Author: Badalian Vardan

Asbarez: Calling All Graduates: Kickstart your Career in Washington

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July 18: Fall 2022 Application Deadline for ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program

WASHINGTON—Recent graduates interested in starting careers in policy, politics, or media are invited to apply for the fall 2022 session of the Armenian National Committee of America Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program-–a unique Washington DC job placement program that has helped hundreds of Armenian Americans explore professional opportunities in the nation’s capital.

The Capital Gateway Program offers successful applicants three months of free housing, professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and personalized mentorships to help job-seekers excel in their careers in Washington, DC.

Applications for the fall session are due by July 18th. The session begins on September 12th. In addition to recent graduates, the ANCA CGP also serves university students interested in Washington, DC internship opportunities – both at the ANCA offices and at various governmental agencies, space permitting.

“The ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program team is here to help recent graduates navigate the road to career success in the nation’s capital,” said ANCA Programs Director Alex Manoukian. “And, with a 100% placement rate for our fall 2021 session participants, our results speak for themselves.  Free housing, mentorships, and enrichment seminars – right in the heart of the nation’s capital – make your transition to Washington, DC smoother than ever.”

Launched in 2003, the ANCA Gateway Program is named after Hovig Apo Saghdejian, a beloved young community leader who lost his life in a tragic car accident and whose eternal memory continues to inspire new generations of Armenian Americans. His family generously established the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Memorial Fund in his memory and, over the past decade, has played a vital role in the expansion of the program. Substantial support has also been provided through a grant by the Cafesjian Family Foundation, longtime ANCA benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Barbara Hekimian, and the Armenian American Veterans Post of Milford, Massachusetts (AAVO).

The Gateway Program has helped over 250 Armenian American professionals from across the US explore career prospects in Washington, DC. Gateway Program fellows are offered three months of free housing at the ANCA’s Aramian House, located in the heart of Washington, DC in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, just blocks from the ANCA offices. Manoukian and the Capital Gateway Program Advisory Committee (CGPAC) coordinate a series of career placement workshops on a range of issues, including resume and cover letter preparation, effective interview strategies, and networking. The CGPAC also connects fellows with mentors most closely aligned with their career goals for one-on-one advice and encouragement.

For university students interested in a quarter/semester in Washington, DC, the ANCA CGP can assist with internship guidance and placements both at the ANCA headquarters and other public policy and government institutions.

The Aramian House was purchased in 2016 and made possible through a generous donation by the family of the late community leader and philanthropist Martha Aramian of Providence, Rhode Island. The Aramian family – led by sisters Sue, the late Margo and the late Martha – have long been among the most generous benefactors of ANCA programs and charitable projects in the Armenian homeland and the Diaspora.

The Heart of Home in Artsakh with Hovig Esmerian

Badalian Vardan
May 16, 2022 Siranuysh Sargsyan  0

Hovig Esmerian

“Life is a struggle, that being by blood or by arms and no one comes out a winner. You win and you lose. That’s the law of life. Defeat is something that can always happen. The Roman Empire was defeated, the United States was defeated many times, but there were leaders who were able to correct their mistakes. It’s just a matter of how you can correct your mistakes after a defeat.”

This is how our conversation began with Hovig Esmerian, who returned from the village of Khramort where he was volunteering after the March 24 attacks by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on a number of settlements in the zone controlled by the Russian peacekeeping forces. 

Esmerian is a Syrian-Armenian businessman who moved to Artsakh with his wife Isabel and three children 10 years ago. When asked about his decision to move to the homeland, Esmerian says that every Armenian living in the Diaspora believes that one day he will return to the homeland. It’s a belief that’s been ingrained since childhood.

When the war broke out in Syria, Esmerian says his family did not hesitate and immediately moved to Artsakh. Esmerian believes more Diasporans need to move to Artsakh. He says he appreciates the warmth and simplicity of Artsakh’s Armenians. The land has also been favorable for gardening and agriculture.

Esmerian thinks that it is not only by singing and raising a glass that we can keep the memory of our martyrs, but also by work, not only by sending money, but also by building a family and a house. “If the souls of our martyrs see it, I am sure they will be happier if one family came and lived here than 100 Armenian families who left the homeland and live in Russia or a European country, because these people shed their blood. They gave their lives for that family to live here,” he said. 

The family has established a 15-hectare garden in the village of Berkadzor in the region of Askeran, where dozens of species of fruit trees and plants grow. They had citrus orchards in Kovsakan, which is now occupied by Azerbaijan. Esmerian would rather not speak of those losses. “We have lost territories and brothers. We have lost most of the homeland,” says Esmerian. “If a person has lost a child or a relative, on the other hand, I cannot come and talk about my economic losses,” he added. 

Samra restaurant

A few years ago, the Esmerians opened a restaurant in Stepanakert named Samra. When the Artsakh War broke out, the restaurant had to shut down. The Esmerians would later open their home to hungry reporters and soldiers looking for a warm meal. The family believed it was important for soldiers in particular to feel that the house they left behind was waiting for them. The food symbolizing the hearth was, of course, hot food, so soup became symbolic for the soldiers, journalists, volunteers and visitors to Samra. Seeing this, compatriots from Armenia and the Diaspora helped by sending supplies that were almost impossible to find in the city that was under attack. Sometimes, they sent so much food that they distributed it to residents hiding in underground shelters. Unfortunately, Samra is closed now, as its main customers were Diaspora Armenians and guests from abroad, who have been unable to come to Artsakh after the war due to the tightened visa protocols.

Speaking about the relations between the homeland and the Diaspora, Esmerian thinks that the main problem is that we are not honest with each other and that those of us who live in the homeland consider the Diaspora as a treasury. That is why we are ready to deceive, to change the reality so that they send that money, and many of our compatriots living in the Diaspora, who are really patriots, do not want to come and live here. Instead, they are called to come and fight.

In his opinion, that approach should be changed. If there are almost twice as many Armenians living in the Diaspora as in the homeland, they should be represented here with their human presence and scientific resources. There should be at least a Ministry of Diaspora in Artsakh, and that individual should be from the Diaspora. Diasporans should understand that the way to develop the homeland is by living in it. If the Diaspora gets involved in the reconstruction of Artsakh, Artsakh will be restored much sooner with its human presence and its scientific potential. 

“We have more Armenian schools in Syria than in Stepanakert. We have more Armenian churches in Aleppo than in Artsakh,” said Esmerian. “We have more theaters in Aleppo than in Stepanakert. But what is the point of having eight theaters, 30 schools in a foreign country? Isn’t it better to have two and bring the rest of the money to build an ‘Aleppo–like’ district for the homeland, for example?”

Esmerian also addressed PM Nikol Pashinyan’s recent comments on “lowering the bar” on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh; he believes the Armenians of Artsakh are more determined to fight. Most of the Armenians of Artsakh do not believe in victory; rather, they stand strong and make it difficult for the enemy to advance. There cannot be a “dull and unhappy” part of the homeland. We are ready to fight for every piece of our land, and if the Armenians living in Armenia see that the people of Artsakh are not indifferent and that they are defending their land, they will join and that will inspire compatriots living in the Diaspora. “This is the reality, the guarantee of our struggle and our life is in this trinity, Armenia, the Diaspora and Artsakh,” says Esmerian.

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Siranush Sargsyan is a historian and political scientist. She’s earned her degrees from Artsakh State University and the Public Administration Academy of the Republic of Armenia. Her master thesis focused on the issues surrounding the development of the party system in Nagorno-Karabakh. She’s taught history in a village in Martuni and has served as the chief specialist of the Republic of Artsakh National Assembly in the Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sports. Siranush takes great interest in conflict resolution, gender equality and education.


Russia and Armenia to lift all Covid restrictions from May 16 – Deputy PM Overchuk

Badalian Vardan
Interfax
May 12 2022

YEREVAN. May 12 (Interfax) – All coronavirus restrictions between Armenia and Russia will be lifted starting in mid-May, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said.

“The operational headquarters has made the decision, and from May 16 all coronavirus restrictions will be lifted and both road transport and air transport will become possible. All issues which dragged out contact between our countries are today being eliminated,” Overchuk told Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan on Thursday, the Armenian government’s press service said.

The meeting also focused on aspects of Russian-Armenian cooperation.

 

President of Belarus to participate in CSTO summit in Moscow

Badalian Vardan

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 12:27,

YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko will pay a working visit to Russia on May 16 to take part in the summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), his office said.

The leaders of the CSTO states will gather in Moscow on May 16 for a summit on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Collective Security Treaty and the 20th anniversary of the founding of the organization.

Lukashenko is expected to have a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Armenian PM to leave for Moscow on May 16 to participate in CSTO summit

Badalian Vardan

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 15:17,

YEREVAN, MAY 12, ARMENPRESS. The summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will take place in Moscow on May 16, which will be attended by Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, Interfax reported.

“The summit of the member states of the CSTO will take place in Moscow on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the CSTO. Both the meeting of the leaders and their private conversation in the format of a luncheon are expected. CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia, the current chair in the CSTO, will brief reporters on the results of the event”, Peskov said.

No Armenian-Azerbaijani document can secure them against geopolitical shocks – Arman Melikyan

Badalian Vardan
ARMINFO
Armenia –
David Stepanyan

ArmInfo.The 44-day-war in the South Caucasus disturbed the politico-military and geopolitical balance. And a new politico-military balance that would ensure long-  lasting peace in the region will take a considerable amount of time  to form, Ambassador Arman Melikyan said in an interview with ArmInfo. 

“The present geopolitical situation does not allow either the  Armenian or the Azerbaijani leaders to ignore the geopolitical  situation in our region and in the neighboring ones even during the  next six months. Under the circumstances, any document Yerevan and  Baku would sign here and now will not secure the signatories against  possible – and even expected – geopolitical shocks in and round our  region,” Mr Melikyan said.  

Amid the ongoing geopolitical transformations, signing any interstate  document supposed to “legally cement” the Armenian-Azerbaijani  relations in terms of their level and content is pointless. On the  other hand, the negotiations amid the region’s geopolitical  reconfiguration are, beyond doubt, a deterrent to possible use of  force.   

Even if Armenia and Azerbaijan sign a peace treaty in the foreseeable  future, such a treaty should not be expected to contain special  points on Artsakh. And given the fact that Azerbaijan’s legislation  does not contain a point on a territorial unit named  Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku can at best guarantee the rights of the  Artsakh Armenians.  

“My greatest concern is that Armenia’s incumbent authorities are  lacking experience and knowledge necessary to manage such complicated  processes. In this context, I think that the prospects of Russian  military presence in Artsakh will depend on the presence of the  Armenian population that needs protection rather than on an  Armenian-Azerbaijani peace agreement,” Mr Melikyan said.

Prospects for Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan Have Improved: President Aliyev

Badalian Vardan
May 4 2022
By

 Rachel Avraham

 –

 3 Iyyar 5782 – May 4, 2022

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev in late April delivered a speech in Shusha, in the war-tormented region of Nagorno-Karabakh, proclaiming that the issue of Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization is on the agenda now. “Despite all the painful moments, despite the occupation, and despite all the atrocities committed, we believe that this is necessary for the future of the region,” Aliyev said, “So, we came up with a peace agenda.”

He explained: “We put forward a proposal consisting of five specific principles, and Armenia has accepted these five principles. Thus, the Armenian leadership has officially stated that it recognizes the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, has no territorial claims regarding Azerbaijan, and will not have any in the future. This is a crucial moment for the post-conflict period, and we intend to conduct further negotiations based on these five principles.”

“At present, the foreign and other ministers of both countries are setting up working groups, and I think concrete talks should be initiated soon,” the Azerbaijani president noted. “The talks should not be delayed, because a peace agreement will be signed based on these five principles. Therefore, the text of the agreement can be prepared and signed soon. Thus, diplomatic relations can be established between Armenia and Azerbaijan.”

Azerbaijani Rabbi Shmuel Simantov commented that “for 29 years, the Armenians did not build anything. They stole gold teeth from graves. They destroyed homes and mosques. They tried to erase the history of Azerbaijanis from Karabakh.”

“Now, Azerbaijan is doing everything to return everyone to their homes,” he continued. “After all these years, Azerbaijan’s president wants to do everything through peace and not war. So far, the Armenians did not give him the opportunity to do it. He said that we have strength, but we want peace. This is our message to Armenia and the international community.”

Turkish Jewish journalist Rafael Sadi concurred that Aliyav’s speech “shows the strength of Azerbaijan versus Armenia, maybe also Iran. It shows the Azerbaijani people how strong their president is.”

Sadi also believes the timing of the speech has significance for promoting the Azerbaijani-Israeli friendship, coinciding as it was with Israeli finance minister Avigdor Liberman’s April 24 visit to Azerbaijan, as well as the anniversary of the death of Albert Agarunovich Agarunov, who was among the defenders of Shusha. Agarunov left his vehicle to remove the bodies of dead Azerbaijani soldiers and was killed by sniper fire on the road connecting Shusha to Lachin on May 8, 1992.

“Albert Aqarunov is the most important name promoting the friendship between Azerbaijan and Israel and between the entire Jewish world and Azerbaijan. And the Azerbaijanis know to honor this Jewish soldier better than many other countries in the world,” Sadi noted.

Tarlan Ahmadov, the founder of the Azerbaijan Society of Maine, declared in April: “I believe the gathering of the Azerbaijani Diaspora and the historic speech of President Aliyev will make Mr. Liberman’s visit exceptional as the State of Israel is considered a close ally in the Middle East and beyond. In my opinion, the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity changed the balance of regional power, and Azerbaijan became not only a transportation hub and a trans-Caspian energy resource hub, but also a political power that controls not only the South Caucuses but beyond. Azerbaijan has the potential to produce grain and transport it from Kazakhstan and Central Asia using the Caspian Sea corridor, and, hopefully, by soon opening a railroad via the Zangezur region to Turkey. This will play a large role in food and energy stability in Europe.”

Azerbaijani journalist Elnur Enveroglu noted that “this year marks the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Israel and Azerbaijan,” and pointed out that Liberman and Aliyev discussed expanding economic and trade relations as well as cooperation in the field of energy, and signing several important contracts.”

“Obviously, Azerbaijan has been a close partner of Israel and this partnership has emerged in many important aspects,” Enveroglu said.

As for the Armenians, he opined: “Armenia has changed a lot after the latest political developments, especially the recent signing of the agreement between Moscow and Baku in February. The agreement sent a clear message to the Armenians that it is better to improve relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey. I also think that the latest events have caught the attention of regional countries including Russia, Iran, Armenia, Turkey, and Israel.

Russians’ trips to Armenia triple in Q1, data shows

Badalian Vardan
PanARMENIAN
Armenia – May 4 2022
May 4, 2022 – 10:58 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Federal Security Service of Russia has admitted the sharp increase in the number of citizens who left the country in January-March 2022, RFE/RL’s Russian Service says.

The number of Russians traveling to Armenia has tripled, while the number of those preferring Georgia has increased by almost five times, according to the data published by the authorities.

In the first quarter of 2022, 134,000 Russians left for Armenia. Most of those who left – 78,000 – mentioned that they were traveling for private purposes, while 41,000 said for tourism. For comparison, in the first three months of 2021, only 44,000 citizens left Russia for Armenia.

Departure to Uzbekistan (53,000 people who left against 15,000 a year earlier), Tajikistan (40,000 and 8,000, respectively), Azerbaijan (56,000 and 20,000) has grown significantly too.

Experts attribute the significant migration of Russians to a number of factors, including the lifting of Covid restrictions, which were still in effect in many countries in 2021. However, one of the key reasons was also the Russian war in Ukraine.
https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/300063/Russians_trips_to_Armenia_triple_in_Q1_data_shows

Hardly anyone in Armenia would dare cede Artsakh to Azerbaijan – Davit Sanasaryan

Badalian Vardan
ARMINFO
Armenia – May 4 2022
David Stepanyan

ArmInfo. It is not at all clear what policy underlies the opposition forces’ promises to save Artsakh from Azerbaijan and Armenia from Turkification, Davit Sanasaryan, Chairman  of the Sovereign Armenia Party, said in an interview with ArmInfo.

“I can only assume that a policy toward joining the Allied State or,  to an extent, integrating with Russia, is being implemented. In any  case, Russia is playing its role in all these games  – and not at all  for mere participation. In any case, democratic processes are taking  place in Armenia, and elections are not accompanied with frauds  similar to those not long ago. And profound democratic changes in  Armenia cannot, understandably, be in Moscow’s interests,” Mr  Sanasaryan said. 

In this context, he does rule out that one of the aims of the  protests by the parliamentary opposition is to force Armenia’s  Premier Nikol Pashinyan into remaining subordinate to Moscow, with a  “contingency plan” of changing power in Armenia if necessary. 

As to the reasons for the opposition forces’ intensified activities,  Mr Sanasaryan singled out the premier’s recent “inaccurate”  statements, which enabled the opposition forces to play on people’s  emotions and beliefs, claiming an imminent surrender of Artsakh.  

“You know, the caliber of Nikol Pashinyan – or of any other person in  Armenia – does not allow them to cede Artsakh to Azerbaijan. Once  they attempt to do so, they will face such public discontent that  they will ‘regret the mistake.’ And everyone will see a real  revolution, not what is going on now. And however hard these people  try to emulate our street protests, they will fail for the simple  reason that it was the people, not parties, that took to the streets  in 2018 – the people humiliated and robbed by the leaders of the  present-day opposition. The people were defending their interests not  those of clans,” Mr Sanasaryan said.  

He stressed that the righteous popular discontent with Armenia’s  premier and demand for his resignation after the defeat in the 44-day  war met with the actions by supporters of Robert Kocharyan and Serzh  Sargsyan. In particular, most of the discontented prefers staying at  home after seeing the “former ones'” activities. And most of the  voters supported Pashinyan in the early parliamentary elections only  to prevent the return of Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan.

“And now Pashinyan is making unacceptable statements on both Artsakh  and Armenia, but people are not taking to the streets as they are  perfectly aware that the cries about Artsakh, Turks and enemies are  nothing but a struggle for power. And, in some cases, the reason for  this struggle is those people’s desire to not find themselves behind  the bars,” Mr Sanasaryan said.

https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=69280&lang=3

IALA’s second annual mentorship program supports emerging Armenian writers

Badalian Vardan
May 3, 2022 International Armenian Literary Alliance Literary Corner, Announcements 0

The International Armenian Literary Alliance’s (IALA) second annual mentorship program will run from July 5 through August 30, 2022 with mentorships for writers of the novel, memoir, creative nonfiction, short story and poetry. Mentors will read and provide feedback on their mentee’s writing and speak virtually with their mentee throughout the program to discuss the writing life, the mentee’s work and how to navigate the publishing industry. At the end of the program, IALA will host an Emerging Writers Showcase to feature the mentees’ work.

Applications are now open through May 20, 2022. 

“It is exciting to spearhead the mentorship program for one great reason: the program will bring together aspiring Armenian writers with established Armenian authors,” says program director Shahé Mankerian. “The guidance from the experienced writer will be invaluable to the budding storyteller.”

“Our program provides emerging writers with a mentor who understands Armenian cultural perspectives and the richness and diversity of identities within our community,” says IALA founder Olivia Katrandjian. “‘Lifting as we climb,’ in the words of suffragist and civil rights leader Mary Church Terrell, is integral to IALA’s mission. Our mentorship program allows us to lift up the next generation of Armenian writers and help them thrive.” 

IALA’s inaugural mentorship program matched 11 writers with authors. Mentors included Aida Zilelian, Nancy Agabian, Armen Davoudian, Gregory Djanikian, Mashinka Firunts Hakopian, Arminé Iknadossian, Nancy Kricorian, Markar Melkonian, Lola Koundakjian, Aline Ohanesian and Alene Terzian-Zeitounian.

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The International Armenian Literary Alliance is a nonprofit organization launched in 2021 that supports and celebrates writers by fostering the development and distribution of Armenian literature in the English language. A network of Armenian writers and their champions, IALA gives Armenian writers a voice in the literary world through creative, professional, and scholarly advocacy.