Category: 2023

Rasmussen: Lachin corridor blockade is illegal, inhumane

Emil Lazarian
NEWS.am
Armenia – March 14 2023
17:18, 14.03.2023

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former Secretary General of NATO, today visited the southern regions of Armenia to see with his own eyes the consequences of Azerbaijan’s aggression towards Armenia. Rasmussen, who is now the founding chairman of Rasmussen Global international political consultancy organization, announced about this to reporters in Armenia on Tuesday.

He was in the wonderful city of Jermuk where the mayor showed the negative consequences left in the city after the attack of the Azerbaijani army and how it affected tourism Rasmussen said.

He added that earlier, he visited the Lachin corridor, which is the only connecting link between Karabakh and Armenia, noting that last December, the only road connecting Karabakh Armenians with Armenia was closed, and this blockade of the Lachin corridor is illegal and inhumane.

According to Rasmussen, he met with a group of people in Armenia who lived in Karabakh, and they told him about the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The blockade means that food and medicine are received in very small quantities, and this means that there is a lack of enough food and medicine in Nagorno-Karabakh he said.

Rasmussen said we are facing a humanitarian crisis that could turn into a humanitarian disaster, this blockade is not legal, weeks ago the International Court of Justice of the United Nations obligated Azerbaijan to ensure the unimpeded traffic of transport to Nagorno-Karabakh through the Lachin corridor, that decision is binding, and Azerbaijan is obligated to reopen the Lachin corridor, and Rasmussen called on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to immediately stop the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh.

NATO ex-chief: Azerbaijan president must unblock Lachin corridor if he does not want to become international aggressor

Lilit Nahapetian
NEWS.am
Armenia – March 14 2023
17:32, 14.03.2023

In this situation, when Azerbaijan continues the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh despite the decision of the international court, the EU must strengthen the pressure on Azerbaijan. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the founding chairman of Rasmussen Global international political consultancy organization and former Secretary General of NATO, stated this to reporters in Armenia on Tuesday

The EU has reached an agreement with Azerbaijan in the field of energy, and this can be used as a critical platform for discussing the issue, Rasmussen said.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev may be as much an autocrat as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Rasmussen added, but the latter does not believe that Aliyev would like to find himself in the same situation as President Putin and become an “international aggressor.”

And that is why, Rasmussen, said he once again calls on Aliyev to stop the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenia is not leaving CSTO, the organization itself is leaving us – Pashinyan

Arbi Tashjian

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 13:17, 14 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is not leaving the CSTO, the organization itself is leaving Armenia, PM Nikol Pashinyan said when asked to comment on Armenia renouncing its quota of Deputy Secretary-General of the CSTO.

Pashinyan said that the CSTO Secretary General told him in 2022 that there are concerns within the organization that Armenia could leave it. Pashinyan said he found the comments to be inappropriate and conveyed the concerns in Armenia that the CSTO itself could withdraw from Armenia.

“My assessment is that the CSTO, willingly or unwillingly, is leaving the Republic of Armenia. And this worries us. We’ve not concealed anything that’s happened. We’d be happy to assume the position of the CSTO Deputy Secretary-General if we wouldn’t be sending the wrong message to our people by doing so, if it would mean ensuring an additional factor for the security of Armenia. If not, we don’t see sense in doing such step, at least from the logic of being honest with our people,” Pashinyan said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Armenia has been working with the CSTO very consistently for a long time and continues doing so. He said that Armenia conveyed its principles to the organization. “It’s about whether or not the CSTO functions at least in the territory of Armenia, whether or not it exists. We are willing to face this question,” Pashinyan said.

He mentioned the fake news claiming that the Armenian government applied to the CSTO under a wrong article in 2022 amid the Azeri attacks so that the organization won’t be able to send help. “We applied to the CSTO under all possible articles,” Pashinyan said. “Our assessment isn’t that we are leaving the CSTO, our assessment is that the CSTO is leaving us, which is worrying,” Pashinyan said.

Peace Corps Volunteers return to Armenia

Emil Lazarian

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 13:43, 14 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Last night, Peace Corps Armenia welcomed a new group of 16 American Peace Corps Volunteers to serve alongside the Armenian people in different regions of the country, the United States Embassy in Armenia announced in a statement on Tuesday. 

This is the first group of Volunteers to arrive to Armenia since they were evacuated in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, Peace Corps Armenia staff and former volunteers have continued to engage with schools and community groups through Virtual Service and training activities.  

“We are very excited to witness this historic return of Volunteers to Armenia,” said Peace Corps Armenia Country Director, Joanne Fairley. “I know that the Volunteers will bring great passion and energy to their projects, and I am sure they will form new partnerships and friendship with the Armenian people.”

At the request of the government of Armenia, Volunteers will work in schools and community groups alongside their Armenian partners in regional communities of the country. They will engage in projects to support English teachers and students, and equip youth with the knowledge, skills and confidence to contribute to the development of the productive communities across Armenia.

Peace Corps is an international service network of volunteers, community members, host country partners and staff who are driven by the agency’s mission of world peace and friendship. At the invitation of governments around the world, Peace Corps volunteers work alongside community members on locally prioritized projects in the areas of education, health, environment, agriculture, community economic development and youth development. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 240,000 Americans have served in 142 countries worldwide. 

In 1992, the Government of Armenia invited Peace Corps to establish a program in Armenia. Since 1992 Peace Corps has promoted peace and friendship in Armenia, while also contributing to the development of the education and youth sectors. Peace Corps Volunteers have also taught Armenians about American culture and brought what they’ve learned of Armenian culture back home to their communities in the United States.

Since 1992, more than 1,100 Volunteers have served in the Armenia Peace Corps Program.

Former Secretary-General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen visits entrance of blocked Lachin Corridor

Frangulian Shushan

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 14:26, 14 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Former Secretary-General of NATO, founder of Rasmussen Global international political consultancy firm Anders Fogh Rasmussen traveled to the entrance of the Lachin corridor, which has been illegally blockaded by Azerbaijan for three months, to get acquainted with the situation.

Rasmussen held a meeting with the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and other government officials on March 13 in Yerevan. He visited Jermuk on March 14. 

Photos by Photolure

No meeting planned with Aliyev at this moment, says Pashinyan

Jalatian Sonya

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 14:41, 14 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said there’s no planned meeting with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev at this moment.

“At this moment there’s no planned meeting. I’ve never avoided meeting, but on the other hand the experience of our meetings shows that there must be guarantees on the implementation of agreements and obligations,” Pashinyan said at a press conference.

Pashinyan noted that agreements were reached during their previous EU-mediated meetings in Brussels with Ilham Aliyev, but implementing the agreements was impossible due to Azerbaijan’s actions.

“Armenia is ready to continue the work in the Brussels format, but we are saying let’s start implementing one by one what’s been agreed upon. If there are over ten agreements that aren’t being implemented, what’s the sense in carrying out work over agreeing on a new thing? And these agreements pertained to Nagorno Karabakh, border security, opening of regional connections, release of prisoners of war and other issues,” Pashinyan said, adding that he sees a fundamental problem regarding the Brussels format.

He described the quadrilateral format talks in Prague – with participation of France – to be the most effective negotiations with concrete results. Pashinyan said that Azerbaijan disfavors this format.

Existence of Defense Army in Nagorno Karabakh is strongest evidence on preparations for genocide by Azerbaijan – PM

Badalian Vardan

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 15:06, 14 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Russia is the guarantor of security of Nagorno Karabakh under the terms of the 2020 agreement and Nagorno Karabakh won’t need to maintain a Defense Army of the present-day size if the threat of genocide by Azerbaijan were not to exist, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said.

Pashinyan made the remarks when asked whether or not Armenia would ensure Nagorno Karabakh’s security and continue being the guarantor of security of Nagorno Karabakh in the event of a possible escalation.

“Why did I sign the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement? For a simple reason, upon realizing that in that situation Armenia cannot be the full guarantor of security of Nagorno Karabakh, due to the circumstances known to you. And therefore, a system that would guarantee the security of Nagorno Karabakh had to be created. And under the trilateral statement, and the subsequent decision made by the Federation Council of Russia which authorized the President of Russia to send troops to Nagorno Karabakh, recorded that Russia is the guarantor of security of Nagorno Karabakh, and not because Armenia is rejecting it, but because, regrettably, due to the loss in the 44-Day War Armenia cannot fully implement that function. And therefore, summing up all these facts, we must record that Russia is the guarantor of security of Nagorno Karabakh under the obligation it assumed,” Pashinyan said.

PM Pashinyan noted that on the other hand there is the Defense Army in Nagorno Karabakh, which Azerbaijan is trying to misrepresent to be the military of Armenia. Pashinyan reiterated that Armenia does not maintain any military presence in Nagorno Karabakh.

He also commented on Azerbaijan’s claims that the Defense Army must be disbanded. “If there wouldn’t be a threat of genocide facing the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh, where they are spending billions on maintaining an army in that harsh conditions, there won’t be the need to maintain a Defense Army at least of that size. The existence of the Defense Army in Nagorno Karabakh is the strongest evidence of preparations of genocide and ethnic cleansing [by Azerbaijan],” Pashinyan said.

Asbarez: Jordan, Keyribarian, Khachadourian Among Women Honored by Sen. Portantino

Babken Chilingarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 March 14, 2023

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories

From left: Hasmik Keyribarian, Dr. Frieda Jordan, Sen. Portantino and Taleen Khachadourian

Dr. Frieda Jordan, Hasmik Keyribarian and Taleen Khachadourian were among 15 women honored by State Senator Anthony Portantino, who hosted the 25th Senate District Women of Distinction Awards Reception Sunday in Pasadena.

Portantino recognized the distinguished individuals in honor of Women’s History Month, saying that the honorees who reside or work in Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Claremont, La Crescenta, Los Angeles, and La Verne “have exemplified and extended volunteerism, philanthropy, and leadership throughout all of the communities in our district.”

25th Senate District Women of Distinction awards recipients

The California State Legislature first recognized March as Women’s History Month in 1987 and has since continued the tradition. Each year, members of the State Legislature recognize exceptional women in their district with a celebration commemorating their efforts.

“I am proud to recognize 15 remarkable women who are dedicated to serving our communities with distinction,” stated Senator Portantino. “The breath of their successful efforts are reflected in countless individuals they have helped and inspired.  They are all deserving of this special recognition and I am thankful to be in a position to shine a light on them and the difference they make for the 25th Senate District.”

Dr. Jordan of Glendale is the Co-Founder and President of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), which was established in 1999 to bring the hope of life-saving bone marrow stem cell transplantation. She has served as Associate Director of the HLA and Immunogenetics Laboratory at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and headed the DNA Molecular Typing Division at Foundation Laboratory.

In 2009, Dr. Jordan and her colleagues launched the ABMDR Stem Cell Harvesting Center in Armenia. ABMDR has recruited over 33,000 donors in 31 countries, identified close to 4,400 patients, and facilitated 39 bone marrow transplants to date. Dr. Jordan has also conducted workshops worldwide and co-authored numerous medical papers.

Over the past 20 years, Hasmik Keyribarian of Glendale has devoted herself whole-heartedly to the Armenian American Medical Society, an organization that provides professional development opportunities for health care providers and resources for the community to lead healthy lives.

Through her work with the Armenian American Medical Society, she has led efforts to organize the annual Glendale Health Festival, which provides free vision, dental, and medical care for nearly 1,000 children and adults in the community. It is through her unwavering involvement in the Armenian community that she found herself volunteering with various organizations including the Armenian Education Foundation and the Western Diocese.

Taleen Khatchadourian of Glendale has been an active member of the Armenian American community for many years and dedicated her time to Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School and organizations such as Homenetmen (Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts) and the Armenian General Benevolent Union. Ms. Khatchdourian has served as Board Adviser to the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry since its inception, co-chairing its first Walk of Life and receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2009 and again in 2015.

Recently, Khatchadourian joined Guidelight Group and has worked to assist transition aged teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities by advocating for their needs and navigating the resources they require to live their best life.  Ms. Khatchadourian is the current Board President of the Armenian Autism Outreach Project, with a mission to support individuals and families effected by autism, while educating the community for a meaningful integration for all individuals. 

Other honorees of the day included, Vannia De La Cuba, Dr. G. Gabrielle Starr, Dr. Hilarie Dyson, Edith M. Fuentes, Joanna Linkchorst, Juliana Serrano, Carmenita Helligar, Janet Kim, Catherine Kim, Celeste Voce, Suzanne Weerts and Dr. Devorah Lieberman.

Dr. Khatchig Mouradian to be Honored at ANCA-WR Genocide Education Awards Luncheon

Emil Lazarian
by Contributor

 

 March 14, 2023

 

in Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Dr. Khatchig Mouradian

GLENDALE – The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region’s Education Committee announced that Dr. Khatchig Mouradian will receive the prestigious “Richard G. Hovannisian Higher Educator Award” at the sixth Annual ANCA-WR Armenian Genocide Education Awards Luncheon to be held at the Legacy Ballroom in Glendale on March 25 at 11a.m. 

“The ANCA-Western Region Education Committee is proud to present Dr. Mouradian with the Richard G. Hovannisian Higher Educator Award this year,” said Alice Petrossian, ANCA-Western Region Education Committee Chair. “Beyond his excellence in academia and valuable contributions to Armenian Genocide Studies, Dr. Mouradian has been a long-time advocate of the Armenian Cause and human rights issues around the world.”  

Dr. Mouradian currently serves as the Armenian and Georgian Area Specialist in the African and Middle Eastern Division at the Library of Congress, is a lecturer in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies (MESAAS) at Columbia University, and serves as Co-Principal Investigator, with Prof. Paul Boghossian (Chair, NYU Philosophy), of the project on Armenian Genocide Denial at the Global Institute for Advanced Study, New York University.  

Last week the ANCA-Western Region announced that Dr. Stephan Astourian and journalist Christina Pascucci will also be honored during the event.

“An award can serve as the capstone of a career or an incentive to pursue one’s calling with even greater enthusiasm. For me, the ‘Richard G. Hovannisian Higher Educator Award’ is the latter,” said Dr. Khatchig Mouradian. “It is a vow renewal after years of teaching about genocide and human rights, and I look forward to the next decade of learning from and being inspired by my students.”

Dr. Mouradian is the author of “The Resistance Network: The Armenian Genocide and Humanitarianism in Ottoman Syria, 1915-1918.” This groundbreaking book, published by Michigan State University Press in 2021, has received the Syrian Studies Association “Honourable Mention 2021” and the 2022 Aronian Book Prize for Excellence in Armenian Studies. He is the co-editor of two forthcoming volumes on Ottoman and Middle Easter history: “After the Ottomans: Genocide’s Long Shadow and Armenian Resilience” (London: I.B. Tauris, forthcoming in 2022) and “The I.B.Tauris Handbook of the Late Ottoman Empire: History and Legacy” (under contract with I.B. Tauris).

Dr. Mouradian’s work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Review of Books, BBC, FOX TV, France 24, The New York Review of Books, RT, Al Jazeera, CNN Türk, Imedi TV (Georgia), The Economist, The Boston Globe, Newsweek, Psychology Today, Elle Magazine, Euronews, Eurasianet, Clarín (Argentina), Al-Monitor, The Times of Israel, The Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Burlington Free Press, The Jewish Advocate, Al-Ahram (Egypt), Truthout, Middle East Eye, Arab News, QPosts.com and several other news outlets on issues related to the Armenian Genocide, human rights, mass violence, and Armenian, Ottoman, and Middle Eastern culture, politics, and history.

The “Richard G. Hovannisian Higher Educator Award” was established by the ANCA-Western Region’s Education Committee in honor of the scholar, historian and academician Richard Hovannissian who was once dubbed as the contemporary Movses Khorenatsi. Dr. Richard G. Hovannisian was honored by His Holiness Karekin I and Karekin II and awarded the Movses Khorenatsi medal by the Republic of Armenia, the Medal of St. Mesrop Mashtots by the Republic of Artsakh, and made the “Prince of Cilicia” by His Holiness Aram I for his advancement of Armenian Studies.

“At a time when the Armenian nation is in desperate need for intellectuals who create legal, theoretical, political, and philosophical frameworks, Dr. Mouradian is one of a handful who can live up to the billing of an intellectual and help our nation in shaping the accurate framework for our collective future,” said ANCA Western Region Board Chair, Nora Hovsepian, Esq.

A native of Beirut, Lebanon, and the descendant of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, Dr. Mouradian received a Ph.D. in History from the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Clark University, a graduate certificate in Conflict Resolution from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and a B.S. in Biology from Haigazian University, where he also completed graduate coursework in Clinical Psychology. Since his migration to the United States of America, Dr. Mouradian has led countless Armenian and non-Armenian human rights initiatives and has been bestowed with the Armenian Relief Society’s Agnouni Award (2018), the Hrant Dink Justice and Freedom Award of the Organization of Istanbul Armenians (2014), and other awards.

The Armenian Genocide Education Awards Luncheon is open to the public and is an event where educators are honored for their dedication to teaching about the Armenian Genocide. 

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available online. Please reserve your tickets immediately as last year this event sold out early. 

For additional information about the Awards Luncheon, visit the ANCA-WR Education Committee website or call (818) 500-1918.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.