Daily Archives: May 31, 2013

LOUISIANA STATE SENATE RECOGNIZES KARABAKH INDEPENDENCE

Posted on by
Reply
LA_State_Senate
— Urges U.S. to “Support Self-Determination and Democratic Independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic”
BATON ROUGE, LA — The Louisiana State Senate adopted a resolution, yesterday, saluting the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s independence and urging the U.S. President and Congress to support the self-determination and democratic independence of this developing democratic state, reported the Armenian National Committee of America – Eastern Region (ANCA-ER).
The resolution, introduced and spearheaded by Senator Edwin Murray, states that the “Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana hereby encourages and supports the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s continuing efforts to develop as a free and independent nation in order to guarantee its citizens those rights inherent in a free and independent society.”
The resolution goes on to call on the President and Congress to “support the self-determination and democratic independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and its constructive involvement with the international community’s efforts to reach a just and lasting solution to security issues in that strategically important region.”  The complete text of the resolution is provided below.
Vazken Kaltakdjian, Louisiana Chairman of the Armenian Council of America, worked closely with State legislators and the broader Louisiana Armenian American community in moving this issue forward.
“We are grateful to the Louisiana State Senate for supporting Artsakh’s freedom and sovereignty,” said Robert Avetisyan, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s Representative in the U.S. “The adoption of this resolution reaffirms Louisiana’s commitment to the fundamental values of democracy and freedom – cornerstones of Karabakh’s independence. We are grateful to Senator Murray, and everyone who endorsed and voted for the resolution. This support is very important as the Nagorno Karabakh Republic continues to develop based on our shared values of human rights and liberty.”
ANCA Eastern Region Executive Director Michelle Hagopian welcomed the initiative, stating, “We join with Armenians in Louisiana and across America in thanking Senator Edwin Murray and the State Senate for standing up for the inalienable right to freedom of the people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.”
Louisiana is the U.S. fourth state in the past two years that has recognized the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s independence, along with Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine.
#####
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 151
BY SENATOR MURRAY
A RESOLUTION
To express support for the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s efforts to develop as a free and independent nation.
WHEREAS, Nagorno Karabakh, also known as Artsakh, has historically been Armenian territory, populated by an overwhelming majority of Armenians, which was illegally severed from Armenia by the Soviet Union in 1921 and placed under the newly created Soviet Azerbaijani administration; and
WHEREAS, February 20, 1988, marked the beginning of the national liberation movement in Nagorno Karabakh, which inspired people throughout the Soviet Union to stand up against tyranny and for their rights and freedoms, helping to bring democracy to millions and contributing to world peace; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress has repeatedly expressed support for the legitimate freedom aspirations of the people of Nagorno Karabakh; and
WHEREAS, on September 2, 1991, the legislature of Nagorno Karabakh declared formation of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, in accordance with then acting legislation; and
WHEREAS, on December 10, 1991, the people of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic voted in favor of the independence, and on January 6, 1992, the democratically elected legislature of the Republic formally declared independence; and
WHEREAS, since proclaiming independence, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic has registered significant progress in democracy building, which has been most recently demonstrated during the July 19, 2012, presidential elections that were assessed by international observers as free and transparent.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana hereby encourages and supports the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s continuing efforts to develop as a free and independent nation in order to guarantee its citizens those rights inherent in a free and independent society.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the president and Congress of the United States of America are hereby urged to support the self-determination and democratic independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and its constructive involvement with the international community’s efforts to reach a just and lasting solution to security issues in that strategically important region.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the president of the United States, the secretary of the United States Senate, the clerk of the United States House of Representatives, and to each member of the Louisiana delegation to the United States Congress.

 

The state Commission on coordination of the activities dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide held a meeting

Posted on by
Reply

3123

Today, the third meeting of the state commission on coordination of the activities dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide took place at the Government House. The meeting was presided over by the Chairman of the Commission, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.

Welcoming the members of the Commission, President Sargsyan stressed the importance of the fact that in the intervals between the meetings, the Commission continues to work on a daily basis and fulfills tasks set before it. The President of Armenia informed the participants of the meeting on his recent correspondence with a young Turk man residing in Germany and clarified why he was speaking in detail about that correspondence. “Mehmed Hakan Yail, that’s the name of the 30-year old Turk, who sent me a letter, notes in particular, “I spent my childhood in Istanbul… where numerous Armenian families live. I used to have many Armenian friends. But growing up, I started to feel more acutely that people, I don’t know why, had unjustified animosity toward Armenians. In my life, I never attached any importance to that but it hurt, because the best friends I had were Armenians. Now I live in Germany. As it’s said, the best way to see things is to look at them from a distance. It is true, in that case one is able to be objective.” He also said in his letter that he was planning to visit Armenia on his summer vacation and goes on saying, “I want a kind of permanent friendship which will allow to reciprocally forgive the mistakes of the past; it will have a peaceful influence on the future of the people,” the President read from the letter of the young Turk for the participants of the meeting and informed them that yesterday he responded to that letter. “I would like to read a small extract from my reply: “The fact that today a generation of young Turks is growing up whose the most progressive part is not constrained with the decades-long policies of the Turkish authorities, inspires me with hope and optimism. That very generation questions the credibility of these policies and most importantly it is ready to face its own history, admit the mistakes of the past and to achieve reconciliation through the open and constructive discussions.”

In my reply, I expressed consent with his notion on the importance of forgiveness noting at the same time that in order to forgive, it is necessary that forgiveness is asked for and misdeeds are acknowledged. Yes, the Armenian nation, and I am confident the Turkish people too, want to live a peaceful and dignified life. I trust that one day that wish will come true and I hope that the growing generation of the new, progressive Turks will become the architect of that endeavor.

Why am I speaking in detail about this letter? Because I have been considering and continue to consider that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey is important and possible even today, perhaps in the framework of its 100th anniversary. With this regard we do have things to do. We may be able to reach the milestone of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide together with the Turkish society, Turkish authorities; we may be able to help them to pass the road toward relieving themselves from the burden of the past and to stand by them during that excruciating process. I believe it is a very important area of our Commission’s work and we should pay particular attention to that. I also believe that nobody sees me as a naïve person. I believe nobody thinks that I cherish great hopes or expectations, especially when it comes to the Turkish authorities. However I have always considered, consider it now and will continue to consider in the future that works on this direction are important,” the President of Armenia underscored.

The members of the state Commission on coordination of the activities dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide discussed works on different directions conducted after the previous meeting, the ongoing administrative activities and core issues and discussed future steps. It was decided to conduct the next meeting of the Commission in May, 2014 in Yerevan. Meantime, the working groups will continue to work vigorously.

 

ANCA: NO NEW TRADE DEALS WHILE TURKEY BLOCKADES ARMENIA, OCCUPIES CYPRUS

Posted on by
Reply
ktn_ash_bell_1000WASHINGTON, DC – During testimony earlier today before the U.S. Trade Policy Staff Committee (USTPSC), Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian called upon the U.S. government to condition Turkey’s participation in any new Transatlantic trade initiatives upon Ankara’s immediate lifting its blockade of Armenia and ending its occupation of Cyprus.
Nahapetian offered the ANCA’s testimony during the first of two-days of public hearings regarding the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).  The hearing was chaired by Doug Bell, who heads the TPSC, and included the participation of representative from a broad range of U.S. agencies including the Departments of Treasury, State, Commerce, Transportation, and Health and Human Services.
“Turkey’s blockade of Armenia, a landlocked nation, which has been in force for more than two decades and prevents an important East-West trade route, is among the longest-standing in modern history,” explained Nahapetian. “This blockade is all the more objectionable, since Turkey’s act of economic aggression is targeted against the very Armenian people that Turkey’s predecessor state, the Ottoman Empire, attempted to exterminate during the Armenian Genocide.”
Nahapetian went on to point out that, “We are particularly concerned about Turkey’s unwillingness to comply with previous trade agreements.  Since its 2005 Customs Union Agreement with the European Union, Turkey has refused to implement the requirements of beginning to normalize relations with the Republic of Cyprus, a European Union member, and opening its ports and airports to Cyprus.  Turkey must demonstrate that it no longer flagrantly violates trade obligations before being granted any preferential treatment under the Transatlatic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).”
The complete text of Nahapetian’s testimony is provided below and can viewed at:
During a question and answer session with TPSC Chairman Doug Bell and U.S. Assistant Trade Representative for Europe and the Middle East Dan Mullaney, Nahapetian discussed the ANCA’s commitment to the expansion of the U.S.-Armenia trade relationship, focusing specifically on the benefits to bilateral commerce that could be realized through the negotiation of a U.S.-Armenia Double Tax Treaty and a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
The Turkish government, has, in recent months, lobbied Washington aggressively for inclusion in a proposed far-ranging Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the U.S. and the European Union, as well as for its own U.S.-Turkey bilateral free trade agreement.  The ANCA, along with the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), has submitted a joint written statement to the USTPSC encouraging the U.S. government to require, as a pre-condition for any new trade deals involving Turkey, that Ankara have fully withdrawn its military occupation of Cyprus, unconditionally lifted its illegal economic blockade of Armenia, and ended all obstacles to trade, investment, and other forms of commerce it has imposed upon Cyprus and Armenia.
The full text of the joint AHI-HALC-ANCA testimony is available on the ANCA website: https://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_releases.php?prid=2274
Also offering testimony will be a broad range of corporate, labor, citizens, and trade associations, including U.S. Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO, American Insurance Association, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, Software Information Industry Association, Electronic Privacy Information Center, Public Citizen, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, Consumer Federation of America, Underwriters Laboratories, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Transatlantic Business Council, American Association of Exporters and Importers, American Apparel and Footwear Association, and American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers.

 

French presidential wine goes up for sale

Posted on by
Reply

130530113240-france-presidential-wine-sale-story-topIn what country would the presidential palace auction off some of its finest wines to buy more wine and boost state coffers?

France, bien sûr!

The Élysée Palace — the official residence of the French president — has dipped into its wine cellars and put 1,200 bottles up for auction in Paris.

Mainly from Bordeaux and Burgundy, the wines would normally have been served to ambassadors or visiting dignitaries as they dined with the president, showing off the finest of French viticulture in the process.

The funds raised will allow the renewal of the palace’s wine stocks, auction house Drouot said.

The 1,200 bottles represent about a tenth of the cellar’s total stocks. Some date back decades, while others are newer but represent great vintages.

The auction house expects the bids to range between 15 euros ($19) for the most ordinary and an estimated 2,200 euros ($2,800) for a 1990 Petrus.

 

Four elephants killed when they are hit by a TRAIN speeding through the jungle

Posted on by
Reply

e1Four elephants have been killed after they became trapped on a railway line and were hit by a speeding train.

The elephants were part of a herd crossing the railroad tracks in eastern India when the express passenger train ploughed into them.

Two adult female elephants and one calf were killed at the scene while another died later from its injuries.

They were hit by the Mahananda Express Passenger train early today in Jalpaiguri district, nearly 400 miles east of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal state.

The track, which connects Siliguri to Assam, was closed down for several hours after the collision, as other elephants were guarding the dead and injured animals.

Nearby villagers attempted to join in the rescue effort but could not save the two adult female elephants and one calf which died at the scene.

Railway spokesman Jayant Sharma said the accident site was outside the state’s elephant corridor and there was no warning from the forest department about the movement of the elephants.

Dozens of elephants have died in recent years in such accidents as trains run through national parks and forests. Activists have called for trains to lower their speeds through such areas.

India’s wild elephant population was recently estimated at about 26,000.

 

Angelina Jolie will miss ‘inspirational’ aunt’s funeral because it clashes with premiere of Brad Pitt’s new movie World War Z

Posted on by
Reply

j2Angelina Jolie will miss her aunt’s funeral because it clashes with the premiere of Brad Pitt’s new movie World War Z.

The Salt actress – who recently revealed she underwent a double mastectomy after she was identified as carrying the BRCA1 cancer gene – lost her aunt Debbie Martin, 61, over the weekend following a battle with breast cancer but Angelina cannot make the funeral in San Diego on Sunday June 2 because she will be in London.

Debbie’s husband Ron told E! News: ‘We are making the final arrangements for the funeral as we speak. But we expect it to be this Sunday at noon at El Camino Memorial in SorrentoValley near our home.’

‘Angelina will be in London on Sunday so she won’t be able to attend but she has been in touch with us and with various other members of the family, which has obviously been lovely and has meant a lot to us.’

Ron also revealed the family are hoping to start a charity to raise money for  BRCA genetic testing.

He said: ‘We are currently in the process of setting up a foundation in Debbie’s memory and we are hoping to raise money for women who can’t afford to get BRCA testing.

Martin, revealed that Debbie passed away early Sunday morning at 1:50 a.m.

‘Angelina has been in touch throughout the week and her brother Jamie has been with us, giving his support day by day,’ Ron told E! News.

‘They both loved Debbie very much and although Angie is not able to come right now she has sent her love and support which was very nice.’

 

Two killed and 14 missing as Hurricane Barbara batters Mexico with 60mph winds and intense rainfall

Posted on by
Reply

m1Two men have been killed after Hurricane Barbara hit Mexico’s southern Pacific coast yesterday, flooding roads and toppling trees before weakening to a tropical storm as it spread inland.

There were reports of 60mph winds and intense rainfall battering the coast, which prompted authorities to erect shelters and suspend schools as it tried to deal with the storm.

According to media reports, 14 fishermen disappeared in the state of Oaxaca during the storm, but local emergency services said they could not confirm that information.

The hurricane was churning north-northeast at about 9mph and is expected to weaken rapidly overnight, the NHC said.

Ports for small vessels in the area have been closed and emergency services in Oaxaca said they evacuated residents from some areas as a precaution, including the immediate vicinity of the refinery.

Maza Sanchez said classes would be suspended at schools along the coast for the rest of the week.

Storm shelters were set up in 20 towns and hamlets, and such shelters are often installed at schools.