Armenian Assembly Archives

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY ADVOCACY YIELDS RESULTS, WELCOMES MORE ARMENIAN CAUCUS MEMBERS

January 30, 2018 By administrator

Armenian Assembly Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan, Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), Assembly Grassroots & Development Associate Mariam Khaloyan, and Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Congress returned to Washington, D.C. this month, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) held over 30 meetings with Congressional offices and Members, thanking friends, discussing key issues, and adding more Members to the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.

The Assembly is pleased to welcome Representatives Ken Buck (R-CO), Joe Kennedy III (D-MA), and Grace Meng (D-NY) as the latest Members to join the Armenian Caucus. Last month, Reps. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Anthony Brown (D-MD) also joined the Caucus as a result of the Assembly’s efforts to expand the Caucus, thus bringing the total as we start 2018 to 117 Members.

“I’m proud to be joining the Congressional Armenian Caucus. I look forward to learning more about issues that impact the American-Armenian relationship and about ways to deepen ties between our two nations,” Rep. Buck told the Assembly.

Rep. Buck serves on the House Committee on Rules and House Judiciary Committee, as well as the Judiciary Subcommittees on Immigration and Border Security and Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations. Last Congress, he also co-sponsored H.Res.220 and H.Res.154, affirming the Armenian Genocide.

“I am proud to join the Congressional Armenian Caucus. New York is home to many Armenian Americans and I am honored to represent a strong and vibrant Armenian American community in my district in Queens. I look forward to serving on the Caucus,” Rep. Meng told the Assembly.

Having previously served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Meng now serves on the House Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs as well as Commerce, Justice, and Science. She represents the Sixth Congressional District of New York, which includes the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside (Queens). Just this month, Community Board 11 in her district voted unanimously to change the name of the street behind Holy Martyrs to “Armenia Way” to honor the Armenians in Bayside. In addition to co-sponsoring H.Res.220, the Congresswoman supported other Armenian Genocide legislation, including H.Res.154 in the 114th Congress and H.Res.227 in the 113th Congress. She also co-sponsored H.R.4347, “Turkey Christian Churches Accountability Act,” in the 113th Congress.

Rep. Kennedy is a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, and represents Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District, near Boston. In 2015, he signed the Royce-Engel Letter, which urged the U.S. and OSCE to “publicly condemn specific acts of aggression along the line of contact” initiated by Azerbaijan, against Artsakh. The letter called for “a few common sense steps for the U.S. and the Minsk Group to take to deter further violence. Specifically, the call for all parties to withdraw snipers, and the proposal to deploy OSCE monitors and equip them with gunfire locator systems, provides tools to increase transparency and accountability for each and every cross-boundary violation.”

Rep. Gallego represents Arizona’s Seventh Congressional District, which includes portions of Phoenix. His district is located near St. Apkar Armenian Apostolic Church in Scottsdale, where Assembly Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan participated in its “Armenia Fest” this past November. Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny will present a Town Hall Briefing at St. Apkar Church on February 18.

“I’m proud to join the Armenian Caucus and share in the richness that the Armenian Community brings to the United States. I look forward to upholding and advocating for the Caucus’ commitment to the preservation of human and civil rights in Armenia, the United States, and around the world,” Rep. Gallego said to the Assembly.

Rep. Brown is part of the House Committee on Ethics, House Committee on Natural Resources, and House Armed Services Committee. He represents Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District, which is comprised of portions of Prince George’s County and Anne Arundel County near Washington, D.C.’s suburbs. Assembly Board Member Annie Totah and Executive Director Ardouny have spoken with Rep. Brown on numerous occasions on U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Artsakh relations, and the importance of joining the Armenian Caucus.

“The Armenian Assembly looks forward to working with these new Members and with the leadership of the Armenian Caucus as we continue to strengthen U.S.-Armenia relations and confront Azerbaijan’s ongoing and deadly cease-fire violations,” stated Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “In 2018, we will also continue to expand our network of State Chairs across the country and are also planning a National Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. later this year,” he added.

The Armenian Caucus was established in 1995 as an informal, bipartisan group of legislators dedicated to maintaining and strengthening the U.S.-Armenia relationship. The coordinated efforts of this diverse coalition of Congressional friends of Armenia and the Armenian American community help to raise greater awareness of Armenian American issues on Capitol Hill and unique and lasting bonds between the American and Armenian people.

The Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues is currently Co-Chaired by Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), Rep. David Trott (R-MI), and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) with Vice Co-Chairs Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

Armenian Assembly urges congressional hearings on Turkish interference in America’s democratic institutions

November 15, 2017 By administrator

IT IS PAST TIME FOR MEMBERS TO WITHDRAW FROM THE TURKISH CAUCUS

WASHINGTON, D.C. Amid reports that Department of Justice Special Counsel Robert Mueller will be filing new indictments after probing a potential quid pro quo scheme, whereby then National Security Adviser Michael Flynn would be paid $15 million to secretly carry out Turkey’s bidding, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) calls for thorough public Congressional hearings to fully expose these matters.

Flynn was already paid $530,000 last year for work the Justice Department says benefited the government of Turkey, and did not register as a foreign agent at the time.

The Assembly has repeatedly highlighted Turkey’s attempts to gain surreptitious influence over U.S. officials and media to the detriment of U.S. national security, and has urged investigations therein. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Member, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), in a June 2017 op-ed in The Hill titled “Did Turkey’s payments to Michael Flynn delay our military operations against ISIS?” stated that “questions regarding Turkey, however, reveal most clearly how personal considerations may have overridden our national interests.”

In addition, the Assembly has also highlighted Azerbaijan’s attempts to undermine western democratic values and institutions through the billions it has spent in the “Laundromat scheme” to buy silence. Investigations are now bearing fruit. The Assembly has also urged with some success those Representatives who joined the Turkish and Azeri Caucuses to withdraw.

“The latest news regarding secret payments to Michael Flynn to carry out Turkey’s bidding are just the tip of the iceberg,” stated Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian. “Illegal Turkish and Azerbaijani money has been flowing into D.C. and we have an obligation to immediately stop these corrupting practices.

Beyond thorough investigations and indictments, exposure through public hearings and legislative reform to increase reporting and penalties are necessary to stop officials who can be bought by the Erdogans and Aliyevs of the world from hijacking the American government,” they added. “

Members ought not to associate themselves with such corrupt and authoritarian regimes. Given Turkey’s treatment of Christians, dangerously rogue behavior, denial of the Armenian Genocide and support for Azerbaijan’s ISIS-style beheadings and other attacks, it is well past time for Members of Congress to withdraw their membership from the Turkish and Azeri Congressional Caucuses.”

St. Gregory Men’s Forum Hosts Armenian Assembly Town Hall Briefing on Advocacy Initiatives

October 2, 2017 By administrator

PASADENA, CA – Upon an invitation from the Men’s Forum of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Pasadena, California, the Armenian Assembly of America’s (Assembly) Executive Director, Bryan Ardouny, will be delivering a Town Hall Briefing at the church on Thursday, October 12. Ardouny’s presentation will take place concurrently with the Men’s Forum monthly dinner, for which ladies and families are warmly welcome to attend.

Having recently returned from a trip to Armenia, Ardouny will cover a wide range of advocacy issues of concern to the Armenian American community, including the security situation of the citizens of Armenia and Artsakh with the backdrop of incessant Azerbaijani acts of aggression since the Artsakh conflict’s escalation in April 2016. In addition, Ardouny will discuss recent developments in the United States Congress aimed at buttressing decades of robust U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Artsakh relations, including continued U.S. foreign assistance to both Armenia and Artsakh. Ardouny will also shed light on the Assembly’s grassroots advocacy efforts to generate greater involvement by Armenian Americans in educating elected officials at all levels of government on the Armenian Genocide.

The Town Hall Briefing and dinner will commence at 7:00 PM on October 12, and take place at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church’s Geragos Hall located at 2215 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107. Admission to the dinner is $17 per person, and RSVPs are required. To reserve tickets, please call either Mr. Khajag Konialian at 626-351-0216, Mr. Ardash Gourdikian at 626-399-1914, or the Church Office (Vera) at 626-449-1523.

Established in the mid-1990s and welcoming the participation of men ages 21 and older, the Men’s Forum of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Pasadena endeavors to cultivate and encourage better understanding of the Armenian Church and its doctrines and traditions. Throughout its two decades of service under the dedicated leadership of former Chairman, Sooren Manoogian, and current Chairman, Berj Gourdikian, the Men’s Forum has invited prominent professionals, Armenians and non-Armenians alike, to share their knowledge and expertise on cutting-edge topics for the benefit of members and friends of St. Gregory Armenian Church.

Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee Joins Armenian Caucus Following Meeting with Armenian Assembly Delegation

September 26, 2017 By administrator

(L-R) Armenian Assembly Grassroots & Development Associate Mariam Khaloyan, Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian, Rep. Mike Bishop (R-MI), Judge Lisa Asadoorian, Armenian Assembly Michigan State Director John Jamian, C. Michael Kojaian, Allyson Flis Mechigian, and Armenian Assembly Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) is pleased to welcome Representative Dan Kildee (D-MI) to the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. An Assembly delegation met with Rep. Kildee last month and discussed issues of concern to Armenian American constituents living in Michigan’s 5th Congressional district. Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Michigan-raised Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan, and Grassroots & Development Associate Mariam Khaloyan were joined by the Assembly’s Michigan State Director John Jamian, St. John Armenian Church of Greater Detroit Pastor Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian, and members of the Armenian American community.

Rep. Dan Kildee is also a committed supporter of religious freedom in the Middle East. In the 114th Congress, he co-sponsored H.Res. 279, which urged “respect for freedom of expression and human rights in Turkey,” as well as H.Con.Res.75, which designated “the atrocities perpetrated by ISIL against religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria” as “war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.”

“On behalf of Armenian Americans in Michigan, we thank Rep. Dan Kildee for his dedication to and support of U.S.-Armenia relations, as well as for joining the Armenian Caucus following our insightful meeting,” Fr. Jebejian stated.

As part of its advocacy efforts in Michigan, an Assembly-led delegation consisting of constituents from the state’s 8th Congressional district visited Rep. Mike Bishop (R-MI) in his Brighton district office. Local advocates expressed their appreciation to the Congressman for being a Member of the Armenian Caucus and for co-sponsoring H.Res. 220, which “expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States, in seeking to prevent war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide against religious and ethnic groups in the Middle East, should draw upon relevant lessons of the U.S. government, civil society, and humanitarian response to the Armenian Genocide, Seyfo, and the broader genocidal campaign by the Ottoman Empire.”

Delegation members thanked Rep. Bishop for being one of the 36 signers of the bipartisan letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson opposing the sale of guns to Turkey in light of the vicious attack by Turkey’s security detail in our Nation’s Capital against peaceful protesters, which was spearheaded by Armenian Caucus Co-Chair and fellow Michigan Congressman David Trott (R-MI). The letter urged the State Department to reject a proposed sale of semi-automatic handguns and ammunition to a Turkish government controlled entity authorized to import firearms to the Department of Security of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey.

“We deeply appreciate Congressman Bishop’s steadfast support, including during his tenure in the State of Michigan House of Representatives and in the Michigan Senate,” said Assembly State Director John Jamian. “We look forward to working with him and the entire Michigan delegation to champion pro-Armenian legislation in Congress,” he added.

The same month, Jamian led another group who met with Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), a Member of the Armenian Caucus who has co-sponsored H.R. 220 and signed a bipartisan letter to President Donald Trump urging him to affirm the Armenian Genocide. The letter stated in part: “In that spirit of honoring the victims and redoubling our commitment to prevent genocide, we ask you to appropriately mark April 24th as a day of American remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.”

The Assembly staff remains dedicated to reaching out to Members of Congress from Michigan in its headquarters in Washington, D.C. On September 5, Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny and Grassroots & Development Associate Mariam Khaloyan thanked Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) for joining the Armenian Caucus and co-sponsoring H.Res.220 alongside his colleagues from Michigan.

The Assembly continued its outreach in Michigan with a grassroots-level meeting with Fr. Jebejian and local activists at St. John Armenian Church. Attendees discussed the important role of advocacy and political involvement for Armenian Americans, and highlighted the long-term significance of engaging and educating public servants at all levels throughout Michigan.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY CO-CHAIR ACCOMPANIES REPRESENTATIVES FRANK PALLONE, JR. AND TULSI GABBARD TO ARTSAKH.

September 20, 2017 By administrator

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Board of Trustees Co-Chairman Anthony Barsamian joined Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) on a working visit to Artsakh today. The delegation included Artsakh Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan, Artsakh Representative to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan, and All-Armenia Fund President Maria Mehranian. Reps. Pallone and Gabbard are in Armenia as part of a Congressional Delegation with Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. David Valadao (R-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA), Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA).

“This trip to Artsakh is instrumental in helping U.S. Members of Congress better understand the current political and economic situation in Artsakh. By seeing the destruction caused by Azerbaijan and meeting with high-level officials to discuss U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Artsakh relations in depth, Reps. Pallone and Gabbard can better convey the pressing need for U.S. humanitarian aid and better understand the security threats to the people of Artsakh caused by the Azeris. They also saw the need for a peaceful resolution, which includes Artsakh in the negotiations,” Assembly Co-Chair Barsamian said.

The previous day, Armenian Assembly Co-Chair Barsamian, Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, and Regional Director Arpi Vartanian met with Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan and Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan. During the meeting, they discussed the importance of U.S. assistance, especially for de-mining in Artsakh which is carried out by The HALO Trust, as well as the peace process. President Sahakyan emphasized the Assembly’s important role in U.S.-Artsakh relations, and acknowledged the organization’s “patriotic and highly professional activity.”

Rep. Valadao also traveled to Artsakh earlier this week, where he met with The HALO Trust to learn more about mine clearance along the borders. Following the visit, he stated, “Families in Nagorno Karabakh live under the constant threat of landmine accidents and I am grateful for the efforts of The HALO Trust to make Nagorno Karabakh a more safe and secure region.” Rep. Valadao continued, “While their work is renown worldwide, I appreciated witnessing their work and learning more about their efforts and dedication firsthand.”

Earlier this month, Rep. Valadao spearheaded a bipartisan amendment along with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Armenian Caucus Vice-Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rep. Pallone, and Rep. Speier to ensure continued funding for de-mining projects in Artsakh.

U.S. Members of Congress have continued to travel to Artsakh throughout the years. Rep. Pallone visited Artsakh for the first time twenty years ago as part of an Armenian Assembly of America-sponsored delegation. During an historic address before the Parliament of Nagorno Karabakh on January 28, 1997, Rep. Pallone stated, “I hope that my visit to Karabagh, and especially my presence in your legislative body today, will contribute in some small way to a growing international recognition that the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh is a reality.” Rep. Pallone has returned to Artsakh a few times since his initial visit, where he observed local elections and learned more about mine clearance.

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY INTENSIFIES ADVOCACY ON HILL PROMPTED BY SECURITY CONCERNS IN ARMENIA AND ARTSAKH

September 7, 2017 By administrator

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) has intensified its advocacy on Capitol Hill, prompted by security concerns as a result of Azerbaijan’s increased aggression along the borders of Armenia and Artsakh, which has included the targeting of and substantial damage to a kindergarten in Armenia’s Tavush region.

From the Assembly’s testimony in the House and Senate and its outreach to Members of Congress, the Assembly remains dedicated to underscoring the need to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its actions. The Assembly also continues to emphasize the importance of humanitarian and development aid for the people of Artsakh.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA) reiterated his support for assistance to Artsakh as well as a robust cease-fire monitoring system, which Armenia and Artsakh have agreed to implement. When he met with Assembly Terjenian-Thomas interns this summer, Royce highlighted the letter he spearheaded with Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY) which proposes three concrete steps that would save lives in Artsakh and help to avert war.

In addition, the Assembly has called for Members to withdraw their Membership from the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, and given the ongoing violations by Azerbaijan, renews its call.

Working in tandem with the Assembly Co-Chairs and helping to lead the charge, long-time Board Member Annie Totah organized several Assembly delegations and held numerous meetings with elected officials to reinforce the Assembly’s message. Mrs. Totah met with, among others, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), House Minority Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD), and freshman Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD).

An Assembly delegation with Mrs. Totah met with Sen. Van Hollen, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. They relayed the importance of U.S. assistance to Armenia and Artsakh, and shared the testimony submitted by Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny to the Subcommittee for Fiscal Year 2018 highlighting key priorities, including deep concerns regarding Azerbaijan’s deadly ceasefire violations and its targeting of civilians occurring more frequently with recent reports of continuous attacks at the line of contact.

Mrs. Totah continued her outreach with Congressman Steny Hoyer, a long-time friend and ardent supporter of Armenian issues. He has been a steadfast supporter of congressional efforts to combat genocide denial by reaffirming the proud chapter in U.S. history in helping to save survivors of the Armenian Genocide. She thanked him for all the work he has done helping Artsakh and Armenia.

More recently, Rep. Hoyer was vocal in condemning Turkey for the violence against peaceful protesters outside the Turkish Ambassador’s residence and voted in support of H.R. 354. He stated: “Our resolution makes it clear, the United States will not tolerate violence against peaceful protesters on our shores and those responsible must face justice.”

Mrs. Totah also met with Rep. Brown and described the role and work of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. She and the Assembly staff urged him to join the growing Armenian Caucus, which is currently comprised of 109 Members of Congress. During her conversation with Tom Perez, who was elected this year to serve as the Chair of the Democratic National Committee, Mrs. Totah discussed the importance of U.S.-Armenia relations and the strong and vibrant Armenian communities across the country that care deeply about their homeland.

“The Armenian Assembly will continue to advance key priorities as we seek to further strengthen U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Artsakh relations and hold Azerbaijan accountable for its egregious human rights violations,” Ardouny stated. “We also deeply appreciate Annie’s tireless advocacy on behalf of the Armenian people. Her enthusiasm and dedication are truly remarkable. We look forward to her significant and continued efforts,” he added.

Armenian Assembly of America Holds Productive Meeting with Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. David Valadao

August 31, 2017 By administrator

A delegation comprised of constituents of California’s 21st Congressional District, clerical and lay leaders of the San Joaquin Valley’s Armenian American community, and internship program alumni and friends of the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) met last week with Congressman David G. Valadao (R-CA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.

“The Assembly is pleased to have had an opportunity to lead a delegation of constituents and San Joaquin Valley leaders to meet with Rep. Valadao, and discuss paramount issues of concern affecting Armenia, Artsakh, and U.S.-Armenia relations,” Assembly Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan stated.

The delegates thanked Rep. Valadao, currently in his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives, for his leadership in the Armenian Caucus. They noted the importance of his membership of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, which is partially responsible (along with members of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee) for the approval of U.S. foreign assistance to the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), as well as humanitarian assistance to Syrian citizens who have sought refuge in Armenia as a result of the Syrian Civil War. Within the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Valadao serves as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies.

The Assembly-led delegation discussed a wide range of issues of paramount concern to Armenian Americans during the meeting, including Azerbaijan’s incessant and deadly attacks, which escalated in 2015, upon civilians and soldiers living in Armenia and Artsakh. They reminded Rep. Valadao that Azerbaijan’s initiated violence is in contravention to the May 1994 ceasefire agreement signed by representatives of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Nagorno Karabakh, and is a clear violation of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, which is intended to restrict U.S. assistance to the government of Azerbaijan until it takes “demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.”

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY CO-CHAIR MEETS WITH RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN JERUSALEM

August 25, 2017 By administrator

Armenian Assembly Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian with Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Co-Chair and Massachusetts Council of Churches President Anthony Barsamian travelled to Jerusalem this month, where he met with religious leaders, including the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian.

“It was an honor meeting with the Armenian Patriarch and Armenians in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and holding vibrant discussions with the Armenian community in the Holy Land. The Patriarch made a point to welcome us and encourage Armenian Americans to visit the Armenian Quarter and meet with members of this important Armenian community. His Eminence made sure we had the opportunity to pray with our Christian brothers and sisters at Saints James Cathedral and participate in Divine Liturgy at the tomb of Christ, also known to Armenians as the Holy Resurrection Church and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, while having an opportunity to visit the numerous Armenian shops and enjoy Western Armenian culture which continues to exist since the 4th Century,” Barsamian stated.

The participants visited Srpots Tarkmanchatz (Holy Translators) Armenian School within the Armenian Quarter. They were led by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, and Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, a member of the Eastern Diocese Council and Pastor of Holy Translators Church in Framingham, Massachusetts. They had the pleasure of meeting the Gulbenkian Library Director and Principal of the Tarkmanchatz Armenian School, Very Rev. Norayr Kazazian, who reported the number of students at the school has increased from 90 to 180 in recent years.

“This trip to the Holy Land was inspirational and eye-opening. Jerusalem is one of the important centers for us and we should all make an effort to visit the Holy Land and experience the richness of Armenian life unbroken throughout the centuries,” Barsamian added.

During his visit, Barsamian also met with Rabbi David Rosen of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and had the opportunity to join Rabbi Rosen in prayer at the West Wall, where they both reflected upon the need for peace and justice following the protests in Charlottesville.

AJC Chief Executive Officer David Harris wrote a letter to President Donald Trump, and stated: “What we witnessed in Charlottesville on Friday and Saturday was nothing short of horrifying. It was sickening enough to see people drawn together by the siren songs of white supremacy, the Ku Klux Klan, and neo-Nazism. But however repugnant their views may be, so long as they conducted themselves peacefully, their freedom of speech is protected in our blessed land. But it was abundantly clear that at least some of these racists, anti-Semites, and homophobes came to Charlottesville looking for trouble.”

The Foreign Minister of Armenia, Edward Nalbandian, recently held high level meetings with the Israeli Government as relations continue to expand. During his discussion with the Minister of Regional Cooperation of Israel, Tzachi Hanegbi, Nalbandian highlighted the deep historical roots between Armenian and Jewish people, “which create a good basis for the development of inter-state cooperation.” They also discussed holding consultations between the foreign ministries, enhancing their collaboration within international organizations, and increasing inter-parliamentary exchanges, as well as developing mutually beneficial cooperation in culture, science, and education.

“I welcome these encouraging trends in Armenia-Israel relations and extend my appreciation to our friends in the American Jewish community who support this development,” Barsamian said.

Armenian Assembly to Hold Community Briefing Featuring Rep. Ed Royce

June 16, 2016 By administrator

LOS ANGELES, CA – On June 29, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Western Region will host a community briefing in the evening with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Representative Ed Royce (R-CA). The Assembly will be holding the briefing with Chairman Royce at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Costa Mesa, California at 7:30 PM. This event is open to the public and free of charge. Guests are encouraged to RSVP by June 27 via an Eventbrite link at: aaabriefing.eventbrite.com.

“The Armenian Assembly is grateful to Chairman Royce for his long-standing leadership in the House in defense of Armenia and Artsakh, and for his readiness to address fundamental issues of concern to the Armenian American community,” stated Assembly Western Region Director Mihran Toumajan. “This forum will be the first of many Assembly events in California to keep our members and friends updated on the burgeoning U.S.-Armenia relationship, as well as American foreign policy priorities in the south Caucasus region.”

Chairman Royce oversees policy on Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and the South Caucasus region. During the community briefing, he will be discussing issues of priority concern to the Armenian American community, including Azerbaijan’s recent attacks against Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia, United States foreign assistance towards Syrian-Armenian refugees living in Armenia, the Fiscal Year 2017 aid package, and anti-Armenian sentiment and actions taking place in Turkey today.

As former Co-Chair (2011-2012) and member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Chairman Royce has been a consistent supporter of Armenian American concerns. Most recently, he issued a statement in support of the German Bundestag’s Armenian Genocide Resolution, where he stated: “Germany’s vote to recognize the Armenian Genocide is a major event. Acknowledging this dark moment in history is a victory for human rights. The annihilation of millions of Armenians was genocide. Period. And the 1.5 million innocent men, women, and children whose lives were taken deserve recognition.”

Chairman Royce has also been a vocal supporter of peace in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. In October 2015, Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY) spearheaded a letter signed by 85 Members of Congress addressed to Ambassador James Warlick, U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group. The letter urged Ambassador Warlick to “publicly condemn specific acts of aggression along the line of contact. In the letter, Royce and Engel called for (1) an agreement from all sides not to deploy snipers along the line of contact; (2) the placement of OSCE-monitored, advanced gunfire-locator systems and sound-ranging equipment to determine the source of attacks along the line of contact; and (3) the deployment of additional OSCE observers along the line of contact to better monitor cease-fire violations.

Guests attending the Assembly’s community briefing will also have an opportunity to pose questions to Chairman Royce on a range of issues related to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenian Assembly of America opposes $4 bln bailout for Azerbaijan

February 1, 2016 By administrator

205044 In a letter sent this week to Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) urged the U.S. to oppose any proposed bailout for Azerbaijan‘s corrupt and authoritarian regime, especially with U.S. taxpayer dollars.

According to recent media reports, the U.S.-backed International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank are contemplating a $4 billion bailout for Azerbaijan, while at the same time Standard and Poor’s downgraded Azerbaijan’s bond rating sending a warning to investors that they are considered speculative junk.

“Rather than reward one of the most corrupt dictatorships in the world, whose president, Ilham Aliyev, received the first ever Organized Crime and Corruption Person of the Year award, bestowed by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, Azerbaijan should be urged to make much needed reforms and use its oil resources for the betterment of its people and not at the expense of Christian Armenians,” the Assembly letter stated. Further, the letter highlighted that “Azerbaijan’s president continues his policy of trying to resolve the dispute over Nagorno Karabakh by threatening to wipe Armenia off of the map.”

The Assembly’s response comes as 2015 saw the highest number of Armenian casualties of Azerbaijani snipers and heavy artillery fire since the 1994 ceasefire agreement, including the targeting of Armenian schools and other civilian areas along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border and Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan Line of Contact.

“The notion of bailing out a corrupt, foreign regime that continues to blockade and attack its Christian neighbor is out of step with America’s values,” stated Assembly Board Co-Chairmen Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian. “We urge the United States to use its considerable influence as a leading member of the IMF and World Bank to oppose any such bailout,” they continued.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues.