Author: Garo Vardanian

Azerbaijan starts to return people to recaptured Nagorno-Karabakh

Garo Vardanian
July 19 2022
Baku has promised to repopulate parts of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region which it recaptured after a six-week war with Armenia in 2020.

Azerbaijan on Tuesday began the process of returning its people to land recaptured from Armenian separatists in what Baku calls “The Great Return” following a 2020 war over disputed Nagorno-Karabakh.

The oil-rich country has vowed to repopulate lands recaptured in the six-week war with arch-foe Caucasus neighbour Armenia that killed more than 6,500 people two years ago.

President Ilham Aliyev had for years promised to retake lands lost in the 1990s and the first returns marked a symbolic moment for Azerbaijan.

An official said almost 60 people moved back to a village they had had to flee in 1993, when ethnic Armenian separatists broke away from Baku, triggering a conflict that claimed around 30,000 lives.

Hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis quit the area during the fighting.

“Fifty-eight people returned to the district of Zangilan” recaptured by Baku in October 2020, special presidential representative in the region Vahid Hajiyev, told reporters.

More than 30,000 ethnic Azerbaijanis fled Zangilan, near the Iranian border, in 1993.

“At this stage, a total of 41 families will return” over the next five days to the newly rebuilt village of Agally in Zangilan, Hajiyev said.

The government has pledged to provide jobs for the returnees, he said. It has already built in Agally dozens of houses equipped with solar batteries, a brand new school, and a kindergarten, he added.

“Over the next months the village will be fully repopulated.”

Emotions ran high as repatriates stepped down from buses in Agally’s windswept central square, where a new fountain sparkled under a sweltering sun.

“We are so happy to be back,” one of the returnees, 64-year-old Mina Mirzoyeva told AFP. “This is our homeland, our native land.”

Rahilya Ismayilova, 72, said that back in 1993 she had been forced to ford a river into Iran with her small children, fleeing for life from the Armenian separatist forces.

“May all the refugees return to their homes, just as we did today,” she said.

“I fled my village with my four children and today I am back with my big family, with my nine grandchildren.”

Baku has vowed to spend billions of petrodollars on the reconstruction of Nagorno-Karabakh and nearby recaptured areas.

It allocated $1.3 billion in last year’s budget for infrastructure projects such as new roads, bridges and airports in the region.

But a large-scale return of refugees remains a distant prospect given the scale of the devastation and the danger from landmines.

The government has pledged to provide jobs for the returnees, he said. It has already built in Agally dozens of houses equipped with solar batteries, a brand new school, and a kindergarten, he added.

“Over the next months the village will be fully repopulated.”

Emotions ran high as repatriates stepped down from buses in Agally’s windswept central square, where a new fountain sparkled under a sweltering sun.

“We are so happy to be back,” one of the returnees, 64-year-old Mina Mirzoyeva told AFP. “This is our homeland, our native land.”

Rahilya Ismayilova, 72, said that back in 1993 she had been forced to ford a river into Iran with her small children, fleeing for life from the Armenian separatist forces.

“May all the refugees return to their homes, just as we did today,” she said.

“I fled my village with my four children and today I am back with my big family, with my nine grandchildren.”

Baku has vowed to spend billions of petrodollars on the reconstruction of Nagorno-Karabakh and nearby recaptured areas.

It allocated $1.3 billion in last year’s budget for infrastructure projects such as new roads, bridges and airports in the region.

But a large-scale return of refugees remains a distant prospect given the scale of the devastation and the danger from landmines.

The two leaders met in Brussels in April and May and European Council President Charles Michel has said their next meeting is scheduled for July or August.

Following its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, an increasingly isolated Moscow lost its status as the primary mediator in the conflict.

The European Union has since led the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalisation process, which involves peace talks, border delimitation and the reopening of transport links.

Biden’s nomination of new Ambassador to Armenia sent to Senate

Garo Vardanian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – July 12 2022
July 12, 2022, 10:46

 1 minute read

The White House has sent a number of nominations and withdrawals to the Senate.

US President Joe Biden earlier nominated Kristina A. Kvien, of California to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Armenia.

A career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, Kvien serves as Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy Kyiv. She was previously Chargé d’Affaires ad interim from 2020-2022. Prior to that, she served as Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, France and as Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. In both Paris and Bangkok, she served more than one year as Acting Deputy Chief of Mission. She also served as Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in London.

Earlier in her career, Kvien was detailed to the National Security Council in Washington, D.C. as Director for EU, Ukraine and Belarus affairs. Other overseas assignments include the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia; the U.S. Mission to the EU in Brussels; and the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Republic of the Philippines. Domestic assignments include the Office of European and Regional Affairs, and the Office of Central European Affairs, both in the Bureau of Europe and Eurasian Affairs.

Kvien, a native of California, holds a BA from Occidental College and an MS from the U.S. Army War College. She is a recipient of multiple State Department performance awards and speaks Russian and French.

Film: ‘Motherland’ Documentary Feature Premieres To Rave Reviews at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood

Garo Vardanian
July 12 2022

‘Motherland,’ which HuffPost’s Thom Senzee called ‘Most Anticipated Documentary Film of 2022,’ by Vic Gerami, premiered on Thursday night to a standing ovation. The red-carpet event was held on Thursday, July 7, at the historic Raleigh Studios Hollywood. 

One hundred and forty guests included elected officials, celebrities, and other high-profile public figures. They were there to support the film that brings attention to Azerbaijan’s, Turkey’s brutal invasion of Artsakh in 2020, the massacre of 5,000+ indigenous Armenians, and the two nations’ ongoing campaign of hate, violence, and disinformation. 

Director, producer and writer Vic Gerami opened the program with a moment of silence for the 5,000+ Armenians martyred in 2020. Congresswoman Judy Chu gave a speech before the curtain and presented commendations to the filmmakers. Other elected officials were Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, LA County Assessor Jeff Prang, Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian, and Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who could not attend, sent commendations to the filmmaking team. 

Other notable guests were Shant Sahakian, executive director of the Armenian American Museum, Alex Mohajer, President of the Stonewall Democratic Club, LA Sheriff Candidate Eric Strong, actress Kat Kramer, producer Larry Kasanoff, Levon P. Thorose with Knights of Vartan, and Western Regional Director of the Armenian Assembly of American Mihran Toumajan.

Sponsors of the premiere included Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, Councilmember Paul Koretz, renowned attorney Mark Geragos, Davit, Asatryan, CA State Commissioner Sam Kbushyan, and Gary Shkhrdumyan. 

Produced and directed by Los Angeles-based Armenian American journalist and activist Vic Gerami, ‘Motherland’ is a new feature-length documentary film about the genocidal assault and the violent ethnic cleansing unleashed on September 27, 2020, by Azerbaijan and Turkey on the Republic of Artsakh. The 120-minute documentary film focuses unwavering attention on the coordinated, systematic, and wholly unprovoked genocidal attack and ethnic cleansing against the Armenians of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh.

‘Motherland exposes the unprovoked genocidal attack and ethnic cleansing that nations of Azerbaijan and Turkey unleashed on the independent Republic of Artsakh in 2020 and massacred more than 5,000 indigenous Armenians while world leaders watched in deafening silence,’ said Vic Gerami. He added, ‘This largely ignored crime against humanity against Russia’s neighbor was partly Putin’s dry-run and a precursor to his brutal invasion of Ukraine.’ 

Congresswoman Judy Chu expressed her support on the red carpet by saying, ‘It is so wonderful to be able to have this documentary. I did go to Artsakh. I was able to witness what a beautiful and charming place it is. And when I heard about the attack by Azerbaijan, I was just horrified to hear about the many thousands that died, the refugees that were created that cannot go back home, and the prisoners of war that are still there. So, we are doing what we can in Congress. But what is really disturbing is the world doesn’t know enough about this. That’s what this documentary can do. It can provide a light on what is going on in Artsakh.’

About Vic Gerami, Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian said, ‘Thank you for producing a resource that honors the memory of those who have been lost while raising awareness about the invasion and its subsequent impact on world affairs.’ 

Glendale Mayor stated, ‘Your {Vic Gerami’s} work elevates the voices of those fighting for human rights around the world.’

Cecile Keshishian said, ‘Congratulations for your beautiful ‘Motherland Documentary’… shook us to the core… Proud to have an Armenian of your talents and caliber.’ 

Producer Larry Kasanoff commented, ‘Really fast paced and well done… I travel a lot, have been to Central Asia, know all about the Armenian holocaust in 1915, and honestly, never heard of Artsakh. So it was eye opening.’

Vic Gerami is an award-winning journalist, columnist, media commentator, and the host of his prime-time headline news + politics radio program THE BLUNT POST with VIC (TBPV) on Independent + Progressive Radio KPFK 90.7 FM (Pacifica Network). Vic is also the editor + publisher of The Blunt Post. 

Gerami founded the Truth And Accountability League (TAAL), a 501©3 non-profit organization that advocates for Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Armenia. TAAL monitors & addresses Armenophobia, extremism & bigotry around the globe on the level of media, including social media, public policy, academia, and intelligentsia. 

In 2015, Gerami was referenced in the landmark Supreme Court civil rights case, Obergefell v. Hodges, in which the Court held in a 5–4 decision that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process and the Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Please click here for more information about Vic Gerami.

https://indieentertainmentmedia.com/motherland-documentary-feature-film-premieres-to-rave-reviews-at-raleigh-studios-in-hollywood/

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Armenia’s police to be under Parliament’s control

Garo Vardanian
PanARMENIAN
Armenia –
– 16:08 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan considers the establishment of a Ministry of Internal Affairs important.

“By reorganizing the police into the Ministry of the Interior, we will bring it into the parliamentary field of control, like other ministries,” he said on social media Wednesday, July 13.

Marukyan noted that according to the draft proposal, the Interior Ministry will unite the rescue service (now the Ministry of Emergency Situations), the police, the migration and citizenship service, and the research center. He said such a ministry existed in the past, but it was disassembled in the 2000s and taken out of parliamentary control.

“I hope that all the measures aimed at creating the Ministry of Internal Affairs will soon be implemented and the end result will be a more progressive and transparent institution,” the ambassador wrote.

Minister of Justice Karen Andreasyan said earlier that the establishment of a Ministry of Internal Affairs is a very important and big step for the law enforcement system of Armenia. Andreasyan said the Ministry will not be created from scratch, but rather be built on the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Armenian PM holds telephone conversation with Turkish President

Garo Vardanian

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 16:04,

YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the PM’s Office said.

The Prime Minister congratulated the President on Kurban Bayram, and the President congratulated the Prime Minister on the upcoming Vardavar-Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ.

The leaders emphasized the importance they attach to the bilateral normalization process between their respective countries which will also contribute to the strengthening of peace and stability in the region.

In this context they expressed their expectation for the early implementation of the agreements reached during the meeting between the Special Representatives of their countries on July 1.

Garo Paylan comments on the telephone conversation between Pashinyan and Erdogan

Garo Vardanian

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 20:24,

YEREVAN, JULY 11, ARMENPRESS. Garo Paylan, a member of the Turkish parliament with Armenian origin, referred to the telephone conversation between Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“I hope that the telephone conversation between President Erdogan and Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan will speed up the ongoing normalization process between the two countries,” ARMENPRESS reports, Garo Paylan wrote on his Twitter microblog.

Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 11.

The Prime Minister congratulated the Turkish President on Kurban Bayram, and the President congratulated the Prime Minister on the upcoming Vardavar-Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ.

The leaders emphasized the importance they attach to the bilateral normalization process between their respective countries which will also contribute to the strengthening of peace and stability in the region.

In this context they expressed their expectation for the early implementation of the agreements reached during the meeting between the Special Representatives of their countries on July 1.




Armenia suffered over 120 casualties during so-called peace time, MP tells OSCE

Garo Vardanian
Panorama
Armenia – July 5 2022

Armenian MP Lilit Galstian of the opposition Hayastan bloc urged the OSCE Minsk Group mediators to reaffirm their commitment to resume negotiations on a comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on the principle of self-determination in her remarks at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on Tuesday. Her full statement is provided below.

“Honorable president, dear colleagues,

Armenia acceded to the OSCE motivated by the goals and purposes of the Organization, as well as by the principles of the UN charter.

We were convinced that our commitment is being shared by all member countries and double standards have no place in an organization with an undeniable reputation.

Regrettably, this reputation was shattered when faced with the reality – the OSCE was unable to condemn the aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan and Turkey and its backed terrorist fighters in the fall of 2020. It remained silent to the racially motivated crimes by Azerbaijan with the use of chemical weapons and cluster munitions against the peaceful population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The 9 November ceasefire stopped the bloodshed in Nagorno-Karabakh, but contrary to the Azerbaijani claims, the conflict is not over. In fact, the security challenges in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh have increased, and are no less important than those in the Eastern Europe.

During the so-called peace time the Armenian side has had more than 120 casualties, Azerbaijan is repeatedly making territorial claims against Armenia, conducting a policy of ethnic cleansing, misappropriation and destruction of cultural and historical monuments, and continuing the aggressive rhetoric and hatred towards Armenia and Armenians.

No one should be under any illusion that the results of the use of force could ever become the basis for sustainable peace. Any agreement under force and against the will of the people cannot guarantee against new confrontations and aggression. The right of an entire nation to life and self-determination cannot be sacrificed to geopolitical or economic interests. It cannot be held hostage to discord between any regional or global actors. Armenians, that have survived the first genocide in the 20th century have vivid memories of the dire consequences of such calculations.

The Co-Chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group should reaffirm their commitment to resume negotiations on a comprehensive resolution of the conflict based on the principle of self-determination.”

Elen Asatryan makes history with Glendale City Council victory

Garo Vardanian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia – July 9 2022
July 9, 2022, 20:25

 2 minutes read

Elen Asatryan was elected to the Glendale City Council, finishing second in a field of eight candidates and becoming the city’s first immigrant, first Armenian-American and youngest woman to be elected to the council, Asbarez reports.

She will take her oath of office on Tuesday, July 12 at 8 p.m. inside the Glendale City Hall Council Chambers. 

Asatryan, 39, received 13,165 votes, surpassing by a wide margin former mayors Ara Najarian and Vrej Agajanian and broke historic record in Glendale by garnering more votes than the two incumbents as a newcomer in a race with no open seats.

“From south to north and east to west, Glendalians opened their homes, small businesses, and hearts because we share the same vision and hope for the future of our Jewel City. I am grateful for your faith and trust in me to be your voice in city hall and for the tremendous outpouring of support,” said Asatryan. 
“It is an honor to have earned a seat that will allow me to represent the wonderful mosaic of people that make up Glendale.”

“We’re writing a new story for Glendale — powered by courage and empathy. We’ll continue working together to build a city that works for all of us and a city hall that is truly the house of the people.  Our residents and small businesses will receive the support they need and deserve, as we proactively tackle our many challenges. I look forward to building bridges and working towards making Glendale a model city to live, work and play in,” added Asatryan.

Asatryan ran a true grassroots campaign, distinguishing herself by hosting more public events than all other city council campaigns combined and earning endorsements from a long list of organizations, elected officials and community leaders. Her campaign galvanized the largest number of donors and raised the most money of all the candidates in the field, while rejecting money from PACs or special interest groups. 

Asataryan’s passion for the issues and refusal to participate in negative campaigning inspired a diverse group of Glendale residents to get out and vote during a low-turnout election. 

“We proved that people power always prevails in the end, and there is no substitute for honest and authentic campaigning. We unapologetically stayed true to ourselves, stood firmly by our values and our principles, and never resorted to petty politics and destructive tactics despite the hurricane of negativity we braved,” Asatryan said. “I’m very proud of the positive and sincere campaign we ran and very grateful to all who made our collective victory possible. I would also like to thank all the candidates who had the courage to step forward and bring their ideas to the table.”

Asatryan’s priorities for Glendale include: establishing a proactive city hall culture; smart development that incorporates green spaces, affordable housing, sustainability, the arts, and walkable and safe streets; small business recovery & support; overhaul of inefficient & costly permitting processes; promoting dynamic arts, music, & culture; a youth voice on commissions; Citizen’s Ethics Commission; community outreach that engages ALL residents and a workforce that is reflective of the diverse communities it serves.

“There shouldn’t be so many firsts in 2022. I hope this win inspires and shows women and little girls that they have a place in government and politics. I am committed to doing my part to help pave the way,” Asatryan added. 

Born in Armenia, Asatryan moved to Glendale with her family at the age of 10 and attended Columbus Elementary, Toll Middle, and Herbert Hoover High schools.  She brings to the council over two decades of service to the Glendale community and beyond, and her professional background in policy, advocacy, and public affairs.

Armenian FM meets with UNWTO Secretary-General in Madrid

Garo Vardanian

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 16:02, 7 July 2022

YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, who is in Madrid on a working visit, held a meeting today with Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololikashvil, the MFA said in a news release.

The interlocutors emphasized the importance of the implementation of the agreements reached within the framework of the visit of the Secretary-General of the UNWTO to Yerevan at the beginning of June, aimed at expanding cooperation between Armenia and the UNWTO, including through the implementation of joint initiatives and development programs in the field of tourism.

Ideas were exchanged on the projects implemented in the field of tourism in Armenia.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia stressed that Armenia attaches great importance to the tourism sector as a foundation for sustainable development and prosperity at the local, national, regional and international levels. In this regard, the Foreign Minister emphasized the support of the UNWTO, especially to the initiatives of Armenia in the direction of innovation, investments, rural and ecotourism development.

Asbarez: CHA Health Systems Partners with Ceras Health to Improve Real-Time Care Coordination, Health Outcomes for Patients

Garo Vardanian
by Contributor

 

 July 6, 2022

 

in Community, Latest, News, Sponsored, Top Stories

From left: Marcel Loh, President and Chief Executive Officer, CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center; Yongseok Kim, Chief Executive Officer, CHA Health Systems; Udaya Devineni, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ceras Health; and Anita Waxman, Co-Founder, Business Development, Ceras Health at the signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding on partnership between the two companies for digital transitions of care solutions. Photo Credit: CHA Health Systems


Partnership Will Empower CHA Health Systems’ Physician Network with Ceras Health’s Digital Care Transition Solutions to Improve Continuity of Care and Outcomes

CHA Health Systems (CHS), a global leader in healthcare and biotechnology, announced a partnership with digital healthcare services company Ceras Health (Ceras) to use its breakthrough digital transitions of care solutions, to drive improved health outcomes and care coordination for the health system’s Medicare and other vulnerable patient populations.

CHS has a global network consisting of 81 hospitals and clinics, 30 research and 14 education institutions, and 31 bio/pharmaceutical/healthcare companies in seven countries. In the U.S., CHS operates CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (CHA HPMC), a nationally recognized acute care facility in the Los Angeles area, which offers comprehensive health care services with 469 beds, including 89 skilled nursing beds. The hospital has a medical staff of more than 500 physicians and specialists, representing 69 specialties and 75 different countries.

The partnership will enable CHS’s network of physicians to improve patient health outcomes, prevent readmissions, and enhance patient experience by utilizing Ceras’ HIPAA-compliant care monitoring and coordination tools which provide access to patient’s health data in real-time. 

“The partnership seamlessly aligns with our commitment to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care; enabling our hospital and physicians to establish an exemplary care model which will transform the healthcare business and patient care journey,” said Yongseok Kim, Chief Executive Office of CHS. “Ceras’ tools and technology will help our physicians understand where patients are in the care continuum and ensure that patients receive the right care to prevent the development of severe conditions; thereby driving the best possible health outcomes in the long term.” CHS and Ceras will also launch a study to look at ways to improve health outcomes for the Medicare population in the area.

Over 42 million Medicare patients across the U.S. visit their doctor less than the recommended frequency, often due to costs and other barriers. As a result, two in three older adults wait until their condition deteriorates and then use the Emergency Room as their primary form of care. Once discharged from the hospital, many older patients are unable to understand or take the appropriate steps to monitor and improve their conditions, leading to a high number of readmissions, which adds an additional financial burden to the $750 billion already spent by Medicare. 

“Innovation-driven health systems across the country, such as CHS, recognize that the care delivery status quo needs to change, especially for Medicare and other vulnerable populations. Ceras Health’s digital transitions of care solutions have proven to improve outcomes for chronic disease while resulting in high patient satisfaction,” said Udaya Devineni, CEO of Ceras Health. “We look forward to partnering with CHS as they continue to drive innovation to ensure their patients receive high-quality care, with the clinical expertise and care they expect, in the comfort of their own homes. This will improve their outcomes and experience while reducing costs for already burdened healthcare services.”     

Ceras’ digital solutions are transforming how healthcare is delivered, especially for Medicare and other vulnerable populations. This will be achieved by using a combination of 24/7 clinical expertise, remote patient monitoring (RPM), advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), and Ceras’ industry-first behavioral change and gamification platform which will help patients get the personalized care they need. The company also provides RPM devices—that monitor vital signs and other health factors—to patients at no cost, which allows physicians to monitor their patient’s recovery and well-being outside the conventional hospital setting.