Category: 2021

As Turkey’s efforts to ensure border security against irregular migration and smuggling activities continue, the 20-kilometer (12-mile) section of the security wall in the Çaldıran district of the eastern province of Van, on the Iranian border, has been completed.

In Van, which has the longest border with Iran, the security forces are taking every precaution possible to prevent illegal crossings, smuggling activities and the infiltration of terrorists by constantly monitoring and patrolling the border with armored vehicles.

Irregular migrants who want to cross into Turkey through the border, which is kept under constant surveillance with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and optical towers, are apprehended and handed over to the Provincial Immigration Administration Removal Center.

The construction of the wall, which was initiated to prevent illegal crossings on the route extending from the Çaldıran border to the eastern Ağrı Doğubayazıt and southeastern Hakkari Yüksekova line, continues.

Van Governor Mehmet Emin Bilmez told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the construction of the border wall, digging trenches, razor wire drawing, and the new optical tower and the outpost continue without interruption.

Noting that the production of the stone blocks used in the wall has been completed, Bilmez said: “Since last year, 104 lego and mono-block towers have been built. The construction of two outposts is continuing. 175 kilometers of trenches have been dug. A 64-kilometer wall is being built in three stages. The installation of the 20-kilometer wall has now been completed. The stone used in the 34-kilometer wall has been produced. From now on, the assembly will continue at a faster pace.”

Stating that the demining works have been also completed in parts where it was deemed necessary for safety, Bilmez said that the tender works for the remaining 230-kilometer border line are continuing.

Emphasizing that there are serious security measures at the border, Bilmez said: “The 6th Border Brigade operates at the border on a 24/7 basis. Some 750 Special Operations police were sent to them as reinforcements. These police officers support the border unit with 35 teams of 50 vehicles. Three reinforced, one normal commando squadron from the gendarmerie were also deployed to the region. At the same time, UAVs and drones have also been sent there along with thermal cameras. Some of the 58 surveillance and 104 optical towers built in the region have been commissioned. The thermal system of these towers is also being utilized.”

Bilmez noted that with the measures taken at the border, the number of irregular immigrants entering the country decreased significantly and many organizers were caught.

Emphasizing that they intend to show the world that their border is impenetrable due to the tough security measures, Bilmez said: “There has been a significant decrease in the number of irregular migrants with the security measures. Thanks to the intelligence work we have done this year, 1,290 organizers have been apprehended. Nearly half of them have been arrested. This figure has increased from just 599 in the whole of last year. We demolished 138 ‘shock houses’ where migrants were hiding. Apart from that, there is a significant decrease in the number of immigrant groups we catch. Those numbers, which were previously stated as 100, are now around five to 10.”

In the face of a new potential migrant wave due to the instability in Afghanistan, Turkey has maximized measures on its eastern border. Turkey is continuing efforts to bolster the security of its border with Iran to prevent any new migrant wave in the face of the recent developments in Afghanistan. The beefed-up border measures in Turkey, which already hosts nearly 4 million Syrian refugees and is a staging post for many migrants trying to reach Europe, began as the Taliban started advancing in Afghanistan and took over Kabul last month.

Turkey is not the only country putting up barriers. Its neighbor Greece has just completed a 40-kilometer fence and surveillance system to keep out migrants who still manage to enter Turkey and try to reach the European Union.

Authorities say there are 182,000 registered Afghan migrants in Turkey and up to an estimated 120,000 unregistered ones. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged European countries to take responsibility for any new influx, warning that Turkey had no intention of becoming “Europe’s migrant storage unit.”

Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum-seekers attempting to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution. Concerns have risen over a possible spike in migrants from Afghanistan, due to the United States’ pullout from the country and the following surge of Taliban attacks. Turkey has made it clear that it will not bear the burden of the migration crises experienced as a result of the decisions of third countries.

Turkey hosts nearly 4 million refugees – more than any country in the world. After the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, Turkey adopted an “open-door policy” for people fleeing the conflict, granting them “temporary protection” status. Afghans are believed to be the second-largest refugee community in Turkey after Syrians. Many of the migrants arriving via Iran are heading for Istanbul to find work or passage to another coastal city from which to embark for Europe.

Referring to the measures taken in Lake Van, one of the transit points of irregular migrants, Bilmez also said: “Our teams are patrolling in and around the lake. The radar system on the newly arrived boats has made our job much easier. We saw a 57-person boat on an inflatable boat, which we came across mostly in the Aegean Sea the other day. We caught the migrant group. As our teams approached, the boat started to take on water. If the coast guard had not arrived, we would have faced another disaster.”

Turkey has launched a new unit to prevent smuggling activities and ensure security on Lake Van. The Turkish Coast Guard Command has been playing an active role in preventing irregular migrants from being taken to other provinces by boat.

Turkish defense industry showcased a prototype of its domestically-produced short-range air defense system which will be used on naval platforms at the International Military Radar and Border Security Summit held in the capital Ankara between Oct. 5-6.

The system was produced by the Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKE AŞ) and is expected to replace the U.S.-made Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS).

It will provide protection against guided missiles, air-to-surface missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), planes and helicopters.

The system, whose tests are scheduled to begin at the end of this year, can be placed on any ship with a combat management system. It is expected to enter the inventory by 2023. The next version of the system will be the land version. Unlike the naval version, the land version will use radar instead of the electro-optical system.

It will use a 20 mm rotating barrel weapon system that has a firing capacity of 4,000 rounds per minute and an effective range of 2,000 meters (6,562 feet). The air defense platform, which has a firing rate of 3000-4000 beats per minute, will weigh 3,500 kilograms (7,717 pounds) and have a capacity to carry 1,500 ammunition.

Sigrid Burton, Tingis (#120L-1), 2020, 30 x 60 inches, oil on linen

LOS ANGELES—Tufenkian Fine Arts will present, “Multifaceted,” a two-part show featuring artworks by twelve contemporary artists co-curated between John David O’Brien and Caroline Tufenkian in the downstairs gallery space and a selection of artworks by John David O’Brien in the upstairs gallery space. “Multifaceted” seeks to subvert the traditional art historical paradigm of summarizing single artists as one evolving line of stylistic continuance, ignoring the multidimensional aspects which are often present in their creative sphere. The exhibition will run from Saturday, October 16, and will be on view through Saturday, November 20. 

The placement of artworks by Sigrid Burton, Stephen Douglas, Mary Addison Hackett, Gegam Kacherian, Kaye Freeman, Noel Korten, Erika Lizée, Farzad Kohan, Wendy Adest, Garo Antreasian, Fatemeh Burnes, and Jennifer Gunlock together was meant by Tufenkian and O’Brien to be a homage to their artistic bandwidth, individually and collectively. “Multifaceted” places these artists, varied in their practices and creative expressions, within the same space without attempting to reconcile their differences. This exhibition was conceptualized as an experiment in pluralism, celebrating the manifold dimensions of the world which we share together. 

• Wendy Adest, Cascade, 2021, 15.5 x 8 x 1
• Farzad Kohan, Everyday, 2019, 56 x 47

There was a time in which competing views and artistic ideals were pitted one against the other. Was a more abstract worldview more significant than a more figurative worldview? Was a color laden expansion more noteworthy than a monochromatic reduction? As a viewer, we can decide which of these positions best represents the world around us as we perceive it, however, those same personal decisions are often revised historically on a regular basis. In this thread lies the richness and infinite mutability of the visual arts as a tool for deciphering the world around us through its translation into color and form. 

Having grown up in an art world firmly rooted in the Italian tradition before re-rooting in California’s artistic landscape, John David O’Brien was never able to reconcile the differences that existed between these two worlds. Rejecting any singular resolution to this dilemma, O’Brien has chosen to accept that these separate trends were equally aspirational in their reach, and therefore equal in value. O’Brien’s practice references the history of Arte Povera in Italy and fuses it with West Coast Assemblage art. “Multifaceted” celebrates the plentitude of ways in which art is meant to explore the extent, the bounty, and the depth of our art world.

ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian calls on Senate and House Foreign Affairs Committee leaders to Investigate failed U.S. bilateral and regional policies

ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian Calls On Senate and House Foreign Affairs Committee Leaders to Conduct Oversight over Failed U.S. Bilateral and Regional Policies

WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America is calling on key committees in the U.S. Senate and House to exercise their Congressional oversight responsibilities over the U.S. State Department and related agencies through investigations into system-wide failures of U.S. policy on U.S.-Armenia bilateral and regional relations.

“The ANCA demands full transparency, accountability, and good governance from the State Department, nothing more but surely nothing less,” said ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian. “It is clear – from the State Department’s serious, system-wide failings prior to, during, and after Azerbaijan’s attack on Artsakh – that Congress needs to conduct a deep-dive investigation – shining a long overdue spotlight into this diplomatic disaster, holding those responsible to account.”

In October 7, 2021 letters to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez (D-NJ), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Greg Meeks (D-NY) and key Committee members, ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian called for the inquiry into “multiple, fundamental, and repeated failures of U.S. bilateral relations with the Republic of Armenia and regional diplomacy prior to, during, and after Azerbaijan’s attack last September against the Republic of Artsakh and its ongoing attacks and occupation of Armenia.”  The called-for investigation would review the conduct of the U.S. State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development with regard to shortcomings in a broad array of areas outlined by Hamparian, including:

-Failures to adequately prevent violations of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act and other U.S. laws related to U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan.
-Failures to hold U.S. manufacturers, the Turkish government, and private sector stakeholders responsible for violations of U.S. laws related to the discovery of U.S. parts in Turkish drones deployed by Azerbaijan.
-Failures to confront Turkey or hold its leaders accountable for recruiting foreign terrorist fighters, including jihadists from Syria, to fight with Azerbaijani forces against Artsakh.
-Failures to confront Azerbaijan or to hold its leaders accountable for using cluster bombs, white phosphorous, and other prohibited munitions against Artsakh.
-Failures to confront Azerbaijan or to hold its leaders accountable for illegally holding, abusing, and even causing the deaths of Armenian Prisoners of War.
-Failures to confront Azerbaijan or to hold its leaders accountable for invading and occupying sovereign Armenian territory.
-Failures of the U.S. Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group to adequately represent U.S. interests in a peaceful resolution of Artsakh-related status and security issues.
-Failures regarding U.S. government foreknowledge and/or fore-warning of Azerbaijan’s attack.
-Failures to provide anything approaching adequate levels of humanitarian assistance to the over 100,000 Armenians ethnically-cleansed from their indigenous Artsakh homeland.

The ANCA Chairman called specific attention to the effects of these diplomatic failures on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group efforts to negotiate a peaceful settlement of the Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) crisis.  “Failings of U.S. engagement have only invited malign actors – most notably Turkey – to violently project power into the Caucasus in a way that undermines U.S. interests and runs counter to our American values,” emphasized Hamparian.

Yvette Vartanian Davis

The Glendale Community College District Board of Trustees announced the election of Trustee Yvette Vartanian Davis to the California Community College Trustees’ Board of Directors. The 21 member CCCT Board takes positions on and formulates education policy issues that come before the California Community Colleges’ Board of Governors, the State Legislature, and other relevant state-level boards and commissions.

Trustee Yvette is the first Armenian American woman in California to serve in this prestigious role, having received a vote of confidence by trustees serving the 116 community colleges and with more than 2.1 million students attending community colleges in California. She was the second highest recipient of votes in California which indicates the respect she has garnered amongst her peers during her first term.

“It is rare that a trustee in her first elected term reaches this level of accomplishment,” said Dr. Armine Hacopian, GCC Board President.

Yvette was elected as a Trustee of (GCCD) Board in 2017, representing the South Glendale District where she resides. In addition, in 2020-2021, she was unanimously elected as President of the GCCD Board.

Trustee Ann Ransford, a former CCCT Board President herself and a current member, who is the Vice-President of GCCD Board of Trustees, expressed that “Trustee Yvette always puts students and their success at the heart of her decisions. Having representation at the state level continues to put GCCD at the center of community college issues and provides the GCCD Board with current policies, data and information.”

According to Dr. Viar, GCCD Superintendent/President “…as state laws, regulations, and funding are under review in Sacramento, it is essential that Glendale Community College needs are understood and addressed. Trustee Davis’ role on the state board is pivotal and provides GCCD with advocacy and recognition on behalf of our students and our community.”

It is important to note that Trustee Yvette’s hard work has been recognized by multiple associations and she has been honored for her leadership roles as she continues to serve on various boards. Through her volunteer work, Yvette has been able to serve and support various global organizations with the purpose of improving the quality of life for those in need of a helping hand.

“Through her unwavering commitment in advancing the educational experience for our communities, Trustee Yvette is absolutely deserving of this new exemplary role,” said Lucy Petrosian, ANCA Glendale’s Chairperson. “We are confident that she will achieve new heights and center the needs of our students.”

Yvette plans on running for the Glendale Community College Board again and she is very appreciative of the mentorship provided to her by Trustee Ann Ransford, Dr. Hacopian, and Dr. Viar.

Cargo trucks on Turkey-Iran border

Iran reportedly has closed its roads to Turkish trucks, a Turkish official told the Russian RIA Novosti news agency. The news comes days after Azerbaijani media claimed that Iran had closed its airspace to Azerbaijani military planes flying to Nakhichevan.

Ozcan Alash, the head of the Turkish Association for the Development of Trade with Iran, told RIA Novosti that initially Tehran introduced a ban on the passage of Turkish trucks then Ankara reportedly made a decision to halt entry of Iranian trucks into Turkey as retaliation.

Baku and Tehran are in a diplomatic row over Azerbaijani forces stopping and taxing Iranian trucks en-route to Armenia on the Goris-Kapan Highway. Azerbaijani forces also arrested two Iranian truck drivers last month. The rift has escalated due to disparaging comments from official Baku, especially Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who late last month accused Iran of holding military drills near Azerbaijan’s border as a response to the highway blockade issue.

Ankara has voiced support for Baku’s policies, especially its moves on the transport link between Iran and Armenia.

“The trade turnover between Iran and Turkey has been completely suspended due to the tense situation on the border between Iran and Azerbaijan,” Alash told RIA Novosti.

He clarified that the current situation could negatively impact trade between Turkey and Iran, which has already plummeted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender presents report on Azerbaijani atrocities against Armenians to Pope Francis

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan presented Pope Francis a report on the torture of Armenian prisoners of war and captives by Azerbaijanis.

Tatoyan is in the Vatican as part of delegation led by Catholicos Karekin II, who introduced the Human Rights Defender to the Pope. Tatoyan told the pontiff that some of the Armenian captives are held illegally in Azerbaijan facing a threat to their lives, and spoke about Azerbaijani violations against the border population of Armenia.

Tatoyan presented his report to the pope, who, according to the Human Rights Defender’s Office, leafed through the report and saw the photos depicting Azerbaijan’s heinous and cruel treatment of Armenians.

“Pope Francis instructed his assistants to examine the reports and present it to him,’’ the Human Rights Defender’s Office said, adding that three reports were handed to the Pope, one of which about the so-called “tropy park.” The second reports covers torture of Armenian captives by Azerbaijanis and the third is about the ban of using the testimonies of captives during trials on criminal cases. The latter report alleges that the Azerbaijani authorities initiated illegal criminal proceedings against Armenian captives on the basis of their testimony, which they received through torture and inhumane treatment.

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan makes presentation to Italian lawmakers

Tatoyan also presented his findings on Wednesday to the Human Rights Protection Committee of the Italian Parliament.

In his presentation to Italian lawmakers, Tatoyan emphasized the need for the immediate return of all Armenian captives, explaining that Azerbaijan is neglecting its international obligations and using the POWs as military-political bargaining chip.

The Human Rights Defender referred to the illegal deployment of Azerbaijani forces on the roads between the communities of Armenia after the war, which endangers people’s lives and well-being, while as a result of their incursion into Armenia’s sovereign territory in Syunik and Gegharkunik provinces many other criminal acts, including shootings, threatening civilians, theft of livestock of the bordering residents have taken place.

“Violations of rights, including torture and inhumane treatment, are based on the Azerbaijani authorities’ policy of xenophobia and hostility, which continues with the manifestations of fascism,” Tatoyan told Italian lawmakers.