Author: Jalatian Sonya

Bulgaria ratifies Armenia-EU agreement

Jalatian Sonya
| 12:31 | June 18 2018
Categories
Politics
World

The parliament of Bulgaria ratified the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on June 13th, the Bulgarian Embassy in Yerevan said on Facebook.

“Thus, the currently presiding over the EU Council Bulgaria, has become one of the first EU member-states to approve the agreement. We look forward to working with our Armenian partners on its implementation”, the embassy said on Facebook.

CEPA was signed in late 2017 in Brussles. The document has since been ratified by the parliaments of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The Armenian parliament ratified it on April 11, 2018.

On June 7, 2018, Poland’s Sejm – the lower house of parliament, also ratified the agreement.

MP Alik Sargsyan says he is not impressed with government’s program, but will vote in favor

Jalatian Sonya
| 16:19 | June 6 2018
Category
Politics

RPA faction MP Alik Sargsyan says he is not impressed with the government’s program, but will vote in favor it.

“I have read the program, I cannot say that I am impressed with it, but I will vote in favor”, the lawmaker told reporters in the Parliament.

Asked if he is not impressed, why he made a decision to vote in favor, the MP stated: “I think we should contribute so that the government will not fail. I think it’s necessary to support, vote in favor so that people will start implementing their functions”.

The Parliament will debate the government’s program on June 7.

Sports: Armenia to have 2 representatives in Women’s European Boxing Championships

Jalatian Sonya
MediaMax, Armenia
June 4 2018
Armenia to have 2 representatives in Women’s European Boxing Championships

Armenia will be represented by Lilit Dallakyan (54kg) and Ani Hovsepyan (64kg), who trained in Armenia’s Olympic village ‘Olympavan’ ahead of the tournament.

150 boxers from 33 countries will be competing in 10 weight categories for medals and for quotas to 2019 European Games in Minsk.

Armenian Assembly Board Member Annie Totah Works Diligently to Promote U.S.-Armenia Relations, Leading Up to National Advocacy Conference in September

Jalatian Sonya

***NOTE: Please include all of the photos attached. If they will not fit, please give me a call right away.


ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:

Contact: Danielle Saroyan

Telephone: (202) 393-3434

Web: www.aaainc.org

 

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY BOARD
MEMBER ANNIE TOTAH WORKS DILIGENTLY TO PROMOTE U.S.-ARMENIA RELATIONS, LEADING
UP TO NATIONAL ADVOCACY CONFERENCE IN SEPTEMBER

 

WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Board Member Mrs. Annie
Simonian Totah continues to work diligently to advance United States-Armenia
relations, reaching out to Members of Congress. Working with the Armenian
Assembly Board of Trustees and staff, Totah has held numerous meetings with
elected officials, where she raises issues of key concern to the Armenian
American community. All of her important hard work is leading up to the
Assembly’s National Advocacy Conference, which will take place at our nation’s
capital on September 24-25, 2018.

 

Last month, Totah discussed strengthening and
expanding U.S.-Armenia relations and reaffirming the Armenian Genocide with
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader
Charles “Chuck” Schumer (D-NY).

 

When she spoke with Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) in
early April, the Congressman reiterated his commitment to and support of U.S.
reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide. Last year, he joined the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues, and since then he has co-sponsored H.Res.220, and
co-signed the letter to President Donald Trump urging him to squarely
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide.

 

“It is incumbent upon every Armenian – young
and old alike – to advocate to their elected officials on a regular basis,
whether on the Hill or whether in Congressional district offices. If we
Armenians do not lobby our Representatives, how do we expect them to understand
our issues and help us with a myriad of challenges relating to our Homeland as
well as to the Armenian Genocide reaffirmation,” stated Assembly Board Member
Totah. “We, at the Armenian Assembly, also continue our efforts and meetings
with Congress by promoting America’s proud chapter in helping the survivors of
the Armenian Genocide. We also share with Congress the Armenian National
Institute’s new 24-panel digital exhibit, displaying the role of the YMCA and
American relief work during the first republic of Armenia (1918-1920),”
she added. Totah also serves on the Board of the Armenian National Institute
(ANI).

 

At this year’s Armenian Genocide Commemoration on
Capitol Hill, hosted by the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Totah
spoke with various Representatives and Senators, including Senator Chris Van
Hollen (D-MD), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Armenian Caucus Co-Chair
Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Armenia Caucus Co-Vice Chair Congressman
Adam Schiff (D-CA), Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), and many others.

 

“Annie’s year-round advocacy is immeasurable,
and the Assembly is fortunate to have the benefit of her time and talent for
over 40 years. She continuously encourages others to contact their
Representatives and educate them on the importance of strengthening
U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Artsakh relations,” Assembly Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny stated. “On September 25th, the Armenian Assembly will be
honoring her at our evening Gala following a full day of advocacy, which will
include featured guests and Members of Congress. We hope everyone can attend
for what promises to be an outstanding event,” he added.

 

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of
America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting
public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

 

###

 

NR#
2018-023

 

Photo Caption 1: Armenian
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Assembly Board Member and Armenian
Honorary Consul Oscar Tatosian, Assembly Board Member Annie Totah, Armenian
Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep.
David Trott (R-MI), St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church Reverend Father Hovsep
Karapetyan, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Grigor Hovhannissian, and Diocesan
Legate of the Armenian Church of America Archbishop Vicken Aykazian at the
103rd Armenian Genocide Commemoration on Capitol Hill

 

Photo Caption 2: Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Assembly Board Member Annie Totah

 

Photo Caption 3: Senate
Minority Leader Charles “Chuck” Schumer (D-NY) and Assembly Board Member Annie
Totah

 

Photo Caption 4: Senator
Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Assembly Board Member Annie Totah, and Rep. Brad
Sherman (D-CA)

 

Photo Caption 5: Assembly
Board Member Annie Totah and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)

 

Photo Caption 6: Assembly
Board Member and Armenian Honorary Consul Oscar Tatosian, Clara Andonian,
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Assembly Board Member Annie Totah, National
Advocacy Conference Chair Margie Satian, and Assembly Grassroots and
Development Associate Mariam Khaloyan

 

Photo Caption 7: Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Rear Admiral Dr. Susan Blumenthal, Senator Ed
Markey (D-MA), and Assembly Board Member Annie Totah

 

Photo Caption 8: Senator
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Assembly Board Member Annie Totah

 

Photo Caption 9: Assembly
Board Member Annie Totah with Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Marcelle
Pomerleau Leahy

 

Photo Caption 10: Assembly
Board Member Annie Totah with House Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce and U.S. Bureau
of Educational and Cultural Affairs Assistant Secretary of State Marie Royce


Available online:


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Kuwait: His Highness Amir’s Rep. attends festive mass at Armenian Church

Jalatian Sonya
Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)
May 4, 2018 Friday
His Highness Amir’s Rep. attends festive mass at Armenian Church
 
 
Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah attends festive mass at Armenian Church
 
 
KUWAIT, May 4 (KUNA) — Representative of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah on Friday attended a festive mass at the Armenian Archdiocese in Kuwait and neighboring countries.
 
 
Patriarch of Orthodox Armenians in Kuwait Archbishop Masis Zuboyan led his first mass since being consecrated Archbishop, Lebanon, April 15.
Archbishop Zuboyan voiced his deep love, high appreciation and loyalty to Kuwait and His Highness the Amir.
 
 
“His Highness the Amir deserves to be named hero of forgiveness and reconciliation,” he said.
 
 
He also noted that His Highness the Amir has “overwhelmed us (Armenians)” with kindness and generosity, making them feel at home and allowing them to perform heir rituals freely and safely.
 
 
Archbishop Zuboyan highlighted His Highness the Amir’s humanitarian work initiatives which have been extended globally, bringing him international recognition as a “Humanitarian Leader” by the UN, the world’s top organization.
 
 
He also recalled the visit to Kuwait by Patriarch Aram I and his meeting with His Highness the Amir.
 
 
Archbishop Zuboyan vowed loyalty to Kuwait which has been embracing expats with all generosity, love and tolerance. (end) msa All KUNA right are reserved 2018.
 

Turkish press: Armenians protest as acting leader suggests new elections

Jalatian Sonya
  • 15:50:24

Police took up positions in the center of the Armenian capital on April 25 as tens of thousands of people protested against the ruling elite and the acting prime minister suggested new parliamentary elections to defuse the political crisis.

“The fight is not over!,” said 21-year-old Susana Adamyan, one of the demonstrators, who was clutching a placard calling on people to take a stand as policemen looked on.

Other protesters, many of them young people, held portraits of government officials whose faces had been crossed out with red paint.

Though protests have so far been peaceful, the sudden upheaval has threatened to destabilize Armenia, a Russian ally in a volatile region riven by its decades-long, low-level conflict with Azerbaijan.

Moscow, which has two military bases in Armenia, is closely watching events.

The crisis has seen tens of thousands of people take to the streets in anti-government protests in the last two weeks and looked to have peaked on April 23 when Serzh Sargsyan, the object of protesters’ fury, resigned as prime minister.

Demonstrators, led by opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, had accused Sargsyan of manipulating the constitution to cling to power and crowds wildly celebrated after he quit.

Pashinyan had been due to hold talks with Karen Karapetyan, the acting prime minister, to decide on the next steps.

Those talks were canceled after the two sides failed to agree an agenda.

Karapetyan suggested on April 25 that early parliamentary elections be held so as to test the level of popular support for Pashinyan and his potential viability as prime minister.

“What does ‘people’s candidate’ mean?,” Karapetyan told a news conference.

“I don’t know any country where a prime minister is chosen like that. There are elections for that. If he [Pashinyan] is the people’s choice, that means the people will choose him.”

The economy of the landlocked South Caucasus country of three million would face problems if the crisis continued, Karapetyan said.
He did not say when new elections might be held.

In a sign the unrest could already be affecting the economy, Pashinyan said protesters had blocked a customs post at the border with neighboring Georgia.

Separately, President Armen Sarkissian said he would start talks with political forces to try to resolve the crisis.

“I am starting consultations with parliamentary and non-parliamentary representatives to discuss the situation that has been come about in the country and a way out of it,” Sarkissian said in a statement.

Although thousands of people have taken to the streets and rallied behind him, political forces in parliament loyal to protest leader Pashinyan hold only about 8 percent of seats.

However, the second biggest party in parliament said on April 25 it was joining the protest movement and would encourage its supporters to take to the streets.

Armenia, protest, new election law

Serj Tankian Addresses Armenia’s Peaceful Resistance, Previews New Song ‘Electric Yerevan’

Jalatian Sonya
LoudWire

Chad Childers

Is the tide starting to turn in Armenia? Serj Tankian is hopeful after witnessing peaceful protests breaking out. Tankian has recorded a new video of support addressing those taking part in “one of the most successful civil disobedience campaigns in all Armenian history.”

Speaking first to the people of Armenia in their native tongue, then also offering a response in English, he offered, “I want to congratulate you for so far holding one of the most successful civil disobedience campaigns in all Armenian history. The movement is authentic and completely yours and should remain so untainted by politics or any other concerns. You should know that everyone in the Diaspora is behind you, even those that are in organizations that oppose your efforts.”

“We are taken aback by your peacefulness, eloquence and inclusiveness,” beams the singer. “I can see the love in your eyes and in your hearts and smiles on your faces, like I did in 2015 when we played with System of a Down from the stage, I see those in the protests. This is a unique thing for Armenia. This is a new cultural revolution. And that is the true revolution in Armenia today. Your culture, you’ve changed it, already. And because of that, you’ve won already.”

Tankian continued, “You’ve realized that this cultural change, this cultural awakening and this decision to pursue justice is a basic human right,” before offering three bits of advice moving forward.

They were:

1. Stay clear of the color revolution terminology as that is generally associated with East/West struggles. Our struggle is not for nor with East nor West, but for justice and progressive change. We don’t want to be any empire’s client state and need good relations with all.

2. Make your demands concrete. My suggestion would be to insist on Serj Sarkisyan leaving not only as prime minister but also resigning as the leader of his party. I would then insist on a package of reforms to handle all of the injustices we’ve observed from corruption to environmental degradation and everything in between with a timeline for the new government to enact and execute them. If the reforms are not met, I would set a date for a strike, another strike this time for the resignation of all of parliament and new parliamentary elections.

3. Continue your path of peaceful resistance and don’t fall into the traps of provocateurs. They will get their justices when their bosses are fired one day and they have to come to you to ask for a job. Continue to be flexible, just, forthright, loving. Continue to treat the police as your brothers and sisters because they are. They’re one of you.

Tankian concluded his video message by sharing a portion of the new song “Electric Yerevan,” which was initially inspired by the protests taking place in 2015. While the proper release of the song will be coming soon, Tankian turns back to the board and computer behind him, sharing a bit of the demo of the song, which he dedicated to the people of Armenia.

The song is a more upbeat track for Tankian, driving forward with some electronic elements added in to the chaotic rocker. A sampling of the lyrics can be viewed below:

We don’t want to be the bitch of any superpowers
Color revolutions fade
We want cheap power
Electric, electric, electric Electric Yerevan

We say no to corruption
and no to plunder
Billionaire playgrounds are going under
Electric, electric, electric Electric Yerevan

Brutal police crackdown
With water cannons
Serve to irrigate the seeds of discontent and malcontent

Civil disobedience
Working like a charm

We don’t want to be the bitch of any superpowers
Color revolutions fade
We want cheap power
Electric, electric, electric
Electric Yerevan

Over 100 Members of Congress Urge President Trump to Affirm the Armenian Genocide

Jalatian Sonya

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:

Contact: Danielle Saroyan

Telephone: (202) 393-3434

Web: www.aaainc.org

 

OVER 100 MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS URGE PRESIDENT TRUMP TO AFFIRM THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Armenian Assembly of
America Welcomes Members’ Initiative

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, a bipartisan letter signed by 102 Members was sent to President
Donald Trump urging him to affirm the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian
Assembly of America (Assembly). Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues
Co-Chairs Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), David Trott (R-MI), Jackie
Speier (D-CA), and David Valadao (R-CA), along with Vice-Chairs Adam Schiff
(D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), spearheaded the letter asking the White House
to honor the United States’ historic leadership in defending human rights and affirm
the Armenian Genocide.

 

The letter to President Trump states: “In
the spirit of honoring the victims and redoubling our commitment to prevent
genocide, we ask you to appropriately mark April 24th as a day of American
remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.”

 

The Members of Congress point out the remarkable
record in American history in helping save the survivors of this crime, and how
U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire Henry Morgenthau helped to chronicle the
Genocide in 1915. The letter also references the United States’ historical
account on affirming the Armenian Genocide. “In leading an honest and accurate
American remembrance of this known case of genocide, you will stand with
President Reagan, who recognized the Armenian Genocide in 1981, and the
Eisenhower Administration, which did the same in a 1951 submission to the
International Court of Justice. The House of Representatives has also
commemorated the Armenian Genocide, through H.J.Res.148 in 1975 and H.J.Res.247
in 1984.”

 

This past Wednesday, Members of the
Armenian Caucus hosted an Armenian Genocide Commemoration on the 103rd
anniversary of the 1915 Genocide in Ottoman Turkey. Photos are available on the Armenian Assembly of America’s Facebook Page.

 

“On behalf of the Armenian Assembly, I
want to thank the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues for their continued
commitment to unequivocally affirm the Armenian Genocide,” Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said.

 

Earlier this month, the Armenian
National Institute (ANI) launched a new 24-panel digital exhibit displaying the
role of the YMCA and American relief work during the first republic of Armenia
(1918-1920). The exhibit focuses on John Elder and James O. Arroll who arrived
in Yerevan, Armenia in January 1918 to open a YMCA center.

 

“At the height of the
conflict in the Caucasus when other relief workers chose to evacuate, John
Elder refused to leave fearing that tens of thousands more Armenians would die
of starvation if the relief programs were discontinued. He is credited in
providing relief for 15,000 Armenian orphans. Such selfless heroism must be
recognized,” ANI Director Dr. Rouben Adalian stated.

 

Established
in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.

 

###

 

NR# 2018-014

 Available here: 

 

Photo
Caption: Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Assembly Board
Member and Armenian Honorary Consul Oscar Tatosian, Assembly Board Member Annie
Totah, Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Armenian Caucus
Co-Chair Rep. David Trott (R-MI), St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church Reverend
Father Hovsep Karapetyan, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Grigor Hovhannissian,
and Diocesan Legate of the Armenian Church of America Archbishop Vicken
Aykazian at the 103rd Armenian Genocide Commemoration on Capitol Hill this week



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Sports: Armenia’s Greco-Roman team for European Championship announced

Jalatian Sonya
MediaMax, Armenia
Armenia’s Greco-Roman team for European Championship announced

Head Coach of the team Levon Julfalakyan told Mediamax Sport that they found reasonable to send to the championship those athletes who are the most prepared at the moment.

“We are already holding a training camp in Yerevan, which is the last before the European Championship. Earlier we trained in Belarus, where around 90 athletes from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Lithuania and Latvia gathered,” Julfalakyan said.

The athletes to participate in the European Championship are Armen Melikyan (60kg), Slavik Galstyan (63kg), Karen Aslanyan (67kg), Karapet Chalyan (77kg), Maksim Manukyan (87kg), Artur Shahinyan (85 kg), Artur Aleksanyan (97kg).