ARMENIAN HISTORY IN CARVING
By Karen Khasikian

Yerkir/arm
September 02, 2005

In a solemn ceremony on August 30, American Armenian sculptor Tigran
Sargsian presented the Armenian Genocide Museum with his sculpture
entitled “Armenians lived, live and will live.”

Sargsian says he conceived the idea of the sculpture in 2002 after
visiting the Alex Manoogian Treasury in Echmiadzin. “That day I
watched Atom Egoyan’s “Ararat” in Yerevan and then decided to create
a sculpture,” Sargsian says.

The craving depicts historical Armenia with Ararat, Sipan, lakes
Sevan and Van as well as the Armenian rivers. Numerous leaves of
branches emerging from the craving indicate the countries Armenians
have emigrated to. On the top of the sculpture, the branches unite
in a pomegranate and then take a shape of a cross.

On April 24, 2005, Sargsian displayed the sculpture in Glendale during
the events marking the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. And
now, he gave the sculpture to the Armenian Genocide Museum.

Sargsian also mentions he is planning to create a sculpture dedicated
to Sayat Nova and another one to embody the “Sasna Tsrer” epos.

CATHOLICOS ARAM I EXPRESSES HIS SUPPORT TO PRESIDENT BUSH

Yerkir
05.09.2005 12:24

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – In a letter to US President George W. Bush,
Cilicia Catholicos Aram I expressed his support and condolences to
the American people in light of the losses suffered after a hurricane
hit the city of New Orleans in Louisiana.

In his letter His Holiness says: “The tragic images that I see
on television are, indeed, disturbing and heartbreaking. This is,
in fact, one of the biggest natural disasters in the recent memory
of the U.S.A. I share the pain and anxiety of those who have been
affected by this disaster.”

The Catholicos also informed the president that he has advised the
two prelates of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in the United States
to encourage the Armenian-American communities to bring their active
participation in the post-hurricane humanitarian efforts.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

YUNUSOV: URGE TO SOLVE KARABAKH CONFLICT APPEARED IN OSCE MG ACTIVITIES

Pan Armenian News

05.09.2005 03:19

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Head of the Department of Conflictology of the
Institute of Democracy and Peace (Baku) Arif Yunusov has noted the
fact of activation of the talks over Karabakh settlement within the
past 12 months, reported the 525 Baku newspaper. In his words, it is
necessary to recognize that an urge to solve the issue has appeared
in the activities of the OSCE MG. “It is felt that the probability
of a solution has increased. At present the talks are held within
the framework specific principles, formed in Prague. The talks
may bring to a positive outcome for the Azeri party. However,
the option of settlement, being discussed at present does not fit
our national interests,” he stated. In his words, the holding of a
referendum to determine the NK status is planned in compliance with
this opinion and it is not acceptable to Azerbaijan. “Some time ago
different opinions were expressed concerning the liberation of the
5 occupied regions, except for Lachin and Kelbajar, as well as the
holding of the referendum to determine the NK status and normalize
the relations between the parties. The Azeri MFA has also confirmed
the information. However, the society has expressed its negative
attitude to that option of conflict settlement. The Azeri party
receded after that. Officials state the option of the referendum is
left out of the list of issues being discussed. However, this is not
true. Foreign diplomat, who have most information over the talks, have
stated that the option in question is still subject to discussion,”
the Azeri expert added. Having noted that the parties have come to
general agreement over settlement of the conflict based on that option,
Yunusov stated that the parties now discuss some aspects of the version
in question. These aspects mainly refer to the determination fo the
format and time of holding the referendum. “As Armenians demand to
hold the referendum in the Armenian community, this undoubtedly, does
not fit the Azeri party. THe parties still cannot decide, whether to
hold the referendum only with participation of Armenians of Karabakh,
or to include the Azeri community of Karabakh as well. There is also
the option, taking into account the holding of the referendum among
Azeri citizens. Taking into account these questions, the talks may be
protracted,” he added. Yunusov also noted that “no one can normally
respond to the referendum being held only in 15 years and with the
condition of liberation of Azeri lands from occupation.” “However,
in principle, there is no difference between holding the referendum
today and in 15 years, as in 15 years Armenians will have the same
position, as now. Some people think that in 15 years Azerbaijan’s
power will increase and Armenians of Karabakh will prefer being part
of Azerbaijan. This is an incorrect opinion. No one guarantees that in
15 years Karabakh Armenians will not wish to be independent or part of
Armenia. Thus, I consider that the option does not fit Azerbaijan’s
interests. In my opinion, considering that Karabakh fate depends on
the referendum of Armenians would be incorrect,” A. Yunusov summed up.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

US FULLY SUPPORT OSCE MG WORK OVER KARABAKH SETTLEMENT

Pan Armenian News
05.09.2005 02:33

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Washington fully supports the continuing work of
the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs over promotion of peaceful, adjusted
settlement of the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh. US Ambassador to the
OSCE Julie Finley stated at OSCE Permanent Council sitting. She also
noted, “When speaking lately on the phone with Armenian President
Kocharian and Azeri President Aliyev, US State Secretary Condoleezza
Rice called each of them to compromises, necessary to reach such
a settlement.” She remarked that the MG CO-Chairs have expressed
desire to inform the MG in full composition on the course of the
peace process.

JEW SPITS AT GREEK PRIESTS IN JERUSALEM
By Etgar Lefkovits

Jerusalem Post
Sept 5 2005

A young religious Jew spat at a procession of Greek Orthodox priests
in the Old City of Jerusalem on Monday, police said, in the third
such incident in the mixed city in the last year.

The skullcap-wearing assailant, Amitai Shashar, 20, told police that he
spat at the procession near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher because
he saw the cross that participants in the ceremony were carrying,
Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said.

The attacker, an Old City resident, was taken into custody by police
officers who were escorting the religious procession.

A Greek Orthodox Church spokesman said that the Jewish extremist
had spat in the face of the head of ceremonies, after getting into
a heated verbal altercation with the priests at the procession.

Church officials declined to lodge a complaint with police, the church
spokesman said.

The assailant was later released on NIS 2,500 bail by a Jerusalem
court, and ordered to stay out of the Old City for the next thirty
days, except to go to and from his Old City home.

The incident was the third such assault in the Old City in the
last year.

Earlier this year, an Armenian priest was attacked by four yeshiva
students in the Old City of Jerusalem, an altercation that began when
one of the yeshiva students spat on the black-robed priest in front
of the Armenian Monastery where he lives.

In a separate incident last year, a yeshiva student spat at a Sunday
morning procession of Armenian clergymen in Jerusalem’s Old City and
then scuffled with a priest. He later apologized.

ARMENIA FIRST, THEN WORLD DOMINATION FOR DARCHINYAN

SecondsOut
Sept 5 2005

By Paul Upham: IBF/IBO flyweight world champion Vic “Raging Bull”
Darchinyan left Sydney for Armenia on Monday, making the first
return visit to his country of birth since he became world champion
last year. “I have been waiting a long time for this trip,” he
said. “I will be there for two weeks and then come back to training
in Australia.” The 29 year-old who competed at the 2000 Olympic
Games is now an Australian citizen but is revered as one of Armenia’s
best sportsmen. The hard punching southpaw now has plans to become
undisputed champion at flyweight. But before he can target the WBA,
WBC or WBO title-holders, he must make a mandatory defence of his
IBF title against Ireland’s Damaen Kelly 21-2 (10).

“I saw Kelly’s fight with Pacheco,” said Darchinyan 24-0 (19).
“Pacheco hurt him with body punches and I will hurt him with head
punches. I will hurt his chin. He is a good boxer and I will be
expecting a tough fight. He is the leading contender for me from the
IBF and I will show everyone again what I did in the last fight.
Kelly will be ready for my left hand and I will then show you my
right hand. On the hand pads, Jeff (Fenech) and Billy (Hussein) are
telling me that my right hand is much stronger than my left when I
am throwing body punches. I use my left hand during the fight because
I know I will finish him sooner.”

Darchinyan made the second successful defence of his IBF title with a
5th round stoppage of Colombian Jair Jimenez on August 24 in Sydney.
“It was a good fight,” he said. “I did a smart job. I just didn’t
jump on him and start punching I took my time. I saw some of his
fights and he was a good puncher. He was tough and he didn’t want to
go down.” Darchinyan won the IBF title from long reigning champion
Irene Pacheco last December in the USA and added the IBO title to
his collection on March 27 this year with an 8th round stoppage of
Mzukisi Sikali. He has his sights set on a unification bout with WBA
champion Lorenzo Parra 25-0 (17).

“I’d love to fight Parra,” said Darchinyan. “He is taking other fights
because he knows I am wanting to challenge him. He doesn’t have to
fight me, but he thinks he is tough, so why not fight me? I can’t see
anyone at flyweight who will trouble me. There are some good fighters,
but no one who is strong like me. I will challenge the fighters at
bantamweight or super bantamweight, then you will see what I can
do. Any division I fight in, I know I will destroy them.”

THE ACTING CHAIR OF THE OSCE TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Sept 5 2005

YEREVAN, September 5. /ARKA/. The acting Chair of the OSCE, Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Dimitrij Rupel will arrive in Armenia
for a two-day official visit. In the framework of his visit Rupel
will meet the RA President Robert Kocharyan, Prime-Minister Andranik
Margaryan, minister of Foreign Affairs Vardan Oskanian, as well as the
NKR President Arkadi Ghukasyan. It’s supposed that in the course of
the visit Rupel will discuss the results of Kazan meeting between the
Presidents of RA and AR, as well as issues concerning the approaching
referendum in November on constitutional reforms.

After Armenia Rupel will visit Azerbaijan, where he will discuss the
issues of Karabakh conflict settlement and parliamentary elections in
Azerbaijan. According to some diplomatic sources in Baku, the Head
of the OSCE will meet the AR President Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister
Arthur Rasi-zade, the Speaker of the parliament Murtuz Aleskerov,
Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mamediarov. A.H. –0–

THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENSE OF ARMENIA LIEUTENANT-GENERAL MICHAEL GRIGORYAN WAS RELIEVED OF HIS DUTIES

Source: Krasnaya zvezda, September 1, 2005 ,p. 3

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
September 5, 2005, Monday

By the decree from August 29, Armenian President Robert Kocharyan
relieved Lieutenant-General Michael Grigoryan, the deputy of the
minister of defense, of his duties. There is no reference to the
reasons of Grigoryan’s displacement.

IN TWO YEARS THE ARMED FORCES OF ARMENIA WILL BE TOTALLY STAFFED WITH PROFESSIONAL MILITARY MEN

Source: Krasnaya Zvezda

Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
September 5, 2005, Monday

It was announced by the secretary of the National Security Council
under the president of Armenia. Minister of Defense Serg Sarkisyan,
making a report before the graduates from the Military Institute in
honor of Vazgen Sarkisyan, Serg Sarkisyan pointed out the necessity
of retaining and strengthening of combat effectiveness of the army.
“We must be anxious not to fall behind the best armies in the world.
We will solve the problem by 2015”, he said.

TIGRAN MANSURIAN. STRING QUARTETS. ROSAMUNDE QUARTET. ECM NEW SERIES
by Stephen Pettitt

Sunday Times (London)
September 4, 2005, Sunday

Tigran Mansurian

Both the first and second string quartets by the Lebanese-born Armenian
composer Tigran Mansurian are predominantly slow and mournful pieces,
each completed in 1984 and written in memory of a recently dead
friend. The language is direct, but Mansurian is not of any formulaic
minimalist school. Rather, his structures are built on a richness of
harmony and melodic expression that allies him to late Beethoven. Both
works – each cast in three movements -and the eloquent and dark single
movement Testament, dedicated to Manfred Eicher (the man behind ECM)
and composed just last year, are played with miraculously sustained
poise by the Rosamunde Quartet.