Author: Antonian Lara

Int’l engagement "absolutely necessary" for preventing ethnic cleansing in Nagorno Karabakh – FM

Antonian Lara

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 10:41,

YEREVAN, MARCH 24, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has said that there is “an absolute necessity of international engagement” to prevent ethnic cleansing in Nagorno Karabakh by Azerbaijan.

FM Mirzoyan spoke to the Egyptian AlQahera News Agency about Azerbaijan’s actions and the blockade of Lachin Corridor, among other issues.

“In parallel to blocking the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting the Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia, for more than three months and creating a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan continues to terrorise the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh by creating unbearable conditions for living in their homeland with the ultimate goal of ethnic cleansing. Along with the humanitarian crisis, Azerbaijan has also provoked an energy crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. In cold winter conditions, the authorities of Azerbaijan repeatedly disrupted and continue to disrupt the gas and electricity supply.

The actions of Azerbaijan as well as the aggressive and maximalist rhetoric have proven the absolute necessity of international engagement to address the issues of rights and security of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh as well as to prevent the clear attempts of Azerbaijan aimed at the ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh. The position of the international community, including our partners and friends in the Arab world should be clear against any narrative and actions perpetrating another genocide, the international system cannot afford to sustain yet another such failure.

To conclude, despite all the risks and the fragility of the situation around my country, Armenia remains determined to make its contribution to creating a stable region where our generations won’t just dream about living in peace.”

Armenia expects Russia’s support in sending international fact-finding mission to Nagorno Karabakh

Antonian Lara

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 16:57,

YEREVAN, MARCH 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenia expects Russia’s support in sending an international fact-finding mission to Nagorno Karabakh, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.

The Armenian Foreign Minister reminded about the ongoing blockade of Lachin Corridor since December 12, 2022, and said that Azerbaijan is violating every clause of the trilateral statement and is not complying with the ICJ ruling on opening the Lachin Corridor.

FM Mirzoyan said that the situation shows the need for ensuring mechanisms guaranteeing security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh and international participation.

“International participation is needed for genocide prevention, an international fact-finding mission must also be sent to the part of Lachin Corridor and Nagorno Karabakh. We hope that there’ll be cooperation with the Russian side in this matter,” Mirzoyan said.

FM Mirzoyan attached importance to the role of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno Karabakh in preventing a humanitarian disaster during the blockade.

He also warned that Azerbaijan has unilaterally begun the repopulation process of Azerbaijanis in Nagorno Karabakh, whereas the Armenian side isn’t carrying out the process due to the absence of the required international mechanism.

Armenian American Museum Elevate Gala Sold Out

Antonian Lara
by Contributor

 

 March 9, 2023

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories

Tickets to the Armenian American Museum’s Elevate Gala, set for March 19, have sold out


GLENDALE—The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California announced that the highly anticipated Elevate Gala is officially sold out. The signature event of the year, to be held on Sunday, March 19, is anticipated to welcome a capacity audience at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

The Elevate Gala will celebrate the completion of the first phase of construction featuring the museum parking garage and building foundation and mark the next exciting chapter for the Armenian American Museum as the landmark center is elevated to the horizon as a destination for education, enrichment, and inspiration for generations to come.

Internationally acclaimed and award-winning entertainer Kev Orkian will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Kev Orkian is a notable actor, musician, and comedian who has earned a reputation as one of the United Kingdom’s finest entertainers.

Pacific Western Bank Vice President Relationship Manager and Armenian American Museum Board of Governors Member Diana Timuryan is serving as the Elevate Gala Chair. The Elevate Gala Committee includes Mayda Altounian, Alvard Barseghian, Angela Bedoyan, Ani Bekarian, Araxie Boyamian, Garine Depoyan, Hilda Fidanian, Aida Gharakhani, Marie Jeanne Harmandayan, Natalie Hariri, Christine Hovnanian, Tanya Kalaydjian, Maro Kasparian, Dr. Alexia Kevonian, Erika Toriz-Kurkjian, Carmen Libaridian, Margaret Mgrublian, Narine Mouradian, Aleen Orucakciel, Dzovig Zetlian, and Elizabeth Zoryan.

Major Sponsors include Donnell & Rima Cameron, Armen & Gloria Hampar Family Foundation, Avadis & Nancy Tevanian, Jack & Zarig Youredjian, Ayvazian Family Foundation, The GASKA Alliance Foundation, Anonymous, Dr. Vicken & Sossy Aharonian, Ron & Kourtni Arakelian, Bank of America, Gregory & Gina Felikian, Steve & Sandi Hampar, Nabil & Hanan Karabetian, Berdj & Mary Karapetian, Matthew & Audrey Matoesian, William McMorrow, Nora Tertzag Hampar Charitable Trust Ara & Nina Ohanian, Sarkis & Nune Sepetjian, and Isaac & Frieda Vartanian.

The Armenian American Museum is a world-class educational and cultural institution that is currently under construction on the museum campus at Glendale Central Park. The museum will offer a wide range of public programming through the Permanent Exhibition, Temporary Exhibitions, Auditorium, Learning Center, Demonstration Kitchen, Archives Center, and more.

For more information on how to contribute to the Armenian American Museum and the Elevate Gala, contact Major Gifts Director Mary Khayat at (818) 644-2073.

To learn more about the Elevate Gala, visit the Armenian American Museum website.

Azerbaijan’s Aliyev hopes for Baku’s positive reaction to peace treaty proposals

Antonian Lara
 TASS 
Russia – March 8 2023
Baku received comments from Erevan and in response, sent them their own, Azerbaijan’s President says

BAKU, March 8. /TASS/. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev hopes for Armenia’s positive response to Baku’s proposals for a bilateral peace treaty.

“We hope that Armenia will respond positively to our comments regarding peace treaty-related proposals,” Aliyev said in a statement for the press on Wednesday following talks with his Latvian counterpart, Egils Levits.

Aliyev recalled that some time ago Baku submitted to Yerevan a proposal for a peace treaty, which, he said was based on the norms and principles of international law.

“We have received comments from Armenia and in response, we sent them our own. The process is underway,” he said.

Ghana and Armenia hold bilateral talks

Antonian Lara
Ghana – March 3 2023

Ghana and Armenia have held bilateral meetings on the sides of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, India.

Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah led the Ghanaian side while Mr. Hakob Arshakyan, Vice President of the National Assembly led the Armenian side.

The two countries agreed to collaborate on matters of information dissemination, digitization and countering misinformation.

Ghana’s diplomatic relations with Armenia were first established in the 1990s after the Government of Ghana gave approval for the recognition and establishment of diplomatic relations with countries in the former Soviet Union.

Since then, the two countries have co-operated at the political and international levels. Bilateral relations between Ghana and Armenia remain very cordial and have been nurtured by continuous collaboration at both multilateral and bilateral levels.

The two countries share a strong commitment to peace and security, underpinned by a common interest in a stable and secure world order.

Both countries at the meeting held on Friday, March 3, 2023, agreed on the need to expand economic co-operation.

Ghana’s delegation also included high Commissioner to India HE Kwaku Asoma- Cheremeh and officials from the high commission and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

https://www.myjoyonline.com/ghana-and-armenia-hold-bilateral-talks/

Artsakh sets up working group to discuss urgent humanitarian issues with Azerbaijan

Antonian Lara
Panorama
Armenia – March 3 2023

Artsakh’s government has set up a working group to discuss pressing humanitarian issues with Azerbaijan, the country’s Security Council Office said in a statement on Friday. The full statement can be read below.

“We inform that in accordance with the decision made at the session of the Security Council of the Republic of Artsakh on February 28, 2023, a working group has been established, the purpose of which is to discuss URGENT humanitarian issues with the Azerbaijani side.

The head of the group is Samvel Shahramanyan, Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Artsakh.

In accordance with the agreement reached through mediation of the command staff of the peacekeeping troops of the Russian Federation deployed in the Republic of Artsakh, on March 1, 2023, at 11 a.m., a meeting was held at the headquarters of the peacekeeping mission with participation of the commander of the troops, Major General Andrey Volkov, which was attended by a similar working group formed by the Republic of Azerbaijan, headed by Ramin Mammadov, member of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan.

The following issues were on the meeting agenda:

1. Ensuring uninterrupted supply of natural gas to the Republic of Artsakh and excluding further disruption of the gas supply;

2. Ensuring the possibility of inspecting the section of the only high-voltage line entering Artsakh from the Republic of Armenia, which is under the control of the Azerbaijani armed forces, in order to carry out restoration works by the specialists of Artsakh Energy CJSC and restore the electricity supply to the Republic of Artsakh;

3. Conducting an one-time visual tour by an Azerbaijani specialized group on the territories of Kashen and Drmbon mines;

4. Complete opening of the Stepanakert-Goris highway.

In the opening remarks, the commander of the peacekeeping troops presented the participants of the meeting as parties of the Republic of Artsakh and the Republic of Azerbaijan.  After that, the head of the Artsakh group clarified to the Azerbaijani side the powers of the group he leads, that is the discussion of the above-mentioned specific issues and finding solutions on them.

At the beginning of the discussions, the head of the Azerbaijani group tried to lead the conversation towards the need for integration of Artsakh people with Azerbaijan, presenting prospects of obtaining possible socio-economic benefits in that case. However, the head of the Artsakh group called for discussion on clearly defined issues. The latter also emphasized that these contacts on urgent humanitarian and infrastructural issues cannot address the main issues of comprehensive settlement of the conflict, and for this it is necessary to establish a format with broad international support.

It should be noted that the other members of the Azerbaijani group were engaged in the discussion of the above-mentioned four specific issues and the search for solutions, accordingly, the subsequent course of the meeting was fully complied with the framework defined by the agenda.

As a result of the discussion of all the above-mentioned issues, specific agreements were reached, which the Azerbaijani side undertook to report to the higher authorities, and in the coming days to inform the Artsakh side about the results through the peacekeeping mission.

During the meeting, an agreement was reached on establishment of the stable two-way communication mechanism between the parties.

At the meeting, the parties agreed to publish only general information for the time being, given that the process is still in the working stage.  However, shortly after the meeting, the head of the Azerbaijani group gave interviews on various information platforms of his country, in which he spread disinformation, completely deviating from the actual content and process, in particular announcing that the meeting discussed “issues of the reintegration of the Armenian population of the Karabakh region into Azerbaijan.” Unfortunately, some representatives of the Armenian media took this trick of Azerbaijani officials and media, thereby creating a false impression that issues related to the comprehensive settlement of the conflict are allegedly being discussed in Artsakh-Azerbaijani contacts. Meanwhile, as we mentioned, the meeting on March 1, in which the commander of the Russian peacekeeping troops participated as well, was dedicated only to the discussion of steps aimed at lifting the blockade of Artsakh and relating issues.

Another misinformation of Azerbaijan, according to which the next meeting of the official representatives of the parties “may take place in Ganja or Aghdam” and without the participation of the Russian peacekeeping troops, is without substance as well.

We urge the public not to succumb to the fabrications of the Azerbaijani propaganda machine and to be sure that the public will be given exhaustive information about the above-mentioned process and its results.”

https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2023/03/03/Artsakh-humanitarian-issues/2801992

Sumgait massacre became first large-scale manifestation of the genocidal policy of Azerbaijan against Armenian people

Antonian Lara

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 18:06,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Today marks the 35th anniversary of the Sumgait pogroms, which have become one of the most tragic and hideous pages in the recent history of the Armenian people. From February 27 to 29, 1988, in the city of Sumgait, located just 40 kilometers from Baku, with the criminal connivance and even at the direction of the Azerbaijani authorities, mass progroms against the Armenian population took place, accompanied by murders, torture and other atrocities, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh. Armed with sharp metal rods, axes, hammers and other improvised means, groups of pogromists, with the complete indifference of the city law enforcement, broke into the apartments of Armenians and retaliated against innocent people with incredible cruelty. During several days of violence, dozens of Armenians were killed, hundreds were brutally beaten and tortured, and thousands were forcibly displaced. The atmosphere of hatred towards Armenians was fueled by anti-Armenian slogans and calls for violence voiced during the rallies. The purpose of these criminal acts, organized by the Azerbaijani authorities, was to create an atmosphere of fear and thereby suppress the peaceful demands of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Sumgait massacre became the first large-scale manifestation of the discriminatory and genocidal policy pursued by Azerbaijan against the Armenian people for decades. This was followed by massacres of Armenians in other cities of Azerbaijan, in particular Baku, Kirovabad, Shamakhi, Shamkhor, Mingechaur and elsewhere, as well as three wars unleashed against Artsakh, which were accompanied by deliberate attacks on civilians, the use of prohibited and indiscriminate weapons and other war crimes.

The pogroms in Sumgait became the basis for the revival of intolerance and hatred against Armenians in Azerbaijan. Armenophobia was elevated to the rank of state policy. The inspirers and perpetrators of this heinous crime became a role model in Azerbaijan, and crimes against Armenians became the norm. Two years later, in January 1990, the Armenian pogroms in Baku were carried out under the slogan “Glory to the heroes of Sumgait!”. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan was not held accountable either for the pogroms in Sumgait or for subsequent genocidal actions, as a result of which an atmosphere of political permissiveness and impunity was formed for the authorities of this authoritarian state.

The combination of these factors – a sense of impunity and permissiveness, intolerance and hatred towards Armenians, as well as the desire to suppress the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination at any cost – led to the rooting of genocidal intentions against the people of Artsakh in the political consciousness and state policy of Azerbaijan. A clear manifestation of these criminal intentions is the blockade of Artsakh that has been going on for more than two months, and was driven by the desire of the Azerbaijani authorities to force the people of Artsakh to give up their collective rights, deprive them of their homeland and ultimately destroy them.
Even after 35 years, Azerbaijan’s policy of oppression, intimidation, gross violations of human rights, the use or threat of force, as well as deportation and ethnic cleansing against the people of Artsakh has not changed. Nevertheless, despite all the difficulties and challenges currently facing the Republic, the people of Artsakh remain firm and determined to defend their rights in their historical homeland and continue the struggle for freedom, independence, democracy and human rights.

We bow to the memory of all innocent victims of Azerbaijan’s aggressive and misanthropic policy, and once again call on the international community to take active and effective measures to break the vicious cycle of Azerbaijan’s wrongdoings, prevent new crimes against humanity and bring those responsible to justice.

Crimes by Azerbaijani authorities were "vivid examples of state-planned Armenophobia" – MFA on Sumgait pogrom

Antonian Lara

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 11:16,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia released a statement on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the massacres of Armenians in Sumgait, also known as the Sumgait pogrom.

Below is the full statement.

“35 years ago, on February 27-29, 1988, amid the encouragement and criminal inaction of the Azerbaijani authorities, the massacres of the Armenians in the city of Sumgait were carried out, resulting in the killing of hundreds of Armenians, including children, women, elderly, while thousands were forcibly displaced.

The pre-planned massacres by the Azerbaijani authorities were carried out in order to brutally suppress the civilised struggle of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to live with dignity and peacefully in their historical homeland.

This mass crime committed on the grounds of national identity received a wide response and was condemned by the international community, including relevant resolutions adopted by the European Parliament. However, the real organisers and perpetrators of the crime not only weren’t held accountable but also, encouraged by impunity and indulgence, raised a new wave of Armenophobia and intolerance, carrying out new pogroms and massacres of Armenians in Baku, Kirovabad and other Armenian-populated areas of Azerbaijan.

As a result of these bloody events, hundreds of thousands of Armenians had to leave their homes in haste, leaving behind their possessions and property, and during all these years they never got a chance to exercise their violated rights.

The subsequent events demonstrated that the mentioned crimes of the Azerbaijani authorities were not separate episodes, but vivid examples of state-planned Armenophobia, while their continuous manifestations forced the displacement of tens of thousands of Armenians from the Shahumyan region, Getashen, and as a result of the 44-day war also from Hadrut, Shushi and neighbouring regions.

35 years after the Sumgait massacres, for about 80 days, Azerbaijan has illegally blockaded the Lachin corridor. The purpose of this operation is to displace the remaining 120,000 Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh as well.

Henceforth, Azerbaijan continues its policy of depopulating Nagorno-Karabakh by subjecting the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing. In order to prevent it, targeted condemnation by the international community and the implementation of relevant international mechanisms is imperative.

Even today, ignoring the orders of the reputable international courts, Azerbaijan explicitly continues to destroy, desecrate and vandalise the Armenian historical-cultural monuments and sanctuaries, aiming to erase the Armenian trace in the territories fallen under its control. Simultaneously, the propaganda of hatred towards Armenians continues at the highest level, which aims to prevent the two nations from overcoming the environment of enmity.

Today, paying tribute to the memory of the innocent victims of the pogroms against Armenians in Sumgait and other communities, we emphasise once again that  Azerbaijan’s Armenophobic rhetoric, maximalist aspirations and aggressive actions in response to efforts of Armenia to build stability and peace in the region, are inadmissible.

At the same time, the Republic of Armenia expresses its commitment to the peace agenda, believing that the establishment of lasting and comprehensive peace and security in the region is an urgent imperative,” reads the foreign ministry’s statement.

Surmalu trade center director jailed in pre-trial detention

Antonian Lara

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 13:04, 23 February 2023

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. A court approved the investgiators’ motion on remanding the Director of the Surmalu trade center in pre-trial detention.

Surmalu director Irina Madatova was arrested on February 22 in the ongoing criminal investigation into the August 14, 2022 deadly explosion at the trade center’s warehouse.

Madatova is charged with violating fire safety rules and falsification of documents, the Investigative Committee said in a press release.

A total of 5 persons are indicted in the case.