Month: December 2008

PRESS RELEASE

December 1, 2008

American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Contact: Gaiane Khachatrian
E-mail: [email protected]

American University of Armenia Dedicates New Paramaz Avedisian Building

The American University of Armenia dedicated its new building on November 1,
2008, bringing state-of-the-art educational facilities to Armenia and the
region. The four-story Paramaz Avedisian Building adds approximately
100,000 square feet of space to AUA’s existing facilities, enabling the
University to double its enrollment by providing new classrooms and seminar
rooms, laboratories and research centers, offices for faculty, suites for
AUA’s academic programs, and the new VivaCell Videoconferencing Room. The
educational facility, designed by Altoon + Porter Architects of Los Angeles,
California, incorporates several innovative design elements and
sophisticated environment-sensitive solutions.

"The new Paramaz Avedisian Building along with the United States
accreditation the University received in 2007, provides AUA with the ability
to expand educational offerings with new programs and to increase our
student body and serve additional Armenian and international students. The
University community is grateful to the many donors, large and small, who
made our dream a reality," explained AUA President Haroutune Armenian.

The ceremonies opened with the blessing of His Holiness Catholicos Karekin
II who followed with an inspirational speech on the importance of education.
Republic of Armenia Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian also addressed the
celebration, saying that "the mission of universities is not just to
transmit knowledge but also to give people the capacity to learn," because
what is learned today is quickly outdated. On behalf of President Serge
Sargsyan, the Prime Minister bestowed the Movses Khorenatsi Medal upon Mr.
Edward Avedisian and Mr. Jirair Turpanjian.

Among the keynote speakers was Dr. Rory Hume, who as Chair of the AUA Board
of Trustees noted that "the new building is an extraordinary achievement"
and compares favorably with the University of California’s buildings, many
of which he has studied in his extensive career with U.C. (AUA is affiliated
with the University of California). Mr. Edward Avedisian, who also serves
on the AUA Board of Trustees, noted that the students who use the new
facility "will have the distinct advantage of the latest technology and an
environment that will inspire them onward in their pursuit of higher
learning."

The building’s namesake, Paramaz Avedisian, who graduated summa cum laude
and first in his class from Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, helped others
in times of need throughout his life. One of his greatest achievements was
in tutoring a legally deaf classmate for over four years and seeing him
receive his diploma. Dr. Armenian said that Paramaz Avedisian is "the
embodiment" of the universal values espoused by AUA.

The principal benefactor of the building is the Khoren and Shooshanig
Avedisian family of Pawtucket, R.I. in honor of Paramaz Avedisian. More
than a dozen family members traveled to Yerevan for the opening ceremonies
along with the children of Paramaz Avedisian. Mr. Ed Avedisian served on
the AUA Building Committee with President Haroutune Armenian, AUA President
Emeritus and Board of Trustees member Dr. Mihran Agbabian, and Dr. Garo
Missirian.

Additional multimillion-dollar contributions were provided by the Turpanjian
Family Foundation and the Manoogian Simone Foundation. The Turpanjian
Family Foundation also provides major support to the AUA School of Political
Science and International Affairs and funds the AUA Turpanjian Rural
Development Program. The Turpanjian Scholarship program, administered by
AUA, has assisted over 650 students throughout Armenia to date. The
Manoogian Simone Foundation continued its generous support of the American
University of Armenia with the naming of the Alex and Marie Manoogian Hall,
in honor of Ms. Louise Simone’s distinguished parents. Numerous other major
donors made room-naming contributions and traveled to Yerevan for the
festivities.

The dedication ceremonies were also attended by a host of dignitaries,
including US Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, USAID Mission Director Robin
Phillips, Republic of Armenia Minister of Education and Science Spartak
Seiranian, Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritzyan, Diaspora Minister Hranush
Hakobyan, Parliament Committee Chair Ara Babloyan, Yerevan Mayor Yervand
Zakaryan, Yerevan State University Rector Aram Simonyan, State Medical
University Rector Gohar Kaylian, the Ambassadors of several countries, and
numerous municipal and international representatives.

The Paramaz Avedisian Building dedication was part of a weekend of
celebration activities that included commencement ceremonies for the
University’s 16th graduating class and a gala dinner banquet attended by
more than 400 students, alumni, faculty, Board of Trustee members, donors
and supporters.

Several opportunities to name rooms are still available, as is the chance to
make a donation to the Paramaz Avedisian Building matching fund drive before
December 31, 2008. For more information, please see the AUA website at
<; , send an e-mail to [email protected], or
call (510) 987 9452.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia is affiliated with the
University of California system and obtained accreditation in 2007 from the
Western Association of Schools and Colleges, one of the seven regional
accrediting bodies recognized by the US Department of Education. Through
teaching, research and public service, AUA serves Armenia and the region in
the transition to a market economy and democratic governance.

————————————- ——————-

The American University of Armenia Corporation (AUAC) is registered as a
non-profit educational organization in both Armenia and the United States
and is affiliated with the Regents of the University of California.
Receiving major support from the AGBU, AUA offers American-accredited
instruction leading to the Masters Degree in eight graduate programs. For
more information about AUA, please visit

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:

PRESS RELEASE

December 1, 2008

Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY WELCOMES SELECTION OF HILLARY CLINTON AS SECRETARY OF STATE

Washington, DC – President-elect Barack Obama selected Senator Hillary
Rodham Clinton (D-NY) to serve as the U.S. Secretary of State, reported
the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

"During her tenure in the U.S. Senate, Senator Clinton has consistently
supported affirmation of the Armenian Genocide," stated Assembly Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny. "Never before have we had such an alignment
whereby the incoming President Vice-President and Secretary of State have
a clear and demonstrated record of support for affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide, as well as genocide prevention," continued Ardouny.

First elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, Senator Clinton consistently
supported efforts to reaffirm the historical truth of the Armenian
Genocide. In addition to co-sponsoring resolutions affirming the
Armenian Genocide, Senator Clinton also repeatedly urged President
George W. Bush to reaffirm the Armenian Genocide in his annual April
24th statements. In 2006, for example, Clinton signed a letter to
President Bush stating: "The memory of the Armenian Genocide underscores
our responsibility to speak forcefully about our respect for fundamental
human rights and opposition to mass slaughters. It is in the best
interests of our nation and the entire global community to remember the
past and learn from these crimes against humanity to ensure that they
are never repeated. We respectfully request that you refer to the mass
slaughter of Armenians as genocide in your commemorative statement."
Senator Clinton also supports expanding and improving U.S.-Armenia
relations and "a fair and democratic resolution of the Nagorno-Karabagh
conflict."

Throughout the 2008 presidential election, President-elect Obama
repeatedly pledged to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide and with
the nomination of Hillary Clinton, President-elect Obama has an ally in
Genocide affirmation and prevention. In making the announcement today,
President-elect Obama said, "The time has come for a new beginning, a new
dawn of American leadership to overcome the challenges of the 21st
century."

During the campaign trail, Senator Clinton stated: "I believe the
horrible events perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against Armenians
constitute a clear case of genocide. Our common morality and our
nation’s credibility as a voice for human rights challenge us to ensure
that the Armenian Genocide be recognized and remembered by the Congress
and the President of the United States."

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

To read the Assembly release about President-elect Obama, please follow
the link below:

To read the Assembly press release in regard to the letter sent to
President Bush in 2006, please follow the link below:

/2006/04-20-06__2006-037_Over_200_House_and_Senate _Members_Urge_President_Bush_to_Acknowledge_the_Ge nocide.pdf

To read the Assembly release in regard to Vice President-elect Biden,
please follow the link below:

___________________________

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addressee. It is the property of the Armenian Assembly of America. You
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prohibited, and may be unlawful. If you have received this
communication in error, please notify us immediately by facsimile (202)
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communication and all copies thereof. Thank you.

THEY WILL BACK THE PRIMATE ANYWAY

A1+
[01:09 pm] 01 December, 2008

An initiative group has launched collection of signatures in support
of Michael Ajapahyan, primate of the Diocese of Shirak marz.

The group vows to do everything to prevent the unpopular developments
and impertinent interference with the spiritual life of the diocese
and expose the plot to replace the primate.

"Michael Ajapahyan has been improving the spiritual life of communities
for nine years, immediately after assuming the post. There is no
community in our region which has not got his blessing. Liturgies
have been recited even in rundown churches and chapels. The social
and educational centre, the youth council of the Diocese of Shirak of
the Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Hakob Mtsbnetsi and other unions
of Christian youth have been set up thanks to Ajapahyan. He has also
organised pilgrimages to churches and sanctuaries. His sermons and
precepts form an indivisible part of our spiritual life."

The message voices indignation with the plot of the administrative and
criminal force against this healthy spiritual strand in an effort to
engage the archbishop in political matters and to manipulate his civil
stance. The members of the initiative state this is a precedent when
the political government constrains the activities of the spiritual
leader, causing a surge of protest in the region.

"We, the children of the Armenian Church, voice our indignation
over this intolerable phenomenon and express our determination and
resoluteness to back the primate enjoying public love and respect to
the end," holds the message.

NA CHAIRMAN: CHESS – ART AND SPORT

Panorama.am
18:04 29/11/2008

Armenian chess players who became Olympic Champions have been hosted
in the National Assembly of Armenia, reported the public relations
department of the NA. The Chairman of the NA Hovik Abrahamyan greeted
the guests and said that due to their performance in Dresden Armenian
chess players have proved that Armenia is a big chess country and
that they have their own place in the world chess.

To say that every Armenian loves playing chess and they do play, is
not quite right. Although experts still dispute whether chess is an
art or a sport, it is right to say that chess is both – an art and
a sport, says the Chairman.

The Chairman wished Armenian chess players all the best and successes
in their future performances.

BAKO SAHAKYAN MET ARMENIAN BENEFACTOR IN USA

Panorama.am
18:05 29/11/2008

On November 28, the President of Nagorno Karabakh Bako Sahakyan had
a meeting with American-Armenian benefactor Gerry Trpantchian. During
the meeting projects which are being implemented in the social-economic
field of the country have been discussed, reported the press service
of the President Administration of NKR.

According to the source, the President highly evaluated the
implementation of "Trpantchian rural communities’ development project"
by the American University of Armenia in Artsakh.

SPEAKER OF ARTSAKH CONFLICT IN OSCE PA TO VISIT REGION

Panorama.am
18:20 29/11/2008

Activated negotiations round Nagorno Karabakh conflict anticipates
that the problem will be solved within short period of time, said
Goran Lanmarcker, the speaker of NKR issue in the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly.

He says he is going to discuss new ideas on improving the ongoing
position of the negotiations during the meeting of the Foreign
Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Helsinki.

To remind that OSCE member countries Foreign Ministers are going to
have an annual based session-meeting in Helsinki, on 4-5 December.

After the session the speaker says he plans to visit the region to
discuss more question with the Authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan
on NKR conflict.

FEW ARMENIANS THINK OUR INTERESTS WITH TURKEY DO NOT MATCH

Panorama.am
18:09 29/11/2008

Armenian society highly evaluates the perspectives of Turkish relations
with Armenia, the evidence to this are the research made by "Gellap"
company.

According to the surveys, 26.18% of the participants think that Armenia
should cooperate with Turkey, and 47.32% thinks that Armenia should
be careful in those co-operations. 18.31% thinks that Armenia should
not establish relations with Turkey unless they recognize Armenian
Genocide and only 7.51% thinks that we should never cooperate with
Turkey as our interests do not match.

"What do you think; could Turkey become a good economic partner for
Armenia in 5 years?" 10.18% says that it is absolutely right, 50.63%
finds it quite possible, 21.79% says, it is most probably so and 12.56%
completely rejects such development.

The company made the survey within 2000 people of Armenia from Yerevan
and regions in November.

DENNIS SAMMUT: NEGOTIATED SOLUTION FOR KARABAKH CONFLICT OFFERS GOOD PROSPECT FOR THE REGION

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.12.2008 12:24 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "The Moscow declaration and think that it forms a
good basis on which future action for the resolution of the conflict
can be based," said the Chair of the Executive Steering Committee of
the Consortium Initiative.

What Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was telling RAI TV strikes
as being very much the same as he has been saying for some time,
Mr. Dennis Sammut, the Chair of the Executive Steering Committee of
the Consortium Initiative, said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

"Our position is that a peaceful negotiated solution for the Karabakh
conflict is the only solution that offers a good prospect for the
region. Indeed this is the essence of the Moscow declaration signed
by the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. That is why we
highly appreciate this declaration and think that it forms a good
basis on which future action for the resolution of the conflict can
be based," he said.

In an interview with RAI International Italian language channel
on November 26, Ilham Aliyev stated that the declaration "doesn’t
contain a provision reading that Azerbaijan obliges to refrain from
a military resolution of the conflict and therefore, any kind of
measures, including use of force and admissible."

PROBLEM OF "ENEMY IMAGE" EXISTS IN BOTH AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.12.2008 13:49 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The problem of "enemy image" in Azerbaijan, but to be
frank, also in Armenia, is a series one but it is not insurmountable,
a British expert said.

"A lot of work needs to be done and should be done and government and
society in both countries must work together in this regard. However
it is also easy to be very pessimistic about this issue," Mr. Dennis
Sammut, the Chair of the Executive Steering Committee of the Consortium
Initiative, said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

"I have been in many situations where people from Armenia and
Azerbaijan, from all levels of society, have met each other and
although they were meeting each other for the first time soon found
they had many things in common with each other. The Moscow declaration
talks about the importance of confidence building measures. The
Consortium Initiative and its component members, International Alert,
Conciliation Resources and LINKS, have since 2003 engaged with non
state actors in the region, working with different sectors of society,
from grass roots organizations to politicians and officials. We think
there is scope for our work to continue and we would like this work
to develop further with the support of the two governments and of
the international community," he said.

DENNIS SAMMUT ON KARABAKH CONFLICT: THOSE WHO SAY THAT TIME IS ‘ON OUR SIDE’ ARE FOOLS

PanARMENIAN.Net
01.12.2008 14:02 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Nagorno Karabakh conflict has been too long
already, and this is not good for anybody, according to a British
expert.

"Those who say that time is on our side are fools. Every day that
passes is a day lost for everyone because people on both sides of
the conflict divide are suffering," Mr. Dennis Sammut, the Chair
of the Executive Steering Committee of the Consortium Initiative,
said in an interview with PanARMENIAN.Net.

"So I hope that we can see progress soon and all who are involved
in this process somehow should engage with this with more energy and
more urgency," he said.