WORLD ARMENIAN CONGRESS APPROVES $100,000 TO UNION OF WRITERS OF ARMENIA

ArmInfo News Agency, Armenia
Nov 20 2006

World Armenian Congress (WAC) has approved $100,000 to the Union
of Writers of Armenia (UWA). The amount will be transferred to the
accounts of the Writers Fund in three native banks, Levon Ananyan,
UWA Chairman, said at a press conference, Monday.

He said the UWA Writers Fund has $200,000 at present. $40,000 will be
spent annually to satisfy the needs of native writers, in particular,
for foundation of a special prize fund, publication of books, and a
5,000 AMD rise in the pensions of the writers above 65 (who number
160 people at UWA).

In his speech, WAC President Ara Abrahamyan stressed the importance
of intellectuals in an independent state and in education of new
generation. "We shall do our best to contribute to writers. $100,000
this year, another $50,000 in 2007. We understand that it is not
enough for the existing problems. However, we shall try to help them,"
A. Abrahamyan said. He added that Levon Ananyan was awarded the Order
of the Union of Armenians of Russia – Silver Cross on the occasion
of his 60th anniversary.