ARMENIANOW.COM SPORTS March 25, 2005
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SPORT DIGEST: SNOW IN YEREVAN DAMPENS FOOTBALL NATIONALS’ PREPARATION FOR ANDORRA

By Suren Musayelyan
ArmenianNow Reporter

FOOTBALL

NATIONAL TEAM: Armenia played a friendly match against Kuwait in Dubai
(United Arab Emirates) on March 18 losing 1-3.

The first half was goalless. Although after the opening 10 minutes
Armenian footballers dominated the field, they could not materialize
their goal scoring chances.

Kuwait scored the first goal in the 27th minute of the second period,
followed by their second at 32.

Armenia’s Hamlet Mkhitaryan scored the guests only goal (handball
penalty) in the 43rd minute of the second half, but it was followed
two minutes later by Kuwait’s capper.

March 26, at 6:00 pm local time, Armenia will play a World Cup 2006
qualifier against Andorra in Yerevan’s Vazgen Sargsyan Republican
Stadium. Then, on March 30, Armenia will play an away qualifier
against Holland.

Armenia head coach Bernard Casoni made public the names of 21
footballers invited for training before the two qualifiers. They
are: Edel Apula Edima Bete (Pyunik), Roman Berezovsky (Dynamo,
Moscow), Sargis Hovsepyan (Pyunik), Robert Arzumanyan (Pyunik),
Alexan Tadevosyan (Pyunik), Karen Dokhoyan (Krilya Sovetov, Samara),
Valeri Alexanyan (Pyunik), Yeghishe Melikyan (Metalurh, Ukraine),
Aghvan Lazarian (Pyunik); Hamlet Mkhitaryan (MPZO, Belarus), Romik
Khachatryan (Ofi, Greece), Karen Alexanyan (Zimbru, Moldova), Rafael
Nazaryan, David Grigoryan (Yesil Bogatir, Kazakhstan), Artavazd
Karamyan (Rapid Bucharesti, Romania), Romeo Jenebyan (Banants),
Armen Shahgelyan (AHD, Lebanon), Aram Voskanyan (Yesil Bogatir,
Kazakhstan), Arman Karamyan (Rapid Bucharesti, Romania), Ara Hakobyan
(Stal, Ukraine) and Galust Petrosyan (Zimbru, Moldova).

Winter-like weather has hampered the national team’s preparations
for Andorra.

“Because of the weather conditions we cannot train for the match
properly,” coach Bernard Casoni told A1+ on Wednesday. “I haven’t had
the opportunity yet to see the degree of each player’s preparedness.”

The coach said he expected only a win in the match against Andorra,
but added: “Andorra is not my concern. My concern is Armenia. Of
course, Andorra are not what they used to be and now they are a good
team that could earn 4 points in two matches against Macedonia.”

International bookmakers, too, highly evaluate Armenia’s chances to
win Andorra. Armenia’s victory has a coefficient of 1.3. Meanwhile,
Andorra’s victory is evaluated at 1 to 8 and a draw at 1 to 4.2.

ARMENIAN CUP: Second leg matches of the 1/8 finals of Armenian Cup 2005
were played on March 19 and 20. The following results were registered:
Kilikia v Arax – 1-1; Shirak v Gandzasar – 2-0; Banants v Abovyan
– 15-0; Pyunik-2 v Esteghlal-Kotayk – 1-2; Pyunik v Mika-2 – 3-1;
Yerevan United v Mika – 1:0; Dynamo-Zenit v Esteghlal-Kotayk-2 – 2-0;
Ararat v Banants-2 – 1-0.

Thus, the following clubs progress to the next stage: Kilikia, Shirak,
Banants, Esteghlal-Kotayk, Pyunik, Mika, Dynamo- Zenit, Ararat.

(source: the press service of the Football Federation of Armenia).

FENCING

World junior fencing championships began in the Austrian city of Linz
on March 23. More than 500 athletes from 45 countries are participating
in the competitions. According to Armenpress, Armenia is represented by
young epee fencers Hakob Saroyan, Edgar Avetisyan and Mikael Ghazaryan.

The Armenian team is coached by Alexan Navasardyan. The tournament
will last till March 30.

TENNIS

According to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) latest
rankings published this week, Argentinian-Armenian David Nalbandian
is ranked No. 9, followed by American-Armenian Andre Agassi, No. 10.

RINGO ANYONE?: ENTHUSIAST POPULARIZES NEW SPORT IN ARMENIA

By Suren Musayelyan ArmenianNow Reporter

As spring ends the winter hibernation, many Armenians find that they
have put on a few kilograms and need the gym.

But is there a simpler way to keep fit?

Petros Marukyan says Ringo might be the answer.

The 42-year-old engineer from Karakert, Armavir marz, has been
promoting this sport in Armenia since 1989 when he first learned
about the game while on a business trip to the Baltic States.

Ringo, which was invented by Polish fencer Wlodzimierz Strzyzewski
in 1959 to help him train for fencing competitions, later grew into
a separate sport with its own following.

The game of ringo is played with a hollow rubber ring with an external
diameter of 17 centimeters and a weight of 160- 165 grams on a 9×18
m court.

It combines elements of volleyball and tennis and can be played by one,
two or three players from each side.

Marukyan , who founded the Ringo Federation in Armenia in 1998,
says that ringo is a perfect sport to keep fit for all with minimum
equipment that one can put together from whatever is at hand.

“People playing ringo develop quick movement, good reaction,
coordination, abrupt motions,” he says. “Besides, ringo is a very
exciting and enthusing game. Once you try it, you’ll understand that
it is good for your health and your spirit.”

Besides, according to Marukyan, people of all ages alike can start
playing ringo from scratch, without any special training. “All you need
is a rubber ring and a line. Children start playing ringo with great
enthusiasm and as they play they grow fond of this sport,” he says.

According to Marukyan, there are a few hundred people regularly
playing ringo in Armenia. This sport has been involved in the official
calendars of sporting events in Armenia since 1999. Local competitions
begin in April-May and last till late autumn.

Ringo in Armenia is more popular in regions than in the capital. It is
played in Baghramyan, Armavir, Talin, Ashtarak, Spitak and other areas.

According to the Federation president, they also participated in a
series of international competitions in Poland and the Czech Republic
where they were supported by the local Armenian communities.

Today, ringo is played in 17 countries and Marukyan is the
Vice-President of the Association of the Ringo Federations in CIS
countries.

He says that when ringo was first entering Armenia it was supported
by sponsors and other people who saw the advantages of this game,
but during the last few years this support has been withdrawn.

“I always say: there is no bad sport, there is a bad approach to
sport,” he says. “Many children who started playing ringo seven
years ago feel frustrated because we have no funds to ensure their
participation in high-level competitions. That’s why some of our
ringo players stopped playing.”

Meanwhile, Marukyan, who designed equipment for the game of ringo that
could be put in one bag and wrote a book about this game in Armenian,
says he is determined to continue to popularize this sport in Armenia.

“I believe that many Armenians will appreciate this sport as they
learn more about it, and with good sponsors we can develop this sport
in Armenia very quickly,” he says.

Fifteen-year-old Melik, who has played ringo for seven years now,
says that he was fascinated by this sport as soon as he first threw
the rubber ring.

Since then Melik has participated in a number of competitions and
made certain achievements in this sport.

“This is a very interesting sport that makes you physically and
psychologically stronger,” he says. “Every time I play ringo I play
with great enthusiasm.”

Marukyan says they will hold the first ringo competition in Armenia
this year in early April.

All those who wish to join in may contact Petros Marukyan directly on
(374) 3375146 or visit the website:
for more information.

Putin says CIS useful, but does not help economic integration

PRIME-TASS, Russia
March 25 2005

YEREVAN, Mar 25 (Prime-Tass) — The Commonwealth of Independent
States (CIS) is useful in solving a great deal of political issues,
but does not help economic integration, Russian President Vladimir
Putin, said Friday.

Putin is currently on an official visit to Armenia.

“European Union countries worked together for unity, whereas the CIS
was created for a civilized divorce,” Putin said.

“The CIS was created to make the break-up of the USSR as civilized as
possible, with minimum losses in terms of the economy and society,”
Putin said. “The CIS has managed to do so,” he added.

The CIS was established in 1991, following the break-up of the USSR,
and included all former USSR republics except for Georgia and the
Baltic states. Georgia joined the CIS in 1993.

“The CIS is an extremely useful club for the mutual exchange of
information and for the settlement of problems,” Putin said.

“We should not lose this instrument, it is very important,” he added.

But Putin said that the CIS has never been tasked with economic
integration. Real integration can be seen in the activities of such
organizations as the Eurasian Economic Community and the Single
Economic Area, he added.

The Eurasian Economic Community is an international organization,
created in 2000, that includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia
and Tajikistan, and is aimed at promoting economic cooperation among
these countries.

The Single Economic Area is being created by Belarus, Kazakhstan,
Russia and Ukraine, with the main objective being economic cooperation
and the introduction of a single currency.

Putin said that participation in organizations such as the Eurasian
Economic Community and the Single Economic Area should be voluntary.

“It turns out that many partners are not ready to be involved because
of political or other reasons, while the same reasons may cause others
to be interested,” Putin said. The CIS becomes useful here as any
problems that arise can be discussed, Putin said.

Referring to the uprisings and changes of power in some of CIS states,
such as Ukraine and most recently in Kyrgyzstan, Putin said that “the
CIS should undoubtedly be retained, irrespective of the political
colors of the forces that come to power in any particular country in
the commonwealth.” End
From: Baghdasarian

Russia ready to assist in Karabakh settlement – Putin

Mediamax news agency
25 Mar 05

Yerevan, 25 March: Russian President Vladimir Putin today said in
Yerevan that “together with all our partners” Moscow is ready “to
render any assistance” for the peaceful settlement of the Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict.

Speaking at a news conference in Yerevan following the talks with
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, Vladimir Putin said that “we
are expecting the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders’ regular meeting
and hope that it will be productive”.

Putin speaks in Yerevan on importance of multilateral contacts

RTR Russia TV, Moscow
25 Mar 05

[Presenter] We have just received footage from Yerevan, where Vladimir
Putin is on a visit. In the morning, the Russian president arrived at
the Armenian president’s official residence. He was met at the entrance
personally by Robert Kocharyan. After that, the two leaders proceeded
to the Golden Hall in the presidential palace. At this moment, the
presidents are having one-to-one talks. Opening the meeting, Kocharyan
stated that a visit by head of the Russian state had always been a
significant event in the life of Armenia. Putin noted positive trends
in the development of relations between our countries in political,
as well as economic spheres and stressed the special significance of
the launch of the Year of Russia in Armenia.

[Putin] I am pleased to note that we maintain regular contacts – not
only at the state level, but also between our experts and specialists,
as well as businessmen. The development of economic cooperation is also
progressing at a good pace. Today’s event is also extremely important,
because practice shows that the events of this kind organized with
our other partners bring very positive results as a rule. This affects
not only the humanitarian sphere, but also sets good foundations for
cooperation in the sphere of economy and creates a suitable atmosphere
for the development of political relations as well. We are counting
very much on this to happen in this case too.

Report: Putin says Russia won’t object if Kyrgyz president wants to go to Russia

AP Worldstream
Mar 25, 2005

Moscow will not object if Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev wants to go
to Russia, President Vladimir Putin said Friday, according to the
Interfax news agency.

Speaking in Armenia, Putin said the situation in Kyrgyzstan resulted
from the authorities’ weakness and the social and economic problems
that had accumulated there.

CIS ministers mull axing Kyrgyz-phase of joint drills – Tajik source

Avesta web site
25 Mar 05

Dushanbe, 25 March: The first phase of the Rubezh-2005 exercises
of the Collective Security Treaty Organization [CSTO; members are
Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan],
which is planned in Kyrgyzstan, probably will not be held.

A source at the Tajik Defence Ministry has told Avesta that this
issue is currently being discussed by the defence ministers of the
CSTO state members. The source said there were no changes made to
the second phase [of the drills], which was planned in Tajikistan.

The exercises are scheduled to be held from 29 March to 6 April on
the territory of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The exercises will work
out issues relating to drafting and implementing joint decisions
on the use and management of forces and means of the collective
security system during a joint operation to protect the sovereignty
and territorial integrity of Central Asian countries.

Putin calls power change in Kyrgyzstan ‘illegitimate’

AFX Europe (Focus)
Mar 25, 2005

YEREVAN, Armenia (AFX) – Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced the
“illegitimate” change of power in Kyrgyzstan but said Russia hoped to
establish positive relations with new authorities that emerge there,
Agence France-Presse reported.

The Russian president also offered to shelter to Kyrgyzstan’s ousted
leader Askar Akayev after the veteran chief was removed from power
by chaotic opposition protests.

“It is regrettable that in a post-Soviet country the conflict was
resolved in an illegitimate way and was accompanied by pogroms and
human victims,” Putin said at a news conference.

“But we hope that in the future our relations develop in a positive
manner for the good of the Russian and Kyrgyz people,” he added,
according to AFP.

Putin also said that opposition leaders currently assuming positions
of authority in the Central Asian state were “well known” in Russia
and “have contributed greatly to the growth of Russian-Kyrgyz
relations.” bur-cb/tnm/wk

WHAT DOES THE ORINATS YERKIR KNOW THAT OTHERS DO NOT KNOW?

A1+
25-03-2005

On March 28 in Armenia political consultations will start between
several political powers. Or, to be more exact, between Parliamentary
and out-of-Parliament powers. The opposition and the authorities
are not treated here. Simply the consultation of discussing the
democratic problem in the country was initiated by the «Orinats
Yerkir» fraction.

The powers taking part in the consultation are not made clear yet.
But it is a fact that, for example, the «Republican» party
forming part of the coalition has not received an invitation from
his colleagues. Nevertheless, Galust Sahakyan, head of the Armenian
Republican party, greeted the Orinats Yerkir initiative.

According to other political powers, political consultations usually
take place either in grave political situations, or on the threshold
of elections. Several powers do not notice either of these situations
in Armenia.

As for the Orinats Yerkir, Samvel Balasanyan, head of the party,
reminded that there is a pre-election period in Armenia: in fall there
will be the elections of the local governing bodies. So in order to
reduce tension in that period they organize consultations starting
from now.

–Boundary_(ID_32F4QrOyqgoi6EpuFeswsg)–

Armenian, Russian presidents’ one-to-one meeting under way – TV

Public Television of Armenia, Yerevan
25 Mar 05

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Yerevan on a two-day
working visit in the evening of 24 March at Armenian President Robert
Kocharyan’s invitation.

The two presidents’ one-to-one meeting is under way at the moment in
the Armenian president’s residence. The presidents will hold a news
conference after the meeting.

[Video showed Kocharyan welcoming Putin at Yerevan airport]

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

CATHOLICOS ARAM I CALLS FOR DIALOGUE AND NATIONAL UNITY

On the occasion of Palm Sunday, His Holiness Aram I gave a special
speech to the believers gathered in the St. Gregory the Illuminator
Cathedral in Antelias on Sunday, March 20. During his speech he spoke
about the current political situation of Lebanon and focused on the
role expected from the Armenian Community.

His Holiness said that Lebanon is currently facing difficult times,
pointing out that after the assassination of former Prime Minister
Rafik Hariri, popular protests and statements by politicians have
left the people worried and confused.

“Lately, some people started to ask about where the Armenian Community
of Lebanon stands in this situation,” His Holiness said, adding:
“We are with Lebanon in the full and the true understanding of the
word. The Lebanese-Armenian Community is not indifferent or neutral
towards the events unfolding in Lebanon. It has a clear view and a
position that is based on its deep loyalty and strong attachment to
Lebanon and true love for it.”

The Pontiff assured that as a community comprising the vast Lebanese
society, the Armenians are with “Lebanon’s unity, integrity,
sovereignty and independence.” “We truly believe that Lebanon’s only
road to salvation is the unity of its people. Our community acted on
and defended this principle for thirty years.”

The Catholicos added that Armenians also support the harmonious
cohabitation of the Christian and Muslim communities. “Throughout
Lebanon’s most difficult times the Armenians of Lebanon tried to
become a bridge between all sides for the sake of preserving the
cohabitation of the Lebanese society. Now as well, this is the role
of our community,” he said.

His Holiness emphasized that the Armenian community is with the
preservation of liberties and justice. Pointing out that Lebanon is
a democratic country and a country of freedom, Aram I highlighted
the importance of protecting these principles. He also said that
the truth should be revealed about the assassination of former Prime
Minister Rafik Hariri and an investigation must be conducted by the
United Nations.

“We are with the full and exact implementation of the Taef
Accord. Let’s not forget that the Arab World and the international
community support the accord, which was signed with the participation
of representatives from all the communities of Lebanon,” said
His Holiness, emphasizing the imperative of the quick and full
implementation of the Taef Accord.

Aram I assured that the Armenians support the establishment of
good neighborly relations between Lebanon and Syria, based on the
principle of mutual recognition of each country’s independence,
integrity and sovereignty.

His Holiness reminded that the Armenians of Lebanon have with the
national consensus concerning the Hezbollah; and he praised the
initiative of the Lebanese people to unite under the Lebanese flag with
the same expectations, principles and the same vision for Lebanon’s
future. Aram I also said that the time has come for the issues raised
by the people to be discusses around the table of dialogue.

“The Armenians of Lebanon are ready to actively participate in all the
initiatives that spring from the approaches and principles we already
stated. We are continuously consulting with the different parties in
order to bring the country out of its current stalemate,” He said. He
praised the patriotic approach of the leaders of the Armenian Community
and advised them to continue their full participation in strengthening
Lebanon’s internal unity, sovereignty and integrity.

##

View picture here:

*****

The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates
of the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about
the history and the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may
refer to the web page of the Catholicosate,
The Cilician Catholicosate, the administrative center of the church
is located in Antelias, Lebanon.