ARMENIAN INTERNET CONNECTION FAILED AS CABLE DAMAGED IN GEORGIA
news.am
Sept 26 2011
Armenia
YEREVAN. – Speed reduction or lack of the Internet in Armenia is due
to the cable damaged in Georgia, spokesperson of ArmenTel (Beeline
brand) Anush Begloyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent.
She added that the cable is being repaired. However, the reason of the
accident is not clear yet. Internet connection may be at any moment.
Restoration works are still in progress.
BOARD MEETING ON MILITARY EDUCATION AT MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
Lragir.am News
21:42:59 – 26/09/2011
On September 24, the Ministry of Defense held a board session to
discuss the process of education and related problems at the Ministry
and in foreign military educational institutions.
The minister of defense noted that reforms in military education are
one of the priorities of the armed forces.
“The greatest calamities are born from unawareness, while tragedies
are born from ignorance. An educated and methodically literate officer
does not use violence, and there is little possibility of violation
of interpersonal relations in the unit subject to him. The deplorable
mores, violence are a challenge to the army which must be taken and
overcome,” Seyran Ohanyan said, noting that the army which wins on
the border cannot fail in everyday life.
The minister of defense mentioned that reforms in the sphere of
military education are intended to train officers who have the
qualifications required in modern armies.
MIGRATORY BIRD SPEND WINTER IN ARARAT VALLEY
02:13 pm
“Mining industry is developing at a rapid speed which affects Armenia’s
biodiversity. Still, it does mean that our economy should not develop,”
Karen Aghabekyan, Director of “Hakobyan Environmental Center” said
during today’s conference devoted to the study and conservation of
the biodiversity in the Caucasus.
The three-day conference brought together scientists from Armenia,
Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Russia. It aims to provide an exchange
of experience between Armenian and foreign scholars and assist in
the implementation of joint research.
Asked whether the construction of small hydroelectric power plants does
not affect water biodiversity, Aghabekyan said, “Similar structures
are needed for economic development but manufacturers should compensate
for damages which is not done in Armenia.”
Talking to A1+, Karen Melikyan, Ph.D. candidate in Biological Sciences,
expressed concern over climate changes in Armenia which have reduced
the duration of winter.
“Instead of flying to warm countries migratory birds spend winter
months in Ararat valley,” he said.
On the third day of the conference the participants will visit
Khosrov reserve.
The conference is organized by American University of Armenia and
National Academy of Sciences.
Islamic Republic News Agency
Sept 24 2011
Iran, regional countries can ensure Persian Gulf’s security – president
New York, 24September, IRNA: Islamic Republic of Iran [IRI] president
said in a press conference on 4th day of his working visit of New
York, “If US, Britain and NATO would depart Persian Gulf and Oman Sea,
Iran, along with other regional countries would be able to ensure
security of both energy and the region.”
To complete the story According to IRNA, President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad
added in his interview with the world media representatives, “On
pretext of ensuring the security of energy and the region some
countries are now present in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea region.
We hereby announce that if NATO and the United States would get out of
the region the regional countries would ensure the security of the
region.”
The AFP reporter asked, “If Israel and the Palestinians would reach
agreement on the establishment of an independent Palestinian
government, would Iran recognize the legitimacy of such a decision?”
President Ahmadinezhad said, “The Zionist regime’s issue is a subject
[an issue] and the legitimacy of the Palestinians’ demand for being
recognized as an independent country is a different issue. We have
always supported the Palestinian nation, and we support them today,
too.”
The New York Times reporter asked the reason why Iran has constructed
its nuclear facilities underground. The president replied, “Every
country constructs its nuclear facilities in secure places for
security reasons.” He reiterated, “Every country has the right to have
enrichment facilities, and the right to choose the place for its
factory.”
When an Egyptian reporter asked Ahmadinezhad about more serious
efforts made by Tehran and Cairo for elevation of relations in this
post-Mubarak era, President Ahmadinezhad confirmed the existence of
connections between the two countries’ officials. He said that the
relations between the Iranian and the Egyptian nations are both
historic and deep-rooted, adding, “We believe the political relations
should be a reflection of the peoples’ ties [contact].” Ahmadinezhad
said, “Previously, the obstacle in the way and the source for pressure
used to be the United States. Now the head of the government is gone,
but there has still been no election, nor a government based on the
people’s votes. We are waiting for the establishment of a government
based on the Egyptian people’s votes, after which we would continue
our efforts.”
The Itar-Tass reporter said that his country’s foreign minister has
announced that Russia is commissioned to construct another nuclear
reactor in Iran, asking President Ahmadinezhad’s idea about the
perspective of Tehran-Moscow cooperation. Ahmadinezhad said, “We have
in our planning predicted production of 20,000 MW of nuclear
electricity. The Russian companies would produce 1,000 MW, and there
remain 19,000 more MW to be produced.” He added, “Negotiations are
underway so that the Russian firms would provide another portion of
that amount. This is of course a general proposal. Our relations with
Russia are based on neighbourhood. The neighbours must be friends and
the two sides are trying to plan for strategic cooperation.”
The Corriere della Sera reporter asked President Ahmadinezhad about
the United Nations’ role in solving the Middle East crises. The
Iranian president replied, “The UN Security Council [UNSC] has not
performed its duties properly, which is due to the structural problems
in its apparatus.” He emphasized, “The Security Council is at the
disposal of the United States and a few European countries. We have no
hope that the UNSC would make a move in defence of the nations’ rights
either. That is because it is incapable of defending.” The president
meanwhile said, “We have always announced that freedom, justice, and
freedom to choose are the nations’ rights, and supported their rights
in these regards. We believe these rights cannot be secured relying on
NATO bombs and missiles, or on the interference of the aliens.”
Elsewhere in his address the IRI president said that the regional
uprisings are against the dictators that are, or were supported by the
West, adding, “Some people claim that they are managing these
uprisings!” He reiterated, “In the United States they claim this is
the change we had promised, which is an interesting point!”
Ahmadinezhad added, “The nations are fed up with many years of being
humiliated and looted by the West. Sooner or later the entire nations
would be set free.” Pointing out that a great wave is ahead, he
predicted, “This wave would engulf Europe and the United States, as
well, and is unrelated to the North African countries, the Arabs, or
the non-Arabs. The entire humankind is in pursuit of freedom and
justice.”
The Bloomberg reporter asked, “Are you ready for negotiation over
Iran’s 20 per cent enrichment?” The IRI president reiterated, “We have
always been favouring negotiations based on the laws, respect, and
justice, and so are we today.” He said, “We replied to [EU foreign
policy chief] Ms. Ashton, too, informing her about our readiness. Our
foreign minister had a meeting with her yesterday and informed Ms.
Ashton of our stand in this respect.” Ahmadinezhad added, “In this
historic era of ours the only solution is negotiation. There is no
other solution but sticking to the laws and sound logic. We have no
problem with holding talks and we are ready for holding talks at any
level.”
The Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN) reporter said, “The
US Administration has announced that it will veto the Palestinian
President’s demand for the establishment of a Palestinian country.
What is your proposal to the Palestinian people?” Ahmadinezhad
replied, “There are some people who wish to wipe the Palestinian
nation off the world map. The ugliest crimes have been committed
against the Palestinian nation and over five million of them were once
buried under the roofs of their own homes.” He added, “Maybe talks
about veto would not be the case. If the US administration would
really do so, it would be confirming the oppressor nature of the UN
Security Council and that the UNSC is incapable of defending the
nations’ rights.”
The CNN TV reporter asked President Ahmadinezhad about his moves in
the remainder of his tenure as the IRI president. The Iranian
president replied, “The best thing to do is to keep on serving the
great Iranian nation.” He added, “Great tasks were performed during
these two terms. Iran was turned into a nuclear country. Iran was
turned into country with access to the borderless space. The speed of
Iran’s scientific growth reached the topmost rate in the world. In
nanotechnology and biotechnology great achievements were made.”
Ahmadinezhad pointed out that great investments have been made in
industrial and mining fields, reiterating, “More important than them,
though, there was regulating the president’s relation with the
people.” He said that the president is no more than a servant of the
people, by the side of the people, and for the people, adding, “This
is an index that was recorded in the Iranian history. The president
must also be in love with the people.”
The Newsweek reporter asked, “In Western capitals there is the
question on who decides over the nuclear issue in Iran? Is it you, or
the leader?’ Ahmadinezhad reiterated, “What difference does it make
for the Western countries? Our nuclear stands are quite clear. It is
also obvious that the government is regulating the foreign policy.”
President Ahmadinezhad added, “Our constitution is crystal clear. We
have three branches of the power and the status of the leader, too, is
quite clear. The important point is that Iran turned nuclear and the
sanctions and pressures, too, created no obstacle in the way of Iran’s
advancement.” The president reiterated, “Of course the main decision
maker in Iran is the nation. The leader and the government, too,
pursue the decisions and viewpoints of the nation.”
The reporter of Miami Herald referring to the ongoing tensions between
the Ankara and the Damascus governments, asked, “Is Iran committed to
block the path for an invasion against Syria?” The president
emphasized, “Reforms are needed in many European, American, and some
Middle East countries. These reforms must be conducted by the nations
and amid an atmosphere of friendship and peace.” He pointed out that
the interference of the aliens would not by any means contribute to
solving the problems, and would only lead to further complication of
the situation, adding, “We have the example of NATO’S interference in
Afghanistan before us. “On the first day many people celebrated. But
10 years on, we notice that the Afghan nation and government are
seriously unsatisfied with the presence of the aliens. The situation
is quite hopeless in Afghanistan. There is no security and the people
do not enjoy freedom. The independence of Afghanistan, too, is at
stake. The president emphasized that “No one must interfere in the
affairs of the others”, reiterating, “We have good relations with
Turkey. Our general suggestion is that no one should try to interfere
in the affairs of the others’.”
The Reuters’ reporter said, “What is your suggestion to the Syrian
Government for stopping harsh encounters with the Syrian nation?”
Ahmadinezhad said, “The others should stop interfering so that the
governments and the nations would solve their problems through
negotiations. We condemn getting killed of anyone, whether they are
from among the government forces, or from among the opposition.
Getting killed of the people does not help towards finding solutions
to the problems.”
The last question in the Press Conference of the president of the
Islamic Republic of Iran was made by an Armenian reporter who asked
about the status of the Armenians residing in Iran and the Tehran
Government’s viewpoint on granting the status of autonomy to the
people of Karabakh. Ahmadinezhad said, “Different peoples live in Iran
and they enjoy equal rights. The Armenians, too, live quite at ease in
Iran and despite their small minority they have a number of
representatives at the Iranian National Islamic Parliament.” The
president also said that Tehran’s relations with both Baku and Yerevan
are good, adding, “Our suggestion is that the two countries of
Azerbaijan and Armenia should sit at the negotiation table and solve
the problems based on justice.” He reiterated, “If this measure would
be observed no problem would remain unsolved.”
Abkhazia.com
Sept 25 2011
End of Ideology of Ardzinba Featured
Written by Irakli Tskitishvili
On August 26th extraordinary “presidential” elections were held in
occupied Abkhazia. These elections were caused by the death of leader
of the puppet regime Sergei Bagapsh, in which, according to available
information, the hand of Russia is clearly seen. The population of
Abkhazia, which in summer is usually focused on resort problems, had
to engage in political battles. Three candidates aspired to the post
of leader – Alexander Ankvab, who after the death of Bagapsh performed
his duties, Sergey Shamba, head of the puppet government and
opposition candidate Raul Khajimba, who did not quite got to becoming
the “president” in 2004. This year, as it is already known, the chair
of “president” of Abkhazia will be taken by Alexander Ankvab.
Two out of these three candidates came to the elections from the
government. Therefore, probability of use of administrative resources
in these elections was quite high. The third candidate (Khajimba) had
long been in opposition, had a stable number of voters, was considered
the successor of the ideology of Ardzinba and came from nationalist
positions. Interest towards the elections was caused by one thing –
what ideology, what values would win and what demands the Abkhazian
society had. There are no two opinions about the fact that the
elections were illegitimate and it was carried out without
participation of the population that were expelled as a result of the
ethnic cleansing. There was no doubt that whoever would win, the
prospect of warming of the Georgian-Abkhazian relations would not
increase, because all candidates were coming from the pro-Russian
positions, they could not see Abkhazia without Russia and spoke only
of “good-neighbourly” relations with Tbilisi.
At the beginning of the election race Sergei Shamba and Alexander
Ankvab had pretty good positions. We also note that compared to 2004
Khajimba had significantly lost poisitons. He has almost no chance of
winning. With regards to him the interesting thing was whether he
retained his contingent of his supporters or not. At the same time
Khajimba was interesting because if it was to be the second round of
elections his supporters could have decided the fate of the election.
Shamba began her campaign quite actively. First, he waited 40 days to
pass from the death of Bagapsh and only then began his official
campaign. This should have had a positive effect on his image. After
that, choosing the right strategy Shamba began to hold meetings with
groups that would guarantee him victory. Such group was primarily
considered to be Armenian population of Abkhazia, as Georgians,
compared to 2004, had limited resources to support any candidate. We
should remind that since it was Georgian votes that decided the fate
of the election in 2004, it was decided to limit their participation
in elections by allowing to take part in the elections only that part
that had “Abkhazian passports.” And such people were only around 8000
in the Gali district. Thus their votes could not have become decisive.
Neither Ankvab sat around idly. Despite the fact that he had
administrative resources that would have been definitely used by him
his team actively held meetings with voters. His rivals were spreading
rumours that allegedly members of his team were paying voters for
their votes; however there was no determined information on this
point. Ankvab did not disregard Georgian population of the Gali
district. During campaigning there headquarters of Ankvab urged
Georgians to get “Abkhazian passports” as quickly as possible to have
opportunity to take part in determining the path of future development
of Abkhazia. It should be noted that other candidates also encouraged
Georgians to obtain passports and that to a large extent determined
the victory of Ankvab.
At the starting position chances of Shamba looked more solid.
Moreover, his team was pursuing an aggressive to a certain extent
campaign. By early August few doubted that Shamba would win. But …
he, his team and his Moscow lobbyists made serious mistakes resulting
in solid victory of Ankvab.
Russian Moskovskaya Pravda interview with former Georgian Defense
Minister Tengiz Kitovani in which he accused Ankvab of cooperation
with the Georgian special services during the war of 1992-1993 was
like a strike of thunder for the Abkhazian society. The purpose of the
spread of this propagandistic material is clear. It aimed at dealing a
serious blow to the image of Shamba’s main rival, at setting people
against him, or even completely eliminating him from the campaign
after which chances of Shamba would have doubled. In any case, by
recalling the past the Shamba team tried to play “Georgian card”
against Ankvab where name of Vladislav Ardzinba was used. As it is
known Ankvab and Ardzinba had disagreements in connection with the war
period. That was the question the Shamba team decided to raise anew.
It should be also noted that Shamba cannot be altogether blamed for
starting this smear campaign. Or rather, it looks more like a style of
those Russian lobbyists, who were behind the Shamba team and who were
willing to go to any lengths for Shamba to win. As some noted it was
the same lobbying group that “sunk” Raul Khajimba in 2004 – brothers
Kolesnikov and PR group of Beslan Butba. Russian publications such as
the Moskovsky Komsomolets and its journalist, propagandist Marina
Perevozkina who was awarded with a medal by Eduard Kokoity, emerged as
defenders of interests of Shamba.
Dirty methods of political struggle provoked a backlash. Abkhazian
society deemed playing the “Georgian card” unacceptable. It condemned
Shamba’s tricks and accused him of running the dirty campaign.
Besides, it was not just an expression of dissatisfaction of society.
Answers were demanded of Shamba. Members of the old and the new
convocation of the parliament summoned all three candidates and
demanded answers from them for those processes that have caused
tension in the society. It was Shamba who was having the worst time.
It was his team that picked up the statement of Kitovani, gathered
veterans that lived in different parts of Abkhazia in the centre of
Sukhumi and publicly showed interview of the former Georgian minister
directed against Ankvab. Shamba had to justify himself and say that he
did not do it and it was the doing of his team. This was followed by
fair question of parliamentarian Irina Agrba that if he could not
control his staff, how he would control the entire country. After the
meeting it became known that Shamba confessed with regards to the
Kitovani statement: “It was an order, but it did not come from
Sukhumi.” Given this, it became clear that the Shamba campaign was
controlled from Moscow. Since one of the PR managers of his team was
one of the brothers Kolesnikov, it seems that his team also was
controlled from Moscow. Accordingly, all this mud throwing which was
used by the Shamba team was work of those people who are not familiar
with the Abkhazian mentality, who do not understand Abkhazian reality
and acted upon their usual dirty methods accepted in Russian reality.
Because of this, many have turned away from Sergei Shamba. It should
be noted that statements in support of Ankvab were made by “grandees”
of the Abkhazian deputation – Socrat Jinjolia, Stanislav Lakoba, Oleg
Damenia, Leonid Lakerbaya and a number of well-known names. And
although some members of the parliament (old and new convocation)
supported Khajimba, none of them supported Shamba.
One of the mistakes of Sergei Shamba was that he lost support of the
former ruling party of Abkhazia the Edynaya Abkhazia Party.
Originally, this party was seen as a supporter of Shamba. Information
was coming from behind the scene that they have already reached an
agreement among them but suddenly the party supported Ankvab. It was
the first bomb in the election campaign. The second one was support of
the organization of Abkhazian veterans “Amtsakhara” of direct
competitor of Shamba – Ankvab. Although this fact is less surprising
since “Amtsakhara” was a force that, to some extent and along with the
Georgian factor, ensured the victory of Sergei Bagapsh in the previous
elections. But Bagapsh’s victory was achieved due to the image of
Ankvab and his efforts. Accordingly, it is not at all surprising that
“Amtsakhara” remained loyal to Ankvab. We can consider erroneous
manipulation of figures on the part of Shamba (as though he was
supported by 47.7 % of population) and his threats of revolution if he
was to lose the elections. The population of Abkhazia is fed up with
revolutions and this statement caused great dissatisfaction among
them.
Another major mistake made by Shamba in his campaign was a statement
that was as follows: when I come, I will remove all officials. Thus he
forced all officials to use administrative resources or various other
methods to retain their positions. We emphasize that while Shamba
maintained that the only threat coming from his main rival was that he
could use administrative resource, his statement was a huge mistake.
And though later Shamba said that he made the statement not
accidentally, but deliberately to refuse administrative resources,
it’s more like a lie. Otherwise, it is not clear what Shamba expected
in the elections. Russian and pro-Russian population of Abkhazia was
considered as his supporters. He was supported by an organization such
as “Officers of Russia.” He was also supported by Cossacks, but later
it became known that the statement was false and the union of Cossacks
of Russia denied that they supported Shamba. Armenian community, with
the exception of some of their leaders, who worked directly in the
Shamba camp, expressed support for Ankvab. The most surprising thing
was that there was not one veteran organization that would support
Shamba, who during the war served as “deputy defence minister,” and
who was head of the ideological hotbed of Abkhazian separatism
“Aidgilara.” he only got support of around a hundred Abkhazian
veterans. Then what did he hope for? Only Russia’s support? Two weeks
before the election, the election situation in Abkhazia changed
dramatically and in the last few days it became clear that Shamba had
no support.
Raul Khajimba, as we have already noted, got “his” 20% and, in
principle, should be pleased with this. His election campaign was not
very grand and it was overshadowed by the Shamba-Ankvab clash.
Khajimba was not visible, he was not using the media, was focused
mainly on nationalist (though in Abkhazia they call it patriotism)
orientated masses, used to say during his campaign that all ethnic
groups are equal, but Abkhazians are above them all as they do not
have another homeland. Khajimba did not claimed to have any
administrative resource, neither had he unlimited financial resources,
and at the same time he tried to conduct his campaign quite honestly
and worthily. Of course, one cannot even dream about winning in such
circumstances. However, it would be a good lesson for him. We also
note that neither inclusion of Ardzinba’s wife in his team helped him,
as we assumed before. And hope that population would support
Ardzinba’s wife just because of her name was a mistake. Elections have
shown that Ardzinba already belongs to the history.
As for Ankvab, a number of interesting processes developed around him.
We have already mentioned troubles associated with the Kitovani
statement. This gave Ankvab additional supporters, as opposed to the
assumptions of Russian lobbyists of Shamba. PR campaign against Ankvab
was a precondition for his victory. A great part in this was played by
those Russian journalists, who almost daily tried to pour dirt on
Ankvab in favour of Shamba. He was reminded about Ardzinba, and then
about Lominadze … Shamba even tried to use against him the fact that
Georgian politicians, former Georgian officials, experts and the media
called Ankvab a decent and honest man, as if he was a traitor, just
because Georgians said good words about him. Journalist and Shamba’s
great supporter Marina Perevozkina kept pace with him. There was
nothing that she did not thought of to complete the task; she used
every forged material and analysis that had nothing in it against
Ankvab other than confirmation that he really is a worthy and honest
person. Perevozkina left no statement of the Club of Experts
uncommented. We do not consider it necessary to comment on those
fantasies that Perevozkina used against us, as the population of
Abkhazia already gave a clear answer to them. Moreover, Ankvab showed
dignity in these elections and it was mentioned many times in his
rival camps. That is why personal qualities such as honour and dignity
are appreciated in Tbilisi, as well as in Sukhumi or Grozny. But
Russian journalists cannot understand and perceive the Caucasus in
general.
All political processes show attitude of society and its needs. These
elections were not exception either and they make it possible to draw
certain conclusions. The most important conclusion to be drawn on the
results of these elections is that the ideology of deified in Abkhazia
Vladislav Ardzinba has ended. This is the end of that violent
separatist ideology that Abkhazians have been using for the past 20
years were and on which their so-called “Independence” was built. the
elections was once again won by Ardzinba’s rival camp and this
indicates that the Abkhazian society is fed up with playing “Georgian
card”, it is fed up with tensions, they want peace and stability, they
need a steady hand to stop lawlessness of criminal clans. They just
want to live, work, raise children and be happy like everyone in the
world. Therefore, the defeat of Khajimba (who acted in tandem with
Ardzinba’s widow) and Shamba (whose campaign was based on the ideology
of “Aidgilara”) is the beginning of the destruction of the ideological
foundations which led to Abkhazians’ being “independent” minority. But
even then this is independence when even their own fate does not
depend on them.
It should be noted that and a special role in this election was also
played by Armenian and Georgian population. If everyone understood
importance of the first from the beginning, importance of Georgians
was taken into account to a lesser extent, due to reasons which we
have already mentioned above. But it was the fact of Georgian
population acquiring “passports”, their support for Ankvab that played
a quite interesting role in this election.
In general, these processes have shown that non-Abkhazian population
supported stability. As we have already noted, Khajimba was coming
from the nationalist positions, so he should not have laid great hopes
on non-Abkhazian population. Armenians of Abkhazia, as we know, are
fully engaged in the service sector, whether it concerns receiving
tourists, their transportation services, or etc. They do not want war,
they want money. And money loves peace, they say. At the same time
they got pretty fed up with lawlessness of Abkhazian criminals,
increasing number of drug addicts and thieves, and by supporting
Ankvab they expressed hope that it all would come to an end. The main
thing for the Georgian population is peace and stability, so that they
are not robbed, that they can have normal development, that they have
ability of free movement into the Georgian-controlled territory as
Ankvab promised them, so they can learn and develop in their native
language. For all these 20 years, the most affected was the Georgian
population of Gali district. Just during the period of deployment of
the Russian peacekeepers over two thousand Georgians were killed. They
are absolutely powerless, and have been living in the status of
third-rate people for the past 20 years in conditions of daily fear.
Another interesting fact is that part of Russians also supported
Ankvab, for example, in the mountainous village of Pskhu.
For us this election changes nothing. No matter who will be a Russian
puppet in Abkhazia – Ankvab, Shamba or Khajimba the issue of
territorial integrity of Georgia remains open and we should not hope
for any warming of relations. However, it should be noted that rivalry
is always more attractive with a worthy person than unworthy one.
Unfortunately, this worthy person has little saying in the painful for
us question and nothing depends on him since any move against Russia’s
interests may result in the same things that happened to Bagapsh. It
will be good if this worthy man at least let Georgians living there
feel that they are not third-rate people and will ensure their safety.
Azerbaijan pays ‘to fix 2012 Olympic boxing medals’?
11:48 – 23.09.11
BBC Newsnight has uncovered evidence of secret payments of millions of
dollars from Azerbaijan to international boxing organization World
Series Boxing (WSB).
Whistleblowers say that WSB’s chief claimed the money was in return
for a guarantee that Azerbaijani fighters would win two boxing gold
medals at the London 2012 Olympics.
The boxing organizer at the Olympics, AIBA, admits an Azeri national
paid $9m (£5.9m) to one of their competitions.
But they deny any deal to fix medals.
Lawyers for the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) told
the BBC that any such allegation was “preposterous and utterly
untrue”.
That view was backed by AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu, who told
Newsnight that the claims were “totally untrue and ludicrous”, adding
that “WSB is conducted in a totally transparent way”.
However, he said that AIBA had a zero tolerance policy on corruption
and that he would conduct an immediate investigation into the
allegations.
The AIBA is the international governing body for the sport of boxing
recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). World Series
Boxing, a franchised league of professional boxing, is one of its
initiatives.
Whistleblowers from inside boxing approached Newsnight with
allegations about the Chief Operating Officer of the AIBA’s World
Series Boxing (WSB), Ivan Khodabakhsh.
WSB had run into financial difficulties in America and was in need of funding.
‘Medals being sold’
The insiders said Mr Khodabakhsh told them that a secret deal had been
done to secure funding from Azerbaijan in return for manipulation of
the Olympic boxing tournament to guarantee gold medals for Azerbaijani
fighters.
I deny that I have offered anyone two gold medals or have any
understanding that anybody else has offered two gold medals to
Azerbaijan’
One insider told Newsnight: “Ivan boasted to a few of us that there
was no need to worry about World Series Boxing having the coin to pay
its bills. As long as the Azeris got their medals, WSB would have the
cash.”
Another said that Mr Khodabakhsh came in and said: “We are safe now –
Azerbaijan came in – we have to give them medals for that.”
“He was talking about gold medals in London in return for millions of
dollars of secret payments,” the insider added. “Medals are being sold
so blatantly it’s amazing.”
But Mr Khodabakhsh told Newsnight that claims that there was any deal
with Azerbaijan were “an absolute lie”.
“I deny that I have offered anyone two gold medals or have any
understanding that anybody else has offered two gold medals to
Azerbaijan,” he added.
AIBA has previously claimed that the money for WSB America came from a
private Swiss company, but documents obtained by Newsnight show
communications between Mr Khodabakhsh, AIBA executive director Ho Kim
and Azerbaijan’s Minister for Emergency Situations Kamaladdin Heydarov
about an investment agreement for a $10m loan.
These include an e-mail from Mr Khodabakhsh to the ministry in
Azerbaijan with the following request: “Please transfer the investment
money soonest possible to the WSB America account.”
‘Go-between’
Newsnight interviewed Mr Khodabakhsh earlier this month in
Switzerland, where WSB have offices, and asked him about the source of
the money.
“The money for WSB America came from an investment company here based
in Switzerland,” he said.
However, lawyers for AIBA and WSB, have now confirmed that although
the money was paid through a Swiss company it actually came from
Azerbaijan. But they deny that it was from the government there.
They say that the government minister, Mr Heydarov, introduced a
private Azerbaijani investor to WSB and that the minister and his
assistant acted as the interface between the two since the investor
did not speak good English.
Newsnight tried to contact Mr Heydarov via his office, but has
received no response.
To date the anonymous investor has contributed $9m to WSB America.
Sporting events promoter Barry Hearn was asked to look at the
economics of WSB when it was first mooted in 2009 and came to the
conclusion that it could not make money.
He told Newsnight he was surprised that any investor would think that
it offered the opportunity for high returns:
“If an investor comes into this scheme with $10m I can only think he’s
arrived from another planet”.
There have been repeated allegations of corruption in Olympic boxing
competitions.
The legendary boxing commentator Jim Neilly told Newsnight “There have
been enough incidences down the years to suggest there has been
collusion”.
Speaking to Newsnight, AIBA President Dr Wu said his organization had
spent the last four years “cleaning the house of boxing” and that any
corruption or manipulation within the sport was not tolerated.
Tert.am
Olympic Scandal: Baku Alleged in Deal to Fix Boxing Medals
09.23.2011 13:06 epress.am
BBC Newsnight has uncovered evidence of secret payments of millions of
dollars from Azerbaijan to international boxing organization World
Series Boxing (WSB).
Whistleblowers say that WSB’s chief claimed the money was in return
for a guarantee that Azerbaijani fighters would win two boxing gold
medals at the London 2012 Olympics.
The boxing organizer at the Olympics, AIBA, admits an Azeri national
paid $9m to one of their competitions.
But they deny any deal to fix medals.
Lawyers for the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) told
the BBC that any such allegation was `preposterous and utterly
untrue’.
That view was backed by AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu, who told
Newsnight that the claims were `totally untrue and ludicrous’, adding
that `WSB is conducted in a totally transparent way’.
However, he said that AIBA had a zero tolerance policy on corruption
and that he would conduct an immediate investigation into the
allegations.
The AIBA is the international governing body for the sport of boxing
recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). World Series
Boxing, a franchised league of professional boxing, is one of its
initiatives.
Whistleblowers from inside boxing approached Newsnight with
allegations about the Chief Operating Officer of the AIBA’s World
Series Boxing (WSB), Ivan Khodabakhsh.
WSB had run into financial difficulties in the US and was in need of funding.
The insiders said Khodabakhsh told them that a secret deal had been
done to secure funding from Azerbaijan in return for manipulation of
the Olympic boxing tournament to guarantee gold medals for Azerbaijani
fighters.
One insider told Newsnight: `Ivan boasted to a few of us that there
was no need to worry about World Series Boxing having the coin to pay
its bills. As long as the Azeris got their medals, WSB would have the
cash.’
Another said that Khodabakhsh came in and said: `We are safe now –
Azerbaijan came in – we have to give them medals for that.’
`He was talking about gold medals in London in return for millions of
dollars of secret payments,’ the insider added. `Medals are being sold
so blatantly it’s amazing.’
But Khodabakhsh told Newsnight that claims that there was any deal
with Azerbaijan were `an absolute lie’.
`I deny that I have offered anyone two gold medals or have any
understanding that anybody else has offered two gold medals to
Azerbaijan,’ he added.
AIBA has previously claimed that the money for WSB America came from a
private Swiss company, but documents obtained by Newsnight show
communications between Khodabakhsh, AIBA executive director Ho Kim and
Azerbaijan’s Minister for Emergency Situations Kamaladdin Heydarov
about an investment agreement for a $10m loan.
These include an email from Khodabakhsh to the ministry in Azerbaijan
with the following request: `Please transfer the investment money
soonest possible to the WSB America account.’
Newsnight interviewed Khodabakhsh earlier this month in Switzerland,
where WSB have offices, and asked him about the source of the money.
`The money for WSB America came from an investment company here based
in Switzerland,’ he said.
However, lawyers for AIBA and WSB, have now confirmed that although
the money was paid through a Swiss company it actually came from
Azerbaijan. But they deny that it was from the government there.
They say that the government minister, Heydarov, introduced a private
Azerbaijani investor to WSB and that the minister and his assistant
acted as the interface between the two since the investor did not
speak good English.
Newsnight tried to contact Heydarov via his office, but has received
no response.
To date the anonymous investor has contributed $9m to WSB America.
Sporting events promoter Barry Hearn was asked to look at the
economics of WSB when it was first mooted in 2009 and came to the
conclusion that it could not make money.
He told Newsnight he was surprised that any investor would think that
it offered the opportunity for high returns:
`If an investor comes into this scheme with $10m I can only think he’s
arrived from another planet’.
There have been repeated allegations of corruption in Olympic boxing
competitions.
The legendary boxing commentator Jim Neilly told Newsnight `There have
been enough incidences down the years to suggest there has been
collusion’.
Speaking to Newsnight, AIBA President Dr. Wu said his organization had
spent the last four years `cleaning the house of boxing’ and that any
corruption or manipulation within the sport was not tolerated.
Web platform for Armenian farmers to sell directly to customers
15:23 – 25.09.11
National Cooperation Network (NCN) portal is building a website for
Armenian farmers (farmers.am), the NCN Executive Director Arshak
Sadoyan has said.
Speaking to Tert.am, he said around 200,000 farming businesses are
expected to be registered on this website that will be built on the
NCN’s portal, with each having its website and a possibility to
represent their programs and experience.
According to him, the main goal of this website is to ensure a direct
communication between farmers and consumers so that the farmers will
avoid selling their produces to consumers through intermediaries.
The NCN portal is also planning to design websites for companies
producing and processing agricultural products so that they will also
be able to directly supply their products to buyers.
“We hope that the opportunities to be created in the website will to
some extent contribute to decreasing the prices of agricultural
products and foodstuffs, therefore to the improvement of peoples’
social conditions.
Tert.am
Oregon Congressional Candidate Brad Avakian Fundraises in Ohio
Sat, Sep 24 2011
By:Armenian Weekly
CINCINNATI, Ohio – Brad Avakian, Armenian American Candidate for US
Representative, was in Ohio on September 17 -18, where he met with
Ohio Armenian Americans at fundraising events in Columbus and
Cincinnati. Mr. Avakian has served in both houses of the Oregon state
legislature and currently serves as the Commissioner for Labor and
Industry for the State of Oregon. Mr. Avakian is a leading candidate
to fill an open Congressional seat which includes much of the City of
Portland, OR.
`Brad is an outstanding leader and one that Armenian Americans can be
proud of,’ said David Krikorian of Cincinnati who helped organize the
weekend trip. Columbus businessman Ty Safaryan and his family opened
their beautiful home to the many guests who came to hear Mr. Avakian
outline his plan to help America get back to work. Safaryan added, `I
am really impressed with Brad’s distinguished career as a public
servant, he’s really dedicated to helping people.’
`I enjoyed my quick trip to Ohio,’ said Avakian, adding, `I am
grateful to the Armenian American community for all of the wonderful
support they are providing.’
Brad’s grandparents came to America at the turn of the last century.
His grandfather moved to Fresno, Calif. from Moush in 1898 while his
grandmother came from Bitlis in 1900.
Avaikian raised funds on his trip which will be used to help purchase
media advertisements in advance of his special primary election on
Nov. 8.
If you would like to learn more about Brad Avakian please visit his
website at
TURQUIE
Quand les fonctionnaires turcs traquent l’obscénité en littérature
Ils sont médecin, spécialiste de l’économie agraire, imam ou encore
psychologue. Une mission réunit ces dix honorables citoyens turcs : la
lutte contre l’obscénité.
Le Comité de protection des mineurs contre les publications nuisibles
est convoqué par le ministère public à chaque fois qu’une oeuvre
littéraire est suspectée d’obscénité. Il traque aussi l’immoralité au
quotidien dans la presse turque.
Parmi les derniers écrivains dont un roman a été déclaré obscène et
sans mérite littéraire par ce comité figurent les Américains Chuck
Palahniuk, auteur de `Fight Club`, et William Burroughs, chef de file
de la Beat Generation.
Le procès de `La Machine molle` de Burroughs est imminent tandis que
l’enquête sur `Snuff` de Palahniuk est en cours.
Le mois dernier, le comité, qui dépend des services du Premier
ministre, a contraint un nouveau magazine de caricatures, Harakiri, à
mettre la clé sous la porte avec une forte amende pour obscénité.
L’institution a motivé sa décision en affirmant que le magazine
`encourage les relations hors mariage`, aussi bien que `la paresse et
l’aventurisme`, a rapporté la presse.
`Un magazine de caricatures n’encourage qu’une seule chose : la
lecture`, rétorque le dessinateur M. K. Perker, le fondateur de la
revue, aujourd’hui basé à New York, dont les dessins sont publiés dans
le New York Times et le Wall Street Journal.
Le comité peut aussi ordonner la vente des périodiques `obscènes` sous
un emballage en plastique noir.
`Il s’agit de tentatives pour dissuader les éditeurs. C’est une
attaque contre notre liberté d’expression`, martèle l’éditeur Irfan
Sanci au sujet du sort réservé par le comité à `La Machine Molle`.
Le comité a conclu que le roman de Burroughs `n’a pas de valeur
littéraire (…) en raison d’un manque d’intégrité de son contenu`, et
`n’a pas d’utilité pour le monde intellectuel des lecteurs`.
`Ce comité n’est pas qualifié pour prendre des décisions concernant la
littérature`, juge M. Sanci, récompensé en 2010 du Prix de la liberté
de l’Association internationale des éditeurs.
`Bien sûr qu’il existe des publications qui peuvent affecter
négativement les enfants. Le comité doit surveiller cela, mais (…)
il n’y a aucun pédagogue ou auteur pour enfant dans cette
institution`, estime le président de l’Union des éditeurs de Turquie,
Metin Celal Zeynioglu.
`Je n’ai jamais vu ce comité prendre une seule décision dans un
dossier concernant des enfants`, insiste M. Zeynioglu.
La plupart de ses membres proviennent de différents ministères
comprenant la Santé, la Justice, la Culture et l’Education, aux côtés
d’un imam nommé par la Direction des Affaires religieuses, d’un
universitaire et d’un journaliste.
Contacté par l’AFP, son président, Ruhi Özbilgiç, un expert en
économie agraire, a refusé de s’exprimer.
Pour Irfan Sanci, l’action du comité n’est pas liée à l’accession au
pouvoir en 2002 du Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP), issu
de la mouvance islamiste.
`Ce comité a été fondé en 1927. Il est lié à la philosophie fondatrice
de la République, commente l’éditeur, dont dix livres ont été
poursuivis en vingt ans.
`J’ai été poursuivi pour un roman de l’auteur français Jeanne
Cordelier avant l’arrivée de l’AKP`, indique-t-il. Le roman, `La
Dérobade`, un témoignage sur la prostitution, a été vendu sous
emballage plastique noir dans les années 1990.
Pour M. Zeynioglu cependant, la nature des publications censurées
évolue au gré de `l’atmosphère politique`.
`Dans le passé, les gens étaient poursuivis parce qu’ils faisaient de
la propagande religieuse. Plus tard, les procès ont été ouverts pour
insulte aux valeurs religieuses`, a-t-il observé.
dimanche 25 septembre 2011,
Sté[email protected]