Author: Eduard Nalbandian

October 29, 2004
45th Plenary Meeting
Fourth Report of the General Committee (A/59/250/Add.3)
Statement by H.E. Mr. Armen MARTIROSYAN, Ambassador, Permanent
Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations
Mr. President,
We are facing a situation today when an attempt is being made to introduce a
new agenda item, using procedural loopholes, under the guise of being urgent
with no factual evidence to prove it.
The General Committee, despite the obvious objection by a number of
Committee members to the inclusion of that item, based on valid concerns for
the integrity of the peace process, was forced to take a vote at the demand
of Azerbaijan, thus breaking several decades of consensus tradition in the
General Committee.
Distinguished representatives who spoke in the Committee in favor of
Azerbaijan’s proposal, all representing the OIC, supported the request based
on their membership in that respected organization. However, I would like to
emphasize that the Nagorno Karabagh conflict has no religious connotation.
Attempts by Azerbaijan to artificially add a religious dimension to a
political conflict are inadmissible and dangerous.
My country has always believed in and acted in the spirit of the dialogue
among civilizations. As one of the oldest Christian nations, we have made
our modest contribution to the promotion of this dialogue by strengthening
our centuries-old friendly ties with many Muslim nations.
We are thankful to those OIC members who drew their judgment based on the
specificities of the situation. I would like to appeal to the OIC members
present in this Assembly Hall to consider the issue on its substance, roots
and causes rather than religious affiliations.
Mr. President,
Let me highlight several key points that I believe are crucial in the
consideration of this issue.
First, there is no urgent situation, which justifies the Azerbaijani request
to include of a new item in the agenda of this GA Session. The Explanatory
Memorandum attached to the Azerbaijani request does not provide ANY factual
information of ANY kind, and certainly not of an “urgent character.”
On the contrary: The reasons offered to justify the request are totally
fabricated and misrepresent the actual situation on the ground.
The former autonomous region of Nagorno Karabagh has always been and
continues to be Armenian-populated. So, there is no change in the
demographic situation there. As far as the so-called “settlements” are
concerned, there is NO official policy of ANY kind by ANY official body to
settle the territories that came under the control of local Armenian forces.
None.
This conflict created refugees on BOTH sides. Before the conflict began,
according to the last Soviet Azerbaijani census, there were over 400,000
Armenians living in Azerbaijan’s major cities, far from where the fighting
took place. They were all forcibly driven out of their homes and became
refugees. There are NO Armenians in Azerbaijan today. THEY are the ones who
became refugees and were given the chance to return to Nagorno Karabagh
proper, and ONLY Karabagh, which has always been overwhelmingly Armenian.
The Azerbaijani Government can make all sorts of accusations, can try to
make use of the word “settlement,” which has been loaded with some
connotations transposed from other conflicts, but they are alone in this
exercise. No observers, rapporteurs, officials, no one who has been to the
region has raised the issue of illegal settlements.
Mr. President,
As for the territories surrounding Nagorno Karabagh, they have come under
the control of Nagorno Karabagh Armenians as a result of the war unleashed
by Azerbaijan in an attempt to stifle the peaceful drive of the people of
Nagorno Karabagh for self-determination. Today Azerbaijan tries to
self-victimize itself in the eyes of the international community, yet it is
a victim of the aggressive policies and actions carried out by its OWN
Government. Nagorno Karabagh people responded to this military onslaught the
same way as any other people would — they defended their lives, their
families, their homes and their land.
At present, those territories serve as a buffer zone between Nagorno
Karabagh and Azerbaijan since the conflict has not been settled yet. There
is a 10-year self-maintained ceasefire holding without a single peacekeeper
on the ground separating the conflicting forces. The ceasefire is holding
because of the military balance, an indispensable component of which are
territories. There is regular monthly monitoring by the Personal
Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and his team. His reports are
presented to the broad OSCE membership. No incident or event of an urgent
character that would “constitute dangerous developments” has been observed
or reported.
Moreover, there are dual track negotiations ongoing between the Presidents
of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the foreign ministers. The most recent
presidential meeting was held a month ago, and clearly there were no
dangerous developments or urgent events, which in any way impacted the
negotiations.
Mr. President,
The Nagorno Karabagh peace process has picked up some speed over the last
year. The package of issues under discussion covers the status of Nagorno
Karabagh, security arrangements, territories, refugees and IDPs,
communications and lifting of the blockade. None of these tough, complex
problems can be considered and finally resolved individually and separate
from the package. The experience of the peace negotiations within the Minsk
Group from 1992 to 1997 explicitly demonstrated that it is impossible to
reach a final agreement on the issues of mutual withdrawal from the
territories and return of refugees and IDPs unless there is a clear
understanding on the final status of NK and the security guarantees.
Mr. President,
The current attempts by Azerbaijan mount to the creation of parallel
processes, which would be damaging to the prospects for peace and resolution
to this conflict. Armenia is committed to the negotiations within the Minsk
Group and stands ready to work constructively with the Co-Chairs towards a
comprehensive solution to the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. At the same time, I
am authorized to state that if Azerbaijan separates individual components
from the comprehensive package, then they should negotiate those components
directly with Nagorno Karabagh. And this would be in accordance with the
very Security Council resolutions that Azerbaijan tends to refer selectively
without itself complying with their provisions.
While one could understand some of the concerns expressed, the proposed
action is totally unacceptable. Instead of creating duplication, we shall
make the maximum use of the existing mechanisms by, inter alia, sending a
verification team in order to put these charges to rest once and for all.
Meanwhile, by presenting allegations Azerbaijan creates every obstacle to
the teams attempting to visit the region and assess the situation on the
ground.
I would ask all member states to take action against the request by
Azerbaijan to include this new agenda item, as there is no factually correct
information provided to convince that the issue deserves an urgent
consideration.
Mr. President,
Two days ago, while concluding the meeting of the General Committee, you
announced that the agenda item would be considered under the cluster
“Maintenance of International Peace and Security.” Therefore, this is
exactly the perspective from which we need to look at this issue and make
our judgment on.
The argument of urgency was brought up for the inclusion of a new agenda
item, yet there was no factual justification presented. During the last
several days we heard the argument that this is a procedural issue. Yet this
so-called “procedural” issue may endanger the peace process threatening the
relative peace and stability in the region, as explicitly acknowledged by
several delegations. Facing this potential danger I cannot but pose a
question to this Assembly: Who is going to bear the responsibility for the
possible implications of such so-called “procedural” decisions?
Thank you, Mr. President.
END
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NEW NEWSPAPER “BUSINESS WORLD” ISSUED IN NKR
STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 20. ARMINFO. A new Armenian-language newspaper is
issued in NKR twice in a week with a circulation of 2,000 samples.
The newspaper’s editorial says that it will not only cover economic
sphere, but also touch upon social and spiritual and other problems of
the public, becoming a tribune for professional talks and discussions.
The first issue of “Business World” contains interviews with
representatives of business circles of NKR as well as a material on
demining process of the country’s territory. The editor of the
newspaper is Kim Gabrielyan, Chairman of the NKR Union of Journalists.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
—————————————— —-
PRESS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
375010 Telephone: +3741. 544041 ext 202
Fax: +3741. .562543
Email: [email protected]:
PRESS RELEASE
11 October 2004
Days of Armenian Culture in Normandy
Days of Armenian Culture will be held during October and November,
2004 in a number of cities in Northern France, Normandy – especially
Cannes and Hervilles.
The Days of Armenian Culture opening ceremony was held on October 10 in
Cannes, the administrative center of Normandy. At the ceremony Eduard
Nalbandian, Armenian Ambassador in France, addressed his greeting
speech and stressed the importance of Armenian-French cultural links
that will be reflected during the Armenian year to be held in France
2006-2007.
The ceremony was attended by the Prefect of Normandy, MP-s and mayors,
high-ranking officials of local self-governing institutions, and
various representatives of the Armenian Diaspora.
For the occasion of Armenian cultural events, an exhibition of applied
art, movie festival, photo exhibition, concerts and evenings of jazz,
classical, national, and spiritual music are planned.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSAL raises investments in foil unit to $70 mln
MOSCOW, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Russian top aluminium producer RUSAL will
increase investments in modernisation of its Armenian foil unit,
ARMENAL, to $70 million from previously planned $34 million, RUSAL
said on Friday.
“More sizeable than initially planned the programme will allow RUSAL
ARMENAL to improve the quality of foil products and raise the plant’s
profitability,” A RUSAL statement said.
RUSAL will invest $25 million of its own funds into the Armenian plant
and will take a $45 million long-term loan from a group of German
banks, headed by Bayerische Landesbank.
RUSAL has appointed German firm Achenbach GmbH as contractor to
produce a feasibility study and to implement the modernisation
programme.
The upgrade will permit ARMENAL to produce up to 25,000 tonnes of foil
per year including 18,000 tonnes of expensive thin foil. The first 150
tonnes of foil will be produced by the end of 2005.
ARMENAL produced 9,614 tonnes of foil in the first nine months of
2003. The plant has been idle since November 2003.
10/08/04 09:27 ET
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RECEPTION IN THE CABINET
AzerTag
October 04, 2004
Prime Minister of the Azerbaijan Republic Mr. Artur Rasizadeh has
received the delegation of Finland headed by Minister of Foreign
Affairs of this country Erkki Òuomioja, 4 October.
Having welcomed visitors, the head of the Azerbaijan Government has
expressed hope that visit of the Finnish delegation would serve
expansion of bilateral relations. Having noted the low level of the
Azerbaijani-Finnish economic relations, Mr. Artur Rasizadeh has
stressed interest of Azerbaijan in exchange of experience with Finland
on development of non-oil sector. Finland could participate more
actively also in global transport projects – “North – South” and
ÒRÀÑÅCÀ, he said.
Speaking about the economic reforms conducted in the country, the
established political stability, the Prime Minister has emphasized
that the main problem for Azerbaijan remains the unsolved
Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorny Karabakh conflict.
Erkki Tuomioja has emphasized interest of the Finnish side in
expansion of links with Azerbaijan in various fields, including in
sphere of information technologies and communications. During visit,
according to the Finnish minister, there has been achieved an
agreement on arrival in Azerbaijan delegations of businessmen from
Finland with the purpose of studying investment prospects.
The parties had exchange of views on other questions representing
mutual interest.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Coup trial in African oil state mirrors thriller plot
By ELLEN KNICKMEYER, Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
August 30, 2004, Monday, BC cycle
MALABO, Equatorial Guinea — Frederick Forsyth wrote it up as
“The Dogs of War,” and set it here: A ragtag band of mercenaries,
recruited by a British elite, tries to seize control of a mineral-rich,
African backwater.
Forsyth – writing during a Cold War stay three decades ago on this
palm-lashed volcanic island capital – rechristened Equatorial Guinea as
“Zangoro” for the thriller, and put his soldiers of fortune in quest
of platinum, not oil.
Despite those broad variations, the basic plot is playing out again
here as a trial unfolds for 19 South Africans, Armenians and others
accused of a failed plot to overthrow the government of Equatorial
Guinea, Africa’s No. 3 oil producer.
Equatorial Guinea insists this time it is fact, not pulp fiction. The
country has been emboldened by the arrest in recent days of Mark
Thatcher in South Africa, and the Zimbabwe conviction of famed
Eton-educated mercenary Simon Mann in connection with the alleged coup
plot. It accuses Thatcher, son of the former British prime minister,
and his London friends of scheming to replace President Teodoro
Obiang’s 25-year-old regime with a puppet government.
Star witness Nick du Toit, a South African arms dealer, appears to
be “an intermediary between the mercenaries and the financiers,”
Attorney General Jose Olo Obono, who is leading the prosecution,
told reporters. Du Toit, who faces the death penalty for his role in
the plot, has cooperated with prosecutors.
For the elites in the novel, a coup has an allure beyond any
run-of-the-mill robbery.
“Knocking off a bank or an armored truck is merely crude. Knocking
off an entire republic has, I feel, a certain style,” Forsyth’s
coup-plotter, Sir James Mason, observes in the fictional version.
Prosecutors say the real coup plot fell apart in March, when security
forces in Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea, tipped off by South Africa’s
intelligence service, arrested 90 suspected mercenaries as they were
allegedly moving into position to seize power.
So far, prosecutors have built their entire case on the testimony
of du Toit – and skepticism that the Cold War- and apartheid-era
veterans he recruited came to this oil-rich nation for the fishing
and agriculture opportunities, as they claim.
Equatorial Guinea says du Toit was the advance man for Mann, the
plot’s alleged mastermind, and Mann’s alleged British associates
– including Thatcher, financier Eli Calil, and businessman Greg
Wales. Equatorial Guinea reportedly has filed a civil case against
alleged British backers in London, and says it is pursuing its own
international warrants against them.
Other evidence cited by Equatorial Guinea out of court – such as a
note sent out of prison by Mann, allegedly seeking help from Thatcher,
Calil and others – has yet to be introduced at the trial.
Some of the suspects say their confessions were obtained under torture,
which the U.S. State Department and others say is routine here. One
of the original 90 defendants, a German, died in his first days of
custody after what Amnesty International said was torture.
In court on Monday, South African Jose Cardoso testified that he was
physically abused – or “shocked” – and that interrogators invented his
confession. “Is it normal for statements to be taken as you’re being
taken to the torture room, to be tortured, as I was?” Cardoso said,
gesturing with chained hands.
Du Toit’s wife, Belinda, who is attending the trial, also claims he
was tortured. She shows a photo of her husband before he left South
Africa for Equatorial Guinea, looking trim, prosperous and relaxed.
The Nick du Toit testifying in chains is 60 pounds thinner, his face
gaunt, hair and beard shaggy, clothes hanging off him.
President Obiang, whose tiny nation of 500,000 pumps roughly $15
million in oil daily, has engaged European public-relations firms
and lawyers to advise him on the conduct of the trial. The British
and French lawyers, who refuse to be identified, are the ones who
intervened to let journalists watch the proceedings.
Obiang’s government faces deep suspicions over the impartiality of
the eventual verdicts in his country, which the International Bar
Association and others say is essentially an enterprise of Obiang’s
tribe, with a suppressed opposition and no independent radio or press.
Forsyth’s thriller, and its coincidentally overlapping plot, hangs over
the courtroom at times. Obono referred to du Toit as a “dog of war”
not only in the courtroom but in the criminal charges themselves. In
a 1988 coup attempt, mere possession of Forsyth’s book was enough to
net one soldier’s conviction here.
Diplomats and rights groups monitoring the trial daily cite the
suspected torture and shortcomings of the trial, which is being
translated from Spanish – the official language – for the Afrikaners,
Armenians and other foreigners on trial. Local defense lawyers,
compelled by the government to represent the 19, met their clients
only the day before the trial and complain of intimidation.
Du Toit is the only defendant facing the death penalty, and the
government has raised the prospect of a possible presidential pardon
for him. A member of Equatorial Guinea’s security services suggested
a different fate, however, approaching Belinda du Toit in court one
day and drawing a hand across his throat, she said.
In fiction, “The Dogs of War” ends disastrously for the mercenaries,
with their plot collapsed and mercenaries dead. Ultimately, Nick du
Toit believes the real-life end will be different.
“He believes he’s coming home,” his wife said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Messenger.com.ge, Georgia
Aug 26 2004
A bear in bear’s clothing
On Tuesday Georgian mass-media and the political establishment
shuttered to see amateur video footage showing a huge concentration
of Russian armed-forces, including soldiers, tanks, armed vehicles,
helicopters, and artillery allegedly in North Ossetian territory
immediately bordering the Roki Tunnel into South Ossetia – the only
artery in the separatist region connecting Georgia to Russia.
The chair of the Defense Committee of the Georgian Parliament Givi
Targamadze stated that from now on Georgia must be prepared to defend
itself from Russian intervention being planned by ‘Russian
imperialists.’ Speaker of Parliament Nino Burjanadze openly asked the
Russian administration to explain the appearance of Russian military
forces so close to the Georgian border without any obvious reason.
The Russian newspaper Kommersant confirmed a large military presence
in Sernovodsk (North Ossetia) where a training of Russia’s 57th army
is underway. According to the paper, it involves more than 2,000
personnel and more than 100 units of tanks and armored vehicles.
At the same time there are preparations underway for another training
with more than 5,000 reservists are expected. Elsewhere in Armenia
Russian and Armenian forces are planning a joint training, that
includes fighter and bomber aircraft and in the Abkhazian conflict
zone Russian peacekeepers are also conducting trainings.
It is important to note, especially after the mysterious crashes of
two Russian passenger jets late Tuesday, that Russia nervously is
watching events before and after the August 29 elections scheduled
for Chechnya. With such a jittery stance, Russia is more likely to
react with unbridled brute force than with a thought-out plan if it
encounters disturbances anywhere in the Caucasus.
Several Georgian politicians mentioned that although full-scale war
most probably has been avoided in the Tskhinvali region, the
prospects of Russian intervention are still very serious. They add
this could be done if not directly through implementing Russian
regular troops, then otherwise by sending military forces into the
region under a guise.
In his statement late on Tuesday, President Saakashvili highlighted
that the direct confrontation has been avoided in the region and
although Georgia should be very cautious towards the developments
with Russia, there should be no possible way for the further
escalation of the confrontation and in particular there should be no
comparison with the events ongoing in Chechnya.
Saakashvili mentioned that Georgia respects the territorial integrity
of Russia and it is not part of Georgia’s intentions to think of a
confrontation with Russia. However, Russia should itself realize and
respect the territorial integrity of Georgia and prove this in deed.
Saakashvili also stressed upon the fact that he is in permanent
contact with President Putin of Russia but it was likely that
President Putin sometimes does not control the entire situation in
his country.
President Saakashvili’s next decision to attend the government
session which had been moved to Adjara gave confidence to the
Georgian population that things are not that dramatic. However,
Georgian law-enforcement is on alert in particular around the
conflict zone.
All Georgian leaders and political figures and political analysts are
unanimous that only through the internalization of the peacekeeping
process in the region could Georgia avoid future complications in the
conflict zone. Therefore Georgia tries to attract as much attention
from international organizations such as the European Union, the
Council of Europe, OSCE and friendly countries including neighboring
Turkey and of course the United States.
Several times Saakashvili mentioned a deeper and full-scale
involvement of the OSCE in monitoring the conflict zone and even
conducting a peacekeeping mission. The headlines of Georgian
newspapers on Wednesday clearly stated that the conflict has not been
resolved yet and the current situation is very far from a peaceful
settlement.
Unlike twelve years ago, it is difficult to turn a blind eye to
events in Georgia, particularly interference by political groups and
officials based in Russia. The Rose Revolution made it impossible for
countries to turn the other way as they did in the early 1990’s and
throughout the crisis in Chechnya. Moreover, with numerous
achievements under its belt, the young Georgian government has earned
the backing of supporters in Europe and beyond.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Aug 23 2004
PM ANDRANIK MARGARIAN CONGRATULATES ON 14TH ANNIVERSARY OF
INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION IN ARMENIA
YEREVAN, AUGUST 23, ARMENPRESS: Armenian prime minister Andranik
Margarian addressed a congratulation message on the occasion of 14th
anniversary of Independence Declaration in Armenia which says in
particular,
“Fourteen years ago, on August 23, by the declaration adopted by
Former Soviet Republic Supreme Council, Armenian nation reaffirmed
its will and determination to recover its independent statehood, lead
a free and decent life. By doing so, they put the grounds for
establishment of independent statehood based on the national
objectives and principals laid down in the Declaration providing wide
opportunities to integrate with civilized world and develop legally
equal relations with other nations and states, step on the rout of
democracy and civil society and build a self-administered, legal and
social sate committed to international values.
During the last years, despite of all hardships, our statehood and
nation proved their commitment to the Resolution principals building
and gradually strengthening our statehood. Armenian freedom loving
spirit was demonstrated also in the victory of Artsakh liberation
fight. Today is the time to unify pan national values and preserve
achievements and develop them, not to devalue independence in the
routine of life but to perceive it as a highest value. We have the
historic opportunity to pass to generations a free, independent and
strong Armenia which is the sole guarantee of the aspirations of
Armenians all over the world.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

POPULATION’S INCOMES DECREASED BY 17.8%, EXPENSES BY 17.7% IN
JAN-JULY, 2004
YEREVAN, AUGUST 20. ARMINFO. In Jan-July, 2004 the Armenian
population’s incomes increased by 17.8%, totalling 650.6 bln drams
According to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Service
of Armenia, in July as against June the incomes increased by
9.7%. Expenses of the population totaled 657.1 bln drams, increasing
by 17.7% during the seven months of the current year, and they
increased by 10.1% in July as against June. In Jan-July 2004 AMD/USD
exchange rate was 553.58 drams against one US dollar.
The average monthly nominal wages in Armenia totaled 40,397 drams,
increasing by 32.0% as against the same period of last year, and in
July as compared with June 2004 it increased by 1.3%. The average
monthly wages of citizens employed in budget organizations was 26,074
drams (43.8% growth in Jan-July). The average monthly wages of
citizens employed in non-budgetary organizations totaled 52,398 drams
(27.3% decrease). The wages of one employee in budgetary organizations
and non-budgetary organizations increased by 1% and 1.4% respectively
in July as against June, 2004.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Los Angeles Times
Aug 18 2004
Dad’s in His Corner
Vanes Martirosyan’s immigrant father gave him a love of boxing and a
belief in the American dream. Now the son wants to give him a medal.
By Diane Pucin, Times Staff Writer
ATHENS – Norik Martirosyan lost a hand in a grenade explosion, so he
uses his other one when he’s smoking cigarettes, one after another.
It is an old, unhealthy habit and Martirosyan’s son, Vanes, has
begged his father to stop.
So Martirosyan said, “Vanes, if you win the Western boxing trials and
qualify for the Olympic trials, I’ll stop smoking.”

When Vanes won those trials, Norik said, “Vanes, if you qualify for
the Olympic team, I’ll stop smoking.”
When Vanes won the Olympic trials after the two favorites in his
weight class were disqualified in controversial circumstances, Norik
said, “Vanes, if you win a gold medal, I’ll quit smoking.”
So here he is, Vanes Martirosyan of Glendale, an 18-year-old
underdog, son of an Armenian immigrant, in love with the home cooking
of his mother and the rap music of America and determined to win an
Olympic gold medal in the 152-pound welterweight class so that his
father will quit smoking. And for one other reason.
“For all the time I have been boxing,” Vanes said, “my father has
told me what a lucky boy I am to be growing up in the United States,
where we have freedoms to do what we want and be what we want. He has
told me, since I can remember, that there would be no greater honor
for a sportsman such as me to win a gold medal to honor our country.
The United States is our country now.”
“Yes,” said Norik Martirosyan, his younger brother Serge translating
Norik’s Armenian words. “It would be our gift to the United States.
>From Vanes and from Norik, our gift.”
Martirosyan will fight 2003 Pan American Games gold medalist Lorenzo
Aragon of Cuba in the second round today. Martirosyan out-pointed
Benamar Meskine of Algeria in the first round.
At the Olympic trials, Andre Berto was disqualified – he later joined
Haiti’s Olympic team – for a flagrant foul that injured his opponent,
Juan McPherson. Berto and McPherson were considered the two strongest
fighters in the weight class. Berto had thrown McPherson to the mat
and sent him to the hospital with a head injury. McPherson appealed
to reenter the tournament after leaving the hospital but his appeal
was denied and Martirosyan won the trials.
Because of his youth and because he didn’t beat the top competitors,
Martirosyan isn’t given much chance to win a medal here.
“But that doesn’t matter,” Martirosyan said. “Our family has been
underdogs for a long time and what I have learned from here, so far,
is that anything can happen if you work hard.”
In 1990, as the Soviet Union was breaking apart. Armenia and
Azerbaijan, two former republics, were readying for a war rooted in a
history of religious conflict and Norik Martirosyan was doing what he
thought was best.
Martirosyan was foraging in an aging Soviet bomb-making facility,
looking for repairable weapons, when he picked up a grenade. Before
he even knew what was in his hand, the thing exploded.
But out of that accident, a dream was born. Looking for freedom and
peace, longing for a chance to raise his three sons in a land where
they could prosper, Martirosyan decided to go to the United States
with his parents and his brother. They would join other families in
California and start over.
Vanes, the middle child, was 4 in 1991, when they left Armenia. Norik
had been an amateur boxer in the Soviet Union before he had to join
the Soviet army. Even when he wasn’t competing, Norik would hang
around gyms, watching, learning the craft, memorizing footwork or the
way to throw a perfect jab.
When the family arrived in California, Norik went to work in a
family-run pizza parlor in Eagle Rock. In his free time, he took his
sons, Vahe, Vanes and Vatche, to the gym every day. Vahe eventually
gave up boxing for swimming and Vatche turned to soccer. But Vanes,
the most inexhaustible of the boys, the fiercest competitor and the
son most tuned to the father’s love of boxing and America, stuck with
boxing.
“It gave me pride and it was a great outlet for my energy,” he said.
“It was a way to be so close with my father because he was always my
coach. He had learned boxing under the Soviet and European style and
then he spent so much time studying at home the American style. In
his head, my dad put together both styles to teach me the best.”
Early this year, Vanes was ranked only 14th in the country in his
weight class. Then he went 5-0 at the Western qualifier in
Bakersfield.
“My dad stopped smoking for a moment,” Vanes said. “But then he
started again. When I won the Olympic trials, he stopped again – but
has started up again. I think it’s his way to motivate me more for
the gold medal. He promises, no more cigarettes if I win.”
Norik said he wouldn’t smoke anymore, medal or no medal.
“I believed when I saw my son walking inside the Olympic boxing
arena,” Norik said, “I believed that in the USA, everybody’s dream
can come true. I believed the world is mine now. And my son’s. So,
yes, I will quit smoking.”
‘He has told me, since I can remember, that there would be no greater
honor for a sportsman such as me to win a gold medal to honor our
country.
The United States is our country now.’
Vanes Martirosyan speaking of his father, Norik
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress