GLENDALE, Calif.–The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR) praised California Legislators for their efforts in securing funding for the Armenian American Museum and statewide genocide education, in a statement issued on June 15.

On June 15, the California State Legislature adopted a budget with considerable attention given to the Armenian-American community.

On June 15, the California State Legislature adopted a budget with considerable attention given to the Armenian-American community, including significant funding of $10 million for the implementation of the genocide education curriculum framework and a total of $4 million for the Armenian American Museum.

“The Armenian National Committee of America Western Region (ANCA-WR) is very grateful to each and every California State Assembly member and Senator who worked so hard to negotiate and to pass today’s State budget,” read a part of the statement.

In its statement, the ANCA-WR said that it was especially thankful to Assembly member Adrin Nazarian for initiating the process and remaining committed to it for more than two years, to Senator Anthony Portantino for continuing it to fruition since his recent election, and to Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon for their leadership and genuine consideration of the needs of the vast Armenian-American constituency in California.

“Legislation of this magnitude requires long term planning and implementation by legislators and an engaged citizenry. The ANCA-WR has been at the forefront of these issues, and more, by tirelessly advocating to pass initiatives important to the Armenian American community. This has truly been a collective effort between the public and private sectors. Our grassroots heeded our Action Alerts over the last two years, our Board and Staff had frequent meetings in Sacramento with our elected officials, and our Chief Legislative Consultant Haig Baghdassarian testified multiple times in committee hearings, all of which culminated in this important budget commitment from the State,” read part of the statement.

GYUMRI, Armenia—The construction for the future TUMO Gyumri center, located at the city’s historic first theater, was launched earlier this month in a special ceremony.

A rendering of the TUMO Gyumri center (Photo: TUMO)

Present at the event were the city’s Deputy Mayor, other government officials, and members of the community. During the event, TUMO founder Sam Simonian and CEO Marie Lou Papazian spoke on the importance of the program and the renovation of both the invaluable cultural center and the adjacent park.

The government of the Republic of Armenia allocated both the building and the adjacent park for the use of the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies.

TUMO founder Sam Simonian speaking at the launch event (Photo: TUMO)

The TUMO Gyumri center, opened in partnership with AGBU and at the initiative of Shant TV, already has had over 2,000 active students in just two years. Each year, over 500 workshops and learning labs take place at the center.

TUMO CEO Marie Lou Papazian speaking at the launch event (Photo: TUMO)

After renovating the theater, the center will expand and allow for a capacity of over 3,000 students. The designs for the building, drawn up by world-renowned architect Bernard Khoury, creates numerous special opportunities for both the center’s students and the city’s residents.

The center will have workshop rooms, a recording studio, an open-air terrace for outdoor events and a cinema to be used for both student projects and public screenings. The cinema can also be converted into a stage, symbolizing the cultural rebirth of the historic theater.

A scene from the performance at the launch event (Photo: TUMO)

After the presentation, a concert was held across from the theater with a performance by TUMO band TmbaTa, led by their workshop leader and member of the noted band Bambir, Arik Grigoryan. Students from TUMO Gyumri joined the performance as well.

YEREVAN (A.W.)—An extraordinary Cabinet meeting was held in Yerevan on June 19, during which a new government program (2017-2022) was introduced and approved.

A scene from the June 19 Cabinet meeting (Photo: Press Office of the Government of Armenia)

According to a press statement released by Armenian Prime Minsiter Karen Karapetyan’s office, the program will soon be submitted to the National Assembly (Parliament).

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for International Economic Integration and Reforms Vache Gabrielyan introduced the program, which features “large-scale reforms” aimed at ensuring Armenia’s sustainable development.

Gabrielyan noted that the program is based on the President’s message, the principles and programs of the pre-election coalition agreement signed by the Republican Party of Armenia and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), as well as a “wide variety of progressive ideas circulating in society.”

According to the statement, the new government program is based on the vision of building a safe, fair, free, and intelligent Armenia.

According to Gabrielyan, each section of the program addresses the problems identified over the past nine months while the government tried to diagnose the existing challenges and find practical solutions to them. The program seeks to build on those initiatives implemented during the past nine months, as well as outline the complex of those long-term development objectives that the government is going to implement over the next five years.

The program states the government’s goals and the vision in terms of foreign policy and security, and specifically points to building a closer relationship between Armenia and Artsakh, and to ensure Armenia’s security as a prerequisite for economic development.

The program consists of four main sections: public governance and legal system, foreign policy and defense, economic progress, and social issues, and each section contains a list of reforms and timelines as proposed by individual agencies, to ensure the long term development of Armenia.

“We have clearly formulated what we want to achieve in the economy in the fields of unemployment, minimum wage, and exports, as well as in terms of the taxes-GDP ratio. Besides, we have specified those reforms, actions, and steps that need to be implemented to achieve that goal,” Karapetyan pointed out.

GLENDALE, Calif.—Through the efforts of Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Armenian one-day and day schools and students throughout the Western United States, the ARS Javakhk Fund’s 2017 coin bank drive raised over $17,000 in support of programs and youth centers in Javakhk.

the ARS Javakhk Fund’s 2017 coin bank drive raised over $17,000 in support of programs and youth centers in Javakhk.

Annually, the ARS Javakhk Fund organizes various fundraising and educational projects and activities in an effort to familiarize local communities with the region of Javakhk and the needs of Armenians in the region.

Following the theme of “Supporting Javakhk is Our Duty,” students and families enthusiastically participated in this year’s coin bank drive, whereby school-age children became engaged with supporting the Armenian-populated region of Javakhk.

“The ARS Javakhk Fund has assumed the responsibility of sponsoring three youth centers, which help strengthen the national identity of Armenians in Javakhk and the youth, in particular. These centers draw together Armenians in the region and provide them with a social, cultural, and educational atmosphere. On behalf of the ARS Javakhk Fund, we extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to donors in support of this cause, including our young students,” stated Lena Bozoyan, ARS Javakhk Fund Chairperson.

The ARS Javakhk Fund’s 2017 coin bank drive saw the participation of the following schools:

• Tufenkian Preschool
• Rose & Alex Pilibos Armenian School
• ARS Marie Postoyan Preschool
• Armenian Mesrobian School
• Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan Armenian School
• Chamlian Armenian School
• Ari Guiragos Minassian School
• Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Armenian School
• Holy Martyrs Marie Cabayan Elementary School
• ARS Ashkhen Pilavjian Preschool
• ARS Sevan Chapter Saturday School
• ARS Sepan Chapter Saturday School
• ARS Hollywood Mayr Chapter Saturday School
• ARS Lori Chapter Irene Boodakian Saturday School
• ARS Sosse Chapter One-Day School
• ARS Anahid Chapter Saturday School
• ARS Araz Chapter Saturday School
• ARS Talin Chapter Saturday School
• ARS Nairy Chapter Saturday School
• ARS Meghry Chapter Saturday School
• ARS Karni Chapter Saturday School

Jerair Gharibian

WATERTOWN, Mass. (A.W.)—On May 28, the 99th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia, a special memorial was held at the St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church hall, to mark the 25^th anniversary of the passing of the founder of the Armenian Independent Broadcasting of Boston, Jerair Gharibian.

Several community members came together to remember Gharibian and to pay homage to his years of service to the Armenian community of Greater Boston.

Opening remarks were delivered by Armenian Independent Broadcasting Committee President Garbis Zerdelian, who provided details about Gharibian’s life and active involvement in the community as a writer, intellectual, and founding director of the Armenian Independent Broadcasting of Boston. Zerdelian then invited Master of Ceremonies Marine Margarian to the stage.

Following remarks by Misak Barsoumian, Avik Derentz Deirmenjian, and Grigor Janikyan from Armenia, vocalists Anahit Ohanyan and Hovhaness Khacheryan performed a medley of songs accompanied by pianist Gegham Margarian. Tigran Avetisyan then played “Krunk” on the duduk and Boston’s Meghedi Children’s Vocal Group sang a medley of traditional Armenian songs, directed by Marine Margarian.

Armenian Independent Broadcasting committee president Garbis Zerdelian speaking

The Armenian Independent Broadcasting of Boston was founded by the late Jerair Gharibian in October of 1980. For 11 years, the relentless efforts of Gharibian made it possible for the program to air every Saturday, reaching the Greater Boston area’s nearly 50,000 Armenian listeners. The program, broadcast in two languages, covered national, political, and cultural news and events both in the diaspora and in Armenia.

Several community members came together to remember Gharibian and to pay homage to his years of service to the Armenian community of Greater Boston.

Gharibian’s devotion to his homeland was the inspiration for the weekly reportage and updates on the political and social events taking place in Armenia.

The late founder’s wife, Yevgine Gharibian, who was also present at the event, had along with her husband, volunteered her services in the production of the radio hour from the very first day of broadcasting. She took over the weekly programming after Jerair’s death and continues to direct it to this day.

The late founder’s wife, Yevgine Gharibian, who was also present at the event, had along with her husband, volunteered her services in the production of the radio hour from the very first day of broadcasting. She took over the weekly programming after Jerair’s death and continues to direct it to this day.

YEREVAN (A.W.)— Armenia’s Minister of Nature Protection Artsvik Minasyan said that the new government program introduced on June 19 will mean significant improvements in the country’s environmental protection sector.

Artsvik Minasyan (Photo: Panorama.am)

Among some of the issues that the program will address include the regulations of the Ararat Valley groundwater basin and the treatment and regulation of Lake Sevan.

According to Minasyan, who is a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), the restoration and conservation of Lake Sevan and activities aimed at preventing its water loss and cleanliness are included in the program initiatives.

“For forest management, we have created an effective method to combat illegal logging using modern technology,” said Minasyan, in an interview with Yerevan-based Armenpress. “We will also be working on unifying forest management systems, since working towards the preservation of our resources has become a priority,” he added.

Minasyan explained that all these changes are part of an effort to prevent the consequences of the mining industry and to improve Armenia’s environment and ecosystem. He added that educational programs and lectures on the environment and ecology will also be organized to bring awareness to the issues the country faces.

The Minister stressed that this new government program will play a significant role in combatting corruption and help change Armenia’s system of governance. He also stressed that within this new framework, the system for permits and licenses will dramatically change and will be done electronically.

“All these initiatives require the necessary financial resources to make them a reality. Instead of adding on the state budget, we intend to take advantage of available grants,” said Minasyan.

YEREVAN (A.W.)— Armenian law enforcement authorities have reduced the criminal charges against former Artsakh Defense Minister and Army Commander Samvel Babayan, who was arrested in March.

Samvel Babayan (Photo: Photolure)

On June 20, Babayan’s lawyer Avetis Kalashyan revealed that he no longer stands accused of smuggling weapons into Armenia and is now accused of illegal arms “circulation” and money laundering.

According to an RFE/RL Armenian service report, Babayan could face up to 11 years in prison if found guilty of the revised charges. The initial criminal case against him carried up to 13 years imprisonment.

The former Defense Minister was arrested on March 21 after Armenian’s National Security Service (NSS) claimed to have confiscated a Russian-made surface-to-air rocket system. The NSS alleged that Babayan paid two other men to smuggle the shoulder-fire Igla systems from Georgia.

Babayan’s lawyer added that the trial is expected to begin soon, since the criminal investigation into the case has been completed.

In addition, Babayan’s longtime friend and Artskah War veteran Sanasar Gabrielyan, a second suspect charged in this case, also had his charges reduced.

Gabrielyan’s lawyer Karapet Aghajanyan stated that Gabrielyan is charged with the illegal acquisition, carrying, and transporting of weapons instead of being charged with smuggling weapons. Aghajanyan noted that Gabrielyan had intended to purchase the weapons for the Armed Forces of Armenia.

“He wanted to acquire weapons for the army by legal means,” said Aghajanyan. Aghajanyan added that his client was mislead during this process.

Babayan’s arrest was condemned by members of the opposition now defunct Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian (ORO) bloc—a political alliance that participated in the April 2 Armenian Parliamentary Elections. Babayan has been very critical of Armenia’s leadership and was thought to be very close with the leaders of ORO.

YEREVAN—This spring, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) planted another 87,724 trees at 113 sites across the country and established a new public park in Ashtarak.

Students from New Jersey’s Hovnanian School and Yerevan’s European School
planting trees together in a new public park established by ATP in Ashtarak (Photo: ATP)

However, rejoicing in the season was difficult when there was widespread “deep pruning” of trees and reports of continued logging. The public was left dumbfounded from scenes of headless and wounded mature trees around Yerevan.

In addition, the media shed light on tree cutting in protected areas. One of the places where logging was reported was Dilijan National Park, where several healthy trees were chopped down and an investigation is pending.

“At this rate we need to act without delay and work together for any hope of saving our homeland from grim springs in the future,” said Executive Director Jeanmarie Papelian. “By end of spring, the total number of trees we’ve planted since 1994 is 5,304,224! That’s 5,304,224 expressions of hope in Armenia’s future. It’s something we can all be proud of, and it will deliver benefits locally and globally for many years to come.”

ATP’s Community Tree Planting division planted 23,617 at 110 sites in every region including Artsakh. From the total, 3,456 were fruit trees which are always popular at public sites.

On Earth Day, a major planting event was organized at Zvartnots Cathedral, where participants made pledges to help save the environment. A new public park was also established in Ashtarak, near Karin Village where ATP’s flagship tree nursery is located. The park was inaugurated by students from New Jersey’s Hovnanian School and Yerevan’s European School, who planted the first trees along the boundary of the park.

“The park in Ashtarak is the first of its kind for us. We’ve planted groves, forests and even helped green parks before but this will be our first new park in the very sense of the word,” explained Deputy Director Arthur Harutyunyan. “We’re going to install benches, walking paths, a roundabout and even a bike stand. The park will give us the opportunity to concentrate trees in one place where they can be named and gifted, while providing a recreational area for the new community that will shape around the park.”

ATP’s Forestry department had a productive season with favorable weather conditions allowing the team to plant 64,107 trees. The plantings took place in the northern towns of Tashir and Stepanavan. About 40 residents, who were provided with temporary jobs, came to ensure their descendants would have green spaces and clean air to breathe.

“I worked with my hands, I put my sweat and my heart into it. It’s like this forest is my own,” said Viola Kazarov, one of the planters in Tashir.

“This fall, our Forestry and CTP teams plan to plant another 150,000 trees, so there’s lots to be done in terms of site selection, training of local tree planters, and preparing sites with fencing and irrigation to make sure the trees will have a strong survival rate,” added Papelian.

“Going green and sustainability have become popular buzzwords and are a way of life for many of us. By supporting ATP, you are riding the wave of environmentalism that respects life on our planet today, and into the future,” she concluded.

OTTAWA, Canada—In a letter addressed to Canada’s Minister of Global Affairs and other high-ranking personnel within the Canadian governments’ executive and legislative branches, the Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) strongly condemned Azerbaijan’s latest ceasefire violations and called upon the Canadian government to immediately condemn the unprovoked violence.

Protesters demonstrating at the Azerbaijani Embassy in Ottawa in 2016 (Photo: AYF Canada)

In the letter addressed to the Honorable Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s Minister of Global Affairs, ANCC President, Shahen Mirakian said, “We strongly urge you to support the peace process by immediately condemning this act of aggression by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s regime and making it clear that Azerbaijan will be held to account for any further violence.”

“The failure by Canada and the rest of the international community to make any statement on this incident would further empower the Aliyev regime and it could serve as a catalyst for further violence and destabilization in the region,” added Mirakian.

Over the past week, Azerbaijan continued to violate the internationally brokered ceasefire, using newly introduced long range grenade launchers and other highly sophisticated and destructive weaponry. Azerbaijan’s latest aggression has also targeted internationally commissioned Organization of Security and Co-operation in Europe OSCE monitoring personnel, while claiming the lives of four Armenian servicemen.

What is more troubling, however, is the fact that latest violations come shortly after Baku’s refusal to lead the OSCE monitoring mission to the line of contact, something for which Armenia has shown full compliance.

“Monitoring exercises are important confidence building measures, for which Azerbaijan has consistently failed to cooperate,” said Mirakian.

The latest monitoring exercises on the Armenian side were conducted in accordance with the agreed schedule. While no violation of the ceasefire regime was registered on the Armenian side, the Azerbaijani side refused to lead the OSCE mission to its front-line positions, clearly indicating its noncompliance with the international efforts aimed towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict.

BRUSSELS, Belgium (A.W.)—The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) welcomed today’s vote in the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on the draft report on the 2016 Commission Report on Turkey.

The European Parliament’s debating chamber (Photo: David Illif)

“Today’s vote didn’t come as a surprise to us, and we are glad to see that the Foreign Affairs Committee is united in defending Universal Human Rights values in Turkey and condemning Turkish President Erdogan’s destructive policies, both domestically and internationally,” EAFJD President Kaspar Karampetian told the Armenian Weekly. “It’s the right thing to do to call for the halt of EU accession talks, should Erdogan acquire more powers with the proposed constitutional changes,” Karampetian added.

Committee MEPs harshly condemned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his autocratic regime, which has polarized the Turkish society and alienated neighbors and allies. The main message to Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party of Turkey (AKP) was that Turkey’s EU accession talks should be suspended if the proposed changes to the constitution go ahead.

The resolution on Turkey was adopted by 51 votes to three, with 14 abstentions. The full House is scheduled to vote on it during the next plenary session in Strasbourg in July.

One of the amendments calls on the Turkish government to respect and fully implement the legal obligations, which it has undertaken relating to the protection of cultural heritage, and in particular to conduct in good faith an integrated inventory of Greek, Armenian, Assyrian, and other cultural heritage that was destroyed or ruined during the last century.

It also calls on Turkey to ratify the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and to cooperate with relevant international organizations, especially the Council of Europe, in preventing and combating illicit trafficking and the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage.

Another amendment calls on Turkey and Armenia to work on the normalization of their relations and stresses that the opening of the Turkish-Armenian border could lead to improved relations, with particular reference to cross-border cooperation and economic integration.

“We are also glad to see that amendments calling on Turkey to have good neighborly relations with its immediate surrounding countries and open its closed borders, as well as to respect and fully implement the legal obligations which it has undertaken relating to the protection of minorities’ cultural heritage, and particularly the inclusion in the references to the Armenian Genocide centenary resolution of April 2015″ added Karampetian. The EAFDJ President also noted that the organizations is looking forward to seeing the resolution adopted in July, with the same spirit that was discussed in the Foreign Affairs Committee”.

The 27th Homenetmen Eastern U.S. Navasartian Games – Providence, R.I. July 1-4

The anticipation is real. The Homenetmen Providence chapter is ready to host the 27^th annual Eastern Region United States Homenetmen Navasartian Games on July 1-4.

The Homenetmen Providence chapter is ready to host the 27th annual Eastern Region U.S. Homenetmen Navasartian Games on July 1-4.

The hotel has been sold out for months, over 450 athletes will be participating, a multitude of ads have been placed in our ad book, and hundreds of dance packages have been sold.

Our steering committee has put in countless hours to prepare for the event and I would like to personally thank them prior to all of the craziness of the weekend.

I am writing this to ask all those attending to come ready to enjoy a great weekend in Providence—a community, which prides itself in being a great host. We want to remind everyone that these games would not be successful without all of you supporting our efforts.

This year, we decided to try and cater to the younger generation, to draw back the crowds of past, and to reignite the excitement of the Homenetmen games. Dance tickets are affordable, ads were reasonably priced, the merchandise is new and stylish, but best of all, it was all put together by the youth. A steering committee comprised of 17 people, 12 of which are 35 years old and younger, truly exemplifies the “Year of Renewal” message proclaimed by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.

It is time for our younger generation to step up and take the leadership of our organizations and events. Let us shape the future and continue the great work of not only Homenetmen, but all of our community organizations.

See you all in Providence on July 1!

Yeghpayr Garo Tashian

The Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Society Central Committee recently announced the passing of the longtime Director of the “Nshan Palandjian” Lyceum (Djemaran) Kindergarten, author of several Armenian kindergarten schoolbooks, and  former Principal of the Hamaskayin Lyceum (Djemaran) of Marseille, France, Lousin Malikian.

Lousin Malikian

Malikian passed away on June 17 in Marseille.

DAMASCUS, Syria (A.W.)— On June 21, the Speaker of the People’s Assembly of the Syrian Arab Republic (Parliament) Hadiyeh Abbas affirmed the importance of strengthening the relations between Syria and Armenia and the need to promote them in order to best serve the interest of the two countries.

Armenia’s Ambassador to Syria Arshak Poladian met with the speaker as well as members of the Syrian-Armenian Parliamentary Friendship Association, which is headed by Nora Arissian (Photo: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia)

Armenia’s Ambassador to Syria Arshak Poladian met with the speaker as well as members of the Syrian-Armenian Parliamentary Friendship Association, which is headed by Nora Arissian, reported Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, Abbas greatly appreciated the Armenian support for Syria during the Syrian Civil War, pointing out the importance of the work of the Syrian Armenian Friendship Association. She also noted the numerous contributions of the Armenian Embassy in Syria in strengthening and deepening bilateral relations.

For his part, the Armenian Ambassador said that Syria has become a home for Armenians, in which they have lived successful lives and integrated into Syrian society. He also added that the launch of flights between Damascus and Yerevan will surely enhance communication between the two countries.

Poladian explained that the people of Syria were of great help to the Armenians during some of their most difficult times, including the Armenian Genocide. He also mentioned Syria’s assistance during the 1988 Spitak earthquake.

Arissian, the head of the Syrian-Armenian Friendship Association, stated that the one of the purposes of the meeting was to discuss matters of mutual interest between the two countries, especially fostering parliamentary relations between the Armenia and Syria.

On June 20, the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) also welcomed Armenia’s very receptive approach toward persons displaced from the Syrian conflict, especially by the Armenian government’s and the population.

UNHCR noted with appreciation that the new Prime Minister has repeatedly and publicly acknowledged the value of the displaced population for Armenian economic development, sending a clear message of welcome to the population.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – The Armenian National Committee of America-Orange County chapter (ANCA-OC) recently commended Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) for his principled leadership in calling national attention and securing broad bi-partisan condemnation of the May 16 brutal beating of peaceful protesters by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s security forces in Washington.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher

During a June 16 meeting, Rep. Rohrabacher, who serves as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats, told ANCA-OC members that, “The government of Turkey is proving itself to be not just a threat to Armenians, but a threat to freedom loving people everywhere. President Erdogan is a tyrant and radical Islamist. It’s time for the United States to give serious consideration to adjusting our priorities and alliances in that part of the world.”

Immediately after the attack on protesters, ordered by Turkish President Erdogan and carried out just feet in front of him, Rep. Rohrabacher held public hearings, inviting representatives of the Kurdish, Yezidi and Armenian communities to share their eyewitness accounts of the assault. ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian, whose video footage of the attacks was shown by major media outlets throughout the world, offered powerful testimony during the hearing.

During the House Foreign Affairs Committee consideration of H.Res.354, condemning the Turkish attacks and calling for perpetrators to be brought to justice, Congressman Rohrabacher was adamant. “He [Erdogan] is not welcome in this country if he is going to think that he can attack Americans for expressing their opposition to his policies.”

Following unanimous committee passage, the resolution was adopted by the House of Representatives by a vote of 397-0. US law enforcement has since arrested two Turkish Americans in connection with the attacks and issued arrest warrants for 12 members of Erdogan’s security detail, as well as two Turkish Canadian citizens.

The ANCA-OC’s open and frank conversation with Congressman Rohrabacher also focused on H.Res.220, the Armenian Genocide Prevention Resolution, Armenia and Artsakh’s difficult geo-political challenges, Turkey’s destabilizing role in Syria and the region, the key contributions of the Kurdish community, as well as other issues important to the Armenian-American community in the U.S. and specifically in Orange County.

ANCA-OC leaders also urged the Congressman to oppose a pending sale of U.S. semi-automatic guns to Turkey, targeted for use by Erdogan’s security detail.

The productive meeting concluded with ANCA-OC and Congressman Rohrabacher agreeing to continue working together in Washington and locally in Orange County.

WASHINGTON—Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and nine of his Congressional colleagues from California sent a letter this week to California State Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin De León in support of California Assembly Bill 1597, which would divest California’s public pension funds from investment vehicles that are owned, controlled, or managed by the Turkish government.

Congressman Adam Schiff

“California has acted in the past to prohibit new investments by its pension funds in sectors that are inimical to our state’s values, such as the 2015 state law mandating divestment from coal companies,” the Members wrote in the letter. “The narrowly drafted AB 1597 proposal is an appropriate use of that authority, blocking future investments directly owned by the Turkish Government, such as government bonds.”

Rep. Schiff sent the letter along with Jackie Speier, Anna G. Eshoo, Zoe Lofgren, Grace Napolitano, Tony Cárdenas, Brad Sherman, Ro Khanna, Salud Carbajal, and Jim Costa.

“Given the recent assault on peaceful protesters in Washington, D.C. by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s personal security forces, as well as Turkey’s continued denial of the Armenian Genocide, divestment by California is an appropriate response,” the members wrote in the letter.

AB 1597 passed the California State Assembly on June 1, by a vote of 67-0, after being introduced and championed by Assembly member Adrin Nazarian for the past two years.

“We are so grateful to Congressman Adam Schiff who upon learning from us of the Divest Turkey statute pending in Sacramento, immediately took the lead in drafting this powerful letter of support for AB1597 and securing the support of his colleagues from California’s congressional delegation. We thank him and each Member of Congress who signed the letter for their recognition that long-standing public policy calling for justice for the Armenian Genocide is inconsistent with State investments in the Turkish government which enable it to continue funding its multi-million dollar denialist campaign,” said Nora Hovsepian, Esq., chairwoman of the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR).

“Now that AB1597 has passed by a vote of 67-0 in the State Assembly, we look forward to successful passage in the State Senate and then to the Governor’s signature. We call upon all members of our community, especially public employees whose pension funds are invested in the Turkish government, to make their voices heard with their elected officials in Sacramento that their money should not fund Turkey’s PR campaigns in the US and that AB1597 should be enacted as a safeguard,” added Hovsepian.

The Armenian Youth Federation Western US Central Executive, in a statement issued Wednesday, thanked Rep. Schiff and his colleagues for advancing this important issue, which has been a focal point of the AYF’s activities in the past two years. Working with Armenian Student Association chapters on college campuses, the AYF has spearheaded the passage of divestment resolution by student governments on all University of California campuses.

“The support for AB 1597 from all across the state has been steadily increasing, showing that our calls to divest from the government of Turkey have become more crucial and relevant than ever. California must not be complicit in Turkey’s crimes, and divestment is an important way to ensure that Turkey is held accountable for its policies and actions that are in such stark opposition to those of this state,” said the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Western U.S. Central Executive.

“With the grassroots call for Turkish divestment now echoing from the halls of the United States Congress, we must push with renewed vigor to pass AB1597 and end the State of California’s $500 million dollar risky investment in Turkey’s failing economy, genocide denial campaigns, and human rights violations. We want Turkish Dictator Erdogan to know that we will relentlessly pursue divestment on local, state, national, and international levels until Turkey is brought to account and justice is realized,” added the AYF.

Full text of the letter is below.

***

Dear Mr. President:

We write to voice our strong support for AB 1597, which would divest California’s public pension funds from investment vehicles that are owned, controlled, or managed by the Turkish government. This legislation passed the Assembly on June 1st by a vote of 67-0. Given the recent assault on peaceful protesters in Washington, D.C. by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s personal security forces, as well as Turkey’s continued denial of the Armenian Genocide, divestment by California is an appropriate response. We hope that the State Senate takes up and passes this legislation as soon as possible.

As you are aware, the once dynamic and relatively open Turkish democracy has slid towards authoritarian rule by President Erdogan. With the recent passage, beset by voting irregularities, of a constitutional referendum, Erdogan has amassed dictatorial powers. Turkey has become the world’s leading imprisoner of journalists, suppressed free speech, and has engaged in a brutal campaign to stamp out political dissent.

They have recently brought that campaign to the United States. On May 16th, members of Erdogan’s security detail brutally attacked a peaceful protest outside of the Turkish Embassy, causing serious injuries. Videos show Erdogan speaking to his security forces immediately prior to the attack, and observing from a distance as his armed security beat peaceful protesters. The House of Representatives recently passed H. Res. 354 unanimously, condemning this assault and calling on the Administration to hold Turkey responsible and take appropriate actions against those who carried out the attack.

Finally, Turkey has engaged in a decades long campaign to deny the Armenian Genocide, expending millions of dollars to lobby against recognition of the historic fact of the extermination of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire from 1915-1923. California has been a leader in the United States in speaking frankly about the genocide, serving as a home for tens of thousands of Armenian-Americans whose families survived the genocide to build new lives in the United States.

California has acted in the past to prohibit new investments by its pension funds in sectors that are inimical to our state’s values, such as the 2015 state law mandating divestment from coal companies. The narrowly drafted AB 1597 proposal is an appropriate use of that authority, blocking future investments directly owned by the Turkish Government, such as government bonds. The investments make up a small portion of the pension funds’ holdings, and reallocating these resources in an orderly fashion will have no measurable impact on their fiduciary duties.

We hope that the Senate acts quickly on AB 1597, and that it can be signed into law as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Adam B. Schiff
Jackie Speier
Anna G. Eshoo
Zoe Lofgren
Grace Napolitano
Tony Cárdenas
Brad Sherman
Ro Khanna
Salud Carbajal
Jim Costa

cc: Assembly Member Adrin Nazarian

WASHINGTON (A.W.)—Acclaimed Armenian-American novelist Chris Bohjalian will be delivering the 21^st annual Vardanants Day Armenian Lecture at noon on Sept. 1 at the Library of Congress.

Acclaimed Armenian-American novelist Chris Bohjalian will be delivering the 21st annual Vardanants Day Armenian Lecture at noon on Sept. 1 at the Library of Congress.

The lecture entitled “Echoes of Anatolia: An Armenian-American novelist discovers his literary DNA at mid-life,” will take place at the Library of Congress’ Northeast Pavilion, Thomas Jefferson Building. The event is free and open to the public.

The Vardanants Day lecture series is sponsored by the Near East Section of the African and Middle Eastern Division. It is named after the Armenian holiday that commemorates the battle of Avarayr (451 A.D.), which was waged by the Armenian General Vardan Mamikonian and his compatriots against invading Persian troops who were attempting to re-impose Zoroastrianism on the Christian state. As a religious holiday, it celebrates the Armenians’ triumph over forces of assimilation.

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States—and extensive materials from around the world—both onsite and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.

Chris Bohjalian is the author of 19 books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Sandcastle Girls, The Night Strangers, Skeletons at the Feast, and The Double Bind. His novel Midwives was a number one New York Times bestseller and a selection of Oprah’s Book Club. His work has been translated into more than 25 languages, and three of his novels have become movies. Bohjalian’s most recent novel, The Sleepwalker, was published in Jan. 2017.

Bohjalian’s awards include the ANCA Freedom Award for his work educating Americans about the Armenian Genocide; the ANCA Arts and Letters Award for The Sandcastle Girls, as well as the Saint Mesrob Mashdots Medal; the New England Society Book Award for The Night Strangers; the New England Book Award; Russia’s Soglasie (Concord) Award for The Sandcastle Girls; a Boston Public Library Literary Light; a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Trans-Sister Radio; a Best Lifestyle Column for “Idyll Banter” from the Vermont Press Association; and the Anahid Literary Award.

YEREVAN—Yerevan City Council recently announced a competition for the creation of a public monument dedicated of the Founding Father of Armenia’s Independence, Aram Manoukian.

Aram Manoukian

The monument will be erected in a space adjacent to the intersection of Aram Street and Nalbandian Street in downtown Yerevan.  Details about the specifications of the monument can be read in Armenian here.

Manoukian’s bust currently stands at the Armenian Police headquarters in Yerevan.

Manoukian’s home is currently located at 9 Aram Street—a street that was renamed in Manoukian’s honor after Armenia’s second independence. Manoukian lived in the house—which is currently on the list of protected monuments of Armenia—from 1917 to 1919.

Since Armenia’s re-independence in 1991, several people in Armenia and the Diaspora have criticized the state of the building, which has drastically declined over the years, as a result of neglect and indifference.

In a March 2016 op-ed, longtime Armenian activist and former ANCA Chairman Garo Armenian called for an immediate restoration of the building, to ensure that it is ready to open its doors to the public in time for the Centennial of the First Republic in 2018.

Manoukian’s bust currently stands at the Armenian Police headquarters in Yerevan. (Photo: Armine Aghayan)

“Many years ago, this national shrine, along with the adjacent city block, was hastily privatized by the then-government of Armenia and was allowed to sit there in total oblivion waiting for the ‘Hin Yerevan’ city mall to be conceptualized and take shape. While the original intent seemed to be to restore the building and to turn it into a museum as part of the architectural concept of the future ‘Hin Yerevan’ shopping center, with its occupants gone, the building incurred substantial decay over the years—to the point that it now exists only in the form of a skeleton at No. 9 Aram Street, recognizable only by the barely legible commemorative plaque on its outside wall, placed there decades ago not by the present but the pre-independence authorities of the country,” Armenian wrote in his piece entitled “This House Is the People’s House.”

The building currently has a commemorative plaque on its outside wall that states that Manoukian once inhabited the house. (Photo: Rupen Janbazian)

A public event was organized on Jan. 29 in front of what is left Manoukian’s home. The event was organized by a group of Armenian youth who sang, danced, and presented the works and activities of Manoukian to the public, in honor of the 98th anniversary of his passing and to bring awareness to the current state of the building and to issues pertaining to the preservation of cultural and historic monuments in Yerevan.

Armenia’s Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan was present at the event. While speaking to reporters, Amiryan expressed hope that these sorts of events will bear fruit and achieve their intended goals. “This building remains part of the ‘Old Yerevan’ Project, which, when implemented, can once again make the building what it once was,” said Amiryan.

“Some believe that certain rooms could be turned into a museum, but I think a functioning, living building will make for a better museum rather than a [traditional] museum building,” added Amiryan. “The important thing is to reconstruct the building to create an atmosphere similar to the years of the First Republic.” He assured that the building cannot be destroyed because it is protected by law.

Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Parliamentary Faction secretary and ARF Supreme Body of Armenia member Aghvan Vardanyan, who was also present at the event, stressed that the government needs to find a solution to this issue, especially when they have agreed to reconstruct it.

“Aram Manoukian is a symbol of the First Republic of Armenia yet there is no statue or monument dedicated to him or his work,” said Vardanyan. “The reconstruction and work for this building has not progressed and the result is the current status of the building.”

The building currently has a commemorative plaque on its outside wall that states that Manoukian once lived there.

Born in the village of Zeyva, in Kapan, Zangezour, Aram Manoukian attended parochial schools in Shushi and Yerevan. He joined the ARF at a young age and became an organizer among laborers in Batumi, in 1901, and then in Gandzak and Kars, where by 1903–04 he had already become a highly valued leader.

In 1904, he crossed into Iran, then to Van, where for four years he was the central figure. After the traitor Davo informed Turkish authorities about the location of ARF arms caches, Manoukian was arrested and tortured. He was eventually released during the Ottoman Constitutional Regime.

He attended the Fourth World Congress in 1907. He was a teacher for a time in Ordu. He then went to Geneva for a year to visit Rouben Ter Minasian, then returned to Van.

In 1915, after Vana lshkhan and Arshak Vramian were assassinated, Manoukian was left alone to face a catastrophic situation. He led and became the symbol of the heroic Battle of Van in April 1915, and was appointed governor of free Vaspourakan.

He accompanied the people of Van in their exodus toward the Caucasus. In 1916–17, in Tiflis, Manoukian was active in the affairs of the ARF Bureau, the Armenian National Council, and Western Armenian refugees.

As the National Council’s special envoy and plenipotentiary representative in Yerevan, Manoukian was proclaimed “dictator” of the Ararat region in May 1918 and led the resistance against the invading Turks. He was the symbol of the victory in the Ararat plain and was considered by the population as the founder of the Armenian Republic.

In the Republic’s first government (under Hovhannes Kachaznouni as Prime Minister), Manoukian was Minister of the Interior and Minister of Supplies. He contracted typhus, which was wreaking havoc at that time, and died at age 40, on Jan. 29, 1919.

WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) of Eastern United States, through the generous support of its chapters and private donations, continues to support the Mets Tagher Soseh Kindergarten in the Hadrut Region—one of ten Soseh Kindergartens that are sponsored by the ARS, Inc.

The Soseh Kindergartens provide an elementary education and two hot meals a day in a warm, secure environment to the children of Artsakh, especially those affected by the ongoing unrest there.

The Soseh Kindergartens provide an elementary education and two hot meals a day in a warm, secure environment to the children of Artsakh, especially those affected by the ongoing unrest there.

The Mets Tagher Soseh Kindergarten was founded in 2000, and has more than 65 students, and 11 employees. The ARS of Eastern U.S. annually allocates $12,000 towards the $35,000 budget, and this year we are proud to announce the generous donation of $10,000 by the Tamberchi Management & Investments TMI Charitable Foundation that will be used to fund the Kindergarten.

Demirdjian to Officially Step Down on June 30

The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD)

BRUSSELS, Belgium—The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) announced on June 26 that its Communication and Public Relations officer, Bedo Demirdjian will step down from his position on June 30, as he prepares to relocate to Beirut, Lebanon, along with his family.

“Bedo became a permanent EAFJD staff member in Oct. 2010 and the assignments entrusted to him were performed by a strong conscience, dedication and high competence. We bid farewell to Bedo, wishing him good luck in his upcoming plans,” read a part of the statement released by the EAFJD.

As of July 1, Harout Chirinian will take over the position of EAFJD Communication and Public Relations, who already is in Brussels, and will gradually take on the responsibilities. Chirinian has graduated Lebanon’s Armenian Catholic Mesrobian High School, obtained his degree in Economics and Management from Université Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marne (UPEC). He received his Master degree in Sport Management, from Paris’ AMOS University.

Chirinian has been an active member in the Armenian community of France; he has been entrusted the chairmanship of the Nor Serount Armenian Youth Federation of France. He is a member of Armenian Revolutionary Federation’s (ARF) foreign relations committee, as well as the responsible for ARF Western Europe Central Committee’s Public Relations committee.

By Alin K. Gregorian

WINCHESTER, Mass. (Armenian Mirror-Spectator)—A dinner party on June 10, at the home of Raffi and Nina Festekjian, raised $220,000 for HALO Trust’s Safe Steps for the People of Karabagh Campaign, surpassing expectations by the organizers. The goal is to demine the entirety of Artsakh by 2020.

Robert Avetisyan, the Rermanent Representative of the Artsakh Republic to the U.S., speaking to those in attendance. (Photo: HALO)

The Festekjians are the co-chairs of the campaign.

Raffi Festekjian said the safety of the nation was paramount in order for its economy to thrive. “To create a better infrastructure, you need safety,” he said.

With safer lands, more jobs are created, he noted, adding that HALO itself is the second largest employee in the republic, and that 90 percent of funds raised for HALO go back to Artsakh.

A vigorous auction of Scout Tufankjian’s photographs and wine from Karabakh, as well as donations, brought the total raised to $110,000, which will be doubled by an anonymous donor.

Several representatives of Halo Trust were present, including the organization’s CEO, Maj. Gen. James Cowan.

Cowan, when addressing the assembled, said many remember the iconic picture of the late Princess Diana when she walked through an Angolan minefield that had been cleared, mere months before her untimely death. He lamented that she could not live to see that 122 countries signed the Ottawa Treaty banning landmines.

So far, he said, Halo has destroyed 1.5 million landmines. “Each one of the landmines came out of the ground at huge personal risk,” he said.

The advantage of Halo’s work, he said, is that “it is a finite problem that can be solved. We are extremely close to finishing the job in Karabagh.”

Until that evening, he said, $1 million had been raised for the effort, which with an anonymous donor’s agreement to double donations up to $4 million, stands at $2 million. The project needs to raise a total of $3 million more to reach its goal of $8 million.

Adam Jasinski, the Executive Director of HALO Trust in the U.S., said “there has been an amazing level of support in Boston and Los Angeles” for the demining efforts in Karabagh (Artsakh).

A scene from the fundraising event (Photo: HALO)

“It is hugely inspiring,” he said.

Also present was Tony Halpin, a British journalist who was formerly a writer and editor for the now-defunct Armenian International Magazine (AIM). He is currently the government editor for Russia and former Soviet republics at Bloomberg.

Halpin said that he had heard of HALO’s work when it originally started demining Artsakh, in 2002, when he was living in Armenia. “I went out with a colleague to see how they were working and they took me to a field,” he recalled. “The area was littered with mines. It was really impressive to see how they work. They went square meter by square meter.”

Robert Avetisyan, the Permanent Representative of the Artsakh Republic to the U.S., stressed his government’s continued support for HALO, noting that the group’s work is “very important for the safety and economy of Artsakh. They also create jobs.”

He added, “They free Artsakh land from mines and create arable land. They make agricultural land in Artsakh much safer. They save lives, first and foremost.”

Tufankjian also attended the reception. She expressed her love for the tiny republic and praised the work of HALO Trust to make it safer.

“The work that HALO is doing is integral to every aspect” of life there, she said, including “eco-tourism, farming, schools, etc. The people are working incredibly hard, now even planting coffee and avocados.” For all that, she said, they need lands that are safe from mines.

“The people there are truly extraordinary,” she said.

In his comments, HALO regional director Andrew Moore noted that HALO Trust is working with the mayor’s office in Stepanakert to create a monument to everyone injured or killed by landmines in Karabagh.

(L to R) Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Eastern U.S. Central Committee member Jano Avedissian and the Permanent Representative of the Artsakh Republic to the U.S., Robert Avetisyan, (Photo: HALO)

Gala Danilova, the finance director for HALO in Stepanakert, was also present at the fundraiser.

She told the story of a farmer with nine children, one of whom, a 16-year-old boy, died on an unexploded mine. The family, she explained, needs firewood and that is why the boy was walking toward the forest to collect wood, not only for personal need but to sell. She also said that often people walk on the lands with mines to collect herbs or to graze their cattle.

Every day, she said, for many families in Karabagh there is the need to find bread and water and thus survive one more day.

“We have to provide them with a better life and together, we can do that,” she said.

This article was first published in the Armenian Mirror-Spectator on June 22.