Author: George Mamian

Photo: AFP    

Reports suggest as many as 140 people, including civilians, may have died in an attack on an airbase in Libya, the BBC reports.

It was originally thought 60 people died when a government-allied militia tried to take over the Brak al-Shati base on Thursday.

The UN-backed government’s defence minister and the commander of the militia have both been suspended pending an investigation.

The prime minister’s office has denied ordering the attack.

A militia spokesman said they had “liberated the base and destroyed all the forces inside”.

The town’s mayor said some aircraft had been set ablaze.

Most of the dead were soldiers of the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA), an alliance in the east of the country which does not recognise the government in the capital, Tripoli. That force has been in control of the airbase since December.

Its spokesman gave the new death toll of 140.

“The soldiers were returning from a military parade. They weren’t armed. Most of them were executed,” he said.

The UN’s envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler, said he was “outraged” by reports of summary executions.

The International Day of Families is observed on the 15th of May every year. This year’s observance focuses on the role of families and family-oriented policies in promoting education and overall well-being of their members. In particular, the Day is to raise awareness of the role of families in promoting early childhood education and lifelong learning opportunities for children and youth.

The Day highlights the importance of all caregivers in families, be it parents, grandparents or siblings and the importance of parental education for the welfare of children. It focuses on good practices for work-family balance to assist parents in their educational and caregiving roles. Good practices from the private sector in support of working parents, as well as youth and older persons in the workplace are also highlighted.

The Day also aims to discuss the importance of ‘knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development’

Is ‘s solo effort at Sunderland our Goal of the Month for April?

Watch the contenders here:

— Manchester United (@ManUtd)

Armenian captain could win another award for his left-foot finish against Sunderland. April witnessed some excellent goals from Manchester United’s first team, Reserves and Academy sides, and voting is now open on

Marcus Rashford has a pair of important efforts in the Goal of the Month poll – the opener in probably the best game of the period, United’s 2-0 home win over Chelsea, and the extra-time winner as the Reds eventually overcame Anderlecht to reach the Europa League semi-finals.

The shortlist includes submissions from the same game at Sunderland: Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s excellent shot on the turn from the edge of the area and Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s left-foot finish across the Black Cats’ acclaimed young goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford.

The only overseas entry in this month’s poll comes next, with Matthew Olosunde marking his return to his native United States by scoring a cracker in the Dallas Cup for the Reds’ Under-19 team.

After Rashford’s brace, two strikes from United’s Under-18s are separated in the shortlist by Anthony Martial’s stunning counter-attack at Turf Moor when he broke from inside his own half, outran Burnley’s Joey Barton and played a one-two with Ander Herrera before sweeping the Reds ahead.

Either side of Martial’s effort, one can see Zak Dearnley bursting down the left flank at The Cliff to roll the ball in at West Ham’s near post and Callum Gribbin’s sweet left foot firing in the first of United’s five goals as Reading were defeated 5-2 at home on Saturday.

President Serzh Sargsyan received today EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia Herbert Salber.

The interlocutors referred to Armenia-EU relations, parliamentary elections in Armenia, reforms to be implemented in different spheres, as well as the opportunities of furthering the negotiation process on the settlement of the Karabakh conflict.

The EU Special Representative congratulated President Sargsyan on the successful conduct of parliamentary elections, underlining that Armenia made a serious step towards stability and reinforcement of democracy. Mr. Salber hailed the progress in Armenia-EU relations.

President Sargsyan, in turn, emphasized EU’s considerable contribution in the process of preparation of the elections, which helped organize elections meeting international standards.

Serzh Sargsyan and Herbert Salber discussed the perspectives of furthering the negotiation process, the existing problems and challenges, the ways of EU’s possible contribution to the process.

The EU Special Representative assured of the European Union’s willingness to contribute to the settlement of the conflict by supporting the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs within the bounds of possibility.

Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received a governmental delegation headed by Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari.

Karen Karapetyan and Hamid Ansari first met in private, after which the talks continued in an extended format.

Welcoming Hamid Ansari’s delegation, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan expressed confidence that their visit would give a new impetus to the development of the Armenian-Indian economic cooperation.

“The relations between our two peoples boast a long history. The Armenian-Indian relations are characterized by high level of mutual understanding and trust. This year we are marking the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Armenia and India. Despite the high level of political dialogue between our countries, there is still much to be done in the field of economic cooperation, as there is a lot of potential,” Karen Karapetyan pointed out.

Prime Minister suggested enhancing efficiency in economic cooperation by targeting two areas: exchange of technologies and agriculture. At the same time, the Premier stressed the need for continued cooperation in all other prospective sectors. According to the Prime Minister, cooperation in the aforementioned two areas may cover information technology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and engineering. The Prime Minister added that the two countries have been boasting successful and exemplary cooperation in the IT sector in the face of the Armenian-Indian Excellence Center in Information and Communication Technologies. As Karen Karapetyan said, it has great potential as a business project, and its subsequent operation and modernization should be approached from that perspective.

The head of the Armenian government highlighted the use of new technologies in the health sector and thanked the Indian side for the assistance provided for the creation of the telemedicine network.

“We are ready to provide the necessary conditions for Indian companies to do business in Armenia. In this context, I would like to mention the free economic zone on the border with Iran in Syunik, which will be operational this fall. Armenia’s joining the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union’s GSP + trade regime will allow unimpeded access to these markets. Also, we suggest considering the involvement of Indian companies in jewelry, watch-making and precious stones processing activities in Meridian free economic zone in Armenia,” Karen Karapetyan said, adding that agriculture is a sector with great potential and Armenia is interested in developing cooperation in this field.

In this regard, the Prime Minister stressed the need to provide conditions for the import agricultural equipment from India and establishment of agro-machinery centers in Armenia. Priority was given to the development of cooperation in the field of seed production.

Karen Karapetyan highlighted the North-South Road International Transport Corridor project, noting that India is one of its co-founders. The Prime Minister said that in this framework Armenia has initiated a project that will make of Armenia a transit point for implementing swift and cost-effective multimodal shipments of Indian products on the way to Russia and European countries.
Thanking for the warm welcome, Vice President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari stressed the warm, friendly ties that bind both people and both countries.

Hamid Ansari highlighted the friendly relations between the two countries and nations as a key asset. “Our countries have always identified goals and ways for cooperation in every stage of relationship. This was the case in the past and will continue in the future. Today’s world is a world of technology and we have achieved progressive growth in terms of adapting to the technological world. India has the capacity and is ready to share them out with Armenia in engineering, mechanical engineering, information technology and healthcare, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture and other sectors,” the Vice President of India said.

According to Mr Ansari, Armenia has gained importance through its associate relationship with the North, West and East, and India attaches great importance to bilateral cooperation in different directions. Convinced that the proposal to attract the Indian capital in Armenia’s free economic zones was quite promising, the Vice President assured that he would convey the message to his country’s business circles.

“What matters most is that Indian businesses have the ability and willingness to invest outside of India. We will closely monitor to ensure that our two countries find out new opportunities for interaction,” Hamid Ansari noted, expressing willingness to closely cooperate in the field of agricultural supplies and other industries.

In Indian Vice President’s words, Armenian and India boast long-standing and promising ties of friendship, and India is willing to fully cooperate with Armenia.

The parties took the opportunity to discuss the possibility of establishing direct air communications, which is a good way to develop trade and economic cooperation, facilitate tourism and the visa regime. In this context, the interlocutors touched upon the need to hold an Armenian-Indian business forum, expand and deepen exchanges in education and culture.

Attended by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan and Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari, the following cooperation instruments were signed between the two governments: a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of youth affairs between the Armenian Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India as signed by RA Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Hrachya Rustamyan and Indian State Minister for Small and Medium Enterprise Giriraj Singh; practical program of cultural cooperation in 2017-2020 between the Armenian and Indian Ministries of Culture as signed by RA Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan and Indian Ambassador Yogeshvar Sangvan; a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of outer space between the governments of Armenia and India as signed RA Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchyan and Secretary for East of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Priti Saran.

Later today, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan will host an official dinner in honor of Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari.

FAST (The Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology) announced the formation of the Advisory Board and the appointment of the Chief Executive Director.

Impact investor and social entepreneur, co-founder of the IDeA Foundation Ruben Vardanyan made his first statement on the intention to create the FAST Foundation in July 2016, noting that the Foundation would focus on “the development of environment for technological innovations in Armenia and mobilization of scientific, technological and financial resources of the Armenian and international community”.

Ruben Vardanyan and Noubar Afeyan on behalf of the IDeA Foundation, Fr. Mesrop Aramyan on behalf of the Ayb and Luys Foundations, the high tech and innovations entrepreneur Artur Alaverdyan became the co-founders of the FAST Foundation. Board of Trustees of five people was established, including the co-founders; Artur Alaverdyan was appointed Chairman of the Board.

At the present moment the following persons have agreed to become members of the FAST Advisory Board:

Noubar Afeyan, Ph.D., Flagship Pioneering, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, MIT, Senior Lecturer 2000-2016, current Corporation Board member (USA),

Naira Hovakimyan, Ph.D., W. Grafton and Lillian B. Wilkins Professor of Mechanical Science and Engineering (USA),

David Yang, Ph.D., ABBYY, Founder and Director of the Board (USA/Russia)

Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham OM KBE PC FRS, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Director (UK)

Serge Tchuruk, Alcatel, former CEO and Total S.A., Chairman, former CEO (France)

Garaped Antranikyan, Hamburg University of Technology, President (Germany),

Mikhail Pogosyan, Moscow Aviation Institute, Rector (Russia)

Yuri Oganessian, Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Scientific Director (Russia),

André Andonian, McKinsey and Company, Managing Partner (Japan),

Armen Gevorgyan, Staff of Presidential Administration, Chief (Armenia),

Hovhannes Avoyan, PicsArt, CEO and Founder (USA/Armenia),

Vardan Sahakian, PhD in Physics, State Committee for Science, Deputy Head, the scientist with the highest scientometric indices (h-index) in Armenia (Armenia).

Other members might join the Board in future.

As the Head of the Advisory Board Noubar Afeyan stated “The future of Armenia will depend greatly on its capacity to innovate and to provide competitive products and services within the global markets. The Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology is a timely catalyst in making this potential a near-term reality”.

“In my opinion the main mission of the FAST Foundation is that it will consolidate the intellectual power in Armenia and abroad, focusing it on solving the actual tasks which determine the scientific and technological progress of the country,” Yuri Oganessian mentioned.

“Back in Soviet times Armenia held absolute leadership in scientific and technological innovations of the big country. In 1956 the USSR government launched the Yerevan Computer Research and Development Institute after Mergelyan, and since then we were well known for leading IT and software developments in USSR. The collapse of former Soviet Union, the major earthquake, the long-lasting economic and energy crisis destroyed the economy of the country leading to mass immigration. I am hopeful that FAST will give the opportunity to re-establish ourselves again as leaders in a number of major industries, in education and academic fronts as well, and this time we will come across as leaders on a global scale outside the borders of former Soviet Union,” Naira Hovakimyan commented.

“This is an immensely exciting time for Armenia with the launch of The FAST Foundation. As a society we are facing increasing challenges in every industry and through the development of a platform for bringing about the technological revolution in Armenia, we can remain at the forefront of the development of innovative technologies,” Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham said.

The businessman, architect of innovative ecosystems Armen Orujyan was appointed Chief Executive Director of FAST. Athgo, a non-profit organization created by him in 1999 in Los Angeles, is one of the leading business platforms in the world and has the status of consultant of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Under his leadership, Athgo promoted the development of innovative ecosystems in Europe and Africa, nearly 10,000 young innovators, entrepreneurs and students from 80 counties of the world obtained the support for implementation of their projects and initiatives, including a financial one.

“The world is experiencing an exciting and unprecedented technological transformation. Exponential advances are taking place in all verticals empowering people and economies. FAST propelled by its Founders’ vision, historical scientific accomplishments of Armenia and Armenians around the world, and access to global resources can thrust Armenia into becoming one of the leading if not the leading scientific and open innovation hubs. I envision a world where Armenia is a trendsetter of disruptive and cutting edge innovation in the region and beyond. I find it inspiring and a privilege to be involved with the Founders and all other stakeholders in helming this initiative forward,” Armen Orujyan stated.

During the 9 months from the first announcement of FAST, its co-founders have conducted a series of efficient discussions in different cities in the world with the participation of scientists, investors and entrepreneurs. The team in Yerevan has created a database of almost 5,000 scientists and engineers from Armenia and the Diaspora. More than 120 people from that database contributed to the discussions of the FAST initiative. A significant contribution into this preparatory work was made by the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), American University of Armenia, Synopsis, NSF, National Instruments and more than a hundred people who made important and valuable suggestions.

“Our main goal is to unite the state and the private sector, the general public and the elite, the citizens of Armenia, the diaspora and our partners in other countries, the donors and the international organizations, – in order to turn Armenia into one of the leading R&D hubs of the world together,” Ruben Vardanyan stated.

“We want to accelerate the creation of an innovate ecosystem in Armenia for science-intensive startups, to promote the commercialization of science by using the potential of the local and global scientific, engineering and entrepreneurial community. The main task of FAST is to build a road with a two-way traffic between Armenian science and the global business,” Artur Alaverdyan said.

FAST intends to become a platform for bringing the technological breakthrough in Armenia in the areas of IT and computer science, artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, advanced engineering and manufacturing technologies. The Foundation will be based on 4 pillars: education, research, start-ups and production. Expert council will be formed for every direction.

FAST is planned to pursue three main goals: to serve as a catalyst for technological development, concentrate the efforts and last, but not least, to coordinate the progress in the field. At the same time, FAST will operate according to the principle of an open platform that is ready for the development of partnership relations with private, state, public and scientific organizations in Armenia and in foreign countries. Organizationally FAST will operate as a FOF, without pursuing a commercial objective by itself. The initiative will create commercial venture funds and other business structures.

The scope of the initial financing for the development of the Foundation will be up to USD 15 million. The co-founders will launch a global fundraising campaign to attract up to USD 250 million within five years.

On March 30, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a Supreme Spiritual Council meeting was held, during which they considered the recent developments concerning the Patriarchal Locum Tenens election in the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The Catholicos of All Armenians reflected on the current situation, and informed the members of a letter sent to Echmiadzin on 24 March, by Rev. Fr. Yegishe Uchqounian, Chairman of the Patriarchate Clerical Assembly; and Rev. Fr. Drtad Ouzounian, through which they officially informed His Holiness on the election of His Eminence Archbishop Karekin Bekchian as Patriarchal Locum Tenens in the Patriarchate on March 15.

At the end of discussions, His Holiness announced his decision to bless the choice of the Patriarchal Locum Tenens, which was welcomed by the members of the Supreme Spiritual Council.

On the same day, His Holiness Karekin II, sent a letter to the Chancellor of the Clerical Assembly of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.

“From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, we convey our Pontifical blessing to the elected Patriarchal Locum Tenens of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, the clergymen and all our faithful Armenian children from Constantinople.

We urge you, that with the spirit of love and wisdom, to overcome the current problems and obstacles, and according to Church laws and rules, find better solutions to conduct the Patriarchal election, for the benefit of restoration of peace and solidarity for the Armenians of Constantinople”, stated His Holiness, and asked God’s support for the clergy of the See of Patriarchate of Constantinople in their spiritual service.

Asbarez – The Armenian Genocide Committee calls upon all segments of our community to join together in a MARCH FOR JUSTICE on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 12pm from the Pan Pacific Park to the Turkish Consulate in Los Angeles as we continue to fight for justice and against the denial of the Armenian Genocide. Organizational leaders in Southern California call upon the Armenian-American community to remain vigilant and active as we continue to voice our collective demands for justice.

It is our belief that our voices are most loudly and effectively heard when they are unified, and to that end, we proudly announce the continued cooperation of community organizations to organize and execute the commemorative activities and demands for justice for this year under the banner of the Armenian Genocide Committee (“AGC”) consisting of the organizations and entities listed below.

Armenian Genocide Committee:

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America

Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church

Armenian Catholic Church of North America

Armenian Evangelical Union of North America

Armenian Revolutionary Federation

Armenian Democratic Liberal Party

Social Democrat Hunchak Party

Armenian General Benevolent Union – Western District

Armenian Relief Society – Western USA

Homenetmen Western U.S. Region

Armenian Youth Federation

Armenian Assembly of America

Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region

Armenian Council of America

Armenian Bar Association

Organization of Istanbul Armenians

United Armenian Council of Los Angeles

Committee for Armenian Students in Public Schools (CASPS)

 

 

 

“The infiltration attempt undertaken by the Azerbaijani forces comes to reinforce the importance of implementation of the investigation mechanism at the line of contact,” Deputy Director of the Caucasus Institute Sergey Minasyan told a press conference today.

“The talks about the need for the mechanism intensified especially after the April military actions,” he said. “The Minsk Group Co-Chairs and Armenia have similar approaches towards the issue,” Minasyan added.

“Azerbaijan’s position on the OSCE platform is rather vulnerable, and this incident can serve as a reason for a stricter attitude towards the country,” he noted.

Sergey Minasyan does not rule out that Azerbaijan will again be trying to ignite tensions parallel to the devaluation of Azerbaijani manat and aggravation of the social-economic conditions. Therefore, he says, the Armenian side should be ready to make more effective use of the restraining mechanisms should Azerbaijan try to undertake non-standard military or military-political actions.

As for the Azeri claims that the soldier captured by the Armenian forces had been expelled from the armed forces, Sergey Minasyan says “Azerbaijan has thus put itself in a hard and ridiculous position.”

The Azerbaijani forces undertook an infiltration attempt in the northeastern (Talish) direction of the line of contact with the Karabakh forces at about on February 1.

An Azerbaijani soldier was captured after the Karabakh forces repelled the attack.

The Azeri side announced later that the soldier identified as Elnur Huseynzade had been expelled from the army.

Expert of Azerbaijani studies Taron Hovhannisyan has studies the publications in Azerbaijani media and social networks and revealed that the reactions there are also contradictory.

Photos: AFP/OZAN KOS

 

On the 10th year of the murder, Hrant Dink was remembered where he was shotdead, Agos reports.

For many in Turkey, the 10 years that have passed since Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was murdered in broad daylight have not lessened the pain, accoridng to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

“Whenever I pass through this street, I am trembling. It’s very painful. How dare they kill such people?” Turkan Arslan told AFP on the street where Dink was killed by an ultranationalist outside the offices of his Agos newspaper in Istanbul.

Ogun Samast, then a 17-year-old jobless high-school dropout, confessed to the murder and was sentenced in 2011 to almost 23 years in jail.

However, mystery lingers over who orchestrated the killing, which sent shockwaves through Turkey and became a scandal after it emerged that the security forces had known of the plot but failed to act.

Arslan joined thousands of people including Dink’s wife Rakel and his colleagues who turned out to pay tribute to the journalist who founded the bilingual newspaper.

“It looks like the perpetrator of this murder was the state, at all levels,” said Rakel, whose was interrupted by the crowds shouting: “The murderer state will be brought to account!”

“This case is one of the keys to Turkey’s democratisation,” she declared.

Under the grey sky, a huge banner with a picture of Dink and the words: “We’ve been missing you for 10 years” hung from the building that housed the Agos offices.

“We are all Hrant, we are all Armenians” the crowds shouted, some people laying red and white carnations on the street where he was gunned down.

Yetvart Danzikyan, who holds Dink’s former job of Agos editor-in-chief, said: “We are still feeling his absence but we know that his words are still echoing.”

Asli Erdogan, one of Turkey’s celebrated novelists who was released from jail last month after being held on charges of terror propaganda, said: “It is a luxury to talk about justice in this country.”

“But we are still here 10 years on. We will also be here 20 years later. Maybe it is the only justice that we are here,” she told AFP.

But Arslan said she was optimistic that justice would be served in Dink’s case.

Although his assassin was rapidly arrested and sentenced, dozens of former public officials, including former police chiefs, have been on trial on charges of negligence over the killing, with Dink’s supporters losing confidence on the ability of Turkey’s justice system to shed light on the plot.

“There is the sun rising after every dark day… The sun will rise again,” Arslan said. “One Hrant is gone, one thousand Hrants will come.”