Author: Babajanian Karo

THE FRESNO BEE: FRESNO COUNTY’S RECOGNITION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE SPARKS INTERNATIONAL STANDOFF

13:53 07/05/2013 ” COMMENTS

Fresno County’s pledge of support for the largely Armenian territory of
Nagorno-Karabakh has sparked a little-known but certain international
standoff, says an article in The Fresno Bee.

The nation of Azerbaijan is asking Fresno County supervisors to rescind
their April resolution supporting Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence.

“This fuels fighting between the communities,” Azerbaijani Deputy
Consul General Ramil Gurbanov, who is based in Los Angeles, told The
Bee on Monday. It doesn’t help achieve “a diplomatic and peaceful
solution in the region.”

The supervisors, however, have refused to budge on their position,
though some say they’re willing to give it another look.

“We stand with our Armenian friends, both in Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh … We will not be muscled by a well-funded lobbying
effort by the Azerbaijanis,” said Supervisor Andreas Borgeas, who
wrote the county’s statement of support for Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Fresno County resolution, passed April 23, maintains that residents
of Nagorno-Karabakh have elected to govern themselves and that their
wishes should be respected.

Source: Panorama.am

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF MONTENEGRO PAYS TRIBUTE TO MEMORY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VICTIMS

11:40, 7 May, 2013

YEREVAN, MAY 7, ARMENPRESS. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro Igor LukÅ¡iÄ~G
paid a visit to the Tzitzernakaberd memorial on May 7. As reports
“Armenpress” after commemorating the memory of the Armenian Genocide
victims Igor LukÅ¡iÄ~G visited the Genocide museum, where the Director
of the Museum-Institute of Armenian Genocide Hayk Demoyan introduced
the history and samples of the museum to the guest.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European
Integration of Montenegro Igor LukÅ¡iÄ~G made a note in the memorial
book of official visits.

Igor LukÅ¡iÄ~G paid an official visit to Armenia on the invitation
of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Edward
Nalbandyan. The President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan,
the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia
Hovik Abrahamyan, and Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan will receive
the Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro as well.

MP SAMVEL PETROSYAN PUT FORWARD THE QUESTION OF RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE IN THE PARLIAMENT OF GEORGIA

2013-05-07 13:13:43

Armenian deputies in Georgia nominated oral reading matter to the
victims of the Armenian Genocide in 1915. This year, for the first
time MP Samvel Petrosyan in a written form put forward the question of
recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the Parliament of Georgia. A
call was made to recognize the Genocide of Armenians in 1915 over
the dip corps accredited in Georgia.

Address to the Foreign Missions

At the eve of the most tragic date in the history of Armenian people
– Genocide of 1915 taken place in Ottoman Empire – we would like to
address those foreign missions in Georgia as well as international
organizations engaged in the country which have not yet expressed own
stance and opinion towards one of the most large scale crimes against
humanities in the history of civilization, demanding an official
adjudication of organizers and executors of this bloody tragedy. It is
clear that this very fact is a great challenge to the world community.

Within a framework of the contemporary political process taking
place in a globalized world necessity of giving political and legal
account to the genocide of Armenians is becoming an acute issue. Lack
or inexistence of appropriate addressing of the stated issue on
the part of politicians might become a gesture of silent promotion
of the same acts for the solution of own political problems for any
anti human regimes. It is impossible to enforce the standing norms of
world order especially in the countries guided only with the narrow
political interests and being deaf towards the legitimate demand of
Armenian people to restore justice.

The responsible international community should deliberate on the
formation of robust international mechanisms to eventually prevent the
atrocities of human groups on racial, ethnic or religious grounds. To
this end it is of utmost importance to over the incentives of playing
double standards as well as domination of political interests over
the universal human rights and values.

It is almost impossible to realize the concept of world order in the
21st century based on the international law without the conduction
of actual policies towards the protection human rights as well
as promotion of justice and high morale; without a development of
concrete mechanisms for the eventual prevention of new genocides;
without restoring justice for Armenians as well as other people
suffered from genocide.

We are sure that such categories as political prejudice and justice
are not conflicting. On the contrary they are mutually reinforcing
and complimenting factors. Therefore, supporting and promoting the
principles of law is in the direct interest of all countries. In
view of the above we call on your states to joint their voices to the
demand for the recognition and adjudication of genocide of Armenians!

We also call on the world community to give account to the political
stance of Turkey refusing to admit the fact of genocide. Such an
account would serve as a restoration of justice and demonstration of
respect to the international law.

In view of the above we would like to recall the fact of adoption of
special declaration by the Great Britain, France and Russia in 1915,
in which the mentioned countries stated that the act of Turkey was
“the crime against humanities” and demanded the authorities of Turkey
to be charged for the committed crime. The underlined evaluation has
found its approval in the Paris World Conference in 1918-1920. Even
though the political events developed at that time have discouraged
to enforce the decision of the conference about the formation of
international tribunal to adjudicate the organizers of Armenian
genocide on the ground of crime against humanities, the fact of
open declaration of responsibility of the government members for the
atrocities as well as posing an issue of political responsibility of
the country had in fact acquired very important character and became
a decisive factor for the adjudication of Jewish holocaust.

Taking the described facts into account we, once again call on you
to stand by those countries which have already expressed own views
and criticism regarding Armenians genocide in 1915 and therefore make
own contribution to the creation of just international order.

PetrosianSamvel, MP, Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Akhalkalaki District
MkoyanEnzel, MP, Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Ninotsminda District

Statement for the Turkish Embassy

The history has inherited neighborhood for our people. Decent relations
between the neighbors can only be rested on the bases of respect
for law and justice. Therefore, it is necessary to learn from our
past tense relationships and thus eradicate moral consequences of
the genocide.

If we take a sober look at the whole historical events developed
since the tragedy of 1915, it would not be difficult to get assured
that the silence and refusal of the genocide fact do not lead us to
the needed outcome. The historical truth is robustly present and
still escorting the descendants on both the victims of as well as
those responsible for the genocide. Ending up with the past is only
possible if we demonstrate a just stance to historical and juridical
facts as well as sincere will to initiate new relationships based on
the respect of the rights and the interests of the people who have
found themselves in this enchanted closed cycle.

Armenia cannot ignore the indisputable fact according to which
its economic development as well as political existence as
an independent state is highly dependent on the world as well as
friendly relationships with Turkey. Likewise, Turkey cannot aspire to
enhance its political influence in the region by having a stigma of
“the killer of the nations” attached to as well as escorted by the
syndrome of avenge for the committed crime.

Armenian-Turkish border is yet closed. However, for it to be opened we
have to overcome the persisting estrangement first in our hearts. This
can only be done if we admit the truth. We are sure that time for
reunion has come in light of the will of our people to restore such
tragically terminated relationships. As examples for this can be
brought openly recognized genocide of Armenians expressed by such
prominent Turkish figures as Nobel Price Holder OrhanPamuk, historian
TanerAkcam, publisher RagıpZarakolu, as well as hundreds of other
respectable Turks who do not want to put up with the lie and false
and who are ready to explicitly state own civic and public views
during public rallies or in social networks.

We can also recall the public shock Turkey has experienced in case
the death of Grant Dink – on the same day of his funeral the new
public movement was initiated “I am Dink, I am Armenian”. The public
dialogue has already commenced and we call on the official Ankara to
listen including own nationals demanding the adjudication of this
historical crime. By refusing the past it would not be possible to
find the way out into the future.

Republic of Armenia has clearly demonstrated through its concrete
steps that it aspires to peace with Turkey despite the black sides
of history. To ensure peace we call on Turkey to take responsibility
for the crime committed by the previous government against Armenian
people. This can be done in the name of interests of Turkish people and
their future. Only by taking a path of repentance and reconciliation
Turkey can obtain the aspired seat in the international arena.

PetrosianSamvel, MP, Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Akhalkalaki District
MkoyanEnzel, MP, Samtskhe-Javakheti region, Ninotsminda District

La Croix, France
Mardi 30 Avril 2013

Portrait. Assis sur un volcan géopolitique. Bako Sahakian Président de
la « République du Haut-Karabakh »

Le dirigeant de cet État autoproclamé, enclave peuplée d’Arméniens en
territoire azerbaïdjanais, est venu à Paris recueillir le soutien de
la diaspora arménienne.

par: MAILLARD Sébastien

Être militaire au grade de général et naguère soviétique ne vous rend
pas très disert comme dirigeant. Le « président de la République du
Haut-Karabakh », 52 ans, a l’oeil perçant et la langue de bois. De son
séjour parisien, l’ancien chef de la sécurité nationale du pays ne
livre aucun détail. Au mieux une réunion avec le Cercle d’amitié
France-Haut-Karabakh, créé en mars dernier. Il a aussi rencontré le
primat de l’Église apostolique arménienne de France, Mgr Norvan
Zakarian. Aucun contact officiel avec le Quai d’Orsay. Ce chef d’un
État autoproclamé se targue de relations officielles outre-Atlantique
avec Rhode Island, le Massachusetts, le Maine et un comté californien,
grce à la diaspora arménienne. Optimiste, il estime « irréversible »
le processus de reconnaissance internationale de son pays de 155 000
habitants, qui l’ont élu à deux reprises.

Le Haut-Karabakh a sa Constitution, son drapeau. Mais pas encore
d’aéroport. Il faut aller prendre l’avion à Erevan, après cinq heures
de route à travers le Caucase depuis Stepanakert, la « capitale ».
Pour la communauté internationale, l’enclave, où il ne reste plus que
des Arméniens depuis la guerre avec l’Azerbaïdjan qui dura de 1988 à
1994, reste un territoire appartenant à ce second pays. On désigne
souvent le statu quo qui s’est instauré depuis lors avec 9 % du
territoire azerbaïdjanais occupé 14 % en comptant le Haut-Karabakh
comme un « conflit gelé ». La campagne pour l’élection présidentielle
en Azerbaïdjan d’octobre prochain laisse augurer un regain possible
des tensions.

Bako Sahakian est acteur depuis 1988 dans ce conflit qui, pour lui,
n’est « ni gelé, ni oublié ». Le dirigeant du Haut-Karabakh mise sur
son atout majeur, la générosité de la diaspora arménienne. «
L’Azerbaïdjan a le pétrole, les Arméniens ont la diaspora », répétait
son prédécesseur à la présidence. Ancien restaurateur de monuments
historiques dans les années 1980, le président Sahakian voudrait
redonner leur éclat « aux sites culturels endommagés par la guerre ».
Dans l’immédiat, le 9 mai prochain, comme chaque année, ce père de
deux enfants commémorera la « libération » en 1992 de Chouchi,
l’ancienne capitale du Karabakh. Un souvenir des combats très
entretenu.

ANC: “Elections of Council of Elders were another crime of regime
against people’

2013-05-05 23:29:08

Armenian National Congress Party has issued a statement on the voting
in elections of Yerevan Council of Elders, in which, it is, in
particular, stated:

“The elections of Council of Elders on violations were not inferior to
other elections held by the power. The traditional and shameful
violations of the electoral process were recorded all over the city-
bribery, vote, directed by local bosses and ruling Republican Party of
Armenia, carousel voting for absentees, stuffing, accumulation at
polling sttaions, bullying and so on.

If we take into account that the lists of voters in the capital were
inflated due those absent from Armenia, fictitious registration from
regions and residents of neighboring republics, then the official
announcement of 56% it is needed to understand the real turnout of 80
– 85%, which is inconceivable even in state elections.

Municipal elections were another crime of the regime against democracy
and people of Armenia, and the ruling party will bear the political
responsibility and its leaders- criminal liability.”

Ara Kochunian does not see concerns about security of Armenian
churches in Constantinople

20:16, 5 May, 2013

YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS: The shots fired on May 5 in the yard of
the Armenian Church, located nearby the Armenian Patriarchate
inConstantinople, did not cause any material and physical damages.
Armenpress was reported by the Editor-in Chief of the `Zhamanak’
(Times) Newspaper Ara Kochunian that the shots undermined the peace of
the believers participating in the liturgy held in the church. `There
is no danger threatening the security of the Armenian churches. This
is a separate case, which does not give reasons to worry, though it
should not be ignored’, – said the Editor-in Chief of the `Zhamanak’
Newspaper.

Because of the day-off, Armenpress could not contact the Armenian
Patriarchate in Constantinople. Nevertheless, Ara Kochunyan stated
that the Patriarchate did not make any announcement on the case.

At about 12:30 am on May 5 a group of unknown persons fired seven
shots during the liturgy at the entrance of the Church of the Armenian
Patriarchate in Constantinople, in Gum Gapu district and then fled
away.

As reported by the Turkish Radikal, the representative of the Armenian
community of Constantinople Karo Palyan stated that after the shots
the Armenians of Constantinople, participating in the liturgy and
accompanied by children, panicked. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the
attack. He said that the case is investigated by the bodies struggling
against terrorism and security organizations of Turkey, which try to
make the fotorobot of the criminals. The criminals, unfortunately, did
not say anything and did not sound any slogan.

Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America
417 W Arden Avenue, Suite 112C
Glendale, CA 91203
Contact: Areg Gharabegian
Tel: (626) 440-6047
Fax: (626) 440-6200
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:

Armenian Virtual College

Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) has organized a
lecture and interactive event to present Armenian Virtual College’s
objectives and achievements, and introduce the upcoming
initiatives. The event will be hosted by Dr. Yervant Zorian, the
Founder and President of AVC. The AVC Online Instructors, students,
and partner institutions around the world will share their experience
with the audience virtually and in person. See attached flyer for
details.

Date: 7 pm, Monday June 10th, 2013
Location: Parsons, 100 W Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91124

Space is limited. Please RSVP.

Naira Zohrabyan calls on `young Republicans’ be more creative

16:00 – 05.05.13

Secretary of Prosperous Armenia party faction Naira Zohrabyan refuted
the reports that the PAP is distributing election bribes throughout
the city.

`Frankly speaking, I thought `young Republicans’ would have more
creative ideas and would not come up with retro, outdated tricks taken
from archives like switching the electricity in polling stations, etc.
Though they have learnt what they saw. And as far as the best
protection is attacking they are spreading information as if we are
distributing money and poor republicans do not know what to do,’ she
said.

Zohrabyan added that she understands that people like to pity
`victims’ and defend them but urged not to dangle from foams.

The PAP representatives said since yesterday news are circulating as
if the PAP is distributing colored pens in case when they [Republican
party] are doing it. `Think of new things, gentlemen, to differ from
your predecessors, be more creative,’ she said.

168.am reported that in 7/15 polling station PAP member Jivan
Poghosyan and members of election commission were engaged in brawl
after Poghosyan entered the polling station and tried to interfere
into election process but the head of the commission did not allow
him, saying he did not have right to be there. They have left the
polling station and continued fight in the yard.

Commenting on it, Zohrabyan said she talked with Jivan Poghosyan who
said that no brawl occurred and he just wanted to clarify an issue
with members of the commission.

Armenian News – Tert.am

Voters are brought by bus (video)

– 930&l=en
2013-05-05 15:45:32

Extraordinary activity observed at 11/34 polling station 11/34 of
Shengavit administrative district.

Lurer.com correspondent asked the trustee of the Republican Party of
Armenia, what caused such a turnout, and why there is crowd of people
at the polling station. The latter expressed doubts that voters may be
brought by buses, and as a result there appeares a cluster.

Chairman of the commission of the polling station Hmayak Navasardian
from “Prosperous Armenia” was not able to express opinions about given
issue.

Later Lurer.com fixed N48 bus with state numbers 4104 s, which brought
people to the polling station and drove off with citizens, who had
already voted.

Note that the route of the bus does not include Shengavit
administrative district.

You can watch the video for details.

ARMENIE
Un parti d’opposition dénonce l’utilisation de la ressource d’Etat,
tandis qu’un autre parti met en garde contre une ambiance tendue dans
un district d’Erevan

Dans un entretien à RFE/RL, Raffi Hovhannissian a dénoncé les
instructions données à des enseignants, travailleurs des écoles
maternelles et d’autres institutions éducatives et médicales par
l’administration de la mairie d’Erevan, et même l’administration
présidentielle, de voter pour le parti Républicain… M. Hovhannissian
affirme posséder des preuves.

Vahagn Khatchatrian, tête de liste du Congrès national arménien, a,
quant à lui, tiré la sonnette d’alarme sur les tensions croissantes
dans le district Malatia-Sebastia de Erevan (fief de l’homme
d’affaires Samvel Alexanian) où les membres des commissions
électorales locales représentant des partis d’opposition seraient
largement sujets à des pressions, tentatives d’intimidation et de
corruption. Samvel Alexanian et son équipe se prépareraient, selon
lui, à une fraude à grande échelle dans ce district. M. Khatchatrian
n’a pas exclu que des escarmouches se produisent à Malatia-Sebastia.

Selon Hayots Achkhar, au cours de la campagne électorale, la police a
enquêté sur 9 plaintes, dont 1 concerne la distribution de
pots-de-vin, 5 des obstacles à l’organisation de la campagne
électorale et 2 des agressions.

Extrait de la revue de presse de l’Ambassade de France en Arménie en
date du 3 mai 2013

dimanche 5 mai 2013,
Stéphane ©armenews.com