Month: June 2005

Pan Armenian News
ARMENIA 33RD COUNTRY SIGNING PSOM AGREEMENT
10.06.2005 08:55
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Armenia is the 33rd country that has signed agreement with
the Netherlands over the Programme for Co-operation with Emerging Markets
(PSOM), Dutch Minister of Development Cooperation Agnes Van Ardenne stated
at a press conference in Yerevan. In her words, it is the first visit to
Armenia, however the very positive assessment of the Armenian economy by the
WB is sufficient for making conclusions. According to the document the main
goal of the PSOM that will be implemented in Armenia is to promote the
private sector via encouraging economic cooperation of business circles of
Armenia and the Netherlands. In Ardenne’s words, just the viable private
sector forms the basis of sustainable economic growth in the country. In her
words, Dutch investors ready to come to Armenia are already known and the
matter concerns gardening, food processing, infrastructures. In his turn
Armenian Minister of Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatryan noted that 48
million euros are planned to be shared by 42 countries in compliance with
the programme. In his words, the best programs, which include 1-2 programs a
year, will receive financing of 500 thousand euros. As noted by the
Minister, since 1998 diverse programs have been implemented in Armenia with
the support of the Netherlands. In his words, programs in the Ararat region
of Armenia totaling 1.5 million euros, in Lori – of 0.9 million euros and
others were implemented in 2003. He also noted that the Dutch Government
annually granted Armenia 4.7 million euros and the grant will make 5 million
starting with the next year. The accord was signed by Armenian Minister of
Finance and Economy Vardan Khachatryan and Dutch Minister of Development
Cooperation Agnes Van Ardenne.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

POP: PICK OF THE WEEK
The Independent – United Kingdom; Jun 11, 2005

System of a Down The most vital and inventive metal band in the world
right now finish off their UK conquest with a headlining slot at the
Download Festival plus a few more big venues. Emerging in the late
1990s, they soon became a word-of-mouth sensation with their brave
chord changes, even wilder vocals, and an underlying Armenian folk
lilt battling with alternative rock and post-gothic influences. By the
time of their second album, 2001’s Toxicity, they had fully realised
their trademark of politically passionate metal. They even managed to
trump that effort with the new Mezmerize album which was recorded at
the same time as companion piece Hypnotize, the anticipated release of
which comes at the end of the year. On stage they’re an intense
one-of-a-kind proposition and support at the arena dates comes from
The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster. Download Festival, Donington
Park, tomorrow; MEN Arena, Manchester, Tue; SECC, Glasgow, Wed

Turkish premier says meetings during US trip “positive”
Anatolia news agency, Ankara
11 Jun 05
New York, 11 June: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who
completed his meetings in New York left for Turkey on Saturday [11
June].
State Minister Ali Babacan, National Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul,
deputies and prime minister’s advisers who accompany Erdogan in his
visit to the USA, will also return to Turkey.
Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul is
expected to leave New York for Turkey later.
Before his departure, Prime Minister Erdogan attended the dinner
hosted by Ahmet Ertegun, one of the successful Turkish businessmen
living in the USA in his honour. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and
many American politicians, journalists and artists attended the night.
Erdogan also attended a reception hosted in his honour by the Turkish
community living in the USA. Addressing the reception, Erdogan said
that he held positive meetings in the USA.
“We had meetings about investments of big American companies and
businessmen in Turkey. Turkey is a stable country and the economic
parameters in Turkey are on the rise. Turkey stands on its feet,”
Erdogan said. Referring to employment problem in Turkey, Erdogan said
that the government worked hard to sort out this problem by the
investments made in service, agriculture and industry sectors.
Later Erdogan chatted with Turkish people living in the USA during the
reception.
Erdogan also met American businessmen on another occasion and was
interviewed by national public radio.
Erdogan got together with the Editorial Council of the New York Times
earlier the same day.
Prime Ministry Spokesman Akif Beki told the Anatolia that the editors
of the New York Times criticized the postponement of the Armenian
conference in Istanbul and Justice Minister Cemil Cicek’s remarks on
this subject.
Erdogan informed New York Times editors that Cicek’s statements
represented his own personal viewpoint and not that of the Turkish
government. “I stated that there is no legal barrier against such an
Armenian conference in Istanbul. I support such a conference although
I do not agree with the notions that were to be expressed at the
Istanbul conference,” commented Erdogan.
Erdogan expressed that Turkey has opened its archives to all
scholars. The New York Times may look at these archives if it wishes
to, noted Erdogan.
Erdogan made a call to all the New York Times editors to visit Turkey
and study the archives.
The New York Times editors assured Erdogan that they will include
Erdogan’s statements in their upcoming articles.
Erdogan also went to Connecticut to see the factory of Sikorsky
helicopters the same day.

Croatian, Azerbaijani presidents discuss economic ties, terrorism
HINA news agency
10 Jun 05
Zagreb, 10 June: Croatia wants to intensify cooperation with
Azerbaijan in all areas, particularly in the economy, because
Azerbaijan will become a new Norway once it uses its potential,
Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said after talks with Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev in Zagreb on Friday [10 June]. Aliyev arrived
in Croatia on Friday for a three-day visit and the first official
meeting of the two countries’ presidents.
Addressing reporters after the meeting at a joint news conference,
President Mesic said Croatia and Azerbaijan today signed an agreement
on cultural cooperation, a protocol on cooperation between the two
Foreign Ministries, and a memorandum on cooperation between the
countries’ civil aviation authorities.
Mesic said that Azerbaijan would benefit greatly from the opening of
an oil pipeline running via its territory from the Caspian Sea. The
income which Azerbaijan will earn from oil transport will be counted
in billions of dollars which the country will use to solve its current
problems and which will make it a new Norway, Mesic said.
The Croatian president said the talks also focused on the situation in
the regions where the two countries were located, stating that
terrorism was one of the biggest threats in today’s world and that
efforts should be made to fight its causes, poverty and dependence of
some peoples.
Mesic said Aliyev invited him to visit Azerbaijan, which he accepted
gladly.
Addressing reporters, President Aliyev said his visit was not only an
important step in the development of bilateral relations and that his
decision to visit Croatia as the first country in the region also bore
witness to the importance which his country attached to Croatia.
Aliyev said he and Mesic reached a consensus on all issues they
discussed because the two countries had similar views and methods of
solving problems.
He went on to say that Croatia and Azerbaijan had a lot in common
because they had been deprived of independence for years, as well as
that they had suffered an act of foreign aggression.
He thanked Mesic for showing understanding for his country’s problems
and the need to liberate some of its regions, expressing hope that a
lasting peace would be established in Azerbaijan as it had been
established in South-East Europe.
He explained that his country had been exposed to aggression by
Armenia under the pretext of protection of Armenians in the Upper
Karabakh region.
There was no need for the aggression because Armenians have lived in
Upper Karabakh for more than 150 years and Azerbaijan offered them the
highest possible level of autonomy. The actual goal was the occupation
of territory, which was achieved with the assistance of foreign
military forces, Aliyev said, expressing hope that Azerbaijan would
regain sovereignty over its entire territory.
He went on to say that cooperation possibilities between the two
countries were best in the power industry, tourism and agriculture, as
well as in all other sectors of the economy. The Azerbaijani
delegation visiting Croatia also includes a group of business people.
The two presidents said they discussed the issue of opening diplomatic
offices, with Mesic saying that they discussed the opening of honorary
consulates.
President Aliyev said he hoped Croatia would become a permanent member
of the European Union and that it would help his country draw closer
to Europe.
The Azerbaijani delegation is visiting Croatia at the invitation of
President Stjepan Mesic. It will end its visit by visiting the
northern Adriatic archipelago of Brijuni.

Glendale News Press
Published June 10, 2005
Schiff secures resolution hearing
By Robert Chacon, News-Press and Leader
Threatened by the attachment of two amendments by Rep. Adam Schiff to a
state department bill, House International Relations Committee Chairman
Henry Hyde committed to a hearing on an Armenian Genocide resolution, Schiff
said.
Hyde agreed to the hearing if Schiff removed amendments requiring extensive
efforts by the U.S. Government to conduct analysis of diplomatic responses
to the Armenian, Cambodian and Rwandan genocides and the Holocaust. The
amendment would have also required the U.S. to call for an end to Turkey’s
ongoing blockade with Armenia.
Hyde guaranteed the hearing out of concern that Schiff’s amendments would
be approved, Schiff said.
“We were able to use the proposed amendment to secure commitment from
Chairman Hyde to hear a dedicated Armenian Genocide resolution, which I will
be introducing in the next couple of weeks,” Schiff said. “This is something
the full committee has not done for half a decade.”
Schiff called the guaranteed debate and vote on his resolution a
breakthrough in light of the 90th anniversary of the genocide, during which
1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Empire.
Schiff’s bill has been defeated the past two years.
Leaders in Congress and President Bush’s administration have been hesitant
to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide out of fear of offending U.S. ally
Turkey, Schiff said.
“If that is the standard we will use to recognize the genocide, then that is
not a principled position for us to take,” he said. “Turkey will have to
come to grips with its Ottoman past. It is better to do it now, and the U.S.
needs to show some leadership.”

womenboxing.com
June 10, 2005
One on One Interview with Susianna Kentikian
By Torben L.
Susianna Kentikian was born on 11th September 1987 in Jerewan, Armenia. Her
life story sounds like a movie script, despite her young age of only 17. She
came with her family to Hamburg, Germany in 1996, fleeing the civil war in
Armenia. They stayed the first years in Hamburg at asylum seeker’s homes,
under the constant threat of expulsion. More than once the family was
dragged out of bed by the Police in the middle of the night and transported
to the airport for deportation. Fortunately expulsion was avoided in the
last minute through the intervention, among others, her boxing trainer Frank
Rieth.
Her first encounter with boxing took place 5 years ago, when she
accompanied her brother Mikael to a boxing club. Not content with the role
as a spectator, she learned to box herself and has remained in the tough
game ever since. She won the Hamburg Championships for juniors from 2001 to
2004, as well as the several North German Championships.
Website:
Her biggest achievement as an amateur was a gold medal at the International
German Women’s Amateur Championships in Maisach 2004 in the featherweight
division for juniors. This was done in convincing style by beating Tasheena
Bugar 27-19 in the semi final. Kentikian then went on to a 27-5 win in the
final against Alessandra Sieber. Further honour was bestowed on her at the
championships, as she won the award for the best technical boxer in the
junior division.
Kentikian found it increasingly difficult to find opponents in the amateur
ranks, as very few wanted to face her in the ring. Her status as asylum
seeker also added to the problems, as she was not allowed to box outside
Hamburg. So when Spotlight-Boxing offered her a 3 year contract in the
beginning of 2005, she jumped at the chance to help herself and not least
her family. Susianna’s mother is in constant need of care and her father
suffers from temporary bouts of depression. So the steady income Susianna
now earns as a pro boxer, is a very welcome help to the family. This has
also solved the family’s problems with regard to their asylum seekers’
status, at least for the time being. They have received a temporary
residence permit, because the family is now self supporting through
Susianna’s income and her father’s involvement in the team. It also means
that, Susianna has been able to stop working as a cleaner in her spare time,
and concentrate on her boxing career and her school work.
She made her debut as a pro on 15th January 2005 in Magdeburg against Iliana
Boneva, whom she beat on points over 4 rounds.
Her next fight was in her home town of Hamburg on 26th February 2005, where
she made it a short evening for herself and her opponent, Debbie Paterok
(formerly Lohmeier). Paterok was KO’ed with a hard punch to the head 1 min
22 seconds into the first round.
Kentian’s 3rd fight was also in Hamburg and took place on 29th March, 2005.
This was even shorter than the previous fight. Lucie Hornakova had enough
after 37 seconds of the first round, and gave up.
Her 4th fight took place in Magdeburg on 7th May against Juliia Vlasenko of
the Ukraine. Kentikian took command right from the start of and kept up
pressure throughout, especially with her right hand. Vlasenko turned her
back on Kentikan after a combination in the 3rd round, and the referee
stopped the fight.
Susianna Kentikian is due to fight again on 4th June 2005. The opponent is
yet to be revealed.
Statistics:
Date of Birth 11th September, 1987
Place of Birth: Jerewan, Armenia
Weight Class: Flyweight/Junior Flyweight
Height: 1.55 m (5′ 1″)
Amateur Record: 24-1-0
Pro Record: 4-0-0 (3 KO’s) as of 23 of May 2005
Promoter: Spotlight-Boxing
Trainers: Magomed Schaburow / Frank Rieth
Website:

FACTBOX-Electoral facts about central and eastern Lebanon
BEIRUT, June 10 (Reuters) – Lebanon’s parliamentary election, phased over
four weekends by region, moves on Sunday to the centre and the east for its
third and penultimate stage.
Two of the 35 seats up for grabs in central Lebanon have already gone
uncontested to Druze opposition leader Walid Jumblatt and a top aide.
In the first voting round on May 29, all Beirut’s 19 seats went to a slate
led by anti-Syrian Sunni Muslim Saad al-Hariri, son of slain former premier
Rafik al-Hariri.
All the south’s 23 seats went in a June 5 round to a list headed by the
pro-Syrian Shi’ite Muslim groups Hizbollah and Amal.
Following are electoral facts about central Mount Lebanon:
– Constituencies: Four
– Seats: 35, 25 for Christians and 10 for Muslims.
– Sectarian breakdown of seats:
– Christians: 19 Maronites, two Catholics, three Orthodox and one Armenian
Orthodox
– Muslims: Five Druze, three Shi’ites and two Sunnis.
– Candidates: 142
– Eligible voters: 745,000 — 66 percent Christian, 34 percent Muslim
– Sectarian breakdown of voters:
– Christians: Maronites 46 percent, Orthodox 7 percent, Catholics 6 percent,
Armenian Orthodox 4 percent, others 3 percent
– Muslims: Druze 18 percent, Shi’ites 8 percent, Sunnis 8 percent
Following are electoral facts about eastern Bekaa Valley:
– Constituencies: three
– Seats: 23, 14 for Muslims and nine for Christians
– Sectarian breakdown of seats:
– Muslims: eight Shi’ites, five Sunnis and one Druze
– Christians: three Maronites, three Roman Catholics, two Orthodox, one
Armenian Orthodox
– Candidates: 119
– Eligible voters: 490,000 — 69 percent Muslim, 31 percent Christian
– Sectarian breakdown of voters:
– Muslims: Shi’ites 41 percent, Sunnis 24 percent, Druze 4 percent
– Christians: Maronites 11 percent, Catholics 11 percent, Orthodox 5
percent, others 4 percent.
06/10/05 08:43 ET

The-tidings.com
Friday, June 10, 2005
A ‘renaissance of faith’ for Armenians
By Sister Nancy Munro, CSJ
On June 5 His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, served a
special liturgy in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, an ecumenical
and interreligious event attended by many members of the Armenian Church,
Roman Catholic Church and many Jewish, Protestant and Eastern Rite churches.
The pontifical visit of the Catholicos to the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church was initiated by Archbishop Hovan Derderian, who called the
visit a “Renaissance of Faith” for the Armenian Church. During the Pontiff’s
20-day tour of the Armenian Western Diocese, he was scheduled to visit
California, Nevada and Arizona, and will attend the laying of the foundation
for a new cathedral for the diocese.
The ecumenical event at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels marked a
special step in improving Catholic relations with orthodox churches. When
Pope John Paul II visited Armenia he stayed in the Catholicos, Karekin II’s,
palace in Holy Etchmiadzin and celebrated Mass in his chapel. It was only
fitting that the opportunity be reciprocated when the Armenian Pontiff
visited Los Angeles.
“In light of Pope Benedict XVI’s outreach to the orthodox community, the
visit of the Catholicos to our cathedral and the fact that he is serving his
divine liturgy speaks highly of the level of ecumenical cooperation between
our two churches,” said Father Alexi Smith, director of Ecumenical and
Interreligious Affairs for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, prior to the
visit of Karekin II.
Sunday’s Cathedral service was said in classical Armenian with the exception
of the reading of the epistle by Father Smith, who helped to coordinate the
celebration. During his sermon (delivered in Armenian and a synopsis was
read in English), Karekin II told his faithful that he was “proud of their
devotion and their love” and he also shared how important it is for him to
visit the people in the Armenian diaspora. He also urged remembrance of the
1.5 million victims of Armenian Genocide under the Ottoman Empire.
At the end of his remarks he drew laughter from the audience when he added
in English: “This is the longest sermon ever I have done.”
Following the liturgy, Vahrim “Warren” Biricik shared, “This was truly our
Renaissance of Faith. We welcomed our Catholicos who came from Holy
Etchmiadzin, and we are so very happy he can be here and give his fatherly
blessings to all of our faithful.”

A1plus
| 16:42:59 | 10-06-2005 | Politics |
US ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO MEET THE RA OPPOSITION
Leader of the «Republican» party Aram Sargsyan is in the USA and according
to the party members has already had meetings with the officials of the US
State Department and the staff of the US President assistant on National
Security affairs.
In connection with this visit Raffi Hovhannisyan said that the visits show
not Aram Sargsyan’s will but the desire of the US Administration to meet not
only the RA authorities but also the representatives of the opposition.
By the way, Raffi Hovhannisyan too will soon leave for the USA, but not on
official visit but to see his 95-year-old grandmother living in Fresno and
to take part in the anniversary of an American-Armenian magazine.

A1plus
| 13:09:08 | 10-06-2005 | Official |
VARDAN OSKANYAN TO MEET CONDOLEEZZA RICE
On the first day of the two-day business visit to Washington RA Foreign
Minister Vardan Oskanyan had several meetings.
He was received by the US President advisor on security issues Steven
Hadley. During the meeting the perspectives of the peaceful settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, as well as the Armenian-Turkish relations
were discussed. Steven Hadley was especially interested in the course of
realization of the democratic, electoral and constitutional reforms in
Armenia.
Minister Oskanyan also had meetings with the members of the Armenian group
in the US Congress. During the meeting the issues of the agenda of the
Armenian-American relations were discussed. Minister Oskanyan informed the
members of the Congress about the recent developments of the negotiations
over Nagorno Karabakh and the Armenian-Turkish relations. He thanked the
members of the Congress for the aid given to Armenia. Issues which can be
included in the works of the Armenia-American economic Commission were also
discussed.
After the re-election of the US President George W. Bush this was Vardan
Oskanyan’s first visit to Washington. Today the Minister will meet State
Secretary Condoleezza Rice, and will kmake a speech in the Brookings
institution, as well as in the National Press Club.