December 12, 2008
Armenian Rights Council of America, Western Region
1901 N. Allen Ave.
Altadena, CA 91001
Contact: Mr. Ara Aharonian
Tel: 626-296-2921
Fax: 626-296-2922
Email: [email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
Argentine-Armenian Legislator Sergio Nahabetian’s Press Conference in
California
ALTADENA, CA ` On Friday evening November 21, 2008, the Armenian
Rights Council of America (ARCA), Western Region invited the media to
attend a press conference at the Tekeyan Cultural Association’s
Beshgeturian Center in Altadena featuring Argentine-Armenian
legislator, the Honorable Sergio Nahabetian, accompanied by his
gracious wife Susanna.
Born and raised in Argentina, the Honorable Sergio Nahabetian was
elected to the Argentinian Chamber of Deputies (or Camara) on October
23, 2005. As a member and current President of the Executive Council
of the Recrear (or Rebirth) political party, Mr. Nahabetian represents
the Province of Buenos Aires in the Camara. In April 2006, Sergio
Nahabetian introduced binding legislation in the Camara reaffirming
the Armenian Genocide as an irrefutable fact. Despite threats from the
Turkish Embassy in Buenos Aires, in June 2006 Mr. Nahabetian and
fellow Argentine-Armenians successfully lobbied legislators in the
Camara to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The momentum of recognition
triggered in the Camara eventually permeated into the Senate of the
Province of Buenos Aires, the Municipality of Buenos Aires, and the
Legislature of the Province of Cordoba. Ultimately, on January 15,
2007 the Argentine Congress passed a law annually declaring April 24th
as `The day of action for tolerance and respect among people in
commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.’ An energetic leader of the
Armenian community in Argentina, Mr. Nahabetian is an active member of
the Armenian Democratic Liberal (ADL) Party in South America, the
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) where he serves as Chairman
of the AGBU Youth League in Buenos Aires, President of the Tekeyan
Cultural Association (TCA) of Argentina, as well as publisher and
editor of the Sardarabad Armenian-script weekly newspaper.
On behalf of the Executive Board of the ARCA Western Region,
Mr. Mihran Toumajan welcomed everyone in attendance, provided a brief
biography of the honored guest, and expressed ARCA’s appreciation to
outgoing California State Senator Jack Scott (representing the 21st
Senate District of California) for inviting Mr. Nahabetian to the
Golden State for an official visit. He then invited ADL Western Region
Chairman Hagop Nazerian to the podium who briefed the media about
Mr. Nahabetian’s upcoming engagements during his week-long visit to
California from November 21-28. Mr. Nazerian, in turn, invited
long-time ADL and TCA member and former Argentine resident,
Mr. Khachig Janoyan, to the podium who peppered his words of welcome
with interesting anecdotes about Sergio Nahabatian’s lovely parents,
and the Nahabetian family’s dedication in pursuit of the empowerment
of Armenians and the perpetuation of Armenian language and culture in
Latin America. Mr. Janoyan finally invited the media to address their
questions to the honored guest.
In response to a question about the present-day economic situation in
Argentina, Mr. Nahabetian preferred to answer the question as a
concerned citizen of Argentina, and not as a member of the opposition
Recrear political party. Citing the current economic state of
recession in the United States, Mr. Nahabetian expressed concern that
troubles in the United States could negatively influence the
Argentinian economy in the coming year.
Responding to a question about the status of the Armenian community in
Argentina, Sergio Nahabetian affirmed that the Armenian Apostolic
Church in Argentina is undivided and subordinate to the Holy See of
Etchmiadzin. Further, all Armenian community organizations have
cordial relations with the Armenian Diocese of
Argentina. Unfortunately, most organizations are currently
experiencing financial difficulties, due to a dearth of benefactors
and volunteers compared to decades past. Nevertheless, Mr. Nahabetian
stressed the importance of more robust community involvement in local
and provincial politics irrespective of ideological or political
leanings.
Regarding a question about the process undertaken in Argentina to pass
a law in recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Mr. Nahabetian humbly
shunned his serious work and involvement by giving credit to the
patient yet diligent activism of Argentine-Armenians who educated
various political parties throughout Argentina about the historical
veracity of the Armenian Genocide.
In response to a question about the Republic of Armenia’s
newly-established Ministry for Diaspora Affairs, Mr. Nahabetian
welcomed the creation of the Ministry and congratulated the Honorable
Hranush Hakobyan on her recent appointment as Armenia’s first
Disaporan Affairs Minister. Mr. Nahabetian encouraged all Diasporan
structures to be prepared to work hand-in-hand with the new Ministry
if and when called upon.
Other questions ranging from the status of Armenian educational and
religious institutions in Argentina, to the future of the Armenian
media in the Diaspora were answered thoroughly and thoughtfully by
Mr. and Mrs. Sergio and Susanna Nahabetian.
ADL Central Committee Assistant Secretary Ara Aharonian thanked Mr. &
Mrs. Nahabetian for their insightful remarks, which they mainly
articulated flawlessly in Armenian. Mr. Aharonian reminded all in
attendance about upcoming events on the occasion of the Nahabetians’
visit to Southern California, including a solemn observance at the
Armenian Martyrs Memorial Monument in Montebello on Saturday, November
22, as well as the Nahabetians’ participation in the Divine Liturgy,
to be celebrated by His Eminence Abp. Barkev Mardirossian, Primate of
the Diocese of Artsakh, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian
Apostolic Church of Pasadena on Sunday, November 23. The Pastor of
St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Pasadena, Very Rev. Fr. Baret
Yeretzian, delivered the benediction.