Armenia Fund USA
152 Madison Ave, #803
New York, New York 10016
Contact: Lisa Markarian
Tel: 212-689-5307
Fax: 212-689-5317
E-mail: Lisa@armeniafundusa.org
Web:

Armenia Fund USA Continues its Driving Force on Karabakh North-South
Highway, Focus of Thanksgiving Day World-Wide Telethon

Moving rapidly toward completion of the North-South Highway, Armenia
Fund is halfway home. Its goal of building the 105 miles of highway
interconnecting 150 towns and villages in mountainous Karabakh has to
date raised $12 million towards the $25 million project. With ongoing
vital support from Armenians in the Diaspora and past proven success
from having built 49 miles so far, Armenia Fund continues to forge
ahead. The fund is gearing up for the final leg, generating much
needed support and overseeing construction of the remaining 56 miles.

Armenia Fund’s North-South Highway Project is a bold infrastructure
initiative that began in 1999. It is imperative for the development and
growth of both Karabakh and Armenia for today and beyond. Already, the
highway in Karabakh has set a tone of progress and hope for the entire
region. The completed portions of the of the North-South Highway are
currently being utilized by the communities of Dashbulagh, Kichan,
Karmir-Shuka and Drakhtik, with vineyards, manufacturing plants,
mining operations and other businesses being established as direct
results. On the newly paved roads, cars and trucks travel steadily
through the canorous mountains, some carrying crops to the market
in Stepanakert, some carrying children to school. On stretches of
unfinished highway, laborers eager for work are busy melding concrete
sidelines and preparing the ground. Small towns and villages, once
remote and removed from the rest of the world, are eager to move
onward and upward thanks to the new lifeline. A buzz of activity
descends from the road, laying groundwork for business opportunities
and communication links that will help nurture the area and provide
a lift for the people for generations.

Last November, thanks to the generous donors responding to the
critical infrastructure needs of Armenia and Karabakh, over $6
million was raised from the 2003 Telethon held on Thanksgiving
Day. Joining the completed sections, Armenia Fund was able to start
construction of three more sections scheduled to be finished next year
– Vank-Crossroad-Kichan, Kichan-Drmbon, and Tsakouri-Drakhtik. Armenia
Fund’s annual Telethon for 2004 is stepping up its ambitions in a
grand way to raise the final $12.5 million needed for the completion
of the highway, deemed as the backbone of Karabakh. The 12-hour, live
broadcast airing throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, South
America, the CIS, and Middle East will feature live entertainment by
various Armenian performers, interviews with numerous celebrities
and political leaders, development and construction footage from
Armenia and Karabakh, and stories of individuals impacted by Armenia
Fund projects. A phone bank with 50 operators and volunteers will be
helping to handle the generous outpouring from Armenians world-wide.

Focused on infrastructure and high standards of accountability,
Armenia Fund USA is a unique organization dedicated to supporting
large-scale initiatives in both Armenia and Karabakh, helping the
developing nations sustain themselves for the future. Armenia Fund
is non-partisan and works closely with the governments of Armenia and
Karabakh not only building roads, but also schools, medical facilities,
utilities and humanitarian programs, all along upholding stringent
project oversight measures with bidding, management and quality
control processes.

Founded in 1992, Armenia Fund USA is a non-profit 501(c)(3)
representing the support of Armenian diasporans in the Eastern
United States and was the first of Hayastan All Armenia Fund’s 18
international hubs to aid the homeland. As the largest contributor
toward strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh,
Armenia Fund has helped build 138 miles of roads, 81 miles
of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210
residential buildings and 14 healthcare institutions. After completing
the Goris-Stepanakert Highway, linking Armenia to Karabakh, Armenia
Fund set its sights on developing the North-South Highway. In the
process of all its projects, Armenia Fund has ensured sustainability by
investing beyond construction, sponsoring the necessary equipment and
training, as well. This not only eases the hardships for the people
of Armenia and Karabakh for the current time, but more importantly
ensures stability for the long term.

Armenia Fund USA’s mission of accountability goes beyond Armenia
and is built upon a pledge of responsibility to benefactors and
recipients alike. All contributions are 100% tax deductible. To learn
more about Armenia Fund USA, go to
<; , or write/call for a free marketing
packet at Armenia Fund USA, 152 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
(212) 689-5307.