Time for action: Syrian-Armenians need your urgent assistance

22:53 | Region The Times: Story about loss of votes given for Russia at Eurovision puts Azerbaijan in very awkward situation

The foreign ministers of Russia and Azerbaijan have temporarily postponed the "less urgent problems - like, the question of the border war between Azerbaijan and Armenia smoldering for "22-years," and have stressed that they will try to work together to resolve the crisis that had occurred during the "Eurovision," the British newspaper Times writes.
Source: The Times
22:00 | In the world UK Police: 2 more arrests linked to hacking death of british soldier in London

Source: ABC news
21:50 | In the world Boy Scouts of America set to vote on gay youth ban

The vote by more than 1,400 delegates comes amid intense lobbying by gay-rights activists and members of conservative organizations.
Source: Reuters
21:35 | In the world Uefa: New drug-testing plans and 10-match bans for racism

Uefa will retrospectively study 900 doping samples given since 2008 as it attempts to combat use of performance-enhancing drugs in European football.
Source: BBC
21:28 | In the world UK emergency committee meets after Muslim terrorists hack soldier to death

Prime Minister David Cameron says there are strong indications it was an act of terrorism.
Source: Fox News
21:20 | Armenia The sale by Russia of S-300 air defense systems to Syria would be “destabilizing” for the region

US Secretary State John Kerry said on Thursday.
Source: Ria.ru
21:17 | Region Amnesty International: Azerbaijani authorities continue to intimidate and arrest those who criticize government

The Azerbaijani government continues to intimidate and imprison people and groups who criticizes the government.
Source: Amnesty International
21:10 | In the world Appellate Court: Berlusconi ran illegal scheme

A Milan appeals court has explained why it upheld Silvia Berlusconi's tax fraud conviction, saying the politician illegally purchased the rights to broadcast U.S. movies on his private TV network.
Source: ABC news
21:03 | In the world Gunmen kill seven Iraqi soldiers in worsening conflict

More than 300 people have been killed in violence over the past week.
Source: Reuters
20:55 | In the world Britain’s Cameron: London attack ‘will only . . . make us stronger’

A day after two alleged Islamic extremists brutally killed a British soldier, Prime Minister vowed that his nation would not succumb to fear and promised a vigorous investigation.
Source: The Washington Post
20:45 | In the world Bangladesh factory collapse probe uncovers abuses

The report said the building had been constructed with sub-standard materials on unsuitable land.
Source: BBC
20:40 | Region Azerbaijan can be deprived of the right to participate in ‘‘Eurovision’’ song contest for three years

Azerbaijani “ITV” channel which broadcast the "Eurovision-2013" can either be deprived of participating in the song contest for three years or can be fined for false transfer of the vote count, the lawyer of the Russian law firm "UST" Denis Shumsky says, the RIA Novosti reports.
Source: RIA Novosti
20:37 | In the world European stock markets post heavy losses after Nikkei plunges 7%

It will take a few minutes for the closing auction in London to be concluded.
Details: The Guardian
20:30 | In the world 80 year-old-man climbs Everest, breaks record

Yuichiro Miura reached the summit of Mount Everest around noon Japan time on Thursday, becoming the oldest person ever to do so.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
20:24 | In the world UN chief visits Goma, Congo

Ban Ki-moon stressed that security must go hand-in-hand with development in the troubled eastern city of Goma on Thursday.
Source: ABC news
20:18 | In the world New Parliament to be built in central Moscow – Kremlin

The project was put on hold, however, due to the financial crisis.
Source: Ria.ru
20:12 | In the world London attackers known to British security services

Two British men of Nigerian descent accused of hacking a soldier to death on a London street in revenge for wars in Muslim countries were known to security services.
Source: Reuters
20:05 | In the world Niger suicide bombers target Areva mine and barracks

A bomb at a barracks in Agadez killed at least 19, including 18 soldiers, officials told the BBC. Four attackers died and a fifth is holding four army officers hostage.
Source: BBC
20:00 | In the world World's most expensive sheepdog sells for £10,000

A sheepdog trainer has bounded into the record books once again after his latest talent sold for nearly £10,000 - making him the most expensive in the world.
Source: The Daily Mail
18:59 | In the world Higuain to join Juventus this summer

Madrid want €25m though Antonio Conte's side have only gone as high of €20m as of Wednesday.
Source: Goal.com
18:37 | Armenia Gagik Makaryan: SMEs and common citizens will be most affected by gas price increase

“If the gas price goes up, even a normal family will have to pay AMD 90,000 for gas in winter season,” said the chairman of Republican Union of Employers of Armenia.
Source: Panorama.am
17:55 | In the world FC Barcelona to visit Israel and Palestine

FC Barcelona will host two football clinics in the Middle East this August. The first will be in the Palestinian Territories on August 3 and the second will be in Israel on August 4.
Source: FCBarcelona.com
17:06 | Armenia Narek Galstyan: I see nothing extraordinary about Lavrov’s statement

“Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement only concerned his position on Madrid Principles,” political scientist Narek Galstyan said.
Source: Panorama.am
16:02 | Armenia Manuel Petrosyan wins Armenian Regional Championship

Armenian Regional Championship, which was the qualification phase of the 74th Armenian Championship, was held in Jermuk.
Source: armchess.am
15:28 | Region Chechnya's honorary consul assassinated in Turkey

Medet Ünlü was shot multiple times at the consulate building in Ankara's Balgat neighborhood and died at the scene.
Source: Today's Zaman
15:10 | Armenia Tigran Sargsyan: Armenian government is willing to cooperate with all political forces

“If opposition presents its vision of the future, then our duty is to take from it what we think is right for our country,” the Armenian PM told reporters.
Source: Panorama.am
14:35 | Armenia PSRC representative: Gas price to be set at AMD 156 per cubic meter

Currently the price per cubic meter of gas is AMD 132.
Source: Panorama.am
14:05 | In the world Congresswoman Judy Chu: We have a duty to remind the world that mass murder and destruction must not be ignored

Rep. Chu cosponsored H. Res. 227 calling for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Source: chu.house.gov
13:27 | Region OSCE Mission monitors Line of Contact in Fizuli direction

No violation of the ceasefire regime was registered.
Source: NKR MFA
13:16 | Armenia Armenian parliament approves government program

The Armenian National Assembly, by a vote of 76 for and 41 against, approved the program of Armenian government for 2013-17.
Source: Panorama.am
12:54 | Region Zardusht Alizadeh: Azerbaijani people should take up arms and fight for their rights

“Law, justice and God mean nothing for the Azerbaijani authorities. Money is their God,” said the Azerbaijani analyst.
Source: Arannews.ir
12:00 | Armenia Duration of unemployment benefit payment to be reduced to 3 years

As a result, the unemployed will not receive AMD 3bn aid.
Source: Haykakan Zhamanak
11:25 | Armenia New resignations expected in Armenia

Several resignations are expected following approval of the government program for 2013-17.
Source: Zhamanak
10:49 | In the world Armenian intellectual kidnapped in Aleppo

Armenian writer and intellectual Hakob Mikayelyan was kidnapped by gunmen in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Wednesday, May 22.
Source: Lradou.com
10:25 | Armenia Hrant Bagratyan refuses to disclose details of his conversation with Prime Minister

“There was no separate meeting with Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan,” he said.
Source: Zhoghovurd
09:54 | In the world Congressman Cicilline calls for recognition, apology

U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline in a statement called on Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to formally acknowledge and apologize for the Armenian Genocide.
Source: The Armenian Weekly
09:32 | Region Turkish-Armenian writer given jail sentence for blasphemy

An Istanbul court has sentenced a Turkish-Armenian author and blogger to more than a year in prison for insulting the Prophet Mohammad.
Source: Asbarez.com
09:18 | In the world West may boost Syria rebels if Assad won't talk peace

Washington threatened on Wednesday to increase support for Syria's rebels if President Bashar al-Assad refuses to discuss a political end to a civil war that is spreading across borders.
Source: Reuters
09:13 | In the world Stockholm riots challenge image of happy, generous state

Hundreds of youth have torched cars and attacked police in four nights of riots in immigrant suburbs of Sweden's capital.
Source: Reuters
09:05 | In the world Dead Boston bombings suspect involved in 2011 slayings

Deceased Boston Marathon bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev participated in a 2011 gruesome triple homicide outside Boston along with a Chechen killed early Wednesday during a confrontation with the FBI and Massachusetts State Police in Orlando, Florida.
Source: CNN
08:59 | In the world Man arrested in ricin letter probe

A 37-year-old man arrested Wednesday in Washington state as part of an investigation of ricin-laced letters threatened in one such letter to injure and kill a federal judge.
Source: CNN
08:53 | In the world US confirms four American citizens killed by drones

In a letter to the Senate judiciary committee, Eric Holder defended the targeted killing of Anwar al-Awlaki.
Source: BBC
08:49 | In the world Man dead in suspected UK terror attack

A man has been killed in a machete attack and two suspects shot and wounded by police in Woolwich.
Source: BBC
08:42 | Armenia No precipitation expected in Armenia

Only in the eastern regions transitory rain and thunderstorm is possible in spots after midday.
Source: Meteo-TV
22:00 | In the world Analysis: From opera to exercises, U.S. and China deepen military ties

Even as the United States accuses China of military espionage and worries about Beijing's more strident posture in the Asia-Pacific region, the ties between the armed forces of the two nations have been getting closer.
Source: Reuters
21:45 | In the world Russia’s Eurovision contestant attempts to calm vote row

There was no need for an investigation into “lost” Azerbaijani votes for her performance.
Source: Ria.ru
21:33 | In the world EU leaders in drive against tax evasion at Brussels summit

Austria has joined its EU partners in calling for a crackdown on tax evasion, despite the country's banking secrecy.
Source: BBC
21:25 | In the world Israel's air force chief says his troops need to be ready to act quickly in case of an attack from Syria

The remarks by Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel Wednesday echo statements by Israel's military chief of staff a day earlier.
Source: ABC news
21:12 | In the world Fitness-for-work tests unfair on people with mental health problems, court says

Test used to determine whether hundreds of thousands of people are eligible to claim sickness benefits substantially disadvantages people with mental health conditions.
Source: The Guardian
21:11 | In the world The average British barbecue contains TWICE as many germs as a toilet seat

Hygiene expert Dr Lisa Ackerley found the typical outdoor grill contains a staggering 1.7 million microbes per 100cm sq.
Source: The Daily Mail
21:05 | In the world Rescuers search Oklahoma tornado town ruins as recovery starts

Rescue workers with sniffer dogs picked through the ruins of an Oklahoma town on Wednesday to ensure no survivors remained buried after a deadly tornado left thousands homeless.
Source: Reuters
21:02 | Region Caspian Research Institute: Azerbaijan and Iran are engaged in something of a ‘cold war’

Azerbaijan and Iran have been engaged in something of a ‘cold war’ for some time, although the roots of the tense relationship date back to the fall of the Soviet Union, the article published in London based scientific research center Caspian Research Institute site reads.
Source: Caspian Research Institute
20:53 | In the world Petraeus’s role in drafting Benghazi talking points raises questions

The controversy over the Obama administration’s response to the Benghazi attack last year began at a meeting over coffee on Capitol Hill three days after the assault.
Source: The Washington Post
20:45 | In the world Egyptian President announces release of officers kidnapped in Sinai

The crisis recalled an attack on a Sinai military checkpoint last August that resulted in the deaths of 16 soldiers, humiliated the Egyptian military, and helped compel the generals who had ruled Egypt to hand full power to the first civilian president.
Source: The New York Times
20:40 | In the world Steven Seagal ‘almost chechen’ - Kadyrov

Hollywood star spent time on Wednesday with Ramzan Kadyrov, the former militant fighter who now heads Chechnya.
Source: Ria.ru

13:00 28/08/2012 » Analysis

There has been too much talk about the tragic crisis in Syria by self-described analysts and experts who have managed to spread misinformation, while inadvertently jeopardizing the safety of the Armenian community.

At this late hour, rather than propagating half-baked political ideas, the Diaspora should concentrate on providing urgently needed humanitarian assistance to Syrian-Armenians.

It is encouraging that Armenian organizations have started raising funds to meet the needs of Armenians in Syria. Going a step further, in some countries, social, religious and political organizations have formed coalitions to extend the needed help in a coordinated manner. Hopefully, these groups will shortly issue statements about the specific needs of Syrian-Armenians, the amount to be raised, and the mechanism to distribute the funds.

In the absence of a Diaspora-wide structure that would represent all Armenians worldwide and deal with their collective problems, each community is trying to form its own umbrella organization. In some instances, several joint committees are established in the same community, each dealing with a specific issue. To avoid redundancies, it would be preferable to form a single joint committee in each community with subcommittees dealing with separate tasks.

Additionally, two pan-Armenian bodies can play a critical role in this humanitarian crisis -- one located outside Syria and the other inside the country tasked with the coordination and distribution of humanitarian assistance from all sources:

1) The entity outside Syria – which is yet to be formed -- would not only coordinate aid from the Diaspora and Armenia, but more importantly, secure assistance from governments, international organizations (United Nations, World Council of Churches), and non-governmental organizations.

2) The recently-created pan-Armenian entity within Syria is composed of all Armenian religious and charitable organizations. It is charged with communicating the needs of the community to the outside world, receiving the incoming aid, and distributing it to Armenians throughout the country.

While a comprehensive assessment of the Syrian-Armenian community’s extensive needs has not been made, it is clear that millions of dollars are required to provide thousands of destitute families with food, water, medical care, fuel, electricity, and tuition for needy students. It is imperative that the aid be shared with all people living in or near Armenian neighborhoods, regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliation.

In order to carry out such a worldwide large-scale fundraising drive, the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund should consider dedicating its telethon this year to the Syrian-Armenian relief. Major organizations and benefactors should be asked to make generous contributions to preserve the historic Armenian presence in Syria that predates the Genocide. The All-Armenian Fund has already taken a first step by opening a special bank account in Yerevan to solicit donations for Syria which so far has raised $50,000. This amount has been spent on airlifting hundreds of children from Aleppo to summer camps in Armenia.

Funds should also be urgently raised to provide housing and living expenses to Syrians who have recently moved to Armenia either on a temporary or permanent basis. This is not the time for arguing over the difficult choice between helping Armenians stay in Syria or move out, since their very survival is at stake. Everyone must respect the wishes and judgments of Syrian-Armenians and support their personal decisions. After all, since their lives are on the line, their choices must not be questioned. This is also not the time to make judgments on the quality and quantity of assistance provided by the Armenian government to Syrian-Armenian refugees. Such assessments can be made at a later date, after the storm has subsided.

Finally, even though financial assistance is the most urgent need, equally important is conveying the message to Syrian-Armenians that they are not alone in their greatest hour of need! They should be made to feel that Armenians and good people around the world sincerely care for their well-being and are doing everything possible to safeguard their survival.

Such a hopeful and caring message is critical not only for Syrian-Armenians, but to all Armenians throughout the world. The pain of any one community must be shared by all Armenians who should rush to help the stricken community, because they are all members of one big family. This spirit of mutual support would assure all Armenian communities that in case of misfortune, they will not be abandoned to their tragic fate.

In view of the dire situation of Armenians in Syria, let’s set aside all other considerations and rush to their rescue!