PRESS RELEASE October 23, 2006
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected] ;Web:
Armenian Embassy, with Leading Armenian American Organizations, Celebrates
Armenia’s Fifteenth Anniversary in Washington, DC
On October 21, 2006, the fifteenth anniversary of Armenia’s independence was
celebrated in Washington’s renown Omni Shoreham Hotel with a special event
drawing near 500 guests from all Armenian communities in the United States
and the heads of all the leading Armenian-American political, cultural,
religious, and benevolent organizations. Represented at the event were
organizations that made an essential contribution to sustaining the Armenian
independent statehood, such as the Armenian National Committee of America,
the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Assembly of America,
Fund for Armenian Relief, the Armenian Missionary Association of America,
the Cafesjian Family Foundation, and the Armenian Relief Society, whose
representatives had the opportunity to make congratulatory remarks.
Also present at the event were representatives of U.S. State Department,
USAID, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation, as well as former U.S.
Ambassadors to Armenia. An official delegation headed by Minister of Foreign
Affairs Vartan Oskanian traveled to Washington to participate in the
celebration.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador of Armenia to the U.S. Tatoul Markarian
noted that among the major and irreversible achievements of independence
were democratic development, liberal market economy, strong state
institutions, and consolidation of the entire Armenian nation around the
newly-independent state. Ambassador Markarian stressed the essential role of
the strong Armenian-American community and U.S.-Armenian relations in
sustaining the newly-independent statehood and promoting Armenia’s economic
development. He noted that the above organizations and the Diaspora in
general enthusiastically embraced the newly-independent Armenia and
supported the efforts of the Armenian government. The Ambassador of Armenia
noted that the presence of all the leading organizations at the celebration
once more demonstrated the unity of the Armenian nation and the Armenian
state, which is the best guarantee for success of Armenia and all Armenians
in the twenty-first century and beyond. Excerpts from the Ambassador’s
remarks are presented below.
Speaking on behalf of U.S. administration, Deputy Assistant Secretary of
State for Europe and Eurasia and Special Negotiator Matthew Bryza offered
warm congratulations on the fifteenth anniversary of independence and noted
the friendly relations and close cooperation between the United States and
Armenia on issues of regional and global importance.
Delivering the keynote address during the celebration, Minister Oskanian
drew historical parallels between the current independence and the
experience of the First Republic and noted that upholding Armenia as an
independent, democratic, and prosperous state is a task for the Armenian
nation as a whole. He stressed the importance of unity and solidarity
between Armenia and Diaspora in further enhancing the indepependent
statehood. The keynote address by the Minister is available in full at the
Foreign Ministry website, at
——————
Excerpts from remarks by Ambassador Tatoul Markarian at the special event
celebrating fifteen years of independence
It is a great honor to welcome you to the event celebrating the fifteenth
anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia. Fifteen years
ago, the citizens of Armenia voted to make Armenia an independent and
democratic state. The newly-born Republic of Armenia has made enormous
efforts and tremendous sacrifice to build Armenia we all dream about. Among
the major and irreversible achievements of independence are democratic
development, liberal market economy, and strong state institutions. Armenia
has become an active and responsible member of the international community.
The restoration of Armenia’s independence also gave new life to the Armenian
Diaspora, helping revitalize the Armenian identity, revive the strength of
the Armenian communities, find new mission and adjust towards new goals,
especially in Armenia and Artsakh. Not having been a nation-state in the
conventional sense of the word, independent Armenia has become a truly
national state.
…
Celebrating the anniversary of Armenia’s independence in Washington, D.C. is
indeed appropriate since the U.S. government, and also the World Bank and
the IMF have been the biggest investors in Armenia’s independence from the
very beginning. Its latest manifestation is the Millennium Challenge
Corporation program in Armenia. The U.S. Congress has always been an
unreserved supporter of Armenia throughout its political and economic
transition. Our American friends on the Hill and in the Administration have
never had doubts about the dedication of the Armenian people and leadership
to our shared values and principles, and I want to thank them for that. Our
strong cooperation all these years and your eagerness to share our today’s
celebration express the warm friendship between the United States and
Armenia.
…
Washington also symbolizes the strong Armenian American Diaspora, which has
distinguished itself by its essential contribution to sustaining Armenia’s
independence from day one. The Armenian-American community was in the
forefront of the efforts to help make true the centuries-long dream, the
building of Armenian statehood, and worked tirelessly to help expand
U.S.-Armenian relations.
The Armenian Church, the Diasporan communities, patriotic individuals, and
organizations such as the Armenian National Committee of America, Armenian
General Benevolent Union, Armenian Assembly of America, Fund for Armenian
Relief, Cafesjian Foundation, Armenian Missionary Association of America,
and Armenian Relief Society have enthusiastically embraced the
newly-independent Armenia. These organizations supported the efforts of the
Armenian government, and not only – in a way – co-sponsored the newly-born
independence, but also willingly came forward to co-sponsor with the Embassy
today’s celebration, which we appreciate highly. The list of patriotic
organizations naturally is not limited to those only, and there are also
great examples like Kirk Kirkorian’s Lincy Foundation and others.
I cannot enumerate all of them today but I want assure you that their
commitment and dedication will be admired and deemed even more monumental
from the horizon of the future by generations to come.
Independence has always been a unifying factor, and tonight’s celebration
once more demonstrates the unity of the Armenian nation and the Armenian
state, which is a prerequisite for success of Armenia and all Armenians in
the twenty-first century and beyond.
Once again, I want to congratulate and also thank each and every one of you
for being with us tonight. And thanks to all the individuals and
organizations who have helped us in organizing this event.
Thank you.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
