Author: Vatche Chakhmakhchian

Secretary Blinken at the Bilateral Peace Negotiation Closing Session with Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan and Azerbaijani FM Jeyhun Bayramov

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
U.S. Department of State
May 4 2023


REMARKS

ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE

GEORGE P. SHULTZ NATIONAL FOREIGN AFFAIRS TRAINING CENTER

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

MAY 4, 2023

SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Good afternoon, everyone. I want to start by thanking our colleagues, both foreign ministers, their delegations for traveling here and for spending the time here in – at the Foreign Service Institute, and especially for their commitment to dialogue, and I think a recognition on the part of both Armenia and Azerbaijan that the only path to a lasting, durable peace is through dialogue.  The United States is very happy to continue to offer its support, its engagement, its good offices to host this discussion and any future ones toward an enduring peace.  That is the objective.

The two sides have discussed some very tough issues over the last few days and they’ve made tangible progress on a durable peace agreement.  I hope that they see – and I believe that they do, as I do – that there is an agreement within sight, within reach.  And achieving that agreement would be, I think, not only historic, but would be profoundly in the interests of the people of Azerbaijan and Armenia, and would have very positive effects even beyond their two countries.

I think the pace of the negotiations and the foundation that our colleagues have built shows that we really are within reach of an agreement.  The last mile of any marathon is always the hardest; we know that.  But the United States is here to continue to help both of our friends cross the finish line.  And as I say, I think we’re very much within reach of that.

I have to say, finally, that the leadership that we’re seeing from both Armenia and Azerbaijan, and from my friends the foreign ministers, is inspiring.  None of this is easy, but the commitment, the determination to move forward, to deal with the remaining challenging issues is real.  And we feel, coming out of these few days, that, as I said, we’ve made very tangible progress.  A final agreement is within reach, and we’re determined to continue to help our friends achieve it.

So with thanks to both of you, to both of your delegations, as well as to Prime Minister Pashinyan and President Aliyev for sending you here.  I thank everyone, and we look forward to continuing.

https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-the-bilateral-peace-negotiation-closing-session-with-armenian-foreign-minister-ararat-mirzoyan-and-azerbaijani-foreign-minister-jeyhun-bayramov/

Peace deal ‘within reach’ in Armenia-Azerbaijan talks

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
May 5 2023
Paul HANDLEY

AFP: A peace deal to end Armenia and Azerbaijan's three-decade-old dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave is "within reach" after four days of talks in Washington, US top diplomat Antony Blinken said Thursday.

The discussions between Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov did not result in a deal to end the territorial conflict between the two ex-Soviet republics, but Blinken said progress had been made.

"The two sides have discussed some very tough issues over the last few days, and they've made tangible progress on a durable peace agreement," the secretary of state said.

"I hope that they see and I believe that they do, as I do, that there is an agreement within sight, within reach," he said.

Blinken added later that the two sides "demonstrated a sincere commitment" to normalizing relations and ending their longstanding conflict.

"Both Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed in principle to certain terms and have a better understanding of one another's positions on outstanding issues," he said.

The two countries put out identical statements following the talks, saying they had laid out their positions on normalization.

"The Ministers and their teams advanced mutual understanding on some articles of the draft bilateral Agreement on Peace and Establishment of Interstate Relations," the statements said.

Both sides acknowledged, however, "that the positions on some key issues remain divergent."

Armenia and Azerbaijan were both republics of the Soviet Union and gained their independence when it broke up in 1991.

The two sides have gone to war twice over disputed territories, mainly Nagorno-Karabakh, a majority-Armenian enclave inside Azerbaijan.

Tens of thousands were killed in the wars, one lasting six years and ending in 1994, and the second in 2020, which ended in a Russia-negotiated peace deal.

But clashes have broken out regularly since then.

Azerbaijan injected new tensions last week when it placed a checkpoint on the Lachin Corridor, the only land link between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia views the move as a violation of a ceasefire negotiated between the two sides.

– 'The last mile' –

The four days of talks between Mirzoyan and Bayramov took place out of the view of media in a secure State Department facility in Arlington, a suburb of the US capital.

Ahead of the talks, a US official said they wanted the sides to sit down together and the primary aim was to move toward normalizing relations.

Blinken praised the foreign ministers for their leadership.

"None of this is easy, but the commitment, the determination to move forward to deal with the remaining challenging issues is real," he said.

"The last mile of any marathon is always the hardest. We know that," he added.

"But the United States is here to continue to help both of our friends cross the finish line."

He said he had proposed the two ministers return to their capitals "to share with their governments the perspective that, with additional goodwill, flexibility and compromise, an agreement is within reach."

Earlier this week, however, Russia said there was "no alternative" to a deal it signed with the two warring countries in 2020.

"For the moment, there is no other legal basis that would help a resolution. There is no alternative to these trilateral documents," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.

pmh/sw

Russian Foreign Ministry on Armenia-Azerbaijan ministerial in Washington D.C.

Vatche Chakhmakhchian

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 14:25, 3 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 3, ARMENPRESS. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has refused to comment on the foreign ministerial talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the United States 'because these negotiations are proceeding without Russia’s participation'.

Zakharova said at a press briefing that Moscow will be able to express its opinion when there will be statements released by the parties.

She once again stressed the importance of implementing the trilateral agreements.

“We remain committed to the implementation of all terms of the trilateral agreements reached between the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2020-2022,” Zakharova added.

Regarding prospects of a planned meeting between the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers in Russia, Zakharova noted that both Yerevan and Baku have expressed readiness for such a meeting. “We will inform about the timeframes later,” Zakharova said.

Samantha Power continues dodging questions about lack of USAID assistance to Artsakh

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
May 2, 2023 ANCA ANCA News 0

WASHINGTON, DC – US Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator Samantha Power has established a two-year pattern of dodging straightforward Congressional inquiries – both in-person during legislative hearings and in writing from dozens of legislators – regarding the lack of USAID programs in Artsakh, a troubling trend that was on display, once again, during her most recent appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Asked straightforward questions about the status of US aid for Artsakh by the panel’s chairman, Bob Menendez, Power – who has been in office two years – again deferred, refusing to answer his question or even meaningfully address the senator’s broader point, by saying, “I don’t have that figure off the top of my head.” Power took credit for conducting “two assessment missions to the region,” failing to note that these were only conducted belatedly as a result of a Congressional mandate spearheaded by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA). Asked to provide the Foreign Relations Committee with these assessments, Power agreed.

“Clever dodges and mumbled deferrals don’t distract anyone from the fact that USAID – under President Biden and Administrator Power – has operated zero U.S. humanitarian assistance programs in Artsakh,” said ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian. “After countless Congressional inquiries during its two years in office, it is all too clear that they lack the will to help Artsakh, the strength to stand up to Azerbaijan, or the courage to take ownership of this deeply flawed policy.”

In his opening remarks at the April 26th Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Chairman Menendez complained that at times USAID’s response to crises is “slower than molasses,” noting, “Case in point: The humanitarian crisis for Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh is only getting worse. Where are we? Why aren’t we airlifting humanitarian supplies to those Armenians facing blockade? We need to respond to events quickly and we also need to address root causes.”

With strong support from the ANCA, Congresswoman Lee was successful late last year in including language in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L.117-103) directing that the US Department of State and US Agency for International Development provide Congress with an “assistance strategy for addressing humanitarian and recovery needs arising from the [Artsakh] conflict” that identifies the US “resources and programs,” available for this purpose. The Artsakh provision included a 60-day timeline for the Biden Administration to report back to Congress. The deadline to submit the assistance strategy was March 1st; Senate and House members have yet to gain access to the report.

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The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.


Armenpress: Azerbaijan stops Armenians returning to Nagorno Karabakh at checkpoint to film staged passage

Vatche Chakhmakhchian

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 11:09, 1 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 1, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijanis have stopped Armenians who were returning from Goris to Nagorno Karabakh accompanied by Russian peacekeepers at the checkpoint in Lachin Corridor and staged a performance attempting to falsely show that the road is open, the State Minister of Nagorno Karabakh Gurgen Nersisyan said on May 1.

“On April 23, 2023, Azerbaijan illegally set up a checkpoint on the Artsakh-Armenia border line (in Lachin Corridor), which resulted in the towns of Shushi region of Artsakh appearing in a total blockade, being cut off both from Stepanakert and Armenia. The humanitarian condition of the residents of the towns of Mets Shen, Hin Shen, Yeghtsahogh and Lisagor of Shushi region began deteriorating each day since April 23, we’ve attempted to supply food and medication through the Artsakh office of the Red Cross, but these efforts gave no results. During the initial days, three minors were taken back to their parents from Goris with support of the Russian peacekeepers, but the return of the remaining persons was banned by Azerbaijan. A group of residents requested the Russian peacekeepers on the ground to resolve the urgent humanitarian issues of the people who are in a full and two-sided blockade, who allowed passage for private cars without checks through the checkpoint on the Hakari Bridge, with assurances in advance that there will be no control interference by Azerbaijanis. Our citizens, with support of the peacekeepers, freely passed the road on one way, however, on the way back to their settlements together with the compatriots who were stranded in Goris as a result of the checkpoint they met Azerbaijanis at the checkpoint. The Azerbaijanis put our citizens in a desperate situation and forced them to comply with their demands and filmed the process to show off yet another performance.

This is yet another proof that the illegal Azerbaijani checkpoint is impeding the uninterrupted movement of Artsakh citizens, vehicles and cargo, in violation of the terms of the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement and the ruling of the UN International Court of Justice. The people of Artsakh are waiting for the restoration of the mode of the Lachin Corridor as defined under the trilateral statement – a 5km wide corridor exclusively under Russian peacekeeping forces’ control,” Nersisyan said.

Armenia’s representative presents objections to Azerbaijan’s case before the International Court of Justice

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
NEWS.am
Armenia –
Armenia's representative presents objections to Azerbaijan's case before the International Court of Justice
20:21, 21.04.2023

Today the Representative of the Republic of Armenia on International Legal Matters, Yeghishe Kirakosyan, submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) the Preliminary Objections of Armenia with respect to the Memorial of Azerbaijan in the case concerning Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Azerbaijan v. Armenia). Preliminary objections have been submitted to the entire text of Azerbaijan's lawsuit.

"It was reasoned that most of the claims set forth in Azerbaijan's lawsuit are outside the court's jurisdiction and inadmissible," the statement said.

The Court has suspended the proceedings of the case until the judgment on the issue of Preliminary Objections submitted by Armenia.

On February 22, the UN International Court of Justice granted Armenia's request for an interim measure and obliged Azerbaijan to ensure uninterrupted movement of citizens, vehicles, and goods in both directions through the Lachin corridor until the final decision on the "Armenia v. Azerbaijan" claim is rendered. Azerbaijan does not comply with this decision.


Armenian Prime Minister holds meeting with United States Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations, OSCE MG Co-Chair

Vatche Chakhmakhchian

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 14:36,

YEREVAN, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has held a meeting with the United States Senior Advisor for Caucasus Negotiations and United States Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Louis Bono.

The Prime Minister attached importance to the US government’s efforts in the direction of ensuring stability and peace in the region and presented the Armenian side’s approaches in the resolution of existing key issues, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a readout.

PM Pashinyan said that the aggressive policy and belligerent rhetoric against the people of Nagorno Karabakh and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia are inadmissible.

Issues relating to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the formation of an international mechanism for dialogue between Stepanakert and Baku, the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh resulting from the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan, the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and unblocking of regional transport infrastructures were also discussed.

Congress marks Armenian Genocide by warning of second genocide against Artsakh

Vatche Chakhmakhchian

 ANCA ANCA News 0

WASHINGTON, DC – Two dozen US Senators and Representatives joined on Capitol Hill ahead of April 24th, the international day of justice for the Armenian Genocide, to warn against Azerbaijan’s ongoing attempts to ethnically cleanse the 120,000 Christian Armenians living in freedom upon their indigenous Artsakh homeland, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“The message today from Capitol Hill to President Biden is, very simply: ‘Prevent a second Armenian Genocide; stop sending American arms and aid to Azerbaijan,’” said ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian. “President Biden cannot credibly condemn the Armenian Genocide while arming and abetting the racist, oil-rich dictatorship hell-bent on completing this very crime.”

The annual Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide observance, organized in cooperation with the Congressional Armenian Caucus, was streamed live on the ANCA’s social media platforms.

Congressional Armenian Caucus founding co-chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) praised the Armenian American community’s persistence in securing Congressional and then Presidential recognition of the Armenian Genocide in 2019 and 2021, respectively, but stressed that there is more work to do. “What we see happening in Artsakh, both with the attack, the aggression that took place a couple of years ago, and the cutting off of the Lachin Corridor, in my opinion, is nothing more a continuation of the Genocide,” stated Pallone. “We know the people in Artsakh are suffering, not having enough food, not having medical supplies. To me, that sounds like genocide, but we’re not going to allow it to happen,” concluded Rep. Pallone.

Congressional Armenian Caucus founding co-chair Rep. Frank Pallone

Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), whose wife Nadine’s grandfather was killed during the Armenian Genocide, discussed the “acute humanitarian crisis” in Artsakh resulting from Azerbaijan’s blockade, their ongoing torture and murder of POWs and aggression against Armenia and Artsakh. “Suffice it to say that I’m strongly opposed to having any aid go to a fighting force known for war crimes and aggression against a neighbor state. We should not be in bed with governments like Azerbaijan. It’s inexcusable. It’s morally repugnant. It’s got to stop.” He also noted that continued US security assistance to Azerbaijan “not only damages American national security interests, it flies in the face of our duty to honor the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide and our duty to ensure that history does not repeat itself again.”

Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) again stressed his opposition to military aid to Azerbaijan.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), citing her historic Congressional trip to Armenia last year, noted the significance of the Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide commemoration. “As we make clear by tonight’s meeting, preventing a second Armenian Genocide, we must ensure that these atrocities never happen again. There must be a negotiated, comprehensive and lasting settlement to this conflict so that we can pave a way to peace and security. Make no mistake, support for the Armenian people transcends partisanship and politics.”

US House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi stressed that we must prevent a second Genocide and ensure that the atrocities of 1915 never happen again.

California Senator Alex Padilla announced his upcoming introduction of a Senate resolution condemning Azerbaijan’s Artsakh blockade. “And after condemning Azerbaijan, I’m urging the United States government to take immediate steps to end the ongoing and growing humanitarian crisis. The US government needs to live up to its word that we will never ignore the warning signs of genocide, and we will never let this happen again. It is time to act,” concluded Senator Padilla.

Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) with ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian, ANCA National Board member Ani Tchaghlasian and ANCA Programs director Alex Galitsky

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) noted, “Armenians are still under attack today, including those who lost their lives in Artsakh, many forced to flee from the unprovoked aggression of Azerbaijan and Turkey, Azerbaijan’s unprovoked assault on the sovereign territory of Armenia, and the thousands of Armenians who remain at risk of another genocide as Azerbaijan tries to drive them out of Artsakh and Armenia.” Rep. Schiff warned, “Over the past few months we’ve reached a critical point in the hostility of Azerbaijan towards Armenia and Artsakh. And I can tell you I’ve never been more concerned than I am today that Azerbaijan may intend another all-out war on Armenia and Artsakh.”

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)

Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) reminisced about the powerful impact of his trip to Artsakh in 2017, noting, “And it was an interesting experience to go there [Artsakh] and see for myself these people that have fought for themselves, have defended their nation and did everything they possibly could to be a free society. […] And it’s something that I know across the aisle, both Democrat and Republican, we’re going to continue to fight to work to resolve this as quickly as we possibly can.”

Congressional Armenian Caucus co-chair David Valadao (R-CA) once again condemned Azerbaijan’s ongoing aggression against the Armenians of Artsakh.

Members of Congress also pledged support for the Armenian Genocide Education Act set to be introduced next week, spearheaded by Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Rep. Valadao. This landmark legislation – strongly supported by the ANCA – seeks to provide $10 million in funding over five years for the Library of Congress to educate Americans about Ottoman Turkey’s systematic and deliberate state-sponsored mass murder, national dispossession, cultural erasure and exile of millions of Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites and other Christians, between 1915 and 1923.

Additional Senate and House Members who offered powerful remarks throughout the evening included: Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Representatives: Judy Chu (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Grace Meng (D-NY), Katie Porter (D-CA), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and Dina Titus (D-NV). Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Kevin Mullin (D-CA) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) also joined in the solemn Armenian Genocide remembrance.

Artsakh Representative to the US Robert Avetisyan stressed that there was a “different sense of urgency” during this year’s commemoration. “It is clear for us in Artsakh and increasingly in Armenia that there is a historic opportunity to de-Armenize Artsakh, to take control and eventually modify or destroy the first Armenian Church. To take control, cut the cross, transform our millennial churches. Yes, there is a historic opportunity for Erdogan to do what he promised to do in 2020, when they paired up with Azerbaijan in international terrorism and attacked Artsakh. There’s a historic opportunity for them to finish the deal and mission of their forefathers in the Caucasus. The blockade continues. The threats continue. The attempt at ethnic cleansing continues. So should our struggle.”

Artsakh Representative to the US Robert Avetisyan stressed a “different sense of urgency” during this year’s commemoration amid the ongoing Artsakh blockade.

Keynote speaker Dr. Michael Rubin, a senior fellow of the American Enterprise Institute, made a powerful case against the presidential waiver of Section 907 restrictions on US military assistance to Azerbaijan. “Section 907 and the waiver of Section 907 is ingrained in law. To make excuses inside the State Department is an affront not to Democrats, not to Republicans, but to the entire Congress. This is about respect for Congress, respect for the law. If anyone wants to traffic military equipment to Azerbaijan, when President Aliyev makes it very clear in his statements, including his statement yesterday, that he intends to affect population transfer, ethnic cleansing and so forth, let that Congressman or Senator stand up and say that we need to sell weaponry to Azerbaijan despite what we see is a looming resumption of genocide.”

American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Dr. Michael Rubin

The Armenian Genocide commemorative evening spotlighted the vibrant coalition of organizations standing with Artsakh and Armenia as they face Azerbaijan’s genocidal actions. Hellenic American Leadership Council Government Affairs director Dean Tsilikas served as master of ceremonies of the evening. Several ANCA coalition partners offering remarks, including In Defense of Christian executive director Richard Ghazal, American Friends of Kurdistan president Diliman Abdulkader and A Demand for Action executive director Steve Oshana.

Congressional Armenian Staff Association chair Maria Martirosyan Issakhanian stressed the impact of the Armenian Genocide on the commitment of Armenian American staffers to bring about positive change. “While centuries of persecution and displacement may have resulted in lost family histories, generational trauma and lost economic opportunities, it has also instilled in us the ability to survive, persevere and thrive. And today, Armenian-American congressional staff harness their experience, strengths and talents to help shape the future of this nation and the world.”

His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the United States, offered a stirring invocation sharing the Armenian American experience, noting, “We will walk despite awful deniers, distortions and oppressions. For our patience is deeper than the oceans. Our aspirations are higher than the mountains. Our will and our commitment are as solid as granite. […] May we carry our yoke consciously and willingly for the ultimate victory of truth, justice and peace.”

Hamparian and Armenian Assembly of America National Board member Aram Gavoor also offered remarks.

His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, Artsakh Representative Robert Avetisyan, ANCA National Board member Ani Tchaghlasian, and ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian with Homenetmen, AYF and ANC advocates at the Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide commemoration.

Highlights of Congressional and Coalition Organization Remarks in Solidarity of Artsakh and Armenia and Marking the 108th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide:

Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ): “We are united in our commitment to Armenian sovereignty, we’re united in our commitment to human rights, and we’re going to continue to do everything we can to avoid a humanitarian crisis. Now more than ever, we have to acknowledge our shared responsibility. Now more than ever we have to call out violence against innocent people in all shapes and forms. And I want to say thank you because the work cannot stop.”

Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA): “I am proud to be one of the only members of Congress to visit both Armenia and Artsakh. And I saw for myself what a beautiful place Artsakh was. But I do have to tell you that Azerbaijan warned me not to go, so when I came back, they banned me from the country. Yeah. And it’s a badge of honor, yes. And it actually strengthened my resolve to stop Azerbaijan’s continued aggression and their illegal plundering of Artsakh, it made me even more determined to stand by the people of Armenia and Artsakh as they struggle for their right to self-determination.”

Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) with members of the Greater Washington DC Homenetmen Scout Troop #1918.

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA): “Many of you have heard me say it before, my name is Aram. I come from the land of William Saroyan. With fondness and deep appreciation and a great deal of pride, the Armenian diaspora obviously found its way into so many parts of our country and the world. […] With the situation in Artsakh today, more work needs to be done. Once again, Azerbaijan is demonstrating its disregard for its respect of a sovereign nation, and a people that they are neighbors with. And the world is watching.”

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) offers remarks to a capacity crowd at the Congressional Armenian Genocide Observance.

Rep. Young Kim (R-CA): “I am proud to co-sponsor the Armenian Genocide Education Act in the 117th Congress, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to advocate for the genocide recognition or lifting the blockade or attending local community events. I have a lot of friends in the Armenian American community. I’m proud to continue to be an advocate for you so please consider me as one of your strongest friends and advocate here working on your behalf, being your voice.”

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY): “As we remember the Armenian Genocide, we must also acknowledge the conflict over Artsakh. Most recently in this chapter, Azerbaijan launched a blockade around Artsakh. This blockade is causing immense suffering to the Armenian people living there. It is a violation of their human rights. We must work towards ending this blockade, ensuring that Artsakh has access to necessary resources like food and medicine. As we stand here today, we not only remember the past, but also support the present and the future of the Armenian people.”

Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI): “As we speak today, 120,000 Armenians are trapped, cut off from food, medicine and fuel, part of Azerbaijan’s longstanding campaign of aggression. Together with my colleagues from the Congressional Armenian Caucus, we have requested $50 million of funding for rebuilding and resettling efforts, including food, energy, security, Internet access, maternal health care and water. We have requested restriction of military assistance to Azerbaijan, urging Azerbaijan to free Armenian prisoners of war. The blockade of Artsakh must end, and it must end now.”

Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY): “As part of these remembrance efforts, I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the Armenian Genocide Education Act, which would promote greater public awareness and understanding of the history, lessons, consequences and ongoing costs of the Armenian Genocide. Not only do we need to remember the past, but we must recognize the ongoing tragedies right in front of us. The blockade of Artsakh is simply unacceptable. Families and their lives have been turned upside down. I know many of you in this room have family, friends and loved ones in Artsakh who continue to be impacted by Azerbaijan’s hateful policies. Please know that I and my colleagues stand with you in calling for the end to this unjust blockade.”

Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA): “The goal is clear, to force the ethnic Armenians of Artsakh from their homeland by imposing conditions that make life impossible. Our response must also be clear. We must hold Azerbaijan accountable for its aggression, and I will keep calling, and if needed, pushing, the Biden administration to be proactive in taking steps to end this blockade. American taxpayers should not be subsidizing Azerbaijan’s hostility against the Armenian people. As long as the aggression continues, Azerbaijan should not receive any military assistance.”

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL): “As we gather here, we’re at the four-month mark of Azerbaijan’s illegal blockade of the Artsakh border, the sole entry point from Armenia to Artsakh. The blockade has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis with shortages of critical supplies such as food, medical equipment, as well as intermittent energy and internet service for the residents of Artsakh. That’s why it’s so important that we speak out and why I join with my colleagues in condemning Azerbaijan’s blockade and calling for using every tool available to bring it to an end. Yet despite our calls and an order from the International Court of Justice to take all measures, the blockade continues and the residents of Artsakh continue to suffer. We cannot and we will not sit idly by.”

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA): “While 115,000 or more Armenians are besieged, we reflect on the fact that the blockade is the tactic. The effect of the blockade is human deprivation. The goal of the blockade is to ethnically cleanse Artsakh. And the result of the blockade will be failure. Because the Armenians who have lived there for over a thousand years aren’t going anywhere. So that’s why I’ve joined colleagues in demanding that we look at sanctions on Azerbaijan, starting with enforcing, of course, Section 907 and completely eliminating any aid to Azerbaijan.”

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA): “The violence in Nagorno-Karabakh continues today on the 129th day of the blockade. And the roughly 120,000 civilians living through this blockade in Artsakh continue to experience food and water shortages and severe lack of medical supplies, electricity and other daily essentials. This is a man-made crisis created by the Azerbaijani government. It is unjust, it is unconscionable, and the current international strategy to open the corridor has proven to be ineffective.”

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA): “Thank you for your advocacy to make the right decision. And you have, indeed, someone who will also be a fierce advocate to make sure that the atrocities being committed by Azerbaijan are not ever endorsed by the US government and are always condemned. And so I’m here today because America stands with Armenia, because Armenia, always with its values, stands with America.”

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV): “It never seems to end as we deal with the boycott of resources and humanitarian supplies in Artsakh by Azerbaijan. On the Foreign Affairs Committee, we have taken the position that we won’t tolerate that, we won’t support it, we’ll call for a ceasefire, call for a safe passageway for these resources, and we’ll continue to do that. So you can always count on me, because I don’t feel like we’re friends, I feel more like we’re family.”

Dean Tsilikas, Government Affairs Director, Hellenic American Leadership Council: “It is my honor to be your master of ceremonies this evening, as we gather here at the Capitol and commemorate the Armenian Genocide. We have a distinguished list of speakers this evening – legislators, diplomats, community leaders, coalition partners – all are here tonight to lend their support in recognizing the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide and to ensure history does not repeat itself in Artsakh.”

Richard Ghazal, In Defense of Christians: “Impunity for the Armenian Genocide has set dangerous precedent and showed the world that it’s OK to destroy entire ethnic and religious groups. There’s been no accountability for these acts, and the absence of consequences encourages greater evil. […] Even today, Turkish President Erdogan refers to Christians as the remnants, the leftovers of the sword. According to him, the Genocide has not yet been completed. We see the Genocide continue even to this day by Azerbaijan, supported by Turkey itself in war crimes against Armenians in Artsakh, and in the form of war crimes by Turkey against Christians in Syria, Iraq, Cyprus and yes, even Christians in Nigeria, where Turkey supplies arms to an ISIS franchise known as Boko Haram.”

Steve Oshana, A Demand for Action: “One thing with Assyrian, Chaldean, Syriacs, Greeks, Armenians, is that we are so inextricably linked, both in our faith and in our suffering. And our suffering is so deeply rooted in our faith that to try to untangle that would be impossible. And so our advocacy together is so important. And I would just like to take a moment to thank the Armenian National Committee of America for being steadfast partners of ours every time when our community has faced struggles. And so what we see now with the legal blockade of Azerbaijan and Artsakh, what we see the aggression of Turkey towards the Kurdish community, towards the Syrians, and towards the Greeks in Cyprus, it’s a constant reminder that the Genocide is, quite frankly, not over. We talk about stopping a second genocide, when in reality, Erdogan and Aliyev are really bent on finishing the job that they started.”

Diliman Abdulkader, president of the American Friends of Kurdistan: “We have to call on Congress, we have to work together, and that’s why I’m proud as American Friends of Kurdistan, I’m proud to stand with the Armenian people today, against genocide, to stop it right now as it’s happening, because if we don’t, Turkey eventually will connect with Azerbaijan and just call it one. There will be just one giant Turkey and that’s their main goal – to revive the Ottoman Empire. These are the facts that we have to pay attention to; these are the facts that we have to acknowledge. Once we acknowledge what’s going on on the ground, we can implement sanctions against Azerbaijan. We can implement sanctions against Turkey. Because as my colleague, Richard [Ghazal] stated, if we do give them weapons, make no mistake, it’ll be used to erase these vulnerable peoples like Armenia and Artsakh.”

Aram Hamparian, executive director, ANCA: “The idea that we can talk our way or trade our way to peace is a fiction. It’s simply not in the cards. Just in the last few days, we saw the surrender, essentially, of even more land in Syunik. The hope, no doubt, behind that surrender is something like, when the Azerbaijanis get what they want, they will reciprocate with peace. The sad answer is they will not. The land that we have, we must hold. The land that they seek, we must defend. There is no alternative.”

Aram Gavoor, National Board Member, Armenian Assembly of America: “Right now, indigenous Armenian populations have been subjected to a consistent campaign of brutalization in Artsakh and within the internationally recognized borders of the Republic of Armenia for many years, but acutely since 2020. […] For Armenians worldwide and in this room, this feels like a second Armenian Genocide is happening. In fact, perhaps a second Armenian Genocide is about to happen. The urgency cannot be more significant than it is right now.”

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The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.


Armenpress: Wrestler Arsen Harutyunyan becomes three-time champion of the European Championship

Vatche Chakhmakhchian

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YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. Arsen Harutyunyan, a member of the Armenian freestyle wrestling team, became a three-time champion of the European Championship.

ARMENPRESS reports, 61 kg Arsen Harutyunyan competed with Albania's Zalimkhan Abakarov at the European Freestyle Wrestling Championship in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. The Armenian wrestler won with a score of 5:2.

Arsen Harutyunyan became the champion of the European Championship in 2019 and 2022. He is a participant of the Tokyo Olympics, a two-time bronze medalist of the World Championship.

Earlier, Vazgen Tevanyan became the gold medalist of the European Championship in the 65 kg weight category.

AW: Easter Memories: Faith and Family

Vatche Chakhmakhchian
 Stepan Piligian In Sight, Columns 0

“Christos Haryav ee Merelots. Christ is risen from the dead.” “Orhnyal ee Harutyun Christosi; Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ.” This past Sunday and continuing into the season of Eastertide, thousands of believers in the Armenian Christian community will greet each other with these powerful words as we celebrate the Resurrection. There are a few terms in our lives that need little explanation. The Feast of the Holy Resurrection is one of them. It is simply the most significant life-changing event that has shaped the direction of mankind. During Holy Week, Christ completed the fulfillment of the prophecies and defeated death by the Resurrection. It is the core of our faith, supreme confirmation that He is the Messiah and that through Him we have eternal life. Easter has always been my favorite holiday. The reasons have evolved, but the feelings have remained the same. Christmas is the birth of Our Savior, yet we cloud the experience with over-materializing the day and creating stress with distractions. We are fortunate as Armenians. In the diaspora, we can participate in the material celebratory day with “western Christmas” and then on January 6 spiritually reflect on the birth and baptism of Our Lord. With two “holidays” separated by less than two weeks, it has always helped me to become grounded in the core reason for the observance. This year, I participated in an Advent series of discussions at our church to focus on the meaning of Christ’s birth. It provided me with an even deeper understanding and helped minimize the secular noise we feel at Christmas. This is but one of the reasons our church is important. Thanksgiving is unique to our American life and a part of our local culture. When we set aside time to give thanks, it should be embraced. Most of us, however, associate this day with overeating and football. The Resurrection connects naturally with the metaphor of springtime and the renewal of life. As we anxiously await the rebirth of our trees, grass and plants, we can spiritually connect with the life-giving Resurrection.

Some of my fondest childhood memories are connected to Easter. My parents always insisted that we have a new Easter outfit. It was always the first opportunity to wear a lighter weight fabric and retire the woolen clothing from the winter. My mom and dad would take me to a local men’s shop to buy a sports jacket and pair of slacks. Your Sunday best was particularly important on Easter Sunday. My father was the church deacon, and my mom was active in the Sunday school, so it was a sure bet that we were never late. I didn’t fully appreciate it in my youth. I am sure there was more than one Sunday when my sisters and I were not fully cooperative. It didn’t matter because going to church was not a democratic process. As I look back, we are eternally grateful for the faith our parents instilled in us. I was an altar server as were many of my peers. The hymns (sharagans) have always held a warm place in my heart. I always anticipated Easter season because my favorite hymn, Kovya Yeroosaghem uz Der, was sung by the choir. It is a beautiful hymn that evokes such emotion, and the words speak of the essence of our faith. It is sung early in the service, which was one of the benefits of my parents’ commitment. I still search for various versions of this sharagan on YouTube to listen when it is not that season in church. Isn’t it amazing how joyous the badarak and the congregants seem on Easter? Perhaps it was because there was no hokehankist (requiem) or perhaps the Easter sharagans were sung, but it always felt upbeat. I have come to know that the feeling was the mystery of the Holy Spirit on the great news of the Resurrection. We are celebrating the greatest news ever. After church, the parish in Indian Orchard always held an Easter breakfast. The Ladies Guild was the sponsor of this iconic gathering of choreg, eggs, cheese, olives and other essentials. That breakfast has always held a special memory for those of us who grew up in the St. Gregory parish. When I was very young, we would secure our favorite eggs and initiate the egg cracking contest. We would then sneak off with our friends for some harmless mischief. The important reflection was that we were under the protection of our beloved Armenian church. We were doing things that kids love to do at church. 

This past Sunday, I attended badarak with my family at our parish. Before the fellowship began, our Der Hayr offered a home blessing service. Our three-year-old grandson Krikor was having a grand time running around the church hall. It brought back vivid memories. When Der Hayr and his deacons began the brief service, he asked Krikor to stand near him. I was stunned when Krikor complied and stood reverently between the priest and the deacon. He even crossed himself at the appropriate times. I was nearly brought to tears as I witnessed another act of faith. It was so uncharacteristic of him to stand seriously for 10 minutes that I cannot help but feel the presence of God in this young boy. It took me back for a moment to our youth. I wish that all the children in our communities find their spiritual identity through our church. The Feast of the Holy Resurrection is very special. Everyone at those breakfasts usually helped to clean up, which is how it works in small communities. You learn to get your hands dirty early. It’s the values we were given and which have guided us.

Krikor Piligian flanked by Rev. Fr. Krikor A. Sabounjian and Deacon Arthur Sabounjian during a brief service in the church hall after badarak on Easter Sunday

After church, there would be a family gathering. Many of our Easters were spent with my maternal grandparents, who lived in New Britain, Connecticut and attended the St. Stephen’s parish. Some years, our grandparents would come to our home, and many times we would go to New Britain. Regardless of the location, we all waited for our grandfather Takvor to select his egg for the cracking contest. My grandfather always insisted on having mezze that started with offering my father a “highball.” This drink consisted of whiskey and ginger ale. Of course, we weren’t offered the drink, but we did enjoy the ginger ale, which is how my affinity for that beverage began. Whenever I have a ginger ale, my mind wanders back to warm family gatherings. Grandpa always wanted olives, cheese and patz hatz (cracker bread) displayed before we could crack the eggs. He would meticulously select his egg by tapping the shell on his front teeth. With a twinkle in his eye, he would tell us that the harder shells made a certain sound. Because we loved him dearly, we would all walk around tapping eggs on our teeth without the slightest inkling of what we were doing. I am not certain about the science behind my grandpa’s ritual, but I think he won the contest more often than others. Grandma Nevart would enter the room with her warm choreg that was the perfect complement to the ginger ale and eggs. There was no need for television or other forms of entertainment for the children. We all gathered around the food and found joy in each other’s company. I honestly don’t ever remember being bored as we always waited for one of grandpa’s entertaining stories. Our grandmother always made a cake made out of a mold of a lamb. The religious reference became obvious when we were older. It became another tradition that built such warm memories. That mold is still in our family as my sister Linda uses it every year for her family’s Easter. In fact, I just received a picture of this year’s lamb cake with her grandson Ben, which would make him the great great grandson.

We have all experienced the “Sunday night” letdown after our Armenian and family weekend life. Easter night was particularly challenging as we returned to school. For at least the first three days, the lunch our mom prepared was predictable: hard boiled Easter eggs, choreg, cheese and olives. I remember one day during my middle school years, I was sitting in the cafeteria with some friends who also had Easter eggs for lunch. When we started to eat, I almost screamed when I saw one of my friends crack the shell of his egg on the table. “What are you doing?” I exclaimed with my egg extended for a cracking contest. They were all looking at me like I was an alien. They had no idea about cracking eggs as a cultural ritual. In my sheltered life, I thought everyone cracked eggs. As soon as I explained the tradition, their competitive instincts took over, and we had a competition at our table. Regardless of how many people were attending dinner, we always colored more eggs than necessary thus creating the lunch opportunity to work off the leftovers. My grandparents were deeply spiritual individuals, and I am grateful that we were raised with such dignified people. As a boy, I would watch my grandfather in church and learn the protocols of worshiping. He prayed every night before bedtime; as he aged and needed assistance, I cherished those moments of his giving thanks.

During badarak on Easter Sunday, the message in the sermon was very focused. It was all about The Resurrection. It is the core of our faith. It gives us hope which is a pillar for life. It is the path through Him for eternal life. It is truly a celebration of the greatest act that altered the direction of mankind and the greatest example of love ever displayed. Our Armenian church recognizes this with scripture, hymns and rituals that are woven together and are the essence of our faith. The Easter bunnies are cute and offer our children moments of happiness, but this season offers us the foundation of life on earth and for eternity. We are reminded during this season of the importance of bringing God’s love into our homes and to teach our children through our church about the hope and promise created by the Resurrection.

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Stepan was raised in the Armenian community of Indian Orchard, MA at the St. Gregory Parish. A former member of the AYF Central Executive and the Eastern Prelacy Executive Council, he also served many years as a delegate to the Eastern Diocesan Assembly. Currently , he serves as a member of the board and executive committee of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR). He also serves on the board of the Armenian Heritage Foundation. Stepan is a retired executive in the computer storage industry and resides in the Boston area with his wife Susan. He has spent many years as a volunteer teacher of Armenian history and contemporary issues to the young generation and adults at schools, camps and churches. His interests include the Armenian diaspora, Armenia, sports and reading.