The NA Speaker Ara Babloyan put in a vote making amendments in the RA law on “Local Self-Government “and the attached draft laws.
Aghvan Vardanian, a member of the Dashnaktsutyun Party, stated that according to Article 63 of the NA Rules of Procedure, Dashnaktsutyun took a 20-minute break. Let’s note that this was the 11th break. The previous 10 were taken by the Yelk (Way Out).
Nikol Pashinyan commented on taking numerous breaks. “By this step we have shown that any case of violation of the interests of the people and the state will not be left unanswered by the Yelk.”
Dashnaktsutyun member Aghvan Vardanyan said that the breaks they had had absolutely nothing to do with the Yelk. “Do not forget that this has nothing to do with you.” Before that, Aram Sargsyan managed to thank the Dashnaktsutyun for joining them.
The HHK (Republican Party) MP Samvel Nikoyan wished to evaluate the incident with no positive words. “Using the opportunity as a toy, we take this toy from your because it’s already damaging you.”
The HHK member Margarit Yesayan had doubts that the stars affected the Yelk because it was a day of the nightmare. “Some of our colleagues sometimes appear in a weird situation when using their rights.”
Another member of the HHK, Sedrak Saroyan, calls for solidarity, first by saying “hello” in the loudspeaker: “Let’s not fight, New Year is on its way. Dear Nikol, we haven’t seen each other this much. Nevertheless, we won. The opposition did its job, and the majority did their job. let us celebrate New Year, help the people. We will not celebrate New Year with potatoes. Everyone should help the people of his district. Let us separate happily.”
The work of the 2nd session of the 6th convocation ended.
The response of the RA MFA press secretary to the question of “Armenpress” agency:
Question: How would you interpret the statement of the Turkish Foreign Minister that the Armenian-Turkish protocols were signed with certain preconditions?
Answer: The Turkish Foreign Minister simply lies.
If we follow the same logic, we can state that Turkey has promised to recognize the independence of Artsakh during the negotiations.
To remind, the negotiations with Turkey started in 2008 with the mutual consent that the process could not have any precondition. Based on this agreement, the negotiations were started and the Zurich protocols were signed.
They have repeatedly stated about the lack of preconditions from different capitals well-aware of the process.
Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi, a favorite and anticipated bandeonist, accordionist from the arrived in Yerevan a couple of minutes ago. The Italian musician will perform on December 25 with the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia, presenting a new concert program. With the orchestra Pietrodarchi will present from the works of Argentinean tango king Astor Piazzolla. The audience will enjoy pieces of the composers Tomazo Ziliani, Roberto Di Marino, Cesare Kiaciata and Carlos Gardel. Mezzo-soprano Sofa Tumanyan will also perform at the concert.
The State Youth Orchestra of Armenia has prepared this beautiful gift for music lovers jointly with VivaCell-MTS, the general partner.
Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi mentioned at the airport that every time he came to our country with great joy he loved Armenia, the Armenian audience, the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia and Sergey Smbatyan. “I love this orchestra, the work they do. They are young and work a lot, regularly improving. And it is a great pleasure for me to perform with them,” said bandeonist, adding that the orhcestra’s performance was fantastic.
It should be noted that composer Tomazo Ziliani arrived in Armenia with Pietrodarchi, whose work will also perform on December 25.
Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi’s concerts in Yerevan always take place in crowded halls, with a lot of applause and long lasting bis. Bandeonist’s last joint concert with the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia lasted for about an hour longer than planned. The audience cound not stop enjoying Pietrodar’s performance and did not let him go, and the musician himself enjoyed an exceptional warm atmosphere with the audience and generously donated his sounds.
A scene from the May 16th Erdogan-ordered attack on peaceful protesters in Washington
Prosecutors Agree to Drop Multiple Bias and Hate Crimes Charges; Propose 1 Year Sentence. ANCA Calls the Deal ‘A Travesty.”
WASHINGTON—Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian, a witness to the May 16 Erdogan-ordered attacks on peaceful protesters in Washington, DC, sharply criticized a plea agreement to drop multiple hate and bias charges against two of the assailants in return for a guilty plea and one year of imprisonment.
“A proposed one year sentence for a brutal, unapologetic foreign government directed assault against Americans on U.S. soil is an absolute travesty,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The Erdogan-ordered attack wasn’t just a violent hate crime against Americans but an open assault on American values. This sentence, if approved by the court, will effectively serve as a green light to Erdogan and other foreign dictators intent on exporting their violence to American shores.”
Hamparian and representatives of the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights (ALC) were on hand at District of Columbia Superior Court when the plea deal was registered for Eyup Yildirim and Sinan Narin, two of the 19 perpetrators indicted for the brutal beatings, which included 15 members of Turkish President Erdogan’s security detail, and two Canadians, who have reportedly since repatriated to Turkey. All 19 defendants were indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, with a bias crime enhancement – charges of hate crimes – which carry a maximum 15 years prison sentence. The plea deal would remove the hate-crimes component of the charges, which have been reduced to one charge of assault.
Narin of Virginia and Yildirim of New Jersey, who are being represented by Mark Schamel and David Benowitz, pled guilty to one count of assault with significant bodily injury, after participating in the beating of a group of Kurdish, Armenian, and Yezidi protesters outside of the home of the Turkish Ambassador on May 16.
At the official plea hearing this morning, the prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonali Patel read out loud the facts that the defendants agreed to, including multiple aggressions toward police officers, several statements supporting President Tayyip Erdogan, and finally, the assaults on Lusik Usoyan, founder of the Ezidi Relief Fund and Murat Yasa, a local businessman and protest organizer.
Although the defendants faced an indictment for hate crimes charges and more than 15 years in jail, almost all the charges were dropped in the plea agreement, which called for only a one-year and one-day sentence and a $12,500 fine. Judge Marisa Demeo will be able to increase or decrease that sentence at the official sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for March 15.
At Thursday’s hearing, the lawyers for the defense indicated their intention to argue at the sentencing hearing that the protesters’ alleged support of the PKK and the content of their speech should somehow lessen charges of brutal assault, which involved kicking victims on the ground in the head, one of whom was rendered unconscious.
They also denied any coordination with Turkish security staff during or after the attack, despite revelations that both defendants have received political support from Erdogan, who many believe ordered the attack, and were personally visited in prison by Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglo, who very publicly extended “love and greetings” from Turkey even after videotape images were broadcast of the defendants brutally beating Americans in DC.
“This plea agreement is indeed a travesty and we hope the judge will issue a harsher sentence, considering the brutality of the attack on both American bodies and fundamental principles by defendants, who have so far shown no remorse, but have signaled preparations to smear the victims instead,” said Kate Nahapetian, Executive Director of the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Accountability.
The final sentencing, to be issued by DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo, is set March 15.
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 think tank leaders. 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.
Turkey Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu proudly tweeted his September jailhouse visit with Eyup Yildirim and Sinan Narin, arrested and charged for the Erdogan-ordered brutal beating of peaceful protesters in May. The tweet reads: “We visit and send the love and regards of our nation to our brothers Sinan Narin and Eyup Yildirim, who are under arrest in Washington.”
Hamparian testified before a May 25th Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on this matter. Joining him 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 16th by President Erdogan’s bodyguards.
On June 6, with a vote of 397 to 0, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously condemned Turkey in response to the attacks, taking a powerful stand against Ankara’s attempts to export its violence and intolerance to America’s shores. H.Res.354, spearheaded by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D-NY), House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), has received the public backing of House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI). On July 14th, the U.S. House also unanimously adopted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Bill, championed by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman David Trott (R-MI), raising objections to a proposed U.S. sale of handguns for use by the very Erdogan security detail involved in the May 16th attack.
On July 19, senior members of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Ted Poe (R-TX), Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Co-Chairman Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA) and John Sarbanes (D-MD) condemned Turkish President Erdogan’s violent actions – both in Turkey and the U.S. – during “A Stand for Free Speech” held at the site of the May 16th attacks. The press conference and rally was organized by the ANCA, in coordination with the Sheridan Circle May 16 Initiative (including many victims of the beatings), and a host of Kurdish, Armenian, Greek, Assyrian, and Christian groups including the American Kurdish Association (AKA), In Defense of Christians, American Hellenic Council, Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights, A Demand for Action, Hellenic American Leadership Council, AHEPA, and the Armenian Youth Federation.
The May 16 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.
How each country voted in the United Nations
UNITED NATIONS—Armenia joined 127 countries on Thursday to vote in favor of a resolution rejecting President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The world diplomats rejected threats and objections and voted for a measure that discouraged nations from moving their embassies to Jerusalem. The United States’ traditional allies, the United Kingdom and France were among the countries joining the chorus of objections to Trump’s decision last month to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Siding with the U.S. on the vote were Israel as well as Togo, Honduras, Marshall Island, Guatemala, Palau, Micronesia, and Nauru, with 35 countries abstaining.
On Wednesday, in a Twitter post, Trump threatened to cut off assistance to any country that votes against the U.S. position.
“We’re watching those votes. Let them vote against us. We’ll save a lot. We don’t care,” Trump said in his Twitter post on Wednesday.
Ahead of the vote on Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley expressed her resistance in no uncertain terms.
“The United States will remember this day in which it was singled out for attack in the General Assembly for the very act of exercising our right as a sovereign nation,” Haley said Thursday.
“We will remember it when we are called upon to once again make the world’s largest contribution to the United Nations. And we will remember it when so many countries come calling on us, as they so often do, to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit,” she added.
Immediately following Trump’s announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Armenian religious leaders condemned the decision, warning about consequences that can impact the region for a long time. His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia unequivocally rejected Trump’s decision during a meeting with Lebanese President Michel Aoun. The Jerusalem Patriarch joined other Christian leaders in Israel to warn of severe consequences.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry, at the time announced that it was monitoring developments surrounding Trump’s decision. Thursday’s vote to reject the U.S.’s approach was a clear indication on where Yerevan stands on the matter.
Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian with Anahid Baghdadlian Ohanessian (right) and her daughter Silvie (left)
LA CRESCENTA—Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, the Religious and Executive Councils, and Ladies Auxiliary announced that Anahid Baghdadlian Ohanesian will host the Prelate’s New Year and Christmas Dinner, which will take place on Saturday, January 6 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 Ohanesian for her continued generosity and most valuable support. 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 Anahid with the “St. Ashkhen” medal.
From left to right, Archbishops Shahan Sarkissian, Hovnan Derderian, Moushegh Mardirossian and Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan at the Diocese
BURBANK—On Friday, December 15, Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of Aleppo, accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, paid a courtesy visit to the Western Diocese for a meeting with Western Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
Archbishop Sarkissian reported on the current situation in Aleppo as well as current and future recovery and rebuilding efforts.
The clergy wished Archbishop Sarkissian continued success in his mission and expressed their solidarity to the Syrian-Armenian community’s revival.
Aleppo Prelate Shahan Sarkissian at the Chamlian School
Prelate Of Aleppo Visits Western Prelacy Schools
Archbishop Sarkissian, had the opportunity to visit a couple of Prelacy Schools. On Thursday, December 14, and on Friday, December 15, Prelate Mardirossian and Archbishop Sarkissian visited Rose and Alex Pilibos and Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Schools respectively, accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan and Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF) Chairman Mr. Raffi Kendirjian.
During the visits, Archbishop Sarkissian conveyed to the students the brotherly love and appreciation of their fellow students in Syria for their support and solidarity over the years. His Eminence invited the youth to keep their fellow students in their thoughts and prayers.
Through prayers, songs, and speeches, the students expressed their continued love and support for their brethren in Syria.
The Prelate welcomed the visit of Archbishop Sarkissian and commended Prelacy Schools for the moral and financial support they have demonstrated to the Armenian community of Syria. Sarkisian noted that students in Aleppo especially experienced untold struggles in the past six years but they persevered and did not lose faith or hope thanks to the support of their parents, teachers, and community leaders as well as to the collective support of the Armenian nation.
Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan highlights toughening the control in prevailing commodity markets ahead of the New Year.
“The demand for consumer goods increases by several times with a drastic increase in economic activity during the Holidays. This includes certain risks of unjustified increase in prices of goods. Taking into account this, as well as the public concerns, I propose the chairman of the State Commission for the Protection of the Economic Competition (SCPEC) to toughen the control in prevailing commodity markets to prevent the unjustified increase in prices and anti-competitive actions, as well as to conduct a daily monitoring to be informed about the price changes in the market and take practical measures to solve possible issues”, the PM said.
On December 21, at 01:40 local time, the Seismic Protection Survey Seismological Network of the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations registered an earthquake at the northern latitude 40.330 and eastern longitude 44.890 geographic coordinates (Armenia, 20km west from Gavar town) with 2.7 magnitude and 5km depth.
The tremor measured magnitude 3-4 points at the epicenter area.