Category: News

Armenian leader sets up council to fight corruption
Mediamax news agency
2 Jun 04
Yerevan, 2 June: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan issued a decree
today setting up a council to fight corruption, the presidential
press service told Mediamax news agency.
The Armenian prime minister has been appointed the chairman of the
council to fight corruption, the members of the council are – the
deputy speaker of the National Assembly, the head of the government
staff, the presidential aide on issues of combating corruption,
the justice minister, the prosecutor-general, the chairman of the
Central Bank, the chief of the presidential staff, the chief of the
commission for the protection of economic competition and the head
of the parliament’s Audit Chamber.
The decision to set up the council to fight corruption has been taken
to effectively implement the anti-corruption policy, the press service
of the Armenian president told Mediamax news agency today.

Armenian president, US official discuss Millennium Challenge project
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
1 Jun 04
[Presenter] Armenia today received the first official congratulations
on its participation in the Millennium Challenge programme. Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan, CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation
Paul Applegarth and three MPs noted during their meeting today that
Armenia, as a country which is demonstrating efforts towards stable
development, has been recognized as a winner in the competition for
participation in the programme that involves many countries. According
to the head of the delegation, the US government’s assistance is
intended to ensure a stable economic growth in developing countries.
Paul Applegarth familiarized Robert Kocharyan with the conditions
of assistance.
For his part, Robert Kocharyan said that significant efforts are
required to achieve success in future activities. This is a good
opportunity to improve the situation in the country and create serious
conditions for future development, the president noted, expressing
the hope that the budding cooperation of the states will be effective
and consistent.
[Correspondent over video of meeting] Paul Applegarth is in Armenia on
two occasions. First, to congratulate Armenia on its participation in
the Millennium Challenge programme and to familiarize our government
with the details of the programme. Mr Applegarth has met the speaker
of the National Assembly [Artur Bagdasaryan] and the prime minister
[Andranik Markaryan]. After the meeting with journalists, he handed
over official congratulations to President Kocharyan. The member
countries of the programme must follow three standards: to promote
economic freedom, govern fairly and invest in people. Sixteen countries
out of 85 have been elected. Armenia has been selected according to
positive indicators achieved in these three directions.
[Paul Applegarth, in English with Armenian voice-over] Armenia has
been included in the green zone on this list. There are also red and
light green zones. The Armenian government’s policy must be directed
at eliminating them [as heard]. We shall succeed in this with the
help of the programme.
[Correspondent] Paul Applegarth familiarized the country’s leadership
with the conditions of the programme. The US government will follow
the implementation of the programme whose success will also depend on
continuing financing. It is necessary to preserve the success achieved
in these fields and to submit relevant requirements for financing.
[Paul Applegarth] Armenia has been chosen in the Millennium Challenge
programme because it has a high rating, but we shall not allocate
the funds immediately. First of all, it is necessary to submit a
programme of proposals, which will ensure stable economic development.
[Correspondent] Two months have been given to the Armenian government
for choosing the programme’s successiveness. The heads of the
delegation suggested that the Armenian side should not hurry. It is
necessary to discuss and then submit proposals. Because the financing
depends mainly on that.
For the implementation of the Millennium Challenges programme, the US
government has allocated 1bn dollars to all its member states in 2004,
and 2.5bn dollars will be allocated next year.
Elmira Shakaryan for “Aylur”.

Foreign investment in Armenia totals 42m dollars in first quarter of 2004
Mediamax news agency
2 Jun 04
Yerevan, 2 June: The volume of foreign investment in the Armenian
economy totalled 42m dollars in the first quarter of 2004.
The amount of direct investment totalled 28m dollars, the Armenian
National Statistics Service told Mediamax news agency. Against the
same period of 2003, the overall volume of foreign investment grew
by 21.7 per cent, and direct investment by 74.5 per cent.
In January-March 2004, 36.5 per cent of the direct investment was
channelled into the food production sector, including drinks. Some
27.1 per cent of the direct investment was channelled into the
communications sector and 11.7 per cent into the air transport sector.
Russia is ahead in foreign investment in Armenia. It invested over
14m dollars in the republic’s economy in January-March 2004.

Air shipment of nuclear fuel to Armenia not dangerous – watchdog
Mediamax news agency
2 Jun 04
Yerevan, 2 June: The chief of the Armenian State Atomic Inspectorate,
Ashot Martirosyan, today denied the allegations that the air shipment
of nuclear fuel to the republic is fraught with a potential nuclear
explosion.
Ashot Martirosyan said this in an interview with Mediamax news
agency while commenting on the statement of the representative of the
European Commission, Alexis Loeber, published by the British Guardian
newspaper today.
Loeber had said that he was concerned about the method of delivering
nuclear fuel to Armenia – using Russian transport planes. “It is the
same as a potential flying nuclear bomb. It does not happen anywhere
else in the world. Nuclear fuel is transported by sea or by rail
everywhere,” the representative of the European Commission said.
Ashot Martirosyan said in his interview with Mediamax news agency
that a new shipment of crude nuclear fuel, which is not radioactive,
is being sent to Armenia.
“Even theoretically, it is impossible to imagine that a chain-reacting
amount, which might cause a nuclear explosion, can occur in air-shipped
nuclear fuel” the chief of the Armenian State Atomic Inspectorate said.
Martirosyan also said that the Armenian Nuclear Power Station is
not the only station where nuclear fuel is delivered by air. He said
that nuclear fuel is also delivered by planes to the Bilibino Nuclear
Power Station (Chukotka, Russia).
“The Russian side is responsible for delivering nuclear fuel to
Armenian territory, and this is envisaged not only in bilateral,
but also in international agreements,” the chief of the Armenian
State Atomic Inspectorate said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia, Russia to boost relations in all spheres
Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
2 Jun 04
[Presenter] The fate of five Armenian enterprises handed over to
Russia under the property-for-debt agreement was the key issue
which was discussed on Wednesday [2 June] during a sitting of
the Armenian-Russian interparliamentary commission in Yerevan. The
members of the commission stressed the importance of developing these
enterprises. The main obstacle to the development of Armenian-Russian
economic relations – transport communications – was also the key issue
of the Yerevan meeting. The Armenian and Russian parliamentarians
suggested that the Armenian, Russian and Georgian leaders sign a
trilateral agreement and create a transport corridor.
[Correspondent over video of the meeting] The seventh session of
the Armenian-Russian interparliamentary commission discussed mainly
economic issues. We have trade relations, the commodity turnover
increased by 30 per cent last year. According to the assessments of
the commission’s co-chairmen, there are various issues of cooperation
in the regional small and medium-sized business sphere.
[Russian co-chairman of the commission Nikolay Ryzhkov, speaking in
Russian with Armenian voice-over] Yes, there are problems, first of
all there are discrepancies in legislation. The enterprises have been
handed over to the Russian side, but Armenian laws are valid there,
which is creating problems. There are also technical problems.
[National Assembly deputy chairman Vaan Ovanesyan] Transport
communications in our relations are not at a good level. Russia
has made serious investments in Armenia, especially in the aviation
sphere. At the same time, they do not ensure a qualitative improvement,
and I think that there is a lot to do for cooperation.
[Correspondent] Transport issues were also discussed separately
during the session. According to the sides’ assessments, the main
obstacle in this field is the closure of the Abkhaz railway section
which connects the two countries.
[Vaan Ovanesyan] It is known that Azerbaijan is pursuing a policy of
hindering Armenia’s participation in all the transport and economic
programmes of regional importance. But our partners have no such
problems. Armenia will finally join the programme on establishing
the Russian-Azerbaijani-Iran transit communications line, which was
first designed as a Russia-Armenia-Iran one.
[Correspondent] The agreement adopted at the end of the Yerevan
session of the interparliamentary commission envisages setting up
five working groups which will be engaged in economic, political,
educational-cultural international parliamentary organizations and
deal with interregional cooperation issues. They also suggested that
the Armenian, Russian and Georgian governments sign a trilateral
agreement on establishing a transport corridor. In order to develop
Armenian-Russian cooperation, the session also approved the decision
to set up an Armenian-Russian Business Cooperation Association. The
member of the Armenian National Assembly, Volodya Badalyan, was
elected chairman of the Armenian-Russian cooperation association.
The Armenian-Russian cooperation association will hold a session in
Moscow on 29 June.
Nune Aleksanyan and Susan Badalyan for “Aylur”.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

“NORTHERN AVENUE” RESIDENTS PROTESTING
A1 Plus | 15:58:04 | 03-06-2004 | Social |
Under the decisions made by Government, the process of destroying the
erections in Northern Avenue territory and paying indemnity for real
estate and ground areas of the residents has started.
Dwellers of Northern Avenue assembled in Journalists’ House to express
their protest. Their statement says a citizen is given $10.000 and
another one receives $80.000 for the same dwelling space.
According to the inhabitants, “Artin” LTD assessed the houses without
presence of dwellers. “Majority of compensations hasn’t yet been
given to residents who are unable to purchase new flats”.
Journalists were informed that “Northern Avenue” social organization
had been established to support the rights of citizens.
“We have decided to fight in legal or political ways, through
rallies. We will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights”,
Vachagan Hakobyan, Chair of “Northern Avenue” says.
Avetiq Ishkhanyan, Chair of Armenia’s Helsinki Committee, informed
they would support the newly-set up organization in any case.
Dwellers say Yerevan Architect-in-Chief Narek Sargssyan doesn’t reckon
with the standpoint of residents and does anything he wishes.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
06/02/2004
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) Council to Tackle Corruption in Armenia 2) Vermont Becomes 37th State to Recognize Armenian Genocide 3) Georgia, Russia at Odds over South Ossetia 4) ARS Marks Children's Day in Javakhk 5) UCLA Conference on Armenians in Iran Marks another Milestone 1) Council to Tackle Corruption in Armenia YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--The formation of a special commission to oversee the implementation of a government program to tackle rampant corruption in Armenia, was announced by President Robert Kocharian on Wednesday. The body, formally named the Council on Fighting Corruption, will be headed by Prime Minister Andranik Margarian and includes Justice Minister David Harutiunian, Prosecutor-General Aghvan Hovsepian, and Central Bank Chairman Tigran Sarkisian. The commission will coordinate the implementation of the government's anti-corruption program drawn up by a team of government experts last November. Funded by the World Bank, the three-year program contains legislative measures that would complicate endemic bribery, nepotism, and other corrupt practices. Kocharian's special anti-corruption adviser, Bagrat Yesayan warned last year that corruption in Armenia "has reached a point where it threatens our national security." Member of the ruling coalition government, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, of which Yesayan is a member, had for months been pushing for the creation of a body to deal with the problem. 2) Vermont Becomes 37th State to Recognize Armenian Genocide Governor James H. Douglas declares April 24, 2004, 'Armenian Martyrs Day' in Vermont MONTPELIER (ANC VT)--Vermont Governor James H. Douglas issued a proclamation last week on the 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, specifically marking April 24, 2004 "Armenian Martyrs Day," bringing the total number of states to have properly recognized this crime against humanity to 37. "I'm sure I speak not only for the Vermont Armenian community, but all Armenian in thanking Governor Douglas for honoring the memory of the victims of this terrible crime against humanity," said ANC Vermont activist Kohar Der Simonian. "We trust that this strong statement from the Governor will be acknowledged by the US Congress in its deliberation of the pending resolution on the Genocide Convention." In the months leading up to the proclamation, ANC Vermont members and activists, including Massachusetts State Republican Committeeman Bob Semonian, worked closely with the Governor's office, which was highly responsive to the community's concerns. Semonian spoke extensively to the Republican Governor during the National Governors Association conference held in Washington, DC in March 2004. He has since worked with local ANC activists in the effort to secure Armenian Genocide proclamations from a series of states across the country. The proclamation notes, "since 1915, April 24th of each year has been imprinted in the memory of the Armenian people worldwide, for it was then that the mass genocide of the Armenian people began in the Ottoman Turkish Empire." It goes on to cite the importance of marking this tragedy, stating that "recognition of the 89th anniversary of this genocide is crucial to guarding against the repetition of future genocide and educating people about the atrocities connected to these horrific events." On the federal level, Senators Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT) and James M. Jeffords (I-VT) are currently cosponsors of the Senate Genocide Resolution (S.Res.164), which commemorates the 15th anniversary of the US implementation of the UN Genocide Convention. The resolution cites the importance of remembering past crimes against humanity, including the Armenian Genocide, Holocaust, Cambodian and Rwandan genocides, in an effort to stop future atrocities. The corresponding House measure (H.Res.193), currently has 110 cosponsors and was unanimously carried by the House Judiciary Committee in May, 2003. 3) Georgia, Russia at Odds over South Ossetia (Civil.GE/Itar-Tass)--Tbilisi and Moscow exchanged strongly worded statements after the Georgian central authorities staged a show of force in the Ossetian conflict zone on May 31, marking rising tensions in Georgia's breakaway South Ossetian Republic. Russia warned that Tbilisi's "provocative steps" might lead "to extremely negative consequences" in the conflict zone. In a statement issued on June 1, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Georgia's central government would be held responsible in the event of further deterioration of the situation and "bloodshed" in the region. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow's concerns were triggered by the sending of Georgian troops into the conflict zone on May 31. The Georgian authorities justified the action, saying police checkpoints were set up in the area to help fight drug smuggling in the region. Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania on Wednesday slammed Russia saying that "the issue concerns the territory of Georgia and nobody can prevent the Georgian authorities from establishing order throughout the country." The Russian State Duma, meanwhile, issued a warning to the Georgia's leadership on Wednesday, and expressed alarm over what they described as the emergence of an explosive situation in the immediate proximity to the Russian state border. This situation, the State Duma said, "poses a threat to the security of many Russian citizens resident in the area of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict." The Russian lawmakers said Russia has the right and is obliged to take every action possible under the Constitution and the UN charter to protect their lives, health, and property. While expressing support for Georgia's "struggle against cross-border crime," they emphasized that "the need for such struggle cannot serve as an excuse for actions fraught with the risk of undermining the already strained situation and the full loss of confidence between the sides." "The introduction of commando units and troops of the Georgian Interior Ministry to South Ossetian territory on May 31 can be regarded in no way other than a show of force," Russian legislators said. 4) ARS Marks Children's Day in Javakhk YEREVAN (Yerkir)--Students of the mostly Armenian populated region of Javakhk in Georgia received prizes for their entries in the "I am Armenian" contest, sponsored by the Javakhk branch of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS). The grand prize went to secondary school student from Gandza Vahe Tangamanian, who was awarded the prize on International Children's Day celebrated on June 1. Parents and children praised the ARS at the awards ceremony for the society's various activities in the region. Marking Children's Day in Armenia, the ARS Mgro chapter and the Haybusak University Student Council, donated books, stationary, clothing and toys to the students of the boarding school for children with speech disabilities. "Such acts of charity are crucial for children who feel a need for caring and attention," said school Principal Varduhi Kheboyan in thanking the donors. 5) UCLA Conference on Armenians in Iran Marks another Milestone LOS ANGELES--The fourteenth in a series of international conferences devoted to historical Armenian cities and provinces, the conference on the Armenian communities of Iran was held on May 14-16. Sponsored by the Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian history at the University of California in Los Angeles, and organized by the holder of the chair, Professor Richard Hovannisian, the successful conference had a turnout of more than 1,000 people. The previous conference in this series, held last November, focused entirely on the community of New Julfa in Iran on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of its founding. The opening session on May 14 in the Glendale Presbyterian Church included lectures in Armenian on Saint Stepanos and Dzordzor monasteries, the Armenians of the Salmast region, and the life and works of Archbishop Melik-Tangian of Tabriz. The Saturday sessions on May 15 at the UCLA campus, included presentations that focused on the political, cultural, literary, economic, and social history of the Armenians of Iran or Persia. Sunday afternoon, May 16, included sessions in both Armenian and English, about the Gharadagh Armenian communities, the pioneering role of the Armenians in Iranian theater and cinema, and integration of Armenian Iranians in California. As in all previous conferences, an exhibit had been prepared by Richard and Anne Elbrecht, with the assistance of Setareh Mahdavi. The participants also enjoyed the hospitality of the Armenian Society of Los Angeles on Friday night and of Mr. and Mrs. Hacop and Hilda Baghdasarian of the Armenian Educational Foundation on Saturday night. With the curtains closing on this conference, Professor Richard Hovannisian, the tireless driving force behind the series, announced the next chapter to be unveiled. The fifteenth conference, devoted to the Armenians in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, will be held on November 6-7, 2004. It is a most timely event that will surely attract a large gathering of interested scholars and listeners. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2004 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Baghdasarian

“NATIONAL UNITY” HELD THE MEETING IN GAVAR
A1 Plus | 20:48:23 | 02-06-2004 | Politics |
Despite Police bans “National Unity” meeting with the electorate took
place in Gavar. Gavar Police head Manvel Shahinyan forbade reasoning
the party had no permit to hold the rally.
“National Unity” Chair Artashes Geghamyan referred to the statement
Robert Kocharyan made in Gyumri on June 1. Kocharyan had announced
Vazgen Sargssyan and Karen Demirchyan wouldn’t make attempts in
Strasburg to act against their state.
According to Geghamyan, Robert Kocharyan has no right to cite even
the names of the political figures killed on October 27.

MEETING IN ECHMIADZIN TOOK PLACE
A1 Plus | 20:18:03 | 02-06-2004 | Politics |
The meeting initiated by MP Hakob Hakobyan took place in
Echmiadzin. About 1500 people partook in the rally.
In his speech Mr. Hakobyan stated that Coalition is occupied with
distributing posts. He announced it’s necessary to ask President to
enter into a serious dialogue with Opposition.
This meeting was sanctioned and security of everyone was guaranteed.

* Argentinian ‘Galacticos’
* Nalbandian ends Kuerten’s love affair, Hewitt outwitted
* Argentinians’ day
* Nalbandian beats Kuerten at French Open
* Nalbandian downs Kuerten to reach semis
* Nalbandian, Gaudio Advance to French Open Semifinals (Update3)
***************************************************************************
Argentinian ‘Galacticos’
Agence France Press
June 3 2004
Nalbandian ousts Kuerten, Gaudio knocks out Hewitt to reach semis
PARIS: David Nalbandian and Gaston Gaudio joined compatriot Guillermo
Coria in the semifinals of the French Open yesterday to leave
Britain’s Tim Henman standing alone against the three-pronged
Argentinian assault on the Roland Garros title.
Nalbandian, the eighth seed, shattered Gustavo Kuerten’s dream of
becoming only the second man in history to win four French Open
singles crowns with a commanding 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) win over
the popular Brazilian.
Unseeded Gaudio reached his first ever Grand Slam sem-final by
outclassing Australian 12th seed Lleyton Hewitt, the former Wimbledon
and US Open winner, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
He will now face Nalbandian on Friday for a place in Sunday’s final,
guaranteeing an Argentinian in the title match-up, while third seeded
Coria, the overwhelming favourite, faces ninth-seed Henman.
Yesterday’s 3hr 07min quarterfinal proved to be just one too many
exertion for the 27-year-old Kuerten, who is still trying to
recapture the sort of form which took him to the 1997, 2001 and 2002
titles here before a hip operation threatened to send his career into
freefall.
But he had his chances squandering four set points in the fourth set
before going down to defeat after a tense tie-break where he had been
just a point away from levelling the tie against the 2002 Wimbledon
runner-up.
The 25-year-old Gaudio had never previously got beyond the last 16 of
any Grand Slam but yesterday he was in devastating form, never
allowing Hewitt to settle on a cold, blustery Philippe Chatrier
court.
“It was my childhood dream to win Roland Garros,” said Gaudio. “I
thought I would be more nervous playing in my first Grand Slam
quarterfinal but that wasn’t the case and it all worked out well.”
Hewitt, who had been bidding to become the first Australian winner
here since Rod Laver in 1969, believes the unheralded Gaudio has a
chance of the title.
“Coria is probably the best player on clay but Gaudio is not far
behind,” said Hewitt.
Coria, the third seed, reached the semifinals on Tuesday with a 7-5,
7-6 (7/3), 6-3 win over Spain’s 1998 winner Carlos Moya and will now
face the unpredictable Henman.
Henman became the first British player to reach the last four here
for 41 years and must beat red-hot favourite Coria if he is to become
the first Briton to make the final since 1937.
Henman, the ninth seed, clinched an easy 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 win over
Argentina’s Juan Ignacio Chela in his quarter-final. Mike Sangster,
back in 1963 was the last British man to get to the last four, and
should Henman overcome the formidable hurdle of hot favourite Coria,
he will be the first Briton in the final since Bunny Austin in 1937.
Fred Perry remains the only British man to have won the French Open
in 1935. Until this year, Henman’s best Grand Slam performances had
all come on grass at Wimbledon where he has been a semi-finalist four
times.
Furthermore, outside of Wimbledon, he had never got beyond the round
of 16 in any of the other three Grand Slam events and had never
survived the third round in Paris before.
But the 29-year-old, who started this tournament coming back from two
sets down in the first round against Cyril Saulnier and saved two
match points in his fourth round win over Michael Llodra,
served-and-volleyed his way into the history books in the Paris gloom
on Tuesday.
Coria’s win was his 47th in his last 49 matches on clay and gives him
the chance to go one better than last year at Roland Garros where he
lost his semifinal to Martin Verkerk of the Netherlands. – AFP
***************************************************************************
Nalbandian ends Kuerten’s love affair, Hewitt outwitted
Reuters
June 3 2004
PARIS, June 2: Gustavo Kuerten’s love affair with Roland Garros
turned sour on Wednesday as the three-time champion was upended in
the quarterfinals by Argentina’s David Nalbandian.
Kuerten has led a charmed life at the French Open since his unlikely
run to the first of his trio of titles in 1997, but his luck deserted
him on centre court as he fell 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6.
The Brazilian’s samba style was silenced. Instead the centre court
pulsed to the tune of the tango. Nalbandian joins compatriots Gaston
Gaudio and Guillermo Coria in the last four – the first time there
have been three Argentine semifinalists at a Grand Slam tournament.
Briton Tim Henman completes the line-up.
“It’s truly unbelievable,” Nalbandian said. Former world number one
Kuerten had never lost to a fellow South American in a grand slam
tournament but Nalbandian proved too solid from the baseline.
“Everybody knows what it means to me to play in this tournament,”
Kuerten said as he left the court. “I had a tough time today. “Today
he made me run a lot and I really suffered.”
In the day’s other quarterfinal, Lleyton Hewitt found that
unflinching determination and bottomless heart were insufficient as
his claycourt failings were exploited by Gaudio.
The resolve on which the Australian has built his career was of
little use against an Argentine master who ran rings round him on
centre court to reach the semifinals 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
“He was too good,” was Hewitt’s candid analysis. “Today I just lost
to a guy that was too good. “You know, he’s very good at any time,
but especially today he was able to get that ball back extremely
deep, so he didn’t give me a lot of chances to actually attack him
out there today. He’s a class player on this surface.”
For Gaudio, ranked 44th in the world, victory over the former
Wimbledon and US Open champion propelled him into his first Grand
Slam semifinal. “It has always been my dream to win this tournament,”
the 25-year-old said. “But there is a long way to go yet because the
two most difficult matches are yet to come.”
Coria faces Henman in the other semifinal. Coria comfortably saw off
Carlos Moya on Tuesday while Henman became the first British man in
more than 40 years to reach the French Open semifinals.
While Coria is the tournament favourite, Henman is a fast-court
player with four Wimbledon semifinals behind him. He had never
progressed beyond the fourth round of any grand slam tournament
outside of Wimbledon, and had never won more than two matches in any
of his nine previous visits here.
If Tuesday belonged to Henman, Wednesday was Nalbandian’s day. The
22-year-old barely put a foot wrong on a windswept centre court. Try
as Kuerten might, he was unable to repel the sturdy Argentine who
bombarded him with forehand after forehand, punching the ball deeper
and deeper into the corners.
Eventually Kuerten could resist no longer. Having failed to serve out
the fourth set despite holding three set points he allowed himself to
be overhauled in the tie-break to hand the eighth seed victory.
Henman sparkled as Tuesday’s daylight faded with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4
victory over Argentine claycourter Juan Ignacio Chela. His victory
was as impressive as it was unexpected, coming as it did on his least
favourite surface.
“I’ll settle for that,” Henman smiled. “I think, again as I’ve been
banging on about for some time, it’s about trying to play the right
way. “I really imposed my game from the start and never let him get
into a rhythm. But why stop here? I feel good about my game and I am
feeling in good shape.
I’m ready to come here on Friday and do it all again.” Coria, the
best clay courter so far this year, will be a huge mountain to climb.
The third seed beat Spanish former champion Carlos Moya 7-5, 7-6,
6-3.
Wednesday’s results (prefix number denotes seeding):
MEN’S SINGLES:
QUARTERFINALS: 8-David Nalbandian (Argentina) beat 28-Gustavo Kuerten
(Brazil) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6); Gaston Gaudio (Argentina) beat
12-Lleyton Hewitt (Australia) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Tuesday’s remaining results:
MEN’S SINGLES:
QUARTERFINALS: 9-Tim Henman (Britain) beat 22-Juan Ignacio Chela
(Argentina) 6-2, 6-4, 6-4; 3-Guillermo Coria (Argentina) beat
5-Carlos Moya (Spain) 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3. -Reuters
***************************************************************************
Argentinians’ day
Associated Press
June 3 2004
(AP)
3 June 2004
PARIS – Gustavo Kuerten’s bid for a fourth French Open title was
ended yesterday by David Nalbandian, who won 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6)
to give Argentina three men’s semifinalists.
Kuerten failed to convert four set points in the fourth set,
squandered a 5-2 lead in the tiebreaker and sailed a forehand long on
match point.
The No. 8-seeded Nalbandian’s opponent in the semifinals tomorrow
will be unseeded compatriot Gaston Gaudio, who beat No. 12 Lleyton
Hewitt 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
No. 3 Guillermo Coria of Argentina will play No. 9 Tim Henman of
Britain in the other semifinal.
Spain had three men’s semifinalists at Roland Garros two years ago.
But Argentina has never before advanced more than two men as far as
the quarterfinals in a Grand Slam event.
“This is like a history event – an unbelievable week,” Gaudio said.
“Maybe an Argentinian guy is going to take the final, and it’s going
to be like a dream.”
Paola Suarez of Argentina is in the women’s final four and will face
Elena Dementieva today.
Playing in the first Grand Slam quarterfinal of his career, the
25-year-old Gaudio rose to the occasion with a nearly flawless
performance.
“I thought I was going to be really nervous,” Gaudio said. “But, in
fact, I was not at all.”
His biggest stumble came in the second game of the final set, when he
slipped and fell chasing a shot and scraped his knee on the clay.
Blood still trickled down his shin after the match, but his strokes
were unaffected.
The baseliner finished with 27 winners and just 19 errors, and he won
20 of 21 points at the net, playing serve-and-volley to close out two
games.
“He was too good,” said Hewitt, who was seeded 12th.
“He’s very confident at the moment, especially on this surface, and
his movements are as good as anyone on this surface.”
***************************************************************************
Nalbandian beats Kuerten at French Open
(Agencies)
China Daily
June 3 2004
Updated: 2004-06-03 09:16
Gustavo Kuerten’s bid for a fourth French Open title ended Wednesday
when David Nalbandian won 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6) to give Argentina
three men’s semifinalist.
David Nalbandian of Argentina reacts after defeating Gustavo Kuerten
of Brazil in their quarterfinal match of the French Open tennis
tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Wednesday, June 2,
2004. Nalbandian won 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6. [AP]
Kuerten failed to convert four set points in the final set,
squandered a 5-2 lead in the tiebreaker and sailed a forehand long on
match point.
The No. 8-seeded Nalbandian’s opponent in the semifinals Friday will
be unseeded compatriot Gaston Gaudio, who beat No. 12 Lleyton Hewitt
6-3, 6-2, 6-2. No. 3 Guillermo Coria of Argentina will play No. 9 Tim
Henman of Britain in the other semifinal.
“It’s incredible for Argentina,” Nalbandian said. “For us it’s not
normal. It’s the first time, so it’s something special.”
Spain had three men’s semifinalists at Roland Garros two years ago.
But Argentina has never before advanced more than two men as far as
the quarterfinals in a Grand Slam event.
“This is like a history event — an unbelievable week,” Gaudio said.
“Maybe an Argentinian guy is going to take the final, and it’s going
to be like a dream.”
Gaudio, Nalbandian and Coria all hope to become the first Argentine
to win a major men’s title since Guillermo Vilas won the 1979
Australian Open.
Paola Suarez of Argentina is in the women’s final four and will face
Elena Dementieva on Thursday. The other match will be between 2001
champion Jennifer Capriati, who beat Serena Williams on Tuesday, and
No. 6-seeded Anastasia Myskina, who upset Venus Williams.
Kuerten has been a favorite in Paris since winning the first of his
three Roland Garros titles in 1997, and the Brazilian captivated
French Open fans with this year’s surprising run to the
quarterfinals.
Seeded only 28th and nursing a chronically sore hip, he engaged
Nalbandian in grinding rallies for more than three hours. But Kuerten
was hampered by his hip, requiring treatment from a trainer several
times, and Nalbandian played better on the biggest points.
“He made me run a lot,” Kuerten said. “Today I suffered a lot on the
court. I had a very tough time.”
Kuerten lost his serve three times in the third set, including the
final game. Serving at 4-5, 30-all, he hit a forehand barely long.
The umpire climbed down from his chair to confirm the call in
consultation with a line judge.
On the next point, Kuerten sprinted into the corner to hit a backhand
and slipped and fell. Nalbandian hit a forehand into the open court
to close out the set, and Kuerten limped to his chair, tossing his
racket at it in frustration.
Fans hoping for a Kuerten comeback kept waving Brazilian flags and
singing his nickname: Guga. But he missed repeated chances in the
final set to even the match against Nalbandian.
“By just a little bit it escaped from my hands,” Kuerten said. “He
was able to play pretty well in the right time, and that was probably
the difference.”
Nalbandian erased a set point serving at 3-5, overcame two more in
the next game to break Kuerten, then broke again to reach 6-6.
In the tiebreaker, Kuerten played serve-and-volley — a rare tactic
for him — and put away a shot at the net for a 6-5 lead. But
Nalbandian erased another set point with a forehand winner, and
consecutive errors by Kuerten gave Argentina yet another victory at
Roland Garros.
The crowd gave Nalbandian a warm ovation, then raised the decibel
level when Kuerten took a curtain call.
“The fans were fantastic,” Nalbandian said. “It’s normal that they
rooted for Guga because of what he represents to Paris.”
Playing in the first Grand Slam quarterfinal of his career, the
25-year-old Gaudio rose to the occasion with a nearly flawless
performance.
“I thought I was going to be really nervous,” Gaudio said. “But, in
fact, I was not at all.”
His biggest stumble came in the second game of the final set, when he
slipped and fell chasing a shot and scraped his knee on the clay.
Blood still trickled down his shin after the match, but his strokes
were unaffected. The baseliner finished with 27 winners and just 19
errors, and he won 20 of 21 points at the net, playing
serve-and-volley to close out two games.
“He was too good,” said Hewitt, who was seeded 12th. “He’s very
confident at the moment, especially on this surface, and his
movements are as good as anyone on this surface.”
Gaudio won 11 consecutive points early in the second set to take
control and needed less than two hours to complete the victory. He
improved his career record in major events to 20-20.
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Nalbandian downs Kuerten to reach semis
The News, PAkistan
June 3 2004
PARIS: Eighth seed David Nalbandian shattered Gustavo Kuerten’s
dreams of winning a fourth French Open title with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4,
7-6 (8/6) win on Wednesday that made him the third Argentine to make
the semi-finals of the men’s singles.
Nalbandian, Wimbledon runner-up in 2002, will now take on countryman
Gaston Gaudio for a place in the final while third seed Guillermo
Coria will face Britain’s Tim Henman.
The 3-hour quarter-final proved to be just one too many exertion for
the 27-year-old Kuerten. But he had his chances in this match
squandering four set points in the fourth set before going down to
defeat after a tense tiebreak where he had been just a point away
from levelling the tie.
Nalbandian and Kuerten exchanged breaks in the first two games of the
opening set but it was Nalbandian who was to dominate breaking serve
on two more occasions to lead 5-2. He took the set after 39 minutes
with an ace, just as he had wrapped up the three sets he won in his
fourth round victory against Russia’s Marat Safin.
But spurred on by passionate support inside his beloved Philippe
Chatrier court, Kuerten soon found his range and his artillery of
whipped backhands, flat forehands and sweetly-timed drop shots was
enough to level the match after 78 minutes. To his credit, Nalbandian
overcame losing his first service game of the third set to take a 4-1
lead.
Back came Kuerten to level at 4-4 before Nalbandian carved out a set
point in the tenth game when the Brazilian hit a fraction long. A
cross-court forehand, which left Kuerten scrambling, gave the
Argentine the edge again as he took the third set after exactly two
hours. Kuerten again broke in the opening game of the fourth set and
held to lead 2-0 as his confident touch around the court returned,
illustrated when he matched an exquisite Nalbandian drop shot with
one even more subtle to win the opening point of the ninth game. But
the Argentine wasn’t able to capitalise on his hard work handing the
break straight back to Kuerten to lead 6-5 before fighting back to
take the set to a tiebreak.
Kuerten struck first with a fierce, cross-court drive, which left
Nalbandian wrong- footed as the Brazilian took a 5-2 lead before his
opponent rallied to 5-5. Nalbandian saved another set point at 5-6
before he went to match point off a Kuerten netted return and
clinched the tie and a place in the last four when Kuerten hit a
return wide.
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Nalbandian, Gaudio Advance to French Open Semifinals (Update3)
Bloomberg
June 3 2004
June 2 (Bloomberg) — David Nalbandian became the third Argentine to
reach the semifinals of tennis’s French Open with a four-set victory
over three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten.
The 2002 Wimbledon finalist will face unseeded countryman Gaston
Gaudio, who beat Lleyton Hewitt to advance to his first Grand Slam
semifinal.
Nalbandian, Gaudio and Guillermo Coria, who plays Britain’s Tim
Henman in the last four, are vying to become the first Argentine
since Guillermo Vilas in 1977 to win on the clay courts of Roland
Garros in Paris. Paola Suarez, also of Argentina, is in the women’s
semifinals.
“At this stage of the competition there are no more favorites,”
Nalbandian told France Television. “Anyone can win.”
Nalbandian, who had never been beyond the third round at the second
Grand Slam of the year in two prior visits, reached the quarterfinals
of the Australian Open in January and was a semifinalist at the U.S.
Open in 2003.
After the pair split the opening sets today, the 22-year-old
capitalized on a stumble by his Brazilian opponent at 5-4 to punch a
volley home and take the third set.
Kuerten, seeded 28th, let slip two set points that allowed Nalbandian
to pull level at 5-5 in the fourth set. Nalbandian opened the 11th
game with two double faults and Kuerten converted the second of two
break points to lead 6-5 before he lost his serve to set up a
tiebreak.
Crowd Support
After three hours and six minutes, Nalbandian took the tiebreak 8-6
for a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 victory. Kuerten, whose preparation was
curtailed by a hip injury, made 68 errors to Nalbandian’s 46.
“The great support from the crowd helped lift me and helped me bear
the pain from my hip, but today I was made to run a lot and I
couldn’t quite make it,” Kuerten, 27, said. “It was still a
fabulous tournament for me.”
Gaudio needed less than two hours to dispose of 12th seed and former
world No. 1 Hewitt 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. The 25-year-old had never advanced
beyond the fourth round at one of the four majors.
Gaudio, who had five-set victories in the first two rounds, is 44th
in the world rankings and won two ATP Tour singles titles in eight
years as a professional. Even though clay is his favorite surface,
his previous best showing in five appearances at Roland Garros was
reaching the fourth round in 2002.
Title Dream
“I thought I’d be really nervous but not at all; everything went
great,” said Gaudio, seeking to become the first unseeded winner
since Kuerten in 1997. “To win the French Open is a childhood dream.
Now I have to believe I can do it.”
Gaudio has now beaten Hewitt, the 2001 U.S. Open winner and 2002
Wimbledon champion, in three of five encounters. Hewitt made 43
unforced errors, while Gaudio made 19.
“He was just too good,” Hewitt said. “Coria is probably the best
on clay right now, but Gaudio’s not far behind.”
While Nalbandian’s match with Gaudio will see a face-off between
baseline players, Friday’s semifinal between ninth seed Henman and
No. 5 Coria pits a serve-volleyer against a clay-court specialist.
Henman, 29, may be the first Briton to reach the French final since
Bunny Austin in 1937 and the first to lift the title since Fred Perry
in 1935. Yannick Noah, in 1983, was the last serve-volley player to
win the French Open.
Coria, 22, reached the semifinals last year and lost one of his last
37 matches on clay. Coria is rated a 1/6 bet to reach the final at
U.K. bookmaker William Hill, with Henman a 7/2 shot. Henman was 100-1
at the start of the competition.
“He is the player to beat in this tournament, the player to beat on
clay,” Henman said. “I am just excited to have the opportunity.”
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