Author: Kalashian Nyrie

BULGARIA TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS IN ARMENIA
Spasena Baramova

Sofia Echo
Nov 14 2007
Bulgaria

After a meeting Armenian prime minister Serzh Sergsyan in Yerevan on
November 13, Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev announced that
Armenia would receive financial support from Bulgaria as an EU member
state, a media statement by the Council of Ministers said. Stanishev
said he expected Armenia to come up with specific education and
professional qualification projects to be financed by Bulgaria.

The two ministers agreed that economic relations between the two
countries had great potential and should be developed to match their
excellent political relations.

In spring 2008 Bulgaria and Armenia would carry out a session of the
Intergovernmental Commission for Economic and Scientific-Technical
Cooperation to discuss the obstacles to improve economic relations.

Preparation for a Bulgarian-Armenian business forum to be held in
Bulgaria in 2008 began. 2008 would be an year of Bulgarian culture
in Armenia.

Five bilateral documents were signed in Yerevan on November 13,
among which a readmission agreement, an agreement to create the
Intergovernmental Commission for Economic and Scientific-Technical
Cooperation, an agriculture and stock-breeding programme.

Co-operation in the sphere of youth activities and sports was also
negotiated.

On November 14 Stanishev would meet chairman of the Armenian National
Assembly Tigran Torosyan and Armenian president Robert Kocharyan.

After that he would meet lecturers and students from the Yerevan
State University and visit Peyo Yavorov high school as well as the
Armenia-Bulgaria friendship society.

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
November 14, 2007
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF ADVOCACY AT NATIONAL GALA IN
CALIFORNIA

Marks 30th Anniversary of Washington Intern Program

Beverly Hills, CA – With old friends and new, the Armenian Assembly of
America celebrated 35 years of Armenian-American advocacy and 30 years
of the Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program at the 2007
National Gala on November 3rd in Beverly Hills, California.

The Gala evening began with a warm welcome from National Gala
Co-Chairs Albert Cabraloff and Paul Kalemkiarian, who organized the
event with their wives, Co-Chairs Diane Cabraloff and Sandra
Kalemkiarian, along with an energetic planning committee.

Board of Trustees Treasurer Edele Hovnanian conveyed Board Chairman
Hirair Hovnanian’s appreciation to all those who have supported the
Assembly since its inception.

Hovnanian explained her father’s request that she address the Gala,
saying "he felt that it was only appropriate that his words be given
by one of the next generation of leaders."

While reflecting on the Assembly’s past and current accomplishments,
Hovnanian also looked to the future.

"In the face of a changing world that is moving ever faster…it takes
great confidence and courage for the leaders of any institution to
actively promote change and prepare for the future that lays ahead,"
Hovnanian said.

California State Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian (R-Stockton), who served
as master of ceremonies, presented the Assembly with a resolution
honoring the organization for its commitment to Armenians and Armenian
causes over the past three decades. The resolution, which was
spearheaded by Aghazarian, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto)
and State Assembly Member Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank), was presented to
Edele Hovnanian on behalf of the organization.

The event also paid tribute to Armenian-Turkish editor and civil
rights advocate Hrant Dink, who was assassinated earlier this year by
a Turkish nationalist who labeled him a "traitor" for his public
statements on the Armenian Genocide. Board of Trustees President
Carolyn Mugar presented Dink’s widow Rakel with the Assembly’s
Distinguished Humanitarian Award, honoring the slain editor’s life and
work. The award was designed and gifted by California-based artist
Ani Kupelian.

Mrs. Dink, who traveled from Turkey to accept the honor, delivered a
passionate speech recalling her husband’s dedication to creating peace
and understanding between Turks and Armenians.

Board of Trustees Counselor Van Z. Krikorian, in his remarks,
expressed the privilege of having known Dink, calling him a "great
man," and someone who "gives us all reason to continue with what we
have to do."

In his capacity as Chairman of the Armenian Genocide Museum of America
Building and Operations Committee, Krikorian also noted recent
positive developments in the Museum planning project and credited
Committee Members Denise Darmanian, Edele Hovnanian, Richard Papalian
and Zaven Tachdjian who have "gone above and beyond the call of duty."

The Museum project was displayed during a powerful video presentation
which included designs of the future museum and featured the principal
planners sharing their vision with the public.

Among the dignitaries and special guests at the event were Chairman of
the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunyan, Consul General of the
Republic of Armenia Armen Liloyan, Massachusetts State Rep. Rachel
Kaprielian (D-Watertown), Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian, Father Anton
Seradarian of St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Church, Reverend Joseph
Matossian of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America and Very
Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian of the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church.

Board of Trustees Public Affairs Chairman Anthony Barsamian and
Secretary Lisa Kalustian closed the program, after which guests
enjoyed an evening of music and dancing with entertainment provided by
Khatchig Jingirian and Ensemble.

The National Gala was a two-day event which also included an Assembly
breakfast briefing, a Major Donors Dinner and a mixer for Assembly
intern alumni and young professionals. The Assembly’s Board of
Trustees also held a meeting to review the organization’s current and
long-term initiatives.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly 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#2007-129

Editors Note: The full text of Mrs. Dink speech can be found at the
following links:

In English:
SS_RELEASES_2007/PDFs_for_releases/Rakel_Dink_Rema rks.pdf

In Armenian:
SS_RELEASES_2007/PDFs_for_releases/Rakel_Dink_Addr ess_-_Armenian.pdf

Link to AGMM video:

Photographs from the Assembly’s National Gala, November 2-3, 2007 can
be found on the Assembly’s Web site at the following links:

ges/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007-129_ 1.jpg

1. Caption: Rakel Dink flanked by Anna and Hirair Hovnanian, Chairman
of the Board of Trustees, at the Armenian Assembly’s 35th
Anniversary Gala on November 3rd at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

ges/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007-129_ 2.jpg

2. Caption: Rakel Dink flanked by California State Assemblyman Greg
Aghazarian (R-Stockton) and Massachusetts State Representative
Rachel Kaprielian (D-Watertown).

ainc/images/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2 007-129_3.jpg

3. Caption: L to R: Longtime Assembly Supporters and National Gala
Committee Members Elizabeth Agbabian, Savey Tufenkian and Flora
Dunaians at the 35th Anniversary Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

ges/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007-129_ 4.jpg

4. Caption: L to R: Assembly Fellow Trustee and Dink family friend
Antranik Zorayan with Rakel Dink at the Major Donors Dinner at
Mastro’s Steakhouse.

c/images/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007 -129_5.jpg

5. Caption: Led by Chairman Hirair Hovnanian, the Armenian Assembly
Board of Trustees convened on November 2 at the Beverly Hilton
Hotel to review operations in the Washington, Los Angeles and
Yerevan offices. L to R (top row): Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny with Board Members Richard Mushegain, Peter Vosbikian,
Anthony Barsamian, Van Krikorian, (bottom row) Lu Ann Ohanian, Lisa
Kalustian, Hirair Hovnanian, Carolyn Mugar and Edele Hovnanian.

/images/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007- 129-6b.jpg

6. Caption: In celebration of the 30th Anniversary Terjenian-Thomas
Assembly Internship Program, Intern Alumni came together for a
special reunion at Trader Vic’s Lounge in the Beverly Hilton
Hotel. L to R: Zohrab Ghanimian, Karoon Panosyan, Tania Sahakian,
Levon Kevorkian, Nareeneh Sohbatian, Joseph Piatt, Talene Hachigian
and Shant Norhadian.

/images/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007- 129_6.jpg

7. Caption: L to R: Gala Committee Member Savey Tufenkian, Sue
Garabedian, Annie Balikian, Board of Trustees President Carolyn
Mugar and Gala Committee Co-Chair Sandra Kalemkiarian at the
Breakfast Briefing on November 3rd.

s/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007-129_7. jpg

8. Caption: L to R: Life Trustee Gail O’Reilly, Affiliate Member
Adrienne Krikorian, and Gala Committee Member Lily Ring Balian
enjoyed a wine presentation at The Wine Merchant before attending
the Major Donors Dinner.

ages/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007-129 _8.jpg

9. Caption: L to R: National Gala Co-Chair Sandra Kalemkiarian,
Associate Trustee Ralph Tufenkian, Kosti and Marian Shirvanian and
Mina and Hacop Shirvanian.

c/images/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007 -129_9.jpg

10. Caption: L to R: Gala Committee Member Sosy Hachigian, Gala
Committee Co-Chair Diane Cabraloff, Gala Committee Member Diane
Barsam-Keligian, Martin Felikian, Argine Kelegian and Gala
Committee Member Michelle Shrikian heading to the Major Donors
Dinner on November 2nd.

s/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007-129_10 .jpg

11. Caption: L to R: Assembly Associate Trustee Ani and Raffi
Krikorian, Board of Trustees Treasurer Edele Hovnanian and
National Gala Co-Chair Albert Cabraloff.

PRESIDENT OF RA CB: A RATHER COMPLEX SITUATION HAS EMERGED IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL MARKETS, AND THIS SITUATION ALSO INFLUENCES ARMENIA

arminfo
2007-11-13 18:26:00

ArmInfo. A rather complex situation has presently emerged in
international financial markets, and this situation also influences
Armenia, President of the Central Bank Tigran Sarkisyan said in the
Armenian National Assembly, Tuesday, presenting the CB’s conclusion
on the 2008 draft budget.

According to him, Europe’s banking structures and the Federal
Reserve System of the USA have to change refinancing interest rates
roughly. In particular, the USA with the lowest 1% interest rate had
to increase it sharply, which couldn’t but influence the situation in
the international financial market, and, all the more, the interest
rates of commercial banks and the rate of the American currency
against other currencies. On the other hand, in the international
market a tendency of price jump, firstly of raw materials and fuel,
as well as of food, is observed. Prices in the international market
rose by 35%-40%, on average. Butter, dairy products, grain, bread
and flour are among these foods. It natural that this reflects upon
Armenia, too, and in the Armenian market, too, price rise is observed,
which negatively affects inflation developments. Thus, Armenia imports
about 60% of bread and grain, and the price rise, of fuel inclusive,
affected the price rise within the republic. This will also reflect
upon the 2008 indicators of price rise.

The authority’s challenge is to alleviate these expectations. It
is particularly important that these inflation developments weren’t
cyclic and didn’t influence the consumer goods basket. In this respect,
the CB proposed to keep the 4% (plus/minus 1,5%) upturn in inflation
in the next 3 years.

The CB plans to tighten its monetary policy, which will lead to rise in
refinancing interest rates. Earlier these measures were periodically
taken and were directed to the tightening of monetary aggregates, and
in this way, alleviated the expectations for price rise. T. Sarkisyan
expressed hope that they will succeed to solve this problem in 2008.

OSCE MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRS TO MEET VARDAN OSKANYAN IN PARIS

Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
Nov 13 2007

OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will meet Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan
Oskanyan in Paris on November 17, APA reports.

Spokesman for Armenian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Karapetyan said
that meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Madrid
depends on the meeting of the co-chairs with Vardan Oskanyan.

OSCE Minsk Co-Chairs are planned to meet with Azerbaijani and Armenian
foreign ministers individually in the framework of the 15th annual
conference of OSCE Foreign Ministers Council.

After the meeting Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers are
expected to meet.

ARMENIA IS AHEAD OF SWITZERLAND

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 12 2007

On November 12 an international conference on the effective practice
of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture opened
in Armenia. In addressing the conference the president of Helsinki
Committee of Bulgaria Krasimir Kanev said Armenia is considerably
ahead of other European countries, including Switzerland, in terms of
creating national mechanisms for the prevention of torture, namely
enabling the activities of monitoring missions and transparency of
penitentiaries. Kanev says in this context the experience of Armenia
may serve as a model for the other European countries, News Armenia
reports.

Currently there are groups of NGOs in Armenia which regularly monitor
correctional institutions and the state of prisoners. Another group
monitors the army.

WHY IS THE CRIMINAL CASE OF KARABAKH COMMITTEE LOST?
Translated by L.H.

AZG Armenian Daily #207
10/11/2007

Local

Different rumors started because of the lost criminal case of
Karabakh committee. An opinion is mainly in circulation that the case
disappeared in the years of Levon Ter-Petrosian’s government. The
reason is the accumulation of the files that discredit many members
of the committee.

Today many people remember the words of the late Procurator General
of the Soviet Armenia Vladimir Nazarian, who spoke of the facts
of Karabakh Committee members’ examinations, who didn’t behave
themselves manly.

So, even at Levon Ter-Petrosian’s government time many were concerned
in the disappearance of the case.

Deputy Procurator General Mnatsakan Sargsian announced on November
8 that the Procurator General instructed to start an official
investigation and the people who were responsible for the archive
should give explanations.

To the question "Why now?" Mnatsakan Sargsian answered that the fact
was discovered during the handing of the files to another department
of criminal cases.

CIVIL WORKS BEGIN ON THE RURAL ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT

armradio.am
09.11.2007 16:23

MCA-Armenia announced today the beginning of civil works on the Rural
Road Rehabilitation Project. An opening ceremony was held in the
village of Getap (Aragatsotn Marz) and attended by Serge Sargsyan,
Prime Minister of Armenia and Millennium Challenge Corporation Vice
President Darius Mans.

The opening ceremony marks the beginning of construction on a
24.5 kilometer section of the H-17 "Armavir-Isahakyan-Gyumri"
road. Construction work is being executed by "Dorozhnik" LLC, and
scheduled to be completed by December 15, 2008.

The $235.65 million MCA-Armenia Compact includes $67.1 million
to rehabilitate up to 943 kilometers of rural roads, equaling more
than a third of Armenia’s 2,703 kilometer Lifeline Road Network. Upon
completion this project will ensure that every rural community has road
access to markets, services, and the main Armenian road network. Under
the Compact, the Government of Armenia will be required to commit
additional resources for maintenance of the road network.

The Compact, signed on March 27, 2006, with Entry into Force
on September 29, 2006, aims to reduce rural poverty through a
sustainable increase in the economic performance of the agricultural
sector. Armenia plans to achieve this goal through a five-year program
of strategic investments in rural roads, irrigation infrastructure
and technical and financial assistance to improve the supply of water
and to support farmers and agribusinesses. The program will directly
impact approximately 750,000 people, or an estimated 75 percent of
the rural population, and is expected to reduce the rural poverty
rate and boost annual incomes.

The Compact also includes $146 million to increase the productivity
of approximately 250,000 farm households (34% of which are headed
by women) through improved water supply, higher yields, higher-value
crops, and a more competitive agricultural sector.

RF FM: WITH ALL CRITICAL REMARKS TO CIS, NONE OF MEMBER-STATES SPEAKS OUT FOR ITS DISSOLUTION

arminfo
2007-11-09 11:10:00

ArmInfo. Not al the goals, having been initially set to
the Commonwealth of Independent States, turned out to be
realistic. Nevertheless, it is difficult to overestimate the
significance of the part the Commonwealth played, RF Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov told the "Soldiers of Russia" journal.

He said that this is not only assurance of a "civilized separation"
of the soviet republics after the USSR collapse, assistance to the
settlement and prevention of conflicts in the post-Soviet space,
but also settlement of diverse relations among our countries on a
new basis. "I mean, in particular, the current legal basis within
CIS, mechanisms of collective cooperation in such spheres as social
assurance, culture and education, migration, crime-fight, resistance
to the new challenges and threats", RF FM said. He added that with all
the critical remarks to CIS, none of the member-states speaks out for
its dissolution. Moreover, an intensive work is being carried out to
enhance efficiency of the Commonwealth and adapt it to the date tasks.

REPAIRED BUILDING OF MALATIA-SEBASTIA PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE PUT INTO OPERATION

Noyan Tapan
Nov 9, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 9, NOYAN TAPAN. The repaired building of the office
of the prosecutor of Yerevan’s Malatia-Sebastia community was put
into operation on November 9. The building was repaired with state
budgetary resources. It covers an area of 500 square meters, has 14
office rooms and is provided with a heating system and the necessary
computer equipment. The RA Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepian said
during a talk with reporters that the conditions of the building are
satisfactory and the staff of the office will feel obliged to work
more efficiently.

BAKO SAHAKIAN MEETS WITH MINSK GROUP’S FRENCH CO-CHAIR

Noyan Tapan
Nov 7, 2007

PARIS, NOVEMBER 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. NKR President Bako
Sahakian is in France in these days for the purpose of taking part
in the organization work of the annual telethon organized on the
initiative of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.

According to the information provided by the General Information
Department of the NKR President’s Administration, Bako Sahakian met
with the OSCE Minsk Group French Co-chair, Bernard Fassier on November
6 in Paris. The interlocutors discussed issues related to the current
stage and prospects of the Nagorno Karabakh negotiations process.

The same day the NKR President met with the representatives of the
Armenian community of Paris. The meeting took place in the reception
hall of Paris Surb Hovhannes Mkrtich Mother Cathedral.

The NKR President presented Artsakh’s home political, socio-economic
situation, as well as issues related to the Nagorno Karabakh settlement
to those present. Touching upon the necessity to expand and deepen
Artsakh-Diaspora relations, Bako Sahakian emphasized the role of the
Armenian community of France in the work with European structures,
as well as in Artsakh’s cultural life.

Edvard Nalbandian, the RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
to France, Vahe Aghabekiants, the Executive Director of the Hayastan
All-Armenian Fund, and Petros Terzian, the Head of the Fund’s French
branch, were also present at the meeting.