Author: Garnik Zakarian

Private of the NKR Defense Army Varazdat Khachatryan, born in 1995, was wounded as a result of shelling from the Azerbaijani side at about 18:45, November 5.

According to a report from the NKR Ministry of Defense, about 180 cases of ceasefire violation by the Azerbaijani side were registered at the line of contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan last night.

The rival used weapons of different caliber as it fired more than 3,500 shots in the direction of the Armenian positions.

“Taking into consideration that complex geopolitical situation and in an attempt to foil the ongoing state-building processes in Armenia and Artsakh, the rival continues to destabilize the situation all along the line of contact, intensively violating the ceasefire regime with the use of artillery weapons of different caliber, mortars and rocket launchers,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The NKR Defense Ministry declared that “the rival’s adventurist policy will not go unpunished, and the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan carries full responsibility for the whole situation.”

President Serzh Sargsyan received today Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University James Stavridis and President of the Tavitian Foundation Aso Tavitian.

At the meeting, the parties spoke about the current cooperation between the Tavitian Foundation established by the American benefactor Aso Tavitian and the Fletcher School. Through the scholarships provided by the Tavitian Foundation, gifted young people from the Republic of Armenia are receiving world class education at the Fletcher School. Over 250 alumni of the school have returned to Armenia after receiving education in the framework of this program and utilize their knowledge and abilities in Armenia.

At the same time, the Tavitian Foundation is sponsoring visits of Deans and prominent faculty members to Armenia, to provide them with the opportunity to learn firsthand about the Armenian nation and current geopolitical reality.

Admiral James Stavridis is also a member to the US Council on Foreign Relations. He served for many years in the US navy and occupied high positions including NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, as well as the first commander of the US Center of strategic and tactical research. He has also served as the executive assistant to the Secretary of the Navy and the senior military assistant to the United States Secretary of Defense. During his tenure, he was decorated with more than 50 US as well as foreign medals and certificates of honor.

At the meeting with the President of Armenia, the parties discussed current international problems and challenges, as well as regional developments.

On November 19, in accordance with the arrangement reached with the authorities of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, the OSCE Mission conducted a planned monitoring of the Line of Contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan in the direction of Hadrut near Horadiz settlement.

From the positions of the NKR Defense Army, the monitoring was conducted by Field Assistants of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Yevgeny Sharov (Ukraine) and Khristo Khristov (Bulgaria), as well as by representative of the OSCE High-Level Planning Group (HLPG), Colonel Andrey Barashkin (Russia).

From the opposite side of the Line of Contact, the monitoring was conducted by Field Assistant of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Jiri Aberle (Czech Republic) and staff member of the Office Peter Svedberg (Sweden), as well as by representative of the OSCE High-Level Planning Group (HLPG), Lieutenant-Colonel Dan Harvey (Ireland).

The monitoring passed in accordance with the agreed schedule. No violation of the cease-fire regime was registered. However, the Azeri side did not lead the OSCE mission to its front-lines.

From the Karabakh side, the monitoring mission was accompanied by representatives of the NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense.

His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; sent a letter of condolence to French President Francois Hollande, on the occasion of the terrorist attacks in Paris, which left numerous casualties and injured.

“Today, when our nation commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we remember with gratitude that our sons and daughters were rescued by the French navy during the defense of Musaler; and along with our indebtedness, offer the sincere sympathy and condolences of our nation to the families and relatives of the French nation.

We strongly condemn the terrorist actions against innocent French civilians. Terrorism knows no nationality and is aimed at all of humanity, at the world’s well-being, and at the safe and creative coexistence of people and nations. We believe that your leadership will guide France to prevail over this situation, and that the people of France will overcome the pain of loss and continue to fight resolutely against terrorism inflicted upon humanity, to prevent future atrocities and crimes”, said His Holiness in condolence.

His Holiness asked that the Heavenly Lord grant peace to the souls of the dead and comfort their relatives, and give a speedy recovery to the victims of the terrorist attacks.

International organizations should consult with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs before issuing reports on Nagorno Karabakh, US Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group James Warlick has said.

“The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and other international organizations should consult with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs before issuing reports or resolutions on Nagorno Karabakh,” Warlick said in a Twitter post.

Remind that with a vote of 24 to 16, the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), approved an anti-Armenian report entitled “Escalation of Violence in Nagorno-Karabakh and Other Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan” by Robert Walter (United Kingdom, EC), a rapporteur of the PACE Political Affairs Committee.

The National Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centennial (NCAGC) honored Senator Bob Dole Wednesday with the organization’s Survivor’s Gratitude Award in the category of Hero of Responsibility and Principle for his tireless efforts in raising attention to the Armenian Genocide and its victims, Kansas-based  reports.

Senator Dole has long been recognized as a friend to the Armenian community. In 1990, during the 75th anniversary of the Genocide, the Senator issued a strong rebuke to the United States Senate for its refusal to declare a day of remembrance for the victims of the massacre. He remains highly respected among Armenians to this day.

“I am both honored and humbled to receive this award from the NCAGC,” said Senator Dole. “But we must not forget that there is still much to be done to globally recognize what occurred a century ago. Only by acknowledging and accepting the past for what it is—however painful—can the world truly begin to work to heal and ensure a future free from genocide.”

Senator Dole’s award will be transported to the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics where it will reside.

Senator Dole’s recognition comes on the heels of a series of commemorative events which were hosted by the NCAGC in May of this year to honor the Genocide centennial. During a banquet ceremony in front of a crowd of nearly two thousand diaspora, 29 Survivor’s Gratitude Awards were presented as tokens of appreciation to individuals and organizations whose selfless and heroic actions have enabled the Armenian community to survive and thrive today.

“I would like to publicly express deep appreciation to Senator Dole on behalf of the Armenian community for his long-standing dedication to recognizing the Genocide of our people,” said Noubar Afeyan, Chairman of the NCAGC Steering Committee. “If not for his actions, along with the actions of other brave men, women and organizations, the Armenian community would not exist as it does today.”

On the one hundredth anniversary of the Genocide, the NCAGC continues its work to strengthen the ties that bind the Armenian community so that it may prosper for the next one hundred years and more.

The National Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Centennial (NCAGC) began with the united efforts of the Diocese and Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Churches of America, East and West coasts. The NCAGC provides a unique opportunity to bring Armenians together from across the country and Diaspora to join in remembering and honoring those lost in the Genocide 100 years ago. Showing a unity of spirit and purpose, the events also serve to raise awareness of the Genocide and thank the institutions and individuals who have helped Armenians to survive and thrive.

 

James Cromwell and Jean Reno have joined Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac in the historical romance “The Promise,” a new Armenian Genocide-themed film, reports.

Terry George (“Hotel Rwanda”) is directing from a script he wrote with Robin Swicord, centering on a love triangle in 1922 with a medical student, an American journalist based in Paris and a beautiful and sophisticated woman, portrayed by Charlotte Le Bon. Bale will play the reporter, and Isaac will portray the student, conflicted by old-world traditions.

Cromwell will play an American ambassador who becomes heroic when challenged, while Reno will play a French admiral deeply conflicted in the face of life-threatening danger. The story is set amid the final days of the Ottoman Empire.

Shohreh Aghdashloo and Daniel Gimenez Cacho also star.

Shooting has started in Spain and Portugal and will go into December. Eric Esrailian will produce on behalf of Survival Pictures with Mike Medavoy for Phoenix Pictures, Ralph Winter and William Horberg (“Milk”). Survivial was unveiled as a production company in July by Tracinda Corp., the holding company founded by the late Kirk Kerkorian.

“‘The Promise’ beautifully intertwines heroism and love,” said Esrailian and Medavoy.

Cromwell was most recently seen on AMC’s “Halt and Catch Fire.” Reno starred in the French action film “The Squad.”

More than 50 warplanes and helicopters are part of an air group of Russia’s Aerospace Forces conducting airstrikes on the positions of the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria, Russia’s Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov has said, TASS reports.

“The air group was deployed in the shortest time. We managed to do that as the main materiel supplies and ammunition were in the material-technical facility in Tartus. We only had to relocate aviation and bring some equipment,” Konashenkov said.

Russia’s Aerospace Forces launched the operation against the Islamic State gunmen in Syria on Wednesday.

As Gen. Igor Konashenkov told the journalists, modernized Su-24M and Su-25 fighter jets are deployed in the aviation unit of Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces formed in Syria.

“More than 20 sorties were made targeting eight facilities of ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – former name of Islamic State terrorist organization] terrorist groups. Modernized Su-24M and Su-25 jets with modern aiming systems were among the aircraft that made sorties,” Konashenkov said.

Last night, the Russian Aerospace Forces attacked four Islamic State facilities in Syria.

“Strikes were made during the night on 4 facilities of Islamic State. The Sukhoi Su-24M frontline bombers and Su-25 attack aircraft made eight sorties,” he said.

“A stronghold of terrorist groups and ammunition depot near the city of Idlib were destroyed, as well as a three-level command post of militants near the settlement of Hama,” Konashenkov said.

“An explosives and ammunition production plant was completely destroyed after being directly hit by a bomb to the north of the city of Homs,” he noted adding that “precisely at this location, cars were stuffed with explosives and then used for terrorist attacks, including by suicide bombers.”

President Serzh Sargsyan will leave for New York on September 27 to participate in the 70th session of the UN General Assembly and will make a speech.

President Sargsyan will meet with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and  participate in a summit dedicated to UN peacekeeping operations.

Within the framework of the visit the President will hold a number of bilateral meetings. He is also expected to meet with large investors and representatives of business circles.

In Washington President Sargsyan will participate in a dinner organized by the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundationand at the UN Congress and will offer a speech. The President will meet with representatives of the Armenian community, as well.

The French Armenian International Network (FAIR) was officially launched at a solemn ceremony at Rhône-Alpes Regional Parliament attended by President of the Rhône-Alpes Regional Council Jean-Jack Queyranne, Armenian Ambassador to France Vigen Chitechyan, ex-Ambassador of France to Armenia Henri Reynaud, a number of French Armenian and French businessmen, officials and journalists.

President of the association Aramazd Abedi said entrepreneurs representing different fields of economy will be involved in the activities of the structure.

Vice-President Hilda Tchoboian said the association aims to promote economic
synergies between the business entrepreneurs of the Rhone-Alpes region and their
counterparts in Armenia for the creation of a regional hub providing access to the region’s
markets, such as Georgia, Iran, and other CIS countries.

The worldwide networking of FAIR shall include the still-untapped economic potential of the Armenian diaspora, from the Middle-East countries to the Americas, as well as the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Ambassador Chitechyan said the Association will help promote the existing economic cooperation between Armenia and France, taking note of the new realities. He added that Armenia’s membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) will provide French companies with an access to EEU markets.

The Ambassador stressed that “Armenia is ready to support the association by creating favorable conditions for all interested parties.”