Turkish threats continue‏

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TURKEY THREATENS TO EXPEL 100,000 CITIZENS OF ARMENIA

by Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent - Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish Prime Minister, said the position of the immigrants, many of whom have lived there as refugees for a generation, was being reviewed in the wake of the row. Armenia claims more than 1,500,000 of its countrymen died in bitter in-fighting as the Ottoman Empire disintegrated at the height of the First World War. Turkey concedes that tens of thousands died in ethnic fighting but vehemently disputes accusations that massacres were systematically planned. Tensions with Armenia have recently escalated as a well-organised worldwide campaign has persuaded the American Congress and Swedish Parliament to adopt resolutions condemning the incidents as "Genocide". An Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day Bill has also been put before the House of Commons and Mr Erdogan has warned Gordon Brown that relations would suffer if Parliament passes it. Turkish law already makes discussion of genocide an offence punishable by imprisonment. "There are currently 170,000 Armenians living in our country. Only 70,000 of them are Turkish citizens, but we are tolerating the remaining 100,000," said Mr Erdogan. "If necessary, I may have to tell these 100,000 to go back to their country because they are not my citizens. I don't have to keep them in my country." Armenia has compared a threat by Turkey's Prime Minister to deport thousands of Armenian immigrants from Turkey to the language that preceded the 1915 Armenian Genocide. click here for the rest of the story

NEW TURKISH PROVOCATIONS IN CYPRUS SEAS

Gibrahayer - Nicosia 23 March - A Turkish Navy patrol boat "Shahin Guvlek" encircled two Cypriot fishing boats in the region of Kappari in Protaras, creating high waves and endangering the fisherman who left their fishing nets behind and fled. It is with great surprise that the fishermen later reported that after the latest bravados of the Turkish Navy, the patrol boat went on to collect the fishing nets and fled.

WE CAN DO THE SAME TO ARMENIANS AS WE DID TO SERBS: TURKISH FM

news.am - Within last months Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu participated in intensive diplomatic talks between Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and other states of the region, that aimed at ending the potential conflict between the neighboring countries. Earlier, the talks under Turkey’s mediation led to mutual Ambassadors’ appointment by Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. “The next step will be Serbs’ apology for killing Turks in Srebrenica,” said Davutoglu to a group of journalists escorting him to Bulgaria. However, despite Davutoglu’s statements, it is expected that Serbian Parliament will only adopt the declaration on regret for loss of innocent lives during the war in 1992-1995. He has to hold more meetings in the coming months with two countries to ensure stable progress in the region, Turkish Hurriyet reads. “Turks and Serbs confront for already 1000 years starting 12th century. While our problems with Armenia last for only 100 years,” Davutoglu stated. If we can solve our problems in Balkans with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, why can’t we deal the same way with Armenia?" he wonders. “Armenians do not discuss Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with us. But we tell them – if we could resolve the issue with Serbs through the dialogue, we can do the same with you,” Turkish FM voiced. “We tell them that through our big efforts Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Serbia overcame their problems. Let’s do the same for you and Azerbaijan.” Stella Jatras responds to this letter 10 years ago - www.antiwar.com/orig/jatras3.html

ARMENIAN LANGUAGE COURSES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS, BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER 2010

Gibrahayer e-magazine - Nicosia 24 March - With the initiative of the Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian, the University of Cyprus will commence part-time Armenian language courses, as of September 2010. This positive result of prolonged discussions for over two years will hopefully open the way to the much desired establishment of an Armenian Chair in the near future. In the light of the above, the Centre of Scientific Training, Evaluation and Development (KEPEAA) in collaboration with the Language Centre of the University of Cyprus invites teachers of Armenian as a foreign language, who possess an MA in Armenian, to submit their Curriculum Vitae to be considered for possible part-time employment. Covering letters should be written in English or Greek and applications have to be delivered by hand or by post to KEPEAA at the Campus Development Offices Building, P.O.Box 20537, CY-1678 Nicosia, Tel: 22-892909, or at icentre@ucy.ac.cy by Friday March 26th 2010, 2.00pm the latest.

CYPRIOT FROM FAMAGUSTA, TO BECOME UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S NEXT PRESIDENT

LA Times - Larry Gordon - Max Nikias, USC's provost and second-in-command, will become its next president, succeeding Steven B. Sample on Aug. 3 at the helm of the 34,000-student university, school officials announced last Thursday. Nikias, a Cypriot-born electrical engineer with expertise in radar and sonar, was long mentioned as the leading candidate to become USC's 11th president, so much so that some trustees reportedly argued against conducting a national search. But the board went ahead, considering 75 other educators before returning to a man well-known and well-liked on campus. Nikias graduated with honors from the Famagusta Gymnasium, a school that emphasised sciences, history, and Greco-Roman classics. He received a diploma from the National Technical University of Athens, sometimes simply known as National Metsovion Polytechnic, the oldest and most prestigious higher education institution of Greece, and earned an M.S. and Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. The University of Cyprus awarded him an honorary doctorate.

EVENT OF THE MONTH SATURDAY 10 APRIL 2010 at 7:30 p.m. STROVOLOS MUNICIPAL THEATRE

followed by celebration dinner at AYMA Dance & Music to the tunes of Garo Geukgeuzian from Beirut Dinner by reservation only with Shoushig Bakalian - 99667828

7or.am - «Միասնության շուրջպար» Սփյուռքի նախարարությունում կամ Հրանուշ Հակոբյանը տարերքի մեջ

Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides: An Inconvenient Truth

By Lucine Kasbarian - a descendant of Armenian and Assyrian genocide victims and survivors, and the author of Armenia: A Rugged Land, an Enduring People (Dillon Press/Simon & Schuster).

Recent articles in the mainstream media would have us believe that governments around the world somehow question the factuality of the 1915 Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides committed by Turkey. These articles would also have us believe that the Turkish government’s latest temper tantrums over these genocides are justified. Turkey, of course, just recalled its Ambassadors to protest the passage of resolutions by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee and the Swedish Parliament that acknowledged Turkish culpability for these genocides. Despite what today’s mainstream media are declaring, the evidence proving the 1915 genocides is overwhelming. And formal resolutions affirming these unpunished crimes against humanity made appearances around the world long before 2010. Regardless of what pro-Turkish apologists would have us believe, the issue has never been about whether the Turkish regime carried out genocide. Rather, it has always been about when Turkey would be punished and deliver reparations and restitution to the rightful, indigenous inhabitants. Powerful media elites would have us believe that the mainstream media universe has been devoid of criticism for Turkey’s unpunished crimes because such voices are either non-existent, marginal, irrelevant, fabricated or some combination thereof. What the media elites fail to tell us is that when these critical voices - from victim ethnic groups or elsewhere - come forward to submit letters, opinion pieces, or quotes, they are usually denied access. Media elites also neglect to tell us that opinions that do not reflect the official narrative spun by Turkey - not to mention Israel and the U.S. - largely go unpublished. Authoritative voices that would discredit mainstream media’s official narrative of the genocide issue are removed from the elite’s “golden rolodex” - the name given to describe the small group of establishment-approved “experts” who are most frequently quoted in news stories or asked to appear on television. The absence of dissent in the mainstream media and in the halls of power does not mean that the victims of the genocides and their descendants are insignificant, apathetic or deceitful. No, we are alive, awake and infuriated. continue article here:

News in Brief by Sevag Devletian

Armenian President Serge Sargsyan has appealed to Azerbaijan to sign a non-aggression pact which he hopes would prepare the ground for continued talks about the future of Nagorno-Karabakh. In an interview with Euronews Sargsyan said that non-use of force is an underlying principle of international law, which holds the key to a lasting settlement of the long-running territorial dispute. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday he had no immediate plans to expel illegal Armenian workers after his threat to do so sparked a barrage of criticism in Turkey and abroad. The Turkish media and rights groups accused Erdogan of treating illegal Armenians as a pawn in Ankara's protests after his threat earlier this week to deport thousands of impoverished Armenians working illegally in Turkey. The Honorary Joe Hockey Member of Parliament last Thursday called for Federal Australian recognition of the Armenian Genocide, becoming the third MP to address the Armenian Genocide in Parliament on one week, reports the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC Australia). Bulgaria's conservative Order, Law, and Justice (RZS) Party last Thursday submitted to Parliament an official declaration asking that Bulgaria to condemn the Armenian Genocide committed by Turkey. Turkey may sue the 21 countries that have recognised the Armenian Genocide, reports Hurriyet newspaper. Such an initiative has been advanced by a group of members of the opposition Republican People's and Nationalist Movement parties. The final decision is to be made by the Turkish Government. A US congressional resolution that would recognise Ottoman era killings of Armenians as genocide could go forward despite opposition from the Obama administration. US Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon told reporters that there is no deal with Democratic congressional leaders to block the resolution. That contradicts earlier claims by the State Department. Famous Armenian duduk player Jivan Gasparyan may take part in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest together with Eva Rivas, representing Armenia.

TONIGHT... tonight... TONIGHT... tonight... TONIGHT

With "A musical pilgrimage across five continents", the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra celebrates Easter, under conductor Spiros Pisinos and soprano Sona Gargaloyan and tenor Berj Karazian

visit the website of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra by clicking here or on the image

Letters to The Editor

Dear Simon, I am writing to you from the Embassy of Cyprus in Moscow in order to make an appeal on behalf of Elena Adamyants, a young Armenian lady and a mother of two children, who is fighting cancer (Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia). Unfortunately, chemotherapy did not have the desired effect and therefore Elena needs to have an operation urgently, which, along with the requisite therapy and other pertinent issues, will cost, as we say, a lot of money. I have never met Elena but I feel it is my moral obligation to try and help her as much as I can. Accordingly, I have already contacted various Cypriot, Russian and Armenian enterprises, banks, travel agencies as well as individuals in an effort to raise money. The response has so far been positive but it is imperative that we collect more (and do so quickly) in order to help her have the operation as soon as possible. Therefore, I wish to urge members of the Armenian-Cypriot community, as well as all fellow Armenians, to think about this young Armenian mother and offer as much financial assistance as they can / wish. Details of Elena’s bank account are given below (for donations in various currencies): EURO USD Beneficiary: Elena Adamyants Acc.: 40817840401000004297 Beneficiary's bank: ZAO Raiffeisenbank SWIFT: RZBMRUMM Intermediary bank: Raiffeisen Zentralbank Osterreich AG Am Stadtpark 9 A-1030 Vienna, Austria SWIFT: RZBAAT WW acct. no 1-55.025.928 Beneficiary: Elena Adamyants Acc.: 40817840401000004297 Beneficiary's bank ZAO Raiffeisenbank SWIFT: RZBMRUMM Intermediary bank: Correspondent account in USD: 3582021665001 STANDARD CHARTERED BANK NEW YORK SWIFT: SCBLUS33 CHIPS ABA:0256 FEDWIRE NO: 026002561 Contributions will be included on the website www.advita.ru/en/EAdam1.php , which also includes information regarding Elena’s struggle against cancer. If for any reason people do not wish to wire their contribution, they may contact me at the Embassy of Cyprus in Moscow so that we may find other alternatives. We must act, and act quickly. The life of a young Armenian mother is at stake. Sevag Avedissian - Consul - Secretary A’ - Embassy of Cyprus - Moscow - Tel: +7 4957442934 The Editor - Gibrahayer e-magazine Dear Sir, With sincere hope to raise public awareness concerning the nature of coercing forces that hinder the recognition of our Genocide, referring to an article with the following paragraph and I quote: "Hillary Clinton has said the Obama administration will seek to block Armenian Genocide bill. A congressional panel on 4 March approved the resolution, paving the way for a possible vote by the House. But Clinton said the administration would "work very hard" to prevent this." It is very true that the United States in addition to home policies have top priority obligations to attend to global complex issues. On the other hand, internal welfare policies take an overriding priority over all strategies, then where would the Armenian Genocide bill fit in and at what risk and cost ? Would it be a matter of choice or sacrifice? If we assume it be a choice then it would mean it to have alternatives, but when it becomes a matter of sacrifice then all risks and costs would and must take ultimate priority to highest level where contesting political parties will invariably end up again in the usual deadlock which is clearly evidenced by past experience. We have to find the real cause or the great secret hiding behind this deadlock. Do we need academics or historians, politicians or analysts to help unveil what really hides behind the so called classical US-Turkish relations pretext ? Perhaps not, the answer is very a simple single word but it takes more than guts and guns to say it because it is the most sophisticated phantom power in the world. Let us call everybody to take up this challenge, find the word, then we talk sense. Barkev Sarkissian - Alexandria-Egypt Dear Armenian community in Cyprus, I am doing some research about my great-grandparents - Boghos Markarian and Gulenia (Torigian) Markarian - when they lived Larnaca with their sons Karekin (my grandfather), Haig and Nubar from 1920-1927, having escaped the massacres in Adana. When they left Cyprus, they settled in France, and eventually in the United States. If you can assist me in any way, please contact: markay@fastwebnet.it . Thank you, David Markay - Milano, Italy

LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

Dear President Obama, We all Armenians believed you for Change America and besides you announced to our ANC in Washington that if you elected President will recognise Armenian Genocide and its has been passed twice by Congress and now you are a big stone and object to not go to Full House. In your message to me you said " A woman on Monday in the crowd called out, "we need courage" and you said she is right. BUT you have no courage to do it , because you scared from Turkish Government's WARNING to you and to your Administration where we are paying from our TAX money every year billion of dollars to them and they are the weakest Muslim Country in the world and if NOT our country they are nothing and follow what the following countries recognised the Genocide: -URUGUAY - ARGENTINA- RUSSIA- CANADA- LEBANON- BELGIUM- GREECE- ITALY - THE VATICAN- FRANCE- SWITZERLAND- SLOVAKIA- THE NETHERLANDS- POLAND- LITHUANIA - CYPRUS - EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND SWEDEN. The leaders of the above countries had courage but you do not have, my dear President. We will work hard till we have JUST for our Cause. This is my message to you to answer the woman and she knows that you have no courage and that is why called out " we need courage" to remind you. A President of a Super Power Country has to have courage, otherwise, nothing could be done. Good luck When replying, kindly respond in black colour font. Best regards, Vartan Bedrosian - 521 Concord Street, No. 203, Glendale, California 91203-1565, U.S.A.

GIBRAHAYER CALENDAR

Wednesday, 24 March - after the 6:00pm Lenten Vespers (Hsgoum) in Sourp Asdvadzadzin cathedral, Nicosia, the Christian Education Committee of the Armenian Prelature is organising lecture Eleven of a series on the role of the Armenian woman in our collective life: “The Armenian Woman facing the Challenges of the 21st Century”, by Vera Tahmazian, on the occasion of the “Year of the Armenian Woman” as proclaimed by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia. Friday 26 March - after the 6:00pm Lenten Vespers (Hsgoum) in Sourp Asdvadzadzin cathedral, Nicosia, the Christian Education Committee of the Armenian Prelature is organising lecture Twelve of a series on the role of the Armenian woman in our collective life: “The Elderly Armenian Woman Then and Now”, by Anahid Eskidjian, on the occasion of the “Year of the Armenian Woman” as proclaimed by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia. Sunday 28 March - Dzaghgazart and Tapor at Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church. Sunday 28 March - The Nareg Parents Association will be selling Dzaghgazart candles at the Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church entrance and after the service, it will hold a raffle. The prize is a bicycle from www.Micromania.com.cy . Sunday 28 March at 4:00 pm - The Armenian Relief Society (HOM) "Sosse" Cyprus Chapter is organising its annual Easter Charity Tea and Bazaar at the AYMA Club Nicosia, to support its Cyprus charity activities, as well as its projects in Artsakh and Armenia. Entrance €10 per person. During the event, a raffle (at 10 euros per ticket) will take place for a King Size Hand-Made Patchwork Quilt. The draw will take place the same day. Palm Sunday 28 March at 9:30 am - in all three churches on the island, Palm Sunday Liturgy. Palm Sunday 28 March at 11:00 am - Procession with the participation of children and Antasdan. Palm Sunday 28 March at 6:00 pm - “Trnpatsek” Holy Monday, 29 March at 7:00pm at Sourp Asdvadzadzin church - Meditation: “Prayer, a necessity for the Christian,” by Rev. Father Sahag Yemishian, organised by the Christian Education Committee. Holy Tuesday, 30 March at 5:00pm at Sourp Asdvadzadzin church- “Hishadag Das Gousanats” (Commemoration of the Parable of the Ten Virgins). Holy Wednesday, 31 March at 7:00pm - at Sourp Stepanos church - Meditation: “The Trinity of Life: Faith, Hope and Love,” by Rev. Father Sahag Yemishian, organised by the Christian Education Committee. Holy Thursday, 1 April 5:00 pm - “Gark Vodnlvayi” (Feet Washing) in all three Churches on the island Holy Thursday, 1 April 8:00 pm - “Gark Khavarman” (Commemoration of Betrayal and Sorrows) in all three Churches on the island. Holy Friday, 2 April, 10:00am - Sourp Asdvadzadzin church- Preparation and Decoration of the “Tapor”. Ladies are invited to bring flowers and participate. Holy Friday, 2 April, 6:00pm - "Gark Taghman" in Sourp Stepanos in Larnaca and Sourp Kevork in Limassol. Holy Friday, 2 April, 7:00pm - "Gark Taghman" in Sourp Asdvadzadzin church in Nicosia. Holy Saturday “Jrakalouyts”, 3 April at 5:00pm - in all three Churches on the island Easter Eve Vespers, Readings followed by Divine Liturgy. Easter Sunday, 4 April - Festive Divine Liturgy it all three Churches on the island. Easter Monday, 5 April - Larnaca, Sourp Stepanos church - 9:00am- Divine Liturgy for the souls of the departed. Paphos Ayios Georgios Chapel - 10:00am- Festive Divine Liturgy - (Near the Fire Brigade, downtown Paphos) - (Note that this is NOT the same Ayios Georgios chapel used previously) Saturday, April 3 at 4:00 pm - Armenian Evangelical Church service for Easter, in Greek Evangelical Church, 20 Gladstonos street, Nicosia. Guest speaker: Rev. Vartkes Kassouni (Armenian Cypriot from USA). Saturday, April 3, 2010, at 5:00pm - Easter Message from the Armenian program of CYBC. Speaker: Hrayr Jebejian. Saturday 10 April at 7:30pm - The "Sipan" Dance Ensemble of Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus "Oshagan" Chapter presents its 10th anniversary performance of Armenian traditional dances at the Strovolos Municipal Hall in Nicosia. Director Janna Tahmizian. Saturday 17 April - Limassol Performance of the SIPAN Dance Ensemble of the Hamanzkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus "Oshagan" Chapter at ETHAL Hall. Under the auspices of Andreas Christou - Mayor of Limassol and the Armenian MP in the Cyprus House of Representatives Vartkes Mahdessian. Wednesday 21 April from 3:00 - 5:30 pm - Blood Donation at Nareg School in memory of the 1,500,000 innocent victims of The 1915 Armenian Genocide. Friday 23 April at 7:00 pm - Like last year a Youth March will start at Eleftheria Square and will join the rest of the marchers at the beginning of Armenia Street at 7:30 pm and will end in front of the Genocide Memorial, where a Vigil will take place organised by the Commemorative Committee comprising of Armenian Cypriot organisations. Saturday 24 April at 6:00 pm - Commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at PASIDY Hall. Keynote speaker: Cyprus Euro-Parliamentarian Ioannis Kasoulides. Sunday 2 May at 8:00pm - The "Timag" Theatre Company of Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus "Oshagan" Chapter presents "Baghdasar Aghpar" at PASYDY Hall in Nicosia. Director Janna Tahmizian. You can view a video clip of one of the practise sessions at AYMA of Timag's new production by clicking here www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jetAs3E4F4 . Sunday 9 May - Pilgrimage to St. Magar Monastery - organised by the Office of the Armenian Representative Vartkes Mahdessian. Details to follow. Friday 14 May at 8:00 pm - Interactive Lecture/Discussion/ Power Point Presentation, on Sex Education, organised by the Office of the Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian by Despo Hadjiloizou - Former Executive Director of Family Planning, at The Utudjian Hall of the Armenian Prelature. All youth over the age of 16 as well as parents are strongly recommended to attend. Friday 28 May at 8:30 pm - Celebrations of the 92nd anniversary of the Independence of Armenia, organised by the ARF Dashnaktsoutiun Cyprus Gomideh, AYMA/HMEM, ARS (HOM) Cyprus "Sosse" Chapter and Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association Cyprus "Oshagan" Chapter at PASIDY Hall, followed by Independence feast at AYMA. UPCOMING 2 - Weekend of Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd of May 2010 - in Sourp Asdvadzadzin cathedral, Nicosia - Traditional Feast Day of Sourp Magaravank, with Herisa Preparation and Blessing. Friday 4 June 2010 - The Armenian Relief Society of Cyprus (HOM) is organising a Gala Dinner on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Relief Society at the STOA Restaurant. Welcome drinks at 8:30 pm. Dinner at 9:00pm. Saturday 20 November 2010 - Kravadz Or by the Office of the Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian - Details to be announced later Sunday 21 November 2010 - Kravadz Or by the Office of the Armenian MP Vartkes Mahdessian - Details to be announced later.

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Gibrahay Sports by Sevag Devletian

Yiannos Kouyoumdjian finished 10th in the Slalom - Boys K1 International Championship of the Chamkoria Cup which took place on the 11th March in Borovets in Bulgaria. The final rankings are on the official website. Click here to view it. AGBU Ararat FC cruised through an easy 11-0 win against ENA Athiennou in the Cyprus Futsal Cup. The team currently have set their sites on accomplishing the double to wrap up a successful campaign. Homenmen FC lost 2-5 against GC School in the Cyprus Futsal Cup. Despite being knocked out of the Cup, Homenmen FC crushed EPAP 8-1 in the first round of their play off game and are on the road to claiming promotion to the 2nd Division. AYMA/HMEM drew 4-4 against ESOBGA in the Cyprus Amateur Football 2nd Division, after going ahead 4-3 in the 89th minute. Ararat FC U-17's did not have any matches in the Cyprus U-17 Futsal Championship. We have just received a press release from AYA London. It reads as follows: We are sending two 5 a-side teams out to Holland this year for the Annual European Armenian Games held in Amsterdam over the Easter weekend. Last year, we sent one team out (extremely last minute) to Geneva and progressed through the group stages only to be knocked out in Round Two to Paris 1. This year, thanks to the sensational organisational skills of Raffi Eghiayan, AYA are taking a Mini Bus packed full of 13 players to represent London and hopefully bring a trophy home! The squad is as follows: Raffi Eghiayan Simon Haroutunian, Levon Bardakjian, Sevag Bardakjian, Alex Ohannesyan, Haig Gulian, Vatche Cherchian, Norayr Djerrahian, Garo Kevorkian, Alex Kazanjian, Alex Alterparmakian, Alen Torosyan Christos Livesey (Our one 'odar'). We would also like to thank Bedo Eghiayan and Michael Avedissian for once again sponsoring the AYA Team. He has donated a brand new medical kit for the boys to take out to the games. Thank you Bedo, Michael and Wigmore Medical.

Armenian Sports by Sevag Devletian

HANDBALL: The International Handball Federation/European Handball Federation Women's Challenge Trophy, started in Israel. The team from Armenia was up against Cyprus in the first round, and lost 27-28. In the 2nd round the Armenian team were beaten 9-32 by Israel. In the last round, the Armenian recorded a 21-12 victory over Malta, claiming bronze in Challenge trophy tournament. Armine Antonyan was announced the top goal-scorer of Challenge Trophy with 28 goals. TENNIS: Argentinian-Armenian tennis ace, David Nalbandian, has been awarded a main draw wildcard for the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open in Miami which kicks off today, March 24. Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis, who last week defeated world number 1 Roger Federer, is also participating in the same tournament. WRESTLING: The Armenian Greco-Roman wrestling national team will not attend European Championship to be held in Baku, on April 13-18, as it does not give a rating, the Armenian National Olympic Committee press service informs. The Committee's position is entailed by its strategy that implies worthy performance in rating tournaments, which enables more sportsmen to participate in the Olympics. BOXING: 6 Armenian boxers participated in the International Boxing Tournament held in the Czech Republic on March 14. Armenian national boxing team, headed by Rafael Mehrabyan returned to Armenia with 3 medals. Armen Epremyan (69 kg) won silver, Ara Puluzayan (60 kg) and Tsolak Ananikyan (91 kg) became bronze medallists of the international tournament. BOXING: Champion of Russia, CIS and Slavonic states, WBL world champion, Armenian boxer Arman Sarkisyan will fight against Mexico's Genaro Trazancos tomorrow, March 25, in the United States. BOXING: A deal is very close to being reached for a rematch between WBC/WBA super flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan (34-2-1, 27KOs) and WBA-interim champion Nonito Donaire (23-1, 15KOs). The potential date for the rematch is August 7 on Showtime. CHESS: Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian tied matches with Russia’s Vladimir Kramnik and Israel’s Boris Gelfand in the 7th and 8th rounds of Amber Blindfold and Rapid Tournament. After 8 rounds, Aronian ranks 9th with 7 points. Ukraine’s Vassily Ivanchuk keeps the lead with 11 points.

Marie Louise Kouyoumdjian sings LIVE with ENALLAX resident Band