ARMENIAN SOCCER TEAM GETS NEW FOREIGN COACH
By Emil Danielyan
Radio Liberty, Czech Republic
Aug. 16, 2006
The Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) named the new foreign coach
of the national soccer team on Wednesday less than a month before the
start of its qualifying campaign for the 2008 European Championship.
Ian Porterfield, a veteran British tactician, pledged to bring a
“good spirit” to the team as he was presented to the media after
signing an 18-month contract with the FFA. “I am looking forward to
working here over the next few months,” he said.
Ruben Hayrapetian, the federation chairman, said Porterfield was chosen
from a pool of about two dozen foreign specialists that showed interest
in the job. Hayrapetian said the 60-year-old Scot’s experience and
track record was decisive in the selection process. He refused to
disclose any financial details of the deal.
Porterfield managed the Scottish side Aberdeen in the late 1980s
and England’s reigning champions Chelsea in the early 1990s before
continuing his coaching career abroad. He has coached the national
teams of Zambia, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Trinidad and Tobago. His last
job was with one of South Korea’s leading football clubs.
Porterfield, who replaces Dutchman Henk Wisman, is the fifth foreigner
to take the helm of the Armenian team in the last four years. He
faces a daunting task of ending its protracted run of poor results
in the European qualifying competitions. He admitted having little
knowledge of the squad, saying that he last watched its games in 2003.
Armenia is presently only 104th in the worldwide rankings of national
teams that are issued by the game’s governing body, FIFA. It faces
Serbia, Belgium, Finland, Poland, Portugal, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan
in Group A of 2008 European Championship qualifying.
The Armenians will open their qualifying campaign against Belgium,
one of the group favorites, in Yerevan on September 6. Few believe
that they stand a chance of qualification.
The competition will see the first-ever games between Armenia and
Azerbaijan that are certain to arouse nationalistic passions in the
two countries locked in a bitter conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The
FFA wants the matches, tentatively scheduled for September 2007,
to be played in Baku and Yerevan. The Azerbaijani side, however,
is pushing for a neutral venue, saying that it can not guarantee the
security of Armenian players.
A final decision on the issue rests with UEFA, European football’s
governing body. It is expected to be announced later this year or
early next.

RULING PARTY AGAIN LINKED WITH ‘CRIMINAL ELEMENTS’
By Anna Saghabalian
Radio Liberty, Czech Republic
Aug. 16, 2006
The ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) faced on Wednesday more
opposition allegations that it is increasingly relying on “criminal
elements” to retain and bolster its strong presence in the government.
Representatives of leading Armenian opposition parties said at a
roundtable meeting in Yerevan that the recent influx of more wealthy
and influential individuals into the HHK bodes ill for the freedom
and fairness of the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
“Pro-government forces have, of course, used criminal elements
before,” said Stepan Zakarian of the opposition People’s Party of
Armenia (HZhK). “Now they are merging with those elements within the
framework of that party.”
“An attempt is being made to drive ideology out of the political
field,” he added.
“The political field is infested with criminal thinking, not to mention
criminal elements,” agreed Paruyr Hayrikian, a prominent Soviet-era
dissident and veteran politician who leads a smaller opposition party
called the National Self-Determination Union.
The statements echoed serious concern voiced by former parliament
speaker Artur Baghdasarian at the weekend about what he described as
a growing involvement of reputed crime figures in political processes
in Armenia. He was understood to refer to individuals that joined
the HHK this summer along with Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian.
Most of the new HHK recruits are wealthy businessmen reliant on
government connections. Some are notorious for their nicknames that
have long sullied their reputations. Their political and economic
clout is seen as an additional boost to the HHK’s plans to secure
victory in the 2007 elections.
Mher Shahgeldian, deputy chairman of Baghdasarian’s Orinats Yerkir
party, claimed that they represent an additional obstacle to
Armenia’s democratization. “We must fight against that,” he told
fellow oppositionists.
Hayrikian, who initiated the discussion, called for the creation of
a broad-based alliance of “ideology-carrying parties.” He said he is
“surprised” by the absence of representatives of another governing
party, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), among
roundtable participants.
Dashnaktsutyun leaders have repeatedly expressed concern at the
increased role of “apolitical elements” in government affairs. The
HZhK’s Zakarian warned that the nationalist party will risk being
“forced to serve those criminalized forces” if it fails to cooperate
with the Armenian opposition.

ZEYNALOV: KARS LOCAL AUTHORITIES HEAD STANDS BEHIND FORCES TRYING TO OPEN TURKEY-ARMENIA BORDER
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 16, 2006
“There are forces trying to achieve Turkey’s opening borders with
Armenia. Head of Kars local authorities Naib Alibayoglu stands behind
these forces,” Azerbaijani consul-general to Kars Hasan Zeynalov told
journalists, APA reports.
He said he had talks with Kars local authorities head for not bringing
up this issue.
“He has recently told the Armenian media he is making efforts to
achieve in opening Turkey-Armenia border. These forces are against
Turkey. But we do not fear the forces trying to break Turkey-Azerbaijan
friendship. The Turkish government’s official position is important
here,” the consul-general underlined.
Zeynalov also said they are trying to open Baku-Kars flight to makes
it easy for Azerbaijanis living in the area of the consulate to travel
to the home country.
“This flight is economically profitable and would ensure Azerbaijanis
living in Kars to have more information on truths about the country.
On the other hand, they can struggle against the forces aiming to break
the friendly relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan,” he said.

LEBANON: ETCHEGARAY ENDS VISIT, ALL MUST WORK TOGETHER
Agenzia Giornalistica Italia, Italy
Aug. 16, 2006
(AGI) – Vatican City, Aug 16 – Today, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray,
Emeritus President of the Papal Council of Justice and Peace, finished
his visit as a special envoy of the Pope in Lebanon, where he spoke
with the religious and political authorities to bring the concrete
and spiritual solidarity of Benedict XVI to “that population” and to
“all those who suffer in the Middle East”. The Holy See issued a press
release saying that the cardinal met the Lebanese President, the Prime
Minster and the Vice President of the Shia Higher Council on Monday
14, then paying homage to the Republic’s Grand Mufti, to the Metronite
Patriarch and visiting the Caritas main office in Lebanon. Yesterday,
for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Cardinal Etchegaray held
mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lebanon at Harissa, which was
attended by Cardinal Pierre Nasrallah Sfeir, Patriarch of Antioch of
the Maronites, and then visited a refugee centre at Haret Sakher and
met with the Catholicos of Armenians, Aram I. Before leaving Lebanon,
Etchegaray met the Maronite bishops in Bkerke’ and declared that the
truce made in recent days “must allow the deployment of all peace
forces”. The special papal envoy also said, “And thanks must go to
the various levels of national and international organisations which
worked obstinately to create a path for collaboration: nothing can
be left out.” The Cardinal said that the path is “long and steep”,
but that it is also a spiritual path. “No effort will hold if it
is not supported by the peace of spirits and hearts. Therefore we
have prayed in the Sanctuary of Harissa and the Lebanese people
also understood, as many attended it despite their troubles.” Only
“submission to God” can fight the evil “which holds men marked by
blind and suicidal violence”. Cardinal Etchegaray also said that
after the talks with the local religious and political authorities,
“I can say that Christians and Muslims are ready to do everything
necessary to rebuild the injured country together.” The Cardinal said
some words also for the refugees in southern Lebanon who try to find
their own lands and homes “often in tears”. “I ask that all government
and non-government institutions not slow down but rather intensify
the aids which will be necessary for a long time yet,” he said.

BAKU CAN ESTABLISH ITS OWN CENTER FOR ELECTRONIC MONITORING: INTERVIEW OF RASIM MUSABEKOV
Rasim Musabekov is an independent political analyst.
Regnum, Russia
Aug. 16, 2006
REGNUM: Mr. Musabekov, recently, following example of Radio liberty,
some Azerbaijani and foreign media have been speculating on the
subject of deploying a US radiolocator “in a Caucasian country for
monitoring a possible missile launch towards Europe.” The report
says that the distance to Iran should be as short as possible. Do
you think that taking into consideration close military relations
between Armenia and Russia and the fact that Georgia has no border
with Iran it really goes about Azerbaijan?
Radars in Azerbaijan have been deployed not now. We have already had
two radars deployed with the US assistance, one in the north, the
other one in the south. As for monitoring… Nowadays, it is carried
out by stationary radars only by some not very clever officers from
the Russian Army General Staff. Missile launches have been monitored
by satellites for a long time. Well, there are things that cannot be
detected by satellites, earlier they were registered by AWACS.
Though, deployment of an American radar for some other purposes is
not ruled out. However, in all the cases Azerbaijan has been quite
careful and prudent, and if there is need to construct something of
the kind, it will be our own center for electronic monitoring. If
the USA helps to establish it, they will gain an opportunity to use
the information received in the center.
REGNUM: Azerbaijan does already have such a center, quite a big one:
it is Darial station in Gabala, inherited by it from the USSR and
rented by Russia till 2012…
The situation with the Gabala radiolocation station is quite
different. It is managed by Russians, and according to an agreement,
they share the information with Azerbaijan. One should admit,
it is completely different from the two radiolocation systems, in
construction of which Americans assisted Azerbaijan. Our specialist
manage the stations and share the information with US experts.
REGNUM: Well, in 2012 the Gabala radiolocation system will be
handed over to Azerbaijan fully as well. According to the Kommersant
newspaper, Russia does not intend to prolong the contract, as the
station, which was constructed in 1985, in six years will exhaust
most of its potential. After completing construction of the more
effective Darial DM system of new generation at St. Petersburg,
Russian specialists will install it in the Russian part of Caucasus
Mountains…
No doubt, Russia would make a sensible decision. Why should they invest
in modernizing a radiolocation station in another country, where the
situation can change in an unpredictable direction, when they can
construct something on their own, which will be more effective, and,
moreover, they can place it in their territory? As for Azerbaijan,
it has at least six years for settling the problem with the Gabala
radiolocation station.

PORTERFIELD ACCEPTS ARMENIA CHALLENGE
uefa.com, Switzerland
Aug. 16, 2006
Armenia have appointed Scottish coach Ian Porterfield as the man to
lead them in UEFA EURO 2008~Y qualifying.
‘Very happy’
The 60-year-old replaces Henk Wisman who was relieved of his duties
earlier in the year. The former Chelsea FC manager has signed a
contract until the end of 2007 and will be responsible for Armenian
national teams at all levels. “I am very happy to be chosen by the
Football Federation of Armenia,” Porterfield said. “I am looking
forward to starting my work. I will use all my knowledge to get
positive results.” His first test comes on 6 September when Armenia
begin their UEFA EURO 2008~Y campaign against Belgium.
Much travelled
As a player, Porterfield hit the headlines with English club Sunderland
AFC by scoring the winning goal in the 1973 FA Cup final.
He began his coaching career with Sheffield United FC, but his most
high-profile appointments came at Aberdeen FC and Chelsea. He has
also led a number of national sides, including Zambia, Saudi Arabia,
Zimbabwe, Oman, and Trinidad and Tobago. His most recent spell as a
coach came with Korean club Busan I’Park.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MMA: PARISYAN LOOKING TO BRING “THE HEAT”
Miguel Lopez, Staff writer
Long Beach Press-Telegram, CA
Aug. 16, 2006
A win over Sanchez may mean a title shot.
Karo “The Heat” Parisyan finally got the break he wanted ever since
joining the Ultimate Fighting Championships in 2003, and after two
years of efforting, he was set to bring the heat to Matt Hughes for
the welterweight crown in Novermber of 2005.
Parisyan’s hard-working style helped build a 4-1 record, as he defeated
the likes of Matt Sera, Nick Diaz, Chris Lytle, David Strasser.
His only blemish came from Canadian powerhouse GeorgesSt. Pierre.
St. Pierre received the title shot against Hughes at UFC 50,
but failed.
Parisyan’s turn to battle Hughes came at UFC 56, but during training
for the match Parisyan injured his knee and sustained a tear in
his hamstring.
“I take one fight at a time, I don’t look past my opponent but I
do want my title shot,” Parisyan said. “I think about how I missed
my first chance at the 170 title. Matt Hughes got lucky that I was
injured because I was ready, but it wasn’t in God’s plan … it wasn’t
meant to be.”
Parisyan (15-3) returned to the Octagon once he was at fully recovered
from the injury and jumped back on the road to the welterweight
title. On Thursday night in UFC’s Ultimate Fight Night in Las Vegas,
which will be televised live on Spike TV, he will take a major step
in his path back to a title shot when he faces unbeaten Diego Sanchez
(17-0) in the main event.
“Diego matches up with me pretty well,” Parisyan said . “He pushes
the tempo and in my last few fights my opponents haven’t, so it will
be interesting. I don’t know what to exactly expect from him, but I
do have my gameplan ready.”
At UFC 59, Parisyan submitted Nick Thompson in the first round via
strikes in his first fight back from the leg injury, but the Hollywood
resident knows that Sanchez is a more well-rounded fighter that can
grapple well and can go hard for the full three rounds.
“I always train the same for each fight,” said the six time Junior
National Judo champion. “I rarely change my workouts but I did work on
my conditioning more this time than in my last fights and on wrestling
too. I trained a little with Randy Couture, brought in Tito Ortiz
too. I think that the better training partners you have, the bigger
partners you have the better you will be prepared for fight night.”
Parisyan was born in Armenia but his family immigrated to the U.S.
when he was at a young age. He feels he is fighting in the toughest
weight class not only in the UFC but also in any MMA organization.
“Today, the welterweight division is the toughest weight class in any
organization. In 185 pounds, Rich Franklin is there and I don’t think
anybody is getting past him. In 205, I don’t think anybody will beat
Chuck Liddell, “Babalu” (Renato Sobral) has a chance and will be a
tough opponent, but Chuck is the man. In the heavyweight division,
there is nobody who can beat Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski except
each other. But in 170, we have Hughes, St. Pierre, Diego, BJ Penn,
that can beat each other on any given day, and that’s not the case
with the other weights.”
Parisyan feels that there is no MMA organization that can compete
with the UFC’s welterweight.
“I haven’t paid much attention to PRIDE’s attempt to get its fighters
into UFC not because I don’t care, but because I don’t see PRIDE having
a solid welterweight fighter that can compete with UFC fighters. If
they do want to put it’s welterweights versus ours then we can show
them how good we are. But I am looking forward to the Chuck and
Wanderlei (Silva) fight.
“UFC fighters are the best, it has more talent and the fighters are
more vicious and people talk about PRIDE being the best, there are good
fighters, but other than its heavyweight division, which is stacked,
there is no other solid weight class.”

AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT MAY DISCUSS SOME OSCE MINSK GROUP PRINCIPLES
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 16, 2006
The OSCE Minsk Group’s some principles regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict may be discussed in the autumn session of Azerbaijani
parliament, parliament’s first vice-president, head of standing
commission for security and defense affairs Ziyafet Asgarov told
journalists, APA reports.
“The main principle for us is territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
This principle can be discussed,” Mr. Asgarov said.

TURAN MORALI: “SOME INT’L ORGANIZATIONS TRY TO HINDER REGIONAL PROJECTS NOT ATTENDED BY ARMENIA”
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Aug. 16, 2006
Some international organizations wants to put political and economic
obstacles in the implementation of regional projects not attended by
Armenia, Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan, Turan Morali, told APA.
“We see similar hindrances in Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars Railway
project. Azerbaijan and Turkey are capable of implementing this project
at their own charge. As the project interests Kazakhstan and China, the
implementation doesn’t need financing by international organizations”.
Mr. Morali stated that some privately-owned Turkish companies can
also be involved in the implementation of the project.

ARMENIANS MAY GAIN SENATE POWER
By Vince Lovato
Burbank Leader,CA
Aug. 16, 2006
Plan for caucus is long overdue, according to candidate for 43rd
district seat.
GLENDALE – A bipartisan group of legislators formed the Assembly
Armenian American Legislative Caucus on Monday, which they hope will
support and create legislation that benefits the state’s 700,000
Armenian Americans.
Co-founders Dario Frommer, a Democrat who represents Burbank and
Glendale, and Greg Aghazarian, a Republican who represents Stockton,
hope the state Senate will soon recognize the bi-partisan group.
“Our intent is for it to be a working caucus and a group of folks
who reach out and educate others,” said Frommer, Assembly majority
leader. “Here in California we have a large and vibrant Armenian
community, not just in my district, but in Fresno and other places,
and we want to bring those folks together.”
The Assembly also passed a resolution on Monday designating Sept. 21,
2006, as Armenian Independence Day.
The group is modeled after the 11-year-old Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues, which is 159 members strong, he said. The caucus has
pushed for American recognition of the Armenian Genocide and free-trade
issues with the 15-year-old former Soviet state, Frommer said.
Armenians have a century-old history in the state and they play a
role in shaping public policy at every level of government, Frommer
said. advertisement
California is the first state to form an Armenian caucus, said Savey
Tufenkian, a 30-year Glendale resident and member of the Armenian
Assembly of America.
“I think it’s wonderful and it’s about time,” Tufenkian said. “We
would like to be part of the whole community as Armenians. We want to
be recognized as a country and that our genocide should be recognized.
Though California has a trade office in Armenia, Tufenkian would
like to see an expansion of trade between the landlocked country and
the state.
“We need to do whatever is needed to improve the lives of Armenians,”
she said.
Such a caucus is long overdue, said Burbank Unified School Board member
Paul Krekorian, who won the Democrat primary for the 43rd District,
which Frommer will vacate this year because of term limits.
“I’ve been a little surprised that legislators who consider themselves
friends of the Armenian community did not create one like this years
ago,” he said. “But what matters to most to Armenians is the same that
matters to all Americans: Excellent public schools, good jobs, health
care for seniors and the opportunity to send their kids to college.”
California is home to the largest Armenian community in the United
States, Frommer said.
About 70,000 Armenian Americans – the largest concentration of
Armenians outside of Armenia – live in his district, Frommer said.