Wednesday,
Minister Sees No Leadership Change In Armenia
• Artak Hambardzumian
Armenia - President Serzh Sarkisian, former Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian and
other senior officials hold a congress of the ruling Republican Party in
Yerevan, 26Nov2016.
President Serzh Sarkisian will become Armenia’s prime minister just days after
his decade-long presidency ends on April 9, Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobian
said on Wednesday.
“I think that given the existing situation the president of the republic will
be nominated by the Republican Party (HHK) for prime minister and get elected
[by parliament,]” she told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).
Sarkisian hinted at his intention to become prime minister and thus extend his
rule in comments to an Armenian media outlet made last week. In that context,
he downplayed his assurances in 2014 that he will “not aspire” to the top
executive post under a parliamentary system of government.
Echoing statements by other senior members of the ruling HHK, Hakobian
dismissed opposition claims that the outgoing president is about to break his
pledge. “Life is not a dogma whereby if we say something today it must
necessarily occur,” she said. “Life changes and evolves.”
Some Armenian opposition groups have pledged to try to scuttle Sarkisian’s
perceived plans with street demonstrations that will be staged early next month.
Eduard Sharmazanov, the chief HHK spokesman, insisted on Wednesday that the
ruling party is undaunted by those protests. “Under the constitution, it is the
parliament deputies who will decide who will be our prime minister for the next
four years,” he said. “What are [the opposition forces] going to do? To scare
us?”
“The people voted [in the April 2017 parliamentary elections] to determine who
should be in government and who should in opposition,” added Sharmazanov. “The
people voted to give us the right to form the executive branch.”
Dashnaks Signal Support For Sarkisian’s Continued Rule
• Astghik Bedevian
Armenia - President Serzh Sarkisian greets leaders of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation before concluding a new power-sharing agreement with
them in Yerevan, 11May2017.
A leader of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) indicated on
Wednesday that his pro-government party does not object to President Serzh
Sarkisian’s apparent plans to stay in power after serving out his final term
next month.
Arsen Hambardzumian, the new nominal head of Dashnaktsutyun’s governing body in
Armenia, commented on claims by senior members of the ruling Republican Party
(HHK) that Sarkisian is “irreplaceable” for the country.
“There are clear challenges facing Armenia,” Hambardzumian told a news
conference. “It’s not a secret that we have the issue of Artsakh’s
(Nagorno-Karabakh’s) security … that there are critical developments in the
region with an element of unpredictability, that the government system in
Armenia is being changed.
“These are all risks and challenges. In these circumstances, the approaches
voices with regard to [Sarkisian’s] experience and being well-informed about
these processes are logical.”
“So if we all are guided by common sense, I’m sure you too will conclude that
those arguments are often appropriate,” he added.
Dashnaktsutyun leaders have said in recent months that it is up to the ruling
HHK to decide who should govern Armenia after Sarkisian’s final presidential
term ends on April 9. So far they have stopped short of explicitly endorsing
the outgoing president’s candidacy for the post of prime minister.
Armenia - Supporters of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation attend an
election campaign rally in Yerevan, 30Mar2017.
Dashnaktsutyun, which is particularly influential in the worldwide Armenian
Diaspora, is represented in the government by three ministers in line with a
power-sharing agreement reached with Sarkisian two years ago. It won 7 seats in
the country’s 105-member parliament elected in April 2017.
In Hambardzumian’s words, the party leadership is satisfied with the work of
the three Dashnaktsutyun-affiliated ministers and sees “no need for their
replacement.” The next Armenian prime minister is due to form a new cabinet
after being elected by the parliament on April 17.
In a statement released in early February, Dashnaktsutyun said it remains
dissatisfied with the socioeconomic situation in Armenia despite
“unprecedented” GDP growth achieved last year. The government, it said, should
do more to reduce poverty, spur job creation, “ease income polarization,” and
take tougher anti-trust measures.
Armenian Official Lauds ‘Productive’ Military Cooperation With Russia
• Sargis Harutyunyan
Russia -- A Russian TOS-1A multiple rocket launcher fires during the opening of
the Army-2015 international military forum in Kubinka, outside Moscow, June 16,
2015
Armenia is continuing to acquire Russian-manufactured weapons and other
military equipment as part of its close defense links with Russia, Deputy
Defense Minister Davit Pakhchanian said on Wednesday.
In particular, Pakhchanian announced that the Armenian army has received such
weaponry purchased with a $200 million Russian loan disbursed to Yerevan in
2015.
“What was planned within the framework of the first [Russian] loan has already
been delivered, and there is an agreement to continue that work,” he told a
news conference. “That is a serious component of our arms acquisitions. Our
cooperation with Russia is now going quite well.”
The weapons covered by that loan are believed to include, among other things,
Smerch multiple-launch rocket system, thermobaric TOS-1A and anti-tank Kornet
rocket systems, and shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles.
The Armenian government announced in October 2017, that Moscow will provide it
with a further $100 million loan that will be spent on buying more Russian
weapons at internal Russian prices set well below international market-based
levels. Armenia is entitled to such price discounts due to its membership in
the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
Despite these close military ties, Russia has sold Armenia’s arch-foe
Azerbaijan at least $4 billion worth of tanks, artillery systems, combat
helicopters and other weaponry in the last several years. Armenian leaders have
publicly criticized these arms deals, saying that they contributed to the April
2016 fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Visiting Yerevan earlier this month, a senior Russian pro-government lawmaker
indicated that Moscow will scale down its future arms dealings with Baku in
response to the Armenian criticism.
“We are obviously unhappy with Russian arms supplies to Azerbaijan,” said
Pakhchanian. “The Russian side is now saying that the scale of those supplies
will be cut significantly.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. government reportedly warned that Yerevan will risk
U.S. sanctions in case of signing “substantial deals” with Russia’s state-owned
defense industry.
“Of course, sanctions are a problem but we need to ensure our security and our
actions on this issue will be first and foremost based on our interests,”
Pakhchanian said in this regard.
The official made clear that Armenia is also keen to step up
“military-technical cooperation” with other foreign nations, including China,
Serbia and NATO member Poland. Incidentally, defense companies from these and a
dozen other nations, including Germany and Italy, will take part in an arms
exhibition that will open in Yerevan on Thursday.
Pakhchanian further said that the Armenian military is increasingly reliant on
the domestic defense industry in its arms acquisitions and other procurements.
Armenian companies manufacture items such as unmanned aerial vehicles, radars
and electronic equipment using laser technology.
U.S. Again Condemns 2016 Attack On Yerevan Police Station
Armenia -- Ambassador Richard Mills speaks to journalists in Yerevan, 13Sept2017
The United States has reaffirmed its strong condemnation of the 2016 seizure by
opposition gunmen of a police station in Yerevan and any other attempts to
forcibly overthrow Armenia’s government.
Richard Mills, the U.S. ambassador to Armenia, was asked by Aysor.am to comment
on “rumors” that the West supports armed groups like Sasna Tsrer which stormed
the police compound in Yerevan’s Erebuni district.
“Those rumors couldn’t be farther from the truth,” Mills told the online
publication in comments published on Wednesday. “We do not support groups
seeking to illegally overthrow an elected government. And especially with
groups like Sansa Tsrer, who chose violence over dialogue, our condemnation is
firm.”
“We abhor the actions of Sasna Tsrer and others who use violence or who
threaten to harm others to serve their political agenda,” he said. “The actions
of the members of Sansa Tsrer last year led to a tragic loss of life and
unnecessarily terrorized the surrounding community.
“Violence as a tool to bring about political change goes against not only U.S.
values, but also global democratic values of peaceful dialogue and respect for
human life. Violence on all sides undermines democratic principles and can
never be tolerated. So no, we do not support such groups or activities.”
“That said, all those who stand accused deserve a fair trial,” added the
diplomat.
The three dozen gunmen mostly affiliated with Founding Parliament, a radical
opposition movement, seized the Erebuni base on July 17, 2016. They demanded
that President Serzh Sarkisian free Founding Parliament’s jailed leader,
Zhirayr Sefilian, and step down.
The Armenian authorities rejected those demands. The gunmen laid down their
weapons after a two-week standoff with security forces which left three police
officers dead. They are currently standing three separate trials.
The U.S. State Department was quick to condemn the armed attack, while urging
the authorities in Yerevan to exercise “restraint.” The U.S. Embassy in Armenia
reiterated that condemnation after three Armenian medics were taken hostage by
the gunmen a few days later. It called for their “immediate, safe, and
unconditional release.”
Press Review
“Zhoghovurd” says Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn implied that
Armenia has yet to become a rule-of-law state when he visited Yerevan on
Tuesday. “It is hard to disagree with the European official,” comments the
paper. “After all, it is not a secret to anyone that human rights protection in
our country still leaves much to be desired. Successive rulings against Armenia
handed down by European Court of Human Rights testify to that.”
“Aravot” reacts to allegations by a 19-year-old Armenian woman, Asya
Khachatrian, that police in Nagorno-Karabakh harassed and ill-treated her
earlier this year because of her appearance unusual for Karabakh. “A person has
the right to decide how to dress and dye their hair, when to start having sex
and with whom,” writes the paper. It says that a lack of a civic consciousness
is the reason why many Armenians tolerate violations of this right by the
police or non-state actors.
“Hraparak” expresses its admiration with “audacious” women like Khachatrian who
differ from others with their “revolutionary views.” “They are the kind of
individuals who change the quality of the society, set the agenda and not
retreat in the face of masculine aggression,” writes the paper. “Each of them
tries to change something in their area of activity and improve our country and
our life. It is thanks to them that our country will renew and establishment
itself and move forward. A new mentality introduced by them and new generations
brought up by them will solve problems facing our country. Do not interfere
with them. Do not stand in their way.”
(Elen Chilingarian)
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2018 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org
Author: Vicken Chmshkian
Zaruhi Postanjyan: Your dads have been behind the events taken place in the Republic (video)
At today’s session of Yerevan Council of Elders, head of Yerkir Tsirani faction Zaruhi Postanjyan made a suggestion to rename Vazgen Sargsyan St. after Woodrow Wilson. It was unacceptable, in response to which Zaruhi Postanjyan mentioned:
“I do not deny the fact that Vazgen Sargsyan is a national hero, but we should not have two streets named after the same person, we can rename one. Vazgen Sargsyan, of course, has done heroism, but we have other heroes like him.”
Zaruhi Postanjyan spoke about the split of her and the Yelk faction.
“The Yelk has been created as an artificial unit by those who cursed each other a week ago. The creator of your faction wants you to split, and he splits you. As for the fact that some people stand behind this initiative, yes, since 1996, your dads have been behind the events taken place in the Republic. ”
Turkish Press: The Turkish-Armenian conflict and the ‘Wildersization’ of the Netherlands
The Daily Sabah, Turkey
May 6 2018
The Turkish-Armenian conflict and the 'Wildersization' of the Netherlands
MAXIME GAUIN
Published18 hours ago
Dutch anti-Islam, far-right politician Geert Wilders (C) waits for the start of his trial at a court, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Oct. 4, 2010.
In sharp contradiction to the lessons of human rights, certain politicians want to teach to Turkey, the resolution in Dutch parliament actually tramples on basic legal principles and ignores the European Court of Human Rights case law
The adoption of two resolutions at the European Parliament endorsing the "Armenian genocide," claims provoked in Turkey protests that are more than understandable. Indeed, a parliament that uses, or rather misuses, the issue of human rights toward Turkey has actually violated basic legal principles. First of all, a parliament is not a tribunal: Endorsing a specific legal label violates the principle of separation of powers. These resolutions are also against the principle of the non-retroactivity of law: The crime of genocide was defined in 1948 (not by Raphael Lemkin, as it is sometimes claimed, but by the U.N. and against the vague definition promoted by Lemkin). The way the Dutch parliament behaved also trampled the right of anybody to present his defense.
Regardless, the most obvious contradiction between this resolution and human rights is the contradiction with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) itself. Indeed, in the Perinçek v. Switzerland case, the second chamber of the ECHR ruled on Dec. 17, 2013: "In any event, it is even doubtful that there could be a 'general consensus,' in particular a scientific one, on events such as those that are in question here, given that historical research is by definition open to debate and discussion and hardly lends itself to definitive conclusions or objective and absolute truth." (§ 116). Then, in confirming this decision, the Grand chamber wrote: "He [Doğu Perinçek] took part in a long-standing controversy that the Court has […] described as a 'heated debate, not only within Turkey but also in the international arena." (§ 231).
Imposing a kind of official history, denying the existence of a debate affirmed by the ECHR, is a completely anti-democratic – not to say totalitarian – behavior, and it may have concrete consequences, in encouraging censorship and self-censorship in academia and the media. It is not speculation: As late as November 2016, the Armenian Youth Federation (established in 1933 by Garegin Nzhdeh, an admirer of Hitler) physically prevented professor George Gawrych from delivering a lecture at California State University, Northridge – a lecture that was not even about the Armenian issue but about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Besides these observations of principles, it must be noted that the vote of 2018 is in formal contradiction with the stance of the same Dutch parliament as late as 2015-2016, when its official position was precisely to refuse to express an official position. Those who voted for these resolutions have not even the extenuating circumstance of a being citizens of a country where anti-Ottoman, anti-Turkish and anti-Muslim propaganda have been strong for more than a century. On the contrary, the Dutch press of the 1910s tried to be fair and balanced regarding the Turkish-Armenian conflict, including reporting about the massacres of Turks and other Muslims by Armenians of the Russian army in 1918. Correspondingly, at the beginning of 1919, the Ottoman government asked the Dutch state to create (with Sweden, Denmark and Spain) a commission of inquiry regarding the mutual accusations between Turks and Armenians. The project failed as a result of the pressure exerted by the cabinet of David Lloyd George.
The cradle of 'neo-populism'
As the vote is not a long-term consequence of an old anti-Turkish tradition as it exists in the United States, for example (see Justin McCarthy, "The Turk in America. The Creation of an Enduring Prejudice," Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 2010), what exactly is it? The main reason is that the Netherlands has been the first country to experience, at the beginning of 2000s, the development of a new far right called by historians and political scientists "neo-populism," namely a far right that affirms to have no connection with the far rightist regimes of the 20th century and presents herself as the shield of women, LGBTs, etc., against an "Islamic totalitarianism."
The Dutch neo-populism is not only the first, but the most extreme example of "neo-populism," not only in the wording of its hostility toward Islam, but also in its obsession against the Turks. Indeed, in January 2012, Marine Le Pen unequivocally criticized the Boyer bill, that wanted to ban any criticism of the "Armenian genocide" label and that was censored by the Constitutional Council in February of the same year for being a serious violation of freedom of _expression_.
She even added that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was "right to tell France to mind its own business" and refrained from using the words "Armenian genocide." Correspondingly, the Swiss People's Party (SVP; UDC in Romandie), whose anti-Islam rhetoric is well-known, made a U-turn in its position toward the Armenian issue during the last decade, supporting the freedom of _expression_ of Doğu Perinçek and publicly stating that the 1915-1916 events are a matter of debate.The anti-Turkish hostility in the Netherlands is particularly remarkable, as the Turks have a low criminality rate, unlike the Moroccans. Using the high criminality rate of immigrants from the Maghreb, and even more of their children, to attack the honest majority of them is unfortunately common and well beyond the limits of the Netherlands, but for the Turks and their children, even this pretext does not exist.
Yet, the ideas of Geert Wilders are increasingly mainstream in Dutch politics, and his quasi-acquittal in an affair over hate speech against immigrants in 2016 can hardly improve the situation. The most recent example of this "Wildersization" is of course the way the Dutch authorities behaved towards Turkish ministers during the campaign for the Constitutional referendum of 2017 – in striking contrast with the absence of incident in France. It reveals an incapacity of the Dutch elites to resist the temptation of demagogy. It may have serious consequences. Indeed, each time, since 1960s, a party in power tried to use anti-immigrant rhetoric, that party sooner or later provoked a transfer of votes at the benefit of the far right.
Chronologically, the first case was the xenophobic rhetoric of the British Conservative Party (the most striking example being the speech of Enoch Powell in 1968) that initially attracted votes but eventually helped the British National Front (BNF) during the 1970s. The BNF's rise was limited, partly because it exploded into rival organizations, partly because the British Conservative Party leadership, and particularly Margaret Thatcher, managed to push Enoch Powell out of the party. On the contrary, the focus of Nicolas Sarkozy on national identity and Islam during the presidential campaign of 2012 did not work at his benefit but rather helped Marine Le Pen. On the issue of the transfers of votes, see Jean-Yves Camus and Nicolas Lebourg, "Far-Right Politics in Europe," Cambridge (Massachusetts)-London: Harvard University Press, 2017, pp. 180-209 (translated from French by Jane Marie Todd).
From verbal to murderous violence
That having been said, an electoral rise of the far right is not the only possible consequence of the anti-Turkish stance of the Dutch state. Indeed, in the manifesto of Anders Breivik, the far-right terrorist who killed 77 people on July 22, 2011 in Norway, it is crystal clear that his main inspiration was Geert Wilders. Yet, the reaction of the Dutch far-right leader was pure and simple denial: For him, Anders Breivik is just "a psychopath," a word obviously aimed to refuse, or at least to attenuate, the political dimension of the terrorist attacks. Even more seriously, the anti-Turkish hostility in general and the misuse of the Armenian issue in particular are essential in the ideology developed by the Norwegian terrorist: His manifesto, one more time, is very clear in this regard.
It is not difficult to understand why, as both the Ottoman Empire and the Turkish Republic raise a considerable problem for him: The Ottoman state secured civil equality for non-Muslims in 1856 (by comparison, Romania emancipated its Jews in 1919 and Spain its Protestants in 1876); the Turkish Republic is an example of secular democracy with a Muslim majority. Distorting Turkish-Armenian history becomes, as a result, indispensable for his more general attack against Muslims.
Yet, Anders Breivik was called a "hero" on two Armenian TV channels, mostly because of his support for the "Armenian genocide" label and for his fierce hatred against the Turks (see Yeghisheh Metsarents, "The Criminal on Armenian Television," Lragir.am, July 27, 2011). On the other side of Europe, the number of racist acts in the Netherlands increased from 2,189 in 2013 to 2,764 in 2014.It is impossible to say if the Breivik-styled far right and those who regret that the attacks of Armenian terrorist groups (ASALA and JCAG) ended during the 1990s will converge, but the vote at the Dutch parliament certainly does not help to attenuate this risk.
* MA in History from Paris-Sorbonne University
Development of domestic economic necessary for attracting foreign investors, says presidential candidate Sarkissian
Category
Politics
Over the past years Armenia has made very right steps and political decisions, presidential candidate Armen Sarkissian said during the parliamentary debates on the election of the 4th President of Armenia.
“Armenia joined the Eurasian Economic Union which is very important and significant event in a sense that the country with 3 million population cannot present an interest to any major investor. The investments are made where there are different goals, but one of the goals is the domestic market. For instance, today Iran with its difficult international relations is attractive for many as it is a big market….Becoming an EAEU member we open a market, a window to the market worth 200 million”, Armen Sarkissian said, stating that the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement signed last year was also important which showed that Armenia is the only country in the region that has right relations with the EU and just close relations with Russia and other EAEU member states.
Armen Sarkissian called this as an opportunity, but added that there is still a long path from the opportunity to the reality.
“This is the path that is talked about, such as the elimination of negative phenomena, creation of situation that will make our country attractive. For this purpose our country needs to be a free, non-corrupt, modern country looking into the future. I brought with me investors, my relatives to Etchmiadzin, the Matenadaran, Garni, Geghard, but people were deeply impressed by contacts with the youth. This is the best we must show, in other words, they saw a nation of the 21st century”, the presidential candidate said.
The election of the 4th President of Armenia will be held on March 2 in the Parliament.
Henrikh Mkitaryan to compete with Milan
Arsenal, where Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan plays, will compete with Milan in the 1/8 finals of the Europa League.
The other pairs were the following:
Lazio (ITA) v Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)
Leipzig (GER) v Zenit (RUS)
Atlético Madrid (ESP) v Lokomotiv Moskva (RUS)
CSKA Moskva (RUS) v Lyon (FRA)
Marseille (FRA) v Athletic Club (ESP)
Sporting CP (POR) v Plzeň (CZE)
Dortmund (GER) v Salzburg (AUT)
AC Milan (ITA) v Arsenal (ENG)
Artsakhpress-Այսօր հայ ժողովուրդը լծված է պետականաշինության գործին. շարժման առաջամարտիկ
Այսօր հայ ժողովուրդը լծված է պետականաշինության գործին. շարժման առաջամարտիկ https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__artsakhpress.am_arm_news_81177_aysor-2Dhay-2D-2Dzhoxovurdy-2D-2Dltsvats-2De-2Dpetakanashinutyan-2D-2D-2Dgortsin-2Dsharzhman-2D-2D-2D-2Darajamartik.html&d=DwIDaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=vb6FHgtzGH8fG20_LYONgXX7S9V4wH7MNwrxzeDBc0Q&s=-9on8ZrBHtzQGNSCxQDU-E1g0QIzd53V4xKAo1vxXaM&e= Արցախյան շարժման 30-ամյակին նվիրված` միջոցառումներ կկազմակերպվեն արտերկրում. նախարար https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__artsakhpress.am_arm_news_81152_arcakhyan-2Dsharzhman-2D30-2Damyakin-2Dnvirvats-2Dmijocarumner-2Dkkazmakerpven-2Darterkrum-2Dnakharar.html&d=DwIDaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=vb6FHgtzGH8fG20_LYONgXX7S9V4wH7MNwrxzeDBc0Q&s=bW_sATaFWAlutrMraB03xqn1w17blfoL7nl5tP9u8-U&e= Events dedicated to 30th anniversary of Artsakh Movement to be organized abroad: Artsakh FM https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__artsakhpress.am_eng_news_81152_arcakhyan-2Dsharzhman-2D30-2Damyakin-2Dnvirvats-2Dmijocarumner-2Dkkazmakerpven-2Darterkrum-2Dnakharar.html&d=DwIDaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=vb6FHgtzGH8fG20_LYONgXX7S9V4wH7MNwrxzeDBc0Q&s=7UFNT3zDYgO3igrgPbw0P8Ks0x5TtVScaWX5lQvNm3o&e= Ադրբեջանի անհետևողականությունն ընդամենը հնարք է չընդունելու մեր ժողովրդի կողմից իրացված ինքնորոշման իրավունքը. նախարար https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__artsakhpress.am_arm_news_81163_adrbejani-2Danhetevoxakanutyunn-2Dyndameny-2Dhnarq-2De-2Dchyndunelu-2Dmer-2Dzhoxovrdi-2Dkoxmic-2Diracvats-2Dinqnoroshman-2Diravunqy-2Dnakharar.html&d=DwIDaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=vb6FHgtzGH8fG20_LYONgXX7S9V4wH7MNwrxzeDBc0Q&s=GUzusvXVd26-IGEAomaV5D9j0pqv6nJpDjhf2Sqb7-Q&e= Artsakh Foreign Minister: Azerbaijan’s inconsistency a trick not to accept fulfillment of our people’s right to self-determination https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__artsakhpress.am_eng_news_81163_adrbejani-2Danhetevoxakanutyunn-2Dyndameny-2Dhnarq-2De-2Dchyndunelu-2Dmer-2Dzhoxovrdi-2Dkoxmic-2Diracvats-2Dinqnoroshman-2Diravunqy-2Dnakharar.html&d=DwIDaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=vb6FHgtzGH8fG20_LYONgXX7S9V4wH7MNwrxzeDBc0Q&s=so-5SvHupAO6zgDswDFaObvNZSzv3kn7C7SWdjYtBEU&e=
Sarreguemines : un titre national pour Artak Margaryan
Le Républicain Lorrain
18 fev 2018
Sarreguemines : un titre national pour Artak Margaryan
- Le 18/02/2018 à 18:15
Le lutteur Artak Margaryan est devenu samedi champion de France de lutte gréco-romaine 77 kg aux championnats de France individuels de la discipline qui se disputaient à Schiltigheim. Il s’est imposé en finale face à Evrik Nikoghosyan, de Bagnolet, une performance de taille pour cet athlète, qui sort d’une année difficile marquée par les blessures. Artak Margaryan, 28 ans, 66 kg, a découvert la lutte à l’âge de 6 ans en Arménie en suivant son oncle. Arrivé en France en 2001, il a rapidement suscité l’intérêt des entrapineurs nationaux. Formé au club pugiliste de Besançon, il devient champion de France junior et rejoint l’Insep en 2008 et obtient la nationalité française en 2009. Employé à la SNCF, il s’entraîne avec le collectif France à l’Insep (Institut national du sport, de l’expertise et de la performance).
Dutch Parliament to Reaffirm Armenian Genocide Recognition
The chambers of the Dutch Parliament, known as Tweede Kamer
AMSTERDAM—The lower house of the Dutch parliament, known as the Tweede Kamer, approved to consider two resolutions on Thursday one definitively recognizing the Armenian Genocide, the other calling on its foreign minister to visit Armenia in April to observe the anniversary of that crime.
According to NLTimes, both motions were submitted by Christian Union party parliament member Joel Voordewind. All four coalition parties supported the motions. Thus, when the bill is debated in parliament in the next two weeks, it is expected to pass.
The Dutch parliament recognized the Genocide in 2004 approving another measure brought forth by the Christian Union Party, which in 2011 also introduced legislation that would criminalize the denial of the Armenian Genocide
“We cannot deny history out of fear of sanctions. Our country houses the capital of international law after all, so we must not be afraid to do the right thing here too,” Voordewind said to Trouw, a Dutch publication on Friday.
The relationship between the Netherlands and Turkey is already tense, since the Netherlands refused Turkish ministers access to the country to campaign for a referendum that gave Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more power. Recently talks to repair this relationship broke down, and the Netherlands officially recalled the Dutch ambassador to the country.
Dutch Minister of Foreign affairs Sigrid Kaag told NOS, a Dutch television network, that she respects and appreciates the Tweede Kamer’s “enthusiasm” to recognize the Armenian genocide, but will not comment on the government’s stance on the issue until she’s debated the matter with parliament next week.
Kaag would not say whether a member of the government will attend the commemoration in April. But sources in The Hague told NOS that someone will be there.
Joël Voordewind said in a tweet earlier today that “the House of Representatives will recognize the Armenian genocide and this year the commemoration in Armenia will be attended at the government level.
” Turkey will not be so happy with what has been said. But in the past the Germans had to deal with this issue in the same way,” the Netherlands defense minister Ank Bijleveld was quoted as saying.
Communities Across U.S. Mobilize to Screen ‘Intent to Destroy’ in Theaters
Poster for “Intent to Destroy”
LOS ANGELES — Joe Berlinger’s documentary Intent to Destroy, a film-within-a film that centers on the Armenian Genocide was a critical favorite at last year’s Tribeca and Hot Docs film festivals. The film also won best documentary at the Arpa International Film Festival held last November. Intent to Destroy was shown theatrically with limited screenings in New York, Los Angeles, Boston and San Francisco. Gathr Films is expanding the release with one-night-only event screenings through its crowd-sourced theatrical distribution platform Theatrical On Demand.
Produced by Survival Pictures (The Promise), RadicalMedia, and Third Eye Motion Picture Company in association with Bloom Project, Berlinger’s 13th feature-length documentary embeds history with the story of director Terry George’s exploration of the Genocide through his film The Promise. That includes the subsequent campaign launched by genocide deniers.
The film shines a light on the Armenian Genocide — whose witnesses and descendants are still fighting to be officially acknowledged as such by the international community including the United States: how it was carried out during World War I as the reign of the Ottoman Empire drew to a close, and how it laid the groundwork for the genocides that followed. Berlinger interviews historians, scholars, and high-profile filmmakers in his exploration of the tangled web of responsibility that has driven a century of denial by the Turkish government and its strategic allies.
Berlinger has won two Emmys and has been nominated in the feature doc category for an Oscar. His work includes Brother’s Keeper, the Paradise Lost trilogy, and Metallica: Some Kind of Monster.
Theatrical On Demand® allows individuals the opportunity to organize and promote screenings of Intent to Destroy in movie theaters across the country. With Theatrical On Demand®, you can bring this film to your local movie theater. You just pick the date, time, and theater where you want to host your screening. Gathr Films will set everything up for you at no cost. All you have to do is promote the film and get people to reserve tickets.
Theatrical On Demand® screenings can only happen if a minimum number of people reserve tickets before a screening expires. Movie Captains, who organize these screenings, have anywhere from 5 weeks to 4-months to promote the film in their city and get enough people to reserve tickets before the screening expires.
On every screening page, you’ll find an update that shows you the number of current reservations, the number of additional reservations needed to tip the screening, as well as how much time remains before that screening request expires. When enough people reserve tickets to a screening before time expires, the screening takes place. If the minimum number of reservations is not met, the screening does not take place and nobody is charged.
Anyone can Captain a movie screening, whether you’re an individual, an organization, or social club. Nonprofits can also add a feature that allows ticket purchasers to make an optional donation to their organization.
You can help bring Intent to Destroy to a theater near you by hosting your own screening and spreading the word. Intent to Destroy is an experience, and the full meaning and value of this film can only be experienced in a high-quality cinema with a big screen, great sound, and large audience. This film is dedicated to the estimated 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide, and to all victims of mass slaughter around the world. May their suffering never be forgotten.
Organize a screening now or by emailing Haig Boyadjian at [email protected]
Azerbaijani Press: Robert Cekuta: US interested in peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Trend, Azerbaijan
Feb 4 2018
4 February 2018 16:34 (UTC+04:00)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 4
Trend:
American co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group Andrew Schofer and US ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta have visited a newly-built block for IDPs in Masazir settlement, Absheron region.
Deputy chair of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Fuad Huseynov highlighted what the Azerbaijani government has done to improve living conditions for refugees and IDPs.
He said 760 IDP families were temporarily accommodated in the newly-built block. Huseynov said 97 modern IDP settlements have been built so far, accommodating 265,000 refugees and IDPs.
Head of Zangilan Region Executive Authority Ramiz Hasanov said 20 per cent of the Azerbaijani lands still remain occupied as a result of the Armenian aggression. "The ethnic cleansing was carried out in the occupied lands and more than a million Azerbaijanis became refugees and IDPs."
Ambassador Cekuta said the US is interested in a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
The American diplomats viewed apartments and spoke with IDPs, who asked the United State to speed up efforts, as an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair, to find a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The American diplomats also visited a local school and museum.