LOUSSAPATZ_ The Dawn - 2012-955-10-20

ԹԻՒ 955 ՇԱԲԱԹ, 20 ՀՈԿՍԵՄԲԷՐ 2012

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Մովսէս Խորենացի

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ԿՈՂՔԻ ԷՋ Մովսէս Խորենացի

Հայ գրավոր մշակույթի պատմության մեջ առանձնանում է Մովսէս Խորենացու հմայիչ կերպարը: Նրա «Պատմություն Հայոց» աշխատությունը միջնադարում եղել է ազգային ինքնաճանաչման, քաղաքական-հայրենասիրական դաստիարակության ուսումնական ձեռնարկ: Հայ սերունդները միշտ ակնածանթով ու երախտագիտությամբ են հիշել Խորենացուն, մեծարել նրան Պատմահայր, Մեծն Մովսէս, Քերթողահայր եւ այլ պատվանուններով:

Մովսէս Խորենացին ծնվել է V դարի սկզբին՝ մոտ 410-415թթ., Տարոն գավառի Խորնի (կամ Խորեան) գյուղում: Վաղարշապատի դպրոցում նա եղել է Մեսրոպ Մաշտոցի եւ Սահակ Պարթեւի կրտսեր աշակերտներից: 431 թվականից հետո՝ հավանաբար 434-435 թվականների ընթացքում, ուսուցիչները նրան ուրիշ աշակերտների հետ ուղարկել են Եգիպտոսի Ալեքսանդրիա քաղաք՝ «իսկական ճեմարանում կատարելագործվելու»: Ալեքսանդրիայում նա սովորել է օտար լեզուներ, հատկապես հունարեն, յուրացրել է փիլիսոփայություն, քերթողական արվեստ, երաժշտություն, ճարտասանություն, աստվածաբանություն, դիցաբանություն, պատմություն: Այստեղ մոտ 5-6 տարի ուսանելուց հետո Խորենացին եւ իր ընկերները բոնում են վերադարձի ուղին, լինում են Հռոմում, ապա մեկնում են Աթենք եւ ձմեռը այնտեղ անցկացնելուց հետո գարնանը գալիս են Հայաստան: Նրանք տեղ են հասնում Սահակ Պարթեւի ու Մեսրոպ Մաշտոցի մահվանից, այսինքն՝ 440թ. փետրվարից հետո: Այս առիթով Խորենացին անկեղծ ու խոր հուզմունքով է արտահայտում իր ապրումները.

«Նույնիսկ չհասա տեսնելու նրանց աչքերի փակվելը, լսելու նրանց վերջին խոսքն ու օրհնությունը»:

Չնայած իր նկատմամբ եղած հալածանքին եւ անտարբերությանը՝ Խորենացին եռանդագին զբաղվում է գրական աշխատանքով. կատարում է թարգմանություններ, գրում ինքնուրույն երկեր: Զրույց է պահպանվել, թե ծերության տարիներին Պատմահայրը գնահատվել եւ արժանացել է մեծարանքի, ստացել է եպիսկոպոսական աստիճան:

«Թեպետ մենք փոքր ածու ենք եւ թվով շատ սահմանափակ ու զորությամբ. թույլ եւ շատ անգամ օտար թագավորությունների կողմից նվաճված, բայցեւայնպես մեր երկրումն Էլ գրելու եւ հիշատակելու արժանի շատ սխրագործություններ են կատարվել»:

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Armenian Council of America – Political Action Committee

Endorses President Obama for Four More Years as President

LOS ANGELES -- On November 6, the American people will vote to select their next president. The Armenian Council of America – Political Action Committee endorses President Barack Obama and urges all Armenian Americans to vote and ensure his reelection.

Barack Obama’s main rival in the election is former Massachusetts Governor and Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney. In recent years, the Republican Party began tilting more and more to the right, becoming excessively conservative and destroying the party’s stature. As Governor of the State of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney had earned a reputation of a political moderate, yet in order to become the Republican Presidential candidate, he increasingly adopted the party’s extreme right positions on domestic and international issues, which will only benefit the wealthy class while destabilizing the international arena.

Four years ago, Barack Obama took the helm of the Country from his predecessor George W. Bush, inheriting a downward spiraling shattered economy, as well as two long lasting wars.

President Barack Obama took control. He regained stability by passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the stimulus). Obama followed this with “The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010” (cutting taxes and giving business incentives). Obama rescued the U.S. automotive industry, its suppliers and created 1 million jobs. We have now experienced 30 consecutive months of private job growth with 4.6 million jobs created, despite Republican obstruction within Congress. President Obama realizes there is still a long way to go in order to return to the economic climate before the economic meltdown, as well as restoring the people’s trust in the future.

On healthcare and social security issues, President Obama spearheaded new laws which have and will mitigate the effects of the economic downturn on the middle and lower class. Forty million Americans who do not have health insurance will possess the opportunity to gain health insurance in 2013.

Using his constitutional authority, President Obama signed an executive order establishing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, changing the country’s immigration policy by halting the deportation of at least 800,000 youth (and it could be as high as over a million) to a country they never knew, having been brought here by their parents as children.

As for his foreign policy, President Obama maintained his promise to withdraw American troops from Iraq, putting an end to a war which caused the needless deaths of thousands. The drawdown of troops within the Afghanistan war is also progressing as scheduled. In the case of Iran, President Obama withstood calls from the Republican circles to utilize force as a means of deterrent, rather cooperating with European nations and bringing the world community together to force the Iranian government to stop moving towards the development of a nuclear weapons system by imposing further sanctions .

In the fight against international terrorism, President Obama recorded many successes. Through President Obama’s direction, many “Al Qaeda” leaders, chief among them Osama bin Laden, have been annihilated, significantly weakening the terror organization.

In terms of Armenian related issues, President Obama’s Administration promoted the development of democracy and human rights in the Republic of Armenia. In terms of the Artsakh conflict, the Obama Administration has been critical of Azerbaijan’s warlike rhetoric and continues to defend the necessity to solve the issue through peaceful means.

For Armenian Americans, a main source of concern remains the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. While addressing the Turkish parliament, President Obama, inferring towards the Armenian Genocide, called on Turkey to come to terms with its own history. The President faltered on his commitment towards properly recognizing the Armenian Genocide when he used the Armenian term for

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the Armenian Genocide “Medz Yeghern.” Although this demonstrates a step closer to acknowledging the reality that is the Armenian Genocide than previous U.S. Presidents in recent history, this has also frustrated Armenian Americans especially when the President has stated that his personal views in support of Armenian Genocide recognition remained unchanged.

Yet as Armenian Americans with concerns for the welfare of our ethnic brethren in the Republic of Armenia, Artsakh, the volatile Middle East, as well as our youth and elderly within the United States and the lack of experience and interest towards Armenian American issues by the Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, the Armenian Council of America – PAC believes the domestic and international policies held by the current Obama Administration are better suited for the future of Armenian Americans and Armenians worldwide. Considering all this and the fact that Mitt Romney is completely negligent on Armenian American issues, the Armenian Council of America – PAC directs all Armenian American voters on November 6 to vote for President Barrack Obama.

Sarkisian Vows Clean Presidential Vote

YEREVAN -- Armenia’s government is committed to holding a free and fair presidential election early next year, President Serzh Sarkisian said on Wednesday, addressing a coalition of Europe’s leading conservative parties.

“The parliamentary elections that took place in Armenia last spring were assessed by international observers as the best since independence. The authorities of the Republic of Armenia are determined to transform the registered progress into a firm trend and to hold free, fair, transparent and democratic presidential elections,” Sarkisian said in a speech at a European People’s Party (EPP) congress held in Romania’s capital Bucharest.

For that purpose, he said, the authorities are taking “preparatory measures” stemming from recommendations made by an election observation mission mostly deployed by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Citing the mission’s findings, the European Union has given a largely positive assessment of the May 6 parliamentary elections that were won by Sarkisian’s Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) amid opposition allegations of fraud and vote buying.

EU leaders have said at the same time the Armenian presidential ballot due in February should be even more democratic. They have indicated that this is essential for the holding of an international donor conference on Armenia planned by the EU. According to media reports, Yerevan is aiming for as much as $1 billion in donor funding.

Italian Defense Minister:

Karabakh Settlement Important Not oOnly for Regional, But Also European Security

YEREVAN -- As a NATO member state, Italy attaches great importance to this region, and Armenia as one of the countries of the region, Italian Defense Minister Giampaolo Di Paola said at a joint press conference with Armenian defense minister Seyran Ohanyan.

“Also in its capacity as Minsk Group member country, Italy is trying to help Armenia and Azerbaijan to find a solution to the existing problems and we attach great importance to the resolution of the Karabakh conflict,” the Italian Minister said, adding that “it is of great strategic significance and is important not only for regional, but also European security.”

“We call on all involved parties to build trust, remain committed to the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act and develop trust-based relations for the benefit of all peoples,” he added.

The Italian delegation led by Defense Minister Di Paola had arrived in Armenia on a three-day official visit,they met Minister Seyran Ohanyan and the senior staff of the Armenian Armed Forces’ General Headquarters.

The sides highlighted the importance of developing cooperation in military education, and other sectors of bilateral interest. They also addressed regional security and other mutual concerns.

An agreement on defense collaboration between the governments of Armenia and Italy was signed by both ministers at the meeting to establish a legal platform for bilateral partnership.

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The document envisages cooperation in such sectors as security and defense policies, military legal preparation, organization and management of armed forces, military education, military medicine etc.

The Italian minister visited the Vazgen Sargsyan Military Institute and also visited the Armenian Genocide Monument and the Genocide Museum.

Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem

Torkom Manoogian Passed Away

JERUSALEM -- Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Torkom Manoogian died at 93 after long illness on October 12.

Archbishop Torkom Manoogian was born February 16, 1919, in a refugee camp near the desert town of Baquba, north of Baghdad, Iraq. After completing his primary education at Holy Translators Armenian school in Baghdad, he entered the Theological Seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate Jarangavoratz Jerusalem as the youngest student in his class. August 2, 1936, he was ordained deacon by his spiritual father and favorite teacher, then Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Torkom Koushagian, becoming a member of the Brotherhood of St. James. He was ordained priest celibacy July 23, 1939 and given the name priestly Torkom.

From 1939-1946, he held various positions in the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem on the board of the Patriarchate Official Gazette, Sion, and as dean of the seminary. In July 1946, he traveled to the United States to serve as spiritual pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Church in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His pastorate was interrupted in 1951 when he was appointed Vicar of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North

America, headquartered in New York. After regaining his pastorate in North Philadelphia for a year in 1954, Father Torkom returned to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, where he served as dean of the Theological Seminary Jarangavoratz, assuming responsibility for religious education young seminarians preparing for the priesthood. He also led the Chancellery of patriarchy.

Back to the United States in 1960, he entered the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to pursue his post-graduate degree. His studies were interrupted in 1962, when he was elected as Primate of the Diocese of Western Armenian Church of North America, headquartered in Los Angeles, California. On 14 October of that same year, he was consecrated bishop in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Vazgen I.

After serving four years as Primate of the Western Diocese, Bishop Torkom was elected to serve as Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America in April 1966. Two years later, on the occasion of the consecration of the Cathedral of St. Vartan in New York, the first Armenian cathedral in America whose construction has played a central role, he was elevated to archbishop by the encyclical Pontifical His Holiness Vazgen I.

On 22 March 1990, after serving six consecutive terms (24 years) as Primate of the Diocese of Eastern Archbishop Torkom was elected to the position of 96th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Archbishop Torkom Manoogian holds several academic awards, including an honorary doctorate granted to him by the General Theological Seminary in New York. In 1986, he was the recipient of two prestigious American medal: the Statue of Medal of Liberty and Ellis Island Medal of Honor. January 18, 1990 marked the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, an event celebrated nationwide in the United States. It was also chosen as “Man of the Year” by the organization. “Religion in American life”

Archbishop Manoogian has played a key role in promoting international ecumenical relations. He served on the Board of Directors of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States, and was Chairman of “Religion in American life.” He was also a member of the board of the “Appeal of Conscience Foundation.”

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In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Armenia in December 1988, he played a key role in coordinating international efforts to mobilize and provide financial and material support to the rehabilitation process, in which he has always been active.

Musician, conductor, composer, poet and writer, Archbishop Manoogian has a wide range of interests. He has published some 20 books and monographs, including three collections of poems under the pseudonym “Shen Mah”, original research on the Armenian Divine Liturgy, books on the Armenian Genocide, and a detailed guide book of the holy places of Jerusalem. He recently traveled to Armenia the 154 sonnets of William Shakespeare. He is considered a leading expert and lecturer on the Armenian composer Komitas, and working on a book of liturgical music of the great Armenian musicologist.

Armenia Conducts Strategic Command and Staff Exercises Simulating Missile Strikes on Oil Facilities

YEREVAN -- The Armenian armed forces simulated missile strikes on military targets as well as oil and gas installations in Azerbaijan during major exercises held this month, a top military official in Yerevan said on Monday.

The two-week “strategic” exercises, which drew to a close at the weekend, took place in undisclosed locations in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh in a mostly “command-and-staff” format. According to the Armenian military, they involved over 40,000 troops and thousands of pieces of military hardware. The participating personnel included a record-high number of army reservists.

“We simulated strikes against both army units and military facilities of the probable enemy and ... economic facilities that influence, in one way or another, the military capacity of its armed forces,” said Major-General Artak Davtian, head of the operational department at the Armenian army’s General Staff.

“There would be no strikes on the civilian population, we are not planning or playing out such a war scenario,” he told journalists. “We do not plan any strikes on cities. Our targets are military and economic facilities that are essential to a particular state.”

“In particular, I can stress that we modeled several strikes on oil and gas infrastructures, energy carriers that would affect the economy,” Davtian added in a clear reference to oil-rich Azerbaijan.

The general did not specify the type of long-range weapons used in the apparently computerized simulations. He said only that Armenia’s missile systems have a firing range of more than 300 kilometers, putting virtually all strategic facilities in Azerbaijan within their reach.

The most potent of those systems are apparently Russian-made 9K72 surface-to-surface ballistic missiles known in the West as Scud-B. They as well as more short-range but precise Tochka-U ballistic missiles were first put on display during a military parade in Yerevan a year ago.

Acquisition of long-range precision-guided weapons is a key element of a five-year government plan to modernize the army. The still unpublicized program was approved by Armenia’s National Security Council in late 2010.

Russia is obviously the most likely source of such weapons. A new Russian-Armenian defense agreement signed earlier in 2010 commits Moscow to helping Yerevan obtain “modern and compatible weaponry and (special) military hardware.”

The Armenian Defense Ministry has said that the latest “unprecedented” war games were planned in advance and are not directly related to truce violations on Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan and “the line of contact” around Nagorno-Karabakh. But they do appear to highlight the growing risk of another Armenian-Azerbaijani war.

Hyatt Hotel to be Opened Near Yerevan’s Republic Square

YEREVAN -- Hyatt Hotel Corporation, an internationally managed hotel brand is expanding its presence in Europe by opening the third Hyatt Place hotel, in Yerevan. Slated to open in the spring of 2013, Hyatt Place Yerevan will offer 96 guestrooms, in addition to more than 1,300 sq. ft. (120.7 sq. m) of meeting space, an open market with made-to-order meals and snacks around the clock, a restaurant and fitness center. The hotel will be located next to Republic Square.

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“We are pleased to introduce the Hyatt Place brand to a city that is undergoing major commercial and development enhancements and transformations,” said Peter Norman, Senior Vice President for Hyatt International. “The opening of Hyatt Place Yerevan will mark a significant milestone for Hyatt as we begin to introduce the brand worldwide.

Yerevan Balloon Blast Case Defendant Sentenced to One Year

YEREVAN -- The court trial into the balloon explosion in Armenia’s capital city Yerevan came to a close on Wednesday. As a result, defendant Serob Bozoyan was sentenced to one year in prison.

During the session, the legal defender motioned the court to apply a conditional sentence and noted that his client suffers from cancer.

In his closing remarks, Serob Bozoyan admitted his guilt and asked the court to consider as mitigating circumstances the fact that, before filling the balloons with methane gas, he had informed the event organizers about the dangerous nature of this gas.

The tragedy occurred during the ruling Republican Party’s (RPA) parliamentary election campaign rally and concert held at Yerevan’s Republic Square on May 4. Hundreds of balloons filled with gas exploded and started to burn. Subsequently, the balloons’ melted rubber fell on the event participants. Those near the stage were affected the most, and 154 people were injured.

Serob Bozoyan, who had filled these balloons, was charged with manufacturing and selling products not meeting safety regulations and causing harm to two or more people.

Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Los

Angeles:“Azerbaijan’s Wishful Thinking”

As a globally strategic city and international melting pot, Los Angeles is home to one of the largest consular communities. Foreign countries establish consulates to stay connected to their citizenry, promote trade and advance cultural and humanitarian exchanges. With an estimated population of 1 million Armenian-Americans in the Western United States, the Republic of Armenia is no exception to this group.

There is one member of the Los Angeles consular corps that sees its mission differently. With practically no Azerbaijani community inLos Angelesand virtually no economic activity with theWestern United States, the country ofAzerbaijanhas set up a consulate inLos Angelesa few years ago to wage war on the Armenian-American population—identified explicitly in the official Azeri doctrine as the country’s archenemy. In order to fight its overseas nemesis, Azerbaijan employs tactics of intimidating and malicious propaganda, such as the recently placed article, “Armenia Has Lost the War” thanks to the efforts of high-priced public relation firms and lobbyists.

Typically, the Consulate of Armenia would not react to a partisan demarche because of its averseness to engage in propaganda warfare in its host country. However, the playing field has changed and the contained setting has strategically moved mainstream and viral. It is due time that misinformation be countered with truth and facts.

Armenia and Armenians have been victim to soiled campaigns funded by Azerbaijan’s government since the breakdown of the Soviet Unionwhere several sovereign countries emerged— including Azerbaijan and the Republic of Artsakh (previously known as Nagorno Karabakh). Azerbaijan, rich in oil and other resources, attempted to prevent the people of Artsakh from becoming independent and sent troops and warplanes to crack down on civilians. In recent years, this has become a familiar pattern where people take their destiny in their own hands and defy the ruthless tyrants who without hesitation order death squads against school children and helpless elderly.

The protracted conflict between Artsakh andAzerbaijanis about freedom loving people. It’s about human beings who won the right to elect their own democratic institutions and raise their children in a free country. The generation living, working and advancing Artsakh today is 21 years old and have not seen Soviet- Azeri occupation. And this generation will never tolerate living underAzerbaijan’s rule with its despotic hereditary regime, medieval hate speech and repugnant racism.

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In absolute terms, the recurring theme of the article can be reduced to the following assertion: Since Azerbaijan has oil reserves and has made extra profit in the wake of the skyrocketed oil prices in recent years, the people of Artsakh should surrender their freedom and submit to Azeri rule. The following points will argue how detached this wishful thinking is from reality.

At the onset of the article published by the Azeri Consulate in Los Angeles, the author(s) mock the international community with a direct attack of the OSCE’s Minsk Group, co-chaired by France, Russia and the United States—a group that have been tasked with mediating a resolution to the conflict between Artsakh and Azerbaijan. The Minsk Group serves as an honest broker, working towards a peaceful and sustainable solution. However, Azerbaijan maintains a different view, “... the Minsk Group must not simply keep issuing empty statements.” As if criticizing the international community was not bad enough, the author(s) of the article disingenuously place the onus of the failed negotiation process on Armenia. The mediation has not resulted in a breakthrough solution yet – but uniquely because of Azerbaijan. Not to be declarative, but the current compromise solution presented by the Minsk group is acceptable by Armenia, while Azerbaijan refuses it even after several modifications to meet Azerbaijan’s intransigence.

Yes, Armenia is a small and open country with little or no natural resources. It is also true that the country experiences weak dynamics in population growth, but this is quite typical of many European countries. Unfortunately, Armenia’s free labor market often remunerates less competitively than Europe, Russia and the United States—where there is a demand for our qualified labor. Hence, we are not immune to labor migration and do not view this as taboo in our national discourse.

Quoting some dubious statistics on population growth demographics, the paid Azeri lobbyists fail to understand the fundamental root of Armenia’s strength. Armenians do not flee their country. Due to our harrowing history, we have long become a global nation with a global footprint. Our families are scattered around the world and have global stakes. We remain connected to our homeland with strong bonds and solid relationships. We live with our country through problems and successes to such an extent thatArmenia’s issues, including the “frozen conflict” with Azerbaijan, often become domestic issues in third countries.

There should be an attempt on the part of Azerbaijan to overcome its pathological arrogance and understand that in the face of threats, Armenians around the world will mobilize and stand united —from besieged Aleppo to laidback Sao Paolo. The Consulate of Armenia works with the community, day-in, day out and has witnessed this strength and allegiance first hand. This was the case 21 years ago, too, when the people of Artsakh righteously fought for independence.

The Azeri government sees the source of its supremacy over Armeniain Azerbaijan’s oil reserves. Oil is a blessing for any country with responsible governance and civil society. For Azerbaijan, it is a curse. The resources are single-handedly managed by the Aliev Dynasty and little goes into the physical and human infrastructure of the country. Hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijani citizens live in substandard conditions, but the government spends tens of millions of dollars to awkwardly promote its international prestige. The Azeri leadership’s unbridled frenzy to buy itself an improved image invariably results in embarrassing and comic situations. The case in point is the incredulity of citizens of a Latin American city who, having heard nothing of Azerbaijan, discover the statue of Heidar Aliev, a Soviet era KGB general, and the founder of the current Azeri ruling dynasty erected in a central park, close to Mahatma Gandhi’s and Simon Bolivar’s statues.

War is in no one’s interest. The people ofAzerbaijanshould not be fooled by the perceived sense of prosperity and military might. They should not be blinded by hate speech and racism. Remember the dream turned nightmare when Saddam, Gaddafi and other dictators celebrated their palaces, tanks and toys and inflicted suffering upon their nations and people. They should not accept the actions of their government—a government that pardons and glorifies a heinous murderer who beheaded his fellow Armenian student in his sleep in a NATO training camp inHungary.

Armeniawill continue to depend on its grassroots and build on its only comparative advantage – its people and its desire to build a viable and democratic state. We, in Armenia and all around the world, only hope that

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Azerbaijan will review its assessment of Armenia’s potential and actual strength, thus sparing us all more bloodshed and destruction.

Rival Congressmen Agree on Artsakh’s Independence, Aid to Syrian Armenians By Harut Sassounian Publisher, The California Courier

In this third and final article on the debate organized by the Armenian National Committee of America, Western Region, Congressmen Howard Berman and Brad Sherman answered questions from panelists Harut Sassounian and Ara Khachatourian on the safety of Syrian Armenians, the Safarov scandal, the independence of Nagorno Karabagh (Artsakh), and Israel’s arms sales to Azerbaijan.

Cong. Sherman acknowledged that some of the opposition elements in Syria “are extremely hostile to Christians in Syria.” He warned that there would be “consequences for not treating with respect the human rights of the Christian minority.”

When asked what specifically Congress could do to assist Syrian Armenians, Cong. Berman stated: “There are direct USAID relationships, and there are more covert kinds of ways to ensure that the Christian communities in Syria are being sustained and are being helped.”

Cong. Berman expressed his concern about Israel’s sale to Azerbaijan of more than one billion dollars of sophisticated weapons which could be used against Armenia. When he indicated that there was a similar relationship between Armenia and Iran, panelist Harut Sassounian challenged the accuracy of that statement. Cong. Berman withdrew his statement, acknowledging that he was not aware of such “ongoing relationship between Iran and Armenia.”

Cong. Sherman objected to the US sale of weapons to Azerbaijan: “We should not be providing any military aid to Azerbaijan, period, and based on what happened in Hungary and based on how this murderer was treated when he returned to Baku, we should not be conducting NATO exercises knowing that perhaps the next soldier, who is hit with an axe in the head and killed, might very well be an American soldier.”

Cong. Berman: “We want to make sure that Armenia is secure and that the people of Nagorno-Karabagh get to determine their own future. ... Azerbaijan, with its resources, ends up getting stuff they don’t financially need, for security threats they don’t really have, because of their economic clout.”

When asked why most of the aid allocated by Congress for Artsakh was being withheld by the State Department, Cong. Sherman stated: “I’ ve requested language to be included in the foreign operations appropriations bill to require USAID to actually spend money on humanitarian development for the people of Artsakh, for the people in the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh, and I’m pleased to report that the committee has included that language in its report.”

Questioned on the need to recognize Artsakh’s independence, Cong. Sherman stated: “I think Nagorno- Karabagh is an independent state, period. It’s time to put an embassy in Stepanakert. Nagorno-Karabagh is a state because that’s what its people have clearly indicated they want.”

Cong. Berman, on the other hand, was a little more cautious: “The people of Los Angeles don’t get to decide for Nagorno-Karabagh, the people of Nagorno-Karabagh get to decide. Self-determination for the people in Nagorno-Karabagh is the critical issue. I have no doubt that they want independence and that’s where I’d like to see the process headed, but we are in a negotiation process that the government of Armenia and the government of Azerbaijan have agreed to.”

Cong. Sherman retorted: “I agree with Howard [Berman]. It’s for the people of Artsakh to decide whether they’re an independent country. They’ve decided! They are -- and its time for Howard to acknowledge that Nagorno-Karabagh is an independent republic.”

Regarding Hungary’s extradition of the Azeri axe murderer to Azerbaijan, Cong. Sherman was certain that this action would “affect our military relationship with Hungary.... Several days ago, I sent a letter to the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense saying that Azerbaijan should certainly be suspended from this kind of military cooperation.”

Cong. Berman added that “every single NATO country, and that includes Hungary, has now an obligation to suspend Azerbaijan from participation in partnership for peace activities until this wrong is righted.” In his closing statement, Cong. Berman promised to continue fighting “for the US recognition of the genocide as we approach the 100th anniversary. It’s not just my commitment as a congressman, but as a Jew whose own people suffered its own genocide. Because the world ignored yours, I will continue to fight for the rights of the Armenian

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Church and Armenian people who live in Turkey.... I’ll fight for the right of self-determination and well-being of the people of Artsakh which was part of the ancient kingdom of Armenia.”

Cong. Sherman concluded the debate by pledging: “I’m with you seven days a week, and with your help, I’ll be there with you for seven days a week for another 20 years!”

A Two-Day Conference in YerevanWho Are the Descendants of Caucasian Albanian?

Alisa Gevorgyan “Radiolur”

An international scientific conference titled “Albania-Aghvank- Arran: Ethno-political history and issues of Christian culture” kicked off in Yerevan today, which aims to clarify who are the ethnic descendants of the Caucasian Albania, or Aghvank as Armenians call it. Not only Armenian and Russian, but also representatives of Caucasian nations once included in the above-mentioned Albanian state will present reports during the two-day conference.

The Armenian and foreign scholars will try to restore the history of Caucasian Albania, which was located to the north of Kura River. Today descendants of Turkish nomads are trying to lay territorial claims on Armenia on behalf of Caucasian Albanians.

“The real inheritors of the Albanian culture are some peoples of the North Caucasus, particularly Dagestanis, but never Azerbaijanis,” said Yuri Suvaryan, Academician of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences. “Azerbaijanis, who had once settled in Daghestan and the adjacent territories, today call themselves with the names of their ancestors – the immigrant Turkic tribes. They represent a nation, which has yet finally determined its identity, which was given the name “Azerbaijani” only in the 20th century. The claims of Azerbaijan, which has declared itself the inheritor of Albanian culture, are at least cynical, and this does not stand any scientific justification.

Perhaps, there’s no need to refer to the hundreds of churches and monuments on the liberated territories of Artsakh, which are proofs of the uninterrupted Armenian spiritual-cultural life in those regions. The numerous sensational discoveries of the past years simply disperse all Azerbaijani claims.

One of the recent sensations was the discovery of Artsakh’s Tigranakert built by Tigran the Great, which is an evidence of the 2,000-year-long existence of Armenian statehood on the territory of Artsakh.

Russian scholar Vladimir Zakharov said “the claims of Azerbaijanis of being the descendants of Albanian culture are at least hilarious, while this is a state policy conducted on the highest level, which aims to prove that Armenians are comers here, while Azerbaijani are among the most ancient nations of theCaucasus.

“I find no words other than impudence to describe this policy. The attempts of Azerbaijanis to declare themselves Albanians have no scientific ground. Therefore, what Azerbaijan is doing, is a mere speculation,” Zakharov added.

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