Month: February 2020

A representative of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation participated in the fourth convention of Turkey’s People’s Democratic Party (HDP) being held in Ankara, which was chaired by among others Garo Paylan, an Armenian member of the Turkish parliament who represents the HDP.

ARF representative Khajag Meguerdichian was among 100 international participants and thousands of guests, with convention organizers estimating a crowd of 30,000 party members and supporters. The HDP said that thousands more were not allowed to attend due to the crackdown by the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Meguerdichian also represented the ARF at HDP’s previous convention.

At the close of the convention, the delegates elected the party’s co-chairs. According to HDP by-laws an equal number of men and women are elected to the party’s leadership bodies. Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar were elected unanimously as the party’s co-chairs along with the Party Assembly with 836 votes from the 1018 delegates that participated.

GLENDALE—With just over a week left until the March 3 primary elections, the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region released its list of primary endorsements.

“Ensuring our community’s active participation in the electoral process is one of the core functions of the ANCA Western Region, as we strive to make our community’s collective voice heard at the national, regional and local levels of government,” remarked the organization’s Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq. “Through our HyeVotes Initiative, we strive to educate our community about the importance of registering to vote and participating in the nation’s democratic processes as active and engaged citizens to help ensure that our elected representatives address the needs and concerns of our community.”

The full slate of endorsed candidates is provided below and can also be accessed on the ANCA-WR website.

Federal Races

• Judy Chu – CA Congressional 27th District
• Jim Costa – CA Congressional 16th District
• Anna Eshoo – CA Congressional 18th District
• Ted Lieu – CA Congressional 33rd District
• Linda Sanchez – CA Congressional 38th District
• Adam Schiff – CA Congressional 28th District
• Brad Sherman – CA Congressional 30th District
• Christy Smith – CA Congressional 25th District
• Jackie Speier – CA Congressional 14th District
• *Andrew Romanoff – U.S. Senate Primary (Colorado)
• *Dan Janjigian – Texas Congressional 31st District

California State Senate Races

• Toni Atkins – 39th District
• Anthony Portantino – 25th District
• Henry Stern – 27th District
• Scott Wiener – 11th District
• Scott Wilk – 21st District

State Assembly Races

• Marc Berman – 24th District
• Lisa Calderon – 57th District
• Laura Friedman – 43rd District
• Jesse Gabriel – 45th District
• Chris Holden – 41st District
• Adrin Nazarian – 46th District
• Jim Patterson – 23rd District
• Sharon Quirk-Silva – 65th District
• Anthony Rendon – 63rd District
• Luz Rivas – 39th District
• *Simon Maghakyan – Colorado House 7th District

Los Angeles County Races

• Kathryn Barger – LA County Board of Supervisors 5th District
• George Gascon – LA County District Attorney
• Elen Asatryan – Democratic County Central Committee
• Ingrid Gunnell – Democratic County Central Committee
• Malcolm Johnson – Democratic County Central Committee

City Races

• Kevin De Leon – Los Angeles City Council 14th District
• Paul Krekorian – Los Angeles City Council 2nd District
• John Lee – Los Angeles City Council 12th District
• David Ryu – Los Angeles City Council 4th District
• Paula Devine – Glendale City Council
• Vartan Gharpetian – Glendale City Council
• Ardy Kassakhian – Glendale City Council
• Leonard Manoukian – Glendale City Council
• Terry Tornek – Pasadena City Mayor
• Joe Baghdadlian – Pasadena City Council 4th District
• Tyron Hampton – Pasadena City Council 1st District
• Steve Madison – Pasadena City Council 6th District
• Boghos Patatian – Pasadena City Council 2nd District

College and School Board Races

• Scott Svonkin – Los Angeles City College District Board of Trustees
• James Osterling – Pasadena City College Board of Trustees 2nd Area
• Sevan Benlian – Glendale Community College Board of Trustees
• Harry Leon – Glendale Community College Board of Trustees
• Jennifer Freemon – Glendale Unified School District
• Nayiri Nahabedian – Glendale Unified School District
• Jackie Goldberg – Los Angeles Unified School District Board
• Scott Schmerelson – Los Angeles Unified School District Board

As a part of the endorsement process, the ANCA-WR Board works in conjunction with local chapters to carefully review each incumbent’s track record and responses to written questionnaires submitted by various campaigns. Interviews are then conducted to determine which candidates will best represent the needs and policy priorities of the Armenian-American community. ANCA-WR endorsements are based largely on the candidate’s preparedness and ability to address issues ranging from pursuing justice for the Armenian Genocide, promoting Armenian Genocide education in public schools, supporting the independent republics of Armenia and Artsakh, and addressing local community needs. “As the largest and most influential Armenian-American advocacy organization, our sole litmus test in deciding whether or not to support a candidate is his or her commitment to supporting all facets of the Armenian Cause,” remarked Hovsepian.

Many of these endorsements include incumbents who have served as a strong voice for the community. All eligible voters are encouraged to register and vote in the March 3 Primary Elections.

California residents can visit the website for questions, or may call the ANCA-WR office at 818.500.1918 for more information. Los Angeles County voters can learn more information about the new voting experience, find a vote center near them, and find other useful tools online.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues in pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

“Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the soldiers on the Armenian border is a second Armenian Army—the ARF’s Hai-Tahd apparatus,” said Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau chairman Hagop Der Khachadourian as he kicked off a conference of the party’s Hai-Tahd activists in Yerevan on Monday.

Der Khachadourian outlined the four key aspects of Hai-Tahd advocacy and activism, all of which will be part of the issues discussed and assessed during the conference.

The first, he explained, was the focus on the republics of Armenia and Artsakh. In Armenia’s case the Hai-Tahd committees are focused on strengthening the statehood, while the priority with Artsakh is on the one hand the resolution of the Karabakh conflict with the inclusion of the right to self-determination and the international recognition of Artsakh on the other.

The second focus of the ARF’s Hai-Tahd work is the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the eventual recognition by Turkey. Der Khachadourian explained that in order for expand the issue within the legal community, the ARF launched the Legal Institute to advance our cause based on issues “stemming from the Genocide, stemming from Sevres [treaty].”

The ARF leader explained that a third priority was the defense of the rights of Armenians who reside on lands that belong to Armenia. Der Khachadourian added that in the case of Western Armenia, cultivating relations and working with local minorities, such as the Kurds and Lezgis and to foster cooperation with others who have suffered similar fates at the hands of the Ottoman regime—Greeks, Cypriots, Assyrians.

The fourth area of focus for the party’s Hai-Tahd operations is the politicization of the Armenian people, especially the youth.

Der Khachadourian explained that the Hai-Tahd offices are in constant contact with the foreign ministries of Armenia and Artsakh to coordinate activities, and in the event that the approaches are different, inform them and exchange information with them. He explained that the coordination effort with the government kicked off Sunday when a two-hour seminar was held with Armenia’s Foreign Minister and deputy ministers.

The four-day Hai-Tahd conference, which kicked off in Yerevan on Monday will continue in Stepanakert. The conference will also discuss Armenia-Turkey relations, the new phase od Turkey-Azerbaijan anti-Armenian campaign and the protection of the rights of the Armenians in Javakhk. Der Khachadourian also said the conference will explore ways to assist the Armenian community in Istanbul.

Latest Policy Document Spotlighted as Global Advocacy Conference Kicks-Off in Armenia and Artsakh

WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America has rolled out an in-depth look at its full-spectrum advocacy priorities, outlining its policies on a broad array of mutually-supportive issues – from defending Artsakh to securing justice for the Armenian Genocide, and strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations.

The updated publication of “ANCA360: Policy, Priorities, Results” coincides with the kick-off of the global Hai Tahd (Armenian Cause) conference, hosted by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, which has brought together representatives of over 20 Armenian National Committees from around the world, to share best practices in advancing community priorities in each of their respective countries. The 5-day conference, taking place from February 24th to 28th in both Armenia and Artsakh, was preceded by a meeting with Armenia Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, who shared the Armenian Government’s focus on a range of issues from ensuring a peaceful future for Artsakh to ongoing efforts to secure international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

In interviews with Armenian media during the conference, ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian placed special emphasis on the ANCA’s pro-Artsakh advocacy, including the latest effort to expand U.S. aid for demining and rehabilitation efforts. Hamparian stressed that over 10,000 ANCA advocates had already contacted their legislators to include Artsakh assistance in the Fiscal Year 2021 foreign aid bill, with more taking action every day through the anca.org/aid advocacy portal.

Last week, ANCA Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan submitted testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations outlining the ANCA’s argument for Artsakh aid as well as calling for $90 million in aid to Armenia and parity in military assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“ANCA360: Policy, Priorities, Results” outlines the following policy items and stresses the ANCA’s commitment to broader youth civic engagement through its signature Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program and ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship program, as well as newer initiatives like ANCA Rising Leaders and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan internship.

U.S. Policy on Artsakh | Peace & Freedom: Generate increased U.S. support—in principle, policy, and practice—for the security and prosperity of the independent Artsakh Republic, through initiatives challenging Azerbaijan’s aggression, strengthening U.S.-Artsakh ties, appropriating direct U.S. aid, and supporting the OSCE Minsk Group’s efforts to resolve Artsakh-Azerbaijan status and security issues.

U.S. Policy on Genocide | Truth & Justice: Leverage near-unanimous U.S. House (405-11) and unanimous Senate (100-0) passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (2019) to end Executive Branch complicity in Ankara’s denials, as a pivot toward a policy of sustained U.S. pressure on Turkey to abandon its denials, accept its responsibilities, and engage with Armenia and relevant Armenian stakeholders toward a truthful, just, and comprehensive international resolution of its crimes.

U.S.-Armenia Ties | Partnership & Progress: Upgrade the strategic U.S.-Armenia partnership—expanding trade, increasing aid, further developing mutually-beneficial political, economic, security, military, and peacekeeping cooperation, and elevating the frequency of bilateral visits at the level of head of state/government.

U.S. Foreign Assistance | Aid & Trade: Shape U.S. foreign aid policy in support of the ANCA’s regional priorities, by advancing provisions in the annual State-Foreign Operations bill that mandate increased direct U.S. humanitarian investments in Artsakh, substantially expanded development assistance to Armenia, fully funded U.S.-Armenia military cooperation, and common-sense restrictions on U.S. military and security assistance to Azerbaijan.

U.S.-Turkey Ties | Integrity & Accountability: Restore balance to the U.S.-Turkey relationship by ending a century of appeasement of Ankara, and holding Turkey accountable for its increasingly anti-American orientation and openly anti-Armenian actions.

ANCA Youth | Inspiration & Empowerment: Empower the next generation of Armenian Americans by training university students as effective advocates and helping recent graduates start promising policy, political, government, and media careers in Washington.