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Author: Garnik Zakarian

Artak Zakaryan: Nikol Pashinyan has already started ‘second act of Armenia’s capitulation’

Garnik Zakarian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 9 2021

Nikol Pashinyan has already started the “second act of Armenia’s capitulation”, former Deputy Defense Minister Artak Zakaryan said on Wednesday.

“The maneuvers aimed at distracting the public attention are organized quite skillfully (the techniques are the same, just as for 44 days the public was fooled, they squeezed money from the Diaspora and took our territory from us). Carried away by colorful festivities, new arrests, scandals and Nikol’s latest nonsense, the society will wake up one day and see that their beloved Nikol has also signed a document on Armenia’s capitulation,” he wrote on Facebook.

The former official stated Pashinyan’s steel mandate and hammer will “hit the Armenian people in the head” this time.

“In a short while, we will suddenly see that without taking into account our will, desire and rights, the Turks will be walking along the roads of Armenia with might and main, building a railway, asphalting roads, attaching stencils in Turkish to the roads, changing the names of settlements, grazing their livestock on our pastures, kidnaping people and demanding ransom, stealing livestock, intimidating children, etc.

“The guarantors of the security will force us, Armenians, to stop on the roads and wait for the Turkish-Azerbaijani columns to pass for the transportation of their goods via Armenia. There will be some road sections inside our country where Azeris will stop us to check the documents and the trunks.

“Are the Armenians ready to live on their knees in peace right now without guarantees of security and peaceful coexistence? Will it be real peace, or will it become a new struggle for existence?” Zakaryan said.

Aimchess US Rapid: Aronian finishes third

Garnik Zakarian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 6 2021

Armenian GM Levon Aronian finished third in the Aimchess US Rapid, the last ‘regular’ tournament of the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour, ArmSport reports.

He was awarded third place after Alireza Firouzja had to withdraw from the tournament due to illness.

Norwegian GM Magnus Carlsen won the Aimchess US Rapid as he beat Vladislav Artemiev 2.5:1.5 on Sunday.

​Armenian Communities Department of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation awards 70 scholarships

Garnik Zakarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Sept 6 2021

Armenian Communities Department of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation awards 70 scholarships

 September 6, 2021, 17:57 1 minute read

The Armenian Communities Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation grants over one million dollars per year to Armenian and Armenian Studies university students around the world, including renewals.

A total of 231 scholarship applications were received in 2021 for its two principal scholarship categories: “Armenian Studies” and “Higher Education for Armenian Students in Developing Countries.” As always, each application was rigorously evaluated. 70 scholarships of varying amounts were granted: 13 in Armenian Studies (graduate level) and 57 to Armenian students in higher education (mostly undergraduate level).

A total of 457,000 USD  was granted in new scholarships within the Armenian Studies scholarship category. 51 applications were received and 13 selected. Scholarships run from one to three years. Eight are for PhDs, one is a Post-Doc, and four are for MAs. Of the 13 scholarships, ten went to women and three to men. The scholarship awardees are pursuing their studies in the UK, USA, France, Ireland, Spain and Netherlands. In terms of broad research topics, five are on contemporary Armenia, include two on gender-related issues, three are on language and education, three are on art, literature and heritage studies, and two are on the contemporary ramifications of the Genocide. Armenian Studies is defined in its broad sense and not confined to area studies.

A total of 288,000 USD was granted within the Higher Education Scholarships for Armenian Students in Developing Countries category. 180 applications were received from which 57 were selected – 32 women and 25 men. The topics studied include biology, law, social sciences, psychology, nursing, communications, translation, social work, robotics, engineering, business and finance, computer science, architecture, graphic design and English literature, among many others. The aim of this scholarship category is to encourage university students of Armenian origin from less developed countries, particularly undergraduates in the Middle East, to obtain higher education in any field in a recognized university in their own country of residence or in Armenia.

MP: Armenian leaders’ failure to visit Artsakh gives out ‘several bad signals’

Garnik Zakarian
Panorama, Armenia
Sept 3 2021

Security expert Tigran Abrahamyan, an MP from the opposition I Have the Honor bloc, condemned the Armenian leaders for their failure to visit Artsakh on the country’s Independence Day marked on September 2, saying it gives out “several bad signals”.

“The failure of the Armenian president, prime minister and parliament speaker to visit Artsakh speaks of several bad signals at once,” he wrote on Facebook on Friday, adding the issue does not concern only the symbolic days for Artsakh.

“Naturally, on 2 September many people noticed the absence of Armenian leaders at the symbolic events in Artsakh, but the same officials did not visit Artsakh at all after the war.

“Indifference to the Artsakh issue and the failure to put it high on the agenda speaks of a clear position of the current government.

“If the Armenian government follows the rules of the game dictated by Azerbaijan even in this case, then it is already clear what possible developments will follow,” the MP said.

Abrahamyan denounced the government for the “circle of defeats” which the country has found itself in, saying an agenda against the interests of Armenia and Artsakh is imposed on it.

Armdaily.am: Armenia President reacts to recent events taking place in Syunik Province

Garnik Zakarian
News.am, Armenia
Sept 1 2021
09:56, 01.09.2021

A few days ago, Armdaily.am sent a request to the Office of the President of the Republic of Armenia (RA) to find out whether RA President Armen Sarkissian was aware of the events taking place in Syunik Province, how Sarkissian sees the solution of the problem, and taking into account his diplomatic ties, what steps he intends to carry out to condemn and stop—by the international community—the actions of the enemy.

“The President of the Republic constantly receives information about the events taking place in Armenia and Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], as well as events regarding Armenia and Artsakh. The President’s Office is in contact with the relevant bodies and departments.

The ones you noted, as well as all similar issues must be resolved by guaranteeing the security, protection of our population and borders, the territorial integrity of our country and the inviolability of borders, as well as the life, free and safe movement, property, and all other fundamental rights of our citizens.

The relevant state bodies should use all means and opportunities for that purpose. We consider it necessary to note once again that the President of the Republic acts within the framework of his constitutional powers. According to the RA Constitution, the implementation of foreign policy is reserved for the government.

Nevertheless, the President of the Republic has repeatedly noted that he is ready to use his experience and personal connections to contribute to the solution of the problems facing the country. At the same time, the president constantly raises all issues related to our state during his formal and informal contacts,” reads the response from the President’s Office.

The Road Towards Peace: The Aftermath Of The Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

Garnik Zakarian

Aug 29 2021


  • Briana John

It has been close to nine months since the “second Nagorno-Karabakh war” ended with the country of Azerbaijan becoming victorious over Armenia for control of the contested enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. However, the hastily signed peace deal by Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia to end the military conflict within the region has not brought forth a solution for long-term peace and stability in the region. Many Armenians continue to be affected by the conflict with thousands being displaced and hundreds being illegally detained and tortured. This is in conjunction with the state-led campaign of cultural destruction of Armenian heritage in efforts to eliminate the historical existence of the Armenian population. Overall, the peace deal has not overcome the decades long Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with the status and stability of the region still in question today.

The 44-day war between Azerbaijan and Armenia has been an ongoing conflict which traces its roots back to many centuries ago when Muslim Azerbaijanis and Christian Armenians fought for control over the region. The continuous dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave was evident even during the Armenian genocide where leaders of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic worked alongside the Ottomans to eliminate the Armenian population. During the early 1900s, the Soviet Union decided to grant Nagorno-Karabakh an autonomous oblast status which was used to gain support for Soviet ruling from Armenia. However, this decision was reversed, and the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) was given to the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) by the upcoming leader of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalin. This decision to win the support from then-Turkish President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk set into motion decades of political, economic, and cultural turmoil against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh that still continues today.

Despite a full ceasefire agreement signed by both Armenia and Azerbaijan, the provisions within the deal have not brought forth full stability or peace to the region. Within the agreement, certain provisions were included such as a phasing out of the Armenian military from the territories of Nagorno-Karabakh, Lachin, Kelbajar, and Agdam. Within the peace deal, it is evident that the victors of the conflict were the Azerbaijanis who gained back much of the territory they lost over 30 years ago while not having to give any sort of autonomy to Nagorno-Karabakh. However, for Armenia, the ceasefire agreement points to the massive losses they must bear in the aftermath of the conflict. The biggest loss is the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh which is seen by the Armenian community as integral to their heritage, history, and culture. This loss of the region has led to many Armenians taking to the streets to voice their frustrations towards the signing of the peace deal which many believe was done with no consideration of the Armenian people.

Furthermore, the ceasefire does not take into consideration the situations regarding the thousands of ethnic Armenians who remain in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. While the ending of the fighting between the two sides does lessen the violence towards civilians, there is no real assurance from the peace deal that ensures that ethnic Armenians will have a safe evacuation from Nagorno-Karabakh or neighboring areas. Within the peace deal, the internally displaced persons, and refugees have been called to return to Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding areas. However, the deal did not clearly outline the provisions for the ethnic Armenians wishing to remain or return to Nagorno-Karabakh especially during the period of rising tensions where more Azerbaijanis are returning to the region.

As Azerbaijan’s occupation of the region continues, it has become more noticeable that many of the “cultural restoration” projects in the region are in efforts to erase Armenian heritage and history. As explained by Foreign Policy, “…Azerbaijan’s occupation has seen the erasure of Armenian inscriptions and cultural markers… in effort to deny the indigeneity of Armenians to the region”. Additionally, the continued inflammatory rhetoric from Azerbaijan government officials that refers to southern Armenia as the “historical territory of Azerbaijan” has been interpreted as a threat by the Armenian population. It has been clear through the provisions of the ceasefire agreement and the continuous dangerous rhetoric that the country of Azerbaijan is not dedicated to protecting the rights of the Armenian population within Nagorno-Karabakh or engaging in good faith talks to ensure long-lasting stability within the region.

There needs to be a proper negotiated settlement agreed upon by those involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The region and surrounding territories of Nagorno-Karabakh have yet to overcome the traumatic events and consequences of the conflict which has led to a lessening in the chances of peace and stability over time. As identified by the US Ambassador to Armenia, Lynne Tracy, the civilians of Nagorno-Karabakh are still caught up in the middle of the conflict. This is impending their ability to live safely and securely in their own homes. The United States has urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to start new peace talks to find a comprehensive solution to this impending crisis.

During the negotiated settlement talks, it can potentially be beneficial if there is unbiased mediation involved in the process of conflict resolution. The involvement of international third parties can help to stop the continuation of hostilities and lessen the severity of the conflict. This will be greatly beneficial in the case of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. For example, since Russia has a key role in the history of the conflict and negotiated peace settlements, it can turn to the Organization for Cooperation and Security to oversee the peace negotiations for Nagorno-Karabakh. The negotiated peace settlement talks could also involve the UN Security Council members passing a resolution for a ceasefire. This resolution can include specific provisions that outline the rights and protections of civilians.  Additionally, the continued dedication to protect the internally displaced people and refugees should also be considered within the negotiated peace talks. There needs to be a commitment within the negotiated peace deal to ensure that resources are allocated properly to help with the costs of resettling civilians and fixing infrastructure destroyed in the conflict.

Within these peace talks, it is crucial that both Armenia and Azerbaijan are listening and negotiating with each other. If the peace deal made is like the one made on November 9, 2020 – as in it only sees provisions that primarily benefit one actor of the conflict – there may be a recurrence of conflict. The so-called peace deal can potentially leave a generation of the Armenian population frustrated and resentful of the instabilities and inequalities of the region. More importantly, it does not leave the ability to establish long-lasting peace in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding territories.

Overall, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has a long and complicated history which continues to have a hold on the region and populations of Azerbaijan and Armenia. This conflict continues to take lives and has forcibly displaced numerous civilians who are caught in the crossfire of this recurring conflict. It is essential to have a negotiated peace settlement that seeks to address the aftermath of the conflict while protecting the rights of civilians. If there is not a dedication to stop the recurrence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the region will only continue to suffer and experience more instability and insecurity resulting in less protections for civilians.

Reports of incidents along Armenia-Azerbaijan border cause grave concern – OSCE Chair

Garnik Zakarian
Public Radio of Armenia
July 30 2021
 

Reports of repeated incidents along Armenia-Azerbaijan border causes grave concern, OSCE Chairperson in Office, Swiss Foreign Minister Ann Linde said in a Twitter post.

“Urge sides to build on recent humanitarian steps and implement November 9 statement in full to address unresolved issues peacefully,” she added.

Three Armenian servicemen were killed, four were wounded as Azerbaijan undertook an offence in the Gegharkunik section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact.

A number of Azerbaijani UAVs have been spotted trying to enter the Armenian airspace over the past two days. An Aerostar drone was downed near Vardenis late on Thursday.

 

Three Armenian soldiers killed in clashes with Azerbaijan

Garnik Zakarian
Inquirer
Agence France-Presse / 04:52 PM

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| Inquirer News

YEREVAN — Three Armenian soldiers were killed in border clashes with Azerbaijani forces on Wednesday, in some of the heaviest fighting between the Caucasus rivals since last year’s war over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

The defense ministries of both countries reported the clashes and blamed the other side for initiating them.

Tensions have been running high along the border in recent weeks, with a series of reported shootouts.

Last year’s six-week war over Nagorno-Karabakh claimed some 6,500 lives before it ended with a Russian-brokered ceasefire that saw Armenia cede territories it had controlled for decades.

Armenia has accused Azerbaijani forces of a series of border intrusions since the war and of seizing pockets of territory including along a lake shared by the two countries.

Armenia’s defense ministry said an intense firefight had taken place Wednesday near the village of Sotk close to the border with Azerbaijan’s Kelbajar region, one of those Baku reclaimed after the war.

As of 8:30 am (0430 GMT) Wednesday three Armenian soldiers were dead and two wounded, the ministry said in a statement.

“The Azerbaijani side is deliberately escalating the situation as its forces remain illegally on Armenia’s sovereign territory,” Armenia’s foreign ministry said.

Azerbaijan’s defense ministry said Armenian forces had opened fire towards Azerbaijani positions in Kelbajar in the early hours of Wednesday and that two of its servicemen had been wounded.

It said Azerbaijan had agreed to a Russian-proposed ceasefire from 10:00 am local time (0600 GMT) but that Armenian forces had continued shelling its positions with tanks and mortars.

“Armenia bears full responsibility for the escalation of tensions,” it said.

The border clashes have raised fears of another flare-up in the decades-old conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian region of Azerbaijan that broke away from Baku’s control in the early 1990s in the aftermath of the Soviet Union collapse.

Last year’s war saw Baku take control of parts of Karabakh and surrounding districts which Armenian forces controlled since 1994.

Moscow has deployed some 2,000 peacekeepers in the area to oversee the ceasefire it mediated to end the fighting.

It has also offered to help in resolving the border disputes by working with the two sides to clearly define the frontier.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for military support, saying up to 600 Azerbaijani troops are on Armenian territory, a claim denied by Baku.

The United States and France have called on Azerbaijan to pull back its forces.

Armenian analyst on Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem’s pressure on Armenia and Russia’s and Turkey’s presence

Garnik Zakarian
News.am, Armenia
Armenian analyst on Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem’s pressure on Armenia and Russia’s and Turkey’s presence
14:33, 18.07.2021

The Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem is pressuring Armenia (border incidents, Aliyev’s statements) to force the country make concessions quickly while it is weak. This is what political scientist Suren Sargsyan wrote on his Facebook page.

“On the Syunik corridor (road)

The corridor (road) passing through Syunik Province that will link Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan and then to Turkey, will have a serious impact from the perspective of regional security. The most important thing is who will be the guarantor of security of this corridor. It will be either the Russians or the Turks, and since there is still no corridor, I believe there is still no final agreement on which country’s troops will be there.

1. The Turks obviously want to have control over the road, have influence on Armenia, completely control movement from the north to the south and vice versa and keep Iran dependent.

2. The Russians want to maintain control over the road, as well as control over the Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation and to strengthen their positions to a certain extent.

3. The Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem is pressuring Armenia (border incidents, Aliyev’s statements) to force the country make concessions quickly while it is weak.

4. Putin preparing Armenia for painful concessions means there will be a road in any case, alongside works for demarcation. At the same time, I believe the Russians are still trying to win time, taking into consideration their own problems. It’s even hard for a superpower like Russia to serve its interests in Europe, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), the Middle East, Central Asia and other areas. Sometimes Russia has to wait, and sometimes it has to organize a tactical retreat, and all this is on the backdrop of economic issues and political tension in the country.

5. I don’t rule out the presence of Turkish troops after an agreement is reached because, unlike the Russians, the Turks didn’t gain armed presence in the region after the war, even though they had a great desire. Perhaps the Turks will be there so that they can also balance the Russian presence,” he wrote.

Azerbaijan sets up two new military units on border with Armenia

Garnik Zakarian
Panorama, Armenia
July 9 2021

Azerbaijan has established two new military units on the border with Armenia, particularly in the Vorotan (Kubatlu) and Lachin regions, Interfax-Azerbaijan reported, citing the country’s State Border Service.

“On July 8, two new military units started operating on the territory of Kubatlu and Lachin regions on the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border,” the law enforcement agency said.