Author: Raffi Khondkarian

Armenian Christians File Lawsuit Over ‘Fraudulent’ Land Sale in Old Jerusalem

Raffi Khondkarian
                                                                                                             Feb 28 2024

CV NEWS FEED // The Armenian Christian community in Jerusalem is continuing the fight to regain historic land that was sold in a highly disputed sale that occurred in secret in July 2021.  

According to an AsiaNews report, Armenians in the Holy Land officially filed a lawsuit on February 18, claiming that the land in question was sold against the terms of a 400 year-old waqf fund, which established the land in trust, restricting its use for the sole benefit of the Armenian community. 

The terms of the fund prohibits sale of the land unless it benefits the Armenian community in Jerusalem and has its approval. 

The land is currently being used as a parking lot for the Wailing Wall. 

“By taking the matter to court, the Armenian community is seeking the annulment of the alleged agreement and the protection of the land, with a unity of purpose between the community, patriarchate and Diaspora Armenians,” AsiaNews stated.

The Armenian Apostolic Church is part of Oriental Orthodoxy, they broke up with the Universal church after the Council of Chalcedon (451.) There is also a small number of Armenian Catholics, who constitute one of the Catholic Eastern rites.  

As CatholicVote previously reported, the land in question concerns the Armenian Quarter in Old Jerusalem known as the “Garden of Cows.” 

The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement in November, declaring that Armenians faced “existential territorial threat,” after foreign developers began construction on the historic land which was allegedly sold under its nose by its then-real estate director and former priest, Khachik Teretzian to a Jewish businessman Danny Rubenstein from Australia. 

The sale effectively leased 8 acres of land in the Armenian quarter to Rubenstein for the period of 98 years, during which Rubenstein’s company, Xana Gardens Ltd had planned to build a luxury hotel. 

“We will fight to the end to ensure that the Armenian quarter remains intact, Armenian, and for the benefit of the people,” the community said in a statement, adding: “These are precisely the principles that have united the global Armenian world—and our allies who understand the value of the unique mosaic that is the ancient city of Jerusalem—to save the Armenian Quarter.”

Media: Zelensky may visit Armenia in near future

Raffi Khondkarian
Kyiv Independent, Ukraine
Feb 23 2024

President Volodymyr Zelensky may visit Armenia in “the near future,” as relations between Kyiv and Yerevan warm up, the Armenian news outlet FactorTV reported on Feb. 23.

Preparations for the visit are currently underway, but the exact date has not yet been confirmed, the outlet reported, citing its sources.

Ukraine's charge d'affaires in Armenia Valeri Lobach neither confirmed nor denied plans for a visit were in the works in response to FactorTV, instead hinting that Zelensky is preparing to come to Yerevan, Armenia’s capital.

"I can only say that spring will bring many positive events to Armenia,” Lobach told the outlet.

Once a long time-ally of Russia, especially vis-a-vis its primary regional foe Azerbaijan, Armenia has largely refrained from getting involved in Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

The calculus changed after Russian "peacekeepers" failed to prevent Azerbaijan's offensive into the Nagorno-Karabakh region, primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, in September 2023.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Feb. 1 that Armenia's defense strategy cannot rely on Russia as it used to, and that Yerevan needed to more closely examine its security relations with the U.S., France, India, and other countries.

Lobach also told FactorTV that “Ukraine is ready to support Armenia,” and “will do everything for the regulation and stabilization of the region."

Zelensky met Pashinyan for the first time in October 2023 during his visit to Spain for the European Political Community Summit in Granada. The two discussed the security situation in the South Caucasus, bilateral cooperation, and interregional economic projects, Zelensky said at the time.

Armenia delivered its first batch of humanitarian aid to Ukraine in September of last year. Later in February 2024, representatives of the Union of Armenians of Ukraine and the Armenian Embassy in Ukraine delivered 10 tons of medical equipment to one of Ukraine's main military hospitals.

RFE/RL Armenian Service – 02/21/2024

Raffi Khondkarian 
                                        Wednesday, 


Opposition Vows Pushback Against Pashinian’s Plans For New Constitution

        • Karlen Aslanian

Armenia - Opposition leader Ishkhan Saghatelian speaks during a rally in 
Yerevan, September 2, 2023.


The Armenian opposition will push back hard against Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian’s attempts to enact a new constitution demanded by Azerbaijan, one of 
its leaders said on Wednesday.

Ishkhan Saghatelian said his main opposition Hayastan alliance and its allies 
would “do everything” to turn a possible referendum on the constitution into a 
popular vote of no confidence in Pashinian.

“Ten days ago, we began virtually daily meetings with our fellow citizens in 
various regions and towns to explain all those dangers that will emerge in the 
event of a constitutional referendum,” Saghatelian told RFE/RL’s Armenian 
Service.

“We will not sit idly and we will soon work with our people on a larger scale,” 
he said. “In my view, they [the authorities] are trying to examine the public 
mood and they will make a final decision [to hold the referendum] only if they 
feel that they will succeed. Through our work, we need to make sure they realize 
that it’s impossible.”

“If the constitutional referendum does take place, we will do everything to turn 
it into a referendum of no confidence in Nikol Pashinian. This is a case where 
we see a real possibility of a broad-based consolidation of Armenia’s opposition 
camp,” added Saghatelian.

Pashinian declared last month that Armenia needs a new constitution reflecting 
the “new geopolitical environment” in the region. Analysts believe that he first 
and foremost wants to get rid of a preamble to the current constitution that 
makes reference to a 1990 declaration of independence adopted by the republic’s 
first post-Communist parliament. The declaration in turn cites a 1989 
unification act adopted by the legislative bodies of Soviet Armenia and the then 
Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on February 1 that Armenia should remove 
that reference if it wants to cut a peace deal with his country. Armenian 
opposition leaders portrayed Aliyev’s statement as further proof that Pashinian 
is planning to change the constitution at the behest of Baku.

Pashinian has denied the opposition claims while saying that Armenia “will never 
have peace” as long as it sticks to the 1990 declaration. His critics maintain 
that his appeasement policy will not stop Azerbaijan from demanding further 
Armenian concessions and resorting to military action for that purpose.




Russia Detains Azeri Man Wanted By Armenia

        • Naira Bulghadarian

Russia - A lawyer for Azerbaijani man Kamil Zeynalli (left) takes a selfie with 
him following his arrest in Moscow, .


Police in Russia briefly detained on Wednesday an Azerbaijani man accused by 
Armenia of committing war crimes during the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The man, Kamil Zeynalli, was apprehended at Moscow’s Domodedovo international 
airport early in the morning as he was about to board a flight to Baku. In a 
live video message aired on social media during his detention, Zeynalli said 
Russian police officers told him that Armenian law-enforcement authorities 
issued an arrest warrant for him last May and he must therefore face extradition 
hearings in a Russian court.

Zeynalli, who is known as a fitness coach and blogger, was reportedly set free 
hours later, after the Azerbaijani Embassy in Moscow pledged to deal with the 
case. He is due to appear before the Russian court on Thursday, according to 
Azerbaijani media.

A spokesman for Armenia’s Interior Ministry, Narek Sargsian, told RFE/RL’s 
Armenian Service that the Azerbaijani is wanted on murder charges. But he 
refused to give any details.

The charges are believed to stem from the execution of two Karabakh Armenian men 
captured by Azerbaijani troops in October 2020. A video posted by Azerbaijani 
social media users at the time showed Azerbaijani-speaking soldiers shooting and 
killing them.

The victims wore Karabakh Armenian uniforms and were bound and draped in 
Armenian flags during the execution. Armenian prosecutors identified them as 
residents of Karabakh’s southern Hadrut district occupied by the Azerbaijani 
army during the six-week war.

In a detailed 2020 analysis published by the investigative website Bellingcat, a 
retired British army officer and open source expect suggested that “these two 
men were indeed Armenian combatants who were captured between October 9 and 
October 15 by Azerbaijani soldiers, possibly special forces, and likely executed 
a short time later.” Bellingcat denied Baku’s claims that the video is fake.

Azerbaijani forces were also accused of committing other war crimes. In December 
2020, Britain’s The Guardian daily examined gruesome videos that show men in 
Azerbaijani army uniforms beheading two elderly civilians recognized by their 
Karabakh Armenian relatives and neighbors.

“The ethnic Armenian men were non-combatants, people in their respective 
villages said,” wrote the paper.




Armenian Tech Entrepreneur Set Free


Armenia - Ashot Hovanesian inaugurates his Synergy International Systems 
company's branch in Vanadzor, March 11, 2022.


The founder and chief executive of a major software company was released from 
custody on Wednesday three weeks after being arrested in a corruption 
investigation openly criticized by some Armenian officials.

Ashot Hovanesian as well as two current and former employees of his 
U.S.-registered company Synergy International Systems were charged with helping 
senior Ministry of Economy officials rig a procurement tender which was 
controversially won by Synergy but invalidated by a court last June.

The indicted officials include Vahan Kerobian, who resigned as economy minister 
on February 14 two days before being put under house arrest. Kerobian denies 
abusing his powers to illegally disqualify another bidder and grant the 
procurement contract to Synergy. Even before his resignation, he publicly 
dismissed the same charges brought against several of his subordinates.

Hovanesian has likewise denied through his lawyers assisting in the alleged 
abuse of power by the government officials. His arrest has been criticized by 
Armenia’s Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE) and some 
pro-government lawmakers.

The latter were among about 70 parliament deputies from Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian’s Civil Contract party who petitioned prosecutors to free Hovanesian, 
senior Synergy executive Lili Mkrian and her former colleague Ani Gevorgian 
pending investigation. The two young women were released from custody on 
February 12.

The Office of the Prosecutor-General said Hovanesian, 71, was also set free on 
bail because he testified about “circumstances of essential importance for the 
criminal proceedings” and is now less likely to obstruct the probe.

In a February 4 statement, the UATE said that “unfounded” detentions of 
“business representatives and other prominent persons” are turning Armenia into 
a “risky country” for local and foreign tech entrepreneurs.




France’s Macron Reaffirms Support For Armenia


France - French President Emmanuel Macron and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian make statements to the press at the presidential Elysee Palace, Paris, 



Azerbaijan should explicitly recognize Armenia’s borders and enable 
Nagorno-Karabakh’s displaced population to return to its homeland “freely and 
rapidly,” French President Emmanuel Macron said when he met with Armenian Prime 
Minister Nikol Pashinian in Paris on Wednesday.

“France stands with your country because that’s where the camp of justice, 
independence, liberty and international law is,” Macron told Pashinian at the 
start of their meeting at the presidential Elysee Palace.

The two leaders were due to attend later in the day an official ceremony to 
induct Missak Manouchian, an ethnic Armenian hero of the French Resistance to 
Nazi occupation, into France’s national Pantheon. The burial was timed to 
coincide with the 80th anniversary of the execution of Manouchian and members of 
his Resistance group by the Nazis.

In a statement to the press, Macron said he will discuss with Pashinian the 
Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and what he described as the lingering “risk of an 
escalation on the ground.” He called for a “just and lasting peace” between 
Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“Azerbaijan should end any ambiguity -- this seems to me more necessary than 
ever before -- regarding its respect for the territorial integrity of Armenia 
and, in particular, any ambiguity regarding a reference map for working in good 
faith on the delimitation and demarcation of its borders [with Armenia,] which 
should also serve as the basis for a necessary mutual withdrawal of troops from 
the borders.”

Armenia insists on using the most recent Soviet military maps drawn in the 
1970s. Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Union Council 
President Charles Michel backed this mechanism for the border delimitation in a 
joint statement with Pashinian issued last October.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev again rejected it in early January, saying 
that it favors the Armenian side. Aliyev also renewed his demands for Armenia to 
withdrawal from “eight Azerbaijani villages” and open an extraterritorial 
corridor to Azerbaijan’s Nakhichevan exclave. Yerevan rejected the demands, 
saying that they amount to territorial claims to Armenia.

France, which is home to an influential Armenian community, has stepped up 
support for Armenia and criticism of Azerbaijan in recent years, prompting angry 
rebuttals from Baku. It initiated an emergency session of the UN Security 
Council right after Azerbaijan’s September military offensive in Karabakh 
condemned by key EU member states as well as the United States.

Macron said on Wednesday that Baku should comply with a November order by the 
International Court of Justice to ensure the security of Karabakh Armenians 
willing to return to the depopulated region. He also made clear that Paris “will 
continue our defense cooperation with Armenia.”

France became last October the first Western nation to sign major arms deals 
with Yerevan. Baku condemned those deals before expelling two French diplomats 
in December. Paris ordered the tit-for-tat expulsion of two Azerbaijani 
diplomats shortly afterwards.

Pashinian defended the French-Armenian military ties, saying that they are only 
aimed at helping Armenia protect its internationally recognized borders. 
“Armenia recognizes the territorial integrity of all of its neighbors,” he 
stressed.



Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2024 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Ararat Mirzoyan, Stefano Tomat discuss the activities of the EU civilian monitoring mission in Armenia

Raffi Khondkarian

 18:40,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS.  On February 19, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received Stefano Tomat, the Civilian Operations Commander of the EU External Action Service, the foreign ministry said.

According to the source, the interlocutors discussed issues related to the activities of the EU civilian monitoring mission in Armenia, touching upon the work done within one year since the deployment of the long-term mission in Armenia. Minister Mirzoyan emphasized the important contribution of the mission in promoting the stability of the international border with Azerbaijan.

It is noted that the parties stressed that the mission is one of the good examples of the expanding Armenia-EU cooperation and shows the mutual sincere interest of both Armenia and the EU and its member states in its further deepening. In this context, Ararat Mirzoyan and Stefano Tomat exchanged views on issues of the broad agenda of the Armenia-EU partnership, discussing the opportunities provided through the relevant mechanisms and in new dimensions mutual interest.

During the meeting, regional security and stability issues were also touched upon.

Armenia and Luxembourg Foreign Ministers discuss regional security issues

Raffi Khondkarian

 19:22,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS.  Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan on February 14  arrived on a working visit in Luxembourg. During his visit Ararat Mirzoyan met with Xavier Bettel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the foreign ministry said.

The parties noted with satisfaction the solid political dialogue between the two countries based on shared values and interests. Minister Mirzoyan emphasized that establishing a diplomatic presence in Luxembourg, a resident office, reflects Armenia's commitment to promoting partnership with Luxembourg in all areas of mutual interest.

Thoughts were exchanged on the perspectives of cooperation between Armenia and Luxembourg on bilateral and multilateral platforms. In this context, reference was made to several issues related to the Armenian-EU partnership and the possibilities of using the existing mechanisms to the maximum to develop a new, ambitious agenda. Among other topics, the Armenian Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of starting a dialogue on the liberalization of Armenia- EU visas.

The foreign ministers of Armenia and Luxembourg also discussed regional security issues. Ararat Mirzoyan presented to his colleague the developments of the recent days, referring to the incident of another provocation and use of force by the armed forces of Azerbaijan in the village of Nerkin Hand, Armenia’s Syunik region, as a result of which the Armenian side had four casualties. Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized Armenia's efforts to have a stable South Caucasus, attempts to destabilize the situation, and the need to restrain them with the involvement of international partners. In this context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia highlighted the importance of the activities of the EU observation mission located on the international border with Azerbaijan.

Referring to the draft agreement on regulating relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Minister Mirzoyan emphasized the main principles of territorial integrity and inseparability of borders, in which clear and unambiguous bilateral commitment is imperative to ensure progress in the process.

Prime Minister receives the newly appointed Ambassador of Greece to Armenia

Raffi Khondkarian

 18:43,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 14, ARMENPRESS.  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan receives the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Greece to Armenia Christos Sofianopoulos, who has just assumed the diplomatic mission in our country, the PM's Office said in a readout.

According to the source, the Prime Minister congratulated the Ambassador and wished him productive activities for the further development and strengthening of Armenia-Greece friendly relations. Nikol Pashinyan emphasized the continuous development of cooperation in all spheres, including the expansion of trade and economic ties, implementation of new joint projects. Noting that Armenia has a comprehensive agenda with Greece, and in the context of its implementation, the Prime Minister emphasized the active and intensive cooperation between the Governments.

It is noted that the interlocutors discussed issues related to the organization of high-level mutual visits in the near future, the agenda of multi-sectoral cooperation between Armenia and Greece, cooperation between Armenia and the European Union, democratic reforms implemented in our country, and the processes taking place in the South Caucasus. The sides exchanged thoughts on other topics of mutual interest.

Mayor Bass, Council President Krekorian Lead Groundbreaking Ceremony for TUMO L.A.

Raffi Khondkarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Community, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories, Videos


Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony at the future home of the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies L.A. headquarters in North Hollywood, located at 4146 Lankershim Boulevard.

“We are committed to empowering Los Angeles’ next generation of youth to gain skills that will prepare them for jobs in the technology industry,” said Mayor Bass.

“TUMO LA will provide much needed design and technology education to local youth through after school and weekend programs completely free of charge. This Center will allow Los Angeles youth to maximize their potential by discovering their passions for creative technologies and building the cutting-edge skills essential for navigating the ever-evolving digital world,” Bass added.

Mayor Bass was joined by L.A. City Council President Paul Krekoian, Former Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, who is running for a Los Angeles City Council seat in district 2, and TUMO Founder Sam Simonian at the ceremony.

“The creation of TUMO in the East San Fernando Valley will bring much needed creative and educational resources to low income youth and teenagers that would otherwise not be exposed to the fantastic learning opportunities that TUMO creates” said Krekorian. “This center will shape the next generation of creative leaders that will keep our entertainment industry strong and thriving.”

TUMO LA will provide much needed design and technology education to local teens for after school and weekend programs completely free of charge. TUMO centers globally serve more than 25,000 teens each week, in 13 centers across nine countries. 

This first TUMO center in the United States was made possible through a $23.25 million dollar grant from the State of California, secured by former Assemblymember Nazarian, as well as an additional $3 million dollars in Community Development Block Grand funds from the City of Los Angeles, secured by Krekorian.

“As a former State Assemblymember of the East San Fernando Valley, I am proud to announce the establishment of a TUMO Technology Learning Center in North Hollywood. The TUMO Technology Learning Center focuses on placing teenagers, aged 12 to 18 years, in control of their learning experiences and enabling them to unlock their full potential by identifying their passions and equipping them with the skills necessary to shape their future. This Center will create life-changing experiences for our children and build the next generation of leaders for our communities” said Nazarian.

An architect’s rendering of the TUMO LA

The TUMO Center for Creative Technologies is a free-of-charge educational program that puts teenagers in charge of their own learning. Founded by engineer and entrepreneur Sam Simonian, TUMO’s mission is to allow teens to maximize their potential by discovering their passions and building the skills and self-confidence required to shape their future.

This program offers free education and training to teens in 14 different subjects, from music, filmmaking and animation to programming, robotics and 3D modeling.

‘Armenian Protection Act’ Bill Seeks to Stop Military Aid to Azerbaijan

Raffi Khondkarian
by Contributor

 

 February 9, 2024

 

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

“The Armenian Protection Act will put a stop to the Biden Administration’s funding of Azerbaijan’s authoritarian regime and desire for regional dominance.” — Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Michael Lawler (R-NY) joined with a bipartisan group of Armenian Caucus colleagues in introducing the “Armenian Protection Act” (H.R.7288) – a bill, strongly supported by the Armenian National Committee of America, aimed at stopping U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan. Its Senate counterpart (S.3000), spearheaded by Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), was adopted unanimously last year.

The ANCA has launched a nationwide grassroots action campaign –  anca.org/Lawler – to expand Congressional support and fast-track consideration of the Armenian Protection Act (H.R.7288).

Representative Lawler co-authored this legislation with Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and fellow first-term legislator Gabe Amo (D-RI). If and when adopted and enacted into law, the Lawler-Pallone-Bilirakis-Amo Bill will tighten the existing statute restricting U.S. aid to Azerbaijan – Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act – substantively limiting the authority of the President to waive its full enforcement.

“For decades U.S. Presidents have recklessly waived statutory restrictions on military aid to Azerbaijan’s authoritarian regime – materially aiding and morally emboldening both its 2023 ethnic-cleansing of Artsakh and its ongoing illegal occupation of Armenian territory,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We thank Representatives Lawler, Pallone, Bilirakis, and Amo for their principled leadership in restoring long-overdue Congressional oversight of military assistance to Azerbaijan. We stand behind this and other legislative initiatives – from Section 907 and 502B-related measures to Magnitsky and Leahy sanctions – to hold Azerbaijan’s Aliyev regime accountable for its violations of international law,” concluded Hamparian.

Rep. Lawler, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was adamant about the need for clear Biden Administration action to stop bolstering Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian attacks. “Over 100,000 Armenians were targeted, abused, and displaced by the Government of Azerbaijan when they fled Nagorno-Karabakh in recent months,” explained Rep. Lawler. “There is no question of Azerbaijan’s aggression, yet President Biden continues to turn a blind eye.” He continued to note that “It’s simply unacceptable for the U.S. to be funding Azerbaijan’s campaign against the Armenian people. The Armenian Protection Act will put a stop to the Biden Administration’s funding of Azerbaijan’s authoritarian regime and desire for regional dominance.”

Rep. Pallone stressed the need for Azerbaijani accountability for the genocide against Artsakh’s indigenous Armenian population. “President Aliyev broke international law when he ordered his deadly assault of Artsakh last September and still has not faced any meaningful consequences from the international community. World leaders failed to stop his genocidal campaign that has displaced 120,000 Armenians from their historic homeland even though his belligerent rhetoric and troop movements made it clear an attack was imminent,” stated Rep. Pallone. “It’s far past time for the United States and our allies to take serious actions that will prevent even more death and destruction at the hands of Aliyev and provide the safety and security in the region that Armenia needs to thrive as a democracy. The Armenian Protection Act will finally hold the Aliyev regime accountable, halt any further U.S. security assistance until they end their destabilizing actions in the region, and require proof that they can be a trustworthy party in peace negotiations moving forward. I call upon House leadership to take up this commonsense legislation and pass it immediately.”

Rep. Bilirakis stressed the importance of passing the measure. “Given the political and humanitarian crisis that has resulted from Azerbaijan’s recent aggression toward neighboring Armenia, it is unconscionable that U.S. tax dollars are going to support this brutal regime. Those dollars could better be used here at home,” said Rep. Bilirakis.

“We must send a clear message to the Government of Azerbaijan and our partners around the globe that the United States will not stand for unprovoked attacks on the Armenian people,” said Congressman Amo, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “We cannot allow the Government of Azerbaijan to get a free pass for their brutal military aggression and blockades against the ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation to show that the United States stands with the people of Armenia and will not accept Azerbaijan’s assault on Nagorno-Karabakh.”

Both Presidents Trump and Biden – counter to the spirit and letter of Section 907 – chose to materially arm and morally embolden Azerbaijan’s aggression and eventual genocide against the indigenous Armenian Christians of Artsakh. The Lawler-Pallone-Bilirakis-Amo Bill will – by reaffirming this statute – help restore the Constitutional role of Congress in setting U.S. military aid policy and ensuring appropriate oversight and accountability of U.S. security and military assistance programs.


Perspectives : Azerbaijan’s boringest election campaign ever

Raffi Khondkarian
eurasianet
Jan 26 2024
Bahruz Samadov 

So far, the campaign for the February 7 presidential election is probably the most boring in Azerbaijan's history. 

Not because of its predictability. All elections in Azerbaijan, which has been classified as a "hegemonic electoral authoritarian regime" where elections serve only to strengthen the incumbent, are notoriously predictable. 

Nor because of the praise being lavished on the regime by all the candidates. That's not new either.

Instead, it's because the public is disengaged from politics to an unprecedented degree. 

That in turn is caused by the genuine popularity of incumbent Ilham Aliyev, who continues to bask in the glory of Azerbaijan's restoration of sovereignty over the previously contested Nagorno-Karabakh region, and the fact that his government is ramping up repressions ahead of the vote.

Apathy has grown sharply since the last presidential election in 2018, which was accompanied by at least some actual politics. 

Back then, the genuine opposition National Council not only boycotted the poll, it organized several massive rallies in Baku in the run-up to the election.

But no major protests have been staged in the capital since January 2019. Only a few dozen people took part in a rally against the continuing Covid-related closure of the country's land borders in July 2022 that was organized by now-imprisoned opposition activist Tofig Yagublu. 

Since then, opposition parties have largely stopped trying to mobilize the public around any cause. 

This is connected to the fact that, since the summer of 2020 the country's political agenda has been dominated by relations with Armenia and the Karabakh issue. After Baku's military victories in 2020 and 2023, which resulted in the Armenian exodus from Karabakh, the government discourse has grown more and more anti-Western. The collective West is accused of double standards, pro-Armenian stances, and jealousy. 

Ahead of the Azerbaijani delegation's preemptive withdrawal from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), pro-government media waged a campaign against the "Islamophobic and Turkophobic" Council of Europe – an institution that defended Azerbaijani civil society with its Court of Human Rights, which often rendered verdicts in favor of former political prisoners, including compensation. 

While the upcoming election will be observed by the OSCE, other European institutions are not invited to monitor the poll, including the European Parliament and PACE.

What do the candidates say?

Azerbaijan's largest opposition parties are boycotting this poll, as they have done for the past two presidential elections and the past six elections overall.

And as in years before, Aliyev's "challengers" are in fact largely sycophants who echo the regime's talking points. 

In the first debate on the public channel ITV, all candidates praised Ilham Aliyev's role in the victory in the Karabakh conflict. 

One nonpartisan candidate, Zahid Oruj, directly called on his supporters to vote for the government. 

In the following debate, the nonpartisan candidate Fuad Aliyev called for closer cooperation with Russia- and China-dominated entities such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS, and the Eurasian Economic Union. He also called to drift away from the "hostile" collective West. 

Ultra-nationalist Elshad Musayev of the "Greater Azerbaijan Party" advocated officially laying claim to the Zangezur (Armenia's Syunik Region), which he calls  Azerbaijani "historical land." 

Surprisingly there was a modicum of criticism from MP Gudrat Hasanguliyev, the head of the Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, who lamented the lack of democracy in the country and backed a transition to a parliamentary system. 

He also called for renaming the country the "North Azerbaijan Republic," a move popular among pan-Turkic nationalists as it implies territorial claims on ethnic Azeri-populated northwestern Iran. 

Other candidates issued vague appeals regarding social rights and offered ideas for improving housing and education. 

None mentioned the president's name in a negative context. There was no serious criticism of the government. It was not serious political discourse.

Few people bother to watch the debates on TV, and their online views numbers are paucal. Amid the voter apathy, jailed critics and lack of serious challengers, the current government will easily be re-elected. More easily than ever. 

Bahruz Samadov is a PhD candidate in political science at Charles University in Prague. 

A Radiant Evening of Music and Art at St. Vartan Cathedral

Raffi Khondkarian

PRESS OFFICE

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

Contact: Chris Zakian

Tel: (212) 686-0710

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.armenianchurch.us

 

___________________

 

ATTENTION EDITOR: Four photos attached, with captions below. Please credit Diran Jebejian, Jebejian Images. Find additional photos at the following link:

https://easterndiocese.smugmug.com/St-Vartan-Armenian-Cathedral/At-The-Crossroads-Concert-Jan-13-2024

 


HEADLINE:

 

St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York was the stage for a spectacular evening of soulful music, creative artistry, and spiritual uplift on the evening of January 13.

 

The candlelight concert, titled “At the Crossroads,” went forward as part of the Eastern Diocese’s ongoing celebration of the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian Church in America.

 

Several hundred audience members braved a frosty January evening to enter a cathedral enclosed by a network of scaffolding, as it undergoes an extensive restoration of its exterior.

 

But what they found inside was a novel and unique visual experience, as the familiar sanctuary was transformed by arrays of candles and special lighting, creating a mood that was at once mystical and warmly inviting.

 

The program itself featured the internationally-renowned projection artistry of Kevork Mourad, along with performances by a roster of superb vocal and instrumental artists. Together, they delivered a concert that reconceived traditional elements of Armenian culture in a memorably unique manner.

 

As Mr. Mourad painted on a digital canvas, his visuals came to life on a large projection screen situated at the front of the sanctuary. In front of the screens, embraced by the glow of candles, the performing artists appeared individually and in small ensembles, offering beautiful renditions of classic Armenian musical works.

 

 

* Sublime Talents, Masterful Performances

 

The projected Armenian landscapes, khatchkars, churches, and organic forms created by Kevork Mourad seemed to respond to the music, magnifying it, in a masterful performance that left spectators visually and acoustically captivated. The total effect transported the audience through a journey exploring Armenian identity, survival, and renewal.

 

The sublime musical talents on display included sopranos Hasmik Asatryan, Anoosh Barclay, and Anahit Zakaryan; mezzo sopranos Hasmik Mekanejian and Solange Merdinian; pianist Hayk Arsenyan, cellist Ani Kalayjian, violist Sami Merdinian, duduk soloist Mher Mnatsakanyan, and organist Ari Terjanian.

 

Maestro Khoren Mekanejian conducted the artists throughout the program, which featured sacred works by Komitas, St. Nerses Shnorhali, St. Gregory of Narek, as well as compositions by Yekmalyan, Khachaturian, Babajanian, Chookhajyan, Hovhannisyan, Dolukhanyan, Arutunian, Emimyan, and Maestro Mekanejian himself.

 

The concert itself and its memorable format were the vision of the Diocese’s 125th Anniversary Committee, co-chaired by Bryan and Maria Stepanian, with artistic planning by Solange Merdinian and Seta Paskalian-Kantardjian. It went forward under the generous sponsorship of the Dadourian Foundation.

 

Following the event, 125th Anniversary co-chairs Bryan and Maria Stepanian (who hail from the St. Gregory the Enlightener parish in White Plains, NY) described the concert as “a powerful combination of sacred, classical, and folk music, that left the audience wanting more. All of the artists lifted our spirits, and reminded us of who we are as faithful Armenians.”

 

A message from Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, appearing in the beautifully-designed program booklet, summed up the spirit of the evening, and its place in the larger celebration of the Diocese’s 125th anniversary:

 

“Tonight, let the music and artistry around us lift your spirit, and strengthen your resolve to carry forward the legacy of our forefathers,” the Primate said. “Let us recommit ourselves to the mission of our church: to spread the love of Christ in our lives and communities, and to be beacons of light in a world that yearns for hope and peace.”

 

The Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America will continue to celebrate the 125th Anniversary through the spring of 2024. Upcoming events in the celebration include a Children’s Day at the cathedral on Saturday, February 3; and a gala banquet at the New York Botanical Garden on Saturday, April 6.

 

Click here to view photos by photographer Diran Jebejian.

 

—1/19/24

 

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PHOTO CAPTION (1):

Soprano Anoosh Barclay sings before the projected artwork of Kevork Mourad during “At the Crossroads,” a candlelight concert at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on January 13.

 

PHOTO CAPTION (2):

Internationally-renowned projection artist Kevork Mourad, who along with a roster of superb vocal and instrumental artists performed in the candlelight concert at St. Vartan Cathedral.

 

PHOTO CAPTION (3):

Duduk soloist Mher Mnatsakanyan, violist Sami Merdinian, and cellist Ani Kalayjian perform during “At the Crossroads” in St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral.

 

PHOTO CAPTION (4):

Artists and organizers of “At the Crossroads”: the candlelight concert at St. Vartan Cathedral on January 13.

 

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LINKS:

 

Photo Gallery (credit Diran Jebejian, Jebejian Images):

https://easterndiocese.smugmug.com/St-Vartan-Armenian-Cathedral/At-The-Crossroads-Concert-Jan-13-2024

 

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