Author: Alex Nanijanian

Infosurhoy

June 23 2018

 

 

By Denis Bedoya on June 23, 2018 News

 

As the conversation around the treatment of migrant children at the border gets more heated, hostility toward the immigration-enforcement arm of the U.S. government has become visible, most recently in the case of two vandalism incidents, one of which targeted the enormous concrete cross atop Mount Davidson in San Francisco.

 

MORE: Billboard on 880 vandalized to read ‘We Make Kids Disappear — ICE’

 

The same week that an Emeryville billboard was altered to read “We Make Kids Disappear — ICE,” someone appears to have spray-painted a message of solidarity with immigrant families on the cross.

 

“No more violence. This blessing is for the families in detention centers, for the families experiencing U.S. funded wars. Blessings for the queers,” the red lettering reads.

 

A visitor to the park, Toby Morgan, photographed the graffiti about 8 p.m. Thursday.

 

The cross, which has stood atop San Francisco’s highest hill since 1934, was erected to commemorate the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed in the Armenian Genocide under the Ottoman Empire. It is also the setting for an Easter sunrise mass each year.

 

A representative from the Council of Armenian American Organizations of Northern California said they are “saddened” by the incident and have reached out to law enforcement.

 

“We are notifying the police and will have it painted today,” a representative said Friday. “We understand peoples need for self-_expression_, vandalism such as this is never appropriate.”

 

Filipa Ioannou is an SFGATE staff writer.

 

The National, UAE

Saturday

by : Saeed Saeed

 

If you've got a good story, then it needs to be told.

 

Such was the thinking for the Lebanese-born Spanish violinist Ari Malikian as he embarked on his latest year-long world tour.

 

And judging by its success, including a high-profile showing at London's prestigious Barbican in May and last week's sold-out show at the Mawazine Festival in Morocco, The Incredible Story of Violin is a melodic tale that has well and truly resonated with audiences.

 

It begins with Malikian's birth in Beirut. It was 1968 and before long Lebanon was experiencing the full scourge of civil war. Although he did not know it at the time, the violin sessions shared with his father from the age of 8 were as as much about taking his mind away from the carnage as the development of his talent.

 

"The war was going on at the time" he recalls before his Mawazine show in the Moroccan capital Rabat.

 

"We would play in bomb shelters. My father would bring his guitarist friend and there was also a singer. Even during those times, we found a way to have fun."

 

Knowing your roots

 

But it was also a rigorous learning process. Malikian recalls stemming tears from all the intensive training his father – a renowned bandleader in Beirut at the time – gave him.

 

Malikian learnt from early on that it was more than just the music for his father. The violin he was entrusted to play as a child belonged to his grandfather, who brought it with him to Lebanon after escaping the mass killings of Armenians by Turkish troops in 1915.

 

Amid the chaos of the Lebanese civil war, Malikian realised that playing his grandfather's violin and being trained by his father was a way to remain rooted before he grew up to take on the nomadic life of a musician.

 

Indeed, this a tale Malikian repeatedly tells during his shows from South America to Japan, all the while playing his grandfather's violin on stage.

 

But Malikian's shows are not just steeped in his memories. Now aged 50, he has forged his own path as virtuoso player who has managed to blend his Middle Eastern roots with various other genres ranging from flamenco to samba to classic rock.

 

Having performed with esteemed European orchestras and even enjoying a short spell touring with 80's pop star Boy George, Malikian – who now resides in Spain – says he wants to be remembered as someone who expanded people's perceptions of what the violin can do.

 

"It has long been thought of as this stiff instrument," he says.

 

"But if people come to our shows they will see the different ways we can play the violin and the different kind of feelings that it can bring."

 

Paganini was the first true rock star

 

Indeed, Malikian's show at the Mawazine Festival can be best described as "strings on steroids".

 

Dressed in ragged black leather pants and combat boots, Malikian and his two fellow strings-men resembled extras from a Mad Max movie. Backed by a guitarist, two percussionists and a pair of cellos, they conjured a thunderous sound with a repertoire that moved seamlessly from upbeat gypsy jams and plaintive Armenian folk tunes to a dramatic cover of Led Zeppelin's Kashmir.

 

Malikian says the latter track wasn't done simply as a crowd-pleaser. In fact, he sees a clear correlation between the violin and flamboyant rock.

 

"The violin in a way was the first rock instrument of its time," he says.

 

"Take the [18th-century Italian violinist and composer] Paganini for instance. As far as I am concerned, he was the first true rock star. He changed the concept of what a concert could be. People from all over would travel not just to hear him play, but to see his performance as well. His shows were visual and full of stories, and I feel that I am also following that by telling my own story with the violin."

 

Check out Arts & Culture for all the latest news and interviews from The Mawazine Festival in Morocco. The festival continues until June 30

ArmenPress, Armenia

June 7 2018

Russia to continue assisting the sides to search for solutions to NK conflict – FM Lavrov

YEREVAN, JUNE 7, ARMENPRESS. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov says he had a constructive meeting and talks with Armenian foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan in Moscow, reports Armenpress.

During a joint press conference with the Armenian FM, Lavrov told reporters that the talks were held in accordance with the spirit of the partnership, strategic cooperation connecting the two countries.

FM Lavrov said they have highlighted the dynamic nature of the Armenian-Russian political dialogue. “Important agreements were reached during the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Sochi on May 14. Contracts are already being held at parliamentary level. Two days ago Speaker of the Parliament of Armenia Ara Babloyan was in Moscow on a working visit, he participated in the international forum on parliamentarism development”, Lavrov said.

The Russian minister also informed that during the talks they also touched upon the commercial cooperation. “Russia remains Armenia’s key partner. Last year the trade turnover between our countries increased by 30%. The positive dynamics continues now as well. In the first quarter the trade turnover growth reached almost 40%. We agree that such high figures became possible also due to the advantages given by our countries’ membership to the EAEU”, Sergey Lavrov said.

He reminded that the Russian investments in Armenia comprise 35% of the total foreign investments: at the moment nearly 2200 companies with the Russian capital are operating in Armenia.

The two FMs also discussed the implementation process of major joint programs, including in the fields of energy, banking and telecommunication.

“There is a very important and useful mutual cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. The branch of the Russian center for science and culture has launched its activities in Gyumri in December 2017. Nearly 5500 Armenian citizens study in Russia, 1550 of whom at the expense of the Federal budget”, the Russian FM said. “We are closely cooperating and coordinating our actions in the international arena. Today we have examined the practical issues faced by our representatives in the CIS, EAEU, CSTO, UN, OSCE and CoE platforms. We attached special attention to our work within the frames of the foreign ministers council at the BSEC, the session of which will be held in Armenia in late June”, Lavrov said.

FM Lavrov said he has discussed with his Armenian counterpart the issues on ensuring security and stability in South Caucasus, including the Nagorno Karabkah conflict. “Russia both in the context of bilateral ties with Yerevan and Baku, and with the US and France, as OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries, will continue assisting the sides to search for mutually acceptable solutions”, FM Lavrov said.

He expressed satisfaction over the results of talks. “I am confident that they will contribute to the further progress of Armenia-Russia allied relations”, the Russian minister added.

English – translator/editor: Aneta Harutyunyan

Arminfo, Armenia

Armen Sarkissian: there are many barriers between Armenia and Diaspora

Yerevan May 25

Marianna Mkrtchyan. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian did not participate in the projects of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. This was announced on May 25 by Armenian President Sarkissian himself in an interview with journalists on the margins of the 27th meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.

"I personally did not contribute to the Foundation's activities, but our family implements a number of different charitable projects, one of the examples of the font in the Holy Echmiadzin, which bears the name of St. Hovhannes and Vardan, was built by the family in May. For many years, the charitable organization" The Eurasian House, which aims to help students, and about 300 young people received help to get an education, there is a program called "Yerevan – my love", also initiated by our family. "There is a fund – a global structure, but there are individual individuals and funds working independently." It's time to establish cooperation between the All-Armenian Fund and individual funds and individuals, and compare projects that are being implemented, "the Armenian President is convinced.

To comment that there are concerns that the Diaspora is being considered only as a source of financing, Sargsyan said in particular: "Of course, I share this concern, and this concern is quite serious, since if we are talking about national unity, that we must work together – this small country, but a big nation all over the world. We saw that during the protest actions, all the days compatriots from all over the world participated in these processes: through social networks, expressing opinions, coming That is, today there really is this movement of nationwide consolidation, but the question arises whether the Diaspora really exists only to send money from abroad and not have any rights and not participate in anything wrong". At the same time, he noted that all compatriots, especially those who live in the Diaspora and possess Armenian citizenship, must make their contribution and, of course, have obligations and rights.

According to him, there may be a day when compatriots from the Diaspora will have the opportunity to take part in the electoral processes in their homeland. "If we are talking about the electoral process and the amendment of the Electoral Code, the question arises whether only those who live in Armenia or all who are citizens of Armenia should participate in elections," Sargsyan said, and continued that for no one Today it's no secret that there are many problems with the Diaspora. According to him, the best specialist in this or that sphere, if necessary, cannot come to Armenia and take up this or that post, since they must live in the country for at least 4 years. The President added that there are many examples of states where such a system is not applied, and Israel cited as a prime example.

He also agreed with the opinion that in recent years in the Diaspora there is frustration and anger towards the Motherland. "But I also see great love, lack of indifference, and today our task should be to engage the Diaspora fairly and openly in the processes at home." Do not say that we expect only money from you. Give me money and do not interfere in our affairs so that our compatriots from the Diaspora with all their heart and soul were involved in the processes in Armenia, and they had the opportunity to participate, "Sargsyan said. According to the President, there are many barriers between Armenia and the Diaspora: they are moral, legal and which must be eliminated. Sargsyan expressed his conviction that until these barriers are eliminated, there will remain questions between who should help and not have the rights and the Armenian, who should receive and demand more. "We are all one nation, we need to think like one nation," the president summed up.

The Tablet

DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)

May 4, 2018 Friday

CSTO ABOUT SITUATION IN YEREVAN: "THIS IS INTERNAL AFFAIR OF ARMENIA"

 

by Alena Pavlova

 

 

Armenia, Byelorussia, Kazakhstan, Kirgizia, Russia and Tajikistan have considerably improved their cooperation within the scope of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) recently. How collective threat countermeasures are organized? What are prospects for cooperation in this sphere? And how does CSTO consider developments in Yerevan? Anatoly Sidorov, CSTO joint staff chief colonel-general, answered these and some other questions.

 

Moskovskiy komsomolets: Anatoly Alekseevich, Armenia, where one can see political passions, is a part of CSTO. How does political-military alliance consider all those developments?

 

Anatoly Sidorov: Position of CSTO is clear. All member-states of the organization agree with it. The Collective Security Treaty Organization thinks that situation in Yerevan is a domestic affair of Armenia. Let me say once again, this is a domestic affair of a sovereign state, we do not interfere in domestic affairs.

 

CSTO did the same several years ago, when we saw similar developments in another CSTO member-state – Kirgizia. I would like to remind that after the shift of power, the country did not disaffiliate from the CSTO, and even intensified cooperation with partners.

 

Moskovskiy komsomolets: What can you say about situation in the CSTO area of responsibility?

 

Anatoly Sidorov: Political and military environment is rather difficult. Security level, both regional and global ones, is rather low. Ongoing attempts to divide up spheres of influence, creates favorable environment for military conflicts. Antiterrorism protection and information confrontation have been becoming more and more important nowadays.

 

Moskovskiy komsomolets: the Eastern European, Caucasian and Central Asian regions of collective security are in CSTO area of responsibility. What region requires a heightened level of awareness?

 

Anatoly Sidorov: One can see unfavorable tendencies in every of those regions. However, we think that Central Asian region requires special attention. International terrorism threat and expansion of the religious extremism in the post-Soviet countries is clearly seen there. Afghanistan is a source of that threat, about 70000 insurgents and more than 4000 detachments and combat teams are functioning there. "Islamic Taliban movement" is a base for armed opposition groups comprising more than 60000 insurgents. In some provinces and in the south and the east, they control up to 70% of the territory.

 

Moreover, ISIS (banned in Russia) terrorists has enhanced its activity in Afghanistan as well. According to various estimates, there are more than 4000 insurgents.

 

Moskovskiy komsomolets: Can big formations of terrorists intrude into the territory of Central Asian countries through Afghanistan?

 

Anatoly Sidorov: Yes, they can. ISIS is undertaking attempts to expand its sphere of influence first of all, on the northern provinces of the country and they do not hide their plans to penetrate in the Central Asian countries and some regions of the Russian Federation.

 

Recruitment of new armed insurgents and obtaining of additional sources of funding by taking control over drug trafficking and other criminal activities are the main objectives of terrorists. To achieve their objectives, ISIS leaders are gradually increasing strength of their groups in Afghanistan, they also create a network of training camps and shelters for terrorists.

 

Moskovskiy komsomolets: Is there anything to be put up against that threat?

 

Anatoly Sidorov: Collective Rapid Deployment Forces were formed the Central Asian region. They include formations from the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, Kirgizia, Russia and Tajikistan – about 5000 soldiers. They are well-trained soldiers, most of them represent air assault and mountain rifle formations.

 

CSTO also has the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces. 6 member-stated allocated the most powerful and mobile detachments, units and formations of their special-purpose forces. Total strength – about 18000 soldiers.

 

Moskovskiy komsomolets: Do you practice potential scenarios?

 

Anatoly Sidorov: Yes, we do. It goes without saying. For example, in the fall of 2017 we organized unscheduled large-scale military exercises of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces on the territory of Tajikistan. Necessity of that exercise was dictated by the threat from ISIS that is being pressed out from Syria and Iraq on the territory of Afghanistan. More than 5000 soldiers, 1500 weapon units and vehicles, 77 aerial devices, including drones, on 6 training ranges were involved in those exercises. In other words, CSTO has more than enough forces to ensure safety in the Central Asian region.

 

In 2018 we are going to hold a collective strategic exercise "Combat brotherhood-2018" ("Boevoe bratstvo-2018"). According to the exercise plan, we will be practicing a set of tasks to prevent a military conflict, its settlement and peace restoration on the territory of 4 states.

 

Source: Moskovskiy komsomolets, April 27, 2018, p.6

 

[Translated from Russian]