Author: Khondkarian Raffi

By Harut Sassounian
The Clifornia Courier

Federal Prosecutors indicted last week former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert for:

1) Lying to the FBI on why he had withdrawn nearly $1.7 million from various banks in the last four years,

2) Evading the reporting requirements of banks for large cash transactions.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of five-years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The indictment charges that in 2010 Hastert secretly met one of his former students and agreed to pay him $3.5 million to secure his silence for “past misconduct”, when he was a wrestling coach at the Yorkville High School in Illinois from 1965 to 1981. Since that meeting, Hastert, 73, paid him $1.7 million by withdrawing initially $50,000 at a time from several banks, and after being questioned by bank officials, he reduced each withdrawal to just under $10,000, to evade the banks’ reporting requirements.

In December 2014, when asked by the FBI as to why he had made such large cash withdrawals, Hastert made “materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statements,” the federal prosecutors said. Hastert was making these payments to his former student to conceal sexually abusing him decades ago, according to various news reports.

Hastert’s indictment is of particular interest to the Armenian-American community because of past accusations that he received large bribes from Turkish entities to quash pending Armenian Genocide resolutions, while serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007. These claims were never fully investigated by the U.S. government. After retiring from Congress, Hastert worked for Dickstein Shapiro in Washington, D.C., as a lobbyist for Turkey and other clients.

Ironically, at the start of his political career, Cong. Hastert strongly supported recognition of the Armenian Genocide. He spoke on the House floor on April 19, 1984, in favor of a congressional resolution acknowledging the Genocide. On June 5, 1996, he voted for an amendment to cut U.S. aid to Turkey until that country recognized the Armenian Genocide. Furthermore, in August 2000, Speaker Hastert met with Armenian community leaders in Glendale, pledging to bring the pending Armenian Genocide resolution to a vote, despite Pres. Clinton’s vehement objections.

However, moments before the genocide resolution was to be voted upon on October 19, 2000, Speaker Hastert yanked the bill from consideration, using the excuse that Pres. Clinton had sent him a letter raising “grave national security concerns.” How is it that the Republican House Speaker, who fiercely opposed a Democrat President on almost every issue and supported his impeachment, suddenly decides to agree with him on rejecting the Armenian Genocide resolution? Four days later, the Turkish Sabah newspaper reported that Hastert had agreed to block the resolution on condition that Pres. Clinton made such a request in writing.

Could there have been a sinister reason why Speaker Hastert had a sudden change of heart on the Armenian Genocide issue?

Vanity Fair magazine revealed in its September 2005 issue that former FBI translator Sibel Edmonds had reviewed wiretaps of Turkish phone calls claiming that Speaker Hastert’s price to withdraw the Armenian Genocide resolution would be at least $500,000. The FBI overheard Turkish speakers boasting that they have “arranged for tens of thousands of dollars to be paid to Hastert’s campaign funds in small checks” because contributions less than $200 do not have to be itemized in public filings. In fact, Vanity Fair’s examination of Speaker Hastert’s federal filings from 1996 to 2002 showed that his campaign had received close to $500,000 in un-itemized payments.

Shockingly, rather than investigating Edmonds’ credible accusations, the FBI fired her, and the US government did not allow her to testify in Congress or in court, using the “state-secrets privilege” as a cover.

Not surprisingly, Speaker Hastert’s visits to Turkey in 2002 and 2004 were funded by the Turkish-US Business Council. Consequently, in July 2004, Hastert issued a blunt statement vowing to block all future Armenian Genocide resolutions — a pledge he kept until his departure from the House in November 2007!

Interestingly, Hastert’s personal wealth went from $270,000 to up to $17 million during his two decades of service in Congress, at a time when his congressional salary was $175,000 a year! Where did his millions come from?

Six months after leaving the House, Hastert began to reap the benefits of serving Turkish interests in Congress by joining the firm Dickstein Shapiro as a lobbyist representing the Turkish government, among other clients. He worked jointly with former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, sometimes travelling together to Turkey, and splitting millions of dollars in lucrative lobbying fees. Last week, immediately after the federal indictment was issued, Hastert resigned from the lobbying firm.

A full investigation should now be conducted of all allegations against Hastert that have been ignored for far too long. The American public needs to know if he were being bribed, or even worse, blackmailed, by Turkish entities during his tenure as Speaker, the third most powerful office in Washington after the President and Vice President!

Former Olympic athlete and reality TV star Bruce Jenner, who is transitioning to life as a woman, revealed her new name as Caitlyn Jenner on Monday and posed in a white strapless leotard on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine, reports.

In a video on the magazine’s website, Jenner said the cover, which features the headline “Call me Caitlyn,” represents a liberating phase of her transition.

“Bruce always had to tell a lie,” Jenner said. “Caitlyn doesn’t have any secrets. As soon as the Vanity Fair cover comes out, I’m free.”

The cover portrait, by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, was taken in Jenner’s Malibu, California home for Vanity Fair’s July issue. The magazine will also feature other high fashion photos of Jenner.

Jenner, 65, became the most high-profile American to identify as transgender, making the announcement in an interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer in April.

Jenner, who has been prominently featured as the patriarch on E! Entertainment’s “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” will star in an E! documentary this July chronicling her new life as a woman.

The Associated Student Body Government of the University of California, Riverside on Wednesday voted unanimously to divest approximately $72.6 million in bonds and holdings in the Turkish government, reports.

“By investing $70 million in Turkish bonds, the UC system is supporting a human rights violation that the Turkish government has denied for a century. It is important that we support this divestment revolution because it shows that UC Riverside takes a strong stance against the perpetuation of genocides,” said Armenian Student Association member Petros Keosoian.

The resolution aims to divest the funds from the Turkish government “for it’s role in and the continued denial of the Armenian genocide”.

“This marks another step in the Armenian community’s call for divestment from the Republic of Turkey, following in the steps of UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, and UC Davis,” said Seto Cherchian, a member of the UC Riverside ASA and an activist from the Armenian Youth Federation.

Wednesday’s vote marks the fifth divestment resolution passed at a University of California Campus. Just last week student governments UC Irvine and UC Davis joined their peers at UCLA and UC Berkeley in passing similar resolutions. Moreover, just last month, ASUCI unanimously passed A resolution “Commemorating the Armenian Genocide and Condemning its Denial,” raising further awareness on campus about the Armenian Genocide and its need for international recognition.

The resolution is an initiative started in part by the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Western United States- a grassroots community organization dedicated to justice for the Armenian cause and the Armenian people.

Today, at the Alexander Spendiaryan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre President Serzh Sargsyan and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan attended the concert titled “Wartime Songs” held within the frames of Yerevan Perspectives International Music festival which was devoted to the valorous victories in the Great Patriotic War and the Artsakh Liberation War.

The “Wartime Songs” program was presented by world-famous operatic baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and conductor Constantine Orbelian, the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Internal Forces of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Youth Orchestra of Armenia.

President Serzh Sargsyan delivered a speech at the festive concert attended by war veterans, freedom fighters and guests.

RA President Serzh Sargsyan’s address at the concert devoted to May victories

Dear veterans,

Honorable guests,

I once again congratulate you on the occasion of May 9 – Victory and Peace Day. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the triumphant end to the Great Patriotic War. It cannot be denied that such a jubilee makes our much loved holiday appear more brightly.

The Second World War was one of the most terrific events ever happened in human history which took around 50 million lives, more than 20 million of which was brought to the altar of victory by Soviet peoples. Perhaps, these numbers are easy to say, but hard, almost impossible to imagine and comprehend. However, it occurred and it is a fact which we are obliged to remember forever.

For me the Great Victory day is first of all a day to honor war veterans. We should demonstrate more care towards the memories of all those who were killed in battle, who returned home as victors and continued to work in peace, but who are unfortunately no longer with us today. We should pay special attention to our veterans, our pride, whose presence contains an important precept for all our young people.

With their heroic deeds, all war veterans saved countries, peoples and generations. They won a truly severe struggle and deserve the highest level of gratitude. They managed to defend, thereby saving Armenia and its people as well.

Of course, during the days of May celebrations we first of all remember Armenian soldiers and officers, Armenian military commanders and heroes. Indeed, our compatriots stood that difficult test creditably. Armenians glorified their names and their people’s name on all frontlines, on land, at sea and in the air, in guerilla and underground activities.

Two decades after the Mets Eghern, Armenians living in the Soviet Union sent about half a million soldiers to fight against the enemy. They were joined by our diaspora Armenians 100 thousand of whom filled up the ranks of Allied troops during the Second World War.

Many brave Armenians of Armenia and Artsakh demonstrated brilliant acts of heroism and self-sacrifice. And it is no accident that in terms of a number of crucial indicators of participation in the Great Patriotic War, e.g. awards for heroism, highest military ranks, Heroes of the Soviet Union per 10 thousand population, we displayed high levels of effectiveness – very high. Unfortunately, for obvious reasons, the number of victims was also high.

Indeed, Armenians’ participation was so complete that we even can take pride in it. I am very sorry that today, after 70 years, some people, driven from their narrow interests, openly try to make speculations about our people’s struggle against fascism and their devotion. Firstly, everybody knows about Armenians’ devotion to true ideas, which has been proved many times throughout history. Secondly, I am not going to pay attention to such speculations and to bring forward strong counterarguments; this is a disrespectful behavior towards the magnitude of our joint historic victory. The patriotic war was won by all the Soviet peoples, and it was a glorious victory.

Yes, we, Armenians, are aware of what is meant by historical memory. Memory does not imply that we must be full of revenge and vengeance. Memory means a lesson. Anti-humanistic ideologies, misanthropic and xenophobic propaganda and bellicose rhetoric finally result in war and mass destruction of innocent people. This is the lesson that we must not forget.

All the people in the world, especially those in power, must be the preservers of historical memory. There are certain conditions necessary to preserve human nature. Those conditions are well-known and must be adhered.

Dear compatriots,

Talking about May 9 and the defense of the homeland also means for us, Armenians, to speak up about the liberation of Shushi.

The liberation of Shushi – the historical and cultural center of Artsakh – was not only a strategic necessity, but also the only precondition to survival. It was exactly in Shushi that the new generation of Armenians proved itself to be the true and genuine successor of its brave ancestors. It was exactly here that Armenians proved to themselves and to the opponent once more that we are better. We are not half-dead, frightened and poor debris that survived genocide. Once again we are a viable and strong nation that is very thirsty for and capable of living and getting liberated. We are a nation which has taken lessons from the past, but is filled with fresh zeal and has serious civilizational reserves to build its own army and state. The testimony to this is the Republic of Armenia – the homeland of all Armenians. The testimony to this is free Artsakh – the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic – with its domestic stability, economic and cultural development and democratic institutions. The testimony to this was the quite high level of the parliamentary elections held in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic last week; a thing which could hardly be comprehended by people with obscure ambitions whose only argument is brutal force. The testimony to this was the brilliant victory of the pavilion titled “Armenity” featured by 18 Armenian diaspora artists on the Island of St Lazzaro; three days ago it won the Golden Lion Award at the 56th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale.

Honorable partakers,

For us May 9 is a day of physiological, military and moral victory. It is Victory and Peace Day. Today the Armenian army and our fighters safeguarding the borders are the true guarantors of our victories and the watchful guardians of our peace. Today our soldiers not only maintain peace and tranquility in our homeland, but also are involved in international peace-keeping missions, displaying themselves brilliantly and everyday accumulating their reputation as being both professional and brave. Like their fathers, they, too, are the genuine successors of their grandfathers, and it is true.

I once again congratulate our people on the occasion of this wonderful holiday and jubilee. Peaceful and creative work lies at the core of all blessings. I wish peace to us and the whole world.

I congratulate you on your holiday, dear veterans!

I congratulate you on your holiday, dear freedom fighters!

Congratulations to us on this holiday!

ARMENIA TO SET HIGHER PENALTIES FOR COMPANIES BREAKING LA WON FAIR COMPETITION

ARKA
May 20, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, May 20, /ARKA/. Artak Shaboyan, chairman of Armenia’s
anti-trust body, said Wednesday Armenia’s law on economic competition
protection is lenient towards companies breaking the law on fair
competition.

Speaking at a meeting of the State Commission for Protection of
Economic Competition he said the legislation would be toughened setting
higher penalties for breaching companies. He said together with World
Bank experts they are revising the relating Armenian law to make it
comply with international standards which set much harder penalties. He
said also the proposed changes to the Armenian law offer much higher
penalties and other responsibility measures for unfair competition.

Under the current law a company violating the law is fined in the
amount of 2% of its turnover in the previous year, but the penalty
can not exceed 300 million Drams. ($1 – 384.56 Drams).

AMBASSADOR OF CHINA IN PARLIAMENT

National Assembly
parliament.am
May 21 2010
Armenia

On May 21 the Vice Speaker of RA National Assembly, the Head of
Armenia-China Parliamentary Friendship Group Mrs. Arevik Petrosyan
received the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the
People’s Republic of China to the RA Tian Changchun.

Greeting the guest the RA NA Vice Speaker Mrs. A. Petrosyan
congratulated Mr. Changchun on the occasion of his appointment in
the post of Ambassador, wishing success and effective activities
for the benefit of strengthening and developing the relations
between Armenia and China. In his turn, the Ambassador thanked
for warm reception. He noted that being the Head of Armenia-China
Parliamentary Friendship Group Mrs. Arevik Petrosyan paid special
attention to the Armenian-Chinese relations and had her significant
contribution in the development of those relations. According to the
Ambassador’s assessment, the inter-parliamentary relations between
China and Armenia are rather active, which also promote the activation
of the relations in other spheres.

The RA NA Vice Speaker Mrs. A. Petrosyan ensured that the Ambassador
would have the support of the NA Armenia-China Parliamentary
Friendship Group in the development and strengthening of bilateral
relations. The RA NA Vice Speaker stressed that the high level of
political dialogue and mutual visits established between the two
countries, the consecutive enlargement and deepening of cooperation
in all spheres of public-political, economic and cultural life
promote the enhancement and development of mutual understanding,
the activation of the Armenian and Chinese peoples’ contacts.

15-YEAR OLD ARMENIAN WEIGHTLIFTER WINS SILVER IN VALENCIA

Tert.am
20.05.10

Armenia earned the third medal in the European Youth Weightlifting
Championship in Valencia.

Izebal Yalyan won a silver medal in women’s competition lifting a
total of 163 kg.

Yalyan is 15 years old and weighs 53 kg.

Earlier Armenian weightlifter Smbat Margaryan (56 kg) became champion
by lifting a total of 240 kg. He lifted 105 kg in snatch exercise
and won the first place. In jerk he lifted 135 kg as first attempts
but in the following two ones Margaryan failed lifting 149 kg, though
135kg was quite enough to win the gold medal.

YEREVAN TO HOST OUR HOUSE SPECIALIZED EXHIBITION

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 19, 2010 – 14:47 AMT 09:47 GMT

On May 27-29, Yerevan will host Our House 9th international specialized
exhibition, a significant event in the business life of Armenia,
with the number of participants increasing year after year.

The exhibition includes the following categories: Building,
construction, renovation; World of furniture; Windows and doors;
Building materials and techniques; System of gas and heating services,
energy supply; Conditioning and heating system; Domestic appliances;
Paint and varnish production, household chemicals; Mortgage lending,
insurance, real estate.

Our House exhibition was first held in 2002, with a purpose to
facilitate search of new partners and expansion of sales markets
for each company participating in the it. The exhibition offers an
opportunity to exchange experience and establish new contacts between
producers and consumers, as well as to study the construction market
of Armenia.

Organized in partnership with the RA Ministry of Urban Development,
Yerevan Mayor’s Office and Armenian Development Agency, Our House
exhibition brings together major Armenian and foreign companies
operating in construction industry.

PLANS FOR NEW UN SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN CIRCULATED AMONG 15 MEMBERS OF SECURITY COUNCIL

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 19, 2010 – 18:14 AMT 13:14 GMT

Plans for a fourth set of UN sanctions against Iran over its nuclear
programme are being circulated among all 15 members of the Security
Council.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the five veto-wielding
members had agreed on a "strong" draft resolution.

The measures foresee cargo ship inspections and new banking controls.

They come despite a recent deal in which Iran agreed to send
low-enriched uranium to Turkey in return for enriched fuel for a
research reactor.

But Mrs Clinton suggested Iran had been trying to deflect pressure.

For U.S. officials the core issue was that Iran intended to continue
enriching uranium, which the UN has banned.

The Turkish deal, which Brazil helped to negotiate on Monday, was
similar to one proposed by the West and its allies last year.

The members of the Security Council, which includes Turkey and Brazil,
were holding a session behind closed doors on the resolution, but
Brazil reportedly said it would not discuss the draft "at this point".

The U.S. is quite confident of getting a majority of Council members
behind the resolution although it may not get unanimity. The vote is
expected in June. The sanctions are not as strong as Western states
would have wanted and some proposals were watered down by Russia
and China.

Russia’s UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin described the draft resolution as
"well balanced".

"That’s why we agreed to accept the text on the whole after the long
discussions and corrections of the initial proposals and we find it
to be an appropriate one," Mr Churkin was quoted as saying by Russia’s
Itar-Tass news agency.

There have been three rounds of UN sanctions against Iran, blocking
trade of "sensitive nuclear material", freezing the financial assets
of those involved in Iran’s nuclear activities, banning all of Iran’s
arms exports and encouraging scrutiny of the dealings of Iranian banks.

The U.S. and its Western allies fear that Iran is secretly trying
to build a nuclear bomb. Tehran says its program is aimed solely at
peaceful energy use, BBC News reported.

‘AZERBAIJAN HAS RIGHT TO PROTECT ITS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY’

news.az
May 18 2010
Azerbaijan

Polad Bulbuloglu With collapse of the USSR independent Azerbaijan
faced with aggression and occupation of 20% of its territory by
Armenia envoy, Polad Bulbuloglu said.

The Azerbaijani ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu spoke at the
event dedicated to Azerbaijan’s contribution to the Victory in Great
Patriotic War.

An event devoted to Azerbaijan’s contribution to the Victory in the
Great Patriotic War was held at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian
Foreign Ministry under support of the Azerbaijani embassy on May 17.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Polad Bulbuloglu stressed the
importance of this meeting, pointing to the need to inform the younger
generation of the truth about history.

The Ambassador noted with regret that with the collapse of the USSR
independent Azerbaijan faced with aggression and occupation of 20%
of its territory by Armenia. The ambassador stressed that Azerbaijan
has an inalienable right to defend the homeland, while demonstrating
commitment to the soonest settlement of the conflict through
international efforts, in which Russia plays one of the leading roles.

He also spoke about the current high level of mutually advantageous
relations between Azerbaijan and Russia on strategic inputs.