Author: Tvankchian Parkev

LEVEL OF CRIME CAME DOWN IN NAGORNO-KARABAKH

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
July 24 2007

249 crimes were registered in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic during
the first six months of the current year, which is 8, 4 % less as
compared with the same period last year.

According to the information DE FACTO received at the NKR Police,
decline in the number of grave crimes have been registered in the
Republic – from 104 to 89 cases. One murder was committed during
first six months of the current year, as it was last year.

For the first half-year the level of exposing crimes in the Republic
was reduced, making 80, 7 % versus 86 % during the first six months
of the last year.

PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

July 17, 2007
_____________________________

FAR EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGE REWARDS ARMENIA’S TOP STUDENTS
 
The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) has always supported bright minds in
Armenia.  It awards grants to scientists and scholars performing
groundbreaking research through its Armenian National Science and Education
Fund (ANSEF).
 
It brings rural doctors up to date on modern medical practices and equipment
to help saves lives through its Continuing Medical Education (CME) Program. 
It trains young adults for advanced high-tech jobs in Armenia’s new IT hub
through its Gyumri IT Center.
 
It prepares the next generation to build a better future through its various
educational programs, ranging from school assistance to scholarships for
outstanding students from underprivileged families.
 
FAR recognizes that supporting bright minds in Armenia is critical.  It is
important to stem the brain drain of intellectuals emigrating, to promote
sustainable development and economic growth, and to drive the new democratic
state.  For FAR, this is essential, and as a matter of policy, will always
remain a key focus of FAR’s work in the Armenian Homeland.
 
ENCOURAGING THE NATION’S BEST
 
A recent, interesting event in Armenia, hosted by FAR, was an Educational
Challenge sponsored by Ashot Hayrapetyan, a mathematical models developer
who works in New York’s financial services industry.
 
He had won several awards for his educational performances as an adolescent
in Armenia, which helped propel him during his academic pursuits and gave
him an edge in his professional career.  Now, he is returning the favor by
reaching out to the next generation of bright minds in Armenia and
sponsoring competitions for university students through FAR.
 
`My intention is to encourage the best students of Armenia,’ said Mr.
Hayrapetyan.  `The intellectual potential in this smart, knowledgeable
generation is the future of the Republic.  We have to do more to capture
their attention.  We need to capitalize on their intellectual curiosity for
Armenia’s development, for Armenia’s future.’
 
Partnering with FAR, he initiated the Educational Challenge and generously
attached a monetary reward for each winner. It was a success, attracting
more than 650 young, elite students from throughout Armenia and Karabagh.
 
Only the best 100 applicants were pronounced winners: 85 students from
Armenia and 15 from Karabagh.  The following demonstrates the range of
universities they attend:  45 students from Yerevan State University; 15
from Armenian State University of Economics; 15 from Artsakh State
University; 12 from State Engineering University of Armenia (Polytechnic); 4
from Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) State University; 4 from Gavar State
University; 3 from Armenian State Pedagogical University; 1 from Yerevan
State University of Architecture & Construction; and 1 from State
Engineering University of Armenia (Polytechnic), Gyumri Branch.
 
During a May 2007 ceremony held at the Yerevan State University, the 100
winners were handed Certificates of Recognition as well as given their
monetary awards.  Ashot Hayrapetyan, Aram Simonyan, Rector of Yerevan State
University, Bagrat Sargsyan, FAR’s Country Director, as well as other FAR
staff and guests attended the special event.
 
In his closing remarks, Mr. Hayrapetyan expressed his sincere hope that, in
the future, the winners will continue this tradition that encourages the
intellectual curiosity of and outstanding performance by Armenia’s youths
when they will have the opportunity to give back and help others.
 
TAPPING THEIR NASCENT POTENTIAL
 
`This Educational Challenge proved,’ said Garnik Nanagoulian, FAR’s
Executive Director, `that there are many bright minds in Armenia today. 
Despite what we sometimes hear in the Diaspora and in Armenia, this
competition showed us that the quality of education in Armenia is still
very, very high.  Our Homeland continues to produce these unique talents.’
 
`These young adults participated in our competition not because of the
money, but for the moral victory.  They had yearned for the intellectual
stimulation and genuinely appreciated the recognition of their
accomplishment.’

The FAR Educational Challenge represented the first time that these
university students were recognized for their achievements by a third,
non-interested party.  The reward and attention has inspired them.  It has
encouraged them to excel and to start believing in themselves.
 
FAR plans to create a Winners Alumni Club that will meet a few times each
year.  By engaging them in FAR’s humanitarian and economic development
programs, FAR will tap an important resource – the country’s future
leaders.  It is critical to maintain a strong bond between Armenia and these
promising youths, wherever their careers might take them. In addition, FAR
hopes to create a mentorship program, facilitating the link between these
young bright minds and Diaspora-based intellectuals and industry leaders.
 
GIVING BACK TO THE NEXT GENERATION
 
Mr. Nanagoulian continued, `we highly appreciate the initiative from Mr.
Hayrapetyan to highlight these bright minds through an Educational
Challenge. He is a great example and deserves our praise. He could have
continued his normal life here, but he stepped up to encourage the young
talented people in Armenia as he was once helped. It was a pleasure to work
with him and I hope others will come forward like him.’

Given the significant response to this competition, FAR would like to host
one every two to three years with Mr. Hayrapetyan and other sponsors. 
Please consider reaching out to the young bright minds in Armenia.  These
Educational Challenges keep them striving for something better, both for
themselves and for Armenia.  Together we can help strengthen their
self-esteem and build their confidence.
 
Interested parties should contact FAR directly by telephone at (212)
889-5150 or by email at [email protected].  You may also reach Ashot
Hayrapetyan at [email protected]. 
 
ABOUT FAR
 
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has served
millions of people through more than 220 relief and development programs in
Armenia, Karabagh and Javakhk.  It has channeled more than $265 million in
humanitarian assistance by implementing a wide range of projects, including
emergency relief, construction, education, medical aid, and economic
development.
 
FAR, one of the preeminent relief and development organization operating
there, is dedicated to realizing the dream of a free, democratic,
prosperous, and culturally rich Armenian Homeland.  It works towards a
brighter future by partnering with donors to make life better for our
people.  By offering hope and more promising prospects in Armenia, Karabagh,
and Javakhk, FAR binds the Diaspora and the Armenian family together around
the globe.
 
For more information on FAR or to send donations, contact FAR at 630 Second
Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212) 889-4849;
web ; e-mail [email protected].
 
– 7/24/07
 
E-mail photos available upon request.
 
PHOTO CAPTION1:  Ashot Hayrapetyan (front, center) sponsored the FAR
Educational Challenge that rewarded the top 100 university students in
Armenia and Karabagh.  The young bright minds felt encouraged by the
recognition for their outstanding academic performances.
 
PHOTO CAPTION2:  Ashot Hayrapetyan (right) hands a Certificate of
Recognition and money prize to a winner of the FAR Educational Challenge. 
More than 650 students from throughout Armenia and Karabagh submitted
applications for consideration; 100 were recognized.

JAILED EDITOR ‘SUSPENDS’ HUNGER STRIKE
By Ruzanna Stepanian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
July 23 2007

The editor of an Armenian pro-opposition newspaper serving a prison
sentence for draft evasion has suspended a hunger strike which he
began last Friday after being denied an early release from jail,
his lawyer said on Monday.

Arman Babajanian of the newspaper "Zhamanak Yerevan" refused food in
protest against a state commission’s refusal on Thursday to set him
free on parole.

Under Armenian law, convicts who have displayed good behavior and
served at least one third of their prison sentences are eligible for
parole. The commission appointed by the president of the republic
has the exclusive authority to approve or reject relevant requests
from them.

Babajanian’s petition was rejected despite being seconded by the
administration of Yerevan’s Nubarashen prison where he is being kept.

The 31-year-old editor went on a hunger strike, demanding an official
explanation for what he considers an unjust and illegal decision.

According to his defense attorney Nikolay Baghdasarian, Babajanian
agreed to "suspend" the protest on Saturday after being visited by the
Nubarashen chief, head of a Justice Ministry department overseeing
the Armenian prison as well as human rights activists. He said the
prison chief promised that his client’s "legitimate demands" will be
met within a week.

"I don’t exclude that he will be granted parole," Baghdasarian told
RFE/RL. "But I don’t know yet what exactly they agreed on."

The lawyer also said that Babajanian had a stroke recently and remains
in poor health. "Arman will wait for one week before deciding what
to do next," he said.

Babajanian was arrested in June 2006 and subsequently sentenced to four
years in prison for illegally dodging compulsory military service. The
sentence was shortened by six months on appeal last January.

During his trial, Babajanian admitted resorting to fraud after failing
to extend the deferment of his military service and moving to the
United States in 1998. But he insists that he would not have been
prosecuted and jailed had his paper not been highly critical of the
Armenian government. In a recent interview with RFE/RL given at the
Nubarashen jail, he described himself as a political prisoner and
claimed that the authorities are using his case to stifle dissent.

KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE HEADED FOR FAILURE AT UN

Serbianna.com, MI
July 20 2007

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – United States and Germany made a last ditch
appeal to Russia on the future status of Kosovo before deciding on
Friday whether to pull the rug on a U.N. Security Council resolution
that Moscow threatens to veto.

The European-American sponsored draft UN resolution will lead to
Kosovo’s independence from Serbia, Moscow says and it opposes it
because that is not what Serbia is consenting to.

Few expect Russia to change its mind and allow the resolution to
be adopted.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke to Russian Foreign
Minister Sergei Lavrov in Lisbon on Thursday. Lavrov visits Berlin on
Friday for talks with his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The sponsors of the resolution decided to wait for a decision until
after the Berlin talks.

Anticipating the result, Britain’s U.N. ambassador, Emyr Jones Parry,
told reporters: "I can only conclude that we are not going to progress
in the council (so) we are looking energetically at the different
options."

Under the draft resolution, the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia would
resume negotiations for 120 days. After the talks, the United Nations
would hand over the administration of the province to the European
Union, removing the issue from Russia’s influence. NATO troops would
stay on.

Rice told reporters en route to Lisbon for a meeting of the quartet
of Middle East mediators: "We are committed to an independent Kosovo
and we will get there one way or another."

But she did not say how that would be achieved, with agreement of
the European Union, which provides the key financial and political
assistance.

The head of the Russian Duma, Boris Gryzlov, said in Montenegro on
Thursday that Russia would use its veto against a resolution not
backed by both Belgrade and Pristina.

He said such a resolution would set a precedent and "light the fuse" of
separatism in many places around the world: Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh,
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Spain, Britain and some African states.

One probable scenario is that the Contact Group of advisers on the
Balkans, composed of Britain, France, Italy, Germany, the United
States and Russia, would facilitate 120 days of renewed negotiations
between Belgrade and Pristina.

No resolution is needed for holding such talks but the Security Council
would have to approve any withdrawal of the United Nations from Kosovo,
which would need Russia’s consent.

Another way ahead was for Pristina to eventually declare independence,
ask the United Nations to leave and invite the Europeans into the
province. Independence depends on how many countries would recognize
Kosovo as a nation.

While the United States would extend some recognition, the position
of the EU is unclear.

One sign of hesitation is that Slovakia, a council member, withdrew
its name as a sponsor to the resolution but told colleagues it would
vote in favour. Its parliament is reluctant to be identified with
action promoting an independent Kosovo.

Kosovo leaders have thus far failed to internationally legalize their
violent land conquest and are disappointed. They have hinted strongly
they would separate from Serbia unilaterally which will cost them
support by the EU.

ELECTION SHOW OF ARMENIA AIMS TO ATTRACT ATTENTION: AZERBAIJAN CEC’S CHAIRMAN

Trend News Agency, Azerbaijan
July 18 2007

Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. Trend S.Ilhamgizi / The Chairman of the
Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan (CEC), Mazahir Panahov,
said on 18 July at CEC meeting that so-called regime in Azerbaijan’s
Nagorno-Karabakh region occupied by Armenia carries out election
games to attract the attention of the international community.

He said that the occupant policy of Armenia has always presented
obstacles for the development of other processes in Azerbaijan.

"The occupation fact of the Azerbaijani lands found its reflection
in the annual report of the Council of Europe. This position is also
supported by other international organizations. The current situation
in Nagorno-Karabakh can not last, everything may cardinally change
soon. The election show of Armenia aims to attract attention,"
Panahov said.

According to the CEC Chairman, the next election game of the Armenian
separatists is the next unsuccessful ambition of the regime. "Thus, the
regime in Nagorno-Karabakh tries to be recognized by the international
community," Panahov added.

The CEC Secretary, Natig Mammadov, considers that Azerbaijan’s policy
disclosed Armenian lies. He said that in any cases, the occupied
lands of Azerbaijan will be released. "The Armenian side wants to
politically unmask the occupation fact," Mammadov said.

During the meeting, reports were delivered by the CEC, Azer Tagiyev,
Nizami Ahmadov, Oktay Humbatov, Akif Gurbanov and others. The CEC
members unanimously state that the elections planned to be held in
Nagorno-Karabakh is contrary to the international law.

At the end, the CEC made a statement condemning the efforts of the
Armenian separatists to hold so-called ‘elections’ in Nagorno-Karabakh
on 19 July.

OCCER CHAMPION`S LEAGUE: DERRY CITY 0 – 0 FC PYUNIK
Referee: Mr. S.Trifonos (Cyprus)

SRTE, Ireland
July 18 2007

Derry City may have kept their Champions League chances alive but the
Candystripes must do it the hard way by getting a result in far away
Armenia next Wednesday.

Facing FC Pyunik, Derry certainly created scoring chances at the
Brandywell on Wednesday night but their failure to find the net has
made next week’s second leg all the more difficult.

That said it was abundantly clear that the Armenians were content to
retain possession and defend in large numbers, a ploy which certainly
served them well on the night.

During the early stages Derry certainly enjoyed their fair share of
the ball and indeed played some superb football but their failure
to turn that possession into goals will make next week’s tie all the
more difficult.

Derry fashioned two chances to break the deadlock. Paddy McCourt, who
returned to action at the expense of the injured Killian Brennan on
the left flank, brought the best out of Pyunik keeper Gevorg Kasparov,
after just five minutes.

While Barry Molloy forced Kasparov into another stop after 16 minutes,
the midfielder’s effort from the edge of the area pushed wide at the
expense of a corner.

Punik’s first scoring opportunity followed a short free-kick in the
29th minute when Rafael Nazaryan played-in Aghvan Lazarian but his
low drive was well saved by an alert Pat Jennings.

Derry were very unlucky not to break the deadlock in the 57th minute
when Ciaran Martyn got his boot to a Gareth McGlynn cross but the
effort was directed at Kasparov and a glorious opportunity was lost.

Derry introduced Kevin McHugh at the expense of Sammy Morrow in the
68th minute and the Donegal man went close with his first touch,
the ball sailing narrowly over the bar.

With six minutes remaining a Ken Oman header was easily dealt with
by Kasparov as the visitors continued to battle and hope to hit on
the break.

Derry City: Jennings; McCallion, Oman, Hutton, Hargan; McGlynn (Deery,
58 mins), Molloy, Martyn, McCourt; Morrow (McHugh, 68 mins), Farren
(Hynes, 85 mins)

FC Pyunik: Kasparov, Tateosjan, Hovespyan, Yeoigaryan, Ghazaryan
(Mkhitaryan, 62 mins), Dokhoyan, Arzumanyan, Lazarian (Sahakyan,
79 mins) Pachajyan, Nararyan, Guevgeozian (Hzeina, half-time)

KOSOVO EXAMPLE SPUR HOPES FOR TRANSDNIESTRIA, NAGORNO KARABAKH
By Times staff

Tiraspol Times & Weekly Review, Moldova

Jul y 17 2007

Politicians in different "frozen conflicts" in the former Soviet Union
are following Kosovo’s developments closely. In Nagorno Karabakh, they
are seen as a way to achieve recognition under a new scenario. And in
Transdniestria, the President stated that his country has a stronger
historical and legal case for independence than Kosovo.

Photo: An independence monument in Transdniestria shows the new
country’s flag and its initials "PMR" in cyrillic letters

STEPANAKERT (Tiraspol Times) – International recognition of Kosovo
as an independent state would give new impetus to the sovereignty
claim of ‘de faco’ independent states like Nagorno Karabakh and
Transdniestria, among others, say politicians from these new and
emerging countries. Whatever the outcome on Kosovo it can create a
legal precedent which under international law can be equally applied
to similar territorial disputes elsewhere.

" – The Kosovo model of conflict settlement could be an example for
the resolution of other conflicts," Masis Mailyan, a senior Nagorno
Karabakh government minister, told the Reuters news agency on Tuesday.

" – If it (Kosovo) is recognized, then it is interesting to me in
that an unrecognized country has won recognition in spite of the
opinion of its former sovereign rulers."

" – In this sense the Kosovo model is an interesting one for us. That
is to say, we could achieve recognition under a new scenario."

U.S. President George W. Bush has stated that the time has come for
Kosovo independence and that Kosovo will become independent sooner
rather than later.

The current president of Transdniestria, Igor Smirnov, says his state
has a better case for independence than Kosovo.

Transdniestria: Better claim to independence than Kosovo Igor Smirnov,
the President of Transdniestria, said in an interview in March 2007
that historically and under international law, his republic’s claim
to statehood is much stronger than Kosovo’s.

" – Pridnestrovie has a much stronger legal and historical basis
for recognized sovereignty than Kosovo," said Smirnov, referring to
Transdniestria by its official, constitutional name.

In Kosovo, the Muslim majority has announced that it is not prepared to
wait for the United Nations but will announce a unilateral declaration
of independence. If this happens, the United States and some European
states have indicated their willingness to recognize Kosovo as a
sovereign state in contravention of an earlier United Nations Security
Council resolution.

States like Nagorno Karabakh and Transdniestria, which have no
U.N. authorized peacekeepers and whose current status have never
been the subject of Security Council resolutions, have an easier way
to internationally recognized independence than Kosovo. Whereas the
legality of Kosovo independence hinges on the UN Security Council,
and its five permanent veto-wielding members, no such requirement is
needed for legal independence for Transdniestria, Nagorno Karabakh
or other ‘de facto’ independent states.

Few of today’s countries have been created by the United Nations. The
majority of today’s states declared independence through the use of
unilateral declarations, with no need for any prior UN agreement or
Security Council resolution. In some cases, they had to fight wars
to secure their people’s right to self-determination. Transndiestria
defended its wish for independence in 1992 against Moldovan military
attacks. Over 1,000 people lost their lives and an estimated 100,000
became refugees. In Nagorno Karabakh’s case, it’s fight to split from
Azerbaijan was the bloodiest of the former Soviet Union’s independence
wars, with about 35,000 people killed and over a million forced to
flee their homes.

In Nagorno Karabakh, the ethnic Armenian majority drove out
Azerbaijan’s forces and now runs its own affairs with support
from neighboring Armenia, but no state has recognized its actual
independence. Similar developments happened in Transdniestria, where
the majority population of ethnic Slavs defended successfully itself
against Moldova. Many locally resident Moldovans fought on the side
of Transdniestria and against a wish to be incorporated against their
will into the newly created Republic of Moldova on the other side of
the Dniester river.

In both cases, peace talks lasting more than 15 years have failed to
make significant progress. Although Montenegro became independent
in 2006 following the resuls of an independence referendum,
the international community will not allow Nagorno Karabakh or
Transdniestria the same right. However, independent observers and
human rights groups have noted that under international law it will
not be possible to reach a negotiated status settlement solution
without taking the will of the people into account, as expressed
democratically in a free and fair referendum on independence.

Union denounced by Moldova as "null and void" Elsewhere in the
former Soviet Union, South Ossetia and Abkhazia have successfully
withstood claims from Georgia against ruling their territories. Like
Transdniestria, they are also seeking international recognition and
view developments in Kosovo as a precedent.

The short-lived union of Moldova and Transdniestria was a forced
marriage which was imposed by Stalin and Hitler in 1940. Using a
secret protocol under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the two dictators
attempted to carve up Europe between them. In 1940, the Soviet Union
invaded Romania and grabbed a piece of land – today’s Moldova – which
it united with a slice of old Russian land, today’s Transdniestria.

The union was undone a year later, in 1941, but was restored in 1944
thanks to Soviet victories in World War II.

Imposed against the will of the people, from 1944 until 1990 the two
sides were joined in an unnatural marriage known as the Moldavian
SSR. This union was denounced by Moldova in 1990 as illegal, and again
in Moldova’s own independence declaration of 1991 which denounced its
incorporation into the Soviet Union as illegal and declared that the
Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was "null and void" from the beginning.

Transdniestria, too, did not want to be part of this union either.

One year before the Moldavian SSR dissolved, and Moldova declared
independence as the Republic of Moldova, Transdniestria had already
left the union. Transdniestria declared independence in 1990, and
Moldova did so one year later. Legally speaking, Transdniestria was
never part of today’s Republic of Moldova, notwithstanding Moldovan
territorial claims to the contrary. (With information from Reuters)

Cheney pushes Bush to act on Iran

· Military solution back in favour as Rice loses out
· President ‘not prepared to leave conflict unresolved’

Ewen MacAskill in Washington and Julian Borger
Monday July 16, 2007
The Guardian

The balance in the internal White House debate over Iran has shifted
back in favour of military action before President George Bush leaves
office in 18 months, the Guardian has learned.
The shift follows an internal review involving the White House, the
Pentagon and the state department over the last month. Although the
Bush administration is in deep trouble over Iraq, it remains focused on
Iran. A well-placed source in Washington said: "Bush is not going to
leave office with Iran still in limbo."

The White House claims that Iran, whose influence in the Middle East
has increased significantly over the last six years, is intent on
building a nuclear weapon and is arming insurgents in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
The vice-president, Dick Cheney, has long favoured upping the threat of
military action against Iran. He is being resisted by the secretary of
state, Condoleezza Rice, and the defence secretary, Robert Gates.

Last year Mr Bush came down in favour of Ms Rice, who along with
Britain, France and Germany has been putting a diplomatic squeeze on
Iran. But at a meeting of the White House, Pentagon and state
department last month, Mr Cheney expressed frustration at the lack of
progress and Mr Bush sided with him. "The balance has tilted. There is
cause for concern," the source said this week.

Nick Burns, the undersecretary of state responsible for Iran and a
career diplomat who is one of the main advocates of negotiation, told
the meeting it was likely that diplomatic manoeuvring would still be
continuing in January 2009. That assessment went down badly with Mr
Cheney and Mr Bush.

"Cheney has limited capital left, but if he wanted to use all his
capital on this one issue, he could still have an impact," said Patrick
Cronin, the director of studies at the International Institute for
Strategic Studies.

The Washington source said Mr Bush and Mr Cheney did not trust any
potential successors in the White House, Republican or Democratic, to
deal with Iran decisively. They are also reluctant for Israel to carry
out any strikes because the US would get the blame in the region anyway.

"The red line is not in Iran. The red line is in Israel. If Israel is
adamant it will attack, the US will have to take decisive action," Mr
Cronin said. "The choices are: tell Israel no, let Israel do the job,
or do the job yourself."

Almost half of the US’s 277 warships are stationed close to Iran,
including two aircraft carrier groups. The aircraft carrier USS
Enterprise left Virginia last week for the Gulf. A Pentagon spokesman
said it was to replace the USS Nimitz and there would be no overlap
that would mean three carriers in Gulf at the same time.

No decision on military action is expected until next year. In the
meantime, the state department will continue to pursue the diplomatic
route.

Sporadic talks are under way between the EU foreign policy chief,
Javier Solana, and Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, on the
possibility of a freeze in Iran’s uranium enrichment programme. Tehran
has so far refused to contemplate a freeze, but has provisionally
agreed to another round of talks at the end of the month.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei,
has said that there are signs of Iran slowing down work on the
enrichment plant it is building in Natanz. Negotiations took place in
Tehran last week between Iranian officials and the IAEA, which is
seeking a full accounting of Iran’s nuclear activities before Tehran
disclosed its enrichment programme in 2003. The agency’s deputy
director general, Olli Heinonen, said two days of talks had produced
"good results" and would continue.

At the UN, the US, Britain and France are trying to secure agreement
from other security council members for a new round of sanctions
against Iran. The US is pushing for economic sanctions that would
include a freeze on the international dealings of another Iranian bank
and a mega-engineering firm owned by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
Russia and China are resisting tougher measures.

EU: KARABAKH PROBLEM MAY BE RESOLVED IN FORESEEABLE FUTURE WITH FULL ENGAGEMENT OF PARTIES INVOLVED

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.07.2007 14:19 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The OSCE and the European Union need to find a
complementary approach as they adapt to global challenges such as
migration, Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado said in Vienna.

"In my capacity of President of the Council of the European Union I
would like to underline the importance of designing a complementary
agenda with the OSCE," Minister Amado told the OSCE’s Permanent
Council. "It is essential that we put together our respective
instruments and tools in order to face the challenges ahead."

He also said the European Union supported OSCE efforts to find a
peaceful solution to the protracted conflicts in Moldova, Georgia
and Nagorno Karabakh, and that a solution could be reached in
Nagorno-Karabakh in the foreseeable future with the full engagement
of the parties involved.

"Besides these regional issues, the European Union and the OSCE have
to adapt so as to face global challenges," the minister said. Portugal
took over the rotating presidency of the European Union from Germany
for the second half of this year.

He noted one major cause for concern for the Portuguese EU presidency
was Kosovo, and he was certain the OSCE would continue to play an
important role as it had elsewhere in Southeastern Europe.

Migration would be high on Portugal’s agenda, Minister Amado told the
Permanent Council, the OSCE’s main regular decision-making body. This
involved work, among things, on national minorities, human rights,
tolerance and non-discrimination.

"We count on the OSCE’s experience in this regard, since from its
outset the Organization has been helping in bridging gaps and in
bringing diversity together," Minister Amado said. Portugal would
welcome the OSCE joining it in the "Group of Friends" of the UN-backed
"Alliance of Civilizations" initiative launched by Spain and Turkey.

The minister said he believed the most serious challenges for common
security in the EU and OSCE regions were now in the Mediterranean
Basin, although work remained to be done to ensure the Balkans and
other parts of the OSCE area. He said transatlantic ties remain central
for stability in Europe and that Europe also has to strengthen its
strategic partnership with Russia.

"I see no better forum than the OSCE to try to bridge the remaining
and diminishing gaps," Minister Amado said.

He said the OSCE needed to continue to strengthen its internal
structure to work more efficiently and to make full use of improvements
agreed last year. An important goal is to establish a legal personality
for the OSCE, the OSCE communication unit reports.

AZAT HOVHANNISIAN, DOUBLE CHAMPION AMONG EUROPEAN YOUTHS, BEGINS START OF EUROPEAN WRESTLING YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP WITH VICTORY

Noyan Tapan
Jul 13 2007

BELGRADE, JULY 13, NOYAN TAPAN. The European Wrestling Youth
Championship is still continuing in Belgrad, the capital of
Serbia. Azat Hovhannisian (57kg, Yerevan), a double champion among
European youths, scored a victory with evident superiority from the
start. Samvel Baghdasarian (54kg, Sevan) was defeated in the first
duel and did not qualify.