Gagrule.net

Gagrule.net News, Views, Interviews worldwide

Armenia voted for Palestine at UN

By

November 30, 2012 | 09:51

YEREVAN.- Armenia voted in favor of granting Palestine non-member observer state status at the United Nations, spokesperson for Armenian Foreign Ministry Tigran Balayan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The General Assembly on Thursday voted to grant Palestine non-member observer State status at the United Nations, while expressing the urgent need for the resumption of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians leading to a permanent two-State solution.

The resolution on the status of Palestine in the UN was adopted by a vote of 138 in favour to nine against with 41 abstentions by the 193-member Assembly, says the statement posted on UN official website.

Among the states voting against are Israel, Canada and the United States.

Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Appointed Foreign Affairs Committee Chair

By

WASHINGTON–The Armenian National Committee of Amer has welcomed news that the House Republican leadership has tapped Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Ed Royce (R-CA) to lead the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the 113th Congress, beginning in January, 2013.

The decision by the Republican Steering Committee, chaired by Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), came Tuesday evening, with the full Republican Conference expected to ratify the appointment on Wednesday.  He is replacing Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), who is term-limited out based on Republican House rules.

“As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Royce has been a champion on fundamental human rights concerns from Armenian Genocide affirmation to securing Turkey’s return of confiscated Christian churches and properties,” said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.  “The ANCA looks forward to working with him in the next Congress on a broad range of Armenian American concerns.”

Rep. Royce has served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee since entering Congress in 1993. He has been chairman or ranking member of the Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee for the past eight years. Prior to that, Rep. Royce chaired the Africa Subcommittee for eight years, and has been active on the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee.

As Republican Co-Chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus since February, 2011, Rep. Royce has led on a range of Armenian American concerns, successfully spearheading efforts along with current House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Howard Berman (D-CA) to secure House passage of the Return of Churches resolution (H.Res.306), which calls on Turkey to return confiscated Christian churches and properties to their rightful owners and allow for expanded freedom of worship.  He has been a perennial cosponsor and advocate for U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide since his years in the California State Senate.

Rep. Royce has also been outspoken regarding the right to self-determination for Nagorno Karabakh.  Commenting on the presidential elections held in July, 2012, Rep. Royce noted “I commend the people of Nagorno-Karabakh for holding peaceful and honest elections. Throughout the years we have seen a trend of its electoral system working in proper fashion and the most recent election maintains that precedent. Voting embodies a functioning democracy, I applaud all in Nagorno-Karabakh for putting democracy into action.”  Rep. Royce is joining Congressional Armenian Caucus Democratic Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) in hosting a Capitol Hill celebration of Karabakh freedom on December 5th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Russell Senate Office Building Rm. 385.

In appreciation for his years of support on core Armenian American concerns, Rep. Royce was awarded the ANCA Western Region “Man of the Year” award in 2011.  He has consistently received an A+ rating from the ANCA.

President hails Armenian-Lebanese friendly ties

By

November 27, 2012 – 18:09 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – President of Lebanon Michel Suleiman gave an official dinner Nov 26 in honor of his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan and First Lady Rita Sargsyan.

In his toast addressed to the President of Lebanon, his spouse, National Assembly chairman, Prime Minister and all those present at the official dinner, Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude for the warm welcome on the hospitable soil of Lebanon.

President Sargsyan spoke of the past of the two ancient, friendly nations, high-level political dialogue existing now between the reliable partners – Armenia and Lebanon, as well as about the readiness to further deepen and develop interstate multifaceted relations. The President of Armenia wished Lebanon and its people peace, prosperity and unwavering national unity, presidential press service reported.

“Relations of our two peoples come from the time immemorial, while Armenian presence in Lebanon is centuries-long. I believe it is not accidental that two hundred fifty years ago the first Armenian Catholic Catholicos, who was officially recognized by the Pope, established his residence here, in Lebanon. Armenians have brought their indispensable participation to the deliberation of Lebanon from the Ottoman Empire. During the World War I, the last leader of the autonomous Mount Lebanon was an ethnic Armenian, Ohannes Pasha Kuyumjian who was fighting to save the population of the region from the oppressions of the Young Turks. After his toppling and the autonomy’s destruction, the Ottoman Empire launched a series of massacres in Lebanon.

Armenian and Lebanese peoples are more than just friends. At the most difficult times in the history of the Armenian nation, Lebanon became a beacon of salvation for the thousands of Armenians who had been deprived of their homeland. How else, if not brotherly, can one describe our current relations?

Peaceful and creative existence of the Armenian Diaspora is the best proof of it. And naturally I am proud for my compatriots present in this hall. I am grateful to you, dear compatriots, for making us so recognizable, for upholding our prestige here, in Lebanon as well. It was here, in Lebanon that some of the largest Armenian spiritual, cultural and educational centers were formed, which play an important role in the preservation of the Armenian national identity in Diaspora. The Great House of Cilicia, Armenian Catholic Patriarchate, the only Armenian university abroad – Haykazyan University and a large number of the Armenian spiritual, cultural and other values preserved and cherished in this land for centuries the bond and histories of our peoples,” President Sargyan said.

Fars: Erdogan’s policy towards Muslim nations of region is false

By

The Syria incident showed that the real aim of Turkey in the region is to restore the Ottoman Empire, says an article by Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency.

Slamming the dual and false policy of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan towards Muslim nations of the region, the Iranian news agency says, “After the incident between Erdogan and Israeli President Shimon Peres in Davos, nations fighting for their rights in the region were enthusiastic about such a step taken by Turkish Prime Minister, however, as the time showed, this step was not in the interests of Islam, but was a tactical move aimed at raising his authority in the region.”

“Ankara’s passivity in connection with the deaths of nine Turkish citizens in the Israeli naval attack on the Turkish flotilla revealed secret relationship between Turkey and Israel. Anticipating things, we can notice that in the initial period of Syria destabilization Turkish government with the consent of Israel sent its servicemen for training for sabotage operations to Tel Aviv.

So the real face of Erdogan and his government gets unmasked more and more every day. The Syria incident shows that the real aim of Turkey in the region is to restore the Ottoman Empire,” says the author.

Summing up the criticism of Turkish authorities, the Iranian news agency says, “If Turkey has proclaimed itself the defender and supporter of the fighting nations in the region, then why doesn’t it stop its relationship with Israel, why doesn’t it cancel the security agreements with this country? The scream of Gaza children is a serious ordeal for Erdogan and the Arab world, Erdogan’s allies. The future will show if their statements proclaiming that they are patrons of fighting nations are real.”

Turkish PM talks Ottoman Empire, (Turkey should follow in its ancestors’ footsteps and go everywhere they have travelled to, the Turkish prime minister said)

By

How much more clearer can Turkish PM be that the world will understand that Turkey is going forward with the Re-engineering of Ottoman empire by using NATO and ISLAM? 

KÜTAHYA  hurriyet daily news

Turkey should follow in its ancestors’ footsteps and go everywhere they have travelled to, the Turkish prime minister said during the opening ceremony of Kütahya Zafer Airport on Nov.25.

“We move with the minds of our Dumlupınar martyrs,” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said. “We move with the spirit that founded the Ottoman Empire.”

Erdoğan then criticized the opposition for asking “what [Turkey] was doing in Gaza, Syria and Sudan.”

“We must go everywhere our ancestors have been,” Erdoğan said. “We can not take [Atatürk’s philosophy of] peace at home, peace in the world as passivity.”

“We have no eyes on any country’s land,” Erdoğan said. “We want stability in the region as much as we want stability in our homeland. We always side with dialogue to solve problems, but if there is a threat against our country then we will not refrain from taking the necessary precautions. We will not remain silent.”

PM slams Ottoman TV show

In the same speech Erdoğan also dished out heavy criticism on the hit Turkish TV series, “Muhteşem Yüzyıl,” (The Magnificent Century) for its portrayal of the Ottoman ruler Süleyman.

“We alerted the authorities on this and we wait for judicial decision on it,” Erdoğan said. “Those who toy with these values should be taught a lesson within the premises of law.”

Muhteşem Yüzyıl is a popular TV show airing in Turkey and abroad, which follows the lives of the Ottoman ruler Süleyman and his love Hürrem Sultan. The show focuses more on Süleyman’s personal life and palace life, portraying characters from the harem, as well as from the royal family.

In Baku, Heritage Party leader publicized Armenians’ collective conviction – party MP

By

November 24, 2012 | 10:50

YEREVAN. – The diplomacy of independent Armenia should have pushed forward the Armenian people’s collective view a long time ago, and this should have been done especially in Baku, Istanbul, and Ankara. Armenia’s opposition Heritage Party MP Zaruhi Postanjyan stated this on the air of the country’s state-run Public Television, and reflecting on Heritage Chairman Raffi Hovannisian’s statement made in Baku, where he attended and addressed the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

“He [that is, Hovannisian] made public, for the first time in Baku, the Armenian people’s collective conviction that Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] is an independent republic. Also, he noted that all refugees in the region must be able to return to their places of residence.

Raffi Hovannisian basically announced in Baku that we, as a small country, won the war that was forced upon us. Our small country, with its military force, will be of major importance in this geographical area, and its support by any other country will be in the latter’s interest,” Zaruhi Postanjyan said.

If we lose Karabakh, then we will turn the final page in the Armenian history: Monte Melkonian would celebrate his 55th birthday

By

16:57, 24 November, 2012

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. Monte Melkonian would celebrate his 55th birthday on November 25. As reports “Armenpress” advancing the 55th anniversary of the hero Hovsep Hakobyan – a fighter of Monte’s military unit, said that Monte was one of the first to say that it’s impossible to triumph in the war via separate troops and put forward the idea of the army. Hovsep Hakobyan stated: “It’s rather difficult to describe him. Monte believed in the triumph, work and nation. That honest man initiated a strong army.”

According to Hakobyan Monte used to say: “If we lose Karabakh, then we will turn the final page in the Armenian history.”

Intelligence officer Vova Vardanov said that in the beginning he was reluctant to work with Monte Melkonian, as he adhered to the opinion that an Armenian from Diaspora should not be engaged in the intelligence. He stated: “Notwithstanding, after I never regretted that I have met him and fought beside him. The more our servicemen resemble Monte, the better for our army.”

Mexico Panel Rejects Azerbaijan Statue

By

 

MEXICO CITY November 23, 2012 (AP)

A commission of experts says Mexico City’s government should remove a life-size statue of Azerbaijan’s former president that was recently erected on the city’s main boulevard.

The bronze, Stalinesque statue of Geidar Aliyev was erected by the Azerbaijan embassy, which paid for the renovation of part of the city park where it sits.

Protesters have said they are offended by a monument to an authoritarian figure like Aliyev, who led Azerbaijan first as Communist Party boss during Soviet times and then as president from 1993 to his death in 2003.

Azerbaijan officials have said that removal of the statue could affect diplomatic relations with Mexico.

The committee that reported on Friday had been named by city officials to seek a solution.

Iranian Foreign Minister: Right of peoples to self-determination should be respected

By

The vital right of peoples to self-determination should be respected, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi stated during the ministerial meeting of D-8 Economic Cooperation Organization in Pakistan, Iranian Foreign Ministry’s official website said.

The Iranian FM, slamming the use of dual standards towards human rights in many countries, said, in part, “Democracy does not belong to some country or region and therefore the right of peoples to self-determination and their right to master their own fate is of vital importance. All efforts, which are aimed at overthrowing the order established by peoples on the basis of Constitution and democracy, should be rejected.”

The D-8 comprises Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt and Nigeria.

The modern phase of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) conflict broke out in 1988, when, as a response to the peaceful demand for self-determination of the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), annexed to Soviet Azerbaijan in 1921, the Azerbaijani authorities carried out ethnic cleansing of Armenians – at first in the big cities of Azerbaijan, and then in Artsakh.
In September 1991 Artsakh declared independence, and, as a result, Azerbaijan exacerbated the violences and started large-scale military actions against Artsakh. After number of defeats on the frontlines, in May 1994 Azerbaijan was forced ask for a cease-fire from the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic).

Currently, the negotiations on the settlement of the conflict are being conducted under the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Russia, USA and France), based on the Madrid proposals, presented in November 2007.

Hayastan Fund Telethon 2012 raises USD 21.422.477

By

November 23, 2012 – 17:35 AMT

Hayastan All Armenian Fund Telethon 2012 raised USD 21. 422. 477, with the funds to be allocated for the outreach of Syrian Armenians and construction of community centers in villages of Artsakh.

The geography of telethon covered Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh Republic ($2.500.000), Russia ($12.100.000), France ($2.196.239), Germany ($122.438), the Netherlands ($58.600), Switzerland ($31.800), Belgium ($10.200), Greece ($38.200), Italy ($50.000), U.S. (2.200.000), Argentina ($700.000), Brazil ($100.000), Canada ($175.000), Great Britain ($170.000), India ($600.000), Iran ($15.000) and Kuwait ($5000).

Fund-raising event in Lebanon is scheduled for December 8.