PRESS RELEASE
Canadians For Sustainable Development In Armenia (CFSDIA)
Antoine S. Terjanian, Coordinator
5, Nicol Street
Ottawa, CANADA
Tel: 613-748-0676
Fax: 613-748-0676
E-mail: aterjanian@yahoo.com

CAMPAIGN TO GET CANADIAN HELP FOR ARMENIA

Ottawa, June 23, 2004 – Canadians For Sustainable Development In
Armenia (CFSDIA) has launched the second phase of a campaign to
persuade the Canadian Development Agency (CIDA), an agency of the
Canadian Federal Government in charge of Canadian foreign aid, to
reverse a 2003 decision to terminate bilateral aid to Armenia. “The
CFSDIA is mobilizing support among all Armenian-Canadians concerned
about the future of Armenia. A non-partisan group, CFSDIA’s 23
workgroup volunteers come from all sides of the politico-religious
spectrum and are located in Canada’s five major urban centers” said
Antoine Terjanian, coordinator of the workgroup.

Armenia is enduring dire economic circumstances. Over 55% of the
population live below the poverty line and unemployment is similarly
very high. Yet CIDA has cut the meagre allocation it had for Armenia
even before the completion of the Paul Martin Government’s foreign
policy review scheduled for this fall. “All informed
Armenian-Canadians are intent on doing their utmost to ensure our
government helps Armenia in this very difficult period. We are
confident that Armenian-Canadians mobilised for this initiative during
the closing stretch of the federal elections on June 28 can make a
difference” said Mr. Terjanian.

During the first phase of this campaign, leaders of Armenian
organizations in Canada, from all sides of the politico-religious
spectrum, sent letters to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, urging
him to reverse the CIDA decision. Federal Cabinet Ministers were also
approached individually. “So far our concerns have not been answered”
said Mr. Terjanian. CFSDIA has therefore decided to make public the
absence of a Canadian bilateral aid program to Armenia. “We have
called on all Armenian Canadians to become active during this election
campaign. …Armenian-Canadians are approaching candidates to express
concern for Canada’s lack of bilateral help to Armenia in these
extremely difficult times” said Mr. Terjanian. Similarly
Armenian-Canadians and friends of Armenia in Canada are being urged to
write similar letters to the “Prime Minister, Parliament Hill,
Ottawa”.

Most important, we are urging all Armenian-Canadians to vote in this
important election.