Author: Karagyozian Lena

ARMENIA TREE PROJECT
65 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472 USA
Tel: (617) 926-TREE
Email: [email protected]
Web:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2007

ATP Receives $100,000 Grant from Conservation International to Partner with
Yale University’s Global Institute of Sustainable Forestry

A new partnership between Armenia Tree Project (ATP), Yale University’s
Global Institute for Sustainable Forestry (), and
Conservation International () will bring international
`best practices’ of sustainable forestry to Armenia. The joint venture,
`Evaluation and Implementation of Sustainable Forestry Models in Northern
Armenia,’ involves conducting a state of the art analysis of the forest
ecosystems in the Lori region with the aim of producing the first
sustainable forestry training manual tailored to the specific needs of
Armenia.

The severe degradation of forested areas in Armenia necessitates a new and
bold approach to forestry practices. With Yale’s expertise in sustainable
forestry, ATP along with Armenia’s leading academic and government forestry
officials will collaborate in a partnership to bring cutting edge forestry
training to Armenia. It is our hope that the project will literally reshape
the nation’s landscape and ensure a sustainable future for its population.

The goals of the project are to evaluate the condition of the forests in
northern Armenia, paying particular attention to the factors that are
limiting the ability for regeneration. An assessment will be made of plants,
herbs, and other non-timber products that may be sustainably harvested for
generating alternative income for residents living in close proximity to the
forests. Trainings on rotational grazing will be held with livestock owners
to prevent soil erosion and further degradation of forests.

A model forest will be planted to serve as a training site, and paired with
a sustainable forestry training manual specific to the unique environment of
Armenia. This manual and demonstration plot will serve as the focal point
for future trainings with foresters and residents from around the country.

This project is being funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
(CEPF), a joint initiative of Conservation International, International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development, the Global Environment Facility, the
Ministry of Finance of Japan, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur
Foundation. A fundamental goal of CEPF () is to ensure civil
society is engaged in biodiversity conservation.

Armenia Tree Project (ATP), a grassroots-supported non-profit organization
based in Watertown and Yerevan, conducts vitally important environmental
projects in Armenia’s impoverished and deforested zones and seeks support in
advancing its reforestation mission.

Since 1994, ATP has made enormous strides in combating desertification in
the biologically diverse but threatened Caucasus region. Nearly 1.5 million
trees have been planted and restored, and hundreds of jobs have been created
for Armenians in seasonal tree-regeneration programs. For more information
or to support ATP, visit

PHOTO CAPTION: A partnership with Yale University and Conservation
International will help ATP conduct an analysis of the forests in the Lori
region and produce a sustainable forestry manual for Armenia

WHAT DID THEY DO TO YOU, MCMURPHY, THE CHILLI ON MY KEBAB?

Irish Independent
March 4, 2007 Sunday

ONE of Fifth’s favourite films is One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,
a tale of a devil-may-care Irishman called Randall Patrick McMurphy
who gets ground down by the starched forces of orthodoxy, by the
thin-lipped, frigid, intolerance of Nurse Ratchet.

A free spirit made mad by a relentless, crushing drive to conform. Is
there a sadder moment in all cinema than the agony on the face of
McMurphy’s friend Chief as he takes a pillow and stifles the former’s
lobotomised features to let him soar into the afterlife, to let him
cast off the surly, clammy grip of a life not worth living?

Fifth’s eyes are becoming misty as he remembers Chief hurling the
drinking fountain through the window before leppin’ through to jog
away across the lawns and into celluloid immortality.

Fifth’s wife arrived into the room last Sunday night and found him
on his knees with a cushion across the TV, sobbing and wailing,
trying desperately to end another’s agony, trying to set free again
one who had showed us all how to live before succumbing to the mental
amputation.

Conor Lenihan was on The Week in Politics and Fifth made a special
effort to catch him. Fifth always liked Conor; there’s a bit of the
auld devil about him and you could imagine having a right laugh with
the man over a couple of pints. If the brother, Brian, is a bearnaise
sauce on a fillet steak in Thorntons, then Conor is a bit of chilli
on a kebab from the Abrakebabra in Rathmines on the way home on a 15B.

Now Fifth is not implying that referring to anyone or any group –
especially one as numerous and as fierce as the Turks – as some form of
sandwich is ever acceptable. But on the grand scale of racial abuse,
telling Joe Higgins to "stick with the kebabs" wasn’t really that
serious. Certainly not as serious as the kind of racial abuse the
Turks have handed out down the years. Ask the Armenians. You’ll find
them anywhere but where they used to live.

But Conor said it and he had to pay the price. The prim,
self-righteous, utterly boring price. The sanctimonious,
face-reddening, Nurse Ratchet price, as a long line of NGOs, officials
and semi-officials, quangos and quasi-quangos, lined up to tell him
he was revealed as a racist and would have to resignforthwith.

Poor old Conor lived through it, but something happened to him.

Somebody ‘did’ something to that silly-but-sincere streak that made
him believable and urgent.

How does Fifth know?

The Week in Politics featured a disagreement between Conor and John
O’Shea of Goal about Ireland’s State Aid Programme’s African policy.

O’Shea has long and volubly argued that delivering aid on a
state-to-state basis merely gives licence to the crew of kleptocrats,
tyrants and world-class thieves at the top of the heap in these poor
countries to divert much of the money to their numbered accounts
in Zurich.

The alternative O’Shea recommends involves actually doing the hiring
and firing ourselves on a project-by-project basis. What’s the problem,
Conor was asked.

Conor felt there was one main problem. O’Shea’s idea involved lots
of white men running around telling the Africans what to do. This,
we are to understand, is a disqualifying defect. Not a word about the
effectiveness or otherwise of trying to keep the aid vultures away,
just a sad, silly, clapped-out cliche that ensures that people must
suffer or die, just to keep that veneer of venality intact.

If we direct the money ourselves, it implies that the local bigwigs
are corrupt and they might get offended and that’s not acceptable.

They might shout ‘racism’ and then Conor would be looking at a
two-time rap.

What did they do to you, McMurphy?

Reuters , UK
March 4 2007

Darchinyan batters Burgos to retain IBF flyweight title
Sun Mar 4, 2007 3:02AM EST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Vic Darchinyan retained his International
Boxing Federation flyweight title by stopping game challenger Victor
Burgos of Mexico in the 12th round.

The Armenian-born Darchinyan, who is now an Australian citizen,
overwhelmed former IBF junior flyweight champion Burgos from the
start, using his crushing left hand to the body and head to dominate
the scheduled 12-rounder.

Burgos, who took a crunching punch to his body in the second round,
fought bravely but the accumulation of blows took its toll.

In the last round, Burgos, who had a big welt under his right eye and
an abrasion on his forehead, went down after a flurry of punches and
a push that was ruled a slip.

After reassuring the referee he was all right, the Mexican became to
stumble backwards as he was chased by Darchinyan, who hit him with
two more lefts before the referee stopped the bout at 1:27 of the
round.

Burgos slumped to the canvas and had to be helped on to his stool.
The 32-year-old Burgos was carried off on a stretcher and was
slipping in and out of consciousness, according to ring doctor Paul
Wallace.

Darchinyan, 31, improved to 28-0 in making his sixth defense of the
IBF crown. Burgos dropped to 39-15-3.

"I give him good credit, he’s very tough," Darchinyan told reporters.
"I hope he’s all right."

ANCA TEAMS UP WITH GENOCIDE INTERVENTION NETWORK TO HELP "END THE CYCLE OF GENOCIDE"

armradio.am
28.02.2007 10:52

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has teamed up with
the Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net) for an intensive two-day
advocacy campaign on Capitol Hill on March 22nd and 23rd to encourage
decisive Congressional action to help end the cycle of genocide.

The program, titled "End the Cycle of Genocide: Grassroots Capitol
Campaign," will begin with a special breakfast briefing on the morning
of March 22nd followed by two full days of Congressional visits to
encourage US action to stop the Genocide in Darfur, the adoption of
the Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res.106), and the strengthening
of US resolve to act against all instances of genocide.

Activists will be able to share their experiences, exchange ideas,
communicate with Members of Congress, and add new connections to the
growing national anti-genocide coalition at a special Capitol Hill
reception on the evening of Thursday, March 22nd.

"The Grassroots Capitol Campaign is a great opportunity for genocide
prevention activists to demand decisive US action in ending forever
the cycle of genocide," said Genocide Intervention Network Executive
Director Mark Hanis. "Together we will take our powerful anti-genocide
message to the halls of Congress and make a real difference."

"We are looking forward to cooperating with our friends at the
Genocide Intervention Network in helping to empower activists – from
all backgrounds – to build the anti-genocide constituency into a
powerful force that demands and delivers moral clarity and decisive
action by our government against all genocides – past and present,"
said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

ARMENIA STRESSES DEVELOPMENT OF TIES WITH IRAN

Fars News Agency, Iran
Feb 28 2007

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Armenia’s Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan
in a meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki
here in Tehran on Tuesday underlined the need for the development
and consolidation of ties between the two countries.

During the meeting, Mottaki described relations between the two
countries and nations as age-old and historical, reminding that Iran
and Armenia enjoy many intact potentials which could be utilized to
expand ties, a statement released by the Foreign Ministry’s Information
and Press Bureau said.

He further stated that bolstering of cooperation between the two states
in the energy, gas and power sectors can help promote Iran-Armenia
relations.

Mottaki also described participation of the two countries’ private
sectors in the sphere of trade and the two sides’ cooperation
in grounds of small-size industries as necessary for boosting of
exchanges, and voiced preparedness of Iranian companies for running
activity in the said regards.

For his part, Armenian energy minister said that his country attaches
much significance to relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran,
and also reiterated development and consolidation of relations between
the two countries.

Armen Movsisyan further voiced Armenia’s readiness to cooperate with
the Islamic Republic of Iran in the different industrial, agricultural
and trade areas, and viewed promotion of the two countries’ exchanges
as necessary.

CAPITALIZATION OF ARMENIAN STOCK EXCHANGE POSSIBLE TO MAKE $5BLN IN FIVE YEARS

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Feb 28 2007

YEREVAN, February 27. /ARKA/. The capitalization of the Armenian Stock
Exchange is possible to make $5bln in five years’ time, the Chairman
of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) Tigran Sargsyan told journalists.

"It is expected that the annual turnover will go up to $500mln, then
to $1.5bln, with a further sharp increase up to $5bln," Sargsyan
said. He pointed out that the process will be facilitated if the
Scandinavian OMX Stock Exchange becomes a shareholder of the Armenian
Stock Exchange, which is a possibility.

"Armenia’s Government considers the option of refusing the old model
of self-regulating stock exchange and depository," Sargsyan said. He
reported that in view of the new concept negotiations were started
with the OMX having some experience in the transition period countries.

"The instruments and approaches that OMX suggests will harmonize with
the development of securities’ market in Armenia," Sargsyan said
adding that 45 Armenian enterprises can become participants of the
stock exchange at the first stage.

The Armenian Stock Exchange (Armex) is a self-regulating organization
that was registered in Armenia on February 13, 2001, based on the
voluntary integration of 21 broker (dealer) companies. Operations on
corporate shares have been carried out since July 6, 2001.

37 securities were registered and underwent listing by January 31,
2007. The capitalization of Armex made AMD21.9bln by January 31, 2007.

The OMX Scandinavian stock operator unites the stock exchanges of
the Northern European capitals and also runs the stock exchanges in
Lithuania and Latvia. ($1 = AMD353.21).

KARABAKH PRESIDENT HOSTS ARMENIAN EDUCATION MINISTER

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Feb 26 2007

YEREVAN, February 26. /ARKA/. Karabakh President Arkady Ghukasyan
received Armenian Education Minister Levon Lazarian on Friday.

Nagorno-Karabakh presidential press office reports that issues related
to cooperation between the two Armenian countries’ education ministries
were discussed at the meeting.

Special emphasis was put on the necessity of Artsakh State University
Development and education development in Karabakh as a whole.

Karabakh Education minister Kamo Atayan was present at the meeting.

PREPARATORY WORK DONE IN ARMENIA TO INTRODUCE 5-VALENT VACCINE IN IMMUNO PREVENTION

Noyan Tapan
Feb 26 2007

YEREVAN, FERUARY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. Although the vaccination level is
quite high in Armenia – 92%, the problem of carrying out vaccinations
on time exists. Head of the RA Immuno Prevention National Program
Gayane Sahakian told NT correspondent that in accordance with the
national vaccination program, during the first 12 months of life,
a child must be vaccinated against tuberculosis, diphteria, whooping
cough, tetanus, measles, German measles, mumps, hepatitis B, as well
as receive a polio vaccination. G. Sahakian said that in early 2007,
a new system of reports on timely vaccination of children up to one
year was introduced: now analyses and monitoring will be implemented
each quarter, which will enable to reveal the reasons of not doing
vacciantion on time. According to G. Sahakian, work is being done to
introduce in Armenia a 5-valent vaccine of the GAVI (Global Alliance
for Vaccines and Immunization) international fund – a vaccine against
diphteria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B and hib (haemophilus
influenza, type B). Hib is a pathogene causing pneumonia, and it is for
the first time that vaccination against it will be done in Armenia. The
national program head said that cases of children’s pneumonia were
reduced by over 50% in the countries where the 5-valent vaccine of
GAVI has been used. She noted that RA state budgetary allocations
for obtaining vaccines are increasing year by year. In 2006, 45
mln drams (about 125 thousand USD) was allocated for this purpose,
while in 2007 – 72 mln drams. At present, the polio vaccine and the
3-valent vaccine against diphteria, whooping cough and tetanus are
purchased with state budgetary resources, while the other vaccines –
with co-financing of a number of international organizations.

Midnight attack on "Iravunk"

ArmRadio.am
23.02.2007 11:35

At about 24:30 last night the windows of the computer room of
`Iravunk’ newspaper were broken. The employees of the newspaper fixed
the number of the ` Vaz-2106′ car trying to escape. `Radiolur’ was
told from `Iravunk’ that they recognized the person and informed the
Police.

The attack occurred when the recurrent issue of `Iraunk’ was ready to
be published. These events were preceded by midnight phone calls from
Hayk Babukhanyan to the new editor-in-chief of the newspaper Piruza
Meliksetyan. The latter, however, did not pick up the receiver to
avoid incitement or coarse words.

Let us remind that the recent events connected with the Constitutional
Right Union were concluded with the verdict of RA Court of Appeal,
which recognized invalid the elections of leadership of the 17th
meeting of the Party, i.e. Hrant Khachatryan was recognized the
President of the Constitutional Right Union. The former
editor-in-chief of `Iravunk’ Hovhannes Galajyan was replaced by
journalist of the same newspaper Piruza Meliksetyan.

La Tribune.france
21 février 2007

Trésors d’Arménie

Le Musée du Louvre expose des objets d’art sacré arménien qui
témoignent de la spécificité de cette culture dotée d’un alphabet
propre.

Consécration de l’année de l’Arménie en France, qui organise cinq
cents manifestations mettant en valeur le patrimoine et la scène
artistique contemporaine arménienne jusqu’au 14 juillet 2007,
l’exposition "Armenia sacra" rassemble au Musée du Louvre 200 oeuvres
venues de ce pays. Elles rendent compte de la spécificité et de
l’éclat de l’art chrétien en Arménie, première nation à s’être
convertie au christianisme au IVe siècle. Riche en objets
monumentaux, l’exposition bénéficie de prêts exceptionnels du musée
et du trésor du Saint-Siège de l’église Echtmiadzine, du musée
d’Histoire de l’Arménie et de l’institut des manuscrits anciens
"Matenadaran" à Erevan.

L’exposition se déroule en deux temps. Dans les fossés du Louvre
médiéval, au pied des murs de pierre, sont rassemblés une trentaine
de khatchkars, grandes dalles de pierre ornées de croix, dressées à
la verticale, si caractéristiques de l’art religieux arménien, la
plus ancienne remontant au IXè siècle. Et au rez de chaussée du
musée, la galerie de Melpomène, espace de forme basilicale adaptée
aux objets religieux qui sont exposés, montre des chapiteaux de
pierre, stèles, manuscrits, évangiles, habits sacerdotaux qui
jalonnent jusqu’au XVIIIème cette civilisation riche en histoire mais
aux frontières fluctuantes, voire parfois inexistantes.

Indépendante des églises grecque et latine au VIème siècle, l’église
arménienne est "autocéphale" avec son propre chef : le catholicos, et
développe un art spécifique dans l’architecture des sanctuaires et
leur décor. La mise au point de l’alphabet arménien, reçu comme un
don de Dieu au moine Mesrop Machtots au début du Vème siècle,
contribue pour beaucoup à la perennité de cette culture qui a survécu
aux persécutions et qui a laissé de nombreux manuscrits richement
enluminés, dotées de reliures de métal précieux et de pierreries.

En marge de cette exposition, l’artiste contemporain Sarkis, parisien
d’origine arménienne, intervient par le biais de la vidéo et de la
photo sur quatre oeuvres qui l’ont le plus marqué.

Renseignements pratiques
Musée du Louvre jusqu’au 21 mai, 01 40 20 53 17,
A lire : Spécial Arménie de "Connaissance des arts", février 2007