Diocesan Primate Visits FAR Projects in Armenia
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APRIL 6, 2019 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXIX, NO. 37, Issue 4581 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Deputy Health Minister Armenia-Azerbaijan Arrested Summit Described as YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Deputy Minister of Healthcare Arsen Davtyan was detained on March ‘Positive,’ ‘Constructive’ 29 by the National Security Service, Minister of VIENNA (Combined Sources) — Healthcare Arsen Torosyan confirmed via Armenia and Azerbaijan have described Facebook. the latest meeting of their leaders as “pos- “I am not in Armenia at the moment and I was itive” and “constructive,” saying they just notified that the [national security service] has agreed to strengthen the cease-fire regime carried out tactical-intelligence actions and my in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone deputy Arsen Davtyan has been detained. I don’t and continue their dialogue. possess other details at the moment. I think the “The meeting took place in a positive [National Security Service] will provide details and constructive atmosphere and provid- later,” Torosyan wrote on Facebook. ed an opportunity for the two leaders to According to unconfirmed reports, the deputy clarify their respective positions,” the for- minister was arrested in suspicion of bribery. eign ministers of the two countries said in a joint statement on March 29, hours after Premier Congratulates Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Azerbaijani President Assyrian Community Ilham Aliyev in Vienna. Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, left, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Vienna see SUMMIT, page 3 On New Year YEREVAN — On Monday, April 1, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s office issued a statement con- gratulation the country’s Assyrian minority on Pashinyan Backs Defense Chief’s Tough Talk On Karabakh Hab-nsan, the Assyrian New Year. “I cordially congratulate you on the occasion of YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Prime Minister that can shift hostilities the Assyrian New Year, Hab-nsan. The Armenian Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday, April 2, threw into enemy territory,” and Assyrian peoples with many centuries-old cul- his weight behind Defense Minister Davit warned Tonoyan. tural ties have faced many trials, sharing one anoth- Tonoyan, who has seemingly ruled out The Azerbaijani Foreign er’s grief and joy through historical fate. Armenian territorial concessions to Ministry condemned the “Some of the Assyrians around the world have Azerbaijan and promised a more offensive “provocative” statement, settled in Armenia for a long time, becoming an posture against the Azerbaijani army. saying that it undermined integral part of our society. It has had its constant Visiting the United States at the week- international efforts to and indispensable contribution to our country’s end, Tonoyan dismissed the so-called resolve the Karabakh con- comprehensive development and progress.” “lands-for-peace formula” of resolving the flict. It also challenged the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “We are saying Armenian government to the opposite: a new war for new lands,” the Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan (R) inspects Armenian army clarify whether Tonoyan Armenia to Produce Voice of America quoted him as telling positions on the border with Azerbaijan, July 21, 2018. voiced his personal views or members of the Armenian community in official Yerevan’s position. Drugs for Hepatitis C New York. “If Davit Tonoyan had YEREVAN (Arka) — Armenia’s Ministry of Health “Nothing will be conceded,” said “We will rid ourselves of the trench- made a different statement I would have and the Gilead Science Ireland UC have signed a Tonoyan. He added, though, that “compro- based, constantly defensive posture and dismissed him as defense minister,” memorandum of cooperation, the Armenian min- mises are possible.” increase the number of those army units Pashinyan said, commenting on the minis- istry said in a press release on April 2. ter’s remarks. “What did the defense minis- It said according to the memorandum, Gilead will ter say? He said that if a war breaks out our provide Armenia with a license for the production, objective will be to win that war.” packaging and import of drugs for the treatment of “This does not cast a shadow on the hepatitis C. peace process,” he told reporters. “On the The memorandum was signed by Health Minister contrary, it underscores the importance of Arsen Torosyan and Gilead representative Ben a peaceful settlement.” Kamark. see KARABAKH, page 2 “Viral hepatitis is one of the most widespread health problems in the world. Currently, one of the urgent tasks of the health system in Armenia is to First Senate Committee organize and conduct an effective fight against viral hepatitis,” said Torosyan. Unanimously Passes He also added that the ministry’s specialists developed a national program for the prevention California/Armenia and control of viral hepatitis for 2019–2023. As International Trade part of it antiviral drug treatment will be provided Office Bill to about 1000 patients. SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On March 25, SB 302 authored by state Sen. Anthony J. Fr. Daniel Findikyan blesses a child. Portantino (D–La Cañada Flintridge), to INSIDE reestablish a trade office between California and Armenia passed the State Senate Diocesan Primate Visits Business and Professions Committee. The bill received bi-partisan support and gar- Cultural FAR Projects in Armenia nered a unanimous vote. Armenian Consul General Armen Baibourtian flew to NEW YORK — “It was one of the most moving, powerful, and emotional days Sacramento to offer testimony in favor of Debate of my whole life. When I left, I felt love. I didn’t know whether to cry or dance,” the proposal. said the Eastern Diocesan Primate, the “Armenia is an important trade partner Page 12 Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan, during an with California with strong and long-stand- By Florence Avakian exclusive interview. ing relationships. SB 302 will formalize The Primate was referring to his three- trade and economic ties. As the represen- tative of the largest Armenian community hour visit to the Fund for Armenian Relief INDEX (FAR) Children’s Center in Yerevan, Armenia, which he undertook during his in a legislative district in the country, I am Arts and Living . 12 recent week-long visit to Armenia. It was one of three FAR-funded projects in very honored and glad that this bill is mov- ing forward in the Senate. California is Armenia . 2 Armenia that he visited. Community News. 5 embracing the Armenian Community and Since 1988, the Children’s Center has been the apex in protecting, caring for, Editorial . 18 rehabilitating, and educating young abandoned, abused, sexually trafficked, all it has to offer our state and it’s exciting International . 3,4 see FAR, page 4 to be part of that excitement,” commented Senator Portantino. see TRADE, page 20 2 S ATURDAY, A PRIL 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Pashinyan Backs Defense Chief’s Vets Come Together to Tough Talk on Karabakh Help Yerevan Zoo Tiger KARABAKH, from page 1 Karabakh in over two decades. change the internationally accepted for- YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Early last week one of Asked whether Tonoyan coordinated Azerbaijan’s President marked the mat of peace talks. He clearly referred the tigers of Yerevan Zoo showed signs of illness. with him, Pashinyan replied: “The anniversary with a visit to a military to Pashinyan’s regular calls for The animal was looking weak and did not want to go defense minister acts under the prime base used by Azerbaijani special forces, Karabakh’s direct involvement in the out. After a visit by the zoo’s chief vet and medical minister’s leadership and is subordinate which played the key role in offensive talks. treatment, the tiger seemed to be recovering, to him.” operations launched by Baku on April Aliyev and Pashinyan met in Vienna Yerevan Zoo said in a press release. The prime minister spoke at the 2, 2016. Meeting with military person- as recently on Friday. In a joint state- Nevertheless last Friday the tiger’s keepers Yerablur military cemetery in Yerevan nel serving there, Aliyev again ruled out ment with the U.S., Russian and noticed the animal was suffering from a nose bleed. after leading an official ceremony to any peace deal that would fall short of French mediators, the Armenian and A conference call was initiated immediately involving mark the third anniversary of fierce restoring Azerbaijani control over Azerbaijani foreign ministers Moscow’s, Tehran’s and Amsterdam’s chief veteri- fighting around Karabakh which nearly Karabakh. described the three-hour meeting as narians, and a joint decision was made to administer degenerated into a full-scale Armenian- “No country recognizes and, I’m “positive and constructive.” The two anesthesia to the animal in order to perform an ultra- Azerbaijani war. At least 190 sure, will recognize the so-called leaders discussed “key issues of the sound examination and take biological samples for Azerbaijani and Armenian soldiers were Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,” he said, settlement process and ideas of sub- diagnosis and further treatment course. killed during four-day hostilities halted according to the Turan news agency. stance” and “recommitted to The ultrasound results showed renal insufficiency by a Russian-brokered agreement. It Aliyev also said that the new strengthening the ceasefire,” accord- (kidney disease) in addition to blood sample results was the worst escalation of the Armenian government has failed to ing to the statement. clearly indicating a blood disorder. Doctors are work- ing over the plan of treatment (online), but soon they will arrive to Armenia to provide on ground profes- sional assistance. Bingo’s age remains uncertain. The tiger was Pashinyan Meets with Artists brought to the Zoo in 2010 with an amputated tail. Armenian Flying Protesting Sacking of Opera Chief Ambulance to Arrive in YEREVAN (RFE/RL, Opera Wire) — Pashinyan defended the legality of out that even one of the submitted [gov- April Amid continuing angry protests against Orbelian’s dismissal at the meeting.