PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: <;
June 23, 2009
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA DIALOGUES WITH DIOCESAN LEADERS, ADDRESSES PUBLIC
FORUM AT EASTERN DIOCESE IN NEW YORK
Addressing about 250 people at the Diocesan Center on Monday, June 22, Her
Excellency Marie Yovanovitch, the United States Ambassador to the Republic
of Armenia, spoke about U.S. goals in Armenia, discussed taxpayer-funded
development programs, and asked the public to share its concerns on
U.S.-Armenia relations.
"In many ways, the Armenian-American community represents the foundation and
the strength of our bilateral relationship with Armenia," the ambassador
said, underlining the support of diasporan Armenians for their homeland.
Speaking about progress made since Armenia’s independence in 1991,
Ambassador Yovanovitch noted the expansion of human rights, economic growth,
and increased reliance on the democratic process.
"I’m proud of our success stories," she said, "but there’s always more that
can be done."
One focus is to bring greater fairness and transparency to local and
national elections. Though she observed a more open media environment and
other changes in last month’s mayoral elections in Yerevan, Ambassador
Yovanovitch said there are still irregularities which make the election
process problematic.
The U.S. government understands "that the path to democracy is rarely swift
or smooth," she said, and it aims "to help people restore momentum to their
own democratization."
Turning to the economy, Ambassador Yovanovitch stressed that despite growth
in recent years, the Armenian economy today faces the challenges posed by
the global financial crisis.
In the first five months of this year, the economy contracted by more than
15 percent, she said, a troubling trend that could lead to a rise in poverty
rates. The country’s dependence on remittances and its expansion in the
mining and construction sector have been severely undermined by the current
economic situation.
At the same time, the ambassador said, the economic crisis is an opportunity
for the Armenian government to make reforms that would put in place a
transparent legal system, modernize the country’s infrastructure, and
establish a competitive private sector.
To help during the economic crisis, Ambassador Yovanovitch said, the U.S. is
stepping up short-term humanitarian efforts, like a new program that
allocates money to villages for infrastructure work and employs local
residents to carry out the projects.
"It’s basic assistance that makes a huge difference in the lives of
individuals," Ambassador Yovanovitch explained.
U.S. taxpayer money is also used to bolster law enforcement capacity,
operate newly opened advocacy centers and clinics, and support an initiative
that assists municipalities in Armenia strengthen fiscal management, the
ambassador said.
In addition, the U.S. government has partnered with companies like Coca-Cola
and Sun Microsystems to sponsor programs that protect natural resources and
promote information technology training at Armenian universities.
She called Armenia one of the largest recipients of U.S. aid worldwide,
having received a total of $1.8 billion in total assistance to date.
Speaking about Armenia’s relationship with its neighbors, Ambassador
Yovanovitch said the U.S. supports an open border with Turkey – a process
that should unfold without preconditions and with a timeframe acceptable to
both parties – and a resolution to the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict.
"It will take hard work and political courage to transform Armenia and the
region," she said; but remained optimistic about future developments.
Before concluding her remarks, Ambassador Yovanovitch acknowledged the
"anger and disappointment" felt throughout the Armenian-American community
in regard to this year’s April 24 statement from President Barack Obama.
She said that the decision whether to use the word "genocide" in the annual
statement made by the U.S. President is ultimately a decision of the White
House. The ambassador said that while the past must not be forgotten, it is
important for Armenia to look forward, especially at a time of economic
insecurity.
"Armenian issues require Armenian solutions," she said, explaining that
while the U.S. provides support, in the end it will be up to the Armenian
people to chart their path in the 21st century.
Monday’s event was co-hosted by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern) and the Fund for Armenian Relief.
In remarks introducing Ambassador Yovanovitch to the Armenian-American
community, Diocesan Council member Sandra Shahinian Leitner called the
Diocesan Center a most appropriate setting for the public forum.
"The Diocesan Complex is not only the central institution of the Armenian
presence in America," she said, "it has also played a central and vital role
in the ongoing relationship between the United States and the Republic of
Armenia."
She went on to describe the 20-year relationship between the U.S. State
Department and the Diocese, through its Fund for Armenian Relief, which has
helped develop Armenia’s medical, social, technological, and other sectors.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), thanked Ambassador Yovanovitch for her visit to the
Eastern Diocese.
He recalled the role of the Diocese during the 1988 earthquake and in the
midst of the September 11, 2001 attacks, emphasizing the Eastern Diocese as
an American as well as an Armenian institution. The Primate also reflected
on milestones in the Diocese’s long service to the Republic of Armenia. (See
the sidebar story for the Primate’s full remarks.)
"We will always support and love the Republic of Armenia; we will always
support and love the United States of America-no matter the circumstance, in
times of joy and prosperity, in times of sorrow and disappointment,"
Archbishop Barsamian said. "Nothing will separate us from this bond."
"I know that these same ideals speak to you, as well," he added to the
ambassador.
The evening also included a period where Ambassador Yovanovitch addressed
questions from the audience.
On Tuesday, June 23, the ambassador returned to the Eastern Diocese for a
breakfast with young professionals held at the Diocese’s Krikor and Clara
Zohrab Information Center. A group of 30 young professionals engaged in
informal discussion with Ambassador Yovanovitch.
Later that same day, the ambassador was the guest of honor at a luncheon
hosted by Archbishop Barsamian in the formal reception room of the Diocesan
Center, where leaders of the Eastern Diocese from the Diocesan Council, the
Fund for Armenian Relief Board of Directors, and the Diocesan Legate’s
Committee had an opportunity to dialogue with Ambassador Yovanovitch in a
private setting.
Ambassador Yovanovitch also received a tour of St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral, given by Cathedral Dean Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, with Diocesan
Council Chairman Oscar Tatosian.
Ambassador Yovanovitch is in the midst of a four-city tour of
Armenian-American communities, which also includes stops in Boston, Los
Angeles, and Washington, D.C.
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CAPTIONS:
Photo1:
Diocesan Primate Abp. Khajag Barsamian (center) with U.S. Amb. Yovanovitch
(right) and Garnik Nanagoulian, executive director of the Fund for Armenian
Relief (left).
Photo2:
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie Yovanovitch addresses the Armenian-American
public in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, of the Diocesan Center in
New York City, on June 22.
Photo3:
At the Eastern Diocese’s Zohrab Information Center, Amb. Yovanovitch talks
informally with a group of young professionals from the New York area.
Photo4:
Abp. Barsamian thanks Amb. Yovanovitch for her two-day visit to the Eastern
Diocese in New York, during a luncheon with Diocesan leaders from the Fund
for Armenian Relief, the Diocesan Legates’ Committee, and the Diocesan
Council.
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