Armenian American community leaders from across the U.S. gathered in Washington, DC to congratulate Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) President Bako Sahakyan on his successful visit to the nation’s capital this week, celebrating the growth of Artsakh’s ties to America, its enduring commitment to peace, and its thriving democracy, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
“In honoring President Sahakyan today, we honor his generation – some of whom are still with us and some of whom are not,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “A generation, starting in the late 80’s, that turned the tide of a thousand years. The tectonic plates of the Armenian nation pivoted on the shoulders of people like President Sahakyan. We went from losing land, from losing hope to a rebirth. The debt that we owe cannot be repaid and in some ways, its true scope cannot yet be fully understood.”
Hamparian went on to note that, “It’s what we do after we leave tonight that matters the most. We honor the President and those that serve under him by what we do — with our words, but ultimately with our hearts and hands. If they are the first army of the Armenian nation, we must be the second.”
“The Armenian community of America is one of the strongest and well-established segments of our Diaspora. You carry out great work to develop and deepen Artsakh-US and Armenian-American relations, cooperation, and friendship,” said President Sahakyan.
Expressing thanks to the United States for serving as safe-haven – a second homeland – to survivors of the Armenian Genocide, President Sahakyan noted the similarities between the Republic of Artsakh and the U.S. “The principles of freedom, democracy, initiative, are typical to our peoples. A no less significant factor for enhancing our cooperation is the geopolitical reality and its imperatives. Artsakh is open to such cooperation and we see the same willingness in our American friends, some of whom are here today.”
“We have chosen freedom and independence,” continued President Sahakyan. “We are building a democratic country and are able to defend it – and we will spare no efforts in this direction, with the support of Mother Armenia and Armenians worldwide, and our friends in different countries, including the support of people here today.”
Video of President Sahakyan’s speech is available on the ANCA YouTube page at:
Among those in attendance honoring President Sahakyan and his delegation were his His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, his Grace Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern United States, His Excellency Grigor Hovhannesian and the Embassy staff, U.S. presidential speechwriter Aram Bakshian, former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, ARF Eastern Region Central Committee Member Antranig Kasbarian, ARS International Board member Caroline Shmavonian, ARS Eastern Region Chair Talin Daghlian, AYF Eastern Region Central Executive Member Galin Tanashian, Dr. Dikran Kazandjian representing the Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural Association of the Eastern U.S., along with regional and local leaders of a broad array of community organizations.
Internationally renowned Artsakh pianist Anahit Aroushanyan offered the evening’s musical entertainment, performing pieces by Babayan, Rachmaninoff, and Ravel. Aroushanyan, who is studying at the Long Island Conservatory, won the grand prize at the annual “Stars at Tenerife” international competition/festival in October, 2017.
During the evening, the ANCA’s national, regional and local teams were honored with the Artsakh Gratitude Medal. They were joined by Dr. Sarkis Agasarkisian, a lead advocate of the ANC of Georgia, who spearheaded Georgia’s recognition of Artsakh in 2016; and, the Armenian Assembly of America. European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) Chairman Kaspar Karampetian received the prestigious Mesrob Mashdots Medal for his years of service in advancing European – Artsakh relations.
The Medal of Gratitude is awarded to individuals, organizations, and collectives for significant contribution in restoring and developing the economy, science, culture, social spheres of the NKR as well as for defending and promoting international recognition of the Republic.
Photos from the evening are available on the ANCA Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/ancagrassroots/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10155578854056859
President Sahakyan is on a week-long working visit to Washington, DC, where, in addition to meetings with Congressional leaders, he and his delegation have met with media outlets and think tank experts.
On March 14th, President Bako Sahakyan delivered a powerful pro-peace and prosperity message to the American people, thanking U.S. legislators for ongoing aid programs and encouraging continued U.S. leadership toward a durable, democratic resolution of outstanding Artsakh-Azerbaijan status and security issues during a briefing and reception on Capitol Hill. The event included Congressional participation by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Jackie Speier (D-CA) and David Valadao (R-CA), Vice-Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA). They each welcomed the President and his delegation, which included Foreign Minister Masis Mayilian, Parliamentarians David Ishkhanian and David Melkoumyan, and the President’s Deputy Chief of Staff David Babayan. They were accompanied by Artsakh’s Representative in the United States, Robert Avetisyan. Also in attendance was Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Grigor Hovhannisian and his Embassy team.
