Author: Hakobian Adrine

The New York Times
June 17, 2007 Sunday
Late Edition – Final

Aronian-Carlsen Was Liveliest Of the Candidates Matches

By Dylan Loeb McClain

There were no real surprises at the candidates matches, held May 27
to June 13 in Elista, Kalmykia, a Russian republic, to select four
qualifiers for the World Championship Tournament in Mexico City in
September and October.

The four winners were Levon Aronian of Armenia, Peter Leko of
Hungary, Boris Gelfand of Israel and Alexander Grischuk of Russia.

Going into the matches, Aronian and Leko were the two highest-ranked
players; Gelfand was No. 4, and Grischuk was tied for No. 6.

The most competitive and entertaining contest was the Round 1 matchup
between Aronian and Magnus Carlsen of Norway, the 16-year-old who has
electrified the chess world. The match was the only one that required
six tiebreak games. In the fifth, Aronian pulled away by outplaying
Carlsen in the middle game to win a pawn.

Through 11 0-0, the game followed two that Carlsen had played before,
both times as White. In those games, Carlsen had tried 12 Qd2 and 12
Nb5. Aronian’s 12 Bd6 was a more direct approach to try to take
advantage of the hole at d6. Carlsen should not have sought to
simplify with 12 Na5; it left his queenside pawns badly compromised.
Instead, 12 Ne8 would have made more sense.

Although Carlsen was able to exchange his lead a-pawn through a
tactical finesse, he was unable to defend the second pawn on the
file.

Aronian’s greatest strength is his accuracy in maneuvering his
pieces, and that was on display once he got the advantage. His 33 Nf5
slowed the approach of Carlsen’s king toward the center. Then with 38
h5, he locked down Carlsen’s kingside pawns, preventing simplifying
exchanges.

The rest was a clinic, and Carlsen resigned in a hopeless position.

The lineup for Mexico City looks as if it will be even stronger than
that of the championship tournament in San Luis, Argentina, in 2005.
The roster includes Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, the world champion;
Viswanathan Anand of India, No. 1 in the world; Alexander Morozevich
of Russia, No. 4; and Peter Svidler of Russia, No. 9.

The most notable omission, as of now, will be Veselin Topalov of
Bulgaria, tied for No. 2 with Kramnik. Topalov is excluded under the
terms of the championship match he played against Kramnik last year.

The Bulgarian Chess Federation has petitioned the World Chess
Federation to consider including Topalov, and even Kramnik, Topalov’s
bitter rival, has called it strange that Topalov is not playing.

EX UNHCR REPRESENTATIVE IN ARMENIA EXPRESSES HIS LOVE FOR ARMENIAN PEOPLE

Arminfo
2007-06-14 00:48:00

UNHCR Representative in Armenia Peter Nicolaus, who is completing his
mission in the country, said today that he loves the Armenian people.

During a roundtable on the problems of refugees he said that he
is ready to assume responsibility for all his mistakes. In his new
office he will continue his efforts to timely solve the problems of
refugees. Millions of people worldwide have been forced out of their
homes. And today before the World Refugee Day (June 20) Nicolaus
hopes that international organizations and national governments will
redouble their efforts to provide all refugees with necessary support.

In her turn, the newly-appointed representative Bushra Halepota
pointed out that the UN will continue to help Armenia to solve the
problems of refugees.

"We have been closely cooperating since 1992 and we hope that the
situation can be seriously improved. We understand that the main
thing for refugees is shelter and peace and I am glad that Armenia
has become a home for many of them," Halepota said.

CURRENT YEAR NKR STATE BUDGET OWN REVENUES INCREASED BY 19.4%

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
June 12 2007

In January-May, 2007, the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic state budget’s
own revenues made 4 milliards 592,7 millions drams, which is 19,4 %
more than the same period last year.

According to the information DE FACTO received at the NKR Ministry of
Finance and Economy, the budget’s revenues had been mainly provided
at the expense of tax receipts (88, 4 % of the revenues’ total amount).

The state budget’s expenditures for the period under review increased
by 24, 6%, making 10 milliards 941, 2 millions drams, which was mainly
conditioned by the growth of salary and capital expenditures.

59, 8% of the budget assignations have been sent for current expenses,
while 40, 2% – for capital ones.

For January-May, 2007, receipts to the NKR social insurance state
fund made 1 milliard 107, 6 millions drams, which is 21, 5 % more as
compared with the same period last year. For the same period the fund’s
expenses increased by 12, 5 %, making 1 milliard 830, 6 millions drams.

ARMENIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS: OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT IN ARMENIA

M2 Presswire
June 11, 2007

Zvartnots to Build Bridge between East and West; United Kingdom, among
the 60 routes scheduled from this airport, where 34 international
airlines will operate; Over 2 million passengersexpectedto use
thisrenovated airport in its first year; Renovation and extension
works at Zvartnots airport have involved an investment of *164 million.

M2 PRESSWIRE-JUNE 11, 2007-Armenia International Airports: Opening of
the New Airport in Armenia; Zvartnots to Build Bridge between East
and West; United Kingdom, among the 60 routes scheduled from this
airport, where 34 international airlines will operate; Over 2 million
passengersexpectedto use thisrenovated airport in its first year;
Renovation and extension works at Zvartnots airport have involved an
investment of *164 million ©1994-2007 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Armenia is one of the top emerging economies in the Caucasus. With
its strategic geographical location, this country is the historical
gateway between Asia and Europe, a bridge between the East and West.

In the last few years, Armenian economy has grown spectacularly, along
with the number of business opportunities. Moreover, thanks to its
rich historical and cultural heritage, the country has become a popular
tourist destination with a higher growth potential within the region.

In 2002 Armenia International Airports decided to start the renovation
and extension works of Zvartnots International Airport, in Yerevan,
the country’s capital. After less than 40 months, the new terminal has
just been opened, with the intention of becoming a link for tourism
and commerce between Asia and Europe.

Armenia International Airports, the company in charge of the
management, aim to turn Zvartnots into an international centre
connecting Armenia with the world and opening the country to foreign
visitors. Road infrastructure in Armenia is currently being surpassed
by the ever-increasing trade traffic within this region of the
Caucasus. In spite of the efforts made by the Armenian government to
improve their national road network, the country’s short-term business
goals will depend mainly on air transport.

Zvartnots in figures

Improvements at Zvartnots will involve a total investment of
*164million for the next 30 years. Armenia International Airports has
already allocated over 70million to the first phase, which included
a 19,200sqm extension of the premises and a refurbishment of around
45,000sqm.

Now, the first phase is complete, the airport boasts a 54,000sqm
runway and 45,000sqm of building. In addition, a new terminal was
created that occupies a 25,000sqm area.

After completing the project, the company expects that the airport
will achieve a passenger-traffic of over 2 million people in its first
year. In order to adapt to the forthcoming increase in visitors, new
parking has been created, with capacity for 1,000 vehicles. In terms
of freight transport, Armenia International Airports has fitted-out
a new cargo terminal, which can house a variety of cargo and has
capacity for 100,000tons per year.

34 international airlines will now operate from Zvartnots, connecting
Yerevan and Armenia to the world’s most important cities, including
London. Altogether around 60 routes will be scheduled to fly from
Zvartnots.

High security, technology, and comfort

In order to comply with the international air regulations, Armenia
International Airports has made a great effort to improve security
at Zvartnots. Among other measures, 150 surveillance cameras have
been installed in the premises, both inside the buildings and in
open spaces.

The modernisation effort has been significant, including the
implementation of an innovative flight information display system
(FIDS) as well as new automated and biometric-identification systems
for baggage check-in and passenger control. Also all buildings are
now equipped with Wi-Fi Internet connection.

In addition, the company has focused attention on improving visitors’
comfort within the premises. Arrivals hall capacity has been doubled
to reach a volume over 1,000 passengers per hour, and passenger
management will be streamlined between three and four-fold thanks to
a substantial extension of the customs points.

Finally, the renovation of the airport’s relax areas and restaurants
has been extensive, together with the enhancement of the Duty Free
shops’ product offering.

(M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided
within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties.

Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at
on the world wide web. Inquiries to
[email protected]).

–Boundary_(ID_jPXGlV25ObtvKuFnY Yqu3w)–

OSCE MONITORING DUE IN ARMENIAN-AZERBAIJANI FRONTLINE

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
June 12 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend E.Huseynli / Monitoring will be held
near the Garakhanbeyli village of Fizuli District on the 13th of June
in compliance with the mandate of the special representative of the
OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

According to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, Miroslav Vimetal and
Imre Palatinus , field assistants of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office’s
special envoy, Andrzej Kasprzyk , are in charge of monitoring in the
Azerbaijani side of the frontline.

Peter Key and Jaslan Nurtazin , field assistants to the OSCE
Chairman-in-Office’s special envoy the OSCE chairman-in-office, will
carry out the monitoring in the Armenian side of the frontline in
the territory internationally recognized as the Azerbaijani territory.

20 ARMENIAN SPORTSMEN TO PARTAKE IN THE AUSTRIAN TBILISI CUP

ArmRadio.am
12.06.2007 15:09

20 Armenian tennis players left for Tbilisi today to participate in
the "Austrian Tbilisi Cup" to be held June 13-14.

RA Tennis Federation informed Armenpress that the Armenian delegation
is headed by Alexander Tsaturyan, Secretary General of the Tennis
Federation.

NO PROGRESS ACHIEVED IN TALKS ON KARABAKH — ARMENIAN FM

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
June 11, 2007 Monday

No progress was achieved in the talks between the Armenian and
Azerbaijani presidents in St. Petersburg on Saturday on Karabakh
conflict settlement, and the disagreements remain, Armenian Foreign
Minister Vartan Oskanyan said.

The issues, on which, as the OSCE Minsk group co-chairmen hoped,
the presidents were expected to achieve progress, were proposed for
the discussion, the minister said after returning to Yerevan.

At the same time, it was serious and deep discussion, he noted.

In the final part of the meeting when the foreign ministers and
mediators joined Kochyaryan and Aliyev, the presidents had rather
wide discussion with them, Oskanyan said.

The negotiations will continue on the foreign minister level, the
minister added.

Commenting on the results of the meeting, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister
Elmar Mamedyarov said: "Issues related to the main settlement
principles were discussed, and I cannot say that a breakthrough
was achieved."

SENATE COMMISSION OF FOREIGN ALLOCATIONS PROPOSES GRANTING 68 MLN
DOLLARS TO ARMENIA AND 6 MLN DOLLARS TO NAGORNO KARABAKH

WASHINGTON, JUNE 11, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The US
Subcommission of Foreign Assistance Allocations has passed a resolution
on granting 68 mln dollars to Armenia and 6 mln dollars to Nagorno
Karabakh in the 2008 financial year which surpasses twice the
allocations of the 2007 financial year.

Though the Bush administration proposed not allocating military
assistance equally between Armenia and Azerbaijan, however, the
commission, that was headed by Nita Louie and Frank Wolf, passed a
resolution on granting a military assistance of 3 mln dollars to both
of the countries and extra 300 thousand dollars for implementing
international military trainings and educational programs.

Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA), expressed his satisfaction to the commission and added
that they are looking forward to cooperating with their friends from
the two Houses of the Congress, that aims at making the assistance
allocation to be given to Armenia 75 mln dollars and the one to be
given to Nagorno Karabakh for humanitarian assistance and development
10 mln dollars.

The Salt Lake Tribune, UT
June 3, 2007 Sunday

Tot’s unusual heritage makes marrow donor hard to find

By Ana Breton The Salt Lake Tribune

TAYLORSVILLE – Jessica Gomez keeps a neat, colorful scrapbook of the
time her son went through hell.

Inside the binder are pictures of 3-year-old Jonah sprawled on a
hospital bed at Primary Children’s Medical Center, with more than a
dozen tubes coming in and out of his tiny, pale body. The three-week
hospital stay – and the 32 blood transfusions he has undergone in his
short life – might not have been necessary if Jonah was Caucasian.

But Jonah’s mother is Armenian and her husband, Jonah’s father, is
Mexican – making a match for the bone marrow transplant he needs
extraordinarily difficult to find.

According to the National Marrow Donor Program, 10 percent of the 6
million donors on the national registry are Hispanic, and only 2
percent are of multiple races. Half of all donors – more than 3
million – are white.

"It’s like a lottery ticket," Gomez said. "People are dying because
ethnicities aren’t being represented."

A chance for Jonah: Jonah has two rare blood disorders and a
condition that impairs the function of his heart. While blood
disorders tend to affect blacks and Hispanics more often, few
minorities are registered bone marrow donors. Matches are based on
tissue type.

Jeff House, a spokesman for the national donor program, said most
people are reluctant to donate, hearing horror stories about how
painful the process is. Marrow is retrieved from the back of the
pelvic bone while a donor is under anesthesia.

House said the side effects are minimal and usually involve headaches
and nausea, not the extreme hip pain suggested in the past.

Only 800 new donors registered during the Gregg Schaub Donor
Foundation bone marrow drives held in Utah in late May. House said he
was hoping for 5,000.

"People think donating is about being in pain all the time," House
said. "Unless they are educated, Jonah is not going to have a
chance."

The only cure: Jonah has sickle-hemoglobin D disease, which turns
normally smooth red blood cells into C-shaped cells that clog the
bloodstream. That causes damage to vital organs, which can lead to an
early death.

He also has pyruvate kinase deficiency, which affects the enzyme in
red blood cells and alters their production of energy. He is the only
person in the world known to have been diagnosed with both of the
rare blood diseases, Gomez said.

Jonah also suffers from supravalvar pulmonary stenosis, a condition
that affects the function of the pulmonary valve of the heart.

Although they are not terminal, Jonah’s blood conditions are
life-threatening. The only cure is a bone marrow transplant, which
would replace his diseased bone marrow with marrow from a healthy
donor.

Until he receives a transplant, Jonah’s family takes precautions to
keep him healthy. All guests take off their shoes when entering their
home, and are encouraged to spread antibacterial gel on their hands.

The family tries to stay indoors November through March to avoid
crowds during cold and flu season. Instead of attending their church,
several community members visit the family.

"He needs . . . his own life": Still, Gomez knows she can’t
completely restrict Jonah from the outside world. He starts preschool
next year.

"I take precautions to keep him healthy, but he needs to have his own
life just like any other kid," Gomez said. "He can’t be a bubble boy
for the rest of his life."

The situation has put the family in financial strain. Gomez left her
job and moved into her parents’ house to save money. She raises funds
through yard sales and takes donations through Jonah’s Web site,
www.jonahgomez foundation.org.

"I know that finding a match is not easy," Gomez said. "But I know in
my heart that he will be cured."

—

* ANA BRETON can be reached at [email protected] Send comments about
this story to livingeditor@ sltrib.com.

FIRST POTTER’S ART YOUTH SYMPOSIUM "RAKU 2007" TO BE HELD IN ARAGATSOTN MARZ ON JUNE 15 – SEPTEMBER 5

Noyan Tapan
Jun 08 2007

YEREVAN, JUNE 8, NOYAN TAPAN. The first youth symposium of potter’s art
"Raku 2007" will be held in a glade of the forest near the settlement
of Lusagyugh in Aragatsotn marz on June 15 – September 5. More than
70 young potters from Yerevan and marzes will participate in the
event, Henrik Hambartsumian, chairman of "Munetik" NGO, sculptor,
the symposium’s organizer, told reporters on June 7.

According to him, the purpose of the joint initiative with the RA
ministry of education and science and the RA ministry of culture
and youth issues is to restore the traditions of this centuries-old
art. During the two-month symposium, various seminars and cultural
events, as well as meetings with famous artists will take place. Groups
will be formed for participation in international pottery exhibitions
in the US, Great Britain, France, Italy, Korea and Taiwan. It
is envisaged to publish a catalogue about the history of Armenian
potter’s art and its achievements over the past 10 years.

The first serious success of "Munetik" which was founded 6 years ago
is the presentation of works of three young Armenian potters at the
international symposium-contest to be held in Yorkshire on July 14.