Author: Parkev Tvankchian

“Very worried about outbreak of fighting in Nagorno Karabakh,” Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, said in a Twitter post.

“I deplore loss of lives and urge everybody to refrain from any kind of violence,” the Commissioner said.

Nagorno-Karabakh "Very Worried about outbreak of fighting. Deplore loss of lives and urge everybody to refrain from any kind of violence".

— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU)

Photos by  Joseph Eid/AFP

 

– The Baron Hotel in Aleppo was once Syria’s grandest and most stylish hotel, a legend in itself due to its high profile guests like Lawrence of Arabia, Charles de Gaulle and Agatha Christie; but since the war arrived in Syria’s commercial hub in 2012, there have been no paying guests and the once-glamourous building is losing its centenary charm.

While passing through Aleppo which was, even at that time, a cosmopolitan centre of commerce, she noticed how uncomfortable Europeans felt when staying at the traditional caravanserais.

Eventually, she decided to build something modern in Aleppo and the result was the Ararat hotel, named after the mountain revered by Armenians, the first hotel in the region, at the end of the 19th century.

A few years later the Mazloumian Brothers enlarged their business by setting up the new Baron’s Hotel.

His wife, Rubina Tashjian, is now the only person left to watch over the decaying walls, which hold so many memories.

In the Baron’s lobby, on a yellowing wall, an advert from the 1930s can still be seen. ‘Hotel Baron, the only first-clAass hotel in leppo,’ it proclaims.

“Central heating throughout, complete comfort, uniquely situated. The only one recommended by travel agencies.”

The hotel hosted so many famous people that the full list would hardly fit into a little article.

Many of the hotel’s rooms are forever linked to the famous guests who once stayed in them.

Room 201 is linked to  Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, while Room 215 was where King Faisal I of Iraq and Syria declared Syria’s independence from the balcony in room back in 1918. Lawrence of Arabia stayed in Room 202 and Agatha Christie preferred Room 203 for her visits.

Rubina Tashjian confirms that Christie wrote much of her celebrated mystery Murder on Orient Express while staying at the Baron with her archeologist husband Max Mallowan, who did excavations at Chagar Bazar and Tell Brak in northeastern Syria.

Aleppo was the key transport center and the termination point of the Orient Express in the Middle East.

​“I met her in 1959, but I was too young to know why she was important, I only learned that later,” once recalled Armen Mazloumian.

Upon request you can even see the invoices and registration documents for famous guests such as Lawrence of Arabia, who was a regular visitor to the hotel.

It was common gossip that he was there conducting espionage for the British government. The hotel has his book on display with a magnifying glass. The inscription says, “I am writing my letters from the terrace of Hotel Baron.”

Every Syrian president except Nureddin al-Atassi has stayed at the hotel.

Presidential Suite was occupied in turn by Charles de Gaulle, King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden, Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser, Syria’s former President Hafez Al Assad, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (the founder of the United Arab Emirates), and the American billionaire David Rockefeller.

​Other notable guests include Dame Freya Stark, Julie Christie, Mr and Mrs Theodore Roosevelt, Lady Louise Mountbatten, Charles Lindbergh and the first man in space, Soviet Yuri Gagarin.

“The history of Syria was written in here,” Rubina Tashjian says in her interview with RT news channel.

Two years ago some rfeugees started coming, and they didn’t have a place to go to. Rubina recalls that Armen said, ‘OK, you’re welcome, get some rooms.’”

This explains how war-fleeing refugees had become the Baron’s latest tenants at her husband’s invitation.

Rubina also recalls that regardless of all her requests to close down the hotel, her husband firmly refused to do so, because it has become a part of the heritage and history of a city that has already lost so much.

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received today High Representative of the ‪‎European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica‪ Mogherini.

Minister Nalbandian said her first visit to Armenia would positively impact the development and deepening of Armenia-EU relations. Federica‪ Mogherini said, in turn, that the establishment of closer cooperation between Armenia and the European Union will benefit not only the two parties, but also the region, as a whole.

The parties discussed a wide range of issues related to the development of Armenia-EU cooperation, the negotiations on creating a new legal framework for bilateral relations.

Minister Nalbandian reiterated Armenia’s willingness to reinforce and expand the comprehensive cooperation in all fields of mutual interest. The parties referred to the joint steps needed for the further development of bilateral ties – political dialogue, mobility, human rights, economic reforms, Armenia’s participation in different EU programs.

The Armenian Foreign expressed gratitude to the EU for the long-term support and assistance, which has played a considerable role in the implementation of reforms and capacity development in Armenia.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and stressed the importance of mobilizing the efforts of the international community to fight terrorism. Edward Nalbandian noted that Armenia has provided refuge to more than 20 thousand refugees, thus becoming the third country with the number of Syrian migrants per capita. The Minister said the Armenian side values the possible EU support.

The implementation of the agreement on Iran’s nuclear program was also on the agenda.

Edward Nalbandian briefed the EU High Representative on the negotiations on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict under way within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. Federica‪ Mogherini reiterated the EU support to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group towards the resolution of the conflict. The parties agreed that the non-constructive steps and belligerent rhetoric serve to drag out the status quo.

Minister Nalbandian assured of Armenia’s willingness to maintain the consistent efforts towards an exceptionally peaceful resolution of the Karabakh conflict.

On 26 February Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan visited Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and met his Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The President acknowledged the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church from the viewpoint of strengthening the independent Armenian statehood, cementing the Armenia-Artsakh-Diaspora trinity, as well as maintaining the Armenian national identity.

Primate of the Artsakh Diocese Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, and a number of supreme hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church partook in the meeting.

The German Bundestag held a debate on the Armenian Genocide today but did not vote on the bill proposed by the Alliance 90/The Greens. The ruling coalition said it’s not the proper time to adopt the bill and proposed to continue the discussions in the coming weeks to prepare a new finalized document until April 24, 2016.

Chairman of the Alliance 90/The Greens Cem Ozdemir agreed to withdraw his bill on condition that the new document to be agreed before April 24 clearly mentions the events of 1915 as genocide, accepts Germany’s role in the massacre and contributes to the normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations.

The issue was brought to the agenda by the Alliance 90/The Greens, which has always urged to describe the events of 1915 as ‘genocide.’

Addressing the Bundestag today, Ozdemir said “the authorities have no common stance on the issue out of the fear to irritate Erdogan. “I don’t understand why we cannot vote for this bill. We should do that for the simple reason of clearing our conscience,” he said.

“Turkey is distorting its own history, while our goal is to establish the truth. A clear message on the part of Germany could change a lot,” Ozdemir said.

Klaus Brähmig of CDU/CSU said, in turn, that “the current Turkish authorities are not responsible for their ancestors, but can take steps to improve relations with Armenia.”

“Today we need no reports criticizing Turkey. Instead, we need steps that will contribute to the settlement of the migrants’ issue. Judging from our own history, we can say that no matter how actively we invite Turkey to assess their own past, their people must be ready for it. It will happen, when there is no pressure from the outside. Therefore, we cannot vote in favor of this resolution,” he said.

“We need to respect ourselves and refrain from kissing Turkey’s eyes every time. You asked for time, and we gave you plenty,” Ozdemir told the coalition. “Turkey speaks of civilized society, but persecutes journalists who dare speak openly,” he added.

“If we really manage to work out a new document before April 24 on the basis of the three above-mentioned points, we’ll say “We are with you.” But when time comes, you’ll find other obstacles,” Chairman of the Greens Party said.

The bill debated today noted that “the German Bundestag bows to the victims of forced displacement and massacre of the Armenians and Aramaeans, Assyrians and other Christian minorities of the Ottoman Empire, which began 100 years ago. It deplored the actions of the then Turkish government, almost full annihilation of the Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.

The resolution noted that “the fate of the Armenians stands as exemplary in the history of mass exterminations, ethnic cleansing, deportations and yes, genocide, which marked the 20th century in such a terrible way.”  German President Joachim Gauck used the same wording as he addressed a commemoration ceremony on the eve of the 100^th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The bill stated that “An honest appraisal of history is the most important basis for reconciliation.”

The bill also referred to the German role in the Armenian Genocide, noting that “today’s German authorities are obliged to contribute to the resumption of the Armenian-Turkish relations, opening of the shared border.”

Unlike the resolution adopted by the Bundestag in 2005, the bill considered today clearly described the events as “genocide.”

A jury in the US state of Missouri has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $72m to the family of a woman who claimed her death was linked to use of the company’s Baby Powder talc, the BBC reports.

Jackie Fox from Birmingham, Alabama died of ovarian cancer last year, aged 62, having used the talc for decades.

Her family’s lawyers argued that the firm knew of cancer risks from the product and failed to warn consumers.

Johnson & Johnson denied the claim and is said to be considering an appeal.

The verdict at the end of the three-week trial was the first time damages have been awarded by a US jury over talc claims.

More than 1,000 similar cases are pending nationwide and lawyers said thousands more could now be filed.

The jury in Ms Fox’s case deliberated for five hours before finding Johnson & Johnson liable for fraud, negligence and conspiracy.

The award constituted $10m in damages and $62m in punitive damages.

 

Arsenal almost got a surprise present from Luis Suarez after the Barcelona forward left his passport at home before his team’s flight to London, the BBC reports.

Whether it was forgetfulness or subconscious nerves, unfortunately for Gunners fans, someone from the club was sent back to the Uruguayan’s home to pick it up and he caught the flight with the rest of his team-mates.

The striker has been training in preparation for Barcelona’s Champions League last-16 first leg match at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Barca forwards Lionel Messi, Suarez and Neymar have scored 91 goals between them this season – Suarez has scored 41 of them.

The return leg is at the Nou Camp on 16 March.

U.S. chocolate maker Mars Inc announced a recall of Mars and Snickers bars as well as some other products in Germany on Tuesday after bits of plastic were found in one of its products, Reuters reports.

“We want to avoid having consumers who bought one of the (affected) products consume them,” Mars said in a statement on its German website.

It said the recall affected all Mars and Snickers products, Milky Way Minis and Miniatures as well as certain kinds of Celebrations confectionery boxes with best-before dates ranging from June 19, 2016 to Jan. 8, 2017.

It did say what the total volume of the affected products was or what financial impact the recall would have.

The German offices of privately held Mars were not available for immediate comment.

Cargo shipments of the rechargeable lithium batteries used in countless consumer products should no longer be allowed on passenger planes because they can create intense fires capable of destroying an aircraft, a U.N. aviation agency has concluded, the Associated Press reports.

The decision late Monday by the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization’s top-level governing council to ban the shipments isn’t binding, but most countries follow the agency’s standards. The ban is effective on April 1.

“This interim prohibition will continue to be in force as separate work continues through ICAO on a new lithium battery packaging performance standard, currently expected by 2018,” said Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, the ICAO council’s president.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in a vast array of products from cellphones and laptops to some electric cars. About 5.4 billion lithium-ion cells were manufactured worldwide in 2014. A battery is made up of two or more cells. A majority of batteries are transported on cargo ships, but about 30 percent are shipped by air.

The ban doesn’t apply to batteries packaged inside equipment like a laptop with a battery inside, for example.

PRBA – The Rechargeable Battery Association, which opposed the ban, said in a statement that the industry is preparing to comply with the ban, but there may be “significant disruption in the logistics supply chain,” especially for batteries used in medical devices.

Asbarez – The City of Glendale and the Library, Arts & Culture Department are pleased to announce their partnership with the Armenian American Museum to present the exhibition “Armenia: An Open Wound.” The exhibit will be on view at the Brand Library Art Galleries between April 9 and June 11, 2016 during the library’s regular hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12-8 p.m., Wednesday 12-6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5p.m. A series of weekly programs will accompany the exhibition.

“Armenia: An Open Wound” debuted in Mexico City at the Museo Memoria Y Tolerancia [Museum of Memory and Tolerance] in April 2015 in honor of the Armenian Genocide centenary. The exhibition explores the intricate history of the Armenian people and creates an interactive experience by illustrating early Armenian culture; it shares the story of Armenian livelihoods on their ancestral lands, and prepares viewers to gain a deeper insight into the events which lead to the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

“[The exhibition] seeks to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide by inspiring reflection, respect for ethnic and cultural diversity, and upholding human dignity” stated Museo Memoria Y Tolerancia temporary exhibitions director Linda Atach Zaga. “The Armenian Cause is rooted in the universal theme of preserving memory as the first step in mobilizing toward global human rights and this exhibition is uniquely designed to encourage critical reasoning among diverse audiences as they relate the Armenian context to broader social justice themes.”

The mission of the Museo Memoria Y Tolerancia is to preserve, teach, and promote within Mexican society the history and meaning of genocides and crimes against humanity, as well as the importance of diversity and tolerance.

Designed on the basis of a detailed, didactic route, “Armenia: An Open Wound,” sheds light on both the historical and current ramifications of the 1915 Armenian Genocide through survivor testimony, modern-day pursuits for justice, and aims to empower visitors to take responsibility on behalf of all those who have been, and continue to be affected by genocide. In addition to honoring victims and commemorating the Armenian Genocide, this exhibition presents the unique contributions of Armenian Genocide survivors who settled in Mexico during the early 20th century, and the international Armenian diaspora community which have collectively grown to embody the concept of global citizenship.

“It is our honor to announce our partnership with the Museo Memoria Y Tolerancia and we equally commend the City of Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Department for their commitment to engaging diverse collaborative opportunities” stated Armenian American Museum executive development committee chairman Berdj Karapetian. “Armenia: An Open Wound tells the story of Armenians through a multicultural approach, and exemplifies the eclectic programs and exhibitions the Armenian American Museum aspires to bring to the City of Glendale and the broader Los Angeles community.”

The mission of the Armenian American Museum is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience.

City of Glendale Library Arts, & Culture director Cindy Cleary shared her enthusiasm about the opportunity to partner with the Armenian American Museum by noting, “this exhibition supports the Library’s mission to offer our community a diversity of ideas that will inspire curiosity and enrich our daily lives.” Cleary further expressed that she “hopes all members of the public will share in this unique experience that celebrates the history and the resilience of the Armenian people and commemorates the horrific consequences of the Genocide.”

A robust slate of programs that will complement “Armenia: An Open Wound” is being planned by the Brand Library & Art Center and the Armenian American Museum in collaboration with local and regional community partners. The educational experience of visitors will be enhanced by lectures, discussion panels, musical performances and more. All events at Brand Library & Art Center are free and open to the public.