PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (E.)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

October 12, 2004
___________________

DIOCESAN COMMITTEE WORKING ON 10TH ANNIVERSARY MEMORIAL COMMEMORATION
FOR HIS HOLINESS VASKEN I

Memorial Event Scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 5, at NYC’s St. Vartan
Cathedral Complex

A select committee representing a broad spectrum of the Armenian
American community has been organizing a special program in memory of
His Holiness Vasken I, of blessed memory, the late Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians.

The year 2004 represents the 10th anniversary of Catholicos Vasken’s
passing, and the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) is
observing the milestone with a requiem service and program, on Sunday,
December 5, at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, 630 Second Avenue, in New
York City.

The memorial committee, formed under the auspices of the Diocesan
Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, is co-chaired by Mr.
Bedros Givelekian and Mr. Edward Jamie.

Other members of the experienced and versatile group include: Fr.
Mardiros Chevian, Fr. Vasken Karayan, Edward Barsamian, Dr. Arthur
Kubikian, Nubar Kupelian, Gregory Manuelian, Sarkis Matosian, Sam
Mikaelian, Dr. Louiza Puskulian, and Kegham Tcholakian.

The committee, which has been active since June, has planned a dignified
and captivating program.

“The day’s events will begin with the Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m.,
celebrated by Archbishop Barsamian, followed by a memorial luncheon and
program at 1:00 p.m.” said co-chairman Bedros Givelekian. “We’re very
pleased to have Ambassador Harry Gilmore, the former U.S. Ambassador to
the Republic of Armenia, as the keynote speaker during the memorial
program,” Mr. Givelikian added.

“A beautiful and informative commemorative booklet will be printed, and
memorial khatchkars crafted in Armenia will be distributed to the
attendees” said Mr. Jamie, also a co-chairman of the December 5 event.

Loved and respected by all during his long pontificate, His Holiness
Vasken I served the worldwide Armenian community as the Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians from 1955 to 1994.

Prior to that, Vehapar served as primate of Romania–and many of his
students, parishioners, and friends from those days now live in the
United States. The 10th anniversary memorial committee has made a
special effort to contact members of New York’s Romanian Armenian
community, to share memories of Vehapar with the attendees during the
program.

The memorial luncheon is free and open to the public, but with limited
seating. To reserve a place for the luncheon, please call the Diocesan
Center, at (212) 686-0710.

–10/12/04

PHOTO CAPTION: Members of the H.H. Vasken I Memorial Committee, who are
organizing a special commemoration for Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, at New
York’s St. Vartan Cathedral complex, marking the 10th anniversary of His
Holiness’ passing.

# # #

ARKA News Agency
Oct 11 2004

The conference of the council of trustees of the Pan-Armenian
International Youth center Foundation held in Yerevan

Field sitting of Armenian Communities’ Union board takes place in
Sevan (Armenia)

Fulfillment of Armenian commitments to CE to assist development of
the country – Norway Foreign Minister

ITERA oil and gas company holds negotiations on selling 10% of the
shares of ArmRusgasprom CJSC for $ 30 mln

Approach of coalition of Armenia may not be strongly different of
president’s approach – Robert Kocharian

*********************************************************************

THE CONFERENCE OF THE COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES OF THE PAN-ARMENIAN
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CENTER FOUNDATION HELD IN YEREVAN

YEREVAN, October 11. /ARKA/. The conference of the council of
trustees of the Pan-Armenian International Youth Center Foundation
was held in Yerevan. According to the RA Government’s Press Service
and Public Relations Department, in the course of the conference, in
which RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan took part, the Executive
Director of the Fund A. Sinanyan introduced the report on the second
youth forum held in Armenia on July 24-29, 2004. The results of the
conference were introduced, including reports and protocols of the
plenary session and the sessions of thematic and working groups, as
well as information concerning informal discussions, the program of
the forum and the way it was covered by the Mass Media. Sinanyan
noted that as compared to the first forum, the second one had a wider
geography of the participants, and the scope of the issues discussed.
Sinanyan summed up the suggestions made during the forum, sating that
they will be taken into consideration when holding a similar forum
next year, and this will allow increasing the efficiency of it.
In his turn, Margaryan noted that it’s necessary to inform the
participants of the forum of its results, and noted the importance of
using the potential of the youth of the Armenian Diaspora to achieve
the goals of the forum. Margaryan suggested involving young
representatives of the Diaspora, who don’t speak Armenian, when
developing the further programs. A.H.– 0–

*********************************************************************

FIELD SITTING OF ARMENIAN COMMUNITIES’ UNION BOARD TAKES PLACE IN
SEVAN (ARMENIA)

YEREVAN, October 11. /ARKA/. Field sitting of Armenian Communities’
Union board takes place in Sevan (Armenia). The heads of communities
of all Armenian regions, the Chairman of Civil Service Council took
part in the sitting. The parties discussed the draft laws on
municipal service and legal changes in the field of regulation of
administrative control of the State over activity of local
self-government bodies. L.D. –0–

*********************************************************************

FULFILLMENT OF ARMENIAN COMMITMENTS TO CE TO ASSIST DEVELOPMENT OF
THE COUNTRY – NORWAY FOREIGN MINISTER

YEREVAN, October 11. /ARKA/. Fulfillment of Armenian commitments to
CE will assist development of the country, Norway Foreign Minister,
the Chairman of CE Ministers Committee Jan Petersen stated today in
Yerevan. According to him, fulfillment of the commitments is very
important for Armenia and in this view CE experts are ready to
provide the country consultation assistance on their realization.
Note the issue of fulfillment of Armenian commitments to CE was
discussed at the meeting of RA and Norway foreign ministers. L.D.
–0–

*********************************************************************

ITERA OIL AND GAS COMPANY HOLDS NEGOTIATIONS ON SELLING 10% OF THE
SHARES OF ARMRUSGASPROM CJSC FOR $ 30 MLN

YEREVAN, October 11. /ARKA/. ITERA oil and gas company holds
negotiations on selling 10% of the shares of ArmRusgasprom CJSC to
one of the West European investment corporations. According to
Regions.Ru referring to ArmRusgasprom, the cost of the deal can make
about $30 mln. At that, the sources didn’t mention the possible buyer
of the shares. According to some analysts of the gas market, the
decision on selling the shares of ArmRusgasprom is connected with the
company’s not becoming the participant of the consortium for the
construction of Iran-Armenia gas pipeline in Meghri-Kajaran part. The
construction will begin in the end of 2004.
In the meantime, as a reply to the corresponding inquiry of ARKA, the
Press Service of ArmRusgasprom refused to comment this information
“proceeding from the ethical considerations”. According to Shoushan
Sardaryan, this issue refers only to ITERA’s administration and RA
Government, as the shareholders of ArmRusgasprom.
On September 8, the agreement on the construction of the Armenian
part of Armenia-Iran gas pipeline in Meghri-Kajaran was signed in
Yerevan. The construction and funding of the Armenian part of the gas
pipeline will do the Iranian company.
Armenia-Russian ArmRusgasprom CJSC is the only supplier of the
natural gas to Armenia. The company was founded in 1997 to sell the
natural gas to local consumers and to transport Russian gas through
the territory of Armenia to other countries. The co-founders of the
company are Russian Gasprom OJSC (45%), ITERA International Group of
Companies (10%), and the RA Ministry of Energy (45%). The authorized
stock capital of ArmRusgasprom CJSC makes $270 mln. ArmRusgasprom
CJSC imported 1,2 bln cubic meters of gas into Armenia in 2003
instead of the planned 1,6 bln. The number of subscribers of
ArmRusgasprom increased by 54 thsd. and made 186 thsd in 2003.A.H.
–0–

*********************************************************************

APPROACH OF COALITION OF ARMENIA MAY NOT BE STRONGLY DIFFERENT OF
PRESIDENT’S APPROACH – ROBERT KOCHARIAN

YEREVAN, October 11. /ARKA/. Approach of coalition of Armenia may not
be strongly different of that of President, as Armenian President
Robert Kocharian said during his visit to Tavush marz of Armenia. In
his words, it is hard to imagine that President and PM can give
strictly different promises. He stressed that President’s and
Government’s opinions are similar for the large programs. However
there can be other small programs in regard of arrangement of which
there may be different in approaches. “All that the President
promises today is being performed by the Government that is the main
instrument. The Government consists of coalition forces: some work
well, some worse, but the works may not have absolute results”,
Kocharian said. In this contexts he stressed the importance of
implementation of all pre-election problems, the productivity must
correspond the results of the investments made. “It is important that
we can perform all tasks and this witnesses that we learnt to
calculate our forces and the income part of the budget allows
implementing large programs”, Kocharian said. T.M. -0–

*********************************************************************

OPPOSITION KEEPS ACCUSING

A1 plus
12-10-2004

The opposition MPs were very active at Tuesday’s parliamentary hour
of announcements. They spoke mostly on Karabakh problem. Shavarsh
Kocharyan said Karabakh had found itself out of negotiation process
thanks to the current authorities. In his words, Armenia is seeking
international recognition for Karabakh while it hasn’t recognized the
republic formally. He said only after power transfer Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic’s independence will be recognized.

MP Tatul Manaseryan brought his economic analysis to show the desperate
situation Armenia found itself.

Victor Dallakyan remembered the 2003 rigged elections and said the
republic’s all troubles caused by the illegitimate authorities that
must be ousted from power with all their supporters.

Vardan Lazarian announced about the rally the opposition will hold
on October 27 to mark anniversary of terrorist attack on Armenian
National Assembly.

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:

October 12, 2004
___________________

LEGATE BRINGS HABITAT LEADER TO ARMENIA

Bishop Vicken Aykazian, legate and ecumenical officer of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), recently led a leader in the
Habitat for Humanity organization on a special tour of the Republic of
Armenia.

>>From August 12 to 22, 2004, Bishop Aykazian toured important sites in
Armenia with Ken Bensen, president of Habitat for Humanity of Michigan,
and his wife, Sandy, who is also involved in the housing organization.

“The purpose was to go and see the activities of Habitat in Armenia and
to see how we can work more closely between Habitat and the Armenian
Church,” Bishop Aykazian said.

In the past two years, Habitat’s international arm has helped build 82
houses in Armenia. Along with touring some of those sites, Bishop
Aykazian also took the Bensens to areas where future projects would be
beneficial.

During the trip to Armenia, the Bensens had an audience with His
Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
They invited him to travel to Michigan this summer to work on a Habitat
project alongside former-President Carter.

“The Catholicos thinks it is a good organization,” Bishop Aykazian said.
“They have been doing a good job and he’s looking forward to Habitat
volunteers helping build even better homes in Armenia.”

Each year, volunteers from around the globe work through Habitat for
Humanity’s international organization to build homes in a number of
countries. Many parishes have organized trips to Armenia for
parishioners to volunteer through Habitat for Humanity.

“That’s our social responsibility, to help our people in Armenia who
need our help,” Bishop Aykazian said. “I encourage every parish to take
groups to Armenia. And non-Armenians should go as well. By working
alongside fellow Armenians, by getting involved, you can better
understand Armenian culture and the Armenian people.”

One of the most recent groups to go work on Habitat for Humanity
projects in Armenia was a group of 17 Armenians, made up of parishioners
from St. Leon Church in Fair Lawn, NJ, and the St. Mesrob Church in
Racine, WI, and their friends. They were in Armenia from July 17 to 30,
2004. You can read about their trip by going to their website:

— 10/12/04

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): From left, Ken and Sandy Bensen, president of
Habitat for Humanity in Michigan and his wife; His Holiness Karekin II,
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; Bishop Vicken
Aykazian, legate and ecumenical officer of the Eastern Diocese; and
Ashot Yeghiazaryan, executive director of Habitat Armenia.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Bishop Aykazian visits the type of home Habitat for
Humanity is working to replace in Armenia.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Bishop Aykazian meets with a group of volunteers
working in Armenia through Habitat for Humanity.

# # #

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ANCA ADVOCATES FOR ARMENIAN AMERICANS
IN ETHNIC ROUNDTABLE WITH AMB. HOLBROOKE

— Leading Advisor to Kerry-Edwards Campaign
Welcomes Dialogue with Ethnic Leadership

WASHINGTON, DC – ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian participated this past
week, along with fifty of America’s ethnic community leaders, in a
policy roundtable featuring Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, a senior
advisor to the Kerry-Edwards campaign and a leading candidate for
Secretary of State in the event of a Democratic victory this
November.

The private policy discussion was held on Thursday, October 7th in
Cleveland, Ohio. Topics ranged from a general review of ethnic
priorities to specific issues of concern to individual communities.
A consistent theme raised by each of the groups was that the Bush
Administration has failed to meaningfully engage America’s ethnic
leadership or to seek out their special insights during the
formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy.

Speaking to concerns raised by the ANCA delegation, Amb. Holbrooke
stressed that Senator Kerry’s “friendship for Armenia goes back a
long way. It’s well established. He understands the issues. He’s
taken a very strong stance on Nagorno-Karabakh, on aid, on
recognition of the Genocide, ending the blockades of Armenia.
There is a very clear cut difference between the two candidates.”

More broadly, the Ambassador noted that ethnic Americans “should
make a determination as to which candidate cares more about the
issues of Central Europe, including Macedonia, Armenia, and the
other issues that we discussed today. Without exception, the
Democrats are going to do more. All of you in this room know that
. . . It’s just not a close contest here.” He added that, “You
can’t represent the United States overseas if you don’t listen to
the people of the United States. . . John Kerry and anybody he
appoints to senior jobs ­ I don’t know who he will appoint – but he
will listen to you all.”

“We welcomed this opportunity to represent the concerns of the
Armenian American community in this roundtable meeting of the
leaders of our nation’s ethnic communities,” said ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian. “Speaking to this group, Ambassador Holbrooke – a
veteran foreign policy expert who has served at the highest levels
of the State Department – highlighted Senator Kerry’s strong
support for Armenian issues – including the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. We were, of course, gratified by these remarks,
as well as by his clearly articulated expectation that a Kerry-
Edwards Administration would pro-actively seek the unique input and
special insights of ethnic Americans on the often complex foreign
policy issues facing our nation.”

Richard Holbrooke served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
in the Clinton Administration. He was also an Assistant Secretary
of State and a special envoy to Bosnia and Kosovo. In this latter
capacity he helped negotiate the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995. He
was introduced at the roundtable by his wife, Kati Marton, who
serves as the Chairwoman of the International Women’s Health
Coalition.

In addition to the Armenian American delegation, which included
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian and two leaders of the Ohio
Armenian community, were leaders from organizations representing
Albanian Americans, Arab Americans, Byelorussian Americans,
Croatian Americans, Czech Americans, Greek Americans, Hungarian
Americans, Irish Americans, Italian Americans, Lithuanian
Americans, Muslim Americans, Polish Americans, Portuguese
Americans, Romanian Americans, Serbian Americans, Slovak Americans,
Slovene Americans, Ukrainian Americans, and Vietnamese Americans.

#####

Commentary: Kerry wins in world vote
By CLAUDE SALHANI

United Press International
October 12, 2004 Tuesday 9:21 AM Eastern Time

VICTORIA, British Columbia, Oct. 12 (UPI) — Given that the United
States is a world super power, and that actions and policies taken
by the American president can – and often do – affect the rest of
the world, imagine if the rest of the world had its say in who was
to be elected to the Oval Office.

Imagine if the entire planet could vote in the upcoming November
presidential elections. How different would the outcome be?

Of course that will never happen (just as a foreign-born citizen
can never become president). But what if it did happen? What if all
citizens of the world were eligible to vote in the U.S. elections?
How different would the outcome be if President George W. Bush and
Sen. John Kerry had to contend for the support of the international
community? What would be the implications? How different would the
campaign be run? And more important, who would be the likely winner?

Well, although this is an exercise in futility given that
traditionally, even overseas ballots cast by expatriate Americans
voting by proxy have never really counted for much in an election,
votes by foreign nationals will count for even less.

Yet regardless of where real politics stands on the issue of
presidential elections, one ingenious Internet Web site has taken it
upon itself to turn political fantasy into virtual reality. No matter
where you live or what passport you hold, now you too can vote for
the candidate of your choice in the November election. Of course
your vote will not count for much, other than self-gratification,
and the opportunity to let the rest of the world know how you stand
on the issue, in the process giving your candidate some mental support.

BetaVote.com, the brainstorm of Daniel Young and Kevin Frost,
an information technology consultant, have set up a site allowing
citizens of the world to partake in what is expected to be a very
close election.

Current polls in the United States show Bush and Kerry running
neck-to-neck, with Kerry making some headway, particularly after the
two presidential debates.

A Zogby Interactive poll conducted last Thursday after the second
debate placed Kerry ahead of President Bush in 13 of the 16 closely
contested states.

Kerry took ground in two states — Ohio and Nevada — and increased
his lead in seven others. Bush’s lead, meanwhile, narrowed in the
three states — Missouri, Tennessee and West Virginia — placing him
ahead of Kerry in those states.

If the numbers projected by the Zogby poll this week were mirrored
on Election Day, Kerry would be the winner and the next president of
the United States.

But the elections are still about three weeks away, and much can happen
between now and then. The race for the presidency remains very tight
and very close.

However, the numbers from the rest of the world as shown on
BetaVote.com project a very different view, where votes have been cast
from 239 countries — from Afghanistan (where Kerry leads 51 percent to
Bush’s 48 percent) to Zimbabwe (Kerry, 86 percent, Bush 31, percent)
passing through Andorra, in Southwestern Europe, between France and
Spain , one of the few countries where Bush leads with 53 percent
(Kerry, 46 percent), Uzbekistan, (Kerry 87, Bush 12).

As of Tuesday, Oct. 12, a grand total of 295,712 votes have already
been cast, of which an overwhelming 88 percent voted for Kerry,
leaving Bush trailing behind with 11 percent.

A number of countries stand out for leaning heavily in favor of
Kerry: Angola and Armenia, both give Kerry 75 percent and Bush 24
percent. Austria, the country from where a future Republican president
might emerge if the Constitution is amended to allow California
Governor Arnold

Schwarzenegger to run the highest office, voted heavily in favor of
Kerry (94 percent), giving Bush only 4 percent.

>>From tiny Belgium more than 29,000 votes were cast, also heavily
in favor of Kerry (91 percent), Bush (8 percent). Brazil (Kerry,
95 percent) and Bulgaria (Kerry, 92 percent) also heavily favored
the Democratic candidate.

Oh, Canada: More than 15,000 votes were cast by the neighbor to the
north, with most going to Kerry (95 percent) leaving Bush with a
meager 4 percent.

Among the highest to favor Kerry was Croatia with 96 percent voting
for the Massachusetts senator, France and Greece each giving Kerry
95 percent of the vote. Germany gave Kerry 94 percent and Italy
88 percent.

The most votes came from Finland, casting 32,885 ballots, of which
92 percent went to Kerry.

Bush does have his supporters, however; Azerbaijan, Congo (Bush, 54
percent), Libya (Bush, 59 percent), Myanmar (Bush, 57 percent) and
Nauru, (Bush, 61 percent). The African country of Niger favored Bush
with an astounding 94 percent, as did the French territory of St.
Pierre et Miquelon, off the east coast of Canada, allocating 62
percent of the 24 ballots cast to President Bush.

It just goes to show that nothing is ever certain in politics.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

2004 BUDGET SURPLUS TO EXCEED FORECASTS SIXFOLD

RIA Novosti, Russia
October 12, 2004

MOSCOW, October 12. (RIA Novosti) – At its session on Tuesday the
Russian government will consider a bill on introducing amendments to
the federal law On the Federal Budget for 2004 and invalidating some
clauses of legislative acts of the Russian Federation.

According to a source in the government, the Finance Ministry forecasts
that the federal budget surplus will this year amount to 505.7 billion
roubles ($1 equals 29.22 roubles). At first the surplus was projected
at 83.4 billion roubles.

“The Finance Ministry has submitted to the government the budget
forecast till the end of the year. It expects revenues to grow by
531 billion roubles, expenditures by 108.6 billion,” the source said.

Revenues grow due to increased collection of the mineral extraction
tax of 430 billion roubles and export duties.

As to expenditures, interest-bearing expenditures will be cut by 40.9
billion roubles, while others will rise by 149.6 billion roubles.

Thus, the total revenues of the budget by the end of the year will
amount to 3.2738 trillion roubles, while expenditures will total
2.7681 trillion, the source said.

Target allocations to the Stabilization Fund by the end of the year are
expected to amount to 397.4 billion roubles, exceeding the forecasts
by 313.9 billion.

According to the source, international cooperation will also
receive increased financing. For example, a loan of $175 million
will be provided to Belarus to partly finance Russian gas supplies
and balance mutual trade. Also, the loan to Armenia will be increased
by $31 million.

Azerbaijani police detain anti-Armenian protesters

Associated Press Worldstream
October 12, 2004 Tuesday 7:58 AM Eastern Time

BAKU, Azerbaijan — Azerbaijani police on Tuesday briefly detained
five activists of the Popular Front of United Azerbaijan who tried to
hold an unsanctioned rally outside parliament to protest Armenian
legislators’ planned participation in a NATO-sponsored seminar
next month.

About 30 protesters gathered in the Alley of Martyrs, where Azerbaijani
soldiers killed during the war in Nagorno-Karabakh are buried. They
then marched toward parliament, carrying party flags and banners
reading “Down with the Armenian Occupiers!” Police cut them off and
confiscation their flags, banners and leaflets.

Police told The Associated Press that all five protesters had been
released.

The Popular Front plans further protests this month outside the U.S.
Embassy and the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. On Nov. 2, the front
will rally outside the Turkish Embassy.

The Armenian legislators are due to take part in a Nov. 26-28 NATO
Parliamentary Assembly seminar in Baku called Rose Route.

Nagorno-Karabakh is an enclave in Azerbaijan that has been under
control of ethnic Armenian forces for more than a decade. A cease-fire
was signed in 1994 after Azerbaijani forces were driven out in a
six-year war that killed some 30,000 people and drove a million from
their homes, but the enclave’s final status has not been resolved and
shooting still breaks out sporadically along the “line of control”
that separates the enclave from the rest of Azerbaijan.

Talks under the auspices of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe have not made visible progress in recent years,
although hopes had risen in 2001 that a settlement was near.

Days of Russia’s Armenians, World Armenian Congress begin
By Tigran Liloyan

ITAR-TASS News Agency
October 12, 2004 Tuesday 4:13 AM Eastern Time

YEREVAN, October 12 — Days of Russia’s Armenians and the World
Armenian Congress begin here on Tuesday to focus on issues of
assistance of Russia’s Armenians and diaspora to economic development
of their historical native land.

By tradition they will be held on the initiative and under the
leadership of president of these two authoritative organizations,
well-known Russian entrepreneur and public figure Ara Abramyan.

An international Armenian economic forum will be held in Yerevan
on Wednesday. Its participants will discuss possibilities of new
investments in the republic, launching of joint ventures here and
intensification of business activity.

Russian Minister of Transport Igor Levitin, who headed the
Intergovernmental Commission on Bilateral Economic Cooperation
recently, will address the forum.

As Ara Abramyan said, representatives of the two organizations will
go to Armenia’s regions to open computer centres for training children
and youth from low-income families, as well as disabled persons. They
will visit the villages of Fioletovo and Lermontovo where many Russians
are living to present medicines to local medical stations.

Prominent Moscow physicians will hold a reception of patients in
Yerevan’s leading medical centres and give free consultations.

PRESS RELEASE

Armenian National Committee
Eastern United States
69-23 47th Avenue
Woodside, NY 11377
Contact: Doug Geogerian
Tel: 917 428 1918
Fax: 718 651 3637
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

ANC of New York and City Council Member Gioia Welcome Prime Minister
of Taiwan to New York City

Armenian National Committee of New York (ANC of New York) Chairperson
Tony Vartanian and activist Nazo Haroutunian joined City Council Member
Gioia and other community leaders to welcome Taiwanese Prime Minster
Yu Shyi-kun to Queens on September 3, 2004 at a cocktail reception
at the Water’s Edge Restaurant, scenically located on the East River
across from the United Nations.

Prime Minister Yu concluded a two-week journey to North America,
completing a trip meant to promote trade and build diplomatic
friendships, including stops in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua,
and Honduras. The ANC of New York was proud to participate in a
private ceremony where New York dignitaries and prominent members of
the community honored Prime Minister Yu and presented him with gifts
in an expression of goodwill.

The ANC of New York has a close, working relationship with City Council
Member Gioia. In April 2003, Council Member Gioia spoke movingly at
the ANC of New York Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide held at City
Hall. Mr. Gioia applauded the community’s efforts to fight for official
recognition and vowed to support the effort in anyway he could.

Chairperson Vartanian said, “We thank Council Member Gioia for
recognizing the ANC of New York as the resonating voice of the
Armenian-American community and a leading organization in our diverse
New York City landscape. The private event honoring Prime Minister
Yu shows the Council Member’s commitment to the inclusion of the
Armenian-American voice”.

Mr. Vartanian added, “Queens is the most diverse borough of recent
immigrants, composed of many ethnic communities including a strong
Armenian-American community. The Armenian-American community has
been especially pro-active at reaching out to elected officials. In
an effort to gain a stronger voice for the diverse communities of
Queens, the ANC of New York is enthusiastic about fostering a strong
relationship with leaders of other ethnic communities”.