Gagrule.net

Gagrule.net News, Views, Interviews worldwide

Marie Claire France publishes photo story about Artsakh

By

woman of artsakh

woman of artsakh

Italian photographer Karl Mancini‘s photo project about the women of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) was featured in the magazine Marie Claire France.

The project is titled Dreaming Independence and Peace and first published on Maptia.Maptia.

“I believe the women of Artsakh have a lot to say. They support the men on the frontline, suffering in silence and sustaining families alone,” he said once.

“One day, I spent several hours with a female friend of mine in a wonderful place in Artsakh in the middle of nature just telling each other stories. I’ll never forget that moment, those simple emotions that should serve as a basis for every kind of relationship,” Mancini added.

According to the photographer, Armenians are very instinctive and emotional, straightforward in expressing their true feelings and quite honest if they have anything to tell you.

The EP Adopts a Resolution Protecting Artsakh’s Right to Self-Determination

By

The European Parliament on Thursday approved a resolution in which Artsakh’s right to self-determination is protected. The measure is part of European body’s proposals for the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in the fall, Asbarez.com reports.

By a vote of 457 votes in favor, 124 against and 66 abstentions, the European Parliament approved the proposals, which address human rights, international security, as well as a number of issues regarding existing conflicts.

Source: http://armedia.am/eng/news/49771/the-ep-adopts-a-resolution-protecting-artsakhs-right-to-self-determination.html

Syrian Armenians take revolutionary steps in Artsakh horticulture

By

Syrian Armenians are taking revolutionary steps in horticulture sector in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Tigran Abrahamyan, an adviser to the Artsakh President, said in a Facebook post, adding they are growing olives, pomelos, tangerines and kiwi in the country.

As Artsakhtimes reports, plants are cultivated in the territory of Berkadzor by Syrian Armenian Asmaryan brothers, that “must not only edit the standards of gardening, but also our understanding of the possibilities Artsakh has in that field.”

Olives and pomelos, tangerines and kiwi feel like permanent residents of the Artsakhian land.

“I toured all the regions across Armenia, however, to tell the truth, I did not spot a proper place. My friends encouraged me to visit Artsakh, but I did not image I could find my dream here,” noted one of the Asmaryan brothers.

The brothers also plan to grow cactus in Artsakh for therapeutic and cosmetic applications.

 

Harut Sassounian: Delighted to report that Azeri officials read my columns and follow my advice

By

Back in August 2013 I wrote a column headlined: “Baku’s Blacklist of Artsakh Visitors Helps Armenia, Hurts Azerbaijan,” explaining the foolishness of Azeri officials blacklisting anyone who visits Nagorno Karabagh (Artsakh) without Azerbaijan’s permission. I stressed that blacklisting visitors to Artsakh from around the world was a disservice to the interests of Azerbaijan in the first place, because the blacklist isolated Azerbaijan from the rest of the world! In fact, the larger the number of blacklisted people — many of them prominent individuals and high-ranking officials — the more Azerbaijan deprives itself of such important visitors.

In my 2013 column, after quoting several famous individuals who ridiculed being blacklisted by Azerbaijan, I suggested that my name be also added to the blacklist since I had gone to Artsakh and written a column about my visit. Amazingly, shortly after my suggestion, the government of Azerbaijan added my name to the blacklist: “Harut Sassounian, Syrian-American journalist of Armenian descent.” Since then, I visited Artsakh again!

I must add that many years ago, while Papa Aliyev was the President of Azerbaijan, he invited me through intermediaries to Baku to meet with him and discuss the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. Of course, I declined the invitation. I even turned down Pres. Heydar Aliyev’s offer to meet with him in a third country, such as the UK, if I did not want to come to Azerbaijan. I turned down that suggestion too. So, now that I am on the black list, Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry has deprived their President of the ability to invite me to Baku!

There are more than 700 names on the Azeri blacklist, including parliament members, businessmen, journalists, entertainers, elected officials and other celebrities. The latest visitor to Artsakh to be blacklisted is Anthony Bourdain, who is the host of a world famous CNN food show. Last week, he went to Armenia and Artsakh to do a TV program on the Armenian cuisine in both countries, and Azerbaijan immediately declared him persona non grata!

Bourdain’s name was added to the blacklist “for his disrespect of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Hikmet Hajiyev, Azeri Foreign Ministry spokesman, told Agence France-Presse. “Filming a food show on Azerbaijan’s occupied territory is an insult to one million Azerbaijani refugees who were forcefully expelled from their homes,” Hajiyev added. This makes no sense. The only thing Azeri officials were able to accomplish is prevent Bourdain from going to Azerbaijan and prepare a CNN show on the Azeri cuisine, which would have provided a lot of publicity for the country!

Azerbaijan’s black list has several major shortcomings:

1) So far, there are only 700 names on the black list, whereas, over the years, several hundred thousand tourists have visited Artsakh from around the world. While the names of all visitors to Artsakh are not publicly known, certainly much more than 700 visitors have gone to Artsakh! It appears that someone at Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry is sleeping on the job.

2) Why is it that of the 700 names on the black list, there is not a single citizen of Armenia? While the names of regular visitors from Armenia may not be known to Azeri officials, they surely know that the President, Prime Minister, and other high-ranking officials from the Republic of Armenia frequently visit Artsakh and their trips are well publicized. Could it be that Azerbaijan does not consider citizens of Armenia visiting Artsakh to be foreigners? Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry’s website acknowledges that “Nagorno-Karabagh” is “temporarily out of the control of the Republic of Azerbaijan.” Is it possible that Azerbaijan now considers Artsakh to be permanently “out of the control of the Republic of Azerbaijan?”

3) Very few of the blacklisted visitors have complained about not being able to visit Azerbaijan. On the contrary, many of them have expressed their pride that their names are on Azerbaijan’s black list. Even more shocking, several individuals, not seeing their names on the black list after visiting Artsakh, have asked that they be added to the black list because they consider being on that list a badge of honor!

To make matters worse, in recent months Azerbaijan has requested that other countries extradite their citizens to Baku for having visited Artsakh. In one case, a journalist from Belarus was shamefully arrested and sent to Azerbaijan where he was jailed for several months! He was finally released after international pressure on Azerbaijan and condemnation by the European Council.

This is an abuse of power and export of Azeri oppression and intimidation to third countries which must be ashamed for collaborating with a despotic Azeri regime!

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com

Artsakh Defense Ministry publishes footage of Azerbaijani rocket strike

By

Nagorno-Karabakh’s (Artsakh) Ministry of Defense has published a footage featuring the Sunday ceasefire violations provoked by the Azerbaijani armed forces on the Line of Contact.

The adversary shot five mines, and a rocket from the anti-tank guided missile Spike to strike Armenian defense positions in the north-east of the frontline.

In an official statement released Monday morning, the country’s Ministry of Defense condemned the incident, promising a “painful and non-proportionate retaliation”.

Davit Babayan, the spokesperson of the Nagorno-Karabakh president, also voiced their criticism against the “Azerbaijani regime’s blatant anti-Armenian policy of hatred.”

Artsakh Website dedicated to the April War in 2016 launched

By

“Armses” scientific-educational center in collaboration with the Center of Strategic Studies at Yerevan State University (YSU) has launched “April War 2016” website which which is dedicated to the 2016 April War in Artsakh (Karabakh). The site covers topics related to the military actions between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces, the lives of the fallen Armenian servicemen and the current stage of the Armenian-Azerbaijani war.

The website features a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) format telling the current phase of the conflict, the root causes of the Artsakh issue as well as options for the conflict settlement.

The section Heroes tells about the role the servicemen and the civilian population played during the wartime. Apart from that, the website contains analytical pieces, factsheets, interviews, the chronology of the events that spread light on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Armenia’s strategic concerns with regard to the conflict.

The webpage is available in three languages, including in Azerbaijani, aiming to raise awareness about the conflict among Azerbaijani active users. The Azerbaijani version of the webpage is available only for Azerbaijanis.

The materials have been received from information bulletins provided by the Defense Army of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Armenia’s Defense Ministry, from field works conducted by the NGO members, interviews with commander staff, family members of the fallen soldiers as well as in consultation with military experts.

U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee ensures continued funding to Artsakh

By

The Senate Appropriations Committee adopted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations bill, which ensures continued funding to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

The “Committee recommends assistance for the victims of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in amounts consistent with prior fiscal years, and for ongoing needs related to the conflict.” The Committee urges a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which, given Azerbaijan’s recent and unprecedented attacks against Armenia and Artsakh, underscores the importance of implementing an accurate cease-fire monitoring system along the line of contact.

In the Assembly’s testimony earlier this year to the Senate Appropriations Committee, Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny urged robust funding for Artsakh to help meet the ongoing humanitarian and development needs for its people.

The Committee also adopted an amendment offered by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), which would prohibit arms sales to the Turkish Presidential Protection Directorate in light of the vicious attack by Turkey’s security detail in Washington, D.C. against peaceful protesters on May 17, 2017. Last week, 19 people, including 15 Turkish security officials, were indicted as a result of this attack in front of the Turkish Ambassador’s residence during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit.

The bill also maintains Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, restating the six customary exemptions for humanitarian and other assistance to Azerbaijan. The Assembly continues to call for full enforcement of Section 907 given Azerbaijan’s hostile and aggressive actions against Armenians.

“The Armenian Assembly applauds the bipartisan work of the Senate Appropriations Committee and especially appreciates the efforts of Senator Van Hollen in helping to ensure continued funding to Artsakh. His leadership on critically important priorities for U.S. engagement in Armenia and Artsakh is vital, and we look forward to continuing our work with him during this critical time,” stated Armenian Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian.

“Moreover, with recent developments by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) shedding light on money laundering by President Ilham Aliyev and his family, known as the ‘The Azerbaijan Laundromat,’ we are seeing the exposure and rejection of caviar diplomacy done for years,” the Assembly Co-Chairs added.

As part of the Manager’s amendment package, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) included bill language on visa restrictions for Azeri officials “about whom the Secretary of State has credible information have been involved in the wrongful imprisonment of Mehman Aliyev, the director of Turan, Azerbaijan’s last remaining independent news outlet.” Similarly, Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) included language regarding visa denial for Turkish officials involved in prolonging the unlawful detention of U.S. citizens in Turkey.

The bill also promotes international religious freedom and protection for persecuted religious minorities, particularly in the Middle East. The $25 million programs also includes $5 million for atrocities prevention programs.

Michigan recognizes Artsakh independence

By

Michigan became the 8th U.S. state to recognize the independent Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh) on Thursday, with the overwhelming passage of S.R.99, spearheaded by Senator David Knezek.

“The Michigan Senate vote for Artsakh independence represents a resounding reaffirmation of our enduring American commitment to democratic self-determination and an equally powerful blow against Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s ongoing aggression against this peaceful republic,” said ANC of Mich. Chair Lara Nercessian.  “Armenians from the Great Lakes State and across the U.S. commend Sen. Knezek and his fellow State Senators for standing strong with the people of Artsakh.”

 

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY CO-CHAIR ACCOMPANIES REPRESENTATIVES FRANK PALLONE, JR. AND TULSI GABBARD TO ARTSAKH.

By

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Board of Trustees Co-Chairman Anthony Barsamian joined Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) on a working visit to Artsakh today. The delegation included Artsakh Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan, Artsakh Representative to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan, and All-Armenia Fund President Maria Mehranian. Reps. Pallone and Gabbard are in Armenia as part of a Congressional Delegation with Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. David Valadao (R-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA), Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA).
 
“This trip to Artsakh is instrumental in helping U.S. Members of Congress better understand the current political and economic situation in Artsakh. By seeing the destruction caused by Azerbaijan and meeting with high-level officials to discuss U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Artsakh relations in depth, Reps. Pallone and Gabbard can better convey the pressing need for U.S. humanitarian aid and better understand the security threats to the people of Artsakh caused by the Azeris. They also saw the need for a peaceful resolution, which includes Artsakh in the negotiations,” Assembly Co-Chair Barsamian said.

The previous day, Armenian Assembly Co-Chair Barsamian, Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, and Regional Director Arpi Vartanian met with Artsakh President Bako Sahakyan and Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan. During the meeting, they discussed the importance of U.S. assistance, especially for de-mining in Artsakh which is carried out by The HALO Trust, as well as the peace process. President Sahakyan emphasized the Assembly’s important role in U.S.-Artsakh relations, and acknowledged the organization’s “patriotic and highly professional activity.”

Rep. Valadao also traveled to Artsakh earlier this week, where he met with The HALO Trust to learn more about mine clearance along the borders. Following the visit, he stated, “Families in Nagorno Karabakh live under the constant threat of landmine accidents and I am grateful for the efforts of The HALO Trust to make Nagorno Karabakh a more safe and secure region.” Rep. Valadao continued, “While their work is renown worldwide, I appreciated witnessing their work and learning more about their efforts and dedication firsthand.”
 
Earlier this month, Rep. Valadao spearheaded a bipartisan amendment along with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Armenian Caucus Vice-Chair Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rep. Pallone, and Rep. Speier to ensure continued funding for de-mining projects in Artsakh.
U.S. Members of Congress have continued to travel to Artsakh throughout the years. Rep. Pallone visited Artsakh for the first time twenty years ago as part of an Armenian Assembly of America-sponsored delegation. During an historic address before the Parliament of Nagorno Karabakh on January 28, 1997, Rep. Pallone stated, “I hope that my visit to Karabagh, and especially my presence in your legislative body today, will contribute in some small way to a growing international recognition that the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh is a reality.” Rep. Pallone has returned to Artsakh a few times since his initial visit, where he observed local elections and learned more about mine clearance.
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.

 

US Senate panel adopts ANCA-backed measures supporting Artsakh and Armenia

By

WASHINGTON, DC – The full U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday adopted a series of Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) supported provisions as part of its Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) foreign aid bill, specifically calling for continued aid to Artsakh and increased assistance to Armenia ($20.7 million), and also imposing weapon and travel sanctions on Turkey and Azerbaijan.

“Congress is clearly turning the corner on both Turkey and Azerbaijan, with senior legislators, from both parties, openly confronting and officially sanctioning Erdogan and Aliyev for their undemocratic abuses and anti-American actions,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.  “We thank all those who worked to include these constructive provisions and look forward to remaining engaged in support of each of these issues as the legislative process moves forward.”

The Senate foreign aid bill’s “report,” which provides detailed legislative guidance for the executive branch, included language recommending: “assistance for victims of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in amounts consistent with prior fiscal years, and for ongoing needs related to the conflict. The Committee urges a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

In terms of aid to Armenia, the Committee called for roughly a $14 million increase over the President’s proposed budget: $17.633 million in Economic Support and Development Fund (ESF), $1.5 million for battling narcotics trafficking, $600,000 for International Military Education and Training and $1 million in Foreign Military Financing.  The Senate maintained parity in appropriated military assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan.  The Trump budget request for Armenia, submitted in May of this year, envisioned $4 million in ESF, $1.5 million for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, and $700,000 for Non-Proliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs. Military parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan was maintained in the Administration’s proposed budget with each receiving $600,000 for International Military Education and Training and cuts Foreign Military Financing to both countries.

Three key amendments targeted Turkey and Azerbaijan in response to the growing human rights abuses in each country, most notably the May, 2017, beating of peaceful protesters by Turkish President Erdogan’s bodyguards in Washington, DC.

Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Senate Appropriations Committee Vice-Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced a successful amendment to block the use of funds to facilitate the sale of weapons to President Erdogan’s Presidential Protection Directorate. Sen. Van Hollen told the Washington Post that the appropriations panel’s vote in support of the measure sent “a strong, bipartisan message: We are not going to let President Erdogan’s personal bodyguards attack peaceful American protesters on American soil — and we’re certainly not going to sell them weapons while they do it.”

Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced and passed an amendment to restrict U.S. travel visas to any senior official of the Government of Turkey who is knowingly responsible for the wrongful or unlawful prolonged detention of U.S. citizens or nationals. The move is widely viewed as being in response to Turkey’s continued imprisonment of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a North Carolina native who, for more than two decades, has ministered to the Izmir Resurrection Church in Turkey’s third largest city.

Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) called for similar visa restrictions of Azerbaijani government officials involved with the “wrongful imprisonment of Mehman Aliyev, the director of Turan, Azerabaijan’s last remaining independent news outlet.”  The Washington Post editorial board this week called for the Turan chief’s immediate release and noted that under President Aliyev’s reign, “a sustained and punishing campaign has been waged against dissenting scholars, human rights defenders and journalists.”