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Google honors Fridtjof Nansen – a friend of Armenians

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Google honors Fridtjof NansenGoogle Doodle is celebrating what would have been the 156th birthday of Fridtjof Nansen, the Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat, political activist and humanitarian, who went to great lengths to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide when the killings were being perpetrated by the Ottoman government.

In 1924, Nansen was commissioned by the League of Nations to tackles the issue of the Armenian refugees following the Genocide between 1915 and 1923. But long before that Nansen made a proposal at the first session of the League to accept Armenia as a member, stressing that Armenians needed help more than ever.

Starting from 1925, Nansen devoted much effort to helping Armenian refugees – those displaced by the Genocide who had miraculously managed to survive the slaughter. His goal was to eventually return refugees to Soviet Armenia.

Nansen kept visiting refugee camps, and after a trip to Soviet Armenia, he proposed that the League of Nations finance the irrigation of 36,000 hectares of land which would allow the deployment and employment of 15,000 people. Although the plan failed, Nansen did become one of the heroes of the Armenian people.

In total, about 320,000 people survived the Genocide to obtain asylum in various countries using Nansen passports.

The Nansen passport is an international document that certifies the identity of the holder, and was first issued by the League of Nations for refugees without citizenship.

Upon his return to his homeland, the Norwegian wrote the book “Across Armenia”, full of sympathy and respect for the Armenian people.

“If nations could (…) settle their possible differences, they would easily be able to establish a lasting peace” – the words of the great humanitarian who inspired generations of compassionate people around the world in the decades that followed.

The Armenian Post honors Anna Hedwig Bull (1887-1981) saved Armenian orphans during the genocide

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The Armenian Post honors Anna Hedwig Bull (1887-1981), the missionary and Armenian-Estonian who saved many Armenian orphans during the genocide.

On December 30, 2016, the Armenian Post issued a postage stamp dedicated to the Estonian missionary and Armenian-born Anna Hedwig Bull (1887-1981) who had saved thousands of Armenian orphans during the 1915 Armenian Genocide The stamp of 280 drams of Armenia depicting the portrait of Anna Hedwig Bull and his reports and testimonies during the genocide is issued in 50,000 copies.

Krikor Amirzayan

Trump CIA Pompeo honors Saudi Crown Prince for efforts against terrorism

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cia-honors-saudi-crow

The medal, named after George Tenet, was handed to him by CIA Director Micheal Pompeo after the Crown Prince received him in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, received a medal on Friday from the CIA for his distinct intelligence-related counter-terrorism work and his contributions to ensure international peace and security.

The medal, named after George Tenet, was handed to him by CIA Director Micheal Pompeo after the Crown Prince received him in Riyadh on Friday in the presence of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman al-Saud, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

The Crown Prince said in a press statement after receiving the medal that he appreciated the CIA honor, stressing that his efforts were guided by the leaders of Saudi Arabia headed by King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, as well as the efforts of the Kingdom’s security forces.

With regards to terrorism in the region, the Crown Prince said all religions are separate from the beliefs and actions of extremist groups, noting that religious, political and social groups who have used religion as a tool throughout history do not reflect the absolute truths about the religion which it is affiliated to, or attributes its actions to.

He said Saudi Arabia has played a key role in the fight against terrorism and condemns all forms and manifestations of terrorism. “We, God willing, continue to confront terrorism and extremism everywhere, and with thanks to God we have managed to thwart many terrorist plots from occurring,” he said.

The Crown Prince also stressed that the fight against terrorism is a shared international responsibility that requires international efforts at all levels to confront it militarily and intellectually, as well as financially. This must be done within the framework of international law and the principles of the United Nations.

With regards to the relations between Saudi Arabia and the US, the Crown Prince said: “Our relationship with the United States is historical and will continue to succeed.”

Addressing the issue of possible future attacks, the Crown Prince said: “We are surrounded by areas of conflict, and we were the first affected by terrorism from various sources, but we are equipped to combat terror in any place and under any circumstances.”

During his meeting with Pompeo, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef discussed a number of topics of common interest between the two countries and ways of enhancing them, particularly with regard to strengthening cooperation in security, especially the fight against terrorism.

The reception was attended by senior, civil and military, officials and the US Charge d’Affaires to the Kingdom Christopher Hensel.

source: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/gulf/2017/02/10/CIA-awards-Saudi-Crown-Prince-for-efforts-against-terrorism-.html

Crimea honors Russian soldiers with statue

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crimea russiaCrimean officials have unveiled a statue of an armed soldier in celebration of Russian troops that took control of the peninsula from Ukraine. Governor Sergey Aksyonov pledged to keep developing the troops’ “brand.”

The monument marks the “strength, calm, confidence and politeness of our Russian soldiers,” said Moscow envoy Oleg Belaventsev at the Simferopol ceremony.

Crimean officials unveiled the sculpture one day ahead of Russia Day on Sunday. It shows a serviceman with a Kalashnikov, a little girl giving him flowers, and a cat rubbing against his legs.

The bronze statue celebrates the 2014 annexation of Crimea, when unmarked Russian soldiers appeared on the peninsula ahead of a vote to join Russia. Local residents dubbed them “polite people” due to their reserved demeanor.

The mostly peaceful annexation of the region served as a prelude to the violent conflict in eastern Ukraine. Some 9,400 people have died during the 26-month conflict in Ukraine.

A Russian soldier who took part in the takeover also posed for the statue in downtown Simferopol, sculptor Salavat Shcherbakov told the AFP news agency.

The cat, according to the sculptor, shows “that peaceful life has not been interrupted.”

“There was one aim: to defend people, so there was no bloodshed,” he said of the soldiers.

Crimean leader Sergey Aksyonov expressed his belief that the monument would become popular among residents and tourists.

“These soldiers have created the image of ‘polite people’ so now we have our very own Crimean brand,” he said, according to “Noviy Krim” newspaper.

Aksyonov also vowed to keep developing the brand on the peninsula.

The statue was funded by private donations, and cost around five million rubles ($76,500 or 68,000 euros) to create and install, according to the sculptor.

dj/sms (AFP, dpa, Interfax)

USA Boston: The Cardinal O’Malley honors the victims of the Armenian Genocide

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arton125322-480x320The soft sound of the duduk, the national instrument of Armenia, enveloped the Cathedral of the Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon at the start of a prayer service was held on the eve of the 101th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.

Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley led the ecumenical service which marks the first time the recognition by the Archdiocese of Boston genocide that killed 1.5 million people.

“It is so important that we do not allow the events of the genocide to slip into oblivion,” said Cardinal O’Malley, addressing nearly 800 people seated on benches.

“The one million and a half of life are not forgotten. . . . One of the fruits of their martyrdom is the accumulation of the love that unites us, “he added.

Sunday, April 24, 2016,
Stéphane © armenews.com

Armenia President honors Armenian Genocide victims (Video)

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Armenian genocid 101 Yerevan

Yerevan, commemorating 101 armenian Genocide

YEREVAN. – On Sunday morning, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and First Lady Rita Sargsyan visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial in capital city Yerevan, and paid tribute to the victims of the genocide in 1915

Also, the President laid a wreath at the monument.

Sargsyan was accompanied by Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II; world-renowned French Armenian singer, songwriter, actor, public activist, and diplomat Charles Aznavour (born Shahnour Vaghinag Aznavourian); famous actor, filmmaker, philanthropist and humanitarian George Clooney; and participants in the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity.

Clooney placed flowers at the monument.

The Catholicos, together with other clergy, recited the Lord’s Prayer.

Thousands of people—including members of the diplomatic corps, diaspora Armenians, guests and local residents—are visiting the Armenian Genocide Memorial since early morning.

On Sunday, April 24, 2016, Armenians throughout the world and advanced humanity commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; the first genocide of the 20th century.

During the First World War, the Turkish authorities accused Armenians of sympathizing with Russia and used this as a pretext to declare the entire Armenian population their enemy. Under the order of the Ottoman rulers, the mass deportation and massacre of Armenians commenced on this day in 1915.

The subsequent events that occurred until 1923 are considered by many historians as a state-backed mass murder – genocide. The death toll of this tragedy exceeds 1.5 million people; the half of all Armenians at the turn of the last century.

The Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire is formally recognized by numerous countries including Russia, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Canada, Venezuela, Argentina, and most US states. But it was first acknowledged in 1965 by Uruguay. This calamity is also recognized by the Vatican, the European Parliament, and the World Council of Churches.

 

Massachusetts governor honors victims of Armenian Genocide

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17604172-mmmainGovernor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker participated in the ceremony marking the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

House Speaker Robert DeLeo and several legislators were present at the event held at the State House, wwlp.com reported.

DeLeo said, “We must ensure that human spirit outshines inhumanity. Today’s commemoration will help us renew that commitment.”

Washington: Bono honors jailed Azerbaijani rights activist for seeking the truth (video)

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200581U2 frontman Bono delivered a speech at the Washington Oxi Day Foundation’s Fifth Annual Celebration, hailing Leyla Yunus, an Azerbaijani human rights activist who was sentenced to 8.5 years in jail for speaking out on the deplorable situation of human rights in Azerbaijan.

On 28 April 2014, Arif Yunus and his wife Leyla were detained at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport on their way to Doha, Qatar over allegation of spying for Armenia.

On August 13, 2015, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes sentenced Leyla Yunus to 8 years and 6 months in prison and her husband, Arif Yunus, to 7 years in prison.

“This is a moment to talk about peace as an action. It’s not wishful thinking. Creating peace is a gift to make as well as to receive. Azerbaijan is a beautiful country, run by an ugly dictator, who puts his own people, your people, our people behind bars for the crime of expressing an opinion and seeking justice. What a crime,” the singer noted.

Speaking about the plight of the human rights advocate who remains imprisoned in Azerbaijan, Bono said Leila wants peace and reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. She wants truth from a dictator, who loves to lie, he said.

“So, what Leila seeks should not be seen as anything other than fundamental right. And yet she is viewed as a traitor and is, as we speak, jailed. We, in this room, all know the free speech and expression are the building blocks of peace. People’s rights are still denied for so many people around the world. Leila, you are on the right side of history. Thanks for your courage,” Bono concluded, expressing hope to ever be useful to Leyla.

Astronaut, Senator and American hero, John Glenn, and the husband of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh, joined other world leaders lauding the people of Greece in their courageous fight against Hitler’s Axis Forces and the Holocaust and celebrating those who today exhibit the same kind of Oxi Day valor. This was all part of the Washington Oxi Day Foundation‘s Fifth Annual Celebration on October 28, the 75th anniversary of that historic moment that changed the trajectory of the Second World War.

Turkish city Mayor honors memory of Armenian Genocide victims

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van-cityDuring the Municipality Assembly session of the Turkish Van city, the attendees honored the memory of the victims of Armenian Genocide and Anfal campaign (slaughter of Kurds in Iraq).

At the beginning of the 3rd Municipality Assembly session, the Assembly Deputy Chairman Cahit Bozbay and press-secretary of Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Ramazan Alver made a statement on Armenian Genocide and Anfal campaign, Van city municipality official website reports.

Cahit Bozbay, the Van city Municipality Assembly Deputy Chairman, stated that they condemn the Armenian Genocide and Anfal campaign and honor the memory of the victims. In his remarks, Bozbay noted that the society should confront the past genocides and massacres. In his turn, Ramazan Alver stated that what happened to Armenians in 1915 is a human tragedy, which lies at the core of genocide. He said that DBP recognized the 1915 events as genocide, noting that the Pope’s statement was the precise definition of the events. “Although 100 years have passed, this human tragedy is still fresh, and the government is trying to paper it over,” the Democratic Regions Party press-secretary noted.