1 - Armenian Parliamentarians Brawl
While the Barbarians are the Gates
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
2- Pro-Government, Opposition Lawmakers Brawl In Armenian Parliament
3 - Long-Time Community Activist, Benefactor
Savey Tufenkian Passes Away
4- COMMENTARY:
The Afghan Crisis, Turkey, and Washington’s Global War on Terrorism
By David Boyajian
5- Armenia Continues Fight Against COVID-19
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1 - Armenian Parliamentarians Brawl
While the Barbarians are the Gates
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
Another appropriate title would have been, “Parliamentarians fiddle
while Armenia burns,” which is my version of the well-known historic
phrase, “Nero fiddles while Rome burns,” referring to Emperor Nero’s
inaction during a massive fire in Rome.
This is the tragic situation in Armenia. After losing a major portion
of Artsakh and the lives of thousands of young Armenians in last
September’s war, one would think that Armenians both in and out of
Armenia would rally together to lick their wounds, strengthen the
military and repulse the enemy’s further advances. Unfortunately, the
exact opposite is happening. The culprit is not Azerbaijan, Turkey,
Russia or anyone else, but us. We are unwilling to unify even in the
aftermath of a massive disaster. Before we blame anyone else, we need
to hold the mirror to our faces.
Ever since Armenia’s independence, we have been boasting that Armenia
has the most powerful military in the region, Azerbaijan would not
dare to attack us, and if it did, we would march into Baku. Before
last year’s war, Armenia’s Defense Minister David Tonoyan arrogantly
proclaimed: “New War, New Territories,” meaning that if Azerbaijan
attacked Artsakh, Armenia would conquer even more Azeri territories.
The former and current leaders of Armenia and Artsakh refused to make
any concessions regarding the territories surrounding Artsakh, unless
Azerbaijan first agreed to recognize Artsakh’s independence. Even
though the rest of the world was urging Armenia’s leaders to make
compromises and return at least some of the territories around
Artsakh, we dismissed all such suggestions. That is the reason why no
other country was willing to recognize the Republic of Artsakh. Even
Armenia itself refused to do so, expecting that others would defend
Artsakh’s interests ahead of us.
As a result, we squandered our unique chance to force Azerbaijan to
recognize Artsakh’s independence in the 1990’s, while the enemy was
defeated and weak.
Without getting into the meaningless debate of whether the former
leaders or the current one was responsible for our defeat in 2020, I
would say, we are all responsible for that disaster.
Since the end of the last war, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan rejected
repeated suggestions that he resign and allow a new leader to take the
helm of the devastated state. He insisted that he is the only one who
can remedy the country’s massive problems. How could the one who was
in charge when the country suffered such a defeat be able to fix
anything? But, he stubbornly held on to his seat. Using the state
resources at his disposal, he managed to convince slightly over half
of those who participated in the election to support him and his
political party. In reality, most of those who voted for Pashinyan
actually voted against the former leaders. As expected, almost a year
after the war, not only Armenia’s problems have not been resolved, but
in many respects, they have become much worse.
While the former leaders were not well-liked during their reign, the
degree of antagonism and hatred that we see today in Armenia is
unprecedented. Regrettably, the current Prime Minister made matters
worse by constantly issuing threats and warnings against anyone who
disagreed with him. He started his rule by preaching democracy and
tolerance, but quickly became a dictator, dividing the public into
“blacks” and “whites, and shockingly, held up a hammer while on stage
during his recent electoral campaign threatening to smash the heads of
his opponents!
In such a toxic atmosphere, uniting the nation against the common
enemy is impossible. It is much easier to fight against your political
opponents. Neither the government nor the opposition is willing to
make any compromises to solve the country’s problems and defend the
homeland against further hostile incursions.
Not surprisingly, when Pashinyan came to the Parliament last week to
present his government’s five-year plan, several fistfights erupted as
a result of which the Chairman of the Parliament Alen Simonyan ordered
the security guards to enter the chamber and forcefully drag some of
the opposition members out. The Parliament looked more like a military
garrison than a legislative assembly hall. Simonyan frequently
violated the free speech rights of opposition members if they dared to
refer to the Prime Minister in a derogatory manner. He ordered that
the speakers’ microphones be turned off and the cameras broadcasting
the meetings shut off. These draconian measures are unbecoming of a
country’s legislature. The ugly scenes of the fistfights were aired by
TV stations around the world, embarrassing all Armenians.
As a result, the government’s proposed five-year plan was hardly
discussed. Instead, there were repeated attacks by the
Parliamentarians both physical and verbal.
In the meantime, Azerbaijan and Turkey, emboldened by their recent
victory, and seeing the deep divisions within Armenia, are encroaching
on Armenia’s borders and demanding more and more concessions.
Armenia’s weakened leader is unable to resist the overbearing demands
of Azerbaijan, while Armenia’s military ally, Russia, is pursuing its
own interests in coordination with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
In conclusion, I would like to make two points that are often debated
on social media
1) At the slightest criticism of Prime Minister Pashinyan, his
supporters are quick to admonish the critics by saying that the
Diaspora has no right to criticize the Armenian government. I reject
such objections because Armenia is the homeland of all Armenians
regardless of where they live. Criticism or praise is a sign that the
individual cares deeply about his or her homeland rather than take the
posture of a disinterested spectator. Why is it that we have the right
to express an opinion about developments about any other country in
the world, for example Afghanistan, but when it comes to Armenia, our
homeland, we have no such right? It is also interesting to note that
those who object to criticisms of the Armenian government by
Diasporans have no objection when the latter praise Armenia.
Therefore, the issue is not having the right to criticize Armenia, but
not wanting to hear criticism about the Prime Minister.
2) In my opinion, constructive criticism is much more valuable than
the blind support of a leader. Which is more patriotic — seeing
something going wrong and keeping our mouths shut or speaking up and
trying to correct it? In my opinion, taking corrective action is much
more patriotic than remaining silent and allowing the error to
continue.
I hope we stop “fiddling,” or in our case, feuding, and joining hands
to create a strong Armenia that can withstand the incessant assaults
of the barbarians at our gates.
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2- Pro-Government, Opposition Lawmakers Brawl In Armenian Parliament
By Astghik Bedevian
(RFE/RL)—Pro-government and opposition lawmakers threw water battles
at each other during a brawl in the Armenian parliament on August 25,
2021
For the second day in a row security guards have been called into the
Armenian parliament chamber as another brawl between pro-government
and opposition lawmakers broke out during the presentation of the
government’s five-year action plan on Wednesday.
Much of the 2021-2026 program that has been laid out in parliament by
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan focuses on the new government’s vision
of Armenia’s future in new geopolitical realities in the region
created after last year’s defeat in the war against Azerbaijan in
Nagorno-Karabakh.
Hayastan and Pativ Unem, the two opposition factions represented in
the parliament, have been critical of Pashinyan and his political
team, holding them responsible for the defeat and describing the
government’s program as a pathway to a new “capitulation.”
Pashinyan and majority lawmakers have dismissed such accusations,
claiming that it is Pashinyan’s predecessors, namely former presidents
Robert Kocharian and Serzh Sargsyan, with whom the two opposition
factions are associated, that are largely to blame for the defeat.
They argued that by letting them score a landslide victory in the June
20 snap parliament elections people vindicated Pashinyan and his
political team, while passing a guilty verdict on the former
governments.
In his speech that day Hayk Sargsyan, a member of the ruling Civil
Contract faction, in particular, criticized the former governments for
their mishandling of the economy and army affairs that led to
large-scale out-migration and a decrease in the country’s defense
capabilities before the 2018 “velvet revolution.” He said that the new
Pashinyan government did not have enough time to redress the
situation.
In an apparent reference to opposition criticism that some members of
the current government did not serve in the army, Sargsyan said that
all former defense ministers during whose tenures people were exempted
from military service by phone calls were “traitors.”
Sargsyan’s remarks sparked a quarrel in the chamber between
pro-government and opposition lawmakers as the main opposition
Hayastan faction is led by former defense minister Seyran Ohanian. As
lawmakers began to throw water bottles at each other, Parliament
Speaker Alen Simonian interrupted the session and called in security
guards to restore order in the chamber. Several lawmakers, including
Civil Contract member Hrachya Hakobian, were removed from the chamber.
Hakobian later told reporters that the brawl was provoked by Ohanian,
who threw a water bottle in the direction of Sargsian. Ohanian did not
comment immediately on the accusation. He denied any fistfights inside
the session hall where access to media has been restricted since early
August. Ohanian said, however, that his glasses were broken in the
jostle.
Another brawl in the parliament between pro-government and opposition
members broke out shortly after the lawmakers resumed work. It began
during the speech of opposition Hayastan faction member Vahe Hakobian.
It is seen on the video that parliament majority and minority deputies
exchanged blows during a mass brawl that followed. Another break in
the session was announced and security guards were called in. Several
lawmakers were escorted out of the session hall. The Prosecutor’s
Office later said that the brawls in the Armenian parliament will
become a matter for investigation. On August 24, opposition lawmakers
brawled with security guards after Parliament Speaker Simonian ordered
that Pativ Unem faction member Anna Mkrtchian be deprived of the floor
and removed from the chamber for insulting Prime Minister Pashinyan.
The opposition accused Pashinyan of provoking the incident with his
encouragement of the security guards’ actions. Pashinyan dismissed the
accusation, saying that the security guards were doing their duty.
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3 - Long-Time Community Activist, Benefactor
Savey Tufenkian Passes Away
Savey “Shoushig” Tufenkian, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great
Grandmother passed away on August 25 at home in Glendale. She was
born in Garadagh, Iran to Vagharshak and Verjin Shirvanian, both
survivors of the genocide.
She received her High School education in Beit Mery, Lebanon and
received a scholarship to attend American International College in
Massachusetts, where she graduated in 1954. Savey and her younger
brother Kosti moved to California in 1955. Together they founded
Western Disposal Company – later known as Western Waste Industries.
She married Ralph Tufenkian of Los Angeles in 1956. After the tragic
loss of her son Richard in 1990, Savey and Ralph established the
Richard Tufenkian Pre-School in Glendale.
Savey is survived by her husband of 63 years, Ralph Tufenkian, son
Greg and Caroline Tufenkian, daughter Sandra and Paul Kalemkiarian,
grandchildren Sara, Lisa, and Lena and their spouses, and Sam,
Michael, and Max Tufenkian, and brother Kosti and Marian Shirvanian.
She was also blessed with three great grandchildren Micah, Ani, and
Ambrose.
Funeral services will take place on Thursday, September 9 at 2:30 p.m.
at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Old North Church.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to St. Mary’s
Richard Tufenkian Pre-School or Glendale Adventist Breast Cancer
Center.
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4- COMMENTARY:
The Afghan Crisis, Turkey, and Washington’s Global War on Terrorism
By David Boyajian
As America’s presence in Afghanistan draws to a close and the 20th
anniversary of 9/11 approaches, it’s worthwhile to consider the
countries that sponsor global terrorism and Washington’s response to
them.
One country stands out: Turkey.
NATO is purportedly a bulwark against attacks on Western civilization.
Yet NATO member Turkey has long supported ISIS and numerous other
anti-Western terrorist organizations.
Turkey has been arming terrorists and sending them into countries such
as Syria, Libya, and Azerbaijan.
For example, in 2020 Turkey transported terrorist mercenaries into
Azerbaijan, which then deployed them against Armenian-populated
Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabagh. These included former ISIS commander Sayf
Balud and war criminals such Fehim Isa of the Sultan Murad Brigade.
One hundred bipartisan members of Congress (2021) and the European
Union Parliament (2020) have condemned Turkey and Azerbaijan for that.
In contrast, the State Department has said little and done nothing
about Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s blatant use of terrorist thugs. Does
Washington still have a Global War on Terrorism?
The U.S. is concerned that ISIS-K (an ISIS affiliate) and Al-Qaeda
will remain in Afghanistan after America departs and become a threat
to America.
Hence, Turkey’s support for ISIS and other terrorists is relevant to
the Afghan debacle.
Moreover, Turkish President Erdogan just admitted that he’s
comfortable talking to the Taliban “since Turkey has nothing against
the Taliban’s beliefs.” The State Department has apparently not
reacted to this stunning confession. That’s disturbing.
Turkey’s terrorist record goes back years.
Says Turkey’s counterterrorism chief from 2010-13, Ahmet S. Yayla,
“Turkey was a central hub for … over 50,000 ISIS foreign fighters, and
the main source of ISIS logistical materials [including] IEDs, making
Turkey and ISIS practically allies.”
This makes NATO itself look like an ISIS supporter.
Two studies by veteran State Department adviser Dr. David L. Phillips,
who now heads Columbia University’s Peace-building and Human Rights
Program, exposed Turkey’s alliance with ISIS: ISIS-Turkey Links (2014)
and Turkey-ISIS Oil Trade (2015/2016).
In 2014, Vice President Joe Biden told a Harvard audience that Turkey
and others had been giving “hundreds of millions of dollars [and] tons
of weapons” to Al-Nusra, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS.
President Obama quickly papered over Turkey’s guilt by forcing Biden
to apologize to Erdogan. Again, what happened to the Global War on
Terrorism?
This year, in his exposé Turkey: A state sponsor of terrorism?, David
Phillips noted that if a “non-NATO country behaved like Turkey, it
would warrant designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.”
In January and July, the U.S. Treasury Department fingered Turkey as a
financial base for ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
America hasn’t penalized Turkey itself, however, but rather merely
some Turkish individuals and companies. No wonder Washington’s
efforts — assuming they’re sincere, which is questionable — have
been largely ineffective.
Turkey’s longtime backing of terrorist groups raises fundamental
questions about U.S. policy.
We must sadly conclude that the Global War on Terrorism has become a
criminal fraud perpetrated on the American people, both civilians and
our men and women in uniform.
As the U.S. departs Afghanistan, one wonders whether the blood and
treasure spent there were in vain or part of something larger and more
sinister.
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5- Armenia Continues Fight Against COVID-19
Armenia is continuing the fight against the third wave of COVID-19
cases, as the country continues promoting the vaccination phase.
The U.S. State Department on July 26 warned American citizens to
reconsider travel to Armenia due to the increase in cases of the
Covid-19.
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a
Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Armenia due to COVID-19, indicating a
high level of COVID-19 in the country,” said the State Department.
The State Department also urged U.S. citizens not to travel to the
Nagorno-Karabakh region due to armed conflict.
“The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S.
citizens in Nagorno-Karabakh as U.S. government employees are
restricted from traveling there,” the State Department added.
There were 10,116 active cases in Armenia as of September 2. Armenia
has recorded 241,611 coronavirus cases and 4,830 deaths; 226,665 have
recovered..
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