Category: 2023

ANCA calls on Congress to expand aid to Artsakh, halt military aid to Azerbaijan

Arpi Talalian
 ANCA ANCA News 0

WASHINGTON, DC –Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan outlined the Armenian National Committee of America’s (ANCA) policy priorities in testimony submitted to the US House panel drafting the FY24 foreign aid bill – with a sharp focus on delivering an urgently needed $75 million aid package to Artsakh and holding Azerbaijan accountable for its ongoing Artsakh blockade and increasing aggression.

Yerimyan made the case that, “in the wake of Azerbaijan’s ethnic-cleansing of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), the occupation of Armenia’s sovereign territory, and the ongoing humanitarian blockade of Artsakh, we ask this Subcommittee hold the Aliyev regime accountable by cutting off all US military aid to its armed forces and help meet pressing humanitarian and recovery needs in Artsakh with a robust assistance package.”

Speaking to the need for increased aid to Armenia, Yerimyan prioritized US aid programs aimed at materially strengthening Armenia’s security and sovereignty in the face of escalating Turkish and Azerbaijani threats.

The full text of the ANCA’s testimony – submitted to Chairman Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL) and Ranking Member Barbara Lee (D-CA) of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations – is provided below.

Similar testimony will also be submitted for Senate consideration.

#####

The Armenian-American Community & US Foreign Assistance Policy for Fiscal Year 2024

Presented by Tereza Yerimyan
Government Affairs Director
of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)

For the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Committee on Appropriations, of the United States House of Representatives:

Thank you, Chairman Diaz-Balart and Ranking Member Lee, for your strong leadership of this Subcommittee and your strong support for the national and democratic aspirations of the Armenian nation.

In the wake of Azerbaijan’s ethnic-cleansing of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), the occupation of Armenia’s sovereign territory, and the ongoing humanitarian blockade of Artsakh, we ask this Subcommittee hold the Aliyev regime accountable by cutting off all U.S. military aid to its armed forces and help meet pressing humanitarian and recovery needs in Artsakh with a robust assistance package.

Since December 12th, Azerbaijan has blockaded the Lachin Corridor – the only road connecting the Armenians of Artsakh with the Republic of Armenia, and the sole means by which food, fuel, medicine and other essential goods are able to reach the region. Azerbaijan has also undermined the region’s gas and electricity supply – cutting heat amid freezing temperatures. And interruptions to internet access have threatened to cut the region’s capacity to communicate with the outside world. Prior to the blockade, Artsakh regularly received approximately 400 tons a day of supplies, and now only receives a few boxes a day via International Committee of the Red Cross vehicles.

Since early 2022, the ANCA has maintained a presence in the region in order to assess the needs of the local population. Our colleague, a U.S. citizen who is also living under the blockade, reports a dire humanitarian crisis with long-term implications. Vital medication including insulin is in short supply, baby formula and other sources of essential nutrition are inaccessible, and basic sanitary goods are running critically low. The impact the blockade has had on the region’s livestock and agriculture has been profound, threatening the region’s long-term food security.

Almost three years since the end of the 2020 Artsakh War, the region’s indigenous Armenian inhabitants have found no respite.  The blockade has compounded hardship for the region’s vulnerable Armenian population still reeling from the impact of the war. As members of this panel know, to this day over 40,000 of Artsakh’s civilians remain permanently displaced as a result of Azerbaijan’s military conquest of 75% of the region’s territory. Despite having characterized this as an “acute humanitarian crisis,” USAID has so far failed to provide any direct US humanitarian assistance programs within Artsakh. Unexploded ordnance from illegal cluster munitions used by Azerbaijan during the war have contaminated civilian areas. Schools and hospitals and other vital public infrastructure are still in a state of disrepair, after they were deliberately targeted during the war. Armenian cultural heritage and holy sites in areas under Azerbaijan’s control have been systematically desecrated and destroyed. And Azerbaijan continues to hold over 100 Armenian prisoners of war hostage, who face torture and psychological abuse.

Despite the November 2020 ceasefire, Azerbaijan’s policy of aggression has continued unabated – not only in its regular incursions along the line of contact in Artsakh, but in its violation of Armenian sovereignty. The situation continues to deteriorate daily. On Sunday, March 5, 2023 Azerbaijani forces launched an attack on the region killing three Armenian police officers – while Azerbaijan’s President recently issued an ultimatum demanding the integration of Nagorno Karabakh into Azerbaijan, sparking concerns of renewed conflict.

These actions are in line with Azerbaijan’s pattern of aggression against the Christian Armenian population of Artsakh. Since May 2021, Azerbaijan has occupied and established checkpoints within Armenia’s internationally recognized territory. In September 2022, Azerbaijan engaged in a further escalation – shelling towns well within Armenia’s sovereign borders, including areas within 40 miles of the capital Yerevan. During this latest incursion, Azerbaijan perpetrated horrific human rights abuses – including the mutilation and desecration of female soldiers, and the point-blank execution of unarmed Armenian prisoners of war. The videos of these crimes, widely circulated by Azerbaijani soldiers on social media, have been independently verified by international human rights organizations.

Shockingly, Azerbaijan has yet to be held to account. Just the opposite, in fact: Azerbaijan’s oil-rich Aliyev regime continues to receive U.S. military aid under President Biden’s reckless waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act.

Additionally, neither the Trump nor the Biden administration investigated Turkey’s role in Azerbaijan’s aggression, including Ankara’s recruitment of jihadist mercenaries from Syria and Libya to fight against Armenians. Nor has either administration investigated reports of Turkish F-16s having been used to support Azerbaijan’s attacks. Closer to home, we have yet to see either the Pentagon or Department of State look into potential violations of U.S. arms export laws related to the discovery of U.S. parts and technology in Turkish Bayrakdar drones deployed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh.

Our specific requests related to the FY24 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill fall into four categories:

1) Aid to Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh):

Through the leadership of this Subcommittee, starting in Fiscal Year 1998, direct U.S. aid to Artsakh has been provided to its peaceful inhabitants in the form of maternal health care, clean drinking water, and life-saving demining by the HALO Trust. In the wake of Azerbaijan’s 2020 attack, and to address the crisis arising from Azerbaijan’s prolonged blockade of the region, this aid program must be meaningfully expanded to meet the humanitarian and recovery needs confronting the families of Artsakh – estimated at well over $250,000,000 – helping them rebuild their lives and resettle in safety upon their indigenous Armenian homeland.

We were encouraged by language in the FY23 Consolidated Appropriations Act mandating the Department of State in consultation with USAID prepare a humanitarian assistance strategy to support those impacted by the Artsakh War. In this spirit we ask the Subcommittee to ensure this strategy is delivered and implemented in order to meet short-term humanitarian needs and support a long-term investment in Artsakh. In this spirit, we request the following language to be included in the body of this Act:

Of the funds appropriated under this heading, not less than $75 million shall be made available for assistance programs the Armenian populated area of Nagorno Karabakh, used to provide humanitarian assistance, rebuilding and resettlement support to the Armenian victims of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict – as well as to address the long-term humanitarian consequences of Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor. Such assistance will help to meet basic human needs, including maternity healthcare, drinking water programs, as well as food and energy security.

Refugee Relief: $20,000,000
Food Security: $15,000,000
Energy Security: $10,000,000
Education: $10,000,000
Healthcare: $10,000,000
Water/Sanitation: $5,000,000
Rehabilitation: $3,000,000
Demining/UXO: $2,000,000

2) Azerbaijan

We remain troubled that the Administration – even in the wake of Azerbaijan’s attack on Artsakh, and assault on Armenia’s sovereign territory – has chosen, recklessly and irresponsibly, to waive Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act. Compounding this misstep, the Administration has – according to the General Accountability Office – officially confirmed that it has demonstrably failed to meet its statutory reporting obligations under this law.

U.S. military aid to Baku – including Section 333 (Capacity Building), Foreign Military Financing, and International Military Education and Training – should not materially add to Baku’s equipment stores, tactical abilities, and offensive capabilities, or free up its state resources for renewed cross-border action against both Artsakh and Armenia. We also remain concerned that in addition to the material impact the provision of military assistance has had on Azerbaijan’s capacity to wage its war of aggression against the Armenian people, U.S. military assistance has been interpreted by the Azerbaijan as a signal that its unabated aggression against Armenia and Artsakh will not be met with any material consequences. The continuation of U.S. military aid will serve to embolden and enable the regime’s misconduct.

In light of Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh and the humanitarian crisis it has created – which the Administration has noted undermines the prospects for peace in the region – the Administration should strictly enforce Section 907. Congress, for its part, should rescind the President’s authority to waive this provision of U.S. law, and enact statutory prohibitions on any new U.S. military or security aid to Azerbaijan.

We request the following language to be included in the body of this Act:

No funds appropriated or otherwise made available under this Act may be provided to the Government of Azerbaijan for U.S. military or security programs.

3) Armenia

Armenia – an ancient Christian nation deeply rooted in Western democratic values – has, despite the crushing economic impact of Turkish and Azerbaijani aggression and blockades, stepped forward as an ally and partner for the United States on a broad array of complex regional challenges. Armenia is a member of NATO’s Partnership for Peace and the Armenian military has been among the highest per capita providers of peacekeepers to U.S.-led deployments, including those in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Kosovo, and Mali.

The United States remains uniquely positioned to make important diplomatic advances in the South Caucasus. This is especially true in Armenia, which despite the constant threat of Azerbaijan and Turkey’s authoritarian expansionism, has continued to make strides towards democratic reforms – more so than any other state in the region. At this point, the security of the region’s Armenians, more than any other challenge facing the Armenian people, must be prioritized in our U.S. aid programs. As such, we request the following language to be included in the body of this Act:

Of the funds appropriated by this Act, not less than $100,000,000 shall be made available for assistance for Armenia to support Armenia’s security and sovereignty in the face of regional threats from Turkey and Azerbaijan.

4) Armenian Prisoners of War and Captured Civilians

As part of the November 2020 ceasefire agreement, all parties agreed that the ‘‘exchange of prisoners of war, hostages and other detainees as well as the remains of the fatalities shall be carried out.” However, the Government of Azerbaijan continues to detain over 100 Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and detained persons, misrepresenting their status in an attempt to justify their continued captivity. We request that the following language be included in the final SFOPs bill:

The Committee remains concerned by Azerbaijan’s failure to immediately return all Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians and, thus, (2) urges the Secretary of State to engage at all levels with Azerbaijani authorities, including through the OSCE Minsk Group process, to make clear the importance of adhering to their obligations, under the November 9 statement and international law, to immediately release all prisoners of war and captured civilians.

In closing, we would like to underscore, once again, our urgent calls for robust aid to the Armenian population of Artsakh and a statutory prohibition on U.S. security or military aid to Azerbaijan.

The ANCA, as always, thanks you for your leadership and looks forward to working with the Subcommittee to help save Artsakh, defend Armenia’s sovereignty, and strengthen the U.S.-Armenia alliance, and advance American interests and our shared democratic values.

  •  Bio
  •  Twitter
  •  Latest Posts
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.


Preparing tomorrow’s leaders today with the ANCA Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship

Emil Lazarian
 ANCA ANCA News 0

WASHINGTON, DC — The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is proud to announce the annual launch of the Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship (LSI) and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship, with an application deadline of April 15, for university students interested in advancing Armenian American policy priorities and gaining firsthand experience in federal-level advocacy.

The six-week in-person program, which will run from June 12 to July 21, 2023, provides a unique opportunity for participants to learn all things advocacy, communications and public policy. The LSI program is an integral part of a growing effort to provide Armenian Americans greater opportunities to explore careers on Capitol Hill, in the US Foreign Service and key Washington, DC foreign policy think tanks. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by April 15, 2023.

“The ANCA’s Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship are more than just your average internships – they’re immersive and unique experiences that empower young Armenian Americans to grow personally and professionally. Through our program, participants gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to become leaders and make a real impact in their communities and beyond,” said ANCA Youth Programs associate director Tatevik Khachatryan.

The participants work on a wide variety of projects based on their individual interests while gaining hands-on experiences within the American political system. A bi-weekly lecture series features guest lecturers, including members of Congress, ambassadors and Armenian-American leaders. Not only are they presented with lectures, but they will also have the opportunity to engage and network with the ANCA’s vast network of Armenian American professionals from the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway alumni and LSI alumni still residing in the DC area.

During the six-week Washington, DC program, interns live at the Aramian House, named in honor of the late community leader and philanthropist Martha Aramian of Providence, Rhode Island, and located a short distance from the ANCA’s Washington, DC headquarters.

“For many, it is an essential leadership training experience preparing them to advance priorities on campuses and communities nationwide,” added Khachatryan.

The ANCA LSI and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan fellowship are an integral part of the ANCA’s youth empowerment and professional development efforts, including the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program, which helps university students and graduates find internships and permanent positions in Congressional offices, as well as a host of other government agencies and policy groups. The ANCA also hosts the Rising Leaders career development and civic engagement program for university students and the Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer academy for high school students. 

Established in 1986 and named after the ANCA Eastern US leader Leo Sarkisian, a pioneer of ANCA grassroots advocacy, the LSI program is a cornerstone of the ANCA’s nationwide efforts to educate, motivate and activate Armenian American youth to expand advocacy efforts in their hometowns and campuses. It was augmented in 2019 with the establishment of the Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Fellowship, established as a living legacy to a devoted youth leader whose community activism and commitment to the Armenian homeland continue to inspire new generations of young Armenian Americans.

In addition to opportunities in Washington, DC, the ANCA Western Region and ANCA Eastern Region offer internships and fellowships in Los Angeles, Sacramento and virtually throughout the East Coast.

  •  Bio
  •  Twitter
  •  Latest Posts
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.


The Convention of the Future Armenian held in Yerevan

Markos Nalchajian
 Mané Babajanyan News 0

The Convention of the Future Armenian, March 10-12, 2023

YEREVAN—The first pan-Armenian citizens convention was held in Yerevan this week and addressed three goals defined by The Future Armenian initiative: historic responsibility, Armenia-Diaspora unity and population growth.

The convention, which had been in the works for the past year, brought forth a new format for discussions and solutions to pan-Armenian issues.

The “Future Armenian” is a public initiative based on the “citizen’s assembly” model of participatory democracy. The vision of the initiative is to create an atmosphere of collective consciousness and mutual understanding around the sustainable development of Armenia and the Armenian nation. A group of experts voluntarily joined the initiative to identify the existing issues and come up with effective solutions. About 112,000 people initially applied to participate in the initiative, and around 1,000 of those helped to define the 15 goals. Another 200 participants from Armenia and the Diaspora were pre-selected from the general applications through a transparent lottery. Several participants selected from Artsakh could not travel to Yerevan because of the blockade. 

Participants from Armenia and Diaspora with Artak Apitonyan

During the opening ceremony on March 10, there were welcoming remarks by Future Armenian Foundation executive director Artak Apitonyan and co-founders Noubar Afeyan and Ruben Vardanyan. “The blockade of Artsakh showed that it is a lie that an Armenian thinks only about eating. Instead, an Armenian has a longing for discussing ideas. One must believe and realize one’s importance as a person. It cannot be done just by filling stores with food; the concept of the idea is important. Without it, nothing will work for us. Respect for knowledge, for work, for national traditions and values is highly important, I am sure that nothing will be achieved without them,” said Vardanyan during a video call from Artsakh, which has been under blockade by Azerbaijan for over three months.

Ruben Vardanyan giving a welcome speech via video call from Artsakh

The first day of the convention was dedicated to discussions and resolutions surrounding historic responsibility. The expert committee was led by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian of the Eastern Diocese of North America.

Discussions over the goal of historical responsibility

During the pre-convention discussions, experts singled out the Armenian Genocide as a priority in the context of historical responsibility. According to the group, pursuing the recognition and condemnation of the Genocide is not solely a matter of tribute to the past, but a current concern that threatens the existence of the Armenian people and statehood. They urged clarification of the historical responsibility of Armenians relative to the struggle and demands around Genocide recognition. The group suggested outlining clear actions and methods of implementation. Among those would be the establishment of an anti-defamation human rights institute-mechanism, which can fight against any manifestation of genocide denial, as well as an online coordination council for the Genocide recognition process to synchronize the work in all communities. 

The majority of participants expressed that the efforts aimed at the recognition of the Genocide have been mainly effective, although there are areas that could be improved. Today, however, pan-Armenian efforts should be directed primarily toward the solution of existing security issues in Armenia and Artsakh.

The group emphasized the fragility of the situation and the need to answer the following questions: what are we facing, what problems do we have and how should we solve them? According to the experts, our current problems should not hold us back from taking steps toward the future, because our failures are the result of insufficient formulation of explicit goals and the lack of practical steps to achieve them.

The overwhelming majority of participants agreed that the issues facing Artsakh should be the concern of 10 million Armenians, not merely the population of Artsakh and Armenia. Another important conclusion was that Armenians living all over the world should jointly take responsibility for Artsakh and not leave the burden only on the shoulders of the state and citizens. “The Armenian nation should not be afraid of victories;” this is how the members of the expert group summarized the formulation of the problem. Among the suggestions was the convening of an “Artsakh-10 million” forum and the formation of effective mechanisms which will later become permanent institutions. Another suggestion was the creation of a fund to finance projects aimed at the development of the economy and security in Artsakh. The participants also voted for the implementation of an “Armenian Cyber Army” initiative aimed at creating and spreading pro-Armenian content.

“I hope that one day the question of self-determination of Artsakh will be raised by different nations, and the people of Artsakh will be able to create their future on their own,” said entrepreneur and philanthropist Afeyan. He also said that Artsakh’s uncertain future causes extreme pressure in the daily life of the population. Afeyan expressed hope that new ideas for a realistic future would be born during the forum and implemented.

Participants also discussed the preservation of heritage and the responsibility and methods of maintaining Armenian identity for future generations. The experts expressed that the problem of preserving Armenian language, literature, music and other cultural elements exists both in Armenia and in the Diaspora, and it should become a priority issue. Participants proposed initiating an “Ambassadors of Armenian Heritage” movement and concluded that the preservation and transmission of our historical and cultural heritage is the duty of both the state and the Diaspora.

The experts urged for effective mechanisms to encourage the learning of the Armenian language in the Diaspora to further maintain Armenian identity for future generations, including preservation of the Western Armenian language. The experts promoted teaching Western Armenian through programs at the American University of Armenia. Exchanges organized through programs like Birthright Armenia, Ari Tun and Repat Armenia can also contribute to a solution.

Participants of the forum pay tribute to the fallen at Yerablur

The second day of the forum started at Yerablur Military Pantheon, where guests paid tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes. Participants continued discussions on Armenia-Diaspora unity and focused on the following question: how can we build a strong and effective system of Armenia-Diaspora relations based on shared principles and practical foundations? The expert group was led by editor-in-chief of Aravot newspaper Aram Abrahamyan.

Aram Abrahamyan, the leader of the Armenia-Diaspora Unity expert group, editor-in-chief of Aravot newspaper

The group noted that since the independence of Armenia, the Diaspora had significantly impacted the establishment of the state and that, today, Armenia-Diaspora relations are in a crisis. Participants concluded that the conference signaled the feasibility of restoring trust between the homeland and its Diaspora; however, there is a dire need for new cooperation platforms, because unity will amplify the results.

Another key issue is the preservation of the Diaspora. The group noted a lack of support systems for Armenian communities in the Diaspora today. The experts discussed ideas about the efficiency of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs. Experts agreed on the importance of unity so that Armenia speaks “unanimously” to the Diaspora.

Participants voted for the creation of a cooperative network of businessmen, which would unite Armenian businessmen from different parts of the world under one structure. Participants also voted in favor of a fund that would regularly send Armenian language teachers from Armenia to Diasporan communities.

Armine Hovhannisyan, leader of the Population Growth expert group, director at Orran charitable foundation

On the last day of the forum, population growth was discussed. The expert committee was led by Armine Hovhannisyan, director of the Orran charitable foundation. Discussions centered on understanding the necessary ways to guarantee Armenia’s stable future and overcome demographic challenges. According to the experts, the current demographic trends in Armenia are not very positive. The situation is concerning both for birth and emigration rates. Estimates show that if the current rates remain unchanged, by 2050 the population of Armenia will be about 1.9 million; in the year 2100, one million. Participants set out to establish demographic goals which should be achieved through state policies and broad public support. As a result of the discussions, the participants of the forum concluded that the implementation of the population growth goal should be achieved through programs and initiatives directed toward increasing the birth and immigration rates, as well as reducing emigration through large-scale advocacy and awareness mechanisms.

Artak Apitonyan, executive director of the Future Armenian Foundation

In his speech at the closing ceremony, Apitonyan noted that more than 2,000 proposals were made during the forum. Those proposals will be developed further and will become a basis for more in-depth, sustainable programs. A final report of Future Armenian will be prepared and made available to the public. “One of the most important issues is the establishment of the pan-Armenian dialogue, from small organizations to governmental bodies, and attempts to continue it. But even more important is the following question: how can we influence the existing structures so that they adopt these programs, and how much can we as a society contribute to the implementation of these programs?” wondered Apitonyan. “It also depends on you [the participants of the forum]. From now on, you are the ambassadors of the Future Armenian initiative. Our goal is to expand so that together we can take ownership of our future, make our ideas come true and leave a successful and happy country to the next generations,” he stated.

  •  Bio
  •  Twitter
  •  Latest Posts
Mané Babajanyan is based in Yerevan, Armenia. Her primary expertise is in Caucasus affairs, specifically Armenia’s foreign relations with regional and extra-regional actors, as well as Armenia’s domestic affairs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Diplomacy from Yerevan State University and a master’s degree in political science and international affairs from American University of Armenia. Mané is currently pursuing her career in journalism by covering various topics on regional issues.


RFE/RL Armenian Report – 03/15/2023

Torgomian Varazdat 
                                        Wednesday, 
Students Protest Ouster Of Armenian University Chief
        • Gayane Saribekian
Armenia - Student of Brusov State University boycott classes, Yerevan, March 15, 
2023.
Hundreds of students of a state-run university in Yerevan boycotted classes on 
Wednesday to protest against the Armenian government’s decision to effectively 
depose its recently reelected rector.
The board of trustees of Brusov State University (BSU) voted to reappoint Karine 
Harutiunian as BSU rector on December 9. Harutiunian defeated another candidate 
for the post, Davit Gyurjinian, who enjoyed government support.
Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Hambardzum Matevosian, who headed the BSU board, 
and Education Minister Vahram Dumanian were sacked three days later. Media 
reports suggested that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian thus punished Dumanian and 
Matevosian for their failure to install the government-backed candidate.
Later in December, Armenian prosecutors opened two criminal cases in connection 
with the BSU vote. For its part, Pashinian’s government refused to validate 
Harutiunian’s reelection, alleging vote irregularities strongly denied by the 
rector and other BSU board members. The board was dissolved as a result.
Armenia - BSU rector Karine Harutiunian and Davit Gyurjinian.
The government announced on Wednesday that Gyurjinian, the defeated candidate, 
has been appointed as acting head of the university specializing in the teaching 
of foreign languages.
Many university professors and students expressed outrage at the decision. 
Tigran Torosian, a former parliament speaker heading BSU’s Political Science 
Chair, condemned it as illegal.
“Their move today proves that they are doing everything to replace Karine 
Harutiunian by Davit Gyurjinian,” Torosian said during an emergency meeting of 
the university faculty.
“We want to be run by the rector who was elected by us and the faculty,” said 
one of the students boycotting classes.
Gyurjinian, who is also the chief of the Armenian Education Ministry’s Language 
Inspectorate, and Education Minister Zhanna Andreasian met with the university 
staff later in the day. The two officials were escorted by dozens of police 
officers as they made their way into the university building in downtown Yerevan.
“I expect support from all of you,” Gyurjinian told the staff.
Tsolak Akopian, a BSU deputy rector, argued with Andreasian during the meeting, 
saying that he will challenge Gyurjinian’s appointment in court. The minister 
responded by warning that the government will scrutinize the legality of 
decisions made by the university administration.
Armenia - Students of Brusov State University protest outside the prime 
minister's office in Yerevan, October 17, 2022.
Representatives of the protesting students said, meanwhile, that the boycott 
will continue on Thursday.
They as well as Akopian claimed that the government decided to arbitrarily 
install Gyurjinian because it wants to to press ahead with its controversial 
plans to merge BSU with two other state-run universities.
Those plans triggered angry street protests by BSU students last fall. 
Harutiunian, the deposed rector, backed the protesters.
Pashinian and his associates pledged to give universities more freedom from the 
government when they swept to power in 2018. But in 2021, they pushed through 
the parliament a bill that empowered the government to appoint most members of 
university boards. Armenia’s Constitutional Court declared the bill 
unconstitutional a few months later.
Armenian Military Reports Arms Acquisitions In 2022
        • Ruzanna Stepanian
        • Nane Sahakian
Armenia - Defense Minister Suren Papikian inspects an Armenian army post on the 
border with Azerbaijan, March 10, 2023.
Armenia’s armed forces received significant amounts of new weapons and 
ammunition last year, Defense Minister Suren Papikian said on Wednesday.
Papikian said that they included mortars, air defense and anti-tank rocket 
systems, drones as well as demining, communication and night-vision surveillance 
equipment. He declined to reveal the sources, quantities or monetary value of 
the arms acquisitions.
“I can’t tell where we bought them from. It’s a secret,” Papikian told the 
Armenian parliament committee on defense and security.
In an apparent reference to Russia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian complained 
last September that “our allies” have failed to deliver weapons to Armenia 
despite contracts signed with them in the last two years.
At around the same time, Armenia reportedly signed contracts for the purchase of 
$245 million worth of Indian multiple-launch rocket systems, anti-tank rockets 
and ammunition. Papikian explored the possibility of more such deals when he 
visited India in October.
Indian media reported afterwards that the two sides signed in November a $155 
million deal to supply Indian 155-milimeter self-propelled howitzers to the 
Armenian army in the coming years. Yerevan has not officially confirmed that 
either.
UAE - Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikian visits IDEX arms exhibition in 
Abu Dhabi, February 20, 2023.
Armenia’s military spending is projected to rise by over 40 percent to 506 
billion drams ($1.3 billion) this year.
Earlier in September, the Armenian military suffered serious casualties and 
territorial losses in border clashes with Azerbaijani forces. Armenian 
opposition leaders portrayed them as further proof of Pashinian’s incompetence 
and inability to protect the country’s borders. They said that his 
administration has done little to rebuild the armed forces since the 2020 war in 
Nagorno-Karabakh.
Former President Serzh Sarkisian said last week that Russia donated “enormous” 
amounts of military hardware to Armenia in the past but stopped that 
“military-technical assistance” when Pashinian came to power in 2018.
Pashinian dismissed that claim on Tuesday, suggesting that Sarkisian referred to 
outdated “free weapons” sent by Moscow.
“Armenia purchased more weaponry in 2018-2020 than during the previous ten years 
combined,” he told a news conference.
A senior member of Sarkisian’s opposition Republican Party, Hayk Mamijanian, hit 
back at Pashinian, saying that the allegedly outdated weapons still account for 
a large part of the Armenian military arsenal. Mamijanian also argued that 
Russia is using many of those Soviet-era weapons in the ongoing war with Ukraine.
Pashinian also described as “unserious” the ex-president’s claim that the 
Armenian side did not use its “most powerful weapons” during the disastrous war 
with Azerbaijan.
During the parliament committee’s meeting with Papikian, an opposition lawmaker, 
Anna Grigorian, expressed serious concern over the state of Armenian army 
fortifications along the volatile border with Azerbaijan.
The minister acknowledged that “things on the frontlines are not as we would all 
like them to be.” But he insisted that “everything is being done” to strengthen 
Armenian military positions.
“There is a great deal of work to be done in the army and … I will bring that 
work to its successful completion,” added Papikian.
Pashinian Again Denies ‘Systemic Corruption’ In Armenia
        • Narine Ghalechian
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian arrives for a news conference in 
Yerevan, .
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has again claimed to have eliminated “systemic” 
corruption in Armenia amid continuing allegations about illicit enrichment of 
members of his government and political team.
“There is no systemic corruption in Armenia,” Pashinian insisted during a news 
conference held on Tuesday. He said this is evidenced by a large number of 
corruption cases investigated by law-enforcement authorities.
“Had there been systemic corruption there would not have been these [corruption] 
revelations,” he said. “Systemic corruption would mean that I have a share in 
[corruption schemes.]”
Daniel Ioannisian of the Yerevan-based Union of Informed Citizens disputed 
Pashinian’s claim. He said that while corrupt practices in the country are not 
as “systemic” as they were before the 2018 “velvet revolution” they remain 
widespread and involve the higher echelons of government as well.
“We can see, for example, that a person, who had received taxpayers’ money for 
bogus business trips lasting for hundreds of days and then had to return that 
money [to the state,] is appointed as chairman of the [recently established] 
Anti-Corruption Court,” argued Ioannisian. “Instead of putting him on trial, 
they appoint him as chairman of the Anti-Corruption Court.”
“We can see a very tolerant treatment of many [corrupt] practices,” he told 
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.
Armenia - Daniel Ioannisian is interviewed by RFE/RL, November 28, 2022.
Together with Romania, Armenia ranked 63th out of 180 countries and territories 
evaluated in Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 
released in January. It occupied 58th place in the previous CPI released a year 
ago.
The Berlin-based watchdog said that the downgrade reflects “worrying signs” in 
the South Caucasus country. Its Armenian branch pointed to “selective” 
enforcement of laws and regulations, controversial appointments of senior 
officials as well as growing questions about integrity in public procurement.
Pro-opposition and independent media outlets increasingly accuse members of 
Pashinian’s entourage of enriching themselves or their cronies.
In particular, the investigative publication Hetq.am reported recently that 
Defense Minister Suren Papikian acquired last summer another apartment in 
Yerevan which is now worth an estimated at $412,000. Papikian, who is also a 
leading member of Pashinian’s Civil Contract party, paid only $168,000 for the 
apartment located in an exclusive residential district.
The district is being constructed by a company belonging to Ashot Arsenian, a 
wealthy businessman who was, at least until recently, very close to former 
President Serzh Sarkisian. Arsenian’s son Vahagn was investigated for draft 
evasion before being elected mayor of the town of Jermuk on the Civil Contract 
ticket last year.
Armenia - Defense Minister Suren Papikian, January 19, 2023.
Ioannisian noted that Papikian received from Arsenian a significant discount to 
buy the expensive property.
“Will they give you or any of your radio listeners a discount of 50-100 million 
drams ($128,000-$256,000)?” he said. “They won’t. Cheese is free only in the 
mousetrap.”
Pashinian defended his defense minister and close political ally during his news 
conference, questioning the market value of the apartment cited by Hetq.am. He 
said that just like tens of thousands of other Armenians, Papikian obtained a 
mortgage to buy real state and will repay it with his legal incomes.
The mortgage was provided by a commercial bank owned by the family of Khachatur 
Sukiasian, a pro-government businessman and parliamentarian.
Sukiasian and his extended family have reportedly expanded their business 
interests since Pashinian came to power in 2018. As recently last month, an 
insurance company controlled by them won another government contract without a 
tender.
Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Armenian American Museum Elevate Gala Media Alert

Emil Lazarian
Armenian American Museum Elevate Gala

Media Alert


WHAT

The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California will be hosting the highly anticipated Elevate Gala on Sunday, March 19, 2023. The signature event of the year is anticipated to welcome a capacity audience with donors, supporters, corporate partners, community leaders, and elected leaders at the Fairmont Century Plaza.

The Elevate Gala will celebrate the completion of the first phase of construction featuring the museum parking garage and building foundation and mark the next exciting chapter for the Armenian American Museum as the landmark center is elevated to the horizon as a destination for education, enrichment, and inspiration for generations to come.

WHEN

Sunday, March 19, 2023
4:30PM Reception
6:00PM Program
8:00PM Conclusion

WHERE

Fairmont Century Plaza
2025 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067

WHY

The Armenian American Museum is a world-class educational and cultural institution that is currently under construction on the museum campus at Glendale Central Park. The museum will offer a wide range of public programming through the Permanent Exhibition, Temporary Exhibitions, Auditorium, Learning Center, Demonstration Kitchen, Archives Center, and more.

The mission is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. The vision is a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.

MEDIA CONTACT

Arsine Torosyan
Communications Director
(818) 644-2215
[email protected]

Learn more about the Armenian American Museum at ArmenianAmericanMuseum.org.


###

Kindly,

Arsine Sina Torosyan
Communications Director
Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California
116 North Artsakh Avenue, Suite 205, Glendale, CA 91206
Office: (818) 351-3554, Ext. 706
Direct: (818) 644-2215
www.ArmenianAmericanMuseum.org
Confidentiality Notice: This communication and any documents, files, or previous e-mail messages attached to it constitute an electronic communication within the scope of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 ISCA 2510. This communication may contain non-public, confidential, or legally privileged information intended for the sole use of the designated recipient(s). The unlawful interception, use, or disclosure of such information is strictly prohibited under 18 USCA 2511 and any applicable laws.



AW: Construction underway at AYF Camp Haiastan to upgrade Under the Trees and Cabin Circle

Chakrian Hovsep
 Camp Haiastan Diaspora 0

Cabin Circle demo

FRANKLIN, Mass. — AYF Camp Haiastan has started construction on the upgrades to the Under the Trees and Cabin Circle with the intention to complete these projects by Memorial Day weekend. The new design will double the size of the Under the Trees area with room to seat 150 campers. New benches, an Armenian eternity symbol, landscaping and lighting will be part of the enhancement along with better drainage. The Cabin Circle will undergo beautification upgrades by widening paths and adding benches and enhanced lighting to the inner circle. All design work was done by Kyle Zick Landscape Architecture (KZLA) of Boston with inputs from the Camp Board, Infrastructure Committee and project stakeholders.

Contractor bid meeting, January 27, 2023

Haven Contracting Corporation of Westwood, MA was pre-qualified by the landscape architect and selected with the best bid. They began work in early March and plan to complete the project by Memorial Day. KZLA, Camp Haiastan executive director Kenar Charchaflian, facilities manager John Miller and John Mangassarian will be handling oversight for Camp Haiastan. Miller and Mangassarian led a team of volunteers, mostly from the Providence Men’s Club and a group from the Merrimack Valley, to do the demolition of the existing Under the Trees and Cabin Circle area. All of the memorial bricks have been carefully removed and stored during this construction phase. All memorial bricks will be placed as close to the original locations as possible.

The Camp Board of Directors earmarked the Under the Trees project in memory of one of its long-serving members, Mark Alashaian of New Jersey. The existing Under the Trees was built and dedicated in 1982 in memory of another New Jersey Armenian community member, Vaghinag Koroghlian. The updated project will be in their memory. The Cabin Circle project will be dedicated in memory of Regina Najarian of Wellesley, Massachusetts, who passed away last summer after a courageous battle with cancer.

Donations in support of Under the Trees can be made online or by check and mailed to AYF Camp Haiastan, PO Box C, Franklin, MA 02038, Attn: Under the Trees.

  •  Bio
  •  Twitter
  •  Latest Posts
Located in Franklin, Massachusetts, AYF Camp Haiastan, was founded in 1951 and is the oldest Armenian camp in the United States. The Camp prides itself on providing a healthy and safe experience to Armenian-American youth to help them foster their Armenian identity and establish lifelong friendships.


RFE/RL Armenian Report – 03/14/2023

Eduard Nalbandian 
                                        Tuesday, 
Armenia Sees High Risk Of ‘Escalation’ In Karabakh
        • Astghik Bedevian
Nagorno-Karabakh - Azerbaijani servicemen stand guard at a checkpoint next to 
the Lachin corridor, December 26, 2022.
Armenia continued to accuse Azerbaijan on Tuesday of planning to provoke fresh 
fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh or along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
“I consider the possibility of escalation to be high,” Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian told a news conference.
Pashinian pointed to Azerbaijan’s “increasingly aggressive rhetoric” and “some 
other information” which he refused to disclose.
In recent days, the Azerbaijani military has repeatedly accused Armenia of 
transporting military personnel and weapons to Karabakh and threatened to take 
“resolute” actions to stop the alleged shipments. Yerevan has strongly denied 
the allegations, saying that Baku may be preparing the ground for launching 
offensive military operations.
There has also been an increase in ceasefire violations reported by the 
conflicting sides.
Pashinian said a key task of the Armenian side now is to prove that “we are not 
the authors of that escalation.” He said the recent deployment of European Union 
monitors on the Armenian side of the border will serve that purpose. He 
expressed hope that Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh will also deter Baku.
Opposition lawmakers scoffed at Pashinian’s remarks. They said the heightened 
risk of another military escalation in the conflict underscores his 
administration’s failure to rebuild Armenia’s armed forces after the 2020 war in 
Karabakh.
“Our public has seen three attacks on Armenia since the 44-day war,” said Tigran 
Abrahamian of the Pativ Unem bloc. “In all three cases, with a few exceptions, 
it saw a state of disarray, the loss of hundreds of lives and hundreds of 
hectares of [Armenian] territory. That is to say that a deterrent, preventive 
mechanism, which Armenia was able to create, has not been created.”
Gegham Manukian of the Hayastan alliance similarly claimed that Pashinian has 
been busy trying to cement his hold on power instead of strengthening the 
country’s defense and security system.
In Manukian’s words, the deployment of 100 or so European monitors could on the 
contrary add to security threats facing Armenia because it was strongly opposed 
by Russia.
“[Pashinian] has argued that he invited the Europeans so that they monitor the 
actions of Armenia and the Russian [military] contingent and assure Azerbaijan 
that Armenia and Russia plan no military actions against Azerbaijan,” Manukian 
told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.
Former NATO Chief Urges EU Pressure On Azerbaijan
        • Anush Mkrtchian
Armenia - Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stands at an 
Armenian border checkpoint leading to the Lachin corridor, .
Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen urged the European Union to 
pressure Azerbaijan to end its “inhuman” blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh during a 
visit to Armenia on Tuesday.
He met with the country’s leaders before visiting an Armenian border checkpoint 
at the entrance to the Lachin corridor that has been blocked by Azerbaijani 
government-backed protesters for the last three months.
Rasmussen also toured the Armenian resort town of Jermuk which was shelled by 
Azerbaijani troops during last September’s heavy fighting on the 
Armenian-Azerbaijani border. He told reporters that he wanted to “watch with my 
own eyes the impact of Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenia.”
Rasmussen, who headed NATO from 2009-2014, went on to condemn the Azerbaijani 
blockade of the sole road connecting Karabakh to Armenia.
“The blockade … means there is a lack of food and life-saving medicine in 
Nagorno-Karabakh,” he said. “We are faced with a humanitarian crisis that could 
develop into a humanitarian catastrophe.”
“That is why I send a very clear message today to President [Ilham] Aliyev of 
Azerbaijan: dissolve the blockade today immediately,” added Rasmussen.
The EU, he said, must put “maximum pressure” on Baku for that purpose.
“The European Union has made an energy deal with Azerbaijan, and that could be 
used as a platform for critical dialogue with the government of Azerbaijan,” he 
said. “It may be that President Aliyev is an autocrat like [Russian] President 
Putin, but I believe that President Aliyev would not like to be put into the 
same position to become an international pariah like President Putin.”
Armenia - Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen speaks to 
journalists in Jermuk, .
Like the United States and Russia, the EU has repeatedly called for the 
reopening of Karabakh’s land link with Armenia. The Azerbaijani government has 
dismissed such calls, saying that the protesters are right to demand that it be 
allowed to inspect “illegal” mining in Karabakh.
The EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, made clear in late January that the 
27-nation bloc is not considering imposing sanctions on Baku despite the 
continuing blockade.
The head of the EU’s executive body, Ursula von der Leyen, described Azerbaijan 
as a “key partner in our efforts to move away from Russian fossil fuels” when 
she signed the energy deal mentioned by Rasmussen last July. The EU is to double 
imports of Azerbaijani natural gas by 2027.
Rasmussen, who had also served as Denmark’s prime minister from 2001-2009, 
visited Armenia in his capacity as the founder of Rasmussen Global (RG), a 
European political consultancy advising governments and corporations. It is not 
clear whether the Armenian government is now among its clients.
The former NATO chief met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian, Defense Minister 
Suren Papikian and the secretary of Armenia’s Security Council, Armen Grigorian, 
on Monday. He said he arrived in the South Caucasus at the invitation of its 
government to help boost its ties with the West.
“It’s our intention to have very strong cooperation with the government of 
Armenia,” Rasmussen said, adding that RG will specifically seek to enhance 
Yerevan’s “political dialogue” with the EU.
Armenia’s Car Imports Booming Due To Sanctions On Russia
        • Satenik Kaghzvantsian
Armenia - Car carrier trailers line up near a customs terminal outside Gyumri, 
Armenia’ national customs service is struggling to cope with rapidly growing 
imports of cars that appear to be mostly re-exported to Russia as a result of 
Western sanctions against Moscow.
Western automakers pulled out of the Russian market following the start of the 
war in Ukraine, pushing up the prices of new cars and forcing many Russians to 
switch to cheaper used models. Car traders from other nations, including 
Armenia, rushed to take advantage of the market opportunity.
According to the State Revenue Committee (SRC), the number of cars imported to 
Armenia jumped nearly six-fold to almost 45,300 last year. The sharp increase is 
continuing unabated as evidenced by long lines of mainly second-hand cars formed 
outside the country’s main customs terminal processing imported vehicles.
The owners and drivers of car carrier trailers lined up near the facility close 
to Gyumri complain that they spend days waiting to pay import duties and 
complete the customs clearance process.
“More than 200 customs clearances a day are carried out here right now,” Rustam 
Badasian, the head of the SRC, told reporters when he visited the Gyumri 
terminal at the weekend. “There is a huge influx [of imported cars] which we 
haven’t seen before.”
Badasian acknowledged that most of the vehicles brought to Armenia these are 
re-exported to Russia. Armenia’s membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic 
Union (EEU) means that they are exempt from import duties in Russia and other 
EEU member states.
Armenia - Newly imported cars at a customs facility outside Gyumri, March 13, 
2023.
One Armenian car trader, who did not want to be identified, said the import boom 
began “in the middle of last year.”
“My guess is that 70-80 percent of the cars are then exported to the Russian 
Federation,” he told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.
Other goods manufactured in third countries are also re-exported from Armenia to 
Russia due to the Western sanctions. This explains why Armenian exports to 
Russia nearly tripled, to $2.4 billion, in 2022.
Official Armenian statistics also shows that individual cash remittances from 
Russia to Armenia quadrupled to almost $3.2 billion in January-November 2022. 
The soaring trade with and cash flows from Russia are the main reason why the 
Armenian economy grew by 12.6 percent last year.
“We are not violating any international obligations or legal norms,” Badasian 
said when asked about suggestions that Armenia is one of the countries that are 
helping the Russians evade the crippling sanctions.
Earlier this month, the U.S. departments of Justice, Treasury and Commerce 
issued a joint “compliance note” warning companies about the risk of violating 
U.S. sanctions on Moscow. The notice said that third-party intermediaries have 
commonly used China, Armenia, Turkey and Uzbekistan as “transshipment points” to 
Russia as well as Belarus.
Pashinian Noncommittal On Karabakh’s Self-Determination
        • Ruzanna Stepanian
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian speaks during a news conference in 
Yerevan, .
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Tuesday pointedly declined to back 
Nagorno-Karabakh residents’ right to self-determination, highlighting a major 
change in Armenia’s traditional policy on the conflict with Azerbaijan.
Successive Armenian governments for decades championed that right in peace talks 
mediated by the United States, Russia and France.
A year ago, Pashinian and other senior Armenian officials stopped making 
references to the principle of self-determination it in their public statements. 
They have since spoken instead of the need to ensure “the rights and security of 
the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh,” fuelling opposition allegations that Yerevan 
is now ready to agree to Azerbaijani control over the Armenian-populated region.
Pashinian stuck to that line during news conference in Yerevan.
“We have said and keep saying that the issue of the Nagorno-Karabakh people’s 
rights and security is extremely important to us,” he said. “That is one of our 
key goals.”
“It’s up to the people and the government of Nagorno-Karabakh to decide the 
framework of the Nagorno-Karabakh people’s rights and security,” added Pashinian.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s office said on Monday that it is inviting 
“representatives of Karabakh’s Armenian community” to visit Baku for further 
talks on Karabakh’s “reintegration” into Azerbaijan. The authorities in 
Stepanakert rejected the offer, saying that the talks should take place at the 
Karabakh headquarters of Russian peacekeepers and focus on “humanitarian, 
technical and humanitarian issues.”
Karabakh’s five leading political groups issued late on Monday a joint statement 
demanding that Yerevan refrain from calling into question “the Artsakh people’s 
right to self-determination.” They said Pashinian’s administration must comply 
with a 1992 parliamentary act that bans Armenia’s government from signing any 
document that would recognize Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh.
Pashinian did not clarify whether he could sign such a document. He again called 
for a direct dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert.
The prime minister charged at the same time that Baku is seeking a “mandate to 
perpetrate genocide or ethnic cleansing in Karabakh.”
Pashinian stated in January that the international community has always regarded 
Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan. The claim was denounced by the 
Armenian opposition and Karabakh’s leadership.
Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

The California Courier Online, March 16, 2023

Elizabeth Jabejian

The California
Courier Online, March 16, 2023

 

1-         Truth is
Stranger Than Fiction: Israel’s

            Ambassador
to Azerbaijan
is an Armenian

            By Harut
Sassounian

            Publisher,
The California
Courier

           
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com

2-         Mexican
Armenians Express Gratitude for Senate Recognition of Genocide

3-         Storica
Wines, Carnival Cruise Line Partner to Bring Armenian Wine to Travelers

4-         Armenian
Patriarch congratulates Pope on 10th anniversary

************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

1-         Truth is
Stranger Than Fiction: Israel’s

            Ambassador
to Azerbaijan
is an Armenian

            By Harut
Sassounian

            Publisher,
The California
Courier

            www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com

 

When I first heard that Israel’s
Ambassador to Azerbaijan,
George Deek, is an Armenian, I thought that it can’t be true. However, I was
astonished to find out that it was correct. As Mark Twain said: “Truth is
stranger than fiction!”

Long before he became Israel’s
Ambassador to Baku,
Deek tweeted: “My father’s grandmother’s name was Antaraan Hambarian, an
Armenian. She is a survivor of the Armenian tragedy of… 8:43 AM. Apr 12, 2015.”

The Facebook link Deek included in his tweet was significant
because it referred to an April 12, 2015 article titled: “Turkey angry at
pope after ‘genocide’ remarks.” So Deek was aware that there was an Armenian
Genocide, his father’s grandmother was a survivor of that Genocide, and her
name was Antaraan Hamparian, even though he misspelled her first name which was
most probably Antaram.

After Deek became Israel’s
Ambassador to Azerbaijan
in 2019, several Armenians angrily criticized him for referring to the Armenian
Genocide as a ‘tragedy’ in his 2015 tweet. Here are some of the disparaging
replies: “Will you survive betrayal of your ancestors?” “She would be proud of
you… serving two countries actively denying the very thing that robbed her of
her own family,” “Probably she would be greatly ashamed of you,” “Your poor
grandmother is turning in her grave, sorry you condone ethnic cleansing, war
crimes, and genocide,” “I can’t believe you have Armenian roots! SHAME ON YOU
1,500,000 times then, for SUPPORTING TERRORISTS Azerbaijan
and Turkey!
IT’S A SHAME FOR US THAT YOU HAVE ARMENIAN BLOOD IN YOUR VEINS!” and “Your
great grandmother will spit on your face if she would hear what you say!”

On Sept. 30, 2021, the ANCA (Armenian National Committee of
America) posted on its Facebook page: “Most shameful diplomatic appointment in
the history of diplomacy. Genocide survivor state Israel
sending George Deek (a self-described ethnic Armenian descendant of Armenian
Genocide survivors) as its ambassador to Azerbaijan, a country openly working
to complete this crime.”

In July 2021, Deek angered Armenians again by tweeting:
“Together with the diplomatic corps in Azerbaijan,
I had the historic privilege of being the first Israeli Ambassador to visit the
remarkable city of Shusha,” a noteworthy
Armenian town captured by Azerbaijan
during the 2020 war.

In an interview with The Times of Israel on January 13,
2023, Amb. Deek described himself as ‘an Arab and an Israeli.’ His father was
an Orthodox Christian of mixed Armenian and Palestinian roots. Here is an
excerpt from that interview:

The Times of Israel:
“When you meet Azeris and they discover you’re an Arab Christian, what kind of
reactions do you get?”

Amb. Deek: “Naturally, it’s surprising and confusing for
most Azeris. The sense of surprise is great for helping me explain about the
diversity of Israeli society. But frankly, at this point, I’ve stopped
correcting them because it gets tiring. It’s still funny when on December 24,
they still wish me a Happy Hanukkah rather than Merry Christmas.”

The Times of Israel:
“As an Israeli Christian, what’s your perspective on the Armenian community —
which consists mainly of fellow Israeli Christians — and the challenges they
face in Israel,
both in connection with the Jerusalem-Baku relationship and with other
non-related issues?”

Amb. Deek: “I have deep sympathy for the Armenian community
in Israel, and specifically
in Jaffa, where
I grew up. We share the same faith and many cultural traditions. Many of my
friends from school and from youth movements are Armenian. I had teachers who
influenced me immensely who are Armenian, and I consider them as close
friends.”

On January 5, 2023, the Azeri Caliber.az website quoted Amb.
Deek as declaring: “Israel
is proposing its assistance to Azerbaijan
in the setting up of ‘smart cities’ in Armenian districts occupied by Azerbaijan.”

On January 12, 2023, Amb. Deek was interviewed by Caliber.az
on video which was titled, “Beyond the visible: Excavating the depths of
Israeli-Azerbaijani ties with Ambassador George Deek.”

In that interview, Amb. Deek made the following alarming
statement: “The most important event is when Azerbaijan
entered the second Karabakh war and we [Israel]
have been here standing shoulder to shoulder with our partner and friend Azerbaijan. Our
strategic cooperation continued and intensified during that period but also on
the humanitarian field. The fact that I took the risk to go to Ganja in the
middle of the attacks on the city and to talk to the local community, to meet
them, to provide humanitarian support with equipment like basic things from
blankets and heaters and so on to people who lost their homes and everything
they could. And I think that created also the connection in the hearts, not
just in the minds, so I think the second Karabakh war showed Azerbaijan what
we mean when we say friend, what we mean when we say partner. For us these are
not empty words of diplomats…. These are things that come from the heart and
they actually have a strong meaning for us…. Israel’s position has been clear
about the Karabakh issue for a long time. Israel
supports Azerbaijan’s
territorial integrity. It has done so in words and in deeds before the second
Karabakh war and after the second Karabakh war.”

He also wrongly added that “practically, the Arab-Israeli
conflict is basically over.” Amb. Deek not only does not have respect for his
Armenian heritage, he also has no respect for his Palestinian heritage. He must
have sold his soul to the devil for his job.

The most astounding aspect of Amb. Deek’s appointment is
that Israel’s Foreign
Ministry officials sent an envoy with an Armenian background to Azerbaijan!
Despite Amb. Deek’s effusive words about Azerbaijan,
I doubt whether Pres. Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan fully trust him. In Azerbaijan,
they have nothing but hatred and contempt for any Armenian, even those who are
partly Armenian.

 

************************************************************************************************************************************************
2-         Mexican Armenians Express
Gratitude for Senate Recognition of Genocide

 

By Carlos Antaramián

 

MEXICO CITY (The Armenian Mirror-Spectator)—On February 18,
members of the Armenian community in Mexico gathered at the “Armenian Clock” in
Mexico City to pay tribute to the martyrs of 1915, and also to give thanks for
the recognition by the Senate of Mexico of this genocide.

With Armenians from France,
Venezuela, Cyprus, Armenia
and also with the participation of Peter Balakian, Pulitzer Prize winning poet
and professor at Colgate University in the United
States, the assembled remembered their ancestors
massacred by the government of the young Turks in the Ottoman
Empire between 1915 and 1918. In Mexico,
although the Armenians can trace their origins in this country back to the 18th
century, the vast majority arrived as refugees as a result of the genocide and
settled between 1923 and 1928 in Mexico City or Tijuana and rebuilt their
lives, establishing a small but thriving community.

Mexican Armenians have sought for many years for the Mexican
government to recognize the Armenian Genocide, as Uruguay
did in 1965 and recently the president of the United States in 2021. The
architect of this new initiative was Armen Yeritsian and the senator for the
northern state of Baja California Alejandra León Gastelum (currently of the
“Citizen Movement” Party), who since April 2022 together with the “Plural
Group” presented a Point of Agreement in the Senate of Mexico to recognize the
Genocide. This proposal was passed to the plenary session of the Senate for its
vote on February 8, 2023 and that same day it was voted on unanimously.

After the offering deposited in the fountain of the Armenian
Clock, the group participated in a toast at the Sahaguian family’s house, where
the community thanked Yeritsian for his work in pursuit of the
recognition.  There, Peter Balakian
emphasized the role that educating US legislators has had on the issue of
genocide and how, little by little, this worked. Meanwhile, congressmen have
lost their fear of confronting the powerful Turkish lobby that denies the
Armenian genocide. The same process, without a doubt, has also happened in Mexico. Mexican
society itself has changed, with, for example, the Mexican president
apologizing in 2021 for a massacre of Chinese and Japanese conducted in 1911 in
the northern Mexican city of Torreón. Legislators are no longer afraid to raise
their voices in pursuit of the truth and against the denialist campaign of the
Turkish state. This is what these commemorations and recognitions are for—to
prevent these atrocities from happening again.

At the conclusion of the gathering, Balakian reading his
poem “After the Survivors Are Gone.”

 

************************************************************************************************************************************************
3-         Storica Wines, Carnival Cruise
Line Partner to Bring Armenian Wine to Travelers

 

BOSTON—Carnival Cruise Line, known as America’s Cruise Line,
has selected three wines from Storica Wines’ award-winning portfolio—Keush
Origins Brut NV, Shofer Areni Rose, and Voskevaz Karasi Haghtanak—for its
2023-2024 wine program. This marks the first time that an Armenian wine has
been carried on a major cruise line operators’ fleet.

All three wines will be listed by-the-bottle across all 24
ships in Carnival’s North American fleet in the ships’ main dining rooms and
steakhouse. Keush Origins NV will be listed by-the-glass in the steakhouses,
along with Shofer Areni Rose by-the-glass in the main dining rooms.
Additionally, Carnival Celebration, Carnival’s newest and most innovative ship,
will serve both Keush Origins Brut
NV and Shofer Areni Rose
by-the-glass at its Latitudes Bar.

“This partnership marks a major milestone for our company
and for the wine region of Armenia.
We are thrilled to be a part of Carnival’s wine program and are humbled by the
way their team has embraced our wines and the story of Armenia’s rich
ancient heritage in winemaking and its present-day renaissance,” said Zack
Armen, co-Founder and President of Storica Wines.

“Working with Storica to bring these quality wines on board
for our guests will enrich our wine offering overall. The story of Armenia’s
6,100-year tradition in winemaking brings our guests who love wine a
fascinating and deep history that I know they will appreciate along with these
fresh flavors,” said Zachary Sulkes, Senior Director of Beverage Operations for
Carnival Cruise Line.

Keush Origins Brut NV, a champagne-method sparkling wine
made from two grapes from Armenia’s
Vayots Dzor region, has garnered significant accolades from wine critics,
including a 91-point rating from Jeb Dunnuck. Shofer, a “made-by-Storica”
private label brand, is led by its 90+ rated Areni Rose, made from Armenia’s
leading Areni red grape. Voskevaz Winery’s Karasi collection features the rare,
ancient clay pot, or “karas,” fermentation method. Its Haghtanak, meaning
“victory” in Armenian, is a bold red wine that pairs well with red meats.

All three wines are currently being sold across Carnival
Cruise Line’s North American fleet, which operates from 14 homeports.

 

**********************************************************************************************************************************************
4-         Armenian Patriarch
congratulates Pope on 10th anniversary

By Joseph Tulloch

 

Exactly ten years ago, Jorge Maria Bergoglio became Pope
Francis. Over the past few days, congratulations from religious leaders, both
inside and outside the Catholic Church, have been pouring in from all over the
world. On March 13, they were joined by the Council of European Bishops
Conferences, the Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church, and the Presidency
of the Italian Bishops Conference.

Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, head of the Armenian
Catholic Church, recalled the gestures of friendship Pope Francis has made
toward the West Asian country.

The Patriarch emphasized, in particular, his visit to Armenia, his
proclamation of the Armenian Saint Gregory Narek as a Doctor of the Church, and
his remembrance of the victims of the Armenian genocide.

The ten years of Pope Francis’ pontificate, he said, “have
been ten years in which the Armenian people—not just Catholics, but Orthodox
and Protestants too—have felt closer to the heart of the successor of Peter.”
The Holy Father’s visit to Armenia
in 2016, Patriarch Minassian said, was thus “pastoral and ecumenical at the
same time.”

 

***********************************************************************************************************************************************
************************************************************************************************************************************************

California Courier Online provides readers of the Armenian News News Service with a
few of the articles in this week’s issue of The California Courier. Letters to
the editor are encouraged through our e-mail address, .
Letters are published with the author’s name and location; authors are required
to disclose their identity to the editorial staff (name, address, and/or
telephone numbers for verification purposes).
California Courier subscribers can change or modify mailing addresses by
emailing .

CivilNet: Connectivity, climate, cooperation: Exploring ADB’s work in Armenia

Toneyan Mark
CIVILNET.AM

14 Mar, 2023 07:03

Paolo Spantigati, country director for Armenia at the Asian Development Bank, sat down with CivilNet’s Mark Dovich to talk about ADB’s efforts to support the Armenian government’s growth and reform agendas. ADB is one of Armenia’s largest multilateral development partners, having provided the country with financial assistance worth more than $1.6 billion since 2005.


CivilNet: Jack Youredjian: ‘Giving and serving others bring meaning to my life’

Ara Felekian
CIVILNET.AM

14 Mar, 2023 08:03

Jack (Hagop) Youredjian, in conversation with Lara Tcholakian, speaks about the importance of education and his life purpose to support efforts related to educational and social development programs. He shares his journey to professional success as an entrepreneur in pharmaceutical and medical supplies and discusses the qualities and values that he has inherited and that helped him succeed in all his corporate and community work endeavors. As a grandchild of Armenian genocide survivors, he explores the historical narratives that he recalls from his grandparents starting from his childhood in Jerusalem, and the role they played for him and his pursuit of happiness, success and a meaningful life.

About Jack Youredjian

Jack (Hagop) Youredjian is Executive Chairperson of Western Drug/Lifeair. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Southern California after his initial studies at the American University of Beirut. He is also a philanthropist, and in 2019 he established a scholarship fund for COAF to support access to higher education for rural youth in Armenia. He also supports a number of other institutions, including the American University of Armenia and the Armenian Relief Society, among others.

Program overview

In a new, open setting, Lara deconstructs inherited cultural and historical narratives, memories, life lessons and experiences from change catalysts. Her guests reflect on the stories, people, events and mindsets that have shaped their professional and personal lives, enabling them to create a more mindful life.