The California Courier Online, June 1, 2017
1 – Commentary
Azeri Billionaire Gives Erdogan
$25 Million Oil Tanker as a
‘Gift’
‘Gift’
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher,
The California
Courier
The California
Courier
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
2 – State
Senate Budget Committee OK’s
Senate Budget Committee OK’s
$3
Million for Armenian
Museum
Million for Armenian
Museum
3 – Top U.S.
Senate Appropriators Threaten
Senate Appropriators Threaten
Turkey Aid over
Attacks on US Protesters
Attacks on US Protesters
4 – June Musurlian, 2017 Los
Angeles County
Spelling Champion
Angeles County
Spelling Champion
Ties
for 2nd at the California State Championship in Stockton
for 2nd at the California State Championship in Stockton
5 – Ateşyan
Resigns as
Resigns as
General
Vicar of
Vicar of
Istanbul Patriarchate
6 – Glendale
Artist Exhibits Work in Japan
Artist Exhibits Work in Japan
As
Part of ‘Armenia
Culture Week’
Part of ‘Armenia
Culture Week’
7 – Associated
Television Plans Multi-Million Dollar
Television Plans Multi-Million Dollar
Program
to Promote Tourism to Armenia
to Promote Tourism to Armenia
8 – American Armenian Rose Float
Association Unveils 2018 Float
Design
Design
9 – House
Foreign Affairs Committee Condemns
Foreign Affairs Committee Condemns
Washington
DC Attacks by Erdogan's
Bodyguards
DC Attacks by Erdogan's
Bodyguards
10- ANCA's Hamparian Testifies Before
Congress in
Congress in
Support
of Strong Response to Erdogan-Ordered Attacks
of Strong Response to Erdogan-Ordered Attacks
11- Film by Vahe Mansourian Ready to
Begin
Begin
Casting
and Filming International Production
and Filming International Production
12- Turkey Rejects House Resolution
On Turkish Bodyguards Violence
*******************************************
1 – Commentary
Azeri
Billionaire Gives Erdogan
Billionaire Gives Erdogan
$25 Million Oil Tanker as a
‘Gift’
‘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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
Senate Budget Committee OK’s
$3
Million for Armenian
Museum
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Senate Appropriators Threaten
Turkey Aid over
Attacks on US Protesters
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).
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.
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 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).
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.
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."
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.
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
Musurlian, 2017 Los Angeles County Spelling
Champion
Ties
for 2nd at the California State Championship in Stockton
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Resigns as
General
Vicar of
Vicar of
Istanbul Patriarchate
ISTANBUL
(Panorama.am) – Archbishop Aram Ateşyan, General Vicar of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Turkey, has resigned, Agos reported.
(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.
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.
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.
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.
stated that Ateşyan has resigned.
The Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey is expected
to release an official statement concerning the resignation.
to release an official statement concerning the resignation.
****************************************************************************************************
6 – Glendale Artist Exhibits Work in Japan
As
Part of ‘Armenia
Culture Week’
Part of ‘Armenia
Culture Week’
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
artist Dana Walrath and the late French-Armenian painter Jean Jansem.
***************************************************************************************************
7 – Associated
Television Plans Multi-Million Dollar
Television Plans Multi-Million Dollar
Program
to Promote Tourism to Armenia
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.”
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
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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."
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.
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."
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."
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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
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.
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."
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.
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
Hamparian Testifies Before Congress in
Support
of Strong Response to Erdogan-Ordered Attacks
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.
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."
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?
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:
included:
— President Trump should break his silence and
condemn this attack on peaceful protesters in our nation's capital.
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.
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_.
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."
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.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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 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
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.
– 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.
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.
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.
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.
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12- Turkey Rejects
House
House
Resolution
on Turkish
on Turkish
Bodyguards
Violence
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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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the Armenian News News Service with a few of the articles in this week's issue of The
California Courier. Letters to the
editor are encouraged through our e-mail address, [email protected]. However,
authors are requested to provide their names, addresses, and/or telephone
numbers to verify identity, if any question arises. California Courier
subscribers are requested not to use this service to change, or modify mailing
addresses. Those changes can be made through our e-mail, , or by
phone, (818) 409-0949.
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