Author: Adrine Hakobian

TURKISH U-21S HIT ARMENIA FOR FOUR, QUALIFY FOR PLAYOFFS

Today’s Zaman
Sept 11 2008
Turkey

Turkish U-21 players celebrate after scoring one of their four
goals against Armenia in their Group 2 match at Ä°stanbul Ali Sami
Yen Stadium.

Good soccer teams at times suffer from stage fright, especially when
they are playing away in a hostile and intimidating atmosphere.

Maybe this is what the Turkish U-21s went through when they were
surprisingly beaten 2-1 by minnow Armenia in their 2009 European
Championship Group 2 qualifier in Yerevan last month. Not that the
Armenians would ever score, let alone beat Turkey, if both teams were
to play another 10,000 times.

Vengeance is ours, saith the Turkish U-21s. On Tuesday they outplayed,
outclassed and outscored the Armenian team 4-0 in the last group match
of the qualifying round at Ä°stanbul’s Ali Sami Yen. Determined to
settle old scores Turkey took the game to the Armenians right from
the very beginning. Led by inspirational playmaker Batuhan Karadeniz,
the Turkish U-21s gave their opponents no breathing room and succeeded
in reducing the Armenians to soccer novices — which they really are.

The visiting side literally ran out of ideas as the young Turks
attacked incessantly from left, right and center. Hard work begets
reward and so it was no surprise when Batuhan put Turkey ahead in
the 26th minute. Eren Gungör doubled the score for the Turks at the
eighth minute, Batuhan was again on target to make it 3-0 in the 45th
and Ozer Humarcı sealed the score, 4-0, in the 77th.

The game was played in a cordial atmosphere. On the pitch the players
only concentrated on soccer — no vicious fouls aimed at hurting
the opponent and no elbowing or feigning fouls to have the opponent
booked or sent off. The several Turkish fans in the stands were also
well behaved: They did not chant curses or cause any trouble as they
cheered on their beloved team to victory.

Sports and politics should not mix nor should they be mixed. They
are two different things altogether and should always remain that way.

–Boundary_(ID_6WotPYR+4NTTlBjV0QaYyg)–

KRAMER MET WITH PROTESTERS

AZG Armenian Daily
26/06/2008

US-Armenia

On the occasion of the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Democracy,
Human Rights and Labor David Kramer’s visit to Armenia partisans of
opposition staged a protest action near the US Embassy of Armenia on
June 24.

They were demanding from the American official to exhort the Armenian
authorities to release the political figures imprisoned in connection
with March 1 incidents, the liberator-fighters and the Editor-in-chief
of "Jamanak Yerevan" newspaper Arman Babajanian.

David Kramer met with the protesters and took their letter. "Each of
you has the right to raise a protest even near the US Embassy. I have
arrived in Armenia to see how the events develop here, and I cherish
the hope that Armenia will return to its democratic way. The task of
the USA is not to be with this or that side. We aim at establishing
strong democracy in Armenia", he said.

KARABAKH SETTLEMENT MUST TAKE CURRENT REALITY INTO ACCOUNT – SARGSYAN

Interfax News Agency
June 25 2008
Russia

Armenia advocates a settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict with
due account taken of the current realities, Armenian President Serzh
Sargsyan said while in Moscow on an official visit.

"The conflict cannot be settled if the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s
current de-facto state independence status is lowered," Sargsyan told
Russian mass media executives in Moscow on Tuesday evening.

Nagorno Karabakh has never been part of Azerbaijan, "because the
decision on this issue was made by party bodies, not by state
agencies," he said.

"Nagorno Karabakh has today all attributes of a state," he also said.

Sargsyan highly appraised the outcome of his recent talks with Azeri
President Ilham Aliyev at the Commonwealth of Independent States’
informal summit in St.Petersburg.

"The conflict can be settled if based on consensus and compromise,"
the Armenian president said.

Sargsyan spoke at length about relations with Armenia’s other neighbor
Turkey.

Ankara continues the blockade of Armenia, motivating it by Armenia’s
demand to condemn the genocide of Armenia in the early 20th century
now, and by its support for Azerbaijan then. "The latter is more
realistic," he said.

While commenting on the idea to set up a commission on the genocide,
Sargsyan said that it could be formed after the borders have been
opened and diplomatic relations established. "We would be happy to
see Turkey a country complying with European standards," the Armenian
president said.

Karabakh starts celebrating May 9

08-05-2008 14:42:08 – KarabakhOpen

The Armenian delegation led by President Serge Sargsyan will take part
in the celebration of the Day of Victory, the liberation of Shushi and
the Defense Army. The delegation is already in Stepanakert.

Today a solemn meeting will be held in Stepanakert which will be
followed by a concert.

Tomorrow on May 9 celebrations will take place in Shushi and
Stepanakert. In the evening there will be another concert and fireworks
in Stepanakert.

Cultural and sports events and parading will take place all through the
day.

ARMENIAN LOT

Hayots Ashkhar Daily
Published on April 29, 2008
Armenia

According to the Press Service of the Defense Ministry, Azerbaijani
Mass Media spread rumors saying that Armenian diversion group has
been rendered harmless. The rumors don’t correspond to reality.

In reality they were RA citizens Vanik Nikolay Zmboyan (Gavar),
Artyom Andranik Zohrabyan (Noratus), Karen Jivan Torosyan (Noratus),
and Aghasy Atom Yenokyan (Noratus), who went to a military camp located
in village Khachik to visit their friend, a serviceman. On their way
back they probably lost their way and crossed the border in Nakhijevan.

According to the data possessed by Armenian side the before mentioned
citizens are in Azerbaijani Security Service, and their health is in a
normal condition. Armenian side appealed to the Red Cross International
Office to organize the return of these people, with the corresponding
office in Baku.

ARMENIAN HACKERS ATTACK CIBC WEBSITE

Azeri Press Agency
April 24 2008
Azerbaijan

Baku-APA. Telman Aliev, The president and chief executive of CIBC
stated that Armenian hackers attacked on April 24,
APA reports.

Leading IT-specialists of Azerbaijan offered their free-of-charge
help in troubleshooting and soonest restart of the webpage.

Telman Aliev stated that Armenian hackers’ attack is linked with
activity of Caspian Telman Aliyev also suggested the said attack is
linked to activities of the CIBC (brings together 500 companies and
organizations from 30 countries around the globe) and Caspian Energy
International Publishing House, which propagate and promote, at the
information scale, Azerbaijan’s economic and petroleum strategy to
the international energy and economy-related forums in 30 countries
worldwide.

PRESIDENT SERZH SARGSYAN CONGRATULATES POLICEMEN ON THEIR PROFESSIONAL DAY

armradio.am
16.04.2008 16:24

President Serzh Sargsyan issued a message on the occasion of the
Police Day.

"Dear employees of the Police and veterans,

I congratulate you on the occasion of the Police Day.

Over the past years the Armenian Police registered achievements in
the field of protection of the citizens’ rights, property, as well
as public order. On the whole, it fulfilled its important mission. A
huge work has been done in the direction of reforming this sphere,
but there are still serious things to be done to have the style of
work of the Police correspond to contemporary conditions and eliminate
the corruption phenomena.

The authorities of the Republic of Armenia will improve the
living conditions of the Police employees, including the raise of
salaries. Steps will be taken to modernize the working conditions,
including the technical rearmament, which will be targeted at raising
the effectiveness of the Police activity.

This year your professional day coincides with the 90th anniversary of
formation of the bodies of interior affairs structures in Armenia. I
want to specially congratulate all the veterans of the interior
affairs. I wish you robust health and happiness.

Armenia’s multifaceted and rapid development greatly depends on how
you will carry out your responsibilities and on what professional
level you will solve the tasks posed for you. It’s not a secret that
the actions of the Police meet a sharp public reaction. The events of
March 1 were a trial for the whole country and people, particularly
the Police. Together with the whole society, the Police should come
out of this trial with honor and draw lessons from it.

Once again congratulating you on your professional day, I wish you
success in the hard but honorable work of resisting the existing
challenges."

ARMENIAN CHURCH OF MINNESOTA TO CELEBRATE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF CONSECRATION

Noyan Tapan
April 14, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS, APRIL 14, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. St. Sahag Church
of Minnesota will mark the fifth anniversary of consecration on April
13. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the Primate of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), will celebrate the Divine Liturgy.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the Primate will preside at a banquet,
which will feature musical performances by students of the St. Sahag
School of Music.

VICE CHAIRMAN OF RPA: ATTEMPTS OF AZERBAIJAN TO DISSOLVE OSCE MG HAVE PROVED THAT IT IS TRYING TO CHANGE THE RULES OF THE GAME

arminfo
2008-04-14 09:11:00

ArmInfo. The attempts of Azerbaijan to dissolve OSCE MG have proved
that it is trying to change the rules of the game, says the vice
chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia Galust Sahakyan.

At the same time, he notes that by recognizing the independence of
Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia would also break the rules of the game. "Our
position on Nagorno-Karabakh has not changed. Simply we want to meet
the challenges we are facing," says Sahakyan.

ARMENIA: EUROVISION 2008 STARS SHINE AT THE TASHIR AWARDS

esctoday.com
April 7 2008
Netherlands

The Armenian Music Awards known as the Tashir Awards were held today
where 3 of this year’s Eurovision acts made an appearance and performed
their respective Eurovision entries. Dima Bilan from Russia and Diana
Ghurtskaya from Georgia joined Sirusho from Armenia on stage.

The Armenian 2008 Eurovision representative Sirusho appeared in a pink
flary dress on stage and was flanked by a group of dancers dressed in
traditional Armenian black outfits. She gave an outstanding performance
of her song Qele Qele with a dazzling effect!

Dashing Dima Bilan who will be representing Russia for the 2nd time
at the Eurovision Song Contest sang his entry Believe, he was backed
by a group of male dancers behind him, druing his performance. Diana
Ghurstkaya who will be Georgia’s 2nd Eurovision representative looked
radiant in a black dress while she appeared solo to perform her song
Peace will come.

Sirusho received a great ovation from the audience after the
performance of the 2008 Armenian entry Qele Qele and was presented
by many bouquets of flowers.

Below you can watch the Russian, Georgian and Armenian representatives
at the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest attending the Tashir Awards gala:

Watch videos at