ellie
Andreassian. Executives from Armenia Fund USA, including Chairwoman
Maria Mehranian, Vice Chairman Ara Aghishian and Director Sarkis
Kotanjian, also welcomed Minister Hakobyan and her staff to the
school.

A brief meeting, which included a candid question-and-answer session
between the diaspora minister and several staff and faculty
representatives, student council executives and members of the Parent
Teacher Organization and Booster Club, was held in the school’s
library shortly after her arrival. During this session, she explained
the mission of the minister of diaspora affairs of the Republic of
Armenia, and a variety of other important issues were also
discussed. Armenian language and culture teachers expressed concern
about the lack of modern Armenian storybooks, to which the minister
responded that educational programs are now being put into place with
the latest technology to resolve such concerns.

After the discussion, the Minister toured the classrooms and was
treated to a special poetry recitation from the school’s fifth
graders. She also visited Armenian-language classrooms in the high
school and saw the newly renovated Nazarian Hall.

"Many years ago, I visited this school and when I was leaving, I was
worried that students would grow up as Americans without a sense of
their Armenian heritage," the Minister said at the end of her
visit. "Today, I am leaving with the satisfaction that the students
are true Armenians and are doing a great job and are on the right
track."

Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian program, annually serving some
400,000 Armenians on six continents.

SPOKESMAN FOR AZERBAIJANI FOREIGN MINISTRY REGARDS NEWS OF TURKISH HURRIYET NEWSPAPER AS NONSENSE

APA
Feb 11 2009
Azerbaijan

Baku. Lachin Sultanova – APA. "The details of the negotiations on
the settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict reported by the Turkish
Hurriyet newspaper are nonsense," spokesman for Azerbaijani Foreign
Ministry Khazar Ibrahim told APA. He said that the reports were
not true.

"As regards the deployment of peacekeeping forces in the occupied
Lachin region, I would like to mention that we have repeatedly said
peacekeeping forces can be deployed in the region in any stage. But
this contingent can not consist of the servicemen of neighboring or
co-chairing countries," he said.

The diplomat considers that those who spread this report want to
create problem between the two brother countries.

"But it is impossible," he said.

GIVE BABIES HEPATITIS B VACCINE, URGES MAC PROFESSOR
by Vivien Fellegi

The Hamilton Spectator
February 10, 2009 Tuesday
Canada

McMaster University researchers are urging Canada to adopt universal
hepatitis B immunization in infancy.

A comprehensive new analysis of existing studies supports the hepatitis
B vaccination for all Canadian babies, says Dr. Christopher Mackie,
an assistant professor of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics at
Mac and the associate Medical Officer of Health at Hamilton Public
Health Services.

Mackie and his Mac colleagues, as well as researchers at the University
of British Columbia who helped carry out the analysis, also noted
that B.C. medical data show the success of that province’s infancy
vaccination program.

That’s why the Canadian Liver Foundation supports their recommendation
and is urging all of Canada to implement universal hepatitis B
vaccination for infants.

The analysis and recommendations were published in a recent issue of
the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Foundation chairman Dr. Kevork Peltekian said, "This is an excellent
study taking us in the right direction."

Chronic hepatitis B, a viral disease of the liver, affects about
300,000 Canadians, said Peltekian. But it is preventable through
vaccination. Currently, adolescents in Grade 7 are routinely vaccinated
in Ontario. But infants are still vulnerable.

Many people think hepatitis B can only be passed to children during
pregnancy or to adults through injected drugs or sexual contact,
said Mackie. So they don’t see any reason to vaccinate children,
said Peltekian.

But the problem is that kids can contract it in their homes,
neighbourhoods and schools. The virus can be passed through a bite
or even by a kiss landing on a cut, he said.

The majority of adults recover fully from the illness, said
Mackie. Only 1 to 5 per cent of them will carry the hepatitis B virus
in their blood and body fluids permanently, said Mackie.

However, the situation is very different for children, said Mackie.

Unlike adults, children find it much harder to shake off the virus. Up
to 90 cent of kids with hepatitis B will be stuck with it permanently,
meaning they could suffer complications such as liver failure and
liver cancer, said Mackie.

"It’s one of the reasons it’s important to protect infants."

Besides safeguarding individual children, immunizing everyone makes
it harder for the virus to spread from person to person. This results
in a collective protection called herd immunity, said Mackie.

Once patients have contracted chronic hepatitis B, they can be treated
with drugs. But while the therapies control the virus, "they are
unable to get rid of it and are quite expensive," said Peltekian.

He said the vaccine has few if any side-effects, and the cost of
giving the vaccine at birth "is not different whether you’re giving
it at adolescence (or) at birth."

Peltekian said there may even be some savings because nurses won’t
be required to give vaccines at schools.

Any infancy vaccination program must be approved by the National
Advisory Committee on Immunization.

The Canadian Liver Foundation hopes the new study will bolster the
case for universal hepatitis B vaccination for infants.

BISHOP URGES GAZA ENTRY FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Western Morning News
February 9, 2009 Monday
Plymouth, UK

The Bishop of Exeter has urged the British and Israeli governments
to intervene to allow religious leaders into Gaza.

The Rt Rev Michael Langrish spoke out after the Anglican Bishop
of Jerusalem was prevented from entering the Gaza Strip to visit a
hospital where hundreds of civilians are recovering from the recent
conflict.

Bishop Langrish, who criticised Government inaction during the recent
violence in Gaza, said he was "deeply concerned" the Rt Rev Suheil
Dawani, the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem, which includes Gaza, was
held at a crossing point for two hours before being turned away.

The Lutheran Bishop Mounib Younan was also refused entry. Bishop
Langrish said all sides had to recognise the "importance of working
with religious leaders" who were committed to "peace for all". The
bishops were denied entry because they were Palestinian although both
hold Israeli identity cards.

Other religious leaders from the same delegation allowed to enter
the Gaza Strip were Archbishop Aris Shirvanian of the Armenian
Patriarchate, the Ethiopian Archbishop Abba Matias, and Latin Church
Patriarch Fouad Twal.

In his letter to Foreign Secretary David Miliband and the Ambassador to
Israel Ron Prosor, Bishop Langrish wrote: "I would like to emphasise
the important role of the Al Ahli hospital, especially at the present
time of conflict, in providing urgent medical support.

"The Anglican Bishop of the Church in Jerusalem has pastoral
responsibilities in Gaza and wished to affirm the outstanding
services rendered by the hospital in providing care to many hundreds
of civilians caught in the fray of the military operations."

He added: "It is also essential that all sides recognise the importance
of working with religious leaders who are committed to working with
both communities and seek peace for all."