Please find the attached press release of the Ministry of Diaspora. Sincerely, Media and PR Department (+374 10) 585601, internal 805 ---------------------- Հարգանքով` Մամուլի և հասարակայնության հետ կապերի վարչություն (+374 10) 585601, ներքին 805
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FORUM 18 NEWS SERVICE, Oslo, Norway
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=ME1Zj9maScJar2bUOR8PKDxKFTkl6fVUGHt-EEgYzqk&e=
The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief
=================================================
Tuesday 6 February 2018
AZERBAIJAN: SUFIS RAIDED, INITIAL FINE, PROTESTANTS RAIDED
Sufi Muslim Rashad Abidov was fined in Sheki for hosting a religious
meeting raided by police, but managed to overturn the fine on appeal.
Police raided Star in the East Pentecostal Church in Gyanja during Sunday
worship. Police phoned the schools of children present. Fines might follow.
AZERBAIJAN: SUFIS RAIDED, INITIAL FINE, PROTESTANTS RAIDED
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2350&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=5Lo0CFSxsf5gMAREqaug81CE69xunt_pIJ0TMbNZOlQ&e=
By Felix Corley, Forum 18
In December 2017, Sufi Muslim Rashad Abidov, whose home in the northern
town of Sheki was raided by police during a religious meeting, managed to
overturn the large fine handed down for holding a meeting without state
permission. Police had brought the case rather than officials of the State
Committee for Work with Religious Organisations.
On 28 January 2018, police raided a Sunday worship service of a Protestant
church in Azerbaijan's second city Gyanja. Police phoned the schools of
children present at the service. Fines might follow (see below).
On 31 January, Azerbaijan's Constitutional Court in the capital Baku wrote
to Baptist pastor Hamid Shabanov in Aliabad in the northern Zakatala
[Zaqatala] District to tell him it would not be considering his further
appeal against a large fine for meeting for worship without state
permission handed down in December 2016. Pastor Shabanov - a former
prisoner of conscience - must now pay the fine of more than three months'
average wages for those in formal work. Another Baptist from the same
church, Mehman Agamammadov, has now paid all three instalments of his fine.
Their Baptist church in Aliabad has been seeking registration - in vain -
since 1994. Police and state officials have warned church members not to
meet. "If we meet again for worship, we'll get double the fine," Pastor
Shabanov told Forum 18 officials had warned them (see below).
Strict controls
The government imposes severe controls on who is allowed to meet for
worship and where. All religious communities must have state registration
before they can legally function. However, many communities (like the
Baptist church in Aliabad) are arbitrarily denied such registration. Muslim
communities outside the framework of the state-backed Muslim Board are
banned, although this is not enshrined in any law (see Forum 18's
Azerbaijan religious freedom survey
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2081&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=V4c1FV4QEW_JAD9joW7CwvKFJnyG_BNGaIJL6VYuiAI&e=>).
Fines are typically 1,500 Manats (6,900 Norwegian Kroner, 715 Euros or 890
US Dollars). This represents nearly three months' average wages for those
with a formal job. However, for those in rural areas, those without a
formal job, or pensioners, such fines represent a far heavier financial
burden.
Officials from the police, State Security Service (SSS) secret police,
State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations, and Religious
Affairs Commissions attached to city or district administrations frequently
raid meetings for worship and help punish those exercising their right to
freedom of religion or belief (see F18News 18 December 2017
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2343&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=1uKTiLL7k_c1_DDjrX7CU14EgivgZ0LFaxGVPOHSUso&e=>).
Criminal prosecutions
These raids come as prisoner of conscience Imam Serdar Babayev is
challenging his three-year prison term handed down in July 2017 to punish
him for leading services in a Shia Muslim mosque after gaining his
religious education abroad. His first appeal failed in September 2017 (see
F18News 18 December 2017
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2343&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=1uKTiLL7k_c1_DDjrX7CU14EgivgZ0LFaxGVPOHSUso&e=>).
The Supreme Court in
the capital Baku is due to begin hearing his latest appeal on the morning
of 13 February (see forthcoming F18News article).
Another prisoner of conscience, Shia Muslim Taleh Bagirov, is facing a
further criminal case. His trial at Baku's Qaradag District Court began on
6 February on charges of illegally having memory cards with the Koran and
Koranic-related material while in prison. The trial is due to resume on the
morning of 13 February, his lawyer Javad Javadov told Forum 18 from Baku on
6 February (see forthcoming F18News article).
Bagirov, seized during an armed police assault on the village of Nardaran
near Baku in November 2015, is already serving a 20-year jail term for
leading the Muslim Unity Movement (see F18News 9 February 2017
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2254&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=xAkEXlk0Yz_r0xdcjffBSbidUUa_w6zZFegGRylJRnA&e=>).
Sheki: Police raid Sufi meeting, fine eventually overturned
On 18 August 2017, Police in the northern town of Sheki raided the home of
44-year-old Rashad Abidov at the behest of Chief Criminal Investigator
Major Ilham Mammadov. Investigator Lieutenant Ayaz Bayramov led the raid,
where officers found Sufi Muslims meeting without state permission.
Officers seized 13 books by the Turkish Sufi leaders Imam Iskender Ali Mihr
and Abdulcabbar Boran, as well as discs and three computers.
On 10 October 2017, Investigator Bayramov intended to open a criminal case
against Abidov but this was rejected. On 23 October 2017, Captain Shamil
Bazarov instead opened a case against him under Administrative Code Article
515.0.2. This punishes "Violating legislation on holding religious
meetings, marches, and other religious ceremonies". The fine for
individuals for this "offence" is between 1,500 and 2,000 Manats.
The case against Abidov was handed to Sheki District Court. On 14 November
2017, Judge Jahid Imanov found him guilty and fined him 1,500 Manats (6,900
Norwegian Kroner, 715 Euros or 890 US Dollars).
Abidov appealed against the fine to Sheki Appeal Court. On 15 December 2017
Judge Rafail Aliyev upheld Abidov's appeal, as the wrong officials had
prepared the administrative case, according to the decision seen by Forum
18. A 3 May 2017 presidential decree said only State Committee officials
could prepare cases for court under Administrative Code Article 515 (all
parts) and Article 516.0.1. Police had prepared the case against Abidov.
Lieutenant Bayramov of Sheki Police refused to explain why officers had
raided Abidov's home, seized religious literature and other items, tried to
bring a criminal case and then brought an administrative case because he
was hosting a meeting with others in his home about his faith. "No criminal
case is underway," he told Forum 18 on 6 February 2018 via a colleague. The
colleague then said he refused to answer any other questions and left the
office.
Officers told Forum 18 the same day that Major Mammadov and Captain Bazarov
were out of the office. The duty officer told Forum 18 that the raid on
Abidov's home and the case against him "did not happen".
Taleh Abdullayev, the representative in Sheki of the State Committee,
refused to answer any of Forum 18's questions about the August 2017 raid -
including whether or not he or his colleagues had been present - about what
had happened to the religious literature seized from Abidov and why he was
originally fined. "Don't call here again," he told Forum 18 on 6 February
before putting the phone down.
Gyanja: Police raid worship meeting
On 28 January, Police in Gyanja's Nizami District raided the Sunday meeting
for worship of Star in the East Pentecostal Church, held in the home of
45-year-old church member Adalat Sariyev. About 100 people - 40 of them
children - were present at the meeting when the police arrived, Report.az
news website noted on 30 January.
"The invasion came during the service, and officers filmed everyone present
with video-cameras and took their personal details, including of children,"
one church member told Forum 18 from Gyanja.
Police detained Sariyev and sent information about him to the State
Committee for Work with Religious Organisations, Report.az noted.
Following the raid, schools attended by the children received calls from
the police, church members told Forum 18.
The man who answered the phone of Nizami District Police chief - who would
not give his name - refused to explain why officers raided a meeting for
worship in a home. "Ask the Interior Ministry," he told Forum 18 on 5
February. The officer then admitted that local police, not officers from
the Ministry in Baku, had conducted the raid, but still refused to explain
why it had been launched. "We work according to the laws of Azerbaijan," he
insisted and then put the phone down.
An official of the Gyanja branch of the State Committee, who refused to
give his name, told Forum 18 on 5 February that the head of the branch Asif
Aliyev was away for the whole of the week. The official insisted the police
had raided the church "to take a look only" and to "ask questions" of
Sariyev.
Asked what church members had done wrong to merit a police raid during a
religious meeting, the official responded: "They didn't do anything wrong.
They simply have no registration." The official refused to explain why a
religious community should be raided for meeting for worship without state
registration. He claimed Sariyev would face no court case.
Like many Protestant churches (as well as non-Muslim Board mosques, and
communities of other faiths), Star in the East Church in Gyanja does not
have state registration.
Church members do not know whether Sariyev or others will face any court
case. "Nothing is certain at the moment," church members told Forum 18.
"From what officials say it is possible some further action will follow."
Aliabad: Constitutional Court refuses to consider appeal
On 31 January, Azerbaijan's Constitutional Court Baku wrote to 61-year-old
Baptist pastor Hamid Shabanov in Aliabad to tell him it would not be
considering his further appeal against a fine of 1,500 Manats for meeting
for worship without state permission handed down in December 2016.
"The Constitutional Court wrote to say that I lodged the appeal too late,"
Pastor Shabanov told Forum 18 from Aliabad on 6 February. "I must now pay
the fine. The law demands that I pay - they warned me that if I don't,
they'll be further action."
Another Baptist from the same church, Mehman Agamammadov, has now paid all
three instalments of his 1,500 Manat-fine at the insistence of the court
bailiff. Despite being repeatedly refused the written decision and despite
objecting to being fined for exercising his right to freedom of religion or
belief he paid the first instalment of 500 Manats in early December 2017
(see F18News 15 December 2017
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2342&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=ga9qnQ2t-IlavVhTuUSckJNHoFuzQEZEn5rq3-nqyX0&e=>).
"Mehman has now paid
the other two instalments," Pastor Shabanov told Forum 18.
The fines followed a November 2016 raid by police and the local State
Committee official on an "illegal" meeting for prayer in Pastor Shabanov's
home. Police detained more than 30 adults and children present, after which
16 women and 10 men were questioned at the local police station until 10 pm
at night. Police sent confiscated religious literature to the State
Committee in Baku for alleged "expert analysis". The literature was all
returned the following month.
In a 15-minute hearing on 12 December 2016, Zakatala District Court found
both Pastor Shabanov and Agamammadov guilty and fined them each the minimum
fine, 1,500 Manats. Both Baptists were punished under Administrative Code
Article 515.0.2 ("Violating legislation on holding religious meetings,
marches, and other religious ceremonies").
Pastor Shabanov managed to get the written decision only in January 2017.
Agamammadov never received the written decision, despite repeated attempts
to get it from the court. Pastor Shabanov lodged his appeal to the
Constitutional Court in October 2017 after Sheki Appeal Court refused in
June 2017 to extend the period for him to lodge his appeal against the
December 2016 fine (see F18News 17 January 2017
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2247&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=1fW_qaK-ycDyoUsuW9-kmziePPoWd8ebXQgKxc-OLqU&e=>).
The Aliabad Baptist Church has been seeking registration - in vain - since
1994. Former prisoner of conscience Pastor Shabanov was held in pre-trial
detention from June to November 2008. In February 2009 he was given a
two-year suspended sentence on charges he and his fellow-Baptists insisted
were fabricated. He was arrested a month after another Aliabad Pastor, Zaur
Balaev, was freed after nearly a year in prison on false charges (see
F18News 12 February 2009
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_Archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D1254&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=joIoshiY9iYPfvH8GgV95GsMt57CR21FhWUBFzwtYeQ&e=>).
The Aliabad Church has been unable to meet together for worship since the
November 2016 raid. In November 2017, the head of the State Committee Legal
Department Sabina Allahverdiyeva wrote to the Church warning that it cannot
meet for worship without state registration (see F18News 15 December 2017
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2342&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=ga9qnQ2t-IlavVhTuUSckJNHoFuzQEZEn5rq3-nqyX0&e=>).
"If we meet again for worship, we'll get double the fine," Pastor Shabanov
quoted officials as having told church members, he told Forum 18. (END)
For background information see Forum 18's Azerbaijan religious freedom
survey at
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D2081&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=V4c1FV4QEW_JAD9joW7CwvKFJnyG_BNGaIJL6VYuiAI&e=>.
More coverage of freedom of thought, conscience and belief in Azerbaijan is
at
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_Archive.php-3Fquery-3D-26religion-3Dall-26country-3D23&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=c7lAuAuDM8bokXvK0pIGIKuQU7EDk9MT56KgGxE0-OQ&e=>.
A compilation of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
(OSCE) freedom of religion or belief commitments can be found at
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_Archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D1351&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=xPlZG9fhXwzEcVRERMmx312E3WdpdevvCuz_Mq7_xGQ&e=>.
For a personal commentary, by an Azeri Protestant, on how the international
community can help establish religious freedom in Azerbaijan, see
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.forum18.org_Archive.php-3Farticle-5Fid-3D482&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=z_sb49ffJL0hPJXrCLUfAmoM64HEm_KwOQF33yohNRQ&e=>.
A printer-friendly map of Azerbaijan is available at
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__nationalgeographic.org_education_mapping_outline-2Dmap_-3Fmap-3DAzerbaijan&d=DwIBaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=82fTtNGbambwvSaZIYKkjfPvSN_EpzZq_r-WYZ_z-Qk&s=6jH3HP41qDGH9NiHDzZBFfP7ZisBIGG3_SRxVJnkB1Q&e=>.
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Հայաստանում տեղաբաշխված Հարավային ռազմական շրջանի ռուսական ռազմակայանի «Էրեբունի» ավիացիոն ռազմաբազայի օդաչուները օդային մարտեր են մղել պայմանական հակառակորդի ինքնաթիռների դեմ։ Այս մասին հայտնում է շրջանի լրատվական ծառայությունը:
Նշվում է, որ գործնական պարապմունքներն անցկացվել են զորաﬕավորման հրամանատարի ղեկավարությամբ ՄիԳ-29 կործանիչների օդաչուների մարտական պատրաստության պլանային պարապմունքների շրջանակներում: Կործանիչների անձնակազﬔրը համատեղ գործողություններ են իրականացրել հակաօդային պաշտպանության ստորաբաժանուﬓերի հետ, պայմանական օդային մարտեր են մղել՝ դիմագրավելով պայմանական հակառակորդի ինքնաթիռների գրոհները:
Վարժանքների ընթացքում օդաչուների կողﬕց կատարվել է շուրջ 30 պլանային թռիչք, որոնց մասնակցել է շուրջ 50 ﬕավոր ռազմական ցամաքային ու ավիացիոն տեխնիկա և 150-ից ավելի զինծառայողներ, այդ թվում՝ օդաչուներ, ռազմական օդակայանների ինժեներատեխնիկական կազﬕ եւ հակաօդային պաշտպանության ստորաբաժանուﬓերի ներկայացուցիչներ:
The UN General Assembly resolution that slams the US President’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital city of Israeli and the voting on this resolution is discussed in Turkish social media.
In particular, numerous Turkish users of Twitter recalled that even Armenia voted for this resolution, whereas many of Turkey’s friendship and nationally-related countries either abstained or did not take part in the voting.
In this connection, a Twitter user named Sadık Sofuoğlu wrote as follows: “Shame on you, our friend Bosnia and Herzegovina, which voted in abstention on the Jerusalem vote, and our kin, coreligionist Turkmenistan, which didn’t even participate in the voting. You couldn’t be even an Armenia.”
As reported earlier, the UN General Assembly voted 128-9 with 35 abstentions on Thursday in favor of a nonbinding resolution declaring US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital “null and void.” Armenia also voted for the resolution.
On December 6, US President Donald Trump stated, that he recognizes Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel, and said the US Department of State has been ordered to start transferring the US embassy in Israel, from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
But this decision has brought about worldwide reaction.
On
December 15, 2017 in Yerevan a special course “Rethinking China’s Foreign
Policy”, was launched by “China-Eurasia”Council for Political and
Strategic Research” Foundation.
The
main purpose of the course is to provide a comprehensive analyze on
contemporary China’s foreign policy.
Foreign and Armenian specialists in the field
of Chinese Studies and International Relations will deliver lectures for the
Armenian young specialists who are interested in China’s Foreign Policy.
23
individuals were selected by the organizing committee to participate in series
of lectures “Rethinking China’s Foreign Policy” which will hold from December
15 to 20, in Yerevan, Armenia.
Dr. Mher Sahakyan,
the head of the “China-Eurasia” Council for Political and Strategic
Research” Foundation, a research fellow at NDRU, MoD mentioned at the
opening ceremony: “In order to have a full picture of China’s foreign
policy, in this Special Course we have involved Armenian and foreign experts
who research China’s policy and economy for many years. I hope that during this
course we will pass knowledge and skills to our younger generation of
sinologists. Hopefully in the near future they will have their own contribution
and impact on improving Sino-Armenian relations.”
2017թ․ դեկտեմբերի
15-ին Երևանում
մեկնարկեց ««Չինաստան–Եվրասիա» քաղաքական
և ռազմավարական
հետազոտությունների խորհուրդ»»
հիմնադրամի կողմից
կազմակերպված՝ «Վերաիմաստավորելով Չինաստանի արտաքին քաղաքականությունը» հատուկ դասընթացը։
Դասընթացի հիմնական նպատակն
է ժամանակակից
Չինաստանի արտաքին
քաղաքականության համակողմանի
քննարկումը, ««Չինաստան–Եվրասիա» քաղաքական
և ռազմավարական
հետազոտությունների խորհուրդ»»
հիմնադրամի հետ
համագործակցող արտասահմանցի
և հայ
մասնագետների օգնությամբ՝
հայ երիտասարդ
մասնագետներին գիտելիքներ
և հմտություններ
փոխանցելը։
Դասընթացին մասնակցելու հրավերք
են ստացել
23 հոգի, ովքեր
հաղթել են
մրցույթում և հնարավորություն են
ստացել դեկտեմբերի
15-20-ը մասնակցել դասընթացներին։
«Դասընթացը կազմակերպելու հիմնական նպատակն է՝ տարիների ընթացքում Չինաստանի վերաբերյալ
կուտակված գիտելիքները Հայաստանում չինագիտությամբ զբաղվողներին փոխանցելը։ Որպեսզի
մենք ունենանք ամբողջական պատկեր, քննարկումներին ընդգրկել ենք, թե՛ հայ, թե՛ արտասահմանցի
մասնագետների, ովքեր երկար տարիներ ուսումնասիրում են Չինաստանը կամ անձամբ մասնակցել
են չինական կողմի հետ բանակցություններին։ Այնպես որ, դասընթացի ընթացքում կքննարկենք, թե՛ Չինաստանի
քաղաքական, թե՛ տնտեսական հիմնահարցերին վերաբերող խնդիրները։ Հուսով եմ, որ մասնակիցները
դասընթացների ընթացքում ձեռք բերած գիտելիքները՝ կօգտագործեն հայ-չինական հարաբերություններն
ամրապնդելու գործում»։
В Ереване
стартовал специальный курс «Переосмыслив Внешнюю Политику Китая»
В 2017г. 15 декабря в Ереване стартовал специальный курс «Переосмыслив
Внешнюю Политику Китая», организованный фондом ««Совет Политических и Стратегических
Исследований
«Китай-Евразия»».
Основной целью курса является всестороннее обсуждение внешней политики
Китая с помощью иностранных и армянских специалистов, передачу знаний и навыков
молодым китаистам, международникам, журналистам и экономистам Армении.
На лекции были приглашены 23 специалистов, которые выиграли в конкурсе, и
получили возможность принять участие в специальном курсе «Переосмыслив Внешнюю
Политику Китая», который пройдет с 15 до20 декабря в Ереване.
Руководитель «Совета политических и стратегических исследований
«Китай-Евразия»», научный исследователь НИУО Мгер Саакян, отметил. «Основная
цель курса – передать накопленные знания о Китае тем, кто занимается
исследованиями Поднебесного в Армении. Для того, чтобы иметь полномасштабную
дискуссию и понять политические и экономические вопросы Китая, мы включили в
проект как армянских, так и зарубежных экспертов, которые в течении многих лет
изучают Китай или лично участвуют в переговорах с китайской стороной. Я
надеюсь, что участники будут использовать полученные знания для укрепления
армяно-китайских отношений».
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The results of the “Organic Agricultural Development” 2017-2018 program jointly implemented by ACBA-CREDIT AGRICOLE BANK and Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union in Germany (NABU) have been summarized.
For determining the results of the contest the priority has been given to those entrepreneurs, who in case of certification will have wide opportunity to export their products and will initiate new jobs creation, also has been considered the fact of operating in border communities.
So, 15 companies out of 70 who had applied to the program have become winners.
The annual program of “Organic Agricultural Development” is implemented since 2015. Within the framework of the program, 30 entrepreneurs have received organic certification. With the support of German specialists, the project beneficiaries have been trained each year. More than 50 new jobs have already been created, provided with the opportunity of award winning and operating in BIO production. In 2017-2018 it is planned to create 70 new jobs.
Organic Agriculture Development project is implemented for the clients of ACBA-CREDIT AGRICOLE Bank.
The winners are:
1 Armen Hovhannisyan
2 Ishkhan Aslanyan
3 Aleksan Hovhannisyan
Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho were involved in a heated training ground bust-up following a video analysis session, according to ESPN.
Mkhitaryan, 28, has been absent from seven of United's last eight matchday squads and sources at Old Trafford have confirmed that the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder angered Mourinho by disagreeing with the manager's assessment of his contribution during a substitute appearance against Brighton on November 25.
Mourinho was unhappy with Mkhitaryan's defensive work rate and a mistake made by the player, singling the Armenian international out for criticism in front of the rest of the first-team squad.
Mkhitaryan responded to his manager's remarks, with the player continuing to debate Mourinho's assessment of his performance in the corridor outside the analysis suite at Carrington.
Mourinho was unimpressed by Mkhitaryan's performance against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the beginning of November and has not selected him to start since.
When asked directly, Mourinho hinted that other deserved to play more than the Armenia international.
Inter Milan are reportedly keen to sign Mkhitaryan, who signed for United in July 2016, and could offer Portugal midfielder Joao Mario in an effort to negotiate a deal when the transfer window opens next month.
We're no longer surprised by demolition of Soviet monuments in Poland, by people calling Banderivtsi heroes of the Second World War in Ukraine and by parades of Nazi veterans in the Baltic states. Even if it continues to outrage us, we kinda got used to it. But the glorification of fascism takes place not only there, but also in the neighboring and, as we continue to believe, friendly Armenia?
In 2016, a monument to a new national hero of Armenia, Garegin Nzhdeh, was erected on the main square of Yerevan. Why new? Because in the days of Soviet Armenia, Nzhdeh was considered a collaborator, one of creators of the Armenian Legion of the Wehrmacht. So who Garegin Nzhdeh is and what's wrong with him?
"Aryanism, courage – this is the religion of your generation, young Armenian" – Garegin Nzhdeh
In the 1930s, Armenian military officer, who once served in the Russian Empire's army, Garegin Ter-Harutyunyan, who was later known as Nzhdeh, created a doctrine called Tseghakronism. It's a nationalist ideology, according to which a nation is the highest value for any individual, without which he can't exist.
It seems like a decent idea – love your motherland, be a part of the nation and help to preserve its original culture. And it would be great if it wasn't for one similarity with another notable "author", who at this time was operating in Germany. In his works, Nzhdeh divides Armenians into three groups: Tsekhamard, Zhokhovurd and Takank. The former are the best part of Armenian nation, the latter are far from eternal ideals and goals. But the third ones are internal enemy of Armenians, a part of the external enemy. They are spineless and disgusting people who don't do anything useful for the state. Does it sound familiar?
It's very similar to racist concept of mensch and untermensch – a human and a subhuman. By the way, one of Nzhdeh's "works" is called "My Credo": even the name looks very similar to "Mein Kampf". Another work of this "hero" of Armenia is called "People Professing Courage and Aryanism". Yes, Aryanism! Garegin Nzhdeh wanted to cooperated with Hitler as early as the 1930s, and in order to obtain a loyal ally in the Caucasus, the Third Reich had to recognize "Aryan origin of Armenians".
"Native land of one nation can't become home for another" – Garegin Nzhdeh
In 1919, after the Russian Empire ceased to exist, Garegin Nzhdeh decides to fight for creation of independent Armenia. In September of the same year, he arrives to Zangezur (South-East Armenia) and begins to forcibly "Armenize" this region, expelling remaining Azerbaijani population and brutally suppressing uprisings in 32 local Azerbaijani villages.
Garegin Nzhdeh, just like Germans, considered Bolsheviks as "organic enemies". That's why when the Red Army entered Armenia, he organized an uprising. Only in Zangezur, Soviet authorities killed 12,000 soldiers. But this was only the beginning of the war that Nzhdeh waged on Soviet Union.
"Those who die for Germany, die for Armenia" – Garegin Nzhdeh
In 1921, Nzhdeh flees abroad. First to Persia, then to Bulgaria. He lived in the US for some time he until he finally settled in Germany, where he begins cooperation with the highest representatives of the Third Reich.
These days, Armenian intellectuals often say that Nzhdeh was forced to cooperate with them to protect Armenia from possible attack by Turkey and in order restore the independence of the republic from the USSR. However, documents that declassified were by the CIA tell a different story. On September 1, 1945, Armenian Mirror-Spectator newspaper, published in the United States, published a document, according to which the National Council of Armenia appealed to Alfred Rosenberg, asking turn Soviet Armenia into German colony. Garegin Nzhdeh was among the members of this Council.
The fact that Garegin Nzhdeh voluntarily began to cooperate with the Nazi regime and became one of the founders of the Armenian Legion of the Wehrmacht (soldiers of this formation participated in occupation of Crimea) is enough to call him a criminal.
In October of 1945, Garegin Nzhdeh was arrested and sent to Lubyanka. He died in 1955 in Vladimir prison.
"If you want to see the future of the nation, look at its youth" – Garegin Nzhdeh
25 years after the collapse of the USSR, Armenia once again remembered about Nzhdeh. It remembered him not as a collaborator, but as a "national hero" and… philosopher. The country started to name streets and squares after him, erect monuments, make films, publish books.
Of course, revival of the "cult" of Nzhdeh in Armenia was quickly noticed. The reaction of the Russian Foreign Ministry was relatively restrained, but straightforward: "Everybody knows what we think about the Great Patriotic War, as well as how we treat any forms of revival, heroization and any manifestations of Nazism, neo-Nazism, extremism. It's not clear for us why this monument was erected, because we all know about the immortal feat of Armenian people during the Great Patriotic War, World War II," official representative of the Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said.
Some time after this monument was installed, a petition appeared at change.org. It demanded to demolish this monument. It was mostly signed by grandchildren of those who participated in the war and don't agree with the opinion that "Nzhdeh is the greatest humanitarian philosopher and commander of all time". Fascism is not as far away as it seems.
You can argue with this statement, but Nzhdeh's words about the future of the nation and its youth, which were mentioned above, are pretty correct. This is one of the few quotes that should be remembered. It's a pity that new Armenian generation does it in such a way. It looks like it created an alternative history. But why should we be surprised? Russian schools in Armenia were shut down right after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and by 2000 they remain only in the garrisons of Russian army. In other words, Armenian government did everything to ensure that Armenian children couldn't study in Russian schools.
Elite of the country is actively trying to convince modern Armenian youth that Garegin Nzhdeh is the savior of their nation. And, by paying tribute to the time when he fought for independence from the Soviet government, they turn a blind eye to the facts of cooperation with the Nazi regime. Is it fair? If it is, then you can justify any betrayal and any crime against humanity. Be it general Vlasov, or even Hitler himself, since he also wanted to create a better world for his people. We all remember how it ended.
Asbarez – On Sunday, November 19, the Holy Trinity Church of Fresno celebrated the 117th anniversary of its establishment with Episcopal Divine Liturgy and a banquet. Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian celebrated Divine Liturgy, delivered the sermon, and presided over the banquet.
State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Arayik Haroutyunyan, Permanent Representatives of the Republic of Artsakh to the United States Robert Avetisyan, Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Executive Director Ara Vardanyan, Armenia Fund Executive Director Sarkis Kotanjian, Prelacy Executive Council Chairman Vahe Hovaguimian and members, Sunday School students, Homenetmen representatives and scouts participated in the celebration. On this day, by the ordinance of the Prelate and the request of Homenetmen Western Region Executive, requiem prayers were offered in all Prelacy Churches for the souls of departed Homenetmen members.
The Prelate was greeted by faithful parishioners and Homenetmen scouts at his arrival to the Church. Shortly thereafter, as the choir sang “Hrashapar,” the Prelate entered the sanctuary in a procession to begin the Divine Liturgy, clad in a new Liturgical vestment gifted by the parish on the occasion of his milestone anniversaries. Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Ashekian, Parish Priest, assisted at the altar.
The Prelate began his sermon by congratulating the parish family on their 117th anniversary and commending all the servers and volunteers for contributing their part to maintaining and advancing the historic parish community, in particular Fr. Dajad and Board members. His Eminence greeted the honored guests, whom he noted were in town to take part in Armenia Fund’s 20th International Telethon on Thanksgiving Day, and urged the community to lend its generous support to the Telethon, titled “Fruitful Artsakh,” proceeds of which will be allocated to the construction of irrigation syste “As Artsakh is largely an agricultural economy, the success of this project is absolutely vital as it will boost the economy tremendously and provide a better life for its citizens,” stressed the Prelate.
The Prelate then turned to the day’s Gospel reading from Luke 9:44-50 which conveys the message of humility and loving service to others with the words of our Lord Jesus Christ that “he who is least among you all will be great.”
The Prelate stated that true greatness is in servant-hood and in humbling ourselves to lift up and encourage others. By using the example of a child in the reading, Jesus teaches us that we must welcome and honor those whom society regards as unimportant. “In our religious and national ministry there is no great or least among us. We all are children of God and of our nation, and to be effective servants of our Christ and our nation, we must serve with humility and love for all, in the prime example of our Lord Jesus Christ Who came not to be served, but to serve,” stressed the Prelate.
He stated that one hundred and seventeen year ago the founders of Holy Trinity Church did just this; they banded together as members of one family and toiled with faith, love, and humility to establish the parish, and urged the parish family to serve in their example to keep the community strong and prosperous for years to come.
The Prelate concluded his sermon by paying tribute to the departed members of Homenetmen who served with faith, love, and humility for the greater good, the good of our youth, guided by the motto “elevate yourself and others with you,” and blessed the present-day members for their dedicated service.