Author: Lilit Nahapetian

Dr. Nora Arisian Appointed Syria’s Ambassador to Armenia

Lilit Nahapetian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 May 9, 2022

 

in Armenia, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Nora Arisian

President Bashar al-Assad of Syria has appointed long-time activist and historian Dr. Nora Arisian as Syria’s ambassador to Armenia.

Arisian, who is currently serving in her second term as one of two representatives of the Armenian community in Syria’s parliament, previously was a member of the legislature’s foreign affairs and human rights committees. She also chaired the Syrian-Armenia inter-parliamentary friendship group.

In 2019, Arisian served on the commission for constitutional reforms in Syria.

Arisian has done considerable research of the Armenian Genocide. Her work served as a basis for the Syrian parliament’s recognition of the crime.

In 2019, she made a presentation at a special conference on reforming history textbook in Syrian public schools. Her presentation and suggestions to include the teaching of Armenian Genocide were adopted by Syria’s education ministry and were included in history textbooks by the country’s curriculum development center.

Born in Damascus, Arisian graduated in 1988 from the city university, earning a degree in French literature. She then attended the Institute of Oriental Studies at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, earning a degree in history.

From 1992 to 2006, Arisian worked at the Armenian Embassy in Damascus. From 2006 to 2009, she served as the principal of the Armenian School in Damascus, while, since 2005, serving as a lecturer at Damascus State University. From 2010 to 2013, she worked as a translator and consultant at Syria’s culture ministry.

Arisian is the author of five books in Armenian and Arabic and has translated ten books from Armenian into Arabic. She has authored dozens of articles in the Arabic and Armenian press and also is the editor of the Aztag Arabic language edition.

Arisian was awarded the “William Saroyan” medal from Armenia’s Diaspora Ministry in 2011, and in 2012, was presented the “Movses Khorenatsi” Order by Armenia’s president.

Artsakh ombudsman reveals details of car crash involving Azeri motorcade

Lilit Nahapetian
Panorama
Armenia – May 6 2022

LAW 16:15 06/05/2022 ARMENIA

Artsakh's Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Gegham Stepanyan has revealed details of a car crash involving a truck of an Azerbaijani motorcade in the Martakert region on Thursday. 

“On May 5, at around 1pm, on the 24th km of the Martakert-Drmbon Road, a truck traveling as part of the Azerbaijani motorcade, came out to the opposite side of the road and collided with a Renault Logan taxi service car of Artsakh registration, as a result of which the car rolled 12 meters into the gorge on the right side of the road," he wrote on Facebook.

There were two passengers in the car besides the driver. As a result of the preliminary examination, the passengers did not suffer any injuries. Material damage was caused to the taxi service company, Stepanyan said. 

"Based on the facts collected by the Human Rights Defender’s Staff, at the moment we can state:

• The Azerbaijani truck, seeing the possible collision could have stopped driving to avoid the crash, after which the taxi rolled into the gorge.

• After the collision, seeing that the taxi had rolled into the gorge, the Azerbaijani truck did not stop and kept driving.

• According to the taxi driver and the passengers, the taxi driver tried to avoid the collision but had no chance.

The law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Artsakh are conducting an investigation, but the above-mentioned circumstances prove the obvious intention to cause collision and damage," he noted. 

US Department of Justice seeks forfeiture of LA mansion allegedly paid for with bribes involving Gagik Khachatryan

Lilit Nahapetian

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 12:26, 6 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 6, ARMENPRESS. The United States government is seeking the forfeiture of a mansion in Holmby Hills, LA, alleging the home was purchased with bribes paid by an Armenian businessman to the family of former Armenian Minister of Finance and former State Revenue Committee Chairman Gagik Khachatryan, who is currently facing criminal charges in Armenia, the US Department of Justice announced Thursday.

In the complaint, filed Monday in federal court in Los Angeles, the DOJ alleges that businessman Sedrak Arustamyan paid Khachatryan, 66, and his family more than $20 million in bribes in exchange for favorable tax treatment of his businesses. The bribe payments allegedly were used to purchase the Holmby Hills property on South Mapleton Drive, which had been recently listed for sale for $63.5 million.

Majority of YSU students join boycott of classes – Hayastan bloc

Lilit Nahapetian
Panorama
Armenia – May 2 2022

The majority of Yerevan State University (YSU) students have boycotted classes, joining the anti-government protests in Yerevan, the opposition Hayastan alliance said on Monday.

“Today, on May 2, only 15% of YSU students attended classes,” the bloc said in a Facebook post.

The Armenian opposition began a large-scale civil disobedience campaign on Monday morning, blocking traffic throughout central Yerevan.

Former ambassador Armen Sargsyan passes away

Lilit Nahapetian

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 11:26, 29 April, 2022

YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. Armen Sargsyan (pictured right), a senior diplomat, former ambassador and the brother of ex-Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan passed away.

The former Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan announced the passing of his brother in a statement on social media. “My dear brother, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia, passed away from a chronic illness,” Tigran Sargsyan said.

During his diplomatic career, Armen Sargsyan served as Armenia’s Ambassador to China, Vietnam, Singapore, Mongolia and Bulgaria.

Cavusoglu’s Grey Wolves salute is insult not only for Armenian community but also people of Uruguay – Ope Pasquet

Lilit Nahapetian

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 12:21,

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS.  Co-organized by the Parliament of Uruguay and the Armenian National Committee of Uruguay, the official commemoration ceremony of the Armenian Genocide was held on April 26 at the Uruguayan parliament.

The commemoration event is traditionally held every year for over 20 years in Uruguay.

President of Uruguay Luis Lacalle Pou, Vice President Beatriz Argimon, President of the Chamber of Representatives Ope Pasquet, Cabinet members, lawmakers, diplomats, Armenian community leaders and the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Uruguay were present at the event.

President of the Chamber of Representatives Ope Pasquet, Vice President Beatriz Argimon and Gabriella Mujukian from the Armenian National Committee of Uruguay delivered remarks.

The Armenian Vice Speaker of Parliament Ishkhan Saghatelyan, the Chair of the Armenia-Uruguay Parliamentary Friendship Group, addressed the event through a video message.

In his remarks, President of the Chamber of Representatives Ope Pasquet strongly condemned the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s move in Montevideo, where he flashed the ultranationalist Grey Wolves salute at Armenian demonstrators demanding recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Pasquet said: “We consider that gesture to be an insult aimed not only at the Armenian community but also the people of Uruguay.”
In turn, the Vice President of Uruguay reiterated Uruguay’s commitment to the struggle of the Armenian National Committee and added that Uruguay will always continue commemorating that day, so that future atrocities like the Armenian Genocide are prevented.

Saghatelyan, noting Uruguay’s 1965 official recognition of the Armenian Genocide, which made Uruguay the first country to do so, stressed that the Armenian people view Uruguay as a real and true friend.

The ANC’s Mujukian, in her remarks, criticized the Uruguayan foreign ministry for hosting the Turkish FM, but also highly appreciated the Uruguayan president’s swift reaction condemning Cavusoglu’s actions.

MEP calls on Belgium authorities to investigate desecration of Armenian cross-stone in Brussels

Lilit Nahapetian
NEWS.am
Armenia –
11:21, 27.04.2022

Andrey Kovatchev, a Member of the European Parliament and the latter's Standing Rapporteur on Armenia, has called on the Belgian authorities to investigate the desecration of the Armenian cross-stone in Brussels.

"I'm appalled by this shocking display of hatred and violence! We have to stand together against such horrendous incidents! I call on the Belgian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of this hate crime!" Kovatchev wrote on Twitter.

Earlier, the Armenian embassy in Belgium informed about the act of vandalism against the Armenian cross-stone installed at Henri Michaux Square in Brussels—and in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The embassy had stressed that such actions, which are vivid manifestations of Armenophobia and intolerance, are incompatible with universal values.

Israeli lawmaker marks Armenian genocide in capital Yerevan

Lilit Nahapetian
i24 News, Israel

i24NEWS

, 08:05 AM

Meretz MK Mossi Raz participates in ceremony despite Israel not formally recognizing event as a genocide

Israeli lawmaker Mossi Raz on Sunday was in Armenia's capital Yerevan for a ceremony marking the anniversary when the Armenian genocide began on April 24, 1915.

A member of Knesset (Israel's parliament) from the left-wing Meretz party, Raz participated in the event despite his country not formally recognizing the genocide and as Israel renews its relations with Turkey, which rejects accusations of genocide pointed at the Ottoman authorities of the time.

Raz laid a wreath at the memorial to the estimated 1.5 million Armenian Christians who died at the hands of the Ottoman Turks from spring 1915 through autumn 1916.

"The time has come to remember the victims everywhere where cruel racism has been expressed," Raz said at the ceremony. "This is our obligation as Jews and humans."

Raz was scheduled to meet on Monday with Armenian Foreign Ministry officials and members of the Armenian parliament.

In 2021, Joe Biden became the first US president to describe the mass killings of Armenians during World War I as a genocide, and on Sunday the leader issued a statement memorializing the systematic killing of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks.

“As we reflect on the Armenian genocide, we renew our pledge to remain vigilant against the corrosive influence of hate in all its forms,” Biden said. “We recommit ourselves to speaking out and stopping atrocities that leave lasting scars on the world.”

Asbarez: Tufenkian Preschool Seeks New Director

Lilit Nahapetian
 by Contributor

 

 

 

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Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools logo

The Board of Regents of the Prelacy Armenian Schools is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Director at St. Mary’s Richard Tufenkian Armenian Preschool and Kindergarten, located in Glendale, California.

Applicants for the Director position will be responsible for the following: Supervise and evaluate implementation of curriculum;  Follow and implement NAEYC accreditation plan; develop and execute re-accreditation process; Evaluate teacher performance and identify opportunities for faculty training and education; Assess student achievement data; Develop and administer the budget; Hire faculty and staff; Administer safety and emergency response protocols; Work in collaboration with School Board to provide strategic direction for the school; Engage parent community and encourage parent involvement; Work collaboratively with all stakeholders, staff, parents, Board of Regents, School Board and local community.

Applicants should possess the following minimum requirements: Fluent in Armenian and English languages (oral and written) Knowledge of Armenian history and culture; Must meet state educational and licensing requirements for Preschool Director; Minimum of five years’ experience in early childhood education, including leadership roles; Ability to collaborate with school community structure, stakeholders and local organizations; Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; Strong knowledge in educational technology; Experience in leading staff developments; Teaching and administrative credentials preferred; California Child Development Site Director Permit or higher preferred.

St. Mary’s Richard Tufenkian Preschool & Kindergarten logo

Qualified candidates are requested to forward their documentation (cover letter, resume, two recommendation letters from most recent supervisors, and copies of diplomas and certificates) to Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools, located at 104 N. Belmont St., Suite 208, Glendale, CA 91206 or via email to [email protected]

All documentation must be received or postmarked by Friday, May 13.

Since 1975 Richard Tufenkian Armenian Preschool and Kindergarten has been serving the educational needs of Armenian community in Glendale and greater Los Angeles County. The Preschool is accredited by National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).