Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
August 4, 2006 Friday
ANOTHER TRAIN WITH RUSSIAN ARMAMENT AND MILITARY PROPERTY WILL LEAVE
GEORGIAN TERRITORY
Another train with armament and property of the Russian military
bases withdrawn from Georgia was prepared for departure at the
railway station Tsalka. Colonel Vladimir Kuparadze, deputy commander
of the group of Russian forces in Transcaucasia, reported, “Departure
of the train is scheduled for Tuesday morning. It will bring to
Russia ten tanks and two combat infantry vehicles, as well as about
100 tons of armored property of the 62nd military base deployed in
Akhalkalaki.” According to Kuparadze, this will be the 19th train
with Russian military property shipped in 2006 from Georgia.
Kuparadze added, “Sixty-six tons of ammunition will also be shipped
from Akhalkalaki on Wednesday by 14 trucks to the 102nd Russian base
in Gyumri (Armenia).” According to the staff of the group of Russian
forces in Transcaucasia, by the end of 2006, it is planned to ship
six trains more from Georgia to Russia.
Source: Krasnaya Zvezda, August 01, 2006, p. 3
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
08/04/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1. ARS Central Executive Issues Urgent Appeal on Lebanon Crisis 2. ANC Leaders Meet with Reps. Watson, Doolittle 3. Aram I Receives St. John's University Award 4. Human Rights Watch Accuses Israel of War Crimes 5. Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry's "Walk of Life" Draws 500 1. ARS Central Executive Issues Urgent Appeal on Lebanon Crisis WATERTOWN--The Armenian Relief Society Inc. Central Executive issued an urgent appeal to Armenians around the world regarding the worsening humanitarian situation in Lebanon. Below is the text of the appeal. Urgent Need for Food and Medicine in Lebanon Since our July 20 appeal, the ruthless violence victimizing the people and cities of Lebanon continues with renewed impetus, in full view of the world community, creating an extremely precarious situation for the traumatized communities of the beleaguered country. Already, one full quarter of Lebanon's entire population has been turned into a mass of homeless refugees, in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. Faced with deteriorating conditions, in order to meet the multiplying needs of the people, an interdenominational Board of Assistance was formed in Beirut, headquartered in the offices of the Armenian Relief Cross of Lebanon. In view of the depletion of the country's indispensable provisionsparticularly those of food and medicinethe ARS Central Executive Board has already sent $20,000 to the Board of Assistance, to help cover the purchase of immediate needs. Now, we appeal to all our communities, around the world, to extend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters, the elderly and the children who find themselves on the verge of total disaster, facing an uncertain future, in a hostile environment. Fellow Armenians, since our first Appeal, the hundreds of displaced persons who had taken refuge in the Armenian school buildings and athletic fields of Bourdj Hammoud, today can be counted in the tens of thousands, creating a critical situation, getting worse by the hour. In response to this heightening tragedy, we ask you to rush your generous contributions to the offices of your local ARS office, with checks made out to ARS Lebanese Relief. 2. ANC Leaders Meet with Reps. Watson, Doolittle GLENDALELeaders of local Armenian National Committee chapters this week met with representatives Diane Watson (D-33) and John Doolittle (R-4) to discuss pertinent issues of interest to the Armenian-American community. A Hollywood ANC delegation led by its chairman Garo Ispenjian met with Rep. Diane Watson this week in her Los Angeles district office to discuss issues of concern to the local Armenian American community. During the meeting, the ANCA-WR expressed appreciation for the Congresswoman's record of support for Armenian American issues. Numerous topics were discussed including Armenian Genocide legislation, the railway projects in the Caucasus, Armenia's growing economy, and the recall of US Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans. Ispendjian, who is also a constituent of Rep. Watson, briefed the Congresswoman about the firing of Ambassador Evans and the delay of Ambassador-designate Richard Hoagland's confirmation as ambassador to Armenia. Congresswoman Watson agreed to join her colleagues in writing a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, asking the State Department to respond to a series of questions, including specific inquiries about reports that Ambassador Evans had been recalled due to accurately describing the Armenian Genocide as a genocide. "Congresswoman Diane Watson has always been a strong supporter of the Armenian American community. She is always ready to listen to the concerns of the community, understand the issues, and properly represent her constituents in Congress," said Ispendjian. Since taking office in 2002, Rep. Watson has been a member of the Armenian Caucus and has cosponsored numerous resolutions in favor of Armenian Genocide recognition, economic support of Armenia through trade, and ending Turkey's blockade of Armenia. Three of the most recent pieces of legislation that she has supported are the Armenian Genocide resolutions, H.Res. 316 and H.Con.Res. 195, and South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act, H.R. 3361. ANC of Sacramento representatives Ohannes and Silva Boghossian met with Rep. John Doolittle in his Santa Barbara district office earlier this week while the Congressman was in town during the Congressional August Recess. During their meeting, the Boghossians thanked Congressman Doolittle for his support of Armenian American issues, most notably for his co-sponsorship of H. Res. 316, a resolution which calls upon the President to ensure that the foreign of the United States reflects understanding and sensitivity of issues such as the Armenian Genocide. Numerous issues of concern to the Armenian American community were discussed. Boghossian asked Representative Doolittle to urge House Speaker Dennis Hastert to bring the Armenian Genocide resolutions to a House floor vote, which he has thus far failed to do. The Congressman expressed his commitment on this issue and pledged to actively support the self-determination of Nagorno-Karabakh and expressed concern over Turkey's blockade of Armenia. "The Armenian American community is grateful for Congressman Doolittle's support," said Boghossian. "We look forward to the Congressman's leadership in advancing our issues on Capitol Hill." Congressman John Doolittle represents California's 4th district, where a large number of Armenians reside. The district stretches from the eastern Sacramento Region to Lake Tahoe on the south and runs up the Sierra Nevada range to the high desert of Modoc County on the Oregon border. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee and is a native of Glendale. The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a broad range of issues. 3. Aram I Receives St. John's University Award ANTELLIAS, LebanonHis Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia received the 2006 Pax Christi Award from St. John's University, Minnesota, said the Catholicosate. In a letter addressed to Aram I, Dr. Dietrich Reinhart, president of St. John's, praised the life and ministry of Aram I stating, "Particularly notable is your support for Ecumenical and Inter-religious relations, dialogue and cooperation. Through your prolific writings, public lectures and interventions, and your leadership in the World Council of Churches, you have played a significant role in promoting common values, mutual understanding, and peaceful co-existence among people of faith throughout the world." The Pax Christi Award is the highest honor bestowed by St. John's University. The conferral ceremony will take place on December 6 at a special event at St. John's University. During the recent crisis in Lebanon, Aram I has been an influential figure in coordinating efforts between Muslim and Christian leaders to respond to the needs of the country. 4. Human Rights Watch Accuses Israel of War Crimes BY JIM LOBE WASHINGTONIn systematically failing to distinguish between Hezbollah fighters and civilian population in its three-and-a-half-week-old military campaign in Lebanon, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have committed war crimes, according to a report released by Human Rights Watch Wednesday. The 50-page report, "Fatal Strikes: Israel's Indiscriminate Attacks Against Civilians in Lebanon," detailed nearly two dozen cases of IDF attacks in which a total of 153 civilians, including 63 children, were killed in homes or motor vehicles. In none of the cases did HRW researchers find evidence that there was a significant enough military objective to justify the attack, given the risks to civilian lives, while, in many cases, there was no identifiable military target. In still other cases cited in the report, Israeli forces appear to have deliberately targeted civilians. "By consistently failing to distinguish between combatants and civilians, Israel has violated one of the most fundamental tenets of the laws of war: the duty to carry out attacks on only military targets," according to the report. "The pattern of attacks during the Israeli offensive in Lebanon suggests that the failures cannot be explained or dismissed as mere accidents; the extent of the pattern and the seriousness of the consequences indicate the commission of war crimes," it concluded. The report, which was based on interviews with victims and independent witnesses of attacks, as well as investigation of the sites where the attacks occurred, called for the United States to immediately suspend transfers to Israel of arms, ammunition, and other material credibly alleged to have been used in such attacks until they cease. In addition, it called on United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to establish a formal commission to investigate the alleged war crimes with a view to holding accountable those responsible for their commission. Such a commission should also investigate Hezbollah's rocket attacks against Israel which have been the subject of previous HRW reports. Since the onset of the latest round of fighting July 12, Hezbollah has launched some 2,000 rockets into predominantly civilian areas in Israel, killing at least 19 Israeli civilians and wounding more than 300 others. Given the inherently indiscriminate nature of the rockets, these attacks also constitute war crimes, according to the New York-based group. The report, whose main conclusions about Israel's failure to discriminate between civilian and military targets echo a statement by Amnesty International two days ago, was issued just hours after HRW released the preliminary results of its investigation of the July 30 Israeli air strike on an apartment building in Qana in southern Lebanon, which was initially reported to have killed 54 people, most of them children, who had taken refuge in the basement. HRW, which took testimony from some of the nine survivors it identified, said that it had confirmed the deaths of 28 people, including 16 children, in the building and that 13 others remained missing and were believed to be buried in the rubble. It said that at least 22 people survived the attack and escaped the basement. One of the survivors, Muhammad Mahmud Shalhub, as well as a Qana villager who helped in the rescue effort, strongly denied initial Israeli claims that any Hezbollah fighters or rocket launchers were present in or around the home when the attack took place.. HRW said its own on-site investigation, which took place July 31, as well as interviews with dozens of international journalists, rescue workers and international observers who visited Qana July 30 and 31, also yielded no evidence of any Hezbollah military presence in or around the building. "The deaths in Qana were the predictable result of Israel's indiscriminate bombing campaign in Lebanon," said Sarah Leah Whitson, director of HRW's Middle East and North Africa Division, who called for international investigation to determine what took place. Israel has insisted that it has tried hard to avoid civilian casualties, although the great majority of the more than 500 Lebanese who have reportedly been killed by Israeli fire have been civilians. Israel has claimed that Hezbollah's alleged practice of shielding its fighters and arms by locating them in civilian homes or areas and firing off missiles in populated areas allegations which HRW said are the subject of ongoing investigations has made civilian casualties unavoidable. But the rights group said its own investigations of specific Israeli attacks, which included interviews with victims and witnesses, on-site visits, as well as corroboration, where available, by accounts by independent journalists and aid workers, had failed to uncover any evidence that Hezbollah was operating in or around the area during or before each attack. "Hezbollah fighters must not hide behind civilians that's an absolute but the image that Israel has promoted of such shielding as the cause of so high a civilian death toll is wrong," according to HRW's executive director, Kenneth Roth. "In the many cases of civilian deaths examined by (us), the location of Hezbollah troops and arms had nothing to do with the deaths because there was no Hezbollah around." He cited a July 13 attack which destroyed the home of a cleric known to be a Hezbollah sympathizer but with no record of having taken part in hostilities. The strike killed the cleric's wife, their ten children, the family;s Sri Lankan maid, as well as the cleric himself, according to the report. In a July 16 attack on a home in Aitaroun, an Israeli aircraft killed 11 members of the al-Akhrass family, including seven Canadian-Lebanese dual nationals who were vacationing in the village at the time. HRW said it interviewed three villagers independently, all of whom denied that the family had any connection to Hezbollah. Among the victims were four children under the age of eight. The report also assailed statements by Israeli officials and IDF commanders that only people associated with Hezbollah remain in southern Lebanon, so all are legitimate targets of attack. Israel has dropped leaflets in the region and even telephoned residents warning them that if they do not flee, they will be subject to attack. But the report stressed that many civilians have been unable to leave because they are sick, wounded, or lack the means, such as money or gasoline, or are providing essential services to the civilian population that remains there. Still others have said they are afraid to leave because the roads have come under attack by Israeli warplanes and artillery. Indeed, the report documents 27 deaths of civilians who were trying to flee the fighting by car and notes that the actual number of killings is "surely higher". In addition, the report cites air strikes against three clearly marked humanitarian aid vehicles. "The pattern of attacks shows the Israeli military's disturbing disregard for the lives of Lebanese civilians," said Roth. "Israeli warnings of imminent attacks do not turn civilians into military targets," he added, noting that, according to the IDF's logic, "Palestinian militant groups might 'warn' Israeli settlers to leave their settlements and then feel justified in attacking those who remained." Amnesty accused Israel of trying to convert southern Lebanon into a "free-fire zone" which it said Monday was "incompatible with international humanitarian law." 5. Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry's "Walk of Life" Draws 500 LOS ANGELESArmenians and non-Armenians alike rallied together on Saturday, July 29 in the First Annual 5k/10k Walk/Run around the Pasadena Rose Bowl to help raise awareness in support of further expanding the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry's critical life-saving mission to recruit more Armenian bone marrow donors. In addition to raising needed funds and awareness through the Walk of Life, 100 new donors signed up. "We are thrilled with the spirit of giving and life expressed through the overwhelming participation in our first annual 'Walk of Life'," said Dr. Freida Jordan, President of the ABMDR based in Los Angeles. "We are also greatly appreciative of all our sponsors and the organizational and individual support that made the first Walk a resounding success and will enhance our ability to fulfill our life-saving mission." Corporate sponsors included Glendale Memorial Hospital, St. Josephs Hospital, Closet World, Next Day Color Printing, Glendale Water and Power, City of Los Angeles and GNC. A key method of treating leukemia patients or people with other life-threatening blood diseases is through bone marrow/stem cell transplants. In order to treat Armenian patients, bone marrow transplants require compatible tissue types that match the genetic makeup of the patient which is most likely to come from other Armenian donors. There are currently 630 patients throughout the Diaspora and Armenia who are desperately waiting to find a matching donor to help save their lives. On average, it takes 200 donors to find a precise match for one patient. The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry has a goal to increase its registry from the current 11,000 donors to 126,000 in order to meet the critical need. The ABMDR partners closely with Glendale Memorial Hospital and St. Josephs Hospital in addition to being a member of global organizations such as the World Marrow Donor Association and World Marrow Donor Worldwide "By simply walking today, you are helping save a life" said Steve Artinian, chairman of the Walk of Life organizing committee. "With this Walk we hope you will spread the message that by taking the simple step of signing up with the registry every Armenian can give the most precious gift of a second chance to another fellow Armenian who is fighting for their life against these destructive diseases." Special guests included Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, Father Dajad Yardemian, representative of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, Dr. Sevak Avagyan Executive Director of ABMDR in Armenia and Varant Melkonian, CEO of Closet World and treasurer of the ABMDR. There was also entertainment at the end of the walk. Welcoming the participants at the finish line was the band Element and singer Mariette Soujian. "The Walk of Life is a huge success today because of all the hard work and dedication of our volunteers," said master of ceremonies and director of operations for the Walk Taleen Khatchadourian at the post-Walk event. "If we join together like this for our common mission we can make a big difference in the lives of Armenian patients in need." During the short program after the Walk, the family of Biurad Moghadasian, who is an eight-year old Armenian patient currently at Los Angeles' Children's Hospital being treated for leukemia, approached organizers to stress the urgency of the ABMDR's mission using their son's plight as an example. The family made a plea to all present to recruit additional bone marrow donors which is the only way her son and others like him will have a chance at beating the disease. Biurad is currently looking for a matching donor to help save his life. The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry encourages all Armenians to call and join the registry with the hope of saving another life. The registration process is very simple and non-intrusive and only takes a few minutes. ABMDR is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and welcomes donations of any size which are tax-deductible. 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. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
USC Institute of Armenian Studies
Te: 213-821-3943
E-mail [email protected]
Armenian Bar Association: 323-666-6288
E-mail [email protected]
USC INSTITUTE OF ARMENIAN STUDIES
And
ARMENIAN BAR ASSOCIATION
Invite you to an
ARMENIAN-AMERICAN JUDGES’ FEDERAL FORUM
Featuring
Honorable Dickran Tevrizian
U. S. District Court, Central District of California
Honorable Samuel Der-Yeghiayan
U. S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Honorable Jacqueline Chooljian
U. S. Magistrate Judge, Central District of California
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Presentations 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Reception Following
University of Southern California
Davidson Conference Center – Embassy Room
Corner of Jefferson and Figueroa
Los Angeles, CA
This unprecedented event will cover:
Questions of Law and the Legal Profession
A Day in a Federal Judge’s Life
Opportunities in the Legal Profession
Legal Issues Facing the Armenian Community:
Immigration, Organized Crime, Gangs, Social Security, Retirement,
Housing, Health Care, and Elder Abuse
This event is a rare opportunity for the Armenian-American community
to meet these distinguished Jurists who occupy leading positions in
the judicial profession.
Space is limited.
Please RSVP by August 7, 2006
USC Institute of Armenian Studies: 213-821-3943
E-mail [email protected]
Armenian Bar Association: 323-666-6288
E-mail [email protected]

WILL GALUST’S DREAM COME TRUE?
Lragir.am
03 Aug 06
Already the former deputy mayor of Yerevan Arman Sahakyan said
the reason for his resignation is the election to the head of the
community of Ajapnyak in fall. Arman Sahakyan said he is likely to
run in the local election. Therefore, he submitted his resignation,
which was accepted by Arman Sahakyan’s party leader, Prime Minister
Andranik Margaryan. The factor of the political party was not secondary
because the system of governance is concerned. The Republicans will
now be deployed in the community of Ajapnyak. Arman Sahakyan was
first nominated head of the community of Ajapnyak in 2003. However,
Arman, the son of Galust Sahakyan, was defeated by the encumbant
candidate Artsrun Khachatryan. Khachatryan is the representative of
the so-called clan of Aparan, the protege of Nig Aparan, the honorary
chair of which is Attorney General Aghvan Hovsepyan.
At that time the Republican Party failed to have its candidate win.
In fact, the Republican Party did not take pains to win and came
to an agreement with Nig Aparan. Naturally, it happened under the
“godfatherhood” of the president administration. There is information
that Galust Sahakyan, Arman Sahakyan’s father, had a grudge on the
leader of the Republican Party because they did not go all the way
to defend his son and make him head of the community. And now Arman
Sahakyan is going to try again, in fact. And though the attempt and
the trier are the same, the situation has changed considerably. The
Republican Party is not the same, and the Attorney General is not
the same either. Of course, it is not known whether Nig Aparan and
Artsrun Khachatryan are also going to try. However, the fact that some
time before the election of the head of the community Arman Sahakyan
resigns from the post of the deputy mayor of Yerevan proves that he
has certain guarantees, nevertheless. And these guarantees are thanks
to this change of the situation. Three years ago the interests and
goals of the government were somewhere else, and fitted into the
principle of “one for all and all for one”.
Now this logic does not work any longer. The Attorney General, who
had just made a bid for becoming a serious political factor three
years ago, is now announcing that he is not going to became engaged
in politics. In other words, Aghvan Hovsepyan announces that he will
not join the Republican conglomerate led by Serge Sargsyan. In this
case, the Republican Party and the wealth of this party, i.e. the
administrative criminal, cannot make a compromise with the Attorney
General if he once again struggles for the office of the head of
the community of Ajapnyak. And this office, as well as the office of
the head of community in general, is a vital need for the Republican
Party which is now working in the reproduction mode. Consequently,
this time the Republican Party will go all the way. Or most probably
there will be no struggle if Arman Sahakyan confidently resigns from
the office of deputy mayor. After all, he failed once and he would
be more cautious not to lose what he already has. Even if he did
not think about it, his experiened father would give him advice,
who has already become convinced that it is not so “profitable”
to rely on the almightiness of the Republican Party.
But it should be noted that the situation has changed. Everybody
knows this, especially Galust Sahakyan and his son. If three years
ago Serge Sargsyan supported the Republican Party, three years later
he is already the chair of the Council of the Republican Party. In
other words, at present Serge Sargsyan is simply for, in other words,
he has a clear and determined interest. Moreover, the Attorney General
failed “to do politics”, he did not join Serge.
Consequently, it should be supposed that Serge Sargsyan “solved
the question” of Arman Sahakyan to become head of the community of
Ajapnyak. In fact, Sargsyan did what Margaryan failed three years
ago. Whereas, it was a simple wish of the brother-in-arms to make his
son head of the community. If the leader of the party cannot fulfill
such simple wishes, and fulfilled only his similar wish to make his
son head of community, the Republicans may naturally come to think
that he is unable to solve more complicated problems, consequently
a more able leader is needed.
After all Galust Sahakyan is not the only Republican who has wishes.
On the other hand, he may not be the only one whose wish came true.
After all, there is a lot of time until the local election, and
if we assume that Serge Sargsyan guaranteed the election of Arman
Sahakyan, it is a question whether someone gave this guarantee to
Serge Sargsyan. And the disappointment with the new leader will be big.
HAKOB BADALYAN

ALREADY TO GOVERN BY A CONCEPT
Lragir.am
03 Aug 06
The government of Armenia adopted the concept of management of
state property during the meeting on August 3. It means that further
management, including privatization of the state property will be
carried out in accordance with this long-term concept. “It provides
for the principles, goals and objectives of management of the state
property,” says Ashot Markosyan, the assistant head of the Department
of State Property Management.
It is notable that the government of Armenia has privatized 80
percent of the state property and has just remembered the necessity
of a concept for the remaining 20 percent and adopted it. Perhaps
the remaining 20 percent is of special value for the government and
it should be sold in a special way, in accordance with a concept.
Besides, it is more fashionable, not to allow accusing of not having
a concept. In the meantime, there was not a concept when it was
needed, but when there is almost no state property, the concept of
its management is adopted.
Ashot Markosyan says the concept concerns not only privatization but
also the enterprises which have already been privatized. According
to Ashot Markosyan, one of the underlying questions of the concept
is the question of the authorized representatives of the state to
companies partly shared by the state.
“The problem is that presently there are problems with their functions,
rights and duties. For instance, on what basis does the authorized
representative of the state make one decision or another or endorse one
decision of another? The next problem is their salary. Today, in fact,
this question is in the air. The concept sets the objective to approach
it from the point of view of public interest,” says Ashot Markosyan.
On the whole, the concept of management of state property has a single
goal: the government needs to manage state property effectively,
and if it is going to privatize it, the public interest should be
taken into account. This lofty goal of the concept suggests that so
far the government has not managed the state property effectively and
did not privatize it in favor of the public interest. Simply now
they are thinking about tomorrow. After all, noting is eternal,
including power, and perhaps in preparing to leave the executive
decided to adopt a concept to make the next government also to manage
the state property effectively and privatize it in favor of the public
interests. We can only appreciate the farsightedness of the government
and even forgive some short-sighted steps of the conceptless times.

CO-CHAIRS TO WAIT FOR PARTIES TO REPLY
Lragir.am
03 Aug 06
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs discussed the current stage of the
settlement of the Karabakh issue in Paris. The Embassy of France
to Armenia delivered the statement of the U.S., French and Russian
co-chairs to the news agency ARKA on August 3. During the meeting
the co-chairs also got acquainted with the results of the regional
visit of their American colleague.
The statement of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs emphasizes that
proceeding from the G8 statement on the conflict over Karabakh the
co-chairs discussed the ways of settlement of the problem, which will
be presented to the conflict parties, and will wait for their reply.

CENTRAL HOTEL OF SHUSHI TO BE RECONSTRUCTED
Lragir.am
03 Aug 06
American Armenian businessmen and benefactors, the co-owners of the
former central hotel of the town of Shushi the Papayants family and
Abo Poghikyan (U.S.) are visiting Karabakh. Several years ago the
9-storey hotel was transferred to the benefactors, which was partly
repaired by the owners of Armenicum. At that time there was a plan to
open an anti-AIDS center in Shushi. This aim was not fulfilled, and it
was decided to transfer the hotel for benefactors for reconstruction.
According to the co-owners, the hotel will be opened by early May
2007. It is also foreseen by the same project to improve the park
near the central square. The reconstruction of Shushi is gathering
momentum. And there is already a need for a comfortable hotel.

ABDULLAYEVA PLACES GHUKASYAN IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION
Lragir.am
03 Aug 06
On August 3 Arzu Abdullayeva, the chair of the Azerbaijani National
Committee of Helsinki Civil Assembly, gave a news conference in Baku.
This news conference is interesting in the sense that Abdullayeva
told about her visit to Armenia and especially Karabakh. The news
conference of the Azerbaijani defender of human rights revealed some
interesting details concerning Arkady Ghukasyan. Maybe these are not
revelations but in this case Arkady Ghukasyan should also announce
about it or deny Abdullayeva’s words. And according to Abdullayeva,
Arkady Ghukasyan said, “the agreement of Armenians to the settlement
involving a common state was a concession and a chance for Azerbaijan
which Azerbaijan missed, however”. But it is not all that Ghukasyan
said and that Abdullayeva told in his homeland.
According to Abdullayeva, Arkady Ghukasyan considered the discussion
of an interim status possible. “An interim status is interesting,
however we must know what is awaiting us in the future,” said the NKR
president according to Abdullayeva. But this is not the end. According
to the Azerbaijani defender of human rights, Ghukasyan recognized the
right of Azerbaijan to work out the status of Karabakh. This is the
end. Hopefully this will be the end of Ghukasyan as the NKR president.
We should ask Arkady Ghukasyan what he considers himself to be in
Karabakh, a president, a governor or a self-declared official. If he is
a president, of which country? If he is the president of Karabakh, what
interim status the head of the state which was declared independent
in 1992 is talking about? It is clear that the state has not been
recognized yet but Arkady Ghukasyan may be convinced that it will
not be recognized if the head of this state speaks about an interim
status. Moreover, he also speaks about the right of Azerbaijan with
regard to the status. The right of the same Azerbaijan which used
aggression against Karabakh. The same Azerbaijan, from which Karabakh
became independent, at the expense of thousands of victims. And now
the president of this independent country not only considers the
existence of some interim status possible but also recognizes the
right of a state to interfere although our people gave thousands of
victims to become free from this state.
If Arkady Ghukasyan considers himself a governor, he made a serious
subordination mistake, speaking about something which is the right
of the president of Armenia, because he works out the foreign policy
of the country. And if Arkady Ghukasyan is a self-declared official,
in this case Karabakh needs to hold a presidential election as soon
as possible, for someone may decide to grant an interim status to an
independent state. Hurry to save Karabakh!
It is also possible that Arkady Ghukasyan has serious expectations
that after reaching an interim status until 2007 he will have a
chance to be president for another two terms in Karabakh with a new
status. Especially that Matthew Bryza hinted that the spring of 2007
is a favorable period for a definitive agreement. Devil knows what may
happen, and if before the NKR presidential election in 2007 Karabakh
is given a new status, Arkady Ghukasyan will get a legitimate chance
for nomination which he does not have now. It should not be forgotten
even if the country’s independence is forgotten, that the devil jokes
when God allows him to.
However, it is also possible that Ghukasyan does not forget, and the
devil is not joking, simply Abdullayeva is lying. It is not excluded,
because they all are human beings and tell lies, especially in their
homeland. And in that case it is not enough that Arkady Ghukasyan
publicly refutes Abdullayeva’s statement. The society does not
have a reason to believe Ghukasyan more than Abdullayeva or vice
versa. Especially that Azerbaijan is the homeland for Abdullayeva’s
lies, and Karabakh is for Ghukasyan’s. However, it is wrong to tell
lies in the homeland, otherwise this time God will not try, God will
punish immediately.
HAKOB BADALYAN

“KILIKIA” ARMENIAN SAILING SHIP TO ARRIVE AT NIZHNI NOVGOROD TODAY
Yerevan, August 3. ArmInfo. The “Kilikia” Armenian sailing ship will
arrive at Nizhni Novgorod today. As the “New Region ” informs, the
yacht will moor to the foot of Chkalovsk stairs at 1:00 PM.
To be reminded, the sailing ship was built in 2004 by the participants
of “Ayas” Yerevan club of sea investigations based upon ancient
manuscripts and miniatures and using medieval technologies. The
yacht carried out its first voyage the same year, having sailed by
Mediterranean Sea. In 2006, the yacht has sailed by Venice-Amsterdam
route, passing Spain and France.

LEGENDARY FRENCH FOOTBALL PLAYER TAKES PART IN OPENING OF SMALL
ARTIFICIAL TURF FIELDS IN YEREVAN
Yerevan, August 3. ArmInfo. The legendary French football player,
the vice president of the National Football Federation of France,
FIFA and UEFA executive Michel Platini has taken part in the opening
of small artificial turf fields in Yerevan’s Avan and Kanaker-Zeitun
communities.
During his visit Platini will meet with Armenian PM Andranik Margayan,
President of the Football Federation of Armenian Ruben Hayrapetyan,
local political, sport and public figures.
Asked by journalists to comment on the Zidane-Materazzi incident
during the World Cup 2006 final, Platini said: “I was shocked like
everybody. I think Zidane’s red card was absolutely fair!”
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress