April 4, 2021 Issue #669

In This Issue: Today all forms of authority  Today all forms of author are being challenged ityare being challenged

 President and Vice- President of Armenian Engineers and Scientists America on PAREV-TV

 Dr. Ani Kalayjian on Parev-TV On Palm Sunday, Prime of authority are being actions of the current Minister Nikol Pashinyan challenged. This includes government. They claim  Remembering Vahan announced he will resign religious institutions, that the Pashinyan Tekeyan next month, but stay in political parties, cultural government is too western office until parliamentary organizations, the military, and liberal and was moving  Poetry presented by Mrs. elections due on June 20. "I big business, and the country dangerously out Zarmine Boghosian will resign not to resign, but “traditional” family of the Russian orbit while in order for early elections structures. There are many supporting movements that to take place… this is the reasons for this, but the undermined traditional  This week’s videos from best way out of the current primary drives are that large Armenian values. In some PAREV-TV internal political numbers of people especially extreme cases, they actually situation...I will continue to among the younger blame the democratization  Current news from serve as interim prime generations across the world process of the country itself around the world minister...if voters support have come to believe that as a reason for our defeat. me and my team, we will these traditional institutions Most importantly they  Directory continue to serve you better do not have answers to the ideologically place the than before. If not, we will crisis facing our reasons for the defeat as a transfer power to whoever contemporary world. Many lack of fidelity to the older  Calendar of Events you select," he added. actually see traditional conceptions of patriotism sources of authority as and Armenianness.  Advertisers & The opposition welcomed having betrayed the current Supporters Pashinyan's announcement, generation of young people. A prime example of the saying that only a new disconnect between the  Editorial volunteer staff government would allow the The 44-days war has become traditionalist diaspora of Armenian Interests country to move past the the symbolic tool used in our leadership and the Karabakh defeat. communities’ current culture progressives was the war used by each side to collaboration of the Volunteers of ARHNJ  Analysts however say that advance their arguments traditionalists among the Pashinyan will likely retain and to make their case as to diaspora’s different his grip on power after the why theirs is the correct religious, political and civic Please send any election, even if he has to path to follow. leadership in asking for the information form a coalition with other resignation of the related to parties. The traditional minded Pashinyan government. Armenian Interests diaspora Armenians blame Analysts remind us that the the defeat on either the e-newsletter to: most consistent worldwide incompetence or treasonous [email protected] trend today is that all forms Continued on next page

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Armenian Interests

Nikol Pashinyan Continued from previous page

These calls were met with indifference of Armenia. of a copy. We can become more in Armenia itself and seen by the tolerant, open minded and work in progressive diaspora as an attempt by There is little doubt which side is likely solidarity with others while reactionary forces to use the war to to win this culture war. The forces of preserving the uniqueness of our undo the post revolution social liberalism have, in the long run, cultural traditions. democratization of the Armenian state always crushed their traditionalist and society. opponents in almost every western Our collective task is to create this country in the world. synthesis where the fresh ideas of The younger or more progressive- the new generation are married to minded Armenians in the diaspora It is imperative for our diaspora the best of our cultural traditions. blame the defeat on 25 years of institutions to begin asking the hard This is the only way to ensure the incompetence and corruption. In their questions as to how they can engage long term survival of the Armenian view the corrupt political class did not the younger generation in ways that diaspora, at the same time allow Armenia to build a competent are responsive to their needs and ideas. establishing real partnerships to and just economy, a real working state build a functional, democratic and or a functional military. In many Reformers have to understand that prosperous Armenia of which we cases they blamed the leadership of however our nation is to be can all be proud. our traditional diaspora institutions as transformed it needs to be done our being complicit in the corrupt regimes way. We do not need to become a copy

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly worn out and screaming “Woo Hoo”, what a ride!"

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Armenian Interests

President and Vice-President of Armenian Engineers and Scientists America on PAREV-TV

The president and vice-president of the North East section of the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA) Raffi Jamgotchian and Anahid Andonian discussed upcoming programs of the AESA on PAREV-TV.

Raffi Jamgotchian is the founder of Triada Networks, a Cybersecurity and IT services company supporting small businesses in the greater NYC region. Ms. Anahid Andonian who is the founder and President of Anahid Engineering and has been providing over 30 years of structural and transportation engineering, construction, and advisory services to clients. Anahid is a registered helps guide engineer. Connecting The video of the interview is on Professional Engineer. people to mentors in their industries is Youtube and in issue of Armenian important. They also discussed AESA interests. Both guests spoke highly about the projects with Armenia’s STEM sectors successful mentoring program which

Dr. Ani Kalayjian on Parev-TV Dr. Ani Kalayjian, President, of the Association for Trauma Outreach & Prevention whose Expertise in Traumatic Stress has helped many Armenians and non Armenians throughout the world was interviewed by Parev-TV. Dr. Kalayjian has been described as 'an agent of good at the service of mankind’. Dr. Kalayjian spoke about April 24 for Essay/film contest for Genocide Prevention and the ambitious 24 April program on Preventing Genocide: with Drs. Taner Akcam, David Phillips. The video recording is on YouTube and in this issue of Armenian Interests.

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Armenian Interests

Remembering Vahan Tekeyan Vahan Tekeyan, poet of Armenian diaspora was born on January 21, 1878 in Constantinople, Turkey and passed away on April 4, 1945 in Cairo, Egypt. On the anniversary of his passing we share three poems by Vahan Tekeyan.

CLIMBING The Armenian You Will Fall Spirit

Climb if you must, pick the How can I define the soul, the This time, it will be you to fall, mountain to dare Armenian spirit, unable to rise. and other climbers to accompany I have asked myself, amused by You shall remain on the ground to you there. the question scratch the soil How far and where? You know All the time while the soul itself You pillaged. Unable to die, you’ll where. escapes my grasp of words, soaring see you former home with its wings In ashes over you, like effervescent Believing you can, pack and Trailing glory as I ask sadly still: smoke. ascend, What is spirit? What is soul? climbing a rarefied, shivering air. Enough of grief, and evil you have Certainly alone and deserted by What is essence? Idea? What is brought the world! then. being? The mourning with which you What is soul that comes as a cloud draped each town and city is too If the climbers with you had been Unseen, but felt as mist? much. ropes Sometimes it is a fragrance of Enough of mothers weeping over each to each as a team, then the roses scattered nests. goal, Or a haze of petals covering the Enough of the rancor, the hatred, or love could be reached with the sky’s face, you poured into our loving hearts. slope. Immense and immeasurable Armenian soul You shall fall. You too shall fall. The bleak crest would become the And recognize “ideal”; What exactly is Armenian The last great pain that can pierce if there were eyes and hearts to soul, Hyoo hokee, a heart share I ask, and think I see it before me When those who saved you become it, you could accept its conquest as Half buried in the wet earth, like the ones who strike. real the soldier Dug into his battlefield without Before your death, justice will But life is illusion. The only truth feeling finally arrive: within Mud. I salute it through clay and Our world which you left in ruin it is climbing. The quest has no then will rise end. kissing the tired but sacred To blossom in joy before your But you have a choice, except to Armenian soul closing eyes. begin.

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Armenian Interests Poetry presented by Mrs. Zarmine Boghosian

Մեր Գրական Աշխարհի Ծաղկաստանէն Դիզէք ինչքեր ագահօրէն՝ ♥ ♥ ♥ Through the Orchards of Armenian Ժողովուրդիս սուրբ քրտինքէն, Ապրիք շքեղ ու փառահեղ Language & Poetry ♥ ♥ ♥ Գ․ April/3-4/2021 Պալատներու մէջ պերճագեղ՝ Presented by: Zarminé Boghosian Ժողովուրդը կողոպտելով,  &  Հանգիստ խիղճով մը ՅՈՎՀ․ ԹՈՒՄԱՆԵԱՆ անվրդով... Քանի անգամ պատահեցաւ «...Լաւ մարդիկ կան, բայց ազգային ոչ մէկ Որ կոխկռտէք մեր հաւատքը, բովանդակութիւն ունեն: Ոչ այս են, ոչ այն:» Երազներն ու վաղուան յոյսը,  &  Վեհ ժառանգը մեր սուրբ նախնեաց՝ ԼԵՌ ԿԱՄՍԱՐ Յանուն փորին ձեր անյագուրդ, Մամոնային ու ոսկիին, «Հայոց լեզուի ուղղագրութիւնը այն-քան Ծախէք հոգի, արժէքներ սուրբ արագ են փոխում մեր լեզուաբանները, որ գրողը նոր Ու սերունդներն վաղուան գալիք... ուղղագրութեամբ իր նախա-դասութիւնն սկսելիս, Չէ՛, դուք տէր չէք, այլ լոկ ստրո՛ւկ, Ստրուկ նիւթին, սին հաճոյքին, պիտի շտապի շուտ վերջացնել, քանի Դիրքին, փառքին խաբեպատիր, ուղղագրութիւնը չի փոխուել։»  &  Ձեր կիրքերուն ամէնակուլ... Անցեալ շաբթուայ էջով հասած էինք Աւագ Բայց պիտի գան դեռ նոր տէրեր՝ Հինգշաբթի՝ Ապրիլ 1-է ․․․ եւ Ոտնլուայ--վերջին Լոյս արգանդէն մեր մայր հողին, ընթրիքին արարողութեան կը յաջորդէ ՀՍԿՈՒՄ-ը, Դառնալու նոր սերմնացաններն Յիսուսի կալանաւորումն ու հարցաքննութիւնը: Աւագ Մեր լուսաւոր, վառ գալիքին: Ուրբաթը խաչելութեան եւ թաղման կարգով կը յիշուի: Իսկ Աւագ Շաբաթ օրը՝ Խթում-Ճրագալոյց է:  &  Երկար պահեցողութենէ ետք երեկոյեան կը ԵԿՈ՛ՒՐ ԱՓԵՐՈՒՍ ՄԷՋ ՏԱՔՑՆԵՄ ԱՓԵՐԴ կատարուին Սուրբ Գրային ընթերցումներ՝ որուն կը Իգնա Սարըասլան յաջորդէ հանդիսաւոր Ս. Պատարագ: Ե՞րբ Կիրակի Ապրիլ 4-ին Ս. Յարութեան Տօնն է: Հայ եկեղեցւոյ հինգ գլխաւոր Տաղա- ւարներէն Ե՞րբ պիտի վերջանան տառապանքի օրերդ ամէնէն շատ ժողովրդականութիւն շահած տօնն է: Ե՞րբ պիտի լռեն այս սեւ երգերը Տօ՛նն է Ս.Յարութեան Յիսուս Փրկիչին: Այս Ե՞րբ պիտի անհետին սիրտ բզքտող տաղաւարին թուականը շարժա-կան է եւ կրնայ տխուր բառերը … Եկո՛ւր այլեւս հանդիպիլ Մարտ 22-էն մինչեւ Ապրիլ 25, եւ որ կը Եկո՛ւր ափերուս մէջ տաքցնեմ ափերդ ճշդուի նկատի առնելով գարնանամուտին-Մարտ 21- էն ետք եկող Լուսնի լրումը: Այսինքն՝ կը տարուբերի Սրտիդ պէս տաք երգ մը երգեմ քեզի առաւելագոյն 35 օրուայ տարբերութեամբ: Ամբողջ կեանք մը պայքարեցանք Այս տօնին առթիւ կը շնորհաւորենք բոլոր թունաւոր օձերու դէմ Յարութիւն, Յարութ, Արթին, Արթօ Արթիւր անուն Մեր շուրջը՝ դիմակաւոր աղուէսներ կրողները: Զիրար կ’ողջունենք ըսելով՝ Մեր շուրջը՝ լարախաղաց դիւանագէտներ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍ ՅԱՐԵԱՒ Ի ՄԵՌԵԼՈՑ, Մինչ մենք լաւատես մինչ մենք միամիտ ՕՐՀՆԵԱԼ Է ՅԱՐՈՒԹԻՒՆՆ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍԻ: Ամբողջ կեանք մը անցուցինք  &  ԱՅՐԵՐ ՉՆՉԻՆ ԵՒ ԱՊԻՐԱՏ Ամբողջ կեանք մը սպառեցինք Երան Գույումճեան Մինչեւ որ դիմակազերծ ըրինք զանոնք Այրեր չնչի՛ն եւ ապիրա՛տ, Ալ եկո՛ւր … Եկո՛ւր ափերուս մէջ տաքցնեմ ափերդ …. Քանի անգամ պատահեցաւ Քեզի չափ ջերմ… Որ վաճառէք երկիր ու գանձ, Քեզի չափ սրտաբուխ – Հողն հայրենեաց մեր սրբազան... Երջանկութեան երգ մը երգեմ Լոկ օտարին դուք խոնարհիք Քեզի՛ միայն քեզի համար Եւ ընդունիք զերթ մուրացկան՝ Փշրանքները ձեզի նետուած, Եկո՛ւր.. Մոռցած պատի՛ւ ու հայրենի՛ք.... Եկո՛ւր ափերուս մէջ տաքցնեմ ափերդ… Քանի անգամ պատահեցաւ  & * ՕՐՀՆԵԱԼ Ս․ ԶԱՏԻԿ * &  Որ կողոպտէք երկիրը թանկ,

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Armenian Interests

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Armenian Interests

Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles Ambassador Armen Baibourtian Met With California State Assembly Member Blanca E. Rubio include the California cities that have heavy-Armenian populated communities, however, warm and close cooperation with the Armenian community exists throughout the multicultural California. Assemblymember Rubio expressed her delight for the warm cooperation that was developed through the California Armenian Legislative Caucus at the California Capitol, thanks to which close relations with the community are also being carried on.

The interlocutors discussed the areas of cooperation between Armenia and California. The Consul General noted that the Framework Agreement on Cooperation signed in 2019 between Armenia and California constitutes a strong foundation and conducive environment for deepening bilateral relations between the State of GLENDALE - Consul General of California and Armenia. Armenia in Los Angeles Ambassador Assemblymember Bianca E. Rubio Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador Baibourtian briefed represents California’s 48th Armen Baibourtian held a virtual Assemblymember Blanca E. Rubio on Assembly District since her election meeting with the California State the consequences of the Azerbaijani in 2016. She is a member of the Assemblymember Blanca E. Rubio. aggression with the support of Turkey Assembly’s Standing Committees on Ambassador Baibourtian expressed against Artsakh and the humanitarian Aging and Long-Term Care, Budget, gratitude to Assemblymember Rubio crisis created in the post-war period. Elections, Governmental for holding membership in the The interlocutors stressed the Organization, Rules, and Water, California Armenian Legislative importance of the issue of the Parks, & Wildlife, as well as chairs Caucus and for contribution to the immediate release of the Armenian the Select Committee on Domestic work of the Caucus for three prisoners of war (POWs) and civilians Violence. consecutive years. held in Azerbaijan that is in violation of provisions of the November 9, 2020 Blanca E. Rubio noted that although trilateral statement. her electoral constituency does not

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Armenian Interests

US State Department Confirms Turkish Participation In Nagorno-Karabakh War, Highlights Azerbaijani War Crimes After the conflict Turkish President targets such as medical centres and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared, “The ambulances, gas and electricity crescent and star embellish the skies of plants, sources of food and water, Karabakh now thanks to the efforts of and “schools and pre-schools”. our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters … The Azerbaijani flag flies proudly over In October 2020 videos appeared Nagorno-Karabakh as a symbol of our showing Azerbaijani soldiers martyrs’ valour.” mocking and then killing two Armenian civilians in the town of Turkey’s role in the conflict and the Hadrut, later identified as 25-year- accounts of Azerbaijani brutality and old Yuriy Adamyan and 73-year-old WASHINGTON, DC — A report from abuse have raised fears about the Benik Hakobyan. the US Department of State released possibility of a new Armenian genocide. The report also describes as 30 March 2021 has confirmed the role Nagorno-Karabakh is part of the “credible” accounts of of Turkey in supporting Azerbaijan’s historic homeland of the Armenian Azerbaijani abuse and murder of war against ethnic Armenians in people, who around 301 AD became the civilian detainees and the torture of Nagorno-Karabakh. first Christian nation, and the region military prisoners of war. The 2020 Country Reports on Human still contains many ancient churches Following the closure of borders Rights Practices also highlight war and monasteries. Karabakh was placed between Azerbaijan and Armenia in crimes committed by Azerbaijan within Azerbaijan by the USSR in 1991, the report notes, during the conflict, including military 1923. “inflammatory rhetoric” became strikes against civilian targets and the Azerbaijan war crimes described as more common. By 2020, “an entire torture and abuse of Armenian “credible” and “significant” generation had grown up listening to prisoners. hate speech against Armenians”. The US Department of State also cites The report states that Azerbaijan’s “significant human rights issues” In March 2021 the Armenian invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh was perpetrated by Azerbaijan in Nagorno- National Commission for the conducted “with Turkish support”. Karabakh, including “unlawful killings, UNESCO condemned the A separate resolution of the European civilian casualties, and inhuman alleged demolition of a church Parliament, published 11 March, treatment”. building in Mekhakavan, Nagorno- condemned Turkey’s action of sending Karabakh, describing it as “another These include in Stepanakert the use of Syrian mercenaries to fight for act of cultural crime by Azerbaijan”. aerial bombardment, artillery and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Katabkah, “in cluster munitions against civilian violation of international law”.

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Armenian Interests

Turkey-Azerbaijan passport-free regime to start April 1

Turkish and Azerbaijani nationals will be able to travel passport-free between the two countries as of April 1. Citizens of Turkey and Azerbaijan traveling directly between the two countries will be able to travel without needing their passports and only by presenting their new generation identity cards.

11,000 Armenian Soldiers Were Wounded and Got Sick During the 44 Day War

11,000 Armenian the military medical department of the During the hostilities, 664 soldiers were Ministry of Defense. reanimation flights were made, 440 wounded and got helicopter flights were evacuating sick during the 55% are minor injuries; 36% are the wounded and sick, and over 44 day war moderately injured. 2% were extremely 5,000 surgical interventions were according severely injured and 7% were seriously performed, including more than 500 to Colonel injured. under general anesthesia. Gegham Pashikyan, deputy head of

Turkey testing waters to dispatch ambassador to Israel

Tel Aviv once Israel commits to From the Turkish side, any simultaneously reciprocating the diplomatic reconciliation with Israel gesture, according to a media report. would try to break its regional isolation and also please US Analysts said that following a decade- President Joe Biden’s long deterioration in bilateral ties, administration. especially after the Mavi Marmara incident when Israeli commandos It seems that Turkey is losing its boarded a ship in a Gaza aid flotilla patience and would like to advance Diplomatic reconciliation with and Turkish activists died, both sides in the direction of the return of the Israel will help break its regional would need to restore trust with each ambassadors in the immediate term isolation, and please US other through concrete and sincere to break some of its isolation in the steps, rather than immediately expect diplomatic front. ANKARA: Turkey has informed Israel the red carpet treatment. it is set to appoint an ambassador to

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Armenian Interests

The U.S. Army Goes to School on Nagorno- Karabakh Conflict Off-the-shelf air power changes the battlefield of the future. (by Jack Detsch) What has become of Armenian equipment purportedly apparent after destroyed or captured, including Azerbaijan routed nearly 250 tanks, 50 infantry Armenia last fall, he fighting vehicles, and four Russian- said, is that not only made S-300 missile defense systems, will the U.S. as well as 198 trucks and 17 self- military no longer propelled artillery units. In mid- enjoy uncontested October, Aliyev credited Turkish air superiority drones with helping his military to against peer rivals destroy more than $1 billion worth of like China— Armenian equipment. something Defense Department officials But it’s not clear how those numbers have long resigned translate into truth. Shaw said the themselves to—but tremendous amount of that poorer nations disinformation flying around on open can buy themselves a respectable air -source networks made it difficult to force mostly off the shelf. figure out everything that happened A Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drone in real time. When Azerbaijan took over the skies “What’s clear in that conflict is that a less funded nation can do combined It’s also still not clear to experts that in its fight with Armenia over the drones definitively tilt the balance disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh arms warfare,” Shaw said. “You don’t have to be the United States or Russia. toward attackers or defenders. Some last fall, winning the air war with The price point to entry into combined think that the war in Nagorno- commercial Turkish and kamikaze arms warfare is lower than initially Karabakh is another sign that the drones, one thing started to become thought. You don’t need something like days of the U.S. military relying on clear to U.S. Army strategists: It’s the United States Air Force, a superbly overwhelming “shock and awe” becoming easier to hunt and kill troops trained, spectacular capability, in order bombing campaigns, like those that than ever before—and to do so on the to conduct potentially a local air-to- marked the start of both Iraq wars, cheap. ground or air-to-air activity.” are over. Instead, the United States With inexpensive, combat-ready should prepare for a knock-down, During the six-week conflict, drones proliferating on battlefields all drag-out fight, similar to attrition Azerbaijan deployed Turkish over the world, in the not-too-distant wars of the past. Bayraktar TB2 drones and loitering future unsuspecting soldiers might get munitions, many of them Israeli-made, “Basically they’re telling themselves killed just by getting out of their to shrink the battlefield and chip away a story through convergence and positions for a moment to go to the at Armenia’s armored forces as well as military shock and awe that they’re bathroom. the logistical tail that hadn’t even going to be able to create effects on “You can see video of tanks being hit reached the front lines. an opponent that we know through by an unmanned aerial system, history simply does not happen,” said As Azerbaijan rolled up more territory artillery positions being hit by an Michael Kofman, a senior research in the disputed region, propaganda unmanned aerial system, troops being scientist at CNA and a fellow at the videos showing the destruction of hit by an unmanned aerial system,” Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute, Armenian convoys and ammunition said Col. Scott Shaw, the outgoing referring to the U.S. Army’s current depots became a calling card of the new head of the Army’s Asymmetric operating concept for future wars. Warfare Group. military approach. In the waning days of the conflict, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev even touted a laundry list

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Armenian Interests Turkey: ex-police heads jailed over 2007 Hrant Dink’s killing

Anadolu Agency reported. Four other defendants were given sentences ranging between 10 and 28 years for charges including involvement in the killing, membership in an illegal group and fraud. The court acquitted or dropped charges against other defendants, citing a statute of ANKARA, Turkey — A Turkish court Two suspects, including the teenage limitations for some of them. on Friday sentenced two former police shooter, were put on trial and chiefs and a former military officer to imprisoned, but allegations persisted The court also separated the cases life terms in prison over the 2007 that there was a cover-up by security against Gulen and 12 other killing of prominent Armenian- officials who ignored warnings that defendants who were being tried in Turkish newspaper editor Hrant Dink, Dink would be targeted. absentia, Anadolu reported. Their Turkey’s state-run news agency trial would resume at a later time. reported. Turkish prosecutors in 2017 linked Dink’s assassination to the network led Lawyer Hakan Bakircioglu, The slain journalist’s family and by U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah representing Dink’s family, said the lawyers insisted, however, that the Gulen who is accused of trial did not ”reveal all aspects of the long-drawn-out trial had failed to shed masterminding a failed coup a year killing.” light on the killing and possible earlier, and charged 76 people over the “We will take it to the Court of collusion, and said they would appeal. killing. Gulen’s network is believed to Appeal and the Supreme Court,” he have infiltrated police and other state said. “We will force this process until Dink was gunned down in Istanbul in institutions. The cleric denies the end to ensure a proper trial.” broad daylight outside of his Agos involvement in the coup attempt. newspaper’s office by a nationalist Copyright 2021 The Associated teenage gunman. A strong proponent On Friday, the court in Istanbul Press. All rights reserved. This of friendship between Armenia and convicted the police chiefs of material may not be published, Turkey, he had received death threats “deliberate murder” while the former broadcast, rewritten or redistributed because of comments about the WWI military officer was convicted of without permission. mass killings of Armenians by “aiding” the killing and violating Ottoman Turks. Turkey’s constitution, the state-run

President Sarkissian extends condolences over passing of legendary commander ‘’I feel an unspeakable pain. Arkady skills, which he brilliantly used Ter-Tadevosyan, the legendary during the 1st Artsakh war. Komandos, is no longer with us. His life is a guide for military The death of Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan is courage, military education and not just a loss of a military man, military-patriotic upbringing, for excellent commander. He was a example, how to live, how to serve military figure who had a great the fatherland, how to remain contribution to the creation of our army faithful to one’s specialization and and our military achievements, trying principles, how to get devoted to YEREVAN, MARCH 31, to be useful for the fatherland until the Artsakh and struggle for its freedom, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia end of his life. how not to betray Shushi and Armen Sarkissian issued a condolence We will still need the Komandos-style Artsakh… message on the occasion of the demise knowledge of the military art, his I offer my condolences to the family of legendary commander, Major- criteria for morality, experience and members, relatives and comrades-in- General Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan. arms of Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan’’.

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Armenian Interests

US, Turkish defense chiefs discuss cooperation

regional security and bilateral defense S-400 missile defense system," the cooperation. Pentagon added.

Akar and Austin reaffirmed their Turkey's acquisition of the S-400 led commitment to closer cooperation and to the then-Trump administration’s coordination, while strengthening decision to expel Ankara from the F- military relations between the two 35 joint strike fighter program over countries. concerns that the advanced Russian anti-air system could be used to "Secretary Austin noted the importance comprise the jets and are of working to strengthen U.S-Turkey The defense chiefs of U.S. and Turkey, incompatible with NATO systems. military-to-military cooperation, and Lloyd Austin and Hulusi Akar held a urged Turkey not to retain the Russian phone call on April 1, discussing

Armenian and Russian political and military leaders discuss relevant issues

Nikol Pashinyan will meet with Chief of the General Staff of the On April 2, Pashinyan paid tribute to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Armenian Armed Forces Lt. General the memory of the fallen troops of Moscow on April 7, to the trilateral Artak Davtyan held a meeting with Lt. the 2016 April War. agreements and document, which put General Rustam Muradov, the an end to the military operations in commander of the Russian Karabakh. Also, issues relating to the peacekeeping unblocking of transportation contingent in infrastructure in the South Caucasus Nagorno and other relevant issues of the Karabakh. Russian-Armenian cooperation will be “the discussed. importance of ensuring the Foreign Ministers of Russia and return of Armenia Sergey Lavrov and Ara Armenian Ayvazian met in Moscow in the PoWs and the sidelines of the session of the Foreign search Ministers of the CIS member operations for states. They also discussed the those missing implementation process of the was agreements reached on November 9, emphasized” 2020 between the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan.

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Armenian Interests

Armenian Parliament Votes to Change Electoral System

two general elections, parliament seats However, one of those parties, Bright were equally distributed among Armenia (LHK), spoke out against candidates picked through national changing the electoral system. party lists and individual races. LHK leader Edmon Marukyan The amendments backed by only pro- accused Pashinyan and the ruling government lawmakers mean that the My Step bloc of resorting to partisan forthcoming elections will be held only gerrymandering when he spoke on a party list basis. during a short parliament debate on YEREVAN — The Armenian National the proposed amendments. He said The changes also foresee certain Assembly approved on Thursday major the authorities must not hastily regulations for holding the elections amendments to Electoral Code that change the “rules of the game” less under conditions for Covid pandemic. changes the legal mechanism for than three months before the anticipated elections. electing the country’s PM Nikol Pashinyan announced last next parliament.to be held on June week his administration’s decision to Ruben Rubinyan, a senior My Step 20th. The government-backed switch the electoral system to a fully lawmaker, rejected the criticism. amendments passed in the first proportional one. He claimed that none “Yes, the rules of the game are being reading receiving 83 votes in favor. of the two opposition parties changed right before the elections, represented in the current parliament Armenians have until now voted for but they are being liberalized,” he objects to that. not only parties and blocs but also said. their individual candidates running in nationwide constituencies. In the last

Erdogan intends to visit Karabakh’s Shushi

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Azerbaijan by all means for the Erdogan intends to visit Shushi town, revival and preservation of Turkish which came under Azerbaijani control structures in Karabakh." as a result of the recent military "We hope to visit Shushi in the near aggression unleashed against Artsakh future after Ramadan, where we will (Nagorno-Karabakh) by Azerbaijan and be able to sense the new breath of Turkey. the holiday," Erdogan added,. Speaking at the summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic- Speaking States, Erdogan stated that, "It is important to continue supporting

Armenian Radio Hour of NJ

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Armenian Interests

Armenia Beat Romania 3-2 in FIFA World Cup Qualifier

defeated the Liechtenstein national team 1: 0 away, and three days later in Yerevan beat the Icelanders 2: 0.

With 9 points in three matches, Armenia topped the current group standings.

The World Cup qualifier will resume in the fall. On September 2, the Armenian national team will play against the national team of North Macedonia, then on September 5, they will also play against the German national team, and on September 8, they will host the Liechtenstein national team.

YEREVAN — The Armenian volleying it into Nita’s net. In the national football team won their 89th minute, Barseghyan coolly third consecutive victory at the start converted a penalty kick, called by of the qualifying tournament for the the referee for a foul in the box 2022 World Cup, beating the against Eduard Spertsyan, securing Romanian national team at home the victory for Armenia 3-2.. with a score of 3-2. In the previous two matches of the The home team took the lead in the qualifying tournament in group J, the 56th minute when national team Armenian national team on March 25 newcomer Eduard Spertsyan send a shot to the visitors goal from the edge of the penalty box.

Romania bounced back and then took the lead thanks to two goals scored by substitute Alexandru Cichaldau in the 62nd and 72nd minutes.

In the dramatic ending of the match, when the Romanian national team was left with ten men after George Puskas was sent off in the 78th minute, Joaquin Kaparos’ team managed to level the score first and then snatch the victory.

In the 86th minute, Armenian national team captain Varazdat Haroyan threw himself at Tigran Barseghyan’s cross from the right

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DIRECTORY The following are addresses where Armenian gatherings are frequently held This is NOT a list of Armenian organizations or churches We will be glad to list additional addresses

AGBU St. Thomas Armenian Church 55 East 59th Street Route 9W-E Clinton Avenue New York, NY 10022 Tenafly, NJ 07670 212-319-6383 201-567-5446 Email: [email protected] www.agbu.org St. Mary Armenian Church 200 W. Mt. Pleasant Avenue Diocese of the Armenian Church Livingston, NJ 07039 630 Second Avenue 973-533-9794 New York, NY 10016 212-686-0710 St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church 38-65 234 Street Prelacy of the Armenian Church Douglaston, NY 11363 138 East 39th Street, 718-224-2275 New York, NY 10016 212-689-7810 Ararat Youth and Conference Center 6944 S.R. 32 Saint Illuminator Armenian Cathedral Greenville, NY 12083 221 East 27th. Street, 212-686-0710, x120 New York, NY 10016 www.araratcener.org 212-689-5880 St. Nersess Armenian Seminary Armenian Presbyterian Church 486 Bedford Road 140 Forest Avenue, Armonk, NY 10504 Paramus, NJ 07652 914-273-0200 201-265-8585 [email protected] www.stnersess.edu

St. Leon Armenian Church Armenian Network of America-NY Region 12-61 Saddle River Rd P.O. Box 205 Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 Bible School Park, NY 13737 201-791-2862 (617) 688-2741 [email protected] www.armnet.org Sts Vartanantz Armenian Church 461 Bergen Boulevard Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs Ridgefield, NJ 07657 209-15 Horace Harding Expressway 201-943-2950 Bayside, New York 11364 718-225-0235 St Stepanos Armenian Apostolic Church www.holy-martyrs.org 1184 Ocean Avenue Elberon, New Jersey 07740 Armenian Evangelical Church of New York Phone 732-229-3661 Fax 732-229-3857 152 E 34th St. New York, NY 10016 Holy Cross Armenian Church Tel: (212) 685-3177 318 27th Street, Union City, NJ 07087 St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral 201-864-2480 630 2nd Ave New York, NY 10016 Hovnanian School (212) 686-0710 817 River Road New Milford, NJ 07646 St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church 201-967-5940 1131 North Street www.hovnanianschools.org White Plains, NY 10605 Tel. (914) 428-2595 Sacred Heart Armenian Catholic Church 155 Long Hill Road Tekayan Cultural Association-Greater NY Little Falls, NJ 07424 560 Sylvan Avenue Tel: 973-890-0447 Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Email: [email protected]

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Armenian Interests

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Armenian Interests

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