PRESS RELEASE
Fund for Armenian Relief
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Edina N. Bobelian
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
October 11, 2005
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EASTERN DIOCESE AND THE FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF HOST WELCOME RECEPTION
FOR ARMENIA’S AMBASSADOR TATOUL MARKARIAN
The Diocese of the Armenian Church of American (Eastern) and the Fund
for Armenian Relief (FAR) hosted a reception to welcome the new Armenian
Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Tatoul Markarian, on
Friday, October 7, 2005, in the Kavookjian Auditorium of the Diocesan
Center in New York City.
Randy Sapah-Gulian, secretary of the FAR Board of Directors, served as
master of ceremonies for the event and, while welcoming the evening’s
guest of honor, shared his enthusiasm for Armenia’s growth since
independence 14 years ago. Summarizing FAR’s humanitarian and
development work, he stressed that FAR and its family of supporters are
dedicated to addressing the needs of the people of Armenia and Karabagh
and guiding them toward a bright future.
FAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New York,
with offices in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Stepanakert. For 16 years, FAR has
implemented various relief, development, social, educational, and
cultural projects valued at more than $250 million. It is the
preeminent relief and development organization operating there.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese and
President of FAR, congratulated Ambassador Markarian on his new position
and wished him all the best in his endeavors. Highlighting the link
between the Church and Armenia and stressing the role of the Diaspora,
the Primate said, “from the very first moments of the free Republic of
Armenia, our Diocese has been eager to support and advance our
homeland’s aspirations. We have also tried to stand for the conviction
that the Republic of Armenia is not simply a remote expression of our
Armenian identity. Rather, it is the centerpiece of that identity, in
the modern world. The existence of the Republic of Armenia is not
merely important to us, as members of the Diaspora: it is absolutely
vital to our own continued existence, and our own success or failure
depends on the prosperity of our free and independent Homeland.”
Ambassador Markarian expressed gratitude to everyone for the warm
welcome and said he was happy to begin his tenure with a visit to the
Church.
“It is not surprising to feel at home in the Church,” he said. “Because
during the darkest chapters of Armenian history, when Armenia had lost
its statehood, the Church brought Armenians together and helped the
people to survive.”
OUTLINING HIS VISION
Ambassador Markarian outlined his vision for the Armenian Embassy in
Washington, D.C. and stressed the need to have the strong support the
Armenian-American people and Armenian organizations in the United
States to achieve any plans.
Ambassador Markarian was appointed Armenia’s ambassador to the United
States on March 19, 2005, by President Robert Kocharian. He holds the
diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.
Prior to assuming this position, Ambassador Markarian served as Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia since 2000. In that capacity, he
was the Armenian coordinator for the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Dialogue, as
well as the NATO-Armenia Political-Military Dialogue. In 2002 and 2003,
Ambassador Markarian was the Special Representative of the President of
Armenia for Nagorno Karabagh negotiations.
PROMINENT GUESTS
Along with the Primate, other dignified guests welcoming the new
ambassador at the reception included Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian,
former Pontifical Legate and Primate of the Armenian Church of Great
Britain; Bishop Manuel Batakian, Exarch of the Armenian Catholic Church
of America; Bishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan legate; Fr. Mardiros
Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral; Haig Yaghoobian, executive
director of the Eastern Diocese; and Vasken Setrakian, owner of
Setrakian Financial Group LLC.
The reception was also attended by Ambassador Armen Martirossyan, the
representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations; and Dr.
Movses Abelian, United Nations Secretary of Administrative and Budgetary
Committee and Committee for Program Coordination and a former Armenian
ambassador to the U.N.
After recognizing the Eastern Diocese and FAR for organizing the
reception, Ambassador Martirossyan reminisced about working with the
recently-appointed ambassador in the past. He also emphasized the
importance of having the Armenian-American community united to help
advance the causes of the Republic of Armenia.
Almost 100 representatives from the Armenian community and various
Armenian organizations were also on hand to meet the new ambassador
during the Diocesan- and Fund for Armenian Relief-sponsored welcome
reception.
— 10/11/05
E-mail photos available upon request.
Caption 1: Newly-appointed Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Tatoul
Markarian (left), Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America and President of the Fund for
Armenian Relief (center), and Armenian Ambassador to the U.N. Armen
Martirossyan (right).
Caption 2: Randy Sapah-Gulian, secretary of the FAR Board of Directors,
served as master of ceremonies for the reception welcoming Armenia’s
Ambassador Tatoul Markarian to the U.S. held at the Diocesan Center in
New York City on October 7, 2005.
Caption 3: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America and President of the Fund for Armenian
Relief, congratulated Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Tatoul Markarian
on his recent appointment and extended a warm welcome on behalf of the
Diocese and FAR.
