WORLD-FAMOUS FILM DIRECTOR TONINO GUERRA TO ARRIVE IN ARMENIA IN DAYS OF GOLDEN APRICOT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 5 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. World-famous film
director Tonino Guerra has also give consent to be present at the
Golden Apricot (Voske Tsiran) third international film festival. He
will be already the 5th greatest figure to be present at the festival
this year. In the 70-s Tonino Guerra had close contacts with Sergei
Parajanov and has always wished to see the talented cinematographer’s
homeland. Tonino Guerra will be given a prize after Parajanov on
hehalf of the Golden Apricot film festival for his great contribution
to the world cinema.
Informing about it at the July 5 press conference, festival Art
Director Susanna Haroutiunian said that the prominent guest will join
the festival some days late, on July 13, and will stay in Yerevan
until the festival ends.
Susanna Haroutiunian also informed that on the day of festival’s
opening, July 10, besides the film “Namous,” the 15-minute documentary
film “Andrei” by Arsen Azatian and Narine Mkrtchian shot in the 60-s,
dedicated to Andrei Tarkovski, will be also shown. The film contains
episodes regarding the period of the cinematographer’s life when he
was in Armenia.

GOLDEN APRICOT FESTIVAL CONTINUES TO COOPERATE WITH INTERNATIONAL STRUCTURES ACTING IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Jul 5 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 5, NOYAN TAPAN. Four international organizations
cooperating with the Golden Apricot (Voske Tsiran) Yerevan film
festival, the British Council, the Embassies of France and Germany in
Armenia and the Cervantes Institute, continue cooperation this year,
as well.
As Melanie Moltmann, German Embassy’s Cultural Attache, informed at
the July 5 press conference, the “Crossroad of Civilizations” this
year’s motto of the Golden Apricot is very modern and harmonious
with the events taking place in the world. She is convinced that
the festival is means and occasion for people to associate with one
another and to discuss subjects interesting them.
This year a film by well-known German film director Andreas Dresen,
“Summer in Berlin,” is also presented in the festival’s contest
program. Besides, another three films will be presented in the days
of the festival.
As Susanna Haroutiunian, festival’s Art Director, stated, “Travel to
Armenia” new feature film by French Armenian director Rober Gedikian
will be shown on July 14, the day of French National Holiday. Some
other films will be presented in the fiction, documentary and Armenian
Panorama contest programs.
According to S.Haroutiunian, as the Golden Apricot is a pro-European
festival, it also has an extra-contest program, “One Day in Europe”
that includes films by European film directors.

VLADIMIR KARAPETIAN: PERHAPS AZERBAIJANI DIPLOMATS ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH CONTENT OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN PRESIDENTS OF ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 5 2006
YEREVAN, JULY 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. During the last
several days, the Azerbaijani press is flooded with statements and
information regarding recent developments in the Nagorno Karabakh
conflict resolution process, and those statements often contain
contradictory judgments and interpretations.
However, the reality is very clear – the Minsk Group co-chairs,
with their second confirming statement, presented the principles for
resolution which are on the negotiating table, together with their
assessments. This was declared by Acting Spokesperson for RA Foreign
Ministry Vladimir Karapetian who touched upon the statements and
interpretations of Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Ministers, Spokesperson
in connection with the recent developments in the process of Nagorno
Karabakh settlement that often contradict each other.
According to Vladimir Karapetian, perhaps the reason for such
contradictory interpretations is that the Azerbaijani diplomats you
mention are not familiar with the content of the negotiations between
the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan.

RA MINISTER OF ENERGY AND DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER HAVE MEETINGS IN TEHRAN FOR PURPOSE OF PREPARING ROBERT KOCHARIAN’S VISIT TO IRAN
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 5 2006
TEHRAN, JULY 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On July 4, Armen
Movsisian, RA Minister of Energy, Co-chairman of the Intergovernmental
Commission of Armenian-Iranian Contacts, had meetings with Iranian
Minister of Oil Vaziri Hamane and Minister of Energy Parviz Fattah in
Tehran for the purpose of preparing the working visit of RA President
Robert Kocharian to Iran to take place on July 5-6.
The sides attached importance to the forthcoming visit of the
Armenian President, clarified the range of issues aimed at developing
cooperation in the energy sphere to be discussed during the July 5
meetings and negotiations betwen IRI and RA Presidents.
They also touched upon the process of construction of the Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline, the 3rd line of high-volt electric conductivity
connecting the two countries, as well as other projects of two
countries’ cooperation in the energy sphere.
Arman Kirakosian, RA Deputy Foreign Minister, Deputy Chairman of the
Intergovernmental Commission of Armenian-Iranian Contacts, met with
Manouchehr Mottaki, Iranian Foreign Minister, Iranian Co-chairman
of the Intergovernmental Commission of Armenian-Iranian Contacts,
and Mehdi Safari, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Department, at the meeting Arman Kirakosian touched upon
organization issues of the Armenian President’s visit, mentioned with
satisfaction that the working groups have done everything possible
for organizing the visit efficiently and at a high level.
Opinions were exchanged on issues relating to bilateral and regional
political, economic cooperation, the process of fulfilment of
the agreements reached at the last sitting of the Armenia-Iran
Intergovernmental Commission was discussed.
The Iranian Foreign Minister informed the Deputy Foreign Minister
of Armenia about the recent developments around the Iranian nuclear
program and in his turn inquired about the recent events in the
Nagorno Karabakh settlement.

RA AMBASSADOR ASHOT GALOYAN HANDS HIS CREDENTIALS TO LATVIAN AND ESTONIAN PRESIDENTS
Noyan Tapan
Armenians Today
Jul 5 2006
RIGA, JULY 5, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. On June 27, Ambassador
of Armenia Ashot Galoyan handed his credentials to Latvian President
Vaira Vike-Freiberga.
The Latvian President, congratulating the Armenian Ambassador on the
occasion of his appointment, wished him success in his high mission.
Vaira Vike-Freiberga expressed satisfaction with the level of political
dialogue between the two countries and expressed the hope that the
possible potential will be used for extension and deepening the
cooperation between Lativa and Armenia in the coming years.
Ashot Galoyan said that Armenia sees a stable partner in Latvia within
the framework of European integration, especially New Neighborhood
policy, as well as cooperation of Baltic and South Caucasian regions.
During his visit to Latvia the Armenian Ambassador had official
meetings with Latvian Minister of Economy, Defence Minister,
Chairman of Parliament Commission on Foreign Relations, members of
Latvia-Armenia deputy group, State Secretary of Foreign Ministry,
Director of Bilateral Relations Board and Chairman of Latvian
Businessmen’s Union.
At the meeting with the Latvian Minister of Economy the Latvian
side stated that they are ready to found an Armenian-Latvian
Intergovernmental Commission for working out bilateral economic
programs and developing mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Armenian Ambassador also met with the Armenian community of Latvia.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from RA Foreign Ministry Press and
Information Department, on June 29, Ashot Galoyan handed his
credentials to Estonian President Arnold Ruutel.
The Estonian President congratulated Ashot Galoyan on the occasion
of being appointed on the high and responsible post of Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Estonia.
He said that Estonia is ready to closely cooperate with Armenia both by
bilateral and different formats, in political, economic and cultural
spheres, and expressed readiness to visit Armenia in terms convenient
for Armenia and to make speeches, to give lectures in defence of the
process of solving the difficult problems faced by Armenia.
During his visit to Estonia the Armenian Ambassador had official
meetings and discussed various issues relating to bilateral relations
with the Estonian Prime Minister, Minister of Economy, Parliament
Vice-Speaker, Chairman of Parliament Commission on Foreign Relations,
Foreign Ministry Political Director and Director of Foreign Ministry
Third Political Board on Bilateral Relations.
Ashot Galoyan also met with the Armenian community and discussed
issues interesting the community in Tallin.

NKR POPULATION OPINION CAN’T BE NEGLECTED
PanARMENIAN.Net
05.07.2006 15:57 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ “We stand for a peaceful settlement in the Nagorno
Karabakh conflict and the interests of the NKR people should certainly
be taken into consideration, AAA Executive Director Bryan D. Ardouny
said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net. “First I was in Stepanakert
in 1998, then in 2001. Considerable changes are taking place there:
the people have overcome incredible hardships and now build their
own state. As for the absence of NKR in negotiation process, this
is not correct. As I have already said any decision should be made
taking into account the opinion of the NKR population. Thus, its
participation in the talks is essential,” he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AZERI MEDIA DISTORT INFORMATION ON FIRES IN KARABAKH
PanARMENIAN.Net
05.07.2006 16:22 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ There are no facts proving arsons in Nagorno
Karabakh, chairman of the permanent committee on defense, security
and order at the NKR National Assembly Rudolf Martirosyan stated in
Stepanakert today. In his words, presently the Fire Fighting Service
of the republic stands on duty round the clock to help the population
to reap harvest. “The NKR government assigned funds for the efficiency
of the Fire Fighting Service activities. We keep the situation under
control and being informed of all the local fires do our utmost to
prevent them,” Martirosyan said. As for the recent reports of the
Azeri media, in the deputy’s words, this information is completely
distorted. “Speaking of arsons set to Azeri houses is absurd,” he said,
reported Novosti-Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

CALIFORNIAN COURIER: CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR NEW U.S. AMBASSADOR DESIGNATE DELAYED
PanARMENIAN.Net
05.07.2006 16:55 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Confirmation hearing for New U.S. Ambassador
Designate Richard Hoagland was delayed over the protests of the
Armenian community of America, Congressmen and media against the recall
of incumbent Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, reported Californian
Courier. “Last week the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs discussed
the nominations of Ambassadors to three states – Ireland, Switzerland
and Armenia. The designates for Ireland and Switzerland were confirmed,
but the confirmation hearing on the Ambassador to Armenia was delayed
for an uncertain period,” it says.
Some committee members including former presidential contender John
Kerry submitted written inquiries to nominee Hoagland with a request
to shed light on the orders he received from the State Department
as regards the Armenian Genocide. The newspaper says during last
week’s hearing some Senators asked a number of harsh questions on
the pre-term recall of Amd. Evans.
The American and Armenian press many times reiterated that the recall
of Ambassador Evans was caused by the statements on the Armenian
Genocide recognition, reported RFE/RL.

REFERENDUM ON KARABAKH STATUS NOT TO SOLVE CONFLICT BETWEEN NKR AND AZERBAIJAN
PanARMENIAN.Net
05.07.2006 17:09 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ For the most part, the referendum on the status of
Karabakh will bot settle the opposition between the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic and Azerbaijan, NKR President’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs
Arman Melikyan stated in an interview with Respublika Armenia
newspaper. In his words, it’s whether Azerbaijan, which cites its
Constitution and says that it doesn’t allow adoption of such decisions
by a part of its population, will agree on in some 5 or 10 years. The
idea of a postponed referendum implies a mechanism, which provide the
possibility not to find the final resolution of the conflict but to
unblock communications. At the expense of these communications serious
regional and geopolitical issues may be solved,” Melikyan said. However
he did not rule out that the postponed referendum is beneficial for
some third states, which do not wish these communication to function
within next 5-10 years.

ARMENIAN DELEGATION FAMILIARIZED OSCE PA WITH FACTS OF ARMENIAN MONUMENTS DESTRUCTION
PanARMENIAN.Net
05.07.2006 17:22 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ During today’s sitting of the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly in Brussels a report organized by Austrian deputy Wolfgang
Grossruck was heard, third secretary of the Armenian Embassy in Belgium
Tigran Balayan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter. In his words, the Azeri
delegation proposed 11 amendments. Over half of them were rejected
thanks to the efforts of the Armenian delegation members. In part,
the Armenian delegation succeeded in excluding the amendments that said
“Kosovo model cannot be used as precedent for the settlement of other
conflicts”. The other rejected amendment said that the territories
should be returned to the state, to which they belonged before the
start of the conflict. There were also some other amendments that
were refused. I should also mention that Armenia supported a number
of technical amendments proposed by Azerbaijan and this was welcomed
by the Assembly,” Balayan said.
He also informed that Armenian MP Artashes Geghamyan addressed the
Assembly with a speech on the destruction of the Armenian historical
and cultural monuments on the territory of Azerbaijan.