Author: nina hovnanian

SYRIAN GOTV. TROOPS TAKE REBEL-HELD TOWN NEAR LEBANESE BORDER: REPORT

April 14, 2014 – 14:12 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Syrian state media reported that pro-government
troops have seized a rebel-held town near the border with Lebanon,
continuing a march to dislodge opposition strongholds from along the
rugged frontier.

According to the Associated Press, the state news agency SANA said
Syrian forces took Sarkha early Monday, April 14, a day after seizing
the nearby town of Rankous.

Since November, forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad have
captured several rebel strongholds in the mountainous Qalamoun area
along the border with Lebanon. The frontier region has long served
as a vital supply line for opposition into Damascus.

Syrian soldiers are being aided in their Qalamoun offensive by the
Iranian-backed Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.

OPINION: UKRAINE SCENARIO HAS CIA MODUS OPERANDI WRITTEN ALL OVER IT

© REUTERS/ Maks Levin
13:42 14/04/2014

MOSCOW, April 14 (RIA Novosti), Daria Chernyshova – The events
unfolding in Ukraine are in line with other international Central
Intelligence Agency operations, George Mapp, an investigative
journalist and a contributor to the Daily Journalist, told RIA Novosti
on Monday.

“The Ukraine scenario that has developed over the last several
months has the CIA’s modus operandi written all over it,” Mapp told
RIA Novosti.

“As far as the Central Intelligence Agency being involved in the
protests, yes it is extremely likely that they have not only been
involved but also engineered and orchestrated the protests from the
onset,” he added.

Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has said CIA director
John Brennan met with Kiev authorities over the weekend.

A source close to Ukraine’s security agencies confirmed the CIA
director visited the country under a false name and might have
travelled to the city of Slaviansk in Eastern Ukraine, where Kiev
authorities suppressed pro-federalization demonstrations by force. The
decision to sanction the use of weapons and provoke bloodshed might
have been influenced by the CIA chief.

“Yes, I do believe that CIA director Brennan was in Kiev on Saturday,”
Mapp said.

“I have not as of yet received direct confirmation from any of my
sources. Not only is the CIA extremely experienced in political coups,
they have a history and thus experience in Ukraine. I am referring
to the ‘Orange Revolution’ in 2004 and 2005,” he added.

At least three people, including a pro-federalization supporter, were
killed in the clashes between forces loyal to Kiev, including Right
Sector fighters, and the local protestors, who had seized a local
government building, a district police department and a security
service office.

On Sunday, Ukraine’s acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on
his Facebook page that an operation was underway in the city involving
“all the country’s law enforcement agencies.”

CIA veterans, who wished to remain anonymous, told RIA Novosti
they were skeptical about Brennan’s visit to Ukraine. The political
standoff between the West and Russia over Ukraine “is an extremely
important and delicate chess match,” according to Mapp, so a visit
of a high-ranking US official would be quite possible.

“The huge importance and implications depending on the outcome of
this multi-faceted political chess match – it makes perfect sense
that CIA director John Brennan would himself go to Ukraine,” Mapp said.

“Also, I don’t think that director Brennan would mind a bit of time
away and a temporary distraction from Senator Feinstein and the Senate
Intelligence Committee due to the current situation in Washington,”
he added.

The US Embassy in Kiev hosted several training sessions for young
digital enthusiasts known as “TechCamps” across Ukraine over the
past two years. A TechCamp in Warsaw last October was attended by
representatives of Polish NGOs and “socially active students from
Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Belarus.”

The workshop in October 2012 in Kiev was kicked off by US Ambassador
to Ukraine John F. Tefft, who expressed America’s commitment to
youth development and said that technology in the hands of teachers,
librarians, and youth advocates “gives hope for the future.”

On Monday Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia
is not interested in interfering in Ukraine’s domestic affairs. “It
contradicts our interests,” he said at a press conference with the
Sudanese foreign minister in Moscow. He also condemned the decision
to use force, including army troops, against protesters in eastern
Ukraine as extremely dangerous.

RUSSIA TEST-FIRES YARS INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE

April 14, 2014 – 16:59 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Russian Strategic Missile Forces test-fired on
Monday, April 14, an RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile
from a launch site in the country’s northwest, the Defense Ministry
said, according to RIA Novosti.

According to a ministry’s spokesman, Col. Igor Yegorov, the launch
was carried out at 10.40 am Moscow time (06:40 GMT) from a mobile
launcher at the Plesetsk space center.

The test was successful as the simulated warhead hit a designated
target at the Kura test range on Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula,
Yegorov said.

The fifth-generation RS-24 Yars (NATO reporting name SS-29) is an
upgraded version of the Topol-M ballistic missile that was first
tested in 2007.

The RS-24 ICBM can carry multiple independently-targetable nuclear
warheads designed to evade missile defense systems to a range of
12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles).

The Defense Ministry previously said the Topol-M and RS-24 ballistic
missiles would be the mainstays of the ground-based component of
Russia’s nuclear triad and would account for no less than 80 percent
of the SMF’s arsenal by 2016.

‘HOLY FIRE’ COMING TO CYPRUS ON SATURDAY

April 14, 2014-

By Alexia Evripidou

The Holy Light, an Orthodox Easter tradition is to be collected from
Jerusalem this week by Cyprus Church’s, Archimandrite Jerome, and made
available to all the faithful during mass for Easter celebration on
Saturday night.

The ‘Holy Light’, also referred to as the ‘Holy Fire’ by Orthodox
Christians. It comes from the ‘blue fire’ that said to emanate from
within the burial site of Jesus in the Church of the Holy

Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The Orthodox Patriarch then lights his candle
from the ‘blue fire’ and passes it on to the congregation present at
the annual ceremony.

The light will be flown into Larnaca airport on a special flight
from Jerusalem on Saturday evening, where it will be met with an
official reception at 6.30pm. It will then continue its journey to
the Archbishopric in Nicosia, where it will be made available to the
faithful at 8pm.

“Bishop Chrystomos [of Kition] and I will fly to Jerusalem on Good
Friday to bring the Holy Light for everyone to come and collect on
Easter Saturday. Priests, clergy and the general public; Orthodox and
non Orthodox, can all turn up,” Archimandrite Jerome told the Cyprus
Mail on Monday.

Bishop Chrystostomos will then take the light to the Archbishopric
in Nicosia where it will be handed over to Archbishop Chrystostomos
who will make it available to everyone during Saturday night’s service.

People can keep their candles alight for 40 days after Easter, if
they wish.

The Holy Light’s ceremony in Jerusalem consists of three stages:
the procession, the Patriarch’s entrance into the Holy Tomb and the
Patriarchs prayer in order for the Holy Light to appear. It is thought
that the Holy Fire’s’ purpose is to ‘light the whole of mankind for
a better tomorrow’.

Saturday will see thousands of pilgrims gathering in Jerusalem to
participate in or witness the annual event.

Cyprus is one of several countries following this religious tradition,
some others include: Armenia, Georgia, Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria,
Russia, Montenegro, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. All of which fly the
Holy Light to their country by special flights.

Azeri-Press news agency (APA), Azerbaijan
April 11, 2014 Friday

NATO’s opportunities to participate in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
settlement are limited

Anakhanum Idoyatova; “NATO has information about the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict, but for various reasons, its opportunities to participate in
and contribute to this process are limited,” said Azerbaijani Deputy
Foreign Minister Araz Azimov, APA reports.

He said that repeatedly supported the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Azerbaijan and other regional countries at its summits at
the highest level, NATO has already expressed support for the
resolution of conflicts basing on these principles: “NATO is not
directly involved in discussions, but the support for these principles
is a very significant factor. Of course, we hold discussions with NATO
within wide geographical and conceptual frameworks. All factors that
can affect Euro-Atlantic security, including the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict are being discussed.”

The Ararat-Eskijian Museum
Presents a Talk and book signing
By
Professor Richard Hovannisian
“Armenian Kesaria/Kayseri and Cappadocia”

Sunday April 27,, 2014,
4:30pm
Ararat-Eskijian Museum
Sheen Chapel
15105 Mission Hills Road
Mission Hills Calif., 91343

Prof_-HOV-Armenian-Book_Page_1-199×300

“Armenian Kesaria/Kayseri and Cappadocia” focuses on the history, religion,
economic and social life, and cultural, educational, and political
developments of the Armenians in the city of Kesaria (Gesaria) and its many
outlying villages, including Talas, Everek, Fenesse, Tomarza, Chomakhlu,
Injesu, Efkere, and Germir. There are several contributors to this volume
along with Professor Richard Hovannisian.
This volume derives from one of the 18 international conferences organized
by Hovannisian between 1997 and 2010 relating to important historic Armenian
regions, nearly all of which are now devoid of their native Armenian
inhabitants.

Professor Hovannisian is the past holder of the AEF Chair in Modern History
at UCLA.
He is the author of Armenia on the Road to Independence, the 4-volume
history The Republic of Armenia, and has edited and contributed to more than
20 books including The Armenian Genocide in Perspective, The Armenian People
from Ancient to Modern Times, Remembrance and Denial, Looking Backward,
Moving Forward, and The Armenian Genocide: Cultural and Ethical Legacies.

The Ararat-Eskijian Museum
Presents an illustrated talk
By
Dr. Nicholas Al- Jeloo

“Armenian and Assyrian Cooperation and Co-Habitation in Iran’s Urmia Region”

Sunday May 4th, 4:00pm

Ararat-Eskijian Museum/
Sheen Chapel
15105 Mission Hills Rd,
Mission Hills Ca 91345

urmia

Text Box: While much information and research has enlightened understanding
of Armenians from Isfahan, little other information exists in English about
Armenians living in other parts of Iran, even Armenians in Tabriz, a
prosperous and important urban community. Like the Assyrians who were
largely based in villages throughout the Middle East, the Armenians of the
Urmia plain led agrarian lives for much of the 19th century and even when
they moved into Urmiah, a hub of agrarian wholesale markets in wheat and
raisins, they often engaged in trade that involved their village roots. For
instance, the Minassian family, who held the wheat wholesale market, was
married into an Assyrian family from Gulpashan, one of the richest towns on
the Urmia plain. Dr. Al-Jeloo’
Dr. Nicholas Al-Jeloo is an Australian-Assyrian whose high-quality
photographs have been used in art and history books about the Middle East,
such as ChristophBaumer’

US Official News
April 11, 2014 Friday

Washington: SPEECH OF HON. SANDER M. LEVIN OF MICHIGAN IN THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014

Washington

The Library of Congress, The Government of USA has issued the following Speech:

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 99th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The 9th Congressional District of Michigan, which I represent, is home
to a vibrant Armenian-American community. Every member of this
community has been tragically affected by the Armenian Genocide,
despite the distance of time. I am proud to call them my friends. And
I am proud to stand with them today.

This time every year, we pause in solemn remembrance and honor the
victims who perished at the hands of the Ottoman Empire 99 years ago.
The Armenian Genocide, an intentional and systematic campaign of mass
murder, began with the deliberate targeting of 300 Armenian leaders
and culminated in one and half million dead and 500,000 forcibly
exiled from their homes.

And while the primary purpose of Armenian Remembrance Day is to
remember, it also serves another important purpose. Indeed, the act of
remembering, the commitment to never forget, sends a clear message to
the world that we cannot abide a culture of impunity. That we will not
gloss over historical atrocities.

[Page: E579] GPO’s PDF

That we must not fail to hold to account those responsible for gross
human rights violations. If we fail to remember horrific acts like the
Armenian Genocide, we doom ourselves to repeat the most tragic
chapters of history.

Accordingly, during my time in Congress, I have cosponsored House
resolutions that have clearly stated the U.S. record regarding the
true nature of the Armenian Genocide–an officially orchestrated
ethnic execution of innocent men, women and children.

In closing, I respectfully request that all my colleagues join me
today in honoring the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

Kessab leader Garo Manjikian addresses the town hall via Skype

April 11, 2014

Hundreds Attend AYF’s Town Hall Meeting on #SaveKessab

GLENDALE–The Armenian Youth Federation – Western Region hosted a town
hall meeting on Wednesday at the Krikor and Mariam Karamanoukian
Glendale Youth Center. Hundreds were in attendance as representatives
from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the Armenian National
Committee of America, the Kessab Educational Association of Los
Angeles, and the Syrian-Armenian Relief Fund presented information
about the recent attacks on the predominantly Armenian town of Kessab,
Syria, as well as Turkey’s involvement in the occurrences.

Vahe Lepedjian, a member of the AYF-WR Central Executive, explained in
his opening remarks that the AYF-WR thought it necessary to hold this
meeting in order to present the community with up-to-date and accurate
information regarding the recent occurrences in Kessab. Over the past
few weeks, the AYF-WR has seen an overwhelming response to its
#SaveKessab campaign on the internet, but information shared through
social media has not always been truthful.

“As an organization that is dedicated to strengthening and educating
our community, engaging and activating the masses serves as the best
motivation to continue working toward our goal,” Lepedjian said.
“Whether online or in person, our efforts have been matched with an
overwhelming amount of interest and support.”

Speaking on behalf of the ARF was Dr. Viken Hovsepian, chairperson of
the ARF Western United States Central Committee. He presented the
facts of the attack, saying that residents of Kessab have evacuated
the town and there have been no Armenian casualties to date. He also
explained that an emergency meeting was called with the U.S. State
Department the day of the attacks. Representatives from the ARF and
ANCA presented facts and evidence, urging the State Department to
begin a formal, independent investigation into Turkey’s involvement in
the attacks. Raffi Hamparian, ANCA National Board member, spoke to the
crowd about the importance of contacting their representatives in
Congress and calling for congressional intelligence inquiry into the
attacks.

Joining the meeting from Latakia via Skype was Garo Manjikian. He is
heading relief efforts in Latakia, where the majority of Kessab
residents have found refuge. He said that on the morning of March 21,
locals noticed that Turkish police posts at the border were vacated.
Hours later, the attackers crossed the border and attacked the town.
Residents, he said, adamantly wish to return to their homes in Kessab.
He thanked the international Armenian community for all its support in
the last few weeks.

Esther Tognozzi, president of the KEA, thanked the community for its
support and asked that any information found online be verified before
sharing. She also conducted the Q&A session with Manjikian. The final
speaker was Zaven Khanjian on behalf of SARF. He urged the crowd to
attend the Hye Aid 3 benefit concert, the proceeds of which will help
relief efforts in Kessab.

The crisis in Kessab is of particular concern to the Armenian
community because of its unique historical significance as the last
indigenously-populated Armenian town on the lands of historic Western
Armenia. The attacks on Kessab serve as a bitter reminder of the same
tactics Turkish forces utilized as a precursor to genocide in 1909 and
1915.

Wednesday’s town hall meeting attracted activists of different
backgrounds. Jason Acherman, a member of the Encino Neighborhood
Council, attended the meeting to be further informed on the subject of
Kessab. “I just wanted to get a better sense of what’s going on and
see what I, as a non-Armenian-American, can do to help,” he said. “I’m
Jewish and my people have faced genocide as well, so I have deep
empathy for the Armenian community.”

The AYF-WR is gratified and inspired by the success of the #SaveKessab
campaign, but is likewise aware of a mass distribution of inaccurate
information and images not associated with the crisis in Kessab.
Moving forward, it is crucial that specific information is clarified
so that the campaign and its followers can take steps in the direction
of effective intervention and aid.

The AYF-WR would also like to address that its only official outlets
for the #SaveKessab campaign operate under “AYFWest” social media
accounts and Any merchandise found online is
unofficial and we discourage purchasing such merchandise as the
proceeds cannot be tracked. At this time of crisis, our united efforts
are critical.

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most
influential Armenian-American youth organization in the United States
working to advance the social, political, educational, and cultural
awareness of Armenian-American youth.

Hovik Abrahamyan appointed Armenia’s new Prime Minister

16:27 13.04.2014

The Executive Body and Board of the Republican Party of Armenia
unanimously accepted today President Serzh Sargsyan’s proposal to
appoint National Assembly’s Speaker Hovik Abrahamyan as Prime Minister
of the Republic of Armenia, Spokesman for the Republican Party,
Vice-Speaker of the National Assembly Edward Sharmazanov told
reporters following the sittings.

He noted that Hovik Abrahamyan has been given the opportunity to
implement a free cadre policy and added that ex-PM Tigran Sargsyan
will take up a diplomatic post.

Edward Sharmazanov noted that the political consultations with the
Prosperous Armenia Party and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
continue, and added that the Republican Party is ready to work with
the two forces in any format.

The Speaker said the ARF holds to a constructive position, especially
with regard to the constitutional amendments.

SYRIE
Un jeune arménien de Kessab tué par les rebelles

L’ONG CivilNet basée à Erevan rapporte qu’elle a appris de plusieurs
sources fiables que Kevork Jourian, 23 ans, fils de Babken et Nvard
Jourian, a été tué par des membres de groupes rebelles syriens alors
qu’ils étaient à la recherche d’armes à feu parmi les Arméniens qui
sont restés à Kessab après l’attaque du 21 mars.

Selon d’autres sources la plupart des personnes gées arméniennes ont
été évacués vers Vakifli en Turquie.

L’attaque de Kessab a entraîné le déplacement de plus de 600 familles.

10 personnes restent toujours portées disparues, dont l’une était
Kevork Jourian. Ses parents, oncles et grand-mère sont dans le groupe
des 21 personnes arrivées à Vakifli.

Selon CivilNet, les noms des 21 personnes gées désormais à Vakifli
sont les suivantes :

Hagop Sianos Djurian (70-72 ans) Asbed Sianos Djurian (60-65 ans)
Papken Sianos Djurian (60-65 ans) NvArt Guzelian (la femme de Papken,
vieux 40-45 ans) Karun Titizian-Djurian (près de 90 ans, leur mère)
Yessayi Aintablian (75 ans) Hasmik Daru (sa femme, 57 ans) Silva
Aintablian (sa soeur, 57-58 ans) Ani Aintablian (sa fille, 31 ans)
Serop Sulian Dzovig Saghdedjian-Sulian, Hagop Giragosian (85 ans)
Vazken Giragosian (80 ans) Zaven Hovsepian (plus de 80 ans) Movses
Yervant Arabian (près de 75 ans) Marta Yervant Arabian (près de 85
ans) Karun Der Sahagian-Keoshgerian (90 ans) Srpuhi Yaralian-Titizian
(86 ans) Satenig Titizian (85 ans) Nerses Tangugian (d’Alep, plus de
80 ans) Anais Aharonian-Ekmekdjian (d’Alep, le gardien de Nerses
Tangugian)

Il y a aussi un certain nombre de personnes portées disparues, dont on
n’a plus de nouvelles depuis le 21 Mars.

Selon le journaliste arménien d’Istanbul Aris Nalci les noms des dix
Arméniens de Kessab qui sont toujours manquants sont :

Musa (Moïse) Sahagian, la soeur de Musa Sahagian – nom inconnu, Shami
Poladian, Seta Chilingirian, Luder Trtrian, George Kortmosian, Minas
Cherchigian, Dikranuhi Kazazian, Shant Hovhannesian, Kevork Jourian.

dimanche 13 avril 2014,
Stéphane (c)armenews.com