MARCH 16, 2019 Mirror-SpeTHE ARMENIAN ctator Volume LXXXIX, NO. 34, Issue 4578 $ 2.00 NEWS The First English Language Armenian Weekly in the United States Since 1932 INBRIEF Putin, Pashinyan Appeals Court in Armenia Rejects Spokespersons Meet in Russia Sergio Nahabedian’s Suit against ADL MOSCOW (Armenpress) — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s spokesperson Vladimir YEREVAN (Azg) — On February 20, the Court of Republic of Armenia, be changed. Karapetyan in Moscow on a working visit, met with Appeals of the Republic of Armenia rejected an The same individual in February 2018 had applied President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry appeal by Sergio Nahabedian of Argentina against to a court of general jurisdiction of the city of Peskov, according to the embassy. Armenia’s the Democratic Liberal Party (ADL) of Armenia. Yerevan, which by its decision of December 13, 2018 Ambassador to Russia Vardan Toghanyan also took Nahabedian, representing himself as the completely rejected the plaintiff’s case. The rejection part in the meeting. “Chairman of the Democratic Liberal Party,” had of the plaintiff by the Appeals Court confirms explicit- During the meeting various issues regarding submitted a protest to the court demanding that the ly that the claims of the plaintiff and his “executive” to be cooperation between the press services of the two name, coat of arms and seal of the Democratic Liberal legal heirs of the ADL founded in Constantinople in 1921 are sides were discussed. Particularly, the sides Party, which are recorded in the bylaws of the party and baseless attempts to change the bylaws of the party which addressed the partnership between the press ser- ratified by the appropriate governmental body of the have been legally registered in Armenia. vices of the Armenian PM’s office, the Kremlin and the Russian government, and the coverage of events taking place within the framework of the Armenian-Russian relations. Karapetyan and Peskov agreed to hold regular Turkey’s Armenian Church Leader consultative meetings that will contribute to exchange of experience and strengthening of ties in the news sectors. On the same day, Karapetyan also Patriarch Mutafyan Dies met with editors of leading Russian news media. New US Ambassador ISTANBUL (Armenpress, AP) — gy in Memphis, Tenn. Meets with Government Patriarch Mesrob II, the leader of the On May 13, 1979, he was ordained to Armenian Apostolic Christians in Turkey, priesthood and was commissioned pastor Officials died on March 8. He was 62. of Kınalıada, one of the Prince Islands in Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency said the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul. Between YEREVAN (Armenpress) — Minister of Nature Mesrob Mutafyan, the 84th Armenian 1979 and 1981, he continued his theologi- Protection Erik Grigoryan on March 11 had a Patriarch of Constantinople, died Friday at cal studies in Jerusalem. meeting with new US Ambassador to Armenia Istanbul’s Armenian Surp Pirgic hospital On September 21, 1986, Mesrob Lynne Tracy. where he was being cared for. He had been Mutafyan was elevated to the rank of a The minister welcomed the delegation led by incapacitated since 2008 because of early Bishop in Echmiadzin, Armenia. From the ambassador and congratulated Tracy on onset of dementia. 1982 to 1990, he coordinated the ecumeni- assuming her diplomatic mission in Armenia. Mesrob was elected Patriarch in 1998, cal relationships of the Patriarchate. He Grigoryan introduced the ministry’s future replacing the late Karekin II. He withdrew attended the Pontifical University of St. visions on solving environmental issues and from his duties in 2008 and Archbishop Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, expressed confidence that the bilateral coopera- Aram Atesyan was appointed as the acting Italy in 1988-1989. Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan tion will further expand by involving new areas. patriarch for the Armenian community see MUTAFYAN, page 5 In her turn the US Ambassador thanked for which numbers an estimated 70,000. the reception and wishes. She reaffirmed her Mutafyan graduated from the country’s readiness to continue and expand the American High School in Kornwestheim partnership for solving environmental issues. near Stuttgart in Germany. From 1974 to She also met with Deputy Prime Minister 1979, he studied philosophy and sociolo- Mher Grigoryan, who congratulated Tracy on assuming the position of the ambassador. He noted that the Republic of Armenia attaches great importance to the future deepening and UK Armenian Council development of relations between Armenia and the US. Holds Reception for Thanking him for the reception, Tracy said, New Armenian “Mr. Grigoryan, I am confident that by today’s meeting with you, a series of straightforward, Ambassador Kirakossian open and effective dialogue that will allow Armenia and the United States to build stronger LONDON — A reception in honor of ties of partnership and cooperation is launched”. Arman Kirakossian, the newly appointed During the meeting the sides exchanged views ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to on the opportunities of creating favorable invest- the Court of St. James, organized by the ment environment in Armenia and prospects for Armenian Community Council of the the development of the Armenian-US coopera- United Kingdom (ACC), took place on Marc Davie Baer (left) and Umit Kurt tion. March 7, at the Medical Society of London, Lettsom House. Over 100 dignitaries representing grass- roots organizations and the Armenian INSIDE Church attended the reception. In his open- Life After Babylon ing speech, Chairman of the ACC Arman Abrahamian welcomed the ambassador and introduced him to the community pledging HANNOVER, Germany — People of Jewish or Armenian heritage know that they support and cooperation. share a painful history, one that deprived them of statehood and forced them into Meet Miss see AMBASSADOR, page 20 life in the diaspora over centuries. In view of this shared, but differentiated experience, the European Center for Jewish Music (EZJM) and the German-Armenian Society (DAG) joined to organized a sympo- Nebraska sium at the Cultural Center in Hannover, from February 24-27. Page 10 By Muriel Mirak-Weissbach Titled “We Will Live After Babylon: Special to the Mirror-Spectator Armenian and Jewish Historical Experience between Expulsion, Exile and Destruction,” the three-day conference INDEX presented a vast spectrum, highlighting the diversity as well as the similarities in Arts and Living . 12 their historical experience. Scholars from all over the world joined in panels to Armenia . 2,3 exchange views on diaspora and minority issues, the Genocide and Holocaust as a Community News. 6 breach of civilization, their commemoration and reception, and the relationship Editorial . 18 Ambassador Arman Kirakossian with Dr. between the two communities today. International . 4,5 Hratch Kouyoumjian vice-chair of the Armenian Community Council of the UK see BABYLON, page 4 2 S ATURDAY, M ARCH 1 6 , 2 0 1 9 T HE A RMENIAN M IRROR -S PECTATOR ARMENIA News From Armenia President, Prime Minister, Send Letters of Condolence to Ethiopian Leader YEREVAN (Armenpress) — President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a condolence message to Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on the occasion of the airplane crash at the airport of Addis Ababa. “I learned about the crash of the plane flying from Addis Ababa to Nairobi on March 10 with great sor- row. At this difficult moment I express my deepest condolences and sympathies and wish the families and friends of the victims strength and patience.” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also sent a letter of condolence. “I extend my deepest condolences and support to the families and relatives of all the victims, wishing patience, strength for overcoming this tragedy,” he said. The Boeing 737 en route from Ethiopia’s capital of Addis Ababa to Kenya’s Nairobi crashed on Sunday morning near Debre Zeit in central Ethiopia. The Armenia’s Ambassador to the Holy See Karen Nazaryan presents his credentials to Pope Francis. plane lost contact six minutes after takeoff, the air- line said. There were 149 passengers and 8 crewmembers on board the plane. There are no survivors in the crash. Ambassador to Vatican Nazaryan Meets with Pope March 11 was declared a mourning day in VATICAN CITY (Armenpress) — proclaiming St. Gregory of Narek as states and addressed his wishes to the Ethiopia. Armenia’s Ambassador to the Holy See Doctor of the Church further strength- citizens of Armenia, Cathlicos of All Karen Nazaryan on March 9 presented ened the bridge of unity and faith Armenians and the country’s political his credentials to Pope Francis, the encouraging and supporting all leadership. Armenian Sapper Armenian Foreign Ministry reported. Armenians living in Armenia and On the same day, Nazaryan had a pri- During the meeting, Nazaryan on abroad. He expressed his willingness to vate meeting with Secretary of State of Wounded In Syria behalf of the citizens and new leader- make all efforts to ensure the constant the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro ship of Armenia, conveyed warm greet- expansion of inter-state ties in different Parolin during which they discussed the YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — One of the Armenian dem- ings to the Pope, stating that Armenia sectors. bilateral agenda and mutual partner- ining officers recently deployed to Syria has been always remembers his historic visit. He Pope Francis welcomed the Armenian ship, as well as touched upon the seriously wounded while clearing landmines near expressed his gratitude for the princi- authorities’ plan to further develop the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement Aleppo, officials reported on March 8. pled stance of Pope Francis regarding bilateral ties with the Holy See. He process and the regional developments. According to Armenia’s Center for Humanitarian the recognition of the Armenian wished the new ambassador a produc- Parolin conveyed his warm greetings Demining and Expertise (CHDE), the sapper (or Genocide.