Category: 2023

Friedman Secures Crucial Funding for the Burbank Armenian Cultural Foundation’s Renovations

Talar Tumanian

Oct 19 2023


In a significant win for Burbank’s Armenian community, Assemblymember Laura Friedman has successfully secured $100,000 in funding aimed at long-sought renovations and upgrades for the Armenian Cultural Foundation (ACF) Burbank Beshir Mardirossian Youth Center.

The Youth Center, which has been operational for a decade, has positioned itself as not just a staple in the Burbank community but as the central hub for the Armenian diaspora in the area. Despite its prominence, the Center has faced an ongoing challenge of constant renovations to its aging infrastructure. This generous financial boost is expected to conclude these necessary enhancements, allowing the facility to optimize its focus on year-round activities and programming.

The ACF Burbank Beshir Mardirossian Youth Center currently serves as the base for seven Armenian organizations, all of which immensely benefit from the resources, space, and programs it offers. With this infusion of funds, the Center is poised to strengthen its role, ensuring the Armenian legacy and culture remain vividly alive and thriving in Burbank.

https://myburbank.com/friedman-secures-crucial-funding-for-the-burbank-armenian-cultural-foundations-renovations/

Council Of Europe Statement Calls For Amnesty For All Karabakh Armenians

Hagop Kamalian
Oct 20 2023
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By PanARMENIAN

The European Union expects a comprehensive amnesty for all Karabakh Armenians, according to a statement adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on Wednesday, October 18.

Azerbaijan has a clear primary responsibility for the fate of the population. Tangible, concrete and transparent guarantees must be provided. As an important confidence-building measure, we expect a comprehensive amnesty for all Karabakh Armenians, including their representatives, and restraint by all sides from harsh rhetoric.

The statement reads:

1.The European Union continues to follow with concern the extremely difficult situation arising from the mass exodus of Karabakh Armenians following Azerbaijan’s military operation on 19 and 20 September and the nine months-long blockade on the Lachin corridor. Nearly the entire population of Nagorno-Karabakh, over 100,600 persons, have found refuge in Armenia.

2.It is imperative to ensure continuous unimpeded humanitarian support to those who are still in need in Karabakh, as well as to those who have left. The European Commission last week announced an additional package of humanitarian aid of EUR 10.45 million on top of the EUR 20.8 million already provided since 2020.

3.Azerbaijan has to ensure the human rights, fundamental freedoms and security of the Karabakh Armenians, including their right to live in their homes in dignity, without intimidation or discrimination, as well as to create the conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of refugees and displaced persons to Nagorno-Karabakh with due respect for their history, culture and human rights. In addition, the cultural heritage and property rights of the local population need to be effectively protected and guaranteed.

4.In this regard, we remind that Azerbaijan must comply with the interim measures indicated by the European Court of Human Rights on 22 September, i.e. to refrain from taking any measures which might entail breaches of their obligations under the Convention, notably Article 2 (right to life) and Article 3 (prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment).

5.We took note of President Aliyev’s public remarks about willingness to live in peace with Karabakh Armenians and preserve their rights. Azerbaijan has a clear primary responsibility for the fate of the population. Tangible, concrete and transparent guarantees must be provided. As an important confidence-building measure, we expect a comprehensive amnesty for all Karabakh Armenians, including their representatives, and restraint by all sides from harsh rhetoric.

6.International access to Karabakh is crucial when it comes to providing much needed assistance and ensuring an independent monitoring of the situation on the ground. The European Union has taken note of the two recent UN visits. We praise the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees, who provides support and assistance to the Armenian authorities in handling this massive exodus on its territory, and look forward to the Council of Europe fact-finding mission led by Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović and its subsequent recommendations.

7.The EU reiterates its support to the sovereignty, inviolability of borders and territorial integrity of both Azerbaijan and Armenia. We call on Azerbaijan to reaffirm its unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of Armenia, in line with the 1991 Almaty Declaration.

8.The EU remains committed to facilitating dialogue between both sides in order to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable peace for the benefit of all populations in the region.

Armenia considering banning Russian TV

Chatinian Lara
MSN
Oct 19 2023
Story by Kateryna Danishevska

Armenian authorities are discussing closing Russian state TV Channels due to alleged violations, said the Minister of High-Tech Industry of Armenia Robert Khachatryan.

He stated that "appropriate steps" would be taken in response to violations of the agreement's terms regarding Russian television companies. The minister promised to disclose details of such actions later.

In response to inquiries, the official was asked to comment on information about the discussion in Armenia regarding the closure of Russian TV channels.

"All topics are being discussed; there is an agreement that includes appropriate steps. If there are violations, we will take these steps," commented Khachatryan.

Preceding events

A few weeks ago, Armenian parliamentarian Lusine Badalyan from the ruling party emphasized the need to disconnect Russian TV channels in the country. She explained that the content of these channels was beginning to pose a threat to the state's security.

It is worth noting that relations between Armenia and Russia have sharply deteriorated. Yerevan accuses Moscow of not acting during the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, resulting in the region falling under complete control of Azerbaijan.

Armenia has also ratified the Rome Statute and is obliged to execute all decisions of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Several months ago, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for the dictator Vladimir Putin.

LOC: A History of the Armenian Print Tradition in the Early Modern Period

Dabaghian Diana
Oct 20 2023
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Linking far-flung locations in Amsterdam, Livorno, Marseille, Saint Petersburg, and Astrakhan to New Julfa, Madras, and Calcutta, Armenian presses published a thousand editions with more than half a million printed volumes in Armenian script. Drawing on extensive archival research, Prof. Sebouh Aslanian explores why certain books were published at certain times, how books were sold across the diaspora, who read them, and how the printed word helped fashion a new collective identity for early modern Armenians.

https://www.loc.gov/item/event-411108/a-history-of-the-armenian-print-tradition-in-the-early-modern-period/2023-11-08/ 

Karabakh: Searching for signs of life as winter approaches

Lilit Nahapetian
Oct 19 2023

ICRC teams are visiting communities in Karabakh in their search to provide help to people after the huge exodus which followed the recent escalation of hostilities.

A small number of people remain in their homes, either by choice or because they were unable to leave by themselves. Some require medical help or food and water. Others are requesting assistance in contacting loved ones or securing transport to leave. Our teams have also assisted in the careful removal of people who have died, onwards to mortuary facilities for appropriate and dignified care.

“We’ve got winter coming. I know from personal experience that the winters here are very harsh”, said Chris Poole, a weapons contamination expert working with the ICRC.

“Time is of the essence. We need to get into these areas, with the necessary expertise, with the necessary materials”.

Teams in the city are in contact with a small number of residents who remain in their homes and we are constantly finding new individuals. Homes, shops and offices have been left abandoned and many dogs and cats can be seen in the streets.

We recently met a man who was staying inside a small kiosk in a shopping centre. Others are grateful to receive bread and water or make use of ICRC phones in order to try to contact family or friends.

An ICRC team was approached by a man who lives with his 92-year-old father in a very remote mountain community. He was not aware that so many people had fled the region as he has been without electricity for several weeks, with no access to TV or radio.

“I saw from afar that you arrived. I was going to collect water and saw you are there”, said Aharon Ghazaryan when talking to the ICRC team.

“When people were fleeing I couldn’t leave with my father, because he is very old man. Thank God that you came, we saw you, and got information about what is going on right now.”

SHOTLIST

Location: Communities in Karabakh
Camera: Various
Filming Dates: October 10-13 October, 2023
Length: 07:37
Copyright: ICRC access all

On Screen Credit: ICRC written or logo attached to story

0:00 – 00:10– Scenes of empty streets

0:10-00:16 – An ICRC car in the city center

00:17-00:24 – Dog barking in empty city center SOUNDBITE, Matthew Morris, ICRC 00:25 – 00:31 Our teams to continuing to work here, in the main city and we will stay here until we are needed.

00:31 – 00:41
It’s important that we provide the small number of people who remain here with things that they need, such as bread or water and other food items.

00:41 – 00:45
If they need to leave, we will do what we can to facilitate that

00:46 – 00:50
and if they need to connect with their loved ones, we will also do that.

00:50-01:08 - ICRC teams discussing with Kamo Hayrapetyan at his home SOUNDBITE Kamo Hayrapetyan, speaking about the assistance from the Red Cross

01:08-01:15
They come to visit us, checking how we are doing, and even brough humanitarian aid in boxes.

01:15- 01:21
There are many things inside, including butter and bread. They help how they can.

01:22-01:40 - ICRC staff driving

01:41-01:57- ICRC staff use megaphone to tell people who may be stuck in their homes that humanitarian assistance is available.

01:58 -02:33- Various shots, ICRC staff looking inside houses for people who stayed behind
– 03:41-

SOUNDBITE, Chris Poole, Weapon contamination team, ICRC 02:34 – 02:48 This area is full of very remote small hamlets, small villages, where we have information that people have remained as a result of their livelihood or perhaps family connections.

02:48 – 03:02
And they are either wanting to now leave the area or they're wanting to stay and need some support in terms of humanitarian support. So, food, water, medical aid in some regards.

03:02 – 03:09
Many of them we believe, are quite elderly. Many of them may even be subject to medical conditions.

03:09 – 03:17
And so, it's a concern for us and indeed the authorities in the area now that we reach them quickly.

03:17 – 03:22
We've got winter coming. I know from personal experience that the winters here are very harsh.

03:22 – 03:27
And so, time is of the essence. We need to get into these areas.

03:27 – 03:42
We need to get here with the necessary expertise, with the necessary materials to make sure that we can support and indeed recover in some cases, the people that are in this area.

03:43-03:49- Puppy shots

03:49-04:19- ICRC teams speaking with people

04:20-04:47- ICRC teams assisting Aharon Chazaryan, man in village who came to find ICRC, is living with his 92-year-old father
SOUNDBITE, Aharon Chazaryan

04:48 – 04:56
I saw from afar that you arrived. I was going to collect water and saw you are there.

04:56 – 04:58
You know I felt that it is the Red Cross, and I have approached you.

04:58 – 05:03
There is no phone, no electricity no television, how could I know what is going on?

05:03 – 05:10
You know, I have just realized that there is nobody here.

05:10 – 05:15
I thought that my relatives are in Stepanakert, but they are not there I guess.

05:15 – 05:20
We just wanted to contact them, but we failed. What can I do in this situation?

05:21 – 05:29
I thought that my relatives are in Stepanakert, but they are probably in Armenia, and its pity that I can’t get in touch with them now.

05:29 – 05:35
How and with whom am I going to live here?

05:35 – 05:41
I am alone here with my father. He is a very old man.

05:42 – 05:45
I didn’t want my father die somewhere else.

05:45 – 05:47
Because my mother buried here. It is very pity.

05:48 – 05:54
If I tell him now, let’s go to Armenia, he will die on the way.

05:54 – 06:01
It is very bad. He always hoped that we will always live here. These are his last years of life. He is 92. How do I take him? But I will have to.

SOUNDBITE, Islambek Musurmankulov, ICRC

06:02 – 06:10 So today with our team, we came here to search for the people, civilians who were left behind,

06:11 – 06:18
because we receive a lot of requests from the relatives, from the families, and we came here.

06:19 – 06:33
So today we managed to find four civilians who expressed their will to be evacuated. So, we will be thinking of the ways how to do it.

06:33 – 06:44
We also find people who wish to stay here. And for these people we provide humanitarian assistance like food and non-food items.

06:44 – 06:55 So we also provide our phones for them to call and their relatives, their families, so that they are in touch.

06:56 – 07:11 And plus we also have some requests, some tracing cases when people gone missing. So we keep on our work in this direction as well.

07:12-07:16 Empty street

 07:17-07:22 Dogs walking in an empty street

07:23-07:26 Telecom machine

07:27-07:32 Close up of the telecom machine 

07:33 – 07:37 Dogs in empty street

 For further information please contact: Matthew Morris, ICRC London, +44 7753 809 471, [email protected]  Fatima Sator, ICRC Geneva, +41 7984 849 08, [email protected]  

https://www.icrcnewsroom.org/story/en/2071/karabakh-searching-for-signs-of-life-as-winter-approaches

Armenpress: PM Pashinyan chairs Civil Contract Board meeting

Christine Harutyunian

 11:15,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the Chairman of the Board of the ruling Civil Contract Party, has chaired a meeting of the Board of Civil Contract.

The party members summed up the results of the Yerevan City Council elections and discussed issues related to the work of the Civil Contract faction in the City Council.

Other political issues were also discussed, the party said in a press release.

Rafah border crossing between Gaza, Egypt opens for aid trucks

Emil Lazarian

 11:47,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, ARMENPRESS. First aid trucks are making their way through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt into Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.

“The relief aid convoy that is supposed to enter today includes 20 trucks that carry medicine, medical supplies, and a limited amount of food supplies (canned goods),” Al Jazeera reported citing a statement from Hamas.

Signing of EEU-Iran free trade agreement planned by yearend

Hambardsumian Paul

 11:53,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Iran is planned to be signed by the end of 2023, Interfax reported citing a statement by the Belarusian government.

“The work around the draft free trade agreement between EEU and Iran has been completed. It is planned to sign the document this year,” reads the statement.

Hamas attack aimed to disrupt Saudi Arabia-Israel normalization -Biden

Nahapetian Samvel

 13:47,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Palestinian Islamist group Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel aimed to disrupt a potential normalization of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia sought by Riyadh, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday, Reuters reports.

Biden suggested Saudi Arabia wanted to recognize Israel in the comments he made at a campaign fundraiser.

"One of the reasons Hamas moved on Israel … they knew that I was about to sit down with the Saudis," Biden said.

"Guess what? The Saudis wanted to recognize Israel."

The potential normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia and other Arab states was a top priority for Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his June trip to Riyadh, although he acknowledged no progress should be expected imminently.

ANCA testimony to U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee calls for an end to Israeli arms sales to Azerbaijan

Maral Chavushian

 13:49,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), in testimony submitted this week to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called upon America’s next Ambassador to Israel to advance U.S. interests by working to end Israeli arms sales to Azerbaijan and encouraging Israel to join with the U.S. government and the American people in recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

In testimony submitted by Programs Director Alex Galitsky, the ANCA explained that up to 70% of Azerbaijan’s arsenal is sourced in Israel, and that these weapons – among them illegal cluster munitions, missile systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles – played a central role in Azerbaijan’s subjugation and ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh, and the perpetration of war crimes against the Nagorno-Karabakh population, including targeting civilian infrastructure, churches, schools, and medical facilities, ANCA reports. 

“As a party to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict resolution process, the United States has a responsibility to ensure that our military partners are not undermining long-term prospects for peace by pouring fuel on raging regional fires,” stated Galitsky. He further stressed that the US must ensure that “any Israeli military technology that is jointly developed with or subsidized by the U.S. is not used in a way that further undermines U.S. interests, promotes regional instability, or violates international law.”

Regarding the Armenian Genocide, the ANCA urged that Israel Ambassador-designate Jacob Lew “impress upon the leadership of Israel, a nation of genocide survivors, the moral imperative of ending its denial of the Armenian Genocide and joining with the American people in honest recognition and remembrance of this crime.” As US Treasury Secretary during the Obama Administration, Lew led a U.S. delegation to Armenia on the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 2015.

The ANCA testimony went on to note that the U.S. Ambassador should raise with the Israeli government the growing number of violations of the rights of Armenians and other faith-based and ethnic groups in Jerusalem. According to U.S. State Department human rights and religious freedom reports, “numerous cases of extremists spitting on and physically assaulting Christian clergy and pilgrims – including Armenians.”

“Such hate crimes need to be confronted wherever they take place,” stated Galitsky.

The ANCA’s full testimony is .

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1122500.html?fbclid=IwAR2RV4YHiZiX3lNlvL4Fero0FFcwLTOpX4tbN6l3XPX8CeKrFpMo_oPTWUI