PRESS RELEASE
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Byuzand Street, 375010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
630 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2100,
New York, NY 10111, USA
Contact: Mariam Dilakian
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8201
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
For immediate release
Dalarik Children Full of Expectations for New High School
COAF Awards Contract for the Renovation of the School in Dalarik
Yerevan, Armenia, June 16, 2006 ¾ Following town hall meetings with the
community and continuous discussions with the Coordinating Committee
elected by the Dalarik community, COAF signed a bi-lateral agreement
with the local Municipality delineating the cooperative arrangements
for the reconstruction of the Dalarik School.
Subsequently, through a transparent and competitive procurement
process, COAF awarded the reconstruction contract to Epal LLC,
a construction company based in Hrazdan.
In the words of Dr. Garo H. Armen, COAF Founder and Chairman, “the
stakes are higher than ever before. Without our immediate intervention,
this generation of young Armenians may forever lose the opportunity
to pursue the best in themselves.” Ensuring a better quality of life
continues to be at the heart of all activities pursued by COAF as
part of its integrated rural development program.
Pargev Saghatelyan, the Mayor of Dalarik, emphasized the importance of
providing the children of Dalarik a better environment with improved
sanitation and education.
This reconstruction project takes into account the additional needs
that arise from the 12-grade system approved by the Ministry of
Education for implementation in the next school year. The renovated
school will accommodate 630 children in an improved environment,
access to indoor lavatories with running water and central heating
system. This COAF initiative also includes complete refurnishing and
site development. The project is fully funded by COAF and is planned
for completion by the New Year.
Pro curement of the building design and reconstruction of other school
and kindergarten projects within the COAF Model Cluster is in progress
and will include public structures in Argina, Lernagog, Myasnikyan,
and Shenik. Complementing reconstruction projects, COAF is realizing
other infrastructure and economic development projects, together with
health care, social and educational development activities that aim
at building the capacity of rural communities for sustained growth
and economic vitality.
—————————
Epal LLC, founded in 2003, is presently managed by Eduard Hovsepyan.
Among its recent achievements in the field of infrastructure
development are a series of renovations of high schools in various
regions of Armenia, construction of heating systems, and design
and construction of private homes. The company has a skillful and
experienced staff and is equipped with necessary machinery and
equipment to carry out its work effectively.
–Boundary_(ID_1JF7NVk6qjQI4uRe65F09 A)–

Presidents Putin and Aliev discuss the Karabakh issue
ArmRadio.am
17.06.2006 15:02
In the framework of the consultation summit on means of cooperation
and trust in Asia held in Almati, Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan
Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliev discussed issues related to economy
and the situation in Eurasia. The Presidents showed full mutual
comprehension of the processes in the post-Soviet field, Russian
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the journalists. They appreciated
the rapid pace of rise of turnover of goods. The Presidents discussed
also the schedule of the future meetings and issues related to the
Karabakh conflict settlement.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

NORAVANK MONASTERY TO BE INCLUDED IN UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST IN 2007
Yerevan, June 16. ArmInfo. International experts are developing a
plan of management of Noravank monasterial complex in the territory
of Armenia, which will allow to include this monument in the UNESCO
World Heritage List, says ICOMOS expert David Michelmore.
He says that the monastery may get into the list in 2007. The Armenian
authorities have already applied for the inclusion but there are
still some problems with management, tourist routes and agricultural
activities in nearby villages. In order to resolve these problems
almost 10,000 h around the monastery and 5 nearby villages will be
declared as a specially protected area.
Noravank is one of the best known monuments of medieval Armenia. It
is 122 km away from Yerevan. It was built in XII-XIV and was the see
of Sunik bishops. The most ancient part of the complex St. Karapet
was built in IX-X.
To remind, already on UNESCO list are Hakhpat monastery (II-IV),
Echmiadzin Cathedral and Churches, ruins of Zvartnots (II-III),
Gegard monastery.

63rd Rose-Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to be held in
Sochi
ArmRadio.am
17.06.2006 14:15
The 63rd Rose-Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly will
be held in Sochi, Russia June 22-24. The participants will exchange
views on the following topics: “Security issues in the South Caucasus,”
“Frozen conflicts in the South Caucasus: the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”
and others.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

What attracts the tourists to Artsakh are its people
ArmRadio.am
17.06.2006 14:31
“What attracts the tourists to Artsakh are its people with a unique
psychology and hospitality coming from the bottom of the heart,” said
Director of the NKR Tourism Development Agency Sergey Shahverdyan in
his talk with “Radiolur” correspondent.
Statistics shows that the number of tourists visiting Artsakh increases
with 40 percent annually. The tourists are interested not only in
this region rich in historical monuments, but also the mentality,
traditions of the people living here.
Artsakh has always been considered a country possessing a rich
historical heritage. Twenty years age 1 700 historical monuments
were counted here. Now the number is four times as much, since new
Armenian monuments were found on liberated territories.
In Sergey Shahverdyan’s words, ethnic tourism has also been developing
in Artsakh during the recent years. Karabakh hosts tourists from Italy,
France, Japan, Israel and other countries.

Vardan Oskanyan: Unity with the Diaspora is our power
ArmRadio.am
17.06.2006 14:46
“Dual citizenship is among the most essential issues that not only
Armenia faces, but also Armenians all over the world,” declared
RA Foreign minister Vardan Oskanyan during the “Dual citizenship:
alternative solutions, economic and social consequences.”
“I am too liberal on this issue, since I think that we should provide
dual citizenship to all those wishing to acquire Armenian citizenship
in the most simple way. I understand all nuances and complications of
the issue, which we must address. However, when taking decision, our
“starting point” should be the “broad comprehension of the issue,”
the Foreign Minister noted, adding that his position is asoociated
not with his origin and fact that he had to refuse from citizenship
of another country to acquire Armenian citizenship, but with the fact
that he believes in the potential of the Armenian people, the future
of Armenia. He understands the situation very well and considers the
question proceeding from the interests of the Armenian people.
According to the Minister, when judge about the question it is
necessary to consider several factors: the current separateness of
the Armenian people, the newly formed notion of the nation-state,
as well as the fact that Armenia has passed a long path of providing
rights to Diaspora Armenians.
The Foreign Minister noted also that it is not compulsory for those
having dual citizenship to reside in Armenia.
“I think that out unity with the Diaspora is our power as well. Our
task is to have thesde people return to the feelings and belongingness.

HEATED PAN-ARMENIAN PASSIONS
Lragir.am
17 June 06
Armenians would no way succeed in implementing minor or major
pan-Armenian projects. Quality is meant because formally there are
innumerable pan-Armenian programs. In particular, a strange process
began after the telethon of Armenia Fund in the fall of 2005, namely
a series of mutual accusations between the leadership of Karabakh
and the fund.
Quite recently the prime minister of Karabakh was asked why the
reconstruction of infrastructures in the region of Martakert has not
started in 8 months after the telethon on November 25, raising about
7.5 million dollars. Anushavan Danielyan gave a marvelously simple
answer, something like “ask Armenia Fund,” and added that as far
as he knew 5 million dollars had been raised. The fund will surely
explain why Martakert has not received the first “consignment” of
millions. There is not much to explain. Either the millions were not
raised in reality, or were raised but the problem of their management
has not been solved yet, so nobody wants to start without being sure
that they will be the director of work. It should not be forgotten
that over 7 million dollars are concerned. This number will be growing
because donations for the reconstruction of Martakert will go on.
Perhaps the battle for leadership is the reason why the prime minister
of Karabakh places the responsibility on Armenia Pan-Armenian Fund,
for the NKR prime minister could have explained why the work has
not started yet. Throughout his career Anushavan Danielyan has had
to explain a lot of things, and an explanation would hardly take
him much effort. But if he had told that the money was not raised,
his words would have lost their meaning. Whereas when it is said “ask
Armenia Fund,” the question of responsibility for donations is raised.
The leadership in Karabakh is said to be interested in replacing the
executive director of Armenia Fund. It may be a little surprising,
because the executive director used to be member of the same NKR
leadership, namely minister of foreign affairs. Hence, it seems
that the executive director could not have been more “their man.”
Though, on the other hand, proxies appeared to be defiant in most
cases in history.
What could have happened? The executive director of Armenia Fund Naira
Melkumyan bought an apartment in Yerevan thanks to the government of
Karabakh, on the NKR state budget. Soon after having a budget under her
disposition Naira Melkumyan probably forgot about her former bosses.
Formally the Fund has an executive director, who is accountable to the
Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is headed by the president
of Armenia. The NKR president is a member of the Board, so are the
second and third persons of Armenia and NKR. The Board of Trustees of
Armenia Fund is perhaps the only organization where the leadership of
Armenia and NKR do not have a deciding role. The majority of members
of the board are those rich people, who guarantee fund-raising. And
if their vote were ignored, the funds would decline. Consequently,
the board is the only organization where the leaders of Armenia
cannot impose their will, or they persuade rather than impose. But if
persuading is concerned, a government post will stop being important,
because the ability to persuade is like a gift. And unlike a post,
a gift is innate.
An effort to highlight someone else’s power at the expense of one’s
own power can be considered highly gifted, considering the reality
when everyone wants to highlight their own power. And maybe this is
the reason why NKR President Arkady Ghukasyan persuaded rich people in
the United States to donate money to the Fund for the reconstruction
of Martakert. Why was he persuading if afterwards the prime minister
of Karabakh would be placing the responsibility on the fund? Why did
Ghukasyan assume the responsibility of persuading rich people them? By
the way, after the telethon Naira Melkumyan announced that unlike
the previous years less money was raised because the millionaires
had donated little. It appears that Naira Melkumyan stated indirectly
that Arkady Ghukasyan had not worked well, that is he had failed to
persuade the rich people. But who knows, maybe he had persuaded?
HAKOB BADALYAN

WHO RAFFI WILL RUN FOR ELECTION WITH
Lragir.am
17 June 06
The Heritage Party led by Raffi Hovannisian views its participation
in the parliamentary election of 2007 from a scientific angle. Vardan
Khachatryan, the secretary of the Heritage Party, told June 17 at
the Azdak Club that the political party is seriously considering to
run for election individually or in alliance.
“So we have seriously considered both options. By saying seriously I
mean a scientific study. I will not hide that the public rating of the
Heritage Party is high. I rely on the survey of the Institute of Gelap
because they guarantee objectivity, it is not an organization where
surveys are conducted on order,” says Vardan Khachatryan. According
to him, the Center of Gelap gave a rating of 74 percent for Raffi
Hovannisian. It should be noted, however, that Gelap may have lied
because several days ago Artashes Geghamyan announced that the same
Gelap had given a rating of 57 percent for him. Whereas this is
impossible in math, even in simple arithmetic.
If Hovannisian has 74 percent, Geghamyan could have only 26, or
if Geghamyan has 57, Raffi could have only 43. It is also possible,
however, that Gelap does not lie, and Raffi and Artashes lie on behalf
of Gelap.
At any rate, the format of participation in the election must be
determined by the will of the public, thinks Vardan Khachatryan,
saying that there must be a public demand to run for election
individually or in alliance. At any rate, if a front is supposed
to form, it must be as comprehensive as possible and including the
forces, which will be accepted by people, says the secretary of
the Heritage Party. Vardan Khachatryan declines to say who their
allies will be, because the survey is not over. He repeated that the
prospect of allying with Orinats Yerkir depends on the activities
of this political party. Vardan Khachatryan says they do not want to
act as a judge, they will simply be following the activities of the
Orinats Yerkir. If they favor public interests, Vardan Khachatryan
says there is no problem. For an alliance with the “old-established”
opposition, Vardan Khachatryan declines to give names. “You see the
range of negotiations is rather wide, and there is nothing definite. We
have not reached the point where we can name definite organizations –
potential allies. In fact, a process is underway, and we are always
ready to consolidate the sphere, not to place our ambitions in pride
of place, but consolidate the sphere to revive hope among pubic.”

NATIONAL SECURITY SPIES INSIDE POLITICAL PARTIES
Lragir.am
17 June 06
“Spies” discovered in political parties in Armenia are not separate
cases, stated Vardan Khachatryan, the secretary of the Heritage Party,
on June 17. The political party he represents is the latest victim of
espionage inside political parties. Several weeks ago a member of the
Heritage Party named Edgar Hakobyan was revealed, and Hakobyan was
dismissed. “When espionage inside political parties is concerned,
when especially the interference of national security services
in the activity of political parties is concerned, it makes a sad
impression. Because the country’s security is, as a rule, based on
the activities of these political parties. If they start settling
accounts with the local political parties, employing spies, efforts
to stop some processes by a primitive interference, who is going to
do their job, to support their sphere?” asks Vardan Khachatryan.

“WE CAN’T OPEN SO MUCH TO LOSE OUR TYPE”
Margaret Yesayan
Aravot.am
16 June 06
The ARF GB representative Armen Rustamian said
– Factually, the ARF controls the spheres which have connection with
various strata of society; social, health protection, agriculture
and education, whether Dashnaktsutiun wanted to control those spheres
for the coming elections?
– When spheres were divided in time, just the opposite logic acted,
people were avoiding of being responsible in those spheres where
there were a lot of problems. But we were understanding very well
if we wanted to be involved in the coalition with just that logic we
can’t avoid of those problems.
Certainly this includes a serious risk in it and it also exists
now. I don’t say we have succeeded to achieve serious changes, but I’m
sure we have been right. We became responsible for that risk and I’m
sure we have created some necessary prerequisites some of which have
given their results. And we will represent to the people just with
that account during the elections. We must undergo that trial and we
seriously prepare for it. It isn’t a secret that there is a way when
you can’t be responsible and keep criticizing. It is very profitable
way and a lot of politicians try to act in that way during the
elections in Armenia. But we are ready to be aware what we have done.
– There are businessmen deputies in the ARF plenipotentiary list;
don’t you have any apprehension that your businessmen will also be
made leave the party? Are you going to participate in the coming
parliamentary elections together with businessmen?
– We participated in the elections in 2003 with an open list relative
to the ARF for the first time because we could hardly imagine some
years ago that so many non-party persons could be involved in the ARF
list. We are known for our traditional nature and in this case it was
also a change in our approaches. We did it but keeping an important
principle. We can’t be opened so much for losing our type. If we
don’t manage to keep our type, we can’t speak of old history of our
party. And that well-formed tradition has directed us for making our
selection in looking before leaping principle. And we don’t need in
those businessmen with whom we have worked for a long time for only
the elections but they have been corresponded to the typical example of
national bourgeoisie. They aren’t only businessmen, owners of serious
business, but they also do their best for making the economy of our
country powerful.
– Are you going to enlarge the list of your mentioned national
bourgeoisie in connection with the coming elections?
– If it is possible to have partners like them in that field,
certainly, we’ll enlarge that field with great pleasure.
– Don’t have any apprehension that they will leave some day?
– Judging from what I said above, no, I don’t have such
apprehension. There have been trials for the ARF, too. I must say
that they have stayed with us because they have adopted our decisions
and we haven’t made them to adopt those decisions, because we have
considered us as the political elite and them as the economic subject.