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ARMENIAN COMMUNITY COMMEMORATES 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRESIDENT WILSON'S ARBITRAL AWARD
by Asbarez
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010
GLENDALE, Calif.
Event Speakers Call on United States to Recognize and Apply Official
Borders
Hundreds packed the Glendale Central Library auditorium Sunday
to commemorate the 90th anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson's
arbitral award on the Turkey-Armenia border. The event was organized
by the Defense Council of Western Armenia (DCWA).
Among those in attendance were Glendale Unified School District
Chairman Greg Krikorian, California State Assembly Member Anthony
Portantino and 32nd District U.S. House Representative Congresswoman
Judy Chu.
Arick Gevorkian, the event's master of ceremonies, welcomed the
audience and thanked them for supporting the mission of the DCWA
and congratulated its members and leaders for having the vision and
follow through to raise awareness for and pursue the realization of
Wilsonian Armenia throughout the last five years.
In his remarks, Greg Krikorian announced his plans to join forces
with the Western Armenian Heritage Foundation in erecting a statue of
President Woodrow Wilson at the Wilson Middle School in Glendale. This
announcement was followed by yet another significant message delivered
by Congresswoman Judy Chu.
"These were lands that were part of historical Armenia for decades
if not centuries. They connected this now land locked country to the
Black Sea and were a hub of maritime trade," said Rep. Chu. "These
four provinces had significant Armenian populations and thrived before
the Genocide forced inhabitants from their homes and their homeland."
"While 90 years have passed since President Woodrow Wilson and the
international community agreed that these lands would be part of an
independent Armenia, this has still not happened. And that is wrong,"
she added.
Keynote speaker, Krikor Soukiasian, gave a detailed overview of
the events leading up to the signing of the Treaty of Sevres. DCWA
President, Michael Sosikian, addressed the audience with a concise
presentation about the current applicability and legality of President
Woodrow Wilson's arbitral award as it pertains to international law.
"The message and goals of the DCWA have resonated in media outlets
from Armenia to Los Angeles over the last several years. Our people
have a clear understanding that the current border between Armenia and
Turkey is simply illegitimate per international law. We must continue
our work and grow the voices of righteousness and justice until we
have the just opportunity to return to our homeland as determined by
President Woodrow Wilson's arbitral award," said Sosikian, prior to
addressing the audience. "Locally, we look forward to working on the
Woodrow Wilson statue project with Greg Krikorian and the Glendale
School District Board."
Referencing the recent reparations conference at UCLA, guest speaker
Donald Wilson Bush, a direct decent of President Woodrow Wilson, said
that work towards the realization of Wilsonian Armenia is steadily
growing. Pointing to the map of Wilsonian Armenia he commended the
work of the DCWA and promised to continue his efforts in that respect
as well.
The commemorative evening also featured a few talented artists of
the Armenian community, including violinist Alen Aghadzhanian, a
recitation by Andranik Soghomonian and filmaker Armen Ohannesian's
short documentary about his recent visit to Western Armenia. The
evening concluded with a performance by the Hamazkayin "Sayat Nova"
Choir, led by Nora Roumian-Bairamian.
From: A. Papazian
by Asbarez
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010
GLENDALE, Calif.
Event Speakers Call on United States to Recognize and Apply Official
Borders
Hundreds packed the Glendale Central Library auditorium Sunday
to commemorate the 90th anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson's
arbitral award on the Turkey-Armenia border. The event was organized
by the Defense Council of Western Armenia (DCWA).
Among those in attendance were Glendale Unified School District
Chairman Greg Krikorian, California State Assembly Member Anthony
Portantino and 32nd District U.S. House Representative Congresswoman
Judy Chu.
Arick Gevorkian, the event's master of ceremonies, welcomed the
audience and thanked them for supporting the mission of the DCWA
and congratulated its members and leaders for having the vision and
follow through to raise awareness for and pursue the realization of
Wilsonian Armenia throughout the last five years.
In his remarks, Greg Krikorian announced his plans to join forces
with the Western Armenian Heritage Foundation in erecting a statue of
President Woodrow Wilson at the Wilson Middle School in Glendale. This
announcement was followed by yet another significant message delivered
by Congresswoman Judy Chu.
"These were lands that were part of historical Armenia for decades
if not centuries. They connected this now land locked country to the
Black Sea and were a hub of maritime trade," said Rep. Chu. "These
four provinces had significant Armenian populations and thrived before
the Genocide forced inhabitants from their homes and their homeland."
"While 90 years have passed since President Woodrow Wilson and the
international community agreed that these lands would be part of an
independent Armenia, this has still not happened. And that is wrong,"
she added.
Keynote speaker, Krikor Soukiasian, gave a detailed overview of
the events leading up to the signing of the Treaty of Sevres. DCWA
President, Michael Sosikian, addressed the audience with a concise
presentation about the current applicability and legality of President
Woodrow Wilson's arbitral award as it pertains to international law.
"The message and goals of the DCWA have resonated in media outlets
from Armenia to Los Angeles over the last several years. Our people
have a clear understanding that the current border between Armenia and
Turkey is simply illegitimate per international law. We must continue
our work and grow the voices of righteousness and justice until we
have the just opportunity to return to our homeland as determined by
President Woodrow Wilson's arbitral award," said Sosikian, prior to
addressing the audience. "Locally, we look forward to working on the
Woodrow Wilson statue project with Greg Krikorian and the Glendale
School District Board."
Referencing the recent reparations conference at UCLA, guest speaker
Donald Wilson Bush, a direct decent of President Woodrow Wilson, said
that work towards the realization of Wilsonian Armenia is steadily
growing. Pointing to the map of Wilsonian Armenia he commended the
work of the DCWA and promised to continue his efforts in that respect
as well.
The commemorative evening also featured a few talented artists of
the Armenian community, including violinist Alen Aghadzhanian, a
recitation by Andranik Soghomonian and filmaker Armen Ohannesian's
short documentary about his recent visit to Western Armenia. The
evening concluded with a performance by the Hamazkayin "Sayat Nova"
Choir, led by Nora Roumian-Bairamian.
From: A. Papazian