Armenpress News Agency , Armenia September 29, 2017 Friday NK conflict should be viewed from the perspective of human rights – Armenian parliament Speaker receives members of CSTO PA Delegation YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ara Babloyan received the members of the CSTO PA Delegation, who arrived in Armenia to take part in the outgoing session of the CSTO PA Permanent Commission on Political Issues and International Cooperation. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the National Assembly of Armenia, welcoming the guests in the parliament, the parliament Speaker highlighted the role of security and peace for the peoples living in our region. Ara Babloyan underlined the importance of the rise of efficiency of the CSTO authority and activity. In the Speaker’s word, speaking about security we should take into consideration both the external and internal factors and assist the participant countries to realize the importance of the organization in the preservation of security. Ara Babloyan noted: “There are no problems that are not possible to solve through peaceful means, we should have political will and wishto have dialogues, and even the most complicated issues would be solved.” The Speaker of the parliament of Armenia emphasized the mutually agreed steps, the constructive approaches, and the necessity of cooperating on the international platforms of the CSTO member states. Touching upon the NK conflict, Ara Babloyan noted: “We should observe the NK issue from the perspective of human rights: as in the centre of attention are the human beings regardless of their nationality and religion.” At the end of the meeting the members of the CSTO PA delegation presented to Ara Babloyan their observations on the activities of the organization, cooperation between the participant countries and the necessity of showing common approaches to the issues urgent for them. Ara Babloyan wished productive work and new achievements to the members of the delegation.
Author: Emma Jilavian
ICRC staff visited persons who, as a result of the Karabakh conflict, are held by the parties
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia Saturday ICRC staff visited persons who, as a result of the Karabakh conflict, are held by the parties Yerevan September 30 Mariana Mkrtchyan. Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) met with persons who, as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, are held by the parties to this conflict. According to Ilah Huseynov, the head of the public relations department of the Azerbaijani representation of the ICRC, representatives of the structure visited the persons who were detained as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in September: "We regularly visit persons detained as a result of the conflict. In accordance with its mandate, the ICRC organizes visits in order to monitor the conditions of detention and treatment of detainees, as well as to help ensure the connection of detainees with their families." To note, at the present time in Nagorno-Karabakh there are three Azerbaijani saboteurs, Dilgam Askerov and Shahbaz Guliyev, serving sentences in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as Elnur Huseynzade, who was captured near the Karabakh village of Talish on February 1, 2017, on suspicion of attempting sabotage and illegal crossing of the state border of Artsakh. Azerbaijani citizens Shahbaz Guliyev (born in 1968), Dilgam Askerov (born in 1960), and the liquidated third participant of the group Hasan Hasanov, carrying weapons and ammunition, illegally crossed the state border of Artsakh on June 29, penetrated into the territory of the Shahumyan district of the republic with the purpose of carrying out reconnaissance activities. These individuals on a special mission collected information and carried out espionage activities. Moreover, they, with the use of weapons, kidnapped a minor citizen of Artsakh Smbat Tsakanyan on July 4, whose body was found on July 15 with gunshot wounds in the forest belt of Karvachar and Manashid communities of Shahumyan district. In addition, Gasanov killed a resident of Yerevan Sargis Abrahamyan (born in 1971) on the 32nd kilometer of the Vardenis-Karvachar highway on the grounds of national hatred on the evening of July 11, and Karine Davtyan, a resident of Dzoraghbyur village of Kotayk province, caused gunshot wounds. He showed armed resistance during the operation to detain him and was shot dead. At a meeting on December 29, 2014, Dilgam Askerov was sentenced to life imprisonment. Shahbaz Guliyev was sentenced to 22 years in prison. The Court of Appeal left the verdict unchanged. In Azerbaijan, two Armenians are detained - a prisoner of war, Arsen Baghdasaryan, convicted by the Baku court for 15 years of imprisonment and a shepherd Zaven Karapetyan, who was captured this summer.
Artsakh’s President signs executive order on establishing composition of Cabinet, appoints Minister of State
On 25 September, Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan signed a range of decrees.
The Presidential decree established the following composition of the Cabinet of Ministers:
Minister of State
Ministry of Healthcare
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Resettlement
Ministry of Nature Protection and Natural Resources
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Economy and Industrial Infrastructures
Ministry of Education, Science and Sports
Ministry of Culture, Youth Affairs and Tourism
Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Urban Planning
Ministry of Finance.
The decrees also defined the following state administrative bodies:
National Security Service
Police
State Service of Emergency Situations.
According to the decree of the President
Arayik Haroutyunyan was appointed minister of state,
Karine Atayan was appointed minister of healthcare,
Ararat Danielyan was appointed minister of justice,
Masis Mayilyan was appointed minister of foreign affairs,
Samvel Avanesyan was appointed minister of labor, social affairs and resettlement,
Vazgen Mikayelyan was appointed minister of nature protection and natural resources,
Zhirayr Mirzoyan was appointed minister of agriculture,
Levon Grigoryan was appointed minister of economy and industrial infrastructures,
Narine Aghabalyan was appointed minister of education, science and sports,
Sergey Shahverdyan was appointed minister of culture, youth affairs and tourism,
Levon Mnatsakanyan was appointed minister of defense,
Karen Shahramanyan was appointed minister of urban planning,
Grigory Martirosyan was appointed minister of finance.
The Presidential decrees defined the ministers whose activity will be coordinated by the minister of state, as well as the scope of authorities entrusted to the minister of state by the President in the field of state property and financial management.
By another decree of the President a number of structural changes have been made. In particular:
The department of tourism has been separated from the ministry of economy and industrial infrastructures and included into the ministry of culture, youth affairs and tourism;
In the structure of the President’s Office a separated subdivision “Administration of the Governmental Affairs” has been established, which is the legal successor of the former Administration of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Certain subdivisions of the former Administration of the Cabinet of Ministers have been included within various bodies. The Social-Economic Department, as well as subdivisions functioning in the field of territorial administration have been included in the staff of the minister of state. The departments of real estate cadaster and state property management, geodesy and land state inspection have been included into the structure of the ministry of economy and industrial infrastructures. Department of housing affairs and resettlement as well as migration division have been included into the ministry of labor, social affairs and resettlement.
In correspondence with the new functions, the statutes and structures of the President’s Office as well as the “Administration of the Governmental Affairs” separated subdivision of the President’s Office have been approved.
By another Presidential decree a new order of organizing governmental activities has been defined.
On the same day the President signed decrees on appointing deputy head of the President’s Office Arayik Lazaryan head of the Administration of Governmental Affairs of the President’s Office-first deputy head of the President’s Office. Deputy minister of justice Karen Danielyan was appointed deputy head of the President’s Office-head of the State-Legal Department.
BAKU: Submarine “Armenia” is back in its home port
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 5
By Alan Hope – Trend:
Majority of the X and Y generations may recall a ‘90s blockbuster movie, based on Tom Clancy’s 1984 bestselling novel, “The Hunt for Red October,” starring Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin.
The story, set in the late Cold War era, involves a rogue Soviet naval captain Marko Ramius (Sean Connery), trying to defect to the United States on the Soviet Navy's newest Typhoon-class nuclear submarine with a stealth "caterpillar drive," called Red October. Meanwhile, an American CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) deduces Ramius’ motive and sets of to the American attack-class submarine USS Dallas, before a violent confrontation between the two navies spirals out of control.
Great movie, but, what, may you ask, is so captivating about it? Well, besides the great storyline and cast, the audience may actually notice two interesting elements of the movie, which, directly correlate to the currently occurring events. One of them is comprised of the episode when Ramius secretly kills boat’s de-juro political, but de-facto KGB, officer, called Ivan – believe or not – Putin. The second describes the so-called “Crazy Ivan” maneuver, commonly used by the Soviet submarines “to clear their baffles” for the detection of pursuit, pulled by Ramius on the USS Dallas.
So what’s the correlation? Well, quite recently, the government of the Republic of Armenia had decided to make some substantial changes in its foreign policy, aiming for European integration and even amplification of its NATO relations.
Let’s imagine an old and battered, but still semi-operational, post-Soviet submarine called Armenia, sailing in the murky waters of international affairs. In the course of its almost 26-years-young independence, its route had been firmly laid in the northern direction, through Russia to the Northern Pole. The state, as a “capable and fearsome military power,” had become a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, to help the other participants of the organization in dire need of its “mighty muscles.” As an “economic wonder of the Southern Caucasus,” with its “ultra-modern industry” and world renowned products, such as Armenicum (marketed, as a cancer fighting drug, which couldn’t cure a headache), had joined the Eurasian Economic Union, to share its “prosperity” with those of a lesser fortune.
The boat, though a bit shabby, is at sea, facing the turmoil of international conflicts and continuing on its firm course. It doesn’t really belong to the state of Armenia, as it was originally Soviet and later on Russian, but the country’s leadership had ingenuously “double downed” it to Russia for the gradual return of the loans taken from the latter.
The boat’s nuclear power source, proudly called Metsamor, is long overdue for closure, for being technically as well as morally outdated. But it still works, providing the much needed electricity for Armenia’s stealth "caterpillar drive," to be commissioned by the time of completion of the long carried out “Great Armenia from sea to sea” project.
At the helm of the boat stands world renowned locksmith, turned butcher, turned “politician” – Serzh Sargsyan – the figure, so much resembling captain Ramius, but for the lack of the simple human characteristics. Nonetheless, one can see his unbendable political will and beyond-his-age academic wisdom from miles away; feel his strength and resilience in the matters of personal finance and job security. The person, who can firmly take down and literary slaughter any opposition or mutiny on board, be it political or even social. He has done his job throughout the years – gained territories (though, not Armenia’s), shed blood (though, not his own) and embezzled wealth (though not, but now his own).
Next to Sargsyan stands his commanding officer – Edward Nalbandian – the navigator of the diplomatic shallow waters and deep sea canyons, sailing master of the stalled negotiations, crusader, fighting the unjust “caviar diplomacy.” He follows Dolly Parton song’s lyrics to the letter, “stands by his man,” maybe not so much with the Poncho, but definitely, as a Sancho.
So, what’s going on with our characters, have they met modern-day pirates, found the Treasure Island and discovered new lands and riches? Not really. These two, realizing that everything in and of the country was already sold, facing an economic and demographic collapse, understanding that the current sponsor of their lavish lifestyle is a huge bit “disappointed,” have decided to find a new sort of dimwit, who would further finance their “adventure.” Thus, the new course of defection to the West – to the euro promise land of European integration, under the nuclear umbrella of NATO – was laid, engines full-throttled and the journey began.
Imagining himself a well-known subsea politician, Serzh Sargsyan, forgetting his previous Columbian attempts of finding Europe in 2008 and 2013, decided “to seize the day,” gave the order to down the periscope, took his position on the bridge, downed a shot of “Ararat” (brandy), and, after singing the national anthem, had ordered the crew to run the boat in the silent mode. The stealth "caterpillar drive," operated by Nalbandian, was set to the maximum speed; the hall of the boat, though leaking, was holding; the nuclear plant, though on the brink of explosion, was working at its full capacity.
But years of being at the helm of the boat didn’t go in vain for Sargsyan, they have taught him to be afraid of his own shadow. So, he pulled the “Crazy Ivan,” to make sure he is not being followed by the Master. Imagine his surprise, when he saw Master’s submarine on his stern, which wasn’t boarded by Jack Ryan on a mission to save him. It was boarded by the former political and KGB officer Putin, not Ivan, like in the movie, but Vladimir – one of the most prominent political figures of the ocean of politics.
Unlike Baldwin’s character, Putin didn’t board a mini sub, but rather ordered Serzh to get to the Russian port of Sochi, immediately! So, Sargsyan was forced to abandon his sub, get on the “presidential” plane and delivered himself to the Master, calling it an unscheduled “working visit.”
The actual words used by Putin in talk with Sargsyan are unknown, but it’s widely believed that he was forced to teach Serzh a lesson once again, although it’s said that, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but you can certainly remind him of the true Master. Moreover, Putin probably reminded Serzh of how he had become “Captain Armenia,” of who pays the bills and what music should be played. He definitely rebuked Sargsyan for copyright infringing use of the “Crazy Ivan” maneuver.
Thus, our heroes, with their hopes and aspirations of a new world shattered, on the battered submarine “Armenia,” had to return to the Russian in-land port of Yerevan. Very unfortunate for them that, Sargsyan, from atop the submarine's sail deck, didn’t state that he is pleased to have made it to Europe or offer Jack Ryan a quote from Christopher Columbus, and Ryan, in return, didn’t reply, "Welcome to the New World, sir.”
But that, boys and gals, is a movie, not a real life!
BAKU: No appeal received over blogger Lapshin’s extradition
By Trend
Azerbaijan received no appeals from any country or embassy in connection with the extradition of blogger Alexander Lapshin, sentenced in Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani Justice Ministry announced about this on August 31.
Blogger Lapshin, who is a citizen of several states, violated the Azerbaijani laws on state border in April, 2011 and October, 2012. Helped by his accomplices in the occupied territories, Lapshin paid a number of visits to Azerbaijan’s occupied lands, where he voiced support for "independence" of the illegal regime, and made public calls against Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territorial integrity on April 6 and June 29, 2016.
The blogger was arrested in Minsk in late 2016 and transferred to Baku in February 2017.
On July 20, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes sentenced last week the blogger to three years of imprisonment on charges of his illegal visits to the Armenia-occupied Azerbaijani lands and a criminal conspiracy with the Armenians living there.
Australia’s Victorian Young Labor Conference Recognizes Armenian Genocide
MELBOURNE, Australia—From August 19 to 20, the Victorian Young Labor held its Annual Conference at the Victorian Trades Hall in Melbourne, where delegates gathered for lively debate and passed various motions including a motion to recognize the Armenian Genocide, which was adopted without dissent.
The motion noted: “Raphael Lemkin invented the word genocide, based on defining the Armenian Genocide, in order to describe the systematic and brutal murder of an ethnic and religious minority… in 2017, a first major Hollywood film set during the events of the Armenian Genocide was aired to audiences around the world titled ‘The Promise’, further raising mass awareness of the issue.”
“Victorian Young Labor condemns the genocide of over one and a half million Christian Armenians, Assyrians and Pontian Greeks at the hands of the then Ottoman Empire and all other acts of genocide as the ultimate act of racial, religious and cultural intolerance.”
The motion called for the Victorian State and Commonwealth governments to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Victorian Young Labor Conference delegate Ariel Zohar, who moved the motion, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Victorian Young Labor, the largest democratic youth political body in Victoria, unanimously supported the motion and committed to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide.”
“Hopefully this motion contributes to the increasing global pressure for the Turkish state to pay reparations to the descendants of the victims and to the Armenian community for whom justice has still not yet been received.”
“With the South Australian and NSW Parliaments already passing similar motions of support, it is now up to the Victorian and Australian parliaments to follow suit,” Zohar added.
Armenian National Committee of Australia – Melbourne (ANC-AU Melbourne) chairperson, Asbed Boymoushakian congratulated and thanked Victorian Young Labor for their unanimous support and strength in standing up for truth and justice.
“This is motion is part of the tidal wave of growing pressure with countries and organizations around the world having already adopted similar motions calling for recognition,” he said.
“I call on all political parties and their youth wings to adopt the same stance, educate their members about the Armenian Genocide and stand shoulder to shoulder with many of the victims’ families and descendants, many of whom are fortunate to now call Australia home.”
Below is the complete text of the resolution.
Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
Preamble
The Armenian Genocide (1915-1923) was the first genocide of the 20th century. Historian Raphael Lemkin invented the word genocide, based on defining the Armenian Genocide in order to describe the systematic and brutal murder of an ethnic and religious minority. The Armenian Genocide victims were subjected to mass deportations, mass killings, forced starvation, exhaustion, and epidemics which ravaged the forced areas in which people lived in terrible conditions.
In 2017, a first major Hollywood film to set during the events of the Armenian Genocide was aired to audience all around the world, The Promise, further raising mass awareness of this issue. Over 100 years on the successor state to the Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkey) still denies these events ever occurred despite 29 countries around the world today, as well as 46 states of the United States, recognizing the Armenian Genocide. In Australia the New South Wales and South Australian Parliaments have officially recognized the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide.
Platform:
Victorian Young Labor joins the members of the Armenian-Australian community in honoring the memory of the innocent men, women and children who were victims of Armenian Genocide between 1915-1923 by formally recognizing the tragic horrors of the Armenian Genocide.
2. Victorian Young Labor condemns the genocide of over one and a half million Christian Armenians, Assyrians and Pontian Greeks at the hands of the then Ottoman Empire and all other acts of genocide as the ultimate act of racial, religious and cultural intolerance.
3. Victorian Young Labor recognizes the importance of remembering and learning from such dark chapters in human history to ensure that such crimes against humanity are not allowed to be repeated.
4. Victorian Young Labor acknowledges the significant humanitarian contribution made by the people of Victoria to the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
Action:
Victoria Young Labor will write to the Premier and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs calling for the Victorian State and Commonwealth Government to officially recognize and The Armenian Genocide.
2. Victorian Young Labor will raise awareness, calling for Recognition, through a targeted campaign centered around April 24, the International Day for The Armenian Genocide Commemoration.
3. Victorian Young Labor will host a screening of The Promise coinciding with April 24th to better educate it’s members on the significance of this dark chapter of human history.
Arpi Stepanyan: Without love there is no winning in mathematics
Film: AGBU Spearheads The Promise to Educate Movement to Foster Armenian Genocide Education
On August 14, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), in partnership with Survival Pictures, the production company behind The Promise, and major Armenian organizations in North America, launched The Promise to Educate campaign to raise funds for the advancement of Armenian Genocide education across the United States.
Expanding on the social impact mission of The Promise and recognizing the gaps in genocide education in the U.S., AGBU and its partners have initiated a campaign to send copies of the film and relevant curriculum resources to public educational institutions across the country. While human rights issues and related history are included in the social studies curricula of the vast majority of public schools, the Armenian Genocide goes largely ignored. Currently, the Armenian Genocide is not a required subject in history courses in most schools and lack of awareness and teaching materials leaves it on the sidelines.
“The primary goal of the filmmakers of The Promise was not only to bring our history to light, but to encourage a dialogue among middle school and high school students and their teachers,” said AGBU Central Board Member Ani Manoukian. “The AGBU Alternative Education Department works to provide a diverse range of resources on various topics of Armenian language, history and culture for classrooms. The distribution of The Promise DVDs, along with tailored study materials, provides access to trustworthy information about the Armenian Genocide, challenging the powerful forces of denial.”
Donations will allow AGBU to supply Keep The Promise Educational Packages to American public middle and high schools, higher educational institutions and libraries. Each package includes a copy of The Promise DVD, a letter from filmmaker Terry George, a tailored The Promise Study Guide and a reference of Armenian Genocide curriculum resources and contacts. The package is developed in cooperation with well-known genocide education organizations, such as the Armenian National Institute (ANI), The Genocide Education Project and the Zoryan Institute.
Following the successful grassroots outreach campaign for the movie, AGBU and major Armenian organizations in North America, including the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), Children of Armenia Fund (COAF), the Dioceses and Prelacies of the Armenian Church of the United States and Canada, as well as other religious and cultural institutions, are again joining efforts to bring Keep The Promise Educational Packages to classrooms.
“Tell the world about the Armenian Genocide, and every genocide taking place across the globe. We owe it not only to the descendants of the Armenian Genocide, but all people who are vulnerable, to learn about and learn from our history so that it is never repeated again,” said filmmaker Terry George in his letter addressed to educators. “Together, through education we can raise awareness so that future generations will never forget and never stay silent.”
A minimum donation of $100 distributes Keep The Promise Educational Packages to five public institutions in the United States. AGBU encourages all members and friends to support the campaign by making online donations at www.thepromisetoeducate.org. Educators and administrators are welcome to sign up online to receive the packages.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the lives of some 500,000 Armenians around the world.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit .
http://www.aravot-en.am/2017/08/19/198358/
California Courier Online, Aug. 17, 2017
Activist Admits Major Blow
The California
Courier
Tarkanian to Run for US
Seat Held by Dean Heller
Prohibition
Off a Global Health Initiative
to Receive
Star on Hollywood’s
of Fame’ Aug. 24
Liberated
ISIS in Raqqa
Syrian Forces
to Honor Long-Time Board Member, Neshan Peroomian
Activist Admits Major Blow
major victory for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide when Texas became the 46th
State to recognize it. What Armenian-Americans did not realize is that the
recognition by Texas
had a devastating impact on the Turkish community’s lobbying efforts in that
State.
revealed in an article in Turkishnews.com the degree of despair he and his
fellow Turks suffered in Texas
when the State House recognized the Armenian Genocide on May 19, 2017. It is
not very often that we come across a Turkish lobbyist who acknowledges total
defeat at the hands of the Armenian community.
his fellow Turks for “years of Turkish apathy and passivity, combined with
Armenian aggressiveness and Western prejudice” for the passage of the
resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. He also credits the activism by
the Armenian National Committee of America, Western Region (ANCA-WR), for
arranging “tours involving Armenian activists at town-hall meetings,” visiting
“State elected officials individually,” and establishing ANCA-WR chapters in
“Dallas, Austin and Houston.”
credits the success of the genocide resolution to the support of “State
Representative Scott Sanford, who is also the Executive Pastor of a Baptist
church in Texas.”
Having done an incredible amount of research for his article, Demirmen recalls
that “at a gala organized by ANCA-Dallas in April 2016, Representative Sanford
was awarded ‘Advocate for Justice Award’ for his ‘strong dedication to raising
awareness about the Armenian Genocide.’ ” At the gala, a letter from Republican
Senator Ted Cruz was read recognizing the Armenian Genocide, according to
Demirmen.
Representative Sanford introduced Texas House Resolution HR-191 to recognize
the Armenian Genocide. The Resolution was first presented to the Trade &
Intergovernmental Affairs Committee (TIAC) which called for a public hearing at
the State Capitol in Austin
on April 24. Demirmen regrets that the Texas
legislature chose “April 24 for the public hearing, a date considered symbolic
for Armenian allegations, [which] was the first sign that TIAC was pro-Armenian
in its outlook.”
“the hearing was closely coordinated with ANCA-WR and Rep. Sanford, and while
the Armenian side had long known about the hearing, the Turkish side knew of
the meeting less than a week in advance.” As a result, only six Turks attended
the hearing (five from Houston and one from Dallas), while “a large
crowd from the Armenian side was present. Also present [at TIAC] as an
‘observer’ was Rep. Sanford.” Demirmen expresses his regret that only four
Turks, including himself, testified in committee, whereas 21 Armenians had
testified. “The Armenian side ended up having five times more chances to
present its case than the Turkish side. Thus the Armenian side dominated not
only in terms of ‘presence’ in the hearing, but also in the testimonies given,”
Demirmen admitted. “Among those who testified for the Armenian side were
representatives from the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission, and Houston’s Holocaust
Museum,” Demirmen
reported. In addition, “hundreds of letters were emailed to state legislators.
Many more phone calls were made by the Armenian community.”
by Turks who testified against the Resolution, were: 1) the “impropriety of
Texas legislators to intervene in matters affecting U.S. foreign policy, 2) the
damage the bill could do to trade relations between Texas and Turkey, 3) the
divisive aspect of the resolution, and not the least, 4) the fact that the
resolution is defamatory toward Texas residents of Turkish heritage,” Demirmen
complained.
objections made an impact on the TIAC members who approved the Resolution
unanimously on April 24. The Texas House took up the Resolution on May 19
approving it with 137 yes votes (eight members were absent and five abstained).
describes the outcome as “a feat masterminded by ANCA-WR and endorsed by the
Texas House of Representatives. While the resolution has no legal force, for
all practical purposes, and for the public at large, it was a declaration
finding Ottoman Turks guilty of a heinous crime.”
acknowledges that “the Turkish response, at least at the grassroots level, to
HR-191, was feeble. … Turks are no match to Armenians on activism on the
‘genocide’ issue…. The Turkish side has only itself to blame for its lethargy
and passivity.”
concludes his article by blaming the ATA-Houston (American Turkish Association)
for not bothering to oppose HR-191. He calls the group, “the
happy-hour-conscious association, founded in 1979, was not interested in the
Armenian issue….”
Texas Turks for their inactivity, there is actually only one reason why the
Resolution was adopted: Because it tells the truth! The State of Texas finally
acknowledged the historical fact of the Armenian Genocide!
Breaks Ground on New Embassy in Yerevan
new and much bigger building for its embassy in Armenia on Aug. 9 in what a senior
Chinese diplomat described as another sign of deepening relations between the
two nations.
Minister Li Huilai broke ground on the site of the 40,000-square-meter embassy
compound that should be completed by the end of 2019. Officials said that it
will be the second largest Chinese diplomatic mission in the former Soviet Union.
ambassador in Yerevan,
Tian Erlong, told reporters at the ground-breaking ceremony. “The Chinese
Embassy in Armenia will have
a new building in Armenia.”
will be better represented in this country. This is logical because the scale
and nature of our cooperation are rapidly developing, and this obviously
requires more efforts, more human resources and, therefore, a larger building,”
he said.
reportedly said Beijing would like to “further
deepen the dynamically deepening partnership with Armenia.” “The unprecedentedly
high-level relationship and friendship between China
and Armenia
are based on sincerity and mutual respect,” the Armenian Foreign Ministry
quoted him as saying.
told Li that close relations with China
are one of Yerevan’s
foreign policy priorities.
efforts to boost bilateral commerce and the situation in the region. Nalbandian
was reported to praise China’s
“balanced position” on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
counterpart Serzh Sarkisian agreed to deepen ties between their nations when
then they met in Beijing
in 2015. In a joint statement, they noted “mutual understanding on issues
relating to pivotal interests and concerns of the two countries.”
Chinese-Armenian trade rose by 35 percent to $243 million in the first half of
this year, making China Armenia’s third largest trading partner after Russia
and the European Union.
also seems interested in stepping up military cooperation with Armenia.
A top Chinese military official, Rear Admiral Guan Youfei, visited Yerevan in April, holding
talks with Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan and the chief of the Armenian army’s
General Staff, General Movses Hakobyan. The Armenian Defense Ministry said they
reached “agreements on expanding cooperation and implementing a number of
mutually beneficial projects in the area of defense.”
Tarkanian to Run for US
Seat Held by Dean Heller
Lochhead
candidate Danny Tarkanian said Tuesday he will challenge fellow Republican Dean
Heller, Nevada’s vulnerable incumbent senator, in 2018.
Tarkanian said Heller “turned his back on us.”
so many different votes that he’s lost so much credibility with the voters,”
Tarkanian said in an interview with the Review-Journal. “He keeps breaking his
promise to voters in Nevada.
They feel they can’t trust him anymore.”
“perennial candidate.”
battle with Heller, who has faced recent pressure from both Democrat and
Republican groups. U.S. Rep. Jacky Rosen, a Democrat, also
wants the seat.
Tarkanian announced his intentions, partly due to the Senate’s failed attempts
to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare.
repeal the health care law, Heller changed his approach in June, when joined
Gov. Brian Sandoval to publicly oppose a proposal to repeal Obamacare. The move
sparked the America First Policies super PAC, which is run by President Donald
Trump’s former campaign advisers, to launch a $1 million ad campaign against
him the next day.
July meeting in which Trump attempted to persuade GOP senators to repeal
Obamacare, the president issued a not-so-veiled threat to Heller.
wants to remain a senator, doesn’t he?” as Heller grinned.
for the Senate’s so-called “skinny repeal,” Nevada voters are unhappy with Heller,
according to recent polls.
of Heller’s job performance, compared to 55 percent who disapproved.
consulting firm, reported that Heller’s approval rating among Nevada
Republicans is 31 percent, according to The Daily Caller. That poll also found that 43
percent of Nevada GOP voters disapprove of Heller.
and Tarkanian against each other, with 38 percent support to Heller and 34
percent to Tarkanian. The results fell within the poll’s 4.4 percent margin of
error.
statement soon after Tarkanian announced his run, saying it stands firmly with Nevada’s senior senator.
Heller was appointed to the Senate in 2011 and won re-election in 2012.
the team of President Trump,” and supports Trump’s policies to repeal
Obamacare, end sanctuary cities and defund Planned Parenthood.
Clinton win Nevada
last year by being a “Never Trumper,” and blasted him for his stances on the
GOP’s multiple pushes to repeal Obamacare.
basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, is a businessman and attorney who has run
unsuccessfully for secretary of state, state senate and the U.S. House and
Senate. He won the Republican nomination in four of those five runs.
when he last ran for U.S. Senate.
to former state Sen. Sue Lowden and eventual nominee Sharron Angle. Angle went
on to lose to Harry Reid in the general election.
Reconsideration
Prohibition
– State Senator Anthony J. Portantino has submitted a letter to Caruso
Affiliated Holdings urging the company to reconsider its decision and allow
public advertising for the Armenian Genocide and Human Rights Documentary
Architects of Denial. Reports have pegged politics as the explanation for
the Caruso Affiliated decision not to feature the film in an outdoor billboard
advertisement.
provoking and hard-edged filmmaking that stimulates conversations about
historical events. It seems like labeling Art as ‘too political’ was an
odd reason to deny the appropriate free _expression_ of a historical
documentary. As a former filmmaker and current State Senator it was
important for me to share my concerns and urge reconsideration,” commented
Portantino.
by highlighting the strong legacy and celebration of our state’s artistic
freedom, California’s
legacy of leadership for Genocide recognition and the importance of proactively
appreciating our Armenian American neighbors. The example set by the
State of California
should be an inspiration for our corporate partners to follow,” concluded
Portantino.
which is home to the largest Armenian American Community in any legislative
district in the country. He is also a former filmmaker. Earlier in
the year, he successfully included funding for Armenian Genocide curriculum
implementation and the Armenian
American Museum
in the California State Budget signed by Governor Brown. He chairs the
California State Senate Select Committee on California,
Armenia
and Artsakh Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange.
at Armenian Consulate to
Off a Global Health Initiative
Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS) Executive Board, led by Raffi
Tachdjian, MD, MPH and Prof. Armen Muradyan Rector of Mkhitar Heratsi Yerevan
State Medical University (YSMU) and former Health Minister of The Republic of
Armenia, was held at the Armenian Consulate in Glendale. The meeting was facilitated by Dr.
Shant Shekherdimian Pediatric surgeon at UCLA Health.
at the Armenian consulate in the presence of the Deputy General Consul of
Armenia Valery Mkrtumyan. The primary objective of this meeting was to discuss
collaboration between AAMS and YSMU. The plan for this collaboration and AAMS’s
goal is to foster a new era of communication and sharing of ideas, to increase the
school’s impact both scientifically and altruistically in order to become a
model system to be exemplified by other countries and healthcare systems.
outline that looks to assist, not just the students both here in the diaspora
and in Yerevan, but to lay the foundation to strengthen the impact the school
will haveand to make YSMU one of the leading schools in the world.
relationship by growing and cultivating students, professors, faculty and a
complete system for health. The vision is to create a self-sustaining system of
healthcare to not only serve the people but to be a role-model for other
countries and systems worldwide. This
commitment serves to strengthen YSMU’s world ranking, and to not only help
students succeed but create exchange programs in order for the science,
knowledge and information to flow not only from teacher to student but through
multiple channels worldwide, consistently.
Armen Muradyan. By having these
colleagues in Yerevan we will be able to work closely and forge a path forward
with a solid outline and solid roles to be partitioned off and to eventually
come together with a bigger picture than we envision now that will lead to a superb entity and union
with the two parties involved. Through this cooperative effort we hope that
today’s meeting will define our roles within our respective medical
organizations and put together this quilt of information in order to create
self-sustaining system of healthcare. Tonight’s meeting was an excellent start
to make this vision and to make positive and impactful changes” said Dr. Raffi
Tachdjian.
Sandcastle Girls’ Becomes
DIEGO, CA – KPBS last
week announced the 2017 One Book, One San Diego book selection, “The Sandcastle
Girls” by Chris Bohjalian, the critically acclaimed novelist whose books
frequently make the New York Times best-seller list.
Bohjalian said. “San Diego
is a wonderful reading community. I’ve made appearances there off and on over
the years, and I’ve always been dazzled by the bookstores and the libraries and
the readers.”
Book, One San Diego is a community-wide reading program in its 11th season and
includes more than 20 community partners. Started in 2006 by KPBS, along with
the San Diego Public Library, the program encourages everyone in the region to
read and discuss the same book.
will speak here on Sept. 12 and 13, the first of many One Book events held by
KPBS and community partners that will run through December. KPBS will give away
100 copies of Bohjalian’s book at the inaugural San Diego Festival of Books,
organized by The San Diego Union-Tribune in partnership with KPBS, at Liberty
Station on Aug. 26. Bohjalian’s novel, a multi-generational tale that spans
nearly 100 years, is initially set in Syria during World War I and
focuses on the Armenian Genocide.
days it is very important for me to tell people that I am the grandson of two
Middle Eastern immigrants,” Bohjalian said. “We are a nation of refugees and
immigrants. The novel is set in Aleppo — yes,
that Aleppo
that has broken all of our hearts the last five years — and the city as it
appears in the novel exists now only in romance and memory.”
General Manager Tom Karlo said that One Book is one of his favorite KPBS
community engagement events.
Ball is a KPBS staff member.
to Receive
Star on Hollywood’s
of Fame’ Aug. 24
(Sherbrooktimes) – The legend of French music, Charles Aznavour, at 93
years, will finally receive his star on the Walk of fame of Hollywood, the
“Walk of Fame”, said the agency, which assigns them.
chamber of commerce of Hollywood is proud to announce that the legendary artist
Charles Aznavour will receive the 2618e star on the walk of Fame on August 24”,
it said. It will be located on the famous Hollywood
boulevard, in front of a historic theatre of Los Angeles dedicated to musicals,
the Pantages.
around the world and loved by millions of fans of all generations,” said Ana
Martinez, producer of the ceremonies on the “Walk of Fame”.
and Time, in 1998, the “singer of varieties, the most important of the 20th
century”, ahead of icons such as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Frank Sinatra,
has sold over 180 million records and written 1300 songs in multiple languages.
born in Paris of Armenian parents, and became one of the most ardent champions
of the Armenian diaspora, received in the fall of the image of the star, which will be this
time formally cemented in place on the “Walk of Fame” next week.
for years, I’ve worked a lot in the United States,
because (…) the country of the “show business”, this is America,” he declared to the AFP.
The author and interpreter of The Bohemian, or My Grief is particularly popular
in Los Angeles
and the surrounding area where the largest Armenian community in the Diaspora
lives.
Liberated
ISIS in Raqqa
Syrian Forces
Syrian democratic forces have liberated a group of Armenians from ISIS in Raqqa on August 8.
told Ara News that the ISIS terrorists forced
them to wear headscarves keeping their faces open to differ from the Muslim
women.
that she had to pay taxes to the ISIS.
Ara News.
is under the Kurdish control, while the others remain in Raqqa.
to Honor Long-Time Board Member, Neshan Peroomian
– The Armenian Educational Foundation (AEF) will honor long-time Board member,
Neshan Peroomian, at AEF’s sold -out event to be held at the home of Al and
Diane Cabraloff on September 10.
decades of dedicated and exemplary service, including 36 years on the Board of
Directors and as past president. In his
honor, AEF has established a four-year full tuition scholarship for students
attending universities in Armenia
and Artsakh. Neshan and his wife Dr.
Rubina Peroomian have graciously sponsored an additional scholarship
requirements- – doer, donor, or door opener”. Neshan meets and surpasses
all three “Ds”. He has been one of the most active AEF doer-members; he
has been a very generous donor; and has introduced numerous individuals who
have in turn, become supporters of AEF.
I join the Board of Directors in congratulating and thanking Neshan for
his four decades of service.”
AEF educational projects. Beginning in 1988, after the devastating earthquake,
Peroomian assumed leadership in constructing new homes, sponsored by the
Armenian Relief Society, in Grashen
Village. He saw the
need for a school and kindergarten and approached AEF for help. The AEF
Board immediately raised the necessary funds for construction of the new school
and Elise Merdinian’s generous donation, in memory of her sister, covered the
cost of building the kindergarten.
Peroomian supervised both projects to successful completion.
involved and supervised approximately 200 school renovation projects- the
majority of these renovations being in Armenia’s border villages, Artsakh
and Javakhk. He selected the schools, received Board approval, solicited
bids, negotiated and signed the contracts, and supervised the construction to
completion. Peroomian authorized payments for each phase of construction,
before AEF Treasurer paid the contractor. As with all AEF members, AEF did
not reimburse Peroomian for his expenses, including travel to Armenia.
the school, which had over 100 students. The school needed a complete
renovation, including a new roof, windows, waterproofing, etc,” said AEF Board
member and former President, Al Cabraloff. “Upon my return, I contacted Neshan,
who immediately visited the school, took along contractors, received three bids
and negotiated the final contract. I was able to raise the necessary
funds to cover all of the cost of construction and we had a grand opening with
close to 100 friends and relatives from Southern
California. Diane and I extend our heartfelt thanks to
Neshan for his unwavering dedication to get the job done; and we are especially
pleased that AEF will honor Neshan at our home,” Cabraloff said.
served on numerous organizations, including Armenian Cultural Foundation,
Armenian National Committee, Pasadena Monument Committee, and Armenian-American
Museum, to name a few.
assistance to Armenia
students and educational institutions. For more information, please visit
aefweb.org or contact the AEF office at [email protected] or
818-242-4154.
the Armenian News News Service with a few of the articles in this week's issue of The
California Courier. Letters to the
editor are encouraged through our e-mail address, [email protected]. However,
authors are requested to provide their names, addresses, and/or telephone
numbers to verify identity, if any question arises. California Courier
subscribers are requested not to use this service to change, or modify mailing
addresses. Those changes can be made through our e-mail, , or by
phone, (818) 409-0949.
LETTER to EDITOR of MetroWest Daily News: Armenia has reason to be fearful
Aug 9 2017
Armenia has reason to be fearful
Posted Aug 9, 2017 at 4:08 PM Updated Aug 9, 2017 at 4:08 PM
Mr. Demoorjian’s letter of 08-04 was spot on and well-deserving of the space allocated. If he had been permitted, he could have referenced a wonderful autobiography by Orhan Pamuk, “Istanbul, where the author included photographs of entire neighborhoods in Istanbul formerly occupied by Armenian, Greek, and Ladino speakers that were totally vacant – Pamuk observed that the music of these languages was no longer heard in the streets of Istanbul. Armenians were ousted in forced marches and massive killings carried out by the Turkish army 100 years ago, Greek and Ladino speakers gradually were encouraged to leave Turkey as the country became increasingly xenophobic during the past 60 years and there has been an open hunting season against the Kurds for that entire period.
The letter of 08-06 was poorly researched. First, Azerbaijan did not purchase the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system to strengthen its ties with Russia and Iran – the Armenians have long since had all their infrastructure owned and operated by Russian oligarchs except for a natural gas pipeline built by the Mullahs some seven to eight years ago. Twenty-three years ago, Armenia, with Russian backing and weapons, invaded the Nagorno Karebakh region of Azerbaijan which Armenia holds to this day. Why did the Russians encourage hostilities in the first place and why did the Mullahs build the pipeline? Both Russia and the Mullahs lust after ridiculously cheap oil at Baku in Azerbaijan.
In April of this year, a 23-year-old cease fire was broken and ensuing hostilities cost the lives of more than 200 people. One should feel sympathy for Armenia because neither Russia, nor Iran are in any position to help them maintain control of the area because of increased sanctions leveled at both countries by the recent vote of the US Congress. Second, while there is a prohibition against sales of the Iron Dome system with US components to another country without consent of the US, there is no prohibition if Iron Dome system components are all Israeli. Third, Azerbaijan treats all its citizens as citizens regardless of their religious/ethnic background as Armenia does.
In short, Armenia has reason to be fearful because neither Russia nor Iran can spare resources or manpower to shore up Armenia because of increased sanctions and both are thin of military manpower now because of commitments elsewhere.
Arnold Pinsley
Natick