Massachusetts judicial nominee rejected over Genocide denialMarch 7, 2014 - 13:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s nominee for a Superior Court judgeship has been rejected by the Governor’s Council, which approves judicial nominees, Asbarez reported citing the Associated Press. The eight-member council voted 4-4 Wednesday, March 6 to deny attorney Joseph Berman a place on the bench. Patrick said he’s disappointed and that Berman is qualified. The choice was a contentious one for some council members. The opposition was led by Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney, a Watertown Democrat. Devaney objected to Berman’s ties to the Anti-Defamation League, which has worked directly with Turkey to defeat Congressional resolutions on the Armenian Genocide and still refuses to unambiguously acknowledge that genocide. Berman supporters said he helped push the ADL’s national leadership to change its position and acknowledge the Armenian genocide. Gov. Patrick called the objections to Berman “unprecedented and unfair.” Before and during the height of Armenian Americans’ battle against the genocide denial of the ADL in 2007, National Commissioner Berman apparently never issued a public statement disagreeing with national ADL policies towards Armenians. Related links: The Armenian Genocide The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. Mkhitaryan raises arrest of former Karabakh leaders in Azerbaijan Inter Milan star Henrikh Mkhitaryan has shared a news story about the extension of the arrest of former Karabakh leaders. Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. |