NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE PRESIDENT KENNETH WOLLACK VISITS ARMENIA

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[03:45 pm] 29 November, 2006

Kenneth Wollack, President of the National Democratic Institute (NDI),
visited Armenia on November 29. In Yerevan, Mr. Wollack met with senior
Armenian government officials to review NDI activities and outline
its nonpartisan programs to help strengthen democracy in Armenia.

Mr. Wollack emphasized that NDI is working with a broad range
of Armenian political parties and civic groups in support of the
U.S. government’s Election Related Assistance Strategy, which can be
found on the U.S. Embassy Yerevan website at

This strategy, which was developed with the Government of Armenia,
seeks to help develop institutions in advance of parliamentary and
presidential elections in Armenia.

NDI, chaired by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, is
a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that seeks to strengthen
and expand democracy worldwide. NDI has received grant funding from
the U.S. Government to promote its democratic development efforts in
Armenia. The Institute also works cooperatively with other governments
and intergovernmental groups, such as UNDP and OSCE. NDI provides
practical assistance to civic and political leaders with the goal of
advancing democratic values, practices and institutions. NDI works in
every region of the world to build political and civic organizations,
safeguard elections, and to promote citizen participation, openness
and accountability in government.

Kenneth Wollack has been President of NDI since March 1993. He joined
the Institute in 1986 as executive vice president, and has traveled
extensively in Eastern and Central Europe, the former Soviet Union,
Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and Africa on behalf of the
Institute’s political development programs. Before joining NDI,
Mr. Wollack co-edited the Middle East Policy Survey, a Washington-based
newsletter. He also wrote regularly on foreign affairs for the Los
Angeles Times. In addition to heading NDI, Mr. Wollack also serves
as chairman of the U.S. Committee of the UNDP.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress