ARF WESTERN US CENTRAL COMMITTEE ISSUES ANNOUNCEMENT
asbarez
Friday, September 16th, 2011
GLENDALE-The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US
Central Committee issued an announcement on Friday regarding its
participation in an upcoming banquet to mark the 20th anniversary of
the re-establishment of Armenia's independence.
"We were pleased to learn that the nature of a 'celebration gala
banquet' dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the re-establishment
of Armenia's independence has been revised," the announcement said.
"We highly commend the initiative to revise the event and make the
focus of the celebration the 20th anniversary of the re-establishment
of Armenia's independence," the ARF Central Committee said.
"As such, the reason for us to not participate has been rectified.
Once again we salute the 20th anniversary of the re-establishment of
Armenia's independence and congratulation our people on the occasion,"
concluded the announcement.
Several weeks ago, the ARF Western US Central Committee announced
that it would not participate in the "celebration banquet," which
originally was to honor President Serzh Sarkisian.
The ARF Central Committee cited the fact that the 20th anniversary
should be a celebration of the re-establishment of Armenia's
independence and not an opportunity to honor any government official,
especially one whose tenure has aggravated the difficult domestic
and foreign challenges facing the Armenia and the Armenian nation.
In an exclusive interview with Asbarez on Friday, ARF Western US
Central Committee chairman, Avedik Izmirlian, frankly discussed
the announcement and the ensuing reaction, explaining that certain
elements were attempting to "sow the seeds" of division in the party.
Izmirlian said the points put forward in the earlier announcement
were in no way new positions or messages, but rather a political
assessment that has been made on several occasions by the party. He
added that the announcement was taken out of context.
"We announce that the party, with its strong structure, remains
one of our national assets, hence disappointing elements and forces
who do not know the ARF's organizational and ideological strength,"
said Izmirlian.
Certain circles opted to take advantage of the announcement and
presented the ARF as an entity that wanted to diminish the importance
of the concept of independence. Izmirlian explained that upon receiving
the invitation letter with the revised wording from Armenia's Consulate
General in Los Angeles, the ARF Central Committee saw the imperative
to issue the second announcement on Friday.
Izmirlian said no one can question the party's absolute commitment
to the concept of independence and its conviction that Armenia's
independence is a supreme asset and aspiration.
The ARF Central Committee chairman said the Western US
Armenian-American community can be considered one of the important
anchors of the independent Armenian state.
"Our mission is to organize the community's political and financial
potential, to best of our ability, and to expand that potential to
benefit our national interests and aspirations," said Izmirlian.
asbarez
Friday, September 16th, 2011
GLENDALE-The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US
Central Committee issued an announcement on Friday regarding its
participation in an upcoming banquet to mark the 20th anniversary of
the re-establishment of Armenia's independence.
"We were pleased to learn that the nature of a 'celebration gala
banquet' dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the re-establishment
of Armenia's independence has been revised," the announcement said.
"We highly commend the initiative to revise the event and make the
focus of the celebration the 20th anniversary of the re-establishment
of Armenia's independence," the ARF Central Committee said.
"As such, the reason for us to not participate has been rectified.
Once again we salute the 20th anniversary of the re-establishment of
Armenia's independence and congratulation our people on the occasion,"
concluded the announcement.
Several weeks ago, the ARF Western US Central Committee announced
that it would not participate in the "celebration banquet," which
originally was to honor President Serzh Sarkisian.
The ARF Central Committee cited the fact that the 20th anniversary
should be a celebration of the re-establishment of Armenia's
independence and not an opportunity to honor any government official,
especially one whose tenure has aggravated the difficult domestic
and foreign challenges facing the Armenia and the Armenian nation.
In an exclusive interview with Asbarez on Friday, ARF Western US
Central Committee chairman, Avedik Izmirlian, frankly discussed
the announcement and the ensuing reaction, explaining that certain
elements were attempting to "sow the seeds" of division in the party.
Izmirlian said the points put forward in the earlier announcement
were in no way new positions or messages, but rather a political
assessment that has been made on several occasions by the party. He
added that the announcement was taken out of context.
"We announce that the party, with its strong structure, remains
one of our national assets, hence disappointing elements and forces
who do not know the ARF's organizational and ideological strength,"
said Izmirlian.
Certain circles opted to take advantage of the announcement and
presented the ARF as an entity that wanted to diminish the importance
of the concept of independence. Izmirlian explained that upon receiving
the invitation letter with the revised wording from Armenia's Consulate
General in Los Angeles, the ARF Central Committee saw the imperative
to issue the second announcement on Friday.
Izmirlian said no one can question the party's absolute commitment
to the concept of independence and its conviction that Armenia's
independence is a supreme asset and aspiration.
The ARF Central Committee chairman said the Western US
Armenian-American community can be considered one of the important
anchors of the independent Armenian state.
"Our mission is to organize the community's political and financial
potential, to best of our ability, and to expand that potential to
benefit our national interests and aspirations," said Izmirlian.