Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

IranMania News, Iran
Jan 3 2007

Iranian Armenians celebrate Christmas on Jan. 6

Wednesday, January 03, 2007 – ©2005 IranMania.com

LONDON, January 3 (IranMania) – Head of Isfahan Armenian Council has
said that unlike Christians in most European and American countries,
Iranian Armenians celebrate Christmas concurrent with Armenia~Rs
Orthodox Church on January 6.

Verje Bermard Diorisian told ISNA that the people of Armenia have
celebrated Christmas on January 6 ever since they converted to
Christianity.

~SArmenian churches used to celebrate January 6 as festivity. However,
Catholic churches changed this same date to December 24 later since
it coincided with Mithra Festival,~S he added.

Diorisian noted that in Iran a religious ritual is held in all
churches on the afternoon of January 5 and special baptizing
ceremonies known as ~RBadarak~R are held on January 6 early morning.

~SPeople go to their homes on Christmas eve after holding religious
ceremonies with candles lit. Special Christmas dinner for the
Armenians includes fish and rice. This is while the Europeans and
Americans have either geese or turkey,~S he further added.

The Armenians held a short ceremony soon after the ringing in the New
Year 2007 at midnight of December 31 in Isfahan~Rs Vank Cathedral, he
said adding that the archbishop presents gifts to children on New
Year morning.

–Boundary_(ID_GUCrGUCQYXOmZQ7I5PKrBA)–

VARTAN OSKANIAN: "THE AUTHORITIES MUST NOT STOP NKR SETTLEMENT PROCESS
ARISING OF ONLY POLITICAL INTERESTS"

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, NOYAN TAOAN. "In general, we are not displeased
with the work done by us," RA Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian
estimated in this way the work done by the department headed by him,
during the December 28 "Herankar" (Perspective) program of the "Shant"
TV company. In the Minister’s words, that is "an inner estimate,"
which was formed late this year, as a result of separate discussions
with the Foreing Ministry’s departments. "Of course, one may always
want to see more, but what we have today, in general, I estimate as
positive," V.Oskanian said. At the same time the Minister noticed that
"of course, our society must give the final estimate." The Minister
did not agree with the opinion that the results existing in the NKR
conflict settlement process must be in the pivot of estimation of the
Foreign Ministry’s activity. "If we just centrlize on the NKR issue,
we, factually, will pay a tribute to our opponent, will pay a tribute
to Azerbaijan and Turkey. … Of course, it is desireable to solve the
NKR problem but it must not be considered the only issue on which
solution of all the other issues depends," V.Oskanian said. In his
words, he also shares RA President Robert Kocharian’s opinion
concerning inadmissibility of possible speculations of the NKR issue
in the pre-electoral period. But V.Oskanian finds that there is yet no
reason for such speculations as, in his words, "the document which is
on the negotiations table, we did not present to the society’s court,
as we ourselves yet do not know what the final result of those
negotiations will be." At the same time the Minister expressed an
opinion that if the authorities expect that the opposition or other
political forces must not speculate the NKR issue arising of their
innerpolitical interests, the authorities must undertake the same
obligations and, just arising of the political interests, do not stop
the settlement process or refuse solution of the issue. "So, if a
moment comes that we ourselves are sure that this arises of our
national interests and the Azerbaijani side is ready to solve the
problem, how difficult it is, how hard it is, if it is, in political
sense, even fraught with overfalls, I think that the authorities must
have and display enough political will to take the way of solving the
issue as it is a national problem, this is a universal problem, it
arises of interests of all of us," V.Oskanian stated.

POTATO CROP YIELD DECLINES BY 30-40% IN ARMENIA THIS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Dec 27 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. This year potato crop yield declined
by 30-40% in Armenia, which resulted in a price growth. 400 thousand
tons of potatoes and about the same amount of grain is consumed in
Armenia every year.

Hrach Berberian, Chairman of the Agrarian-Peasant Union of Armenia
(APUA), stated at the December 27 press conference that both bad
weather and low-quality seeds were the cause of the low potato
crop yield. According to him, some farmers preferred to use cheap
seeds and had poor harvest, while the yield of Dutch seeds was much
higher. H. Berberian said that next year the APUA will import 500 tons
of potato seeds from the Netherlands, although this makes small part
of the existing demand. In his words, the state does not control the
chemical pest and weed killers’ market, and out-of-date pest and weed
killers are often imported in Armenia. He noted that in recent years
only nitrogenous fertilizers are imported, which is impermissible as
other fertilizers are necessary for soil as well.

"HOPE AND ASSISTANCE" SHOWS ASSISTANCE TO 25 VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING

Noyan Tapan
Dec 26 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 26, NOYAN TAPAN. The International Organization for
Migration (IOM) implemented the "Anti-Trafficking Struggle in Armenia"
program the results of which were summed up on December 26. As Jemma
Muradian, the acting office head of the IOM Armenia mentioned, the
program has been implemented since September, 2005, by financing of
the Anti-Narcotic Struggle and Legal Cooperation Department of the
U.S. Embassy to Armenia. In her words, the "Hope and Assistance"
and "Internews" public organizations were the main partners of the
program with total cost of 200 thousand U.S. dollars. J.Muradian
mentioned that a hot line with 0-800-80-801 phone number functions
within the framework of the program, anti-trafficking information
centers opened in Gyumri, Goris and Vanadzor. Besides, courses for
attorneys were organized. Yenok Shatvorian, the "Hope and Assistance"
NGO Chairman stated that medical, psychological and legal assistance
was shown to 25 victims of trafficking. In his words, 21 from those
victims are RA citizens, and 4 ones are citizens of Ukraine.

11 of them became victims of trafficking in Turkey, 8 people in the
United Arab Emirates, 4 ones in Armenia and 2 in Russia. 23 ones among
the 25 victims of trafficking were subject to sexual exploitation,
and 2 ones to working exploitation. It was also mentioned that they
again addressed to the U.S. Embassy to Armenia to get corresponding
financing to continue the program in 2007.

Armenian Youth Federation
104 N. Belmont St. Suite 306 Glendale, CA 91206
Tel. (818) 507-1933 Fax. (818) 240-3442 Email: AYFwest.org
Contact: Ani Garibyan – (818) 618-3058

PRESS RELEASE

December 21, 2006

Armenian Youth Federation and the United Human Rights Council to hold a
fast at the Los Angeles Turkish Consulate

`Fast for Remembrance’; remembering the victims of the Armenian Genocide

Los Angeles, CA- The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) and the United
Human Rights Council (UHRC) in a joint collaboration will hold a fast in
front of the Turkish Consulate from January 2nd-6th. The fast, titled
`Fast for Remembrance’ aims to raise awareness about the Armenian
Genocide, phases of the genocide and genocides that followed.

Beginning January 2nd at 9am and concluding on January 6th at 5pm, a
group of youth activists will give up all food in order to bring
attention to the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turkey; a
crime still denied by subsequent Turkish governments.

`Our ancestors were forcefully starved for weeks while being beaten,
tortured and raped. We are willing to fast for a few days in order to
try to educate others about what our people went through during the
Armenian Genocide’ said Soseh Esmaili, a Fast for Remembrance
organizer and faster.

`As a member of the UHRC, I understand how important it is to educate
people about the Armenian Genocide and all genocides. The cliché,
`history repeats itself’ is true. Due to the fact that the perpetrators
of the Armenian genocide went unpunished, it showed future genocide
perpetrators that it is ok to try to wipe out an entire race because
there will be no repercussions for it’ said UHRC member, Marie
Ghanime.

January 6th will not only mark the end of the fast, it also marks the
day that Armenians worldwide celebrated Christmas. `Ending the fast on
this day is symbolic. Armenians kept their Christian faith while living
under a Muslim state for over 600 years, they were subject to genocide
because of it, but were able to persevere and survive’ said Esmaili.

####

CBA PUTS IN CIRCULATION GOLDEN COMMEMORATIVE COIN DEDICATED TO 125 YEARS OF SCULPTOR HAKOB GYURJYAN

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Dec 26 2006

YEREVAN, December 26. /ARKA/. On December 25, the Central Bank of
Armenia (CBA) put in circulation golden commemorative coins dedicated
to 125th anniversary of sculptor Hakob Gyurjyan.

The Press-Service of the CBA informed ARKA News Agency, the nominal
cost of the coin made AMD 10000. The coins are made of 9000 standard
gold, with 22 mm diameter, 8,6 g weight.

Gyurjyan’s "Salome" sculpture is engraved in the inner circle on
the obverse side of the coin. Along the edges of the coin name of
the issuer of the coin and year of the emission could be read –
"Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia 2006".

Gyurjyan’s face is engraved on the reverse side of the coin. Contours
of the coin were designed by Harutyun Samuelyan and Eduard Kurginyan.

The coins are made in Czechia.

COURT INVESTIGATION ON CASE OF LEGALITY OF "CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT UNION" LAST CONGRESS STARTS

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, NOYAN TAPAN. The examination of the claim
disputing legality of the 18th congress of the "Constitutional Right
Union" party started on December 18 at the Court of First Instance
of the communities of Kentron and Nork Marash. As the documents
reminded for examination of the case were in the office of the
respondent, present heads of the "Constitutional Right Union" party,
Gevorg Gyozalian, the attorney presenting interests of the claimant,
presented a mediation for their being given. But, the court refused
that mediation. The representative of the respondent side, head
of the "Constitutional Right Union" Committee on Human Rights and
Legal Issues, stated that examination of the issue of legality of
the "Constitutional Right Union" congress is out of sphere of the
given court and the case must be quashed. In his words, according
to the law "On Parties," similar issues must be examined only at the
Constitutional Court.

ARMENTEL LOSES MONOPOLY OVER INTERNET IN FEBRUARY 2007

Yerevan, December 21. ArmInfo. Government of Armenia ratified a
decree of the Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC), dated 18
December 2006, on monopoly limit for CC ArmenTel in the Internet from
1st February 2007. The decree concerned ArmenTel’s data transformation
and voice services as well.

It is expected that ArmenTel will be deprived of other exclusive
rights such as IP- telephony and wire connection by November 2007.

Complete liberalization of Armenian telecommunication market is a key
condition of PC VimpelCom’s negotiations with Armenian government on
sale of governmental 10% of ArmenTel’s shares. Presently, VimpelCom
owns 90% of Armentel’s shares.

WHY TO COMBAT AGAINST THE AUTHORITIES ONLY VIA POWER AND WEAPON?

A1+
[07:22 pm] 19 December, 2006

Why do Armenians assume that they can combat against the acting
authorities only via power and weapon? The Anti-Criminal Movement
has decided to initiate a large-scale discussion in this view to make
people aware of certain things.

"How will you count for the wide-spread opinion that no problems can
be solved without weapon in Armenia?

Today everybody thinks so, but only two people dared to announce it
loudly", Aram Karapetyan, leader of "New Times" Party started his
speech today.

Mr. Karapetyan addressed his words to the journalists as well. "If
Nairi Hounanyan came to an agreement with all the parties, occupied
the NA building and didn’t realize the carnage of October 27, could
you predict in what way we could struggle against the authorities
formed by Hounanyan. In case there weren’t elections in Armenia,
the authorities would make arrangements on all issues, how could
we struggle against them? Didn’t Fidel Castro come to power via
weapon? There were many revolutions in Venezuela, weren’t there? I can
bring numerous other illustrations. Whereas, Robert Kocharyan sits
on his post and explains to us whether revolutions can be colourful
or not. If Robert Kocharyan thinks that he can prevent coup d’etat
in Armenia via arrests or threats, he is awfully mistaken."

Aram Karapetyan is indignant at Robert Kocharyan’s last
speech. "How can the head of a country say that elections will be
fabricated? Instead of saying they will do their best to prevent
election frauds, Mr. Kocharyan urges the Election Commission members
not to be enticed by bribes".

Mr. Karapetyan reminded Robert Kocharyan that under the RA Criminal
Code all people offering bribes as well as accepting them will be
punished. "The head of the country informs people which parties will
be in the National Assembly. He affirms the list of majoritarian
system deputies. Who has granted him such a right?"

Then Mr. Karapetyan started to speak of Gorik Hakobyan, head of
National Security Service. "Mr. Hakobyan must come to know that enemies
can be both inside the country and beyond its boundaries whereas he
looks for his enemies in Armenia."

Today, the leader of "New Times" assured that they are going to inform
the international community about the current events in Armenia. "We
shall inform all the Senators, members of Russian Duma, Bundestag,
representatives of the French Parliament. Today, RA authorities are
ready to do everything possible for their reproduction."

KAREN DEMIRCHIAN’S 75th ANNIVERSARY TO BE OFFICIALLY MARKED IN ARMENIA NEXT YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Dec 19 2006

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The first sitting of the jubillee
commission preparing marking of Karen Demirchian’s 75th anniversary
took place at the RA Government on December 19. The sitting was headed
by commission Chairman, RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. Noyan
Tapan was informed about it by the RA Government’s Information and
Public Relations Department. The commission discussed the proposals
concerning the jubilee events formed by the RA Ministry of Culture
and Youth Issues and the Board of Trustees of the "Karen Demirchian"
charity fund. According to it, a solemn evening dedicated to the
jubilee is envisaged at the Yerevan Al.Spendiarian Opera and Ballet
State Academic Theater, solemn opening of the Karen Demirchian
museum, publication of the 2nd volume of the "Drops from Sea" book
of memory stories, release of jubilee stamps, opening of a photo
exhibition, shooting of the "Karen Demirchian" documentary film are
also envisaged. Open lessons dedicated to the prominent statesman’s
and politician’s life and activity will be organized at educational
institutions of the republic, programs and articles will be prepared
by mass media.