Roundtable With Us National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien

On October 30, 2020, the Diocesan Primate, accompanied by Dn. Harout Markarian, the executive director of the Western Diocese took part in a roundtable with the United States National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien. Organized by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the event was also attended by United States Senator Mike Lee.

Leaders of the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical Churches as well as representatives of Armenian organizations including the Western Region of the Armenian National Committee (ANCA), the Southern California Regional Council of the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenia Fund, and the press were in attendance.
 
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who also introduced Mr. Robert O’Brien. The United States National Security Advisor briefed the participants about the active role of the State Department in negotiating a ceasefire agreement between Artsakh and Azerbaijan on October 26. The cease fire agreement was violated for the third time by Azerbaijani Armed Forces.
 
Remarks were also made by US Senator Mike Lee who stood in solidarity with the just cause of the people of Artsakh who valiantly defend their ancestral lands of thousands of years and fight to live freely.

Addressing the National Security Advisor, Archbishop Derderian highlighted historical facts about the sovereignty of Arsakh. His Eminence also stressed the ongoing onslaught of peaceful civilians by the Azeris in the cities of Martakert, Shushi and Artsakh’s capital of Stepanakert, noting the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh where churches, maternity hospitals, cultural centers are bombarded routinely. “These heinous acts constitute the continuation of the Armenian Genocide,” stated Archbishop Derderian. “The silence and apathy of the world community to condemn these murderous acts has been deafening. Cease fires negotiated by the world’s superpowers should be strongly enforced,” he added.
 
Archbishop Derderian also reaffirmed the citing of Russian and French intelligence agencies which confirmed the smuggling of jihadi terrorist groups by the government of Turkey in the war against Artsakh. Referencing to the verified evidence of Amnesty International, the Diocesan Primate also stated the ongoing war crimes committed by the Azeris to murder peaceful civilians through the routine use of cluster bombs in residential areas. Cluster bombs are banned by an international treaty backed by more than 100 countries.
 
In his concluding remarks, Archbishop Derderian reflected on the indomitable spirit of the Armenian people. “We are survivors of a genocide. Our will to live and survive is too strong. We are here not only as Armenians but equally as dedicated Americans who voice the concerns of the civilized world. We want peace in Armenia and pray for peace in the entire world,” stated Archbishop Derderian.