Author: Zhanna Nahapetian

Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
February 2, 2018 Friday


British-Armenian community members attach importance to Armen
Sargsyan's awareness on Diaspora issues



YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 2, ARMENPRESS. The representatives of the Armenian
community of the UK consider Armen Sargsyan as the most suitable
candidate for the President of Armenia by attaching importance to his
awareness on Diaspora issues.

In an interview to Armenpress, Armenian figure from London Sevan Artin
welcomed Armen Sargsyan’s meetings with the representatives of NGOs
and political organizations. According to Sevan Artin, as a new
figure, Armen Sargsyan searches for innovations. “Armen Sargsyan, who
is accepted by the Diaspora-Armenians, is the most suitable candidate
for the President of Armenia. Living in Diaspora for many years he is
well aware of its issues. I attach great importance to his approach
that he expressed a wish to meet with the representatives of public,
political organizations. This is a new approach which is needed in
Armenia. I hope he will succeed”, Sevan Artin said, adding that the
diplomatic activity of many years in the UK enabled Armen Sargsyan to
establish ties with the US, as well as with Russia which can be useful
in Armenia’s foreign policy issues.

Member of British-Armenian community council Raffi Sargsyan said he
often contacted Armen Sargsyan as a result of the work and is familiar
with his administrative abilities, Armenia-Diaspora relations, as well
as his attention to community issues. “During his activity Armen
Sargsyan has always been consistent and constantly kept ties with the
community and its leadership, as well as with the NGOs. At the same
time we know that he reached success in his personal life and plays a
major role in the scientific community”, Raffi Sargsyan stated. He
also highlighted Armen Sargsyan’s significant contribution in the
implementation of events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide.

Raffi Sargsyan expects from the future President increase of Armenia’s
role in international arena. “I think Armen Sargsyan should contribute
that Armenia will be more presented in the Western countries, will act
as a bridge through which the Caucasian region will be opened to the
West, and why not, also to the East, I mean deepening the relations
with China. This will create opportunities for Armenia’s economy to
develop”, he said.

As for the community issues, Raffi Sargsyan said the potential of the
Diaspora should be assessed correctly and should be utilized in a
coordinated manner.

The Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) nominated Armen Sargsyan’s
candidacy for the position of the President of Armenia. The Armenian
Parliament will elect the President on March 2.

Ani Nazaryan

Voice of America News



Kurds Say Turkey Plans to Reshape Demographics in Northern Syria

by Jamie Dettmer
 11:47 AM


Turkey's latest military incursion into northern Syria which it says
is aimed at reining in Kurdish separatists will speed up the return of
Syrian refugees to their homes, Turkish officials say. But Kurds are
fearful Ankara plans to use the returnees to displace them and
engineer a population shift.

Kurd officials say Ankara wants to re-shape the demographics of the
borderlands in a bid to establish a "corridor of stability" populated
by fewer Kurds and with Sunni Arab refugees currently in Turkey taking
their place.

That would weaken the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which
Ankara dubs an affiliate of Turkey's outlawed Kurdish separatists, the
Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Kurdish political activists and YPG propagandists have been mounting a
Twitter and social media campaign highlighting the danger, claiming
"ethnic cleansing" is one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's key war
aims in the offensive, which is now in its second week, and named
Operation Olive Branch.

Fear of ethnic cleansing

Former U.S. officials have also expressed alarm. Michael Rubin, a
former Pentagon adviser and currently an analyst at the American
Enterprise Institute, says, "What Turkey seeks to do in Afrin is not
eradicate terrorism, but rather to engage in ethnic cleansing."

Former U.S. envoy Alberto Fernandez picked up on remarks made last
week by Erdogan in which he talked of settling Syrian refugees in the
Kurdish enclave of Afrin, which is bearing the brunt of Turkey's
operation.

In a tweet, Fernandez warned, "If true, this would mean the ethnic
cleansing of #Afrin right before our eyes is looming."

Turkish officials dismiss the claim they intend to reorder ethnic
populations in northern Syria. But they say they expect once the
Turkish military offensive has secured territory that tens of
thousands of Syrian refugees will flood back to their homes, much as
thousands did in the wake of the 2016 Turkish incursion northeast of
Aleppo.

Turkey is hosting more than three million Syrian war refugees.

Thousands are fleeing Afrin or trying to. U.N. officials say flight is
being restricted not only by the hostilities, including continuous
shelling, but also by local Kurdish authorities, who closed exit
points between the enclave and Syria government-held areas in Aleppo
province. Syrian soldiers have also been reported to have sent some
refugees back.

Erdogan has prompted the rising alarm about a planned mass population
displacement. On January 24 he told a meeting in the presidential
complex in Turkey's capital Ankara that one goal of Operation Olive
Branch is to return Afrin to its "rightful owners."

"First, we will wipe out the terrorists and then make the place
livable. For whom? For 3.5 million Syrians who are our guests. We
cannot forever house them in tents," he said. He dismissed the idea
that Afrin is a Kurdish enclave. "In Afrin, 55 percent are Arabs, 35
percent are Kurds and the rest are Turkmens." That may be the case now
as the population has been swollen by thousands of refugees, the
majority Arabs.

But traditionally Afrin has been seen as Kurdish territory, with a
peppering of other minorities, including Turkmens, Alawite Kurds,
Yazidi Kurds and with some Armenians and Circassians, say analysts.

Yazidi activists last week urged the United Nations to protect their
21 villages in the Afrin pocket, saying they are at serious risk
because of Turkey's military operation. A Yazidi advocacy group,
Yazda, warned they will hold Turkey and Syrian rebel militias fighting
alongside the Turks, responsible "if any persecution of cleansing
takes place against our people."

Population displacements

All sides in the vicious Syrian war, with its seemingly endless cycles
of sectarian and ethnic revenge, have engaged in war crimes and
population displacements. That includes the Kurds, who rights groups
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accuse the of forceful
displacement and razing Arab villages, prompting fierce Kurdish
denials.

But VOA interviewed dozens of Arab residents from a string of
traditionally Sunni Arab villages east of Afrin, including Tell
Rifaat, who say the YPG blocked them from returning home after the
Kurds seized the territory as a Russian-backed Syrian government
offensive against the rebels was underway in 2016.

Population displacements have long been employed by the region's
rulers to shape demographics to suit their purposes. Syrian autocrat
Hafez al-Assad shifted populations around for collective punishment as
well as for strategic reasons, including moving Arabs into Kurdish
territory in northeast Syria. Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein did the
same during his 24-year rule. Historically the Ottomans, along with
Russia's Stalin, have been responsible for some of the biggest
forcible ethnic displacements.

——– Пересылаемое сообщение ——–
От кого: ARMINFOCENTER <[email protected]>
Кому: Международный АРМИНФОЦЕНТР <[email protected]>

Дата: Среда, 24 января 2018, 13:14 +03:00
Тема: Перевод на 10 языках * Թարգմանությունը 10 լեզուներով * Translation in 10 languages **** The Appeal of the Head of the “Hamshenuhi” International Women`s Association for Awarding Nobel Peace Prize to Garo Paylan *** «Համշենուհի» համշենահայերի կանանց միջազգային միության ղեկավար Սաիդա Օհանյանի դիմումը Կարո Փայլանին Խաղաղության Նոբելյան մրցանակի ներկայացնելու հայտի մասին 5) На западноармянском – Արեւմտահայերեն Սայիտա Օհանեանի դիմումը Կարօ Փայլանը Խաղաղութեան Նոպէլեան Մրցանակի ներկայացնելու մասին 6) На английском – English *** Обращения руководителя международного женского объединения амшенских армян «АМШЕНКА» Саиды Оганян о представлении Каро Пайляна к присуждению Нобелевской премии Мира

Best regards,
ARMINFOCENTER
P.S.
This message contains information that is confidential and protected by privilege from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient,please delete without printing, copying, forwarding.
Thank you

+Саида Оганян и Каро Пайлян - 1.jpg
JPEG image

+Саида Оганян и Каро Пайлян - 2.jpg
JPEG image

English - The Appeal of the Head of the International women's union of Hamshen Armenians «Hamshenian» for Awarding Nobel Peace Prize to Garo Paylan.docx
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document

Рус. - Обращение Саиды Оганян о представлении к присуждению Нобелевской премии Мира Каро Пайляну - 19.01.2018.docx
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document

Հայերեն - Սաիդա Օհանյանի դիմումը՝ Կարո Փայլանին Նոբելյան մրցանակի ներկայացնելու համար - 19.01.2018.doc
MS-Word document

Արեւմտահայերեն - Սայիտա Օհանեանի Դիմումը Կարօ Փայլանը Խաղաղութեան Նոպէլեան Մրցանակի Ներկայացնելու Մասին.docx
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document

Fr. - Saïda Oganyan - Pour la présentation à l’attribution du prix Nobel de la Paix à Karo Païlyan.doc
MS-Word document

German - Der Appell der Leiterin der internationalen Frauenorganisation von hamschenen Armeniern „Hamschenka“ Saida Oganjan an die Vorstellung zur Verleihung des Friedensnobelpreises Karo Pajljan.docx
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document

Turkish - Nobel Barış Ödülü’nün Garo Paylan’a.doc
MS-Word document

Arab - طلب صيدا أوهانيان لعرض جائزة نوبل للسلام.docx
application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document

MS-Word document

December 22, 2017
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.westernprelacy.org


PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA

- COMMEMORATING THE FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR
        
        Monday,  is the commemoration of the Feast of St.
Stephen the Proto-deacon and proto-martyr. 
        On Sunday, December 24, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena,
where he will deliver the sermon on the life, service, and martyrdom of St.
Stephen. Given that the feast is a celebration of deacons, the Prelate will
also commend and bless deacons and altar servers on this day. 
        By the ordinance of the Prelate, H.E. Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, a
senior member of the Holy See of Cilicia Brotherhood, will celebrate Divine
Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello. 

***

ANAHID BAGHDADLIAN OHANESIAN TO HOST PRELATE?S NEW YEAR AND CHRISTMAS DINNER

        H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, the Religious and
Executive Councils, and Ladies Auxiliary are pleased to announce that Mrs.
Anahid Baghdadlian Ohanesian will host the Prelate?s New Year and Christmas
Dinner, which will take place on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Holy Cross
Cathedral?s ?Bagramian? Hall in Montebello.
        The highly anticipated and beloved event, which has been held
annually for over twenty years, unites the Prelacy family and community
under one roof to collectively celebrate the Birth and Theophany of our Lord
Jesus Christ and exchange well wishes for the New Year. 
        The Prelate blessed and commended Mrs. Ohanesian for her continued
generosity and most valuable support. Mrs. Ohanesian, along with her late
husband Gaidzag, has previously hosted the dinner, and has contributed
greatly to the various endeavors of the Prelacy and the Catholicosate of the
Holy See of Cilicia. In appreciation for their support and solidarity,
Gaidzag was honored with the Western Prelacy ?St. Dertad? medal and Mrs.
Anahid with the ?St. Ashkhen? medal

***

WESTERN PRELACY REPUBLISHES THE RITUALS OF THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH

        The Western Prelacy is pleased to announce the republication of The
Rituals of the Armenian Apostolic Church, a bilingual compilation of various
canons and rites, including Holy Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Matrimony,
funeral service, blessing of homes, and more, as well as prayers for
healing. 
        The book was originally published twenty years ago and had since run
out.  The republication is a revised and edited version of the original. It
opens with the preface by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
and is dedicated to the memory of Anahid Bartoumian, a beloved wife, mother,
grandmother, sister, and aunt.
        Copies are available at the Prelacy bookstore. 
 
***

CHAMLIAN FIRST GRADE STUDENTS BRING CHRISTMAS CHEER TO THE PRELACY

        On Thursday, December 21, 2017, the first grade class of Vahan and
Anoush Chamlian School visited the Prelacy where they spread New Year and
Christmas cheer with their festive program of songs and recitations. The
students were joyfully greeted by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, who was joined by Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan and Archpriest Fr.
Nareg Pehlivanian. The students were accompanied by Principal Dr. Talin
Kargodorian, Vice-Principal Mrs. Rita Kaprielian, Armenian teachers, and a
group of parents.
        The students first gathered at ?St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen? Chapel
where they joined the Prelate and clergy in reciting the Lord?s Prayer and
participated in the singing of the Christmas hymn ?Great and Marvelous
Mystery.? 
        Next, decorative candles in hand, the students gathered at ?Dikran
and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian? Hall where their program began with welcoming
remarks by a few of their peers. The students expressed joy and thanks for
their visit to the Prelacy, asked for the Prelate?s blessings, and stated
that they would like to hear his message. The students also stated that they
had learned the story of Jesus? birth, that they are provided with Christian
and Armenian education in school, and promised to be faithful to the legacy
of St. Mesrob Mashdots and to our national heritage. Afterward they sang
Christmas hymns and songs and recited poetry. It was a touching moment when
through the mouths of the children came to life the words of the immortal
Moushegh Ishkhan who in a letter to Santa Claus had asked for the return of
Masis.
        The Prelate expressed utmost joy at the students? visit and
commended their knowledge of Christ?s birth. He urged them to keep the
legacy of St. Mesrob Mashdots alive, to speak Armenian and to pray, and let
them know how much love and good cheer they had brought to the Prelacy with
heir visit. His Eminence wished for their child-like goodness and innocence
to permeate throughout mankind, and concluded by blessing them, their
parents, administrators, and teachers.
        The students presented gifts to the Prelate, while His Eminence
gifted ornamental crosses and icon cards to the children and prayer books
for the parents. 

***

PRELATE OF ALEPPO REPORTS ON RECOVERY AND REBUILDING EFFORTS DURING SARF?S
PUBLIC GATHERING

        On the evening of Friday, December 15, 2017, a public gathering
organized by the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF) was held at the Armenian
Society of Los Angeles Center in Glendale. The event was held under the
auspices of the heads of the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical
Churches, and featured H.E. Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate, as the
keynote speaker. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, accompanied
by Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan and Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian, attended and
delivered his message.
        The program began with a moment of silence for the Armenian martyrs
of Syria. SARF Executive Committee Secretary Mrs. Sona Madarian welcomed the
guests. In his remarks, SARF Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Raffi
Kendirjian noted that the situation in Syria is relatively better than it
was during the establishment of SARF six years ago, but that does not mean
the work is done, and urged for continued support and assistance, this time
for rebuilding efforts. Guests then viewed a video chronicling the
destruction in Aleppo and recovery efforts underway.
        The Prelate greeted Archbishop Sarkissian and guests and gave an
overview of the visiting Prelate?s endeavors in Los Angeles over the past
week, which included various meetings, participation in SARF?s benefit
dinner, and visits to Prelacy Schools. The Prelate noted that during his
previous visits, Archbishop Sarkissian had come for emergency relief. We are
pleased that he is here this time for recovery and rebuilding efforts,
stated His Eminence, and lauded Archbishop Sarkissian?s leadership as
Prelate of Aleppo during the past fourteen years, seven of which in crisis
times. He concluded by commending the community for its generous support of
its brethren in Syria through SARF and calling for continued support with
renewed drive and vision, and prayed for the revival of the Syrian-Armenian
community by the faith, strong will, and resolved of the people. 
        Archbishop Sarkissian began his message by thanking God that his
visit this time is for a hopeful purpose. He stated that optimism is half
the battle, and that the community in Syria has remained optimistic
throughout the war and especially since the liberation of Aleppo last
December as the community began to rise from the ashes. He reported that the
community is slowly returning to normalcy and that concrete steps for
rebuilding are already underway, which are inspiring hope in the people. He
expressed gratitude to all Armenians who stood by the side of their
compatriots, especially the Armenians of the Western United States, who
through their generous aid helped their brethren during critical times and
in particular allowed for Armenian Schools to remain open. Archbishop
Sarkissian stated that the New Year and Christmas visit of His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I to Aleppo at the start of the year inspired and
strengthened the community and set the framework for the reorganization and
rebuilding. Priorities were set and the work began with the united efforts
of all national institutions. He concluded by asking all to keep their
brothers and sisters in Aleppo in their thoughts and prayers and to continue
to lend their valuable support and solidarity. 
        ARF Western Region Central Committee Chairman Mr. Daron Der
Khachadourian shared some thoughts as he had just returned from Antelias
where he had participated in a panel discussion on the reorganization of the
Diaspora at the Catholicosate of Cilicia General Assembly. He stressed that
we are one people and one nation, and the importance of helping our fellow
man to strengthen and empower one another. 
        A question and answer session followed, and the program concluded
with the benediction delivered by the clergy. 

***

PRELATE REPRESENTED AT EPISCOPAL ORDINATION AT THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE 

        On Tuesday, December 19, 2017 in the presence of His Excellency The
Most Reverend Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, The
Most Reverend Thomas Thanh Thai Nguyen was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange by His Excellency The Most Reverend Kevin
Vann, Bishop of Orange, with Co-Consecrators The Most Reverend Felipe De
Jesus Estevez, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, and The Most Reverend
Dominic Luong, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Orange.
        Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Karekin
Bedourian, attended the Episcopal Ordination, which took place at Saint
Columban Church in Orange County, and conveyed the Prelate?s congratulations
to the new Auxiliary Bishop.

***