Nature Protection Ministry Issued Positive Opinion to Vorotan SHPP P

Nature Protection Ministry Issued Positive Opinion to Vorotan SHPP Project

13:32 January 29, 2015
EcoLur

The Nature Protection Ministry issued a positive opinion to the
construction project of “Vorotan SHHP” by “Vorotan Systems” LLC. The
Vorotan SHPP will be constructed in the administrative area of Gorayk
community, Syunik region on the River Vorotan, a part of the drainage
basin of Lake Sevan.

Under the project, after the construction and operation the SHPP will
produce annually 15.08 million kW/H electricity. The derivation length
will be 5210 m, the derivation diameter will be 1.40 m. As a result of
the SHPP construction 16 km of the river area will be included in the
pipe.

According to the law on 19 December 1991, Vorotan River is considered
to be a fish farming object. Nevertheless, the project doesn’t say,
what kind of fish species live in the Vorotan River and whether there
are red-listed species. Anyway, the project poses risks for the fish,
“…The construction of the SHPP will directly affect on the fauna of
the river, particularly on the fish, first of all, because of the dam
and blocking the fish way upwards. Significant damage can be caused to
the fish while constructing a dam in the riverbed.”

“The material was developed in the frames of “Supporting reforms in
the sector of small hydro power plants through enabling a dialogue
between civil society and the Ministry of Nature Protection for
sustainable use of river ecosystems” supported by UNDP/GEF Small
Grants Programme”.

http://ecolur.org/en/news/water/nature-protection-ministry-issued-positive-opinion-to-vorotan-shpp-project/6973/

Crossroads E-Newsletter – January 29, 2015

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:

January 29, 2015

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF REMEMBRANCE

This year Armenians worldwide are commemorating the 100th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide that many believed to be the death-knell of
the Armenian people. The narrative of the resilience of the Armenian
people, the strength of the survivors through their faithfulness to
their Lord is truly a miraculous story.

Special events are scheduled in Washington, D.C., May 7 to 9, 2015,
that include an ecumenical prayer service, a Pontifical Divine
Liturgy, memorial concert, and a banquet that will honor organizations
and individuals who came to the aid of Armenian survivors. The
Catholicoi, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, will be
present to preside over the events. Armenians from all over the United
States are expected to participate in solidarity and unity. In New
York, commemorative events organized by the joint committee will take
place on April 24, 25, and 26, including the annual gathering at Times
Square.

IN MEMORIAM

Vahe Amirian

As we completed this week’s Crossroads, we received the news of the
passing of Vahe Amirian who served for many years as a member of the
Prelacy’s Executive Council, a member of the Prelacy’s Building
Fund, a delegate to the National Representative Assembly, and faithful
member and leader of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
as well as a devoted supporter of the Armenian American
community. Funeral arrangements are being arranged and will be
circulated tomorrow. Asdvatz hokin lousavoreh; May God Illuminate his
soul.

MURONORHNEK PILGRIMAGE

A Pilgrimage to experience the Blessing of the Holy Oil (Muronorhnek)
in Antelias, Lebanon, is being organized with two options: Option A,
to Lebanon
only (July 12-21); Option B, to Lebanon, Armenia and Artsakh (July
12-28).
Space is limited; reservations must be made by February 12. Check
details below:

CATHOLICOI ATTEND ARMY DAY COMMEMORATION

On the occasion of Armenian Army Day in Armenia, His Holiness Karekin
II and His Holiness Aram I joined Armenia’s President Serzh Sarkisian
and Artsakh’s President Babo Sahakian, in a visit to the Yerablur
Military Pantheon yesterday to pay tribute to the memory of the
Armenian heroes who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the
Homeland.

The Presidents of Armenia and Artsakh and the two Catholicoi offer
flowers
at the memorial at Yerablur Military Pantheon.

ST. GREGORY CHURCH (NORTH ANDOVER)

CELEBRATES 45TH ANNIVERSARY

Last Sunday, January 25, St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley in
North Andover, Massachusetts, celebrated its 45th anniversary. Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar of the Prelacy, celebrated the Divine
Liturgy, delivered the sermon, and presided over the anniversary
celebration.

Mrs. Sossy Jeknavorian was honored with the Prelacy’s Certificate of
Merit for her years of dedication and serice to the parish’s
Sunday/Armenian School. Past and present staff members received
recognition from the Board of Trustees for their outstanding service.

To read an article by Tom Vartabedian click here
().

Photos by Tom Vartabedian

Bishop Anoushavan with the faithful of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic
Church of Merrimack Valley.

Staff members of St. Gregory’s Sunday/Armenian School, past and
present, were the recipients of this year’s award for outstanding
service, presented by the Board of Trustees, while the school’s
director, Mrs. Sossy Jeknavorian, was honored with the Prelacy
Certificate of Merit Award for her years of dedication and service in
this capacity. From left to right: Diane Movsessian, Leslie Boloian,
Sylvia Mahlebjian, Martha Hananian, Tom Vartabedian, Bishop
Anoushavan, Sossy Jeknavorian, Dn. John Saryan, Der Stephan, Joanne
Hidirsah, Vartkes Hovsepian.

Some of the students of the Sunday/Armenian School performed songs and
prayers during the banquet. Back row, from left: Der Stephan, Leslie
Boloian (4-5th Grade), Sylvia Mahlebjian (4-5th Grade), Diane
Movsessian (K-1st Grade), Anna Shahtanian, Bishop Anoushavan. Middle
Row, from left: Aram Ozoonian, Ava Movsessian, Alexander Movsessian,
Sossy Jeknavorian (Director). Front Row, from left: Armen Tokatlian,
Gabriella Melkonian, Narineh Boloian, Cameron Afarian, Andrew
Movsessian, Taylor Romano.

THE MARTYRED ARMENIAN WRITERS-A BOOK PRESENTATION

Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan,
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral and Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and
Cultural Society
organized a presentation of Dr. Herand Markarian’s newly published
book, The Martyred Armenian Writers, 1915-1922. The event took place
on Friday, January 23, at the Armenian Center in Woodside, Queens.

In his opening remarks, the pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral,
Rev. Father Mesrob Lakissian, said that this event was the Cathedral’s
first event of the year commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. He asked the attendees to stand for a minute of
silence in
honor of the martyrs. Mrs. Zarmine Boghosian, the principal of Holy
Martyrs Armenian Day School, was the evenings MC and eloquently
implemented the program.

In the first part of the program comments and addresses in English
were given by Iris Chekenian, Shant Mardirossian, President of the
Near East Foundation, and Dr. George Dermksian. Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, Vicar of the Prelacy, spoke about the different facets of
the book. Congratulatory letters were received from the Central
Executive Committee of Hamazkayin and the Hamazkayin of Armenia. The
Minister of the Diaspora, Mrs. Hranoush Hakobian, sent her comments in
a video, which was shared with the audience.

Mr. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Armenia’s representative to the United
Nations, stressed the importance of works of this nature especially
during this commemorative year.

In the second part of the program, Dr. Markarian, briefly introduced
each writer featured in his book, providing biographical information,
literary accomplishments, and anecdotal information. Aida
Zilelian-Sylak, Veh Harach Bezdikian, Natalie Gabrelian and Yeraz
Markarian Meschian read translated pieces from some of the featured
writers.

Dr. Markarian thanked all those who had helped in the production of
the book, which can be purchased from Libra-6 Productions, Inc., 160
Waters Edge,
Congers, NY 10920, for $25 (USA) including shipping and
handling. Those interested in sponsoring the distribution of the book
to colleges, public and
private libraries are encouraged to get in touch with the publisher
Libra-6 Productions, Inc.

Dr. Markarian, surrounded by some program participants, cuts a cake
honoring the new publication.

Dr. Herand Markarian autographs his latest book at a book presentation
last week.

BIBLE READINGS

Bible readings for Sunday, February 1, Third Sunday after Nativity
(Sunday
of the Catechumens) are: Isaiah 63:7-18; 2 Timothy 3:1-12; John
6:22-38.

The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea
saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus
had not got
into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away
alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they
had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd
saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves
got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him,
=80=9CRabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, `Very
truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs,
but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food
that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which
the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has
set his seal.’ Then they said to him, `What must we do to perform the
works of God?’ Jesus answered them, `This is the work of God, that you
believe in him whom he has sent.’ So they said to him, =80=9CWhat sign
are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you?
What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the
wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from heaven to
eat.” Then Jesus said to them, `Very truly, I tell
you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my
Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God
is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’
They said to him, `Sir, give us this bread always.’

Jesus said to them, `I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will
never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But
I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything
that
the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will
never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own
will, but
the will of him who sent me. (John 6:22-38)

For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
().

THE PROPHET JONAH

On the fifth day of the fast of the Catechumens, which is tomorrow,
Friday, January 30, the Armenian Church commemorates the Prophet Jonah
(Hovnan), one of the twelve Minor Prophets. The Minor Prophets are not
considered less important that those called Major Prophets, but their
books in the Bible are shorter. All of the Minor Prophets were
servants of God who proclaimed His will to people in need of
repentance.

The story of Jonah and the whale is one of the better-known stories in
the
Old Testament. Jonah’s feast falls on the last day of the Fast of the
Catechumens. Just as the people of Nineveh fasted and repented from
their wicked ways, so too do the people of God during this preliminary
fast before Great Lent (Medz Bahk), the most penitential season of the
year.

ST. SARKIS THE WARRIOR

This Saturday, January 31, the Armenian Church commemorates the life
of St. Sarkis the Warrior, his son Mardiros, and 14 faithful
soldiers. This is a
moveable feast that can occur between January 11 and February 15. It
follows the Fast of the Catechumens. Although the fast is not
connected to the feast of St. Sarkis, it has come to be associated
with this saint, even often incorrectly referred to as the `Fast of
St. Sarkis.’

Sarkis lived during the fourth century in Cappadocia. He rose through
the military ranks because of his valiant campaign on behalf of the
Emperor Constantine. With the accession of Emperor Julian, Sarkis took
refuge in Armenia with his son. Later they joined the Persian army to
fight Julian. Father
and son fought with exceptional bravery. The Persian leader, Shapur
II, tried to convince them to abandon their Christian faith and
embrace Zoroastrianism. Both refused, and they were martyred. Fourteen
loyal Christian soldiers who went to claim the bodies were also
martyred. Eventually, other Christians successfully retrieved the
remains and sent them to Assyria, where they remained until the fifth
century when Mesrob Mashdots had the remains transferred to the city
of Karpi in Vaspurakan, Armenia. A monastery was built over the site
of the graves.

ST. ADOM AND ST. SOUKIAS

The armies of Armenian soldiers were led by Adom Knooni and Manajihr
Rshdooni in the fifth century, before the battle of Avarayr. They were
ordered by their Persian commanders to leave Armenia and proceed to
one of the most distant outposts of the empire for the purpose of
keeping the Armenian soldiers far away from Armenia and thus prevent
them from defending the Armenians. The commanders recognized the
Persian plot and returned to Armenia with
their armies. They were pursued, captured and martyred by the Persian
forces. The Holy Sookiasians were members of the Royal Court who were
converted
and baptized by the Voskyan priests. They lived in isolation at Mount
Sougaved. When they refused to return to court and worship the pagan
gods, they
were martyred. This year Sts. Adom and his soldiers are remembered on
Monday, February 2, and the Sts. Sookias and Martyrs are remembered on
Tuesday,
February 3.

THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY

Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)

Birth of Gostan Zarian (February 8, 1885)

The life span of Gostan Zarian, one of the foremost names of twentieth
century Armenian literature, covered eight crucial decades. He was
active in Constantinople with the Western Armenian generation before
the genocide, then lived forty years in the Diaspora, and finally went
to die in Soviet Armenia. He was a sort of `wandering Armenian,’ not
only physically, but also spiritually. His literature was at the
crossroads of many influences.

Zarian was born in Shamakhi (Azerbaijan) on February 8, 1885. His
father, a general in the Russian army, died when he was four, and he
was sent to Baku, where he attended a Russian school. In 1895 he moved
to France, where he continued his studies in Asnieres and
Saint-Germain-en-Laye, two suburbs of Paris. After finishing high
school, he went to the Université Libre
of Brussels and obtained a doctorate in literature and philosophy in
1909.

Zarian initially wrote poetry and essays in Russian and French, until
the famous Belgian poet Emile Verhaeren advised him to write in his
mother tongue. The Armenian poet, who already spoke Armenian, went to
Constantinople in 1910, where he started to participate in the renewal
of literary life. In
mid-1911 he left the Ottoman capital and went to Venice, where he
studied Armenian with the Mekhitarist Fathers until the end of
1912. He married Rachel (Takuhi) Shahnazarian in December 1912, from
whom he would have three children, and the newlyweds moved back to
Constantinople. Zarian would actively participate in Western Armenian
literary life until the beginning of the war. He was one of the
leading voices of the group `Mehian,’ together with Hagop Kufejian
(Oshagan), Kegham Parseghian, Taniel Varoujan, and Aharon (Dadourian),
and editor-in-chief of the homonymous journal
Mehian, which was published from January-July 1914.

Zarian escaped with his family to Bulgaria in late October 1914, the
day before Turkey declared war and joined the Central Powers, and thus
he avoided the genocide. After living for a year in Bulgaria, he moved
to Italy, where he lived for the next six years in Rome and
Florence. In 1916 he published his poem `Three Songs,’ translated from
Armenian into Italian, which was widely critiqued. His literary
activities were matched with an active engagement for the Armenian
Cause. In 1919 he went to the Caucasus as a special reporter for
several Italian newspapers.

Zarian moved back to Constantinople in late 1921, when the remnants of
the
Western Armenian intelligentsia were starting again a cultural and
literary movement. He published the monthly Partzravank, together with
Oshagan, Vahan Tekeyan, Shahan Berberian, and Kegham Kavafian, which
lasted from January-July 1922. He also published his first book in
Armenian, a collection of
poems entitled The Crown of the Days. At the end of the year, when the
Kemalist forces were about to occupy Constantinople, the writer
accepted an invitation of the Soviet Armenian government and moved to
Yerevan. For the next two years, he taught European literature at
Yerevan University. However,
he returned to Europe in June 1924 and would spend the next four
decades on the move. He lived in Paris, Venice, Milan, Corfu,
Florence, New York (1942-1947), Amsterdam, Ischia, Beirut,
Aix-en-Provence, Vienna, Rapallo, Oakland, California (1960-1962), and
in 1963 he repatriated to Soviet Armenia.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Zarian published his major works of prose in
the monthly Hairenik of Boston, such as The Traveller and His Road,
Bancoop and the Bones of the Mammoth, and Countries and Gods, among
others. He also published as a book his poems The Bride of Dadrakom in
1930 and Three Songs (1931), and his masterpiece, the novel The Ship
on the Mountain (1943). He contributed prose, poetry, essays, and
commentary to a variety of Armenian and non-Armenian publications,
writing in Armenian, French, Italian, and, later, English. He
published two short-lived journals, the literary monthly La
Tour de Babel in French (1925), and the pioneering journal of Armenian
Studies in New York, Armenian Quarterly (1946). He was friends with
various noted European writers, such as English novelist Lawrence
Durrell and others.
He taught at the American University of Beirut and at the University
of California at Berkeley.

His return to Armenia was somewhat controversial, because he had
criticized the Soviet regime in several works. His novel The Ship on
the Mountain was about the period of the first independence. It was
reissued in a heavily censored way (1963) and this created a heated
polemics. In any case, Zarian
was almost ignored in the last years of his life. He died on December
15, 1969 and was almost totally forgotten by literary circles in
Armenia until the end of the regime. Several of his works were printed
in book form in the 1970s and 1980s in the Diaspora. His rediscovery
in Armenia started with the twenty-first book century, and several
works scattered in the press and
also unpublished have also been published.

Previous entries in `This Week in Armenian History’ can be
read on the Prelacy’s web site ().

SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER

The crisis in Syria requires our financial assistance.

Please keep this community in your prayers, your hearts, and your
pocketbooks.

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE ARMENIAN
COMMUNITY
IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT.

THE NEED IS REAL.

THE NEED IS GREAT.

DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON
LINE. TO DONATE NOW CLICK HERE
() AND SELECT SYRIAN
ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU. OR IF YOU PREFER YOU MAY MAIL YOUR
DONATION TO:

Armenian Prelacy

138 E. 39th Street

New York, NY 10016

Checks payable to: Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief

Thank you for your help

ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CORNER

Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)

Unbreakable as a Diamond

Diamond is another of those words that English and Armenian languages
share due to some common source. More than two thousand years ago, the
Latin word adamantem meant `the hardest metal,’ and then it was used
to mean our well-known diamond. Then Old French borrowed from
Medieval Latin (diamantem) and turned it into diamant. In the early
fourteenth century, the word entered English as diamond.

Actually, the Romans had borrowed the word from Greek:
á¼=80δάμαÏ=82 (adámas “unbreakable,” with á¼=80 meaning
`un’ and δάμαÏ=82 `conquer, overpower’). The Armenians did the
same: the word Õ¡Õ¤Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Õ¶Õ¤ (adamand; Western Armenian atamant)
already appeared in the Bible with the meaning of the precious stone.

Incidentally, the format of the Armenian word is very close to English
adamant, whose meaning comes directly from the Greek meaning
`unbreakable,’ via Latin and French. While the English language
created two words from the same original source, the Armenian language
simply used atamant and, at times, gave it a metaphoric meaning. For
instance, St. Gregory of Narek used the expressions atamantea sird
(Õ¡Õ¤Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Õ¶Õ¤Õ¥Õ¡Õµ Õ½Õ«Ö=80Õ¿ `diamond heart’) or atamantea havadk
(Õ¡Õ¤Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Õ¶Õ¤Õ¥Õ¡Õµ Õ°Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¿Ö=84 `diamond faith’) to mean that
the heart or the faith can be as unbreakable
as a diamond.

Previous entries in `The Armenian Language Corner’ can be read on the
Prelacy’s web site ().

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 5-Avak luncheon, sponsored by St. Gregory Church, 158 Main
Street, North Andover, Massachusetts. Speaker: Ruth Thomasian,
executive director Project SAVE Archives, `Preserving Your Precious
Photographs.’ Guests may bring photos for discussion on persons,
places, and
situations.

February 5-`Code Name `Haiko’: Discovering
the Last Unknown Participant in Talaat Pasha’s Liquidation,’ a lecture
by Dr. Vartan Matiossian, director of the Armenian National Education
Committee, 7 pm in the Guild Hall of the Armenian Diocese, 630 Second
Avenue, New York, sponsored by the Zohrab Information Center. For
information: [email protected] or 212-686-0710.

February 6-Hamazkayin of New York presents a Bilingual lecture by
Khatchig Mouradian, `From Der Zor to Kobani (Arabpunar): Turkey,
Kurds, and Armenians,’ Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Avenue, Woodside,
New York, at 8 pm. Donation: $10.

February 7-Armenian Relief Society, NJ Shakeh Chapter presents
=80=9CThe Sound of Music’ (in Armenian), performed by the Bedros
Atamian Theatrical Group of Hamazkayin Sanahin Chapter, Montreal,
Canada. Director and playwright, Lena Khacherian, at Fort Lee High
School, 3000 Lemoine Avenue, Fort Lee, New Jersey. Tickets: $50, $35,
$25. Contact: Ani Keshishian 201-417-0204; Anik Kechichian
201-394-4408; Lena Tarakjian 201-592-7991.

February 21-Eastern Prelacy’s Annual New England Regional Conference,
hosted by Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. Conference is
open to all clergy, board of trustee members, and delegates to the
National Representative Assembly. Conference will begin at 9:30 am and
conclude at 4:00 pm.

February 21-94th commemoration of the February 18th Revolt, sponsored
by the Lowell `Aharonian’ Gomideh, 6 pm, ARS Community Center, 142
Liberty Street, Lowell, Massachusetts. Dinner & program, =80=9CSeldom
Visited Armenia,’ a visual presentation by Joe Dagdigian. Admission
$20 adults; $10 students.

February 28-March 1-Armenian Relief Society Youth Connect Program,
at New York University, `Looking Beyond the Centennial.’ Featuring:
Khatchig Mouradian, ARS Youth Connect Program Director; Speakers,
Scout Tufankjian, Photojournalist and Eric Nazarian, Filmmaker. For
Armenian college students, 18-25 years old. Deadline for registration
(required) January 30. Space is limited. $25 registration fee includes
meals and the evening dinner. Overnight accommodation available for
out-of-town students. For more information: [email protected] or
617-926-3801.

March 1-One Nation, One Culture: A Cultural Evening of Song & Dance
dedicated to the Armenian Genocide 100th Anniversary, Felician
College, 262 South Main Street, Lodi, New Jersey at 4 pm. Organized by
the New Jersey
chapter of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society, with
co-sponsorship of AGBU Ararat NY, Homenetmen Regional Executive,
Armenian Relief Society of Eastern USA, and Tekeyan Cultural
Association of Greater New York.

March 5-Official opening of Exhibit on Armenian textiles, `Stitching
to Survive: Handwork of Armenian Women,’ 6-8 pm, at the United
Nations, New York. Reception to follow. Organized by the Armenian
Relief Society, Inc., and the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN.

March 6-Conference, `Rebuilding a Nation: The Armenian Woman’s Century
of Resistance and Empowerment,’ 10 am-4 pm, at
Salvation Army Auditorium, 221 East 52nd Street, New York
City. Organized by the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of the
Armenian Relief Society, Inc.

March 6-8-National Athletic Tournament, hosted by the North Andover
(Massachusetts) `Sassoun’ AYF Chapter; accommodations, Andover Wyndham
Hotel, 978-975-3600, book under `AYF’ for special rate ($109); March
6, Characters Sports Club, 7 pm-midnight for those over 21; March 7,
basketball & volleyball, Lawrence High School field house, 70-71 North
Parish Road, Lawrence; 8 am-6 pm, mini-bus transportation
available. Saturday night dance at hotel, 8:30 pm with Kevork Artinian
& Friends. For tickets: Rich Minasian [email protected] or
201-218-7126. Contact Mgo Kassabian for flight information,
[email protected].

March 7-Cultural program in commemoration of the 100th anniversary
of the Armenian genocide, sponsored by the Armenian Relief Society of
Eastern USA, under auspices of Archbishop Oshagan, Prelate. At 7 pm at
Waterside Restaurant & Catering, 7800 River Road, North Bergen, New
Jersey. Donation: $100. For information: Knar Kiledjian 201-233-1566;
Lena Orangian 516-724-3005 or by email to [email protected].

March 7-The 2015 Kyrkostas Concert, sponsored by the Anthropology
Museum of the People of New York and the Armenian Museum at Queens
College will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide by celebrating the accomplishments of the musicians, dancers,
and artists of the survivors. At 7 pm at Kaloustian Hall, at the
Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs, 209-15 Horace Harding Boulevard,
Bayside, New York. Reception will follow the program. Donation $15 per
person (2 for $25), children 12 and under $5. For information,
directions and reservations: 718-428-5650.

March 13-15-`Responsibility 2015,’ International conference for
Armenian Genocide’s centennial at Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York,
featuring prominent historians, policymakers, authors, and
artists. Organized by the ARF Eastern US Centennial Committee, under
the auspices of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America,
Eastern Region. for information.

March 20-Musical Armenia, presented by Eastern Prelacy and Prelacy
Ladies Guild, Weill Recital Hall, 8 pm, Carnegie Hall, New York
City. Featured artists Patil Harboyan, piano and Heather Tuach, cello,
will present a
program dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
that will include works of Armenian composers Atamian, Babajanian,
Gomidas, Khatchaturian, Saradjian, Stepanian, and Talalyan. Tickets
are $25 and will be on sale after December 20th at the box office and
the Prelacy, 212-689-7810.

March 13-15-International conference, `Responsibility 2015′ marking
the Armenian Genocide’s centennial, at Marriott Marquis Hotel, New
York City. Organized by the ARF Eastern United States Centennial
Committee, under the auspices of the Armenian Genocide Centennial
Committee of America, Eastern Region. For information visit the web
site ().

April 23-Canonization of the Armenian Martyrs of 1915 in Holy
Etchmiadzin, Armenia.

April 25-Connecticut Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day at the
Connecticut State Capitol. Keynote speaker: Noted author Chris
Bohjalian.

April 26-Centennial commemoration of Genocide. Joint united Divine
Liturgy in New York City (site to be announced), presided by
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. To be
followed by Times Square gathering `100 Years to Remember.’

May 7, 8, 9-National Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemoration in
Washington, DC, organized under the patronage of the Diocese and the
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Presided by His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of the Great House of
Cilicia. May 7, Ecumenical
Service at the National Cathedral, 7 pm; May 8, A Journey Through
Armenian
Music at the Music Center at Strathmore, 7:30 pm; May 8 & 9, Exhibits,
Films, and Events at various venues; May 9, Divine Liturgy at the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 10 am;
May 9, A Time to Give Thanks, banquet, 6 pm, Marriott Marquis.

May 10 to June 4-Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Aram I to the
Eastern Prelacy.

June 3-6-National Representative Assembly hosted by St. Stephen’s
Church, Watertown, Massachusetts.

July 18-Blessing of the Holy Muron (Oil) by His Holiness Aram I, at
the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in Antelias,
Lebanon. For
details click here.

October 5-9-Clergy gathering of Eastern, Western, and Canadian
Prelacies.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web
site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add
[email protected] to your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
credit Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]

http://www.armenianprelacy.org/
https://t.e2ma.net/click/0wy4f/4f4cee/0gqrrb
https://t.e2ma.net/click/0wy4f/4f4cee/g9qrrb
https://t.e2ma.net/click/0wy4f/4f4cee/w1rrrb
www.armenianprelacy.org
www.armenianprelacy.org
www.responsibility2015.com
www.responsibility2015.com

Armenian Genocide Thriller ‘1915’ to be Released in 2015

Armenian Genocide Thriller ‘1915’ to be Released in 2015

Thursday, January 29th, 2015
by Ara Khachatourian

The film ‘1915’ is set to premier this year

LOS ANGELES–Production companies Bloodvine Media and Strongman
announced today their co-production of 1915, a psychological thriller
set against one of the most terrifying events of modern history.

1915 is the feature film debut of writer-directors Garin Hovannisian
and Alec Mouhibian. Together with producer Terry Leonard (Before I
Disappear, Cold Comes the Night, Amira & Sam, Hounddog) and an
international cast including Simon Abkarian (Casino Royale, The Cut,
Gett), Angela Sarafyan (The Immigrant, Twilight), Sam Page (Mad Men,
House of Cards), Nikolai Kinski (Aeon Flux), and Jim Piddock (HBO’s
Family Tree, The Prestige), 1915 was filmed on location in Los
Angeles.

Some of the cast of ‘1915’ clockwise from top left: Simon Abkarian,
Angela Sarafyan, Sam Paige, Sunny Suljic, Jim Piddock and Nikola
Kinski

Set on the single day of April 24, 2015–the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide–the film follows one man’s controversial and
dangerous mission to bring the ghosts of a forgotten tragedy back to
life. The movie will play a leading role in the global movement this
spring to shed light on all genocides of the past century.

Serj Tankian is scoring ‘1915’

Grammy Award winning musician and human rights activist Serj Tankian
(System of a Down) has composed the cutting-edge original score for
1915. For more information, visit and our social
media pages.

“We expect 1915 to be more than a movie,” said co-director Garin
Hovannisian. “We have made this movie to serve not only as art or
entertainment, but also as an act of defiance against the continuing
silence, indifference, and denial that have fueled an entire century
of genocide.”

In 2015, exactly 100 years after the Armenian Genocide, a theatre
director (Simon) is staging a play at the Los Angeles Theatre to honor
the victims of that tragedy–a horrifying crime forgotten and denied
for an entire century.

But as protestors surround his theatre, and a series of mysterious
accidents spread panic among his actors, we realize that Simon’s
mission is more controversial than we think–and the ghosts of the past
are everywhere.

The magic of the play won’t work unless the actors, especially Simon’s
enigmatic wife Angela, face the truths that haunt their own lives.

The writing, directing, producing team of Garin Hovannisian (right)
and Alec Mouhibian

Writer / Director / Producer
Garin Hovannisian is the internationally acclaimed author of the
memoir Family of Shadows (Harper Collins). His essays and stories have
appeared in the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and other
publications.

Alec Mouhibian is a writer, comedian, and most recently the co-star of
the feature documentary HEAL AMERICA. He has written for Slate, The
Weekly Standard, and a variety of other publications, and has been a
Media Fellow of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He
lives in Los Angeles.

Hovannisian and Mouhibian, the founders of Bloodvine Media, have been
collaborating on film and literary projects for more than ten years.
1915 is their feature film debut.

The Cast

Simon Abkarian (as Simon)
Born in Paris in 1962, into a French-Armenian family, Simon Abkarian
has mesmerized the world as an internationally acclaimed film and
stage actor. He has starred in more than 30 films, including YES (a
film by Sally Potter), CASINO ROYALE (opposite Daniel Craig, as the
villain Alex Dimitrios), RENDITION, CUT, and GETT, nominated for best
foreign film in the 2015 Golden Globes. In 2001, for his stage
performance in BEAST ON THE MOON, Abkarian won the Moliere Award – the
highest honor of the French theatre. Abkarian delivered a stunning
portrayal of Armenian painter Arshile Gorky in Atom Egoyan’s ARARAT.
His performance in 1915 is the culmination of a lifelong devotion to
honor his heritage and artistically redeem the victims of the Armenian
Genocide.

Angela Sarafyan (as Angela)
Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Angela Sarafyan moved to Los Angeles at the
age of four, and launched into the global spotlight with her role as
the vampire Tia in THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 2. She most
recently played opposite Marion Cotillard in THE IMMIGRANT, directed
by James Grey, and has starred in THE INFORMERS, PARANOIA, A GOOD OLD
FASHIONED ORGY, and many other films and TV shows. The new pilot
WESTWORLD, featuring Sarafyan alongside Anthony Hopkins and Evan
Rachel Wood, just received a series pickup from HBO and is set to
debut in 2015.

Sam Page (as James)
Born in Milwaukee, Sam Page has simultaneously juggled three recurring
arcs on such beloved series as AMC’s Golden Globe and Emmy Award
winning MAD MEN, the worldwide phenomenon DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, and
acclaimed ABC Family Channel series GREEK. Page joined yet another
cast in the form of an arc on GOSSIP GIRL, and most recently, in
season two of the Netflix original series HOUSE OF CARDS with Kevin
Spacey and Robin Wright.

Previously a co-star of the CBS drama SHARK, opposite James Woods,
Page has also appeared in a host of other popular television shows and
starred in a series of feature films, including SERIAL DATERS
ANONYMOUS.

Nikolai Kinski (as Tony)
International phenomenon Nikolai Kinski has performed in a series of
acclaimed films (including KLIMT (film), AEON FLUX, YVES SAINT
LAURENT, and the forthcoming remake of POINT BREAK) ever since his
first role alongside father Klaus Kinski in Paganini at the age of 11.

Jim Piddock (as Jeffrey)
Jim Piddock, an actor, writer, and producer, is a transatlantic
fixture of the screen and stage. He was most recently the co-creator
(with Christopher Guest) and co-star of HBO’s FAMILY TREE and has
guest starred on NBC’s MARRY ME with Casey Wilson, Ken Marino, and Jo
Beth Williams, as well as CBS’s MOM alongside Alison Janney, and FXX’s
new MAN SEEKING WOMAN. He has graced the screen in a vast array of
blockbusters, including LETHAL WEAPON 2, INDEPENDENCE DAY, AUSTIN
POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER, THE PRESTIGE, THE FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT, and
THINK LIKE A MAN TOO.

Additional cast includes, Debra Christofferson (CARNIVALE), Sunny
Suljic (SALEM), Courtney Halverson(THE HAMMER) and Myles Cranford
(LOWDOWN).

Producer
Terry Leonard has produced more than 35 feature films over his 14-year
career. Highlights include HOUNDDOG, COLD COMES THE NIGHT, HOW TO BE A
MAN, ALLEGIANCE, BEFORE I DISAPPEAR, THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM, MATCH,
STEPHANIE DALEY, and AMIRA & SAM.

Leonard graduated from Emerson College with a BFA in Film, and started
his career by producing short films at NYU, one of which won the
esteemed King Award. His features have won awards and acclaim from the
Directors Guild of America, the Sundance Film Festival, and the
Independent Spirit Awards. An active member of the Producers Guild and
the DGA, Leonard also produces commercials for a number of high-end
clients through his company Strongman. He splits his time between New
York City and Los Angeles.

Behind the scene during the editing and scoring of the film

Music
Serj Tankian will compose an Original Score for 1915. He is a Grammy
Award winning musician and anti-Genocide activist. He is
internationally acclaimed as the band leader of System of a Down, as
well as carrying out various solo projects.

Tankian is also the award-winning composer of the symphonies Elect the
Dead and Orca. In 2002, he co-founded a non-profit political activist
organization, Axis of Justice. He also founded the music label
Serjical Strike Records.

“1915 is an incredible feature film full of rich trauma, profundity,
suspense, and some magic all while remaining picturesque and modern –
a rarity in today’s films. I am relishing in creating the musical
world for it,” said Tankian about 1915.

Others credited on the movie include cinematographer Leigh Lisbão
Underwood (Winner, Best Cinematography at Palm Springs International
Shortfest, 2013, for THE BOY SCOUT); production designer Michael
Fitzgerald (THE LAST FIVE YEARS, SWELTER, THE SECRET LIVES OF DORKS,
AROUND THE BLOCK); costume designer Lauren Oppelt (THE PEE-WEE HERMAN
SHOW ON BROADWAY, THERESA IS A MOTHER); and film editor Paul Forte
(FIX, WHAT ABOUT LOVE) & Dan Dobi (LE MONDE NOUS APPERTIENT).

http://asbarez.com/131302/armenian-genocide-thriller-%E2%80%981915%E2%80%99-to-be-released-in-2015/
www.1915themovie.com

Génocide arménien:temps de "briser les tabous"

Le Figaro, France
29 janv 2015

Génocide arménien:temps de “briser les tabous”

Le président français François Hollande a appelé ce soir la Turquie à
poursuivre son “effort de vérité” sur le génocide arménien commis il y
a un siècle, estimant qu'”il est temps de briser les tabous”.

“L’effort de vérité doit se poursuivre et je suis convaincu que cette
année du centenaire verra de nouveaux gestes, de nouvelles étapes sur
le chemin de la reconnaissance”, a-t-il déclaré à Paris au cours du
dîner annuel du Conseil de coordination des organisations arméniennes
de France.

http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2015/01/28/97001-20150128FILWWW00508-genocide-armenientemps-de-briser-les-tabous.php

Le génocide arménien au programme de la CEDH

7 sur 7, Belgique
28 janv 2015

Le génocide arménien au programme de la CEDH

La Grande chambre de la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme (CEDH) a
commencé mercredi à entendre les arguments d’un Turc condamné en
Suisse pour négation du génocide arménien, et qui y voit une violation
de sa liberté d’expression. © ap. © reuters.

Il n’y a pas “un seul mot de haine, de ressentiment contre les
Arméniens de ma part”, a déclaré Dogu Perinçek en prenant la parole
devant la Grande Chambre de la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme.
Le nationaliste turc avait été condamné par la justice suisse en 2007
pour avoir qualifié le génocide arménien de “mensonge international”.

A Strasbourg, Dogu Perinçek a souligné qu’il a défendu son point de
vue à Lausanne en 2007 sur des bases “scientifiques”, en apportant des
dizaines de kilos de documents. Selon lui, l’Etat ottoman n’a pas eu
“l’intention de supprimer totalement la population arménienne”. Si
l’on n’est pas d’accord avec cette opinion, “il importe au droit de
garantir la liberté d’expression”, a dit M. Perinçek.

En première instance en décembre 2013, la CEDH avait donné raison au
requérant, l’homme politique turc Dogu Perinçek: elle avait estimé que
la justice suisse, en le condamnant en 2007 à une amende pour
discrimination raciale, avait violé sa liberté d’expression. Mais les
autorités suisses ont demandé, et obtenu, que l’affaire soit à nouveau
examinée à Strasbourg, cette fois par la Grande chambre de la CEDH.
Celle-ci rendra sa décision – définitive – dans un délai non précisé,
d’au moins plusieurs mois.

L’audience de mercredi va permettre aux 17 juges de la Grande chambre
d’entendre les arguments des uns et des autres, dont la Turquie et
l’Arménie, tiers intervenants dans la procédure. La Turquie a toujours
refusé d’admettre toute élimination planifiée, évoquant la mort
d’environ 500.000 Arméniens (contre 1,5 million selon l’Arménie), qui
s’étaient rangés du côté de son ennemie la Russie, lors de combats ou
à cause de famines.

Dans cette affaire, hautement symbolique alors que se prépare la
commémoration du centenaire des événements de 1915, l’Arménie a choisi
de se faire représenter à Strasbourg par une avocate connue au-delà
des sphères du droit: Amal Alamuddin, épouse de la star hollywoodienne
George Clooney.

http://www.7sur7.be/7s7/fr/1505/Monde/article/detail/2197591/2015/01/28/Le-genocide-armenien-au-programme-de-la-CEDH.dhtml

What’s Amal Clooney up to? Get the lowdown on the Lebanese celebrity

Al-Bawaba
Jan 28 2015

What’s Amal Clooney up to? Get the lowdown on the Lebanese celebrity
lawyer’s latest case

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Amal Clooney has the whole world in awe of her brains and beauty.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) began on Wednesday an
appeal hearing launched by Switzerland against Turkey’s Workers’ Party
(İP) Chairman DoÄ?u Perinçek, who was convicted by a Swiss court for
denying the Armenian claims of genocide, in a case that pits Turkey
against Switzerland and Armenia, which is represented in Strasbourg by
Lebanese human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.

İP leader Perinçek won an appeal at the European court against a Swiss
court decision to convict him for branding the claims of Armenian
genocide an `international lie’ during a series of speeches in
Switzerland in 2007. The ECtHR said in its Dec. 17, 2013, decision
that the politician had exercised his `right to free speech.’

Switzerland, on the other hand, asked the ECtHR to review its decision
in 2014. The Grand Chamber of the Strasbourg-based court is reviewing
the court’s earlier verdict on Wednesday. The court is not expected to
announce a verdict at the end of the hearing.

Around 200 people from Turkey gathered in front of the Strasbourg
court to show support for Perinçek. A group of political figures,
including former European Union Affairs Minister Egemen BaÄ?ıÅ?, former
Republican Peoples’ Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal and CHP deputy
chairman Haluk Koç, were also present at the hearing.

Turkey hailed the European court’s initial decision to reverse the
Swiss ruling against Perinçek and is a co-defendant in the case.
Armenia, on the other hand, has joined the case as a co-plaintiff
along with a number of Armenian diaspora organizations.

Amal Clooney, a Lebanese-born British lawyer of international law and
human rights who became a household name when she tied the knot with
actor George Clooney in September 2014, is one of the lawyers in the
appeal case.

The ruling has implications for other European states such as France,
which have tried to criminalize the refusal to apply the term genocide
to the massacres of Armenians during the breakup of the Ottoman
Empire.

Turkey categorically denies the claims of Armenian genocide, saying
there were deaths on both sides when Armenians revolted against the
Ottoman Empire during the years of World War I to create their own
state in collaboration with the Russian forces then invading eastern
Anatolia.

The European court said in its December 2013 decision that the `free
exercise of the right to openly discuss questions of a sensitive and
controversial nature was one of the fundamental aspects of freedom of
expression and distinguished a tolerant and pluralistic democratic
society from a totalitarian or dictatorial regime.”

Turkey has welcomed the ruling and said it expects the court to uphold
its judgment when its Grand Chamber reviews it.

BAKU: Armenian lobby not ready for dialogue with Turkey – Turkish PM

Trend Daily News (Azerbaijan)
January 28, 2015 Wednesday 4:46 PM GMT +4

Armenian lobby not ready for dialogue with Turkey – Turkish PM’s advisor

By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:

Unlike Armenia, the Armenian lobby is not ready for a dialogue with
Turkey, Etienne Mahcupyan, the advisor to Turkish prime minister said.

Regarding Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s invitation to
Armenian president to take part in the events dedicated to the
Canakkale victory on April 24, Mahcupyan said that it wouldn’t be such
a bad idea if Armenia at least symbolically accepted the invitation,
Anadolu agency reported on Jan.28.

“There were also Armenians among those killed in the Canakkale
Battle,” he said. “If Armenia honors their memory, it was to have at
least symbolically accepted Turkish president’s invitation.”

He said it is not ruled out that if Turkish-Armenian relations are
restored, a number of descendants of Armenians who left Turkey in 1915
can return there and demand citizenship.

Previously, Turkish authorities have repeatedly made gestures to
Armenia. Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s message to the Armenian people on
April 24, 2014 is one of such recent gestures.

Erdogan said in that message that the events of 1915 were a difficult
time not only for Armenians, but also for Arabs, Kurds and
representatives of other nations living in the country.

Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that Turkey’s predecessor, the
Ottoman Empire allegedly carried out “genocide” against the Armenians
living in Anatolia in 1915. Turkey in turn has always denied “the
genocide” took place.

While strengthening the efforts to promote the “genocide” in the
world, Armenians have achieved its recognition by the parliaments of
some countries.

Although Turkey has repeatedly proposed to create an independent
commission to investigate the events of 1915, Armenia continues to
reject this proposal.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said earlier that the emphasis
on the 1915 events hinders the normalization of relations between
Ankara and Yerevan.

He said that Ankara hopes for the normalization of relations with
Yerevan, however, Armenia should break down its stereotypes associated
with the mentioned events.

Edited by SI

ANKARA: Hollande urges new period of Turkey-Armenia relations

Turkish Press, Turkey
Jan 29 2015

Hollande urges new period of Turkey-Armenia relations

Thursday, January 29, 2015

French president urges two nations to start a new period of bilateral relations

PARIS – French President Francois Hollande called on Wednesday for
Turkey and Armenia to commence a new period of bilateral relations.

“It is time to break the taboos for the two nations for a new
beginning,” said Holland at a dinner held by an Armenian association
in Paris.

The French president said the efforts to reveal the truth of Armenian
issue between the two countries should continue.

Hollande said he would attend a remembrance ceremony to be held in
Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, on April 24.

Referring to recognition of Armenia’s allegations over the 1915
incidents, Holland said: “We will see new gestures and new steps on
the road to recognition on the 100th commemoration year.”

The 1915 incidents took place during World War I when a portion of the
Armenian population living in the Ottoman Empire sided with the
invading Russians and revolted against the empire.

The uprisings came about after a decision by the empire to relocate
Armenians in eastern Anatolia.

The Armenian diaspora and the state of Armenia have both described the
incidents as “genocide” and have asked for compensation.

Turkey officially refutes this description, saying that although
Armenians died during relocations, many Turks also lost their lives in
attacks carried out by Armenian gangs in Anatolia.

Ankara has also long been calling for Armenia and its historians to
conduct a joint academic research and study the archives of both
countries.

In April 2014, President Erdogan – at that time prime minister of
Turkey – offered condolences for the Armenian deaths that occurred in
1915, a first for a Turkish statesman.

http://www.turkishpress.com/news/421733/

Israeli president at UN: West has no war with Islam

Ha’aretz, Israel
Jan 29 2015

Israeli president at UN: West has no war with Islam

Speaking at the UN General Assembly’s Holocaust remembrance ceremony,
Reuven Rivlin says ‘evil is not the domain of one religion or
another.’

President Reuven Rivlin told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday that
“the West, Christians or Jews have no war with Islam” and that “the
brutal barbarism and villainous terror” that exacts hundreds of
thousands of victims “has nothing to do with religion or the prophet’s
sayings.”

Speaking at the assembly’s ceremony marking International Holocaust
Remembrance Day, Rivlin said “Islam contains under its great wings the
victims of persecution and terror, as it serves as the banner of the
attackers.”

Although nothing compares to the cruelty, scope or dimensions of the
Jewish Holocaust in Europe, the president said “evil is not the domain
of one religion or another, as it does not characterize a state or an
ethnic group.”

Rivlin, who spoke in English and Hebrew to a hall filled with Jewish
activists – chose to open his speech with words about the 1915
Armenian genocide. In a statement that could raise anger in Turkey,
Rivlin mentioned the Armenian refugees who came to Jerusalem in 1915 –
and were seen by his parents and family – and said: “nobody denied the
murder that had taken place.”

He quoted Avshalom Feinberg, one of the leaders of the pre-state
Jewish espionage network Nili, who said that in those days two
questions were asked: who’s next and “will we Jews shed tears over the
disaster of others, as well?”

The answer to the first question was of course – the Jewish Holocaust
– but the second question “remains hanging to this day,” Rivlin said.

Ahead of the speech Rivlin said that in view of the events in Israel’s
north he was cutting short his visit in the United States by 24 hours
as he wanted “to be in Israel with the bereaved families and the
wounded and follow the events.”

This was the second disruption to Rivlin’s timetable. On Tuesday,
events the president was scheduled to attend were cancelled due to the
snowstorm.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon received Rivlin warmly and called him
“a vital, sometimes lonely voice for tolerance.” He added that
anti-Semitism remained violent and Jews were still being murdered only
because they’re Jews.”

“We haven’t yet found the antidote to the poison that led to genocide
70 years ago,” he said.

The ceremony also consisted of a detailed personal testimony of
Holocaust survivor Yona Laks about the frightful torture she had been
subjected to with her twin sister Miriam at the hands of Dr. Josef
Mengele in Auschwitz.

Avner Shalev, the chairman of Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial
Museum, said in a video speech that “the Holocaust refuses to turn
into history,” because of one of its main lessons – the speed and ease
in which it is possible to commit genocide.

Universal message on genocide

Rivlin described the Holocaust as the “systematic, brutal, murderous
annihilation. Six million, a third of our people, including some 1.5
million children, were killed, slaughtered, gassed to death, buried
alive, burnt and died of hunger, thirst, diseases and all manner of
strange deaths, in the most awful crime ever committed in the history
of humanity.”

However, Rivlin’s speech was more universal in essence than those
usually given by Israeli officials, and focused on the need to prevent
genocide wherever it may be. The president said the UN had been
erected explicitly to prevent genocide, but in too many cases it
failed this mission.

He called on the UN to act to define and implement “red lines” against
acts of genocide worldwide, but also to stop the “cynical,
pseudo-objective use” of human rights rhetoric and terms like
“genocide” for political purposes against Israel.

Rivlin mentioned a UN resolution titled “Zionism is racism” from 1975,
which has since been revoked, and said that “groundless comparisons of
this kind, that we as Israelis are exposed to all the time (including
the attempt to associate Israel with genocide, and recently, again
with war crimes), not only confuse partner with enemy, but sabotage
this institution’s ability to fight genocide effectively.”

Afterward Rivlin attended the opening of a Yad Vashem exhibition that
will be displayed in the UN headquarters under the tile “Shoah: How
was it humanly possible?” He was accompanied by Ban and Miriam
Adelson, wife of billionaire Sheldon Adelson, whose family is the
major contributor to the institution.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.639630

Azerbaijani armed forces destroy Armenian drone

Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
Jan 29 2015

Azerbaijani armed forces destroy Armenian drone

29 January 2015 – 4:20pm

The Azerbaijani armed forces destroyed an Armenian unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV).

Azerbaijan’s air force destroyed the UAV belonging to the Armenian
armed forces over the Azerbaijani army positions in the Aghdam part of
the frontline on Jan. 29 at around 14:00, the Defense Ministry of
Azerbaijan announced.

Additional information on the incident is to be provided, Trend reports.

http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/society/65448.html