Author: Mary Lazarian

Thousands protest in Armenia, demand PM’s resignation

Mary Lazarian
WV News, West Virginia
Dec 22 2020
Thousands protest in Armenia, demand PM’s resignation

  • Hrant Khachatryan
  • Dec 22, 2020

   


Opposition demonstrators react while listening to a speaker during a rally to pressure Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign over a peace deal with neighboring Azerbaijan in Yerevan, Armenia, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. Opposition supporters in Armenia on Tuesday ramped up the pressure on the prime minister to resign over his handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan, setting up a protest tent camp on the capital’s main square.

Armenia’s leader backs early vote next year after mass protests

Mary Lazarian
Al-Jazeera, Qatar
Dec 25 2020

The opposition is calling for PM Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation over his handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has backed the prospect of early parliamentary elections next year, after huge protests over his handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan.

Pashinyan wrote on Facebook on Friday that he was inviting parliamentary and interested, non-parliamentary powers to talks on the subject, though he did not name an exact date for them.

“I am not hanging on to the prime minister’s seat,” he said, though he added that he was ready to continue leading “if the people reaffirm their trust in these difficult times”.

Pashinyan has been under heavy pressure since the end of fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The opposition is calling for his resignation, holding him responsible for the defeat against Azerbaijan.

Since the peace deal between the two neighbours was signed on November 10, Armenia’s opposition politicians and their supporters have been demanding that Pashinyan step down.

The accord saw Azerbaijan reclaim control over large parts of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas that it had lost in the early 1990s.

The Russia-brokered agreement ended 44 days of fierce fighting in which the Azerbaijani army routed Armenian forces.

Pashinyan has defended the peace deal as a painful but necessary move to prevent Azerbaijan from overrunning the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region.

He argued on Friday that his critics lack broad public support for their demand.

“There is only one way to get answers to these questions: by holding early parliamentary elections,” Pashinyan wrote on Facebook.

Police on Thursday arrested at least 77 people following clashes when thousands of protesters converged in capital Yerevan and surrounded the heavily guarded government building.

Opposition supporters on Friday continued blocking streets in the Armenian capital and engaged in occasional scuffles with police.

Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but was under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a war there ended in 1994.

Fighting broke out in the region on September 27 this year and lasted until November 9. In total, more than 4,600 people died on both sides – most of them soldiers. On the Armenian side alone, 60 civilians were killed.

Source : News Agencies

TURKISH press: Low-key Christmas celebrations in Iran amid pandemic

Mary Lazarian
Syed Zafar Mehdi   |25.12.2020

TEHRAN

Tehran received season’s first snowfall on Christmas Eve, spreading cheer among the country’s tiny Christian population.

This year, the revelry associated with the festival in Iran has been dampened by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing Iranian Christians to mark the occasion without traditional pomp and splendour.

On Friday, Iran recorded 6,041 new virus cases and 132 deaths, taking the overall tally to 1.18 million cases and 5,440 fatalities.

Although the cases have dropped significantly in last few weeks, the government has been wary of lifting restrictions in this festive season.

Numbering around 500,000, majority of Christians in Iran are Armenians who have lived in the country for centuries. Others are Assyrians, Catholics, Protestants, and Evangelical Christians.

In the capital Tehran, Christians are mostly concentrated in downtown Majidiyeh neighborhood, close to one of the busiest intersections of the city — Vali Asr Square.

The neighborhood, which comes alive with colorful festivities around Christmas, is remarkably quiet this year. The celebrations have shifted from streets to homes.

Interestingly, Armenian Christians, who adhere to the oriental Orthodox branch of Christianity, mark Christmas on Jan. 6, as they believe the birth and baptism of Jesus happened that day.

Armenian Christians also occupy parts of central Isfahan and northern Tabriz provinces. In the Jolfa neighborhood of Isfahan, the highlight of Christmas celebrations have always been heavily decorated pine trees in the streets and glittering prayer mass in the iconic Vank Cathedral.

“Christmas has always been special as it reminds us of our roots and traditions,” Firouzeh, 27-year-old Christian trader from Jolfa, told Anadolu Agency. “But this year the pandemic has bereft us of festivities and fun on this occasion.”

He said a large number of Armenian Christians in different parts of the country flock to Isfahan for Christmas to relish “exquisitely traditional festivities” at Vank Cathedral, the most famous church in Iran.

Apart from Armenians, there are Assyrians who follow the Assyrian Church of East and are mostly found in northern provinces of Tabriz and Urmia.

In a unique tradition, the Christmas celebrations in Iran follow weeks of fasting by Christians. The period of fasting culminates with preparation of chicken stew in every Christian household called “harissa”.

Despite low-key celebrations, many shops and malls in Tehran, Isfahan and other major cities saw tremendous rush in last few weeks as shoppers looked for traditional Christmas merchandise, Christmas tree and Santa Claus, fondly referred to as “Baba Noel” by Iranians.

– Greetings

Meanwhile, top Iranian officials greeted the country’s Christian minority on the festival.

President Hassan Rouhani termed it “an auspicious occasion” for the followers of Jesus Christ, whom he hailed as “a prophet of peace, friendship and kindness.”

Parliament Speaker Baqer Qalibaf also extended his greetings on Christmas, saying he believes the “constructive interaction among divine religions will lead to realization of peace, justice and progress of human society.”

Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in his message termed Christmas as a “joyous occasion for all mankind”.

Artsakh releases names of more KIAs

Mary Lazarian

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 09:54,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Defense of Artsakh released the names of 45 more servicemen who were killed in action in the war, bringing the total number of identified KIAs to 1860.

As of December 20, authorities had said they have examined 3248 bodies of the war victims, of whom 1860 are identified as of December 25. DNA testing is implemented in the identification process. Meanwhile, the Artsakh authorities continue searching for bodies in the battlefields.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian PM: Specific problems may arise with two settlements in Syunik

Mary Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia

Dec 24 2020

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed issues concerning the borders in Syunik Province at a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

“At this stage, work is underway to locate the border checkpoints, which involve certain subtleties and difficulties. But we are convinced that this work should be carried out, since it is necessary from the point of view of ensuring the security of Syunik and Armenia in general,” he said.

“In fact, our position and the position of the Defense Ministry is that these measures reinforce the security guarantees of Syunik and form a new system of security guarantees for Armenia and Syunik,” Pashinyan added.

The premier said specific problems may arise concerning two settlements in Syunik – Vorotan and Shurnukh.

“We have two settlements, with which specific problems may arise. It refers to the villages of Vorotan and Shurnukh of Syunik Province, where there are certain border-related issues, with everyday work being carried out for their solution. These issues may cause certain painful situations, but I want to assure that in all cases in which problems arise from the point of view of the interests of our citizens, the government will provide full and adequate compensation to our citizens and their interests will be fully protected,” Pashinyan stated.

The premier highlighted the importance of providing reliable information on the matter, since, according to him, there can be hundreds of media reports on an incident creating a widespread impression.

He said that these processes should not be treated as demarcation or delimitation of borders, but location of border points with the purpose of ensuring security. Pashinyan also said that in the morning he held a discussion with the commander of the Armenian border troops and gave specific instructions on procedures.

Catholicos Aram I declares 2021 Year of Artsakh

Mary Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia

Dec 24 2020

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has declared 2021 the Year of Artsakh, according to a statement posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

Since 2003, Catholicos Aram I has dedicated each year to an important event or a concern related to the church, culture and homeland through declarations. Due to the deep concerns of Armenians about Artsakh caused by the war, His Holiness has declared 2021 the Year of Artsakh.

The proclamation of Aram I will be read at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral of Antelias, as well as in Western Prelacy churches on January 10, 2021.

In the statement, His Holiness also urges Armenians to stay away from the New Year celebrations and instead to give the funds and gifts to the needy children of Artsakh.

 

H.E. ARAM A. CATHOLICS DECLARED 2021 AS THE YEAR OF ARTSAKH As our people know, since 2003…

Posted by His Holiness Aram I on Wednesday,

 



New exhibition marks 25th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute

Mary Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia

Dec 23 2020

An exhibition entitled “The First Quarter Century of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute” opened at the Museum’s temporary exhibition hall today to mark the 25th anniversary of establishment of AGMI.

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Vahram Dumanyan and Deputy Minister Narine Khachaturyan.

The exhibition is bilingual (Armenian, English) and includes fifteen subtitles. The exhibition presents the history of the foundation of the Tsitsernakaberd memorial and the Museum-Institute, the activities of AGMI on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the official visits of honorary guests to the museum, etc.

Some sub-titles of the temporary exhibition are dedicated to the publications of the museum-institute, museum funds and the scientific library, temporary-traveling exhibitions, the conferences and public lectures organized.

During the next quarter of a century of its activity, the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, as a pan-Armenian international organization meeting the standards of the 21st century, will continue to implement a number of projects, undertake new projects aimed at fundamental study of the Armenian Genocide.

The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (AGMI) was opened on April 24, 1995, on the 80th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.


ARS Launches ‘Stand with an Artsakh Family’ Relief Project

Mary Lazarian

December 19,  2020



YEREVAN—The Armenian Relief Society, as part of its “Stand with an Artsakh Family” initiative, on Thursday assisted the families displaced as a result of the recent Artsakh war.

ARS Central Executive Board member, Hamesd Beugekian, along with ARS Armenian Regional Board and chapter members, and ARF Armenian Youth Federation of Armenia volunteers visited the families currently residing in the Nizami, Sis, Sayat Nova, and Ghoukasavan communities of the Ararat Province. In total, 84 families received $250 for their first month’s financial assistance.

The goal of this project is to provide financial assistance to a minimum 1000 displaced families from Artsakh over the course of four months. The monthly financial assistance provided by the ARS is intended to cover food, clothing, bills, and partial housing of the displaced families.

Moreover, this year, in conjunction with its traditional “Amanor” (Yuletide) program, the ARS is distributing presents to the children of Artsakh both in Armenia and Artsakh. Thanks to the donation of ARS chapters and individuals, enough funds were raised to spread some Christmas joy among the children. Along with the start of the “Stand with an Artskah Family,” 210 displaced children living in the aforementioned communities received Christmas gifts.

Within the next couple of weeks, dedicated members of ARS and AYF Armenia, will be visiting other regions of Armenia to distribute additional funds and gifts to those in need.

Thanks to our donors, we were able to implement the first phase of our new project as part of the ARS Artsakh Emergency Assistance initiative.

DONATE NOW AND STAND WITH AN ARTSAKH FAMILY.

The Armenian Relief Society founded 1910, is an independent, nonsectarian, philanthropic society serving the humanitarian, social, and education needs of Armenian and Non-Armenians alike. The ARS operates in 27 different countries providing aid to local and international communities.

“Border adjustment” carried out near Jermuk, mayor comments on reports of Azeri troops amassing

Mary Lazarian

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 16:40,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. A “border adjustment” took place in Jermuk with participation of the Armenian military and the local government bodies, the Jermuk Mayor Vardan Hovhannisyan told ARMENPRESS when asked to comment on the reports purporting that the Azerbaijani troops are amassing at the border with Armenia to build a military base in the section which isn’t yet adjusted.

“An adjustment of the borders and positions took place, we went and agreed who will stand where. Nothing unusual happened. There won’t be any military base, unlike the purported reports. The process took place with participation of our military, I was also present,” Hovhannisyan said.

He said the Armenian military is deployed and are on-duty. The locals of Jermuk are approaching the situation with understanding, he said.

“There is simply no need to create such a fuss around this resort town. Those who are doing so are perhaps solving some objectives of theirs, but an entire city could suffer from that. In reality, Jermuk is safe, and we are expecting guests, the spas are working normally , there are no problems,” Hovhannisyan said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan