LW & GAD

The pictures from the Last Weekend and Going Away dinner were taken this past weekend. The AAA interns were able to have their last excursion to Etchmiadzin, Khor-Vriap, and Zvartnorts. Their dinner was held at the Georgian/Armenian restaurant, Caucasus.

Going Away Dinner

Last Weekend

NKR - Various Sites

After meeting w/ the President, and the Speaker, the AAA interns were able to see various sites throughout NKR, as well as on their way home.

NKR trip events

1. Noravank Monastery

2. City of Goris

3. Tatev Monastery

4. Stepanakert city tour

5. Meeting with president

6. Meeting with speaker of parliament

7. Visit to HALO Trust de-mining center

8. Gandzasar Monastery

9. Tour of Shushi

10. Lavash bakery in Shushi

Nagorno Karabakh -Presidents Meeting

AAA interns meet with the President of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Speaker of the Parliament.
Questions that were discussed with both are below:

Meeting with the president:

Questions discussed:

1. Possible ways of solving the conflict with Azerbaijan

2. The role of the Armenian Diaspora in solving the conflict and in the economic development of NKR.

3. Main directions of economic development of NKR.

4. President proposed to enlarge the SIP to NKR

5. President urged interns to be more active in Armenian related questions

6. De-mining operations

7. Other

Meeting with the speaker of parliament:

Questions discussed:

1. The structure of NKR Government and Parliament

2. The structure of the NKR budget

3. Educational system of NKR

4. Economic assistance of Armenia and Diaspora

5. Private investments in NKR economy

6. The differences between Armenian and NKR constitutions

7. Other

Nagorno Karabakh - HALO Trust De-Mining Center

Over the weekend, the AAA interns were welcomed by the HALO Trust Demining center. HALO is in charge of demining the NK region from the mines that were left over from the war.

United States Embassy

The AAA interns had the opportunity to meet with the US Ambassador to Armenia, Ambassador Evans. He gave a brief overview of the roles and duties of the embassy and took questions

Gyumri

Gyumri 1- Aram Khachadurian is briefing interns in Shirak Competitiveness Center

Gyumri 2 - Lt. Colonel Clint Moyer gives a speach in American Corner (Gyumri) about State Partnership Program between Kansas and Armenia

Gyumri 3 - Aram Kachadurian is presenting to interns his cheese factory.
Gyumri 4 - Interns at fish breeding farm
Gyumri 5 - Interns at Aram's "Voske Ser" farm
Gyumri 6 - Interns enjoying few kinds of fish at fish breeding farm restaurant

City Hall

On July 24 interns visited Yerevan City Hall. They met Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Mr. Vano Vardanyan. Mr. Vardanyan told interns about the structure of Municipality, the construction works being done in Yerevan, problems of big city, transportation problems. Deputy Mayor answered interns' questions. Then he gave a tour of City Hall (including Observation Tower of the City Hall building). At the end interns visited Yerevan History Museum, which is located in the same building)

Later during the day interns went to the Grand Candy Factory. They visited few workshops of the factory (caramel, chocolate and ice cream). Interns tasted candies, ice creams and got answers to all their questions.

Internship puts pair in Armenia
After time in Washington D.C., the pair will spend two months working in capital city.

By Wafiqah Basrai
(Published: July 4, 2006)

Glendale residents Ani Sinanyan and Armine Bazikyan could not have asked for a better way to spend their summer after graduating from UCLA.

The two women, both 21, are participating in a two-month-long internship program in Yerevan, Armenia, where they are gaining work experience and immersing themselves in the culture.

Since 1999 the Armenian Assembly has provided internship opportunities in Washington, D.C., and Yerevan, Armenia. Sinanyan and Bazikyan took part in the Washington, D.C., internship last summer.

"We did our part in D.C., and we felt the need to definitely come to Armenia to give back and to learn from Armenia," Sinanyan said.

Western Office Director Lena Kaimian, who is overseeing the internships, emphasized the importance of the program.

"This is the future of our community and through the internship program they have an opportunity to experience our nation's capital and ancestral homeland in a professional setting," she said.

During the week, the interns work in their specialized field of interest.

Sinanyan works at the Markaryan Medical Center, where she helps with research for maternal and child health care. She also works in the surgical department at the hospital with nurses and doctors. Sinanyan has done similar work in hospitals in Los Angeles. Working oversees is a great experience because she gets to see the differences between Los Angeles and Yerevan, she said.

Although the internship began on June 20 , Sinanyan said she's learned more in the past week and half than she ever thought she could.

"You come here thinking you are going to be the one teaching the locals, but you sometimes learn more from them," Sinanyan said.

The internship has been a good experience for Bazikyan, too. She is working with president of the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunyan, whose judicial post is analogous to chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in America. She is learning about the Armenian Constitution and spends her days sitting with judges, listening and engaging in their discussions.

Bazikyan is also helping a human rights group that works closely with the Constitutional Court.

"It's very different from D.C.," Bazikyan said. "It's really interesting to be in Armenia [and to] see how a growing country is still developing its constitution."

Apart from gaining valuable work experience, the two are learning more about their motherland, culture and religion.

On weekends, the interns have planned programs designed to make their free time more constructive, Sinanyan said.

The interns visit sites that are not typical tourist areas, but are important to Armenia's history and culture. On Saturday, they went on a 14-hour trip and visited monasteries.

They also attend lectures, participate in mixers with students who do similar work and meet government officials.

Being thousands of miles away from home might make some uneasy, but both said they are comfortable in Armenia.

"I feel like I have an extended family here. I feel like I'm in the right place," Sinanyan said.

Bazikyan agrees, "I feel at home because everyone is Armenian."

Kaimian said the program has received positive feedback. "The students are amazed at the experience they get in Armenia because they are working hands-on and they're involved in the process of nation building," she said. "They are gaining the full Armenia experience."

Three other Glendale Residents are doing internships through the Armenian Assembly, but a little closer to home. Emin Akopyan, Shant Norhadian and Lara Talverdian are interning for California representatives and senators in Washington, D.C.

Lake Sevan

The AAA interns were able to escape the craziness of downtown Yerevan this past weekend by heading out to Lake Sevan.

Garni & various festivities

Constitutional day (A national holiday celebrating the adoption of the first Armenian constitution on July 5, 1995) fell on Wednesday this week, July 5th, and the AAA group had the day off from work. First stopping at the biggest knock-off of a Dunkin Donuts back in the States, we all had the chance to sit down and eat at Yum Yum’s. They even had real filtered, drip coffee although it tasted more like water. Afterwards we all left for Garni.

Garni Temple was built in the first century by King Tiridates as a summer retreat for his family. Destroyed in an earthquake in 1679, the temple was rebuilt during the Soviet years. Clear distinctions can be made between the original stone and the replaced stones during the rebuilding phase. Also, some Arabic graffiti can be seen etched out in the stone on the right-hand side of the entrance. More details and pictures could be found


Another interesting trip that was taken by the AAA group was the visit to the Ararat Brandy Factory, right over the Victory Bridge in Yerevan. The building, designed by Ovanes Markaryan houses some of the worlds best brandy. Owned by a French group, Pernod Ricot, Ararat brandy comes in various forms. We all had the chance to test the 3-Star, 5-Start, and the 20 Year old.

This past Sunday was capped off with a dinner at the Hovnanian's residence. The house had a pool in the back that allowed for non-AAA abuse, that all the AAA interns found out after. Our fearless coordinator - Vram- made sure we were home and ready for our next days meeting at the Ministry of Justice.


(Interns amazed by the brandy & a few tipsy) (Ms.Hovnanian entertaining a few AAA interns)

(Dinner at Monte Cristo's with all the AAA intens) (Arpi took the time to brief us on AAA)

Official Meetings

The AAA group of interns this summer had the chance to meet with three senior level officials, all within the Armenian government and its ministries these past few weeks. First, the AAA group as well as the Birth Right/Depi Hayk group were introduced to the Foreign Minster of Armenia, Vartan Oskanian. As the head of the Foreign Ministry Mr. Oskanian is the chief diplomat representing the government of Armenia. His equivalent, in position, within the United States government would be Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. Mr. Oskanian spoke on topics ranging from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the upcoming Diaspora conference in September and the corresponding projects that will be introduced at the meeting, the assistance and role that the Armenian government has with the United States in the context of the ongoing situation in Iraq as well as possible operations within Afghanistan, and finally, the current rise of xenophobia within Russia against Armenians as well as other minorities.

The second meeting that took place last week was with the Armenian Human Rights Ombudsman, Armen Harutiunian. As a long time constitutional law advisor to President Robert Kocharian, Mr. Harutiunian was elected to his new position in February 2006 and will serve a six year term. As Armenia’s Ombudsman, Mr. Harutiunian’s role is to ensure the accountability of government through effective oversight. The Ombudsman’s office is independent of any political party or government ministry. Their role is to act as an outside watchdog. One example of the role that the Ombudsman plays within Armenia is when his office overlooks any piece of legislation that either a government ministry or official or Armenian citizen feels threats the human rights of Armenians. Mr. Harutiunian gave a brief explanation of his and his office’s role within Armenia, their capabilities within the government and any outside help they may receive, and the future of the office. He mentioned that within the fall of 2006, they will be moving to a new office and are interested in future interns.

AAA’s third official meeting took place with the Justice Minister, David Harutiunian. [Full bio] . Mr. Harutiunian and the Ministry of Justice “is a republican body of executive authority, which elaborates and implements policies of the Republic of Armenia Government in sectors which belong to the authority of the Ministry in accordance with laws, other legal acts, and its by-laws.” During the meeting, Mr. Harutiunian gave an overview of the Minsitry, and their role with the Parliament and government of Armenia.




The AAA group will have more meetings with officials throughout the summer.