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

Turkish press: Armenia seeks Russian military help under 1997 treaty

Emil Lazarian
Elena Teslova   |16.11.2021


MOSCOW

Armenia asked Russia on Tuesday to defend its territory from Azerbaijan under the terms of a 1997 treaty on friendship, cooperation, and mutual assistance.

Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of the Armenian Security Council, told a local Public TV channel that a formal request is being prepared and will be sent to Russia soon.

The two countries inked the landmark treaty on August 29, 1997, and Article 3 provides for possibility of military assistance in case of aggression against either of the treaty’s signatories.

He expressed Armenia’s hope that if talks with Azerbaijan fail, Russia will provide “sufficient military assistance.”

Liberation of Karabakh

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

When new clashes erupted on Sept. 27, 2020, the Armenian army launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violated several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages from the nearly three-decade occupation.

Last Nov. 10, the two countries signed a Russian-brokered agreement to end the fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.

On Jan. 11, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a pact to develop economic ties and infrastructure to benefit the entire region. It included the establishment of a trilateral working group on Karabakh.

The cease-fire is seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces withdrew in line with the agreement.

Prior to this victory, about 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory had been under illegal occupation for nearly 30 years.

Turkish press: UN calls for dialogue over recent Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes

Emil Lazarian
Servet Gunerigok   |16.11.2021


WASHINGTON

The UN is urging dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan after recent clashes on their borders, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Farhan Haq, spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said at a news conference that the UN is following with concern the reports of the latest violence between the two neighbors.

“At this point, we urge all sides to exercise restraint to act in accordance with the ninth of November and 11th of January trilateral statements and address any related concerns peacefully through dialogue,” said Haq, referring to the agreement between the two countries and Russia.

“We want to avoid any return to the sort of escalation we had earlier,” he added.

The UN call came after Armenian armed forces opened fire on Azerbaijani army positions on the border Tuesday, according to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The ministry said Armenian forces have carried out “large-scale provocations” against the combat posts of the Azerbaijani army in the Kalbajar and Lachin regions of the state border.

Two Azerbaijani soldiers were injured in the attacks.

The Azerbaijani army immediately carried out an emergency operation, the statement said, adding that the movement of the Armenian forces was blocked, while its forces and means were damaged.

*Betul Yuruk in New York contributed to the story

Security Council Secretary of Armenia presents to U.S. Ambassador situation resulted by Azerbaijani attack

Emil Lazarian

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 18:41,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan received Ambassador of the USA to Armenia Lynne Tracy.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the office of the Security Council, Armen Grigoryan presented the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border resulted by the Azerbaijani attack. The Security Council Secretary emphasized that these actions of Azerbaijan are a blow to Armenia’s democracy.

Armen Grigoryan reaffirmed the position of the Armenian side that the troops should be withdrawn simultaneously to the positions prior to the Azerbaijani invasion of May 12, 2021.  The Secretary of the Security Council also noted that Armenia is ready to start the process of demarcation, which, however, has nothing to do with the Nagorno Karabakh issue.

Azerbaijani forces intruded into Armenian territory on November 14 and retreated after negotiations – Security Council

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Nov 15 2021
, 14:29

 2 minutes read

On November 14, at around 1 pm, in one of the eastern sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces with the support of armored vehicles intruded into the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, Armenia’s Security Council said in a statement.

“As a result of negotiations, the Azerbaijani military equipment and troops left the territory of the Republic of Armenia, the units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia were withdrawn from the above-mentioned four combat positions. Nevertheless, Azerbaijani servicemen who invaded the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia in May of this year continue to be deployed in the mentioned section,” the Council said.

“The rumors that the superior command of the Armed Forces or the political leadership has given an instruction not to show resistance do not correspond to reality. The Security Council of the Republic of Armenia has instructed the relevant bodies to conduct a proper investigation of the incident,” the statement reads.

The Security Council draws the attention of the Russian Federation, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the international community to the aggressive actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces and emphasizes that these actions are directed against the authorities of the Republic of Armenia, Armenia’s territorial integrity and regional security and stability, and contradict the provisions of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020.

The Security Council of the Republic of Armenia expresses the determination of the authorities and the people to protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the homeland.

“The Government of the Republic of Armenia has taken measures to create a new network of alternative roads in Syunik region and these works will be completed in the near future. We consider it necessary to emphasize that no settlement of the Republic of Armenia is deprived of vital roads,”

The Security Council of the Republic of Armenia continues to emphasize the need for a peaceful resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border situation, i.e. the withdrawal of troops from the de jure established border of Soviet Armenia and Soviet Azerbaijan and the start of demarcation and delimitation of the border under international auspices.

The Council also calls on the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs to intensify efforts for a peaceful and comprehensive settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Ex-ambassador: Victorious atmosphere in Kapan should be transferred to Yerevan’s Republic Square

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 15 2021

Former Chief of Staff of the Constitutional Court of Armenia and former Armenian Ambassador to Poland Edgar Ghazaryan welcomed the victory of the Shant alliance in Sunday’s local elections in Kapan.

The bloc led by Gevorg Parsyan garnered 13,962 votes, defeating by a wide margin Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party.

“We need to move from defeats to victories, as we see that this is entirely possible,” Ghazaryan wrote on Facebook on Monday.

“The protest movement against Nikol Pashinyan should be led by [newly elected head of the Goris community] Arushan Arushanyan and Gevorg Parsyan.

“These very men have proved capable of defeating Nikol Pashinyan whether in freedom or in prison,” he said, adding they won the elections despite the harassment against them and the unprecedented use of administrative and financial resources by the ruling party.

“The victorious atmosphere in Kapan should be transferred to Yerevan’s Republic Square,” he said, stating the road issues will be resolved after the removal of the current government. 

Taguhi Tovmasyan calls for urgent discussions on suspension of parliamentary mandates

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 15 2021

MP from opposition “With Honour” parliamentary faction  Taguhi Tovmasyan has commented on Facebook the recent developments on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. 

“At this decisive moment happening in our country we may no longer work efficiently as a legislative branch. Regretfully, in a country with parliamentary system, lawmakers endowed with the primary mandate are unable to exert necessary efforts to prevent the unacceptable developments against our country. I call on the leaders of the opposition to launch urgent discussions on suspension of the parliamentary mandates, at the same declaring those who might take their mandates traitors,” Tovmasyan wrote on her Facebook page. 

“Dear colleagues, we should act swiftly as we are losing a homeland,” Taguhi Tovmasyan wrote, adding her idea is just one of the proposed ways for struggle and she is ready to hear other actions  based on consensus. 

The man who threw an explosive device at the Azerbaijani checkpoint near Shushi is at hospital – Ombudsman

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 15 2021

Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan visited on Monday Norayr Mirzoyan, the Artsakh resident who had thrown an explosive device at the Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Stepanakert-Berdzor road near Shushi on Saturday. As Stepanyan reported, Mirzoyan is at a medical institution and receives the necessary treatment. In Stepanyan’s words, he has also met with family members of Mirzoyan. 

“At the request of his relatives, I call on all to stop publicizing information about the private and family life of Mirzoyan and ensure that with those actions you would rather harm Norayr and cause unnecessary disturbances to his family ,” Stepanyan wrote. He next informed that within his capacity of the Human Rights Ombudsman he undertakes the necessary measures for the proper protection of Mirzoyan’s rights and warns against imprudent and voluntary actions. 

To remind, the Artsakh National Security Service reported on Saturday that an unknown man threw an explosive device at the Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Stepanakert-Berdzor road near Shushi in response to provocative actions of Azerbaijani servicemen. The man was later identified as the brother of the 22-year-old Artsakh citizen killed by Azerbaijani forces on November 8. 

The political majority abused its powers and rejected our proposal – Ishkhan Saghatelyan

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia
Nov 15 2021

The parliamentary opposition has initiated a sitting of the National Assembly Council on Monday to discuss the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. At the request of the two opposition factions, aa extraordinary session of parliament was to be convened at 20.00 to which Nikol Pashinyan could be invited to report on the situation created on the borders, member of ARFD Supreme Council, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Ishkhan Saghatelyan told reporters. 

“The political majority once again abused its powers and rejected our proposal. Consequently, in the current situation, we do not plan to attend parliamentary sessions to discuss budgetary or other ongoing issues, as the country and our agenda is different at present,” Saghatelyan said, adding the two opposition factions will issue a joint statement. 

“Pashinyan’s removal has no alternative, as his power brings new disasters and tragedies to the country every day. Whether in parliament or out of it each of us will do their utmost to make him resign,” added Saghatelyan. 

Ombudsman: Azerbaijan seeks to isolate Armenian civilian settlements

Emil Lazarian
PanArmenian, Armenia
Nov 13 2021
– 11:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Azerbaijani authorities are pursuing a targeted policy of isolating Armenian civilian settlements and causing humanitarian problems, all that under the guise of unblocking the region’s roads, Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan has said.

Tatoyan believes the real reason behind Azerbaijan’s decision to open border and customs checkpoints on a key interstate road in the south of Armenia is the established policy of propaganda of hatred and enmity against Armenians under the auspices of the Azerbaijani state.

“In addition, the Azerbaijani authorities are clearly well aware that the blocking of the Goris-Kapan road or the so-called Azerbaijani border and customs control will lead to violations of the rights of civilians, serious humanitarian problems, including the isolation of a number of settlements,” the Ombudsman said.

“Consequently, especially since November 11 there have been violations of human rights, including those of the residents of the communities of Syunik (children, people with disabilities, the elderly, etc.) and serious humanitarian problems in general.”

He said communication between the villages is either disrupted or significantly reduced, while the new road built to replace the one periodically blocked by Azerbaijan has become significantly overloaded.

“There are restrictions on fast and efficient access to food (bread, other foodstuffs) and basic necessities, medical care and services in these areas. People are faced with the problem of earning a family income (for example, by selling agricultural products),” Tatoyan said.

“The deployment of Azerbaijanis on said roads was carried out with overt threats of war, which is absolutely unacceptable from the point of view of the rule of law and international human rights standards.”

The Ombudsman said the reports and facts collected during his stuff’s trips to the region will be sent to the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the European Union, the OSCE, as well as various agencies in Armenia.

Iraq eager to increase trade turnover with Armenia, says envoy

Emil Lazarian
PanArmenian, Armenia
Nov 13 2021
– 16:23 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – Iraq is eager to strengthen relations with Armenia and increase the trade turnover between the two countries, Iraqi ambassador to Yerevan Dr. Suhailan M. Khaleel Al-Joubouri said at a meeting with Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan on Friday, November 12.

According to information provided by the Ministry of Economy, Dr. Al-Joubouri stressed the importance of Armenia for Iraq, as well as the fact that Armenians are popular in his country.

The diplomat suggested holding a meeting of the two countries’ intergovernmental commission in Baghdad, adding that Iraq is interested in the participation of Armenian construction and energy companies in the reconstruction of Iraq.

Kerobyan too expressed interest in that, noting that the government is ready to support those who’ll join the process. The Minister suggested that the Iraqi government consider the introduction of tools facilitating the Armenian companies’ entry into the Iraqi market.