Author: Garo Vardanian

1000 social businesses to be established in Artsakh

Garo Vardanian

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 10:02, 31 August, 2021

YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. 1000 social businesses will be established in Artsakh aimed at providing its residents with their own stable income, promoting entrepreneurship and raising their life quality.

“1000 Armenians families from Armenia and the Diaspora will invest for the establishment of these businesses. The initiative is already at a practical stage. According to the agreement reached with Director of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund Haykak Arshamyan, 100 out of these 1000 businesses (greenhouses) will be implemented with their support”, Armenia’s ministry of labor and social affairs said in a statement.

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) has also welcomed the initiative and will make an investment.

On the sidelines of this initiative a social entrepreneurship week has started in Artsakh from August 28 at the initiative of Armenia’s ministry of labor and social affairs and the government of Artsakh, in joint partnership with the School of Social Entrepreneurs and the Yunus Center of the State University of Gavar.

During his visit in Artsakh, Armenia’s minister of labor and social affairs Narek Mkrtchyan met with the participants of the program. In his remarks he emphasized the importance of this program, stating that this will enable the residents of Artsakh to acquire social business skills, and noting that the best business ideas will be funded.

The minister also stated that the ministry has switched from social assistance programs to development programs and aims at creating a sustainable development environment, calling this program as one of the first steps of their vision.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Ombudsman releases extra evidence of Azeri military’s arson in Armenian village

Garo Vardanian

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 10:34, 31 August, 2021

YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian ombudsman has released a video filmed in the village of Kut showing the wildfire which began after Azerbaijani soldiers deliberately set fire to pastures and hayfields. Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan released the video after the Azeri defense ministry denied the “undeniable facts”.

“The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan released an official statement yesterday, denying the published undeniable facts. All these facts were given to the Human Rights Defender’s office by the residents of the villages. We have validated these facts from several sources, including with objective evidence. We’d decided to release not everything with our statement, but now, after the Azerbaijani defense ministry’s denial, we are releasing an additional video-evidence filmed in the village of Kut two days ago around 22:30,” the Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan said in a statement.

Tatoyan said that the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry is seeking to cover up their crimes against Armenian civilians committed on Armenian sovereign territory itself.

“Everyone must always take into account that the Human Rights Defender of Armenia is publishing only substantiated facts, and there is more than has been published. All of this is recorded and sent to international organizations.”

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

[see video]

Russia calls on Azerbaijan to return all Armenian captives without preconditions – Lavrov

Garo Vardanian

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 17:18, 31 August, 2021

YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. Russia calls on Azerbaijan to return all Armenian prisoners of war without preconditions, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan in Moscow.

He stated that there was a talk in the November 9 trilateral statement about those POWs who were in captivity that time.

“At this moment Azerbaijanis hold a large group of Armenian servicemen who have appeared there in late November after when the statement came into force and an agreement was reached to stop any hostile action. The Russian President in contacts with the Azerbaijani leadership, President Aliyev, as well as we in other levels are sending this signal to the Azerbaijani partners, call on to release them without preconditions because it would be an important humanitarian step and action for building trust, which is so needed”, the Russian FM said.

He added that they will continue to act from these positions, but stated that the final decision doesn’t depend on them.

In his turn Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan stated that Armenia has fulfilled its commitment long ago as it has returned all Azerbaijani POWs with “all for all” principle. “We believe that Azerbaijan must return all prisoners of war and other detained persons, not only as a fulfillment of its commitments, but also for creating an atmosphere of mutual trust. In that atmosphere it would already be possible to pass to further discussions and solution of all issues”, Mirzoyan said.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

ANCA-ER workshop focuses on traditional and social media

Garo Vardanian
September 1, 2021 Ani Mard Youth, ANCA News 0

ANCA-ER virtual advocacy workshop on traditional and social media, August 30, 2021

When we think about communication and social media, we think about sharing a graphic on Instagram, creating a Facebook event, or reading an article in the Armenian Weekly. But when it comes to the work of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), communication is much more than just sharing a message. It’s about inspiring youth, affecting legislation and paving the way for Hai Tahd.

On Monday night, the ANCA-ER hosted one of its most important workshops yet – Traditional and Social Media. We have all witnessed the importance of communication, especially during this past year, and we had four incredible individuals explain the important role media and communication play in the Hai Tahd movement and how we can be more effective in our advocacy work. 

ANCA communications director Elizabeth Chouldjian started off the workshop by stressing the vital role of communication in our advocacy efforts. Simply put, it’s to “Educate, Motivate and Activate.” Communication can be used to educate our youth, our government officials and the non-Armenian community. It can be used to motivate government officials to support legislation and motivate the Armenian community to take action. Chouldjian talked about all the different outlets we have for communication including direct and indirect communication with our community, grassroots advocacy and regional media. 

Another area where communication should play a key role is event planning. Coverage of your event adds reach for the work you are doing both within our community and to the officials we are trying to influence. Whatever you are doing, whether it’s working at an office, organizing a community event, or working on a project on the local level, make sure to include communication in your planning and organization.

Pauline Getzoyan, editor of the Armenian Weekly, talked about traditional media. She highlighted all the sections the Armenian Weekly has been covering for the past 87 years and emphasized that the Weekly is OUR outlet. It serves a community to carry on a tradition. Getzoyan, and all the speakers noted, if you ever want to contribute, you can reach out to anyone on the Weekly team, and they will be more than happy to help you with your idea.

ANCA Programs Director Alex Manoukian discussed the importance of social media. He highlighted two key factors when approaching social media: brand and audience. Manoukian also highlighted some social media tips.

  • Make sure you have a brand voice and tone. Figure out what you want to say and how you want to say it.
  • Be authentic and genuine. Know what you stand for and what you represent.
  • Be professional and have integrity.  
  • Know your target audience. What do they like to see? Check analytics and insight to see what posts your followers engage with most.
  • Consistency is key.

Finally, ANCA IT Director Nerses Semerjian highlighted three key programs the ANCA uses to communicate not only to government officials, but to Armenian community members. 

  1. March to Justice: ANCA’s online advocacy tool where you can share your views with key decision-makers on issues such as aid to Artsakh and stopping US military aid to Azerbaijan. Then use social media or email to urge friends and family to take action as well. You can even keep track of your steps in our global March to Justice.
  2. FrontRunner: By signing up, you will receive an ANCA text message on the day or days of your choice with a link to three of our highest-priority social media posts that you can choose to share online. 
  3. Rapid Responder: This is the easiest way you can contribute to the Hai Tahd movement. All you do is fill out your information, click “next” and by signing up you allow the ANCA to automatically send pre-written letters on your behalf to your legislators. ANCA will always forward you a copy of the letter sent on your behalf. ANCA is doing all the work for you!

One important point all the speakers highlighted is that they are here for you. If you want to get the word out about an event, if you want to contact your representative, or write a press release, you have so many resources available to you. Never hesitate to reach out to any of these individuals because we all have the same goal in mind, and we must work together and collaborate as much as we can in order to achieve this goal. 

Make sure you check out these amazing informative workshops hosted by powerhouses in the ANCA community. The next workshop will be taking place on September 13 at 8 pm EST covering the topic of “Organizing Events.” First time participants must register in advance.




Asbarez: Asatryan, Abajian Introduce Resolution Calling on US to End Aid To Azerbaijan

Garo Vardanian

August 26, 2021


A new resolution calls for U.S. to halt aid to Azerbaijan

Full Enforcement of Section 907, Return of Armenian Pows

LOS ANGELES—DSCC Members and LACDP Elected Members Elen Asatryan and Dr. Suzie Abajian have authored and introduced a resolution (CDP Resolution 21-08.014) to the California Democratic Party calling on the United States Government to end US aid to Azerbaijan by fully enforcing Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. The resolution also urges the Biden Administration and the Secretary of State to engage with Azerbaijani authorities for the immediate return of  Armenian POWs and hostages. The resolution will be placed to a vote during the Executive Board Meeting of the California Democratic Party scheduled for August 25-29, 2021.

“It’s imperative that we send a strong message to Baku that the United States stands against the dictatorial regime’s continued war crimes and unprovoked attacks on Artsakh and Armenia. Azerbaijan has yet to be held accountable for the inappropriate allocation of millions of our American tax dollars towards war crimes committed against Artsakh and Armenia, including the shelling of hospitals, schools, killing dozens of innocent civilians using cluster bombs, recruiting thousands of ISIS mercenaries and causing irreversible environmental damage by burning forests in the region using white phosphorus. Waiving or weakening Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act not only provides additional funding from our tax dollars towards the war crimes Azerbaijan perpetuates to date, but is also contradictory to our party principles and policies. We are hopeful and confident that our colleagues will rise in favor of this pressing resolution,“ stated Asatryan.

“The Azerbaijani government continues its acts of aggression towards Armenia and Artsakh regardless of the calls from the international community for peace in the region and Armenia’s continued willingness for cooperation. By waiving section 907, our government is complicit in the continued violation of international law and the torture and suffereing of Armenian POWs at the hands of the Azerbajani government. Our tax dollars must not be used to enable and embolden the Azerbajani government to continue its unlawful acts contributing to the loss of life, indeginous lands and the destabilization of the region. We are proud to introduce this pressing resolution which sends a clear message from the largest Democratic state body in the United States to our federal government,” emphasized Abajian,

The timely resolution comes as Azerbaijan continues to violate the peace agreement of November 9, 2020  by now attacking not only Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), but also Armenian proper, as approximately 200 Armenian POWS and civilian hostages remain in captivity, and as aggressive rhetoric and threats continue to rise out of Baku. The United States has called on the parties to resume the Minsk Group peace process, which Armenia supports but Azerbaijan continues to derail.

Resolution sponsors include Los Angeles County Democratic Party, Organization; Elen Asatryan (AD 43), Suzie Abajian (AD 41), Christine Shimizu (AD 45), John Harabedian (AD 41), Marco Flores (AD 53), Shanna Ingalsbee (AD 43), Cindy Montoya (AD 41), Jason Small, (AD 45), Angelica Duenas (AD 39), Vanuhi Vartanian (AD 43), Carolyn “Jiyoung” Park (AD 53), Karen Suarez  (AD 41), Bonnie Shatun (AD 46), Adele Andrade-Stadler (AD 49), Mary Ann Lutz (AD 41),  Paul Cole Padilla (AD 49), Kathleen Patterson (AD 42), Linda Perez (AD 43), Michael F. Duran (AD 41), Melissa Taylor (AD 41), Dwight Young (AD 36), Tina Fredericks (AD 41), Mitchell Tsai (AD 41),  Steven Fisher (AD 43), Melissa Michelson (AD 49), Rebecca Wolfersberger (AD 45).

The California Democratic Party, at its 2021 state convention, passed a resolution authored by Asatryan, as part of its 13 priority resolutions calling for immediate US intervention for the safe return of Armenian POWS, and placement of sanctions on and divestment of all public funds from Turkey and Azerbaijan until Turkey recognizes the Armenian Genocide, and until the people of Artsakh are afforded the opportunity of self-determination on their indigenous lands.

California is home to over one million Armenian Americans, a large majority of whom are directly impacted by the current threats and are descendants of Armenian genocide survivors, who have been tirelessly advocating for global assistance and intervention as they witnessed the unimaginable sufferings of their family members overseas, inflicted by Turkey and Azerbaijan. The California Democratic party is the dominant political party in the state. Representing over 10.3 million democrats, it is also the largest democratic entity in the United States.

Azeri Forces Close Route Connecting Armenia to Iran: Official

Garo Vardanian
Tasnim News Agency, Iran
Aug 27 2021

  • August, 27, 2021 – 17:10
– Politics news –

Ruhollah Latifi said the drivers arriving in Iran from Armenia have reported that the road connecting Kapan to Goris inside Armenia has been closed by the Azeri forces.

He also advised the Iranian travelers and truck drivers to make sure whether the route is open before going to the Norduz border crossing in northwestern Iran at the common border with Armenia.

The National Security Service of Armenia reported that on August 25, the Azerbaijani side blocked the Karmrakar-Shurnukh section of the Kapan-Goris interstate road, which connects Armenia with Iran.

The Republic of Azerbaijan says one of its servicemen was wounded in the chest after being attacked by two Armenian forces. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has denied the claim, JAM news reported.

After the Kapan-Goris road was blocked, the ombudsmen of Armenia and Azerbaijan made statements in which they accused the other side of provocations.

Armenpress: Russia realizes need to strengthen Armenia, says analyst

Garo Vardanian

Russia realizes need to strengthen Armenia, says analyst

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 09:31, 27 August, 2021

YEREVAN, AUGUST 26, ARMENPRESS. A prominent military-political analyst argues that the latest geopolitical developments, especially the West’s anti-Russian initiatives, including the so-called Crimean Platform in Ukraine and Turkey’s position in the issue of Crimea, are bringing Russia to the thought that first of all in its own interests it needs to strengthen Armenia.

Mher Hakobyan told ARMENPRESS that the Armenian defense minister’s active contacts with his Russian counterpart, and especially the latter’s statements on re-equipping and modernizing the Armenian military are commendable.

“Let’s hope that our interests will only match with Russia, and we, by receiving that armaments from Russia, will gradually get stronger and as I like to say ‘when Azerbaijan slips, we’ll be able to make use of that slip’”.

The analyst labeled the Armenian defense minister’s recent statement on plans to acquire exclusively new and high quality arms as ambitious.

Speaking on the Armenian military’s plans to achieve Armenia producing its own weapons, the analyst noted that the term “weapons” is a very broad term, ranging from small arms which can be manufactured almost anywhere up to drones and heavy military equipment which require most sophisticated production.  He said these plans need to be further specified.

 

Interview by Aram Sargsyan

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian Protestant church transformed into library in SE Turkey

Garo Vardanian
Aug 28 2021
By

 SCF

 -

Krikor Agabaloglu

An Armenian Protestant church in Diyarbakır province has been leased to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for a period of 10 years to serve as a public library, Turkish media reported.

According to the protocol, the ministry will pay a monthly fee of TL 1,000 ($120) to the Directorate General for Foundations.

The decision caused an outcry from Turkey’s Armenian community. In a video message shared by journalist Aris Nalcı on Twitter, Krikor Ağabaloğlu, leader of the Armenian Protestant community of Turkey, said the decision caused them great pain and that they absolutely condemned it.

“Every human has the right to worship,” Ağabaloğlu said. “It’s the property of the Armenian Protestant community. … As the spiritual leader of Armenian Protestants in Turkey, I have requested that it be handed over us.”

According to Ağabaloğlu, the Armenian community had turned the church over the government back in 1983 due to security concerns. But it was not returned to the Armenian community despite requests. Prior to the latest move, the church was used by the provincial governor’s office for carpet weaving courses.

“Can you imagine this? There’s a church where people can worship. There‘s a community, and it isn’t handed over for their use,” Ağabaloğlu said. “They don’t think it‘s appropriate to use this building as a church and instead allocate it to other people to be used for different purposes. … This can’t be considered appropriate, either from a religious or an ethical perspective.”

Arat Karagözyan, chairman of an Armenian non-profit, said the area where the church is located is closed off to civilians until 2023. “Given this, we wonder why they made such a hasty decision,” he said.

There have been ongoing concerns about the preservation of Armenian cultural and religious sites in Turkey. On January 17, the Turkish-Armenian bilingual Agos weekly reported that a 19th century Armenian church was put up for sale on a Turkish real estate website. In the ad, the church, which is located in Bursa province, was described as “perfect for a tourist attraction because it is in a UNESCO protected area.”

On January 26, Agos reported that an Armenian church dating to 1603 in the western province of Kütahya that was on the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s preservation list was demolished after it was acquired by a private party.

Another Armenian church, Surp Yerrortutyun (Holy Trinity), will serve as the “World’s Masters of Humor Art House” as part of a project to found a “humor village” in central Turkey’s Akşehir district, the hometown of famous 13th century Turkish satirist Nasreddin Hoca.

Deployment of Russian border guard posts along Armenian-Azerbaijani border needs to be considered, says Pashinyan

Garo Vardanian

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 11:49, 29 July, 2021

YEREVAN, JULY 29, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan not only continues to be illegally located in the territory of Armenia, but also is constantly taking provocative actions, attempting to discredit the system of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said at the beginning of the Cabinet meeting today.

“Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of launching provocation. Armenia, being as member of the CSTO, which will assume its chairmanship from September, understands its responsibility of not creating security threats for the CSTO, not engaging the allied states into military operations, and I officially rule out any provocative actions by the Armenian Armed Forces. One of the possible solutions to reveal the truth of mutual accusations of Armenia and Azerbaijan could be the deployment of the CSTO monitoring mission along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. If such mission would be impossible, there could be other acceptable international formats for us”, Pashinyan said.

He says Azerbaijan’s attempts to show that Armenia opposes starting the border demarcation and delimitation process has nothing to do with the reality. “We support the process, moreover, we have received a mandate from our own people to start such a process and establish peace and stability in the region. Back to the May 27 session of the Security Council I have raised our approaches on the launch of demarcation and delimitation works”, Pashinyan said.

He said it is necessary to consider the deployment of Russian peacekeeping posts along the entire length of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border which will allow to carry out the demarcation and delimitation works without a risk of a military clash.

“We are going to discuss this topic with our Russian partners. Our government is going to take all necessary measures for ensuring peace, security and stability in the region. We will act in accordance with the mandate gained from the citizens of Armenia”, the caretaker PM said.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Use of force is inadmissible – CSTO Gen.-Sec. about situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Garo Vardanian

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 18:17, 29 July, 2021

YEREVAN, JULY 29, ARMENPRESS. Secretary-General of the CSTO Stanislav Zas commented on the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. ARMENPRESS reports, citing the official website of the CSTO, Stanislav Zas offered deep condolences to the families of the 3 Armenian servicemen killed during the military clashes on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on July 28 and wished speedy recovery to the injured.

''The risk of further escalation of the regional situation is of great concern, which can have a negative impact on the implementation of the trilateral agreements enshrined in the declaration of November 10, 2020 by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. We consider use of force inadmissible. Only political-diplomatic methods should be used to resolve contradictions. I salute the efforts of Russia aimed at the stabilization of the situation in the region’’, Stanislav Zas said.

On July 28, at around 03:40, the Azerbaijani armed forces launched a provocation and violated the ceasefire in the northern-eastern section of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. Three Armenian servicemen have been killed, four others have been wounded in action. The Azerbaijani attacking forces have been repelled to their initial positions, suffering losses. The sides have reached an agreement on ceasefire at the mediation of the Russian side.

On July 29, at around 03:00, the Azerbaijani armed forces, violating yesterday’s agreement on the ceasefire, again launched a provocation in the Gegharkunik section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, in the direction of Karvachar, by opening fire at the Armenian positions from firearms. The adversary was silenced as a result of the retaliation of the Armenian side.