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    Categories: 2020

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 11/11/2020

                                        Wednesday, 

Parliament Majority Suggests Opposition Clarify Its Position Before Challenging 
Truce Deal


Armenia -- Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian (C) talks to deputies from the 
majority My Step faction during a parliament session, Yerevan, September 16, 
2020.

The ruling parliamentary My Step faction has issued a statement in which it 
calls on the opposition parties to clarify their position on several issues 
before discussing the legality of the statement on ending the war in 
Nagorno-Karabakh signed by the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan.

On November 11, the two opposition factions in Armenia’s National Assembly – 
Bright Armenia and Prosperous Armenia – initiated a special session of 
parliament to discuss the document that has largely been branded by the 
opposition as an act of surrender.

It followed a day of street protests staged by 17 opposition parties, including 
Prosperous Armenia, during which demonstrators also called for the resignation 
of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.

In its statement My Step suggested that before challenging the deal the 
opposition parties should “very clearly declare to all Armenians and the world 
that they support the abolition of Russian mediation; support the withdrawal of 
Russian peacekeepers from the line of contact; stand for the continuation of the 
war.”

“After that, the opposition forces should also present a proposed roadmap for 
victory in the renewed war,” the ruling faction said, adding that accepting the 
announced conditions in the current situation was the only way to avoid the 
total loss of Nagorno-Karabakh and thousands of human lives.

At the same time, My Step said it believes that the public should receive 
answers to all questions that concern it. The faction also said that it is not 
going “to take part in any sessions aimed at destabilizing the situation” in 
Armenia.

“Honoring the glorious memory of the military servicemen and volunteers who 
participated in the fighting and died in the heroic battle of Artsakh [the 
Armenian name for Nagorno-Karabakh], sharing, with deep sorrow, the pain of 
families, friends and relatives of the victims, taking into account the internal 
political events in Armenia and Artsakh that followed the military actions and 
the truce, the My Step faction declares: the current analysis of the military 
operations provides grounds to ascertain that the Armenian people with its joint 
efforts fought, in fact, not only against Azerbaijan, but also against one of 
the largest armed forces in the world, an army with ultra-modern weapons and an 
unlimited human reserve, mercenary terrorists and special forces recruited from 
different countries. During the 45 days of the war, outstanding heroism was 
shown along the entire front line, thanks to which it was possible to prevent 
the unleashed genocidal crime of the enemy against Armenians,” My Step’s 
statement reads.

The ruling faction emphasized that “the pan-Armenian potential was involved in 
the logistical support of the army during the hostilities.” “The hostilities 
were taking place in parallel with major geopolitical events conditioned by 
security challenges that led to the failure of all international efforts to 
establish a ceasefire regime, including numerous attempts by the three 
co-chairing countries of the OSCE Minsk Group,” My Step said.

The two parliamentary opposition factions had collected enough signatures to 
convene a special session of parliament, however, as leader of the Bright 
Armenia faction Edmon Marukian said, a meeting of the National Assembly Council 
was to take place before convening the session, which, however, did not take 
place. Of My Step lawmakers only Deputy Speaker Lena Nazarian had come to 
parliament.



Armenian Opposition Seeks Special Session Of Parliament Amid Political Tensions


ARMENIA -- A priest stands next to police guarding the National Assembly during 
a protest against an agreement to halt fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, in 
Yerevan, 

Two opposition factions in the Armenian parliament have initiated a formal 
process to convene a special session to discuss the current situation created 
after Yerevan signed an agreement with Azerbaijan to end a six-week war over 
Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Bright Armenia faction said that they also want to discuss the legality of 
the deal that requires Armenia to make heavy concessions.

The other faction, Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), joined Bright Armenia's 
initiative.

BHK members along with representatives of nearly two dozen other opposition 
parties have led street protests demanding that Pashinian step down as soon as 
possible over the deal he signed with Azerbaijan to end a six-week war in 
Nagorno-Karabakh that the opposition largely views as an act of surrender.

Thousands of protesters staged a rally in Liberty Square in Yerevan earlier on 
Wednesday despite a ban imposed on gatherings while martial law introduced at 
the start of the war in late September is in place.

A group of demonstrators, including some opposition politicians, were briefly 
detained by police.

Demonstrators then went to the government office in the city’s main Republic 
Square before marching towards the National Assembly building. Police had 
cordoned off the areas before the arrival of demonstrators.

Leaders of the protest called on members of the parliamentary majority faction, 
My Step, to come to parliament so that a special session could be convened. They 
said that the removal of the prime minister should be on the agenda of this 
session.

Ishkhan Saghatelian, a leader of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation 
(Dashnaktsutiun), said that they were giving Pashinian until midnight to resign 
and set the same deadline to the parliament majority to convene a special 
session. Otherwise, he said, the opposition will present its further steps “to 
solve the matter until the end of the day tomorrow.”

Earlier on Wednesday the loose alliance of 17 opposition parties announced the 
establishment of a “national salvation committee.”

Meanwhile, leaders of several of the parties, including Hayrenik’s Artur 
Vanetsian and the BHK’s Gagik Tsarukian, were summoned to the National Security 
Service during the day.

Armenia’s police on Tuesday warned that holding rallies continues to be banned 
in the country, which has been under martial law since the latest fighting broke 
out in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27.

Speaking on state television, Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinian did not rule 
out that the current government could resign, but warned against any “coup” 
attempt.

“I want to assure all of the political forces that are trying to catch fish in 
murky waters in conditions of martial law that there will be no tolerance in 
this matter,” the deputy prime minister said.

He said that the time for looking for those responsible in a domestic political 
process will still come.

Armenia’s Special Investigation Service said late on Wednesday that a criminal 
case has been opened in connection with the rally held in violation of the law.



Armenian Police Clash With Protesters Angry About Truce Deal


People clash with police during a protest against an agreement to halt fighting 
over Nagorno-Karabakh, Liberty Square in Yerevan, Armenia, 

Armenian riot police clashed with demonstrators who had gathered in the capital 
amid anger over Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s decision to sign an agreement 
with Azerbaijan to end more than six weeks of fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Thousands of protesters filled Yerevan’s Liberty Square calling for Pashinian’s 
resignation despite a ban imposed on street rallies while martial law is in 
place.

The crowd chanted “Nikol is a traitor” amid attempts by police to prevent the 
gathering.

Ahead of the demonstration, the government warned the opposition against 
attempting a “coup” as tensions grew in the Caucasus nation after Pashinian 
signed a Russian-brokered agreement to end the fighting between Azerbaijan and 
ethnic Armenians in and around Nagorno-Karabakh.

The announcement of the cease-fire deal early on November 10 sparked angry 
protests in the Armenian capital with demonstrators storming government 
buildings and parliament.

Representatives of 17 opposition parties called for Pashinian to step down, 
blaming him for what they described as heavy concessions Armenians had to accept 
as part of the deal.

Addressing the Yerevan rally, Ishkhan Saghatelian, a leader of the Armenian 
Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutiun), charged that “the war was brought to 
us” by Pashinian and “his inconsistent policies.”

“Throughout the war he showed inaction and treachery,” Saghatelian added.

Other politicians at the rally, including Artur Vanetsian, former director of 
the National Security Service who currently leads the opposition Hayrenik 
(Homeland) party, also called for Pashinian’s resignation in their speeches.

The rally then continued near the government building where police had formed 
cordoned off by police. The leaders of the protest then also called for a 
special session of parliament to be convened and marched towards the National 
Assembly building where police had also put up cordons.

The opposition parties announced the establishment of a “homeland salvation 
committee” amid reports that some of their leaders, including Vanetsian, 
ex-President Serzh Sarkisian, who leads the former ruling Republican Party of 
Armenia, and leader of the largest parliamentary opposition party, Prosperous 
Armenia, Gagik Tsarukian had been summoned to the National Security Service.

Saghatelian said they were giving Pashinian until midnight to resign and also 
were giving the parliament majority until midnight to convene a special session 
to consider the removal of Pashinian from power. Otherwise, he said, they will 
present further steps by which they will "solve" the matter tomorrow.

Armenia’s police on Tuesday warned that holding rallies continues to be banned 
in the country, which has been under martial law since the latest fighting broke 
out in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 27.

Speaking on state television, Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinian did not rule 
out that the current government could resign, but warned against any “coup” 
attempt.

“I want to assure all of the political forces that are trying to catch fish in 
murky waters in conditions of martial law that there will be no tolerance in 
this matter,” the deputy prime minister said.

He said that the time for looking for those responsible in a domestic political 
process will still come.



Armenian Opposition Stages Rally, Demands Pashinian’s Resignation


Protesters wave an Armenian national flag during a protest against an agreement 
to halt fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, in Yerevan, Armenia, 

Nearly two dozen Armenian opposition parties staged a rally in Yerevan on 
Wednesday afternoon demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.

The demand has been made over a Russian-brokered agreement with Azerbaijan to 
stop a six-week war in Nagorno-Karabakh largely viewed by Pashinian critics as 
an act of surrender.

Representatives of 17 opposition parties, including tycoon Gagik Tsarukian’s 
parliamentary Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), reiterated their call for the 
prime minister to step down, blaming him for what they described as heavy 
concessions Armenians had to accept as part of the deal.

Speakers at the rally attended by thousands in Liberty Square were addressing 
the crowd that was chanting “Nikol is a traitor” amid attempts by the police to 
stop the gathering.

Scuffles broke about between demonstrators and the police that had warned the 
organizers of the rally that it was illegal under the current martial law that 
was introduced at the start of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh in late September.

Under the provision of martial law political gatherings are banned in the 
country.

Ishkhan Saghatelian, a leader of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation 
(Dashnaktsutyun), described Pashinian as the one responsible for the war.

“The war was brought to us by Nikol [Pashinian]. It was due to his inconsistent 
policies. He had spoiled our relations with our strategic allies, with the 
Russian Federation, with Tehran, isolated us from the entire world because of 
his lies and his being distrusted. And throughout the war he showed inaction and 
treachery,” Saghatelian said.

“Beginning from this moment there is no government in the Republic of Armenia. 
The government must resign so that we can save Armenia and Artsakh (the Armenian 
name for Nagorno-Karabakh),” he added.

Saghatelian called on the parliament majority to convene a special session of 
parliament to remove Pashinian from power.

Other politicians at the rally, including Artur Vanetsian, former director of 
the National Security Service who currently leads the opposition Hayrenik 
(Homeland) party, also called for Pashinian’s resignation in their speeches.

The opposition parties announced the establishment of a “national salvation 
committee” amid reports that the National Security Service has been summoning 
their leaders, including Vanetsian and ex-President Serzh Sarkisian, who leads 
the former ruling Republican Party of Armenia.

Political tensions in Armenia grew early on November 10 when Pashinian announced 
a deal with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev under which Armenian forces would 
withdraw from much of the territory they controlled before the start of the war, 
with Russian peacekeepers deployed in the remaining part where ethnic Armenians 
live. He said it was the best possible option in conditions of a series of 
defeats suffered by the military in the battlefield.

The news about the deal triggered street disturbances in Yerevan, with angry 
mobs breaking into the government and parliament buildings during early hours of 
the morning on Tuesday.

Mobs ransacked offices and smashed windows in an outburst of anger. Parliament 
Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan was injured in a mob attack and was hospitalized, 
drawing a sharp rebuke from the government.

In an interview with Public Television last night Deputy Prime Minister Tigran 
Avinian warned Armenia’s opposition against attempting a coup. At the same time, 
he did not exclude that the current government could resign.



Armenian PM Defends Karabakh Deal Amid Calls For His Resignation


Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. 

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has defended the Russia-brokered truce 
agreement signed with Azerbaijan that ended a six-week war over 
Nagorno-Karabakh, claiming that it helps keep territories rather than cede them.

The news about the deal early on November 10 triggered street disturbances in 
Yerevan, with angry mobs breaking into the government and parliament buildings.

The unrest unfolded amid calls of a number of opposition parties for the 
resignation of Pashinian whom they accuse of signing an “act of surrender” and 
criticize for keeping the public in the dark on the planned agreement.

“The document was signed at the moment when Shushi (Shusha) had already fallen 
and Stepanakert was under direct threat, and it was quite problematic to find 
resources,” Pashinian explained in a live broadcast on Facebook on Wednesday.

“The biggest guilt attributed to me is signing the document that says that I 
agree to hand over three districts – Aghdam, Lachin and Kelbajar – to 
Azerbaijan. It may sound odd, but that was not about withdrawing, but about 
keeping [territories], because in that period when Shushi had fallen, the 
General Staff of the Republic of Armenia Armed Forces was reporting to me that 
resources were in a rather problematic state. To put it mildly, the political 
leadership of Artsakh [the Armenian name for Nagorno-Karabakh] also shared that 
opinion,” the Armenian prime minister said. “What were the prospects if that 
document had not been signed at that moment? In reality, that document gave us 
what, according to military and non-military assessments, we would not be able 
to keep in that situation.”

Pashinian stressed that if military operations continued, Azerbaijan would very 
likely capture Martuni, Stepanakert and Askeran, after which Armenian defensive 
areas with thousands of soldiers would be encircled and the defense would 
complete collapse.

“At that moment we had a situation when Stepanakert was under direct threat. The 
assessment of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the president of Artsakh 
was that Stepanakert was very weakly defended or was symbolically defended. And 
if Stepanakert fell, that would leave thousands of our soldiers encircled and as 
a result we would lose everything that is fixed in this document. This is the 
whole truth,” Pashinian said.

The prime minister also brushed aside conspiracy theories about the battle of 
Shushi earlier this month that arose after conflicting accounts of the 
Azerbaijani and Armenian sides about who controls the strategic Nagorno-Karabakh 
town.

“After the fall of Shushi there were two attempts to recapture it. One attempt 
failed completely, the other detachment managed to enter Shushi. And the 
conflicting reports in the media about who controls the town were due to that,” 
Pashinian explained.



Armenian Deputy PM Warns Opposition Against Coup Attempt

        • Lilit Harutiunian

Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Avinian (archive photo)

Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinian has warned Armenia’s opposition against 
attempting a coup hours before a group of political parties critical of the 
government plans to hold a rally in Yerevan to demand Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian’s resignation.

In an interview with Public Television last night Avinian did not rule out that 
the current government will resign, but stressed that they will not allow a coup.

Political tensions grew in Armenia on November 10 after Pashinian signed a 
Russian-brokered truce with Azerbaijan putting an end to more than six weeks of 
fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The deal envisaging Armenian concessions in the region was perceived by many as 
an act of surrender, which triggered a night of street disturbances in the 
Armenian capital of Yerevan during which the country’s parliament speaker was 
attacked and injured by a mob.

Thousands of angry protesters stormed government buildings and parliament, with 
some demanding that Yerevan’s signature be recalled from the document announced 
early on Tuesday by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia.

Mobs ransacked offices and smashed windows in an outburst of anger. They also 
broke into the prime minister’s residence but found no one inside. Pashinian 
said later that his residence was looted by the intruders.

The protests unfolded against the backdrop of a demand by 17 opposition parties 
for Pashinian to step down.

The loose alliance that also includes the main parliamentary opposition 
Prosperous Armenia Party plans to reiterate the demand at a rally on Wednesday.

Armenia’s police issued a warning yesterday that in conditions of the continuing 
martial law, organizing, holding and participating in rallies is banned in the 
country.

Avinian also warned that there will be no tolerance towards those political 
forces that “try to catch fish in murky waters in conditions of martial law.”

“I would like to remind you that in the 1990s, when Azerbaijan was plunged into 
internal political turmoil, the Armenian army used that opportunity quite 
effectively. I want to assure all the political forces that are trying to catch 
fish in murky waters in conditions of martial law that there will be no 
tolerance in this matter. The Republic of Armenia, our statehood are above all, 
above everyone’s ambitions,” the deputy prime minister said.

He said that the time for looking for those responsible in a domestic political 
process will still come. “There will definitely be a turn for our internal 
political discourse about who is to blame and who is responsible. If necessary, 
this government will go, a new government will be elected, but our team and I 
personally cannot allow any coup attempts,” Avinian said.



Armenian President Opens Consultations With Parties Amid Political Tensions


Armenian President Armen Sarkissian met with senior ARF members Armen Rustamian 
and Artsvik Minasian, November 10, 2020

The consultations began one day before major opposition parties plan an 
anti-government rally in Yerevan.

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has been holding consultations with 
representatives of different political parties since yesterday in a bid to 
defuse current political tensions caused by Armenia’s decision to sign a 
Russia-brokered agreement with Azerbaijan to end six weeks of fighting over 
Nagorno-Karabakh at the cost of concessions.

The news of the agreement signed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian early on 
November 10 triggered unrest in Yerevan as thousands of angry protesters stormed 
government buildings and parliament.

Mobs ransacked offices and smashed windows in an outburst of anger. Parliament 
Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan was injured in a mob attack and hospitalized, drawing a 
sharp rebuke from the government.

The Armenian president, who unlike the prime minister has limited powers under 
Armenia’s constitution, said later on Tuesday that he had learned about the 
agreement on ending the Nagorno-Karabakh war and its conditions from the media. 
He said he would immediately open consultations with political parties regarding 
the issue.

Later that day, as reported by his office, President Sarkissian already started 
such consultations by receiving representatives of several political parties.

In particular, Sarkissian met with senior members of the Armenian Revolutionary 
Federation (ARF, Dashnaktsutyun) Armen Rustamian and Artsvik Minasian. The ARF 
has opposed concessions and along with 16 other political parties has demanded 
Pashinian’s resignation.

“Considering that it is the current government that is mainly responsible for 
the situation, the representatives of the ARF expressed their concern in 
connection with the existing risks, presented their vision of overcoming the 
current situation,” the office of the president said.

“It was emphasized that there should be a nationwide consensus around the 
settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which is an issue of national 
importance,” it added.

President Sarkissian emphasized the importance of “maintaining the country’s 
stability, public solidarity and unity.”

In another meeting Hayrenik (Homeland) party leader Artur Vanetsian presented 
his assessments and observations to the president, noting that the party has its 
own vision of the way out of the current situation, the report said.

Sarkissian, according to his office, also received members of the executive body 
of the former ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) Vahram Baghdasarian and 
Eduard Sharmazanov, and the head of the HHK youth organization Hayk Mamijanian.

According to the report, the HHK representatives “presented their views on the 
text of the statement [signed by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia], 
further actions and existing risks, and also expressed concern about the 
situation in the country, making some proposals.”

On November 10, President Sarkissian also met with leader of the Heritage party 
Narine Dilbarian and senior representative Andranik Grigorian, who “stressed the 
importance of unity and solidarity, as well as maintaining internal political 
stability.”

The consultations started one day before an alliance of 17 parties, including 
the ARF, the HHK, Hayrenik, the largest parliamentary party, Prosperous Armenia, 
and others plan to hold a rally in Yerevan.

At an announced rally on November 11 the political parties are expected to 
repeat their demand for Prime Minister Pashinian to resign.

Armenia’s current martial law declared over the war in Nagorno-Karabakh bans 
public rallies and outlaws demands for the resignation of government officials.

The Armenian police warned yesterday that the gathering planned by the 
opposition parties in Yerevan’s Liberty Square on Wednesday will be a violation 
of the law.

“We urge all to refrain from organizing, holding and participating in gatherings 
and public events,” the police said in a statement.


Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2020 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

 


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