Aznavour, Baroness Carolyn Cox Support AFUSA Phonathon 2006 4/27-30

Armenia Fund USA, Inc.
152 Madison Avenue, Suite 803
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-5307
Fax: 212-689-5317
E-mail: [email protected]

Charles Aznavour and Baroness Carolyn Cox Support
Armenia Fund USA’s Phonathon 2006, April 27-30, 2006
~A message in your homes from
two great philanthropists and supporters of Armenia~

NEW YORK, New York – Armenia Fund USA (Fund), East Coast Affiliate of
Hayastan Himnadram All-Armenian Fund, is pleased to announce that France’s
most famed singer Charles Aznavour and Baroness Carolyn Cox of the British
House of Lords have given their support to the Fund’s Phonathon 2006 that
will be conducted on April 27th through 30th, 2006. With their messages of
appeal delivered straight to many home phones, the fundraising campaign will
benefit the Agricultural Initiative for Haterk farmers in Mardakert region
of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Fund has taken the lead among the 18 worldwide affiliates of Hayastan
Himnadram in the implementation of the Agricultural Initiative of the
larger, more comprehensive “Rebirth of Artsakh” Regional Development
Program. (The other components of the larger program include medical
facilities, auxiliary roads, water distribution projects, education and
housing).

As part of the Fund’s awareness and fundraising campaign, French-Armenian
singer Charles Aznavour and Baroness Caroline Cox of Queensbury, Deputy
Speaker of the British House of Lords, and have given their encouraging
support and endorsement to the recently launched Agricultural Initiative.
The initiative is a three-year, three region development plan designed to
help farmers in Nagorno-Karabakh move from subsistence farming to export
production in order to economically strengthen both themselves as well as to
stabilize the region economically. With these changes, they will move beyond
producing only enough to feed their families – thereby improving their
families’ health; providing for their families’ educational and day-to-day
needs; and increasing their production of quality agricultural goods.

Charles Aznavour, one of France’s most popular singers, songwriters and
actors, is a philanthropist and a well-known supporter of Armenian causes.
He has stood beside the Armenian people since the disastrous earthquake of
1988 and delivered humanitarian aid to the devastated towns and villages in
Armenia. Charles Aznavour has been honored with a statue in Gyumri, Armenia
in recognition of his outstanding humanitarianism towards people of Armenia.
What makes this honor even greater is that it was the first time in Armenia
a statue was erected for an honoree while that person was still alive!

Baroness Caroline Cox – member of the British House of Lords, human rights
advocate, head of Christian Solidarity Worldwide- is also a staunch
supporter of Armenia and Karabakh, having made more than 60 trips there
since the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991.

The Fund, in cooperation with Hayastan Himnadram’s Yerevan affiliate and the
Nagorno-Karabakh government, will establish Agricultural Development
Associations (ADAs). Starting with Haterk, the ADAs will provide
modern agricultural equipment and technology to farmers who, by becoming
members of the ADA, will have access to discount rates for fertilizers,
seeds, tractors, etc. in order to work the land at affordable rates. The
program’s initial goal is to substantially improve the overall agricultural
productivity of Karabakh farmers; and the ultimate goal is to reduce rural
poverty in the region

During April 27th-30th, Armenia Fund USA with the help of its enthusiastic
group of volunteers – eager to make a difference- will conduct follow-up
calls and take pledges from donors wishing to help the Fund in its efforts
to combat rural poverty in Nagorno-Karabakh. The volunteers will answer
their questions and spread the word about the Agricultural Initiative.
Volunteers participating in Phonathon 2006, especially those who have
visited Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, are very passionate about donating
their time during those 4 days to support the campaign.

If you would like to be part of Phonathon 2006, please call us at
212-689-5307, or e-mail: [email protected]. We need your help!

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was one of the
first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 18 international affiliates and serves
constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit,
non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all
Armenian constituents.

Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 18 international
affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and
Karabakh, and having helped build 138 miles of roads, 100 miles of
waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential
buildings and 15 healthcare institutions.

Armenia Fund USA’s Mission is the development of strategic socio-economic
infrastructure in Armenia and Karabakh, focusing on major projects such as
major highways, schools, drinking water to communities and humanitarian
programs in education, training and medical facilities. The Fund has adopted
a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for
projects it sponsors.

To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, please go to our website at
or call us at 212-689-5307.
Armenia Fund USA, 152 Madison Ave., Suite 803, New York, NY 10016

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

http://www.armeniafundusa.org
www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS