Armenian village comes under Azeri fire

Noyan Tapan news agency, Yerevan
16 Jun 04

Noyemberyan, 15 June: The village of Baganis of Tavush District
came under fire from assault rifles at around 2200 [1700 gmt] on 14
June from the positions in Qazax District of Azerbaijan. There are
no casualties.

This explains why the Voskepar-Kirants road was closed three days
ago. The vehicles now follow a detour.

The situation here became tense after the Azerbaijanis established
a checkpoint at a dam on the Dzhogazsk water reservoir. The
Armenian-Azerbaijani border passes via this reservoir.

How many Chinese speakers in Box Butte County, Nebraska? The American
language tapestry, revealed

AP Online
Jun 16, 2004

TED ANTHONY

News flash: There is not a single Chinese speaker residing in Box
Butte County, Nebraska. Which may not sound like a particularly useful
sliver of information _ unless you’re a Box Butte-bound speaker of
Chinese looking for someone to converse with out on northwestern
Nebraska’s lonely prairie.

Now consider that Allison Park, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh,
has 49 speakers of Arabic and six of Armenian. Yiddish, meanwhile,
is spoken by people in every state _ including two each in Montana
and South Dakota, suggesting that Billings and Rapid City aren’t the
prime places to pick up some killer smoked whitefish.

Why are we telling you all this? Because thanks to the Modern Language
Association, one of academia’s most venerable organizations, now
we can.

The MLA’s new interactive Language Map Data Center, which goes public
Wednesday, is a truly fascinating (“hen you yisi” in Chinese, “muy
interesante” in Spanish) glimpse into the tapestry of tongues spoken by
American citizens and residents. It’s a story told by 2000 U.S. Census
data, crunched and leveraged to linguistic and geographic ends.

“So often, when we think of languages and cultures that are not
Anglophone America, we think of the world out there _ foreign,” says
Rosemary G. Feal, the MLA’s executive director. “We don’t necessarily
realize how, in our own American globalized society, we’ve got all
these linguistic resources woven into the fabric.”

For anyone interested in language and culture, the site _ with its
interactive maps in bright purples and blues, easily navigable by
mouse _ is as addictive as a catnip-filled mouse for a kitten. It’s
hardly just a parlor game, though. In an era when study of all foreign
languages is rising in America, the possibilities are myriad.

Academics tracking languages can hone in on particular
areas and find out how immigrants from abroad are integrating
linguistically. Marketers who want to target speakers of Thai, Persian
or Navajo can find the postal codes where mass mailings would be the
most lucrative. Social service agencies can calibrate their work to
the ethnic breakdowns in their own communities.

“We incorporate the world in the United States,” Feal says. “We
always have.”

And on a planet of terrorism and wars where intercultural communication
grows more crucial by the year _ some in the U.S. government bemoaned
the lack of Pashtu translators, for example, during the first months
of the war in Afghanistan _ knowing the language resources in one’s
own community or state can be a boon to national security as well.

“There’s not enough accurate information about how language works
and how language is present in our society,” says Donna Christian,
president of the Center for Applied Linguistics in Washington. “There
must be a thousand ways that civic leaders could use this information.”

MLA developers initially conceived the language map idea as “a really
big poster” before the idea ran away with them and evolved into the
interactive operation. So far, they have mapped the top 30 languages
in the country.

They are working on an even more detailed second tier that will
be made available for crunching _ suggesting that before too long,
we will presumably be able to determine how many speakers of Uighur
have taken up residence in Walla Walla, Washington.

“For people in this country, to appreciate the range of languages
spoken here is so important,” Christian says. “There’s such a strong
feeling that English is the only language around. To get an idea of
how many languages are spoken here, that can give us all a better
sense of understanding of each other.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TV chides Oscar-winning Azeri writer for Karabakh interview on BBC web site

ANS TV, Baku
15 Jun 04

[Presenter in studio] It appears that our famous compatriot Rustam
Ibrahimbayov is missing the Armenians who have left Baku. The only
Oscar-winning Azerbaijani, in an interview published on the BBC
Karabakh page, said he recognizes the Armenians’ rights to Karabakh.

[Correspondent Mirsahin over video of the Karabakh page and archive
pictures of Ibrahimbayov] I hadn’t looked at the BBC’s Karabakh
page for some time. And then I thought that maybe this time I would
find something interesting there that would be in the interests
of Azerbaijan as well. My first impressions of the interview by a
famous Azerbaijani author and script-writer, Rustam Ibrahimbayov,
were quite reassuring. It was headlined “It is in the interests of
Karabakh to be Azerbaijan’s”. I thought this is our man and that he
is going to speak about our realities. Having read the interview,
I thought that I should share with you my sentiments as regards some
of the views held by the famous Azerbaijani.

Of course, Rustam Ibrahimbayov is no small man. In fact, the BBC
interviewed him exactly because he is a renowned author, playwright,
script-writer for a number of Soviet cinematography masterpieces
and winner of the Oscar award. And it goes without saying that
the international audience has no reason whatsoever to distrust
such a famous man and listen to a Mirsahin. From this standpoint,
it was a shrewd choice. Rustam muallim [form of address] believes
that the 10 years that have elapsed since the cease-fire accord are
a blessing. Because they serve peace. Even though the cease-fire is
not peace yet and the 10 years more than anything testify to the fact
that Azerbaijan has come to terms with the occupation of its land.

Rustam Ibrahimbayov is making no secret of the fact that he misses
the Armenians who have left Baku. He is sorry that so many intelligent
Armenians have left Azerbaijan. And that people from the countryside
have taken their place. The city is now in the hands of those who
have come from the village. By this utterance the esteemed writer is
taking no heed of the deprivation and grief of those Azerbaijanis who
had to leave their homes, head for an unknown destination and settle
down in Baku. These people are inferior to the Armenians only because
they have come from the countryside.

The playwright thinks it is possible to resolve the Karabakh problem
on the basis of mutual concessions. As a matter of fact, he supports
Karabakh’s independence. This is what he says. I am giving both
sides the right to consider Karabakh their land. I cannot deny the
Armenians this right, end of quote. However, Rustam Ibrahimbayov does
not elaborate whether he is giving the Armenians the right to set
houses on fire, kill the civilian population in the most barbarous way,
rape children and drive out people from their homes.

Baku has lost hundreds of thousands of Bakuvians who were professionals
and loved Baku and Azerbaijan. We know that the Armenians are one
of the most prominent nationalities in the world. They are skilful
professionals. And if they could be involved in the economic
development of the modern Azerbaijan, our country would greatly
benefit from this.

This is said by a resident of Baku and a citizen of Azerbaijan and,
most importantly, a citizen of the world, Rustam Ibrahimbayov. Citizen
of the world Rustam Ibrahimbayov is distancing himself from Azerbaijan
and the Azerbaijanis so much that he is nearing Armenia and the
Armenians.

I personally believe that the fact that well-known Azerbaijanis are
either not seen at all or seen in the wrong light in the world is quite
a serious issue. Let’s compare: Rustam Ibrahimbayov to the Azerbaijanis
is what [singer] Charles Aznavour is to the Armenians. Incidentally,
about a month ago the Armenian national hero award was conferred
on famous Armenian Charles Aznavour for his service to the Armenian
people. Now let’s try to imagine Rustam Ibrahimbayov as the national
hero of Azerbaijan. Doesn’t the idea seem a little funny? Because
Charles Aznavour donates a lot of money that he earns from concerts
in France, Great Britain, Denmark and the United States to Armenia
and the Armenian people. He makes statements in the countries he
visits that Karabakh belongs to the Armenians. And no-one can ever
doubt that an Armenian such as Charles Aznavour can tell a lie. And
naturally people believe him.

No-one will ever doubt what an Azerbaijani such as Rustam Ibrahimbayov
says either. People are destined to believe his statements I quoted
earlier. I may not be familiar with a world citizen’s way of thinking
but let me say quite sincerely that I would give such a citizen a
different passport. Because the ending of the Azerbaijani name of
Ibrahimbayov should be different. To cut the long story short, let
me say that the Azerbaijanis are simple-minded. When they want or
expect a lot and eventually receive a little, they do nothing less
than take offence. We were expecting everything in the world from
Rustam. Instead, he foisted a globe on us, and as the well-known joke
goes, a truly Armenian globe.

Mirsahin, ANS.

Azeri leader visits military unit in western city

Space TV, Baku
16 Jun 04

[Presenter] President Ilham Aliyev is in Ganca [western
Azerbaijan]. Our correspondent Tural Museyibov reports from Ganca:

[Correspondent, over phone] President Ilham Aliyev is currently
visiting a military unit. The president has delivered a speech here. He
said that the entire Azerbaijani people marked National Salvation
Day yesterday. He celebrated this holiday with Georgian Azeris and
is now celebrating it with local people in Ganca.

President Ilham Aliyev said that anarchy and chaos had used to reign
in Azerbaijan, but now thanks to [ex-President] Heydar Aliyev’s
policy, anarchy had been eliminated. Azerbaijan is advancing towards
a successful future. He said that this policy was being successfully
continued.

He said that Azerbaijan is becoming more and more successful, social
problems are being tackled, the government is taking the necessary
steps to improve living conditions of refugees and displaced persons
who became homeless as a result of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagornyy
Karabakh conflict. Creating new jobs and strengthening the army are
the priorities. It is the duty of the leadership to support the army
and to improve the living conditions of servicemen.

The president went on to say that the liberation of the occupied
territory was the main task but the negotiations had yielded no
results. Azerbaijan is in favour of peace talks, but they will come to
an end. Azerbaijan will not tolerate the occupation of its land which
must be liberated. The propaganda of patriotism and mobilization
should be strengthened. We should all be like Heydar Aliyev and
continue his policy.

He also commented on the work done in Ganca. He said that he
was satisfied with the work that the authorities conducted. He
familiarized himself with the living conditions of soldiers and with
military hardware.

At the moment, the president is leaving the unit and heading for the
office of the executive authorities. He will hold a sitting there
and discuss the construction of an airport in Ganca.

‘Rest of the world’ triumphs as Anand draws Kasparov in Chess

Deepika, India
June 16 2004

Moscow, Jun 15 (PTI) Former World Champion Viswanathan Anand drew his
final round game with World No. 1 Garry Kasparov ensuring victory
for the Rest of the world team against Armenia at the Hyatt Ararat
in Moscow, here today.

Despite a defeat in the sixth and final round, Rest of World held on
to their lead, winning the match with a narrow 18.5-17.5 score.

Rest of the world began the last round with a cushion of two point lead
at 16-14, while Armenia looked for two extra wins, without defeats.

Playing the World No. 1 Garry Kasparov with white pieces, Anand
snatched the precious half a point with a comfortable draw. The
Sicilian Pelican game between Anand and Kasparov, saw neither player
willing to take the risk.

A little out of the theoretical waters, Anand captured the center
“d” pawn and offered a draw which Kasparov accepted. Just into the
middle game, Anand held more than an even position on the quenside,
but Kasparov’s double bishop ensured splitting of the point.

Anand completed the event with two wins, a lone defeat to Leko and
three draws.

The only decsive game of the day came from the Vaganian-Adams game,
wherein the veteran Armenian brought in all his experience in the
Queens Indian game to down the English Grandmaster.

Anand draws with Kasparov

Rediff, India
June 16 2004

June 16, 2004 03:12 IST — Former World champion Viswanathan Anand
drew his final round game with world No. 1 Garry Kasparov to ensure
victory for the Rest of the World team against Armenia at the Hyatt
Ararat in Moscow, on Tuesday.

Despite defeat in the sixth and final round, the Rest of World held
on to their lead, winning the match by a narrow 18.5-17.5 score.

Rest of the world began the last round with a two-point cushion at
16-14, while Armenia looked for two extra wins, without defeats.

Playing Kasparov with white pieces, Anand snatched the precious half
point with a comfortable draw.

The Sicilian Pelican game between Anand and Kasparov saw neither
player willing to take risks. A little out of the theoretical waters,
Anand captured the center “d” pawn and offered a draw which Kasparov
accepted. Just into the middle game, Anand held more than an even
position on the quenside, but Kasparov’s double bishop ensured
splitting of the point.

Anand completed the event with two wins, a lone defeat to Leko and
three draws.

The only decsive game of the day came from the Vaganian-Adams game,
wherein the veteran Armenian brought in all his experience in the
Queens Indian game to down the English Grandmaster.

Giving it all, Vaganian went all out for the kingside attack,
marshalling his pieces in quick time. Adams’s decision to hold on
to the bishop against knight backfired as the white knight occupied
vital squares, making inroads into black’s territory.

Holding a vice-like grip in the position, Vaganian found an nice
intermezzo forcing Adam’s resignation by 38 moves.

Short draws occured in Valleo Pons-Leko and Akopian-Svidler, where
peace was signed in 18 and 16 moves respectively.

Dutchman Loek van Wely opened with white pieces against Armenian
Grandmaste Lputian and the game moved in the Queens Gambit Tartakover
variation. The players focussed on the queenside and van Wely was
just pleased to sign a draw, as Lputian forced the repetion of moves,
by repeatedly attacking the white queen.

With the lead narrowing down, it all boiled down to the Gelfand-Bacrot
game. A student of former world champion Tigran Petrosian, in whose
memory this event is held, Gelfand held a minor advantage in the Slav
game after the opening phase.

A big space advantage and the awkward position of the black king
pointed to a defeat for the world team. But the Frenchman, Bacrot,
rose to the occasion, and hung on grimly.

Ensuring a winning rook and bishop endgame, Gelfand had Bacrot in
all knots. Extricating himself from difficulties, Bacrot sacrificed
his bishop, wiping out the dangerous pawns.

A stalemate on the 70th move, gave the Rest of the World team a
crucial half point, ensuring them a match victory over the Armenian
team by a single point, 18.5-17.5.

Results Match 6: Rest of the World (18.5) beat Armenia (17.5).

Viswanathan Anand (ROW) drew Garry Kasparov, Rafael Vaganian (ARM)
beat Michael Adams (ROW), Fransisco Vallejo Pons (ROW) drew Peter Leko
(ARM), Vladimir Akopian (ARM) drew Peter Svidler (ROW), Loek van Wely
(ROW) drew Smbat Lputian (ARM), Boris Glfand (ARM) drew Etienne Bacrot
(ROW).

Viswanathan Anand – Garry Kasparov: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Na3 b5 9. Bxf6 gxf6
10. Nd5 Bg7 11. c3 f5 12. exf5 Bxf5 13. Nc2 O-O 14. Nce3 Be6 15. Bd3 f5
16. O-O Ra7 17. a4 Ne7 18. Nxe7+ Rxe7 19. axb5 axb5 20. Ra6 d5 21. Nc2
Bc8 22. Ra8 Qd7 23. Nb4 e4 24. Be2 Bb7 25. Ra5 d4 26. cxd4 Draw Agreed.

Glasgow Daily Record, UK
June 16 2004

I’VE BEEN IDLE FOR A YEAR COS THEY’RE ALL SO SCARED OF ME KNOCKING
THEM OUT

ABELYAN FIRES WARNING SCOTT

By Hugh Keevins

WILLIAM ABELYAN was once expelled from a Californian college for
decking a member of the school gridiron team.

Now he insists he’s come to Scotland to teach Scott Harrison a lesson
on Saturday and leave with the WBO featherweight title as his diploma
in determination.

The self-confessed Armenian immigrant punk turned upright citizen
says he got fed up being a troublemaker as soon as he realised there
was money in knocking people unconscious for a living.

Abelyan has been out of the ring for over a year and he boasts it is
because American or Mexican fighters are too scared to go anywhere
near him.

He said: ‘I couldn’t get a fight because I knock people down.

‘Or else I make them retire from boxing completely.

‘I couldn’t believe it when I read an old man like Manuel Medina had
gone 12 rounds with Harrison and then taken his title on points.

‘I was once a sparring partner for Medina and I knocked him down
twice.’

Harrison paid Abelyan money to step aside and give up his right to
fight Medina for the title which the Scot won back last November.

But even Harrison’s manager Frank Maloney won’t predict anything
other than a nail-biting bout.

Maloney said: ‘I wouldn’t have taken on this fight for Scott if there
had been a way of avoiding Abelyan.

‘But it’s a mandatory defence and the truth is that Scott is fighting
for his career.

‘Abelyan is a master boxer and his people fancy this fight big time.

‘Scott will need to rip him apart like a lion with a piece of meat
between his teeth if he wants to win against Abelyan.

‘There are massive pay days at stake and this will be one of the
best fights Scotland has ever seen. I am very concerned because there
might be no way back for Scott if he loses this one.’

In Abelyan’s camp,however, there wasno such fear.

Trainer Don House said: ‘I think Harrison is a decent fighter.

‘I would like to thank him for holding on to our belt until we could
get here to take it back to the States.William hasn’t fought for a
year but he is ready to take on anybody,anytime.

‘He could find harder fighters than Harrison if hewent to Mexico.

‘Sometimes it’s good to have some time out of the ring but we’ve
never stopped working in the gym.’

Abelyan arrived in the USA from Armenia when hewas eight years old
and regards his adopted country as his home.

But it took him time to remember that California was the Sunshine
State and didn’t welcome his dark side.

He said: ‘I never went back to school after they threw me out for
fighting.

‘I graduated through a home correspondence course.

‘But I got fed up with being a troublemaker and channelled my
aggression into boxing.

‘I’m not a fighter in the ring. I am a tactician and Harrison will
find out the difference between one and the other from the moment
the bell sounds to start the first round on Saturday night.

‘The ring is my house and from what I have seen of Harrison so far,
he reminds me of a Mexican fighter. He has no real movement but just
comes on to you.

‘My dream is to hold a world title and he is standing between me and
my destiny.

‘I don’t think I have had the best win of my career so far. I believe
that has still to come on Saturday night.’

Harrison will have his hands full
DARRYL BROADFOOT

The Herald, UK
June 16 2004

June 16 2004

RISKY Business could not have been a more appropriate billing for
Scott Harrison’s World Boxing Organisation featherweight title
defence against William Abelyan.

The Armenian-American arrived in Glasgow’s east end yesterday to
finalise preparations for what he believes will be the fulfilment of
his destiny at the Braehead Arena on Saturday. The credence given to
such boasts is often diluted when the jive-talking stops and the
jabbing begins.

Yet the undercurrent of trepidation spun by Frank Warren to promote
the fight was accentuated at Morrison’s Gym.

Abelyan, the WBO’s mandatory challenger, made little attempt to
disguise his contempt for Harrison. “I can’t believe his fight with
Medina went 11 rounds,” he said of Harrison’s successful rematch with
the Mexican in November.

“He is an old man. I sparred with him before his IBF fight and
dropped him a couple of times. I am coming here to take the belt
home.”

Don House, Abelyan’s trainer, agrees. “William has fought smaller
names in Mexico who are better this guy,” he said.

The 25-year-old Abelyan, who pulled out of the original date in March
with a shoulder injury and replaced by Walter Estrada, did not falter
when invited to explain his grounds for optimism.

Nor was he willing to accept that a year’s inactivity – he has not
fought since his three-round dismantling of Alejandro Estrada in
three rounds in Los Angeles last June – will put paid to the lofty
ambitions of the Abelyan camp.

“It’s not that I didn’t want to fight; nobody wanted to fight me,” he
said, a claim greeted with scepticism by Harrison’s manager, Frank
Maloney. “Scott is a fighter; I am a boxer. He is like a Mexican, he
will just come straight at me and then I will do my business.”

Maloney hopes the former high school tearaway does not wreak havoc on
Saturday and deny Harrison his shot at the big names. “I’m very
concerned about this guy,” he said. “If he loses this, there is no
rematch clause because it is a mandatory defence.”

Mike Tyson is set to make his latest comeback against Irishman Kevin
McBride on July 30. The finishing touches are being put on a deal
which could have the fight staged in Louisville, birthplace of
Muhammad Ali.

Abelyan: Harrison is there for taking
STEPHEN HALLIDAY

The Scotsman, UK
June 16 2004

WILLIAM Abelyan will be a long way from home on Saturday night but
if the Armenian-born, California-based mandatory challenger to Scott
Harrison’s WBO featherweight title is to be believed, the Braehead
Arena will be the scene of a comfortable coronation.

The 25-year-old, fighting outside the United States for the first time
in his six-year career, provided a withering and dismissive analysis
of Harrison yesterday as he met the Scottish media for the first time.

Dethroning Scotland’s world champion, according to Abelyan, will be
little more than a formality. He bases his claim on the evidence of
Harrison’s contests with Mexican veteran Manuel Medina last year. The
Scot, of course, slumped to a shock points loss to Medina in July
before regaining his belt with an 11th-round knockout in the rematch
four months later.

“I can’t believe Medina went the distance and then another 11 rounds
with Harrison,” said Abelyan. “I was Medina’s sparring partner and
I put him on the canvas twice. Medina is an old man.

“For me, Scott Harrison is a typical, come-forward fighter. He is a
strong kid, no doubt about it, but he just comes straight on to you.
There is no movement. I will be ready for him. I’m not going to say
I’ll knock him out, but I will do my stuff in the ring on Saturday
and the knockout will come.

“I’m a boxer, not a fighter, and I will show what’s going to happen
on Saturday. It’s nothing personal as far as I’m concerned, I’m just
here to become the world champion and take the belt home.

“I haven’t fought for a year, because everyone wants to avoid me.
When I become champion, they will all have to fight me.”

Don House, Abelyan’s trainer, echoed his boxer’s confidence. “Scott’s
a decent fighter but he doesn’t possess anything I’m worried about,”
said House. “William has fought tougher guys in the past and I’d just
like to thank Scott for allowing us to come here and win the belt.”

The taunts are unlikely to disconcert highly-motivated Harrison,
whose preparations for the second defence of his second reign as
champion were disrupted by his court appearance last week which saw
him found not guilty of assault.

Frank Maloney, Harrison’s manager, issued a vote of confidence in
his man, but not without some reservations.

“I am concerned about Abelyan,” said Maloney. “I would have preferred
to avoid this fight, but it’s typical of Scott that he didn’t want
to go down another route. Most guys who have had the problems Scott
went through over the past week would have cried off, but Scott isn’t
most guys. He is either incredibly single-minded or just has a screw
missing, I’ve never worked with anyone like him.

“Scott won’t be able to take a backward step in this fight, he’s
going to have to corner Abelyan and slow him down. I think that’s what
will happen but Scott is fighting for his career. Unlike with Medina,
if Scott loses this one, there is no rematch clause. Win it, though,
and there are some massive paydays ahead.”

MALONEY EXPECTING CLASSIC

sportinglife.com, UK
June 16 2004

Frank Maloney claims Scott Harrison’s WBO featherweight title defence
against William ‘The Conqueror’ Abelyan could be a Scottish boxing
spectacle – but admits he is not certain the Cambuslang fighter can
hold on to his belt.

Harrison takes on the American-based Armenian at Braehead Arena on
Saturday night in a mandatory defence of his title.

And a nervous Maloney, Harrison’s manager, is expecting fireworks in
front of up to 6,000 frenzied Scots fans.

He said: “This will be one of the best fights the Scottish public
will ever see. I really believe that.

“It will be as exciting as the England versus France game although I
hope the result goes the other way.

“But I’m very concerned. It’s not a fight that I would have taken if
it had not been mandatory.

“And if Scott loses then there’s no rematch clause, no matter what we
try to do – and anything can happen on the night.

“Scott knows there’s lots of big names out there and big pay days
ahead but Abelyan hasn’t come over here just to pick up the pay
cheque – he fancies it big time.

“Scott Harrison is fighting for his career but it shows you the
difference between him and every other fighter in this country. I’ve
worked with him and Lennox Lewis and neither of them avoided anyone.

“But Scott needs to rip the heart out of Abelyan like a lion. He
can’t take a backward step during the fight and he has to wear him
down.”

Abelyan, who had to pull out of the first proposed meeting with
Harrison in March when he injured a shoulder, has now not seen any
ring action in over a year but the confident 25-year-old insists his
inactivity will not hamper his chances.

He said: “I didn’t want to take the fight when I was injured but my
shoulder is feeling good now and I feel a lot stronger.

“It’s not a problem that I’ve been out for so long. I couldn’t get a
fight.

“Boxers didn’t want to fight me because I knock people out.”

Abelyan’s trainer Don House was also confident that his man would be
more than a match for Harrison.

He said: “I like Scott, he’s a decent fighter and I respect all
fighters and respect all world champions. But I’d like to thank him
for holding on to the belt that we came here to get.

“This won’t be Williams’ toughest fight. He has fought small-name
Mexicans who are better so there’s nothing there that we’re worried
about.”
From: Baghdasarian