Author: Vasilian Manouk

Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts
47 Nichols Avenue
Watertown MA 02472
[email protected]

For Immediate Release
December 13, 2007

Contact: [email protected]

Watertown Calls on Massachusetts Municipal Association to Rescind
Endorsement of ADL Program — Cites ADL’s Refusal to Speak Honestly
About Armenian Genocide Watertown, MA – Citing the ADL leadership’s
ongoing opposition to unequivocally recognizing the Armenian Genocide,
the Watertown Town Council voted 7-2 this week to call on the
Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) to rescind its endorsement
of the ADL’s No Place for Hate (NPFH) program, reported the Armenian
National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts. The resolution,
introduced by Councilman Mark Sideris, noted that the national ADL
held a meeting on November 2, 2007, and `officially voted to take no
further action on recognizing the Armenian Genocide.’ It went on to
state that the MMA had previously voted to `reevaluate its official
sponsorship of the No Place for Hate program after the national ADL
determined whether to recognize unequivocally the Armenian genocide
and support the Congressional resolution.’ `We applaud the Watertown
Town Council for taking the lead, once again, in condemning genocide
denial,’ stated Sharistan Melkonian of the Armenian National
Committee. `It was on the recommendation of the Massachusetts
Municipal Association that so many cities and towns embraced the No
Place for Hate program. Now, in the face of the ADL’s failure to live
up to its own mission statement — `to secure justice and fair
treatment to all citizens alike’ – the MMA must take action and cut
ties with this tainted program.’ During the December 11th meeting, the
Town Council also considered a separate but similar measure submitted
by Councilwoman Marilyn Petitto Devaney, who had introduced the
original August 14 proclamation cutting ties with the NPFH
program. That decision, the first of its kind in Massachusetts, set
off a series of town meetings across the commonwealth resulting in
successive communities severing ties with the controversial program,
citing the ADL leadership’s refusal to unequivocally recognize of the
Armenian Genocide and efforts to block Congressional Armenian Genocide
legislation (H.Res.106 / S.Res.106). Earlier this September, the MMA
sent a letter to the ADL expressing concern about its now infamous
August 21st statement, citing that the events of 1915 -1918 were only
`tantamount to genocide’ and opposing Armenian Genocide
legislation. Following the ADL’s November 2nd meeting, where its
National Commissioners voted to `take no further action on the
Armenian Genocide’, the ANC and Armenian Assembly submitted a joint
request calling on the MMA to rescind its endorsement of the ADL’s No
Place for Hate program. For complete information about the ADL
genocide denial controversy visit

The Armenian National Committee is the largest and most influential
Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in
coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the
world, the ANC actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American
community on a broad range of issues ###

TEXT OF DECEMBER 11 WATERTOWN TOWN COUNCIL RESOLUTION

WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) sponsored the
No Place for Hate program that was established by the Anti-Defamation
League (ADL); and,

WHEREAS: The Town of Watertown benefited and appreciated the good work
that was done by the local group that was established; and,

WHEREAS: The national ADL held a meeting on November 2, 2007 and
officially voted to take no further action on recognizing the Armenian
genocide; and,

WHEREAS: The Town of Watertown and other cities and towns have
withdrawn their support for the No Place for Hate program; and,

WHEREAS: The MMA Board had previously voted to reevaluate its official
sponsorship of the No Place for Hate program after the national ADL
determined whether to recognize unequivocally the Armenian genocide
and support the congressional resolution;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Town Council of the City known
as the Town of Watertown urges the MMA immediately withdraw is
sponsorship of the No Place for Hate program and notify all cities and
towns of its withdrawal; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Town Council and the members of the
former No Place for Hate committee are committed to continuing the
word that was started and will help the MMA in any way to make sure
the goals of the program remain in place.

RUSSIA AND EU TO COOPERATE IN SOLVING ISSUES OVER CIS TERRITORY

armradio.am
13.12.2007 14:29

Russia and the European Union intend to cooperate to solve the issues
over CIS territory, the Information and Press Department of RF Ministry
of Foreign Affairs informed.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin and Deputy Secretary
of the Russian Security Council Yuri Zubakov Wednesday had a talk with
the EU High Commissioner for Foreign Policy and Security Issues Javier
Solana and EU Special Representatives for Transnistria, the South
Caucasus and Central Asia Calman Mijey, Peter Semneby and Pierre Morel.

"The exchange of opinions allowed to reveal the opportunities of
further cooperation between Russia and the European Union in solving
the non-simple issues existing in the region," says the statement of
the Russian MFA.

THAT’S WHY YEREVAN IS CHOKING

Hayots Ashkharh
Dec 13 2007
Armenia

According to available information concerning the past 11 months, the
number of the cars imported into Armenia exceeds last year’s records.

While the total number of the cars imported in 2006 was 25 thousand
157 thousand, there were 30 thousand 677 imported transportation
means as of December 1. That’s to say, a months before the end of
the year, the cars imported into Armenia exceed last year’s records
by 4 thousand 520. For comparison, let’s note that the total number
of the cars imported in 2006 was no more than 5.8 thousand.

VARDAN OSKANIAN RECEIVES CIVILITAS 2007 AWARD

Noyan Tapan
Dec 11, 2007

CONEGLIANO, DECEMBER 11, NOYAN TAPAN. Vardan Oskanian, the RA Minister
of Foreign Affairs, received the Civilitas 2007 award in the city
of Conegliano, Italy, on December 9. According to the information
provided to Noyan Tapan by the Press and Information Department of
the RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Oskanian was awarded
the prize for his work in promoting dialogue to achieve peace and
stability in the region and in the world.

The Civilitas 2007 award was established in 1992 by the Dama Castellana
organization, the town of Conegliano, the Province of Treviso, the
Region of Veneto, and the European Community.

PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CHILDREN OF ARMENIA FUND & ARMENIA TREE PROJECT BENEFITS 2,907 RURAL FAMILIES

ARMENPRESS
Dec 10 2007

YEREVAN DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS: The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF)
said it is implementing a Participatory Rural Development Program
in Armenia.

With the fundamental purpose of reducing poverty primarily by creating
new income generating opportunities, COAF, Armenia Tree Project (ATP)
and Armenian-American entrepreneur Bryan Bedrosian joined forces to
reach out to 2,907 families in the Model Cluster of six villages in
Armavir. Each of the families received apricot trees, depending on
the size of their plots.

Besides economic development, COAF’s Participatory Rural Development
Program also tackles issues related to healthcare, education reform,
social services and infrastructure rehabilitation. In partnership
with COAF since 2005, ATP has realized tree planting in the Karakert
School and Kindergartens in April 2006 and, more recently, in the
Karakert Public Park.

"Our partnership with a visionary organization such as the Armenia
Tree Project and our association with Bryan and Rosie Bedrosian,
Armenian-American entrepreneurs and philanthropists from California,
have culminated in the realization of such an important undertaking. We
are thrilled to have such friends among our long-term partners and
to share with them the vision of reducing poverty in rural Armenia,"
stated Arpie Balian, COAF-Armenia Country Director.

The ATP Community Tree Planting Program Manager, Anahit Gharibyan,
was very forthcoming in expressing her appreciation of the cooperation
among all parties involved in this project, including all six local
municipalities and COAF staff. "We are gratified with the smooth
implementation of this tree distribution project. We look forward to
continuing our collaboration with COAF and reaching other successful
outcomes from our joint efforts."

The apricot tree nursery was initiated in 2004 by Bryan and Rosie
Bedrosian, in Karakert, the first village where COAF launched its
Participatory Rural Development Program. The Bedrosians aimed at
providing high quality apricot trees to local farmers to help them
become more competitive in regional and foreign markets. During the
past three years, the nursery was under the professional care of local
agricultural specialists supervised by the Karakert community. The
magnanimous and visionary assistance by the Bedrosians made possible
the distribution of 14, 729 trees to 2,907 families of the Model
Cluster.

On the day of distribution of the trees, COAF and ATP staff witnessed
the enthusiasm of the beneficiary villagers. In the words of Zevs
Minasyan, sixty-year-old Shenik villager, the climatic peculiarities
of the region and the agricultural potential of the land in this
area will produce top-quality apricots making this distribution a
worthwhile effort. "We are grateful to all those who contribute to
the development of our villages and who consider this work their top
priority. I am more than convinced that in five years’ time my income
will double with the harvest from these trees. Thank you very much
for making me a part of this assistance project."

The Armenia Tree Project (ATP) was founded in 1994 to advance Armenia’s
development by planting trees.

Trees ? managed on a sustainable basis ? deliver a steady bounty of
tangible benefits like flowers, fruits, shade, and medicine. They
protect precious topsoil against erosion and landslides, clean the
air, and safeguard supplies of fresh water. Trees also support an
array of animal and plant life.

Bryan Bedrosian is ranch manager of Bedrosian Farms. Back in 1942,
one of his grandfathers purchased a 100-acre grape farm in Fowler,
California. Through hard work and frugality, the family was able
to purchase more land in subsequent decades, also establishing the
National Raisin Co. For over ten years, Bryan Bedrosian and his wife
Rosie have been involved in various consulting and philanthropic
activities in Armenia and Karabagh.

In 2004, in consultation and close cooperation with COAF and the
Karakert Municipality, the Bedrosians established an apricot nursery
in the village of Karakert, where COAF had launched its Participatory
Rural Development Program. The project’s aim was to grow apricot
seedlings that would later become high quality apricot trees and
provide local farmers with new opportunities to become more competitive
in marketing their products.

DMITRY MEDVEDIEV’S CANDIDATURE PROPOSED

AZG Armenian Daily
11/12/2007

"Unite Russia", "Righteous Russia" parties, as well as the Agrarian
Party and the "Civic Force" yesterday proposed the candidature of
Dmitry Medvediev for the presidential elections.

According to RIA news agency, President of Russia Vladimir Putin
stated that he supports the candidature of Medvediev. Putin added
that he had known Medvediev for almost 17 years and trusts him enugh.

The candidature of Medvediev was represnted to Putin by leader of
"Unite Russia" Boris Gryzlov on behalf of the aforementioned four
parties. It is reported that Dmitry Medvedief has started talks with
the parties on his candidacy.

President Putin considers possible heredity of power in Russia,
as four parties have suggested a single candidate, and two of those
parties have stable majority in the Parliament.

PARLIAMENT DISCUSSES BUDGET BILL

KarabakhOpen
07-12-2007 12:23:39

On December 6 the budget bill 2008 was presented to the standing
committees.

The minister of finance Spartak Tevosyan presented the bill who said
this is the first fiscal document of the first government, and if it
is affirmed, it will serve as a basis for further development.

The estimated budget receipts total 49 billion drams, and outlays
total 52.5 billion. The deficit is 3.4 billion drams.

In 2007 budget receipts totaled 31 billion drams and outlays totaled
33 billion. Armenia got an interstate loan of over 20 billion drams
from Armenia.

The budget bill will be discussed by the committees and stakeholders
in the upcoming two weeks.

PanARMENIAN.Net

Armenia and Russia should work for regional security
06.12.2007 14:22 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ December 5, Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanian held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. As
reported by the RF MFA division of information and press, the
Ministers focused on reinforcement and improvement of cooperation.

They stated that the `firm foundation of the multifaceted
Russian-Armenian cooperation will guarantee further advance upon
completion of election campaigns in both countries.’

`The parties expressed satisfaction with joint activities within the
CIS and CSTO and affirmed intention to interact within international
organizations, including UN and OSCE,’ the statement says.

Discussing the state of affairs in Transcaucasia, Lavrov and Oskanian
marked out the importance of close cooperation for maintenance of
regional security and stability and gave a high estimate to the OSCE
Minsk Group’s mediation in the Karabakh settlement talks.

The Minister also signed a plan of interdepartmental consultations.

PREMIERE OF "BRILLIANT" FEATURE FILM OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN JOINT PRODUCTION TO BE HELD IN YEREVAN

Noyan Tapan
Dec 6, 2007

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 6, NOYAN TAPAN. The premiere of the "Adamand"
(Diamond) full-length feature film of the Armenian-Russian joint
production will be held in the "Moscow" cinema of Yerevan on
December 10. According to the information provided to a Noyan Tapan
correspondent by Gor Vardanian, the main performer of the film,
the treasures kept in Geghard, Russians want to take possession of,
are introduced in the war film.

Karen Vatian is the screenplay writer of the film "Adamand" (Diamond)
and Alexander Kriminenko is the producer of the film. Famous actors
Jamal Ajigeiev and Yuri Nazarov play the main roles of the film. More
than ten world karate champions have taken part in the shooting of
the film.

According to Gor Vardanian, the film is more envisaged for children
and youths. After the premiere of the "Adamand" (Diamnod) film in
Yerevan, it will also be demonstrated in Moscow.

The film was shot yet in 2004, however, the assembly work has recently
been finished. Gor Vardanian earlier tried to introduce to the
spectator his film telling about the historical events happened during
the years of the Artsakh war, which was praised by the spectators
and film critics both in Armenia and abroad. It was also mentioned
that the film "Chakatagir" (Destiny) was awarded first prize in the
"The method fest" festival held in the United States of America this
year. 750 films were presented in the festival and only 25 out of
them reached the final stage. The film "Chakatagir" (Destiny) will
also be introduced in the film festival to be held in Berlin in 2008.

Gor Vardanian envisages to open a film industrial studio corresponding
to international standards in Armenia. In addition to this, he
envisages to shoot a number of children’s films in Yerevan, in
which the pupils of the Duckendo-full contact Karate of Armenia will
play. "The activities of the federation show that children are fond
of sport and want to self-affirm through that kind of sport. And my
goal is to, first of all, keep them away from street and teach them
not only to self-defend but also to struggle against the wrongnesses
existing in our life. The children’s films as well will be about them,"
Gor Vardanian mentioned.

Mediamax Agency, Armenia
Dec 7 2007

CB Board granted license for banking activities to `ProCreditBank’ CJSC

Yerevan, December 7 /Mediamax/. Central Bank of Armenia made a
decision today to grant a license for banking activities to
`ProCreditBank’ CJSC, Mediamax was told in the CB press service.

Mediamax recalls that in April of 2007, the European Bank of
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced that it would become
the 20% shareholder of ProCredit Armenia Bank. The participation of
the European Bank in the capital of ProCredit Armenia will make
1.2bln drams.

The EBRD statement read that the ProCredit Armenia Bank would be
specializing in financing of micro and small enterprises outside the
Armenian capital, and the European Bank would allocate a credit at
the sum of $7mln with maturity of up to five years financing micro
and small enterprises.

Mediamax notes that the ProCredit Group consists of 19 banks,
functioning in Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America, whose
operations are overseen and guided by ProCredit Holding AG, located
in Frankfurt.