JULY 28, 2018 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXIX, NO. 2, Issue 4546 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Catholicos Receives Armenian Defense Nuncio to ECHMIADZIN — On July 11, in the Mother See Chief Issues Stern of Holy Echmiadzin, Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All ; received Warning to Baku Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt, Apostolic Nuncio to Armenia and Georgia, and Titular (RFE/RL) — Armenia will Archbishop of Aemona of the Roman Catholic strike back harder if Azerbaijan again Church. launches offensive military operations in The catholicos welcomed the Papal Nuncio, con- Nagorno-Karabakh, Defense Minister Davit gratulated him on his appointment and wished him Tonoyan said in an interview published on fruitful activity. Sunday, July 22. The Catholicos of All Armenians stated that the Speaking to the Russian publication relations between the Armenian Church and the EADaily.com , Tonoyan warned Baku against Roman Catholic Church have improved and a repeat of the April 2016 “aggression” strengthened during his reign. In this regard, the against Karabakh which nearly degenerated catholicos reflected on the visits of Pope John Paul into an all-out Armenian-Azerbaijani war. II and Pope Francis to Armenia, which testifies to He said the Armenian military has the love towards the nation who first adopted “drawn conclusions” from the four-day hos- Christianity as a state religion. tilities that left at least 190 soldiers from Catholicos Karekin II expressed hope that the both sides dead. Those include unspecified newly appointed Papal Nuncio will also make measures that have “excluded the element St. Vartan Cathedral Complex efforts to further strengthen the friendly ties of surprise” another Azerbaijani might between the two churches. Extraordinary Petition Requests Special have, he said. In turn, Archbishop José Avelino extended deep “I don’t want you to be left with the gratitude to the Catholicos of All Armenians for the Session of Eastern Diocesan Assembly impression that Armenia is a solicitor of warm reception. The Papal Nuncio also conveyed peace,” said Tonoyan. “I would advise the the love and support of Pope Francis to the Mother On Cathedral Complex Proposal Azerbaijani side not to be so confident that See of Holy Echmiadzin and the catholicos. it controls the issue of escalation of the mil- Attending the meeting were Archbishop Nathan NEW YORK — A written petition to request a special session of the assembly itary situation. It’s not that mediators will Hovhannisyan, director of the External Relations of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America was submitted on manage to convince the Armenian side to and Protocol Department of the Mother See and July 22 with enough Diocesan delegates’ signa- suspend retaliatory punitive actions if the Very Rev. Fr. Shahe Ananyan, Director of the tures to meet the requirement of the Diocesan Azerbaijani side resumes hostilities, even if Ecumenical Relations Department of the Mother By Aram Arkun bylaws. The request is for the special session Baku conducts a military operation of lim- See. ited scale.” Mirror-Spectator Staff prior to September 22, 2018, and prior to the execution of any agreements or commitments, to see WARNING, page 3 review a proposal concerning the sale or con- HayPost Issues Stamp veyance of interests of the Diocesan complex in New York City. Dedicated to ‘Arshak II’ A copy of the petition was printed in the June 30 issue of the Mirror-Spectator. This is apparently the first time in the history of the Diocese that such a Armenian Side ‘Also YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — On July request has been made and indicates the extraordinary attention this issue has 19 HayPost CJSC cancelled and put into circulation been gathering. In fact, the Armenian Mirror-Spectator has seldom received as Responsible’ For a postcard with one stamp dedicated to the many letters, emails and phone calls about any other issue in recent memory. Spendiaryan National Academic Theatre of Opera The original proposal, which was about “monetizing the value of the air rights Russian Drill Scare and Ballet and the 150th anniversary of the first of the cathedral complex,” according to James Kalustian, the chairman of the coun- Armenian operam “Arshak II.” cil of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, was presented at the Diocesan YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenian offi- The stamp has been issued with a print run of Assembly on May 3, 2018. Members of the Diocesan community reacted almost cials are also to blame for a Russian military 500 pcs. The creator of the postcard’s design is the immediately and asked that the broader community have input in whatever deci- exercise that scared residents of a village in designer of HayPost CJSC David Dovlatyan. sion was to be reached (e.g. Hirant Gulian’s “Community Input Needed Before the northwestern , Defense The postage stamp depicts a fragment scene Deciding Fate of Diocesan Complex,” Mirror-Spectator June 2). Various interpre- Minister Davit Tonoyan said on July 22. from the performance of Tigran Tchoukhadjian’s tations of the proposal, which has not been made public, spread throughout the His remarks contrasted with Prime first Armenian opera “Arshak II.” The left part of see PETITION, page 20 Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s furious reaction the postcard depicts the Spendiaryan National to the July 17 exercise held by Russian Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet. troops around the village of Panik. The The postcard signing ceremony was attended by sound of gunfire and explosions terrified Deputy Minister of Transport, Communication and many local residents, who had not been Information Technologies Armen Arzumanyan, Activist Academic Makunts Rethinks notified about the drill beforehand. Director and Artistic Director of the National Pashinyan condemned the incident as a Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet Constantine Armenian Ministry of Culture “provocation against Armenia’s sovereign- Orbelian, HayPost CJSC Postal Branches ty” when he spoke at a July 19 cabinet meet- Administration Area Manager Lilit Tadevosyan, ing in Yerevan. (See related editorial, Page President of the Union of Philatelists Hovik wishes to steer her ministry, and her goals 17.) Musayelyan. By Aram Arkun there, which in turn shed light upon the Tonoyan sounded more cautious during a workings of the new Armenian govern- Mirror-Spectator Staff visit to Panik where he met with local offi- ment. The interview was conducted in English, which Makunts speaks fluently. WASHINGTON — Lilit Makunts was The 34-year-old minister previously was INSIDE appointed as Armenia’s minister of culture an associate professor at the Russian- on May 12. During a visit to the United Armenian University in Yerevan. She began States at the end of June she spoke about teaching there in 2005 and in February her background, the direction in which she 2018 became the head of the Department of International Cooper- Letters from ation at this university. Makunts received a master’s degree from the Faculty of Teddy Romance and Germanic Philology of Yerevan State Page 12 University (YSU) in 2005 Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan speaks to and the degree of candidate reporters in Panik village. in Philological Sciences in 2014. INDEX From her days as a stu- cials and the commander of a Russian mili- Arts and Living ...... 12 dent of linguistics and dis- tary base, Colonel Vladimir Yelkanov. He Armenia ...... 2,3 course at YSU (1999-2003) spoke of “mistakes committed by both the Community News...... 6 she was active in Armenian Russian side and the Armenian side.” Editorial ...... 17 International ...... 4,5 politics and worked for “I officially declare that one day before Minister of Culture Lilit Makunts (photo: Aram Arkun) democratic change. She [the exercise] the Russian side informed see CULTURE, page 10 see DRILL, page 2 2 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 8 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia Pashinyan and Trump Meeting May Happen YEREVAN (Armenpress) — First issue has been raised by the frames of this event two adjacent Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Congressmen, and we assured that it is events were also scheduled which Ararat Mirzoyan commented on the being discussed, the meeting is possi- Armenia had undertaken to imple- Putin, Pashinyan Discuss possible meeting of Prime Minister ble,” hesaid. ment,” he said. Eurasian Union Nikol Pashinyan and US President Mirzoyan also commented on the The Armenian delegation met with Donald Trump via a video on details of Armenia’s withdrawal from the top US officials during which the YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Russian President Facebook. the Millennium Challenge program. relations of the two countries were dis- Vladimir Putin telephoned Armenian Prime Minister “Within the frameworks of the “Quite a long time before our visit the cussed. “We had meetings with the Nikol Pashinyan on Monday, July 23, to discuss close upcoming visit PM Pashinyan will World Bank changed Armenia’s rating UNDP head, COAF [Children of ties between their countries and the future of the depart for the US in September to par- from a country with low average Armenia Foundation] founder and Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). ticipate in the UN General Assembly, income to high average income, but director Garo Armen, attended the Putin also had separate phone calls earlier in the and therefore on the sidelines of the according to the criteria of the event organized by the AGBU and also day with the presidents of Kazakhstan and Belarus, Millennium Challenge program, those met with the AGBU representatives. two other members of the Russian-led trade bloc. states which meet several criteria, as Thereafter, several bilateral meetings In a short statement, the Kremlin said Putin and well as didn’t reach high average, can with quite influential Congressmen Pashinyan touched upon “issues pertaining to the be considered as possible partners. As and Senators were held in Washington Eurasian Economic Union and bilateral coopera- a result of the rating change, Armenia D.C., meeting took place with the US tion.” It did not elaborate. thus became a country not being in Assistant Secretary of State Wess Pashinyan’s press office likewise said that they accordance with this program. And Mitchell, as well as other officials. “exchanged thoughts on further development of inte- now some US officials also don’t know During these meetings we have intro- gration processes in the EEU framework.” how to deal with the current situa- duced Armenia’s new political priority, The two men most recently held talks in Moscow tion,” he said, adding that it’s neces- the recent developments, the revolu- on June 13. In his opening remarks at that meeting, sary to think about a new mechanism tion, its values, in other words, we Putin pointed to rapidly growing Armenian exports through which the US will be able to have presented the new situation in to Russia. He attributed that to Armenia’s member- provide its support to Armenia’s Armenia to the American administra- ship in the EEU. democracy. tion. We also had very serious discus- Pashinyan has opposed that membership in the Ararat Mirzoyan In the video the first deputy PM also sions on deepening the ties between past. However, he made clear that he will not pull his talked about the goals of his recent Armenia and the US, in particular, we country out of the EEU or the Collective Security visit the Congressmen find it appropri- visit to the US. “The primary goal was discussed the US assistance provided Treaty Organization (CSTO) after sweeping to power ate to organize Pashinyan-Trump to participate in the High-Level to Armenia, the deepening of commer- in a wave of mass protests in May. meeting: they launched a petition in Political Forum on Sustainable cial ties, the possibility to increase According to the official Armenian readout of the the Congress for this purpose and Development and introduce Armenia’s direct investments and other issues phone call, Pashinyan and Putin also discussed “a address letter to President Trump. The national voluntary report. Within the beneficial for Armenia,” Mirzoyan said. number of issues on the agenda of Russian-Armenian allied relations.” No details were reported. Last Thursday, Pashinyan strongly criticized Russian troops stationed in Armenia for holding an exercise in an Armenian village that caused panic President Visits Burakan Observatory among local residents. Speaking at a news conference the following day, the premier said Yerevan expects YEREVAN — President Armen the staff, opinions were exchanged on define priorities and to present pro- Moscow to prevent Azerbaijan from starting another Sarkissian visited on July 21 the Republic the vision regarding the development grams. He also expressed readiness war in Nagorno-Karabakh. of Armenia Academy of Sciences Victor of the observatory. The president within the scope of his capabilities to Hambardzumian Observatory in Burakan, stressed the importance of defining pri- assist the Observatory. met with the employees, and familiarized orities and formation of a precise vision The president also toured the Homeless Family Moves himself with the ongoing activities of the for the coming decades. “It is impor- premise of the Observatory, visited To Prime Minister’s Observatory. tant to have a general vision: it is nec- Hambardzumian’s house-museum, con- Director of the Observatory Areg essary to know where the Burakan will versed with the staff who informed that Personal Apartment Mikaelian provided information on the be in ten or twenty years,” the this year alone, they have already current works and programs, as well as President noted and suggested to received nearly 6,000 guests. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Prime Minister Nikol international cooperation. Pashinyan and his wife, Anna Hakobyan, have lent During a candid conversation with their personal apartment in Yerevan to a homeless family after moving to their official residence. Hakobyan said that this family had approached her for a number of issues, including an accommodation Corrections issue. “The family has a 23-year-old son with Down An incorrect statement was Syndrome. The family doesn’t have a [father]. It is used in a story in last week’s just the grandmother, the mother and the children. newspaper about Armenian pris- The mother provides for their living by herself. Until oners in Azerbaijan. The correct now they’ve been living in an apartment under the statement is: The spokesperson of sponsorship of the Church, and the apartment’s the International Committee of owner decided to sell it. There was an urgent need to the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation provide them with accommodation,” she said. in Armenia said that in accor- dance with ICRC mandate and working modality, they are in a President Hosts AGBU confidential bilateral dialogue with the concerned authorities Summer Program with regard to the reported case. Currently, ICRC has visited two President Armen Sarkissian with staff at the Academy of Sciences Victor Students Armenians. Hambardzumian Observatory in Burakan YEREVAN (Armenpress) — The students who In addition, an incorrect photo arrived to Armenia as part of the AGBU’s Summer was used with the story on the Internship Program and the Musical Armenia Potsdam Garrison Church, writ- Program were hosted today by President Armen ten by Muriel Mirak-Weissbach. Sarkissian. The correct photo appeared Armenian Side ‘Also Responsible’ The students and the president held a question and online. answer on various topics. For Russian Drill Scare “I am here to also see my relatives. I am so DRILL, from page 1 he said without going into details. attached to this country that I hope to come here [Armenian officials] about the move- Panik is located close to one of the many times,” said Lyudmila Avagyan, a young woman ment of a military column and said that two shooting grounds used by the from Virginia, who has relatives living in Armenia. there will be a training exercise without Russian base headquartered in , As this is the first visit to Armenia for many of the specifying the site of the training,” the administrative center of Shirak. young people, some of them said this is also a good Tonoyan told reporters after the meet- The base has up to 5,000 soldiers chance to discover the culture, history and people of ing. “From the legal standpoint, it had mainly deployed along Armenia’s their homeland. to coordinate.” closed border with Turkey as well as The students were asking the president various ques- “But they have admitted their mistake tanks, armored vehicles, artillery sys- tions ranging from the political situation up to the and officially apologized and we have tems and MiG-29 fighter jets. Moscow relations with neighboring countries. Sarkissian noted already drawn conclusions, as a result of has bolstered the base with helicopter that the changes in Armenia will be continuous. which there will be greater coordination,” gunships and other military hardware “We had a great revolution, but at the same time he said. since a 2010 Russian-Armenian agree- we respect previously established international oblig- The minister added that not only the ment extended its basing rights in ations. Any change brings along new ideas, new Russians but also the Armenian side is Armenia to 2044. plans,” said Sarkissian. investigating the incident. “As regards Successive Armenian governments The Potsdam Garrison Church the Armenian side, internal inquiries have regarded the Russian military pres- are being conducted in our agencies ence in Armenia as a key element of the with the aim of identifying the guilty,” country’s national security strategy. S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 8 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 3 ARMENIA

US Embassy Brings Basketball Greats to Armenia for Training Camps

YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — The US Embassy in Armenia brought two professional basketball legends, Ruthie Bolton and Shari Sam, to Armenia for a series of workshops and training camps to help Armenian youth and coaches improve their basketball skills and develop as lead- ers. Both of the visiting basketball stars played for the WNBA, the women’s professional basketball league in the United States. Bolton is one of the most accomplished female athletes in the world. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, she was the star player on the WNBA team the Sacramento Monarchs from 1997 through 2004. She also served as a first lieu- tenant in the US Army Reserves and is the author of sever- al inspirational books in which she shares her story of empowerment. Sam played for a number of WNBA teams, including the WNBA great Ruthie Bolton with children in Yerevan Orlando Miracle, the Miami Sol, the Minnesota Lynx, the Seattle Storm, the Charlotte Sting, the Indiana Fever and the Detroit Shock. Her skills helped several of the teams better basketball players. They will also be coaching them on the community. reach the playoffs and win championships. A WNBA All-Star, how to develop their self-esteem and motivation, and The US Embassy arranged the trip through the US she is ranked in the top 50 of all-time in several categories. encouraging them to become leaders on their teams and in Government’s Sports Envoy Program, administered by the Most recently, she has been an assistant coach at Eastern their communities. US State Department, which sends American athletes Illinois University. Along with working with young Armenians, the visiting abroad to hold sports clinics for young people and coaches, While in Armenia the two are leading a series of work- U.S. basketball legends will also spend time leading mas- participate in community activities, and engage youth in a shops for young Armenian boys and girls from several rural terclasses for Armenian coaches, sharing their experi- dialogue on the importance of leadership and respect for communities, helping them develop their skills to become ences of using sports as a motivational force for good in diversity. Armenian PM Stands by Criticism of EU

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Prime Minister the EU policy. I am bewildered by the fact government did more for having an indepen- will discuss with Armenian leaders their Nikol Pashinyan again criticized the that some of our EU partners … said at their dent judicial system in Armenia in one week “expectations and needs.” “This must be a European Union (EU) on Friday, July 20, for meetings with me that they expect changes or even day than what was done as a result of very concrete discussion,” the diplomat not increasing its financial assistance to in Armenia as they did before.” cooperation between the EU and Armenia’s stressed, adding that the Armenian side Armenia following mass protests that “In order to set the record straight, I gave former government costing tens of millions of should come up with “projects, timelines, brought him to power more than two months concrete examples,” Pashinyan went on. “I euros.” budgets and so on.” ago. said that the current government did more, The remarks came the day after a senior The EU pledged last year to provide up to Pashinyan said that the EU should reward without spending a penny, to combat corrup- European Commission official, Katarina 160 million euros ($185 million) in fresh aid the new Armenian government for aggres- tion in one month than what happened dur- Mathernova, arrived in Yerevan on a two-day to Armenia over the next three years in line sively combatting corruption and launching ing cooperation between the EU and visit which the EU Delegation described as a with the Comprehensive and Enhanced major reforms. “I am surprised that there are Armenia’s government at a cost of tens of mil- “follow-up” to Pashinyan’s talks with Juncker. Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed with still officials in the EU who do not notice lions of euros [in EU funding.] I said that my Switalski said on Monday that Mathernova the previous authorities in Yerevan. changes that have occurred in Armenia,” he told a news conference. Pashinyan first voiced such complaints after holding talks with the two top EU offi- Armenian Defense Chief Issues Stern Warning to Baku cials, European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President WARNING, from page 1 means of countering any type of weapon including state-of-the-art Iskander systems Jean-Claude Juncker, in Brussels on July 12. “In case of a repeat of a scenario of the and the Armenian side not sitting idly by.” supplied by Russia in 2015 or 2016. The head of the EU Delegation in Armenia, April 2016 aggression, the Armenian side Striking a similar bold tone, Karabakh’s The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry was Piotr Switalski, countered on Monday that may not resist the ‘temptation’ of using its top military commander said on Tuesday, quick to react to Mnatsakanian’s warnings, his government needs to propose specific entire arsenal to counter the enemy in a July 24, that the Armenian military could dismissing them as “absurd” and saying reform-oriented projects requiring EU fund- resolute and large-scale way … Azerbaijan “paralyze Azerbaijan’s economy” with mis- that its missile defense systems adequately ing before demanding greater aid from the would not be allowed to retain a monopoly sile strikes if Baku provokes renewed hos- protect domestic economic and military bloc. Pashinyan’s press secretary, Arman on determining the place, time and scale tilities in Nagorno-Karabakh,. facilities. In a statement cited by the APA Yeghoyan, said the following day that the of escalating the situation,” he warned. “That is definitely part of our tactical news agency, the ministry also said Baku government is now working on such projects President Ilham Aliyev and other plans,” Lieutenant General Levon itself has sophisticated missiles capable of and will present them soon. Azerbaijani leaders regularly threaten a Mnatsakanian said at a news conference in destroying key Armenian facilities. Pashinyan said nothing about those aid military solution to the Karabakh conflict. Stepanakert. “In general, the art of war- “Before making such irresponsible state- proposals when he answered a journalist’s Senior military officials in Yerevan and fare requires strikes on these facilities as ments, the enemy should think about the question about Switalski’s comments. “We Stepanakert say that the Azerbaijani mili- well as military targets in case of a resump- fact that in the territory of Armenia there have done nothing and will do nothing for tary has deployed more troops along the tion of hostilities, which will damage the are facilities the destruction of which financial assistance,” he said instead. “What line of contact around Karabakh since [enemy] economy and won’t allow appro- would make it impossible to live there for we are doing is aimed at fulfilling the man- April. priate supplies to the armed forces.” centuries,” it warned in a clear reference date of our people given to us, and I want to “The war is not over. Only its first phase “I see no need for that yet … But if there to the Metsamor nuclear power plant. make this very clear.” has ended,” Aliyev said during a military is a need to strike [those targets] we will Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev parade in Baku on June 26. He threatened not hesitate for a second,” he said. The 43-year-old premier also stood by his threatened military strikes against “strate- military strikes against “strategic” Mnatsakanian implied that a big hydro- earlier criticism of the EU. “For many years, gic” Armenian targets during a June 26 Armenian targets. electric power station near the Azerbaijani the EU said that it does business with military parade in Baku. The parade fea- During the parade the Azerbaijani army town of Mingachevir is one such potential Eastern Partnership countries under the so- tured Belarusian-made Polonez and Israeli- demonstrated 240 pieces of military equip- target. A recent accident there caused called ‘more for more’ formula and on the made LORA missiles which were supplied ment, including Belarusian-made Polonez major power outages in Azerbaijan. basis of values known to all of us: democracy, to the Azerbaijani army in recent months. and Israeli-made LORA missiles which Other Armenian political and military independent judiciary, transparency, rule of They reportedly have a firing range of 200 were reportedly purchased by Baku in leaders have said in the past that law, fight against corruption,” he said. “And and 300 kilometers respectively. before my visit to Brussels there was a state- recent months. Azerbaijan’s strategic oil and gas installa- Mnatsakanian said that the Armenian ment from the EU to the effect that the EU is While admitting that Yerevan is “wor- tions could also be targeted in the event of side has the capacity to shoot down these going to somehow support Armenia. ried” about weapons demonstrated during another Karabakh war. The Armenian mil- the parade, Tonoyan stressed: “There are itary can hit them with ballistic missiles, missiles. But he did not elaborate. “In that context, I expressed my bewilder- ment [in Brussels] at the fact that the formu- la put forward by the EU is not working in 4 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 8 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR INTERNATIONAL International News Aleppo Doctor Helps the Displaced

Paylan: ‘Disgrace that With Career Training

Turkey Uses a Pastor in develop a three day professional training make a living from my own resources,” Its Dirty Deals’ By Constance Vilanova program at the premises of the Marist she told La Croix. Brothers in the Muhafazah quarter. In a few days, she will present her pro- ISTANBUL (Panorama.am) — Garo Paylan, an The students, who were aged between ject to a jury of six experts, hoping to be Armenian member of the Turkish parliament repre- ALEPPO (International La Croix) — 20 and 40 learned management, financed by the Blue Marists. senting the opposition People’s Democratic Party Civilians prepare to leave East Aleppo, accounting and to draw up budgets At the end of each training program, (HDP), has slammed the decision of the Turkish , on Dec. 15, 2016. (Photo by AP) from specialists and members of the candidates make a 30-minute slide pre- court to extend the detention of US pastor Andrew As the situation in Aleppo improves, a Blue Marists. sentation explaining “the feasibility, Brunson. medical doctor and the Blue Marists, a Longer training programs as peace profitability and sustainability” of their Brunson, a 50-year-old missionary from North group of laywomen, laymen and broth- develops business plan. Carolina, has denied espionage and collusion with ers serving refugees in war-ravaged In 2016, the security situation in Antaki and his team select a dozen of terrorist organizations charges since being detained Syria, are offering professional training Aleppo began to improve slowly. these projects to be financed for in 2016 following accusations he helped insurgents to displaced people in a bid to end Following the expulsion of the armed amounts ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 behind a coup in the country that year. He faces up dependence and enable people to look groups, the city was liberated from Al euros. to 35 years in prison. after themselves. Nusra terrorists. “We have already financed 50 and In a post on Twitter, the lawmaker voices concerns Doctor Nabil Antaki, who has worked Although missiles continued to fall now there are 90 families who are able that the American cleric, who is held as hostage in with the most disadvantaged in Aleppo daily in the western areas of the city, the to live from their own resources,” the country as confessed by Turkish President since 1986, wants to “train people to Blue Marists decided that it was time to Antaki said, before calling on Ahmad Erdogan, has not been set free after all, Ermenihaber tackle life’s challenges.” place “young people back on their feet” Nourredine and Mohamad Nour, two reports. As bombs ravaged the city in July by providing them with the training to Muslim candidates, to tell their stories. “Erdogan, who thinks that through Deniz Yucel (a 2012, he launched the “Blue Marists” do so. “Although most of the displaced are German-Turkish journalist detained by Ankara), he association together with his wife and “They needed to move away from the Christians, we are not only concerned managed to bring Germany to knees, continues its Brother Georges Sabé, an Aleppo food basket that they received each day for Christians,” he says. hostage policies,” he wrote. Marist. to complete independence,” said Antaki, Ahmad and Mohamad want to “It is a disgrace that the presidential office uses a The emergency programs organized a gastroenterologist. become partners in opening a workshop pastor in its dirty deals.” by the trio and 70 volunteers now pro- Since the beginning of July, the Blue to repair fridges and air conditioning According to some talks, Turkey seeks the extradi- vide milk, water and medical supplies Marists’ “micro-project” eighth training units. tion of cleric Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara believes for around 300 Syrian families. program has been extended to three “Electricity is now back on in was the mastermind of the 2016 failed coup attempt, Most are Christian and fled their weeks. Experts will assist 16-20 partici- Aleppo,” said Mohamad, who continued in exchange for the release of pastor Andrew neighborhood on Our Lady’s Hill, which pants selected from 100 candidates to his economics studies during the war. Brunson. was taken by the rebels on Good Friday develop an action plan. “Machines that have been abandoned five years ago. Rita Yaghlejian, 30, an Armenian will need to be repaired. “At the end of 2013, we realized that Christian who remained in Aleppo “We are the only ones able to provide Russia Has Delivered the displaced spent their time in hid- throughout the war, wants to open a this service,” he said. Weapons to Armenia ing,” he said. “Their work tools had stationery shop where she plans to offer Antaki admits that he cannot finance often been destroyed and they could no graphic arts services. all the projects and that the choice is YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — Armenia’s longer do anything.” She obtained her license in econom- often difficult. army has received all weapons under a $200-million “We needed to train the young people ics and graphic arts before the local uni- “These displaced people need to be loan agreement with Russia, Armenian Defense to enable them to face up to life’s chal- versity closed. able to work,” he said. “If we want Minister David Tonoyan said on lenges,” he said. “Participating in this program was a Christians to remain in Syria, it is essen- Sunday TASS reports. Despite the bombs, Antaki began to now or never opportunity to learn to tial.” “State-of-the-art Russian weapons have been com- pletely supplied under a $200-million credit. Some types of such weapons are used in the Russian army,” he noted. Under the agreement, Armenia purchased Smerch Germany Treatment of Mesut Ozil ‘Unacceptable’ — multiple missile launchers and munitions to them, Igla-S surface-to-air missile systems and missiles, Turkey President Erdogan Avtobaza-M ground-based radio reconnaissance sys- tems, and other types of weapons. Cup, both because of Erdogan’s auto- porting Ozil. By Eren Sarigul cratic policies and because Ozil and “The TFF offers its full support to Gundogan were set to represent Mesut Ozil and his family and we con- Germany. Most of the criticism fell on demn the treatment, threats and Armenian Leaders Offer BERLIN (ESPN) — Turkey President Condolences to Greece Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the “unacceptable” treatment of Mesut Ozil After Wildfire Deaths by the Germany football federation on Tuesday. YEREVAN (Armenpress) — At least 75 people have Ozil, 29, withdrew from international died and 156 have been injured in forest fires raging football on Sunday, saying that “racism near Athens, the Greek Civil Protection Agency said and disrespect” over his Turkish her- on Tuesday, July 24. itage directed towards himself and his More than 700 have been rescued from beaches, family were major factors behind his where people had fled from the wildfires. decision. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan offered The Arsenal playmaker felt he was condolences to his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras, made a scapegoat for Germany’s poor the PM’s office said. showing at the World Cup in “With deep sorrow I learned about the large-scale Russia after a meeting with Erdogan in fires near Athens, which have caused dozens of London. deaths, injuries and enormous devastation. At this “Such racist treatment towards a difficult time I express my deepest condolences and young man who has given his all to the support to you, the families of the victims and the German national team for his religious good people of Greece, wishing strengths and beliefs is unacceptable,” Erdogan told courage to overcome the consequences of the terrible reporters in parliament. A picture of Mesut Ozil and Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is erected in disaster. I wish speedy recovery to the injured,” he “Furthermore, how do you explain said. Ozil’s hometown of Devrek. Photo by Gokhan Yilmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty being unable to tolerate Mesut, Ilkay Images President Armen Sarkissian sent a letter of condo- [Gundogan] and Cenk Tosun taking a lences to Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos. photograph in London out of respect of Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of their Turkish roots? Ozil after Gundogan released a state- derogatory messages that he has All Armenians, sent a letter to Ieronymos II, “There are some that could not stom- ment explaining his part in the photo, received because of his heritage and Archbishop of Athens and All Greece. “May God help ach this, but there are established, but the Arsenal man stayed silent. background. Every player, no matter the Greek people to overcome these hardships and responsible politicians who are standing The row has now spilled over to the whether they are in the public eye or live in peace and safety,” the letter said. with Mesut.” Turkish town, Devrek, where Ozil’s fam- not, has a right to be protected from The Embassy of Armenia in Greece has launched a Ozil, Manchester City midfielder Ilkay ily originate from. abuse, discrimination and messages hotline for citizens of Armenia affected. Gundogan and Everton striker Cenk Authorities in the town have removed expressing hate. Armenian citizens contact the Embassy by follow- Tosun met Erdogan during the Turkish a street sign on “Mesut Ozil Avenue’ of “All members of the global football ing hotline numbers: (+30) 2106831130 (+30) president’s three-day trip to England in the playmaker wearing a Germany community must be united in our con- 6989479827,” the embassy announced on May. All three players, born in Germany national team jersey. The photograph tinued efforts to drive out racism and Facebook. of Turkish descent, presented Erdogan that initially sparked the controversy intolerance — and we must work togeth- with a shirt from their respective club featuring Ozil and Erdogan has been er to ensure football can realize its and took a photo with him. erected in its place. potential to achieve positive social The photograph sparked months of Also on Tuesday, the Turkish Football impact that promotes the values of controversy in the lead-up to the World Federation released a statement sup- inclusivity and respect.” S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 8 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR 5 INTERNATIONAL Christian Refugees Admitted to US Down More than 50% under Trump

There was no explicit mention of refugees in same period from October 2016 to 30 June 2017, first nine months of the 2017 fiscal year to By Amanda Holpuch the prepared schedule for the three-day meet- more than 23,000 Christians were admitted. 2,421 in the first nine months of the 2018 fis- ing, though one session was scheduled to dis- The drop in Christian admissions is a shift cal year. cuss the “needs of displaced minorities.” from the promises Trump made in his first Ahead of Wednesday’s meeting, the LONDON (Guardian) — The number of “There will be a range of religious freedom week in office to help Christian refugees more International Rescue Committee (IRC) urged Christian refugees admitted into the US has issues discussed at the Ministerial to Advance than previous administrations. the US to increase refugee admissions, high- dropped more than 50 percent under Donald Religious Freedom, including support and care In January 2017, Trump told the Christian lighting that the legal definition of refugee Trump, as his harsh immigration policies to victims of religious violence or persecution, Broadcasting Network it was “at least very includes people fleeing persecution based on extend even to a group of people he promised and advocacy and assistance for displaced reli- tough” for Christian refugees to enter the US religion, as well as race, nationality, politics, or to protect. gious minority communities,” a state depart- and claimed it was much easier for Muslims to membership in a particular social group. An analysis of US State Department data ment official said in a email to the Guardian. enter in comparison. “The consequences of a failure to return to shows a fall in US support for these refugees The Trump administration capped refugee “If you were a Muslim you could come in, but robust refugee admissions are immeasurable ahead of the department’s first-of-its-kind con- admissions for the 2018 fiscal year at a record if you were a Christian, it was almost impossible and far reaching in terms of those refugees left ference on religious liberty, the Ministerial to low of 45,000 refugees, but with only three and the reason that was so unfair, everybody behind, families awaiting reunification with Advance Religious Freedom, on Wednesday. months left of the fiscal year, only 36 percent of was persecuted in all fairness, but they were their loved ones here in the US, refugee-hosting that target has been admitted, according to chopping off the heads of everybody but more countries who continue to take on more than State Department data. From October 1, 2017 so the Christians,” Trump said. “And I thought their fair share, and waning US influence to June 30, 2018, the US admitted 16,230 it was very, very unfair. So we are going to help abroad,” the IRC said in a statement late on refugees. them.” Monday. Israel Rebukes Trump targeted the refugee program on the He did not provide evidence that the two The state department official said the US had campaign trail, and in office has added extra groups were treated differently. admitted more refugees than any other country security vetting to an already rigorous vetting Christians now make up the largest share of in the world since 1975 and had provided more Turkey’s Erdogan process. In October 2017, refugee admissions refugee admissions for any religious group, at than $8bn in humanitarian assistance world- were halted for 90 days for people fleeing “high- 67% of the refugees allowed in. But the number wide. The official said: “The United States will risk” countries. of Christian refugees admitted still falls far continue to resettle the most vulnerable Over ‘Hitler’ For Christians, refugee admissions have short of previous years. refugees, including those who have fled reli- shrunk to 10,955 in the first nine months of the The number of Muslim refugees has fallen gious persecution, while prioritizing the safety Comparison fiscal year that began on October 1, 2017. In the ever farther, from more than 21,459 from the and security of the American people.”

TEL AVIV (BBC) — Israel’s prime minister has angrily rebuffed comments by the Turkish president who called Israel the “most fascist, racist state” in the world. Kurds Discouraged by Hard-Liners in Turkey’s New Cabinet Benjamin Netanyahu accused Recep Tayyip Erdogan of “massacring Syrian and Kurds,” Kadir Karagoz told Al-Monitor. Research Center in Diyarbakir, is also among after Erdogan compared Israeli political lead- By Mahmut Bozarslan Ayhan Bilgen, a parliament member and the pessimists, but he said the new adminis- ers to Hitler. HDP deputy who won 52% of the votes in the tration can’t just ignore the situation. He told Netanyahu tweeted that under Erdogan’s mainly Kurdish southeast, said finding a res- Al-Monitor, “Today’s regime is far from a rule, Turkey had become a “dark dictatorship.” DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Al Monitor) — olution is essential, but there is not enough solution,” but that it must end its intransi- The two countries have a recent history of Turkish President Abdullah Gul told journal- political will for it. He told Al-Monitor, gence over the Kurdish issue. “There is no tense relations. ists in 2009, “Some great things are going to “Turkey may delay the Kurdish issue, but other way out. How long can they delay a Once close allies, Turkey broke off diplomat- happen on the Kurdish problem soon.” that will make the issue even more compli- solution?” ic ties with Israel in 2010 after 10 pro- Everyone was excited by what appeared to cated, more bloody. There is no other way but Vural went on, “There are no Kurds in the Palestinian Turkish activists were killed in be a door finally opening to resolving to solve this problem [quickly].” government, [only a] minor presence in the clashes with Israeli commandos who boarded a Turkey’s volatile relationship with the Bayram Bozyel, deputy secretary-general of parliament. The current regime doesn’t have Turkish-owned ship trying to break Israel’s mar- Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is the Kurdistan Socialist Party, also believes the will or the intention to tackle the issue. itime blockade of the Gaza Strip. considered a terrorist organization by Turkey the new administration has no intention of Kurds are citizens and partners in this coun- Relations were restored in 2016, but they and the United States. Four years later, a solving the problem peacefully. He said the try. No matter how hard the regime resists, expelled each other’s top diplomats in May this message from PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan appointment of hard-liners to the new the Kurdish issue won’t go away.” year in a dispute over Israel’s killing of from Imrali prison to mass crowds at Nowruz Cabinet — including Interior Minister Like the others, Vural is even more pes- Palestinians amid protests on the Gaza-Israel celebrationsamplified hopes when he sensa- Suleyman Soylu and Defense Minister Hulusi simistic when he looks at the Kurd-free border. tionally called for giving up guns and pursu- Akar, a former chief of staff — proves his Cabinet. “There is no one who identifies him- Human rights groups have accused Israeli ing a political solution. Ocalan is serving a point. self as a Kurd. To the contrary, there are troops of using excessive force. Israel says they life sentence for treason. “The current interior minister is a politi- members known to be hostile to Kurds who only opened fire in self-defence or on Then an unexpected accord was reached in cian who made his career by opposing the see the issue only in terms of terror. If you Palestinians trying to infiltrate its territory February 2015 at Istanbul’s Dolmabahce Kurds. To reappoint him as the minister of ask me, the current government doesn’t even under the cover of the demonstrations to carry Palace between the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ interior in the new Cabinet tells us that the acknowledge the existence of the issue, never out attacks. Democracy Party (HDP) and government offi- new government approves the current policy mind searching for a solution.” ‘Spirit of Hitler’ cials. The deal generated widespread opti- and wants to continue with it,” Bozyel told Until now, the government has blamed the In a speech to his Islamist-rooted AKP party, mism that a solution was imminent. But Al-Monitor. delays in resolving the Kurdish issue to the Erdogan sharply criticised a controversial law President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced “The president immediately mobilized his PKK’s violence, repeating, “A solution can’t passed by Israel last week which characterised he would not recognize the Dolmabahce new powers after the elections, which means be discussed with guns in their hands.” But the country as principally a Jewish state. Accord one month later. Now the resumption he is after absolute power, immune to audit even though over the past couple of years, “This measure has shown without leaving the of clashes, trench warfare in towns and by the legislature, the judiciary and the the PKK has suffered military setbacks that slightest room for doubt that Israel is the Erdogan’s declaration of a state of emer- media. These are signs that the situation can have left it no other option than to seek a world’s most Zionist, fascist and racist state,” gency have wiped out any hope for a solu- only get worse for the Kurds,” he added. political solution, one is no closer to materi- Erdogan said. tion. Mehmet Vural, chairman of Dicle Social alizing. “There is no difference between Hitler’s The prevailing opinion was that Erdogan’s obsession with the Aryan race and Israel’s softening Kurdish policy was causing him to understanding that these ancient lands are lose support in parts of western Turkey meant only for Jews. where anti-Kurdish sentiment ran high, and Armenia’s Diaspora Minister Travels “The spirit of Hitler, which led the world to a that’s why he reverted to a policy of force. great catastrophe, has found its resurgence The government, which kept saying it was in among some of Israel’s leaders,” he added. a struggle against terror, resisted any open- To Cyprus for Meetings Israel considers comparisons with the Nazi ing to possibly solving the Kurdish issue and regime, which murdered six million Jews in even discarded what minor progress had NICOSIA, Cyprus (Armenpress) — Armenia’s Minister of Diaspora Mkhitar Europe in the Holocaust, as an egregious insult. been made. It seemed the Kurdish issue Hayrapetyan, who is in Cyprus on an official visit, on July 24 met with Responding swiftly on Twitter, Netanyahu could no longer be even mentioned. Photis Photiou, Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Issues and Overseas accused Erdogan of “massacring Syrians and Debates eventually resumed just prior to Cypriots. Kurds and imprisoning tens of thousands of his the elections held last month. At that time, Hayrapetyan thanked the country’s leaders for the invitation and stated: “The fact that fellow citizens.” one of two outcomes seemed likely: The gov- I paid my first visit to Cyprus is already a signal that we really highly value our relations He added: “The fact that the ‘great democrat’ ernment would change or Erdogan would be and are ready to further strengthen them.” Erdogan attacks [Israel’s] national law is the re-elected, become even stronger and solve Photis Photiou thanked for accepting the invitation. “I see how active you are, I follow greatest compliment.” the issue. Erdogan did win and Kurds again your meetings. Our peoples have many commonalities, and perhaps this is the reason that “Turkey under Erdogan is becoming a dark turned their attention toward Ankara, won- we always assist you and vice versa”, he said. dictatorship, while Israel is meticulously main- dering if any solution was in the making. But During the meeting Photiou also touched upon the Armenians living in Cyprus and taining equal rights for all its citizens, before discussions were quickly shelved when the their problems, stating that they always try to assist the Armenian community so that and after the [national] law.” hard-line interior minister was reappointed they can maintain their Armenian identity. “We do this by assisting the Armenian schools It is not the first time Erdogan has launched and a hawkish senior general was named as and churches. We want that Armenians will not be away from their roots. We also have a a verbal attack on Israel. Earlier this year, the new defense minister. Diaspora and are well aware what problems people face while living not in the homeland”. Erdogan called Netanyahu “an occupier” and “If there had been changes in these two The officials also discussed the possible joint programs, highlighting the need to “a terrorist.” ministries and the language of war, threats include youth in these programs as much as possible. Netanyahu responded by saying Israel would and insults had been abandoned, there could Hayrapetyan arrived in Cyprus on an official visit. He was scheduled to meet with “not be lectured to on morality from someone have been hope for a solution,” but that can’t President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades. Thereafter, he will participate in the World who for years has been bombing civilians indis- happen with the same people in charge and criminately.” the same forces at work, Diyarbakir citizen 6 S ATURDAY, J ULY 2 8 , 2 0 1 8 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR Community News

Richard Hovannisian Senate Appropriations In Republic of Committee Ensures Armenia Centennial Continued Aid to Conferences Armenia LOS ANGELES — Prof. Richard Hovannisian WASHINGTON — The Senate of the University of California at Los Angeles Appropriations Committee adopted the Fiscal (UCLA), University of Southern California Year (FY) 2019 State, Foreign Operations, and (USC) and Chapman University has traveled Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations extensively in 2018 to participate in confer- Bill, which ensures continued funding to ences dedicated to the centenary of the Armenia and supports humanitarian programs Republic of Armenia and the neighboring in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), reported the republics of the South Caucasus. In March, Armenian Assembly of America. Hovannisian, along with Drs. Rubina According to the bill’s report language, Peroomian and Vicken Cheterian, engaged in which Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) advanced: discussions in Canada on the theme “From “The Committee remains concerned with the Genocide to Statehood” at McGill University in protracted conflict between Azerbaijan and Montreal, Carleton University in Ottawa, and Armenia, endorses the Organization for the University of Toronto, sponsored by the Security and Cooperation in Europe Minsk Quebec and Ontario Armenian Student Process, and supports humanitarian and Associations. Hovannisian then traveled to the health programs funded by the act for victims Catholicosate of in to join Diocesan youth leaders in of that conflict, including for regional rehabili- scholars from around the world and a delega- tation centers to care for infants, children, and tion from Artsakh led by President Bako adults with physical and cognitive disabilities.” Sahakyan in an intense three-day Armenian- The overall bill also provides $3.4 billion for language conference on the Republic. During Migration and Refugee Assistance. the concluding session, bestowed on Eastern Diocese Leads In his testimony before the Senate Hovannisian and Lebanese Armenian educa- Appropriations Committee earlier this month, tor, editor, and historian Yervant Pamboukian 22 Youth Leaders on Holy Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny the title and medal of “Prince of Cilicia.” urged, among other priorities, robust funding In April, Hovannisian was at the American for Artsakh to help meet the ongoing humani- University of Armenia (AUA) for a three-lecture Land Pilgrimage tarian and development needs for its people as filmed series on the republic, organized by well as increased funding for refugee assistance AUA and the Armenian General Benevolent JERUSALEM — Twenty-two young adults from across the Eastern Diocese came to Armenia. Union. The same month, he was honored, together at Newark International Airport on June 5, 2018, to embark on a 10-day pil- The committee included language that puts along with the Shoah Foundation, by the Los grimage to the Holy Land as part of the Eastern Diocese’s Annual Young Adult Turkey on notice for purchasing military sys- Angeles City Council (Paul Krikorian) and by Pilgrimage to Jerusalem. tems from Russia. The Russian-made military the California State Legislature in Sacramento The group extensively toured Jerusalem’s holy sites as well as historic Biblical areas equipment exposes the United States to poten- (Adrin Nazarian, Laura Friedman, Scott such as Bethlehem, where Jesus was born; the Sea of Galilee, where Christ walked on tial risk in the region. Spearheaded by Van Wiener, Scott Wilk, Anthony Portantino, and water and preached to his disciples; Hollen and with the support of State and others) for his scholarship, advocacy, and civic Nazareth, where Jesus grew up; Mt. Foreign Operations Appropriations activities. By Armen Terjimanian Tabor, where the Transfiguration took Subcommittee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R- In early May, Hovannisian was honored dur- place; and the Jordan River, where a SC), the Committee adopted an amendment ing centenary conferences at California State blessing of water service was held near which would expressly prohibit spending funds University, Northridge, and at Columbia the place where Jesus is believed to have been baptized by John the Baptist. from FY 2019 — as well as prior fiscal years — University in New York, under the auspices of For many of the young pilgrims, the journey awakened them to the vital role to transfer, or facilitate the transfer, of F-35 Armenian Revolutionary Federation, National Armenians and their spirituality have played in the story of the Holy Land. Joint Strike Fighters to Turkey until the Association for Armenian Studies and “I learned that the Armenians have had a presence here for a very long time, cen- Secretary of State certifies that Turkey is not Research, Armenian Review, and the host insti- turies longer than I would have guessed,” said participant Emily Movsesian (of the purchasing and will not accept deliveries of the tutions. There, he reflected on his fifty years of Holy Trinity Church in Cheltenham, PA). “And that we have privileges in places like Russian S-400 missile defense system. research and study of the First Republic. Later the Holy Sepulchre that are very special compared to other Christians.” Graham stated during the mark-up: “I find it that month, Hovannisian delivered a keynote Like generations of Armenian pilgrims before them, the Diocesan youth group was very odd that we live in a time where a NATO address at the state-sponsored centennial con- welcomed to the Sts. James Armenian Patriarchate, and had an audience with the ally is buying a missile defense systems from ference held in the Armenian Academy of current Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian. Russia. This is not exactly what I had in mind Sciences in Yerevan. The group was led by the Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, pastor of Holy Trinity Church for NATO...” Hovannisian also traveled to , Georgia of Cambridge, Mass. According to Van Hollen’s press release, in May to discuss with Prof. Stephen Jones of He was assisted by Arpi Nakashian from the Diocese of the Armenian Church of “senior defense officials have said that if Mount Holyoke College the centenary of the America (Eastern), and Armen Terjimanian, a St. Nersess Armenian Seminary stu- Turkey operates both the F-35 and the S-400, Democratic Republic of Georgia, as well as dent. Shake Derderian (St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church, Wynnewood, PA) of Nour it could compromise the F-35’s security, includ- Armenian-Georgian relations, in a program Travel accompanied the group throughout the trip. ing the aircraft’s stealth capabilities, and rep- sponsored by the rector of Ilia State University Most stops on the itinerary included Bible Studies led by the leaders, allowing the resent a strategic threat to the United States. and organized by upcoming scholar Beka young adults to reflect on their faith and deepen their knowledge while visiting the It would also compromise the security of our Kobakhidze. At the end of June, he returned to holy sites of Biblical history. allies and stand in clear violation of the Tbilisi for a week-long conference and summer “I learned many things on this pilgrimage, including facts about the Holy Bible Countering America’s Adversaries through school on Georgia and the Caucasian and Jesus Christ’s path all the way to his death and rising,” said Alen Dokmecioglu Sanctions Act.” republics, held at the Ivane Javakhashvili State (Holy Martyrs Church, Bayside, NY). “I also learned a lot about Jerusalem and the way “The Armenian Assembly appreciates the University, Georgian National Museum, and of life here. I need to analyze the information I received when I go back home.” Senate Appropriations Committee’s commit- Georgian National Archives. In each of his trips Three times during the pilgrimage, the group participated in the celebration of the ment to provide humanitarian aid to Artsakh to Yerevan and Tbilisi, Hovannisian gave a badarak. During the group’s first full day of touring, Kouzouian celebrated the and for supporting efforts of the OSCE Minsk number of television, radio, podcast, and news- badarak at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, at the birthplace of Christ. Later Group to find a peaceful solution to the paper interviews. in the week, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the tomb of St. Mary near the Garden Nagorno Karabakh peace process,” stated During his intervals back in Los Angeles, of Gethsemane in Jerusalem. Assembly Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Hovannisian continued with his brisk schedule “Having the opportunity to unpack the Gospel in an intimate setting in the places Van Krikorian. “That needs to include restor- by making presentations on the Armen