AZG Armenian Daily #087, 13/05/2006

People
ARMENIAN PIONEER
A Beirut-native, Haladjian arrived in France as a teenager and studied
linguistics. He entered the telecommunications industry in 1983,
pioneered the first Internet Service Provider (ISP) in France in 1994,
FranceNet, and in 2003, sold it to British Telecom. Many would’ve
retired, but Rafi thinks big. He founded two companies, Violet and
Ozone, which are exploding the boundaries between technology and daily
life. Nabaztag (), the Armenian word for rabbit, was
Violet’s next product after WI-FI and their first for mass
consumption. With a barebones advertising campaign that relied on word
of mouth and web postings, it was released in June of this year and
Parisians rushed to grab 5,000 Nabaztags in ten days. Violet rolled
out another 10,000 units immediately after and those sold out in the
following few months. Now, the company is faced with the dilemma of
how to meet the steep increase in demand.
What makes Nabaztag unique is that Violet has found a way to make
techie objects friendly. Not only can users receive transmitted
emotions that tell Nabaztag owners they are loved through pulsing
colors or sounds, but they can be programmed to tell traffic, weather
and stock reports at a scheduled time.
Why Nabaztag? “First, because I’m Armenian,” he replies. “Second, it’s
hard to find names nowadays and if you want to differentiate a product
you want something that sounds different. When you look at Japanese
products they have Japanese names, like Tamagotchi. Nobody knows what
it means but you get used to it – so why not Armenian? People in Paris
don’t speak more Japanese than Armenian.”

AZG Armenian Daily #087, 13/05/2006
Culture
NEW PERFORMANCE OF ROBERT STURUA
Recently, “The Styx” musical mystery by Gia Kancheli was performed at
the State Opera Theatre. The performance was staged by the famous
Georgian theatre director Robert Sturua.
Robert Sturua became famous in 1970s, when he began staging unique and
bright performances at the Rustaveli Theatre in Tbilisi.
The requiem composed by Gia Kancheli is dedicated to the memory of his
kin and friends. This musical piece was composed in 1999 for cello,
chorus and orchestra. Sturua staged a theatre improvisation based on
light effects, melodies and movements. The piece leads the spectators
to the old legends, to the secret of Life and Death, to the most
ancient times, at the same time reflecting the images of today’s
life. The joint masterpiece of Sturua and Kancheli is called “a
performance of no words” though there is still much to say and
express. The movements, the dances of the actors, the light effects,
music, voices fully reflect the idea of the piece.
Art critic Martin Mikaelian, who has watched the first performances
and the rehearsals of Sturua in 1970s, said the following when
commenting on the last performance of the master: “Mr. Sturua must be
the most “musical” theatre director among his colleagues throughout
the world. While the influential directors of the world stage attack
the spectators with harsh and tragic emphasis, our great friends
Sturua conquers the hearts of art lovers by the gentleness and beauty
of the theatre’s tongue.”
By A. Amirkhanian

AZG Armenian Daily #087, 13/05/200
Exhibition
`ARMENIA’S DAY’ EXHIBITED AT INTERNATIONAL BOOK EXPO IN BUENOS AIRES
Recently, the 32nd International Book Exhibition was held in Buenos
Aires on April 20-May 8. Millions of visitors from Argentina and other
countries attended the exhibition.
The exhibition was established in 1974 and till 1991 the Khrimian
Educational Fund initiated it. Besides the new publications and books’
exhibition, the expo also includes cultural
arrangements. Particularly, the visitors of the exhibition had the
opportunity to discuss the issues of the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide and the Nagorno Karabakh issue with Baroness Caroline Cox in
the course of the expo. “Armenia’s Day” is an annual arrangement
within the framework of the expo. It was held on May 1. Over 1200
visitors attended “Armenia’s Day.” It’s worth emphasizing the
importance of “Armenia’s Day,” taking into account the fact that the
Turkish pavilion includes large exhibition of publications that deny
the historical events of the Armenian Genocide.
By Nana Petrosian

PanARMENIAN.Net
Baku Admission to UN Human Rights Council: OSCE Not Entitled to
Comment on UN Decisions
12.05.2006 21:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Admission of Azerbaijan to the UN Human Rights
Council is a decision of the UN and the OSCE is not entitled to
comment on it, OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambau told
journalists in Yerevan. In his words, large reforms are outlined in
the UN at present that are subject to approval by the General
Assembly.
At that he repeated that the organization, which admits a claimant
country to the Human Rights Council, determined the level of
democracy: in this case it is the UN.

Armenpress
PARLIAMENT CHAIRMAN EXPLAINS WHY HE RESIGNS

YEREVAN, MAY 12, ARMENPRESS: Parliament chairman
Arthur Baghdasarian who said he will resign and who
has pulled out his Orinats Yerkir from the governing
coalition, told a news conference today his party will
be in opposition to the authorities but he said they
would go their own path.
Baghdasarian described his decision to resign,
prompted in all likelihood by mass exodus of
businessmen-lawmakers from his party, as ‘a moral
decision,” saying all members of his party who hold
government positions must follow his example. He said
it was the decision of the party’s governing board.
“Anyone who will try to retain his post will be
expelled form the party,’ Baghdasarian said.
Baghdasarian explained his resignation by a set of
‘very serious’ disagreements between his party and the
other two members of the governing coalition-the
Republican party of prime minister Margarian and the
Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
“After protracted debates over whether we should
remain in the coalition or quit it we decided in favor
of the second,’ he said. Baghdasarian divided the
disagreements into three groups- political or
social-economic, democracy reforms and foreign policy
priorities. Baghdasarian said his party would continue
to advocate what he described as ‘decentralization of
power and businesses,” saying also consistent efforts
to seek closer integration with Europe, including
building up closer ties with NATO, must become a
foreign policy priority.
Baghdasarian, however, added that this policy line
should not affect Armenia’s friendly relations with
Russia and denied rumors that pulling out from
coalition was part of an engineered scheme to divert
attention from the Karabakh conflict. “In my opinion
talks over the Karabakh conflict are very
constructive. I think Armenia’s position is very
constructive,” he said.

AZG Armenian Daily #087, 13/05/2006
TO: THE PRESIDENT OF RF V. V. PUTIN
From: The former advisor of the representative on
Human Rights of RF Khachatryan. A. Sh.
Distinguished Vladimir Vladimirovich,
In January, 2003, I turned to you regarding the actions of some
officials whose activity can take the relationships between Moscow and
some countries of CIS to crisis. There was a prognosis regarding the
relationships with Georgia, Moldavia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and
Armenia-Nagorno-Karabagh conflict, which is more painful to me. I put
the blame for all of this on governors and their trustees. Meantime,
we are going to encounter such strategic problems, like Caspian oil
pipe line and gas pipe line issue. I think, there are the same
problems in Ukraine as well, where anti Russian sentiments are going
to increase.
After my letter, by the efforts of some political Lilliputians, I was
arrested. DEP FSS of RF turned to the investigative service of FSS
with operative information stating that I am one of the leaders of
criminal international group, and have relationships with the bosses
of mafia from Corsica to Cyprus and if I stay in freedom, the
diplomatic relationships between Russia and Armenia will get
destroyed. The creators of this “detective topic” was the leadership
of Armenia. I got acquainted with these documents.
Officially, the reason of my arrest was the accusation of
contraband. The close friend of my family didn’t declare the money
during the flight from Moscow to Yerevan. After the repeated
interrogatories within 9 months(attempt of suicide, Psychiatric
hospital) he gave a testimony that I gave him the money and asked him
intentionally not to declare the money and added that at the passage
through VIP they check very slightly. This was the base of the
accusative conclusion of contraband. This episode was classified as a
“contraband in extremely big amount”. A contrabandist, who transfers
drugs, weapons, is considered to be less dangerous, then a passenger
who, because of run of time, didn’t declare the money. Damage towards
Russia and its citizens doesn’t exist. Perhaps, that’s why the
Prosecutor asked a punishment in term of 7 years. The disposition of
the article prescribes deprivation of freedom in terms of 7-12
years. Golovinski court of Moscow brought in the verdict of not
guilty. But the executors weren’t satisfied with this, as it would
mean that I was kept in Lefortovo illegally. State court of Moscow,
being in “despair”, sent the case for the new review of law. Why in
“despair”? Because I must be informed of the date, place and the
subject of the hearing beforehand. While I was informed of it only
after the hearing of the process.
There are different types of methods. It is not necessary to have
direct evidence for the verdict. Sometimes it is enough to
disseminate fake information which will influence the decision of the
Judge.
These presumptuous executors think that they can rule the fates of
people and even nations. Economy and international relationships get
destroyed because of such activity. It is possible to restore the
economy and the welfare of people, while it is impossible to root out
the international conflict. What’s going on now between Russian and
people from the Caucasus?. The whole world became our enemy. People
living in the Caucasus do hate each other and everybody realizes that
this is the guilt of the governors and their trustees. 60 percent of
the population in Armenia has left the country. Emigrants are
struggling for elementary survival. They are humiliated, put in jail
because of a sell of air tickets, they are accused of assisting
terrorism. Armenia doesn’t provide them with legal protection. Do
these governors, who don’t have dignity for their nation, can be
worthy leaders and political partners.
Unfortunately, any problem in Russia and not only in Russia, is solved
by making law more severe. Every citizen of Russia is glad to have a
powerful and faithful president. But when a political figure(Grizlov)
declared for more then 300 deputies(I apologize in front of the
deputies who are not in that list) that they will support any
candidate represented by the President in 3 years, it reminds me of
the horse of Rhome Imperator, which has a right of voice in Senate, as
it was the wish of the Imperator. These “people” fill order for
lifetime. They get power by accident and have one method of
work-Stalin method. Weak people either are killed or sent to jail
without a reason. These methods will take the country to a very sad
end
It is proper to a man to cover up the action of the members of his
team. However, this kind of actions of the head of the country can
bring to a very painful situation for the country.
My request to you is connected with the law enforcement bodies and
justice, as life, more or less, has taught us to understand people,
who, being in despair, fill order against their will. We can at least
admire genius of lawyers, who edited the content of the article about
the motives of imprisonment.
The person, who didn’t declare the money, is in freedom. I pray he
wouldn’t be sentenced to imprisonment. I have a condescending attitude
towards the witnesses as well, as I don’t have a right to blame
people, who, in order to survive, behaved themselves unfaithful
towards my personality. I don’t have anything against those people,
who gave a testimony while being in a frustrating situation and
generals who became private. I have questions only to those people,
who are guilty for my arrest and have immense power.
I am asking you to help me regarding two questions. First-There are
the copies of the letters in the criminal case addressed to a company
which is in Check Republic which involved in the signatures of leaders
of Gazprom as well. Originals of these letters are in Check
Republic. I am asking you to help me in obtaining the expertise of
these signatures, so in future the case won’t be given a political
color. Second-When I was getting acquainted with the criminal case, I
learned that I was fired before 2 days of my arrest. Doesn’t it remind
you of Stalin period.?
Before my arrest I was the head of the Russian delegation on Human
rights in France. After my return, the members of the commission came
to you together with the solicitation for granting me a rang of first
class. This day coincided with the day of my dismissal. My lawyer
possesses the authentic copies of these documents. This issue is of a
moral importance to me.
After the first letter I am sure that you will receive this
information with the distortion of the content, if you receive it at
all. I dictated the text to my lawyer, so you can receive the
information through NGOs and Mass media.
Sincerely
Khachatryan A. Sh

Panorama.am
16:09 12/05/06

POLITICAL DIVORCE IN ARMENIAN WAY
Arthur Baghdasaryan confirmed that Orinats Yerkir leaves the ruling
coalition in a press conference today. He said that an extraordinary
session of the party decided to `leave the coalition in a civilized
manner.’ Baghdasaryan also said that the coalition council decided
today that all Orinats Yerkir members should resign from their
posts. A. Baghdasaryan stated that the coalition has had many disputes
within itself in the course of the last three years, which have caused
scandals. Baghdasaryan grouped the reasons for the political divorce
into three groups. NA Chairman pointed out to disagreements on
interpolitical and social-economic issues (privatization programs,
annual reports of the Inspection Chamber.) The second group make up
issues on democratic reforms (disagreements concerned on fight against
corruption). And the third group of disagreements relates to foreign
policy issues, saying that Orinats Yerkir supports European
integration and that is a principle matter for them.’
A. Baghdasaryan said that he is going to submit his case for
resignation on May 22 session which will be confirmed within 5
days. After that the resignation will be approved. Baghdasaryan
refused to comment on the act of city construction minister who left
the party.
`We are going to be an opposition,’ Arthur Baghdasaryan said also
saying that neither the ruling power warmly welcomed them nor will the
opposition do so. However, we will find our place in the field,
Orinats Yerkir leader says. /Panorama.am/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Panorama.am
14:51 13/05/06

HOW MUCH DOES WEDDING COST?
3rd exhibition-sale of wedding gowns and accessories took place in
Armenia Mariot hotel today. According to Naira Ohanesyan, assistant to
commercial director of the hotel, the number of participants is
growing. She says beauty saloons, 3 wedding saloons and tourist
agencies take part in the exhibition-sale. The young couples are
interested in prices first of all. For example candles offered by
Aelita will cost from AMD 15 thousand up to $150. A wedding gown may
cost from $100-1200. Rent price of a gown depends on how many times a
gown is put on.
Singer Sirusho rented a wedding gown in which she performed for one of
her ad videos. Shushan Petrossian also took a gown for her
relative. Also, Kristina Pepelyan rented a gown from saloon `Paris’
costing $50-100 for rent and $500-1500 for purchase.
Tour agency `Five stars travel’ offers special trips to Egypt, Vienna,
Prague and St. Petersburg. A 7 day trip to Egypt, ticket excluded,
costs $400. /Panorama.am/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azad-Hye, Dubai, 13 May 2006
 In 2001 a British journalist named Ben West
visited Sourp Magar Monastery in the northern part of Cyprus (now occupied)
and wrote in the travel section of the “Guardian”: “Sadly, Sourp Magar has
been comprehensively vandalised, but it is still a beautiful spot with an
unbelievable silence and the heady scent of pine trees”.
In May 2005, Armenian news agencies reported that the Monastery was turned
into a cafe with the intention also to build a hotel or a recreation center
on the site. After actions by the Cypriot Government, international bodies
expressed concern on this matter, notably the Vatican, which issued a severe
response. The hotel “licence” was temporarily halted.
In April 2006 Easter time, Sebouh Armenagian, a Cypriot Armenian based in
Sharjah (UAE), visited Sourp Magar Monastery with the spiritual leaders of
the community. Here are his notes:
It was Armenian Easter. We met Hayr Paren in the Armenian Apostolic Church
in Limassol (Saint Kevork). His face was familiar. He has stayed in Dubai
(UAE )for a couple of months in the past. After the Holy Mass we had a chat
with him and remembered the old days in Dubai and Sharjah.
We were informed that he and Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian (Catholicosal
Vicar) are planning to go to visit Sourp Magar Monastery in the occupied
areas after the Easter. He invited us to join the group.
The next day we headed to the Prelacy in Nicosia. The weather was better
than the day before and there was less risk for rains.
We noticed that both Archbishop Varoujan and Rev. Father Paren were wearing
civil clothes. They told that though it was not forbidden to go to the
occupied part with formal wearing, but it is better to keep low profile and
not to provoke any reaction there.
Our driver was the Bell-ringer (jamgotch) Vache Megdessian. Although he has
been there before, he did not remember the exact route that we needed to
follow. Archbishop Varoujan called Dr. Antranik Ashdjian and asked him for
directions.
At the borders (the so called Green Line) we had a bad feeling when we read
a big banner stating: “I am happy that I am a Turk”. You could see churches
transformed to mosques, houses of Greek Cypriots inhabited by Turks, etc.
We followed Dr. Antranik Ashdjian’s instructions and took the Famagusta
Highway. At some point you will notice the sign leading to Kyrenia. If you
watch carefully you will encounter a small signboard for Sourp Magar.
After the signboard we took a narrow road, where only one vehicle could
pass. We were thinking what will happen if another car appears from the
opposite direction. Vache managed to reach to a point where “Armenian
Monastery” was written.
The Monastery was closed. We went to a nearby governmental office, where we
communicated with the Turks using English and some Turkish. We asked for the
key. A wrong key was given first and then we received the correct one.
We had to walk for some 2 kilometers. We reached there and saw the Monastery
transformed into a restaurant.
Archbishop Varoujan remembered that he had held a baptism ceremony in the
same place in 1973, one year before the invasion. He gave us some
explanations.
We noticed that the most part of the church has been destroyed. In the
baptism basin we could see only the letters HA (the first letters of havadk
= faith). The complete saying is faith, hope and baptism.

Various parts of the Monastery were extensively dug up by the Turks in the
hope of finding gold.
On the way back we had a stop at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Apostolic Church,
located in the occupied Armenian quarter of Nicosia. There is also the old
Prelacy buildings and the Melikian-Ouzounian Primary School. Everything is
destroyed.
At 5 pm we were back in the Prelacy, thinking what unforgettable day we had
just experienced.
END OF SEBOUH ARMENAGIAN’S NOTES 
Additional reading
 
Sourp Magar Monastery (Magaravank)
The monastery of Sourp Magar is situated at a height of 510 meters above sea
level, on the northern slopes of the Kyrenia mountain range.
Sourp Magar means “Saint Makarios the Blessed”. It was first established in
about 1000 AD as a Coptic monastery, and was dedicated to Saint Makarios of
Alexandria (309-404 AD) whose Coptic monastery still exists in Egypt.
Its location being at the edge of the cliff and the beginning of a deep
ravine is very picturesque.
The monastery came into the hands of Armenians at a later stage (15th
century). The exact date and the circumstances of this transfer are unclear.
Close relations exist between the Coptic and Armenian churches since the
Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD.
Sourp Magar has been a religious centre for Armenians for centuries.
Although under the jurisdiction of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, it has had
close ties with St. James’ Monastery in Jerusalem and with the Catholicosate
of Etchmiadzin in Armenia. The quiet surroundings have for centuries
provided a haven for clergymen and laymen alike.
The monastery was also used as a summer resort by the Armenian Church and
became a favorite pilgrimage spot for Armenians on their way to and from the
Holy Land.
The upheavals in the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 20th century
resulted in the arrival of thousands of Armenian refugees on the island. The
monastery opened its doors to orphans and to those in need. It also
developed farming to help feed the hungry.
Right until the Turkish invasion of 1974, the monastery was a favorite place
for Armenian families and schools to visit, as its grounds were particularly
pleasant, especially in the hot summer months. The feast day is 1st May.
All manuscripts and other relics kept in the Monastery were plundered and
sold and only the intervention of the Republic of Cyprus, the Armenian
Church and international organizations prevented further destruction of the
monastery.
>From 1974 to 2005, the monastery has been inaccessible to Armenians or Greek
Cypriots. Lately it was allowed to conduct daytime visits to the occupied
part of Cyprus.
?newsId=734ahg67

PRESS RELEASE
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Byuzand Street, 375010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100,
New York, NY 10111, USA
Contact: Mariam Dilakian
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8201
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
COAF Establishes Two Adolescent Clubs to Promote Livestock Farming
In the Villages of Lernagog and Argina
Lernagog, Armenia, May 12, 2006 ¾ Today, the Children of Armenia Fund
(COAF), in partnership with the Center for Agribusiness and Rural
Development (CARD), formed adolescent clubs in the villages of Lernagog
and Argina of the Armavir District of the Republic of Armenia. The
selected twenty 12-13 year-old adolescents gathered in their respective
school yards and cheered the sponsors as they arrived with the sheep.
After congratulatory remarks by the Lernagog Mayor, Mr. Sargis
Margaryan, and COAF and CARD project managers, the participating ten
adolescent residents of Lernagog received two sheep each, together with
a care package. The Argina distribution immediately followed
Lernagog’s.
The project aims at teaching youngsters how to take responsibility for
taking care of the sheep ¾ caring, feeding, and controlling diseases.
The broader objective is to develop livestock farming in the region.
Adolescents from disadvantaged, needy, or single parent families are
selected to join the club provided they satisfy a set of pre-established
criteria, including their personal level of interest in livestock
farming and the existence of a suitable sheep shed adjacent to the
family home. Under the close watch and direction of an expert
veterinarian, the youngsters will gain knowledge of animal science and
take daily notes on their sheep. CARD will be responsible for
organizing trainings, providing educational materials and hygienic
supplies. COAF has purchased the livestock and will provide animal
feed, if necessary. Monitoring and supervision of the project will be
done in a partnered way by both COAF and CARD project staff.
This project is expected to contribute to the economic development of
the Model Cluster villages. Particularly in animal husbandry, COAF
plans several other initiatives that will increase the supply chain in
agricultural products and ultimately lead to milk and wool processing
businesses or cooperatives.
Children of Armenia Fund was founded in 2000 with the aim to reduce
poverty through the revitalization of rural Armenia and the realization
of projects that are instrumental for the revival of communities. With
the introduction of its novel approach to clustering in February 2006,
COAF is currently implementing the Model Cluster working in six villages
in the Baghramyan region of the Armavir District. The key components of
COAF’s Model Cluster project comprise Infrastructure and Economic
Development Programs, and Community Development including Health, Social
and Educational Programs. In 2006, besides its Model Village Karakert,
COAF is also working in Myasnikyan, Shenik, Dalarik, Lernagog and
Argina.
The Armenian Rural Youth Development Program, initiated by the Center
for Agribusiness and Rural Development, is a voluntary non formal
educational program that supplements formal school education. It is
modeled after the US 4-H Program. The program is helping young people
gain skills needed to become responsible, self-directing, productive and
contributing members of society. The Extension Youth Development Program
provides real experiences and an opportunity for youth to gain life
skills, project development and implementation skills, basic
agricultural knowledge in order to be engaged in community development
activities.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress