Author: Dabaghian Diana

Iran against any change in Armenia borders: envoy

Dabaghian Diana
MEHR News Agency, Iran
Aug 26 2023

TEHRAN, Aug. 26 (MNA) – Iran’s ambassador to Yerevan Mehdi Sobhani says that Tehran supports the territorial integrity of Armenia and is against any change to the borders.

Referring to his previous remarks on Iran’s steps over supporting Armenia’s territorial integrity, Sobhani told NEWS.am. that Tehran has already taken those steps.

We support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, and we are against any change of borders. We support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia as we recognize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, he said.

The Iranian ambassador went on to say that Iran is not against the opening of communication channels and provided such channels to Azerbaijan as well, stressing that all channels of communication should be under the control of the countries in whose territory they are located, especially in the case of Armenia.

Answering a question on what would Iran do if Azerbaijan tried to open the so-called “Zangezur corridor” by force, he once again reiterated Iran’s support for the opening of communication channels. But they should be under the control of the Armenian government. Nothing will change by force, he said.

MP/PR

Queues for bread and no formula milk: Motherhood in blockaded Nagorno-Karabakh

Dabaghian Diana
Open Democracy
Aug 22 2023

Three Armenian mothers tell of their struggles after eight months living under Azerbaijan’s restrictions

Lucy MartirosyanSiranush Sargsyan
, 4.45pm

Mary Grigoryan’s day starts when the electricity is switched on, so she can heat up sugarless tea for her children’s breakfast.

Energy use in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which has been at the centre of a brutal tug of war between Azerbaijan and Armenia for decades, is strictly rationed, and each neighbourhood receives power according to a rota. One day it might switch on at 7am; another day it might start at 9am or 11am. The gas supply was cut months ago.

After work as a paediatric surgeon at the under-resourced and understaffed local hospital, Grigoryan searches for food on her four-kilometre walk home. The lack of fuel means there is no public transport.

Dinner usually consists of one loaf of bread after waiting hours in the queue at bakeries, sometimes even coming away empty handed. Other times, it may be an overpriced kilogramme of potatoes, tomatoes, or parts of a watermelon – if Grigoryan is lucky – to share between herself, her two children and her husband.

“Sometimes I think I’m a bad parent because I haven’t stocked up on essential products, but we also try not to fixate on it,” Grigoryan, 42, told openDemocracy. “I hold explanatory conversations with [my children], explaining that we suffer all these deprivations for the right to live in our homeland.”

According to the office of Armenia’s human rights defender, there are tens of thousands of mothers living in Nagorno-Karabakh under Azerbaijan’s eight-month blockade struggling to feed and care for their children and family, let alone themselves.

Since 12 December 2022, Azerbaijan has been blocking the Lachin corridor – the sole road left connecting ethnic Armenian residents in Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world. A trilateral agreement between Moscow, Baku, and Yerevan in November 2020 stipulates that the 5km corridor should be under the control of Russian peacekeeping forces.

Azerbaijan defeated Armenia in the Second Karabakh war in 2020, and the status of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh – whose borders are internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan – was left unresolved in the Russia-brokered statement.

The crisis under the blockade escalated when the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – the only humanitarian aid organisation in the region – said Azerbaijani authorities had stopped it transporting food and medicine through the Lachin corridor or other routes where Russian peacekeepers had been deployed. Edem Wosornu, the UN humanitarian coordinator, confirmed the claim at an emergency United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting requested by Armenia on 16 August.

Mary Grigoryan’s day starts when the electricity is switched on, so she can heat up sugarless tea for her children’s breakfast.

Energy use in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, which has been at the centre of a brutal tug of war between Azerbaijan and Armenia for decades, is strictly rationed, and each neighbourhood receives power according to a rota. One day it might switch on at 7am; another day it might start at 9am or 11am. The gas supply was cut months ago.

After work as a paediatric surgeon at the under-resourced and understaffed local hospital, Grigoryan searches for food on her four-kilometre walk home. The lack of fuel means there is no public transport.

Dinner usually consists of one loaf of bread after waiting hours in the queue at bakeries, sometimes even coming away empty handed. Other times, it may be an overpriced kilogramme of potatoes, tomatoes, or parts of a watermelon – if Grigoryan is lucky – to share between herself, her two children and her husband.

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“Sometimes I think I’m a bad parent because I haven’t stocked up on essential products, but we also try not to fixate on it,” Grigoryan, 42, told openDemocracy. “I hold explanatory conversations with [my children], explaining that we suffer all these deprivations for the right to live in our homeland.”

A few containers of baby formula on otherwise empty shelves in a pharmacy in Stepanakert on 29 July 2023

 | 

Siranush Sargsyan

According to the office of Armenia’s human rights defender, there are tens of thousands of mothers living in Nagorno-Karabakh under Azerbaijan’s eight-month blockade struggling to feed and care for their children and family, let alone themselves.

Since 12 December 2022, Azerbaijan has been blocking the Lachin corridor – the sole road left connecting ethnic Armenian residents in Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world. A trilateral agreement between Moscow, Baku, and Yerevan in November 2020 stipulates that the 5km corridor should be under the control of Russian peacekeeping forces.

Azerbaijan defeated Armenia in the Second Karabakh war in 2020, and the status of Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh – whose borders are internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan – was left unresolved in the Russia-brokered statement.

The crisis under the blockade escalated when the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – the only humanitarian aid organisation in the region – said Azerbaijani authorities had stopped it transporting food and medicine through the Lachin corridor or other routes where Russian peacekeepers had been deployed. Edem Wosornu, the UN humanitarian coordinator, confirmed the claim at an emergency United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting requested by Armenia on 16 August.

Blockaded Nagorno-Karabakh is running out of food, fuel and hope
27 July 2023 | Bashir Kitachayev
Humanitarian crisis in the blockaded enclave reaches a tipping point, raising questions over West’s lack of action

Baby formula is even more important than medicine

Vardan Tadevosyan, health minister of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)

Although the ICRC said it was continuing to evacuate patients from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia for treatment, “several” dialysis patients are reportedly afraid to leave their homes after Azerbaijani authorities arrested a 68-year-old ICRC patient and evacuee on 29 July, Nagorno-Karabakh’s de facto health minister Vardan Tadevosyan told openDemocracy.

“All medical institutions are experiencing drug insufficiency, estimated at lower than 50%,” the office of the Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman said in a tweet on 18 August. “If this situation continues, the public health of Artsakh [the Armenian name for Nagorno-Karabakh] will experience a major collapse.”

The scarcity of fuel also poses serious problems for the medical sphere, Tadevosyan said: hospitals rely on diesel to run generators during power outages, and there are fewer ambulances available. The office of Armenia’s human rights defender said in a statement last week that a pregnant woman had suffered a miscarriage after there were no ambulances available to take her to hospital. The day before, a 40-year-old man in Stepanakert, the city capital, died as a result of “chronic malnutrition, protein, and energy deficiency”, the statement continued.

Additionally, Azerbaijani border control authorities have been blocking 19 trucks sent by Armenia containing more than 350 tonnes of food, medicine, hygiene products and other essential items since 26 July, according to the Armenian deputy foreign minister.

During the UN Security Council meeting last week, Armenia’s UN representative cited an expert opinion by the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, saying “there is a reasonable basis to believe that a genocide is being committed” as a result of the blockade.

Azerbaijan’s representative responded by “categorically rejecting all the unfounded and groundless allegations [of a] blockade or humanitarian crisis propagated by Armenia against my country”. Baku’s ambassador, Yashhar Aliyev, accused Armenia of engaging in a “provocative and irresponsible political campaign” to undermine Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Meanwhile the Lachin corridor, despite international pressure and a binding order in February by the International Court of Justice to open it, remains closed.

My unborn child is a victim of these harsh conditions of siege

Ruzanna*, mother in blockaded Nagorno-Karabakh

Gayane Aydinyan, a 39-year-old school teacher and mother to triplets born during the eight-month blockade, is haunted by the fear that baby formula and diapers may become impossible to find.

“I can’t sleep,” she told openDemocracy. “I live with those thoughts 24 hours a day. What will we do if their formula runs out? We can’t feed them with anything else.”

Gayane Aydinyan (far left), mother of triplets born under the blockade in Nagorno-Karabakh. 

| 

Gayane Aydinyan

Baby formula is in high demand and scarce, according to Tadevosyan, the health minister.

“[Formula] is even more important than medicine,” he said. “We are engaged in daily negotiations and continuous efforts to acquire these supplies.”

In hospitals, all surgery has stopped except life-saving operations, Tadevosyan added. And there are dire shortages of painkillers, blood pressure medication and cardiovascular drugs.

“One of the paediatric problems is the shortage of vaccines,” said Grigoryan, the paedriatric surgeon. “We are prescribing drugs that cannot be found in the hospitals.” The lack of insulin is also a major concern for child and adult patients with diabetes, said Tadevosyan, who fears children may face “significant health issues”.

As for Aydinyan’s two other children, aged 10 and 13, classes are about to start in September, despite the shortages of food, gas, and electricity.

“It’s difficult to find stationery and clothes for them,” said the history teacher, adding that sometimes she feels upset that she can’t focus on her older children as much.

“We try to be satisfied with what we have,” she said. “I don’t even think about the wishes of my older children. They help me a lot in taking care of the little ones.”

The eight-month blockade has increased levels of stress and malnutrition, leading to anaemia in more than 90% of pregnant women and a tripling of miscarriage rates, according to a statement by the Artsakh ministry of health.

Ruzanna* suffered her own miscarriage in July, seven months into the blockade. “My unborn child is a victim of these harsh conditions of siege,” she said.

She suspects the pains in her legs since her miscarriage are also linked to malnutrition and to her constant walking and standing in long lines for groceries.

Meanwhile, Ruzanna’s husband is in need of open heart surgery, but refuses to be evacuated by the ICRC. And her 15-year-old daughter hasn’t had a period in three months. Even if her menstrual cycle were to restart, there are no sanitary products available in pharmacies — people have resorted to using ripped pieces of cloth or stockings instead.

But the only place any of them could be fully examined and treated is in Yerevan – and they fear leaving their home in case they are unable to return.

“Every day it becomes increasingly challenging,” Ruzanna said. “The foremost concern is the question of security and survival.”

Editor’s note: Siranush Sargsyan reported from her home in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh under the blockade. * Names have been changed for security reasons

Nagorno-Karabakh farmers again under Azeri gunfire

Dabaghian Diana

 17:58,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 22, ARMENPRESS. On August 22, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces opened small arms fire in the direction of a combine harvester working in the field of the village of Sarushen in Nagorno-Karabakh, local authorities said.

No one was hurt in the shooting.

Nagorno-Karabakh’s Defense Ministry said they’ve reported the incident to the Russian peacekeepers.

United States urges Azerbaijan to restore free movement in Lachin Corridor, calls for direct talks

Dabaghian Diana

 01:16,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The United States is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and urges Azerbaijan to restore free movement through Lachin Corridor, U.S. Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at the UN Security Council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“The United States is concerned about the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. And we are deeply troubled by the closure of the Lachin Corridor, which has cut off access to essential goods and exacerbated the humanitarian situation. Access to food, medicine, baby formula, and energy should never be held hostage,” Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said.  “We urge the government of Azerbaijan to restore free movement through the corridor – so commercial, humanitarian, and private vehicles can reach the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. We also note the possibility of compromise on additional routes for humanitarian supplies. And understand that, since last December, the ICRC has facilitated medical transfers for more than 700 people in need of medical care thanks to a critical lifeline for medically vulnerable individuals through the Lachin Corridor. Neutral, impartial, humane, and independent humanitarian access and assistance – including medical transfers – must not be hindered. Full stop. Colleagues, I want to stress the need for the parties to continue talks aimed at a lasting, peaceful resolution to the conflict – and the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. These peace discussions require all parties to exercise creativity, flexibility, and compromise. And let me be clear: peace in the region must include protections for the rights and security of individuals in Nagorno-Karabakh. The United States urges restraint and the immediate cessation of any activities that undermine the peace process. And we call on all sides to fully meet their obligations under international humanitarian law. The international community must continue to engage diplomatically to facilitate dialogue and a durable, dignified peace. Negotiations are vital to a lasting peace. And we support any format that allows Armenia and Azerbaijan to continue dialogue toward a peaceful resolution to the conflict. We encourage all parties to engage in direct talks, including between officials in Baku and representatives of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. The United States is committed to promoting a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous future for the South Caucasus region. And we will continue to engage bilaterally and multilaterally with all partners to help build this brighter future,” she added.

AP: With Nagorno-Karabakh under blockade for 8 months, Armenia seeks urgent UN Security Council meeting

Dabaghian Diana
Aug 12 2023

Armenia is calling on the U.N. Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on the worsening humanitarian situation in Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is mostly populated by Armenians

ByAVET DEMOURIAN
, 6:21 PM

YEREVAN, Armenia — Armenia called on the U.N. Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on the worsening humanitarian situation in Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is mostly populated by Armenians.

In his letter to the president of the U.N. Security Council, sent Friday and released by Armenia’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday, Armenian U.N. ambassador Mher Margaryan said the people of Nagorno-Karabakh were “on the verge of a full-fledged humanitarian catastrophe.”

Since December, Azerbaijan has blockaded the only road leading from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh, severely restricting the delivery of food, medical supplies and other essentials to the region of about 120,000 people.

“The Armenian government asks for the intervention of the U.N. Security Council, as the main body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, to prevent mass atrocities, including war crimes, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity and genocide,” Margaryan wrote.

Armenia’s appeal comes after the former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court warned Tuesday that Azerbaijan is preparing genocide against ethnic Armenians in its Nagorno-Karabakh region and called for the U.N. Security Council to bring the matter before the international tribunal.

The report by said Azerbaijan’s blockade of the only road leading from Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh seriously impedes food, medical supplies and other essentials to the region of about 120,000 people.

“There is a reasonable basis to believe that a genocide is being committed,” Luis Moreno Ocampo wrote in his repor t, noting that a U.N. convention defines genocide as including “deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction.”

“There are no crematories and there are no machete attacks. Starvation is the invisible genocide weapon. Without immediate dramatic change, this group of Armenians will be destroyed in a few weeks,” the report said.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a region within Azerbaijan that came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by the Armenian military in separatist fighting that ended in 1994. Armenian forces also took control of substantial territory around the region.

Azerbaijan regained control of the surrounding territory in a six-week war with Armenia in 2020. A Russia-brokered armistice that ended the war left the region’s capital, Stepanakert, connected to Armenia only by a road known as the Lachin Corridor, along which Russian peacekeeping forces were supposed to ensure free movement.

A government representative in Azerbaijan dismissed the report from Ocampo, who was the ICC’s first prosecutor, telling The Associated Press it “contains unsubstantiated allegations and accusations.”

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nagorno-karabakh-blockade-8-months-armenia-seeks-urgent-102223492

READ ALSO

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/europe/with-nagorno-karabakh-under-blockade-for-8-months-armenia-seeks-urgent-un-security-council-meeting/article_e69cf9ee-3bfc-5ef7-9eff-10c3c799e10e.html

https://www.elpasoinc.com/with-nagorno-karabakh-under-blockade-for-8-months-armenia-seeks-urgent-un-security-council-meeting/article_807b1b03-58f2-579e-9493-435604925e12.html

https://ktvz.com/news/2023/08/12/with-nagorno-karabakh-under-blockade-for-8-months-armenia-seeks-urgent-un-security-council-meeting/


Defense Minister, Polish Ambassador discuss defense cooperation and regional security

Dabaghian Diana

 18:27,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. On August 10, Minister of Defense of Armenia Suren Papikyan held a meeting with the Ambassador of Poland Piotr Skwieciński.
The meeting was attended by the Defense, Military and Air Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Armenia, Colonel Wojciech Wiśniewski, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release.
The Minister of Defense congratulated Ambassador Skwieciński on commencing the mission in Armenia and wished fruitful cooperation.
Topics related to the current status and prospects for expanding the defense cooperation between Armenia and Poland, as well as regional security, were discussed.

Azerbaijan arrests Nagorno-Karabakh resident during medical evacuation for "war crime"

Dabaghian Diana
July 31 2023
Lilit Shahverdyan, Heydar Isayev Jul 31, 2023

Vagif Khachatryan, a 68-year-old Armenian from Nagorno-Karabakh, was arrested by Azerbaijani border guards at the Lachin checkpoint on July 29.

He was one of 15 patients being evacuated to Armenia by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which responded by immediately halting all patient transfers. 

Azerbaijan’s General Prosecutor’s Office said Khacatryan was arrested because he was a suspect in war crimes against Azerbaijanis during the first Karabakh war of the early 1990s. It pointed to his alleged involvement in a specific episode on December 22, 1991, in Meshali village of Khojaly district of Karabakh. 

“Together with other people of Armenian nationality, he used various weapons, including firearms and infantry fighting vehicles, to completely destroy the village,” it read. “They raided the village and killed 25 people of Azerbaijani nationality, injured 14 people, and contrary to national and international law norms expelled 358 Azerbaijanis from their domiciles.”

Khachatryan faces charges of “genocide” and “deportation or forced movement of the population” under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code. Azerbaijan’s prosecution body said an international search warrant was issued against him in 2013. 

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said on July 30 that he had been placed in a medical facility in Baku. Red Cross representatives have visited him there and put him in contact with his family.

Armenian and Karabakh authorities characterized the detainment as a “gross violation of international law” by Azerbaijan.

Nagorno-Karabakh’s human rights ombudsman, Gegham Stepanyan, said that he and his counterpart in Armenia had confirmed that “there is no data on Vagif Khachatryan in any international intelligence system.” 

(Eurasianet, too, was unable to find evidence that an international body had issued a search warrant for Khachatryan.)

The Armenian Foreign Ministry said that before performing a medical evacuation, the ICRC shares the list of Armenian patients with Azerbaijani authorities, and the transfer is carried out only after the list is approved by both sides. 

Hence, according to the Armenian Foreign Ministry, Azerbaijan would have been aware of Khachatryan’s impending evacuation and would have been able to plan his arrest.

“The arrest of a person who is under the protection of international humanitarian law and the ICRC cannot be qualified otherwise than as a war crime,” it added.

The statement also warned that Azerbaijan makes “an open threat to apply the same approach to other residents of Nagorno-Karabakh as well.” 

Armenia has asked the European Court of Human Rights to take interim measures against Azerbaijan in regard to the Khachatryan case.

What did Vagif Khachatryan do during the First Karabakh War?

Khachatryan did fight against Azerbaijan. His native village, Patara, is about six kilometers from Meshali, the site of the alleged atrocity.

Artak Beglaryan, an advisor to Karabakh’s state minister, rejected the war crimes charge but confirmed that, “Like all males, he protected his homeland in the 1991-94 war,” Beglaryan said.

Armenian newspaper Hraparak reported on 30 July that Khachatryan was the personal driver of Samvel Babayan, who was the leader of Karabakh’s local armed force, the Artsakh Defense Army during and after the first Karabakh war. Khachatryan’s daughter denied this claim. 

Images and footage are circulating widely in Azerbaijani media and social networks that supposedly implicate Khachatryan in the Meshali massacre. The evidence presented thus far has been thin, however. 

English-language pro-government Azeri Times resurfaced an old TV interview from 2001 where an Azerbaijani prisoner of war from the 1990s recounts tortures against him and names an Armenian commander named Vagif.

“Most likely this prisoner will be a witness against Vagif Khachatryan in the court,” the outlet speculated. 

A widely circulated photo allegedly showing Khachatryan in Meshali, was soon proven to have been taken in 1994, three years after the Meshali events. 

Several former residents of Meshali told Azerbaijani media that they recognized Khachatryan as a participant in the massacre. “I recognized him as soon as I saw him on TV, I was angry that this scoundrel was still alive. I believe that he and other criminals will serve their punishment,” one former resident Vali Valiyev told pro-government news agency Report.az. “

Tural Hamid, of Baku-based think tank Topchubashov Center, tweeted that it is “very likely* that Khachatryan participated in the attack on the village at that time as “his age allows for it”. Hamid acknowledged, however, that “it is difficult to say whether he was involved in the killing of specific civilians.” He added that the Azerbaijani court system was not objective and therefore could not produce a credible verdict on the case. 

Implications for Karabakh’s male population

Like Khachatryan, most of the adult male population of Nagorno-Karabakh fought either in the first war in 1991-94, which the Armenian side won, or in the second war in 2020, which Azerbaijan won. Those who have not fought have at least served in the local army, which has mandatory service at age 18. 

Azerbaijan refers to the Karabakh army as a collection of “illegal armed formations.”

Tigran Grigoryan, a political analyst originally from Nagorno-Karabakh, told CivilNet that Azerbaijan’s move “means that now the entire male population of Nagorno-Karabakh is imprisoned there.”

“All of this can be qualified as some sort of illegal activity by the Azerbaijani authorities” and used to present trumped-up charges against male civilians. This means that male civilians will be unable to leave Nagorno-Karabakh even in case of medical emergency,” he added.

Humanitarian situation in Karabakh

Khachatryan’s arrest comes amid a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, which has been under Azerbaijani blockade since last December. 

The blockade has been total or near-total since June 15, when Baku closed its checkpoint on the Lachin corridor connecting Karabakh to Armenia. 

Only ICRC vehicles carrying patients have been allowed to use the road since then, though at times Azerbaijan has prevented patient transfers as well. 

On July 27 the Armenian government dispatched 400 tons of humanitarian aid in a truck convoy headed to Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan has denied the trucks entry and they remain stuck at the border. 

Heydar Isayev is a journalist from Baku.

Lilit Shahverdyan is a journalist based in Stepanakert. 

https://eurasianet.org/azerbaijan-arrests-nagorno-karabakh-resident-during-medical-evacuation-for-war-crime

Asbarez: Homenetmen 46th Navasartian Games & Festival a Triumphant Success

Dabaghian Diana
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

The Homenetmen Marching Band enters the field to kick off the Closing Ceremonies

After months of competing with athletic spirit, at midnight on July 9, the Homenetmen Western Region’s 46th Navasartian Games & Festival ended triumphantly under the chairmanship of Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Zarig Youredjians.

The impressive closing ceremony of the Navasartian Games was held over the weekend, bringing together community members to Birmingham Community Charter High School where the attendees relived the glorious history of the Armenian people, enjoyed listening to the sounds of Armenian and ethnic music, and witnessed the achievements of our young people. They also watched the parade of Homenetmen scouts and athletes and the presentation of the championship cups with pride.

Mr. & Mrs. Jack and Zarig Youredjians served as chairs of the 46th Navasartian Games

The climax was the Victory Parade of the Navasartian Games & Festival, which took place on the evening of Saturday, July 8 at the stadium of Birmingham Community Charter High School and was attended by a large number of Homenetmen members, parents, supporters and representatives of various organizations.

Manuel Marselian, the 2023 Exemplary Homenetmen Member

Th medals to the athletes of Homenetmen Hrashq chapter were presented in the presence of Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan, honorary presidents, as well as exemplary members of Homenetmen and the Regional Committee. During the ceremony, The Prelate offered his blessing to the athletes of Homenetmen Hrashq and their parents, and highly appreciated the representatives and their commendable activities. Afterwards, he made a generous contribution of $10,000 on behalf of the Western Prelacy for the activities of Homenetmen Hrashq.

The Master of Ceremonies was Alik Marselian, who is one of the members of the Homenetmen Pasadena “Azadamard” Chapter and who hosted the program in Armenian and English.

Passing of the Torch: Last year’s honorary chairs, Ara and Aline Tchaghlassian were recognized

At 6 p.m., the representatives of Homenetmen USA Western Region led by Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Honorary Presidents of Homenetmen’s Navasartian 46th Games & Festival Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Zarig Youredjians, Exemplary Homenetmen Member Manuel Marselian, and Chairman of the Regional Committee Hagop Tufenkjian to the stadium and to their seats at the platform of honor.

Among the attendees of the closing ceremony were Armand Kilidjian, a member of the Homenetmen Central Committee, Honorary Presidents of Homenetmen’s Navasartian 45th Games & Festival Mr. and Mrs. Ara and Aline Tchaghlassians, and pastor of the Holy Martyrs’ Church Senior Rev. Razmig Khatchadourian. Among other attendees were former honorary presidents of Homenetmen, exemplary members, supporters, as well as sponsors, donors and parents.

Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan Homenetmen Region Executive chair Hagop Tufenkjian Homenetmen Central Executive Member Armand Killidjian

Homenetmen Regional Executive Leader Charlene Guzelians was given the signal by Regional Executive Chairman Hagop Tufenkjian to commence the ceremony, following which she invited the flag beares. Homenetmen’s Marching Band entered the stadium and exhilarated the audience with the sounds of joyful Armenian songs. The attendees got more excited when the group of flag bearers of the Homenetmen walked into the stadium with self-confidence, bringing with them the national flags of the United States, Armenia, Artsakh, California and Nevada, as well as the flags of Homenetmen and the Navasartian Games & Festival.

At the onset of the program, the attendees honored the memory of late Homenetmen members, especially veteran member, Chairman of the Committee for the Navasartian Victory Parade, Steve Artinian, whose sudden death last month shocked the entire Homenetmen family.

In his welcoming remarks, the chairman, Hagop Tufenkjian, delivered Regional Executive’s message.

“Throughout the 105 years of its existence, Homenetmen has served as the great citadel for presenting the national identity to Armenians in all four corners of the globe. Today, we have gathered to celebrate the Navasartian 46th Games and Festival. Homenetmen has been the eternal flame for Armenians of the diaspora and the homeland. Homenetmen plays a unique role not only in sports, but also in education, scouting activities, and cultural domains,” Tufenkjian.

Afterwards, exemplary member of Homenetmen’s Navasartian 46th Games & Festival, Manuel Marselian, was invited to the stage to receive the “Exemplary Member of the Homenetmen – 2023” plaque as a token of appreciation for his dedication to Homenetmen and his invaluable efforts. Hagop Tufenkjian highly appreciated the contributions of the “Exemplary Member,”stating the following: “ Manuel has been a meritorious member of Homenetmen and has contributed to the organization for decades. He has served this union and held several positions with his dedicated activities and conscientious deeds.”

Expressing his words of gratitude in two languages, Manuel Marselian said the following: “I would like to express special gratitude to my dear family, whose love and encouragement helped me work for this wonderful organization with more vigor throughout all these years. Finally, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Homenetmen USA Western Region’s Regional Committee for granting me the title of Exemplary Member of the Homenetmen.”

With a long round of applause, Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Zarig Youredjians headed toward the stage where they were greeted by Honorary Presidents of Homenetmen’s Navasartian 45th Games & Festival Mr. and Mrs. Ara and Aline Thaghlassians, who officially assumed the honorary chairmanship of Homenetmen’s Navasartian 46th Games & Festival.

On behalf of the large family of Homenetmen, Hagop Tufenkjian congratulated the Youredjians and highly appreciated their love for the nation and their spirit of dedication, stressing the following: “Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Zarig Youredjians have left their permanent mark in the entire Armenian community with their generous contributions, assistance and humanitarian services. The main purpose of the Youredjians has been to support young Armenians and help improve their lives.”

Assuming his responsibility, Jack Youredjian, on behalf of himself and his wife, expressed gratitude to the Homenetmen Regional Committee and the large family of Homenetmen and conveyed his heartfelt message by recalling the days when he was a cub scout in Jerusalem: “Homenetmen has played a major role in our lives, guiding us on the right path and helping all those who have been in need of help. If you know me, you know that my greatest joy is to work with young people, students and scouts like you all.” Youredjian also congratulated all the parents who had come to encourage and support their children, and he applauded the exceptional activities that Homenetmen carries out on all continents of the globe.

Prelate Donoyan, offered his blessings, as well as highly appreciated and encouraged the blessed activities of Homenetmen for the sons of the Armenian nation and emphasized the following: “Indeed, to talk about Homenetmen means to talk about the youth of our nation. To talk about Homenetmen means to talk about our nation’s healthy, conscientious leaders of the future. To talk about Homenetmen means to talk about the safety network that it offers to the youngest representatives of our nation under its blessed roof. To talk about Homenetmen means to talk about Armenia’s integrity, starting from Artsakh and ending with Western Armenia and Cilicia.”

“Out of all the activities that the Homenetmen carries out at different levels, for me, as leader of the Western Prelacy and an Armenian clergyman, the major activity is the establishment of Hrashq for children in need of special care. Homenetmen grew stronger, became more integral and became a much more national and Christian organization thanks to the vision that children with special needs should be gathered and referred to as “Hrashq” (Miracle); Homenetmen makes a miracle for our people and the community, with the power of God. Long live Homenetmen, and the free, independent, united Armenia, Amen,” added the Prelate in closing.

Afterwards, on behalf of the Homenetmen Central Committee, Armand Killidjian conveyed his congratulatory message in which he praised the Regional Committee, the Chapters and the Regional Committees, which helped make sure the Navasartian 46th Games & Festival end successfully. He also expressed gratitude to the athletes and scouts who always maintained Homenetmen’s high standards during the Games and in the implementation of activities.

The impressive messages were followed by the long-anticipated parade, which served as the major axis of the ceremony. Next, the “miracles” of Homenetmen Hrashq entered the stadium to the sounds of Armenian music performed by Homenetmen’s Brass Band, followed by the Chapters, along with their scouts, sport and parent committees and departments. In the end, the scouts participating in the All-Homenetmen 12th Scouting Jamboree, which kicked off on Friday in in Byurakan, Armenia, entered the stadium. They walked proudly and with self-confidence, greeted the attendees with pleasure and took their seats at the stadium.

Information about every Chapter was presented on the state-of-the-art screens placed on the stage. This year also marked the 5th anniversary of Homenetmen Hrashq, the 30th anniversary of the Crescenta Valley Shant Chapter, the 40th anniversary of the San Diego Sevan Chapter, the 45th anniversary of the Glendale Ararat Chapter, the 50th anniversary of the Fresno Sassoon Chapter and the 55th anniversary of the Los Angeles Chapter.

The championship cups were presented on Sunday, July 9 on the specially designed victory stage, across from the main gymnasium, where the winning teams and athletes proudly received their cups and medals.

On Sunday, California State Senator Anthony Portantino visited the venue for the Festival and expressed his congratulatory remarks to the Homenetmen Regional Committee for successfully holding the Navasartian Games & Festival this year as well.

As in years past, Homenetmen’s Chapters hosted food booths, with all proceeds being allocated to chapters.

The Mistress of Ceremonies for the Navasartian festive entertainment program was Los Angeles Chapter Executive member, Taleen Apanian. The attendees enjoyed performances by popular artists of the community, including Tigran Asatryan, Sarina Cross, Greg Hosharian and his band, Andre, Vache Amaryan, Joseph Krikorian, Vartan Taimazian, Mer Hovo and Kristine Pepelyan. Armenian patriotic singer Koko Tutunjian entertained the attendees with a selection of songs, and the event concluded with a fireworks display that was as impressive as the musical performances.

Results of the General Arrangement of the Homenetmen 46th Navasartian Games & Festival:

PING-PONG
A. Homenetmen Ararat Chapter
B. Homenetmen Shant Chapter

TRACK AND FIELD
A. Homenetmen Kars Chapter
B. Homenetmen Los Angeles Chapter
C. Homenetmen Ararat Chapter

TENNIS
A. Homenetmen Ararat Chapter
B. Homenetmen Ani Chapter
C. Homenetmen Kars Chapter

SWIMMING
A. Homenetmen Ani Chapter
B. Homenetmen Masis Chapter
C. Homenetmen Sipan Chapter

VOLLEYBALL
A. Homenetmen Ararat Chapter
B. Homenetmen Masis Chapter
C. Homenetmen Azadamard Chapter

SOCCER
A. Homenetmen Masis Chapter
B. Homenetmen Ararat Chapter
C. Homenetmen Los Angeles Chapter

BASKETBALL
A. Homenetmen Ararat Chapter
B. Homenetmen Shant Chapter
C. Homenetmen Masis Chapter

Top military officials of Armenia, US hold meeting in Washington

Dabaghian Diana
By

 Daily Excelsior

 –

21/07/2023

Yerevan, July 20 :  Armenian Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Edward Asryan met with US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley during his working visit to Washington, the Armenian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
“As part of the conference taking place in Washington, Asryan had a short conversation with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley. During the conversation, the importance of the state partnership program with Kansas was emphasized,” the ministry said.
Asryan is on a working visit to the United States where he attended the conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Department of Defense and National Guard State Partnership Program.

https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/top-military-officials-of-armenia-us-hold-meeting-in-washington/

Asbarez: GenEd Pays Homage to Prof. Richard G. Hovannisian

Dabaghian Diana
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories
Prof. Richard Hovannisian with Dr. Vartiter Hovannisian and GenEd supporter, Helen Parnagian

The Genocide Education Project mourns the death of Richard G. Hovannisian, one of its founding advisory board members.

The renowned leader of Armenian Studies who passed away on July 10, 2023, was a highly esteemed mentor and counselor to GenEd, beginning from its infancy through its development into a nationwide educational non-profit, providing professional development services on teaching about genocide and the Armenian case to educators across the country. As recently as the 2020 Azeri-Turkish attack on Artsakh and its continuing effects, GenEd sought Prof. Hovannisian’s expertise to help put these current events in their proper historical context for educators GenEd serves.

“I was very fortunate to have been one of Professor Hovannisian’s students,” said Roxanne Makasdjian, GenEd Executive Director and founding board member. “His courses and life’s work inspired me to disseminate the lessons of Armenian history through my own endeavors, including GenEd.”

Roxanne Makasdjian with Prof. Richard Hovannissian

His pioneering leadership of Armenian Studies included the seminal books “Armenia on the Road to Independence,” the four-volume “Republic of Armenia,” the collection of essays by Armenian history scholars he edited, “The Armenian People: From Ancient to Modern Times,” as well as his hosting of the conferences, “Historic Armenian Cities and Provinces,” followed by print editions. Prof. Hovannisian was a champion of Armenian Genocide recognition and education, and GenEd is forever grateful to him for having collected approximately 1,000 interviews with Armenian Genocide survivors during his influential tenure as Chair of Modern Armenian History at UCLA. These first-person witness testimonies are critical to effective genocide education today.

Having partnered on educational projects with Prof. Hovannisian’s daughter, Ani, and son, Armen, in their respective capacities as documentary filmmaker and Armenian Bar Association board member), GenEd offers its sincere condolences to them and the entire Hovannisian family. May they find a measure of solace in his extraordinary contributions to the world, the Armenian nation, and to their personal lives.

With the deepest respect and gratitude – Thank you, Prof. Hovannisian. Rest in Peace.