“Around 70% of the funds raised during this year’s telethon will be channeled to the rehabilitation of Shushi – to resolving the water and gas supply problem, maintaining the local library, center of culture and other establishments,” Ara Vardanyan, Executive Director of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, told reporters.

He pointed out that the Fund spares no effort for the telethon to become a really all-Armenian event. In this context, Vardanyan said that, although it is not so easy, it is quite possible, as this year’s figures show. “This year, the Diaspora has donated twice as much. The donations showed an 18% increase in the United States. During a telethon held in France donations were made as well. Over 12,400 families from France, Germany and Switzerland participated in the telethon – 10% as much as last year. Over U.S. $5m were raised at the charity dinner in Moscow. In Armenia, 12,000 people participated in the SMS voting, and 15,000 citizens made donations,” Vardanyan said.

Speaking of the donations made by businessmen both from Armenia and from the Diaspora , Vardanyan pointed out that “all the businessmen and officials in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh participated in the fund-raising,” Vardanyan said. He also said that the well-known businessman, Chairman of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) Gagik Tsarukyan has not taken part in this year’s telethon.

Responding to NEWS.am reporter’s question about a considerable decrease in the total amount donated as compared with last year, Vardanyan said that the global economic crisis must be the cause, but not the lack of confidence in the Fund. To substantiate his statement he said that this year the Fund has received a €1.5m devise from France and a €1 devise from Great Britain.

The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund not only holds annual telethons, but also carries out tremendous work, Vardanyan said.

T.P.