Month: May 2021

[Armenia’s acting PM] Nikol Pashinyan gave a self-confessed testimony by declaring that he is proud of our defeat in the [Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)] war [last fall]. Analyst Tigran Abrahamyan—a former security adviser to the Artsakh President, and who is on the electoral list of the "I have the honor" bloc that will run in Armenia’s snap parliamentary elections on June 20—wrote this on Facebook.

"This _expression_ should become the last page of his [Pashinyan’] tenure—in political, legal, moral terms.

I believe that in this statement all the groups of the [Armenian] society, each for its part, received clear information about the real mission of the image of Nikol Pashinyan, and the reasons for our failure in the war.

Even in this seemingly impossible situation, Armenia and Artsakh have the opportunity of revival, on the basis of which is Pashinyan's total absence from our lives," Abrahamyan added, in particular.

YEREVAN. – Outgoing Acting Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Aivazian on Monday had a farewell meeting with the Foreign Ministry staff, the ministry informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In his speech, Aivazian noted as follows, in particular: "We had no right to take a step for which our people and our history would not have forgiven us in the future.

When I took office, I declared that [Armenian] diplomacy is not defeated, and I still insist to this day that our diplomacy is not defeated.

I believe our international partners have realized that Armenia is not defeated, Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] is not defeated, the Armenians are not defeated; our enemies also have realized this.

It was very difficult for me to make this decision; but when I assumed this position, there was a criterion for me: This ministry, which is the birth of independence, shall steadfastly defend our sovereignty, our independence, our state, national interests. (…) and my decision of resignation was conditioned by that very reason (…).”

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ara Aivazian, who resigned earlier, hadn’t expressed discontent with acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s plan for de-escalation of the border situation during the session of the Security Council. Edmon Marukyan, chairman of the opposition Bright Armenia Party and head of its National Assembly (NA) faction, stated this Monday during the traditional briefings at the NA.

Marukyan doesn’t think Aivazian resigned in order to not be bear responsibility for the document that Pashinyan intends to sign, but if this is the case, the diplomat needs to fight against the signing of the document, if it is unfavorable for Armenia, not escape in order to not bear responsibility.

Azerbaijan is creating bridgeheads for pressure on Nagorno-Karabakh and expansion towards Armenia. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Foreign Minister David Babayan told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am, commenting on Azerbaijan's large-scale road construction works around Artsakh.

Babayan noted that Azerbaijan has always had a very well-thought-out transport geopolitics. "Naturally, Azerbaijan tried it in Nagorno-Karabakh. In fact, transport policy was an integral part of administrative-territorial policy. If we look at the former NKAO map, we will see how it happened. Martakert [town], which has historically never been the center of the melikdom, was located on the outskirts of the region; it was very close to the border with the Azerbaijan SSR, becoming a regional center. The same with Martuni, Hadrut, Askeran [towns]. Khojalu [(Khojaly)] was separated from Stepanakert, which [Khojalu] was an Armenian settlement until the [19]60s, then became an Azerbaijani village.

That policy was conducted as follows: To reach Martakert from Stepanakert, you had to cross Aghdam [town]. Aghdam, Martuni, Fizuli also had to be crossed to reach Hadrut from Stepanakert. From Martuni to Martakert—via Aghdam. From Martuni to Hadrut—via Fizuli; that is, thus, they [the Azerbaijanis] were creating bastions, so-called 'geopolitical fortresses.' It was Aghdam, Fizuli, Lachin.

Lachin played a key role in the watershed between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; and if the road were fully operational, it would still be under control, nonetheless; we saw the same in Armenia.

And now we see an obvious expansionist policy. Thus, Azerbaijan strengthens its military presence in the region. We see here a far-reaching transport expansionist policy," the Artsakh Foreign Minister concluded.

In my opinion, perhaps the processes led to a situation where even the minister believed that the best way to solve the situation would be to resign. This is what representative of the Armenia bloc Aram Vardevanyan told reporters today, touching upon the fact that Ara Aivazian resigned from the position of foreign minister today.

“I can’t view this as a heroic step, but I can say that if we compare Aivazian with other state officials such as law-enforcement officers, this is a specific act and might serve as a signal for some members of society. A minister appointed by the incumbent authorities has resigned and said the authorities aren’t acting in Armenia’s interests. This is extremely negative, but one of the key objectives of Armenia bloc is to make sure this never happens again,” he said.

When told that if the authorities’ actions contradict state interest, the National Security Service and power structures need to deal with the matter, Vardevanyan said the following: “What happened to the National Security Service over the past three years allow us to claim that nobody should expect this from the National Security Service. Unfortunately, the Service was politicized. It’s absurd to think that the Service thinks about Armenia’s interests.”

When told that acting PM Nikol Pashinyan’s spokesperson Mane Gevorgyan has urged Ara Aivazian to present evidence of anti-state actions, Vardevanyan said Gevorgyan can find the evidence in the government building.

We need to explain the gravity of the situation to our fellow citizens, fellow villagers, relatives, sisters and brothers. This is what member of the opposition Armenia bloc, member of the Supreme Body of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun political party Ishkhan Saghatelyan.

“Armenia is on the brink of a catastrophe, and you all know this very well. Over the next twenty days, we need to enter the homes of all citizens of Armenia and tell them about the future challenge and made them understand the gravity of the situation. On June 20, we need to remove this government of evil and build a strong Armenia,” he stated.

Touching upon the Armenia bloc’s vision for Armenia’s development, Saghatelyan said the following: “Yesterday we presented our five-year plan for Armenia’s development. We know about our country’s problems, the paths for solution, and we have a team to change the main course for normal development. We’re not running in these elections to garner 5%, 7% or 10% of the votes to be represented in parliament. We’re running in these elections to remove this government, form a government and solve the challenges facing our country together.”