Author: Andres-Papazian

TIERRA DEL FUEGO ADHIRIO AL RECONOCIMIENTO DEL GENOCIDIO ARMENIO

Actualidad, Argentina
13 Enero 2014

“La provincia mas austral de la Argentina y del mundo adhiere al
reconocimiento del Genocidio Armenio”, destaco el Consejo Nacional
Armenio de Sudamerica. El Genocidio Armenio, tambien llamado
holocausto armenio, fue la deportacion forzosa y exterminio de un
número indeterminado de civiles armenios, calculado aproximadamente
entre un millon y medio y dos millones de personas, por el gobierno
de los Jovenes Turcos en el Imperio otomano, desde 1915 hasta 1923.

Se caracterizo por su brutalidad en las masacres y la utilizacion de
marchas forzadas con las deportaciones en condiciones extremas, que
generalmente llevaba a la muerte a muchos de los deportados. Otros
grupos etnicos tambien fueron masacrados por el Imperio otomano
durante este período, entre ellos los asirios, los griegos de Ponto
y los serbios. Algunos autores consideran que estos actos son parte
de la misma política de exterminio.

La fecha del comienzo del genocidio se conmemora el 24 de abril de
1915, el día en que las autoridades otomanas detuvieron a 235 miembros
de la comunidad de armenios en Estambul; en los días siguientes,
la cifra de detenidos ascendio a 600. Posteriormente, una orden del
gobierno central estipulo la deportacion de toda la poblacion armenia,
sin posibilidad de cargar los medios para la subsistencia, y su marcha
forzada por cientos de kilometros, atravesando zonas deserticas,
en las que la mayor parte de los deportados perecio víctima del
hambre, la sed y las privaciones, a la vez que los sobrevivientes
eran robados y violados por los gendarmes que debían protegerlos,
a menudo en combinacion con bandas de asesinos y bandoleros.

Aunque la República de Turquía, sucesora del Imperio otomano, no
niega que las masacres de civiles armenios ocurrieron, no admite
que se trato de un genocidio, arguyendo que las muertes no fueron el
resultado de un plan de exterminio masivo, sistematico y premeditado
dispuesto por el Estado otomano, sino que se debieron a las luchas
interetnicas, las enfermedades y el hambre durante el confuso periodo
de la Primera Guerra Mundial.9 A pesar de esta tesis, casi todos los
estudiosos -incluso algunos turcos- opinan que los hechos encajan en
la definicion actual de genocidio.

Se lo considera por lo general el primer genocidio sistematico moderno;
de hecho, es el segundo caso mas estudiado de genocidio, despues del
Holocausto judío. Hasta la fecha 22 Estados han reconocido oficialmente
el genocidio.

El Consejo Nacional Armenio de Sudamerica destaco en su pagina oficial
que “en el 7mo aniversario de la promulgacion de la ley 26.199,
la provincia mas austral de la Argentina y del mundo, adhiere al
reconocimiento del Genocidio Armenio perpetrado por el Estado turco”.

Ante un nuevo aniversario de la promulgacion por parte del presidente
de la Nacion, Dr. Nestor Kirchner, de la Ley 26.199 que declara el24
de abril de todos los años como “Día de accion por la tolerancia y
el respeto entre los pueblos” en conmemoracion del genocidio del que
fue victima el pueblo armenio, una vez mas nuestro país continua con
la historica solidaridad y compromiso por la afirmacion de la verdad
y la justicia contra crímenes de lesa humanidad.

En los últimos días de 2013, la provincia de Tierra del Fuego a traves
del Decreto 2948/13 promulgo la ley provincial 954 que adhiere a los
terminos de la ley nacional 26.199. Este proyecto de ley fue impulsado
por los legisladores Amanda del Corro y Fabio Marinello con el apoyo
de la Secretaria de Derechos Humanos de Tierra del Fuego y fue aprobado
por unanimidad en la sesion del 21 de noviembre de 2013.

Alejandro Avakian, representante del Consejo Nacional Armenio en Santa
Cruz, expreso “Este reconocimiento es parte de una tarea persistente
del CNA en espacios políticos y entidades gubernamentales de la
Patagonia argentina, como las legislaturas provinciales, el Parlamento
Patagonico, universidades, organizaciones de DDHH, que promueve en
la opinion publica el reconocimiento del genocidio armenio como hecho
historico innegable y merecedor de una justa reparacion. Practicamente
todas las provincias patagonicas se han adherido a la ley nacional
26.199 y esto no es casualidad sino fruto del esfuerzo de las pequeñas
comunidades armenias de la region y amplios sectores de la dirigencia
política y referentes de la opinion pública comprometidos con los
derechos humanos”.

La ley 26.199 aprobada por ambas camaras del Congreso Nacional, con
el apoyo de todos los bloques políticos, y promulgada el 11/1/2007,
se convirtio en un hito que vino a coronar la historica solidaridad
del pueblo argentino acompañando los reclamos de justicia de una
comunidad armenia que se integro y forjo su identidad conformando el
mosaico cultural de nuestro país enriquecido por su diversidad.Desde
1985 en adelante, declaraciones y resoluciones del Parlamento Nacional
han reconocido el Genocidio Armenio y han manifestado su solidaridad
con el pueblo armenio, como así- tambien decenas de países del mundo
y organismos supra estatales, como la ONU en 1985 y el Parlamento
Europeo en 1987.

Las expresas demandas emergentes de esta ley sirvieron de base para
los fundamentos de la sentencia categorica y ejemplar del Juez
Federal Norberto Oyarbide del 1 de abril de 2011, que declara la
verdad historica del delito de genocidio cometido en perjuicio del
pueblo armenio y responsabiliza al Estado turco. De esta manera,
en un hecho jurídico sin precedentes, la justicia argentina se
sumo al reconocimiento del poder legislativo y ejecutivo nacional,
ratificando la historica posicion de apoyo y solidaridad de nuestro
país para con los reclamos del pueblo armenio.

En nuestro país los tres poderes que conforman el Estado se han
pronunciado reconociendo el Genocidio contra los armenios, conocido
como el Primer Genocidio del Siglo XX. En el año 1987, el Dr. Raúl R.

Alfonsín, como Presidente de la República Argentina, en un acto ante
la comunidad armenia hizo un reconocimiento público.

Desde el Consejo Nacional Armenio creemos que rescatar la memoria
activa y exigir justicia y reparacion debe ser la forma de evocar el
genocidio de los armenios que trasciende a su propio colectivo. Como
país que ha tenido una posicion firme y coherente a la hora de condenar
el genocidio sufrido por el pueblo armenio, debemos continuar en ese
camino para no dar lugar a las políticas de ocultamiento, impunidad
y olvido que nos quieren imponer los negacionistas.

From: A. Papazian

BAKU CONDEMNS LA COUNCIL FOR RECOGNITION OF “NAGORNO-KARABAKH REPUBLIC” INDEPENDENCE

AzerNews, Azerbaijan
Jan 30 2014

30 January 2014, 14:52 (GMT+04:00)
By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijan has officially condemned the Los Angels City Council for
recognition of the so-called “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic”.

Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Elman Abdullayev said the LA City
Council’s resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has been adopted
under pressure by the Armenian lobby of the city.

He went on saying that the adoption comes despite the fact that
several U.S. states have already condemned Armenia’s aggressive
policies towards Azerbaijan.

Armenian media reported on January 29 that the LA City Council
has unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing the so-called
“Nagorno-Karabakh Republic” as an “independent” and “sovereign state”.

Abdullayev stressed that the resolution was adopted under political
and financial pressure of the Armenian lobby on the City Council.

He said: “The position of the United States is clear. Washington
does not accept Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state. It only
recognizes Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

Abdullayev said so far, various states in the U.S. have adopted 18
resolutions on the Khojaly tragedy, committed by the Armenian armed
forces in early 1990s and on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in general.

“Los Angeles City Council’s adoption of the resolution recognizing
the separatist regime of Nagorno-Karabakh is just a pathetic attempt
on the part of the Armenian lobby,” he added.

Abdullayev noted that earlier the Armenian lobby had put Highland
City Council under pressure to adopt a similar resolution.

“This is absurd, because the U.S. does not recognize any “republic”
called “Nagorno-Karabakh,” Abdullayev said.

The City Council of Highland in California adopted in November 2013 two
proclamations, “recognizing the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Republic” and “establishing a sister city relationship with the city
of Berdzor in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.”

Abdullayev also noted the information disseminated by the Armenian
media, that Shusha and Los Angeles are twin cities, is false.

He said Shusha is not on the list of sister cities of Los Angeles,
and in no other way it could be, since this settlement is occupied.

Abdullayev also said the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Los
Angeles has protested the adoption of this document.

Commenting on regular violation of ceasefire by the Armenian armed
forces, Abdullayev said Armenia confuses the world community, at the
same time by giving incorrect information to its citizens.

He noted however, the main reason of the all tension is that Armenia
has occupied territories of Azerbaijan and Yerevan has taken an
unconstructive stance.

Abdullayev stressed that without withdrawal of Armenian forces from
the occupied Azerbaijani territories, it is impossible to move to a
new stage over the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh.

He said however, Yerevan seeks to prolong the occupation of the
Azerbaijani territories by all possible means.

The tensions on the contact line of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops
have escalated recently. In recent days the Armenian armed forces
violated ceasefire over 1000 times.

Armenia occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s internationally
recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent
regions, after laying territorial claims against its South Caucasus
neighbor that had caused a lengthy war in the early 1990s.

The UN Security Council’s four resolutions on Armenian withdrawal
have not been enforced to this day.

Peace talks, mediated by Russia, France and the US and the OSCE Minsk
Group are underway on the basis of a peaceful outline -called Madrid
Principle-proposed by the Minsk Group co-chairs. The negotiations
have been largely fruitless so far.

From: A. Papazian

SULTAN RECEIVES ARMENIAN DELEGATION

Gulf Today, UAE
Jan 30 2014

SHARJAH: His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme
Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has stressed that the Arab and
Muslim relations with the Armenian people are strong and historic,
as well as characterised with love and mutual respect.

He cited the good hospitality exhibited by the Armenian people during
his recent visit to the Republic of Armenia.

Sheikh Sultan made the remarks on Thursday afternoon, while receiving
the visiting high-profile Armenian delegation, including Hovik
Abrahamyan, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of
Armenia, His Holiness Karekin II, head of the Armenian Orthodox Church
and Gegham Gharib Janian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Republic of Armenia to the UAE.

Sheikh Sultan thanked the President of Republic of Armenia, Serzh
Sargsyan, on bestowing on him the Honour Award.

He also thanked the Speaker of Armenian Parliament who delivered the
award to him, as well as the head of Armenian Church.

“We have observed and felt that the love of Armenian people to Arabs is
not new but deep-rooted in history. During our recent visit, the people
there welcomed us in a way we will never forget. We exchange love
and respect with them. We wish them peace and prosperity,” he said.

On outset of the meeting, the Armenian Honour Award was conferred on
Sheikh Sultan.

Abrahamyan said he was honoured to confer the award on Sheikh Sultan
on the behalf of Armenian President, adding that he was pleased to
be a guest of Sharjah, the cultural capital of the UAE.

Sheikh Sultan presented to the Armenian delegation a model of Sharjah
Ship, which reflects the authentic heritage of the region.

From: A. Papazian

UKRAINIANS VICTORY IS ALSO THE VICTORY OF FREE ARMENIA.” RUBEN MEHRABYAN

January 28 2014

Aravot.am asked Ruben Mehrabyan, expert of “Center for Political
and International Studies”, how long Maidan can resist, given the
unfortunate events of recent days, how long the Russian authorities
may persist, and in general, whether long-range goals of Moscow are
bringing recent developments of Maidan with respect to influence over
the former Soviet Union countries closer, or the contrary. “After a
series of violent acts of Yanukovich regime, people who are ready to
sacrifice everything for the sake of eventual victory are assembled
in Ukrainian Maidan. They will no longer tolerate the criminal
regime, will not tolerate Moscow humiliating and bloody yoke, it is
intolerable for them to turn into a “building material” for a new
Russian empire, the idea of which Putin is trying to impose with
a maniacal persistence. Ukrainians historical memory, the integral
part of which is the violent rusification, the People’s Commissariat
for Internal Affairs’ (NKVD) terror, and, of course, Holodomor:
extermination of the Ukrainian people in 1930â~@²s, just rules it
out,” noted the expert. As convinced by Ruben Mehrabyan, “Today,
the Ukrainian coming out to Maidan fights not only for free Ukraine,
but also by doing so, it sends the Russian neo-imperialism, that has
turned into a prison of thrice peoples and a gendarme of Europe into
the garbage of history, forcing Moscow to respect the legitimate
aspirations and interests of neighbors, opening the opportunity of
post-Soviet nations to throw off the yoke of criminal oligarchy. This
fight cannot be just fail ending with glorious victory. And, the
victory of the Ukrainian people is also a victory of Free Armenia.”

Emma GABRIELYAN

Read more at:

From: A. Papazian

TATUL MANASERYAN ABOUT THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK STUDIES. “I TREAT THESE NUMBERS WITH RESERVATION AND DOUBTS.”

January 28 2014

“Even the most prestigious institutions can not afford to predict
their economic development with this kind of jewelry accuracy based
on one factor, – so replied Tatul Manaseryan, economist, director of
“Alternative” Research Center, to the question of Aravot.am whether it
is not exaggerated that the EDB Integration Research Center predicts
that if Armenia joins the Customs Union, Armenia’s GDP will growth by
an additional 4 percent per year. He noted that joining the Customs
Union “no matter how important it is for the economic development of
Armenia cannot be the most decisive factor” and continued, “We can
treat the prediction of such clear numbers, let me say, with a little
bit reservation. To the best, Armenia’s accession to the Customs Union
may be the only factorial analysis as to which sectors of the economy
of Armenia it may affect, what and how, what trends can be recorded.

Moreover, the decision has not yet been accepted, and the negotiations
regarding the terms are not completed, too.” Mr. Manaseryan noted
that researches are conducted by the Center, and in contrast to the
foreign companies, their cognitive level about the economic situation
in Armenia is higher, because they are dealing with the reality of
economy of Armenia on daily basis. Mr. Manaseryan said that given the
situation, they have developed scenarios as to under which situation
the economy can develop. In the conversation with Mr. Manaseryan,
we quoted the section of the Eurasian Development Bank studies, where
a comparison is made with the situation, which could be recorded if
Armenia had signed the EU Association Agreement. To this respect,
the economist said the following, “I have a great desire to meet with
the authors of the analysis, and these people should convince me and
you as the RA citizens that they have sufficient grounds to make
such predictions. We can say different numbers that are anonymous
and with assumptions taken from here and there. Hence, I treat these
figures with reservation and great suspicion. Moreover, as an Armenian
economist, who has not made the last contribution to this country in
terms of economic analysis, can not reserve the right to make such
clear and definitive predictions.” Mr. Manaseryan stressed that it is
more difficult to make predictions for 2014, and said, “Even Solomon
the Wise cannot make predictions for this year.” Mr. Manaseryan said
that he can distinctly say that despite Armenia does not use the
potential properly, however, Armenia is still maintaining the ability
of registering a double-digit economic growth in annual terms. If we
have the opportunity to lead and manage the economy, then we assure
you that we can have a surplus of jobs.” In summary, the economist
said, “Research performer should first reckon with reality, to see
what is going on in Armenia, starting from a competitive field,
economic governance. Otherwise, anyone can make predictions even
while playing backgammon, the only difference is that the name of
one is the European Union and the name of the other – Karapet”.

Tatev HARUTYUNYAN

Read more at:

From: A. Papazian

DEMOCRACY MUST NOT BE BOUGHT FOR OIL AND CAVIAR – ARMENIAN MP

17:40 * 28.01.14

Speaking at the first meeting of the winter session of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Naira
Zohrabyan, a member of the Prosperous Armenia parliamentary group,
called on the Council of Europe to prevent Azerbaijan from turning
international organizations into a platform for political corruption.

She noted that Azerbaijani caviar can now be considered a serious
political factor. On numerous occasions, Azerbaijan’s policy of buying
democracy for caviar and petrodollars was called unacceptable.

Some of the PACE members are lovers of Azerbaijani caviar. However,
neither PACE nor any other international organization that has been
reached by Azerbaijan’s caviar-supplying hands has taken any practical
steps against this corrupt phenomenon. As a result, the monitoring
mission led by the European Parliament member Pino Arlacchi claimed
the disgraceful presidential election in Azerbaijan was free, fair
and transparent.

That unprecedented and disgraceful fact caused a great scandal in the
European Parliament. What was Mr Arlacchi’s justification? He said
he lied in Italy’s national interests. A European parliament member
claimed absolute democracy in Azerbaijan, a country which, according
to The Economist, is more authoritarian than Angola and Burkina Faso.

That was nothing but a public statement on political corruption.

Of course, that was the result of the inactivity by international
organizations, including PACE, in connection with Azerbaijan’s
“oil-and-caviar” policy. And it was the “petrodollar confidence” that
allowed Head of the Azerbaijani presidential administration Ramiz
Mehdiyev to accuse the United States of ordering rigged elections in
Azerbaijan. According to him, US officials had asked them to give 25%
to the opposition and 75% to Ilham Aliyev.

No doubt, such a scandalous statement could only be made by an
official who was sure his state would continue getting international
structures hooked on its oil and caviar. The international community
is not resisting Azerbaijan’s policy in any way. So when the Freedom
House called on Brussels to stop negotiating visa facilitation with
Azerbaijan, Brussels rejected that proposal.

Addressing the PACE members, Naira Zohrabyan stated that independence
is the only guarantee of real freedom. The Armenian MP called on
them not to allow “Europe’s last tyrants” to buy European structures’
independence.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA IMPORTS CARROTS FROM IRAN AND TANGERINES FROM PAKISTAN

Fresh Plaza, Netherlands
Jan 28 2014

Although it is said that Armenia is an agricultural country, it
imports much more fruits and vegetables than it exports. The reason
behind this is the climate. It is not possible to grow many citrus
fruits in Armenia, however, this is not the case with products such
as apples and carrots.

Other countries, faced with the same conditions, quite often place
certain restrictions on imports. Turkey, for example, places high
tariffs on fruit imports. Iran has basically banned all such imports.

Armenia is one of the only countries where domestic agriculture
is undefended.

Iran is a major supplier, exporting tomatoes, cucumbers, onions,
citrus fruits and even carrots to Armenia. The amount of onions Iran
exported to Armenia was 300 tons.

Coming in second place as a supplier is Georgia, mostly due to its
citrus crops. 143 tons of tangerines were exported to Armenia from
Armenia’s neighbor to the north. Interestingly enough, 100 tons were
also imported from Pakistan.

During December watermelon and cantaloupe were imported from Brazil,
pears and apples from the U.S., strawberries from Holland, and peppers
from Spain.

During the same month, only potatoes, grapes and tarragon was exported
by Armenia. Notable is that Armenia exported ten times more potatoes
this year than the previous year.

500,000 people are engaged in Armenia’s agricultural sector, or about
45% of the total workforce.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIAN FM TO VISIT IRAN FEBRUARY

Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA)
January 26, 2014 Sunday

TEHRAN (ISNA)- Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian is scheduled
to visit Iran mid February to discuss issues of mutual interests as
well as regional and international developments with senior Iranian
officials. He is going to arrive in Tehran mid February. The 12th
Iran-Armenia joint economic commission meeting will be held in Tehran
mid February as well. Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan will
also join the meeting to chair the Armenian side.

Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian will preside the Iranian side.

The two sides are scheduled to discuss implementation of power
transfer, establishment of hydropower station on Aras Rood River and
establishment of Iran-Armenia railroad. They will also discuss mutual
cooperation on industry, mine and trade, banking financial issues,
energy, oil, power, water as well as cultural issues. A delegation
from Armenian private sector is accompanying Movsisyan during the trip.

From: A. Papazian

ARMENIA SEES AZERBAIJAN’S ACTIONS AS OBSTRUCTING ACHIEVEMENT OF PEACE ON NAGORNO-KARABAKH

Interfax, Russia
Jan 27 2014

YEREVAN. Jan 27

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, meeting with Azeri
Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs
in Paris on Friday, brought up the issue of escalation of tensions at
the Armenian-Azeri border and at the contact line between the Azeri
and Armenian armed forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Nalbandian drew the co-chairs’ attention to gross violations of the
truce, militant statements by the Azeri leadership, and territorial
claims on Armenia, which are obviously provocative in nature and
deal a serious blow to the negotiating process,” the Armenian Foreign
Ministry told Interfax.

“The Armenian foreign minister pointed out that such actions reduce
the prospects for settling the conflict and achieving peace and ignore
numerous calls by the leaders of the Minsk Group countries to avoid
statements and actions that could lead to the escalation of tensions
in the region,” the ministry said.

Nalbandian also stressed the importance of putting into practice the
OSCE Minsk Group chairs’ proposals on bolstering the ceasefire regime
as a possible mechanism against provocations.

During the meeting, which took place on Friday, the Azeri and
Armenian foreign ministers discussed further steps to promote the
Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.

They also agreed on the OSCE Minsk Group’s visit to the region in
the first half of February.

The Azeri Foreign Ministry said earlier in its statement that “the
restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is the foundation
of negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.”

“Mammadyarov clearly outlined Azerbaijan’s position by noting that
the sooner the Armenian armed forces leave the occupied territories
of Azerbaijan, the sooner the conflict can be settled in compliance
with international law,” it said.

From: A. Papazian

STEADFAST DEFENDERS OF THE NATIVE BORDERS

Tuesday, 28 January 2014 12:33

Following are some details of the sabotage action of the Azerbaijani
subversive group taken on the night of January 19-20.

We saw pride and dignity on the faces of the soldiers on combat duty.

The positive impression on their brave answers leaves no doubt
about the fighting spirit and abilities of the homeland’s defenders,
especially against the background of their recent proper counterattack
on the enemy’s subversive group at one of the military positions.

On the way to the positions, the officers investigating the incident
exchanged opinions, touching upon the actions of the platoon’s
commander and some distinguished soldiers.

In place, each of the soldiers, who had participated in
counterattacking the enemy’s sabotage, told about what he had done and
seen. Unfortunately, the same cannot be done by Lance Sergeant Armen
Hovhannisian who had heard the whistling of the enemy’s pistol shot
and immediately reported platoon commander Sargis Tananyan about it.

But later, when his combat comrades formed a defensive circle,
Lance Sergeant Armen Hovhannisian had deceased, proving that the
younger generation is ready to defend the homeland at the price of
blood. As it was proven, the platoon commander was right, ordering to
form a defensive circle and meet the enemy with strong firing. Senior
Sergeant Sargis Tananyan threw hand grenades at the enemy’s direction
and saw the panic in its ranks. And soldiers Arsen Hovhannisian and
Edik Dadamyan fired in another direction, preventing the enemy’s
advancement. Courageous were also soldiers Mkhitar Vardanyan, Norayr
Mcrtchyan, and Sasoun Hakobyan. They were really faithful to their
military oath and didn’t yield to the enemy, which prevailed them in
number and ammunition and which insidiously attacked their positions.

It is also noteworthy that the heroic soldiers preferred to tell
delightfully about the deeds of their comrades rather than their own.

The platoon commander noted repeatedly that machine-gunner Arsen
Hovhannisian had done much in firing the enemy and forcing it to flee.

The soldiers actively told about their comrades’ brave deeds, their
joint actions in throwing the enemy back, and their strong will to
defend the homeland’s borders. Everyone realizes that their skilled and
organized activities didn’t only spoil the enemy’s regular impudent
provocation, but also demonstrated that Armenian soldiers defend
their homeland firmly and safely and they will never allow the enemy
to defile our holy land… According to the incident participants,
the enemy suffered numerous losses. Our servicemen heard radio-talks
by the Azerbaijani frontline officers, saying that a special group
had come from Baku, made a mess and left and the revenge will be
poured on their heads…

The traces of the recent battle were obvious. Traces of grenade-
guns- and machine-guns intense firing were left on the walls of the
trenches and service structures of the position… The positional
battles in this direction and the neighboring trenches lasted long
until the sabotage-intelligence group escaped. The guys said the
enemy had been taught a lesson. And this was, actually, the positional
soldiers’ baptism of fire. From now, they’ll act more skillfully and
harmoniously so that no saboteur of the enemy can escape.

Again and again, I listen to the recording of the soldiers and
officers, who participated in the operation, and I recall the
19-20 January night events when the soldiers, headed by the platoon
commander, did not lose their courage and spirit to perform their
duties and defend the homeland borders, testifying that they are
honorable followers of the patriotic cause of the heroes of our
national-liberation struggle…

Mher AHYAN

From: A. Papazian