Grigory Hayrapetov relieved of the post of head of the State Protection Service of Armenia`s NSS

Arminfo, Armenia
Oct 15 2019

ArmInfo. By the decree of the President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, Grigory Hayrapetov was relieved of the post of head of the State Protection Service of the  National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia.

Based on the Prime Minister's proposal to dismiss Grigory Hayrapetov  from the post of head of the State Protection Service of the National  Security Service of Armenia, "the presidential decree reads.  Grigory  Hayrapetov was appointed to this post on June 11, 2018, almost a  month after the political changes in Armenia. He managed to be the  personal bodyguard of three former presidents, as well as the  incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. 

ARF-D member: Everyone understands that Artsakh has right to self-determination

Panorama, Armenia
Oct 15 2019

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutiun (ARF-D) has always voiced concerns over the statements from Armenia and Artsakh that could create tension in relations, ARF-D Bureau member, Head of the Office for Armenian Cause and Political Affairs Giro Manoyan told a news conference on Tuesday.

According to him, possible tensions in relations between the two countries may even lead to a split between the two societies.

Speaking about the “Pro Artsakh Forum: Cooperation for Justice and Peace” held in Stepanakert on 11 October in attendance of more than 150 political and public figures, as well as intellectuals from over 30 countries, Manoyan said everyone understands that the people of Artsakh have the right to self-determination, with some of the speeches at the event stressing that the ultimate goal of Artsakh is reunification with Armenia.

"In this case, independence is a path, a means, while the ultimate goal is the unification. They understand the meaning of the Artsakh flag – it's about the step-by-step unification. That’s to say everyone understands that the recognition of [Artsakh’s] independence is one stage of that process,” he stressed.

Art: “Ararat. The Holy Mount” exhibition opens at Armenia’s National Gallery

Public Radio of Armenia
Oct 15 2019
 
 
“Ararat. The Holy Mount” exhibition opens at Armenia’s National Gallery
 
 
An exhibition titled “Ararat. The Holy Mount” opened today at the Armenian National Gallery.
 
The exclusive exhibition embraces paintings and graphic works of Armenian classic and contemporary artists, including  Gevorg Bashinjaghian, Martiros Sarian, Hakob Kojoyan, Georgy Yakulov, Yeghishe Tadevossian, Stepan Aghajanian, Sedrak Arakelian, Panos Terlemezian, Hovhannes Zardaryan,Petros Konturajian, Grigor Khanjyan, Seyran Khatlamajian, Ruben Grigoryan and others. The majority of the works are “pure” landscapes.
 
Along with the same common motif of Mount Ararat and the Ararat Valley, the biblical mount is in its own way represented in the canvases of each artist thus expressing the artist’s own perceptions and feelings. It begets the innermost feelings of national spirit, love and pride in homeland numerous generations have been nurtured and brought up with.
 
As home of humanity, Mount Masis rises in its primeval majesty (“Noah Descending Mount Ararat”, 1889 by H. Aivazovsky, “Mount Ararat”, 1912 by G. Bashinjaghian, “Mount Ararat”, 1968 by H. Zardaryan). As an important part of homeland’s collective image it completes the beauty of the nature in a number of paintings (“Mount Ararat”, 1929 by M. Sarian, “Armenia”, ca 1927 by G. Yakulov, “Mount Ararat”, 1914 by Ye. Tadevossian, “Mount Masis in Autumn”, 1922 by P. Terlemezian and “Mount Ararat”, 1985 by S. Khatlamajian).
 
In some canvases the Mount is represented as a centuries-old evidence of the ties between the past and the present (“Yerevan on the Background of Mount Ararat in Spring”, 1923 by St. Aghajanian, “Mount Ararat at Sunset”, 1961 by G. Gyurjian and “Khor Virap and the Lesser Ararat” by V. Karapetyan).

Chess: Armenia’s Karen Grigoryan wins int’l tournament in Portugal

Panorama, Armenia
Oct 15 2019
Sport 15:21 15/10/2019 Armenia

Armenian grandmaster Karen Grigoryan has won the 10th Open Internacional Marques de Pombal held in Portugal.

The Armenian player collected 7 points out of 7 to win the champion’s title, the Chess Federation of Armenia reported. 

Months ago, Grigoryan gained 9 points out of 9 in another tournament held in Portugal. 

Russia donates mobile clinics to Armenia

Big News Network
Oct 15 2019

PanARMENIAN.NetRussia hasdonated several mobile clinics to Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, with the official ceremony held at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy in Moscow, Vesti.ru reports.

The goal of the program is to support health systems in countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The mobile medical trailers are designed to provide services to the public free of charge.

A total of 12 such clinics have been delivered so far.


Nikol Pashinyan involves Armenia into war: Vitaly Balasanyan

Aysor, Armenia
Oct 15 2019

The zero tension on the border was beneficial for Azerbaijan, Artsakh hero Vitaly Balasanyan told the reporters today.

“Some say that during Nikol Pashinyan the tension on the border has weakened which is the result of the well-known elevator diplomacy. It was beneficial for Azerbaijan to have zero tension on the border,” Balasanyan said.

He said it is just necessary to see what engineering works Azerbaijan has carried out during this period.

“If you see you will understand that what Nikol Pashinyan called hot line is an anti-Armenian, dangerous arrangement threatening our security,” Balasanyan said, adding that Nikol Pashinyan has involved Armenia into war situation.

Asbarez: International Pro-Artsakh Summit Issues Declaration

The Friends of Artsakh forum was held in Stepanakert on Oct. 11

The participants of the Friends of Artsakh Forum “Cooperation for Justice and Peace” adopted a concluding Declaration. The forum took place in Stepanakert, Artsakh on October 11.

The forum is jointly organized by the Artsakh Foreign Ministry and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

California State Senator Anthony Portantino, California State Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian and Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, traveled to Artsakh to participate in the forum.

The full text of the Declaration is available below.

Friends of Artsakh Forum ‘Cooperation for Justice and Peace’

Guided by the principles and ideals of freedom, democracy and equal rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other core international human rights instruments;

Recognizing the right of peoples to self-determination as one of the most important achievements of humankind for ensuring global peace, stability and equality among nations, as well as being convinced that effective implementation of this right is of paramount importance for promoting the development of friendly relations between States based on respect for the principle of sovereign equality;

Reaffirming the obligation by States to refrain from any forcible action, which deprives peoples of their right to self-determination, freedom, and independence;

Noting that the lasting resolution of the Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict is possible exclusively by peaceful means, based on the recognition of the results of realization by the people of Artsakh of their right to self-determination;

Members of the California delegation

Reiterating the importance of increasing the effectiveness of the mediation efforts by co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group by restoring full participation of the Republic of Artsakh at all stages of the peace process;

Taking into account that in their struggle for independence the people of Artsakh were guided exclusively by the principles and norms of the international law, democratic values, and universal ideals, which continue to remain the basis for the process of state-building in the Republic of Artsakh;

Highly appreciating the consistent steps taken by the people and authorities of the Republic of Artsakh to strengthen and develop a free and democratic society based on the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;

Considering unacceptable any form of isolation of Artsakh from international processes and deprivation of its people of the benefits of international co-operation;

Reaffirming that human rights are universal and inalienable regardless of the political, legal or international status of the country of residence;

Recognizing the key importance of bilateral and multilateral international co-operation for the development of peaceful and friendly relations between peoples, their mutual cultural enrichment, as well as the promotion of economic prosperity;

“Pro Artsakh Forum: Cooperation for Justice and Peace”

Noting the importance of creating and strengthening the institutional framework for practical co-operation, and exchange of expertise with Artsakh in areas such as education, sports, culture, and economy;

We support the people of Artsakh on their path to freedom and democracy, as well as their efforts towards recognition of the Republic’s independence;

We express readiness to further develop and deepen the dialogue with the Republic of Artsakh with the involvement of broad public and political circles;

We call on the international community to take all necessary measures to remove obstacles in the equal participation of Artsakh in international co-operation aimed at promoting democracy, as well as strengthening peace and stability in the region;

We proclaim the formation of the International Network of the Friends of Artsakh ProArtsakh with the aim of raising awareness about Artsakh in the international arena, protecting the legitimate interests of its people, and promoting the involvement of Artsakh in international processes.

October 11, 2019
Stepanakert
Republic of Artsakh”

Further coverage will be provided by Asbarez in future additions.

Asbarez: Kardashian West Reveals She, Too, Was Baptized at Etchmiadzin

Kim and Kourtney Kardashian with their children at the Holy See of Etchmiadzin

Kim Kardashian West tweeted about her trip to Armenia yesterday, highlighting that she too was baptized at the Holy See of Etchmiadzin.

The Kardashians were in Armenia to partake in the 2019 World Conference Information Technologies conference, where Kim was a keynote speaker. During their visit, both Kim and Kourtney’s children were baptized at Etchmiadzin.

The reality TV star tweeted: “Thank you Armenia for such a memorable trip. So blessed to have been baptized along with my babies at Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia’s main cathedral which is sometimes referred to as the Vatican of the Armenian Apostolic Church. This church was built in 303 AD.”

Nairi Srapionyan, a deacon at Etchmiadzin who had met the Kardashians prior to the christening, told NEWS.am that he was asked to stand as godfather of the children baptized. He also revealed Kim’s baptismal name – Heghine.

Kim Kardashian West tweets about her trip to Armenia

According to Srapionyan, Kardashian West came prepared, with a cross, to be baptized along with her children. Psalm, Chicago, and Saint Kardashian West were baptized and given Christian names.

Asbarez: Speier and Chu Pledge to Redouble Efforts to Ensure U.S. Funding for Artsakh De-Mining

Speier: “USAID Funding is Inadequate to Complete De-Mining Project”Chu: Artsakh Visit “Doubled, Tripled, Quadrupled my Resolve”

STEPANAKERT– Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Jackie Speier’s (D-CA) and leading Artsakh security advocate Rep. Judy Chu’s (D-CA) commitment to expanded Artsakh de-mining soared this week after the U.S. House members visited The HALO Trust to review the decades of life-saving progress made possible by ongoing U.S. assistance, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.

“HALO’s landmine clearance program in Nagorno Karabakh is a lifeline for many communities,” Rep. Chu told HALO’s Artsakh Representatives after she and Rep. Speier had an in-depth tour, which included a detailed overview of their meticulous demining process. “Over 80 percent of the region’s population has benefited from cleared landmines. I will continue to engage USAID to ensure the continuation of HALO’s life-saving program.”

Congresswoman Speier told Armenia’s H1 Television, “one of my biggest takeaways today is that our USAID funding is inadequate to complete this project. So, we are going to redouble our efforts and tomorrow, when we meet with the [U.S.] Ambassador in Armenia, we are going to make the case that more money is needed.”

Similar sentiments were expressed last week by Congressional Armenian Caucus founding Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) during his visit to Stepanakert. “The State Department believes, mistakenly, that the [HALO Trust de-mining] program is no longer needed, in other words, that most of the de-mining has already occurred,” Rep. Pallone told reporters following his visit. “What we learned today from The HALO Trust people is that’s not the case. There is still more work to be done. So, we are going to go back to the U.S. and stress to the State Department, when we meet with them, that there’s still more work to do.”

Chu and Speier arrived in Stepanakert for their first visit to the Republic of Artsakh, sending a powerful message to Azerbaijan’s Aliyev regime that threats to “blacklist” U.S. legislators will not deter them from traveling to Artsakh and engaging in democratic dialogue with its citizens, elected officials, and civic leaders.

The two U.S. lawmakers took part in a series of high-level meetings with Artsakh government officials, in addition to their field visits. They were joined in Artsakh by ANCA Western Region Board Member Raffi Sarkissian and ANCA Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan.

Representatives Chu, Speier and Pallone visited Artsakh against the backdrop of standard State Department warnings issued to American travelers, and over the strident objections of the Azerbaijani government – which has placed them on a “blacklist” preventing future travel to Azerbaijan.

All three U.S. Representatives voiced their strong support for increased Artsakh aid, particularly in light of the Administration’s recent controversial bid to shut down U.S. funding for The HALO Trust. Each legislator recently joined with over 100 of their House and Senate colleagues in formally protesting USAID’s proposed cuts. In June, the U.S. House adopted an amendment to the FY20 foreign aid bill, spearheaded by Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA) and supported by Representatives Pallone, Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), calling for continued U.S. assistance for de-mining and rehabilitation services in Artsakh. The ANCA is currently working with Senate leaders to include similar language in their version of the bill, which is set to reach the Senate floor in the next few weeks.

http://asbarez.com/186912/speier-and-chu-pledge-to-redouble-efforts-to-ensure-u-s-funding-for-artsakh-de-mining/?fbclid=IwAR0aKQwaiiuD5k2q-2jOCzN3Ym8ECWc6GrZg6DQHyZCxm-GRE9GY0GyWVjA