1 – Turks Attack Each Other:
Cypriot Turkish Leader Criticizes Turkey
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
2- Syria’s Parliament Recognizes Armenian Genocide
3 – Armenian chef Karen Torosyan awarded a Michelin Star
4- AEF Holds 12th Annual School Supply Project at Chamlian School
5- AIWA 2020 Hasmik Mgrdichian Scholarship Accepting Applications
*****************************************
******************************************
1 – Turks Attack Each Other:
Cypriot Turkish Leader Criticizes Turkey
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
Turkish columnist Orhan Kemal Cengiz wrote an article in the Turkish
website “al-Monitor” on February 18, 2020, titled: “Why is Turkish
Cypriot leader declared ‘enemy’ in Turkey?” The article provided the
details of the antagonism between the government of Turkey and the
leader of Turkish Cyprus.
Ever since the Turkish occupation of Northern Cyprus in 1974, the
Republic of Turkey has spent billions of dollars and stationed
thousands of Turkish troops to preserve its foothold on the island.
In recent months, the Turkish media has publicized the hostility
between the government of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leader.
“Turkish officials and politicians visiting the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus, which is recognized as a state only by Ankara, have
refused to meet with its president, Mustafa Akinci, since October,”
wrote Cengiz.
The conflict started with the Turkish invasion of Northern Syria last
October, when Akinci dared to criticize the “Sultan” of Turkey, Recep
Tayyip Erdogan: “Now, even if we call it [the Turkish invasion of
Syria] Operation Peace Spring, what is being spilled is not water but
blood. For this reason, it is my greatest wish that dialogue and
diplomacy come into play as soon as possible.” Hundreds of Turks in
Turkey have been imprisoned for criticizing the Turkish military
campaign in Syria. Going beyond Syria, Akinci expressed his
disagreement with Turkey regarding its invasion of Northern Cyprus:
“Even though we called it Operation Peace, it was a war and blood was
spilled in 1974.” According to Cengiz, “by drawing a comparison
between the two interventions, Akinci was obviously trying to say that
military operations in foreign lands create lasting problems and,
therefore, he was inviting Turkey to consider other options in Syria.”
Even though Akinci’s criticisms of the Turkish military invasions were
well-meaning, Erdogan, who does not tolerate dissent, was furious,
stating that Akinci had “exceeded his limits” and adding that the
electorate will soon teach him a “lesson.” Turkish Vice President Fuat
Oktay also condemned the Turkish Cypriot leader. Cengiz reported that
“in Northern Cyprus, meanwhile, Akinci received death threats, for
which he requested a judicial investigation.”
Columnist Cengiz further reported that “Akinci’s remarks made him a
scapegoat in Turkey and fueled an unprecedented wave of reactions, the
harshest that any Northern Cyprus representative has ever seen.
[Turkish] MHP leader Devlet Bahceli called on Akinci to immediately
resign. ‘Akinci and his supporters should not forget that Cyprus is
Turkish and will remain Turkish,’ Bahceli said. He also suggested that
Akinci move to the Greek Cypriot south. AKP spokesman Omer Celik urged
Akinci to apologize, while Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the
Northern Cyprus leader was being ‘hostile to Turkey’ and that he had
never seen ‘such a dishonest politician’ in his life. With the tone
set like that by top politicians, pro-government newspapers were even
harsher. ‘The Crusaders’ Akinci should resign immediately,’ one paper
said, while another declared that Akinci was ‘like an enemy.’”
Cengiz explained in his article that “it is Turkey that pays the bills
in Northern Cyprus through direct and indirect financial aid.
Therefore, Cypriot Turks should always be grateful to Ankara. Turkey
is ‘the mother’ and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is her
‘baby.’ Anything that goes beyond this notion of subordination would
threaten the status quo.”
In an interview with The Guardian on February 6, 2020, Akinci warned
the “permanent partition of its [Cyprus’s] Greek and Turkish
communities unless an agreement is swiftly reached involving an
‘equitable’ federal solution.” Akinci said he disagreed with Erdogan’s
vision of the relationship between Ankara and Nicosia as one of
“mother and baby…. I want independent, brotherly relations,” he
explained. He acknowledged the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus had
to do more to make its economy less reliant on Turkey, which pays the
government’s bills. To do this he needed support from the [Greek]
south, Akinci told The Guardian.
“Akinci—who on Wednesday evening [Feb. 5, 2020] launched his
re-election campaign—said the only viable solution to Cyprus’s nearly
half century of division was reunification under a federal ‘roof’….
‘If this failed to happen,’ Akinci told The Guardian, ‘the north would
grow increasingly dependent on Ankara and could end up being swallowed
up, as a de facto Turkish province.’”
“Akinci’s vision, which is shared by many Turkish Cypriots, calls for
a bi-communal, bi-zonal Cyprus with political equality and a single
‘personality,’ he told The Guardian. It is based on a shared identity
of being islanders of Cyprus, rather than being Turkish or Greek,”
Cengiz wrote.
“Akinci’s likely election run-off rival is Ersin Tatar, an outspoken
pro-Ankara populist who opposes reconciliation with the south. Tatar,
the current prime minister, favors a two-state solution. He enjoys
strong support from Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and from
settlers who have arrived in unquantified numbers from the mainland,
changing the island’s religious and cultural makeup,” The Guardian
wrote.
“I’m not going to be a second Tayfur Sökmen,” Akinci told The
Guardian, referring to the president of Hatay, who in the 1930s merged
his republic—formerly part of French-mandated Syria—with Turkey after
a referendum.
The dispute between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leader is deviating
the Turkish government’s attention away from a slew of other serious
conflicts Turkey has with Armenia, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Greece
and Cyprus.
************************************************************************************************************************************************
2- Syria’s Parliament Recognizes Armenian Genocide
The Parliament of Syria on Thursday, February 13 voted unanimously to
recognize and condemn the Armenian Genocide.
The resolution was introduced by the Syria-Armenia Parliamentary
Friendship Commission.
Parliament Speaker Rami Saleh said that while the parliament had
previously commemorated the victims of the Armenian Genocide, the
resolution needed to be adopted.
Turkey was quick to condemn Thursday’s vote, calling it “hypocrisy.”
“This is a picture of hypocrisy on the part of a regime which has for
years committed any kind of massacre on its own people… which has
displaced millions and which is well known for its use of chemical
weapons,” the foreign ministry says in a statement.
Syria’s Ambassador to Armenia Mohammad Haj Ibrahim attached importance
to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, saying that the
successors of those who committed the Genocide are committing the same
crime today against the Syrian people through terrorists.
“Recognition is important, because only Lebanon from Arab countries
has recognized the Armenian Genocide so far.” he said.
“Today’s terrorist organizations, who are committing horrifying acts
against the Syrian people, are the grandchildren of those who
committed genocide against the Armenians and others in the past,” said
Ibrahim during a press conference in Yerevan on Thursday.
“When during the Armenian Genocide the Armenians reached Syria, they
became an integral part of the Syrian society, they safely resumed
their life in Syria—preserving their identity, religion, studying in
Armenian schools. There are numerous churches which are eternalizing
the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, most importantly
the Armenian Genocide Memorial Church in Deir ez-Zor, the Forty
Martyrs’ Church in Aleppo, as well as the Holy Martyrs of Armenian
Genocide square in Damascus,” added Ibrahim.
Speaking about the Syrian parliament’s unanimous adoption of the
Armenian Genocide resolution, the Ambassador said that Syria has
always commemorated the memory of the victims of the massacres against
the Armenians.
“This issue has been studied long time ago, and the Syrian Government
has treated with utmost respect the Syrians who have Armenian roots.
They have always been an integral part of the Syrian society. The
Armenian pogroms have always been commemorated in Syria, through the
events held in the Armenian-populated regions,” explained Ibrahim.
Chair of the Syrian Parliament’s Arab and Foreign Affairs Committee
Boutros Morjana emphasized that the Armenian Genocide is a historical
fact, which was followed by the massacres of Assyrians and Arameans in
northern Syria.
“It is time to recognize and condemn these inhumane actions and
prevent their repetition, especially that many countries have
recognized the Armenian Genocide,” said Morjana.
The adoption of the resolution recognizing and condemning the Armenian
Genocide by the People’s Council of Syria is clear evidence of the
centuries-old friendship between the Armenian and Syrian peoples. It’s
an important contribution to the restoration of historical justice and
prevention of genocides, said a statement issued by Armenia’s Foreign
Ministry.
Below is the text of the ministry’s announcement.
We highly appreciate the adoption of the resolution recognizing and
condemning the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire by
the People’s Council of the Syrian Arab Republic.
The genocide unleashed by the government of the Young Turks a major
part of which was carried out in the territory of Syria that was under
the Ottoman rule at that time, is a part of the shared memories of the
Armenian and Syrian peoples.
The Syrian people, witnessing the calamity facing the Armenian people,
were one of the 1st to extend a helping hand to the genocide
survivors. Thousands of survivors re-found their new motherland in
Syria, establishing one of the most flourishing Armenian communities
and had their contribution to the development of Syria.
This resolution is a brilliant evidence of the centuries-old
friendship and reciprocal sympathy between the Armenian and Syrian
peoples. It’s an important contribution to the restoration of
historical justice and prevention of genocides.
On February 13, in a letter to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, warmly
welcomed the passage of an Armenian genocide resolution by the
People’s Council.
“We are confident that you and your father have played an important
role in condemning the genocide. On this occasion, we would also like
to emphasize that the Syrian people, with its constituent elements,
its state and all structures, recognized the Armenian Genocide 100
years ago when it welcomed all the surviving children of the Armenian
Genocide victims on its land,” His Holiness said.
“The Syrian people shared their bread and water with Armenians that
fled the genocide, which is why our people in the Diaspora welcome
this decision of the Syrian Parliament with special warmth. We would
like to express our appreciation to the Syrian Parliament, Your
Highness and the people of Syria,” the Catholicos continued.
He wished peace and wellbeing to Syria.
************************************************************************************************************************************************
3 – Armenian chef Karen Torosyan awarded a Michelin Star
Armenian chef Karen Torosyan of the Belgian Bozar restaurant has been
awarded a fourth Michelin Star.
“When we love we don’t count,” he captioned a photo on Instagram.
Bozar Restaurant located in the heart of Brussels in Belgium is the
place where Torosyan shares his vision on gastronomy with the world.
Torosyan is one of the most remarkable chefs in Belgium, if not all of
Europe. Torosyan originally hails from Armenia and arrived in Belgium
at the age of 18. He finished his hospitality studies at INFOBO and
gained experience in various restaurants such as Michelin-starred
Bruneau and Chalet de la Forêt.
It was at these restaurants that Torosyan discovered real French
cooking and the need for structure and hard work in the kitchen. At
the famous La Paix restaurant of Chef David Martin, Karen also learned
the business aspects of running a restaurant.
It was under the wings of Martin that Torosyan got the opportunity to
go his own way with the start of Bozar Brasserie. After a few years he
became fully independent and quickly earned a strong reputation in the
culinary world.
Bozar Restaurant is housed on the ground floor of the famous center
for Fine Arts in Brussels, and Torosyan took part in the renovation
and restoration of the whole building.
************************************************************************************************************************************************
4- AEF Holds 12th Annual School Supply Project at Chamlian School
Vahan & Anoush Chamlian Armenian School students and Armenian
Educational Foundation volunteers joined forces on February 9 to help
pack 470 backpacks for students in six AEF sponsored schools in the
Shirak region, as well as three AEF-sponsored schools in the
Araghtzoten region in Armenia.
The School Supply Project was initiated by the Savadian family, who,
upon visiting village schools in Orgov, Armenia, were shocked by the
lack of essential school supplies students needed during their
schooling. The Savadians took it upon themselves to collect various
school supply donations from friends and relatives to ship to the
students in Orgov.
Since 2007, the AEF has fully sponsored and executed the SSP, which
entails gathering and delivering backpacks filled with school supplies
to students in the most rural and hard-to-reach schools in Armenia,
Artsakh, and Javakhk. Since then, SSP has delivered backpacks and
school supplies to 20,155 students.
The collaboration with the Chamlian School students gives the
participants the opportunity to engage in community service. As
project Chair Ruby Baghdassarian notes, “Young volunteers learn the
importance and challenges of raising funds to support a humanitarian
project. Not only do they help organize, pack, and prepare the
backpacks, but they also learn about the regions and the circumstances
facing these communities. Our volunteers prepare for TV interviews and
learn the importance of communicating their mission to an audience.
All these skills are essential for these middle school students who
aspire to be our community’s future leaders and advocates.”
AEF’s School Supply Project is made possible with the generous $1,000
sponsorship from the Chamlian School. This year, donations were also
made by Adventist Health Glendale, which provided over 500 “To Go”
first aid kits placed alongside basic school supplies for the student
recipients.
School Supply Project Co-President Michael Baghdassarian, who has been
a volunteer since 6th grade, stated, “Each year we face new challenges
but, in the end, we complete the project successfully. What I love
about volunteering for this project is that we are making a
difference.”
For more information, please contact AEF by phone 818-242-4154, or
visit www.aefweb.org
************************************************************************************************************************************************
5- AIWA 2020 Hasmik Mgrdichian Scholarship Accepting Applications
LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Affiliate of the Armenian International
Women’s Association (AIWA) has announced that applications are being
accepted for the Hasmik Mgrdichian Scholarships. The Hasmik Mgrdichian
Scholarships were established in 2011 to annually award scholarships
to female university students. Thanks to the continued generosity of
Hasmik Mgrdichian each year $5,000 is awarded to five students.
Applications are now available online.
In order to be considered for the scholarship, candidates must: be a
female California resident of Armenian Descent; provide financial
verification (First 2 pages of 2018 income tax returns. If not
available, please provide first 2 pages of 2017 tax returns.); be a
Full-time Student at an accredited University/College; be in her
Sophomore, Junior or Senior Status or Graduate Student (2019-2020
Year); have 3.2 Minimum GPA; provide certified Copy of
University/College Transcripts; provide Two letters of Recommendation
(One from an Academic Instructor/Advisor, One from a Community
Representative); submit a small (Passport Size) Photograph.
Completed applications must be submitted and postmarked no later than
April 19, 2019. Applicants may submit a scholarship application
annually; former scholarship recipients also may reapply. Winners will
be announced in June 2020
Applications will not be considered unless all required information is
mailed by April 17, 2020 to: Scholarship Committee, Armenian
International Women’s Assn., LA, 2311 Roscomare Road, #10, Los
Angeles, CA 90077.
“Our scholarship program was created by Hasmik Mgrdichian, one of the
founders of the Los Angeles Affiliate. The scholarships are a tribute
to her memory and continue to recognize her legacy to assist in the
education of young Armenian women. She would be proud of the young
women her scholarship awards have assisted through the years to
accomplish their goals,” said AIWA-LA president Nicole Nishanian.
The Scholarship Committee, chaired by Lily Balian with committee
members Hermine Janoyan, Cindy Norian, Diane Cabraloff, Diana
Hekimian, Houry Aposhian, and Lysa Gregorian, granddaughter of Hasmik
Mgrdichian. They are committed to reaching out to all California
universities and colleges to inform women students of the opportunity
to submit an application for the scholarship awards. Flyers and
notices are being sent to Armenian Schools, organizations and
churches.
In addition to the Hasmik Mgrdichian Scholarship Awards from the Los
Angeles Affiliate, other scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 are
available through the AIWA International Board in the names of Olga
Proudian, Ethel Jaffarian Duffett, Agnes Missirian, Lucy Kasparian
Aharonian, Hripsime Parsekian, Dr. Carolann S. Najarian, Rose A.
Hovanessian and others. The application may be located and downloaded
at: www.aiwainternational.org.
For more information, email [email protected].
************************************************************************************************************************************************
***********************************************************************************************************************************************
California Courier Online provides viewers of the Armenian News News Service
with a few of the articles in this week’s issue of The California
Courier. Letters to the editor are encouraged through our e-mail
address, However, authors are
requested to provide their names, addresses, and/or telephone numbers
to verify identity, if any question arises. California Courier
subscribers are requested not to use this service to change, or modify
mailing addresses. Those changes can be made through our e-mail,
, or by phone, (818) 409-0949.