Photo surfaces of Baghdadi’s ‘slain’ ISIS aide

November 10, 2014 By administrator

Sources told Al Arabiya News Channel Saturday that Baghdadi (R) was ‘critically wounded’ and his close aide, Abu Suja (L), was killed. (Photo courtesy: The Telegraph/Reuters)

An image of the close aide of ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, believed to have been killed in a U.S.-led air strike on a convoy of militants in Iraq, was revealed on Sunday.

The aide Auf Abdulrahman Elefery, who went by the code name Abu Suja, was reportedly killed after the strike, which targeted the western Iraqi border town of al-Qaim, tribal sources told Al Arabiya News Channel on Saturday.

The fate of Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria militant group, remains unclear following reports stating he had been critically injured in the strike.

“He [Abu Suja] and Baghdadi were rarely separate. It’s for this reason that it could be possible that Baghdadi was with him [at the time of the attack],” Hisham al-Hashimi, an Iraqi security strategist, told The Telegraph, which posted the image of Abu Suja.

Iraqi officials said Sunday Baghdadi was wounded in an air strike over the weekend, the Associated Press reported.

Pentagon officials, however, said they had no immediate information on such a strike or Baghdadi being wounded, the agency said.

Both Iraq’s Defense and Interior Ministries issued statements saying Baghdadi had been wounded, without elaborating, the AP reported.

On Saturday, tribal sources told Al Arabiya News Channel that Baghdadi was “critically wounded” when an air strike targeted the western Iraqi border town of al-Qaim. They said other senior ISIS members were killed in the air strike that targeted a gathering of ISIS leaders.

The Associated Press on Sunday quoted an Iraqi Interior Ministry intelligence official as saying the strike happened early Saturday in the town which is located in Iraq’s Anbar province.

The official, citing informants within the militant group, said the strikes wounded Baghdadi, AP reported.

A senior Iraqi military official also said he learned in operational meetings that Baghdadi had been wounded, the agency also said.

Neither knew the extent of Baghdadi’s apparent injuries.

Both officials said the operation was carried out by Iraqi security forces. Neither knew the extent of Baghdadi’s apparent injuries

US air strike on Islamic State convoy killed leader’s key aide

November 9, 2014 By administrator

US unable to confirm if Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi among casualties, amid warning that Isis leadership would regenerate

A key aide to the leader of Islamic State (Isis) was killed in a US strike on a convoy near the Iraqi city of Mosul that destroyed 10 vehicles carrying a number of the group’s top militants.

Abdul Rahman al-Athaee, also known as Abu Saja, is known to have died in the attack on Friday. A key aide to the Isis leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, he travelled frequently with the group’s top leadership.

Colonel Patrick Ryder, a spokesman at US central command, said on Saturday: “I can confirm that coalition aircraft did conduct a series of air strikes yesterday evening [Friday] in Iraq against what was assessed to be a gathering of Isil [Isis] leaders near Mosul. We cannot confirm if Isil leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was among those present.”

Iraqi officials were also unable to confirm whether Baghdadi was among the 50 casualties. Isis did not immediately issue any statement on the strikes.

The news came as Britain’s chief of the defence staff, General Sir Nick Houghton, warned on Sunday that the Isis leadership would regenerate itself even if Baghdadi had been killed.

In a sign that the UK believed there was a strong chance Baghdadi died in the air strikes, Houghton spoke of “potential death” as he said it would take some days for the US to confirm whether the Isis leader was alive or not.

Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show on BBC1, the general said: “I can’t absolutely confirm that al-Baghdadi has died. Even the Americans themselves are not yet in a position to do that. Probably it will take some days to have absolute confirmation.”

But Houghton warned that Isis would fight back if its leader had been killed. He said: “What I wouldn’t want to do is rush to the sense that the potential death of one of their totemic leaders is going to create some strategic reverse within Isis. They will regenerate leadership … because of the current potential attractiveness of this warped ideology. Unless we get the political dimension of the strategy in place then Isis has the potential to keep regenerating and certainly regenerating its leaders.

“In Iraq what is needed is government of national unity, inclusive government, so that all the ethnic dimensions of Iraq are combined. This is where the [Nouri] al-Maliki government got it horribly wrong.”

He added that it was important Maliki administration had been removed and that the Haider al-Abadi government – “which, in its early days is promising to be inclusive” – had support.

Baghdadi, who was said to keep a low profile even among his own armed supporters, made a rare public appearance at a mosque in Mosul in July in which he declared himself the leader of the new caliphate.

A US-led coalition has been launching air strikes on Isis militants and facilities in Iraq and Syria for months as part of an effort to give Iraqi forces the time and space to mount a more effective offensive.

The Pentagon announced on Friday that 1,500 additional US troops would boost the 1,600 military advisers that were already in Iraq to assist the country’s army.

Barack Obama also plans to request $5.6bn (£3.5bn) from Congress, including $1.6bn to be used to train and arm Iraqi forces.

US Elections: Over 95% Of ANCA Endorsed Candidates Win in Tuesday’s Election

November 6, 2014 By administrator

2014 Elections Bring Sweeping Victories for ANCA-WR Endorsed Candidates
WASHINGTON, GLENDALE—Months of intensive voter registration efforts and grassroots campaigning contributed to lead to significant Congressional victories for pro-Armenian American issues candidates during Tuesday’s mid-term elections, with over 95% of Armenian National Committee of America endorsed candidates being elected to office.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) also welcomed the results of the 2014 General Election, with over 90 percent of its endorsed candidates — both new and old friends – triumphant in their races.

Congressional Races
Top winners in Tuesday’s elections included Bob Dold (R-IL), a former Republican Vice-Chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, who won one of the most closely contested U.S. House races in the country.

“It’s always gratifying for the ANCA to empower Armenian American voters, especially during highly competitive election seasons like this, when our efforts contribute meaningfully to the victory of so many Congressional friends,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “While we’re certainly proud that our nation-wide electoral participation this season hit an all-time high-water mark, we’re already planning to top this unprecedented effort during the coming 2016 election cycle.”

Among other wins in competitive races were those by Congressman Michael Grimm (R-NY), the current Co-Chairman of the Armenian Caucus, who won by 13% in a high profile campaign; and David Valadao (R-CA), the co-author of the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, with a convincing 18 point victory in a race that was rated a toss-up earlier in the election cycle. Congressman Jim Costa’s (D-CA) race for reelection was still too close to call, as were those contested by three other candidates endorsed by the ANCA: Mike Honda (D-CA), Peter Aguilar (D-CA), and Raul Ruiz (D-CA).

Other high-profile victories by ANCA-endorsed candidates included those by David Brat (R-VA), who will take the Richmond U.S. House seat formerly held by Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). U.S. Representative Gary Peters (D-MI), an ANCA-backed candidate, won a seat in the Senate.

Both Americans of Armenian heritage who serve in the U.S. Congress, Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA), won reelection, with a host of Armenian American state and local candidates following suit, including: Assemblymembers Adrin Nazarian and Katcho Achadjian, who won reelection to the California State Assembly; Assemblymember Katherine Kazarian who won reelection in Rhode Island; Scott Avedisian who was re-elected Mayor of Warwick, RI; and Richelle Noroyan, who secured a seat on the Santa Cruz, CA City Council.

An ANCA Election Day on-line poll found that 73% of respondents believe that Armenian American voters are willing to cross U.S. party lines to support pro-Armenian candidates, results that are consistent with feedback from previous election cycles.

Western Region Races
“We welcome the re-election of statewide friends Governor Jerry Brown, Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Kamala Harris and State Superintendent Tom Torlakson,” stated ANCA-WR Chair, Nora Hovsepian. “We’re also excited to see that Alex Padilla, John Chiang, and Betty Yee were successful in their races for new political office. They have all been supportive of the Armenian-American community in California and we look forward to building upon our relationship in their new term.”

While mid-term elections experienced record low voter turnout, Armenian-American participation was at an all-time high. Leading up to Election Day, the ANCA Western Region through its Hye Votes initiative, organized on the ground voter registration and Get-Out-the-Vote efforts that included a heavy field program, phone banking, direct mail, and voter education and mobilization through various media platforms. On Election Day, volunteers young and old, hit the ground running in key precincts, providing rides and guiding voters to ensure a high voter turnout.

“Building on our previous successes of registering thousands upon thousands of Armenian-Americans to vote, the ANCA-WR, in early 2014, expanded the program to key areas through the State of California, to register and engage community members in the electoral process,” commented ANCA-WR Executive Director, Elen Asatryan. “This unprecedented turnout was due to months of voter registration and on the ground efforts to make our community’s collective voice heard at the ballot box. We are grateful to all the community organizations and volunteers who aided in our efforts and look forward to doing the same for the 2015 and 2016 election cycles,” added Asatryan.

Learn about the ANCA WR Hye Votes initiative.

The ANCA-WR hailed the re-election of incumbents and freshman candidates alike to both houses of the California legislature. For the California Senate race, this year’s ANCA-WR legislator of the year, President Pro Tempore Kevin de Leon enjoyed a sweeping win in his district, which encompasses Little Armenia and Silver Lake. He will be joined by freshman members Robert Hertzberg (D-18), Tony Mendoza (D-32), and Ben Allen (D-26). The ANCA-WR regrets that candidate Jose Solorio was not able to win his seat, but wishes him good luck in his future political endeavors. In the State Assembly 11 of 13 candidates won their elections, ten being re-elected to their seats, while Mike Gipson will be a member of the freshman class. State Assemblyman Ian Calderon(D-57), a very close friend to the Armenian community in the San Gabriel Valley and this year’s author of AJR 41, a resolution recognizing the powerful work of the Near East Relief, received strong support from his community and was able to win re-election after a very low turnout primary election left him in second place.

Finally, in the County of Los Angeles, all but one of the Western Region’s endorsed candidates enjoyed overwhelming support from voters. Sheriff elect-Jim McDonnell, enjoyed the support of the ANCA-WR early on in the general election, having met with the leadership and participated in a town hall hosted by the organization at Woodbury University. LA Supervisor Elect Hilda Solis won her election during the primary, as she received over 51% of the total vote. In the County of Los Angeles, when a candidate receives over 51% they officially win their election. Jeffrey Prang also won his bid for LA County Supervisor. Regrettably, ANCA-WR endorsed candidate Bobby Shriver was not successful in his race for the third district supervisor’s seat. He was up against former state lawmaker, Sheila Kuehl in a much contested battle for this open seat. The ANCA-WR congratulates Ms. Kuehl and looks forward to a positive working relationship during her tenure as supervisor. Likewise, we wish Mr. Shriver success in his political career.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

A complete listing of ANCA-WR Endorsed Candidates and their election results are provided below.

**Ordered by State, then by Administration, Senate and House District
**Names are listed as follows: Name, Position (Party)

Arizona
Doug Ducey, Governor – ELECTED
Michele Reagan, Secretary of State – ELECTED

California Administration
Edmund “Jerry” Brown, Governor- ELECTED
Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor – ELECTED
Alex Padilla, Secretary of State- ELECTED
Betty Yee, State Controller- ELECTED
John Chiang, State Treasurer- ELECTED
Kamala Harris, Attorney General – ELECTED
Tom Torlakson, Superintendent of Public Instruction- ELECTED

Senate
Tom Berryhill (R-14) – ELECTED
Robert Hertzberg (D-18) – ELECTED
Kevin De Leon (D-22) – ELECTED
Ben Allen (D-26) – ELECTED
Tony Mendoza (D-32) – ELECTED
Jose Solorio (D-34) – NOT ELECTED

Assembly
Kristin Olsen (R-12) – ELECTED
Jim Patterson (R-23) – ELECTED
Katcho Achadjian (R-35) – ELECTED
Scott Wilk (D-33) – ELECTED
Steve Fox (D-36) – NOT ELECTED
Chris Holden (D-41) – ELECTED
Mike Gatto (D-43) – ELECTED
Matt Dababneh (D-45) – ELECTED
Adrin Nazarian (D-46) – ELECTED
Cheryl Brown (D-47) – ELECTED
Ian Calderon (D-57) – ELECTED
Mike Gipson (D-64) – ELECTED
Al Muratsuchi (D-66) – NOT ELECTED

Los Angeles County
Bobby Shriver, District Three Supervisor – NOT ELECTED
Jim McDonnel, Sheriff – ELECTED
Hilda Solis, District 1 Supervisor – ELECTED in the Primary over 51%
Jeffrey Prang, Assessor- ELECTED

ANCA 2014 Congressional Endorsements and Election Results
** Ordered by State, then by Senate and House District
** Names are listed as follows: District Name (Party)

Arizona
3 Raul Grijalva (D) — elected

California
1 Doug LaMalfa (R) — elected
6 Doris Matsui (D) — elected
10 Jeff Denham (R) — elected
11 Mark DeSaulnier (D) — elected
12 Nancy Pelosi (D) — elected
13 Barbara Lee (D) — elected
14 Jackie Speier (D) — elected
16 Jim Costa (D) — too close to call
17 Michael Honda (D) — too close to call
18 Anna Eshoo (D) — elected
19 Zoe Lofgren (D) — elected
21 David Valadao (R) — elected
22 Devin Nunes (R) — elected
23 Kevin McCarthy (R) — elected
25 Steve Knight (R) — elected
27 Judy Chu (D) — elected
28 Adam Schiff (D) — elected
29 Tony Cardenas (D) — elected
30 Brad Sherman (D) — elected
31 Pete Aguilar (D) — too close to call
32 Grace Napolitano (D) — elected
33 Ted Lieu (D) — elected
35 Norma Torres (D) — elected
36 Raul Ruiz (D) — too close to call
38 Linda Sanchez (D) — elected
39 Edward Royce (R) — elected
44 Janice Hahn (D) — elected
46 Loretta Sanchez (D) — elected
47 Alan Lowenthal (D) — elected
48 Dana Rohrabacher (R) — elected

Colorado
2 Jared Polis (D) — elected
5 Douglas Lamborn (R) — elected
6 Andrew Romanoff (D) — defeated
7 Edwin Perlmutter (D) — elected

Connecticut
2 Joe Courtney (D) — elected

Delaware
Sen. Chris Coons (D) — elected

Florida
11 Richard Nugent (R) — elected
12 Gus Bilirakis (R) — elected
22 Lois Frankel (D) — elected

Illinois
Sen. Richard Durbin (D) — elected
3 Daniel Lipinski (D) — elected
7 Danny Davis (D) — elected
9 Janice Schakowsky (D) — elected
10 Robert Dold (R) — elected
18 Aaron Schock (R) — elected

Iowa
Rep. Bruce Braley (D) for Senate — defeated

Kentucky
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) — elected

Maryland
3 John Sarbanes (D) — elected
5 Steny Hoyer (D) — elected
8 Christopher Van Hollen (D) — elected

Massachusetts
Sen. Edward Markey (D) — elected
2 James McGovern (D) — elected
3 Niki Tsongas (D) — elected
4 Joe Kennedy (D) — elected
5 Katherine Clark (D) — elected
7 Michael Capuano (D) — elected
8 Stephen Lynch (D) — elected

Michigan
Rep. Gary Peters (D) for Senate — elected
9 Sander Levin (D) — elected
11 David Trott (R) — elected
13 John Conyers (D) — elected

Minnesota
7 Collin Peterson (D) — elected

Missouri
4 Vicky Hartzler (R) — elected

Nebraska
1 Jeff Fortenberry (R) — elected

Nevada
1 Dina Titus (D) — elected

New Jersey
3 Tom MacArthur (R) — elected
4 Christopher Smith (R) — elected
5 Scott Garrett (R) — elected
6 Frank Pallone (D) — elected
8 Albio Sires (D) — elected

New Mexico
Sen. Tom Udall (D) — elected

New York
1 Tim Bishop (D) — defeated
3 Steve Israel (D) — elected
6 Grace Meng (D) — elected
11 Michael Grimm (R) — elected
12 Carolyn Maloney (D) — elected
14 Joseph Crowley (D) — elected
16 Eliot Engel (D) — elected
17 Nita Lowey (D) — elected
27 Chris Collins (R) — elected

Pennsylvania
2 Chaka Fattah (D) — elected
7 Patrick Meehan (R) — elected

Rhode Island
Sen. Jack Reed (D) — elected
1 David Cicilline (D) — elected
2 James Langevin (D) — elected

Texas
2 Ted Poe (R) — elected

Virginia
7 Dave Brat (R) — elected

United State threatens Turkish and Kurdish middlemen in ISIS oil bonanza

October 23, 2014 By administrator

By James Reinl
US Treasury Undersecretary David Cohen. Photo: AFP.

NEW YORK – A US treasury official has warned Turkish and Kurdish middlemen against trading in Islamic State (ISIS) oil by threatening to slap US sanctions on those caught dealing with the extremist group. report Rudaw

US officials have discreetly criticised the illicit Turkish and Kurdish trade in oil from ISIS, which is also known as IS and ISIL, but comments from US Treasury Undersecretary David Cohen in Washington on Thursday, were the clearest warning so far.

“Last month, ISIL was selling oil at substantially discounted prices to a variety of middlemen, including some from Turkey,” Cohen said. “It also appears that some of the oil emanating from territory where ISIL operates has been sold to Kurds in Iraq, and then resold into Turkey.”

A US-led coalition began launching air strikes on ISIS in Iraq in August and Syria in September, including on ISIS-run oilfields and refineries – bringing crude production down to 20,000 barrels a day, less than a third of what it was last summer, the International Energy Agency said.

“Airstrikes on ISIL oil refineries are threatening ISIL’s supply networks and depriving it of fuel to sell or use itself,” Cohen added. “Our partners in the region, including Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government, are committed to preventing ISIL-derived oil from crossing their borders.”

Speaking at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Cohen threatened sanctions against anyone buying oil from ISIS. He said that ISIS funding from oil sales, ransoms, extortion and other criminal activities were difficult revenue streams to stop.

“With the important exception of some state-sponsored terrorist organizations, ISIL is probably the best-funded terrorist organization we have confronted,” Cohen said. “We have no silver bullet, no secret weapon to empty ISIL’s coffers overnight.”

US-led airstrikes continued against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria on Thursday, part of a strategy by US President Barack Obama’s to “degrade and destroy” the group that has been criticised for its limited military firepower and lacklustre political support.

On Wednesday, a survey by Pew Research Center found that most Americans say the US military effort against ISIS is not going well, while just 30 per cent of those surveyed said the US and its allies have a “clear goal” in taking military action.

Kobani: US drops weapons to Kurds in Syria

October 20, 2014 By administrator

Kobani air drops likely to anger Turkish government, which opposes sending arms to Kurdish rebels in Syria,

Associated Press

kobani-map — Smoke rises following a strike in Kobani, Syria, during fighting between Syrian Kurds and Islamic State militants. Photograph: Lefteris Pitarakis/AP

The US military says it has airdropped weapons, ammunition and medical supplies to Kurdish forces defending the Syrian city of Kobani against Islamic State militants.

The air drops on Sunday were the first of their kind and followed weeks of US and coalition air strikes in and near Kobani, near the Turkish border. The US earlier said it had launched 11 air strikes overnight in the Kobani area.

Meanwhile Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday that Turkey was facilitating the passage of Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga fighters to Kobani. Cavusoglu did not provide details on the transfer of the fighters.

In a statement on Sunday night, US Central Command said US C-130 cargo planes made multiple drops of arms and supplies provided by Kurdish authorities in Iraq. It said they were intended to enable continued resistance to Islamic State efforts to take full control of Kobani.

The air drops are almost certain to anger the Turkish government, which has said it would oppose any US arms transfers to the Kurdish rebels in Syria. Turkey views the main Kurdish group in Syria as an extension of the Turkish Kurd group known as the PKK, which has waged a 30-year insurgency in Turkey and is designated a terror group by the US and by Nato.

Senior US administration officials said three C-130 planes dropped 27 bundles of small arms, ammunition and medical supplies. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House.

One official said that while the results of the mission were still being assessed, it appeared that “the vast majority” of the supplies reached the intended Kurdish fighters.

The official also said the C-130s encountered no resistance from the ground in Syria during their flights in and out of Syrian airspace.

In a written statement, Central Command said its forces had conducted more than 135 air strikes against Islamic State forces in Kobani.

Central Command said: “Combined with continued resistance to Isil on the ground, indications are that these strikes have slowed Isil advances into the city, killed hundreds of their fighters and destroyed or damaged scores of pieces of Isil combat equipment and fighting positions.”

Turkey would oppose US arms transfers to Kurds

October 19, 2014 By administrator

By ELENA BECATOROS and SUZAN FRASER

SURUC, Turkey (AP) — Turkey would not agree to any U.S. arms transfers to Kurdish fighters who are battling Islamic militants in Syria, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying Sunday, as the extremist group fired more mortar rounds near the Syrian-Turkish border.

Turkey views the main Syrian Kurdish group, the PYD — and its military wing which is fighting the Islamic State militants — as an extension of the PKK, which has waged a 30-year insurgency in Turkey and is designated a terrorist group by the United States and NATO.

The United States has said recently that it has engaged in intelligence sharing with Kurdish fighters and officials have not ruled out future arms transfers to the Kurdish fighters.

“The PYD is for us, equal to the PKK. It is a terror organization,” Erdogan told a group of reporters on his return from a visit to Afghanistan.

“It would be wrong for the United States — with whom we are friends and allies in NATO — to expect us to say ‘yes’ to such a support to a terrorist organization,” Erdogan said. His comments were reported by the state-run Anadolu agency on Sunday.

Turkey’s opposition to arms transfers to the Kurdish forces is hampering the U.S.-led coalitions’ efforts to fight the extremists and further complicating relations between Turkey and the United States. The countries are involved in negotiations about Ankara’s role with the U.S. and NATO allies fighting the Islamic State group, which is attempting to capture the strategic town Kobani on the Syrian-Turkish border.

Turkey is demanded that the coalition widen its campaign against the militants by providing greater aid to Syrian rebels, who are battling both the IS and President Bashar Assad’s forces. Turkey has so far provided sanctuary to an estimated 200,000 Syrians fleeing Kobani, and recently agreed to train and equip moderate Syrian rebel fighters trying to remove Assad from power.

Fighting between the Islamic militants and the Kurdish fighters defending Kobani continued on Sunday. Mortar strikes hit the town, sending plumes of smoke into the air. Three mortars also fell on the Turkish side of the border, landing in an open field where they caused no injuries. On Saturday and Sunday, IS appeared to be targeting the border crossing area, potentially in a bid to hamper Kobani’s last link to the outside world.

In an attempt to stave off the advance, a US-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes on IS positions in and near the town, as well as in other parts of Syria, particularly in the oil-rich eastern province of Deir el-Zour, as well as in Iraq. Several airstrikes hit Kobani on Saturday evening.

The flow of migrants into Turkey has intensified since IS intensified its push to take Kobani and cut access for Kurdish fighters to other areas of Syria they control.

The United Nations’ humanitarian chief, Valerie Amos, visited one of the refugee camps set up in a school in the Turkish border town of Suruc.

While 900,000 people have been registered as refugees in Turkey since the Syrian crisis began four years ago, “the reality is that the numbers are nearer to 1.6 million,” Amos said.

“Of course countries have concerns about security, and about the impact on their economies and on essential services like health and education. But it’s also a crisis with a huge human impact,” she said. “The international community has to continue to do all it can to find a political solution to this crisis.”

LOS ANGELES, ANCA-WR Announces 2014 General Election Endorsements

October 15, 2014 By administrator

LOS ANGELES—The Armenian National Committee of America Western Region announced its 2014 General Election endorsements, helping Armenian Americans demonstrate their electoral strength to those federal, state, and local candidates who have proven their ability and intention to best serve the communities they will represent.

“It is our mission to continue to empower Armenian American voters to cast informed votes at the ballot box on November 4,” remarked ANCA-WR Chair, Nora Hovsepian. “These endorsements are largely based on candidates’ responses to our questionnaires, detailed in-person interviews, and our conclusion that the endorsed candidates are in the best position and have shown the greatest commitment toward supporting issues important to the Armenian American community.”

Armenian American voters across the United States are urged to exercise their right to vote in the General Election on November 4th and lend their support to the candidates who have been steadfast advocates of the Armenian Cause. Many of the elections taking place are going to be won by a very slim margin. It is imperative that every eligible citizen cast his or her vote in this General Election. The ANCA-WR seeks to maximize the value of each individual vote and launched the Hye Votes initiative in 2012 toward that goal, registering thousands of new voters and encouraging all voters to cast their timely ballots. Today, its dedicated team of volunteers and coalition partners are still working tirelessly to ensure high voter turnout among the Armenian-American community.

The 2014 General Election will take place on November 4, 2014. In order to vote, you must be registered. The ANCA-WR urges community members who are U.S. citizens and over the age of 18 not yet registered to vote, to register by the October 20, 2014 deadline. To register to vote online, request a vote by mail ballot or obtain additional information, contact ANCA WR Hye Votes office at (818) 806-8683, or check visit www.hyevotes.org.

The ANCA WR’s list of endorsements include:

California Statewide Races
Jerry Brown (D) Governor
Gavin Newsom (D) Lieutenant Governor
Alex Padila (D) Secretary of State
John Chiang (D) State Treasurer
Kamala Harris (D) Attorney General
Betty Yee (D) State Controller
Tom Torlakson (D) Superintendent of Public Instruction

California State Senate
Kevin De Leon (D – 22) Chinatown, Eagle Rock, East Hollywood, East Los Angeles, Little Armenia
Robert Hertzberg (D – 18) Pacoima, Sylmar, Toluca Lake, Sherman Oaks, Sun Valley, Van Nuys
Tony Mendoza (D – 32) Downey, Montebello, Norwalk, Pico Rivera
Jose Solorio (D – 34) Anaheim, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Santa Ana

California State Assembly
Katcho Achadjian (R – 35) San Luis Obispo
Cheryl Brown (D – 47) Fontana, Rialto, San Bernardino
Ian Calderon (D – 57) Hacienda Heights, La Mirada, Whittier
Matt Dababneh (D – 45) Calabasas, Canoga Park, Encino, Northridge, Reseda, Woodland Hills
Steve Fox (D – 36) Lancaster, Palmdale
Mike Gatto (D-43) Hollywood, Glendale, Burbank, Silverlake
Chris Holden (D – 41) Pasadena, San Dimas
Al Murasachi (D-66) Torrance
Adrin Nazarian (D – 46) Hollywood Hills, Panorama City, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys
Kristen Olsen (R – 12) Stockton, Tracy
Jim Patterson (R – 23) Fresno
Scott Wilk (R – 38) Santa Clara

Los Angeles County Races
Bobby Shirver (D) LA County Supervisor-3 (Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Van Nuys)
Hilda Solis (D) for LA County Supervisor-1 (Downtown LA, Montebello, Pico Rivera)
Jim McDonnell for LA County Sheriff
Jeffrey Prang for LA County Assessor

Arizona Statewide Endorsements
Doug Ducey ( R ) for Governor
Michele Reagan ( R ) for Secretary of State

The ANCA federal level endorsements will be released in the coming week. Endorsements are based primarily on ANCA Congressional Report Cards, a detailed review of each incumbent’s record across a broad range of Armenian American issues. Report Cards, prepared in consultation with regional leaders and local ANCA chapters across the country, cover issues ranging from securing justice for the Armenian Genocide and the strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations to defending Nagorno Karabakh’s independence, and increasing U.S. aid and trade levels. Review the ANCA report cards.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Turkish Inaction on ISIS Advance Dismays the U.S. Report NYT

October 8, 2014 By administrator

By MARK LANDLER, ANNE BARNARD and ERIC SCHMITTOCT. 7, 2014

NYT

WASHINGTON — As fighters with the Islamic State bore down Tuesday on the Syrian town of Kobani on the Turkish border, President Obama’s plan to fight the militant group without being drawn deeper into the Syrian civil war was coming under acute strain.

While Turkish troops watched the fighting in Kobani through a chicken-wire fence, Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said that the town was about to fall and Kurdish fighters warned of an impending blood bath if they were not reinforced — fears the United States shares.

But Mr. Erdogan said Tuesday that Turkey would not get more deeply involved in the conflict with the Islamic State unless the United States agreed to give greater support to rebels trying to unseat the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad. That has deepened tensions with President Obama, who would like Turkey to take stronger action against the Islamic State and to leave the fight against Mr. Assad out of it.

Even as it stepped up airstrikes against the militants Tuesday, the Obama administration was frustrated by what it regards as Turkey’s excuses for not doing more militarily. Officials note, for example, that the American-led coalition, with its heavy rotation of flights and airstrikes, has effectively imposed a no-fly zone over northern Syria already, so Mr. Erdogan’s demand for such a zone rings hollow.

“There’s growing angst about Turkey dragging its feet to act to prevent a massacre less than a mile from its border,” a senior administration official said. “After all the fulminating about Syria’s humanitarian catastrophe, they’re inventing reasons not to act to avoid another catastrophe.

“This isn’t how a NATO ally acts while hell is unfolding a stone’s throw from their border,” said the official, who spoke anonymously to avoid publicly criticizing an ally.

Secretary of State John Kerry has had multiple phone calls in the last 72 hours with Turkey’s prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, and foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, to try to resolve the border crisis, American officials said.

For Mr. Obama, a split with Turkey would jeopardize his efforts to hold together a coalition of Sunni Muslim countries to fight the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. While Turkey is not the only country that might put the ouster of Mr. Assad ahead of defeating the radical Sunnis of the Islamic State, the White House has strongly argued that the immediate threat is from the militants.

But if Turkey remains a holdout, it could cause other fissures in the coalition. It is not only a NATO ally but the main transit route for foreigners seeking to enlist in the ranks of the Islamic State.

Ultimately, American officials said, the Islamic State cannot be pushed back without ground troops that are drawn from the ranks of the Syrian opposition. But until those troops are trained, equipped and put in the field, something that will take some time, officials said, Turkey can play a vital role.

BREAKING NEWS U.S. and Allies Hit ISIS Targets in Syria reports NYT

September 22, 2014 By administrator

NYT
The United States and allies launched airstrikes against Sunni militants in Syria early Tuesday, unleashing a torrent of cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs from the air and sea on the militants’ de facto capital of Raqqa, Syria, and along the porous Iraq border.
American fighter jets and armed Predator and Reaper drones, flying alongside warplanes from several Arab allies, struck a broad array of targets in territory controlled by the militants known as the Islamic State. American military officials said the targets included weapons supplies, depots, barracks and buildings the militants use for command and control. Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from United States Navy ships in the region.
The strikes represent a major turning point in President Obama’s war against the Islamic State and open up a risky new stage of the American military campaign. Until now, the administration has bombed Islamic State targets only in Iraq, and had suggested it would be weeks if not months before the start of a bombing campaign against Islamic State targets in Syria.
The strikes come 13 days after Mr. Obama announced in an address to the nation that he was authorizing an expansion of the military campaign against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/23/world/middleeast/us-and-allies-hit-isis-targets-in-syria.html?emc=edit_na_20140922

Kerry: United States stands with Armenia as a partner and friend

September 22, 2014 By administrator

US Secretary of State John Kerry has issued an address on the 23rd anniversary of Armenia’s Independence Day.

“On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Armenia as you celebrate your independence day this September 21.

“The deep bonds between the United States and Armenia are strong. We will continue to strengthen our partnership with Armenia in various dimensions including security cooperation, economic and democratic development, and expanding people-to-people exchanges. This is also a special occasion to honor the achievements of Armenians and Armenian-Americans who have contributed to the development of both countries.

“As you celebrate 23 years of independence, know that the United States stands with Armenia as a partner and friend. I congratulate all Armenians on this important holiday and wish you great success in the year to come,” Kerry’s statement reads.

Earlier, US President Barack Obama had issued a message of congratulations to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan on the 23rd anniversary of Independence Day.