Author: Kajoyan Gevork

Politicization of UNESCO platform by Azerbaijani side raises serious concerns: Armenian MFA

Kajoyan Gevork
Aysor, Armenia
Nov 30 2018

In 2017 UNESCO inscribed Kochari, traditional group dance, on the list of Intangible Culture Heritage at Armenia’s request. Few days ago the organization inscribed “Yalli (Kochari, Tenzere) traditional dances of Nakhichevan” on the list of Intangible Culture Heritage as well.

The decision was made at the 13th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Mauritius. The application was presented by Azerbaijan.

Asked to clarify the situation MFA spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan said that the inscription of any element on the list of Intangible Culture Heritage does not suppose property right over this element by the applicant country.

“I want to stress that the inscription of each element on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage does not suppose property right over that element. Its inscription means recognizing the existence of mentioned element’s cultural manifestations and its peculiarities in the applicant country,” she said.

According to the Azerbaijani application, there are about 60 types of Yalli in Nakhichevan and among them is Kochari.

“The issue though raises other concerns, and particularly Azerbaijan’s attempts to politicize UNESCO platform which already have had certain impact on the organization’s working style. UNESCO has been created to promote peace and people’s security by promoting cultural cooperation between the states,” she said, adding that as a result of such like politicization it becomes a platform which more deepens the issues.

“This circumstance should be rather alarming for all the members of the organization and UNESCO Director General as well,” she said.

“At the UNESCO events Armenia has many times voiced the reality and spoke about Azerbaijan’s ill approaches and the mentioned session was not exclusion,” she said.

Asaf Hajiyev: I believe that if the format of the OSCE Minsk Group does not bring results, then alternative solutions to the Karabakh issue should be sought.

Kajoyan Gevork
Arminfo, Armenia
Nov 28 2018
Asaf Hajiyev: I believe that if the format of the OSCE Minsk Group does not bring results, then alternative solutions to the Karabakh issue should be sought.

November 28
Yerevan

Ani Mshetsyan. On the margins of the 52nd meeting of the PABSEC General Assembly, held in Yerevan from November 27 to 28, ArmInfo correspondent talked with the Secretary General of the organization representing Azerbaijan, Asaf Hajiyev, about the Karabakh conflict, regional problems and the work of the organization.

Mr. Hajiyev, how do you see the solution of the Karabakh issue? Do you consider the format of the OSCE Minsk Group optimal, or do you see other alternatives?

To be honest, I believe that it is impossible to concentrate attention exclusively on the format of the OSCE Minsk Group. Of course, the Minsk Group has been engaged in this conflict for more than 25 years, but since then the issue has not gotten off the ground. So we must look for alternatives. They come to every country and then state that "this is a matter of two countries." And if this is a matter of two countries, then why do you need us?

Yes, this is a matter of two countries. Tolstoy has good words: "All happy families are the same, every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." All conflicts are different, but there must be one principle for the conflict to get off the ground. This principle, in my opinion, should be a principle of territorial integrity. And within the framework of this principle, realize everything you want, even though the right of a nation to self-determination, at least any other right. Because if there is no main principle, this issue will be endlessly discussed. All the time they are talking about compromises, but Azerbaijan has lost 20% of its territories, what other compromise could there be? Lose 20 more?

We have a million refugees. What do we get another million. This issue was discussed as early as 1920, when it was decided that Nagorno-Karabakh should become part of Azerbaijan. After the establishment of Soviet power there was a similar decision of the Caucasus Bureau; in the USSR, Karabakh was part of Azerbaijan. And why should Karabakh leave its composition today? Because Armenians live there? I was recently in the USA and there is a village called "Little Armenia". Now, if the people living there want autonomy to become an independent state, how do you think the US authorities will react to this, will they be given autonomy? We saw similar processes in Canada, Spain, and how did it all end? And why, in those cases, everything must be stopped, but here it is necessary to wait 25 years.

In fact, this is a tragedy of two peoples. After all, so many people died, economic growth retarded, people began to live worse, families lost breadwinners. Do you really think that's good? The OSCE MG Chairs should think about it. But in fact, it does not concern them, and concerns us. We all lost our relatives, many lost our homes, they did not lose them. I'm not talking about who is more, who is less. This is not the case, the death of one person is already a tragedy, and here both countries have suffered very significant casualties. This issue should be resolved within the framework of territorial integrity, it is within this framework that the rights of the Armenian people must be realized. And then, after all, we had lived together for centuries, had problems, were not, why did it suddenly become so? After all, there were many joint marriages, and what should these children do? Now about 30,000 Armenians live in the territory of Azerbaijan, and there is not a single Azerbaijani in the territory of Armenia. I think it is worth resolving the conflict within the framework of the Aland Islands analogy. This is the territory of Finland, but the Swedes live there. They live in their cultural values, but live in Finland, and there are no problems.

How do you think regional conflicts hinder the PABSEC activity?

Yes, of course, conflicts inhibit the work of the PABSEC, there are problems in the region that need to be addressed. Of course, the purpose of the PABSEC is not to resolve conflicts, however, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic several times adopted declarations with which not all countries agreed, but which were nevertheless adopted, emphasizing the importance of solving problems in line with the territorial integrity of countries. It clearly states that territorial integrity is the way to solve problems, because there is the Helsinki Agreement, where 3 principles are laid down – peaceful solution, territorial integrity and the right of peoples to self-determination.

No one in the world is against peaceful solutions to problems. If everyone unconditionally and without any preconditions accepts the principle of the right of a nation to self-determination, then in the world there will be a huge number of small states that will fight each other. "This means the end of the world. However, within the framework of territorial integrity, the principle of the right of peoples to self-determination can be implemented. And there are already such examples in the world, as I mentioned, the Aland Islands.

As you understand, if some countries do not cooperate with each other, then this limits the activities of the PABSEC. For example, in our organization there are 12 countries and 7 conflicts. Take at least yesterday's incident, when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine was condemned, but there are other conflicts as well. There is a problem of Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and Armenia. As a result, there is no trade relationship between the two countries. Because the Azerbaijani territories are under occupation, and until the Armenian military leaves these territories, Baku's position is such that cooperation is out of the question. The position of Azerbaijan can be understood as millions of people have left their homes.

Today, there are 65 million refugees in the world, which means that among 110 people there is one refugee. If we take our region Black Sea, then among 60 people 1 refugee. If we take only Azerbaijan, then among 9 people there is 1 refugee. This issue should be the focus of attention of the world community, and should be resolved. After all, historically, we are neighbors, and no one can change this. And the example of the Aland Islands is an excellent example of how, within the framework of territorial values, the right of peoples to self-determination is exercised.

How do you evaluate the work of the PABSEC meeting in Yerevan?

The PABSEC meetings were held at a very high level. I want to note that from year to year the organization improves its work. Over the past few years, the PABSEC has received observer status in one of the largest parliamentary assemblies of the world – in the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, we also received the status of associate member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which includes almost all world parliaments, in addition, we received observer status in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. This suggests that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation is already recognized in the international arena. This gives us the opportunity to participate in work, speak, talk about problems in the region, and how to cooperate. After all, the purpose of our assembly is economic cooperation between countries, and if there is no cooperation between countries, then there can be no dialogue.

On the other hand, the Black Sea region is one of the most important regions of the world, rich in energy resources. After all, it is from our region that oil and gas from the Caspian and Black Seas is delivered to world markets. An example is the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, as well as the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzrum gas pipeline, the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which will allow to deliver goods from China to Europe not in a month, as it was before, but in a week, has recently been completed. The region is the intersection of the world's transport arteries, such as the Silk Road, the Northern Route, and at the same time it plays the role of a bridge between Europe and Asia.

How do you explain the problem related to the fact that yesterday four delegations (Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia and Ukraine – Ed.) Refused medals with which the Chairman of the National Assembly Ara Babloyan wanted to award them in honor of the 25th anniversary of the PABSEC? There is a point of view that the whole thing was that the meeting was held precisely in Armenia, and there is a subtle political background that slips here?

I heard that in the Armenian press there appeared information that this issue is related to the secretariat. I want to remind you that we have nothing to do with medals and awards. We have no right to award them, nor, moreover, ask to be taken away from someone. This is done by the decree of the chairman of the PABSEC; this has nothing to do with the secretariat.

In the speech of the head of the Azerbaijani delegation, it was said that in this situation there is no political context. I think that when the issue of medals was discussed, it was said there that they are awarded to persons who made a serious contribution to the development of the PABSEC, and not just the heads of delegations, especially since our head was appointed recently. There are, for example, a lot of examples of worthy people, for example, Nikolay Kolomoitsev from the Russian delegation, who has worked in the organization for 20 years. This contribution is not awarded to delegations, but to specific people. For example, during a meeting in Istanbul, at which 9 countries participated in the 14 speakers (12 countries are members of the PABSEC, but in some countries the parliament consists of 2 chambers – Ed.) It was the speakers who were awarded the medals, and here, things were different.

Levon Shirinyan: Sell oligarch castles, buy tanks and move forward (video)

Kajoyan Gevork
  • 22:10 | November 26,2018 | Politics
  • Հայ

Political scientist Levon Shirinyan, who heads the proportional list of the Democratic Party, announces that Artsakh’s issue is solved.

According to him, now it is necessary to think about the possibility of moving the East.

“Is it possible or not? So, I answer that question by saying we do not you want to be prepared for new genocides.”

And how to deal with the enemy’s aggressive statements and frontier tensions?

“Sell oligarch castles, buy tanks and move forward,” says Levon Shirinyan.

Pashinyan sees no need to change parliamentary system of governance

Kajoyan Gevork

Pashinyan sees no need to change parliamentary system of governance

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17:30,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has commented on the possibility of amending the Constitution.

Speaking to reporters today during a city-wide march in Yerevan, Pashinyan said that Constitutional amendments should not be an end in itself. “Constitutional amendments must be a measure for reaching a certain goal. In places when we will require utilizing this measure, we will utilize it,” he said.

Asked if he plans to keep the current parliamentary system of governance if he reaches success in the general election, Pashinyan said: “Yes, I don’t see the necessity to change it at this moment.”

Asked about the probability of reducing the powers vested in the Prime Minister of the country, he said that a balance of powers of the PM and the parliament should exist, but it should be done in a way so that the structure of power doesn’t break.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Armenpress: ‘We have to raise the level of women’s participation in political life’ – caretaker FM says at World Democracy Forum

Kajoyan Gevork

‘We have to raise the level of women's participation in political life’ – caretaker FM says at World Democracy Forum

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13:24,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s caretaker foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan has delivered remarks at the Plenary Session of World Democracy Forum “Women, security and democratization in the context of multilateralism”.

Below is the transcript of the full speech of Mnatsakanyan, as reported by the foreign ministry.

 

“Mr. President,

Thank you very much to all of you that you take such an interest in coming together from various parts of Europe, comparing notes about how we feel about the future of democracy and that is the foundation of how we want to build our nations, our countries, how we model our countries. In fact, it’s very encouraging to see more people in the room than one would often see during the Parliamentary Assembly sessions. The theme is about multilateralism, and it’s about women, who are stakeholders in multilateralism and in the security agenda.

You know, I think there are a few dates that we would want to remind ourselves, anniversaries that would be helpful in terms of testing whether history teaches us anything. The United Nations was celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2015, a few weeks ago, Europe was commemorating Armistice Day, soon we will be commemorating the end of the Second World War, the 75th anniversary, this year we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and, most importantly, in the context of where we are, next year this organization will be celebrating its 70th anniversary. And I think all of those anniversaries are reminders about the powers of multilateralism, the powers of nations coming together to address collective challenges and collective threats. And I think the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War and the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War are exactly the dates when we think about the alternative to multilateralism, and the alternative has been the catastrophe. This continent has known too well the extent and depth of catastrophe. However, those anniversaries are also taking place at a time when there is a decline in so many ways: decline of multilateralism, decline of democracy, decline of respect for human rights. We are witnesses in various parts of the world–and Europe is not an exception–witnesses of the rise of populism, of the rise of nationalism, and again, the question before us is whether history teaches us anything. I think when we talk about these things, it’s the security issue, the concept of security that is at the heart of the deliberations. Security in its entirety. Security in terms of defence security and security for the development of all nations. And at the heart of it is the human person. And the United Nations Charter has been written on behalf of “we the people” and it reaffirms the faith in human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person. I think that’s the foundation of the entire architecture that we’ve built for the security arrangement globally. So the human person is the center of our deliberation.

Multilateralism is the capacity, the test of our willingness, our wish to collectively approach crises, collectively approach all these issues that are before our societies, before our nations. There are good examples, after all. We shouldn’t undermine everything, I don’t want to appear as someone who brings everything in the bleak colors. There are good examples. There was a reference to Agenda 2030 and that is an example, the latest example of how the international community has been capable to come together and address the global issues of development and the way in which we work together. There are other examples like climate change. Again, a capacity, because none of the nations is capable to address those issues alone. We are not capable to deal with most of the issues in the globalized world alone, so we do delegate part of our sovereignty to this collective effort, for our own benefit, as sovereign states, as nations, for the benefit of our people. So that’s the value of multilateralism.

And we are in a continent which is perhaps one of the most elaborate in the architecture of multilateralism. In Europe, you have the variety of regional and subregional organizations that bring nations together to work together, which is unprecedented. Here, in this organization, we have something that is not known anywhere else in the world – a supranational court – the European Court of Human Rights. This is an organization that has been created 70 years ago, nearly 70 years ago, created to put democracy, human rights and the rule of law as the foundation of multilateralism within this regional setting.

We are a relatively new member to the Council of Europe. We are one of the beneficiaries of that multilateralism because we have chosen a model, once we restored our independence, we have chosen a model, which absorbs the values of Europe, which absorbs the principles of Europe, it absorbs the architecture, national building, state and institutional building along the lines that are known to Europe. Our road has been occasionally bumpy, we have known many instances of crisis nationally in building these institutions, in moving forward but it was through this multilateralism, through this collective work within this organization to elevate our national capacity to a point that made the Velvet Revolution in April-May of this year possible. It didn’t happen out of nothing, it happened because in its entirety, the state institutions, the civil society, the media, all components of our collective life in the country have come to a point where it was possible to absorb shock and take protest in a direction that brings our country to a much firmer ground.

The Council of Europe has been very critical in that. Because it was through the Council of Europe, with the Council of Europe, with the generation of this collective effort to bring the expertise, the knowledge to our country and to instill what we call the values of Europe in our country. So that’s an example, that’s a positivism of multilateralism. Now, in our country we have this saying, we say that democracy in the case of Armenia is not a mere choice of political model, it’s a security issue and I personally believe in that. I think this continent has shown the power of democracy and respect for human rights as a foundation for reliable security. There are many ways of looking at it but now I want to go straight to the next target of this talk. Women and youth are stakeholders in building security, stakeholders in building national institutions, participating in national life, participating in the arrangements within which a society finds harmony. I will bring you an example. The Prime Minister of Armenia, when he was marching, when he was in protest, when he was addressing the crowd, the people in the streets, in the squares of Armenia, at some point, he looked around and reflected on what he had been observing: “when I saw this many women, this many young women, this many women with pushchairs and their children, I knew this is going to happen.”

That was a very important message. We are living in a region, where we are not free of a conflict. We deal with the unresolved conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Women have that power of delivering the alternative message to militarism, to hatred. And we recognize that. There is this initiative in Armenia that we want to mobilize the women on all sides, so that they carry the message of peace. There is this belief that women have this capacity to be socially more responsible. And their sensitivity to peace is far stronger. But we haven’t got to a point at which we can claim effective use of this capacity. And I think that’s a collective challenge.

There is United Nations Security Council resolution 1325. I think it is a very important document which is a very good foundation for all of us to work together, to bring it to a national level and see how we can make use of that multilateral document to our national purpose. In Armenia as well, it took some time for us to get to that point. But I’m really glad that we will be working within a national setting on the implementation of resolution 1325.

Mr. President, in the same context, you mentioned Goal 5 of the SDGs. We have the various multilateral settings to promote the women’s agenda, within Agenda 2030 we have  our collective commitment to this, we have the various institutions within the United Nations, within this organization, within other settings to promote the women agenda at the global level, at the international level. But this is an ongoing challenge, because amongst nations we have a divergent record, there are countries with more visible progress, countries with different record. It remains an ongoing challenge in that we haven’t come to a level where we can claim there is a level of participation of women in our life, in our public life, both nationally and globally that would allow us to claim that we have reached a satisfactory point. It’s an ongoing challenge.  In my country, again, as an example, we have constitutionally set a target, you know, a minimum level of 25 percent for participation of women in Parliament. We still have to reach that target. And that is not good. We still have to raise the level of women's participation in political life. And I think we are not an exception. So, this is a very timely discussion. This is an opportunity, most of you are young people, most of you are the ones who will be in charge of the future, of the future of democracy. And this is an ongoing challenge for all of us. And I do appeal to collectively be sensitive and resolute about this agenda, because women’s participation, I claim, in public life, nationally and globally is an issue of security. Security, nationally and globally.

Thank you very much.”

Armenia Orinats Yerkir party: 7 months passed since revolution but we see incompetence

Kajoyan Gevork
News.am, Armenia
Nov 24 2018
Armenia Orinats Yerkir party: 7 months passed since revolution but we see incompetence Armenia Orinats Yerkir party: 7 months passed since revolution but we see incompetence

15:14, 24.11.2018

YEREVAN. – Seven months have passed since the revolution, but during that time we don’t see steps, programs that will enable to lead Armenia along the road of progressive development.

Arthur Baghdasaryan, Chairman of the Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law) Party (RLP), stated the above-said at Saturday’s presentation of the party’s election program for the upcoming snap parliamentary election.

He noted that there were three reasons why the RLP had decided to run for parliament.

“First, (…) we see ever-growing challenges and expectations in connection with the Armenian people and Armenia, [and] which makes us (…) bring (…) our approach in the forthcoming political processes,” Baghdasaryan said, in particular.

As per the Orinats Yerkir leader, the second reason is the major foreign policy challenges facing Armenia.

“Not having sufficient experience, the new authorities are unable to respond to the [external] threats and challenges that are increasing,” he added, above all.

The RLP chairman also pointed to the third reason why they decided to vie for parliamentary seats.

“Ultimately, what was the revolution done for? It was done so that the people live well,” Arthur Baghdasaryan stressed. “Now seven months have passed [since the revolution]. How should our country develop? With what kind of personnel potential should it develop? We don’t see the answers to these questions.

“We see that the absence of a major economic program is causing major problems.”

Eleven political forces will vie for parliamentary seats in the snap voting in Armenia on December 9.

And the 12-day election campaign season will kick off on November 26.

Analyst: Armenia trails behind Azerbaijan in development of intellectual capital

Kajoyan Gevork
News.am, Armenia
Nov 17 2018
Analyst: Armenia trails behind Azerbaijan in development of intellectual capital Analyst: Armenia trails behind Azerbaijan in development of intellectual capital

15:58, 17.11.2018
                  

YEREVAN. – Armenia needs to reach and pass Azerbaijan in the development of intellectual capital, analyst Gagik Harutyunyan stated at a press conference on Saturday.

As per the analyst, in order to worthily address the challenges which Armenia faces today, it is essential to develop the country’s main capital: intellect and high-quality personnel.

“The main accomplishment of the third Republic [of Armenia]—the victory of Karabakh War—became possible thanks to technology and human capital,” Harutyunyan noted. “But we lost that advantage [over Azerbaijan] in the following years.”

The analyst added that, as case in point, today Azerbaijani universities rank higher than Armenian institutions of higher education.

ANCC Statement on Remembrance Day 2018 / Déclaration du CNAC à l’occasion du jour du Souvenir

Kajoyan Gevork

Armenian
National Committee of Canada

Comité
National Arménien du Canada

 

Tel./Tél. (613) 235-2622

E-mail/Courriel:[email protected]

www.anccanada.org

 

-PRESS RELEASE-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

                                                                        Contact: Sevag Belian (613) 235-2622

 

 

ANCC Statement on Remembrance Day 2018

 

OTTAWA – Today, on Remembrance
Day and on the centennial of the Armistice, we pause and solemnly remember and
honour the lives of the brave Canadian men and women who sacrificed their lives
for the sake of our freedoms, dignity and shared values of justice and democracy.

Armenians who
survived the Genocide and deportations from their ancestral lands early in the
20th century spread around the world in search of freedom and dignity. The
sons and daughters of those who landed in Canada have proudly served Canada in
every foreign mission dating from the First World War through Afghanistan and
the present day.

Learning from the
lessons of our own history, Armenian Canadians also have a moral obligation to
remember and to pay tribute to the many unknown victims of war, of war crimes
and of crimes against humanity. They, too, are amongst those brave men and
women who have sacrificed their lives for our wellbeing today.

On behalf of the
Armenian-Canadian community, The Armenian National Committee of Canada would
like to thank the Canadian Government and its armed forces for the security and
safety they bring to our community and our country from coast to coast. We
remember and are grateful for the ultimate sacrifices of all those who have
fallen on and off the battlefields to protect our welfare.

This year, on the
103rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we also remember and thank the
Canadian civilians and missionaries who supported and saved Armenian lives in
the Ottoman Empire during World War I and helped many of them build new lives
in Canada.

The ultimate
sacrifice, of one’s life, in defense of a nation, of peace, of freedom, is a
sacrifice we must always remember and honour.

Remembering
the Armenian-Canadian soldiers of the World Wars

Today, we mark
Remembrance Day and the centennial of the end of the hostilities of the First
World War. It was under the cover of World War I that the Armenian Genocide was
undertaken in 1915. It was in the midst of the fighting that the Republic of
Armenia declared its independence in 1918. It was the consequent peace process
that vested the United States as arbitrator for the new republic’s border with
Turkey, which was decided by President Woodrow Wilson.

Often overlooked,
however, is the contribution that Armenian-Canadians played in the Canadian
Armed Forces during both the first and second world wars. Today, as we honour
all those who put their life on the line to defend our freedom, let us also
remember:

Andrew Artinian,
Charles Artinian, Dikran Artinian, Herman Aram Asadourian, George Asadourian,
Reggie Avedisian, Andrew Antranig Chichakian, Samuel Chichakian, Richard
Essraelian, Sarkis Halagian, Richard Hoogasian, George Kalagian, Nigoghos Kalagian,
Susan Kalagian, Shoghomon Koloian, Edward Krekorian, Arthur Ashod Kuderian,
John Magarian, Levon Magarian, Kirk Matosian, Michael Minoian, Avak Moligian,
Arthur Avedis Mooradian, John Moukperian, George Sahakian, Paul Solomonian,
Hagop Torosian, Harry Torosian, Hygus Torosian, and William Zampigian.

 

 

 

-30-

 

******

 

 

The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots human rights organization. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of the Canadian-Armenian
community on a broad range of issues and works to eliminate abuses of human
rights throughout Canada and the world.

Armenian
National Committee of Canada

Comité
National Arménien du Canada

 

Tel./Tél. (613) 235-2622

E-mail/Courriel:[email protected]

www.anccanada.org

 

– Communiqué de presse–

11
novembre, 2018                                                                Contact: Sevag Belian (613) 235-2622

 

 

Déclaration du CNAC à l’occasion du jour
du Souvenir

 

OTTAWA – Aujourd'hui, en
ce Jour national du Souvenir et à l'occasion du centenaire de
l'Armistice, prenons un peu de recul de nos vies de tous les jours et
commémorons solennellement la vie des braves Canadiens et Canadiennes qui se
sont sacrifiés pour la défense de notre liberté,de notre dignité
et nos valeurs communes de justice et de démocratie.

Les Arméniens qui ont
survécu au génocide et aux déportations de leurs terres ancestrales au début
du XXe siècle se sont éparpillés dans le monde entier à la recherche de
liberté et de dignité. Les filles et fils de ceux qui sont arrivés au
Canada ont fièrement servi le Canada dans toutes les missions étrangères depuis
la Première Guerre mondiale jusqu'à nos jours, en passant par l'Afghanistan.

Tirant les leçons de
leur propre histoire, les Canadiens d'origine arménienne ont aussi l'obligation
morale de se souvenir et de rendre hommage aux nombreuses victimes inconnues de
la guerre, des crimes de guerre et des crimes contre l'humanité. Eux aussi font
partie de ces hommes et femmes courageux qui ont sacrifié leur vie
pour notre bien-être aujourd'hui.

Au nom de la communauté
arménienne du Canada, le Comité national arménien du Canada tient à remercier le
gouvernement canadien et ses forces armées pour la sécurité et la sûreté qu'ils
apportent à notre communauté et à notre pays, d'un océan à l'autre. Nous nous
souvenons des sacrifices de tous ceux qui sont tombés sur les champs de
bataille afin de protéger notre bien-être, et nous leur en sommes
reconnaissants.

Cette année, à
l'occasion du 103e anniversaire du génocide arménien, nous nous souvenons
également des civils et des missionnaires canadiens qui ont appuyé et sauvé la
vie des Arméniens dans l'Empire ottoman pendant la Première Guerre mondiale et
qui ont aidé bon nombre d'entre eux à bâtir une nouvelle vie au Canada.

Le sacrifice ultime de
la vie d’une personne pour la défense d'une nation, de la paix, de la liberté
est un sacrifice dont nous devons toujours honorer et nous en souvenir.

À la mémoire des
soldats canadiens-arméniens des deux guerres mondiales

Aujourd'hui, nous
soulignons le Jour du souvenir et le centenaire de la fin des
hostilités de la Première Guerre mondiale. C'est sous le couvert de la Première
Guerre mondiale que le génocide arménien a eu lieu en 1915. C'est au milieu des
combats que la République d'Arménie a déclaré son indépendance en 1918. C'est
le processus de paix qui en a résulté qui a conféré aux États-Unis le rôle
d'arbitre pour la frontière de la nouvelle république avec la Turquie, ce qui a
été décidé par le président Woodrow Wilson.

On oublie souvent,
cependant, la contribution des Canadiens d'origine arménienne au sein des
Forces armées canadiennes pendant la Première et la Seconde Guerre moniale.
Aujourd'hui, alors que nous honorons tous ceux qui ont risqué leur vie pour
défendre notre liberté, souvenons-nous aussi de :

Andrew
Artinian, Charles Artinian, Dikran Artinian, Herman Aram Asadourian, George
Asadourian, Reggie Avedisian, Andrew Antranig Chichakian, Samuel Chichakian,
Richard Essraelian, Sarkis Halagian, Richard Hoogasian, George Kalagian,
Nigoghos Kalagian, Susan Kalagian, Shoghomon Koloian, Edward Krekorian, Arthur
Ashod Kuderian, John Magarian, Levon Magarian, Kirk Matosian, Michael Minoian,
Avak Moligian, Arthur Avedis Mooradian, John Moukperian, George Sahakian, Paul
Solomonian, Hagop Torosian, Harry Torosian, Hygus Torosian et William
Zampigian.

 

 

-30-

 

******

 

Le CNAC
est l’organisation politique canadienne-arménienne la plus large
et influente au Canada. Le CNAC s'occupe activement de représenter
le point de vue collectif arméno-canadien sur les
questions d'intérêt public, et de soutenir et promouvoir les questions
relatives aux droits de l'homme au Canada et à l'échelle internationale. Le
CNAC travaille en étroite collaboration avec ses bureaux régionaux et des
associations affiliées à travers le Canada, ainsi qu'avec d'autres
organisations arméniennes poursuivant des objectifs similaires à travers le
monde. 

—
Sevag Belian – Executive Director
Armenian National Committee of Canada
T: (613) 235-2622 | C: (905) 329-8526
E:

Analyst: Armenia should not allow Russia to develop relations with Azerbaijan at its expense

Kajoyan Gevork
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 10 2018

Recently, the relations between Russia and Azerbaijan are remarkable because the neighboring country is buying large quantities of gas from our strategic ally. Besides, from time to time, the topic of possible accession of Azerbaijan to CSTO is discussed. Ali-Husseinov, the head of the Russian-Azerbaijani Interparliamentary Cooperation Group, specifically stated earlier that "under these new geographical conditions, Azerbaijan's participation in the CSTO can be considered."

Panorama.am correspondent talked to analyst Tevan Poghosyan about what might have possibly changed in Russian-Azerbaijani relations and whether the above-mentioned circumstances are a manifestation of Russia's business interest or a mere outcome of Armenia's foreign policy.

The latter noticed that the Armenian side, of course, has had failures and should carry out more coordinated work on the international platforms.

"We need to understand whether Armenia has made enough efforts so that no country thinks that relations with Azerbaijan are more important than relations with Armenia. Our guilt lies in the fact that Armenia is not one of the world's most powerful countries today. This is entirely our fault, the result of our inadequate effort, most often, a consequence of our not correctly made efforts. It is necessary to understand what we should do for Armenia and Russia to cooperate more closely, so that the relations improve even more, so that when establishing relations with another country Russia always takes into account whether Armenia will like it or not.

Today Azerbaijan announces that Armenians are their enemies and that it is at war with Armenia. That country will do its best to win on the diplomatic platform as well. That's why it will do all it possibly can in parliamentary assemblies, international organizations, even in the spheres of sports and culture, " Tevan Poghosyan said, adding that Armenia should do its best to protect its own interests, not allowing Russia to develop relations with Azerbaijan at its expense.

On the other hand, according to the analyst, it is unacceptable for a third party to interfere with the relations between the two countries, in the same way as one cannot interfere with the American-Israeli relations, for example.

"Relations between Russia and Azerbaijan are conditioned by the interests of the leaders of the two countries. They implement projects, " said Tevan Poghosyan.

Asbarez: Selections from ‘A Journey of Angels’ to be Staged at Crescenta Valley High School

Kajoyan Gevork
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11 hours ago

Dr. Kay Mouradian is the author of “My Mother’s Voice”

Selections of original scenes and songs from the play A Journey of Angels will be presented at a gala benefit on November 9th at 7 p.m. at the Crescenta Valley High School MacDonald Auditorium. There is a suggested donation of $10 at the door, and the proceeds will help fund a professional production.

Dr. Kay Mouradian wrote a book called My Mother’s Voice which told the story of Flora and her sister Verkin, who grew up in the small Armenian Mountain village Hadjin in 1915 whose family was ripped a part by the Genocide.

The Theater teachers at Crescenta Valley High school have adapted Dr. Mouradian’s book into a theatrical performance called Journey of Angels. With original dialogue by Brent Beerman and original music by Kathi Chaplar, melded with traditional folktales and songs, Flora and her sister Verkin’s incredible story honors her people with dignity and personifies the human spirit of hope, love, and justice. A Journey of Angels is the journey of all the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, a story that must not be forgotten.

This is a theatrical project in process, and we hope in the near future to bring this story not only to all students in Glendale, but to students all over the country. Our project is a part of a Textbook focusing on teaching 20th century genocides to American high school students by University of Arkansas professor, Dr. Samuel Totton. Dr. Totton’s book will be taught to graduate students across the country and it will include the California framework which outlines how to teach the Armenian Genocide to students.

The Crescenta Valley Theater Arts Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 and its mission statement focuses on community outreach as well as bringing together professional and student artists with the goal of social change.