Category: 2018

Top officials of the Aeronautics Defense Systems Ltd, an Israeli arms manufacturer, on Wednesday were summoned to a hearing by Israel’s State Attorney’s office, which said it intends to indict the company for allegedly using an armed kamikaze drone against Artsakh targets last year under orders from Baku during a live demonstration of its product, the Orbiter 1K model UAV.

According to The Times of Israel, Wednesday’s announcement comes after a nearly year-long joint investigation of the Israel Police’s Unit of International Crime Investigations, the Defense Ministry’s investigation unit and the State Attorney’s Office into Aeronautics’s conduct.

A statement announcing the subpoenas said the members of the company are suspected of fraud as well as other violations of the Defense Export Control Law, which protects against unauthorized exports of defense intelligence and equipment.

The Artsakh Army said that Azerbaijan used a suicide drone to attack its positions in northeastern Artsakh around July 7, 2017. According to Colonel Armen Gyozalian of the Artsakh Army, two soldiers were injured during that attack.

Official Baku has boasted its reported purchase of $5 billion in arms from Israel, which were used on Artsakh targets during the April 2016 war, when a Harop aircraft, manufactured by the Israel Aerospace Industries, hit a bus and killed seven Armenians on board.

Among those from Aeronautics Defense Systems Ltd summoned to appear before the State Attorney’s Office’s Economics Division are the company’s CEO Amos Matan, deputy CEO Meir Rizmovitch, development director Haim Hivashar and marketing director David Goldin.

Aeronautics released a statement responding to the hearing summonses, saying: “We are convinced that after we first present our position at the hearing, the State Prosecutor’s Office will reach an informed decision that there is no reason to put the company or any of its officers in court and will order the case closed.”

After Israel’s Defense Ministry’s Defense Export Controls Agency halted Aeronautics’ export license  for its Orbiter 1K model UAV, an investigation into the company was launched, with a gag order placed on the details of the probe.

Aeronautics was poised to make a $20 million deal over the next two years with Azerbaijan.

According to The Times of Israel such a test would be illegal under Israeli law, as it would require a seldom-granted permit to carry out demonstrations against real targets. In this case, Aeronautics Defense Systems would be even less likely to receive such a permit, as Israel does not consider Armenia to be an enemy state.

GLENDALE—The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California held a reception with Founders Circle donors on August 22 to celebrate the approval of the Ground Lease Agreement by the Glendale City Council. The reception was held at the Adult Recreation Center overlooking the future site of the museum.

Founders Circle members are an exclusive network of generous donors who provided early seed funding to propel the community project. Founders Circle members have pledged to contribute $10,000 or more by the start of construction in 2019. Members of the program will be prominently recognized on a permanent donor wall in the museum’s Grand Lobby.

The museum is nearing the milestone of 100 Founders Circle members.

“We thank each and every one of our Founders Circle members whose generosity helped us reach this historic moment for the project,” stated Museum Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian. “We are excited to begin the next phase and together as one community, we are going to build a world class cultural and educational center that is going to serve generations to come.”

Glendale Mayor Zareh Sinanyan and Councilmembers Ara Najarian, Paula Devine, and Vartan Gharpetian expressed their support for the Armenian American Museum, highlighting the unity the project has created in the community.

Assemblymember Laura Friedman joined representatives from the offices of Senator Anthony Portantino, Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger in sharing words of support and presenting certificates of recognition to Museum officials. Mary Hovagimian attended the reception on behalf of Congressman Adam Schiff as well.

Museum officials encourage individuals and families to join the Founders Circle program to take part in building the first world class museum and cultural center of its kind in America.

Learn about the Founders Circle program and how you can support the project by calling (844) 586-4626 or visiting www.ArmenianAmericanMuseum.org.

The Armenian American Museum is a developing project in Glendale, CA with a mission to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. The Museum will serve as a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.

The governing board of the Armenian American Museum consists of representatives from the following ten Armenian American institutions and organizations: Armenian Catholic Eparchy, Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, Armenian General Benevolent Union – Western District, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian Relief Society – Western USA, Nor Or Charitable Foundation, Nor Serount Cultural Association, Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, and Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

On August 17 a group of Armenian-Americans gathered in front of Glendale City Hall for a rally to mark and support Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s 100 days in office. Among the speakers at the event was Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee chairwoman Dr. Carmen Ohanian who proclaimed that “The revolution must succeed.” Below is the English translation of Ohanian’s message.

In the name of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee I salute and congratulate the government that was born from the Velvet Revolution and its Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on their first 100 days.

Now has come that historic opportunity to create a new Armenia.

An Armenia, where the rule of law protects all its citizens’ rights equally.

An Armenia without monopolies.

An Armenia with fair and democratic systems.

An Armenia where every Armenian will live with dignity.

An Armenia filled with social and economic successes and stable development.

A strong Armenia where the security and territorial integrity of the homeland and Artsakhwill be deemed unwavering principles.

The Revolution must succeed and that difficult task must not only rest on the shoulders of the Armenian government. It must succeed through cooperation by every single Armenian and Armenian organization and by using our entire potential and through the marshaling of our collective potential.

In the Diaspora, we all play a role in ensuring the success of the Revolution. Together, by putting to work all our capabilities, we must become that force that strengthens our homeland.

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation today is part of the new government of Armenia, in order to have its input in the success of this government and the Revolution, in the name of the aspirations of the Armenian people.

In Armenia, Artsakh, Javakhk and the Diaspora, the ARF will do its utmost to assist the new government of Armenia.

The ARF believes that the success or failure of the government will rest on all of us.

The Revolution must success because it was born from the soul of the people and for the people. The Revolution put to rest years of hopelessness and sowed seeds of hope in our fields.

The Revolution cannot be reversed. The Revolution must succeed and the Armenian people must prove that they are the guardians of their destiny … They are the guardians of their country.

BY ANAHEED SARIAN

A few short months ago a friend mentioned AYF Summer Camp to me in conversation. It wasn’t the first time I had heard about it, being a part of North Sydney’s Nigol Touman chapter, we always dream of the Western US camp experience. However, this was definitely the first time I genuinely saw myself participating and thus a few months later I found myself applying for a counsellor position online. Upon seeing the photos of the camp site and researching the various activities the campers can take part it, I was truly amazed. I wondered to myself how real the online version of camp was. I’m pleased to admit that by the end of the week there was even more to be amazed by than what I initially expected.

After successfully being accepted as a counsellor for Week D, I spent time mentally preparing for what I was about to experience. Part of me tried to rationalise the difference between the Youth Corps Program in Armenia and AYF Summer Camp. Many fellow Ungers at home told me that if you can do Youth Corps you can do anything. And sure, this is true, but I can definitely say that Summer Camp is its own great challenge for which nothing will prepare you, especially if you are an international attendee! I strongly believe that summer camp is an experience all global AYF members can benefit from and should participate in.

What I loved most about my camp experience was the immersive aspect of it, how you could be woken in the middle of the night by a homesick child, or to accompany a camper to the restroom. The fact that you are 100% involved and for an entire seven days that commitment does not cease. As someone who enjoys large amounts of time in introversion, I found this my greatest challenge but one that changed me for the better. Playing full-time mum to 130 children for a week is something I’ll never forget, nor would I think to trade it for any European Contiki tour.

Another great thing about my camp experience was being a representative of my local AYF chapter and Armenian community. I was able share so much about my local federation with my fellow counsellors, and at the same time I received tonnes of valuable information for my own AYF camps at home. It is exciting to think that I can begin implementing these ideas and improvements to our existing model. Aside from all this, the idea that I had to rely on myself for that entire week, knowing that there was no one familiar to talk things over with or hide behind like in previous camp situations, that in itself was monumental. I feel strongly that my personal growth as Ungerouhi at this camp will help me to achieve much more than I expect of myself in the future, and I am truly humbled by that.

When it comes to the campers, I could tell stories about them forever. I think sometimes as you grow older you can forget what it was like to be a child, the imagination and the wonder that comes with being young. Camp definitely takes you back to that feeling in ways you don’t expect. For me, the Macaroni Carnival, the talent shows, all of those fantastic moments where the campers get to show each other how gifted they are, those are the times that I play on repeat in my memory now that I’m home. I think those moments are invaluable and helped remind me how much potential there is in tomorrow’s youth. To think that I play a part in that, offering my knowledge and using my skillset to train them for their future as a community leader, that’s what motivates me.

Infinitely rewarding is the fact that you get to work with such a great team. Starting from the amazing directors, people who only get a few weeks of vacation from their work per year and choose to spend it being a camp mum or dad. I can’t say I know a lot of grown-ups with families who would do that! Also, the assurance of having medical professionals on site. As much as you’d think nothing bad can happen and that any adult can solve a small problem, the difference between getting fact-based remedies and instant cures for just about anything is phenomenal. I know that if I were a camp parent one day I would feel extremely grateful and contented knowing that my children were in such capable hands. In Week D I was lucky enough to work with 4 Directors, 1 General Practitioner, 1 Nurse and last but certainly not least, 22 warm and welcoming Co-Counsellors.

I can honestly admit that summer camp counsellors are some of the most hard-working members in the world. That’s a huge statement but I don’t doubt it. There were so many opportunities for us to slack off, to think it’s not necessary to give our all, to make careless mistakes, and yet that never happened once. I saw so much passion, hunger, drive and commitment from my co-counsellors, that it genuinely moved me to tears at times. At no point that week did I feel as though any one was better than the other, everyone stayed true to their role in the team-work aspect and no matter what we were faced with, each night we would resolve our concerns one by one and set the tone for another great day ahead. And to top all of that dedication and hard-work off, we had an absolute blast together. I love that we all had individual strengths which added value and intrigue to the camper’s experience. Even though we all came from different walks of life, we understood each other just the same. I would say that this is the AYF’s greatest triumph, that it brings young Armenians of all backgrounds together in a way that makes us feel connected to one another, no matter the distance. I have been blessed by the opportunity of making new friends overseas from my previous involvement in the Youth Corps program, but this week was no exception. I look forward to a time where I can reconnect with my new friends and fellow counsellors, each one made a unique impression on me and taught me so much.

If you are considering becoming a counsellor for the first time I would strongly encourage and implore you to apply. Sometimes the things you are least prepared for lead you to discover you are more than you ever imagined you could be. Thank you to the AYF Summer Camp organisers for giving me this huge opportunity and I cannot wait to be a part of this wonderful program again.