Day: February 27, 2024
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NPR News: 02-27-2024 6PM EST
Congressman Sherman Statement Commemorating Anniversary of the 1988 Sumgait Pogrom Against Armenians Congressman Brad Sherman
“Four out of five citizens in the US support Israel and not Hamas,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed in a video his office described as “a response to [US President Joe] Biden.”https://t.co/FRIv6tAWUE
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) February 27, 2024
“Four out of five citizens in the US support Israel and not Hamas,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed in a video his office described as “a response to [US President Joe] Biden.”https://t.co/FRIv6tAWUE
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) February 27, 2024
BY KARINE CODILIAN
The Orange County Armenian Center was packed on Sunday afternoon. Several community organizations partnered to organize a book talk event featuring Dr. Katia Tavitian Karageuzian, author of “Forbidden Homeland, Story of a Diasporan.”
“I am very humbled by the warm reception of the Orange County Armenian community,” said Dr. Tavitian Karageuzian. “As Judge Apkarian said: ‘This is the story of all of us.’ Keeping memories alive is very important for the identity preservation of a people in exile. As Armenians, we should never let go of our truths to appease others. A nation that does not uphold its history jeopardizes its very existence.” Using personal accounts of diaspora, author Katia Tavitian Karageuzian delves into her cultural past to start solving mysteries about her family history with a focus on the Armenian Genocide and the ongoing Karabakh conflict. The story unlocks a discovery that led to a decades-long search to reveal the extensive history of American involvement in the destiny of her homeland and a buried record of those living with generational trauma.
Ari Guiragos Minassian School principal, Ani Sarkissian, offered opening remarks and welcomed the attendees.
Special guest speaker, Judge Gassia Apkarian, co-founder of The Center for Truth and Justice gave her remarks on the book. She emphasized how this book tells each and every one of our stories, and how “Forbidden Homeland, Story of a Diasporan” can be used as historical documentation.
Dr. Tavitian Karageuzian gave an informative presentation about Armenia’s history starting from before the genocide and an explanation of events that have led us to our current state of affairs. She encourages us all to mobilize and work towards what is rightfully ours.
“I am very humbled by the warm reception of the Orange County Armenian community. As Judge Apkarian said: ‘This is the story of all of us.’ Keeping memories alive is very important for the identity preservation of a people in exile. As Armenians, we should never let go of our truths to appease others. A nation that does not uphold its history jeopardizes its very existence,” Dr. Tavitian Karageuzian said.
AYF members and former AGM School and ARS “Sevan” Chapter Saturday school students, Karine Codilian, Gregory Codilian, and Gregory Mikhanjian read selected excerpts from the book that gave the audience a glimpse into the colorful world described in the book.
Hamazakayin OC “Siamanto” Chapter representative, and former AGM principal, Kohar Zaher thanked all the community organizations for their collective efforts in bringing this event to fruition: Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church, ARF “Armen Karo” Gomideh, A.G. Minassian Armenian School, Hamazkayin “Siamanto” Chapter, and ARS “Sevan” Chapter.
Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, pastor of Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church, gave the closing remarks and ended the event with a prayer.
“Forbidden Homeland, Story of a Diasporan” is available for purchase online and in select Barnes & Nobles bookstores.
A meeting of the Council of Socialist International from February 24 to 25 at the headquarters of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party in Madrid, adopted a resolution calling for the collective return of Artsakh Armenians, among other measures to ensure the rights of Artsakh Armenians.
Since 1907, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation has been a member of SI —largest political organization which unites political parties from around a hundred countries. Mario Nalbandiian, a former member of the ARF Bureau, and a member of the Armenian National Committee-International, is one of the vice-presidents of the Socialist International. He participated in the meetings of the Council and the Presidium, and was elected member of the SI Finance and Administration Committee.
The President of the Socialist International, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, in his opening remarks referred to the Nagorno Karabakh issue.
At the meetings of SI Presidium and Council Nalbandian presented the situation and challenges caused by Azerbaijan’s genocidal ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, as well as Baku’s continued aggression and threats against Armenia.
The SI Council adopted a resolution on the Artsakh issue, which states:
The Socialist International supports the negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan aimed at signing a peace agreement. To contribute to the establishment of peace and stability in the region such an agreement should be reached without the use of force or the threat of force, based on international law and diplomatic practice. including a commitment to an internationally sponsored peaceful process towards a final political settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue and the full realization of the fundamental rights and security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh on their ancestral territory.
In line with our long-standing principled policy regarding the Nagorno Karabakh issue and the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and considering the 17 November 2023 provisional measure by the International Court of Justice ordering Azerbaijan to “ensure that persons who have left Nagorno Karabakh after 19 September 2023 and who wish to return to Nagorno Karabakh are able to do so in a safe, unimpeded and expeditious manner;” and “are free from the use of force or intimidation that may cause them to flee;” we reiterate our call:
- Until the final political settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh issue and the full realization of the fundamental rights of the people of Nagorno Karabakh, for the collective, unhindered, and safe return to their homeland. Also, for the provision of an intermediate status for Nagorno Karabakh —ensuring the full extent of the civil and political rights and providing effective security guarantees for the people of Nagorno Karabakh, as well as unhindered land connection with Armenia— guaranteed by international norms.
- For the release of prisoners of war and detained persons.
- For the complete and simultaneous lift of the blockades of transport and other means of communication, without any restriction of sovereignty.
The Socialist International stands ready to assist in these processes through its good offices and with the participation of its member parties and organizations.
The meeting of the Council of the Socialist International also made decisions on organizational issues and adopted the Madrid Declaration.
The Socialist International is the worldwide organization of social democratic, socialist and labour parties. It currently brings together 132 political parties and organisztions from all continents. The relevant structures of the ARF are full members of the Socialist International Women (SIW) and the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY). Sarine Abrahamian, from the ARF Youth, is a vice-president of IUSY.