Category: 2022

Celebrating the First Republic of Armenia with a True Sense of Dignity, Victory and Pride

Alex Jidarian
June 9 2022
Published on June 9, 2022   by Lima Charlie

By Madeleine Mezagopian

Amid domestic, regional and global turbulences, on May 28th the Armenian nation in Diaspora and in Motherland Armenia celebrated the painful however glorious birth of the First Armenian Republic in 1918.

Given the surrounding existence threatening circumstances, this year’s celebration transformed into solemn contemplation on how to remain loyal to the sacrifices preceding and following the first Republic of Armenia through carefully dealing with the immediate challenges that may very well threaten the current Republic of Armenia itself.

The ongoing Russian-Ukraine war with its still ambiguous causes and outcomes is surely reconfiguring the world order and with it, political and military alliances. Certain actors like Turkey and Azerbaijan, despite their despicable record of human rights, are gaining an upper free hand in fulfilling expansionist schemes.

Turkey and Azerbaijan, two countries presented with Armenian territories in the aftermath of the First Republic of Armenia, through antagonizing Russia and taking advantage of their association with the US, are threatening anew the destiny of the current Republic of Armenia and of what is left of Armenian Artsakh.

These developments surely warrant not only to remember but to reproduce the Armenia of 1918 when Armenians vigorously and faithfully fought to keep the Armenian nation alive and prevent Ottoman rulers from committing further Armenian genocide.

Armenian Americans are a vital part of the fabric of the United States. They make our nation stronger and more dynamic, even as they continue to carry with them the tragic knowledge of what their ancestors endured. We recognize their pain and honor their story.

– Statement by U.S. President Joe Biden on Armenian Remembrance Day, April 24, 2022

Today, the fate of the Armenian Nation and of Motherland Armenia is vulnerable. However, it can be salvaged and the glorious memory of the First Armenian Republic can be proudly celebrated even repeated. An ambitious however doable national aspiration can be materialized through the efforts of Armenians worldwide and in Motherland Armenia concerted towards the arrival of a salvation government comprising loyal Armenian elites, ruling Armenia peacefully, without territorial and democratic compromises, and foremost serving the national interests of United Armenia.

The domestic anger and frustration of the Armenian people in diaspora and in Motherland Armenia are intensified by the policies of the current government which reflect a betrayal to the memory of May 28 of 1918 and to the memory of millions of Armenian martyrs of past and recent history. The prescription for the current Republic of Armenia to survive with dignity and without further loss of territories is through adopting neutral policies, providing humanitarian services to those truly seeking safety and security, while simultaneously involving and interacting with its people rather than suppressing and persecuting them.

Further, for the current Republic of Armenia to survive with dignity and pride necessitates remaining faithful to the sacrifices of the heroes of the battles of Sardarabad, Bash Abaran and Karakilisa* through resisting unconditional normalization with Turkey and Azerbaijan and the further surrender of territories of Armenian Artsakh, redrawing the borders of Armenia resulting in further concessions.

The Republic of Armenia must advance and invest all available diplomatic tools to regain the Republic of Armenia of 1918. Only then can Armenia claim being independent, sovereign and democratic and entitled to celebrate May 28th with a true sense of dignity, victory and pride.

[* The Ottoman defeats at Sardarabad, Bash Abaran and Karakilisa staved off the annihilation of the Armenian nation, and the victories were instrumental in allowing the Armenian National Council to declare the independence of the First Republic of Armenia on May 30, 1918 (retroactive to May 28)].

Madeleine Mezagopian, for LIMA CHARLIE WORLD

[Edits by Anthony A. LoPresti]

[Original Main Photo: Vahram Baghdasaryan]

Madeleine M. R. Mezagopian is a published author and the holder of the Swedish Royal Medal of the North Star (Kungliga Nordstjärnemedaljen) and the Shield of the University of Jordan. She is a researcher, adviser and analyst and has served as the Executive Director at Al Arab Al Yawm (English) newspaper. Mezagopian is also a member of the General Assembly of Al-Hussein Society–Jordan Centre for Training and Inclusion.

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Kazakhstan to deliver petroleum products to Armenia

Maral Takmazian
Kazakhstan –
 

NUR-SULTAN. KAZINFORM – Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev inked the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan «On ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Republic of Armenia on trade and economic cooperation in the sphere of petroleum products supplies to the Republic of Armenia,» Kazinform cites the president’s press service.

Armenian Diocese of Germany condemns Berlin car-ramming incident

Tambiyan Samvel
PanARMENIAN
Armenia –
– 10:46 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The German Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church has condemned the incident in which a motorist, who has both German and Armenian citizenship, rammed his vehicle into a crowd of people in Berlin, killing one and leaving six in critical condition.

“We reject any act of this nature, regardless of the national-religious affiliation of the person who committed it,” the Diocese said in a statement, according to the Orer Armenian European Magazine.

Berlin Interior Affairs Minister Iris Spranger has said the car-ramming was a deliberate act by a person who likely was suffering from mental illness.

As part of their investigation, police have already searched the driver’s home and also are investigating his sister, who is the owner of the car used in the attack, EFE reported.

https://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/300847/Armenian_Diocese_of_Germany_condemns_Berlin_carramming_incident

Karabakh reveals high treason case involving serviceman

Eduard Nalbandian
PanARMENIAN
Armenia –
– 11:34 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The National Security Service of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) has revealed that a serviceman of the Defense Army communicated with foreign agents online and delivered military information in return for $1,550 in early 2021.

In January and February 2021, the man identified by his initials as L. G. spoke to a foreign agent pretending to be a young Armenian woman, received $150 and provided “certain” military information, the NSS said.

The Armenian soldier continued his interaction with another foreign agent from February 2021 and provided coordinates of military positions located along the line of contact, details of the equipment and armament of those posts, number of servicemen involved in shifts, combat duty-related information, receiving $1400 in return.

After a criminal case was initiated, the man was arrested. He has given confessional testimony.

Armenia moves against criminalizing “serious insults”

Maghakian Mike
PanARMENIAN
Armenia –
– 15:44 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Armenia has decided against criminalizing “serious insults” as suggested by a government-backed bill, Justice Minister Karen Andreasyan said Saturday, June 11.

Andreasyan said those who practice the “unacceptable behavior” will be fined in the amount of up to AMD 3 million (a little over $7000).

“Criminal liability for serious insult was intended to curb the disgraceful and unacceptable conduct of certain groups and individuals amid a deep polarization of the society,” the Justice Minister said in a statement.

“After a number of professional discussions led by the Prime Minister, the government has decided that in our agenda of further democratization, even a legitimate restriction on freedom of speech should be implemented without the tools of criminal prosecution as much as possible.”

Andreasyan said the government decided against establishing the law in the new Criminal Code which will be published on July 1.

Sports: Nations League: Ukraine 3-0 Armenia

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia –

Armenia were defeated by Ukraine in the third round of the Nations League.

The game played in neutral territory in Lodz, Poland.

Ruslan Malinovsky opened the score in the 61st minute, Oleksander Karavaev and Vitaly Mykolenko added two more in the 77th and 84th minute respectively.

Armenia are currently third in League 2 Group 1. Ukraine top the group with 6 points.

Armenia will host Scotland in Yerevan in the fourth round on June 14.

Armenian wines showcased at London Wine Fair

Parkev Tvankchian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia –

Armenian Ambassador to UK Varuzhan Nersesyan visited the Armenian Pavilion at the London Wine Fair, held between 7-9 June at the Olympia London.

13 different Armenian wine producers were represented for the first time at the Wine fair, showcasing numerous, breath-taking wines made from grape varieties indigenous to the country.

Wine production within Armenia is steeped in history, being home to the oldest winery in the world and the region itself boasting an 8000-year-old history in winemaking.

On Friday the 10th of June a follow-up event was held at the Travellers Club under the auspices of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia. The event which was accompanied by live jazz renditions of Armenian classics, displayed the aforementioned wines and their producers to a wide range of guests including journalists, businesses members of the Travellers Club, representatives of the Armenian community.

In his speech, Ambassador Nersesyan thanked the Travellers Club for hosting the event and the wine producers for exhibiting their wines so commendably. He went on to signify the importance of presenting Armenian wines and their rich history, to both British consumers and businesses alike. The Ambassador also expressed his hope that Armenian wine production will continue to develop and grow, furthermore, for it to become more commonplace within the British market.

The event was held in partnership with the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia and the USAID-funded RED-NEO project, implemented by the CARD foundation.

 

EU envoy responds to Armenian MP’s letter over police violence against protesters

Vanyan Gary
Panorama
Armenia –

The head of the European Union Delegation in Yerevan and the EU resident ambassadors have replied to a letter from Taguhi Tovmasyan, an MP from the opposition Pativ Unem bloc who heads the Armenian parliament’s Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, concerning police violence against opposition protesters in Yerevan last week.

“I had addressed Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, Head of EU Delegation to Armenia, regarding the use of special means by policemen on June 3. I informed the Ambassador about the alarms according to which the expiration date of the used special means had already been over and in congruence with the professionals’ reviews the expired ammunition appeared to be a reason for the severity of the injuries of protestors and policemen. I also told the Ambassador that as oppositionists confirm, the police didn’t inform the protestors about the use of special means in advance,” she wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

The lawmaker requested for public comments, arguing that it could help prevent a recurrence of “inadmissible” police operations in the future.

“On behalf of Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin, Head of EU Delegation to Armenia, and Heads of Mission of the EU member state embassies resident in Armenia (Heads of Mission, Ambassadors: Embassy of France, Embassy of Germany, Embassy of Italy, Embassy of Greece, Embassy of Sweden, Embassy of the Netherlands, Embassy of Czech Republic, Embassy of Lithuania, Embassy of Italy, Embassy of Slovak Republic, Embassy of Romania, Embassy of Bulgaria), I got the following reply: It is important that people are able to voice freely their opinion or disagreement, and law enforcement and police forces should refrain from excessive use of force. Both disproportionate use of force by Police servicemen and the use of force against Police servicemen by the protestors are unacceptable. Violent incidents, including the use of special measures on the 3rd June, need to be investigated. In some cases, this is already happening,” Tovmasyan said.

“The Ambassador has raised her concerns with the Minister of Justice and she is in regular contact with the Human Rights Defender, who requested explanations from the police about the types of the special measures used, their compliance with the permissible criteria for use, as well as the need, proportionality and suitability of their use in the given situation.

“Ambassador Wiktorin also highlights the utmost importance to refrain from hate language and provocations, and all parties should deplore any form of violence coming from either sides. The EU Ambassador assures me that the EU delegation will continue to carefully observe the developments,” the MP noted.

Armenian opposition unveils Saturday’s action plan

Emil Lazarian
Panorama
Armenia –

The Armenian opposition holding daily anti-government protests in Yerevan has unveiled its action plan for Saturday, June 11.

Accordingly, a march against “unprecedented political repressions” is scheduled to start from Yerevan’s central France Square at 7pm, the Hayastan alliance said.

“At 9:30pm, a cultural event-discussion will be held with Shushan Petrosyan,” it added.