$5 MILLION RAISED FOR ARF POLITICAL ACTIVITIES AT DUBAI GALA
ARF Press Service
Monday February 2, 2009
DUBAI (ARF Press Service)–An unprecedented $5 million dollars
was raised over the weekend at a gala benefit for the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation’s political activities throughout
the world. The benefit gala, held Saturday at the Festival City
Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai was attended by hundreds of benefactors
and presided over by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia.
The event’s contributions surpassed previous such gatherings held in
Geneva in 2001 and in Paris in 2005.
The global economic crisis did not deter benefactors from stepping
forward this year and recognizing the important work of the ARF’s
international political offices in the last four years. The money
raised will greatly elevate the work of Hai Tahd in meeting the
challenges facing Armenia’s foreign policy priorities.
Presided over by Catholicos Aram I, a large number of businesspeople
and ARF members and supporters from Europe, Russia, the Middle East
and Armenia came together to reaffirm their commitment to the political
activities of the ARF. More than 250 donors took part in the event.
Members from the ARF’s ministerial rank in Armenia, Arsen
Hamabrtsoumian, Aramayis Grigorian and Spartak Seyranian were joined
at the event by their counterpart in Lebanon Andre Tabourian. Members
from the ARF’s Armenian parliamentary bloc and th e ARF’s Lebanon
member of parliament, Hagop Pakradouni were also at the gala. Also
present were Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Vahagn
Melikyan, Armenian Relief Society Central Executive chairwoman Vicky
Marashlian, as well as the majority of the ARF Bureau and directors
of Hai Tahd offices in Europe, the Middle East and Moscow.
Shahe Barsoumian, a Master of Ceremonies and a member of the organizing
committee, welcomed the guest and those who were unable to attend
for their continued support and generosity. He discussed the various
the activities of the ARF’s political offices around the world,
underscoring the positive impact of their work on Armenia’s standing
in the world.
Representing the UAE and Dubai region, Hrair Soghomonian welcomed
those gathered and throughout the evening recognized the donors who
had generously contributed to the event.
Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian’s message was read by Armenia’s
Education Minister Spartak Seyranian.
"New components are continually being added to the concept of %u218Hai
Tahd’," said Sarkisian in his message, adding that international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the just resolution of the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are being supplemented by new challenges. "We
need to assist in the strengthening of our homeland."
The second Master of Ceremonies, ARF Bureau member and chairman of
the ARF parliamentary bloc, Vahan Hovannesian, presen ted the gathered
guests with a list of donors.
With a message to "believe, work and triumph," ARF Bureau chairman
Hrant Markarian addressed the gathering, expressing gratitude to
the generous benefactors gathered at the event on behalf of the
organization.
Markarian said the network of Hai Tahd offices are "effectively second
embassies in Washington, Brussels, Moscow, Beirut and Tbilisi. They
coordinate and marshal the efforts of Armenians and our friends toward
elevating Armenia’s political stature internationally, securing
economic assistance to Armenia, defending rights of the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh, the realization of the international recognition
and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide and to counter Turkish and
Azeri anti-Armenian propaganda."
Markarian added that defense of the Armenian Cause was, for decades,
an undertaking and priority of the Diaspora. He welcomed that Armenia
and its population have now joined the fight for justice, making Hai
Tahd a truly pan-Armenian reality.
At the conclusion of the event, Catholicos Aram I addressed the
gathering highlighted the pan-Armenian nature of Hai Tahd, commending
the current Armenian leadership for elevating the Armenian Cause within
the country’s foreign policy priorities. He called the event not merely
a fundraiser but rather an opportunity to renew the commitment toward
the successful fruition of national aspirations.
Renowned and popular singer Roub en Hakhverdian entertained the guests
during the banquet.
A DVD chronicling the ARF’s political activities in Europe, Russia and
the CIS, the Middle, and within international bodies was distributed
to the guests and donors.