Author: Jagharian Tania

ARMENIAN OPPOSITION URGES GOVERNMENT TO "MITIGATE" EFFECTS OF WORLD CRISIS

Mediamax
October 16, 2008 Thursday
Armenia

Yerevan, 16 October: Oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC) made
a statement, in which it demanded from the government taking measures
"to mitigate the consequences of the global financial crisis". Mediamax
reports that the statement of ANC, headed by Ex-President of Armenia
Levon Ter-Petrosyan, reads that "by its inaction and absence of
corresponding measures, the government contributes to deepening of
the approaching crisis and shocks".

The opposition demanded from the government realizing a number of
measures, among which:

"CB [Central Bank] should introduce a ban for construction recrediting
by commercial banks and a 100 per cent reservation of such credits";

"The government and the CB should announce about ruling out any
limitations, related to return of deposits, at least, in cases,
when the term of the deposit has not expired";

"The government and CB should guarantee 100 per cent return of
shares, issued by ‘ArmRosGazprom’ and ‘Vallex Group’ Companies by
means of IPOs. At the same time, they should ban realization of new
IPOs without the government’s participation;

"CB should lift all limitations concerning money transfers systems";

"CB should take upon itself the responsibility to secure in the course
of the coming 6 months the exchange rate of the national currency
within the limits, established together with the government".

KEENE STATE GENOCIDE AWARENESS LECTURE: ‘GENOCIDES IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE’

Targeted News Service
October 20, 2008 Monday 7:47 AM EST

Keene State College issued the following news release:

Professor Donald Bloxham will give Keene State College Cohen Center for
Holocaust Studies’ 2nd Annual Genocide Awareness Lecture: "Genocides
in Comparative Perspective: Does the Holocaust Fit?" on Monday,
October 27. The lecture is free and open to the public and will
start at 7:30 p.m. in the Mabel Brown Room of Keene State College’s
L. P. Young Student Center.

An expert in Holocaust and genocide studies, with focused work on
the Armenian genocide, Bloxham is professor of modern history at
the University of Edinburgh and has authored nearly 50 articles and
book chapters. He is co-editor of the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of
Genocide and serves on the editorial board of the journals Holocaust
Studies, Patterns of Prejudice, and the Journal of Genocide Research.

Professor Bloxham was the 2007-08 J. B. and Maurice C. Shapiro
Senior Scholar-in-Residence at the United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum, where he completed his forthcoming book, The Final Solution:
A Genocide and Its Contexts. He is the recipient of the 2007 Raphael
Lemkin Award for genocide scholarship.

The Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies, recognized as a "center of
excellence" by the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, has a strong
collection of print and media resources, holds a biennial residential
summer institute for educators, and supports a minor in Holocaust
studies at Keene State College.

One of the nation’s oldest Holocaust resource centers, it is a
nonsectarian organization dedicated to teaching the lessons of the
Holocaust. It fulfills founder Dr. Charles Hildebrandt’s charge,
"to remember … and to teach," through annual community programming
and educational outreach activities.

For a schedule of workshops, in-service training, classroom
presentations, and individual curriculum consultations, visit
For more information, contact Margaret Barney,
[email protected], or call the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies
at 603-358-2490.

RICE PROMISED TO SUPPORT ARMENIA’S DAMAGES AFTER RUSSIAN-GEORGIAN WAR

Panorama.am
21:33 22/10/2008

In the aftermath of Russian-Georgian war Armenia fixed 670 million
dollars damage, which is expressed in lost revenues, postponed
investments, announced Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan in
National Assembly, answering to independent deputy Viktor Dallakyan’s
question whether the Prime Minister discussed it during his visit to
America about the possible compensation of the damage.

"The position of the President of Armenia and the Government is that
the international bodies should discuss the current question lying
under the interest of regional countries and not one state, and that
the damages should be compensated, or financial and technical support
should be provided," said the Prime Minister.

According to the Prime Minister the current problem has been discussed
with Dick Chainy and Condoleezza Rice, as well as in World Monetary
Fund.

"We are going to get that support, and first it will be a technical
one. C. Rice has promised that to us. We have certain agreements with
World Bank and World Monetary Fund," he said.

ERIC ARMIT’S WORLD VIEW
by Eric Armit

BritishBoxing.net
Oct 22nd 2008
UK

This is a changing world and in many ways for the better. When I was
a lad there were certain things that had a stigma attached to them
which are accepted today. Some of those were social (illegitimacy,
homosexuality) but some were sporting (being an East Fife supporter).

For instance, in boxing there was a huge stigma associated with
being a southpaw. It may sound impossible now, but I can assure you
that any southpaw entering a gym in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s
could expect one of three things to happen. He would be thrown out,
he would be given a bucket and mop, as that was all he was useful for,
or he would be converted to what we described as "orthodox".

After having a tough time with Kenny Lane in a title defence "Old
Bones" Joe Brown vowed never to fight another southpaw and Sugar
Ray Robinson once declared that all southpaws should be strangled
at birth. In those days southpaws were avoided, very few received
title shots and very few won world titles. For instance a 1977 list
of southpaw world champions numbered only 22 in the history of boxing
up to that date. Boy, have things changed.

Recently two southpaws – Chad Dawson and Antonio Tarver – fought for
the IBF light-heavyweight title. Almost every division has a southpaw
champion or former champion. Working through the divisions we have
Ruslan Chagaev, Sultan Ibragimov, Wayne Braithwaite, Firat Arslan,
Joe Calzaghe, Lucien Bute, Raul Marquez, Cory Spinks, Daniel Santos,
Sergiy Dzinziruk, Paul Williams, Zab Judah, Carlos Quintana, Manny
Pacquiao, Joel Casamayor, David Diaz, Edwin Valero, Steve Luevano,
Steve Molitor, Juan Manuel Lopez, Daniel Ponce De Leon, Gerry Penalosa,
Hozumi Hasegawa, Cristian Mijares, Vic Darchinyan, Omar Narvaez and
Ivan Calderon. All champions or former champions.

I don’t remember any "southpaw liberation parades" or any
non-discrimination legislation, but suddenly southpaws seemed to be
outing themselves shamelessly and now they are everywhere. I can even
see the PC police banning the use of the word "orthodox" as it would
suggest that being a southpaw was somehow abnormal. I guess I will
have to learn to live with this changing world.

When is this sport going to stop marching backwards? Vitali Klitschko
returns at the age of 37 and regains the WBC heavyweight title and then
43-year-old Bernard Hopkins beats Kelly Pavlik. Two of the biggest
attractions in the next few weeks will feature the 39-year-old Roy
Jones (Junior!) against 36-year-old Joe Calzaghe and in the other
we have a 35-year-old Oscar De La Hoya, still the sports major money
spinner.

What I want to know is "Where have All The Young Men Gone". At least
Canada has a good selection of young prospects coming along (none
of them southpaws), and in Montreal on October 4 four of them came
through with inside the distance wins. In the main event Antonin
Decarie retained his NABO welterweight title with a twelfth round
stoppage of Hector Munoz. Not a big puncher, the WBO’s No 7 had
Munoz down twice and halted the American with 18 seconds to go. The
25-year-old has 20 wins. At light-welterweight Dierry Jean made it 15
wins by putting Mexican Fabian Luque down three times for a second
round stoppage. Luque was halted in four by Martin Gethin in Las
Vegas in December. Welterweight Phil LoGreco moved to 16 wins as he
kayoed Jose Corona in the first round and light-middleweight David
Lemieux put Lance Moody down for the count in round one with a body
shot. Lemieux, only 19, is making waves as he now has eleven straight,
all inside the distance and only one going beyond round two.

On the same night, but down in Hermosillo, Mexico, southpaw flyweight
Hernan "Tyson" Marquez moved to 21 wins as he halted Carlos Rodriguez
in one round. Fifteen have come inside the distance but the opposition
has been somewhere between awful and worse.

Another Mexican to watch is welterweight Norberto "Demonio"
Gonzalez. In Monterrey on October 10 he outpointed useful Antonio
Arras to go to 16 wins, twelve inside the distance. The 27-year-old
was a top amateur winning a silver medal in the Central American
Games. Alejandro Sanabria is another good Mexican prospect . The
21-year-old super-featherweight moved to 17 wins as he kayoed Daniel
Aguillon in the twelfth round of their fight for the WBC Fecarbox title
in Polanco on October 15. Unfortunately, Aguillon did not recover. He
was rushed to a hospital and underwent an operation. Whilst he is
alive at the time of writing, the doctors have declared him brain
dead, but the family are hoping for a miracle and have not agreed to
his life-support system being turned off.

Both Gennady Martirosyan and Attila Kovacs had scored wins over Steve
Conway and had good records, so it was an interesting match-up in
their October 4 middleweight fight in Vyborg, Russia. Armenian-born
Russian Martirosyan came out on top with a points win after ten rounds
to improve his record to 14 wins in 15 fights. Hungarian Kovacs
was unbeaten in his last 22 going in, but the 34-year-old "Viper"
is now 24-2. The experienced Azeri cruiserweight Ali Ismailov scored
a good win in the other ten round bout on the show as he decisioned
the 22-year-old American Max Alexander.

Unfortunately most of the 34-year-old Ali’s experience came in a long
amateur career and he is 14-1-1 as a pro with the loss being to world
rated Vadim Tokarev in his fifth fight. Alexander lost to Sam Soliman
and Brian Vera in the Contender series but he drew with Rob Calloway
in his last fight and is 14-3-2.

Senegalese-born super-middleweight Muhamed Ali N’Diaye won the vacant
Italian title with a close points victory over Roberto Cocco in
Pontedera on October 10. Both fighters are relative novices. N’Diaye
has a 14-1 record and Cocco lost for the second time against just
nine wins. N’Diaye won a silver medal for Senegal in the African
championships as an amateur.

Veteran southpaw Kevin Kelley is just too old at 41 to keep up
with the youngsters. In Tucson on October 10 he had the skill but
not the strength and pace to match prospect David Rodela and lost
on points over eight rounds. The former WBC featherweight champion
has lost two of his last three, but is probably not ready to hang up
his gloves yet. Rodela, a super-featherweight from Oxnard, the same
town as Fernando Vargas, is 11-1-2 and unbeaten in his last ten. He
won a gold medal in the United States championships, a silver in the
National Golden Gloves and United States Juniors, but lost in a US
v England match to Steve Bell in 2001.

Four bouts came up with very mixed results on a show in Bloemfontein
on October 10. Two went the full twelve rounds and two ended in the
first round. At super-middleweight William Gare retained his WBF
title with a points win over Czech Jindrich Velecky. It was Gare’s
second defence and he boxed well. He is 34 and has a 24-14 record,
losing here to Steve Roberts for the WBF light-middleweight title in
2001. Jindrich falls to 14-5.

An excellent match-up saw Kaiser Mabuza retain his WBA Pan African
welterweight title and win the South African title as he took a
majority verdict over Sam Malinga. After a bit of a rocky period,
Mabuza is unbeaten in his last five in a 16-6-3 record. Malinga,
who stopped Colin Lynes and Ted Bami here, falls to 20-5-1. A fight
for the vacant WBA Pan African cruiserweight title was a farce as
South African champion Thabiso Mchunu kayoed Marciano Commey in the
first round. Mchunu now has five wins. Commey, who turned pro as a
welterweight in 1990 has won two of his last eleven, but the WBA do
not care.

The other first round win was scored by Bongani "Cyclone" Mwelase
who halted 38-year-old Juan Carlos Villarreal to win the vacant
WBF title. Southpaw Mwelase , the South African champion is a tall,
loose-limbed banger who has twelve wins, eleven inside the distance,
but he needs to work on finding a defence. Villarreal lost to Shea
Neary for the WBU light-middleweight title in 1998.

The former Commonwealth welterweight champion Ali Nuumbembe kept
himself in the picture as he beat German Daniel Kaefer on a fifth
round retirement in their fight in Windhoek on October 17. It was Ali’s
second win since losing his title to Craig Watson and takes his record
to 20-3-1. On the same show Bethuel Ushona, who beat Ali back in 2004,
outpointed Zimbabwean Mordechai Donga over six rounds. Ushona has 15
wins but was largely inactive in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

In Argentina Cesar Cuenca moved to 34 wins and one no contest as
he beat Ariel Burgos on a disqualification in the ninth round of
their fight in Chaco on October 18 and retained his Argentinian
light-welterweight title. Burgos was way behind when he blatantly
butted Cuenca and was thrown out. Only four of Cesar’s fights
have failed to go the distance. One was a no contest, one was a
technical verdict, one was, shockingly, a real stoppage and this
disqualification. Never mind a paper bag, Cesar could not punch his
way through wet toilet paper.

It has been a bad few weeks for French prospects . Ali Chebah saw
his 27 win streak snapped when he lost to Reyes Sanchez in Mexico
and now middleweight hope "Brigadier" Julien Marie Sainte has gone
the same way. On October 18 in Vireux-Wallerand Sainte was halted in
four rounds by the modest Venezuelan Jairo Alvarez and lost for the
first time after 17 wins. It looked easy on paper as Alvarez had lost
six of his previous seven, but who knows with these South Americans?

SQUARE OF RUSSIA IN YEREVAN SYMBOL OF LOYALTY TO ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN FRIENDSHIP

ARKA
Oct 21, 2008

YEREVAN, October 21. /ARKA/. Square of Russia in Yerevan will be not
only a promenade for Yerevan residents and guests, but also a symbol of
loyalty to Armenian-Russian friendship for the benefit of both nations,
RA President Serge Sargsyan stated at the opening ceremony on Tuesday.

"Today is a momentous day – we are opening Square of Russia at
the very heart of Yerevan in Russian President’s presence. This is
one more reminder of the deep roots of our peoples’ ties," stated
Armenia’s President.

The opening ceremony was attended by RF President Dmitry Medvedev,
high-ranking officials and numerous citizens.

The RA President stressed the Russian people’s unique contribution to
"the treasury of world civilization," and the Armenian and Russian
flags fluttering over the square are a symbol of "not only our
alliance, but also of common culture and history."

"Square of Russia is a harmonious architectural space between the
Yerevan Municipality and the House of Moscow," S. Sargsyan said.

Armenia’s President pointed out the symbolic fact that the "Erevan
fortress was located nearby, which is evidence of the scale of
Armenian-Russian relations."

"It is over this fortress that the Russian flag was first hoisted
on October 1, 1827. It was there the Russian garrison under General
Paskevich was stationed, and Alexander Griboyedov’s immortal comedy
‘Wit Works Woe’ was first staged in the author’s presence.

Today this square is becoming another symbol of loyalty to our peoples’
centuries-old traditional friendship and spiritual affinity, just
like the famous St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square in Moscow, one
of the side-chapels of which is named after Grigory the Illuminator,"
stated Armenia’s leader.

President Sargsyan also pointed out that Armenian-Russian friendship
have always been strong during the whole history despite all the
hardships.

"Moreover, it has become stronger, taking on new sense," he said.

Square of Russia is a 200-meter-long section of Arshishti St., divided
by a lawn, with the Yerevan Municipality and Museum of Yerevan on
the one side and House of Moscow on the other.

ISSUES RELATED TO ANTI-TERRORISM DISCUSSED

A1+
[02:10 pm] 22 October, 2008

On October 22 Serzh Sargsyan received the delegation of participants
of the Council of heads of security and special service bodies of
CIS countries.

Assessing such meetings as extremely useful and fruitful, Mr. Sargsyan
emphasised their importance from the perspective of exchange of
information and experience, elaboration and implementation of joint
actions against menaces. In his words, the world is rapidly changing,
new realities and challenges come forth, which simultaneously
lead to the change of the requirements posed to special service
bodies. According to Serzh Sargsyan, the regular contacts of security
bodies contribute to the elaboration and implementation of measures
corresponding to existing challenges. President of the CIS Council
of heads of security and special service bodies, Head of the Federal
Security Service of Russia, General Alexander Bortnikov presented
the issues discussed during the 25th sitting of the Council. It was
noted that most issues referred to the combat against terrorism and
aimed at ensuring coordinated actions and a high level of cooperation.

Serzh Sargsyan said the Council of heads of security and special
service bodies is one of the most active and effective bodies of the
Commonwealth of Independent States.

DMITRIY MEDVEDEV: THE COORDINATED ACTIONS AT THE WORLD ARENA IS A SERIOUS FACTOR OF SECURITY

ArmInfo
2008-10-21 15:30:00

ArmInfo. , – Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev said at the
opening ceremony of Russia’s Square opening in Yerevan. the Russian
citizens. We set a high value on this fair neighboring relations
and we shall do everything possible for our strategic to become
stronger and to develop, for our traditions of cross-fertilisation
of cultures increase with new projects and close direct human
relations. Comprehensive and all-round cooperation as well as
understanding of obvious privilege in the search for the joint answers
to various threats existing in the present world, also promote further
fortification of relations between Armenia and Russia. I am sure
the coordinated actions at the world arena is a serious factor of
security, fortification of our positions in the Caucasus region and
in the world. Good and kind neighbours are always happy by success
of each other. And we see how the achievements of the modern Armenia
grow in front of our very eyes.

And it is especially noticed over the last years. To be honest, we
are directly interested in the Armenian people to live in the strong
and prospering state – in a stable state. We are sure Armenia also
wishes peace, might and kindness to Russia. Our success is a necessary
condition of our partnership. It is important that we have political
will for this and the most important is aspiration of the people and
the fact that they are interested in development of common business
and joint humanitarian programmes, and just in communication just the
same way as the most allied and helping each other nations do. I would
like to say once again, our delegation and me are very happy to be in
the hearty Armenia in such a light autumn day and to do everything
possible to preserve our friendship the brightest symbol of which
has become Russia’s Square in Yerevan>, – Dmitriy Medvedev said.

ARMENIA NEEDS TO DECIDE ON PROSPECTIVE MARKETS TO BUILD OIL REFINERY: LEVITIN

ARKA
Oct 20, 2008

YEREVAN, October 20. /ARKA/. Armenia must decide on prospective
markets before constructing an oil refinery, said Igor Levitin,
co-chairman of the Armenian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on
Economic Cooperation.

"Armenia must understand the markets that will buy its products. If the
markets are shaped, the issue on the oil refinery and crude oil will
be considered as well," Levitin told ARKA at today’s press conference
in Yerevan.

Citing experts, he said it would be ineffective for Armenia to build
a refinery with a capacity more than 5mln tons. However, the issue
remains on today’s agenda and will be considered taking into account
exports.

Armenia’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan
formerly stated the Armenian-Russian-Iranian working group dealing
with the construction of the oil refinery intends to build an oil
terminal and Iran-Armenia oil pipeline.

To construct the oil refinery, Armenia needs some $3bln. The
feasibility analysis of the project is under way and the
Russian-Armenian-Iranian working group is trying to settle the existing
technical problems.

According to rough calculations, the annual output of the refinery
will be 7mln tons. Armenia, Russia and Iran will finance construction
of the refinery.

SARGSYAN, MEDVEDEV INAUGURATE SQUARE OF RUSSIA IN YEREVAN

PanARMENIAN.Net
21.10.2008 12:08 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Inauguration of Square of Russia in Yerevan is a
joyful and outstanding event, proving the sincerity and durability
of relations between the two states, Russia’s President said today.

"I am glad to be in Armenia again and meet its hospitable
people. Russia accepted with pleasure the decision of the Yerevan
city council to name a square after Russia as a token of attention and
friendship," Dmitry Medvedev said. "We should combat global challenges
jointly. Good neighbors are always glad to watch each other’s
achievements. We want to see a strong and sustainably developing
Armenia. Our progress is a guarantee of our strategic partnership."

For his part, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan stated, "Armenian and
Russian flags in Square of Russia in Yerevan remind of indissoluble
ties between our nations. These are symbols of solidarity and
historical and cultural heritage. Here, on October 26, 1828, General
Paskevich hoisted a Russian flag over the fortress of Erivan. Down
the street, there was a house where Griboyedov’s Wit Works Woe was
first staged."

istockAnalyst.com (press release), OR

Medvedev, Sargsyan to Discuss Economic Cooperation

Sunday, October 19, 2008 10:57 PM

(Source: Daily News Bulletin; Moscow – English)MOSCOW. Oct 19
(Interfax) – Russian-Armenian trade and economic interaction will be
the main topic at talks between Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who will visit Armenia on October
20 – 21 at the invitation of this Armenia counterpart. "The main
provision on the agenda of Medvedev’s visit will be talks in the
tete-a-tete and extended formats with Sargsyan. The presidents will
discuss a large number of issues of multifaceted Russian-Armenian
cooperation," a Kremlin source told Interfax on the eve of the visit.

This will be the fifth meeting between the two presidents so far this
year. They earlier met on March 24 and June 24 in Moscow, June 6 in
St. Petersburg and September 2 in Sochi. "This vividly proves the high
level of political dialog aimed at the further strengthening of
strategic partnership and allied relations between Russia and
Armenia," the source said.

"Trade and economic interaction will be one of the topical subjects at
the meeting of the two presidents," he said.

Bilateral trade grew 13%, to $536.5 million, in eight months of 2008
compared to the same period a year ago. Russia is Armenia’s leading
foreign economic partner, particularly in terms of Russia’s
accumulated investments to Armenia from 1991 to July 1, 2008 topped
$1.6 billion, while Russia invested around $428 million in the first
six months of this year.

The two countries pay serious attention to expanding bilateral energy
trade. They successfully implement joint gas projects. There are
prospects in the nuclear energy sphere, geological surveying and the
industrial development of uranium fields as well, the source said.

Russia’s leading companies Gazprom (RTS: GAZP), Inter RAO UES, VTB
(RTS: VTBR), RusAl, VimpelCom (RTS: VIMP), AFK Sistema (RTS: AFKS),
Russian Railways (RZD) (RTS: RZHD), Alrosa (RTS: ALRS) all work in the
Armenian market.

"Transport problems in friendly Armenia are solved thanks to Russia’s
consistent actions," the source said. A comprehensive modernization of
Armenia’s railroad infrastructure began after RZD took concession
management of Armenian railroads in the beginning of the year.

As of now, 70 Russia’s regions are involved in international contacts
with Armenia, while 16 of them have already signed trade- economic,
scientific-technical and cultural interaction agreements with Armenia,
the source said.

Two more interregional agreements: on trade-economic, scientific and
cultural cooperation between the government of the Sverdlovsk region
and the Armenian government and a trade-economic, scientific-
technical and cultural cooperation between the government of the
Yaroslavl region and Armenia’s Armavir region, are planned for signing
during Medvedev’s visit, he said.

Medvedev will also attend in the opening ceremony of the Square of
Russia in Yerevan as part of his visit.

The Russian president will also take part in the ceremony of launching
a project to create Armenia’s national communication network
Komstar-UTS by Russia’s Komstar-UTS company, a part of AFK Sistema. A
broadband wireless network based on the WiMAX technology will cover
Yerevan and 18 of Armenia’s largest cities and will be one of the
first telecommunication networks of its kind in the world. "The
network is of great national importance from the viewpoint of
providing distant and hard-to-reach districts, given mountainous
landscape, as well as social facilities and emergency and special
services with quality communication," the source said.

(c) 2008 Daily News Bulletin; Moscow – English. Provided by ProQuest
LLC. All rights Reserved.

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