PRESS RELEASE
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
Email: [email protected]
Contact: Marc A. Mamigonian
"THE ARMENIAN LOBBY: THEN AND NOW" TO BE EXAMINED AT NAASR LECTURE
Gregory Aftandilian, currently a Research Fellow at the Belfer Center
at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, will
present a lecture entitled "The Armenian Lobby Then and Now: The
1918-27 Period and the Present Day," on Tuesday, October 10, at the
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) Center
, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA.
Aftandilian, a member of the NAASR Board of Directors since 2004, has
previously worked at the National Democratic Institute for
International Affairs, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and
the U.S. Department of State. A recognized expert on Middle East
affairs, he is the author of two books: Egypt’s Bid for Arab
Leadership: Implications for U.S. Policy and Armenia: Vision of a
Republic: The Independence Lobby in America, 1918-1927. He holds
degrees from Dartmouth College, the University of Chicago, and the
London School of Economics.
Shedding Light on Two Eras
This lecture will examine the activities of the American Committee
for the Independence of Armenia in the period of 1918 to 1927 and
compare it to today’s Armenian Lobby in terms of effectiveness,
shortcomings, access to leading policy-makers, and sustainability.
Key issues that will be addressed are the makeup of the lobby groups,
the socio-economic conditions of the Armenian-American community, the
impact of opposing lobbies and countervailing pressures, the
attitudes of Congress and the White House, and the salience of the
"Armenian issue" in the American political context.
Aftandilian will highlight some important similarities and
differences between the two eras. In both periods, the pro-Armenian
Lobby had the difficult task of supporting a small country that
lacked natural resources. Whereas in the earlier period the lobby
relied primarily on American public sympathy as well as important
political figures for support, the current period has witnessed a
reliance on the rising stature of the Armenian-American community and
its increasing involvement in the American political system.
Countervailing pressures in both periods have included the impact of
oil and other economic interests.
Admission to the event is free (donations appreciated). The NAASR
Bookstore will open at 7:30 p.m. The NAASR Center and Headquarters
is located opposite the First Armenian Church and next to the U.S.
Post Office. Ample parking is available around the building and in
adjacent areas. The lecture will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m.
More information about the lecture is available by calling
617-489-1610, faxing 617-484-1759, e-mailing [email protected], or writing
to NAASR, 395 Concord Ave., Belmont, MA 02478.
Marc A. Mamigonian
Director of Programs and Publications
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)
395 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478
Phone: 617-489-1610
Fax: 617-484-1759