Today President of Armenia, Commander-in-Chief of teh Armed Forces Serzh Sargsyan, accompanied by Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan and the Senior Officers of the Armed Forces visited “Yerablur” Military Pantheon to pay respect for the memory of modern day heroes, who lost their lives selflessly for the defense of borders during the April war, and for the memory of all the young Armenians who lost their lives for the sake of independence of the Motherland during the Artsakh war.
Author: Kalashian Nyrie
Ivanka Trump to be assistant to US president
Photo: EPA
Ivanka Trump is officially joining her father’s administration as an unpaid employee with the title Assistant to the President, the White House says.
The US first daughter bowed to pressure following an outcry from ethics experts at her initial plans to serve in a more informal capacity.
Ms Trump, 35, said she had “heard the concerns some have with my advising the president in my personal capacity”.
Her husband, Jared Kushner, is a senior adviser to President Donald Trump.
In a statement, the White House said it was “pleased that Ivanka Trump has chosen to take this step in her unprecedented role as first daughter”.
Ms Trump said in her statement that she had been “working in good faith with the White House Counsel and my personal counsel to address the unprecedented nature of my role”.
No negotiations because of April aggression against Artsakh – Edward Nalbandian
The lack of talks on Nagorno Karabakh is connected with the huge blow to the negotiation process caused by the aggression against Artsakh last April, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian said at a joint press conference with visiting Foreign Minister of Greece Nikolaos Kotzias.
“This pushed the negotiation process back,” Minister Nalbandian said. He added that Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries are making efforts to create conditions conducive to the furthering the negotiation process.
The comments come after Azerbaijan Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov accused Armenia of freezing the Karabakh talks.
“It’s well known that the international community, the Minsk Group Co-Chairs and Armenia are speaking the same language, while Azerbaijan is speaking a different language,” Edward Nalbandian said. He blamed Azerbaijan for the failure to implement the agreements reached at Vienna and St. Petersburg summits.
Minister Nalbandian stressed that there is no alternative to the negotiations, and the OSACE Minsk Group Co-Chairs maintain efforts to further the negotiation process.
“The Co-Chairs will arrive in Armenia on March 27 and will visit Stepanakert, as well,” Edward Nalbandian informed.
Socialist International adopts resolution on Armenian Genocide
The Socialist International adopted a resolution on Armenian Genocide as a result of the 25th Congress held in the historic city of Cartagena, Colombia, hosted by its member party, the Colombian Liberal Party, under the main heading For a world in peace, with equality and solidarity. Delegates from member parties, affiliated and guest organizations from all continents of the world gathered together in the Cartagena Convention Centre for the Congress which was held from 2 to 4 March 2017.
The Resolution reads:
After the last Socialist International Congress, the world marked the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide and witnessed a number of new countries, heads of states and international organizations officially recognising this crime against all humanity.
The 2014 December SI Council Meeting in Geneva, recognising the continued worldwide progress on this human rights and genocide prevention issue, appropriately placed the Armenian Genocide on the agenda of its first Council in 2015, held one hundred years after the start of this atrocity.
The July 2015 Council Meeting in New York endorsed an agreement reached earlier by the SI Vice Presidents from Armenia and Turkey, for the Socialist International to organise a special hearing or round-table discussion around the theme: “How Turkish recognition of the Armenian Genocide can contribute to a genuine reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia?”
This meeting was to have included the participation of representatives of SI member parties in both Armenia and Turkey, as well as other interested member parties, and specially invited experts, NGOs, and others.
Consistent with both past decisions on this matter and the SI’s longstanding support for a just resolution of the Armenian Genocide, the SI XXV Congress reaffirms its readiness to work with our Armenian and Turkish member parties to facilitate a hearing or round-table discussion regarding the benefits of Turkey’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide for reconciliation between Armenians and Turks.
Armenian Americans protest in New York and Washington DC against Azerbaijani aggression
Armenian Americans protested escalating Azerbaijani aggression against the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and Armenia in New York City and Washington, DC in recent days, in the wake of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s largest attacks since his April, 2016, 4-day offensive that claimed several hundred lives, reported the Armenian National Committee of America – Eastern Region (ANCA-ER).
“President Aliyev’s latest attacks this weekend represent a continuation of the pogroms in Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku from 1988-1990 and 25 years of escalating ceasefire violations that culminated in the April 2016 atrocities – the worst violence seen in decades,” said ANCA-ER Board Member Audrey Mardoian. “We continue to witness the cost – in innocent lives – of the refusal by the U.S. and the international community to clearly and unequivocally condemn President Aliyev’s aggression and put in place clear measures to stop his violence.”
The demonstrations, organized by the ANC of New York and ANC of Greater Washington, in cooperation with the local Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) chapters, were held on February 24th and 26th, respectively, and coincided with the 29th anniversary of the Azerbaijani pogroms against the Armenian population of Sumgait. Those massacres set the stage for similar attacks in Baku in 1990 and a cycle of violence that continues to this day. In Washington, DC, Vice-President Mike Pence’s motorcade passed within feet of protesters. At the end of demonstration, Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church pastor, Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, led DC-area protesters in a prayer in memory of those who have perished as a result of Azerbaijani aggression.
Also on Sunday, February 26th, the ANC of NY organized a special commemoration of the Sumgait-Baku massacres, hosted by the St. Gregory Mission Parish of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church – Eastern U.S. and held at the Brooklyn Armenian School, with remarks provided by the ANCA Eastern Region’s Artur Martirosyan.
A small group of Azerbaijani counter-protesters converged in both cities, many brandishing the sign of the Grey Wolves, a Turkish terrorist organization.
According to reports by the Republic of Artsakh Defense Army, on February 25th, Azerbaijani forces carried out two attacks at the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact in the direction of Martakert and Akna. Artsakh forces successfully repelled the strike, with no casualties reported. Azerbaijani authorities have confirmed several deaths as a result of their military action. Just a day earlier, on February 24th, Azerbaijani forces shelled the Artsakh village of Talish, which had been a primary target during the April 2-6, 2016 Azerbaijani incursion, the worst violence since the 1994 ceasefire.
Over the past two years, U.S. Congressional leaders, including House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel (D-NY), Senior Member Brad Sherman and over 90 colleagues have called for the implementation of the Royce-Engel proposals – a concrete plan to reduce aggression in the region, calling for the 1) removal of snipers 2) increase of Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) monitors at the line of contact and 3) the deployment of a gunfire locator system to clearly identify aggressors. Armenia and Artsakh have approved the plan. Azerbaijan, to date, continues to obstruct their implementation.
The latest violence raises additional concerns about reports of Azerbaijan’s impending purchase of the Israeli made “Iron Dome” missile system, which includes sensitive U.S. technology. The ANCA has called on the US State Department to exercise its right to oppose the sale, noting that it will only further embolden President Aliyev to increase his aggression.
“We are here to protest Azerbaijan’s most recent attacks and its pattern of violence going back more than a quarter century,” said AYF Central Hai Tahd Council Chair Lara Ozdemirci. “As Americans, we can and must contribute to peace by challenging Azerbaijan’s aggression, cutting off military aid and arms sales to Baku, deploying gunfire locators along the line of contact, and imposing sanctions on Aliyev and his inner circle.”
From 1988 to 1990, the Armenian population in Soviet Azerbaijan was the target of racially motivated pogroms against Armenians in the cities of Sumgait (February 27-29, 1988), Kirovabad (November 21-27, 1988) and Baku (January 13-19, 1990).
At the time, Members of Congress condemned these premeditated and officially-sponsored attacks against Armenian civilians and passed amendments and resolutions demanding respect for the democratic aspirations of the people of Nagorno Karabakh.
These pogroms set the stage for two decades of aggression by Azerbaijan, during which it launched and lost a war against Nagorno Karabakh, and later used its oil wealth to buy a massive military arsenal that its leaders, to this day, vow to use to renew their attempts to conquer a Christian people that has lived on these lands for thousands of years and, after great challenges, has flourished in freedom from Soviet oppression for 25 years.
Ukraine’s Poroshenko plans referendum on NATO membership-German media
Reuters – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko plans a referendum on whether Ukraine should join the NATO alliance given polls that show 54 percent of Ukrainians now favor such a move, Germany’s Funke Mediengruppe newspaper chain reported Thursday.
“Four years ago, only 16 percent (of the Ukrainian people) favored Ukraine’s entry into NATO. Now it’s 54 percent,” the media group quoted Poroshenko as saying in an interview. “As president, I am guided by the views of my people, and I will hold a referendum on the issue of NATO membership.”
He vowed to “do all I can to achieve membership in the transatlantic alliance” if the people voted in favor.
Spanish city of Sabadell recognizes Armenian Genocide
The city of Sabadell in Catalonia, Spain, has officially recognized the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian Embassy in Spain informs on its Facebook page.
The heads of all political forces represented in the Sabadell City Hall have signed a joint statement, describing the events of 1915 as “genocide and crime against humanity.
The statement reads: “Any crime against humanity must be condemned to prevent reoccurrence of similar developments at any part of the world, again representatives of any nation, race or religion. The municipal authorities of Sabadell officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.”
The document was authored by the Ciudadanos party. Party Speaker Adrian Ernandes welcomed the support of partner parties “as it allows Sabadell to join the ranks of the Spanish cities that have officially acknowledged and condemned the Armenian Genocide.”
Two dead after train derails near Kanpur, India
At least two people are dead and more than 40 injured following the derailment of a train in India’s northern Uttar Pradesh state, the BBC reports.
Fourteen carriages of the Ajmer-Sealdah Express derailed near Kanpur in the early hours of Wednesday.
Officials said that all passengers had been rescued from the derailed carriages. The cause of the crash is not yet known.
More than 140 people died last month in another train crash near Kanpur.
Train accidents are fairly common in India, where much of the railway equipment is out of date.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: The best goal I’ve ever scored
Photo: AP
Henrikh Mkhitaryan described his brilliant backheeled effort against Sunderland as “the best goal I’ve ever scored”, while speaking to after Manchester United’s 3-1 win.
The Armenian’s inspired finish from Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s right-wing cross gave visiting goalkeeper Jordan Pickford little chance of making a save in front of the Stretford End. The goal put the Reds 3-0 up at Old Trafford, before Fabio Borini pulled back a late consolation for the Black Cats.
“That was the best goal I’ve ever scored,” Mkhitaryan said. “I was very excited. The first thing I did was look at the assistant and I saw it was not ruled as offside so I just started to celebrate.
“I was expecting the ball to be in front of me and then I realised I was in front of it. As the ball was behind me, the only thing I could do was a backheel so I did that and I succeeded.”
Mkhitaryan’s entrance as a 61st-minute replacement for Jesse Lingard marked his return to action after a two-match absence through injury. The Armenian insists he is now fit and ready to play his part as United bid for a fifth Premier League win in a row, at home to Middlesbrough on New Year’s Eve.
“I don’t have anything of concern from a past injury so I’m happy to be back and I’m happy to be back to help the team,” Henrikh explained. “I will try to do my best for the next game. It’s very important that we’re in good shape and to keep going like this.”
HayPost issues cards dedicated to anniversaries of Public Radio and Public TV
Two cards dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Public Radio of Armenia and the 60th anniversary of Public TV were cancelled and put into circulation today.
The cancellation of the stamps is the logical conclusion of the celebrations held throughout the year, said Arman Saghatelyan, Executive Director of Public Radio of Armenia. He revealed the plans to issue a series of stamps next year.
Executive Director of Public TV Company Margarita Grigoryan, in turn, expressed gratitude to the devoted viewers and listeners. “All we are doing is aimed at making your time better and more interesting,” she said.
The cards dedicated to Public TV and Public Radio have been issues with a print run of 1,500 and 1,000 respectively.