Author: Mary Lazarian

BAKU: MFA: Canadian MP’s illegal visit to the occupied Azerbaijani territories is Armenia’s another political provocation

Mary Lazarian
AZERTAC News, Azerbaijan
Aug 31 2017
 
 
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry: Canadian MP's illegal visit to the occupied Azerbaijani territories is Armenia's another political provocation
 
Baku, August 31, AZERTAC
 
"Canadian MP Tony Clement's illegal visit to the Armenia-occupied Azerbaijani territories is another political provocation of Armenia," spokesperson of Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hikmat Hajiyev has told journalists.
 
"This illegal trip of Tony Clement to the occupied Azerbaijani territories is co-organized by the Canadian bureau of the Armenian national committee and the Armenian lobby with whom he has close relationship in exchange for financial interest. This person, who has repeatedly been accused of bribery and corruption, is paying a visit to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan for financial interest and is trying to camouflage Armenia's aggression and bloody ethnic cleansing policy against Azerbaijan, and to justify all this. In exchange for his service he also tries to gain the Canadian Armenian lobby's financial support for future elections," Hikmat Hajiyev said.
 
"His actions, beyond moral, ethical, and humane values, which are accompanied by the violation of the laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the norms and principles of international law, should first be regarded as disrespect for Canada's parliamentary traditions and for its voters. We hope that the relevant Ethics Committee of the Canadian Parliament will examine his actions outside the country," the ministry's spokesperson said.
 
"Though the man named Majed El Shafie, who accompanied Tony Clement, is the head of the NGO, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the purpose of propaganda deliberately introduces him as a member of the Canadian Parliament.”
 
"Azerbaijan's concern and dissatisfaction over the issue was conveyed to the Foreign Ministry and the Parliament of Canada. Their names will be included in the "List of foreign citizens who illegally visited occupied territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan," Hajiyev added.
 
 

"One free world international" in Artsakh to carry out a fact-finding mission on human rights violations during the April war by Azerbaijani side

Mary Lazarian 
ArmenPress, Armenia
Aug 29 2017

"One free world international" in Artsakh to carry out a fact-finding
mission on human rights violations during the April war by Azerbaijani
side

Yerevan August 29

Marianna Mkrtchyan. Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian
received a delegation led by the head of One free world international
organization Rev. Majed El Shafie.

According to Armenian MFA press service, Nalbandian stressed the
importance of periodic visits of Canadian parliamentarians and their
contribution in the development of two-sided relations.

Canadian parliamentarians told about the work of One free world
international organization in human rights protection sphere, as well
as about the aims of visits to Armenia and Artsakh, which consists of
learning and gathering the facts about the grossest violations of
human rights during previous April's aggression of Azerbaijan against
the NKR, as well as war crimes. According to them, according to the
results a report will be drawn up

Nalbandian presented efforts of Armenia and OSCE MG co-chairs on
Karabakh conflict settlement, referred to the military crimes
committed by Azerbaijani Armed Forces during the April aggression.

One free international organization helped and helps refugees, people
who are in slavery during protracted conflicts in Iraq Kurdistan of
Syria renders assistance to people whose civil rights have been
violated.

Biology major concludes internship on Capitol Hill

Mary Lazarian
The Daily Tar Heel, Student Newspaper at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Aug 22 2017


Eva Ellenburg

During his time in Rep. Holding’s office, Boole managed daily communications between the congressmember and his constituents, attended and wrote memos about legislative hearings, researched legislation in which the congressmember could sponsor and gave tours of the U.S. Capitol Building. 

Katie Smith, the congress member’s office manager, said the office has a couple of interns at any given time. She said the internship program comprehensively educates its participants about legislation.  

“The congressman's interns are exposed to every step of the legislative process,” Smith said. “The program is designed to offer students a firsthand glimpse into working on Capitol Hill and an overview of the legislative process.” 

During his internship with the AAA office, Boole met with legislators to advocate for legislation regarding Armenian-American relations, kept up-to-date spreadsheets of members of the Congressional Armenian Caucus and researched daily news reports related to AAA’s projects. 

AAA programs director Joseph Piatt said the organization accepts about 20 interns every summer. He said the internship program is important in expanding their network of advocates and creating future leaders for the Armenian-American community. 

“That’s why we do this particular program — to build the new generation of leaders and our contacts in D.C. through positive work and connection,” Piatt said. 

Piatt said the AAA promotes public awareness of Armenian issues and lobbies in Washington for national recognition of the Armenian Genocide, military parity funding for the conflict with Azerbaijan and other foreign aid funding for Armenia. 

Boole, who is half-Armenian, said the program educated him on Armenian-American relations and allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of Armenian culture.  

“Learning more about these issues and how to get recognition and how to fight them was a very interesting process,” Boole said. 

Boole said he could feel the tense political climate during his time in D.C. 

"Especially with all the controversy of what Trump's doing, it just brings the stakes higher," Boole said. "You can tell by the way some people talk on the phone, constituents when they call you, they're either very happy about what Trump's doing or they're very concerned."

Despite his interest in politics, Boole still plans on majoring in biology with a business minor to pursue healthcare consulting. He said he would encourage his peers to learn more about the political process, no matter what career path they’re on.

"You get a different view of what it's like working in politics — what's really going on and how this legislation is developed and all the work that goes into actually passing it," Boole said. "Even if I'm not a political science major, I think it's just an invaluable learning experience."

ANKARA: Armenian church hosts funeral ceremony for Cyprus war veteran

Mary Lazarian
Daily Sabah, Turkey

Aug 22 2017
DAILY SABAH WITH ANADOLU AGENCY
ISTANBUL

AA Photo

A funeral ceremony was held in Istanbul's Meryem Ana (Virgin Mary) Armenian Church Tuesday for a veteran of Armenian descent who fought in the ranks of the Turkish Armed Forces during the 1974 operation in Cyprus.

For the ceremony, members of the War Veterans Association of Turkey and Istanbul Garrison Commander Brigadier Gen. Sadettin Alp Ergin joined the family of veteran Murat Mihran İşler, who passed away at the age of 64.

Soldiers in ceremonial attire brought İşler's coffin draped with a Turkish flag to the church, and stood guard until the religious ceremony started. War veterans also saluted the coffin, some of which recited Islamic prayers for the veteran.

Reverend Mağakya Beskisizyan, who led the ceremony mastered by Archbishop Karekin Bekçiyan, said that İşler, who was living in Istanbul since 1979, was an acclaimed jeweler and a renowned figure among the Armenian community and Istanbul's landmark Grand Bazaar, where his shop is located. İşler was also the uncle of Norayr İşler, the chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Jewelry, which traditionally has many members from the Armenian community famous for its skills in jewelry and handcrafts.

Beskisizyan said that although they are saddened by İşler's death, they knew that veterans were the honor of the nation and they carry its pride.

Following the ceremony, İşler's body was transferred to the Balıklı Armenian Cemetery to be interred.

İşler was the second Cyprus war veteran who was bidden a farewell to in a ceremony on Tuesday, since many citizens and local officials also bid farewell to 77-year-old Abdulhamit Canol in the central province of Sivas.

Turkey launched the Cyprus Peace Operation on July 20, 1974 as a guarantor power after a right-wing military coup backed by the junta in Greece toppled the internationally-recognized government and sought to unite the island with Greece, after decades of inter-communal violence between Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

During the operation, 498 Turkish soldiers were killed and some 1,200 others injured, in addition to dozens of casualties of Turkish Cypriots resistance fighters.

Film: Armenian Genocide doc "Intent To Destroy" to screen in Sydney

Mary Lazarian
PanArmenian, Armenia

Aug 17 2017
– 13:33 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Sydney audiences will have a unique opportunity to see "Intent To Destroy" – the Armenian Genocide documentary filmed during the production of "The Promise" – as part of Hamazkaine Shant Chapter's Armenian Film Festival, which begins this Friday, August 18, reports the Armenian National Committee of Australia.

The "Intent to Destroy" screening, which is being co-hosted by the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU), will close the Armenian Film Festival on Sunday, August 27. All films are being screened at Event Cinemas in Top Ryde.

Filmed on the set of Armenian Genocide epic, "The Promise", this documentary by Joe Berlinger looks at the difficulties experienced by the producers, cast and crew of the film starring Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac and Charlotte Le Bon.

Here is a summary of the film from the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival which premiered "Intent to Destroy" in Australia earlier this year:

"Legendary documentarian Berlinger’s (Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, Tony Robbins: I am Not Your Guru, Crude) thirteenth feature film, captures the cinematic and political challenges of producing a historically meaningful, big-budget film in an environment rife with political suppression."

"In 2015, Academy Award-winning director Terry George (Hotel Rwanda) took on the challenge of making the first mainstream film about the 1915 Armenian Genocide that wiped out 1.5 million Armenians in The Promise (starring Oscar Isaac and Christian Bale). Berlinger’s film combines a mixture of exclusive behind-the- scenes footage, rare archival material and investigative interviews that capture the shocking and complex history of the Armenian Genocide, all while presenting the unfolding, real-time drama of bringing this long-ignored chapter of human cruelty to the big screen."

Foreign Minister of Artsakh and MP of Portugal in Stepanakert discussed the establishment of practical cooperation between countries

Mary Lazarian 
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
August 12, 2017 Saturday


Foreign Minister of Artsakh and MP of Portugal in Stepanakert
discussed the establishment of practical cooperation between countries

 Yerevan August 12

Tatevik Shahunyan. On August 12, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Artsakh (NagornoKarabakh Republic) Karen Mirzoyan received
Rubina Berardo, Member of Portuguese Parliament from Social-Democratic
Party.

The Foreign Minister welcomed RubinaBerardo's visit to Artsakh and
expressed hope that it would be a good opportunity to fully understand
the current realities and developments taking place in Artsakh. During
the meeting, Karen Mirzoyan presented Artsakh's foreign policy
priorities and touched upon the activities aimed at achieving progress
in the processes of international recognition of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic and peaceful settlement of the conflict between Azerbaijan
and Nagorno Karabakh.

The sides also discussed possibilities of establishing practical ties
between the two countries. In this regard, Karen Mirzoyan noted that
expanding cooperation between Artsakh and different countries would
essentially contribute to stability in the region. Eduard Sharmazanov,
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and
Gagik Melikyan, Head of the Armenia-Portugal Friendship Group in the
Armenian Parliament were also present at the meeting.

Sports: Armenia take their first-ever gold on a magnificent triple-double by MVP Aslanian

Mary Lazarian
FIBA.com – U16 Women's European Championship – Basketball

35 Anna Aslanian (ARM) – 23 Lia Mikiashvili (GEO) – Armenia v Georgia, 2017 FIBA U16 Women's European Championship Division C (GIB), Gibraltar – Tercentenary Sports Hall(GIB), Semi-Finals,

GIBRALTAR (FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2017, Division C) – A stunning triple-double by Anna Aslanian paved the way for Armenia to a 63-44Final win over Malta.

The entire team from Malta had six blocks throughout the Championship. Aslanian saved twice as many just for the Final outing, finishing the game with 22 points, 31 rebounds, 12 blocks and 7 assists. She almost singlehandedly outrebounded Malta, who had 39 rebounds.

Aslanian's performance gave her a 57 player efficiency rating, and she had a nice supporting cast in Kristina Melikyan and Ani Hovhannisyan. Melikyan collected 17 points, Hovhannisyan had 16, as Armenia played superb defense in the second half and held Malta to just 19 points after the break.

Malta struggled with their shooting percentage, connecting on 19-of-79 shots from the field. With such a poor shooting performance, they could not make their 18-7 edge in steals count. Michaela Zammit Cordina was their lone ranger in double figures with 15 points.

Joining them on the podium were Georgia. A 16-5 first quarter ensured a stressless game for them against Wales. The final result was almost a carbon copy of the final, Georgia winning 66-45, as Mariam Okropiridze put up 32 points, 7 steals, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

Kosovo made sure that they wrapped up 5th place. Enisa Kamerolli channeled her inner Aslanian and also signed off on a triple-double performance with 17 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists, more than enough for Kosovo to secure a 95-44 win over Gibraltar.

With all the games played, final standings are set: Armenia finish ahead of Malta, Georgia and Wales. Kosovo finish fifth, followed by Gibraltar and Monaco.

FIBA


Cultural: UkrPoshta releases postmark on occasion of 200th anniversary of Ivan Aivazovsky

Mary Lazarian
News.am, Armenia

UkrPoshta releases postmark on occasion of 200th anniversary of Ivan Aivazovsky
18:09, 29.07.2017

UkrPoshta marks the appearance of the anniversary of Ivan (Hovhannes) Aivazovsky with the appearance of an artistic stamp.  

A new postmark (140,000 copies) and souvenir sheet (36,000  copies) have been put into circulation on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the painter’s anniversary,  Analitikaua.net reports. 

The design of the stamp, sheet and postmark belong to Vasily Vasilenko, the website of UkrPoshta reports. “The release of the postmark dedicated to the talented marine painter, is a necessary step by a state for his contribution to the development of the Armenian-Ukrainian friendship,” Ukrainian historian Yevgeny Safaris told AnalitikaUA.net.

“On the 200th anniversary of the distinguished painter of Armenian descent Ivan Aivazovsky, it is important to remember that all his life and work were inseparably connected with the wonderful and picturesque country of Ukraine, to which he dedicated part of his paintings,” the historian noted.   

In July, the National Bank of Ukraine released into circulation commemorative coin “Ivan Aivazovsky.” The coin was released in the series of “Distinguished persons of Ukraine” and put into circulation in 3,500 copies. 

Religion: It is Remembrance Day in Armenia

Mary Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia

15:08, 24 Jul 2017
Armradio

It is Remembrance Day (Merelots) today in Armenia. Unlike the similar days of the several past years it is a working-day. Yesterday the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the Day of the Transfiguration of Jesus (Vardavar). The next day of each of the five Feasts Jesus Christ celebrated by the Armenian Apostolic Church are Remembrance days. Those Feasts are The Nativity and Epiphany, the Resurrection, the Transfiguration, the Assumption of Mary, and the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

 

Ministers of Justice of Armenia and Czech Republic discussed issues of mutual interest

Mary Lazarian
ArmInfo, Armenia

ArmInfo.Minister of Justice of Armenia David Harutyunyan, who is in Prague on a working visit, held a meeting with his Czech counterpart Robert Pelikan on July 21, the  press service of the RA Ministry of Justice reported. During the  meeting, the source noted, the ministers discussed issues of mutual  interest. In particular, the interlocutors touched on the topic of  cooperation in the judicial and legal system and legal assistance.

During his visit, the RA Minister of Justice also visited the  Probation and Mediation Service, where he got acquainted with the  Czech experience on this issue. Then he presented the work on the  establishment of the state probation service of Armenia.