The blog contains articles and thoughts in English, Armenian and Arabic about Armenian issues, Artsakh-Karabakh issue, Armenian Genocide as well as the life of Armenians and Christians in Iraq and the Middle East.
Friday, December 31, 2010
مقتل اثنان واصابة اخرون بجراح...تفاصيل عن استهداف منازل عائلات مسيحية في بغداد
مقتل اثنان واصابة اخرون بجراح...تفاصيل عن استهداف منازل عائلات مسيحية في بغداد: "تفاصيل عن استهداف منازل عائلات مسيحية في بغداد"
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
محلل تركي: مشاريع القرارات حول مجزرة الأرمن ستثار دوماً الى أن تحل الذكرى المئوية للمجزرة في 2015
Public Radio of Armenia: "محلل تركي: مشاريع القرارات حول مجزرة الأرمن ستثار دوماً الى أن تحل الذكرى المئوية للمجزرة في 2015"
إختصاصي في علم النفس يعتقد أن أذربيجان ستواصل الحرب النفسية والدبلوماسية
Public Radio of Armenia: "إختصاصي في علم النفس يعتقد أن أذربيجان ستواصل الحرب النفسية والدبلوماسية"
نائب رئيس برلمان غاراباغ: يجب الرد على التصريحات الأذربيجانية الداعية للحرب
Public Radio of Armenia: "نائب رئيس برلمان غاراباغ: يجب الرد على التصريحات الأذربيجانية الداعية للحرب"
الإعتراف بالمجزرة الأرمنية حقق التقدم في السنوات الخمس عشرة الأخيرة
Public Radio of Armenia: "الإعتراف بالمجزرة الأرمنية حقق التقدم في السنوات الخمس عشرة الأخيرة"
الرئيس الإيراني: يجب حل قضية غاراباغ وفق القانون والعدالة
Public Radio of Armenia: "الرئيس الإيراني: يجب حل قضية غاراباغ وفق القانون والعدالة"
Resolute Response Required to Pelosi’s Failure on Genocide Resolution
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Armenians worldwide are justifiably outraged by the refusal of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic leadership to bring the Genocide Resolution to a vote.
Cong. Pelosi had "the majority, the authority, and the opportunity" to schedule a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, but failed to do so, the Armenian National Committee of America announced last week. Why didn’t she bring up the Resolution to a vote? It is important to note that contrary to their previous practice, neither the President nor the Secretary of State made any public statements against the Resolution. They did not have to; they had made a behind the scenes deal with Speaker Pelosi not to schedule a vote on the Resolution before Congress adjourned for the year, according to a knowledgeable Washington source. Under these circumstances, the self-serving claims of Turkey’s Ambassador and Turkish-American organizations that their belated actions blocked the vote were complete exaggerations, if not outright falsehoods, and inconsequential!
The Armenian Genocide Resolution is neither the beginning nor the end of Armenian political demands. Here is why: this is a commemorative resolution with no force of law; similar Genocide Resolutions were adopted by the House of Representatives twice, in 1975 and 1984; and such resolutions are only a means to an end.
What is the real objective of the Armenian Cause? Obtaining justice for Armenians from the descendants of those who not only butchered them, but occupied their homeland and confiscated their properties.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stated last week that the Resolution was like "the sword of Damocles hanging above our heads." He expressed the hope that such initiatives would not be brought up again in Congress as they wasted Turkey’s energy and time. The threat felt by Turkish leaders a century after their ancestors’ heinous crimes and the waste of their valuable resources to counter the Resolution are reason enough for Armenians to bring such initiatives to every legislative body in the world year after year. Moreover, each time Turkish leaders demand that a U.S. President block such a resolution, in return they are obligated to make costly political concessions to the American side.
Armenian-American organizations, led by ANCA, must now make a dispassionate strategic assessment to consider their next moves:
- File lawsuits against Turkey and Turkish firms in U.S. federal courts, the European Court of Human Rights, and the World Court.
- Increase the number of "hanging swords" on Turkish leaders’ heads by submitting multiple congressional resolutions that go beyond genocide acknowledgment. Among other things, these could include restitution of confiscated Armenian properties and return of churches to the jurisdiction of the Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey.
- Capitalize on Turkish leaders’ anti-western policies and statements to generate support for Armenian issues among the new Republican majority in the House.
Here are some preliminary thoughts on specific actions that could be considered by Armenian-American leaders in the coming weeks:
- Steps to be taken against Minority Leader Pelosi and House Democratic leaders as political payback for their obstructionism. It is now up to them to woo their disappointed Armenian supporters with a series of concrete actions, not promises, to undo the damage they have caused to their own credibility.
- Start planning for the 2012 elections to ensure that no Armenian-American would cast a vote or contribute a single dollar for Pres. Obama or any other member of Congress, Democrat or Republican, opposed to Armenian issues.
- Assess the inaction of leaders in Armenia and the Diaspora who did not lift a finger nor utter a word in support of the Genocide Resolution, while Turkey’s President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were pressuring Pres. Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to block the vote.
- Capitalize on the activism of the newly-energized Armenian-American community, especially the youth and celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Serj Tankian, to engage them in creative ways of pursuing the Armenian Cause.
- Support Senators who have an interest in placing a new "hold" against Francis Ricciardone or his replacement as nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Turkey. There has been no U.S. Ambassador in Ankara for more than 6 months. Similarly, Azeri-American efforts in support of the Turkish campaign of genocide denial must be countered by placing a new "hold" on Matt Bryza or his replacement as nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan. There has been no U.S. Ambassador in Baku for more than 18 months.
Instead of getting dejected by last week’s temporary setback, Armenians should strengthen their political resolve and escalate their demands from Turkey, using all legitimate means of redress to advance their just cause!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
رئيس جمهورية أرمينيا: إننا إنتصرنا في الحرب وهدفنا هو الحل العادل لقضية غاراباغ
Public Radio of Armenia: "رئيس جمهورية أرمينيا: إننا إنتصرنا في الحرب وهدفنا هو الحل العادل لقضية غاراباغ"
معلق سياسي: أعتقد أن موضوع المجزرة سيبحث طويلاً في الكونغرس الأميركي
Public Radio of Armenia: "معلق سياسي: أعتقد أن موضوع المجزرة سيبحث طويلاً في الكونغرس الأميركي"
سفير أرمينيا في العراق يلتقي بمدير مكتب الرئيس العراقي
Public Radio of Armenia: "سفير أرمينيا في العراق يلتقي بمدير مكتب الرئيس العراقي"
منظمة العفو الدولية تدعو الحكومة العراقية إلى حماية المسيحيين خلال عيد الميلاد
Al-Watan: "منظمة العفو الدولية تدعو الحكومة العراقية إلى حماية المسيحيين خلال عيد الميلاد"
Armenians Sue Turkey Claiming U.S. Air Base Land
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Over the years, Armenians have gradually shifted their attention from the recognition of the Genocide to the pursuit of legal remedies for their massive losses suffered between 1915 and 1923.
Several lawsuits have been filed recently in U.S. Federal Courts against Western insurance companies and banks. In July, Armenian-American attorneys sued the Republic of Turkey and its two major banks, seeking compensation for confiscated properties and loss of income.
A new federal lawsuit was filed last week by attorneys Vartkes Yeghiayan, Kathryn Lee Boyd and David Schwarcz, along with international law expert Michael Bazyler, against the Republic of Turkey, the Central Bank, and Ziraat Bank for “unlawful expropriation and unjust enrichment.” The plaintiffs are Los Angeles-area residents Rita Mahdessian and Anais Haroutunian, and Alex Bakalian of Washington, D.C.
The three Armenian-Americans, who have deeds proving ownership of properties stolen from their families during the Genocide, are seeking compensation for 122 acres of land in the Adana region. The strategic Incirlik U.S. Air Base is partly located on their property.
During the Genocide, the Turkish government initially placed all properties belonging to Armenian victims under seal. Subsequently, it directed the Ziraat Bank to hold all proceeds from the sale of seized properties in trust and for safekeeping on behalf of the Armenian owners. These properties were then transferred to the Turkish Treasury and placed under the administration of the Central Bank. The lawsuit accuses the Republic of Turkey, the Central Bank and Ziraat Bank of unfairly benefiting from the plaintiffs’ seized assets.
The three Turkish defendants are currently engaged in commercial activities in the United States which grants jurisdiction to U.S. courts. The Republic of Turkey operates several state-owned or controlled enterprises in the U.S., such as the Turkish Airlines and Tourism Information Office. Both the Central Bank and Ziraat Bank also have offices in the United States.
In addition to seizing the Armenian plaintiffs’ property, the Turkish government has pocketed the rent paid by the United States for the Incirlik Air Base during the past 60 years. The base is operated by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service -- a U.S. Department of Defense entity. Several major American corporations, such as Baskin Robbins, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, and AT&T transact business and provide services on the base for U.S. troops. These companies have also been profiting from Armenian-owned lands for many years.
The lawsuit claims that the plaintiffs "are suffering harm from the loss of use and proceeds from their property.” Turkey and its Central Bank’s "continued unlawful use of the property causes a direct effect in the United States because a U.S. commercial entity pays money" to Turkey to lease the Incirlik Air Base and "is engaged in a long-term business arrangement with defendants…."
The lawsuit also states that the "plaintiffs’ action is additionally based upon their rights in property unlawfully expropriated by defendant Turkey in violation of international law, pursuant to a Turkish campaign of genocide…. International law prohibits the taking of property when it is done in a discriminatory way or pursuant to gross violations of human rights. Plaintiffs’ property was taken pursuant to the genocidal campaign of the Ottoman Turkish Empire to destroy, in whole or in part, Armenian Christians in Turkey."
The plaintiffs assert that after the Genocide, the Turkish government transferred Armenian-owned "businesses, factories, shops, farms, and all other economic enterprises into Turkish Muslim ownership," Yet, the most shocking charge is the accusation that the Turkish authorities used "the proceeds derived from the sale of Armenian property to fund their deportation." It is noteworthy that beyond depriving Armenians of their lives and property during the Genocide, Turkish authorities strictly forbade the survivors from reclaiming their properties, by stamping their passports "Return prohibited."
The Armenian-American plaintiffs estimate the current value of the property seized from their families to be $63.9 million, since their land constitutes 3.7% of the $1.7 billion “plant replacement value” of the Incirlik Air Base, according to the latest U.S. Defense Department data. The plaintiffs are demanding the current fair market value of their property as well as the accrued rental for the past 60 years, possibly totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. This lawsuit does not include the value of other Armenian properties in Incirlik, including a church and school.
In the coming months, several other lawsuits are expected to be filed in U.S. courts against the Turkish government and other Turkish entities, including a claim for the Turkish Presidential Palace in Ankara, which is located on land owned by the Kassabian family.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.252- Urge All to Act Now!
Dear All,
You've heard and follow the news about the possible recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the US House of Representatives and the efforts of the Turkish lobby to stop it.
All of you who have friends and relatives in the USA, let's urge them to act now, sending this letter from the Armenian National Committee of America to Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
http://www.anca.org/endthegagr
You've heard and follow the news about the possible recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the US House of Representatives and the efforts of the Turkish lobby to stop it.
All of you who have friends and relatives in the USA, let's urge them to act now, sending this letter from the Armenian National Committee of America to Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
http://www.anca.org/endthegagr
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
كاثوليكوس عموم الأرمن قداسة كاريكين الثاني يجتمع بالمشاركين في المؤتمر العلمي الدولي حول المجزرة الأرمنية
Public Radio of Armenia: "كاثوليكوس عموم الأرمن قداسة كاريكين الثاني يجتمع بالمشاركين في المؤتمر العلمي الدولي حول المجزرة الأرمنية"
إننا سنقترب إلى درجة أكبر من تفادي المجزرة والتنديد بها عندما ينضم أحفاد مرتكبي الجريمة إلى هذه العملية
Public Radio of Armenia: "إننا سنقترب إلى درجة أكبر من تفادي المجزرة والتنديد بها عندما ينضم أحفاد مرتكبي الجريمة إلى هذه العملية"
المشاركون في المؤتمر العلمي الدولي يزورون أمس نصب المجزرة الأرمنية
Public Radio of Armenia: "المشاركون في المؤتمر العلمي الدولي يزورون أمس نصب المجزرة الأرمنية"
مجلس بلدية حي إيلينغ في لندن بأغلبية ساحقة من الأصوات يعترف بالمجزرة الأرمنية
Public Radio of Armenia: "مجلس بلدية حي إيلينغ في لندن بأغلبية ساحقة من الأصوات يعترف بالمجزرة الأرمنية"
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Թուրք զինվորականները բռնաբարել եւ խմբակային սեքսի են պարտադրել մանկատնից փախած անչափահաս աղջիկներին | Լուրեր Հայաստանից - NEWS.am
Թուրք զինվորականները բռնաբարել եւ խմբակային սեքսի են պարտադրել մանկատնից փախած անչափահաս աղջիկներին | Լուրեր Հայաստանից - NEWS.am
Թուրքը նոյնը մնացած է` 1915-ին և այսօր....
Թուրքը նոյնը մնացած է` 1915-ին և այսօր....
في حال أقدمت أذربيجان على القيام بمغامرة عسكرية جديدة، حينها لا يبقى على أرمينيا إلا الاعتراف باستقلال ناغورني كاراباغ
AZG Daily: "في حال أقدمت أذربيجان على القيام بمغامرة عسكرية جديدة، حينها لا يبقى على أرمينيا إلا الاعتراف باستقلال ناغورني كاراباغ"
لا يمكن تسليم المجرم سافاروف لأذربيجان
Public Radio of Armenia: "لا يمكن تسليم المجرم سافاروف لأذربيجان"
رئيس الوزراء الأرميني: لغاراباغ أسس قانونية وعسكرية وسياسية وتاريخية أقوى من أجل تقرير المصير
Public Radio of Armenia: "رئيس الوزراء الأرميني: لغاراباغ أسس قانونية وعسكرية وسياسية وتاريخية أقوى من أجل تقرير المصير"
مؤتمر دولي حول جرائم الإبادة الجماعية و سبل منع تكرارها
AZG Daily: "مؤتمر دولي حول جرائم الإبادة الجماعية و سبل منع تكرارها"
Images of the Syrian Desert Der Zor in Peter Balakian's recent works
Images of the Syrian Desert Der Zor in Peter Balakian's recent works
The lecture will be given in English
by
Peter Balakian
December 16, 18:30-20:00
AUA, Manoogian Hall
AUA, Manoogian Hall
Free Admission
Speaker: Peter Balakian is the author of many books including the newly published book of poems Ziggurat (The University of Chicago Press, 2010) and June-tree: New and Selected Poems, 1974-2000 (HarperCollins 2001). His book The Burning Tigris: The Armenian Genocide and America’s Response (HarperCollins, 2004), won the 2005 Raphael Lemkin Prize and was a New York Times Notable Book and a New York Times Best Seller. His memoir, Black Dog of Fate won the 1998 PEN/Martha Albrand Prize for the Art of the Memoir, and was a best book of the year for the New York Times, the LA Times, and Publisher’s Weekly, and was recently issued in a 10th anniversary edition. He is co-translator of Girgoris Balakian’s Armenian Golgotha: A Memoir of the Armenian Genocide 1915-1918 (Knopf, 2009).
US Court of Appeals Hands A Major Victory to Armenians
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
In a stunning development, a federal appeals court handed Armenian-Americans a major legal and political victory last week. It reversed its earlier ruling and decided that a California law extending the deadline for lawsuits against life insurance companies WAS constitutional, after all!
The new ruling did much more than assist heirs of Armenian Genocide victims to file lawsuits against insurance companies for unpaid claims. It also blocked possible legal action by Turkish organizations which could have undone decades of struggle for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by local and state governments in the United States.
In 2009, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decided that a law adopted by the California Legislature in 2000 -- extending to December 31, 2010 the statute of limitations on insurance claims -- was unconstitutional, because it included a reference to the Armenian Genocide. In a 2-1 decision, the court ruled that the State of California had infringed on the foreign affairs power reserved by the U.S. Constitution to the federal government. Two of the three federal judges asserted that the state had contravened the federal government’s policy of not acknowledging the Armenian Genocide.
I pointed out in a column I wrote in response to the 2009 appeals court decisionthat Judges David Thomson and Dorothy Nelson were mistaken in claiming that Congress and states were prohibited from adopting resolutions on the Armenian Genocide. In their majority opinion, the two Judges selectively mentioned only those resolutions that were not approved by the House, ignoring that the U.S. House of Representatives twice adopted Armenian Genocide resolutions in 1975 and 1984, and Pres. Reagan issued a Presidential Proclamation in 1981, acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. I also wrote that the U.S. government did NOT have an official policy of denying the Armenian Genocide. I also wondered why the California Attorney General was not asked to file a friend of the court brief to defend the state from unwarranted accusations that it had adopted a statute that supposedly violated the U.S. Constitution.
Given the serious consequences of the 2009 court ruling for their clients as well as the Armenian Cause, the Law offices of Geragos & Geragos; Kabatek, Brown, Kellner LLP; and Yeghiayan Law Firm engaged the services of attorneys David Balabanian, David Salmons, and Erin Conroy from Bingham McCutchen to seek a rehearing of the case. Friend of the court briefs in support of the rehearing were filed by the Armenian National Committee of America, Armenian Bar Association, Zoryan Institute, International Association of Genocide Scholars, EarthRights International, Center for Constitutional Rights, Cong. Adam Schiff, and California Attorney General Jerry Brown.
On December 10, the same appeals court with the same judicial panel as last year’s ruled 2 to 1 that the California law referring to the Armenian Genocide did NOT conflict with U.S. foreign policy. Judge Nelson, switching sides, joinedJudge Harry Pregerson in ruling in favor of the Armenian plaintiffs. "We conclude that there is no express federal policy forbidding states to use the term Armenian Genocide," Judge Pregerson wrote for the majority. He quoted from "various statements from the federal executive and legislative branches in favor of genocide recognition." He specifically cited the Armenian Genocide resolutions adopted by the House of Representatives in 1975 and 1984, and Pres. Reagan’s Presidential Proclamation of 1981. Judge Pregerson also stated that "the federal government has never expressed any opposition" to the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by any of the 43 states!
Following this ruling, the lawsuit against the three German insurance companies can resume, opening the door for more lawsuits against other insurance companies, subject to a possible rehearing by a full 11-judge panel of the appeals court.
In addition, Armenian-Americans can now use the appeals court’s ruling to persuade those members of Congress who may be reluctant to support a pending Genocide resolution out of an unfounded concern that it may contradict U.S. foreign policy. The court’s ruling makes it crystal clear that the federal government has never denied the Armenian Genocide and never objected to the plethora of U.S. cities, counties, and states recognizing it. The decision of the appeals court should be forwarded to all members of Congress, State Department officials, and the White House.
Neil Soltman, attorney for the three German insurance companies being sued, stated that he was baffled by the appeals court’s decision. Gunay Evinch, President of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations, called the ruling "unprecedented," "politically motivated" and "shameful."
It is noteworthy that Armenians are suing German insurance companies in California, and a Turkish lobbying group is squirming -- for good reason!
Monday, December 13, 2010
رئيس الوزراء البولندي رداً على رئيس الوزراء التركي يصرح بأن بولندا درست قضية المجزرة وأعطت تقييمأ موضوعياً
Public Radio of Armenia: "رئيس الوزراء البولندي رداً على رئيس الوزراء التركي يصرح بأن بولندا درست قضية المجزرة وأعطت تقييمأ موضوعياً"
أرمينيا ستعترف بغاراباغ في حال شن عدوان عليها
Public Radio of Armenia: "أرمينيا ستعترف بغاراباغ في حال شن عدوان عليها"
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Istanbul’s Armenian architects remembered in exhibition-My comment
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=istanbul8217s-armenian-architects-of-remembered-in-exhibition-2010-12-09
My comment: After the Armenian Genocide of 1915, Turkey, for the first time, admits publicly about the role of “Armenian Architects of Istanbul in the Era of Westernization,”. It was mentioned that "more than 100 works by 40 Armenian architects whose names had been forgotten" were featured in the exhibition. However, how were the names of those architects forgotten when they present "Istanbul’s recent history"?! Do the organizers of this exhibition dare to speak loudly about the destiny of those people during the Armenian Genocide?! Turkey should face its history by recognizing the historical fact of the Armenian Genocide.
My comment: After the Armenian Genocide of 1915, Turkey, for the first time, admits publicly about the role of “Armenian Architects of Istanbul in the Era of Westernization,”. It was mentioned that "more than 100 works by 40 Armenian architects whose names had been forgotten" were featured in the exhibition. However, how were the names of those architects forgotten when they present "Istanbul’s recent history"?! Do the organizers of this exhibition dare to speak loudly about the destiny of those people during the Armenian Genocide?! Turkey should face its history by recognizing the historical fact of the Armenian Genocide.
Thursday, December 09, 2010
ويكيليكس: تعاون عسكري مشترك بين أذربيجان و إسرائيل
AZG Daily: "و يكيليكس: تعاون عسكري مشترك بين أذربيجان و إسرائيل"
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Monday, December 06, 2010
Sunday, December 05, 2010
امين عام التجمع المسيحي: استهداف المسيحيين مؤامرة
::::: BABnews.com :::::: "امين عام التجمع المسيحي: استهداف المسيحيين مؤامرة"
مجلس البصرة يعترف بتهميش المسيحيين في الوظائف الحكومية
::::: BABnews.com :::::: "مجلس البصرة يعترف بتهميش المسيحيين في الوظائف الحكومية"
Saturday, December 04, 2010
Thursday, December 02, 2010
California Officials Honor Republic of Artsakh and its President
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Bako Sahakyan, President of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh), just completed his third visit to Los Angeles. Unlike his previous two visits, he was received last week by prominent political figures as a Head of State, even though his country is not officially recognized by the international community.
Pres. Sahakyan was in California for 10 days on the occasion of Armenia Fund’s annual Thanksgiving Day telethon that raised over $20 million to provide humanitarian assistance to the villages of Artsakh.
In addition to visiting the local Armenian community and meeting benefactors, for the first time Pres. Sahakyan was welcomed by the City Councils of Los Angeles and Montebello, asked to speak before the World Affairs Council of Orange County, and invited to a State Luncheon held in his honor by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The Los Angeles City Council received Pres. Sahakyan and his entourage on November 19 and honored him with a proclamation and city resolution, highlighting his commitment to the independence of the Republic of Artsakh. Council member Paul Krekorian warmly saluted the President: "It is my distinct and proud honor to recognize Pres. Sahakyan, a true champion of freedom, justice, and liberty. He is a warrior who fought and paid in blood for the freedom and independence of his homeland and his countrymen." The President was officially welcomed to Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States, by Eric Garcetti, President of the City Council. Pres. Sahakyan thanked the Council members for the honor and invited them to visit the Republic of Artsakh. Several other Council Members also made welcoming remarks. It was heartwarming to see the flag of the Republic of Artsakh for the first time alongside the U.S. flag in the City Council Chambers during this special ceremony.
Later that evening, Pres. Sahakyan addressed the World Affairs Council of Orange County, during a banquet in his honor at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach. This unprecedented event took place without a hitch, despite demands for its cancellation by Elin Suleymanov, the Consul General of Azerbaijan, the US Azeris Network, and a handful of Azeri and Turkish demonstrators.
Pres. Sahakyan was next honored by Mayor William Molinari and the City Council of Montebello on Nov. 22. The Mayor welcomed the President and presented him a Proclamation. In response, Pres. Sahakyan expressed his gratitude for the sister-city relationship between Montebello and Stepanakert, the Capital of Artsakh. Later that evening, the President attended a reception in his honor organized by the local community at the Montebello Armenian Center.
The following day, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa gave a State Luncheon at theGetty House for the President of the Republic of Artsakh -- a special honor for visiting Heads of State. Before the luncheon, the Mayor met privately with Pres. Sahakyan and discussed bilateral relations between the Republic of Artsakh and Los Angeles, a sister city withYerevan. In expressing his gratitude, the President invited the Mayor to visit Artsakh and Armenia. The luncheon was attended by the President’s delegation, Consul General of Armenia Grigor Hovhannissian, Councilman Paul Krekorian, City Council President Eric Garcetti, and Armenian community leaders.
In a gracious gesture, Mayor Villaraigosa made an appearance on Thanksgiving Day at the telethon broadcast live on November 25, and urged viewers worldwide to contribute generously to the Armenia Fund’s humanitarian project of providing drinking and irrigation water to 200 villages in Artsakh.
On November 24, Pres. Sahakyan met with a group of young professionals who made a commitment to support the opening of a special office to represent Artsakh in Los Angeles. The President welcomed the group’s initiative, stating that a formal announcement would be made shortly.
Overall, Pres. Sahakyan’s visit to California was a resounding success, not only in raising a substantial amount of money for Artsakh’s humanitarian needs, but also in establishing valuable political ties with the cities of Los Angeles and Montebello, and the Orange County World Affairs Council, thereby strengthening Artsakh’s prospects for recognition by the international community as an independent state.
While the Consulate of Azerbaijan in Los Angeles spends hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on high-powered lobbyists to carry out anti-Artsakh propaganda, Pres. Sahakyan, with the assistance of the Armenian community, succeeded in effectively countering the Azeri campaign, without spending a single dollar!
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
قانون عراقي لحماية المسيحيين ومنع تغيير التركيبة السكانية للبلاد
قانون عراقي لحماية المسيحيين ومنع تغيير التركيبة السكانية للبلاد: "قانون عراقي لحماية المسيحيين ومنع تغيير التركيبة السكانية للبلاد"
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