Textile factory to be founded in Gyumri
Saturday,
December 08
A new textile factory is to be built in Gyumri, Hraparak reports. The
old one, Lentextile, was destroyed during the 1988 earthquake. 27,000
people worked at the factory, including workers from USSR countries.
Paper’s sources close to Gyumri Mayor’s Office say that the new
factory will have smaller staff and Mayor’s Office negotiates with
European partners to get funds for founding the factory.
TODAY, 11:32
Aysor.am
Turkish PM Erdogan drops out of Forbes list of world’s most powerful people
13:12 06/12/2012 » SOCIETY
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is no longer on the Forbes
magazine’s annual list of `The World’s Most Powerful People,’ Turkish
news agency Dogan reported.
Erdogan occupied the 48th place in the list last year. Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez was ranked 48th in this year’s Forbes list of
the most powerful people.
The annual list selected what Forbes said were the world’s 71
most-powerful people from among the roughly 7.1 billion global
populace, based on factors ranging from wealth to global influence.
Obama was joined in the top 10 by German Chancellor Angela Merkel,
Russian President Vladimir Putin, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud
of Saudi Arabia and British Prime Minister David Cameron.
The list’s highest-ranked businessman was Microsoft co-founder Bill
Gates at No. 4. U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and
European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, both public officials,
also made the top 10.
Source: Panorama.am
Le Huffington Post
7 dec 2012
Jusqu’où la Turquie veut-elle être l’héritière de l’empire ottoman?
Laurent Leylekian. Membre de l’Observatoire arménien
TURQUIE – L’Etat turc a une conception immodérée de la propriété, en
tout cas de la sienne. On se rappelle d’une anecdote bien connue qui
illustra cette réalité, le 16 mars 1921, lors du Traité de Moscou
entérinant en toute illégalité la soviétisation de l’Arménie entre
deux gouvernements alors non reconnus par la communauté
internationale, celui de la Turquie kémaliste et celui de la Russie
bolchevique.
A cette occasion, le délégué turc Yusuf Kemal s’était plaint de la
présence du Mont Ararat -le Fuji Yama des Arméniens échu en territoire
turc- sur le blason de la République d’Arménie nouvellement
soviétisée. Ce qui lui valut une réplique cinglante de Gueorgui
Tchitcherine, le Commissaire du peuple aux Affaires Etrangères:
“Vous avez bien un croissant de lune sur votre drapeau. Et pourtant,
la Lune ne vous appartient pas!”.
Il faut croire que la Turquie a renoué avec cette arrogance en matière
de relations internationales, notamment puisqu’elle se lance désormais
dans une politique agressive de revendications concernant les trésors
archéologiques naguère découverts sur son actuel territoire.
Depuis peu donc, Ankara s’est persuadé que des pièces détenues par
divers musée occidentaux lui reviendraient en droit. C’est ainsi que
le Ministère turc de la Culture a très officiellement demandé, et
obtenu, la “restitution” du sphinx hittite de Hatusa détenu par Berlin
depuis 1934 ou d’un buste d’Hercule que possédait le musée d’Art de
Boston. Dans le cas allemand, il est tout à fait notable que la
Turquie soit parvenue à ses fins en menaçant de fermeture les fouilles
opérées par les archéologues allemands depuis les années 70.
“Tout est à nous!”
Ceci dit, le chantage de marche pas toujours: au début de cette année,
le British Museum a préféré mettre un terme à des projets d’exposition
nécessitant le prêt de pièces venues de Turquie plutôt que de
“restituer”, comme le voulaient préalablement les Turcs, une statue de
la période séleucide.
Plus récemment encore, Ankara s’est vu poliment, mais fermement,
opposer par la France une convention internationale de l’Unesco pour
refuser le retour en Turquie de faïences d’Iznik et de Kütahya; des
pièces qui, au demeurant, furent souvent l’`uvre d’artisans grecs et
arméniens dont on sait quel sort amène leur réserva la Turquie.
Ceux qui sont un peu au fait de la politique présente et passé de la
Turquie concernant le patrimoine culturel et archéologique présent sur
son territoire souriront avec amertume. Car si, tout au long du 19e et
au début du 20e siècle, ces pièces n’avaient pas fait l’objet de
mesure de sauvegarde par les grands musées occidentaux, il y a fort à
parier qu’il n’en resterait aujourd’hui que des ruines.
C’est en effet avec un acharnement particulier que l’Empire ottoman
finissant et la république turque naissante se sont employés à
détruire frénétiquement tout ce qui pouvait rappeler le passé grec et
arménien de l’Asie mineure. A cet égard, mais aussi au regard de notre
actuel devoir de solidarité européenne avec la Grèce, il y aurait
certainement plus de raisons de restituer des pièces séleucides à
Athènes qu’à Ankara. Sans parler des Hittites, disparus plus de 1500
ans avant que les Turcs n’apparaissent et que seule une
historiographie fantaisiste permet de rattacher à la Turquie.
Ceci dit, cette peu diplomatique diplomatie culturelle pose une vraie
question. Car si, comme l’a récemment clamé Radikal, “tout est à nous”
du point de vue turc, c’est implicitement que la Turquie se considère
sans doute l’Etat successeur de l’Empire ottoman, entité politique qui
dirigeait effectivement la région lorsque les pièces en questions
furent transférées en Occident.
Des faïences à 100 milliards d’euros?
Et elle a raison car, en vérité, la Turquie actuelle est effectivement
l’Etat successeur de l’Empire ottoman et elle est même bien plus: aux
termes du Droits international, elle en l’Etat continuateur.
La nuance semble mince mais ses conséquences ne le sont pas: car un
Etat continuateur, c’est tout simplement le même Etat, conservant ses
droits et ses obligations notamment en matière juridique et
financière.
Ainsi donc, si Ankara tient tellement à récupérer les faïences d’Iznik
ou les antiques navires grecs du British Museum, il faudrait sans
doute qu’elle songe d’abord à honorer ses dettes à l’égard de tous ses
voisins, et notamment la fantastique dette de vingt milliards de
franc-or de 1914 qu’elle est censée devoir à l’Arménie aux termes
d’une estimation faite en 1919 pour indemniser la nation arménienne,
et des dommages de guerre, et surtout des irréparables dommages
humains et matériel dont la Turquie se rendit coupable par le
génocide.
Sans même parler des implications politiques que constituerait pour la
Turquie la reconnaissance du fait qu’elle est l’Etat continuateur de
l’Empire ottoman, cette dette réactualisée se monterait aujourd’hui à
plusieurs centaines de milliards d’euros.
Rappelons pour mémoire que le coup de force des Soviets, consistant à
annuler purement et simplement les créances tsaristes -les fameux
emprunts russes- ne fut jamais accepté par l’Occident et qu’aux termes
d’une remarquable persévérance, la France réussit à arracher quatre
cents millions à la Russie dans les années 90, sans d’ailleurs que
ceci n’éteigne toute les actions judiciaires.
La Turquie serait donc bien inspirée de prendre ces éléments en
considérations avant que de réclamer à la légère des pièces sur
lesquelles elle n’a juridiquement, et surtout moralement, aucun droit.
Trial of the case on German investor’s plaint to be started over
Sat, 12/08/2012 – 18:48
Today the Court of Center and Norq Marash administrative districts of
Yerevan under the presidency of Justice Arayik Melkumyan decided to
start over the trial on the case of the German `EastInvestor’ company
President Stefan Laxhuber against Gagik Tsarukyan’s Yerevan `Ararat’
Brandy-Wine-Vodka Factory.
The parties will additionally be notified about the court session.
Let us recall that the plaintiff demands to recognize void the
decision of the general meeting of shareholders, state registration of
amendments to the Charter, changes made in the shareholders’ registry
and restore the rights of `EastInvestor’ Company as a shareholder and
owner of 1520 stocks of Yerevan `Ararat’ Brandy-Wine-Vodka Factory.
ÕÕ¥Õ²Õ«Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯:
Factinfo
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Dec 8 2012
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office wants progress in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
8 December 2012 – 8:54am
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore has expressed
regret over the violent clashes in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict this year.
Gilmore said following the 19th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial
Council in Dublin that it is necessary to achieve the progress at the
talks.
During his visit to Baku and Yerevan as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in
summer 2012, Gilmore called on the parties to an active dialogue and
cooperation with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen. He has expressed
support for OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen’s statement in Dublin
yesterday.
The decision within the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be taken by
consensus, Gilmore said. The OSCE position in this issue is that the
conflict, which lasted too long, must be resolved through the
negotiations between the parties of the conflict. The matter rests in
a shaped process – the Minsk Group’s activity, which is supported by
the OSCE and assistance to the parties of conflict at these
negotiations.
Gilmore said that several events were held in Dublin during the
country’s presidency in the OSCE where the country has shared its
experience on the peace process on Northern Ireland.
“I am pleased that the progress on Transdniestrian settlement was
reached during Ireland’s presidency,” he said.
APA, Azerbaijan
Dec 8 2012
Azerbaijani and French Foreign Ministries hold political consultations
– PHOTO [ 08 December 2012 17:15 ]
Baku – APA. Political consultations between the Azerbaijani and French
Foreign Ministries were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Press Service of Foreign Ministry told APA that Azerbaijani
delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov, French
delegation by Director of the Continental Europe Department at the
French Foreign Ministry Eric Fournier.
The sides expressed satisfaction with high level relations between
Azerbaijan and France.
Reminding the visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and
Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva to his country, French
official noted that the visits contributed positively to the relations
between the two countries.
Deputy Minister Khalaf Khalafov highly estimated the visit of French
delegation to Azerbaijan.
Speaking of successful reforms and stability in Azerbaijan, Khalaf
Khalafov considered Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict as a threat and danger
to the country and the whole region.
Noting that our country supports peaceful settlement of the conflict,
Deputy Minister stressed that negotiations lasting for 20 years have
not yielded any results. Deputy Minister noted that Armenia
demonstrates non-constructive position and brought to the attention of
the opposite side that it only damages the negotiation process. It was
noted that Armenia ignores the international law, resolutions and
decisions adopted by international organizations on the settlement of
the conflict and underlined that more pressure must be exerted on this
country so that it demonstrates constructive position. Khalaf Khalafov
underlined that the negotiations must not be held for the sake of
negotiations and noted that the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group must
be directed towards the release of the occupied territories. Deputy
Minister underlined the necessity of taking serious steps.
The sides exchanged views on other regional issues and underlined the
importance of increasing the mutual visits.
Cihan News Agency (CNA), Turkey
December 8, 2012 Saturday
Iran is everywhere
by ABDÜLHAMIT BILICI
ISTANBUL (CIHAN)- “In recent years, we, as Turkey, have come across
Iran wherever we turn.” This remark does not belong to a conspiracy
theorist who utters unbelievable arguments or a partial analyst who
does not care about reality.
It was said by an official who possesses information on intelligence
but who also has information on both the deep and semi-deep state.
It may sound surprising to some of us, but Iran’s approach to every
matter, including the fight against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party
(PKK), the Syrian crisis and relations with Lebanon and Iraq, is
diametrically opposite to Turkey’s. Given the fact that Iran and
Turkey have historically been in a never-ending competition in the
region, a race that may even evolve into hostility at times, how can
we regard the current status in bilateral relations as surprising? It
shouldn’t be startling, at least to those who look at the process from
a historical perspective and who don’t disregard geopolitical laws. If
there is a fierce competition that even amounts to hostility at times
between Turkey and Iran, is the solution a conflict or war? Absolutely
not.
What must be done is to sweep aside the romanticism that refuses to
take heed of realities and the historical perspective and study Iran
in-depth with its domestic balance, the policies it pursues in the
Middle East and around the world and as regards Turkey and develop a
new approach.
Today’s Zaman Editor-in-Chief Bülent Kenes’s books, which are the
products of his doctoral work on the foreign policy of the Iranian
revolution, fill the deep void in this regard. Kenes’s previously
published book tried to ascertain whether Iran should be perceived as
“a threat or an opportunity.” Some of his striking arguments were that
Iran would attack the Ottoman Empire whenever it was attacked by
European powers, that Iran — which voices its Islamic concerns over
Palestine — entertains friendly ties with Armenia despite the
Armenian occupation of the Azerbaijani territories and that that Iran
lends support to the Baath regime-orchestrated massacre in Syria. He
also explains how in 1982 Iran failed to react to the tragedy in Hama
and that while it pretends to pursue Islamic policies, Iran has a
pragmatic/nationalist policy of holding secret negotiations with
Israel and the US, and that the taqiyya (deception) principle has a
deep-root sectarian legitimacy in the system.
Kenes’s new book from the same series, “Iran ve Terör” (Iran and
Terror), puts the spotlight on this country’s involvement in
terrorism, a hot topic on the world’s agenda.
Drawing attention to the fact that the policy Iran pursued in the
post-revolution era has played a major role in contributing to the
international community’s tendency to link Islam with violence and
terrorism long before al-Qaeda’s heinous terrorist attacks, Kenes
maintains that Tehran not only lent support to all kinds of subversive
activities against the regimes of neighboring countries including
Turkey, but also aided in all possible ways local and global terrorist
organizations.
He notes that terrorism is instrumental in Iran’s official policies
and explains that Iran would intentionally leave its traces in
assassinations it carried out against regime dissidents as a calling
card, but destroyed all the evidence in other attacks so that they
could not be traced back to Iran.
There is an official Iran as represented by spiritual leaders and
Revolutionary Guards, however, the country is extremely diverse, most
of which is not visible to the international community. It might have
been useful to discuss Iran’s official position in terms of the
differences between Mohammad Khatami and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or
between conservatives and the supporters of Mir-Hossein Mousavi, who
took to the streets for the Green Revolution. There are many Iranians
who disapprove of the regime’s acts and who envy modernizing and
liberalizing Turkey and who have kinship ties with Turkey and we
should avoid the risk of pushing the conflict to an ontological level.
Given the fact that Iran will occupy greater room in both the world
and Turkey’s agenda as regards regional developments in the coming
days, Kenes’s book is a noteworthy pioneering source.
Congressional Documents and Publications
December 5, 2012
House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia Hearing
“Iranian Influence in the South Caucasus and the Surrounding Region.”
Testimony by Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. – (D-NY)
Thank you Chairman Burton, for holding this hearing, which I am sad to
say is likely your last on this committee, after almost three decades
of service in the House of Representatives. Mr. Chairman, it has been
an honor to serve on this subcommittee with you, and I hope that you
will continue to prosper and enjoy life with your wonderful wife and
your family.
We are dealing with an important question today, as the South Caucasus
region represents a complex web of both regional alliances and
conflicts, bitter rivalries, varying degrees of western orientation,
disparate economic trajectories and a potential venue for instability
or even violence.
In terms of viewing the South Caucasus region from the perspective of
this subcommittee, it is important to note that some of our strongest
instruments, the Euro-Atlantic institutions of NATO and the European
Union, have a weak presence in this region, and therefore are not as
influential as they are in the Balkans, for instance. Ultimately, this
means that Europe and the United States have less leverage in the
region.
This allows other countries in the region to compete for political,
economic and military influence. I believe that Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Georgia represent trustworthy allies of the United States, but I
realize full well that their bilateral relationships are complicated,
and that they all have to take their immediate neighborhood into
account.
With only two open borders, and one of them being with Iran, Armenia
faces the constant threat of isolation, and this is a core driver in
managing Armenia’s relationship with Iran.
Azerbaijan has a sizeable Diaspora in northern Iran, but a vastly
different strategic, social and political orientation than Iran’s
leadership. Despite a potential religious kinship between Iran and
Azerbaijan, Iran has historically sided with Armenia over the
contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Furthermore, Azerbaijan enjoys a
solid relationship with Israel, which further distances Baku and
Tehran from one another.
Georgia has the strongest western orientation in the region, and my
sense is that this will remain intact even after their change of
government. But like any other country, Georgia is seeking economic
opportunities everywhere, including potential trade or investment
relations with Iran.
I believe there is a potential for Iran to exploit the complicated
relationships between each of these countries, and that others in the
region have interests that compete or overlap with Iran.
Simultaneously, each of the South Caucasus nations play an important
role in western relations with Iran, particularly their ability to
comply with international sanctions, and I think it is important for
US policy towards the region to find ways to facilitate and strengthen
this compliance.
Russia appears to want to limit both the influence of the United
States and Turkey in the South Caucasus, so I am curious to hear our
panel’s views on how Russia and Iran manage their relationship in the
region.
I have followed with great interest Turkey’s attempts to normalize
relations with Armenia, and my sense is that such a step holds the
greatest potential to improve both stability and prosperity in the
region. Lifting Armenia’s isolation would not only allow Yerevan
greater independence from Iranian and Russian influence, it would also
be mutually beneficial for Turkey and Armenia in a number of ways. I
am interested in hearing the panel’s perspectives on whether this is
an issue the Turkish and Armenian governments might be able to
re-engage on.
What we can all agree on, is that it is in no one’s interest to see a
nuclear armed Iran, and I look forward to exploring how the South
Caucasus region can help the United States and Europe to prevent this
outcome.
Thank you, I yield back.
Read this original document at:
Xinhua General News Service, China
December 7, 2012 Friday 6:55 PM EST
U.S., Russia, France call for “decisive steps” to settle
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) — Senior officials of the United States,
Russia and France on Friday urged Azerbaijan and Armenia to take
“decisive steps” to settle their conflict over Nagorno- Karabakh.
The fresh appeal came from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and France’s Minister Delegate
for European Affairs Bernard Cazeneuve, as they attended a ministerial
meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE) in Dublin, Ireland to discuss proposals to strengthen the
group’s capacity to promote comprehensive security in Eurasia.
“We again urge the parties to take decisive steps to reach a peaceful
settlement,” the trio said in a joint statement, whose countries
co-chair the Minsk Group of the OSCE which has been mediating the
conflict.
They alleged that the parties have “too often” sought one-sided
advantage in the negotiation process, rather than seeking to find
agreement based upon mutual understanding.
“While recognizing the decrease in serious incidents along the Line of
Contact and the border in recent months, we remind the parties of the
need to continue to respect the ceasefire of 1994, and that the use of
military force will not resolve the conflict,” they cautioned. “We
urge the parties to refrain from actions and statements that foster
feelings of enmity among their populations and have raised tensions in
recent months.”
Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been controlled by
Armenian troops and ethnic forces since a separatist war broke out in
1988. The two South Caucasus countries signed a cease-fire agreement
in 1994 but skirmishes break out time and again despite repeated
mediation by the OSCE Minsk Group.
“We call upon the parties to demonstrate a greater sense of urgency in
the peace process and to work with the co-chairs to give full and
careful consideration to ideas presented by the co- chairs during
their trip to the region in November,” the three ministers said.
They welcomed the readiness of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and
Armenia to meet jointly with the co-chairs early in 2013 to continue
discussions over the conflict.
“Our countries continue to stand ready to do whatever we can to assist
the parties, but the responsibility for putting an end to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains with them,” they added.
U.S. Congressmen to continue contributing to international recognition
of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
arminfo
Saturday, December 8, 14:03
Members of the U.S. House and Senate joined with more than one hundred
Armenian American community leaders at a December 5th Capitol Hill
celebration of Nagorno Karabakh’s independence, featuring a keynote
address by the Foreign Minister of Nagorno Karabakh, Karen Mirzoyan.
The Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic in the USA reports that
the Congressional event, held in the historic Russell building on the
Senate side of Capitol Hill was sponsored and organized by the
Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Rep. Ed
Royce, the incoming Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and
Rep. Frank Pallone, in cooperation with the Armenian Embassy, the
Office of the Nagorno- Karabakh Republic in the United States, and
leading Armenian American organizations. Diplomats, religious leaders,
think tank community representatives, Congressional staff members,
Armenian-Americans community leaders, and representatives of local and
international media joined the legislators in participating in the
celebration.
The event marked the day, 21 years ago, when Artsakh held a national
referendum on its independence that delivered an overwhelming vote
(98.9% of eligible Artsakh voters) in support of an independent state
that, acting on its own authority, was empowered to decide forms of
co-operation with other states and communities. In 2006, more than a
decade later, also in December, the citizens of Artsakh reaffirmed
their commitment to live in a free and independent state by adopting
Artsakh’s primary law, namely the Constitution of the Nagorno Karabakh
Republic, Artsakh, which consolidated all the basic principles of
state sovereignty and marked a new stage in the Republic’s
development.
Minister Mirzoyan, in his keynote address, emphasized the importance
of both democratic votes, as well as the symbolism of their having
taken place on or near International Human Rights Day. He stressed, in
his remarks, that: “For us, independence is not just an ultimate goal,
but also the means by which the Nagorno Karabakh Republic can take its
rightful place as a responsible member of the international community;
by which our people can best fulfill their potential, realize their
aspirations, and enjoy all the rights and freedoms that everyone
deserves.” While talking about the Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict,
Minister Mirzoyan stressed Artsakh’s alliance with the international
community in seeking a peaceful resolution of the conflict. He also
expressed confidence that “effective negotiations require the
immediate restoration of Artsakh’s full participation in all aspects
of the negotiation process.”
Ambassador Markarian addressed the gathering and praised the Armenian
Congressional Caucus for their unwavering support for independence,
security and democratic development of Artsakh. He strongly condemned
the recent hostile actions of Azerbaijan and underscored the urgency
of support and recognition of the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic by the international community. As part of the evening’s
program, Ambassador Markarian presented “Mkhitar Gosh” medals to the
Representatives Anna Eshoo and Brad Sherman. These honors, bestowed
by the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, recognized their many
contributions to the advancement of Armenian issues, including
universal recognition of the Armenian Genocide. At the same time,
during the event, Minister Mirzoyan awarded both Reps. Sherman and
Eshoo commemorative medals dedicated to the anniversary of the
Artsakh’s independence.
Members of Congress congratulated people of Artsakh on the occasion of
those anniversaries and highlighted their support for the legitimacy
of the Artsakh’s independence and its many achievements since
independence. They expressed their readiness to continue supporting
international recognition of the Artsakh Republic and condemned the
escalation of threats and acts of anti-Armenian hatred and violence by
the Azerbaijani government, a troubling trend that recently culminated
in Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s pardoning of convicted
axe-murderer Ramil Safarov.
In his opening remarks, Representative Pallone, who moderated the
event, stressed that the people and leaders of Artsakh realized their
right to self- determination and independence in full conformity with
all existing national and international law, legal precedent, and
democratic traditions. He called for continued American support for
Artsakh’s democracy. Joining Congressman Pallone in offering
remarks, and making statements, were Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), and
Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Anna Eshoo
D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), and Eliot Engel (D-NY), the incoming
Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as Senator
Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA).
Reps. Jeff Denham (R-CA) and Linda Sanchez (D- CA) were also among
those participating in the celebration.
John Evans, the former US Ambassador to Armenia attended and addressed
the event.
The program was rounded out by a powerful speech by Anna
Astvatsaturian Turcotte, an Armenian refugee from Azerbaijan, who was
an eyewitness to anti-Armenian violence in Baku. She spoke movingly
of those dreadful days, which reaffirmed, she explained, her resolve
to see Artsakh live in freedom. She recently published her memoirs,
titled “Nowhere, a Story of Exile,” that tells the story of her life
in Baku, and Azerbaijan’s brutality against Armenian citizens in Baku
and elsewhere. She called upon the global community to pay proper
attention to the plight of Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan, and
expressed her hope that one day Azerbaijani society would be able to
overcome its hatred towards Armenians.
The event was concluded by the invocation served by the Archbishop
Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
America (East), as well as Reverend Fathers of both Armenian churches
in Washington.