Author: Yeghisabet Vorskanian

Film: Armenian Genocide film star Isabelle Sadoyan dies at 89

Yeghisabet Vorskanian
Panorama, Armenia

French-Armenian actress Isabelle Sadoyan, best known for her role as Anna in the Armenian Genocide film Mayrig (Mother) by Henri Verneuil, has passed away aged 89, Nouvelles d’Armenie told Panorama.am.

A daughter of Armenian Genocide survivors, Isabelle Sadoyan acted in more than 50 films and 25 performances.

The actress took the stage for the last time in the Paris Theatre De L'oeuvre in December 2016, playing in a performance titled “Before the Flight”.

BAKU: OSCE MG toughly reacts to Armenian provocation, here’s why

Yeghisabet Vorskanian
Trend, Azerbaijan
July 8 2017
8 July 2017 13:34 (UTC+04:00)

  •             

    • Baku, Azerbaijan, July 8

    By Elmira Tariverdiyeva – Trend:

    While the whole world has been horrified by photos of a little Azerbaijani girl killed by the Armenian armed forces, it was rather discouraging to see the general approach in the OSCE Minsk Group’s statement, which contained condolences to the victims of Armenian aggression and appeals to both sides of the conflict to refrain from further escalation.

    However, three days later, the mediators suddenly made a rather tough statement, in which they called Armenia’s shelling of Azerbaijan’s Alkhanly village a provocation aimed at undermining the negotiations.

    This absolutely transparent message is clear to everyone, Armenia really doesn’t shun anything, including the murders of civilians, in order to delay the adoption of decisions aimed at changing the status quo.

    The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the only justification for the former Karabakh generals led by Serzh Sargsyan to stay in power.

    As soon as the conflict is resolved, Sargsyan and his companions will leave their posts, and this means that they give orders to prolong the occupation for years to come.

    Yerevan’s reluctance to start active participation in the negotiations has forced all international institutions and mediators to unanimously urge Yerevan to hold substantive, that is, concrete talks, and not the protocol meetings profitable for Yerevan.

    But why did the mediators suddenly call Armenia’s behavior a provocation? The case is that killing a child is always something more than simply the death of civilians, although, all these events are terrible, of course.

    However, it was the death of a little girl that made the world finally get enraged by the arbitrariness of the occupying Armenian troops in the Azerbaijani territories, while the intermediaries continue to peaceably and sluggishly urge the conflict sides to negotiate.

    The multiple statements from the most influential international institutions and politicians, the publications in the foreign press and the protests of people around the world against the Armenians’ military crime against civilians, made the OSCE Minsk Group realize that it will not able, at this time, to retreat into generalities, as the whole world has already determined the true culprit.

    The fact that Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk visited the site of the Armenian shelling, a group of military attaches accredited in Azerbaijan and representatives of foreign media visited the Alkhanli village, also played its role. All this certainly had influence on the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to finally deliver a fair verdict to the aggressor, calling its actions a provocation.

    Unfortunately, while the international community does not take real action and make Yerevan withdraw its troops from the Azerbaijani territories, clashes and bloodshed will continue. But until this happens, on the Azerbaijani side, ordinary people will continue to live near the line of contact and the military will be stationed on the Armenian side that will continue to shoot at civilians, including children, each time Sargsyan is afraid to lose his seat.

    Triple threat to Merkel’s G20 bump: Putin, Erdoğan, Trump

    Yeghisabet Vorskanian
    Politico
    July 6 2017
     
     
    Triple threat to Merkel’s G20 bump: Putin, Erdoğan, Trump
     
    To make the summit a success, the German chancellor must find a way to stand up to the US president while avoiding a collision.
     
    By JANOSCH DELCKER
     
    7/6/1
     
    BERLIN — For Angela Merkel, meetings like the G20 summit in Hamburg are usually an opportunity to shine. This one comes with a strong dose of trouble.
     
    The longtime German leader is known as the “summit chancellor” — Gipfelkanzlerin — for her ability to turn powwows with world leaders into bumps in the polls. Repeating the feat this week will require a tricky balancing act.
     
    Officials from the chancellor’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) say they have identified “three critical variables” that could go badly wrong in Hamburg: Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and U.S. President Donald Trump.
     
    Merkel’s challenge: standing up to this coterie of swellheaded strongmen while tamping down flare-ups, and — as host of the summit — herding 19 countries plus the European Union toward a presentable compromise for the summit’s final communiqué.
     
    Failing on any of these counts risks leaving her looking weak in her last major appearance on the global stage before Germans head to the ballot box in September’s parliamentary election.
     
    The Hamburg summit will mark the first time Trump and Putin encounter each other in person since Trump became U.S. president.
     
    “We’re asking ourselves, ‘What if we have a summit that isn’t successful because Trump is blocking everything?’” said a high-ranking CDU official involved in Merkel’s campaign. “Then, the [Gipfelkanzlerin] bonus is gone, and everything will go down another road.”
     
    Merkel looks on
     
    Of the “three critical variables,” the easiest one to manage is likely to be Putin. Not long ago, the Russian president — who once famously exploited Merkel’s fear of dogs by bringing his large Labrador to a meeting — would have been a top cause of lost sleep among German officials.
     
    Tensions between Russia and Germany have been high ever since the Kremlin annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. One year later, the European Union imposed sanctions against Moscow over its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.
     
    Merkel’s challenge: standing up to this coterie of swellheaded strongmen while tamping down flare-ups | Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images
     
    But this time around, the concern is less about the Russian president than about whom he will be meeting. The Hamburg summit will mark the first time Trump and Putin encounter each other in person since Trump became U.S. president.
     
    An official bilateral scheduled for Friday has the potential for fireworks. Interest is high, following allegations of Russian interference in the American election. And neither man is likely to accept being upstaged by the other.
     
    Merkel’s problem: This is the one event at the summit over which she has the least control. Merkel spoke to both men on the phone recently, and she will meet with Trump in person before he sees Putin. But on the day they meet, she will largely be constrained to the sidelines. “We can’t do much else than just wait to see what’s happening, and then react to it,” another CDU official said.
     
    What will Erdoğan do?
     
    Handling Erdoğan could be more challenging. Merkel’s relationship with the Turkish president has been on a downhill trajectory since last summer, when the German parliament enraged Ankara by passing a resolution calling the 1915 massacres of Armenians by Ottoman Turks a genocide.
     
    Tensions flared further in March after Berlin blocked several rallies in Germany in support of a constitutional referendum intended to strengthen Erdoğan’s powers. Germany is home to roughly 3 million ethnic Turks, almost half of whom are eligible to vote in Turkey, and Erdoğan regards the community as part of his political constituency. He reacted angrily to the ban, accusing Berlin of “Nazi practices.” Turkey also blocked visits by German MPs to its Incirlik airbase, used by German troops in the fight against ISIS.
     
    Merkel’s relationship with the Turkish president has been on a downhill trajectory after the German parliament passed a resolution calling the 1915 massacres of Armenians a genocide | Adem Altan/AFP via Getty Images
     
    A formal request, submitted by Ankara in June, for permission for Erdoğan to address Turkish citizens on the sidelines of the Hamburg summit, was perceived by Berlin as yet another provocation. The application was quickly rejected, but officials are concerned the Turkish president could nonetheless hold a rally inside a Turkish consulate in Germany, where Berlin has no jurisdiction.
     
    ALSO ON POLITICO
     
    Merkel’s campaign promise: ‘Prosperity and security for all’
     
    VICTOR BRECHENMACHER
     
    ALSO ON POLITICO
     
    Ahead of G20 summit, EU sees itself as ‘global point of reference’
     
    DAVID M. HERSZENHORN
     
    “I hear and read rumors of potential appearances in the consulates via a video stream or something like that,” Martin Schäfer, a spokesperson for the German foreign ministry, said Monday. He emphasized “that appearances of such sort would need to be put forward to the German government with appropriate advance notice.”
     
    The Trump dilemma
     
    It’s the U.S. president who’s most likely to give Merkel heartburn. “Merkel needs to succeed in not going on a collision course with Trump, while at the same time sticking to her principles,” said Dennis Snower, the president of the Institute for the World Economy in Kiel, Germany.
     
    The chancellor plans to hold a one-on-one meeting with Trump on Thursday evening, before the summit officially starts, a German government spokesperson confirmed on Monday.
     
    She is expected to focus the conversation on areas where Trump has signaled he believes multilateral cooperation is important, such as combating terrorism. But the differences between the two leaders are likely to loom large.
     
    The chancellor plans to hold a one-on-one meeting with Trump on Thursday evening, before the summit officially starts | Sean Gallup/Getty Images
     
    Government officials in Berlin say they believe Trump will use his first visit to Germany to complain about the country’s trade surplus and demand Berlin spend more on defense — repeating criticisms he made on the campaign trail, in a meeting with Merkel in Washington D.C. in March and most recently in late May, when he told participants at a NATO summit in Brussels that “the Germans are bad, very bad.”
     
    Such a confrontation would be doubly delicate for Merkel. Trump is highly unpopular among Germans — unlike his predecessor Barack Obama, who is still greeted by cheering crowds when he visits. And standing up to the U.S. president has become an important theme of the election campaign.
     
    Few things would be more toxic to Merkel’s reelection efforts than being perceived as backing down before Trump on the global stage.
     
    Walking the line
     
    For months, Merkel’s Social Democratic rival Martin Schulz has been trying to capitalize on Trump’s unpopularity in Germany. Last weekend, he dialed up the pressure, stressing in an interview that “the German chancellor needs to have the courage to enter a conflict with the American president.”
     
    To make the summit a success, Merkel must find a way to manage the inevitable distractions at a gathering of 20 of the world’s largest egos.
     
    In response to pressure from Schulz, Merkel has toughened up her rhetoric. Last week, reacting to renewed criticism of Germany’s trade surplus, she snapped back by pointing out the jobs German companies have created in the United States. Two days later, she suggested Washington’s positions on trade and the environment were out of touch with an increasingly globalized world.
     
    So far, her strategy has been successful: Support for the chancellor has surged in the polls, where her conservatives are more than 15 percentage points ahead of Schulz’ Social Democrats.
     
    Activists of the “Attac” network demonstrate with an inflatable globe in Hamburg, ahead of a two-day Group of 20 summit | Daniel Reinhardt/AFP via Getty Images
     
    In Hamburg, however, Merkel will have her hands tied. Instead of being on the campaign trail, she will be managing the theatrics of the summit — the culmination of which will be a joint communiqué representing the views of the assembled leaders. Failure to deliver something credible will put her leadership in a bad light. So much for the Gipfelkanzlerin.
     
    To make the summit a success, Merkel must find a way to stand up to the U.S. president, while directing his attention, and that of the German electorate, toward areas of consensus — all the while managing the inevitable distractions at a gathering of 20 of the world’s largest egos.
     
    It’s not likely to be an easy task.
     
    7, 4:05 AM CET

    Armenian FM holds phone talks with OSCE MG Co-Chairs, presents consequences of Azerbaijani provocation

    Yeghisabet Vorskanian
    Panorama, Armenia
    July 5 2017

    Armenia’s Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian has held phone talks with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, the Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office, spokesman of the Armenian Foreign Ministry Tigran Balayan wrote on Twitter.

    "During phone conversations with OSCE MG Co-Chairs and Kasprzik, FM Nalbandian presented the situation after Azerbaijani provocation,” Mr. Balayan tweeted, adding: “Publication of photos of victims of Baku's provocation is proving the cynical and inhuman nature of Azerbaijani propaganda machine.”

    Unseen Armenia: Janfida

    Yeghisabet Vorskanian
    Armenia Weekly
    June 7 2017

    By Joseph Dagdigian on June 7, 2017 in Special Reports

    Janfida is a village on Armavir province’s south central border with Turkey. From the village, Mount Ararat is clearly visible through the summer haze.  Nearby, atop a hill, are the ruins of Urartu’s ancient Argishtikhinilli fortress (776 B.C.). Immediately south of the village is the security zone along the Armenian-Turkish border which is patrolled by CIS (primarily Russian) forces; the Arax river being the actual border.

    The entrance to Janfida village (Photo: Joseph Dagdigian)

    Ancient civilizations here are attested by Urartian artifacts found in or near the village, and by early medieval Armenian artifacts discovered in 1990. Just outside the village, in what was a medieval Armenian and Kurdish cemetery, khachkars (cross stones) were found from the 7-8th century. Just across the nearby Arax river, in what is now Turkey,  my map shows a number of churches, which are undoubtedly Armenian.

    A medieval khachkar (Photo: Joseph Dagdigian)

    During past centuries, much of the Armenian population here was forced to leave due to invasions by Turks and Persians who fought over this territory. Later Russia occupied this region. From 1828-1830 many displaced Armenians returned here to what became Russian Armenia, part of the Russian Empire, thanks to provisions of the Treaty of Turkmanchay. This treaty terminated the Russo-Persian war of 1826-1828 and guaranteed the right of Armenians to return to their homeland. This treaty, negotiated by Russian playwright and diplomat Alexander Griboyedov, played an important role in restoring the demographics of Caucasian Armenia. A statue of this hero stands on Tigran Metz street in Yerevan, with a village in Armenia’s Armavir province named in his honor as well. While still in Persia he was killed by a mob.

    Mount Ararat from Janfida village (Photo: Joseph Dagdigian)

    During the Armenian Genocide and its aftermath, many of the survivors found refuge in Caucasian Armenia. This included many of the ancestors of Janfida’s current families, whose origins are in Van, Mush, Sasun, and other Western Armenian regions. Initially these survivors sought refuge near Lake Sevan, but later moved to Janfida, closer to their ancestral villages, intending to return at the conclusion of WWI. But that was not to be.

    Statue of Alexander Griboyedov, Tigran Metz street, Yerevan (Photo: Joseph Dagdigian)

    In the early 1940s, at the onset of WWII, many Kurds who remained here decided to relocate to Turkey, across the Arax river. Though the border was closed, they somehow managed the move.

    Janfida village (Photo: Joseph Dagdigian)

    Turkey, though “neutral” during most of WWII, was sympathetic to Germany. Shortly before the end of the war, Turkey hypocritically sided with the allies. It was believed, however, that Turkey might take advantage of the war to invade Soviet Armenia. Though this did not happen, preparations were made for such an eventuality.  On the opposite side of Janfida village from the Turkish border, there remains concrete bunkers with tank turrets on top—their barrels pointing towards Turkey.

    WWII bunker and tank turret, Janfida village (Photo: Joseph Dagdigian)

    From 1941-1945, 121 citizens of Janfida, out of a total population of about 1,400, fought in WWII. Of these, 87 died. Additionally, many were wounded. In memory of the large sacrifice this village made during the war, noted sculptor Ara Sargsyan sculpted a memorial statue, which stands in the village center, next to the St. Garabed (2014) Church.

    Memorial to WWII martyrs, statue sculptured by Ara Sargsyan (Photo: Joseph Dagdigian)

    The memorial’s sculptor was born near Constantinople displayed enormous artistic talent in his youth. In the aftermath of the genocide, while studying art in Europe, he was a clandestine Nemesis operative and friend of Arshavir Shiragian, helping impose justice on those responsible for the Armenian Genocide. Concealing his Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF)-Nemesis activities, he moved to Soviet Armenia where he played a key role in establishing Armenia’s artistic institutions. While recovering from a non-life-threatening injury in the hospital he unexplainably died, likely the work of the KGB, who likely discovered his previous activities and considered him dangerous, although he participated in no anti-Soviet activities.

    At the onset of the Artsakh (Karabagh) liberation movement, a detachment of Janfida volunteers, the “Black Panthers”, served in Artsakh. Sixteen of these volunteers sacrificed their lives during the struggle. Others chose to remain in Artsakh establishing a village with the same name, Janfida, in Artsakh’s Kashatagh province.

    Memorial to WWII martyrs and St. Garabed church (Photo: Joseph Dagdigian)

    Janfida’s current population is around 3,500, and unlike many other villages, is stable, with only a few choosing to leave the village. The economy is based on growing apricots and cherries, with some wheat grown as well. Three hundred students are enrolled in Janfida’s school system with 90 children in kindergarten. Roads to the village are good. We traveled via train from Yerevan’s Sasuntsi Davit station to Armavir, the center of the province, and from there by cab to nearby Janfida. The train fare was less than a dollar and took about an hour.

    The name “Janfida” is a commonly used term for irregular Armenian freedom fighters; heroes. It appears the name was used prior to 1900 but exactly when or under what circumstances the name was adopted is unknown.

    The area around Armavir city contains much of interest. There is the Sardarabad museum and war memorial, the ancient Metsamor archaeological site and museum, the ancient Urartian fortress of Argishtikhinili atop a nearby hill, and when in season the local apricots are amazingly sweet. And there is Janfida village—its history, and its people.

    RFE/RL Armenian Report – 06/02/2017

    Yeghisabet Vorskanian 
                                            Friday, June 2, 2017

First Lady Coy About Armenian President's Political Future


 . Artak Hambardzumian


Armenia - President Serzh Sarkisian, his wife Rita and other
dignitaries at an award ceremony in Yerevan, 28May2017.

The wife of Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian on Friday declined to
clarify what he plans to do after completing his second and final term
in office next year.

"I didn't want him to become president in the first place. I didn't
want him to be on the political arena," Rita Sarkisian told RFE/RL's
Armenian service (Azatutyun.am), commenting on lingering speculation
that he may become prime minister in April 2018.

When asked whether she wants him to retire from the political scene,
she said: "I want to have a rest." Asked whether that depends on
Sarkisian's political plans, she replied: "Yes and no. We'll see."

The first lady also insisted that she never given her husband
political advice. "I don't like women who advise their husbands," she
said. "How can I advise him? I don't like that. I would never do
that. And I would not respect a man who would take my advice on the
job."

Sarkisian himself has shed little light on his political future so
far. He said in March that he would like to "play a role, in some
capacity, in ensuring the security of our people" after the end of his
decade-long presidency.

Armenia will switch to a parliamentary system of government from April
2018, meaning that its next president will be elected by parliament
and have largely ceremonial powers.


Armenia -- Frst Lady Rita Sarkisian speaks to RFE/RL in Yerevan,
2June, 2017.

Rita Sarkisian spoke to RFE/RL's Armenian service while visiting a
Yerevan hospital specializing in treatment of children suffering from
various types of blood cancer. A charity headed by her has for years
provided financial assistance to it.

The first lady complained of declining donations to the charity called
Donate Life. "Three or four years ago we raised half a million dollars
for this hospital," said the former music teacher. "The following year
that figure dropped to $300,000. This year we have only $100,000."

"But that's OK," she went on. "We'll learn that culture [of
benevolence] little by little."



Still No Charges In Armenian Election Scandal


 . Astghik Bedevian


Armenia - Armenians vote in parliamentary elections at a polling
station in Yerevan, 2Apr2017.

Law-enforcement authorities have not charged anyone yet more than one
month after launching an investigation into a secretly recorded audio
suggesting that employees of a pro-government businessman were warned
to help him get reelected to Armenia's parliament or lose their jobs.

The recording posted on Hayastan24.com features the voice of a man
threatening to fire those employees of Artak Sargsian's SAS
supermarket chain in Yerevan who have failed to guarantee in writing
that their friends and relatives will vote for their boss. The man
also promises lavish bonuses to their colleagues who will "bring
votes" to the candidate of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia
(HHK).

The news website said that the SAS staff meeting took place in the
run-up to the April 2 parliamentary elections won by the
HHK. Sargsian, who was reelected to the National Assembly, has since
refused to comment on the audio and the resulting political scandal.

Opposition politicians and other critics of the Armenian government
seized upon the revelation as further proof that public and private
sector employees across the country were illegally pressurized to vote
for the HHK. In an April 3 statement, European election monitors
likewise reported "pressure on civil servants and employees of private
companies"

Responding to the uproar, Armenia's Special Investigative Service
(SIS) said on April 19 that it has opened a criminal case in
connection with the scandalous audio.

An SIS spokesperson told RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) on
Friday that the law-enforcement agency is still questioning relevant
individuals and has not levelled criminal charges against anyone so
far. The official refused to give any details of the investigation.

Civic activists dismissed this explanation. Heriknaz Tigranian, a
legal expert with the Armenian affiliate of Transparency
International, insisted that the SIS has had enough time to identify
the secretly recorded individuals. "They know how to conduct forensic
tests to identify people's voices," she said.

Tigranian said she suspects that the authorities are dragging out the
probe with the aim of eventually closing the case for a supposed lack
of evidence.

"Had the authorities had the political will to solve such organized
crimes, Artak Sargsian would not have run for parliament in the first
place," charged Artur Sakunts, a human rights activist.

According to the Hetq.am investigative publication, the man who
purportedly threatened to fire SAS employees is Sargsian's elder
brother Aram.



Karabakh Says Another War Unlikely


 . Hovannes Movsisian


Nagorno-Karabakh - Karabakh Armenian troops fire rounds from a
howitzer in the Martakert district, 3Apr2016.

Continuing ceasefire violations along the Armenian-Azerbaijani "line
of contact" around Nagorno-Karabakh are unlikely to escalate into a
full-scale war, a senior official in Stepanakert insisted on Friday.

"Although the war can break out at any moment, its likelihood is low,"
said Davit Babayan, the deputy chief of staff of Bako Sahakian, the
Karabakh president.

"Why? Because Azerbaijan spent 22 years getting ready to start the
four-day war of April 2016. And it got ready for a blitzkrieg," he
told RFE/RL's Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).

"Only one year has passed [since the April 2016 war.] Given so many
[Azerbaijani] casualties and the clear position of the international
community, I don't think that another war is possible now," added
Babayan.

The four-day hostilities mentioned by the Karabakh Armenian official
marked the worst fighting in the conflict since a Russian-mediated
truce stopped the Armenian-Azerbaijani war for the disputed territory
in 1994. They left at least 190 soldiers from both warring sides dead.

In a report published on Thursday, the International Crisis Group
(ICG), a Brussels-based think-tank, warned of a serious risk of
renewed heavy fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces. "A
year after Nagorno-Karabakh's April 2016 violent flare-up, Armenia and
Azerbaijan are closer to war than at any point since the 1994
ceasefire," it said, calling for more vigorous international efforts
to broker a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Babayan dismissed this conclusion, arguing that the ICG did not
predict the April 2016 hostilities. "It does not reflect the reality,"
he said of the report.

Truce violations along "the line of contact" have periodically
intensified over past year. In the most recent escalation, Azerbaijani
forces fired guided missiles at an air-defense system of Karabakh's
Armenian-backed Defense Army on May 16. The latter retaliated with
mortar fire targeting Azerbaijani military facilities across the
frontline.

The U.S., Russian and French mediators co-heading the OSCE Minsk Group
condemned the "significant violations of the ceasefire." In a May 18
statement, they urged the parties to "take all necessary measures to
prevent any further escalation in the conflict zone."



Another Russian Firm Seeks To Leave Armenian Energy Sector


 . Emil Danielyan


Armenia - One of the hydroelectric plants making up the Sevan-Hrazdan
Cascade.

A state-owned Russian company, RusHydro, has reaffirmed its intention
to sell off Armenia's second most important hydroelectric complex
belonging to it.

The sale of the Sevan-Hrazdan Cascade would further reduce the
presence of Kremlin-controlled companies in the Armenian energy sector
heavily dependent on Russian gas and nuclear fuel.

The Soviet-era facility consists of seven hydroelectric plants built
along the Hrazdan river flowing through central Armenia. It accounts
for roughly 10 percent of Armenian electricity output.

The Armenian government handed over ownership of the Sevan-Hrazdan
Cascade to Russia in 2003 in payment for the Metsamor nuclear plant's
massive debts Russian nuclear fuel suppliers. RusHydro acquired it
from another state-run Russian firm in 2011. Russian media reported in
2015 that the energy giant, which operates most of Russia's
hydroelectric plants, is now prepared to sell its Armenian subsidiary.

The TASS news agency quoted RusHydro's chief executive, Nikolay
Shulginov, as saying on Thursday that his company has been negotiating
with potential buyers. "One of them emerged but then vanished," he
said. "Another one has now popped up. We are now holding
[negotiations.]"

Shulginov declined to name those companies or disclose RusHydro's
possible asking price for Sevan-Hrazdan.

Another Russian energy conglomerate, Inter RAO, essentially pulled out
of Armenia in late 2015, selling the country's debt-ridden electricity
distribution network and largest thermal power plant to the Tashir
Group of Samvel Karapetian, a Russian-Armenian billionaire.

RusHydro's withdrawal would leave only one Kremlin-controlled company,
Gazprom, owning a power-generating facility in Armenia: a thermal
power plant in the central town of Hrazdan. Gazprom is also the
country's principal supplier of natural gas.

Gas is used for generating around one-third of Armenia's
electricity. The Metsamor power plant and hydroelectric facilities
meet the rest of its energy needs.

The Armenian authorities now seem keen to diversify foreign ownership
in the domestic energy sector. More than a year ago they sold
Armenia's largest and most modern hydroelectric complex, the Vorotan
Hydropower Cascade, to the U.S. company ContourGlobal in a $250
million deal strongly backed by the U.S. government. And in March this
year, an Italian company started building a new thermal power plant in
Yerevan.



Press Review


In a commentary on International Children's Day marked on June 1,
"Haykakan Zhamanak" says that children in Armenia should first and
foremost be protected against "social blows." "Tens of thousands of
children are poor, and this means that not only their present but also
future is in danger," writes the paper. "For malnutrition, poor living
conditions and a lack of education and leisure opportunities deprive
the children of their ability to develop their potential in full."

"Zhoghovurd" reports that the newly appointed Justice Minister Davit
Harutiunian on Thursday called for a stronger government oversight of
government grants allocated to non-governmental organizations. In
particular, Harutiunian said that from now on such NGOs will have to
detail their concrete programs financed by the government and present
detailed reports on their implementation. The paper says that Armenian
governments have never done this before. "It is obvious that the
authorities decided to introduce oversight mechanisms not willingly
but under pressure from the European Union following the well-known
scandal over misappropriation of [EU] grants," it claims.

"Zhamanak" says that when President Serzh Sarkisian promised following
last July's Erebuni hostage crisis to form a government of "national
accord" many felt that then Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian's and his
government's days are numbered. "This is what eventually happened,"
the paper says. "But the government formed by [the current Prime
Minister] Karen Karapetian hasnothing to do with national accord in
terms of both political content and agenda. One is left to presume
that Sarkisian circulated the idea for another occasion and most
probably for his personal use. The course of events shows that this is
the case." It notes that Armen Rustamian, a leader of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), stated recently that his
party will not object if Sarkisian becomes prime minister next year.

(Lilit Harutiunian)


Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2017 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org

    Culture: Armenian Cellist Karen Ouzounian’s String Quartet Takes Top Prize in Osaka

    Yeghisabet Vorskanian
    Asbarez
              

    Aizuri Quartet (Source: The Strad)

    OSAKA, Japan (The Strad)—The Aizuri Quartet (U.S), featuring Canadian-Armenian cellist Karen Ouzounian, has won first prize, worth 3 million JPY ($27,000 USD), in the string quartet section of the Ninth Osaka International Chamber Music Competition in Japan.

    The triennial event took place May 13-21 in the string quartet and wind ensemble categories, which ran alongside masterclasses, concerts, and an informal Festa, with no age or repertoire restrictions.

    Second prize in the string quartet division, worth 1.5 million JPY went to the Ulysses Quartet from the U.S., while third prize, worth one million JPY went to the Viano String Quartet, also from the U.S.

    This year’s jury was chaired by cellist Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi and included violinists Martin Beaver, Kazuki Sawa and Levon Chilingirian; violists Yoshiko Kawamoto and Homggang Li; and cellist Paul Katz.

    Third prize winner at the 2015 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition in London, the Aizuri Quartet comprises violinists Miho Saegusa and Ariana Kim, violist Ayane Kozasa, and cellist Karen Ouzounian. The ensemble was Ernst Stiefel String Quartet in Residence at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts from 2015 to 2016, and String Quartet in Residence at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia from 2014 to 2016.

    Described as “radiant” and “expressive” (The New York Times) and “nothing less than gorgeous” (Memphis Commercial Appeal), cellist Karen Ouzounian approaches music-making with a deeply communicative and passionate spirit. At home in diverse musical settings, she has become increasingly drawn towards unusual collaborations and eclectic contemporary repertoire.

    In addition to her work with the Aizuri Quartet, Ouzounian’s commitment to adventurous programming and the collaborative process has led to her membership in the Grammy-nominated, self-conducted chamber orchestra A Far Cry, and the critically-acclaimed new music collective counter)induction. Highlights of Ouzounian’s recent and upcoming seasons include performances of the Elgar Concerto in Chile with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Santiago, tours with the Silk Road Ensemble and Mark Morris Dance Group, recitals at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts with pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute, a tour of Japan with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and tours with Musicians from Marlboro and Musicians from Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute. Additionally she has performed with The Knights, Trio Cavatina, and as guest principal of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, IRIS Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

    Born to Armenian parents in Toronto, Ouzounian was a prizewinner at the 2012 Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank Competition. She holds Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from The Juilliard School, where she was a student of Timothy Eddy.

    "Even without investigative mechanism it’s clear who’s breaching ceasefire" – Nalbandian

    Yeghisabet Vorskanian 
    Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday


"Even without investigative mechanism it's clear who's breaching
ceasefire" - Nalbandian



YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenia states for the record that a
situation is maturing when OSCE – having international mediation
mandate, should not only make statements but also actions to restrain
Azerbaijan’s unconstructive policy, Armenia’s FM Edward Nalbandian
said during a joint press conference with OSCE Secretary General
Lamberto Zannier.

“The Co-Chairs pointed out that it was Azerbaijan who breached the
ceasefire and opened fire. Azerbaijan was opposing the introduction of
investigative mechanisms in order to not allow the Co-Chairs or
relevant participants of the mechanism to point out who is violating
the ceasefire and who is opening fire. While this was obvious even
without a mechanism, and this was shown by the statement which the
Co-Chairing countries made”, Nalbandian said.

The FM mentioned that this wasn’t the first addressed statement,
similar statements were made by the OSCE Minsk Group numerously –
urging Azerbaijan not to escalate the situation in the region,
reaffirm commitment to the peaceful solution of the conflict and
refrain from transferring it to another format.

“Yes, statements were made numerously, however Azerbaijan continues to
not only ignore, but rather do the very opposite”, he said.

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors Igor Popov of
Russia, Stephane Visconti of France, and Richard Hoagland of the
United States of America, released a statement on May 18 on the May 15
Azerbaijani missile launch in the line of contact.

The statement namely said “According to information collected from
multiple reliable sources, on 15 May, Azerbaijaniarmedforces fired a
missile across the Line of Contact, striking military equipment”.

    Armenian defense minister meets with President of Cyprus

    Yeghisabet Vorskanian 
    Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Tuesday


Armenian defense minister meets with President of Cyprus



YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Defense minister Vigen Sargsyan
had a meeting on May 30 – the second day of his official visit – with
President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades.

The Cypriot president welcomed that Armenian delegation and expressed
conviction that it will boost the enhancing of Armenian-Cypriot
cooperation, which is anchored on centuries long friendship.

Vigen Sargsyan thanked for the warm reception and briefed President
Anastasiades on the details of his talks with Cyprus’ defense
minister, and mentioned the directions where the defense ministries of
the two countries can cooperate.

The Cypriot president appreciated the role of the Armenian community,
which has harmoniously integrated itself into the public life of
Cyprus, at the same time preserving its culture, language and
religious identity. At the request of the Armenian Defense Minister,
President Anastasiades presented the latest developments over the
Cyprus issue.

The Nagorno Karabakh conflict was also discussed during the meeting.
Vigen Sargsyan thanked the Cypriot President for the constructive and
consistent stance in the Artsakh issue.

The sides both agreed that great potential exists for the development
of partnership between the two countries, which must be used.

On the same day, minister Sargsyan had a meeting with Demetris
Syllouris, president of Cyprus’ Parliament.

Syllouris welcomed Sargsyan’s delegation and highlighted the visit,
mentioning that historical friendly ties must be enriched with
practical steps too.

Mentioning the 2015 Armenian Constitutional changes referendum, Vigen
Sargsyan notified that Armenia is transitioning to a parliamentary
administration system, where the role of the Parliament will
drastically increase. In this context, according to Sargsyan,
cooperation of inter-parliamentary groups are even more highlighted,
as well as partnership of parliamentary delegations in international
platforms, which will make resisting common political challenges more
effective through joint efforts. Issues related to both the Cypriot
and Artsakhi conflicts were also discussed.

Later on the same day, Vigen Sargsyan also met with Cyprus’ foreign
minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

The Cypriot FM mentioned the ages long friendship of the two peoples
as an important prerequisite for deepening the Armenian-Cypriot
partnership. Kasoulides also highlighted the Armenian community’s
factor, which has fully integrated itself into the social-political
life of Cyprus, by preserving its national identity.

According to the Cypriot FM, defense minister Sargsyan’s visit can be
a powerful signal for deepening the Armenian-Cypriot relations, namely
in the defense sector.

Ioannis Kasoulides recalled his Armenia visits with warmth.

The Armenian defense minister thanked for the warm reception of the
Cypriot side and presented the details of his talks. Sargsyan
mentioned that modern challenges force to combine powers for
effectively resisting them.

According to Sargsyan, the formation of new tension hotbeds, is
inadmissible and is fraught with unpredictable consequences.

In this context, according to the minister, the combination of efforts
of countries having common interests is being more emphasized and the
development of effective dialogue.

The Artsakh and Cyprus conflicts were also discussed.

In the Cypriot FM’s belief, it is wrong to draw parallels between
these two issues, because unlike Northern Cyprus, which is occupied by
Turkey, Artsakh is the historic land of Armenians, they have always
lived there, fought for their security and declared independence.

Vigen Sargsyan thanked the Cypriot FM for the clear and consistent
stance in the NK conflict, and mentioned that it is extremely
important for Armenia.

    California Courier Online, June 1, 2017

    Yeghisabet Vorskanian

    The California Courier Online, June 1, 2017
     
    1 –    Commentary
            Azeri Billionaire Gives Erdogan
            $25 Million Oil Tanker as a
    ‘Gift’
            By Harut Sassounian
            Publisher,
    The California
    Courier
            www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
    2 –    State
    Senate Budget Committee OK’s
            $3
    Million for Armenian
    Museum
    3 –    Top U.S.
    Senate Appropriators Threaten
            Turkey Aid over
    Attacks on US Protesters
    4 –   June Musurlian, 2017 Los
    Angeles County
    Spelling Champion
            Ties
    for 2nd at the California State Championship in Stockton
    5 –    Ateşyan
    Resigns as
            General
    Vicar of
            Istanbul Patriarchate
    6 –    Glendale
    Artist Exhibits Work in Japan
            As
    Part of ‘Armenia
    Culture Week’
    7 –    Associated
    Television Plans Multi-Million Dollar
            Program
    to Promote Tourism to Armenia
    8 –    American Armenian Rose Float
            Association Unveils 2018 Float
    Design
    9 –     House
    Foreign Affairs Committee Condemns
            Washington
    DC Attacks by Erdogan's
    Bodyguards
    10-   ANCA's Hamparian Testifies Before
    Congress in
            Support
    of Strong Response to Erdogan-Ordered Attacks
    11-   Film by Vahe Mansourian Ready to
    Begin
            Casting
    and Filming International Production
    12-   Turkey Rejects House Resolution

             On Turkish Bodyguards Violence

    *******************************************
    1 –    Commentary
            Azeri
    Billionaire Gives Erdogan
            $25 Million Oil Tanker as a
    ‘Gift’
     
            By Harut Sassounian
            Publisher, The California Courier
            www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
     
    When Recep Tayyip Erdogan
    first came to power as Turkey’s
    Prime Minister in 2003, he was welcomed by the majority of Turks as a devout
    Muslim and honest politician, after being ruled by corrupt leaders for several
    decades.
    Regrettably, as time passed,
    Erdogan and his fellow Islamist Party leaders (AKP) became gradually corrupted!
    Greed replaced their piety, and the temptation of big money was too hard to
    resist. The _expression_, ‘power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts
    absolutely,” aptly describes the transformation of Erdogan into a corrupt and
    autocratic leader.
    In a lengthy article on the
    website theintercept.com, Andrew Fishman disclosed the unusual circumstances of
    Erdogan’s family receiving a $25 million oil tanker as a gift, under a
    secretive offshore arrangement! This sensational revelation comes a few years
    after the exposure of Erdogan’s recorded telephone conversations with his son
    Bilal, during which he advised him how to hide hundreds of millions of dollars
    in cash obtained mysteriously by Erdogan.
    According to Fishman, the
    oil tanker was donated to Erdogan by Azeri billionaire Mubariz Mansimov back in
    2008, as revealed by the European Investigative Collaboration (EIC) network,
    composed of 49 journalists from 13 media organizations in 16 countries.
    “Mansimov became a Turkish citizen two years earlier and adopted a Turkish
    name, Mubariz Gurbanoglu, allegedly at Erdogan’s suggestion,” Fishman reported.
    Not surprisingly, “after the deal was struck, his business dealings in Turkey
    took off, including lucrative contracts with state firms.”
    Mansimov also befriended
    Pres. Donald Trump and was an invited guest at the presidential inauguration
    earlier this year, as a major investor in Istanbul’s
    Trump Towers. “When the 39 floors of
    residential and office block of Trump Towers opened in Istanbul in 2009,
    Mansimov was the first customer — buying eight apartments, including the
    penthouse,” according to the website: theblacksea.eu.
    Fishman’s article on the
    intriguing and convoluted details of how the 13,000 ton ship was donated to
    Erdogan was based on the Malta Files, an investigation led by EIC, using a
    leaked cache of 150,000 documents from a Malta-based provider of legal,
    financial and corporate services, as well as a scraped version of the Malta
    Public Register of companies. In 2007, Mansimov purchased the oil tanker Agdash
    in Russia
    and registered it in the name of Pal Shipping Trader One, a Maltese holding
    company. In 2008, Bumerz, a company registered in the tax haven Isle of Man [UK]
    co-owned by Erdogan’s son (Burak Erdogan), brother (Mustafa) and brother-in-law
    (Ziya Ilgen) purchased all shares for $25 million. “The next day, that firm
    took out a $18.4 million loan arranged by Mansimov…. Documents show that
    Mansimov pledged to pay off the entire seven-year loan plus interest in
    exchange for leasing rights through 2015 (the remaining $7 million of the
    purchase price was paid by a close personal friend of Erdogan for reasons
    unknown. Mansimov’s company, which controls two-thirds of Black
    Sea oil shipping, extended the leasing option through 2020 for
    $1.2 million a year. All told, the deal amounts to a $21.2 million cash
    transfer from Mansimov to Erdogan’s family.”
    Another source,
    Sg.news.yahoo.com, estimated the value of the oil tanker donated to the Erdogan
    family as $29.64 million. This website also disclosed that the “close personal
    friend of Erdogan” who paid $7 million for the purchase of the oil tanker is
    Sitki Ayan, a Turkish businessman.
    The newspaper, Malta Today,
    revealed that Erdogan’s son-in-law, Berat Albayrak, in 2012 set up eight
    companies in Malta
    to avoid paying millions of dollars in taxes for his company, Calik Holdings, a
    massive energy, textile and construction conglomerate that earned billions of dollars
    in public tenders. He also opened four companies in Sweden.
    Albayrak, the husband of
    Esra Erdogan, the President’s eldest daughter, received from a close associate
    an email in 2011, warning him that the secretive offshore companies are “based
    on tricking the finance authority; it’s not a secure system. If the finance
    authority discovers this, it wouldn’t be good for [Calik’s] reputation,”
    according to Malta Today.
    In the end it turns out that
    Albayrak did not need a secret offshore network because in 2015 he was
    appointed by Erdogan as Minister of Energy and Resources. He helped pass the
    “Wealth Peace Act,” a tax amnesty which allowed Calik Holdings to repatriate
    unlimited amounts of offshore cash, tax-free!
    Malta Today also reported
    that Erdogan is grooming his son-in-law Albayrak as his successor. It is not
    surprising that Albyarak accompanied Pres. Erdogan on his recent trip to the United States.
    The reason many foreign
    companies are registered in Malta
    is that the country “boasts the lowest effective corporate tax rate [5%] in the
    European Union and has become a preferred destination for tax avoidance in the
    EU,” whereas in France,
    for example, the corporate tax rate is 33.33%, according to Fishman.
    *******************************************************************************************************
    2 –    State
    Senate Budget Committee OK’s
            $3
    Million for Armenian
    Museum
    SACRAMENTO – Senator Anthony J. Portantino invited representatives of
    the Armenian Museum Project in Glendale to Sacramento to make the case for additional state funding
    to support the Armenian
    Museum.  The museum
    project is proposed for the City of Glendale
    and includes Genocide education and multicultural exhibits.  Plans for its
    creation are underway with broad support from within the Armenian community,
    including its ten largest organizations. 
    Portantino, with the
    support of Senate Pro Tem Kevin de León and Budget Subcommittee Chair Richard
    Roth, arranged a presentation from Armenian Museum Executive Board Member Zaven
    Kazazian.  Portantino joined the presentation in which a total $4 million
    request was made.  The State Senate Budget committee followed up on
    the request and approved the proposal. 
    “There is a long
    history of California supporting laudable
    museum projects around the state and I wanted to make sure that the Armenian Museum garners equal and fair
    support.  Zaven did an excellent job of making the case for the museum and
    the committee was quite impressed.  It’s a big step forward to have the
    State Senate Budget Committee insert an additional $3 million into the State
    Budget for this project,” Portantino commented.
    Last year, Governor Brown agreed to fund a $1
    million request for the museum. Portantino requested increasing the
    State’s commitment to the museum to an additional $3 million over the next
    three years. 
    “I couldn’t be happier to see the Senate respond
    so well to our request.  Senate staff, leadership, and members were very
    receptive and supportive of the museum,” concluded Portantino.
    ****************************************************************************************************
    3 –    Top U.S.
    Senate Appropriators Threaten
            Turkey Aid over
    Attacks on US Protesters
    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressional uproar over the
    May 16th brutal beating of peaceful American protesters in Washington, DC by
    Turkish President Recep Erdogan's security forces pushed into a second week,
    with top U.S. Senate appropriators – Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Patrick Leahy
    (D-VT) – threatening to cut US assistance to Ankara if the matter is not given
    "the highest attention and consideration it deserves by the Government of
    Turkey," reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
    In a May 18th letter to Turkey's Ambassador, Serdar Kilic,
    Senators Graham and Leahy stressed: "We would like to remind you that
    peaceful assembly and freedom of speech are fundamental rights in this
    country.  The aggressiveness and brutality demonstrated by the Turkish
    security personnel are interpreted by many of us as much more than an attack
    against peaceful demonstrators – it is an attack against these very
    rights." The text of this Senate letter is provided below.
    Across the U.S. Capitol, 29 U.S. Representatives, led by
    Congressional Hellenic Caucus Co-Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), called on the
    State Department to take swift action and hold perpetrators accountable.
    "This kind of behavior by a foreign security detail is reprehensible and
    cannot be tolerated. These actions are not only criminal, they are affronts to U.S.
    values," House leaders told Secretary of State Tillerson in their May 19th
    letter.  "Freedom of speech and freedom to protest may be prohibited
    in Turkey and offensive to
    the Turkish President, but they are bedrock U.S. principles that must be
    safeguarded.”
    Congressional co-signers joining Rep. Carolyn
    Maloney include Representatives: Don Beyer (D-VA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR),
    Robert Brady (D-PA), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), David Cicilline (D-RI), Katherine
    Clark (D-MA), Charlie Crist (D-FL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ),
    Brian Higgins (D-NY), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Daniel Kildee (D-MI), Daniel
    Lipinski (D-IL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James McGovern
    (D-MA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Frank Pallone
    (D-NJ), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Bobby Rush (D-IL), John
    Sarbanes (D-MD), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Mark Takano
    (D-CA), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), and John Yarmuth (D-KY).
    These legislators join a broad range of Senate
    and House leaders who spoke out last week condemning the President Erdogan for
    the attack, including Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) who
    called for Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. Serdar Kilic to be sent back to Ankara.  Congressman
    Don Beyer, who has previously served in the U.S.
    foreign service as Ambassador to Switzerland and Lichtenstein, also
    called for Amb. Kilic's ouster and signed on to this Congressional letter as
    well.  
    "We would like to thank Senators Graham and
    Leahy, Representative Maloney and her 28 colleagues, and all the Members of
    Congress who continue to press for concrete consequences to President Erdogan's
    brutal attack on peaceful protesters in our nation's capital," said ANCA
    Executive Director Aram Hamparian.  "These Congressional protests need
    to be followed by serious policy-level actions – starting with the
    Administration's immediate expulsion of Ambassador Kilic, a Congressional
    suspension on all aid to Turkey, and Ankara's blanket waiver of immunity for
    any and all involved in this unprovoked assault."
    The ANCA has issued a call for concerned
    advocates —     www.anca.org/erdogan — to
    reach out to President Trump, Secretary Tillerson, and Senate and House
    legislators demanding the immediate expulsion of the Turkish ambassador.
    *******************************************************************************************************
    4 –    June
    Musurlian, 2017 Los Angeles County Spelling
    Champion
            Ties
    for 2nd at the California State Championship in Stockton
    GLENDALE – After becoming the first
    Armenian-American to win the Los Angeles County Spelling Bee in March,
    12-year-old Glendale 6th-grader June Musurlian headed to Stockton on May 13, to
    compete in the 2017 California State Elementary Spelling Bee at the San Joaquin
    County Office of Education (SJCOE).
    The 58 competitors, who came from 29 of California's 58
    counties, looked like a gathering at the United Nations. The eight
    finalists, for instance, have parents and grandparents from India, the Philippines,
    China, Indonesia, and South Korea. Musurlian, who
    finished in a two-way tie for second, has a mother from Hungary and great-grandparents from Western Armenia, who, unlike most of their immediate
    family, survived the Armenian Genocide.  
    Musurlian, 6th-grader Andrew Prasetya of Sonoma County,
    and 6th-grader Ananya Vinay from Fresno
    County were the only
    three competitors, of the 58, to make it to the 16th round. Prasetya misspelled
    "oneiric," Musurlian misspelled "catamaran," while
    returning champion Vinay correctly spelled "dipsomaniac," to grab the
    state title for her third and final time.
    The competition is for 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade
    county champions and runners-up.
    Before misspelling "catamaran" in
    the 16th round, Musurlian, in the late, tougher rounds, correctly
    spelled: ceasefire, succeed, clearstory, encrypt, archaic, confrere,
    esophageal, baccalaureate, pompadour, atrioventricular, and biblioklept.
    Musurlian, who earlier this year became the
    first student in the Glendale Unified School District's
    40-year spelling-bee history, to win three consecutive GUSD district-wide
    spelling bees, has two more years of eligibility in Glendale, but can no longer compete in
    elementary-level spelling bees at the city, county, and state levels. She will
    now focus on the GUSD middle-school bee and on the very competitive Scripps
    Regional Bee, whose winner travels to the national championship in Washington, D.C.
    Her last two attempts to make it to the Scripps National Bee will be in 2018
    and 2019, after which she will be too old to compete.
    **********************************************************************************************
    5 –    Ateşyan
    Resigns as
            General
    Vicar of
            Istanbul Patriarchate
    ISTANBUL
    (Panorama.am) – Archbishop Aram Ateşyan, General Vicar of the Armenian
    Patriarchate of Turkey, has resigned, Agos reported. 
    The source notes that for a while, Armenians of
    Turkey have been making efforts for holding patriarchal election.
    According to church customs, the seat of general
    vicar must be eliminated in order to launch the election process.
    After the debates in Armenian society,
    Archbishop Aram Ateşyan, General Vicar of Armenian Patriarch of Turkey, came
    together with a group of foundation executives and benefactors today.
    The executives who were present at the meeting
    stated that Ateşyan has resigned.
    The Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey is expected
    to release an official statement concerning the resignation. 
    ****************************************************************************************************
    6 –    Glendale Artist Exhibits Work in Japan
            As
    Part of ‘Armenia
    Culture Week’
            By Kelly Corrigan 
    GLENDALE (L.A.
    Times) – The Armenian Embassy in Japan
    invited Glendale artist Srboohie Abajian to
    exhibit her art earlier this month during “Armenia Culture Week” in Tokyo.
    At the exhibit, Abajian showed video footage of
    her “Murals on the Sky” project, which she displayed locally last year at Deukmejian Wilderness Park
    in La Crescenta.
    The work consists of five 9-foot-by-4-foot
    outdoor sculptures, depicting eyes, hands and faces that show human emotion
    expressed by people demanding their rights.
    In Tokyo, she
    also exhibited an art-on-canvas piece from the series, “All Roads Lead to
    People,” which was on display at the Brand
    Library & Art Center in 2014.
    In her artist statement, Abajian said she
    prefers line drawing for its “simplicity and immediacy,” and that she enriches
    the line with emotion to heighten the impact of her images.
    The cultural event in Tokyo from May 9 to 14 aimed to introduce
    Armenian culture to the Japanese. For the Glendale
    artist, it was the first time exhibiting her work in Japan.
    She was able to do so with help from her
    daughter Mayreni Abajian, who is currently an exchange student in Tokyo.
    When Mayreni Abajian went to visit the embassy
    to work with officials on sharing Armenian culture with Japanese children as
    part of a volunteer project, she told officials that her mother is an artist.
    That’s when Ambassador Grant Pogosyan and
    attaché Yervand Markosyan, who organized the cultural event, reached out to
    Srboohie Abajian.
    “Every exhibition is important to me because
    this is giving me a chance to reach out to the public with my experience or
    story,” Srboohie Abajian said.
    The artist said she represented the Armenian
    diaspora as she shared her experience, through her art, in what it also means
    to be an immigrant.
    She said she deeply values listening to and
    learning from others.
    “It doesn’t matter which country we live in. As
    human beings, we are looking to connect to each other and understand each other
    and invest in honest relationships. I think that’s the most important thing for
    us,” she said.
    Others featured in the exhibition in Tokyo were New York-based
    artist Dana Walrath and the late French-Armenian painter Jean Jansem.
    ***************************************************************************************************
    7 –    Associated
    Television Plans Multi-Million Dollar
            Program
    to Promote Tourism to Armenia
    Los Angeles —
    Associated Television, a Los Angeles-based company, in partnership with Armenia's Tourism Board, plans to produce a one-hour
    television travel special and four other half-hour programs that will promote
    tourism to Armenia by
    focusing on tourist highlights and the experience of traveling to Armenia.
    This announcement is the result of a successful
    meeting between David McKenzie, President of Associated Television, Armenia's Prime Minister and President, at
    the request and assistance of Serge Sarkisov, Armenia's
    Consul General in Los Angeles.
    Associated Television has also pledged to the
    Prime Minister and President that within the next 14 months will launch a
    national campaign which will include television commercials and billboards that
    support travel to Armenia at a cost of over $5 million to assist in tourism
    development including the first giant electronic billboard in New York in front
    of Macy's featuring pictures of Armenia in a TV travel program.
    The company has also agreed to produce a motion
    picture shot entirely in Armenia.
    “It was through the inspiration and leadership of the Prime Minister and
    President that led the company to agree to help in both tourism and motion
    picture development,” stated McKenzie. "Furthermore, without the tireless
    efforts of the President and Prime Minister and the Consul General, these
    projects would never have been possible. Now Armenia
    will receive millions of dollars worth of advertising and public relations
    throughout the U.S.
    that will help the Armenian economy and tourism."
    ”Associated Television has been an invaluable
    partner to the Armenian Tourism Board  in the past 12 months," stated
    Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan. "Not only have they established a website
    and have provided TV commercials about Armenian tourism, but have produced
    three TV programs that have aired all over the United States. We are excited to
    continue working with them.”         
    *****************************************************************************************************
    8 –    American Armenian Rose Float
            Association Unveils 2018 Float
    Design
    LOS ANGELES – The American Armenian Rose Float
    Association (AARFA) has released the design for the next Armenian rose float,
    which will take part in the 129th Pasadena Tournament of Roses, on January 1,
    2018. This will be the Armenian rose float’s fourth consecutive participation
    in the world-renowned tournament. 
    Carrying the theme “Armenian Roots,” the new
    Armenian rose float will be dedicated to Armenian mothers, daughters, sisters,
    and grandmothers, as individuals who are the foundation of acts of kindness
    that enrich the lives of others; who are a source of inspiration, hope, joy,
    and optimism; and whose unconditional love contributes to the greatness of
    their communities and nation. 
    The theme of the Armenian rose float echoes the
    general theme of the 129th Pasadena Tournament of Roses, which “Making a
    Difference.” As described by Lance Tibbet, president of the 2017-2018
    Tournament of Roses, “ The ‘Making a Difference’ theme is a way to honor and
    celebrate all of the people in our communities who, quietly and without desire
    for reward or recognition, act in selfless, generous, and kind ways to aid or
    benefit others.” 
    The design of the new Armenian rose float was
    conceived by AARFA Board member Johnny Kanounji. The centerpiece consists of
    the bust of a young woman dressed in traditional Armenian garments and headgear
    and tending a young pomegranate tree. The elements in the back and front of the
    imposing centerpiece comprise a colorful pastiche of Armenian motifs, including
    Armenian carpets and pomegranates. While some of the patterns of the carpets
    are nods to ancient Armenian architecture and heraldry, their background colors
    are also rich in symbology. The green, for instance, symbolizes hope, renewal,
    life, and spring; and red symbolizes beauty, wealth, courage, joy, and
    faith. 
    On New Year’s Day, 2018, the Pasadena Tournament
    of Roses will be seen by about 700,000 spectators in Pasadena and a global audience in 245
    countries and territories.
    As in previous years, some 600 community
    volunteers will work on the floral assembly of the 2018 Armenian rose float.
    Given the considerable cost of materials and construction of the float, the
    AARFA is appealing for generous grassroots community support. Tax-deductible
    donations can be made online at www.aarfa.org or sent to the
    following address: American Armenian Rose Float Association, P.O. Box 60005, Pasadena,
    CA 91116.
    *****************************************************************************************************
    9 –    House Foreign Affairs Committee Condemns
            Washington
    DC Attacks by Erdogan's
    Bodyguards
    WASHINGTON,
    DC –     On May 25, the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously adopted
    H.Res.354 condemning the May 16 attacks on peaceful protesters by Turkish
    President Erdogan's bodyguards, "calling for the perpetrators to be
    brought to justice and measures to be taken to prevent similar incidents in the
    future."  Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and
    Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D-NY) were joined by House Majority Leader Kevin
    McCarthy (R-CA) and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) in spearheading the
    Congressional effort, likely to be voted on in the full House in early June.
    "The House Foreign Affairs Committee's
    unanimous adoption of H.Res.354 represents a powerful bipartisan condemnation
    of Turkish President Erdogan's attempts to export this brand of brutality to
    the United States,"
    said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "He and the regimes before
    him have gotten away with a century of genocide and repression – from the
    Armenians, Greeks and Assyrian in 1915 to the Kurds and other minorities today
    – through international intimidation, threats and coverups, and now violence on
    the streets of our nation's capital. Congress and the Trump Administration need
    to send a strong message that this stops now."
    The full text of the resolution is provided
    below.
    Citing the details of the May 16 attacks by
    President Erdogan's bodyguards on peaceful protesters, and noting that this is
    the third time similar incidents have occurred in the U.S., Chairman Royce noted
    "The rights of peaceful protest and free _expression_ are fundamental values
    in any democracy. By passing this resolution we reaffirm our commitment to
    protect these rights against all who seek to suppress them."
    "I was shocked. The last thing we expect to
    see in the United States
    is a strong man's thugs silencing peaceful protesters," said Ranking
    Democrat Engel, who noted that he had been invited to a meeting at the Turkish
    Embassy during the time of the beating but had not gone. "If Turkish
    government officials are going to come to our country and try to stifle
    American democracy and freedom of speech, there must be consequences."
    Noting that "Turkey has been under a downward
    spiral under an aspiring dictator, Erdogan," Texas Congressman Ted Poe (R)
    condemned the attacks. "We will have no foreign tyrant violating our
    sacred rights on American soil. Justice demands that he be held accountable and
    Turkey be held accountable," said Rep. Poe, who then encouraged protesters
    to return to the Turkish Embassy and continue their protests, with several
    House Foreign Affairs Committee Members, including Rep. Poe, Rep. Dana
    Rohrabacher (R-CA), Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and
    Rep. Anne Wagner (R-MO) all offering to join in solidarity.
    Complete coverage of Congressional remarks will
    be available shortly.  Video of the hearing is available on the House
    Foreign Affairs Committee YouTube channel at:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxooewgudig
    At 12 noon, Rep. Rohrabacher is leading the
    House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe
    hearing on the May 16th Erdogan-ordered attacks where Hamparian will be
    offering testimony, along with Ms. Lusik Usoyan, Founder and President of the
    Ezidi Relief Fund and Mr. Murat Yusa, a local businessman and protest
    organizer.  Usoyan and Yusa were victims of the brutal assault on May 16th
    by President Erdogan's bodyguards.
    The hearing will also be webcast live at https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/live-feed/
    ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian was
    videotaping live at the scene of the May 16th attack, which took place in front
    of the Turkish Ambassador’s residence where President Erdogan was scheduled to
    have a closed-door meeting with representatives of The Atlantic Council, a
    leading think tank in Washington, DC which receives funding from Turkey. Hamparian’s video showed
    pro-Erdogan forces crossing a police line and beating peaceful protesters –
    elderly men and several women – who were on the ground bleeding during most of
    the attack.
    Voice of America Turkish division, in their
    video coverage shot from the vantage point of the Turkish Ambassador’s house,
    reported that the attackers belonged to President Erdogan’s security detail and
    were responsible for escalating the violence.
    Additional VOA Turkish video has now surfaced
    showing President Erdogan ordering his security detail to attack the
    protesters, then watching calmly as the beatings were carried out. Audio
    analysis carried out by the Daily Caller shows Erdogan’s bodyguards yelling
    “gel gel gel” — “come, come, come” — and “dalın diyor dalın diyor dalın diyor,”
    – “he says attack, he says attack, he says attack.” 
    The Washington Post has done a second-by-second
    analysis of the VOA Turkish videos and identified the Erdogan’s order of the
    attack, available here:     http://wapo.st/2qCRjjD
    The U.S. State Department called the Turkish
    Ambassador in for a discussion last week regarding the incident, officially
    expressing their dismay, calling the actions of President Erdogan's body guards
    "unacceptable."  President Trump has yet to comment on the
    matter.
    In a highly incendiary move, on  May 2, Turkey's
    Foreign Ministry called in the U.S. Ambassador John Bass for a diplomatic
    discussion, accusing U.S.
    police and security personnel of "aggressive and unprofessional
    actions."
    The protest in front of the Turkish Ambassador’s
    residence was a continuation of a demonstration held earlier in the day in
    front of the White House, co-hosted by the ANCA. As President Trump met with
    President Erdogan. human rights and religious rights groups were joined by
    representatives of the Kurdish, Yezidi and Armenian communities to call
    attention to the Erdogan regime’s escalating repression against free press, the
    Kurdish and other ethnic communities, as well as Turkey’s ongoing obstruction of
    justice for the Armenian Genocide.
    **************************************************************************************************
    10-   ANCA's
    Hamparian Testifies Before Congress in
            Support
    of Strong Response to Erdogan-Ordered Attacks
    WASHINGTON, DC –  Armenian National
    Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian offered powerful
    testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, calling for
    a clear and decisive U.S. response to the May 16th brutal beatings of peaceful
    American protesters by Turkish President Recep Tayip Erodogan's bodyguards.
    Hamparian, whose live videotape footage from the
    attack was shown during the hearing, explained "What [Erdogan] ordered on
    the streets of our capital provides a small insight – a chilling insight – into
    the types of violence visited every day upon the citizens of Turkey, far from
    our city, away from our cameras. Those are the facts. That's where we
    are."
    Hamparian continued asking, "This hearing,
    Mr. Chairman, is about foreign policy, to be sure, but – at a more fundamental
    level – it's about our shared American commitment to our First Amendment and
    our freedoms. The question before us is: How will we respond to Ankara exporting its
    intolerance and violence to our shores, his unapologetic attempts to bully
    Americans, as he has his own citizens?
    How will we answer his arrogance?"
    Among the remedies suggested by Hamparian
    included:
    — President Trump should break his silence and
    condemn this attack on peaceful protesters in our nation's capital.
    — The U.S.
    government – including our Department of Justice – should fully investigate and
    criminally prosecute the attackers, demanding that Turkey issue a blanket waiver of
    diplomatic immunity for all involved in this assault.
    — The Administration should, as Senator McCain
    has recommended, exercise our right to immediately expel Turkey's Ambassador from the United States – as both an
    _expression_ of our outrage and a reaffirmation of our American devotion to
    freedom of _expression_.
    Hamparian welcomed the full Committee's
    unanimous adoption of H.Res.354, introduced by Foreign Affairs Committee
    Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D-NY), with the
    support of House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Democratic Whip
    Steny Hoyer (D-MD), condemning the attacks and "calling for the
    perpetrators to be brought to justice and measures to be taken to prevent
    similar incidents in the future."
    He also encouraged the adoption of H.Res.220 – a
    bipartisan measure seeking to apply the lessons of Turkey's genocide against
    Armenians, Greeks, Assyrians, and other Christians in order to prevent future
    atrocities.
    Also testifying at the hearing were Ms. Lusik
    Usoyan, Founder and President of the Ezidi Relief Fund; Mr. Murat Yusa, a local
    businessman and protest organizer; and Ms. Ruth Wedgwood, Edward B. Burling
    Professor of International Law and Diplomacy, at Johns Hopkins University
    School of Advanced International Studies.  Usoyan and Yusa were victims of
    the brutal assault on May 16 by President Erdogan's bodyguards.
    "I believe that the individuals like Mr.
    Erdogan who systematically abuse his authority, by violating human right,
    pressing press, imprisoning second largest party’s [HDP] co-chairs and its
    members, committing war crimes, and strongly supporting a terrorist group like
    ISIS has no space in the White House of the United States of America,"
    explained Usoyan, who went on to outline the beating she received at the hands
    of pro-Erdogan henchmen.  A Ezidi Kurd who grew up in Armenia, Usoyan cited Erdogan's collusion with
    Azerbaijani dictator Ilham Aliyev as among reasons for the April, 2016,
    Azerbaijani attack against Armenia. 
    A tearful Usoyan explained, "In the aftermath of the 4-day attack around
    80 Armenian soldiers were killed and one Ezidi origin soldier was beheaded by
    Azeri solders. That soldier happens to be my cousin."
    "As somebody that takes pride in the
    fundamental American values, it was hard for me to explain to my children why I
    was attacked, and why Erdogan’s goons were able to escape the U.S. without any justice,"
    Murat Musa told Members of Congress in his moving testimony.  "To
    ensure justice is served is not for my benefit. It is for our children and the
    unpredictable future that lays ahead. To hold the perpetrators accountable for
    their unjustifiable and brutal attacks is not for my benefit. It is to reflect
    the values that are engraved in the hearts of all Americans."
    Ruth Wedgwood called the attacks "a
    dreadful episode of violence in which protesters assembled at Sheridan Circle, in
    front of the residence of the Turkish ambassador, were subjected to gratuitous
    and outrageous beatings by persons who were apparently part of the security
    detail of President Erdogan. There is no excuse for this."  
    Wedgwood, who has survived a terrorist attack in
    the past, sympathized with the victims of the Erdogan-ordered beatings, stated
    that "to send a message now to Turkey, there needs to be fairly
    demonstrative, dramatic measures taken."  Describing President
    Erdogan as a "thug" and a "bully," Wedgwood explained,
    "One can surmise that if he bullies individual people, he will bully the region. 
    Would he be a reliable ally? No."
    The full video of the hearing is posted at https://youtu.be/RrnUhVjAKF0.
    ********************************************************************************************************
    11 – Film by Vahe Mansourian Ready to Begin
            Casting
    and Filming International Production
    HOLLYWOOD
    – This thriller/adventure, inspiring love story is set against the backdrop of
    current mass atrocities around the world. An ordinary American woman refuses to
    give up hope to find her missing little boy. Despite the odds of finding her
    child, she teams up with the leader of an anti-genocide group that leads them
    to Armenia
    where they must find and unearth an impossible ransom.
    Top Hollywood
    and overseas talent agencies are assisting in casting and filming of this
    international production slated for spring 2018.
    Vahé Mansourian, a Hollywood
    veteran entrepreneurial filmmaker, writer, prolific painter and founder of
    Lucine Distribution, is geared to expose an age-old human evil, genocide.
    “Over 30 years in the writing, the story and characters evolved from the actual
    events of the Armenian Genocide” stated director Mansourian.
    The core objective of “On the Edge” is to raise
    awareness about genocides – a noble cause yet a lucrative investment
    opportunity with spiritual rewards as well. Committed to make this humanitarian
    film, Vahé has begun a campaign to auction his artwork, which 100% of its
    proceeds will go to the production cost of the film. To view Online Auction
    Catalog, please visit     www.LucineDistribution.com.
    ******************************************************************************************************
    12-   Turkey Rejects
    House
            Resolution
    on Turkish
            Bodyguards
    Violence
    ANKARA (AP) – Turkey has rejected a resolution by the U.S.
    House of Representatives that condemned violence by Turkish bodyguards against
    protesters during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Washington last week.
    A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement released
    May 25 described the resolution as “one-sided” and “distorted the facts.”
    Turkish security officials were seen on video
    hitting and kicking protesters who had gathered outside the Turkish
    ambassador’s residence. The incident caused outrage in the United States and House Speaker Paul Ryan
    demanded that Turkey
    condemn the violence and apologize.
    Turkey
    has blamed the violence on U.S.
    authorities who they claimed failed to take necessary measures outside the
    residence. This week, Turkey
    summoned the U.S. ambassador
    to protest what it called “aggressive and unprofessional actions” of U.S. security
    personnel.
    ******************************************************************************************************
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