RAFFI K. HOVANNISIAN

Founding Director

Armenian Center for National and International Studies

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs

Republic of Armenia

Born:

Fresno, California 1959.

Education:

Georgetown University Law Center (J.D. awarded in 1985); The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University (M.A.L.D. awarded in 1982; fields of specialization included International Law, Diplomatic History and Foreign Policies of Communist Countries, Civilization and World Affairs); University of California, Berkeley and Los Angeles (B.A., summa cum laude, awarded in 1980 in History and Near Eastern Studies; Justin Turner Prize for Outstanding Honors Thesis).

Employment:

Founding Director, Armenian Center for National and International Studies, Yerevan (1993-present); Executive Chairman, "Hayastan" All-Armenian Fund (1998); Chief, Department of Information and Publications, Republic of Armenia (March-April 1998); Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Armenia (1991-1992); Project Director, Armenian Assembly of America Earthquake Relief (1990-1991); Founder and Director, Armenian Bar Association (1989-1990); International Lawyer and Civil Litigator in the firms of Hill, Farrer and Burrill, Whitman & Ransom, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, and Coudert Brothers (1985-1989); Lecturer of Armenian History, Tufts University (1981-1982).

Publications:

Treatises, monographs, essays, and articles have appeared extensively in Armenian, Russian, American, European, and Middle Eastern publications.

Personal:

Married, five children.

Notations:

Independent Armenia's first foreign minister; gained entry for Armenia into the United Nations, CSCE, and other international organizations; established diplomatic relations with more than 100 countries; laid foundations for the Karabagh peace process.