Author: Khoyetsian Rose

TACHNAQ COMMENTED ON MP MICHEL MURR’S STATEMENT

Al-Tayyar.org (of Gen. Aoun)
ews/en-US/128897967670325406.htm
June 18 2009
Lebanon

The Central Committee of the Tachnaq held a meeting following Mr. Murr
statements. Following the meeting, the committee responded to the
issues raised by MP Michel Murr, during his press conference. Here
is an excerpt from the Tashnaq statement:

"The number of Armenian voters in the district of Metn in 2007,
during the elections, was 10,300 of which 20% voted for President
Gemayel and 80% for Dr. Camille Khoury. The Armenian electorate in
this constituency was not 28% as quoted MP Murr but 32%."

We are surprised to the suddenly change of Mr. Murr towards the
member of the Tachnaq party despite the strong relationship that we
both have and that dated to 60 years ago.

MP Murr received 5000 votes of the Armenian electorate, knowing
that the votes of the Tashnaq party count 2200, yet he insists
on falsification of identity cards and claim that fraud occurred
in polling of Bourj Hamoud, and we expect shortly the decision of
prosecutors to prove once again that these threats do not concern us.

Despite all the comments, we believe that the elections have
strengthened democracy. Moreover, we condemn the attempts by some to
consider the Armenians as second-class citizens.

We reaffirm the right of the Armenian to practice their duties
according to their beliefs like all Lebanese citizens, "concluded
the communiqué.

ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT REGULATES CONGAC, BRANDY PRODUCTION LAWS

ARKA
June 18, 2009

YEREVAN, June 18. /ARKA/. Armenian Government approved today the
order and terms of wine and raw alcohol distillation and Armenian
cognac and brandy production.

The regulations are in line with the RA Law on Alcoholic Drinks from
grapes, said RA Deputy Minister of Agriculture Samvel Avetisyan. The
Yerevan Brandy Factory and Ararat Brandy, Vodka and Wine Factory
collaborated with the executives while drafting the regulations.

The norms aim at enhancing the quality of alcoholic beverages and
protecting consumers’ rights.

PREMIER: ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT ATTACHES SPECIAL IMPORTANCE TO INVESTMENTS IN NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM

ARKA
June 17, 2009

YEREVAN, June 17. /ARKA/. Armenian Government attaches special
importance to investments in national energy system and the agreement,
under which European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and
the State Corporation the Bank of Development and Foreign Economic
Affairs (Vnesheconombank) lend 64.5 million Euro to Electric Networks
of Armenia, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said Wednesday
at the signing ceremony.

Under the signed agreement, EBRD will lend 42 million Euro and
Vnesheconombank 22.5 million Euro to Electric Networks of Armenia
for ten years.

"We attach special importance to the credit agreement, first because
it is one of the biggest deals in Armenian banking system’s record,
and the money will be spent for rehabilitation of the country’s
electric networks and utilized within two years", the premier said.

Second, the money invested at one of the most complicated moments in
Armenian economy’s record and amid the adverse impact of the global
crisis on national economy, he said.

"This large credit will have positive impact on Armenia’s economy
and social area", Sargsyan said.

"Armenian Government welcomes extension of such a great amount."

The premier stressed that the credit extension will have no impact
on prices, and interests will be paid from profit.

Electric Networks of Armenia is the sole distributor of electric
energy to all consumers in Armenia.

The company has 323 substations, serves 830,000 users and the largest
employer in Armenia.

The company’s sales totaled 186 million Euro and investments 29
million Euro in 2008.

The company is a subsidiary of Russian INTER RAO UES.

NKR PRESIDENT REQUESTS DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM PROGRAMS

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
18.06.2009 13:09 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Bako
Sahakyan convoked Monday a working consultation on the development
of tourism in the republic.

Head of the tourism department under the NKR Cabinet of Ministers
Sergei Shahverdyan delivered a report, which was followed by a debate.

The President considered important the development of tourism in the
country, calling it one of the strategically important directions. He
requested to elaborate and present a tourism development program,
which would encompass a comprehensive and well-grounded assessment of
the current situation as well as prospects of its development, reported
the Central Information Department of the Office of the NKR President.

WAIT AND SEE
HAKOB BADALYAN

LRAGIR.AM
12:11:27 – 15/06/2009

A very particular situation is shaped in the Armenian political field,
when both of the government and the opposition think that the time
passes in their favor. The government thinks that time will pass and
the Armenian National Congress will weaken, the public’s interest
towards the HAK will extinguish, the public will stop believing that
the Congress will ever be able to change the situation in the country,
and this entire will ensure calm situation at least until the next
parliamentary election.

The Armenian National Congress thinks that the government will face
the situation when it has to fulfill the external pledges, but it will
be unable to fulfill them, as it is not legitimate and the pledges
do not stem from the Armenian interests. Being unable to resist the
external repression, the government will have to cede and leave. The
leader of the opposition Levon Ter-Petrosyan stated that the time is
working in their favor.

So, if during the recent years, the Armenian society was interested in
the question, if Armenia or Azerbaijan wins, in the Nagorno-Karabakh
issue if time passes, so the current question concerns the opposition
and the government. After all, who is to win if time passes – the
government or the opposition? The government tells the opposition
"wait and you will see how you will extinguish little by little". And
the opposition tells the government "wait and you will see how you
will fail little by little".

Let us leave apart all this and see whose failure or whose success
stems from the interests of the country and the society. There are
people, who would state philosophically that if both the opposition
and the government succeed, it will stem from the state interests. Let
us let alone this version and see the possibility for the success of
one of the forces.

Perhaps, this is also a useless occupation. The point is that
both of them have possibility to succeed. The problem is what the
opposition and the government are going to do during time. There
cannot be situations of hundred percent losses, sure, if there is no
idleness. But, logically, it is not enough to act, it is needed to
act effectively. But, this is not enough either, as it is necessary
to take lessons from one’s mistakes.

Of course, it is easy to reprimand and judge. But, it is also easy to
put the responsibility for your own failure on external factors. After
all, the possibility to win during time is big for who is waiting
but does not lose the sense of time and does not become the hostage
of the time.

ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER OUTLINES CONDITIONS FOR RECOGNIZING PALESTINE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
15.06.2009 14:31 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a
major policy speech, accepted the creation of a Palestinian state
but only if it was demilitarized.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas’s spokesman said his comments
challenged Palestinian, Arab and US positions. But the US said,
Mr. Netanyahu’s stance was an "important step forward".

In a landmark speech, Mr. Netanyahu said the Palestinians must accept
Israel as a Jewish state. He said, a Palestinian state must have no
army, no control of its air space and no way of smuggling in weapons,
and cooperating with Iran or "Khezbollah".

Mr. Netanyahu suggested to start negotiations with Palestinians
immediately and without any pre-conditions. "We want to leave in peace
with you, as with kind neighbors," Israeli prime minister said. His
speech provoked anger among Palestinian officials BBC reports.

Palestinian leader’s spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah said: "Netanyahu’s
remarks have sabotaged all initiatives, paralyzed all efforts being
made and challenges the Palestinian, Arab and American positions,"
Reuters news agency reported. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said
the speech "closed the door to permanent status negotiations".

"He declared Jerusalem the capital of Israel, said refugees would not
be negotiated and that settlements would remain." Mr. Erekat added:
"The peace process has been moving at the speed of a tortoise. Tonight,
Netanyahu has flipped it over on its back."

But the White House called the policy outline an "important step
forward", as did French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. A White
House statement said Mr Obama "believes this solution can and must
ensure both Israel’s security and the fulfillment of the Palestinians’
legitimate aspirations for a viable state, and he welcomes Prime
Minister Netanyahu’s endorsement of that goal".

Interfax, Russia
June 9 2009

Armenia’s Central Bank lowers refinancing rate from 6.25% to 6%

YEREVAN June 9

The Central Bank of Armenia decided on Tuesday to lower the
refinancing rate from 6.25% to 6% as of June 9, the CB said in a
statement.

The CB believes that lowering interest rate is necessary for
stimulating lending and restoring the country’s economy.

This is the fourth rate decrease since March 3 of this year when,
having announced its return to a floating currency rate, the CB
increased the refinancing rate by one percentage point to 7.75%.

On April 7, the refinancing rate was lowered to 7.5% and to 7.25% on
May 12. The next rate decrease was on May 22 by one percentage point
to 6.25%.

BARONESS IN STEPANAKERT

A1+
08:27 pm | June 09, 2009

Official

NKR Deputy Foreign Minister Vardan Barseghian received June 8 a
delegation headed by Vice Speaker of the British Parliament House
of Lords Caroline Cox, which had paid a familiarization visit to
Stepanakert.

On the guests’ request, Vardan Barseghian introduced the history
of the NKR MFA creation and the basic directions of its activity,
also dwelling on the activities of the NKR Permanent Missions abroad.

The meeting participants touched upon the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict
settlement process. In particular, it was noted that Azerbaijan
used all its resources for conducting anti-Armenian propaganda
and distorting the core of the Karabakh issue, which should be
aggressively counteracted. Thereupon, it was proposed to issue in
different languages and to distribute corresponding books and other
informational materials basing on real facts and exposing Baku.

Vardan Barseghian noted that conducting an independent foreign
policy and seeking its international recognition, the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic aimed at establishing good-neighborly and friendly
relations with its international partners, states, organizations,
and individuals.

In her turn, Baroness Cox stated that she tried to involve new persons
in her delegation with each trip, in order to expand the circle of
NKR’s friends, hoping that they would become Artsakh’s "ambassadors"
and would facilitate the resolution of the Karabakh issue.

At the end of the meeting, the guests were granted prepared-by-the
NKR MFA CDs "Crimes Without Punishment" producing Azerbaijan’s crimes
against the peaceful Armenian population during the current stage of
the Artsakh National-liberation Movement.

ANCA Endowment Fund Telethon Raises over $2.5 Million for Community Education and Development Programs

8/anca-endowment-fund-telethon-raises-over-25-mill ion-for-community-education-and-development-progra ms/
June 8, 2009

GLENDALE, Calif.-In a strong show of grassroots participation that
reinforced the power of national community participation, $2.6 million
was raised during the six-hour nationally televised ANCA Endowment
Fund Telethon held on May 31.

"Once again, our community has demonstrated its enduring faith and
commitment to the ANCA Endowment Fund’s efforts to expand Armenian
American civic participation and youth development programs," said
ANCA Endowment Fund president Ken Hachikian. "Each donation-large and
small-will also play a pivotal role in educating elected officials,
and the media-locally and nationally-about pressing Armenian American
concerns facing our community."

Bolstered by a matching donation of $150,000 by Kirk Kerkorian’s
Lincy Foundation, the telethon attracted a broad cross-section of the
community and the final results proved the commitment of the Armenian
American community to the advancement the Armenian Cause.

Thousands of Armenian Americans took part in the fundraising effort,
with hundreds more volunteering their time, services, and other
resources to ensure the telethon was a success.

"This telethon was more than a six-hour broadcast," said telethon
outreach coordinator Pattyl Aposhian Kasparian. "The outcome reflects
the importance of bringing together the entire community around the
work of the Armenian Cause and truly reflects our grassroots power. We
thank each and every donor."

The program, aired nationally on Horizon Armenian Television, the
Armenian Russian Television Network (ARTN), and local television
stations across the country, featured segments highlighting the ANCA
Endowment Fund’s achievements and activities in genocide education,
youth empowerment, advocacy training, the advancement of an enduring
relationship between the United States and Armenia, and the promotion
of public awareness of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabagh.

The telethon, which was filmed live in the Horizon studios,
also featured appearances by Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian; leader of the Armenian Catholic community, Father
Antoine Saroyan; Rev. Joe Matossian of the Armenian Evangelical

Church; Los Angeles County sheriff Lee Baca; ANCA Endowment Fund
president Ken Hachikian; ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian;
as well as major donors and sponsors.

Video messages were provided by Western Primate Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, California State assemblyman Paul Krikorian, San Francisco
mayor and California gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom, as well
as Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and California State assemblyman Kevin
de Leon.

The 2009 Telethon Committee produced a well-executed program hosted
by 11 community and media leaders from throughout the United States,
all of whom emphasized the importance of the ANCA Endowment Fund to
the advancement of Armenian American community aspirations.

Hosts Karine Birazian, Paul Chaderjian, Alina Dorian, Saro Haroun,
Silva Haroutounian, Ari Killian, Roxanne Makasdjian, Steve Mesrobian,
Anahid Oshagan, Aram Sarafian and Manoug Seraidarian adeptly
navigated the audience through the broadcast, which was intertwined
with information and education segments, live in-studio appearances,
and pleas from community leaders.

"Organizing a six-hour live broadcast which is to air throughout the
country is complicated, but we were fortunate to have a number of
professionals and volunteers who were up to the task," said telethon
chairman Leonard Manoukian. "They each brought to bear their special
skills, talents, and experience, but most importantly, they brought
with them the passion which sets Hai Tahd apart from other causes."

Another highlight of the telethon was the participation of community
organizations, churches, and schools, which had raised funds on behalf
of their respective groups.

The telethon has ensured that the ANCA Endowment Fund will be able to
continue its mission-to educate and empower the community in advancing
issues of concern to the Armenian American community.

ANONYMOUS FOUNDATION DONATES $250,000 FOR ARMENIAN AMERICAN WELLNESS CENTER
By Cynthia Bosnian And Gail Howard

s-foundation-donates-250000-for-armenian-american- wellness-center/
Jun 5, 2009

WASHINGTON-A California-based Foundation has generously donated
$250,000 to the Armenian American Cultural Association (AACA) for
its humanitarian project in Yerevan, Armenia – the Armenian American
Wellness Center (AAWC or Wellness Center).

Maria Princi, AACA Board member, said, "AACA Honorary Chair, Donna
Evans (wife of former US Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans) and I
were delighted to meet the Trustees of the Foundation and learn of
their keen interest in supporting the Wellness Center with their
generous donation. During our meeting, they stressed the value of
education in any successful endeavor and they were happy to learn
that the Wellness Center, from day one, has made its core mission
the education of the public, its staff, and the medical community of
Armenia. We are grateful to have been brought together by Dr. Mihran
Agbabian, founder and first President of the American University of
Armenia, and his wife Elizabeth, long-time friends and supporters of
the Wellness Center.

Commenting on their recent visit to the Wellness Center,
members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees noted, "Despite the
construction/renovation that was underway, the Center was a very
beautiful and rewarding site to see. We realized how important it
is to Armenia, especially to its women. The Center has made great
strides in educating women about taking care of, and standing up
for themselves. It has also promoted public awareness in preventive
healthcare through its educational campaigns."

The Foundation’s gift has been designated for the construction of the
Center’s expanded ground floor (part of the building’s multi-million
dollar renovation/construction and seismic reinforcement), which will
ultimately house the Center’s expanded Radiology Department.

Elizabeth Agbabian, noted, "Vartkess and Rita Balian had the
vision and foresight to start a Wellness Center for the women of
Armenia. Thousands of women have been screened and many lives have
been saved. We have witnessed this vital service from its inception,
and are amazed how the Wellness Center is accessible to all women,
irrespective of their financial capability." Dr. Mihran Aghbabian
continued, "During many trips to Armenia, I have visited the Wellness
Center. What started as a noble idea became reality – helping women
through medical screenings and education. In my view, the uniqueness of
the Wellness Center in Armenia is due in large part to the availability
of Western equipment to the medical and technical staff of the Center.

Additionally, the staff – both medical and administrative – has
received training on-site in Armenia by American medical professionals
and in top-notch medical institutions in the U.S.

The Wellness Center was established by AACA in 1997 to address the
dire need for the early and accurate detection of breast cancer in
Armenia which was, and still is, the leading cause of cancer deaths
among the country’s women. In addition to promoting its core mission,
i.e., early detection through screenings and self-monthly examination
and educating the public on the importance of preventive health care
and early detection, the Wellness Center introduced basic gynecology
services and pathology laboratory services in June 2001, family
medicine in June 2003, and bone density screening in October 2006.

During its development stages, with the assistance of the governments
of the United States (through its USAID assistance programs) and
the Republic of Armenia (through its donation of the building),
AACA envisioned the Wellness Center as a Regional Primary Health
Care facility based on Western standards of medical services, which
would provide on-site quality diagnosis and treatment (whenever
possible). These services would be accessible to all Armenians,
as well as to all other citizens of the neighboring countries. This
outreach effort would foster understanding and compassion among people
in conflict, and hopefully would promote renewal and the much-needed
peace in the Caucasus Region.

The Wellness Center creates awareness of health issues and promotes
its screening services through the media, lectures, health fairs,
distribution of literature, medical outreach missions and annual
health walks.

Produced in conjunction with AACA, the Wellness Center distributes
thousands of health promotion pamphlets each year. These stress the
importance of early detection for breast and cervical cancer via annual
screenings and mammograms, monthly Breast Self Examinations (BSEs),
and annual clinical check-ups. The Center also emphasizes healthy
lifestyle choices relating to nutrition, exercise, blood pressure,
cholesterol, diabetes, and anti-smoking through the dissemination of
this information.

For the past twelve years, the Wellness Center has observed October as
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, organizing many cultural, scientific
and literary events. The highlight of these events is the Annual
Health Walk through the streets of Yerevan, which has become a day to
celebrate women’s health. The Walk attracts over 3,000 participants
each year, including more than 500 school children, who join AAWC’s
staff in reminding their mothers to take care of their own health
as they do for their families. As a result of these activities,
more and more women, age 40 and over, are visiting the Center for
their first mammogram and for subsequent annual mammograms. Hence,
breast cancer in Armenia is being detected and diagnosed in earlier
stages allowing more possibilities for treatment and cure.

>>From its inception, AACA has stressed the importance of education. In
addition to the ongoing health education provided to its patients
and the general public, the Wellness Center has signed a program
agreement with Yerevan State Medical University to teach its first
and second year medical students about breast health in general and
breast imaging and diagnosis in particular. The Wellness Center also
has a six-month residency program for the radiology graduates from
the National Institute of Health of Armenia.

Since 1997 through September 2009, AACA has sponsored and organized
47 Medical Exchanges between US medical professionals from seven
major university hospital centers and the Wellness Center staff,
providing on-site training in Armenia as well as advanced training
in US hospitals. Ten Medical Missions have also been conducted
during this time. Renowned specialists in the fields of radiology,
cytopathology and family medicine have traveled to Armenia to train the
Wellness Center physicians and to present lectures in their respective
disciplines to the staff of other hospitals and medical centers.

The renovation/construction and seismic reinforcement of the expanded
Wellness Center has been financed by AACA through its Armenian-American
grassroots and major donors, individual and/or family foundations,
and two grants from USAID through its American Schools and Hospital
Abroad (ASHA) Division. Despite these difficult economic times, AACA
is grateful for the ongoing assistance of its donors and is hopeful
that the Armenian American community will continue to support the
work of this vital project.

For more information on the Wellness Center and its US sponsor, visit
, or e-mail [email protected]. Please make donations
payable to AACA and mail to: 1300 Crystal Drive, Suite 1504, Arlington,
VA 22202.