Author: Nalchajian Markos

DAVID HAKOBIAN: "ARMENIAN PEOPLE WILL NOT GIVE PRESIDENTIAL THRONE TO EMIGRANT FOR THIRD TIME"

Noyan Tapan
Jul 12 2007

YEREVAN, JULY 12, NOYAN TAPAN. David Hakobian, the Head of the Armenian
Marxist Party, made this statement at the July 12 press conference:
"The Armenian opposition does not have enough political reserve
in order to win in the presidential elections, as we see miserable
frayers instead of favourites in the opposition field."

According to him, the opposition seems to have conciliated with
current reality and did not even fight against the program presented
by the government, irrespective of the fact that the program had
many vulnerable points. "The opposition, as well, is engaged in
self-deception, because taking a time-out in terms of politics is
inadmissable," David Hakobian mentioned.

As for the possible participation of Levon Ter-Petrosian, the RA
first President, in the forthcoming presidential elections, David
Hakobian mentioned that "irrespective of the drumbeat of the Armenian
National Movement, the first President realizes that his participation
in the presidential elections will be his Waterloo." In his opinion,
"the time for the boys on the platform is up."

In the opinion of D. Hakobian, the chances of the current Prime
Ministe,r Serge Sargsian, to win in the presidential elections make
50%. At the same time he expressed conviction that "the current
candidate of the authorities does not enjoy the necessary confidence
of the elite of authorities, that is to say, the elite is not united
in respect of this question."

David Hakobian did not exclude the fact that "the third power"
may become winner of the presidential elections, however, he did
not go into details and did not mention a name. At the same time,
he mentioned that "the Armenian people will not give the presidential
throne to an emigrant thrice."

ELVINA MAKARIAN DIED SUDDENLY

A1+
[02:37 pm] 10 July, 2007

Famous jazz singer Elvina Makarian died suddenly some hours ago in
the USA.

"What a miracle!" exclaimed the great Aram Khachaturyan after
listening to her perform. "How could I not have heard of her until
now?" continued maestro while enthusiastically applauding. The young
rising star, Elvina Makarian, was only 16 years old.

Elvina was born in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan.

She graduated with honors from the music school of Chaykovski and
later the music conservatory of Komitas. She studied to become a
pianist but deep in her heart she always knew she belonged to the big
stage. She was only 12 when she participated in a music festival at
the Philharmonic Hall of Yerevan.

She won the first award at the festival; but most importantly she
won the hearts of her audience who would later follow her art for
the next four decades.

At the age of 14 she received an invitation to be the soloist of
Robert Amirchanyan’s newly opened jazz band. Two years later she
received another offer this time from Constantin Orbelyan to join
his famous Yerevan State Entertainment Band.

Elvina has sung in many stages in the world and her song has enraptured
many fans of art despite their nationality.

In 1973 young Elvina was awarded with the Grand-Prize at the First
World Music Awards in Moscow. Later that year she received her second
Grand-Prize this time at the 10th World Music Awards in Berlin. The
star of Elvina Makarian was heading one way, straight to the top.

During the last years Elvina resided in the United States where she
released three CDs and numerous music videos. She recently opened
her Music Studio where Maestro trained new voices and discovered new
young talents.

"A1+" expresses its condolences to the family of Elvina Makarian,
her relatives and friends.

EU GLAD WITH LEVEL OF COOPERATION WITH ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
10.07.2007 14:35 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ As Portugal and Slovenia do not have embassies in
Armenia, France will represent the European Union in the republic
till July 2008, French Ambassador to the RA, Serge Smessov told a
news conference in Yerevan. "Armenia is experiencing a very important
period in realization of the Armenia-EU Action Plan within the ENP. The
Delegation of the European Commission will contribute to development
of trade, agriculture and ecology," the Ambassador said.

For his part, Mr Raul de Luzenberger, Charge d’affaires of the
Delegation of the European Commission to Armenia, said the mission
should assess Armenia as a country with market economy. "The Armenian
government is open for cooperation. We agreed that the EU assessment
mission will pay a call to Armenia to decide whether to grant Armenia
the status.

It will be beneficial and will allow to mark out further plans,"
he said adding that the EU is glad with cooperation with Armenia.

MEMBERS OF EUROPEAN COUNCIL ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO COMPLETE DISCOVERY OF MURDER DETAILS OF HRANT DINK

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 09 2007

BRUSSELS, JULY 9, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The MPs of the Green
faction of the European Council made statements on the occasion of
the court hearing concerning the murder case of Hrant Dink.

Joost Lagendijk, the Chairman of the European Union-Turkey
parliamentarian commission, and Turk Jem Osdemir from the Green faction
of the European Union, who represented Germany, declared that they
will follow the proceedings of the trial of Hrant Dink. "We stress
the importance of a complete discovery of the murder details of Hrant
Dink. The Turkish state is obliged to reveal all the details of this
case and publish the names of all the accomplices. Society, which is
eager to have fair and democratic orders, as well as the friends of
Turkey, who are abroad and support the process of reforms of Turkey
on the way to the European integration, will follow this trial,"
is mentioned in the statement.

The MPs once again declared the necessity to eliminate Article 301
of the Turkish Criminal Code.

SHOWTIME’S NIGHT OF THE UPSET: VIC DARCHINYAN SHOCKED AND TRAVIS SIMMS DETHRONED
By Daniel "Tex" Cohen-July 8, 2007

ringsidereport.com, VA
July 8 2007

Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire, 18-1, 11 KO’s, pulled off a grand
upset and Grade A revenge by knocking out the popular and exciting
Armenian born Australian "Raging Bull" Vic Darchinyan, 28-1, 22 KO’s,
in the fifth round at Harbour Yard Arena in Connecticut last night
on Showtime Championship Boxing.

Darchinyan, who was defending both the IBF and IBO Flyweight Titles,
defeated and broke the jaw of Donaire’s brother Glenn in a six round
stoppage last October. This time around, the Donaire family got the
better end of that bout. Darchinyan saw the fight from the student
perspective of a boxing clinic.

Donaire, who led by scores of 50-45, 48-46 and 48-46 at the time of
the stoppage, was ecstatic to overcome his role as the underdog to
take the victory.

"I came in here as an underdog, nobody believed in me but I did it,"
he stated for the record. "I said yesterday that one punch can make
the difference between me and him. I fought guys who are heavier so
I timed my shots. He has heavy hands but my brother said he isn’t as
tough as he thinks he is. I shut him up but he still won’t admit that
I beat him."

Darchinyan’s opinion on the matter following the fight was, "I am
okay…but I am very disappointed. I got caught with a great shot
and these things happen in boxing. Of course I want a rematch."

Given that this night turned out to be positive fortune for underdogs,
it is entirely believable and worthy of Darchinyan to suggest
that. This fight was a great chapter in what may become a legendary
boxing match up between two physical, dynamic warriors. If Darchinyan
is able to get his rematch, he will have to work hard to get to a
level where he would be favored yet again. He will also have to find
a different method by which to break and read patterns on both the
offensive and defensive end.

One of his big weaknesses of behavior in the fight was that he was
caught completely off guard by Donaire’s lead right hands. A more
orthodox approach to boxing involved jabs from the left side in order
to set up right handed shots. The strategy worked perfectly against
the offense-oriented Darchinyan, a southpaw that keeps his hands
lower than might normally be suggested by a trainer.

On the main event of the card, another statistically unexpected
outcome took place as the Travis Simms, 25-1, 19 KO’s, suffered his
first career defeat by way of unanimous decision to lose his WBA Light
Middleweight Belt against the still undefeated Joachim Alcine, 29-0,
18 KO’s. This fight was a more controversially decided contest than
the clear-cut knockout presented in the Darchinyan-Donaire bout.

One specifically shady aspect of the match included a ninth round
knockdown by Alcine in which Simms may have slipped, causing his
right glove to graze the canvas. Referee Mike Ortega, however, ruled
the movement as a knockdown, making for a two point round Simms also
claimed that he injured a hand in the second round, partially blaming
the injury for the outcome of the fight.

Simms would also be within his rights asking for a rematch. The final
scores for the bout read 116-109, 115-110, and 114-111, but the fight
appeared to be much closer according to The Sports Network. Oddly
enough, the fight was in Simms backyard, only a twenty minute drive
from his home of Norwalk. Assuming that the knockdown was actually
legit and equated to a three point swing in the fight would suggest
that Simms was actually within range of a close decision victory.

Also on the under card of the feature bout for the evening was a
near perfect seven round demolition of Genaro "Poblanito" Garcia,
35-6, 20 KO’s, by a young and gifted Luis "El Demoledor" Perez,
25-1, 16 KO’s, for the vacant IBF Bantamweight Title. Perez, who led
70-61 on all cards at the time of the stoppage, waited for a perfect
incremental moment to counter with a left hook and finish the fight
with 39 seconds left to go in the round.

Heavyweight Demetrice King, 12-15, 9 KO’s, stopped Bermane Stiverne
12-1, 12 KO’s, in the fourth round of their bout.

Panamanian Guillermo Jones, 35-3, 27 KO’s won an eight round
unanimous decision over Zack Page, 13-14, 5 KO’s, in a Cruiserweight
contest. Jones dropped Page in the second from a left jab. Jones’ claim
to fame is his first round knockout of insurance salesman, journeyman
and recent Evander Holyfield stepping stone Jeremy Bates last January.

Monte "Two-Gunz" Barrett, 31-6, 17 KO’s, easily controlled the
opening round against the St, Louis, Missouri-based Cliff Couser,
26-12, 13 KO’s, before getting caught by Couser’s big right hand at
the end of the round. Barrett barely beat the count but managed to
get to his feet in order to be saved by the bell. The fight was the
first for Barrett since being knocked out in the eleventh round of a
challenging title shot against the Seven Foot Former WBA Heavyweight
Champion Nikolay Valuev. Valuev lost his Heavyweight Title to Ruslan
Chagaev in April to set up a title unification bout between Chagaev
and WBO Heavyweight Champion Sultan Ibragimov.

Middleweight Sergio Rivera, 2-0, 0 KO’s, defeated Delvin Laney, 0-1,
1 KO, by an aggressive and entertaining four round unanimous decision.

Welterweight prospect Devon Alexander, 12-0, 7 KO’s, knocked out
Marcus Luck, 8-15, 3 KO’s, in the third round of their bout.

Alexander scored two second round knockdowns.

Showtime’s Championship boxing presentation turned out to
be a success, as did the actual event at Harbour Yard Arena in
Connecticut. Altogether, the favorite fighters in Simms, Darchinyan and
Barrett were all taken down by lesser known fighters. As for whether
or not these fights prove something fundamental and long-lasting
about the men that lost is yet to be seen and still unproven.

ARMENIAN CB BOARD ESTABLISHED THE REFINANCING RATE AT THE LEVEL OF 4.75%

Mediamax News Agency, Armenia
July 4 2007

Yerevan, July 4 /Mediamax/. The Board of the Central Bank of Armenia
increased the CB refinancing rate for 0.25 percent-points, establishing
it at the level of 4.75%.

As Mediamax was told in the press service of the Armenian Central
Bank, the corresponding decision was made by the CB Board during its
session on July 3.

In June 2007, as compared to May, there was 0.3% deflation
registered. The index of inflation in the course of one year made
4.8% – 0.8 percent-points higher than the level, planned for the
second quarter.

The CB Board noted that the inner inflation pressures were mild,
despite the possible increase of inflation pressure in the second
quarter as a result of large-scale budget expenditures.

The external inflation pressures on the whole were characterized
by the growth of international prices for grain, the expectations
concerning the further trends of which are not clear.

"In the given situation, the aim of the money-credit policy is to
soften the inflation expectations and to preserve the inflation at
the planned level", the CB press service noted.

RIA Novosti, Russie
2 juillet 2007

L’Azerbaïdjan exige la libération de ses territoires occupés par l’Arménie
16:11 | 02/ 07/ 2007

BAKOU, 2 juillet – RIA Novosti. Afin d’éviter une nouvelle guerre
pour le Haut-Karabagh, l’Arménie doit libérer de bonne grce cette
province de l’Azerbaïdjan, estime le président azerbaïdjanais Ilham
Aliev.

"L’Azerbaïdjan est actuellement le pays le plus fort de la région sur
le plan militaire, et nos voisins devraient en tenir compte.
L’Arménie doit retirer de bonne grce ses troupes du territoire
azerbaïdjanais. C’est seulement alors que l’on pourra prévenir une
nouvelle guerre", rapporte l’agence Azerbaijan News, citant M. Aliev.

Selon le président, l’Azerbaïdjan ne tolérera jamais l’occupation de
ses territoires et ne tardera pas à les libérer par tous les moyens
dont il dispose, y compris par les armes.

"Nul d’entre nous ne veut de pertes, mais l’Azerbaïdjan retrouve ses
forces, prêt à engager toute opération à tout moment. Nous ne
laisserons pas la situation actuelle s’éterniser", a déclaré M. Aliev
lors d’une cérémonie de promotion d’officiers de l’Académie
azerbaïdjanaise de police.

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
June 5 2007

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Condemns Plans on Holding of
`Presidential Elections’ in Occupied Nagorno-Karabakh

Azerbaijan, Baku / corr Trend E.Huseynov / The Azerbaijan Ministry of
Foreign Affairs condemned the plans by the separatist regime of the
occupied region Nagorno-Karabakh of Azerbaijan on conduct of
`presidential elections’ on 19 July 2007. `The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan reiterates that the
unrecognized separatist regime in the occupied territories of
Azerbaijan represents nothing but an illegal structure established by
Armenia on the basis of ethnic cleansing of Azerbaijani population,’
the statement issued by the Ministry on 5 July said.

The so-called `elections’ are conducted in order to camouflage the
annexation policy of Armenia and are aimed at consolidation of the
results of the continued occupation of the Azerbaijani territories,
the statement read.

Conduct of such `elections’ gravely violates the relevant provisions
of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the norms and
principles of international law, since they are held in absence of
the original Azerbaijani population of the Nagorno-Karabakh region,
and, therefore shall have no legal effect whatsoever, the Ministry
noted.

According to the statement, any kind of elections in the
Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan may be
recognized as fair and free once the expelled Azerbaijani population
takes full, direct and equal part in their conduct in lawful and
democratic environment equally to the Armenian population of the
region. Holding such elections will be possible after the withdrawal
of the Armenian occupying forces, normalization of life in the
region, creation of necessary conditions for restoration of the
dialogue and cooperation between the Armenian and Azerbaijani
communities of Nagorno-Karabakh. These steps will open up possibility
for the elaboration of an autonomy model for the Nagorno-Karabakh
population within Azerbaijan.

The Republic of Azerbaijan calls upon the Armenian side to stop its
destructive practice of illegal steps, which does not have any
prospects, and instead to demonstrate a good will and take a
constructive position in the negotiation process in order to find a
soonest and durable solution to the conflict on the basis of the
norms and principles of international law, the document stressed.

US EMBASSY REPLIES TO YAP’S PROTEST LETTER

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 3 2007

The US Embassy in Azerbaijan has replied to the protest letter of
the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party sent to the embassies of OSCE Minsk
Group co-chairing countries related to the statements by co-chairs
Yuri Merzlyakov and Mathew Bryza in the press conference in Yerevan on
June 7. APA reports quoting the party’s press service the letter of
response written by Donald Loo, charge d’affaires ad interim at the
US Embassy thanks YAP for its concern over the negotiations carried
out through the mediation of the Minsk Group, and stressed sharing
of the views as important factor.

"We share YAP’s views, fair and neutral co-chairs should be in the
Minsk Group. I want to assure you that the United States is committed
to the peaceful solution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict through
the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group," the letter says.

The letter also reminds that Mathew Bryza in his June 11 statement in
St Petersburg said the media released wrong information on his June
7 speech. The embassy stressing that the co-chair’s statement was
misrepresented said Mr.Bryza has never voiced Azerbaijan "occupied"
the part of Nagorno Karabakh.

"The United Nations recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,
including Nagorno Karabakh and the occupied territories," the
Embassy said.

YAP wrote to the embassies that the diplomats from the co-chairing
countries make false statements that harm the negotiating process.

The ruling party called for the representatives of the mediating
countries to refrain from making such statements.

YAP’s press service said the Russian Embassy has not yet replied
to the protest letter regarding Russian co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov’s
statement.

FRESNO RESTAURATEUR VAUGHN RUSTIGAN DIES

Fresno Bee. CA
July 3 2007

He and brothers ran the widely renowned Iran Restaurant.By Jim
Steinberg / The Fresno Bee

Over the years, Vaughn Rustigan and his brothers attracted the late
Eleanor Roosevelt, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, columnist Herb Cain and
U.S. Sen. Pierre Salinger to their signature Iran Restaurant at Tulare
and U streets in Fresno.

Mr. Rustigan died Thursday of congestive heart failure at 94.

His wife, Varse "Vi" Rustigan, daughter Janie Holland and son-in-law
V.L. Holland on Monday recalled a man born and raised in the
neighborhood of Fresno then known as Armenia town. He graduated
from the old Emerson Elementary and Longfellow Junior High schools,
then starred in basketball at Fresno High School, where he graduated
in 1931.

Mr. Rustigan played at 5-foot-10, tops, yet was the second tallest
hoopster of the starters, his wife said, pointing to an old photo.

His team won the Valley Championship. He was his team’s high scorer
and won selection to the All-City and All-Valley teams.

Arthur Rustigan co-owned the Iran Restaurant with Mr. Rustigan and
their brother Burt. Art Rustigan said Monday that the three hired
the Irishman Mark McCoy to cook.

"I tell you, he was a top chef," said Arthur Rustigan, who approaches
his 101st birthday and still drives.

"I’ll show you my license," he offered by phone.

Mr. Rustigan’s family changed its name from Rustigian because of
widespread prejudice in the San Joaquin Valley against Armenians.

His father, Jacob, helped lay the foundation of Holy Trinity Armenian
Church on Ventura Street, not far from where Mr. Rustigan grew up.

Jacob Rustigan never learned to speak or write English fluently; he
bought land outside of town, recognizing that fertile soil and long,
hot summers would nurture crops as they had in Armenia.

Jacob Rustigan and his family lost almost everything during the
Depression, Vi Rustigan said, but managed to rent a house on N Street
for $12 a month.

"He was very proud of his father’s achievements," Vi Rustigan said
of her husband.

After graduating from Fresno High, Mr. Rustigan opened Rusty’s Texaco
Service Station at Ventura and O streets, not far from the church,
selling gasoline for 5 cents a gallon.

He met Vi Merzoian at a Fresno dance, knew he would eventually marry
her and did, in 1939, before the outbreak of World War II.

Mr. Rustigan failed his physical, so he could not fight in the war.

His brother, Bart, got a job with another famous restaurateur, former
Fresnan George Mardikian, in his renowned Omar Khayam’s restaurant at
O’Farrell and Powell streets in San Francisco. The Rustigan brothers
figured they could run their own place but decided to do it at home
in Fresno.

The Iran, as people came to call it, featured Saturday night
belly-dancers and drew revelers from far and near, Mrs. Rustigan
remembered.

The Iran also catered lavish celebrations, including Gov. Edmund G.

"Pat" Brown’s second inaugural dinner in Sacramento. The brothers
were known for spinach salad and for shish kebab. Their bar was a
Valley hangout for politicos and conventioneers, a place to eat and
relax before and after meetings of the liberal California Democratic
Council and conservative California Republican Assembly.

Asked the secret to Mr. Rustigan’s fabled spinach salad, Vi Rustigan
smiled, confiding that "the secret was the secret."

Mr. Rustigan left The Iran and opened Von’s Coffee Shop at Kern and
L, known also as "the lunch spot" downtown and featuring the Von’s
Burger. It won an award for best Fresno hamburger.

Janie Holland remembered her father telling about the author William
Saroyan, young, single and living just around the corner.

"I heard these stories over and over again," Holland smiled.

"He was so proud of his family, this country, coming without the
language, reading or writing," Vi Rustigan said. "He made himself
known because of his work."

Graveside services will begin at 10 a.m. today in Ararat Cemetery.