Author: Babajanian Karo

Low Harvest for National Fruit: Apricot yield destroyed by weather

SOCIETY | 08.05.14 | 15:27

By GAYANE MKRTCHYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter

Armenia’s apricot crop is expected to be low this year, due to the
unseasonably cold weather in late March and early April. Consumers can
expect to pay high prices, and the yield is not expected to be enough
for export.
Enlarge Photo

The national fruit suffered most in the Ararat Valley. According to
the head of the farmer’s union Hrach Berberyan in a number of villages
in Armavir region, in Masis and Hoktemberyan nearly100 percent of
trees were frozen, and in Davalu village and neighboring areas of
Ararat region ` about 50 percent. Harvests are expected primarily in
Talin and Ashnak regions, also in the highlands of Kotayk and Vayots
Dzor.

`This year the price for a kilo of apricot in the domestic market will
reach 500 drams ($1.25). The reason is of course the huge loss of
apricot harvest,’ Berberyan says.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture the damage of frostbite is
estimated as 11.1 billion drams ` about 27 million According to
estimations there will be 8,000 tons of apricot harvest this year, as
a contrast to last year’s 90,000 tons.

`There will not be as much apricot for reproduction and export, and
reproducers can fill that gap by other fruit like plums or peaches.
Because of the weather early peach and plum fields were also partially
damaged, also some types of table grapes,’ says deputy minister of
agriculture Garnik Petrosyan.

According to Petrosyan they will provide some support for farmers who
suffered loss because of the weather.

`278 million AMD ($673,000) was given to the farmers as subsidy for
land taxes, as well as irrigation fee will be reduced by 50 percent.
Tomato, cucumber, melon and watermelon seeds were purchased to be
given to farmers, and if desired, they will also be provided with
grape seedlings. No damage has been recorded regarding early potato
harvest,’ Petrosyan says.

Referring to creating agricultural insurance in Armenia the deputy
minister mentioned that there is no other alternative, but two years
are necessary for creating such a program, investigation in the field
has already started. An insurance system will first be applied in the
field of animal breeding, and then as a trial in the field of farming,
because farming is very risk vulnerable.

10th National Gallery International Music Festival kicks off

16:43 08/05/2014 » CULTURE

The Arts Gallery cultural fund, with the support of the Ministry of
Culture of the Republic of Armenia, presents the 10th National Gallery
International Music Festival that will last from May 7 through June 3.
The general partner of the festival is VivaCell-MTS, the company’s
press service reports.

`The power of art ` music and painting ` rules in this hall. The
attraction of the already formed festival is confined in this as well.
For already ten years, fans of classical music have the opportunity to
enjoy the masterpieces of composing and performing arts, newly
discovering the treasures presented in the Gallery. VivaCell-MTS is
proud to be the general partner of this festival. It is a significant
event in the cultural life of Armenia’, commented VivaCell-MTS General
Manager Ralph Yirikian.

The grand opening concert of the 10th festival took place in the
Fresco Hall of the National Gallery of Armenia. Musical compositions
by Handel, Vivaldi, Mozart, and Rossini were performed. The program of
the concert was presented by the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia
(artistic director and general conductor Vahan Martirosyan) conducted
by Harutyun Arzumanyan, and with participation of soloist Varduhi
Khachatryan, mezzo-soprano (Switzerland).

The festival was founded in 2005. Each spring it presents the Armenian
audience with the masterpieces of classical music performed by famous
Armenian and foreign musicians.

The already traditional festival has become continual owing to the
leading telecommunications operator of Armenia, which committed itself
to the mission of supporting the initiative since 2006.

Source: Panorama.am

NKR Foreign Ministry on James Warlick’s statement: “Any return to the
past is out of question”

by Ashot Safaryan

Õ2FE7F0-D693-11E3-81C10EB7C0D21663
Thursday, May 8, 13:31

“We consider it necessary to note that the position of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic on the prospects of settlement of the
Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict remains unchanged,” the NKR Foreign
Ministry said in response to the latest statement by of the US
Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group James Warlick.

“Any return to the past is out of question. The fate of Nagorno
Karabakh has been determined by its people through a free and
legitimate expression of will in the 1991 referendum on independence.
NKR independence and security are absolute values that are not subject
to any bargaining. We believe that the joint efforts of the OSCE
Minsk Group should focus on the development of such settlement
mechanisms that stem from current realities and provide conditions for
the peaceful coexistence of two independent states – the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan – emerged as a result of the collapse
of the USSR and the war unleashed by Azerbaijan,” the Ministry said.

To recall, in his speech at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
in Washington, James Warlick particularly, said: “In light of
Nagorno-Karabakh’s complex history, the sides should commit to
determining its final legal status through a mutually agreed and
legally binding expression of will in the future. This is not
optional. Interim status will be temporary. Second, the area within
the boundaries of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region that
is not controlled by Baku should be granted an interim status that, at
a minimum, provides guarantees for security and self- governance.
Third, the occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh should be
returned to Azerbaijani control. There can be no settlement without
respect for Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, and the recognition that its
sovereignty over these territories must be restored. Fourth, there
should be a corridor linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh.

It must be wide enough to provide secure passage, but it cannot
encompass the whole of Lachin district. Fifth, an enduring settlement
will have to recognize the right of all IDPs and refugees to return to
their former places of residence. Sixth and finally, a settlement must
include international security guarantees that would include a
peacekeeping operation. There is no scenario in which peace can be
assured without a well-designed peacekeeping operation that enjoys the
confidence of all sides.”

`We are ready to fight for every inch of our land’ ` Seyran Ohanyan

13:00 ¢ 08.05.14

Strategic measures have in recent years been taken in Armenia.

The entire country is ready to defend the Homeland if necessary,
Armenian Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan told reporters on
Yerkrapah Day (Homeland Defender’s Day).

`Armenia’s army is a guarantor of Artsakh’s security. And if anything
happened in Artsakh we’ll all be there, fighting for every inch of our
land.’

Armenian News – Tert.am

Interdisciplinarity and New Directions in Armenian Studies
Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 7:30pm
California Room, UCLA Faculty Center, Los Angeles

Hakob Y. Simonyan,
Director of the
Research Center for Historical-Cultural Heritage of Armenia,
discussing
New Archaeological Discoveries in Armenia
and presenting the book
Archaeological Heritage of Armenia
Gregory E. Areshian,
Director of the Research Program in Armenian Archaeology & Ethnography,
discussing Studies of Empires and Armenian History and presenting the book
Empires and Diversity
With live music by Greg Hosharian and reception with no-host bar
Pay-per-space parking available in Lot 2, entrance on Westholme/Hillgard.
RSVP by May 7 to [email protected] re: Book Signing or call 310-825-4438
UCLA Faculty Center, 480 Charles E Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90024

PRESS RELEASE
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
Governmental Building 3, Yerevan, RA
Contact: Hasmik Grigoryan
Tel:? +(3741) 56 01 06? ext. 105
Fax: +(3741) 52 15 05
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Yerevan, May 6, 2014

Hayastan-All Armenian Fund unveils newly built community center in Bavra

On May 6, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund held an opening ceremony to unveil
the newly built community center of Bavra, a village in Armenia’s Shirak
Region. Among those attending the jubilant community event was a delegation
led by Ara Vardanyan, executive director of the fund, and including project
sponsor Nshan Devejian as well as other Argentinean-Armenian benefactors
with their families.

Officials in attendance included Armen Gevorgyan, deputy prime minister of
Armenia and minister of territorial administration; Felix Tsolakyan,
governor of Shirak; and Mkrtich Petrosyan, mayor of Bavra, among others.

The new community center will house the mayor’s office, a library, a
computer room, and an events hall.

The construction of the community center is the second development project
in Bavra to be sponsored by Nshan Devejian and his family. Earlier this
year, the benefactors provided the school of Bavra with new furniture and
computers.

During the opening ceremony, the village administration recognized the
far-reaching support of the Devejians by naming them Honorary Citizens of
Bavra and granting them a 300-square-meter tract of land.

Currently Nshan Devejian’s son, Daniel, is making possible the 5,000 Sport
Balls project, through which regional schools throughout Armenia are being
provided with playing balls. On May 6 alone, 625 balls were gifted to 151
schools.

“Depiste the arduous trip to Bavra, my wife insisted on attending today’s
ceremony,” Nshan Devejian said in his remarks, and wished that the new
community center will become a “source of happiness” for the town’s
residents.

“Since our meeting with our Argentinean-Armenian benefactors two years ago,
their financial support has enabled us to launch several projects in Armenia
and Artsakh,” Ara Vardanyan said. “The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is the
hand of one Armenian extended to another. Today Argentinean-Armenians have
extended a helping hand to our fellow Armenians in Bavra. May this community
center become for them the start of a new life.” Subsequently Vardanyan
presented medals to Mr. and Mrs. Devejian as well as the other
Argentinean-Armenian benefactors in attendance, Krikor Simsiroglu and the
Ekserciyan brothers.

As he addressed the audience, Mayor Mkrtich Petrosyan conveyed his
community’s gratitude to the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund and the benefactors
for implementing vital development projects in Bavra, which is known as the
northern gate of Armenia.

On his part, Shirak governor Felix Tsolakyan said, “The new community center
is the first public building to be constructed in Bavra since 1956. My wish
is that, with each new structure, the villagers’ faith in their land and
water will be further bolstered.”

Bavra, which is located about half a kilometer from the Georgian border, has
a population of 570.

LE GOUVERNEMENT PRESQUE AU COMPLET

ARMENIE

Le Président Sarkissian a nommé trois nouveaux Ministres, le
30 avril, remplacant ceux de la Justice, de l’Environnement et de
l’Energie.

Ainsi, Yervand Zakharian, Président du Cadastre d’Etat, ancien maire
de Erevan, a été nommé Ministre de l’Energie et des ressources
naturelles. Hovhannès Manoukian, Ambassadeur d’Arménie en Géorgie,
a été nommé Ministre de la Justice, et Aramayis Grigorian,
gouverneur de la région d’Ararat, a été nommé Ministre de
l’Environnement. A ce jour, seuls deux Ministres ne sont encore
nommés, ceux de l’Agriculture et du Sport et de la Jeunesse. Par
ailleurs, par décret du Président de la République, le Comité des
recettes d’Etat a été rattaché au Ministère des Finances désormais
dirigé par Gaguik Khatchatrian, jusque-la a la tête de ce même
comité. Les quotidiens relèvent que M. Khatchatrian devient ainsi
un ” super-Ministre ” contrôlant toute la ressource financière du
pays. Les quotidiens proches de l’opposition constatent que certains
des nouveaux Ministres, en l’occurrence Karen Tchmaritian, Ministre de
l’Economie, David Haroutiounian, Ministre délégué auprès du PM,
de même que le nouveau ministre de l’Ã~Inergie Yervand Zakharian et
le Ministre de l’Urbanisme Narek Sarkissian ont occupé des postes
ministériels ou de hautes fonctions sous l’administration de l’ancien
président Robert Kotcharian. De même, le nouveau Ministre de la
Santé, Armen Mouradian, aurait des liens de parenté avec la famille
de l’ex-président, le vice-PM, Armen Guévorguian, étant également
considéré comme l’un de ses proches. Certains observateurs estiment
que Président Sarkissian tenterait ainsi de conjurer les critiques
du parti Arménie prospère proche de l’ex-président.

Azg revient sur la personnalité du nouveau Ministre des Finances,
Gaguik Khatchatrian, soulignant son image négative auprès de
l’opinion, son nom étant associé a nombre d’intérêts économiques
et ayant été cité dans divers scandales de corruption. Azg
rappelle qu’en sa qualité de responsable de président du Comité des
recettes d’Etat, M. Khatchartian aurait résisté a la mise en place
de réformes fiscales et douanières proposées par l’ex-PM Tigran
Sarkissian. Haykakan Jamanak dit ne pas avoir de doute quant au fait
que M. Khatchatrian et le nouveau PM, Hovik Abrahamian, vont mener
une nouvelle ” politique économique ” en Arménie, visant a ”
éliminer définitivement les PME ” au profit des oligarques.

IV Ichkhanoutioun désapprouve la nomination de l’ex-maire de Erevan,
Yervand Zakharian, en tant que Ministre de l’Energie et écrit avec
ironie, que deux événements, l’un positif et l’autre négatif, se
sont produits en Arménie : la bonne nouvelle est qu’Armen Movsissian
n’est plus Ministre de l’Energie et la mauvaise nouvelle est que M.

Zakharian a été nommé a sa place.

Haykakan Jamanak revient sur la personnalité du nouveau Ministre de la
Justice, Hovhannès Manoukian, qui, avant d’être nommé Ambassadeur
d’Arménie en Géorgie avait occupé les fonctions de Président de
la Cour de cassation, qu’il avait quittées suite aux événements de
mars 2008, après avoir soutenu, dans un entretien a Haykakan Jamanak,
le peuple qui avait manifesté.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Arménie
en date du 2 mai 2014

jeudi 8 mai 2014, Stéphane ©armenews.com

IN ARMENIA & GEORGIA, DATA SITES MEANT TO BRING TRANSPARENCY TO GOV’T FACE UPHILL BATTLES

techPresident-
May 7 2014

BY Jessica McKenzie | Wednesday, May 7 2014

Young Georgians learn how to file a freedom of information request
in the video below

The website OpenData.ge launched at the end of February as a place
to store, organize and display freedom of information requests. It
is a collaborative effort of four Georgian NGOs with assistance from
the international NGO Huridocs, which works with organizations around
the globe to harness the power of information to advance human rights.

Georgia, however, has the advantage of relative government
cooperation. In neighboring Armenia an organization of journalists
launched PublicData.am with help from Huridocs in 2011 but have since
struggled both against an unresponsive government and an indifferent
media.

The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI)
launched the first iteration of OpenData.ge in 2010. A representative
of Huridocs, Friedhelm Weinberg, told techPresident that OpenData.ge
benefitted from the previous experience, and from the data the
government had already made available. (The right to request
information from the government has been a Georgian law since 1999.)

However, working with four organizations–in addition to IDFI there is
Green Alternative, Transparency International Georgia, and the Georgian
Young Lawyers Association–is a challenge in itself. Weinberg told
techPresident that its difficult when the organizations don’t work in
the same way. They don’t even agree on what seems like simple matters,
like the definition of a Freedom of Information Request.

Examples of available information of OpenData.ge include “hotly
debated dam projects, bonuses and salaries of state officials, [and]
money spent on cultural events.” It also provides information on how
and why citizens should file their own freedom of information requests.

Weinberg explained to techPresident that Georgia has substantially
reduced low-level corruption in recent years. Transparency
International notes that positive developments in the country include
an electronic public platform introduced in 2010, and free online
access to public records like the company registry and the land and
property registry, all of which encourages government transparency.

Weinberg adds that the “overall government in Georgia [is] relatively
responsive, but [OpenData.ge] is still an important tool to keep the
pressure on them.”

Armenia is a much different story. There the journalists who launched
PublicData.am often receive government responses on paper, and have to
manually transcribe the information to the site. They also struggle
to get mainstream media to address the need for transparency and
government accountability.

Levon Barseghyan, activist and founder of the Journalists Club
Asparez, the organization that runs PublicData.am, told the Open
Society Foundation earlier this year that mainstream TV has so little
credibility, Armenians watch it with “a vice versa approach.”

(The Open Society Foundation supported the launch of PublicData.am
in 2010.)

The news site Asparez.am is one of Armenia’s top 10 news sites, and
in many ways PublicData.am is an extension of their journalism. They
track public funding to schools and regional government by sending
3,500 or so freedom of information requests annually, to schools,
communities, and government offices.

When requests for information are ignored or refused, the journalists
take it to the judicial system. According to the Open Society
Foundation, “In the four years since Asparez began its FOI campaigning,
they have brought 55 lawsuits seeking full compliance under the 2003
federal FOI law. Barseghyan says they have won or resolved 54 of
those suits.”

Personal Democracy Media is grateful to the Omidyar Network and the UN
Foundation for their generous support of techPresident’s WeGov section.

Photo caption: Left to right: Dean Charles Boyer of the Jordan College
of Agriculture, Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Fresno State President
Dr. Joseph Castro, First Lady Mrs. Mary Castro, Dr. Sergio La Porta,
and Dean Vida Samiian of the College of Arts & Humanities.

Photo credit: Thomas Ramirez-Best Shots Photo Booth

PRESS RELEASE
California State University, Fresno
Armenian Studies Program
5245 N Backer Ave PB4
Fresno, CA 93740-8001
Tel: 559-278-2669
Fax: 559-278-2129

Marine Vardanyan
Editor, Hye Sharzhoom

A special moment arises each year for the faculty, students, and
supporters of the Armenian Studies Program. It is an occasion that
serves as a reunion, a celebration, and a reflection on the successes
of the Program. The 26th Annual Armenian Studies Program Banquet took
place on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at the Fort Washington Golf & Country
Club in Fresno.

The Armenian Studies Program has much to take pride in. It has
succeeded in not only offering students a Minor in Armenian Studies,
but has an array of achievements that includes the establishment of
the only university-published Armenian student newspaper in the United
States. ` Hye Sharzhoom is a unique publication that represents our
Program and the students, to the campus and to the community,’ said
Professor Der Mugrdechian.

Hye Sharzhoom ‘s 35th Anniversary was a focal part of the evening’s
celebration.

With previous editors and staff members in attendance, the audience
enjoyed listening to their recollections, and viewing `Hye Sharzhoom,
a Retrospective,’ a power point presentation of the newspaper’s cover
pages throughout the years.

Editor Vahe Messerlian (1984-1985) stated that Hye Sharzhoom had `done
an outstanding job of showcasing the successes of the Armenian Studies
Program and the Armenian Students Organization, keeping up with
current events, and presenting the richness of our culture and
heritage.’ Former editors Arakel Arisian (1997-1998) and Tamar
Karkazian (2010-2013) also recounted the high points of their tenure
as Hye Sharzhoom editors.

The Armenian Studies Program recognized the contribution of nine Hye
Sharzhoom editors who were present at the Banquet, presenting them
each with a plaque and a book, published by the Armenian Series of The
Press at Fresno State.

The Armenian Studies Program was honored to have Fresno State
President Dr. Joseph Castro and First Lady Mary Castro in
attendance. Dr. Castro is a first generation college student and a
Valley native, and his position as the head of the university `gives a
fresh look upon what a university is,’ said Dr. Sergio La Porta in
his introduction. `It’s not an institution…it’s an organic, dynamic
place where people come alive in ways they never thought.’

Although he is in only his first year as Fresno State President,
Dr. Castro is already familiar with and impressed by the Armenian
Studies Program and its contribution to Fresno State and the community
at large. `I sense how important the Armenian Studies Program is for
the campus, for the community, and for the nation. I would like to
compliment everyone who has helped to build this incredible Program.’

President Castro also voiced his support for the Armenian Studies
Program and the community for the initiative to construct an Armenian
Genocide Memorial on campus, which would make Fresno State the first
university to have such a memorial.

`Where else should that be but here at Fresno State,’ stated
Dr. Castro. The audience was filled with excitement and anticipation
as the President outlined his ideas and his vision of the bright
future that awaits Fresno State. `In short, I want to work with all of
you to make Fresno State the very best university of its kind that it
can be here in the nation,’ said President Castro.

The Armenian Studies Program also welcomed Dr. Vida Samiian, Dean of
the College of Arts and Humanities, who addressed the audience.

`The Armenian Studies Program does so much with two faculty members,
Barlow Der Mugrdechian and Sergio La Porta, who are amazing, and do
the work of ten faculty. Many of you in the audience are the product
of our Program. We could not have accomplished what we have with the
Program without you. Through your presence and your support, together
we have the best undergraduate Armenian Studies Program in the United
States…I also would like to congratulate the students who make all
of us so proud with their achievements.’

The Banquet continued with recognition of graduating seniors, students
with minors, and students who were recipients of Armenian Studies
scholarships. Graduating senior Andrew Esguerra spoke of his
outstanding memories while a student at Fresno State. Special
recognition was also given to the executive officers of the Armenian
Students Organization. Each student felt a sense of pride and
achievement as they were recognized and received certificates of
recognition from the Armenian Studies Program.

The evening ended with those in attendance showing their appreciation
for the Armenian Studies Program and all that it has achieved. Guests
left the Banquet with a gift of books from the Armenian Series of The
Press at Fresno State, along with photos of their fun time in the
photo booth during the reception.

With more than ten Armenian Studies Programs and endowed chairs in the
United States, Fresno State’s Armenian Studies Program is the top
undergraduate Program in the country.

`It is only through the support of the community, and those of you in
attendance this evening, that this success is possible,’ said
Professor Der Mugrdechian.

CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY’S RULES COMMITTEE CATERS TO ARMENIAN LOBBY

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
May 6 2014

6 May 2014, 18:40 (GMT+05:00)
By Sara Rajabova

California State Assembly’s Rules Committee held a hearing on the
pro-Armenian resolution calling to recognize a separatist regime in
the occupied territories of Azerbaijan on May 5.

The resolution (AJR 32) introduced by Assemblyman Mike Gatto at
the behest of the Armenian lobby. Gatto submitted the proposal to
California State Legislature on January 6.

If passed by both houses of the State Legislature, the resolution
would call on the U.S. government to recognize the puppet regime called
“NKR” which was installed on Azerbaijan’s lands occupied by Armenia,
Azerbaijani Consulate General in Los-Angeles said.

Before the hearing started, many members of California’s Azerbaijani
community held a protest action outside the State Capitol in Sacramento
against this biased and flawed resolution.

Azerbaijanis then packed the hearing room on the Capitol, hugely
outnumbering the Armenian participants.

The hearing started with remarks by Mike Gatto, followed by the
Armenian member of the Assembly Katcho Achadjian, who presented a
well distorted view of the conflict.

Gatto represents the Armenian-populated areas of the Los Angeles County
since 2010. Gatto has received tens of thousands in campaign donations
from the Armenian community since 2009, according to California
Secretary of State () who is also responsible
for recording all political campaign contributions in the state.

Following Gatto’s remarks the chair opened the floor for testimonies
from the Armenian side, who offered three presentations void of any
logic and content.

“In a nutshell, their main racist message could be summed up as
“Armenians are ancient Christians and Azerbaijanis are Muslims. So
whatever we do, you should support us,” the Consulate General said.

After the Armenian testimonies ended, the Azerbaijani side presented
four testimonies.

Taking the floor first, the head of Azerbaijan’s Mountainous Jewish
Community Milikh Yevdayev spoke of the strong traditions of tolerance
in Azerbaijan highlighting primarily the life of Azerbaijan’s ancient
Jewish community, who, he said, lived in Azerbaijan since 2000 years
without any persecution or discrimination.

Recalling his countless trips to Nagorno-Karabakh during the Soviet
times, Yevdayev noted that never ever he witnessed any Armenian
wishing to get separated from Azerbaijan.

“Armenians enjoyed living in Azerbaijan – in this multi-ethnic and
tolerant society,” he said.

Yevdayev further stressed that “despite much blood and tears shed,
military occupation and ethnic cleansing committed against Azerbaijan
by Armenia, today you can find over 25,000 Armenians still living
in Baku and other major cities of Azerbaijan, which speaks volumes
about the high level of tolerance of the Azerbaijani people.”

At the end, he called on the Committee to reject the resolution.

Speaking at the hearing, the Azerbaijani-American Council President
Ismayil Rustamov stressed that so-called “NKR” had not been recognized
by the U.S. or any other country of the world. “So why in this case
would California need to do it?” he asked.

Highlighting Armenia’s foreign policy, Rustamov said during the Crimea
crisis Armenia sided with countries such as North Korea, Syria and
Sudan. “Azerbaijan, however, has always been a reliable ally of the
U.S.,” he said.

Following these remarks, Elnur Aydinov from Los Angeles told his and
his family’s story as a victim of the ethnic cleansing carried out
by Armenia against its own Azerbaijani population, who before 1988
amounted to more than 350,000, and who were all expelled when the
conflict started.

The testimonies were concluded with a presentation by Tural
Badirkhanli, who said the resolution refers to the “national liberation
movement” in Nagorno-Karabakh and deliberately neglects to mention
how this so-called “movement” was carried out in reality.

“Based on facts, I will tell you how: through many horrible war crimes
that Armenia committed against the Azerbaijani civilians,” he said.

Badirkhanli broadly informed the audience about the Khojaly Massacre
which was committed by Armenian armed forces against the Azerbaijani
civilians in 1992 and was called by Human Rights Watch the “largest
massacre in the conflict.

He concluded his testimony by urging the legislators not to “reward”
Armenia for the Khojaly Massacre and other war crimes it committed.

Taking the floor, Assemblyman Rocky Chavez expressed his opposition
to the resolution, by stating that the Legislature should be very
careful with international affairs.

Referring to the Azerbaijani testimonies on ethnic cleansing by Armenia
against Azerbaijanis, he implied that the self-determination cannot
be achieved with ethnic cleansing.

Chavez also mentioned that if applied everywhere around the globe,
the principle of self-determination can precipitate grave consequences
for the world.

Speaking afterwards, Armenian member of the Committee Adrin Nazarian,
pro-Armenian members Scott Wilk and Cheryl Brown, who illegally
visited Nagorno-Karabakh last year, offered extremely distorted and
biased views on the conflict.

“Highlighting only the needs of Karabakh’s Armenians for life in
dignity, they did not even consider it necessary to touch on human
sufferings that over a million Azerbaijani refugees had to endure
due to ethnic cleansing and occupation by Armenia. They completely
ignored the vast body of evidence presented to them on the conflict
by the Azerbaijani side and concentrated instead on the Armenian
propaganda,” the Consulate General said.

Following the remarks, the chair put the resolution to vote that
passed 9 to 1.

Now, the Armenian lobby has announced that the resolution will be
considered on the Assembly floor on May 8, which is not a randomly
chosen date.

This date marks 22 years of occupation of Azerbaijan’s ancient Shusha
city.The 1992 occupation was carried out with brutal ethnic cleansing
and resulted in the killing of hundreds of Azerbaijanis.

“So with the passage of the resolution on this day, the Armenian lobby
wants to “celebrate” this “victory”, which was achieved at the expense
of many innocent Azerbaijani lives and ongoing suffering of refugees
from Shusha and other occupied regions. That’s simply immoral and
disgraceful,” the Consulate General said.