August 2005

1  NCI founder Raffi K. Hovannisian is referenced as “a leader who could head the politically active part of the Armenian population” by Noyan Tapan Highlights in “Did Ghost of Revolution Start Looming in Armenia?”

2  Founder Raffi Hovannisian is referenced in Hayots Ashkharh daily as a public figure with a sound political stance and public impact.

Hovannisian’s interview is covered by Noev Kovcheg of Russia in “What Armenia Will Bequeath to Our Children and Grandchildren.”

10  The National Citizens’ Initiative convenes a specialized policy seminar on “The Probability of Revolution in Armenia: Preconditions and Consequences,” covered by Shant, Kentron, Yerkir television, Armenian public radio and MaxLiberty, and by Arka, Mediamax, Regnum, Kavkazskiy Uzel, Armenians Today bulletin, Arminfo and Noyan Tapan news agencies.

11  Center roundtable is covered by CENN Daily Digest and Aravot, Iravunk, Taregir, Avangard and Noyan Tapan Highlights newspapers.

12  “Armenian opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian’s condemnation of the arrest and prosecution of Turkish historian Yektan Turkyilmaz” is covered by ArmeniaLiberty, RFE/RL Newsline, Kentron, Yerkir and Shant television, Asbarez Online, Oneworld Multimedia, and Yes! weekly of the United States.

Hovannisian’s standpoint on the Mountainous Karabagh conflict is covered by Yerrord Uzh newspaper.

15  Groong’s Review and Outlook references NCI seminar in “‘Velvet Revolution’ in Armenia Likely to be Driven by Parents Rather than Youth.”

Raffi Hovannisian gives comments to Yerkir television on educational challenges in Armenia and Karabagh.

16  Raffi Hovannisian attends opening ceremony of the ARF-Dashnaktsutiun Bureau Office in Yerevan, covered by Yerkir and H1 television, Noyan Tapan news agency, Armenians Today bulletin, Haikakan Zhamanak and Yerkir newspapers.

19  Greek Prime Minister Konstantinos A. Karamanlis receives Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs Raffi K. Hovannisian at his government office in Athens, deliberates on regional security and European integration, domestic developments and bilateral relationship between the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Armenia, covered by Yerkir and AR television, Armenian public radio, Armenpress, Noyan Tapan, Regnum news agencies, ArmeniaLiberty, Armenians Today bulletin, Day.Az, Hayastani Hanrapetutiun and Noyan Tapan Highlights newspapers.

24  The National Citizens’ Initiative convenes the first of its roundtable series on “Human Rights, State and Communal Necessities” on violation of property rights of the former residents of Yerevan’s Kentron district, covered by Shant, Yerkir and Kentron television, Armenian public radio, Radio Liberty, MaxLiberty and Mir radio, Arka, Noyan Tapan and Mediamax news agencies.

25  Center roundtable is covered by Taregir, Azg, and Avangard newspapers.

26  Raffi Hovannisian attends inaugural ceremonies in the village of Karakert marking the first-phase completion of its Integrated Rural Development Program, congratulates benefactor Dr. Garo Armen.

29  Founded by Armenouhi and Raffi K. Hovannisian, Orran benevolent organization launches one-month campaign for destitute children and elderly, covered by Noyan Tapan, Arminfo and Armenpress.

29-31  In Warsaw and Gdansk, Raffi K. Hovannisian represents Armenia at an international conference marking the Solidarity movement's 25^th anniversary, holds meetings with Solidarity's leader and later Polish President Lech Walesa; former US Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright; former US National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski; former US Secretary of State James A. Baker III; President Jose Manuel D. Barroso of the European Commission; President Alexander Kwasniewski of Poland; Polish Parliamentary Speaker Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz; Serbian President Boris Tadic; former Czech President Vaclav Havel; Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili; Human Rights Watch director Jeri Laber; and several others. The event is covered by Armenia television; Radio Liberty and Armenian public radio, Noyan Tapan, Arminfo, Armenpress, A1 Plus and Regnum news agencies, ArmeniaLiberty, Rol Portal of Russia, Aravot, Haikakan Zhamanak, 168 Zham, Golos Armenii and Novoye Vremia newspapers.