Author: Hambardsumian Paul

RIA Novosti, Russia
June 9 2006

Police officer detained in Tajik students assault case in Moscow
10:30 | 09/ 06/ 2006

MOSCOW, June 9 (RIA Novosti) – A police officer has been detained in
connection with the beating of six Tajik students at a Moscow
dormitory, prosecutors said Friday.

The students from the former Soviet republic in Central Asia were
beaten and robbed Wednesday evening in a dormitory of the State
Management University by a group led by a man claiming to be a police
officer.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said the 27-year-old suspect would be
charged with robbery and hooliganism, and that an investigation had
been launched to catch his accomplices. The case is being overseen
personally by Moscow’s chief prosecutor.

The attack happened around 8 p.m. Moscow time (4 p.m. GMT) Wednesday,
when a man dressed in civilian clothes knocked on the door of a
student room at the dormitory in southeast Moscow claiming to be a
police officer, and presented what students said was identification.
When a student opened the door, six more men in plainclothes broke
in.

“They beat the students with an iron wrench and belts and kicked
them,” prosecutors said. “One of the students dropped his mobile
phone, and the assailants grabbed it and went away.”

The assault is the latest in a series of attacks on foreigners in
Moscow. In a murder that shocked the country, Vagan Abramyants, a
17-year-old Armenian student at the Moscow Academy of Management, was
stabbed to death on the platform of Pushkinskaya metro station in the
center of Moscow at about 5 p.m. April 22.

But prosecutors said they the latest crimes were not being considered
as racially motivated.

BBC Sports
June 9 2006

Gamewatch: Federer v Nalbandian
French Open
Semi-final result:

R FEDERER Swi bt D NALBANDIAN Arg

3-6 6-4 5-2 (Nalbandian retired)

Game-by-game updates:

If Federer can carry the form of the last hour into the final he’ll
have a great chance.
BBC Sport analyst John Lloyd

Third set:

Federer 5-2 Nalbandian
Nalbandian’s serve is becoming weaker by the second and allowing
Federer to take control. He breaks again and Nalbandian goes to the
umpire to tells him he’s pulling out.

Federer 4-2 Nalbandian
Two aces signal Federer’s confidence at the moment and Nalbandian
looks distinctly unhappy out there.

The trainer is back on and attending to Nalbandian’s stomach – an
area he had an injury earlier in the year.
Federer 3-2 Nalbandian
Federer has a point for the double break but Nalbandian hangs on with
a smash.

Federer 3-1 Nalbandian
Federer clearly has little sympathy for Nalbandian and plays a solid
service game. He is hitting confidently on both the backhand and
forehand sides, winning the game to 15.

The trainer is on for David Nalbandian and the pair have a lengthy
discussion before the doctor joins them. Meanwhile, Leonardo di
Caprio causes a stir by arriving in the stands accompanied by several
bodyguards. Nalbandian is given a couple of pills and returns to the
action.
Federer 2-1 Nalbandian
Nalbandian stays in touch by holding to 15.

Federer 2-0 Nalbandian
Federer takes his eighth game in nine and leaves Nalbandian sprawled
in the clay with the forehand winner that gives him the game.

Federer 1-0 Nalbandian
The match has completely turned around in the space of 20 minutes –
Nalbandian is feeling the pressure and the mistakes start to flow as
he gives up another break of serve.

———————————————- ———————————-

Second set:

That was a privilege to watch – from 0-3 it was genius from Federer.
BBC Sport analyst John Lloyd

Federer 6-4 Nalbandian
The game hangs on a lengthy rally with Federer 30-15 ahead, and after
numerous heavy forehands from both men it is Nalbandian who makes the
error.

Federer 5-4 Nalbandian
Nalbandian stops the rot but does have to watch as one more stunning
Federer forehand flies past him.

Federer 5-3 Nalbandian
Federer wraps up his fifth straight game and his forehand is now back
in the groove – one cross-court winner causing the Swiss to clench
his fist in delight.

Federer 4-3 Nalbandian
A stunning game sees winners from both players but it is Federer who
has really hit top form. He chases down one lob and hits the ball
around his legs for a winner down the line that even Nalbandian
appaluds. The next point ends with a blistering Federer backhand and
he breaks serve again when Nalbandian nets a smash.

Federer 3-3 Nalbandian
Federer gets back on level terms, producing a delicate half-volley
when he needs it at 30-30.

It’s as if Federer didn’t set his alarm clock at the right time and
he’s finally woken up.
BBC Sport analyst John Lloyd

Federer 2-3 Nalbandian
The improvised shot of the previous game looks like it did inspire
Federer, who suddenly hits top form and races to two break points, at
which point Nalbandian double faults.

Federer 1-3 Nalbandian
Federer comes up with one improvised forehand cross-court slice that
puts him 3-0-15 up and might boost his confidence. He goes on to
hold.

Federer 0-3 Nalbandian
Federer is struggling to get the ball into court at the moment and
Nalbandian holds to love. Federer’s coach Tony Roche looks
unimpressed in the crowd.

Federer 0-2 Nalbandian
Federer makes two forehand errors before Nalbandian finds an
outrageous angle on a backhand return. Federer then puts a backhand
slice long and Nalbandian goes a break up. The Argentine supporters
celebrate, meanwhile Federer looks surprisingly low-key.

Federer 0-1 Nalbandian
A wild mishit from the Federer forehand signals another comfortable
hold for Nalbandian and the Argentine is in complete control at the
moment.

———————————————- ———————————-

Federer hasn’t had a break point yet, and that’s very unusual. It’s
not like he has to go to Plan B, he’s just got to get Plan A right.
I’d give him four out of 10 so far.
BBC Sport analyst John Lloyd

First set:

Federer 3-6 Nalbandian
Nalbandian gets a set point when Federer nets a forehand but hits a
wild return. The Argentine soon has a second chance but Federer
finishes the point with an easy smash. Nalbandian does not waste the
third set point, however, with Federer firing a forehand long.

Federer 3-5 Nalbandian
Nalbandian has been to at least the semi-finals of all four Grand
Slams and that experience is already showing – he looks the more
confident player at the moment and closes in on the first set with
another love service game.

Federer 3-4 Nalbandian
Federer holds to love and has looked pretty good so far, apart his
previous service game. The Argentine fans are certainly happy enough
with Nalbandian and are treating the Parisians to the same chant on
every changeover.

Federer 2-4 Nalbandian
Nalbandian holds impressively, firing down one ace and dominating the
rallies again with his forehand.

Federer’s backhand has been superb during the tournament but if he
leaves it short, like then, Nalbandian will step up and hit the big
forehand.
BBC Sport analyst John Lloyd

Federer 2-3 Nalbandian
A loose Federer volley and a forehand error give Nalbandian two break
points and the Argentine capitalises with a fierce return that
Federer cannot control.

Federer 2-2 Nalbandian
Nalbandian plays a risky second point by rallying to Federer’s
forehand, and the Swiss makes him pay with one unreturnable shot down
the line. Another double fault sees Federer go 15-30 up but
Nalbandian comes through.

Federer 2-1 Nalbandian
Both players have started confidently and look to be timing the ball
well. A fierce cross-court forehand gives Federer the game to 15.

Federer 1-1 Nalbandian
Nalbandian hits two double faults, which does not help his cause, but
a strong forehand gives him the game.

Federer 1-0 Nalbandian
Federer opens with a comfortable hold to 15. The wind is quite strong
today and could pose some problems.

I’m taking Federer to win this one and I don’t think it will take as
long as everyone thinks.
BBC Sport analyst John Lloyd

The players are out on Phillipe Chatrier Court and Nalbandian’s
supporters are already in good voice.

OSKANIAN: NOTHING SECRET IN MEETINGS OF ARMENIAN AND TURK DIPLOMATS

Yerkir
08.06.2006 16:49

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Armenian authorities do not disregard events in
Russia, Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian stated at a news conference in
Yerevan. In his words, everything possible is being done for murders
on the national ground not to repeat. “However, it is the business
of the Russian party, not ours,” Oskanian underscored.

As of Turkish press reports on meetings between Armenian and Turk
diplomats, Oskanian remarked there is nothing secret in these. “We
always meet, hold talks. Of course the Armenian party would like
those talks to be productive,” the Armenian FM said.

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

JUNE 8, 2006

PHOTOGRAPHS OF CONSECRATION ON THE WEB
As we reported in a special edition of Crossroads earlier this week, the
V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar of the Eastern Prelacy and
Ecumenical Officer for North America, received the Episcopal consecration
last Sunday, June 4, in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator,
Antelias, Lebanon, by His Holiness Aram I. Two other clergymen were elevated
to the rank of Bishop: V. Rev. Fr. Neshan Topouzian, Prelate of the Diocese
of Tabriz, and V. Rev. Fr. Papken Charian, Prelate of the Diocese of
Isfahan.
To see photographs click

PRESEN TATIONS AT THE NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
The two major presentations during the National Representative Assembly
concerning parish development given by Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, pastor of
St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, and Stephen Hagopian, secretary of the
Prelacy Executive Council, are on the Prelacy web page. To view the NRA page
click

PLG MOTHERS’ DAY LUNCHEON
Photographs of the annual Mothers’ Day luncheon sponsored by the Prelacy
Ladies Guild are now on the Prelacy web page. To view the photos click

MILES TONE YEAR FOR DATEV INSTITUTE
This year the St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute is marking its 20th
anniversary. Special anniversary celebrations are being planned for the
weekend of July 8 and 9, which is also the culminating weekend of the
Institute’s one-week intensive study and recreational program.]
On Saturday, from 9 am to 12:30 pm, a seminar on “Youth, Faith and Life”
will convene at the St. Mary of Providence Conference Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania. Leaders of the seminar are Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, pastor
of St. Stephen Armenian Church in Watertown, Massachusetts and V. Rev. Fr.
Paul Nadim Tarazi, PhD, Professor of Biblical Studies and Biblical Languages
at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York.
Saturday evening a celebratory banquet will take place at the Holiday
Inn at Morgantown, Pennsylvania. The weekend will conclude on Sunday, June
9, with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy by Archbishop Oshagan at St.
Gregory Church, Philadelphia. A farewell picnic will take place in the
afternoon on the church grounds.
For complete information click

HOL Y CROSS CHURCH TO PRESENT SPRING CONCERT
The Holy Cross Church, Troy, New York, will present a Spring Concert
this Sunday, June 11. The concert will take place in John Sarkis Hall
following the Divine Liturgy celebrated by the pastor, Rev. Fr. Bedros
Shetilian.
The concert, hosted by Alvard Besanian, will feature performances by:
Arpi Shetilian, violin; Yeretzgeen Marineh Shetilian, piano; Chakee
Kazandjian, vocalist; Valerie Altounian, clarinet; Liza Bardakjian, poetry
readings. For information: 518-274-1477.

COMMEMORATION OF PROPHET ELIJAH
This Sunday, June 11, the Armenian Church commemorates the Prophet
Elijah, one of the greatest and most remarkable prophets of the Old
Testament. His commemorative day is on a Sunday because he is considered to
be the greatest of the prophets who appeared at the Transfiguration as the
prophet of “life” and the new covenant, and he did not experience death but
was rather taken to heaven. He is remembered in the hymn Ee Verin during the
Requiem Service: “Receive us in Jerusalem above, in the dwellings of the
angels, in Eden paradise where Enoch and Elijah live worthily resplendent in
purity and in old age. O Merciful Lord, have mercy upon the souls of ours
who have fallen asleep.”

COMMEMORATION OF SAINTS HRIPSIME AND GAYANE
On Monday and Tuesday, June 12 and 13, the Armenian Church commemorates
the lives of Saints Hripsime and Gayane, respectively.
Thirty-three nuns, led by Gayane, fled to Armenia from the Roman Empire
to escape persecution. One of the nuns, Hripsime, was a great beauty and the
Armenian King Drtad wanted to marry her. When she refused to marry and
refused to renounce Christ, she and all of her companion nuns were tortured
and killed. Upon his release from his imprisonment in the pit, St. Gregory
had chapels built over the relics of the nuns. The chapels were rebuilt
during the pontificate of Catholicos Sahag Bartev (4th century). In the 7th
century Catholicos Gomidas had two beautiful cathedrals built-Cathedral of
St. Hripsime and the Cathedral of St. Gayane. Contemporary art historians
believe that the design of the Cathedral of St. Hripsime greatly influenced
the future direction of Armenian architecture. Catholicos Gomidas also wrote
a beautiful sharagan in their memory, Antsink Nviryalk.

WEDNESDAY IS FLAG DAY
Wednesday, June 14, is Flag Day, marking the 229th anniversary of the
official adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the national flag. The flag,
as we know it today, has a blue field of 50 white stars representing the 50
states, and thirteen red and white stripes representing the original
thirteen colonies. The last state to be admitted into the Union was Hawaii
on July 4, 1960.

Calendar of Events

June 11-Spring Concert presented by Holy Cross Church, 101 Spring Ave.,
Troy, NY, in John Sarkis Hall following church services. For information:
518-274-1477.

June 18-Fathers’ Day celebration at St. Illuminator Cathedral, 221 E. 27th
Street, New York City, following Divine Liturgy. Organized by the Cathedral’s
Ladies Guild. For information: 212-689-5880.

June 18-St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, Annual Father’
Day Picnic and Reunion, following church service. For information:
413-543-4763.

July 22-Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
and Ani Chapter of Armenian Relief Society co-host gala dance at Greek
Orthodox Annunciation Church. For information, 401-286-8107.

June 24-Siamanto Academy graduation, Armenian Center, Woodside, NY.

July 2-9-St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute. For details click

August 8-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, Annual Golf Tournament, 11:30 am registration. Blackstone
Valley Country Club, Sutton, MA. For details contact David, 508-234-3261.

August 13-Annual picnic, Holy Cross Church, Troy, New York.

August 20-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, Annual Church Picnic, 12 noon on the church grounds. For
details: 508-234-3677.

September 28-4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.

October 22-Holy Cross Church, Troy, NY, anniversary celebration.

Visit our website at

NEXT TRAIN WITH RUSSIAN MILITARY HARDWARE TO LEAVE GEORGIA

Interfax News Agency
Russia & CIS Military Newswire
June 7, 2006 Wednesday 5:28 PM MSK

This year’s seventh train with materiel of Russian military bases
being withdrawn from Georgia will leave the city of Batumi on Thursday,
Colonel Vladimir Kuparadze, deputy commander of the Russian military
force in Transcaucasia, told Interfax- Military News Agency.

“The train will depart from Batumi, where the 12th Russian military
base is stationed, to Armenia early on Thursday,” Kuparadze said.

“The train will deliver 42 wheeled vehicles and other materiel to the
Armenian town of Gyumri, where it will be added to the 102nd Russian
military base’s inventory,” he noted.

In addition, a convoy of wheeled vehicles of the 62nd military base
will leave for Gyumri from the Georgian town of Akhalkalaki early on
Thursday. “These are 15 KamAz automobiles carrying materiel and six
cannons,” Kuparadze said.

He recalled that six trains with armaments, hardware and other materiel
of the Russian bases have left Georgia. Four of them carrying materiel
of the 62nd base headed for Russia, while the two others left Batumi
for Armenia.

The Russian military bases are to be withdrawn from Georgia in 2008.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VICE-CHAIRMAN SEES NO REASON IN PRACTICE FOR ARMENIA NOT TO JOIN EU IN COMING 10 YEARS

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jun 07 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “In practice I
see no reason for Armenia not to join EU in the coming 10 years,”
European Parliament Vice-Chairman Edward Macmillan-Scott, who is in
Yerevan on an official visit, declared at the June 7 press conference
at RA National Assembly. He also mentioned that personally he is
“open before the issue of Armenia’s and RF’s membership when the
convenient time comes.” Meanwhile he emphasized that like the other
members of the European Parliament he also has some reservations in
connection with Turkey’s possible membership to EU. According to him,
the European Union is not a closed organization, just the negative
results of the EU constitutional referendum held several months
ago in Holland and France gave rise to some problems for membership
of new countries. Rather a great number of Europeans, also in the
above-mentioned two countries, are anxious about EU’s extension
and especially about Turkey’s possible membership. Nevertheless,
the process of new countries’ membership is rather active.

In response to the question on the prospects of Armenia-European
Union relations and some delay in the issue of implementation of
the European Neighborhood policy because of Azerbaijan, Scott said:
“My personal preference is that we should show an individual approach
to any country taking into consideration their cultural and historic
differences.” He also stated that the above-mentioned approach is
used towards the Balkan states and he as a personality and not as a
EU official sees no reason for not applying the same approach in the
South Caucasus. As a member of the European Parliament Commission of
Foreign Relations with the largest working experience, he promised
to speak to his parliamentary colleagues as he gets to Brussels and
to persuade them “for excluding any artificial delay in this process.”

4TH SPORTS FESTIVAL OF THE HANDICAPPED TO START IN ARMENIA

ArmRadio.am
08.06.2006 10:18

June 8-June11 the National Para-Olympic Committee of Armenia will
hold the 4th republican sports festival of the handicapped.

WELSH MEMBERS OF UK PARLIAMENT RECOGNIZE ASSYRIAN GENOCIDE

Assyrian International News Agency, CA
June 7 2006

YEREVAN (YERKIR) — Following intensive lobbying from the above
organization, over half the eligible Welsh Representatives of the UK
Parliament have signed a motion recognizing the Armenian and Assyrian
Genocide of 1915.

“This is a historic day for Wales. “There can no longer be any doubt
that Wales has recognized the Armenian and Assyrian Genocides. We will
continue to expose this government denial of the genocide in order to
protect British investment in Turkey and to further Britain’s strategic
interests in the region. Our priority will be to put the issue of
restitution and reparations for the genocide on the political agenda.

The reunification of Armenia must no longer be a taboo subject during
Turkey’s accession talks. We in Wales can raise our voice to insist
that Turkey should yield back land to the Armenian nation if she is
to accede to the European Union,” said a spokesman for Wales-Armenia
Solidarity.

MAMMADYAROV: “THE SIDES COME TO CLOSURE ON THE DISCUSSED ISSUES”

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
June 5 2006

“Not any serious advancement has achieved in the meeting of Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Robert Kocharyan”,
foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov has told journalists.

According to him, discussions held in the level of co-chairs and
presidents level in the meeting which lasted for 5 hours. “I can
say that there is any advancement. Presidents make precise their
positions. The two sides’ position should be appropriate to each
other. Though the meeting in the level of Presidents completed,
but co-chairs stayed in Bucharest. Today or tomorrow if they adopt
a decision on holding meeting in the level of foreign ministers,
we can hold one more meeting.” According to the minister all the
issues should be thoroughly discussed. “We have to continue talks on
the issues that we do not agree on the points. We have not reached
an agreement on some issues, but talks should be continued. I hope
that we shall come to an agreement in the end of the talks; the sides
come to closure on the discussed issues. That is why we think that
we have chance to continue Prague talks. You know that a conflict is
of sensitive matter. Therefore it is impossible to solve it difficult.

Now we work on this problem and try to solve it.” As concerns
holding of the meeting, Elmar Mammadyarov stated each meeting to be
important. He said that the arguments forwarded by Armenians are not
based on international law: “If we really want to place permanent
peacekeepers to the region then decisions to be adopted should be
to international law. This is of importance for the future. After
10 or even 50 years later, no one can say that this decision is
against law. That is why we think that any agreement should be within
international law norms. Occupied territories, 1 million refugees and
displaced people are of Azerbaijan. Armenia has implemented ethnic
cleansing. All these are facts. On the other hand Armenia wants
integration to Euroatlantic area. There is diversity between word
and deed of Armenia, regularly international community understands
it”.

PRESS: SISTEMA BIDS FOR 90% IN ARMENIA’S ARMENTEL

Cellular-News, UK
June 5 2006

MOSCOW, June 5 (Prime-Tass) — Major Russian holding AFK Sistema has
filed a bid to participate in the tender of a 90% stake in Armenian
fixed-line and mobile operator ArmenTel, Sistema’s Chairman Vladimir
Yevtushenkov said, Vedomosti business daily reported Monday.

The stake is currently owned by Greece’s OTE, which said in late April
that it planned to sell the stake. The remaining 10% in ArmenTel is
held by the Armenian government.

Neither OTE, nor Sistema have indicated the price for the possible
purchase. An analyst with MDM-Bank estimated the price of the 90%
stake at U.S. $140 million, the daily reported.

Meanwhile, Russia?s largest mobile operator Mobile TeleSystems (MTS),
a subsidiary of Sistema, has opted out of a tender for a 70% stake
in Serbia and Montenegroen mobile operator Mobi 63, Yevtushenkov
said, the daily reported. MTS said in mid-May that it had applied to
participate in the tender.

ArmenTel is a fixed-line and long-distance monopoly in Armenia. It
also had a monopoly on mobile services until mid-2005. ArmenTel’s
fixed-line subscriber base stands at about 600,000 users and its
mobile subscriber base at about 330,000 users.

Armenia’s population amounts to about 3.2 million people, of which
about 20% use mobile services.

ArmenTel’s revenue totaled $145.3 million in 2005, while its net
profit stood at $55.9 million, the daily reported.