———- Forwarded message ———
From: Appo Jabarian appojabarian@gmail.com
Date: Tue, Aug 20, 2019 at 5:22 PM
Subject: MEDIA INQUIRY Re: August 19, 2019 Official Press Release from the Western Diocese – ՊԱՇՏՈՆԱԿԱՆ ՀԱՂՈՐԴԱԳՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ
To: Hovnan Derderian ABPHovnan@wdacna.com, Western Diocese – Communications Department info@armenianchurchwd.com
Cc: Joseph Kanimian, Esq. joseph@kanimianlaw.com, A. L. Krikorian akrikorian@yahoo.com
MEDIA INQUIRY Re: August 19, 2019 Official Press Release from the Western Diocese – ՊԱՇՏՈՆԱԿԱՆ ՀԱՂՈՐԴԱԳՐՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ
Tuesday August, 20, 2019
RE: Negative publicity against the Western Diocese
Arch. Hovnan Derderian, Primate, Western Diocese,
On the new developments of the official press release issued by the Western Diocese dated August 19, 2019, I need some clarification before I go to press. Would you be so kind as to provide some illumination to the following inquiries?
The editorial offices of USA Armenian Life is in receipt of the August 19, 2019 dated press release from the Western Diocese in which you’re claiming that there are “falsehoods being circulated against the Diocese, Diocesan primate and the clergy” and also there is “an ongoing lawsuit” being initiated by the diocese.
So for the benefit of clarifying for the readership of USA Armenian Life and its sister publication Armenian-language Hye Kiank Armenian weekly,
1) Could you please review the attached report by ARMENIAN CHURCH REFORM movement and advise us as to which one of the 25 charges of wrongdoing by you, Archbishop Derderian, are ‘false’ or “untrue” so that we can clarify the matter for our readers;
2) Could you please clarify as to which legal case you are referring to — the ongoing misguided and losing legal battle against the Taglyan Complex benefactor Dr. Petros Taglyan in which you have lost twice already, or the Diocese has initiated legal action against USA Armenian Life about which USA Armenian Life has no knowledge? USA Armenian Life would welcome any legal action by Arch. Derderian and his allies. This way, once and for all the community can clarify as to who is right and who is wrong.
FOR THE RECORD: USA Armenian Life Magazine and Hye Kiank Armenian Weekly stand firmly behind the veracity, accuracy, factuality and truthfulness of the investigative articles exposing the wrongdoings of Arch. Derderian et al. that have been published in the twin publications starting from the year 2015. 2015 marks the first year when the first of such articles appeared in USA Armenian Life.
3) You wrote in your press release: “Negative public statements have been made against the Western Diocese, its primate and clergy. … rest assured these allegations are untrue. The Diocese is working continuously to fully investigate these false allegations and identify those responsible for their dissemination.” Were you able to identify the culprits in spreading the falsehoods and what are the falsehoods that are being circulated and by whom?
NOTE: It’s interesting that since the beginning of this article series on wrongdoings by Arch. Derderian all succeeding press releases have failed to name the “culprits of spreading falsehoods” by their name whereas all the articles in USA Armenian life clearly indicate the identity of the corrupted individuals such Arch Hovnan Derderian, Pastor Manouk Markaryan, Pastor’s son/Western Diocese Exec. Dir. Harout Markaryan, et al.
4) The civil society in United States welcomes such lawsuits rather than resorting to physical violence. In this regard, the twin publications USA Armenian Life and its sister publication Armenian-language Hye Kiank Armenian Weekly would much rather have Primate Derderian of Western Diocese initiate legal action against the twin publications USA Armenian Life rather than sending thugs against a defenseless innocent investigative reporter Appo Jabarian and hurl at him death threats.
5) JUST IN: Information has come in from a reliable source that back on May 8, 2018, your ‘associates’ attempted to extort money in Los Angeles from Dr. Petros Taglyan, a major benefactor. When Dr. Taglyan threw your ‘associates’ out of his office while strongly condemning such under-handed tactics. You and your underlings offered dishonest apologies which Dr. Taglyan rejected as phony apology. Can you please confirm what has been stated in this paragraph or refute and tell our readers as to what has transpired?
Please advise on the above-cited five questions.
6) If none of the above media inquiries can be addressed honestly, openly and transparently, could you please clarify if this haphazardly-written press release (below text) is specifically devised to pacify a growing number of critiques within the Diocese inner circles and show them that Primate Derderian’s Western Diocese has somehow addressed -albeit in-actionably, the ongoing investigative reports on numerous wrongdoings, acts of corruption and nepotism (as listed in attached ACR report) at the hands of the embattled Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of Western Diocese?
7) A few weeks ago publicly on ARTN TV, I proposed a televised live debate where Arch. Derderian could have an opportunity to rebuttal the ACR activists’ and my claims. Could you please let me know when and if you’re ready for such televised debate?
This clarification will clear any misinformation on your claims regarding “Negative publicity against the Western Diocese.”
It’s odd that since the Dec. 1, 2018 start of the latest investigative article series all the media inquiries sent by USA Armenian Life to Arch Hovnan Derderian and his ‘associates’ remain unanswered to date. It is hopeful that this time around Arch. Derderian will provide some clarification for the benefit of public knowledge and transparency.
Best regards,
Appo Jabarian | Managing Editor
USA Armenian Life Magazine print electronic editions
Hye Kiank Armenian Weekly print electronic editions
Website: armenianlife.com
USA Armenian Life Facebook Page
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RE: Negative publicity against the Western Diocese
Burbank, CA, USA | August 19, 2019
As we are sure many of you are aware, recently negative public statements have been made against the Western Diocese, its primate and clergy. While the Diocese has been advised by its legal counsel not to speak publicly about an ongoing legal dispute, rest assured these allegations are untrue.
The Diocese is working continuously with its attorneys and others to fully investigate these false allegations and identify those responsible for their dissemination. In the meantime, we respectfully request that the faithful not lose heart. Know that justice will be done, and St. John Armenian Apostolic Church of Hollywood will be rebuilt.
Thank you for your continued support. We request your prayers for all involved.
Diocesan Council
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America