Author: Emil Lazarian

Armenia and Azerbaijan on Thursday (11 May) blamed each other for a deadly exchange of fire along their border, which threatened to derail momentum to resolve a long-running dispute days ahead of EU-led peace talks.

The United States and rival Russia both urged restraint between the Caucasus neighbours after the clash that left one person dead and injured four, the latest flare-up in a decades-long dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Armenia initially said four of its soldiers had been wounded by incoming fire in an eastern region of the ex-Soviet country.

“Azerbaijani forces are shooting artillery and mortars at Armenian positions in the Sotk region,” Armenia’s defence ministry said.

The Sotk region in Eastern Armenia is known for its gold mines.

Sotk is in Armenia proper, and is at some distance from the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia is member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russia-led lose defense pact, according to which Moscow should come to the rescue of a member whose territory is under attack.

Baku accused Armenia of a “provocation” that had left one of its soldiers dead.

It said Armenian troops had “once again violated the ceasefire agreement” with “large-calibre weapons”, referring to an accord from November 2020 that ended six weeks of hostilities.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev have been scheduled to meet Sunday in Brussels for talks led by European Council President Charles Michel.

The rival leaders had also agreed to jointly meet the leaders of France and Germany on the sidelines of a European summit in Moldova on 1 June, according to the EU.

Pashinyan on Thursday accused Azerbaijan of looking to “undermine the talks” in Brussels.

“I have not changed my mind about going to Brussels,” he said in a statement, but warned there was “very little” chance of signing a peace deal with Azerbaijan at the meeting.

A draft agreement “is still at a very preliminary stage and it is too early to speak of an eventual signature”, Pashinyan said.

The EU-led diplomacy comes after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken brought the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers to Washington for negotiations in early May.

State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said the two countries should embrace in Brussels a proposal by Blinken that would distance forces along the border.

“This kind of violence, we believe — it undermines the progress made by Armenia and Azerbaijan toward a durable and dignified peace,” Patel told reporters in Washington.

“We believe that there continues to be a durable path forward. We believe that there is a peaceful solution to this,” Patel said.

The West has stepped up mediation as the clout of Russia, historically the major powerbroker between the former Soviet republics, wanes due to its invasion of Ukraine.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “We expect a restrained approach from the parties and urge them not to take any actions that could lead to an increase in tensions.”

Armenia has traditionally relied on Russia as its ally and security guarantor, but Yerevan has grown increasingly frustrated with Moscow.

It has accused Russia of failing to fulfill its peacekeeping role when Azerbaijani activists blocked the Lachin corridor, the only land link to Armenia.

The two countries have gone to war twice over disputed territories, mainly Nagorno-Karabakh, a majority-Armenian region inside Azerbaijan, which has close ties with Turkey.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the two wars over the region.

The first war lasted six years, until 1994. The second, fought in 2020, ended in a Russia-negotiated ceasefire.

Under that ceasefire, Azerbaijan is required to guarantee safe passage on the Lachin corridor, which is patrolled by Russian peacekeepers.

In a new escalation at the end of end April, Azerbaijan said it had built a checkpoint on the corridor following “threats and provocations” from Armenia.

Armenia denounced the move as a ceasefire violation and said the claims were a “far-fetched and baseless pretext”.

(Edited by Georgi Gotev)

https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/armenia-azerbaijan-clashes-threaten-to-derail-peace-talks/

The leaders of the two countries are due to hold talks in Brussels on Saturday as part of a push to resolve the three-decade territorial dispute between the two neighbours in the Caucasus. 

The European Union-hosted meeting comes after the United States said “tangible progress” had been made at talks between foreign ministers in Washington last week aimed at ending the dispute over the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. But on Thursday, both sides accused each other of shooting along their border.

“A soldier from the Azerbaijani army was killed after a provocation from the Armenian forces,” Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said, accusing Armenia of having “once again violated the ceasefire agreement” with “large-calibre weapons”. Armenia said four of its soldiers were wounded in the clashes, which it blamed on Azerbaijan.

“Azerbaijani forces are shooting artillery and mortars at Armenian position in the Sotk region” in the east, Armenia’s defence ministry said.

The incident comes just days before European Council President Charles Michel is to host Armenia’s Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev for talks in Brussels.

The two leaders had also agreed to jointly meet the leaders of France and Germany on the sidelines of a European summit in Moldova on June 1, according to the EU.

Pashinyan on Thursday accused Azerbaijan of looking to “undermine the talks” in Brussels but added that he was still willing to attend. “I have not changed my mind about going to Brussels,” the Armenia premier told his government.

He added however that there was “very little” chance of signing a peace deal with Azerbaijan at the meeting. The draft agreement “is still at a very preliminary stage and it is too early to speak of an eventual signature”, Pashinyan said.

Majority-Christian Armenia and Azerbaijan, whose population is mostly Muslim, were both republics of the Soviet Union that gained independence in 1991, when the USSR broke up.

They have gone to war twice over disputed territories, mainly Nagorno-Karabakh, a majority-Armenian region inside Azerbaijan.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the two wars over the region, one lasting six years and ending in 1994, and the second in 2020, which ended in a Russia-negotiated ceasefire deal.

But clashes have broken out regularly since then. The Western mediation efforts to resolve the conflict come as major regional power Russia has struggled to maintain its decisive influence, due to the fallout from its war on Ukraine. 

(AFP)

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20230511-armenia-azerbaijan-accuse-each-other-of-fresh-crossborder-attacks-days-ahead-of-eu-talks

Noravank Monastery blends into the red rocks on the heights of Armenia. Azerbaijan is nearby, lurking. The priest of one of the temples in the complex turns his back to the altar and stands in front of a group of visitors, some of whom are faithful. One of them brings a message of peace in the face of growing conflict over the territory of Nagorno Karabagh. The priest stands still, raises his arm and replies vehemently: “We will not let them take our land away from us. Fight. We are not kneeling.”

Noravank is located on the road that connects the capital Yerevan with one of the hottest spots in the South Caucasus: the corridor that connects Armenia with Nagorno Karabakh, a territory inhabited by about 120,000 Armenians that has remained within the borders of Azerbaijan since Josef Stalin decided to cede the territory to the Azeris.

sinuous. at a distance. hidden. The border is trapped between mountains that seem to drown out the noise of war So hot That can be activated at any time.

On Thursday, both countries accused each other of initiating a firefight at the border that left at least one Azerbaijani soldier dead and four Armenians wounded.

In 2020, countries clashed in arms for 44 days. Azerbaijani military superiority made itself felt. Armenia lost around 5,000 troops and over 70% of the Artsakh region. Currently, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinián denounces before the international community that Baku is violating one of the points of the peace agreement signed between the two countries after that war: the obligation to ensure free movement along the road that connects Armenia with Nagorno.

On the way to the Lachin corridor, they begin to see each other austere trenches alternated with Armenian checkpoints. They report that Azerbaijani soldiers entered their territory in April. The clashes resulted in eight deaths: four on each side. Between trenches and trenches, small altars of dead soldiers appear by the side of the road with their photo in uniform and the Armenian flag.

clarion traveled to the point closer to the corridor. The checkpoint that Azerbaijan set up on April 3 to block the border is no longer accessible. Armenian military forces say they cannot guarantee the safety of people attempting to cross it. Only a few Red Cross ambulances and United Nations vans are allowed to circulate.

even along the way Russian patent parade military trucks. The soldiers stop to rest along the way. They smoke and speak little.

“The situation is very complicated,” admits one of them, the youngest of the group. And he goes further: “The responsibility lies with the three presidents”. Indicates the presidents of Armenia, Pashinián, and of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. But also to the Putin government, which should guarantee compliance with the peace agreement signed in 2020. None of that happens. Russia looks to Ukraine in war mode.

in conversation with clarion and other international media, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia, Paruyr Hovhannisyan, complains that Russia is too “cautious” and “is not fulfilling its obligations”. “For them, relations with Turkey are more important, as well as with Azerbaijan, and this is also related to the gas and oil they export through Azerbaijan,” she complains.

Even in this border area the labor monitors of the European Union. They observe, take pictures, talk to people. They move between Yerevan and Stepanakert. They assure that “for now” the situation is calm. None of them will stay too long in the place.

On the other side of the mountains, more than two thousand meters high, they report it the population of Nagorno Karabakh is experiencing a situation of siege. They must have access to vouchers for increasingly scarce food rations; medicines are no longer enough and basic services are cut.

The harsh Caucasus winter went through it without gas replenishment. This territory, which has its own Parliament, officials and uses the same currency as Armenia, it is not recognized as autonomous from any country in the world and today is surrounded by them.

“The possibility of an escalation of violence is very high”, warns the vice-rector. But the fear runs deeper: “Azerbaijan intends to go as far as possible. Aliyev always claims that the territory of present Armenia is West Azerbaijan. In accordance with this aggressive program, It is not only Nagorno-Karabakh, it is also the territory of Armenia”.

He Supreme Patriarch of Armenians, Karekin IIalso spoke to clarion and other media about the delicate situation at the border. “Periodically the Azrebaijan army penetrates our territory and tries to conquer more towns and cities. The euphoria that gave him the victory in 2020 he encouraged them”, he assures.

“I think the purpose is very clear: leave Artsakh without Armenians, provoke a new genocide”warns Karekin II and alludes to the great ghost that hovers in the history of this nation: the massacre of a million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 at the hands of the young Turks.

The silence of the people takes possession of this city in southeast Armenia. Goris is only 30 kilometers away from the Lachin Corridor and is the closest city to the border. There is a military base at the entrance to the city. Contemplative or vigilant, everyone is waiting for something to happen.

Southern Armenians live mainly from agriculture. Here they say that in this region the inhabitants are tough and that’s why they live longer. There has not been a mass exodus since the last war broke out in 2020. They stayed to protect their homes.

Zuren is 69 years old. He is retired but still works. This morning she left the taxi and is resting in the shade of a tree.

“Before living well, it was a dream. Now the situation is bad. We can no longer visit our family in Nagorno. We have them here, very close, behind the mountain, and we don’t see them. The world must understand that we are a nation with a lot of history. This is our land and they are denying us as a people.”the Mint.

Amidst this swarm of modest buildings with little trace of Soviet heritage is the city’s main square. Seated on a bench is Natalí, a 22-year-old teacher. She smiles a lot and stands out. Armenians laugh little. “What we live is very sad, people don’t know what’s really going on. We don’t live a normal life. – he underlines – People are worried about their children, about their future, but nobody wants to leave here”.

“We are not well we are in a war situation. We tell them we’re not moving from here. We believe they can advance, but we are not afraid,” challenges Vazgen, a 36-year-old opening maker.

to the cities of Goris and Khachardzan are separated by an undulating journey of 300 kilometersbut they are united by the Azerbaijani border fence.

Of the 420 people who live in this docile town in northwestern Armenia, 80% of the men have participated in the war. In the school where they study 65 students stands a kind of altar with photos of two men who died in the last clash. They are your heroes.

The mayor of the city, Gagik Shahnazaryan, is to be reckoned with for his deep blue eyes. He says Khachardzan has soldiers and volunteers at the border, which is only 40 kilometers from this wet and green village. He assures that although “the threat is always there”, they remain “ready to defend” the people.

“In our history We have always been in danger, but we have always overcome it and we will overcome this too.”says the mayor of a city that named its main street Argentina in recognition of the infrastructure contribution of the Armenian diaspora.

Khachardzan and Goris are keeping their guard up that this Sunday, when the President of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia finally meet in Brussels, a sign of agreement that makes them -finally- sleep peacefully.

Goris, Armenia. special Correspondent

ap

Source: Clarin

https://newsrebeat.com/world-news/166876.html

 Faizan Hashmi

Russia acts as a mediator on Nagorno-Karabakh and expects restraint from Armenia and Azerbaijan, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 11th May, 2023) Russia acts as a mediator on Nagorno-Karabakh and expects restraint from Armenia and Azerbaijan, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

Moscow’s contacts with Yerevan and Baku continue, the official said, recalling that Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan earlier this week.

“Russia will continue to fulfill its functions (as a mediator), which are provided for in accordance with the tripartite documents. We, of course, expect a restrained approach from the parties and urge not to take any action that could lead to an increase in tension,” Peskov told reporters.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/russia-acts-as-mediator-on-nagorno-karabakh-1690063.html

One hundred and eight years ago, the Ottoman Empire began a campaign of violence that killed or displaced 1.5 million Armenians. The genocide left a scar on Armenia and its people around the world, still felt in the Armenian communities throughout Los Angeles today.

In a recent town hall meeting at Glendale Central Library, the Truth and Accountability League (TAAL) and LA County Commission on Human Relations brought elected officials and community leaders together to discuss a string of recent racist fliers seen in Beverly Hills and Glendale that reportedly called for the extermination of Armenians.

“It’s unfathomable that, on the heels of the Armenian genocide anniversary, Armenians are terrorized by fliers around schools and churches,” said TAAL founder Vic Gerami, who moderated the event dedicated to raising awareness and discussing solutions to combat increasing anti-Armenian racism and propaganda.

“This is really painful because we have kids; we have to explain this to our kids,” Commissioner Sam Kbushyan said during the town hall. “They go to public schools; they engage with all kinds of people. … And this is on social media saying that Armenians should have been erased and the next phase of genocide will be concluded. It really hurts because growing up, we Armenians are victims of the genocide. … We’ve been educated with the non-Armenians and the world of all these atrocities that ‘Never again,’ and we have this issue.”

Glendale Mayor Daniel Brotman spoke of the city’s “checkered past” and summarized a brief history of anti-Armenian rhetoric in the community as more Armenians began to hold political positions and build cultural influence in Glendale, now one of the largest Armenian diaspora communities in the world. 

“There was a lot of pushback,” he said. “There was a lot of the old Glendale that didn’t appreciate having others come in and kind of change the fabric of the community. … But when we look at today’s Glendale, I mean, can you imagine Glendale today without the Armenian community? The Armenian American population is incredibly active politically, in civic organizations, contributes so much to this city. … I don’t want to downplay the tensions that still exist, but despite all that, we are really a highly functional, integrated community.”

Brotman said that the city is “in a good place,” that he didn’t know where the fliers came from and doubted that they came from members of the Glendale community. Gerami responded by saying that where they originated from is “irrelevant,” that anti-Armenian racism still exists in Glendale, and that there is no task force or budget dedicated to combating hate incidents in the city. 

“There are many ways to go at this,” Brotman replied. “We have our Armenian genocide commemorative event every year. … We obviously speak out regularly on these issues, and we pass resolutions. We have sister cities in Artsakh, and we do many, many things to show that we have the backs of our Armenian community here and Armenians around the world.”

The Glendale Police Department has not yet made an arrest regarding the fliers, but the investigation remains ongoing. Glendale Police Chief Manuel Cid said the department is looking to enlist the help of community members who may have information regarding the incident.

“It’s concerning, and it follows a trend of ongoing hate speech and rhetoric that we see in several different communities, in this instance targeting the Armenian community here in Glendale … (with) fliers found, I think, more than a dozen of them, scattered in front of a church and throughout other areas in the city,” Cid said. “Any threat to any group or individual in our community really is a threat to our way of life and our entire community. I think as a police department and as a community, we need to take it as such. 

“We’re going to bring all our resources to bear in investigating any of those sorts of incidents, trying to identify who’s responsible for them, working in collaboration with our partners … to try to identify these individuals that are responsible, establish if we have a crime and, if we do, actively look to prosecute it.”

Joseph F. Iniguez, chief of staff from the LA County District Attorney’s Office, explained that many cases of racism cannot be pursued as a crime, as the First Amendment can protect instances of hate speech from prosecution. When a hate incident motivates property damage, physical harm or death, it can then be classed as a hate crime. Despite this distinction, Iniguez said that both events cause immense harm to the victims and wider community.

“When there’s a hate incident, there’s a tremendous impact in the community and on individuals that are impacted by that hate incident, the same way that a hate crime where there may be property damage or physical injury or even death can also have an impact on the community,” he said. “Our relationships with law enforcement are very strong, and we’re confident that when they bring us these cases, we’re going to give them a fair analysis. But more importantly, we’re going to provide victims with services because that’s the biggest component to start the survivor’s healing journey, even if we can’t prosecute a case.”

The need for collaboration was also raised by Robin S. Toma, executive director of the LA County Commission on Human Relations, who stressed the importance of connecting victims with available resources like LA vs. Hate, an online reporting tool.

“I’m sure all of you have seen (anti-racist) statements for a long time,” Toma said. “Just putting a message out there perhaps is not going to change the way we’ve been operating. It’s important, but it’s not enough.

“There’re so many different acts of hate that happen that are completely unknown and unreported, except for people experiencing them. … There are things that we can’t turn to the police and the prosecutors to take action on because it’s just simply not a crime, and that’s where their ability really ends.”

Systems like LA vs. Hate were created so that people can report incidents of hate and not only receive resources like trauma counseling but also take action.

“This is something where you can pursue your civil rights under our state laws, under our federal laws,” Toma said. “Say it happens at a school and you don’t know whether the school’s really taking it seriously. … We’re going to help you work with the school to make sure that they are taking the strongest action as possible, that they know the options they have and the resources they have to take it seriously.”

Cid added that education can be crucial to preventing hate incidents from occurring in the future while also making people aware of resources like LA vs. Hate if they are a victim of racism.

“There’re so many parts of our communities, particularly our immigrant communities, that don’t understand the resources that are available to them,” he said. “The collaboration with our school district can’t be understated. And to be able to educate our youth, let them know and their families know the resources that are available to them is something that this police department takes great lengths in doing. (We) pride ourselves on it, and we’ll keep working at it because by no means have we attained where we’re trying to be, but there’s a great deal of effort that’s being put forth from this organization and this community.”

Nearly 40% of Glendale’s population belongs to the Armenian community. The city has become an important home for Armenian people and their cultural heritage, and both elected leaders and community members alike have expressed their commitment to ending Armenian hate in Glendale.

“It’s not just caring about your own group that’s targeted, but recognizing that we stand for one another when it happens” Toma said. “This won’t change unless we realize that it matters.”

https://www.pasadenaweekly.com/news/stand-tall-to-hate-glendale-town-hall-discusses-anti-armenian-racism/article_b86d93ec-ef61-11ed-9c71-0fdfc94eef56.html