Author: Manouk Vasilian

Azerbaijani authorities convert Armenian church into mosque in Nagorno Karabakh

Manouk Vasilian

 12:04,

YEREVAN, JUNE 23, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani government is turning an Armenian church into a mosque in the territories under its control in Nagorno Karabakh.

A government agency in Nagorno Karabakh posted images online showing the St. Hambardzum Church of Berdzor (Lachin) in Nagorno Karabakh being converted into a mosque.

“Azerbaijan is turning the St. Hambardzum Church of Berdzor into a mosque. Appropriation of history, destruction of cultural identity, religious intolerance and falsification,” the State Service of Preservation of Historic Environment of Nagorno Karabakh said in a statement.

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Eastern Prelacy announces schedule for October Pontifical visit

Manouk Vasilian
 The Armenian Weekly Community News 0

Catholicos Aram I and His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian with children at St. Hagop Church in Niagara Falls

NEW YORK—The Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church announced last Thursday that it is finalizing plans to welcome Catholicos Aram I in October. The itinerary for the pontifical visit of His Holiness to the Eastern United States will include all parishes from Washington, D.C. to Wisconsin:

October 20-24: Watertown, MA
October 24-25: Worcester, MA
October 25-26: Indian Orchard, MA
October 26-27: Troy, NY
October 27: New Britain, CT
October 28-31: Providence, RI
October 31: Whitinsville, MA
November 1: North Andover, MA
November 2-3: Granite City, IL
November 3-5: Glenview, IL
November 6: Waukegan, IL
November 6: Racine, WI
November 7-8: Detroit, MI
November 8-14: Washington, D.C.
November 14-15: Philadelphia, PA
November 15-17: Ridgefield, NJ
November 17-21: New York City

His Holiness, who recently wrapped up his pontifical visit to Canada, also made a scheduled detour to visit the Armenian community of Niagara Falls, New York, along with his pontifical delegation, including Archbishop Papken Tcharian, Prelate of Canada, Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate of the Western Prelacy, Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian, Dean of the Theological Seminary and staff-bearer, and Krikor Mahserejian, co-chair of the Central Executive Council of the Holy See.

Led by a Canadian police procession, His Holiness was welcomed at the United States border by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the US, and the faithful. United States police escorted the procession to the Cemetery of Niagara Falls, where a requiem service was conducted for the souls of the deceased members of the local Armenian community.

Subsequently, His Holiness visited St. Hagop Church of Niagara Falls. As the choir and clergy sang the customary liturgical hymn “Hrashapar,” the Catholicos entered the church to a warm welcome by Archbishop Anoushavan and the parishioners. A reception to honor His Holiness was held afterwards at the parish hall. During the luncheon, remarks were made by the chair of the church’s Board of Trustees, Mayor of Niagara Falls Robert Restaino, and the Prelate.

Following an exchange of souvenirs, His Holiness addressed the audience and expressed his joy for the opportunity, recalling his frequent visits to the community as a student studying in New York. He also commended the fact that the Armenian spirit is kept alive in the community.




Armenian Prime Minister holds meeting with Russian Deputy PM

Manouk Vasilian

 14:28, 14 June 2023

YEREVAN, JUNE 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has held a meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.

Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan also participated in the meeting.

The Prime Minister said that the Armenian-Russian relations have a rich agenda and that the two countries are also working in the direction of implementing clause 9 of the 9-10 November 2020 trilateral statement.

“As you know, we are interested in the opening of all transport and economic connections in the region, unblocking, based on the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the parties, through which these possible infrastructures are passing. I am sure today we will discuss certain aspects, I am happy to meet you on this occasion,” the Armenian Prime Minister said at the meeting, according to a readout released by his office.

Overchuk mentioned the substantial meeting between the Armenian and Russian Prime Ministers held recently in Sochi and said that bilateral partnership is successfully developing. The Russian Deputy PM noted that bilateral trade grew 96% in the first five months of 2023.

The Armenian PM and Russian Deputy PM discussed the results of the negotiations held within the framework of the Armenia-Russia-Azerbaijan deputy prime ministerial working group for the unblocking of transport and economic connections in South Caucasus. In this context, PM Pashinyan and Deputy PM Overchuk discussed issues related to the restoration of railway connection and implementation of border and customs control based on sovereignty and jurisdiction of the parties.

Overchuk also held a meeting with his counterpart Mher Grigoryan before the meeting with Pashinyan.

We hope the message from the Armenian side will be a stimulus, pushing negotiation process on a positive path – Borrell

Manouk Vasilian

 19:48,

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. During the five-sided meeting held in Moldova, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan recognized each other’s territorial integrity. Armenia has accepted Artsakh as a constituent part of Azerbaijan, with Nikol Pashinyan being the first Armenian leader to make such a statement, and the EU hopes that official Baku will receive this message and pay more attention to the rights and security issues of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, ARMENPRESS reports, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said during the discussion on “Relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the Lachin Corridor” in the European Parliament.

“We hope that the message of the Armenian side will be an incentive, pushing the negotiation process to a positive direction,” Borrell said.

The head of EU diplomacy also highly appreciated the role of the Russian peacekeeping troops in Nagorno-Karabakh, which, according to him, is an important factor in the resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

Council of Paris unanimously adopts a resolution to provide urgent aid to the people of Artsakh

Manouk Vasilian

 13:40,

YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. The Council of Paris recently unanimously adopted a resolution on “the provision of urgent aid to the population of Artsakh and the people of Artsakh who have taken refuge in the Republic of Armenia”, ARMENPRESS reports, the Armenian Embassy in France informed.

The resolution emphasizes that as a result of the illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan since December 12, 2022, 120,000 people of Artsakh are cut off from the rest of the world, notes that on November 27, the Council of Paris adopted a call-resolution addressed to the French government regarding the recognition of the Republic of Artsakh, the assistance provided to the population of Artsakh by the various administrative territorial units of France, the many calls of support and solidarity addressed to the Armenian people by the Paris Municipality, Yerevan’s membership in the International Association of Francophone Mayors, highlights providing another support to Artsakh Armenians by the city of Paris.

The City Council also authorizes the Mayor of Paris to call on other administrative territorial units of France and foreign cities that are members of the IAFM to join the initiative of urgent support, the aim of which is to support the people of Artsakh who have taken refuge in the Republic of Armenia and to deliver food to the people of Artsakh through a humanitarian convoy.

Armenia doesn’t have territorial claims against any neighbor, including Azerbaijan – Vice Speaker

Manouk Vasilian

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 14:03, 24 May 2023

YEREVAN, MAY 24, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has no territorial claims against any of its neighbors, including Azerbaijan, the Vice Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Hakob Arshakyan has said.

“Armenia proceeds from the position that we don’t have any territorial demand from any neighbor, including Azerbaijan, This means that we need to clarify the state borders and the territories which belong to our states. The issue is about the approaches of the logic of the peace treaty, the issue is about clarifying the principles. When we speak about numbers, we speak about exactness,” Arshakyan said. 

He added that in this context the Nagorno Karabakh issue is perceived within these approaches in a way that an international format must be created around the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh and Stepanakert and Baku must launch dialogue.

“When the people of Artsakh [Nagorno Karabakh] speak about their rights and security, it means that they are present around the negotiation table, and our entire negotiation logic in this regard changed when they were absent from the negotiation table. The moment President Robert Kocharyan started negotiating not only on behalf of Armenia but also Artsakh, it indirectly turned out that Armenia has a territorial dispute which Azerbaijan. Now we are saying that we don’t have a territorial dispute with Azerbaijan. Meaning, we reciprocally recognize each other’s territorial integrity, and then international mechanisms are launched, which are responsible for coordinating dialogue between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan and guarantees of the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh,” Arshakyan said.

Researchers report use of NSO Group spyware against Armenia in military conflict

Manouk Vasilian
UPI
May 25 2023
By Clyde Hughes

May 25 (UPI) — Researchers on Thursday reported Azerbaijan and the NSO Group, a previous client of Azerbaijan, have used military-grade spyware to hack members of the Armenia civil society along with journalists, human rights activities and at least one United Nations official.

Researchers at Access Now, CyberHUB-AM, the Citizen Lab and others said they found the hacking campaign using the Pegasus military spyware appears to be connected to military conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The hacking of individuals connected with Armenia was first found in November 2021, two months after the clashes between the country and Azerbaijan.

“The Armenia spyware victims include a former Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia (the Ombudsperson), two Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Armenian Service journalists, a United Nations official, a former spokesperson of Armenia’s Foreign Ministry (now an NGO worker), and seven other representatives of Armenian civil society,” Access Now said in a statement.

“Circumstantial evidence suggests that the targeting is related to the military conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh (also referred to as the Republic of Artsakh in Armenia) between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This is the first documented evidence of the use of Pegasus spyware in an international war context.”

The powerful Pegasus spyware, which can hack into and remotely control any phone, has never been documented in a military conflict.

“This investigation highlights the grave nature of spyware threats rippling across civil societies in Armenia and Azerbaijan,” said Donncha O Cearbhaill, head of Amnesty International’s Security Lab, which also participated in the research.

“The authorities must stop all efforts to stifle freedom of _expression_ and undertake an independent and transparent investigation into the attacks with Pegasus uncovered in both countries.”

Food: Find a Rare Armenian Delicacy Inside This North Hollywood Ghost Kitchen

Manouk Vasilian
May 25 2023

Plus, under-the-radar OC eats, we all scream for ice cream, and more

by Cathy Chaplin  May 25, 2023, 9:51am PDT


Anahit Jibinlian and her daughters, Luiza and Alice, recently debuted Khurjin House from a ghost kitchen in North Hollywood to bring a lesser-known Armenian delicacy called khurjin to Angelenos. The lavash-wrapped parcels are filled with stewed meat (pork, chicken, or beef) and vegetables (bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes) along with fresh herbs (dill, cilantro, and parsley) and a vinegar-spiked sauce with just a hint of heat. The dish is named after the traditional saddle bag that it resembles.

Word of mouth among the local Armenian community is keeping Khurjin House busy, but the family-run business believes its signature dish will appeal to those outside the community as well, Anahit tells Eater. Both single-portion and family-sized khurjin are available to order for delivery through Instagram direct message or by phone at (818) 207-9982.

Santa Barbara-based McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams released a new flavor for summer: matcha coconut crisp. Find ceremonial-grade matcha, coconut ribbons, and chocolate-covered rice crisps in every scoop. Look for banana split and root beer float flavors in scoop shops soon.

Thrifty just released a new summer-inspired flavor too: strawberry lemonade sherbet. Swing by local Rite Aid stores for a taste. Also, the price for two single-scoop Thrifty ice cream cones is $3 from now until June 3.

Lastly, CVT Soft Serve is selling its wares in the freezer aisle at LA-area Gelson’s. Single-serving pouches are priced at $4.99 each and come in chocolate or vanilla.


https://la.eater.com/2023/5/25/23724427/khurjin-house-north-hollywood-los-angeles-armenian-specialty-delicacy-ghost-kitchen

Pashinyan congratulates King of Jordan, PM on Independence Day

Manouk Vasilian

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 10:40,

YEREVAN, MAY 25, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has sent congratulatory messages to King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein Al-Hashimi of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Prime Minister, Minister of Defense Bisher Al-Khasawneh on the occasion of Independence Day.

The congratulatory message addressed to the King of Jordan states:

“Your Royal Highness,

On the occasion of the national holiday of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Independence Day, I convey to you my sincere congratulations and best wishes.

Armenia highly values the traditionally friendly relations with Jordan and is highly interested in further expanding the mutually beneficial Armenian-Jordanian cooperation on both bilateral and multilateral platforms for the benefit of both peoples.

I warmly recall your historic visit to Armenia and the meeting with you, during which a number of important agreements were reached.

Taking this opportunity, I wish you good health and new success, and peace and permanent progress to the friendly people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”

The message addressed to the Prime Minister of Jordan reads as follows,

“Your Excellency,

I convey to you my sincere congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The centuries-old friendly ties between the Armenian and Jordanian peoples create a solid foundation for developing Armenian-Jordanian relations and moving them to a new qualitative level. I am confident that with joint efforts we will be able to further expand our mutually beneficial cooperation for the benefit of both peoples.

Taking this opportunity, I wish you good health and success, and continued development and all the best to the friendly people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”