On February 15, the Pan Armenian Council of the Western USA
(PAC-WUSA) organized a farewell event in honor of the Consul General of
Armenia in Los Angeles Ambassador Armen Baibourtian, who is completing
his diplomatic mission in the West Coast. Among the hosts of the event
were spiritual leaders of the Armenian Community, as well as leaders and
representatives of political, public, benevolent, cultural, and youth
organizations. The master of ceremonies for the event was Garo
Ghazarian, founding member of the Armenian Bar Association.
The community leaders highly commended the inclusive work and diplomatic
service of Ambassador Baibourtian, who, according to them, distinguished
himself by his unwavering dedication and devotion to the interests of
Armenia and the needs of the Armenian Community. The participants of the
event emphasized that they were witnesses to Armen Baibourtian’s
fruitful diplomatic activities since 1995, when he was assigned to Los
Angeles as the first and inaugural Consul General of the Republic of
Armenia. Through his efforts and with the active support of the
community, the Consulate General was founded in Los Angeles, laying the
foundation for the establishment of the official Armenian diplomatic
mission in what is regarded as the most important Armenian Community
globally. Even more productive activity resumed from September of 2018,
thanks to the second term appointment of Armen Baibourtian as the Consul
General of Armenia in Los Angeles.
The leaders of community organizations took the floor, expressing
gratitude to Ambassador Baibourtian for his high professionalism, his
finest human qualities and devoted service to the Homeland. Speeches
were delivered by PAC-WUSA moderator Lena Guedikian Bozoyan, H.E.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church of North America, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate of
the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America,
Monsignor Manuel Parsegh Baghdassarian of the Armenian Catholic Eparchy
in the US and Canada, Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian, Interim Minister to the
Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, former Prelate of Artsakh
Diocese H.E. Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, and «House of Armenia» board
member Joseph Kanimian. Gratitude speeches were also delivered on behalf
of PAC-WUSA by Avedik Izmirlian, Chairman of the Armenian Cultural
Foundation, Raffi Balian, Chairman of the Western Regional Committee of
the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar), and Mayda Kuredjian,
West Coast Executive Secretary of Tekeyan Cultural Association. The
speakers noted that they had the honor of working in partnership with
the diplomat who best represents the interests of the Republic of
Armenia in the West Coast, who also played a great role in unifying and
bringing the Armenian Community together, often exercising leadership in
joint efforts of the community in some important spheres and matters.
The Police Chief of Glendale Carl Povilaitis highlighted his regular
working meetings with the Consul General of Armenia – from routine
contacts to more intensive interaction in the 44-day war period. In his
turn, Ambassador Baibourtian expressed his deep gratitude to the
Armenian Community of the Western U.S. for strong continuous support,
close cooperation, patriotism, effective pursuit of the Armenian cause,
and backing of the mission of the Armenian Consulate General. He
stressed the proven capability of the community to unify and work
together as a single fist in addressing the agenda items of importance
for the Armenian Community, which he witnessed during his three and a
half years of diplomatic service in California.
The community also expressed gratitude to Ambassador Baibourtian’s
family members and thanked them for their constant support to the
Ambassador during his years of service to the Homeland. Throughout the
evening, professional violinist Meruzhan Margaryan enchanted the event
with beautiful musical performance.