LOS ANGELES—Nagorno Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan met Thursday with the Chairman of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s Western Region (ARF-WR), Avetik Izmirlian, to discuss Diaspora-Karabakh relations and the latest developments in the Karbakh peace process.
Sahakian arrived in Los Angeles this week ahead of the annual Armenia Fund Telethon set for November 25. He held a series of meetings with community organizations throughout the week and is scheduled to speak Friday evening at the World Affairs Council in New Port Beach.
Earlier Friday, he visited the Los Angeles City Council chambers where he meet with City Council members and held a special question and answer session about Karabakh.
Present at his meeting Thursday with Izmirlian, were ARF Central Committee members Chris Guldjian and Varouzh Ourfalian, the chairwoman of the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA, Aryusak Melkonian, the Chairman of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of Western USA, Viken Haboyan, and Homenetmen Western USA chairperson Garnik Abrahamian. Also in attendance were Glendale City Mayor Ara Najarian and United Armenia Fund President Harout Sassounian.
Sahakian was accompanied by Artsakh Diocese Primate Archbishop Barkev Martirosian and other government officials, including Armenia’s Consul General in Los Angeles Grigor Hohannisyan.
During the talks, Sahakian considered the strengthening of Diaspora-Homeland ties as among the most effective ways to solve national issues facing the Armenian state and nation.
The president also visited the headquarters of Western Prelacy and met with Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Martirosianan and members of the Diocese Central Executive and Religious Councils, as well as representatives of the local Armenian community.
Sahakian expressed his gratitude to the Great House of Cilicia for preserving Armenian national identity in the Diaspora and strengthening its ties with the Homeland. He also thanked the Armenian community for assisting Armenia.