Yerevan: U.S. Embassy Helps Boost Security at Armenian Border

May 23, 2015 By administrator

U.S. Ambassador Richard M. Mills Jr. watches a presentation by Armenian Border Guard officers

YEREVAN—In a ceremony at the Armenia Border Guard headquarters, U.S. Ambassador Richard M. Mills Jr., joined by National Security Service Deputy Director Lieutenant General Arzuman Harutyunyan and Border Guard Troops Commander Major General Armen Abrahamyan, inspected equipment from the U.S. government that will assist the border guards in keeping weapons of mass destruction, biological hazards, and other threats from crossing Armenia’s borders. The equipment includes a multi-media lab that will be used in training Armenian border guards and other tools that will enhance the ability of border guards to control the flow of sensitive exports across the board and strengthen Armenia’s borders against transnational threats.

This assistance is part of the U.S. Government’s comprehensive nonproliferation programs that strengthen the ability of the Armenian Government to effectively counter transnational threats from international crime, arms smugglers, and risks from weapons of mass destruction. The United States and Armenia are working together toward common goals of democracy, security, and peace, both in Armenia and in the region.

Over the past ten years, the U.S. Embassy has partnered with various ministries and agencies to develop Armenia’s border security capacity. Leading the U.S. Embassy’s efforts in Armenia are the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) program, the Defense Threat Reduction Office (DTRO), and Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC). “Our border security cooperation is robust, and we are committed to an open door partnership with Armenia,” said Ambassador Mills during his remarks.

US Lawmakers Violated Laws, Taking Trips to Azerbaijan and Turkey

May 21, 2015 By administrator

BY HARUT SASSOUNIAN

In a lengthy article titled, “10 members of Congress took trip secretly funded by foreign government,” The Washington Post disclosed last week the scandalous details of an all-expenses paid trip to a conference in Azerbaijan by 10 lawmakers and 32 staff members in 2013. Former top aides to Pres. Obama — Robert Gibbs, Jim Messina and David Plough – also attended the conference as guest speakers.

The organizer of the international oil gathering in Baku, SOCAR, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic, funneled $750,000 through two U.S. nonprofit organizations “to conceal the source of the funding” for the trip, according to a confidential Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) report obtained by The Washington Post. Another $750,000 was contributed by British Petroleum, ConocoPhillips and KBR for airfare, hotel and gifts.

The newspaper also reported that “shortly before the May 28-29, 2013 conference, SOCAR and several large energy companies [including the National Iranian Oil Company] sought exemptions for a $28 billion natural gas pipeline in the Caspian Sea from U.S. economic sanctions being imposed on Iran.” In fact, a month before the conference, SOCAR established the nonprofit Assembly of the Friends of Azerbaijan (AFAZ) in Houston by transferring $750,000. The second nonprofit involved in the scheme, also based in Houston, was the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians (TCAE). Both nonprofits, headed by Kemal Oksuz, shared the same Houston address. Congress approved several bills sanctioning Iran, while exempting the SOCAR project. Pres. Obama then signed these bills into law.

The ten members of Congress who went on the Baku junket were: Jim Bridenstine (R-OK), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Danny Davis (D-IL), Michelle Grisham (D- NM), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Leonard Lance (R-NJ), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Ted Poe (R-TX), and Steve Stockman (R-TX).

Ethics investigators disclosed that these lawmakers, accompanied by spouses and fiancés, received several gifts, including “crystal tea sets, briefcases, silk scarves, turquoise earrings, gold-painted plates and Azerbaijani rugs…. All lawmakers received at least one rug and some got two, one prayer-size and one area rug. Many staff members also received rugs.”

To justify their illegal or improper actions, some of these lawmakers made ridiculous statements to congressional investigators:

— Cong. Davis stated that during the Baku conference he “received one rug which was delivered to his hotel room.” He said he was thinking about donating the rug to a museum or charity!

— Cong. Hinojosa claimed: “I received souvenirs of what I believed to be of minimal value and in compliance with the House Gift rule.”

— Ladan Ahmadi, spokeswoman for Rep. Meeks, stated that the Congressman “understood the rug to be a permissible courtesy gift.”

— A senior staff member of Rep. Lance told The Washington Post that the Congressman “returned the one rug he received after he got back to Washington. The staff member also said Lance received a pair of earrings and reimbursed the nonprofit group that helped organize the conference $100 immediately upon returning to New Jersey.”

— Cong. Grisham told ethics investigators that she did not disclose the rugs because she did not think they were particularly valuable. She also thought they were unattractive: “It’s not a carpet I would have purchased.”

— Cong. Bridenstine was the only lawmaker who disclosed the rugs on his financial report. “He had them appraised: the smaller rug at $2,500 and the larger at $3,500.”

Quoting from the ethics report, The Washington Post revealed that Reps. Clarke, Grisham, Hinojosa, Lance, and their staff members also “took side trips to Turkey, traveling to Istanbul, Ankara or both…. The Bosphorus Atlantic Cultural Association of Friendship and Cooperation, a Turkish nonprofit organization, covered the expenses, the report said. The lawmakers did not disclose the role of that nonprofit.”

The Office of Congressional Ethics concluded that “SOCAR and AFAZ provided gifts in the form of impermissible travel expenses to congressional travelers in violation of House rules, regulations and federal law,” while “members of Congress who traveled to Turkey accepted payment of travel expenses from impermissible sources, resulting in an impermissible gift, in violation of House rules and regulations.” Furthermore, the investigators reported that five nonprofits affiliated with the Azerbaijani government asserted that they sponsored the conference, filing sworn statements with the Ethics Committee in April and May 2013. “The five sponsoring organizations contributed no funding for the congressional travel in spite of false affirmations on the forms they submitted to the Committee on Ethics.” The Washington Post reported that these findings have been referred to the House Ethics Committee for investigation of possible violation of congressional rules and federal laws that bar foreign governments from trying to influence U.S. policy.

It is deeply troubling that members of Congress are willing to sell their souls to corrupt Azerbaijani and Turkish entities for a free rug!

10 members of US Congress took trip secretly funded by foreign government – The Washington Post

May 14, 2015 By administrator

The state-owned oil company of Azerbaijan secretly funded an all-expenses-paid trip to a conference in Baku, on the Caspian Sea, in 2013 for 10 members of Congress and 32 staff members, according to a confidential ethics report obtained by The Washington Post. Three former top aides to President Obama appeared as speakers at the event.

Lawmakers and their staff members received hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of travel expenses, silk scarves, crystal tea sets and Azerbaijani rugs valued at $2,500 to $10,000, according to the ethics report. Airfare for the lawmakers and some of their spouses cost $112,899, travel invoices show.

The State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic, known as SOCAR, allegedly funneled $750,000 through nonprofit corporations based in the United States to conceal the source of the funding for the conference in the former Soviet republic, according to the 70-page report by the Office of Congressional Ethics, an independent investigative arm of the House.

The report reflects the most extensive investigation undertaken by the ethics office, which was created seven years ago in response to a number of scandals on Capitol Hill, including lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s illegal funding of lawmakers’ trips.

The nonprofit corporations allegedly filed false statements with Congress swearing that they were sponsoring the conference. The findings have been referred to the House Ethics Committee for investigation of possible violations of congressional rules and federal laws that bar foreign governments from trying to influence U.S. policy.

SOCAR released a statement saying that its support of the conference was no secret and blaming the nonprofits for not filing the proper disclosures.

“At no time did SOCAR hide from the attendees of the conference our involvement,” the statement said. “SOCAR has never been under investigation in this matter because the responsibility for disclosing SOCAR’s financial support for the conference fell to those who were the trip’s sponsors.

Washington US Vice President Joseph Biden hosts prayer to commemorate #ArmenainGenocide victims

May 8, 2015 By administrator

United States Vice President Joseph Biden and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, joined President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, Catholicos Karekin II, and Catholicos Aram I, in a prayer service as part of the National Armenian Genocide centennial commemoration at the National Cathedral. Over two thousand Armenian Americans filled the iconic sanctuary in the solemn centennial anniversary of the first genocide of the twentieth century, Massis Post reports.

Guests and representatives of various faiths gathered for “The Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide: A Prayer for Justice and Peace” to remember those lost in the Genocide and to demonstrate gratitude for the regeneration of life for which the survivors and their saviors worked so hard.

The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, welcomed attendees to the service and the Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, delivered the homily. The interfaith ceremony was led by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia.

Also in attendance were the descendants of saviors who contributed to the survival of thousands of Armenians a century ago. During the service, they were acknowledged and praised for their human compassion and selfless bravery.

“Worshippers of all faiths long for a world of tolerance and devoid of hate and violence,” said Noubar Afeyan, Chair of the NCAGC Steering Committee, who is himself the descendant of a Genocide survivor.

Reflecting on the day’s service, the Armenian President offered his perspective:

“It was truly an honor to address the congregation at the National Cathedral,” said President Sargsyan. “Today’s ecumenical prayer demonstrated a powerful call to unite this community in the spirit of gratitude, justice and peace.”

“It is important to recognize that we must work together to forge a more peaceful future. Genocide can happen anywhere, at any time; there is no generation, religion or ethnic group that is immune—history has shown this. What happened in 1915 to the Armenian people whether we call it tragedy for geopolitical reasons or massacres, it is genocide by its very intent and means, and genocide is a crime against humanity” emphasized His Holiness Aram I during the ceremony.

“We seek to inspire a change of spirit in people—an awakening of the heart that will influence future generations. The events in Washington are a testament to our strength, 100 years after the Genocide, as we join together to promote peace, honor those lost, and protect those at risk around the world no matter their race, religion or ethnicity,” said His Holiness Karekin II.

The service is part of a series of commemorative events planned by the NCAGC to mark the 100th anniversary of the Genocide. Upcoming events include a concert at the Strathmore featuring performances by renowned Armenian musicians May 8 at 8 p.m., a Divine Liturgy at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception May 9 at 10 a.m., a banquet dinner and awards ceremony at the Marriot Marquis May 9 at 5:30 p.m., and various other exhibitions and cultural events.

Turkey not a state for Russia, United States to establish friendship with – Ara Papyan

April 28, 2015 By administrator

In an interview with Tert.am Head of the Modus Vivendi center Ara Papyan commented on the fact that Turkish President Recep Erdogan reminded his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of the Crimea.

He noted that Turkey does not forgive when someone treads on its foot, whereas “but for Russian Bolsheviks, Turkey would certainly not have its present-day borders.”

As regards recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Mr Papyan said that Turkey is more afraid of its own society. Report tert.am

“If they do, with half of Turkey’s population not considering themselves Turks, the other half will develop a complex, and Turkey may prove unable to stand the blow,” he said.

The Turkish president stated that, before speaking of the Armenian Genocide, Russia should recall its actions in the Crimea and Ukraine.

“In Turkey’s policy we see attempts to draw parallels and comparisons. Their being right or wrong does not make Turkey’s guilt less serious. The issue of the Crimea is entirely different than the Armenian Genocide. Erdogan and Turkey have given different hints about other acts of genocide, telling Americans that they had exterminated Indians. This is evidence of Turkey’s policy being not serious. And both Russia and the United States should draw conclusions, namely, Turkey is not a state they can establish friendship with. Turkey is not a reliable partner. Let us compare what Russia did to us and to them – both good and bad. The reason for the loss of Armenian statehood and territory in 1920-1922 was Russians supplies of weapons and gold to Kemalists. And but for Russian Bolsheviks, Turkey would certainly not have its present-day borders, whereas Armenia’s territory would be much larger. However, since we have common strategic interests, we forgive many things. But we can see Turkey’s reaction. The only thing Putin did is that he arrived in Armenia and did not even use the word ‘genocide’ in his official speech.”

Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian stated that Turkey’s accusations against Russia, Germany, France and the Vatican do not at all prove that all of them are “bad.” Turkey must be well aware of the situation it is in now.

“I think that statements by President Erdogan and others are intended for the domestic audience… Admitting the Armenian Genocide is much more dangerous in terms of shaking Turkey inside. If they do, with half of Turkey’s population not considering themselves Turks, the other half will develop a complex, and Turkey may prove unable to stand the blow.”

U.S Armenian goes on hunger strike in front of White House “OBAMA KEEP YOUR PROMISE”

April 28, 2015 By administrator

US Armenian Davit Mnatsakanyan, founder and director of the United Armenia and the Global Education and Research Alliance (GERA) companies has gone on hunger strike in front of the President’s official residence since Friday. Davit Manatsakanyan told Armenian News – NEWS.am that he is on hunger strike over the 100the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

“Before his election President Barack Obama stated he would acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, but he hasn’t done this so far. That’s why I decided to go on hunger strike in front of the White House, bringing the public attention to that question,” Mnatsakanyan said.

His hunger strike will last till May 1-2. During these days Mnatsakanyan has been approached and supported by many Armenians and Iranians. “There were also five Turks who came up to me; one of them tried to use violence, but nothing will stop me. I’m continuing the hunger strike,” Mnatsakanyan said.

In his hand Mnatsakanyan holds a banner with an Armenian flag and the inscription ‘Obama keep your promise and recognize Armenian Genocide.’

U.S. Senators introduce Armenian Genocide centennial resolution

April 20, 2015 By administrator

On the heels of Pope Francis’ historic statement reaffirming the Armenian Genocide and the European Parliament’s overwhelming condemnation of that crime last week, Senators Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Barbara Boxer (D-Ill.), and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) introduced legislation seeking durable Armenian-Turkish relations based on Turkey’s “full acknowledgment” of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The bipartisan legislation is being launched on the eve of President Barack Obama’s anticipated April 24 statement, widely viewed as a watershed moment in terms of U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide.

The measure praises the Pontiff for describing “the atrocities perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks against the Armenians as the first genocide of the 20th Century.” It is nearly identical to one introduced in April 2014—with the addition of language regarding the Pope’s reaffirmation. A revised version of the resolution was adopted by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, by a 12 to 5 vote last year.

“The Pope’s inspirational call to conscience—reflected in today’s Armenian Genocide legislation and reinforced by calls from all corners of American civil society—shines a welcome spotlight on the clear choice before President Obama on April 24. With the world watching during this solemn Centennial, President Obama needs to decide. He can speak the truth, and establish a legacy of principled American leadership against genocide; or, he can cave in to Ankara’s threats, allowing the Turkish government to tighten the gag-rule it so publicly enforces on the U.S. government,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

“We join with our community and all our genocide-prevention coalition partners in supporting the principled leadership of Senators Menendez, Kirk, Boxer and Gardner. We are particularly encouraged that this forward-looking measure urges President Obama to seek an enduring improvement in Armenian-Turkish relations through the only principled and practical path, Ankara’s full acknowledgement and honest reckoning with this still unpunished crime,” said Hamparian.

Lead sponsors—Menendez, Kirk, Boxer, and Gardner—cited the importance of a clear U.S. policy reaffirming the Armenian Genocide.

“One hundred years ago, 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children were killed by Ottoman Turks during the Armenian Genocide,” Sen. Menendez said. “It is past time for this atrocity to be recognized for what it was: a targeted ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population. This Resolution makes clear that it is unacceptable to deny the facts and history of the Armenian Genocide and continue to silence the voices of those who perished. As the world gathers to commemorate the centenary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, the United States must commit itself to recognizing the full meaning, magnitude and history of this genocide in order to both honor the innocent victims and prevent similar tragedies from happening again,” he said.

“100 years is far too long not to call the murder of 1.5 million Armenians what it was: genocide,” said Kirk. “In April 1915 during the beginning of WWI, the Ottoman Turks systematically killed 1.5 million Armenians and forced many others to flee their homeland. It is long past time that the United States recognize it as a genocide and honor the victims, those who survived and ensure atrocities such as this never happen again.”

“This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide—an unspeakable tragedy that has left a dark stain on the collective conscience of the world,” Boxer said. “More than 20 countries, 43 U.S. states and Pope Francis have unequivocally affirmed the Armenian Genocide and it is time for the United States to join them.”

“This year marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of one of the greatest crimes against humanity of the 20th century, the Armenian Genocide,” said Gardner. “The lives of as many as 1.5 million men, women, and children were brutally ended, leaving lasting scars on the families and communities affected. This resolution honors the memory of those who were killed, and helps us resolve anew to never allow such an event to occur again.”

A parallel measure (H.Res.154), the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives spearheaded by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Robert Dold (D-Ill.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), and David Valadao (R-Calif.).

Obama to Appoint US Delegation to Armenian Genocide Commemorations

April 14, 2015 By administrator

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—The United States of America will be officially represented on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan at the Dzidzernagapert Memorial with members of a delegation who will be appointed by the U.S. President Barack Obama, the American Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills announced Monday.

“Along with Armenia, the United States mourn the victims of the massacres and deportation of about 1.5 million Armenians during the last years of the Ottoman Empire,” Ambassador Mills said in a statement. “We should never forget this tragedy and should keep bright the memory of those, who gave their lives.”

‘We expect US federal authorities’ position on recognition of Armenian Genocide’ – Artak Zakaryan

April 5, 2015 By administrator

In an interview with Tert.am, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Parliament of Armenia, Artak Zakaryan particularly spoke of last week’s events involving the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

The House of Representatives of Georgia, USA, declared April 24 Remembrance Day for Armenian Genocide victims. Moreover, Hawaii’s State Senate last week unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide and declaring April 24 as a day of remembrance and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. Does it mean that the USA may officially recognize the Armenian Genocide?

“We appreciate the attitude each US state showed to the Armenian Genocide. All of them have made essential contribution to the struggle against crimes against humanity. We continue expecting the US federal authorities’ official position on the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. It would be the American people’s unanimous say for panhuman values and restoration of justice. It would be great moral support to the Armenian people, as well as a solid legal basis for struggling against denial of genocides to prevent further genocides.

“We expect the United States to recognize the fact of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey in 1915-1923, in the foreseeable future – just as more than twenty states have done. Fifteen US Senators, both Republicans and Democrats, addressed a letter to US President Barack Obama, calling on him to recognize the Armenian Genocide and pay respects to victims.

“We are well aware of the role of US-Turkey relations, just as many states consider their relations with Turkey important. However, there are values that must not be in conflict with interests. Otherwise, new Talaats, Kemals, Hitlers will be born and the human history will once again feel the shame of genocide.”

Turkish authorities attempt to prevent U.S. passage of Genocide resolution

March 25, 2015 By administrator

Turkish Parliament Speaker Jemil Cicek arrived Tuesday, March 24 in Washington in a bid to prevent passage by U.S. lawmakers of a resolution condemning Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire, ARKA said citing Hurriyet.

The draft resolution was proposed last week by four Republican and Democrat congressmen, who believe the resolution, if adopted, would improve relations between Armenia and the United States through admission of the fact of the Genocide by Turkey.

The resolution is supported by 46 congressmen. Attempts to pass similar resolutions in the Congress have repeatedly failed before.

Cicek met with Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John Boehner and other congressmen.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavushoglu is expected to travel to the United States in April, RIA Novosti reports.

ARKA. Turkish parliament speaker persuading US congressmen to vote down resolution on Armenian genocide