Author: Lilit Nahapetian

Gloucester author releases memoir of Armenian Genocide

Lilit Nahapetian
Manchester Wicked Local, MA
 
 
 
 
By The following was submitted to the Cape Ann Beacon:
Posted at 11:00 AM
   
 
A Gloucester author recently released a memoir of the Armenian Genocide, The Prince of Wentworth Street.”
 
April 24 marks the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Turkey. This dark period in our world’s history is an event that the Turkish government, to this day, not only doesn’t recognize but silences people who do with arcane criminal laws. Very little is written about this cataclysmic time in history.
 
When journalist John Christie found himself struggling in his own life, he decided to use his investigative skills as a journalist to turn the lens on his own history. What he discovered about his family’s past opened his eyes to a world he could have never imagined, a world lived in the shadow of genocide.
 
In 1909 Christie’s grandmother, Gulenia Hovsepian, was a nine-year-old girl in Turkey. One day she was sent by her family to herd cows on a hill above her village. A boy ran up to her warning there were armed men coming for people like her and by the end of the day her father was murdered and the rest of her family went into hiding.
 
 
 
In Christie’s memoir, “The Prince of Wentworth Street,” he recounts a childhood of learning from his grandmother Gulenia about the obstacles and triumphs she experienced. Christie recounts the stories his grandmother told him about fleeing Turkey in 1919 when she was only nineteen-years-old. She came to America as a mail order bride after World War I. She not only braved the Great Depression but raised six children on her own after her husband’s unexpected passing. She then watched her own children go off to war.
 
Christie’s life in juxtaposition was sheltered. As Gulenia’s first grandchild, he grew up at the end of a dead-end street in a tenement in Dover, New Hampshire, as the golden child. Not facing the struggles his grandmother endured but hearing her vivid tales of triumph in the face of adversity allowed him to find strength in her legacy.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Coronavirus: Most of the infected people recover in Iran

Lilit Nahapetian

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 15:43,

YEREVAN, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS. According to the latest data, the number of people infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iran has increased by 1,1194, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 85,996, the Armenian Embassy in Iran said.

94 more deaths have been registered in the past one day. The death roll has risen to 5,391.

3,311 citizens are in serious condition.

2,148 more patients have recovered, and the total number of recoveries has reached 63,113.

In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global pandemic and named the virus COVID-19. 

According to the data of the World Health Organization, coronavirus cases have been confirmed in more than 210 countries and territories.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




India sends medical aid to Armenia

Lilit Nahapetian

India sends mediacal aid to Armenia

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 19:51,

YEREVAN, APRIL 21, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan had a telephone conversation with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. ARMENPRESS reports Jaishankar tweeted about his conversation with the Armenian FM, noting that the medical aid sent by India to Armenia is expected to arrive soon.

”I had a warm conversation with the Foreign Minister of brotherly Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. We discussed the strengthening of our friendship even at the time when we are fighting against coronavirus. We appreciate Armenia’s careful attitide towards the Indian students studying iin Armenia. We expect our medical aid to arrive soon”, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar wrote.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

Artsakh coronavirus cases reach 7

Lilit Nahapetian

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 16:55,

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, ARMENPRESS. A new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in the Republic of Artsakh, Artsakh’s information center reports.

“The ministry of healthcare of Artsakh informs that the results of the 10 out of 11 tests conducted yesterday have been received, and 9 citizens tested negative for coronavirus. The new case has been confirmed in one of the representatives of the medical staff who contacted a resident of Karvachar who has been transported to the Republican medical center earlier. Currently works are being done to isolate the direct contacts of the healthcare worker”, the statement says. “We will inform about the test result of the remaining one citizen later after getting the result”.

The information center again urges to follow the official news to avoid fake and unverified reports.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Artsakh has reached 7. 2 patients have already recovered.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Serzh Sargsyan: I have never been guided by conspiracy theories

Lilit Nahapetian
Panorama, Armenia

The hearing of Armenia’s former President Serzh Sargsyan at the parliamentary commission examining the 2016 April War lasted for five hours and ended minutes ago. 

“I have made sure that my decision to participate in the hearing of the parliamentary commission was justified. The hearing went normal in an atmosphere of mutual respect,  and I am happy that I could provide additional information about the April war,” Sargsyan told reporters at a short briefing after the end of the parliamentary commission sitting.

Sargsyan next noted that he had no opportunity to take all questions not because of to the secrecy of the information but for the truth he is eager to communicate later. “My aim is clear to give the public an actual and true information about military activities that resulted in the victory of our Armed Forces, civil society and the people in general not only on the battlefield but also on the diplomatic front.”

The former president  once again stressed that he would answer all questions of reporters once the state of emergency is lifted in Armenia. As to the theories of conspiracy, Sargsyan said: “Let me just stress that I have neither been guided by conspiracy  theories nor the world, our partners, allies, tried to plot against the Armenian people. Apparently, we have enemies, but we also enjoy the friendships of numerous partners.  I would recommend not to let conspiracies guide you,” Sargsyan added. 

The USA to provide 2,000 tests to Armenia

Lilit Nahapetian
Aysor, Armenia
April 8 2020

The United States, through the International Atomic Energy Agency, recently provided a total of $6 million to support the agency’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 outbreak around the world – including in Armenia, the U.S. Embassy reports.

“U.S. funds will provide COVID-19 testing kits, and Armenia is receiving 2,000 tests,” the embassy said.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 08-04-20

Lilit Nahapetian

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 17:38, 8 April, 2020

YEREVAN, 8 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 8 april, USD exchange rate down by 2.79 drams to 496.58 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 3.63 drams to 539.43 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.06 drams to 6.56 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 2.69 drams to 612.23 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 319.39 drams to 26330.96 drams. Silver price up by 8.64 drams to 240.68 drams. Platinum price up by 316.97 drams to 11830.37 drams.

Ceasefire violation by Azerbaijan on border has no justification – Armenian MFA spox

Lilit Nahapetian

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 13:54, 31 March, 2020

YEREVAN, MARCH 31, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s foreign ministry strongly condemns Azerbaijan’s March 30 attempts to escalate the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, MFA spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan said at a press conference.

“This violation provoked during the ceasefire has no justification, especially when currently the medical resources of all countries of the world, including the countries of the region, are directed for the fight against the novel coronavirus”, the MFA spokeswoman said.

On March 30, at around 19:00-19:30, the Azerbaijani forces fired shots from various caliber weapons at Armenia’s military positions located in Noyemberyan town of Tavush province, as well as at the direction of Baghanis and Voskevan villages.

2 soldiers and a 14-year-old child from Voskevan village have been injured from the Azerbaijani shooting.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Azerbaijani press: Ambassador: Turkey to never recognize so-called "elections" in occupied Nagorno-Karabakh

Lilit Nahapetian
NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT1 April 2020 13:41 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Apr. 1

By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:

Turkey’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is absolutely clear and unambiguous, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Erkan Ozoral told Trend on April 1.

According to him, Turkey considers any political activity carried out in this region as illegal.

“Therefore, Turkey will never recognize the so-called “elections” held in Nagorno Karabakh on March 31. Besides, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs also made such a statement. Turkey supports the speedy settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the restoration of justice, which is delayed for more than 30 years,” Ozoral said.

“We urge the conflict sides to resolve the conflict through negotiations. This conflict must be quickly resolved within territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized borders, in accordance with the norms and principles of international law,” the ambassador added.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding districts)

ANCA calls on Secretary Pompeo to reprogram $25 million in Armenia aid to fight COVID-19

Lilit Nahapetian
Public Radio of Armenia
April 3 2020

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) today called on Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to immediately reprogram $25 million from the Congressional appropriated aid package for Armenia as part of an expanded U.S. assistance program to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic with urgently needed medical equipment and supplies, technical assistance, and support for at-risk families.

In a letter sent today to the State Department making this $25 million request, ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian shared thanks for the Administration’s initial $1.1 million emergency allocation and expressed the Armenian American community’s appreciation for all those at the Department of State and partner agencies who are striving selflessly to represent the United States, protect American citizens, support our allies, and help end this pandemic.

Hamparian noted that the European Union recently announced that it is reprogramming over 30 million Euros in existing funding to help Armenia bolster its COVID-19 efforts, and also making additional funds available for Armenia to acquire medical devices and equipment, support small and medium-sized businesses, and help ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches low-income families.

The full text of the ANCA letter is provided below and available here:

Dear Secretary Pompeo:

I am writing on behalf of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) to request that you reprogram at least $25 million in funds already appropriated by Congress to assist the Republic of Armenia effectively and efficiently respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ANCA appreciates the initial tranche of funds ($1.1 million) made available by the U.S. Department of State to Armenia in response to the pandemic following President Trump’s signing of H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act into law on March 27, 2020.

In this regard, we also appreciate the remarks you delivered on March 26, 2020, when you stated that “our leadership in the COVID-19 response is another example of how America—our government, our businesses and organizations, and our people—continues to be the world’s greatest humanitarians.

Between existing resources, supplemental funding, the private sector, and the generous spirit of the American people, the United States is leading – and will continue to lead – the effort to combat this dangerous pathogen and its threat to global health and security.”

Today, we urge the Department of State, in cooperation with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other relevant agencies and departments– to immediately reprogram funding already appropriated for Armenia to assist the nation’s Ministry of Health, which is charged with battling the pandemic. Specifically, we encourage USAID to reprogram existing foreign aid funds to make them available to: a) allow Armenian officials to procure necessary medical equipment and supplies; b) bolster tracking efforts to rapidly bend the curve to level off COVID-19 cases among the general population, and; c) provide financial assistance to well respected non-profit organizations serving families in need across the Republic of Armenia, with a focus on seniors, the disabled, and children.

As you may know, several days ago the European Union announced that it is both reprogramming 33 million Euros in existing funding to help Armenia bolster its COVID-19 efforts, and also making an additional 18 million Euros available for Armenia to acquire medical devices and equipment, support small and medium-size business, and help ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches low-income families.

During the Centennial of United States – Armenia relations, President Donald Trump celebrated this enduring friendship by expressing his hope that “our partnership, that started 100 years ago, will further strengthen.”  In this spirit, we call on you to direct the immediate reprogramming of at least $25 million in funds already appropriated by Congress to assist the Republic of Armenia to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.