TOP CITY AND STATE OFFICIALS, ANCA-WR TAKE GROUNDBREAKING TRIP TO ARMENIA
Tuesday, October 8th, 2013
Californian officials and representatives from ANCA-WR visiting The
Cascade and the Cafesjian Center for the Arts in Yerevan
GLENDALE-A bi-partisan delegation of prominent city and state officials
along with representatives from the Armenian National Committee of
America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) participated in a 5 day in-depth
visit to Armenia followed by a two day visit to Artsakh.
The groundbreaking trip, which took place from September 17-24, 2013
was hosted by the Governments of Armenia and NKR and facilitated by
the Consul General of Los Angeles in cooperation with the CA State
Assembly, LA City Council, and the ANCA-WR to provide policymakers with
a first-hand understanding of the rich Armenian history and culture
while giving them an opportunity to meet with influential political,
social and nonprofit leaders in order to strengthen ties and discuss
better means of collaboration.
“I was delighted to join my colleagues on this informative and
productive bipartisan delegation visit to Armenia,” said CA State
Assembly Speaker John A. Perez. “California is home to the largest
population of Armenians outside of Armenia, and we were proud to
build on the historic ties of history, commerce and culture that
have produced a prosperous and close partnership on the world stage
between California and Armenia,” added Speaker Perez.
Within hours of arriving in Yerevan, the delegation set off for back to
back high level meetings – from President Serzh Sarkisian and cabinet
members, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos, His Holiness Karekin II,
the Speaker of the National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan, President of
Nagorno Karabakh Bako Sahakyan, A.R.F. representatives Armen Rustamyan,
Hagop Der Khatchadourian, and Giro Manoyan; opposition leaders Vartan
Oskanian and Raffi Hovanissian; members of the Armenia-US Friendship
Group, Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan, and United States Ambassador
to Armenia John Heffern, amongst others.
Issues discussed during the meetings included the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide by the United States Government, the failed
Armenia-Turkey Protocols, the Russian Customs Union, the US-Armenia
Trade Office, self-determination for the people of Artsakh, the
current state of Armenia, the continuous hostility shown by the Azeri
government, as well as how the State of California and the Republic
of Armenia can continue to build on the already strong foundation
the two share.
During his opening remarks, President Sarkisian thanked the United
States and California for its continued support, especially California
for its Genocide resolutions, expressing hope that Congress would
follow suit especially on the centennial.
Visit to the American University of Armenia – the only University of
California-affiliated campus outside the U.S.
“I would like to thank the Armenian National Committee of America
– Western Region for helping organize our delegation and making
this trip, the first of its kind, possible. The ANCA-WR played
a pivotal role during meetings with our government counterparts,
assisted in initiating and engaging in frank dialogue regarding
issues such as fostering of economic growth, the peace process
and economic development of Artsakh, and the Armenian Genocide,”
stated CA Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian. “I would also like to thank
Speaker John Perez for his leadership and tenacity, during and after,
the delegation’s trip. His solidarity with the people of Armenia and
Artsakh is essential to the bridge building process. I have great
confidence that this trip will pave the way for future delegations to
Armenia and Artsakh. I would like to especially thank the governments
of Armenia and Artsakh for graciously hosting our delegation and look
forward to continuing to build the important relationship between
our communities and respective governments,” added Nazarian.
“In traveling to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, I realized that my
people and the Armenian People have a shared history of discrimination
and injustice, just as African-Americans were victimized by slavery
and Jim Crow laws. As a lifelong civil rights activist, I strive for
justice and equality for all people, and I look forward to working
with the Armenian National Committee of America as they work on the
issues that affect their respective countries. Additionally, I look
forward to establishing joint projects between California and Armenia,
especially with the American University of Armenia and the TUMO Center,
as we work together to promote education and youth programs. I am
so grateful to have had the opportunity to make this journey, and I
am very optimistic for future joint ventures between California and
Armenia and Karabakh,” stated Assemblymember Cheryl Brown.
The most moving portion of the trip was the delegation’s visit to the
Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum where Los Angeles Councilmember
Paul Krekorian found a photo of his great-uncle who had returned to
Kharpert from the US only to be slaughtered. At the end of the museum
tour, delegation members each took the time to write their personal
thoughts in the Museum’s visitor’s book; forever becoming part of the
long list of individuals who had paid respect to those who perished
during the 1915 Genocide.
“As a proud Armenian-American, and descendent of victims and
survivors of the Armenian Genocide, I was extremely proud to have
the opportunity to help organize and join a delegation of California
elected officials to the Republic of Armenia. The purpose of the trip
was to strengthen ties between the Republic of Armenia and California,
which is home to the largest community of ethnic Armenians in the
United States. With the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
approaching, I am hopeful that the trip will also shed light on the
need for international recognition of the Genocide, which took the
lives of over 1.5 million Armenians,” stated Assemblymember Katcho
Achadjian.
“My visit vividly brought to life the stories I heard from my wife’s
family membe rs about the homeland and the Genocide. I returned
with an added resolve to continue to advocate for the recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, and to push federal officials to do more to
support a young democratic country in a dangerous part of the world,”
noted Assemblymember Scott Wilk.
The visit also provided officials an opportunity to see Armenia’s
hidden treasures such as Etchmiadzin, Garni, Geghard, Cascade, Oshagan
Brandy and Wine Factory, Lake Sevan, and the Region of Tsaghkadzor
as well as more recent establishments like Civilnet, the Cafesjian
Art Museum, the TUMO Center, and the American University of Armenia,
the only University of California-affiliated campus outside the U.S.
Meeting with the Mayor of Yerevan, Taron Margaryan
“Helping to lead this delegation of state, city and community
leaders offered everyone a much deeper appreciation for the Armenian
heritage while also strengthening ties between Yerevan, Los Angeles
and California. Throughout more than a week of touring the country
and Artsakh, our entire delegation explored the history of Armenia,
including some of its darkest chapters, while gaining a new level of
admiration for the Armenian ingenuity, spirit and creativity embedded
in its present and future. I look forward to continuing the much
valued relationship Yerevan has with Los Angeles and deepening the
economic cooperation our state has with Armenia. I know that all who
took part in this historic trip will bring back to their community
a renewed sense of excitement and awareness of Armenia and Artsakh
to forge a bond that will only grow with time,” stated Los Angeles
City Councilmember Paul Krekorian.
“The trip was fascinating and inspiring. I gained a new appreciation
of the centuries of trial and tribulation of the Armenian people, and
for their current day challenges. I en joyed forging new relationships
with Armenian officials and strengthening my bond with the ANCA,”
added Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield.
Given the timing of the trip, the Delegation also participated in
Armenia’s Independence Day celebrations, which included attending the
Presidential Reception followed by an open air concert in Republic
Square that highlighted Armenia’s struggles and successes throughout
history.
“On behalf of the ANCA-WR, which represents over one million
Armenian-Americans in California alone, I want to extend our heartfelt
gratitude and appreciation to the entire delegation for joining this
groundbreaking trip as well as for standing strong on the right side
of the issues, even with pressure and threats coming from bullies like
Azerbajan,” stated Elen Asatryan Executive Director of ANCA Western
Region. “I also want to extend the same warmth and indebtedness
to the Governments of Armenia and Artsakh for helping plan and
graciously hosting our officials and look forward to working with
them to plan similar trips for other delegations in the near future,”
added Asatryan.
The delegation included CA State Assembly Speaker John Perez,
Assemblymembers Katcho Achadjian, Cheryl Brown, Adrin Nazarian,
Scott Wilk, Los Angeles City Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield
and Paul Krekorian, Assemblymember Nazarian’s Chief of Staff Dan
Savage, Councilmember Krekorian’s Chief of Staff Areen Ibranossian,
Communications Director Jeremy Oberstein and Director of Planning and
Land Usage Karo Torossian, ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, and ANCA-WR
Executive Director Elen Asatryan.
The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the
largest and most influential 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.
http://asbarez.com/114817/top-city-and-state-officials-anca-wr-take-groundbreaking-trip-to-armenia/