Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
ancwr@anca.org

PRESS RELEASE

August 6, 2008
Contact: Ani Garabedian

Armenian Consul General Hosts ANC-WR Interns and Externs

Los Angeles, CA – On Wednesday, July 30, the Consul General of the
Republic of Armenia hosted seven participants of the summer session of
the Armenian National Committee Western Region Internship-Externship
Program (ANC-WR IEP) along with ANC-WR Community Relations Director
Haig Hovsepian. This visit gave an opportunity for the young and eager
group of interns and externs to gain insight into the daily
undertakings of the Consulate and its relationship with the Armenian
American community.

Consul General Armen Liloyan and Vice Consul General Sahag Sargsyan
welcomed the group at their Beverly Hills office and provided an open
forum for questions and discussed the Consul’s duties. Gathered around
the boardroom table, the interns and externs were able to ask
questions regarding the tasks and daily operations of the Consulate.
They were also able to see the new Armenian visa and inquire about the
availability of internships within the office. Another topic of
interest during the meeting was the newly available dual-citizen
status now offered by the Republic of Armenia. Interns inquired about
the requirements and procedures necessary to obtain dual citizenship.

Mikael Kourinian, an intern with the ANC-WR IEP, expressed, "This was
an exceptional opportunity to learn more about the consulate and their
daily operations. "As interns with the ANC-WR we can maintain contact
with their office to keep updated on issues relating to Armenia
including economic development, Nagorno-Karabagh and U.S. Armenia
relations," he added.

The overall experience was very valuable and plans on making trips to
the Consulate’s office with future interns have already begun. "Being
able to meet with the Consul General and his staff and getting to see
the inner workings of their daily operations was an invaluable
experience for any young Armenian American activist," stated ANC-WR
Intern Shant Karnikian. The interns were also given a tour of the
entire Consulate and were introduced to various staff members.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in
the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States
and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances
the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.