JUNE 3, 2017 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXVII, NO. 46, Issue 4490 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF House Resolution Turkish Divestment Bill Passes California Condemning Assembly Committee Turkish Violence SACRAMENTO — Assembly Bill 1597, the Divestment from Turkish Bonds Act, passed the Against Protesters Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 26, clearing the way for a vote to hold Turkey account- Passes Unanimously able for the denial of the Armenian Genocide. “I am humbled and grateful for my colleagues in ANCA Director Offers the Assembly for joining with me to fight for justice Eyewitness Testimony for the 1.5 million Armenian souls who perished in the Genocide,” stated Assemblymember Adrin WASHINGTON — The House Foreign Nazarian. “If Turkey continues to fund Armenian Affairs Committee on May 25 unanimous- Genocide deniers they must be financially pun- ly adopted House Resolution 354 con- ished.” demning the violence against peaceful AB 1597 prohibits the boards of the California protesters outside the Turkish Public Retirement System (CalPERS) and Ambassador’s residence on May 16, 2017, California State Teachers’ Retirement System Dr. Tom Catena and calls for measures to be taken to pre- (CalSTRS) from making additional or new invest- vent similar incidents in the future. House ments, or renewing existing investments issued, $1.1 Million Aurora Prize for Awakening Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce (R- owned, controlled, or managed by the government CA) was joined by Ranking Member Eliot of Turkey. Humanity Awarded to Dr. Tom Catena Engel (D-NY), Majority Leader Kevin AB 1597 will now be debated and voted on by McCarthy (R-CA), and Democratic Whip the California Assembly. YEREVAN — The $1.1 Million Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity was Steny Hoyer (D-MD) in introducing H.Res. awarded on May 28, to Dr. Tom Catena, a Catholic missionary from Amsterdam, 354, requesting “the perpetrators to be NY, who has saved thousands of lives as the sole doctor permanently based in brought to justice.” Celebrating Republic Sudan’s war-ravaged Nuba Mountains. The Aurora Prize, granted by the Aurora On the passage of H.Res. 354, Royce Day on May 28 Humanitarian Initiative on behalf of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide and said: “Armed members of President in gratitude to their saviors, was announced at a ceremony in Yerevan. He was Erdogan’s security detail savagely beat, YEREVAN (Armenpress) — On May 28 selected as the 2017 Aurora Prize Laureate from more than 550 nominations sub- choked and kicked protesters in an unpro- Armenians worldwide celebrated the 99th anniver- mitted from 66 countries. voked assault aimed at silencing these sary of establishment of the First Republic of George Clooney, Academy Award-winning actor, co-founder of both The Sentry American citizens’ right to free speech Armenia and the historical victory in the battle of and Not On Our Watch, and co-chair of the Aurora Prize Selection Committee, and assembly. This timely resolution Sardarapat. commended Catena by stating, “As violence and war continue to threaten people’s sends a clear signal to the Turkish gov- On May 28, 1918, with the victory in the battles spirits and perseverance, it is important to recognize, empower and celebrate peo- ernment that we will not allow any foreign of Sardarapat, Bash Aparan and Gharakilisa, the ple like Dr. Catena who are selflessly helping others to not only survive, but government to stifle the rights of our cit- Armenian people’s independence was restored thrive. Dr. Catena is a role model to us all, and yet another example of people on izens.” which had been lost more than nine centuries the ground truly making a difference.” H.Res. 354 says that “any Turkish secu- before. see AURORA, page 10 rity officials who directed, oversaw, or Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan congratulated participated in efforts by Turkish security the Armenian people on the occasion. “May 28 is forces to illegally suppress peaceful the most important milestone for the foundation of protests on May 16, 2017, should be our statehood and democracy. Despite all difficul- charged and prosecuted under United ties and challenges, our people in 1918 heroical- White House Submits Slashed States law.” The Resolution continues: ly received their inalienable right to live and have “the United States should take steps to future. Today, we ought to continue that path Budget to Congress strengthen freedoms for the press and symbolizing the greatest values of our indepen- civil society in countries such as Turkey, dence and freedom.” WASHINGTON — The administration “The Assembly will continue to advance and combat efforts by foreign leaders to President Serzh Sargsyan said, “These battles released its budget recommendations for key priorities for the benefit of the suppress free and peaceful protest in their were the last efforts of people standing on the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) to Congress today Armenian people and the strengthening of own countries.” brink of annihilation to defend the last land pieces with substantial budget cuts, the Armenian US-Armenia relations,” stated Assembly Shocked to see Erdogan’s thugs attack- of our historical Fatherland and save the last rem- Assembly of America (Assembly) reports. Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “As the ing peaceful protesters, Engel stated: “I nants of our people. This seemingly impossible The proposed budget for FY18, called “A current Administration reduces foreign aid had been invited, actually, to go to that heroic deed was carried out by all circles of our peo- New Foundation for American across the board, we must ensure that meeting at the Turkish Embassy. I didn’t ple. The acted with unique unity and organization, Greatness,” recommended a 29 percent cut Armenia has the resources to address the go, and I’m glad I didn’t go because I was selfless courage and persistent will. They acted overall and a 60 percent reduction in assis- compelling humanitarian needs as a result just horrified when I heard what with high level of national consciousness and his- tance to Europe and Eurasia. see BUDGET, page 20 see VIOLENCE, page 7 torical responsibility.” He added, “Every year we repeat as a loyalty oath a simple truth: if there was no May 28, 1918, there would be no Soviet Tekeyan President Azadian Meets with Catholicos Karekin II Armenia and the present day Republic of Armenia.” ECHMIADZIN, Armenia — Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II received Edmond Y. Azadian, president of the Tekeyan Cultural Association of the United States and Canada, INSIDE last week. The two discussed a series of issues pertaining to Armenian culture as well as the forthcoming visit of the Catholicos to the US this autumn and possible solutions to Tekeyan at the crisis affecting the Istanbul Patriarchate of Armenians. The meeting deliberated on the role of the 70 in NYC Church of Armenia, and opinions were exchanged on the recent meeting of the Page 12 Supreme Spiritual Council in Moscow. Catholicos Karekin noted that a new Armenian school was going to be founded in the center of the Russian capital soon. INDEX Certain questions concerning the reuni- Arts and Living . 12 fication of the Armenian Democratic Armenia . 2,3 Liberal Party were examined. Azadian Community News. 6 remarked that they were ready for negoti- Editorial . 17 ations, but the representatives of the International . 4,5 opposing side did not understand the nature of the political party. Catholicos Karekin II with Edmond Y. Azadian 2 S ATURDAY, J UNE 3 , 2 0 1 7 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia President Sargsyan Meets with Members of Madrid Club, Aurora Selection Committee Foreign Minister YEREVAN — On May 28, President Serzh Sargsyan hosted a gathering at Receives EU Reps the Presidential Palace for representa- tives of The Club de Madrid and Aurora YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — Armenian Prize selection committee. Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian received on May The Club de Madrid is an indepen- 31 the Special Envoys for Eastern Partnership from dent non-profit organization created to the Foreign Ministries of EU member states Latvia, promote democracy and change in the the Netherlands, Lithuania, Estonia and Sweden led international community. Composed of by Slovakia’s Special Envoy for the Eastern 95 regular members, 64 of which are Partnership Dusan Dacho. former presidents and 39 of which are The interlocutors held a detailed discussion on former prime ministers from 65 coun- Armenia-EU relations, cooperation within the frame- tries, the Club de Madrid is the world’s work of the Eastern Partnership Program, the prepa- largest forum of former Heads of State rations for the Brussels summit. and Government. The parties emphasized the dynamic development Among the members of the Madrid of relations between Armenia and the European Club, former President of Tanzania Union, the achievements of the past years, including Benjamin Mkapa and former President Armenia’s inclusion in Horyzon 2020 and COSME of Botswana Festus Mogae, who were programs, its participation in Creative Europe pro- invited to participate at the Award gram and the negotiations on Common Prize award ceremony in Yerevan, as Aviation Area. From left, former President of Botswana Festus Mogae, former President of well as the former President of Mexico Reference was made to the Armenia-EU Comp- Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa, former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo and Ernesto Zedillo, who is a member of Carnegie Foundation President Vartan Gregorian meet with President Sargsyan. rehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement and the Aurora Prize selection committee. the Armenia-European Union 2017-2020 The President of Armenia welcomed Partnership Priorities document, which create a the guests to Armenia and noted that the world, President Sargsyan at the certainly encourage people who are solid basis for cooperation.