LOS ANGELES, CA —Noted political expert Richard Giragosian spoke to a standing room only audience about the opportunities and dangers looming in the Transcaucasus at the ANC Leadership Institute’s inaugural event on March 21, 2002. The ANC Leadership Institute was initiated in March of 2002 to bring prominent political, academic, and other civic leaders from across the United States face-to-face with the Armenian-American community.

Giragosian, who is from Washington DC, is a noted author and analyst on current events in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. In his spirited talk, he provided a detailed presentation on the issues facing the 107th Session of the U.S. Congress relative to the three states of the Transcaucasus. He touched on Armenia’s struggle to finds its geo-political place in the region after the events of September 11th. He commented on the potential short and long term effects of Georgia’s mistreatment of its Armenian population in the region of Javakhk. And he provided a thorough analysis of the role “pipeline politics” is playing in determining Azerbaijan’s future and the future of the regime of Heydar Aliyev.

“We are pleased that the ANC Leadership Institute has gotten off to a strong start,” remarked ANCA-WR Chairman Steve Dadaian. “Richard Giragosian’s presentation provided our guests with the information they need to become better acquainted with the major issues facing Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh and their neighboring states. I know that everyone who attended this Leadership Institute gathering left with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the Armenian Cause and our work here in the Western United States,” the Chairman added.

In addition to speaking at the ANC Leadership Institute, Giragosian also spoke at a number of Armenian schools in the Los Angeles area. He addressed high school students at Ferrahian, Mesrobian, and Alex Pilibos schools on the need to become politically active and aware on issues facing the Armenian Cause. Following his visit to the schools, Giragosian spoke to a large gathering organized by the ARS Javakhk Fund, a project of the Armenian Relief Society of the Western United States.

Currently, Giragosian is the author of the monthly publication, “TransCaucasus: A Chronology,” published consecutively for over 11 years by the national headquarters of the ANCA based in Washington, DC. Giragosian served for eight years as a Professional Staff Member of a committee of the U.S. Senate and is one of the accredited representatives of the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) at the United Nations.

The next ANC Leadership Institute event will feature Samantha Power, the author of A Problem From Hell: America and the Age of Genocide. That event will be held at Borders Bookstore in Glendale on April 28th at 4 p.m. Individuals interested in more information about this upcoming event or the ANC Leadership Institute are encouraged to call the ANCA-WR office at (818) 500-1918.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

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