HOLY SEE OF ECHMIADZIN YET SILENT ABOUT DA VINCI CODE MOVIE
Yerevan, May 17. ArmInfo. The Holy See of Echmiadzin has not yet
expressed its attitude towards the sensational Da Vinci Code film,
reports the press service of Echmiadzin.
Meanwhile, the Georgian Orthodox Church has already criticized the
movie to be shown in Tbilisi May 18. It says that the movie distorts
the life-story of Jesus Christ. But Tbilisi movie houses are still
going to show it.
To remind, the movie is opening the Cannes Festival today.

THREE STRONG QUAKES TAKE PLACE NEAR INDONESIA
Yerevan, May 17. ArmInfo. A 6.8-point earthquake took place 260 km
south-east of Sibolga, Indonesia May 16 08:58 PM local time, reports
the National Seismic Protection Service of Armenia.
In the epicenter the magnitude was 9-10 points on 12-point scale
(MKS-64). The quake was followed by two more tremors – 5.6 and 4.9
points. No reports of casualties or following tsunamis yet.

ORINATS YERKIR GIVES WAY TO SHADE FIGURES
Lragir.am
17 May 06
Member of Parliament Hmayak Hovanisyan thinks that Speaker Arthur
Baghdasaryan resigned and seceded from the coalition because he imposed
his candidacy to president on his coalition colleagues. There was
nothing the coalition could do but to hope that Arthur Baghdasaryan
would repent. This did not happen. “If Arthur Baghdasaryan had not
stated twice that in case of disagreement he would secede from the
coalition, the other steps would not follow.
Arthur Baghdasaryan was careless enough to reveal his calculations,
enabling his coalition colleagues to take steps in advance.”
Hmayak Hovanisyan reminds that the president was placed in a difficult
situation by the Republican Party which defined Robert Kocharyan’s
statement as “a call for war” and by the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation with their statement on genetic incompatibility with
the Turks. However, at that time no such steps were taken because
Dashnaktsutiun and the Republican Party were reluctant to secede from
the coalition. Hmayak Hovanisyan says the secession of Orinats Yerkir
from the coalition does not fit Robert Kocharyan’s plans. Robert
Kocharyan, who would not like to give the position of the speaker
of the National Assembly to the Republican, will have to give
away, for there is nothing he can do, “the situation developed too
fast.” Hmayak Hovanisyan is said to have disapproved the decision
of Orinats Yerkir to secede from the coalition, he had even tried
to warn the other members of the coalition to prevent them. However,
they did not listen to Hmayak. In his undertaking Hmayak Hovanisyan
is not driven by his affection for Orinats Yerkir, but cool-headed
calculations. “The process of ousting Orinats Yerkir from power goes
along a process of becoming engaged in power, which shows that the
connection between the political and business elites has grown into
fusion, and the business elite will no longer be subjected to political
figures and will not act in the political sphere on the instructions
of political figures; it will act directly. Arthur Baghdasaryan is
a bearer of qualities typical of a public political figure. If he
is ousted, he will be replaces by people who are devoid of these
qualities, which is a tragedy for our country.”
Many are encouraged because they believe that if Arthur Baghdasaryan
quits, he will give way to them to the pro-Western’s niche.
Hmayak Hovanisyan is not encouraged by this. Hmayak Hovanisyan,
like Arthur Baghdasaryan, would like Armenia to become more deeply
integrated with NATO and the European organizations.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

REFORMS SHOULD GO ON
Lragir.am
17 May 06
On May 17 Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan met with Stephen Nix, the
International Republican Institute Eurasia director, and the political
expert Rasa Alisauske, reports the Public Relations Department of
the National Assembly.
During the meeting they discussed the activities of the IRI in Armenia,
the importance of promoting democratic reforms was emphasized. The
guests presented the findings of their research on different problems
to Arthur Baghdasaryan.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
Watch the recorded video here:
tepriests.wmv
ORDINATION OF CELIBATE PRIESTS IN ANTELIAS
Three graduates of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Seminary joined the ranks
of Cilician Brotherhood on May 14 in Antelias, as they were ordained before
God and believers to serve the Armenian Church as celibate priests.
Formed and educated in the Seminary for the last nine years, former students
Deacon Razmig Yemishian, Deacon Ourardou Sarkissian and Deacon Trasdamad
Donoyan took up their priest uniforms in the St. Gregory the Illuminator
Cathedral, with the conscious aim of serving the Armenian Church and nation
through the Holy See of Cilicia.
During a special service held in the Cathedral on the evening of May 13, the
candidates publicly pledged loyalty to the Armenian Church, its rituals,
rites, traditions and laws and condemned all those throughout history who
have tried to prosecute God’s Church or confuse its believers with other
teachings. They knelt down on their knees and read their oath to join the
ranks of the Cilician Brotherhood.
His Holiness Aram I presided over the ordination service on Sunday.
Archbishop Varoujan Hergelian, the Catholicosal Vicar for the Diocese of
Cyprus, celebrated the Holy Mass, ordained the priests and delivered the
sermon.
During the service, the candidates were invited to the altar, where they
abandoned the world of man and took on the heavy but sweet responsibility of
being Christ’s servants.
Archbishop Hergelian then blessed the left and right hands of each candidate
with Holy Chrism. He gave the candidates new names, ordaining them as the
servants of God. Deacon Razmig became Rev. Fr. Sahag, Deacon Ourardou was
ordained as Rev. Fr. Mesrob and Deacon Trasdamad took on the name of Rev.
Fr. Torkom.
The Archbishop highlighted the mission of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in
the sermon he delivered on this occasion, stressing that three new servants
pledge their loyalty and dedication to it.
The members of the Cilician Brotherhood then came up to the altar, to
congratulate the three new priests for their entry into the service of God
and in the ranks of the Brotherhood.
Following their ordination, the hands of the new priests were washed by
their godfathers, Yervant Khanamirian,Varoujan Sarkissian and Hratch
Tchilingirian. The godfathers expressed their happiness for the young
newcomers into the Cilician Brotherhood.
The uniforms of the priests were blessed after the service. The priests then
knelt down in the Veharan in front of the Pontiff to receive his blessings.
The three new celibate priests will be fasting and praying in the St.
Asdvadzadzine Monastery in Bikfaya in order to prepare for their journey in
the footsteps of God.
##
View photos here:
es66.htm
ctures67.htm
s/Pictures68.htm
*****
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the history and
mission of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of the
Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Contact: V.Rev.Fr.Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN THE SEMINAR OF THE WORLD
STUDENTS’ CHRISTIAN FEDERATION (WSCF)
The committee of the World Students’ Christian Federation in Lebanon
organized a two day seminar in the Sayidat Al Jabal Monastery in Adma on May
13-14. The main aim of the seminar was to provide an introduction for the
use of communication methods.
The Catholicosate of Cilicia delegated Carla Khijoyan, Hrair Djamboulian and
Viken Djamboulian from the Armenian Church University Students’ Association
(HEHOM) to participate in the Seminar.
Three participants from abroad visited the Catholicosate of Cilicia with the
Armenian delegates and received the blessings of His Holiness Aram I.
##
The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.

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:
Internet Connects Karakert to the World
The Karakert Schools Celebrate the Launching of the Internet
Karakert, Armavir District, Republic of Armenia, May 16, 2006 ¾ Today,
the Children of Armenia Fund’s (COAF) Model Village Karakert celebrated
the launch of internet connectivity in the school and the larger
community. The project, realized through partnership with Project
Harmony (PH), will benefit the students of both schools in Karakert
allowing the young generation and other members of the community to
expand their horizons and take advantage of the unlimited informational
and technological potential internet offers.
The School Connectivity Project implemented by PH is in its end phase of
connecting the last group of six schools in Armenia. In Karakert, PH
will provide up-to-date digital equipment necessary for the organization
of educational activities and will conduct training of teachers and
students in the multiple uses of computers and the internet. Within the
parameters of this partnership, COAF provided the furniture and
computers of the Internet Classroom in the newly renovated Karakert
School #2.
The official launch took place today in a ceremony attended by David
Simpson, PH Country Director. Addressing a happy crowd of students and
staff of both Karakert schools, Mr. Simpson emphasized the importance of
being connected through the internet, whether with the rest of Armavir,
with other schools in Armenia, or globally. Mrs. Tamara Baghdasaryan,
principal of the Karakert School #1, noted with pride, “We are happy
today to acknowledge the input of donors for the revitalization of our
village and the contributions made for making our community a better
place for these talented children. This Internet Classroom is yet
another example of the opportunities our children now have to learn and
become productive citizens.”
Both schools of Karakert are co-located in the renovated school building
and have an equal opportunity to be connected to the world. COAF and PH
believe that this joint initiative will open new doors in the lives of
the children of Karakert. COAF will also pursue bringing connectivity
to the other villages of the Model Cluster.
Children of Armenia Fund was founded in 2000 with the aim to reduce
poverty through the revitalization of rural Armenia and the realization
of projects that are instrumental for the revival of communities. With
the introduction of its novel approach to clustering in February 2006,
COAF is currently implementing the Model Cluster working in six villages
in the Baghramyan region of the Armavir District. The key components of
COAF’s Model Cluster project comprise Infrastructure and Economic
Development Programs, and Community Development including Health, Social
and Educational Programs. In 2006, besides its Model Village Karakert,
COAF is also working in Myasnikyan, Shenik, Dalarik, Lernagog and
Argina.
The Armenia School Connectivity Program (ASCP), a program of the US
Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, funded
through the Freedom Support Act and implemented by Project Harmony,
builds local, regional and national capacity to assume responsibility
for the long-term sustainability of the program. ASCP provides
resources, Internet access, and training for a network of schools across
all 11 regions of Armenia. The program allows students, educators and
community members opportunities to access and share information, to
engage in online collaborative projects, and to develop technical skills
marketable in a digital world.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
May 17, 2006
___________________
THREE ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK TRIPS A SUCCESS
Instead of dreaming about shopping for that next new gadget or throwing a
killer party, dozens of young Armenians spent this spring giving back to the
larger community as participants in the first “Alternative Spring Break,”
organized by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).
Through the Diocese’s College Ministry Program, participants in the
“Alternative Spring Break” traveled to southern states to build homes with
Habitat for Humanity.
“I had an awesome time and would definitely do this trip again. There is no
better feeling than giving something back to other people who could use the
help,” said Arineh Nazarian, a senior at University of Massachusetts who
joined the “Alternative Spring Break” trip to Jacksonville, FL. “I also
think it brought our group together: most of us didn’t know each other
before the trip, but in a short time we became really close.”
Three groups of about a dozen Armenian students each took part in the
program, spending a week traveling to Charlotte, NC, Richmond, VA, or
Jacksonville, FL. The week-long trips were staggered from March 4 to 25,
2006, to allow for the variety of spring breaks on college calendars.
Working side-by-side with the future homeowners, it was not easy to forget
the reason they were sweating away hammering nails and sawing logs. Along
with seeing hope being built in the hearts of families they were helping,
the students got to educate them on who the Armenians were.
“How can I thank you enough for all you have done for my home and my
neighborhood this week? I have fallen in love with all of you,” wrote
homeowner Laurie Leker, who was helped by the participants in the
Jacksonville, FL, trip. “I hope that someday my daughter will grow into the
kind of young people you are, and that she will see that by giving to others
you actually get more for yourself.”
Along with construction work, the participants’ days included prayer, Bible
readings, meditation, and fellowship.
“We talked about trust: trust in God, trust in others, and trust in self.
And I know for me, and I’m sure for many others as well, I am constantly
doubting at least one of those three trusts,” said Karinne Hovnanian, a
student from George Washington University and a participant in the Richmond
trip. “It was really helpful to have experiences where you had to trust
others — having someone spot your ladder for you, for example– to learn
that others were dealing with similar things.”
The local parishes in each community “adopted” the participants, welcoming
them into their communities for the week.
“The St. James Church in Richmond was wonderful. The accommodations were
great and the ACYOA and church parishioners were more than welcoming,” said
Haig Seferian, a student from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute who took part
in the trip to Richmond, VA. “Fr. Hovsep welcomed us with open arms and
there are not enough good things one can say about him, his church and their
parish.”
The cost to participants was kept low to allow all interested Armenians to
join. This is just one of the many ways the Diocese is making our unique
Armenian Christian heritage relevant to the lives of college students.
“We’re trying to connect to the students, through e-mail, campus visits, and
building support structures at local parishes,” said Jason Demerjian,
college ministry facilitator. “The Armenian Church has much to offer even to
today’s young students. It’s great to see so many getting involved in their
church community.”
For more information on the trips, including photos, visit the Diocese’s
college ministry website at
— 5/17/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Participants in the Diocesan College Ministry’s
“Alternative Spring Break” trip to Richmond, VA, work on a construction
project for Habitat for Humanity.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Arineh Nazarian gets a hug from homeowner Laurie Leker
during the Diocese’s “Alternative Spring Break” trip in Jacksonville, FL.

Armenia-Diaspora Rural Poverty Eradication Program
Interview with Vartan Oskanian, Minister of Foreign Affairs
May 17, 2006
Armenia TV
Armenia TV: Minister Oskanian, you were in the United States recently, where
you talked about a new Armenia-Diaspora program. What is this program?
Vartan Oskanian: It’s a very broad effort to eradicate rural poverty in
Armenia. The strategic objective of this program is reducing poverty in
rural Armenia’s border villages through an integrated approach. The program
will provide the necessary intervention in the form of infrastructure and
technical support, and in partnership with the residents of the village, the
program will support economic development in order to enable the
sustainability and viability of rural communities. We’re proud that Armenia
has evolved so much over this decade and a half that we are now in a
position to imagine and launch such a far-reaching program.
Armenia TV: Everyone who has visited Armenia comments on the discrepancy in
lifestyle and standard of living between the cities and the rural areas.
Armenia’s economic growth indicators are impressive, but that growth really
has not reached the villages, has it?
Vartan Oskanian: You’re right. Even at this current fast pace, it will take
decades before we reach even the average European level of prosperity. If we
want to ensure that these rural communities are not destined to remain
stagnant, permanent pockets of poverty, if we want to ensure that Armenians
are not born into a cycle of poverty, then we cannot allow development to
simply take its course. We must take practical steps to intervene, to take a
short-cut towards an improved quality of life for our rural citizens.
Armenia TV: What is the scope of this program? There are nearly 1000
villages in Armenia. How will you decide where to begin?
Vartan Oskanian: Of those 1000 villages you just mentioned, 200 are within 3
miles of our borders. The effects of rural poverty and hopelessness on
migration, regional stability, geo-strategic and economic security are
obvious in these villages. That is why we have decided to begin with Armenia’s
border areas.
And, actually, in many of these villages, international organizations,
individual Armenians and the Armenian government are already engaged.
However, the extent of the damage wrought by the economic collapse and the
energy crisis was profound. As a result, it’s going to take a focused,
targeted collaborative effort to improve life for our compatriots in these
critical border areas.
In each of these villages, necessary infrastructure is simply non-existent.
Some have no paved roads, others have no running water, some have no gas or
electricity. Imagine trying to raise a family or make a living without these
basics. Then, in addition to weak infrastructure, they also are often not
economically self-sufficient. They either lack the markets for their
products, or lack the means to get the product to market. In some cases,
they have no viable product even. This is a problem throughout Armenia, but
I don’t think anyone will doubt that the border is critical.
Armenia TV: Why launch such an ambitious and novel program now?
Vartan Oskanian: Why now? There are three main reasons.
First, we want to build on the international momentum that already exists.
Over the next five years, the Millennium Challenge Corporation will build
roads and bring irrigation water to Armenia’s rural areas. In addition,
there is the generous new Lincy program that will build roads and schools
within and outside Yerevan. There are massive World Bank, USAID, DFID and
IFAD programs throughout Armenia. The Armenia Fund, too, has programs
throughout Armenia, as well as Karabakh, of course. We want to leverage
these programs and locate additional funds in order to bring comprehensive
development to the villages. Imagine that a village will, in a few years,
have irrigation water and roads, thanks to the MCC, for example. But imagine
that there will be no drinking water, no health care, no school, no gas or
electricity in that village. Imagine children growing up in a 21st century
rural community that has roads and water and electricity, but is without
access to telephone, television or internet. We can’t let that happen. Now
imagine what we could do together if the Armenian government, Armenia’s
business community, international organizations, and the Armenian Diaspora
came together to leverage the MCC contributions and to build on the MCC
momentum. Imagine a country where development is comprehensive, even, fair
and just.
The second reason to do it now is to sustain the pace of economic
development. Look, we’ve had high growth, at least in part because our point
of departure was low. Our economy had collapsed. But the more the economy
grows, the harder it will be to maintain double-digit growth. Additional
infusion and intervention is necessary and why not target that infusion
towards the areas that need it most?
Finally, Armenia has, over these 15 years, held a leading role in this
region. This may sound surprising, but it’s true. Georgia has a more
favorable geographic position and access to the sea, Azerbaijan has already
been pumping massive amounts of oil – more than 300,000 barrels a day over
the last several years, yet, according to the World Bank, per capita income
is still higher in Armenia. This is something to be proud of, but it’s also
something we must work at. We have to keep that edge even with the prospects
of additional oil revenues expected for Azerbaijan. We can do that only if
we aggressively mobilize our resources and clearly set comprehensive
economic development as our goal.
Armenia TV: In other words, you are reinforcing the adage that the Diaspora
has to make up for Azerbaijan’s oil.
Vartan Oskanian: I am saying that Armenia and Diaspora should decide that we
want every Armenian to be able to live in dignity, to be able to have hope,
to be able to believe in the future, to know that his children will be
educated, that her family can reach a doctor. That is development, that is
the path to a democratic society. Hopeless people don’t believe in
themselves or their leaders, they don’t protect or defend their votes, they
don’t care who wins or who pays them to win. We want a population that has
hope in the future, that believes in themselves, and that has the will to
take on responsibility and hold their leaders accountable.
Armenia TV: What will happen to the various organizations already working
towards rural development?
Vartan Oskanian: This program will make every effort to partner with all
existing organizations and programs in order to achieve maximum
effectiveness and efficiency. We have already spoken to every single
organization, individual and agency (more than 100 in number) with programs
in Armenia’s villages. Our program is not intended to replace or compete
with existing programs. On the contrary, we will work with them to build on
their efforts, to increase their capacity. Our website will reflect their
efforts as well, so that donors and participants receive a complete picture
of what is being done, and what is still needed.
Armenia TV: How will you seek support for this program?
Vartan Oskanian: This very serious and far-reaching program can only succeed
with the active engagement and involvement of a variety of actors and
participants. Individual countries have already expressed a willingness to
focus their development assistance on our rural areas. International
organizations are already focused on rural development. As are individual
Diasporans and Diaspora organizations. Now, we must also engage and involve
Armenia’s businessmen, and new elements of the Diaspora. Those who have
previously looked for specific projects and not found them will find them
now. This project is varied and broad enough that individuals can find a
variety of ways of getting involved. It will be implemented over 5 years,
and this should make it easier to fundraise.
Armenia TV: On the one hand, it’s good that the Diaspora is being offered a
concrete program. On the other hand, some in the Diaspora are not prepared
to engage full-heartedly or to make long-term commitments.
Vartan Oskanian: We know and understand that there are many aspects of this,
or any new program, which will have to be explained in detail in order for
individuals and organizations in the Diaspora to feel comfortable about
engaging and giving. That is why this topic will form the focus of the
agenda of the 3d Armenia-Diaspora Conference, to be held in Yerevan,
September 18 – 20. There, we will explain the program’s purpose, how it will
be implemented, how the funds will be raised and managed, and the key issues
of transparency and accountability will be addressed. We think that it is
possible to use this program as a model for how to handle fundraising and
program implementation, and to do it in a way that inspires confidence and
ensures maximum participation.
Armenia TV: Will the management of the program remain within the MFA and the
Diaspora Conference?
Vartan Oskanian: Between now and the Armenia-Diaspora Conference, we will
have completed the design of the program, the management structure and begun
the process of assessing needs and finding sponsors for villages. After the
Armenia-Diaspora Conference, we envision that the Armenia Fund is best
situated to take over as the umbrella which will appoint a governance board,
a fiscal agent, as well as the management team. This ambitious program is a
natural expansion of the Armenia Fund’s mission – to facilitate
infrastructure and development programs that are beyond the government’s
capacity.
It was a visionary step to create the Armenia Fund, soon after independence,
when its additional resources were sorely needed. It has since completed
projects which have invaluable, strategic significance for Armenia and
Armenians. Now, we are at a stage when we can and should broaden that
vision. Fifteen years after independence, we are no longer desperate and
focused on everyday survival. Today, we must project a vision for Armenia in
2020. Our task is to develop the Armenia Fund into the kind of structure
that will make possible the creation of a prosperous, evenly developed
Armenia for our children. This program is the catalyst for that kind of
transformation. If Armenians needed to strengthen Karabakh to ensure
Karabakh’s survival and prosperity, there can be no doubt that only a strong
Armenia can ensure Karabakh’s long-term future. This rural development
program, which will work to improve the life of all Armenians in Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh will go a long way toward ensuring the irreversibility of
those links.
Of course, the breadth and scope of the program will require the Fund to
increase capacity, to provide even greater transparency and to involve wider
segments of the Diaspora.
Armenia TV: Tell us more about the Armenia-Diaspora Conference. What else
will be on the agenda?
Vartan Oskanian: This conference will be held in the midst of the
celebrations of Armenia’s 15th anniversary. We’ve come a long way over this
decade and a half. We’ve survived against great, great odds. Over the next
15 years, we must work to transform Armenia into the land of your dreams.
That can happen if Armenia’s expectations of the Diaspora and the Diaspora’s
expectations of Armenia are more evenly matched. This conference will also
focus on those issues. In other words, with independence comes the need to
succeed economically. The rural development plan addresses that concern and
makes it possible for the Diaspora to participate in that direction. At the
same time, with independence come questions about identify, about
homeland-diaspora relations, about language and religion, about political
parties and diaspora institutions. And if our traditional organizations used
to look at these questions one way, today’s youth approaches these issues
very differently. They are looking for new answers to old questions. That is
why the second half of the conference will focus on exactly that – New
Answers to Old Questions – A Nation-State in the 21st Century.
This way, we will have addressed the two fundamental issues facing a people
and a country – identity and development — who we are and who we want to
become.
Armenia TV: Minister Oskanian, Thanks for taking the time to talk with us.

PRESS RELEASE
May 17, 2006
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected] ;Web:
Armenian Publishers Exhibit at the Book Expo 2006 in Washington, DC
`Book Expo 2006,’ to be held in at the Washington Convention Center on May
19 – 21, 2006, will feature Armenian literature and publications presented
by the National Publishers Association of Armenia and Edit Print Publishing
House. Publications by more than 50 publishing houses and companies in
Armenia cover a variety of topics, including general fiction and poetry,
Armenian history, the Armenian Genocide, and children’s literature.
The Armenia section will also present tourism, culture, and architectural
reference guides, encyclopedias, including `Encyclopedia of 1700 Years of
Christianity in Armenia.’ Most literature selection is bilingual, in English
and Armenian, and also includes works by classical Armenian authors in
Western Armenian.
When: The Book Expo is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 19
and Saturday, May 20, and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 21.
Registration and Tickets: Please consult the official website,
, or contact the organizers at 1-800-363-3631 for
ticketing and registration information.
Where: Booth 513, Lower Level, Book Expo at the Washington Convention
Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, Washington, DC 20001. The Convention
Center is located between 7th and 9th Streets NW and N Street and Mount
Vernon Place NW. For directions, please visit
p