STONES OF ANCESTORS FILM ON DESTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN MONUMENTS SCREENED IN MOSCOW
PanARMENIAN.Net
06.07.2006 18:02 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Initiated by Mitk Union of Armenian Youth Stones of
Ancestors documentary by Yeghishe Gevorgyan (Austria) was presented
at Rolan Moscow cinema. The film is about destroyed Armenian cultural
monuments in Georgia and is based on conversations.
The film does not aim at consideration of scientific issues, it
presents people, who struggle for preservation of their national and
cultural identity, as well as those who have given up, reports Mitk.

TIGRAN TOROSIAN IS SURPRISED AT STATEMENT OF OSCE MG CO-CHAIR BRYZA ON ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS
By Nana Petrosian
AZG Armenian Daily
07/07/2006
The statement of OSCE MG Co-Chair Bryza, according to which the
improvement of the Armenian-Turkish relations is conditioned by the
settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, is at least surprising.
Tirgran Torosian, Speaker of RA National Assembly, said this at the
meeting with Brian Ardouni, Executive Director of Armenian Assembly
of America.
The press service of RA Parliament informed that Torosian said that
the settlement of the conflicts condition the very improvement of
the relations between the regional countries. He reminded that the
co-chairs shouldn’t forget that Azerbaijan constantly makes militant
statements. He added that in Azerbaijan they aren’t likely to get
prepared for the conflict settlement.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TIGRAN TOROSIAN: DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IS FIRST OF ALL IN ARMENIA’S INTERESTS
By Nana Petrosian
AZG Armenian Daily
07/07/2006
Tirgran Torosian, Speaker of RA National Assembly met with, Brian
Ardouni, executive director of the Armenian Assembly of America.
The press service of RA Parliament informed that in the course
of the meeting, B.Ardouni stated that AAA is aimed to contribute
to strengthening of the Armenian-American relations. He emphasized
the importance of holing the coming parliamentary elections in 2007
in accordance with democratic values. In his turn, T. Torosian said
that holding democratic elections is first of all in the interests of
Armenia and its people. He emphasized the importance of unification
of the political forces and shaping the atmosphere of tolerance
in Armenia.
Torosian highly estimated the activities of AAA and added that this
organization greatly contributes to the democratic developments
in Armenia. In the course of the meeting the sides discussed the
relations of Armenia with its neighbors, as well as the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict settlement process.

AZERBAIJAN’S STRICT POSITION IS GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF NAGORNO KARABAKH
By Ara Martirosian
AZG Armenian Daily
07/07/2006
The negotiation process for Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement
entered a new stage after the recent statement by Mathew Bryza, US
OSCE MG Co-Chair. The statements made by Bryza were no accidental and
this became obvious after the American Embassy to Armenia published
the joint statement of the co-chairs.
Afterwards, RA and Azeri Foreign Ministers made comments on the
statement, i.e. the OSCE MG Co-chairs statements were discussed in
public. We wonder why the Co-Chairs took that step and what they
expected.
The mediators stated that they spared no efforts to elaborate mutually
acceptable package of concessions and added that at present the sides
in conflict are responsible for the settlement process. By this step,
the Co-chairs expect to find out what are the public opinions in
Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan on the recently made suggestions. Besides,
they intend to prepare the societies for these countries for adoption
of the suggestions. It’s obvious that the international pressure
on the sides in conflict will become more intensive and the points
for the settlement will be imposed to the sides. The statement of
the Great Eight foreign Ministers testifies to this very fact. The
Great Eight Foreign Ministers supported the OSCE MG joint statement
and called for the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan take the
next step to sign peace. In the course of the Great Eight Summit
the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan will not be able to avert
signing the settlement principles.
The failure of the negotiations may contribute to the international
recognition of NKR.
Taking into account all these recent development, it’s not
excluded that the events will develop in a new and unexpected
direction. Azerbaijan, counting on its oil prospects, will reject to
sign the settlement and will lead the conflict to a dead end. In this
case Armenia will only be able to contribute to the international
recognition of NKR. The strict position of Azerbaijan is the best
opportunity for that. Thus, The failure of the negotiations may
contribute to the international recognition of NKR.

ARE SUGGESTIONS IN INTERESTS OF SIDES IN CONFLICT?
By Ara Martirosian
AZG Armenian Daily
07/07/2006
We would like to find out whether the suggestions are in the interest
of Armenia, NKR and Azerbaijan.
The statements of RA And Azeri foreign Ministries made in response
to the OSCE MG joint statement testify how the authorities of both
countries represent the negotiation process to their peoples. RA
Foreign Ministry’s statements do nor differ much from those made by
the OSCE MG co-chairs, while the Azeri officials obviously deny and
change points set up in the statement that are not in their interests,
particularly the referendum for the status of NKR, the special status
for Lachin and Kelbajar, etc. This means that Azerbaijan’s position is
no realistic and it tries to sign the suggestions. On the contrary,
Armenia declared it’s ready to sign the OSCE MG suggestions that are
based on mutual concessions. At the same time, the point of withdrawing
the Armenian forces from the 5 regions without defining the concrete
terms for the referendum of NKR’s status and Azerbaijan’s commitments
to NKR is quite dangerous for the Armenian side.
As for Azerbaijan, if not the extreme demands of its authorities,
they would realize that they get the more than the Armenian side
through the OSCE MG suggestions. The Armenian side only receives the
prospect for de-jure recognition of NKR. Besides, the Armenian side
has to return the regions liberated in the war. As for Azerbaijan,
it returns its territories without any war.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TONINO GUERRA TO BE HONORABLE GUEST OF “GOLDEN APRICOT” YEREVAN FILM FESTIVAL
By Tamar Minasian
AZG Armenian Daily
07/07/2006
The organizers of “Golden Apricot” Yerevan international Film Festival
cooperate with the international organizations as every year, this
year too. The office of the Third Film Festival collaborates with the
cinema workers from Europe and Asia, as well as with the embassies
of France, Germany and Iran to Armenia, as well as with the British
Council and the Open Society Institute.
The organizers of the festival informed at yesterday’s press conference
that the British Council assisted the festival by providing that with
the English language sub-titles for the films.
In the course of “Day of France” July 14 arrangement at Charles
Aznavour Square a musical arrangement will be held. The French films
are included in the program of both the feature and documentary film
competitions, but also in “The Armenian Panorama” section. “Travel to
Armenia” film by Robert Getikian will be shown within the framework
of “The Armenian Panorama” program. The film was shot last year
in Armenia.
Sousana Haroutiunian, Chief Director of the Festival, stated that it is
envisaged to hold “A Day in Europe” non-competition program that will
include European films. She added that Tonino Guerra, famous Italian
screenwriter, would be the honored guest of the festival and will
arrive in Yerevan on July 13. He will participate in the award ceremony
of the festival. Being one of the closest friends of Sergey Parajanov,
mr. Guera expressed readiness to arrive in Yerevan and get familiarized
to the land of Armenia and its people. Within the framework of the
arrangement envisaged at Parajanov Museum Mr. Guerra will be awarded
with a prize for his contribution to the world cinematography.
On July 10, the opening ceremony of the festival will take place. It
is envisaged that besides the classical “Namous,” “Andrey” film by
Narine Mkrtchian and Arsen Azatian dwelling on the creative life of
Andrey Tarkovsky will be shown on July 10.

ARMENIAN JUSTICE MINISTER HAS NO PLANS TO BECOME A PRESIDENT
Panorama.am
12:50 06/07/06
Justice Minister Davit Harutunyan said he has no plans to nominate
himself as a candidate for presidency of the Republic. In his words, he
has no plan to establish his own party, either. He promised to official
announce about such intentions in case he has some. He, however, does
not exclude the possibility that he may join a party. “Several months
ago I said that I am not going to join any party lines but it does
not mean I will keep to that decision for ever,” he said, also saying
that he is engaged in politics and will continue to do so.

FLOOD KILLS CATTLE
Panorama.am
15:52 06/07/06
Aragatsotn region sources say that Nerkin Sasnashen village river has
flooded due to rain on July 4, at 18:30-19:00. The water has flooded
nearby farms and cattle-sheds killing some cattle.
Today’s hail also damaged wheat fields of Sotk, Kut, Norabak villages
in Gegharkunik marz. Both marzes have established committees to
estimate to cost of the damage.

300 CRIMINALS IN ARMENIA TO BE AMNESTIED
Panorama.am
16:38 06/07/06
In case the National Assembly adopts draft decision “On announcing
amnesty”, about 300 criminals will be amnestied, justice minister
David Harutunyan told reporters today.
In his words, the decision on amnesty will affect some convicts
cutting their terms of imprisonment. Serious crimes or crimes of
prime importance for Armenia including political relations will not
be covered in the amnesty. Among such, election fraud is included.
“By excluding these crimes from the list, the president expressed
his attitude to such crimes,” Davit Harutunyan said.
He also said that those convicts that have a term of less than 3
years will be released. Also prisoners with 5 years of imprisonment
term may be released upon meeting certain criteria.
The amnesty will be announced to commemorate 15th anniversary of
Armenia’s Independence. Last time, amnesty was announced in 2001
in connection to 1700th anniversary of adopting Christianity in
Armenia.

ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF ALIENATED OWNERSHIP MUST BE MARKET PRICE + 5%
Panorama.am
17:29 06/07/06
Justice minister Davit Harutunyan told today that the adequate sum
for taking the ownership of alienated territories must be market
price +5%. The minister presented draft law “On alienated ownership
for public and state needs” at the National Assembly today.
According to the document, market price is set according to the
agreement between the parties. The owner may also get a flat which
will be deducted from the paid sum. D. Harutunyan said the interested
party must submit a profitable offer to the owner within 3 month. The
ownership may be taken after 3 months expire by court decision if an
agreement is not reached within that period. The interested party
must transfer the compensation money to the deposit account of the
court.