SPEAKER ARTHUR BAGHDASARYAN ANNOUNCED ABOUT HIS RESIGNATION
Lragir.am
12 May 06
On May 12 at the National Assembly Speaker Arthur Baghdasaryan announced
about his resignation and the secession from the coalition of the political
party he leads. Arthur Baghdasaryan says his decision and the decision of the
political party are determined by three major disagreements with their
colleagues in the coalition and President Kocharyan. These refer to the economy, home
and foreign policies. `Yes, we are against a criminalized economy.Yes, we
think that a freely developing economy and society can do more for a country
than the government policies altogether. Therefore, we state that economic
legislation cannot be criminalized. Decentralization of power and businessis
required. Our consistent integration with European Organizations should beour
priority in politics. And we must foster democratic reforms,’ stated Arthur
Baghdasaryan. He mentions that the same atmosphere made the members of
parliament, who own businesses, to come out of the political party. =80=9CI do not blame
these businessmen, I blame the society of fear. For presently businessmen are
in fear. If they have heard whispers that there is disagreement between
Arthur Baghdasaryan and Robert Kocharyan, it is already an argument that should
make them realize where they are going to appear. Even though debates were
underway on those days,’ says Arthur Baghdasaryan.
Arthur Baghdasaryan also mentions about controversies on foreign policies.`
For us, European integrity does not have an alternative. We emphasize the
consistent fulfillment of commitments our country assumed and a consistent
development of Euro-Atlantic partnership. On this path we emphasize the consistent
development of friendly relations with Russia, and we are not supposed to
oppose Russian and Western values. I find that tomorrow Armenia will be inthe
European Union as a friend of Russia,’ says the speaker of the National
Assembly.
He says democracy and freedom can foster development of a country and a
nation more than various government policies. `We need an alternative, full of
changes, we do not need an atmosphere of fear, which suffocates dissent. We
must choose this path. This is our vision, our vision of a political
organization, and we will be guided by it,’ says Arthur Baghdasaryan. He says it is
natural that he first informed the president and the coalition colleagues about
his resignation, with whom he worked for several years and even had success.
The speaker of the National Assembly says it is wrong information that the
real cause of his resignation and disagreement with the president was the
Karabakh issue. `I think the talks for the settlement of the Karabakh issue are
highly constructive. Our country has a highly constructive standpoint on this
question,’ says Arthur Baghdasaryan.
`Our political decision that was made was to be made, because we were
constantly involved in scandals. Now we have decided to follow our own path. The
coalition will probably continue to operate, the Republican Party and
Dashnaktsutiun will, I think, go on to involve new players in the coalition. But
future developments will show,’ says Arthur Baghdasaryan. He did not give details
on the future, not even on likelihood to stand for president, which will be
decided in the future, says Arthur Baghdasaryan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Hrant Khachatryan: The opposition is not a gathering of the defeated

ArmRadio.am
12.05.2006 16:52
`The opposition is not a gathering of the defeated and the persecuted,
who need to regain strength and try to seize power in this or that
way. Besides, Arthur Baghdasaryan should be accepted or rejected by
the people,’ President of the Constitutional Right Union Hrant
Khachatryan said in response to the question whether Arthur
Baghdasaryan will have a place in the opposition after he resigns.
Although it is common to say that preelection processes start the very
day after the elections, the internal political developments in
Armenia, according to Hrant Khachatryan, already take a preelection
nature. With this the history of coalitions can hardly be considered
over, but it is for sure that the history of this coalition is ended,
Mr. Khachatryan is confident.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Sitting of the Political Coalition Council, featuring President Kocharyan

ArmRadio.am
12.05.2006 15:44
Today the political coalition council held a sitting, featuring RA
President Robert Kocharyan. Head of the `Orinats Yerkir’ Party Arthur
Baghdasaryan informed about the decision to leave the coalition.
Participants of the meeting thanked for the joint work within the
coalition.
Representatives of the Republican Party of Armenia and the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation expressed readiness to work in the framework
of the political memorandum signed and to accomplish the political
aims of the coalition through cooperation of all forces represented in
the National Assembly.

Viktor Soghomonyan: NA Chairman’s resignation will not result in a
political crisis

ArmRadio.am
12.05.2006 17:34
`RA President Robert Kocharyan responds calmly to the fact of
secession of the `Orinats Yerkir’ Party from the coalition, as well as
the resignation of the Chairman of the National Assembly,’ President’s
Press Secretary Viktor Soghomonyan declared.
Commenting on the latest events around `Orinats Yerkir,’ Viktor
Soghomonyan said, `Change of the composition of the coalition is
common for any civilized country. In this case nothing extraordinary
occurred, moreover if we consider that there certain disagreement
existed within the coalition and these would naturally sharpen even
more in the preelection period, which we observed during the last
month. At the same time we are confident that the occurred will not
lead to a political crisis. The `divorce’ took place in a civilized
atmosphere. The Republican Party and the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation continue to work in the framework of the political
memorandum. After the changes resulting from the situation both the
Government and the National Assembly will continue to work normally,’
President’s Press Secretary said.

Turkish press 12 May 06

Quotes package from BBC Monitoring
12 May 06
X-Sender: Asbed Bedrossian
X-Listprocessor-Version: 8.1 — ListProcessor(tm) by CREN
France and the Armenian issue
Posta (tabloid) “The Armenian Diaspora’s activities regarding the
[alleged] genocide will continue for many more years. For many more
years, (especially as long as Turkey goes on with its current
sleepwalking attitude), there will be big arguments and political
rivalries. If we do not make good calculations from today on and do
not keep our reactions within realistic limits, in the future there
may not be any card left for us to play.”
(Commentary by Mehmet Ali Birand)
Hurriyet (centre-right) “France is not the old strong country of
Europe any more… This trauma is taking democracy, secularism,
freedom of thought and expression champion France away from reason and
logic to such an extent that it is coming into a dramatic
contradiction.” (Commentary by Tufan Turenc)
“In this atmosphere [in France] in which a battle is going on to win
votes, is there any need to point out how vitally important the votes
of over 300,000 French Armenians are? Relations with Turkey? Nobody is
currently minded to think about that. Internal political competitions
may sometimes get in the way of the long term interests of a country.
France is going through such a period.” (Commentary by Ferai Tinc)
Milliyet (centrist) “If Turkey has any importance in the eyes of Paris
as a friend and partner, it has to know that its current attitude will
backfire.” (Commentary by Sami Kohen)
Iran/USA
Yeni Safak (liberal, pro-Islamic) “The world is on the brink of a
dangerous division into camps. The Iran crisis is only one dimension
of this crisis. Very soon we will face new shockwaves. Latin America,
Africa and Asia too are being shaken by anti-American developments.
The USA may come face to face with a crushing geopolitical defeat.”
(Commentary by Ibrahim Karagul)
Kurds/USA
Radikal (centre-left) “Turkey has amassed a [military] force at the
border that will be sufficient for a broad operation. It is
waiting. The USA, Iraq and the [northern Iraqi] Kurds are against
Turkey doing its own business… Not only [the northern Iraqi Kurds],
the USA too is openly using the PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party] for its
own ends. The US embassy in Ankara denies reports that they are in
contact with the PKK. But if the newspaper archives are checked it
can be seen that these contacts go back years.”
(Commentary by M. Ali Kislali)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenia Fund USA, Inc.
152 Madison Ave, S-803
New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
T/1-212-689-5307
F/1-212-689-5317
e-mail/ [email protected]

Armenia Fund USA Restores Neurosurgical Division of Astvatsatsin
Hospital in Yerevan
~Building on the successful maintenance of somatic division of the same
hospital~
NEW YORK, New York – Armenia Fund USA (Fund), East Coast Affiliate of
Hayastan Himnadram All-Armenian Fund, is pleased to announce that much
needed renovation works to restore the neurosurgical division of the
Astvatsatsin Hospital, Yerevan, Armenia, have started in April, 2006. The
project is a continuation of the previous restoration works done for the
somatic division (a division for children with issues such as malnutrition,
lack of normal growth and other developmental physical conditions) of the
same hospital. Having started last year, the project was brought to its
successful completion through the generous contribution of Mr. Agop
Giritliyan – an Armenian philanthropist from Istanbul where he is well-known
for his assistance to more than 5,000 promising Armenian students.
Agop Giritliyan’s generosity has restored not only two of the most critical
wings of the hospital, but, most importantly, the hope of the children and
staff of Astvatsatsin Hospital for a better quality of healthcare service.
The hospital which provides care for children from ages two to eighteen is
also considered to be the primary emergency care provider in the region.
Built in 1982 and not having undergone any kind of renovation since Soviet
times, the hospital represented an example of a construction in deplorable
conditions suggesting an image of a place to die rather then heal. With Mr.
Giritliyan’s generous support, Armenia Fund USA’s undertaking of the
restoration of this critically important healthcare center was a step to
meet immediate healthcare needs of many children in Armenia.
The renovation of the somatic division last year was implemented in parallel
with a World Bank initiative to moderately renovate the first two floors of
the hospital. This year, building on the success and well-maintenance of the
infrastructure, Mr. Giritliyan is undertaking the renovation of the
neurosurgical division of the children’s hospital. The project is scheduled
to be completed by August 25 of 2006. The state-of-the-art renovation of the
division is a bold initiative to take the provision of adequate healthcare
service to a different level for children who are in desperate need.
The right of every child and adult to proper healthcare, established by
multiple international protocols and conventions, still remains an
unaccomplished task for thousands of children in Armenia and Karabakh. The
Fund’s initiative of renovating the children’s hospital in Yerevan is a
working example of how Armenia Fund USA collaborates with its donors who
have specific philanthropic goals in mind and choose a direction in their
efforts to make a difference. The Fund’s other projects in the area of
public health and medical care include the Armine Pagoumian Polyclinic and
Diagnostic Center in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenia Fund USA has distinguished itself by implementing projects ranging
from grassroots development to specific problem-solving initiatives. With
the support of its donors and constituents, the Fund will continue in its
mission of improving lives by building foundations that will sustain the
economic growth and stability of the country and its people.
ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was one of the
first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 18 international affiliates and serves
constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit,
non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all
Armenian constituents.

Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 18 international
affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and
Karabakh, and having helped build 138 miles of roads, 100 miles of
waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential
buildings and 15 healthcare institutions.
Armenia Fund USA’s Mission is the development of strategic socio-economic
infrastructure in Armenia and Karabakh, focusing on major projects such as
major highways, schools, drinking water to communities and humanitarian
programs in education, training and medical facilities. The Fund has adopted
a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for
projects it sponsors.

Armenia Fund, Inc.
111 North Jackson St. Ste. 205
Glendale, CA 91206
Tel: 818-243-6222
Fax: 818-243-7222
Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
May 12, 2006
Armenia Fund International Board of Trustees Convenes
15th Annual Meeting Highlights Fund’s Unprecedented Growth
Yerevan, Armenia – Armenia Fund’s Board of Trustees’ meeting convened on
Friday, May 5, 2006 in Yerevan. The meeting brings the leadership of all
19 international affiliates of the Fund to assess the progress of the
organization, discuss its financial health and audit reports, as well as
set new goals and priorities for the organization. The governing body,
which is chaired by His Excellency President Robert Kocharian, also
decides the 2006 beneficiary project. The Board is composed of all major
Armenian organization in the Diaspora – essentially forming the only
Pan-Armenian entity tasked with the mission of rebuilding the homeland.
The U.S. Western Region was represented by Chairperson Maria Mehranian
and Executive Director Sarkis Kotanjian.
Prior to the opening of the session, Board members lead a moment of
silence for the victims of Armavia Flight 967. His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of All-Armenians lead the prayer.
On the verge of completion, the Board examined the progress of the
critically important North-South Highway in the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic. The large-scale infrastructure project remains on schedule for
full completion in early 2007. The project is financially secured thanks
to the 2004 Telethon, which raised a record breaking $11.5 million.
Grant Thornton Amyot, the French-American accounting firm, presented the
Fiscal Year 2005 Financial and Construction audit of the organization.
The process is a two-stage procedure where the firm audits all the
financial statements of the Fund and issues its report. Secondly, the
firm audits the construction procedures and accounting methods of all
projects. Lead auditors from the firm presented the report during the
meeting. `In our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair
view of the financial position of “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund as of
December 31, 2005, and of the funds received and expenses incurred and
its cash flows for the year ended in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards’, stated Armand Pinarbasi, Managing
Partner of the firm. Per recommendations, the Fund continues to maintain
its internal audit control mechanisms. On a quarterly basis, the Fund’s
financial department prepares financial statement in accordance with
Grant Thornton Amyot’s rigorous recommendations.
During the meeting, Executive Director of the Fund, Mrs. Naira
Melkoumian presented a comprehensive report of the organization. Mrs.
Melkoumian highlighted two major points – the growth of participation
amongst the general Armenian Diaspora at large, notably from the United
States and an increase in the overall number of projects implemented in
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. On an international level, the Fund
registered a 20% growth in income.
The Fund continues to implement projects in all regions of Armenia and
specifically Nagorno-Karabakh. Mrs. Melkoumian also reported on the
progress of the Martakert Regional Development Plan. Currently, the
regional hospital’s new design stage is on the verge of completion. The
effort is being spearheaded by the U.S. Western Region of the Fund.
Construction of a water pipeline network will commence by the end of
June. In addition, the agriculture development plan is nearing its
implementation stage with the introduction of technology packages to
local farmers in the region. President Kocharian remarked that Armenia
Fund is a well-established organization that has implemented countless
projects `of vital importance to the development of Armenia’. Indeed,
the organization, over the past decade has implemented more than $140
million of infrastructure development projects.
`40% growth for any given organization, whether non-profit or corporate,
is indeed a milestone. Armenia Fund, Inc., in the United States, has
been the driving force behind this growth, notably in the number of
donors. The organization’s transparency, track record, and history of
accomplishments continue as a testament to the organization’s viability
and growth’, stated U.S. Western Region Chairperson Maria Mehranian.
Armenia Fund in the U.S. Western Region had registered a 40% growth in
total pledges received, marking an all time high in terms of public
grassroots participation. `I would like to add, that Armenia Fund, Inc.
will continue its public outreach campaigns on a larger scale and this
will certainly reflect in the months prior to the Telethon,’ furthered
Mehranian. Indeed, the international Telethon has been a very viable
fundraising method for Armenia Fund. At the approval of the Board, the
Fund will pursue a wider public outreach program not only in the United
States, but internationally with a focus on Europe and the Middle East.
The meeting discussed the quality of construction and the necessary
steps and processes that need to be adopted to ensure its high standards
for all Armenia Fund projects. A decision was made to take all necessary
measures and set up a process to enhance the quality control standards.
The first step has already been taken — a large scale monitoring
program has been implemented in the first months of 2006.
`Construction is a complicated process that requires specific guidelines
and distinct procedures. Effective Program Management, Construction
Management and Quality Control are integral parts of a construction
process everywhere in the world. We have to bear in mind that Western
standards and construction codes are still not well established in
Armenia and we need to provide them with all the resources we have. The
Fund has done an exceptional job in meeting these challenges and what we
need to give them is assistance instead of criticism,’ stated Maria
Mehranian, `I know this first hand from urban planning and
infrastructure development experience that I personally have in the
United States,’ furthered Mehranian.
The Board meeting also appointed U.S. based attorney Mark Geragos to the
International Board of Trustees of Armenia Fund. Geragos and his aides
were at the meeting. `I am extremely impressed by the quality of the
Board, the affiliates and overall track record of Armenia Fund. This is
a premier organization that will continue its vital programs in
infrastructure development in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. I am proud
to be on board with this organization’, stated Geragos at the press
conference following the meeting. Geragos will replace retiring Board
member Mihran Aghbabian, who was one of the driving forces of the Fund
since its early years.
Prior to the Board of Trustees Meeting, Armenia Fund and its affiliates
met at the American University of Armenia Business Center to discuss
wider inter-affiliate cooperation on all fronts. `The meeting was indeed
productive, bringing forth opinions and ideas from all corners of the
world. It is very interesting to hear the concerns of our compatriots
living outside of the United States.’, stated Sarkis Kotanjian,
Executive Director of Armenia Fund – U.S. Western Region.
Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation
established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and
infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Armenia Fund, Inc. is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of `Hayastan’
All-Armenian Fund. Tax ID# 95-4485698

MINISTER FOR SCIENCE AND EDUCATION IS RESIGNING
Yerevan, May 12. ArmInfo. Education and Science Minister of Armenia,
Orinats Yerkir party member Sergo Eritsian is resigning is office,
reports the Ministry.
Previously it was announced that Orinats Yerkir made a decision about
resignation of party leader Arthur Bagdasarian from the office of the
Speaker of the National Assembly and withdrawal of party member
Ministers from the Government. Minister for Culture and Youth Affairs
Gevorg Gevorgian stated his intention to remain in the office as he is
not a member of Orinats Yerkir, although his candidature as proposed
by that party. Thus, only Sergo Eritsian remained true to the party
and followed the example of Arthur Bagdasarian.

ARTUR BAGHDASARIAN:ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR RULES IN ARMENIA
Yerevan, May 12. ArmInfo. The large scale withdrawal of the
deputy-entrepreneurs from “Orinats Yerkir” party is conditioned by the
atmosphere of fear that rules in Armenia. Artur Baghdasarian, leader
of “OY” party, speaker of RA National Assembly, stated this at today’s
press conference.
“I do not blame the deputies who left our party, as their decision was
conditioned by fear. The atmosphere in the republic frightened these
people so much that they hurried to leave our party, as soon as they
heard of the contradictions between me and RA President,” he said.

ARTHUR BAGDASARIAN WELCOMES THE CANDIDATURE OF TIGRAN TOROSIAN TO THE
OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER
Yerevan, May 12. ArmInfo. On a press conference at the National
Assembly Arthur Bagdasarian said that he welcomes the candidature of
Vice Speaker Tigran Torosian for the office of the Speaker of the
Armenian Parliament.
The opinion of Tigran Torosian himself is not known yet, as the Vice
Speaker is now on an international conference in Bruxelles. The second
possible candidate is Dashnaktsutiun party member Vice Speaker Vahan
Hovhannissian, who refused to make comments on the situation. Another
possible candidate Karen Karapetian, ‘People’s Deputy’ group member
declined the proposition to take the office.