PRESS RELEASE
AMERICANS FOR ARTSAKH
Contact: Hrant Jamgochian
hrant@AmericansForArtsakh.org
Tel: 202-215-1800

July 13, 2004

ARTSAKH SEISMOLOGISTS PRESENT FINDINGS AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Americans For Artsakh Organization Sponsors Their Participation

WASHINGTON, DC – Two seismologists from Nagorno Karabakh recently
participated in the “2004 Disaster Resistant California” international
conference in Sacramento, CA. The Executive Director of the Eastern
Department of the National Survey for Seismic Protection Boris
Petrosyan along with the Department’s Head of Foreign Affairs Naira
Hambardzumyan represented Artsakh in the conference, which was
attended by more than 500 seismologists from around the world. The
Americans for Artsakh (AFA) Organization sponsored the participation
of Karabakh seismologists in close cooperation with both the NKR
Foreign Ministry and NKR Office in the United States.

“We are extremely appreciative of the Americans For Artsakh
organization for their support,” said Boris Petrosyan. “This
conference allowed us to share our experiences in Artsakh with many of
our international colleagues. As a result, we gained valuable
information that will be applied to upgrade our systems.”

Petrosyan and Hambardzumyan presented a report along with the results
of their extensive research on the psychological impact of severe
earthquakes. Their findings emphasized the importance of preparing
the public to be resilient in times of crisis in order to better
address the challenges of such disasters. The panel discussion that
followed underscored the importance of addressing both the emotional
as well as the physical needs of those affected.

The seismologists from Artsakh, in talks with their counterparts from
around the world, discussed ways to increase cooperation. Some of the
California seismologists provided Petrosyan with literature, software
and other digital products dealing with forest fires, regional
information, conduct of the population during seismic threats and
other materials on up-to-date technologies.

The Eastern Department of the National Survey for Seismic Protection
currently works with seismological centers in Russia, Greece, Georgia,
and Azerbaijan as well as Japan and Iran. During a recent interview
with the Azat Artsakh daily newspaper Petrosyan noted that the
participation of the Artsakh delegation demonstrated that the Artsakh
Seismic Department was entering a new phase of international
cooperation.

“With Artsakh excluded from virtually all U.S. and internationally
sponsored educational and development programs, the Americans For
Artsakh organization is making education one of its top priorities,”
noted AFA President Zaven Khanjian. “We are delighted that our
support enabled the Seismic Department of Artsakh to participate in
this important conference. On behalf of the Board of Directors for
the Americans For Artsakh, I would like to express our gratitude to
Mr. and Mrs. Arsene Baran, Mr. & Mrs. Vahan Bezdikian, Dr. Nazareth
Darakjian, Mr. and Mrs. Moses Moses, and Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Tufenkian,
who provided additional funding for this endeavor.”

Americans For Artsakh is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
organization established to preserve freedom, strengthen democracy,
foster economic development, protect the cultural identity and promote
the heritage of the people of Artsakh. The founding Board of
Directors include: Zaven Khanjian, President; Dr. Hratch Abrahamian,
Vice President; Savey Tufenkian, Treasurer; Rita Balian, Secretary;
and Edward Chobanian. To learn more visit:

The full text of Boris Petrosyan’s interview with Azat Artsakh is
available at:
;t=archive&d=22&m=05&y04&id=1459

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress