Armenpress News Agency, Armenia Sunday 99th anniversary of Aparan's heroic battle celebrated with festive events YEREVAN, MAY 28, ARMENPRESS. On the occasion of the First Armenian Republic Day on May 28, ‘Revival’ Memorial complex of Aparan town of Aragatsotn province became the main ceremony place. The ceremony was attended by the leadership of the province and town, guests from neighboring communities and Yerevan, the local people. One of the major events of the Armenian history – the Battle of Bash-Aparan, took place on this part of Aparan which played a significant role for the establishment of the first Armenian independent statehood. During the ceremony wreaths were laid at the busts of commanders Drastamat Kanayan and Sedrak Jalalyan. The Aragatsotn Governorate told Armenpress Governor Gabriel Gyozalyan congratulated the participants, stating that the Armenian people celebrate the Republic Day with great pride and enthusiasm. “This significant holiday symbolizes the greatest will to establish and maintain the statehood and desire to live with dignity of the Armenian people who passed numerous ways of struggle and achieved key victories on that path”, Gyozalyan said. The festive ceremony was followed by an exposition by militaries and a concert with participation of famous artists, musicians.
Author: Vicken Chmshkian
BAKU: Armenia threatens to operate Khojaly airport in occupied lands of Azerbaijan
Azernews, Azerbaijan
17:19 (UTC+04:00)
By Rashid Shirinov
The unresolved Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict may aggravate even more as the Armenian side came up with another provocation against Azerbaijan.
Armenia has made attempts to organize flights from the Khojaly airport in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan under the guise of tourism.
This plan of Armenia to operate the airport in Khojaly is gross violation of international legal norms. This air space belongs to Azerbaijan, therefore, its use by Armenia is not possible.
The idea of Armenia to operate the Azerbaijani airport is not new – its roots were laid back in 2011. Besides Azerbaijan itself, many international organizations and foreign countries condemned Armenia's attempts to operate the airport in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Opening of the airport in Khojaly will be a blatant violation of legal norms that can damage peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry immediately responded to the Armenian provocation, calling the OSCE Minsk Group to address the issue as soon as possible.
“Azerbaijan calls on the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, responsible for the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, to take measures to prevent another Armenian provocation,” Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Hikmat Hajiyev told Trend on May 25.
He noted that Armenia’s plans to organize flights from the Khojaly airport in the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenian armed forces under the guise of tourism is another Armenian provocation. “Such actions seriously damage the negotiation process and deliberately serve to escalate the conflict,” said the spokesperson.
He added that the airspace of the occupied territories is the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan.
“The Khojaly airport is Azerbaijan’s property by the special code of the International Civil Aviation Organization,” said Hajiyev. “Azerbaijan banned flights in the airspace over the occupied territories, since it is impossible to ensure the safety of flights in this part of Azerbaijan’s airspace.”
The spokesman added that this position of Azerbaijan is supported by the International Civil Aviation Organization and the European Civil Aviation Conference.
Armenia’s attempts to use the Khojaly airport and organize illegal flights is a gross violation of the Law on Aviation of Azerbaijan, peremptory norms and principles of international law, the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, rules and regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization, Hajiyev stressed.
He assured that Azerbaijan, using international legal means in order to prevent another provocation by Armenia, will appeal to relevant international bodies.
The State Civil Aviation Administration of Azerbaijan has also responded to the Armenian provocation. The Administration told Trend that they will take measures to prevent illegal flights from the Khojaly airport, in accordance with the Law on Aviation and Rules of Use of Airspace of Azerbaijan.
“Taking into account that the Khojaly airport is located in the Armenia-occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, and it is impossible to ensure full flight safety in these areas, the State Civil Aviation Administration of Azerbaijan declared this territory a forbidden zone for civil aviation in accordance with the Law on Aviation,” noted the administration.
It was also noted that official information about the prohibition of flights is also contained in the Aeronautical Information Publication of Azerbaijan.
To prevent any illegal flights in this area, measures will be taken in accordance with the Law on Aviation and the Rules of use of airspace of Azerbaijan, the administration noted.
International flights from the Khojaly airport, constructed in 1978, were prohibited after the occupation of territories by Armenia. Armenia broke out a lengthy war against Azerbaijan by laying territorial claims on the country. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions.
The town of Khojaly suffered the most mournful massacre of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. On February 26, 1992, as many as 613 civilians of the town were cruelly massacred by Armenian armed forces. Only Azerbaijan has the right to operate the Khojaly airport, after the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is over, and more than a million of Azerbaijani refugees return to their homes in the region.
Paros Foundation completes renovation of the Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur School on the Armenia-Azeri border
PRESS RELEASE
THE PAROS FOUNDATION
918 Parker Street, Suite A14
Berkeley, CA 94710
Contact: Peter Abajian
Tel: 310/400-9061
E-mail: [email protected]
web:
Paros Foundation completes renovation of the Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur School on the Armenia-Azeri border
Berkeley, CA—The Paros Foundation is pleased to announce the completion of the third and final phase of school renovations in the village of Nerkin Karmir Aghpyur. Work at the school began two years ago and included the complete renovation of the wings of the school housing grades 1 – 12. The final phase of renovation included the kitchen, dining hall, hallways and adjacent rooms. The work was completed with generous donations from Mike and Patricia Starzer and Jean-Marie & Lori Atamian as part of the Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border strategic initiative. The Prosperity on the Border initiative identifies and implements humanitarian, educational and development projects in vital communities along the Armenia-Azeri border.
“The Paros Foundation has worked in this important border village for almost five years to improve conditions for the village residents,” said Peter Abajian, Executive Director of the Paros Foundation. “The Starzer and Atamian families have taken leadership roles in the vital support of these villagers through their donations to these projects. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and admiration for their support.”
Nerkin Karmir Aghpyur is located in Armenia’s Tavush region, more than three hours from Yerevan. The people in this isolated border village live with the constant threat of cross border sniper fire. Many of the village’s men serve as contract soldiers guarding their section of Armenia’s eastern border with Azerbaijan. The village school has more than 110 children in attendance. In total, $110,000 was spent renovating the school in three phases.
The Paros Foundation underwrote all administrative expenses allowing 100% of the contributions to go directly to the project. Local materials and labor were utilized whenever possible to benefit the local economy.
The renovation of the school adds to the list of other completed projects in Nerkin Karmir Aghpyur. In 2013, the village’s medical center was renovated. Next, the Kindergarten was reconstructed including the installation of Armenia’s first security wall to protect the children as they enter the kindergarten and play on the playground. In addition, family based agribusinesses have been established for six families with more families being added this year. The Paros Foundation provides these village families with the materials, expertise and animals that they want and need to significantly improve their economic conditions. Finally, the Foundation has launched a housing repair program to implement needed home repairs and additions for village families.
Formally launched in 2006, the Paros Foundation has earned a reputation as the "go to" organization to oversee small and medium-sized project implementation in Armenia. Beginning with our support for seven exemplary local non-government organizations working with children, people with disabilities and the arts, the Paros Foundation works to help build a sustainable and vibrant homeland while improving living conditions for its most vulnerable populations. To facilitate volunteerism, The Paros Foundation launched its SERVICE Armenia program in 2013. This Armenia-based service program for teens and young adults provides participants an opportunity to travel to and experience all that Armenia has to offer while helping make a difference.
Donations to the Paros Foundation, a 501(c) 3 organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Foundation underwrites 100% of administrative costs, thus allowing all donor contributions to be allocated directly to the projects.
Please join the Paros Foundation’s family of supporters working to improve conditions in border communities through the Paros Foundation’s Prosperity on the Border campaign. Help improve needed infrastructure, provide humanitarian relief or launch family and community based businesses to build a stable, prosperous, secure future for people in these communities. Please visit or call (310) 400-9061.
Congress Introduces Resolution Condemning Turkish Violence in Washington, D.C.
ARMENIAN
ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:
Contact:
Danielle Saroyan
Telephone:
INTRODUCES RESOLUTION CONDEMNING TURKISH VIOLENCE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Says Brutal Attack Against Demonstrators
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee
Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) was joined by Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY),
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
in introducing House Resolution 354, a resolution condemning the violence
against peaceful protesters outside the Turkish Ambassador's residence on May
16, 2017, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) reported. The House
Resolution calls for "the perpetrators to be brought to justice."
H.Res. 354
states: "after hours of peaceful protest, violence erupted when
pro-Erdogan supporters and individuals from the Turkish Embassy grounds pushed
past District of Columbia police officers to brutally attack the
demonstrators." The Resolution expressed deep concern that "Turkish
officials blatantly suppressed the First Amendment rights of United States
citizens, and multiple armed Turkish security officials beat, kicked, and
choked unarmed demonstrators."
In addition,
the Resolution noted that the Washington Metropolitan Police Department and
other reports confirm that "the demonstrators did not instigate the
violence," and that this is the third instance of violence perpetrated in
the U.S. by members of Turkish President Erdogan's security detail.
H.Res. 354
calls for "any Turkish security officials who directed, oversaw, or
participated in efforts by Turkish security forces to illegally suppress
peaceful protests on May 16, 2017, should be charged and prosecuted under
United States law."
Taking a
strong stand against the growing trend of repressive authoritarianism in
Turkey, H.Res. 354 states that "the United States should take steps to
strengthen freedoms for the press and civil society in countries such as
Turkey, and combat efforts by foreign leaders to suppress free and peaceful
protest in their own countries."
"The
Assembly applauds Representatives Royce, Engel, McCarthy, and Hoyer and their
introduction of bipartisan legislation condemning Turkey's outrageous attack
against peaceful protesters and assault on our cherished democratic
values," Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said.
In last
week's statement, the Assembly called upon Members of Congress and the
Administration to condemn this latest affront by Turkey on basic freedoms. The
Assembly also launched a grassroots campaign to urge Members of the House and
Senate to condemn the Turkish attack and hold those who perpetrated these acts
of violence accountable.
In addition
to the House Resolution, 28 Members signed a bipartisan letter urging Secretary
of State Rex Tillerson "to speak out publicly against these actions and,
just as importantly, ensure that these men are held fully accountable for their
actions." The previous day, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Patrick
Leahy (D-VT) sent a letter to Turkish Ambassador Serdar Kilic, which says in
part: "We encourage local law enforcement personnel to prosecute
perpetrators of this attack to the fullest extent of the law and support the
expulsion from the United States of any diplomatic personnel involved."
Other Members have spoken out against these attacks as well.
Established
in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#: 2017-038
Available
online at:
Russian expert: In April 2016, Russia did not do enough to establish peace in Karabakh
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia Monday Russian expert: In April 2016, Russia did not do enough to establish peace in Karabakh Yerevan May 22 David Stepanyan. I saw no results of Baku's last April request to Russia to stop the Artsakh army counterattack. Caucasus Department of the Institute of CIS countries Deputy Director, military expert Vladimir Yevseyev, expressed this opinion to ArmInfo. "I expected Stepanakert to return to negotiation table, which would be quite logical and normal. Apparently, there were no such demands, which was a joint mistake by Russia and Armenia. I see Yerevan's activity in this issue, which, apparently, wants to be the main one in the negotiations with Baku, however, in this situation it is counterproductive, since it is impossible to talk about the return of some territories instead of those not present at the table," he said. Yevseyev supposed that last April Ilham Aliyev took the obligation to refrain from military actions in the zone of the Karabakh conflict. And, at least until February 2017 - attempts of two Azerbaijani reconnaissance groups to penetrate into Artsakh soil, during which up to 10 Azerbaijani servicemen were killed, in general, took place. Thus, Moscow froze the conflict for some time. "In my opinion, this short-term frostbite was not worth it, as April brought much more negative consequences, in particular, it reinforced Baku's confidence in the correctness of the policy of "biting off the territories." In April, the propagandists managed to convince the Azerbaijani society of the victory, and allow Baku not to go to compromises, I do not see other conditions specifically for Karabakh, so I believe that Russia has not done enough to establish peace in Karabakh," the Russian expert summed up.
British girls are the laziest in Europe – and the boys are even worse
The Sun, UK
GLUED TO THE SCREEN
Experts warn that too much screen time and hours spent on Facebook and Instagram is making UK kids obese
Manchester United legends to meet Barcelona at Nou Camp
The Manchester United Legends will be back in action this summer with a trip to Barcelona to take on the Catalan giants, according to Man United’s official website.Â
The charity clash at the Nou Camp takes place on Friday 30 June, kicking off at 19:00 local time, and is sure to bring back plenty of memories for both sets of players.
“Barcelona is a special place to go and play,” commented ex-Reds star Paul Scholes. “I had some great nights there but also had some difficult nights there to be honest with you.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be nice to spend a weekend with the other players and the football is always the key part of it but I’ll tell you after the game if it’s enjoyable or not!”
Scholes is likely to be joined by former colleagues such as Jesper Blomqvist, Ronny Johnsen and Dwight Yorke in the showpiece occasion. Barcelona will be coached by Jose Mari Bakero and could include Miguel Angel Nadal, Ludovic Giuly and Juliano Belletti in their line-up.
Eurovision 2017: Armenia performs 5th in the Grand Final
The lineup of the Grand Final of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest has been announced.
Ten acts from each Semi-Final have gone through to Saturday’s Grand Final and join the ‘Big Five’ — France, Germany, Italy, Spain and United Kingdom and host country Ukraine.
The running order was proposed by UA: PBC and approved by the EBU Executive Supervisor, Jon Ola Sand and the Chairman of the Reference Group, Dr. Frank-Dieter Freiling.
The Grand final will take place on Saturday, May 13. Artsvik represents Armenia with the song Fly With Me.Â
The running order of the Grand Final of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest:
- Israel
- Poland
- Belarus
- Austria
- Armenia
- The Netherlands
- Moldova
- Hungary
- Italy
- Denmark
- Portugal
- Azerbaijan
- Croatia
- Australia
- Greece
- Spain
- Norway
- United Kingdom
- Cyprus
- Romania
- Germany
- Ukraine
- Belgium
- Sweden
- Bulgaria
- France
Armenian Genocide anniversary marked on Times Square
Armenian Weekly – The vow to “keep the promise” was in full effect on Sunday, April 23, as an impressive number gathered in Times Square to remember the 1.5 million martyrs and pay homage to their legacy, proving that the Armenian Genocide commemorations have only gained momentum since the Centennial.
The relevant and inspiring program, organized by the Knights and Daughters of Vartan since 1985, once again attracted thousands of supporters who waved the vibrant tricolor flags of Armenia and Artsakh in the heart of New York City, as the past was remembered and a renewed effort was made to strengthen the Armenian Diaspora and the homeland.
Steadfast supporters of the Armenian Genocide were once again in attendance to speak, particularly committed elected officials, including Congressman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), who acknowledged the accomplishments of the Armenian Diaspora in championing genocide recognition around the world.
“Recognition will happen if all of you continue to march, write letters and take action,” said Pallone, founder of the Congressional Caucus of Armenian Issues, who recently introduced a new resolution for the U.S. Congress to recognize the genocide.
Pallone remarked that conflict in Armenia and Artsakh is ongoing, recognizing the war there last year and warned that although the genocide was over 100 years ago, violence is still being used against the Armenian people.
“Continue your efforts,” urged Pallone. “You being here today helps with genocide recognition and we as a people must speak out against genocide wherever it occurs.”
A fellow member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian issues, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) promised to “confront a stubborn resistance.”
She said all nations have a responsibility to recognize the systemic extermination of the Armenians and that until the resolution is passed to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the U.S., “we will not stop.”
Appearing every year without fail, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is the current Senate Minority Leader, pledged to “stand with all of you in acknowledging the Armenian Genocide and nothing less.”
He praised the energy and collective spirit of Armenians a century after the massacres and hailed the production of the major motion picture, The Promise that “finally shines a light on this story and puts it in the mainstream for all to see.”
Honoring the memory of his late friend Sam Azadian, founder of the Armenian Genocide Commemoration in Times Square, Schumer said he attends the commemoration every year “because I believe it is our duty to speak out for the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide.”
“The Armenian Genocide was the first Holocaust of the 20th century but not the last,” said Schumer. “These events are a stain on humanity and I stand with all of you today to remember the pain of the past.”
Scholar David Phillips, who worked towards reconciliation with Armenia and Turkey as former chair of the Turkish-Armenian Reconciliation Commission, said he always believed that “hard problems can be solved through hard dialogue.”
“But dialogue is impossible if one side wants to humiliate the other,” said Phillips, noting the efforts of Armenia’s President Serge Sargsyan towards reconciliation, while Turkey’s then Prime Minister Recep Erdogan reneged on their discussions.
“It takes two to talk,” said Phillips, who is currently the Director of the Peace-building and Rights Program at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights. “But Erdogan is not reconciliatory.”
He called then for Washington to investigate Erdogan for war crimes “to lay the groundwork for accountability.”
“Your work and presence here today is so important,” said Phillips. “For the Armenians today in Nagorno Karabagh, for the Yazidis in Iraq, and for all who suffer from crimes against humanity.”
Urging the next generation to take genocide recognition into their own hands, celebrity attorney Mark Geragos told the thousands of young people at the commemoration to “go outside the political process to create a movement to never forget.”
“If you as the next generation don’t keep the promise, we are doomed to repeat it.”
Geragos remarked that Turkey spends millions of dollars to “cover up and perpetuate a lie” and the following generations need to do their part to continue the fight for justice and remembrance.
Knights of Vartan Grand Commander Steven Kradjian and Daughters of Vartan Grand Matron Sona Manuelian recognized and honored Olympic wrestler Migran Arutyunyan and MMA champion Albert Ghazaryan, along with their coach Hayk Ghukasyan with special Knights of Vartan medals for their accomplishments in sports.
Dr. Rachel Goshgarian, Professor of History at Lafayette College and Armen McOmber Esq., New Jersey attorney, ably served as MCs for the program.
Remarks by sponsoring organizations were made by Stephen Mesrobian, Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region (ANCA-ER); Talin Yacoubian, Armenian Assembly of America; Natalie Gabrielian, Armenian General Benevolent Union; Shahe Sanentz, ADL-Ramgavars; Souren Israelyan, Esq., Armenian Bar Association; Natalie Sarafian, Armenian Council of America; Shant Mardirossian, Near East Foundation; and Rev. Haig Kherlopian, Armenian Missionary Association of America and Armenian Evangelical Union of North America.
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, gave the invocation and Very Rev. Fr. Vazken Karayan, pastor of Holy Cross Armenian Church, representing Archbishop Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), offered the benediction. Other clergy in attendance included Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.
The winners of this year’s Knights of Vartan Essay Contest were announced at the program: Raffi Salbashian, 1st place, Stephan Havatian, 2nd place, and Samantha Khorozian, 3rd place.
The Hovnanian Armenian Day School students sang the national anthems of the United States and Armenia, as well as “God Bless America.”
The Armenian Radio Hour of New Jersey, led by director Vartan Abdo streamed the event live in video format worldwide, reaching more than 50,000 people, with the assistance of his dedicated volunteer staff.
Panel at Hammer Museum highlights how filmmakers depict genocide
AÂ wide-ranging panel discussion at the Hammer Museum at UCLA delved into the challenges of using film to depict genocide and ethnic conflict, according to UCLA’s official website.
The event, held April 6, featured Terry George, an Academy Award-nominated writer and director; Dr. Eric Esrailian, a professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; and Stephen D. Smith, executive director of the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation.
George is the director and co-writer, and Esrailian a producer, of a new feature film called “The Promise,” which is set during the 1915 Armenian genocide, and is set for a wide premiere April 21.
Esrailian, a digestive disease expert and philanthropist, also sits on the executive board of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television and has been involved in developing the school’s Skoll Center for Social Impact Entertainment. He said one hurdle for the filmmakers is that the events of 1915 are still so poorly understood by the general public.
“One of the challenges is the lack of general awareness of the Armenian genocide,” he said. “Because the denial has been so heavy, it crushes the truth. You have to counteract that.”
That meant striking a careful balance: telling a story through specific characters while also establishing the facts around historical events. George said finding an empathetic person to serve as the focal point can be the key to taking on an emotionally difficult subject in a film. So “The Promise” uses fictional characters who, George said, “allow us to walk through the tumultuous events that defined the Armenian genocide.”
In addition to writing and directing “The Promise,” George was the co-writer and director of “Hotel Rwanda,” and his other projects have examined the Vietnam War and the conflict in Northern Ireland. Creating sympathetic protagonists is one of the important ways to draw viewers into stories about such major conflicts, he said. “An ordinary person who transcends the horrible situation they are put in and, in battling against it, proves our own humanity,” he said.
Smith said that balancing historical accuracy with interesting storylines is a tension that frequently arises in historical films aimed at mass audiences.
“Filmmakers want to keep the engagement of the audience,” he said. “The telling of the story is what’s going to do that and, therefore, artistic license is a really important part of that process.”
But that can raise questions about historical accuracy and credibility — something Smith said can be mitigated in part through close collaboration between scholars and filmmakers.
George said filmmakers have to research and source their work as accurately as possible so their films’ truthfulness isn’t in question.
The film’s release date is within days of both Armenian Genocide Awareness Day and Holocaust Remembrance Day, which this year both fall on April 24. Smith pointed out that April is also the month during which the Cambodian genocide began and that the movie premiere falls during the 100-day period of commemoration of the Rwandan genocide.
“Survivors are still feeling the pain of those events,” he said, adding that the confluence of those anniversaries and commemorations are “good opportunities for communities to come together, because the grief that is shared is universal.”
Esrailian said the new film has struck an emotional chord with audiences who feel connected to the Armenian genocide. “Art can allow people to heal,” he said. “That’s why we made the movie.”