Author: Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS

Azerbaijan insists on removal of Armenian population from Lachin and two villages

Emil Lazarian
CAUCASIAN KNOT
Aug 18 2022
The Armenian population of Lachin and the villages of Akhavno and Sus must leave these territories, the Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliev, has stated.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that residents of Berdzor (the Azerbaijani name is Lachin, – note of the “Caucasian Knot”) and the village of Akhavno (the Azerbaijani name is Zabukh, – note of the “Caucasian Knot”) in Nagorno-Karabakh must leave their houses before August 20, as from that day on, communications will be cut off in these dwelling settlements, local authorities have confirmed.

According to the agreement signed by Aliev, Pashinyan and Putin, Armenia transferred the territory of the Lachin District to Azerbaijan. In June 2022, the Azerbaijan State Highway Agency reported that the construction of the 32-kilometre-long Azerbaijani section of the road continues at an accelerated pace and is scheduled to be completed this year. The transfer of Lachin (the Armenian name is Berdzor) under Azerbaijan’s control was delayed due to the absence of an alternative road from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. After the launch of this road, Lachin will be transferred to Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani experts explained in July.

The people illegally settled in the town of Lachin and the villages of Zabukh and Sus must be evicted, Ilham Aliev said in an interview with the Azerbaijani TV on August 12. “Their presence there, in essence, is a war crime, because it contradicts the rules of the Geneva Convention. (…) Perhaps the Armenians living there, who came from Syria and Lebanon, don’t know this, but the leadership of Armenia is well aware of this. Let them not to test us and our patience again. Let them leave of their own free will. We are not interested in where they go. We must return to Lachin, Zabukh and Sus. I instructed the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons to contact residents of Lachin, Sus and Zabukh; and we’ll soon return them to their native places,” the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent has translated the words of the Azeri President.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on at 09:40 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

See earlier reports:
Authorities hurry residents of Akhavno and Berdzor to move out, Despite authorities’ warning, Akhavno villager burns his house down, Residents of Akhavno and Berdzor reproach authorities for demanding urgent evacuation.

Author: Kyamal Ali Source: CK correspondent
Source:
© Caucasian Knot

Berdzor population reduces to 70 before resettlement from Lachin corridor

Emil Lazarian
CAUCASIAN KNOT
Aug 18 2022
About 70 people still stay in Berdzor, but people are preparing for involuntary resettlement from the Lachin corridor, the Mayor of Berdzor reports. The official emphasizes that the authorities do not guarantee the safety of those who stay.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that the administration of the Kashatag District of Nagorno-Karabakh reported that residents of Berdzor (the Azerbaijani name is Lachin, – note of the “Caucasian Knot”) and the village of Akhavno (the Azerbaijani name is Zabukh, – note of the “Caucasian Knot”) must leave their houses by August 20.

According to the agreement signed by Aliev, Pashinyan and Putin, Armenia transferred the territory of the Lachin District to Azerbaijan. In June 2022, the Azerbaijan State Highway Agency reported that the construction of the 32-kilometre-long Azerbaijani section of the road continues at an accelerated pace and is scheduled to be completed this year. The transfer of Lachin (the Armenian name is Berdzor) under Azerbaijan’s control was delayed due to the absence of an alternative road from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. After the launch of this road, Lachin will be transferred to Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani experts explained in July.

There are no families in Berdzor who refuse to leave their houses, the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent has learned from Berdzor Mayor Narek Aleksanyan.

“I can’t imagine what security guarantees can be provided if someone nevertheless decides to stay. The authorities will not be able to provide any assistance if a person decides to stay. I personally can’t imagine how Armenians and Azerbaijanis could live next to each other in the same community,” Narek Aleksanyan noted.

At present, according to the Mayor of Berdzor, about 70 people still stay in the community. “Some of the families have already resettled, while others have returned to take their belongings. Everyone chooses whether to move to Armenia or stay in Artsakh (the self-name of Nagorno-Karabakh, – note of the “Caucasian Knot”). If they stay in Artsakh, they will be accommodated in a hotel for the first time. In Armenia, the people will be accommodated in rented housing,” Narek Aleksanyan reported.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on at 11:22 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

See earlier reports:
Azerbaijan insists on removal of Armenian population from Lachin and two villages, Authorities hurry residents of Akhavno and Berdzor to move out, Despite authorities’ warning, Akhavno villager burns his house down.

Author: Tigran Petrosyan Source: CK correspondent
Source:
© Caucasian Knot

Maksim Seleznyev: Russia peacekeepers will not move from existing Lachin corridor until new road is operational

Emil Lazarian
NEWS.am
Armenia – Aug 18 2022
16:38, 18.08.2022

Russian peacekeepers will not move an inch from the existing Lachin corridor until the new road is operational. Maksim Seleznyev, an advisor-attaché at the Russian embassy in Armenia, told this to RFE/RL.

The high-ranking Russian diplomat emphasized that there are arrangements in this regard and the parties are in direct contact, but without detailing what kind of arrangements we are talking about and between whom exactly.

Yerevan has announced that it will complete its section of this new motorway in May next year.

Seleznyev stressed that the Russian mission in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) is doing what is possible within the scope of its powers.

At the same time, the Russian diplomat conveyed that Moscow is ready to expand the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Artsakh if both Yerevan and Baku come to an agreement on this matter.

Turkey talks about Zangezur corridor without even mentioning Armenia

Emil Lazarian
NEWS.am
Armenia – Aug 18 2022
17:24, 18.08.2022

Deputy Minister of Trade of the Republic of Turkey, head of the Customs Department Riza Tuna Turagay told APA that the “Preferential Trade Agreement” between Azerbaijan and Turkey will be extended. Turagay noted that the goal was set to increase trade turnover between the two countries to $15 billion: “Currently, our trade turnover is about $5 billion. In 2021 we had imports of $2.3 billion and exports of $2.7 billion. We’re working to increase that trade turnover.”

One of the most important issues for expanding trade relations, he said, is the opening of the Zangezur corridor. “The opening of this corridor will give us an advantage in terms of getting access to Azerbaijan, and from there to Central Asian countries, to increase the volume of trade. High-level negotiations with Russia to open the Zangezur corridor are ongoing. We expect the corridor to be opened in the very near future,” the Turkish deputy minister said, thus hinting at some secret negotiations with Russia.


Turkish press: Türkiye appoints 1st Armenian-origin district governor

Emil Lazarian
Anadolu Agency Staff   |17.08.2022


ANKARA

In a first, Türkiye on Wednesday appointed an Armenian-origin man as governor of a district.

Berk Acar, 27, will serve as the government’s top representative in the Babadag district of the southwestern province of Denizli.

Acar worked as a lawyer after graduating from the Istanbul Bilgi University in 2020.

He qualified for the post after clearing with flying colors an exam conducted by the country’s Interior Ministry.

Rescuers pulled out 10 survivors within two hours after blast, says emergencies minister

Emil Lazarian

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 11:27,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. During the search-and-rescue operations that started after emergency responders arrived at the Surmalu market 10 survivors were pulled out from the rubble within two hours after the fire had spread.

Rescuers recovered 16 bodies.

“935 rescuers were involved in the work, 350 of whom were deployed on the same day. 60 units of equipment, of which 32 water tanks, 6 ladders, 9 rescue and 13 auxiliary vehicles, and two UAVs were used,” the Minister of Emergency Situations Armen Pambukhchyan told reporters.

1 of the 16 bodies is yet to be identified.

“Now we announce about 2 missing persons, but we presume that the unidentified body belongs to one of those who is unaccounted for,” the minister said.

He said they know the identity of the other missing person and know where the person was located when the blast hit.

“We’ve cleared more than 90% of the area and we have approached the presumed epicenter and the search-and-rescue operation continues here,” the minister said.

State Duma Chairman, Speaker of Federation Council extend condolences over Yerevan blast

Emil Lazarian

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 15:28,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan received letters of condolence from the Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin and the Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko regarding the deadly explosion in Surmalu trade center, the parliament’s press service said. 

 “On behalf of the deputies of the State Duma and myself, I express my deepest condolences on the tragic consequences of the fire in the shopping center in Yerevan,” Vyacheslav Volodin’s official letter particularly reads. He expressed his support to the families of the victims and wished those injured because of the fire a speedy recovery.

“Please convey our words of support to the dear ones of the victims and the families of the missing,” Valentina Matvienko’s official letter reads. She wished those injured because of the tragic incident a speedy recovery.

Georgian language to be taught in Armenian schools

Emil Lazarian

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 15:53,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 18, ARMENPRESS. Georgian language will be studied in several schools of Armenia starting this year, the minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Vahram Dumanyan told reporters.

“Georgian will be studied in some schools of Armenia, not only in several schools of border provinces. We are ready,” he said.

Details will be presented soon, he added.

President Tokayev condoles with Armenian PM over Yerevan explosion victims

Emil Lazarian
Aug 17 2022

NUR-SULTAN. KAZINFORM – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan has extended his heartfelt condolences to Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and the Armenian people on the occasion of the tragedy at the Surmalu market that claimed many lives, Kazinform has learned from the Akorda press service.

In the telegram of condolences the Head of State conveyed the words of deep sympathy to the bereaved families and those injured in the explosion.

Recall that the explosion rocked the Surmalu market in Yerevan on August 14 claiming lives of 16 people and injuring another 18.