Author: Toganian Liana

RA AMBASSADOR TO U.S.: PEOPLE OF NAGORNO KARABAKH TO HAVE RIGHT OF
SELF-DETERMINATION

PanArmenian News Network
July 18 2005

18.07.2005 08:24

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The future of Kosovo has indeed been a subject of
very open and public discussions lately, with important statements by
U.S. government officials. No matter to what extent the Administration
favors the principle of full sovereignty of Kosovo, they find that the
final status must be a result of negotiation process, RA Ambassador
to the U.S Tatul Margarian stated in an interview with Armenpress
news agency. “We understand the international community is not ready
to shoulder entire responsibility and suggest a universal solution
to all those cases or to impose ready-made solutions to Kosovo or
other cases. However, the international community could have been
more vigorous in supporting democracy and economic developments
in these regions. The argument that economic isolation will make
conflicting parties more malleable or eager to compromise is a wrong
stereotype. On the contrary, imposed isolation and economic scarcity
can contribute to ethnocentrism and make a conflicting party less
inclined to compromise. It is encouraging that the United States
and European Union have already worked to promote democratic values
and economic freedom in Kosovo, which will inevitably contribute
to a durable and sustainable settlement in whatever final form it
comes. The people of Karabakh have already pursued the right choices
on their own, exerting hard effort toward democratic consolidation
and economic development. The recent parliamentary elections there
showed the determination to adhere to democratic principles, and
this deserves encouragement and appreciation of the international
community. The independence of Kosovo will, of course, have an impact
on settlement of conflicts in other parts of the world. However, the
concerns by some within the international community that recognition of
Kosovo’s sovereignty may set a precedent necessitating the same status
everywhere are exaggerated since each case will be judged on its own
merits. After all, there have been several examples of application
of the right to self-determination, in one form or another, both by
conflicting parties and by the international community to prevent
or to settle existing conflicts. In the previous decade alone, this
right has been exercised, irrespective of the outcome, in the cases
of East Timor, Northern Ireland, Puerto Rico, Quebec, Southern Sudan,
Serbia and Montenegro, and elsewhere. As far as Nagorno-Karabakh
is concerned, its distinction from other conflicts in Eurasia is
readily acknowledged by the international community. I am convinced,
and it is widely shared, that any solution to the conflict will be
based on the fact and the right of self-determination of the people
of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is the core and the final settlement must
take it into account”, he said.

COMMON APPROACH TO REFUGEES REQUIRED: ARKADY GHUKASYAN

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 15 2005

STEPANAKERT, July 15. /ARKA/. During his press-conference in
Stepanakert, NKR President Arkadi Ghukasyan said that a common approach
to the problem of refugees should be applied. “If there were a common
approach to refugees, the problem might have been resolved, not today,
but only after the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”,
Ghukasyan stated. He pointed out that, unfortunately, Azerbaijan
is only speaking of Azeri refugees, despite the fact that there are
Armenian refugees as well, and both figures are commensurable. “At
present, when the conflict remains unsettled, it is highly immoral
to jeopardize refugees’ life,” Ghukasyan said. A.A. -0–

United: From Fair to Middling

Team’s First Half Marked by Injuries, Shuffling of Lineup, Lack of Scoring

Washington Post
Friday, July 15, 2005; E03

By Steven Goff, Washington Post Staff Writer

At the midway point of the MLS season, D.C. United isn’t much different
than it was last year: a .500 record, fickle scoring efficiency,
a revolving lineup and a promising teenager aching for playing time.

The biggest difference, however, is a shift in expectation.

Last year, coming off four losing seasons, United’s goal was to
return to respectability. However, winning the league title with a
torrid three months of soccer fueled the promise of a fast start this
season. It didn’t happen and, with a 6-6-4 record and a fifth-place
standing in the six-team Eastern Conference, United’s fans are
beginning to express disappointment and concern.

Here’s a breakdown of United’s first-half failures:

· Biggest Disappointment: Alecko Eskandarian. What has happened to
United’s emerging striker? He led the team in goals a year ago and was
named the MLS Cup most valuable player, launching himself into U.S.
national team contention and becoming a favorite to win the 2005 MLS
scoring title. But knee and quadriceps injuries hampered him early in
the season, and when scoring opportunities did emerge, he failed —
12 appearances, 661 minutes, 0 goals, 1 assist. The latest setback
is post-concussion syndrome.

Forwards: C-

Eskandarian isn’t scoring. Jaime Moreno has maintained his creative
flair, but five of his team-high seven goals have come on penalty
kicks. Adu has shown occasional flashes of brilliance when he’s played
up front. Santino Quaranta was just starting to come around when he
got called up to the national team. Nana Kuffour is raw. Jamil Walker
has been a disappointment, although a three-goal performance Monday
against minor league Rochester (N.Y.) helped his fading cause.

· Outlook: It’s looking as though New England and Chicago will
battle for first place in the East and Columbus will finish last,
leaving D.C., Kansas City and New York/New Jersey to scramble for the
final two playoff spots. United is about to enter a crucial stretch:
vs. San Jose (unbeaten in seven straight), at Kansas City (where
D.C. hasn’t won in four years), at Los Angeles (undefeated at home)
and at Chicago (7-2-1 at home). If that weren’t enough, jammed into
the schedule is a July 28 exhibition against one of the best teams
in the world, English champion Chelsea.

United Notes: Near the end of practice yesterday, Eskandarian was
awaiting crosses in the penalty area when a high ball approached him.

“No headers!” he yelled at the passer.

It’s not a normal response from a usually fearless striker, but
Eskandarian has still not fully recovered from the concussion he
suffered June 18 — an injury that might sideline him for a fourth
straight match tonight when United faces surging San Jose at RFK.

“I tried a couple headers [Wednesday] and it probably wasn’t the
smartest thing to do,” he said. “So I told the guys not to give me
any headers [yesterday] because I don’t want any more headaches. If
I’m going to head the ball, I might as well wait until [tonight]
and worry about the headaches after the game.”

Said Coach Peter Nowak: “We need to be very, very careful. We don’t
want to be in a situation where [Eskandarian plays and] we regret
the decision.”

Meantime, Moreno remains questionable after missing last weekend’s
match against Kansas City with an ankle injury. Moreno, the team’s
scoring leader with seven goals and four assists, participated in
full workouts yesterday.

“I want to play, but at the same time,” he said, “I don’t want to
cause some other problem.” . . .

Gomez was named one of seven reserves on the MLS all-star team,
which will face English club Fulham on July 30 in Columbus, Ohio.

–Boundary_(ID_AAqVf9QSn5/IsObznUblFg)–

GREAT DEMAND FOR APRICOT AND PEACH IN UKRAINIAN MARKET

Azg/arm
15 July 05

But it is Not Armenia that Supplies the Country

Grisha Shirvanian, adviser of Armenian’s Small and Average Enterprises
Development project, made public yesterday the results of a study on
possibilities to expert Armenian goods to Ukraine.

The study, conducted in cooperation with the US Agency for
International Development, arrived at the conclusion that all kinds of
fruits, fresh, canned and dried, fish and cheese can be best marketed
in Ukraine. Textile goods — bed linen, towels, socks, underwear, wool
cloths — are also very likely to find their buyers. The study
prophesied good market for travertine, tuff, granite, marble and
basalt.

The terms for entering the Ukrainian market differ for the goods. To
export Armenians stones, for instance, it was suggested to establish
directed connection with Ukrainian companies engaged in building and
stone working, but for the best sale of textile goods a warehouse in
Kiev is needed.

Grisha Shirvanian informed that the only Armenian product they saw in
Ukrainian market while doing the study was the Armenian cognac, and
not only the one of Yerevan Cognac Factory. Armenia wines, contrary to
Georgia, are not represented in Ukrainian market at all. He mentioned
that we need to organize transportation of big amounts of agricultural
goods to that country. He thinks that even a company that is
considered giant in Armenia cannot provide necessary quantity
alone. Agribusiness needs to united its efforts to do that. Shirvanian
noted that the most demanded fruits in Ukraine’s market after
pineapple is apricot and peach. But they are importuned from Germany,
China and Thailand.

He informed that trade and economy relations between the two states
are developing not evenly, as Armenia exports goods for $7 million
whereas Ukraine export amounts to $60 million.

By Ara Martirosian

TBILISI ARMENIAN DRAMATIC THEATRE IN

Azg/arm
15 July 05

The Tbilisi State Armenian Dramatic Theatre is in Armenia now. The
theatre will give performances on July 17-18, representing “Namus” by
Shirvanzade. The performances will be held at the Yerevan State
Russian Theatre after Stanislavsky. The play is staged by Armen
Bayandourian, the art director of the theatre.

Tamar Aghajanova is the decorator of the play, while Valerik
Amirghanian is responsible for musical arrangement of the
performance. Ketevan Kharatishvili is the designer. Nina Kervalishvili
staged the dances.

Euro-reporters.com, Belgium
July 14 2005

Turkey disappoints
Written by Brussels journalist David Ferguson
Thursday, 14 July 2005

Turkish Chief EU Negotiator Ali Babacan failed to make the best of
impressions with MEPs in Brussels. “Babacan avoided talking about the
most obvious shortcomings of Turkey regarding the accession criteria
such as the recognition of Cyprus, the Armenian genocide, the status
of the Kurds and the adoption of the so-called law on foundations,”
said German CDU MEP Renate Sommer.

Sommer, also vice chair of the EP-Delegation on relations with
Turkey, accused Babcan of ‘threatening’ MEPs by telling them to
abstain from critical questions which may be perceived as ‘insults’
to Turks. “My question on the recognition of Cyprus was completely
ignored. Obviously, Mr Babacan thinks that he only has to negotiate
with 24 Member States about accession.”

Babacan painted as positive a picture of Turkey’s EU application
efforts as possible when speaking to the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs
committee earlier this week: “This long awaited decision to start
negotiations confirmed the desire of both sides to forward our
relationship towards full membership. I emphasize ‘full membership’
as no document signed between Turkey and the EU nor any other EU
decision envisages any other option,” said Babacan.

“We are setting the rules, not Turkey,” said Sommer. “It is the duty
of MEPs to insist on Ankara’s compliance with the Copenhagen
Criteria, of which no single point has yet been met by Turkey
despite the fact that the start of negotiations has already been
foreseen.”

Sommer got support from weighty party colleagues. Elmar Brok, chair
of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Camiel Eurlings, rapporteur on
Turkey, and Antonios Trakatellis, vice-president of the European
Parliament, jointly called on Turkey to ensure religious freedom:
“Religious freedom is not fully ensured in Turkey and the current
draft law on religious foundations falls short of European
standards,” said the three. “We appeal therefore to the Turkish
authorities to amend this draft law in a way that all religious
communities established in Turkey can enjoy similar rights as they do
in EU Member States.”

“We will recommend to the European Council, which is meeting on 18
July, that this issue of religious freedom and equality is given the
appropriate emphasis in the framework of EU-Turkey negotiations which
is due to be adopted,” added Brok, Eurlings and Trakatellis.

Like her CDU/CSU party colleagues back in Germany, Sommer feels
Turkey is not suitable for EU membership: “Without a radical change
in mentality, a full recognition of Cyprus, open discussion of the
Armenian question, an end to the war against the Kurds, equal rights
for women and unrestricted religious freedom, we will continue to
refuse Turkish accession to the EU,” Sommer warned.

AFTER 90 YEARS: THE ENDURING LEGACY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum web site
July 13, 2005

Between 1915 and 1923, the entire Armenian population was victimized and
dispossessed of its ancestral lands of more than three millennia. After
nine decades, the echoes of the Armenian Genocide continue to resonate
in subsequent cases of crimes against humanity. Dr. Richard Hovannisian,
professor of Armenian and Near-Eastern History at the University of
California, Los Angeles, will consider the legacy of the Armenian
genocide in contemporary times and current affairs.

LECTURE: At the Holocaust Museum in Houston, Texas

EVENT INFORMATION

DATE: July 26, 2005

TIME: 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

PLACE:
5401 Caroline St.
Houston, TX 77004, USA

TICKETS/ INFO: Free Admission

QUESTIONS/CONTACTS:
Mr. Ira Perry, Director, Marketing & Public Relations
PHONE (713) 942-8000 ext. 103
FAX (713) 942-7953
EMAIL [email protected]
WEBSITE

;CalMonth=7&CalDay=13&EventId=4105&SchedId=6550&orgid=41

MINISTERS TO MEET IN MOSCOW

A1+
13-07-2005

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan will have their usual
meeting on August 22.

That very day in Moscow the session of the CIS countries Foreign
Ministers Council will take place, the Azeri Foreign Ministry Press
service informs.

OSCE mediators hold presser to discuss results of visit to Azerbaijan

ANS TV, Baku
12 Jul 05

[Presenter] The visit to Baku by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs is
coming to an end. As part of the visit, the co-chairs had a second
meeting with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov today. The
OSCE Minsk Group’s Russian co-chair, Yuriy Merzlyakov, said that the
meeting was a continuation of yesterday’s meeting. He said they
decided to hold another round of talks with the foreign minister after
their meeting with the president. The co-chairs also held a news
conference on the results of their visit to Baku.

[Correspondent] If we achieve what the peoples of Azerbaijan and
Armenia want, it will be possible to achieve a lot for the region’s
future and to restore residential areas and communications. This view
was aired during the news conference held by the OSCE Minsk Group
co-chairs in Baku.

The US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, Steven Mann, said that
they shed light on details of issues that were discussed this time.

Yuriy Merzlyakov said that now the key issue is to get a document
based on the Warsaw agreement. As for the fate of a peace agreement,
Mann said that it can be achieved in a few months or in the next 100
years. This depends on the will of the two countries’ leaders and on
the desire of the peoples. The governments of the two countries have
reached this process and it makes it possible to achieve immediate
results. The co-chairs will go to Armenia today to continue the talks
there.

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
July 12 2005

VISIT OF THE GENERAL DIRECTOR OF ARMENIAN ELECTRIC NETWORKS CJSC TO
MOSCOW IS NOT CONNECTED WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS ON SALE OF THE ELECTRIC
NETWORKS

YEREVAN, July 12. /ARKA/. The visit of the General Director of
Armenian Electric Networks CJSC Yevgeni Gladunchik to Moscow is not
connected with the negotiations on the sale of the electric networks,
according to the Press Secretary of Armenian Electric Networks CJSC
Margarit Grigoryan.
To remind, yesterday Grigoryan told ARKA that Gladunchik would be
back to Yerevan by the end of the week, and next week a
press-conference would take place.
RA Ministry of Energy sent an official letter to the company to find
out the status of the electric networks. To note, according to the
consolidated financial statement of the Group of RAO UES of Russia
for 2004, in June 2005 Interenergo, included into the Group,
purchased 100% of shares of Armenian Electric Networks CJSC for $73
mln.
Meantime, the Head of the WB Yerevan Office Roger Robinson expressed
his anxiety by the fact that the sale of the electric networks of
Armenia is carried out through non-transparent way. Robinson noted
that currently RA Government hasn’t made any statement confirming or
refuring the information.
100% of the shares of Armenian Electric Networks CJSC has been
belonging to Midland Resources British Company since November 1,
2002, which paid $12.015 mln and took the commitments to redeem debt
of the company in the amount of $27.985 mln. A.H.-0–