Month: October 2019

DETROIT—The Armenian National Committee of Michigan met with Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-13) last week to discuss issues important to the Armenian American community of Michigan, during which she committed to joining the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and co-sponsoring both the Artsakh Travel and Communication Act (H.Res.190) and H.Res.452, which aims to improve relations between the U.S. and Armenia.

ANC of Michigan activists including Co-Chair Lara Nercessian, Raffi Vandevelde, and Nishan Apigian discussed various legislative priorities of the Armenian American community of Michigan with Representative Tlaib, including the continued security and stability of Artsakh and permanent U.S. government recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

“On behalf of the ANC of Michigan and the Armenian American community of the Detroit Metro area, I want to thank the Congresswoman for listening to our concerns and taking swift action to support our legislative initiatives. We are thrilled to see our advocacy at work with her support of H.Res.190 and H.Res.452,” said ANC Michigan Co-Chair Lara Nercessian.

The delegation also discussed the active Armenian American community in the 13th district of Michigan, encouraging them to join them at one of their events in an effort to meet more members of the community.

“We thanked the Congresswoman for her support of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.296) and her signature on the Sherman-Cox letter to continue U.S. aid for de-mining efforts in Artsakh, as well. This meeting was proof that grassroots advocacy really does make a difference, not only here at home, but also in Washington. We thank you, Representative Tlaib,” added Vandevelde.

H.Res.190, introduced by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) would end arbitrary and outdated State Department restrictions on U.S. engagement with the Republic of Artsakh. With Rep. Tlaib’s support, the measure will have 26 co-sponsors.

H.Res.452, also spearheaded by Rep. Pallone, is a bipartisan resolution welcoming Armenia’s 2018 peaceful political transition, praising the U.S.-Armenia “strategic partnership,” and calling for upgraded bilateral cooperation on political, economic, military, and development challenges. With Rep. Tlaib’s support, the measure will have 21 co-sponsors.

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Television personality and fashion mogul Kim Kardashian West took the stage on the second day of the World Conference Information Technologies in Yerevan on Tuesday for a keynote speech that highlighted the role technology plays in advancing her television and fashion empire. She also said that she remained committed to advancing the issue of Genocide recognition, especially by the U.S. government.

Kardashian West told Armenpress that she is committed to using her status to garner recognition for the Armenian Genocide and revealed that she in “internal” talks with the White House about the matter.

“I do talk about it internally at the White House, I haven’t had a private conversation about it with the President but I talk about it with advisors and that is a goal of mine and I will not give up on that,” Kardashian West told Armenpress.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kardashian West, accompanied by her sister Kourtney visited the Dzidzernagapert Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and paid their respects to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

During her presentation at WCIT, Kardashian West reflected on the importance of technology in advancing her brand, and added that her visit to Armenia—her second—has inspired her to come up with some product ideas, namely a fragrance.

“I’ll be back with new ideas,” Kardashian West told a packed stadium at the Karen Demirchyan Sports Complex, where WCIT is taking palce. She explained that one her inspirations will lead her to produce a fragrance from flowers indigenous to Armenia, adding that she has not ventured into the perfume business before.

Kardashian West also informed the audience that she is seeking ways to manufacture her latest line of shapewear, SKIMS, in Armenia.

“I am definitely talking to a few major Armenian investors about hopefully trying to figure out a factory for my shapewear and trying to figure out what kind of factories you have that I can manufacture products in here,” said Kardashian West.

“We are working on that during this trip. So I have a meeting tonight actually to talk about that. So that’s something that is really important to me. My dream would be to open up a SKIMS factory here in Armenia. If not that, something else, I really want to,” Kardashian West told reports on the margins of the WCIT.

Kardashian West and her sister, Kourtney, baptized their children at Etchmiadzin on Monday, expressing pride that she was able to bring her children to Armenia to have that experience.

“I couldn’t be more proud, I had to bring my kids because just being in Armenia—I’ve been once before—but being able to bring my sister Kourtney who has never been here before, all of our children, and getting the opportunity to baptize them all yesterday here in Armenia means everything to us,” said Kardashian West, adding that they will remember this forever.

“It’s so exciting for our country, I was so excited that just people around the world are so excited to be here in Armenia for this huge tech conference. Thank you for having me. I am so proud to be here,” Kardashian West told the audience.

At this point in the presentation, Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian joined her on the stage for the discussion, telling the audience that at a younger age he was looking to become a lawyer, but an investment of $12,000 proved that his future was in the IT sector.

Noted Armenian figures in entertainment and technology have joined forces to launch a new digital platform to connect Armenians around the world.

During a press conference on Tuesday in Yerevan on the margins of the WCIT, Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian was joined by musician and activist Serj Tankian, producer of “The Promise” Eric Esrailian and president of Synopsis Armenia Yervant Zorian to announce this new platform that will be called “Highconnect.”

”We will create a pan-Armenian online platform ”High connect” that will give an opportunity to Armenians throughout the world with various preferences to be linked,” Tankian told reports who added that the venture was in its infant stages.

”For years we were thinking what to do to make Armenia attractive not only for Armenians, but also for others. We were thinking how to connect Armenians spread around the world. And after thinking and discussing for a long period we came to the conclusion that we will use our shared interests to create small communities,” explained Tankian.

Ohanian said that it was important to leverage the many opportunities that he and the others have been afforded to advance the Armenian reality.

”We must take lessons from our careers and use them for this platform, so as Armenians throughout the world, in the Diaspora can use it and prosper,” Ohanian said, emphasizing that the common idea that have brought them together.

He noted that there are networks where Armenians can keep in touch anyway, but they want to create a special zone where the people will know what they are looking for. Ohanian stressed that the project will not be a profit-generating venture.

Esrailian said that they have been discussing the idea for nearly one year, but they started thinking about it much earlier.

”It will be really a great thing to have such a platform for connection. Not only technology will develop in Armenia, but it will ensure the link between Armenia and Armenians abroad. We are very devoted to this idea and will invest all our experience,” explained Esrailian.

Tankian Launches his Coffee Brand in Armenia
Later on Tuesday, during a reception at Tufenkian Hotel, Tankian launched his Kavat brand coffee announcing that the product, which is being sold in the United States, will now be available to consumers in Armenia. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his spouse, Anna Hakobyan also attended the reception.

”We started the sales of Gavat coffee in the U.S. last year. It’s my desire to present the coffee of my grandmother to the world. Coffee is part of our Armenian culture and we try to present our culture to none Armenians in a sensible way,” Tankian told those present at the unveiling reception.

Kavat coffee will be sold in supermarkets, hotels and restaurants. It will be possible to purchase it also on the online.

”I am proud to be in Armenia during this historical time when many positive changes have taken place. The Armenians I know throughout the world wish to return to Armenia and become part of the new Armenia and stay in the new Armenia,” said Tankian.

Artsakh Security and Humanitarian Aid Top Priorities for Visiting Legislators

WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Jackie Kanchelian Speier (D-CA) arrived in Stepanakert for their first visit to the Republic of Artsakh, sending a powerful message to Azerbaijan’s Aliyev regime that threats to “blacklist” U.S. legislators will not deter them from traveling to Artsakh and engaging in democratic dialogue with its citizens, elected officials, and civic leaders, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.

Representatives Speier and Chu are in Artsakh for a series of high-level meetings with Artsakh government officials and also to oversee U.S. humanitarian aid to the Republic, including de-mining efforts carried out by The HALO Trust. ANCA Western Region Board Member Raffi Sarkissian and ANCA Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan joined an Artsakh Government delegation including National Assembly Vice-Chair Vahram Balayan and National Assembly member David Melkumyan in welcoming the legislators to Stepanakert.

Upon arriving in Artsakh, the members of Congress held meetings with Artsakh President Bako Sahakian and Artsakh Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan who briefed the lawmakers on the latest developments in the Karabakh conflict resolution process, as well as the current situation on the frontlines.

The two officials thanked Speier and Chu for their continued efforts to advance Artsakh’s right to self-determination and its independence within Congress. Sahakian and Mayilyan also emphasized the importance of broadening U.S.-Artsakh cooperation in hopes of strengthening relations.

Artsakh Parliament Speaker Ashot Ghulyan hosted the American lawmakers at the National Assembly, where Speier and Chu had the opportunity to address Artsakh lawmakers and other officials on efforts in Congress to ensure the security and safety of Artsakh and to expand cooperation with the U.S.

Congresswoman Chu was at the forefront of defending Artsakh’s safety and security this summer, advancing the Chu Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Bill, which advocates for the implementation of the cease-fire strengthening proposals originally put forward by House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel and his predecessor, Ed Royce. The Royce-Engel proposals call for the placement of gunfire locators, an increase in OSCE observers, and a ban on snipers, heavy arms, and new weaponry along the borders between Azerbaijan and neighboring Armenia and Artsakh. “Adopting them is necessary for ensuring those who violate the peace are caught and stopped, and that is what my amendment encourages,” Rep. Chu told the ANCA following passage of the measure in July, noting, “the campaign of terror against the people of Artsakh must end.”

“The ANCA welcomes Congresswoman Judy Chu’s visit to the Republic of Artsakh,” shared ANCA National Board member Levon Kirakosian. “We are proud of the grassroots work the ANCA of San Gabriel Valley has done with Congresswoman Chu over the last two decades to advance the Armenian Cause. We are also proud that the ANCA-Western Region will be honoring Congresswoman Chu at their sold-out banquet this year for her work advancing a free and independent Artsakh,” Kirakosian added.

Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Jackie Kanchelian Speier, who also co-Chairs the U.S. House Demining and Unexploded Ordnance Caucus, has been outspoken in her calls for continued U.S. de-mining assistance to Artsakh. During a May, 2019, Capitol Hill event marking the 25th anniversary of the Artsakh cease-fire, signed by Armenia, Artsakh, and Azerbaijan, Rep. Speier explained, “I am heartened by the US contributions to de-mining, surveys, and mine education to the [Artsakh] region, but we have a duty to do more to secure the peace and prosperity there.” Rep. Speier pledged to work to ensure U.S. de-mining assistance in the Fiscal Year 2020 foreign aid bill, noting that the exclusion of funds would be “simply unacceptable and totally inhumane.” In June, Rep. Speier was among key supporters of an amendment, spearheaded by Rep. TJ Cox, which called for continued U.S. de-mining assistance. In August, Rep. Speier and Rep. Chu were among over 80 U.S. House members who called on the US Agency for International Development to honor their commitment for continued Artsakh de-mining assistance.

“We are so proud of Congresswoman Jackie Speier – a cherished member of our local community here in the Bay Area and a respected national leader in Washington, DC,” said ANCA San Francisco-Bay Area longtime advocate Haig Baghdassarian. “We warmly welcome her arrival on the free soil of the Artsakh Republic, look forward to a rewarding and productive visit, and stand ready to work with her, upon her return, to strengthen Artsakh’s security, increase U.S. funding for Artsakh humanitarian programs, and forcefully challenge Azerbaijan’s aggression.”

Just days prior to their travel to Armenia, Rep. Speier joined Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Vice-Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA) in calling for zeroing out U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan, given the Aliyev regime’s ongoing attacks against Artsakh and Armenia. Over the past week, an Armenian soldier was killed and two more injured as a result of Azerbaijani cross border attacks.