Author: Hunanian Jack

Delegation Brings Artsakh Advocacy Center Stage in Canberra

Hunanian Jack
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13 hours ago

From l to r: ANC-AU Executive Director Haig Kayserian, Senator Rex Patrick, Artsakh Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan

CANBERRA, Australia—The visiting Republic of Artsakh delegation continued its activities in Australia’s Federal Parliament, led by the country’s Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan, meeting key Senators to discuss Artsakh’s rights to self-determination, democracy-building and security, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia.

Minister Mayilyan was flanked by Member of Artsakh’s National Assembly Davit Ishkhanyan, Foreign Ministry official Artak Nersisyan, Artsakh’s representative in Australia Kaylar Michaelian and ANC-AU members, in meetings with Senators Eric Abetz, Richard Di Natale, and Rex Patrick.

Senator Abetz—who is Chair of the Australian Senate’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade & Defence—was introduced to the key issues concerning Armenians in their junior republic, including the conditions that were preventing peace from being achieved in their region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Senator Di Natale is the leader of the Australian Greens, who are the third-largest party in Australia’s parliament with nine Senators and one Member of Parliament, and he was very interested in how the international community could promote a peaceful resolution to the war, to which the visiting Minister provided concrete examples.

Artsakh Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan and National Assembly Member Davit Ishkhanyan met with Artsakh’s representative in Australia Kaylar Michaelian, Australian politicians, and ANC-AU members

Senator Patrick, who is from cross-bench power party Centre Alliance, has taken a keen interest in Artsakh and asked questions on Australia’s position during Senate questioning of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade last year. His meeting with the visiting delegation was an opportunity to further increase understanding of the situation on the ground.

“Artsakh advocacy well and truly took center stage in Australia’s Federal Parliament this week,” said ANC-AU Executive Director, Haig Kayserian. “The Republic of Artsakh delegation met with over 15 members of Australia’s parliament over two days in the nation’s capital, and we were very proud of their representation of the key issues that concern Stepanakert.”

“Artsakh is using democracy as a tool against aggression and to pave its path towards the peace and prosperity that the people deserve. This was on show by the conduct and content of this delegation,” Kayserian added.

On their first day in Canberra, a welcome reception was held in honor of the Artsakh delegation, and attended by over a dozen Australian politicians.

Before travelling to Canberra, the delegation received a warm welcome from the Sydney Armenian community.

Poland stressed strict support for the peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict within the framework of the OSCE MG

Hunanian Jack
Arminfo, Armenia
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. Armenian Ambassador to Poland Samvel Mkrtchyan and head of the Polish Foreign Ministry Jacek Czaputowicz at the July 30 meeting highly appreciated the  current level of Armenian-Polish relations, while stressing the need  to further deepen and expand cooperation.

The press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry told ArmInfo that  the parties discussed a number of issues on the bilateral agenda,  touched upon high-level visits and trade and economic contacts. The  interlocutors stressed the particular importance of cooperation in  the framework of the Eastern Partnership of the EU and joint  activities to develop the vector of development of the EaP for the  coming decades.  Mkrtchyan spoke about the numerous and profound  reforms undertaken by the authorities after the velvet revolution, as  well as about the areas in which he expects assistance from partners.  In this context, the importance of the prompt ratification by all EU  member states of the agreement on a comprehensive and expanded  partnership of the RA-European Union was stressed.

The Armenian diplomat presented the latest processes around the  Nagorno-Karabakh settlement.  In turn, the Polish Foreign Minister  stressed rigorous support for a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh  conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Armenia deep concerned over Turkey’s actions northeast of Cyprus

Hunanian Jack
Cyprus News Agency
Wednesday
Armenia deep concerned over Turkey’s actions northeast of Cyprus
 
Armenia expresses its deep concern over Turkey`s attempt to conduct new drillings northeast of Cyprus and reiterates its full support to the Republic of Cyprus.
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia wrote on its twitter account that “we express our deep concern over #Turkey’s attempt to conduct new drilling operation in northeast of #Cyprus”.
 
It adds that “Turkey’s continued provocative actions in Eastern Mediterranean put security and stability of region @ risk.We reiterate our full support and solidarity w/ Republic of Cyprus”.
 
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The last round of negotiations, in the summer of 2017, at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
 
Turkey issued in May a navigational telex, announcing its intention to start drilling off Cyprus until September 3. Since May 4, the Turkish drill ship ‘Fatih’ is anchored in an area that falls within the EEZ and continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus.
 
A second Turkish drill ship, ‘Yavuz’, arrived off the island’s northeastern coast on Monday. The EU High Representative Federica Mogherini issued subsequently a statement, warning Turkey over its intended new drilling operation at the northeast of Cyprus. She recalled that Turkey`s continued actions have a serious negative impact across the range of EU-Turkey relations and that “as mandated by the European Council, the Commission and the EEAS are about to present options to the Council for appropriate measures.”

California State Sen. Portantino: Ambassador Baibourtian Joins Senator Portantino in Sacramento for Armenian Trade Office Bill Hearing

Hunanian Jack
The California Senate Democrats
July 9, 2019 Tuesday 9:00 AM EST
California State Sen. Portantino: Ambassador Baibourtian Joins Senator Portantino in Sacramento for Armenian Trade Office Bill Hearing
 
SACRAMENTO, California
 
The California Senate Democrats issued the following news release on behalf of California State Sen. Anthony J. Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge:
 
Today, SB 302 authored by State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) passed the Assembly Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy Committee. The bill seeks to reestablish the trade office between California and Armenia which was ended in 2008. Ambassador Armen Baibourtian flew to Sacramento to offer his testimony in support of SB 302 as it would be the first international trade office reestablished since California ended the program.
 
“I am very happy to be in a position to foster strong economic ties between California and Armenia which can be formalized under SB 302. California is an international economic driver and home to the largest Armenian American Community in the country that has a large presence in our business community. We should seize upon the opportunity presented by our healthy economy and these inherent advantages and use the trade office to help both economies. I’m am looking forward to watching the momentum behind this effort build and to the success it will inspire,” commented Senator Portantino.
 
SB 302 is Co-authored by Senators Scott Wilk (R- Santa Clarita) Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger), Scott Winer (D-San Francisco), Henry Stern (D- Calabasas), Assemblymembers Autumn Burke (D- Inglewood) and Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley). Portantino, Wilk, Stern, Low and Burke have all travelled to Armenian.
 
“These are exciting times in California and in Armenia. I am very pleased with the progress of the Trade Office and I look forward to the work ahead to make it a success. I as well as the Armenian community are grateful to Senator Portantino for his friendship and his stewardship of this laudable effort,” commented Ambassador Baibourtian.

Armenian Christians in East Jerusalem “don’t enjoy equal rights”

Hunanian Jack
PanArmenian, Armenia
– 15:55 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Although the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate has had a presence in Jerusalem since the fourth century, church leaders are disturbed that Armenian Christians in East Jerusalem “don’t enjoy equal rights”, says the chancellor, Father Koryoun Baghdasaryan, according to an article published by The Art Newspaper.

The Patriarchate wishes the police would treat it as a hate crime when its clergy, students and teachers are spat on by the Old City’s Haredi Jewish population, and that clergy who have lived in the Armenian monastery for decades would be granted residency. Without it, they must pay as tourists for public services such as healthcare.

“The most shameful thing”, Baghdasaryan says, is that a memorial to the Armenian Genocide on church property remains closed to visitors because the municipality has delayed approving construction of the entrance. An official in the mayor’s office says a proper plan has not been submitted, but according to the Patriarchate, all the necessary papers have been repeatedly filed over many years.

Israel has never officially recognised the Genocide of Armenians by Ottoman Turks from 1915, likely because of concern for diplomatic relations with Turkey. Baghdasaryan says there is a “moral obligation” for Israel, being home to around 200,000 Holocaust survivors, to recognise the Genocide.

http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/270823/Armenian_Christians_in_East_Jerusalem_dont_enjoy_equal_rights

Still, the Armenian Patriarchate continues to honour its own history. A fundraising campaign is under way to renovate its Armenian Museum before 2020 and to open a new gallery space in the Armenian Quarter, raising awareness about the community’s history in Jerusalem.

The article also makes reference to the master tile artist Neshan Balian, who is preparing two exhibitions marking the centenary of Armenian ceramics in the city in September—one in Armenia and one at Jerusalem’s Rockefeller Archaeological Museum. His grandfather and namesake was one of three artisans invited in 1919 by Mark Sykes of the British Mandate government to repair the tiles of the Dome of the Rock Islamic shrine and to introduce a new art to Jerusalem. Balian has also been commissioned by the municipality to renovate the city’s calligraphy-tiled street signs in English, Arabic and Hebrew. Hand-painted tiles with motifs designed by his late mother, Marie Balian, can be seen on murals, doors and wares across Jerusalem.

But despite recognition, Balian, like his East Jerusalem neighbours, is still ethnically profiled and often subjected to full-body searches by Israeli airport security, he tells The Art Newspaper. “I just turned 61; you get tired of pulling down your trousers to a 21-year-old [guard] who knows nothing of the sacrifices you have made to the Israeli art scene,” he says. “More and more I feel like a second- and third-class citizen. There is a lot of emphasis on making Jerusalem as Jewish as possible. I’ll never be fully part of this city or country… I don’t think the elections make any difference.”

Erdogan has lost Istanbul

Hunanian Jack

Erdogan has lost Istanbul

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11:36,

YEREVAN, JUNE 24, ARMENPRESS. Ekrem Imamoglu from the Turkish opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has won the 2019 Istanbul mayoral re-run. Imamoglu had again won the mayoral election of Istanbul on March 31st, but the polls were then labeled as “rigged” by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a second round was called.

However, this time Erdogan, who himself served as mayor of Istanbul in the past and represented the district in parliament, has conceded the defeat.

“I wish for this election to become a guarantee of new success for Istanbul,” Erdogan tweeted and offered congratulations to Imamoglu, who defeated his main rival from the ruling AK party Binali Yildirim, a former PM.

According to Turkey’s electoral board Imamoglu garnered 4,741,868 votes in the June 23 polls. Yildirim received 3,935,453 votes.

10,570,354 citizens were eligible to vote but the turnout was slightly below 9 million.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




First smart cattle-breeding farm opens in Stepanavan

Hunanian Jack
ARKA, Armenia

YEREVAN, June 17, /ARKA/. The first smart cattle-breeding farm opened today in Stepanavan, in Armenian province of Lori. The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Economy Artak Kamalyan.

The building of the farm was built under the program Animal Health Management in Armenia and Georgia, implemented by the CARD Foundation with the financial support of the Austrian Development Agency. 

The building was built on the basis of a greenhouse construction, which is considered an innovative method in Armenia. As an innovation, a cooling system, ventilation, lighting, and a remote animal video surveillance system have been also installed. Favorable conditions have been created for animals to increase yields and meat. The farm has 12 cows.

In early April the government of Armenia approved an assistance program for construction, reconstruction and technological re-equipment of small and medium-sized “smart cattle-breeding farms.’ The goal of the program is help farmers increase their productivity. In 2019-2021 some 3.2 billion drams are to be invested in the construction of 230 “smart’ farms. 

Earlier Deputy Economy Minister Tigran Gabrielyan said  the government  planned to finance 30 farms this year, but already received 135 applications and approved 123 of them. Gabrielyan said that all the submitted projects will get government funding. He said also ten day intensive courses will be held for farmers by the Agrarian University.

Three models of farms are offered – with 130-280 square meters, designed for 15 cattle worth 11 million drams, with 280-450 square meters for 25 cattle worth 23 million drams and with 450 square meters for 45 cattle worth 35 million drams.

The deputy minister said the government will provide grants for the construction of these cattle-breeding farms in the amount of 5.5 million drams, 11.5 million drams and 17.5 million drams respectively, which is almost half of the cost.

The size of subsidies for residents of border regions and for persons, who received disabilities during military service, will be 7.7 million drams, 16.1 million drams and 24.5 million drams respectively (70% of the cost). -0-

Book Review: A restless, kaleidoscopic view of an empire’s legacy

Hunanian Jack
The Christian Science Monitor
Thursday
A restless, kaleidoscopic view of an empire’s legacy
Journalist Alev Scott’s book ‘Ottoman Odyssey’ traverses the cultural and social history of the region to explain the present.
 
by Peter Lewis Correspondent
 
 
The Ottoman Empire stretched from Baghdad to Algiers, Mecca to Budapest, Benghazi to Tbilisi before it was dismantled in the wake of World War I. It left its mark, not only on present day Turkey, but also throughout the region. Journalist Alev Scott, whose mother is Turkish and father is British, set out to explore the empire’s legacy.
 
Halfway into her project, Scott was barred from reentering Turkey, where she had been living for a number of years. Her reporting had run afoul of the current Turkish regime. “My entry ban motivated me to go out and explore the ways in which the empire shaped the histories of people,” she writes – putting the odyssey in Ottoman Odyssey. She roams through 11 countries, “asking questions about forced migration, genocide, exile, diaspora, collective memory and identity, not just about religious coexistence.”
 
Under the empire, non-Muslims were allowed to organize their own law courts, schools, and places of worship “in return for paying ‘infidel’ taxes and accepting a role as second-class citizens: a system of exploitative tolerance that allowed diversity to flourish for centuries.” Such was not to be the fate of modern Turkey, with what Scott witnesses as the state’s “fierce nationalism and a racism derived from the long-held belief that Turks are genetically superior to Arabs, and, by extension, anyone with dark skin.”
 
Scott’s writing is restless and kaleidoscopic, hurrying from anecdote to anecdote, insight to insight. One minute you are in Armenia with her, driving past the ruins of a village that was toppled in the 1988 earthquake and in the next you are passing a village inhabited by Yazidis, a persecuted minority who were branded devil-worshippers. This type of minutiae peppers the travelogue.
 
As for the Armenian slaughter of the early 20th century, which nations around the world have condemned as genocide, “It is the one thing that almost all Turks, regardless of religion, background or political alliance, agree on: the genocide is a myth.” This denial, Scott suggests, in rooted in the Turkish educational system, which is dictated by the state.
 
As Scott travels on – to the Dodecanese islands, the Balkans, the Levant – she experiences and writes compellingly of those serendipitous moments of travel. After being denied permission to return to her apartment in Istanbul, she writes, “I can be ‘of’ Turkey while I am not in it. Geography does not confer identity. It makes us homesick, but it does not define us.”
 
Speaking Turkish is a great pleasure for her and a thread that ties together these far-flung journeys. “Again and again on my travels, I saw this – language is the key to a shared culture, and to understanding people.” On the other hand, she acknowledges the many barriers: “I thought about people who lack this privilege to cross borders freely, about  those who have never left home, those who can never return, and those who identify with an ancestral land they have never seen.” She continues, “The more I travelled, the more powerful and yet obscure I found the emotional connection between geography and identity.”
 
For all the empire’s scope, Scott brings an intimacy to the proceedings. This is true not only because of the family memories she recalls, but also because of the tight focus she keeps on her subjects. She’s attentive to all their idiosyncrasies.

Armenia’s Movses Abelian appointed as UN Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly

Hunanian Jack
Panorama, Armenia

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Movses Abelian of Armenia (as well as a national of Georgia), as the next Under‑Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management.  He will succeed Catherine Pollard of Guyana who has been appointed as the Under‑Secretary‑General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, the UN official website reported.

Mr. Abelian is currently Assistant Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management.  Prior to assuming this position in 2016, he was Director of the Security Council Affairs Division in the Department of Political Affairs.

He brings to the position over 25 years of experience in conference and management affairs, coupled with experience in peace and security issues, conflict resolution, as well as extensive expertise leading, supporting and managing complex portfolios and intergovernmental processes in the United Nations system.

Mr. Abelian also has extensive experience in management, including programme planning and budget, having previously worked as Secretary of the Administrative and Budgetary Committee of the General Assembly (Fifth Committee) and the Committee on Programme and Coordination at the United Nations.

Prior to joining the United Nations, Mr. Abelian was the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations (1998‑2003) and Deputy Permanent Representative (1996‑1998).  Prior to joining the Foreign Service of Armenia in 1992, Mr. Abelian worked in academia as an Associate Professor at Yerevan State University.

Mr. Abelian was educated in Armenia, the Russian Federation and the United States. He is married and has two children.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 05-06-19

Hunanian Jack

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 05-06-19

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18:07, 5 June, 2019

YEREVAN, 5 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 5 June, USD exchange rate down by 0.23 drams to 479.79 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.37 drams to 541.30 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.02 drams to 7.38 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.87 drams to 609.96 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price вup by 100.56 drams to 20427.36 drams. Silver price вup by 0.12 drams to 227.06 drams. Platinum price вup by 240.89 drams to 12587.29 drams.