sportbusiness.com
June 15 2005

WORLD CUP RIGHTS DEAL FOR ARMENIA
2005-Jun-15 09:11

A multiple broadcast rights deal for FIFA events has been agreed with
public television broadcaster PTVC of Armenia.

The agreement with Infront Sports & Media, responsible for the
distribution of FIFA rights worldwide, includes next year’s World Cup
in Germany. The rights are exclusive for Armenia.

PTVC of Armenia has acquired the exclusive free-to-air rights for all
64 matches of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The matches will be shown on
two terrestrial stations, First Channel and Nor Alik.

It has also acquired exclusive rights for all matches of the 2005
FIFA Confederations Cup, which kicks off on June 15 (today) in
Germany, involving Japan, Tunisia, Mexico, Argentina, Australia,
Greece, world champions Brazil and the host, Germany.

PCTV has also purchased the exclusive rights to the Official Preview
Series of the 2006 FIFA World Cup for Armenia, being produced by
Infront in association with FIFA (16 x 26-minute programmes).

Said Oliver Seibert, an executive director of Infront: “We have now
completed many of our agreements in Europe and are confident that
Infront has secured the widest and most extensive coverage for
viewers in Europe to date.”

PEOPLE HAVING ARMENIAN RELATIVES DISMISSED IN BAKU

Pan Armenian News
15.06.2005 03:19

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ By order of Minister Eldar Makhmudov several
employees of the Azerbaijani Ministry of National Security were
dismissed. According to a source, the dismissal is conditioned by
the Armenian nationality of one of the parents or close relatives
of these people. When commenting on the information, head of the
department for public relations of the Ministry of National Security
Arif Babayev said, “We live in Azerbaijan, that is why we can not
have people of Armenian origin on service.” To note, such kind of
cleansing has been carried out for the first time in the MNS. Former
Minister Namik Abbasov admitted in one of his interviews that people
of Armenian origin work in the system but he is not going to dismiss
them, 525 Azeri newspaper reported.

Iran, Armenia keen to expand educational, research cooperation

Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran
June 15 2005

Moscow, June 15, IRNA — Iran’s Minister of Education Morteza Haji in
a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markarian in Yerevan
on Wednesday expressed satisfaction with multi-faceted expansion of
mutual ties and stressed the need to bolster cooperation in the field
of education and research.

Currently on a three-day visit to the Armenian capital of Yerevan,
Haji referred to the significance of closer communication between
pupils and students as well as scientific, educational and research
centers of both countries.

Turning to the Iranology Center in Armenia, the minister reiterated
the need to broaden its activities.

For his part, Markarian regretted the recent terrorist acts in Iran
and expressed grief over the death of a number of Iranian citizens
in several blasts.

He underlined that the background of amicable relations between the
two nations, close cooperation of the two governments since Armenia
gained independence and the growing trend of mutual ties paved the
way for consolidating relations.

Markarian pointed to the significance of Iran-Armenia collaboration
in the domain of science and education, and called for expansion of
such exchanges and closer communication between various institutes
active in the field.

“Given the growing economic cooperation between the two states, the
positive outcome of implementing major projects will be evident at
the regional level,” he added.

In another meeting with the Head of Armenia’s Presidential Office
Artash Tumanyan and the Armenian head of joint economic commission,
Haji placed special focus on closer interactions between the two
nations.

He stressed the role of the Iran-Armenia Economic Commission in
mutual relations.

Tumanyan referred to the importance of Haji’s visit to his country
and assessed the growing trend of bilateral ties as positive.

He urged the need to expand collaboration in the domain of science
and research with the framework of the joint economic commission.

The official pointed out that Iran’s significant regional status is
of great importance in Armenia’s foreign relations.

“Given that a considerable number of Iranian students are currently
studying in Armenian universities, special attention should be paid
to broadening cooperation in the field,” concluded Tumanyan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Karabakh electoral bloc slams authorities for ‘dirty tricks’ ahead of polls
Jun 15, 2005, 10:00 GMT

Monsters and Critics.com, UK
June 15 2005

The bloc of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun
[ARFD] and Movement 88 have issued a statement in the run-up to the
[19 June] parliamentary elections in Nagornyy Karabakh.

The statement says: “Our country’s tomorrow is in danger again. Some
puppets of the incumbent authorities want to secure parliamentary
seats for pro-government candidates with the aim of maintaining the
atmosphere of connivance, lawlessness, corruption and bribery as long
as possible. Abusing power, using levers of power and riches illegally
earned through misappropriation and embezzlement, ignoring human
and moral values and inspiring fear and terror, they want to achieve
their goals by using dirty tricks, breaking the law and giving bribes.”

The authors of the statement called on Karabakh citizens to unite
again around the idea of democratization and protecting human rights,
not to yield to the mendacious pledges of pro-government candidates
and to vote for the battle-hardened candidates of the bloc who were
tested in the crucible of the Artsakh [Nagornyy Karabakh] war.

Source: Regnum, Moscow

IRAN TO ACKNOWLEDGE ARMENIAN DIPLOMAS

Pan Armenian News
15.06.2005 04:06

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margarian met in
Yerevan with Iranian Minister of Education Morteza Haji. Andranik
Margarian condoled with the families of those killed and wounded in
explosions in Tehran and Khuzestan and expressed assurance that it will
not tell on the presidential election on June 17. Noting the importance
of multilateral and regional cooperation with Iran Andranik Margarian
said that mutual visits at different levels as well as efficient
work of the Iranian-Armenian intergovernmental commission contribute
to it. The parties also noted the increase of the commodity turnover
between Armenia and Iran. The RA Premier expressed assurance that the
visit will become a stimulus in the development of cooperation and
further cooperation in the educational and scientific fields. They
also highlighted the signing of memorandum on mutual understanding
~SOn mutual acknowledgement of diplomas and certificates of Armenia
and Iran as well as the opening of scientific centers in Yerevan and
Tehran, what will contribute to the establishment of ties between
the institutes of higher education of both states.

RA DEFENSE MINISTER MET CSTO SECRETARY GENERAL

Pan Armenian News
15.06.2005 04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Today Secretary of the Security Council under the
RA President, Defense Minsiter Serge Sarsgian met with Secretary
General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Nikolay
Bordyuzha and the delegation headed by him, RA Defense Minister’s
Press Secretary, Colonel Seyran Shahsuvarian reported. During the
meeting the parties discussed the issues included in the agenda of
the CSTO sitting to be held in Moscow 22-23 as well as settlement of
problems available within the CSTO and future plans.

NKR NOT EXPECTING MUCH OF OSKANIAN-MAMEDYAROV MEETING

Pan Armenian News
15.06.2005 04:20

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “We do not expect anything extraordinary of the
meeting of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers Vartan
Oskanian and Elmar Mamedyarov to be held in Paris June 18”, NKR
Foreign Minister Arman Melikian stated in his interview with H2
Armenian TV Channel. In his words, Nagorno Karabakh does face the
task of re-confirming its position. “The negotiation process is under
way and we should watch the outcomes of the upcoming meeting”, NKR
Foreign Minister noted.

BUNDESTAG TO DISCUSS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION JUNE 16

Pan Armenian News
15.06.2005 03:40

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Bundestag will Thursday discuss and adopt the
Armenian Genocide Resolution, journalist Ashot Manucharian living
a working in Germany stated, RFE/RL reports. In his word, the term
“genocide” is used in the resolution. At the same time it says that
“many independent historians and international organizations define
the mass killings of Armenians as Genocide. “Thus the Bundestag
on one hand does not want to subject Turkey to sharp criticism but
on the other hand does not want to conceal the historical truth”,
Manucharian noted. The Bundestag asks the Armenian people for their
forgiveness, as partly through approval and through failure to take
effective preventive measures there was a German co-responsibility for
this genocide, the resolution says. To remind, preliminary discussion
on the resolution was held April 21. Despite the pressure exerted
by the Turkish government, the Turkish Embassy in Germany as well as
Turkish organizations, all the parties represented in the Bundestag
decided to adopt a document on the Armenian Genocide till September.

“NATIONAL REFERENDUM” CONTINUES

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
13 June 05

Naira Melkumian believes that by supporting Artsakh Armenian people
once again say “YES” to the independence of Artsakh. For any
country a strong economy is the precondition for country’s
development. Nagorno Karabakh Republic, which is still very young, is
considered to be an area of risk for investments and business.
However, all the conditions are there, owing to which the country
will have a strong economy in the future. The all-Armenian foundation
“Hayastan” has a considerable contribution to the
rehabilitation and development of the economy of Artsakh. In the
recent years the foundation has been focusing on Artsakh mainly. The
construction of the highway “North – South” referred to as
the spine of Artsakh will be soon completed on the means of this
organization which unites the Armenians spread all over the world.
Next the Programme of Revival of Artsakh will be launched. Our talk
with the executive director of the all-Armenian foundation
“Hayastan” Naira Melkumian was about the Programme of Revival
of Artsakh and her vision of the future plans of the foundation.
CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN: “Mrs. Melkumian, would you comment on the
name of the programme “Revival of Artsakh”?” NAIRA
MELKUMIAN: “First of all, the idea of the programme belongs to
the NKR president. And the board of trustees, which is, in one way,
the entire Armenian nation, also wishes to see Artsakh reconstructed.
Therefore, the programme we are implementing was named “Revival
of Artsakh”. And in order for Artsakh to revive, first of all the
development of the regions which have more economic potential should
be spurred. Last year NKR President Arkady Ghukassian set forth the
issue of developing the regions separately. The region of Martakert
was considered first. The strategic plan consists of three stages
and, besides Martakert, involves the regions of Hadrut and Martuni as
well. Thus, in the near future the regions of Martuni, Hadrut and
Martakert will be revived.” C.M.: “By which principle were
you guided in making a choice? Why did you decide to start with
Martakert?” N.M.: “This region is one of those which suffered
more during the war and there is urgent need for reconstruction of
infrastructures, educational, health and other institutions, houses.
Besides, it was taken into consideration that Martakert possesses
more economic opportunities, the development of which may change the
economic situation in Artsakh. Considering the natural resources,
including minerals, as well as the agricultural potential, we think
that Martakert has all the opportunities to become the leading region
of Artsakh. Besides, by this programme we also envisage solving the
problem of unemployment. The region of Martakert can employ much more
people in their own country preventing them from leaving the country
to work abroad.” C.M.: “What particular steps will be taken
in this direction?” N.M.: “This is, indeed, a complex
programme. It is going to be a so-called regional development
programme, that is to say, we will take into consideration the
interrelated problems of Martakert. We are not going to solve
separate problems, but together with the NKR government we will
decide on which villages the focus of the programme will be. In the
framework of the programme we will reconstruct schools, medical
stations, water pipelines. At the same time there will be special
focus on the development of agriculture, considering the fact that
today agriculture is business. The implementation of the programme is
necessary to prevent emigration. We will take into consideration
human resources in Karabakh. The ability of the people of Karabakh to
work as a team will be put at the heart of the programme. Our goal is
not only prevention of emigration but also promotion of
re-settlement. For this reason we have to provide opportunities for
the people of Artsakh to feel full citizens and to be able to run
agriculture as a form of business.” C.M.: “Which is the
political role of the programme?” N.M.: “I believe that the
new programme will support the consciousness of the independent
state. A country and people are truly independent if they can solve
their political issues independently. At present the political issue
of Karabakh is settled on the economic plane, and the development of
Artsakh makes the political reality that today we have as Nagorno
Karabakh Republic irreversible. I am sure that the economic revival
of Artsakh will enable putting forward the issue of international
recognition of Artsakh as an independent republic.” C.M.:
“How long will the economic revival of Artsakh take?” N.M.:
“Within a year we will find the necessary financial resources,
after which the implementation of the programme proper will begin. If
we manage to raise the necessary sum within a year, the programme
will be completed in three years. We do not have time to spend 5-6
years on every project and we must always keep this in our minds. All
these programmes should be a call for alertness for all of us. I hope
that like in the previous year, this year too, the people of Armenia
will take part actively in the telethon. This is extremely important.
I think, in a way this is a referendum and people answer the question
“Do we need Artsakh, or not?” And if Armenia donates 1
million dollars, it means that the Armenian people in this way vote
for the settlement of the issue.” C.M.: “What innovations
will there be in Telethon 2005, which may promote donations?”
N.M.: “Actually, it is early to speak about innovations because,
as you already know, the telethon will be held in November. At the
moment I only can say that in this telethon we will replace the
phrase “national tribute” by “national donation”. We
withdraw the principle of duty and introduce the idea of donation
because a person cannot be obliged to make a donation but he should
do it with an inner urge. Although I want to mention that so far no
one has made their donation under obligation. It was a gift, a
donation to their people and country.” C.M.: “The previous
telethons showed that the Armenians living in Russia were passive in
making donations. What will be done this year to involve them in this
action?” N.M.: “Certain representatives of the Armenian
community of Russia play an active role indeed. They made and
continue making a significant contribution to the economic
development of Artsakh. It is another question that we do not have a
local body there yet. This problem is being solved currently. There
are many businessmen in Russia who come from Karabakh, and I hope
that the foundation will become a link through which they will
support the development programme of Martakert. In the long run, I am
sure, that the idea of supporting this invaluable programme will
unite the Armenians all over the world.”

CHRISTINE MNATSAKANIAN.
13-06-2005

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian Genocide bill to be introduced in U.S. House

15.06.2005 12:42

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – The Armenian Genocide bill will be submitted to the
U.S. House of Representatives during this month. Rep. Adam Schiff,
(D-CA) has said the new bill will be presented to the House within
the next two weeks.

The new draft will be similar to the one that was turned down
five years ago as a result of a tremendous pressure by the Clinton
administration. It will suggest a full recognition of the Armenian
genocide by the House of Representatives.