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

The statements of Azerbaijani officials should be warning sign, we should discuss this issue in the CSTO – PM Pashinyan

Emil Lazarian

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 17:20,

YEREVAN, JUNE 17, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received members of the sitting of the Committee of Secretaries of the Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO): Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of the Security Council of Russia Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus Alexander Volfovich, Secretary of the Security Council of Kazakhstan Gizat Nurdauletov, Secretary of the Security Council of Tajikistan Nasrullo Makhmudzoda, Secretary General of the CSTO Stanislav Zas, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

In his opening remarks, PM Pashinyan said,

“Dear friends,

I welcome you on the occasion of the regular sitting of the Committee of Secretaries of the Security Councils of the CSTO member states in the Republic of Armenia, which is taking place in our country within the framework of Armenia’s chairmanship in the CSTO.

This is really a double jubilee year for our organization. We are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Collective Security Treaty, the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, and it is a great honor for us to chair our organization in this jubilee year. You know, we have discussed it many times, increasing the efficiency of the CSTO is one of the most important priorities of our presidency, we thought and still think that the rapid and crisis response mechanisms in specific situations should be improved.

I would like to note that, in principle, we also have a legal framework in this regard, On December 10, 2010, by the decision of the  Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a provision was adopted regulating CSTO’s response to crisis situations, and I think this document quite clearly defines the mechanisms that exist in our Organization. In particular, it outlines what we should consider a crisis situation and how we should respond to it.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that there is such a concept in that provision – “mission”, which is defined as follows: A group of experts from the member states appointed by the CSTO member states in accordance with this provision, to be temporarily sent to the crisis zone to monitor the situation, understand the situation on the spot, develop proposals on the further measures of the Organization aimed at preventing the crisis situation and solving it, as well as for fulling other functions defined by the CSTO Collective Security Council.

I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that in the second chapter of this document there is a chapter called “Monitoring”, and the CSTO Secretariat regularly collects information and conducts analysis of the situation in the area of responsibility of the organization and on its development trends in order to identify the preconditions for crisis situations.

Why am I talking about this? You know that the Azerbaijani armed forces invaded our territory in May last year, and we applied to the CSTO. I have spoken about it many times, and as the Chairman, I want to emphasize that this issue should be discussed properly. Why? Because we see that aggressive statements by Azerbaijan continue, we should discuss this issue, especially considering that Armenia has applied to the CSTO, as it is a very fundamental issue for both us and the Organization.

I would also like to mention the following: After the invasion into our territory by the Azerbaijani troops, there were some comments that there is no demarcated border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Frankly, this is a very dangerous wording, because here we are, saying the area of responsibility of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. If we say that the borders along which the demarcation and delimitation processes have been carried out should be taken into account, it may confuse the notion of the CSTO area of responsibility, because the question arises: where does the CSTO area of responsibility begin, where does the CSTO area of responsibility end?

Our position is that there is a concrete border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, because in 1991, when the Commonwealth of Independent States was established, an interstate agreement was signed, which clearly states that the countries mutually recognize each other’s existing borders.  This refers to the administrative boundaries of the Soviet period, and I think we should have this as a starting point. The opposite interpretation of this situation, I think, will reduce the effectiveness of the CSTO.

I hope that the nuances mentioned during this meeting and during your sitting will also be discussed. I recently raised this issue during the informal CSTO summit in Moscow. We have started a discussion, once again, as the Chairman, I would like to instruct the CSTO Secretary General to organize this issue in accordance with our charter documents, as the situation in our region is stable but tense. And the statements made by Azerbaijani officials should be a warning sign, I think we should discuss this issue in the CSTO format.

Let me welcome you once, I’m so glad to see you. And I am very happy for the dynamics that occurred in the CSTO in the post-Covid period, because in the last two years we have actually had very little contact with the existing’s formats. Of course, we have continued to work online, but I think we all agree that such meetings and contacts are very important for our work. I am glad that we returned to this regime, it happened in the year of our presidency, in this important jubilee year.

Thank you”.

The Prime Minister discussed issues related to the agenda and activities of the Organization with the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the CSTO member states. The participants of the sitting exchanged views on regional and international security challenges.

Asbarez: 71 Wounded Soldiers Receive AEF Scholarships

Emil Lazarian
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Artsakh, Community, Latest, News, Top Stories

44-day Artsakh war wounded veterans received AEF scholarships


The Armenian Educational Foundation awarded full tuition scholarships to 71 students who were wounded during the 44-day Artsakh War. These scholarships were awarded with no restrictions. Additional veteran scholarships will be awarded after interviews of the remaining 177 applicants who also served in the front lines during the war. 

Last year for the 2021 to 2022 academic year, AEF provided scholarships to 185 war veterans, including 73 wounded heroes. These veterans will continue to receive scholarships until graduation.

On June 4, AEF held a reception in honor of the 71 war heroes who were wounded. AEF members and sponsors from Los Angeles and the local Scholarship Committee Members were present to personally thank these heroes for their service. Each student received recognition for their commitment and sacrifice for the homeland. 

In her remarks, Armine Haroyan, Director of AEF’s Yerevan Office, said that “the AEF has only two requirements from the scholarship recipients—to maintain high grades and be successful in their studies and careers.”

“This scholarship has lifted a heavy financial burden off of our shoulders, and given us the opportunity to focus on our education,” said Arman Karapetyan, one of the new scholarship recipients.

The June 4th event was covered by local TV.

For more information on the Armenian Educational Foundation or to become a scholarship sponsor, please visit the AEF website or contact the AEF office at (818) 242-4154, [email protected].

Pashinyan Says Baku’s Aggressive Rhetoric Should be a ‘Warning Sign’ for CSTO

Emil Lazarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addresses a gathering of CSTO national security advisors in Yerevan on June 17


Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told a gathering of national security advisers of CSTO member-states that continued aggressive statements from Azerbaijan should serve as a warning sign for the Russia-led security organization as it is a “fundamental issue” both for Armenia and the organization.

The national security advisers of Collective Security Treaty Organization’s member-states were meeting in Yerevan as part of a week-long convergence of CSTO leaders in Armenia for meetings on various governmental levels.

On the heels of another military threat from President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan on Thursday, Pashinyan told the gathering that in light of continued “aggressive statements” from Baku, the CSTO should consider dispatching a monitoring mission to the border.

When Azerbaijani forces breached Armenia’s sovereign border in May, 2021, and advance onto the provinces on Gegharkunik and Syunik, Armenia appealed to the CSTO for immediate assistance, but was rebuffed, receiving a response two month later urging Yerevan to negotiate with Baku. Yet in January, Yerevan not only heeded an appeal but also sent troops to Kazakhstan when protests demanding the government’s resignation turned violent.

When Armenia appealed to the CSTO in May 2021, some member-states said that the area was heavily militarized and not demarcated.

Pashinyan on Friday told the CSTO representatives that the attitude shown toward Armenia last year was “dangerous.”

“Our position is that there is a concrete border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, because in 1991, when the Commonwealth of Independent States was established, an interstate agreement was signed, which clearly states that the countries mutually recognize each other’s existing borders.  This refers to the administrative boundaries of the Soviet period, and I think we should have this as a starting point. The opposite interpretation of this situation, I think, will reduce the effectiveness of the CSTO,” said Pashinyan.

As the holder of the CSTO’s rotating presidency, Pashinyan urged the members of the group to have an earnest discussion about the matter.

“Why?” Pashinyan asked. “Because we see that aggressive statements by Azerbaijan are continuing. We should discuss this issue, especially considering that Armenia has applied to the CSTO, as it is a very fundamental issue for both us and the Organization.”

On Thursday Aliyev overtly threatened a military response if Armenia continued to oppose his proposed so-called “Zangezur Corridor”—a road connecting mainland Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan.

In his presentation at the CSTO gathering on Friday, Armenia’s National Security Chief Armen Grigoyan rejected such a “corridor,” saying that the agreements signed by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia merely call for the opening of transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Grigoryan held a separate meeting with his Russian counterpart, Nikolay Patrushev, late on Thursday. After the meeting Grigoryan’s office reported that Patrushev said “Moscow supports Armenia in the processes of ensuring regional security.”

Council of Europe should be more determined on issues of Armenian POWs and humanitarian access to Artsakh – FM

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia –
, 16:58

 1 minute read

By attempting to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by the use of force in 2020, as well as by invading the sovereign territory of Armenia, Azerbaijan has grossly violated its commitments undertaken with the accession to the Council of Europe, and this must be properly addressed by the Council of Europe and its member-states, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said at a joint press conference with visiting Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić.

The Foreign Minister reaffirmed the readiness of the Government of the Republic of Armenia to put efforts towards the establishment of stability and peace in the region. In this context he emphasized the fundamental importance of addressing the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which, he said, should include the provisions of ensuring the security and all the rights of the people of Artsakh, and final determination of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh.

“The people of Artsakh have the same rights as everyone and the fact of being in the conflict zone cannot deprive the Armenians of Artsakh of their universal fundamental rights,” Minister Mirzoyan stated.

“Humanitarian issues resulting from the aggression unleashed against Artsakh – the issues of the return of Armenian prisoners of war held in Azerbaijan and the humanitarian access to Artsakh remain unresolved, and the politicization of these is unacceptable. The Anti-Armenian and warmongering rhetoric, physical and psychological terror against the civilian population are unacceptable in the same way,” he added.

“We believe that the Council of Europe, its relevant bodies and leaders should be more determined at least in the issues of Armenian prisoners of war and the humanitarian access to Artsakh, and put utmost effort so that the interim decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, PACE Resolutions and the provisions of the memorandum of the Commissioner for Human Rights issues on November 8, 2021, be respected,” he stated.

NSS of Armenia detains former high-ranking military official

Emil Lazarian
ARMINFO
Armenia –
Marianna Mkrtchyan

ArmInfo. Major-General Armen Harutyunyan, the former Head of the Missile and Artillery Troops/Head  of the RA Armed Forces department, was arrested.

According to the press service of the National Security Service of  the Republic of Armenia, Harutyunyan was arrested in the framework of  a criminal case being investigated by the National Security Service.

According to the source, in the course of investigative measures, it  was established that the chairman of the Commission for the receipt  of goods supplied under the contract signed by the RA Ministry of  Defense and a company operating in the country, Armen Harutyunyan,  with the intention of stealing a particularly large amount of money  from the RA Ministry of Defense, provided assistance to the director  of the supplier company and the owner in the process of accepting  property that does not correspond to the subject of the contract.

The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia noted that  Harutyunyan, instead of the shells for artillery specified in the  contract, by hiding the fact of a discrepancy between the tactical  and technical characteristics of the delivered property, purchased  Czech-made shells for a total amount of 523,089,000 drams ($  1,083,000), which, according to their tactical and technical  characteristics were significantly inferior to those shells that were  provided for by the contract.  

In particular, the range of hitting the target was not ensured, the  errors of hitting the targets turned out to be much higher than the  norm, the shells did not correspond to the gravitational  characteristics of the artillery shells available on the balance  sheet of the Ministry of Defense and the parameters of the firing  schedules of the RA Armed Forces.  “Consequently, when using  artillery, it was impossible to conduct aimed fire from the  above-mentioned projectiles and perform combat missions. As a result,  on the basis of the signed contract, 1,083,000 US dollars were  transferred to the company’s account, which entailed severe financial  consequences for the state,” they noted.  

The department noted that the specified batch of shells was used  during the 44-day war, and in view of the abovementioned  shortcomings, it did not allow to fulfill the assigned combat  missions. “In the framework of the abovementioned case, charges were  also brought against the director of the supplier company and the  owner,” the NSS noted, adding that investigations in the framework of  the criminal case are ongoing and steps are being taken to establish  the full range of persons involved in the corruption scheme and bring  them to justice.

More than 90 European organizations address letter to Charles Michel on his mediation concerning Karabakh conflict

Emil Lazarian
News.am
Armenia –
12:23, 17.06.2022

A total of 91 organizations active in the EU Member states sent a letter to the President of the European Council Charles Michel, expressing profound discontent with his statement following the trilateral meeting with the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev dating to May 23, reported the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD).

The organizations welcome Charles Michel’s efforts for peace negotiations. Nevertheless, they emphasize the importance of ensuring that peace is negotiated based on justice and not by sacrificing the fundamental rights and needs of the Armenian side which has been a victim of vicious aggression of the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem in 2020. 

The organizations regret that the press statement of 23 May disregards key principles of EU’s documented approach towards the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict and overall endorses the Azerbaijani stance on the conflict resolution in some crucial aspects. This includes using the wording “Karabakh” while referring to the conflict, instead of “Nagorno-Karabakh” which is a political entity with a defined territory. The letter further elaborates that using the term Karabakh by the Azerbaijani authorities is a part of the ongoing state policy of ethnic cleansing against the indigenous Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Referring to the statement by the spokesperson of Charles Michel on May 31, the organizations express appreciation that it introduced important clarifications and emphasized key principles. The organizations express hope that EU’s future mediation on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict does justice to negotiating an equitable and lasting peace. For this purpose the call on the President of the European Council to base the mediation on six concrete aspects.

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 16-06-22

Emil Lazarian

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 17:27,

YEREVAN, 16 JUNE, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 16 June, USD exchange rate up by 3.11 drams to 427.53 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.08 drams to 444.67 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.07 drams to 7.56 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 3.25 drams to 516.29 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 256.73 drams to 25068.19 drams. Silver price up by 5.22 drams to 294.98 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.

Asbarez: Artsakh Blasts Aliyev, Says ‘Artsakh Republic Exists’

Emil Lazarian
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan


Following more threats by President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, who said that discussion of the status of Karabakh will lead to more military aggression, Artsakh’s State Minister Artak Beglaryan said on Thursday that the Artsakh Republic exists based on international law.

“Yes, Nagorno-Karabakh does not exist, because there exists the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic, in accordance with international law, although not formally recognized at the international level,” said Beglaryan in a post on the Telegram social media platform.

“The Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict has not been and will not be resolved until Azerbaijan takes into account the inalienable right of the indigenous people of Artsakh to self-determination,” asserted Beglaryan. “The issue of international recognition (hence, the status) of the Republic of Artsakh will be solved sooner or later, and Artsakh will never be part of Azerbaijan.”

The Artsakh official called Aliyev to task about the treatment of minorities in Azerbaijan, as is guaranteed by that country’s constitution, in conclusion, asking whether there are any Armenians allowed to live in the territories occupied by Azerbaijan as a result of the 2020 war.

AW: Hovnanian School, We Thank You

Emil Lazarian
 Simone` Aynilian Reflections 0

Aynilian twins jumping for joy outside Hovnanian School

As I sit to write this, our boys (age 5 – how did they become so big so fast) are off to their last day at Hovnanian School here in New Milford, New Jersey. For the last three years, Hovnanian School has given us an extended family, a rich school experience and the foundation upon which our sons will build their Armenian identity. The teachers and faculty, PTO and volunteer committee members, administration and staff have had a profound effect on our children. Our children head off to school each morning with excitement and anticipation for what the school day will bring: gardening, cooking, dancing, singing, visits from professional soccer players and music artists from near and far. One thing for sure, they will leave each day even better than they were. 

Hovnanian students with musical artist Arthur Khachents

Each day our children come home singing songs in English, French and Armenian, telling us about the things they learned and the high expectations their teachers have for them. They lay in bed before bedtime talking about their friends and the silly and fun things that happened during the day. On the weekends, they tell us how much they miss and love their teachers, and we assure them they will see them in just a few short days. The impact the teachers and staff have had on our children is profound. We are so grateful. For establishing a strong academic foundation and a love for school, we thank you! 

Hovnanian School’s sense of community is second to none. The school continues to envision new, innovative and fun ways to bring its community together. Families feel welcomed and included. Events like Field Day, the Mother’s Day Luncheon and Family Night allow families to be a part of the community. These gatherings have breathed new life into the school and make us so hopeful for the future of Hovnanian School. For friends who have become family, thank you! 

Field Day 2022 at Hovnanian School

Despite the challenging circumstances over the last few years, Hovnanian School remained a constant for our family. We felt safe sending our boys to school each day, knowing the school would care for our children as their own. As a public school teacher, I was acutely aware of the willingness of the school to make this challenging time one of consistency, security and safety. During scary and uncertain times, the courage and care did not go unnoticed. For keeping our children safe and in school, we thank you! 

In a world where so much changes so fast, it is challenging, to say the least, to hang on to our roots. Through the efforts of Hovnanian School, our boys strongly identify with their rich Armenian culture. Our boys can be heard soulfully singing “Mer Hayrenik,” reciting “Hayr Mer” and “Jashagestsook” before meals and energetically dancing and clapping to “Hey Jan Ghapama.” The school embodies a celebration of vibrant Armenian culture and instills in the future generation the importance of holding on tight to those roots. It is an honor to be an Armenian, and from such a young age, our boys fully feel this. For keeping the Armenian spirit alive, we thank you, Hovnanian School! 

Hovnanian preschoolers, 2022

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Simone` Aynilian is an instructional math coach for Ridgefield Park Public Schools. She graduated from Wheelock College, Boston with a degree in elementary education and has since earned a degree in education leadership. She is currently working on a second master’s degree in curriculum and teaching from Boston University. Simone` grew up and currently resides in Bergen County, New Jersey with her husband and two sons. She spent much of her youth at Camp Haiastan, Armenian dance group practices and volunteering at Sts. Vartanantz Church. She hopes to be able to create many of these rich Armenian experiences for her own family and instill the same sense of Armenian pride in her children.


Azerbaijan president blackmails Armenia

Emil Lazarian
NEWS.am
Armenia –
12:27, 16.06.2022

If the Zangazur [(Zangezur)] corridor is not opened, it will be very difficult to talk about peace. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said this at the IX Global Baku Forum under the motto “Challenges to the Global World Order,” APA reports.

“The soonest decision to open the Zangazur corridor is one of the basic elements of future peace in the region. If we are not given that entry-exit, it will be very difficult to talk about peace, and all the efforts of Azerbaijan aimed at normal coexistence, normal neighborhood with Armenia will be in vain. This is another important issue, and Azerbaijan has the right to demand it. The Armenian government has signed a corresponding statement.

Second, Azerbaijan, as a country that won the war and suffered from the occupation, has a moral right to demand,” Aliyev said.

https://news.am/eng/news/707576.html