Month: December 2020

Deployment of Russian peacekeepers in NK has stabilized the situation – Shoygu

Rose Khoyetsian

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 19:00, 4 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. The deployment of the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh has stabilized the situation, ARMENPRESS reports Russian Defense MInister Sergey Shoygu said in a meeting with high ranking officers.

''The provisions of the trilateral declaration on ending the war are being preserved. Exchange of bodies between Armenia and Azerbaijan continues with the support of peacekeepers. The peacekeepers have ensured the return of more than 30 thousand refugees. They are clearing the areas and common roads from mines and explosives. An area of 50 hectares more than 17.5 km of roads have been cleared. More than a thousand explosive devices were neutralized. The 28 km section of the Lachin corridor highway to Stepanakert has been demined. Accordingly, the civilian traffic has been restored. The peacekeepers have accompanied 3,500 vehicles.

In addition, the deployment of the medical detachment of the Eastern Military District, which is equipped with modern equipment, has been completed. These specialists have already started providing medical assistance to the staff and the local population.

Cooperation is established with the Nagorno Karabakh leadership, representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees'', Shoygu said.

He noted that the Russian servicemen are professionals and make all efforts to preserve the peace in the region.

“The power of One dram” to the Rehabilitation center of the homeland defender

Sonya Jalatian

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 17:53, 4 December, 2020

“The power of One dram” has summed up the next program: during 2 months IDBank and Idram have gathered AMD 3 603 291 by transferring 1 dram for each payment of their clients. The amount will be donated to the Insurance foundation for servicemen.

“At this stage, when the war is over and we have many victims and wounded soldiers, we believe that we have to repay to the homeland defenders and their families, and this time we will donate the amount of more than AMD 3.5 million to the Insurance foundation for servicemen”, mentioned the head of the marketing unit of Idram company.

As for the next stage of “The power of One dram”, which will launch on December 1, the head of Communications unit of IDBank, Tatevik Vardevanyan mentioned, it will also serve to the homeland defenders: during the period from December 1 to February 28, 2021,  the “one drams” gathered will be transferred to the Rehabilitation center of the homeland defender”,- said Tatevik Vardevanyan,.

Haykuhi Minasyan, the director of the Rehabilitation center of the homeland defender, has highlighted the importance of this kind of initiatives and mentioned that at this moment 200 soldiers are receiving treatment at the Soldier’s home. “Just as the military service is mandatory, the support after it must be mandatory as well, and this should be done both by the state, and the society”, told Haykuhi Minasyan.

The representatives of the companies have mentioned that only by making payments via Idram application, IDBanking.am online platform, Bank and Idram terminals, the clients become goodwill ambassadors not even paying a dram, as IDBank and Idram transfer 1 dram from their own means, this time to the Rehabilitation center of the homeland defender.

Azerbaijan delays exchange of hostages and bodies – Ombudsman meets with Ambassador of Lithuania

Mary Lazarian

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 19:14, 4 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan received on December 4 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lithuania to Armenia Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Office of the Human Rights Defender, during the meeting the sides referred to the gross violations of human rights committed by Azerbaijan during the war, including brutal treatment towards servicemen and civilians.

The Human Rights Defender stressed that targeting the civilian population of Artsakh and using prohibited weapons against them, involvement of mercenary terrorists, hatred of Armenians and widespread atrocities and inhuman treatment speak about the Azerbaijani policy of carrying out ethnic cleansings by terroristic methods which continues up till now.

Arman Tatoyan told the Ambassador of Lithuania that the Azerbaijai authorities delay the process of exchange of hostages and bodies of victims.

‘’By this Azerbaijan tries to create uncertainties and atmosphere of tensions among the Armenian public, to undermine the mental integrity of society, to cause mental suffering to the families of deceased servicemen, missing persons and prisoners. All this is part of the policy of anti-Armenianism in Azerbaijan’’, Tatoyan said, emphasizing the exchange of hostages and bodies of victims is an issue of great urgency.

During the meeting the parties also discussed other issues related to the protection of human rights, as well as reached agreements on new areas of cooperation on human rights issues.

First flight from Russia to Nagorno Karabakh can take place this year – Ria Novosti

Suren Karakhanian

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 19:45, 4 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. The Republic of Artsakh and the Russian leadership are discussing the issue of opening air communications and the first flight from Russia to the Stepanakert airport can take place in December, ARMENPRESS reports, Ria Novosti informs, citing its sources in Artsakh's administration.

''Now both sides are making efforts for that to happen'', the source told, answering the question if it’s possible that flights at Stepanakert airport restore until the end of the year.

He added that flights for passengers will also take place at the airport.

Lavrov, Guterres discuss solution of humanitarian problems in Nagorno Karabakh

Maral Chavushian

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 21:36, 4 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov held a telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, during which they discussed the situation over Nagorno Karabakh among other issues, ARMENPRESS reports the Foreign ministry of Russia issued a statement on this.

António Guterres welcomed the role of Russia in achieving an agreement on the cessetion of military operations in Nagorno Karabakh.

The sides discussed the opportunities for solving regional humanitarian problems through the UN.

Armenia makes all efforts for speedy exchange of hostages – Avinyan meets with U.S. Ambassador

Ani Kharatian

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 20:28, 4 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 4, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Avinyan received on December 4 Ambassador of the USA to Armenia Lynne Tracy.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, during the meeting Tigran Avinyan noted that the Government intends to push forward the reform program launched in previous years with even greater vigor, as well as works aimed at an anti-crisis economic program are underway.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to the investment and business environment.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the authorities of Armenia and Artsakh are making great efforts to resolve the humanitarian situation created by the Azerbaijani aggression, in this context highlighted the support of international partners, including the United States, and its further expansion. The American side presented the ongoing humanitarian assistance provided by the United States.

During the discussion of the issue of exchange of hostages, Tigran Avinyan said that the principle of "all for all" should be applied. He added that the Armenian side is doing everything to speed up the process as much as possible. Ambassador Tracy noted that she is ready for a constructive dialogue with the Deputy Prime Minister on how the United States can be useful in these efforts.

Artak Tovmasyan: Armenian government should resign promptly

Christine Harutyunian
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 4 2020

The Armenian government should resign immediately to avoid political turmoil in the country, according to Artak Tovmasyan, the head of the Tovmasyan Charity Foundation.

“The ongoing political processes in Armenia show that there are some radical public demands.

1) The government should resign promptly to prevent the Republic of Armenia from internal political strife and further escalation of the political situation.

2) It is already a fact that the National Assembly does not represent the interests of all layers of our society, it does not function professionally, thus snap parliamentary elections should be held,” he wrote on Facebook.

Tovmasyan called for a new political agenda and involvement of patriotic people who have succeeded in their career in the political processes, regardless of whether they have been involved in politics or not thus far. “This is the imperative of the time,” he said. 

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Armenian authorities insist on ‘de-occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh’ and the ‘right of its inhabitants to self-determination’

Eduard Nalbandian
JAM News
Dec 4 2020
Armenian authorities insist on 'de-occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh' and the 'right of its inhabitants to self-determination'

    JAMnews, Yerevan

At the 27th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council, Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazyan stated that the tripartite statement of November 9, signed by the heads of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, is not the final political settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

According to Ayvazyan, Azerbaijan and Turkey consider “the situation resulting from the use of force, aggression and war, large-scale violations of international law, war crimes and ethnic cleansing” as a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Meanwhile, Armenia condemns the use of force against the right of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination and insists that “the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh cannot be under the jurisdiction of Azerbaijan.”

As a substantiation of this thought, the minister spoke about the ethnic cleansing of local residents during the war from the territories of Nagorno-Karabakh seized by Azerbaijan, torture and murder of those who remained alive as a result of hostilities.

The Armenian Foreign Minister presented the assessment of the Armenian side of the situation that arose during the hostilities in Karabakh from September 27 to November 9 and after their end.

Below – how Armenia sees the further settlement of the conflict, and other main messages from the minister’s speech.

188 deputies voted “for” the resolution and only three – “against”. On November 25, a similar resolution was adopted by the Upper House of the French Senate. However, the country’s Foreign Ministry has already stated that it does not recognize Karabakh

  • Azerbaijan, with the direct participation of Turkey and foreign terrorist and jihadist fighters, unleashed a large-scale war during the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused even more dire consequences for the residents of NK and Armenia
  • During the 44 days of the war, Azerbaijan and Turkey neglected their international commitments and violated their OSCE commitments, despite numerous calls from the Minsk Group co-chair countries
  • Azerbaijan’s aggression was accompanied by numerous war crimes, including deliberate shelling of civilians and infrastructure, executions, inhuman or degrading treatment of prisoners of war and civilian captives, beheading, mutilation of the dead and other documented crimes with the aim of ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population
  • The actions of Azerbaijan and its allies set a dangerous precedent for resolving conflict situations in the OSCE area of responsibility
  • Azerbaijan’s aggression was provoked and supported politically and militarily by the Turkish leadership in its quest for the expansion of power in the South Caucasus and beyond.
  • Azerbaijan and its allies unleashed a war against NK, falsely claiming the legal right to use force, which is a violation of international law
  • Comprehensive conflict resolution and sustainable peace in the region includes:

1) the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, based on the realization of the right to self-determination, the security of its people
2) de-occupation of NK territories by Azerbaijan
3)safe and dignified return of the displaced population of NK to their homes
4) preservation of Armenian cultural and religious heritage in the territories falling under the control of Azerbaijan

  • An immediate and unconditional exchange of prisoners of war and hostages is required on the principle of “all for all”, the return of the bodies of the dead
  • Only a negotiated political settlement that respects the rights of all can bring peace and reconciliation to the South Caucasus region
  • Turkey must abandon its destabilizing policies and refrain from any action that could increase tensions
  • Settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be achieved through negotiations co-chaired by the OSCE Minsk Group
  • All foreign mercenaries brought into the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by Turkey and Azerbaijan must be completely withdrawn from the region.

Armenian opposition to hold protests over recent ceasefire with Azerbaijan

Janet Ekmekjian
Dec 4 2020
  • In Daily Brief
  • December 5, 2020
  • Chris Thomson

Armenian opposition parties will hold protests in the capital Yerevan today.

These protests mark a continuation of the demonstrations that began on November 10 over the signing of a ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which brought a formal end to hostilities over the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region. Yerevan seized control of the Armenian-majority territory in 1994 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, but Nagorno-Karabakh has remained internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan. The recent fighting brought much of the territory firmly back into Azerbaijan’s hands.

Today’s demonstrations come after the Armenian government partially lifted martial law. Protesters are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who signed the Russia-brokered ceasefire with his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev, which ceded substantial territory within Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan. The protests have labelled Pashinyan a traitor for the ceasefire and demand that it be declared void. If protests continue, it is likely that Pashinyan will be removed from power. Though the Armenian parliament is largely composed of his supporters, Pashinyan himself was brought to power following a wave of popular protests in 2018.

If Pashinyan is ousted, the new Armenian government will likely violate the current ceasefire and resume hostilities with Baku. In this scenario, greater international influence is likely. Turkey, which backs Baku, stated that Armenia would “pay the price” if it broke the ceasefire.

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PBS to air Armenian genocide documentary co-written by Brandywine instructor at PennState

Nyrie Kalashian
PENN STATE University
Dec 4 2020
PBS to air Armenian genocide documentary co-written by Brandywine instructor
Bill Tyson

MEDIA, Pa. — A documentary co-written by Mary McDermott, an adjunct instructor in English at Penn State Brandywine, about the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide will air on Philadelphia’s public broadcasting station WHYY at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 8.

"What Will Become of Us" follows six Armenian Americans — famous and otherwise — as they navigate the 100th anniversary of the genocide, which began in 1915. According to the film’s website: “Their struggle speaks to the many immigrant communities who have experienced trauma. 100 years ago, Armenians were nearly annihilated by genocide. Today, often unrecognized, it remains defining — while the long shadow of the genocide creates a burden for young Armenian Americans, discouraging them from taking up their culture.”

The project began as producer/co-director Stephanie Ayanian, a Penn State graduate, took the idea of making a film about Armenians in America to her filmmaking partners, Joseph Myers and Tom Keiter, also Penn State alumni. According to Ayanian, they decided to make a film that grappled with the long shadow of the Armenian genocide but was also forward-looking, one that would examine what brought Armenians to America, what they have accomplished since they have been here, and the bright path that lies ahead in their future.

The film was co-written by McDermott and Greg Feinberg.

“Stephanie is a dear friend from my Temple MFA cohort,” McDermott explained. “Before working on this documentary, I thought I was aware of the many accomplishments of Armenian Americans thanks in part to our very long friendship. I also thought I knew about the horrors of the Armenian genocide. But I realized after working on this project for over a year that I had previously known only a little about the trauma and hardships Armenians endured.”

“This film has deepened my appreciation and respect for Armenian Americans — for their indomitable strength — as well as for the people of Armenia,” McDermott added. “I find the people in this documentary and their work incredibly inspiring.”

McDermott is a writer and an occasional filmmaker who has placed in festivals, including as a top-10 finalist in Slamdance's feature screenplay competition. She holds master’s degrees in film and media arts and English. At Brandywine, McDermott teaches film and communications courses including Cinema Art; Identity, Citizenship, and the Rhetoric of American Horror Film; Film Theory; and English Composition.