Author: Nalchajian Markos

Dansk Boldspil-Union, Denmark
July 26 2005

Semi-final foes flying high

Serbia and Montenegro and England are both in buoyant mood as they
prepare to meet in Lurgan on Tuesday.

By Andrew Haslam in Belfast

Serbia and Montenegro and England are both in buoyant mood as they
prepare to meet in the first semi-final of the 2004/05 UEFA European
Under-19 Championship, at Mourneview Park in Lurgan on Tuesday
afternoon.

Saturday successes
Serbia and Montenegro reached the last four in style, winning all
three Group A games to clinch the section by three points from
Germany and enjoying a 3-0 success against Greece last time out.
England, meanwhile, scored twice in the last ten minutes against
Norway on Saturday to edge above the Norwegians and claim the
runners-up berth in Group B. These results leave both coaches full of
optimism.

‘Huge achievement’
“Reaching the semi-finals of this competition for the first time is a
huge achievement for our team,” said Serbia and Montenegro coach
Zvonko Zivkovic. “Of course, I hope that this is only the start for
our team, and that we can go on and reach the final. We will see next
Tuesday.

‘Test against the best’
“We want to play the best team possible. I want to test my players
against the best and see how they perform against the top sides,”
Zivkovic went on. “But a semi-final is nothing special, you only have
to win that and reach the final. We will have no problem getting
motivated to play England. Now I think it will be much easier for us
– I hope we will play better in the knockout stages than we did in
the group games.”

Competitive instinct
Zivkovic has tinkered with his side throughout the tournament and may
opt to do so again, saying: “I might look to freshen up the side –
some of the players are tired and I always try to make changes when I
see that happening. I’m a sportsman and I’m here because I think we
can win the tournament. If I didn’t believe that, I’d go and play a
nice relaxing game of golf.”

Footballing contest
For his part, England coach Martin Hunter is relishing the
opportunity the semi-final offers his players, saying: “Serbia and
Montenegro will be a different game, more of a football game than the
match with Norway, which was a real battle. I went out to watch
Serbia and Montenegro in the Elite round and they are a very talented
team, so it’s going to be a very good game, a very tight game I would
have thought, and we’re looking forward to it.”

‘Heart and passion’
Grant Leadbitter has been a key presence at the heart of the England
midfield and believes his side can get better and better. “We’ve got
the heart and passion, we know we haven’t been at our best, but the
best is yet to come from England,” he told uefa.com. “All three sides
we’ve played so far have been very different, very different styles
of play – the French were very technical, Scandinavians make it hard
for you, and Armenia were a counterattacking side – so it’s three
different challenges and I’m really glad we’ve come out of it.

‘Physical battle’
“Serbia and Montenegro will be a very tough game,” the Sunderland AFC
player continued. “I imagine it will be similar to the game with
Norway in terms of a physical battle, but if we can match them at
that, we have the players to go on and win the game and get to
final.” England are without one of Saturday’s goalscorers, striker
Dexter Blackstock, through suspension.

Azeri daily sees change in US policy ahead of parliamentary poll

Zerkalo, Baku
22 Jul 05

Changes in Washington in the second term of the George Bush presidency
worked to the disadvantage of the Azerbaijani authorities, a major
Azerbaijani daily has said while commenting on the 20 July resolution
of the US Congress regarding the November parliamentary elections in
Azerbaijan. The front-paged report went on to say that Washington
still believes there could be evolutionary political changes in
Azerbaijan. The following is an excerpt from R. Mirgadirov’s report
by Azerbaijani newspaper Zerkalo on 22 July headlined “US Congress
demands fair election” and “And also ‘refraining’ from violence”;
subheadings have been inserted editorially:

The House of Representatives of the US Congress passed a resolution
on its Wednesday [20 July] session demanding “free and fair election
in the Republic of Azerbaijan”. As the secretariat of the House of
Representatives has reported, 416 congressmen supported the document
and one voted against it.

[Passage omitted: Description of the resolution]

The Azerbaijani authorities took some steps to prevent the Congress
from passing the resolution. Hafiz Pasayev, Azerbaijan’s ambassador to
the USA, had two meetings with congressmen. “Guided by the relevant
decree of President Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani government will
create necessary conditions so that the voting during the November
[parliamentary] election is in line with international standards,”
Pasayev said in the US Congress during a meeting between an Azerbaijani
working group and representatives of the Committee on International
Relations of the House of Representatives.

During the meeting the Azerbaijani ambassador said that conditions
will be created for staging marches and demonstrations and for
equal access to the media by all candidates, Azartac news agency has
reported. Recalling her latest visit to Baku, Madeleine Albright,
chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the National Democratic
Institute, described her meetings in Azerbaijan with the opposition
leaders, heads of NGOs and the president.

Ambassador’s assurances have “little effect”

Given Washington’s considerable interest in the November parliamentary
election in Azerbaijan, the embassy plans to have a series of
meetings with the US government bodies and to regularly report on the
pre-election situation in the country, Pasayev has told Azartac in an
interview. “Two of the planned series of meetings took place in a very
interesting atmosphere. The congressmen asked me a lot of questions
and were interested not only in the pre-election situation, but also
in Azerbaijan’s economic development, its relations with neighbours,
the current situation around the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and
the overall situation in the region,” he said.

In his words, Congressmen Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Christopher Smith,
Tom Lantos and Joseph Crowley who spoke at the committee’s session
gave a positive assessment of the release of some prisoners ahead
of the election. The congressmen said that the USA is interested
in Azerbaijan’s democratization and in its integration in the
Euro-Atlantic zone.

However, judging from the text of the US Congress’ resolution, the
assurances of our ambassador had little effect and did not convince
the congressmen. The almost perfect consensus among the congressmen
points to certain mood which currently dominates in Washington.

To recap, the Bush administration came in under fierce criticism
in the aftermath of the October 2003 events [post-election riots in
Baku]. The White House was accused of sacrificing democracy values
in Azerbaijan for the sake of geopolitical interests and continued
stability. Some of the congressmen then tried to stage hearings in
the Congress on the outcome of the Azerbaijani presidential election.
The opposition leaders were to attend the hearings and they even set
the date of the hearings.

However, the White House mobilized all the levers of influence at
its disposal to prevent hearings on the situation in Azerbaijan. Then
there was a “revolution of roses” in Georgia and it had the effect of
rehabilitating the administration in the eyes of the US public. The
situation is drastically different now.

Changes in Washington

First, George Bush won his second term as US president. As a rule,
conservative Republicans become more “democratic” during their
second term.

Second, following the startling success toward establishing democracy
in Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan, the US president declared a
“crusade” against the countries which do not share or share only
partially the Western world’s values. Under these conditions, George
Bush can do nothing but ensure that the forthcoming parliamentary
election in Azerbaijan truly becomes “a big step towards democracy”.
It is no coincidence that the US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Reno
Harnish, said recently that the USA wants to help the Azerbaijani
government and people stage a free and fair parliamentary election.

[Passage omitted: Reno Harnish calls for evolutionary changes]

Third, the situation within the Bush administration, specifically
the reshuffle in the State Department, also “worked” to Baku’s
disadvantage. Condoleezza Rice, a fervent anti-Communist and a
supporter of promoting democracy everywhere where conditions allow
it, became the head of the State Department. But that is not all.
Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage – a “long-time friend”
of the Baku government, a very influential person in Washington and a
no-less-fervent advocate of the necessity of maintaining stability at
all costs – had to leave the State Department. Hence, the Azerbaijani
authorities lost support in the State Department which might at least
somewhat soften the mood currently prevailing in Washington.

Still, all this is not too bad. As opposed to many people in
Azerbaijan, Washington still hopes to “achieve political changes
in an evolutionary way”. This means that we will be able to avoid
political shocks at least until 7 November, provided of course that
the sides to the conflict, first of all the authorities, do not make
any serious mistakes, especially in foreign policy.

Fox sports, Australia
July 21 2005

Slide-show curtain-raiser
By Grantlee Kieza
July 21, 2005

VIC Darchinyan is determined to put on a real show in his world title
fight next week and almost broke his ankle with some impromptu
theatrics to highlight his enthusiasm yesterday.

Darchinyan was beating the drum for his second defence of the IBF
flyweight title against Colombian Jair Jimenez when he decided to
display his freakish strength with a gymnastics move on a chin-up bar
at the Thump Gym in Five Dock.

Much to the chagrin of his trainer Jeff Fenech, Darchinyan made a
leap for the bar off some rubber mats, slipped and needed all the
balance he’s learned from 160 fights not to hit the deck harder than
most of his opponents.

Darchinyan, who represented Armenia at the Sydney Olympics and hopes
to unify the world titles in his division in the same manner as
Kostya Tszyu, another migrant made good, is doing his best to build a
support base of fans.

And while he has been watching his diet like a Slimmer of the Year,
he hopes a big crowd will dine out in Chinatown before he makes a
meal of Jimenez.

His manager Robert Joske, who guides the careers of other sports
stars such as Steve Waugh and Justin Langer, says the timing of
Darchinyan’s bout at the Entertainment Centre on a Wednesday night
was designed to draw the maximum amount of support from corporate
Sydney.

“Boxing is a sport that is growing in popularity all the time,” Joske
said.

“Vic is a tremendous talent and a very likeable young man and we are
hoping a lot of business people will come down to the Entertainment
Centre after work to have dinner and see a great Australian world
champion defend his title in what promises to be a thrilling bout.”

Jimenez comes to Australia with a reputation as a dangerous puncher
and Fenech says Darchinyan is desperate to impress fans with a
spectacular win.

“It’s a lot easier to lose a world title than win one,” Fenech said.
“And Vic knows Jimenez is a heavy hitter with a big heart who can
stay with him.

“Vic had some anxious moments in his last fight [against South
African Mzukisi Sikali] and he wants to put on a show this time to
wow the fans.”

Jimenez will arrive in Sydney on Sunday and Darchinyan says he is
wary of the Colombian’s pet punch.

“He has very good uppercuts; I saw one fight where he knocked a guy
out from an uppercut,” Darchinyan said.

The undercard features three of Australia’s most promising young
guns, junior-lightweights Billy Dib and Ahmed Elomar and Russian
junior-middleweight Anton Solopov, a former world amateur champion,
who is managed by Kostya Tszyu.

TV: Sky Channel, Main Event, Wednesday 7.30pm

TAB Sportsbetting: Darchinyan $1.15, Jimenez $4.75

ARKA News Agency
July 18 2005

GB AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY TO RA EXPRESSES HER GRATITUDE TO THE
ARMENIAN NATION FOR CONDOLENCES ON TERRORIST ATTACK IN LONDON

YEREVAN, July 19. /ARKA/. GB Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to RA Thorda Abbott-Watt expressed her gratitude to
everybody who sent condolences on terrorist attack in London on July
7. According to GB Embassy in RA, the Ambassador and staff of the
Embassy highly appreciate kindness of their Armenian friends. In reply
to condolences of RA President Robert Kocharyan the Ambassador sent
the following letter in Friday: “Let me express me sincere gratitude
for your warm messages of condolences. It’s a sorrowful time for all
of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with the perished and members
of their families. We highly appreciate the fact that our friends
share our sorrow and anger. We are deeply touched by condolences
of Armenians as well as those who left candles and flowers near the
Embassy last week. Your support means much to us”. A.H. -0–

AZERBAIJAN DENIES MEDIA ALLEGATIONS ABOUT KARABAKH REFERENDUM

ArmenPress
July 14 2005

BAKU, JULY 14, ARMENPRESS: Azerbaijani foreign ministry denied today
media allegations that Armenia and Azerbaijan were close to striking a
final peace deal over their long-running dispute on Nagorno-Karabakh. A
spokesman for the ministry, Tayir Taghizade, was quoted by Turan news
agency as saying that reports about the alleged deal at the heart of
which was said to be the idea of a referendum in which the Karabakh
Armenians would decide whether they want to be independent, become part
of Armenia or return under Azerbaijani rule in return for immediate
return of five Armenian-controlled Azerbaijani regions, were not true.

Earlier RFE/RL said quoting a senior diplomat in Armenia that the
referendum would be held within 10 to 15 years from the signing of
a peace agreement and would follow the return of five of the seven
occupied Azerbaijani districts around Karabakh. Taghizade said Armenian
and Azeri foreign ministers were discussing a solution option composed
of 7-9 elements, which include pullout of Armenian troops from regions
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh, return of internally displaced persons,
restoration of communication routes, confidence-building measures
and some others.

He said other issues, including also Nagorno-Karabakh’s future
status will be discussed in the second stage of talks. The spokesman
emphasized that Azerbaijan’s position remains unchanged-it is that
the dispute can be solved only based on the principle of Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. “As regards holding of a referendum in Karabakh,
discussions on it may be possible only given the return of all Azeri
refugees from Karabakh to their previous settlements,’ he was quoted as
saying. He also denied chances that the peace agreement may be signed
this or next year saying work on the document was not even started

PETER BALAKIAN IN CYPRUS AND LEBANON

Diaspora

Azg/arm
19 July 05

“I felt despair and anger, seeing the Nicosia Armenian Church ruined
by the Turks,” peter Balakian, a world known American-Armenian writer,
said. “The Armenian Mirror Spectator” weekly informed that Mr. Balakian
is delivering lectures in Cyprus and Lebanon. The English and Greek
versions of “The Black Dog of Fate” and “The Burning Tigris,” the
novels by Balakian, were sold at “Muflon” bookstore in Nicosia in
the course of the author’s visit. The well known writer who visited
Cyprus by the invitation of All National “Oshakan” branch, delivered
a lecture at “Utikian Hall” in “Hayastan Street.” Mr. Balakian also
visited Melgonian Educational Establishment and the Turkish territory
of Nicosia.

Afterwards, Mr. Balakian left for Beirut, where Aram A. Catholicos of
Anthilias awarded him with Mesrop Mashtots medal. Mr. Balakian also
participated in a number of arrangements at the Haykazian University.

By Hakob Tsulikian

EASTMAN’S FUMES AT POINTS LOSS

Sportinglife.com, UK
July 17 2005

Howard Eastman fell victim to the rising talents of Arthur Abraham
as the WBA inter-continental champion claimed a unanimous points
decision in Nuremberg.

After a hard-fought brawl, the unbeaten Armenian was ahead on all
three scorecards (116-112, 115-113 and 119-110) – but Eastman was
left fuming at the decision.

Hard-punching Abraham took command in the middle of the fight when he
kept punishing Eastman with a variety of strong shots to head and body.

The 34-year-old Briton, in his first bout after falling to undisputed
champion Bernard Hopkins in Los Angeles, proved a great chin towards
the end of the fight but landed too few shots to impress his opponent.

Eastman carried a big smile on his face when the Armenian approached
the ring with his trademark Smurf hat and music.

Neither fighter made significant impact early out before Abraham
started the third round with a fast combination to the head, but
‘the Battersea Bomber’ kept his composure with shots to the body.

Eastman looked in trouble at the end of the fourth after finding
himself on the receiving end of two thunderous lefts to the head.

The bell kept Eastman out of further trouble, and he looked unaffected
in the fifth, where both landed several clean shots.

It was a rather dirty affair throughout, with a lot of late punching
and questionable holding, and both men kept battling it out.

Just when Eastman began to find range with his left hook, which he
bombed in three times in the seventh, Abraham landed a heavy right
towards the end of the round which trapped the Briton on the ropes.

Abraham remained on the front foot in following, forcing Eastman to
prove his strong chin especially at the end of the ninth. Several
combinations certainly left a lasting impression on the Battersea
bomb who still managed to either duck or clinch into safety.

Abraham was in complete control in the tenth as he connected with a
flurry of crushing punches.

Eastman was again wobbled by a straight left near the end of the
penultimate round. His experience of 41 fights, however, helped him
to survive another daunting combination.

Abraham then felt he had done enough to secure his 17th victory in
as many fights as he danced into safety with time running down.

Although the Armenian looked completely in control throughout,
Eastman felt “robbed” by the decision.

The Londoner said as he left the ring: “I don?t know what fight you
were watching but I did not feel I lost the fight.

“I am ashamed of the officials. I came to Germany as an amateur and
I was robbed and I have been robbed again tonight. What is wrong with
you guys?”

Chicago Daily Herald, IL
July 14 2005

Retirement career takes off
Designer creates dolls who face problems, tell their stories

By Ruth Gesmer Silverman
Daily Herald Correspondent

Toy Hall of Fame designer Rouben Terzian flew into Chicago recently
in what friends describe as `typical Terzian fashion.’

He made his last-minute whirlwind trip with no suitcase, no
toiletries, a cell phone that was crushed in a taxi door, and a Louis
Vuitton briefcase full of dolls and little books – the fruits of his
attempted retirement.

While satisfying his need for thinly sliced corned beef at Max and
Benny’s in Northbrook, the former Long Grove resident shared his
vision for the Only Hearts Club dolls and books that are growing in
popularity across the nation.

`These are not just beautiful, lively dolls with bendable arms and
legs,’ he said between bites. `They are girls who know how to do the
right thing when they are confronted with a problem, described in the
books that go with each one.’

Before his retirement, Terzian and his longtime business partner,
Howard Morrison, were two-thirds of Breslow, Morrison and Terzian,
which produced such toy classics as Simon, Mousetrap, Trump the Board
Game and several Barbie dolls, among others.

Morrison says it might never have happened if Terzian’s violin
teacher hadn’t suggested he might want to think about a career apart
from music – his first career choice when he arrived in the United
States from Lebanon at age 18.

Urged on three years ago by his wife, Nina, the former owner of Oak
Street and Michigan Avenue boutiques, Terzian started creating
stories and dolls, simultaneously.

The six dolls and their books are designed to appeal to girls from 6
and up – and collectors. They began shipment last year and can be
found in card, book and gift stores, as well as department stores
like Von Maur and Marshall Field’s. The dolls sell for $15, and the
set of books is $20. Clothing and accessories are extra.

The stories that accompany the dolls are largely based on the
real-life adventures of the couple’s daughter, Kristy. The family
spent weekends and summers in Long Grove’s oldest house, built in the
1920s, just north of the center of town.

Kristy, whose husband, Len Simonian, is the Only Hearts Club company
president, said the books are a reflection of how she was raised,
along with the more recent experiences of their 8-year-old daughter,
Taylor Angelique – `and the values we seek to instill in her,’ she
added.

The dolls are all independent, spirited girls. Lily Rose, in her
trendy jeans, is always ready to hike and loves natural beauty.
Karina Grace loves gymnastics and dancing and faces a dilemma about
what to do during a competition for a role in a dance production.

In her black riding coat and hat and tall boots, Olivia Hope reminds
Kristy of the English riding lessons she took at Farmington Green
Stables, and trail rides with the family every Sunday at the stable
on Milwaukee Avenue.

Anna Sophia loves to cook and bake, and her dog is named Bubulina
after the Terzians’ own Yorkshire Terrier. The real-life Bubulina
commuted back and forth between the city and Long Grove in Nina
Terzian’s Vuitton carrier, the inspiration for the `Pooch Pouch’
carrier used by the Only Hearts Club dolls.

Briana Joy is the athlete, who loves sports and competition and fair
play. The Taylor Angelique doll loves animals and must decide what to
do when she tries to help her friend who has lost her own pet.

Rouben Terzian never tires of coming up with new concepts for his
latest project and already has plans for additional dolls and
accessories. He knows they get compared to the hugely popular
American Girl series, but notes there are differences. For one thing,
at 9 inches tall, Only Hearts Club dolls are smaller and less costly.

Like American Girls, though, there are a variety of skin tones.

`We come from very humble backgrounds,’ he said. `My parents were
survivors of the Armenian Genocide, but I don’t hate today’s Turks.

`I think I’ve always been drawn to the Jewish community because we
share so many things in common – like historical tragedy, like
family, like our values – doing good for others, and emphasis on
learning. We even sent Kristy to Saturday School at Temple Sholom, on
Lake Shore Drive, where all her friends went to learn.’

He agrees with those who suggest that there’s a lot of child in toy
designers.

In a bow to Peter Pan, he says, that at the age of 65, he no longer
plans to retire or to grow up.

Turkish Press
July 14 2005

Press Review

AKSAM

FRENCH MEP: `TURKEY DOESN’T BELONG IN THE EU’

European Parliament Deputy and French Democrat Jacques Toubon
yesterday sharply criticized chief Turkish negotiator for EU talks
Ali Babacan’s testimony earlier this week before the EP’s Foreign
Affairs Committee. `Turkey should fulfill a number of criteria to
start its membership talks,’ Toubon said. `Babacan failed to say
anything meaningful about such sensitive issues as Cyprus, Armenia,
minority rights and religious freedom.’ Toubon further claimed that
Turkey does not belong in the EU as it has completely different
political and cultural values. Toubon’s criticism was seen by some as
insolence and showing disrespect for Babacan, because the French MEP
also said that he hadn’t understood anything that the Turkish
official said. /Aksam/

INTERVIEW WITH NKR PRESIDENT

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
12 July 05

De Facto: Recently the Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Terry Davis has stated that Nagorno Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan and
the issue should be resolved in terms of the territorial integrity of
the Republic of Azerbaijan. Arkady Ghukassian: The full action of the
principle of territorial integrity in reference to both Nagorno
Karabakh Republic and the Republic of Azerbaijan can be concerned only
after signing an agreement and demarcation of the shared border. Both
republics have been proclaimed in the territory of former Soviet
administrative units, and as two independent countries they must come
to an agreement in reference to this matter. De Facto: In his
interview to the news agency Azertaj the Special Representative of the
chairman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on Nagorno Karabakh Goran
Lenmarker objected to the recognition of the independence of Nagorno
Karabakh Republic. Particularly, he said that they cannot allow many
mini states in the Caucasus; there need to be three strong stated in
the region which should be treated with respect. This viewpoint is
reflected in his report. A.G.: This is a political and not a legal
approach. Recognizing the South Caucasian region as part of Europe,
Mr. Lenmarker detects danger in recognizing the independence of mini
states. If guided by this logic, the Europeans must begin to fight
against the independence of Monaco or Luxembourg. I think the level of
accomplishment of a state is not directly related to the territory it
occupies. Only the ability of the nation to take the responsibility
for its future, the level of its self-organizations and the
correspondence of its worldview to the modern developments of the
civilization can be real touchstones. Nagorno Karabakh Republic
corresponds to these standards. De Facto: Is it possible to view the
recent parliamentary election in Nagorno Karabakh republic in this
context? A.G.: Definitely. For us the elections are, in fact, a very
important and effective democratic means which provide for the liberty
and responsibility of both the individual and the society. The
presence of many observers, including also representatives of the
Islamic world proves the great interest of the international community
in state building and democratic reforms in Nagorno Karabakh
Republic. Moreover, the analysis of the election programmes of the
political parties and candidates standing for parliament revealed that
the independence and sovereignty of the country is the highest
value. Our elections should foster further development of the
state. De Facto: Statesmen of certain countries expressed a negative
opinion on the fact of holding that election. A.G.: Its a pity that
the basic human principles are sacrificed to timeserving political
interests. Although, I should state that this time similar responses
to the election were much more reserved. Probably, the necessity of
getting reconciled with the reality is felt more sharply.

DE FACTO.
12-07-2005