Author: Emil Lazarian

Baku Balances the Ukrainian Revolution
By Anar Valiyev
Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
Dec 24 2004
For the last month, the presidential elections in Ukraine captivated
the attention of the world’s Mass Media. The stalemate in Kiev
divided the CIS into two camps. While Russia and its satellites
Armenia and Belarus acknowledged Viktor Yanukovich as president,
Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Moldova took a “wait-and-see” position.
Azerbaijan in particular became a hostage of the differing stances
of Western countries and Russia. Supporting either side in Ukraine
would aggravate Azerbaijan’s foreign policy situation. Meanwhile,
the Azerbaijani ruling elite fears a revival of a strong opposition
within the country, which could result in increased pressure for
democratization.
BACKGROUND: The Georgian “rose revolution” made official Baku
uneasy. At the culmination of the Georgian events, Ilham Aliyev’s
government sided with president Eduard Shevarnadze, officially
supporting him. Shevarnadze’s resignation and his opponent’s
triumph was an embarrassment to official Baku, temporarily obscuring
Azerbaijani-Georgian relations.
On the eve of the Ukrainian elections, President Aliyev as well
as the presidents of Belarus and Russia attended the sixtieth
anniversary of Ukraine’s liberation from Nazi German occupation. The
event, orchestrated by Russian president Vladimir Putin, was an
indirect support of the Kremlin candidate Ukrainian Prime Minister
Yanukovich. Seeing the financial and administrative resources
controlled by Yanukovich, Aliyev’s government expected the victory
of the Kremlin’s candidate. After the second round of elections,
it became obvious that Yanukovich would not become president that
easily. Widespread fraud, cheating, and deceptions in the Ukrainian
elections led to a strong disapproval from the the United States and
the European Union. Yet on November 24, the Kremlin acknowledged
Yanukovich as president. Russia’s allies in the CIS – Belarus,
Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Armenia – recognized Yanukovich as well.
Uzbekistan initially followed suit, though it qualified its stance
subsequently, blaming Russia of intervening in Ukraine’s affairs.
Azerbaijan’s government decided not to rush with recognition. On
the other hand, the Azerbaijani opposition tried to take advantage
of the Ukrainian revolution. The Musavat party leader Isa Gambar
made a blitz visit to Kiev to support Yushchenko. Upon his return,
Gambar stated that the elections in Ukraine were not just a change
of power. ‘This is a new era in the post-Soviet space. The events
in Ukraine will impact all regimes in post-soviet republics.’ Gambar
believes in an inevitable collapse of all authoritarian regimes in
the former USSR. The leader of the Azerbaijan National Independence
Party Etibar Mamedov also expressed his assurance that Azerbaijan
would be ‘the next country that embraces democracy after Ukraine’.
IMPLICATIONS: Ilham Aliyev is in a difficult position. For the
Azerbaijani president, supporting Yanukovich could have a detrimental
effect. For the last five years, Azerbaijan has established its own
balanced system of strategic relations with the West including the
NATO and the EU. At the same time, Ukraine Azerbaijan’s strategic
ally in GUUAM, and has permanently supported the Azerbaijani cause in
international organizations. By allying himself with Russia, Aliyev
would have lost support from the EU, NATO and the United States while
it would have weakened Azerbaijan’s respect in the world’s democratic
community. In the case of a Yushchenko victory, such a decision could
damage Azerbaijani-Ukrainian relations too. Since 2000, Azerbaijan
has built good and positive relations with Russia. This process has
been strengthened lately. Before the Ukrainian elections, Aliyev’s
team thought that it was possible to have good relations with Russia
while being loyal to the West at the same time. But the Ukrainian
elections required Azerbaijan to make a crucial decision. Despite
increased pressure from Russia, Baku decided to wait for the end of
the standoff in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian “orange revolution” has implications for Azerbaijan’s
domestic affairs as well. Since October 16, 2003, the opposition
parties remain in an amorphous condition. In the last year, the
activities of major opposition parties have shrunk. But the Ukrainian
wind of change woke up the Azerbaijani opposition from its slumber.
Obviously, the revolutions in Ukraine and Georgia are very attractive
for Azerbaijani opposition parties, which failed to do the same in
October 2003. The last opposition activities show that the opposing
parties are considering various possibilities to use Georgia’s
and Ukraine’s experience in Azerbaijan. Despite the ruling elite’s
reluctance to support Yanukovich, it is unsettled by democratic changes
in neighboring countries. The current government of Azerbaijan would
rather prefer somebody like Yanukovich rather than any leader who
came to power on a revolutionary wave. The current elite is still
cautious toward the new regime in Georgia. In particular, the ruling
elite fears the establishment of a youth opposition movement like
the Georgian Kmara or the Ukrainian Pora. President Aliyev recently
commented on the Azerbaijani opposition’s contacts with Yushchenko:
“They join demonstrations in foreign countries with ribbons on their
neck. Let them do the same here. If someone is brave enough, he could
tie a ribbon or something else on the neck and stage a demonstration
here.” On December 3, Ziyafet Askerov, vice-speaker of the Azerbaijani
parliament, accused Ali Kerimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party
of Azerbaijan of attempting a coup d’etat. He stated that according
to intelligence information, the Ukrainian youth organization Pora
finances Kerimli’s party in order to repeat the Georgian and Ukrainian
scenario in Azerbaijan. Kerimli denied these accusations. Instead,
he argued that Askerov and the elite to understand that they cannot
always falsify the elections. “Our fight will result in a democratic
change of regime,” Kerimli claimed, “Askerov and other members of
the ruling team understand it and therefore worry.”
CONCLUSIONS: Ilham Aliyev soberly understood that putting himself in
the same boat with such odious leaders as Lukashenko, Nazarbayev
and Putin would not strengthen his regime nor help Azerbaijan
internationally. In fact, given the relative pluralism in Azerbaijan,
it would increase the risk of making Azerbaijan the next candidate
for revolution.
Hence the president of Azerbaijan began to play the role of
democratic leader in order to insure himself from further pressure
from the Council of Europe, the EU and the United States. By refusing
to recognize Yanukovich, Aliyev sent a persuasive signal to the
West that he was not a member of the club of pro-Russian dictators.
Despite the confrontation between the opposition and the ruling elite,
both sides worked for the benefit and positive image of Azerbaijan. The
Ukrainian opposition will remember the reluctance of Azerbaijan
to acknowledge Yanukovich as president if they come to power. Even
if Yanukovich would come out on top, it will not negatively affect
Azerbaijani-Ukrainian relations. The future Ukrainian president will
not have absolute power and will need to share it with a democratic
parliament. The only negative effect from the Ukrainian standoff
might be a possible deterioration of Azerbaijani relations with
Russia. Aliyev’s defiance to follow Putin’s policies definitely
annoyed the Russian establishment.
AUTHOR’S BIO Anar Valiyev currently is a Ph.D. student at University
of Louisville, School of Urban and Public Affairs. He holds an MA in
history from Baku State University and an MPA from Indiana University
Bloomington.
–Boundary_(ID_IHjb9UYep0/CVngt8aDPpw)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Azeri editor says local Jewish leader threatens him over Hitler’s book
Sources:
ANS TV, Baku
22 Dec 04
Assa-Irada, Baku
22 Dec 04
[Presenter] The editor-in-chief of Xural newspaper, Avaz Zeynalli, who
was repeatedly summoned to law enforcement agencies after publishing
in Azerbaijani Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” – My Struggle – has
accused the head of the community of mountain Jews, Semen Ikhiilov,
of making threats.
[Correspondent over video of news conference by Zeynalli] Pressure on
me is increasing gradually after I published Adolf Hitler’s “Mein
Kampf”, the editor-in-chief of Xural, Avaz Zeynalli, told a news
conference today.
The editor’s lawyer, Elcin Qambarov, spoke about the current state of
the legal proceedings instituted into the case. He said that despite
the fact the legal action had been taken against the editor under
Article No 282 of the Criminal Code, that is inciting religious and
racial hatred, no official charges have yet been brought against
the editor.
The lawyer said that “Mein Kampf” is being examined by experts of
the investigation department of the [Azerbaijani] National Security
Ministry.
Talking about the translation of the book, Zeynalli said that he
knows the identity of the person who threatened him by telephone on
8 December this year.
[Zeynalli, addressing the news conference] The person who called
me was Semen Ikhiilov. He was born in Kustanay [Kazakhstan]. He is
friendly with the families of some esteemed people in Azerbaijan. He
has many businesses [in Azerbaijan].
[Correspondent] You might recall that the person mentioned by Zeynalli
is now leading the community of mountain Jews. As to the threats to
the editor, Ikhiilov’s answer was very brief.
This is completely groundless and I have never phoned him, end
of quote.
Baxtiyar Salimov, Sehrac Azadoglu, ANS.
[The Azerbaijani news agency Assa-Irada quoted Zeynalli as telling the
journalists that “Mein Kampf” will “always be popular and useful”. “To
read Hitler does not mean to be a fascist,” he said, adding that those
“who think so are ignorant”.]
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

FIRST TWO SECTIONS OF ROPEWAY OF TOURIST COMPLEX IN RESORT TOWN OF
TSAKHKADZOR PUT INTO EXPLOITATION
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22. ARMINFO. First two sections of ropeway of
a tourist complex in the resort town of Tsakhkadzor were put into
exploitation on Wednesday.
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan attended the opening
ceremony. Talking to journalists, Construction Manager Laurent
Mikaelyan stated that the construction had been started in June, 2004
by a Swiss company “Leitner.” The length of the first two sections is
1,400 and 1,500 meters respectively. The sections have 21 piers. In
his words, the works on the third section will be restored in 2005. As
regards the date when the forth section will be put into exploitation
as well as the cost of the project, Mikaelyan stated that it was a
commercial secret.-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ARMENIA’S FM FORECASTS UNPRECEDENTED FOREIGN POLITICAL ACTIVITY IN 2005
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22. ARMINFO. 2005 will be the year of unprecedented
foreign political activity for Armenia, says Armenia’s FM Vardan
Oskanyan.
Armenia has to complete the development of its individual action plan
in the framework of the new European neighborhood policy. This is a
tremendous work that should be a guideline for our further relations
with EU.
In the framework of its cooperation with NATO Armenia is to present by
Mar-Apr 2005 an individual partnership action plan. The deadlines for
Armenia’s honoring its commitments to CE is getting more pressing. “We
are facing serious tasks especially as CE is holding a summit in
May or June so Armenia has to comply with the deadline to make its
position clear,” says Oskanyan.
He says that Armenia should not wait for the beginning of the
Turkey-EU talks but should pave the way for raising its interests
during the talks.
In connection with the 60th anniversary of UN Armenia should specify
its position on the package of reforms of this organization adding the
possibility of the conduct of an OSCE summit. There is also the issue
of Karabakh, the Prague Process. “I am convinced that the presidents
will also meet,” says Oskanyan noting that there will be many ups
and downs in these processes.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MSNBC
Dec 22 2004
Christian exodus from Holy Land
Bethlehem’s fate highlights dwindling community’s woes
By Ara Ayer
Producer
NBC News
Updated: 2:54 p.m. ET Dec. 22, 2004
BETHLEHEM, West Bank – A tree stands prominently in Bethlehem’s
Manger Square. Not a Christmas pine adorned with bulbs and tinsel
for the season, but an olive tree. The Palestinians call it “the tree
of peace.” It looks dead.
The body of the tree — barren, broken and pruned back — is a metaphor
for Christian life here.
Throughout Israel and the Palestinian territories, Christians are
losing both turf and population. Squeezed between opposing sides in
an intractable war, Christians are slowly leaving the holy land.
More than 110,000 Christians lived in the occupied territories before
1948, only some 50,000 remain. Bethlehem has the largest Christian
community — with 27,000 — but it’s in decline.
According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the lack
of economic and social options has led more than 2,000 Christians to
leave Bethlehem over the past four years.
Christians forced out
Karneg Balekdjian, a bespectacled, 30-year-old clerk for the Armenian
Church of Jerusalem, won’t be celebrating Christmas this year with
his family.
‘If Joseph and Mary tried to come today, Israeli soldiers would check
their papers, rummage through their baggage and rudely turn them
away.’
He recently packed his suitcases, said goodbye to his loved ones and
the only home he’s ever known. “I’m not leaving Jerusalem for
opportunity,” said Karneg “but for love.”
Israeli officials barred Balekdjian’s 26-year old bride, Ivette
Askandarian, from immigrating to Israel. Born and raised in Iran —
but Christian and ethnically Armenian — Ivette couldn’t even visit
Karneg in Jerusalem yet alone live with him.
“We had no idea,” Balekdjian sighed, “our lives together would begin
with forced separation.”
Israeli immigration rules shut out people born in countries hostile
to Israel. Yet Jews born in those same hostile countries can visit
Israel and immigrate without a problem.
Balekdjian, conscious of the double standard, appealed to the Israeli
Interior ministry with little effect. “I went to the Interior
Ministry twice a week for almost a year, most times I couldn’t even
get through the door.”
“My wife is not Muslim, not a terrorist, not a threat to Israel,”
said Balekdjian. “Yet as Christians we were not allowed to live
here.” He said the Armenian Church even tried to sponsor his wife
with a job, but the Israelis said no.
Part of the growing exodus of Christians leaving the holy land for
better lives, Balekdjian, feels guilty for leaving his family and
Jerusalem behind. But, he “really didn’t have a choice but to join
his wife,” according to his mother, Angel Balekdjian.
Cradling a framed photo of Balekdjian and his wife in the sitting
room of her stone house, his mother said, “Christians will finish
from here, slowly. Slowly we will go.”
Community marginalized
Prior to the founding of the state of Israel in 1948, Christians
migrated from communities in Turkey, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt
and Lebanon to live near the holy sites in Jerusalem and nearby
Bethlehem and support the churches.
Business transactions, marriages and family ties connected Christian
communities of the Near and Middle East. The Christian communities of
Bethlehem and Jerusalem drew population, resources and income from
Beirut, Cairo, Baghdad and Aleppo. These relationships and resources
were severed when the Israelis took control.
Israel’s wars with its Arab neighbors and nearly 10 years of conflict
with Palestinian Muslims have done more to isolate, marginalize and
drive off the Christian population.
Furthermore, when Bethlehem’s Christians leave the holy land they
often cannot come back. The reason is not Israel – but fellow
Palestinians. As Christians leave their homes to work abroad,
Palestinian Muslims sometimes move in to seize their property and
land.
For years, Christians have been complaining to the Palestinian
Authority with little effect.
With scarce resources shared between the Christian and Muslim
communities, some Christians say they are easy targets for their
Muslim brothers who control the government and militant
organizations.
“Even though Christians are represented in Palestinian government,”
says Bethlehem University professor Manuel Hassassian, “they have no
actual political power. Christian clout doesn’t exist.”
Bethlehem hemmed in by wall
A charismatic man with a calm disposition, Bethlehem’s Christian
mayor, Hannah Nasser, becomes distressed around the holidays,
especially Christmas.
Strolling the sparsely decorated streets, he cannot fathom how the
Christian world’s attention could be focused annually on his town and
people, yet its predicament is ignored.
“I’m a mayor of a jail,” exclaimed Nasser. “Christmas or not,
Bethlehem is a big prison.”
Surrounded by 78 physical barriers including concrete roadblocks, 10
Israeli military checkpoints, 55 dirt mounds and a soon to be
completed 39 mile-long security wall, the “little town of Bethlehem”
of Christmas songs is an isolated, stagnant and depressing place.
Israeli soldiers on foot patrol, in jeeps and in watchtowers monitor
and restrict almost all pedestrian and vehicle traffic in and out of
town.
Nasser said Israel’s zeal to stop potential attacks by Palestinian
Muslims from Bethlehem is so great that “if Joseph and Mary tried to
come today, Israeli soldiers would check their papers, rummage
through their baggage and rudely turn them away.”
Scratching his balding pate, Nasser said he can’t rationalize
Israel’s need for security at the expense of human rights, the rights
of his people.
“The mood is not joyful, no one is really out in the streets
celebrating,” he said. “Bethlehem is still under siege.”
Nasser fears that if the economic and social blockade continues,
Bethlehem’s Christian community will leave. “If things don’t change
in a generation, all that will be left is the stone churches and the
priests who occupy them.”
Nothing left but lonely shopkeepers
According to a recent study, published by the United Nations, Israeli
security restrictions and the construction of its security wall
around Bethlehem has led to the closure of 72 of 80 businesses on the
main thoroughfare into town.
Most of these businesses were owned and operated by Christians. In
some cases, Israel seized Christian land and property.
The study also cited a staggering drop-off in the tourist trade, the
life’s blood of this biblical town.
In the past four years, the number of tourists visiting Bethlehem per
month has dropped from 91,726 to 7,249. Driving along the streets,
even at Christmas time, it is not uncommon to see rows of businesses
and homes either abandoned or boarded up.
Bethlehem’s economy is so poor, restaurant owner George Nazar has
resorted to giving away free cups of coffee.
“I’m lonely all day,” said Nazar, “if I charge for the coffee, the
people might not come to my restaurant.”
Nazar says he’s lucky to see five customers in a day, and they rarely
buy food.
“No one has money,” cried Nazar, tears welling up in his eyes. “I
don’t make enough to pay the rent; I don’t know how I’m going to buy
Christmas presents for my kids.”
“Times are tough, and will remain tough for Christians here,” said an
old Muslim shopkeeper, afraid of giving his name.
Surrounded by shelves of religious icons and countertops strewn with
souvenirs imported from China, the shopkeeper shifted his weight and
said, “only a peace between the Jews and the Muslims will help the
Christians.” Otherwise, he recommended deceit.
“Please lie to the people,” he begged. “Write an article saying
Bethlehem is safe and peaceful this Christmas,” he said. “Only the
tourists, with their money, can save the Christians, save us all.”
Ara Ayer is an NBC News producer based in Tel Aviv.
–Boundary_(ID_bpIwtKDQh+Q9Ww78N36SAA)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Vic’s fancy belt is a hit
Northern District Times (Australia)
December 22, 2004 Wednesday
IN A humble red brick unit at Ryde sits a world title belt belonging
to newly-declared world champion boxer Vic Darchinyan.
The flyweight snared the elusive title at the International Boxing
Federation bout at Hollywood, Florida, on Friday.
The southpaw gave an account of how he triumphed over Colombian Irene
Paceco, making it 23 wins from 23 fights.
“I felt very aggressive and knocked him down after 20 seconds in
round 11,” the 28-year-old said.
“I believed from the start that I could become the world champion
because I believed in myself.
“I’m strong and no one’s stronger than me,” Darchinyan said.
The Armenian immigrant settled in Sydney after the 2000 Olympics and
started training with Australian champion boxer Jeff Fenech.
Fenech said Darchinyan had improved “tremendously” since joining his
Marrickville-based camp.
“He wasn’t used to training hard,” Fenech said.
“He never really ran. Now he’s got a combination of everything. It’s
been great. He’s got that strength.”
Darchinyan is already eyeing the World Boxing Federation title
next year.
“I want a whole belt now,” he said.
Fenech has complete faith in the gutsy fighter, but won’t let him to
become complacent.
“He’ll dominate his division for a long time,” Fenech said.
“He’s strong and very determined.
“Everyone wants to take it off him, so he’s got to stay focused.”
Meanwhile, Darchinyan is preparing to enjoy a three-week break with
his parents, who are visiting from his homeland.
But for now, his heart is in Australia.
“I love Australia . . . it’s a beautiful country,” he said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NETHERLANDS DEMANDS RECOGNITION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
ArmenPress
Dec 22 2004
THE HAGUE, DECEMBER 22, ARMENPRESS: The Federation of the Armenian
Organizations in the Netherlands said in a press release, forwarded to
Armenpress that it was satisfied with the Dutch Parliament unanimous
adoption of a motion concerning the recognition of the Armenian
Genocide.
Armenian community of The Netherlands has been insisting that the Dutch
Parliament and the government recognize f the Armenian Genocide of
1915 for many years. Especially last year, in the run-up to and during
the Dutch presidency of EU, the 24 April Committee of the Armenian
Federation has persistently campaigned to bring the Armenian question
under the attention of the Members of Parliament and the Dutch public.
debate nearly all fractions asked the government about the absence
of the Armenian Genocide issue in the Presidency conclusions. This in
spite of commitment by among others France and the European Parliament
and also by Dutch Foreign Minister Bot himself, who ensured the
Dutch Parliament that the Armenian question has always been brought
up at the meetings with the Turkish colleagues. The majority of the
Parliament Members had asked to pay attention to this point.
In the motion adopted by the Parliament the government is asked “to
bring up the recognition of the Armenian Genocide continuously and
expressly in the dialogue with Turkey”.
This motion has been introduced by the Chairman of Christian Union
fraction Mr. Rouvoet and supported by all other political parties in
the Parliament.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IFEX MEMBERS HIGHLIGHT FREE EXPRESSION CONCERNS AMIDST EU TALKS
IFEX, Canada
Dec 22 2004
As Turkey took one step closer toward membership in the European
Union (EU) with the agreement last week to begin formal accession
talks, IFEX members focused attention on the need to continue
pressing the Turkish government on its free expression record.
The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN and the
International Publishers Association (IPA) released a set of
recommendations for bringing Turkey’s new Penal Code in line with
European free expression standards.
The groups say the Code, adopted on 27 September 2004, contains
several provisions that discourage debate on sensitive topics,
including Cyprus and the Armenian genocide. They say the EU must
“take action now to eliminate all remaining obstacles to freedom of
expression under Turkish law.”
Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) is also
calling for the new Penal Code to be amended. Under Article 305 of
the Code, opinions and statements about Cyprus or Armenia could be
considered “threats against fundamental national interests,” a
provision the European Parliament has said is incompatible with the
1950 Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental
Freedoms. The Code also contains a provision (Article 127) under
which the crime of insult can be punishable by up to three years in
prison.
RSF says that while Turkey has made genuine progress in reforming its
laws, the climate continues to remain harsh for journalists who are
outspoken. Turkish courts impose prison sentences and exorbitant
fines that encourage self-censorship, while
television and radio stations remain subject to “brazen censorship,”
the organisation notes.
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), a regional affiliate of
the International Federation of Journalists, has expressed concerns
that journalists in Turkey do not enjoy the right to collectively
organise within unions. The group warns that a proposed Trade Unions
Law could “deprive journalists of their right to organise
independently in defence of their specific rights.”
Despite these concerns, Human Rights Watch says the EU accession
process has helped bring about significant human rights improvements
in Turkey and strengthened the efforts of reform advocates. The EU’s
decision to start formal accession talks with
Turkey follows an October 2004 evaluation by the European Commission,
which concluded that “Turkey sufficiently fulfils the political
criteria” to begin negotiations.
–Boundary_(ID_n9dV75fuVGb372nIeZUf/w)–

Iranian gas pipeline to ensure diverse energy sources for Armenia – minister
Mediamax news agency
22 Dec 04
Yerevan, 22 December: The possible transit of gas by the Iran-Armenia
gas pipeline is “an issue of the future”, Armenian Foreign Minister
Vardan Oskanyan said in Yerevan today.
Oskanyan told a press conference at the National Press Club that the
main goal in the construction of the gas pipeline is to have diverse
energy sources for Armenia.
Asked if Russia could interfere in this issue, Oskanyan said “Armenia
is always taking into account the interests of the neighbouring
countries, but is acting, first of all, in line with its own
interests”.
Commenting on a project to construct a railway between Iran and
Armenia, Oskanyan said the project requires large funds. However,
he said as the trade between Armenia and Iran is growing day by day,
there is a need for a railway between the two countries.
“This issue needs to be discussed and analysed seriously,” Oskanyan
said.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS RELEASE
December 22, 2004
Junior Achievement of Armenia
1102 North Brand Blvd. #61
Glendale, CA 91202
Contact: Beth Broussalian Tel/Fax: 858-792-4656
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Ani Darakdjian Named US Director of JAA;
JAA Programs Now Reach 170,000 Youth Annually
Los Angeles, CA – The Board of Directors of Junior Achievement
of Armenia (JAA) has named Ani Darakdjian its US Director, a new
full-time post based in Los Angeles, California.
“The appointment of Ani Darakdjian as US Director marks a significant
development in the history of our organization,” commented Armine
Hovannisian, JAA’s Executive Director. “She is the perfect addition to
the JAA family and comes on board at a time when our growth presents
new and exciting challenges.”
Ms. Darakdjian’s responsibilities cover the entire spectrum of JAA’s
stateside operation, including financial management, collaborating
with JAA’s Armenia-based staff to coordinate and manage all programs
and activities, and actively pursuing new sources of funding for
the organization.
“The establishment of a US Director position is a testament to JAA’s
continued commitment to achieving excellence both in programming
and in organizational operations,” said Jack Berberian, President
of the JAA Board of Directors. “Our program in Armenia is one of
the largest Junior Achievement affiliates in the world, with awards
ranging from innovation to quality. As we reach for the next level, we
are ensuring that Armenia’s youth has every opportunity to receive the
best education possible, to enjoy engaging extracurricular activities,
and to participate in global activities through the programs of Junior
Achievement Worldwide.”
Ms. Darakdjian comes to JAA after an exhaustive nationwide search that
produced many impressive candidates. Her resume stood out among the
dozens received because of her exceptional professional and academic
accomplishments. Her career spans corporate consulting, business
development and international affairs, including experience both in
the US and Europe in economic development and international trade.
She holds an MBA in Finance and Management as well as a Master of
International Affairs, both from Columbia University.
“It’s a privilege to contribute to Armenia’s economic and political
development in this capacity,” said Ms. Darakdjian. “The work of this
organization – instilling in Armenia’s youth the values and principles
of democracy, social responsibility and ethical free enterprise –
is essential to building a strong foundation for the country’s future.”
The hiring of Ms. Darakdjian comes amidst the expansion of JAA’s
vital and much-lauded work in Armenia, which today reaches 170,000
annually through both its economics and civics courses.
In 2005, JAA will sustain and expand its economics courses (currently
in 500 high schools), launch the expansion of civics education and
instruction in Armenia’s Pedagogical Institutes, train future civics
instructors, and continue to offer quality extracurricular activities
that enhance both economics and civics education.
The future of the civics program is secure. JAA has successfully
rolled out its civics program to all of the country’s high schools.
With the conclusion of its current USAID grant in 2005, the Armenian
Ministry of Education and Science will assume the administrative and
financial responsibilities of the program in the 8th, 9th and 10th
grades. JAA will continue to play a critical role in civics education
by providing advanced teacher training, innovative extracurricular
programs, increased access to the Internet, international competitions,
and supplemental civics materials.
To support both economics and civics programs, JAA must actively seek
public and private funding to expand the program.
With JAA’s proven track record, the organization has recently been
selected to partner with the Academy for Educational Development
(AED), one of the world’s foremost organizations dedicated to improving
education, leadership capabilities and economic opportunities around
the world. The goal of this new collaboration is to develop young
leaders as catalysts for change.
Junior Achievement of Armenia was established in 1992 to assist
Armenia’s transition to democratic governance and a free-market
economy. JAA’s mission is to give today’s Armenian youth the necessary
skills and knowledge to compete and succeed in tomorrow’s world.
The mission is accomplished through economics and civics education.
Today, this award-winning program reaches more than 170,000 students in
all 1400 of Armenia’s high schools. By 2005, nearly 20% of the total
population will have taken a course taught by a JAA-trained teacher.
For additional information, please call (818) 753-4997 or visit JAA’s
website at
###
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress