Category: 2019

The Armenian National Committee of America Glendale Chapter, in a statement issued on Monday evening, expressed concern over an incident that took place on September 8 during an event hosted by the Royal Canyon Property Owners Association, where Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian and Glendale City Councilmember Vartan Gharpetian were disrespected.

On Tuesday, the RCPOA issued its own statement expressing the organization’s regret about offending Gharpetian.

Below we publish the ANCA Glendale’s Statement followed by the one issued by RCPOA

ANCA Glendale Statement
The Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale Chapter (ANCA-Glendale) is gravely concerned about an incident that occurred at a Royal Canyon Property Owners Association (RCPOA) event on September 8, 2019 where City of Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian and City Councilmember Vartan Gharpetian were asked to leave RCPOA’s Summer Social event citing it was a “non-political” and “members-only” event.

The overall poor treatment of two councilmembers of Armenian descent appears to be disrespectful at best and perhaps discriminatory at its worst. This type of treatment of any Glendale resident, much less elected representatives of our city, should be a matter of concern to all residents of our city. Implicit or explicit acts of discrimination are unacceptable and must always be strongly confronted.

At a juncture when it is critical for all segments of the community to come together to work for the betterment of our city as a whole, we look to city officials and community leaders alike to demonstrate the city’s fundamental commitment to embracing diversity and inclusion, starting with its immigrant community. Given this expectation of our community leaders, it is imperative for RCPOA representatives to clarify their actions and bring this matter to a constructive conclusion.

While the deplorable parts of Glendale’s history can never be forgotten—when the city was a haven for white nationalism—we believe the present Glendale is one that embraces its diversity, multiculturalism and champions inclusivity.

ANCA-Glendale is committed to a proactive approach to these issues and has reached out to the RCPOA leadership requesting a meeting. During the coming week, ANCA-Glendale representatives look forward to a direct, open and honest dialogue with RCPOA board members to further address concerns raised by community members.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Glendale Chapter (ANCA-Glendale) is a grassroots public affairs organization devoted to advancing issues of concern to the Armenian American community in Glendale, California.

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RCPOA Statement Regarding Incident at its Summer Social
Based on Councilman Vartan Gharpetian’s public comments made at the Glendale City Council meeting of September 10, 2019, Royal Canyon Property Owners Association Board of Directors has learned that he was deeply offended by the actions of few homeowners regarding his participation at the RCPOA’s private, non-political summer social party.

We apologize to Councilman Gharpetian and immensely regret this unanticipated and hurtful incident.

Offending him was never the intent. For anyone to allege that the actions were premeditated and racist in nature is absolutely inaccurate and unacceptable.

As a result of his feedback, members of RCPOA Board of Directors are reviewing policies, procedures, and protocols to make sure that this type of incident never occurs again.

We are a diversified group of volunteer individuals who respect everyone in our community. We hold our elected officials in high regard as they represent us and serve our community well.

As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, our goal continues to remain how to best serve the homeowners in our designated neighborhoods and to make sure that our neighbors get to know each other, feel safe, secure and welcomed.
RCPOA Board of Directors

A recently de-classified report, published in 1988, by the Central Intelligence Agency discusses the Karabakh conflict in its nascent days and provides the agency’s analytical dimensions about the root cause of Azerbaijan’s use of violence against Armenians.

The CIA report, titled “Unrest in the Caucasus and the Challenge of Nationalism [redacted],” says that Nagorno Karabakh is “Armenia’s cultural and religious center” and that the Nagorno Karabakh autonomous oblast was created in 1923 in an “area of Armenians” where “89 percent of the population are Armenians.”

“Azeri animosity toward the Armenians has been intensified by political, economic and demographic trends that have adversely affected the political status of Azeris and increased the gap in living standards between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In particular, the rapid expansion of Azerbaijan’s young adult population has put enormous strain on the republic’s capacity to provide adequate jobs, housing and education. Azeri frustration has found an outlet in attacks on Armenia,” the report also adds.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia on Monday issued a statement, in which it called on the country’s legislative and executive branches of the government to “put an end to the unconstitutional process and refrain from taking actions that are against the State.”

The ARF statement was prompted by recent remarks by the Speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly, as well as the head of the ruling “My Step” faction who had hinted at commencing a process to remove the President of Armenia Constitutional Court.

Below is the translated text of the ARF Supreme Council of Armenia’s Statement

Touching upon the events unfolding in regard to the judiciary over the past months, we have expressed our concern about the inadmissibility of the political authorities’ actions to repress courts and judges.

The extraordinary remarks by the Speaker of the National Assembly and the head of the My Step faction of the National Assembly not only confirmed our concern, but also reinforced the fact that the ruling political party has chosen a path to establish total autocracy and overthrow the constitutional order.

The goal to appropriate the judiciary is incompatible with the much-needed judicial and legal reforms in the country.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation, being a political party that is responsible for the present and future of the Armenian people, assesses the current processes as a threat to Armenia’s statehood and extremely dangerous.

We call on the legislative and executive branches of power to put an end to the unconstitutional process and refrain from taking actions that are against the State;

We call on judges to stay true to the mission to implement justice as reserved to them by the Constitution;

We call on all political forces and citizens committed to the future of the country to rally around our true national agenda.

With great sorrow we received news of the passing of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s mother, Diramayr Lousin Keshishian, which occurred on Saturday, September 14, in Lebanon.

Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, the Religious and Executive Councils, clergy, and faithful express their deepest condolences to His Holiness and family.

By the ordinance of the Prelate, on Sunday, September 15, “Der Voghormya” prayer was offered in all Prelacy Churches for the repose of her soul.

The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, September 18 at the Mother Cathedral in Antelias.

May the Lord grant rest to her soul and comfort to her loved ones.