Aliyev: Armenia, Azerbaijan far from peace accord
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Posted July 11 2006
Baku, July 10, AssA-Irada
President Ilham Aliyev has said Azerbaijan and Armenia are far from
reaching a peace accord.
“The proposals made by the OSCE Minsk Group [mediating settlement
to the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict] show the position of
its co-chairs. But we haven’t agreed them,” Aliyev told Turkey’s
Jumhuriyyat (Republic) newspaper.
“The co-chairs just disclosed some of the proposals in their latest
statements. We didn’t object to this, as we are not interested in
shrouding talks in secrecy,” President Aliyev said, but added that
Azerbaijan agreed to hold talks in private considering Armenia’s
proposals.
The document outlining the core settlement principles issued by the
mediators from the United States, Russia and France caused a great
deal of debate. The statement, made public by the US co-chair, said
there is a “framework agreement” on discussion and disclosed all of
its provisions. The deal covers the withdrawal of Armenian forces from
the occupied Azeri territories, followed by normalizing diplomatic
and economic relations between the two countries, deployment of
peacekeepers in the conflict zone and finally, a vote to determine
the future status of Upper Garabagh.
The head of state said that first of all, Azerbaijan’s territorial
integrity must be restored to settle the Garabagh conflict. Any
compromises are out of the question, as the occupied territories must
be liberated and Azeri refugees and IDPs returned home, Aliyev said.
With regard to the future status of Upper Garabagh, the president said
the positions of the two communities of Garabagh should be taken into
account, as both Azerbaijanis and Armenians had lived in Upper Garabagh
before the outbreak of the conflict. The return of Azerbaijanis to
Upper Garabagh is a condition for the solution of the status issue,
he said.
“They must return and re-settle there. Afterwards, both communities
and Azerbaijan – as Upper Garabagh is its integral part- may hold
talks on the status of the region. Time will show how long these
talks will last.” President Aliyev went on to say that the OSCE
mediators and the leadership of Armenia realize that Azerbaijan will
never allow violating its territorial integrity, although Armenia is
trying to put forth unrealistic claims.
“The truth is that Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is not a subject
of discussion and Upper Garabagh will never be granted the status of
independence,” Aliyev said.
He said Armenia is currently trying to annex Upper Garabagh, which
is impossible.
“I may want to annex Azerbaijani historic land – the Irevan Khanate
(currently the territory of Yerevan) to Azerbaijan. But this is not
realistic now,” the president said.
Aliyev did not rule out that a new war will be launched if the Garabagh
conflict is not settled in peace.
“We see that the Armenian side is acting insincere in talks. We should
therefore be prepared for all options. Azerbaijan’s increasing economic
potential military power, regional situation and our ever-growing
world image certainly puts us at a prevalent position.
This will be more evident as years go by. Armenia should realize this
and will bear responsibility for any possible consequences.”*

Aliyev-Kocharian talks at G8 summit ‘not likely’
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
July 11 2006
Baku, July 10, AssA-Irada — Azerbaijani and Armenian Presidents Ilham
Aliyev and Robert Kocharian are not expected to table settlement to
the Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict during the upcoming G8 summit
in St. Petersburg, despites reports suggesting otherwise.
President Aliyev has not received such an invitation, the head of the
President’s Office international relations department, Novruz Mammadov,
told the press Monday.
Mammadov said he is surprised with the reports saying the two heads
of state are to meet during the meeting of the world’s industrialized
nations in Russia.
“An invitation to the summit would suit us, but there is no specific
information in this regard yet,” he said. Mammadov added that there
is little chance this will happen.*

Armenian efforts to hinder regional railway project failed, Azeri leader says
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Posted July 11 2006
Baku, July 10, AssA-Irada — Some forces are trying to hinder the
project on building the major Gars-Tbilisi-Baku railway to link
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, President Ilham Aliyev has said.
“Armenia and the Armenian lobby are particularly hostile to Azerbaijan
and Turkey and doing everything in their power to deal a blow upon
both countries,” Aliyev told Turkey’s Jumhuriyyet (Republic) newspaper.
The president said Armenians’ efforts to impede the railway project
will fail. “I am confident that we will implement this project,”
he said.
President Aliyev added that the fact Azerbaijan and Turkey are in
no need for various international organizations’ support shattered
Armenians’ attempts.
The president said Armenians’ hostility against Turks makes it pivotal
for the two countries to pursue a firm political course.
The head of state said the Armenian lobby was also against the
realization of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) main export pipeline
project. Armenians even sent out letters, trying to put pressure on
the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other international
financial institutions funding the project.
“But they achieved nothing, as the will of Azerbaijan and Turkey and
the active participation of Georgia prevented them from disrupting
the activities,” Aliyev said.*

Outside countries seeking Garabagh mediation – Armenian vice-speaker
Assa-Irada, Azerbaijan
Posted July 11 2006
Baku, July 10, AssA-Irada — The current situation around the
Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict allows some
countries to enter the format of the mediating OSCE Minsk Group,
Armenian parliament vice-speaker says.
Such attempts have been particularly made by Great Britain, but other
countries and their parliaments offering assistance in this respect
have also become active, Vaan Ovannisian told a news conference in
Yerevan on Monday.
“If peace talks are not carried out under the auspices of the three
Minsk Group co-chairs [from the United States, Russia and France],
the activity will begin in different directions and on parliamentary
level in particular,” the vice-speaker said, noting that the NATO
Parliamentary Assembly is taking interest in the issue.
Ovannisian said that if the Garabagh conflict is tabled in other
organizations, “the success for Armenia should not be expected to
come easy”.
“With other entities getting involved, we will have to start from a
scratch,” he said.*

Sault man’s soccer passion birthed as a child
BY: Greg Layson
Sault Star (Sault Saint Marie Ontario) Canada
July 11, 2006 Tuesday
Michael Ter-Mikaelian sat high atop the grandstand at Tom Tipton
Field. Unseasonably chilly winds blew his bristly, greying hair in
the on-again, off-again sunshine while he leaned forward hard on his
left knee. His left hand kept his head propped up, pointed toward
the action.
Below, the Sault Civics and London City under-17 girls soccer teams
traded scoring opportunities in the dying moments of a recent scoreless
South Region Soccer League match.
“I need a cigarette, I’m nervous,” Ter-Mikaelian said in his still
distinguishable Russian accent. He poked around his shirt pocket and
retrieved his smokes.
He lit up, took a drag and checked his digital watch.
“Come on,” Ter-Mikaelian pleaded to the official. “Four minutes of
injury time?”
Ter-Mikaelian leaned back against the bleacher’s iron railing and
watched the match play to a nil-nil draw.
“Even after 90 minutes and with the score 0-0, I still find
it a wonderful game,” Ter-Mikaelian said. He loves the game so
unconditionally, so faithfully, that even at 49 and with no children
of his own registered in Sault Youth Soccer Association or Sault
Civics programs, Ter-Mikaelian holds down six official titles.
“I do it because I like it and I like seeing the results,” he
explained.
“Most of it is the joy I get when the season starts and I see the
parents and grandparents cheering along the sidelines. I really enjoy
seeing that.”
To understand why a married man with a daughter studying at New
York University and a son heading off to the University of Western
Ontario this fall would stay so deeply rooted in the game, you have
to understand the time and place in which Ter-Mikaelian was born
and raised.
Born in 1957 in Armenia, then a republic of the Soviet Union bordering
Turkey and Iran, Ter-Mikaelian only ever knew the game of soccer as
an extracurricular activity.
“It’s hard to explain,” he said of his love affair with soccer,
“But the honest answer is I grew up with it. There was basketball,
and boxing was quite big, too, but soccer was far and beyond the
No. 1 sport – that and chess.”
Today, Ter-Mikaelian is back in Russia, this time as a visitor to
attend his parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. He’s due back in the
Sault next week.
For a short while, Ter-Mikaelian chummed around with two-time world
chess champion Tigran Petrosian, the player who halted legendary
Bobby Fischer’s win streak at 19 games in 1970.
Ter-Mikaelian recalled “celebrations in the streets,” when, in 1966,
Petrosian captured his second world title.
At age 16, Ter-Mikaelian moved to Moscow to attend university, where
the six-foot-two Armenian was a goalkeeper, until he tore his ACL
when he slipped on wet grass in 1978.
“When you’re young, you think you’re immortal,” Ter-Mikaelian said. “It
hurt, but I never checked it out, mainly because in the Soviet Union
it wasn’t that easy (to see a doctor).”
Or to make ends meet for that matter.
Ter-Mikaelian graduated from university as a research scientist. Almost
immediately, he landed a government job at which he “made a miserable
wage.”
Economic hardships that saw inflation soar to 1,200 per cent, coupled
with his job being viewed by many – including his state employer –
as second-rate, forced Ter-Mikaelian to Canada for good in 1992.
“You can tell when people don’t care about what you do, and that
makes it hard to motivate yourself,” he said. “You have to have some
satisfaction at your job. People cared most about primary needs,
like where they were going to get food and water. I had to do what
was best for my family.”
GRAPHIC: Michael Ter-Mikaelian’s love affair with soccer began in
his native Armenia. Story on Page B1.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
ARMENPAC, The Armenian-American Political Action Committee
421 E. Airport Freeway, Suite 201
Irving, Texas 75220
Contact: Jason P. Capizzi, Esq.
Tel: (972) 635-5347
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: <; ARMENPAC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PARTICIPATES IN BUSINESS FORUM SPONSORED BY NOYAN TAPAN Irving, TX - Noyan Tapan, a cultural organization devoted to integrating Armenian immigrants into American society, recently organized an Armenian Business Forum to promote professional business relationships among regional Armenian-American businesspersons. ARMENPAC's Executive Director Jason Capizzi was invited to address the attendees of this inaugural networking event, which was attended by more than 50 entrepreneurs in the New York City metropolitan area. "I am glad that Noyan Tapan organized this forum and is working to encourage Armenian-American business relationships, which will strengthen the Armenian-American community and ultimately ARMENPAC's advocacy efforts," said ARMENPAC Executive Director Jason Capizzi. The Armenian Business Forum was attended by representatives from a vast array of industry groups including, but not limited to, law, finance, consulting, manufacturing, construction, and international commerce. Speakers at the forum included Souren Israyelyan, Esq., Dinkes & Schwitzer; Ned Boyajian, RainbowFusion Messaging & Design; John Megerian, Megerian New & Antique Decorative Rugs; and, ARMENPAC Executive Director Jason Capizzi, whose remarks focused on the importance of creating professional relationships between Armenian-American businesspersons to foster a more successful Armenian-American community. "By working with each other, you will be helping other Armenian-Americans succeed financially, which will in turn, elevate the overall strength and influence of the Armenian community in this country," said Executive Director Capizzi. A video clip of Executive Director Capizzi's remarks can be viewed at ARM ENPAC demonstrates the importance of networking initiatives, through its electioneering and lobbying efforts, as well as its commitment to the pan-Armenian community by working with Noyan Tapan to directly achieve their common goals. "ARMENPAC has been a positive and influential force in implementing vital objectives for the Armenian-American community in national politics, and Noyan Tapan is ready to assist in mobilizing the Armenian-American community in support of ARMENPAC and its goals such as voter registration," said Noyan Tapan Vice President Tigran Sahakyan. ARMENPAC intends to lend its expertise and experience in support of programs that fortify the pan-Armenian-American community, such as Noyan Tapan's Armenian Business Forum and the annual pan-Armenian Genocide Commemoration in New York City. "Building relationships among each other in support of pan-Armenian initiatives is a simple method in which all Armenian-Americans can make a positive difference in politics and business," said ARMENPAC Co-Chairs Annie Totah and Edgar Hagopian. Noyan Tapan is a non-profit organization that strives to unify the fragmented clusters of Armenian immigrants from all around the world living in the Metro New York and East Coast areas of the United States into an active and vibrant cohesive community; promote and develop Armenian culture and heritage; actively assist in the adjustment process of recent immigrants to the United States by helping them integrate into their new environment; establish close links and work in a spirit of cooperation and mutual help with other existing Armenian organizations and Diaspora groups. Noyan Tapan is currently organizing a second Armenian Business Forum to take place at the Armenian Diocese in New York City on July 27, 2006. ARMENPAC is an independent, bipartisan political action committee established to shape public policy by raising awareness of, and advocating for, Armenian-American issues. ARMENPAC provides financial support to federal officeholders, candidates, political action committees and organizations that actively support issues of importance to Armenian-Americans. For more information and how to join ARMENPAC, please call (877) 286-1046 or visit <; . ### From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Picnic aids Armenian Home
The Fresno Bee
July 11, 2006
Fundraiser helps pay for maintenance of a Fresno landmark.
By Vanessa Colón
Moonlight picnic
Where: California Armenian Home
When: 6 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday
Cost: Parking $5, meals range from $7 to $12 Trimmed trees dotted
with pink blossoms, spotless floors covered by rugs and warm, hearty
meals are samplings of the atmosphere and services the California
Armenian Home wants to continue for the elderly with help from a
fundraiser Saturday.
The Armenian American Citizens League and the home will host the
annual Moonlight Picnic, a gathering rooted in the century-old
tradition of Armenian-American picnics.
The home, founded more than 50 years ago by the Armenian American
Citizens League, houses more than 100 residents.
“We built this place. ~E We gradually fixed the grounds. We are
always trying to improve the place,” said Penny Mirigian-Emerzian, an
organizer of the picnic.
The picnic, one of the major fundraisers that helps keep the facility
running, serves to unite the Armenian-American community from all
over the Central Valley and the state.
The home was established to give Armenian-Americans a facility for
their older population. The home offers arrangements for residents
who don’t need assistance and those who do, as well as a hospital
facility.
Two groups, the Ani Guild and the Armenian Home Guild, help support
the home through fundraisers and activities.
The tradition of children looking after aging parents hasn’t gone
away among Armenian- American families, but some families depend on a
facility such as the home, Mirigian-Emerzian said.
Birdie Saroyan, cousin of famous playwright William Saroyan, had no
choice but to live at the home.
Saroyan, 84, said: “I don’t have any children. I never got married. I
took care of Mommy and Daddy ~E I took very good care of them.”
The Moonlight Picnic will take place outside the home at 6720 E.
Kings Canyon Road and will feature Armenian cuisine such as a shish
kebab and lulu kebab sandwich. Hot dogs are on the menu for those not
wanting Armenian dishes.
Entertainment includes musician Richard Hagopian and a raffle for
cash prizes. Organizers expect about 1,000 people.
A new feature at the home is a flag staff, where an Armenian flag
flutters beneath the American flag.
The American flag flew in Washington, D.C., and the Armenian flag
once flew over the Armenian Embassy, Mirigian-Emerzian said.
Lucy Jamgotchian, a survivor of the Armenian genocide from 1915 to
1923, used to walk outside to raise the flags. Jamgotchian, 97, now
uses a wheelchair but is content living in the home where she can
stare out her window and look at the flags.
Jamgotchian said: “I’m not fussy.”
The reporter can be reached at [email protected] or (559) 441-6313
35866p-13157817c.html
–Boundary_(ID_shOVfEtV4S9p 4YPvnATKHQ)–

Honest language
Fresno Bee
July 11, 2006
“We have ambassadors who can’t use a word, just a word,” said
Republican Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota at the confirmation hearing
of Richard Hoagland, who is to replace the dismissed ambassador to
Armenia, John Evans.
On June 10, 2005, Yale-educated Ambassador Evans was selected to
receive a prestigious award for ” constructive dissent” for calling
the 1915 massacres of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks a “genocide.”
Disgracefully, under the pressures of the Turkish government, not
only the award was withdrawn, but Mr. Evans’ tenure as ambassador to
Armenia was cut short.
It is unbelievable that highly educated scholars and historians
serving in the U.S. government are forbidden to use the word “genocide”
because of our administration’s Turkish-dictated agenda.
Where is the pillar of democracy — free speech?
I hope, I yearn for an intelligent leadership in our United States
that will have the moral fabric to be honest and be a true defender
of justice.
Nazik Kotcholosian Messerlian
ed/story/12435958p-13157941c.html

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383,x109
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
AGBU INTERNS TAKE A GAMBLE ON THE BIG APPLE
With overwhelming curiosity and, in some cases, incertitude about
what awaited them in the Big Apple, this year’s 35 interns have taken
New York by storm embarking on a professional, cultural and personal
journey with AGBU’s New York Summer Intern Program (NYSIP).
Established in 1987 and co-chaired by Vartkess and Rita Balian, NYSIP
() is still currently under their supervision in
its 19th season. Sponsored by the AGBU President’s Club, the program
places young Armenians in eight-week internships for prestigious,
world-class organizations, while providing a well-rounded program of
Armenian cultural, educational and community service activities.
Placed in internships that will guide them towards a successful future,
the interns have temporarily settled in New York from seven different
countries in the hopes of fulfilling their professional dreams and
sharing a memorable summer with their global peers.
Taking away unforgettable experiences, memories and lessons, two
young aspiring students, Greg Guroian from Stamford, Connecticut
and Kara Boodakian from Boston, Massachusetts, share their mixed
emotions of excitement and apprehension as they discover that even
in one of the largest cities in the world, you are never too far from
your Armenian roots.
For more information on NYSIP, please email [email protected]. For
more information on AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit
GREGORY GUROIAN, AGBU INTERN FOR AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL
ENGINEERS (ASME)
New York — what a place to be! Having grown up in Stamford,
Connecticut, New York City is not new to me. I have visited the famous
city on many occasions…have seen numerous Broadway shows, climbed
the Statue of Liberty, visited the top of the Empire State Building,
and skated at Rockefeller Center, just to name a few of the exciting
attractions I have explored. Because of my familiarity, never in my
wildest dreams would I have expected to live in New York for a summer.
I have always been more of a suburbs type of guy, and was not
accustomed to the fast pace of city life. Would I survive the everyday
hubbub of the city that never sleeps? Or would I get trampled along
the way? If there was one thing that kept me at ease, it was that I
knew Armenians are very personable people.
This was the primary focus of my concerns before I arrived in New York
to participate in AGBU’s Intern Program. Sure…I would be meeting
thirty-four new Armenians from all over the world but I have already
experienced that at St. Nersess for the last ten years. However,
this program was unique.
Adjusting to New York life was difficult at first. I was hurled into
an unfamiliar dorm, with little or no idea of what I was supposed to
be doing, or where I was supposed to be going. My initial uncertainty
quickly faded, however, as I met the other interns.
I realized, once again, that no matter what part of the world we
are from, our Armenian culture unites us, gifting us with an instant
bond of friendship that many other people do not have the luxury of
knowing. Quickly, I made new friends and together, we explored the
hidden utopias of the city; the ones that only locals come to know
and enjoy. These new friendships have become the vehicle through
which I was able to adjust to my life in New York.
Five weeks later, I think it is safe to say, that I am well on my way,
if not fully acclimated to New York. The friendships that I have made
during this program continue to grow and prosper; they are nurtured
by community service activities like Children’s Day at South Street
Seaport and the Scavenger Hunt. Through activities like these, as
well as quality time in and out of the dorms, I feel that I have
developed relationships that will last for years to come.
So far, the AGBU Summer Intern Program has surpassed my expectations;
I look forward to another phenomenal month with these wonderful people.
Gregory Guroian is entering his senior year at the University of
Connecticut majoring in Management and Engineering for Manufacturing.
KARA BOODAKIAN, AGBU INTERN FOR THEATRE ROW
I have never attended, or even heard of AGBU Camp Nubar… could not
speak a word of Armenian…have never been to Armenia…and did not
know many Armenians outside of family.
It is for these reasons that I was very apprehensive about even
submitting an application to the AGBU New York Summer Intern
Program. However, I knew it would be a shame to pass up this rare
opportunity to learn about my ancestry and heritage from both peers
and adults of varying backgrounds. This was my chance to strengthen
my Armenian knowledge and to connect with my roots.
Naturally, upon entering the program, I assumed other interns would
be a bit more knowledgeable about Armenians and our culture, but
I was shocked by the extent to which many of them spoke Armenian
fluently, had traveled to Armenia, and were very involved in the
community. Likewise, many of the other interns were surprised to meet
peers, such as myself, who knew so little about our Armenian culture
and heritage.
My roommate, Tanya, and I could not be a better example of Armenians
with different experiences. While I am starting from square one,
Tanya mixes Armenian and English words as though they are all one
language, and is a patient teacher, passionate about preserving and
promoting Armenian culture. And I am ready and willing to learn.
Upon discovering my very limited knowledge but desire to learn,
I became Tanya’s personal project. One night when I returned to our
room, I entered to find post-its on the furniture and walls labeled
“parts,” “badouhan” and “hakusd,” which I have come to learn as pillow,
window and clothes.
While I may be still working on the basics, each day Tanya and many
other interns contribute to my learning experience both directly
and indirectly. Reflecting on the past month, I have 34 new friends,
have found two distant cousins, can speak and recognize about 25 words
and phrases in Armenian and know that this is only the beginning of
a summer of adventure and learning.
Kara Boodakian is entering her senior year at Lafayette College
majoring in Anthropology and Sociology and minoring in Music.

ASBAREZ ONLINE
TOP STORIES
07/11/2006
TO ACCESS PREVIOUS ASBAREZ ONLINE EDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) ARF Says Peace Process Optimistic but Not Realistic 2) Golden Apricot Film Festival Begins in Yerevan 3) Russian Diplomat Says There Is No Framework in Peace Process 4) Armenia Presses Russia To Reopen Georgian Border 1) ARF Says Peace Process Optimistic but Not Realistic YEREVAN (Yerkir)The political affairs director of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau Giro Manoyan said Tuesday that recently announced intentions by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen to resolve the Karabakh conflict in 2006 were very optimistic but unrealistic due to the Azeri president's uncooperative position. "This optimism was based on the sole fact that there will be no elections in Armenia or Azerbaijan in 2006," Manoyan said. Hovhannisian added that Azerbaijan continued to pursue an aggressive policy and was not ready for any concession. Manoyan also mentioned that to say the process was "deadlocked" would not be the proper characterization since, from the onset, Azerbaijan had no intention of resolving the conflict based on the principle of mutual compromise. He also added that the only positive provision in the latest statement by the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs was the inclusion of a provision that gives the people of Karabakh the right to self-determination. Hovhannisian noted that the Karabakh negotiations have been favorable for Armenia after 1998, because the issue and discussion of a self-determination referendum did not occur before 1998. Manoyan explained that Stepanakert had never formulated a proper position toward the liberated territories. "The ARF position is that since Nagorno Karabakh is working on a constitution it should declare its dominance on those territories," Manoyan said. "However, both Yerevan and Stepanakert view those territories as part of a compromise," said Manoyan adding that the ARF did not agree with that approach. Manoyan added that Karabakh's agreement to hold a referendum was a compromise in and of itself since a referendum was held years ago to declare independence from Azerbaijan. Manoyan deemed inappropriate the tactic used by the US co-chairman Matthew Bryza to publicize the principles of the peace plan in bits and pieces, saying the entire proposal was made public in its entirety a week later. At the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) summer session, the Armenian delegation succeeded to ensure the support of other countries in turning down proposals put forward by the Azeri and Turkish delegations, Vahan Hovhannesian, head of the Armenian delegation to the PACE and National Assembly vice speaker, told a news conference Monday. Meanwhile, Hovhannesian said, resolutions favorable for Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have been passed. "This time our cooperation with leading nations was successful, I mean, the US, Canada, France and Russia," Hovhannesian said. "Most importantly, we succeeded in including a provision regarding the right to self-determination within PACE resolutions based on the results of the Montenegro referendum." 2) Golden Apricot Film Festival Begins in Yerevan YEREVAN (Azg Daily)The Golden Apricot 3rd International Film Festival launched in Yerevan July 10 at the Yerevan Moskva Cinema. The festival's theme is "Crossroads of Cultures And Civilizations." Chairman of the Golden Apricot Film Festival, Canadian film director Atom Egoyan, in his opening remarks, said an Armenian film festival in Paris "one the most important events of my cultural formation, and convinced me that I had to connect with Armenia in a more direct way." "Although I had seen Paradjanov's work in Toronto, this was my first opportunity to see the full spectrum of production. It was also a chance to meet such legends as Henrik Malian, Albert Megerdichian and Tigran Mansourian. I first visited the country in 1991, coming back the next year to shoot Calendar with my wife, Arsinee Khanjian, and Ashot Adamian. Since that time, we have made regular trips back to Armenia, and it has become an essential part of our lives. Festivals are an amazing opportunity for filmmakers to share their stories with an audience and with each other." The festival was launched with the retrospective showing of "Namous", an Armenian film by Hamo Beknazarian, who founded Armenian Cinematography in 1925. An estimated 100 films by directors from 58 countries will be shown at the festival. The competition category of the festival includes films by Perdo Almodovar, Krzsystof Zanussi, Aleksander German Junior, and Rakhshan Bani- Etemada. The documentary film category includes films by Mickael Glavoger, Gunar Bergdal, Sergey Loznica, and Victor Kosakovskiy. 3) Russian Diplomat Says There Is No Framework in Peace Process BAKU (Armenpress)The Russian co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group made a surprising revelation Tuesday, saying that there was no framework agreement, which reportedly was developed by the Minsk group cochairmen as it related to the terms of the proposed peace process principles. During an interview with the Azeri Trend news agency, the Russian co-chairman Yury Merzlyakov said the peace-brokers form the group suggested that the parties to the conflict must first coordinate the basic principles for the resolution of the conflict and develop the agreement on their basis. He then said the co-chairmen do not use such terms as "stage-by-stage," "package" or "universal" conflict resolution options. These terms have been used throughout the 14-year OSCE conflict resolution process. In the most recent peace efforts, Azerbaijan has suggested a "step-by-step" approach, with Armenia and the Minsk Group co-chairs not commenting on the matter. The Russian diplomat hinted that elements of the peace process would be further clarified following the first visit by the US Minsk Group co-chairman Matthew Bryza to the region. "At the moment, I am just not ready to assess the situation. It will become clearer when he goes there and listens to the parties' opinions," he added. Merzlyakov added that Bryza's visit to the region had been originally scheduled for late July or early September. In Armenia, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian announced at a press conference Tuesday that a possibility for rapprochement between Yerevan and Baku over the Karabakh conflict resolution process did not exist. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Fawzi Sallukh, Oskanian said Bryza's scheduled visit to the region may stimulate establishing contacts between Armenia and Azerbaijan. OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair Matthew Bryza, in an interview Friday with the Azeri Service of BBC, said that the Minsk Group's statement, which says "there is nothing more to be achieved for determination of the peaceful principles of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," does not mean that the talks have reached a deadlock. Bryza commented that the statement means creative capabilities of the mediators have been exhausted and there is a need for new initiatives. "This is not a deadlock. This is a moment when co-chairs say 'now the leaders should make a decision on what they want,'" he said. In his opinion, both leaders have the political will and wish cooperation, "but do not know whether they are ready to conclude the basic principles of the framework agreement." 4) Armenia Presses Russia To Reopen Georgian Border YEREVAN (RFE/RL)Official Yerevan is making "active efforts" to get Russia to reopen its main border crossing point with Georgia which serves as one of Armenia's few external trade routes, Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said on Tuesday. "We are working with the Russian side and hope that solutions will be found," Oskanian said without elaborating. Moscow closed the Upper Lars post on Thursday ostensibly to carry out repairs at the customs and border guard facilities on the Russian side of the rugged frontier. The move, which followed a controversial Russian ban on imports of Georgian wine and mineral water, was denounced as politically motivated by the authorities in Tbilisi. Armenian officials have also expressed concern, with Prime Minister Andranik Markarian saying that the Russians should have at least informed the Georgian and Armenian authorities of their actions beforehand. Speaking during a weekend visit to the Georgian Black Sea region of Ajaria, Markarian said the closure of Upper Lars has created a "very difficult" situation for Armenian companies exporting goods to Russia and other former Soviet republics. Scores of Armenian trucks were reportedly left stranded at the border crossing. Oskanian thanked the Georgian government for allowing some of them proceed to Russia via South Ossetia. But he said this "exception" was not a solution to the problem which threatens to hit particularly hard Armenian exporters of perishable agricultural products. Russia is their main market and they are now scrambling to re-route their shipments through the Georgian Black Sea ports of Poti and Batumi. The Upper Lars checkpoint had already been closed for nearly two months in the autumn of 2004 as part of "anti-terrorist" measures taken by Moscow following the deadly seizure of a school in Beslan, North Ossetia by radical Chechen militants. The transport embargo was widely criticized in Armenia. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets.