Month: December 2023

Brazil has increased its military presence along its northern border in response to a significant movement of Venezuelan troops and equipment near the border of Guyana^.

 The Brazilian Ministry of Defense said it was monitoring the situation and had intensified defensive actions to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity^.

 The move comes amid rising tensions between Venezuela and Guyana over a long-standing territorial dispute that dates back to the 19th century. Venezuela claims more than half of Guyana’s territory, known as the Essequibo region, which is rich in natural resources such as oil, gold and diamonds. Guyana, a former British colony, maintains that the border was settled by an international arbitration award.

 Venezuela’s National Assembly, controlled by supporters of President Nicolas Maduro, has approved a referendum for Dec. 3 that includes questions about the future of the Essequibo region. One of the questions proposes creating a Venezuelan state in the disputed territory and granting Venezuelan citizenship to the current and future residents of the area^. Maduro and his allies are urging voters to answer “yes” to all the questions^.

 Guyana has denounced the referendum as an illegal and provocative act that violates international law and threatens regional peace and security. Guyana has also appealed to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to call for a halt to parts of the referendum, saying it poses an “existential threat” to the country^.

 Guyana launched a case at the ICJ in 2018 seeking to have the court uphold the 1899 arbitration award and the course of the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela^.

 Brazil, which shares borders with both Venezuela and Guyana, has expressed its support for a peaceful and legal resolution of the controversy at the ICJ.

Azerbaijan says France laying ground for new regional war by arming Armenia  Yahoo News

Azerbaijan is represented with a pavilion at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Report informs.

A technical delegation from the Turkish oil and gas company Botas plans to arrive in St. Petersburg in the coming days to discuss the implementation of the gas hub project

Japan’s Foreign Ministry has announced new sanctions against organizations and individuals that it considers involved in the DPRK’s nuclear and missile programs and other activities prohibited by UN Security Council resolutions

Azerbaijan opens its pavilion at COP28 conference in Dubai (PHOTO)  Trend News Agency

Azerbaijan’s Shusha to host international scientific conference  News.Az

Georgia Audubon going the way of the dodo as bird enthusiasts …  Georgia Recorder

The American Armenian Rose Float Association will present “Armenian Melodies,” for its appearance in the 135th Tournament of Roses. Inspired by the strength of Armenian matriarchs throughout history, “Armenian Melodies” will feature dynamic Armenian mother and daughter figures dressed in vibrant, traditional garb, surrounded by important symbols within Armenian heritage and culture. Tying in perfectly with the 135th Tournament of Roses theme, Celebrating a World of Music, “Armenian Melodies” will showcase several musical instruments endemic to Armenia, on January 1, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. PT.

Marking its sixth year participating in the Tournament of Roses, AARFA’s “Armenian Melodies” captures the heroism of Armenian mothers as exemplars of determination, resilience and fortitude in the face of centuries of upheaval. Through their steadfast support, Armenian mothers inspire their families and communities to persevere, even through turbulent times.

Armenian birds play a major role on the float, with the crane, chukar and little ringed plover, which are indigenous to the Armenian Highlands, nestled around the mother and daughter, adding depth and character to the rich tableau. Armenian instruments also feature heavily in “Armenian Melodies,” as the name suggests. Traditional wind instruments native to Armenia, including the duduk, shvi, blul and parkapzuk adorn the float, while percussion instruments, the dhol and nagara round out the floral orchestra adding to the spirited tapestry.

Adding to the float’s colorful and meaningful scene, symbolic objects are sprinkled throughout. Besides AARFA’s tricolor Armenian logo, a bushel of pomegranates, which represent good fortune and abundance, perch alongside the mother and daughter. With deep roots in Armenian music and culture, apricots can be found at the front of the float, along with the aforementioned duduk, which is made with apricot wood. Intricate and historic Armenian patterns are highlighted on the mother’s dress, while the “arevakhatch” or sun cross, symbolizing eternal life round out the design of “Armenian Melodies.”

Senate Foreign Relations Chair Ben Cardin is upping pressure on Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a new letter urging that the Secretary get tougher on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev over Baku’s “brazen campaign of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh,” POLITICO reports.

The letter sent Wednesday marks the first time Cardin, known for human rights advocacy, is publicly confronting Blinken since he took over the gavel from Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) in September. The Maryland Democrat will not seek reelection at the end of his third term in 2024 and may be in a unique position to criticize the Biden administration.

The new letter comes amid diplomatic friction between Washington and Baku after U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James O’Brien criticized Azerbaijan’s actions in the Karabakh region during congressional testimony this month.

In a Monday call with Aliyev, Blinken agreed to lift a ban on senior Azerbaijani officials visiting the United States. But Aliyev also warned Blinken in that conversation that U.S. diplomatic support for Armenia is risking the U.S.-Azerbaijani relationship.

Cardin said it’s Aliyev who should be on the backfoot after his seizure last month of the largely ethnic Armenian-populated breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Cardin made clear he wanted repercussions since Baku’s assault “reportedly involved heinous atrocities,” while killing and wounding Armenian civilians, and driving 100,000 Armenians from their homes — all in breach of a November 2020 ceasefire.

Cardin voiced fears Nagorno-Karabakh may erupt again, echoing warnings from civil society leaders.

National Endowment for Democracy CEO Damon ilson argued Cardin’s letter is not a clash with Blinken, but leverage for him to address those concerns. Not only are there still Azerbaijani troops on Armenian territory but Baku is, internally, cracking down on its critics.

“That’s an important factor when we want to see Azerbaijan not overplay its hand and encroach on Armenian sovereignty and stand down,” Wilson said of Cardin’s letter. “Those are things that Baku has to hear directly from Washington on.”