FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: edina@farusa.org
Website:

October 13, 2004
____________________

FAR THANKS CONGRESSMAN FRANK PALLONE, JR. FOR SUPPORT OF ARMENIA

During an October 12, 2004 meeting with Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr.,
Democrat of New Jersey, in Long Branch, NJ, Garnik Nanagoulian, FAR
Executive Director, thanked the Congressman on behalf of the Board
of Directors for his continued support of Armenia in Congress and
briefed him on FAR’s active projects in Armenia and Karabagh.

Congressman Pallone and Mr. Nanagoulian discussed the current
humanitarian situation in Armenia. They agreed that although the
economy is improving, it has yet to create jobs, a critical means to
poverty reduction. They also noted that families living in poverty,
still a significant proportion of the people, will require assistance
until long-term tools take effect and improve their situation.

“FAR, as the preeminent Diasporan relief and development organization
operating in Armenia, will continue to address the needs of these
people,” said Mr. Nanagoulian, sharing his plans with Congressman
Pallone to expand FAR’s operations to reach out to more people in
need, as well as assist in creating jobs. He expressed the desire
to continue working with the U.S. government to help build a viable
free market economy in Armenia.

Mr. Nanagoulian briefed Congressman Pallone on the progress of
two humanitarian aid contracts awarded to FAR by the U.S. Agency
for International Development (USAID), a $15-million for Karabagh
and a $1.55 million for Armenia. These contracts reaffirm USAID’s
recognition and support of FAR’s ability to work effectively and
efficiently in executing a wide range of programs throughout Armenia,
including coordinating regional and national projects.

Congressman Pallone praised FAR on its achievements over the past
15 years and promised to continue working to secure more assistance
for Armenia. Congressman Pallone, who has traveled to the region
several times, is Co-Chairman of the Armenian Issues Caucus and has
worked to mobilize support, under the foreign aid legislation, for
humanitarian and development assistance for Armenia and Karabagh,
as well as bilateral and multilateral lending institutions assisting
economic development.

Mr. Nanagoulian invited Congressman Pallone to visit FAR’s projects
on his next visit to Armenia to witness FAR’s accomplishments thanks
to generous Diasporan donors and the U.S. government grants.

FAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New York,
with offices in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Stepanakert. For 15 years, FAR
has implemented various relief, development, social, educational,
and cultural projects valued at more than $250 million.

For more information or to send donations, contact the Fund for
Armenian Relief at 630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone
(212) 889-5150, fax (212) 889-4849; , far@farusa.org.

— 10/13/04

E-mail photo available upon request.

CAPTION: On behalf of the FAR Board of Directors, Garnik A.
Nanagoulian, FAR Executive Director (right), thanked Congressman
Frank Pallone, Jr., Democrat of New Jersey (left), for his support of
Armenia. He also briefed the Congressman on FAR’s projects in Armenia
and Karabagh during the Long Branch, NJ meeting.