LOS ANGELES— The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region announced its endorsement of John Harabedian for California State Assembly District 41 and Yvonne Yiu for California State Senate District 25.

John Harabedian is a former elected official, an attorney, and an advocate for the Armenian-American community. Harabedian was born and raised in the small town of Sierra Madre, in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. His post-secondary education saw John graduate from the prestigious schools of Yale, Oxford, and Stanford Law School. John Harabedian is a former Councilmember and Mayor of Sierra Madre, California, where he served from 2012 to 2020. He carries a diverse background in law, business, and public service. Harabedian is currently an attorney and investment manager at Omni Bridgeway. He also serves as a Regional Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and a California State Commissioner.

“John is a product of the Armenian-American community, and we are confident that he will be a strong voice for our issues in the California State Assembly,” said Raffi Kassabian, Esq., Vice-Chair of the ANCA-Western Region. “We look forward to working with him on the issues that matter to our community and ensuring Armenian-Americans are well represented in the State Legislature.”

“I’m extremely honored to receive the endorsement of the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region. The ANCA-WR’s endorsement is deeply personal for me and the 41st Assembly District, which is home to the largest population of Armenians in the United States,” said John Harabedian. “I share the ANCA-WR’s mission of supporting a free, united, and independent Armenia and Artsakh. I look forward to working with the ANCA-WR to attain our shared goal of having more robust Armenian representation in Sacramento.”

Assembly District 41 consists of portions of San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties, including the whole Cities of La Verne, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, La Cañada Flintridge, Bradbury, Claremont, and San Dimas, as well as portions of the Cities of Hesperia, Monrovia, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and a portion of Duarte. Pasadena alone accounts for nearly 30 percent of the available voting base in AD41. This district includes foothill communities of the San Gabriel Mountains. Communities in the region share interests and concerns related to the environment, wildlife management, and transportation.

Yvonne Yiu is a local business leader who opened her own firm with over $1 billion in assets under her management – all before the age of 40, and currently serves as a Monterey Park City Council member. Yvonne’s family immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong when she was 16, following the passing of her father. Her family struggled to make ends meet, and her mother worked in a factory to take care of Yvonne and her sisters. Ever since then, Yvonne has been a firm believer that the American dream should be accessible for everyone including women, communities of color, immigrants and young people.

“The California State Senate District 25 race is of paramount importance to the Armenian American community, as the victor will have to fill the void left behind by Senator Portantino who has been a champion of Armenian American issues for years,” said Nora Hovsepian, Esq., Chair of the ANCA-Western Region. “After months of vigorous review of all the candidates, we are pleased to endorse Yvonne Yiu for the CA State Senate District 25, and look forward to working with her to advance the priorities of our community through the California Legislature.”

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR), a leading advocacy organization representing the Armenian-American community. This endorsement highlights our shared commitment to addressing critical issues and amplifying the voices of the diverse communities within our district, and underscores the contributions of Armenian-Americans, whose resilience, cultural heritage, and invaluable societal impact continue to enrich and strengthen our community,” said Councilmember Yvonne Yiu. “I look forward to collaborating closely with the ANCA-WR and continuing our work to champion equality, justice, and progress for all residents.”

Senate District 25 includes the cities of Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, South Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Upland, and Rancho Cucamonga. It also is home to the core of the Armenian-American population centered in Glendale, Burbank, and Pasadena.

Pursuant to the organization’s long-standing endorsement protocols, the ANCA-Western Region Board is the sole entity authorized to issue official ANCA endorsements in California State Elections. The primary elections will take place on March 5, 2024. The general election will be held on November 5, 2024. Visit hyevotes.org for more voter information.

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.

Students displaced from their homes in Artsakh are now continuing their studies in Armenia, where they have found refuge

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif.—In the spirit of Christmas generosity, the C. & E. Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School has concluded its “Sponsor a Student” campaign and met its goal of sponsoring 40 students forcibly displaced from Artsakh.

During a visit to Armenia, Merdinian Principal Dr. Souzy Ohanian toured the Khoren & Shooshanig Avedisian School, a sister school. Inspired by the stories of the 40 recently enrolled students displaced from Artsakh, Dr. Ohanian initiated a campaign upon her return. The administration and students rallied to have each class sponsor a student through the Armenian Missionary Association of America.

In just a couple of weeks, the students, families, faculty, and staff began collecting donations to raise $300 per student to sponsor their tuition. This sponsorship ensures the students’ tuition and essential school supplies and books. 

“The true essence of Christmas lies in the joy of giving and making a difference in the lives of others,” remarked Dr. Souzy Ohanian. “I extend my deepest gratitude to all those who contributed to our campaign, helping our fellow compatriots and ensuring that the future of these students is shaped with hope and opportunity.”

The Merdinian administration will frame the name and biography of each sponsored student and prominently display it in every classroom, fostering a connection that allows all students to learn about the resilient journeys of their peers from Artsakh.

Sergei Kopyrkin, Russia's Ambassador to Armenia

Russia acknowledged that there have been “issues” in fulfilling certain aspects of military contracts with Armenia, a point recently used by certain Armenian government officials in the rhetoric, which has deepened a wedge between Yerevan and Moscow.

In an interview with the Tass news agency, published on Friday, Russia’s Ambassador to Armenia, Sergey Kopyrkin, seemed to imply that Russian defense companies have not fulfilled their contractual obligations on time because they have had to manufacture more weapons and other military equipment for the Russian military.

“Military-technical cooperation between our countries has a long tradition and is based on the agreement on military-technical cooperation between Russia and Armenia signed on June 25, 2013. Nearly all signed contracts are either completed on time and high quality, or are in the final phase of fulfillment,” Kopyrkin told Tass.

“In terms of certain individual contracts there are indeed issues related to the obligations on fulfilling the state order by Russian enterprises in the defense sector, however these are working issues that are resolved during dialogue between respective government agencies of Russia and Armenia,” the Ambassador added.

He said that Armenia and Russia are discussing the signing of new military-technical cooperation agreements.

The Russian envoy seemed upbeat about the state of Moscow-Yerevan relations, which have been steadily deteriorating in recent years, following the 2020 War, and especially after Armenian authorities blamed Russia and its peacekeepers for inaction during Azerbaijan’s September attack on Artsakh, which forced the displacement of its Armenian population. Yerevan also contends that Moscow did not step up when Azerbaijan breached Armenia’s sovereign border, especially during an attack in September 2022.

“We believe that the Russian Federation and the Republic of Armenia remain partners and strategic allies, united by common interests, a common history and similar views on international problem, and that this alliance corresponds to the fundamental interests of both participants,” Kopyrkin said.

“Of course, it cannot be denied that there are certain differences in our bilateral and multilateral agenda,” the Russian Ambassador said. “Both the Russian and Armenian sides are ready to discuss any contentious topics frankly and in a constructive atmosphere, as befits allies.”

A military post along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Days after Baku said that the border delimitation and demarcation between Armenia and Azerbaijan can be a separate process from the signing of a possible peace treaty, Yerevan signaled that it would not rule out such an option.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan said that separating the two processes may be considered by Yerevan.

“I think that we can consider such an option because in terms of time it could take longer, perhaps even years. A country heading toward true peace won’t see any obstacle in such things,” Simonyan said, stressing that this is his personal opinion.

The border delimitation and demarcation could take very long, he added.

“Yes, I don’t rule out that such an option could be acceptable for Armenia,” Simonyan added.

Earlier this week, Hikmet Hajiyev, a top foreign policy adviser to President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, told reporters in London that the two processes must be carried out on separate tracks, emphasizing that the border delimitation should not be linked with the peace deal.

“The 35-year-long conflict is now over,” Hajiyev said.

“The strategy for Azerbaijan now is to win peace. (This) requires action from both sides,” he added.

“A peace treaty is not rocket science,” Hajiyev said. “For Azerbaijan there are no longer obstacles on the way to a peace agenda.”

“Azerbaijan is ready to form a peace treaty with Armenia. For that reason, Azerbaijan has also suggested five fundamental principles and a text for a peace treaty. Currently, there are diplomatic engagements between Armenia and Azerbaijan in direct talks. I believe that Armenia and Azerbaijan have managed to surprise the world with a positive agenda. On December 7, the two countries made a joint statement expressing their intention to advance the peace agenda and implement confidence-building measures,” Hajiyev told reporters in London on Tuesday.