Levon Aronian won’t participate in Candidates Tournament in AzerbaijanFebruary 2, 2012 - 16:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On February 2, Armenian grandmaster Levon Aronian issued a letter to President of FIDE Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Presidential Council members. “I learned from the media, that the Chess Federations of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria had submitted an application on holding World Championship Candidates Tournament. I’d like to inform you that general atmosphere in Azerbaijan and continuous tensions between our countries make my participation in such high-ranked tournament in Azerbaijan impossible. A responsible and important event, such as the Candidates Tournament, requires peace of mind and special concentration. No circumstances, if they are not chess-related, should prevent the grandmaster from demonstrating all of his skills. Unfortunately, at this moment no Armenian can find favorable or adequate psychological atmosphere in Azerbaijan, whereas that is something absolutely necessary. In my opinion, all the participants should be in equal conditions, which is impossible in case of holding the tournament in Azerbaijan. Security guaranties and any kind of additional support cannot be a remedy. Taking into account the above-mentioned considerations, I inform you that I would be delighted to take part in Candidates Tournament in any other country, but my participation in the tournament in Azerbaijan has to be excluded,” the letter says, according to chess-news.ru. In 2011 the Candidates Tournament was moved to Kazan due to Armenian grandmaster’s refusal to perform in Azerbaijan Chess Federations of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria have recently expressed readiness to organize the tournament. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. |