Author: Torosian Aram

MOVSESIAN WINS BOSNA 2007 IN SARAJEVO

Chessbase News, Germany
May 29 2007

29.05.2007 – This traditional tournament took place in the Bosnian
capital of Sarajevo for the 37th time, and starred Morozevich, Short,
Timofeev, and Sokolov. The six player round robin was won by fifth
seed Sergei Movsesian, an Armenian-Slovakian grandmasters, who led
the tournament from the start. Second was local boy Borki Predojevic.

Report, pictures and games.

37th Bosna 2007 in Sarajevo The 37th "Bosna" tournament took place
from May 18th to 28th, 2007, in Sarajevo. This is the capital city
and the urban center of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH). The city,
which is surrounded by the Dinaric Alps, is famous for its traditional
religious diversity, with adherents of Islam, Catholicism, Orthodoxy,
and Judaism peacefully coexisting there for centuries.

The annual GM tournament, which in the past had achieved absolute
supertournament status (with Kasparov participating), was a double
round robin with six very strong players: Alexander Morozevich
(RUS 2762), Nigel Short (ENG 2691), Artyom Timofeev (RUS 2658), Ivan
Sokolov (NED 2655), Sergei Movsesian (SVK 2642), and Borki Predojevic
(BIH 2609).

The tournament was practically a start-to-finish victory for the
29-year-old Armenian-Slovakian GM Sergei Movsesian, who scored a
point more than his nearest rival and did not lose any games.

Movsesian’s performance was 2782. The other stars of the event,
Morozevich and Short, played less successfully (Nigel was indisposed
during the tournament), while Ivan Sokolov played as one could have
expected him to.

Photos and results at
3890

YEAR OF ARMENIA IN FRANCE GATHERS PACE AND RECEIVES HIGH PUBLIC ASSESSMENT

ArmInfo News Agency
2007-05-29 09:48:00

Eight hundred and fifty events were held within the Year of Armenia in
France instead of the scheduled one hundred. All the events received
a high assessment of the French public.

In an interview with special correspondent of ArmInfo, Armenian
Ambassador to France Eduard Nalbandyan said: "Such large-scale events
have not been held in any of the European countries." The events
allowed presenting the Armenian history and culture not only in France,
but also in Europe. "Moreover, 4,000 items in the French media have
already been devoted to the event," the Ambassador said. The visit of
165 French journalists and tourist operators to Armenia also greatly
contributed to distribution of information on Armenian culture, the
Ambassador stressed. The Ambassador mentioned the economic forum at
the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris with participation of
200 big French businessmen and officials which was very important for
development of bilateral trade-economic relations. The conference
on decentralized cooperation organized in the rench Senate and
National Assembly aroused a great interest as well. Representatives
of twenty-five Armenian and French twin-towns participated in the
conference. A legal symposium was held at the Council of State
with participation on the chairmen of the Constitutional Courts
of Armenia and France and over 80 international Constitutional Law
experts. Moreover, Armenia participated in an agricultural exposition
in Paris as an honorable guest for the first time.

Panorama.am

17:27 26/05/2007

PRESIDENT AWARDS JUDGES WITH MEDAL AND TITLES

Armenian President Robert Kocharyan awarded two judges
with title of distinguished lawyer of the Republic of
Armenia. Slava Sargsyan from Appeal Court and Larisa
Sosyan from the Economic Court won the high title. The
president also awarded Aragatsotn marz first instance
court judge Ruzanna Barseghyan with a medal after
Mkhitar Gosh. Another Mkhitar Gosh medal was awarded
to Mnatsakan Sargsyan, deputy prosecutor general, for
his contribution in strengthening legality and legal
order in the republic.

Source: Panorama.am

MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS SEEK PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT

ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
May 24, 2007 Thursday

Co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group on Nagorno Karabakh from France
Bernar Fassier said on Wednesday "neither Washington nor Moscow nor
Paris consider war as a variant of the Karabakh conflict settlement."

"There is no other alternative, but peaceful settlement by means of
negotiations that will be advantageous for the conflicting parties,"
he said.

On Thursday, Fassier and his Russian counterpart Yuri Merzlyakov
completed the latest round of talks in Yerevan.

He pointed out that mediators – Russia, France and the U.S. – try to
help the conflicting parties reach a compromise, but neither of them
can offer "easy solution of the problem."

"To make breakthroughs in the settlement process the parties and their
presidents should display political will and necessary determination"
to reach a compromise, Fassier said.

"We cannot take decisions for the conflicting parties," he said.

"The Group’s co-chairmen believe that from a certain moment of
negotiations it will be necessary and useful for representatives of
Nagorno Karabakh to take part in them in compliance with a formula
created by the parties," he said.

The diplomat believes if this year the parties fail to coordinate
basic principles of the conflict settlement, then the talks will be
frozen at first by the presidential poll in Armenia and subsequently
– in Azerbaijan. After this it will be necessary to begin the talks
from scratch.

Earlier in the day, the Group’s co-chairmen left for Baku for
talks with the Azerbaijani authorities. They informed that they
plan to return to the region in early June this time together with
U.S. mediator Matthew Bryza.

JUK LEADER SAYS BHK LEADER HIDING

Panorama.am
18:19 24/05/2007

Manuk Gasparyan, chairman of People’s Way Party (JUK) believes that
150,000 people who voted for Prosperous Armenia (BHK) "expect systemic
changes." Under these conditions, Gasparyan cannot understand why Gagik
Tsarukyan, BHK chairman, is silent. "The chairman of Prosperous Armenia
is hiding himself. He even did not thank his voters. He does not hold
party meetings to speak on future actions," JUK leader said. Gasparyan
believes a party with such a big electorate must justify the hopes,
otherwise, people will leave him.

ISRAELI PARLIAMENT MARKS AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC DAY

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 25 2007

Israeli Parliament (Knesset) hosted a ceremony on May 28 Republic
Day of Azerbaijan on May 24, APA’s Israeli bureau reports.

Israeli Knesset’s speaker and acting Israeli President Dalia
Itzik made an opening speech at the ceremony organized by
newly-established Israeli-Azerbaijan International Association. She
praised Azerbaijan-Israel relations and stated that those moved from
Azerbaijan have made significant contributions to the development of
the Israeli society.

"It is estimable that though immigrants from Azerbaijan, who have
been living in Israel for 10-15 years, are Israeli by origin, they
do not forget the history, culture, traditions of Azerbaijan. Israeli
Knesset is your house, you always welcome," she said.

President of Israeli-Azerbaijan International Association, Israeli
Knesset member, Israeli-Azerbaijan Interparliamentary Friendship
Group’s Chairman Iosif Shagal said that Azerbaijani Republic Day is
marked in Knesset for the first time.

"I could never believe that I will be Knesset member while leaving
Azerbaijan 17 years ago and celebrate Azerbaijan Republic Day,"
he said.

Mr.Shagal also informed about his recent visit to the US together
with Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan Arthur Lenk and chairman of the
State Committee for Azerbaijanis Living Abroad Nazim Ibrahimov. He
also said that they met representatives of Jewish lobbies and debated
mutual cooperation issues.

Mr.Shagal congratulated Azerbaijani people on the holiday at the end
of his speech.

Expert on international relations Arie Gut spoke about the role
of Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus region. He stressed that after
achieving independence, Azerbaijan lived hard times, had to suffer
war started by Armenians, lost 20 percent of its territories, 1
million people of Azerbaijan have became refugees and internally
displaced persons.

The expert said that the South Caucasus and Central Asia are the
regions where the interests of US and its allies collide with those
of Russia, Iran, China.

Gut also analyzed Azerbaijan’s relations with US, Russia, Turkey
and Iran.

The representatives of "Our house-Israel" Party Robert Ilatov
and Alex Miller, Turkish Ambassador to Israel Namig Tan, Georgian
Ambassador to Israel Lasha Jvanya also congratulated the Azerbaijani
nation. Azerbaijani MPs Lala Abbasova and Safar Mammadov addressing
the event stressed the necessity of deepening of bilateral relations
between Israel and Azerbaijan.

EXHIBITION ENTITLED "MY DEAR BROTHER ARMENIANS IN TURKEY 100 YEARS AGO" TO BE ORGANIZED IN FRANCE

Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
May 24 2007

VALENCE, MAY 24, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The exhibition
entitled "My dear brother Armenians in Turkey 100 years ago" will
open on May 26 at the Armenian National Heritage center of the
city of Valence, France. The exhibition will be open till September
16. The web site states about it. The goal of the
exhibition is to present the social, cultural and industrial life of
Armenians living in Turkey at the beginning of the 20th century. It
is also a bridge between the two cultures, past and present ones.

More than 500 cards made by the famous Birzamanlar publishing house
will be presented at the exhibition. Armenian settlements, churches,
schools, numerous orphanages, hotels belonging to Armenians, trading
centers, missionary schools and hospitals of 1900-1914 will be pictured
on them. Authors of some paintings and Armenian texts pictured on
the cards are Armenians.

An exhibition under this title was for the first time opened in
Istanbul, in 2005. It arose great interest among more than 7000
visitors visited the exhibition during 10 days. Similar exhibitions
were presented in the German cities of Frankfurt, Munich and Cologne
in 2005-2006.

ARMENIAN AUTHENTICITY: ANNUAL FESTIVAL UPS THE ANTE FOR CUISINE.
By Greg Wyshynski

Mount Vernon Gazette, VA
May 23 2007

Ken Hill said finding authentic Armenian food in Alexandria can be
an arduous task. "There are a couple of carry-out places that mixes,
but there’s no specific Armenian restaurant [in Alexandria]," he said.

Hill is the chairman of the Alexandria – Gyumri Sister City Committee,
which has helped organize the annual Armenian Day Festival over the
last 15 years. When it comes to a genuine Armenian feast, he said
look no further than Saturday, June 2, from noon to 6 pm, at Market
Square. "By the time people sit down to eat, they’ll be getting an
authentic Armenian meal," he said. "We’re going to have better food
than ever. We’ve got the cooperation of the St. Mary’s Armenian
Church. They usually help us out anyway, but they’ve gone out of
their way to create some dishes that are really authentic and really
unusual. Their Dolma – stuffed grape leaves – are always fantastic,
with the spices in them. And they have a dish called Eech, which is
kind of a peasant’s salad thing, and it’s really quite extraordinary."

The Armenian Festival is a charity event that benefits Alexandria’s
Sister City Gyumri, Armenia; providing humanitarian aid and educational
services to the region’s citizens and children. It is in its 15th year
and has always been held at Market Square (301 King St.), according
to Cheryl Lawrence of the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks
and Cultural Activities, which co-hosts the festival.

With food, entertainment and a sense of humanitarianism, the annual
event bridges different cultures in an afternoon of fun. "My favorite
thing is getting to experience a wonderful and different culture
without even leaving Alexandria," said Tim Ramsey, who is helping
to publicize the event. "At the festival we get the opportunity
to experience Armenian dance, music, and food…not to mention the
great people. I think we are very fortunate to be able to learn and
appreciate the Armenian culture right here in our own community."

THE FUN BEGINS at noon at this free festival. Entertainment features
the Arax Dance Ensemble with Artistic Director Carolyn Repkievian; the
Washington Armenian Ensemble, a group of classical instrumentalists
performing Armenian music; the Birky Family enacting Armenian folk
tales; Sevan Birky, reading stories for children; and vocalist Naira
Babayan.

"There’s a folk dance troupe that’s almost professional," said Hill.

"Beautiful costumes, traditional and authentic. They’ve been with
us for the last three or four years and they’ve been getting better
every year."

There will also be a VIP event at 2 p.m. for community leaders and
elected officials.

"We should have a really good festival, but just as important, we’ve
improved the kind of assistance we give to Gyumri," said Hill. "We’ve
set up a small grants program, we’ve gotten a lot of proposals. We
screen them to make sure they’re consistent with our objectives,
which is a focus on children and youth."

Hill, who has been on the committee since 2002, said his organization
has had more resources than in the past to facilitate their charitable
efforts.

"We’ve been able to raise more money, which has given us the chance to
do more things. Plus, some of us on the committee have had experience
with grant making," he said. "When you set up a system and do it
competitively, it’s more effective. We’re shooting for sustainability,
too; things that will give children skills that they wouldn’t develop
otherwise."

So along with the food and the fun, there’s a chance to make a
difference – and, as always, it all happens in Market Square.

"As long as we do it, that’s the best place to have it. No question,"
said Hill. "We’re praying for good weather."

Where & When The City of Alexandria will host the 15th nnual Armenian
Festival on Saturday, June 2, from noon to 6 pm, at Market Square,
301 King St.

The Armenian Festival is a charity event to benefit Alexandria’s
Sister City, Gyumri, Armenia, in providing for the humanitarian and
the educational needs of its citizens. For additional information,
call the City’s Special Events Hotline at 703-883-4686.

/article.asp?article=82016&paper=69&cat=11 5

AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN COMMENDS ARMENIA FOR HOLDING FREE, FAIR PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Arka News Agency, Armenia
May 23 2007

YEREVAN, May 23. /ARKA/. American congressman, Co-Chair of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Frank Pallone commended
Armenia for holding free and fair Parliamentary elections on May 12.

"This is the first positive assessment of an election in the former
Soviet Republic since it gained independence in 1991," Pallone said.

"This encouraging outcome will most certainly enhance and deepen
U.S.-Armenia relations, while also elevating Armenia’s reputation
regionally and internationally," reported the Armenian Assembly of
America referring to the congressman.

Pallone noted that Armenia’s achievements address concerns raised by
the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and urged the MCC to fully fund
its five-year $235 million Compact with Armenia.

He also renewed his call for $75 million in economic assistance
to Armenia in Fiscal Year 2008. "This assistance demonstrates our
commitment to Armenia, which is a friend and a supporter of U.S.
policies for peace and security in that part of the world," he said.

On June 29 2006 the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Appropriations
approved the $58mln financial assistance to Armenia for the 2007 fiscal
years, which is $17mln less against the 2006 fiscal year. The committee
also approved the appropriation of $5mln as humanitarian assistance
to Nagorno- Karabakh, which is $2mln more than the amount of 2006.

Under the Millennium Challenges Corporation program, the Armenian
Government is to receive $235mln during five years for poverty
reduction and development of rural infrastructures.

The May 12 Parliamentary elections in Armenia received, on the whole,
positive assessment of the international observers.

UNIVERSAM GROUP COMPANY SELLS CORN OIL WITH IMITATED "COOPOLLA" TRADE MARK

Noyan Tapan
May 23 2007

YEREVAN, MAY 23, NOYAN TAPAN. By the results of studies conducted
by the RA State Commission on Protection of Economic Competition in
the consumer market, the Armenian company Universam Group sells corn
oil with "Coopolla" trade mark which misleads consumers because of
resembling "Coopoliva" trade mark.

"Coopoliva" is registered as the trade mark of Agro Sevilla Aceitunas,
S.Coop.And company.

It was announced at the May 23 sitting of the commission that Universam
Group did not import corn oil in 2006 and in January and February
of 2007.

Moreover, in the words of the commission chairman Ashot Shahnazarian,
he bought this product of the company, and it was indicated on the
label that this is a 90% sunflower seed oil and 10% corn oil. Besides,
according to the label, Coopolla is made in Krasnodar.

Under the decision of the commission, Universam-Group company is fined
in the amount of 100 thousand drams (about 290 USD). In addition,
the company will have to withdraw this product from the market.