Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

Falsification of historical memory demonstrate lack of sense of dignity, Armenia tells Azerbaijan

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
Panorama, Armenia
May 8 2020

Armenian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anna Naghdalyan has reacted to comments of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on Armenia in an interview with TASS news agency. A statement publicised by the Foreign Ministry’s press service reads:

“The 75th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War is a good occasion to recall and pay tribute to the sacrifices and unity of all the peoples who prevailed in the fight against the world’s evil.

We are convinced that historical memory is the greatest value of human dignity, and the falsification of historical memory and its use for narrow political interests demonstrate lack of sense of history, dignity and memory.

I regret that the president of Azerbaijan once again attempted to use the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazism in World War II in his decades-long hostile propaganda against the Armenian people.

The contribution of the Armenian people to the victory of the Allied Powers in World War II has been inscribed in gold on the pages of world history.

We proudly remember the names of all Armenian heroes, whether fighting in the Red Army and its national divisions, in the armies of Allied Powers or in the ranks of the Resistance movement and intelligence. With their devotion and courage, they deserved to be commemorated along with their proud ancestors and national heroes, including the glorified warriors of World War I.

Today, on the territory of the Republic of Armenia, about six hundred monuments dedicated to participants of the Great Patriotic War are under the state protection and care. Those are the perpetuated witnesses of the history of our common victory. We condemn every attack on the monuments, and our resolve has been manifested not merely in words, but in the fact that no monument dedicated to World War II warriors has been a subject to attack in the history of Armenia.

From this perspective, I would like to address a question to the leadership of Azerbaijan in anticipation of an answer to be translated into certain actions: when will we witness the restoration of monuments of Chardakhlu settlement, which were dedicated to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, including those dedicated to the Soviet marshals Ivan (Hovhannes) Baghramyan and Hamazasp Babajanyan, which were destroyed in the Republic of Azerbaijan?”

CIVILNET.Who Donated What to Armenia’s Coronavirus Response?

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
CIVILNET.AM

8 May, 2020 16:43

By Emilio Luciano Cricchio

A number of international organizations, foreign nations, and philanthropists have donated, lent funds, or sent resources to assist Armenia’s response to the pandemic. 

1. International Monetary Fund

The IMF announced that it would increase its financial support to Armenia by $175 million in the form of a loan.

The increase will be used to mitigate short-term economic and social risks caused by the pandemic, as well as to assist the business community. 

2. The European Union

The EU will donate $99.9 million to Armenia. Contributions will come from member states, EU institutions, the European Investment Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. 

The money will be used to supply medical equipment, train medical staff, support businesses, and provide humanitarian assistance for vulnerable social groups. 

3. United States

The U.S. State Department has confirmed that $25 million dollars of pledged aid will be redirected to Armenia’s coronavirus response.

$1.1 million of aid had already been promised by the State Department, in addition to $600,000 by USAID. The money will be used to improve laboratories and support technical experts who are tracking infected people and conducting surveillance. 

4. World Bank

Three million dollars has been promised by the World Bank, which will be used to acquire medical equipment, including 50 ventilators and protective gear for medical staff. 

5. China

In early April, China delivered shipments to Armenia that included 120 ventilators, two oxygen supply stations, 60,000 test kits, 60,000 facial masks, 280,000 protective masks, 20,000 protective gloves and 100,000 protective gowns. 

6. Russia

Russia has sent military medical specialists, as well as a mobile laboratory, which is capable of conducting 100 tests a day. 

Russia also promised to provide 20,000 test kits to Armenia. 

7. UN World Food Program

Following a meeting with President Armen Sarkissian, the United Nations WFP Country Director in Armenia said the organization would work to deliver a large number of ventilators to Armenia. 

8. United Arab Emirates

The UAE has sent a cargo plane to Armenia with seven tons of medical supplies. These supplies will be distributed amongst 7,000 health workers in Armenia. 

9. Eduardo Eurnekian

Argentine-Armenian billionaire, businessman, and philanthropist Eduardo Eurnekian has pledged to donate $250,000 to the coronavirus response. 

10. My Step Foundation

The Armenia-based My Step Foundation has donated $200,000 for the purchase of medical supplies and equipment. 

11. Aurora Humanitarian Initiative 

Aurora’s Ararat Challenge Initiative, a crowdfunding campaign initiative, has donated $120,000 to Armenia’s Health Ministry. The money will be used to purchase ten ventilators. 

12. Izmirlian Foundation

The Izmirlian Foundation, which funds philanthropic initiatives, donated $100,000 to purchase protective gear for medical staff. 

13. All Armenian Fund 

The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund has raised $63,000 for Armenia’s coronavirus response after setting up an online fundraiser. On top of this, the organization already delivered seven respirators, 1,000 facial masks, oxygen concentrators and other medical supplies to the Armenian Health Ministry. 

Armenian Government opts for “decentralized” fight against COVID-19

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
Public Radio of Armenia
May 3 2020


Pastinfo.am. Armenia ex-official’s son’s mother, wife are called to National Security Service

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
News.am, Armenia
May 2 2020

15:56, 02.05.2020
                  

Armenian village head on events that took place in Gavar town yesterday

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
News.am, Armenia

23:17, 29.04.2020
                  

According to head of Noratus village Murad Harutyunyan, nearly 15 residents of Noratus and Gavar town were arrested, and some people were detained and taken from Yerevan. This is what Harutyunyan told reporters today, touching upon the murders that took place in Gavar yesterday, reports 168.am.

“Only the people who were in a dispute can say what the reason for the dispute was. I was in the village during the incident and found out about it in the evening. I went to the hospital, but everything was out of control there,” he said.

Asked if there is a fear that this may continue, the head of the village said it can’t continue after this. Touching upon the statement by governor of Gegharkunik Province Gnel Sanosyan that nearly 500 citizens entered the hospital in Gavar, Harutyunyan said there were many people from different places.

Yesterday, young people of Gavar town and Noratus village were involved in a shooting in Gavar. As a result of the shootings, an investigator and resident of Noratus village received lethal firearm injuries. Another four citizens also received injuries. Two of them were transferred to a hospital in Yerevan, and the other two were transferred to a hospital in Gavar. However, this was followed by a vendetta amid the presence of Chief of Police of Armenia Arman Sargsyan, and the police weren’t able to keep the situation under control. Persons with knives entered the hospital in Gavar, slit the throat of the two wounded persons at the hospital and beat one person. After that, they left the hospital, and the police weren’t able to prevent the crime and detain the criminals.

Preliminary investigation continues, and 15 people are detained under the case in regard to the shootings and the events that followed.

Composer Vladilen Balyan to be bestowed with title of Honorary Citizen of Yerevan

Vorskanian Yeghisabet

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 16:41,

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. People’s Artist of Armenia, Composer Vladilen Balyan will be bestowed with the title of Honorary Citizen of Yerevan on his 96th anniversary of birth for the great contribution and productive activity in the field of music art, development of culture in Yerevan.

The respective decision was approved unanimously today at the session of the Yerevan City Council.

 

Reporting by Lilit Demuryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Asbarez: ARF Bureau Statement on Lavrov’s Remarks

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
April 23, 2020

Armenian Revolutionary Federation

The Bureau of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation expresses its concern over statements made by the Russian Foreign Minister today at this juncture of the Artsakh (Karabakh) conflict peace negotiations. The ARF Bureau is also concerned that the Russian Foreign Minister’s statements were made hours before the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan were scheduled to hold a virtual meeting.

Any given proposal for a resolution to the conflict must include the recognition of Artsakh’s independence. There must be parity in any agreement between the sides and it must be reached concurrently.

It is imperative that all approaches are realized through succinct vision, which in that regard include the signing of the strategic-political cooperations agreement between the republics of Artsakh and Armenia, as well as taking active steps toward the international recognition of the Artsakh Republic.

We anticipate and demand from Armenia’s authorities that in the negotiation process they be guided the 1991 declaration of independence by the people of Artsakh and subsequent constitutional referenda as an _expression_ of their free will.

The Armenian government must officially announce that there is no document on the table that calls for the phased approach to the conflict resolution and Armenia will not sign such an agreement under external pressures.

At the same time, we find it imperative to state that the only way to confront external pressures is through national accord and harmony. the establishment of which solely lies on the shoulders of Armenia’s authorities. All of us, as a Nation, bear responsibility and have work to do for the Artsakh issue.

ARF Bureau
April 21, 2020




Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 22-04-20

Vorskanian Yeghisabet

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 17:55,

YEREVAN, 22 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 22 April, USD exchange rate down by 1.06 drams to 479.81 drams. EUR exchange rate stood at 520.93 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 6.26 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.20 drams to 593.29 drams.

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

Gold price down by 121.48 drams to 25947.72 drams. Silver price down by 3.29 drams to 230.93 drams. Platinum price down by 1,013.83 drams to 11029.77 drams.

Yerevan My Love Foundation supports 500 needy families

Vorskanian Yeghisabet

 

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 14:00, 17 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, ARMENPRESS. Due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic Yerevan My Love Foundation is implementing a social assistance program in Yerevan and Chinari, Movses, Aygepar, Nerkin Karmiraghbyur bordering villages of Tavush province, the Foundation said in a statement.

“More than 500 families are provided with food, natural juices, sweets, hygiene items, medicines, stationary and painting supplies.

Chairman of the Board of Yerevan My Love Foundation, President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has always urged to show special attention to the military disabled, children having special needs and citizens living in bordering communities, therefore the Foundation considers a priority to provide assistance to these people and their families. This program beneficiaries are over 250 socially needy families living in bordering communities of Tavush province, families of 150 disabled children getting service in our Lousé children’s rehabilitation center, and 100 military disabled who are involved in the Foundation’s Fatherland’s Defender program”, Director of the Foundation Arshak Karapetyan said.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Remembering the Armenians of Dhaka

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
Dhaka Tribune, Bangladesh
Mahir Abrar
  • Published at 09:29 pm April 18th, 2020
Armenians heavily influenced Dhaka’s tea culture BIGSTOCK

A community with a long history of shaping our capital is now gone

Michael Joseph Martin, the last of the Armenians of Dhaka, passed away recently and with him the story of the Armenians in Dhaka becomes history.  

Dhaka is a living, breathing entity that grows and changes with time. It is influenced and shaped by the many different people who have come here, made their lives here, and have become part of the city. Some of those people are no longer part of Dhaka, but their influences live on. The Armenian community is one such group. 

The Armenians were once a wealthy and influential community in Bengal. They had settled in the region in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Armenians were willing to learn the local language and soon became intermediaries between Bengalis and Europeans. The Armenian merchants established businesses in Kolkata, Dhaka, and Narayanganj. 

They built Armenian churches and thriving settlements. They built a little Armenia in each of these cities. They engaged in the trade of jute, silk, textile, and leather. 

The area they lived in Dhaka became known as Armanitola, the place of Armenians. In 1747, it was estimated that Armenian merchants were responsible for at least 23% of the textiles exported from Dhaka.

The community had significant economic and political clout in Bengal. Nicholas Pogose, an Armenian businessman, was a founding member of the Dhaka municipality. He founded the Pogose School, the first private school in Dhaka. The school is one of the best and most prestigious schools in Old Dhaka today. 

Herbert Michael Shircore, another Armenian businessman, had served as the chairman of the Narayangaj municipality. He was awarded the Order of the Indian Empire, Companion.

The Armenians were the first to establish European-style grocery stores in Dhaka, where they sold European-made goods catering to the European residents of Dhaka. Sushil Chaudhury, in his book Trade, Politics and Society: The Indian Milieu in the Early Modern Era, credits the Armenian grocers with helping make tea popular in Dhaka. Today tea is the drink of choice for social gatherings and addas. 

Michael was the sole custodian of the Armenian Church of Holy Resurrection, which was founded in 1781 in Armanitola, the heart of the Armenian community in Dhaka.

Michael was born on June 6, 1930 in Rangoon, Burma when it was part of British India. His father was Armenian while his mother was Parsi. His family, like many Armenian families, was engaged in the jute trade and moved to Dhaka in the 1940s. Michael became the custodian of the church in 1986, a position he held till 2014. 

During his tenure, he led prayers at the church, maintained it, and had Mother Teresa. After the death of his wife in 2014, he moved to Canada. Armen Arslanian, the warden of the church, has been taking care of the church alone since then, but he does not reside in Dhaka.

With the passing of Michael, the last member of this once thriving community, a chapter closes on the history of Dhaka. Today, the institutions they built, like the Pogose School and the Armenian Church are what remain of this community.

Today the neighbourhood of Armanitola contains no Armenians, like Farashganj (French town) contains no French speakers. The Armenian Church has no worshipers. The church now stands as a monument to the community that once thrived in Dhaka and helped shape the city. 

The legacy of the Armenian community lives through the cuisine and institutions they founded. The history of the Armenian community is being preserved by the Bangladesh Armenian Heritage Project and its lead researcher, Liz Chater. The church is now a historic building under the government Department of Archaeology. 

The Armenian community may no longer be here, but their influence will always be here as an immutable part of Dhaka’s identity. 

Mahir Abrar is Lecturer, American International University-Bangladesh.