Yvette Vartanian Davis Elected to State Community College Board

Yvette Vartanian Davis

The Glendale Community College District Board of Trustees announced the election of Trustee Yvette Vartanian Davis to the California Community College Trustees’ Board of Directors. The 21 member CCCT Board takes positions on and formulates education policy issues that come before the California Community Colleges’ Board of Governors, the State Legislature, and other relevant state-level boards and commissions.

Trustee Yvette is the first Armenian American woman in California to serve in this prestigious role, having received a vote of confidence by trustees serving the 116 community colleges and with more than 2.1 million students attending community colleges in California. She was the second highest recipient of votes in California which indicates the respect she has garnered amongst her peers during her first term.

“It is rare that a trustee in her first elected term reaches this level of accomplishment,” said Dr. Armine Hacopian, GCC Board President.

Yvette was elected as a Trustee of (GCCD) Board in 2017, representing the South Glendale District where she resides. In addition, in 2020-2021, she was unanimously elected as President of the GCCD Board.

Trustee Ann Ransford, a former CCCT Board President herself and a current member, who is the Vice-President of GCCD Board of Trustees, expressed that “Trustee Yvette always puts students and their success at the heart of her decisions. Having representation at the state level continues to put GCCD at the center of community college issues and provides the GCCD Board with current policies, data and information.”

According to Dr. Viar, GCCD Superintendent/President “…as state laws, regulations, and funding are under review in Sacramento, it is essential that Glendale Community College needs are understood and addressed. Trustee Davis’ role on the state board is pivotal and provides GCCD with advocacy and recognition on behalf of our students and our community.”

It is important to note that Trustee Yvette’s hard work has been recognized by multiple associations and she has been honored for her leadership roles as she continues to serve on various boards. Through her volunteer work, Yvette has been able to serve and support various global organizations with the purpose of improving the quality of life for those in need of a helping hand.

“Through her unwavering commitment in advancing the educational experience for our communities, Trustee Yvette is absolutely deserving of this new exemplary role,” said Lucy Petrosian, ANCA Glendale’s Chairperson. “We are confident that she will achieve new heights and center the needs of our students.”

Yvette plans on running for the Glendale Community College Board again and she is very appreciative of the mentorship provided to her by Trustee Ann Ransford, Dr. Hacopian, and Dr. Viar.

Basque Parliament demands Azerbaijan to immediately release the Armenian prisoners of war

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 18:26, 8 October, 2021

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 8, ARMENPRESS. The Basque Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution on October 8, demanding Azerbaijan to release the Armenian war prisoners, ARMENPRESS reports, the Embassy of Armenia in Spain informs.

The resolution makes the following clear demands: immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war, respect for the ceasefire regime, cessation of military incursions into the territory of the Republic of Armenia.

Armenian youth rally in front of Azerbaijani Embassy in Athens

Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 28 2021

Armenians in Greece rallied in front of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Athens on Monday, the Armenian National Committee of Greece reports.

One year after the war waged by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh, the young Armenians in Athens and Thessaloniki raised their voices against the violent action of Azerbaijan.

A year since the violent war, which left thousands killed and wounded, Azerbaijan fails to return Armenian prisoners of war and civilian hostages.

The Embassy officials tried to lower the Armenian flag, hitting the protesters with sticks and throwing water cannons, ANC Greece said.

Film: 2022 Oscars: Armenia selects ‘Should the Wind Drop’ for international feature film category

Panorama, Armenia
Sept 28 2021

CULTURE 19:28 28/09/2021 ARMENIA

Armenia will submit filmmaker Nora Martirosyan’s “Should the Wind Drop” (Si le vent tombe), a drama about Artsakh, for consideration in the Best International Feature Film (formerly called Best Foreign Language Film) category of the 2022 Oscars, the Armenian National Film Academy reported on Tuesday.

The decision was made as a result of a secret voting at the meeting of the Film Academy on Monday.

The film was produced with the financial support of the National Cinema Center of Armenia and is a France-Armenia-Belgium coproduction.

Its screenwriters are Nora Martirosyan and Emmanuelle Pagano, the producer is Julie Paratian.

Nora Martirosyan is a graduate of both the Art Academy in Yerevan, Armenia, and the State Academy of Fine Arts, in Amsterdam. In 2010, she directed the documentary short "Les Complices". "Should the Wind Drop" is her feature debut. She currently lives and works in Montpelier, France.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 09/27/2021

                                        Monday, 


Russia Reaffirms ‘Commitment To Armenia’s Security’


NAGORNO-KARABAKH -- Russian soldiers of the peacekeeping force man a checkpoint 
on a road outside the city of Stepanakert, November 26, 2020


Russia pledged to continue bolstering Armenia’s national security and seeking a 
“long-term solution” to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as its diplomats 
commemorated the first anniversary of the outbreak of the Armenian-Azerbaijani 
war on Monday.

The Russian Embassy in Yerevan said its staff observed a minute of silence in 
memory of people killed during the six-year war stopped by a Russian-brokered 
ceasefire last November.

“Russia attaches particular importance to ensuring that Armenia’s population 
overcomes the stress caused by the war, feels safe, and gains confidence in the 
future as soon as possible,” it said in a statement. “As allies, we are always 
ready to lend a shoulder and we are doing that.

“Active efforts and practical steps are being taken to preserve regional 
stability and security, overcome the consequences of last autumn’s large-scale 
hostilities, including assistance in the restoration of civil infrastructure, 
the return of refugees and the final resolution of the issue of Armenian 
prisoners’ release.”

“Russia will continue mediation efforts both in its national capacity and within 
the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group to find a long-term solution to the 
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” added the statement.

Moscow played a key role in stopping the fighting that left at least 6,700 
Armenians and Azerbaijanis dead. Under the terms of an Armenian-Azerbaijani 
ceasefire deal brokered by President Vladimir Putin, it deployed 2,000 Russian 
peacekeeping troops in Karabakh. Russian troops were also deployed along 
Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan.

Shortly after the war Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian pledged to further deepen 
Armenia’s defense and security ties with Russia, saying that his country needs 
“additional security guarantees” in view of the new geopolitical realities in 
the region. The Russian military has since been helping the South Caucasus state 
reform and rearm its army.

The Russian ambassador in Yerevan, Sergei Kopyrkin, met with Armenia’s former 
President Levon Ter-Petrosian on Monday. A spokesman for Ter-Petrosian said they 
discussed “prospects for regional cooperation and security.” He gave no other 
details.

Ter-Petrosian has blamed Pashinian’s government for Armenia’s defeat in the war. 
He has long championed a compromise solution to the Karabakh dispute.



Turkey To ‘Coordinate’ Armenia Policy With Azerbaijan


AZERBAIJAN -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (left) meets with his 
Azeri counterpart Ceyhun Bayramov in Baku, November 1, 2020


Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu indicated on Monday that Turkey will 
continue to link the normalization of its relations with Armenia to a resolution 
of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict acceptable to Azerbaijan.

Cavusoglu said that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has sent “positive 
messages” to Ankara of late but has yet to respond to offers made by Baku.

“As you know, Azerbaijan has offered to sign a comprehensive peace accord with 
Armenia,” he told a joint news conference in Istanbul with his Azerbaijani 
counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov. “There has yet to be a positive response from 
Armenia.”

“As always, we will coordinate [Armenia-related] steps that we could take with 
dear Azerbaijan. We decide together, we take steps together,” Cavusoglu added, 
according to the Anatolia news agency.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on September 19 that Pashinian has 
offered to meet with him for talks on improving Turkish-Armenian relations. 
Erdogan appeared to make such a meeting conditional on Armenia agreeing to open 
a transport corridor that would connect Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave.

Baku also wants Yerevan to recognize Azerbaijani sovereignty over 
Nagorno-Karabakh through the “peace treaty” mentioned by Cavusoglu.

A senior Armenian official said on Friday that Pashinian’s government still 
hopes to start a Turkish-Armenian “dialogue without preconditions.” He did not 
deny that Pashinian proposed a meeting with Erdogan.

Armenian opposition leaders have denounced what they see as Pashinian’s secret 
overtures to Erdogan. They say that Ankara continues to set unacceptable 
preconditions for establishing diplomatic relations with Yerevan and opening the 
Turkish-Armenian border.

A senior member of the opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation 
(Dashnaktsutyun) insisted last week that negotiating with the Turks in these 
circumstances would be tantamount to accepting their preconditions.

Turkey provided decisive military assistance to Azerbaijan during the six-week 
war in Karabakh stopped by a Russian-brokered ceasefire last November.



U.S. Envoys Honor Karabakh War Dead


Armenia - U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy visits the Yerablur Military Pantheon in 
Yerevan to pay her respects to Armenian soldiers killed in the 2020 war in 
Nagorno-Karabakh, .


The U.S. ambassadors to Armenia and Azerbaijan on Monday paid their respects to 
Armenians and Azerbaijanis killed in last year’s war over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The diplomats visited military cemeteries in Yerevan and Baku respectively on 
the first anniversary of the outbreak of the six-week war that left at least 
6,700 people from both sides dead.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those killed and injured 
last year and in the many years of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” the U.S. 
Embassy in Yerevan said in a short statement on Ambassador Lynne Tracy’s visit 
to the Yerablur Military Pantheon.

Photographs posted on the embassy’s Facebook page showed Tracy laying flowers at 
the graves of Armenian soldiers buried there.

The U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan released an identical statement and a photograph 
of Ambassador Lee Litzenberger standing by Azerbaijani servicemen’s graves 
adorned with Azerbaijani and Turkish national flags.


Azerbaijan - U.S. Ambassador Lee Litzenberger pays his respects to Azerbaijani 
soldiers killed in the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku, .

Together with Russia and France, the United States has long been spearheading 
international efforts to end the Nagorno-Karabakh. The three mediating powers 
co-heading the OSCE Minsk Group tried to stop last year’s war with ceasefire 
agreements supposedly reached by Armenia and Azerbaijan.

One such deal brokered by Washington collapsed immediately after it was due to 
come into effect on October 26, 2020. The hostilities in and around Karabakh 
stopped only two weeks later after another deal negotiated by Russian President 
Vladimir Putin.

U.S., Russian and French diplomats have since continued their mediation efforts. 
They organized in New York on Friday the first meeting of the Armenian and 
Azerbaijani foreign ministers since the November truce. While in New York, the 
ministers also held separate talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le 
Drian and U.S. Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland.



Armenia Marks Karabakh War Anniversary


NAGORN-KARABAKH -- A serviceman of Karabakh's Defence Army fires an artillery 
piece towards Azeri positions during fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, September 
28, 2020


Armenians observed a minute of silence, visited a military cemetery in Yerevan 
and attended requiem services in churches on Monday to mark the first 
anniversary of the start of a devastating war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The services were held at the Echmiadzin cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic 
Church and other major churches across Armenia. Catholicos Garegin II, the 
supreme head of the church, presided over one of those liturgies.

The war broke out early on September 27, 2020 when Azerbaijan launched a 
large-scale military offensive along the Armenian-Azerbaijani “line of contact” 
around Karabakh.

The Azerbaijani army captured four districts south of the Armenian-populated 
disputed territory as well as Karabakh’s southern Hadrut district and the town 
of Shushi (Shusha) before a Russian-brokered ceasefire stopped the hostilities 
on November 10.

Baku also regained control in the following weeks over the three other districts 
occupied by Karabakh Armenian forces in the early 1990s. The truce accord 
negotiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin also led to the deployment of 
2,000 Russian peacekeeping forces in Karabakh and the so-called Lachin corridor 
connecting the territory to Armenia.

According to the Armenian authorities, more than 3,700 Armenian soldiers and 75 
civilians were killed during the six-week war. At least 253 others remain 
unaccounted for. This figure includes dozens of Armenian prisoners believed to 
be still held by Azerbaijan.


Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian visits the Yerablur Military Pantheon 
in Yerevan on the first anniversary of the start of a war in Nagorno-Karabakh, 
.

Armenia and Karabakh observed at 11 a.m. local time a minute of silence in 
memory of their war dead.

Many of the Armenian soldiers killed in action were buried at Yerablur. Prime 
Minister Nikol Pashinian visited the military pantheon early in the morning. 
Relatives of fallen soldiers and other Armenians laid flowers later in the day.

Thousands of other people silently walked to Yerablur late on Sunday in a 
candlelight march organized by the main opposition Hayastan alliance. The 
procession was led by the bloc’s top leader, former President Robert Kocharian.

Hayastan and virtually all other Armenian opposition groups hold Pashinian 
responsible for Armenia’s and Karabakh’s defeat in the war. In the immediate 
aftermath of the Karabakh truce, most of them joined forces to stage 
demonstrations in Yerevan aimed at forcing the prime minister and his cabinet to 
resign.

Pashinian refused to quit and decided instead to hold snap parliamentary 
elections in June. His Civil Contract won the elections with about 54 percent of 
the vote, according to their official results rejected by the opposition.


Armenia - Supporters of the opposition Hayastan alliance march to the Yerablur 
Military Pantheon, Yerevan, .

Later in the morning Pashinian spoke by phone with Ara Harutiunian, the Karabakh 
president who visited a military cemetery in Stepanakert where hundreds of other 
fallen soldiers were laid to rest. Pashinian’s office said they discussed 
ongoing efforts to “overcome consequences of the 44-day Artsakh war.” It said 
they reaffirmed their commitment to “Artsakh’s revival and further development.”

The war anniversary was also marked in Azerbaijan whose government has 
acknowledged over 2,900 combat and civilian deaths.

In a speech delivered on the occasion, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev again 
said that Azerbaijan’s victory in the war put an end to the conflict. 
“Azerbaijan restored its territorial integrity,” he said.

Armenia maintains that the conflict remains unresolved because there is still no 
agreement on Karabakh’s status, the main bone of contention. A senior U.S. 
diplomat has repeatedly made similar statements in recent weeks.

The Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers met in New York on Friday for 
talks hosted by the U.S., Russian and French diplomats co-chairing the OSCE 
Minsk Group. In a joint statement issued after the talks, the mediators 
reiterated that they are ready to “continue working with the sides to find 
comprehensive solutions to all remaining issues related to or resulting from the 
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.”


Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2021 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

 

Azerbaijan files case alleging ‘ethnic cleansing’ by Armenia

Washington Post
Sept 23 2021

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Azerbaijan on Thursday filed a case at the United Nations’ top court accusing neighboring Armenia of a “policy of ethnic cleansing” targeting Azerbaijanis.

The case was lodged at the International Court of Justice a week after Armenia filed suit against Azerbaijan at the same Hague-based world court, accusing Baku of a “state-sponsored policy of Armenian hatred.”

Both cases focus on the two countries’ decades long territorial dispute that erupted into armed conflict again last year, leaving hundreds dead.

Referring to that eruption of hostilities, Azerbaijan alleged in its written filing that “Armenia once again targeted Azerbaijanis for brutal treatment motivated by ethnic hatred,” the court said in a statement.

“Armenia’s policies and conduct of ethnic cleansing, cultural erasure and fomenting of hatred against Azerbaijanis systematically infringe the rights and freedoms of Azerbaijanis, as well as Azerbaijan’s own rights,” the case alleges. It accuses Armenia of breaching an international convention aimed at eradicating discrimination.

Armenia last week cited the same convention in bringing its case to the court, which handles disputes between nations. Both countries have signed the convention.

The legal dispute is the latest battle over the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan that has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by the Armenian government for more than a quarter of a century.

The predominantly Armenian-populated region had an autonomous status within Azerbaijan during the Soviet era. Tensions between Christian Armenians and mostly Muslim Azeris boiled over as the Soviet Union collapsed. Conflict broke out in 1988 when the region tried to join Armenia, and escalated into war after the 1991 collapse of the USSR, leaving an estimated 30,000 dead and displacing about 1 million.

Azerbaijan asked the court to urgently order so-called “provisional measures” aimed at compelling Armenia to “protect Azerbaijanis from the irreparable harm caused by Armenia’s ongoing conduct.” Armenia made a similar request last week aimed at protecting its interests while the case is heard.

Cases at the court often take years, but hearings on the two requests for provisional measures will likely be scheduled in coming weeks.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/azerbaijan-files-case-alleging-ethnic-cleansing-by-armenia/2021/09/23/372ba558-1ca9-11ec-bea8-308ea134594f_story.html
Also 

AW: A Unique Approach to Church Unity: Sharing

The Armenian community in North America has been hampered by an unnecessary and tragic division since 1933. For the first 23 years after the schism, many of the parishes were organized under the Diocese of America (later a western and Canadian dioceses were formed). The remainder of the churches remained “unaffiliated” until 1956, when they petitioned the Great House of Cilicia for affiliation and what became known as the Prelacy was formed. In the years that followed, a western and Canadian Prelacy were also formed. We should not judge our ancestors in those trying times. The events were tragic and created a rare dichotomy where conflict and growth were managed simultaneously. It was during these faithful times in the 50s and 60s that the North American communities experienced significant infrastructure expansion with many churches and centers. Both “sides” were filled with dedicated Armenian Christians. We should remind ourselves of that. Reunification was debated heavily in the 70s and the 80s, particularly in the eastern regions, but fell victim to special interests. My own view on the shameful division of our church has not changed for decades. I consider it to be embarrassing and counter to our claims of Christian values. How can we claim to be adherents to the teachings of our Lord, yet cannot find the will to overcome the obstacles to oneness?

While we wait (endlessly) for our leadership to do their job and bring us together, a new dynamic has emerged. Back in the 80s, I remember one of the debates taking place was whether to instantly unify and then address the challenges or have a period of “cooperation” to reacquaint ourselves with each other and build some level of trust. Regardless of the failures of that effort, the “cooperation” values did take hold. In nearly every community in the eastern region, local activity of engagement has been fruitful. It began many years ago with participation on joint activities such as Genocide commemorations or catastrophic events such as relief efforts for the earthquake of 1988. This continued with other moments such as the 1,700th anniversary of Armenia’s embracing of Christianity (2001) or the centennial anniversary of the Genocide (2015). Generally, our Catholicoi would sanction the cooperation and then return to “business as usual” never capitalizing on the goodwill to end this tragic state. Despite the lack of a sustainable approach, many of our local leaders facilitated the thaw with relationship building. When you build walls, as we have, relationships and trust take a back seat. We have all witnessed an era where local priests have established close relationships, and many lay people have built friendships. This has created an environment where supporting each other is a more natural state. 

A new dynamic slowly has emerged in our community. Rather than only being concerned about the corporate structure they are affiliated with (Diocese or Prelacy) or their own local parish, we experience a connection to the whole community. It is quite common to hear individuals talk about the greater community (i.e. Boston, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, etc.) and not simply their parish. This is fueled by truly broad community activity but also by the trusting relationships that have been formed as a result of the last decades of investment. Our emerging generation has been ahead of the curve as they grow into the decision making years. Most are ambivalent about the division and have expressed their Armenian and Christian identity by ignoring traditional boundaries. It is quite common in larger communities to see youth in both the AYF and ACYOA or to find diverse backgrounds from participants in the AGBU YP. Their social needs and limited commitment to the infrastructure of their parents has actually opened many new doors.

Recently, I noticed the early examples of a further cooperative state, one that includes sharing resources. Many of our parishes, Diocese or Prelacy, are experiencing declines in function. Whether that is manifested through church attendance, membership, youth programs or financial matters, the struggle is the new reality. The work to reverse this trend is complex and the subject of much activity and dialogue. What I find inspiring is that some have found a way to “pool resources” to service the needs of the community. There is a diocesan parish in Trumbull led by a priest that I deeply respect. He is the benchmark, in my view, in finding ways for people to identify with the Armenian church. A middle-aged man has emerged the last several years with remarkable devotion in this parish. He serves at the altar of our Lord and is also a diocesan delegate. While serving at Holy Ascension, he also travels frequently to the Prelacy church in New Britain to assist at the altar. When I see this type of selfless devotion to serve our church, I am convinced it will influence others. This admirable devotion should not be underestimated. We are conditioned to have loyalty to a parish. Historically, aside from tension, there has also been a competition between parishes. What a wonderful example of truly honoring “the church.” 

St. George Armenian Church – Hartford CT A burned Holy Bible on the stairs leading to the main entrance of St. George, June 2. (Photo: St. George Armenian Church, Hartford, CT)

The northern Connecticut region is going through an interesting transformation. There are three Apostolic churches within less than half an hour. We have a diocesan parish in Hartford, a diocesan parish in New Britain and a Prelacy parish in New Britain. Each parish was recently blessed with a new priest. St. George in Hartford is led by Der Voski, a man I have met and am so impressed with his focus on Christian love. You may have read about an incident in the late spring when a Bible was found burnt on the steps of his parish. Der Voski publicly offered help and support to the individual in an act of love and forgiveness. Holy Resurrection is led by the newly ordained Der Haroutiun who was the subject of an earlier column and part of our new generation of American-born priests. Der Garabed of St. Stephen’s possesses the peaceful nature of a man of God and embraces his new vocation to serve the Lord and our church. What is particularly exciting is the relationship the three have formed and their approach to their respective ministries. They approach their roles as a collective responsibility to minister to the needs of the northern Connecticut Armenians, and there is plenty of work to go around for everyone. This has established a very natural level of cooperation that will benefit the faithful. In fact, they have sponsored several jointly held religious observations and have many more ideas. These folks are my heroes because in addition to honoring their parishes, they have figured out that by cooperating and not competing, they will all have a greater impact on bringing the mission of our church to this area. This is a situation worth watching and supporting. I believe that we may witness some special results in the coming years. It may help relieve concerns in smaller communities.

This mentality, based on Armenian Christian love, can help strengthen our church while our leaders avoid the issue of administrative unification. As the impact of secularism and assimilation takes a toll in our church, the infrastructure of priests, deacons, choir members and teachers is strained. Many churches are dealing with a “catch-22” and trying to recruit new members and maintain an effective educational system to offer those new members. How can each parish maintain a full and effective infrastructure of teachers and programming to meet the needs of their faithful? We are beginning to see the emergence of local retreats, educational programming and religious observations that are jointly sponsored and led by local leaders. This not only increases the effectiveness of their ministry but gives people hope and generates additional ideas.

My maternal grandfather was a founding member of the St. Stephen’s parish in New Britain in the late 1920s. It was one of the more contentious parish issues in 1933 as its ownership was settled in the courts. Soon after, the Holy Resurrection parish was established from those who were not affiliated with St. Stephan’s after the division. The original sanctuary parish was originally only a block or so away from St. Stephen’s on Tremont St. I remember my mom telling us we had many relatives who went to Holy Resurrection, but the environment was such during my youth that our paths did not cross. There was no animosity. How could there be with my generation? We simply never met. So sad. This past summer, I visited the Holy Resurrection parish with the honor of serving as Der Haroutiun’s godfather. It was there that I not only met a few of my cousins who are my mother’s generational peers, but many members of their extended families who are active in the parish. God has a plan for all of us. Now these parishes who lived through the difficult years are at the forefront of new thinking. Bishop Daniel believes a resurgence will happen. I do also. These leaders have a vision.

It is not new thinking. It is simply applying the love and devotion to our faith directly to the task at hand. Others refer to it as “walking the talk.” Putting our egos and past issues aside is a hallmark of Christianity. Thankfully the division did not alter the united theology of our church. There is something interesting happening in Connecticut and elsewhere. I hope that all communities look at their work not in the myopic view of their parish but rather as a collective partner with other parishes in that locale. This is a practical necessity and an important part of our faith. If we truly approach our work through the lens of the greater community we serve, we just might discover solutions to problems that have seemed chronic and now have newly discovered light.

    Columnist
    Stepan was raised in the Armenian community of Indian Orchard, MA at the St. Gregory Parish. A former member of the AYF Central Executive and the Eastern Prelacy Executive Council, he also served many years as a delegate to the Eastern Diocesan Assembly. Currently , he serves as a member of the board and executive committee of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). He also serves on the board of the Armenian Heritage Foundation. Stepan is a retired executive in the computer storage industry and resides in the Boston area with his wife Susan. He has spent many years as a volunteer teacher of Armenian history and contemporary issues to the young generation and adults at schools, camps and churches. His interests include the Armenian diaspora, Armenia, sports and reading.

    Political scientist: Azerbaijani media ‘enthusiastically’ quoting Nikol Pashinyan and Alen Simonyan

    Panorama, Armenia
    Sept 16 2021

    POLITICS 13:13 16/09/2021 ARMENIA

    Azerbaijani media outlets are eagerly citing the latest statements of the Armenian leaders, particularly Nikol Pashinyan and Alen Simonyan, political scientist Gagik Hambaryan said on Facebook on Wednesday, sharing some images of the Azeri news headlines.

    “The Azerbaijani media are actively citing the "gibberish" talked by Nikol Landless in the National Assembly of Armenia on Thursday that Vorotan is Eyvazli and the problems of Azerbaijanis with Iranian drivers passing along the Goris-Kapan road do not concern us,” he wrote.

    “The Azerbaijani media has also reacted with great joy to the "whining" of National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan that the data of the Armenian ombudsman on the inhuman treatment of Armenian prisoners of war being held in Azerbaijan were false.

    “It turns out that the so-called statements of the Armenian leadership lie in Azerbaijan’s interests, as best evidenced by the active quotation of Nikol and Alen by Aliyev-controlled media,” the expert said.

    In Hambaryan’s words, it is not ruled out that those statements could be used by Baku against Armenia in international instances and organizations when spreading lies.

    He recalled that just a year ago, some members of Pashinyan's My Step bloc “blatantly” accused the opposition of being quoted by the Azerbaijani media.

    “You bastards and traitors, you have nothing to say now, when your leaders have become the most quoted heroes of the Aliyev-controlled Armenophobic media and whose pearls of thought are in Azerbaijan’s national interests,” the expert said.

    Parliament session – LIVE – 09/14/2021

    Parliament session – LIVE

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     10:00, 14 September, 2021

    YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. The Parliament of Armenia is holding a session today.

    The lawmakers are debating the election of a member of the Corruption Prevention Commission. Mariam Galstyan’s candidacy has been nominated for the position.

    The election of a candidate for a judge of the Court of Cassation is also on the agenda.

    During yesterday’s session the Parliament completed the debate of the activity of the Central Electoral Commission.

    [See Video]
    Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

    U.S. call for determining Karabakh status angers Azerbaijan

    PanArmenian, Armenia
    Sept 13 2021

    PanARMENIAN.Net - The remarks of U.S. ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy about the necessity to determine the status of Nagorno-Karabakh has drawn the ire of Baku.

    In a statement on Saturday, September 11, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva said the American Ambassador's choice of words was "unacceptable".

    "The [Nagorno-Karabakh] conflict is in the past, Azerbaijan has ensured its territorial integrity and by the decree of the President of Azerbaijan dated July 7, 2021, the East Zangezur and Karabakh economic regions were created. These territories are an integral part of Azerbaijan and there can be no question of any status," Interfax.az cited Abdullayeva as saying.

    According to her, the statement of the U.S. diplomat could escalate the situation and "create unreasonable expectations" for the Armenian side.

    "While the further activity of the OSCE Minsk Group is being discussed, the statement by the representative of a co-chair country undermines the future activity of the Minsk Group," Abdullayeva added.

    Tracy said on Saturday that that the United States is making efforts to return Armenia and Azerbaijan to the negotiating table to work on the Karabakh settlement within the OSCE Minsk Group. "We understand that fundamental problems remain, but we do not believe that the status of Nagorno-Karabakh has been resolved," the ambassador said."