April 19, 2004

Holy Fathers,

Senator Sarbanes,

Representatives Pallone and McCotter,

Chairman Hovnanian,

President Setrakian,

Dear participants of the National Conference,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In my four years as Armenian Ambassador to the U.S., I have always looked forward to the annual conferences of the Armenian Assembly that bring together the supporters and activists for constructive discussions and reinvigorate the community’s dedication to the Armenian issues. It is important for the prominent members of the Armenian-American community representing the Church, the AGBU, and the Assembly to meet in the nation’s capital, and make their views known. I assure you that the Embassy, my colleagues who are present here – Ambassador Armen Martirosian from New York and Consul General Gagik Kirakossian from Los Angeles, just as my colleagues in the Foreign Ministry appreciate your professional focus and political competence in strengthening the U.S.-Armenian bilateral relations.

I want to thank the Assembly for working together with other prominent Armenian organizations in securing strong U.S. support for the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people. The American commitment to Armenia dates back to the years when Armenians were subjected to massacres and the Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. Since the earthquake and re-establishment of Armenia’s independence in 1991, the United States has been a steady partner in promoting Armenia’s democracy and economic development. In turn, Armenia has fully supported and assisted U.S.-led campaign to combat international terrorism, just as we share the coalition objectives in providing stability and reconstruction in Iraq. For the last three years, U.S.-Armenian military and security cooperation has augmented the traditionally strong political and economic ties between our countries.

U.S.-Armenian relations are based on shared values, as well as the presence of the Armenian American community as the human link between our countries. Armenia appreciates the mediation effort of the United States in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and we remain committed to a peaceful and just settlement. We also appreciate the U.S. efforts to persuade Turkey lift its blockade of Armenia.

The determination of the Armenian people to change their country, the assistance of international donors, including the United States, and steady course of reforms enormously helped Armenia’s economic and democratic development over the last decade. Armenia’s solid economic performance in the recent years, and strong growth in U.S.-Armenian trade (64% growth in exports to the U.S. since 2000) and investment flows are signs that the Armenian economic transformation is on the right track. Nevertheless, we still have a long way to go to address the significant social and economic challenges facing Armenia, such as poverty, corruption, and sustainable growth.

Armenians everywhere share the same objectives, same vision for Armenia, as a prosperous, democratic, stable country with opportunities for each citizen of Armenia. Although our primary resource is the human potential of Armenia, many of our well-educated and trained citizens are unemployed, or below the threshold of poverty through no fault of their own, due to the so-called “collateral damage” of the economic transition and external constraints, and this is a source of frustration, despair, and hopelessness. This frustration is, unfortunately, periodically exploited for political purposes from within and without. The current developments testify to that.

No democracy will tolerate attempts to forcefully change constitutionally elected officials. The only way out of the situation is the political dialog and collaboration to improve electoral legislation, correct the balance of power, and combating corruption, and the governing coalition offered to conduct dialog on the key issues. Armenia has faced many challenges, not uncommon in any young democracy. But this is a good opportunity to pause and think: are we doing enough to improve the lives of citizens of Armenia, promote the civil society in Armenia, and can we do more?

We should all work together to overcome the challenges facing the homeland, by promoting economic growth and opportunities in Armenia, and helping the government to carry out further reforms. The Armenian-American community can help by promoting economic opportunities in Armenia, by investing, trading with Armenia, or simply visiting. In these and many other ways, the AGBU and the Assembly has shown great leadership by implementing humanitarian, educational and social programs in Armenia and Artsakh. We look forward to seeing Diaspora’s even deeper involvement in Armenia and, particularly, as Armenia’s economy steadily grows, in business ventures. The Armenian Embassy and missions in the United States will continue to cooperate with you to strengthen the homeland and make it a better place.