Wednesday,
Armenian Authorities Rule Out Referendum Fraud
• Gayane Saribekian
• Ruzanna Stepanian
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian speaks at an election campaign rally in
Masis, December 3, 2018.
Armenia’s political leadership has insisted that it will not resort to fraud and
use government levers to win the upcoming referendum on controversial
constitutional changes sought by it.
“I would rather cut off my two hands than allow the falsification of a single
vote because that would mean erasing the entire life lived by us and all those
values which we stand for,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian declared during a
referendum campaign fundraiser held by his Civil Contract Party in Yerevan late
on Tuesday.
Pashinian again defended his administration’s push to oust the chairman and six
other judges of Armenia’s nine-member Constitutional Court through the proposed
amendments. He said that they do not “represent the people” and hamper
far-reaching political reforms in the country.
Critics dismiss this explanation, saying that Pashinian is simply seeking to
fill the country’s highest court with his loyalists.
The fundraiser, which journalists were not allowed to attend, marked the
official start of the ruling party’s campaign for a “Yes” vote in the referendum
scheduled for April 5. The campaign is managed by the party’s nominal chairman,
Minister for Local Government Suren Papikian.
Armenia -- Minister for Local Government Suren Papikian at a news conference in
Yerevan, .
Papikian said on Wednesday that Pashinian and other Civil Contract figures
holding senior positions in the central and local governments will be actively
campaigning for a referendum victory in the coming weeks. He promised that
Pashinian’s political team will not use its administrative resources to secure
around 650,000 votes needed for the adoption of the constitutional amendments.
Papikian said that government officials abusing their powers for that purpose
would be “strictly punished.” “Let nobody, be it a city or village mayor, do the
authorities such a disservice,” he told a news conference. “We don’t need that.”
Armenia’s former leadership routinely pressured public sector employees and
exploited its administrative resources otherwise to win elections and
referendums marred by fraud allegations. Its election campaigns were usually
managed by Hovik Abrahamian, a once influential minister for local government
who also served as prime minister from 2014-2016 during President Serzh
Sarkisian’s rule.
Some bitter critics of the current government have speculated that Papikian,
whose ministry oversees Armenian provincial administrations and local government
bodies, will take advantage of his post in a similar fashion.
The 33-year-old minister categorically ruled out such a possibility. “Please do
not compare me to Hovik Abrahamian,” he said. “I see no similarities apart from
the position held by us.”
Pashinian Unhappy With Results Of Corruption Probes
Armenia -- Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian meets with senior law-enforcement
officials, Yerevan, .
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian criticized on Wednesday the results of corruption
investigations conducted by Armenian law-enforcement authorities during his
rule, saying that so far they have recovered only up to $80 million in “funds
stolen from the state.”
Pashinian said the sum makes up a fraction of the financial “damage which
Armenia has suffered in the last 30 years as a consequence of corruption-related
crimes.”
“Can we guarantee that the law-enforcement system is now fully and
wholeheartedly performing … its functions in the fight against corruption?
Unfortunately, I cannot give a definitely positive answer [to this question,]”
he said at a meeting with the heads of Armenia’s law-enforcement agencies.
“Armenia has suffered billions of dollars worth of damage as a result of corrupt
activities of high-ranking officials, and I, as the leader of Armenia, received
a popular mandate also for my pledges to recover those billions,” he told them.
“So I expect the law-enforcement bodies to live up … to our people’s just
expectations.”
Pashinian complained that investigators have failed to prevent some corruption
suspects from fleeing the country and to find evidence of current or former
state officials’ connection to illegally acquired assets. In that context, he
spoke of “traitors in the highest echelons of the law-enforcement system” who he
said had ulterior goals.
Pashinian did not name names in his opening remarks at the meeting publicized by
his press office. The office released no details of his ensuing discussion the
top security officials. It said only that they discussed “further steps in the
fight against corruption.”
Pashinian has repeatedly claimed to have eliminated “systemic corruption” in
Armenia after coming to power in the 2018 “Velvet Revolution.” The number of
corruption cases brought by Armenian law-enforcement authorities has risen
significantly since the dramatic change of government. The most high-profile of
these cases have involved former top government officials and individuals linked
to them.
Armenia has improved its position in an annual survey of corruption perceptions
around the world conducted by Transparency International. It ranked, together
with Bahrain and the Solomon Islands, 77th out of 180 countries and territories
evaluated in the Berlin-based watchdog’s 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)
released last month.
Armenians Evacuated From Coronavirus-Hit Iran
• Susan Badalian
Armenia -- Armenian citizens flown back from Iran are seen at Yerevan airport,
.
Fifty-two Armenians were evacuated from Iran on Wednesday as the Islamic
Republic continued to grapple with the spread of coronavirus.
The Armenian nationals arrived at Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport on a special
flight from Tehran arranged by the Armenian government. They wore medical masks
and received guidance from medics deployed by the Ministry of Health at the
airport’s arrivals section.
Another medic was on the plane that brought them back to Armenia. None of the
passengers was said to have a fever or other potential coronavirus symptoms.
The evacuees were not placed under quarantine. Health authorities instead
collected their contact details and pledged to regularly monitor their condition.
“There is more panic here [than in Iran,]” one of the evacuees told reporter at
Zvartnots.
Armenia plans to evacuate more of its citizens from Iran with another special
flight scheduled for Friday.
The Armenian government decided on Monday to suspend regular flights between the
two countries and close the Armenian-Iranian border for individual travel for at
least two weeks. The border will remain for open cargo shipments.
According to the Armenian Health and Labor Inspectorate, 155 Iranian truck
drivers and 11 other persons crossed into Armenia on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Armenian health officials briefly examined their condition at the border
checkpoint and detected no suspected cases of the virus, said the government
agency.
Iran -- An Iranian woman wears a protective mask at a drug store in Tehran,
.
Iranian authorities reported on Wednesday that 139 people have been infected by
coronavirus in Iran and 19 of them have died so far. This is the highest number
of deaths from coronavirus outside China, where the virus emerged in late 2019.
Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan
have all reported cases of coronavirus involving people who traveled to Iran.
No cases have been reported in Armenia. The authorities in Yerevan say they are
continuing to take precautionary measures against the possible spread of the
virus.
In a related development, the Armenian Defense Ministry on Wednesday temporarily
banned visits by relatives and friends of military personnel to all army bases.
It also cancelled the soldiers’ leaves.
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.
Author: Arbi Tashjian
Asbarez: Maestro Tigran Mansurian Visits AMAA’s Avedisian School
Maestro Tigran Mansurian with Avedisian School students and staff
Living legend Maestro Mansurian was engaging. There were more students who wanted to ask questions than those who did not. Then he approached the piano, sat down slowly, his fingers touched the keyboard, and the sounds of his famous music from the film “A Little Sky” first spread then began to soar to great heights. Even the air became noble and the hall held its breath.
At the conclusion of this exciting event, School Principal Melanya Geghamyan presented the Maestro with a book about Komitas, “The Magnificent Song of All Armenians,” and a book about the Avedisian School. The students promised to continue their newly formed friendship with the Maestro by sending letters.
The meeting was not yet over, as the dear guest, who left the room, continued answering questions, signing autographs, and taking pictures with the students outside the Auditorium.
Established in 1988, the Armenian Missionary Association of America’s Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisian School is an educational institution that provides outstanding K-12 holistic, tuition-free education in a modern, environmentally friendly building, using state-of-the-art facilities in the low-income Southwest District of Malatia-Sebastia in Yerevan, Armenia.
Armenian President congratulates Estonian counterpart on Independence Day
09:33,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a congratulatory letter to President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid on the country’s national day – the Independence Day, the Presidential Office told Armenpress.
“Armenia attaches importance to the friendly relations and the constant strengthening of the constructive dialogue with Estonia both at the bilateral format and within the frames of the European Union. I believe that my visit to Tallinn this year will give a new impetus to the Armenian-Estonian cooperation by covering new spheres of mutual interest”, the Armenian President said in his letter.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
Sports: FIFA: Armenia position unchanged in world ranking
News.am, Armenia
Feb 20 2020
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has issued its new World Ranking.
Accordingly, the Armenian national squad are still 102nd in the FIFA standings. The team has not played any games since the previous ranking, and their once 30th ranking was a record-breaking high for the country.
Belgium, France, Brazil, England, Uruguay, Croatia, Portugal, Spain, Argentina, and Colombia are in the top ten, in that order.
Asbarez: ANCA-WR Endorses Jackie Goldberg for LAUSD District 5
Jackie Goldberg
LOS ANGELES—The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region has endorsed Jackie Goldberg for Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education District 5.
“Jackie Goldberg has shown a decades-long commitment to representing the Armenian-American community throughout her career as an education leader on the LAUSD, as a Councilmember in Los Angeles, and as an Assemblymember in the California State Legislature,” remarked Chair of the ANCA-WR Nora Hovsepian, Esq. “Her commitment to expanding education services and empowering youth in her district – which includes a sizable Armenian community – in addition to her consistent support for Armenia, from economic development to aid, has demonstrated a dedication to community service that we are proud to recognize and celebrate with this endorsement.”
Goldberg is a lifelong community activist with a record of public service and education. A former teacher, Goldberg was first elected to the LAUSD Board of Education in 1983, where she served two terms. She played an instrumental role in creating districtwide K-12 dual language education program – an initiative the Armenian community of Los Angeles continues to benefit from –- as well as establishing on-campus health clinics, fostering policies to help overcome teacher shortages, addressing overcrowding in schools, and improving curriculum in reading, math, and science.
After leaving the LAUSD Education Board, Goldberg worked for Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina as her Ethics Deputy and Children’s Services Deputy before being elected, in 1993, to the 13th District Seat of the Los Angeles City Council. Goldberg, in her capacity as a Councilmember, visited Armenia in 1993 to personally deliver funds she had raised to support the development of earthquake damaged areas in the wake of the 1988 Spitak tragedy.
In 2000, Goldberg was elected to the California State Assembly representing the 45th District, covering Hollywood – including Little Armenia. During her time as an Assemblymember, Goldberg supported the grassroots efforts of the ANCA-WR to pass the Trade Office Bill to establish a California Regional Trade Office in the Republic of Armenia and facilitate trade between the two entities.
“Jackie Goldberg represents the best interest of all students in the Los Angeles Unified School District,” remarked Alice Petrossian, Chair of the ANCA Education Committee. “She has been a close friend of the Armenian community since her first days as an elected official, fully understands the importance of teaching the Armenian genocide, and has committed to continue her support for the teaching and commemoration of this critical event in our history.”
Goldberg was re-elected to the LAUSD Board of Education representing the 5th District in a special election in 2019. The LAUSD District 5 begins in Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Echo Park, curves through Highland Park and Eagle Rock, and then slices down through a sliver of El Sereno into the southeast cities of Vernon, Huntington Park, and South Gate.
The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.
Sports: Aram Avagyan signs a deal with new promoter ahead of next fight
MediaMax, Armenia
Feb 18 2020
Aram Avagyan signs a deal with new promoter ahead of next fight
Professional boxer Aram Avagyan has signed a deal with Salita Promotions. He will hold his next fight under the auspices of the company.
The fight will take place in Detroit on March 13. Avagyan is going to face Dagoberto Aguero, Dominican boxer who has not lost a fight in his career.
“I missed on the WBC International Silver belt because it required significant expenditure and I did not have a promoter. I no longer work with Punch Boxing, but we parted ways by mutual consent, so there are no hard feelings between us. We just realized that our cooperation came to an end,” told Avagyan.
He noted that he had intensive training and sparring in the U.S. before returning to Armenia. For about a month, he has been training here under the guidance of Vahan Adilkhanyan and Karen Aghamalyan, coaches of the national boxing team.
“Artur Gevorgyan helped me find a new promoter. We received many offers, but chose Salita, because it offered a long-term contract. My goal is to win fights and take the title of world champion,” added Aram Avagyan.
According to the athlete, if he beats Aguero ahead of time, he will hold the next fight in April, and if not, in May.
“I am going back to the Unites States in a few days to train in Detroit. I will train with 100% dedication and fight until the end to win,” added Avagyan.
Electoral board receives application to register NO campaigning group
10:55,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. The Central Electoral Commission has received an application on registering a NO campaigning group in the upcoming constitutional referendum.
The electoral board’s secretary Armen Smbatyan said the application was received at 09:13 February 18.
Earlier, attorney Ruben Melikyan, the co-founder of the Path of Law NGO, who is a former Ombudsman of Artsakh and a former deputy justice minister of Armenia, expressed intentions to start a NO campaigning group. Melikyan’s group includes, among others, Gohar Meloyan, Arsen Babayan, Elinar Vardanyan, Tigran Atanesyan, Astghik Matevosyan, Artak Asatryan, Siranush Sahakyan, Anahit Sargsyan and Arsen Mkrtchyan.
The YES campaigning group is led by the ruling Civil Contract party.
Voters are expected to decide in the April 5 referendum whether or not the incumbent Chairman of the Constitutional Court Hrayr Tovmasyan, as well as most other justices appointed under the previous constitution, should remain in office.
Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
Despite war and displacement, in Azerbaijan the people of Nagorno Karabakh keep democracy alive
EU Today
Feb 9 2020
Qobu Park, in the north-east of the Lokbatan settlement of Garadagh district of Baku, Ajerbaijan, is home to some 6,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), forced from their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh, in the south-west of the country, following the invasion and occupation of their homeland by Armenian forces following a period of instability and conflict in the region. The residents of Qobu Park are amongst no less than one million Azerbaijanis so-displaced by the conflict, and living in 110 such communities throughout the country.
On February 9th, along with their fellow citizens they went to the polls to elect their Parliamentary representatives as the country voted in a snap General Election. Although their homelands are currently occupied by a hostile military power, they continue to receive the same level of parliamentary representation and support as is the right of every citizen.
As part of an international team of journalists, EU Today was granted unrestricted access to Qobu Park to observe the elections, and to speak with the displaced people of Nagorno Karabakh.
Despite the passage of time, and the stalemate in their homelands, these voters are very clear in their minds as to the purpose of the exercise; they are voting for their MPs, and they are, they are certain, going home. Maybe not this year, maybe not the next, but they are going home.
What do I want from my MP? I want him or her to come here and talk to me and listen to my problems. I don’t want money, I want to be heard, and I want to go home. My real hope is to return to Karabakh. I have been waiting 25 years.
One interlocutor, a former teacher, explained to EU Today how the people of Zangilan, a small town which during the fighting found itself surrounded by Armenian forces on three sides, and with the Aras river to their south. The civilian population were able to escape to safety in neighbouring Iran only after President Aliyev ordered a dam on the River, at 1072 km one of the largest rivers in the Caucasus, to be closed.
Having thus caused the flow of water to stop temporarily, Aliyev, the father of the current President of Azerbaijan, made the escape of his people possible in the most dramatic of fashions.
The night of October 29-30th (1993), when the Armenian soldiers came, was very cold. Armenia was backed by Russia, and we were very weak. I was a teacher, I didn’t even have a gun. If Aliyev hadn’t saved us by stopping the water we would have been like the people of Khojaly (where some 600 Azerbaijani civilians were massacred by Armenian forces on 26th February 1992).
In recent years the occupying government has been conducting a programme whereby Zangilan is being re-populated by Armenian refugees from Syria.
The people of Qobu Park, after many years of living with relatives, or in cramped emergency accommodation, now enjoy purpose built modern homes, and are generously provided for by the government. Modern well equipped schools and sports facilities are provided, and their youth enjoy the benefit of free university education. Their communities, whilst displaced, are at least together and safe.
Confidence in the government, and particularly in their President, is high amongst this community, and is seemingly universal. Their democratic institutions and processes, despite the ravages of war, have survived and continue to function.
However, as proud, patient and dignified as they are, whilst they fulfil their civic duties and elect their next government, one thought clearly preoccupies their minds above all others: they want to return to their homes.
We just want to go back to our homeland. We are not comfortable here. President Aliyev has promised he will get us home.
Read also: Generational change expected as Azerbaijan heads to the polls
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At least three dead as Turkish jet skids off runway in Istanbul
09:47, 6 February, 2020
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 6, ARMENPRESS. At least three people have been killed, 179 other were injured after a passenger plane landing at an airport in Istanbul has skidded off the runway and broken into three parts, reports BBC.
The Pegasus Airlines jet was carrying 171 passengers and six crew members from Izmir province in the west when it crashed at Sabiha Gokcen airport.
The Boeing 737 was trying to land in heavy tailwinds and rain.
The airport was closed and flights diverted after the accident.
The majority of people on board were Turkish, but local media quoted the airline’s records as saying there were 22 foreign passengers from 12 other countries. A small number of children are believed to have been on board.
According to the preliminary reports, the plane couldn’t hold on the runway due to poor weather conditions.
Armenia ex-football federation president’s lawyer not allowed to see client
News.am, Armenia
Feb 4 2020
Armenia ex-football federation president’s lawyer not allowed to see client Armenia ex-football federation president’s lawyer not allowed to see client
16:21, 04.02.2020