NAASR joins with all Armenians and many others in the worlds of diplomacy, academia, and elsewhere in mourning the untimely death of Amb. Rouben Shougarian on April 20, 2020. Shougarian was named Armenia’s first ambassador to the United States in 1993, where he served until 1999. He also served as Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister (1999-2005), and Ambassador to Italy, Spain and Portugal (2005-2008), before taking a position at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

A deeply respected diplomat, teacher, and scholar, Amb. Shougarian first visited NAASR in 1993 as the newly appointed ambassador, and in recent years made important contributions to several programs focusing on recent developments in Armenia, in particular at the time of and in the aftermath of the “Four-Day War” of April 2016. He will be missed by all who knew him.

"Amb. Shougarian was an insightful analyst of Armenia and Artsakh and the region,” remarked NAASR Director of Academic Affairs Marc A. Mamigonian. “He was a man of genuine integrity who brought incredible knowledge grounded in his experience and his studies. He was able to be both an objective observer and critic while also deeply committed to Armenia’s well-being and freedom. And in his vital role with the Tavitian Scholars Program at the Fletcher School at Tufts, he made a lasting contribution to Armenia’s future.”

First Photo: Amb. Shougarian speaking at the NAASR Annual Assembly of Members in 2016.

Second Photo: Amb. Shougarian and his wife, Lilit Karapetian-Shougarian, with NAASR Chairman Manoog S. Young at NAASR in 1993.