Author: Boshkezenian Garik

VIC DARCHINYAN INTERESTED IN FIGHTING MARVIN SONSONA

PanARMENIAN.Net
07.09.2009 19:05 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ WBA/WBC super flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan
(32-2, 26KOs) is very interested in setting up a unification bout with
newly crowned WBO champion Marvin Sonsona (14-0, 12KOs). Sonsona
won the title on Friday with a twelve round decision over Jose
Lopez. International matchmaker and promoter Sampson Lewkowicz
introduced Manny Pacquiao to America. He promotes Sonsona under his
promotional company, Sampson Boxing.

Last week, Lewkowicz made a brief visit to the Little Italy section
of Manhattan. During that visit I sat down with Lewkowicz to discuss
the potential of Sonsona. He predicted a statement would be made in
Ontario and called him the next Filipino sensation. Sonsona made good
on the promise of a statement. Lewkowicz told me that big opportunities
await Sonsona in 2010. Darchinyan wants to be that opportunity.

Darchinyan has fought more than a few Filipino fighters. He
stopped Glenn Donaire in 2006. Nonito Donaire avenged his brother
by knocking Darchinyan out in 2007, and the "Raging Bull" fought to
a controversial draw with Z Gorres in 2008. He returns on December 5
with a title defense against Tomasz Rojas. Sonsona will make the first
defense of his title on the tentative date of November 21 in Ontario,
BoxingScene.com reported.

European Youth Judo Championship to start in Yerevan on September 11

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 4, NOYAN TAPAN. The European Youth Judo Championship
will be held at Yerevan’s Sport and Concert Complex on September 11-13.
Earlier, on August 20 the RA Judo Federation gave a press conference in
this connection. RA Deputy Minister of Sport Samvel Khachatrain told
reporters that 40 countries have submitted bids for participation,
which is a record number in the history of European youth championships.

President of the RA Judo Federation Alexan Avetisian said that the
teams of Albania, Ireland and Wales will participate in the European
championship for the first time. Azerbaijan has also submitted a bid
for participation. The names of all Azerbaijani judo wrestlers to
compete in 8 weight classes are known. A. Avetisian said that Armenia
is ready to ensure security of judoists from Azerbaijan and the other
countries. The number of judoists exceeds 200, and they will be
accompanied by coaches, referees and other members of their delegations.

RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan is the chairman of the governmental
organizing committee.

Judo started to gain popularity in Armenia in 1992 when Alexan
Avetisian was elected president of the RA Judo Federation. Thanks to
his efforts the Under-23 Judo Championship held in Yerevan in 2003 was
a success, with Armenian judoists winning one gold, one silver and 5
bronze medals.

YSU professors call for Pashinyan’s release

kol-pashinyan
05:54 pm | September 04, 2009 | Politics

A group of professors of Yerevan State University today issued a
statement which says in part,
"We, the undersigned, demand that Armenian authorities release
Armenian noted journalist, publicist and editor-in-chief of "Haykakan
Zhamanak" daily Nikol Pashinyan.

"The fact that the political activist struggling for the country’s
future well-being is detained for his political stance is
incontrovertible and is incompliant with the principles of the 21st
world.

At the same time we call for drastic measures to be taken to disclose
the perpetrators of the March 1 unrest.

"For Armenia and Artsakh, it is especially urgent, in light of recent
crucial events related to foreign policy, to establish an environment
of tolerance and confidence in the country

VTB childhood new deposit introduced in Armenia on September 1

YEREVAN, September . /ARKA/. VTB Childhood new deposit is introduced by
Bank VTB (Armenia) closed joint stock company on September 1, General
Director of the bank Valery Ovsiannikov reported.

The new deposit is giving parents an opportunity to accumulate funds
for future education expenses of their children, Ovsiannikov said.

Ovsiannikov pointed out that free insurance for deposit holders is part
of the new product offered by Bank VTB (Armenia).

In case of an accident, the deposit holders will get money from the
insurance company and will not have to break off the deposit,
Ovsiannikov said. The deposits will be kept until the children attain
majority and are able to get the money, he added.

Head of the bank’s department for retail business development Hayk
Shekyan, in his turn, said that interest rates on the new deposit are
9% for deposits in drams, 7% for deposits in USD and 3% for deposits in
euros.

The rate is tied to the deposit amount; deposit holders can accumulate
and the interest rate will go up, Shekyan said.

Ovsiannikov pointed out that interest rates will depend on the market
first of all and may change in the future by the end of this year or
the beginning of the next year.

`In any case, I believe that the interest rates are adequate to the
inflation recorded in Armenia,’ Ovsiannikov said adding
that it will
help people not lose on inflation and preserve money to get reasonable
interest in five years and to pay for higher education of their
children.

Bank VTB (Armenia) (Armsavingsbank before June 20 2006) joined the VTB
Group in April 2004. Currently the bank VTB is the full owner of Bank
VTB (Armenia) closed joint stock company. N.V. `0–

KARABAKH SETTLEMENT NOT FAR AWAY

Lider TV
Sept 3 2009
Baku

[Presenter] Armenians are overcome with hysteria. This was the impact
on both the diaspora and opposition forces inside that country of a
document agreed between Ankara and Yerevan on establishing ties between
the two countries. Protests have started against the authorities.

[Correspondent over archive video] The documents signed between
Turkey and Armenia cannot be described as pro-Armenian, Turkologist
Ruben Melkonyan has said at his news conference in Yerevan. In talks
like this, both sides should compromise and this is understandable,
he said. However, two points in the document are absolutely not in
favour of Armenia. One of them is that the sides recognize each other’s
territorial integrity. In Melkonyan’s opinion, historical Armenian
lands in contemporary Turkey are an integral part of Armenian national
conscience and we should stick to the idea of regaining those lands.

The Armenian Turkologist said that the second point in the document
that created a problem was about setting up an intergovernmental
commission that would research historical evidence. Turkish members of
the commission will try to question the so-called Armenian genocide,
whereas for Armenians, this issue does not present a disputable issue
that needs to be researched.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edvard Nalbandyan has almost admitted
that Armenia has been put against the wall in the diplomatic front,
has softened its position to a large extent, and is forced to make
significant concessions. Asked by a journalist whether there would be
a common border between Armenia and Karabakh, Nalbandyan said that
there should be a reliable link between Armenia and Karabakh. You
may describe this link as a corridor, but you should not think that
it will be a road, this is not so. Uninterrupted or interrupted
communication is at issue, he said. It turns out that an end has been
put to Armenians’ plans to keep Lacin and Kalbacar.

Armenian political expert Stepan Grigoryan is also raising alarm over
attempts to force Armenia to make concessions. A rapprochement and
consensus has been recently observed between the USA and Russia in
the Karabakh settlement process, he said. This promises nothing good
to Armenia, he added.

Protests have already started over both the Armenian-Turkish
negotiations and the Karabakh settlement. While the Armenian diaspora
has limited itself to expressing its concern, the opposition has
already held a protest rally. However, the rally was not successful
and massive. This shows that the Armenian population too is fed up
and is looking forward to a settlement. Thus, this time round there
is hope that the negotiations will yield a result.

AZERBAIJAN WANTS TURKEY TO KEEP ITS PROMISE

Asbarez Staff
-wants-turkey-to-keep-its-promise/
Sep 3rd, 2009

BAKU (Combined Sources)-Azerbaijan signaled on Thursday that a further
alignment of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process with the current
Armenia-Turkey negotiations was taking place in revealing comments
that follow the release of protocols by Armenia and Turkey aimed at
establishing relations by year’s end.

"This issue was discussed last week during a telephone conversation
between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Ilham Aliyev
and Azerbaijan has once again stated its position," Novruz Mammedov,
a senior aide to Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, said on Thursday
commenting on the announcement of the Armenia-Turkey protocols.

Armenia and Turkey said Monday they will sign accords on diplomatic
ties after six weeks of domestic consultations and submit them to
their respective parliaments for ratification, after which the border
is expected to be opened within two months of ratification, possibly
by New Year.

Azerbaijan, a supplier of oil and gas to the West, opposes the opening
of borders between Armenia and Turkey without Yerevan quitting its
support for the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, over
which Baku seeks to regain control.

Mammedov told Azeri ANS television in comments posted on its website
on Thursday that the Turkish- Armenian rapprochement was contrary to
Azeri national interests. But he added: "I believe that before the
border is opened, there could be movement in resolving the conflict,
and certain agreement."

Mediators from the United States, France and Russia have for months
said they were close to clinching an agreement on the basic principles
of a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Karabakh. The OSCE
Minsk Group has been pushing for a speedy resolution of the conflict
before October to secure similar gains in the Armenia-Turkey track.

But analysts have been skeptical of a breakthrough, citing
a flawed mediation approach that ignores the conflicts core
issues-namely that of the Nagorno-Karabakh peoples’ right to self
determination,and Azerbaijan’s culpability in launching and losing a
war of aggression. That the two conflicts are being packaged together
into what is increasingly looking like one all-encompassing deal is
also cause for skepticism that mediators will reach a sustainable
solution to either issue.

Mammedov said that for Azerbaijan, "the main thing is that the
opening of the [Turkish-Armenian] border should not contradict" its
interests and "that certain movement should be achieved in resolving
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict."

A resolution to the Karabakh conflict, he reiterated, "depends
on the [Armenia-Turkey] negotiation and on conditions made in the
negotiations."

"It is necessary for the Turkish side to keep its promises," he added.

ARMEN SARGSYAN APPOINTED ARMENIA’S AMBASSADOR TO KOREA AND VIETNAM

armradio.am
04.09.2009 11:17

President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree on appointing the Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to
the People’s Republic of China, Armen Sargsyan, to the position
of Armenia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the
Republic of Korea and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, President’s
Press Office reported.

ARMENIAN AUTHORITIES MAY COMMIT GRAVEST POLITICAL BLUNDER, ARF REP STATES

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Sept 3 2009
Armenia

Mourad Papazian, Head of the West European Office of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (ARF) is concerned over the Armenia
authorities’ approach to the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish
relations and over the ensuring consequences.

"The Armenian Cause is endangered. The Armenian authorities will commit
the gravest political blunder since Armenia declared independence if
they agree to a compromise with Turkey. And they seen to be ready
to all compromises to normalize relations with Turkey and get the
Armenian-Turkish border reopened. They are ready to make concessions
over the Armenian Genocide, Nagorno-Karabakh problem and Armenian
people’s rights.

Papazian said that "alarming of the very fact that both the sates
decided to form a commission to study the cases related to the
1915 events (slaughter of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey), which is
an indisputable fact not only for Armenia, but also for dozens of
other countries, as well as experts, which recognized the fact of
Armenian Genocide. Now, this fact has been challenged, and even by
the Armenian Government. This is a most serious blow on the Armenian
Cause, and a serious victory of Turkish diplomacy."

Papazian also stressed that "the Armenian Government, Foreign
Minister, as well as the President, have no right to speak on
behalf of the Armenian nation without knowing the Armenian people’s
will. The Armenian Government’s decision is an instance of political
irresponsibility, which is by no means legitimate. It is extremely
important that the Armenian President organize a pan-Armenian dialogue
with the participation of communities, major Armenian organizations
and political parties, as a split between the Armenian authorities
and the Diaspora is inevitable."

Summing up, Papazian called for accepting the stance taken by the
"true representatives of the Armenian people." "It is inadmissible
that Turkey is causing a split within the Armenian nation," he said.

U.S. MILITARY PROVIDES FUNDS FOR REPAIR OF KINDERGARTEN

2/usa
12:43 pm | September 02, 2009

Society

Today marks the 51st anniversary of a tragic flight and crash of
a U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft in the village of Nerkin Sasnashen
and also marks the beginning of a renewed relationship between the
village and the people of the United States.

After a ceremony commemorating the extraordinary events of over 50
years ago, Defense Attache Lieutenant Colonel Robert Webster announced
that the village will receive approximately $140,000 USD to repair and
refurbish the kindergarten and complete landscaping of the grounds.
He stated, "Completion of this Office of Defense Cooperation repair
project will help show our appreciation to the villagers who have
continued to bring honor to the memory of those servicemen who
perished here in the line of duty over 50 years ago." Additionally,
members of the embassy community collected and presented 80 backpacks
with schools supplies for the children to use when they return to
kindergarten early next year.

On September 2nd, 1958, a United States Air Force
reconnaissance-configured C-130, with 17 airmen inside, was shot down
over the airspace of Soviet Armenia. The airplane crashed approximately
200 meters north of the village of Nerkin Sasnashen, killing all 17
airmen on board. In 1993, the people of Sasnashen erected a monument
to the fallen airmen. Since that time, the villagers commemorate the
site on the anniversary of the crash to honor those who sacrificed
their lives in service to their country.

Haigazian University
Mira Yardemian Public Relations Director
Mexique Street, Kantari, Beirut
Tel: 961-1-353010/1/2
961-1-349230/1

Haigazian University and the Armenian National Committee – Middle East

International Conference held in Beirut: "The Armenian Genocide and
International Law" features the President of the House of
Representatives of Cyprus, H.E. Marios Garoyian

Beirut, Sept3, 2009- On Wednesday, 2 September 2009, opened the
international conference, "The Armenian Genocide and International Law"
organized by Haigazian University and the Armenian National Committee –
Middle East in the hall of the First Armenian Evangelical Church,
Beirut.

Among the capacity audience were present Minister Alain Tabourian,
representing the President of the Republic, H.E. General Michel
Suleiman, M.P. Hagop Pakradounian, representing the Speaker of the
Parliament, H.E. Mr. Nabih Berry, Minister Jean Oghasabian, representing
the President of the Council of Ministers, H.E. Mr. Fouad Sanioura, M.P.
Sebouh Kalpakian, representing the appointed President of the Council of
Ministers, H.E. Saad Rafic Hariri, M.P. Shant Chinchinian, ambassadors
of the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Uruguay, the Czech Republic, President
of the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Rev.
Megrdich Karagozian, Prelate of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Lebanon,
Bishop Kegham Khatcherian, the president of the Armenian Protestant
community in Syria, Rev. Haroutune Selimian, representatives of
embassies, Armenian and Lebanese Political Parties, cultural
associations, previous M.P.s and ministers, religious leaders, and
guests of the conference.

The ceremony started with the Lebanese National Anthem after which
Haigazian University’s public relations director Mira Yardemian welcomed
the audience and declared the official opening of the two-day
conference, noting that, "this conference is being held at a time when
world politics and indeed the relations between Turkey and Armenia are
witnessing significant change, a season of breaking news." Yardemian
added that more than 20 scholars and international journalists are
present from the USA, Canada, Europe, Armenia, Turkey, the Gulf, and the
Middle East, to join the local community to establish a solid step in
the direction of addressing the consequences of the Armenian Genocide
and promote a fair perspective through international law.

In his message, the President of Haigazian University Rev. Dr. Paul
Haidostian emphasized that "the Armenian Genocide is not simply an
Armenian problem but essentially an international burden." Haidostian
added that, "the victim carries a strong sense of ownership of pain, but
human civilization cannot be considered as highly developed if it does
not embrace a sense of advocacy for the victimized." Talking of genocide
Haidostian drew the attention to four key points. First, "injustices of
any nation against any other nation are part of the same human
manifestation of evil that require joint, and effective global action."
Second, "that this international conference convenes in a country,
Lebanon, which continues to be a unique land of dialogue and culture
despite the ever-present seeds of misunderstanding." Third, giving the
example of Haigazian University, and more specifically, giving the name
of Armenag Haigazian, a victim of the Armenian Genocide, Haidostian
emphasized, "our calling has been and continues to be standing up for
new life not only for Armenians but especially for our Arab brothers and
sisters, and really, all people of the world." Finally, Haidostian
explained that given the fact that this conference is being held at a
university it reminds us that no academic community can be
value-neutral. "A university may be a neutral medium of dialogue, but it
is essentially a forum of passion for deeper knowledge, responsibility,
and enlightenment."

In her message, the Executive Director of the Armenian National
Committee – Middle East, Vera Yacoubian talked about the role the
Armenian National Committee is playing to highlight the important role
of the Armenian community throughout the Middle East and its coexistence
with it surrounding Arab and Islamic communities and the efforts it
invests in disclosing the Armenian question with all its historical,
political, and judicial implications to the public opinion. Yacoubian
hoped that this conference would provide a significant breakthrough in
analyzing the Armenian Genocide given the fact that it brings together a
large group of specialists in the arena of genocide and international
law and because that this conference is taking place in a region which
is still suffering the its Ottoman inherited values.

Regarding Turkish-Armenian relations, Yacoubian noted "we cannot ignore
or disregard the sequence of these recent developments, and address
these pending issues, without resolving past history between the two
nations. Yacoubian added that "indeed the Turkish-Armenian relations
carry the heavy burden of the Armenian genocide, and there is a high
level of doubt and mistrust regarding Turkish intentions".

Yacoubian concluded by questioning that in the context of these
developments, what are Turkey’s responsibilities towards the
acknowledgement of the Armenian Genocide and the future of the Armenian
Question.

The guest speaker for the opening session, the President of the House of
Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Marios Garoyian
expressed his gratitude to the organizing bodies, expressing that his
presence here is driven by his country’s "commitment to international
law, peace, security and stability, but also their determination to
continue to condemn, on every possible occasion, any infringement of
International Law by acts of Genocide." Mr. Garoyian reiterated the fact
that "on the one hand, governments and parliaments should act together
and closely cooperate in terms of assessing the progress made with
regard to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the
Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and identify measures
to be taken at all levels. On the other hand, it is the States that must
cooperate for the prevention and punishing of those responsible for the
crime of Genocide."

Garoyian questioned the role that Turkey is playing as mediator,
peacemaker and peacekeeper, in the wider Middle East, while Turkey
continues to deny the truth of the crimes perpetrated by its Ottoman
predecessors.

Garoyian noted that Cyprus has always stood by the side of the Armenian
people in regard to their struggle for the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide. In 1975 the Cyprus House of Representatives was one of the
first Parliaments in the world to adopt a resolution calling the
atrocities inflicted upon the Armenians in and around 1915 as genocide.
Garoyian added that Cyprus and its people have many more reasons to
understand the injustice of the Armenian Genocide due to, "the
implementation of Turkey’s policy of ethnic cleansing against Cyprus’
population during the 1974 invasion and the continuing occupation of 37%
of Cyprus’ territory."

The sessions of the conference continue till September 4, and include
three public lectures.