Alaverdi announced Armenia’s most polluted city

JAM News

And this despite the fact that the city is located on the slopes of a gorge

The Armenian State Statistical Committee reports Alaverdi is the most polluted city in all of Armenia.

The city is located in the northeast of the northern Lori region, 167 kilometers from Yerevan. Its population is 16,600 people.

Although the city is located inside the gorge of the Debed river, the the dustiness indicator here exceeds the norm by 1.8 times.

The silk and steel road through the Caucasus 

What Tbilisi breathes

“This is an environmental catastrophe” – Abkhazia protests city landfill

Sulfur dioxide is one of the main pollutant gases in the earth’s atmosphere – in Alaverdi, it is twice was high as normal.

Patriarch Mesrob Mutafian Laid to Rest

Archbishop Mersrob Mutafian’s casket lying in state at the St. Mary’s Armenian Church in Istanbul on

Hundreds flocked to St. Mary’s Church in Istanbul Sunday to pay their final respects to the late Istanbul Patriarch Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, who died on March 8 ten years after being diagnosed with dementia, which incapacitated him from carrying out his duties.

Mutafian’s coffin laid in state at the church where a requiem service officiated by Bishop Arshak Khachatryan of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, one of three representatives of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians who attended the funeral service.

The funeral procession, with pall bearers carrying the casket, paused in front of the Istanbul Patriarchate building, where attorney Setrag Davoutian eulogized the late patriarch. The procession then headed toward Istanbul’s Sisli Armenian Cemetery, where the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Nouhan Manougian, blessed the grave.

Leading Catholicos Karekin II’s delegation was the representative of the Armenian Apostolic Church at the Vatican, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, who until recently was the Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the United States. Barsamian delivered the remarks from Catholicos Karekin II and was also joined by the Primate of the Gougarats Diocese, Archbishop Sepouh Chouldjyan.

A message from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia was reach by the Prelate of Lebanon Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, who along with Bishop Magar Ashekian were representing the Great House of Cilicia.

Among those who attended the funeral was Garo Paylan, an Armenian member of the Turkish Parliament representing the People’s Democratic Party (HDP).

Many senior officials from ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) including the party’s spokesperson Omer Celik and its Istanbul mayoral candidate Binali Yildirım, along with the presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin attended the funeral service, the Hurriyet Daily News reported.

Following the observance of a 40-day mourning period, Patriarchate officials will begin the process for the election of a new patriarch.

Salome Zourabichvili and Armenian-Georgian potential

Ekho Kavkaza, Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe's Russian-language Caucasus service
March 13 2019
Salome Zourabichvili and Armenian-Georgian potential
by Mzia Paresishvili
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from Russian]

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili's visit to Yerevan has aroused double interest in the Georgian media. To begin with, the president visited Baku a short while ago, making a statement there, which did not go unnoticed in Armenia. Second, speculations were made that Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani, who had previously said that she might resign from the post, would not be included in the delegation. However, the chief lawyer preserved the post and, therefore, was included in the delegation.

Justice minister preserves post, included in presidential delegation

Who is going to accompany President Salome Zourabichvili during her visit to Yerevan or, to be more precise, will Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani be included in the delegation? The question aroused particular interest in the Georgian media. Shortly before, Tsulukiani said that she might resign, if the government chose not to share her position regarding an issue, which is still unknown [to the public]. The conflict was resolved and yesterday [12 March], Tea Tsulukiani to be followed by Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze hot on the heels made statements, saying that the matter had been settled. Nevertheless, many supposed that the minister might not prove to be in the presidential delegation.

However, this did not happen. Minister Tsulukiani stood beside President Salome Zourabichvili during her official meeting with Armenian President Armen Sargsyan.

Zourabichvili emphasises need in closer economic cooperation

Holding a conversation behind closed doors, the presidents made joint statements for the press. Salome Zourabichvili said that it was time the two friendly countries finally renewed work on border delimitation. However, the head of the Georgian state focused greater attention on the following issues:

"We need to secure close cooperation in the economic sphere between the two countries. We discussed many branches: This is not only tourism, which is the easiest and the simplest (achievable goals), but also new technologies, energy, and the transport infrastructure, which can make its way in Armenia's direction. There are also major plans (which we can implement) together with the EU and not only the EU."

Zourabichvili invited her Armenian counterpart to the conference, which is timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the EU Eastern Partnership [programme]. The event is going to take place in Batumi in summer. During her visit to Baku two weeks ago, the head of the Georgian state also invited her Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev to the conference.

Presidents discuss conflict regions behind closed doors

Armenian President Armen Sargsyan accepted the invitation of his Georgian counterpart and at the same time, according to the Armenian media, he did not leave out in the cold the statements, which Zourabichvili made in Baku.

"My Georgian colleague and I share the opinion that conflicts are not identical and correspondingly, ways of their solution are not identical, either. In my opinion, a solution should be found exclusively through peaceful means on the bases of international law and norms, and in the case of Artsakh [Armenian name of Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh], the right to self-_expression_," RusArmInfo Russian-Armenian news agency quoted the Armenian president.

The press release of the Georgian Presidential administration does not mention these words by the Armenian president. It focuses attention on the fact that the head of Armenian state emphasised the importance of relations between Armenia and Georgia, saying that the two countries have great potential for developing them. Salome Zourabichvili's words, which were quoted in the press release, also showed that behind closed doors, the presidents of the two countries also touched on the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh and other conflict regions:

"Georgia recognises territorial and border integrity of the countries recognised by international law. At the same time, Georgia shows readiness for settling the conflict through peaceful means."

Details of meeting with Prime Minister Pashinyan not discussed with press

It should be noted that after Salome Zourabichvili's meeting with [Armenian] Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the leaders of the two countries chose not to speak to journalists. However, the following post appeared on the Georgian President's Facebook page:

"Nikol Pashinyan and I discussed the potential of bilateral economic relations, which is going to be further increased after Georgia's signing the agreements on free trade with the EU and China. I believe that we can do better together than on a stand-alone basis."

The sides spoke about the importance of developing cultural ties and preserving the cultural heritage of each nation.

The Georgian president's visit to Armenia is to end tomorrow, on 14 March.

Armenpress: Pawnshop operators protest planned 6000% tax hike

Pawnshop operators protest planned 6000% tax hike

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10:40,

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Entrepreneurs operating pawnshops and currency exchange offices are demonstrating outside the government headquarters in Yerevan against a planned amendment of a law regulating their businesses whereby the government wants to raise state duties for operating this kind of businesses. The bill suggests raising pawnshop duties from the current 100,000 drams to 6,000,000 drams (5900% hike), while currency exchange operators will pay 3,000,000 instead of the current 50,000 drams.

The entrepreneurs claim they will go out of business in the event of such tax hikes.

Ashot Poghosyan, a man who runs a pawnshop, says the proposed changes are illogical.

Few days earlier the entrepreneurs were holding a similar protest outside the government headquarters. On that day, Vice Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan approached the crowd to negotiate. He said he has convened an expert discussion on the matter to understand what can be done.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




In Yerevan Scholars from Armenia, Austria, Iran, Russia and Sweden Discussed Iran’s Role in the Changing World Order

<!—US
ZH-CN
AR-SA

Scholars from Armenia,
Austria, Iran
, Russia and
Sweden
Discussed Iran’s Role in the Changing World Order

, Yerevan, Armenia- leading
scholars from
Armenia, Austria, Iran, Russia and Sweden were invited by the “China-Eurasia” Council for Political and Strategic Research,
foundation to introduce their research on Iran’s role in the changing world
order and Iran-Armenia relations. The key note speaker of this academic seminar
was Univ.- Prof. Dr. Heinz Gärtner (International Institute for Peace and
University of Vienna, Chair of the Advisory Committee
for Strategy and Security Policy of the Scientific Commission at the Austrian
Armed Forces). Among speakers were Dr. Mher Sahakyan (China-Eurasia Council for
Political and Strategic Research, Armenia), Asst. Prof.-Dr. Hamidreza
Azizi,  (
Shahid Beheshti
University, Iran, Research Fellow, Institute for Iran-Eurasia Studies), Assoc.
Prof.-Dr. Gohar Iskandaryan (Leading Specialist, Institute of Oriental Studies
National Academy of Sciences, Armenia), Adlan Margoev, (“Russia and
Nuclear Nonproliferation” Program Director at PIR Center, PhD Candidate at
MGIMO University), Vazgen Petrosyan (Advisory Board Member, “China-Eurasia”
Council for Political and Strategic Research), Nairi Hokhikyan (Director, Diplomatic
Foundation of Armenia) and Arvin Khoshnood (Lund University, Sweden).
Scholars and researchers discussed the future of the JCPOA, Russia’s input in
the JCPOA negotiations and concerns over the future of the agreement, China’s
policy on Iranian nuclear issue in the UNSC,
Iran-Armenia Relations
after  the “Velvet” revolution, Iran-US
relations, prospects of Iran-Armenia railway project, the influence of the
internal situation of Iran on foreign trade, the prospects for Iran’s
membership in EAEU and Its Implications for Tehran-Yerevan Relations and other
questions.

2019թ․ մարտի 12-ին «Չինաստան-Եվրասիա»
քաղաքական և ռազմավարական խորհրդի նախաձեռնությամբ տեղի ունեցավ «Իրանը և փոփոխվող
աշխարհակարգը» սեմինարը, որի ընթացքում ելույթ ունեցան Ավստրիայի զինված ուժերի գիտական հանձնաժողովի
ռազմավարական և անվտանգության քաղաքականության խորհրդատվական կոմիտեի նախագահ,
Խաղաղության միջազգային ինստիտուտի խորհրդական, Վիեննայի համալսարանի պրոֆեսոր
, ք․գ․դ․ Հեյնց Գյարտները, «Չինաստան-Եվրասիա» քաղաքական և ռազմավարական
հետազոտությունների խորհրդի ղեկավար, Մեծ Բրիտանիայի չինագիտության ասոցիացիայի
անդամ, ք․գ․թ․ Մհեր Սահակյանը, Իրանի Շահիդ Բեհեշթի համալսարանից դոցենտ, ք․գ․թ․
Համիդռեզա Ազիզին, Արևելագիտության ինստիտուտի առաջատար գիտաշխատող, դոցենտ, պ.գ.թ.
 Գոհար Իսկանդարյանը, Ռուսաստանի ՊԻՌ
կենտրոնի «Ռուսաստանը և միջուկային չտարածման ծրագրի» տնօրեն Ադլան Մարգոևը,
«Չինաստան-Եվրասիա» քաղաքական և ռազմավարական հետազոտությունների խորհրդի
Հոգաբարձուների խորհրդի անդամ Վազգեն Պետրոսյանը, Շվեդիայի Լունդ համալսարանի գիտաշխատող
Առվին Խոշնուդը և «Հայաստանի դիվանագիտական հիմնադրամի» տնօրեն Նաիրի Հոխիկյանը
։
Սեմինարի ընթացքում քննարկվեց Իրանի ԵԱՏՄ-ին անդամակցելու հեռանկարները և դրա
կիրառելիությունը Թեհրան-Երևան հարաբերություններում, Հայաստանում տեղի ունեցած
«թավշյա հեղափոխությունը» և հայ-իրանական հարաբերությունների տեսլականը, Գործողությունների
համատեղ, համապարփակ ծրագրի ապագան, Չինաստանի դերը Իրանի միջուկային հիմնախնդրում,
Ռուսաստանի ներդրումը Գործողությունների համատեղ, համապարփակ ծրագրի
բանակցություններում և դրա ապագայի վերաբերյալ մտահոգությունները, ԱՄՆ-Իրան
հարաբերությունները հեղափոխությունից 40 տարի անց, Իրան-Հայաստան երկաթուղու նախագծի
հեռանկարները, Իրանում տիրող ներքաղաքական իրավիճակի բացասական ազդեցությունը
երկրի արտաքին առևտրի վրա և այլ հարցեր։ Սեմինարի ընթացքում ծավալվեց ակտիվ
քննարկում և կարծիքների փոխանակում։ «Չինաստան-Եվրասիա»
քաղաքական և ռազմավարական հետազոտությունների խորհրդի ղեկավար Մհեր Սահակյանը
նշեց, որ անհրաժեշտ է
գիտությունը
հասանելի դարձնել հասարակությանը, իսկ հետազոտությունների արդյունքները՝ գործածական,
որից կշահեն, թե’ պետությունը, թե’ գիտությունը, թե’ հասարակությունը։ Իսկ
Չինաստան-Եվրասիա քաղաքական և ռազմավարական հետազոտությունների խորհուրդն էլ
պատրաստ է օգտագործելով արտասահմանյան գիտական կենտրոնների հետ կապերը՝
Հայաստանում հետագայում էլ կազմակերպել նմանատիպ քննարկումներ։ Նա  շնորհակալություն հայտնեց հայ և արտասահմանցի
գործընկերներին, ովքեր պատրաստակամություն էին հայտնել այս բարդ իրավիճակում
վերաիմաստավորել Իրանի դերը փոփոխվող աշխարհակարգում և փորձել գտնել նաև հայկական
շահը։

 

Scholars from Armenia,
Austria, Iran
, Russia and
Sweden
Discussed Iran’s Role in the Changing World Order

, Yerevan, Armenia- leading
scholars from
Armenia, Austria, Iran, Russia and Sweden were invited by the “China-Eurasia” Council for Political and Strategic Research,
foundation to introduce their research on Iran’s role in the changing world
order and Iran-Armenia relations. The key note speaker of this academic seminar
was Univ.- Prof. Dr. Heinz Gärtner (International Institute for Peace and
University of Vienna, Chair of the Advisory Committee
for Strategy and Security Policy of the Scientific Commission at the Austrian
Armed Forces). Among speakers were Dr. Mher Sahakyan (China-Eurasia Council for
Political and Strategic Research, Armenia), Asst. Prof.-Dr. Hamidreza
Azizi,  (
Shahid Beheshti
University, Iran, Research Fellow, Institute for Iran-Eurasia Studies), Assoc.
Prof.-Dr. Gohar Iskandaryan (Leading Specialist, Institute of Oriental Studies
National Academy of Sciences, Armenia), Adlan Margoev, (“Russia and
Nuclear Nonproliferation” Program Director at PIR Center, PhD Candidate at
MGIMO University), Vazgen Petrosyan (Advisory Board Member, “China-Eurasia”
Council for Political and Strategic Research), Nairi Hokhikyan (Director, Diplomatic
Foundation of Armenia) and Arvin Khoshnood (Lund University, Sweden).
Scholars and researchers discussed the future of the JCPOA, Russia’s input in
the JCPOA negotiations and concerns over the future of the agreement, China’s
policy on Iranian nuclear issue in the UNSC,
Iran-Armenia Relations
after  the “Velvet” revolution, Iran-US
relations, prospects of Iran-Armenia railway project, the influence of the
internal situation of Iran on foreign trade, the prospects for Iran’s
membership in EAEU and Its Implications for Tehran-Yerevan Relations and other
questions.
<!—US
ZH-CN
AR-SA

2019թ․ մարտի 12-ին «Չինաստան-Եվրասիա»
քաղաքական և ռազմավարական խորհրդի նախաձեռնությամբ տեղի ունեցավ «Իրանը և փոփոխվող
աշխարհակարգը» սեմինարը, որի ընթացքում ելույթ ունեցան Ավստրիայի զինված ուժերի գիտական հանձնաժողովի
ռազմավարական և անվտանգության քաղաքականության խորհրդատվական կոմիտեի նախագահ,
Խաղաղության միջազգային ինստիտուտի խորհրդական, Վիեննայի համալսարանի պրոֆեսոր
, ք․գ․դ․ Հեյնց Գյարտները, «Չինաստան-Եվրասիա» քաղաքական և ռազմավարական
հետազոտությունների խորհրդի ղեկավար, Մեծ Բրիտանիայի չինագիտության ասոցիացիայի
անդամ, ք․գ․թ․ Մհեր Սահակյանը, Իրանի Շահիդ Բեհեշթի համալսարանից դոցենտ, ք․գ․թ․
Համիդռեզա Ազիզին, Արևելագիտության ինստիտուտի առաջատար գիտաշխատող, դոցենտ, պ.գ.թ.
 Գոհար Իսկանդարյանը, Ռուսաստանի ՊԻՌ
կենտրոնի «Ռուսաստանը և միջուկային չտարածման ծրագրի» տնօրեն Ադլան Մարգոևը,
«Չինաստան-Եվրասիա» քաղաքական և ռազմավարական հետազոտությունների խորհրդի
Հոգաբարձուների խորհրդի անդամ Վազգեն Պետրոսյանը, Շվեդիայի Լունդ համալսարանի գիտաշխատող
Առվին Խոշնուդը և «Հայաստանի դիվանագիտական հիմնադրամի» տնօրեն Նաիրի Հոխիկյանը
։
Սեմինարի ընթացքում քննարկվեց Իրանի ԵԱՏՄ-ին անդամակցելու հեռանկարները և դրա
կիրառելիությունը Թեհրան-Երևան հարաբերություններում, Հայաստանում տեղի ունեցած
«թավշյա հեղափոխությունը» և հայ-իրանական հարաբերությունների տեսլականը, Գործողությունների
համատեղ, համապարփակ ծրագրի ապագան, Չինաստանի դերը Իրանի միջուկային հիմնախնդրում,
Ռուսաստանի ներդրումը Գործողությունների համատեղ, համապարփակ ծրագրի
բանակցություններում և դրա ապագայի վերաբերյալ մտահոգությունները, ԱՄՆ-Իրան
հարաբերությունները հեղափոխությունից 40 տարի անց, Իրան-Հայաստան երկաթուղու նախագծի
հեռանկարները, Իրանում տիրող ներքաղաքական իրավիճակի բացասական ազդեցությունը
երկրի արտաքին առևտրի վրա և այլ հարցեր։ Սեմինարի ընթացքում ծավալվեց ակտիվ
քննարկում և կարծիքների փոխանակում։ «Չինաստան-Եվրասիա»
քաղաքական և ռազմավարական հետազոտությունների խորհրդի ղեկավար Մհեր Սահակյանը
նշեց, որ անհրաժեշտ է
գիտությունը
հասանելի դարձնել հասարակությանը, իսկ հետազոտությունների արդյունքները՝ գործածական,
որից կշահեն, թե’ պետությունը, թե’ գիտությունը, թե’ հասարակությունը։ Իսկ
Չինաստան-Եվրասիա քաղաքական և ռազմավարական հետազոտությունների խորհուրդն էլ
պատրաստ է օգտագործելով արտասահմանյան գիտական կենտրոնների հետ կապերը՝
Հայաստանում հետագայում էլ կազմակերպել նմանատիպ քննարկումներ։ Նա  շնորհակալություն հայտնեց հայ և արտասահմանցի
գործընկերներին, ովքեր պատրաստակամություն էին հայտնել այս բարդ իրավիճակում
վերաիմաստավորել Իրանի դերը փոփոխվող աշխարհակարգում և փորձել գտնել նաև հայկական
շահը։

 



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Eurovision: This is the Armenian song ‘Walking Out’ by Srbuk

ESC daily


Armenia’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 is now available! You can watch and hear ‘Walking Out’ by Srbuk in this article.

Srbuk was chosen via an internal selection by broadcaster ARMTV early in the season. But it took a long time until the song was finally released:

Srbuhi Sargsyan, the full name of Srbuk, first came to prominence after competing in season one of the Armenian version of The X Factor, where she placed as the runner-up. In 2018, she competed in season eight of The Voice of Ukraine, placing fourth.

Srbuk will represent Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel, with the song “Walking Out”. She hopes to get a better result than in 2018, when Armenia did not make it to the final for the second time in history.

https://www.escdaily.com/this-is-the-armenian-song-walking-out-by-srbuk/

Story also at

https://oneurope.co.uk/countries/armenia/srbuk-walks-out-into-eurovision-for-armenia/

https://eurovision.tv/video/srbuk-walking-out-armenia-official-music-video-eurovision-2019

https://escxtra.com/2019/03/10/srbuks-eurovision-2019-entry-walking-out-is-out/

http://esctoday.com/172852/armenia-srbuk-unveils-her-eurovision-entry-walking-out/



Asbarez: A Trip That Changed My Life

The author in front of the “These are Our Mountains” monument in Artsakh holding that country’s national flag

BY DANIEL DARON SINANIAN
From Birthright Armenia Blog

“Lost time is never found” Benjamin Franklin.

Everything about this quote is 100% correct. When I as a kid, I always wanted to visit Armenia. My grandfather encouraged me to apply to Birthright Armenia as soon as I turn twenty-one years old. The years passed and my grandfather died in November 2014. Ever since his death, I have wanted to apply but didn’t do so until I turned twenty-four. This was the best decision I ever made. Birthright Armenia is a life-changing experience. You meet so many incredible people throughout this journey. This experience has by far more exciting than running my first half marathon when I was only twelve years old.

As my two-month journey started, extending my stay was not on my mind, but that is exactly what ended up happening. My two-month stay suddenly became a full three-month stay. The first day I was there was a culture shock, which lasted about a week or so. I wasn’t used to this type of environment, especially because I came from Los Angeles. What really changed me was the first excursion to Artsakh. Visiting Artsakh was filled with amazing experiences. The trip there changed my perspective. I couldn’t believe how beautiful the land was and how courageous the people were living in danger every day of their lives. We, in Los Angeles, have everything and yet we always find something to complain about. People in Armenia are happy, warm-hearted and are proud to be there for us. These are my people, they are like my family. Being there taught me a lot about patience and ambition.

Armenia taught me that we have to be grateful for what we have and we must help people who do not have our standard of living but do their best to enjoy life. Even with the struggles people face in Artsakh, I still managed to see a smile on the faces of every villager who welcomed us to their home. What I found to be most interesting was the generosity of the people of Artsakh. Neighbors from the villages would invite us in for a glass of wine or dinner. Whatever the time, wherever the place, so long as you are Armenian, you’re part of our family,” I was told by more than one of the neighbors…when you are told that, you feel happier to be Armenian. We Armenians always stick together, we are all one, and that was especially confirmed when a neighbor told me so.

While I stayed in Yerevan, I lived with a local family who were so gracious to host me.  I volunteered at the Helsinki Human Rights Association and Orran. Working in Armenia taught me a lot about the working conditions.

The author and his colleagues at a local gathering

One of the things I looked forward to were the excursions. Going on excursions made us grow. It helped us connect with one another and together. No one was left behind. Going to Meghri was inspiring, even though we were there for only a very short period of time.

While in Meghri, a family invited us into the home with open arms. Immediately, they left their house to buy food from the local market so that they could feed us a warm meal. As soon as they returned from the local market, they started serving us a full five-course meal, minus the kabob. The more excursions I would go on, the closer I got with the volunteers. I spent my first Christmas and New Year’s without my family. I spent it with my temporary family who will remain dear to my heart forever. The fact that it started to snow on New Year’s Day made it very special because it reminded me of my childhood when we used to visit my father’s family in Chicago.

I ended my trip by attending my friend’s engagement farewell dinner in Armenia. What a wonderful ending to a love affair. They met each other while at Birthright. Living in Armenia taught me about values and honor. It strengthened my Armenian identity.

I can’t thank my family back home enough and the Birthright family in Armenia for allowing me to be part of this amazing experience. Thanks to Birthright, I discovered a lot about myself and those around me. Everything you do in life is all meant to be done for a reason, a purpose, and a sacrifice. Spending a couple months of your life away from your family is something many people won’t be willing to do. I’m glad I did it and served my country.

Living in Yerevan impacted my life in many ways and that is one thing I’m never going to forget. Yerevan is a city full of many surprises and it’s where many people meet each other from all over the world. That’s exactly what happened to me.  I met Armenians from Europe and South America. I never expected to feel so close to people from all over the world. I am going to miss all of my new friends upon my return to Los Angeles. But I will surely be back in the future to reconnect with old and new friends. Thank you Birthright.

This has been a wonderful experience. I will see you again in the near future.

Postanjyan: It is impossible to solve the case on March 1 without involving Levon Ter-Petrosyan in the process

Arminfo, Armenia
Feb 28 2019
Tatevik Shahunyan

ArmInfo.It is impossible to open the case on March 1, 2008 without the involvement of the first President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who was at the time leading the  opposition movement. Zaruhi Postanjyan, leader of the Yerkir Tsirani  Party, said this at a press conference.

According to her, there was an originally planned scenario, according  to which there should have been victims during the opposition  rallies. <Ter-Petrosyan's goal in 2008 was not just a change of  government. If he wanted this, the change of power would have  happened on February 26, when those who came to the rally organized  in support of Serzh Sargsyan joined the opposition supporters. It was  a real power, on this day it was possible to force the authorities to  leave. But Ter-Petrosyan did not do this, he waited. His plan  included the events of March 1,> said Postanjyan.Already on March 1,  as Postanjyan assured, she, together with several political figures,  visited the headquarters of Ter-Petrosian, informing him that the  people gathered at the Myasnikyan monument require a meeting with  him: 

 Ter-Petrosyan refused to go, he said that it was not his people, he  did not gather them, it was a spontaneous rally, and he had nothing  to go there>.According to Postianjian, it was originally planned that  the first victim should have been a policeman. <And it would have  happened if our colleague Armen Martirosyan, who had been injured as  a result of the clashes, had not covered this policeman with his  body. Who were the people who intended to kill the policeman, is  still not established>, she said.Postianjian also found it strange  that during the clashes Ter-Petrosian's team did not arrive at the  scene. <It is clear that they led everything to ensure that there  were victims. I say this as an eyewitness to the events of March 1,>  said Postanjyan.

It should be noted that as a result of clashes at opposition rallies  that followed the 2008 presidential elections in Armenia, at which  Serj Sargsyan won de jure, 10 people were killed on March 1. The  investigation of the case is still ongoing. Within the framework of  the case, the second President of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, and a  number of high-ranking officials of that time are being charged with  overthrowing the constitutional system.Recall that the current Prime  Minister Nikol Pashinyan was an active supporter of Levon  Ter-Petrosyan. After the events of March 1, 2008, Pashinyan was  convicted on charges of organizing mass riots for 7 years, and, after  serving 2 years, was released.

Sports: 10 Armenian boxers to participate in European Amateur Boxing Championships

News.am, Armenia
Feb 28 2019

Ten boxers to represent Armenia during the European Amateur Boxing Championships to be held in Russia’s Vladikavkaz, the press service of the BFA reported.

Erik Tokhyan (52 kg), Zhorzhik Marutyan (56 kg), Hrayr Shahverdyan (60 kg), Benik Nikogosyan (64 kg), Garnik Papikyan (69 kg), Vakhtang Harutyunyan (75 kg) and Gurgen Hovhannisyan will fight in Vladikavkaz under the leadership of the head coach of the team Rudik Mkrtchyan and Vahan Adilkhanyan
Anush Grigoryan (52 kg), Lilit Dallakyan (54 kg) and Ani Hovsepyan (64 kg) will perform at the women's tournament.

Armenian American Congresswoman tells her inspiring story

PanArmenian, Armenia
Feb 14 2019

PanARMENIAN.Net – Speaking before a capacity crowd of young Armenian public policy professionals at the ANCA’s Aramian House, Armenian American Congresswoman Jackie Kanchelian Speier (D-CA) shared her powerful life story of overcoming personal tragedy and emerging as one of America’s most powerful political leaders.

“Today, as we honor the strong Armenian women who lead our communities, we have the privilege of speaking with one of the strongest women in Congress – one who embodies her ancestors’ will to survive, one who has overcome great adversity – from Jonestown to being a #MeToo victim long before that phrase was coined,” said ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Director Tereza Yerimyan, in her welcoming remarks. “Representative Speier comes from a long line of women who have instilled in her that she must fight for what’s right, that she must uncover the truth even if it means risking her own life.”

Reading heartbreaking passages from her memoir, “Undaunted” – Congresswoman Speier described the harrowing story of how she survived being shot at point-blank range during a Congressional investigative mission to Jonestown, Guyana, site of the Jonestown cult massacre in 1978. She would go on to read a passage describing how she overcame the tragic passing of her husband, Dr. Steve Sierra, who was hit by a drunk driver.

“It’s really a story of resilience, and for each of us, it’s about the ability to recover. Sometimes, we don’t think we do, but we all have that well of strength, internally” said Rep. Speier.

Turning to the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Fellows and youth in the room, Rep. Speier stated “I hope that you hear in my story something that is your story – something that will crystallize the sense of knowing that your future is in public policy. It is around making this country and Armenia stronger – the ties between them stronger – and that we could see greater democracies flourish around the world.”

Asked about the future of U.S.-Armenia relations particularly following the 2018 Velvet Revolution, Rep. Speier, who serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Armenian Caucus said this is a “golden opportunity” for both countries to strengthen ties, noting that she looks forward to working with the Caucus leadership to take concrete steps to advance shared priorities.

Sue Aramian, who along with sisters, the late Martha and late Margot, are the patron saints of the Aramian House, joined her niece Jocelyn Micollucci in toasting Rep. Speier’s indomitable spirit. “For you to be here, Congresswoman, with your book and your story, is a fulfillment of a life-long dream of my medz-hayrig and medz-mayrig and my aunt. I welcome you, and I thank you. To your health and prosperity.”

Also offering remarks was Armenian Ambassador to the U.S., His Excellency Varuzhan Nersesyan, who praised Congresswoman Speier’s leadership on human rights and women’s rights while being an outspoken advocate of Armenian American concerns. Addressing the “new generation of ANCA youth leaders” in the room, Ambassador Nersesyan encouraged them to “follow her path, her inspiring life story – both an Armenian story and an American story.”

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Artsakh to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan and Soorp Khatch Armenian Church Pastor, Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, joined community leaders in praising Rep. Speier’s memoir.

The evening ended with Rep. Speier graciously signing copies of her book – urging one and all to be “undaunted” in all they do in life. The ANCA Endowment Fund has a limited number of signed copies of Rep. Jackie Speier’s “Undaunted” available for purchase.