Author: Emil Lazarian

Civil Georgia, Georgia
Saakashvili, Kocharyan Discuss Strategic Cooperation
/ Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 2005-04-02 13:14:18
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and his Armenian counterpart Robert
Kocharyan discussed the issues of strategic cooperation and regional
security in a mountain resort of Gudauri in Georgia on April 1, the Georgian
President’s press office reported on April 2.
`We do not need any ceremonies and political limitations with our neighbors
… We can always visit each other without prior preparations and hold
talks,’ Mikheil Saakashvili said on April 1, adding the two Presidents
planned to hold an informal meeting long ago.

fightnews.com
Wills destroys Biles!
April 1, 2005
By Francisco Salazar at ringside
Having not scored a knockout in a couple of fights, Heavyweight Damian
“Bolo” Wills reminded everyone just what he is capable of.
Wills knocked down Kerry Biles twice, the last one for good in the first
round of a scheduled six round bout before 750 at the Henry Fonda Theatre in
Hollywood, CA.
The bout headlined a five-bout “Hollywood Fight Night VIII” card, presented
by Terry Claybon’s LB4LB Boxing Promotions.
Wills had fought to disappointing unanimous decisions in his last two
fights. Although he won both fights, Wills had not fought to his potential
like he had in previous fights.
His fight with Biles was different. Wills came out aggressively in the first
round, taking the fight right to Biles. A combination uppercut/ body shot
dropped Biles to the canvas. Biles was not extremely hurt, but struggled to
get up before eight.
Wills came straight at Biles and landed a solid right to the head of Biles,
dropping him again onto his knees. Referee Vince Delgado had seen enough and
waved the fight off at 1:31of the first round.
“I knew he was a tough guy,” said Wills, wincing after the fight after
getting accidentally poked in the eye by Biles. “He was a big guy too.”
Most fighters do not usually go for the knockout. However, Wills felt
compelled to go for the knockout, which could pose a risk in the future.
“I felt good. I trained really well for this fight. I knew I could have gone
all six rounds, no problem. I just don’t think people want to see me go the
distance. I wanted to get back on the knockout trail.”
Wills, from Hollywood, CA, improves to 14-0, 12 KO’s. Biles, from
Springfield, MO, drops to 6-6-1, 3 KO’s.
In the co-feature, Heavyweight Deon Elam knocked down Francisco Diaz twice
in the first round, but settled for a four round unanimous decision.
Elam scored a knockdown with a right hand to the chin of Diaz. The young
Diaz got up and put up a fight before going down again, getting caught by a
counter left hook by Elam. Diaz got up and survived the round.
The rest of the bout had the quicker Elam controlling the tempo of the
fight. Diaz withstood some devastating punches from Elam and fought back to
make Elam work. With blood coming out of his nose, Diaz fought on despite
receiving a beating. It looked as though Elam had Diaz out near the end of
the fourth, but Diaz held on.
All three judges scored the bout 40-34 for Elam. Fightnews.com scored it the
same.
Elam, from Van Nuys, CA, improves to 1-1. Diaz, from Orange, CA, drops to
0-2.
Welterweight Suswella Roberts dealt with awkward Rita Turrisi, but came away
with a four round unanimous decision victory.
Roberts was quicker and stronger than Turrisi, but had to deal with her
opponent’s craftiness. Roberts had to work harder to land more combinations
because of Turrisi’s style.
In the third, Turrisi stopped fighting and complain to the referee about
getting hit in the back of the head. Roberts did not stop fighting and would
proceed in going straight at Turrisi to land punches. Referee Vince Delgado
allowed for the action to continue.
Towards the end of the fight, Roberts finished strong while Turrisi did just
enough to survive.
All three judges scored the bout 40-36 for Roberts. Fightnews.com scored it
the same.
Roberts, from Santa Monica, CA, improves to 5-0, 3 KO’s. Turrisi, from Las
Vegas, NV by way of Sicily, drops to 3-7, 3 KO’s.
Welterweight Nardan Gasparyan stopped Willie Williams in the second round of
a scheduled four round bout.
Gasparyan broke Williams down throughout the fight. Williams began the bout
at a fast pace. However, Gasparyan worked the body to slow down William,
which was successful.
Williams was noticeably tired in the second round and would lie against the
ropes. His punch output dropped and was getting hit consistently until
referee Dr. Lou Moret stepped in and stopped the bout at 2:15 of the second.
Gasparyan, from Glendale, CA by way of Yerevan, Armenia, goes to 2-0, 1 KO.
Williams, from Lancaster, CA, drops to 0-2.
Heavyweight James Harding decisioned James McCloskey over four rounds of
boxing.
It was an awkward fight between two awkward fighters. McCloskey pressed
forward, but it was Harding who landed the stronger and more effective
punches throughout the fight. Harding landed numerous power punches in the
third and seemed to be the fresher puncher at the end of the fight.
All three judges scored the bout for Harding, 39-37, 39-37, and 40-36.
Fightnews.com scored the bout 38-38.
Harding, from Las Vegas, NV, goes to 1-2. McCloskey, from Hollywood, CA,
goes to 1-1-1, 1 KO.
Notes:
– Faces in the crowd: Heavyweight contender Jeremy Williams, USBA Super
Bantamweight Art Simonyan, Middleweight David Lopez, Actor/comedian Adam
Carolla, and Actor/comedian David Alan Grier.
– Former world champion Bobby Chacon was presented with the 2005 LB4LB
Boxing Lifetime Achievement award for all of his accolades and
accomplishments inside the ring. Promoter Terry Claybon made the
presentation during an intermission.
– LB4LB Boxing returns to the Henry Fonda Theatre on Thursday, June 2nd with
another stellar night of action. To purchase tickets, call LB4LB Boxing at
(323) 461-5252. Included in the price of admission are an after-party,
performance by the LB4LB Dancers, and ringcard girl contest.
– Ring announcer was Ron Henriquez.
Questions? Comments? Email Francisco Salazar

SERGE SARGSIAN: “ONE NATION-TWO STATES” MODEL IS BENEFICIAL FOR THE
ARMENIAN PARTY”
YEREVAN, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN. The Karabakh conflict settlement is
possible only in a peaceful way and on the basis of mutual
concessions. Serge Sargsian, the RA Defence Minister, the Chairman of
the Security Council attached to the President of the country, made
such a statement on March 30. Listing those concessions, which the
Armenian party may make, the Minister mentioned, that Armenia
considers as a fundamental concession the fact that Armenia hasn’t
recognized the NKR independence up to now, though the latter was
created in legal way and has existed as an independent democratic
country for many years. “It is a display of kind will in order to
assist the process of peaceful settlement in the framework of the
Minsk group,” the Minister mentioned. Reminding the principle placed
in the January 25 resolution of the PACE, that separation or gaing
indepedence of territories from any country must be implemented via
expression of will of people living in that territory, S.Sargsian
mentioned, that as the second concession, the Armenian party may agree
for another referendum to be held in the territory of the NKR, which
will be organized under the protection of OSCE and UN. According to
the Defence Minister, the third concession is that the Armenian party
may begin negotiations around the security zone of Karabakh. “I am not
a supporter of returning the territories forming the security zone
without taking into detailed account the promblems of the NKR
population’s security,” he stated. According to him, some concessions
may be made through negotiations, provided that the Azerbaijani party
gives clear guarantees of non-resumption of war, confirmed also by
guarantees of authoritative international organizations and
states. According to S.Sargsian, in the strategical sense “one united
people and two states” model is beneficial for the Armenian party: it
will allow the RA and the NKR to be represented parallelly and to
closely cooperate in the international structures. The usage of the
model will also exclude the charges of the NKR annexation addressed to
Armenia. The Minister mentioned that the leaders of Azebaijan and
Turkey have stated many times that the mutual relations of those
countries are built one the principle “two states – one
people”. Really, after the World War I, the Turkish people was
self-determined by creating two states, and there are many similar
examples in the international practics, S.Sargsian emphasized.

ARMENIAN HONEY TO BE EXPORTED TO US AND UAE THIS YEAR
YEREVAN, MARCH 31, NOYAN TAPAN. Last year, a 25-ton consignement of
honey was for the first time sent from Armenia to Sweden and the US,
while this year it is planned to export the product to the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) as well.
The RA Minister of Agriculture David Lokian stated this at the first
conference of the National Federation of Bee-Keepers of Armenia on
March 31. According to D. Lokian, bee-keeping is developed in the
mountainous and foothill marzes where 1,000-1,500 tons of honey is
produced every year. The minister said the bee-keeping is currently
undergoing development in the country – there are over 10 big
bee-keeping farms with more than 200 beehives. According to the USAID
SME Market Development Program’s Director Gary Kilmer, in addition to
using the potential existing, it is necessary to introduce efficient
technologies of honey production in order to develop the bee-keeping.
The National Federation of Bee-Keepers of Armenia was founded in 2004
and includes the unions of bee-keepers from 8 marzes.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri pressure group accuses OSCE chief of pro-Armenian stance
Trend news agency
1 Apr 05
BAKU
The Karabakh Liberation Organization (KLO) issued a statement on 1
April, accusing the OSCE chairman-in-office, Slovenian Foreign
Minister Dimitrij Rupel, of taking an anti-Azerbaijani position. The
KLO says in the statement forwarded to Trend that the organization
condemns the OSCE’s position.
“In his statements in Yerevan, the OSCE chairman expressed a specific
position on involving the Nagornyy Karabakh regime in the negotiating
process by the end of summer this year. Under the influence and
dictation of the Armenians, the OSCE chairman openly supports the
position of Armenian aggressors,” the statement says. The KLO thinks
it unacceptable for the chairman of the OSCE, which has undertaken to
settle the Nagornyy Karabakh conflict, to take such a position.
“Armenia is trying to change the significance of the issue and divert
attention from its aggressive actions by involving representatives of
the ‘Nagornyy Karabakh regime’ in the negotiations,” the statement
says. It also points out that it is necessary to use all means to
prevent this dirty policy.

‘PEACE IN CAUCASUS IS SO IMPORTANT THAT IT CANNOT BE LEFT ONLY TO
POLITICIANS’ DISCRETION’
Azg/arm
2 April 05
On March 29, daily Azg informed readers about the reconciliation
conference of Days of Caucasian Friendship organized by regional clubs
of Rotary International in Ankara in late March. Availing myself the
opportunity, I interviewed governor of Rotary International’s regional
clubs, Erhan Ciftcioglu, who had a very impressive speech at the
conference.
– The reconciliation conference of Days of Caucasian Friendship held
in March 18-20 was organized by your direct supervision. How did you
get this idea?
– The wish to settle all existing issues in the Caucasus was the
ground for organizing the conference. Besides, the aim of Rotary
International is establishing peace worldwide. The Rotary, with its 1
million 250 thousand members, 250 thousand interacts and hundred of
thousands adherents, is the greatest organization of the world’s civil
society. The Turkish department of such an organization having the
Kyrgyz, Kazakh and Azeri clubs under its subordination, could not
remain indifferent to the problems in the Caucasus, me, even more so,
as I am one of the 500 elected Rotary governors.
Secondly, I am coming from Mersin and I know what a tragedy you
suffered in Anatolia before and after the year of 1915 and especially
in 1915. For that reason we thought of putting all our means at hand
to the service of peoples who coexisted for 600 years. That tuned in
with the desire of Turks, Armenians as well as Azeris and Georgians.
I took the first step in organizing the conference year and a half ago
when I contacted the president of the Rotary club in Yerevan, Hovsep
Seferian, via Internet. I offered to sit around a table, draw forward
new views and inform the public about them. Feeling that them matter
is in standstill on the Internet, I called Hovsep with a special offer
to meet him first and then the Azeri side. Meanwhile, I demand that
they invited me to Yerevan to discuss the matter in details. In July
of 2004 I set off for Yerevan with my wife for 5 days. I told them at
the meeting: “Let’s pass over the political side of the issue and take
the first step for reconciliation – introducing our children to each
other”. I expressed readiness to host them. 22 young Armenians visited
Mersin, taking time for rest and meeting their Turkish peers.
– What’s the main result of the conference?
– I think it is the speeches of Hovsep Seferian and Ali Musayev,
Yerevan and Baku club presidents, tuned so well in the atmosphere of
the conference and Ali’s initiative to foster friendship.
– What impact will the conference have on the Armenian-Turkish
relations?
– The impact will be surely be positive because the key signal of the
conference was: “Dear state authorities, we miss each other much, so
find ways for reconciliation. It’s not our business as to how you will
do that”. But more than the signal we need reconciliation steps. I
personally took my firs step in this conference. It must be an impulse
for other organizations of civil society to be more courageous.
– What was the stance of state authorities towards the conference?
– Rotarian clubs could not take part in the conference without state’s
consent. I demanded that the Azeri and Armenian clubs informed
previously their state authorities. If the leaders of the 3 Caucasian
states did not want the national clubs to participate, the conference
would not take place. This means that our state figures expect that we
will draw forward new ideas. That’s the truth. And we did what
depended on us. 100 Rotary members from Ankara and 300 from other
regions of Turkey participated in the conference. The overall number
of participants was 500. Diplomats from many countries that have no
connection with the Caucasus expressed willingness take part. But we
did not want the conference gain political features.
– Why didn’t the Turkish press properly cover the event?
– I did not want certain people to misuse the conference, that’s why I
am glad that it was not properly covered. We wish, in the end, that
the society put pressure on the state authorities. We tell the latter
to settle the unsolved issues as they can.
– How do you imagine this settlement?
– I think if the traditions of Anatolia reflect in the politics, then
issues will be settled. We do not need other methods. My
starting-point is the traditions of Anatolia.
– You closed your speech with the following expression: “Peace in
Caucasus is so important that it cannot be left only to politicians’
discretion”. Couldn’t you open the brackets?
– I said that because reconciliation in the Caucasus is vital for
peoples of the region. Reconciliation is important for the world,
too. Meanwhile, it is obvious that the politicians are the ones who
brought issues to deadlock because they did things alone.
By Hakob Chakrian in Ankara
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Messenger.ge, Georgia
Friday, April 1, 2005, #059 (0833)
News in brief:
Protests against Russian base withdrawal
There were protests in Batumi and Akhalkalaki on Thursday against the
Georgian government’s efforts to have Russia withdraw its military bases
from the regions, according to Black Sea Press.
In Batumi some 300 supporters of the leader of the United Communist Party
Panteleimon Giorgadze held a rally calling for the Russian base there to
stay, while in Akhalkalaki 500 demonstrators called for the base there to
remain.
Governor of Samtskhe-Javakheti Giorgi Khachidze said that the Akhalkalaki
rally was organized by the youth organization “Jemi,” which brings together
Armenian youth living in the region.
He noted that a similar rally was held on March 13, and that he had met with
the organizers of the rally, who also demanded that a passport office be
opened in Akhalkalaki, as the local dwellers had to go to other regions to
receive an identification card or a passport.
He said that a passport office had already been opened in Akhalkalaki.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIANOW.COM SPORTS DIJEST APRIL 01, 2005
Administration Address: 26 Parpetsi St., No 9
Phone: +(374 1) 532422
Email: [email protected]
Internet:
Technical Assistance: (For technical assistance please contact to Babken Juharyan)
Email: [email protected]
ICQ#: 97152052
SPORTS DIGEST: FROM SWINDON TO PARIS TO ARMENIA, 26.2 MILES FOR PYUNIC
By Suren Musayelyan
ArmenianNow Reporter
RUNNING
Tim Manook is not a professional runner. But when the 20-year-old
student from Swindon, UK, runs in the (42 kilometer) Paris Marathon on
April 10 he will be running to raise money for the PYUNIC Armenian
Association for Disabled.
The undergraduate at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, says he
hopes `to raise awareness and support of maybe $1,000′ for this
charity by his efforts through Paris’ streets.
Last summer Tim spent two months in Armenia interning in the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. He says it was then that he first came into
contact with PYUNIC.
This year PYUNIC () will be celebrating its 15th
anniversary as a registered charity. Over the years PYUNIC has grown
from its original immediate aim of aiding earthquake victims to
providing support for all disabled Armenians.
Since 1989 the charity has organized 20 summer and winter sport camps
attended by more than 2,000 people, with activities including
swimming, sailing, weightlifting, archery, skiing, basketball and
others.
On July 18, 1998 the Government of Armenia gave PYUNIC a 32,000
sq. ft., four-storey building to serve as its center for providing
services and programs. Over the years the building has been vandalized
and materials stolen. There is a need for major reconstruction to the
building.
Manook welcomes all contributions.
His email is: [email protected]
and postal address: 31 Yarmouth Close Toothill, Swindon Wiltshire, SN5
8LL
FOOTBALL
Armenia got its first win in the World Cup 2006 qualifying campaign
with a 2-1 victory over Andorra last Saturday in Yerevan.
But that hard-won victory (Armenia scored the winner only 17 minutes
from time after the Andorrans managed to score an unlikely equalizer
earlier in the second half) was overshadowed by the team’s 0-2 defeat
from the Dutch in Eindhoven on Wednesday.
Both goals were scored by the Dutch in the first half (the first after
only 3 minutes) and it took quite an effort from Armenia to keep their
goal safe in the second half.
(Unlike the full team, Armenia U-21 managed to snatch a point from
their Dutch coevals on Tuesday, holding them to a goalless
draw. Andorra doesn’t have a U-21 team, so Armenia’s juniors didn’t
play on Saturday).
As a result of the two matches Armenia managed to leave the bottom
place in Group 1 and is now sixth (with four points in seven matches)
ahead of Andorra (which also has four points) due to the win in
Yerevan.
Armenia’s next opponent is Macedonia in Yerevan on June 4. Macedonia,
who hosted Armenia last autumn and won 3-0, are immediately above the
Armenian team in the group with five points.
Group 1 current standings are as follows:
TEAM MP PTS
NETHERLANDS 6 16
CZECH REPUBLIC 6 15
ROMANIA 7 13
FINLAND 6 9
MACEDONIA 7 5
ARMENIA 7 4
ANDORRA 7 4
BOXING
Australia’s Vic (Vakhtang) Darchinyan retained his IBF flyweight title
with an eighth-round stoppage of South Africa’s Mzukisi Sikali in
Sydney on Sunday, March 28.
The 29-year-old Darchinyan, making the first defense of the title he
won in December, was ahead on all three of the judges’ scorecards.
It was the Armenian-born fighter’s 23rd straight win and his 18th by
knockout.
After the fight, Darchinyan called out WBA champion Lorenzo Parra. The
Venezuelan is unbeaten in 25 fights (source: BBC Sports).

Turkish foreign minister denies rift with EU over Customs Union protocol
Anatolia news agency
31 Mar 05
Ankara, 31 March: Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
Abdullah Gul said on Thursday [31 March] that there is no difference
of opinion between Turkey and the European Union on the subject of
Customs Union Additional Protocol. “The problem arose due to the
improper translation of diplomatic terms and words in the media.”
Minister Gul held a press conference with the visiting Foreign
Minister of Congo Rodolphe Adada.
Asked by a journalist if there is a difference of opinion between
Turkey and the EU on whether the Turkish sea and airports would be
included in the Customs Union Additional Protocol or not, Gul replied
that there is no such disagreement. “If one looks at the statements
issued by EU officials, the absence of a disagreement would be clearly
understood.”
In response to a question if there is any connection between US
demands to utilize the Incirlik [southern Turkey] air base and the
possibility of a new resolution at the US Congress on the so-called
Armenian genocide, Gul answered that these topics have no direct
relationship. “I have elaborated on Incirlik in the recent
past. Certain demands for cooperation do exist. Yet these are not well
portrayed in the media. We are currently thinking on this topic and
will evaluate the matter.
“The Armenian issue is a totally separate issue. This is not the way
allies discuss issues. The topic of Armenians is known very well by
former US Governments and that of President Bush. We are very hopeful
that when the right time arrives the American Administration will
demonstrate the essential sensitivity. Therefore, it would be
incorrect to say that such topics are a matter of bargaining. Our
government is working carefully on certain technical subjects and the
issue will come to a conclusion soon.”
Meanwhile, Gul expressed happiness over seeing the Foreign Minister of
Congo Adada in Ankara.
Gul stressed that Adada and he discussed possible ways to develop
trade between the two countries. “The agreement on economic and
technical cooperation between Turkey and Congo has been ratified at
the Turkish parliament. The Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency
(TIKA) is very active in Africa. TIKA will soon open an office in
western Africa.”
Minister Adada indicated that Turkey is a big and very important
country for Congo. “Businessmen and businesswomen in both countries
must explore ways for mutual investments. Spreading peace and
democracy in the African continent is quiet important for Congo. Our
government is doing all it can to maintain and keep peace.”

ABKHAZIA TO PRESERVE INDEPENDENT STATUS
TBILISI, March 31 (RIA Novosti) – The political status of Abkhazia was
determined once and for all, Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh said at a press
conference in Sukhumi on Wednesday.
According to him, at the referendum of 1999 Abkhaz people voted for the
country’s independence.
Sergei Bagapsh denied the information that the leaders of Abkhazia and South
Ossetia (self-proclaimed republics in Georgia) were ready to negotiate with
the Georgian side on the formation of a federative union state, etc.,” the
Novosti-Georgia agency reports.
“Talks on Abkhazia’s political status with Georgia are out of the question,”
Bagapsh said.
He does not rule out his meeting with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili
but believes that it should be seriously prepared.
“This meeting cannot be held either in Tbilisi, or in Batumi. I will not go
there,” Bagapsh stressed adding that the agenda of this meeting should be
thoroughly drafted, as well.
Speaking about the statements by Georgian leaders claiming that “Abkhaz
people would like the republic to join Georgia,” Sergei Bagapsh said.
“Georgian politicians are making conclusions having no idea of real moods of
Abkhaz people.” In his opinion, this can put an end to Georgian-Abkhaz
talks, which have not started yet.
The Abkhaz leadership is ready to discuss with the Georgian side nothing but
mutually beneficial economic projects on the basis of Sochi agreements
signed in March 2002, he stressed. The agreements imply the restoration of
through railway traffic via Abkhazia to Georgia and Armenia, the restoration
and development of the Inguri hydroelectric power plant and the return of
Georgian refugees to Abkhazia’s Gali district.
“Other issues are out of the question,” Bagapsh said adding that the
above-mentioned problems were usually discussed with representatives of the
UN mission.
According to Sergei Bagapsh, the Abkhaz delegation will attend the session
in Geneva on Georgian-Abkhaz settlement on April 7-8
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress