Category: 2021

One of the shattered windows of the St. Peter Church in Van Nuys

BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN

The St. Peter Armenian Church in the San Fernando Valley was vandalized on Thursday, with an assailant observed shattering eight very rare stained glass windows of the church, located on 17231 Sherman Way in Van Nuys.

St. Peter parish priest Archpriest Fr. Shnork Demirjian said in a telephone interview the security footage revealed that at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday the assailant was clad in black and carrying a bag, put on a cap and with a baseball bat began breaking the stained glass windows, on the Sherman Way side of the compound.

Father Demirjian and the church board became aware of the vandalism in the early hours of Thursday and immediately informed the Los Angeles Police Department, which said it is actively investigating the incident. According to Father Demirjian, the police have categorized the incident as “vandalism.”

The Armenian National  Committee of America-Western Region strongly condemned the vandalism and called on law enforcement agencies to investigate.

“We call on the Los Angeles Police Department and other relevant law enforcement agencies to undertake a swift and thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice,” remarked ANCA-WR Executive Director Armen Sahakyan. “This act of vandalism is especially concerning as we recently marked one year since the Armenophobic hate crimes that took place in San Francisco.”

“There is significant amount of stained glass implosion on the property,” said the church on its Facebook page on Thursday. “There has also been vandalism done to the sign of the neighboring church on our property. No one has been harmed.

“The Parish Priest and the Parish Council are taking immediate measures to secure and protect St. Peter Armenian Church,” added the church.

This is a developing story.

The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed five ANCA-backed amendments

Congressional, Community and Coalition Advocacy Drive Passage of Five ANCA-Backed Amendments to National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON—The U.S. House staked out a powerful stand today against Azerbaijan and Turkey’s 2020 attack on Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and Armenia, overwhelmingly passing five Armenian National Committee of America-backed amendments demanding Baku’s release of Armenian prisoners of war, calling for investigations into Azerbaijani war crimes, supporting U.S. aid to Artsakh, and urging Turkey’s Grey Wolves be designated a foreign terrorist organization.  

The measures were adopted by voice vote on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, as part of larger groupings, or blocs, of amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA – H.R.4350).  The U.S. House is expected to pass the underlying NDAA measure later tonight on a largely party-line vote.

“The U.S. House of Representatives – over intense Turkish and Azerbaijani lobbying, but without any vocal legislative opposition – voted overwhelmingly today to hold Ankara and Baku accountable for their attacks on Artsakh last fall and ongoing aggression against Armenia,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We join with our coalition partners and countless community activists to thank the authors of these ANCA-backed amendments – and all those who supported their passage –  and are already at work ensuring that these principled and powerful stands are enacted into U.S. law and translated into American policy.”

The first amendment, led by Representatives Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA), states it is the sense of Congress that “Azerbaijan must immediately and unconditionally return all Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians.”  It goes on to demand a report from the Secretary of Defense on the use of U.S. technology in Turkish drones used by Azerbaijan to attack Armenia and Artsakh during the 2020 war.  The report would also detail the use of illegal munitions and chemical weapons, including white phosphorus, against Armenian civilians.  The bi-partisan amendment was also cosponsored by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Andy Levin (D-MI), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Katie Porter (D-CA), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), and David Valadao (R-CA).

“It is critical that we get a full accounting of the facts as we look to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its actions in Nagorno Karabakh last year,” said Rep. Cardenas.  “I am glad to have worked closely with Reps. Schiff and Sherman to produce an amendment that does exactly that. This report is critical to getting a clear picture of the extent of Azerbaijan’s actions and any potential violations of international law. Additionally, it will make clear that the United States Congress expects Azerbaijan to honor its obligation to carry out the unconditional return of any remaining Armenian prisoners of war safely to Armenia. I am thankful for the bipartisan group of cosponsors that has joined us in this effort, and will work hard to see that the report gets done.”

Rep. Schiff concurred, adding, “It is unconscionable that as we approach the one-year anniversary of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan continues to illegally detain Armenian service members and captured civilians – a reality made even more horrific by ongoing reports that these prisoners of war are subject to torture in violation of international human rights conventions.”  Rep. Schiff went on to note, “With this amendment, we are making it absolutely clear to the Aliyev regime that they have the obligation to release these prisoners immediately and unconditionally, and that the Biden administration should take every possible diplomatic action, including through the OSCE Minsk Group, to hold them to account.”

Rep. Sherman explained, “This amendment is critical in our efforts to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its heinous acts of aggression last year against the people of Armenia and Artsakh. I was pleased to work with Congressmen Cardenas and Schiff and many others on this amendment that aims to uncover the full extent of Azerbaijan’s actions, and sends a strong message calling on Azerbaijan to honor its obligation for the unconditional and safe return to Armenia of any remaining Armenian prisoners of war.”

The second amendment, led by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), requires a report from the Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with the Secretary of State, addressing allegations that some units of foreign countries that have participated in security cooperation programs under section 333 of title 10, U.S.C. may have also committed gross violations of internationally recognized human rights before or while receiving U.S. security assistance. Since 2016, Azerbaijan has received over $120 million in U.S. military assistance under section 333 funding, and would be in the list of countries scrutinized for committing human rights violations during and after the 2020 Artsakh War.  

Speaking on the House floor, Rep. Pallone explained, “Azerbaijan was still receiving equipment and training from the US military that began a deadly attack against Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) on September 27 that led to the death of thousands and the displacement of so many more.”  He went on to explain, “passage of this amendment sends a clear signal that the US takes seriously its democratic norms and commitment to peace by ensuring oversight of our security assistance and I hope at least in future restraint from aiding and tolerating similar regimes in the future, especially when their actions are aimed at destabilizing a fellow democracy.”

Rep. Pallone’s bi-partisan amendment was cosponsored by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and David Valadao (R-CA).

The third amendment, led by Representatives David Valadao (R-CA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA), requires the Secretary of State to submit a report to the Senate and House Foreign Affairs Committees of all US humanitarian and developmental assistance programs in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), including an analysis of the effectiveness of such programs and any plans for future assistance.  Rep. Sherman is considered the father of U.S. aid programs to Artsakh, leading legislative effort as early as 1997.  Rep. Valadao traveled to Artsakh in 2017 and reviewed U.S. aid programs there, including U.S. funded demining efforts by The HALO Trust.  The Valadao-Sherman amendment was cosponsored by Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Andy Levin (D-MI), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Katie Porter (D-CA), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), David Trone (D-MD), and Susan Wild (D-PA). 

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) led a fourth amendment requiring a report by the Secretary of State on the activities Turkey’s Grey Wolves organization has undertaken against U.S. interests, allies, and international partners, including a review of the criteria met for designation as a foreign terrorist organization.  The amendment had the support of a coalition of organizations including the Hellenic American Leadership Council, In Defense of Christians, American Friends of Kurdistan, Middle East Forum, as well as the ANCA, which circulated a detailed legislative brief to Congress in the days leading up to the vote.

The Titus amendment was cosponsored by Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). 

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) led the fifth amendment supported by the ANCA, modifying the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to authorize sanctions for serious human rights abuse, any violation of internationally recognized human rights, or corruption.  The amendment was cosponsored by Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Dina Titus (D-NV), Norma Torres (D-CA), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

The Senate is set to consider its version of the National Defense Authorization Act over the next month.  The ANCA is working closely with Senate Armed Services Committee and Foreign Relations Committee members to explore amendment opportunities similar to those adopted by the U.S. House and to zero-out U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan.

Staff at Windsor Castle move the portraits into place in the King’s Dining Room

Visitors at Windsor Castle will get to see two newly conserved paintings by the mysterious 17th-century Armenian artist Marcos, The Windsor Express reported on Friday.

The paintings have been installed in the King’s Dining Room at Windsor Castle for the first time in 150 years. They were last recorded within the castle in the early 1870s.

An expert carefully cleans the Marcos painting

It is not known how or when the paintings arrived in England. They were first recorded as hanging at Windsor Castle in James II’s inventory in 1688, and subsequently hung at Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace. 

The works of art show a member of the military aristocracy and an unmarried woman from New Jugha, the Armenian district of Isfahan, which was the cosmopolitan capital of Persia in the 17th century.

The figures are dressed in luxurious fabrics including Persian silks, which the Armenians of Isfahan famously traded across the globe. Both portraits include European details, such as a Venetian wine glass, a German clock and Dutch flowers, signifying affluence through access to luxury international commodities.

n Armenia border patrol soldier in Gegharkunik

As world leaders gathered at the United Nations for the annual General Assembly, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, addressing the session in a pre-recorded video, highlighted Azerbaijan’s continued threats against Armenia and Artsakh, accusing Baku of disrupting regional peace and security.

Enumerating the continued ceasefire violations by Azerbaijan, as well as highlighting that official Baku continues to hold and torture Armenian prisoners of war and civilians in captivity, Pashinyan blamed Azerbaijan for deepening “the atmosphere of hostility.”

“The ceasefire violations, the aggressive and insulting statements addressed to Armenia and the Armenian people continuously escalate the situation,’’ said Pashinyan in his speech, the transcript of which was released by his press office.

Pashinyan pointed to Article 8 of the November 9 statement saying, “Azerbaijan not only still holds several dozen citizens of the Republic of Armenia in captivity, but it also has sentenced many of them to 6 to 20 years prison terms on trumped-up charges.”

“There are citizens whose captivity has not yet been confirmed by Azerbaijan, although there is clear evidence that they are being held captive. This becomes even more unacceptable against the backdrop of Azerbaijanis posting videos last fall of the capture of Armenian soldiers, whose decapitated or mutilated remains were discovered later. We have irrefutable evidence about the torture of our captives,’’ Pashinyan emphasized.

Armenia’s prime minister cited the opening of the so-called “trophy park” in Baku, “where Azerbaijani schoolchildren are taken on excursions to interact the wax models of captured, killed or bleeding Armenian soldiers.”

Saying such deliberate actions by Baku, make it impossible to achieve peace in the region, pledging to create “new opportunities to open an era of peace for our region.’’

In recounting the numerous violations of international norms by Azerbaijan during last fall’s 44-Day War, Pashinyan lamented that the international community did not prevent mass atrocities—ethnic cleansing—against Armenians

“Today, no Armenian lives or practically can live in the territories under the control of Azerbaijan,’’ added Pashinyan.

In his remarks to the U.N. General Assembly, Pashinyan said that Armenia is ready for constructive dialogue, which should lead to the establishment of sustainable and lasting peace in the region.

“To this end, we propose to complete the process of returning prisoners of war, hostages and other captives without delay. It is also necessary to resume the peace process for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs,’’ Pashinyan said, pointing out that the use of force, which continues by Azerbaijan, cannot become gain legitimacy from an international legal perspective.

“The right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination cannot be suspended through the use of force; the conflict cannot be considered resolved through the use of force. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is awaiting its just settlement. This is evidenced by the statements of the Co-Chair countries, which have emphasized the need to resume the negotiation process based on the well-known principles,” added Pashinyan, saying that the Co-chairs would “enable the parties to find common ground, and to open avenues for addressing many difficult issues.’’

In discussing the issue of demarcation and delimitation of the borders, Pashinyan pointed to Azerbaijan’s breach of Armenia’s sovereign borders since May and reiterated his government position for resolving the matter, which includes the simultaneous retreat of Armenia and Azerbaijani forces to Soviet-era borders and deployment of international observers, who would monitor the delimitation and demarcation of the borders.

He also continued to advance the notion of the so-called “opening of regional infrastructures,” which essentially means the opening of common borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey.

A past celebration of Artsakh’s independence

Armenia insisted on Friday that a final status for Karabakh has not been determined as Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, once again, threatened Armenia with unspecified consequences if it continued to press for OSCE Minsk Group-mediated talks on the matter, urging Yerevan to not “anger or annoy us.”

“The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a thing of the past,” Aliyev declared late Thursday, in a video address to the United Nations General Assembly. “Azerbaijan no longer has an administrative-territorial unit called Nagorno-Karabakh,” he said, adding that the international community should stop using the Artsakh’s name.

“They [Armenia] should not forget the lessons of the Second Karabakh War,” warned Aliyev in an interview with the Russian “National Defense” magazine, reported the Turan news agency.

“In general, why does Armenia, a loser of the war, having signed the act of surrender, consider itself entitled to talk about some kind of status for Karabakh? It is impossible to talk about the status of something that is no longer there,” added Aliyev.

“There is no Nagorno-Karabakh. There is the Karabakh economic region, there is the East-Zangezur economic region. This is our territory, and only we can determine what administrative units we can have. Only to us, no one else, no other country, especially Armenia,” Aliyev told the Russian “National Interest.”

He threatened that if Armenia continues to pursue the Karabakh status agenda, Azerbaijan will “respond in the same manner” by claiming Zangezur and other parts of Armenia as historic Azerbaijani territory, reiterating his claim that Armenia and Azerbaijan must sign a peace treaty that acknowledges Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan.

Armenia’s National Security Chief Armen Grigoryan on Friday said that the status of Karabakh must be determinate by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, calling Aliyev’s statements “perplexing.”

“The Nagorno Karabakh issue isn’t resolved, and this issue still awaits its resolution,” said Grigoryan. “We believe that we are going to discuss the status within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group.”

The United States Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy has also been vocal in emphasizing that the status of the Karabakh has not been resolved. She was rebuked by Baku earlier this month, when the Azerbaijani foreign ministry said that Tracy was destabilizing the peace process.

The status of the Karabakh was a topic of discussion between Armenian and French foreign ministers Ararat Mirzoyan and Jean-Yves Le Drian who met in New York on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. Le Drian also discussed the matter, including the co-chairs’ role, with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday in New York.