Category: 2017

Breaking: Michigan Recognizes Artsakh Independence

Garnik Tadevosian
The Armenian Weekly
Sept 28 2017

By Contributor on

 

LANSING, Mich.—Michigan became the 8th U.S. state to recognize the independent Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh) today, with the overwhelming passage of S.R.99, spearheaded by Senator David Knezek (D–5th District). The bipartisan measure calls upon the U.S. to establish economic and cultural ties with the Artsakh Republic and support peace and stability across the South Caucasus, reported the Armenian National Committee of Michigan (ANC of Mich).

Michigan became the 8th U.S. state to recognize the independent Republic of Artsakh today

“The Michigan Senate vote for Artsakh independence represents a resounding reaffirmation of our enduring American commitment to democratic self-determination and an equally powerful blow against Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s ongoing aggression against this peaceful republic,” said ANC of Mich. Chair Lara Nercessian. “Armenians from the Great Lakes State and across the U.S. commend Sen. Knezek and his fellow State Senators for standing strong with the people of Artsakh.”

Lead sponsor of Republic of Artsakh recognition measure Sen. David Knezek with NKR Representative to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan and ANC of Michigan Chair Lara Nercessian

“Artsakh’s story is a very American story—one of freedom, self-determination, democracy, and peace,” said MI State Senator David Knezek. “Michiganders are proud to join Artsakh in saluting these shared values as we work to expand U.S.-Artsakh cultural and economic ties and support a lasting peace in the region.”

Senate consideration of the Artsakh independence measure, shared live on the ANCA Facebook page, began at the opening of the Sept. 29 session with remarks by Sen. Knezek and an introduction of Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh Representative to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan, who was on hand for the historic vote.

Below is video of the passage of the resolution, courtesy of the Armenian National Committee of America—Eastern Region.

“We would like to thank Senator Knezek for supporting the democratic aspirations of Artsakh and his longtime leadership on the issues of concern to our compatriots living in the Republic,” said Avetisyan. “We are grateful to the ANC of Michigan for their tireless efforts in defending Artsakh’s security and promoting the international recognition of Artsakh. We hope Michigan’s recognition—the eighth U.S. state to do so—will be an example for democratic societies around the world.”

Earlier in the morning, members of the ANC of Mich., Armenian Relief Society (ARS), Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural and Educational Association, and Michigan State House candidate for the 40th District Mari Manoogian joined Senator Knezek, House Representative Klint Kesto (R-39th Dist.), and Avetisyan for a breakfast briefing prior to the vote.

Michigan Salutes Artsakh Republic’s Independence

“As a Chaldean-American, I come from a community that has long been persecuted based on religion and ethnicity,” said Rep. Kesto. “I understand the needs and aspirations of the Armenian community, and I stand with the Armenian people in their quest to continue their manifest destiny and freedom as an independent nation and self-preservation.”

Adopted by a voice vote, S.R.99 discusses Artsakh’s historically Armenian roots and Soviet dictator Josef Stalin’s 1921 decision to force the South Caucasus region under Soviet Azerbaijani control.  Peaceful efforts by the Artsakh people seeking independence were met with pogroms in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku and the cities of Sumgait and Kirovabad and a six-year war for Artsakh independence, which concluded with a tenuous cease-fire in 1994.

Michigan Armenian community leaders in the Senate Chambers for the State Senate recognition of Artsakh Republic

“The Armenians of Artsakh remain resolute in their efforts to exercise the right to self-determination and live free from violence and repression, and by recognizing the government of Artsakh, the international community can help put to rest this century-old conflict,” notes the Michigan Senate Resolution.

The measure calls on the “President and Congress of the United States to recognize a free and independent Republic of Artsakh,” and “to strengthen and solidify our country’s economic and cultural relationship with the Artsakh Republic.” It goes on to support Artsakh efforts with the international community to “reach a lasting solution to the existing regional problems and establish peace and stability in the strategically important region of South Caucasus.”

Sen. David Knezek introduces NKR Representative to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan on the MI Senate floor as senators vote to recognize Artsakh’s independence

Michigan joins Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Louisiana, California, Georgia, and Hawaii in adopting legislation supporting the independence of Artsakh. The full text of the Michigan Senate resolution is available below.

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A resolution to urge the President and Congress of the United States to recognize the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh, also known as Artsakh, to establish economic and cultural ties with the nation, and to support the peace and stability in South Caucasus.

Whereas, The region of Artsakh is located in the South Caucasus and has historically been Armenian territory. The region is populated by an overwhelming majority of Armenians; and

Whereas, Despite its historical and cultural ties to Armenia, in 1921, Joseph Stalin arbitrarily severed Artsakh from Armenia, and in violation of the national, territorial, and human rights of the Armenian people, the severed region of Artsakh was placed under the administration of Soviet Azerbaijani; and

Whereas, For decades, the Armenian peoples’ peaceful demonstrations for national independence, for individual freedom, and in opposition to the Soviet Azerbaijani repression and discrimination were met with acts of violent repression by Soviet Azerbaijani forces who refused to allow the self-determination of the people of Artsakh. Soviet Azerbaijani’s bloody response resulted in the deaths of ethnic Armenians in Sumgait (Feb. 1988), Kirovabad (Feb. 1988), and Baku (Jan. 1990) and the forced deportation of more than 350,000 Armenians from Azerbaijani. In the aftermath of the Sumgait tragedy, the United States Senate unanimously passed Amendment 2690 to the Fiscal Year 1989 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill (H.R. 4782), concerning the Karabagh conflict and called on the Soviet government to “respect the legitimate aspirations of the Armenian people…” and noted that “dozens of Armenians have been killed and injured during the recent unrests…”; and

Whereas, The people of Artsakh overwhelmingly voted to support independence. On Dec. 10, 1991, despite continued violence against the people of Artsakh, a popular referendum proclaiming an independent republic took place during the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Under the watchful eye of more than 50 international observers, and in full compliance with international standards for a free and fair election, more than 80 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot, and the measure passed with 98 percent in favor. On Jan.6, 1992, the democratically-elected Parliament of Artsakh adopted the Declaration of Independence of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic; and

Whereas, Despite a cease-fire agreement between the Republic of Artsakh, Azerbaijani, and Armenia that ended years of intense fighting, the security and sovereignty of Artsakh continue to be threatened by regional tension and hostile acts. The Armenians of Artsakh remain resolute in their efforts to exercise the right to self-determination and live free from violence and repression, and by recognizing the government of Artsakh, the international community can help put to rest this century-old conflict; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the President and Congress of the United States to recognize a free and independent Republic of Artsakh; and be it further

Resolved, That we memorialize the United States government to strengthen and solidify our country’s economic and cultural relationship with the Artsakh Republic and its citizens and continue to promote the humanitarian and economic rehabilitation of the region; and be it further

Resolved, That we support the Republic of Artsakh’s continued efforts within the international community to reach a lasting solution to the existing regional problems and establish peace and stability in the strategically important region of South Caucasus; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.

Culture: President attends presentation of Armenian National Music Treasury program

Elizabeth Jabejian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 27 2017

President Serzh Sargsyan and his spouse Rita Sargsyan attended on Tuesday the presentation of the Cultural Revival Foundation-hosted Armenian National Music Treasury program, which was held at the “Vache and Tamar Manukyan” repository of ancient manuscripts of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

As the press department at the President’s Office reported, during the presentation, the Cultural Revival Foundation’s recent publications were introduced: the finalized version of the Liturgy by Makar Ekmalyan in Latin transliteration, and Zhamagirq, one of the most important musical rites of the Armenian Church, which for the first time is published in the European musical notation and in accordance with international press criteria. Both books feature musicological forewords, notes and explanations in Armenian and English.

Founder and President of the Cultural Revival Foundation Artur Janibekyan presented a mobile musical player referred to as Armenian National Music Box as the emblem of the Armenian National Musical Treasure program, which contains over 500 folk and spiritual musical pieces recorded and digitized by the Foundation. Artur Janibekyan offered the first copy of the Armenian National Musical Box to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
The huge work done to materialize Komitas Vardapet’s dream of life was presented as a gift to the great Vardapet on his birthday – September 26.

During the event, a film was presented about Armenian traditional music and the activities of the Cultural Revival Foundation. After the blessing of His Holiness Garegin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, musical fragments from Zhamagirq and the Liturgy were performed by the Yerevan State Chamber Choir, directed by Harutyun Topikyan.

Azerbaijani Press: UN chief welcomes recent meeting of Azerbaijani, Armenian FMs

Dabaghian Diana
APA, Azerbaijan
Sept 27 2017

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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomes the recent meetings in New York on the margins of the UN General Assembly between the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General said in a statement on Sept. 26.

 

The secretary general supports the work of the Co-Chairs to de-escalate tensions and reinvigorate the negotiation process, said the statement.

 

“The secretary-general hopes that the planned summit meeting at the presidential level would contribute to enhancing confidence and fostering the necessary political will among the parties to find peaceful compromise solutions to the key outstanding issues,” the statement said.

 

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict entered its modern phase when the Armenian SRR made territorial claims against the Azerbaijani SSR in 1988.

 

A fierce war broke out between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. As a result of the war, Armenian armed forces occupied some 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory which includes Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent districts (Lachin, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan), and over a million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced people.

 

The military operations finally came to an end when Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement in Bishkek in 1994.

 

Dealing with the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is the OSCE Minsk Group, which was created after the meeting of the CSCE (OSCE after the Budapest summit held in December 1994) Ministerial Council in Helsinki on 24 March 1992. The Group’s members include Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia, the United States, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Belarus, Finland and Sweden.

 

Besides, the OSCE Minsk Group has a co-chairmanship institution, comprised of Russian, the US and French co-chairs, which began operating in 1996.  

 

Resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884 of the UN Security Council, which were passed in short intervals in 1993, and other resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly, PACE, OSCE, OIC, and other organizations require Armenia to unconditionally withdraw its troops from Nagorno-Karabakh.

 

Azerbaijani Press: Baku counts on U.S.’s support in Karabakh settlement, MP says

Khoyetsian Rose
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Sept 27 2017
14:40 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The position of the United States on the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is aimed at peaceful settlement of the long-standing problem in the framework of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and remains unchanged.

Azerbaijani MP, Chairman of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons Sahiba Gafarova said that these suggest that the U.S. attaches particular importance to the relations with Azerbaijan, its strategic partner in the South Caucasus.

Gafarova, talking to Day.Az said that statements of American officials confirm this.

“American politicians say that the U.S. would like to see Azerbaijan a strong, stable, independent, democratic country, and this suggests that a high level of interaction has been achieved thanks to the adjusted state policy of Azerbaijan,” Sahiba Gafarova said.

U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Cekuta earlier noted that the U.S. is committed to a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and that a visit of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to the region is expected in the near future. The American co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Andrew Schaefer, also noted that he hopes to visit the region in the coming weeks.

Gafarova reminded that such statements are not addressed to neighboring Armenia, as the country is not of interest to the U.S.  “Obviously, the U.S. gives partner preference to Azerbaijan, but not to Armenia,” she added.

The U.S. is one of the three countries co-chairing the OSCE Minsk Group aimed at finding a peaceful settlement to the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

However, Armenia, the country that occupied 20 percent of internationally recognized lands of Azerbaijan, does everything to avoid negotiations on the settlement of the conflict and remains unpunished for such an attitude. In this regard, the U.S.’s making pressure on Armenia is of great importance.

Sahiba Gafarova noted that the U.S., as a leading world power, is able to exert pressure on Armenia in order to force it to implement the UN Security Council resolutions, which demand withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijan’s occupied lands.

“I think the international community should not remain indifferent to Armenia’s aggression, and the regime in Yerevan must pay in accordance with international laws for all atrocities committed against Azerbaijani civilians,” the MP said.

She reminded that the Armenian side has been ignoring the resolutions of authoritative organizations for many years, and the requirements on the withdrawal of its military units from the occupied Azerbaijani territories have not been fulfilled, which confirms the terrorist nature of the Armenian state.

“This fact must guide the major powers, particularly the U.S. that oppose the spread of international terrorism,” Gafarova said, expressing hope that the U.S. will increase its mediatory mission in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict both within the OSCE Minsk Group, and at the level of interstate dialogue.

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