OSCE MG AMERICAN CO-CHAIR TO VISIT YEREVAN ON JULY 29
YEREVAN, JULY 19, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Matthew Bryza,
the American Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group on the settlement of
the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, will visit Yerevan on July 29. This
was reported by the Regnum information agency, which refers to the
Press Service of the Embassy of U.S. in Armenia.
The previous day Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadiarov
declared that Matthew Bryza will visit Yerevan and Baku “with some
new elements he wants to discuss.”

RA FM HOPES THAT KASPRCZIK’S REPORT WILL PUT END TO AZERBAIJAN’S
IRRESPONSIBLE AND ABSURD ASPERSIONS
YEREVAN, JULY 19, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Foreign Ministry
has received the report of Andrzej Kasprczik, Personal Representative
of OSCE Chairman-in-Office, on fires in areas adjacent to NKR. NT
was informed about it by Vladimir Karapetian, Acting Head of RA FM
Press and Information Department. “We hope it will put an end to
Azerbaijan’s irresponsible and absurd aspersions,” he emphasized.
To recap, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also reported that it has
received Kasprczik’s report and will comment upon it after studying it.

FOREIGN MINISTERS OF ARMENIA AND BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA DISCUSS ISSUES OF
BILATERAL AND INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE
SARAJEVO, JULY 19, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. RA Foreign Minister
Vartan Oskanian is in Bosnia and Herzegovina on a three-day official
visit. On July 18, he met with this country’s Foreign Minister
Mladen Ivanic.
According to the Press Service of RA Foreign Ministry, issues
of bilateral and international importance were discussed at the
meeting. It was mutually noted that relations between Armenia and
Bosnia and Herzegovina are at the stage of formation and there is
mutual interest in deepening economic cooperation, to which absence
of political disagreements between the countries contributes.
In this context the sides emphasized the necessity to create the
respective legal-contractual field between the two countries that will
promote deepening and activization of bilateral ties. The necessity to
prepare for signing some agreements being at the stage of coordination
was emphasized. They, in particular, attached importance to signing
of agreement on visits without visas for persons with diplomatic
and official passports.
The Ministers also touched upon the current situation in development
of Armenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Minister Ivanic presented
the course of overcoming difficulties on the way of development
of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the peaceful process that
started with the Dayton agreement. The sides exchanged opinions
on the European direction of the foreign policy of their countries,
presented relations with EU and NATO.
The Ministers highlighted the necessity to cooperate within the
framework of international organizations. Expediency of holding
cultural events for the purpose of developing cooperation in the
sphere of culture was also touched upon.
The Ministers presented each other the latest events in their regions.
Minister Oskanian briefly presented the current stage of Nagorno
Karabakh settlement.
Vartan Oskanian invited his counterpart to visit Armenia at any time
convenient for him. Then a joint press conference of the two Foreign
Ministers was held.

ARMENIAN TEAM’S FIRST RIVAL IS ESTONIAN TEAM AT DAVIS CUP TOURNAMENT
SARAJEVO, JULY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. The tournament of third sub-group
of Davis Cup started in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Sarajevo. The national teams of 8 countries have divided into
2 groups. Teams of Armenia, Andorra, Estonia and Lithuania were
included in the first group and of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova,
Monaco and Turkey in the second group. On July 19, the Armenian
national team (Sargis Sargsian, Hayk Zohranian and Haroutiun Sofian)
competes with the Estonian team.

7 ARMENIAN BOXERS TO PERFORM IN QUARTER-FINAL OF EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP
PLOVDIV, JULY 19, NOYAN TAPAN. 3 Armenian boxers performed on July
18 at European Boxing Championship being held in the Bulgarian city
of Plovdiv. Gevorg Tamazian (64 kg) defeated his rival and Gabriel
Tolmajian (54 kg) and Andranik Hakobian (75 kg) were defeated. So,
for the present, 7 out of 9 Armenian boxers have received the right
to take part in the quarter-final.
On July 19, Edgar Manukian’s (57 kg) and Artak Malumian’s (81 kg)
rivals will be representatives of RF, Samvel Matevosian’s (69 kg)
rival representative of the Ukraine and Hovhannes Danielian’s (48 kg)
of Azerbaijan.

DAYS OF ARMENIAN CULTURE TO BE HELD IN SLOVAKIA, AUSTRIA, HUNGARY AND CZECH REPUBLIC
BRATISLAVA, JULY 19, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On the initiative
of Ashot Grigorian, President of the Armenian community of Slovakia
and of the Armenian organizations’ representation of Europe, Days of
Armenian culture will be organized in Slovakia and in the countries
of Central Europe (Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic) from
September 2006 to January 2007. The events are dedicated to the 15th
anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia.
The opening of the Armenian days is planned in Bratislava in September.
Performers of classic and folk songs are invited to the opening
ceremony. They will also perform in Vienna and Budapest. Hasmik
Gabrielian, Armenian pianist from Slovakia and Michael Ziachek,
Slovak duduk and saxophone player, will also take part in the opening
ceremony.
The Philharmonic Orchestra of Armenia, with the participation of
famous Canadian Armenian pianist Catherine Manukian, which are invited
to the World Festival of Classic Music of Bratislava on October 3,
are also included in the program within the framework of days of
Armenian culture.
In November, the concerts of the world-famous “Komitas” string quartet
are envisaged in Vienna and in other cities. In December, on the
eve of Christmas, a concert will be held with the participation of
music stars of Slovakia and Austria. And on January 11, a concert
planned in the Big Hall of the State Philharmonia of Bratislava,
with the participation of world-famous Armenian musician, violinist
Sergey Khachatrian, will close the Days of Armenian culture in the
countries of Central Europe.
As Ashot Grigorian mentioned in the interview with the Noyan Tapan
correspondent, an agreement of cooperation is already gained with the
RA Minister of Culture and the World Armenian Congress. The Armenian
communities of Austria and Hungary will take part in the cultural days:
joint work with the community heads Hayk Asenbauer and Adam Sargsian
is underway. Heads and members of the National Council and Government
of Slovakia, diplomats, official guests from Armenia and European
countries will take part in the opening and closing ceremonies.
According to Ashot Grigorian, due to this event, these European
countries will get acquainted with the Armenian culture more closely,
which in its turn will promote the adoption of Armenian Genocide
resolutions in this countries’ parliaments. He mentioned that after
the adoption of the Armenian Genocide resolution by the National
Council of Slovakia, good preconditions have been created for the
adoption of such resolutions in the neighbor countries. In particular,
the parliament of Poland approved a respective resolution.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CHURCH IS BUILT IN STEPANAKERT
Lragir.am
20 July 06
We have learned that on July 22 the first stone will be laid in the
foundation of the cathedral of the Artsakh Diocese. High-ranking
guests, including the Catholicos of All Armenians will arrive in
Stepanakert on this occasion. Several years ago а sanctified vessel
was laid in the place of the October Cinema destroyed during the war,
marking the site where a church was going to be built. But the plans
changed, and they decided to build the church somewhere near the
town polyclinic. In order to build the church a number of buildings
will be pulled down, including the Lastochka Restaurant, which is
the favorite place of the people of Stepanakert.
Stepanakert lived without a church for many years. Soviet statistics
reports that Karabakh was the only place in the Soviet Union where
there was not an operating church since 1930, whereas there used to
be a small church in every village in Karabakh until 1930. They say
there was a big church in the place of the theatre of Stepanakert,
and the ancient church of Vararakn in the upper part of the town is
still in the territory of a place of entertainment.
Several months ago the construction of the first church in
Stepanakert began on Hekimyan Street. As a rule, churches are not
built arbitrarily, the place is specially chosen. The place of
the church of Stepanakert was chosen by the Primate of the Artsakh
Diocese. Population in this part of the town has increased, and they
need a place where they can pray God.
The church is built on the donation of an American benefactor who
made a pilgrimage to Artsakh and promised to build a church in Artsakh
and name it in memory of his son Hakob.
KARABAKHOPEN.COM
–Boundary_(ID_agrtoJz8D 9sj2XCBx/1AFw)–

“BELATED FOX” OR WHO AND WHERE IS GOING TO SEND “ARMORED TRAIN” OF REPUBLICANS
Lragir.am
20 July 06
More people are starting to realize that the criminal community
“reigning” for over a decade now under the flag of the “Karabakh
warlords” has led itself to the gibbet. Something is going on in the
“king’s family”.
The native criminal has started preparing its squad for the
political fancy dress party of 2007, which is usually referred to
as parliamentary election in Armenia. It is supposed that from this
ball the defense minister Serge Sargsyan wearing a “white jabot”
will pass to the ball of 2008. Just like in a fairy tale.
Armenia has already seen something like this, in 1998 or in 1999. The
Republican Party lent itself to the lords at that time, the army
oligarchy. Then the oligarchy flew and plunged to death. Instead,
one or two of the Republicans stayed next to the power summit. It
appeared interesting. And the political party was happy because already
nobody of the pioneers remained there by that time. Only those people
remained who adhered to the government camp. And they quickly started
accepting official-comrades.
Perhaps they are not mistaken to say that bad things are learned
fast. The Republican leadership could not even dream of such a
successful scheme. And they decided to try it out again. Especially
that there are a number of people who are eager to rent the
Republican “camouflage”. Probably, Andranik Margaryan and Galust
Sahakyan had a talk, and invited Tigran Torosyan too for the sake of
politeness (camouflageness) and recalled the good old days and past
adventures. There was no time to think hard, for there are traditions,
and they should act in accordance with these traditions.
They attracted Serge Sargsyan and his criminal corps. Perhaps they let
themselves for a song. They did not tell Serge of course what they
really thought. How they could say to him, “we will fly together,
and the borrower will plunge in any case”. And the cunning troika
will get on well with the president, the present or future, it does
not matter. And since Serge Sargsyan considers himself more than the
former defense minister Vazgen Sargsyan, they make him appear even
better to himself. Perhaps they also told him that they would make
him president if he could promote them as much as possible.
Serge Sargsyan and his corps have no place to go. He dreamt for a long
time that Robert Kocharyan would admit him and make him president. He
did not think out everything. He did not think that Robert Kocharyan
needed him as long as he served his government. Now that Robert
Kocharyan meets other problems and Serge Sargsyan has no role in the
settlement of these problems (he only hinders), he became a “fifth
wheel” and even began to disturb Kocharyan.
They say Kocharyan told him for a number of times but “his formerly
obedient boy” would not listen to him. He would not listen because
he is eager to rule and order the ball he arranged with a bleeding
heart and would not like to give it away. He is not a fool to “give
Armenia to Armenians”. Especially that this Armenia may become so
fragile without its ambitious father Kocharyan. Dream on!
It seems that severe Kocharyan already starts disliking seriously the
spoilt “errand boy’s” behavior. That is why he sent Vardan Oskanyan to
explain Serge in simple language that he should behave himself. Perhaps
he personally continues explaining to Serge who Republicans are and
why Armenia needs them. No way. The “boy” would not understand. He
even started going up to the Harsnakar to persuade Kocharyan from the
top of the hill how big and powerful he is. He went to Karabakh as
well. He even showed that he is Fouchet, and has files on everybody,
even on the father himself (this was already unnecessary, he should
not have done this, Daddy does not like such things). He also said
that the businessmen are with him, and he does not need money.
In fact, something is underway in the government camp. It seemed they
are experienced people, they saw a lot and said enough. But look how
narrow their thinking is. An ordinary citizen cannot understand how
a person can be so blind as to fail to notice everything around. But
Serge Sargsyan perhaps is not the most foolish and mean person. One
looks around and sees terrible faces. But processes have started in
the country that these figures are unable to understand. They led
themselves to a place where there is no way out. Therefore, they
are blind.
The government will stand this of course. They will promote whoever
they want, they will check out who needs to be checked out and will
send them to the famous place. Especially that the armored train of
the Republicans is ready. They only need to place wise Andranik at
the wheel to take this important transport back to the depot. How
will the citizens of Armenia benefit from this? People are tired
and they want to decide how to live. And all those “impostor lords”
would not realize that times have changed and they cannot act only
the way they want. They end up similarly as the others ended up not
long ago, who did not realize either that they need to walk with
time. For the armored train may turn over on the way. It is wrong
to make false conclusions looking only at the faces of Sadoyans and
Geghamyans. It is necessary to look around as well. Even Oskanyan
understood this. How about you, glorious guys in Karabakh camouflage?
MELIK AVANYAN
P.S. We congratulate Serge Sargsyan on his membership to the Republican
Party.

CIVIL MOVEMENT ASSEMBLY
Lragir.am
20 July 06
The guarantee of success of any movement is the work that is being
done, stated Vardan Khachatryan, the political secretary of the
Heritage Party, in a news conference July 20, with regard to the
civil movement initiated by the leaders of the National Democratic
Party and the Heritage Party, about which Vazgen Manukyan announced
several days ago. But before speaking about the prospects of the
movement Vardan Khachatryan said it is necessary to specify the
priorities of the movement.
“In this civil movement Raffi Hovannisian, Vardan Khachatryan, and
everyone else will act as individual citizens. It is a civil initiative
and cannot be connected with separate persons. And this movement has
adopted the model from home to home, from doorstep to doorstep from
brain to brain, from heart to heart,” says Vardan Khachatryan.
In other words, people who may have different ideas and approaches
but they all think that the society must have a serious, sustainable
civil foundation to have future, says Vardan Khachatryan, describing
the initiators and activists of the movement.
“These people will work within the circle of people around him,
expanding this circle, and if the movement is successful, if the first
hindrances are overcome, it will grow into an assembly, because we
think there must be a public assembly, involving 1000-1500 people,
who will represent Armenia, and the surge of the movement will proceed
along the same path of propaganda,” states Vardan Khachatryan.
According to him, judging by the preliminary plan, the civil assembly
will be held this fall. Vardan Khachatryan says the initiative of the
movement proceeded from the international experience. In particular,
the German model of establishing local Bundestags.
The political secretary of the Heritage Party says the civil movement
will resemble a Constitutional Assembly, a public assembly, which will
take place twice or three times a year and will attend to problems
and the situation without any ambitions.

ANCA CHALLENGES REP. BURTON’S ATTACK ON NAGORNO KARABAGH
Washington, DC, July 19. ArmInfo. The Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA) responded today to a July 17th speech on the House
floor by Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN) that seriously misrepresented
Nagorno Karabagh’s history, status, and right to self-determination.
ANCA reports that the Indiana legislator took to the House
floor yesterday in an apparent attempt to undermine the growing
Congressional support for Nagorno Karabagh – as demonstrated by the
successful recent Washington, DC visit and U.S. Capitol reception for
the Parliamentary Speaker and Foreign Minister of the Republic of
Nagorno Karabagh. Commenting on what he perceived as a pro-Nagorno
Karabagh tilt among U.S. legislators, Rep. Burton stressed that:
“Any outside influence, any shift in neutrality can only result in
a false peace. That is why I am deeply concerned when I hear some of
my colleagues throwing barbs at the Azeris and attempting to lay all
the blame for this complicated issue at their doorstep.”
In a factually incorrect statement, he sought to call into question
Nagorno Karabagh’s right to self-determination, asserting that:
“So far as I know, the Nagorno-Karabakh region has never been a part
of Armenia. To suggest otherwise, and to suggest that the problems
in Nagorno-Karabakh are caused solely by Azerbaijan seems to me to
distort the facts and potentially undermine our good faith efforts
to see this conflict resolved; and to see peace and prosperity come
to the people of both Azerbaijan and Armenia.”
In a three-page fact sheet sent to every Congressional office, the
ANCA challenged Congressman Burton’s inaccurate description of the
Nagorno Karabagh issue as well as the biased and counter-productive
advice he offered to his House colleagues. The key points addressed
in the ANCA document included:
1) Nagorno Karabagh’s commitment to peace
2) Azerbaijan’s threat to regional stability
3) Nagorno Karabagh’s economic growth
4) Nagorno Karabagh’s right to self-determination
5) Nagorno Karabagh’s commitment to democracy
6) Nagorno Karabagh’s pivotal role in ending the Soviet threat
to America
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress