FEDORCHUK, SARGISSIAN, PETROSIAN WIN 8TH DUBAI OPEN
Chessbase News, Germany
May 10 2006
10.05.2006 This year’s Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Cup
boasted 22 grandmasters, 19 IMs and 40 FIDE titled players in a field
of 146. A Ukrainian and two Armenians took the lion’s share of the
$40,000 total cash prizes. A number of young players made IM or WGM
norms. Illustrated report.
The event was staged in the Dubai Chess and Culture Club in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates. It was a nine-round Swiss event held under
Fischer System of 90 minutes for entire match with 30 seconds
additional time for each move. At stake were the Sheikh Rashid Bin
Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Cup and $40,000 in cash prizes, including special
prizes for local, Arab and female players.
The tournament was won by Sergey Fedorchuk, Gabriel Sargissian
and Tigran L Petrosian, who tied for first with 7/9 points. 13
players shared second at half a point less. Two IM norms were made
by talented youngsters: Sethuraman Panayapan, a 12-year-old school
boy from Chennai, India, and So Wesley, the youngest member of the
Filipino squad for the Chess Olympiad.
for photos, go to 7

ARMENIA ENVISAGES TO SIGN INTERSTATE AGREEMENT WITH IRAN AND BULGARIA CONCERNING REMOVAL OF MANPOWER
Noyan Tapan
May 10 2006
YEREVAN, MAY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. The RA Ministry of Labour and Social
Issues does works at present on signing interstate agreements
concerning removal of manpower with corresponding departments of Iran
and Bulgaria. The Noyan Tapan correspondent was informed about it by
Vahan Simonian, the Chief of the Labour and Employment Department of
the Ministry. He mentioned that according to the interstate agreements,
the states are bilaterally obliged to protect the legal rights of
employees. Points concerning salary, working hours and other issues
will be fixed in the agreements. V.Simonian mentioned that there are
such agreements signed with CIS countries. But, according to him,
they do not almost function at present, as RA citizens go to those
countries to work with their wish but not within the framework of
the above-mentioned agreements.

A SHEPHERD DIES FROM SHELL EXPLOSION ON MAY 9 IN ARAGATSOTN REGION
Noyan Tapan
May 10 2006
ASHTARAK, MAY 10, NOYAN TAPAN. 1/3 lower part of the right shin
of 53-year-old Hakob Mikaelian was cut off from shell explosion on
May 7, in the border zone of the village of Khachik, Vayots Dzor,
and Nakhichevan. He was taken to Yeghegnadzor hospital. According to
the latest information, his leg was amputated: now his life is out of
danger. According to the report of RA Territorial Government Ministry’s
Rescuing Service, at about 2:00 pm on May 9, they received a signal,
according to which a shell was exploded in the firing range near the
village of Bazmaberd, Aragatsotn region, in consequence of which
a shepherd died. The rescuers found out that 35-year-old Mkrtich
Grigorian found a non-blown up shell at about 11:00 am. Taking out
the shell’s explosive he tried to burn it, which resulted in the
explosion of the shell. M.Grigorian died on the spot.

GREEK AMERICANS AND THE 2006 CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS
By Gene Rossides
Hellenic News of America
May 10 2006
The 2006 congressional elections in the House of Representatives
and the U.S. Senate are well under way. They offer Greek Americans
an excellent opportunity: (1) to voice their views on foreign policy
issues of concern to them and (2) to seek to influence the views of
those running for elective office.
Because of President George W. Bush’s low ratings in the opinion polls
on job performance, the Democratic Party believes it has a chance to
capture either the House or Senate or both. As a result there will
be a much greater interest in these elections than would normally be
the case.
Most observers believe that the Democrats are likely to gain seats
both in the House and in the Senate for the first time since 2000.
The question is whether the Democrats can gain sufficient seats to
achieve a majority in either chamber.
The Republicans hold 231 House seats out of 435 seats and the Democrats
201 seats with one Democrat- leaning independent and 2 vacancies which
are split between the parties. The Democrats need to have a net gain
of 15 seats to become the majority party in the House.
In the Senate the Republicans hold a majority of 55 seats to the
Democrats 44 plus one Democrat- leaning independent. The Democrats
need to gain six seats to achieve a majority in the Senate.
The news for the next six months to election day on November 7, 2006
will feature politics 24/7. This applies also in the overwhelming
majority of safe seats in the House and Senate because of President
Bush?s low- poll ratings- in the 30?s. Republicans and Democrats well
remember the anti-incumbent mood in 1994 which led to an unforeseen
Republican landslide and a majority in the House and Senate and Newt
Gingrich becoming Speaker of the House. The Republicans picked up
54 House seats and 10 Senate seats. The Democrats had controlled the
House for 40 years.
Following the 2000 census, redistricting increased the number of
“safe” districts in the House which means “safely” in the hands of
one party or the other. Only 32 congressional districts were close
in 2004. By close I mean the winner won with less than 55% of the vote.
This means that incumbents have a strong hold on retaining power.
Michael Barone, a leading political analyst and nationally syndicated
columnist, writes that the Democrats? chances of capturing a net gain
of 15 seats “are not very good,” although they do “have a chance to
win the House, but it?s far from a sure thing.” (Washington Times,
3-14-06, A19, col.3).
In the Senate there are 33 races this year (one-third of the Senate
is up for election every two years). The Democrats are defending 18
seats while the Republicans are defending 15 seats. The Democrats,
who need a net gain of 6 seats to control the Senate, will concentrate
on Rhode Island and Pennsylvania in the East, on Ohio and Missouri
in the Midwest and on Montana and Arizona.
To counter the Democrats possibilities of picking up Republican seats,
the Republicans are targeting two of the Democrats three open seats,
one in Maryland where Senator Paul Sarbanes is retiring and the other
in Minnesota. Republicans also are saying they have chances against
three Democratic incumbents, namely Senators Robert C. Byrd (W.Va.),
Robert Menendez (N.J.) and Ben Nelson (Neb.).
This year’s key Senate race is in Pennsylvania, where Republican
Senator Rick Santorum in a bid for third term is running behind the
state Treasurer Bob Case Jr. (D).
In Rhode Island, a Democratic-leaning state, Republican Senator
Lincoln D. Chafee is in trouble and also faces a primary opponent
in the September 12 GOP primary. If successful, he will face either
former state attorney general Sheldon Whitehouse or Secretary of State
Matt Brown. Whitehouse is currently out-in-front for the Democratic
nomination.
In Ohio, Senator Mike DeWine (R) is in trouble in his race for
re-election, in substantial part because of GOP scandals in Ohio,
of which he is not a part. His Democratic opponent will be decided
in a primary this month.
In Montana, Senator Conrad Burns (R) is in trouble because of media
reports which detailed his financial ties to indicted lobbyist Jack
Abramoff. The two Democrats who are trying to unseat him are state
Auditor John Morrison and state Senator Jon Testor.
The Democrats need to win all 4 of these races and 2 more, one in
Arizona and one in Missouri. The incumbent Republican Senators in
Arizona, Jon Kyl, and in Missouri, James M. Talent, are less vulnerable
than the 4 discussed above.
I will discuss the relevant House races in a future article.
Because of the intense interest in the 2006 House and Senate races,
Greek Americans have a much better opportunity to be heard to advance
their views on foreign policy issues than previously. Incumbents and
challengers will listen more closely to their constituent?s views.
The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) once again is making a special
effort this year to solicit the foreign policy views of both incumbents
and challengers and will publish the results in October prior to the
November 7 election date. AHI is a non-political and is not authorized
to endorse candidates. It is authorized to inform the public as to
the positions and voting records of candidates.
AHI?s aim is to have both incumbents and challengers support our
positions in the best interest of the U.S.
It is of great importance for Greek Americans to get involved in the
political process. I urge each reader to get active. You can make a
difference. Contact the candidates and tell them your views on our
issues-Cyprus, the Aegean, FYROM, religious freedom and protection
in Turkey for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the reopening of Halki
Patriarchal School of Theology, compensation for victims of Turkish
genocide, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing, the need for
a critical review of U.S. policy towards Turkey, human rights for
the Greek minority in Albania, recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by Turkey and support for AHI?s legislative initiatives.
If you want to be part of AHI?s Congressional Contact Leadership Team
in your state and in your congressional district please contact AHI-
telephone: (202) 785-8430, e-mail: [email protected].
To reach your Representative and your two Senators call and write
as follows:
U.S. House of Representatives:
The Honorable____________ U.S. House of Representatives Washington,
D.C. 20515
Phone: 202-224-3121 (general number)
U.S. Senate The Honorable___________ U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3121 (general number)
Get active. You can make a difference.
Gene Rossides is President of the American Hellenic Institute and
former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury

BULGARIA PARLIAMENT REJECTS THE ARMENIAN BILL
Mary S. Garden (JTW) and Cihan News Agency
Journal of Turkish Weekly
May 10 2006
SOFIA – An Armenian (so-called) ‘genocide’ resolution, presented
by the racist and ultranationalist ATAKA party, was rejected by the
Bulgarian parliament on Wednesday.
The resolution which called on the Bulgarian parliament to recognize
the so-called Armenian genocide, were discussed today at the parliament
general assembly.
The Ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party and Movement of Rights and
Freedoms (HOH) opposed the resolution.
In today’s vote, 79 lawmakers rejected the resolution, 55 voted in
favor, while 40 lawmakers abstained.
The ultra-nationalist Armenians try to make parliaments to recognize
the Armenian historical accusations against the Turks as fact.
The United States and United Kingdom parliaments did not accept any
Armenian bill. The British Government openly declared that the 1915
Relocation Campaign was not genocide.
Turkish experts argue that the national parliaments should focus on
the present problems instead of the historical disputes. “All of us,
Turks, Armenians and Bulgarians experienced difficult times. However
we now should be united and work together” Dr. Sedat Laciner says.
According to Dr. Laciner, head of the USAK, the Bulgarian MPs have
vividly warned the Armenian lobbies that we should not sacrifice today
for the past. Dr. Laciner further continued: “If we open the past’s
dark pages, no Turkish man or woman would make co-operation with the
Armenians or other ethnic groups. More than 5 million Turkish people
were killed or died during the Balkan and First World War years. Many
were tortured or killed by their own neighbors.
However the Turks prefer to forget the bitter memoirs. They understood
that otherwise they could not establish a future. Turks do still
remember the past, but pretend the reverse. The Turks forgive the
Armenians and others. Armenians have to learn how to forget and
forgive. Otherwise they will have no future but sorrows forever.”
Turkey has never accepted the Armenian accusations and argued that the
armed Armenians had massacred more than 520,000 Turkish people during
the First World War. The Armenian groups in the Eastern provinces
joined the occupying powers against their own state.

AAA TO ARMENIA IN DEMINING WORK
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 10 2006
YEREVAN, May 10. /ARKA/. Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) intends
to render assistance in mine-clearance in Armenia. With this end
in view, the AAA initiates an action to raise $100,000 to purchase
sniffer dogs to be involved in US Department of State’s mine-clearance
program in Armenia.
At the organization’s annual meeting in Washington, Annie Totah,
a member of the Board of Directors, “Marshall Legacy Institute”
(MLI) said that everything possible will be done to clear Armenia’s
soil of explosives that kill people and animals every year.
MLI is a non-profit organization training mine-detector dogs and
providing information on mines. The MLI implements programs in two
directions: Children Against Mines Programand 9 Demining Corps.

MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED IN YEREVAN TO THOSE KILLED LAST WEEK IN ARMENIAN AIRBUS CRASH
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 10 2006
YEREVAN, May 10. /ARKA/. A monument is to be erected in Yerevan to
those killed last week in Armenian airbus crash near Sochi.
Khachatur Vardanyan, member of governmental commission set up for
dealing with funeral procedure, said various proposals to erect a
monument are under consideration now as well as matters related to
the erection financing.
Earlier, on May 9, Armenian regional Administration Minister Hovik
Abramyan said about this intention.
Armavia Armenian Air Company’s jet A320 fell into the Black Sea as it
tried to land in Adler airport near Sochi. All 113 aboard the liner
died.

ARMENIA, GEORGIA AGREE ON GREATER PART OF BORDER LINES
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 10 2006
Yerevan, May 10. /ARKA/.Armenia and Georgia have agreed on the greater
part of the lines of the state border between the two countries,
Armenian and Georgian Deputy Foreign Ministers Gegham Gharibjanyan
and Georgy Manjgaladze stated following a joint meeting on demarcation
of the Armenian-Georgian border in Tbilisi on May 9-10, 2006.
The two are Chairmen of the Commissions. The sides reached an agreement
on further work. During his visit to Tbilisi, Gharibjanyan held a
meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Gela Bezhuashvili. He conveyed
to her RA Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan’s greetings and briefed
her on the results of the Commissions’ joint meeting.
Gharibjanyan also held a meeting with First Deputy Foreign Minister
of Georgia Valery Chechelashvili. The sides discussed topical issues
of bilateral relations.

DAY OF EUROPE TO BE MARKED IN ARMENIA ON MAY 11-18
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 10 2006
Yerevan, May 10. /ARKA/. Arrangements on the occasion of Day of
Europe are to be held in Armenia on May 11-18. The European Movement
of Armenia reports that the ceremonial opening will be held at the
Museum of Folk Art, where children’s works “Europe as I see it”,
“Armenia in Europe” and “Unity and Peace” will be displayed.
The ceremony will be attended by representatives of RA Government
officials, parliamentarians, representatives of NGOs, diplomatic
missions, educational institutions.
A number of information arrangements and arrangements for young people
will be held, booklets will be distributed.
May 9 is marked in Europe as “birthday” united and peaceful Europe.
Day of Europe will be marked in Armenia on the initiative of the
European Movement.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIAN PM MEETS WITH CREW OF “KILIKIA” SAILER
ARKA News Agency, Armenia
May 10 2006
YEREVAN, May 10. /ARKA/. Armenian Premier Andranik Margaryan met
with the crew of “Kilikia” sailer that will leave for London to start
the third round of the trip. The press service and public relations
department of the RA Government reported that during the meeting the
captain Karen Balayan, publicist Zory Balayan and other members of the
crew showed Margaryan the preparatory work for the final round of the
trip and pointed out that they act in keeping with the scheduled plan.
At the moment, the sailer is moored at the coasts of South England.
According to the schedule, the ship will head to the French port Calais
on 28 May. After crossing North and Baltic Seas through territories of
about 10 countries “Kilikia” will arrive to St.-Petersburg in August
2006, and then to the Black Sea port Poti through a river path.
Then, the ship will be transported to Armenia by land. Next year in
spring it will cast anchor on Lake Sevan, and will “become one of
the symbols the Armenian history, creative thought and the Armenian
people”.
The Armenian Premier assured that as well as during the previous
rounds of the trip, this time the government will assist as far as
possible with the preparatory work and solution of problems occurring
during the sailing.
“Kilikia” sailer was build by members of the Yerevan club of marine
explorations “Hayas” and resembles Armenian merchant ships of the 13th
century. The ship was restored according to medieval manuscripts and
miniatures and built with application of medieval technologies.
Creators of the ship spent 11 years to build it: from May 1991 to May
2001. During two years the ship was tested under sail on Lake Sevan.
In autumn 2004, for the first time in 800 years, a ship with the
Armenian flag put out to sea, heading from Poti to Sukhumi – Sochi –
Burgas – Athens – Beyrut – Haifa – Alexandria – Iraklion – Dubrovnik –
Cadis – Lisbon and many other European ports.
It is the exact route of Kilikian merchants who had close trade
relations with these cities.