Legendary “36,6” rock band presented a song about the events taking place in Armenia these days.
It is devoted to Armenians and the “My Step” movement.
The song was written before the end of the event.
The song urges not to step back.
The group is active in Poland and it is interesting that not all members of the group are Armenians.
Acting Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan of Armenia on Tuesday issued a message on the 103rd anniversary of Armenian Genocide.
“What occurred in the Ottoman Empire was the worst tragedy not solely for the Genocide survivors, but also for all parts of the Armenian people,” the message reads, in particular. “We, however, were stronger than our executioners, and we found strength in us to revive, establish an independent state, and command our destiny on our own.
“Today we are going through another difficult phase in our most recent history. Yesterday I called on all political forces to depoliticize this day. I am grateful that this call was accepted, and today we show to the world that we are united and consolidated, despite the existing difficulties and unresolved internal problems.
“We reaffirm our determination to build a solid statehood, a free and civilized society.”
We have not had discussions with any foreign country during this period, but that does not mean that we are not open to it. This was announced by the leader of the “non-violent velvet revolution”, MP Nikol Pashinyan at the press conference with the participation of foreign journalists.
“I repeat, there is no geopolitical content in everything that is happening, this is a pure Armenian revolution and I hope that all geopolitical forces understand that,” he said, stressing that they are ready to talk about Armenia and Russia, Armenia-US relations, and relations with the EU.
“The most important thing for us in this process is the national interest of Armenia. That is the only goal and we want to serve the national interests of RA and the interests of the people. Including the interests of Artsakh. we will protect and protect the national interest of Artsakh,” he emphasized.
In response to a Russian journalist’s question about how the relations with the Russian Federation will develop, Nikol Pashinyan noted that the RA authorities will always answer this question uniformly: the relations between Armenia and Russia are very important.
“There is no doubt that Armenia and Russia are friendly, brotherly states. There are also problems, but we do not aim to criticize those problems, our aim is to solve them. Those problems are related to our region, the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, in particular, the sale of arms to Azerbaijan, which, I think, violates the balance of power between Armenia and Azerbaijan. And I think that Russia, willy-nilly, contributed to it. This is a very simple problem, but it has not been solved for a year,” he listed.
There are problems, the speaker said, also in the economic bloc, but the most important thing is that there are no unsolvable problems in Armenian-Russian relations, you just need to be patient and be positive.
Today, on the initiative of the Russian side, a telephone conversation was held between Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
The heads of governments of the two countries discussed the issues of the Armenian-Russian relations and the events taking place in Armenia. Dmitry Medvedev expressed his support to the friendly Armenian people and stressed the importance of preserving the situation in the constitutional legal field.
The sides also touched upon the issues of integration cooperation within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Congressional Documents and Publications PELOSI -- Statement on the Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide SECTION: U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DOCUMENTS Contact: Ashley Etienne/Henry Connelly, 202-226-7616 Pelosi Statement on the Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Washington, D.C. - Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement marking one hundred and three years since the beginning of the Armenian Genocide: "More than 100 years ago, the world witnessed the beginning of one of the greatest acts of barbarism of the 20th Century when the Ottoman Empire began the systematic murder of 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children. The Armenian Genocide remains a dark stain on the history of human civilization and an enduring reminder of the need to acknowledge and confront the past. "For too long, the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide have been brushed aside, devalued and denied. By refusing to repudiate those who deny the truth of these heinous crimes, we dishonor the memories of all those who were silenced and all those who survived to tell their stories. "The world cannot afford to forget the crimes of the past. Together, we can ensure that this monstrous episode continues to challenge future generations to right the wrongs of history, to speak out against violence and hate in the present, and to work toward building a future free from bigotry, discrimination and extremism in all its forms." Press Release Link:
Congressional Documents and Publications Valley Congressmen Costa and Valadao Commemorate Armenian Genocide in House of Representatives Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) News Release SECTION: U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DOCUMENTS Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressmen Jim Costa (CA-16) and David G. Valadao (CA-21) - in their continued work to serve the people of the San Joaquin Valley - joined to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with dual speeches in the U.S. House of Representatives. Costa and Valadao have been strong advocates for the Armenian community they represent, and both are active members of the Congressional Armenian Caucus. The Valley Congressmen have consistently called for the official recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the United States, including urging the current and past Administrations multiple times to recognize the Genocide, as Presidents Reagan and Eisenhower did during their terms. Both Representatives have also joined the Congressional Armenian Caucus in leading H. Res. 220, a legislative resolution in which the House of Representatives directs the U.S. to examine and learn from the world's reaction to the Armenian genocide in order to prevent war crimes, crimes against humanity, and future genocides. In addition to their work surrounding the Armenian Genocide, Congressmen Costa and Valadao are leaders in efforts to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Armenia, to support the free and fair treatment of the democratic Republic of Artsakh, and to hold accountable the Turkish security forces who violently attacked protesters outside of the Turkish Ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C. last year. Last month, Congressmen Costa and Valadao were awarded the Gratitude Medal by the President of Artsakh, Bako Sahakayan, for their work supporting the nation's development and right to self-determination. "The Armenian people show us what resilience, strength, and dedication can achieve, both in the important role they play in our San Joaquin Valley and in their contributions across the world," said Rep. Costa. "Growing up in the San Joaquin Valley, I heard the stories of the Armenian families who settled there. We as a nation should recognize and learn from the Armenian Genocide to prevent similar atrocities from ever occurring again. It is the right and moral thing to do." Rep. Valadao stated, "Although the tragic events we remember today occurred 103 years ago, the sense of loss still runs deep in Armenian communities across the nation where those who lost a loved one have been steadfast in their efforts to ensure the memory of those lost never fades. As a country, we must recognize the horrific events of the Armenian Genocide and work together to ensure such atrocities never take place again." In their speeches today, Congressmen Costa and Valadao spoke about the significance of the Armenian Genocide and the strength and spirit of the Armenian people. To view a video of Congressmen Costa's and Valadao's speeches, go to: Read this original document at:
Congressional Documents and Publications Eshoo Statement on the Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) News Release SECTION: U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DOCUMENTS Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo issued the following statement marking one hundred and three years since the beginning of the Armenian Genocide: "On this day 103 years ago the world bore witness to the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks and other minorities by the Ottoman Empire. "Over 100 years after the fact, the United States government has yet to make an official statement labeling the atrocities carried out against these minorities as what they were: genocide. I'm proud to have cosponsored the Armenian Genocide Resolution in every Congress I've served in to formally recognize one of the darkest chapters in human history, and I will not rest until we are successful. "Let us take the time today to remember the 1.5 million people who were taken from us--parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins. Each succeeding generation will hold them in their hearts and we will never forget. May we honor them by rising to the occasion and living by the words of 1 JOHN 3:18, "our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action." Read this original document at:
Congressional Documents and Publications GOTTHEIMER COMMEMORATES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY; Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) News Release SECTION: U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DOCUMENTS Today, Congressman Josh Gottheimer, a member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, commemorated Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day to honor the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. "I am proud to stand with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and New Jersey's Armenian community to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide," said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). "I am proud to join more than 100 members of Congress to call on this Administration to commemorate Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. We owe it to the victims, survivors, and future generations to bear witness and tell the truth about genocide." Rep. Gottheimer is a proud cosponsor of H.Res. 220, the bipartisan Armenian Genocide resolution. Last year, Rep. Gottheimer offered remarks at a commemoration of the Armenian Genocide at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey, and this year joined the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and members of the Congressional Armenian Caucus at the U.S. Capitol. Read this original document at:
Congressional Documents and Publications Congresswoman Jackie Speier's Statement on the 103rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) News Release SECTION: U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DOCUMENTS WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and one of two members of Congress with Armenian heritage, released the following statement in recognition of The Armenian Genocide Observance. "Today marks the 103rd anniversary of the first genocide of the 20th Century. Over 1.5 million Armenian, men, women, and children were systematically slaughtered, destroying families, communities, and religious sites. As the atrocities were carried out, the international community failed to heed pleas for help and sealed the fates of millions. That is why it's so important that Congress and the U.S. government recognize this attempt by Ottoman leaders to extinguish the Armenian people. We must set an example of moral leadership so that other countries will acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, and so that Armenia can close this painful chapter in their history and continue to grow and thrive. Moving forward often requires painful wrestling with the past so that we do not repeat our mistakes. It is well past-time for us to rectify our failure to recognize this international tragedy, and honor the lives lost and the damage done to the survivors." Read this original document at:
Defense & Foreign Affairs Special Analysis Tuesday Armenia in Political Limbo as Sargsyan Leadership Move Collapses Vol. XXXVI, No. 24 Analysis. From GIS/Defense & Foreign Affairs sources in Yerevan. Longtime Armenian leader Serzh Sargsyan's plan to emulate the leadership transition models implemented by neighboring Turkey and Russia collapsed on April 23, 2018, when the newly-installed Prime Minister was forced to resign in the face of mass protests in the three largest cities of the country. Mr Sargsyan had engineered a transfer of most of the executive powers of the Presidency to the post of Prime Minister, coincided to time with the end of his second and final term as President, and then have Parliament, under the control of his Republican Party of Armenia (Hayastani Hanrapetakan Kusaktsutyun : HHK), elect him as Premier. Presidential elections were held in Armenia on March 2, 2018, and, as a result of the 2015 Armenian Constitutional Referendum, this was to be the first time that the country's President would be elected by the National Assembly instead of by direct, popular vote. Under the results of the referendum, the Presidency would now become largely ceremonial under what the Government called a move from a "semi-presidential system" to a parliamentary republic. Outgoing Pres. Serzh Sargsyan was, in any event, constitutionally prohibited for running for a third consecutive term. Former Prime Minister (November 4, 1996 to March 20, 1997) Armen Vardani Sarkissian, and subsequently Ambassador to the Court of St. James in the UK, ran unopposed for the Presidency, and received 90 votes from the National Assembly, representing 85.71 percent of the parliamentarians. Although he ran as an independent, he was nominated by the Republican Party of Armenia (outgoing Pres. Sargsyan's party) , and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. Pres. Sarkissian (no relation to the outgoing President) was sworn into office on April 9, 2018. On April 17, 2018, Parliamentarians elected former Pres. Sargsyan, 63, as Prime Minister, in a 76 to 17 vote, ensuring that he would retain control of the Government, now in the hands of the Office of Prime Minister. Mr Sargsyan claimed that his premiership would not amount to a third term in office because he would, he said, wield fewer powers than he did in the Presidency of the republic, noting: "People have still not realized that there is no one-man rule anymore." Mr Sargsyan's candidacy was backed by the deputies from his ruling Republican Party (HHK), its junior coalition partner, Dashnaktsutyun, as well as more than a dozen lawmakers representing businessman Gagik Tsarukian's nominally opposition alliance. Mr Tsarukian did not attend the session. However, Mr Sargsyan's election as Prime Minister immediately caused protests to erupt, particularly in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Vanadzor. Opposition figure and journalist Nikol Pashinian (leader of the Way Out alliance, which won nine seats in the 2017 elections) was the clear leader of the street protests, and he and several other protestors, including opposition politician Sasun Mikaelian, were arrested on April 22, 2018, after leading a march against the Prime Minister in Yerevan's southern Erebuni district. Talks between Mr Pashinian and Prime Minister Sagsyan had earlier failed to reach an accord. The arrests only exacerbated the situation, with thousands of protestors filling Republic Square on April 22, 2018, so on April 23, 2018, Mr Pashinian was released and rejoined the street protests. The protestors had claimed that Mr Sargsyan had promised, when the Referendum of 2015 took place, that he would not seek the Premiership after departing the Presidency, and had now violated that pledge. As a result, on April 23, 2018, Mr Sargsyan resigned the Premiership. In a statement on his website, outgoing Prime Minister Sargsyan said that Mr Pashinian "was right. I was wrong", and "I am leaving the post of prime minister", and "The movement of the street is against my tenure. I am fulfilling your demand." The Russian Government expressed solidarity with Armenia following the Prime Minister's resignation. The former Prime Minister, Karen Vilhelmi Karapetyan, who had been displaced by Mr Sargsyan on April 17, 2018, resumed the Premiership on April 23, 2018, in an acting capacity until Parliament could elect a new Prime Minister.