Author: Karagyozian Lena

YURI MERZLYAKOV: THERE ARE SOME NUANCES THAT CANNOT BE SETTLED WITHOUT
NAGORNO KARABAKH

01.04.2005 01:46

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group have already
worked out a number of components of the Karabakh conflict settlement,
OSCE MG Russian Co-Chair Yuri Merzlyakov stated, APA Azeri news agency
reports. According to him, these proposals have been considered during
the recent negotiations and there are no objections on the whole
though there are certain discrepancies between the positions taken by
the conflicting parties. `We are trying smooth these discrepancies and
maximally bring the positions together. The parties should reach
agreement on their own otherwise there will be no progress’, Y.
Merzlyakov considers. He also noted that at a certain state of the
negotiations the parties will have to resort to trilateral
format. `There are some nuances that cannot be settled with Nagorno
Karabakh’, he said. When touching upon the statement by Serge
Sargsian, who said that Armenia’s biggest concession is that she has
not recognized the independence of the NKR yet and that the consentto
the conduction of a referendum in Karabakh can become the major next
compromise, Yuri Merzlyakov said, `We are working with executive
powers of the conflicting parties and their statements are of interest
to us.’

Budapest Sun, Hungary
March 30 2005

Delicious Georgian

By Leon Ferrari

BACK in the early 1990s, after the Soviet Union collapsed in a haze
of vodka fumes, I was dispatched to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia,
as a foreign correspondent for a leading British newspaper. My patch,
or empire as I preferred to call it, was Georgia, Armenia and
Azerbaijan. All of these were expected to collapse in bloody ethnic
strife, and/or start border wars with their neighbors, the foreign
editor merrily informed me, so there would be plenty to do.

Nowadays I tend to see how often a destination has been featured in
Conde Nast Traveller magazine, and check that is has the requisite
choice of five star hotels, before I accept a foreign assignment, but
I was younger then, and full of enthusiasm. There were no direct
flights from Budapest of course, so I flew to Kiev, and from there to
Yerevan from where I took a night train to the Georgian capital.

Tbilisi is an enchanting place, strung out along a rocky gorge above
the river Mtkvari, its painted wooden houses perched precariously on
the side of the mountains.

Despite the country’s most famous son being Jozef Stalin, Georgians
are famed for their hospitality and friendliness, and for once the
reality lived up to the reputation. Everywhere I went I was treated
courteously and with a smile, something sections of the Hungarian
hospitality industry would do well to learn. Although I admit that
MALÉV is far more passenger friendly than the Georgian internal
airline.

When we flew to the Black Sea port of Batumi one morning there was
standing room only on the plane. Literally. Only the lucky few had
seats, thankfully including me, and the rest of the passengers stood
in the aisles. I always remember with affection one lunch I had in
Tbilisi. It was a small bar-restaurant, and when I went to pay my
bill the barman refused my money. He shook his head in an enjoyably
conspiratorial manner and gestured at another corner of the room.
There stood a swarthy man with a splendid moustache. I caught his eye
and he nodded knowingly at me. My bill was paid, for I was a guest in
Tbilisi. Sadly, nobody paid my bill in Budapest’s Georgian
Restaurant, although most of the customers, who I think were also
Georgian, nodded and greeted us as they passed by, which was a nice
touch.

The restaurant is decked out in the Georgian national colors of
maroon and white, with several fearsome looking swords and other
weapons attached to the walls, and enormous shepherd’s skirts.

We went at lunchtime, when the restaurant was not very busy, but
doubtless it gets much livelier in the evening.

Georgian food has been influenced both by Turkish and Persian, but
the cuisine is one of the world’s most delicious, using plenty of
herbs and unusual sweet and sour combinations of fruits and nuts.

Our starter of aubergines filled with walnuts were delicious, a
really zesty combination of tastes and textures. The restaurant also
bakes its own bread, known as khatchapuri, which was fabulous served
warm from the oven, like a puffed up Indian naan, but lighter. Try
the khatchapuri with cheese – highly recommended. There is a giant
barbecue grill down one side of the room, and as soon as we ordered
shashlik kebabs, one lamb and one veal, the waiter went into action
and got the coals glowing nicely.

These were excellent, a generous portion of tender meat, packed with
flavor from the grill, served on the biggest skewer I have ever seen.
We enjoyed our lunch very much, but I have two quibbles. The salad we
ordered as a side dish was extremely spicy, drenched in red pepper
flakes, so much so that I could not eat it. The waiter said this was
how Georgians like their salad, which is doubtless true, but the menu
should offer a warning, or a less fiery version. And like many
Budapest restaurants nowadays, there is no house wine and what is
available is expensive. We had an acceptable Szekszárdi red, but it
cost almost Ft4,000. But the service was attentive, and the waiter
was polite and helpful, ready to explain the dishes, and even offer
things not listed on the menu. Expect to spend around Ft5,000 per
head with a bottle of wine.

Armenian president awards outgoing Russian envoy for efforts to deepen ties

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
30 Mar 05

[Presenter] Armenian President Robert Kocharyan today received the
outgoing Russian ambassador to Armenia, Anatoliy Dryukov.

Kocharyan pointed out that serious progress was made in all spheres of
cooperation between the two countries during his tenure. The president
awarded the ambassador the Mkhitar Gosh Medal for his efforts to
deepen and develop friendly relations between Armenia and Russia.

Dryukov said that during his tenure, he always tried to deepen
bilateral relations and wished to see Armenia stable, peaceful and
prosperous.

[Video showed the meeting]

ArmenPress
March 29 2005

FIRST NATIONAL GUIDELINE FOR MANAGEMENT OF STD PRESENTED

YEREVAN MARCH ARMENPRESS: The first national guideline for
management of patients with venereal diseases was presented today. It
is intended not only for a narrow circle of specialists but also for
doctors engaged in delivering primary health services, especially for
so-called family doctors and the personnel of rural medical posts.
Armenian Health Ministry is planning a vast range of three-day
trainings courses across the country in April-May to help local
medical personnel apply the guideline correctly. Some 400 doctors
delivering primary health services are supposed to be involved. The
health minister has already signed a special order that details the
process of the guideline’s introduction.
According to Health Ministry figures, around 29,000 instances of
venereal diseases were reported last year. Some 75 percent of people
are believed to be aware about their disease, but only 65 percent
seek qualified medical assistance, 50 percent of people are diagnosed
and 35 percent are treated. Doctors explain that the low percentage
of people who seek medical assistance is due not only to the lack of
their sanitary and hygienic knowledge, but also due to covert
development of the illness.
People infected with various venereal diseases are exposed to a
much more greater risk to be infected with HIV. Venereal diseases are
spread mainly among prostitutes and homosexuals. The latter are said
to be few and only 4-5 homosexuals apply annually to doctors.
The guideline contains an array of directions for doctors in
remote areas, where diagnosing is a problem, about how to identify
and treat such people.
The guideline is a collaborative product of the USAID that funded
its publication, Armenian Health Ministry and the Academy of
Educational Development (AED).
According to Armenian deputy health minister Tatul Hakobian, the
Ministry faces serious problems in identifying, preventing and
treating sexually transmitted diseases (STD). He said it is an area
that is not prone to coordination, as late diagnosis is fraught with
serious complications.
He commended the USAID and AED for this very important initiative.
Deputy Director of USAID Armenia Karl Fikenscher said they were
happy to contribute to the development, publication and introduction
of the guideline. He described the book as “the most modern
guideline,” meant not only for patients but also for their partners.

Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
March 29 2005

American Jews may put Garabagh conflict on Congress agenda

Baku, March 28, AssA-Irada

The Jewish Diaspora in America may put the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict over Upper Garabagh on discussions at the US Congress, says
President of the Weinberg Foundation of Jews in America Shale
Stiller, who has arrived in Baku to study the Garabagh conflict.
Stiller said he will appeal to the US Congress on the issue.
`Detailed information on the conflict should be collected in order to
put it on discussion at the US Congress and international
organizations.’
While in Baku, Stiller is expected to meet with President Ilham
Aliyev and representatives of Jewish communities, as well as refugees
and displaced persons.*

Russia’s Orthodox patriarch sends pope Easter wishes of “joy and health”

Agence France Presse — English
March 27, 2005 Sunday 3:05 AM GMT

MOSCOW March 27 — The head of Russia’s Orthodox Church, Alexy II,
put aside the long-running rift with the Roman Catholic Church to
wish ailing Pope John Paul II “joy, health” and “God’s help,” in a
letter quoted by the Interfax news agency.

“From the bottom of my heart I wish you Easter joy about the Risen
Lord and Savior, good health and God’s help in your lofty service,”
the patriarch said in his message dispatched late Saturday.

Alexy also congratulated Armenia’s Catholicos Garegin II and Archbishop
of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who also celebrate Easter this Sunday.

The patriarch had been locked in a bitter row with the Vatican over
alleged Roman Catholic proselytism in Russia and had repeatedly refused
to meet the pope until he renounces so-called Vatican “expansionism”
in this predominantly Orthodox country.

Catholics, numbering around 500,000 in Russia, represent a tiny
minority of Russia’s 145 million-strong population, most of whom will
celebrate Orthodox Easter in May.

PACE RAPPORTEUR FOR REFUGEES AND MIGRATION THINKS THERE
WILL BE NO PROBLEM WITH REFUGEES IN ARMENIA AFTER SEVERAL YEARS

YEREVAN, MARCH 25. ARMINFO. Issues of Armenia’s policy regarding
refugees were discussed in Yerevan during Friday meeting of Speaker of
National Assembly of Armenia Arthur Baghdasarian with PACE Rapporteur
for refugees, migration and demography Boris Chilevic.

ARMINFO was informed in the press office of National Assembly of
Armenia, during the meeting Boris Chilevic expressed satisfaction
on the occasion of that Armenia is taking all possible steps for
integration of the refugees into public life of the country. He
mentioned that the legislation of Armenia, which regulates the sphere
of problems of refugees, fully meets international standards. In the
rapporteur’s opinion, the programs being implemented in this sphere,
inspire hope for that after several years there will be no problem
with refugees in Armenia. In this connection, Boris Chilevic expressed
satisfaction with the activity of the speaker’s council for refugees ,
which is an important link in solving the problems of the refugees.

In his turn, the speaker of the Armenian parliament in a number of
legal, social and education problems of refugees focuses on the
solution of the dwelling problems and the employment problem. He
mentioned that the budget of the country envisages funds for solution
of housing problems of the refugees.

Russia’s regional allies could fall like dominoes following Kyrgyz uprising
By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

AP Worldstream
Mar 26, 2005

MOSCOW _ The swift overthrow of the man who ruled Kyrgyzstan for 15
years has turned up the heat on other autocratic rulers across the
ex-Soviet landscape, threatening to topple many of Russia’s closest
allies like dominoes and chip away inexorably at the Kremlin’s
regional clout.

This week’s overthrow of the government in Kyrgyzstan was the third
uprising in Russia’s sphere of interest in less than two years. Unlike
Georgia and Ukraine, however, the tussle between the government and
the opposition had nothing to do with a wider, East-West competition
for influence in the post-Soviet region.

Instead, it centered on a heretofore weak and divided opposition
capitalizing on the deep unpopularity of an increasingly autocratic
president. Russia has depended on such leaders to promote its strategic
interests.

Already, the ripples of revolution have been felt far beyond the small,
mountainous country in Central Asia. In Belarus, on Russia’s western
edge, police clashed Friday with demonstrators calling for President
Alexander Lukashenko’s resignation.

“Today’s gathering must send a signal to the West, Russia and our own
bureaucrats that Belarus is ready for a serious change,” said Andrei
Klimov, an opposition leader. “Our aim is to start the Belarusian
revolution and force the resignation of Lukashenko, the last dictator
of Europe.”

In tightly controlled Uzbekistan, which borders Kyrgyzstan to the west,
opposition leaders from various movements issued a joint statement
expressing admiration for the rapid-fire Bishkek coup.

“We are sure that the process of democratic reforms that started in
Kyrgyzstan will highly influence all parts of Central Asia,” they said.

The domino effect would have deep ramifications for Russia.

Moscow wants desperately to form a free-trade zone that could restore
some of its Soviet-era economic power, but that requires cooperation
from Kazakhstan and Belarus. Today, those countries are in safe hands
from Moscow’s point of view, but the opposition forces might not see
such an alliance in their nations’ interest.

The fourth partner in the proposed project, Ukraine, already has
suggested it could pull out if new President Viktor Yushchenko’s
government decides it is not in the national interest.

Moscow needs oil- and gas-rich Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan
to help maintain its status as a top energy transporter, and Tajikistan
and Armenia, which both host Russian bases, as outposts for its
military in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

New, opposition-led governments in any of those nations could cut
into Russia’s strategic sway.

After losing its stake in last year’s political battle in Ukraine,
the Kremlin has taken a careful approach to Kyrgyzstan, making no
visible effort to help keep its longtime leader from losing power.

“The Kremlin has never recovered from the Ukrainian trauma and
apparently decided to stay away out of fear that an attempt to
influence events there will backfire again,” Fyodor Lukyanov, the
editor of Russia in Global Affairs magazine, told The Associated
Press. “It was simply following the events.”

Under Kyrgyzstan’s President Askar Akayev, Bishkek hosted both U.S.
and Russian military air bases just 30 kilometers (20 miles) away
one from another _ another reason why neither Moscow nor Washington
seemed to be overtly backing either side in Kyrgyzstan.

“No one needs destabilization in Kyrgyzstan. It’s a rare case when
the interests of Moscow and Washington converge,” Lukyanov said.

Gleb Pavlovsky, a leading Russian political strategist linked to
the Kremlin who took part in Ukraine’s election campaign, said that
Moscow had failed to keep ex-Soviet nations in its orbit because its
efforts were belated and badly organized.

“We were late in launching this policy, and we have received a good
beating,” he said during a television talk show.

Stanislav Belkovsky, another top Russian political analyst with
reported links to officialdom, said that Russia’s passivity in
Kyrgyzstan had shown that Russia had in fact abandoned its ambitions
to play a dominant role on the ex-Soviet space.

“The revolution in Kyrgyzstan has shown that Russia can’t and doesn’t
want to control the post-Soviet space,” Belkovsky said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Friday against placing
excessive hopes in the Commonwealth of Independent States, a loose
alliance of 12 ex-Soviet nations which Moscow has sought to dominate.
With surprising candor, Putin said that the CIS was merely a discussion
forum that couldn’t bring forth serious economic cooperation _ what
he called a forum created for the “civilized divorce” of the former
Soviet republics, in contrast to the European Union, which was built
to foster real cooperation.

“All disappointments come from excessive expectations,” Putin said.

Holmesdale Online, UK

March 26 2005
6:37am

Rooney, the Student and Muff

March 25 2005

Our new betting tipster Gerry McDonnell gives his view on this week’s World
Cup qualifiers…

As much as I love the World Cup, I can’t for the life of me work out why a
pointless qualifier against Northern Ireland should take precedent over the
Premiership. Being a visionary, I have a solution to the problem. Qualifying
groups for future International competitions should involve the dead-wood
playing amongst themselves.

The likes of Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, San Marino and
Scotland should play each other in a series of matches, while the superior
teams, England, France, Italy etc, receive a bye. Once the chaff has been
eliminated, the seeds will play the qualifiers in a one off match on a
neutral venue.

The benefits of this scheme would lead to an extra five Premiership
weekends, allowing the English top flight to have a winter break, which
consequently leads to football odds compilers reaching a respectable
bevvying level over the Christmas period.

I await a reply from Sepp.

Now call me a modern-day philosophising genius if you must, but in order to
truly appreciate the few lagers at Christmas with the lads, having a few
games of pool, listening to the Libertines at the appropriate volume and
hitting the obligatory ruby house after; you occasionally have to endure an
evening in with the Mrs, drinking tea, watching a programme called Buffy the
Vampire Slayer, with children running around the room screaming, and the
closest you get to a curry is the “Tikka f****** jump” the other half
suggests when you enquire about dinner.

So let’s not look on the England match as the boring complete waste of 90
minutes mismatch that it clearly is, let’s be “half-full” people and take
advantage of the many betting opportunities available, knowing that the
Premiership returns in a week.

It’s sad to hear of Andy Johnson’s withdrawal from the England squad due to
injury, but bearing in mind England’s last International, where Sven’s
tactical genius made A.J. the most ridiculous right-winger since Robert
Kilroy-Silk, you can sympathise if the Palace man decided to pull a Giggs.

England’s first choice strike force of Owen and Rooney are fit to play
though; and young Michael is a hat-trick away from becoming England’s
all-time 4th highest goal scorer, an exceptional achievement for a 25 year
old. Bearing in mind he should be razor sharp due to being well-rested by
the Madrid manager, the 16/1 on offer from Paddy Power about Owen bagging
the three goals he needs seems quite generous.

If you don’t think it will be Michael’s day, the same firm offer 20/1 about
Rooney scoring three times, which would normally set him back around £90.

If you’re tuning in to the France v Switzerland match, the Swiss striker
Andre Muff looks a half decent bet to open the scoring. He’s as short as
10/1 with Ladbrokes, but I’m happy to advise you to get on A. Muff at 16/1
with Totesport. My footballing contacts inform me that Wayne Rooney has a
very high opinion of him, although Matthew Upson feels he is somewhat
over-rated.

My sources also claim that he has a reputation for simulation, but before
you run down to your local bookmakers and ask the bleached blonde cashier,
“What price Muff diving?” you should be aware that a kick in the testicles
can often offend.

Cliché watch:

What they say:
“There are no easy games in International football.”

What they mean:
“There are no easy games in International football, with the definite
exception of Scotland at home.”

Going up:
Joe Cole: The future of English football is 11/1 with William Hill to bag
the opener.

Going down:
Scotland: The latest FIFA World rankings show Scotland are now in a tie for
88th place, a distance behind the Footballing greats of the United Arab
Emirates and Burkina Faso. If you disagree with FIFA, you can get 20/1 about
the Jocks this weekend.

Quote of the week:

“Once a blue, always a blue.”
Student Patrick Hanrahan makes his point to Wayne Rooney in a Manchester
bar, before receiving a shoeing.

Tip of the week:

Don’t annoy Wayne Rooney in a boozer.

Weekend Betting:

England v Northern Ireland Saturday 26th March 15.00 Live on BBC

England 1/7 Super Soccer
Draw 6/1 UK Betting
Northern Ireland 22/1 Boylesports

Get on: England

Northern Ireland recently went 12 matches without scoring a goal, home win.
Match Special:
Lampard and Gerrard both to score 10/1 @ Sporting Odds

Wales v Austria Saturday 26th March 15.00 Live on Sky

Wales 11/10 Stan James
Draw 9/4 Bet Direct
Austria 11/4 William Hill

Get on: Wales

The Welsh are now Savage-less, and consequently look a better team. Earnshaw
and Bellamy are both in great goal scoring form. Another home win.
Match Special:
Bellamy to score the first goal 11/2 @ Totesport
Earnshaw to score the first goal 6/1 @ Ladbrokes

Poland v Azerbaijan Saturday 26th March 17.00 Live on Sky

Poland 1/5 Bet Direct
Draw 11/2 William Hill
Azerbaijan 16/1 Sporting Odds

Get on: Poland

Azerbaijan have previously recorded victories over Slovakia and Switzerland,
but let’s face it, they’re rubbish. Yet another home win.
Match Special:
Poland to win 1-0 8/1 @ William Hill

Israel v Rep Of Ireland Saturday 26th March 17.50 Live on Channel 5

Israel 21/10 Bet Direct
Draw 9/4 Boylesports
Rep Of Ireland 13/10 Sporting Odds

Get on: Draw

The Irish are top of the Group and are playing quite well. The Israeli’s are
no mugs though, score draw.
Match Special:
Match to finish 1-1 11/2 @ BET 365

Italy v Scotland Saturday 26th March 19.45 Live on BBC Scotland

Italy 1/5 BET 365
Draw 5/1 Boylesports
Scotland 20/1 Super Soccer

Get on: Italy

Nothing is certain except deaths, taxes and if you’re at home to Scotland,
you spank those Sweaties.
Match Special:
Italy to win 5-0 28/1 @ Paddy Power

France v Switzerland Saturday 26th March 20.00 Live on Eurosport

France 4/9 Ladbrokes
Draw 7/2 Super Soccer
Switzerland 9/1 Totesport

Get on: France

The Swiss haven’t qualified for a World Cup since 1994, that trend will
continue as the French move to the top of their group.
Match Special:
A Muff to score at any time 9/2 @ Stan James

–Boundary_(ID_IKdLf0UQPfyj1PaRhGBEgA)–

Russian mediator denies Armenia pursues settlement policy in Karabakh – TV

Lider TV, Baku
24 Mar 05

[Presenter] The so-called leaders of Nagornyy Karabakh have told the
co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group that they view the settlement
of Armenians in Lacin [district in western Azerbaijan connecting
Armenia and Nagornyy Karabakh] as normal and create conditions for
this settlement. The Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Yuriy
Merzlyakov, who knew about this before the OSCE sent its fact-finding
mission to the region, has made this statement now. Merzlyakov also
said that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen are not expected to visit
the region soon.

[Correspondent] Before the OSCE fact-finding mission started examining
reports on the illegal settlement of Armenians on the occupied lands
of Azerbaijan, the so-called leaders of Nagornyy Karabakh told the
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen that they consider the settlement of
Armenians in Lacin to be acceptable and think that it is normal to
create conditions for that, Yuriy Merzlyakov said.

Merzlyakov also said that the mission has not established that the
settlement of Armenians is the result of a purposeful policy of the
Armenian government. But there are cases when the so-called leadership
of Nagornyy Karabakh facilitated the settlement of Armenians on
those territories. It is noteworthy that the Russian co-chair found
it difficult to establish any link between the Armenian government
and the leadership of the self-styled state in this issue.

The issue of illegal settlement of Armenians cannot be resolved as
long as Azerbaijani territories are under occupation. The conflict
should be resolved soon. Saying that those territories are under not
Azerbaijani but Armenian control, Merzlyakov noted that it will be
simply impossible to evict Armenians settled in Nagornyy Karabakh
before Armenian military units withdraw from those territories.

The Russian co-chairman said that frequent violations of the
cease-fire on the front line only disrupt the negotiation process.
Merzlyakov also said that preparations are under way for the next
round of talks between the conflicting parties. The co-chairmen are
laying the groundwork for the next meeting of the Azerbaijani and
Armenian foreign ministers, Elmar Mammadyarov and Vardan Oskanyan,
he said. This meeting is to take place shortly, but the venue for
the meeting is still to be confirmed, Merzlyakov said.

However, Vardan Oskanyan does not rule out that the meeting may fail.
There is no need for this meeting since the presidents of the two
countries are expected to meet in May, Oskanyan said.