EU Observer
August 16, 2004.

Vatican stirs debate on Turkish EU membership

16.08.2004 – 09:52 CET | By Honor Mahony

Negative comments by a high-ranking Cardinal in Vatican about Turkish
membership of the EU have once more stirred the controversial debate.
In an interview last week with Le Figaro magazine, Cardinal Joseph
Ratzinger said that Turkey is “in permanent contrast to Europe” and that
linking it to Europe would be a mistake.
To make his point he spoke of the Ottoman Empire’s incursions into the
heart of Europe in past centuries.
Cultural riches should not be sacrificed for the sake of economic
riches, the Cardinal is quoted as saying in Turkish media.
The German, who heads the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith, said that Turkey, which is a predominantly Muslim secular
republic, should seek political union with Arab states and not with
European countries.
He suggests it “could try to set up a cultural continent with
neighbouring Arab countries and become the leading figure of a culture
with its own identity”.
Turkish rejection
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected the Cardinal’s
comments.
“The Vatican is a religious state. We are speaking to and making
evaluations with EU member countries,” said Mr Erdogan, according to
Zaman.
All of these comments come ahead of some crucial decision in the EU
about Ankara’s bid to join the bloc.
The European Commission will publish a report in October on Turkey’s
readiness to join.
On the basis of this report, EU leaders will make a decision in
December.
But Turkey already has support from some influential countries in the EU
– including the UK and Germany.

Profiles of South Caucasus Countries Participating in the 2004 Athens
Olympics

NBC.com
August 16, 2004

Armenia – ARM

Area: 11,920 sq miles
Population: 3,326,448
Capital: Yerevan
Language(s): Armenian, Russian
Summer Olympic Debut: 1996

The smallest of the former Soviet Republics, Armenia is in extreme
southeastern Europe, landlocked by Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the
east, Iran to the south and Turkey to the west. Armenia declared its
independence in September 1991 and became an independent state later that
year when the USSR disbanded.

OLYMPIC TRADITION
The last recorded champion of the ancient Olympics was Prince Varastades,
who won the boxing competition at the 291st Olympic Games (approx. 388 A.D.)
before becoming king of Armenia. In modern times, Armenia represented the
Soviet Union through the 1988 Games and then the Unified Team in 1992. The
International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized Armenia as a member in
1993, and 32 athletes competed for the nation in 1996.

OLYMPIC LEGENDS
Armenian Olympians of note include: Igor Ter-Ovanesyan, the long jump bronze
medalist in 1960 and 1964, who, upon witnessing Bob Beamon’s 29 foot, 2 1/2
inch leap at the 1968 Games, claimed: “Compared to this jump, we are as
children”; Albert Azaryan, a three-time gymnastics gold medalist (1956 men’s
team, 1956 rings, 1960 rings); and modern penthathlete Igor Novikov, who won
two golds (1956 and 1964 men’s team) and two silvers (1960 men’s team and
1964 individual). In 1996, Armen Nazaryan won the nation’s first (and only)
gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling, while compatriot Armen Lazarian took a
silver in freestyle. The only Armenian medallist in 2000 was Arsen Melikyan,
who won bronze in the 77kg/170 lbs weightlifting competition.

ATHENS OUTLOOK
A former wrestling power, Armenia has struggled to fund its program in
recent years, which has resulted in several wrestlers leaving to compete for
other nations. The best hope for a wrestling medal is 2001 Greco-Roman world
champion Vaginar Galustyan (66kg/145 1/2 lbs). Also watch Mahmed Agayev
(84kg/185 lbs) in men’s freestyle. In addition, several Armenian
weightlifters and boxers could contend for medals.

**************************************************************
Azerbaijan – AZE

Area: 34,640 sq miles
Population: 7,830,764
Capital: Baku
Language(s): Azerbaijani, Russian, Armenian
Summer Olympic Debut: 1996

Oil-rich Azerbaijan is located in extreme southeastern Europe, bordered to
the east by the Caspian Sea, to the south by Iran, to the west by Armenia
and to the north by Georgia and Russia. A former Soviet republic, Azerbaijan
declared its independence in August 1991 and became an independent state
when the USSR disbanded later that year.

OLYMPIC TRADITION
This will be the third independent Olympic appearance for Azerbaijan, which
represented the USSR through 1988 and the Unified Team in 1992.

OLYMPIC LEGENDS
One of the more successful Azerbaijani Olympians was Inna Ryskal, who won
four medals (two gold, two silver) as a member of the Soviet women’s
volleyball team from 1964 to 1976. In 1992, gymnast Valeri Belenki won a
bronze medal in the men’s individual all-around and a gold in the team
all-around as a member of the Unified Team. Freestyle wrestler Namik
Abdulayev won his independent nation’s first medal – a silver – in 1996;
four years later, shooter Zemfira Meftakhetdinova won Azerbaijan’s first
gold, in women’s skeet. Abdulayev added another gold medal, and Vugar
Alekperov won a middleweight boxing bronze.

ATHENS OUTLOOK
Abdulayev is again a wrestling medal contender, along with brother, Arif,
who won a surprise world title in 2003. Several boxers and weightlifters
also have a shot at medals. A fencing medal in women’s team sabre is another
possibility.

*******************************************************************
Georgia – GEO

Area: 27,880 sq miles
Population: 4,934,413
Capital: T’bilisi
Language(s): Georgian, Russian, Armenian, Azeri
Summer Olympic Debut: 1996

A former Soviet Republic, Georgia is located in extreme southeastern Europe
on the eastern shore of the Black Sea and shares borders with Russia,
Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Separated from Russia by the main range of
the Caucus Mountains, it declared independence in April 1991, eight months
before the Soviet Union disbanded.

OLYMPIC TRADITION
Between 1952 and 1992, Georgia provided the Soviet Union/Unified Team with
some of its best wrestlers and judokas. Georgians won more judo medals for
the former Soviet Union than any other republic. Independently, Georgia has
won eight Olympic medals, all bronze (including six in Sydney).

OLYMPIC LEGENDS
Georgia-born triple jumper Viktor Saneyev contributed four medals to the
Soviet Union, including three consecutive golds from 1968-1976 (plus a
silver in 1980). In freestyle wrestling, Levan Tediashvili won back-to-back
Olympic crowns for the Soviet Union in 1972 and 1976, while 1988 gold
medalist David Gobedzhishvili (130kg/286 lbs) was American legend Bruce
Baumgartner’s primary rival for much of the 1980s and early ’90s. Judoka
David Khakhaleishvili, a Georgian representing the Unified Team, took gold
in the men’s heavyweight division in 1992.

ATHENS OUTLOOK
Georgia’s best gold medal hopes for Athens are in wrestling. Manuchari
Kvirkvelia won the 2003 world title in the Greco-Roman 66kg (145 1/2 lbs)
division; Eldari Kurtanidze was the gold medalist at the 2003 World
Championships in the freestyle 96kg (211 1/2 lbs) class. Kurtanidze was one
of Georgia’s six bronze medalists in Sydney.

Interfax
Aug 16 2004

Russian president arrives in Sochi

SOCHI. Aug 16 (Interfax) – President Vladimir Putin arrived in Sochi
on Monday, where he will meet with the Ukrainian and Armenian
presidents.

Putin will meet with Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma on August 18,
and with Armenian President Robert Kocharian on August 20,
presidential press secretary Alexei Gromov told Interfax. [RU EUROPE
EEU EMRG UA AM POL] te bs

ITAR-TASS, Russia
Aug 16 2004

Putin arrives in Sochi to hold working meetings, talks

SOCHI, August 16 (Itar-Tass) – – Russian President Vladimir Putin has
arrived in Sochi on Monday, press secretary of the Russian head of
state Alexei Gromov said.

In the next few days, Vladimir Putin will hold a series of working
meetings and international talks here. In particular, on August 18,
the Russian president is to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart
Leonid Kuchma, and on August 20, he is to hold talks with Armenian
President Robert Kocharyan.

UEFA.com
Aug 16 2004

Children bridging the gap

Some 230 children from Mostar West, Mostar East and Nervesine –
Croats, Muslims and Serbs – attended a UEFA-backed Open Fun Football
School in the Bosnia-Herzegovnian city last week.

Old bridge ceremony
The closing ceremony was relocated to the old bridge in Mostar. The
Open Fun Football School was thus part of the official international
cultural festival celebrating the reopening of the old bridge built
during the Ottoman Empire, destroyed during the war and reconstructed
with assistance from the European Community.

Historical monument
“The bridge is part of Mostar’s specific identity,” said school
leader Mensud Durakovic. “First of all, the bridge and its
construction is unique. It is a historic and national monument, and
is also the bridge between the divided Muslim and Croat societies of
Mostar East and Mostar West – and therefore acts as a symbol of the
reunification of people in Mostar.”

UEFA charity partner
This summer, Cross Cultures is organising 120 Open Fun Football
Schools for 25,000 boys and girls from 8-12 years in
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, F.Y.R. Macedonia,
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Open Fun Football Schools are
part of the UEFA charity portfolio, and the objective is to promote
grassroots football and to use football to bridge the gap between
children, trainers, leaders and football clubs from divided
societies.

Meeting Place
Throughout August, the city of Mostar has been organising an
international cultural festival under the theme Meeting Place, to
celebrate the reconstruction of the old bridge. One of the main
events was the closing ceremony of the Open Fun Football School.

Bridge between children
“The Open Fun Football School has been an important event during the
cultural festival. This is a concrete activity whereby children from
the different communities have met for the first time since the war,”
explained Durakovic. “This has been a week where football has served
as the bridge between children from the different communities of
Mostar. We have had Croat, Muslim and Serb children playing football
together.

Football for all
“We have had teams of disabled children, orphans, displaced people
and children from other vulnerable groups integrated into the Open
Fun Football School. Through this, we have demonstrated that football
is for all, and that football is an important means that can bring us
all together,” he added. “But this is just the start. We are going to
follow up in the coming month with smaller events and matches, so
that the children can keep up the contact, because the children are
important to us. They are the future.”

Agence France Presse
Aug 16 2004

Putin To Meet Ukrainian And Armenian Presidents In Sochi

MOSCOW, Aug 16 (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled
to meet with his Ukrainian and Armenian counterparts this week in the
Black Sea resort of Sochi, where he is currently on holiday, the
Kremlin said Monday.

Putin is due to hold talks Wednesday with Ukrainian President Leonid
Kuchma and Friday with Armenian President Robert Kocharian, a Kremlin
spokeswoman told AFP Monday.

Putin’s meeting with Kuchma comes on the heels of a decision by
Ukraine to sign a three-year contract with the Russian-British oil
company TNK-BP to carry Siberian oil through the Odessa-Brody
pipeline.

The move thwarted European hopes that the pipeline would export oil
from Central Asia and the Caspian Sea to Europe, but was welcomed by
the Kremlin.

Analysts said the move was the latest in a series that have seen the
former Soviet republic lurch back toward Moscow, after spending most
of the post-Soviet years reaching out toward the West, ahead of
presidential elections in October 31.

Sports Features Communications (press release), FL
Aug 16 2004

BOXING: Welterweight Martirosyan Showcases the Olympic Spirit

ATHENS, GREECE – After welterweight (152 lbs/69 kg) Vanes Martirosyan
(Glendale, Calif.) earned a spot on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Boxing
Team, fellow Olympic Team Trials – Boxing competitor Andre Berto
(Winter Haven, Fla./Haiti) chose to use his dual citizenship to
compete for the Haitian Olympic Boxing team. Although the two
athletes were competitors, they always maintained a friendly
relationship, at least outside the ring.

Martirosyan and Berto share more than just boxing, both know what it
means to come to the Olympic Games representing two countries.
Martirosyan is boxing for the United States but feels that he is
competing for his native country of Armenia as well. Berto was boxing
for Haiti but the American teenager also wanted to make the United
States proud.

Martirosyan earned a first round victory on Sunday afternoon over
Benamar Meskine of Algeria, and Berto competed for the first time on
Sunday night. During Berto’s bout, Martirosyan stood in one of the
front rows of the Peristeri Boxing Hall in Athens, Greece.
Martirosyan didn’t just come to scout or watch his possible future
opponent, he stood and cheered for him, encouraging him in his first
round contest. Although Berto fell just short, losing 36-34 to Xavier
Noel of France, Martirosyan showed true class and sportsmanship as
well as the Olympic spirit in coming to support his fellow boxer.

Martirosyan will compete in his second round bout on Thursday,
August, 19, when he takes on defending World Champion Lorenzo
Armenteros Aragon.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

COE (Communiqués de presse), Switzerland
Aug 16 2004

WCC executive committee to meet for first time in Korea;
general secretary to visit Korean churches

The vitality of the churches and the ecumenical movement in Korea and
the region will be at the centre of attention during a 24-27 August
2004 World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committe meeting in
Seoul. The meeting will be preceded by a visit by the WCC general
secretary to the Korean churches from 18-20 August 2004, and by a
special programme for WCC executive committee members from 21-23
August 2004.

Peace and reconciliation in the divided peninsula has received
particular attention from the churches and the WCC for decades; it
will be the focus of a statement by the executive committee on Korea.
The committee will address other situations of international concern,
including events in Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Somalia.

Preparations for the WCC’s 9th assembly, to be held in Brazil in
February 2006, will also receive priority attention. In addition, the
committee will review applications for membership from several
churches, and a series of proposed amendments to membership rules.

Also on the agenda are a review of the WCC’s Pacific office, a
progress report on relations with partner organizations, a detailed
programme report for the first half of 2004, and an update on the
council’s finances.

For the first time, the executive committee will be using a consensus
method of decision-making as a new methodology of work to be applied
at major WCC meetings. This approach to decision-making was proposed
by the Special Commission on Orthodox Participation in the WCC, and
is seen as a more inclusive and conciliar way of working.

WCC leadership to visit Korean churches

Prior to the meeting, the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia
will visit WCC member churches in Korea, and a series of encounters
with church leadership and congregations is planned (18-20 August).

A special programme (21-23 August) for the members of the executive
committee will include a visit to the demilitarized zone that divides
North and South Korea.

The programme also includes worship in local church communities, as
well as a reception hosted by the National Council of Churches in
Korea (NCCK) and the Korean ministry of culture. An audience with the
president of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Roh Moo-hyun, is also
foreseen.

On 23 August, the NCCK will organize a seminar on the future of
ecumenism which will be addressed by WCC leadership.

The executive committee meeting is being hosted by the NCCK and the
four WCC member churches in the country: the Anglican Church of
Korea, the Korean Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church in the
Republic of Korea, and the Presbyterian Church of Korea.

The 25-member executive committee is the highest governing body
between meetings of the WCC central committee, and it usually meets
twice-yearly. Its moderator is Catholicos Aram I, head of the
Armenian Apostolic Church (Cilicia).

Media contact: Ms Jung Hae-Sun, 82-2-745-4943, 82-16-396-2876
(mobile), [email protected]

Programme highlights for press:

18 August
16:00 WCC general secretary gives press conference at Korea Christian
Building

20 August
09:20 WCC general secretary visits the Christian Broadcasting System
and gives an interview

21 August
Morning: WCC general secretary attends the North East Asia church
leaders’ meeting at the Centennial Building

22 August
09:00 WCC executive committee members visit local churches

18:30 Welcome reception (hosted by NCCK )

23 August
09:30 International Forum on New Vision and Challenges to Ecumenism
in the 21st Century (80th anniversary celebration of NCCK)

16:00 Visit to office of South and North Dialogue

17:20 Welcome reception (hosted by minister of culture and tourism)

24 August
16:00 Visit to the Blue House (presidential office)

27 August
14:00 WCC leadership give a press conference at Korea Christian
Building

Website of the National Council of Churches in Korea

Informations complémentaires: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507
6363 [email protected]

Olympic Weightlifting Results

.c The Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) – Results Monday from the Olympic weightlifting
competition:

Men

62Kg

1. Shi Zhiyong, China, (1, 152.50-336; 2, 172.50-380), 325.00 kg.-717 pounds.

2. le Maosheng, China, (3, 140.00-309; 1, 172.50-380), 312.50-689.

3. Leonidas Sampanis, Greece, (2, 145.00-320; 3, 167.50-369), 312.50-689.

4. Israel Jose Rubio Rivero, Venezuela, (8, 132.50-292; 4, 162.50-358),
295.00-650.

5. Armen Ghazaryan, Armenia, (6, 135.00-298; 9, 160.00-353), 295.00-650.

6. Gustar Junianto, Indonesia, (7, 132.50-292; 5, 160.00-353), 292.50-645.

7. Samson Ndicka, France, (10, 127.50-281; 6, 160.00-353), 287.50-634.

8. Umurbek Bazarbayev, Turkmenistan, (9, 130.00-287; 10, 157.50-347),
287.50-634.

9. Sunarto Sunarto, Indonesia, (11, 125.00-276; 8, 160.00-353), 285.00-628.

10. Sheng Hsiung Yang, Taiwan, (14, 120.00-265; 7, 160.00-353), 280.00-617.

11. Manuel Minginfel, Micronesia, (12, 120.00-265; 11, 152.50-336),
272.50-601.

12. Toshio Imamura, Japan, (13, 120.00-265; 13, 150.00-331), 270.00-595.

13. Asif Malikov, Azerbaijan, (15, 115.00-254; 12, 150.00-331), 265.00-584.

14. Gert Trasha, Albania, (16, 115.00-254; 14, 140.00-309), 255.00-562.

15. Ioan Florin Veliciu, Romania, (17, 110.00-243; 15, 135.00-298),
245.00-540.

16. Yacine Zouaki, Morocco, (18, 95.00-209; 16, 130.00-287), 225.00-496.

NR. Kamran Panjavi, Britain, 0.00-0.

NR. Sevdalin Angelov, Bulgaria, 0.00-0.

NR. Im Yong Su, North Korea, 0.00-0.

NR. Diego Fernando Salazar Quintero, Colombia, 0.00-0.

Women

58Kg

1. Chen Yanqing, China, (1, 107.50; 1, 130.00), 237.50 kg..

2. Ri Song Hui, North Korea, (2, 102.50; 2, 130.00), 232.50.

3. Wandee Kameaim, Thailand, (3, 102.50; 3, 127.50), 230.00.

4. Aylin Dasdelen, Turkey, (4, 100.00; 4, 125.00), 225.00.

5. Aleksandra Klejnowska, Poland, (5, 97.50; 5, 122.50), 220.00.

6. Pak Hyon Suk, North Korea, (9, 95.00; 6, 122.50), 217.50.

7. Alexandra Escobar, Ecuador, (6, 95.00; 7, 120.00), 215.00.

8. Patmawati Patmawati, Indonesia, (7, 95.00; 10, 117.50), 212.50.

9. Michaela Breeze, Britain, (10, 92.50; 9, 120.00), 212.50.

10. Franca Gbodo, Nigeria, (8, 95.00; 11, 117.50), 212.50.

11. Maryse Turcotte, Canada, (11, 90.00; 8, 120.00), 210.00.

12. Zlatina Atanasova, Bulgaria, (13, 90.00; 12, 115.00), 205.00.

13. Charikleia Kastritsi, Greece, (12, 90.00; 13, 110.00), 200.00.

14. Bayarmaa Namkhaidorj, Mongolia, (14, 87.50; 14, 107.50), 195.00.

08/16/04 15:29 EDT

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
August 13, 2004
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected]; Web:

Armenian Official Briefs on Armenian Economy at National Press Club

On August 10, 2004, the National Press Club in Washington, DC hosted a news
conference by Vahram Nercissiantz, Chief Economic Adviser to the President
of Armenia, who presented Armenia’s current social and economic development,
his vision for regional cooperation, and expressed his appreciation for
Armenia’s inclusion in the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA). In drawing a
historical account of Armenia’s irreversible achievements in making
political and economic reforms since independence, Mr. Nercissiantz
described the political and philosophical foundations of the Armenian
reforms, and the strategic directions of the transition, emphasizing the
commitment of the Armenian authorities to further development of liberal
democracy and market economy in Armenia. He concluded by presenting the
Armenian government’s strategy for sustaining high rates of economic growth
and reducing poverty in Armenia.

In a vigorous Q&A that followed his presentation, Mr. Nercissiantz addressed
issues ranging from Armenian-Turkish relations to details of the MCA process
in Armenia. He reiterated that the removal of the Turkish blockade and
subsequent opening of the Armenian-Turkish border would greatly benefit both
Turkey and Armenia, as well as neighboring countries of South Caucasus by
promoting greater regional cooperation and stability. Mr. Nercissiantz, who
is ex officio Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Armenian
Program of the Millennium Challenge Account, explained that the Armenian
government had held extensive consultations with Armenian NGO’s, groups of
experts and other concerned parties, both at national and local levels, to
solicit advice and develop a public awareness on the strategic directions
for developmental assistance under the terms of MCA. Addressing recent
articles in the Washington Post that had drawn an unbalanced and inaccurate
portrayal of Armenia’s economy, he said that Armenia’s progress was real and
emphasized the determination of the government and the people of Armenia to
seriously tackle the social and economic challenges facing Armenia today.

For full text of Vahram Nercissiantz’s presentation, please visit the
Embassy of Armenia website: