ANCA welcomes Congressional scrutiny of attacks on Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter

Chalian Meline
 ANCA ANCA News 0

WASHINGTON—U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee member Joaquin Castro (D-TX) hosted a congressional briefing last week calling attention to escalating attacks by developers seeking to seize land from Jerusalem’s sacred Armenian Quarter to build luxury hotels, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“We want to thank Representative Castro for shining a much-needed congressional spotlight on the escalation of violent attacks against Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter – a central pillar of Christendom, a true treasure for all faith traditions,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “It was encouraging to see such a broad array of legislators represented in this comprehensive Capitol Hill briefing on the legal, political and spiritual aspects of this crisis.”

The January 5 briefing featured testimony from Daniel Seidemann, a globally-respected Israeli lawyer and expert on Jerusalem; Hagop Djernazian, a leader of the Save The ArQ Movement defending the rights of the Jerusalem Armenian Quarter; and Karnig Kerkonian, a prominent U.S.-based attorney representing the community in the ongoing legal dispute over the land.

Over the past several months, Israeli developers have sought to seize land from the Armenian Quarter for private commercial real estate projects. On December 28, in the wake of civil society pushback from the indigenous Armenian community, an angry mob of masked men, apparently mobilized and directed by the developers, brutally attacked a dozen Armenians, including clergy.

The ANCA has called on U.S. Ambassador at Large for Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain to clearly and unequivocally condemn the ongoing efforts to intimidate Jerusalem’s historic Armenian Christian population in an X (formerly Twitter) campaign.

The Armenian Quarter is an integral part of the Old City of Jerusalem – with the Armenian presence in the city dating back to the 4th century AD, when, after Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as a national religion, Armenian monks settled in Jerusalem.

  •  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.


Turkey and Azerbaijan announce plans to complete “Zangezur Corridor”

Hovhannisian John
 Hoory Minoyan News 0

YEREVAN—Just when the discourse surrounding the so-called “Zangezur Corridor” seemed to have subsided or retreated from the forefront of discussions, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, unveiled plans to finalize the “Zangezur Corridor” project by 2029, during a January 7 announcement.

Highlighting progress on the “Zangezur Corridor” undertaken by Azerbaijan and Turkey, Uraloglu revealed that the Azerbaijani segment of the “Zangezur Corridor,” stretching from Baku to Horadiz, is nearing completion. The Turkish section of the route spans a length of 224 kilometers. Uraloglu estimated that the entire process required for constructing the route would last five years, expressing confidence that all necessary work will be concluded by 2028. 

Uraloglu highlighted ongoing construction between Horadiz and Ordubad in Azerbaijan’s Nakhichevan exclave, excluding the section traversing Armenian territory.

Since signing the November 9, 2020 trilateral ceasefire agreement, which calls for the construction of transport links between Azerbaijan and its exclave Nakhichevan through southern Armenia, Azerbaijan has insisted on the creation of the “Zangezur Corridor.” The agreement states that control over transport communication will be carried out by Russian border guards. Armenian officials have repeatedly rejected Azerbaijan’s demand that the route be free from customs and passport controls and asserted that the route must respect territorial integrity and sovereignty. 

Azerbaijan’s construction of the “Zangezur Corridor” (screen grab)

Uraloglu addressed the opposition to the “Zangezur Corridor” from the Armenian side, claiming that the project holds potential benefits for Armenia. He also highlighted recent positive signals from Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regarding the initiative.

“The Armenian side initially responded negatively to this proposal, despite its potential advantages for Armenia, but we’ve observed recent positive messages from Prime Minister Pashinyan,” stated the Turkish official, emphasizing Turkey’s commitment to the establishment of the corridor.

In an interview with Armenian media, Turkic scholar Gevorg Galtakyan highlighted that in the conversation with Uraloglu, the interviewer asked about the potential for mutual agreement by both parties to opening the “Zangezur Corridor.” Galtakyan emphasized that if Armenia does not consent to this ultimatum, the Turkish side may resort to the use of force to achieve its objectives.

In response to the announcement by the Turkish minister, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Nasser Kanani insisted that trade and transit cooperation should not serve as a catalyst for geopolitical shifts in the South Caucasus.

“We consistently stress the significance of expanding regional cooperation to foster peace, stability and economic partnerships, including communication and transit. It’s imperative to underscore that the development of transit cooperation in the South Caucasus should not prompt geopolitical alterations or undermine the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations,” Kanani highlighted, as reported by Mehr news agency.

Iran has repeatedly expressed its commitment to upholding the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty regarding Armenia. Iran boasts longstanding historical ties with its neighboring nation Armenia, a relationship that continues to deepen over time.

The “Zangezur Corridor” project has sparked controversy, with differing reactions from involved parties.

In an interview with Sputnik Armenia, political analyst Suren Surenyants underscored Azerbaijan’s strategic advancements and their significant implications for Armenia. Surenyants indicated that Azerbaijan has effectively removed international guarantors from the equation and secured an international consensus regarding the contentious “Zangezur Corridor.” He cautioned that the signing of a peace treaty depends on resolving contentious issues for Baku, stressing President Ilham Aliyev’s persistent disregard for the red lines outlined by Armenia’s government.

Surenyants observed that Baku has strategically dismantled the role of international guarantors in Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations and introduced a framework of bilateral talks without mediators. He highlighted the recent prisoner exchange, which was seen to be a result of direct talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as pivotal in securing support for the bilateral negotiation platform.

Expressing skepticism, Surenyants remarked that any meaningful peace agreement must incorporate border demarcation principles and territorial maps, elements presently opposed by Azerbaijan. He cautioned that the absence of demarcation principles in a peace agreement could effectively endorse the assimilation of Artsakh into Azerbaijan and legitimize the occupation of 200 square kilometers of sovereign Armenian territory by Azeri troops.

Surenyants suggested that the Armenian government’s approach to “sacrifice” Artsakh in order to persuade Azerbaijan to drop its claim to  the “Zangezur Corridor” has failed. He said that Armenia’s southernmost province Syunik became entangled in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict after Armenia’s defeat in the 44-day war, underlining Azerbaijan’s persistent aspirations toward Syunik.

Surenyants highlighted the escalating challenges facing the Armenian government, warning that 2024 may be a more strenuous year than the previous one.

Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu (Twitter)

Amidst these concerns, Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council Armen Grigoryan disclosed plans for a forthcoming meeting between Armenia and Azerbaijan’s border demarcation commissions, which Azerbaijan has stated is not a necessity for signing a peace agreement. “There is a scheduled meeting for the delimitation commissions towards the end of January. We are hopeful that the meeting will indeed take place,” Grigoryan said.

The forthcoming meeting follows the most recent session held between the border delimitation commissions of Armenia and Azerbaijan on November 30, 2023, along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. During this session, both parties agreed on the procedural framework for organizing and conducting commission sessions and joint working gatherings. They also agreed to initiate efforts towards coordinating a draft regulation on the activities of the border demarcation commissions.

On January 6, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reiterated its support for a treaty based on the mirrored withdrawal of troops from the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. “Throughout the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Armenian side has consistently advocated for a mirrored withdrawal of troops from the interstate border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, a stance that remains unchanged,” the Foreign Ministry stated.

Emphasizing its readiness to engage in discussions to implement a treaty, the MoFA said that troop withdrawal should align with the latest maps from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR.

On January 10, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan suggested that progress on a treaty is stalled, because Azerbaijan refuses to recognize Armenia’s territorial integrity. He previously announced that Baku and Yerevan will hold discussions regarding Armenia’s proposal for troop withdrawal from the border. However, Baku rejected this initiative, leading to unresolved discussions between the two nations.

“I want to emphasize that these two issues—territorial integrity and inviolability of borders and border delimitation—are the issues where the Republic of Armenia cannot see and cannot allow any ambiguity, because any ambiguity is a basis and fertile ground for further aggressions and further escalations,” Mirzoyan said on January 10.

  •  Bio
  •  Latest Posts
Hoory Minoyan was an active member of the Armenian community in Los Angeles until she moved to Armenia prior to the 44-day war. She graduated with a master's in International Affairs from Boston University, where she was also the recipient of the William R. Keylor Travel Grant. The research and interviews she conducted while in Armenia later became the foundation of her Master’s thesis, “Shaping Identity Through Conflict: The Armenian Experience.” Hoory continues to follow her passion for research and writing by contributing to the Armenian Weekly.


RFE/RL Armenian Service – 01/10/2024

Boshkezenian Garik 
                                        Wednesday, 


Aliyev Insists On ‘Corridor’ Through Armenia

        • Gevorg Stamboltsian

Russia - Azeri President Ilham Aliyev looks on during a visit of CIS heads of 
state to the Peterhof Palace in Saint Petersburg, December 26, 2023.


Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday reiterated Baku’s renewed 
demands for Armenia to open an extraterritorial corridor to Azerbaijan’s 
Nakhichevan exclave.

“Otherwise, Armenia will remain at a dead end forever,” he said in televised 
remarks. “If the route I mentioned is not opened, then we do not intend to open 
the border with Armenia anywhere else. So they will get more harm than good from 
that.”

"People and goods should pass from Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan without any checks," 
added Aliyev.

He pointed to a clause in the 2020 ceasefire agreement that commits Armenia to 
opening rail and road links between Nakhichevan and the rest of Azerbaijan 
through Syunik, the sole Armenian province bordering Iran.

The Armenian government has said all along that Azerbaijani passengers and cargo 
cannot be exempt from Armenian border controls. It insists on conventional 
transport links between the two South Caucasus states.

Iran also strongly opposes the so-called “Zangezur corridor” sought by Aliyev. 
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reaffirmed Tehran’s stance when he met with a 
visiting Azerbaijani official in October.

Aliyev’s top foreign policy adviser, Hikmet Hajiyev, said later in October that 
the corridor “has lost its attractiveness for us” and that Baku is now planning 
to “do this with Iran instead.” But he clearly backtracked on that statement in 
a newspaper interview published last week.

Baku renewed its demands for the corridor following what Azerbaijani and 
Armenian officials described as progress made towards the signing of a bilateral 
peace treaty. Earlier on Wednesday, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan 
spoke of “regression” in the latest Azerbaijani proposals on the treaty sent to 
Yerevan last month. Mirzoyan indicated that Baku is reluctant to explicitly 
recognize Armenia’s borders through the peace deal.

Aliyev also rejected Yerevan’s insistence on international “guarantors” of the 
two sides’ compliance with such a deal. “We don’t need guarantors,” he told 
Azerbaijani television.




More Noncombat Deaths In Armenian Army's Ranks

        • Shoghik Galstian

Armenia - Soldiers march at an Armenian military base, December 24, 2022.


Two Armenian soldiers were found shot dead on Tuesday in separate noncombat 
incidents that sparked more calls for Defense Minister Suren Papikian’s 
resignation.

Both incidents occurred at Armenian army posts in eastern Gegharkunik region 
bordering Azerbaijan.

Military investigators said one of the soldiers, Karen Karapetian, was shot and 
killed by a comrade early in the morning. The latter was arrested hours later.

As of Wednesday evening, the Investigative Committee made no statements about 
the alleged shooter’s motives. Nor did the law-enforcement body say anything 
about the reason for what it described as suicide committed by the other victim, 
Mikael Danielian, later in the morning.

The chief of the Armenian army’s General Staff, Lieutenant-General Eduard 
Asrian, rushed to the headquarters of an army corps deployed in Gegharkunik 
hours after the shootings.

“Everything must be done to exclude similar cases in the future,” Asrian told 
its top officers.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in turn gave such instructions to Papikian and 
the army’s top brass when he visited the Defense Ministry in Yerevan on 
Wednesday morning.

Pashinian pledged to successfully tackle noncombat deaths of military personnel 
after he came to power in 2018. However, the problem has remained just as 
chronic since then.

January 2023 saw one of the deadliest noncombat incidents ever registered in the 
Armenian army ranks. Fifteen conscripts serving in Gegharkunik were found dead 
at their military barracks destroyed by a major fire. Papikian, who is a leading 
member of Pashinian’s party, faced calls for resignation from their relatives, 
opposition figures and human rights activists in the wake of the tragedy.

Andranik Kocharian, the chairman of the Armenian parliament committee on defense 
and security, dismissed such calls reignited by the latest deaths.

“You immediately want sensational sackings,” an irritated Kocharian told 
journalists. “That’s wrong. If we followed that path no official would retain 
his post.”

Tigran Abrahamian, an opposition lawmaker, said the latest incidents raised more 
questions about “defense reforms” promised by Pashinian’s administration 
following the 2020 war with Azerbaijan.

“The authorities must admit that they are not carrying reforms in that area or 
that the reforms have failed,” Abrahamian told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service.

“No matter how much you reform the army, no matter how successful those reforms 
are, there will always be crimes and accidents in the army,” countered Armen 
Khachatrian, another pro-government parliamentarian. “They should just be 
reduced to a minimum.”

Khachatrian claimed that the number of noncombat deaths has steadily fallen in 
recent years. Official figures tell a different story, however.

In particular, only 20 of 75 Armenian servicemen who died in 2023 were killed as 
a result of ceasefire violations on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The 
Armenian military reported 50 noncombat deaths in 2022.




Government Admits Failure Of New Ferry Link To Russia

        • Robert Zargarian

Georgia -- A view of the port of Batumi.


Economy Minister Vahan Kerobian has acknowledged that the Armenian government’s 
$1.2 million project to revive a Black Sea ferry service as an alternative trade 
route between Russia and Armenia has been a failure.

The bulk of Armenia’s commerce with Russia, its number one trading partner, is 
carried out through the sole Russian-Georgian border crossing at Upper Lars. A 
mountainous road passing through Upper Lars is periodically closed due to 
blizzards and landslides, causing Armenian companies serious losses. It has also 
become increasingly congested in recent years.

The Armenian Ministry of Economy hired a foreign sea freight company last year 
to operate a new ferry link between the Georgian Black Sea port of Batumi and 
Russia’s Novorossiisk that was supposed to be an alternative to Upper Lars. The 
company, C&M International, launched it in the summer after being paid 500 
million drams ($1.2 million) by the ministry.

“The ferry operated for several months but … did not generate sufficient 
interest from exporters and importers,” Kerobian told reporters this week. “We 
did not see export and import companies use the ferry in a way that could 
convince us and our partners to continue the project.”

RUSSIA - A general view of the Novorossiysk Fuel Oil Terminal (NMT) in the Black 
Sea port of Novorossiisk, May 30, 2018.

The minister contradicted his own remarks on the issue made less than three 
months ago. “The project is working as we see strong interest from [trading] 
companies,” he said at the time.

Speaking to RFE/RL’s Armenian Service, multiple cargo company executives in 
Yerevan said a key reason for the failure of the Batumi-Novorossiisk service is 
that it involved a typical cargo ship, rather than a real ferry. This means that 
commercial trucks were unable to board the ship and proceed to the Russian port 
or vice versa by sea and instead had to load their cargo onto it.

Russian-Armenian trade has skyrocketed since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of 
Ukraine. Armenian entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the Western sanctions 
against Moscow by re-exporting Western-manufactured goods to Russia. Armenian 
exports to Russia rose by 63 percent, to $2.9 billion, in January-October 2023, 
generating half of the South Caucasus nation’s overall export revenue.

Kerobian said that his government now wants to “diversify” Armenia’s export 
operations. But he did not specify just how and when it will try to achieve that 
objective.




Yerevan Sees ‘Regression’ In Azeri Peace Proposals

        • Nane Sahakian

Armenia - Foreign Ministers Ararat Mirzoyan of Armenia and George Gerapetritis 
of Greece shake hands at a news conference, Yerevan, .


Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan indicated on Wednesday that Azerbaijan is 
reluctant to explicitly recognize Armenia’s borders through a bilateral peace 
treaty discussed by the two sides.

Echoing remarks by another Armenian official, Mirzoyan spoke of “some 
regression” in Baku’s most recent proposals regarding the treaty presented to 
Yerevan.

“We submitted the latest Armenian proposals [to Baku] n January 4,” he told a 
joint news conference with his visiting Greek counterpart George Gerapetritis. 
“Yes, I would say that in terms of the content, we see some regress in the 
Azerbaijani proposals on some articles of the text and some progress in several 
other directions.”

Mirzoyan did not disclose those issues. He only stressed in this regard that 
mutual recognition of each other’s territorial integrity must be the key element 
of the Armenian-Azerbaijani peace accord.

“This is the issue where utmost clarity is needed and the final peace treaty 
must ensure this clarity,” he said. “Also, while the process of delimitation and 
demarcation of the two countries’ border may take long, we must see in the peace 
treaty a clear basis upon which the delimitation process must take place.”

“I want to emphasize that territorial integrity and inviolability of borders and 
border delimitation are the two issues on which Armenia cannot allow any 
ambiguity,” added Mirzoyan.

Senior Azerbaijani officials said last month that the two sides should sign the 
treaty before agreeing on the delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. 
Armenian analysts and opposition figures suggested that Baku wants to leave the 
door open for territorial claims to Armenia.

In October, Azerbaijani President Aliyev again accused Armenia of occupying 
“eight Azerbaijani villages.” Aliyev referred to several small enclaves inside 
Armenia which were controlled by Azerbaijan in Soviet times and occupied by the 
Armenian army in the early 1990s. For its part, the Azerbaijani side seized at 
the time a bigger Armenian enclave.

Armenia has proposed that the two South Caucasus states use late Soviet-era 
military maps as a basis for the border delimitation. The idea is backed by the 
European Union but rejected by the Azerbaijani side.

Aliyev twice withdrew from EU-mediated talks with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian 
in October. His foreign minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, similarly cancelled a 
November 20 meeting with Mirzoyan that was due to be hosted by U.S. Secretary of 
State Antony Blinken. Bayramov offered late last month to meet with Mirzoyan on 
the Armenian-Azerbaijani border without third-party mediation.

Mirzoyan on Wednesday declined to clarify whether he is ready for such a 
meeting. He said only that Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations have always been 
“direct” in essence.



Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2024 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

ANN/Armenian News – Calendar of Events – 01/11/2024

Alex Jidarian

Armenian News Calendar of events

(All times local to events)

    What:   “Exploring Legacy: The Story of Iraqi Homenetmen Scouts”

    Event dedicated to celebrating the rich history and achievements of the Iraqi

    Homenetmen Armenian Scouts

    When: Sunday January 21, 2024 at 4:30pm

    Where: St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Cathedral’s Hall

    1510 E Mountain St., Glendale, CA 91207

    Misc: Under Sponsorship of Homenetmen Western USA Region, the Iraqi Armenians Cultural

    Committee – California invite you to take part of this wonderful event that will

    highlight the history and contribution of the Iraqi Homenetmen Scouts to the community's

    cultural heritage and preservation of the Armenian identity. The event will include an

    exhibition of historical photographs, a Power Point Presentation of inspiring scouts’

    members stories, in addition to group Armenian dance performances and poetry.

    We invite the greater community to attend this free event. 

    Tel: 818-244-9639

    ——————————————————————————————

    What: "CULTURAL GENOCIDE, The History and the Future of Armenian Heritage Sites in Artsakh"

    A lecture in Armenian presented by architect Dr. Marco Brambilla 

    When: Thursday January 25, 2024 at 7:30pm

    Where: Crescenta Valley Meher & Satig Der Ohanessian Youth Center Hall

    2633 Honolulu Ave., Montrose, CA 91020

    Misc: This presentation addresses the reality of the future of Armenian historical

    monuments in Nagorno Gharabagh / Artsakh after the Azerbaijani take-over. There are

    over 1500 registered historical, Armenian, heritage sites in this area, dating back

    from early Christianity to date. After the Armenia- Azerbaijan wars, these monuments

    are being systematically destroyed by the Azeris.

    We invite the greater community to attend this free presentation. 

    Tel: 818-244-9639

      Armenian News's calendar of events is collected and updated mostly from

      announcements posted on this list, and submissions to [email protected].

      To submit, send to Armenian [email protected], and please note the following

      important points:

      • Armenian News's administrators have final say on what may be included in Groong's calendar of events.
      • Posting time is on Thursdays, 06:00 Pacific time.
      • Calendar items are short, functional, and edited to fit a template.
      • There is no guarantee or promise that an item will be published on time.
      • Calendar information is believed to be from reliable sources. However, no responsibility is assumed by Armenian News Administrators for inaccuracies and up-to-date-ness..
      • No commercial events will be accepted. (Dinners, dances, etc. This is not an ad-space.)
      • The Week in Review Podcasts
      • The Critical Corner
      • The Literary Armenian News
      • Review & Outlook
      • Probing the Photographic Record
      • Armenia House Museums
      • ..and much more

      © Copyright 2024, Armenian News Network / Armenian News, all rights reserved.

      Regards,
      —
      Armenian News Network / Armenian News

      Los Angeles, CA     / USA

      Supervisors Call for Release of Armenian Hostages Held Captive by Azerbaijan

      Emil Lazarian
      Random Lengths News
      Jan 9 2024

      The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Jan. 9 unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell that throws the weight of Los Angeles County behind calls for the release of Armenians being held hostage by Azerbaijan.

      At least 36 Armenian prisoners are captive and remain in Azerbaijani custody. Additionally, Azerbaijan is holding eight former military and political leaders of Artsakh captive as political prisoners as of September 2023. 

      “This is about accountability,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “We need to hold Azerbaijan accountable for violations of humanitarian law. As leaders of a County that is home to the greatest number of Armenians outside of Armenia itself, we must do what is within our power and use our voice to condemn Azerbaijan’s violations of human rights and urge the return of all Armenian hostages and prisoners of war. We have a moral obligation to do so. I am proud to stand in solidarity with the Armenian community.”

      The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved several motions authored by Supervisor Barger related to the ongoing humanitarian violations and acts of violence committed by the Azerbaijani government against the ethnic Armenian people of Artsakh.  

      The motion notes that the only “crime” committed by these individuals was the peaceful exercise of their political rights; they are being held under false and fabricated charges.  

      According to a recent report by the Center for Truth & Justice, Armenian civilians have been the target of illegal arrests by Azerbaijani officials, with no basis or evidence. 

      A letter will be sent with all five Supervisors’ signatures to United States President Joseph Biden, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen urging the Administration to take action at the federal level and suspend all U.S. military and economic assistance to Azerbaijan.

       

      L.A. County Board of Supervisors Call for Release of Armenian Hostages Held Captive by Azerbaijan

      Hambik Zargarian
      Pasadena Now
      Jan 9 2024
      STAFF REPORT

      The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell that throws the weight of Los Angeles County behind calls for the release of Armenians being held hostage by Azerbaijan.

      At least 36 Armenian prisoners are captive and remain in Azerbaijani custody. Additionally, Azerbaijan is holding eight former military and political leaders of Artsakh captive as political prisoners as of September 2023.

      “This is about accountability,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “We need to hold Azerbaijan accountable for violations of humanitarian law. As leaders of a County that is home to the greatest number of Armenians outside of Armenia itself, we must do what is within our power and use our voice to condemn Azerbaijan’s violations of human rights and urge the return of all Armenian hostages and prisoners of war. We have a moral obligation to do so. I am proud to stand in solidarity with the Armenian community.”

      The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved several motions authored by Supervisor Barger related to the ongoing humanitarian violations and acts of violence committed by the Azerbaijani government against the ethnic Armenian people of Artsakh.

      “The conflict between Azerbaijan and the people of Armenia impacts our Armenian community in Los Angeles County,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “ We must make it clear that these crimes against humanity will not be tolerated by our government. We support the Biden administration in urging the Azerbaijan government to immediately return all Armenian prisoners of war and work toward a solution for lasting peace in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.”

      The motion notes that the only “crime” committed by these individuals was the peaceful exercise of their political rights; they are being held under false and fabricated charges.

      According to a recent report by the Center for Truth & Justice, Armenian civilians have been the target of illegal arrests by Azerbaijani officials, with no basis or evidence.

      A letter will be sent with all five Supervisors’ signatures to United States President Joseph Biden, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen urging the Administration to take action at the federal level and suspend all U.S. military and economic assistance to Azerbaijan.

      https://www.pasadenanow.com/main/l-a-county-board-of-supervisors-call-for-release-of-armenian-hostages-held-captive-by-azerbaijan

      Germany Offers Aid to Armenia in Bid to Curtail Russian Influence: Report

      Ophelia Vardapetian
      Jan 10 2024

      By: Momen Zellmi

      Reports from Russia cite informed sources that Germany is offering financial aid to Armenia, with strings attached that ostensibly aim to weaken Russian influence in the region. The terms of this reported aid package include the removal of Russian border guards from Armenian territory and the displacement of pro-Russian individuals from key positions within Armenia’s military, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement.

      The financial aid, which is said to be tied to supporting the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, reportedly includes measures to prevent the mass migration of Karabakh Armenians to European Union countries. This is viewed as part of Germany’s broader geopolitical strategy to create a divide between Armenia and Moscow, and integrate Armenia into the anti-Russian policy of the West. The Russian media report suggests that Berlin is offering to provide Yerevan with financial and technical assistance, in addition to political support.

      This move by Germany, if substantiated, could be seen as part of a larger effort to reduce Russian influence in Armenia and the surrounding region. Amid escalating tensions between Russia and the West, the financial aid package reportedly offered by Germany could represent a strategic pivot for Armenia, a country traditionally allied with Russia but now potentially drawn into the broader geopolitical chessboard.

      While this report is yet to be officially confirmed, the alleged offer from Germany could have significant implications for the dynamics of power in the Caucasus region. A shift in Armenia’s allegiances could strain relations with Russia and provoke a response from Moscow. Moreover, the displacement of pro-Russian individuals from key positions could cause internal friction within Armenia and potentially destabilize the region. As the world watches, the move could set a precedent for how Western nations engage with countries within Russia’s sphere of influence.

      Armenian Military Officer Found Dead: A Mystery Unfolds author

      Jalatian Sonya
      Jan 10 2024

      By: Momen Zellmi

      In a tragic turn of events, a senior lieutenant of the Armenian military, named Mikael S. Danielyan, was found dead from a gunshot wound at a combat position of a Ministry of Defense unit. The incident, which unfolded around 11:30 on January 9, has left the nation in a state of shock and mourning.

      An immediate investigation has been initiated by the authorities to ascertain the intricate details surrounding the shooting. The probe aims to clarify whether the shooting was accidental, self-inflicted, or a result of other causes. The investigation’s progress will be crucial in shedding light on the circumstances that led to the untimely death of Senior Lieutenant Danielyan.

      The Ministry of Defense has expressed profound sorrow at the loss of one of their servicemen. The ministry extended its condolences and offered support to the bereaved family and friends of Danielyan. The loss of a serviceman under such circumstances has left the military community in Armenia in profound grief.

      In a similar incident, another on-duty serviceman of the Armenian Armed Forces, Senior Lieutenant Karen A. Karapetyan, was found shot dead at his designated outpost. An enlisted serviceman was arrested on suspicion of killing Senior Lieutenant Karapetyan, adding another layer of mystery and concern over the safety of military personnel in their combat positions.

      Germany allegedly offers Armenia aid for anti-Russian steps

      Boshkezenian Garik
      Baha Breaking News
      Jan 10 2024
      POLITICS

      Christian Baha

      ermany is reportedly interested in the fast withdrawal of Russian border personnel from Armenia, and in return, it offers Yerevan financial assistance, TASS reported on Wednesday, citing a source familiar with the matter.

      According to the source, "Germany seeks to drag Armenia into the West's anti-Russian policy. Berlin's task is to dissociate Yerevan from Moscow as much as possible."

      Reportedly, Germany wants Armenia to "clean up" their state administration of individuals friendly to Russia, including special services and law enforcement agencies. Berlin, on the other hand, offers to provide the country with financial and technical assistance, as well as support for the efforts of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government to keep Karabakh Armenians from mass emigration to European Union countries.

      "Indian investments are flourishing in Armenia", Armenian Minister Vahan Kerobyan

      Mary Lazarian
      Jan 10 2024

      ANI

      Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], January 10 (ANI): Vahan Kerobyan, Minister of Economy for Armenia, took centre stage at the inauguration of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, emphasising the growing significance of trade and investments between India and Armenia.

      Minister Kerobyan underscored the robust bilateral investment landscape as evidence of the strengthening of economic bonds between the two nations.

      Kerobyan said, "A pivotal aspect of our economic narrative is the increasing movement of trade and investments between India and Armenia. This bilateral investment floor is a testament to the deepening economic ties between our nations. It's heartening to see Armenian investments finding fertile ground in India and likewise, Indian investments are flourishing in Armenia."The Minister's remarks shed light on the encouraging trend of reciprocal investments, with Armenian investments finding fertile ground in India and, reciprocally, Indian investments flourishing in Armenia.

      This two-way economic engagement not only reflects mutual trust and confidence but also signifies a commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth and development.

      India and Armenia share friendly relations rooted in historical ties between the people of the two countries. India recognized Armenia on 26 December 1991. With an aim to strengthen business relations and develop reciprocal cooperation, Investment Support Centre of the Republic of Armenia and Invest India signed an MoU on 28 June 2021. The objective of this MoU is to provide business solutions for stakeholders of both sides to promote the investment climate in Armenia and India and establish a practical framework for the development of stronger business relations between the two sidesAs the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit serves as a catalyst for international collaboration, Minister Kerobyan's address highlighted the importance of such platforms in facilitating meaningful discussions and partnerships.

      The Armenian Minister's positive sentiments about the deepening economic ties align with the broader theme of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit- fostering economic growth through international collaboration.

      The summit provides an opportunity for leaders and representatives from diverse nations to explore avenues for cooperation and investment.

      The emphasis on bilateral investments as a crucial aspect of the economic narrative reinforces the commitment of nations to explore and strengthen economic relations for mutual benefit.

      As discussions unfold during the summit, the focus on India-Armenia economic ties adds a unique dimension to the diverse array of partnerships being discussed.

      Minister Kerobyan's words resonate with the spirit of collaboration and mutual prosperity, underscoring the positive trajectory of economic relations between India and Armenia. (ANI)

      https://www.malaysiasun.com/news/274090540/indian-investments-are-flourishing-in-armenia-armenian-minister-vahan-kerobyan