Category: News

Earlier this year, the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia’s Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute awarded William S. Parsons with the Ambassador Henry Morgenthau Medal on behalf of the government of Armenia, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

In a formal ceremony at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia on the evening of December 10, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Tigran Sargsyan presented the award to Parsons for his exceptional service to humankind through education on the Armenian Genocide and the defense of human rights.

William S. Parsons worked at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) for 25 years where he served as chief of staff and director of education. Prior to joining USHMM, he co-founded Facing History and Ourselves, an organization that specializes in training teachers in human rights education in order to help students confront the lessons of genocide and the Holocaust, and learn the value of tolerance. Facing History and Ourselves developed the first national curriculum on the Armenian Genocide in the U.S., which serves as the template for all educators today.

“It was my great honor to participate in the awarding of a longtime friend of the Armenian people,” stated Armenian National Institute (ANI) Director Dr. Rouben Adalian. “Perhaps no other person in the United States has done more and achieved more as a human rights educator than William Parsons,” added Dr. Adalian.

Parsons has reached thousands of teachers across the United States and around the globe. He co-authored the teachers’ resource book Facing History and Ourselves: The Holocaust and Human Behavior. He also co-edited, along with other significant educators, Centuries of Genocide: Essays and Eyewitness Accounts, which has gone into its fourth edition and sold tens of thousands of copies, making it the most popular college textbook on human rights and genocide.

The Secretary of the Republic of Armenia State Commission for the Centennial sent a letter accompanying the award.

“I am very pleased that William Parsons has received this significant award and recognition from the Armenian government for his pioneering efforts in Armenian Genocide and Holocaust education,” stated Assembly Board of Trustees Vice Chairman and Counselor Aram Kaloosdian. “I had the pleasure of serving with him on the ANI Academic Council and will always remember his dedication and perseverance in the fight against denial of the Armenian Genocide,” Kaloosdian said.

At the Armenian Embassy reception, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the U.S. Tigran Sargsyan also honored Maryland entrepreneur Boris Ghazaryan with the Prime Minister’s Medal.

In addition to the award ceremony, Ambassador Sargsyan welcomed the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan to the United States. Mirzoyan was visiting Washington as part of a 3-day working trip where he spoke at the annual Nagorno Karabakh/Artsakh independence celebration on Capitol Hill and met with U.S. government officials, Members of Congress, and the Armenian Assembly of America.

Artak Barseghyan
Public Radio of Armenia

NATO highly values the participation of Armenian peacekeeping units in peacekeeping operations, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for South Caucasus and Central Asia James Appathurai said in an Internet press conference for Armenian media.

Question – How can the aggravation of Russian- Turkish relations affect NATO‘s cooperation with the countries in South Caucasus, namely the cooperation between NATO and Armenia, and NATO and Azerbaijan? Can the acute manifestation of geopolitical interests contribute to Georgia’s actual NATO membership any time soon? On the whole, taking into account the various geopolitical interests in the South Caucasus countries, how do you see the prospects of the regional policy pursued by the Alliance?

Answer – We recognize of course that each of the three countries in the South Caucasus has chosen its own security policy, and we respect that. To be a partner of NATO is fully compatible with aspirations to seek NATO membership, but also with membership of the CSTO, with membership of the Eurasian Union, with membership in the Non-aligned Movement or with other forms of regional cooperation. Indeed, more regional cooperation seems to make a lot of sense for the South Caucasus both from an economic and strategic perspective. In this context, I am pleased to see that occasionally NATO can provide the framework for more cooperation between Armenia and Georgia, or Georgia and Azerbaijan. However, each of our partnership relations is individual in nature. In the case of Armenia, our basic document is the Individual Partnership Action Plan that anyone can find on the internet at

. It covers a two-year period. A similar plan has been agreed with Azerbaijan, whilst we have other mechanisms for Georgia in recognition of their membership perspective. All these partnerships are approved and supported by our 28 Allies, i.e. also Turkey, and they have their characteristics and logic. This also means these relationships are not a subset of our relations with Russia, and I do not see an immediate impact of the current tension between Turkey and Russia on our individual relations with the three countries of the South Caucasus

Question – Does NATO have new proposals on the expansion of Armenia’s participation in peacekeeping missions, how do you assess the participation of the Armenian military in peacekeeping missions under the auspices of NATO? What events is NATO is planning to hold in South Caucasus in 2016?

Answer – We highly value the participation of Armenian peacekeeping units in NATO operations. Armenia’s commitment is steady and substantial, both in Kosovo, where Armenian units currently serve within the US contingent, and in Afghanistan, where your units serve mostly within the German contingent. Your contributions to these operations, as well as those in Mali (with the EU) and in Lebanon (with the UN), are very tangible contributions by Armenia to international security. At the same time, working together with forces from Allies nations has been a driving force to bring the Armenian armed forces closer to Western standards. As a result of over a decade of hard work, a number of Armenian units were certified to meet the highest NATO standards this autumn (in accordance with what we call NATO Evaluation Level Two). Armenia and specifically its armed forces can be proud of this achievement. I understand that Armenia now intends to broaden the set of units that meets these criteria.

As to our broader cooperation with Armenia, we intend to continue our support to Armenia’s defense reform efforts, provide assistance to the reform of Armenia’s defense education institutions, share best practice on how to reduce corruption in the security sector, support Armenia’s efforts to develop a concept of women in the armed forces, etc. The recently adopted constitutional amendments will have far-reaching implications for the way Armenia’s security sector is organized. I believe they should also create opportunities to strengthen parliamentary oversight over the armed forces.

Looking at our engagement with the South Caucasus region as a whole, we are of course very actively engaged with Georgia in recognition of its membership aspirations. We are currently focused on the implementation of the package of measures agreed in autumn 2014, called the Substantial NATO Georgia Package. These measures include the establishment of a Joint Training and Evaluation Centre (inaugurated this summer), the conduct of regular NATO exercises in Georgia and the provision of expertise in a dozen different domains related to the defense sector with the aim to strengthen Georgia’s self-defense capabilities and to prepare it for future membership. Clearly the aim is also to make sure that these initiatives contribute to regional security, and we are frequently considering to what extent other regional partners can participate in, or benefit from, these activities.
As to our partnership with Azerbaijan, this is organized in a similar way as with Armenia through what we call an Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) agreed between NATO and Azerbaijan. This Action Plan we renew roughly every two years. Although the partnerships with Armenia and with Azerbaijan are not identical, there are substantial similarities, with Azerbaijan also contributing to our operation in Afghanistan and engaged in various aspects of defense reforms.

The hotly-anticipated latest addition in the Star Wars franchise, The Force Awakens, has had its world premiere in Los Angeles, the BBC reports.
Stars from the original series Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher were joined by newcomers like John Boyega and Daisy Ridley at the event.

Security was tight, with a giant tent shrouding the red carpet.
The plot of the film remains a closely-guarded secret and a media embargo on reviews is in place until Wednesday.
But this did not deter fans camping out for days outside the TCL Chinese Theatre, which along with other LA venues screened the seventh Star Wars instalment.

Stormtroopers joined robots C-3PO and R2D2 on the red carpet as the human stars arrived.

“Now we have to live up to what the first films delivered,” said Harrison Ford, who is returning to his role as Han Solo.

Star Wars’ creator George Lucas said of the new entry in the series “it’s a film about families and what one generation leaves behind another generation has to deal with”.

Armenia, the first Christian nation in the world, could be a good holiday destination this winter for those who want to savor the old world charm along with modernity, the writes.

“Tucked away in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, this mountainous country is eagerly waiting to welcome you with its rich platter of heritage, culture, hospitality, breathtaking landscapes and feel-at-home ambience. From Mt Ararat (the traditional site of landing of Noah’s Arc which is now in Turkey) to the world’s largest mountain lake (Sevan), Armenia promises a thrilling and wholesome vacation,” the author writes.

Armenia’s culture trek will be a journey from the Khor Virap monastery in the Ararat plain where St Gregory, the Illuminator, was imprisoned for 14 years by Armenian King Tiridates III, a pagan. A 40-minute drive from Yerevan will lead to this historical place overlooking Mt Ararat. Later, St Gregory became the king’s mentor and they led proselytizing activity in the country. The place could be the first port of call in Yerevan for visitors.

The next day, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, founded by Gregory the Illuminator, could be on the top of the tour list. Considered the oldest cathedral in the world, this structure replaced a pre-existing temple, symbolizing the conversion of paganism to Christianity. The cathedral in Vagharsapat city was listed as a World Heritage Site by the Unesco in 2000.

Etchmiadzin is the seat of the Catholicos, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The altar is built over an ancient pagan fire worshipping pit. The surrounding grounds have gardens and khachkars (cross stones). There is a bookstore inside the compound selling gifts, crosses and jewelry.

Capital Yerevan or Erebuni, has a lot to offer to tourists. From the dancing fountains at the Republic Square, The State Opera House to the Cascade Complex, visitors are spoilt for choice. A walk around the capital at night is an absolute delight. After a hard day’s work, people from all walks of life hang out at the Republic Square to see the colorful fountains.

For shoppers, a visit to the open-air ‘Vernissage’ market is a must. From vintage meat, old guns, knives, semi-precious stones, jewelry, traditional carpets, medallions to pets, it is an amazing place, which was set up by Armenian artists in the Eighties to display their works. Buyers should have adequate bargaining skills and prices can come down dramatically.

A must visit is Garni, the only pagan temple in the country believed to be built by King Tiridates 1 in the first century AD for sun god Mihr. It was converted into a royal summer house for the sister of Tiridates 3 after Armenia converted to Christianity. It was destroyed in an earthquake in 1679 and was reconstructed later. The temple boasts 24 columns resting on an elevated podium, and unlike other Greco-Roman temples, it is made of basalt.

A trip to this country is incomplete without a visit to the genocide memorial. Genocide is not just any term for Armenians, it is what defines the country and stirs emotions. It is estimated that 1.5 million people lost their lives in the Ottoman government’s systematic extermination of Armenians inside their historic homeland, which lies within the territory constituting the present-day Republic of Turkey. However, Turkey, the successor state of the Ottoman Empire, denies it.

The photographs and accounts of survivors at the memorial hark back to the country’s dark past. A melancholic tune is played at the place all the time in memory of those who lost their lives.

Photo: Sputnik/ Mikhail Voskresenskiy

 

The Syrian army, backed by local militia forces, has regained control over the Mardj-al-Sultan military airbase outside Damascus, a source in the militia told RIA Novosti Monday.

 

 

 

The violations registered during the Constitutional referendum held in Armenia last Sunday have not affected the outcome of the vote and can in no way question the legitimacy of the referendum, First Deputy Chief of Police Hunan Poghosyan told reporters today.

The Police received 452 reports from media, NGOs and citizens during and after the referendum; 17 criminal cases were launched, he said.

A hot line had been launched at RA Police on December 5 and 6 to address all reports on fraud. The service was meant for foreign observers, as well, and was available in Armenian, Russian, English and French.

After the group stage fixtures of the Europa League, 32 teams have made it to the knockout stages of the 2015/16 Europa League.

Germany and Spain have the largest number of representatives in the Europa League round of 32, both providing 4 teams.

The first legs in the round of 32 will take place on February 18, with the second legs on February 25, while the first legs in the round of 16 will take place on March 10, with the return fixtures on March 17.

So, 32 teams will battle out for a place in final that will be played on Wednesday 18 May, at St. Jakob-Park, Basel.

The has released the list of Christian churches and monasteries in Syria that have been destroyed by ISIS and other Muslim groups.

Attacks on Christians in Syria began almost immediately after the Syrian civil war began. The attacks have targeted villages, churches monasteries and the clergy, and have been perpetrated by Al-Qaeda, the Al-Nusra Front, ISIS and other Muslim groups.

On February 23 ISIS attacked the 35 Assyrian villages on the Khabur river in Hasaka, Syria, capturing 253 Assyrians. In the subsequent months it destroyed 11 churches and villages, rendering some villages uninhabitable.

According to the agency, three Armenian Curches have also been destroyed by terrorists. The St. Rita Tilel Armenian Church in Aleppo was bombed by ISIS on April 28. The Armenian Genocide Memorial Church in Der Zor was destroyed by ISIS in September, 2014. The Armenian Catholic Church of the Martyrs was torched by ISIS and its cross atop its clock tower removed.

 

Photo by Aram Boghosuan/The Boston Globe

Peter Schworm

When the Old State House’s century-old time capsule was opened last fall, the red hardback book found inside, a routine government report, was dismissed as a mere space-filler.

Now it appears that the book’s curious inclusion was anything but an afterthought. With a corner carefully folded on a page that describes an attack agsaint Armenians by Ottoman Turks, the volume is seen as delivering a message, a call to remember from the distant past.

It was an Armenian coppersmith, Moses Gulesian, who was commissioned in 1900 to replace the wood figures of a lion and unicorn on the east facade of the building. When his work was completed, he placed the time capsule — a copper box filled with letters, photographs, and newspaper articles from the time — inside the lion’s head.

“One of the last things he did was to seal a copper box,” reported a Boston Daily Globe article from 1901.

But not before he placed the thick tome inside, nestled snugly atop the other objects as if it had been cut to size. When the capsule was opened, the book, which contained a summary of US foreign relations from 1896, was the first item seen.

Yet, the reason for such a prominent placement remained unclear. Officials at the Bostonian Society, which operates the Old State House Museum, were eager for answers, but the book’s broad scope defied them.

“It was a mystery,” said Elizabeth Roscio, the society’s archivist.

When Don and Barbara Tellalian, a couple from Newton who had researched Gulesian’s life, heard about the book, they quickly made the connection.

Gulesian was a leading figure in the Friends of Armenia, a Boston group that raised awareness about the Armenian massacres. And the book provided a historical record of attacks against Christian minorities that began in 1895.

“From his point of view, it made perfect sense to include,” said Barbara Tellalian. “It just seemed to fit.”

Don Tellalian, a retired architect who had worked on the restoration of the Old State House, set up a meeting with Roscio in October to examine the book. As he thumbed through the section about the Ottoman Empire, they came across the folded page, a cleanly pressed triangle marking page 887. The section describes an attack by Turkish forces on an American mission in an Armenian province.

“There can be no doubt I think, judging from the penetrating force of the bullets, that they were fired from rifles such as are used by the Turkish troops,” a diplomatic letter read.

In a revelatory moment, the Tellalians concluded that the book was Gulesian’s way of preserving a piece of history, to mark a moment in time for future generations. What had first seemed to be a dull, bureaucratic selection was instead a deeply personal choice to document the atrocities against his homeland, they decided.

“We knew then,” Barbara Tellalian said. “This was a passion for him.”

Gulesian was 17 when he came to the United States, arriving in New York City in 1883. He slept on a park bench before a fellow countryman put him to work at his carpet shop.

In 1890, he built a copperworks factory in Boston, and in the coming years took in scores of Armenian refugees.

He is best remembered for rallying support to save the USS Constitution from being scrapped by offering to pay the Navy $10,000 for the vessel.

Photo: Salta Police

 

At least 25 people have been killed after a police bus fell off a bridge in north-west Argentina, local media say.

The bus was carrying at least 50 people, most of them members of Argentina’s border police, when it came off the road and fell about 15m (50ft) down a ravine.

Emergency workers are trying to free dozens of passengers who are still trapped.

The cause of the accident is still unknown.

The bus came off the road at 02:00 local time (05:00 GMT) near the town of Rosario del Fuente in Salta province, police officials said.

It was travelling on national highway 34 when the driver lost control of the vehicle as he was coming over the bridge, they said.