Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

Armenpress: FM Mirzoyan, Blinken discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process, regional security

Emil Lazarian

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 19:43, 1 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 1, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed regional security and the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process during their meeting in Washington D.C. before the trilateral talks, foreign ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan said in a readout.

Badalyan said in a tweet that FM Mirzoyan and Secretary Blinken discussed “issues related to regional stability & security, process of normalization of relations between Armenia & Azerbaijan.”

“Humanitarian situation resulting from illegal blockade of Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan was touched upon,” the spokesperson added.

A trilateral meeting between Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov is currently underway in Washington D.C.

Asbarez: Blinken Hosts Mirzoyan and Bayramov Talks in Washington

Emil Lazarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 May 1, 2023

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Main, Latest, News, Top Stories

Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in Washington on May 1


Before Meeting, Blinken Expresses U.S. Concern to Aliyev about Lachin Checkpoint

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday hosted a meeting between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov in Washington, where normalization of relations between the two countries was discussed.

According to Armenia’s foreign ministry, the humanitarian situation resulting from the Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor was discussed, as was the regional security situation.

In its statement issued after the meeting, Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry only mentioned the discussion about regional security issues and normalization of relations with Armenia.

During a telephone conversation on Sunday with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, Blinken expressed the United States’ “deep concern” over Baku’s decision to establish a checkpoint at the Lachin Corridor.

“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev today to underscore the importance of Azerbaijan-Armenia peace discussions and pledged continued U.S. support.  Secretary Blinken shared his belief that peace was possible,” said a statement issued by the State Department.

“He also expressed the United States’ deep concern that Azerbaijan’s establishment of a checkpoint on the Lachin corridor undermines efforts to establish confidence in the peace process, and emphasized the importance of reopening the Lachin corridor to commercial and private vehicles as soon as possible,” added the State Department readout of the call.

Blinken also held a telephone conversation on Saturday with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and underscored “the importance of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace discussions and pledged continued U.S. support,” according to a State Department readout of the call.

“Secretary Blinken reiterated that direct dialogue and diplomacy are the only path to a durable peace in the South Caucasus. He expressed his appreciation for the Prime Minister’s continued commitment to the peace process,” a State Department statement added.

According to the prime minister’s press service, Pashinyan emphasized to Blinken that Azerbaijan’s actions in the Lachin Corridor are in line with Baku’s policy of ethnic cleansing in Karabakh and the complete eviction of of Armenians from Artsakh.

“The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the adequate response of the international community to Azerbaijan’s actions, which undermine regional security, and taking active steps towards the unconditional implementation of the judgment of the International Court of Justice,” Pashinyan’s office said.

Earlier on Monday, Blinken held separate talks with Mirzoyan and Bayramov.

Armenia’s foreign ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan said in a social media post that Blinken and Mirzoyan “issues related to regional stability & security, process of normalization of relations between Armenia & Azerbaijan. Humanitarian situation resulting from illegal blockade of Lachin corridor by Azerbaijan was touched upon.”

Last week Armenia and Russia confirmed that a meeting between Mirzoyan and Bayramov would take place in Moscow in the near future, without specifying a date.

Evidently, the Blinken-mediated meeting, which was announced on Friday, preceded the Moscow talks as Russia has stepped up its insistence that the U.S. and the European Union are muscling their way into areas under Moscow’s purview.

Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova declared on Thursday that given the agreement to hold talks in Moscow the attempts by the United States and the European Union, particularly France, to play an “honest mediator” role have failed.

“The attempts of the French and American partners to convince everyone that they are guided solely by the interests of achieving peace in the South Caucasus can be dismissed by their periodic anti-Russian attacks,” said Zakharova.

“Such announcements do not attest to constructive efforts or their claim of being an honest mediator. Such expressions strengthen our sentiments that the real aspirations of Washington and Paris are politicized, and are aimed at undermining Russia’s positions. Caring about the fate of the people living in the region is clearly not included in their plans,” Zakharova added.

Schiff Spearheads Opposition to U.S. Rifle Sale to Azerbaijan

Emil Lazarian
by Contributor

 

 May 1, 2023

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories


Leads 17 Representatives in sending Congressional letter calling on Commerce Secretary Raimondo to Block Export License

WASHINGTON—Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) was joined by 17 U.S. Representatives in calling on the Biden Administration’s Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to block a proposed license allowing the sale of high-powered American-made rifles to Azerbaijan, an exercise of legislative oversight strongly backed by the Armenian National Committee of America.

The Schiff letter follows a similar letter sent last month by U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and an earlier ANCA letter sent in February of this year.

“We want to thank Representative Schiff and all who joined him in demanding long overdue answers from Secretary Raimondo to multiple Congressional inquiries and our own still-unanswered letter of February 13th of this year,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “Secretary Raimondo needs to get out in front of this escalating controversy by publicly announcing that any proposal to arm Azerbaijan is dead-on-arrival. Period. Full stop.”

The Schiff letter poses seven key questions to Secretary Raimondo, who previously served as Governor of Rhode Island:

  1. Can you please confirm whether the Department of Commerce has received a request for an export license for lethal weapons to Azerbaijan?
  2. If so, who is the intended recipient and what is the stated purpose of the weapons?
  3. Has the Department of Commerce made a final decision on the license request? If no, when does it anticipate doing so?
  4. Has the Department of State been consulted yet as part of this process, including the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor? Have reports from outside experts such as the International Crisis Group and Human Rights Watch been considered as part of the process?
  5. Does the State Department concur with granting an export license?
  6. How would it be possible to guarantee that U.S. weapons will not be used in the commission of war crimes, violations of human rights, or actions that will trigger full-scale war affecting the people of Artsakh and Armenia? And if it is not possible, how can the provision of such weapons be justified?
  7. Have you provided a response to the Armenian National Committee of America’s February 13 letter? Will you commit to providing a response to this group?

Joining Rep. Schiff in co-signing this letter were Representatives Tony Cardenas (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), James McGovern (D-MA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Katie Porter (D-CA), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).

News of a possible sale of U.S. rifles – including assault-style and semi-automatic sniper models – to Azerbaijan first broke on February 1st when Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced his “deep concern and strong opposition” to the proposed sale. “The export of weapons to an authoritarian country that wages war against a neighbor, blockades a vulnerable population, and commits rampant human rights violations at home is not consistent with the Administration’s commitment to democracy and human rights,” Sen. Menendez stated in a letter to Secretary Raimondo. “Further, the consideration of this export license further compounds my dismay that the Administration continues to allow the export of assault-style and sniper rifles abroad – even while supporting an assault-style rifle ban domestically – and deepens my reservations about the Department of Commerce having jurisdiction over such exports,” concluded Senator Menendez.

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian and the local ANC chair from Secretary Raimondo’s home state of Rhode Island, Steve Elmasian, expressed similar concerns in a February 13th letter to Secretary Raimondo. “As you know, from your long friendship with Americans of Armenian heritage in Rhode Island and across the United States, our community is deeply troubled by the U.S. military aid program to Baku, and even more shocked by the possibility that American offensive weaponry may be deployed against Armenians in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and Armenia. The victims of Azerbaijan’s attacks are, very often, the relatives and friends of Armenian American citizens,” stated Hamparian and Elmasian.

The complete text of Schiff’s letter is presented below.

April 25, 2023

The Honorable Gina M. Raimondo
Secretary of Commerce
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20230

Dear Secretary Raimondo:

We are at a pivotal point concerning the security of the South Caucasus and the safety of the people of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). For more than 125 days — since December 12, 2022 — Azerbaijan has imposed a blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Artsakh to the outside world. The effect has been devastating to the population, rendering 120,000 individuals without access to food, medical supplies, consistent gas and electricity, and essential human rights such as freedom of movement. Despite an International Court of Justice ruling that ordered Azerbaijan to “take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions,” Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev refuses to lift the blockade and told press those obstructing the road are “a source of pride.” Azerbaijan is once again weaponizing basic human necessities to further degrade already strained living conditions for the people of Artsakh and force concessions from Armenia.

We are also increasingly concerned about the possibility of renewed military action by Azerbaijan, including the threat of ethnic cleansing in Artsakh and war against Armenia, something that would be utterly catastrophic for the Armenian people and the region. On April 11, 2023, Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire on Armenian soldiers carrying out engineering works in the Tegh Community of Armenia, killing four Armenian soldiers and wounding six more. On March 26, Azerbaijani troops cut off a dirt road some Armenians had used to get around the blockade, prompting the Russian ministry of defense to announce that Azerbaijani units had “crossed the line of contact” in violation of the 2020 ceasefire statement. On March 5, Azerbaijani troops attacked a Nagorno-Karabakh police car, killing three officers. President Aliyev is using ever more threatening rhetoric. In a January interview, speaking on Azerbaijan’s prior use of military force, Aliyev said, “Because last year, since March, we have shown three times that no one can withstand us and we will achieve what we want.”

Given these circumstances, it was alarming to hear in recent conversations with leaders from the Armenian and Artsakh diaspora that the U.S. government may be considering granting export licenses for the shipment of lethal weapons such as sniper rifles to Azerbaijan. We strongly oppose this and urge you to unequivocally deny any such requests, which would exacerbate the precarious security and humanitarian situation in Artsakh and leave blood on the United States’ hands. Such a move would also be contrary to the Biden Administration’s stated values on protecting human rights and policies such as the United States Conventional Arms Transfer Policy outlined in a February 23 memorandum. The February memorandum recognizes, “United States national security is strengthened by greater respect worldwide for human rights and international law, including international humanitarian law.” We could not agree more. We cannot speak out for human rights while approving the provision of U.S. weapons that can be used to further Azerbaijan’s war and commission of war crimes.

It is clear from U.S. government reporting that weapons in the hands of Azerbaijan’s security forces are likely to contribute to the commission of human rights violations. The State Department’s Human Rights Report on Azerbaijan documents a pattern of significant human rights abuses committed by Azerbaijan’s security forces, including “credible reports of unlawful killings involving summary executions of Armenian soldiers in Azerbaijani custody,” torture, and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment in 2022. The report states that “impunity remained a problem” and the government failed to prosecute or punish “the majority” of officials responsible for human rights abuses. It further states the Azerbaijani government took no action on the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture reports, which “stated that torture and other forms of physical mistreatment by police and other law enforcement agencies, corruption in the entire law enforcement system, and impunity remained systemic and endemic.”

In addition to our deep concern for the humanitarian and moral implications of sending U.S. weapons to security forces known for “systemic” problems with impunity and the commission of war crimes, we have serious concerns over the global security impacts. An unclassified Office of the Director of the National Intelligence (ODNI) report dated October 2022 states, “In the South Caucasus region, Azerbaijan is the country most likely to renew large-scale conflict in an effort to consolidate and expand the gains it won in its 2020 military action against Armenia over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.” The report references the September 2022 fighting in which Azerbaijan attacked Armenia, reaching as far as 25 miles into sovereign Armenian territory. Azerbaijani soldiers continue to maintain positions within Armenia’s internationally recognized borders. With respect to sniper rifles in particular, there is a history of Azerbaijani snipers firing into Armenian territory in violation of past ceasefire agreements. Indeed, International Crisis Group previously recommended the “withdrawal of snipers from the line of contact” to reduce the risk of all-out war.9 The United States must not fuel conflict by approving the export of more lethal weapons such as sniper rifles.

We have urged the Administration to make clear to President Aliyev that further attacks on Armenia and Artsakh will result in sanctions and other measures, and have regularly called for security assistance to Azerbaijan to be immediately ceased pursuant to Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. We request your response to the following questions:

  1. Can you please confirm whether the Department of Commerce has received a request for an export license for lethal weapons to Azerbaijan?
  2. If so, who is the intended recipient and what is the stated purpose of the weapons?
  3. Has the Department of Commerce made a final decision on the license request? If no, when does it anticipate doing so?
  4. Has the Department of State been consulted yet as part of this process, including the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor? Have reports from outside experts such as International Crisis Group and Human Rights Watch been considered as part of the process?
  5. Does the State Department concur with granting an export license?
  6. How would it be possible to guarantee that U.S. weapons will not be used in the commission of war crimes, violations of human rights, or actions that will trigger full-scale war affecting the people of Artsakh and Armenia? And if it is not possible, how can the provision of such weapons be justified?
  7. Have you provided a response to the Armenian National Committee of America’s February 13 letter? Will you commit to providing a response to this group?

It is vital that we take every opportunity to assert strong U.S. leadership to promote peace in the South Caucasus and the protection of the human rights of the people of Armenia and Artsakh. We look forward to receiving your prompt response on this important matter.

Sincerely,


RI Senate unanimously passes Armenian Genocide resolution

Emil Lazarian
April 26, 2023 Stephen Elmasian Diaspora 0

Armenian flag flying over the RI State House on April 24, 2023

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—The Armenian tricolor proudly flew over the Rhode Island State House on April 24 and 25, as well as in the RI Senate on Tuesday, as the Armenian Genocide resolution (No. 937) was introduced by a grandchild of survivors.

Senator David P. Tikoian (Smithfield, North Providence and Lincoln) began his remarks on the Senate floor by expressing sincere gratitude to Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna Gallo of Cranston. Senate President Gallo, a longtime supporter of the Armenian community and cause, encouraged Tikoian to sponsor and introduce the resolution this year, taking over a role she has had for many years. The late Senator Maryellen Goodwin, a Smith Hill native who passed away last week, played a major role for many years, along with Senator Gallo.

Reading of the Armenian Genocide resolution with Senate Pres. Pro Tempore Hanna Gallo looking on

Senator Tikoian spoke to his fellow senators after the reading of the resolution about its importance to him as a descendant of orphans of the Genocide, Garabed Topalian and Tarviz Mesrobian. “It is because of their survival that I stand before you today,” Tikoian said. He explained the importance of recognizing the Armenian Genocide each year, making the connection between the events of World War I and the Holocaust during World War II.

“It is only through learning and remembering past atrocities, as we are doing here today, that we work towards their prevention and become a more humane society,” Tikoian stressed, recalling the Senate’s passage on March 30 of a resolution designating April as Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Month, which he cosponsored with Senator Josh Miller.

Senator David Tikoian speaking about the importance of the Armenian Genocide resolution

“Passed by the entire Senate,” stated Senate President Gallo as every senator on the floor stood for passage of the resolution.

Sen. Thomas Paolino (l.) with Sen. Tikoian

Senator Leonidas Raptakis (Coventry) of Greek descent and Senator Thomas Paolino, who represents parts of Lincoln, North Providence and North Smithfield, spoke in support of the resolution. Senator Paolino noted that he was proud to support this legislation in honor of his late grandmother, who was Armenian.

Senator Leonidas Raptakis speaking in support of the resolution

The Rhode Island Armenian community is grateful for the Senate’s passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, following last week’s passage of the resolution introduced in the RI House by Rep. Katherine Kazarian (East Providence). Rep. Kazarian follows in the footsteps of longtime supporter Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Arthur Corvese (North Providence).

Community members with Sen. Tikoian (back center), including (l. to r. In front) his aunts Margaret Moorachian and Carol Mesrobian and his mother Ann Tikoian.

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Stephen Elmasian is the co-chair of ANC-RI. He recently retired as the fiscal manager for the RI Secretary of State.


ANCA-ER activists host array of Armenian Genocide remembrance events

Emil Lazarian
April 26, 2023 ANCA-Eastern Region ANCA News 0

WATERTOWN, Mass. — Local chapters throughout the Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region (ANCA-ER) hosted an impressive array of commemorative events and garnered unprecedented regional awareness for the 108th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide throughout the month of April, culminating on April 24 – the international day of justice for the Armenian Genocide. 

Activists from across the eastern region stressed the importance of this year’s commemoration in particular, as it was marked amidst a blockade on Artsakh, which has been ongoing since December 12, 2022. The commemorations, proclamations and events throughout the month of April have shed light on the continuation of genocide linking Ottoman Turkey’s treatment and annihilation of the Armenian people to Azerbaijan’s current genocidal behavior against Artsakh – home to indigenous Armenians for millenia. 

“On behalf of the ANCA-ER board and staff, I am incredibly touched by the work of the ANCA-ER activists,” expressed ANCA Eastern Region Board chair Dr. Ara Chalian. “Every year, our activists plan commemorative events to underscore the importance of raising awareness of the internationally recognized Armenian Genocide; but this year, they went even further to sound the alarm on the humanitarian disaster impacting the Armenians in Artsakh as we speak. Our activists empowered their fellow Armenians in the homeland by garnering the support of federal, state and city-level governments who issued proclamations, gave speeches, made commitments, statements for the congressional record, hosted educational events, community outreach and so many more initiatives – initiatives that are heartfelt and impactful,” he concluded. 

Forty-two proclamations were issued from states such as Illinois (8), Massachusetts (8), Michigan (9), New Hampshire (4), New Jersey (3), New York (1), North Carolina (3), Rhode Island (5) and Ohio (1). 

ANC of New York and Albany activists joined State Senator Andrew Gounardes at the New York State Capitol to witness a legislative resolution marking April 24, 2023, as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in the State of New York. Pictured left to right: Sonia Sukljian, Betty Minassian, Niree Kaprielian, Antranig Karageozian, New York State Senator Gounardes, Vincent Nasri, Ani Tchaghlasian, Nairi Diratsouian

On the heels of US recognition of the Armenian Genocide by legislative and executive branches, as well as the 50 US states, these proclamations are a testament to the importance of creating awareness of the Armenian Genocide and the current danger facing the Armenian nation today.

Thanks to the efforts of the ANC of Granite City, the Granite City City Council issued a proclamation on April 18, 2023, establishing a friendship city between Granite City, Illinois and Ashan, Republic of Artsakh. Pictured left to right: Steve Hagopian, Mayor of Granite City Mike Parkinson, Stephen Hagopian and Der Taniel Manjikian.

Of the 42 proclamations, 35 were signed by cities: Warren, Birmingham City, Sterling Heights, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Livonia, Detroit, Hazel Park, North Chicago, Lincolnwood, Waukegan, Hoffman Estates, Glenview, Niles, Crystal Lake, Granite City, Boroughs of Fort Lee and Ridgefield, Chelmsford, Andover, Lowell, Billerica, Dracut, Methuen, North Andover, Haverhill, Windham, Salem, Manchester, Nashua, Asheville, Fayetteville, Xenia, North Providence and Cranston. Three were signed by governors of the states of Michigan, North Carolina and Rhode Island. Three were signed by state bodies in the New York State Senate and Rhode Island State House of Representatives and Senate. 

Armenian National Committee of America Honoree Jasper Bedrossian speaks at Cranston, Rhode Island Armenian Genocide Commemoration and Flag Raising about his parents, Agape and Hampartsum Bedrossians who were the children of survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

Five of the region’s ANCs also hosted flag raisings, including the ANC of Illinois’ flag raisings in North Chicago and Waukegan, the ANC of New Jersey’s flag raisings in the Borough of Fort Lee, and the ANC of Rhode Island’s flag raisings in North Providence and Cranston. The ANC of Merrimack Valley hosted its third annual flag raising in Lowell (where the inaugural flag raising took place several years ago), Andover, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Methuen, North Andover, Haverhill and Westford with special guests including Congresswoman Lori Trahan, as well as commemorative flag raisings in coordination with the ANC of New Hampshire in Windham, Salem, Manchester and Nashua. 

Armenian Genocide Commemoration event organized by the ANC of New Jersey in Montvale, New Jersey.

In addition to flag raisings and proclamations, activists with the ANC of Granite City secured a Friendship City agreement between Granite City, Illinois and Ashan, a city in the Republic of Artsakh. The proclamation, spearheaded by Mayor Michael Parkinson, sets the foundation for long-term cooperation between the two cities to exchange ideas about the future of Artsakh. 

Armenian Genocide informational display organized in the Bar Harbor Library in Bar Harbor, Maine, spearheaded by the ANC of Maine.

Along the lines of education and cultural awareness, activists from the ANCs of Maine and Michigan created a display in the Bar Harbor Library in Maine and Farmington Community Library to educate the community about the Armenian Genocide with an emphasis on the vital role that Ambassador Henry Morgenthau played in the US response during the Armenian Genocide. 

ANC of Michigan worked with local libraries, such as the Farmington Community Library, in the Metro Detroit area to set up book displays about the Armenian Genocide during the month of April.

“I get the pleasure of working alongside the activists throughout the ANCA-ER on a daily basis and am in awe of their commitment and dedication,” said ANCA-ER Legislative and Community Affairs director Nairi Diratsouian. “The survival of the Armenian nation hangs in the balance as we watch the events of genocide unfold right before our very eyes in Artsakh. Together as a region, we commemorated the events of the past and laid a foundation for the future – a future in which no injustice against the Armenian nation will go unpunished,” she concluded.

The local chapters of the ANCA-ER remain dedicated to advocating for Artsakh and Armenia and furthering Armenian Genocide education to ensure that the cycle of violence and the perpetuation of genocide does not continue.

The ANCA-ER thanks its sponsors, co-sponsors, advocates and volunteers for their continued support and dedication to the cause of furthering Hai Tahd and raising awareness for Armenian issues in the United States and abroad.

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The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region is part of the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots organization, the ANCA. Working in coordination with the ANCA in Washington, DC, and a network of chapters and supporters throughout the Eastern United States, the ANCA-ER actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.


Prime Minister’s Labor Day address

Emil Lazarian

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 11:18, 1 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 1, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan issued a statement on International Workers’ Day, also referred to as Labor Day.

Below is the full statement as released by the Prime Minister’s Office:

 

“Dear citizens of the Republic of Armenia, today we celebrate Labor Day. On this occasion I’d like to reiterate the idea voiced recently in parliament that the key to solving all our problems is work and education. And again, I can’t set apart work from education because you can’t get education without work, while work which isn’t based on knowledge is simply a suffering without the desired result.

Work based on knowledge is progress, education, productivity and creative pleasure. The economic success we have today is based on this very principle. It is on this very principle that hundreds of thousands of workers and businessmen ensure the impressive revenues of the state budget of Armenia, it is they who increase the respect towards work and education, proving that unbelievable successes can be reached through knowledge-based work.

Work based on knowledge and knowledge strengthened through work and experience – this is the principle that must make our economy, our army, our diplomacy, our educational system and overall our state modern and competitive. Furthermore, highlighting the establishment of standards in many sectors, we don’t find standardization of knowledge to be at all any useful, because bricklayers need the knowledge required in their own field, locksmiths in theirs, diplomats and military servicemembers in theirs. But it is unequivocal and unambiguous that only knowledge-based work can lead to development and progress.

And therefore, happy Labor Day to everyone and I thank everyone who are elevating Armenia with their work. I convey special congratulations and greetings to the foreigners who’ve chosen our country as a place for their work and economic activity, welcome.”

U.S. Secretary of State tells Aliyev that checkpoint undermines peace process, calls for reopening of Lachin Corridor

Emil Lazarian

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 12:14, 1 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 1, ARMENPRESS. United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a phone call with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on April 30 and expressed “deep concern” that Azerbaijan’s establishment of a checkpoint on the Lachin corridor undermines efforts to establish confidence in the peace process and called for reopening the Lachin corridor.

“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev today to underscore the importance of Azerbaijan-Armenia peace discussions and pledged continued U.S. support.  Secretary Blinken shared his belief that peace was possible.  He also expressed the United States’ deep concern that Azerbaijan’s establishment of a checkpoint on the Lachin corridor undermines efforts to establish confidence in the peace process, and emphasized the importance of reopening the Lachin corridor to commercial and private vehicles as soon as possible,” the State Department said in a readout of the call.

Turkey closes airspace to Armenian airline without warning, Armenpress reports [+Links]

Emil Lazarian
Reuters

April 29 (Reuters) – Turkey on Saturday closed its airspace to low-cost Armenian airline FlyOne Armenia without warning, the domestic Armenpress news agency cited the carrier’s board chairman as saying.

“For reasons incomprehensible to us and without any visible grounds, Turkish aviation authorities cancelled the permission previously granted to the FlyOne Armenia airline to operate flights to Europe through Turkish airspace,” said Aram Ananyan, FlyOne’s chairman.

“Turkish aviation authorities implemented the cancellation without prior notification, putting our airline and our passengers in an uncomfortable situation.”

FlyOne Armenia, a subsidiary of Moldovan airline FlyOne, began operations in December 2021. In February 2023, Ananyan told Armenpress that the carrier had five Airbus aircraft and offered flights to 14 destinations in eight European and Middle Eastern nations.

Ankara has not had diplomatic or commercial ties with Armenia since the 1990s.

The two nations are at odds primarily over the 1.5 million people that Armenia says were killed in 1915 by the Ottoman Empire, the predecessor to modern Turkey. Armenia says this constitutes genocide, a charge Turkey denies.

But in February, a border gate between the neighbours was opened for the first time in 35 years to allow aid for victims of the devastating earthquakes in southern Turkey.

Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Leslie Adler
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-closes-airspace-armenian-airline-without-warning-agency-2023-04-29/
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Armenia: Turkish airspace closed to Yerevan-based FlyOne Armenia airlines, April 29 | Crisis24 (garda.com)
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Turkey closes airspace to airline FlyOne Armenia without warning: Report – Middle East News (wionews.com)
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Guest Opinion | William Paparian: An April 24 Message to the Armenian Community

Emil Lazarian
April 23 2023
Published on Sunday, April 23, 2023 | 4:00 am
 

Every year on this day Armenians the world over honor the memory of our 1.5 million martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.

But, we also know that the Genocide is not over. It continues silently, relentlessly, insidiously.

The scars are not healed. The wounds are still festering, and the suffering is real. Today, the trauma, the pain continues.. We are still haunted by the emptiness that comes from losing entire families. When a loved one disappears, the disappearance lasts forever.

People who don’t know Armenians very well think that 8,000 miles and 107 years away from the killing fields in Western Armenian, it might be easy for us to forget. It would indeed by easy for us to teach our children only the more pleasant lessons of Armenian history. Others might think it natural for us to spend this day at work, at school, or at recreation, enjoying life, like millions of other ordinary families. But Armenians are not ordinary people. History has imposed special tasks on us.

Alongside the painful lessons of a 3,000-year old history, we have a national obligation to live every day of our lives in remembrance of those who perished. Our every action, our very way of life must adamantly and unflinchingly proclaim: Never again shall the Armenian people be subjected to Genocide! Never again will we allow men, women, and children to be torn away from their home, their schools, and their churches, to be massacred in deserts, rivers, and empty fields! Never again will we permit Armenians to suffer under the yoke of oppressors, such as the Turks, or Azeris. And . . . not only Armenians.

Yes, we may live in the computer age of global communication – but the barbarities in today’s headlines seem lifted from man’s darkest past. Look at Bosnia, or Rwanda. See how easily helpless minorities are rounded up and put to the death by the thousand – in their homeland – while the entire world watches . . . sheds few tears, sends a few dollars to a UN humanitarian agency, and then changes the channel. Sure, a picture may be worth a 1000 words. But what a numbing effect 1000 pictures of suffering has on us.

The Genocide of the Armenians in Ottoman Turkey in 1915 needs to be addressed and justice rendered to the victims, their survivors, and the Armenian nation. Those are the clear and simple demands of the Armenian people. What can we do today to bring that Judgement Day closer to reality? Well, I have a couple of suggestions.

First of all, we have to convince ourselves that we cannot rely on anyone else to help us in our fight for justice. We have to be self-reliant. No one can do for us what we must do for ourselves!

Without a just and final resolution to the 1915 Genocide, the Armenian people cannot rest. Unless Turkey accepts its guilty responsibility in the Genocide of Armenians, no real peace can exist between the Armenian people and the Turkish government. Until justice is done, the Armenian people cannot trust Turkey to be a peaceful neighbor. It will always be a threat to the Armenian Republic. It is up to the 5 million of us who live outside Armenia, to gain recognition, reparations, and return of the lands where our grandfathers, and their grandfathers before them, lived, worked and died.

Our battle has not been easy.

For a number of years, Armenian-Americans have fought to have the Armenian Genocide recognized by the President of the United States.

Time and time again, we came up against a barrage of propaganda, and misinformation put up by the Turkish government, defense industry contractors, who profit by trafficking arms to our executioners, and other hired lobbyists.

Weak elected officials caved in to Turkish money, and threats, and your know the rest, no recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the President of the United States. Until last year when President Biden recognized the Armenian Genocide?

No other word can be used to describe what happened to the Armenian people. And this is no semantic quibble. The usage of the word “Genocide” mandates no statute of limitations and demand legal redress, restitution, and punishment of the perpetrators.

While the Turkish government depends on hand-outs from the American taxpayers, the Armenian-American community does not barter the blood of its martyrs. We will not, we cannot, and we must not accept anything less than the full truth!

For too long now we have politely played the political game. But no longer!

Armenians will not be appeased by meek, useless statements from pandering politicians that cater to the Turks and insults the memory of the Armenian martyrs. We will no longer be taken for granted.

We must be uncompromising in dealings with Turkey and Azerbaijan. We can no longer remain quietly on the sidelines while cold-blooded bureaucrats sell off our past and our children’s future. Speaking with a single voice, Armenians everywhere must reject any further attempt to water down our nation’s just demands on Turkey. I believe the Armenian people have been more than patient over the last 107years. Any other people would have long ago resorted to the kind of violence that marks the struggle for freedom for the Palestinians and the Irish.

I don’t know how much longer our people can wait. But I do know it won’t be forever. Let’s hope our patience is not tested too much more. .

My second suggestion is this: solidarity with and compassion for the suffering of others is a true measure of greatness of any people. Armenians carry this lesson in their very bones.

On April 24, it is only proper and just for Armenians to reiterate their solidarity with all other victims of intolerance. To do any less would diminish the righteousness and strength of our case. Our place can never be with those voices of hatred and racism, or those who are ready and willing to victimize helpless minorities. No responsible Armenian can condone the kind of institutionalized violence witnessed recently against legal or illegal immigrants. Who better than we know what it means to be branded as the outsider, the intruder, the trespasser? We also cannot, and should not remain silent when intolerance is preached from the steps of the State Capitol, the floor of the U.S. Senate, or the political campaign trail.

We must reject all forms of racism and fight against intolerant political voices. In so doing, not only will we create a better community for ourselves, we will help in the building of a healthier society for all. If we ever, even for a moment, close our eyes to the suffering and persecution of any minority anywhere on this globe, we dishonor our own martyred families. When we side with the powerful and the arrogant, when we applaud or ignore their abuses, then we betray our own history.

This, my friends, is our ultimate responsibility to our survivors, and the individuals of all races, ages, and creeds, who have fallen victims to the greatest crimes of the 20th Century.

Former Mayor of Pasadena William Paparian

 

Armenia and Azerbaijan to hold talks on peace deal ‘in near future’

Emil Lazarian
AL-ARABIYA, UAE
Reuters
Armenia and Azerbaijan will hold talks in the near future on a peace deal to try to settle their long-running differences, Russia’s TASS news agency quoted the secretary of Armenia’s Security Council as saying.

It also reported that Armenia’s defense minister had discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the focus of two wars in the past three decades, with the new commander of Russian peacekeepers in the region.