NATIONAL TEAMS OF ARMENIA LEFT OUT UEFA CUP TOURNAMENT

YEREVAN, JULY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The return games of the qualification
first tour of the UEFA Cup Tournament were held on July 27. “Banants”
was defeated by the Georgian “Ameri” in Yerevan with a score of 1 to
2, and “Mika” was deafeated by the “Young Boys” in Bern with a score
of 0:1. As a result of the two games both Armenian teams were left out
the further competition.

IMF-RA NA COOPERATION TO CONTINUE

YEREVAN, JULY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. RA National Assembly is ready to search
for new ways of cooperation with the International Monetary Fund
(IMF). RA NA Speaker Tigran Torosian declared this on July 27,
receiving IMF Resident Representative James McHugh finishing his
mission in Armenia and IMF new Representative Nienke A.Oomes.
T.Torosian expressing gratitude to J.McHugh for the active work in the
previous years, stressed the contribution of IMF and its
representatives to the economic achievements of Armenia. NA Speaker
also expressed the hope that the efficient cooperation will also
continue with new IMF Representative Nienke A.Oomes. Referring to the
experience of post-Soviet countries, T.Torosian said that in the first
years of the independence economic reforms, formation of free economic
relations and free market were mainly considered as important, but in
the course of time it became obvious that the political reforms are
brought to the forefront and their delay can impede economic
development and progress.
J.McHugh said that IMF mission will arrive in Armenia in September to
study the latest developments and execution of the events. He
positively estimated the two-year reforms and said that henceforth IMF
will also suggest its approaches for the Armenian government to make a
choice. He also said that IMF supports CBA’s policy of appreciation of
nominal value of national currency understanding all difficulties
caused by great inflow of foreign currency to Armenia.
As NT was informed from NA Public Relations Department, mentioning the
direct connection betweeen the tax-customs policy and appreciation of
nominal value of national currency, the sides expressed readiness to
find joint solutions.

ARKADY GHUKASIAN AND HASMIK POGHOSIAN DISCUSS ISSUES OF EXTENSION OF
RA-NKR COOPERATION IN SPHERE OF CULTURE

STEPANAKERT, JULY 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Issues relating
to cooperation in the sphere of culture between two Armenian republics
were discussed at the July 26 meeting of RA Minister of Culture and
Youth Affairs Hasmik Poghosian and NKR President Arkady Ghukasian.
During the conversation with participation of NKR Minister of
Education, Culture and Sport Kamo Atayan, Hasmik Poghosian said that
closely cooperating with Artsakh partners, the ministry headed by her
studies issues of founding branches of Armenian higher education
institutions of cultural sphere in NKR and supporting libraries and
music schools, as well as a number of large programs regarding Artsakh
youth.
As NT was informed by NKR President’s Acting Spokesperson, among the
problems of the sphere Arkady Ghukasian singled out those regarding
improvement of the building conditions of Stepanakert theater and
issues of restoration of Shoushi centers having historic-cultural
values. The President also attached importance to the role of culture
in NKR and expressed gratitude to the guests for their readiness to
support Artsakh.

VARDAN PETROSIAN IS IN YEREVAN AND AGAIN WITH NEW PERFORMANCE

YEREVAN, JULY 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Actor Vardan
Petrosian residing in Paris is again in Yerevan and since July 24 he
has been performing a new program, “What to Do?” at K.Stanislavski
Russian Dramatic Theater.
“In the performance “What to Do?” I do not want to give instructions
what should be done indeed, but I want to make a spiritual advance in
the people,” Vardan Petrosian said at the July 28 weeting with
journalists at the Hayeli (Mirror) club. In his words, his new
performance is the logical continuation of the “Ascent.” What I wanted
to say as if remained incomplete after the “Ascent” and this is
natural, as the subject of the Genocide occupies a great place in our
history,” he emphasized.
The actor said that by means of the performance he tries to take such
facts out of history that were not touched upon before. In his
performance “What to Do?” V.Petrosian also touches upon the role of
the great powers, which, as he said, have a great “contribution” to
the misfortune of the Armenian people. “Making a historical excursus,
I once more prove that foreigners remain foreigners. And our people
won only when it pinned its hopes on the God and on itself.”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

VLADIMIR KARAPETIAN: AZERBAIJAN STILL SUFFERS FROM MYTHS CREATED BY ITSELF

YEREVAN, JULY 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The Azerbaijani side
still suffers from the myths created by itself. Nobody, except
themselves, not only fails to believe them but also to treat them
seriously. Vladimir Karapetian, deputy press secretary of the RA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made such a statement, commenting, at the
request of the “Haylur” information program of the Public Television
of Armenia, on the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov’s
specific estimations given to the settlement process of the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict.
“Listening to the minister, I get an impression that he speaks about a
process that has nothing to do with him,” mentioned Vladimir
Karapetian.
“The sooner they get rid of such illusions, the sooner it will be
possible to establish stability and an atmosphere of mutual confidence
in the region”, the spoksperson of the Foreign Ministry of Armenia was
quoted as saying.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
07/28/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1. Sen. Reed Presses Rice For Answers on Evans Firing; Hoagland Nomination 2. Turkish Court Rejects Lawsuit Against 'Pro-Armenian' Writer 3. Bryza Arrives in Armenia 4. ARF Juniors Begin Armenia Pilgrimage 5. Nevada ANC-PAC Supporters Honor US Senator John Ensign 6. House Adopts Amendment Blocking US Subsidy for Railroad Bypass 1. Sen. Reed Presses Rice For Answers on Evans Firing; Hoagland Nomination WASHINGTON--Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) has indicated that he is not prepared to support the nomination of Richard Hoagland as US Ambassador to Armenia until he receives meaningful responses to a series of questions--including several specific inquiries concerning the firing of the current Ambassador John Evans, reported the Armenian National Committee of America. In a July 26 letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Senator Reed explained that he is "concerned that Ambassador Evans is being forced to resign prematurely." He stressed that he is "particularly troubled" by reports that he is being recalled because he properly characterized the Armenian Genocide as a genocide. "Had the term genocide been coined in the early 1900s, it would have been used to accurately describe the situation," added the senior Senator from Rhode Island. In closing, Senator Reed asserted that he would not be prepared to support the nomination of a new ambassador to Armenia until he understands the answers to the following questions: 1. Why is Ambassador Evans being replaced a year before the end of the customary three-year ambassador term? If he resigned, why would the State Department accept the resignation of a truly dedicated individual who is highly respected by the Armenian community? 2. Has the President or State Department directed, either through written or oral means, Executive Branch personnel not to use the word 'genocide' when referring to the atrocities waged against the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire? What is the justification for such a policy? 3. If it is the policy of the United States to not characterize the systematic killing of over 1.5 million Armenians as genocide, please elaborate on why these events do not meet the definitions of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. 4. During Ambassador Richard Hoagland's confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, regarding the Armenian genocide he stated "I simply have studied the president's policy. I've studied the background papers on the policy, and my responsibility is to support the President." What do the background papers say regarding the Armenian Genocide? I respectfully request a copy of these background papers so I can better understand the President's policy. If that is not possible, I would like to know why. 5. A recent press report outlined Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza as saying the following regarding Ambassador Evans, "Ambassadors serve the President and should follow his policy. President George Bush's policy on the mass killings of Armenians is very clear, as he points out in his annual addresses. If someone disagrees with it, they are at liberty to make their own decisions, but these should not be divulged. Certainly, our job is also to advise him, but we must support his policy when it comes to public statements." This reporting indicates that Ambassador Evans was asked to resign based on this prior statements regarding the Armenian genocide. If this is not the case, would you explain the statement by Mr. Bryza and its relation to Ambassador Evans?" Sen. Reed is the latest Member of Congress to express concern about the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of Amb. Evans and the State Department's policy on the Armenian Genocide. To date, half of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including Senators George Allen (R-Va.), Ranking Member Joseph Biden (D-Del.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), Russell Feingold (D-Wisc.),John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.), have already contacted Secretary Rice or questioned Ambassador Designate Hoagland directly regarding these issues. Over sixty members of the House have also expressed concerns to the State Department, with responses side-stepping the core issues. On July 18, the ANCA issued a statement opposing the Hoagland nomination, following several responses to Senate inquiries where the Ambassador Designate denied the Armenian Genocide. 2. Turkish Court Rejects Lawsuit Against 'Pro-Armenian' Writer ANKARA (Associated Press)--A Turkish court on Friday dropped a lawsuit against novelist Orhan Pamuk, rejecting a compensation demand by nationalists from the author for claiming that Turkey had killed more than 1 million Armenians and more than 30,000 Kurds. Nationalist lawyer Kemal Kerincsiz and five other nationalists were seeking 6,000 Turkish Lira ($4,500) each from Pamuk accusing him of "insulting, humiliating and making false accusations." Pamuk was quoted as telling a Swiss newspaper that: "Thirty-thousand Kurds and 1 million Armenians were killed in these lands, and nobody but me dares to talk about it." Kerincsiz had instigated an earlier high-profile court case against Pamuk for the same comments, but those charges were dropped earlier this year, under harsh criticism from the European Union, which Turkey hopes to join. Turkey, however, is still trying dozens of journalists or authors for their writings or speeches. The prosecutor's office on Friday formally opened a lawsuit against a University of Arizona assistant professor on charges of "insulting Turkishness." The case against Elif Safak, a Turkish citizen, was opened after a court approved the indictment. The case was also initiated by Kerincsiz. Safak will stand trial because of the words uttered by fictional Armenian characters in her novel "The Bastard of Istanbul" - a book she wrote while she was living in Tucson, Arizona. In the book, an Armenian character refers to "Turkish butchers." No trial date was set. 3. Bryza Arrives in Armenia YEREVAN (Armenpress)--The US co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group Matthew Bryza was scheduled to arrive in Armenia Saturday and leave for a visit to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on the same day. A US embassy official informed Armenpress that during his regional visit the co-chairman will first visit Yerevan from where he will leave for Stepanakert and return back on Sunday. He will leave for Baku Monday. During his visit, Bryza will meet with the Armenian President Robert Kocharian, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Karabakh President Arkady Ghoukassian. At the meetings they will discuss current developments in the Karabakh conflict regulation process./ 4. ARF Juniors Begin Armenia Pilgrimage YEREVAN (Yerkir)--The opening ceremony of the first ever ARF Junior Organization's (Badanegan) Armenia Pilgrimage was scheduled to take place Saturday at the Yerablur national cemetery with more than 150 participants from nine countries. This annual event will last through August 5 and the juniors will stay at Aghavnadzor and make trips to different regions in Armenia. Speaking at a news conference at the ARF Bureau headquarters Program Director Tatul Harutiunian said the program's goal is educational. The slogan of the program is "Armenia is my Homeland." He noted that the program will strengthen relation between the Homeland and the Diaspora. Juniors from Armenia, Javakhk and Nagorno-Karabakh Republic will also participate in the program. Saro Ter-Petrosian, the head of the Canadian delegation, said when selecting the participants, they have chosen those who had never been in Armenia before. Harutiunian said that a larger number of participants was expected, but the current crisis in Lebanon prevented many from attending. 5. Nevada ANC-PAC Supporters Honor US Senator John Ensign LAS VEGASSupporters of the State of Nevada's largest Armenian American public affairs organization hosted a fundraising event for the reelection of United States Senator John Ensign on Friday, July 21. A dinner-reception honoring the Senator was hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Zaruhi Gulbenkian. Mr. Gulbenkian, who serves as a Board Member of the Nevada ANCA Chapter, was joined by over fifty local community members in supporting Senator Ensign's campaign. The Nevada legislator is the Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Steering Committee, the group that shapes the party's legislative agenda. On behalf of the Armenian National Committee-Political Action Committee, Ara Bedrosian presented Senator Ensign with the Nevada ANCA Freedom Award in recognition of his leadership in advancing the cause of human rights and genocide recognition. The Senator was commended by a number of Nevada Armenian leaders for his outstanding advocacy on behalf of the growing Armenian-American community in the state. Bedrosian, a Los Angeles based lawyer, formerly served as a Congressional aide in Washington to Republican members of Congress. "Since his election to the US Senate in 2000, Senator Ensign has twice drafted and authored resolutions that reaffirm the commitment of the American people to recognizing the Armenian Genocide and to ensuring that its lessons are applied in preventing future crimes against humanity. No other Senator, since Bob Dole, has twice authored such Genocide resolutions," stated Hriyr Dadaian, Las Vegas ANCA Board Member. "John Ensign is our community's best friend, his leadership on human rights issues is deeply appreciated, not only by Armenian Americans in Nevada, but by Armenians throughout the country," Dadaian added. 6. House Adopts Amendment Blocking US Subsidy for Railroad Bypass WASHINGTONThe Armenian National Committee of America, this week, welcomed the adoption by the House of Representatives of an amendment to block US taxpayer funding for an unnecessary and costly proposed railroad between Turkey and Georgia that would, if built, circumvent Armenia and, in the process, undermine the economic viability of the existing Caucasus railroad route through Armenia. The amendment, spearheaded by Representatives Joe Crowley (D-NY), Ed Royce (R-CA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA), and adopted as part of the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2006, prohibits the Export-Import Bank from providing any assistance "to develop or promote any rail connections or railway-related connections that traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey, and that specifically exclude cities in Armenia." The measure was adopted unanimously by the House Financial Services Committee in June of this year. The Crowley Amendment is similar to the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act of 2006. This measure was introduced in both the House (H.R.3361), by Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and in the Senate (S 2461) by Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA). The House version has 85 cosponsors; the Senate version has been cosponsored by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD). Both measures stress that US policy should oppose the "The exclusion of Armenia from regional economic and commercial undertakings in the South Caucasus," noting that such actions "undermine the United States policy goal of promoting a stable and cooperative environment in the region." "We thank Congressman Crowley, his Financial Services Committee colleagues Ed Royce and Brad Sherman, as well as the authors of the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act - Joe Knollenberg, Frank Pallone and George Radanovich - for securing the adoption by the House of this measure protecting American taxpayers from subsidizing an ill-advised and over-priced railroad project that - at the insistence of Turkey and Azerbaijan - has been proposed solely for the purpose of excluding Armenia," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. In debate leading up to the adoption of the bill, Representatives Crowley, Knollenberg and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) each cited the importance of barring US funds from this ill-advised Caucasus venture which would exclude Armenia. Rep. Crowley noted that, "for over 10 years, Armenia has fought an illegal blockade imposed on them by the countries of Turkey and Azerbaijan. These two countries continually exclude Armenia from regional development... Exclusion of one country in regional projects only fosters instability. Having Export-Import Bank support a railway project which excludes Armenia is not the way to include all countries in regional development." Rep. Knollenberg noted that "the design for the new rail line defies logistical and geographical logic, and intends to prevent future economic development from reaching Armenia. The proposed rail link would cost between $400 million and $800 million and would take years to construct, even though a perfectly workable rail link that goes through the city of Gyumri, Armenia already exists and would be fully operational with a few minor repairs. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleagues on the House Financial Services Committee that included this provision into this bill and I urge support for passage of H.R. 5068." Rep. Maloney joined her House colleagues in noting that, "as a proud member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and the representative of a large and vibrant Armenian-American community, I support the provisions which would prohibit the Export-Import Bank from funding railroad projects in South Caucasus region that deliberately exclude Armenia." A proposed new Caucasus rail line - at the urging of Turkey and Azerbaijan - would circumvent Armenia. Promoters of the project have sought, even at the planning stages, to secure US financing for this undertaking, prompting Congressional supporters of regional peace and stability to preemptively block such attempts. In October of last year, the European Commission voiced official opposition to the proposed Caucasus railroad bypass of Armenia. A formal statement by the Commission's Directorate General for Transport and Energy noted that its construction was both unnecessary and inefficient in light of the existing railroad connecting Kars, Gyumri, and Tbilisi. The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is the official export credit agency of the United States. Ex-Im Bank's mission is to assist in financing the export of US goods and services to international markets. 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) 2006 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.

THIS IS 61st TIME BARONESS COX VISITS ARTSAKH

STEPANAKERT, JULY 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 27, the
delegation led by Vice-Speaker of Great Britain’s House of Lords,
Baroness Caroline Cox was received by NKR President Arkady Ghukasian.
NKR President congratulated Mrs Cox on the occasion of her 61st visit
to Artsakh and said that thanks to the traditional visits of “Cox
teams” consisting of representatives of British, American and European
public circles Artaskh has obtained many friends and supporters.
Baroness Cox in her turn informed the President about the program of
retraining of doctors and nurses in Artsakh within the framework of
the Himanitarian Aid: Strengthening of Confidence program headed by
her, as well as about her speech on destruction of khachkars
(cross-stones) in Nor Jugha by Azerbaijanis she made on July 21 this
year at the Great Britain’s House of Lords.
As NT was informed by the Acting Spokesperson for NKR President,
Arkady Ghukasian answered a number of questions of the guests about
current socio-economic sitution in NKR and prospects of its
development.

LEVON ARONIAN TO TAKE PART IN DORTMUND INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

YEREVAN, JULY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. A Men Chess Highest International
Tournament will start on July 29 in Dortmund, Germany. World Cup
Holder and World Olympic Champion Levon Aronian (Armenia) is among the
8 strongest participants. The tournament to be held in a circular
order will finish on August 6.

EXHIBITION OF ARMENIAN PAINTERS OPENS IN KRASNODAR

KRASNODAR, JULY 28, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Within the
framework of the Year of Armenia in Russia, an exhibition “Garden of
my soul..” of Armenian painters was opened in the Kovalenko Museum of
Art in the Krasnodar region of Russia on July 27. As the newspaper of
Armenians in Russia “Yerkramas” informs, the phrase of the title of
the exhibition is taken from the work “The Word coming from the depth
of heart” by Armenian poet and religious figure of the 10th century
Grigor Narekatsi.
The works by great painter of sea-scapes Ivan (Hovhannes) Ayvazovski
“The Foggy Morning,” “The Moon Night in the Crimea” and others opened
the layout. The works from the funds of the Kovalenko Museum of Art
of the Krasnodar region, private colections, collections of the
painters are also presented in the exhibition. Connoisseurs of art saw
works by famous Armenian painters Martiros Sarian, Dmitry Nalbandian,
Nikoghos Nikoghosian and the masters, whose life and creative work is
connected with the art and culture of the Krasnodar region Avetisian,
Shakhbazian, Amian, Arakelian.
Part of the exposition is dedicated to Georgy Petrosian, cellebrating
his 75th anniversary this year, whose creative work is connected with
Armenia as well as with Russia. Georgy Petrosian is a pupil of a
famous Soviet paiter Alpatov. In his works he depicts the nature of
Armenia, images of figures of the Armenian culture and history.
Works by modern painters of Armenia Elibekian, Abramian, Zakarian,
Maltsev and others, presented to the exhibition by the families
Khachatrian and Arakelian, continue the layout of the exhibition.
The exhibition will continue untill August 20.

LILIT MKRTCHIAN WINS IN THE FIFTH TOUR OF KRASNOTURINSK SUPPER TOURNAMENT

KRASNOTURINSK, JULY 28, NOYAN TAPAN. On July 29, Lilit Mkrtchian,
representative of Armenia, defeated Antuaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria)
with black in the fifth tour of the Ladies Chess International Supper
Tournament held in the city of Krasnoturinsk, Russian Federation. Now,
the Armenian chess-player shares the 3rd and the 7th places with 2,5
points.