PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Volunteer Corps
Anoush Tatevossian, Executive Director
62 Hanrapetutyan St. Apt 108
Yerevan, Armenia
Phone: (374 10) 540037
For information:
For contact: [email protected]
Zatik Orphanage Summer Festival Organized by Armenian Volunteers
YEREVAN August 28, 2006. This Saturday, September 2nd, the children of Zatik
Orphanage will learn that their friends in the Armenian Diaspora do not
forget about them. For the third year running, Richard (Ric) Gazarian from
Chicago, and the Armenian Volunteer Corps, is hosting a full day Festival,
complete with face painting, popcorn, cotton-candy and a pony ride, for the
136 children at the orphanage!
Numerous businesses have made promises to make generous donations which will
make this day successful. Tumanian Shaurma will provide food and Grand Candy
will provide ice cream, for the third year running Luna Park has donated
it’s Moon Bounce for the day, and Cheers Disco Pub is supplying speakers and
a DJ to kick off the fun!
Additionally, many other friends will participate to make the day as
eventful and memorable as possible. Roughly 20 volunteers from the Armenian
Volunteer Corps (AVC), and also the Birthright Armenia/Depi Hayk Foundation,
will be in attendance to help run the carnival games and do face-painting.
The Zeytun dance group will put on a small performance, professional clowns
will provide amusement, and a special guest appearance by Miss Armenia
Lusine Tovmasyan has been planned.
And why does Richard return every summer to host and sponsor this event for
the children of Zatik? He simply says, “They are like my extended family.”
This relationship began in 2004 when Ric volunteered as an English teacher
and mentor at Zatik Orphanage through the Armenian Volunteer Corps, an
organization devoted to facilitating Diasporan Armenians with the
opportunity to live and work in Armenia for long and short term volunteer
service in hopes that those Diasporans will establish a life-long
relationship with their countrymen and women in Armenia so that they can
together build a stronger future.
Ric developed a strong attachment to his new found friends at Zatik, and
they with him. Upon the end of his AVC service term in the summer of 2004,
Ric decided he wanted to organize something special, something to bring
happiness to the children in a memorable way. He organized the first “Zatik
Festival” and like a true friend, Ric and the AVC volunteers try to play a
continuing role in the lives of the children, and so are once again
organizing the Festival fun this year.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

ILHAM ALIEV: KARABAKH CONFLICT’S REMAINING UNSETTLED COMPRISES DANGER TO THE WHOLE REGION
ArmRadio.am
29.08.2006 14:23
“Currently the negotiation process proceeds in the framework of the
Prague format, which generally envisages phasic settlement of the
question. We consider that it is the most acceptable way, and we hope
that at last Armenia will demonstrate constructive position and will
apply efforts to resolve the issue, ” Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliev declared during the press conference following the bilateral
talks with his Slovenian counterpart, Azeri media report.
Ilham Aliev noted that he “demands from Armenia liberation of the
occupied Azerbaijani land without any preconditions and does not intend
to refuse from this position based on norms of the international
law.” The President noted that “the Karabakh conflict’s remaining
unsettled comprises danger to the whole region.”

NO MARIONETTE FOR THE PRESIDENT
Naira Mamikonian
Aravot.am
26 Aug 06
Tatul Manaserian says replying to the news about his membership into
”Prosperous Armenia” Party.
Since the formation of ”Prosperous Armenia” Party, there is a formed
opinion in the Armenian political and expert groups that party aims
to compete with the opposition in the coming elections and change
the orientation of voters.
So it isn’t accidental that some ”unspoiled” politicians, cultural
and art workers have gathered in that party. It isn’t also accidental
that this party is inclined to include some representatives of the
opposition who are known in the society as politicians with good
reputation. But it shouldn’t be excluded that the names of some
oppositionists and journalists of free press are mentioned to raise
the reputation of “Prosperous Armenia” and create mystery round it,
on the other hand to compromise those persons. It became clear lately
from ”Azatutiun” b/s that another non-party deputy from ”Justice”
bloc Tatul Manaserian is going to become ”PA” member. Other sources
have mentioned the independent deputy Emma Khudabashian. There
is another information that it is ordered from the presidential
residence not to hurry to accept the membership of T. Manaserian,
E. Khudabashian and V. Dallakian.
We tried to find out just from Mrs. Khudabashian and Mr. Manaserian
about their intentions.
To our question, Mrs. Khudabashian answered, that she didn’t know
what newspapers wrote because she had lost three persons close to
her and didn’t have any mood to speak about policy. Anyway, she said,
she had already chosen where she would go but didn’t say exactly where.
Is it just “Prosperous Armenia” or another party? “I’ll say it later,
– Mrs. Khudabashian promised and added, – let them write. A lot of
politicians have suggested becoming their party member. Perhaps they
are offended. If I decide to become the member of a party, I’ll inform
about it, but now I don’t have any mood to speak.”
As for T. Manaserian, the latter said the following during his
conversation with us: “I’m not inclined to give explanations. Ask those
who write such things. I get angry at these conversations. Perhaps
they have nothing to do and invent themes for them. Let them engage in
a serious business. Tatul Manaserian has always been an independent
person, and has always acted by his own initiation and I have no
connection with the marionettes of the president and I can’t have at
all.” To our question whether he has an intention to leave ”Justice”,
he answered: ”I shouldn’t give any interpretation. Sorry”. Certainly
we don’t have any reason to cast doubt on Mr. Manaserian’s sincerity
but the point is that Mr. Manaserian has informed some members of
”Justice” about his intention to become ”PA” Party member.
The whole nonsense in this story is that the leaders of ”PA” Party
are very quiet and aren’t going to reply to that published information.
–Boundary_(ID_zTP2v921m0gpnp5DcGwJf g)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

SIC TRANSIT…
Aram Abrahamian
Aravot.am
26 Aug 06
As it is known, there have always been ”right” and ”wrong” Jews
in Russia.
For instance, L. Kaganovich was a ”right” Jew, but V. Meierhold was
a ”wrong” one. Their oligarchs are distinguished just in the same
way. Abramovich and Khohodorkovsky have equally robbed the soviet
property, they have avoided of taxes etc., but now one of them is a
governor, another is a prisoner.
Difference between them is a great: one of them is loyal to the
authority, another isn’t.
As we always follow Russia, we also have the same customs. For example
there are ”right” and ”wrong” deserters in Armenia. Thousands of
people avoid of military service in Armenia but the law enforcement
agencies take bribes and don’t disturb them. But if you are the
editor-in-chief of an oppositionist newspaper and the same law
enforcement agencies are ordered by the ruling clique to examine you,
it is impossible to take a bribe.
The most interesting thing is that when the “right” person becomes a
“wrong” one in a moment. Who was Artashes Tumanian till the latest
events. A famous politician, one of the bases of independent
Armenia. But, unfortunately, that person decided to form a party
without the president’s approval. In some days he was accused
of wasting money of “Lins” foundation and owing some profitable
business. Till the attempt of forming a party law enforcement officials
thought that Mr. Tumanian lives on his salary. This example warned
the prosecutor to freeze the process of forming a party.
Now the same happens to “Orinats Erkir”. OEP was a “constructive”,
” pro-authority” power till the latest period, a full member of the
coalition, which leads the country to the prosperity. And finally
it became clear that it was a group of enemies of the state, fifth
column of the U.S. or French imperialism. The coalition colleagues
found out that the OEP members don’t even have a right to sweep the
corridors of the Parliament, and Arthur Baghdasarian’s formed French
University and the European Regional Academy cost nothing.
Bolshevism /”who isn’t with us, he is against us”/ prevents the
formation of state tradition. Tomorrow other Bolsheviks will come
and will criticize nowadays authority.
–Boundary_(ID_pzbrw/M5uYt4K23qL3I3vw) —

THE GOVERNOR IS REAL TROUBLE FOR ARF
Lragir.am
29 Aug 06
Rather interesting developments are underway inside ARF Dashnaktsutyun,
especially with regard to Romik Manukyan, the governor of
Shirak. Inside the political party, namely a rather big wing in the
Gyumri organization, believe that the governor’s activities stain the
political party’s reputation. Our source from the ARF Bureau says
one of the members of the Bureau visited the region and met with
the activisits. During he meeting they discussed the expediency of
dismissal of the governor of the region of Shirak.
However, we have learned that the Dashnaks in Yerevan are not likely
to free Gyumri Dashnaks from Romik Manukyan.

THE QUESTIONS WERE NEVERTHELESS ASKED
Lragir.am
29 Aug 06
Hrair Karapetyan, the chair of the parliamentary faction of ARF
Dashnaktsutyun answering the questions of news reporters at the Pastark
club confirmed the statements of the leader of Orinats Yerkir Arthur
Baghdasaryan that as part of government Orinats Yerkir did not remain
silent and criticized negative phenomena. However, Hrair Karapetyan
added, “During the meetings of the coalition the questions were not put
as sharply as now when Orinats Yerkir is opposition.” At the same time,
Hrair Karapetyan thinks it is natural that the same party puts forward
the same question differently in the government and in the opposition.

ARF TO CLARIFY ITS TACTICS AFTER SUPREME CONVENTION
Yerkir
29.08.2006 14:30
YEREVAN (YERKIR) – All political parties are preparing for the
upcoming National Assembly election, Hrair Karapetian, National
Assembly’s Armenian Revolutionary Federation faction leader, told a
news conference on Tuesday.
“Every party decides on its own what tactics to adopt for the coming
months,” Karapetian said.
As for the ARF, Karapetian said, the party will discuss its action
plan at its 10th Supreme Body to be convened on September 7.
Taking a question on the ARF’s possible participation in an electoral
block with other parties in the election, Karapetian said, “The ARF
is ruled collectively, and it is the Supreme Convention that is to
make a decision on the party’s tactics.
My personal opinion is that the ARF has always participated in
elections separately but there are parties whose programs are
comparable in some parts with that of the ARF. A cooperation is
inevitable but only the Convention will decide on the extent of
cooperation.”
Speaking on the alleged confrontation between the Republican Party
and newly formed Prosperous Armenia Party, Karapetian said such
confrontation is ‘ artificially exaggerated’ by the press.
As for the opposition, Karapetian said, it did not take the place
it was supposed to, so other parties should commit to control the
legislative field.
He also spoke of the change in the Azerbaijani position in the Karabakh
conflict settlement, saying that the international community cannot
tolerate for long Azerbaijan’s attempts to derail the process and
that country’s belligerent rhetoric.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

GARNIK ISAGULYAN IS LOOKING FOR ALLIES
Lragir.am
29 Aug 06
Garnik Isagulyan, adviser to the president of Armenia, is looking for a
political ally. The source informs that Isagulyan has actively started
the search for supporters. We have learned that he has already come
to a preliminary agreement with a figure, who is Isagulyan’s colleague
without political partnership, namely another adviser to the president
Seiran Avagyan. By the way, Avagyan remembered on these days that he
is a political figure and held a meeting of the Democratic Liberal
Union he leads on August 26.
For the time being he is the only visible and definite candidate of
ally for Garnik Isagulyan. We have learned, however, that Avagyan
is not enough for Isagulyan, and he is likely to continue the search
for a political companion. It should be noted that Isagulyan started
the search long ago. Simply so far he was looking for a presidential
candidate, not a political ally, and announced that Serge Sargsyan
is the best and the best prepared candidate. Meanwhile, Isagulyan’s
search for a political ally means that his search for a presidential
candidate was not successful. Otherwise, if the courtesy to Serge
Sargsyan were successful, Isagulyan would not need a political ally,
because the Republican Party would become his “natural” ally.
And since Robert Kocharyan did not like Isagulyan’s courtesy to Serge
either, there is nothing the adviser can do but to find some way of
staying in the political sphere.

ARF DASHNAKTSUTYUN KEEPS TRADITIONS AND SECRETS
Lragir.am
29 Aug 06
Hrair Karapetyan, the leader of the parliamentary faction of the ARF,
announced August 29 at the Pastark Club that the tenth general meeting
of the ARF will take place on September 7, which will outline the
manner and purpose of participation of ARF in the election.
Although today it is already clear that “the ARF runs in the
elections alone”. As it became clear from the following words of
the ARF representative, besides being a century-old and traditional,
the ARF is also reticent as usual. The opening of the General Meeting
of the ARF will take place at the hall of the government and will be
open for everyone, whereas the meeting itself will be confidential.
Hrair Karapetyan did not know where the meeting will take place, but
he noted, “Since the resolutions, circulars of the General Meeting
are published, it is pointless to speak about confidentiality.”
Besides, the ARF is not only reticent but also conformist. The ARF
is for a 100 percent proportional system. Hrair Karapetyan announced
that if as a result of a political arrangemeent 90 seats are elected
under the proportional and 41 seats are elected under the majority
system in 2007, the ARF will consider it a progressive step compared
with the present 47/56 proportion. And if the proportion set down
in the Electoral Code remains, ARF will agree to it and hope that
eventually in 2012 there will be a 100 percent proportional system in
Armenia. And the race of political rats determined by the developments
connected with the Republican Party and Bargavach Hayastan does not
worry ARF. “In fact, there is a process of moving from one party to
another, but even in the years when our friends were in prison, and
the party was banished, not a single member quit the ARF.” It became
clear that it is very difficult to become member of the ARF. “It is
difficult to become a member.
Mass membership is impossible. Only one out of 20-30-40 applications
are accepted.” In addition, “Our electorate is sustainable.” At
the same time, Hrair Karapetyan states that the ARF gets more
votes at every election, and he is hopeful that this tendency will
continue. “Unfortunately, however, in voting people do not take into
consideration the age of the political party, and the influence of
the Soviet anti-Dashnaktsutyun campaign persists.
People do not trust the ARF.” Hrair Karapetyan thinks that now the
true history is taught at schools and the time will come when the
ARF will be evaluated duly.
The chair of the parliamentary faction of the ARF, likely to run
in the election alone, notes that there are political parties whose
programs have a number of points in common with the program of the
ARF, and cooperation with these parties is not only possible but also
inevitable. The struggle inside the government is also inevitable
and natural, which will become tenser as the elections draw nearer,
says the ARF representative.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AMERICANS FOR ARTSAKH
Panorama.am
14:52 29/08/06
The Americans for Artsakh (AFA) organization today invites potential
investors and interested organizations to benefit from market survey
data compiled over the past sixteen months in Artsakh. AFA will also
use the data as it develops a model farm project in Artsakh.
The AFA Liaison Office in Stepanakert began the survey in March 2005,
studying availability, prices and origin of nearly 200 agricultural
products sold at three major markets of Stepanakert, as well as in
Askeran, Hadrut, Mardakert, Martuni and Shushi. The survey aims to
gather information about Artsakh”s food markets, helping identify
products that could be produced locally both for domestic consumption
and export.
Director of the AFA”s Stepanakert Office Elvina Azarian, who
spearheaded the project”s implementation, said that the survey results,
in combination with the Nagorno Karabakh government statistics, would
serve as a major reference both for local and outside businessmen
and organizations interested in Artsakh”s agricultural sector.
“The study results also reflect the rising cost of living in Nagorno
Karabakh over the past year and a half,” Azarian said. “As such,
the survey data together with available statistics on incomes would
help determine the trends in food security in Karabakh.”
“AFA will continue the surveys and intends to use the data as we
launch a model farm project in Artsakh,” said the AFA President Zaven
Khanjian. “The model farm will involve roughly one hectare patches
of land in two to three locations in Artsakh. AFA would help farmers
identify marketable high-value crops and provide necessary seeds,
management consulting and technology. Upon successful completion,
the model would be available to other Artsakh farmers to replicate. We
also invite those interested in Artsakh”s agricultural sector to make
use of the market survey results.”
Americans For Artsakh is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
established to preserve freedom, strengthen democracy, foster economic
development, protect the cultural identity and promote the heritage
of the people of Artsakh. The founding Board of Directors include:
Zaven Khanjian, President; Dr. Hratch Abrahamian, Vice President; Savey
Tufenkian, Treasurer; Rita Balian, Secretary; and Edward Chobanian.