Author: Tumanian Talar

India Today
March 28, 2005

Fight Like a Woman

by Kaveree Bamzai

Mary Evans’ life was almost as exotic as her cartwheeling,
whip-cracking roles as Nadia, Bollywood’s first action heroine

FEARLESS NADIA
By Dorothee Wenner
Penguin
Price: Rs 295
Pages: 247

The whip cracks through the air. The enigmatic eye mask perfectly
complements the Russian fur cap, the knee-length boots and swirling
cape, even as muscled thighs peek out from bottom-hugging shorts.
“Heyyy,” she says, just before she swings away on a vine, springs
from a tree or gives her car a kick. The stuff of naughty fantasies?

No. It is just Mary Evans, known to India as Fearless Nadia, avenger
of wrongs, feminist icon and enduring movie star. If the best kept
secret of contemporary Indian history is that some of the finest work
is being done outside Indian shores, then Nadia is Indian cinema’s
oldest star. In the Berlin-based writer Dorothee Wenner’s racy
biography, the actor also emerges as a full-blooded woman, who made
no apologies for what she was. The dirt poor daughter of a Scottish
army volunteer and a Greek belly dancer, Nadia was many things at
many points. An assistant in a departmental store in Mumbai, a legal
secretary, a circus performer, a chorus girl, even-many suspect-an
unwed mother. She was also, in 1935, Indian cinema’s first
Ramboleena, with a film that was appropriately titled Hunterwali.

In a book whose sharp style coincides with its fascinating subject,
more than the early beginnings of Indian cinema are unveiled. It not
only puts Nadia in the context of the Gujarati-speaking,
Hollywood-dreaming beginnings of the Mumbai film industry but also
places her firmly among the early western women adventurers Emma
Roberts and Fanny Parkes, travellers who experienced an extraordinary
level of independence.

Nadia-the name itself was the product of an Armenian fortune-teller’s
fevered imagination-was part of the eccentric Mumbai of the 1930s and
’40s where many divisions came crumbling down. It could be the
all-caste canteen run by the cosmopolitan couple, Devika Rani and
Himanshu Rai, at Bombay Talkies. It could be the beach house in Juhu
which Nadia retired to for weekend trysts with her director Homi
Wadia (she was Catholic, he was Parsi, their relationship was
legalised only when she was 52). Or it could even be the scalpel-like
pen of Baburao Patel, film critic and star-breaking forerunner of
today’s tabloids, who wrote mercilessly about celebrity private
lives.

It was a jungle out there and Nadia emerges as its most alluring
animal. She could do it all-jump, dance, ride horses, race cars, even
carry men on her broad shoulders. In her career, there is no evidence
of the pale, simpering women who unhappily succeeded her on Hindi
screens and who forever forced Indian women to conform to a cultural
stereotype of bimbette/vixen.

The world has already celebrated Nadia mania thrice over, once at the
height of her fame, then as the female James Bond code-named Living
Fireball when she starred in Khiladi in 1968 and then again in 1994
when her great nephew made a documentary on her. What India needs to
do now is to acknowledge her as more than just a stunt queen and an
exotic sidelight. If being a woman is all about recognising power,
then Nadia was its most fearless exponent.

NEW RELEASES
KATHA PRIZE STORIES 13
Ed by Geeta Dharmarajan
Katha
Price: Rs 250
Pages: 254

The prized volume is out, bringing the best of regional writings in
2001-3. The translation of 12 short stories, including two in
Meiteilon, showcases the verve and variety of contemporary Indian
literature.

DIALOGUE AND OTHER POEMS
By Priya Sarukkai Chabria
Sahitya Akademi
Price: Rs 90
Pages: 157

Sahitya Akademi’s two-in-one collection has the poems of Chabria and
Anna Sujatha Mathai. While Chabria’s verse resonates to the cadences
of the Tamil Akam poetry, Mathai does some introspective musings.

MULLAH OMAR AND ROBESPIERRE
By Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr
Rupa
Price: Rs 395
Pages: 162

The collection of Rao’s essays on assorted topics touches all the big
names from Plato to Karl Popper. Like the title, the book hits an
esoteric vein as he propounds new ideas in politics, literature and science.

* Armenian-born Australian wins IBF title
* Darchinyan stops Sikali
* Darchinyan stops Sikali in 8th round
* Darchinyan Retains IBF Flyweight Title

***************************************************************************
Armenian-born Australian wins IBF title

AP Worldstream
Mar 27, 2005

Armenian-born Australian Vic Darchinyan retained his International Boxing
Federation flyweight title with an eighth-round stoppage of South African Mzukisi
Sikali at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Center on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Darchinyan, who was making his first defense of the title he
won in December, was leading by one point on two of the judges’ cards and by
three on the third at the time of the stoppage.

It was the unbeaten Darchinyan’s 23rd consecutive win and his 18th by
knockout.

Sikali lost for the sixth time in 38 bouts.

***************************************************************************
DARCHINYAN STOPS SIKALI

EastSideBoxing
March 27 2005

27.03.05 – By Tony Nobbs: IBF Flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan made
a successful first defence and added the IBO title by stopping South
African Mzukisi Sikali in an entertaining “unification” at the State
Sports Centre in Homebush on Easter Sunday night. In a battle of left
handers, it was Darchinyan’s vaunted power that told in the end and
Sikali, who looked to be wilting in the seventh round pulled a “no
mas” at 2 min 22 seconds of round eight. He’d been hurt through the
round and a short right uppercut was the last punch of the fight.

Not an action packed slugfest but a good match between a still
progressing champion and a skilful but slow veteran. Sikali did a
good job standing in front of Vic and making him miss but his
counters lacked the pep to seriously fluster Sydney’s Armenian
Olympian who loaded up just about everything as usual and dug in some
telling shots to the body and uppercuts to the head. The visitor was
only going to take stiff punishment had he continued. Both fighters
ended up with cuts and swelling and ‘the victor’ looked to be tiring
in the fifth before turning it back on.

Darchinyan won the IBF title from long time champ Irene Pacheo via
eleven round TKO December last and called out WBA title holder
Lorenzo Parra after the fight. He has been the flag bearer for Team
Fenech fighters in world title bouts.

In the undercard action IBF light welter Pan Pac Champ Lovemore Ndou
knocked out Jesar Anjeras The Philippines in round two. A left to the
body. The visitor had gone eight with Noefel Ben Rabah, the West
Australian hope who has been calling Ndou out for a long time.

Nadel Hussein needed just 36 seconds to dispose of Tanzanian Obete
Ameme. Two left rips and Ameme fell along the ropes. This was
Hussein’s first bout back since dropping a lack lustre unanimous
decision for the WBC 122 lb belt
in the Barrera-Morales 3 chief support.

2004 Australian Olympic boxing team captain Jamie Pittman dominated a
game Peter Brennan over six. All judges had it 60-52. Southpaw super
middleweight Pittman looks classy but there is still a lot of work to
be done.

In a battle of 21 year olds, Jnr lightweight Ahmed Elomar, from the
impressive Billy Hussein stable outpointed once promising Filipino
Rolando Gerongco in a willing six rounder. The tough Rolando, who
weighted lightweight, has lost six straight (some close decisions)
and is in desperate need of a win to get his career going again or
risk the danger of becoming a plodding trial horse.

Former amateur star Chris Hamilton knocked out once dangerous Sam
Setu in round three. A southpaw left did the job. Middleweight
Hamilton had around 3 ½ kg pull in weights.

***************************************************************************
Darchinyan stops Sikali in 8th round

SecondsOut
March 27 2005

IBF/IBO champion Vic Darchinyan

by Paul Upham at ringside:

IBF world champion Vic Darchinyan 23-0 (18) continued to establish
himself as a real force in the flyweight division and added the IBO
world title to his collection when he defeated South African Mzukisi
Sikali 29-6-2 (17) by 8th round TKO on Sunday night at the State
Sports Centre in Homebush, Australia. A sustained barrage of power
shots from the Armenian born Australian citizen eventually wearing
Sikali down.

“I trained very good for the fight and Sikali was very tough,” said
Darchinyan, in the ring after the win. “He takes some good shots.
When I hit him with some good punches, I was surprised when he didn’t
go down. I was waiting for him to hit the canvas, but he kept coming
back. I was surprised how he finished the fight because he is very
fit.”

29 year-old Darchinyan, making the first defence of his IBF title,
after stopping long-reigning former champion Irene Pacheco last
December, was in his usual crouching stance in the 1st round ready to
pounce. Sikali was more upright, making him appear much taller, even
though the two left-handers were of similar height. It was a slow
start by both men in the 1st round until Darchinyan opened up with a
series of left hands that had the crowd cheering. There was little
offence from Sikali in the first two rounds. Standing right in front
of Darchinyan, Sikali was attempting to make Darchinyan miss and then
counter him with right hands. Darchinyan looked very determined in
the ring and was getting angry with himself from missing punches.
Trainer Jeff Fenech in the corner yelling to him, “No angry man Vic.”

33 year-old Sikali’s best round was the 3rd, which he won by cranking
up his work rate and landing some nice combinations while making
Darchinyan miss as he leaned back out of range. Sikali sustained a
cut above his left eye in the 4th round from a Darchinyan right hand,
but both fighters were willing to stand toe to toe and exchange.
Darchinyan’s punches being more powerful and effective.

“Raging Bull” Darchinyan started to tire in the 5th round, while
Sikali looked fresh and started to come forward more regularly and
winning the round. Sikali showed his durability, taking a number of
heavy punches in the 6th round, but Darchinyan then came back to his
corner and said, “I’ve got him now.”

Darchinyan sustained a cut on his left eyelid from a Sikali punch and
blood trickled down the Armenia’s face, but it was only a minor
concern as the end for Sikali looked close at hand. The accumulated
punishment from Darchinyan finally took its toll in the 8th round. A
hard right uppercut caused Sikali to turn his back and walk to his
corner on unsteady legs, signalling he had enough and prompting the
referee to wave off the contest at the 2:28 minute mark.

In the main support bout, IBF Pan Pacific junior welterweight
champion Lovemore Ndou defeated Filipino Jesar Ancajas by 2nd round
knockout with a vicious left hook to the body. Junior featherweight
Nedal “Skinny” Hussein registered his fourteenth career 1st round
knockout with a 36 second stoppage of Tanzania’s Oboto Ameme. 28
year-old Hussein used his signature left hook to the body to leave
Ameme writhing in agony on the canvas and unable to beat the count.

At super middleweight Athens Olympian Jamie Pittman won a unanimous
six round points decision over Peter Brennan. The fight of the night
was between Ahmed Elomar and Ronaldo Granco at junior lightweight. It
was a real street fight with both men warned by the referee for
punching after the bell and on the breaks. Elomar prevailed to win a
unanimous six round points decision.

Also on the card, Chris Hamilton TKO3 Sam Setu at middleweight, Lance
Gostellow TKO4 Jamie Waru at welterweight and Mark Hipwell W4 Ryan
Waters.

Paul Upham
Contributing Editor

***************************************************************************
Darchinyan Retains IBF Flyweight Title

The Associated Press
03/27/05 11:32 EST

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) – Vic Darchinyan stopped Mzukisi Sikali in
the eighth round Sunday to retain the IBF flyweight title.

Darchinyan (23-0, 18 KOs), a native of Armenia now living in Australia,
was leading on all three judges’ cards when he knocked out Sikali
(32-6).

Darchinyan won the title in December with an 11th-round technical
knockout of Irene Pacheco.

***************************************************************************
This regional compilation was contributed to by:
Katia Peltekian
Mihran Keheyian
Ruben Sulahian

–Boundary_(ID_tzpTDsr6RizO41lDlE7KUQ)–

Armenian diplomat accuses Azerbaijan of urging “fresh bloodshed”

Arminfo
23 Mar 05

Yerevan, 23 March: The report of the OSCE mission which has visited
the territories under the control of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic
[to examine reports on Armenian resettlement in those territories],
as well as an accompanying letter by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen,
prove that Azerbaijan is becoming a victim of its own illusions and
propaganda because the data in the report almost completely dispel
Azerbaijan’s “concerns” and “the data” submitted by this country, the
press secretary of the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Gamlet Gasparyan,
has said commenting on a statement by the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry
issued yesterday [22 March].

The statement obviously demonstrates that the Azerbaijani propaganda
machine has got into a muddle over the figures invented by
itself, Gasparyan said. For example, they speak about 17,000 people
“discovered” by the mission against 23,000 reported earlier and claim
that these figures are similar. However, a simple calculation of the
figures in the mission’s report demonstrates that the population is
only 13,000 maximum.

“We would not like to go into details and teach arithmetic to others,
they should have learnt adding in primary school. We, however,
think that all this is not about arithmetic, but the tactic of the
Azerbaijani side, that is to do its best to hamper serious discussion
of the issue because they are not ready for any serious commitment.
The latter envisages political responsibility before the international
community and own people. Bellicose statements, which have been
frequently made recently, are the sign of the aforesaid tactic by
the Azerbaijan side. It seems that not enough blood has been shed
between the two countries. They now urge fresh bloodshed,” he said.

Commenting on the Azerbaijani side’s allegations that Armenia is
involved in the resettlement in the territories under the control
of the Nagornyy Karabakh Republic, Gasparyan said that “this has
been turned upside-down as well”. “The text of the report and the
accompanying letter by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen give a detailed
answer to this question,” he added.

[Passage omitted: details of the mission’s report]

Asked whether Azerbaijan could continue to insist on the discussion
of the resettlement issue at the UN, Gasparyan said that as the
co-chairmen’s letter read, the goal of the OSCE monitoring mission
was to put an end to Azerbaijan’s speculations on this issue at the UN.

“If the Azerbaijani side continues to raise this issue at the UN,
it will show to what degree the Azerbaijani government respects its
own promise to the international community, in particular, to the
OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen. If nevertheless Azerbaijan continues to
put forward this initiative at the UN General Assembly, it will fully
lose its authority as a partner in the [peace] talks,” Gasparyan said.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO 19 VILLAGES OF ARMENIAN REGION OF VAYOTS DZOR RESTORED

YEREVAN, MARCH 23. ARMINFO. Electricity supply to 19 villages of
Vayots Dzor region cut due to heavy snowfall has been restored. The
press-service of the Armenian Governmental Emergency Situations
Department informs ARMINFO.

According to the source, in 7 villages restoration works are in
process, a total of 26 villages suffered electricity cut. Besides,
electricity supply to the villages of Narek and Kaghtsrashen, Ararat
region, has been restored. However, the telephone communication in
these villages has not been restored yet.

Europe Environment
March 18, 2005

TWELVE BLACK SEA COUNTRIES PLEDGE TO COOPERATE ON ENERGY.

The twelve member countries of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
Organisation (BSEC) have pledged to cooperate on the creation of a
regional energy market following an inter-ministerial meeting in
Greece on March 4. The twelve Energy Ministers or their
representatives signed a joint declaration. The signatories notably
affirm their readiness to diversify energy transport options, adopt
common ground rules, enhance transport safety and take account of
environmental considerations. “Our aim is to expand the range of oil
and gas exports, enhance cooperation in the electricity sector and
create an environment conducive to investment in the region”, said
Greek Minister Dimitris Soufias. “The key word is networking. Black
Sea and Caspian Sea energy sources must reach the European market”,
he added. Greece has held the revolving half-yearly presidency of the
BSEC since November. The other members are Albania, Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia and
Montenegro, Turkey and Ukraine. Greece alone is both a member of the
EU and NATO.

RIA OREANDA All rights reserved
Economic News
March 17, 2005 Thursday

OAO Gasprom is considering the prospects of the purchase of the fifth
energy block of Razdnaskaya TES

Moscow. The working visit to the Republic of Armenia by the OAO
Gasprom delegation has been completed. It was headed by the deputy
Chairman of the Board Alexander Ryazanov. During the visit a meeting
took place between Alexander Ryazanov and the Armenian President
Robert Kocharyan.

The parties discussed the current situation with the supplies of gas
to Armenia, questions related to the condition of the gas
transportation networks of the Republic and neighbouring transit
countries, as well as the project of the construction of the gas
pipeline Iran-Armenia.

Alexander Ryazanov and Robert Kocharyan have considered the activity
of the joint Russo-Armenian eneterpise ArmRosgasprom in 2004, the
plan of the work of SP for the year 2005, the conditions of the use
of Abovyansky PXG and the possibility of increase of its capacity,
the prospects of participation of OAO Gasprom in the purchase of the
fifth energy block of Razdanskaya TES, as well as other questions of
bilateral partnership.

Karabakh army capable of ensuring security on front line – NKR minister

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
17 Mar 05

[Presenter] An OSCE mission held a monitoring today near the
Azerbaijani village of Seysulan [occupied village in Tartar
District]. We obtained information from Artsakh [Nagornyy Karabakh]
that no incidents or truce violations were registered during the
monitoring.

An incident [truce violations] near Seysulan on 7-9 March resulted in
casualties because of the Azerbaijani side’s fault, the Nagornyy
Karabakh Foreign Ministry has confirmed.

Today the Nagornyy Karabakh Defence Ministry submitted a report to the
OSCE mission which said that the Azerbaijani armed forces had opened
fire on the Karabakh troops to get its positions closer to the
positions of the Nagornyy Karabakh defence army.

[Correspondent, over video of trenches] Mr Minister, the news
disseminated recently by media outlets and various official statements
prove that the situation on the contact line is not so quite and at
the same time these news contradict each other. What is going on in
reality?

[Nagornyy Karabakh Defence Minister Lt-Gen Seyran Oganyan, captioned,
shown in trench] True, today the situation on the contact line with
the Azerbaijani Republic is tense. The Azerbaijani side continues
firing our positions. It should be noted that trying to get their
positions closer to the positions of the Karabakh defence army, they
are creating a tough situation on the contact line.

In reality, the tension is being created by the Azerbaijani armed
forces. The Karabakh defence army is taking appropriate measures aimed
at ensuring security. The army’s and units’ combat readiness today is
on the highest level. If there is a need, today we can fulfil our task
to ensure security of our people.

Interfax
March 18 2005

Abkhaz leader prepared to meet with Georgian president

MOSCOW. March 18 (Interfax) – The President of the self-proclaimed
republic of Abkhazia, Sergei Bagapsh, has said he is ready to meet
with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili but believes this meeting
should be prepared by diplomats.

“Such a meeting should be prepared,” Bagapsh said at a press
conference while visiting the Russian State Duma on Friday.

The normalization of relations between Sukhumi and Tbilisi should
start with the resolution of economic problems, which concern not
only Abkhazia but also Georgia, Russia, and the South Caucasus as a
whole, Bagapsh said.

The Abkhaz leader suggested that contacts with Georgia could be
established by discussing the reopening the railway line from Russia
through Abkhazia and Georgia to Armenia.

RUSSIA HAS NO WELL-CONSIDERED STRATEGY IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

YEREVAN, MARCH 17. ARMINFO. The leader of the Communist Party of
Russia Gennady Zyuganov regrets that the incumbent Russian authorities
have no well-considered strategy in the South Caucasus.

While speaking about the pro-US and NATO orientation of Georgia and
Azerbaijan during a Wednesday meeting with Armenian journalists in
Moscow Zyuganov said that this policy will not benefit those
countries. There will be no big US investing in the region – the US
does not simply need that. On the other hand Zyuganov is convinced
that even now a free national referendum in Georgia would vote for
restored alliance with Russia.

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 17 2005

OFFICIALS OF AZERBAIJAN AND CHINA MEET IN AN ENLARGED FORMAT
[March 17, 2005, 11:49:05]

After the official welcoming ceremony, an enlarged Azerbaijan-China
meeting took place.

Sincerely greeting President Ilham Aliyev, President Hu Jintao
congratulated, on behalf of the Chinese people and government, the
Azerbaijani delegation and the people of the country on the occasion
of upcoming Novruz bayram.

Addressing President Ilham Aliyev, the Chinese leader said: `Your
visit to China is very important event in the history of
Azerbaijan-China relations. Your visit will serve strengthening
mutual understanding between Azerbaijan and China, and become a
symbol of all-round development of the bilateral relations.’

Mr. Hu Jintao noted China was aware of the President Ilham Aliyev’s
purposeful policy towards economic growth in the Azerbaijan,
improvement of people’s social conditions, and expressed satisfaction
with strengthening of Azerbaijan’s leading position in the South
Caucasus. The Chinese President advised that his country would
provide 15 million yuans assistance to Azerbaijan.

President Ilham Aliyev for his part expressed gratitude to his
counterpart for the invitation to visit China noting `Azerbaijan
attached a great importance to this visit’. `This visit will bring
political, economic and cultural relations between our two countries
up to a new level,’ he said. The President expressed confidence that
Azerbaijan’s leadership would continue to encourage Chinese business
circles in making investments in various sectors of the country’s
economy. He also expressed confidence that the two countries would
support each other in the framework of international organizations.

The parties also exchanged views on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
over Nagorno-Karabakh. Mr. Jintao noted China unambiguously support
territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and touching in this connection
upon Taiwan issue, said `we stand for peaceful resolution of
conflicts, on the base of international legal norms, particularly, in
accordance with the UN Charter. The Chinese leader thanked the
Azerbaijani leadership for the support as for the Taiwan problem.

Speaking of Azerbaijan’s most painful problem, the conflict with
Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, President Ilham Aliyev highly
appreciated China’s support of the territorial integrity of
Azerbaijan at the international level

The parties also exchanged view on a number of bilateral and regional
issues.