Author: Boris Nahapetian

The French Embassy in Ankara and the French consulate in Istanbul will be closed until further notice after the country’s diplomatic missions in Turkey have cancelled their planned events to mark France’s National Day due to security concerns, the Hurriyet Daily News reports.

“Information points to a serious threat against plans for the celebration of the July 14 national holiday in Turkey. As a precaution, we have decided, in conjunction with the Turkish authorities, to cancel the celebrations,” a statement from the mission in Istanbul said.

The consulate general had been due to hold a reception on the evening of July 13, while French missions in the capital Ankara and the Aegean coastal city of İzmir had planned events for the following day.

Turkey has recently been facing security threats, including from militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which was blamed for an attack on an Istanbul airport last month which killed 45 people and wounded hundreds.

Manchester United completed the transfer of Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday afternoon and Reds supporters around the world are now looking forward to watching the 27-year-old Armenian in action.

has talked to German football expert Raphael Honigstein to gain an insight into Mkhitaryan ahead of his first match for the club, which potentially could be against his former employers Dortmund on 22 July. That high-profile friendly match will open this United’s Tour 2016, presented by Aon, in China.

Here is what Honigstein had to say about Jose Mourinho’s third signing as United manager.

THE BEST IN THE BUNDESLIGA
“Mkhitaryan is just a wonderful player, the best in the Bundesliga last year, and it really is a joy to watch him play. He’s an attacking midfielder who can play as a number 10 or on either side in a narrow attack.

“He loves to beat people, his final ball is sensational, he gets a lot of assists and he scores goals as well. He oozes technique and sophistication.”

A THINKING MAN’S FOOTBALLER
“Henrikh is definitely a thinking man’s footballer. He comes from a football family: his dad was a player, his sister works for UEFA and they are very intelligent people.

“He’s very well educated, he’s multi-lingual and extremely clever. He didn’t connect that well with Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund, but did with Thomas Tuchel last season to great effect.”

BOOSTED BY A BOOK
“There’s a famous book called The Inner Game of Tennis, which a lot of sportspeople have used, and Tuchel recommended it to Mkhitaryan. He read it and actually credited it with lifting his confidence and giving him a better attitude. The results were sensational.”

FANS WILL ENJOY HIM
“Jose Mourinho’s man management should work well with him and he should prove to be a player that United fans really enjoy watching because he is just a touch of class.”

 

 

 

On July 5 the Israeli Knesset held an hour long debate on the Armenian genocide, but did not vote on a motion presented by Meretz party chairwoman Zehava Gal-On, sending it to the Education Committee.

Head of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Bureau’s Hay Dat and Political Affairs Office Giro Manoyan says it was done to avoid further aggravation of relations with Turkey, which have been normalized with great difficulty.

He says, however, that the bill is an additional lever in the hands of Israel to show Ankara its place.

MP Tevan Poghosyan does not see grounds for recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Israel. He’s confident, however, that the number of supporters of recognition will gradually increase, which will finally lead to the acknowledgement of the fact.

The discussion at the Knesset was accompanied by rallies in front of the parliament building. Speakers at the rally included Israeli historian Yair Auron, Members of Knesset.

“Israel remains an unjust country,” Head of the Armenian National Committee of Jerusalem Hagop Seven said, commenting on the decision of the Knesset.

During Tuesday’s special plenary debate Knesset Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein said, ”It is no secret that [in Israel] as well this event has been controversial, at least with regards to the publicity it should be given. I am reiterating this year as well, and from this podium: We must not ignore, diminish or deny this terrible genocide. We must differentiate between our current interests and the difficult past, which this dark chapter is a part of.”

”This is the correct and appropriate thing to do, seeing as we are part of the family of nations and a nation whose values of morality and compassion towards every human being are paramount. Let us not remain indifferent, albeit a bit late, to the suffering the Armenians experienced,” Edelstein said.

“We cannot remain apathetic, even if it’s late, to the suffering the Armenians experienced. Recognizing the Armenian genocide is important to us as human beings who carry the moral responsibility and constantly hope to improve the world and society,” Edelstein stated.

The Armenian Church and the historic Gavur bath in Aksehir, Turkey, are ruined, Akunq.net reports, quoting Turkish websites.

According to the source, there are huge cracks in the walls of the church, while the bath risks collapsing. The Aksehir City Hall, which owns the church, has not taken any steps to restore it.

The church built by the Armenian community in the 19^th century and used for different cultural events, has never been renovated by the Turkish authorities, despite promises.

 

 

 

Germany is now playing a key role in two issues of vital importance to Armenia – the settlement of the Karabakh conflict and the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The issues were high on the agenda of the meeting of the Vice-Presidents of the two countries’ Parliaments today.

As an OSCE presiding country Germany is trying to play a practical role in the establishment of peace in the region, Vice-President of the Bundestag Edelgard Bulmahn told a press conference at the Armenian National Assembly today.

“The German Parliament supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and attaches importance to the implementation of the agreements reached at the Vienna meeting of the Presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan. We hope the ceasefire will be maintained, and the agreements will not remain on paper,” she said.

“Germany is confident that there can be no military solution to the Karabakh conflict,” Mrs. Bulmahn said. “We do hope that the agreements on ceasefire will serve a basis for the resumption of talks based on the fundamental principles proposed by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs,” she added.

Vice-President of the Armenian National Assembly Edward Sharmazanov reiterated that the negotiation can resume and proceed only in case the agreements reached in Vienna are respected. “The implementation of monitoring and investigation mechanisms at the line of contact is extremely important to Armenia,” he said.

On June 2 the Bundestag is expected to vote on a bill condemning the Armenian genocide. The resolution is a result of consensus between three political forces, which makes its passage more likely.

“With this resolution we’ll commemorate the Armenian Genocide victims, condemn the crimes against the Armenians and other Christian peoples and acknowledge the complicity of the German authorities,” the Bundestag Vice-President said.

“Germany has managed to reconcile with Israel, France and Germany. I think it’s a hard, but possible political path for Armenia and Turkey to re-establish relations and re-launch dialogue,” she said.

Tomorrow the Bundestag Vice-President will meet with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

On 19 May Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan visited a section on the republic’s southern borderline, got acquainted with the course of the service and situation there, gave corresponding instructions towards the realization of the set tasks.

Defense minister Levon Mnatsakanyan, chairman of the “Yerkrapah” Volunteers Union organization’s board Manvel Grigoryan, other officials accompanied the President during the visit.

Photos by Anush Babajanyan

 

– Anush Babajanyan, a photojournalist from Armenia and a member of the 4Plus collective, traveled to Nagorno-Karabakh by minibus to cover the conflict during the recent escalation.

She found a soldier returning to war on the bus as well as families who were forced to leave, frustrated and scared.

“The people expected the military to hit military posts, not a village” says Babajanyan. “There is no question that these people will fight for their land.”

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has awarded the serviceman, who beheaded Karam Sloyan, private of the NKR Defense Army.

Aliyev handed in the award as he visited the frontline, accompanied by his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva.

 

French Secretary of State for European Affairs Harlem Desir will visit Armenia on April 25, Press Service of the Embassy of France in Armenia reports.

Within the framework of the visit the Secretary of State will meet with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian.

Harlem Desir will visit the Armenian Memorial.

Armenia, My Love, a powerful film that commemorates the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide made its world premiere at the Laemmle Theater in Pasadena on Thursday, April 14. The premier kicked off with a roar as more than 20 members of the Armenian Brigade Motorcycle Club drove up on their motorcycles with Armenian flags, reports.

The film played for a sold out audience and will play a limited release in Pasadena and North Hollywood. As Director, Diana Angelson said earlier, “Hopefully [the film] will travel the world and it will teach many people kindness.”

Armenia, My Love begins its limited Los Angeles area theatrical on Friday April 15, 2016 at the Laemmle Playhouse 7 in Pasadena, the Laemmle NoHo 7 in North Hollywood and the MGN 5 Star Cinema.