Author: Kalantarian Kevo

May 24, 2013
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

THANKSGIVING PRAYERS ON THE 95TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST REPUBLIC OF
ARMENIA

Tuesday, May 28, 2013 is the 95th anniversary of the first Republic
of Armenia. By the ordinance of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, on Sunday, May 26, Thanksgiving Prayers for the republic will be
offered in all Prelacy Churches on this occasion.
The Prelate will preside over Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church in
Pasadena, where he will also preside over the Thanksgiving Prayers and
deliver the sermon.

PRELACY REPUBLISHES GARO BEDROSIAN’S
“FEASTS AND TRADITIONS OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH”

The Western Prelacy has republished the Armenian version of Garo
Bedrosian’s popular book “Feasts and Traditions of the Armenian Church”.

The book was originally published twenty years ago and had since
sold out. The republication is an enhanced version of the original,
featuring new and revised content and illustrations. It opens with the
prologue by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and includes
letters of commendation addressed to the author.
“Feasts and Traditions of the Armenian Church” is a highly
informative and interesting compilation of the history and popular
traditions associated with the feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The book is available at the Prelacy bookstore for $20. The English
version of the original book is also available. The English translation of
this new republished version is in the works.
Contact the Prelacy at 818-248-7737 ext. 101 or
[email protected] to purchase a copy.

CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF CATHOLICOI
ZAREH I AND KHOREN I

The year 2013 marks two important anniversaries for the Holy See of
Cilicia, as we remember two of our beloved Pontiffs of blessed memory, H.H.
Catholicos Zareh I and H.H. Catholicos Khoren I on the 50th and 30th
respective anniversaries of their passing. The life and legacy of our two
Pontiffs, and their great contributions to the Armenian Apostolic Church,
was honored earlier this year with requiem services and memorial events held
at the Catholicosate of Cilicia and its Prelacies, including the Western
Prelacy.
On the evening of Tuesday, May 21, 2013, a standing room only crowd
gathered at the “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall for a memorial
event paying tribute to Catholicos Zareh I “the wondrous” (eskancheli)
Payaslian, and Catholicos Khoren I “the builder” (shinarar) Paroyan.
The event was held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, organized by the Religious Council and Prelacy
Cultural-Educational Committee, and hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Vicken and Dzovig
Der Ghazarian, niece of Catholicos Zareh I. Two Seminary alumni, Deacon
Mark Shirin and Mr. Garo Bedrosian, were invited to speak on the life and
legacy of the two Catholicoi. The event also featured a cultural program of
songs presented by Vahakn Hovents and Anahit Nersisyan, both accompanied on
the piano by Prof. Levon Aprahamian.
The program officially began with the “Lord’s Prayer” and a requiem
prayer, led by the Prelate with the participation of clergy members. Rev.
Fr. Ardak Demirjian welcomed the guests on behalf of the organizing
committees and invited the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Kevork Bedikian, to
begin the program.
Mr. Bedikian reflected on his own personal memories of both
Catholicoi and invited the evening’s first speaker, Deacon Mark Shirin, who
spoke about Catholicos Zareh I.
Deacon Mark presented the biography of Catholicos Zareh I, from his
days as a young student to his election as Prelate of Aleppo and later as
Pontiff. As Prelate of Aleppo, highlighted Deacon Mark, Zareh I, through
his hard work and efforts, succeeded in including Armenian language and
religion classes on school curriculums, and was instrumental in the
establishment of Karen Jeppe college. After the passing of Catholicos
Karekin Hovsepiants in 1952, due to internal and external conflicts four
years elapsed until the election of Catholicos Zareh I in 1956. Catholicos
Zareh I would reign in a difficult political climate, but in his short
seven-year tenure he was able to overcome challenges and obstacles and
achieved great successes for the Holy See of Cilicia. During his short
reign, the service of the Catholicosate was extended to various communities
in the Diaspora, among them Iran, Greece, and the United States, communities
that had been in desperate need of spiritual care for many years. Special
attention and care was given to the Seminary and its young students. The
relations of the Catholicosate with other churches and states of the Middle
East were strengthened and in 1962, the Catholicosate of Cilicia became a
full member of the World Council of Churches and sent an observer to the
Vatican Council II. Catholicos Zareh I was mindful and deeply concerned
with the needs as well as challenges of the Armenian people, and dedicated
his life to serving for the progress of our church and nation with unmatched
devotion, humility, and enthusiasm until his untimely passing in 1963 at the
age of 48.
Educator and author Mr. Garo Bedrosian was then invited to reflect
on the life of Catholicos Khoren I who succeeded Catholicos Zareh I in 1963.
Under the pontificate of Catholicos Khoren I, the Catholicosate went through
an era of achievements in various domains. Mr. Bedrosian highlighted a
number of these achievements; a new and modernized official residence for
the Pontiff was built, the Catholicosate library was expanded and new books
added, the printing house was expanded and modernized, a housing unit for
Bishops was built and the area for Brotherhood members renovated, private
residences were built in Fanar as well as the Armenian Home for the Aged to
care for the elderly, scholarship funds were established, publications were
expanded, Pontifical visits began, relations were strengthened between the
two Holy Sees, the pursuit of the Armenian Cause and our national rights
were strengthened, and the “St. Mesrob Mashdots”, “St. Nerses the Gracious”
, “Prince of Cilicia”, and “Knight of Cilicia” medals were instituted.
Overall, through his great efforts, the Catholicosate achieved financial
stability and the terrain of was expanded with new constructions to meet the
growing needs of the Catholicosate and its faithful. Due to declining
health, in 1977 Catholicos Khoren I wished to have a Coadjutor to assist
him. Archbishop Karekin II Sarkissian, Prelate of the Eastern United States
was elected Coadjutor-Catholicos. However Khoren I continued to closely
monitor and supervise the activities of the Catholicosate of Cilicia until
his passing in 1983. With his signature warm smile always illuminating his
face, Catholicos Khoren I was a man of action and earned the fitting moniker
“builder” for his vast works, concluded Mr. Bedrosian.
The program concluded with the Prelate’s message.
The Prelate welcomed the guests and relatives of Catholicos Zareh I
for their presence, thanking Mr. and Mrs. Vicken and Dzovig Der Ghazarian
especially for their participation in memorializing the life of their uncle,
Catholicos Zareh I, through their sponsorship of the event. He thanked the
organizers and program participants for their contribution to this moving
tribute. The Prelate began his message by echoing the words of H.H.
Catholicos Aram I, describing the two Catholicoi as truly loyal servants of
the Holy See of Cilicia who served with deep faithfulness and selfless
devotion, and left an inerasable mark in the history of the Holy See of
Cilicia as models of spiritual leadership. The Prelate paid homage to the
legacy and memory of our beloved Pontiffs by reciting his own composition
utilizing the first letters of their names to start each sentence. He
eulogized Catholicos Zareh I as being adorned with virtues, virtuous in
character, our “wondrous” Pontiff, blessed missionary of Christ,
extraordinary in faith and being. His Eminence eulogized Catholicos Khoren
I as wise in thought, our “builder” Pontiff, strong and dynamic in his
entire being, with a presence that was captivating. In conclusion, the
Prelate urged clergy and lay servants of the Prelacy to serve faithfully and
with devotion in the ideal example set forth by our two most beloved
Pontiffs.
The beautiful and moving tribute came to a close with the Prelate’s
benediction and the Cilician anthem.
Guests then enjoyed a reception organized by the Prelacy Ladies
Auxiliary.

CONSECRATION OF SACRED PAINTINGS AND UNVEILING OF “THE SURVIVING MOTHER”
MONUMENT AT ST. GARABED CHURCH OF LAS VEGAS

On Sunday, May 19, 2013, the Las Vegas parish community celebrated
another joyous and momentous occasion as H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, visited the St. Garabed Church family to celebrate
Divine Liturgy, consecrate sacred painting, and preside over the unveiling
of “The Surviving Mother” monument. Parish Pastor Archpriest Fr. Avedis
Torossian, Deacon Mark Shirin, sub-deacon Bob Bezdikian, and stole-bearer
Vazken Mouradian, assisted on the altar.
During the service, Fr. Avedis brought forth the traditional
dove-shaped vessel, from which the Prelate poured the Holy Chrism and
consecrated the sacred paintings.
The Prelate’s sermon centered on the message of Pentecost, which
calls us into unity and binds us together as one people to serve, empowered
by the Holy Spirit. The Prelate noted that on that first Pentecost, with
the descent of the Holy Spirit a new creation came into being, the Church
was born. “Today, as we celebrate the birth of the Church, we celebrate
again the new birth of this community which received new life with the
consecration of St. Garabed Church just a month ago.” The Feast of
Pentecost, stated His Eminence, is an invitation to consider our own
participation in the mission of oru Church. “Today is a fitting opportunity
to renew our commitment to live as active members of the body of Christ and
of the Armenian Apostolic Church family, using our individual gifts to
collectively build up our church and nation”.
“This community is a testament that all things are possible when we
work together for good with trust in our Lord and guided by the Holy Spirit.
The kinship and fellowship in this parish community is evident and evidenced
by the progress of this Church in a short period of time. Today we complete
the final phase of the rebirth of this community with the consecration of
the sacred paintings and the unveiling of “The Surviving Mother” monument.
With these ceremonies, St. Garabed Church officially enters a new chapter, a
new journey and mission. As you embark on this new path and look ahead to
future successes, today, on this Feast of Pentecost, may this parish family
renew its commitment to working together with love and harmony, reinforced
in faith and service by the power of the Holy Spirit,” concluded the
Prelate.
After the service the Prelate and procession headed to the courtyard
for the unveiling and blessing of “The Surviving Mother” monument that was
erected in memory of Armenian mothers who survived the Armenian Genocide and
created our new generation in America and around the world. Monument
sponsors Mr. & Mrs. Gary & Doris Deratzou were among the faithful in
attendance. The ceremony concluded with the Cilician and Armenian anthems,
after which young students of “Armenian Dancers of Las Vegas” performed
three dances in the courtyard.
A luncheon organized by the ARS “Shoushi” Chapter followed at
“Koujakian” Hall. Chairlady Mrs. Lila Darakjian welcomed the guests and
gave a brief overview of the Chapter’s activities, among them the local
Saturday School which has been serving the region for over two decades.
The day’s festivities came to a close with the benediction and
blessings of the Prelate.

PRELACY “LOUSAVORICH” CHOIR PARTICIPATES IN
6TH ANNUAL ORTHODOX DAY OF PRAISE

On Saturday, May 18, the sixth annual Orthodox Day of Praise was
held at St. Peter and St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Santa Monica, with
the participation of members from the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox
Churches.
The annual event unites the Orthodox congregation using the language
of hymns and praise. Among the Churches represented are the Armenian,
Coptic, Syriac, Russian, Serbian, Antiochian, Ukrainian, Ethiopian,
Romanian, and others.
By the ordinance of the Prelate, the Prelacy “Lousavorich” Choir
once again participated in this annual event, led by Rev. Ghevont Kirazian.
The day began at 8:00 a.m. with the celebration of Divine Liturgy,
followed by a meet and greet and brunch. The program of hymns and praises
began at noon. The “Lousavorich” Choir presented three hymns, and joined in
the group song, which this year was a hymn from the Ethiopian Orthodox
Church. Note that last year’s group song was an Armenian hymn.

PRELATE CONGRATULATES MAYOR-ELECT ERIC GARCETTI

Following the results of the Los Angeles municipal elections, on
Wednesday, May 22nd, the Prelate sent congratulatory letters to Los Angeles
Mayor-Elect Eric Garcetti, City Attorney-Elect Mike Feuer, City
Controller-Elect Ron Galperin, and City Council Members-Elect Mitch
O’Farrell and Gil Cedillo.
The Prelate congratulated the newly elected officials on behalf of
the Prelacy Councils and faithful, and wished them success in their new
duties.
In his letter to Mayor-Elect Garcetti, the Prelate stated, “We
appreciate especially your unwavering support of the Armenian-American
community and your sincere concern and commitment to the welfare of all your
constituents. We are confident that the City of Los Angeles will thrive
under your strong and principled leadership.”

PRELATE CONGRATULATES ARMENIAN GRADUATES OF THE PASADENA SCHOOL DISTRICT

On Wednesday, May 22, the 24th annual appreciation night in honor of
Armenian graduates from the Pasadena School District was held at the
Pasadena Armenian Center. The reception is organized annually by the Pastor
and Board of Trustees of St. Sarkis Church.
In attendance were St. Sarkis Church Pastor, Board of Trustees,
Delegates and Ladies Auxiliary members, representatives from the ARF
“Lernavayr” Gomideh and local sister organizations, Pasadena Chief of Police
and Sheriff Department representatives, Pasadena Unified School District
Superintendent and members, principals, educators, and parents.
The Prelate congratulated the students on the hard work that led
them to this stage in their lives and wished them success in the next phase
of their life’s journey. His Eminence reminded the students that they are
all members of one family, the Armenian Church and nation, and urged them to
give back to the community by contributing to the advancement of our cause
and nation. In conclusion, the Prelate prayed for the Lord’s blessings,
protection, and guidance to be with them as they begin this new chapter.

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
May 22 2013

Reports on Montserrat Caballé’s upcoming concert in Khankendi dismissed

22 MAY 2013, 13:22 (GMT+05:00)

Organizer of the concert of the world-famous Spanish opera singer
Montserrat Caballé in Yerevan, Vahagn Gevorgyan, has denied
information about the singer’s planned concert in the occupied
Azerbaijani territories, Novosti-Armenia news agency reported.
Earlier, a source at the National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet
told the agency that the concerts of Caballé and Youth Orchestra of
Armenia will be held in Yerevan and Khankendi, the center of the
self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh republic run by ethnic Armenians in
the occupied Azerbaijani territories. Other Armenian media outlets
also disseminated this information.
“As an organizer, I assert that the information about Caballé’s
concert in Nagorno Karabakh is not true,” Gevorgyan said.
Caballé’s concert in Yerevan will take place at the National Academic
Theater of Opera and Ballet on June 9.

Caballé, singer of bel canto style, became well-known by performing
classics – Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti. Caballé became famous in
1965 when Marilyn Horne listened to Lucrezia Borgia opera by Gaetano
Donizetti in her performance.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988
when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. Armenian
armed forces have occupied 20 per cent of Azerbaijan since 1992,
including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The
co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are
currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council’s four
resolutions on the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding
regions.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
May 22 2013

An Armenian from Turkey in Los Angeles…

MARKAR ESAYAN
[email protected]

Last week I visited Los Angeles to attend the fourth Anatolian
Cultures and Food Festival, held between May 16 and 19. I wanted to
write about my impressions before the effects of jet lag took hold and
while my memories were still fresh. I was enthusiastic as this was my
first visit to Los Angeles. I wasn’t enthusiastic just because I was
making my first visit to a place or because I would see all the major
historic or religious landmarks of Anatolia within a
60,000-square-meter area in Orange County. I also have many relatives
and friends living in this city and across the state, most of whom I
hadn’t seen for years. Perhaps it would be possible to catch up with
some of them on everything during my tight schedule.
When I accepted the invitation from the Pacifica Institute, I didn’t
know that Deputy Patriarch Archbishop Aram AteÅ?yan and Bishop MaÅ?alyan
from Turkey were to be in attendance, and it was a nice surprise.
Esteemed AteÅ?yan is a close relative and is my father’s namesake. I
also have had a very long friendship with Bishop MaÅ?alyan. I hadn’t
seen them for a long time due to my busy schedule. In addition, I was
happy as I would see many journalist friends of mine thanks to this
opportunity.

As a result, there were many Armenians in attendance, and I
contributed to the political and daily debates in my own way. I must
note that the group was very cheerful during the trip. With Turkish,
Armenian and Kurdish songs and jokes made by Mr. Cemal UÅ?Å?ak in his
unique Laz accent, we once again had a sense of living together and
brotherly feelings, albeit while being far from home.

>From the first moment of the trip to the last minute, everything went
smoothly particularly with respect to the organization of the
festival. I was very impressed to see the discipline and sincerity
with which people worked to make this festival happen. When I arrived
at the festival area, I was glad to witness that many Americans had
come to see a giant replica of Turkey and taste 99 varieties of
Anatolian cuisine.

The organizing committee had worked day and night to come up with a
spectacular event. As I entered the festival area and went through the
Hittite, Urartian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Turkish gates,
I realized that visual elements play an important role in human
memory. It was a really interesting experience for me to understand
once again miles from home that we come from a very rich historic
background and that this is a very precious asset.

The giant replicas of Ephesus Theater, Sümela Monastery, Mardin,
Cappadocia, the House of the Virgin Mary, Zeugma, the Double Minarets
Madrasa, Topkapı Palace and the Fountain of Ahmet III — located at
the very center of the festival area and offering different drinks
from its faucets — all took people through a time tunnel. What
impressed me the most was Akhtamar Church. After years of neglect,
this church had been renovated and reopened to visitors, and I had
attended the opening ceremony in Van, feeling happy for the ongoing
change in Turkey. We Armenians have a painful past. We were not only
dispersed around the world as the diaspora, but those who remained in
Turkey are also treated like foreigners in their home country. Those
who have long carried their identity, religion, race and language as a
dangerous burden can really appreciate the beginning of this change in
the state’s mentality.

Now, we have the opportunity to exhibit our rich culture in the
biggest state of the world’s mightiest country. I believe that we have
a right to understand that it is an asset to live together, stand
together, cherish our differences and enjoy this awareness. Not long
ago, we would have to whisper to each other in Armenian and we would
have concealed our true names. This festival was a good testimony of
the big change in Turkey. Thank you to everyone who contributed to
make this happen. I will pen my other observations later.

Today’s Zaman, Turkey
May 22 2013

Turkish court hands down prison sentence to Armenian journalist over blasphemy

Turkish-Armenian journalist Sevan NiÅ?anyan (Photo: AA, Metin AktaÅ?)

22 May 2013 /TODAYSZAMAN.COM, Ä°STANBUL

A Turkish court has handed down a prison sentence of one year, 45 days
to Sevan NiÅ?anyan, a Turkish-Armenian journalist, for blasphemous
remarks he made about the Prophet Muhammad in an article he wrote in
his blog last September.

In the article, titled `Hate crimes should be fought,’ NiÅ?anyan voiced
his support for a controversial anti-Muslim movie that sparked violent
protests in many Muslim majority countries.

Clips of the movie, posted on YouTube under several titles including
`Innocence of Muslims,’ portrayed the Muslim prophet engaged in crude
and offensive behavior. Many Muslims consider any depiction of the
prophet as blasphemous.

NiÅ?anyan said in his column that `mocking an Arab leader who centuries
ago allegedly contacted God and made political, financial and sexual
benefits out of this is not a crime of hatred,’ but that it is freedom
of speech.

The 14th Ä°stanbul High Criminal Court decided to give 410 days of
prison time to NiÅ?anyan on Wednesday on charges of `publicly
ridiculing religious values endorsed by one segment of the society.’
The court also refused to postpone the enforcement of the decision,
citing his previous criminal record.

NiÅ?anyan didn’t show up in the first court hearing in the Ä°stanbul
court on Wednesday but plaintiffs Birsen Koneralp, Galip KarayiÄ?it,
Hasan Temiz, Veysi Barak and Ali Keskin attended the hearing.

The court initially decided to give NiÅ?anyan a nine-month prison
sentence and increased the punishment by five months as the `crime’
was committed through media.

The indictment prepared by the Ä°stanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office
claimed that the article spawned a wave of criticism, reactions and
debates in public and that the column `destroyed the public peace.’

The indictment noted that the writing could not be protected under the
freedom of speech because NiÅ?anyan `exceeded the limits of criticism’
and `publicly ridiculed religious values of one segment of the
society.’

The indictment demanded up to 1.5 years of prison time for NiÅ?anyan.

Interfax, Russia
May 21 2013

Baku says six points of Madrid Principles that Yerevan accepts should
be basis for peace treaty

MOSCOW. May 21

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov said he proposed to
begin working with Armenia on comprehensive peace treaty based on six
points of the Madrid Principles.

“If we take these principles as basis, the six points to be exact, I,
by the way, am very happy that my Armenian counterpart said that
Armenia fully accepted all six points, so it is very good,” Mamedyarov
said at a news conference on the results of talks with Russian Foreign
Minister Sergei Lavrov.

“Let’s take these six points, which Armenia accepts, and will start
building meat on this skeleton, which is called comprehensive peace
treaty,” the Azerbaijani foreign minister said.

Mamedyarov said that this treaty was to include many factors,
including a list of steps Baku and Yerevan were to take.
ez mk

Outstanding Teen Kristina Ayanian to receive Duke of Edinburgh Bronze
Medal, to interview Prince Edward

11:29 22/05/2013 » SOCIETY

Burlington’s Kristina Ayanian, Miss Massachusetts Outstanding Teen
2013, will travel to Nashville, Tenn. on May 23 to receive her Duke of
Edinburgh Bronze Medal Award from His Royal Highness Prince Edward,
The Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn of England, Wicked Local
reports.

The Nashville visit will include Tennessee’s inaugural Duke of
Edinburgh Award Ceremony hosted by Governor and Mrs. Bill Haslam at
the Tennessee Governor’s Mansion.

The foundation was founded by Edward’s father Prince Philip in 1956
and is a self-development program available for young people aged 14
to 25, with millions of candidates from over 140 countries having
taken part in the past.

Following the awards ceremony, Kristina will have the opportunity to
interview HRH for Teen Kids News on the ABC Television network.

According to Ayanian, `this is a dream come true for me and a rare
opportunity for any television reporter to interview a member of the
British Royal family.’

She will also interview award recipients and participate in an English
style afternoon tea. She is also invited to a black tie royal gala,
which will benefit the US Duke of Edinburgh Award, taking a place at
the Montgomery Bell Academy.

Armenian government sues Armavia

May 22, 2013 | 18:03

YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Finance Minister said the government, on behalf
of the State Revenue Committee, has filed a lawsuit against Armavia
air company concerning air travel tax.

Speaking in the parliament on Wednesday, Davit Sargsyan said other
creditors have also sued Armavia.

To note, Armavia Airline Company informed that its flights will end on
April 1 and a bankruptcy process will commence.

Earlier head of Armenia’s public council said Armavia owes the
government around AMD 24.2 billion ($58 million), out of which 6.9
billion in taxes and 7.3 billion in fees.

News from Armenia – NEWS.am

Azerbaijan continues arms race – Armenian FM

13:52 – 22.05.13

FM Edward Nalbandian, who is in the United Kingdom on an official
visit, talked of the continuing conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh in a
Tuesday speech at the University of Oxford.

Armenia’s top diplomat has comprehensively introduced the topic,
emphasizing particularly Azerbaijan’s unwillingness to accept the
basic principles of settlement. He said the Azerbaijani authorities
continue the arms race on the level of the country’s top leadership.

According to a press release by the Foreign Ministry, Nalbandian first
briefed the participants on the Armenia-UK relations and the goals of
his visit to the country. He also addressed priorities of Armenia’s
presidency of the Council of Europe, the integration processes on the
post-Soviet territory, Armenia’s cooperation with Europe and other
issues on the international and regional agendas.

Speaking of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the minister particularly
said, `In September 1991, Nagorno-Karabakh adopted a declaration of
independence, which was approved at a December universal referendum.
It was fully in line with the then USSR’s effective legislation. It is
worth, in this connection, mentioning the European Parliament’s
resolution which said Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence under a
declaration similar to those [adopted] by the other [Soviet]
republics, including Azerbaijan. In response, Baku perpetrated a
massacre and ethnic cleansing against the Armenians, unleashing an
extensive war against Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia with the help of
hired servicemen linked to international terrorist organizations.

`In 1993, before the signing of ceasefire, the UN Security Council
adopted four resolutions (822, 853, 874, 884), where a key demand was
to suspend the military operations and establish a long-lasting
armistice. Azerbaijan refused – after the adoption of each resolution
– to meet the basic requirement, and persistently continued the
military operations.

`In 1994, a Russian-mediated ceasefire accord was reached between
Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan, with Armenia also joining the deal.
In February 1995, the new armistice strengthening agreement was signed
between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, and Armenia again acceded [to
the process]. But Azerbaijan has not so far shown any respect for the
agreement.

`Since 1997, the negotiation process has been going on in the
frameworks of a mediation mission composed of the OSCE Minsk Group’s
three co-chairing countries: Russia, US and France.

`The co-chairing states, which are vested with a mediation mandate in
the Karabakh conflict settlement, make considerable efforts in two
main directions: elaboration of fundamental conflict settlement
principles and initiation of confidence strengthening measures.

`In the frameworks of the OSCE ministerial conference held in November
2007, the mediators proposed to the parties the basic principles for
settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (better known as the Madrid
proposals).

`Azerbaijan rejected the document for around a year, seeking a
solution in other instances. Particularly, in 2008, Azerbaijan
submitted to the UN General Assembly a resolution which reflected the
Azerbaijani distorted position on the problem. The resolution was
passed, with only 39 of the 192 UN member states voting in favor
(basically the Islamic Conference member countries). The three
co-chairing countries – the US, Russia and France – voted against,
while none of the EU member states, including the United Kingdom,
supported the resolution.

`The co-chairing countries’ leaders adopted resolutions in L’Aquila
(2009) and Muskoka (2010), unveiling the basic principles and elements
proposing their solutions to the problem. In the statements adopted in
Deauville (2011) and Los Cabos (2012), the heads of the co-chairing
states reiterated their previous remarks, highlighting the importance
of an exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict.

“Statements on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement were adopted
at the OSCE ministerial conference in Helsinki (2008), Athens (2010),
Almaty (2011), Vilnius (2012) and Dublin, and at the OSCE summit in
Astana (2010).

`Armenia has hailed all the above-mentioned statements, expressing
willingness to reach a settlement based upon the proposals reflected
in the statements

`Unlike Armenia, Azerbaijan has not so far accepted the basic
principles and elements as a whole integrity. Instead of accepting the
proposals, Baku is making primitive attempts to refer only to the
status quo unacceptability wording. If Azerbaijan is really against
maintaining the status quo, it should have long ago adopted statements
by the three co-chairs.

`The president of the Russian Federation has organized 11 meetings
with the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents since 2008 in order to
coordinate the settlement principles. Updated options of the basic
principles were introduced and discussed at the meetings.

`At the latest summit in Kazan (June 2011), as well as the meetings in
Sochi (March 2011), Astrakhan (October 2011), St. Petersburg (June
2010) etc, Baku rejected all the settlement principle proposed by the
Minsk Group co-chairs.

`The Azerbaijani side pretends to have adopted the option tabled in
2009, by naming it an updated version. It may look as though the other
options are outdated. But it is necessary to note that Azerbaijan has
certain reservations and changes with regard to even the 2009 option.

`Baku has rejected not only the proposals on settlement principles but
also the confidence strengthening measures – particularly,
strengthening of ceasefire, withdrawal of snipers from the Line of
Contact and elaboration of mechanisms for probes into the ceasefire
violations – proposed by the international community and enjoying its
full support.

`Azerbaijan not only refuses to accept the confidence strengthening
measures, but also provokes tensions on the Line of Contact with
Karabakh and the Armenian border, exacerbating the situation and
leading to new human losses.

`Despite the co-chairs’ continuing calls to prepare their countries’
population for peace instead of war, the Azerbaijani authorities
continue – on the highest level – the arms race, the war threats, the
belligerent statements and the xenophobia rhetoric breeding hatred.
The most cynical provocation that we saw in August was the release of
Ramil Safarov, the man killer, after the extradition from Hungary, and
his glorification as a hero.

`It was quite recently that the Azerbaijani state subjected writer
Akram Aylisli to torture just because he had addressed the Azerbaijani
pogroms against the Armenians in his novel. Aylisli’s books were
burned in public. A state award was promised to anyone who would agree
to cut his ear. The writer was forced to seek asylum beyond the
borders of Azerbaijan.

`Despite Azerbaijan’s provocative and non-constructive policies,
Armenia will continue – together with the world community – its
efforts towards reaching an exclusively peaceful settlement of the
Karabakh conflict.

Azerbaijan to blacklist famous soprano Montserrat Caballe?

May 22, 2013 – 14:08 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – A belief grows stronger every day that Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry and various institutions are mainly busy surfing the
web for any information on Armenia and Karabakh and staring
`examination’ once they find what they were looking for.

The recent `examination’ concerns a world-famed sopranoMontserrat
Caballe who’ll perform and give master classes in Yerevan on June 9.

As APA news agency reported quoting Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry
spokesman Elman Abdullayev, the Foreign Ministry is examining the
information regarding the upcoming concert of opera singer Montserrat
Caballé in `Azerbaijan’s occupied territories.’

Whether Caballe will be singing in Stepanakert is, strangely enough,
the question of minor importance for Baku. One can’t help but wonder:
does the great singer know of the imminent threat of Azeri `black
list’ and defamation by Aliyev-controlled media?

What would happen if it was not a world-famed star but a Foreign
Minister of any country who travelled to Stepanakert? Would the step
lead to severed diplomatic ties and announcing of the politician as a
persona non grata? Incidentally, Azeri `black list’ includes over a
hundred of diplomats, scientists, as well as European, Russia,
American and Canadian diplomats, which means that the singer will find
herself in quite a respectable company.

Karine Ter-Sahakian / PanARMENIAN News

Karabakh Process: Azerbaijan signals no breakthrough until end of
election period

KARABAKH | 22.05.13 | 10:18

Photo:

By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
ArmeniaNow correspondent

International mediators brokering a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict are again expected to arrive in the region today. But this
time their visit is likely to be aimed at maintaining the relevance of
the negotiation process rather than giving it a boost.

During a visit to Moscow on Tuesday Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar
Mammadyarov made it clear that no breakthrough should be expected in
the Karabakh peace process until after the competition of the
electoral process in Azerbaijan.

Presidential elections in which incumbent head of state Ilham Aliyev
will be seeking a third consecutive term in office will be held in
Azerbaijan in October.

Mammadyarov traveled to Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart
Sergei Lavrov. It happened after Moscow cut off the oil pipeline
Baku-Novorossiysk, saying that Azerbaijan pumped too little oil
through it and the pipe had thus become unprofitable. But experts do
not exclude political reasons for that as Azerbaijan has, in fact,
forced Russia to withdraw its military base from the radar station at
Gabala.

During the meeting the two ministers, of course, said that these two
facts did not speak about the deterioration of relations between the
two countries. As `proof’ they cited the fact that Russia `awarded’
the Azerbaijani participant in the recent Eurovision show the highest
score – 12 points. It is interesting that according to the official
results, Azerbaijan gave no points to the Russian participant,
although Mammedyarov assured Moscow that Azerbaijan did give the
Russian singer a high score, but the organizers of the competition had
confused everything and the points eventually got lost somewhere in
that confusion. It is interesting that both Baku and Moscow said they
were going to investigate possible violations in the vote counting at
Eurovision.

But most importantly Lavrov made a remarkable statement on the
Karabakh issue. He, in fact, confirmed the statements of the Armenian
side that in 2009 Azerbaijan changed its approach to the so-called
Madrid principles of settling the Karabakh problem that were adopted
two years before.

`Russia tried to find a compromise between the positions of Armenia,
which insisted that the 2007 version of the principles was acceptable
for it as a basis for negotiations, and of Azerbaijan, which
considered it necessary to work on the basis of the Madrid principles
updated in 2009,’ said the Russian foreign minister.

The Madrid principles contain `a moment of synchronicity’, but
official Baku demands that first Armenian troops be withdrawn from the
buffer zone, or from `Azerbaijani territories’, as Mammadyarov put it
at the latest meeting in Moscow.

Russia, however, does not seem to quite agree with this, even though
Lavrov referred in his statement to `the return of Azerbaijani
territories.’

`The status quo is certainly not acceptable and it is unacceptable for
all. First of all, for Azerbaijan, Armenia, and those who live in
Nagorno-Karabakh – and I am deeply convinced of this. The status quo
means not only an unresolved issue of the return of Azerbaijani
territories, but also the economic blockade of Armenia, so there is no
need to convince anyone of the inadmissibility of that status,’ said
Russia’s top diplomat.

In fact, Lavrov is putting forward a counter demand to Azerbaijan and
Turkey – to lift the blockades of Armenia after which the issue of
territories could be discussed.

As an RFE/RL correspondent attending the press conference in Moscow
noted, Mammadyarov, contrary to his habit, did not mention a single
time `the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan’, but spoke only about
`Azerbaijani territories’. This led some experts to conclude that
Azerbaijan has long abandoned the idea of recovering Karabakh within
the borders of the former Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region (NKAR)
and even more and that current talks are focused on what part of the
territories outside the former NKAR the Armenian side will agree to
return to Azerbaijan. At present, Yerevan and Stepanakert do not agree
to this demand either.

`Azerbaijan has only one opportunity to satisfy its insatiable desire
for a change in the status quo, bypassing the OSCE Minsk Group format.
To do this, Azerbaijan must recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic
and start negotiations with the NKR around the elimination of
consequences of its aggression, including the current status quo,’
Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan said in a
statement on Tuesday.