YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–"We are launching a major project and this forum must set the blueprint for the plan of action," President Robert Kocharian said when receiving a delegation from California–that had arrived in Armenia to participate in the nationwide forum. The delegation includes members of community leaders–the local body of the All-Armenian Fund "Hayastan," businessmen and benefactors.
Kocharian reportedly attached great importance to the active efforts of the "Hayastan" Fund. "The Fund has many times demonstrated its ability to solve fundamental national problems." Stressing the importance of the construction of the Goris-Lachin-Stepanakert highway–the president placed special significance on the role of the Armenian community of the United States in the matter. According to the president–the practical continuation of this work should be the construction of the South-North driveway. The Fund plans to hold the third fund-raising telethon in the US on November 25 whose funds for the construction of the highway. The delegation members expressed confidence that the positive responses the Armenia-Diaspora forum had evoked would help hold a successful telethon.