SEPTEMBER 28, 2019 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXX, NO. 11, Issue 4604 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Foreign Minister Meets Pashinyan, With OSCE Minsk Former Security Group Co-Chairs NEW YORK (Armenpress) — Armenian Foreign Chief Step Up Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, in New York on a working visit to take part in the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, on September 23 met with War of Words the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Co-Chairs Igor Popov YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Stéphane Visconti of Nikol Pashinyan and Artur Vanetsyan, the France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of former head of Armenia’s National Security America, as well as Andrzej Kasprzyk, the Personal Service (NSS) forced to resign last week, have Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. traded fresh and more bitter recriminations. The sides touched upon the developments fol- Vanetsyan hit out at Pashinyan when he lowing the Washington meeting on June 20, the announced his resignation in a statement current situation of the peaceful settlement process issued on September 16. He said that the of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and the oppor- latter’s “impulsive” leadership style is not tunities to implement the agreements reached pre- good for Armenia and runs counter to the viously. NSS “officer’s honor.” Mnatsakanyan and the OSCE Minsk Group Co- Pashinyan swiftly rounded on Vanetsyan Chairs exchanged views on the upcoming meeting through his press secretary. His chief of of the Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs, as well as staff said afterwards the former NSS chief touched upon the upcoming actions planned in the co-chairs’ calendar. Dr. Noubar Afeyan (Leo Gozbekian photo) Former Police Chief Making Immigration Great Found Dead YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Former Police Chief of Armenia Hayk Harutyunyan was found shot Again at Tribute to Afeyan dead Monday, September 23, in a home in Bjni, a village in the province of Kotayk, the authorities BOSTON — Immigrants and their unique and vital contributions to the success said. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, left, and of the US economy since the nation’s founding were the dominant themes of a Police received an emergeny call around 23:59, National Security Service Director Artur program paying tribute to Dr. Noubar September 23, Investigative Committee spokesper- Vanetsyan Afeyan, biotech innovator and philan- son Naira Harutyunyan said on Facebook. By Alin K. Gregorian thropist, on Wednesday, September 18, She said officers found Harutyunyan’s body with at the InterContinental Hotel. a gunshot wound to the head. was sacked because the prime minister was Mirror-Spectator Staff The program also was a fundraiser A firearm and a cartridge case were found at the dissatisfied with his work. for the maintenance of Boston’s scene. Traces of blood were also found. Visiting the United States on Sunday, Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway and it did not disappoint; the roughly Harutyunyan was Police Chief of Armenia from Pashinyan accused Vanetsyan of showing 500 people gathered there raised $700,000. 2003 to 2008. He also served as Minister of Interior “disrespect for the officer’s honor” by mak- Throughout the evening, the phrase “coming together on common ground” before that. ing the “statement against his commander- was stressed. The immigrant theme goes to the heart of the park, which has From 2010 to 2014 he was the head of the in-chief.” “Would an officer do such a become a gathering place not only for Armenian commemorations, but also the Department of Corrections. thing?” he told a news conference held in site of the annual welcome reception for new US citizens who are sworn in at Los Angeles. “Do you know what that nearby Faneuil Hall, as well as other creative programs. means? That means throwing your shoul- see TRIBUTE, page 10 Renowned Chemist der straps into a trash bin.” see PASHINYAN, page 2 Oganessian Receives Biden, Warren, Harris, Honor Pashinyan Uses Charm Offensive YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President of Armenia Gabbard and More Armen Sarkissian on September 24 signed a decree In Historic Los Angeles Address Emphasize Affirmation of on awarding academician Yuri Oganessian with the Armenian Genocide in Order of St. Mesrop Mashtots, the President’s reflections on the momentous trip and on Office told Armenpress. By Taleen Babayan the strong presence of the 200,000-plus Letters in Honor of Speier The renowned academician has been awarded for the great contribution and achievements in the Special to the Mirror-Spectator Armenian-Americans in Los Angeles and the adjacent San Fernando Valley. WASHINGTON — The Armenian development of science. In his keynote address, Pashinyan Assembly of America received letters The president signed the respective decree based LOS ANGELES — Thanking the expressed his gratitude to the Armenian from former Vice President and Senator on a request from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Diaspora and encouraging closer ties Diaspora for all its support to help bolster Joe Biden; Speaker of the U.S. House of between Armenia and the diaspora formed the Republic of Armenia and the role they Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); the core of the message Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Sunday, September 22, in (D-NY); Senate Foreign Relations INSIDE Grand Park as up to Committee Ranking Member Robert 15,000 supporters gath- Menendez (D-NJ); California Senators ered to witness the his- Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Kamala toric first visit of the Harris (D-CA); Massachusetts Senators Portasar Republic of Armenia’s Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey Prime Minister, Nikol (D-MA); the leadership of the Pashinyan, to Los Angeles, Congressional Caucus on Armenian Beckons home to the largest Issues - Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Armenian community out- Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Page 14 side the homeland. and Peter King (R-NY); House Natural Pashinyan, who has Resources Committee Chairman Raul promised to lead the Grijalva (D-AZ); Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA); Republic in a new — and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA); Rep. Chellie transparent — direction, Pingree (D-MN); Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D- INDEX was met with great fanfare HI); Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD); and Rep. Arts and Living . 13 as he addressed the enthusiastic crowd in a played in ushering in a more optimistic TJ Cox (D-CA) emphasizing the impor- Armenia . 2,3 symbolic location on the steps of City Hall. future for the country. tance of reaffirming the United States’ Community News. 5 Editorial . 18 “You weren’t there physically but all of record on the Armenian Genocide and Following a cultural performance including International . 4 patriotic dances and songs, Los Angeles us were there together in spirit during congratulating Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) Mayor Eric Garcetti, flanked by elected those days of protests and we felt your for receiving the Assembly’s Deukmejian local, state and county officials, shared his see VISIT, page 8 see AFFIRMATION, page 20 2 S ATURDAY, S EPTEMBER 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Mirzoyan Participates in Eurasian Parliament Speakers Meeting NUR SULTAN, Kazakhstan (Armenpress) — The President of the National Assembly of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan met with President of the Federal Council of Austria Karl Bader on September 24 on the sidelines of the fourth conference of the parlia- ment speakers of the Eurasian countries. Expressing satisfaction over the warm and active relations between the parliaments of the two coun- tries, Bader emphasized the importance of the active efforts of the friendship groups for fostering the capacities of the parliaments. Mirzoyan stressed the importance of the ratifica- tion of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement by the Austrian parliament, as well as the role of Austria in launch- ing the dialogue on visa liberalization. According to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia, the two countries have potential for working togeth- er in the directions of strengthening the mechanisms California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom and Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan sign the agreement while watched by of parliamentarian supervision and developing of the from left, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, California State Senator Anthony Portantino and Diaspora Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan. capacities of the parliaments. Sarkissian Meets with Boeing Delegation California and Armenia Sign Trade YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian received the delegation of Boeing International Corporation led by Vice President Agreement Richard Muehlenbeck, on September 20. The meeting touched upon the prospects and NEW YORK — A Framework opportunities of Armenia’s cooperation with the Agreement on Cooperation was signed Corporation. The guests introduced the purpose of between the Republic of Armenia and their visit, stating that currently they observe the State of California in New York on Armenia’s aviation sector and the partnership oppor- September 24 in the presence of Prime tunities. Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The agree- President Sarkissian welcomed the delegation’s ment was signed by Foreign Minister visit to Armenia, expressing confidence that the gov- Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and California ernment and the Corporation will form a prospective Governor Gavin Newsom. According to cooperation. the agreement, Armenia and California The meeting participants also touched upon the will develop comprehensive coopera- presidential initiatives, in particular, the Advanced tion in all areas. Tomorrow (ATOM) initiative on development of sci- Following the signing of the agree- ence and technologies, and on its sidelines the coop- ment, a meeting was held between eration opportunities with leading international Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and technological companies, including Boeing. the Governor of California. The inter- locutors agreed that the signing of Armenian Governor to the Framework Agreement would pro- mote deepening of cooperation and Resign Over Assault development of Armenia-California relations.