Using unusually direct and decidedly undiplomatic language, the U.S. Department of State has sharply criticized Baku for a surprise move blocking a U.S. observer mission from visiting Azerbaijan to review electoral preparations being made for its October 9th presidential election. According to RFE/RL, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Baku said the pre-election visit, which was to have been led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Melia, was abruptly cancelled at the request of the Azerbaijani government. No reason was given. Read RFE/RL coverage here:http://www.rferl.org/content/azerbaijan-us-visit-cancellation/25099969.html In a sign that the State Department may be edging away from its flawed practice of artificial even-handedness in public statements about Armenia and Azerbaijan, U.S. diplomats have begun specifically “laundry-listing” Baku’s many democratic shortcomings and corruption-based problems. Responding to an inquiry by H1 Television Washington correspondent Haykaram Nahapetyan, the State Department issued the following statement, addressing many of these issues directly. The State Department’s response is offered in full below: “The U.S. regrets that the government of Azerbaijan has objected to the composition of a U.S. delegation that was to make an official pre-election visit to Azerbaijan. As a result, the visit will not take place.” “The Azerbaijani government’s actions raise questions about the environment leading up to the October 9 presidential election. ” “We call on the government of Azerbaijan to ensure a free and fair electoral process that reflects the will of the people. ” “We urge Azerbaijani authorities to respect the freedoms of assembly, association, and speech as well as the rule of law and due process before, during, and after the presidential contest. We also urge the authorities to facilitate the important work of domestic as well as international election monitors.”  

Lowell, MA — The Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Merrimack Valley took issues of importance to Armenians in the 3^rd Congressional district of Massachusetts to the office steps of Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-MA-3) on Monday, September 9, 2013.

The group included longtime ANCA activists Ara Jeknavorian, Aram Jeknavorian, Tom Vartabedian and Stephen Dulgarian. ANCA Eastern Region Executive Director Michelle Hagopian accompanied the group to the meeting Monday morning.

The visit comes on the heels of a Washington, DC meeting with the Congresswoman and Hagopian. Tsongas has been a steadfast supporter of Armenian American concerns, consistently cosponsoring legislation and attending Armenian events both in the district and on Capitol Hill.

“Rep. Tsongas has always been very attentive to our issues and our cause. We’re glad she’s trying to become an even stronger advocate for Armenians, and this meeting was a reminder of that,” said Ara Jeknavorian, ANC of Merrimack Valley co-chairman.

Much of the discussion centered on the situation in Syria and the ANCA’s stance to oppose air strikes by the United States. The ANC leaders expressed their dire concern about the region and about Armenians living there and those who have fled. Rep. Tsongas was receptive and also deeply concerned about the entire situation, and she informed the group she would keep the local ANC abreast about what plays out in Congress this week.

Rep. Tsongas, a member of the Armed Services Committee, was informed about Syrian rebels targeting Armenians prior to that committee’s hearing on Syria on Tuesday, September 10.

Besides Syria, Rep. Tsongas heard concerns of the local ANC on issues such as House Resolution 227 (the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution), foreign aid to Armenia and Massachusetts’ 3rd district Armenian community. She said she is always happy meeting with constituents as she “is only as good as the stories I hear.”

“The ANCA Eastern Region is very lucky to have such a strong voice for Armenians in our corner with Rep. Tsongas. She has made her presence known both locally and nationally, whether by attending April 24 commemorations or signing on to Dear Colleague letters over the years,” stated Hagopian.

The ANC of Merrimack Valley also brought up the dedication of a new Armenian Genocide monument that will be erected on public land in front of Lowell City Hall in April 2014. Both Jeknavorians, Dulgarian and Vartabedian all serve on the Merrimack Valley Armenian Genocide Monument Committee and encouraged Rep. Tsongas to attend the event next spring.

The meeting follows a busy month in August for the ANCA Eastern Region that saw many local ANCs meeting with representatives in their districts while Congress was in recess.

NASA launched an unmanned rocket to the moon Friday night to study its lunar atmosphere and environment.

The 90-foot rocket carrying the orbiter was expected to be visible to much of the eastern U.S. seaboard when it launched from Virginia, officials said earlier

It launched at 11:27 p.m. ET at the Wallops Flight Facility at Wallops Island.

The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer is designed to “orbit the moon to gather detailed information about the lunar atmosphere, conditions near the surface and environmental influences on lunar dust,” NASA said.

“A thorough understanding of these characteristics will address long-standing unknowns, and help scientists understand other planetary bodies as well,” NASA said.

Nicknamed LADEE, it is expected to reach the moon on October 6.

Earth’s distance from the moon is between 223,700 miles to 251,700 miles depending on the moon’s position, the space agency says.