Author: Shushan Frangulian

Asbarez: Armenia’s Education Minister to take Part in LIVING DIASPORA

Shushan Frangulian
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10 hours ago

Armenia’s Acting Education Minister Arayik Harutunyan during a visit on Jan. 16 to R.D. White Elementary School in Glendale

LOS ANGELES—Armenia’s Acting Minister of Education and Science, Arayik Harutyunyan, will participate in Living Diaspora, a one day academic and cultural event to be held at UCLA on Saturday, January 19,, with the aim of promoting Armenian language, culture and heritage, as well as supporting various Armenian Studies programs around the world.

Harutyunyan will take part in a panel discussion celebrating the 50th anniversary of UCLA’s Narekatsi Chair of Armenian Studies. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Razmik Panossian, Director of the Department for Armenian Communities at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The chair holder and associated faculty, Professor S. Peter Cowe, Dr. Anahit Keshishian Aramouni, Dr. Hagop Gulludjian, and Dr. Shushan Karapetian, together with Prof. Sebouh Aslanian, holder of the Richard Hovannisian Chair in Modern Armenian History, will present the program’s current offerings and future plans.

The panel discussion will highlight strategies of promoting Armenian as a living, useful, and relevant language for today’s youth in the Diaspora.

The day-long event, which is organized by the Melkonian Global Overture, will conclude with an epic benefit concert at UCLA’s Royce Hall. With the community’s support, the organizers hope to elevate a young generation and enrich them with the love of Armenian language, culture and art, while raising funds for the educational programs provided by the Narekatsi Chair at UCLA and the Padus Araxes Cultural Association of Italy, as well as the MGO’s scholarship fund.
LIVING DIASPORA will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday January 19, at UCLA’s Melnitz Hall, with the concert to follow at the university’s Royce Hall. Tickets are available at Itsmyseat.com and Ticketmaster.

Music: Recovering Armenia’s Past Through Music

Shushan Frangulian
Eugene Weekly
17 Jan 2019
MUSICBY BRETT CAMPBELLPOSTED ON 01/17/2019

Cappella Romana is one of Oregon’s most famous classical music institutions. Founded in 1991, the Portland-based professional vocal ensemble has gone on to become the premier exponent and explorer of the musical traditions of Byzantium and other early Christian music.

Artistic director Alexander Lingas is one of the field’s leading scholars. He and other researchers have found and revived a long-dormant repertoire, which the group sings in its original Byzantine and Slavic languages. And Cappella has performed music of contemporary European and North American composers who draw on those traditions.

Although it’s based in Portland and performs several concerts each year there and in Seattle, the group draws singers from around the country, including the Bay Area, and has performed in Europe, Los Angeles, New York City, Canada and elsewhere, appearing on National Public Radio, various early music festivals and even at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Cappella earns glowing reviews wherever it sings, securing its reputations as one of the Northwest’s most accomplished musical institutions. 

Recently, the group has branched out into other Orthodox Christian music descended from Byzantine origins, including Russian, Finnish, Ukrainian and more. You’re unlikely to hear any of this music performed anywhere else. 

Now the Oregon Humanities Center is bringing Cappella Romana to Eugene to share its latest discovery: long-lost Armenian Orthodox liturgical music.

On Thursday, Jan. 17, in a free concert directed by Lingas and Haig Utidjian, a British conductor of Armenian descent, Cappella will sing traditional Armenian chants and later arrangements of them by 19th-century Armenian choirmaster Makar Ekmalian and his student, Komitas Vardapet, known as the savior of Armenian music.

Vardapat collected and transcribed thousands of works that would have otherwise been lost to history, including about the Armenian genocide perpetrated by Turks in the early 20th century. 

The 8 pm concert is at Central Lutheran Church. It’s a chance to experience a lost world through music.

2019 to be a year of victories of more strategic nature – Nikol Pashinyan

Shushan Frangulian
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 29 2018

On the occasion of New Year and Holy Christmas, acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan along with President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, Speaker of the Parliament Ara Babloyan and the Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II hosted a reception for the representatives of the state administration.

In his welcome message, the acting PM spoke of the mission ahead of the new cabinet in the coming new year.

“Our cabinet is a cabinet of mission which is set to realize its mission as it is formulated and rested upon the faith and confidence of our people toward the past and the future. The mission is also based upon the perception that the t people that have persisted through centuries of disasters cannot suffer a defeat as if we were destined to lose we would have lost long ago. Subsequently, the Armenian people is a winning nation it proved to be in 2018,” Pashinyan said in his speech.

“I congratulate you all on 2018 and 2019 alike. I am confident that like 2018, the year 2019 will be a year of victories but of more comprehensive and strategic nature. In the new year 2019, I wish you and your families happiness, and success in both your professional and personal endeavors,” Pashinyan concluded his speech.

Armenia’s Public Debt Is 6,765,500,000USD

Shushan Frangulian
Lragir, Armenia
Dec 28 2018

20:48 28.12.2018 | Country | Views: 11

The public debt of Armenia as of November 30 is 6,765,500,000USD or3,281,876,400,000 AMD. The foreign debt as of the end of November was 5,395,794,000 USD, of which 4,825,098,000 is the debt of the government.

As of the end of 2017 the foreign debt of Armenia has decreased by 99.108 million dollars. In December 2017 the foreign debt of Armenia was 5,494,902,000 dollars.

Compared with October, however, in November the foreign debt increased by 8.551 million dollars.

Rally in support of Armenia’s ex-President Kocharyan held in Artsakh

Shushan Frangulian
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 22 2018

A rally demanding the release of Armenia’s former President Robert Kocharyan currently placed in detention was held on December 22 in the capital city Stepanakert of the Artsakh Republic. The protest was organized by the initiative group named “Union of Robert Kocharyan’s supporters”, Yerevan Today reported.

During the rally, physicist Grigory Afanasyan addressed the protestants: “Today, after 30 years we have gathered again and this time in protection of the former president of Armenia and Artsakh Robert Kocharyan. Karabakh people are ready to stand by their leader. Kocharyan was the one who stood by us during the demonstrations [of the Karabakh movement] and we are now demanding his immediate release,” Afanasyan said, recalling the former president’s role in the Karabakh movement and the subsequent war.

One of the participants of the gathering noted in case of a need they are ready to march from Stepanakert to Yerevan and stage demonstrations demanding Kocharyan’s freedom.

To remind, Kocharyan was arrested in July on charges of overthrowing Armenia’s constitutional order during the March 1-2, 2008 post-election events. On December 7, Armenia’s Court of Appeals upheld the first instance court’s ruling to arrest Robert Kocharyan.

 The ex-president and his lawyers strongly deny the charges as ‘politically motivated’ and are set to file lawsuit with ECHR. 

Pashinyan Calls On Lavrov to ‘Clarify’ Comments

Shushan Frangulian
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8 hours ago

In Dilijan on December 19, Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke to reporters

YEREVAN—Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday called on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to clarify comments he made on Monday regarding an agreement that is being hammered out between Moscow and Yerevan to curtail “foreign” military presence in Armenia.

“We are completing with Armenia the drafting of a document which will guarantee the absence of foreign military personnel there [in Armenia,]” Lavrov told the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station. “It will guarantee transparency in terms of threats and risks.”

Lavrov made the statement in response to a question about biological research laboratories which have been donated by the United States to Armenia to be used for food safety and other such uses. Russian voiced no concerns about the facilities when its officials inspected the laboratories.

Speaking to reporters in Dilijan on Wednesday, Pashinyan said that such an agreement was under discussion during the previous regime.

“A similar agreement was discussed with the Armenian authorities in the past. We have never discussed that issue with our Russian partners during the period of our government. It’s necessary for Mr. Lavrov to clarify what he meant,” said Pashinyan.

Pashinyan also responded to a high-level Russian official who claimed on Wednesday that the United States was exerting pressure on Armenia.

On Wednesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin accused the United States of meddling in Armenia’s affairs and alleged that during his visit to Armenia last month, President Donald Trump’s national security advisor John Bolton “ordered” Armenia to purchase weapons from the United Sates.

“Against the background of radical changes taking place in the country [Armenia] this year, Washington’s interference in its internal and external affairs is becoming increasingly unceremonious,” Karasin told the RIA Novosti news agency.

“We expect that the current leadership of Armenia, which received a necessary mandate in the [December 9] parliamentary elections, will have the courage to resist the unhidden external blackmail and pressure and will defend its sovereign right to independently make decisions based on national interests,” added Karasin, who insisted that Bolton had also pressured Yerevan to join U.S. sanctions on Iran.

“If this is the public side of U.S.-Armenian relations then one can imagine what kind of arm-twisting is taking place behind the scenes,” said Karasin.

While speaking to reporters in Dilijan, Pashinyan questioned the source of Karasin’s information that prompted him to make such a statement.

“The Republic of Armenia pursues its own policy and I think if not everyone, at least many see that. And Armenia will continue that policy,” said Pashinyan who added that currently, Armenia has not been presented with opportunities to purchase weapons from the United States.

Canberra: Mr. Tony Zappia, MP speech on Federation Chamber Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide: 70th Anniversary

Shushan Frangulian
Parliament of Australia
December 3 2018
Chamber: Federation Chamber on 3/12/2018                
Item: Federation Chamber – PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS – Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide: 70th Anniversary                
Questioner :
Answer :
Speaker : Zappia, Tony, MP
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       Mr ZAPPIA (Makin) (18:46): I speak in support of the motion on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. Last month, Australia and many countries around the world commemorated the signing of the armistice that brought to an end the killing, maiming and horrific cruelty of World War I—but not for all people. For the Armenian people, the horrors and suffering continued. It was estimated that, by 1923, up to 1.5 million Armenians had perished, leading to what has often been described as the first act of genocide of the 20th century. The plight of the Armenian people touched the hearts of people across the world, including here in Australia.

As a representative from South Australia I'm proud to recall our state's involvement in relief efforts for the Armenian people. South Australia was one of the most significant contributors to the Armenian Relief Fund of Australia for survivors, led by Adelaide pastor Reverend James Cresswell, who was unanimously appointed national secretary of the fund. Reverend Cresswell agreed to undertake a tour of the devastated regions, and reported on the work of the Australasian orphanage established in Lebanon to aid child survivors of the death marches. Several years ago I attended a display at the Pilgrim Uniting Church in Adelaide highlighting Reverend Cresswell's work in what was by then described as the Armenian genocide. I also note South Australia's commitment to the acknowledgement and prevention of genocide, drawing particular attention to a motion passed by the South Australian state parliament in 2009, recognising the events in Armenia between 1915 and 1923. In the past I've stood in this place to present a petition calling for the house to assist the Christian and Yazidi minorities in the Middle East facing persecution at the hands of ISIS, and to recognise and respond to that. I also attended commemoration services in Adelaide for victims of the Srebrenica massacre.

We've only recently begun to see progress on these fronts, through international tribunals that have sought to bring to account the perpetrators of these great crimes against humanity. But in many cases justice has been elusive, and for the victims it has been too little too late. As we debate this motion today, we are reminded of the importance of identifying the warning signs to ensure that we are able to act to prevent these crimes from being committed.

Today's motion also refers to the author of the convention against genocide and the man who invented the word 'genocide' 70 years ago, Dr Raphael Lemkin. My understanding is that he did this in order to describe the scale of the atrocities committed against the Armenians during the First World War and against the Jewish populations of Europe during the Second World War. The evidence of Armenian massacre, starvation, poisoning, death marches and even mass burnings is irrefutable.

I make three closing observations. Those who deny the atrocities committed against the Armenians between 1915 and 1923 continue to perpetrate an injustice by contributing to a cover-up. Those who are indifferent to those events are accepting of them or condoning of them and therefore give licence to others to do the same. Indeed, we saw that on many other occasions in the 20th century. Conversely, recognition of atrocities will bring a sense of closure and solace to survivors and family descendants. It will also send a message to the world that such acts of horrific cruelty to others are not acceptable and, if perpetrated, those responsible will ultimately be held to account. To date, some 29 countries have recognised events in Armenia as genocide. On the 70th anniversary of the UN genocide convention, and as a founder and signatory of the convention, Australia should ensure that the convention is honoured whenever and wherever genocide occurs.

Armenpress: Armenian, Maltese FMs exchange ideas over enhancing cooperation

Shushan Frangulian

Armenian, Maltese FMs exchange ideas over enhancing cooperation

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11:26, 7 December, 2018

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s caretaker foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan held a meeting on December 6 with Malta’s minister for foreign affairs and trade promotion Carmelo Abela in Milan, Italy. The meeting took place within the framework of the 25th foreign ministerial council of OSCE member states, the foreign ministry said.

Mnatsakanyan and Abela exchanged ideas over prospects of expanding the bilateral cooperation agenda and in this context attached importance to enhancing the legal framework, organizing consultations between the foreign ministries and boosting inter-parliamentary ties.

The ministers attached importance to mutually-beneficial cooperation in regional and international organizations, pointing out the La Francophonie as a valuable platform.

The Armenian caretaker FM presented the priorities of the country’s chairmanship in the organization.

The FMs also touched upon the Armenia-European Union partnership. Mnatsakanyan noted that the CEPA is an important tool to develop cooperation based on common values with the EU and EU member states, as well as to boost the ongoing reforms in Armenia.

Mnatsakanyan also briefed Abela on Armenia’s stance and approach in the direction of the NK conflict settlement, stressing that the main beneficiary of the settlement are the people, while ensuring vital security is the key of the conflict.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Artsakh reacted harshly to Sasun Mikaelyan’s statement that the victory of the people in the revolution is more important than the Artsakh war of liberation

Shushan Frangulian
Arminfo, Armenia
Nov 26 2018
Artsakh reacted harshly to Sasun Mikaelyan's statement that the victory of the people in the revolution is more important than the Artsakh war of liberation

Yerevan November 26

Marianna Mkrtchyan. Vitaly Balasanyan, the secretary of the NKR National Security Council, the hero of Artsakh, reacted harshly to the statement of Sasun Mikayelyan, headed by Nikol Pashinyan, about the victory of the people in the revolution more important than the Artsakh liberation war.

So, Balasanyan's statement says in particular: "Unfortunately, I have to state what happened in the Motherland. The national liberation struggle, founded in 1988, is the victory of our people living in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora. NKR is an achievement and the pride of all Armenians. It is surprising and even angered that these days, during the election campaign to the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, this is speculated and underplayed in some kind of party interests. The revolution that took place in Armenia in the last period cannot be considered a more serious victory than the Artsakh liberation war, and even more so than the creation of the second Armenian Republic. Such statements at least cast doubt on the participation of such persons in the state-building process. and the fact that such statements are made in the presence of the Supreme Commander of Armenia. Come on in yourself, guys! "

It should be noted that Sasun Mikayelyan, a member of the Armenian parliament, a member of the My Step bloc led by Nikol Pashinyan, believes that the victory of the people in the revolution is more important than the Artsakh war of liberation. "We won the Artsakh war. I'm not afraid to say that this victory that you, the people, won in our country is more important than the Artsakh liberation war," Mikayelyan said during the election campaign with the participation of premiere of Armenia in the city of Talin.

Belarus sold $500 million worth of weapons to Azerbaijan in 10 years

Shushan Frangulian
PanArmenian, Armenia
Nov 24 2018
– 12:23 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Belarus has sold weapons and military equipment worth about $500 million to Azerbaijan throughout 10 years, 42.TUT.BY reports citing unofficial data.

Part of the data on international transactions is available on the website of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs.

In particular, Azerbaijan has purchased 150 units of T-72 tanks, 12 Pion self-propelled artillery installations, 120 units of D-30 howitzer, 12 SU-25 aircraft, 2 Buk missile systems, 2 Stiletto short-range air defence missile systems, 10 Polonez Multiple Launch Rocket Systems and more.

This is not the whole range of weapons that Belarus supplies to Azerbaijan, the publication says.

“Belarus has supplied 60 units of BTR-70 armored personnel carriers and an unknown number of Skif anti-tank systems,” it says.

“Also, Minsk has been assembling Belarusian military vehicles MAZ 6317 and MAZ 5317 military vehicles for Azerbaijan.”