Armenian News... A Topalian 8 editorials
Public Radio of Armenia
Aug 26 2019
Catholicosate of Cilicia renews demand for return of its historical religious center in Turkey
Under the leadership of His Holiness Aram I, the legal team of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia has filed a case in the 2nd Kozan Court of First Instance against the Kozan Municipality and the Turkish State Treasury for the return of the Monastery and Catherdral of St. Sophia, the historical center of the Cilician Catholicosate of the Armenian Church since 1297.
This follows a decision by the European Court of Human Rights in 2017 ruling that the 2015 claim by the Catholicosate must be submitted once again to the Turkish courts before the case can be brought to the European court.
In the current application, which follows the original claim submitted in 2015, His Holiness Aram I asks that the property in question be registered in the name of “the Sis Monastery, the Religious Center under the Authority of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia” and that it be immediately returned to the legal owner.
The court has not yet decided on a hearing date. Should the Turkish courts give a negative response it will be possible once again to submit the Catholicosate’s claim to the European Court of Human Rights.
Daily Sabah, Turkey
Aug 26 2019
US court rules against Armenian diaspora compensation demands from Turkey for 1915 events
U.S. court rejected an Armenian diaspora's demands of compensation and land from Turkey regarding the 1915 events, putting an end to the nine-year-long court process.
Two separate compensation cases, one of which was filed by U.S.-based Armenians Garbis Davoyan and Hrayr Turabian on July 29, 2010 and the other by Alex Bakalian, Anais Haroutunian and Rita Mahdessian on Dec. 10, 2010 at the California State District Administrative Court against the Turkish state, its central bank and Ziraat Bank, have been rejected during the appeal process by the court.
The claims of the Armenian-origin U.S. citizens were that their family properties were confiscated during the 1915 events, which provided unfair profit to the state treasury and banks. The families, with such claims, were demanding recovery for their sufferings through compensation. In response to these claims, Turkish banks defended themselves through the principle of sovereign immunity. During the defense, it was highlighted that in accordance with 1976 dated "Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act" of U.S. law that there cannot be any judgement.
The complainant, on the other hand, claimed that this act's exceptional decrees regarding the institutionalization and commercial activities should be applied, which would enable the foreign state and banks to be judged.
On March 26, 2013, the court reached a decision, saying that the claims cannot be involved in judgement and is a political matter in terms of its nature. However, this decision that favors Turkey did not stop the Armenian diaspora. The lawyers of the Armenians went for an appeal on April 2013. At this point, the court decided to combine the two cases. After nine years of trials, the court finally ruled in favor of Turkey.
On Aug. 8, 2019, the court rejected the Armenians' appeal with the reasoning that it lapsed, which approved the first-degree court's decision.
The appeal court also based its decision on the first degree court's "lapse" reasoning rather than the "political matter" doctrine, which strengthened Turkey's hand even more. The appeal court also expressed that the complainants are not the real victims in this issue since their ancestors, who lived through the 1915 events, have moved to the U.S. decades ago.
As a result, the court denied the case unanimously without even launching any investigation regarding the claims. Although the Armenians had the chance to demand a renewal of the appeal process on Aug. 22, 2019, they have not done so. Experts expressed that the complainants still have the opportunity to bring the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, however, it would be hard for them to get different results.
Evaluating the process for Anadolu Agency (AA), diplomatic sources underlined that the decades-long dreams of some Armenian communities have fallen lat through this decision, calling the judgement a "milestone."
Arminfo, Armenia
Aug 26 2019
Minister of Justice: After ratification of the Istanbul Convention, the state will still not register same-sex marriages
Ani Mshetsyan
ArmInfo.Armenian Minister of Justice Rustam Badasyan excludes that after the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, same-sex marriages will be allowed in the Republic of Armenia, as the state does not recognize this right.
"The Convention will not have an impact on the state so that the latter recognizes same-sex marriages. However, whether these couples live together or separately, they decide for themselves," Badasyan emphasized.
He noted that the government applied to the Venice Commission for the Istanbul Convention in order to interpret some of its provisions, and the Constitutional Court will act in accordance with the established procedure.
Badasyan also touched upon the statement of the Mother See of Etchmiadzin on the unacceptability of ratification of the Convention, noting that he was ready to discuss all the provisions of the document with clergy. The Minister does not yet know when the Convention will be sent to the National Assembly, however, the possibility of ratification this year is almost ruled out.
It should be noted that in January 2018, Armenia signed the Istanbul Convention ("Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence"). However, this convention has not yet been sent to the country's parliament. The Istanbul Convention (or the "Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence") was signed in 2011 in Istanbul (Turkey). Of the 47 member states of the Council of Europe, 34 have ratified the Convention, 11 have signed. In Armenia, this convention was opposed by the general public, who believe that ratification of the Istanbul Convention is unconstitutional and it will destroy Armenian traditional values.
The Ministry of Justice sent this convention to the Venice Commission in order to study its compliance with the norms of the country's legislation.
News.am, Armenia
Aug 26 2019
Sweden Riksdag Speaker explains why large delegation is in Armenia
The Kingdom of Sweden was one of the first countries that responded to the democratic processes that began in Armenia. This is what Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan said while making a joint statement with Speaker of the Riksdag of the Kingdom of Sweden Andreas Norlén today.
“It is our honor to host the representative delegation led by the Speaker of the Parliament of Sweden in Armenia. I believe this is Sweden’s position and approach on and to the revolutionary changes and democratic processes that have taken place in our country. I believe it is important to say that the Kingdom of Sweden was one of the first countries that responded to the democratic processes that began in Armenia, and there have been many reciprocal visits to and from Sweden and Armenia. I myself was in Sweden on an official visit at the invitation of the country’s parliamentary speaker in June. After all these meetings, the Swedish government eventually made an amendment to a relevant document and created the opportunity to expand financial assistance to Armenia,” he stated.
Ararat Mirzoyan also stressed that Sweden was part of the program through which international partners would support the electoral system in Armenia. “The program is in the works, and I believe we will sign a memorandum in September. During our meetings, I have expressed gratitude to the parliamentary speaker for the Swedish parliament’s ratification of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement,” Mirzoyan said.
According to Armenia’s parliamentary speaker, there are many examples of the launch of active dialogue between the parliaments of both countries.
In his turn, the Speaker of the Riksdag expressed gratitude for the cordial reception. “We have arrived with a large and representative delegation, and this happens only once in the course of four years during every electoral cycle. I am here with my deputies and the heads of the political parties represented in parliament. We want to express our support to the velvet revolution that took place in Armenia and the reforms in Armenia’s parliament. We are ready to continue supporting the democratic reforms in Armenia in several directions such as democracy, rule of law, environmental protection, gender equality and more,” he stated.
News.am, Armenia
Aug 25 2019
EU envoy to Armenia opens new Legends Trail in Syunik Province (PHOTOS)
YEREVAN. – Ambassador Piotr Świtalski, head of the European Union (EU ) Delegation to Armenia, on Saturday opened the new Legends Trail in Tandzaver village of Syunik Province—and which connects Goris and Kapan towns. Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned this from the office of the EU Ambassador.
Guests tested 5km of this 300km trail, which took them through a new Magical Forest, also supported by the “EU4Tourism: Outdoor adventures on the historic trails in Syunik” project.
Świtalski noted, in particular, that community development is one of the EU’s top priorities, and his personal focus is on promoting initiatives that enable Armenian citizens and tourists to enjoy the beauty of this country while leading an active lifestyle.
Click for photos:
News.am, Armenia
Aug 25 2019
Fire at Armenia’s Mount Ara: Still 5 areas with smoke on Day 6
As of Sunday 11:30am, there are still five areas where smoke is coming out from at the foot of Mount Ara, in Kotayk Province of Armenia.
Seven fire and rescue workers are on duty at the area.
On Tuesday morning, the 911 emergency hotline received a call informing that grassland was burning near the sand mine at the foot of Mount Ara.
The total area of this fire was about 150 hectares.
As of 11:20pm, 82 firefighters, 100 villagers, and 18 forestry workers were fighting the fire.
The fire was contained at 2:15am the next day.
But on Thursday, around 1,300 hectares of grassland was burning in Kotayk Province, and 500 hectares—in Aragatsotn Province.
At 9:50am, a new fire was detected in the area leading from the cemetery of Zoravan village to Mount Ara.
The fire was contained at 7:54pm, and a patrol was set.
But there was still smoke on Friday. This fire was contained at 7:27pm, and a patrol was set.
Panorama, Armenia
Aug 26 2019
60-year-old man swims across Lake Sevan
A resident of Armenian Gavar town, 60-year-old Gagik Gozeyan has swam all the way across Lake Sevan. It has been his fourth attempt that succeeded. Gagik has dedicated his initiative to the memory of the Artsakh and April wars martyrs. The footage of the man’s swimming has been posted on Facebook page of “Union of April War Participants.”
Los Angeles Times
Aug 26 2019
Armenian Shortbread With Cardamom and Mahleb
By Genevieve KoCooking Editor
Pastry chef Sasha Piligian of Sqirl restaurant in Silver Lake adds cardamom and mahleb to her take on traditional Armenian shortbread, which is usually made with just butter, flour and sugar.
Mahleb are the kernels found inside the pits of sour cherries and have an almond scent with a faintly bitter taste and a vanilla aroma. It’s best to buy whole kernels and grind them yourself to capture their delicate flavor, but you can buy powdered versions as well. Even without mahleb, these shortbread are unique in the way they bring together clarified butter and powdered sugar to make a rich and tender cookie.
Armenian Shortbread With Cardamom and Mahleb
1 hour plus chilling. Makes about 13 dozen.
Ingredients
6 green cardamom pods
1 cup high-fat European-style unsalted butter
2 packed cups powdered sugar
1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon mahleb kernels, finely ground
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Press on the cardamom pods until they crack open slightly. Put in a small saucepan and add the butter. Set over medium-low heat and melt the butter. Continue cooking until the dairy solids foam and rise to the top then sink to the bottom. Skim the foam off the top of the melted butter and discard. Remove the pan from the heat. Slowly pour the butter into a liquid measuring cup and refrigerate until the fat is solid.
Using a small spoon, pierce through the solid butter at the edge and down to the bottom of the cup and remove a small scoop of the butter. Pour out any liquid dairy from the bottom of the cup. You should be left with a scant cup of solid clarified butter. Pick out the cardamom pods and discard.
Combine the clarified butter and 1 cup powdered sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed, scraping the bowl occasionally, until fluffy and pale, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk the flour, mahleb and salt in a medium bowl. Add half the mixture to the whipped butter and beat on low speed until just incorporated. Scrape the bowl, add the remaining dry ingredients and beat on low until the mixture begins to form large clumps.
Scrape half of the dough onto a large sheet of plastic wrap. Form into a log the diameter of a quarter and wrap tightly. Repeat with the remaining dough. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
Unwrap one log and cut into ⅛-inch-thick slices. Place the rounds ½ inch apart on 1 prepared sheet. Repeat with the remaining log and sheet.
Bake one sheet at a time until the edges are just set and the tops just dry, 7 to 9 minutes. Do not let the cookies take on any color. Cool completely on the sheets on wire racks.
Place half of the remaining powdered sugar in a large, shallow bowl. Carefully slide one sheet of cookies into the bowl and carefully toss and turn with your fingers until evenly coated. Transfer to an airtight container. Repeat with the remaining powdered sugar and cookies.
Make ahead
The dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before slicing and baking. The cookies can be kept in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Adapted from Sasha Piligian.
No comments:
Post a Comment