Category: News

LA Chamber of Commerce cancels Turkey business forum in response to Krekorian’s concerns

Garik Boshkezenian

Asbarez – The Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce on Monday announced the cancellation of the “Los Angeles Turkey Business Forum,” scheduled for Thursday, May 25. Billed as a round-table meeting with CEOs and board members from 12 of the most prominent companies in Turkey, the event was to serve as a way to develop business alliances in LA and Turkey.

Its cancellation comes in response to concerns raised by Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s security detail attacked peaceful protesters outside the Turkish Ambassador’s home on Embassy Row in Washington, D.C., last week. The attack, caught on video, shows Erdogan’s detail leaving his side and crossing an American police line to punch, kick and push citizens who were lawfully exercising their First Amendment rights. The attack has been widely condemned by Republicans and Democrats alike, with Sen. John McCain urging the State Dept. to expel Turkey’s ambassador from the United States.

City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, the first Armenian American elected to city office in Los Angeles, praised the Chamber’s actions.

“I thank the LA Chamber for being responsive to my request and cancelling the Los Angeles Turkey Business Forum. The unprovoked attack by Turkish state security officers on peaceful American citizens was reprehensible and a grave breach of our country’s laws. That the business community in our great city recognizes that human rights must be upheld by all within our borders is a credit to their vision and conscience,” said Krekorian.

“The ANCA Western Region is grateful to Councilmember Paul Krekorian who acted swiftly and effectively upon learning of the Los Angeles Turkey Business Forum which was co-sponsored by the LA Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor’s office. In a time where the President of Turkey dares to order his goons to attack Americans peacefully protesting on American soil against his brutal regime, American public entities and private businesses should steer clear of explicitly or implicitly condoning such outrageous behavior. This is one of the just consequences of Erdogan’s reprehensible acts, and we call on all Americans and elected officials and offices to send a clear message to the Turkish government that we will not tolerate Erdogan’s exporting of brutality to our country,” said Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region chairwoman, Nora Hovsepian.

Charles Aznavour is 93

Emil Lazarian

Charles Aznavour celebrates his 93rd birthday today. The legendary French Armenian singer, who wrote more than 800 songs, recorded more than 1,000 of them in French, English, German and Spanish and sold over 100 million records in all, was born Chahnour Vaghinag Aznavourian on May 22, 1924, in Paris, the younger of two children born to Armenian immigrants who fled to France. His mother was a seamstress as well as an actress and his father was a baritone who sang in restaurants. Both Charles and his sister waited on tables where he performed. He delivered his first poetic recital while just a toddler. Within a few years later he had developed such a passion for singing/dancing, that he sold newspapers to earn money for lessons.

He took his first theatrical bow in the play “Emil and the Detectives” at age 9 and within a few years was working as a movie extra. He eventually quit school and toured France and Belgium as a boy singer/dancer with a traveling theatrical troupe while living the bohemian lifestyle. A popular performer at the Paris’ Club de la Chanson, it was there that he was introduced in 1941 to the songwriter Pierre Roche. Together they developed names for themselves as a singing/writing cabaret and concert duo (“Roche and Aznamour”). A Parisian favorite, they became developed successful tours outside of France, including Canada. In the post WWII years Charles began appearing in films again, one of them as a singing croupier in Goodbye Darling (1946).

Eventually Aznavour earned a sturdy reputation composing street-styled songs for other established musicians and singers, notably Édith Piaf, for whom he wrote the French version of the American hit “Jezebel”. Heavily encouraged by her, he toured with her as both an opening act and lighting man. He lived with Piaf out of need for a time not as one of her many paramours. His mentor eventually persuaded him to perform solo (sans Roche) and he made several successful tours while scoring breakaway hits with the somber chanson songs “Sur ma vie” and “Parce que” and the notable and controversial “AprĂšs l’amour.” In 1950, he gave the bittersweet song “Je Hais Les Dimanches” [“I Hate Sundays”] to chanteuse Juliette GrĂ©co, which became a huge hit for her.

In the late 50s, Aznavour began to infiltrate films with more relish. Short and stubby in stature and excessively brash and brooding in nature, he was hardly leading man material but embraced his shortcomings nevertheless. Unwilling to let these faults deter him, he made a strong impressions with the comedy Une gosse sensass’ (1957) and with Paris Music Hall (1957). He was also deeply affecting as the benevolent but despondent and ill-fated mental patient Heurtevent in Head Against the Wall (1959). A year later, Aznavour starred as piano player Charlie Kohler/Edouard Saroyan in ‘Francois Truffaut”s adaptation of the David Goodis’ novel Shoot the Piano Player (1960) [Shoot the Piano Player], which earned box-office kudos both in France and the United States. This sudden notoriety sparked an extensive tour abroad in the 1960s. Dubbed the “Frank Sinatra of France” and singing in many languages (French, English, Italian, Spanish, German, Russian, Armenian, Portuguese), his touring would include sold-out performances at Carnegie Hall (1964) and London’s Albert Hall (1967).

Aznavour served as actor and composer/music arranger for many films, including Gosse de Paris (1961), which he also co-wrote with directorMarcel Martin, and the dramas Three Fables of Love (1962) [Three Fables of Love”) and Dear Caroline (1968) [Dear Caroline]. The actor also embraced the title role in the TV series “Les Fables de la Fontaine” (1964), then starred in the popular musical “Monsieur Carnaval” (1965), in which he performed his hit song “La bohĂȘme.”

His continental star continued to shine and Aznavour acted in films outside of France with more dubious results. While the sexy satire Candy(1968), with an international cast that included Marlon Brando, Richard Burton and Ringo Starr, and epic adventure The Adventurers (1969) were considered huge misfires upon release, it still showed Aznavour off as a world-wide attraction.  Later films included Yiddish Connection (1986), which he co-wrote and provided music, and Il maestro (1990) with Malcolm McDowell; more recently he received kudos for his participation in the Canadian-French production Ararat (2002).

Films aside, hus chart-busting single “She” (1972-1974) went platinum in Britain. He also received thirty-seven gold albums in all. His most popular song in America, “Yesterday When I Was Young” has had renditions covered by everyone from Shirley Bassey to Julio Iglesias. In 1997, Aznavour received an honorary CĂ©sar Award. He has written three books, the memoirs “Aznavour By Aznavour” (1972), the song lyrics collection “Des mots Ă  l’affiche” (1991) and a second memoir “Le temps des avants” (2003). A “Farewell Tour” was instigated in 2006 at age 82 and, health permitting, could last to 2010.

In 2009 Aznavour was appointed Armenia’s Ambassador to Switzerland.

Ankara sends diplomatic note over ‘violence outside Turkish mission in Washington’

Emil Lazarian

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara on May 22 to convey a diplomatic note over a street brawl outside the Turkish diplomatic mission in Washington during Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the US.

“The Ambassador of the Unites States of America in Ankara was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today and a written and verbal protest was delivered due to the aggressive and unproffessional actions taken, contrary to diplomatic rules and practices, by US security personnel towards the close protection team of H.E Mevlut Cavusoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, in front of the Turkish Embassy Chancery in Washington DC during the visit of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It has been formally requested that the US authorities conduct a full investigation of ‘this diplomatic incident and provide the necessary explanation.’

“During the meeting with the Ambassador, it was emphasized that the lapses of security experienced during our President’s stay in Washington, which were caused by the inability of US authorities to take sufficient precautions at every stage of the official program, will not overshadow what in every other aspect was a very successful and important visit,” the Ministry said.

A group of peaceful demonstrators protesting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s official visit to the United States, were at the Sheridan Circle near the residence of the Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. last week.

Trump visits Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, meets Armenian Patriarch

Albert Nalbandian

US President Donald Trump visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Monday.

Representatives of the Catholic, Armenian and Greek-Orthodox church met the president.

Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Nourhan Manougian, Custos of the Holy Land Fr. Francesco Patton, and Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III greeted President Trump.

President Donald Trump also paid his respects at the Western Wall, the holiest place where Jews can pray, AP reports.

Trump is on his first visit to Israel as president.

Andre Agassi to coach Novak Djokovic

Greg Madatian

World number two Novak Djokovic has confirmed that former world number one Amdre Agassi will be his new coach, Eurosport .

Following a tough start to the season Djokovic parted ways with his coaching staff and has since been operating without a designated coach.

There had been plenty of speculation about who would take over but following his defeat to Alexander Zverev in the final of the ATP Rome Masters Djokovic revealed that eight-times Grand Slam winner Agassi was his new trainer.

Djokovic said that he has been in contact with Agassi over the past few weeks and that the American has been watching his matches.

“We will be together in Paris. We talked on the phone two weeks ago. Then we’ll see what happens in the future.”

Djokovic added: “We are both excited about working together, but we have no long-term agreements and he is not going to be with me for the whole tournament.

Russia busy at work rebuilding soviet-era air defense umbrella

Emil Lazarian 
Photo:  Sputnik/Grigory Sisoev

 

Speaking to Russian media about the work being done to enhance and strengthen the Joint CIS Air Defense System, Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev said that the creation of a united regional air defense system in the post-Soviet space serves as an excellent opportunity to strengthen the common air defense of Eurasia, Sputnik .

In an for Krasnaya Zvezda (‘Red Star’), the official newspaper of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Bondarev, who also serves as chair of the coordinating committee of the Joint Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Air Defense System, said there was a broader significance to the regional air defensive structure, work on which continues to progress.

“On the one hand, the creation of unified regional systems promotes the further development of the Joint CIS Air Defense System, and on the other, it provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen the air defense in this particular geopolitical direction,” Bondarev said.

The commander explained that Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) members Russia, Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have already worked out and signed agreements to improve cooperation within the Joint CIS Air Defense System, and improve the system’s organization and coordination.

“At the moment, work is underway on the practical implementation of these agreements. Similar agreements have been developed with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and presently they are undergoing procedures for inter-departmental approval,” Bondarev added.

The senior officer stressed that very close attention is being paid to the expanded military-technical cooperation going on in the framework of the Joint CIS Air Defense System.

Specifically, Bondarev explained that “the main of these measures include the supply of anti-aircraft missile systems to Kazakhstan, the provision of modern communications systems to Kyrgyzstan, the supply of aircraft and anti-aircraft missile technology to Tajikistan, and the supply of spare parts and equipment for air defense equipment in Armenia and Belarus.”

On Sunday, Dmitri Shugaev, the head of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, the body charged with managing military-technical cooperation with other states, that Russia was on track to continue supplying advanced defense products, including helicopters, air defense system and armored vehicles, to CSTO countries including Belarus, Armenia and Kazakhstan.

Outrage escalating over Erdogan attack on peaceful protesters

Vanyan Gary
Congressional outrage over Turkey President Recep Erdogan security team’s brutal beat-down of peaceful protesters in Washington, DC continues to grow as new video emerged showing that Erdogan appears to have ordered the attack, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The May 16th incident has sparked global interest with the ANCA’s live video used by CNN, AP, Reuters, and over 300 news sites in the US alone, and viewed by tens-of-millions of worldwide.

“We welcome the strong protests by members of the U.S. Senate and House against Erdogan’s efforts to export his government’s brutality to Washington, DC,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.  “As Senator McCain and others have said, Turkey’s Ambassador needs to be expelled at once.  We would add that Ankara must immediately issue a blanket waiver of diplomatic immunity, allowing the thugs who attacked American citizens – our friends and allies – to be brought to justice. And Erdogan himself needs to offer a full and formal apology to those injured in this assault, to the City of Washington, the government of the United States, and the American people.”

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) has been outspoken on ABC Nightly News and MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe,’ where he stated, in no uncertain terms, “We should throw [Turkey’s] Ambassador the hell out of the United States of America. This isn’t Turkey or a third world country. This kind of thing cannot go unresponded to diplomatically,” he added.

Sen. McCain joined Senate Intelligence Committee Ranking Democrat Dianne Feinstein (CA) in sending a letter to President Erdogan stating “The actions of your staff violate the constitutional protections of freedom of the press and freedom of assembly enjoyed by all Americans. [
] Your staff’s blatant violation of these rights on American soil is an affront to those freedoms and reflects poorly on your government.”

Senate leaders – Republicans and Democrats alike – issued statements and took to social media condemning the attacks.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweeted, “This is the kind of thing Pres Erdogan lets happen to the Turkish people. It’s wrong there and it’s wrong here.”

Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D) referenced the Turkish government’s gag-rule on US reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, noting, “Turk thugs assault U.S. diplomatic security and flee country — for these people we won’t say Armenian genocide?”  His colleague, Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Democrat Jack Reed (RI) demanded “Those members of the security detail involved in the attacks should be disciplined and the Trump Administration must make it clear to all embassies in the United States that our laws protect protesters and their right to peaceful assembly and free speech.”

The Senior Democrat of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ben Cardin (MD) tweeted that “The Turkish government owes an apology; perhaps they forgot we have unalienable rights in this country,” calling the foreign security forces attack on American citizens “unacceptable.”

The Senior Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee Patrick Leahy (D-VT) told MSNBC that “We should say, very strongly, that is not the way we do things in America.”

Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) issued a statement calling for an immediate apology from the Turkish Government.  “Reports indicate that some Turkish officials were involved in assaulting protesters, which violates the most basic rules of democracy and is an affront to the United States and the value we place on the right to free speech, as embodied in our Constitution,” wrote the Senators. “We call upon the Turkish government to apologize immediately for the involvement of any officials.”

Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse (R) said, “President Erdogan, you would do well to remember that this country is built on free speech, free religion, free press, & freedom to protest.”

Members of the House of Representatives were equally strident in condemning the attacks by Erdogan’s security detail.

House Foreign Relations Committee chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), in a letter to Secretary of State Tillerson and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, called for an immediate investigation, noting, “Agents of foreign governments should never be immune from prosecution for felonious behavior. Above all else, they should never be permitted to violate the protection afforded by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.”

House Foreign Affairs Committee member Don Beyer (D-VA) called on President Trump to “immediately expel the Turkish Ambassador to the United States. President Erdogan’s attacks on human rights and democratic institutions in Turkey are disgraceful, but condoning such attacks on American soil betrays our deepest values.” Rep. Beyer, who served as US Ambassador to Switzerland and Lichtenstein from 2009-2103, went on to note that “As someone who has represented my country abroad as an ambassador, I have a special appreciation for the vital role that envoys play and the expectations for honorable behavior that come with responsibility. These actions fall grievously short of that standard, and the US must take a stand.”

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-CA), stated “Erdogan is busy turning his own country into an authoritarian state, but he needs to know that his thugs are not welcome here and that there will be consequences for this attack.”

House Intelligence Committee Ranking Democrat Adam Schiff (D-CA), decried the White House silence on the attacks, stating, “it cannot go unanswered. There must be consequences for the individuals who attacked protesters exercising their First Amendment rights, and they should be identified and questioned before they leave the country.”

House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) concurred, tweeting, “There must be consequences.”

Congressional Armenian Caucus founder and co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), in a letter to President Trump, explained, “It needs to be made explicitly clear, from the highest level of our government, that bullying and brutality towards peaceful protesters will not be tolerated in this country – even from visiting heads of state.  It also needs to be assured that your White House staff will comply fully with efforts to identify Turkish security forces who violated U.S. law, and allow justice to be pursued unfettered.”

Congressional Armenian Caucus Republican Co-Chair Dave Trott (R-MI) called the attacks “unacceptable,” noting “while this incident is reflective of the Turkish government’s broad suppression of democracy, this is the United States and these overt acts of violence against those expressing their First Amendment right will not be tolerated.”

Similarly, fellow Republican Co-Chair David Valadao (R-CA) explained, “Our Constitution guarantees our citizens the right to free speech and it’s important for those in our country to respect our laws. These violent attacks not only broke our law, but violated our shared American values.”

Senior House Foreign Affairs Committee member Brad Sherman (D-CA) tweeted to Turkey’s President Erdogan, “your common practice of violence against peaceful protesters must stop. It is unacceptable anywhere, especially, in the US.”

Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, tweeted, “Cozying up to dictators is shameful & now it’s put Americans in danger.”

Central Valley California Congressman Jim Costa (D) called the attacks “outrageous” and condemned them, and called for immediate action. “Our American President should take appropriate diplomatic and legal action against these Turkish thugs for their violence towards the Armenian, Kurdish, Yezidi, and other human rights demonstrators. If he does so, I believe he will find overwhelming bipartisan support in the US Congress,” said Rep. Costa.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) called President Erdogan “an authoritarian and an oppressor,” an went on to note, “It was unwise for President Trump to meet with him. Now the United States needs to send a strong message that we will not stand by as Erdoğan brings the same thuggish tactics to our nation’s capital.”

Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) demanded “The Erdogan government must be held to account immediately and apologize for their anti-democratic violence.  The men responsible for this brutality should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  At the very least, this good squad should be declared persona non grata and removed from the country forever.”

Hawaii Democrat, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard tweeted, “Erdogan is so accustomed to beating up protestors in Turkey, evidently he thinks he can get away with such tactics here too – Outrageous.” She went on to call on President Trump to take action.  “President Trump, are you really going to allow Erdogan’s goons to beat up American citizens on American soil?”

District of Columbia Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton called on Secretary of State Tillerson to “bar any Turkish official who committed, encouraged, facilitated or otherwise participated in the assaults from reentering the United States if they have already left the country and expel any that remain in the country.”

Earlier in the week, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser called the attacks, “an affront to DC values and our rights as Americans.”  DC Chief of Police Peter Newsham condemned the attacks and announced, “we have every intention to pursue charges against the other individual involved.”

Aznavour to attend a concert in his honor in Yerevan

Emil Lazarian

 

 

 

Charles Aznavour will be present at a concert in his honor to be held in Yerevan on June 1.  Representatives of Armenia opera and pop music will welcome Aznavour with his own songs.

Actor and director Hayk Petrosyan, one of the organizers of the concert, who calls himself Aznavour’s representative in Armenia, will not only perform some of the world-known singer’s works, but also host the show.

“The past 60 years have seen a number of stars appear and fade away in France, but Charles Aznavour, 93, is still on the peak. He can serve a brilliant example of fighting and persistence not only for individuals, but also for the nation as a whole,” Hayk Petrosyan, a great fan of Aznavour, told Public Radio of Armenia.

BSEC not the place to discuss the Karabakh issue – Armenia Deputy FM

Aram Torosian

The summit dedicated the 25th anniversary of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) was held in Istanbul on May 22. The summit was preceded by a special meeting of BSEC Council of Foreign Ministers and the sitting of the Committee of Senior Officials.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayip Erdogan offered opening remarks at the summit. Attending the event were the Presidents of Greece and Moldova, the Russian Prime Minister, Foreign Ministers ad Deputy Foreign Ministers from a number of countries.

Addressing the summit, the Deputy Foreign Minister Ashot Hovakimyan referred to the work done over the 25 years of the organization’s existence, emphasizing the need to develop and reinforce its economic component.  He stressed that the regional economic cooperation, the economic projects in bilateral and multilateral formats cannot be fully implemented under the conditions of closed borders. He said the projects should involve all member countries without any discrimination.

In response to Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Oktay Assdov’s accusations addressed to Armenia, Ashot Hovakimyan noted that “once again the Azerbaijani representative tried to use the BSEC podium to present the distorted picture of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.”

“We are confident that this summit is not the place and BSEC is not the format, where the Karabakh issue should be discussed. By doing so the Azerbaijani side demonstrated its disrespect for the BSEC Statute, the principles and goals of the organization and this summit,” Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister said.

Ashot Hovakimyan noted that “ progress in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement can be achieved only in case Azerbaijan refuses from its policy of force and engages in negotiations within the agreed format of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship.”

The summit adopted a declaration, which reiterated the organization’s economic nature.