Category: 2020

Heroes of victorious battles of Tavush honored with high state awards and titles

Ophelia Vardapetian
Public Radio of Armenia
Aug 28 2020

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An award ceremony for the Tavush victorious battles’ heroes was held today at the Sardarapat Memorial, chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The event was attended by Artsakh Republic President Arayik Harutyunyan, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Speaker of the National Assembly Ararat Mirzoyan, Security Council members, members of government, statesmen, army generals, commissioned and non-commissioned officers, sergeants, soldiers.

Before handing the high state awards to the servicemen of the Armenian Armed Forces, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered a speech, in which he stated:

“Honorable President of the Artsakh Republic,
Your Holiness,
Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia,
Dear Security Council members,
Dear Members of Government, statesmen,
Dear Generals, officers, non-commissioned officers, sergeants, soldiers:
Dear compatriots,

We have rallied to mark today’s exceptional occasion at the Sardarapat Memorial, which is a symbol of our people’s glorious victory over the Ottoman army.

For the first time ever in the history of the Republic of Armenia, 55 Armenian servicemen were awarded the Second Degree Combat Cross Order, and 16 servicemen were awarded the First Degree Combat Cross Order. This fact is unique in that 24 of them are present here, and I will enjoy the honor of awarding the medals in person. The other servicemen decorated with high state awards are not present here for the following reason: They are on duty defending Armenia’s borders and security.

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But the most important episode of today’s event is still to come. For the first time in the history of independent Armenia, a serviceman of the Armed Forces has been awarded the title of National Hero of Armenia during his lifetime.

Shortly after completing my remarks at this venue, which symbolizes our people’s victorious struggle, I will present Captain Ruben Sanamyan with the Order of Homeland certifying the title of National Hero. Tomorrow he will be back on duty in his military unit.

This is the highlight of today’s event. Most of the recipients of the First Degree Combat Cross Order were awarded posthumously in Armenia; all our national heroes were awarded posthumously, and this is the first time ever that a national hero, an army officer receives the high state award in person.

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Today’s event comes to evidence that the noble cause initiated by our liberation war heroes – Monte Melkonyan, Tatul Krpeyan, Movses Gorgisyan, Jivan Abrahamyan, Yura Poghosyan, Vazgen Sargsyan – is still alive. It is not just history, but an uninterrupted process carried on by specific actors at a specific time and venue.

Today’s heroes are the embodiment of their predecessors’ physical presence in our lives, the reflection of our psychology and thinking, and we can confidently tell our children and the rising generation that they can come across with true heroes not only in books, but they can also meet them in real life. They are with us, in the same building, in the same city, in the same village; they face the same problems as anyone else does. They have been promoted to the title of national hero, which means that either we can do so, each of us can do that, and it is our duty to be heroes every day and anywhere through our daily work, behavior, in our way of thinking about the homeland and by acting for the sake of our homeland, because the example set by today’s awardees teaches us that heroism is no longer a superhuman effort, but daily work, daily life, daily responsibility.

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Dear attendees, dear compatriots,

Today’s awardees were all active participants in the July victorious battles in Tavush: they personally contributed to the July victory. That local military standoff was of great psychological, political and geopolitical significance; it recorded the following important outcomes:

Outcome One – For many years in a row, Azerbaijan’s military-political leadership had been developing the thesis that Baku’s failure to start a war against Armenia and Artsakh was a huge concession not only to Artsakh and Armenia, but also to the international community. They thought that the Azerbaijani army had reached such a high level of combat readiness that it was capable of resolving the Karabakh issue within up to 24 hours.

On this basis, a public opinion was fostered and delivered that a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh issue was only possible on the basis of Armenia’s unilateral concessions. The victorious July battles shattered the bellicose rhetoric built up by the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan for almost 10 years. It proved that there is no military solution to the Karabakh issue, and that Azerbaijan should inevitably adhere to constructive approaches.

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Outcome Two – For more than two years, in close touch with the international community and the leadership of Azerbaijan, as well as in its public statements, our government has emphasized that it is useless to talk to Armenia in the language of threats and coercion. We made it clear that we would not allow anyone to talk to us in such a tone, and anyone who might attempt to do so would regret it bitterly.

The victorious battles of July proved the credibility of our political statements, proved that our assessment of the military-political situation in the region and the balance of power was soberly calculated and accurate.

Outcome Three – Large-scale reforms have been taking place in the Armenian Army for two and a half years now. I mean not only the reforms that can be seen and discussed in public, but also the strategic and tactical reforms that are not put on record.

It is obvious and unequivocal that the reforms were viable as evidenced in the victorious battles of July. In fact, we proved that Armenia can achieve a military advantage through intellectual work, tactical and strategic innovations, without having to engage in an exhaustive arms race.

Many may not know the fact that an exceptional situation was recorded during the victorious battles in July, when we had no casualties in the frontier combat positions during the hostilities; we had only one lightly wounded serviceman, while the well-known Anvakh (Fearless) stronghold and the adjacent outposts were the target of heaviest shelling, mass attacks of well-trained special forces. This means that the Armenian army has reached unprecedented tactical efficiency, which comes to enhance our confidence that we have an efficient and intelligent army with a decisive influence in the region.

Outcome Four – We have long been talking about the development of the military-industrial complex in Armenia and we have proclaimed it a priority. The victorious battles of July demonstrated the efficiency of the Armenian military industry. They proved that we are well poised to position ourselves as a leading nation on the technological map of the world.

During the July battles, our Armed Forces hit high-tech weapons that had previously been considered invulnerable. This is a well-known fact, but few people may know that these weapons were damaged as a result of close synergy between Armenian-made weapons and weaponry upgraded and modernized in Armenia. Moreover, the ratio of weapons produced and modernized in Armenia is 70/30 in favor of those produced in Armenia.

Outcome Five – The victorious July battles demonstrated Armenia’s ability to meet its own security challenges on its own. In the meantime, some developments revealed the scope of threats affecting not only Armenia, but also the region and on the other hand, strengthened our confidence in our strategic allies and partners, which can further enhance Armenia’s ability to effectively play the role of a guarantor of peace and stability in the region, which was stated in my remarks delivered at the June 19 joint session of the Security Councils of Armenia and Artsakh in Yerevan.

Dear attendees, dear compatriots,

With the victorious battles of July, we ushered in a new historical stage, where Armenia’s military-political, regional weight and significance have increased along with the emerging regional challenges. The level of our responsibility has increased, too, and it calls for superhuman effort and dedication. But as I mentioned above, today’s ceremonious event comes to reaffirm the fact that the superhuman has for a while now become a daily routine for us, which is vividly evidenced by those high state awards we are presenting today. We are sure to be on the winning side!

And therefore,
Long live Freedom!
Long live the Republic of Armenia!
Long live the Republic of Artsakh!
Long live the Armenian Army!
Long live us, and our children, who live in a free, victorious and happy Armenia!
Thank you.”

Through the mediation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and in accordance with presidential decrees, 16 Armenian servicemen who participated in the Tavush victorious battles were awarded the First Degree Combat Cross Order, 55 servicemen – the Second Degree Combat Cross Order. Through the Prime Minister’s mediation, Captain Ruben Sanamyan was awarded the title of National Hero, and the Order of the Homeland.

The awards were handed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan: 25 servicemen, including Armenia’s National Hero Ruben Sanamyan, received the state awards personally from the Prime Minister. The awards and medals will be handed over to those servicemen that were unable to attend the ceremony as they were on military duty.


High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs: Armenia not bringing Lebanese-Armenians, they are coming

Kanayan Tamar
News.am, Armenia
Aug 28 2020

20:56, 28.08.2020
                         

Armenia isn’t bringing the Lebanese-Armenians to the country. They are the ones who are coming. If Armenia brought them, repatriation would be at the state level. This is what High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of Armenia Zareh Sinanyan told reporters in parliament today.

“Currently, there are some Lebanese-Armenians who prefer to come and settle in their historic homeland,” he said.

When told that there was a time when Syrian-Armenians also came to Armenia, but left Armenia for Europe, Sinanyan said the following: “Of course, the practice of the Syrian-Armenians was rather problematic. Armenia suffered losses since the government wasn’t prepared, but even in the best cases, for instance, in the case of Israel, not all the Jews who left for Israel after the collapse of the former USSR stayed in Israel, and many of them left for Canada, the US and other countries.”

Well-known Iranian-Armenian benefactor Levon Aharonian dies

Dabaghian Diana
News.am, Armenia
Aug 28 2020

23:35, 28.08.2020
                  

Iran’s Alik Armenian Daily reports that national and public figure, benefactor and businessman Levon Aharonian passed away yesterday.

Born in 1930 in the Haftvan village of the historically Armenian Salmast province, Levon Aharonian was a longstanding member and later chairperson of the Armenian Diocesan Council in Tehran and played a major role in the formation and development of Iran-Armenia trade and economic relations after Armenia regained its independence.

The temporary bridge linking Iran to Armenia was built through his direct efforts.

In 1993, he and his colleagues founded the Iran-Armenia Chamber of Commerce, which Aharonian chaired for many years.

He also helped build the A. A. Aharonian Armenian Kindergarten in the Zeytun district of Tehran and did charity work in Armenia.



Armenia 1st Human Rights Defender joins citizens demanding education minister’s resignation

Emil Lazarian
News.am, Armenia
Aug 28 2020
Armenia 1st Human Rights Defender joins citizens demanding education minister’s resignation Armenia 1st Human Rights Defender joins citizens demanding education minister’s resignation

15:41, 28.08.2020

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia Arayik Harutyunyan must talk to the people who don’t agree with his actions. This is what President of the “Against Legal Arbitrariness” NGO, first Human Rights Defender of Armenia Larisa Alaverdyan told reporters during a protest that citizens were holding with the demand for Harutyunyan’s resignation today.

“I’m mainly demanding that Arayik Harutyunyan renounce his policy. We see that he is not only continuing to lead the policy, but is also clinging to the Prime Minister. I not only reject the attempts to completely revolutionize the value system of Armenians, starting from schools and even kindergartens, but also condemn it,” she said.

Asked if the minister will resign after these protests, Alverdyan said the following: “I would be surprised to know that he thinks he’s going to be minister forever. Literate people need to understand that people don’t hold office forever. He must negotiate with all extra-parliamentary forces and talk to the people who disagree with him.”

Azerbaijani press: Bryza: OSCE MG currently cannot play its role as mediator

Jhanna Virabian
POLITICS28 August 2020 18:39 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 28

Trend:

The OSCE Minsk Group currently cannot play its role as a mediator in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, former US extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza said in an interview with Hadaf program on Azerbaijan Television (AzTV), Trend reports on Aug. 28.

“In this situation there are no conditions for the continuation of negotiations with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group,” Bryza, who is also the ex-co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, said.

“Therefore, I think that the vacuum will be filled by Russia from the Armenian side and by Turkey from the Azerbaijani side,” former US extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Azerbaijan added. “Presently, we see that the OSCE Minsk Group has dropped out of the process. Perhaps, Russia and Turkey will show a great initiative. But I think there will be opponents in certain circles.”

Turkish press: Relics of Gaziantep’s heroism on display at December 25 Museum

Emma Jilavian
 ISTANBUL EVENTS 
AUG 27, 2020 11:35 AM GMT+3
The Panorama December 25 Museum depicts the city’s struggle during the War of Independence with oil paintings by Alexander Samsonov, in Gaziantep, southeastern Turkey, Aug. 26, 2020. (AA Photo)

The Panorama December 25 Museum in southeastern Gaziantep gives visitors a glimpse of how valiantly the city fought during the Turkish War of Independence with a plethora of displays, documents and items dating back to that time.

The Turkish War of Independence was fought from May 1919 to July 1922 against Greece, Armenia, France, the U.K. and Italy after parts of the Ottoman Empire were occupied by Allied forces after World War I. Gaziantep was at the heart of the southern front of the war against the French occupation of southern Anatolia, which was also backed by local Armenian militia groups. The city was occupied by the French in April 1919, only to be driven out a year later by Turkish irregular “National Forces.” Reinforced by troops from occupied Syria, a French military column laid a 10-month-long siege to the city, causing great damage and civilian casualties. The staunch resistance performed by irregulars prompted the Grand National Assembly, the main body of the Turkish National Movement during the War of Independence which went on to become modern day Parliament, awarded Antep with the honorary title “gazi,” or veteran. However, this move was only symbolic as the city surrendered on Feb. 9, 1921. As Turkish National Movement grew in strength and proved successful in Western and Eastern fronts, The French government struck a deal with Ankara and ended their occupation in most Turkish-majority regions claimed by the National Pact, with last French soldiers leaving on Dec. 25, 1921.

Organized by the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, the museum was designed by a commission composed of historians, chamber representatives, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and public officials, to preserve the story of the city’s defense for posterity.

The museum, based in Gaziantep’s Seferpaşa neighborhood, is comprised of four chambers lined with oil paintings by Russian painter Alexander Samsonov, documenting the period. It also includes items donated by war veterans and relatives of the fallen and doors and windows from buildings shattered during the turmoil, as well as weapons and clothing from the time.

In an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), Bekir Sıtkı Severoğlu, director of the history board of the Panorama December 25 Museum, said that he joined the project on a voluntary basis as both of his grandfathers were some of the many who joined in the struggle.

Weapons used during the War of Independence are on display at the museum in Gaziantep, southeastern Turkey, Aug. 26, 2020. (AA Photo)

Underlining the legendary status of the defense of Gaziantep, Severoğlu noted that the struggle was waged by the entire city and was a unique example of strength and resolve against the invading French and British.

He stated that the people of Gaziantep had long dreamed of a museum that could preserve the memory of the fight, adding that the museum would serve as a kind of school where World War I, the War of Independence and the city of the time could be taught about.

Severoğlu said the museum will be of great importance for commemorating those who gave their lives in the conflict. “We have thousands of martyrs to hold dear, but we do not even know some of their names. This museum is very important. Here, we will be able to keep their memory alive. It’s thanks to them that we can live on this land,” he said.

The museum will also contribute to the unearthing of many historical events, the director said. “This museum is crucial for its social value and its ability to help teach young people about what happened. All the events we have depicted in this museum are based on documents belonging to both the enemy and the Turks. We will present a number of facts in the museum, which show what the French did in this city. The French authorities will come to apologize to the people of Gaziantep when they see what is shown here,” he said.

Touching on the large role Gaziantep played in the War of Independence, Severoğlu said: “The city was at the heart of the southern front of the war. There was a unique struggle in Adıyaman, Kahramanmaraş, Adana, Hatay, Kilis and Şanlıurfa here. There was a more protracted, monthslong resistance in Gaziantep, in particular. The French went to great lengths to seize this city. When we examine the French newspapers and magazines of that time, we see that they wanted control of the city at all costs. There are reports written by French officers saying that it would only be possible to dominate the region through the domination of Gaziantep.”

Photos and belongings of war veterans and martyrs are on display at the museum in Gaziantep, southeastern Turkey, Aug. 26, 2020. (AA Photo)

Welcoming 1 million tourists

Severoğlu said visitors can learn many lessons and new information at the museum. “The building housing the Panorama December 25 Museum used to serve as a warehouse and later as a gendarmerie space. When you enter the museum, you can see a map from the year 1920. We also have on show outfits worn by the British, the French, the civilian population, as well as the Senegalese and the Algerian legionnaires from a century ago. A total of 14 oil paintings are on display showing 14 different incidents based on enemy documents,” he said.

He noted that the museum is easily accessible and will add to the dynamism of tourism in Gaziantep. “Visitors will not encounter a throng of tourists. There will be no stampede. We can easily welcome 1 million tourists a year. After leaving the museum, visitors can also tour the town to see buildings that stood throughout the conflict,” Severoğlu said.

“We will showcase the defense of Gaziantep with visual and animated effects. There will also be smoke, sound and sensory effects, such as the smell of a medical tent and gunpowder. One will be able to enjoy the sound of the water flowing beneath the Elmalı Bridge and we have a number of bushes and stones collected from the site. We also have architectural works from the time,” he said.

Severoğlu said the opening date of the museum will be determined in line with the developing COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey.

Russian servicemen honored for contribution to fighting Covid-19 in Armenian Army

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Aug 28 2020

<img width=”1024″ height=”682″ src=””https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Russian-servicemen-1.jpg” class=”attachment-full size-full wp-post-image” alt=”” srcset=”https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Russian-servicemen-1.jpg 1024w, 300w, 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px”/>

Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan has awarded Marshal Baghramyan Medals to Russian servicemen Alexei Susloparov and Vasili Chukhralyai for their contribution to the prevention and testing of coronavirus in Armenian Armed Forces. Alexei Stupnikov, Sergei Kalganov, Sergei Parfenov and Alexei Biserov have been honored with Medals for Military Cooperation.

A solemn awarding ceremony took place in the administrative complex of the Ministry of Defense. Attending the event were the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Armenia Sergey Kopirkin, the military attaché of the Russian Embassy, Colonel Andrey Grischuk.

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Congratulating the awardees, David Tonoyan thanked the Russian side for its support in the fight against coronavirus, noting that it has been possible to overcome the difficult moment of the epidemic also due to the zeal, hard work and high professional qualities of the servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces. David Tonoyan wished Russian specialists personal and professional success.

The award-winning professionals thanked for appreciation of their service.



Armenia boosts development of astro-tourism in the region

Ani Basmajian
Public Radio of Armenia
Aug 28 2020

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Being the pioneer of scientific (and astronomical) tourism,the Victor Ambartsumian Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) of teh Armenian National Academy of Sciences has initiated the creation of an astronomical tourism webpage for the region.

Continuing to host the IAU South West and Central Asian Regional Office of Astronomy for Development, BAO implements international astronomical project focused on the region.

Within the framework of the above-mentioned project Astro Tourism webpage has been created to introduce places of certain astronomical value that present interest for the astronomical tourism.

Here one can learn about the history of astronomy and its development not only in Armenia but also in other countries of the region. The webpage also provides information on modern and ancient observatories, sundials, planetariums, Space related museums and many more.


Armenia education minister: My resignation is not a matter of discussion

Ekmekjian Janet
News.am, Armenia
Aug 28 2020

18:26, 28.08.2020

My resignation is not a matter of discussion. This is what Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia Arayik Harutyunyan told reporters today, adding that he understands the demands and actions of those demanding his resignation.

Asked if he sees shortcomings that may have been a reason for the demand for his resignation, Harutyunyan said the following: “When there was a discussion on the reforms in the education sector in 2018, I had the occasion to say that there will be very dire and painful reforms because it was clear to all of us that there had to be reforms in the fields of education, culture and sport. I had also said the reforms would concern a large group of beneficiaries and that there would be complaints. The protesters have their reasons for protesting. They clearly claim that preliminary military preparation won’t be a subject in the curriculum, they lie when they say sexual education will be part of the curriculum this September, they lie when they say that Anatolia is written in textbooks instead of Armenian Highland, and they lie when they say children won’t be learning about great Armenians anymore,” Harutyunyan said and called on reporters to go deep into the texts and present the reality, not disseminate misinformation.

As far as the requirement for children to wear face masks in classrooms is concerned, he said the following: “I listened to the parents’ concerns. The ministry is considering their concerns, and apparently, they didn’t make new recommendations. The procedure for wearing masks in closed spaces was established in May.”


https://news.am/eng/news/599252.html

Asbarez: ANC NJ Representatives Meet with Senator Cory Booker

Chmshkian Vicken
August 28,  2020


Members of the Armenian National Committee of New Jersey hosted a meeting with Senator Cory Booker during August recess.

OLD TAPPAN, NJ – Representatives from the Armenian National Committee of New Jersey and activists met with Senator Cory Booker virtually during August recess to discuss the legislative priorities of the Armenian American community of New Jersey.

ANC of New Jersey co-chairs Karine Shnorhokian and Aram Tramblian as well as ANC NJ activists Ani Tchaghlasian, James Sahagian, John L. Shahdanian II and Joseph Ariyan and other ANCA leaders including ANCA Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan and ANCA Eastern Region Executive Director Tamar Gregorian discussed US-Armenia relations, security and stability for Artsakh, and key legislative issues that will be voted on in the Senate in the near future including the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 with the senator.

“As a friend of Senator Booker since childhood, I was keenly aware of his many strong Armenian relationships. It was my great pleasure, on behalf of the ANC NJ, to help facilitate this wonderful discussion of Armenian issues ranging from aid to Armenia, de-mining of Artsakh, all the way to ensuring that the Library of Congress appropriately change the classification from “Armenian Massacres” to “Armenian Genocide.” Senator Booker was engaged and informed on the issues and I look forward to his continuing support and friendship towards the Armenian community in the years to come,” said Shahdanian.

Senator Booker, who is up for re-election in November, re-affirmed his support on key legislative issues, including requesting foreign aid for continued de-mining efforts in Artsakh – a program that has saved numerous lives. Constituents also informed the Senator on the ANCA’s leadership in requesting that the Library of Congress change its subject heading from “Armenian Massacres” to “Armenian Genocide,” following the U.S. House and Senate’s passage of H.Res.296 and S.Res.150 reaffirming the Armenian Genocide.

An advocate for the Armenian American community, Senator Booker joined Senator Menendez in a joint statement on July 17 condemning Azerbaijan’s attacks on sovereign Armenia.

“We are honored that the Senator took the time to personally meet with the ANC of New Jersey, and thanked him for his support on issues that are important to the Armenian American community in New Jersey. We look forward to a continued partnership with Senator Booker,” said Tramblian, ANC of New Jersey co-chair.