Author: Chatinian Lara

WE SUPPORT AZERBAIJAN’S JUST ASPIRATION TO LIBERATE ITS TERRITORY – OIC SEC-GEN
Author: R.Agayev

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
June 8 2006

“We support Azerbaijan in its fair aspiration to liberate its
lands which are under [Armenian] occupation,” Ekmaleddin Ihsanoglu,
the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Organization
(OIC), as stating to a news conference in Moscow on 7 June in reply
to question to Trend special correspondent.

“We support any peace talks between the sides. We support Azerbaijan
and call on Armenia to cooperation in international arena with all
who endeavor to the resolution of the conflict, no matter whether
within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group, European Union, UN and
other international organizations,” he underlined.

Besides, Ihsanoglu spoke about the chairmanship of Azerbaijan at OIC.

“As to role of Azerbaijan as a chairing country, that it will take
at the next summit of the OIC in Baku at the level of the Foreign
Ministers, we are glad to see Azerbaijan in this position. I expect the
Baku meeting to yield positive results. It will come as the first of
OIC held in the former Soviet country CIS, where the communist regime
reigned. It leads to two major conclusion that Islam is striving
to refusal from extremist manifestations and on the other hand all
Muslim countries will feel that none of them is forgotten and lost. I
think all allies worldwide support this position, which have gained
independence recently and joined the OIC. No matter where they meetings
are held the conclusion will mirror that Islam is keen on moderation,
calmness and peaceable co-existence with all religions,” he said.

Touching upon the disorders staged by Azerbaijanis in Iran, the OIC
Secretary General noted that he did not have relevant information.

“However, I should say that in respect to these issues we came out from
the aspect of respect to the territorial integrity of the country,
urge all countries to respect the human rights and achieve peaceable
solution to all similar problems.”

Ihsanoglu also informed about the results of talks with Russian
present Vladimir Putin on the situation with Russian diplomats in
Iraq. The meeting also focused on the Palestinian issues.

In his turn Aslambek Aslakhanov, the adviser to the Russian
President, stated that soon there will be set up the construction of
shopping-hotel center business center in the Center of Moscow, which
will serve as a representation of the OIC member-countries. An area
with the square of 5h has been selected in this respect and accorded
with the Moscow’s Mayoral Office.

DARCHINYAN TO SEARCH FOR MORE WORLD TITLES
Stathi Paxinos

The Age, Australia
June 9 2006

AUSTRALIA’s flyweight world champion Vic Darchinyan said yesterday he
would only fight for new world titles after he completed his fourth
title defence by a knockout last weekend.

And the feisty Armenian-born Darchinyan said he was prepared to move
up three weight divisions to secure the fights he wanted.

Darchinyan, who yesterday received a disappointingly low-key reception
in Sydney after retaining his International Boxing Federation and
International Boxing Organisation belts last weekend, said he was
only prepared to fight other world champions from now on.

He said negotiations were being held to fight World Boxing Organisation
flyweight champion Omar Narvaez on the undercard of either the Hasim
Rahman and Oleg Maskaev fight in August or the next Diego Corrales
fight scheduled for September – both of which would give him extensive
coverage in the US.

He said he would wait one month after that bout to secure fights
with holders of other flyweight belts. If he could not secure a bout,
he would move divisions.

“Super-flyweight, bantamweight, super-bantamweight, it doesn’t matter
for me. If someone has a belt and wants to fight me, I will fight
him. But he needs a belt,” Darchinyan said.

“I don’t want to just defend my titles, I want other titles … I
want to put my name in the memory of boxing.”

Darchinyan said he has sparred against Israel Vazquez, World Boxing
Council and IBF super-bantamweight champion, and was comfortable at
that weight.

He extended his perfect sequence of knockouts in world title fights
to five with his eighth-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Mexican
Luis Maldonado in Las Vegas last weekend.

The exciting southpaw’s “warrior” style earned him plenty of fans in
the US and delighted promoters.

But when Darchinyan arrived at Sydney airport just after 6am yesterday,
there were only a couple of reporters and no television cameras or
fans to meet him.

The scene was in contrast to the throng that met former
junior-welterweight world champion Kostya Tszyu on his early-morning
return from numerous overseas conquests.

Darchinyan, who relocated to Sydney from Armenia after representing
that country at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, was diplomatic about the
continued modest level of recognition for his feats.

“Maybe it’s because there’s not too much advertising or too much
media involved,” he said. “But my promoters and (US pay TV network)
Showtime told me, ‘Your style is very exciting, everyone wants you,
they’d like to watch you again’.”

SERBIA OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES ABOUT SEPARATION OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

AZG Armenian Daily
08/06/2006

The Parliament of Serbia officially declared about the collapse of
Serbia-Montenegro Federal State. BBC reports that 126 of 250 deputies
of the Serbian Parliament voted for that decision. The members of
the Serbian Radical party, the largest opposition party, didn’t
participate in the sitting.

The state bodies should complete the separation process of Serbia
and Montenegro by elaborating relevant legal acts for receiving new
international legal status for the republic.

According to Serbia-Montenegro charter, Serbia remains the member
of the UN and other international organizations, while Montenegro
should apply for membership. All the federal ambassadors abroad will
be considered the ambassadors of Serbia.

As compared with the official and dull atmosphere at the Serbian
Parliament, in Podgorica the citizens of Montenegro declared
independence in quite festive atmosphere. It’s worth mentioning
that 55,4% of the Montenegro citizens voted for the independence
from Serbia.

STARTING JUNE 30 FLIGHTS FROM ZVARTNOTS AIRPORT TO BE OPERATED IN NORMAL REGIME

Noyan Tapan
Jun 07 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Staring June 30, flights from Yerevan’s
Zvartnots Airport will be operated in the normal regime. To recap,
since April 10, flights have been operated only at night – from 8:00
pm to 10:30 am in connection with repairs of the airport’s runway.

Zvartnots Director Juan Pablo Gechjian told reporters that about
8 mln USD will be spent on asphalt laying this year. Repair of
asphalt cover is being carried out on the last 1,200 meter-section
of the runway. The other sections have been repaired over the past
two years. The airport director found it difficult to indicate the
total amount spent on the runway’s asphalt laying. He only said that
40 thousand tons of asphalt has been used.

Asked about his opinion concerning the statement of a NA deputy to
the effect that Zvartnot’s manager makes superprofits from this work,
J.P. Gechijian said: “The government did not ask that the exact amount
of investments be indicated in the concessional agreement, it is
required to build an airport in line with international standards. Let
deputies go and see what kind of terminal we are building.”

BOXING: VIC “RAGING BULL” DARCHINYAN RETURNS HOME THURSDAY!

Hardcore Boxing, CA
June 6 2006

“Team Fenech” Media Release

IBF/IBO flyweight world boxing champion Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan
– Australia’s only current male boxing world champion – will return
home to Sydney from the USA this Thursday 8th June 2006 at 8am after
one of his career best wins.

Darchinyan was at his destructive best last weekend, defending his
world titles against previously undefeated Mexican Luis Maldonado
on Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, USA in
front of a huge worldwide television audience.

30 year-old Darchinyan’s power packed left hand destroyed the 28
year-old from Mexicali with an eighth round TKO stoppage at the 1:38
minute mark.

Considered one of the hottest new stars in world boxing, Vic “Raging
Bull” Darchinyan now has an undefeated record of 26 wins, 0 losses
and 21 knockouts

Darchinyan will arrive by overseas flight at approximately 8am and
once he clears customs, will be available for interviews with the media
in the International Arrivals area at Sydney International Airport.

Exact flight details will be issued to the media on Wednesday
afternoon.

Darchinyan’s trainer is three-time world boxing champion and
International Boxing Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech.

30 year-old Darchinyan, the Armenia born Australian citizen southpaw,
is promoted by well-known American Gary Shaw, who guides the careers
of some of the best active boxing talent today.

Television agencies in Australia requiring footage of Vic Darchinyan’s
latest win can contact Mr David Spencer at Main Event Television on
0418 861233.

OHAN DURIAN’S HELTH STATE IS STABLY GRAVE

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 06 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 6, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. World-famous conductor
Ohan Durian’s health state is estimated stably grave. As Doctor,
Professor of the “Nairi” medical center Haroutiun Kushkian informed
the Noyan Tapan correspondent, they do their best to improve the
maestro’s health state. To recap, Ohan Durian was moved to the “Nairi”
medical center on early June 1 with heart apoplectic stroke.

ROBERT KOCHARIAN: FORMULA OF OVERCOMING DISAGREEMENTS IS “THROUGH COOPERATION TO THE SETTLEMENT, THROUGH COMMUNICATION TO A BIGGER TRUST”

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
June 05 2006

BUCHAREST, JUNE 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On June 5, RA
President Robert Kocharian made a speech at the Black Sea Forum for
Dialogue and Partnership in Bucharest. In his speech provided to
Noyan Tapan from the President’s Press Service, Robert Kocharian,
in particular, said: “Countries of the Black Sea region have rich
and at the same time dramatic history of co-existence.

The Black Sea has always been a center of strategic interest. This lead
to many devastating wars that have formed its current political map,
ethnic and religious diversity. However, this all has also resulted in
substantial interrelation of our cultures and traditions. Partially
that is why there are so many similarities in the process of
transformation underway in our countries.

This is true in case with the internal transformation, aimed at
deepening of democracy and transparency of the society. This also
influences the shaping of new types of foreign interactions in the
context of the changing world. We are present at the formation of
new dynamic processes, changing the region, forming new perceptions
about it. Two objective questions come across: how possible is
a common direction of development of the region? Will this lead
to the formation of the new regional identity, based on a common
interest and inherited cultural interaction? Our Forum is called to
address these challenging issues. We shall first evaluate the level
of motivation in each country of the region. Secondly, we shall
work out approaches increasing our mutual will for partnership. For
Armenia, with limited natural resources and emphasized entrepreneurial
mentality of the people, the choice was clear. Transformation for us
primarily meant the liberalization of economy, open trade regimes,
and a competitive environment. These reforms substantially changed
the structure of Armenian economy. Today over 85 per cent of GDP is
produced in private sector, with over 40 per cent of it being produced
in small and medium businesses.

Annual growth of GDP during last five years has averaged at above
12 per cent. It is natural, that we watch openness and regional
cooperation as the most effective way for our development. Only lazy
people do not speak about benefits of regional cooperation. It is an
axiom, which however comes across many obstacles, which are often of
a subjective nature. There is a need for pragmatic evaluation of the
positive and negative realities. Let us first assess what unites us:
Commitment to a common system of values and readiness to play along the
same rules. Obvious, tangible economic benefit of regional integration
processes. Common challenges and threats to the stability and security
caused by the increasing transnational crime, extremism and terrorism.

Meanwhile, we are divided by: Unresolved ethnic conflicts, Certain
deficit of trust, caused by the negative experiences of the history
of the region. I am confident that we shall concentrate on those
elements which unite us. We shall take steps to harmonize our reforms,
achieve unification of trade regimes and transportation tariffs. There
is a need for joint investment projects in the infrastructures of
the region. First of all, for energy and transportation projects,
covering the entire Black Sea basin, and increasing its economic
attractiveness. This will create favorable environment for resolution
of existing conflicts. Through cooperation to the settlement,
through communication to a bigger trust, that is the best formula
for overcoming the controversies, based on a search for a common
interest. In this context we are ready to continue dialogue with
Azerbaijan for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict and
with Turkey on establishing relations without any preconditions. I
would like to briefly touch upon the Nagorno Karabagh conflict and
our vision for its settlement. The people of Nagorno Karabagh have
implemented in practice the right for self-determination. It was done
fully in line with the requirements of international law. Results of
the referendum on independence were later defended in the war forced
on that people. These events developed in the timeframe of global
changes, related to the collapse of the Soviet Empire. That situation
is classical for cases of self-determination through secesion. Now
for fifteen years Nagorno Karabagh Republic continues to prove its
right for independence by own achievements in effective statecraft. A
whole generation grew up there, which watches itself as possessors
and defenders of that statehood. We believe that there is a need for
effective efforts for a full-scale integration of the Republic in the
international society. We have an organization, the BSEC, which is the
platform for exploration of the economic potential of our region. I
am confident this Forum and the Declaration we intend to adopt will
become a good stimulus for BSEC’s further activities. They are called
to signal the existence of political will at the highest level for
furthering our partnership. In conclusion, I would like to once again
thank the organizers of the Forum. I hope it will contribute towards
strengthening stability, security and cooperation in the Black Sea
region.”

A1+

UNSD FINDS ITS CONFERENCE IMPORTANT

[02:23 pm] 02 June, 2006

Leader of the Union for National Self-Determination Paruyr Hayrikyan
decided to represent the summary of the works of the 25th conference
of the UNSD to the society.

The group of specialists prepares a report about the three decisions
adopted during the conference which will be represented to the
presidium for ratification.

The first decision refers to the `criminality of the political
field’. The UNSD will call on all the political powers to unite and
create a political field which does not exist today. The second one
refers to the national anthem of Armenia. Paruyr Hayrikyan mentioned
that he would prefer to take time. `This is not an issue to be solved
in a year. We must preserve the old one until the society gets used to
the new one,’ he said.

And the third refers to the first leader of the UNSD Haykaz
Khachatryan. Paruyr Hayrikyan claims that he must be announced
national hero of Armenia and his ashes must be transferred to the
Pantheon.

RUSSIA TO BACK ANY DECISION ON KARABAKH – KONSTANTIN KOSACHEV

ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 31 2006

MOSCOW, May 31 (Itar-Tass) – Russia will uphold any decision
on Nagorno-Karabakh that will meet the interests of Armenia and
Azerbaijan, said Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the State Duma
Foreign Affairs Committee.

In an interview with the Ekho Moskvy radio station on Wednesday,
Kosachev said Russia did not pursue any own goals in the Karabakh
settlement and upheld any decision, which would meet the interests
of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh remains very difficult and Russia
is ready to support any decision, which will satisfy the demands of
both Armenia and Azerbaijan. If mutual accord is reached to deploy a
peacekeeping contingent in the enclave, Russia should support their
address and facilitate its implementation,” the Duma lawmaker said.

Kosachev commented on Vice-Prime Minister and Defence Minister Sergei
Ivanov’s statement on the possible deployment of peacekeeping forces in
Nagorno-Karabakh. Peacekeeping units could appear in Nagorno-Karabakh,
the vice-prime minister said.

“As concerns Nagorno-Karabakh, I do not exclude that peacekeeping
forces can appear there in a foreseeable future for guaranteeing the
fulfilment of all political accords that will be achieved sooner or
later,” he told reporters.

“The acey-deucy situation, excuse me for mauve ton, cannot continue
endlessly,” he said.

The fragile truce in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict area lasts for 12
years, since May 1994.

“There have been not less, but more flash points like Nagorno-Karabakh
in the world from year to year, and this causes regret,” Ivanov said.

ARMENIAN DEPUTY FM: CIS COUNTRIES NEED NEW INTEGRATION STRATEGY ON COMMUNITY OF INTERESTS

Arka News Agency, Armenia
June 1 2006

Yerevan, June 1. /ARKA/. The CIS countries must elaborate a new
strategy of integration based on the community of interests, RA Deputy
Foreign Minister Gegham Gharibjanyan stated in Tsakhkadzor.

“Our major task is to elaborate a new integration model on the basis
of community of interests and present-day national priorities of
the CIS member-countries,” Gharibjanyan stated at the scientific and
practical conference “CIS as a new structure of interstate cooperation:
prospects of achievements and development.”

According to him, the formation of the CIS was not an easy process.

“Together we have to think over the past stage of the CIS’ development,
achievements and miscalculations, as well as the role in maintaining
and further development of multilateral political, economic and
humanitarian cooperation,” Gharibjanyan said.

According to him, an integrated alliance of a new quality facilitates
the accomplishment of tasks. As regards the CIS improvement and
modernization of mechanisms, Gharibjanyan pointed out the importance
of not only interstate dialogue, but also the dialogue between the
countries’ public, scientific, cultural and education spheres.

“Cultural relations and spiritual unity between our peoples formed
for centuries helped them to jointly overcome historical trials,
and gain victory. All this is a basis for cooperation in the CIS,”
Gharibjanyan said.

The conference is being held in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia. Among the
participants are scientists, political figures, diplomats from the
CIS countries, including Vice-Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee
Asan Kozhanov.