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NKR's New President, Bako Sahakyan, Visits AGBU Headquarters

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  • NKR's New President, Bako Sahakyan, Visits AGBU Headquarters

    AGBU Press Office
    55 East 59th Street
    New York, NY 10022-1112
    Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
    Fax: 212.319.6507
    Email: [email protected]
    Website: www.agbu.org

    PRESS RELEASE

    Friday, November 30, 2007

    NKR's New President, Bako Sahakyan, Visits AGBU Headquarters

    Newly elected President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), Bako
    Sahakyan, made an official visit to AGBU headquarters on November 15,
    2007 before traveling to Los Angeles for the annual Thanksgiving
    telethon held for the benefit of the "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund. He
    began his remarks by saying, "On my first trip to the U.S., I couldn't
    help but visit AGBU and meet board members and staff," and indeed took
    the time from his busy schedule to tour AGBU Central Office.

    Accompanying President Sahakyan were Archbishop Barkev Martirosyan,
    Prelate of the Diocese of Artsakh (Karabakh); Ambassador Armen
    Martirosyan, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the United
    Nations; Rudik Hyusnuts, Deputy Speaker of NKR's National Assembly;
    Narine Azatyan, NKR's Minister of Social Security; David Babayan, Head
    of NKR's Information Department; and Vardan Barseghian, NKR
    Representative in Washington, DC.

    Welcoming remarks were made by M. Michael Ansour, member of the Central
    Board of Directors, who stressed the importance of Karabakh to Armenia
    and the Armenian ethos. He also congratulated the people of Karabakh for
    getting back on their feet after the devastating war, and underscored
    AGBU's continuing efforts to rebuild the country.

    Speaking on behalf of AGBU staff was Bedros Piandarian, director of the
    accounting department. After congratulating Bako Sahakyan upon his
    election as NKR President through a free and democratic process, he
    touched on the historical connection between AGBU and Karabakh, which
    dates back to the time of Melik Toros of Chavandur, who was one of 18th
    c. Karabakh freedom fighter David Bek's generals. Toros was an ancestor
    of AGBU Founder Boghos Nubar. He went on to mention the efforts made by
    successive presidents Alex Manoogian, Louise Manoogian Simone and Berge
    Setrakian to address the humanitarian, cultural and repopulation needs
    of the people of Karabakh. He concluded by wishing President Sahakyan
    success on his inaugural US visit and return to NKR.

    President Sahakyan followed with brief remarks, stating, "We are
    overcoming the devastating effects of the war and taking steps to
    improve the social conditions of the people. Programs are underway to
    achieve these goals, and we are confident that these projects will bear
    fruit." He stated that the two main goals were the development of
    agriculture and education, including the building of schools, without
    other spheres being neglected. Elaborating further, President Sahakyan
    said that special emphasis was being placed on defense needs. Expressing
    the gratitude of the people of Karabkh to AGBU, he concluded, "We have
    felt and continue to feel AGBU's presence in Karabakh, particularly as a
    result of the efforts of Louise Manoogian Simone and Berge Setrakian,
    and, of course, Alex Manoogian will always have a place in our hearts."

    Before departing, NKR President Bako Sahakyan and the members of his
    entourage had a brief meeting with AGBU board members M. Michael Ansour,
    Joseph Basralian and Arda Haratunian Nazerian, in addition to other AGBU
    representatives. During the meeting, the status of the various projects
    implemented by AGBU in Karabakh was discussed, along with prospects for
    future endeavors. In this regard, AGBU representatives expressed
    readiness to continue various infrastructure projects.

    Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
    non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with an
    annual budget of $36 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian
    identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
    programs, annually touching the lives of some 400,000 Armenians on six
    continents.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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