Photo: AP
The Uzbek government has confirmed the death of President Islam Karimov, six days after he was taken to hospital with a suspected brain haemorrhage.
One of Asia’s most authoritarian leaders, Mr Karimov, 78, died after 27 years in power.
Mr Karimov has no clear successor. There is no legal political opposition and the media are tightly controlled.
He will be buried on Saturday in his home city of Samarkand, Uzbek state TV announced.
On 1 September a festive reception devoted to the 25th anniversary of the Artsakh Republic proclamation was held in the name of President Bako Sahakyan.
In his speech Bako Sahakyan mentioned that the proclamation of the Artsakh Republic was a significant and crucial event that opened a new and glorious page in the history of our people.
“The formation of the Artsakh Republic is the joint achievement of the whole Armenian nation, one of its greatest victories. Its independence and security are exclusive values that are not subject to any speculation. There is no return to the past for us. Any such attempt is pregnant with unpredictable consequences and is doomed to failure. We are looking towards the future that will undoubtedly be bright for our people and state”, underlined Artsakh Republic President in his speech.
President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, NKR second President Arkady Ghoukasyan, primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, NKR National Assembly chairman Ashot Ghoulyan, prime-minister Arayik Haroutyunyan, high-ranking officials from Artsakh and Armenia, Diaspora representatives and guests from abroad partook at the reception.
Pope’s visit to Armenia was both of religious and inter-state character, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said in an interview with Al Mayadeen TV, a pan-Arab news station.
“The fact of the Pope visiting Armenia is very important by itself, but the essence and content of that visit make it even more valuable,” the President said. He reminded that the Pope had described the trip as “pilgrimage to the first Christian nation.”
He attached importance to the Pope’s messages of peace, inter-religious dialogue and calmness. “I think all countries of our region should accept these messages and implement them,” he said.
“Pope’s trip was a visit to peace, a visit preaching peaceful co-existence and tolerance,” Serzh Sargsyan said.
As for Turkey’s reaction to the Pope’s remarks on Armenian Genocide, President Sargsyan said “Turkey angrily reacts to the actions of all countries recognizing the Armenian Genocide, and there was nothing surprising for us here.”
Many ask why the Pope used the word genocide here. “Why should a religious or political leader who has his views on certain things and events, refrain from calling them by their names?”
“Many thought Pope Francis would not use the word ‘genocide’ again after the Mass served on the 100th anniversary. “Pope is not a person that can change his convictions because of pressures or angry reactions. The Pope used the word many times, when he was still in Argentina. For decades he has been friends with heirs of Armenian genocide survivors,” President Sargsyan said.
“Turkey will once react calmly to these facts,” the President said, adding that the situation was different 10 years ago. “No one would imagine 10 years ago that the Armenian Genocide could be commemorated in Istanbul or Ankara on April 24.”
“Turkey will once recognize the fact of genocide,” he said. He noted that Germany came out winner by acknowledging the fact of Holocaust.
“We do not blame the Turkish people of having perpetrated the genocide. We blame the then authorities of the country, who undertook to eliminate the Armenian people. Today we blame those who deny the genocide. No one has ever heard me say a sore word about the Turkish people,” President Sargsyan said.
The City Hall of the Turkish city of Tuzluca (historic Koghb) in Igdir Province has demounted the Armenian signboards at the entry and exit of the city, Anadolu Agency reports.
The signboards reading “Welcome” and “Good bye” in four languages, including Armenian, were posted in Tuzluca in September 2015.
The Armenian inscription angered the local activists at the time.
Ahead of Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia from 24 to 26 June, La Stampa interviewed Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, who knows the country very well and will be accompanying the Pope on his trip.
By Cristina Ugoccioni
Your Eminence, what is the essence of the Pope’s visit to Armenia?
“I think this visit is first and foremost a sort of pilgrimage: the Pope’s gesture is one of affection and admiration for this ancient Church with its century-old Christian tradition; it is an act of devotion towards this country, the first to adopt Christianity in 301 when St. Gregory the Illuminator led the entire nation to conversion and baptism. The Pope will bring his gratitude and esteem for a people who were moulded by the Christian spirit and managed to protect the precious treasure of faith and their own identity for centuries. This is the spiritual power upon which Armenia can build a future of peace and hope. I also believe this trip will very important for the entire Armenian diaspora, all those men and women living in Europe, the US, South America and many other countries, who are shining examples of the values and human and Christian wealth of this people. Francis’ word and blessing will be a great comfort to them and act as a stimulus.
You have been to this country a number of times, the last time being in 2015, when you celebrated the consecration ceremony of the Holy Martyrs Armenian Catholic Church in Gyumri: what is it about the Armenian people that strikes you the most?
“What strikes me about this people, arousing my deep admiration, is their spirit of sacrifice, their ability to face each historical event – both in times of freedom and in times of persecution and suffering – with an authentic Christian spirit, remaining rooted in Christ’s cross. Khatchkars (carved, memorial stele bearing a cross) are effective symbols of this connection with the cross; they are present across the country, almost like a visible bone structure. Perseverance in the faith, humility and a spirit of service are Armenia’s strong points and what has helped this huge Christian community to get through and overcome the terrible hardships of the 20th century which affected over a million and a half Armenian Christians.”
What impact have these great hardships had on the soul of the Armenian people and their spirituality?
“These incredibly painful events have left an indelible mark on them. I am thinking of the Armenian liturgy: what I find most striking about it are the chants: they are heart wrenching, they seem to come from somewhere deep within the soul. They express a spirit of devotion to God, a faith that has never been denied or sold but preserved at a high price, with suffering. This is a people that is very familiar with suffering. The prayer I feel rising up spontaneously in my heart as I think of Pope Francis going to touch the Armenian nation with the oil of consolation and compassion, is that all of this pain will beget greater hope and love.”
How do you view current relations between the Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church?
“I perceive them to be very fraternal and particularly friendly. The Catholic community is tiny in terms of numbers and we need to be grateful to the Lord for the fact that the Armenian Apostolic Church – thanks to the generosity of Karekin II and his predecessor Karekin I – has allowed the Catholic Church to exist and to live the faith and acts of charity in service of the people fully. I am thinking, for example, of the work carried out by the Missionaries of Charity in Spitak and Yerevan and at Ashotks hospital, which until today has been run by the Camillians and the Little Sisters of Jesus. This hospital was donated by Caritas Italy at the request of John Paul II, after the devastating earthquake of 1988. I am certain that Pope Francis’ visit will forge even closer ties between the two Churches, fostering stronger and more fruitful ties of fraternity, friendship and mutual support that will lead to an industrious cooperation in many fields.”
Do you foresee that Pope Francis and Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians will draft a “Joint Declaration” as St. John Paul II and Karekin II did back in 2001?
“I presume a Joint Declaration will be drafted on this occasion too, underlining and emphasizing the common faith in Christ our Saviour and expressing the intention and willingness to build ever growing fraternal ties between us with the grace of the Lord.”
Do you think Pope Francis’ visit will sway the OSCE Minsk Group, the group of mediators who have sought a solution – so far unsuccessfully – to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over who has control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region?
“I definitely think this visit will be an opportunity to draw attention to and encourage those values that are the backbone of every human community: the rejection of violence, the use of arms that cause immense suffering and the tenacious pursuit of peace through diplomatic means, dialogue, understanding and negotiations. I think that during his visit to Armenia, the first leg of his journey to the Caucasus region (in September Francis will go to Georgia and Azerbaijan), the Pope will send out a strong appeal for peace and a heartfelt invitation to work towards turning the Caucasus into what it already is in geographical terms: a bridge between East and West.”
The Spanish city of Merida officially recognized and condemned the Armenian Genocide on June 9.
All four political forces represented in the City Council unanimously approved mediation submitted by the Armenian Ararat Union.
The institutional statement labels the 1915-1923 as a crime against humanity and the first genocide of the 20th century.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cut short a trip on June 9 to the United States, where he had gone to attend the funeral ceremony of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, the Hurriyet Daily News reports.
According to information from presidential sources, however, Erdogan and other government representatives, decided to depart for Turkey without participating in the full funeral ceremony for the late boxer in Louisville, Kentucky.
The president participated in funeral prayers for Ali and also had a fast-breaking meal (iftar) with Meskhetian Turks.
Erdogan reportedly attempted to a put a piece of cloth from the Kaaba on Ali’s coffin during the funeral prayers but was refused permission to do so.
But according to another report, the president and Diyanet head Mehmet Görmez were rejected when they asked to read a piece from the Quran, which led the president to cut his program short.
Meanwhile, a short quarrel also erupted between U.S. secret service officials and Turkish presidential body guards, reportedly because a secret service official wanted to stand in the same place as presidential bodyguards as Erdogan was getting into his car.
Before arriving in the U.S., funeral organizers had removed Erdogan from the list of speakers on the grounds that there would not be sufficient time.
Former world heavyweight champion Ali, whose record-setting boxing career, flair for showmanship and political stands made him one of the best-known figures of the 20th century, died on June 3 aged 74.
He will be laid to rest on June 10.
Hence, Google has dedicated its Doodle to UEFA’s showpiece continental football tournament.
Today’s Doodle shows a cockerel, in the red, white and blue of the French flag, heralding the start of the tournament, reports the Mirror.
In the second doodle, the L of Google is shaped like the Eiffel Tower and it shows off its footballing skills.
Giving all the information in one graphic, it has 24 flags, with 16 flags on the left and eight on the right.
This is the first time in the history of the tournament that 24 teams will be participating.
Euro 2016 will be played in France from June 10, with the final on July 10. The venues for the tournament will be Paris, Lille, Lyon, Saint-Denis, Nice, Toulouse, Saint-Etienne, Marseille, Bordeaux and Lens.
The Armenian Defense Ministry has reported sporadoc shooting from Azerbaijani side in the northeastern section of the shared border with Azerbaijan.
The Armenian Armed Forces keep the situation under control and confidently continue with their military duty,
according to operational information from the NKR Ministry of Defense, the relative peace was maintained at the line of contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan last night.
The rival used only artillery weapons of different caliber as it violated the agreement on ceasefire.
The front divisions of the NKR Defense Army refrained from response actions, the NKR Defense Ministry said.
PHOTOS: KYODO/REUTERS
More than 300 passengers and crew were evacuated from a Korean Air plane in Tokyo, Japan after a fire broke out in its left engine, the BBC reports.
Flight 2708 was preparing to take off from Haneda airport en route to Seoul on Friday morning, said officials.
The engine was sprayed with foam by fire crews on the runway, which was temporarily closed.
No injuries were immediately reported and the cause of the fire is not yet known.
There were 302 passengers and 17 crew members on board.
Located right next to Tokyo Bay, Haneda is Tokyo’s most central major airport and is increasingly used for international flights.