ARF WELCOMES ARMEN RUSTAMYAN TO EASTERN US

Hairenik.com
10/12/09

Parliament leader to meet with US Representatives, ARF Communities

WATERTOWN, MA–The Armenian Revolutionary Federation today announced
the US visit of Armen Rustamyan, who will tour east coast communities
and visit Congressional and other US government representatives.

Rustamyan is a member of Armenia’s National Assembly, serving
as Chairman of its Standing Committee on Foreign Relations. He is
also the Representative of the ARF Supreme Body in Armenia. During
his visit, he will discuss a wide range of issues tied to Armenia’s
foreign policy, and will reiterate the ARF’s continued opposition to
the Armenia-Turkey protocols.

Rustamyan arrived in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Dec. 9 for a
full day of meetings with Congressional representatives. During these
meetings, he is emphasizing the dangers underlying the Armenia-Turkey
protocols, and their use by the Government of Turkey to impose
preconditions which are detrimental to Armenian national interests.

Among the members of Congress is Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), Chairman
of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rustamyan wrote to Berman
in March 2009 – just prior to the April announcement of the "roadmap"
that led to the Armenia-Turkey protocols: "Taking into account that
the United States has not yet officially recognized the Armenian
Genocide," Rustamyan wrote, "Turkey makes its status more and more
inflexible in the resolution of Armenian-Turkish relations. I am sure
that the U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide will not become
an obstacle to Armenian-Turkish relations; it will contribute to
their improvement."

Today, Rustamyan’s words ring prophetic as the protocols have since
been used as a sword by Turkey to block US recognition of the Genocide,
to force Armenia to recognize its current illegal border with Turkey,
and to push Armenia toward resolving the Karabagh issue in a manner
that denies its people their right to self-determination.

The protocols are currently before Armenia’s Constitutional Court.

Rustamyan stated earlier this month that the ARF considers the
protocols illegal under Armenia’s constitution, and that the Court
has every reason to consider them invalid.

After meeting with members of Congress, Rustamyan will meet with
National Security Council representatives and conclude his day by
giving a community lecture hosted by the ARF of Greater Washington.

On Dec. 10, Rustamyan will meet with representatives of the Nagorno
Karabagh Republic. Additional meetings are planned with Administration
officials and with members of Congress, including House Armenian
Issues Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ). Rustamyan will then
travel to Philadelphia to attend a community reception hosted by the
Philadelphia ARF.

On Friday, Dec. 11, Rustamyan will meet with representatives of the
Providence ARF and attend briefings at the Rhode Island State House.

On his way to Boston, Rustamyan will stop for a visit at Camp Haiastan
in Franklin, MA, and will speak at a public meeting hosted by the
Boston ARF at 7:30 p.m. at the Armenian Cultural and Educational
Center, Watertown.

Rustumyan’s tour will conclude on Sunday, Dec. 13 after meeting
with ARF New Jersey members and speaking at the New York ARF’s 119th
anniversary celebration.

For more information about Rustamyan’s east coast visit, contact the
ARF Central Committee office at (617) 926-3685 or arfccer@hairenik.com.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress