Month: April 2007

Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
April 12, 2007

Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

Nevada Governor James Gibbons Issues Proclamation for
"Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide"

Carson City, NV – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region (ANCA-WR) applauds Nevada Governor James Gibbons (R-CA) for
issuing a proclamation concerning the Armenian Genocide. The document
specifically addresses the Armenian Genocide as the first genocide of
the twentieth century and notes the importance of remembering the
Armenian Genocide to guard against the recurrence of this crime against
humanity.

"We are honored to see Governor Gibbons join Governor Schwarzenegger in
exercising strong moral leadership on the Armenian Genocide," commented
ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. "Nevada’s Armenian American
community has a rich tradition of civic participation and the Governor’s
proclamation is most welcome in this regard," he added.

Governor Gibbons’ proclamation was issued in the midst of a campaign by
the Turkish Government to defeat a resolution (H.Res.106) pending in the
U.S. Congress that would mark the slaughter of 1.5 million Christians as
the first genocide of the 20th century.

In Nevada, Congressman Porter (R-NV-03) and Congresswoman Berkley
(D-NV-01) have cosponsored the Armenian Genocide resolution. San
Francisco – Bay Area Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA-12), who serves as
Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and is himself a
Holocaust survivor, has not indicated whether he is supporting the
legislation or if he will schedule a vote on the bill in his committee.
Currently, nearly 200 Members of Congress from over 35 states have
cosponsored the Armenian Genocide resolution.

This is the second proclamation issued by the Office of the Governor of
Nevada since 2000.

The full text of the proclamation is included below.

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working
in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the
world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American
community on a broad range of issues.

###

Photo Caption: Governor of the State of Nevada, James Gibbons (R-NV).

State of Nevada

Executive Department

A Proclamation by the Governor

WHEREAS, on April 24, 1915, the Ottoman Turks rounded up, deported and
massacred 600 Armenian leaders, writers, thinkers and professionals in
Constantinople and other major cities along with 5,000 Armenians who
were killed in the streets and in their homes; and

WHEREAS, the extermination from 1915 to 1923, of more than 1,500,000
Christian Armenians and the forced deportation of others represents the
first case of genocide of the 20th Century; and

WHEREAS, during the Genocide, Armenians were forced to witness the
slaughter of their relatives and the loss of their ancestral homeland
and property; and

WHEREAS; it is crucial to remember this horrific instance in history in
guarding against recurrence of genocide of any kind;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM GIBBONS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA do
hereby proclaim April 22, 2007, as

A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 1915 TO 1923

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great
Seal of the State of Nevada to be affixed at the State Capitol in Carson
City, this 6th day of April 2007.

Jim Gibbons, Governor

PRESS RELEASE
4/13/2007

Contact: Arsineh Khachikian: + (374 10) 547 211
[email protected]

`SCREAMERS’ DOCUMENTARY TO BE SCREENED IN YEREVAN, ARMENIA

`SCREAMERS’ Director Carla Garapedian will introduce her film to
Yerevan’s big screen for the week leading up to April 24, 2007

YEREVAN, ARMENIA-The highly acclaimed documentary film SCREAMERS will
be showing in Yerevan at Moscow Cinema from April 17 to April 24,
2007. The film features the Grammy Award-winning Armenian American
LA-based band System of a Down, along with Pulitzer Prize-winning
author Samantha Power, the late former Agos Daily editor Hrant Dink,
former FBI translator and whistle-blower Sibel Edmonds, Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram
Hamparian, and more.

System of a Down, one of the most powerful and progressive American rock
bands, through its songs and on stage performance, calls for the
recognition of the Armenian genocide of 1915, still denied by Turkey and
the United States. SCREAMERS follows the four-member Armenian American
band on tour as they engage in a campaign for genocide recognition and
to examine why genocides keep occurring to this day. The band takes up
the charge, attending rallies across the nation and at the White House,
educating its fans and elected officials, and speaking out. The film is
packed with live concert footage that capture the powerful performances
interspersed with their personal stories, SCREAMERS is a tour-de-force
documentary that bears the name of those who will not be silenced: those
who continue to scream "never again."=80¨

Garapedian will also be meeting with various youth groups and NGOs
during her visit to Yerevan to discuss the film and the urgency to bring
an end to similar injustices around the world. She will also join the
march to the Armenian Genocide Memorial with the Armenian Youth
Federation and fellow participants on the evening of April 23, 2007 to
remember the lost lives to the Armenian Genocide and lead the way for
all Screamers.

For more information about all Screamers events taking place through the
week, call 093.529 442 or visit <;
www.screame rsmovie.com

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

HIS HOLINESS RECEIVES A DELEGATION
FROM THE ARMY COMMAND

The commander of the Lebanese Army, General Michel Souleiman, sent a
delegation of four senior military officials headed by Gen. Panoss Mandjian
to meet with His Holiness Aram I in Antelias on April 12.

Several important issues in which the Lebanese army has an important role
to play were discussed during the meeting. The Armenian Catholicos praised
the patriotic service of the army particularly in a period of sensitive
political developments. He reaffirmed the support of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia and the Armenian community of Lebanon for the Lebanese army, the
country’s sovereignty and independence.

##
View photos here: 2.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
the mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

HIS HOLINESS ARAM I RECEIVES THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF
CANTERBURY

Bishop Anthony Boll, the representative of the Head of the Anglican Church
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, visited His Holiness Aram I in
Antelias on April 12. He was accompanied by Rev. Nabil Shehadi, Archbishop
of Canterbury’s representative to the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

The aim of the visit was to consult His Holiness Aram I on behalf of the
Archbishop of Canterbury to organize a visit by the Head of the Anglican
Church to the Middle East. His Holiness expressed his thoughts on making
this visit positive and purposeful. Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate
of Cilicia, Bishop Nareg Alemezian, also attended the meeting.

##
View photos here:
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: [email protected]
Web:

PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon

Armenian version:

THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF
CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM DIALOGUE VISITS ANTELIAS

His Holiness Aram I received the General Secretary of the World Council of
Islam-Christian Cooperation, Dr. Youssef Farran in Antelias on April 12.

The Pontiff and his guest discussed the efforts carried out in
Christian-Muslim dialogue in a number of Middle Eastern and Western
countries. His Holiness shared with his guest some information about the
Christian-Muslim and other inter-religious international conferences held in
Antelias and elsewhere.

Dr. Farran, in his turn, spoke about the current status of
Christian-Muslim dialogue, informing His Holiness about a number of upcoming
projects. His Holiness commended the common commitment to overcome the
challenges of contemporary times through cooperation between religions. "Our
differences separate us from each other. However, our similarities, which
are more than our differences, bring us closer to one another and drive us
towards joint efforts and work," he said.

##
View the photo here: #3
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
The Heritage Party
31 Moscovian Street
Yerevan, Armenia
Tel.: (+374 – 10) 53.69.13
Fax: (+374 – 10) 53.26.97
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]
Website:

April 13, 2007

The Heritage Campaign

Day Four: "Toward Victory"

After its first road trip yesterday, the Heritage Party campaign bus "Toward
Victory" today carried board member Davit Badalian and a crew of young
activists through the neighborhoods of Davitashen 4th Kvartal, and several
other districts in central Yerevan.

Meanwhile, Heritage’s representative to the Central Election Commission
Mihran Amirkhanian led a smaller group of volunteers to the republic’s
Armavir region. The group distributed brochures and the party’s election
platform in Mrgastan, Shahumian, Dasht, Aigeshat, Amberd, Doghs, Aghavnatun,
Aragats, Tsaghkalanj, Samaghar, Tsaghkunk, Artimet, Taronik, Aratashen,
Khoronk, Griboedov, Aknashen, Lusagiugh, Jrarat, Metsamor, Haikashen, Gai,
Ptghunk, Norakert, Baghramian, Aygek, Merdzavan, and Tairov.

Tomorrow, Raffi Hovannisian and the Heritage team will hold public meetings
in the same part of the country, particularly in Karakert, Dalarik,
Miasnikian, Baghramian, Armavir, Metsamor, Etchmiadzin, and Arax.

Founded in 2002, Heritage has regional divisions throughout the land. Its
central office is located at 31 Moscovian Street, Yerevan 0002, Armenia,
with telephone contact at (374-10) 536.913, fax at (374-10) 532.697, email
at [email protected] or [email protected], and website at

PRESS RELEASE
Parliamentary Assembly Communication Unit
Ref: 234a07
Tel: +33 3 88 41 31 93
Fax :+33 3 90 21 41 34
[email protected]
internet:

May 12 vote: a touchstone for Armenian democracy

Strasbourg, 13.04.2007 – The forthcoming parliamentary elections in
Armenia on May 12 will be a crucial touchstone for the degree of
maturity of democracy in Armenia, concluded the four-member (*)
pre-election delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe (PACE) at the end of a visit to Yerevan from 10 to 13 April 2007.

The delegation was heartened by the assurances of the Armenian
authorities, and all political stakeholders it met, that it is their
intention to hold elections that fully meet Council of Europe standards
for democratic elections. In this respect the delegation stresses that
it is the responsibility of all parties and stakeholders to adhere to
the rules that a genuinely democratic process demands.

The delegation took note of the improved election code, which has
generally passed the expert analysis of the Council of Europe’s Venice
Commission. The election code forms a sound basis for the conduct of
democratic elections if it is fully implemented in good faith.

The delegation welcomes the efforts by the authorities to create a
centralised voters’ list, in line with long-standing recommendations by
the Parliamentary Assembly. However, the delegation also notes the
concerns of several interlocutors that the accuracy of the voters’ lists
still leaves a lot to be desired. It therefore calls upon the
authorities to continue, and if necessary step up, all efforts to ensure
the highest possible accuracy of the voters’ list on Election Day. In
this respect, the delegation regrets the reluctance by the majority of
the political players in Armenia to introduce the inking of voters’
fingers, as advised by the Venice Commission, as a proven mechanism to
prevent multiple voting.

The delegation was concerned over its overall impression of a lack of
popular interest in the election process by the electorate. Such
attitudes of apathy, or even cynicism, are not conducive to the
development of democracy in Armenia. The delegation was not able, with a
few notable exceptions, to discern marked differences between the
political platforms of the contenders. It was left with the impression
that the upcoming elections are regarded by many as a struggle between
political elites and not between concepts and ideas. In relation to
this, the delegation is concerned that, in a number of constituencies,
only one candidate is running for the majoritarian mandate, thereby not
allowing the electorate in those constituencies a fully democratic
choice.

The delegation would like to stress that a level playing field in the
campaign, and full respect for the principles of freedom of expression
and assembly, are key conditions for democratic elections. It is
therefore concerned by the uneven conditions for the political players,
as highlighted by the media monitoring sponsored by the Council of
Europe. In this respect, the exhorbitant costs for paid political
advertising demanded by broadcasters are deeply regretted.

The fact that out-of-country voting has been abolished in the amended
election code is of concern to the delegation, as, in practice, it will
disenfranchise a sizeable part of the Armenian population that is living
abroad.

The delegation strongly condemns the recent attacks on the headquarters
of a political party in Armenia. It would like to reiterate its position
that violence and intimidation have no place in a democratic society.
Electoral violations during past elections have never been
satisfactorily investigated and prosecuted. A climate of impunity for
electoral violations and election related violence can not be allowed to
exist in Armenia. The delegation therefore calls upon the competent
authorities to fully investigate any election-related complaints that
are brought to its attention and, where violations are found, to provide
redress and prosecute the violators to the fullest extent of the law.

Lastly, the delegation calls on all political actors to use the little
time that is left before May 12 to ensure that the forthcoming
parliamentary elections are fully in line with Council of Europe
standards.

(*) The pre-election delegation visited Yerevan from 10 to 13 April
at the invitation of the President of the National Assembly of Armenia.
The cross-party delegation was composed of Leo Platvoet (Netherlands,
UEL), Head of Delegation, Georges Colombier (France, EPP/CD), Ewald
Lindinger (Austria, SOC) and Bernard Marquet (Monaco, ALDE). During its
visit, the delegation met with the President of the Republic, the
President of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister and the Ministers
of Justice and Foreign Affairs, the Chairman of the Central Election
Commission, a cross-section of political parties running in these
elections, members of the Constitutional Court and the Office of the
Human Rights Defender of Armenia, as well as representatives of the mass
media and NGO communities.

Contact: Vladimir Dronov, mobile: +33 663 493 792.

The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 315 members from the national
parliaments of the 46 member states.
President: René van der Linden (Netherlands, EPP/CD); Secretary
General of the Assembly: Mateo Sorinas.
Political Groups: SOC (Socialist Group); EPP/CD (Group of the European
People’s Party); ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe);

EDG (European Democratic Group); UEL (Group of the Unified European
Left).

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of Canada
130 Albert St., Suite 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel. (613) 235-2622 Fax (613) 238-2622
E-mail:[email protected]
www .anccanada.org

PRESS RELEASE

April 11, 2007
Contact: Kevork Manguelian

Tel. (613) 235-2622

ANCC Participates in Rwandan Genocide Commemoration

Ottawa–The Rwandan community of Greater Toronto commemorated the 13th
anniversary of the 1994 Tutsi Genocide in Rwanda with a solemn gathering on
April 7. The commemoration theme was "We Will Forgive But Not Forget".

The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) was invited to participate
in the commemoration of the Rwanda Genocide which resulted in the death of
countless innocent civilians.

In his opening remark, Aris Babikian, the executive director of the ANCC,
said that he "considered it our privilege to participate in this solemn
occasion and to address the assembled crowd to show our solidarity with a
fellow victim nation of Genocide.

"It is ironic that at the dawn of a new century and after 92 years of the
Armenian Genocide, we are gathered, as victim nations of Genocide and
Holocaust to commemorate another Genocide-your people’s Genocide-and to
remind the international community of its obligation to eradicate the
scourge of Genocide."

Mr. Babikian said: "Survivors of these heinous crimes must unite to remind
the international community and our fellow human beings that such crimes
will not be forgotten, denied or be allowed to be repeated."

In his comments, titled "Exposing the Denial Machine," Babikian said: "Once
the denial machine is set into motion, the planners and executors of
genocide get emboldened and feel confident that they have gotten away with
their demonic plan of wiping out a whole race. They then proceed to blame
the victims and the survivors for their plight.

"In all genocides the survivors are subjected to the denial machine one way
or another. The denial can originate in individuals, organizations or even
states," Babikian pointed out.

Denial of mass killings is to "deflect justice and to perpetuate the hatred
cycle against the victims. Once the guilty part covers up its crime and gets
away with it, it spreads falsehoods in its educational system, to
indoctrinate future generations with hatred and animosity towards the victim
nation. The denialist portrays the victims as the enemy of the state and of
the nation. It injects the US against THEM concept into the mentality of its
society," said the ANCC executive director.

Furthermore, by suppressing the truth the perpetrator discharges its
responsibility. It also justifies its demonic action as a "righteous
crusade" for the welfare of its own people. "With incredible chutzpah
Turkey, since the early 1920s, has turned the tragedy of the Armenian
Genocide upside down and has depicted itself as the victim! ‘It was
the Armenians who had committed genocide against the Turks,’ blithely
says Turkey," sarcastically concluded Babikian.

The executive director of ANCC assured the gathering that "Armenians all
over the world believe in accountability and responsibility. The punishment
of the guilty is imperative because it will help the civil society of the
perpetrator to atone for the crimes of its leaders and to reconcile with the
victim nation. As we have seen, without recognition of the crime and
punishment of the guilty there can be no reconciliation."

Gerry Caplan, the African Unite reporteur on the Rwandan Genocide talked
about the French Government’s crucial role in the genocide. He also gave a
detailed account of the French Government’s attempt to absolve its guilt
through a sham judicial inquiry.

With heart wrenching testimonies and eyewitness accounts many survivors of
the Rwandan Genocide recalled how they survived the 100 days orgy of
killing. Many of them lost their entire families.

Leo Kabalisa, a Tutsi community leader, stated that his community’s days of
grief are over. "It is time for action, to help the survivors," he said and
urged the assembly to support the various projects the community has
initiated.

-30-

The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of
the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.

Regional ChaptersMontréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton –
Cambridge – St. Catharines – Windsor – Vancouver

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

PRELACY LADIES GUILD MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON
BRINGS TOGETHER GENERATIONS IN CELEBRATION OF WOMANHOOD

MRS. LALIG BAYRAKDARIAN IS 2007 MOTHER OF THE YEAR

"MUSICAL SOUNDS OF ARMENIA" WILL PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT

NEW YORK, NY-Each year the Prelacy Ladies Guild presents its annual Mothers
Day Luncheon bringing together generations of women in celebration of
motherhood and the contributions of women in general to society and
especially our Armenian American community.
The luncheon will take place on Monday, May 7, at the elegant St. Regis,
located on 55th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, with reception at
11:30 a.m., followed by luncheon.
"It is a pleasure to see generations of women coming together for the
Prelacy Ladies Guild Mothers’ Day luncheon," said Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. "It is
heartwarming to see mothers and daughters, grandmothers and even
great-grandmothers, and aunts and nieces coming together and all of them
equally enjoying the afternoon."

Mother of the Year
Honored as the Mother of the Year will be Mrs. Lalig Bayrakdarian, a
mother of six children-three sons and three daughters-all successful in
their respective fields. Perhaps, the one known most widely is the
Metropolitan Opera star, Isabel Bayrakdarian, whose beautiful and charmed
voice is recognized throughout the world.
As a close friend of the Bayrakdarian family, Archbishop Oshagan recalls
how Mrs. Bayrakdarian lost her husband at a young age and was left to raise
her six children-sons, Carlo, Kegham, Ishkhan and daughters Siroon, Marijan,
and Isabel. "In spite of her struggle to provide for her family, she
continued her service to the church and community in Zahle, Lebanon," said
the Prelate. "And she inspired the same kind of dedication toward the
Armenian Church in each of her children. All have grown up serving the
church in one capacity or another in various parts of the world: Siroon in
Abu Dhabi; Kegham in Canada; Ishkhan in Fresno; Carlo in New York; Marijan
in Toronto, and Isabel, whose distinguished career has literally made her a
citizen of the world."
By the example of her own life, she has instilled the love of the church
and community and the joy of service in her entire family. Even now, when
away from her home base Isabel seeks out the nearest Armenian Church and
sings with the choir. Isabel makes her contribution with her God-given
musical talent; the other children do the same through their respective
professions, said Archbishop Oshagan.
Mrs. Bayrakdarian remains very close to all of her children and their
families. At one time she used to design and make all of Isabel’s gowns for
her performances, and she still continues to design many of them. And Isabel’s
highly successful CD, "Joyous Light," which is a collection of Armenian
sacred music, features mother and daughter on one of the selections.
The PLG is honored to have Mrs. Lalig Bayrakdarian as its 2007 Mother of
the Year and invites the community to join in this well deserved tribute to
this extraordinary woman.

Musical Sounds of Armenia
Musical entertainment will be in two parts. A quartet will provide a
medley of Armenian favorites. Members of the quartet, all graduate or
current students at Juilliard are: Kinga Augustyn, violin; Alexandr
Dzyubinsky, violin, Anush Simonian, viola, and Lilit Kurdiyan, cello. Solo
dances, with accompaniment on kanon and piano, will be provided by the
talented Raele Sabounjian, a member of the Shushi dance group. Accompanying
on the kanon is Izabella Alexadrovsky and on the piano Vagharshak Ohanyan.

PLG at 33
The Prelacy Ladies Guild was established in 1974 by the then Prelate,
Archbishop Karekin Sarkissian. For the past thirty-three years the PLG has
been a dynamic force and attentive to the needs of the Eastern Prelacy.
During the year the PLG is the host of the many receptions at the Prelacy
for visiting dignitaries and also a major contributor to the Prelacy’s
educational and cultural programs such as the St. Gregory of Datev Summer
Institute, the Prelacy’s Lenten Lectures series, and Musical Armenia, to
mention just a few of the projects that benefit from PLG support.
"The Prelacy Ladies Guild has truly earned the respect and support that
is evident in our community," said Archbishop Oshagan. "They are dedicated
and gifted women who serve the Church with devotion. I am very grateful to
them."
Tickets for the luncheon are $120 per person. For information and/or
reservations contact the Prelacy office, 212-689-7810.

PanARMENIAN.Net Armenian News
April 13, 2007

Armenia is not blockaded, Fried assures

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "We want to see an improvement in the Armenian
parliamentary elections. That is important. We don’t expect perfection. We
don’t expect to go from deeply flawed to perfect, but we do expect to see
substantial forward progress, said Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary for the
Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at a daily press briefing posted at

"That is important. Armenia, given the strength of the Armenian Diaspora and
given Armenia’s links to the West, frankly, you ought to be way ahead of
Georgia. Armenia should be doing better. It should be a leader. It should be
a prospering country. It has all the ingredients. And lack of oil and gas is
not necessarily a curse," he said.

When commenting on closing borders, Assistant Secretary Fried said, "Yes,
but a lot of countries – Armenia is not blockaded. It has access through
Georgia. It’s not as if it has no access to the outside world. We hope that
more is done."