Author: Ani Kharatian

GLENDALE—Armenia’s Consulate General in Los Angeles hosted a reception on June 17 in honor of Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian to express gratitude for the his consistent support of Armenia and Artsakh. The reception was attended by public, religious, political and cultural leaders and community representatives.

After welcoming remarks by Armenia’s Consul General in Los Angeles Ambassador Armen Baibourtian, remarks were delivered by Western Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Salpi Ghazarian, Director of the University of Southern California’s Institute of Armenian Studies, prominent lawyer Rafi Ourfalian, and State Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian. The speakers praised Krekorian for his efforts to advance the Homeland. All clergy present at the event said a prayer for Krekorian and his wife Dr. Tamar Krekorian.

In his remarks, Baibourtian highlighted the importance Krekorian’s activities and efforts for the City of Los Angeles, the State of California, the U.S. as well as Armenia and Artsakh in his capacity as a former member of the State Assembly and L.A. City Councilmember.

“There are many examples that attest to Paul Krekorian’s full and unwavering devotion towards the welfare and betterment of the Homeland of Armenia and Artsakh,” said Baibourtian.

Community leaders gathered to honor LA City Counilmember Paul Krekorian

In 2012, the Los Angeles City Council adopted the Los Angeles-Shushi Friendship City agreement, and in 2013, the Los Angeles City Council recognized the independence of the Republic of Artsakh as a sovereign state by a special adopted resolution as a commitment to the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh.

Within the first days of last fall’s Artsakh War, Krekorian began to unite and consolidate California American political and state leaders in pursuit of ending the Azerbaijani unleashed war against Artsakh. As a result, and thanks to his efforts, on October 5, members of Congress and California lawmakers joined Los Angeles City Council members and leaders and other officials at a joint press conference that raised awareness about and condemned Azerbaijan’s aggression against Artsakh.

During the 44-day war and in its aftermath, thanks to Krekorian, the L.A. City Council unanimously adopted a resolution confirming the support of the City of Los Angeles to the people of the Republic of Artsakh. At Krekorian’s initiative, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously adopted yet another resolution, in which it demanded Azerbaijan to immediately release the Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians. Moreover, November 9th was declared as a Day of Remembrance and Commemoration of the victims of Azerbaijan’s aggression against Artsakh.

LA City Councilmember Paul Krekorian with his wife, Dr. Tamar Krekorian

Baibourtian added that “the continued support for Armenia and Artsakh also have a consolidating effect and a unifying role for the Armenian community of California”.

In his remarks, Krekorian stated: “My response to the kind words of commendation and encouragement expressed today would be very brief—I was just doing my job. We should always be with our Homeland and cherish it.”

In the concluding part of the program, Anna Mouradian, Chief of Staff of LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, presented certificates of appreciation to Krekorian and his spouse, Tamar on behalf of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

During the event, Armenian folk music was performed by duduk player Jivan Gasparyan Jr., the grandson of the world-famous Jivan Gasparyan, as well as guitar player Andranik Kzirian.

How Building Strong Government Institutions is the Only Way to Solve the Political Quagmire in Armenia

BY LORIG TITIZIAN

The past year has been a crucial time for our Nation and our people.

We fought a war in Artsakh, incurring large casualties and the loss of territories to Azerbaijan. We also continued to struggle, like the rest of the world with the Covid 19 pandemic and its devastating consequences on Armenia’s economy and health system.

In this dire environment, our countrymen are facing special elections on June 20 to elect a new parliament and a prime minster, the current one having been discredited for the agreement he signed with the enemy at the end of the war that left us with massive losses and a defeat.

Complicating the matter is that the people faced with a choice to bring back to power a former president, who was being investigated for corruption, another who was charged with breaching Armenia’s constitutional order, and newly independent Armenia’s first president, who ironically was calling for an untimely truce between Armenia and Turkey.

One would think that in these dangerous and unstable times, Armenian political forces and parties, both in the Homeland and the Diaspora, would be concerned in uniting their efforts to both physically and morally defend our borders from enemy intrusions and to support efforts to end the spread of the contagious virus.

Unfortunately, all signs point in the direction of internal struggles, both inside and outside Armenia, with the aim of gaining control of the parliament and the government. This is a short term goal and will not offer any real success or an exit to our compatriots from the politically untenable situation we find ourselves presently.

The Covid 19 virus attacked the world’s population with no discrimination and extended its tentacles to every corner of our planet. However, those countries that had the foresight to look ahead and engage in vaccinations quickly, were able to stop the spread and to return to a somewhat normal existence, thus, gaining back control of their economies. It is true that financial resources play a large role in achieving success, however a disbelief in science, coupled with state incompetency and primitive thinking filled with conspiracies and unfounded rumors has also kept back our countrymen from planning early on vaccinations and overcoming fear and complacency.

In the political arena, we are faced with special elections in a few days during which Armenian citizens have to make one of the most crucial decision of their lives.

Unfortunately, there is so much confusion and mistrust in the public toward public officials and institutions that people are faced with impossible choices and frustration toward an unknown future. The mistrust toward government institutions is the result of both failed policies, misguided judgments by elected and appointed public officials and misinformation about real facts, such as the military situation on our borders or the real efficacy of Covid vaccines and their side effects .

In my humble opinion, our attention, at this juncture of history, should be focused on rebuilding the trust of individuals toward government institutions, be that in the legal, military and all other sectors that contribute to a stable governance of the country. These institutions are the ones that will sustain our independence and security from enemies both within and outside of our borders.

We need institutions that are transparent and accountable to the people , which in turn will promote a culture of reciprocal trust between them and the citizens they represent.