Armenia’s Declaration of Independence adopted on August 23, 1990

In his Push for a New Constitution Pashinyan Says Peace Must Come First

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, once again, described Armenia’s Declaration of Independence as an “anti-state text,” arguing that abandoning its ideology is in the country’s national interest.

Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Pashinyan said Armenia’s new Constitution should be based on a vision for longevity of the state, adding that establishing institutional and irreversible peace is his top priority as prime minister.

“The number one, number two and number three missions that I must accomplish as Prime Minister of Armenia is to establish peace and make it institutional,” he said, adding that he would pursue this goal relentlessly.

Pashinyan stressed that the peace agreement with Azerbaijan must be signed and ratified, saying Armenia’s challenge is to turn the current period of peace into decades and eventually centuries of stability.

Asked whether constitutional changes would guarantee the signing and ratification of the peace agreement, Pashinyan said he could not yet provide a definitive answer, as it depended on factors beyond the Armenian government’s sovereign authority.

He said he would be prepared to guarantee the outcome and stake his political credibility and mandate on it only once he had received sufficiently reliable assurances. Pashinyan did not specify the “factors” he pointed out, but presumably it lies with Azerbaijan and its president, Ilham Aliyev.

Pashinyan added that if such a guarantee were established, voting against the new Constitution would amount to voting against peace.

Pashinyan also threatened to generate “strong public pressure” on the two main opposition groups and bar them from possible snap parliamentary elections if they continue to reject his draft of a new Armenian constitution demanded by Azerbaijan.

“If the opposition decides to vote against it, a political process will ensue,” Pashinyan told reporters. “Something quite unusual will happen. Typically, it’s the opposition that holds protests in front of parliament. But this time, it might be the authorities who hold a protest.”

“If this scenario also fails, we will head to snap elections on the condition that there is a 100 percent guarantee that the current parliamentary opposition will not be in the next parliament,” he said.

The draft constitution needs to be backed by at least two-third of the Armenian parliament’s deputies before it can be put on a referendum. Both the opposition Armenia and Strong Armenia alliances have repeatedly said that none of their lawmakers will vote for the still unpublicized document which they say is imposed on Armenia by Baku.

A senior Strong Armenia lawmaker, Aram Vartevanyan, insisted instead that Baku would hardly sign a peace treaty with Yerevan even if Pashinyan were to succeed in enacting the new constitution.

During the Armenian government’s question-and-answer session in the parliament on Wednesday, Vartevanyan asked Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan whether they can guarantee that the change of the constitution is indeed the last remaining Azerbaijani precondition.

“I don’t have an answer to that question today because that answer lies beyond Armenia’s sovereign territory and the Armenian government’s powers,” Pashinyan replied, hinting at Azerbaijan’s leadership. “When I get the answer to that question I will come out and make clear whether or not I guarantee that.”

In vague remarks, Mirzoyan said that while the issue of the constitution has not been discussed during peace talks, Azerbaijan has made it clear that without such a change, it would not sign a peace treaty. He concluded that in order to sign a peace treaty, the ratification of a new constitution would be mandatory.

Pashinyan claimed on Thursday that the very fact that Strong Armenia is inquiring about such a guarantee indicates a softening of its opposition to the new constitution. He said it also reduces the likelihood of fresh general elections threatened by him last week. The two opposition alliances said on October 23 that they are undaunted by his threats.

The Armenian Educational Foundation brought together supporters, friends and community members for its sold-out 2026 Annual Benefit, “Orchestrating the Future,” on Sunday, October 18, at the iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles. The evening celebrated the transformative power of education, honored three distinguished couples for their longstanding dedication to AEF, and reaffirmed the community’s shared commitment to creating a brighter future for Armenian youth.

For more than 75 years, AEF has opened doors of opportunity for generations of Armenian students, empowering young people to pursue their education, realize their potential, and strengthen their local communities.

This year’s Benefit reflected that enduring mission through the theme “Orchestrating the Future.” Just as an orchestra brings together individual talents to create something extraordinary, AEF unites students, educators, donors, volunteers, and community partners in a shared purpose: to ensure that future generations of Armenian youth have the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

At the heart of the celebration was the recognition of three remarkable couples whose generosity and commitment have helped advance AEF’s educational mission: Mr. and Mrs. Bobken and Hasmik Amirian, Mr. and Mrs. Rafik and Helly Khatchaturian, and Mr. and Mrs. Hagop and Sonia Koujakian. Their dedication exemplifies the spirit of philanthropy that has sustained AEF for more than seven decades and reflects a shared belief that investing in education is among the most meaningful ways to preserve Armenian heritage, strengthen communities, and build a lasting legacy for future generations.

Honorees from left to right: Bobken and Hasmik Amirian; Rafik and Helly Khatchaturian; and Hagop and Sonia Koujakian.

The evening also provided an opportunity to reflect on the lasting impact made possible by AEF’s supporters. In 2025 alone, the Foundation awarded more than $1.6 million in scholarships to over 1,100 students across Armenia, Javakhk and the Diaspora, helping deserving young Armenians pursue their academic and professional aspirations.

Beyond financial assistance, AEF continues to cultivate a culture of service and community responsibility among its scholarship recipients. In 2025, AEF scholars in Armenia contributed an extraordinary 125,400 hours of volunteer service, demonstrating how educational opportunity can inspire a lasting commitment to giving back. Through their efforts, the impact of each scholarship extends beyond the individual student, reaching families, neighborhoods, and communities throughout Armenia.

“The true impact of AEF extends far beyond the classroom. It is reflected in the students who take the opportunities they have been given and turn them into meaningful contributions to their families, communities, and future generations,” said Gina Felikian, Chair of the 2026 AEF Annual Benefit. “‘Orchestrating the Future’ was a celebration of that collective impact and a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together with a shared commitment to investing in the future of Armenian youth.”

AEF’s commitment to educational advancement extends well beyond scholarships. Through initiatives supporting engineering education and practical training, entrepreneurship and innovation, educational technology and infrastructure in regional schools, Armenian language and cultural programming, and science and innovation programs at Armenian schools in Southern California, the Foundation continues to expand access to meaningful learning opportunities and invest in the potential of Armenian youth worldwide.

The success of “Orchestrating the Future” reflected the collective generosity of a community united by a common purpose. AEF extends its heartfelt appreciation to the evening’s honorees, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and guests, whose continued support makes its work possible.

Proceeds from the Annual Benefit will support AEF’s scholarship and educational programs, helping ensure that more deserving Armenian students have access to the resources and opportunities necessary to pursue their dreams.

As the Foundation looks toward the future, the message of the evening remains clear: when we invest in the education of one student, we do more than transform one life. We help shape the future of an entire community.

‘Zaven: One Man Many Callings’ Will be Unveiled on November 8

Zaven Khanjian, the veteran community leader, activist and long-time Executive Director of the Armenian Missionary Association of America, passed away in August 2024, leaving behind volumes of writings, letters, memories and documents.

His family, led by his wife, Sona Khanjian, has spent the last two year collecting, cataloging and compiling his vast trove of documents that has resulted in an impressive volume titled, “Zaven: One Man Many Callings.”

The coffee table-style book will be unveiled during a special event on November 8 at 5 p.m. at the Armenian Society of Los Angeles headquarters, located at 117 South Louise Street in Glendale.

The book was published by Yearbook Inc. Seta Khodanian is credited as the Editorial Project Manager of “One Man. Many Callings,” while Dr. Tamar Marie Boyadjian has served as biography and sections author and editor. Sona Khanjian, her son, Vasken Khanjian and her daughter, Vana Vartanian have contributed photographs and documents from their family archives. Taniel Tufenkjian, the late Sarkis Mahserejian, Harut Der-Tavitian and Reverend Serop Megerdichian contributed to the project, along with Salpi Ghazarian.

“In a world of shifting allegiances and expedient silences, Zaven’s consistency stood out. As Armenia faces pressures that good intentions cannot counter—geopolitical threats, internal divisions, a diaspora pulling in different direction—this reality makes figures like Zaven more essential. They remind us what becomes possible when service is guided by unwavering integrity and moral clarity,” Yearbook Inc.’s president and the publisher of the book Michael Nahabet said in a note published in “One Man. Many Callings.”

In Zavan Khanjian, word and deed were one, From the smallest act of generosity to the most difficult moral stand, he embodied the principle he proclaimed: ‘not empires, nor structures, but the individual.’ The book exists to preserve that example and carry forward what he could no longer complete himself,” Nahabet added.

The book consists of Khanjian’s writings in numerous publications, open letters to Armenian and U.S. government officials, many letters to the editor, which were published by mainstream American newspapers, as well as speeches he delivered at various events and photographs that capture the late leaders not only work in the community, but his family life.

The book also reprints Khanjian’s article marking the centennial of the Asbarez newspaper, which also coincided with the 100th birthday of prolific Armenian-American author, William Saroyan. The article is a highly engaging account of Khanjian’s efforts to find the source and distribution of the now infamous and ubiquitous “William Saroyan poster,” with the author’s famous quote: “I would like to see any power in the world destroy this race…”

“Zaven. One Man, Many Callings,” will be available at Abril and Sardarabad bookstores.

Khanjian was appointed as Executive Director/CEO of the AMAA in 2014. During his 10-year tenure, he oversaw many milestones in the organization, including the opening of the Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisian School in Yerevan, the commemoration of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide in 2015, a successful AMAA Centennial Capital Campaign, and the AMAA’s 100th Anniversary in 2018.

Throughout the years, Khanjian was an active member of the Greater Los Angeles Community, serving in leadership capacities at the Armenia Fund, the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, The Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School, the United Armenian Congregational Church, Haigazian University of Beirut, the Glendale Family YMCA, the Salvation Army-Glendale Corps, Americans for Artsakh, the Armenian-American Real Estate Association and as Chairman of the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund, which raised more than $1 million in assistance for that community.

He contributed volumes of bilingual articles to American and Armenian media and was the author of three Armenian books. “Is This Your House or Mine?” “Reflections of the Mind and Soul”; and “The First Station of Aleppo” (Memoirs of a Memorable Childhood.)

Khanjian was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Medal of Gratitude from President Serzh Sarkisian on May 28, 2017, in Armenia for his contributions toward strengthening Armenia-Diaspora relations and preservation of the Armenian identity. On September 13, 2019, he was awarded the Honorary Member Title from the Writers’ Union of Armenia for his books and articles on Armenia.

ARF delegation with Arch. Kegham Khacherian and Prelacy Executive Council

Western Prelate Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, together with Western Prelacy Executive Council Chairman Vahe Hovaguimian and other council members, on Monday welcomed a delegation of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation to the Western Prelacy headquarters.

The delegation included ARF Bureau member Daron Der Khachadourian; ARF Western U.S.A. Central Committee Representative Levon Baronian; Central Committee Co-Chairs Raffi Sarkissian and Mike Keleshian; and other members of the Central Committee.

The official introductory meeting provided an opportunity to discuss matters of concern to the Armenian community, as well as developments in Armenia, Artsakh, and Armenian Diaspora communities worldwide.

Discussions also focused on the importance of supporting Armenian youth in public life and entrusting them with active roles and responsibilities within Armenian national institutions. Participants further addressed the need to keep pace with modernization and explored various initiatives and approaches aimed at strengthening and improving Armenian community life in the Western United States.

Acknowledging the issues, concerns, and challenges raised during the meeting, Archbishop Khacherian emphasized that the organizations and institutions serving the region’s large Armenian community, each within the scope of its respective mission, share common objectives and contribute to the community’s well-being and development.

In closing, Archbishop Khacherian commended the Armenian Revolutionary Federation for its 136 years of service and extended his best wishes to its leadership and members for renewed strength, continued dedication, and success in their endeavors.