Author: Karapetian Hovik

THE STORY OF A DROP OF BRANDY
James Hakobyan

Lragir.am
10 Aug 06

The Russian regional department of control over consumption informed
August 9 about suspending the license of Pernod Ricard Russe for
wholesale trade. The reason is the poor sanitary conditions. Pernod
Ricard Russe is the daughter company of Yerevan Brandy Factory,
the owner of Yerevan Brandy Factory. Pernod Ricard’s daughter is the
exclusive distributor of the production of Yerevan Brandy Factory in
Russia. Hence, the sale of the brandy of YBF is currently prohibited
in Russia.

In other words, the production of Yerevan Brandy Factory has the
same fate as the Georgian and Moldavian wines. But if in the case of
Georgia and Moldova the sale of the entire production was prohibited,
in the case of the Armenian brandy the sale of the production of one
particular factory is concerned. It is possible, however, that Russia
simply began with the production of YBF; in other words, Russia spares
its strategic partner and prohibits the import of the Armenian brandy
to Russia gradually. After Verin Lars, one may expect "an electric
chair" from the Kremlin, and we must be grateful that it increases the
voltage gradually, although it is much worse, for thereby they execute
slowly. In other words, Russia treats its strategic brother worse
than Georgia and Moldova, of course, if it has made such a decision.

Another variant is possible as well, and in this case we deal with
the continuation or repetition of the story. The point is that after
the privatization of Yerevan Brandy Factory, when it was bought by
the French, the factory began having problems with the sale of brandy
in Russia. Namely, the Moscow-based factories owned by high-ranking
Armenian public officials hampered the sale of the production of YBF,
which operated when YBF was not privatized yet, and produced brandy
with the trademark of YBF. They produced Armenian brandy with the
trademark of YBF and sold it on the Russian market in more favorable
conditions, which hindered the sales of YBF. After a lasting debate
with the government, the owner of YBF succeeded in having these
factories closed down. However, problems with the Russian market did
not end because they started to produce Armenian brandy in Russia
illegally. Besides, the company Great Ararat was opened in Armenia.

YBF began struggle against this company because it used the trademark
Ararat, which had become the property of YBF after the privatization
of the company. Again after lasting struggle Great Ararat became
Great Valley whose owner Member of Parliament Tigran Arzakantsyan was
recently involved in a scandalous incident in Moscow. The incident
was not related to the market of brandy but it is not known what it
is related to because there were only rumors, which did not become
real facts, for the member of parliament has not given any comments
and avoids returning home.

Later many other companies producing brandy appeared, and their owners,
formally or informally, are also high-ranking Armenian officials. And
the main market of the Armenian brandy is Russia. And it is not
accidental that the Armenian companies fight against one another rather
than with other actors on the Russian market. It also stems from the
quality of production of the Armenian brandy. Since the production
is low quality, it is natural that struggle against the other actors
on the Russian market becomes pointless, therefore it is necessary to
improve the quality of production, which requires additional expenses.

Whereas it is becoming rather difficult to make these expenses because
there are clear-cut quotas on business in Armenia.

Consequently, the companies are not interested in making additional
expenses. In this situation, it is more expedient to struggle
against one another for the Russian market, for it is useless to make
additional expenses. The struggle for the Russian market is from the
sphere of arrangements, and the one who arranges more and on time,
makes the most profit.

ARMENIAN CONSUMER MARKET GROWS BY 17.3% IN FIRST HALF OF 2006

Noyan Tapan
Aug 09 2006

YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, NOYAN TAPAN. In January-June 2006, the volume of
the Armenian consumer market made 635 bln 920.3 mln drams (about 1
bln 432.7 USD), exceeding the index of the same period of 2005 by
17.3%. According to the RA National Statistical Service, in the first
six months of 2006, trade (whose growth made 16.2% compared with the
first half of 2005) accounted for 67.8% of the consumer market (69.4%
in the same months of 2005) or 431 bln 110.4 mln drams. Services
accounted for 32.2% of the consumer market (30.6% in the first half
of 2005) or 204 bln 809.9 mln drams, with the volume of services
exceeding by 21.1% the index of the first half of 2005. In the first
half of 2006, retail trade accounted for 50.4% of the consumer market
(for 53.5% in 2005) or 320 bln 727.5 mln drams, growing by 12.1%
on the same period of last year.

Car trade accounted for 5.1% (3.7% in 2005) or 32 bln 673.4 mln drams,
exceeding the index of January-June 2005 by 52.5%. The index of car
trade includes both cars and spare parts sold at specialized trade
points and their technical servicing and repair.

California Courier Online, August 10, 2006

1 – Commentary
It’s not the Power of the Lobby,
But Righteousness of its Cause
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 – Hrand and Manoushak Simonian
Literary Fund Awards Prize to Writers
3 – ‘Little Armenia’ Premieres
At Fountain Theatre, Aug. 11
4- USC Institute of Armenian Studies,
ArmenBar Present Judges Forum, Aug. 11
5 – ADAA Hosts Hollywood Luncheon
For Director/Actor Simon Abkarian
6 – Levik Abramians Named LACC’s
New Women’s Volleyball Coach
7 – AuthorHouse Releases Boghos
Kupelian’s ‘African Symphony’
8 – 500 People Walk in ABMDR
First Annual ‘Walk of Life’
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1 – Commentary
It’s not the Power of the Lobby,
But Righteousness of its Cause

Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

In recent years, as Armenian Americans have been getting better organized in
carrying ut their political objectives, there has been repeated talk about
"the powerful Armenian obby." The most recent example is Julie Corwin’s report
on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on August 2, titled: "Confirmation Row
Shows Power of Diaspora Lobbies."
The analyst for RFE/RL expresses her surprise that a large number of
Senators, Republicans and Democrats, challenged the Bush administration’s refusal to
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, during the confirmation hearing of
Ambassador-Designate Richard Hoagland. The current U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John
Evans, is being dismissed for speaking publicly and truthfully about the
Armenian Genocide. On August 1, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee postponed, for
the second time, Amb. Hoagland’s confirmation.
Corwin wrote: "The prominence of the issue is due in large part to the
efforts of two powerful lobbying groups "the Armenian National Committee ofAmerica
(ANCA), and the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA). There are lobbying groups
representing the concerns of nearly every diaspora community in the United
States. The Armenian lobby is one of the most successful."
Another interesting article about the Armenian lobby, written by Heather S.
Gregg, a doctoral candidate in the MIT Political Science Department, has been
published a number of times in different versions and lengths (from 6 to 30
pages) over the past five years. The article is titled: "Divided They Conquer:
The Success of Armenian Ethnic Lobbies in the U.S." Various Turkish
publications and websites have featured this article to explain why the Armenian lobby is
"so powerful."
Gregg writes: "Within the last decade, Armenian lobby groups in the United
States have achieved considerable success in gaining political and material
support from Congress, the White House and other federal bodies." She explains
this success by "the intense lobbying efforts of Armenian-Americans in the United
States. The lobbying success of this small ethnic minority is largely the
result of two factors. First, an inter-community rivalry within the
Armenian-American population represented by two lobby groups in Washington,the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) and the Armenian Assembly of America (the
Assembly), has led to hyper-mobilization of this ethnic group’s resources.
Second, the Armenians have formed key alliances in Washington including members of
Congress, other lobby groups and organizations, and the bipartisan
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues in the House of Representatives, which have
rallied behind Armenian policy objectives. Together, hyper-mobilization and
alliance building have allowed the Armenians considerable success in achieving
specific policy objectives."
Why is there such a fascination, to the point of obsession, with the
Armenian lobby? Why Turkish and Azeri publications and officials make frequent
references to the "powerful Armenian lobby?" There are three possible reasons as to
why Turkish and Azeri officials, political organizations and media outlets are
interested in presenting the Armenian lobby as being all too powerful:
1) To help rally domestic and international support to their side;
2) To create sympathy among their supporters for having to face such a
"powerful enemy;"
3) To cover up their errors and incompetence after losing a particular
political battle.
One must not exclude the possibility that all those who are lobbying on
behalf of Turkey and Azerbaijan, be they U.S. lobbying firms, Jewish organizations
or Israeli government officials, are intentionally exaggerating the power of
the Armenian-American community in order to exact a higher price from Ankara
and Baku for their artificially inflated services.
It is simply amazing that a powerful country like Turkey and oil rich
Azerbaijan, with their political clout, financial resources, lobbying firmsin
Washington, D.C., and the support of the highest officials of the Bush
administration, are complaining about the political activities of the tiny
Armenian-American community. Turkish and Azeri officials along with their U.S. cohorts, on a
regular basis, pressure, censure and threaten, anyone around the world who
dares to support an Armenian issue. And yet, they are the ones crying "wolf!"
While it is true that the Armenian American community has become politically
more active and effective in recent years, the fact remains that no matter
how many millions do the Turks and Azeris spend, they cannot whitewash their
lies and present them as the truth. They are simply wrong on the issues.
What empowers the Armenian lobby is the righteousness of its cause!
******************************************* *******************************
2 – Hrand and Manoushak Simonian
Literary Fund Awards Prize to Writers
YEREVAN – Levon Ananian, president of the Armenian Writers’ Union of Armenia,
announced the winners of the Hrand and Manoushak Simonian Literary Fund,
which annually rewards writers in the Republic of Armenia for their excellence in
literature.
Ardashes Aram was awarded first prize for poetry with his piece entitle
"Nairyan Kronigon." Raphael Nahabedian won for his prose "Rise of Darkness."
Recognition for outstanding achivement in journalism was given to Eknad Mamian,
Grigor Janigian and Samvel Garabedian, who compiled his "Armenian America" book
written entirely in the Armenian language.
"Well known writer and dedicated public servant Hrand Simonian’s genuine
interest in advancing Armenian literature and culture is highly appreciatedby
Armenians in Armenia and in the Diaspora, said Mr. Ananian.
The award recipients also had their speeches aired on Armenian television.
The literary fund is awarded annually in the month of April.
Hrand Simonian, of Hollywood California, is a columnist and community
leader. He was born in Aleppo, Syria, and immigrated to the United States with his
wife Manoushak in 1952. He was a successful businessman prior to retiring in
1974 to pursue his interest in journalism. He was the founding editor of Nor
Gyank and USA Armenian Life weekly newspapers, and has a weekly column in USA
Armenian Life, commenting on issues of interest to the Armenian Community.
Manoushak Simonian is also a community leader and former President of the
USC Friends of Armenian Music. The couple is dedicated to promoting excellence
in the field of literature which lead to the formation of the fund.
************************************************** ***********************
3 – ‘Little Armenia’ Premieres
At Fountain Theatre, Aug. 11
LOS ANGELES – "Little Armenia," an original play based on the real life
stories of three generations of Armenian Americans in Los Angeles, will have its
World Premiere production at the Fountain Theatre, Hollywood, opening August 11
at 8 pm (running through September 3). Previews begin August 4.
Commissioned by The Fountain Theatre and directed by Armina LaManna, "Little
Armenia" was created by a trio of award-winning playwrights, Lory Bedikian,
Aram Kouyoumdjian and Shahe Mankerian. Based on their extensive research and
personal interviews with the citizens of Little Armenia over a period of one
year, the play focuses on three different age groups: teenagers, middle-aged
working families, and seniors – all of whom struggle to stay connected to their
cultural roots as they try to assimilate into contemporary American society.
Their stories capture the spirit, conflicts, music, language and day-to-daylives
of one of Los Angeles’ most unique communities.
Stephen Sachs, co-artistic director of the Fountain Theatre, assisted in the
development of the play. As he explains: "for decades this neighborhood
(District 13) was the target point, the ‘Ellis Island’ for Armenians who first
arrived in Los Angeles. By the year 2000, the L.A. City Council, led by Jackie
Goldberg, officially designated the area as Little Armenia. There are now over
500,000 Armenians living in the L.A. area."
"Little Armenia" is produced by Deborah Lawlor and Armina LaManna. The cast
features: Ludwig Manukian, Karine Chakarian, Jack Kandel, Anoush Nevart, Maro
Ajemian, Salem Michael, Johnny Glacalone, R.B. Dllanchian, Jade Hykush and
Hunter Lee Hughes. The design team includes: Scott Siedman (set design),
Henrik Mansourian (lighting design), Laura King (costumes), Shahen Hakobian(sound
design), Goar Galstyan (props) and Yvette Khalafian (Photography/Graphics).
Lory Bedikian received her BA in English (with emphasis in Creative Writing
and Poetry) from UCLA. Her poetry has been published and has won many awards.
For the stage, she has written and performed her own solo works and was
awarded the Mercedes Ashjian Award for "Most Promising in Drama" from the Armenian
Allied Arts Association. Her play, Yatuh Dasuh Gantsnee, was performed at the
Fountain Theatre, produced by the AGBU Ardavazt Theatre Group.
Aram Kouyoumdjian grew up in Little Armenia. He co-founded the Vista Players
in Sacramento in 1999 where he served as Artistic Director. His play, The
Farewells, was honored with the Elly Award for Best Original Script by the
Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance. His solo piece, Protest, and his newest
play, The Delicate Lines, are being performed in Sacramento, San Francisco
and Los Angeles.
Shahe Mankerian won the 1999 Henry Coulette Memorial Award from the Academy
of American Poets. In 2003 he won both the Erika Mumford Prize and Daniel
Varoujan Award from the New England Poetry Club. His play, Teenage Wasteland, was
presented by AGBU in 2004; his new play, Vort (Worm), was recently staged in
Los Angeles and his poetry was recently honored with a Pushcart Prize
nomination.
The performance schedule: Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 2pm.
Tickets are $25-$28. Reservations: (323) 663-1525. The Fountain Theatre is
located at 5060 Fountain Avenue, Hollywood (near corner of Normandie Ave.)
Secure, low-cost parking is adjacent to the theatre. Website:

************************* *************************************************
4 -. USC Institute of Armenian Studies,
ArmenBar Present Judges Forum, Aug. 11
LOS ANGELES – The USC Institute of Armenian Studies and the Armenian Bar
Association will present an Armenian-American Federal Judges’ Forum, Aug. 13 at
USC’s Davidson Center’s Embassy Room, from 2 to 4 p.m.
The three federal judges of Armenian descent participating in this highly
engaging event are Dickran Tevrizian, U.S. District Court, Central District of
California; Samuel Der Yeghiayan, U.S. District Court, Northern District of
Illinois; and Jacqueline Chooljian, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Central District of
California.
This unprecedented event will cover questions of law and opportunities in the
legal profession; a day in a federal judge’s life; and legal issues facing
the Armenian community, such as immigration, organized crime, gangs, social
security, retirement, housing, health care, and elder abuse.
This is a rare opportunity for Armenian-Americans to meet these jurists who
occupy leading positions in the judicial profession.
This event is open to the public free of charge.
********’********************************* ********************************
5 – ADAA Hosts Hollywood Luncheon
For Director/Actor Simon Abkarian
LOS ANGELES – The newly formed Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance (ADAA) hosted
a July 24 luncheon in honor of French Armenian actor/director Simon Abkarian
who was in town to direct Love’s Labor’s Lost, a Shakespeare play for the
Actor’s Gang Theater of Los Angeles.
The play which has been receiving rave reviews, can be seen at the Ivy
Substation in Culver City where it will run through September, 2006. It also
features the wonderful music of composer and musician, Ara Dabandjian.
Abkarian, who has had a distinguished film career, most recently was in the
Bahamas filming for the new James Bond film "Casino Royale" due out in November
this year.
The luncheon was attended by various Hollywood professionals as well as a
host of ADAA advisory board members including screenwriter Jose Rivera, artist
Vahe Berberian and journalist Joan Agajanian Quinn.
Some new faces amongst the group were FOX TV correspondent, Anita Vogel,
documentary film-maker Carla Garapedian and award wining producer and casting
director, Valerie McCaffrey.
During the course of the meal, board of directors members Karen Kondazian and
Bianca Bagatourian led a discussion regarding the goals and growth of the
Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance whose aim is to project the Armenian voice
through the arts of stage and screen. Various artists also had a chance to talk
about their particular needs and how ADAA could serve them best.
Through many such events and discussions, this new non-profit organization
hopes to establish specific channels through which to help Armenian artists
prosper in the dramatic performing arts fields. More information and photoscan be
viewed at their website at: or write to
[email protected]
*************************** ***********************************************
6 – Levik Abramians Named LACC’s
New Women’s Volleyball Coach
LOS ANGELES – Levik Abramians, the new women’s volleyball coach at LA City
College, said he’s confident that his team will be a competitive one. "I’ma
positive person," he said. "I love to win. And I plan to use all the training
techniques I’ve learned in the past to effectively coach the team." For the
past six years he’s served as volleyball coach at local middle and high
schools, and at the club level. He was recently named to his LACC post.
He currently serves as coach at Pilibos Armenian School located in Hollywood
where he led the boys’ varsity volleyball team to win valley league
championships two years in a row (’05, ’06) with an 8-0 record this year and 7-1 last
year. He also coaches the girls’ varsity team as well as the boys’ and girls’
middle school teams.
In addition, he was head coach of the JV women’s team for three seasons at
Hoover High School in Glendale, the coach for the Soph-Frosh team for one year,
and was the assistant for the varsity team.
For the past seven years he played volleyball for Homenetmen Ararat, an
organization in Glendale which provides athletic, cultural, and educational
programs for Armenian-American youth.
A resident of Eagle Rock, Abramians was born in Iran of Armenian descent, and
has been a resident of the United States for 18 years. He attended Hoover
High in Glendale and received his associate in arts from LA City College.
He
plans to continue his education at Cal State LA in order to pursue a careeras
kinesiologist and get his teaching credential.
The women’s volleyball program at LACC will start August 15 and the first
game will be played Sept. 29. Home games will be played in LACC’s "women’s gym"
on the 900 block of N. Heliotrope Ave.
Coach Abramians reports that he has already recruited 12 players for the
team. "There’s a saying," he said. "You’re only as good as your weakest player.
So that means that everyone on the team needs to be strong player and I have
to build the confidence of each and every player."
LACC is part of the South Coast Conference which includes teams from
Cerritos, Long Beach, East LA, Pasadena, Mt. SAC and El Camino community colleges.
**************************************** **********************************
7 – AuthorHouse Releases Boghos
Kupelian’s ‘African Symphony’

MONTROSE, Calif. – Raymond Boghos Kupelian is an adopted child of Africa. A
native Armenian, his 20-year sojourn there cultivated his attraction to the
landscape and its people. His acclaimed works about the tragedy of Africa and the
plight of the natives were first published in Armenian, and one of his vivid
collections of short stories, African Symphony (now available through
AuthorHouse), is now available in English.

"At the age of 23, I set my feet on the African continent and was overwhelmed
by the colorfulness of its daily life, the breathtaking beauty of its nature,
the secrecy hidden behind the thickness of its forest and, especially, the
universally extended boundary of poverty and hunger," Kupelian writes.

In this collection, which includes his captivating art pieces of African
scenes and people, Kupelian captures the heartbeat of the modern realities of
Africa. With poignant descriptions and sensual tones, his stories are vibrant and
emotionally affecting.

Ishkhan Jimbashian, an author and literary critic, describes the stories:
"Kupelian’s heroes represent the spectrum of West African society: from thesand
boys and domestic helpers to the president of the republic and civil servants,
from the underage murderer and illicit diamond dealer to the primeval
fisherman, the sophisticated scholar of ancient Greek and golf club guru, these are
the characters that allow Kupelian to depict the daily struggles, but also the
complex interracial relations, prejudices and hatred that suffuse the
continent."

In these vivid portrayals of anguish and hope, the author writes that his
more than 40 years of writing about Africa has an important purpose. "=80¦I came to
the conclusion that my writing experience was a journey undertaken with a
mission to discover and tell the truth, to try to put an end to the suffering of
millions of unfortunate people who are created in the image of Almighty God.
If, by some chance, through my writings, I succeed in bringing even a little
relief to the underprivileged people of the world, in order to stop man’s
inhumanity to man, and provided some pleasure of reading to others, I will consider
myself rewarded."

Kupelian has written more than 10 books. African Symphony is the second of
his publications, and its stories were written in the 1970s. He currently lives
in Montrose, California.

************************************* *************************************

8 – 500 People Walk in ABMDR

First Annual ‘Walk of Life’
LOS ANGELES – Armenians and non-Armenians alike rallied together on July 29
in the First Annual 5k/10k Walk/Run around the Pasadena Rose Bowl to help
raise awareness in support of further expanding the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor
Registry’s (ABMDR) critical life-saving mission to recruit more Armenian bone
marrow donors. In addition to raising needed funds and awareness through the
Walk of Life, 100 new donors signed up.
"We are thrilled with the spirit of giving and life expressed through the
overwhelming participation in our first annual ‘Walk of Life’," said Frieda
Jordan, PhD, President of the ABMDR based in Los Angeles. "We are also greatly
appreciative of all our sponsors and the organizational and individual support
that made the first Walk a resounding success and will enhance our ability to
fulfill our life-saving mission." Corporate sponsors included Glendale Memorial
Hospital, St. Josephs Hospital, Closet World, Next Day Color Printing,
Glendale Water and Power, City of Los Angeles and GNC.
A key method of treating leukemia patients or people with other
life-threatening blood diseases is through bone marrow/stem cell transplants. In order to
treat Armenian patients, bone marrow transplants require compatible tissue
types that match the genetic makeup of the patient which is most likely to come
from other Armenian donors. There are currently 630 patients throughout the
Diaspora and Armenia who are desperately waiting to find a matching donor to
help save their lives. On average, it takes 200 donors to find a precise match
for one patient. The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry has a goal of
increasing their registry from its current 11,000 donors to 126,000 to meetthe
critical need. The ABMDR partners closely with Glendale Memorial Hospital and St.
Josephs Hospital in addition to being a member of global organizations such
as the World Marrow Donor Association and World Marrow Donor Worldwide
"By simply walking today, you are helping save a life" said Steve Artinian,
chairman of the Walk of Life organizing committee. "With this Walk we hope
you will spread the message that by taking the simple step of signing up with
the registry every Armenian can give the most precious gift of a second chance
to another fellow Armenian who is fighting for their life against these
destructive diseases." Special guests included Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America,Very
Rev. Father Dajad Yardemian, representative of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church of North America, Dr. Sevak Avagyan, Executive Director ofABMDR
in Armenia and Varant Melkonian, CEO of Closet World and treasurer of the
ABMDR. There also was entertainment at the end of the Walk welcoming participants
at the finish line including the band Element and singer Mariette Soujian.
"The Walk of Life is a huge success today because of all the hard work and
dedication of our volunteers," said master of ceremonies and director of
operations for the Walk, Taleen Khatchadourian at the post-Walk event. "If we join
together like this for our common mission we can make a big difference in the
lives of Armenian patients in need."
During the short program after the Walk, the family of Biurad Moghadasian,
who is an eight-year old Armenian patient currently at Los Angeles’ Children’s
Hospital being treated for leukemia, approached organizers to stress the
urgency of the ABMDR’s mission using their son’s plight as an example. Thefamily
made a plea to all present to recruit additional bone marrow donors which is
the only way her son and others like him will have a chance at beating the
disease. Biurad is currently looking for a matching donor to help save hislife.
The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry encourages all Armenians to call and
join the registry with the hope of saving another life. The registration
process is very simple and non-intrusive and only takes a few minutes. ABMDR is
a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization and welcomes tax-deductible donations.
*************************************** ***********************************
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******************************* *******************************************

MICHEL PLATINI: "MODERN FOOTBALL BELONGS TO TRAINERS AND CLUB CHAIRMEN"

YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, NOYAN TAPAN. "Years ago football belonged
to players, and now it more belongs to trainers and chairmen
of clubs." Michel Platini, the Deputy Chairman of the Football
Federation of France, a member of the FIFA and UEFA Executive
Committees expressed such an opinion at the August 3 press-conference
convened in Sevan. According to the veteran of the French football,
the essential difference between football of his time and of today
is provided by the economic factor. M.Platini mentioned that he
visits Armenia for the first time. According to him, this visit
has a great meaning for him, as he follows the Armenian sporting
processes and have seen "what a work has been done in the direction of
development of football among the youth during some years." Before the
press-conference, M.Platini spoke on this theme at the meeting with
RA Prime Minister Andranik Margarian. Touching upon the game shown by
the team of France at the 2006 world championship, M.Platini mentioned
that the Frenchmen justified themselves at the meetings with teams of
Spain and Portugal. Responding the question if he shares the opinion
concerning the likeness of French team leader Zinedine Zidane’s and
his style of play, M.Platini said that no football player may look
like another. According to Chairman of the Football Federation of
Armenia Ruben Hayrapetian, Armenia will vote for Michel Platini at
the expected elections of the UEFA Chairman.

SENATOR TO VOTE AGAINST BUSH’S AMBASSADOR NOMINEE FOR ARMENIA BECAUSE OF GENOCIDE POSITION

AP Worldstream; Aug 02, 2006
FREDERIC J. FROMMER

Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman said Wednesday he will vote against
President George W. Bush’s selection to become the next ambassador
to Armenia because the nominee refuses to describe the deaths of 1.5
million Armenians as genocide.

According to the Armenian National Committee of America, Coleman
is the first senator to say publicly that he will vote against the
nomination of Ambassador-designate Richard E. Hoagland. Several other
senators have expressed misgivings.

"My problem isn’t with Hoagland," Coleman, a member of Bush’s
Republican Party, said in a telephone interview. "I continue to be
troubled by our policy that refuses to recognize what was a historical
reality."

The Bush administration does not question that Turkish troops killed
or drove from their homes 1.5 million Armenians starting in 1915 but
has omitted the word genocide to describe it.

Turkey strongly objects to the use of the word genocide, and U.S.
policy-makers are wary of antagonizing an important strategic NATO
ally.

On Tuesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on which Coleman
serves, postponed a vote on Hoagland’s nomination until next month. The
committee has 10 Republican members and eight Democrats.

Elizabeth Chouldjian, a spokeswoman for the Armenian committee,
said nine of the 18 have misgivings over the Hoagland nomination.

"We welcome Mr. Coleman’s action, because quite frankly, it’s a
question of effectiveness for a U.S. ambassador," she said. "Is
it effective for an ambassador to Armenia to deny the Armenian
genocide? It is effective for him to be taken seriously as a diplomat
in Armenia? The answer is no."

"As someone of the Jewish faith, I bring a heightened sensitivity
to the reality of genocide and mass murder and the importance of
recognizing it for what it is," Coleman said.

"I was brought up believing you never forget the Holocaust, never
forget what happened. And I could not imagine how our ambassador
to Israel could have any effectiveness if he couldn’t recognize
the Holocaust."

In May, the White House announced the recall of the current ambassador
to Armenia, John Evans, two years into the normal three-year diplomatic
term. Last year, Evans told Armenian-Americans, "The Armenian genocide
was the first genocide of the 20th century."

Sixty members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice protesting that Evans was being
punished for his reference to "genocide." In a separate letter,
Democratic Sens. Edward Kennedy and John Kerry of Massachusetts
demanded an explanation from Rice for Evans’ recall.

"It absolutely was cut short because of that," Coleman said,
referring to Evans’ use of the word genocide. "That I also found to
be troubling. Evans was a
good ambassador.

"To me, it’s almost bizarre diplospeak that you have barred our
ambassadors from using a single word; that in effect you had the
removal of an ambassador who used that single word, genocide, even
though it’s true."

Asked whether Evans was recalled for using the word genocide, State
Department spokesman Edgar Vasquez would only say, "U.S. ambassadors
serve at the pleasure of the president."

At a Foreign Relations Committee hearing in June, senators failed to
get Hoagland to use the word genocide.

"I have not received any kind of written instruction about this,"
Hoagland said at that hearing. "I simply have studied the president’s
policy. I’ve studied the background papers on the policy. And my
responsibility is to support the president."

3-YEAR-OLD CHILD DROWNS IN SILIKIAN DISTRICT’S CHANNEL

YEREVAN, AUGUST 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The Rescue Service of the RA Ministry
of Territorial Administration on July 31 was informed by Yerevan’s
Mashtots police department that at about 8:45 pm a child drowned in the
channel near the milk plant in Silikian district. The following day,
at about 0:40pm the rescuers found the body of 3 year-old Hovhannes
Garshuyan 10 km away from the site of the accident. Being left alone,
the child approached the channel and fell into it. H. Garshuyan lived
with his parents in the area of the car assembly point (currently
standing idle) of the fruit and vegetable industrial enterprise.

U.S. CONFIRMATION ROW SHOWS POWER OF DIASPORA LOBBIES

Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
Aug 2 2006

By Julie A. Corwin

The U.S. Senate on August 1 decided once again to postpone
its confirmation of the man designated to serve as the new U.S.
ambassador to Armenia. Richard Hoagland has raised concern among some
lawmakers because of his refusal to characterize the mass killings
of Armenians by Turks in the early 20th century as genocide.

WASHINGTON, August 2, 2006 (RFE/RL) — U.S. Senator Joseph Biden,
recommending that Hoagland’s confirmation be postponed until a future
date, summarized his doubts about the official White House stance on
the genocide debate.

"I know that the administration’s not likely to change their policy,"
he said. "But there was genocide in Armenia, and it’s very difficult
to deny history."

Issues & Influence

In all, nine of the 18 members of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee have pressed Hoagland to clarify U.S. policy on the Armenian
genocide debate.

It might seem surprising that so many U.S. lawmakers are prepared to
weigh in on the politically loaded debate over whether the Ottoman-era
killing of Armenians by Turks constitutes genocide.

The prominence of the issue is due in large part to the efforts of
two powerful lobbying groups — the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA), and the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA).

The logo of the Armenian National Committee of America (courtesy
graphic)There are lobbying groups representing the concerns of nearly
every diaspora community in the United States. The Armenian lobby is
one of the most successful.

Bryan Ardouny is the executive director of the AAA. He says the issue
remains high on the group’s agenda.

"We will continue to press forward with the ultimate goal of having the
United States, on record, reaffirming the Armenian genocide," he says.

Record Of Success

The Armenian lobby has scored other victories as well.

Both the AAA and the ANCA were instrumental in persuading lawmakers
to block U.S. financing for a proposed railway that would link Turkey,
Georgia, and Azerbaijan but circumvent Armenia.

They also played a role in legislation passed in 1992 that excluded
Azerbaijan from a list of former Soviet republics available for U.S.
aid.

The exclusion, meant to censure Baku for what was termed "offensive
use of force" against Armenia and the ethnic Armenian exclave of
Nagorno-Karabakh, remained in force until 2002, when U.S. President
George W. Bush granted the first in a series of annual waivers of
the provision.

Fingerprints Not Required

Aram Hamparian, the executive director of the Armenian National
Committee, says his lobby also helped remove Armenia from a U.S. list
of countries considered sources of potential terrorists.

"A few years ago the Justice Department placed Armenia on a [terrorism]
watch list," Hamparian says. "This meant citizens from Armenia would
need to register and be photographed and fingerprinted and all the
rest. And we were successful in just the course of a couple of days
in getting Armenia taken off that list."

So what makes the Armenian lobby so successful?

Yerevan, to a greater degree than Baku, is dependent on the largely
loyal U.S. lobby groups to advance its agenda in Washington.It’s
not a matter of strength in numbers. There are fewer than 2 million
Armenian-Americans living in the United States, a country with a
population of nearly 300 million.

But diaspora members like Hamparian say the community is bound by a
common belief in the power of political participation.

And although the majority of Armenian-Americans are concentrated on
the East and West coasts of the United States, Hamparian says the
community is represented and active in almost every congressional
district across the United States.

A Study In Contrasts

The success of the Armenian lobby runs in sharp contrast to that of
Armenia’s South Caucasus neighbor, Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan, like Armenia, has its own congressional caucus — a group
of U.S. lawmakers who pursue common legislative objectives.

But while the Armenian caucus is highly active, its Azerbaijani
counterpart is considered far less effective.

The Azerbaijani lobby’s biggest victory to date has been the annual
presidential waiver on U.S. aid restrictions. Beyond that, however,
it has had little influence.

Facing The Giant

Glen Howard is the director of the Jamestown Foundation, a public
policy group that monitors developments in the former Soviet Union.
He compares the Azerbaijani and Armenian U.S. lobby groups to David
and Goliath — but says there’s reason to believe Azerbaijani-Americans
will catch up.

"The Armenians have been practicing and organized for a very long time,
much longer than the Azerbaijanis," Howard says. "But then again,
the Turks 40 years ago did not have a lobby, and it took them quite
a while. But they eventually reached a level stage where they can
compete and hold their ground with the Armenians."

Just as the Turkish lobby squares off against the Armenians on the
genocide issue, many Azerbaijani-Americans would like to increase
their influence in the debate over Nagorno-Karabakh.

But while the Armenian diaspora comprises several generations and
maintains close, nationalistic ties with Armenia proper, the U.S.
Azerbaijani community is less rooted — many Azerbaijani-Americans
are first-generation. They are also more diverse, with many coming
not from Azerbaijan, but Iran.

Divergent Views

Bedir Memmedli, a member of the Washington-based Azerbaijan Society
of America, says the views of the Azerbaijani diaspora diverge on
some points — but do come together on a few key issues.

"There are a lot of common issues we all share — for example, the
occupation of Azerbaijan by our neighboring Armenia. There is also
the oppression of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Iran, cultural discrimination
against Azerbaijanis in Iran," Memmedli says.

"These are common issues that we are all concerned about. But there
are also some specific issues — for example, those Azerbaijanis
from the Republic of Azerbaijan, they usually ask or try to have
their voices heard regarding such issues as putting more investment
in Azerbaijan’s economy."

Lobbies Vs. Leaders

The Azerbaijani lobby may be struggling for influence with U.S.
lawmakers. But Washington is somewhat more receptive when it comes
to the Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev.

The logo of the Azerbaijan Society of America (courtesy
graphic)Aliyev, who presides over an ascendant oil-fed economy and
geographic proximity to Iran, in April visited the White House for
talks with President Bush.

Aliyev’s Armenian counterpart, Robert Kocharian, has yet to receive
a similar invitation. Yerevan, to a greater degree than Baku,
is dependent on the largely loyal U.S. lobby groups to advance its
agenda in Washington.

How To Help?

Richard Giragosian, an independent security analyst and regular
contributor to RFE/RL, says the two diaspora communities have "very
different" perceptions about ties to their home government.

"From a political standpoint, the diaspora for Armenia is seen as
a pillar of support for the state, and for the regime, in terms of
lobbying leverage. And the diaspora, for the Armenians, is almost an
element of state power, or an element of foreign policy," he says.

"Interestingly, in Azerbaijan’s case, it’s the exact opposite, where
Azerbaijan seeks to co-opt its diaspora, because it basically sees it
as a potential threat to the regime — the youth, and the diaspora.
And it seeks basically to co-opt any potential for revolutions of fruit
or flower" — a reference to the Orange, Rose, and Tulip revolutions
in Ukraine, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan.

It isn’t a guarantee that Azerbaijan will benefit from a U.S. lobby
that acts in lockstep with Baku. Giragosian says officials in Armenia
sometimes feel the nationalistic zeal of the Armenian-American lobbies
leaves Yerevan with less leverage in terms of foreign policy.

This is particularly true on the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh, where, he
says, Yerevan sometimes feels the diaspora has been "more a liability
than an asset."

ARTHUR RASIZADE: "NAGORNO KARABAKH IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM OF AZERBAIJAN"

Today, Azerbaijan
Aug 2 2006

"Azerbaijan is ready to give the highest status to Karabakh
Armenians. But Armenia does not give chance to solution of the
conflict."

As APA reports, this statement was issued by prime minister of
Azerbaijan in the meeting with delegation of large scale composition of
Tatarstan who is on a visit in Azerbaijan. Stating Nagorno Karabakh
the biggest problem of Azerbaijan, prime minister said that at
present, Azerbaijanis do not only live in this region but also in
the neighboring countries under occupation of Armenia.

Rasizade stated that more than 1 million of Azerbaijani population
is refugee and internally displaced people.

According to the PM considering it big figure for the Azerbaijan with
8 mln population, this couldn’t bother only China having about half
milliard population.

Rasizade said that at present, works are implemented on liquidation
of DP camps, and by the end of the next year he stated that there
will not be any DP camps in Azerbaijan.

URL:

TIGRAN SARGSYAN’S DOOMSDAY IN HEAVEN AND ON THE EARTH

Lragir.am
01 Aug 06

It is worthwhile to congratulate the president of the Central Bank of
Armenia. The experts of the IMF have forecast a 30-35 percent decline
in the exchange rate of the dollar on the international market. For
the Central Bank of Armenia, this is another opportunity to wash their
hands. First one can speak about the everlasting relation between
Armenia and the international financial market and then go on to
explain that the exchange rate of the dollar cannot help declining
in Armenia if it does in the entire world. On the other hand, the
Central Bank is so independent that it does not need the forces of
the international market to explain the behavior of the dollar in
Armenia. Tigran Sargsyan can do without these to explain perfectly why
the revaluation of the dram against both the dollar and the euro goes
on. Moreover, Tigran Sargsyan is so independent that he even declines
to explain anything. And the citizens do not demand an explanation,
realizing that he is too independent. What can an independent person
explain? And Tigran Sargsyan appears to have found the formula of
happiness. The problem is, however, that not everything starts and
ends with happiness. There will always be something to demand from
a public official and if the demanders are not the citizens, it is
surely the end.

The citizens are right when they do not demand explaining one nuance
or another of the behavior of the dollar, the dram or another means
of payment. The citizens are well aware that an independent person
does not have anything to do with them, even if his position suggests
it. A citizen understands that someone else should be asked for an
explanation. And this someone else is sure to demand an explanation
from the Central Bank soon. Of course, again it will not be related to
the financial market. They will demand that Tigran Sargsyan explain how
he is independent in a country where hardly any independence is left.

It will be very difficult for the president of the Central Bank. It
is even difficult to explain how it happened that everything is O.K.
with him, and he is still independent. It will be difficult because
a situation has occurred in the republic when they demand explanation
but they have no time to listen to the explanation. As the president
of the council of the Patriarchal Diocese of Ararat, the president of
the Central Bank should have a clear idea of this state. It is written
that thou shalt not swear, let what you say be yes or no. But the whole
tragedy of the situation is that "yes" told to one will be equal to
"no" told to another. In other words, the yes will be not exactly yes,
and the no will be not exactly no. Certainly, Tigran Sargsyan could
have said that he is not independent, the dollar is independent. But it
would already be swearing in a situation when he will be urged to break
all his previous oaths. In other words, Tigran Sargsyan may be judged
by both the heavenly and the earthly authorities. Being president
of the diocese council may increase the possibility of God’s mercy,
but at the same time, it will diminish the chance to be a president
of the Central Bank. After all, the Ararat Diocese is not necessarily
closer to God than the same Central Bank. Consequently, all Tigran
Sargsyan can do is not to miss the chance with the government. Under
these circumstances, the situation becomes complicated, and time
elapses faster than the "fluctuating" exchange rate of the dollar.

Where is the government with which Tigran Sargsyan should look for the
chance, the Republican Party led by Serge Sargsyan or Robert Kocharyan,
who has kept Tigran Sargsyan president of the Central Bank so far, but
who will have to bid farewell formally to power in 2008? Formally,
but Tigran Sargsyan knows for sure what formal and informal means in
Armenia. Even if he did not know, he learned during the meeting of the
National Assembly, when one of the oppositionist members of parliament
shouted abuse at Tigran Sargsyan without feeling shy. The point is
that it takes 5 minutes from this parliamentarian to become one of
the "trinity" on the party ticket of Bargavach Hayastan Party. Hence,
it happened so that Robert Kocharyan’s team in the parliament swore
at him, whereas the Republicans defended him. Or maybe they did not
defend him if Tigran Sargsyan decided to go and come to an arrangement
with the parliamentarian, at least to persuade him that even if one
does not love his neighbor, it is not worthwhile to be so rude.

Therefore, one should at least know who their neighbor is. And this
is what they are doing in the government now. Moreover, what they
demand now is not an "informal" but rather a definite and clear
neighborhood. Especially for an organization, which controls a
country’s finance, this "neighborhood" is not only desirable but
also necessary. Moreover, considering that the World Bank controls
the influx of finance alone, "neighborhood" with the Central Bank
means control over the financial influx. Consequently, it appears
that the importance of Tigran Sargsyan in the struggle within the
government grows. It means, however, that something will diminish in
return. The degree of importance is such that it won’t grow unless
something diminishes. Well, what would be more suitable to get to go
down? Maybe the exchange rate of the dollar? Especially that there are
a number of people inside the government who love the dollar. Hence,
love is sex, two sexes are a child.

JAMES HAKOBYAN

ARMENIAN CITIZENS TRY TO ENTER GERMANY ILLEGALLY

Panorama.am
15:44 31/07/06

Law officials of Germany have detained 27 foreign citizens trying
to enter the territory of Germany illegally. Referring to federal
police, German web-based "e100" reports that the illegal persons
tried to cross the border of Frankfurt hiding themselves in two truck
trains. One of the trains carried 3 men and 5 women from Armenia,
Vietnam and Egypt. The other train carried 14 men and 5 women. The
police have not identified their citizenship yet./Panorama.am/