Second Convocation of the ADL Reconstruction and Unity Movement

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YEREVAN — Representatives from different parts of the world convened in Yerevan on April 19 to 21 for the second Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (ADL) Reconstruction and Unity convocation. The opening session took place on April 19 in the Tekeyan Center with 50 such representatives, as well as the leaders of the ADL of the Republic of Armenia and the Democratic Liberal organization of Artsakh.

The coordinator of the Reconstruction and Unity committee, Vartan Nazerian, conducted the official opening of the convocation. He presented the work conducted by the committee since the first convocation last November.

Deputy Minister of the Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Melikian introduced Minister of the Diaspora Hranoush Hakobyan, who praised the decades of patriotic work of the ADL in the diaspora which continue today, and in particular noted its work to strengthen ties between the diaspora and the homeland. She wished the party success in achieving full unity.

ADL leaders Edmond Azadian (USA), Hagop Avedikian (Armenia) and Ardavazt Melkissetian (Lebanon) spoke about the responsibility of the ADL in forthcoming years in Armenia and abroad.

Hagop Vartivarian spoke about the role of the ADL press in preserving Armenian identity and pride in disparate communities throughout the world, as well as their faithful link to the Mother See of Echmiadzin. Bartugh Galstian, representative of the Democratic Liberal Party of Artsakh, spoke about the current critical situation facing the homeland.

The convocation elected its executive with Vartan Nazerian and Yervant Azadian as co-chairmen, and Dr. Hratch Kouyoumjian, Ardavazt Melkissetian and Baydzig Kalaydjian as secretaries.

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Video messages from Montreal ADL leaders Drs. Arshavir Gundjian and Haroutiun Arzoumanian were viewed. Reports from various regions including the numbers of their membership and future plans were presented together with financial information. Representatives from the Western and Eastern districts of the US, Canada, Great Britain, France, Greece, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, the Arabian Gulf and Austria spoke.

The second session took place on April 20 at Yerevan’s Congress Hotel. Dr. Hratch Kouyoumjian of London presented the strengths and weaknesses of the ADL, and analyzed its difficulties. Representatives at the convocation from different districts presented their own concerns and evaluations. Together they came up with a resolution summarizing their discussions.

Ideas were exchanged about uniting the ADL around a new ideal with new inspiration and energy. Urgent changes in the party bylaws were discussed, based on two different studies of prior periods as well as current imperatives of diasporan community life. Relations with other organizations, especially those sympathetic to the ADL, were examined.

The strengthening of ties between ADL structures in Armenia and the diaspora was examined, including the goal of transferring the world headquarters of the party to Armenia, like the other two traditional Armenian political parties have done.

Various paths in the forthcoming months toward full ADL unity and reconstruction were discussed. All representatives felt that full unity was an imperative.

Azadian announced that the Central Board of the Tekeyan Cultural Association of the United States and Canada will donate 50,000 dollars to the families of martyred soldiers.

The meeting issued a communiqué based on the decisions that had been made there. It reconfirmed Nazerian in his post as coordinator.

On April 21, a press conference was held in the office of the ADL center in Yerevan, at which party leaders Avedikian, Vartivarian and Azadian presented the decisions and plans of the two-day assembly.

During the days of the convocation, official meetings took place with Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Minister of the Diaspora Hranoush Hakobyan, soldiers of the officers’ military academy, staff of the Armenian General Benevolent Union office in Armenia, and the leadership of the Armenian Assembly of America’s office in Yerevan.

The participants of the convocation visited the Armenian Genocide memorial in Tsitsernakaberd, and participated in a ceremony at St. Hripsime Church in memory of recently deceased party member Antranik Kechichian of Valence, France.

After the formal conclusion of the meetings, participants enjoyed a final encounter with each other at the Triumph Restaurant.

 

 

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