For Immediate Release
November 17, 2006

FAMED ATTORNEY MARK GERAGOS CALLS FOR SUPPORT TO ARMENIA FUND USA AT PRE-TELETHON GALA DINNER AT HARVARD CLUB

NEW YORK, New York – An air of excitement and anticipation filled the well-appointed dining room as renowned attorney Mark Geragos approached the podium to address more than 130 guests at Armenia Fund USA’s pre-telethon gala dinner. Set in the prestigious Harvard Club, New York City, the evening’s event was held on November 10, 2006 and honored Nagorno-Karabakh President Arkady Ghoukassian accompanied by Mrs. Ghoukassian. Attended by many dignitaries, the guest list included Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese; Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy; Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States Tatoul Markarian; and Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations Ambassador Armen Martirosyan.

Armenia Fund USA’s pre-telethon gala dinner:

Master of ceremonies Mark Momjian, currently a partner in the Philadelphia law firm of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, opened the evening introducing guest speaker Mark Geragos. Mr. Geragos, presently the managing partner of the preeminent law firm Geragos&Geragos, has been a passionate supporter of the Fund’s activities, and has recently joined the Board of Trustees of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund in Yerevan. He has many times made special appearances at Armenia Fund’s Thanksgiving Telethons that have become an annual tradition for Armenians around the world. In his address, Geragos pointed to more unified efforts to help Armenia Fund deliver much needed development to Karabakh. Also, another highlight of Mr. Geragos’ speech was his sharing about the class action lawsuits, both successful with more pending, which are recovering millions of dollars to heirs of Armenians killed in the Ottoman Empire.

President Arkady Ghoukassian, visiting the United States in connection with the Thanksgiving Telethon, also welcomed the guests and related warm appreciation on behalf of the people of Karabakh. The President emphasized the need for winning the war against poverty in the region and for opening the road to more serious investments in Karabakh.

Following the President’s address, Chairman of Armenia Fund USA Kevork Toroyan spoke of recent developments in 18 villages of Mardakert where rural communities were among the first beneficiaries of the newly established agricultural cooperative for subsistence farmers. About 900 farming households will have access to badly needed mechanized services and technical advice from US agricultural experts. This would represent a significant portion of Mardakert’s population. The project, which is part of the “Rebirth of Artakah” Regional Development Initiative for Nagorno-Karabakh, targets rural poverty by raising the average family income through improved agricultural practices and technical assistance. More than this, 30 families are currently benefiting from a pilot 3-year community development program co-managed by Armenia Fund USA and Heifer International. The pilot program will provide seeds, fertilizers, cows and technical assistance in animal husbandry. Armenia Fund USA and its international affiliates are also constructing 3 schools, a hospital, and a major water-pipeline in the Mardakert region.

The proceeds of the 9th International Armenia Fund Telethon, to be aired on November 23, 2006, Thanksgiving Day, will go toward the regional development of Hadrut. 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.

Armenia Fund USA, with its international affiliates, has had a strong and measurable impact on the development of Karabakh and Armenia since independence. The organization remains the largest contributor to socio-economic infrastructure projects there since 1992, having invested more than $150 million in large-scale infrastructure.

ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA: ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was one of 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. The Fund has adopted a policy to go “Beyond Bricks and Mortar” to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.

Armenia Fund USA and its worldwide affiliates have invested more than $150 million in sustainable development in Armenia and Karabakh. This makes the Fund the largest contributor to critical infrastructure projects in almost all aspects of socio-economic activity.

The list of completed projects include:

• 138 miles of highways
• 59 schools
• 20 hospitals and healthcare clinics
• 81 miles of drinking water pipeline
• 222 housing projects
• 3 major electric transmission networks

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