ARMENIA ‘UNAWARE’ OF ANGELINA JOLIE’S ADOPTION PLANS

RIA Novosti
16:1226/05/2009

YEREVAN, May 26 (RIA Novosti) – Armenia’s Ministry of Labor and Social
Affairs said on Tuesday it had no information on reported plans by
Hollywood star Angelina Jolie to adopt an Armenian baby.

U.S. media reported last month that Jolie is seeking to adopt a baby
from the ex-Soviet state due to its comparatively simple procedures
and lack of bureaucracy. She has so far adopted African, Cambodian,
and Vietnamese babies.

The LA Gossip Examiner said Brad Pitt would prefer to adopt a child
from India.

U.S. media cited friends of the couple as saying they have already
visited Armenia.

The head of the ministry’s department for children, Lena Airapetyan,
said Armenia’s authorities do not grant privileges to celebrity
couples, and that Jolie and Pitt would have to go through all the
standard procedures necessary for adoption.

"They must provide full information on biographies, annual profit,
a guarantee that they can take care of a child, and proof of a lack
of previous convictions. If everything passes smoothly, a child could
be adopted within a month," she said.

The official said however that "they give me great hope as I have
heard that they take good care of adopted children."

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress