Author: Chatinian Lara

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.

PABSEC 27TH PLENARY SESSION IN YEREVAN
National Assembly of RA, Armenia
June 1 2006
On June 6-8 the 27th plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly
of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation will be held in Yerevan.
On June 6 at NA Gilded hall the 34th session of PABSEC Bureau, then
the 27th session of the Standing Committee, the special sitting of
the PABSEC Standing Committee on Economic, Commercial, Technological
and Environmental Affairs.
On June 7 the 27th plenary session of the PABSEC will begin its
activities at NA Chamber. After the solemn opening ceremony of the
Assembly when the welcoming speeches will sound, new procedural
will be debated at the first sitting, the agenda will be approved,
new mandates will be debated, the PA activity report and protocol of
the 26th plenary session the PABSEC’s General Assembly held in Tirana
on November 22-24, 2005 will also be approved. Then the problems of
the power security in the Black Sea region will also be debated. The
same day the organizational, economic, commercial, technological,
environmental, legal and political issues will be debated.
The cultural, educational, social and financial issues are on the
agenda of June 8 debates. At the end of the PABSEC 27th plenary
session the venue and the deadline of the autumn session of the General
Assembly of BSEC will be decided. Presidency rotation will take place,
and the presidency will be transferred to the President of the Milli
Mejlis of the Republic of Armenia.
The activities of the Assembly will be wrapped up with the press
conference for the journalists.

Armenpress
ARMENPRESS NEWS AGENCY AMONG FOUNDERS OF BLACK SEA
ASSOCIATION OF NEWS AGENCIES
KIEV, MAY 29, ARMENPRESS: Armenpress news agency is
among several news agencies from countries of the
Black Sea region which have gathered today in the
Ukrainian capital city to establish the association of
the national news agencies of the Black Sea states.
The association is to be established at the
initiative of the Ukrainian national news agency
Ukrinform and with the support of the Ukrainian
government. These news agencies are from he Black Sea
Economic Cooperation organization (BSEC): AzerTaj
(Azerbaijan), ATA (Albania), Armenpress (Armenia),
Caucasus-press (Georgia), Moldpres (Moldova),
ITAR-TASS (Russia), Rompres (Romania) and TANJUG
(Serbia).
Ukrinform Director General Viktor Chamara said the
association will be an international non-commercial
organization that will pool efforts of the national
news agencies of the Black Sea states for the
effective use of their information resources, a free
and equitable exchange of information on the most
important issues of political, economic, scientific
and cultural life of their countries spreading it in
the BSEC states.

PanARMENIAN.Net
Armenian Internet Community Offers Kommersant Daily to Apologize for
Misinformation
29.05.2006 14:07 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As it was reported earlier, Russian magazine
Kommersant Dengi (¹19) affixed a booklet advertising Turkey’s places
of interest. In addition the readers found a CD with a 70-minute film
about the `Turkish genocide perpetrated by Armenians’. As reported by
the Yerkramas, the newspaper of Armenians of Russia, the Armenian
Internet Community (, ,
forum.hayastan.com and others) launched a protest action and offered
all people concerned to write a letter to the magazine editorial
office with a suggestion to apologize for having spread false
information.
The numerous letters sent to the Kommersant Dengi say that `the
Armenian Diaspora of Russia is one of the biggest in the world.
Armenians have worked for Russia’s welfare for centuries. The Republic
of Armenia is Russia’s strategic partner and the two states enjoy
allied relations. An anti-Armenian action of the kind carried by
Turkey through your edition cannot but arouse discontent among the
Armenian population of Russia. We appeal to you with a request to
apologize to the readers for having spread information that does not
correspond to historical reality and offends the feelings of the heirs
of the Armenian Genocide victims. The denial of the Armenian Genocide
is actually equal to complicity in the crime.’

Playing for high stakes in oil-rich Caspian region

Irish Times; May 27, 2006
Kieran Cooke
World View: Badri Balakhadze points to the freshly dug ground a few
metres from his farmhouse high up in the Caucasus mountains in the
Republic of Georgia.
“Pipelines under the soil are carrying millions of dollars worth of
oil and gas from the Caspian in the East to Europe in the West,” he
says. “The fuel threatens our villages and the pipelaying has
destroyed our lands. Yet we don’t get one cent – it’s as if we don’t
exist.”
More than a century ago Rudyard Kipling and others talked about the
“Great Game” in Central Asia – the spying and sparring between Tsarist
Russia and the British Empire for control of the region. Now a new
Great Game is being played out in the area – an increasingly tense
battle for resources, in particular vast energy reserves lying beneath
the Caspian Sea and below the inhospitable desert lands of surrounding
territories.
The oil pipeline close to Mr Balakhadze’s house is part of one of the
world’s biggest and most daring engineering projects, a 1,757km energy
link between the Caspian and the Mediterranean, snaking its way over
valleys and mountains from Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, via
Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, to the port of Ceyhan on Turkey’s southern
coast. Just to fill a pipeline of such length will take up to five
months. An adjacent gas pipeline links the Caspian with the Black Sea
coast.
The aim of western oil giants, led by BP and heavily backed by the
financial and political muscle of the US and British governments, is
to transport ever increasing amounts of precious Caspian energy
through the pipelines to hungry western markets, avoiding routes
through Iran to the south and Russia to the north.
However, as the search for the world’s dwindling supply of fossil
fuels intensifies, others are determined that the West will not have
it all its own way in the Caspian region.
China has mounted a diplomatic and economic onslaught in the area in
an effort to gain a large slice of energy resources for its booming
economy.
Iran, which controls the Caspian’s southern shore, watches
developments closely, sending out gunships and fighter jets when it
feels its rights are under threat.
“The scramble to exploit the Caspian’s energy reserves is a
high-stakes game in what is a very volatile region,” says a political
analyst based in Tbilisi.
“To some the Caspian is the new El Dorado but it could easily become a
conflict zone. All the ingredients for trouble are there, with old
ethnic quarrels unresolved and, since the collapse of the Soviet
Union, new arguments over territorial boundaries in the area.”
A resurgent Russia, flush with funds from its own enormous energy
resources, is keen to regain economic and political influence in a
region that it has long regarded as its own backyard.
Georgia, a former Soviet satellite which has turned firmly pro-West in
recent years and is a key transit territory for Caspian energy going
to the West, has been a particular target of pressure from Moscow.
Russia recently banned, on health grounds, all imports of Georgian
wine and mineral water in what Georgia’s president, Mikhail
Saakashvili, described as an act of “economic sabotage”.
Earlier this year, in the middle of the coldest winter on record, a
mysterious explosion severed the pipeline carrying Russian gas to
Georgia: most of the country’s four million people froze for a week.
The newly independent, post-Soviet states which share the Caspian’s
waters argue with each other over territorial rights. Corruption and
human-rights abuses are common features of the region.
Turkmenistan, on the Caspian’s eastern shore, is presided over by
Saparmurat Niyazov or, as he likes to be called, Turkmenbashi – the
father of all Turkmen – an eccentric megalomaniac with a penchant for
littering his country with gold statues of himself and who recently
decreed that the days of the week should be renamed after members of
his family.
Niyazov has effectively sealed Turkmenistan off from contact with the
rest of the world – except, that is, for carrying on lucrative energy
deals with foreign energy companies.
Azerbaijan, where BP and other oil companies have invested billions in
recent years, is growing rich.
But while Ferraris and Maseratis buzz round the streets of Baku, many
people live in caves on the city outskirts. Opposition politicians
were beaten up and imprisoned during elections in Azerbaijan last
year. The government has earmarked increasing amounts of its new oil
wealth to building up its armed forces for a possible clash with
Armenia, its old enemy and next-door neighbour.
This is the second energy rush to hit the Caspian. In the mid-19th
century the world’s first commercially exploited oilfields started
production near Baku.
By 1900, the region was producing more than 50 per cent of the globe’s
oil.
Business tycoons like the Rothschilds and the Swedish Nobel family
made staggering amounts of money out of Caspian oil, building lavish
mansions in an area of Baku still known as “Boom Town”. The rise of
communism brought the boom to an end in the early years of the 20th
century.
Badri Balakhadze and his fellow farmers in the mountains of Georgia
are dismissive about the talk of energy wealth. They are more worried
about the threat of landslides in the area and what would happen if an
earthquake struck – most of Georgia is in a highly active seismic
zone.
“The Georgian government gets money from BP for the pipelines, but not
us,” says Mr Balakhadze.
“We weren’t even given any jobs on the project – they were all given
to outsiders. Our village is dying but no one seems to care. What use
is the oil and gas to us?”