New Armenian Lobbying Organization Founded in USADecember 14, 2006 - 16:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Gerard Cafesjian, an U.S. philanthropist and businessman of Armenian descent, has set up a new lobbying organization - U.S.-Armenia Public Affairs Committee (USAPAC). The group will be run by Ross Vartian. The main goal of the organization is to "complement" the existing Armenian-American advocacy groups and match their considerable influence in Washington.Vartian, insisted that the USAPAC is not a splinter group. "Our primary purpose is to add to the community of the Armenian lobby in a unique and collaborative way and make the Armenian lobby stronger in Washington," he told. Following traditions in Jewish lobbying groups, the organization will become one more link for forwarding the Armenian issues in the power structures of the USA. In his words, USAPAC will concentrate on countering the impact of Azerbaijani oil on U.S. policy towards Armenia and pressing Washington to take a pro-Armenian stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. He said the Armenian Genocide recognition will also be on the USAPAC agenda but indicated that the new group will favor a softer line on Turkey's membership in the European Union. "What concerns Turkey's EU bid and the issues of the Armenian Genocide, we think that Ankara must do all the commitments for EU membership and join to the European Union. As a fully mature member of the EU, Turkey would be a much more friendly neighbor of Armenia. And the issue of the Armenian Genocide is always in our agenda," said Vartian, RFL Radio Liberty reports. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |