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William Saroyan.
Sunday December 3, 2017, the St. Mary Cultural Committee will present a program about the renowned author William Saroyan. An award-winning documentary film about the life and the works of the author will be shown, and the filmmakers will be available to answer questions. The program will start at approximately 1:00 PM, after Divine Liturgy.
Intent to Destroy
In Intent to Destroy, documentarian Joe Berlinger attempts to assemble a sort of meditative history of the Armenian genocide and its century-long cover-up by the Turkish government out of a curious source: behind-the-scenes footage of the production of Terry George’s film The Promise, a sweeping historical saga with movie stars and first-rate production values, financed independently and released in the spring of 2017.
As a film, The Promise is interesting for its subject and the struggle to get it made, rather than its own drama or technique; Intent to Destroy uses The Promise as something of a guide, as our entree into the history, as if the filmmakers assume that we need to see Oscar Isaac to care about the extermination of millions. “There’s a scene in the movie where Christian Bale goes and attempts to take pictures of what’s happening to the Armenians,” one of the many interviewees tells us, his words illustrated with a clip from The Promise. He continues, “In the real world, it was forbidden to take pictures of anything.” That leads to an enlightening discussion of the practicalities of the Ottoman Empire’s mass murder of Armenians.
Intent to Destroy sometimes plays like a DVD extra that might have accompanied The Promise, but it does have value of its own in its interviews with historians, philosophers, and filmmakers and its vintage photos and footage. Even that footage of the shooting of The Promise bears fruit when Armenian actors in the cast speak to Berlinger’s cameras and to one another about their families’ experience during the long-ago massacres, the hundred-year diaspora that followed, and the terrible success of Turkey’s efforts to pretend it all never happened. In these moments, we’re watching artists not just tell their own vital stories but consider, with some awe, the significance of their finally having the opportunity to do so.
Intent to Destroy
Directed by Joe Berlinger
Abramorama
Opens November 10, Village East Cinema
Source: https://www.villagevoice.com/2017/11/08/intent-to-destroy-offers-a-meditative-history-of-the-armenian-genocide/
Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos arrives for a cabinet meeting at the parliament in Athens, Greece June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Costas Baltas
ATHENS/BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Greece and its eurozone creditors reached a preliminary deal on Saturday on reforms Athens needs to roll out under its bailout program, a move that could pave the way for the country to leave the aid plan in August.
The agreement on a range of often politically sensitive measures – covering fiscal issues, energy and labor market reforms, bad loans and privatizations – could open up fresh loans and push Greece further along the path towards a return to full market financing.
Turkey’s Directorate of religious affairs (Diyanet) has said it is inappropriate for men to dye their hair black according to Islam.
“Dyeing one’s hair, moustache or beard is allowed only if the aim is not to deceive people. But it is never admissible for a man to dye his hair black. It is considered inappropriate,” reads the statement from the highest Islamic authority in the country, according to Ansamed.info.
The fatwa came in answer to a question lodged on the Diyanet’s website.
After the 2016 April war, Armenia has all the grounds to insist on new approaches to Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and push for adopting a new international norm to prove that the conflict in question differs from many other regional and territorial disputes, according to a diplomat.
In an interview with Tert.am, Ruben Shugaryan, a former deputy foreign minister and a former Armenian ambassador to Italy, called for increased attention to people’s salvation, which he said should add to the already existing principles (exercise of the right to self-determination, or territorial integrity).
Shugaryan, now a professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (Tufts University), also stressed the importance of a civilized dialogue as an additional guarantee against possible Azerbaijani aggressions.
“We have all the grounds – especially in the light of the April war – to prove and insist that the Karabakh conflict is different from all the other conflicts in essence. It is different from the conflicts in both the post-Soviet countries and in Eastern Europe, etc, as we are directly concerned with the people’s salvation – apart from the exercise of the right to self-determination or territorial integrity. In Georgia, for example, there is a conflict over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but we do not see any physical threat there,” he said, citing Armenian Officer Gurgen Margaryan’s brutal killing in Budapest as a serious precedent necessitating a strong action and reaction by the international community.
“Our task today is to give the international community proper knowledge of Azerbaijan’s continuing crime propaganda which makes violence part of their state policies. The glorification of an axe-killer [Ramil Safarov] by the president potentially threatens physical extermination,” Shugaryan added.
He called for serious efforts especially by the Foreign Ministry and other government agencies, appreciating at the same time Nagorno-Karabakh Ombudsman Ruben Melikyan’s work towards raising international awareness of the crimes committed during the April war.
Asked to comment on the authorities’ repeatedly voiced plans for mutual concessions, Shugaryan agreed that it would be inevitable in the future peace efforts but highlighted also a change of attitudes to the concept after the April war. “No solution is certainly possible without mutual concessions – which should not logically be unilateral. But mutual concessions implied an absolutely different status before the April war. A lot has changed ever since; anyway it doesn’t absolutely imply that Armenia should not agree to mutual concessions. It has to under any circumstances, but it is important at the same time undertake additional steps,” he said.
“Along with the Madrid Principles, we should push ahead also with the principle of sovereignty for salvation.
“In that case, we will not have to discuss mutual concessions, as they will apply to the next phase [of the process]. Of primary importance will be the new status. Only after achieving that status, as well as new approaches by the international community, will it be possible to speak about mutual concessions,” he added.
Meantime Shugaryan admitted that achieving final peace with an unpredictable neighbor like Azerbaijan will not be a simple task. “In the face of unpredictable leaders and countries, it isn’t absolutely easy to predict anything. But the mechanisms of restraint are increasing in number today – both directly and indirectly. The ratification of the EU-Armenia Agreement by different countries’ parliaments, for instance, could be an indirect mechanism. The say the Agreement does not have a security component – which is practically true – but the fact of ratification itself creates a security guarantee.
“I don’t think there is or can be any tangible progress in the negotiations, but I do observe certain changes in the international politics and the international community’s attitudes,” the diplomat added.
A team from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) visited Yerevan from 29 November to 1 December 2017 to present the final report of OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission for the 2 April parliamentary elections in Armenia.
The report’s findings and recommendations were explored during meetings and discussions with representatives of the National Assembly, Central Election Commission, political parties, state authorities, civil society and the international community. The ODIHR team outlined potential areas for further co-operation and proposed concrete steps that can be taken by various stakeholders to address the recommendations.
The ODIHR team drew attention to priority recommendations aimed at addressing persisting issues of vote-buying and abuse of state resources with a view to strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
The report recommends, among other things, undertaking inclusive and timely electoral reforms to address remaining gaps and ambiguities in the law, including with regard to campaigning, campaign finance regulations, the right to appeal and deadlines for filing complaints. ODIHR noted that further efforts are needed to remove restrictions on the suffrage rights of persons with disabilities and enhance their access to voting procedures, to increase women’s participation in elections and enhance the effectiveness of election administration.
The majority of ODIHR interlocutors highlighted the need to address the lack of public trust in the electoral process in Armenia and called on the political establishment to demonstrate political will against all forms of pressure on voters and publicly discourage the buying and selling of votes.
“While acknowledging stakeholders’ willingness to engage in a meaningful process to implement the electoral recommendations, broad and inclusive consultation is needed for a successful reform process,” said Donald Bisson, Deputy Head of the ODIHR election observation mission, during the visit.
“ODIHR stands ready to offer its support in implementing the recommendations, including through a review of amendments to electoral legislation, advice on good practices and matters of technical implementation,” said Alexander Shlyk, Head of the ODIHR Elections Department.
All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to promptly follow up on ODIHR election assessments and recommendations.
YEREVAN. – It is extremely important to awake imagination of the children living in remote Armenian communities, Armenian Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan told reporters before the start of the flash mob on December 2.
According to Amiryan, Armenian citizens should have the opportunity to get acquainted with contemporary art.
“This was the main task, which, in my opinion, we had fully implemented,” the minister said.
Singer and musician Arsen Grigoryan said that various song and dance ensembles from the different provinces of Armenia had been invited to the ethnographic flash mob in Yerevan.
“Armenia My love” event was launched with a flash mob in Yerevan. The event will be held from 2 to 3 December. Dancers and musicians from 40 large and small communities of Armenia will participate.
former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty for making “materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statements” to federal officials, reports the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). Department of Justice Special Counsel Robert Mueller indicted Flynn for lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) about conversations with the Russian Ambassador during the presidential transition, as well as false statements about his involvement with the Republic of Turkey.
The Statement of the Offense in the United States of America v. Michael T. Flynn identifies Turkey under the category “Other False Statements Regarding Flynn’s Contacts with Foreign Governments.” The statement notes multiple documents pertaining to a project performed by him and his company, the Flynn Intel Group, Inc., “for the principal benefit of the Republic of Turkey (‘Turkey Project’).” According to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), Flynn made “materially false statements and omissions” regarding his lobbying activities on behalf of the Republic of Turkey and the Erdogan government.
Click here for the Department of Justice’s full Statement of the Offense.
“The newest revelations about Flynn are just the tip of the iceberg. While prosecutors have uncovered some vital information, there is much more yet to come to light, especially regarding Turkey’s continued use of illegal funds to influence national security at the highest levels. This practice has been ongoing and needs to be halted,” Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian said. “As we have previously urged, there needs to be thorough public Congressional hearings to fully expose Turkey’s attempts to influence the United States Government, which is a direct attack on our democratic values,” they added.
Reports indicated that Flynn would be paid $15 million to secretly carry out Turkey’s bidding. Flynn was already paid $530,000 last year for work the Justice Department says benefited the government of Turkey, and did not register as a foreign agent at the time.
On October 18, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD), alongside 17 Members of Congress, sent a letter to Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) requesting a subpoena on the White House to produce all documents related to Flynn’s “egregious conflicts of interest” in business dealings with foreign governments, which includes his unreported lobbying contract as a foreign agent on behalf of the Turkish government in 2016.
The letter stated: “We believe this paper trail must be pursued to answer the gravest question of all: Did Gen. Flynn seek to change the course of our country’s national security to benefit the same private interests he previously promoted, whether by advising President Trump, interacting with foreign officials, or influencing other members of the Trump administration?”
The Assembly has repeatedly highlighted Turkey’s attempts to gain surreptitious influence over U.S. officials to the detriment of U.S. national security, and has called for investigations therein. The Assembly has also urged Representatives who joined the Turkish and Azeri Caucuses to withdraw their membership. Some already have.
“Members ought not to associate themselves with such corrupt and authoritarian regimes. Given Turkey’s treatment of Christians, dangerously rogue behavior, denial of the Armenian Genocide and support for Azerbaijan’s ISIS-style beheadings and other attacks, it is well past time for Members of Congress to withdraw their membership from the Turkish and Azeri Congressional Caucuses,” reiterated the Assembly Co-Chairs.
Source: Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
Toygun Atilla – ISTANBULThe Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on Dec. 1 issued an arrest warrant for Graham Fuller, the former vice-chairman of the National Intelligence Council of the CIA, over his alleged involvement in the July 2016 coup attempt.
The arrest warrant alleges that Fuller was in Turkey during the coup attempt on July 15, 2016 and left the country after the failure of the attempted military takeover.
The warrant accuses Fuller of “attempting to overthrow the government of the Republic of Turkey and obstructing the duties of the Republic of Turkey,” ”obtaining state information that must be kept secret for political and military espionage purposes,” and “attempting to overthrow the constitutional order.”
It also states that Fuller was in contact with American academic Henri Barkey, who was also previously subject of an arrest warrant in Turkey, as well as other figures who played a role in the coup attempt.
Barkey is accused by prosecutors of organizing and coordinating the coup attempt in a meeting on Istanbul’s Büyükada island between July 15 and July 16, 2016.
Prosecutors claim that Fuller also participated in this meeting.
The arrest warrant comes after notorious Russian strategist Alexander Dugin had claimed during a recent TV broadcast in Turkey that both Barkey and Fuller attended the meeting on Büyükada. Dugin also stated that Russian intelligence agencies had “concrete evidence that CIA agents commanded the failed coup attempt.”
In 2006 Fuller wrote a letter supporting the U.S. green card application of Fethullah Gülen, who Turkey considers the coup’s mastermind.
Source: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-issues-arrest-warrant-for-former-cia-official-graham-fuller-over-coup-attempt-123392
It is three times larger than the next biggest lithium-ion battery and can power up to 30,000 homes. Elon Musk has said it is “just the beginning.”
Tesla activated the world’s biggest lithium-ion battery in Australia on Friday, an achievement Tesla CEO Elon Musk had previously promised would be “just the beginning.”
The roughly football pitch-sized 100-megawatt battery is more than three times larger than the next largest site in Mira Loma, California.
The company says it draws on power delivered from a nearby windfarm and has the capacity to power 30,000 homes for up to an hour during blackouts.
The battery is located some 200 kilometers (120 miles) north of South Australia’s capital Adelaide and will also be used to boost electricity supply in the state during peak demand periods.
“South Australia is now leading the world in dispatchable renewable energy, delivered to homes and businesses 24/7,” State Premier Jay Weatherill said after the launch’s announcement.
Musk keeps his promise
Tesla worked with French renewable energy company Neoen to build the farm in little over over 60 days after the companies had signed a contract with South Australia.
Musk had promised to build the site within 100 days of signing or give the battery to the state government for free.
Neither side has disclosed how much the government paid for the battery.
Australia’s dirty power
South Australia’s decision to build the battery farm is part of a larger $510-million Australian dollar (€325 million/$385 million) plan to make the state independent of Australia’s national power grid.
The battery and the plan, which was announced in March, have been controversial. Opponents have derided Tesla’s battery as a “Hollywood solution” to the state’s energy supply problems.
South Australia gets over 40 percent of its electricity from wind and solar power, but it has struggled to provide electricity during windless periods of peak demand.
Australia is a major exporter of liquid natural gas and coal. It uses coal to power much of its national electricity grid, making it one of the world’s worst emitters of greenhouse gases on a per capita basis.
amp/ng (AP, Reuters)