Author: Parkev Tvankchian

GIBRAHAYER
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TURKISH MOB ATTACKS FIVE
YOUNG ARMENIANS IN VALANCE
“Our grandparents massacred you, we will continue”
ADL-France/CCAF/Jean Eckian. Sunday November 28 Valance-France. Five young
French citizens of Armenian origin were attacked by a Turkish mob of 15
Turks at the Town Hall of Valance while they were distributing leaflets
against the Turkish entry to the EU.
After destroying their stand, the Turks started throwing bottles and
later attacked the Armenians injuring them. One was hospitalised. Local
Armenians who went back to clean up the area were later attacked by another
Turkish mob of 50, who were shouting “our grand parents massacred you and we
will continue”.
The French police arrested no one.
Armenians organised a protest gathering on Monday, condemning the
events of last Saturday in the Mediterranean town of Marseilles.
Armenians in France, disappointed by the general climate prior to the
December 17 decision and have been writing to Cyprus President Tassos
Papadopoulos asking him to exercise his veto to Turkey, who is hoping to get
a date for accession to Europe.
ARMENIAN PILOTS GET HEAVY PRISON SENTENCES FOR THEIR PART IN A COUP IN
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Arminfo – Yerevan, 26 November: A court in Equatorial Guinea has sentenced
Armenian pilots to prison terms ranging from 14 to 24 years.
On 8 March of this year, the authorities in Equatorial Guinea
arrested a large group of which among other foreigners, included six
Armenian pilots who were charged with complicity in the organisation of a
coup d’etat in that country. They are now facing imprisonment for up to 26
years.
The Armenian pilots are flatly denying the accusations.
ARMENIA FUND TELETHON RAISES OVER $ 11 MILLION DOLLARS
Glendale, CA (November 26) Armenia Fund, Inc. (AFI) set a fund-raising
record on Thanksgiving Day by raising over $11 million (final total pending)
during its live, 12-hour international broadcast event – Telethon 2004 Make
It Happen.
Airing Thursday, November 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 pm, the telethon
raised funds to complete the crucial North-South “Backbone” Highway and
provide for vital infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh. Telethon
2004 was broadcast to over 45 million households in 24 cities throughout the
United State s and Canada, as well as to major capitols and cities in
Europe, South America, the Middle East, the CIS and Armenia. For more
information visit
Armenia Fund, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation, is
the US West coast affiliate of the “Hayastan” All-Armenia Fund (HAAF).
Established in 1994 to facilitate humanitarian assistance to Armenia and
Karabakh, HAAF has administered over $100 million in humanitarian,
rehabilitation and construction aid through the united efforts of Armenian
communities internationally.
“UNLESS THE CONFLICT IS SETTLED PEACEFULLY, AZERBAIJAN WILL RETURN ITS LANDS
BY MILITARY FORCE”
Gibrahayer 30 November, 2004 “Unless the conflict is settled peacefully
Azerbaijan will return its lands by military force.” This is what Azeri
President Ilham Aliev declared in Baku on Friday regarding the Karabakh
problem in a meeting with Goran Lennmarker, special representative of the
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary
Assembly for the Karabakh conflict.
Goran Lennmarker highly commended Azerbaijan who “has created
conditio ns for Armenians to live in its territory even though the Karabakh
conflict is not over.”
According to Azeri newspaper Zerkalo there are 30,000 Armenians in
Baku.
TATIANA’S CORNER This corner is reserved for local artist Tatiana
Ferahian’s comic strips which are amalgamations of Armenian-Cypriot social
commentaries, painted with her usual wry and ironic humour, to stimulate and
encourage awareness and interest toward our community’s everyday happenings.
NEWS IN BRIEF
* Police clashed with protesters in Baku protesting the arrival of Armenian
MPs to attend the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Rose-Roth seminar. Several
were arrested.
* Five soldiers of The Karabakh Republic Defence forces were killed and
several were injured in a road accident in Mardakert region, last Sunday.
* More than three thousand youth marched to Tsitsernakaberd the day the
legal proceedings began of murdered officer Gurgen Margarian by an Azeri
officer in Budapest.
* Construction of an Armenian church in the Russian town of Ivanovo will
begin in 2005 as approved by Garegin II, who will participate in the laying
of the church’s cornerstone.
“The comeback of ex-president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossian to big
politics is conditioned by rising public demand,” deputy chairman of the
former ruling party, Pan Armenian National Movement, Aram Manukian told
reporters today.
* The Armenians of the Ukraine condemned the actions of the President of
Armenia who had jumped the gun and had congratulated Victor Yanukovich
early.
THE CD OF THE WEEK
HELEN ZINDARSIAN A heartwarming and tender collection of Armenian lullabies,
including traditional selections as well as original compositions.
A heartwarming and tender collection of Armenian lullabies and night songs,
including traditional selections as well as original compositions.
As night falls, moonlight shimmers upon a world where a mother sings an
“oror” (lullaby) for her little one. Like music, the language of a mother’s
love is universal, and the sentimental themes of this CD speak to the hopes
and dreams of every family, culture, and nation. Featuring songs written by
her parents Annig Zindarsian an d Earl Zindars, the CD offers an interesting
blend of styles with crossover appeal into the genres of folk, jazz, and
classical music. The CD also features many traditional Armenian melodies, as
well as some re-discovered treasures of Armenian music.
Order at:
Donation: AYMA Music Library
g i b r a h a y c a l e n d a r
* The literary group of The Hamazkayin “Oshakan” Cyprus Chapter is
organising a lecture about the great novelist PAULO COELHO tonight at 8:00
p.m. Wednesday 1 December 2004 at the “Vahram Utudjian” Hall of The
Armenian Prelacy of Cyprus. The lecturer will be the translator of Coelho’s
popular novel “The Alchemist”, Khachig Mouradian, who accompanied Coelhoon
his recent visit to Armenia. A very interesting lecture, accompanied by
audiovisual material. After the lecture, those who want to take part in an
informal dinner at AYMA, may ring Yura Simonian on 22499889 by Tuesday 30
November 2004.
* Cyprus Amateur Football League Kakaristri Vs AYMA at Latsia Football
Ground on Saturday December 4, 2004 at 2:30 p.m. New signing!!! Former APOEL
striker Ara Bedrossian makes his debut with the colours of AYMA.
STILL ON 8th Exhibition of Armenian Books, under the auspices of Archbishop
Varoujan Hergelian, organised by the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus, with the
participation of Moufflon Bookstore.&nb sp;You can visit the Exhibition
every day from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. except weekends.
The exhibition will also travel to Larnaca and Limassol.
* Armenian Relief Society “Sosse” Chapter Fund Raising Tea for the ARS
Armenia Projects on Sunday 28 November, 2004 at The Holiday Inn Hotel at
4:00 p.m. Proceeds to the “Sosse” Kindergarten of Stepanakert – Republic of
Artsakh. Event images at:
;code=3D13242597&mode=3Dinvite&DCMP=3Disc-email-AlbumInvite
* Cyprus Dart Championships. AYMA is participating in the Cyprus Dart League
with matches being played every Thursday at AYMA.
* AYF Badanegan Miaoutian get-togethers take place on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
at AYMA. Contact Vartoog Karageulian on 24-659245.
* AYMA Chicco Football practices take place every Friday from 7:00 – 8:30
p.m for children starting from the age of 7. Contact Krikor Mahdessian on
99650897.
* AYMA Table Tennis practices take place every Saturday from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m
under the expert guidance of ex-Cyprus Champion Sirvart Costanian. Classes
and practice session for all ages.
AYF meeting on Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. at AYMA. Will not take place. See you
all at the Hamazkayin’s lecture on Coelho.
* AYMA Football team practices are now taking place every Tuesday at 9:00
p.m
* Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian sings @ Champs every Friday at at 9:30 p.m. For
reservations call 22873888.
* Bible Study Group organised by The Armenian Prelature of Cyprus. The Group
meets at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church on Armenia street, Nicosia. To
receive further details please call Father Momik Habeshian on 99 307966 or
at the Prelature office on 22 493560 email [email protected]
* The English School Old Boys and Girls Association is holding its 2004
Annual General Meeting at the ClubHouse on Wednesday December 8 at 7:00 p.m.
A reception will follow. Contact Yiannos Ioannou on 22316861 email
[email protected]
* AYMA Annual Ball at Hilton Park on January 8, 2005 featuring ANDRE.
Reservations a MUST! Book early.
* Armenian Radio Hour on The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation can be heard
via real audio on . Broadcast times 17:00-18:00 local Cyprus
time (14:00-15:00 GMT) New s bulletins at 17:15 local time on Sundays,
Tuesdays, Fridays. Armenian Cypriots can also tune in on the following radio
frequencies 91.1 FM (Mount Olympus – for Nicosia listeners) 94.2 FM
(Paralimni/Protaras/Agia Napa) 92.4 FM (Larnaca) 96.5 FM (Paphos).
* The Armenian Prelature announces that the next permit for the A rmenian
Cemetery visitation at Ayios Dhometios on the Green line, is scheduled for
Sunday 12 December,2004
* Every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. (Cyprus time +2 GMT) on CyBC’s Trito, Puzant
Nadjarian presents the “History of the Blues”. You can also hear it on Real
Audio from the Internet edition of CyBC on A repeat program
can also be heard seven hours later at 2:00 a.m. local time.
* Listen to Hairenik Association’s online Armenian Radio Station. A variety
of Armenian music online, 24 hours a day, combined with news and other
interesting information about the Armenian community in the US, Armenia,
Artsakh, Javakhk and the Armenian Diaspora.
* 24 Hours of non-stop armenian music and programs on the internet
. . . . . News . . . . . ANC hour . . . . . Song dedications . . . . . Youth
discussions . . . . . Game Shows . . . . . Interviews . . . . . Religious
programs . . . . . Cultural programs . . . . . History . . . . .
Launch Hairenik Radio in your preferred Player,launch Hairenik in your life
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Associated Press Worldstream
November 16, 2004 Tuesday 7:50 AM Eastern Time
Minority demands for rights calls into question Turkish national
identity
by SELCAN HACAOGLU; Associated Press Writer
ANKARA, Turkey
As a child, Hrant Dink dreamed of becoming a detective, a hope that
was shattered by Turkey’s unwritten rule that Jews and Christians may
not join the police, the Foreign Ministry or become officers in the
military.
But Dink’s dream is now at the center of a growing debate in Turkey
over minority rights sparked after European Union officials
recommended that the bloc begin membership talks with Turkey but
insisted that the country must improve its treatment of minorities.
The debate, which is being carried out in newspapers, on television
and in the streets, calls into question the very definition of what
it is to be a Turk, a national identity that many regard as the glue
that holds the country together.
Is being Turkish a matter of ethnicity, religion, or simply
citizenship?
The controversy is so emotional that nationalists have been accusing
supporters of minority rights of “treason” and attempting to break
apart the country, while liberals are saying that nationalists are
“violating freedom of thought.”
At the heart of the conflict is whether all of the nation’s Muslims
must consider themselves Turks, regardless of their backgrounds, and
whether non-Muslim minorities can have equal rights.
For some eight decades, the Turkish state insisted that all of the
nation’s Muslims were Turks. Kurds, for example, were considered
Turks and speaking Kurdish was illegal until 1991. Non-Muslims like
Dink – an Armenian Christian journalist – have been blocked from key
offices, including the national intelligence agency, amid questions
of their loyalty.
The debate almost came to blows this month at a press conference
called by an official human rights body. A man grabbed a statement
out of the hand of a professor and tore it up after the academic
suggested equal treatment for minorities, including Muslim groups.
“We don’t recognize this report, it is aimed at dividing the
country,” Fahrettin Yokus shouted after he ripped the statement into
pieces. “We are also against demands by the EU that are threatening
our unity.”
Ibrahim Kaboglu, chairman of the rights body, which was created by
the Prime Ministry, was so shaken that he asked for police protection
saying that he could be targeted by extremists.
“What the EU is saying is that we should treat all subcultures
equally,” said Baskin Oran, who prepared the minority report for the
prime minister’s office. “Civilization is multicultural.”
Nationalists quickly petitioned the prosecutor’s office to file
treason charges against Kaboglu and several other academics and
activists who signed the statement that he read.
The European Union report said that Turkey, “has to comply with basic
EU standards, which include the protection of minorities.”
It also urged Turkey to grant more rights to ethnic Kurds and
recognize Alawites, a religious sect rooted in Islam, as an ethnic
minority, explosive suggestions in a nation where children open the
school day by saying “Happy is the man who says ‘I am a Turk.”‘
More than a quarter of Turkey’s 71 million people are either Kurds,
Alawites or share both identities.
“The nation is a whole. It cannot be seen as made up of pieces,” Gen.
Ilker Basbug, deputy chief of the military said, reading from a
statement about whether Muslim groups could be considered minorities.
“If it is seen so … this would open the way to the breakup of the
state.”
President Ahmet Necdet Sezer dismissed the debate over minority
rights as “destructive” and reminded people that the constitution
states that “everyone bound to the Turkish state through the bond of
citizenship is a Turk.”
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul ruled out any official recognition of
Muslim minorities.
“We shall never accept things such as this is minority, that is
majority which could bring political consequences,” Gul told the
Cumhuriyet newspaper in an interview.
Gul, however, said the government was trying to address “possible
snags” in granting rights to non-Muslims.
The issue goes back to the founding of the Turkish state in 1923 on
the ashes of the Ottoman Empire, a theocratic state that considered
all Muslims within its territory as subjects and Jews and Christians
as protected minorities.
The new Turkish state that was created was based on Turkish
nationalism and its founders considered all Muslims within its
territory – regardless of their backgrounds – as Turks. That avoided
tensions between Anatolian Turks and the hundreds of thousands of
Ottoman refugees from places like Greece, Bulgaria and Arab countries
who fled to Turkey as the empire disintegrated.
Many Turkish Muslims continued to regard Christians and Jews as
foreigners and guests in their new state and there was deep
suspicions toward Greeks and Armenians, the main Christian
communities, who rose up against the Ottoman Empire as it collapsed.
Those uprisings led to the forced expulsion of most of Anatolia’s
Greeks as part of a population exchange with Greece. They also were
the trigger for one of the darkest chapters of modern Turkish
history: The mass killings of Armenians, which Armenians say amounted
to genocide. Turkey denies the genocide allegation.
The new definition of “Turkishness” was strictly enforced and there
were repeated rebellions by Kurds, a group that dominates the
southeast and speaks a language related to Persian.
Since 1984 the Turkish army has been battling autonomy seeking
Kurdish rebels in the southeast, a fight that has left 37,000 dead.
Many Turks fear that recognizing Kurds or Alawites as minorities
could lead to the disintegration of the state into ethnic enclaves.
They also continue to suspect that Greeks and Armenians – who
together number about 65,000 – might not be loyal citizens. There are
a total of 130,000 non-Muslims in Turkey, making up less than 0.2
percent of Turkey’s population.
Sectarian clashes between Alawites and Sunnis – who form about 80
percent of the country – took place in the late 1970s and again in
the 1990s. Many Alawites say they are discriminated against by Sunnis
and that compulsory religion classes in schools have a Sunni
curriculum. Many Sunnis consider Alawites to be heretics.
For Dink, the issue was just about becoming a detective.
“In my childhood, I dreamed of becoming a homicide detective. I would
capture the murderers quickly,” Dink said on private NTV television.
“But I was barred from becoming a detective in this country because I
am seen as a security concern.”
Dink said he was sad to see that Turkey was only recognizing its
“multicultural identity and differences” due to foreign pressure.
“Why don’t we solve our internal problems on our own?” he asked.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CHIEF OF PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS WRONG TO PREVENT ARMENIAN
DEPUTIES COMING BAKU
ANS
2004-10-02
It would not be right to prevent visit of Armenian deputies to
Bakusays chief of Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev regarding
participation of Armenians at NATO seminar on November 26-28 in
Baku. Ramiz Mehdiyev said ahead of this all national protest against
visit of Armenian military men here within NATO Partnership for Peace
Program should not like that non-military Armenians also to be banned
coming here. Azerbaijan can not isolate itself form the world. We must
take part in the events of international organizations. It is not
right to prevent activity of such organizations in Azerbaijan. It may
form negative image of Azerbaijan. Armenian deputies may come to Baku
but their visit is being realized within international organizations.
Touching reforms in internal policy Ramiz Mehdiyev said government
carries on struggling against corruption. But we don’t want to make
turmoil around such measures.However dismissal of some of executive
powers as well as recent replacements is notconnected with
anti-corruption struggle. Chief of Presidential Administration said
personnel reforms had no any serious reasons. I have told that there
are many people whose potential exhausted or sick. We are very
grateful for their merits. We have replaced them. In other cases an
executive power does much in one region and we want other regions also
enjoy his experience and dedication. As to reforms in cabinet of
ministers Mr. Mehdiyev said it was authority of President and he would
determine number of posts for vice-premier. Regarding recent law
breaks and arrests at state commission on students admission Ramiz
Mehdiyev said government was not going to change test exam
system. Testing system has given much to education field of
Azerbaijan. Maybe some people dislike thissystem but tit doesn’t mean
we should abandon it. Mahir Mammadli
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Russia threatens airspace closure for indebted CIS airlines
Agence France Presse
October 1, 2004 Friday
Russia has warned several airlines from the Commonwealth of
Independent States, a group of 12 ex-Soviet countries, that it would
close its airspace to them from Octber 1 if they did not pay past fees
for over-flying its terrirtory, the Transport Minstry said Friday.
Airlines from Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine have
accumulated 22.8 million dollars (18.4 million euros) in unpaid fees
over the past several years, the ministry said in a statement.
When contacted by telephone, the ministry was unable to say Friday
morning whether the ban on flying over Russian territory had gone into
effect.
According to Russian press, authorities are holding negotiations with
most of the companies and only those from Georgia risk having their
flights interrupted.
Sixteen Georgian airlines are liable for 3.6 million dollars in fees
for having overflown Russian territory between 1994 and 2001 but they
have all gone bankrupt since then.
Russian authorities have decided to make new Georgian airlines that
have taken up the routes of their predecessors liable for the fees,
which Tbilissi contests.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR HOLDS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE
[September 09, 2004, 19:06:15]
AzerTag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Sept 9 2004
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Azerbaijan Nikolay Ryabov
held a press conference on the occasion of completions of his tenure.
Expressing gratitude to the country’s leadership and people for the aid
– 7,5 tons of medicines – Azerbaijan had rendered to those suffered
from the terrorist act in Beslan. Even though Azerbaijan itself has
hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Armenian occupation who
also need assistance, he said.
Speaking on his activity in Azerbaijan, Mr. Ryabov noted that during
his tenure, relations between Azerbaijan and Russia had been expanded
in all spheres. The today’s high level of bilateral cooperation has
been ensured thanks to personal friendly links between Mr. Heydar
Aliyev and Mr. Vladimir Putin, the diplomat said. He also stressed
that Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Vladimir Putin also maintain close
contact and regularly exchange views on many issues of mutual interest.
Ambassador Ryabov expressed hope that Azerbaijan-Russia links and
strategic partnership would be further developed and strengthened
thanks to political will of the heads of the two states.
He also expressed gratefulness for the fine conditions created here
for him during his mission.
Touching on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, the Ambassador stated that Russia is very interested in
urgent solution to the problem, and wishes all the refugees return
to their native lands.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
“THE REUNIFICATION OF KOREA SHOULD OCCUPY A PRIORITY PLACE ON THE AGENDA OF
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY”
Stated His Holiness Aram I
(KOREA, ANTELIAS, LEBANON) – 22 August 2004 – In his message to the
congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Korea, His Holiness Aram I
Catholicos of Cilicia and Moderator of the Central Committee of the WCC,
emphasized the urgency of the reunification of the South and North Koreas.
He said that the international community should help these countries to
engage in a process of democratization and reconciliation on the basis of
mutual respect and trust. The focus of Aram I’ message was that the
Christian Church must take the Gospel to the world. He said that the church
is a missionary reality. “Being Christian means being a witness, and being a
witness means taking the whole Gospel to the world. We are sent by God in
Christ to become missionaries in a world, where the Gospel values are in
decline, in a world dominated by injustice, violence, in a world which is in
dire need of meaning. At the end of his sermon which was based on Acts 1:8,
His Holiness described the Christian understanding of power. He said “Our
power is our powerlessness that comes from the cross, the symbol of God’s
self-emptying and victory over the death”. He said that “As Christians we
are empowered by the Holy Spirit to become the witnesses of the Gospel
values”.
Present at the Church among the congregation were state officials and
Ecumenical guests.
His Holiness attended a luncheon given in his honor, by the former
representatives of the Korean Churches at the WCC. His Holiness also
attended a formal dinner given by the Churches of South Korea.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Athens 2004 Official website
Armenian Referees/Judges at Athens 2004 Olympics
KAZARIAN Levon – Armenia – Wrestling
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

RIA Novosti, Russia
Aug 18 2004
LAVROV ON NAGORNY KARABAKH, CASPIAN AND IRAQ SETTLEMENT
MOSCOW, August 18 (RIA Novosti) – The settlement of the Nagorny
Karabakh issue is possible only through agreements between Armenia
and Azerbaijan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told
journalists after talks with Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov.
“Russia is interested in the resolution of the Nagorny Karabakh
problem. The conflict can be settled only on the basis of the sides’
agreements,” Mr. Lavrov said.
He noted that Russia is ready to contribute to the negotiating
process both as “a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and as a friend
and partner.”
“We are satisfied with the fact that the negotiating process was
resumed early last year,” Mr. Lavrov said.
“We hope that the working group on the Caspian will work out
acceptable decisions on the Caspian status at its regular meeting, to
take place in Moscow,” the minister told journalists.
He noted that these decisions would be in the field of international
law.
In his turn, Mr. Mamedyarov stressed that “the diplomatic resource
must be intensified.” He also expressed confidence that “points of
contact will be found to reach a final decision in determining the
Caspian status.”
Russo-Azeri relations have been developing actively, Sergei Lavrov
said after talks with Elmar Mamedyarov.
“We discussed a wide range of bilateral relations, regional and
Caspian cooperation, the Nagorny Karabakh settlement and
international cooperation. We agreed on a number of issues called
upon to remove the existing problems,” he said.
On his part, Mr. Mamedyarov said that Azerbaijan regards relations
with Russia as strategic partnership.
Russia speaks for involvement of all forces in Iraq, including the
opposition, in the creation of national structural bodies, he said
after the talks with his Azeri counterpart.
“Developments in Iraq cause concern. In the framework of UN
resolution 1546, the key issue is creation of national structural
bodies on the basis of involvementof all political forces, including
oppositional. This idea underlies our approach to settlement,” he
said.
“Convocation of all Iraqi forces may serve as a core for boosting the
process of overcoming the crisis with involvement of the UN Security
Council,” the minister said.
“Activation of this mechanism could become an important impetus for
all countries to help Iraqis,” Mr. Lavrov said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ArmenPress
Aug 6 2004
ILHAM ALIEV SAYS AZERBAIJAN TO LIBERATE ITS LANDS
BAKU, AUGUST 6, ARMENPRESS: “Peace should be shortly established
in South Caucasus but Karabakh conflict is the major impediment to
it,” Ilham Aliev, Azeri president said yesterday in a joint news
conference with Iranian president Muhammad Khatami. He reiterated
that Armenia has occupied 20 per cent of its land and therefore
cooperation can not be achieved under such conditions.
Aliev said the aggression can not take long and Azerbaijan will
liberate its lands. “Azerbaijan wants to reach this aim by peaceful
means and therefore participates in negotiations insisting that the
conflict be regulated based on international norms, respecting the
right of territorial integrity,” Azeri president said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azer Tag, Azerbaijan State Info Agency
Aug 2 2004
AFFA EXPRESSES RESOLUTE PROTEST AGAINST FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN
SO-CALLED `NAGORNY KARABAKH REPUBLIC’
[August 02, 2004, 22:43:03]
Azerbaijan Association of Football Federations /AFFA/ has issued a
statement expressing resolute protest against football championship
started in the so-called `Nagorny Karabakh Republic’. AzerTAj
accepted the statement that says:
`Internet websites of Armenian and Russian media informed of the
football championship commenced on August 1 in the territory of
Nagorny Karabakh Republic’. Nine local teams and one team from
Armenia will be participating at the illegal championship.
As FIFA and UEFA full member, AFFA expresses resolute protest against
the notorious `Nagorny Karabakh Republic football championship’ and
participation of the team from Armenian town Horadis. Nagorny
Karabakh is occupied Azerbaijani territory. Football clubs of this
region may only compete in the championship of Azerbaijan.
AFFA believes that FIFA and UEFA will prevent this championship
initiated by the Armenian separatists.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress