Russia dominates freestyle events at European Wrestling Championships

AP Worldstream; Apr 29, 2006

Russia’s Olympic champions dominated the men’s freestyle events at the
European Wrestling Championships on Saturday, winning gold in all three divisions.
Two-time Olympic champion Bouvaisa Saytiev extended his long history of top
finishes with a 5-0 win over Rouslan Kokaev of Armenia in the 74-kilogram
class.
Athens Games gold medalist Khadjimurad Gatsalov needed just 52 seconds to
floor Shamil Gitinov of Armenia in the 96-kilogram category.
Earlier, Mavlet Batirov, competing in his first event since winning gold in
Athens two years ago, rallied from a period down to defeat Tevfik Odabasi of
Turkey in the 60-kilogram division for his second European title.
“I had ‘died’ but I waited for the second wind. When it happened I had a
chance to crash my opponent,” said Saytiev, who was exhausted after a tough
quarterfinal against Emzarios Bentinidis of Greece.
Saytiev has won every major international event he has entered since 1995,
winning six world and as many European titles. His only loss came in 2000,
when he was beaten by America’s Brandon Slay in Sydney in one of the biggest
upsets in Olympic wrestling history.
Gatsalov was two points behind in the first period before he proved his
class.
“To save my reputation, I had to become very active and try to resolve all
the questions in advance,” Gatsalov said.
The championships wraps up on Sunday with four more freestyle events.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

From: [email protected]
Subject: Demonstration of Russian Chauvinism and Fascism

DEMONSTRATION OF RUSSIAN CHAUVINISM AND FASCISM

Aravot.am
28 April 06

The head of `Center of Right and Freedom’ organization Vardan Haroutiunian
marks in this way the attack on the Armenians in Moscow.

After murder of the Armenian young man in Tsalka our nationalists suggested
to send forces to Georgia. But how do you explain that such extreme calls
aren’t summoned when 6 Armenians have been attacked in Moscow during this year?
The last ones were the murder of Vahan Abrahamiants and beating of the
producer Michael Dovlatian.
It is very sorrowful when people are killed. Following the replies of murder
and beating in Moscow we can come to a conclusion that it is very essential
for us who and where has killed an Armenian. We are indignant, curse, make
summons of war and keeping our dignity and honor only in the case when the
Armenian is beaten, offended or killed by a Georgian, Turkish or Azerbaijani. But
if it has happened in our everlasting friend Russia the reaction is other.
Even public attempts are made to observe the cases of murder and violence of
Armenians in the context of their negative, rude and wild behavior in Russia.
It becomes clear that those affirmations that we are in war with our
neighbors except the one are right. Our malevolence and unpleasantness towards them
is so great that we consider each encroachment upon us as a hostile action
towards Armenia and Armenian people. We have created for us the character of
friend Russia that treat us as it likes and it isn’t known what profits we have
from its friendship. And today, against the background of violence and murder
in Russia we create a figure of everlasting enemy from our neighbors to pass
it to our children as a complex.
Do you exclude that these attacks are usual hooliganism?
It is excluded, that these incidents are hooliganism. These are crimes made
on national ground. These attacks are made not only on the Armenians but on
other nations, too. Russia follows the path of fascism. And the murder of the
Armenian boy, Tajik girl, Negroes should be observed in this context. The
legal proceedings on the case of Tajik girl murder and light punishments simply
prove that Russia turns into fascist country. And our malevolence and
hostility in case of Georgia is so subjective and emotional is so unfair and
groundless that can’t bear any critic. We simply don’t want to see any positive
thing in our neighbors, understand their problems. We try to interpret any
fight, any incidents with the participations of drunken Armenians as our `national
interests’ according to which the policy of Georgian authorities is
anti-Armenian. We try to use Javakq as a club against Georgia and cry about their
anti-Armenian policy. And there is no conversation about relations with
Azerbaijan in the remote future. But is there any difference between Russian
chauvinist who kill an Armenian boy in the Metro and the Azerbaijani officer who kill
the Armenian officer by ax? And compare what different replies we get about
both cases.
Our National Security Service replied to our anti0Georgian declarations and
their authors were warned that it isn’t permitted to feel animosity. What
should our state do in case of Russian incidents?
The state is obliged to defend its citizens and compatriots. Not only the
union of the Armenians of Russia but the RA Embassy to RF should make an
official declaration, and take some steps. But I don’t call to fall into agiotage
and take such steps as it is done in case of Georgia. And now, Anti-Russian. I
try to condemn any hysteria but I don’t understand why our country and
community use double standards. Whether the geographic place of murder is
important in this case.
Are the Russian incidents Anti-Armenian or attitudes towards `Caucasian
nations»?
Tatars or Tajiks aren’t Caucasian nations but encroachments are also used
upon them. These are demonstrations of Russian chauvinism and fascism, which
are addressed not only to the Caucasians but also to any nation.
Anna Israelian

Azad-Hye, Dubai, 30 April 2006: Kuwait is one of the most relaxed Arab
countries about press freedom. Journalists exercise self censorship and
avoid tackling officially unacceptable policies.

Nevertheless, Kuwait has a lively media. This is why when the Armenian
Prelacy headed by Archbishop Gorun Babian approached Kuwaiti media through
press conference on the 24th April 2006, the immediate result was the
publication on the next day of series of articles and reports on the
Armenian Genocide, in a way that formed a sort of surprise to the ordinary
reader.

Journalist Leila Al Sarraf signed the following article in “Al Qabas” daily
(25th April 2006), translated into English:

Prayer in the Armenian Orthodox Prelacy Gorun Babian: “Turkey’s blockade of
Armenia is against humanity”

Archbishop Dr. Gorun Babian, Head of the Armenian Church in Kuwait, said
that the whole world should recognize the Armenian Genocide which was
committed by the Turks 91 years ago. He described the Genocide as an act
against the whole humanity, not only against the Armenians. He made his
remarks during a press conference that took place in the Armenian Prelacy on
the occasion of the annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide,
underlining that the Armenians demand from the world and the Turkish
government acknowledgement and condemnation of the Genocide.

Archbishop Babian added: “The Turkish government is proud of its war
criminals. It shamelessly erects monuments of those criminals in various
Turkish cities. Is it fair to reward the criminals and to deprive the
oppressed? The Christian faith urges us to forgive, but the wrong doer
should first confess his mistakes. The Turkish government has not
acknowledged the enormity of the mistake it has done by committing the
Genocide”.

Archbishop Gorun Babian demanded the recognition of the Genocide and the
right for compensation. He also called to establish good relations with the
Turkish government and the lifting of the Turkish blockade against Armenia,
which is in fact a criminal offence against humanity. On the other hand, the
Head of the Armenian Youth Organisation said that “In school we teach our
children how to demand the Armenian rights and we do not instruct any kind
of hatred against the Turkish people. 91 years have passed without the
Turkish government recognizing the Genocide, although more than 200
political, legal, governmental entities have recognized it”, he concluded.

At the end of the press conference Archbishop Gorun prayed, with the members
of the church, for the souls of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.

END OF THE ARTICLE

Besides “Al Qabas”, other Kuwaiti dailies covered the press conference.
Ousama Abu Al Khair from “Al Raielam” referred to the declaration of the
Ruler of Mecca in 1917 (Sherif Mecca Al Housein Bin Al Ali), in which he
officially asked all the Arab tribes and his allies to protect the refugee
Armenians and to grant them the much required peace and support. A copy of
this declaration appears in many sources.

Journalist Abu Al Khair mentions that the Armenians demand from the Turkish
government recognition of the Genocide and compensations, the way Germans
did regarding the Jewish Holocaust caused by the Nazis. Armenians also
demand the opening of the borders and the normalization of the relations
between Armenian and Turkey and the lifting of the inhumane blockade.

Journalist Boushra Mohammed of “Al Anbaa” daily refers to the gratitude of
the Armenians towards the Kuwaiti government for the policy of tolerance and
the endorsement of peaceful co-existence amongst the nations. The religious
and cultural tolerance in Kuwait allows the Armenians to lead flourishing
community life.

Journalist Rima Al Baghdadi of “Al Seyassah” daily quoted Archbishop Babian
saying that all Armenians who have survived the Genocide are living proofs
that the Genocide really took place and had many tragic faces. Every
Armenian family has a story related to the Genocide. Every one has lost
beloved ones. More than half of the Armenian population was destroyed.
Hitler made a statement before invading Poland in 1939 in which he said:
“who remembers today the destruction of the Armenians?”

“Arab Times” English language daily’s Francis A. Clifford Cardozo posted the
following report on 25 April 2006

Armenians celebrate 91st anniversary;
“Genocide committed by Turkey a crime against humanity”

KUWAIT CITY: The genocide committed by Turkey against Armenians is a crime
against humanity, says Archbishop Goriun Babian, the Armenian Prelacy of
Kuwait and Arabian Gulf countries. Armenians all over the world commemorate
genocide victims on April 24 and this year celebrate the 91st anniversary.
Addressing a press conference at the Armenian Church on Sunday, Archbishop
Babian added that “what angers the Armenians most is the fact that Turkey
has not acknowledged the crimes committed against the Armenians.

This is the main reason why we have not been able to reach a peaceful
agreement with Turkey and as result the Armenians are continuing to
struggle.” As part of the celebrations, the Armenian Youth Federation on
Sunday organized a cultural programme at the church followed by a lecture
focusing on the genocide. A high mass will be held at 11.30 am on Monday
preceded by special prayer service for the martyrs.

Archbishop Babian went on to add that Armenians are grateful to Arabs
because they took them under their wings and extended them their hospitality
when they were being targeted by the Turks, adding a decree was issued by
the Sharif of Makkah in order to safeguard the rights of Armenians. “I am a
living testimony of the Armeninian genocide. Both my parents survived the
genocide and moved to Lebanon at the age of 5. I lost many members of my
family during the genocide,” added the Archbishop.

Goriun said Turkey sentenced to death in absentia three of its top leaders
who were involved in the genocide and that other perpetrators got 15 years
in jail.

Links:

Al Qabas:

ebsite/NewspaperPublic/ArticlePage
.aspx?ArticleID =160632

Website/NewspaperBackOffice/Issues/
25-4-2006/13-l ocal.pdf

-25-april-2006.pdf

Al Raielam:

< .htm>
local.htm

Al Seyassah:

< ril/25/09.pdf>
ssah/PDF/06/April/25/09.pdf

< -april-2006.pdf>
g1/alseyassah-25-april-2006.pdf

Arab Times:

< t/view.asp?msgID=7704>
http://www.arabtimesonli ne.com/arabtimes/kuwait/view.asp?msgID=7704

< -april-2006.pdf>
g1/arab-times-25-april-2006.pdf

Photos:

1- Press conference in the Prelacy of Kuwait on 24th April 2006

2- Archbishop Gorun Babian

URL and photos: 34agf67

Armenian National Committee of Canada

130 Albert St., Suite 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4

Tel. (613) 235-2622 Fax (613) 238-2622

Armenian National Committee of Canada
Opens National office in Ottawa

Ottawa – The dream of thousands of dedicated Hai Tad members and supporters
became reality on April 25 when the Armenian National Committee of Canada
(ANCC) opened its national office in Ottawa.

Over 200 supporters, led by Dr. Vagharch Ehramdjian, ANCC Chairman; Hagop
Der Khachadourian, ANC International; Archbishop Khajak Hagopian, Prelate;
ANCC board and regional chapters members, and representatives of the
Armenian Relief Society, Hamazkaine Cultural Association and Homenetmen came
from Montreal, Laval, Toronto, and Ottawa to witness the historic event.

After the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 130 Albert Street office,
guests headed to the nearby National Press Club for a cocktail reception.

In his welcoming address, Dr. Ehramdjian said: `The opening of the Armenian
National Committee office in Ottawa will complement a chain of other offices
in Washington, Brussels’, Moscow and Beirut.’

The ANCC chairman thanked the Right Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of
Canada; Peter McKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and the Canadian
Government for their historic announcement-statement in reaffirming the
Canadian Senate’s and the House of Commons’ motions recognizing the Armenian
Genocide. He also thanked the leaders of the other three parties – the
Liberal, the Bloc Québecois, and the New Democratic Party for their support
of the motions, and to all members of Parliament `Who observed a one-minute
of silence in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.’ Dr.
Ehramdjian said: ` The Armenian community of Canada is grateful and proud of
its governing bodies for placing justice and human rights above economic and
political considerations.’

Archbishop Khajak Hagopian congratulated the Canadian-Armenian community for
its decades-long campaign to obtain government’s recognition for the
Armenian Genocide. He said the opening of the ANCC office would advance the
interests of the Canadian-Armenian community in the circles of power.

Afterwards, master of ceremonies Tina Soulahian invited ANCC excutive
director Aris Babikian to introduce David Warner. The former MPP and Speaker
of the Ontario Legislative Assembly was honoured for his commitment and
outstanding contribution to the Armenian cause. Mr. Babikian then invited
Jean Meguerditchian, co-president of ANCC to present Mr. David Warner with
ANCC’s Outstanding Contribution citation.

Mr. Babikian then invited the gathering to observe one minute of silence in
honour of the four Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

In his remarks, Mr. Babikian paid tribute to the Prime Minister’s
Parliamentary Secretary Jason Kenney, who `played a pivotal role in
securing Canadian Government’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.’ Mr.
Babikian said that the ANCC worked very closely with Mr. Kenney to win the
government’s recognition. Furthermore, during the 2004 Armenian Genocide
recognition in the House of Commons, Mr. Kenney was instrumental in securing
Conservative Party’s support for Motion M-380, said Mr. Babikian

Members of the Canadian Parliament, the Senate, the diplomatic corps, the
media and leaders of numerous ethnic communities joined the Armenian
community to celebrate the Genocide recognition milestone and the opening of
the national office. Other guests at the gathering included Bloc Québecois
leader Gilles Duceppe, former federal ministers Irwin Cotler, Stéphane Dion,
Jim Peterson, and MPs Vivian Barbot, Nicole Demers, Raymonde Folco, Gary
Goodyear, Jim Karygiannis, Derek Lee, Yasmin Ratansi, and Bill Siksay.

-30-

The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of
the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.

Regional Chapters
Montréal- Toronto – Laval – Vancouver – Ottawa – Hamilton – Cambridge – St.
Catharines – Windsor

A1+

RAIN «PARTICIPATED» IN THE MARCH

[08:01 pm] 28 April, 2006

At the moment when leader of the «New Times» Party
Aram Karapetyan got out of the car near the
Matenadaran, rain started. Little by little it turned
into hail. But the weather did not bother the
participants of the march which was organized by the
«New Times» Party to scold the power structures for
interfering with the political procedures.

Getting wet through under the rain, without an
umbrella, Aram Karapetyan represented his main demands
to those who had arrived at the area near the
Matenadaran, but the voice of the rain prevented the
people from hearing him. «The power structures have no
right to interfere with politics. We have always said
it», Aram Karapetyan. He also referred to the promise
of being given air, even despite the claim that he
will be deprived of his votes in that case. Aram
Karapetyan announced that he will go to the National
TV Company in the middle of May, even if he loses
votes.

The aim of the meeting was to give a message to the
Police and the National Security Service. The message
condemns the methods used against the peaceful
demonstrators on April 12, 2004, the encroachments
against the New Times Party and the illegal activity
of the power structures.

>From the Matenadaran the participants of the march
walked to the police, accompanied by a number of
policemen. Then they visited the National Security
Service. No one came to meet them, but the message was
accepted.

The participants of the march left the place about 15
minutes later. RAIN «PARTICIPATED» IN THE MARCH

At the moment when leader of the «New Times» Party
Aram Karapetyan got out of the car near the
Matenadaran, rain started. Little by little it turned
into hail. But the weather did not bother the
participants of the march which was organized by the
«New Times» Party to scold the power structures for
interfering with the political procedures.

Getting wet through under the rain, without an
umbrella, Aram Karapetyan represented his main demands
to those who had arrived at the area near the
Matenadaran, but the voice of the rain prevented the
people from hearing him. «The power structures have no
right to interfere with politics. We have always said
it», Aram Karapetyan. He also referred to the promise
of being given air, even despite the claim that he
will be deprived of his votes in that case. Aram
Karapetyan announced that he will go to the National
TV Company in the middle of May, even if he loses
votes.

The aim of the meeting was to give a message to the
Police and the National Security Service. The message
condemns the methods used against the peaceful
demonstrators on April 12, 2004, the encroachments
against the New Times Party and the illegal activity
of the power structures.

>From the Matenadaran the participants of the march
walked to the police, accompanied by a number of
policemen. Then they visited the National Security
Service. No one came to meet them, but the message was
accepted.

The participants of the march left the place about 15
minutes later.

ALIEV IS INSPIRED

Aravot.am
28 April 06

We hope that the US as a superpower and the OSCE MG cochairman will
assist the NK conflict settlement and it will be possible to make
peace in the region’ , – the President of Azerbaijan said in the
council of foreign relations of the US Carnegie foundation in
Washington. The latter also made some other declarations about
Karabakh. `Karabakh today is the main problem of preventing the
development of Azerbaijan, otherwise we are in excellent conditions,
budget is multiplied, energetic projects are enlarged’, – Aliev has
said. To the question to what concessions Armenia, which won in the
war can go Aliev answered; `First of all, Armenia hasn’t won in the
war, maybe the RA had some privileges in the first battle with the
assistance of other countries. Everybody knows that the Armenians
weren’t able to occupy our territories without the assistance of
Russian army. Besides the war isn’t over yet. I think it’s already the
time for the RA authorities to take a decision and try to make a
decision what will happen in Armenia in 10, 15 years if the conflict
isn’t settled’ , – Aliev said.

The speech of the President of Azerbaijan has turned into obvious
threat; ` The future of Azerbaijan is rather clear. Azerbaijan will be
become a strong, prosperous country with a powerful economy and
society. A country with which is better to become a neighbor’. Peace
is [profitable for both sides. In case of mutual concessions Armenia
will have ways of communications, way to the RF which is `very
important for Armenia’, and will be able to take part in the regional
project. The NK people will get the right of living in peace. He has
produced his version of settlement; `The Armenians who live in
Karabakh have right to have a high level of autonomy round territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan, which we see in many other countries,
including in Europe. Strong political guarantees must be given to them
that the peace will be indestructable in the region’.

By the way the OSCE MG American cochairman Steven Mann has said to the
mass media `it is possible to refuse of attempts of entire and
immediate settlement of the conflict. The opposite approach must act
now, to go ahead step by step and give some difficult problems to the
future.’

Summarizing we should mention that Aliev’s these strong declarations
are made in Washington and before the meeting with Bush. It is obvious
that he has been inspired.

Tigran Avetisian

VAHRAM ATANESIAN:CERTAIN FORCES IN BAKU HOPE THAT AZERBAIJAN’S
PARTICIPATION IN THE ANTI-IRANAIN COALITION WILL HELP MAINTAIN CONTROL
OVER TERRITORIES SURROUNDING NAGORNO KARABAKH

Stepanakert, April 29. ArmInfo. “Certain forces in Baku hope that
Azerbaijan’s participation in the anti-Iranian coalition will help
maintain control over the territories surrounding Nagorno Karabakh,
but this is a mere illusion. I am sure that the probable attack
against Iran is of great danger for the region, and proceeding from
this, Azerbaijan shouldn’t assist USA in the given issue,” Vahram
Atanesian, chairman of the Permanent Commission for Foreign Affairs at
NKR Parliament, said this in the interview to ArmInfo.

At the same time, Atanesian expressed hope that the situation around
Iran will not grow into a military conflict. “In believe that the
attack against this country doesn’t keep in line with interests of the
international community.

The Iranian authorities still have a chance to give up the program of
creating nuclear weapon and stop the growing mistrust to this
country,” Atanesian said.

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS General

People who killed two policemen in Moscow identified

MOSCOW April 28

Police have identified the people who shot dead two police officers
in Moscow early on Friday morning, a law enforcement source told
Interfax.

Ethnic Georgians who were attempting to extort money from ethnic
Armenians in an apartment located on the ground floor saw a police
car pull up outside the building, he said.

The Georgians opened fire when policemen were entering the apartment
and fled, the source said.

Armenian opposition party urges law-enforcers to keep out of politics

Arminfo
28 Apr 06

Yerevan, 28 April: A protest rally and march were staged by the
opposition New Times Party [NTP] outside the buildings of the Armenian
Police and National Security Service in Yerevan today.

Addressing the rally on the square outside the Matenadaran museum of
ancient manuscripts, the leader of the NTP, Aram Karapetyan, said that
he and his supporters believe that interference in domestic political
developments by the law-enforcement agencies – the police and the
National Security Service – is inadmissible. These important
government agencies should only serve the state, not the pocket
interests of a bunch of people who have seized power in the country.

“We have nothing against these agencies – the police and the National
Security Service, we are against their leadership that serves the
pocket of the powers that be,” Karapetyan said.

Participants in the demonstration handed over a letter to the
leadership of the police and republic’s National Security Service,
demanding that they keep out of politics.

[Passage omitted: About 500 supporters of the New Times Party took
part in the rally]

The NTP will stage another protest rally outside the building of
Armenian Public TV in May in protest against its refusal to allocate
airtime to members of the party, Karapetyan told journalists.

Armenian minister, NKR speaker discuss Karabakh settlement

Mediamax news agency
28 Apr 06

Yerevan, 28 April: The speaker of the natioanal assembly of the
Nagornyy Karabakh republic [NKR], Ashot Gulyan, and Armenian Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan discussed the settlement of the Karabakh
conflict in Stepanakert today.

Gulyan informed Oskanyan of recent debates in parliament in
Stepanakert of prospects for settling the Nagornyy Karabakh
conflict. The speaker handed over a statement adopted in the debates
to the minister, who will submit it to appropriate international
organizations.

Oskanyan spoke about the current and possible developments around the
settlement process and the policy of the Armenian leadership on the
negotiations. The minister pointed out an important detail that unlike
the previous stage, the key point of the talks and the main topic of
discussioins will be the issue of self-determination of Nagornyy
Karabakh.
From: Baghdasarian