Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: info@aaainc.org
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PRESS RELEASE
January 31, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: ckojoian@aaainc.org
NEAR EAST FOUNDATION TO PARTICIPATE IN GENOCIDE TRIBUTE
Cyprus, Ethiopia, Syria, Uruguay to Attend
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly, along with the Armenian
General Benevolent Union and the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church, announced today that the President of the Near East Foundation
and the consul generals from Cyprus, Syria, Ethiopia and Uruguay will
be among those honored by the Armenian community for their efforts in
supporting the survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
The “International Relief, Refuge, and Recognition Tribute” will take
place on February 24 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles,
California. The event will also recognize those nations, such as
Cyprus and Uruguay, which have officially acknowledged the Armenian
Genocide and serve as a prelude to a series of local, national and
international events that will commemorate and raise awareness of the
90th anniversary of the Genocide.
“The governments of these four countries have long-standing
relationships with Armenia and its people, with all serving as a safe
haven for Armenians fleeing the genocide,” said Western Office
Chairman Richard Mushegain. “Similarly, the Near East Relief is
credited with saving hundreds of thousands of Armenians and making
possible productive futures for more than 130,000 orphans.”
>From 1919 until 1930, New York-based Near East Relief (now known as
the Near East Foundation) administered $117,000,000 to those in
need. Very early in the relief effort, attention focused on helping
rescued orphans to become self-supporting and contributing members of
the communities that had absorbed them.
Armenian survivors also turned to Syria, by far the largest recipient
of refugees of any Middle Eastern country. Cyprus, Ethiopia and
Uruguay also opened their doors and are home to well-established
Armenian communities.
The event planning committee includes Elizabeth Agbabian, Joan
Aghajanian-Quinn, Nancy Arabian, Lily Ring Balian, Flora Dunaians,
Audrey Gregor, Hermine Janoyan, Stella Moloyan, Cindy Norian, Krikor
Patatian and Savey Tufenkian.
For more information on this event, please contact Armenian Assembly
Western Office Deputy Director Nicole Shahenian at (310) 360-0091 or
via email at nicole@aaainc.org.
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
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NR#2005-010
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress