AGBU VISITED ARTSAKH TO MARK CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
Laura Grigorian
Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
10 April 07
The delegation of the Armenian General Benevolent Union visited Artsakh
on April 3 to mark the centennial anniversary of the AGBU. The members
of the AGBU visited the village of Norashen, Hadrut, founded by the
union, as well as the neighboring Jrakn and Bareshen to watch the
work. In Stepanakert, the members of the organization visited Alex
Manoogian Street repaired by Louise Mannogian Simone and laid flowers
to the monument to the great benefactor. Later on the 75 members of
the delegation met with Prime Minister Anushavan Danielian and Ashot
Ghulian. The prime minister congratulated and thanked the union for
its assistance to Artsakh. "We have a long way to go together. With
such a powerful organization backing us we can solve greater problems,"
said Speaker Ghulian. Levon Kebabjian, AGBU, stated that the Union will
always support the homeland. He shared his impression from the visit
to Norashen, where 22 houses, a school and a medical station have
been built. On this day the school got four computers and a TV set
to the school. "We are happy to see that young people, children live
in the village, especially that they are new settlers. We visited the
school, which opened in September. We saw the new programs implemented
in this and other villages. The impression was high," said Levon
Kebabjian. The NKR prime minister presented the programs underway in
Hadrut and Martakert, involving construction of hospitals and schools,
gasifying, water supply, roads, etc. Answering the question of Karnig
Yacoubian, Syria, about investments in Artsakh, Prime Minister
Danielian said the government focuses on this sphere, and since NKR
cannot expect cooperation with international organization unless it
is recognized, the government decided to create favorable conditions
for business by softening taxes. Ashkhen Muradian asked who will
build the road of Norashen. The prime minister said the government
will fund the construction of the road, and if presently it is 2.5
hours of driving, after the construction it will take 40-45 minutes
to drive to the village.