TTELETHON IN SUPPORT TO ARTSAKH REGISTERS FANTASIC SUCCESS

LOS ANGELES, November 26 (Noyan Tapan). Over 11 mln dollars were
colleced during the “Telethon-2004” in support to Nagorno Karabakh
started in Los Angeles on November 25. It is a fantasic result as
compared with the previous telethons. According to the Head Information
Department attached to the NKR President, it was a response of the
Armenian Diaspora to the appeal of NKR President Arkady Ghoukassian,
who is in the United States these days, to compatriots living abroad
to render support to the completion of the construction of the
“North-South” higwhay being of strategic importance for Nagorno
Karabakh.

The most considerable donations were made by such famous Armenian
philanthropists of America as Luis-Simon Manukian (2 mln dollars),
Gevorg Hovnanian, Hrair Hovnanian, Sargis Hakobian, who rendered one
mln dollars each, Caroline Mugar (500,000 dollars), Vahe Karapetian
(100,000 dollars). Eduardo Ernikian, a citizen of Argentina, donated
1,5 mln dollars in support to Artsakh. Russian philanthropist Ara
Abrahamian allocated 250,000 dollars. A total of 1 mln dollars were
recieved from the European countries. The sum of donations made 950,000
dollars in Armenia, and in Nagorno Karabakh it made 160,000 dollars.

The NKR President expressed deep gratitude to all the Diasporan
Armenians for support to Artsakh, as well as to the citizens of Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh, who took an active part in the telethon and
showed their patriotism and understanding of the importance of the
“North-South” highway in the provision of the military, economic and
social security of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The NKR President
once again stressed that the Armenian people will be able to achieve
the national goals only due to the joint efforts of Armenia, Artsakh
and the Diaspora.

During Arkady Ghoukassian’s meeting with Zaven Khanjian, the President
of the “Americans for Artsakh” organization, held on the US Western
Coast on November 24, the latter expressed readiness to contribute
to the implementation of a number of projects on the NKR economic
development in Nagorno Karabkh, the improvement of the sphere of
education, the intensification of the cultural exchange between
Artsakh and the Diaspora.

The Union of Armenian Relief also implements its programs in
Artsakh. Arkady Ghoukassian visited their regional office. Different
issues regarding the prospects of cooperation between this organization
and Nagorno Karabakh were touched upon during the conversation.

The necessity of the continuation of the implementation of programs
on the establishment of proper conditions for study and education
of the rising generations in schools of Artsakh was mentioned during
the reception organized this day in honor of the President of Nagorno
Karabakh by the Armenian Educational Union.

Famous philanthropist Mery Najarian expressed her readiness to continue
cooperation with Artsakh in the future. She is one of the founders
of the “Medical Aid to Armenia” organization. The NKR President gave
a high assessment to the benevolent activities of couple Vardges and
Mery Najarians.

The same day, the NKR President had a meeting with Archbishop Mushegh
Martirosian, the Head of the Western Diocese of the Catholicosate
of the Great Cilician House. The Archbishop conveyed the Head of
Nagorno Karabakh the best wishes on behalf of Catholicos of the Great
Cilician House Aram I, as well as the readiness of the Catholicos to
render possible support to Artsakh. Archbishop Pargev Martirosian,
the Head of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, who
is in the United States these days, also participated in the meeting.

During all the meetings in the US the NKR President assured the
participants that Artsakh will not turn off the road of freedom and
independence and will achieve the goals put before it due to the
boosting participation of Armenia and the Armenians of the whole world.