Author: Diana Dabaghian

Asbarez: Pashinyan, Aliyev and Putin Meet in Moscow

Diana Dabaghian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories

President Vladimor Putin of Russian (center) hosts a meeting with Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Moscow on May 24


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met on Thursday in Moscow with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan in talks mediated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to the prime minister’s press office the sides discuss the opening of transport links and ecumenic infrastructure in the region and pledged to continue the process through a commission headed by the deputy prime minister of the three countries.

Russian press reported that the meeting lasted 20 minutes.

The situation, despite its difficulties, is moving toward a settlement. The remaining issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan are of a technical nature and can be overcome, Putin announced ahead of his meeting with Pashinyan and Aliyev.

The Russian leader said that “the crux are in the terminology.”

“Of course, behind those words there should be an accurate understanding of the realities and events that will follow the signing of a relevant documents, but in our opinion, I mean for all of us — both the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia — they are surmountable obstacles. By and large, they don’t exist, they are purely technical issues,” Putin added.

Ahead of the meeting Putin held separate meetings with Pashinyan and Aliyev.

“Unfortunately, contrary to the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan has illegally blocked the Lachin Corridor, as a restful of which a humanitarian crisis has plagued Nagorno-Karabakh,” Pashinyan reportedly told Putin. The prime minister also highlighted the fact that electricity and natural gas supplies have been shut off by Azerbaijan with supplies of food and other basic necessities are growing more scarce by the day.

Pashinyan told Putin that while Russian peacekeepers are working to temper the situation, the Lachin Corridor blockade took place in their presence.

Putin told Pashinyan that Russia’s position on the Lachin Corridor has not changed. In earlier statements, Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has stressed that the Lachin Corridor must operate based on the provisions of the November 9, 2020 agreement, which stipulates unimpeded movement along the road under the control of Russian peacekeepers.

“You are aware that during our discussions with our Armenian colleagues and Azerbaijan, we have always been and remain to this very position now. Everything must correspond to the spirit and letter of our tripartite declaration. Our position here has not changed,” Putin said.

The Russian leader told Pashinyan that opening of the transport routes between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain a priority for Moscow, adding that he addressed the issue during his meeting with Aliyev.

Pashinyan said that Yerevan remains committed to advancing this matter, while Putin told the Armenian leader that he had secured a similar pledge from Aliyev.

However, Putin said, there are issues related to terminology that can be discussed in detail.

“The questions are very important and sensitive. I am sure that if we eventually, despite all the difficulties, reach decisions on these issues, it will be beneficial for both Armenia and Azerbaijan, but not only for those two countries. It will be beneficial for the entire region, because many states are interested in it, and it will contribute to the regulation of relations in all directions, including political, in terms of ensuring the security of people living in this area,” Putin added.

Armenian Security Council in 2022 discussed withdrawal from CSTO, says senior diplomat

Diana Dabaghian
 TASS 
Russia – May 16 2023
"At the moment, the withdrawal from the CSTO is out of the question, the rest will be discussed additionally," Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan said

YEREVAN, May 16. /TASS/. The Armenian Security Council discussed in September 2022 the possibility of the country’s withdrawal from the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization), but decided to remain a member of the organization, a Foreign Ministry representative said.

"Apparently, I think it (Armenia’s withdrawal from the CSTO – TASS) has been discussed at a Security Council meeting in September 2022. It was decided not to take such a step, to remain in the organization. At the moment, the withdrawal from the CSTO is out of the question, the rest will be discussed additionally," Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan told the briefing.

According to the senior diplomat, Armenia, as a CSTO member state, continues to hope that the work carried out will yield positive results. "We’ve repeatedly stated that there must be a political assessment of Azerbaijan’s aggression by the CSTO. At some point, the discussion about [CSTO] observers may be resumed," he added.

https://tass.com/world/1618111

Germany ambassador: EU monitoring mission in Armenia has already had good start

Diana Dabaghian
NEWS.am
Armenia – May 16 2023
17:09, 16.05.2023

The EU monitoring mission in Armenia has already had good start, and they are doing as much as they can within their limited capabilities. German ambassador to Armenia Victor Richter stated this in an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am. Below is the text of this interview.

Mr. Ambassador, for several months now, the civilian monitoring mission of the European Union has been deployed in Armenia, the head of which is a German. How would you rate the activity of the mission?

I think that the humanitarian mission has already had a good start. So they're in the phase of filling up the personnel in the phase of recruitment. But they're already operational since it's a couple of months. So they are making their monitoring tours in the territory which is under their mandate and have established many contacts with the administrations, with the local populations.  So they are building up a good communication and building up trust and confidence for the people which are living in that region. And I think this is one of the also main tasks of this mission to stabilize the situation and to build confidence.

What are they exactly doing?

As far as I know, they are constantly visiting villages which are close to the border. They are having discussions and contact with the local populations there, are taking up their needs and wishes and trying to create a certain level of trust that the situation is stable and that they are monitoring the situation as a whole.

Have they already made any reports?

They're reporting to Brussels.

How often do they submit reports?

I don't know. I cannot tell you details. So they're reporting to Brussels and then there's a further distribution, which is under the authority of Brussels of the EU authorities there.  So we as embassies are not involved in operational issues. That's why I cannot tell you too much detail.

How many observers are there now in the mission?

So at the end there will be more than one hundred. So as far as I know, they have reached now more than a half of that, and it's steadily going up.

Mr. Ambassador, we do not really see the reflection of those reports in the statements by the officials of the European Union; even after the last border tension, as a result of which there was one casualty on the Armenian side.

Yeah, I think there is a communication between the European Union authorities and also Armenia, of course, also with the member states, with the states that are involved also here in the region. And they are doing as much as they can within their limited capabilities with only 50 now and will be 100. So that's a big border line. That's the whole line of the border under their mandate; with Azerbaijan also to Nakhchivan. That's why they cannot be everywhere every time. But they try, of course, to be as present as possible physically and also taking into account the security aspect.

They are called to make the region safer with their presence. But for example, the recent border escalations do not indicate a safer region.

They are trying to create, as much as possible stability and security for the situation at the end, as much as a civilian mission can do.

A five-way meeting is expected in Chisinau on June 1, in which [German] Chancellor Olaf Scholz will also participate. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan announced that they have not yet decided whether [President] Ilham Aliyev will participate in that meeting or not. Don't you think that such a statement has a negative impact on Germany's efforts to normalize relations?

I cannot tell you more than which has [been] published by the authorities of the office of [European Council President] Monsieur Charles Michel. So that has been announced, and this is our information that we have.

Olaf Scholz stated that it is necessary to reach a peaceful resolution, not only from the point of view of the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also from the point of view of the self-determination of the citizens of Nagorno-Karabakh. How do you see the solution of the Karabakh problem?

So, I cannot add additional aspects to what has been said by our Chancellor and also by the spokesman person of our government.  So, Germany is doing its best to assist this peace process as a whole, which should of course take into account also the interests and the security and the rights of the Armenians living in the former autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Is Germany ready to act as a mediator in case of creation of international mechanisms for dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert, considering that Azerbaijan is against the creation of international mechanisms?

I cannot go into these details because, you know, these negotiations are very confidential; so, I don't know the details.

Thank you very much.

Azerbaijan fires mortars in the direction of Norabak, the Armenian side has no casualties

Diana Dabaghian

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 18:23,

YEREVAN, MAY 17, ARMENPRESS. On May 18, around 5:20 p.m., the units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces violated the ceasefire by firing a mortar at the Armenian position located in the Norabak sector, Gegharkunik Province.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from MoD Armenia, the Armenian side has no casualties.

As of 18:00, the situation on the frontline is relatively stable.

Ararat Mirzoyan holds telephone conversation with the acting US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State

Diana Dabaghian

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 16:28,

YEREVAN, MAY 13, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan had a telephone conversation with Dereck Hogan, acting US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, ARMENPRESS was informed from MFA Armenia.

The interlocutors discussed issues of regional stability and security.

Minister Mirzoyan presented the situation created as a result of the provocative and aggressive actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces against the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia during the last days, emphasizing that they are aimed at disrupting the efforts aimed at continuing the peace negotiations.

The sides exchanged thoughts on the need to address the rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, the normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations.

AW: The Diaspora has a unique understanding of Artsakh

Diana Dabaghian
May 10, 2023 Stepan Piligian In Sight, Columns 0

The Armenian government has been defending a new policy on Artsakh since the 2020 war, but the debate continues in the diaspora and Artsakh. A major strategy of Pashinyan’s “peace agenda” is to concede two major demands of Azerbaijan in the hope (wish is probably a more appropriate term) that their appetite for aggression is satisfied and peace comes to the region. The two concessions are the independence of Artsakh, a hallmark of Armenian policy from 1988 to 2020, and the commitment to have no territorial demands on Azerbaijan. Of course, this assumes that we can agree on a border such as the stated demarcations at the time of the dissolution of the Armenian and Azerbaijani SSRs in 1991. This is a challenging dialogue when your adversarial party states that all of Armenia is Azerbaijan. Our focus here will be on the impact of the strategic change within the global Armenian nation. 

Prime Minister Pashinyan’s policy is based on a pragmatic compromise to enable peace. Proponents will admit it is a gamble when your negotiating partner lacks any integrity. We are still waiting for the first time that Azerbaijan will actually uphold an agreement it has signed. Other proponents take on a more “victim” attitude by stating that Armenia is a defeated nation and is in no position to resist. It is interesting to note that when Azerbaijan was the “defeated” nation in the mid-nineties and had been militarily vanquished, they never behaved like a defeated party. They violated the terms of the ceasefire immediately and continued aggressive activity while they rebuilt their military. You are a defeated nation only if you choose to behave that way. We behave like a defeated party and have resorted to pleading with others like victims. I am more concerned about the impact of this behavior on the psyche of the nation than any singular policy. Honestly, I do not understand how you negotiate when you display your “cards” without any reciprocation. Armenia has publicly offered the “security/rights” position and no territorial demands before any Azeri compromises. For those who believe we are not in a position to receive any compromises, then you are relegating Artsakh to its demise. Unless this veneer of a negotiation is unconditional surrender, then compromises must be part of it. 

The two concessions that Pashinyan has gone public with are very unpopular in the diaspora, Artsakh and probably a good portion of Armenia. What did he gain with this risky move? Apparently nothing, as the dictator and murderer Aliyev responded by insisting that Pashinyan must make humiliating statements of “Artsakh is Azerbaijan” (a play on an earlier comment from Pashinyan that Artsakh is Armenia). Aliyev further stated that he intends to capture all of Armenia; he audaciously calls it Western Azerbaijan. This is his response for respecting each other’s territorial integrity. Some of you may ignore these comments as rhetorical politics. I do not. Aliyev has telegraphed his move for years. The third party mediators in the current confusing parallel format with Russia, EU and the US State Department applaud Armenia’s commitment. Why not? They want peace and are not particularly concerned about the impact on Armenia. I really can’t blame them. Each nation has a responsibility to itself and its citizens to advocate for their interests. The art of negotiation brings these self interests together to convince each party that it is in their interests to compromise. If Armenia chooses to show its cards, then others will not object. Pragmatic politics is acceptable as long as each party operates in good faith. This is not a good faith process. If Armenia doesn’t surrender, then Aliyev threatens destruction. Azerbaijan acquired this playbook from its cousins in Turkey who claim to support “normalization” but insult Armenians with painful comments (remnants of the sword) or illegal aggression (closing air space). Azerbaijan ignores the ruling of the International Court of Justice on Berdzor (Lachin) and continues to illegally hold Armenian prisoners. The solutions are challenging, but as long as an adversary such as Turkey sees no adjustments from Armenia on the former’s offensive behavior, it will continue. Armenia has been relying on either Russia or western democracies to provide security guarantees. As long as Armenia behaves like a victim, the intervention parties will do so with minimal commitment. We have already seen that the CSTO, rather than fulfilling its defense pact responsibilities, has chosen to act more like an occupation group. The western powers have sponsored discussions that frankly are more about embarrassing and weakening Russia than securing an honorable peace.

These are the external dynamics. Let’s take a closer look at the impact within the global Armenian nation. For the diaspora and most of the global Armenian nation, the struggle for Artsakh has been an inspiring journey. From its inception in the late 1980s, Artsakh has become a contemporary representative of the aspirations of the Armenian people to be freed from the Turkish yoke. Comparisons to Sardarabad have been frequent and valid. In a relatively short period of time, the people of Artsakh have established a functioning representative democracy and market economy. It has become a model of the homeland and diaspora working to evolve the Republic of Artsakh. The results have been stunning. Most of Armenia’s political leadership has adhered to a “realistic” policy toward Artsakh. We lost the war, and as a result, the contiguous territory with Armenia and the expanded border with Iran (Hadrut). They believe that without major compromise, we will be left with another debilitating war. The trilateral agreement of November 2020 was supposed to bring interim peace guaranteed by the Russian peacekeepers. It has been a tragic farce. Border attacks, ethnic cleansing, blockades and prisoners retained—all are illegal and all are apparently tolerated by the Russian “authorities.” It is apparent that the only group abiding by the 2020 agreement has been Armenia. This behavior is perceived as overly tolerant and encouraging more aggression. The impact on the morale of the diaspora and common citizens has been significant. Cynicism has replaced optimism as we fall back into victim mode. We have no effective opposition. The legislative and parliamentary process is locked up with one party in control. 

Many of us rationalize today’s reality by stating that the people spoke in the 2021 election. That is correct, but I am not certain this was the outcome they envisioned. When people feel they have limited ability to change the outcome, the danger of an estrangement between the people and their government exists. Many Armenians feel hopeless, not about the ideals, but about their ability to impact them. The diaspora, in particular, is a unique example. It was created over a century ago out of a sense of loss. We lost the six provinces of Western Armenia and Cilicia through genocide. We lost Javakhli through political manipulation and ethnic cleansing in Nakhichevan. Our ancestors in the diaspora were products of dispossession. When the diaspora looks at Artsakh, it feels the exhilaration of revival and the nightmare of another loss. For 100 years, we have mourned the loss of Western Armenia. We cling to the dream that these stolen lands of the Armenian Highlands will be returned through an act of justice. Armenians in the diaspora still refer to their lineage as “Kharpertzi” or “Sepastiatzi” even though we are three generations removed. This is a significant part of the mentality of those outside the homeland. Whenever Armenians meet and they ask “where are you from,” they are not referring to Watertown or Glendale. They are asking about your family history and indirectly asking about your survivor generation. Many of us worry that our children will become further detached from this history and forget. We publish books on the highlands (Matthew Karanian) and architecture (Christina Maranci, PhD) to educate a generation deprived of its Western Armenian heritage. Now we face another loss, another piece of historic homeland ripped from the heart of its indigenous Armenian Christian population. This is why the diaspora feels such empathy for Artsakh. They are looking at their grandparents and great-grandparents when they look into the eyes of our brethren of Artsakh. There is discontent about our policies and mental trauma in watching the slow motion of oppression. Is there a difference between the forced expulsion/murder of the Armenians of Artsakh and the deportation of our ancestors from the western lands? How about the “silent” cleansing of the Armenians of Nakhichevan that constituted nearly 50-percent of the population when Stalin did his dirty deed?

The political consequences of the Artsakh struggle are not the only impact. The most important aspect is the denial of their God-given and UN chartered right to live their lives as they choose. All people have the right to practice their culture free of oppression and subjugation. This is a fundamental right and not a granting of benevolence by barbaric neighbors. When we talk about security and rights, there is only one metric to determine its worth. Will the Armenians of Artsakh be able to live free of cultural, political and economic oppression? Given the racist attitude of Aliyev and what he has drilled into the minds of his people for decades, the physical presence of a multinational force chartered with the security of the Armenian population is one of the few viable solutions. Anything less will leave our people exposed to ethnic cleansing and genocide. The diaspora understands this. It is built into the mindset of our thinking. Each family has its own unique history of horror. The murder and dispossession is part of who we are. We cannot afford the diaspora and the homeland to have further distance with each other. Prior to the Genocide, marauding Turks and Kurds attacked Armenians regularly in a display of subordination, discrimination and disrespect. Many of us draw the parallel of the constant attacks on the peaceful people of Artsakh by Azeris who maintain an overt policy of racism. The Turks made it illegal for Armenians to own weapons, and the Azeris are insisting on the dissolution of the Artsakh Defense Army. The comparisons are numerous. We can see where this is going. It is a horrible feeling to know that. We can prevent this! We must prevent this! Do we have the collective will?

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Columnist
Stepan was raised in the Armenian community of Indian Orchard, MA at the St. Gregory Parish. A former member of the AYF Central Executive and the Eastern Prelacy Executive Council, he also served many years as a delegate to the Eastern Diocesan Assembly. Currently , he serves as a member of the board and executive committee of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). He also serves on the board of the Armenian Heritage Foundation. Stepan is a retired executive in the computer storage industry and resides in the Boston area with his wife Susan. He has spent many years as a volunteer teacher of Armenian history and contemporary issues to the young generation and adults at schools, camps and churches. His interests include the Armenian diaspora, Armenia, sports and reading.


Jordan, Palestine no longer recognize Armenian Patriarch Nourhan Manougian

Diana Dabaghian
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan –
AMMAN — In a joint statement issued on Thursday, Jordan and Palestine announced their decision to suspend their recognition of Archbishop Nourhan Manougian as the Patriarch of the Armenian Church in Jerusalem, citing concerns regarding his management of properties in the holy land. 

The move comes after repeated unsuccessful attempts to address the patriarch's handling of properties that hold cultural, historical, and humanitarian significance, as reported by the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The statement emphasized that the decision to suspend recognition was made in accordance with the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. 

It was prompted by the patriarch's actions and deals related to real estate, which have the potential to impact the future of the holy city.

These actions were undertaken without prior agreement and consultation with relevant parties, as required by laws and church regulations. 

The patriarch also ignored appeals from Armenian institutions, according to the joint statement.


Concerns over Bustan site and Armenian Quarter
The joint statement highlighted that the decision by Jordan and Palestine follows the recent controversy surrounding the "deal" concerning the Bustan site, also known as "Hadiqat Al-Baqar" (Cows garden in English), and its surroundings, including the Qishla building in Bab Al-Khalil. 

These sites are considered a significant part of the Armenian Quarter. Despite requests to halt any actions that could affect the historical and legal status quo of these properties, the patriarch did not respond to these demands, the statement noted.

Both parties affirmed that the Armenian Quarter is an integral and occupied part of the Old City, in accordance with relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, including resolutions 1515, 476, 338, 242, 2334, and other applicable international decisions. 

The statement also pointed out that the Executive Board of UNESCO has issued several resolutions recognizing the Old City and its walls as part of the endangered World Heritage list.

https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-109/News/Jordan-Palestine-no-longer-recognize-Armenian-Patriarch-Nourhan-Manougian-28607

The California Courier Online, May 11, 2023

Diana Dabaghian

The California
Courier Online, May 11, 2023

 

1-         Under
Turkish Pressure, Armenia’s Leaders

            Make
Excuses for Nemesis
Monument

            By Harut
Sassounian

            Publisher,
The California
Courier

           
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com

2-         Azerbaijani
who crossed into Armenia
is sentenced to prison

3-         AYF-West CE
Meets with Western US Prelate Bishop Torkom
Donoyan

4-         Letters to
the Editor

************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

1-         Under
Turkish Pressure, Armenia’s Leaders

            Make
Excuses for Nemesis
Monument

            By Harut
Sassounian

            Publisher,
The California
Courier

           
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com

 

Just when we thought that we had heard everything about the
current Armenian government’s questionable positions on Artsakh,
Armenia, and Armenian
interests, we are now facing another monumental mistake by Armenia’s
leaders.

On April 25, 2023, the descendants of those who killed the
Turkish masterminds of the Armenian Genocide inaugurated the Nemesis Monument
in Yerevan. In
attendance were opposition members of Parliament, and surprisingly, Tigran
Avinyan, the Deputy Mayor of Yerevan,
who is a member of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s political party.

Nemesis was the name of the operation which was organized by
the Armenian Revolutionary Federation to eliminate several Ottoman leaders who
were responsible for the Armenian Genocide. This operation implemented the
death verdicts issued in absentia by the Turkish Military Tribunal in Istanbul, in 1919,
against the Genocide perpetrators, since they had fled from the country. Talaat
Pasha, the main culprit in the Armenian Genocide, was killed by Soghomon
Tehlirian in Berlin,
in 1921. A German court found him not guilty due to Talaat’s massive crimes.

Talaat’s remains were brought from Berlin
to Turkey
in 1943. The Turkish government ‘honored’ Talaat by naming avenues, mosques,
schools, hospitals and a memorial after him in Istanbul. This would be just as shameful, had
the German government named schools and avenues in Berlin after Hitler! Another Genocide
organizer, Minister of War Enver Pasha, is buried in the same memorial in Istanbul. His remains
were brought in 1996 to Turkey
from Tajikistan
where he was assassinated in 1922 by an Armenian.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu retaliated against
the Nemesis Monument
by announcing that Turkey
banned overflights by Armenian airlines from Turkish skies. Furthermore,
Cavusoglu brazenly announced that Turkey
would take additional steps against Armenia,
if the Nemesis Monument is not dismantled. Thus, Turkey violated
the rules of IATA (International Air Transport Association) which states that
countries cannot ban overflights for political reasons. Armenia should take legal action against Turkey under IATA rules and ban the overflights
of Turkish Airlines over Armenia’s
skies.

This unwarranted Turkish retaliation is taking place at a time
when the governments of Armenia
and Turkey
are negotiating for over a year to open their mutual border and normalize their
relations. Even though it is announced that these negotiations are taking place
“without any preconditions,” in reality, Turkey has made several demands, such
as Armenia declaring that Artsakh is part of Azerbaijan by recognizing its
territorial integrity, allowing the so-called ‘Zangezur Corridor’ to cross
Armenia’s territory, linking mainland Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhichevan,
which would mean that the ‘Corridor’ is under the sovereignty of Azerbaijan,
not Armenia.

Even if Turkey
would open the border someday, it will shut it down again if Armenia does not meet any of Turkey’s future
demands, thus continuously blackmailing the Armenian government. Turkey’s
current demand to dismantle the Nemesis Monument is an early warning of more
demands to come from Turkey, such as dismantling the Armenian Genocide Memorial
Complex in Yerevan, banning the burning of Turkish flags on April 24, and
removing from Armenia’s Declaration of Independence the paragraph that states:
“The Republic of Armenia supports the task of achieving international
recognition of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey and Western Armenia in
1915.”

This is the result of prostrating oneself in front of the
unrepentant enemy and begging for peace. In response to the Turkish ban of
Armenian overflights from Turkish skies, Armenia’s
leaders criticized their own country for erecting the Nemesis
Monument in Yerevan,
rather than telling Turkey
that they have no right to interfere in Armenia’s domestic decisions. In
the process of trying to appease Turkey,
Armenia’s
Prime Minister and the President of the Parliament made a number of
anti-Monument statements. So, it is OK for Turkey
to glorify Talaat, the Turkish Hitler, but not OK for Armenia to
honor those who killed the butcher. Armenia’s
leaders, rather than making excuses for the Nemesis
Monument, should have demanded that Turkey dismantle the Talaat Pasha Memorial in Istanbul.

Prime Minister Pashinyan made the excuse that the Nemesis Monument
was authorized by the City of Yerevan, not the
government of Armenia.
The Monument was approved by the Yerevan City Council on Sept. 14, 2021.
Pashinyan contradicted himself by first telling the Armenian Parliament that
the decision to authorize the Monument was made “to avoid being labeled
traitors…. But by doing so, we actually keep betraying the state and national
interests of our country.” He then went on to say that “a wrong decision was
made and the implementation of that decision was wrong.” Pashinyan also stated
that “one of the shortcomings of democracy is when the authorities or the
government leader is not controlling everything and everyone.” This is a
shocking statement from someone who came to power claiming to promote
democracy, yet he does not seem to understand the basic principles of
democracy. Pashinyan, in fact, controls everything and everyone in the country!

Meanwhile, the President of the Armenian Parliament Alen
Simonyan, during a press conference in Ankara
last week, also made excuses by saying that Turkey
should not view the Nemesis Monument “as an _expression_ of the foreign policy of
the government of Armenia
nor as an unfriendly act. The Armenian government’s foreign policy is conducted
by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.” Simonyan further said that only
“opposition members of the Parliament had attended the inauguration of the Nemesis Monument.” Cavusoglu replied that the
Armenian government’s excuses are “insincere and untrue. No one should try to
deceive us by saying that it does not fall within their jurisdiction.”

Armenia’s
leaders need to draw an important lesson from this episode. Unless Armenia immediately rejects Turkey’s attempts to interfere in Armenia’s internal affairs, I fear that the
Turkish government will be emboldened to impose further demands which will
severely restrict Armenia’s
sovereignty.

 

************************************************************************************************************************************************
2-         Azerbaijani who crossed into Armenia is
sentenced to prison

 

Agshin Babirov, one of the two Azerbaijanis who crossed the
border of Armenia,
has been sentenced to 11 years, 6 months and 15 days in prison, the Prosecutor
General’s Office confirmed to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

This Azerbaijani soldier was found guilty of illegally
crossing the Armenian state border, as well as illegally transporting firearms
and ammunition across the border.

Babirov has accepted the charges against him.

The criminal investigation in the case of Huseyin
Akhundov,  the other Azerbaijani who had
crossed into the Armenian border with Babirov, continues. In addition to the
aforesaid charges, Akhundov is accused also of killing the security guard of
Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine.

On April 10, it became known that two Azerbaijanis were seen
in Bnunis village of Sisian city of Armenia’s
Syunik Province the day before. On April 17,
the prosecutor’s office reported that two Azerbaijani servicemen who had ended
up in the territory
of Armenia were charged
and both were arrested. Moreover, one of them is accused of killing a man
guarding the guard post of the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine. According to
the statement of the Ministry of Defense (MOD) of Armenia,
on Monday, April 10, between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. local time, a serviceman of the
armed forces of Azerbaijan
was found and detained in the territory
of Armenia. Azerbaijani
media, citing the MOD of that country, had reported the disappearance of two
Azerbaijani servicemen. It was said that they had gotten lost while in
Nakhichevan due to bad weather and low visibility. The search for the second
serviceman continued for three days.

One of the two Azerbaijani servicemen was found by three
youth from Achanan village
of Syunik Province. Gor
Ohanjanyan and his friends were headed to Kapan when they saw the serviceman
wearing an Azerbaijani military uniform. They stopped to question him, and
police arrived shortly thereafter to investigate.

"He was wet, in a dirty condition. There were bullets,
masks with him, he had mixed ammunition. There was a phone as well in his hand;
it was the phone of the person who was found murdered in the [Zangezur
Copper-Molybdenum] Combine [guard post]," said Ohanjanyan.

These Azerbaijani servicemen were in Bnunis village of Syunik Province, and they had knocked on
the door of a local resident’s house. The first detained Azerbaijani was found
in Ashotavan village.

Local residents said that these Azerbaijanis had knocked on
the door of a local resident’s house for a long time; the landlady had opened
the door, saw masked soldiers, closed the door, and called the police. The
second Azerbaijani serviceman, who was caught by locals, was in civilian
clothes.

The Azerbaijani soldier was allegedly noticed near the
village shop, where some locals called the National Security Service after
gathering to prevent him from escaping.

Bununis and Ashotavan villages are quite far, about 20km
away, from the Azerbaijani positions.

Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan stated in parliament
Wednesday, April 12 that according to the information they have, the second
Azerbaijani soldier had said that “he had regretted crossing the border and
wanted to return.”

 

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3-         AYF-West CE Meets with Western US Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan

 

On Tuesday, May 2, the Armenian Youth Federation Western
United States (AYF-WUS) Central Executive met with His Grace Bishop Torkom
Donoyan, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Church in the United
States to hold a discussion surrounding an incident that took place on April 9
wherein AYF members were prohibited from distributing April 24 flyers at St.
Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale—a church within the Western
Prelacy’s jurisdiction. The meeting also included Daron Der-Khachadourian,
Chairman of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western USA (ARF-WUSA), as
well as Vahe Hovagimian and George Chorbajian representing the Western Prelacy
board.

Upon raising these concerns, the Bishop reaffirmed
that he and the Western Prelacy stand in solidarity with the AYF, and that the
churches and community centers of the Western Prelacy are home to all Armenian
youth. Donoyan continued to reassure that the issue of AYF members being
prohibited from properties owned by the Western Prelacy is unacceptable, and he
condemned the actions taken against AYF members in this capacity. Furthermore,
Donoyan expressed his deep disappointment and concern at the prohibition of AYF
members distributing flyers to invite the community to commemorate the Armenian
Genocide at their Rally for Humanity, noting there was no justification for
this action.

“It is equally important that we share with the public the
obstacles that our AYF membership faces, which are both unprecedented and
unacceptable to the AYF Central Executive, as well as showcase our unwavering
relationship with His Grace Bishop Torkom Donoyan and the Western Prelacy,”
said Alex Manoukian, of the AYF-WUS Central Executive. “There is strength in
unity between the AYF-WUS, ARF-WUS, His Grace Bishop Torkom Donoyan, and the
Western Prelacy in all condemning the targeting of AYF members by members of
this rogue group in spaces that belong to the greater community.”

Both the AYF-WUS CE and Bishop Donoyan again pledged to
continue to support each other.

 

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4-         Letters to the Editor

 

Dear Editor:

 

Referring to Harut Sassounian’s Publisher’s Views of April
27, 2023.

 

Thank you to historian and professor, Taner Akcam and Mr.
Sassounian for this extremely important document. Sergeant Oz was a participant
in the Dersim massacres and displacements of 1937-1938. The Kurdish Alevi
population—along with Armenian women and children who survived the Genocide of
1915—were the victims. Dutch anthropologist Martin van Bruinessen wrote
extensively about Dersim and honored the memory of Ismail Besikci who detailed
the atrocities confirmed in the letter by Sergeant Oz. Now we know, they were
the truth! Ataturk ordered these actions as he was still alive then. In 1922, my
father, Deli Sarkis, survived the catastrophe of Smyrna which was also under the leadership of
Ataturk. My father’s experiences in Smyrna
are detailed in Chapter 8 of my book of his life—Deli Sarkis: The Scars He
Carried.

Ellen Sarkisian Chesnut

Alameda,
Calif.

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Armenia doesn’t set apart platforms of talks, thanks all capitals for hosting negotiations

Diana Dabaghian

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 17:06,

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenia doesn’t set apart the platforms of negotiations around a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, FM Ararat Mirzoyan said on April 28.

“Armenia doesn’t put a difference between the platforms, there is one peace process and the negotiations are taking place around the same text of the peace treaty and its provisions. We are grateful to all the capitals that are providing a platform, who try to be a bridge in this process. There is no such issue for Armenia to negotiate in a specific place, be it Moscow, Brussels or Washington,” Mirzoyan said.

Whitinsville breaks ground for new Armenian Heritage Monument

Diana Dabaghian
 Victoria Waterman Community News 0

Pictured from left to right State Rep. David K. Muradian, Jr., Timothy Wickstrom, Board chair of UniBank, Michael Welch, CEO of UniBank, Jim Tusino, Guaranteed Builders Inc., Charles Ampagoomian, Jr., Northbridge Board of Selectmen member, Russell Collins, Northbridge Board of Selectmen chair, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian and Rev. Fr. Mikael Der Kosrofian (Photo: Danold Ampagoomian)

WHITINSVILLE, Mass.—Like many things, the Armenian Heritage Monument in Whitinsville started as a single thought: how great it would be to come together every Memorial Day to remember, honor and pray for the souls of the immigrants who survived the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and were welcomed to Whitinsville to build new lives.  

They suffered, they sacrificed and they survived making today possible for Armenian Americans who now enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in this great state and country we all call home. Many worked in the Whitin Machine Works and were an integral part of the labor pool, helping to build the local economy.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Armenian Heritage Monument was held on Tuesday, April 18 at Pine Grove Cemetery in Whitinsville. Highlighting the event was the site blessing by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of US, joined by Rev. Fr. Mikael Der Kosrofian and Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church.

Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian and Rev. Fr. Mikael Der Kosrofian during the site blessing for the monument (Photo: Danold Ampagoomian)

“We are blessed for having a shared vision with community supporters and leaders for this monument to be erected in a special place where the majority of Armenians from Whitinsville have been laid to rest,” stated Rev. Fr. Der Kosrofian.

This monument will consist of a khachkar (stone cross) from Armenia which will be placed in the center and embraced by three pillars. These pillars represent the Holy Trinity, and on each will be engraved the forget-me-not flower, expressing the theme of eternal remembrance. The base of each pillar will be rough cut to represent the hardships and suffering of our survivors. As the pillars ascend, the roughness will transform into a smooth finish, symbolizing the life we enjoy today.

Distinguished members of the community State Rep. David K. Muradian (9th Worcester District), UniBank CEO Michael Welch and Board chair Timothy Wickstrom, Northbridge Board of Selectmen chair Russell Collins and member Charles Ampagoomian, Jr., and Jim Tusino of Guaranteed Builders, Inc. were also in attendance.

Monument watercolor rendering by Yeva Der Kosrofian

  •  Bio
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Victoria (Atamian) Waterman is an aspiring author who was born in Rhode Island. Growing up in an immigrant, bilingual, multi-generational home with survivors of the Armenian Genocide has shaped the storyteller she has become. She is a trustee of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church and chair of the Armenian Heritage Monument in Whitinsville, MA.