For Immediate Release
October 27, 2006

ARMENIA FUND USA TO HOST NAGORNO-KARABAKH PRESIDENT ARKADY GHOUKASSIAN IN NEW YORK

NEW YORK, New York – Armenia Fund USA is pleased to announce that it will host Nagorno-Karabakh President Arkady Ghoukassian in New York on November 10, 2006 as part of his visit to the United States in connection with the 9th International Armenia Fund Telethon. President Ghoukassian will be honored at a dinner reception at the Harvard Club featuring keynote speaker attorney Mark Geragos who has built an international reputation for his success defending celebrated cases. Mr. Geragos is a compassionate supporter of Armenia and Armenian causes which he will highlight during the event.

Armenia Fund USA, with its international affiliates, has had an immense impact on the development of Karabakh and Armenia since independence. The organization remains the largest contributor to socio-economic infrastructure projects there since 1992.

President Ghoukassian will meet with the supporters of the Fund and brief them on recent political and economic developments in Karabakh. The Fund has been heavily involved in reversing the impoverished conditions of a cluster of 18 villages by establishing an Agricultural Development Association in Mardakert, a region affected mostly by war. A groundbreaking change was also accomplished with the opening of the Armine Pagoumian Polyclinic and Hrair Hovnanian Diagnostic Center in Stepanakert. The project has fundamentally changed the healthcare system in the region affecting lives of about 35% of the population there.

Armenia Fund USA’s Regional Development Program, launched last year, is an integrated approach to rural poverty eradication. It focuses on sustainability and continuity of development combining local expertise and need assessment of rural communities. The project encompasses all key aspects of socio-economic development – access to education, proper healthcare, and clean water, as well as sustainable infrastructure to support irrigation water systems, roads and agricultural development.

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was the first of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 19 international affiliates and serves constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit, non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all Armenian constituents.

Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 19 international affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia and Karabakh, and having helped build 138 miles of roads, 100 miles of waterways, 36 schools, 3 electric transmission networks, 210 residential buildings and 15 healthcare institutions.

Armenia Fund USA’s Mission is the development of strategic socio-economic infrastructure in Armenia and Karabakh, focusing on major projects such as major highways, schools, drinking water to communities and humanitarian programs in education, training and medical facilities. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

To learn more about Armenia Fund USA, please visit our website at
www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org or call us at 212-689-5307.

Armenia Fund USA
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 301
New York, NY 10038