Regnum, Russia
April 8 2006
Will Azerbaijan agree to join the anti-Iranian coalition? Azeri press
digest
Politics
`If the Karabakh peace talks give no results, we’ll have to choose
another way to liberate our lands and to restore our territorial
integrity,’ Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov says Mar 30. He
says that the last statements by Armenian diplomats were just a show
for their own public: `Such statements are for their home politics
and mostly reflect the position of military men, who have a big
authority in their country. So, these words must not be taken
seriously.’
Mamedyarov says that the talks with the Armenian community of Nagorno
Karabakh are possible if Armenia comes out of the negotiating
process, and if the Karabakh Armenians admit that they are Azeri
citizens and recognize Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and laws.
`But I am afraid Armenia itself doesn’t want Azerbaijan to directly
negotiate with the Karabakh Armenians,’ says Mamedyarov. (525 Daily)
Apr 1 Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov finished his official
visit to the US and Canada, reports AzerTag. In Ottawa Azimov spoke
about Azerbaijan’s `concern,’ particularly, that some Canadian
companies are prospecting gold fields in the Kalbacar district,
`occupied by the Armenians’. But the Canadian officials said they
have nothing to do with the above companies and do not interfere in
their activities. In Washington the agenda was the same: ensuring
Azerbaijan’s national and regional security, developing relations in
the framework of NATO, enhancing the OSCE’s role, resolving the
regional conflicts, relations between the Caspian countries, the
military-political situation in the Caspian region.
Azimov says: `The complex of risks and threats in the Caspian region
is complicated enough. Its peculiar elements are war, terrorism, and
environment. Here, the USA will closely cooperate with Azerbaijan. We
have achieved some agreements. Some groups of experts will arrive in
Baku to study ways to involve Azerbaijan in energy and sea safety
initiatives, and also the initiative by G8, against proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction.’
Asked if they spoke about Iran, Azimov says: `We told them that a
130-km section of the Azeri-Iranian border is under occupation.’ `The
ensuing threats should be considered by all means. We also discussed
the situation in the sector of the Caspian Sea adjacent to Iran.
Azerbaijan is worried about certain steps Iran is undertaking in this
area.’
`The US supports the quick settlement of the Karabakh conflict and is
ready to make active efforts in this direction. Azerbaijan supports
peaceful co-existence of the Armenian and Azerbaijan communities in
Nagorno Karabakh and their provision with relevant guarantees.
America should understand and Armenia should remember that Azerbaijan
will not only object to the partition of its lands, will but also
take action to prevent it. It should not be perceived as toughening
of our position. It is a position of principle Azerbaijan has had
from the very beginning, from the first day of the conflict. We shall
stick to this position. We are ready to show appropriate flexibility
in settling the conflict. These words are also for my compatriots –
the Armenian community living in Nagorno Karabakh should be provided
with some framework of self-government. The Armenians claim that
political forces of Azerbaijan want to expel the Armenians of Nagorno
Karabakh from this region. It is not true. We have never objected to
their residence in Nagorno Karabakh as citizens of Azerbaijan. On the
contrary, we consider that these people should be given appropriate
social-political freedoms. This should not be regarded as weakness on
our part. As a strong, modern, democratic state, Azerbaijan is ready
to provide normal life to each citizen of any ethnic origin.’
`Armenia should renounce its the extreme position that Nagorno
Karabakh has never been and will never be a part of Azerbaijan. In
its turn, the Azeri government should provide the Armenian population
of Nagorno Karabakh with model of self-government. Based on the
European standards, this model should recognize our territorial
integrity and inviolability of borders. One should not forget that
Azeris also lived in Nagorno Karabakh side by side with Armenians.
The Azeri community should come back to Nagorno Karabakh without fail
to use, together with the Armenians, the same model of
self-government in line with the Azeri legislation. This is our
constructive position. We are ready to pass from such a hard line as
non-recognition of the rights of the Armenians to such a moderate
position as maintenance of their rights. Thus, Armenia and Azerbaijan
can come to a common denominator. This question has been brought to
the attention of the American side,’ says Azimov. (AzerTag)
In 2005, international organizations allocated $30 mln as
humanitarian aid to displaced persons in Azerbaijan and will allocate
as much this year, says Azeri Deputy Premier, Chairman of the State
Refugee Committee Ali Gasanov. He says that the rest is provided by
Azerbaijan itself. `If 10 years ago international organizations
provided displaced persons with $75-80 mln annually, today the Azeri
authorities spend on them $100 mln a year,’ says Gasanov. There are
also refugees from third countries – Chechens, Afghanis, Iraqis and
Palestinians – a total of 13,000-14,000. Gasanov says that the Azeri
authorities are not going to give them official refugee status as
they have enough of own refugees in the country. Still some 50 people
have got the status. Gasanov disagrees with the US State Department’s
criticism that Azerbaijan is violating the rights of Chechen
refugees. `The Chechens crossed the border illegally, there were
problems with their identification and we sent relevant inquiries to
Russia,’ says Gasanov. (New Time)
Zerkalo says: `It is noteworthy that increasingly more attention has
been recently given to the social-humanitarian aspects of the
Armenian-Azeri conflict. Unfortunately, we may `come a howler’ in
this issue. We will reap the fruits of the mistakes we have made for
the sake of momentary political gains. The point is that Armenian
NGOs are going to ask the European Human Rights Court to oblige
Azerbaijan to reimburse material and moral damage to Armenian
refugees. So, we can sum up certain results here: first, if we give a
thought to Azimov’s words, it turns out that the US still hopes that
Azerbaijan will accept the co-chairs’ (OSCE Minsk Group – REGNUM)
`Prague Process’ scenario. Or he wouldn’t say right after coming back
from the US that `America should understand and Armenia should
remember…’ Second, after the failure of the `Prague Process,’ the
Armenians are eager to show as if it is Azerbaijan who wants a new
war. No coincidence that the Armenian media report Yuri Merzlyakov
(OSCE MG Russian co-chair – REGNUM) to say that it is Azerbaijan who
is responsible for the growing tensions and that such actions will
lead to nothing good. But if we give a good thought to this, it turns
out that it is exactly Armenia who wants a new war at the present
stage.’
The daily says: `Despite its growing military expenses, Azerbaijan
has not yet got overwhelming military prevalence over Armenia. But
otherwise it will not be able to attain drastic results in the battle
field. In the coming few years Azerbaijan may bring its military
spending up to the level of 3-4 Armenian state budgets.’
First: Armenia’s economy will not be able to keep pace. Second: by
debarring Armenia from regional projects, Azerbaijan is depriving it
of any economic prospects. The last such serious project may be the
building of the Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railroad. Armenia is
not only pronouncing but is also acting against this project. US
Senators Rick Santorum and Robert Menendez have already drafted a
bill urging the Senate to ban any support of this project linking
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey and bypassing Armenia, reports the
Armenian Assembly of America. And third: in a few years, when
Azerbaijan gets an overwhelming military prevalence over Armenia,
first of all, in quality, it will be able to speak `from a position
of strength.’
Such tactics will be good for Azerbaijan if it `preserves the
situation’ for a while and waits for better times, while Armenia
can’t wait for `better times.’ That’s why its officials openly say
they are not going to wait for Azerbaijan to get stronger and may
deal `a preventive blow.’
And now let’s return to the social-humanitarian problems we may have
if the conflict is resolved. Unfortunately, Armenia’s threats to
appeal to the European Human Rights Court for refugee compensation
are not as absurd as they may seem. 250,000 Azeris have left Armenia
since the beginning of the conflict, i.e. since 1988, against 350,000
Armenians leaving Azerbaijan. That is, Armenia has gained a seeming
prevalence over us due to its `creeping deportation’ of Azeris during
the Soviet times. But we have made things even worse by fully
integrating the refugees from Armenia into our society. That is,
today almost all the refugees from Armenia have Azeri citizenship and
can no longer be regarded as refugees by the international law. By
speculating on the social-political problems of the refugees from
Armenia, the ruling party and some opposition forces have got them
fully integrated into the Azeri society and have deprived Azerbaijan
of this serious tramp. They should have kept them `refugee’ – with
certain civil and political restrictions – by stipulating that their
status will be finalized after the settlement of the Armenian-Azeri
conflict. While now, with just a few thousands of official refugees
we may see our next generations working hard to `feed’ some 200,000
Armenians. To avoid this, we must, first, try to change the situation
with the refugees from Armenia, that is, to change their legal status
so that international organizations regard them as `refugees.’ This
is a hard thing to do, at least, because we’ll have to deprive them
of some of their civil and political rights. Not being a lawyer, I
can’t say if this is legally possible at all. Second, we must
urgently find who to oblige to reimburse the `displacement’ and
`occupation’ damage. This will be Armenia provided that Azerbaijan
has taken the Armenian-Azeri problem back to the UN Security Council
and gets it to recognize Armenia as an aggressor. This will not only
equalize our chances but will even give us advantage… (Zerkalo)
Speaking of peace opportunities in Nagorno Karabakh at the RFE/RL
Washington Office, the director of the Caucasian project of the
International Crisis Group Sabine Freizer says that the Karabakh
conflict is not frozen: dozens of soldiers and civilians are dying on
the contact line because of cease fire violations. This line is
closer to Azeri villages, that’s why Azerbaijan is sustaining more
casualties. Frazer says that even though she does not believe in a
new war in the coming years, she is seriously concerned over the
growing military activity on both sides, which makes the situation
worse and allows such strong regional players as Russia, the US,
Iran, Turkey to deeper interfere in the conflict.
Frazer says that there is a big possibility that a compromise peace
agreement will be signed by the leaders, but there is a small
possibility that this agreement will be supported by the peoples.
Hence, in order to foster mutual confidence, the sides should not
only actively negotiate but also encourage contacts between Armenians
and Azeris. Freizer says that it will be hard to implement any signed
agreement. For example, the level of destruction in the `occupied’
Azeri territories is much higher than in the Balkans. These
territories are in such a deplorable state that the return of
displaced persons there will take several years, at least, says
Freizer.
Iran
The preliminary agreement on Azerbaijan’s accession into the
anti-Iranian coalition was reached in Washington in late Mar during
Azeri Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov’s meetings with US
diplomats, reports Aina Mar 31.
Zerkalo says: `The decision to take part in the anti-Iranian
coalition is very hard for Azerbaijan. Particularly, the Americans
may use the Iran-based ethnic Azeris as a force center. They may
become a kind of `fifth pillar’ for the US and, naturally, Iran is
already taking action to intercept any messages to its ethnic
minorities. And this is only preliminary reaction. If Azerbaijan
takes more specific action to support the US, Iran will certainly
response in much tougher measures.’
It is more than probable that in this case Iran, together with
Russia, will do its utmost to fuel the tensions on the Armenian-Azeri
contact line. This will benefit both Tehran and Moscow as this will
allow them to manipulate both Azerbaijan and Armenia. This will make
Yerevan and Baku think ten times before providing even tiniest help
to the US. Besides, the resumption of even local military actions on
the Armenian-Azeri conflict zone will strongly reduce the possibility
of anti-Iranian strikes from the territory of Azerbaijan – one can’t
wage a war from the territory of a country who is at war itself. To
this end, Iran and Russia may start inciting both sides to war. To
Azerbaijan they may promise: `Start and we will help you to get back
some of your districts.’ With Armenia things are much easier: Iran
and Russia are its strategic, economic and political partners in the
region and may well claim repayment of `debts’…
`The other `response’ Azerbaijan may get from Iran may be the Islamic
factor. Until recently Azerbaijan has paid no special attention to
the Islamic factor and Iran’s relevant activities. They in Baku
believed there were no strong pro-Iranian Islamists in Azerbaijan.
But the `cartoon scandal’ and the reaction to it in Azerbaijan have
proved otherwise. We do have Islamists, and Iran may well use them if
Azerbaijan supports the US initiatives.
Given the extreme religiousity of the Baku villages and Southern
Azerbaijan, `a good push’ may set a critical mass of people into
action that will be hard to stop. Even more, Iran may raise the whole
so-called `Arab Street’ against us, and it is a big question if our
police will be able to cope with a cohort of extremists from the
Middle East.’
Echo reports the US to be considering a scenario of military
assistance of Azerbaijan. Experts say that Azerbaijan must be ready
for Iran’s counter-attack. `Experts say that today the threat of a
military strike on Iran is as real as never before. In its article
`Scenarios of American Strike’ Al Ahram daily from Egypt says that in
case of war Iran will counter-act by striking on the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. Its missiles can well hit the US
and European oil facilities in the Caspian Sea,’ says Echo.
Independent military expert Uzeir Jafarov says: `The US certainly has
a specific plan on Iran, and this plan has several possible
scenarios. The Americans always have several scenarios – both
optimistic and pessimistic. No coincidence they are exercising the
possibility of aggression against Azerbaijan by an imaginary
neighbor. After the USSR collapse we have liquidated half of our
chemical troops and should there be a chemical attack on Azerbaijan,
both our army and people will have serious problems. That’s probably
why the Americans are considering this scenario at exercises and are
training our specialists at seminars how to be most efficient during
such force majeure situations.’
`I feel there will be really hot in our region in April. We should be
ready for aggravating situation in all directions. America has
specific plans, Iran has reasons of its own. So, I am sure that if
American strikes a crushing blow on Iran, we will hardly avoid its
repercussion. Even if Azerbaijan gives no official consent to the use
of its territory by the US troops, Iran may still hit at the objects
of the US economic interest in Azerbaijan: the oil facilities in the
Caspian Sea, the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. This all may be an act of
despair by the Iranian regime,’ says Jafarov.

Regnum, Russia
April 8 2006
Iran-Armenia gas-pipeline may not be sold (Armen Movsisyan)
Yerevan, 8 April 2006 (Regnum – website) – `Construction of
Iran-Armenia gas-pipeline is still not finished, and it is not yet
subject of economy, hence, it is not a joint-stock company, and it
has no stock, which is why it may not be sold,’ stated Armenian
Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan. `I state it clear, the matter
concerns only 5th energy unit of Hrazdan TPS,’ he stressed,
commenting on OAO Gazprom’s information, published on the eve, but
corrected later, about achievement of agreement with the Armenian
government on gas prices and some other questions of energy
cooperation.
As it has been already stressed, within several hours OAO Gazprom
corrected information, already published by its Press Department, on
signing 25-years-long agreement with Armenian government, which
defined strategic principles of cooperation in gas-energy projects in
Armenian territory. In last version of news release, published in
Gazprom official web site, information, concerning Iran-Armenia
gas-pipeline, is completely excluded. In preliminary variant of news
release, sent to mass-media on April 6, it was mentioned the
agreement foresees ZAO ArmRosgazprom acquires Armenian government’s
40-kilometer-long Iran-Armenia pipeline, which is under construction
now, and 5th energy unit of Hrazdan TPS (Hrazdan-5). Also, in
accordance with the agreement, Armenian government engaged to charge
ZAO ArmRosgazprom with duties of customer to construct second section
of 197-kilometer-long Iran-Armenia pipeline. In the document’s new
version, only acquiring of Armenian government’s 5th energy unit of
Hrazdan TPS (Hrazdan-5) is mentioned.

Waterloo Record, Canada
April 8 2006
Passion for song
Isabel Bayrakdarian uses her voice as an expression of faith in God
LIANNE ELLIOTT

PHOTO BY LINDSAY LOZON
Soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian is performing Bach’s St. Matthew Passion
with the Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Choir next Friday at the
Centre in the Square in Kitchener.

KITCHENER (Apr 8, 2006)
Wherever Isabel Bayrakdarian is, she’ll slip into the nearest church
and beg to sing a few songs with the choir.
She’ll put on whatever second-hand vestment the choirmaster can
scrounge up and line up alongside the other singers.
The Canadian soprano has done this while travelling through Europe,
North America and the Middle East.
Most of the time, the singers in the choirs will recognize her. They
realize the young woman begging to sing alongside them is actually
one of the fastest rising stars in the world of classical music.
But sometimes, Bayrakdarian can remain anonymous as she joins a
choir’s ranks.
“They can’t believe someone has come out of the blue to sing,” says
Bayrakdarian, who is performing with the Kitchener Waterloo
Philharmonic Choir on Friday.
“Sometimes they’ll say, ‘You should try taking singing lessons, you
have a good voice.’ ”
Bayrakdarian has performed with world-renown companies like the
Metropolitan Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
She has had triumphant concerts at New York’s Carnegie Hall, she’s
won three Juno Awards and she sang on the Grammy-winning Lord of the
Rings: The Two Towers soundtrack.
But still, she’s passionate about singing with small church choirs.
She joins them when she’s at home and when she’s on tour.
“What I love about that is that I’m expressing my faith and the
existence of God through the voice that he has given me,” she says,
on the telephone from her Toronto home.
“You’re using the voice to praise the one who created it.”
This is why Bayrakdarian is thrilled to be part of the philharmonic
choir’s traditional Good Friday concert.
This year, the choir will perform J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion at
the Centre in the Square.
The piece tells the Good Friday story, its lyrics using the words of
the Gospel of St. Matthew to tell of Jesus’ betrayal, suffering and
death.
“It’s what Christ went through,” Bayrakdarian says. “It’s moving as
well as humbling.
“To be given the opportunity to sing it and be a part of it — I
almost don’t feel we should be paid to do this.”
The concert promises to be spectacular, drawing 160 singers from the
Philharmonic choirs, a few dozen musicians from the
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and seven world-class soloists, including
Bayrakdarian.
It’s a piece of music that conductor Howard Dyck is passionate about.
“There is no doubt that the audience will be taken by the
magnificence and beauty of the music,” he says. “If they are
Christians, they’ll be taken and deeply touched by the story that is
so central to Christian faith.
“Even if they’re not Christians, there’s a deep humanity to Bach that
will touch them too.”
He has brought together a list of prominent singers to sing the key
parts of the passion.
Tenor John Aler, a great American singer, will play the crucial role
of the evangelist, the narrator of the passion. Gary Relyea, one of
Canada’s best bass-baritones, will sing the part of Jesus.
A Canadian up-and-comer, baritone Peter McGillivray is singing the
words of Peter, Pilot and Judas.
The philharmonic choir will sing the group parts — the disciples,
the mob, the high priests. Choir members will also sing verses that
allow Bach to interpret the work, asking what it means for the
listener.
Also on board are mezzo-soprano Susan Platts, a Kitchener woman who
studied under opera star Jessye Norman, and Joseph Schnurr, a young
Kitchener tenor who studies in Berlin.
And of course, there’s Bayrakdarian.
She has been singing ever since she was a little girl growing up in
Lebanon. At just 3 years old, she started singing with her mother,
sisters and brothers in the choir at their Armenian Apostolic Church,
the faith they belong to as Armenians.
But Bayrakdarian never imagined she could turn singing into a career.
After she and her family immigrated to Canada, she did a degree in
biomedical engineering at the University of Toronto.
“I was always good in math and sciences,” she says. “I thought that
was the path I was meant to do.”
Still, she took singing lessons on the side and entered local
competitions. In 2000, she won the Operalia competition, one of the
most prestigious international competitions for young singers. Her
singing career was born.
She now performs around the world and has made several recordings.
Last weekend, she and her husband, pianist Serouj Kradjian, won a
Juno for their recording of Viardot-Garcia: Lieder Chansons Canzoni
Mazurkan.
But Bayrakdarian has never performed St. Matthew Passion before. This
week, she and Dyck spent a day rehearsing her part at the piano in
her Toronto home.
Bayrakdarian will come to Kitchener on Wednesday to start rehearsing
with the full choir and orchestra.
“It went smoothly with Howard,” she says of the first rehearsal. “I’m
sure it will be just magical with an orchestra.”
[email protected]
CONCERT
What : J.S. Bach: St. Matthew Passion
When: Good Friday (April 14)
Who: Kitchener Waterloo Philharmonic Choir
with guests:
Isabel Bayrakdarian
Susan Platts
John Aler
Peter McGillivray
Joseph Schnurr
Gary Relyea
Where: Centre in the Square
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $33-$39
Phone: 519-578-1570
1-800-265-8977
From: Baghdasarian

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 8 2006
Armenians violate cease-fire in Gadabay and Gazakh fronts
[ 08 Apr. 2006 12:59 ]
Armenian Armed Forces from their positions located in Lagziyal
Mountain in Armenia’s region of Krasnoselsk, fired on the opposite
positions of Azerbaijani Armed Forces located in Gadabay region from
15.00 till 15.10 on 7 April.
The Defense Ministry’s press service told APA that the companies of
the Armenian Army again violated the cease-fire in the occupied
village Baganis Ayrim of Gazakh region from 19.10 till 1915. The
enemy forces fired on the opposite positions of Azerbaijani Armed
Forces with submachine and machine guns.
The enemy was silenced by response fire. No causalities were
reported. /APA/

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
April 8 2006
Condoleezza Rice makes call to Ilham Aliyev and Robert Kocharian
[ 08 Apr. 2006 13:02 ]
The US Secretary of State met Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov who is visiting the United States (APA).
The State Secretary made a call to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham
Aliyev first and then to Armenia’s President Robert Kocharian before
the meeting with Mr.Mammadyarov. Ms.Rice discussed the settlement of
the Nagorno Garabagh conflict with the Presidents. The talks with the
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister also focused on this problem. The US
State Secretary expressed hope that improvement will be achieved in
the settlement process./APA/

AzerTag, Azerbaijan –
April 8 2006
OMBUDSWOMAN OF AZERBAIJAN ATTENDS HUMAN RIGHTS MEETING IN AUSTRIA
[April 08, 2006, 12:16:33]
Azerbaijani Commissioner for Human Rights Elmira Suleymanova attended
a Human Rights Defenders and National Human Rights Institutions:
Legislative, State and Non-State Aspects meeting of the Organization
for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Austrian capital,
Vienna.
E. Suleymanova addressed the meeting on the Armenia-Azerbaijan
conflict and spoke of the work done to protect and promote human
rights in Azerbaijan.
Ombudswoman said appropriate international structures should seek
establishment of an equitable peace in the region.
The Azerbaijani Ombudswoman also participated in the plenary session
of the European Ombudsman Institute in Innsbruck, where she made
statements on the Armenian genocide and terror against Azerbaijani
people.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 8 2006
US expect progress in the Karabakh conflict settlement

Source: Trend
Author: Z. Ibrahimli

08.04.2006

The United States have expressed hope in the peaceful settlement of
the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This statement has been issued during
the talks between the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammedyarov
and US State Secretary, Condolisa Rise, Trend reports.
Before meeting with her Azerbaijani counterpart, Rise has spoken by
phone with Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents, Russia Voice reports.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
April 8 2006
Armistice breach at the front lines

Source: Trend
Author: E. Javadova

08.04.2006

Armenian Armed forces has again breached the armistice on April 2,
the Defense Ministry told Trend.
Azerbaijani positions located in the Kedabeck district came under
small arms fire from the Armenian positions located on the Lagziyal
mountain at the Krasnoselsk district of Armenia from 15:00 P.M. to
15:10 P.M. And from 19:10 P.M. to 19:15 P.M. Azerbaijani armed forces
positions came under from the opposing side in Kazakh district.
Fire has been returned, no casualties reported.

Ringsidereport.com, VA
April 8 2006
Boxing: Super Welterweight Prospect Vanes `The Nightmare’ Martirosyan
stops by RSR
By Geno McGahee – April 7, 2006
With many superstars reaching the end of their career road, such as
Shane Mosley, Oscar De La Hoya, and Fernando Vargas, a new boxer on
the scene hopes to fill the gap. Vanes `The Nightmare’ Martirosyan
was born in Abovyan, Armenia, but now resides in Glendale, California
and sports a record of, 7-0, 4 KO’s. As an amateur, he compiled a
record of, 120 wins, 10 losses, and went on to represent the United
States in the 2004 Olympics. He made it all the way to the
quarterfinals, before losing to Cuba’s Lorenzo Aragon, who would go
on to capture the Silver Medal. Martirosyan is managed by Shelly
Finkel, and is promoted by Top Rank. His trainer is the legendary
Freddie Roach, who was honored by the Boxing Writer’s Association of
America as the `2003 Trainer of the Year.’ He has worked with James
Toney, Mike Tyson, and Manny Pacquiao. He has a proven track record
of working with championship level boxers and will certainly be an
asset to the camp of this young fighter. At this point in his career,
`The Nightmare’ has a lot going for him and he has a very powerful
team to increase his chances of success.
On April 8th, on the under card of `Sworn Enemies’ Judah Vs.
Mayweather, JR., Martirosyan continues his quest for a championship
as he faces the undefeated: Teefo Seetso. It’s a testament to the
confidence that the team has in their fighter as they consistently
match him with boxers that have winning records. I have seen many
other prospects put in constantly with boxers that either have losing
records or are making their professional debut and have never put on
a pair of gloves before. RSR was able to catch up with `The
Nightmare’ as he goes into his upcoming bout with Teefo Seetso and
talked about his aspirations and his career as a boxer.
GM: You have a very interesting nickname. Where did the `Nightmare’
nickname come from?
During my Olympic Trials in 2004 and the U.S. Championships, I was
just coming out of nowhere and beating highly ranked opponents like
Timothy Bradley and Rondel Mason. Opposing teams eventually started
saying I was something out of a bad dream, hence the name
`Nightmare.’ My fellow Armenian fans picked up on this fast and would
always scream out-loud: `Armenian Nightmare’ when I would enter the
ring.
GM: You are currently being trained by Freddie Roach. How is your
relationship working out and how has he improved your game?
I feel very blessed to have Freddie Roach in my corner. Freddie, to
me, is now more than just a trainer. He is a great friend and mentor
that is showing me the right path to success and possible world
championships. It gives me strength knowing I have one of the best
trainers in the world on my back. He always points out where I need
improvement after each fight and makes sure that we work in that
area.
GM: On April 8th, you are fighting on the under card of
Judah-Mayweather, JR. What can you tell us about your opponent, Tefo
Seetso, and how does it feel to box on the under card of a card that
features so many important bouts?
It is quite an honor for me to be on such a terrific card at my young
age of 19. I, myself, was a 2004 U.S. Olympian, and its nice to be on
the under card of a fellow former U.S. Olympian, the Bronze
Medallist, Floyd Mayweather, JR. As for my opponent, I have watched a
video of one of Tefo Seetso’s fights and must say he is an aggressive
boxer. It will definitely be an exciting fight. I have put countless
hours at the gym with Freddie and Justin Fortune, my physical
trainer. I am in great shape and ready for my April 8 bout.
GM: What got you into the sport of boxing?
My father, Norik Martirosyan got me into boxing at the young age of
seven. My elder and younger brother also got me into boxing, but I
guess they weren’t as passionate toward it as I turned out to be. My
father saw it in me the most and never let me quit. He has always
pushed me hard to get the best out of me and still does. I owe
everything to him for his encouragement and support.
GM: You had an outstanding amateur career. Can you tell us about
your time as an amateur and your memorable experiences?
The highlight of my amateur career was, of course, the 2004 Olympics
in Athens, Greece. It was an amazing feeling to represent the United
States of America and quite a confidence builder. Our U.S. Olympic
boxing team fought the best in the world and never shied down. After
winning my first round against the Algerian, Benamar Meskine, I was a
local hero in my hometown of Glendale, CA. Altogether, it was an
incredible experience and I will never forget it for the rest of my
life. Aside from the Athens Olympics, I also have extensive amateur
boxing experience here in the U.S. My record was something like
120-10, with more than 80 of my wins by stoppage. All this experience
definitely helped jumpstart a professional career that is looking
real good for me so far at, 7-0, 4 KO’s.
GM: Who are your boxing idols and why?
One of my boxing idols has to be Oscar De La Hoya. I am in the same
super welterweight division as him and have always enjoyed his boxing
style. Oscar, to me, is the ideal image of a boxer because he is a
great fighter in the ring, a real gentleman outside of it, and on top
of all that, he is quite a businessman, which is important in the
boxing industry.
GM: What is your opinion of the Super Welterweight division and what
boxers are your gearing toward as future opponents?
I think that the super welterweight division is one of the most
exciting divisions right now in boxing. I am very lucky to be coming
up at such a great time for my division with the likes of Mosley,
Vargas, De La Hoya, Trinidad, and Mayorga, to name a few. As far as
my future opponents are concerned, it all really depends on my
management team, headed by Shelly Finkel, along with my promoters:
Top Rank and Bob Arum. Once they give me the go on an opponent, and
my father and uncle Serge approve, it’s on! I trust my team very
much, and who ever they want me to fight, Freddie and Justin will
make sure I’m well prepared.
GM: Why are you a future World Champion?
I simply believe in my abilities and strengths as a professional
boxer. I possess the qualities of a champion because I work very hard
and my determination is there. Everyone at the WildCard Gym reminds
me everyday that I have what it takes to be a world champion. It is
up to me to prove them right and I won’t stop until I do so.
GM: Should we expect to see you on national television anytime in the
near future?
It is expected that sometime by the end of this year, I will have a
fight that will be televised nationwide. I’m not sure when and where,
but I guarantee an exciting fight when my T.V. debut arrives.
GM: What do you want the boxing world to know about yourself and do
you have any message for the fans?
I want them to know that the Armenian-American, Vanes Martirosyan is
here to stay and that I am on a mission to be a world champion in my
division one day. As for my fans, I hear every encouraging remark
shouted during my fights when I am in the ring. So thank you for
believing in me and having my back. My Armenian fans from Glendale
have been amazing and have traveled everywhere with me to watch my
fights. Thank you and God bless you. When I bring home the
championship belt, it will be for you.
Writers Note:
I encourage everyone to check out his website: ,
for all the information on this prospect and his upcoming bouts.
Vanes Martirosyan
(Junior Middleweight)
Professional record l: 7 fights; 7+ (4 KO’s)
– 2005 –
+ (Apr-8-2005, Fountain Hills) Jesse ORTA 4
+ (May-28-2005, Los Angeles) Giovanni RUBIO kot 1
+ (Aug-26-2005, Houston) Fernando VELA 4
+ (Sep-10-2005, Los Angeles) Gerardo Cesar PRIETO 6
+ (Oct-8-2005, Las Vegas) Antonio Tony MORALES kot 1
+ (Nov-12-2005, Las Vegas) Abdias CASTILLO kot 5
+ (Feb-18-2006, Las Vegas) Juan Pablo Montes de Oca kot3
Bottom of Form

IranOilGas.com , Iran
April 8 2006
Armenian Official Denies gas Pipeline Deal
07/04/2006,YEREVAN, Armenia (AP)
Armenia’s energy minister denied Friday that the impoverished
Caucasus Mountain nation had struck a deal with Russia’s state-run
gas monopoly to hand it control of part of a new Armenian-Iranian gas
pipeline.
OAO Gazprom a day earlier announced that it had struck a 25-year-deal
giving Gazprom’s Armenian joint venture ownership rights to the
Armenian segment of a planned pipeline bringing Iranian gas to the
country and an electricity power generating unit.