Month: August 2019

BY LUCINE POTURYAN
ANCA Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellow

Only three days into my time in Washington, D.C. with the Armenian National Committee of America, and I experienced a whirlwind of activity that was fit to last me the whole summer. That eventful start set the tone for a productive and engaging summer in the hotbed of American politics, hosted by a dedicated organization fired up to mobilize its Armenian-American youth.

Let me begin by saying that I’m honored to be the inaugural Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellow. Her dedication to the Armenian Cause inspired me in my work here with the ANCA in ways I wouldn’t realize until I completed the program. But, I’ll get back to this.

The first day of this internship was marked by a workday-long crash course on the Armenian issues being voted on in Congress during this week. Be alert: if you’re sitting in your chair trying to rub the jet-lagged sleep out of your eyes, the ANCA staff are the abrupt awakening you didn’t know you needed: we’re going to Capitol Hill tomorrow.

That’s right, on just the second day of the internship, my ANCA Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship teammates and I found ourselves navigating the halls of the Rayburn, Longworth, and Cannon office buildings, pitching for the House of Representatives’ support for our foreign aid amendments granting $40 million to Armenia to support democratic developments, and $1.5 million in demining and rehabilitation aid to Artsakh. After spending the day visiting 439 congressional offices, we retired to the ANCA headquarters to watch the results of our efforts in real-time, over pizza. The air in the room was steeped in anticipation, hope, and exhaustion. We had barely gotten to know each other, let alone get settled into the city when we were exclaiming and hugging in sheer joy: we’d come together to a complicated city new to us and made a tangible change on our second day.

The thrill of the internship didn’t stop there. I was excited to learn that the delegation of interns from California would be sitting in on a meeting with the ANCA staff and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). I remember asking myself, a newcomer to this tempestuous city, if any of these events were happening in my conscious state. We had the opportunity to sit down with the Senator and speak to her about garnering senatorial support for Armenia and Artsakh related priorities. At the end of the meeting, Senator Feinstein requested for the women in the group to sit in the front for our photograph, female powerhouses flanking her. As I left her office, I didn’t think the day could get better.

Then the midday humidity welcomed itself into the city. However, Washington’s humid streets didn’t stop the women in our office from attending Politico’s Third Annual Salute to the Female Chiefs of Staff in the Capitol building. Listening to the advice of these women was inspiring for me both personally and professionally, and while I was still taking in the experience of that event, our tenacious Governmental Affairs Director, Tereza Yerimyan, led us on our way to another event. As we were walking out of the Capitol, we did a double take upon seeing Speaker Nancy Pelosi walking through the Capitol with her entourage and headed right on over for a quick chat about the Armenian Genocide resolution.

And that was just the first week. I will let the rest of the ANCA Leo Sarkisian team discuss the remaining seven weeks, but, in short, it included work on passing four pro-Armenian amendments, constant meetings with members of Congress, grassroots mobilization calls to Armenian Americans across the U.S., meetings with current and former Ambassadors, career exploration lectures, extracurricular expeditions around the capital city’s museums, ice cream socials, and a truckload of excitement and passion on the road to #HaiTahd.

All of which brings me back to Maral Melkonian Avetisyan. When I started this program, I was handed a poem—“When I Wake Up”—that Maral had written back when she was 13-years-old. She wrote about starting each day committed to fighting for a brighter future for Armenia and its children. And, with her inspiration and the ANCA’s guidance, that’s just what we did during this internship—and what I look forward to doing moving forward.

WASHINGTON—The Trump Administration—caving in to pressure from Azerbaijan’s authoritarian Aliyev regime—is targeting the humanitarian aid program in Artsakh, attempting to shut down the HALO Trust’s de-mining program that has saved countless lives across the Republic, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.

U.S. Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA) and TJ Cox (D-CA) are leading a Congressional campaign—backed by the ANCA—encouraging USAID Administrator Mark Green to reverse course and preserve the Nagorno-Karabakh de-mining program. Administrator Green testified before the Foreign Affairs Committee on April 9 of this year that USAID was committed to completing the clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnances within the traditional boundaries of Nagorno-Karabakh.

“President Trump is wrong to bow to Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev’s reckless demand that America end U.S. humanitarian aid to Artsakh,” stated ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “A modest expenditure that represents a major investment in peace, this aid program has, since Fiscal Year 1998, delivered desperately needed maternal health care, provided families with clean drinking water, and cleared farms and villages of deadly mines. We thank each and every U.S. legislator who is seeking to advance U.S. interests and American values by continuing U.S. humanitarian aid to Artsakh in the face of foreign attempts to meddle in American decision-making.”

The ANCA has mounted a nationwide grassroots Congressional calling campaign in support of continued Artsakh aid. To participate, visit the website.

BY LEONARD MANOUKIAN

Years ago, Aliyev and his government decided to openly support and actively engage in the U.S. campaign to isolate Iran, weaken its economy, and undermine its leadership—an already aggressive American undertaking under previous presidents that has, over the past two years, been taken to new heights by the Trump Administration and its National Security Adviser, John Bolton.

Now, of course, Azerbaijan’s choice comes with its costs and its benefits.

One benefit is increased security funding for Iran-facing initiatives, such as the longstanding Caspian Guard program to check Iranian influence along energy-producing regions of the Caspian coast. As expected, this category of anti-Iran aid to Azerbaijan has increased as the Trump White House has ramped up its pressure against Tehran.

On the other side of the equation are the costs. Among these, as you might expect, is increased hostility between Azerbaijan and Iran, two countries that will remain neighbors long after the Trump Administration has termed out and this particularly contentious era in U.S.-Iranian relations has come to an end. Armenia, for its part, hasn’t adopted America’s anti-Iranian approach, even though doing so may come with some rewards from Washington.

Amateurs and experts can argue about whether Azerbaijan or Armenia made the better choice in this regard, but what’s clear is that nations live with the choices they’ve made. To pretend otherwise is either painfully ignorant or willfully deceptive. Those trying to make hay of this issue for their own political purposes—foreign or domestic—probably exhibit some of both.

The good news is that serious Armenians know that the history of nations is not measured in tweets or news cycles, but in decades and centuries.

We understand that the short-term temptation of a few U.S. aid dollars—and the unfortunate second-guessing and speech-making that inevitably comes whenever Armenians take a pass on such enticements—is not worth sacrificing our long-term interests.

We witnessed the Georgian and Ukrainian experiences—cheered on by the U.S. government and NGO stakeholders—resulting in short-term aid packages, endless Washington, D.C., photo ops and, ultimately, the long-term loss of land, sovereignty and security.

We are smart enough to know the difference between those who posture as sophomoric score-keepers, as if U.S.-Armenia relations were some sort of game, and the true stewards of this enduring partnership and the abiding friendship of the Armenian and American peoples.

We have the patient, principled commitment to our homeland and heritage needed to not take the bait every time some attention seeker tries to play “gotcha” with our nation’s future.

In our homeland and across our Diaspora, there will always be those who try to score cheap points and those who make real progress.

Let us be among the latter.

Leonard Manoukian is an attorney, and former co-chair of ANCA-Glendale.

CANBERRA, Australia—The visiting Republic of Artsakh delegation continued its activities in Australia’s Federal Parliament, led by the country’s Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan, meeting key Senators to discuss Artsakh’s rights to self-determination, democracy-building and security, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia.

Minister Mayilyan was flanked by Member of Artsakh’s National Assembly Davit Ishkhanyan, Foreign Ministry official Artak Nersisyan, Artsakh’s representative in Australia Kaylar Michaelian and ANC-AU members, in meetings with Senators Eric Abetz, Richard Di Natale, and Rex Patrick.

Senator Abetz—who is Chair of the Australian Senate’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade & Defence—was introduced to the key issues concerning Armenians in their junior republic, including the conditions that were preventing peace from being achieved in their region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Senator Di Natale is the leader of the Australian Greens, who are the third-largest party in Australia’s parliament with nine Senators and one Member of Parliament, and he was very interested in how the international community could promote a peaceful resolution to the war, to which the visiting Minister provided concrete examples.

Senator Patrick, who is from cross-bench power party Centre Alliance, has taken a keen interest in Artsakh and asked questions on Australia’s position during Senate questioning of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade last year. His meeting with the visiting delegation was an opportunity to further increase understanding of the situation on the ground.

“Artsakh advocacy well and truly took center stage in Australia’s Federal Parliament this week,” said ANC-AU Executive Director, Haig Kayserian. “The Republic of Artsakh delegation met with over 15 members of Australia’s parliament over two days in the nation’s capital, and we were very proud of their representation of the key issues that concern Stepanakert.”

“Artsakh is using democracy as a tool against aggression and to pave its path towards the peace and prosperity that the people deserve. This was on show by the conduct and content of this delegation,” Kayserian added.

On their first day in Canberra, a welcome reception was held in honor of the Artsakh delegation, and attended by over a dozen Australian politicians.

Before travelling to Canberra, the delegation received a warm welcome from the Sydney Armenian community.

LOS ANGELES—The CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center’s Southern California Eyecare and Vision Research Institute, under the direction of world renowned eye care specialist Dr. Rohit Varma,  aims to provide specialized and comprehensive eye care to vulnerable populations in Southern California.

Using state-of-the-art therapies and techniques, the program strives to both study and assist under-diagnosed and under-treated individuals with visual impairment in diverse communities. Through the institute, Dr. Varma, has launched the Vision Van, which makes vision care to the targeted communities more accessible.

CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is a neighborhood partner with Asbarez, which caught up with Dr. Varma, who discussed the Vision Van and other projects in an email interview.

Asbarez: What inspired CHA SCEI’s use of mobile eye care?

Dr. Rohit Varma: The Vison Van provides a unique public service to the communities of LA and surrounding Counties by providing access to vision screening and care and by helping increase awareness of the importance of eye health and the causes of preventable vision loss.

The Vison Van brings the expertise of SCEI ophthalmologists/specialists to people who are unable to obtain vision care due to financial hardships, transportation or lack of insurance for screening.

By providing greater access to eye care, the SCEI Vision Van will reduce the burden of eye disease and vision loss across LA and surrounding Counties.

Asbarez: How will patients in need of eye care come into contact with SCEI?

R.V: SCEI will bring the Vision Van to Health Fairs and community-based events. With the help of the media, mailing flyers and website announcements we hope to spread the news and invite surrounding residents to attend these events and receive a screening examination. If communities want to have the vision van come to their centers, they should contact Mina Torres via email. [email protected].

Asbarez: How many doctors and staff members will one van typically hold? How many individuals will be involved in SCEI’s day-to-day operations?

R.V.: Typically the VAN will have 1 – 3 ophthalmologists, 2 – 3 ophthalmic technicians and 1 – 3 support staff members.

Asbarez: To what communities will SCEI travel to and how from where the hospital is located?

R.V.: The SCEI Vision Van can travel across all Los Angeles county and surrounding Southern California communities.

Asbarez: How many patients do you plan to see daily?

R.V.: The SCEI Vision Van is currently only participating at community events. The Vision Van can provide screening to over 100/day individuals at any given community event.

Asbarez: Is there an end goal for SCEI? As this project grows, are there plans for more than one van for SCEI?

R.V.: Yes, we hope to add additional Vans as we grow.

Asbarez: What were the most difficult obstacles to overcome throughout this project?

R.V.: Gaining the trust of communities so that people can come and get exams and learn about their vison health.

Asbarez: Will there be volunteer opportunities for individuals interested in the program?

R.V.: There is always opportunity for individuals to volunteer especially in large Health Fairs. Most of the staff members who help with registration and coordination in health fairs volunteer their time.

YEREVAN–The Armenian National Committee of America–Western Region 2019 political officials’ delegation trip to Armenia wrapped up its first two days filled with a number of high-level meetings with government officials as well as visits to key institutions and sites.

The delegation is comprised of California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis; Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger; Chief of Staff to Supervisor Barger Anna Mouradian; Arizona State Senators Paul Boyer and Otoniel “Tony” Navarrete; Colorado State Senator Dominick Moreno; and Colorado State Representative Daneya Esgar. The ANCA-WR Board chairwoman Nora Hovsepian is accompanied by fellow Board members Sako Berberian and Lina Davidian, as well as ANCA-WR’s Community Development Coordinator Simon Maghakyan.

“Our delegation – representing leaders from three western U.S. states and the second ANCA-WR delegation to visit Armenia in the first year since the Velvet Revolution – is here in Yerevan to explore ways to institutionalize and expand existing relationships between Armenia and California, Arizona and Colorado,” remarked ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq. “By organizing this visit, we wanted to create the opportunity to showcase first-hand Armenia’s commitment to democracy, free market economy, and Western values at-large, and to deepen ties related to trade, education, and support for democracy-building measures,” continued Hovsepian.

The first day of the visit featured meetings and in-depth discussions with Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Avinyan, Foreign Affairs Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, and Majority Leader of the ruling ‘My Step’ faction in the National Assembly Lilit Makunts and a group of legislative leaders. The delegation also visited the American University of Armenia, which was especially meaningful due to its direct affiliation with the University of California, on whose Board Lt.Gov. Kounalakis serves, thereby giving her the opportunity to learn more about how educational bridges can be expanded. The packed schedule on day one concluded with a tour of the renowned ‘Ararat’ brandy distillery.

The second day kicked off with an emotional visit to the Dzidzernagaperd Armenian Genocide Museum and Institute to pay respect to over 3 million Armenian, Assyrian, and Greek innocent victims of the Genocide. Accompanied by the museum’s director, Dr. Harutyun Marutyan, the delegation members toured the facility learning about the history and the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide, and planted commemorative blue spruce trees in the name of each of the three U.S. states. The itinerary also included a visit to the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, as well as inspirational visits to Holy Etchmiadzin and the Khor Virap monastic complex at the foot of majestic Mt. Ararat.

The evening culminated with a tour of the historic Megerian Carpet Factory and a cultural program and authentic Armenian dinner, music and traditional folk dance.

In the meetings, Armenian officials stressed the importance placed to further deepening the strategic relations between the United States and Armenia, including state-level partnerships, especially in the wake of the 2018 Velvet Revolution and democratic transformations taking place in the country.

Special emphasis was placed on the role of the Armenian American community in cultivating and advancing the bond between the U.S. and Armenia.