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PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA VISITS GLENDALE
By Kelly Corrigan, [email protected]
Glendale News Press
Sept 26 2011
CA
Serzh Sargsyan made the trip to herald the arrival of nation's new
consulate.
The president of Armenia on Sunday helped christen his nation's new
consulate in Glendale, drawing hundreds of onlookers.
At the grand-opening ceremony for the consulate, which moved from
its Glenoaks Boulevard location to 346 N. Central Ave., Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan called on members of the Diaspora to visit
their homeland "regardless of whether they like our government or not."
"One thing is eternal, and it's your fatherland," he said.
Roughly a dozen people were at the event to protest Sargsyan's
government, police said, but no incidents were reported.
The Armenian flag was raised in Sargsyan's honor as residents, Boy
Scouts and schoolchildren looked on from across the street. Glendale
and Los Angeles city officials mingled in the consulate's courtyard
and sipped champagne.
"This is a double celebration for us," Glendale City Councilman Ara
Najarian said, referring to the president's visit and new consulate
location. "This is a very distinguished presence right on Central,
right in the heart of downtown."
Mayor Laura Friedman also expressed gratitude for the contributions
Armenian residents have made in politics, business, education and
the arts.
"We are a far richer community due to the presence of so many Armenians
in Glendale," she said. "As the mayor of the city that boasts one of
the largest populations of Armenians outside the Republic of Armenia,
I'm very, very proud."
Speaking through a translator, Sargsyan thanked the United States
"for hosting our people in times that were very difficult for us,
for allowing them to settle and develop and reach prosperity here."
http://www.glendalenewspress.com/news/tn-gnp-0927-president,0,608206.story
By Kelly Corrigan, [email protected]
Glendale News Press
Sept 26 2011
CA
Serzh Sargsyan made the trip to herald the arrival of nation's new
consulate.
The president of Armenia on Sunday helped christen his nation's new
consulate in Glendale, drawing hundreds of onlookers.
At the grand-opening ceremony for the consulate, which moved from
its Glenoaks Boulevard location to 346 N. Central Ave., Armenian
President Serzh Sargsyan called on members of the Diaspora to visit
their homeland "regardless of whether they like our government or not."
"One thing is eternal, and it's your fatherland," he said.
Roughly a dozen people were at the event to protest Sargsyan's
government, police said, but no incidents were reported.
The Armenian flag was raised in Sargsyan's honor as residents, Boy
Scouts and schoolchildren looked on from across the street. Glendale
and Los Angeles city officials mingled in the consulate's courtyard
and sipped champagne.
"This is a double celebration for us," Glendale City Councilman Ara
Najarian said, referring to the president's visit and new consulate
location. "This is a very distinguished presence right on Central,
right in the heart of downtown."
Mayor Laura Friedman also expressed gratitude for the contributions
Armenian residents have made in politics, business, education and
the arts.
"We are a far richer community due to the presence of so many Armenians
in Glendale," she said. "As the mayor of the city that boasts one of
the largest populations of Armenians outside the Republic of Armenia,
I'm very, very proud."
Speaking through a translator, Sargsyan thanked the United States
"for hosting our people in times that were very difficult for us,
for allowing them to settle and develop and reach prosperity here."
http://www.glendalenewspress.com/news/tn-gnp-0927-president,0,608206.story