Category: News

Armenian Genocide commemorated at Georgia State Capitol

Ani Tigranian

On April 25, 2017 the Georgia State Capitol was crowded with Atlanta Armenian-Americans who had gathered there for the annual Armenian Genocide commemoration event hosted by the Armenian National Committee of Georgia. Many state and city-level elected officials were also present at the ceremony. Through the leadership and efforts of the local ANC, Georgia is one of the leading US states in properly commemorating the Armenian Genocide through annual remembrance events as well as proclamations and resolutions issued by the State Legislature, Atlanta City Council, Members of Congress, and other elected officials.

This year the commemoration event included powerful remarks by the ANC of Georgia chairs Sarkis, Aroutioun, and Vardoui Agasarkisians, Georgia Armenian community activists as well as elected officials. In his opening remarks Dr. Sarkis Agasarkisian thanked the Georgia public officials for being outspoken on the Armenian Genocide issue despite the gag-rule attempts by Ankara on many countries. He also recounted the history of the atrocities committed against the Armenian and other Christian minorities by the Ottoman Turkish government and the continuous denial by Turkey of its crime. Dr. Agasarskian mentioned that despite 3 out of every 4 Armenian being massacred in their ancestral homeland, Turkish government’s plan of complete annihilation of the Armenian nation failed because of several factors, including the strong Christian faith and heritage. “Despite the possibility of being saved from the Ottoman sword, many Armenian preferred to die as Christian martyrs and that same Christian faith ensured their ability to revive after finding refuge in the Middle East, Europe, USA, and elsewhere,” Dr. Agasarkisian remarked.

Another factor was the unprecedented humanitarian assistance and compassion shown by the American people and relief efforts undertaken by the Congressionally-mandated Near East Relief organization, which saved around 260 thousand of Armenian lives. Speaking of the continuous Turkish denial he emphasized the importance for Turkey to face its own history – with the Armenian Genocide being the darkest page in that – since otherwise Turkey does not have a chance of becoming a democratic society and a reliable partner of the United States in its global fight against ISIS and other extremist groups in the region, whom Ankara is allegedly now supporting. Turkey will become a true friend of the United States and the West only when it faces its history and recognizes the Armenian Genocide. Dr. Agasarkisian concluded his remarks by reconfirming the commitment and the strong will of Armenians worldwide to continue the march for truth and justice for the Armenian Genocide after 102 years and far beyond.

The speech was followed by a reading of the proclamations issued by the Georgia State legislature and Atlanta City Council, where the state and city authorities were recommitting their strong stance with the Armenian people in their fight for truth and justice for the Armenian Genocide. Other speakers included Kenya Johnson, who brought the message from Fulton County Solicitor General Keith Gammage in commemorating the Armenian Genocide with the Armenian-American community. Robbin Shipp – former Member of the House — from Georgia governor’s office stressed in her speech that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide will prevent the humanity from other genocides. She read the statement by the Georgia Governor Nathan Deal where the governor speaks of the importance to publicly recounting the Armenian Genocide and other painful historic episodes in the world to enhance our sensitivity and consciousness towards others.

In her remarks, Dr. Juliette Stepanian-Apkarian, professor at  Emory University thanked all the elected officials for joining the remembrance event mentioning that all human and civil rights advocates are there for the Armenian Genocide as it is one of the first human rights issues and its universal recognition and condemnation will highly contribute towards promoting and protecting human rights worldwide.

The event concluded with remarks by Nathan Whatson Musheghian who read the statements issued by the legendary Civil Rights activist and Congressman John Lewis, Atlanta City Mayor Kasim Reed, and Noah Whatson Musheghian ended the program with a prayer in memory of all the innocent victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923.

Armenia criticizes Azerbaijan for ‘abusing the OSCE principle of consensus’

Tania Jagharian

Armenian Foreign Ministry Spokesman has Baku for “abusing the OSCE principle of consensus” and “opposing the whole organization.”

“Due to its extremely destructive stance Azerbaijan finds itself in a total isolation. OSCE Chairmanship, participating States, Secretariat support activities of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, and it is solely Azerbaijan that abuses the OSCE principle of consensus, singlehandedly blocking the decision on the continuation of activities of the OSCE office in Yerevan thus opposing the whole Organisation,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tigran Balayan said.

The comments come in the wake of the announcement of lack of consensus over the extension of mandate of OSCE Office in Yerevan

“Today, the Representative of the OSCE Austrian Chairmanship delivered a statement at the Permanent Council meeting announcing that despite exerted efforts, it has not been possible to reach an agreement on the extension of the mandate of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. As at the Permanent Council meeting in January, also today the Austrian Chairmanship praised the constructive efforts of Armenia aimed at finding a solution to the issue. Likewise, the constructive approaches of Armenia were commended by other participating States,” Balayan said in comments to News.am.

The Armenian Delegation to the OSCE made a statement reflecting on all steps undertaken by Armenia together with previous – German and current – Austrian Chairmanships aimed at ensuring the extension of the mandate of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. Armenian side recalled actions of Azerbaijan aimed at closing the Office which increasingly enhanced, although the OSCE Austrian and the German Chairmanships clearly refuted Azerbaijani false allegations targeting the Office.

After closing the OSCE Office in Baku and blocking also the activities of the Office in Yerevan, Azerbaijan deprives the OSCE of fully-fledged presence in the South Caucasus, which will have a detrimental impact not only on the activities of the Organisation in our region but the OSCE as a whole and its structures.

All efforts by the Austrian Chairmanship and the participating States to make Baku  act constructively and refrain from hampering the activities of the OSCE Office in Yerevan have failed.

Both in foreign and domestic policies Azerbaijan on a daily basis violates the principles and commitments of the OSCE, including fundamental freedoms and as a result faces constant international criticism. Now again by impeding and challenging the OSCE activities, Azerbaijan scores another failure, thus deepening the gap between itself and the international community.

As an active OSCE participating State, Armenia will continue to contribute to the realisation of the OSCE goals. We will consider new avenues of implementing OSCE projects in Armenia as have been also proposed by participating states at the Permanent Council.

23-year-old woman gives birth to naturally conceived quintuplets in Armenia

Emil Lazarian

A 23-year-old woman has given birth to naturally conceived quintuplets at Erebuni Medical Center in Yerevan today. The babies (4 girls and 1 boy) weigh between 600 and 900 grams.

The Karapetyan family lives in a dormitory in the city of Metsamor. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs will provide the family 7.5 million AMD (about $15,000), of which 2.5 million will be given in cash, the rest will be transferred to the family’s account.

OSCE to conduct monitoring at Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact

Emil Lazarian

On May 4, 2017, in accordance with the arrangement reached with the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh, the OSCE Mission will conduct a planned monitoring of the Line of Contact between the armed forces of Artsakh and Azerbaijan, in the direction of the Askeran region, south-east of Akna, Press Service of the Artsakh Foreign Ministry reports.

From the positions of the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh, the monitoring will be conducted by Field Assistant to the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Mihail Olaru (Moldova) and Personal Assistant to the CiO Personal Representative Simon Tiller (Great Britain).

From the opposite side of the Line of Contact, the monitoring will be conducted by Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, his Field Assistant Ghenadie Petrica (Moldova), and staff member of his Office Martin Schuster (Germany).

The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh have expressed their readiness to assist in conducting the monitoring and to ensure the security of the OSCE Mission members.

Prime Minister reviews Armenia’s digital development strategy prospects

Meline Chalian

Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan held a consultative meeting to discuss the prospects for Armenia’s digital development. A top-level task force was said to have been established based on the statement issued by the heads of EEU-member States. On May 26, 2017, the task force will report back progress in its activities to the heads of EEU-member States’ governments.

In this context, reference was made to the definition of priorities in different areas of digitalization, the formation of structures and institutions responsible for implementation of the digital development strategy, the EEU digital agenda goals, the key targets for expected performance until 2025 and so on. The meeting noted that the global economy is proceeding along the lines of digitization, and Armenia needs to have its own “digital visiting card.”

Highlighting the digitization of the management subject in all areas, Prime Minister Karapetyan said it might be a strong incentive to improve management efficiency.

“This is extremely important. We had to take this step regardless of the Eurasian Economic Union’s program. For example, by digitizing budget, garbage collection and many other services, we can enhance the efficiency of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development. Will digitalization result in more businesses, increased capacity? Yes of course. Digitization implies additional savings. We will understand why municipal budgets fall short of receipts due to incorrect planning and the reasons behind imbalances. The same is true for other sectors,” the Prime Minister said, adding that each department should know its digitalization agenda.

Based on Armenia’s digital development vision, a Prime Minister-headed national governing council shall be established for support of digital development in Armenia. Karen Karapetyan instructed those responsible to set up a working group within the Council that will develop and submit the structure of digitization and the planned activities.

Trump and Putin seek Syria ceasefire

Lilit Nahapetian 
Photo: AFP

 

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to press for a ceasefire to halt the war in Syria, the BBC reports.

The two spoke by telephone for the first time since the US launched air strikes against Syria nearly a month ago, straining relations.

White House and Kremlin statements suggested a productive conversation.

Other topics discussed included North Korea and the timing of a future face-to-face meeting.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Putin called for a full investigation into the incident and condemned “any use of chemical weapons”.

A White House statement said: “President Trump and President Putin agreed that the suffering in Syria has gone on for far too long and that all parties must do all they can to end the violence.

“The conversation was a very good one, and included the discussion of safe, or de-escalation, zones to achieve lasting peace for humanitarian and many other reasons”.

Mkhitaryan could win fourth Goal of the Month award

Arbi Tashjian

Armenian captain could win another award for his left-foot finish against Sunderland. April witnessed some excellent goals from Manchester United’s first team, Reserves and Academy sides, and voting is now open on

Marcus Rashford has a pair of important efforts in the Goal of the Month poll – the opener in probably the best game of the period, United’s 2-0 home win over Chelsea, and the extra-time winner as the Reds eventually overcame Anderlecht to reach the Europa League semi-finals.

The shortlist includes submissions from the same game at Sunderland: Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s excellent shot on the turn from the edge of the area and Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s left-foot finish across the Black Cats’ acclaimed young goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford.

The only overseas entry in this month’s poll comes next, with Matthew Olosunde marking his return to his native United States by scoring a cracker in the Dallas Cup for the Reds’ Under-19 team.

After Rashford’s brace, two strikes from United’s Under-18s are separated in the shortlist by Anthony Martial’s stunning counter-attack at Turf Moor when he broke from inside his own half, outran Burnley’s Joey Barton and played a one-two with Ander Herrera before sweeping the Reds ahead.

Either side of Martial’s effort, one can see Zak Dearnley bursting down the left flank at The Cliff to roll the ball in at West Ham’s near post and Callum Gribbin’s sweet left foot firing in the first of United’s five goals as Reading were defeated 5-2 at home on Saturday.

Members of Congress commemorate Armenian Genocide, condemn Turkey’s denials

Emma Nadirian
U.S. Senators and Representatives participated in coast to coast community and coalitions forums, raised their voices on the floor of the U.S. Congress, and took to social media in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, calling for an end to American complicity in Turkey’s obstruction of justice for this crime, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
“Thank you to all our Congressional allies who joined in Capitol Hill, community, and coalition remembrances this April 24th,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.  “Their solidarity reaffirms our collective resolve to replace U.S. complicity in Turkey’s obstruction of justice with an authentically American, pro-active policy that challenges Turkey ‘s denials and leverages our global influence to bring about a just, comprehensive, and enduring international resolution of this still unpunished crime.”
Excerpts from statements are provided below from top Senate leaders including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Democrat Jack Reed (D-RI), as well as House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Dave Trott (R-MI) and David Valadao (R-CA), among many others.
Senator Schumer, Representative Pallone and Congressional Hellenic Caucus Co-Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) offered remarks at the annual Times Square Armenian Genocide observance, attended by thousands.  In California, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) offered remarks at a variety of commemorative events as did Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) in their respective states.
In a moving speech on the House floor, Rep. Valadao invoked the immortal words of Armenian writer and educator Avedis Aharonian in describing the importance of vigilance in the face of genocide, stating, “If evil of this magnitude can be ignored, if our children forget, then we deserve oblivion and to earn the world’s scorn.”  Fellow Central Valley Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) referenced the Armenian Genocide memorial at his alma mater, Fresno State University, honored the memory of Armenian patriot Soghomon Tehlirian and vowed to “stand with Armenians all over the world to say ‘menk chenk morranum’ – We will not forget.”
On April 5th, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives members joined with Armenian American community leaders, genocide-prevention coalition partners, and diplomats representing Armenia and Artsakh in a standing-room-only Capitol Hill remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. Participating in the solemn observance were Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone, Jackie Speier, Dave Trott, and David Valadao, Vice-Chair Adam Schiff, and Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Judy Chu, Katherine Clark (D-MA), Jim Costa, Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi, Brad Schneider, Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY).
Earlier, on March 22nd, the Capitol Hill premiere of the Armenian Genocide-era epic “The Promise” included the participation of Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Jackie Speier, David Trott, Frank Pallone, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-NY), and Representatives Judy Chu, Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), and Paul Tonko (D-NY).
Excerpts of Senate and House floor statements and press statements commemorating the Armenian Genocide are provided below.
Excerpts of Senate and House Floor Statements and Press Statements Commemorating the Armenian Genocide – April, 2017
 
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY):  “I’m a steadfast supporter and co-sponsor of our great friend Bob Menendez’s bill, the Armenian Genocide Resolution. I was urged by group after group including some high ups in the State Department, don’t do it. It’ll offend the Turks. I don’t care if it offends the Turks, the truth is the truth.”
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI): “The survivors of the Armenian genocide, however, persevered due to their unbreakable spirit and steadfast resolve and went on to greatly contribute to the lands in which they found new homes and communities, including the United States. This genocide has been denied for far too long. That is why I have joined with several of my colleagues on resolutions over the years to encourage the U.S. to officially recognize the Armenian genocide.”
 
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): “Too often, the truth of these horrific events has been denied, yet the historical record is clear.  We must not dishonor the memory of those murdered, or the pain of families who survived, by refusing to call the calculated, widespread extermination of the Armenians what it was.”
 
Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA): “Today we remember 1.5 million Armenians exterminated by Ottomans during #ArmenianGenocide. We must fight all efforts to deny this truth.”
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ): “We are determined. We just introduced another resolution from the Caucus members. We are determined that at some point, and hopefully soon, we will see a genocide recognition by the U.S. Congress and we will not stop until that happens.”
 
Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA): “Nearly one hundred years after the Armenian Genocide, Congress has shamefully failed to pass a resolution that would officially recognize the attempt by Ottoman leaders to extinguish the Armenian people. Today, President Trump failed to recognize the Armenian Genocide, adding further insult to long-standing injury and injustice. Without direct condemnation of the horrific acts executed against an entire ethnicity, Congress and this Administration continue to implicitly ignore crimes against humanity and that is unacceptable.”
 
Rep. David Trott (R-MI): “#ArmenianGenocideRemembranceDay is a solemn reminder of the 1.5 million Armenians murdered by the Ottoman Turks in the early 1900s – a genocide that many still deny. It is time for us to stand with the over 17,000 Armenian-Americans in Michigan and the Armenian people around the world in recognizing this dark period of history. The world has not and will not forget.”
 
Rep. David Valadao (R-CA): “From 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire engaged in a systematic and organized deportation and extermination of over 2 million Armenians from their homeland. It is estimated that nearly 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children were killed and many more permanently displaced or forced to flee.”
 
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA):  “President Trump becomes now one of a long line of a succession of Presidents unwilling to confront Turkey, and I think we are not living up to our moral responsibility.”
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA): “I’m proud to have consistently cosponsored the Armenian Genocide Resolution in every Congress I’ve served in to have formal recognition by the government of the United States, and I will not rest until we are successful. Let us take the time today to remember the 1.5 million people who were taken from us—parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins.”
Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA): “102 years ago the Armenian Genocide, which claimed 1.5 million Armenian lives, began. Today we take time to remember those lives lost to senseless hatred and violence. We must not gloss over or deny this historical truth.”
 
Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI): “History is clear. And the United States must be clear as well. It is shameful that our government has now failed to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide for more than a century. Over the years, Armenia has been an important ally for the United States. I am proud to count many Armenian Americans among my constituents. We owe it to the Armenian people and all people of Armenian heritage to finally and officially recognize the reality of this genocide.”
 
Rep. John Lewis (D-GA): “This year is the 102nd Anniversary of the Armenian genocide.  Today, people all over the world will stop and remember the 1.5 million Armenian people killed between 1915 and 1923.  I applaud your dedication to preserving the memory of those who lost their lives.  As you assemble here in Atlanta to commemorate this day, I ask that you remember our purpose. “
 
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL): “Today, on the 102nd anniversary of the beginning of the Armenian Genocide, we recognize the murder of 1.5 million Armenian men women, and children in the years that followed under the direction of the Ottoman Empire. … To deny the Armenian Genocide is to deny the humanity of its victims and the demands of our own.”
Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY): “On this day, we pause with heavy hearts to remember the 102nd anniversary of the Armenian genocide, which resulted in the death of over 1.5 million men, women, and children. The loss of life is unacceptable as is any diminishment of those who died and the pain that persists still today. History is the greatest resource of knowledge in our acknowledgement of our achievements and failings as a global community and should serve as our compass and guide for our actions.”
Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA): “We must recognize these atrocities of the past as history and never deny them. We honor the 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children killed in the Armenian Genocide.”
 
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN): “The Armenian Genocide was a historic crime against Ottoman Armenians that resulted in suffering and death of such a profound magnitude that it continues to be felt today.  Today, as we mark the 102nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the entire world should stand with Armenians everywhere in commemorating the Armenian Genocide, acknowledging the horror of its cruelty, and the recognizing the generations of pain it has caused. It is time for truth.”
 
Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA): “Yesterday, I joined the Armenian community in Montebello to commemorate the 1.5 million lives lost in the Armenian Genocide. This genocide was one of the darkest periods in world history. We will never allow the lives of those lost be forgotten. Their legacy lives on in all of us.”
Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA): “Today is both Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 102nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. With the rediscovery of an official 1915 Ottoman telegram asking for an update on the murder of Armenians, denial is no longer an option. It’s time our government stand on the right side of history and recognize this genocide as historical fact. We remember these two modern genocides not only to honor the victims but to ensure these atrocities never happen to anyone ever again.”
 
Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA): “The Armenian Genocide was a crime against humanity that must be recognized in order to prevent atrocities like it from ever happening again. Join me today, on the 102nd anniversary, to honor the memory of the victims and the struggle to ensure that genocide is forever eliminated.”
Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA): “Today marks 102 years since the beginning of the Armenian Genocide. This horrific period saw more than 1.5 million Armenians murdered. Today, I stand with the Armenian people and call for justice and recognition of the lives lost.”
 
Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA): “Unfortunately, the president continued to extend U.S. complicity in Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide by failing to properly characterize the near annihilation of the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire as a genocide… As crimes of genocide continue to plague this world, Turkey’s policy of denying the Armenian Genocide gives license to those who perpetrate genocide everywhere.”
 
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY):  “I joined the chorus of the voices in the world that grows louder with each passing year. This was a calculated elimination of entire people and we can’t let this tragedy to remain. There was nothing natural about that about the disaster that befell the Armenian people and I stand with you today to join you in confronting a stubborn resistance towards atrocities from Turkey.”
 
Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA): “I am very disappointed and saddened that another year has passed without the President of the United States or the Congress recognizing the events of 1915 as genocide. We cannot move forward free of genocide without recognizing the first genocide of the 20th century. So I ask my colleagues to please join me in recognizing the lives of 1.5 million victims and their families. It is always said that now is not the right time because of our relationship with Turkey as they become, like this country, less democratic as a result of recent elections. I reject that view. If we do not recognize the genocide now, then when?”

Turkish Pegasus Airlines delays launch of flights to Armenia

Jirair Kafian

 

 

 

The Pegasus Airlines has delayed the launch of flights to Armenia’s capital Yerevan.

“The Turkish Pegasus Airlines will not fly to Armenia starting this June,” Sergey Avetisyan, Head of the General Department of Civil Aviation of Armenia, told reporters today.

The to start low-cost flights to Zvartnots Airport from June 1, 2017.

“It’s no secret that Armenian citizens often fly to Istanbul. The company has probably carried out marketing research and decided to enter the Armenian market,” Avetisyan said.

He added, however, that the air company has notified in a letter that the launching of flights will be delayed for some time because of certain technical problems.