Author: Hovhannisian John

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

December 28, 2006

FAST OF THE NATIVITY; SIXTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
This Sunday, December 31, is the sixth, and final, Sunday of Advent.
Tomorrow, Friday, December 29 is the Barekentan of the Fast of the Nativity.
There are ten week-long fasts that precede major feasts in the Armenian
Church. All of the Fasts are observed for five days, Monday through Friday,
except for the Fast of the Nativity which lasts 6 days, December 30 to
January 4.

VICAR WILL ATTEND INTERFAITH BREAKFAST
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy, will attend
an Interfaith Breakfast hosted by Mayor Michael Bloomberg at the New York
Public Library in Manhattan, tomorrow, Friday, December 29.

PRELATE WILL BE IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
This Sunday, December 31, the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
will visit the Sts. Vartanantz Church parish in Providence, Rhode Island.

SAINTS’ DAYS THIS WEEK
In the Armenian Orthodox tradition, saints are commemorated on Mondays,
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. This week there are a number of such
commemorations including the following:
Today, December 28, we commemorate the Holy Apostles James and John.
(Mark 10:35-41). They were nicknamed "Sons of Thunder" by Jesus because of
their excitable and quick-natured character. James was a Galilean fisherman
who was called along with his brother John to be one of the twelve apostles.
They, together with Peter, formed the inner core among the twelve who were
present at the raising of the daughter of Jairus, the transfiguration, and
the agony of Gethsemane. James is sometimes referred to as "James the
Greater" to differentiate from the other James. He was the first of the
apostles to be martyred, by order of King Herod Agrippa I, to please the
opponents of Christianity (Acts 12:1-2). He is the patron saint of Spain and
according to tradition his body was brought from Jerusalem to Spain to
Santiago de Compostela, which remains a popular destination for pilgrims.
John is called "the Divine." It was to John that Jesus from the cross
entrusted the care of his mother. Paul names John and James along with Peter
as the pillars of the church (Gal. 2:9).
On Saturday, December 30, we commemorate the Holy Fathers Basil of
Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, Sylvester of Rome and Ephrem the Syrian.
St. Basil (329-379) was a learned doctor and father of the Church, who
did much to spread Christianity. He became Bishop of Caesarea and a defender
of orthodox Christianity. He established many charitable projects such as
hospitals, hospitality inns for travelers, food kitchens for the needy, and
worked for prison reform.
Gregory of Nyssa (330-400), was the younger brother of Basil. He was
Bishop of Nyssa, and Archbishop of Sepastia. He participated in the second
ecumenical Council at Constantinople, where he was called "Father of the
Fathers." He was a pillar of orthodoxy and defender of the faith.
Sylvester of Rome, whose date of birth is not known, died in 335. He was
Bishop of Rome. During his pontificate he built great churches in Rome.
Ephrem the Syrian (306-373) was born in Mesopotamia and spent his entire
life there. He was baptized at age 18. He served under Saint James of
Nisibis, was head of his school, and most probably accompanied him to the
Council of Nicaea (325).

2007-A NEW YEAR
Monday, January 1, is the first day of the New Year (In Armenian Nor
Dari, Amanor or Gaghand). For many centuries the Armenians celebrated the
beginning of the New Year on the first day of the month of Navassard (August
11 in the current calendar). It was in the 18th century that the Armenians
(by decree of Catholicos Simeon Erevantsi) accepted January 1 as the start
of the New Year. The New Year is a time of joy, happiness and festivities.
Traditionally Armenians exchange gifts on New Year’s Day, rather than
Christmas. It is a time to celebrate the renewal of life and prosperity, to
put aside anger and grudges, and renew friendships through mutual
visitations. Lavish tables including dried fruits and nuts are part of the
commemorative traditions.

BIBLE READINGS FOR 2007
The daily Bible readings for 2007, according to the liturgical calendar
of the Armenian Church, are on the Prelacy web page. For this week’s
readings click

THE BIBLE ON OUR LIPS
We use phrases from the Bible (especially from the King James Version)
every day, at times without realizing the source. Some years ago, Bruce
Metzger, a scholar at Princeton Theology Seminary, creatively showed how
much the Bible has influenced Western culture. Here’s a small sampling:
A person may be said to behave like the great "I Am" (Ex. 3:14), or to
have "the mark of Cain" (Gen. 4:15). People are tempted to eat forbidden
fruit (Gen. 2:17), desire the fleshpots of Egypt (Ex. 16:3), and give up
something worth having for a mess of pottage (Gen. 25:29-34).
Yet "one does not live by bread alone" (Deut. 8:3), and finally each
must go the way of all flesh (cf. Gen. 6:12; Josh. 23:14) and return to dust
(Gen. 3:19). For the moment, those who find themselves "at their wits end"
(Ps. 107:27) may still escape by the "skin of their teeth" (Job 19:20), but
others find themselves in the position of a "scapegoat" (Lev. 16:8-10).
Nevertheless, "a soft answer turns away wrath" (Prov. 15:1).
Unfortunately, a leopard cannot change its spots (Jer. 13:23). The
wicked "sow the wind and reap the whirlwind" (Hos. 8:7), and because they
ignore the "writing on the wall" (Dan. 5:24), they are fated "to lick the
dust" (Ps. 72:9). Inevitably, "pride goeth.before a fall" (Prov. 16:18), and
anything that hinders success is a "fly in the ointment" (Eccles. 10:1). The
wise know that "you can’t take it with you" (Eccles. 5:15), and that "there
is nothing new under the sun" (Eccles. 1:9).
Who has not known a "good Samaritan" (Luke 10:30-37), a person who will
"go a second mile" (Matt. 5:38). Some seek the "pearl of great price" (Matt.
13:46), while others, like the Prodigal Son, waste their lives "in riotous
living" (Lk. 6:24). "A house divided against itself will not stand" (Mk.
3:25), nor can "the blind lead the blind" (Mt. 15:14). It is useless to
"cast pearls before swine" (Mt. 7:6).
In antiquity a "talent" was a unit of weight or money, but because of
Jesus’ Parable of the Talents (Mt. 25:14-30), the word has come to mean
natural endowment or ability. To disregard these abilities is to "hide one’s
light under a bushel" (Mt. 5:15). Even those who have never opened a Bible
recognize the Golden Rule of doing to "others as we would have them do to
us" (Mt. 7:12).
Finally, expressions from the letters of Paul: "The letter kills, but
the spirit gives life" (2 Cor. 3:3); "The love of money is the root of all
evil" (1 Tim. 6:10); "To see through a glass darkly" (1 Cor. 13:12); and "a
thorn in the flesh" (2 Cor. 12:7).

NEXT ISSUE OF CROSSROADS
The next issue of Crossroads (Thursday, January 4) will be a special
Christmas issue. Until then.Happy New Year to all.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

December 31-New Year’s Eve Dinner-Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey and ARF Dro Gomideh, Parsippany Hilton, New Jersey. Featuring
Arthur Apkarian and Armenia Band. For full information contact the church
office 201-943-2950.

December 31-New Year’s Eve Party, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston,
New York.

December 31-New Year’s Eve Party, St. Gregory Illuminator Armenian Church,
Granite City, Illinois.

January 6-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
first Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.

January 6-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, annual Christmas
luncheon hosted by the Ladies’ Guild following church services on Saturday,
January 6. Adults $15; children 12 and under $10. For
reservations/information, 201-943-2950.

January 6-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Christmas party and
special program for Saturday and Sunday school students.

January 28-Annual Membership Meeting, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda,
Maryland, at 1 pm.

February 4-St. Sarkis name day, celebrating the patron saint of the church
and requiem service for Archpriest Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kelejian, St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York.

February 11-General Membership meeting and elections, St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.

February 17-St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, Annual
Membership Meeting.

February 18-Poon Paregentan, Eve of Great Lent, International Cuisine Night,
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

March 25-Musical Armenia 2007, Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, 2 pm.
Featured artists: Aleksandr Nazaryan (viola) and Serge Barseghian (basso).

Visit our website at

TURKEY AND THE EU

Washington Times, DC
Dec 26 2006

The European Union did itself a disservice this month with
a decision to suspend eight of the 35 "chapters" of Turkey’s
accession negotiations, the most recent in a series of episodes that
suggest Europe is distancing itself from Turkey. The Turks have been
increasingly frustrated by what they perceive as a double standard
applied to their country’s membership bid, and popular opinion in
Turkey is turning increasingly against the process. The successful
accession would help solidify Turkey as a Western-oriented democracy in
the Muslim world, while a failure would be damaging to its relationship
with Western allies and to the Turkish republic itself.

Economic and political reforms are challenging to accomplish in Turkey,
but the carrot of EU accession makes difficult reforms more palatable
and politically feasible. The EU process also establishes a structural
framework for Turkey’s reforms, for which the entry requirements can
be tremendously valuable as a guide. But if the requirements are set
so as to preclude Turkish membership rather than to encourage and
direct Turkish reforms, the entire process becomes unproductive —
or, at worst, counterproductive by turning Turkey to the East.

The eight "chapters" were suspended this month because of a deadlock
over the Cyprus issue, the decades-old conflict between ethnic Turks
in the north and Greek Cypriots in the south of the island. Turkey
has refused to open its ports to trade with Cyprus, an EU member that
Turkey does not recognize. The EU, in turn, maintains an embargo on the
Turkish-occupied northern part of the divided island. Resolving this
contentious issue is complicated, but it need not cause an impasse
in Turkey’s membership talks. A late proposal from Turkey to open
two ports to trade with Cyprus for a year had merit, at least in as
much as it would have offered a one-step-forward alternative to the
suspension of negotiations.

Heading into an election year in Turkey adds another dimension.

For one, the EU shouldn’t expect Turkish politicians to concede much
on the issues of Cyprus or the Armenian genocide, a dark chapter
in Turkey’s history that the government has not revisited. A rebuff
from Europe to some extent reflects poorly on the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP), the leading supporter of EU accession. The
Republican People’s Party (CHP) — AKP’s sole opposition in parliament,
and the best contender to overtake AKP in 2007 — has opposed EU
accession, contrary to the position its own ideology would seem to
dictate, largely because of its role as sole parliamentary minority
party and its chosen course of reflexive opposition to any AKP
initiative.

When the dust from the accession process settles many years down
the road, and Turkey has either joined the EU with full or partial
membership — or has not joined — an undeniably important measure
of the process will be the extent to which Turkey has continued to
enact economic and political reforms that bring it more in line with
its Western allies than its Eastern neighbors. Turkey feels the pull
between two poles: a secular and democratic Europe and a hostile,
undemocratic Middle East. The more it appears that Europe is trying
to close the door to membership, the more likely Turkey will embrace
a more Islamist Middle East. This is a strategic blunder that the
West should not allow to happen.

AZERI SERVICEMAN YIELDS HIMSELF PRISONER

ArmRadio.am
25.12.2006 17:32

At about 2:10 p.m. December 24 unarmed serviceman of the armed forces
of Azerbaijan Samid Nazimoghli Mamedov, born 1987, approached the
combatant positions of Ijevan military unit and yielded himself
prisoner, MOD Press Secretary Seyran Shahsuvaryan informs.

He explains the deed with the fact of being beaten and teased by
Officers.

Samid Mamedov served in the army for one year, he was drafted from
the military registration and enlistment office of Akstafa.

An investigation is underway.

ITALIANS ITEND TO BUILD 90 MEGAWATT WIND PLANT IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. Today 50 small hydropower plants
with the total capacity of 250 megawatts operate in Armenia, and
another 50 are in the process of construction. The RA Minister
of Energy Armen Movsisian told reporters on December 22 that the
feasibility studies on construction of a hydropower plant on the Arax
River jointly with Iran have been completed. The respective interstate
agreement will be presented to the presidents of the two countries for
signing, after which the construction work will begin. According to
A. Movsisian, Armenia’s geothermal energy sector is quite promising,
and an American company owned by the Argentinian Armenian businessmen
Eduardo Ernekian has already shown interest in this sector. The company
will start drilling work in Syunik marz next year. The minister said
that an Italian company intends to build a wind power plant with the
capacity of 90 megawatts in the north of Armenia, making investmemts
of 130 million USD.

ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE: UN CONVENTION "A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT" THAT BRINGS NEW HOPE
Cordula Droege

International Committee of Red Cross, Switzerland
Dec 21 2006

The new UN Convention on enforced disappearance was adopted by the
United Nations General Assembly this week. In an interview for the
website, ICRC legal adviser Cordula Droege explains the convention
and talks about the difference this landmark treaty can make to the
victims of enforced disappearance and their families.

f/htmlall/convention-enforced-disappearance-interv iew-201206
Cordula Droege ©ICRC Overall, what does this convention address?

The convention is the first universally binding treaty that defines
enforced disappearance as a human rights violation and prohibits it.

Enforced disappearance is defined, in short, as the abduction or
deprivation of liberty of a person by state authorities, followed
by the denial of those authorities to disclose the whereabouts or
fate of the person. In order to prohibit enforced disappearance,
the convention has four main aspects:

Combating impunity – The convention puts an obligation on states to
bring enforced disappearance offenders to justice. They must do so
not only with regard to persons who commit enforced disappearances
on their own territory, but also in cases of alleged offences in
other jurisdictions: in those cases states have to either prosecute
or extradite the alleged offender, so that no one can escape justice.

Prevention – The convention provides for a number of procedural
safeguards so that people don’t go missing: people deprived of liberty
have to be kept in an official place, to be registered, to have all
their movements registered. Most importantly everyone deprived of
liberty must be allowed contact with the outside world, especially
to communicate with their family and counsel, and the family and
counsel have a right to information on the detention and whereabouts
of the person. Given the organization’s long experience in prevention,
the ICRC was very involved in the drafting of these guarantees.

Rights of victims – This is the first convention that recognizes that
the victims of enforced disappearances are not only the disappeared
themselves but also their relatives. It acknowledges the right of the
families to know the fate of their relatives, and also recognizes
that victims of enforced disappearance have a right to reparation
for the wrong that was done to them.

Enforcement – The convention establishes an international committee
of ten independent experts to monitor compliance. These experts will
review reports by states and can also receive individual complaints.

The convention also foresees a ‘habeas corpus’ procedure by which
relatives and other interested persons who fear that a person has
been subjected to enforced disappearance can seize the international
committee directly and if the complaint is substantiated the committee
will ask the state to search for and locate the missing person.

©ICRC/B. Heger/pe-e-00005 Ayacucho, Peru. National association of
families of persons missing, detained or held hostage in areas under
a state of emergency.

Ayacucho, Peru. National association of families of persons missing,
detained or held hostage in areas under a state of emergency.

©ICRC/B. Heger/pe-e-00005 Who else was involved in the drafting of
the convention?

Initially some Latin American associations of families of victims of
enforced disappearance demanded an international convention in 1981.

It then took twenty-five years to enter and go through the United
Nations machinery. States were, of course, the main actors of the
negotiations, since they will be bound by the convention. However,
it is very important to note that family associations were present
throughout the drafting, not only from Latin America, but also from
other continents and the fact that they were present in the room during
the drafting ensured that the final document, while not fulfilling
all their expectations, is a strong treaty.

What does this convention bring in terms of novelty to other
international legal instruments already available?

It’s the first convention that explicitly prohibits enforced
disappearance. Up until now, enforced disappearance had only been
seen as a violation of certain rights in existing treaties, such as
freedom from torture, the right to liberty or the right to life. But
enforced disappearance is more than just the sum of these different
aspects. It is characterized by the specific aspect of denial – denying
the abducted person’s very existence, denying families information on
their relatives. This aspect is recognized in the convention because
it sees enforced disappearance as a violation in itself. Moreover,
there are a number of new binding norms in the text that did not
exist before in any human rights treaty.

Will this convention help in preventing enforced disappearances,
in practical terms?

In practical terms an international treaty can only ever help enforce
human rights if and when it becomes implemented into national law and
practice. So the treaty on its own will not suffice. What now needs
to happen is ratification and then implementation. Implementation
means two things: on the one hand, states have to enact national
legislation so as to have the legal tools to apply the convention.

For example, states have to make enforced disappearance a crime in
their national law, otherwise they can’t prosecute offenders.

Secondly, states have to take practical measures such as training
their officials and, very importantly, systematically bring to justice
the perpetrators. This requires political will. The convention is
an objective international legal yardstick that will help to provide
a basis to combat enforced disappearance where there is the will to
do so.

©ICRC/B. Heger/pe-e-00004 Yerevan, Armenia. Mothers with pictures of
missing sons.

Yerevan, Armenia. Mothers with pictures of missing sons. ©ICRC/B.

Heger/pe-e-00004 How are families who have experienced enforced
disappearance welcoming this convention? Is there any hope it will
have a deterring effect on countries or groups who use enforced
disappearance as a weapon of war?

As I mentioned, there are some family associations that have been
asking for this convention since 1981 and they are, of course,
celebrating this extraordinary achievement. But then of course there
are many victims of enforced disappearances and families who are very
remote from the international legal scene and for those persons and
their families only the implementation of the convention will make a
difference. Will it have a deterring effect? Again, the convention in
itself is not enough, unless states implement it seriously. That said,
an international enforcement mechanism like the future committee on
enforced disappearances set up by the convention, to which people can
bring complaints beyond the state to an international body, can also
hopefully make a difference.

Are there states who oppose this convention?

Some states were reluctant about the convention during the drafting
and some states have made statements to the effect that while they
accept the convention they will interpret it in certain ways that
are in conformity with their national law. But what counts is that
the convention was adopted by consensus, which means that no state
raised its voice against it. The resolution adopting the convention
had supporting states from all continents, so there is reason to
be optimistic.

So states will not dare publicly oppose this convention?

I think it’s very difficult for a state to oppose a treaty banning
enforced disappearance, which is simply ethically unjustifiable. The
real test is, however, which states will ratify the convention. It will
be a matter of doing enough public communications work and campaigning
so that states are sufficiently convinced to ratify the convention.

Are you optimistic that all states that support the convention will
ratify it?

Yes, let’s be optimistic, but it won’t happen straight away. Some
states have already acknowledged that it will take some time because
they have to first adjust their national laws, which is a very
legitimate concern. But let’s not wait too long.

–Boundary_(ID_DVa66IJvpmIOIqSCv3Ba5g)–

CJSC STARTS ISSUING THE FIRST CORPORATE BONDS OF NON-FINANCIAL SECTOR IN ARMENIA

Yerevan, December 21. ArmInfo. In December 2006, the Armenian CJSC,
the leader in construction materials production in Armenia, issued
nominal, undocumentary, discount bonds. This is for the first time
an Armenian manufacturing venture enters the open securities market
with corporate bonds. The Armenian Central Bank has recently decided
to register the issue prospectus of these securities, after which
the public bond placement will start.

The company told ArmInfo that the total nominal value of the bonds
will make up 160 mln AMD. The bonds will be placed in four equal
tranches worth 40 mln AMD. Each tranche consists of 4 thousand bonds
worth 10 thousand AMD per bond. The annual bond yield of the first
tranche is fixed at 9%. According to a preliminary estimation, the
proceeds from the sale of the first tranche will make up 36 697 248
AMD. This sum will be directed at refinancing of the company’s debt.

The underwriter of the issue will be the "E-Capital Asset Management"
CJSC. The bond turnover is 365 days starting from the last day of
placement.

At the moment, the CJSC produces construction materials, paints,
putty, it is also engaged in construction and trade of construction
materials. The company is also planning to establish new types of
production.

By September 30, 2006, the company’s proceeds from the sale made up
1 462.0 mln AMD, and in 2005 – 1 243.2 mln AMD as against 1 073.1 mln
AMD in 2004. The net profit totalled 272.3 mln AMD as against 36.1 mln
AMD in 2005 and 201.9 mln AMD in 2004. According to the specialists of
the company, in Jan-Sept 2006 the volume of sales increased by 17,6%,
while the net profit grew by 653,5%. The high rates of profit growth
are explained by the decrease of the cost price.

The specialists of the CJSC inform the future bond-holders about the
potential risks, such as possible lack of well-organized liquid market
of bonds in Armenia, the possible fluctuation of interest rates on
the financial market. The company also admits that some changes may
take place on the construction market of Armenia, though over the past
few years this sector of economy has been steadily developing. Some
risks may be connected with failures in supply of raw material for
the production.

To remind, at the end of 2004, the holder of 24% of ‘s shares
worth 850 thsd EUR became the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, which bought 12% more shares of the enterprise in July,
2005. These are the first investments of the EBRD in an Armenian
private industrial enterprise. The rest of the shares belong to the
company’s top- managers. To note, the Armenian Central Bank, which
has been awarding ratings to various non-commercial enterprises of
the country since last year, gave "B" high rating to the CJSC. The
CB specialists estimated the company’s financial activity by 3.86
points, the quality of the activity – 4.5 points, the average mark is
4.18 points. In this connection, the CB is ready to accept the bonds
issued by the company as security while concluding REPO-agreements
with commercial banks. This considerably contributes to the increase
of the bonds’ liquidity and gives investors an opportunity to enter
the market of alternative financial instruments.

SUDANESE PRESIDENT, ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR DUSCUSS ISSUES OF TRADE, ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Dec 19 2006

YEREVAN, December 18. /ARKA/. President of Sudan Omar Hasan Al-Bashir
and Armenian Ambassador to Egypt Ruben Karapetyan discussed the
issues of trade and economic cooperation, particularly in the spheres
of agriculture, high technologies, science, education and culture,
the RA Foregin Ministry press service reported.

Al-Bashir made a high appraisal of the two countries’ historical
relations, a small, but high-potential Armenian community in Sudan
being striking evidence thereof.

The Armenian Ambassador addressed the history of Armenian-Arab
relations and the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.

Karapetyan visited the Armenian church of Sudan and met with
representatives of the Armenian community.

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 15, 2006
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY APPOINTS COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR IN WESTERN OFFICE

Beverly Hills, California – The Armenian Assembly is pleased to
announce the appointment of Narine Zardarian as Community Relations
Director.

Based in the Assembly’s Western Region Office, Zardarian will expand
the Assembly’s grassroots outreach in California and beyond as well as
assist with the Assembly’s government relations program.

"As the Assembly prepares to celebrate 35 years of service and
accomplishments, we are pleased to welcome Narine Zardarian to our
staff," said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "Zardarian’s experience
in state politics, coupled with her previous work on behalf of the
Armenian community, will make her a strong asset to our team."

Prior to joining the Assembly, Zardarian served as a Field
Representative for California State Assembly Majority Leader Dario
Frommer (D-Glendale). While working for Frommer she served as lead
advisor on issues related to the Armenian community, such as helping
propose a bill that allowed teachers to receive single subject
credentialing in the Armenian language. This bill, which enabled
schools in California to offer Armenian as a language elective in High
School, was later passed in the California State Assembly Education
Committee by Frommer.

"I look forward to the opportunity to strengthen and expand the
Assembly’s relationships with Armenian communities throughout the
state," said Zardarian. "Together we can tackle the immense challenges
before us on the state and federal level."

Zardarian graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles
with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Spanish in 2003.

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

NR#2006-107

Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:

-107-1.JPG

Caption: Back row: Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, left, and
Development Director Andy Zovko. Front row: Western Office Director
Lena Kaimian, left, and newly appointed Community Relations Director
Narine Zardarian.

US GRANTS ASSISTANCE TO ARMENIAN RURAL AREAS

ITAR-TASS, Russia
Dec 13 2006

YEREVAN, December 12 (Itar-Tass) — The U.S. government has transferred
the first tranche of financial aid to Armenian rural areas within the
framework of the Challenges of the Millennium programme. The tranche
amounted to 882,000 U.S. dollars

Late in May, Armenia will receive another 507,000 U.S. dollars,
representatives of the U.S. same-named governmental corporation said
on Tuesday.

Armenia is one of 19 countries, which the U.S. government has chosen
for the programme that envisages non-repayable assignment of 236
million U.S. dollars within five years for the implementation of
projects of the republican authorities.

The Armenian government chose to develop rural territories and to
reduce poverty. Some 750,000 villagers will receive the assistance.

The programme envisages that 146 million U.S. dollars will be assigned
for restoring irrigation facilities, and 67 million U.S.

dollars – for reconstructing 943 kilometers of rural roads, head of
the programme management council Ara Ovsepian said.

In his words, the programme will be implemented under the public
control.

The U.S Temporary Charge d’Affaires in Armenia Anthony Godfrey believes
that the programme is an extraordinary chance for Armenia.

It will help to reduce poverty and increase incomes of rural residents.

The government of Armenia must do its best to continue democratic
reforms and provide for fair management in order to continue receiving
the funding, the diplomat said.

With this in mind, he pointed out the importance of free and fair
elections of the Armenian parliament in 2007 and presidential elections
in 2008.

The Challenges of the Millennium Corporation is optimistic regarding
the forthcoming in 2007 and 2008 elections, which will show progress
in the electoral process, a corporation representative said.

ACBA-CREDIT AGRICOLE BANK ANNOUNCES OPEN-HOUSE DAY IN ARMENIA

ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Dec 12 2006

YEREVAN, December 12. /ARKA/. ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank announces an
open-house day in Armenia, the bank’s press office reports.

The bank will present its new services such as deposits, loans for
repair, mortgage loans, ACBA Shopping plastic cards, preferential
credit cards and Gift cards on this very day – December 8.

ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank was established in 1995 as part of EU TACIS
program and registered in 1996.

Credit Agricole, a French banking group, bought 28% of the bank’s
stakes in September 2006 and became the bank’s biggest shareholder.