A.R.F. Shant Student Association
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 306
Glendale, California 91206
Tel: 818-462-3006
E-Mail: ssa@arfshant.org
Website:

PRESS RELEASE
December 8, 2006

Los Angeles, CA – On Sunday, December 3rd, about 150 college and high
school students attended a Panel Discussion organized by the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation Shant Student Association (ARF Shant) at
Hollywood’s Karapetian Hall.

The topic of the panel discussion was the re-integration and
re-development of the occupied Western Armenian territories after
they have been returned by Turkey as a condition of Armenian Genocide
recognition. The experts who participated in the panel discussion
were political scientist and historian Garabet Moumdjian, Ph.D.,
economist and professor Ara Khanjian, Ph.D., and professional civil
engineer Aram Kaloustian P.E.

The panel discussion was moderated by Levon Baronian, founder of
the Confederation of All-Armenian Student Associations (All-ASA)
and administrator of the ExecNet Armenian Network of Student Clubs
(ExecNet). Before introducing the panelists, Mr. Baronian relayed
that the ARF Shant organized this event because it believes that the
time has come to take Hay Dat to the next level and begin planning
for what comes after the imminent recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

The panelists presented interesting facts about Western Armenia and
discussed a broad range of issues pertaining to the challenges faced
in repopulating and revitalizing the region.

Dr. Garabet Moumdjian presented a historical overview of the legitimate
claims that Armenians have over the occupied regions and offered
insight into the geopolitical questions of reunification. Dr. Ara
Khanjian provided vital statistics on the region and offered analysis
on its current economic and demographic realities, particularly as they
relate to the remainder of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia. Mr. Aram
Kaloustian spoke on a variety of infrastructural issues that must be
considered, such as rapid construction of housing, securing sources
of water and energy, and repairing transportation routes.

The audience submitted dozens of written questions during the
discussion, after which the panelists read and answered as many of
the questions as possible within the time allotted. On behalf of the
ARF Shant, Mr. Baronian concluded the panel discussion by thanking the
panelists and audience for making the revolutionary and ground-breaking
event a great success.

The mission of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation "Shant" Student
Association (ARF Shant) is to bring a higher level of political and
cultural awareness to Armenian students within American Universities
and institutions of higher learning. The ARF Shant’s goal is to work
side by side with the Armenian Student Associations and other Armenian
Student organizations to further the Armenian Cause.