Author: Babken Chilingarian

Armenia to get around 23 mln Euro loan to build, equip kindergartens and schools

Babken Chilingarian

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 15:19, 5 May, 2022

YEREVAN, MAY 5, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government approved today the proposal to sign the loan agreement (22 million 600 thousand Euros) between Armenia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) aimed at improving education.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia Vahram Dumanyan introduced the draft to the Cabinet members today.

He said that the program “Improving Education” kicked off with the support of the World Bank in 2015.

“136 preschools have been established within the framework of the project, involving 13,580 children aged 4-6, 13 high schools have been renovated, 107 high schools have been equipped with 335 laboratories of natural sciences. 585 schools have been equipped with computers. Thanks to them, remote learning rooms were set up in those rural schools which are lacking teachers. Teachers of mentor schools now teach these subjects online in 53 such schools. More than 4000 teachers and administrative staffers have been trained in the use of information tools in the teaching process, the subject standards and programs of 6 educational spheres have been revised”, the minister said, adding that 15 universities have been provided with grants, as a result of which innovative research centers have been established in these universities.

Given the final results, the minister said that the government applied to the World Bank requesting to provide additional funding to ensure the program continuation.

“By the new program, affordable preschool education services will be created in 80 settlements, involving around 3000 children aged 4-6, 74 high schools will be renovated and equipped in accordance with the construction and security standards. 200 public schools will be provided with 5 engineering and natural science laboratories, works on use of education management information system, further digitization of processes, installing new opportunities for data visualization will be carried out, the creation of innovative research centers in universities will continue”, the minister said, adding that it is planned to implement 5 grant programs on the sidelines of the project. The total cost will be 28,25 million Euros, including 22,6 million Euros from loan resources, and 5.65 million Euros from the state budget.

He also informed that the government will donate a land to Spitak community of Lori province in order to build a modular kindergarten in Lusaghbyur.

ANCA-WR Re-Launches HyeVotes Initiative

Babken Chilingarian
 by Contributor

 

 May 4, 2022

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories
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ANCA-WR HyeVotes Initiative flyer

LOS ANGELES—The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is re-launching its HyeVotes Initiative in preparation for the 2022 Primary and General Elections.

“For a decade, the HyeVotes initiative has worked to empower our community by promoting civic engagement amongst Armenian-Americans,” said ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq. “Our community is poised to make a significant impact during this critical election season. It is absolutely vital Armenian-Americans vote so as to ensure our community’s voice is heard and its needs are met,” Hovsepian concluded.

The HyeVotes website will serve as a central hub for our community, providing vital resources and information in both Armenian and English to ensure a high turnout in the upcoming elections.

Ahead of the primary elections, the HyeVotes Initiative will be conducting voter outreach and education in areas with a high concentration of Armenian-American voters – in particular Southern California, where it will partner with local Armenian organizations, schools, churches, media outlets, and businesses to get out the vote. HyeVotes is also committed to providing assistance and support to community members who require special accommodations for voting, particularly when it comes to Armenian language access.

Since its inception in 2012, the primary goal of the HyeVotes Initiative has been to increase the number of registered Armenian-American voters, to provide voters with comprehensive nonpartisan information about the contests on the ballot, and encourage civic engagement and volunteerism among our community’s youth. To date, HyeVotes has successfully registered over 50,000 Armenian Americans and mobilized the electoral participation of countless more.

Individual wishing to volunteer for the HyeVotes Initiative, may complete a volunteer application form.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan Receives Delegation of Syria-Armenia Friendship Group

Babken Chilingarian

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 12:20, 26 April, 2022

YEREVAN, APRIL 26, ARMENPRESS. On April 26, the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Alen Simonyan received the delegation led by the Chair of the Syria-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group of the People’s Assembly of the Syrian Arab Republic Lucy Iskenian, the parliament’s press service reported.

Welcoming the guests, the RA NA President highlighted the historical brotherhood with friendly Syria and the availability of multi-polar ties, underlining the practical role of the Syrian Armenian community.

Touching upon the presence of the deputies of the Armenian origin in the parliament of Syria, Alen Simonyan welcomed their involvement also in the Friendship Group with Armenia.

Thanking the RA NA President for the warm reception, the Head of the Syria-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group conveyed to Alen Simonyan the address of the Speaker of the People’s Assembly of the Syrian Arab Republic Hammouda Sabbagh, which reaffirmed the mutual trust and cooperation formed between the parliaments.

The parties touched upon the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Syria, in this context stressing the implementation of the joint programmes of the parliaments of the two countries. Both sides recorded the inter-parliamentary cooperation in strengthening of the bases of the mutually beneficial cooperation.

At the meeting the situation in the region, in the post-war Artsakh, as well as the mission carried out by the Armenian peacekeepers in Syria were referred to.

At the end of the meeting the Syrian colleagues remembered the popular truth spread in their country that we answer to the faithfulness with faithfulness, underscoring that it has appeared as a result of the peace and mutual trust of the Armenians and Syrians.

AW: ANCA welcomes growing Congressional calls to zero-out US military aid to Azerbaijan

Babken Chilingarian
 ANCA ANCA News 0


WASHINGTON, DC – A bipartisan group of 64 US Representatives called on leaders of the House Appropriations Committee to stop military aid to Azerbaijan and allocate $150 million for Artsakh and Armenia to address the ongoing humanitarian and security crises caused by the Erdogan and Aliyev regimes, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“We stand with the 64 Congressional cosigners of the Armenian Caucus FY 2023 Foreign Aid letter in calling for robust US aid to Artsakh and Armenia, to counter Azerbaijan’s ongoing attacks and provide life-changing assistance to the 100,000 Armenians displaced from their ancestral Artsakh homes during the 2020 war,” said ANCA executive director Aram Hamparian. “We will continue to work with House and Senate appropriators in the upcoming months to ensure that no US tax dollars are used to aid and abet Turkey and Azerbaijan’s genocidal policies.”

In the Armenian Caucus letter to Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations Chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Ranking Member Hal Rogers (R-KY), led by Caucus co-chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), legislators explained that “the people of Artsakh continue to face severe hardships caused both by the deadly 44-day war Azerbaijani forces provoked in 2020 and their ongoing provocations against innocent civilians to this day.” They continued to note that $50 million in Artsakh assistance “would help provide Armenian refugees with the aid, housing, food security, water and sanitation, health care, rehabilitation, and demining/UXO clearance they need to reconstruct their communities, rebuild their lives, and resettle their homes.”

In their calls for $100 million in assistance for Armenia, legislators explained, “this critical investment will build on past support for Armenia and Artsakh by the Subcommittee and will help strengthen the U.S.-Armenia strategic partnership, solidify our presence, and grow our influence in the region.”

Congressional lawmakers also stressed the importance of ending US military assistance to Azerbaijan in the face of ongoing Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia and Artsakh. “The overdue process of holding Azerbaijan accountable must begin with Congress encouraging the Administration to fully enforce Section 907, restricting the State Department’s authority to waive this law, and enacting statutory prohibitions on any new U.S. military or security aid to Azerbaijan.” The letter specifically referenced recent findings from a Government Accountability Office report that “the State Department likely violated Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act in sending this and other assistance to Azerbaijan from 2014 to 2021. They did so by not properly consulting and communicating with Congress on what processes they used to determine whether U.S. aid to Azerbaijan could be used for offensive purposes against Armenia.”

The Congressional letter also called on the House Appropriations Committee to express its concern regarding Azerbaijan’s ongoing illegal imprisonment of over 200 Armenian POWs from the 2020 Artsakh war and to direct the US State Department to “to engage at all levels with Azerbaijani authorities, including through the OSCE Minsk Group process, to make clear the importance of adhering to their obligations, under the November 9 statement and international law, to immediately release all prisoners of war and captured civilians.”

Joining Rep. Pallone in cosigning the letter to House appropriators were Representatives: Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Jim Banks (R-IN), Nanette Barragan (D-CA), Don Beyer (D-VA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Joaquín Castro (D-TX), Judy Chu (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Lou Correa (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Danny Davis (D-IL), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Brian Higgins (D-NY), Jim Himes (D-CT), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), James Langevin (D-RI), Andy Levin (D-MI), Mike Levin (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), James McGovern (D-MA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Richard Neal (D-MA), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Dina Titus (D-NV), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Susan Wild (D-PA).

The ANCA worked closely with Rep. Pallone and the Congressional Armenian Caucus leadership to share pro-Armenia/Artsakh priorities with US House members and encouraged support for the letter. Over 50,000 advocates sent letters through the ANCA’s March to Justice activism portal encouraging members of Congress to co-sign the Congressional letter as well as co-sponsor the Armenian Genocide Education Act (H.R.7555), and attend the Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance, which took place on April 27th.

Earlier this week, ANCA Government Affairs director Tereza Yerimyan submitted testimony to the Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations echoing the Congressional Armenian Caucus Artsakh/Armenia aid priorities and demanding accountability for Turkey and Azerbaijan’s war crimes.  “Azerbaijan has destroyed countless homes, churches, and hospitals. It has targeted civilians, used prohibited cluster munitions and white phosphorus, illegally detained and abused Armenian prisoners of war, and continues to desecrate Armenian Christian holy sites and cemeteries. Shockingly, Azerbaijan has yet to be held to account,” stated Yerimyan.

“Neither the Trump nor Biden administrations have investigated Turkey’s role in Azerbaijan’s aggression, including Ankara’s recruitment of jihadist mercenaries from Syria and Libya to fight against Armenians. Nor has either administration investigated reports of Turkish F-16s having been used in Azerbaijan’s attacks. Closer to home, we have yet to see either the Pentagon or Department of State look into potential violations of US arms export laws related to the discovery of US parts and technology in Turkish Bayraktar drones deployed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh,” continued Yerimyan.

The full text of the Congressional Armenian Caucus letter is provided below.

#####

The Honorable Barbara Lee
Chairwoman
Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Room HT-2, the Capitol Building
Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Hal Rogers
Ranking Member
Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
1016 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairwoman Lee and Ranking Member Rogers:

We write to thank the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs for your longstanding support of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). This includes the important language you incorporated into the Fiscal Year 2022 bill providing $45 million in funding for Armenia and $2 million in demining assistance for Artsakh. We ask that you build on these historic investments by considering the inclusion of the below provisions that will help strengthen America’s standing with partner countries in the region and hold Azerbaijan accountable for its ongoing hostilities in Artsakh and Armenia.

Robust U.S. Assistance in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)

The people of Artsakh continue to face severe hardships caused both by the deadly 44-day war Azerbaijani forces provoked in 2020 and their ongoing provocations against innocent civilians to this day. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 88 percent of the approximately 90,000 refugees displaced to Armenia were women, children, and the elderly. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) also acknowledges that an “acute humanitarian crisis” continues for many of these families, including those who have been able to return to Artsakh. Unfortunately, the $5,000,000 in Fiscal Year 2021 funding USAID has committed to date is insufficient to address the overwhelming needs of these people.

The U.S. has historically promoted peace in Artsakh through U.S. government-funded landmine and unexploded ordnance clearance efforts and enabling rebuilding by investing in similar humanitarian assistance initiatives. We are requesting a robust humanitarian assistance package for Artsakh that lives up to American humanitarian commitments. The package would help provide Armenian refugees with the aid, housing, food security, water and sanitation, health care, rehabilitation, and demining/UXO clearance they need to reconstruct their communities, rebuild their lives, and resettle their homes.

We urge you to include the following provision in the body of the foreign aid bill:

Of the funds appropriated under this heading, not less than $50,000,000 shall be made available for assistance in Nagorno-Karabakh, used to provide humanitarian assistance and rebuilding and resettlement support to the Armenian victims of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, both those residing in and those displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. Such assistance will help to meet basic human needs, including maternity healthcare and drinking water programs.

Security, Economic, and Governance Assistance for Armenia

The United States remains uniquely positioned to make important diplomatic advances in the South Caucasus. This is especially true in Armenia, an ancient nation with a modern democracy that continues to make democratic reforms in a region dominated by autocratic leaders. Providing significant assistance to Armenia will help make its people more secure, bolster its democracy, sustain economic development, stabilize its civil society, and aid its ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This critical investment will build on past support for Armenia and Artsakh by the Subcommittee and will help strengthen the U.S.-Armenia strategic partnership, solidify our presence, and grow our influence in the region. We request the following language be included in this legislation:

Of the funds appropriated by this Act, not less than $100 million shall be made available for security, economic, governance, and rule of law assistance to Armenia. An increase in funding to accounts such as the Department of State’s Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia and the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Europe and Eurasia should be made available for these purposes.

Prohibition on U.S. Military Aid to Azerbaijan

President Ilham Aliyev began his brutal 2020 assault on Artsakh not long after receiving over $100 million in security assistance through the Section 333 Building Partner Capacity Program in Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019. Azerbaijani forces used advanced Turkish drones, cluster munitions, and white phosphorus to indiscriminately attack homes, churches, and hospitals killing thousands in the 44-day war. While an agreement halting the war was signed in November 2020, Azerbaijan continues its aggressive behavior in the region with troop movements and other escalatory measures into Armenian and Artsakh territories. On March 25, 2022, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Jalina Porter State stated the U.S. was “deeply concerned” about these actions and called them “irresponsible and unnecessarily provocative.” It is equally concerning that Azerbaijani troops continue to carry out the desecration of Armenian Christian holy sites, weaponize major sources of natural gas for civilians, and illegally detain and abuse Armenian prisoners of war.

The Section 333 funding, paired with other U.S. funding to Azerbaijan through the IMET and FMF programs, clearly defies almost two decades of a policy of parity in security assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan. In fact, according to a January 31, 2022, report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the State Department likely violated Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act in sending this and other assistance to Azerbaijan from 2014 to 2021. They did so by not properly consulting and communicating with Congress on what processes they used to determine whether U.S. aid to Azerbaijan could be used for offensive purposes against Armenia.

The overdue process of holding Azerbaijan accountable must begin with Congress encouraging the Administration to fully enforce Section 907, restricting the State Department’s authority to waive this law, and enacting statutory prohibitions on any new U.S. military or security aid to Azerbaijan. We request that the following language be included in the final SFOPs bill:

None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available under this Act may be provided to the Government of Azerbaijan through U.S. security assistance programs.

Armenian Prisoners of War and Captured Civilians

On November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia signed a tripartite statement to end the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, where all parties agreed that the ‘‘exchange of prisoners of war, hostages and other detainees as well as the remains of the fatalities shall be carried out.” However, the Government of Azerbaijan continues to detain an estimated 200 Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and detained persons, misrepresenting their status in an attempt to justify their continued captivity. We request that the following language be included in the final SFOPs bill:

The Committee is concerned by Azerbaijan’s failure to immediately return all Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians and, thus, (2) urges the Secretary of State to engage at all levels with Azerbaijani authorities, including through the OSCE Minsk Group process, to make clear the importance of adhering to their obligations, under the November 9 statement and international law, to immediately release all prisoners of war and captured civilians.

Again, thank you for your leadership on the Subcommittee. We appreciate your consideration of these requests.

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The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.


Three ex-Armenian FMs join Artsakh statement

Babken Chilingarian
Panorama
Armenia –

Three former Armenian foreign ministers, including Raffi Hovhannisian, Vartan Oskanian and Ara Aivazian, have joined a statement on Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Armenian-Azerbaijani and Armenian-Turkish relations.

The document, which is also supported by a group of Armenian intellectuals, scientists and artists, stresses that the Artsakh issue, which is based on the right of nations to self-determination, cannot become a “subject of bargaining” under any circumstances.

“The status of the Artsakh Republic, including the Hadrut and Shushi regions, the uninterrupted and free communication between Armenia and Artsakh, the return of Armenians to their places of permanent residence, the security of the Artsakh Armenians and constant work with the Russian peacekeeping mission should become our foreign policy priorities,” the statement says.

“Only a modern and efficient Defense Army of Artsakh and the Armenian military can guarantee Artsakh’s security. Armenia’s security is directly linked to the security of Artsakh.”

The authors stress that the issue of the Armenian Genocide is indisputable in the negotiation process with Turkey without preconditions, adding the effectiveness of the Armenian-Turkish dialogue cannot be conditioned by Artsakh’s status and the final settlement of the security issues in Artsakh.

“In order to effectively fulfil these nationwide tasks, it is necessary to use the diplomatic arsenal which hasn’t been exhausted yet, the full potential and unity of all Armenians. Putting aside all differences, it is necessary to voice nationwide disagreement with anything threatening Armenia and Artsakh and to stand up for our national and state interests and dignity,” reads the statement.

Expert: Armenian Genocide issue has long been closed for current Armenian authorities

Babken Chilingarian
Panorama
Armenia –

Armenia and the Diaspora have been working hard for years towards international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. For years Armenia has consistently promoted the agenda of preventing the crime of genocide. In 2015, through Armenia’s efforts, December 9 was added to the list of UN International Days as International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. However, since 2018, according to expert on Turkey Varuzhan Geghamyan, Armenia has not dealt with the issue of the Armenian Genocide at all.

Panorama.am spoke with Varuzhan Geghamyan about the Armenian authorities’ steps towards the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide over the past year, the main message of April 24, the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, this year as well as the basic steps that should be taken in case of the formation of a pro-Armenian government.

Panorama.am: How would you assess the steps taken by the Armenian authorities towards the international recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide from April 24, 2021 to date, that is, over the past year?

Varuzhan Geghamyan: Unfortunately, it is impossible to give a positive assessment to the efforts of the Armenian leadership and the international community towards the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide due to only one circumstance: the Armenian state, which has always been in the forefront of this struggle, its coordinator and organizer, has essentially abandoned it, considering it not only ineffective, but also not in the interests of the Armenian people.

Moreover, there are now attempts on the part of Armenia’s de facto leadership to rewrite history by saying that Armenia has never acted as a state institution in this matter, and the Armenian cause has been dealt with exclusively by the Armenian Diaspora, particularly by some Diaspora organizations.

This is also a distortion of the historical record by the de facto authorities in Armenia, an anti-Armenian statement, because it essentially echoes the Turkish propaganda thesis which have existed since the 1960s that if it were not for the Diaspora, Armenia and Turkey would live peacefully side by side, but some “Diaspora nationalists” undermine Armenian-Turkish relations by raising, in their words, the artificial issue of genocide, etc. This is an indirect repetition of this propaganda thesis of Ankara. Moreover, it runs counter to the basic law of Armenia, because the Constitution of Armenia is based on the Declaration of Independence, and one of its most important provisions is about the commitment to be consistent in the recognition and condemnation of the 1915 Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey and Western Armenia.

Thus, it’s against Armenian interests in every way. Naturally, as a result of this policy we can’t make any progress in the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

The only noteworthy episode last year was the U.S. president’s use of the word “genocide”, which had no legal effect because amid Armenia’s failure to deal with the Armenian Genocide issue at all, this move essentially amounts to nothing. Meanwhile, it could have been used to step up pressure on Turkey and could have become an important tool in our foreign policy.

Panorama.am: What will make April 24 stand out this year, what will be its message?

Varuzhan Geghamyan: This year’s commemorative events, the events preceding and following them, will most likely send one clear message: at this point, we are on the threshold of opening the era of genocidal threats, in order to prevent such a scenario, we must remember how and why the Armenian Genocide, the numerous massacres and other crimes against the Armenian people up to and including what happened in Artsakh and Syunik in recent years and months, were committed.

Identifying this as part of the genocidal program will enable the Armenian society and various Armenian groups to rethink the ongoing processes, to overcome the stupor and manipulation by the current authorities and to be able to respond adequately to the current threats. This is the message.

Unfortunately, the capitulant authorities will do nothing about it, since the issue of the Armenian Genocide has long been closed for them. In the best-case scenario, we can see only some standard statements without any political message, only pathetics and no coherent policy at the state level aimed at addressing such acute issues.

I do not think that any action should be expected from any state institution. At the same time, all Armenian groups and organizations catering for the interests of the Armenian people must make April 24 of this year one of the most important symbolic days, during which messages must be conveyed to the widest possible audience that will enable the people to get out from under the manipulations of the capitulant authorities.

Panorama.am: What will Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide give us? Is that our end goal?

Varuzhan Geghamyan: I think that the ultimate goal is not Turkey’s recognition [of the Genocide]. The end goal has always been to prevent the crime of genocide against us. And one of the best ways to achieve this is for Turkey to recognize it and take appropriate steps to make amends.

The Genocide recognition by Turkey is only one way to achieve the main goal, so I believe it would allow us to create an additional mechanism to prevent such a crime. Amid its absence, we see the continuation of genocidal actions under peaceful slogans – from beheadings of people in Artsakh to torture of Armenian prisoners of war, which did not take place 100 years ago like the Armenian Genocide, but right now, before our eyes.

Panorama.am: If we have a government that takes Armenia’s interests into account, what should be its first steps towards the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide?

Varuzhan Geghamyan: First and foremost, the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide as well as our pioneering role in preventing the crime of genocide should be made a part of the state policy. We had that role, but since 2018 it has virtually been non-existent, now it no longer exists de jure either. After this step, it is necessary to review the previous experience of struggle, i.e. to record the positive sides, failures, and in accordance with that to build a completely new, clear-cut policy, which must be all-embracing, because the issue of the Armenian Genocide is of national importance, directly concerns the identity of the Diaspora and its preservation. Therefore, all of this really should be in the focus of state attention, because Armenia is also responsible for the Diaspora. In this regard, the need for a state policy on the matter is once again emphasized.

Of course, these three steps should be combined with a broader political program, a concept to be adopted by the national government to neutralize the threats facing the Armenian states, Armenia and Artsakh, to set new national goals and achieve them. In other words, there should be a general picture of what we are going to do to restore the security system, the territorial integrity of Artsakh and Armenia, and how the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide should be used in this context. Only in case of adopting such an approach will we succeed.

Foreign Ministry asked for Karabakh assurances in Yerevan-Baku deal

Babken Chilingarian
PanARMENIAN
Armenia –
– 13:00 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Country of Living party has sent a letter to the Armenian Foreign Ministry to obtain assurances that Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) will not be recognized as part of Azerbaijan under a peace treaty supposed to be signed with Azerbaijan.

“On July 8, 1992, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Armenia adopted a decision on the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, which remains in force, being a key document of the position of the Republic of Armenia on Artsakh,” the party said in a statement.

“The Country of Living party has asked assurances from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the treaty set to be signed with Azerbaijan or any provision(s) thereof will not contradict the decision of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Armenia dated 08.07.1992, according to the 2nd part of which any international or domestic document where the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is mentioned as part of Azerbaijan is considered inadmissible for the Republic of Armenia.”

In early April, Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to kick-start peace talks. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a statement that he and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had agreed to set up a bilateral border commission by the end of April.

Armenian-Russian ties develop also in arts and culture spheres – Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan

Babken Chilingarian

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 13:40, 6 April, 2022

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan attended the event organized by the Moscow House Cultural-Business Center in Yerevan on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Russia.

In his remarks, Simonyan said that Armenia and Russia, by preserving the centuries-old traditional friendly nature, continue to develop the relations not only in political and economic directions but also in culture and arts.

The Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergey Kopyrkin was also in attendance. He said that over the course of the last 30 years there are big and important positive changes in all sectors of the friendly relations.

Works of Armenian and Russian composers were played.

The event featured screening of excusive archive documents and articles, as well as various photographs relating to the history of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Russia from the archives of the ARMENPRESS State News Agency of Armenia and the TASS State News Agency of Russia.

Asbarez: Hollywood Presbyterian Employees Roll Up Sleeves During Nationwide Blood Shortage

Babken Chilingarian
by Contributor

 

 April 7, 2022

 

in Community, Latest, News, Sponsored, Top Stories

CHA HPMC’s Mobile Drive in partnership with Southern California Blood Bank

Blood drive with Southern California Blood Bank collects more than 20 units

LOS ANGELES—April 6 In an effort to collect much-needed blood during the national shortage, CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, a member of CHA Health Systems, a global network providing a full spectrum of dynamic healthcare services, hosted a blood drive in partnership with the Southern California Blood Bank on April 6.

The drive collected over 20 pints to meet the needs of patients in local medical facilities. Since each unit could save up to three lives, this drive could help save up to 66 lives in our community.

The COVID-19 pandemic is negatively impacting the availability of blood and blood products for patients in need in California and throughout the U.S. Blood is often a lifesaving requirement for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, those battling cancer, as well as those with other medical and surgical needs.

“This mobile blood drive is part of our concerted effort with Southern California Blood Bank to address the current shortage and augment the supply,” said Nate Mabry, Chief Nursing Officer and VP of Operations, CHA HPMC. “As frontline workers, our employees understand the critical need, and we are proud to see them roll up their sleeves to support and meet the health needs of countless patients and our community. I encourage everyone who is well and able to donate a bit of yourself so that others may return to good health.”

Currently operating under the name Southern California Blood Bank, San Diego Blood Bank has been serving hospitals in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas for decades and hosts over 200 mobile blood drives each year. The Blood Bank provides blood products to many hospitals in the area, including CHA HPMC.

“We truly appreciate partners like CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center,” said Doug Morton, CEO, San Diego Blood Bank. “Mobile drives like these are key to keeping our blood supply stable.”

As a century-old community healthcare provider, CHA HPMC has been at the forefront of several initiatives to provide much-need access to quality care to the Los Angeles community, especially the underserved population. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the medical center established the first hospital-based drive-through dispensing site for COVID-19 vaccines in the County of Los Angeles and partnered with local community organizations to reach and deliver vaccines to the underserved in the Los Angeles community.

To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 114 pounds, and be in good health. Eligible blood donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment online or by calling 844-380-5220.

CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is a nationally recognized acute care facility that has cared for Hollywood and its surrounding communities since 1924. Today, CHA HPMC offers comprehensive health care services with a 434-bed acute care facility, including 89 skilled nursing beds. The hospital has a medical staff of more than 550 physicians and specialists, representing 69 specialties and 75 different countries. CHA HPMC embraces the area’s diverse, multicultural patient populations by providing all who walk through its doors quality care in a compassionate manner. It is a member of CHA Health Systems, a dynamic global healthcare organization that provides a full spectrum of services in seven countries around the world, including 25 hospitals and clinics, 30 research and 14 education institutions and 30 bio/pharmaceutical/healthcare companies. For more information, visit the website.

Southern California Blood Bank is dedicated to community health by providing a reliable supply of blood to patients in need. Our vision is to further ensure the health of our community by simultaneously delivering related health and wellness education and services and extending into research. Southern California Blood Bank is a division of San Diego Blood Bank, an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves hospitals in San Diego, Orange, Imperial, and Los Angeles counties with blood transfusion products and reference laboratory services. For more information about San Diego Blood Bank and Southern California Blood Bank’s locations and blood collection program, visit the San Diego Blood Bank website and the Southern California Blood Bank website.