By Saphora Smith and Lawahez Jabari

“I have decided that visiting my grandmother under these oppressive conditions stands against everything I believe in,” she wrote on Twitter.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat and the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, said Friday that she had decided not to visit her grandmother in the West Bank after Israel granted her permission, describing the conditions placed on her visit as “oppressive.”

“I have decided that visiting my grandmother under these oppressive conditions stands against everything I believe in — fighting against racism, oppression & injustice,” Tlaib tweeted Friday.

Israel earlier announced it had granted the permission.

“Interior Minister Aryeh Deri decided on Friday to approve the entry of US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for a humanitarian visit of her 90-year-old grandmother,” the interior ministry said in a statement Friday.

Her announcement came a day after Israel said it was barring Tlaib and fellow Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota from visiting Israel and accused them of attempting to “boycott and negate Israel’s legitimacy.”

The interior ministry said early Friday that Tlaib had sent a letter asking to be granted access in which she promised to not promote boycotts against Israel and to respect the restrictions imposed on her during her visit.

Her request was granted and the interior ministry “expressed hope that she would honor her commitment.”

Supporters of second President Robert Kocharyan on Friday organized a protest action outside the German Embassy in Yerevan, complaining about the situation in the judiciary and calling for the European institutions’ proper attention.

They submitted a letter addressed to the ambassador, raising a demand for appropriate evaluations by European bodies, including the Embassy.

Emphasizing that their letter is public, the protesters said they expect also a public response to their demand.

A representative of the Embassy who met the crowd promised to hand over the letter to the ambassador.

The former president, who served for two consecutive terms (between 1998-2008),  is facing prosecution in connection with the March 1-2, 2008 deadly post-electoral events. Kocharyan is charged with overthrowing Armenia’s constitutional order (in collusion with other government officials) in the period of the post-electoral unrest that claimed 10 people’s life in Yerevan.

By Armen Sahakyan

GLENDALE – In recognition of Andrew Romanoff’s stellar record on Armenian American issues, the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) along with ANCA Colorado has endorsed the former Colorado Speaker for his bid in the 2020 US Senate Primary race. 

“Speaker Romanoff has been an unwavering champion of the Armenian Cause and Colorado’s Armenian community for 17 years, which is why we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in support of his campaign to become the Democratic candidate for what is expected to be the most competitive US Senate race in the nation,” remarked ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq. “From launching Colorado’s annual Armenian Genocide resolution to advocating for the Capitol Khachkar, Andrew has been a true hero for the Armenian community,” continued Hovsepian.

“I am honored by ANCA-WR’s endorsement. As Colorado’s next senator, I look forward to building on my close relationship with the Armenian-American community, advocating for strong US-Armenia relations, addressing the ongoing repercussions of the Armenian Genocide, enhancing the partnership between the U.S. and Armenia in aid and trade, and stopping blockades and aggression against the landlocked republics of Armenia and Artsakh,” stated Andrew Romanoff. 

In 2002, Romanoff introduced the resolution designating April 24 as “Colorado Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide,” a pioneering step that paved the way for construction of America’s first state capitol khachkar (cross-stone) to commemorate the Armenian Genocide, as well as the designation of a portion of Arapahoe Road in Arapahoe County as the “Sardarapat Armenian Memorial Highway” commemorating the 1918 Battle of Sardarapat and the subsequent formation of independent Armenia. He continued to advocate for the Armenian community as a private citizen after term limits ended his time in office. In 2013, when Turkish and Azeri lobbies fought to prevent the khachkar memorial in Denver from being built, Romanoff returned to the capitol and led the fight that stopped them.

In addition to being a champion of the Armenian community, Romanoff boasts an extraordinary record of leadership. As president and CEO of Mental Health Colorado, he led the fight for the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Earlier, Romanoff won four terms in the Colorado House of Representatives — including two terms as speaker of the House. He earned recognition from more than 50 state and national organizations as one of the most effective legislative leaders in America. Romanoff authored laws to expand the supply of affordable housing, protect the environment, and support the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. He crafted an economic recovery plan to put thousands of Coloradans back to work, built a bipartisan coalition to pass it, and secured the largest investment in school construction in Colorado’s history. 

Romanoff began his career at the Southern Poverty Law Center, joining the battle against Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazi groups. His work there fueled a lifelong passion for justice—a cause he later championed at a state civil rights agency. The same commitment took Romanoff to Nicaragua in the wake of a brutal civil war. He taught English in rural high schools and continued teaching in Colorado. In 2012, Romanoff founded the Posner Center for International Development, which is now home to more than 60 Colorado-based organizations, all advancing sustainable solutions to global poverty.

Romanoff has earned endorsements from nearly 300 elected officials for his US Senate bid. In early July, Keating Research released the first poll of the 2020 Democratic Senate Primary, showing Romanoff leading the race. 

“Colorado Armenians are very happy to see Andrew run for the US Senate because we have worked with him since 2002 on Armenian American issues and we trust Andrew 100%,” remarked long-time community activist and ANCA Colorado board member Kim Christianian. “This race will surely be one of the most expensive and competitive in the country, and in order to win, Andrew needs each and every one of us to support him with the same vigor he’s supported our Cause,” continued Christianian. 

“It may be long before we have another opportunity like this to elect a US Senator who would champion Armenian American issues, which is why joining Andrew’s people-powered grassroots campaign is one of the most important investments that our community can make. I urge my fellow Armenian Americans across Colorado and the nation, regardless of party affiliation, to do their part at AndrewRomanoff.com,” concluded Christianian. 

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, including its regional office in Denver, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. 

#####

During the past several years, the leadership of Armenian religious, political and civil organizations of the Western United States has been engaged in a healthy environment of collaboration. In a spirit of unity, these structures have planned and implemented in the name of our greater community interests, in defense of our rights and demands as Armenian-Americans, and in furtherance of the welfare of Armenia and Artsakh all the while facing and overcoming any and all challenges collectively.

Undoubtedly, the best and most successful manifestation of the aforementioned collaboration and collective will were the Armenian Genocide Centennial commemorative events, during which the Community witnessed unprecedented collective efforts and results. Parallel to the Centennial commemorative events and in the years succeeding them, community organizations went on to create several joint working committees on various occasions. The spirit in which these committees operated further asserted the need for increased collaborative efforts.

Furthermore, it is evident that the Armenian-American Community in the Western United States continues to grow exponentially as its qualitative reach and abilities expand with each passing day.

Therefore, encouraged by the success of collaborative action, always mindful of the urgency of attaining national unity, and recognizing the necessity of gathering Armenian resources in service of our collective agenda, the signatory entities below have resolved to form a coordinating Council to pursue the Armenian Community’s collective interests and to further facilitate collaboration amongst them in the future.

The Council is to be known as the “Pan Armenian Council of Western USA.”

The Council was initiated by representatives from the signatory organizations below which have, throughout the years and each in its own right, gained the support of our Community.

Additionally, other community organizations which desire to be part of this collective effort and have a minimum of 300 active members are hereby invited to become members of the Council.

The advisory nature of this Council and its decisions are not binding on any of its member organizations. Thus, the Council’s existence does not confer upon the Council any authority over the activities of its member organizations.

The Council is driven by the principle of securing maximum participation and inclusion of all segments of our community, always mindful of protecting and advancing the principle of collaboration and good faith. Furthermore, the signatory organizations acknowledge the necessity to function in an environment of mutual respect and compromise.

The mission of the Council is:

•  To implement and realize projects of a pan-community nature.

•  To encourage and assist projects which advance the collective interests and the rights of Armenian communities across the Western United States.

•  To undertake steps to resist actions and efforts which are contrary to the collective interests and rights of Armenians. 

•  To gather and apply the Armenian Community’s resources for the benefit of the Community’s interests as well as the welfare of the Republics of Armenia and Artsakh.

•  To always be mindful of the collective welfare and security of the Armenian Community.

Active and influential Armenian individuals who have a presence in the community shall be periodically invited so that they may bring their advisory expertise, or other unique resources, all for the purpose of contributing to and promoting the success of the above referenced activities and for the fulfillment of the Council’s objectives.

With the larger principle of inclusiveness guiding us, and with the clear intent of not leaving any organization or individual Armenian out of our collective effort, the Council shall periodically organize community-wide meetings and conferences based on previously set agendas, during which all interested parties shall have the opportunity to address matters of importance to the Community.

Based upon the aforementioned spirit of unity as well as the above referenced mindset, perspective, and objectives borne out of a spirit of Armenian solidarity, We, organizations and structures of the Western United States, hereby pronounce the commencement of a new and bright journey of collaborative effort and Armenian unity.

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America

Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America

Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg of North America

Armenian Evangelical Union of North America

Armenian Revolutionary Federation of Western USA

Armenian Democratic Liberal Party Western District

Armenian Relief Society of Western USA

Armenian General Benevolent Union, Western District

Armenian Missionary Association of America

Homenetmen Western USA

Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of the Western USA

Armenian Youth Federation of Western USA

Unified Young Armenians

Armenian National Committee of America Western Region

Armenian Assembly of America Western Region Office

Armenian Bar Association

Organization of Istanbul Armenians

Armenian Youth Association of California

Armenian Society of Los Angeles

Iraqi Armenian Family Association of Los Angeles

A Syrian government warplane has been shot down during fighting in the rebel-held northern province of Idlib.

It happened near the town of Khan Sheikhoun, which is being targeted in a Russian-backed government offensive.

Syrian state news agency Sana said that the warplane was hit by an anti-aircraft missile fired by militants.

Jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has claimed responsibility and released footage purportedly showing the captured pilot, according to BBC News.

HTS, the dominant faction in Idlib, did not say how it brought down the Russian-made Sukhoi warplane on Wednesday.

In a video published by its media arm Iba on Thursday, a man identifies himself as “Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Ahmad Sulayman from the 70th Brigade”.

“My plane was shot down by mujahideen while I was carrying out my mission east of Khan Sheikhoun. I am currently with mujahideen,” he says, referring to the jihadist group.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, had earlier reported that the pilot had been captured by HTS militants.

Sana quoted a military source as saying that the pilot’s fate was unknown.

ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan presents Yerevan and its history to tourists in a touristic bus. ARMENPRESS reports the PM is speaking in English.

The National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia says it has discovered a scheme operated by a suspect who has organized the deferment or exemption from military service for five men for bribes ranging from 3000 dollars to 8000 dollars each by falsifying medical records.

According to a news release issued by the NSS, the suspect operated with an accomplice from a medical institution during the 2019 summer conscription period.

Two people are charged amid an investigation.

By the decision of Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, Arsen Gasparyan has been dismissed from the position of Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister.

By another decision of the Prime Minister, Aram Gharibyan will be dismissed from the position of Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister starting from September 2, 2019.