Author: Khoyetsian Rose

ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENTS HAVE TETE-A-TETE CONVERSATION IN MOSCOW

Noyan Tapan

Jan 19, 2009

MOSCOW, JANUARY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan had
a tete-a-tete conversation with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev after
the international conference on gas problems held in Moscow. The RF
President thanked his counterpart for accepting the invitation and
taking part in the conference. The Presidents highly estimated the
relations of the two countries characterizing them as reliable and
equal to Armenian-Russian strategic cooperation.

The RF President noted that Armenian-Russian allied relations are
much more convenient than the complicated problems discussed during
the international conference preceding the private talk. S. Sargsyan,
in his turn, attached importance to cooperation with Russia and Gazprom
company in the energy sphere estimating it as reliable and based on
long-term interests. He emphasized that gas consumption volumes have
been increased three-fold in the past years in Armenia and by the
gas supply level Armenia takes a leading position not only in the
CIS territory, but also in the whole world.

As Noyan Tapan was informed by the RA President’s Press Office,
S. Sargsyan and D. Medvedev held the same opinion that frequent
high-level contacts and meetings give a possibility to touch upon
and to give solutions even to the smallest problems.

Hürriyet, Turkey
Jan 17 2009

Challenging the world’s perspective

ISTANBUL – The legal system should work in favor of disabled people,
says Å?afak Pavey, the communications coordinator at the UN High
Commission for Refuges. ‘Not everyone ¤ıis as lucky as I
am’

It was more than 10 years ago when UN communications coordinator
Å?afak Pavey lost her left leg and arm, the result of a train
accident in Zurich.

Pavey sees herself as fortunate. "Not everyone is as lucky as I am
because I had the chance to have a prosthetic leg with an operation in
Germany," said the coordinator of public relations and strategic
communications in United Nations High Commission for Refugees, or
UNHCR.

The first few years after the incident she spent undergoing operations
due to one complication after another. "I had all my operations abroad
because in Turkey they do not have a basic prosthetic sector, except
in the military hospitals," she said. Since then she has used a
prosthetic leg and arm.

She attended the London School of Economics in a wheelchair. She said
she learned to live independently in London. "The system works
perfectly for disabled people in England," she said. "In Turkey we are
like sacks of potatoes. We need to help people but even disabled
people should learn to live alone."

Working for UNHCR during the last four years, she started as the
consultant for child rights and education from the Middle East to
North Africa. Then she was appointed as external relations officer in
Iran, which covers both the Afghan and Iraqi refugee situations and
repatriation programs. Pavey has also lived in Algeria and worked with
Sahrawi refugees for UNHCR while trying to change people’s point of
view toward the disabled.

A model for change
It’s not easy to lose a leg and arm, Pavey said smiling. She admits to
seeing herself both as more vulnerable and privileged than most
disabled people. That’s why, she said, she had to do something
significant. It took time for her to accept that problems can be
brought forth in a more influential way by those who live with
them. "This came to mind ten years after the incident," she said with
a laugh.

She was employed by a disabled member of staff and was inspired by
her. One of very few people with disabilities hired by UNHCR, Pavey
said after some lobbying by staff, UNHCR’s hiring her was encouraged
by the spirit of the new human rights convention that supports the
rights of people with disabilities. It was adopted by the UN General
Assembly in 2006.

"We aim to better the world and make it suitable for disabled people
to live. Each company should give job opportunities to disabled people
and the cities should be designed accordingly considering there are
many disabled people in the world," she said. New opportunities will
fall under important principles ranging from recruitment and
anti-discrimination to accessibility in buildings, protection and
assistance, Pavey added.

But it takes time for states to take action on the issue. After being
harassed in many countries she has visited and facing difficulties
both for being a disabled person and a woman, she was determined to
change the landscape. "The legal system should work in favor of
disabled people in the world."

Turkey needs new mindset Addressing the situation in Turkey, she said
disabled people need a new face and the public needs a new
understanding. "They should not lock themselves inside and
non-disabled people should start integrating." Turkey first needs to
change its mindset toward disabled people, she asserted.

"Disability is like throwing a stone in a lake and the waves keep
getting bigger. It affects the entire household of a disabled
person. Family members face the same attitude from society. People
look at you in another way,"she said.

"Everything is segregated. And the sad thing is that there is no
concrete action or initiative by the government. Whatever is done in
Turkey is done by private individuals."

She was invited to Turkey in 2003, the European Year for Disabled
People, to receive the Presidential Award for outstanding persons with
disabilities. But the route to the ceremony was troubled. When she got
off the plane she asked for a wheelchair but Turkish Airlines agents
informed her that she wasn’t disabled. When she explained that she was
on her way to receive an award for being a successful disabled
journalist, they explained that the government’s new definition of
‘disabled’ was limited to people who had lost two of the same
appendages. Pavey sued the airline and sought a report from a Turkish
doctor only to find that it too read that she, in fact, was not
disabled. She is full of sad stories but she tells them with a chuckle
rather than anger. Her motto is "whatever you experience is an example
to others.’

"That’s what I faced in my own country," Pavey said, adding that she
was also harassed by security officers at Bushehr Airport in south
western Iran. "One of my legs was taken. They took away my passport
and said they wouldn’t let me on the flight unless I took off my leg,"
she recalled, adding that she understood security measures but it was
nonetheless very difficult for her.

Her fight for people and their rights started when she was only
eight-years-old. She received awards for the stories she wrote on
world peace. As a teenager, she wrote for Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos
newspaper. The editor-in-chief Hrant Dink who was assassinated outside
his office two years ago was a mentor to her. The only Muslim Turk in
the newspaper, Pavey wrote a column about minority rights and social
rights. Now she is working with UN goodwill ambassadors Mick Jagger,
Ben Affleck and Angelina Jolie. Through her continued fight for the
rights of people, it is clear that Pavey sees her disability as a
source of strength, and an advantage rather than a disadvantage.

CO-REPORTERS HAVE NOTHING TO SAY, SO DO WE

A1+
[08:56 pm] 15 January, 2009

Co-reporters of the PACE Monitoring Committee John Prescott, George
Colombie and Secretary of the Committee Bas Klein had a long series
of meetings today in Yerevan. In fact, the meeting with RA Prosecutor
General Aghvan Hovsepyan lasted so long that the European co-reporters
canceled the meeting with RA Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan and simply
invited him to the parliament to participate in the meeting with
the Fact-finding group. Armen Harutyunyan refused to give out
any information after the meeting claiming that he was simply a
participant.

The co-reporters didn’t say anything to journalists neither before
nor after the meeting and rushed to an official dinner with head of
the Armenian delegation to PACE Davit Harutyunyan, while the meeting
with president of the commission for the March 1 case Samvel Nikoyan
took place around the dinner table. Before leaving for the meeting,
Nikoyan promised journalists to give information upon his return. But
later he called and informed journalists not to wait because he wasn’t
going to come.

The European co-reporters who were rushing to meet with NA Chairman
Hovik Abrahamyan were the last hope for the journalists. They had
already talked with Head of the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunyan,
but had refused to give any information to the journalists. They
started the meeting at 5 p.m. and said nothing again.

Judging from their moods, the co-reporters didn’t notice any
progress. The Europeans and Armenian officials were refusing to talk
with the journalists. RA Representative to the Council of Europe,
Ambassador Stepan Mnatsakanyan told "A1+" that he can’t give any
evaluations now because everybody is making comments and conclusions
will be drawn later.

DID ARMENIA FUND AND KARABAKH GOVERNMENT AGREE?

Lragir.am
18:32:54 – 14/01/2009

At last Armenia Fund set up an office in Karabakh. The strange
situation when the organization implementing projects worth millions in
the country has no office in that country was finally solved. Everyone
commended, although nobody explained why Armenia Fund operating in
Karabakh since 1992 did not have an office there. An explanation
was found in the ways of funding projects which in case of having an
office would be done through Karabakh. Others thought it was banal
antipathy between the leadership of the fund and the former prime
minister of Karabakh Anushavan Danielyan.

Anushavan Danielyan left office a year and a half ago, the leadership
of the fund has changed over that time, and someone has apparently
decided that Karabakh must be given more independence. The Fund was
provided with office at the home of the government of Karabakh, and
the head of the office is Valery Ghazaryan, an engineer who has worked
for the NKR department of construction. This department controlled the
quality of facilities built by Armenia Foundation, and "thanks" to this
department part of facilities were not approved for operation. Hence,
Valery Ghazaryan knows about the drawbacks of Armenia Foundation
better than others, and it is easier for him to fix the holes.

And there were a lot of shortcomings. For instance, the 170 km road
Nort h-South which must connect the regions of Karabakh bypassing
Aghdam.

Although the money was raised a few years ago, the construction of the
road is not over yet. The government of Karabakh was dissatisfied with
the quality of road works on a big section, and they demanded that the
Foundation or the contractor eliminated the drawbacks on their expense.

However, neither of them provided extra funds, and the section was
not built.

After this incident the legal aspect became more obvious. It turned
out that the Foundation and the government of Karabakh are unable to
share responsibility for the quality of construction. Who must assess
the work?

This question has had no answer for a long time. And the problem
was not just the moral function of "control" but also material
accountability.

It is not clear whether these issues have been addressed. Obviously,
the Karabakh government disliked that an organization carries out
large-scale work in its territory separately. Armenia Fund the chair
of the board of trustees of which is the president of Armenia would
also dislike being subject to the government of Karabakh. So, that is
why there is a fund which handles considerable funds and does a lot of
useful work. The CEO of the president has been an acting CEO for many
months now. Will this problem be solved after the office is set up?

PACE winter session: consequences of the war between Georgia and Russia,
situation in Gaza and the global financial crisis

Strasbourg, 15.01.2009 – The implementation of Resolution 1633
< Doc=3D%20R%C3%A9solution%201633> on the consequences
of the war between Georgia and Russia, adopted in October 2008, and the
humanitarian consequences of the conflict will be one of the highlights
of the winter session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE), which will take place in Strasbourg from 26 to 30 January
2009.

The parliamentarians will discuss the reports by Luc Van den Brande
(Belgium, EPP/CD) and Mátyás Eörsi (Hungary, ALDE), co-rapporteurs
of the Assembly’s Monitoring Committee, and Corien W.A. Jonker
(Netherlands, EPP/CD), rapporteur of the Committee on Migration,
Refugees and Population, following their visits to these countries.

The PACE Bureau has proposed (*) a current affairs debate on the
situation in Gaza and an urgent debate on the consequences of the
global financial crisis.

The Assembly will also discuss Armenia’s implementation of Resolutions
1609
< .asp?link=3D/Documents/AdoptedText/ta08/FRES1609.h tm> and 1620
< /Documents/AdoptedText/ta08/FRES1620.htm> , which PACE adopted in April 2008, and will give its opinion
on a proposal by the PACE Monitoring Committee to suspend the Armenian
delegation’s voting rights. The committee considers it "unacceptable"
that persons could be charged and deprived of their liberty for
political reasons and asks the Assembly to suspend the delegation’s
voting rights until the authorities have clearly demonstrated their
political will to resolve this issue.

The Prime Minister of Spain, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero [subject
to confirmation], has been invited to address the Assembly on Tuesday 27
January. In the context of the Spanish chairmanship of the Committee of
Ministers, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos will address
the parliamentarians on Wednesday 28 January. Philippe Kirsch, President
of the International Criminal Court (ICC), will make a speech on Tuesday
27 during a debate on co-operation with the ICC. Terry Davis, Secretary
General of the Council of Europe, will report on the state of the
Organisation on Monday 26 January.

The agenda also includes attitudes to memorials open to different
historical interpretations, the investigation of crimes allegedly
committed by high officials during the Kuchma rule in Ukraine, access to
rights for people with disabilities and the regulation of audiovisual
media services.

——————

(*) The Assembly will decide on its final agenda at the opening of the
session.

Draft order of business

Monday 26 January 2009 (opening at 11.30am)

* Opening of the first part of the 2009 Ordinary Session
* Election of the President and Vice-Presidents of the Assembly
* Progress report of the Bureau of the Assembly and the Standing
Committee
* Communication from Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of
Europe, on the state of the Council of Europe
* Access to rights for people with disabilities and their full and
active participation in society
< 3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11694.htm>

Tuesday 27 January 2009

* The implementation by Armenia of Assembly Resolutions 1609 (2008)
< D/Documents/AdoptedText/ta08/ERES1609.htm> and 1620 (2008
< /Documents/AdoptedText/ta08/ERES1620.htm> ) (Doc. 11786
< Doc=3DDoc.%2011786> )
* Address by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain
[to be confirmed]
* Co-operation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its
universality
< .asp?link=3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11722 .htm> and statement by Philippe Kirsch, President of the
International Criminal Court
* Investigation of crimes allegedly committed by high officials during
the Kuchma rule in Ukraine – the Gongadze case as an emblematic example
< 3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11686.htm>
* Nomination of candidates and election of judges to the European Court
of Human Rights
< D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11767.htm>

W ednesday 28 January 2009

* The implementation of Resolution 1633
< ttp://assembly.coe.int/ASP/Doc/RefRedirectEN.asp?D oc=3D%20Resolution%201633> (2008) on the
consequences of the war between Georgia and Russia
* The humanitarian consequences of the war between Georgia and Russia
< 3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc09/eDOC11789.htm>
* Communication from the Committee of Ministers to the Parliamentary
Assembly presented by Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Minister for Foreign
Affairs and Co-operation of Spain, Chairperson of the Committee of
Ministers
* Palliative care: a model for innovative health and social policies
< =3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11758.htm>
* The regulation of audiovisual media services
< =3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11775.htm>

Thursday 29 January 2009

* Possible current affairs debate: the situation in Gaza
* Possible debate under urgent procedure: the consequences of the global
financial crisis
* Private military and security firms and the erosion of the state
monopoly on the use of force
< /Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11787.htm>
* A ttitude to memorials exposed to different historical interpretations
in Council of Europe member states
< D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11746.htm>

F riday 30 January 2009

* Electronic democracy
< k=3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11783.htm>
* Feminicides
< p?link=3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11781.ht m>
* Environmentally induced migration and displacement: a 21st century
challenge
< .asp?link=3D/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc08/EDOC11785 .htm>

Practical information

Press conferences:

Lluís Maria de Puig, PACE President, will give a press conference on
Monday 26 January at 10.45 am. Other press conferences will be announced
on the spot.

Further details: see the Assembly’s website,
< t/> . Additional information may also be found on
the Council of Europe web portal,

For TV planning Units: videos in broadcast quality summing up PACE
highlights can be downloaded for free at
<; no later than two hours after the event.

Contact: PACE Communication Unit: Tel. +33 3 88 41 31 93;
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

For accreditation: Directorate of Communication :

Danielle Schreiber-Somoza, [email protected]
<mailto:danie [email protected]> , tel. +33 3 88 41 25 44

Press Release
Parliamentary Assembly Communication Unit
Ref: 029a09
Tel: +33 3 88 41 31 93
Fax :+33 3 90 21 41 34
[email protected]
internet:

The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 318 members from the national
parliaments of the 47 member states.
President: Lluís Maria de Puig (Spain, SOC) ; Secretary General of the
Assembly: Mateo Sorinas.
Political Groups: EPP/CD (Group of the European People’s Party); SOC
(Socialist Group); EDG (European Democratic Group);

ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe); UEL (Group of the
Unified European Left).

ARMENIAN INFLATION IN 2008 AT 5.2%, GDP UP 7.2% IN 11 MTHS

Interfax
Jan 11 2009
Russia

Consumer prices in Armenia in January- December 2008 increased by 5.2%,
the National Statistics Services said.

Inflation in December went up 0.1%.

In December, in comparison with November, prices on foodstuffs
(including alcoholic and tobacco goods) went up 0.7%. Tariffs on
services increased went up 0.2% while non-foodstuff prices went down
by 2.3%.

In addition, GDP in Armenia in January-November 2008 went up 7.2%
year-on-year, or, in absolute terms, increased in 3.29 billion dram
($11 billion).

It was earlier reported that the government’s forecast on inflation
in 2008 came to 4%, give or take 1.5%. The International Monetary Fund
(IMF) put this figure at 7.5%.

Armenian inflation in 2007 came to 6.6%, topping an earlier
forecast. The IMF puts inflation in Armenia at 5% for 2009.

Armenia’s GDP growth forecast for 2008 comes to 10.4% and 9.2% in
2009. In 2007, Armenia’s GDP went up 13.8% in comparison with 2006.

VLADIMIR TIMOSHENKO: "THE FACT THAT ARMENIA HAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF ARMS BY NO WAY GUARANTEES ITS SUCCESS IN WAR"

Today.Az
ics/50048.html
Jan 12 2009
Azerbaijan

Russia will never make an official statement about the new illegal
delivery of arms in the amount of $800,000,000 to Armenia, said
military expert Vladimir Timoshenko.

According to him, only international inspectors can hold an
investigation, referring to a contract on limitation of ordinary arms
in the flanks, according to which there are restrictions for Armenia
and Azerbaijan, which they have no right to violate.

"Moreover, Russia’s decision to withdraw arms from Georgia to Armenia
should not be surprising. To dislocate a part of them in Armenia
is easier for Russia than to transport them back to Russia. This is
natural and this was known before", said he.

He confirmed that there is a need for the international investigation
of the delivery fact, which however can be investigated only by
international structures.

Speaking about the importance to challenge Russia’s role as an
unbiased mediator in the Karabakh conflict resolution, considering
the strengthened supply of arms by this country to one of the conflict
parties, he said there are grounds for raising such issues.

"But I also stress that Russia is not interested in the resolution
of this conflict. Official Moscow even avoids statements in support
of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, preferring phrases like
"Negotiation yourself and we will support this agreement".

Any issue can be raised theoretically… But no practical steps will
be taken", noted Timoshenko.

He said the intensive armament of Armenia may break the balance,
but it should be taken into account that not only technical factor
plays a role here, among which he listed the preparation level of the
personal staff, moral spirit, tactics and strategy of conduction of
hostilities and so on.

"Many factors play a role here. Therefore, the fact that Armenia has
a large amount of arms by no way guarantees its success in war".

DETOX DIETS
by Jasmin Bhawra

Varsity
476
Jan 12 2009
Canada

Over the past few years, detoxification diets have caught on as a
weight loss method that cleanses the body of harmful toxins. Many
of us have considered the infomercials advertising body-cleansing
kits, such as Dr. Ho’s infamous Ab Trimmer. Detox kits often use
a combination of supplements, including herbal laxatives, colon
cleansers, and antioxidants. Some actually claim to flush out the
toxins responsible for fat storage and illness, cleanse the liver
and digestive tract, and eliminate cellulite.

Yet detox diets have numerous complications. Many of the herbal
laxatives used, such as burdock root and dandelion, can cause
dehydration and electrolyte loss by diarrhea. For users under 18,
pregnant or lactating women, or those with a serious health condition,
there are multiple adverse effects that can result from electrolyte
imbalances or unfavourable drug interactions. These products are
unregulated in Canada. Yet each year consumers looking to feel more
energetic or lose a few inches spend millions of dollars.

Despite all the claims, many physiologists and medical professionals
agree that detox regimens are not necessary and perhaps even
dangerous. Says Kevork Peltekian, an associate professor of medicine
at Dalhousie University, "If you’re healthy, your liver and kidneys do
a perfectly good job of getting rid of toxins in the body. There’s no
scientific evidence that detox diets augment the body’s own natural
mechanisms." The human body has a very efficient detoxification
system whereby wastes and toxic substances are removed via sweat,
feces, and urine. The liver acts to remove waste from the bloodstream
for excretion via the kidney, and the large intestine effectively
reabsorbs minerals and water.

The best method is always prevention: avoid putting toxins in your
body in the first place. Some toxins present in our atmosphere,
such as pesticides and pollution, are difficult to avoid, but a lot
can be done by eating better. Enjoying a healthy, balanced diet high
in essential nutrients, drinking plenty of water, and incorporating
exercise into your routine all contribute to a healthier digestive
system. They also help control your waistline and boost energy
levels. Before detox regimens became a fad, this is precisely how
detoxification was accomplished.

There would be no need for such extreme measures if living a healthier
lifestyle was given greater priority. Decreasing consumption of
processed foods, eating more fresh meals to limit toxin intake
associated with chemicals, and reducing unhealthy consumption would
allow our body to cleanse itself of all unwanted substances. These
behaviours keep our organs and associated systems healthy.

NONFOOD COMMODITY PRICES FALL BY 2.3% IN ARMENIA IN DECEMBER 2008

Noyan Tapan

Jan 8, 2008

YEREVAN, JANUARY 8, NOYAN TAPAN. 2.3% fall in prices in Armenia’s
nonfood commodity market in December on November 2008 was directly
affected by the fall in prices of gasoline (14.3%) and diesel fuel
(15.4%) respectively.

According to the RA National Statistical Service, prices of jewelry,
domestic electric appliances, furniture, detergents, cultural goods,
footwear, and carpets declined by 0.1-5.1% in December on November
2008.

Prices of fuel, textiles, cosmetics, clothing, fabrics, kitchen
utensils, stationery grew by 0.4-1.3%, while prices in the other
commodity groups under observation remained at the level of the
previous month.

SecondsOut
Jan 4 2009

Vanes Martirosyan: 2009 and Beyond
Sun 4-Jan-2009 12:21

PHOTO: Vanes `The Nightmare’ Martirosyan: HoganPhotos.com

By Derek Bonnett: In July 2008, Vanes `The Nightmare’ Martirosyan, 22,
was counted among the top four Armenian-born fighters in the world of
boxing in my Each Nation’s Best article focusing on Armenia.

The young prospect, who represented the U.S.A in the 2004 Olympics
after defeating Andre Berto to earn his berth on the team, went
unbeaten in five bouts in 2008 to move his record to 22-0 (14). The
orthodox fighter, now making his home in Glendale, CA, went the 10
round distance twice against his strongest opposition to date (Angel
Hernandez and Michael Medina), nearly shutting out both men on the
judges’ scorecards.

It would seem that Martirosyan is ready for the next step of his
professional career and capable of shedding his `prospect’ label
altogether. Now that a February 7 date has been set for The
Nightmare’s 2009 debut, Team Martirosyan has its eyes set on the
future and what they expect to be a fruitful year.

`2009 will by far be the biggest year in Vanes Martirosyan’s career in
terms of a make or break year. Shelly Finkel, his manager, plans to
move Vanes along from prospect to top 10 contender status during the
year,’ stated Al Nazaryan of Team Martirosyan. `If all goes well, we
would like to see Vanes challenge for a world title by the end of
’09. To get to that goal, Vanes would first need to show strong
performances against some top fifteen guys in the junior middleweight
division, then perhaps fight for the NABO or NABF before taking that
big step to the world title bout. While some may argue that he is
being moved along somewhat slowly, we can only respond by assuring
them he has the best in the business in his corner and that our long
term goals are all set and will be met, God willing.’

No names of these top fifteen contenders were mentioned by Team
Martirosyan, but one source mentioned Billy Lyell, 18-6 (3), of
Youngstown, OH as the opponent for February. While hardly a top
fifteen caliber opponent, Lyell does bring greater experience with him
to the ring after having squared off with James Kirkland, Yory Boy
Campas, and David Lopez over the last two years. However,
Martirosyan’s management is well aware of who is who amongst the 154
pound bunch, particularly Vanes’ contemporary prospects.

`If you ask Vanes, he believes he is ready to compete with ANYONE in
the division, and that of course is a healthy mindset for a rising
prospect to have. Ideally, we would like for him to meet the likes of
Alfredo Angulo, James Kirkland, John Duddy, Joe Greene, Yuri Foreman,
and Chavez Jr., all of whom are solid undefeated prospects/contenders
in their own rights,’ Nazaryan explained. `These fights of course
won’t happen just yet, but along with Vanes Martirosyan, these are the
biggest names in the division and one or two will stand above the rest
after all is said and done. The trick of course is to try and remain
at the top once you get there, nothing can be worse for a young
fighter than short lived glory followed by a sudden downfall.’

2008 was witness to quite a few sudden downfalls concerning young,
highly touted prospects such as James McGirt Jr., Andy Lee, Yoan Pablo
Hernandez, and Amir Khan. While the hottest prospects at 154 may not
be on the table just yet for Martirosyan, the team is well aware that
there cannot be a reward without taking a substantial risk.

When asked about his opinion of how his career has been paced, Vanes
has this to say, `I just take it as it comes. I’m always ready to
fight whoever they put in front of me. I have a lot of respect and
trust for my team, that includes my manager Shelly Finkel, promoter
Bob Arum/Top Rank, trainer Ronnie Shields, and of course my dad and
uncle who all want the best for me. I think my progress has been
steady considering I joined the pro ranks at the young age of 18, now
we are ready for the next step and I think you will see that going
into 2009. We have always stressed a common goal, which is not only to
get to the top, but to get there at a level that will see me remain at
the top for some time.’

Staying power is hard to come by and only the best of the best manage
to keep their name atop their division for very long. Before the
boxing world can worry itself about Martirosyan’s ability to remain a
champion, it must first be convinced he battle his way through the
division’s young guns and earn his shot. That march will begin this
February.

PHOTO: Martirosyan lands a right hand on Marcus Brooks:
HoganPhotos.com

`I will definitely be on the Darchinyan vs. Arce undercard come
February 7th at the Honda Center in Anaheim. I will train to be ready
for the best as I always do. I didn’t even stay in LA to spend
Christmas or New Year’s with my family; that has been my sacrifice and
determination over the years,’ Martirosyan explained. ` I’m back in
Houston to work with Ronnie and be in top form both physically and
mentally. This will be a big fight for me considering Anaheim is a
short drive from my hometown of Glendale. A lot of my loyal fans will
be at the Honda Center for both myself and my countryman, the now
undisputed world champion, Vic Darchinyan. Jorge Arce of course is
another good friend and Top Rank stable mate of mine. I’m real
excited; expect plenty of fireworks come February 7th.’

But will the fireworks end there? What about the rest of the pack at
154?

`We are all bound to collide with one another at one point or another
for junior middleweight supremacy,’ Martirosyan stated. `There are at
least six or seven young, undefeated, solid prospects/contenders
including myself in this division, who are all capable of winning
world titles. I’m not sure how many other divisions can offer that at
this time. As for me, I really don’t have a preference on who I’ll
fight against, just bring me the best, and I will be ready to do my
thing come fight night.’

If Martirosyan’s calling for the best at 154, well, that can be as
difficult to determine as who leads the current crop of prospects? Is
it the unbeaten Sergiy Dzinziruk? The newly crowned Paul Williams? Or
perhaps old warhorse Vernon Forrest? Who stands above all the rest?

`At this time, in my eyes, it has to be Sergio Martinez,’ Martirosyan
conceded. `He was most impressive out of all the champions when I last
saw him on HBO. Very technical, good speed, and a fun fighter to
watch. Some of the other champs are getting older and are perhaps on
their way out to make room for this new school coming in. In another
year’s time, I honestly believe 154 will have the most excitement to
offer compared to all other divisions.’

The junior middleweight division has been in a transitional period for
the last couple of years as most of the excitement and talk has been
centered around the welterweight division. The welterweights once had
a pretty firm grasp on the title of being called the best division in
the sport, but the super bantamweight, super flyweight, and junior
flyweight divisions have made it a close race. I believe boxing fans
wouldn’t be too upset about a new horse entering the race. If the new
class of junior middleweights feel their up to the task, then here’s
to hoping Vanes Martirosyan isn’t the only one with a big 2009 on his
mind.

January 4, 2008

PHOTO: 22 year-old Vanes Martirosyan 22-0 (14) : HoganPhotos.com

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