Two separate compensation cases, one of which was filed by U.S.-based Armenians Garbis Davoyan and Hrayr Turabian on July 29, 2010 and the other by Alex Bakalian, Anais Haroutunian and Rita Mahdessian on Dec. 10, 2010 at the California State District Administrative Court against the Turkish state, its central bank and Ziraat Bank, have been rejected during the appeal process by the court.
The claims of the Armenian-origin U.S. citizens were that their family properties were confiscated during the 1915 events, which provided unfair profit to the state treasury and banks. The families, with such claims, were demanding recovery for their sufferings through compensation. In response to these claims, Turkish banks defended themselves through the principle of sovereign immunity. During the defense, it was highlighted that in accordance with 1976 dated "Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act" of U.S. law that there cannot be any judgement.
The complainant, on the other hand, claimed that this act's exceptional decrees regarding the institutionalization and commercial activities should be applied, which would enable the foreign state and banks to be judged.
On March 26, 2013, the court reached a decision, saying that the claims cannot be involved in judgement and is a political matter in terms of its nature. However, this decision that favors Turkey did not stop the Armenian diaspora. The lawyers of the Armenians went for an appeal on April 2013. At this point, the court decided to combine the two cases. After nine years of trials, the court finally ruled in favor of Turkey.
On Aug. 8, 2019, the court rejected the Armenians' appeal with the reasoning that it lapsed, which approved the first-degree court's decision.
The appeal court also based its decision on the first degree court's "lapse" reasoning rather than the "political matter" doctrine, which strengthened Turkey's hand even more. The appeal court also expressed that the complainants are not the real victims in this issue since their ancestors, who lived through the 1915 events, have moved to the U.S. decades ago.
As a result, the court denied the case unanimously without even launching any investigation regarding the claims. Although the Armenians had the chance to demand a renewal of the appeal process on Aug. 22, 2019, they have not done so. Experts expressed that the complainants still have the opportunity to bring the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, however, it would be hard for them to get different results.
Evaluating the process for Anadolu Agency (AA), diplomatic sources underlined that the decades-long dreams of some Armenian communities have fallen lat through this decision, calling the judgement a "milestone."
PM Pashinyan appoints new Deputy Minister of Economy
19:20, 22 August, 2019
YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. By the decision of Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, Varos Simonyan has been appointed Deputy Minister of Economy, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia.
Previously, Simonyan was Armenia’s commercial attaché in the European Union.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
Fuller Center for Housing Armenia
, Yerevan,
Armenia
Volunteering to
provide people with a safe roof
In Aghavnadzor village of Vayots Dzor
region a problem of a half-built house and a wheelchair ramp was solved. The
Babayans have been assisted by VivaCell-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing
Armenia who have been partnering in the field of housing for many years.
The old house, built over 40 years ago,
has never been renovated due to health and financial reasons. Years ago, in 2006,
the eldest son, Alik, was confined to a wheelchair due to an accident. It was not only a psychological but also a serious
financial problem for the family. Alik and his younger brother, Artsrun, worked
but could not renovate the house while the problems were not few– semi-dark
rooms lacking enough windows and with dilapidated walls, a leaking roof, a ruined
balcony, a wooden wheelchair ramp and more.
Owing to the
house-building project, the Babayans have already completed the interior works
of the house. A heating system
will also be installed soon. With the willingness to help the family, the heads
and staff members of VivaCell-MTS and the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia
joined to help to complete the construction operations. The volunteers have come
together to make decent housing possible. With joint efforts, a new wheelchair
ramp was built instead of the old wooden one. Concrete works have been carried
out. Having a comfortable home is no longer a dream for the family.
“For me, having a wheelchair ramp is a necessity today, but the
wooden ramp was not very safe. The concrete ramp for the wheelchair is the same
as the paved road for a car (smiling). Thank you for helping to solve the most
important issue for me,” said Alik.
“We ought
to come together in order to make our motherland prosperous. We should be able
to create something that each of our countryman can make use of it. I feel
blissful, when, every time, in some place, we undertake construction works. The
group of volunteers, like a circle of salvation, helps to finish the works
quicker. I truly believe, that inspires not only the people, who are in need of
a house but also our colleagues themselves. Only humanity and responsibility
enlighten the path of life. This is the way our colleagues think, otherwise
they would not work here, as they consider the matter refers to themselves as
well”, VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian said.
“Every family has its problems and difficulties. In case of this
family it is important to note that endurance, sense of humor, and the desire
to overcome difficulties have not left them, and there are people, who are willing
to support by giving a helping hand, to ease the burden of years of the family.
This is the mission of the housing project,” said Fuller Center for Housing Armenia President Ashot Yeghiazaryan.
VivaCell-MTS (MTS Armenia CJSC) is Armenia’s
leading telecommunications operator, having the widest network reach and
spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having
the best of the Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st July
2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build a
nationwide network and a considerable customer base. VivaCell-MTS drives
innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving
the Armenian mobile communications market. The company follows the
guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social
Responsibility) and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management
System). For more information, visit www.mts.am
* * *
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ("MTS") is
the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and
fixed voice, broadband, pay-TV as well as content and entertainment services in
one of the world's fastest-growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the
Group services over 100 million mobile subscribers in Russia, Ukraine, Armenia
and Belarus. Since July 2000, MTS' Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New
York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about the MTS
Group can be found at www.mtsgsm.com
www.mtsgsm.com
Fuller Center for
Housing Armenia is a non-governmental, charitable organization that supports
community development in the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh
by assisting in building and renovating simple, decent and affordable homes, as
well as advocating the right to a decent shelter as a matter
of conscience and action. FCHA provides long-term, interest-free loans to low-income
families. The monthly repayments flow into a
Revolving Fund, which is used to help more families, thereby providing a
financial foundation for sustainable development. Since 2008 the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia has assisted about 800 families. For more information, please visit
or email us at [email protected]
More than 5,000 athletes from 145 cities from around the world converged on the Shahumyan National Stadium in Stepanakert for the festive opening ceremonies of the 7th Pan-Armenian Games, marking the 20th anniversary of the event, which takes place every four years.
Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan was joined by Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan; speakers of the parliaments of Armenia and Artsakh, Ararat Mirzoyan and Ashot Ghulyan; and the Primate of the Artsakh Diocese Archbishop Parkev Martirosyan.
The event has gathered the delegations of 145 cities. Russia has a large delegation, with368 athletes, followed by the United States with 308 athletes and Artsakh with 298 athletes. The delegation from the farthest country is the group from Australia with 86 athletes. The smallest delegation is from Sweden with one athlete. Armenia’s cities and regions were also represented with Yerevan boasting nearly 400 athletes followed by the Shirak Province with 177 athletes.
The official torch lighting ceremony was headed by Olympic champion Hrachya Petikyan, Archbishop Martirosyan and and Vice-Chairman of the World Committee of the Pan-Armenian Games Albert Boyajian. They each carried the torches that were lit earlier this summer—the first at at the Holy Mother of God Armenian Church in Vakif, a village on the foothills of Mousa Ler in modern-day Turkey and what is historically part of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia; the second at Khor Virap in Armenia and the third at Tigranakert in Artsakh.
In his remarks, Artsakh President Sahakian said that the idea to host the Pan Armenian Games in Artsakh was first announced in 2016 immediately following the April War, to show the world the resilience, drive and courage of the Armenian people.
“This is a unique response to aggression and violence. Embodying strength, willpower, organization and unity, sports is at the same time the antithesis of hatred and hostility. It recognizes no borders and discrimination, unites different nations and countries,” said Sahakian.
“Nobody is a guest here. Everybody is at their home—in their ancestral hearth. Welcome to Artsakh,” said Sahakian. “This is the strength of our people, the power of our unity, the spirit of our victories.”
Pashinyan also echoed the sentiments, adding that Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora have the strength to conquer all challenges facing our nation. The games, he said, were the symbol of our national victory.
Himet Hajiye, the head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Azerbaijani President
Baku is angry at Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s comment that “Artsakh is Armenia” with the head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Azerbaijani President strongly condemning the statement, which was made on Monday during a rally in Stepanakert.
“Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijan. It is our historic and inseparable land,” said Hikmet Hajiyev, according to the Azerbaijani news agency Turan.
Hajiyev called Pashinyan’s comments “provocative,” adding that with such rhetoric Armenia’s leadership brings the region to the brink of a “serious crisis.”
“Let no one doubt that Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity. Responsibility for the consequences lies with the Armenian side,” said Hajiyev.
Pashinyan spoke at a rally in Stepanakert’s Revival Square Monday ahead of the opening ceremonies of the 7th Pan-Armenian Games, which took place Tuesday in the Artsakh capital attended by thousands of Armenians from around the world.
During his remarks on Monday, Pashinyan also said “only Armenians can determine their own fate,” alluding to the potential of the Armenian nation in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora.
During his remarks, Pashinyan also referred to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution, saying that the goal of the talks was to “defend the achievements of the liberation struggle waged for the sovereignty and security of the people of Artsakh.”
“Any solution reached as a result of negotiations that will be considered acceptable for the governments of Armenia and Artsakh can only go into effect if the people of Armenia and Artsakh endorse it,” said Pashinyan.
Referring to Hajiyev’s comments, Artsakh Presidential spokesperson Davit Babayan told news.am that Baku is distorting Pashinyan’s statement in order to further its dishonest goals.
“When the Prime Minister of Armenia was talking about the idea of unification, he was referring to the ideals of the nation and that which all Armenians of the world are aspiring to achieve,” said Babayan.
“This doesn’t imply dismantling Artsakh’s statehood. We, Armenians, want reunification, and we are not hiding it. However, we also need to take into consideration global, regional and geopolitical factors. From that perspective, the two Armenian states are strengthening their positions, and this allows us to resist many challenges effectively,” explained Babayan.
Under the scope of a project initiated by the Van Metropolitan Municipality, Turkish athletes from the Van Diving School and a total of 10 Armenian divers gathered in the eastern Turkish province.
The group carried banners bearing Turkish and Armenian slogans to draw attention to the water pollution in the 3,712 square kilometer surface lake which is the largest in Turley.
The divers have also collected garbage they found during the dive.
Being the largest lake in Turkey, Lake Van is located in the far east of the provinces of Van and Bitlis. It is a saline soda lake, receiving water from numerous small streams that descend from the surrounding mountains. In the last couple of years, the popularity of Lake Van increased with a touristic train line from Ankara and beaches opened up on the shores of the lake. The lake is also popular among divers as the underwater riches of the lake lure explorers to the region.
This wouldn’t be the first time Athena has engaged in a Eurovision-adjacent contest. Back in 2008, she placed third in the Greek selection for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest with the song “To fili tis Afroditis”.
At the time of writing, neither Armenia nor Greece have confirmed their participation for the 2020 contest. However, Armenia will be participating in the forthcoming Junior Eurovision Song Contest in November.
In recent years, both countries have struggled to maintain their past success. Despite a strong qualification record, Armenia have not qualified for the past two Grand Finals (2018 and 2019). Despite qualifying for this year’s Grand Final and carrying momentum throughout the season, Katerine Duska’s “Better Love” placed 21st.
With no guarantee of future participation, we hope to see both countries make a triumphant return next year! Be it internal selection or the return of national finals, there is plenty of talent in these two countries that could bring them success in The Netherlands.
https://escxtra.com/2019/07/28/athena-manoukian-expresses-interest-in-eurovision-2020-participation/
We will always remember Amano as sincere friend of our country – Pashinyan offers condolences
19:48,
YEREVAN, JULY 22, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan extended condolences on the occasion of the death of Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office f the Prime Minister of Armenia, the condolence letter runs as follows,
“It was with deep grief that I learned about the death of director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano.
As an experienced leader, director general Amano recorded many achievements leading the International Atomic Energy Agency in this period full of challenges with great prudency and devotion.
I recall with warmth our recent meeting in Yerevan, during which we discussed key issues of bilateral interest. In Armenia we will always remember Amano as a sincere friend opf our country, who had a significant contribution to the strengthening of partnership between the Republic of Armenia and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
I offer my deep condolences on behalf of the people of the Republic of Armenia and the Government and solidarity to the family and friends of Yukiya Amano”.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan