Author: George Mamian

“Syunik is our statehood’s backbone” – Pashinyan holds meeting on security measures

George Mamian

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 15:22,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan chaired a consultation today to discuss the situation related to the change of the border environment of Syunik province and the actions taken in the direction of ensuring security.

“Dear colleagues, our today’s consultation is dedicated to the issues of the Syunik Province, and today we must discuss a rather broad range of issues. Due to the known events, Syunik’s border environment was subjected to significant changes, and today we must discuss the actions which are being implemented in Syunik for ensuring the security of the Republic of Armenia, we must discuss the work that has been done so far and how and in which directions we should continue these works. Certainly, socio-economic and communication issues are very important, environmental issues are also important, and we have a rather broad circle of issues to discuss.

I’ve had numerous occasions to say that I find Syunik to be our statehood’s backbone, and we must take all measures to ensure the security of the Republic of Armenia in Syunik, not only in Syunik, but in the territory of the entire republic, but in this regard Syunik has special significance. Firstly, we must discuss the types of social and economic programs that we should implement in the communities which have gained a new border status, basically having appeared in a status of a border town. And today we will make decisions, we will reach agreements and we will agree on the further course of implementation of these agreements,” the PM told the officials in his opening remarks.

PM Pashinyan was then briefed on the process of ensuring the security of Syunik’s border communities and roads, the work on positioning border points, the process of compensating the potential property damages suffered by residents and the process of solving other issues.

The improvement of roads, communication infrastructures, solution of socio-economic problems and other directions of activities were discussed.

Pashinyan tasked government officials dealing with the process to continue working as part of the inter-departmental task force, which in turn will rapidly respond to the issues and give solutions.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Writers Union of Armenia calls for Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation

George Mamian
Panorama, Armenia
Jan 9 2021
 
 
The Writers Union of Armenia called for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government and the formation of an interim government in a statement released ahead of the New Year.
 
“We must admit with sorrow that we are closing 2020 in a very alarming situation for our people and the homeland,” the union said, referring to the lack of prospects for economic and social development, the government’s mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic, the failed domestic and foreign policy and the country’s huge casualties and territorial losses in the recent Artsakh war.
 
“However, we believe that everything is not lost yet and there are still legal, diplomatic leverages, international formats and platforms which can be used to fight for pro-Armenian solutions and to make decisions with the involvement of serious and experienced professional forces and resources.
 
“But the current government can no longer do it.
 
“That is why we expect the resignation of the incumbent prime minister and the government, as well as the formation of a transitional government of national accord to achieve the goals stemming from the national interests and the vision of our people’s future.
 
“God bless us all!” the statement said.
 

Sports: Crotone 1-3 Roma: Mkhitaryan on scoresheet

George Mamian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 6 2021
Crotone 1-3 Roma: Mkhitaryan on scoresheet

A scintillating start was the key as Roma romped to a 3-1 victory over Crotone on Wednesday afternoon.

An early brace from Borja Mayoral, complemented by a 35th minute penalty from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, sent the Giallorossi cruising towards victory – and ensured they are in great form ahead of back-to-back league meetings with Inter Milan and Lazio.

It took just eight minutes for Mayoral to break the deadlock at the Ezio Scida, as Mkhitaryan fed him beautifully inside the six-yard box for the easiest of tap-ins.

Almost 20 minutes later the Spaniard showed he can do it all himself, however: unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard drive after Bryan Cristante had won the ball high up the pitch to put Paulo Fonseca’s side firmly in the driving seat.

When Mayoral was then brought down in the box soon after, it was Mkhitaryan who stepped up – with both Jordan Veretout and Lorenzo Pellegrini on the bench – and converted with the minimum of fuss.

From that point onwards it was something of a stroll for the Giallorossi, although a header from Vladimir Golemic did add a certain element of uncertainty to the final 20 minutes.

Roma are back in action on Sunday – as Inter travel to the Olimpico.


Armenpress: 20 bodies found in Hadrut and Jabrayil sections as search operations continue

George Mamian

20 bodies found in Hadrut and Jabrayil sections as search operations continue

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 12:16, 4 January, 2021

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. Bodies of 19 servicemen and 1 civilian have been found as a result of search operations in the battle zones, in particular in Hadrut-Karmrakuch and Jabrayil directions, the State Emergency Service of Artsakh told Armenpress.

Forensic examination is underway to identify the dead civilian. The examination will also reveal whether the civilian has died in the military operations or has been killed.

So far, a total of 1175 bodies have been retrieved from the battle zones.

Today the search operations continue in Hadrut-Karmrakuch and Mekhakavan (Jabrayil) directions.

Search operations for missing in action also continue in all places, the Service said.

Azerbaijan Attempts to Hide Another War Crime, Artsakh Defense Army Warns

George Mamian

December 30,  2020



Soldiers of the Artsakh Armed Forces

The Defense Army of the Artsakh Republic on Wednesday reaffirmed its earlier statement that neither on December 27, nor in the days preceding it, no unit of the Defense Army was involved in any military operation, not a single shot was fired. The ceasefire regime has been maintained along the entire length of the line of contact.

The comments come after footage was shared on Azerbaijani social networks, allegedly showing the bodies of six Armenian servicemen killed in the occupied Hadrut region of Artsakh.

“Azerbaijan is talking about a village in the depths of the territories controlled by them, far enough from the front line,” meaning that the Defense Army servicemen would have to cross the front line and fight behind enemy positions, which is impossible given the presence of the Azerbaijani forces and the Russian peacekeepers.

“No less important is the ‘coincidence’ that yesterday Azerbaijan violated the agreement reached earlier, did not allow search groups to enter the areas where, according to them, the “battles” took place. And this is in the case when the agreement on the work of the search groups in those areas was reached on December 27, that is, according to the Azerbaijani side, on the very day the so-celled ‘battles’ took place,” the Defense Army said.

The combination of the above facts suggests that the actions and statements of the Azerbaijani side are intended to cover up another war crime, and that was the purpose of refusing to allow search groups to enter the mentioned territories.

Active work is under way to find out the identities of the people depicted in the footage. The Defense Army does not rule out that we are dealing with the brutal murder of captives taken hostage earlier.

“We strongly condemn this policy of the Azerbaijani side, which contradicts the logic of the November 9 trilateral statement. The Artsakh Republic will be consistent in revealing the war crimes committed by Azerbaijan,” the Defense Army stated.

Prison will be the safest place for Pashinyan – Mihran Hakobyan

George Mamian
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 30 2020

The co-founder of Qaryak Media, opposition figure Mihran Hakobyan insists only idiots may suggest that former authorities of Armenia surrendered Artsakh to Azerbaijan 20 years ago and the current outcome of the war was inevitable. 

“I apologize to describe this kind of conversations as idiotic and it does not credit me to engage in these talks,” Hakobyan said. In his words, Pashinyan would have ceded Vayots Dzor province of Armenia if there wasn’t Russia. He reminded of the audio recording, in which Belarus President Alexandr Lukashenko advised former president Serzh Sargsyan to take 5 billion on behalf of Aliyev for the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. “Serzh Sargsyan refused the deal, suggesting he would give himself 6 billion for Aliyev to refuse from the territories. We have a fact that there was an offer, and Sargsyan rejected it. Serzh Sargsyan left Artsakh to Pashinyan with seven regions. 2.5 years after the change of power, there was a war, and 5000 soldiers were killed. Today, due to Pashinyan’s inaptitude and incompetency there is no Artsakh and seven regions. Can we assume that Pashinyan has taken the 5 billion,” Hakobyan asked rhetorically. 

In his words, if people think that one can bring a disaster of such a scale to the country and be easily cleansed, they are gravely mistaken. Hakobyan added that if no solutions are offered in the context of the legal state, the alternative might be severe. The world history, per Hakobyan, has examples of people who had a dire fate in similar situations.  

“It is noteworthy that as part of operation Nemesis all those Armenians who contributed to genocidal acts of the Turkish leadership, were eliminated as well. Nikol Pashinyan and his small team  must choose either the path of legal state and stand in front of the court or wait until the parents of soldiers killed as a result of treacherous actions will reach him. Prison will be the safest place for Pashinyan. If he flees, changes his gender or the color of hair, he will still have no sleep and will eternally wait for parents of those killed,” said Hakobyan. 

Tsarukyan expected to meet with Pashinyan

George Mamian

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 17:08,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Opposition leader Gagik Tsarukyan, the head of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) has arrived in parliament where a meeting with the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is expected.

When asked by reporters about the topic of the upcoming discussion, Tsarukyan replied: “Nothing has changed in BHK’s stance.”

Earlier, the parliament majority leader Lilit Makunts (My Step bloc) had said that the prime minister will probably meet with the leaders of all three factions of parliament.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenpress: Artak Beglaryan appointed chief of staff of Artsakh President’s Office

George Mamian

Artak Beglaryan appointed chief of staff of Artsakh President’s Office

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 09:51, 24 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan has signed a decree on appointing Artak Beglaryan chief of staff of the President’s Office, the Presidential administration of Artsakh reports.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Police cordon off Armenian government building amid opposition protest

George Mamian
Panorama, Armenia

Dec 24 2020

Police have cordoned off the Armenian government building amid a protest organized by the opposition parties making up the Homeland Salvation Movement to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Opposition activists have gathered in front of the government since 10am Thursday, attempting to bar ministers from entering the building for a regular cabinet meeting. They are chanting “Nikol, the traitor!”.

Clad in helmets and shields, police officers have blocked all entrances to the building.

“Police have cordoned off the government building to prevent ministers from entering the building. Citizens help police to block the government building to keep ministers from going there. If they enter it secretly, they will no longer be able to leave the building,” opposition ARF member Gegham Manukyan told reporters.

“If they have sneaked in, it means that a government that cannot openly enter the government building with its prime minister ceases to be a people’s government,” he said.

“Even Syunik is not as protected as this vile traitor. Think about it, police officers!” protesters said, addressing police.


WHO says no data available yet on how new coronavirus strain influences mortality

George Mamian

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 14:33,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The World Health Organization has no information at its disposal yet on how the novel coronavirus strain influences mortality rates, WHO representative to Russia, Melita Vujnovic, said on the round-the-clock television news channel Rossiya-24, reports TASS.

“The first data that we have received from British scientists indicates that this virus may be more contagious. At this point there is no proof, no sufficient evidence to say that it influences pathogenicity, the seriousness of the disease and mortality”, Vujnovic said, adding that the WHO kept in touch with British scientists.

On December 14, Britain’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, said British scientists had identified a new coronavirus strain that might be to blame for high infection rates in southeastern England. Hancock said preliminary analysis indicated that the newly-discovered virus strain was spreading faster than any of those exposed previously.