Author: Frangulian Shushan

WORLD CUP PREVIEW: ARMENIA – BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

Goal.com
09/04/1479357/world-cup-preview-armenia-bosnia-her zegovina
Sept 4 2009

Bottom-of-the-barrel Armenia are set to host Bosnia & Herzegovina in
Group Five action….

Photo GalleryZoomHamlet Mkhitaryan, Armenia (PA)Kick off: Saturday,
September 5, 17:00 CET, Republican Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia

Cellar Dwellars

With just a solitary draw from their first six matches in their World
Cup qualifying group, Armenia’s dreams of progressing to South Africa
were dashed a long time ago.

In fact, in a group that includes the likes of defending European
title holders Spain, bitter rivals Turkey, as well as a burgeoning
Bosnian outfit, and you could say that the Armenian’s chances of
progression were over before they even started.

Vardan Minasyan’s men can take solace though in the fact that their
next three Group Five matches, including the clash against Bosnia
and Herzegovina on Saturday, will be played on home soil.

The Armenians have already faced the Bosnian national side in World
Cup qualifying and were thumped by a 4-1 scoreline in Zenica. Armenia
will be hard pressed to turn the table on their opponents this
coming Saturday but might be comforted in the knowledge that they
scraped their way to a draw in their last WCQ fixture played at the
Republican Stadium.

With nothing left but pride to play for, a victory for the home side
would be shocking indeed but that won’t stop Armenia in trying to
exact a measure of revenge for their earlier defeat to the Bosnians.

Alive And Kicking

Bosnia & Herzegovina are in pole position to snag a play-off spot in
Group Five ahead of Turkey and Belgium. Miroslav Blazeciv’s men sit
second in the qualifying table, six points behind Spain.

However, Bosnia have a four point cushion ahead of Turkey and should
be able consolidate their position when they travel to Yerevan to lock
horns with a lowly Armenia side that sit at the bottom of the table.

Bosnia easily dispatched of the Armenians in their first encounter
in October of last year when Zlatan Muslimovic’s two goals paced the
side to an easy 4-1 victory. Blazevic was pleased with his team’s
performance and sung their praises after the match.

"All credit to the players who never took the foot of the gas pedal
and I am especially pleased we got the fourth goal after Armenia
scored a consolation," he said.

Blazevic will be hoping that his side can duplicate that performance
on Saturday evening but his biggest challenge may be forcing his team
to concentrate solely on the Armenia match without peeking ahead to
the massive clash against Turkey on September 9.

TEAM FORM

Armenia

August 12 vs Moldova (H) LOST 4-1 (Friendly)

April 01 vs Estonia (A) LOST 1-0 (WCQ)

March 28 vs Estonia (H) DREW 2-2 (WCQ)

February 11 vs Latvia (A) DREW 0-0 (Friendly)

October 15 vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (A) LOST 4-1 (WCQ)

Bosnia & Herzegovina

August 12 vs Iran (H) LOST 3-2 (Friendly)

June 09 vs Oman (H) WON 2-1 (Friendly)

June 01 vs Uzbekistan (A) DREW 0-0 (Friendly)

April 01 vs Belgium (H) WON 2-1 (WCQ)

March 28 vs Belgium (A) WON 4-2 (WCQ)

TEAM NEWS

Armenia

Minasyan will have a relatively healthy squad to choose from ahead
of Saturday’s fixture.

Probable starting XI- Kasparov- Hovsepyan, Minasyan, Arzumanjan,
Pachajyan- Lazarian, Arman Karamyan, Arakelyan, Artavazd Karamyan-
Mkhitaryan, Manucharyan

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Hoffenheim striker Vedad Ibisevic returned to the national team fold
against Iran on August 12 after last term’s injury trouble. He should
make an appearance against Armenia and will probably earn a starting
berth in Blazevic’s starting lineup. Misimovic will miss the match
for picking up one yellow card too many.

Probable starting XI- Supic- Jahic, Spahic, Nadarevic, Salihovic-
Muratovic, Rahimic, Ibricic, Pjanic- Dzeko, Ibisevic

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sargis Hovsepyan (Armenia)

The Estonia national team captain is the all time leader in caps
for his country with over 100 appearances to his name. The former
Zenit St. Petersburg defender will have to be sharp to deal with the
attacking threat of Dzeko and Ibisevic.

Edin Dzeko (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

The Wolfsburg striker was in the news all summer after he looked like
a lock to move to AC Milan but the Bundesliga champions put their
foot down and blocked the move. Dzeko has seven goals in qualifying
so far and should be able to add to that tally against a porous
Armenian backline.

THE CLOSER RUSSIA IS TO TURKEY THE FASTER RA-TURKISH RAPPROCHEMENT WILL BE REACHED

PanARMENIAN.Net
03.09.2009 20:33 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Development of Russian-Turkish relations will
positively affect Armenian-Turkish ties, RA Ambassador to RF Armen
Smbatyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter in Stepanakert.

"The closer Russia is to Turkey the faster RA-Turkish rapprochement
will be reached. Moscow is not opposed to opening of border between
Armenia and Turkey," RA diplomat noted, adding that Russia is Armenia’s
security guarantor.

ARMENIA VOWS TO BOOST TIES WITH TURKEY

The News International
Sept 3 2009
Pakistan

YEREVAN: Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian on Wednesday
vowed that his country would push forward with efforts to establish
ties with neighbouring Turkey after decades of hostility.

"It’s a complicated process which requires intensive work. It’s
important that both sides have the will," he told journalists. "Armenia
has such a desire and I think Turkey does as well."

Armenia and Turkey announced on Monday that they had agreed on a plan
to establish diplomatic ties and re-open their joint border.

The two countries currently have no diplomatic relations, a closed
frontier and a long history of hostility rooted in massacres of
Armenians ‘under the Ottoman Turks’ during World War I.

Nalbandian said both countries were under heavy international pressure
to resolve the longstanding dispute. "The whole world wants this
question to be resolved. If one of the sides will resist, it will be
in confrontation with the whole world," he said.

Asked if it is possible that the two countries’ border will re-open
by the end of the year, Nalbandian replied: "If everything goes well,
why not?"

Ankara and Yerevan said on Monday they would hold six weeks of domestic
consultations before signing two protocols on establishing diplomatic
ties and developing bilateral relations. The protocols must then be
ratified by the two countries’ parliaments.

SARKISIAN SAYS NAGORNO-KARABAKH DEAL DEPENDS ON RESIDENTS’ WILL

Hurriyet Daily News
Sept 2 2009
Turkey

Any settlement regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be based on
the consent and free will of the Armenian people living in the disputed
Caucasus region, Armenia’s President Serge Sarkisian said Wednesday.

Any peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be
reached primarily on consent and expression of free will by the
Nagorno-Karabakhi people, Sarkisian was quoted by Armenian news agency
NEWS.am as saying in a message marking the 18th anniversary of the
disputed region’s "independence."

"Today the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is an established state with its
structures, army and foremost – citizens who independently determine
their destiny," Sarkisian said.

His remarks came a couple of days after Ankara and Yerevan announced
they had agreed on a plan to establish diplomatic relations and re-open
their border, which Turkey closed in solidarity with Azerbaijan after
20 percent of its territory was invaded by Armenia – a frozen conflict
legacy of the Soviet Union known as Nagorno-Karabakh.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu reiterated Tuesday that
Ankara could re-open the border if the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute is
resolved soon. Turkey, previously, had said it would not move toward
reconciliation with Armenia unless the country removed its forces
from Azerbaijani lands.

Monday’s agreement did not make a direct reference to the ongoing
dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh, but touched on the issue of regional
stability. Sarkisian, however, reportedly said on Tuesday that the
agreement signed with Turkey was not related to the resolution of
the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.

USA ARMED FORCES TO GIVE 0,000 TO ARMENIAN NERKIN SASNASHEN VILLAGE FOR REPAIRING KINDERGARDEN

NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY
SEPTEMBER 2, 2009
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. USA armed forces
will give about 0,000 USD to repair and refurbish the kindergarten
and complete landscaping of the grounds. Defense Attache Lieutenant
Colonel Robert Webster announced this after the ceremony commemorating
the 51th anniversary of a tragic flight and crash of a U.S. Air Force
C-130 aircraft in the village of Nerkin Sasnashen. "Completion of
this Office of Defense Cooperation repair project will help show our
appreciation to the villagers who have continued to bring honor to
the memory of those servicemen who perished here in the line of duty
over 50 years ago," he noted.

Members of the USA embassy also presented 80 backpacks with schools
supplies for the children to use when they return to kindergarten
early next year.

On September 2nd, 1958, a United States Air Force
reconnaissance-configured C-130, with 17 airmen inside, was shot down
over the airspace of Soviet Armenia. The airplane crashed approximately
200 meters north of the village of Nerkin Sasnashen. In 1993, the
people of Sasnashen erected a monument to the fallen airmen at the
same place. Since that time, the villagers commemorate the site on the
anniversary of the crash to honor those who sacrificed their lives in
service to their country. According to the U.S. embassy in Armenia,
the U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation in Armenia works to foster
U.S. government and industry assistance to Armenia in the defense
sphere. The office operates under the authority of the U.S. Chief
of Mission in Armenia and the U.S. European Command, located in
Stuttgart, Germany.

LIBERATED LANDS MUST NOT BE CEDED

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
02.09.2009 17:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "Every year, returning here, I recall people, rising
in arms to defend their native land. Once a month I come to NKR to
help Karabakh people to the best of my abilities," Major General
Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan (Komandos) told a news conference in Stepanakert.

According to the legendary commander, NKR has strong guarantors:
army, people, desire to live a peaceful live. "We’re the ones to be
in control of situation, as this is our land. I, as a military man,
refuse to reply questions on territory cession. We’ve already lost
much: Shahumyan, Artsvashen. Liberated lands must not be ceded,
whatever is promised for them," Komandos emphasized.

ARMENIAN KILLED IN SAINT PETERSBURG

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
02.09.2009 14:01 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The murder of an Armenian citizen is being
investigated in Saint Petersburg. The man died from numerous knife
wounds. The murderer not only jugulated the victim but also stabbed
him several times. The knife wasn’t found.

A criminal case in compliance with article 105.1 of the RF Criminal
Code was initiated, BaltInfo reported.

BAKO SHAKYAN: NKR DEFENSE ARMY CAPABLE OF REPELLING ANY AGGRESSION

Yerkir
02.09.2009 16:51

Yerevan (Yerkir) – "On the way of its development and state
construction, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) follows the
principles of establishing good neighborly relations and peaceful
co-existence with the neighboring countries. We are sure that any
disputes must be settled by exclusively peaceful means, through a
direct and sincere dialogue. At the same time, even any weakening of
the NKR’s independence and security is out of the question. There can
be no bargain about these exceptional values," NKR President Bako
Sahakyan’s congratulatory message on the occasion of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic Day, reads.

"The very first day it was formed, our country had to resolve serious
problems, first of all, defend its independence and security of its
citizens. Together with Mother Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora,
Artsakh was able to accomplish that mission with credit, retaining
its independent statehood and consolidating its security. That was
possible to the combined efforts and unity of the Armenians. Many
sons of the Armenian people sacrificed their lives to defend their
Homeland. Honor and glory to the heroes!" says the message.

"After the war, the country faced new challenges, economic ones. The
destroyed economy had to be rehabilitated, and solid foundations
for the state’s further developme nt had to be laid. Due to the
Armenians’ creative power and thinking, optimism about the future and
the Artsakh people’s boundless energy, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
was able to accomplish those tasks in a relatively short space of
time. Our country is now steadily developing, registering growth in
almost all the economic sectors. The population’s living standards are
rising. Our state has a democratic system that meets the international
standards. Artsakh is one of the most important factors in maintaining
stability in the region, and its international recognition is a matter
of time," President Bako Sahakyan stated with confidence.

According to the presidential message, the NKR Defense Army, the main
guarantor of security of the state and people, "is capable of giving an
effective rebuff to any encroachment on our independence and security."

"However, much has yet to be done. We must resolve problems facing
our country through our daily and laborious work, consistently
strengthening our native land," the message says.

NKR CELEBRATES 18TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS INDEPENDENCE

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.09.2009 20:43 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ On September 2, Nagorno Karabakh Republic celebrates
18th anniversary of its independence. Early in the morning, RA and NKR
Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Bako Sahakyan will lay flower wreath on
the memorial to their national heroes, a PanARMENIAN.Net correspondent
reports from Stepanakert. A military parade scheduled for midday will
be followed by a solemn meeting dedicated to independence day.

Outstanding public and political figures from Armenia and guests from
abroad have arrived in NKR capital to participate in celebrations

ANNUAL GATHERING OF HEADS OF ARMENIAN DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIONS TO TAKE PLACE SEPTEMBER 1-3

ARMENPRESS
Aug 31, 2009

YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS: Annual gathering of the Central
Apparatus of the Armenian Foreign Ministry and heads of Armenian
diplomatic representations will take place September 1-3 in the
ministry. The gathering will be opened by the Armenian President
Serzh Sargsyan.

Foreign Ministry’s Media and Information Department told Armenpress
that the participants of the gathering will also meet with the NA
Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, Prime Minster Tigran Sargsyan, Secretary
General of the National Security Council Arthur Baghdasaryan, Diaspora
Minister Hranush Hakobyan and Culture Minister Hasmik Poghosyan.

September 3 the heads of Armenian diplomatic representations will
leave for Artsakh and meet with its leadership.