RFE/RL Armenian Report – 08/23/2019

                                        Friday, 

Ter-Petrosian Ally Critical Of Armenian Government

        • Gayane Saribekian

Armenia -- Aram Manukian, a senior member of the Armenian National Congress, at 
a news conference in Yerevan, .

A senior member of former President Levon Ter-Petrosian’s Armenian National 
Congress (HAK) party on Friday criticized the current government’s domestic and 
foreign policies, saying that they are not “clear” enough.

Aram Manukian also claimed that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s administration 
is too slow in implementing major reforms promised by it.

“The current authorities do not clearly express their positions on the Karabakh 
issue, foreign policy, and relations with Russia,” Manukian told a news 
conference. “[Their policies] are not clear.”

“That may have been justified during the first few months [of Pashinian’s] rule 
when there was a revolutionary euphoria,” he said. “That was only natural. But 
that wave has gone away and the authorities must their express their position 
on these issues in a clear and understandable way and without tricky terms.”

Pashinian ruled out any changes in Armenia’s traditional foreign policy and, in 
particular, close relationship with Russia when he swept to power in last 
year’s “Velvet Revolution.” Ter-Petrosian and his party, which is not 
represented in the current Armenian parliament, also support the alliance with 
Russia.

Manukian also complained he sees no “revolutionary steps” in the Pashinian 
government’s handling of the domestic economy and justice system. “The longer 
they delay reforms, especially painful reforms, the fewer possibilities of 
implementing those reforms they will have,” he said.

Pashinian played a prominent role in Ter-Petrosian’s opposition movement that 
nearly brought the latter back to power after a disputed presidential election 
held in February 2008. The former journalist spent about two years in prison as 
a result of a post-election government crackdown on the Ter-Petrosian-led 
opposition.


Armenia - Former President Levon Ter-Petrosian (L) and Nikol Pashinian greet 
supporters at a rally in Yerevan, May 31, 2011.
Pashinian fell out with Ter-Petrosian after being released from prison in 2011. 
In February 2018, the HAK’s deputy chairman, Levon Zurabian, scoffed at 
Pashinian’s plans to try to stop then President Serzh Sarkisian from extending 
his decade-long rule.

Even so, the HAK welcomed the subsequent Pashinian-led protests that led to 
Sarkisian’s resignation. Ter-Petrosian, who had served as Armenia’s first 
president from 1991-1998, and Pashinian met in July 2018 for the first time in 
years.

Senior HAK representatives also hailed criminal charges that were brought 
against former President Robert Kocharian and other former Armenian officials 
shortly after the “Velvet Revolution.” The charges stem from the March 2008 
breakup of the post-election protests in Yerevan which left eight protesters 
and two policemen dead.

In February this year, Ter-Petrosian defended Pashinian against the country’s 
former “kleptocratic regime” which he said is waging a smear campaign against 
the new government.

The 74-year-old ex-president also dismissed opposition claims that Pashinian 
has embraced his conciliatory approach to resolving the Karabakh conflict. He 
said that unlike himself and the two other former Armenian presidents, 
Pashinian has so far shed no light on his views about how to resolve the 
conflict.



Government Eyes Phased Payment Of Heavy Court Fine

        • Ruzanna Stepanian

FRANCE -- The building of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, 
January 24, 2018.

The Armenian government will pay an elderly resident of Yerevan 1.6 million 
euros ($1.8 million) worth of compensation ordered by the European Court of 
Human Rights (ECHR), a senior official said on Friday.

Yeghishe Kirakosian, Armenia’s representative to the ECHR, said the government 
at the same time hopes that the massive payment resulting from a property 
dispute can be made in several installments.

The ECHR set the amount of “just satisfaction” for the 83-year-old Yuri 
Vartanian last month nearly three years after ruling that Armenian authorities 
violated his rights to property ownership and a fair hearing in court.

Vartanian and his family used to own a house and a plot of land in an old 
district in the center of Yerevan which was slated for demolition in the early 
2000s as part of redevelopment projects initiated by then President Robert 
Kocharian. A real estate agency authorized by the state estimated the market 
value of the 1,400 square-meter property at more than $700,000 in May 2005.

A few months later, Yerevan’s municipal administration and, Vizkon, a private 
developer cooperating with it, challenged Vartanian’s land ownership rights in 
court. The claim was accepted by a district court but rejected by Armenia’s 
Court of Appeals.

According to ECHR documents, the municipality and Vizkon expressed readiness to 
settle the case when it reached the higher Court of Cassation in 2006. They 
offered to give Vartanian $390,000 in cash as well as a 160-square-meter 
apartment and 40-square-meter office premises in the city center.

Vartanian rejected the offer before a panel of three Court of Cassation judges 
ruled against him. He appealed to the ECHR in 2007.

The resulting compensation ordered by the Strasbourg-based court exceeds the 
total amount of damages awarded by the ECHR to all other Armenian plaintiffs 
combined.

Kirakosian confirmed that the current government will pay Vartanian the large 
sum when the ECHR verdict comes into force in October. “This is the kind of 
obligation which the Republic of Armenia must fulfill immediately,” he told 
RFE/RL’s Armenian service. “It’s an unconditional obligation.”

“As it stands, various variants of easing that heavy [financial] burden on the 
state budget are being discussed in the government. Maybe it could be paid in 
parts over a certain period of time,” he said, adding that government officials 
intend to negotiate with Vartanian for that purpose.

Kirakosian admitted that the government will have no choice but to pay the sum 
at once if Vartanian refuses a phased payment.

The ECHR has previously also ruled in favor of nine other Yerevan residents who 
had lost their properties in similar circumstances. The former Armenian 
government had to pay them a total of 324,581 euros in damages.

The hefty fines have for years triggered calls in Armenia for administrative or 
financial penalties against those government officials and judges whose 
decisions fall foul of the ECHR. In Kirakosian’s words, the authorities in 
Yerevan are now “thinking” about the possibility of putting in place legal 
mechanisms for such sanctions.

“This is a complex and multi-layered issue because I don’t think that only one, 
two or three individuals are to blame [for ECHR verdicts against Armenia,]” 
said the official. “It’s a systemic problem that requires a comprehensive 
examination.”



Pashinian Tours Communities Close To Blocked Mining Site

        • Narine Ghalechian

Armenia -- Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian visits Jermuk, .

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian sought to reassure residents of the resort town 
of Jermuk and two villages located close to the Amulsar gold deposit in 
southeastern Armenia as he visited their communities on Friday.

Pashinian told them that the British-registered company Lydian International 
will not be allowed to launch mining operations there if they are deemed to 
pose a serious threat to the environment. He also announced that he will seek 
additional explanations from the Lebanese consulting firm ELARD that has 
conducted an independent environmental audit of the Amulsar project.

ELARD’s final report submitted Armenia’s Investigative Committee was made 
public two weeks ago. According to its key conclusions presented by the 
law-enforcement body, toxic waste from the would-be mine is extremely unlikely 
to contaminate mineral water sources in Jermuk or rivers and canals flowing 
into Lake Sevan.

The 200-page report says that gold mining poses greater environmental risks for 
other rivers in the area. But it says they can be minimized if Lydian takes 16 
“mitigating measures” recommended by ELARD. Lydian has expressed readiness to 
take virtually of all those measures.

Pashinian cited these conclusions when he indicated on Monday his intention to 
enable Lydian the restart the multimillion-dollar mining project disrupted by 
protesters more than a year ago. Yerevan-based environmental activists 
denounced that statement. Some of them claimed that in fact ELARD gave a 
negative assessment of the project’s impact on the environment.

Pashinian cited the conflicting interpretations of the ELARD report when he 
addressed about 200 people who gathered in a Jermuk square to voice their 
strong opposition to gold mining at Amulsar.

“I have decided that next Thursday or Friday we will hold a video conference 
with ELARD’s team of experts during which we will say that ‘there is a big 
debate in Armenia over what you wrote [in the report] and that you yourself 
must now present your conclusions,” he said. “All that conversation will be 
filmed and made public.”

Pashinian said he will press the Lebanese environmental consultants to give 
“clear-cut answers” to lingering questions about the safety of Lydian’s project.

“If it emerges that our water, our air, our soil and our grass will indeed be 
polluted then the mine will not be allowed to operate,” he declared. “But if it 
emerges that the only problem is that one will see some rooftop from their 
window then it will be a different situation which we will discuss.”


Armenia -- Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian talks to a woman in Jermuk, August 
23, 2019.

Several dozen protesters have blocked all roads leading to Amulsar since June 
2018, disrupting the construction of Lydian’s mining facilities which was due 
to be completed by the end of last year. The protesters say that gold mining 
and smelting operations would severely damage the local ecosystem.

Lydian, which has invested at least $350 million in the project, dismisses 
these concerns, saying that it will use modern and safe technology. The company 
headquartered in the U.S. state of Colorado has repeatedly demanded that the 
Armenian government end what it regards as an illegal road blockade.

The government contracted ELARD early this year. Pashinian and other officials 
said then that Lydian’s renewed operations in Armenia will depend on the 
results of the ELARD audit.

While in Jermuk, Pashinian also discussed the Amulsar issue with other ordinary 
residents of Armenia’s most famous mineral water resort. In particular, we went 
into the apartment of a middle-aged woman who claimed to have lived in the 
United States for about 27 years and returned to her hometown recently. She 
urged Pashinian to pull the plug on the mining project.

“I came back to live in an ecologically clean place,” she said. “I want this 
clean and untouched nature to be really preserved. Watching this nature gives 
me great pleasure.”


Armenia -- Residents of Gorayk village meet with Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian, .

After meeting separately with a group of local activists campaigning against 
the project, Pashinian headed to the nearby villages of Gorayk and Saravan.

In Gorayk, the prime minister inspected a Lydian lab designed for water 
analysis and recycling and held an indoor meeting with village residents.

Many of the villagers voiced support for the project, saying that they trust in 
Lydian’s environment-related assurances and are eager to work for the company 
due to a lack of other employment opportunities in the area.

“Mr. Prime Minister, the mine must definitely work,” said one man. “It’s good 
for the economy. We are a country at war. Our budget needs revenues. We are all 
young and need jobs.”

Lydian and its Armenian building contractors employed more than 1,000 people 
until the start of the Amulsar blockade. Many of them were residents of the 
surrounding communities.



Press Review


Lragir.am says that the dispute over the Amulsar gold mining project marks the 
start of a “new political phase” in Armenia which will lead to realignments in 
the Armenian police scene. “There is talk of the formation of new opposition, 
including from within the authorities,” writes the publication. “How 
substantiated are these assertions? A lot depends on further developments over 
the Amulsar issue.” It says the issue is exploited not only by Armenia’s former 
leadership and its political allies.

1in.am says that although some members of the pro-government majority in the 
Armenian parliament make no secret of their opposition to the Amulsar project 
it is still too early to say whether this could cause a serious rift within 
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s My Step alliance. “The issue has become a 
subject of courteous, polite and respectful but still public debates among 
members of that majority,” writes the publication. “They go as far to trade 
subtle accusations and rebukes. In all likelihood, it’s about time that all 
deputies from My Step’s parliamentary faction expressed a position on not only 
Amulsar but also chances of snap parliamentary elections.”

“The fact is that the people gave Nikol Pashinian and his political team a 
mandate to be guided not by personal or partisan but national interests when 
governing the country,” writes “Haykakan Zhamanak.” “It is evident that the 
reopening of Amulsar [mine] does not stem from his personal interests. Nor does 
it stem from the interests of the political force headed by him. They even 
speak about the possibility of a split within that force.” The paper linked to 
Pashinian insists that “state interests” are the most important factor behind 
his current and future decisions relating to Amulsar. It says the prime 
minister is mindful of those decisions’ negative impact on his approval ratings.

(Lilit Harutiunian)


Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2019 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
www.rferl.org



Asbarez: Homenetmen Inaugurates Chapter in Artsakh—Its 111th

After months of planning, Homenetmen inaugurated a new chapter in Artsakh during a ceremony on Wednesday in Stepanakert’s Revival Square. The Artsakh chapter is the Homenetmen’s 111th chapter worldwide.

Scouts—boys, girls, cubs and brownies—in their uniforms joined the Homenetmen Artsakh marching band for a parade on Revival Square as locals welcomed the newest Homenetmen chapter.

Attending the inauguration ceremonies were Artsakh President Bako Sahakian; Primate of the Artsakh Diocese Archbishop Parkev Martirosyan; Artsakh State Minister Grigoryan Martirosyan; other government officials; members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committee of Artsakh; as well as members of the Homenetmen Central Executive.

Following the ceremony, President Sahakian met with Homenetmen Central Executive Chairman Karnig Mgrdichian and fellow executive member Bagrat Yesayan. They were accompanied to the meeting by ARF Artsakh Central Committee chairman Davit Ishkhanyan.

Artsakh President Bako Sahakian meets with leaders of the Homenetmen Central Executive

President Sahakian welcomed the establishment of the Homenetmen in Artsakh and praised the praised the 101-year-old athletic and scouting organization for its work in educating and empowering generations of young Armenians throughout the world.

He expressed hope that the Homenetmen will be able to elevate the physical and patriotic development of the youth of Artsakh, saying that he had high hopes for the Homenetmen to advance and succeed in Artsakh.

Asbarez: Vazni Vaz and I Couldn’t be Happier

The ANCA Leo Sarkisian interns received a warm welcome at Central Valley Congressman TJ Cox’s Office. Interns Lucine Poturyan (left) and Greg Mikhanjian

BY GREGORY MIKHANJIAN
ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship 2019
Cal State University, Fullerton, Class of 2021

It didn’t really dawn on me that I was going to be on my own for the first time until I was flying over Oklahoma. I had left my home in sunny California and was on my way to the nations’ capital, only having a slight grasp on the type of work I was going to be involved in.

In the first week, we hit the ground running. Rather than a formal orientation into what our summer was going to look like, we were put right to work to ensure that two pro-Armenia amendments passed in Congress. Visiting every congressional office and speaking with staff about why they should support the amendments initially felt like an overwhelming task, but with each visit my confidence flourished.

One of the most exciting and enjoyable parts of the internship has been the crazy schedule. For the first amendment that we passed, I loved how we waited in the office watching the vote, waiting to see if we were going to harvest the fruits of our labor. What I loved even more than that was, after a brief celebration, our thoughts immediately turned to “what’s next.” We are always looking to achieve the next goal. It’s a “vazni vaz” job and I couldn’t be happier.

To put this experience into a single word, I would say that it was my dream. A dream that was defined by two exclusive criteria: being active in Washington, D.C. and incorporating myself into the work of Hai Tahd. Political work has always intrigued me, and while I have been active in my own state, I had always dreamed of working in D.C. As for my involvement with Hai Tahd, I have had the good fortune of being in the AYF for almost ten years. It was in that membership where I first learned about Artsakh, and I was ecstatic to be a part of the two pro-Artsakh amendments that also passed recently.

ANCA Leo Sarkisian intern Greg Mikhanjian chatting with Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Gus Bilirakis at ecumenical prayer held at the Capitol Rotunda, organized by In Defense of Christians

Perhaps some of the more profound moments for me have been in personally meeting with senators and Members of Congress. Seeing Senator Feinstein being receptive to our issues and casually exchanging jokes with her afterward was particularly memorable, because of how the tone of the meeting shifted so quickly; sometimes we forget they’re human too. Hearing Congressman Bilirakis call us his “Armenian cousins,” having a heartfelt conversation with Congresswoman Eshoo about the Armenian struggle, and hearing Congressman Sherman testify that Artsakh is historically Armenian were life-changing moments for me.

I had grown up always hearing about how Armenians had gotten the short end of the stick in so many different ways. So many failures and injustices committed against our people, it was no wonder that my view of American politics towards Armenia was negative. However, I came to this internship only to discover that the Armenian community possesses many friends in Washington. I was also reminded that incrementalism is a very real aspect of the political world. Change is agonizingly slow, almost to the point that it feels like regression, but this summer is proof that with tenacity and perseverance progress can be achieved.

Of the plethora of memories this internship has already given me, the most lasting will be the friendships that I have forged. Within the first week, it felt like we had already been living together for months. We can be arguing in one moment and laughing together in the next, and then a moment later we’re cooking and eating dinner together. It truly feels like a home away from home.

Earlier I mentioned that this internship was my first time living alone, but that wasn’t really true. This internship has done nothing but solidify my belief that William Saroyan was right when he said, “For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” That’s why I believe in Hai Tahd and the work that the ANCA does. I will never really be on my own as long as I have a fellow Armenian by my side. If there should be none around me, I’ll still always have Armenia in my heart and Hai Tahd on my mind.

Prelacy Schools Commence 2019-2020 Academic Year

LOS ANGELES—Prelacy Schools reopened their doors to welcome students to the 2019 – 2020 academic year on Tuesday. On behalf of Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, local parish pastors participated in back-to-school ceremonies, offered prayers and read the Prelate’s message.

Prelate Mardirossian presided over the back-to-school ceremony of Rose and Alex Pilibos School, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. He was accompanied by St. Garabed Church Parish Pastor Archpriest Vicken Vassilian.

In attendance were ARF Central Committee representative Garo Ispenjian, Board of Regents member Sarkis Ourfalian, representatives of St. Garabed Church Board of Trustees and of community organizations, school administrators, faculty, parents, and students.

The program began with the invocation by Fr. Vicken. Student Council members led the pledge of allegiance and national anthems. English teacher Patil DerHovagimian delivered welcoming remarks as the day’s MC. Representatives of Congressman Adam Schiff, State Senator Anthony Portantino, and L.A. City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell were in attendance, and delivered congratulatory remarks. Armenian teacher Sona Madarian delivered her message and well wishes for a bright new school year. Students delivered remarks and presented cultural performances.

Principal Dr. Alina Dorian delivered her message, reflecting on the School’s 50 year legacy of excellence, integrity, heritage, community, and unity, adding that the school has, for half a century, not just educated students, but elevated their minds, spirits, faith, and heritage. She thanked all past and present teachers, faculty, and staff for their hard work, and, addressing the students, urged them to continue to strive for excellence, to set their minds to great heights, and to always remain true to the core values of our faith and nation.

The Prelate began his message by greeting Principal Dorian, Assistant Principal Maral Tavitian, and the entire school family as they embark on their golden anniversary year and move forward to greater heights with the legacy of a rich past, strong present, and hopeful future. He blessed and commended all the teachers who serve with heart and soul, and the parents for their love, sacrifice, and devotion. He wished for the new academic year to abound with the Lord’s blessings and to be successful and fruitful.

In his message to the students, the Prelate urged them to always remember and appreciate the privilege of attending an Armenian school, which is not an ordinary place of learning but a distinctive institution where students grow and develop in their identity as Armenians. “Take advantage of the unique instruction you are fortunate to be offered; learn our uplifting prayers and our language, learn about our rich history and heritage, our ancient faith and homeland, and think of how you can contribute to the advancement of our nation,” stressed Prelate Mardirossian. He concluded by, once again, blessing and commending all those who play a part in the continued success of our schools, the members of the Board of Regents, local school boards, principals, directors, faculty, and volunteers.

The program concluded with the benediction and singing of the Lord’s Prayer.

SAS Establishes Nina G. Garsoïan Graduate Research Grant

Nina G. Garsoïan

The Society for Armenian Studies is pleased to announce the establishment of “The Nina G. Garsoïan Graduate Research Grant for Ancient and Early Mediaeval Armenian History.” A $500 grant will be awarded on an annual basis to a graduate student in the field of Ancient and Medieval Armenian History. The grant is funded by Dr. Levon Avdoyan, who recently retired as the Area Specialist for Armenia and Georgia at the African and Middle Eastern Division of the Library of Congress. Dr. Avdoyan received his Ph.D. from Columbia University in New York in ancient and Armenian history under the supervision of Professor Garsoïan.

Dr. Avdoyan commented on the importance of the grant: “Nina Garsoïan’s passion for the Ancient and Early Mediaeval periods of Armenian history and culture led not only to many brilliant publications, but also to the preparation of an entire generation of young Armenists. With her retirement from the Chair at Columbia, the study of the Armenian pre-Christian past went into eclipse in the United States, yielding to more modern studies. I intend, with this modest grant, to support the research activities of those young scholars who have rediscovered or are in the process of rediscovering the allure and intrigue of that past to restore the balance that Garsoïan’s generation worked hard to establish.”

The grant will constitute part of the Society for Armenian Studies Graduate Research and Conference Grant for M.A. and Ph.D. students awarded on semi-annual basis.

“The Society for Armenian Studies highly appreciates Dr. Avdoyan’s initiative of establishing the Nina G. Garsoïan Graduate Research Grant. I hope other scholars and individuals will follow in Dr. Avdoyan’s footsteps and establish named grants to support graduate and post-graduate members of the Society. Students who pursue graduate studies in the field of Armenian Studies usually have limited access to grants. One of the major objectives of the Society for the coming years is to the increase the size of grants so it can help a larger pool of applicants,” stated SAS President, Professor Bedross Der Matossian

Nina G. Garsoïan is a world renowned Byzantanist and Armenologist and author of multiple groundbreaking books and articles. She was the dean of the Princeton University Graduate School and the first holder of the Gevork M. Avedissian Chair in Armenian History and Civilization at Columbia University. She retired in 1993 and is currently Professor Emerita of Armenian History and Civilization. After her retirement, the Avedissian Chair has never been filled and still remains vacant.

For more information on how to establish named grants for graduate and post-graduate students, please contact the President of the Society for Armenian Studies by email.

New Playground and Classrooms Unveiled at Chamlian

Students help Dr. Kargodorian untie the ribbon to the new playground

GLENDALE—Chamlian Armenian School’s core values are the bedrock for its continued academic excellence and rich curriculum, developing students of high integrity grounded in their rich Armenian heritage in a safe, innovative school. Our Chamlian family celebrated the first day of its 45th Academic Year on the morning of Tuesday, August 20, as a Dahol u Zurna trio played traditional Armenian folk music.

As has been the school’s tradition, the 8th grade Tigers entered the ceremony holding hands with the 1st graders, a memory that is affectionately held by both the new families and the graduating ones. The large Chamlian community in attendance cheered the alumni parents, who led their 1st grade children and the Kindergarten, 1st, and 8th grade classes to the ceremony. After the attending clergy’s invocation, the school principal, Dr. Talin Kargodorian, announced the first day of school officially open with a confetti cannon. White flakes took flight in the midst of student and parent cheers, creating a magical moment in the school’s dynamic story.

First Grade teachers help Mr. Emil Tatevosian with planting trees in honor of the anonymous donor

This celebration is among the multiple events honoring Chamlian Armenian School’s leadership in the community and education industry. Year after year, Chamlian Armenian School has not only flourished academically, to the envy of other schools—both private and public—but has also creatively and judiciously invested donated funds to improve its 5.5-acre campus facility to reflect its excellent education program.

Two significant projects were completed during the short summer recess, both of which were realized through substantial donations from two school families who wish to remain anonymous. Interest in these projects was sparked at a presentation confirming that every donation is strategically invested in the school. One of the families present found the playground project close to their heart and wished to gift the funds necessary for project completion. Another family was very encouraged by the opportunity to accept additional students with new classrooms and committed to funding the full cost of converting an existing building to new classrooms.

The playground, endearingly called “Khaghavayr,” is designed to support our Kindergarten to 2nd graders’ outdoor exploration and physical development. The new yard has many features for student engagement, where they can play, socialize, and let their imaginations take flight; it is an environment that encourages both active and passive play with colorful shades, indigenous landscaping, and inviting visuals. These new classrooms provide complete flexibility to serve multiple purposes and grade levels. They are technology smart and still have elements familiar to students, such as a reading corner and areas for one-on-one interactions.

Parents and teachers enjoying the new classroom

Without the incredible generosity of these two Chamlian families, and the many equally remarkable families in the past, Chamlian Armenian School would not be celebrating an outstanding history. The school is deeply grateful for their partnership in envisioning a future together and inspiring additional partners in realizing future campus improvements, one dream at a time.

The Chamlian Armenian School’s promise for its 45th Anniversary is to lead the way for the community’s academic future, celebrate its rich history, and build a school for our 21st Century learners.

Second Betrayal Brewing?

Garen Yegparian

BY GAREN YEGPARIAN

Roughly two months ago, the government of the Republic of Armenia enacted a flat tax whose regressive effects will hurt those least able to afford it. This betrayal largely hit the same people who supported those who came to power through a popular uprising in Spring 2018, then consolidated their success through elections at year’s end.

Now, there is a palpable fear that they might harm not only their supporters, but everyone and the country, the land, as a whole. The risk comes from a proposed gold mine which would decapitate a mountain at Ամուլսար/Amulsar. Those who write about and analyze Yerevan’s action seem to believe the government is inclined to approve this mine. Indeed, Prime Minister Pashinian said as much a few days ago, though developments since then give some hope that the battle’s not lost yet.

The RoA is no stranger to mines, and poorly or irresponsibly operated, severely polluting ones at that. Forget about the horrible mining legacy of the Soviet era. Just a few years ago, despite extensive protests, warnings, discussions, publicity, etc. the Թեղուտ//Teghut mine in the north was allowed to proceed. Its tailings (the toxic sludge which is a byproduct of the mining process) dam failed early in 2018, poisoning local rivers, and almost no-one said a word about it.

But Amulsar is in a class of its own with the hazard it poses, impacting a huge portion of the tiny fragment of our homeland still under Armenian control.

Predicted underground toxic flows from Amulsar gold mine

The widespread concern that the government is poised to approve the mine is based official Yerevan’s responses to the recently released report by ELARD, a Lebanese outfit it had hired to audit Lydian, against whom court proceedings had been initiated based on concerns that it had not obeyed the law. The report evidently finds that Lydian followed the rules.

But…

There are reports that ELARD had dealings with Lydian previously, meaning it has a conflict of interest, and may not be the kind of unbiased evaluator needed in a situation like this. Plus, record of government discussions show that Prime Minister Pashinian wants to initiate a new environmental review (referred to by its Armenian acronym ՇՄԱԳ/ShMAC), but the law doesn’t allow it. Also, this latest report was not intended to address the mine’s safety, rather Lydian’s actions and if they followed the rules.

The good news is that a new ShMAC isn’t necessary. The original provides all the information necessary to shut down this process now. Here’s how.

Lydian’s ShMAC documents that in about 130 years pollutants generated by the mine will reach Lake Sevan, the country’s jewel, source of irrigation, fish, recreation, tourism… simply, LIFE. How will this happen?

Fish killed by a gold mine’s toxic leakage in Armenia’s Lori province

It turns out that the routes water takes underground (see the accompanying diagram), starting at the mine lead it to cross the Vorotan tunnel which moves water from the Spendiarian reservoir to the Կեչուտ/Ketchut reservoir. From there, water is moved via the Arpa-Sevan tunnel to Lake Sevan. You may recall the tremendous hoopla in 1981 when this project was completed to save the lake whose levels were dropping dangerously because too much water was being drawn from it for various uses. Ironically, this “savior” might end up delivering poison to its intended beneficiary if Lydian is allowed to proceed.

You might be wondering why any of this is a problem. So what of the poison from the mine crosses the tunnel, right? An unfortunate fact of life is that tunnels leak, both in and out. So the poison from the mine would penetrate the Vorotan tunnel’s walls then proceed to the lake as described above.

You are rightfully wondering “What is this poison?” As with any metal, gold usually is not in its pure form when being mined. It is mixed up with other materials and substances. That’s why the stuff that is mined is called “ore” and must be separated into its parts so the gold (or other metal) can be extracted and purified. In Amulsar’s case, part of what accompanies the ore is sulphates. These are naturally occurring and are mostly buried and harmless. Some of them near the surface are oxidized and stable. But, when a huge pit is dug exposing the sulphates to the elements, specifically water from rain and snow, the stuff becomes sulphuric acid, a very strong acid. This is the poison that would leach into the groundwater and end up in Lake Sevan, probably killing off fish and other life in the lake, rendering it unswimmable and its waters unfit for irrigation. Also, with the waters exiting the lake used to generate a significant portion of the country’s electricity, I have to wonder what effect the acidified water would have on the turbines used in that process.

It seems to me all the government has to do is cite Lydian’s own report regarding this matter to shut down the operation. After all, why go through an environmental review process is the findings cannot be used to terminate a proposed project if it is found to be too dangerous?

As you read more about this issue, keep your focus on the sulphates-to-reservoirs/tunnels-to-Sevan problem. Other, lesser, hazards such as dust, local acidification, and other unavoidable mining nastiness can be remedied, they have engineering solutions (which is what should be implemented for other mines operating in the RoA). These are the problems being touted by some officials as solvable, ignoring the acidic elephant in the room.

But, you can’t stop water. It is a very insidious and powerful force. Think about the Grand Canyon in the U.S. Water created that massive channel. Think about the leaks you may have had in your own home, how difficult might have been to track down where they originated. Now think about whether it is worth risking a whole country for a very short term, and very small, gain. Much of the financial benefits of the gold extracted will not accrue to local villagers or the government, but to a few investors and a foreign corporate entity.

In case you need more convincing, take a look at the picture of the fishkill resulting from another gold mine’s leakage into the Tsoraked stream, a tributary of the Chknagh River in the Lori province of Armenia. That happened in late June.

What has to happen now is massive pressure. From the streets of Yerevan to Amulsar (where locals have set up roadblocks preventing Lydian’s entry for the past year or so) citizen action is required. From the corner of Lexington and Central in Glendale (where the Los Angeles RoA Consulate General of the RoA sits) to embassy row in Washington, D.C. and everywhere else in the Diaspora, demonstrations are necessary. This mine must not happen. I read that some action is already being taken in London, England. Good for our compatriots there!

If you’re too far from some of the places where such protest activities are likely to occur, write to your nearest diplomatic representation of our homeland.

It would be horrible to have survived Turkish attempts to exterminate us and extirpate us from our ancient homeland only to make it unlivable by our own hand through inaction and neglect in the face of corporate greed and corrupt governments that allowed this mining proposition to even get this far. Let’s enable this government to do the right thing and not betray us all a second time in to months.

Asbarez: ՄԱՀԱԽՕՍԱԿԱՆ. ԿԱՐՕ ՊԵՏՐՈՍԵԱՆԻ ՅԻՇԱՏԱԿԻՆ

 

Հայ Դպրոցին Հետ Ապրուած Կեանք Մը

 

 Վ. ԱՒԱԳԵԱՆ

 

Այս անգամ, վերջին անգամ, հեռաձայնային մեր կապը մնաց անպատասխան։

Այս անգամ, զարմանալիօրէն, առաջի՛ն անգամն ըլլալով, ժամադրութիւնը չյարգեց ան։ Ճշդապահ ու պարտաճանաչ պարոն Կարօն ընկալուչը չվերցուց՝ զրուցելու համար հայ կեանքի վերջին իրադարձութիւններուն մասին ընդհանրապէս եւ հայ դպրոցի իրավիճակին մասին յատկապէս։

Տարիներու մտերմութիւն մը յանկարծ վերջ գտաւ, երբ Կարօ Պետրոսեան քառասուն օրեր առաջ հրաժեշտ տուաւ կեանքին, իր ետին ձգելով ողջմիտ մարդու, կրթական մշակի եւ մտաւորականի անուն։

1968. Կարօ Պետրոսեան եւ Կարօ Սասունի Ազգ. Լեւոն եւ Սոֆիա Յակոբեան քոլեճի աւարտական դասարանի աշակերտներու հետ

Կարօ Պետրոսեանի անունը սերտօրէն կապուած է սփիւռքահայ կրթական կեանքին։ Մարդ, որ իր կեանքին 58 տարիները անցուց մարդակերտման ու հայակերտման նուիրական ասպարէզին մէջ, Գամիշլիէն Պէյրութ, Պուրճ Համուտէն Լոս Անճելըս։

Մարդ, որ հայագիտական-դաստիարակչական հրատարակութիւններով իր կարեւոր լուման բերաւ նորահաս սերունդներու հոգեմտաւոր կազմաւորման աշխատանքին։

Ու նաեւ՝ մարդ, որ կուսակցական իր կեանքով եւ ՀՄԸՄական իր վաստակով շատ բան տուաւ մեր կեանքին, անկէ ստանալով միայն հոգեկան բաւարարութիւն եւ անանձնական ուրախութիւն։

Կարօ Պետրոսեան եղաւ ազնիւ աշխատանքի համեստ մարդը։ Ապրեցաւ ու գործեց պարզութեամբ, հեռու ցուցադրական-ցուցամոլական երեւոյթներէ։ Ծառայութիւնը իրեն համար եղաւ կեանքի նպատակ։ Ծառայութեան ճամբուն վրայ ան կենսաւորեց այն բոլոր արժէքները, զորս դաւանեցաւ իբրեւ ուսուցիչ կամ տնօրէն։ Հաճոյամոլութիւնն ու փառամոլութիւնը խորթ եղան իրեն համար։ Նախընտրեց ապրիլ ու գործել ժողովուրդի խոնարհ խաւերուն հետ, ազգային-տոհմիկ արժէքներով եւ սկզբունքներով։

1966. Կարօ Պետրոսեան Ազգ. Լեւոն եւ Սոֆիա Յակոբեան քոլեճի տեսչարանին մէջ կ՛ընդունի Մեծի Տանն Կիլիկիոյ Խորէն Ա. կաթողիկոսը եւ Պուրճ Համուտի քաղաքապետ Յակոբ Աշճեանը

1930ին Հալէպ ծնած այս հայորդին, նախակրթութիւնը Մխիթարեան հայրերու վարժարանը ստանալէ ետք, 1945ին քայլերը կ՛առաջնորդէ Մեծի Տանն Կիլիկիոյ կաթողիկոսութեան Դպրեվանք, որուն ուսումնառութեան շրջանը աւարտելով, 1950ին կրթական ասպարէզ մուտք կը գործէ Գամիշլիի մէջ, նախ՝ իբրեւ ուսուցիչ եւ ապա՝ տնօրէն տեղւոյն Ազգային վարժարանին։ Իր օրով վարժարանը կ՛ապրի մեծ ծաղկում։ Աշակերտութեան թիւը 500էն կը բարձրանայ 1200ի։

1961ի ամրան, վրայ կը հասնին Սուրիոյ ծանօթ դէպքերը եւ Կարօ Պետրոսեան, ուրիշներու կարգին, կը ճաշակէ ՀՅ Դաշնակցութեան դէմ շղթայազերծուած արշաւին բոլոր դառնութիւնները։ Կը ձերբակալուի, կը բանտարկուի եւ ինը ամիս կը կրէ տաժանելի կեանքի մը անպատմելի զրկանքները։ Ի վերջոյ, Ապրիլ 1962ին, ան կը հասնի Պէյրութ, ուր իբրեւ հայերէնի ուսուցիչ, երկու տարի կը պաշտօնավարէ Պէյրութի Հայ աւետարանական քոլեճին մէջ։ Միաժամանակ, ան կը հետեւի Հայկազեան համալսարանի մանկավարժութեան դասընթացքներուն։

1960ականներու առաջին կէսը լիբանանահայութեան ոսկեդարուն սկիզբն է։ Պուրճ Համուտը հայութեամբ կ՛եռայ՝ առանց սակայն Ազգային երկրորդական վարժարան մը ունենալու։ Բնակիչները, մեծ մասամբ համեստ խաւի ներկայացուցիչներ՝ մինչ այդ վիճակուած էին նախնական կրթութեամբ մը միայն բաւարարուելու։ Բախտաւորները կրնային իրենց ուսումը շարունակել Համազգայինի Ճեմարանին մէջ, Պէյրութ, որ բաւական հեռու էր եւ մատչելի չէր բոլորին։ 1964ին, Ազգային երկրորդական վարժարան մը ձեւ ու մարմին կը ստանայ Պուրճ Համուտի սիրտին՝ Նոր Մարաշի մէջ, բարերար Սոֆիա Յակոբեանի եւ Հայ կրթական հիմնարկութեան իշխանական նուիրատուութեամբ։ Վարժարանը կը կոչուի Ազգ. Լեւոն եւ Սոֆիա Յակոբեան քոլեճ, իսկ անդրանիկ տնօրէնը կը նշանակուի Կարօ Պետրոսեան։

Հոկտեմբեր 1964. Կարօ Պետրոսեան (Բ. շարք, ոտքի, աջէն առաջինը) Ազգ. Լեւոն եւ Սոֆիա Յակոբեան քոլեճի բացման օրը, պաշտօնական հիւրերու հետ

Դիւրին չ՛ըլլար նոր վարժարանին ստեղծման ու զարգացման երթը։ Լիբանանի թեմի Ազգային իշխանութեան եւ քաղաքապետ Յակոբ Աշճեանի գլխաւորած խնամակալութեան աջակցութեամբ, Կարօ Պետրոսեան ամբողջանուէր ճիգով կը գործէ քոլեճին վերելքին ի խնդիր։ Ան կը յաջողի իր շուրջ համախմբել ժամանակի ուսուցչական լաւագոյն տարրերը եւ կրթական նախանձելի մակարդակ մը ապահովել աշակերտութեան։ Կը յաջողի նաեւ քոլեճին մէջ ստեղծել մշակոյթի եւ գեղարուեստի հանդէպ հետաքրքրութեան այնպիսի մթնոլորտ, որուն շնորհիւ աշակերտներու կարեւոր թիւ մը, քոլեճը աւարտելէ ետք, կը մղուի դէպի ազգային կեանք, դէպի գրականութիւն եւ մշակոյթ, թերթ ու թատրոն։ Կը բաւէ այդ տարիներու շրջանաւարտներէն յիշել կարգ մը անուններ միայն. Նազարէթ Պէրպէրեան, Յարութիւն Պէրպէրեան, Նազ Տէր Սարգիսեան, Անի Ուրֆալեան, Յարութ Սասունեան, Էլօ Սարաճեան, Ժան Գոսագեան, Մարօ Քէշիշեան, Վահէ Պէրպէրեան, Զօհրապ Եագուպեան, եւ ուրիշներ։

Վաստակաւոր կրթական մշակ մը ըլլալու կողքին, Կարօ Պետրոսեան կ՛ըլլայ հաւատաւոր Դաշնակցական եւ ՀՄԸՄական։ Կանուխէն ան մուտք կը գործէ ՀՅ Դաշնակցութեան շարքերը։ Գամիշլիի մէջ, տնօրէնութեան շրջանին, կ՛ըլլայ կոմիտէի անդամ։ 1967-1971, երկու շրջան, մաս կը կազմէ ՀՅԴ Լիբանանի Կեդրոնական կոմիտէին։

Կարօ Պետրոսեան 1967-1973 կը մասնակցի ՀՄԸՄի Միջին Արեւելքի իրերայաջորդ Շրջանային Պատգամաւորական Ընդհանուր ժողովներուն, ինչպէս նաեւ՝ ՀՄԸՄի անդրանիկ Ընդհանուր ժողովին, 1974ին, Պէյրութ։

2011, Պիքֆայա. Համասփիւռքեան կրթական Գ. համագումար. Ազգ. Լեւոն եւ Սոֆիա Յակոբեան քոլեճի նախկին տնօրէններ Կարօ Յովհաննէսեան (1987-2000), Կարօ Պետրոսեան (1964-1977) եւ Վիգէն Աւագեան (2005-2017)

Լիբանանի քաղաքացիական պատերազմի բռնկումէն կարճ ատեն մը ետք, 1978ին ան կը մեկնի Լիբանանէն եւ նախ կը հաստատուի Թորոնթօ, ապա կ՛անցնի Միացեալ Նահանգներ, ուր երեսուն տարի շարունակ, մինչեւ 2008, հայոց լեզու, գրականութիւն եւ հայոց պատմութիւն կը դասաւանդէ Ազգ. Ֆերահեան վարժարանին մէջ։ Միաժամանակ, ան կը նուիրուի կրթական-դաստիարակչական հրատարակութիւններու պատրաստութեան եւ յաջորդաբար լոյս կ՛ընծայէ «Ոսկեդար Եւ Մատենագիրներ», «Հայաստանեայց Եկեղեցւոյ Տօներ Եւ Ազգային Աւանդութիւններ» (հետագային լոյս կը տեսնեն նոյնին անգլերէն եւ արեւելահայերէն տարբերակները), «Մեծ Պահոց Համակարգը Եւ Աւագ Շաբաթը», «Հայեցի կրթութիւն եւ ճանապարհ» գիրքերը։ Մամլոյ էջերուն ան կը հրատարակէ 60է աւելի ուսումնասիրութիւններ՝ ազգային-կուսակցական նիւթերու շուրջ։ Մաս կը կազմէ հայոց պատմութեան եւ Հայ Դատի դասագիրքերու խմբագրման զանազան մարմիններու։

Կարօ Պետրոսեան կրթական իր երախտաշատ գործունէութեան համար կ՛արժանանայ բազմաթիւ գնահատականներու։ 1972ին ան կը ստանայ Սփիւռքահայութեան հետ կապի կոմիտէին «Մէկ ժողովուրդ, մէկ հայրենիք» պատուոյ գիրը։ 1978ին կը պարգեւատրուի Մեծի Տանն Կիլիկիոյ կաթողիկոսութեան «Ս. Մեսրոպ Մաշտոց» շքանշանով։ 2010ին կ՛արժանանայ սփիւռքի նախարարութեան պատուոյ գիրին՝ «Սփիւռքում հայոց լեզուի պահպանութեան եւ զարգացման գործում ունեցած մեծ վաստակին եւ ներդրման համար»։ Ան գնահատագիրներ կը ստանայ նաեւ Քալիֆորնիոյ հայ համալսարանականներու միութեան, Մաշտոց քոլեճի տնօրէնութեան եւ Արեւմտեան Միացեալ Նահանգներու թեմի կրթական ու մշակութային զանազան մարմիններուն կողմէ։

Միացեալ Նահանգներ հաստատուելէ 28 տարիներ ետք, Կարօ Պետրոսեան կարօտալի ապրումներով Լիբանան այցելեց 2006ին եւ ներկայ գտնուեցաւ Ազգ. Լեւոն եւ Սոֆիա Յակոբեան քոլեճի ամավերջի հանդէսին, մասնակցեցաւ վկայականաց բաշխումին եւ այս առիթով արտասանեց սրտառուչ պատգամ մը։ Հինգ տարի ետք, 2011ին, ան դարձեալ այցելեց Լիբանան, այս անգամ մասնակցելու համար Համասփիւռքեան Կրթական Գ. համագումարին, ուր ան հանդէս եկաւ «Խօսակցական ու գրաւոր արեւմտահայերէնի բիւրեղացման ծրագիրի յստակացում եւ մշակում» նիւթով։

Հաճելի էր Կարօ Պետրոսեանի հետ մտերմութիւնը։ Հանդարտ եւ հեզ նկարագիրով պատուական անձնաւորութիւն մը, որ Միացեալ Նահանգներ ապրելով հանդերձ, հոգուով-սրտով միշտ մնաց իր սիրելի վարժարանին՝ Ազգ. Լեւոն եւ Սոֆիա Յակոբեան քոլեճին հետ։ «Սոֆիա Յակոբեանը պէպէքս է», կը կրկնէր ան հեռաձայնային իր հաղորդակցութիւններուն ընթացքին։ Կը սպասէր, որ շաբաթը անգամ մը անպայման հեռաձայնէինք իրեն եւ խօսէինք լիբանանահայութեան եւ Սոֆիա Յակոբեան քոլեճի նորութիւններուն մասին։ Տարիներ շարունակ, գրեթէ անընդմէջ, կապը շարունակուեցաւ։ Տեւաբար ան գօտեպնդուեցաւ քոլեճին յաջողութիւններով։ Իր անունով հայագիտական մրցանակ հաստատեց։ Քոլեճին բարերարներ ապահովեց։ Հայ Կրթական հիմնարկութեան հետ երկար տարիներէ ի վեր խզուած կապերը վերահաստատեց եւ կարիքաւոր աշակերտներու օժանդակութիւններ ապահովեց։ Աւելի՛ն, քոլեճին յիսնամեակի տօնակատարութիւններուն, հակառակ յառաջացեալ տարիքին, ան անձամբ գլխաւորեց Միացեալ Նահանգներու մէջ կազմակերպուած ձեռնարկը եւ մանուկի մը նման ուրախացաւ քոլեճին ցուցաբերուած նիւթաբարոյական իւրաքանչիւր աջակցութեան համար։

Կարօ Պետրոսեան մինչեւ գիտակցական կեանքին վերջին օրը տագնապեցաւ հայ դպրոցով ու անոր ճակատագիրով։ Հեռաձայնները չդադրեցան, նաեւ՝ հարցադրումները, թէ ո՛ւր կ՛երթայ լիբանանահայ կրթական համակարգը այսպէս, ինչո՞ւ վարժարանները կ՛արձանագրեն աշակերտներու թիւի անկում, ինչո՞ւ հայ ուսուցիչի տագնապը օրէ օր կը սրի, ինչո՞ւ, ինչո՞ւ…

Կարօ Պետրոսեան ապրեցաւ հայ դպրոցին հետ, հայ դպրոցին համար։

Յիշատակը անթառամ մնայ իր բազմահարիւր գործակիցներուն եւ աշակերտներուն մօտ։

Օրին մէկը պիտի գրուի, պէ՛տք է գրուի, սփիւռքահայ դպրոցին պատմութիւնը։ Իսկ այդ պատմութեան մէջ, վստահաբար, Կարօ Պետրոսեան պիտի ունենայ իր արժանաւոր տեղը, իբրեւ հետք ու դրոշմ ձգած կրթական մշակ, դաստիարակ ու տնօրէն, որուն համար հայն ու Հայաստանը եղան գերագոյն արժէքներ, եկեղեցին ու կուսակցութիւնը՝ գերագոյն սրբութիւններ, իսկ ծառայութիւնն ու նուիրումը՝ լաւագոյն յատկութիւններ։

http://asbarez.com/arm/353297/%d5%84%d4%b1%d5%80%d4%b1%d4%bd%d5%95%d5%8d%d4%b1%d4%bf%d4%b1%d5%86-%d4%bf%d4%b1%d5%90%d5%95-%d5%8a%d4%b5%d5%8f%d5%90%d5%88%d5%8d%d4%b5%d4%b1%d5%86%d4%bb-%d5%85%d4%bb%d5%87%d4%b1%d5%8f%d4%b1%d4%bf/?fbclid=IwAR3J2hlARQT-YFxzeZgUUyGIN2ILq8SUHpIvXWkB7yVkNqEzfLiDU5NRq_A

Trump not taking back foreign aid; Armenia among countries to benefit

PanArmenian, Armenia
Aug 24 2019

PanARMENIAN.Net – U.S. President Donald Trump has dropped plans to take back up to $4bn allocated for foreign aid to a number countries, including Armenia, the State Department said on Friday, in the face of opposition from both sides of the aisle in Congress, News24 reports.

The president opted "not to pursue a rescission proposal for funds appropriated for the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)," a State Department official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The Office of Management and Budget wrote to State and USAID announcing a freeze for the remaining fiscal year ending September 30 on funds for programmes ranging from peacekeeping and health to anti-drug operations.

This prompted a chorus of dissent from senior Democratic and Republican lawmakers, who said in a joint letter to the president the cash was "essential to promoting US global leadership" and protecting Americans.

Speaking in Ottawa on Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo didn't push back against proposals to cut his budget.

"What I have consistently said with respect to every penny the State Department spends, including our foreign assistance budget, is we've got to get it right," Pompeo said.

"We've got to make sure we are using it in ways that are effective, that American interests are represented in the way we spend that money," he added.

State spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said the department would "comply with whatever the president's directive is".

According to US media however, Pompeo worked behind the scenes to convince Trump to leave the money alone.

"As part of the discussions we agreed to continue to assess our programming and redirect all funding that does not directly support our priorities," the anonymous State Department official said.

She waited 17 years to become a citizen. Labor contractions weren’t going to get in her way.

The Washington Post
Aug 24 2019
 
 
She waited 17 years to become a citizen. Labor contractions weren’t going to get in her way.
 
 
Tatev, 31, who is from Armenia and asked to be identified by her first name, went into labor before her U.S. citizenship ceremony and refused to go to hospital until she was sworn in as a U.S. citizen, according to U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)
By Marisa Iati
 
August 24 at 11:09 AM
 
She was minutes away from becoming a citizen after 17 years in the United States, and she was not about to let a little thing like labor contractions get in her way.
 
The Armenian American woman, 31, walked to a Los Angeles convention center Thursday to be naturalized alongside about 3,200 other immigrants, Reuters reported. Tatev, who asked to be identified only by her first name, had planned to give birth to her second child by Caesarean section next week.
 
Tatev was nervous about President Trump’s hard-line stance on immigration, and U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney told Reuters she refused to leave the ceremony until she was officially a citizen. Her naturalization process had already taken six years, Reuters reported, and she was too anxious to wait any longer.
 
Carney devised a creative solution: Sitting across from Tatev in a corner of the convention center, he performed an impromptu naturalization ceremony just for her. Tatev raised her right hand, swore an oath and became a citizen, according to Reuters.
 
[She thought buying a billboard would get Tyler Perry’s attention. But he was already a fan.]
 
Tatev, a former high school history teacher who came to the United States when she was 14, told Reuters she went home to rest and the contractions stopped. Pre-labor contractions, known as Braxton-Hicks contractions, are common in the days or weeks leading up to a woman’s due date. The contractions mimic true labor, but they eventually wane.
 
“I sped up this process because of the fact of the current president, because the immigration laws are under attack,” Tatev, who stays home to take care of her 2-year-old daughter, told Reuters. She said she was scared she would lose her green card, which made her a legal permanent resident.
 
Tatev told Reuters she was also afraid that if she were not a citizen, her new child might not have automatic citizenship rights. Trump on Wednesday said his administration is “very seriously” considering ending birthright citizenship for U.S.-born children of noncitizens.
 
Trump has spoken before about eradicating birthright citizenship, a constitutional right which he has called “frankly ridiculous.” Such a move would almost definitely trigger a legal fight over the commonly accepted interpretation of the 14th Amendment as granting citizenship to all children born in the United States.
 
[Neighbors thought they witnessed a tragedy. Then a sign appeared: ‘You Saved My Life!’]
 
The birthright-citizenship proposal is one of many the Trump administration has put forth to overhaul the nation’s immigration system and especially to stem the flow of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. The president has repeatedly promised to construct a wall at the border, and his administration has attempted to deter migrants in several ways, including by revoking certain legal rights of detained migrant children and teenagers.
 
Tatev told Reuters she was frustrated with immigration policies that create a long road to permanent residency and then citizenship.
 
She asked: “If he [Trump] doesn’t like what’s happening, why don’t we pass better policies that make it a little easier for people to go through this process instead of having to sneak into this country and go through so many horrible experiences?”