Author: Nahapetian Samvel

England’s Short knocked-out of World Chess Championship in Libya
AP Online
Jun 23, 2004
MAHMOUD KASSEM

The top two chess players at the World Chess Championship have earned
a place in round three that starts Wednesday but England’s Nigel
D. Short was knocked out the night before in the biggest upset of the
tournament so far.
Short, world No. 15 and No. 5 in the tournament, drew Tuesday’s second
round two game with his Polish opponent Michal Krasenkow after 71
moves in an English defense opening that forced the Brit to bow out of
the contest early.
The English grandmaster who was once a world champion finalist against
Garry Kasparov lost his game Monday with Krasenkow, seeded No. 57 in
the competition, due to a serious blunder that robbed him of a
rook. He needed to win Tuesday’s game to have a chance at a tiebreaker
with his weaker-ranked Polish opponent.
Shorts compatriot Michael Adams, No. 2 in the tournament and No. 8 in
the world, fared better in the day’s games, beating his Armenian
opponent Karen Asrian with comeback determination. A draw between the
two players in the first game of round two on Monday had upped the
stakes for Tuesday’s match.
Asrian, the weaker player, initiated a Caro-Kann exchange defense that
developed into Panov-Botvinnik attack but he could not stave away his
opponent’s meticulous thrust and resigned after 46 moves.
Tournament favorite Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria continued to sail
through the opening rounds without much suspense.
Elsewhere, the youngest player and only American left in the
tournament, 16-year-old Hikaru Nakamura, proved that he had done his
homework before coming to Tripoli. He made it to round three after
beating his higher ranked opponent by 1.5 points to half a point.
“Yesterday’s game, which I won, was more exciting because today was
just a draw. Both of us were low on time and I managed to outplay him
with a rook and a knight,” Nakamura told The Associated Press of the
creative endgame from Monday’s first game of round one.
Fifteen of the 32 games played Tuesday ended in draws and required
rapid and blitz games to eliminate the stubborn hangers on.
Cuba’s Lenier Dominguez, one of eight players to reach the final
sudden death round, displayed inspiring stamina to topple higher-rated
Vladimir Malakhov of Russia in a battle that lasted until the early
hours of Wednesday.
Short on time, Dominguez got a lucky draw in the second blitz game but
came back with a strong attack in the sudden death round and cordoned
off black’s king with two rooks and a queen on the “f” file.
The World Chess Federation, known by its French initials FIDE, began
its Tripoli championship Saturday despite Libya’s refusal to allow
players from Israel and the absence of many top players. Only two of
FIDE’s top 10 were participating, apparently because many players were
angry that the world’s strongest rated player, Kasparov of Russia, was
to be allowed to play the winner without having to go through
qualifying rounds.
Libya, which is putting up the US$1.5 million in prize money for the
tournament, has been struggling to shake off its reputation as a rogue
state that sponsors terrorism and foments trouble around the
world. Welcoming the chess tournament and making a failed bid to host
the 2010 soccer World Cup were seen as part of a campaign to clean up
its international image.

Azeri official comments on cease-fire breaches on border
ANS TV, Baku
19 Jun 04
[Presenter] Baku has commented on reports about intense cease-fire
violations on the border. Novruz Mammadov, head of the international
relations department of the Presidential Executive Staff, said the
firefights with the Armenian armed forces on the Azerbaijani border
was a result of Yerevan’s harmful policy. The official did not rule out
that the Armenian community of Karabakh will be brought to book for the
conduct of the unlawful municipal elections on Azerbaijani territory.
[Correspondent over Karabakh villages] The campaign to nominate
candidates for the municipal elections by the Armenian community of
Nagornyy Karabakh kicked off today. The nomination campaign will end
on 24 June and the process of registering the candidates will continue
until 19 July. The election campaign will start on the same day. Let us
remind you that the municipal elections will be held by the Armenian
community in Nagornyy Karabakh on 8 August. Baku is not planing to
turn a blind eye to this move of the Armenian separatists. Statements
have already been sent to a number of international organizations
urging them to prevent such illegal measures from taking place in
the occupied territory of Azerbaijan.
Novruz Mammadov, head of the international relations department of
the Presidential Executive Staff, said that the issue of the illegal
municipal elections in Nagornyy Karabakh will be put on the agenda
of the Council of Europe first of all.
[Mammadov, shown speaking from his office] This act is undoubtedly
illegal. The appropriate bodies of Azerbaijan have spoken against
it and will continue to do so. The Milli Maclis and the Azerbaijani
parliamentarians in the Council of Europe will air their views in
the upcoming sessions. All this is illegal and lacks international
support. I would like to reiterate that all this is nothing less than
an attempt by the separatists to hearten themselves.
[Correspondent] Mammadov believes that international organizations
are currently actively trying to resolve the conflict. And very often
their approaches are in harmony with Azerbaijan’s position. The world
supports Azerbaijan’s demand that the conflict be resolved reasonably.
[Mammadov] From this point of view, both the Karabakh separatists
and the Armenian leadership are finding themselves isolated from
the world community. To alleviate such treatment and to parry these
blows, they resort to such measures. The crux of the matter is that
the Armenian separatists want to create certain institutions in
the occupied territory of Azerbaijan. They resort to such methods
from time to time, i.e. violate all laws by holding the so-called
presidential and municipal elections in the self-styled NKR.
[Correspondent] Obviously Nagornyy Karabakh has not been recognized
and will not be recognized in the future as well, Mammadov said,
adding that the municipal elections have no legal basis. The conduct
of such measures once again proves that the separatist Armenian regime
does not want to resolve the conflict. The separatist regime’s plans
to conduct the unlawful election in Nagornyy Karabakh, which is an
integral part of Azerbaijan, is not their first or their last illegal
action. The Armenian side, which often violates the cease-fire
regime on the border with Azerbaijan and along the contact line,
once again proved that it is not ready for a constructive solution
to the conflict. The recent and intense breaches of the cease-fire
regime are not accidental, Mammadov said. The opposite side is taking
well-planned and well-considered steps.
[Mammadov] Armenian President Kocharyan is no longer trusted by his
people because of his failure to fulfill his election promises. The
resistance against him within the country is strengthening. By
violating the cease-fire regime, the Armenian leadership wants to
soften pressure and divert the attention from them to something else.
The second reason is also very important and is connected with the
first one: the Armenian leadership wants to decrease the external
pressure. Mammadov is sure that Armenia has never and will never
benefit from such an adventurist policy. Therefore, the Armenian
leadership should without fail put an end to this.
[Mammadov] Now the cease-fire regime has been breached in Qazax
District, some 200-300 kilometers from Nagornyy Karabakh. This
was a result of Armenia’s false and notorious policy. I would
like to reiterate that we have informed all interested states and
organizations, such as the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, of this.
[Correspondent] Azerbaijan’s position on the problem is
constructive. It is ready for negotiations. Mammadov said that Yerevan
should not have breached the cease-fire regime.
Ayaz Mirzayev, Ibrahim Telmanoglu for ANS.

Armenian Officers Already Have Entry Visas to Baku, report says
Baku Today
Baku Today 18/06/2004 17:23
Two Armenian military officers have already received entry visas to
Azerbaijan to attend a Baku-hosted NATO conference scheduled for
June 22, Public Television of this country reported on Wednesday,
citing Armenia’s ministry of defense.
However, Armenpress reported on Thursday that the officers are planning
to ask Azerbaijan’s embassy to Georgia on June 21 for the visas.
The report said Colonel Murad Isakhanian and Aram Hovhanesian (the
latter’s rank was missed) from Armenian defense ministry’s department
of foreign relations are to represent their country in the upcoming
planning conference for NATO’s Cooperative Best Effort-2004 exercises,
which are planned to be held in Azerbaijan in September.
According to the Armenian media, Azerbaijani authorities have promised
NATO leadership that they will not put up obstacles to Armenian
officers’ attending the Baku conference. High-ranking Azeri officials
have also expressed willingness to let officers of the occupational
military in.
Foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov and his deputy Araz Azimov have
recently told local media that since the conference is organized by
NATO, it would be unwise on the part of Azerbaijan to create obstacles
for the Armenians’ coming.
But some non-governmental organizations in Baku, particularly the
Karabakh Liberation Organization, have warned the officers against
coming to Baku, threatening to go for any radical step to prevent
their arrival.

Regional anti-AIDS centre opens in Armenia
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
16 Jun 04
[Presenter] The rate of growth of AIDS in the Eastern Europe and
Central Asia is the highest in the world. The international anti-AIDS
organizations consider Armenia part of this region and urge it to
start new preventive measures. According to the latest information,
there are more than 1.5m HIV-positive people in the former Soviet
republics, a regional anti-AIDS centre in Yerevan has said.
[Correspondent] Among the regional countries there are 271 HIV-positive
registered people in Armenia, there are more than 500 in Georgia, but
no research has been done at all by Azerbaijan in this sphere. The
regional anti-AIDS centre will function in Yerevan. The UN resident
coordinator and UNDP resident representative, Renate Ehmer, said
that the establishment of the centre is a result of the Armenian
government’s consistent work.
[Renate Ehmer, captioned, in English with Armenian voice over]
This issue has been discussed for a long time in Geneva. Finally,
it was decided that the centre will be opened in Armenia. The
Armenian government was pro-active on this issue and called for the
establishment of the centre in Armenia.
[Correspondent] Armenia will receive 7m dollars to implement the
national anti-AIDS programme, of which 1m dollars has already been
allocated. Renate Ehmer noted that the centre’s main aim is to work
efficiently and make the best use of the allocated funds. Speaking
about the international recognition of Armenicum [anti-AIDS medicine]
Renate Ehmer said that this medicine should be used abroad.
Anna Vardanyan, “Aylur”.

‘Miss Green Line’ pageant tonight
by Tia Goldenberg
The Jerusalem Post
June 15, 2004, Tuesday
Dina Emal of Beit Jala will participate in the first “Miss Green Line”
beauty pageant, Tuesday night in Gilo.
Pageant organizer Azi Neger said it was the recurring violence in the
area – Beit Jala is often used as a base for shooting attacks on Gilo –
that inspired the inclusion of the Arab contestant.
“My goal was to unite girls from Gilo and Beit Jala. I want them to
talk about beauty and fashion and through this to get to know each
other,” said Neger.
He said that since Beit Jala also suffered consequences from the
shootings, its residents should get a chance to participate as well.
Neger said it was a challenge to get permission for Emal to enter
Israel, but he was helped by OC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Moshe
Kaplinsky.
Three months ago, Neger began rounding up women from Gilo, Beit Jala,
and Bethlehem to make up the 15 contestants in the pageant.
He said the Arab women he approached were enthusiastic, but somewhat
apprehensive. “I asked the mothers if they wanted their daughters
to join and they were very happy,” said Neger, on his way to pick up
crowns for the pageant in Tel Aviv.
However, “they were afraid that they might get hurt,” while crossing
checkpoints.
He said his idea was also spurred by the Gilo participants. “They
said they wanted to meet girls from Beit Jala.”
Most of the participants have met several times and have formed good
relationships, he said.
The other non-Jewish participant, Arpy Krikorian, 21, an Armenian
Christian from Jerusalem’s Old City, said she spends a lot of time
with Jews through her job as a hairdresser, and is looking forward
to spending time with the other Jewish participants.
“It’s a very nice feeling to mingle with other religions,” she said.
Krikorian hasn’t met with Emal because when she was supposed to,
the latter was not permitted to enter Israel.
Krikorian said she didn’t join the pageant to win. “I joined to
prove that if you want to do something, it can be done. You shouldn’t
be afraid.”
Neger, who is one of seven judging the competition, said he will be
happy no matter who wins the crown.
“I hope the pageant will help change the atmosphere to one of
dialogue.”
GRAPHIC: Photo: DINA EMAL is the only Arab participant in tonight’s
‘Miss Green Line’ pageant. (Credit: Ariel Jerozolimski/Jp)

ARMENIA POLLUTES RIVER IN AZERI EXCLAVE – TV SAYS
ANS TV, Baku
13 Jun 04
(Presenter) Armenia’s sewage water pollutes the Araz (Araxes)
river. Health Minister Ali Insanov has said that Azerbaijan has
repeatedly asked international organizations to help resolve the
problem. Armenia, however, does not show any interest in solving
the problem.
(Correspondent) The issue of pollution of the Araz river by
Armenia will be raised during forthcoming meetings by international
organizations, Azerbaijani Health Minister Ali Insanov said during
his trip to Naxcivan. Insanov said that he raised the question at
all international meetings in which he took part so that to solve the
problem. Armenia, however, is not interested in solving the problem.
(Insanov shown speaking to microphone) I noted the problem in my speech
at an annual session of the WHO (World Health Organization) Assembly in
Geneva in May. We raise the issue from time to time. Unfortunately,
Armenia’s position on the issue, just like on many other issues,
is inappropriate.
(Correspondent) Armenia’s sewage and waste waters pollute the Araz
river. Bacteriologic tests showed that the contamination of the river
is eight to 10 times over the norm in Sadarak District and four to
six times in Culfa and Ordubad districts. It cannot be ruled out that
the contamination affects the flora and fauna of the Araz basin.
Natella Mahmudova and Musfiq Haciyev, ANS, Naxcivan.

Armenian prisoners on hunger strike sew up mouths
A1+ web site
11 Jun 04
11 June: Several prisoners at Nubarashen prison have been on hunger
strike for several days. Some of them have even stitched up their
mouths. Ara Sagatelyan, spokesman of the Justice Ministry, has
confirmed this information.
We failed to find out the exact number of the hunger
strikers. Sagatelyan said that they were under the supervision of
doctors, as the law requires. “In general, it is not an extraordinary
event for prisoners in any country to go on hunger strike, since it
is a method of attracting attention and expressing opinions to which
they periodically resort.”
There is a group of public observers, who has the right to visit
prisons at any time without prior warning, Sagatelyan said. “The
criminal procedural system is quite transparent now,” Ara Sagatelyan
said.
The hunger strikers are demanding that their charges and convictions
be reviewed.
Asked if their lives were in danger, Ara Sagatelyan replied:
“Nobody will die from a hunger strike, since when doctors decide to
force-feed them, as is the case across the world, the hunger strikers
will be force-fed.”
Sagatelyan also said that the hunger strikers were ordinary criminals,
and cases of hunger strikers are on the increase because the press
pays attention to them.

USA applying double standards in Karabakh settlement – Azeri pundit
Zerkalo, Baku
9 Jun 04
The head of the Centre for Political Innovations and Technologies,
Mubariz Ahmadoglu, has familiarized reporters with his assessment
of the political situation in the South Caucasus again. This time
a considerable amount of the analytical report is given to the
geopolitical situation in neighbouring Armenia, a country which is
unfriendly to us.
However, according to Ahmadoglu, the Azerbaijani media have
lately abused the coverage of the domestic political situation in
neighbouring countries: “I think that the Azerbaijani public should
pay more attention to the situation in Azerbaijan instead of showing a
‘sporting’ interest in other states,” the pundit said.
[Passage omitted: Armenia losing its positions in the economic and
social spheres]
The pundit believes that the events taking place in Iraq clearly reveal
the following picture: The USA is playing the role of an international
policeman, and this is obvious at least from the fact that Iran and
Turkey are not taking an active part in the Iraq events. In turn,
Armenia, which is a historic ally of Russia, is trying to benefit
from it, involving “Uncle Sam” in the geopolitical situation in the
region. Armenian politicians openly let US political circles know
that they are ready to make various overtures to Washington.
On the other hand, Ahmadoglu believes that the USA is applying dual
political standards not only with regard to the Karabakh problem, but
also with regard to the domestic political situation in Armenia. If the
USA really wishes a fair solution to the Karabakh conflict, it should
provide financial aid to Karabakh via Azerbaijani banks. “Washington is
often talking about a mechanism of trust in the Armenian-Azerbaijani
conflict settlement, forgetting that transferring investments via
Azerbaijani banks could serve as an additional resource for a peaceful
solution to the problem. The USA’s discrimination against the sides
to the conflict and the application of double standards by the USA
put a brake on the settlement process and create serious obstacles
to the region’s stable economic development,” Ahmadoglu said.

AZERI AGENCY SAYS 11 KILLED, NINE WOUNDED BY LAND MINES
ANS TV, Baku
7 Jun 04
According to the Azerbaijani National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA),
11 land mine victims died and nine wounded in 2004.
Four land mine blasts were registered in the last month (May) alone. To
recap, five people died and three seriously wounded as a result. In
general, 36 land mine victims have died and 44 wounded since 2001.

BAYKAL CONDEMNS STATEMENT OF FRENCH SOCIALIST PARTY
Sabah, Turkey
June 7 2004
Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal has harshly
condemned statement of the French Socialist Party about the so-called
Armenian genocide. He said, ”it is quite unfortunate and baseless
to defend that Turkey’s accession to the European Union (EU) should
depend on its recognizing the so-called Armenian genocide. Such a
genocide had never taken place in history of Turkish people.”