Author: Albert Nalbandian

Yerevan slams Ankara for “explicitly negative role” in NK conflict

Albert Nalbandian

 14:40,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Turkey has an explicit negative role in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, namely during the latest Azeri aggression, the Armenian FM Ara Aivazian said in an interview with RIA Novosti. He said that this became explicitly visible when during the war Turkey started to send terrorists and militants from the territories it controls in the Middle East to fight against Artsakh, as well as during its active arms supplies to Azerbaijan.

“We expect a more targeted influence from the international community so that Turkey revises its explicitly aggressive attitude towards Armenia and the Armenian people,” Aivazian said.

Asked whether or not a hypothetical Turkish involvement in the negotiations process could be acceptable for Armenia, FM Aivazian underscored that only the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs can participate in the negotiations process, and noted that “Turkey, who overtly sponsored the activities of Middle Eastern terrorists in Artsakh, utilized its military personnel and combat drones against the peaceful population of Artsakh, has already proven not only the level of its involvement in the conflict but also how far away it is from the negotiations process.”

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Yeraz: the dreamy debut album fusing Armenian sounds from across the world

Albert Nalbandian
The Calvert Journal
Feb 20 2021
 
Text: Lucía de la Torre

A new LP featuring emerging artists from Armenia and its diaspora has been released to support artistic initiatives that explore cultural identity.

YERAZ is named after the Armenian word for dream — an apt description for its soothing, lo-fi feel. Combining electronic beats with neo-soul tunes, instrumental sounds and folk melodies, the LP oscillates between upbeat and meditative across different musical styles including an Armenian traditional touch. “The most significant inspiration behind YERAZ was to set a new precedent for Armenian identity by illustrating it through these various musical contexts. By approaching this compilation as an “artefact” rather than a music album, it will mature over time into a reflection of this current moment, where we are still processing the losses of last year and are looking for means to rebuild our culture,” says Zach Asdourian, founder of Critique, the LA-based creative agency behind the album.

YERAZ is a collaboration between Critique and Kooyrigs, a non-profit organisation that implements community and educational projects both online and in-country. All of the proceeds from the album will be donated to Kooyrigs and used to support artistic initiatives in Armenia.

Following its digital release, YERAZ will also be launched as a vinyl in May 2021. While the side A-B hosts US-based diasporan artists, the side C-D features those based in Armenia. Among its most prominent names are LA-based Lebanese Armenian musician Bei Ru, neo-psychedelic singer Angel DEardoorian, and Yerevan club favourites KamavoSian and Melineh.

“Pressing YERAZ onto a vinyl record seemed very appropriate because the listening experience can become more of a ritual where the record is set, the needle is dropped and the listener is transported,” says Asdourian. “As they listen, I’d like for all people to meditate on the new paradigm being delineated by the album, where the past, present and future of our people’s history is illustrated through a new narrative.”

The vinyl, to be released in May 2021, is available for pre-order here.

Georgian Prime Minister resigns

Albert Nalbandian

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 10:51,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia has resigned, he announced his decision during a press briefing.

“I decided to leave my position. Of course, I believe and want to believe that this step will help to reduce polarization in our country’s policy as I am convinced that polarization and confrontation between us is the biggest risk for our country’s economic development future and on the path of overcoming all kinds of crises”, the Georgian PM said.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

3,577 bodies passed forensic examination, DNA analysis of other 428 in process

Albert Nalbandian
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 18 2021

3,577 bodies of killed servicemen passed forensic examination since September 27, 2020 to February 13, 2021 inclusive, Aysor.am news portal reports, citing the date of Armenia’s Ministry of Health. According to the source, as of February 13, DNA analysis of other 428 bodies are in the process.

It is noted that the number of killed servicemen announced by Artsakh Defense Army is 2,364 as of February 16, while as of February 17, Artsakh rescuers found bodies of 1,485 killed servicemen and civilians.

Putin, Pashinyan review Nagorno-Karabakh armistice

Albert Nalbandian
XINHUA, China
Feb 17 2021

Source: Xinhua| 2021-02-18 04:38:34|Editor: huaxia
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MOSCOW, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) — Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the implementation of the Nagorno-Karabakh truce in a telephone conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Wednesday.

The leaders covered practicalities in relation to the implementation of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace deal and discussed the agreements reached during a trilateral summit in Moscow on Jan. 11, 2021, the Kremlin said in a statement.

Key issues of Russian-Armenian bilateral cooperation were also covered.

Putin, Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met in Moscow on Jan. 11, where the leaders agreed to take joint measures aimed at unblocking all economic and transport connections in the Nagorno-Karabakh region with the aid of a trilateral working group. Enditem

Nagorno-Karabakh: A Case Study Of Conflict Leading To Globalization

Albert Nalbandian
Modern Diplomacy
Feb 14 2021

By Ayesha Shukhat

– Modern Diplomacy

How conflict and casualties of Nagorno-Karabkh lead to globalization?”

In this research paper one will go through the history of the two states and their role during the Soviet Era.One will also undergo the casualties faced by the troops on the both sides, Armenians as well as Azeris. Two Wars fought by Armenia and Azerbaijan other than the conflict that has occurred on the cause of negative Nagorno-Karabakh. One will discuss the role of Russia and Turkey in the peacekeeping and how these countries globalized to seek resolution for the conflict. One will also go through the role of United Nations and Pakistan in a very brief manner. Factors leading to resolution will also be discussed.

HISTORY

The mountainous territory of Nagorno and Karabakh having Armenian Christian majority and ruled by Muslim Azeri ruler, called, Khan. It is in south west of Azerbaijan. In early 1800s, control was passed to Russian Empire and then to Soviet Union following Bolshevik revolution in 1918 after World War I. After World War I, in the middle of confusion and chaos pf Russian civil war, Armenia and Azerbaijan declared independence. From then the real conflict originated. There was often clash for territories among two states. Nagorno-Karabakh was one of them. Russia called a territory Caucasus, was surrounded by red army. Stalin being native of that area. Borders of Karabakh were assigned in 1923 and Nagorno-Karabakh sovereign territory became a part of Azerbaijan S.S.R(Soviet Socialist Republic). Due to this settlement an area called Naxcivan came into being which is sandwiched between Armenia and Iran but, does not define properly, the border of Azerbaijan. At that time Nagorno-Karabakh was claimed by both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

In 1918 ethno-religious rigidity arose between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Thousands of Muslims were assassinated. Azerbaijan seek aid from Great Britain to occupy Nagorno-Karabakh.

WAR OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH (1920)

In 1920 a war was fought between Azerbaijan and Armenia for Nagorno-Karabakh. It all began when Armenia unpredictably launched attacks. But due to bad co-ordination the attacks failed badly and city of Shusha, Armenia was shattered into pieces.

THE SOVIET ERA

In July 1920, Soviet Union without any plebiscite decided the faith of Karabakh. It was decided to merge Karabakh in to Armenia, but later on this plan was cancelled. Many decisions were made to relocate the territories during the times of Stalin in 1923. Azeri people were largely discriminated by dominant Armenian population.

 WAR OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH (1991)

On September 26, 1991 Soviet Union dissolved which resulted in 15 independent republics. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan became independent states. Military action between two countries continued and it was impacted by Russia. This war caused many casualties and both countries suffered harsh consequences. Thousands of people died on both sides. Countries like Russia, Kazakhstan and Iran tried mediation, even UN tried to resolve the issue which advanced to peace talks. In 1993 UN asked Armenia for ceasefire. Turkey deployed its forces on Armenian border to threaten Armenian forces forceasefire was signed but most of territory was still under Armenian forces. But this region is internationally known as Azerbaijani territory but it was under Armenian forces since 1994.

TOWARDS RESOLUTION(1994)

The search for solution to conflict was complicated due to territories political yearning and hope.

Territory of Nagorno-Karabakh announced independence in 1992 and held several elections yet it was not free from forces of the sides.

In 2008, Armenian president Serzh Sarkisyan and Azeri president signed a pact so intensify the efforts towards resolution. Despite of the efforts, many clashes occurred during 2010s.

Four days of war

In April 2016 there was a wave of war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This war continued for four days but it was very destructive. It caused many deaths of military troops as well as civilians. More than 30,000 people were killed on both sides since 1992.

In 2019, new government came in Armenia after long term ruler Serzh Sarkisyan. But, there was disintegration in diplomacy which lead to a huge conflict in 2020.

NAGORONO-KARABAKH WAR OF 2020

July 12 2020, on the day of Sunday, conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan was once again initiated. Initial conflict initiated in Province Tavush in Armenia and Tovuz district in Azerbaijan, at the borders of two states. Armenia and Azerbaijan, both countries accused each other of re-engaging in the conflict. Ganja gap, a route that is economic, energy and transport corridor of Azerbaijan. Armenia , in that region revived its old military checkpoint. According to a source it was revealed that scrimmage was initiated by Armenia. This ignition disrupted the function of Ganja gap. These skirmishes caused many casualties. Many people went homeless, many died including military personnel and civilians.

OPERATION IRON FIST

War of 2020 is named as “Operation Iron Fist” by Azerbaijan. It was an armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan following the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. It was ignition of the past unresolved conflict. Armed confrontation began on September 27, 2020 on the line of control. Armenia and Azerbaijan, both announced martial law, and mobilization was also introduced by Armenia. Turkey, in order to increase its scope of influence supported Azerbaijan militarly. In this war types of modern warfare were used. Heavy artillery, drones and long range missiles were used. United Nations vigorously accursed both countries and advised for ceasefire.

PEACE TREATY

After the occupation of Shusha which is 2nd  largest occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh a peace treaty was signed between two countries with help of Russian President. On 10th  November 2020. It was decided in the peace treaty that Azerbaijan would keep the territory it occupied and Armenia will return the areas that it occupied in past (1994).

BREACHING OF PEACE TREATY

On November 26 2020, peace treaty was breached when 3 Azeri servicemen were killed Armenian forces. Same steps were followed on December 8, when another person was killed by Armenian forces. Russian peace keeping forces also witnessed breaching of ceasefire on December 11th.

TURKISH AND RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPING (PATH TOWARDS GLOBALIZATION)

Russia have good ties with Azerbaijan and Armenia as well and it had to defend Armenia in the recent conflict Russia contributed 2000 servicemen for peacekeeping mission. It was part of ceasefire agreement. ICRC was accompanied by Russian peacekeeping forces in collecting the dead bodies of people and soldiers. Turkey and Russia signed a memorandum for creating a monitoring center in Azerbaijan. Both countries are going to work together to enhance the phenomenon of “Globalization” Turkish parliament approved the request for deploying peacekeepers in Azerbaijan, the motion got approval. Turkish excavator came to Azerbaijan. Turkish defense minister and minister of foreign affairs of Russia agreed that both countries will work remotely in the monitoring center. On December 16th, 136 Turkish land troops were deployed in Azerbaijan. Further, Turkey has religious and ethnic ties with Azerbaijan. They also have some historical ties. Back then when Turkey was Ottoman empire it helped Azerbaijan regain independence from Russia in 1918.

Pakistan and Turkey are great allies. Pakistan firmly supported Azerbaijan on the cause of Nagorno-Karabakh.

This support influenced the diplomacy of Pakistan greatly.

CONFLICT LEADING TO GLOBALIZATION

 We saw how two countries globalized for peace process. Role of United Nations, Pakistan, Iran, Syria is worth mentioning. This conflict lead to globalization of many countries of world which  lead to resolution of the conflict.

 TOWARDS TRIUMPH

After the conflict that has continued for more than a century, even after ceasefires, conflict finally came to an end in 2020 when Azerbaijan was announced victorious after more than two wars  on the cause of disputed territories. Azeri people commemorated this triumph with great joy and vigor.

CONCLUSION

Conclusion of all this above held argument was that to describe the role of the two states in the conflict of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan and Armenia have been facing many casualties since past times. More than two Wars were fought between the two countries. first war did not provide any fruit to either of the state but the second war which was initiated by Armenia itself decided the fate of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Second war which was initiated in 2020 came with outcomes, Azerbaijan as the victor will Armenia as the loser. Control of Nagorno-Karabakh and other disputed areas was given to Azerbaijan subsequently peace Treaty which was signed between the two States with assistance of Russia. Wars are never joyous after-shots of War are unpredictable. The war between Armenia and Azerbaijan also resulted in many casualties including the death of many troops as well as civilians on both sides and destruction of houses and many buildings.

Opinion: Erdogan fears Turkey’s Generation Z

Albert Nalbandian 
Deutsche Welle
By Banu Güven
Feb. 5, 2021
[Protests at Istanbul's Bosphorus University against a rector
appointed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have led to harsh
crackdowns. The president fears a second Gezi Park movement, says Banu
Güven.]
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fears the protests that have
erupted at Istanbul's Bosphorus University (also known as Bogazici
University — Editor's note) against his totalitarian rule. He has
retaliated with an iron-fisted approach.
In the 1990s, I studied at Bosphorus University, which is situated on
the European side of the city and offers English-language teaching.
During this time, I worked as an assistant to professor Ustun Erguder,
the institution's rector at the time.
A bastion of liberalism
Bosphorus University is one of Turkey's few remaining bastions of
democratic and liberal thought. Its resilient faculty and critically
minded students are a thorn in Erdogan's side; they are the sort of
forces he wishes to purge from Turkey. The university is a safe haven
for liberals, anarchists, feminists, LGBTQI+ activists, Kurds, the
left, atheists and even — to Erdogan's horror — pious Muslims, who
fear no one except Allah.
They study and teach side-by-side at this university, on this
beautiful campus, near River Bosphorus. And they reject the new
Erdogan-appointed rector, Melih Bulu, arguing he committed plagiarism,
which disqualifies anyone from leading one of Turkey's top
universities. It has also emerged that he used to be an active member
of Erdogan's ruling AKP party and in 2009 considered running as mayor.
It is evident that Erdogan wishes to install Bulu to control this
elite institution. But that won't work.
For weeks, lecturers and students have been staging midday protests,
lining up outside with their backs to the rector's office. These days,
Bulu must be the loneliest rector in the entire world.
Hundreds of arrests
Erdogan is angered by such resistance. And by staging creative
protests and posting online videos, the students are attracting ever
more public attention. Students at other universities have already
expressed solidarity with them. Erdogan, in turn, has brought in the
police to crush such protests. Hundreds of students were temporarily
arrested; four remain in custody.
Erdogan and Devlet Bahceli, who heads Turkey's nationalist MHP junior
coalition partner, lash out against the students almost daily,
branding them "terrorists." In an effort to further delegitimize the
protests. Erdogan has even resorted to stoking homophobia, claiming
"there is no such thing as LGBT." AKP Interior Minister Suleyman
Soylu, meanwhile, called the movement "revolting."
First-time voters threat to AKP power
Erdogan is resorting to violence because he fears a movement akin to
the 2013 Gezi park protests. He is desperately trying to delegitimize
the students as he worries they could vote him out in the 2023
election. He is on to something: within two years, 5 million young
Turks will have reached voting age, comprising about 12% of the total
electorate. Only a small faction would cast their ballot for the
president — that much is clear from the thousands of dislikes and
negative comments Erdogan's 2020 YouTube live stream attracted.
Various surveys show that Turkey's Generation Z has little sympathy
for Erdogan and his ideas. According to one poll by the Gezici
Arastırma Merkezi institute conducted last year, 76.4% of respondents
said they regard the rule of law and democracy as top priorities for
Turkey. A mere 15.7% of Generation Z voters say they regularly pray —
bad news for Erdogan, who aims to make Turkey more pious. On top of it
all, a MetroPoll poll found that 55% of AKP supporters favored
university rectors to be democratically elected, rather than appointed
by the president.
How much more brutal will Erdogan get?
Bosphorus University rector Bulu insists he will not resign — which he
cannot anyway, unless Erdogan replaces him with someone else. So Bulu
hopes the protests will slowly dissipate.
Erdogan's brutal police crackdown will prevent a second Gezi park
uprising. But this violence will not change the minds of Turkey's
young. The more force the president marshals, the sooner his downfall
will come. The question is: how much more violent can Erdogan become
in years to come?
*
Banu Güven is a Turkish journalist and television presenter. She
writes for various German and Turkish media outlets. She has been
living and working in Germany since 2018.

Investors believe in Armenia’s economic and political future – Armenia’s PM

Albert Nalbandian
Aysor, Armenia
Feb 9 2021

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan conducted consultation in the Ministry of Economy.

Addressing the present, the premier stressed that the biggest challenge to the war against coronavirus was macro-economic collapse.

“It is necessary to register that we need to keep the macro-economic stability the international recognition of which is issuing of the euro bonds. The most visible and tangible assessment is the approach of institutional investors, their trust toward the country and the government. This is the important index of trust,” he said.

He said it has been succeeded to issue the euro bonds with the lowest index in Armenia’s history. “This means that the institutional investors believe Armenia’s first of all economic and naturally political future,” the PM said.

Armenian-made strike drones undergo trials, High-Tech Minister says

Albert Nalbandian
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 9 2021

The Armenian-made unmanned aerial vehicles undergo tests and mass production will be launched after military trials are completed, Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry Hakob Arshakyan told a press conference today.

He added that the reconnaissance  UAVs, which are not inferior to similar ones in terms of parameters, can already be produced in Armenia. Arshakyan added that those were widely used during the Artsakh War.

The Minister said military production is a priority for the government. According to him, the production of artillery and grenade launchers is expected to expand this year to fully cover the demand in Armenia.

As for the radar technologies used in the field of air defense, the Minister said: “We will uphold the financing in these directions – radar systems, communication systems, optical and video surveillance, optical laser systems. We also have developed quite serious solutions in terms of optical surveillance systems. The capacity will be expanded in the near future, greater opportunities will be created both in terms of our Armed Forces’ achievements and in terms of exports.”

Armenian authorities ‘have painted themselves into a corner’, says opposition party spox

Albert Nalbandian
Panorama, Armenia
Feb 9 2021

The opposition Homeland Party acts in line with Armenia’s interests and its actions are aimed at removing the country’s “traitor” leader from power, its member Babken Harutyunyan told a news conference on Tuesday.

He said the party’s further moves depends on a specific situation.

The spokesman of the party, Sos Hakobyan, said, in turn, they see the settlement of the issues in the country exclusively through political means.

“The constitutional ways have not been exhausted. In case of generating a certain mass of people we will achieve a change of government,” Hakobyan said.

Referring to the ruling My Step faction’s decision to abandon the plan of holding snap parliamentary elections in the country, he suggested that they had come to realize they would hardly manage to secure a parliamentary majority after the elections.

“In fact, the authorities have painted themselves into a corner. Thousands of people who hoped to see changes after the elections now realize that the only way is to take to the streets,” the spokesman said.

Babken Harutyunyan called on all to gather at the Freedom Square in Yerevan in a new rally on February 20.

“We either chose to stay at home and watch a part of our homeland being handed over to the enemy every day, the country finding itself in a worse social and economic situation, or on February 20 we take to the streets to remove the traitorous authorities. We must not give up, we must fight consistently and patiently,” he said, urging people not to fall into despair.