Today students of YSU Faculty of International Relations conducted a Facebook flashmob with the hashtag of #Kalantaryanwillstay and declared a boycott of classes. The students demanded to cancel the application for the dismissal of the Vice-President Edgar Kalantaryan.
We tried to get a clarification from YSU. YSU Press Service Head and Rector’s Spokesperson Gevorg Emin-Teryan told us that a misunderstanding has taken place and Kalantaryan continues working.
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from Armenian]
During a news conference aired by Public TV on 19 March, Pashinyan positively assessed his informal meetings with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. He said he positively assessed the idea of an upcoming meeting with Aliyev as well. He pointed to the importance of the constructive atmosphere at the meetings.
Pashinyan said his dialogue with Aliyev was important despite the fact that the two of them did not have a common vision of the conflict.
At the same time, Pashinyan reiterated that the leaders of both countries should reciprocally participate in the process of preparing the nations to peace. He claimed that he should take part in the process of preparing the Azerbaijani people for peace, and so should do the Azerbaijani leader with the people in Armenia.
“For instance, I am interested whether the Azerbaijani president has something to say to the Armenian and Karabakh people, directly talk to them? To tell the truth, I have much to say to the Azerbaijani community,” he said.
Pashinyan stressed that he would be very satisfied if an opportunity was created within the framework of the negotiations process for them to speak to the other nation.
“I think I would like to talk and I would have something to say,” he said, adding that he would not do it in unilateral format, however.
Time to stop swearing in social networks
Pashinyan also condemned the abusive language Armenians and Azerbaijanis use against each other on social networks.
“Is it not time to understand whether we have to anything to say to each other on the social networks except curses, or not? I would be very glad if, on social networks, people would discuss this issue, discuss what is going on,” he said.
“One can try to understand what is going on in Azerbaijan, what is going on in Armenia, in Karabakh. One can understand how people perceive all this, what they think about this,” he said.
Pashinyan said his thoughts were directed to both Armenian and Azerbaijani social media users. He said they can communicate just as the Armenian leaders and foreign ministers do.
Series of statements on involving Artsakh in negotiations is not a challenge, but an invitation to dialogue – Pashinyan
13:25,
YEREVAN, MARCH 19, ARMENPRESS. The agenda proposed by Armenia to involve Artsakh in the negotiations for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is not something new both for the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told reporters today, asked how long Armenia is ready to wait, if Azerbaijan doesn’t agree with the stance of the Armenian side to include Artsakh in the negotiation process, reports Armenpress.
“There is no need to wait at all. It’s just necessary to work consistently in the diplomatic process because, frankly speaking, what is stated publicly, is not something new both for the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and Azerbaijan. What we have said at this period, I have proposed that agenda during certain talks: that is the same agenda which was formed in May 2018, we continue serving that agenda, and I want to highlight an important nuance: as I have already announced in Stepanakert, this is neither a whim nor a precondition from our side. This proposal is not for changing the format, but for restoring the negotiation format. We will continue the discussion on this topic with our partners and will try to continue this discussion in the field of facts because negotiation is a negotiation in a sense that we listen to each other. Armenia has demonstrated that ability, to listen to the other, try to understand, and we expect the same from them”, Pashinyan said.
He reminded that he made a statement on the necessity to return Artsakh to the negotiation table during the debate of election of the PM in the Parliament, and repeated the same statement during a press conference in Stepanakert on the next day of his election as PM.
“This series of statements is not a challenge, but an invitation to dialogue, is a dialogue process. This dialogue didn’t start just now, it started in Dushanbe, continued in St. Petersburg, Davos, I don’t know where the next dialogue will take place, and we do not imagine a regime where one of the sides says it refuses from dialogue. That will not be a logical approach, we will not refuse from dialogue, will put our facts on the table during that dialogue and will carefully listen to the counter-arguments of our colleagues. I think the constructive and effective solution or continuation must be within this logic framework”, Pashinyan said.
Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan
In Armenia, the Special Investigation Service opened a criminal case against the newspaper “Zhokhovurd” (The People) for disclosing preliminary investigation data on the case of ex-President Serzh Sargsyan.
The publication published excerpts from the preliminary testimony of Sargsyan, passing as a witness in the March 1, 2008 case.
“Considering that there are signs of a crime in under Article 342 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (Disclosure of preliminary investigation or inquiry data), a criminal case was initiated by the investigator of the Special Investigation Service,” the ministry’s press service reported.
Armenian parliament Speaker speaks about necessity of involving Artsakh in NK talks in a meeting with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office
18:21,
YEREVAN, MARCH 13, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received the delegation led by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajčák on March 13.
As ARMENBPRESS was informed from the press service of the parliament of Armenia, greeting the guests, Ararat Mirzoyan expressed confidence that the OSCE, led by Miroslav Lajčák, will continue its efforts aimed at international security, strengthening rule of law and protection of human rights, expressing the readiness of the parliament of Armenia to support that agenda. The head of the legislative expressed gratitude to the OSCE/ODIHR and the PACE for carrying out observer missions during the parliamentary elections in Armenia in December 2018 and for their unbiased assessments, quoting Special Co-ordinator of the OSCE short-term observer mission, Slovak MP Peter Osusky, who assessed the elections as “Armenian miracle”.
Referring to Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized that Armenia highlights the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs, as the sole internationally authorized platform for the settlement of the conflict. The parliament Speaker particularly emphasized the necessity of the participation of the representatives of Artsakh in the negotiation process.
Miroslav Lajčák noted that as the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, he assumes the commitment to make efforts aimed at the peaceful settlement of the conflict, adding that it’s also necessary to take steps for the strengthening of the atmosphere of mutual trust and activate contacts between different layers of the society.
Ararat Mirzoyan noted that the settlement of the conflict is a double-sided process and the will of the leaderships and the peoples of the countries are important for the establishment of peace. According to him, Armenia expects steps from Azerbaijan that will be equivalent to Armenia’s efforts for peace.
Referring to the Armenian-Slovak bilateral relations the sides underlined the great potential for deepening them.
Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan
ArmInfo.The office of the Prime Minister of Armenia will increase the costs of official travel. The decision was made at the February 28 sitting of the RA government.
As noted in the project’s rationale, the Prime Minister’s office has already exceeded its quarterly spending plan. At the same time, wage premiums, rental expenses and entertainment expenses will be cut. As a result, the Prime Minister’s office will be deprived of the opportunity to receive wage premiums of 70 million drams, the cost of renting property and equipment will be reduced by 50 million drams, and representation expenses – by 15 million drams. Thus, 135 million drams will be saved. At the same time, travel expenses will increase by 70 million drams and other expenses by 20 million drams.
Garen Yegparian
BY GAREN YEGPARIAN
Tahir Elçi was killed by a single billet to the back of his head on November 28, 2015. He was the president of the Diyarbekir Bar Association and a staunch supporter of Armenian concerns. He was Kurd.
Interestingly, his last name means ambassador, envoy, or prophet.
Why is this relevant, and specifically, relevant to Armenians, 39 months after his tragic death?
Elçi’s longstanding support of Armenians at all levels, his outspokenness on Armenian rights in Turkey, recognition of the Genocide in unequivocal terms, always opening doors for us, and speaking at our April Genocide commemorations (in Turkey) mark him as a friend of our nation.
There’s also the astounding fact that the Los Angeles Times have reported on the results of an investigation conducted by “Forensic Architecture” (FA) at the behest of the Diyarbekir Bar Association. These are presented in a half-hour video which is well worth watching. It seems this newspaper, which rarely publishes items that are of interest to, and cast in a positive light, Armenians and Kurds, couldn’t disregard the compelling outcome of the investigation or, dare we hope, people are coming to realize the plain and simple truth about Turkey’s hard-heated leadership.
Elçi was killed in the aftermath of an attack by members of PKK’s (Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan – Kurdistan Workers Party) youth wing whereby two Turkish policemen were killed. Their escape route went right past the spot where Elçi was holding a press conference to call for a cessation of the fighting in Diyarbekir/Dikrangerd (especially in the historic Sur district where the population is heavily Kurdish) then going on between government forces and the PKK. Shots were fired by both police and the escaping PKK members. Somewhere along the line, Elçi was shot dead.
Tahir Elci is believed to have been gunned down by Turkish police
Then Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu promised there would be a thorough investigation. That never happened. The investigation has been piecemeal and much delayed. But, unsurprisingly, in relatively short order, the Turkish government took advantage of the coincidence and blamed Elçi’s death on the PKK. FA’s work makes it look most likely that a Turkish policeman’s bullet was responsible for the killing. This puts Ankara squarely in the hot seat. The shell for the lethal bullet has been found. But, contrary to Davutoğlu’s promises, ballistics testing has not been done. Neither have the police involved in the gunfight been properly questioned.
In this cauldron of confusion, everyone is blaming everyone else in line with their political interests. It behooves Turkey to conduct a thorough and proper investigation. Now that FA’s study results are public, Ankara’s job is easier. Do it right. Let the chips fall where they may.
But, it would be no surprise if Erdoğan continues his obfuscation and use of this tragedy for political purposes. Local elections are coming up in Turkey and he is a master political manipulator. No depth of political deception or misdirection should be put past him. If he sees a way to use Elçi’s death to benefit his agenda, Erdoğan will use it.
The international community, Armenians/Assyrians/Greeks/Jews/Kurd/etc. worldwide, and Turkish citizens must pressure the appropriate law enforcement bodies in Turkey to do their jobs. Perhaps one important pressure-point is the Khashoggi mess. Erdoğan has used this murder to burnish his image as a “defender” of decency. Elçi’s murder cries out for decent investigation.
Let’s use this moment, given the coverage that has begun in the media, to convey to our elected representatives the importance of a thorough and proper investigation. Government officials the world over should conveying this demand to Turkey’s ambassadors. This is also a good way to show pro-Armenian Kurds that we appreciate their actions and words and will reciprocate. Let’s make this happen.
Artsakh’s FM, President of South Ossetia discuss issues of implementation of joint projects
18:20,
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. The President of the Republic of South Ossetia Anatoly Bibilov received on February 19 the delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh Republic) Masis Mayilian, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of MFA Artsakh.
The Foreign Minister of Artsakh recorded with satisfaction the close cooperation established between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries. In this context, he stressed the importance of maintaining and strengthening the practical ties, holding regular political consultations and negotiations on issues of mutual interest.
Anatoly Bibilov, in turn, expressed hope for the development of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries within the framework of the signed Agreement and, in general, between the Republic of South Ossetia and the Republic of Artsakh.
The sides exchanged views on the implementation of joint programs in the fields of education, science, culture, tourism, and sports.
Within the frameworks of the events marking the 60th birthday anniversary of the Artsakh Supreme Council First Chairman Artur Mkrtchyan, Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan visited the Stepanakert Memorial Complex and laid a wreath at his tomb, his office reported.
The Artsakh leader called exemplary the patriotism, devotion and honesty of Artur Mkrtchyan, adding that his blessed memory will live forever in the hearts of the Artsakh people.