A1 Plus | 22:14:33 | 15-04-2004 | Politics |
FREEDOMS SUPPORTERS GATHERED IN PROTEST ACTION
“We will keep struggling until not a single political prisoner remains in
Armenia. We demand to release all political prisoners from detention”,
Armenian Helsinki Association Chair Avetik Ishkhanyan said speaking at today
‘s rally.
Initiators of the event said everybody has right to live and think freely in
his homeland urged people to unite against tyranny.
Doghouse Boxing, Canada
April 6 2004
Boxing is Alive Down Under
By Anthony Cocks (April 6, 2004)
‘Vic `Raging Bull’ Darchinyan
Talentworks in association with matchmakers Fightbiz International
have announced the second installment of the Southern Storm series to
be held at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium in Melbourne, Australia
on April 16. The six bout card will feature some of Australia’s
finest pugilistic talent including IBF #4 ranked middleweight Sam
`King’ Soliman, IBF #1 ranked flyweight Vic `Raging Bull’ Darchinyan
and Australian heavyweight cult hero `Big’ Bob Mirovic.
Soliman will be making his third appearance in the ring for 2004 and
the seventh defense of his IBF Pan Pacific Middleweight title against
seasoned campaigner Nico Toriri of Indonesia. Toriri is no stranger
to our shores, having battled Danny Green, Kevin Kelly and Darren
Obah on Australian soil in the past. Soliman has won twelve fights on
the trot since his disputed loss to Anthony Mundine with his last
three victories coming by way of stoppage. With Soliman’s next fight
scheduled to take place in the USA under the auspices of his
stateside promoter Dan Goossen for the IBF number one position, a
victory here is imperative. Toriri will be eager to circumvent
Soliman’s world title aspirations.
Darchinyan is looking to stay busy against tough Indonesian Falzona
Fidal while he waits for his opportunity to challenge Columbian
knockout artist Irene Pacheco for his IBF flyweight championship, a
bout that is tentatively scheduled to take place next month. A savage
puncher with knockout drops in either hand, the Armenian born
southpaw is a pocket dynamo who fully deserves the moniker `Raging
Bull’.
Fireworks are expected when former Australian junior welterweight
champion Steve Marks attempts to avenge his 2002 stoppage loss to the
man who relieved him of his national crown, former Sydney Olympian
Fred Kinuthia. Kinuthia is no pushover and has shared the square
circle with numerous quality opponents including world class
operators Philip Holiday, Lovemore Ndou and Junior Witter as well as
former domestic champions Naoufel Ben Rabah and Michael Katsidis.
Tim Bell will face Brown Enyi in what promises to be an explosive
contest at the middleweight limit. Both fighters are coming off
losses and will be keen to see their name posted in the winners’
column. The rugged Bell may have his work cut out for him against
Enyi, who has substantially more professional experience and has
faced some high quality opposition including PABA champion Stuart
Moller, Australian champion Sakio Bika, IBF Pan Pacific Light
heavyweight Champion Jason Delisle and PABA Light heavyweight
Champion Paul Murdoch.
Also on the card will be crowd favourite `Big’ Bob Mirovic squaring
off against New Zealand’s Bob Gasio in a heavyweight battle scheduled
for six rounds. In another six round bout junior welterweight Lance
Gostellow will be looking to keep his unbeaten record intact with win
number three against the infamous TBA.
The first Southern Storm was a cracker of a night and fight fans can
expect more of the same on April 16. Tickets prices range from $50 to
$170 and are available from Ticketmaster7 by phoning 13 6100. For
table bookings, phone 0417 888 188. Get in quick because this event
is expected to sell out.
Ndou Headlines at Panthers World of Entertainment
Blaster Promotions have put together another exciting eight fight
card set to take place at Sydney’s new Mecca of boxing, Panthers
World of Entertainment in Penrith, on April 16.
Headlining the card will be IBF #6 / WBC #10 Lovemore Ndou making his
third ring appearance for 2004 as he defends his IBF Pan Pacific
Junior Welterweight title against unbeaten Brazilian Antonio
Mesquita. Ndou’s five fight win streak was brought to a halt in
February of this year when he stepped in on short notice for the
injured Kostya Tszyu and dropped a disputed points decision to
Sharmba Mitchell for the IBF Interim Junior Welterweight championship
over twelve hotly contested rounds.
31 year-old Mesquita is a heavy-handed fighter who will be looking to
take Ndou out early. The Brazilian banger has 21 knockouts in 28
contests with all of his stoppage victories coming before the seventh
round. This fight is not expected to go the distance.
In the main support bout talented former Australian cruiserweight
champion Lawrence Tauasa will do battle against American Troy Beets
for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title. A gifted boxer with decent
power, Tauasa has fought Australia’s best cruiserweights and has won
his last seven bouts. Beets, a 29 year-old southpaw fighting out of
Ocean Springs, Mississippi, has been in the ring with heavyweight
prospects Malcolm Tann and Roman Greenburg.
IBF Pan Pacific Champion Jason Delisle will defend his belt against
37 fight veteran Justin Clements. The tough-as-nails Delisle has won
two on the trot since suffering only his second loss at the hands of
current WBC Interim Super Middleweight Champion Danny Green back in
June of last year. Clements, who turned professional in 1991, holds a
respectable record of 28-7-2 (7 KO’s).
Also on the card Chris Hamilton will do battle with Gary Comer for
the vacant Australian Junior Middleweight title. Unbeaten in five
professional contests, Hamilton was originally slated to fight on the
same date in Toowoomba on Uppercut Promotion’s `Triple Treat’ card,
but was unable to secure an opponent. Southpaw Comer will be the
toughest test of Hamilton’s short career.
Rounding out the card will be an eight round super middleweight
stoush between Brett Culey and Allen Rellish; a lightweight eight
rounder featuring Johnny Shiffiraw and American Richard Best; a six
round welterweight contest between Craig Parke and Rueben Martyn; and
a junior welterweight battle between Mick Mlacic and Filipino Arnel
Porras also over six rounds.
Ticket prices start at $45.00 and can be purchased directly from
Panthers World of Entertainment by phoning 1800 061 991. Table
bookings can be made by calling Roy Alexander on 0414 512 101 or Tony
Caradonna on 0402 766 511.
`Triple Treat’ in Toowoomba Postponed
The ‘Triple Treat’ card originally scheduled for Friday, April 16 at
the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba, Queensland has been postponed. The
show was to feature brothers Mick and Matt Shaw, along with former
amateur standout Chris Hamilton, all in Queensland title fights.
Hamilton was removed from the card when the opportunity arose to
fight for the Australian junior middleweight title. The fight night
was still set to go ahead, but when Mick Shaw injured his hand at
work, Uppercut Promotions decided to postpone the event rather than
offer a sub-standard card.
`Uppercut Promotions are disappointed to announce the postponement,
however to remain true to our goal of offering quality boxing events
utilising local fighters, it was decided that with two of the three
main events being sidelined it was the best option available,’ said
Glenn Azar, spokesman for Uppercut Promotions who contacted Doghouse
Boxing.
A new date is expected to be announced shortly and all tickets that
have already been sold will be honoured on the night.
PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
April 6, 2004
___________________
YOUNG CHILDREN SEND IN DESIGNS FOR EASTER
Dozens of children submitted Easter card designs to the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern) for a contest run through the Sunday
and Armenian schools.
The cards were judged in three age groups: under 10 years old, between 10
and 15, and 15 and older. A winner and runner-up from each age group are
featured on the website.
The first place designs came from: Rina Manucharova, 16, of the mission
parish in Charlotte, NC; Aleksander Manucharov, 12, from Charlotte, NC; and
Ani Hollisian, 8, from the Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA. Each
winning artist will receive a gift from the St. Vartan Bookstore.
Also featured on the website are three second-place e-card designs by:
Elizabeth Demaria, 15, from the Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside, NY;
William (BJ) Kress, 10, from the St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ; and
Michael Manucharov, 8, from the mission parish in Charlotte, NC.
“These colorful designs capture the spirit of the Easter season, when we
rejoice that truly Christ has risen,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese. “Through our website, we can all share in the joy
expressed by these children’s drawings.”
The winning designs became electronic-postcards on the Diocesan website.
The free cards can be sent via e-mail to family and friends. To send your
free card, click here:
The next design contest is for Mothers’ Day. The designs must be sent to
the Diocese by the parish schools by April 20, 2004. The designs are
blindly judged at the Diocesan Center.
# # #
Agence France Presse
April 4, 2004 Sunday 8:05 AM Eastern Time
Christians gather to celebrate Palm Sunday in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM
Hundreds of followers from different branches of Christianity began
Easter celebrations Sunday by parading through the streets of
Jerusalem’s Old City before praying at the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre.
Groups of Boy Scouts from the Catholic, Armenian, Greek Orthodox and
Assyrian communities banged drums, followed by crowds shouting
“Hosannah” and waving palm fronds and olive branches to mark Palm
Sunday.
They congregated at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed to the
final resting place of Jesus Christ, for a special service.
Palm Sunday marks the Sunday before Easter, when Jesus is said to
have ridden a donkey down the Mount of Olives and into the holy city
to a joyous welcome from the crowds, who scarcely a week later were
calling for his death.
Numbers were markedly down on the levels seen before the start of the
Palestinian intifada, or uprising, in September 2000, which has seen
many tourists steer clear of the Holy Land.
Many Palestinian Christians have also been unable to attend
celebrations, with Israeli authorities restricting travel from the
occupied territories.
One Arab resident of Jerusalem said she had been hoping that the rest
of her family, who live near the West Bank town of Ramallah, would
have been able to join her.
“None of my brothers and or sisters have been able to come to
Jerusalem,” said the woman who would only give her name as Labiba.
“Our family was meant to come and celebrate together and pray
together. The Israelis said they would allow Palestinians to come but
this is not true.”
The Enquirer, Cincinnati
March 30 2004
Never forget Armenian genocide
Your voice: David Krikorian
Last week, the World Affairs Council of Greater Cincinnati held a
luncheon with the Turkish ambassador to the United States, Osman
Faruk Logoglu. Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken attended the lunch and
presented the ambassador with a key to the city. Both General
Electric Aircraft Engines and Procter & Gamble count Turkey as a
major customer.
The ambassador addressed the 40 attendees for about 20 minutes and
then took a few questions. I asked the ambassador when the government
of Turkey would officially recognize the Armenian genocide of 1915
and end its campaign of denial to suppress the truth.
For those who are not familiar with this event, the Armenian genocide
was a dark period in the lifeline of humanity. Under the cover of
World War I, the Turkish government – at that time known as the
Ottoman Empire – implemented its plan to eliminate the Armenian
population from the face of the earth.
More than 1.5 million (yes, million!) Armenian men, women and
children were butchered at the hands of the Turkish government. This
event is well chronicled by distinguished authors, historians and
statesmen from many countries including the United States, France,
Germany, Sweden and Great Britain, just to name a few.
The ambassador answered the question by saying that there was no
genocide and that the event was largely Armenian propaganda. The
ambassador needs to get his facts straight.
There are two resolutions before Congress, House Resolution 193 and
Senate 164, which cite the importance of remembering past crimes
against humanity, including the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, and
the Cambodian and Rwandan genocides, in an effort to stop future
atrocities. H.R. 193 was adopted unanimously by the House Judiciary
Committee in May 2003 and has 111 cosponsors.
Despite broad bipartisan support, neither Senate Majority Leader Bill
Frist, R-Tenn., nor House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. has
scheduled a vote on the genocide resolution.
President Bush pledged his support in 2000 to officially recognize
the Armenian genocide, which unfortunately looks like a broken
campaign promise. The 50,000 Armenians who live in Florida will
remember that broken promise this November.
For the record, neither Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio nor Rob Portman,
R-Ohio, supports the House resolution. I wonder why not.
—
David Krikorian of Madeira is a small business owner who operates two
companies, DataSuites and Parody Productions.
ARMENIAN MPS CONDEMN 28 MARCH OPPOSITION RALLY
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
29 Mar 04
(Presenter) Armenia’s political forces have expressed their attitude
towards the recent events in Gyumri (opposition rally on 28
March). Members of the ruling political coalition demand that the
leadership ensure law and order and prevent actions which pose a
threat to political stability and the constitution.
(Correspondent over video of parliament session) Meetings, rallies and
marches – all the political forces represented in the Armenian
National Assembly believe that these forms of political events are
acceptable in the world policy. The parliamentarians are concerned
over the Armenian version of these events. The opposition’s struggle
is understandable when constitutional law and order are preserved in
the country. But the opposition’s recent actions brought about
undesirable results. (Vaan Ovanesyan, deputy speaker of the Armenian
parliament, captioned) We learned that disorder had taken place in
Gyumri. The people who ensured the security of the organizers of the
rally attacked people. They broke posters and expressed their
dissatisfaction with those who did not share their political
views. This is an impermissible action and I think that police should
ensure that similar actions are not repeated in the future.
We also held various rallies and meetings. Not all the people agreed
with us, with our views. But nobody issued orders to attack those who
did not agree with us. This is impermissible. Negotiations, relations
and discussions – we are always ready to resolve problems by these
means.
(Correspondent) Armenia’s pressing problems must be discussed and
resolved in the hall of the National Assembly, during sessions, and
they must not become a subject of rallies. Given the conditions when
Azerbaijan has started anti-Armenian hysteria, the events in Gyumri,
the opposition’s calls are threatening the country’s stability and
security.
(Mger Shakhgeldyan, chairman of the standing parliamentary commission
on defence and security, representative of the Orinats Yerkir
parliamentary faction, captioned) The Azerbaijani leadership’s
bellicose statements, its rejection of the Key West and Paris
agreements (on Nagornyy Karabakh), dissatisfaction with the work of
the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen and also growing financial assistance
to the army make it clear that Azerbaijan is attempting to preserve
today’s peace by any means, using force (as heard). These
(Azerbaijan’s) statements confirm this. Armenia’s domestic stability
and security are extremely important in this connection.
(Correspondent) MPs confirm that domestic political problems have to
be resolved with a concerted effort, taking into consideration
national interests.
Nune Aleksanyan, Aylur.
RUSSIA PUSHES ARMENIA INTO MILITARY CONFLICT IN KARABAKH – AZERI ANALYST
Sarq, Baku
30 Mar 04
Reportedly, Armenia has declared military mobilization at a time of
mounting domestic tension.
Ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s supporters and the radical
opposition have joined their efforts to carry out a “velvet
revolution” in Armenia. The USA and UK are said to be interested in
such changes. This is possible, experts say, but depends on whether
the USA and Europe manage to weaken Russia’s grip on internal
processes in Armenia. The president of the Caspian Research Foundation
and political analyst (and former presidential aide), Vafa Quluzada,
said that the course of events will eventually determine that. As a
result of domestic processes, Armenia will try to amend its
pro-Russian policy. For Armenia’s pro-Russian policy to change, first
of all the Armenian leadership needs to be replaced.
“For as long as (Armenian President Robert) Kocharyan stays in office,
Armenia will remain Russia’s slave,” Quluzada said. However, some
forces are interested in the “velvet revolution” in Armenia. “Should
the revolution take place and democrats come to power, the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict will be resolved automatically. Because the
Armenians need neither Karabakh, nor our occupied districts. They have
told me in private conversations that Russia is behind the conflict
and is exploiting it.”
The idea of “Greater Armenia” has lost its significance, Quluzada
said. “The entire world knows that Armenia is an aggressor, and
attitudes to an aggressor are well-known. The Armenians themselves
realize that.” This is an ideology created during the (Russian) tsar
empire. The times have changed and those ideas no longer work, he
said.
Reports about Armenia’s military mobilization are purposefully being
disseminated by the Russian reactionary forces. “Russia wants to
create there a false militaristic atmosphere. Undoubtedly, Russia
would love to see Armenia attack Azerbaijan and the war to resume as a
result. But the Armenians will not do that. Armenia has weakened too
much and the Armenian army is in a state of anarchy. If the Armenians
give them a pretext (for a war in Karabakh), the Russians will wage it
themselves. However, the Armenians do not want a war.”
As to foreign participation and interest in Armenia’s “velvet
revolution”, Quluzada said: “Certainly, both the USA and the UK want
to see democratic forces come to power in Armenia. Russia opposes
that, and the subsequent course of events will show the true
capabilities of the West.”
(Passage omitted: “Velvet revolutions” in Ukraine and Belarus)
A1 Plus | 17:57:55 | 25-03-2004 | Official |
SYUNIK DISTRICT HEAD RELIEVED
At Government decision Edik Barseghyan was relieved of his post for Syunik
District Head. Under another decision, Surik Khachatryan /Liska nicknamed/
was appointed Syunik District Head.
—
PRAVDA, Russia
March 26 2004
Special Services fight in the name of Allah and Putin
The following is an interview with Kakiev Said-Magomed Shamaev,
commander of the “Western” battalion of the mountainous force of the
United Forces in the Chechen republic, Major of the Russian Army. He
was born on 22 February, 1970; completed 8 grades in Grozny;
1989-1991-served in Nagorny Karabakh. Afterwards, he studied at the
University of Alma-Ata. From 1994 till 1994 served in an anti-Dudaev
opposition. He is a four-time-hero of the Russian Federation. He was
awarded with two medals for courage; received two inscribed guns from
the Minister of Defense.
Question: Said-Magomed, how long has your resistance against Chechen
extremists been lasting?
Said-Magomed Kakiev: After serving in the Sovier Army in Nagorny
Karabakh in 1991, I returned home, to the epicenter of events. I
thought I would never come close to weapons ever again. I was wrong.
Dudaev appeared in Chechnya stirring up major chaos, organized
several criminal gangs in the region and I did not have any other
choice but to fight with Dudaev”s bandits. That”s how I joined the
opposition.
In 1993, we failed to assassinate Dudaev.when my hand grenade
suddenly exploded in my hands. I lost an arm, one eye, my nose and
got four cracks in my skull. My friend died right on the spot. Many
assumed that I would never fight again; I was an invalid after all.
However, thanks to the Almighty, I was able to recover, even though
my appearance was totally changed. Doctors “mended” my entire body in
a beauty salon in Moscow. I acquired a new face. No one could
recognize me. I told myself, “I still have one hand; I still have a
soul which is fully devoted to Russia.” To me, Russia and Chechnya
represent one entity. Personally, I was fighting for this unity; I
will continue to fight for this unity till the end!
Question: You participated in the first Chechen campaign, including
the bloody battle in Grozny.
Kakiev: I entered the city with my squad. Back then we were apart of
neither the Ministry of Internal Affairs nor the Ministry of Defense.
We were motivated by one thing only-patriotism, love for our country
and a strong will to put an end to Dudaev and his gangs. We were
moving side by side with the Moscow”s riot squad and with special
service forces. We were asked to help, since we knew the area pretty
well, knew the language and could communicate with the locals.
We engaged in a bloody battle on the territory of “Eletropribor”
factory in one of the regions of Grozny. We were even involved in
ruthless bloody fistfights. Luckily, the riot squad and the special
forces were by our side. One can hardly forget the events of those
few days. We lost 7 of our guys. But we managed to destroy 29 gang
members. The enemy had to retreat. Those were the people of commander
Bazhiev. He is dead, now he is judged by the Almighty Allah.
Question: Why weren’t armored forces used to the fullest extent in
this invasion of Grozny?
Kakiev: This was an incredibly ruthless war. I felt terrible for
those young boys. Many things were unclear.we tried to warn our
allies, but no one listened to us. Order is an order, period! They
assumed it was easy to conquer.do you know how many people we lost?
Question: There still remain some questions concerning the events of
August 1996. Did you witness those events?
Kakiev: On August 6th, I was patrolling Dagestanskaya Street. A house
of the city’s mayor Yakub Deniev was located on that street. His
family belongs to the real saints. We were attacked by everyone, from
every side. There was only 50 of us. We were guarding the house. We
were running out of weapons. 37 women and children were hiding in the
basement there. Later, negotiations began and the “spirits” swore on
Koran that they”ll let everyone go: all kids and women>Latest News
Special Services fight in the name of Allah and Putin
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and the elderly. I did not believe them from the start. We had a
choice of either staying in the region and trusting those promises of
the gang members or continue fighting. Everyone stayed. I left the
place on my own. it took me seven days to leave Grozny.
The “spirits” in turn shot everyone to death in the house, including
30 of our troops. They later burned and immured them in the basement.
It was only after two years that their bodies were recovered and sent
to the Rostov”s laboratory. When the cortÕge with the bodies was
traveling from Rostov to Chechnya, every singly militant’s post was
saluting them. As soon as they crossed the Chechen border, those
Dudaev”s soldiers started yelling “Look at these traitors!” “Bury
them in Russia!”. We will never forget this! We are perfectly aware
of the names of those beasts who committed such terrible crimes. They
are Doku Umarov, Ruslan Gelaev and others.
Question: In 1996 you had to leave Chechnya, what happened then?
Kakiev: I was called an outlaw by Maskhadov. He promised a title of
“Hero of Ichkeria” to the one who kills me. I could not get home for
three years; haven”t seen my relatives. I”ve been living in Moscow
for all these years. Since 1999, with the help of Allah and Putin, I
managed to return to the republic. I was appointed assistant of the
head of Nadterechni region, built two camps for refugees with heating
and water. Then I signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense and
left to fight.
Question: Many things have changed in Chechnya since those times. You
are currently a chief of the Chechen special military unit.
Kaiev: True, the situation is different now. I am immensely proud
that I am an officer of the Russian Army and a commander of the
“Western” battalion. We cover the mountainous area of the republic.
There is still much to be done there.
Question: Tell us about your medal “the hero of Russia”
Kakiev: I was awarded the title four times. The first time, I was
awarded for storming Grozny and for raising Russian flag there; the
second time-for the Komsomolskaya village, in an attempt to get
Gelaev; afterwards-for a series of operations; finally, the fourth
medal I received for an unsuccessful operation to neutralize Basaev”s
“general”.
Question: Official sources claim that Chechen militants disarm daily.
Many are undergoing amnesty. How do you feel about it?
Kakiev: This is a normal process, especially taking into account the
fact that majority of gang members have been defeated. Amnesty
however, raises a lot of questions. How can one forgive those who
were fighting against us? People say different things: that they are
innocent, that they have not killed any religious leaders and so on.
What did they do to 18-year-old boys, I wonder? That is why I do not
understand such amnesty. True, we should forgive those who were
forced to join the gangs against their will. But amnesty is a
time-bomb. People have been fighting against a particular country, so
many soldiers have died, and in the end no one is being held
responsible? I will never submit to this. We are all mortals. How are
we going to look in the eyes of those 18-year-olds up there?
Blood should not be forgiven. One has to be responsible for murder.
Those bandits lost their dignity. They are not people. Muslims cannot
do such things.
It turns out that all terrorist acts are committed by Basaev alone.
No one else is responsible.
Yes, war kills people, but to torture dead bodies, that’s obsecene.
We managed to achieve so much with the help of Allah; we will be able
to do much more to cleanse the land of such monsters.
German Pronin
Source: Utro.Ru
AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
March 25 2004
CHESS FEDERATION OF GEORGIA AND GRAND MASTER JOBAVA APOLOGIZE TO
CHESS FEDERATION OF AZERBAIJAN
[March 25, 2004, 12:32:22]
As AzerTAj reported before, a chess tournament in memory of the ninth
world champion T. Petrossian was conducted in the so-called
`Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’.
After the Chess Federation of Azerbaijan /CFA/ sent a protest-letter
to the FIDE and CFA President, Milli Majlis deputy, international
grand master Aynur Sofiyeva telephoned to FIDE president K.
Ilumjinov, he notified Armenians that the tournament would not be
recognized by the FIDE and suggested that the tournament be stopped.
However, the Chess Federation of Armenia found a hypocritical excuse
by saying that the fax was allegedly out of order and the e-mail
opened after the tournament already began and finally announced that
the tournament was not organized by the federation at all.
Georgian grand master B. Jobava was included into the early list of
participants. However, after CFA sent a protest-letter to the Chess
Federation of Georgia /CFG/ it forbad B. Jobava to participate in the
tournament. In spite of this, he, however, went to Khankendi. Having
condemned his act CFG imposed a suspended sentence for two years and
deprived him of his state scholarship for 6 months. Besides, CFG
presented its apologies to the Chess Federation of Azerbaijan. Grand
B. Jobava sent a letter to CFA in which he asked to consider his
young age, lack of interest for the politics, admitted his guilt and
apologized.