Author: Kalantarian Kevo

UK lawmakers take Armenia’s cause to UN

Kalantarian Kevo
Public Radio of Armenia



 


A group of British politicians who are members of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Armenia have written to the UN Security Council President Sven Jürgenson, slamming the ‘both-sides’ narrative adopted by many during Azerbaijan’s invasion of Artsakh, reports the Armenian National Committee of UK.

Read the letter in full below:

Your Excellency,


We are writing to you as members of the UK Parliament and representatives of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Armenia to express our concern and fears for the fate of Armenia during this period of national insecurity following the invasion and incursion into Armenia’s internationally recognized borders. We call upon you to help resolve this latest provocation and prevent another illegal war.

Early last month Azerbaijan’s military forces infiltrated the borders of Syunik, the southern region in the Republic of Armenia, intending to take Lake Sev. They advanced three kilometers towards the village of Verishen and it is understood there were about 250 Azerbaijani armed forces stationed there aiming to move towards Vardenis and Sisian. The takeover of these strategic heights took place days before large-scale Azerbaijani military drills along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The situation intensified late last month when Azerbaijan’s military shot dead an Armenian soldier near the village of Verin Shorzha after Armenian border patrols tried to stop the latest Azerbaijani advancements. The location of the incident was well within the Armenian borders. Two days later, on May 27, Azerbaijan captured six Armenian soldiers near the borders of Gegharkunik.

It is without doubt that the latest provocations are a direct attack against the Republic of Armenia and a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

These incursions come as no surprise as President ALiyev has made several xenophobic and aggressive statements against Armenia since the ceasefire agreement on 9th November 2020. He has vowed to take over 40% of the country’s territory, including capital Yerevan. Last month he threatened to use force to take control of the corridor between Azerbaijan and Nakhijevan through the Syunik region. Azerbaijan’s government has since then openly declared their illegal plans to establish several “corridors” through Southern Armenia and expressed their desire for these corridors to come under the control of the Russian Federation Security Service. Azerbaijan’s president has repeatedly stated he will only negotiate with Russia and not Armenia about her sovereign territory.

The international community remained mostly silent when Azerbaijan invaded Nagorno Karabakh, together with the help of Turkey and Syrian mercenaries, carrying out well-documented war crimes during the 4-day war in 2020. The impunity enjoyed by Azerbaijan has given them the confidence to threaten the territorial integrity of Armenia further, this time for away from the conflict zone.

The lack of condemnation from the international community has emboldened Azerbaijan to continue with their state-sponsored war crimes, ethnic cleansing and atrocities. Azerbaijan’s treatment of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian captives is one of the many examples demonstrating their disregard for human rights and international conventions. We have prepared a document listing Azerbaijan’s human rights violations since the war to highlight the scale of the atrocities committed.

The only way to protect Armenia’s sovereignty is to ensure the international community has a presence in the region, curbing further expansionist plans by certain regional powers. While Armenia may be a small and military insecure nation, its economic potential cannot be ignored. Its growing tech sector, further infrastructure developments especially in the energy sector offer a positive not benefit for the global community. Armenia once again scored higher than her neighbors in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index 2020 and this form of governance should be encouraged across the region to ensure regional stability. We therefore call upon you to mediate a peaceful resolution to the latest provocations by:

  • Calling on Azerbaijan to withdraw its forces immediately and cease open provocations, instead of reverting to the “both side-ism” which suggests Armenians should retreat from their own borders.
  • Condemning Azerbaijan’s further attempt to disturb regional peace.
  • Condemning the capturing of the 6 Armenian soldiers and demand the release of all POWs and captives detained in Azerbaijan.
  • Supporting the creation of a UN-operated security buffer zone along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, which can prevent a new war and stop regional powers from exploiting the current conflict. The buffer zone is also necessary to guarantee the rights of those residing along he border and would offer vital security for the citizens of Armenia.
  • Fully supporting the efforts to settle the political status of Nagorno-Karabakh under the guidance of the OSCE Minsk Group and carry out a legally binding border demarcation to establish a means for achieving lasting peace in the region.

Azerbaijan is acting with impunity and the international community has a duty to stop ethnic cleansing of the Armenians in the region.

Armenia’s history dates back over three millennia and it is imperative we preserve the region’s history and culture, and support modern day Armenia’s future potential.

We hope you will join us and support our call to action. We would like to be more than happy to meet your colleagues and you to discuss the human rights violation report we have put together or further discuss Azerbaijan’s latest provocations.


 

Remembering Monte Melkonian

Kalantarian Kevo
Public Radio of Armenia
  
– Public Radio of Armenia

National Hero of Armenia Monte Melkonian was killed 28 years ago today.

Monte was a thinker and a writer, as well as a man of deeds. He was not afraid to speak the truth as he saw it.

Throughout his lifetime he struggled for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the protection of the rights of Armenians.

Monte Melkonian was born in California’s San Joaquin Valley on November 25, 1957. A trained archaeologist who spoke eight languages, he spent his entire adult life working for justice and defending Armenians in Iran, Lebanon, and Armenia.

Melkonian was known as Avo to the troops under his command in Nagorno-Karabakh. The last years of his life were spent fighting with the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army.

He believed that the the only real future for Artsakh would be to unite with Armenia. His messages about the importance of Artsakh for Armenia resonate over time.

Monte was killed in the village of Merzili, Aghdam (Akna) in the early afternoon of June 12, 1993.

After death he was awarded the highest military honors of Nagorno Karabakh and the Republic of Armenia, including the Military Cross, First Degree and the Golden Eagle medal.

Monte was buried with full military honors on June 19, 1993 at Yerablur Military Pantheon in the outskirts of Yerevan, where his coffin was brought from the Surb Zoravar Church in the city center.

In 1993 the Monte Melkonian Military Academy was established in Yerevan.

Switzerland announces closing part of its airspace due to Putin-Biden summit

Kalantarian Kevo

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 14:25,

YEREVAN, JUNE 11, ARMENPRESS. Swiss authorities will close a part of the country’s airspace for flights due to the June 16 Geneva summit of Russian President Vladimir Putin and US leader Joe Biden, TASS reports citing the Swiss government.

“At its meeting on , the Federal Council approved a temporary restriction on the use of airspace during the summit between President Biden and President Putin from 15 to 17 June 2021 in Geneva”, the statement said.

The Swiss Air Force will provide air policing and tightened airspace surveillance, the government noted. The restrictions are introduced from 8 am on June 15 through 8 am on June 17 local time. They include the airspace of the Geneva region with the center over the Place des Nations near the UN Office at Geneva. At the same time, commercial flights to and from Geneva International Airport “will not be affected by the restriction”.

Azerbaijani press: We do not see any role for France in achieving ceasefire in region – Azerbaijani MFA

Kalantarian Kevo
POLITICS2 June 2021 00:28 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2

Trend:

First of all, we would like to emphasize that a ceasefire is being ensured in the region, based on a joint statement signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia on November 10, 2020. Russian peacekeeping forces are carrying out a peacekeeping mission to ensure a ceasefire. We do not see any role of France in this matter, Leyla Abdullayeva, head of the press service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, said.

She said this commenting on the statements of French President Emanuel Macron at a joint briefing with the Prime Minister of Armenia, Trend reports.

Leyla Abdullayeva said that the Azerbaijani side has always taken the position of exchanging all prisoners of war on the basis of the “all for all” principle.

“As we have repeatedly stated, there are no Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbaijan. As for the members of the sabotage group sent to Azerbaijan on November 26, 2020 after the signing of the trilateral statement, who committed a terror act, as well as the members of the intelligence-sabotage group attempting to plant landmines in the road in the direction of Kalbajar region on May 27, they are not prisoners of war.

Concerning the false accusations made by Armenia about the missing Armenian soldiers, we would like to note that as it has recently been discovered in Armenia, the missing Armenian soldiers are kept in a refrigerator in one of the morgues in the country, and it caused a big scandal in Armenia. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, guided by humanitarian principles, found the bodies of about 1,600 Armenian servicemen with the participation of Russian peacekeepers and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The bodies of Armenian soldiers were handed over to the other side. Nevertheless, Armenia has not yet provided information on the 4,000 Azerbaijanis who went missing during the First Karabakh War.

We welcome the statement of the French President on the restoration of the Muslim monuments. However, in connection with the name of Nagorno-Karabakh, which the President referred to in his speech, we would like to emphasize that there is no such administrative-territorial unit.

As for the issue of direct dialogue referred to in the statement, it is already happening. According to the statement signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia on January 11, 2021, meetings are being held at the level of deputy prime ministers, thus there is a dialogue. However, France has no role in this process.

Coming to the delimitation and demarcation process, as it has already been stated, Azerbaijan supports the beginning of the delimitation process, and this process must be resolved through negotiations.

We would like to emphasize once again that Azerbaijani servicemen serve in their native lands. We would like to note with regret that although France has been the co-chair since 1997, it has never called for the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. However, this was the demand of the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

As for the settlement of border issues via negotiations, we’d like to stress that Azerbaijan has always been a supporter of a negotiated settlement of the conflict and has participated in the negotiations process for 28 years. That is why Azerbaijan is always open to discussions and negotiations.

On the “return of France to the region”, this statement is unclear. France is a co-chair country and has been participating in the regional processes since 1997. Therefore, this statement is not clear.

It is not a secret that France has a special sympathy for Armenia, but as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the country must maintain official neutrality. We hope that in accordance with the co-chairing mandate, France will take a neutral and impartial position”.

Turkish media inadvertently exposes the real number of Azerbaijani military casualties in the Karabakh war

Kalantarian Kevo
Panorama, Armenia
June 4 2021

Turkish state-run ‘TRThaber’ has exposed the real number of the military casualties Azerbaijan suffered during the recent 44-day war in Nagorno Karabakh, Ermenihaber reports. 

The Telegram Channel of TRThaber Russian service published a report about humanitarian assistance from the Turkish side delivered to ‘children of 6,000 killed servicemen’ in the Nagorno-Karabakh war. 

The number contrasts with the official figures released earlier by Azerbaijan which had claimed that 2,879 of their troops had been killed during the war, while 28 are missing in action.

After the publication, the media outlet amended the text, adding injured next to the number of 6,000. 

Iran’s exports grow 40% due to cooperation with EAEU – minister

Kalantarian Kevo

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 13:02, 5 June, 2021

YEREVAN, JUNE 5, ARMENPRESS. Iran’s Minister of Energy Reza Ardakanian said Iran’s exports increased by 40% during the 18 months of temporary activity of the Eurasian economic agreement, IRNA reports.

Expressing that during about 18 months of the temporary performance of this agreement, there was about 40% increase in exportation, the minister added: “There was a decrease of about 13% in imports from EU member states”.

He stated that detailed negotiations are underway between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union on ensuring the continuation of the agreement.

The interim agreement on free trade zone between EAEU, member states and Iran has been signed on May 17, 2018, on the sidelines of the Astana Economic Forum.


Thunder-2021: CSTO to hold special exercise on the territory of Armenia

Kalantarian Kevo
Public Radio of Armenia
June 3 2021
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The Collective Security Treaty Organization will hold a special exercise “Thunder-2021” on the territory of Armenia this year. Aviation and armored vehicles will be involved, said CSTO spokesman Vladimir Zainetdinov, Interfax reports.

“During the exercise, which is planned to be held on the territory of the Republic of Armenia, practical actions will be worked out in two stages with the use of armored vehicles, special vehicles, aviation, UAVs, and search dogs,” Zainetdinov told reporters on Thursday.

He noted that from June 1 to June 3, negotiations were held in Armenia to prepare the exercise. It envisages formation of special forces of the CSTO Collective Rapid Reaction Force.

Azerbaijan is preparing for a new war – Edgar Elbakyan

Kalantarian Kevo
Panorama, Armenia

“If Armenia’s de facto authorities agree to sign the second capitulation agreement on delimitation with Azerbaijan based on topographic maps of the  General Staff of the Soviet Union, we will have new territorial losses, violation of our dignity and an identity crisis,” Co-Founder of “Armenian project” scientific-educational NGO Edgar Elbakyan told reporters during the trip to Tavush province. In Elbakyan’s words, in case of these negative developments, the enemy will get three enclaves – Sofulu, Barkhudarlu and Upper Voskepar.  

“If these settlements are surrendered and the contact line is moved further into the territory of Armenia, it would cross near the Holy Mother of God Church of the 7th century, while Voskepar village will be circled by the enemy border. Moreover, the 2-km long section of the highway, connecting Armenia with Georgia, will also fall under the control of the enemy,” said Elbakyan.  

The expert went on suggesting that in that case the population will migrate from Voskepar village amid lack of security guarantees. Moreover, the village will face shortage in irrigation water as it receives water from Upper Voskepar. Two houses from Kirants village may also be handed over to the enemy, as those are part of the enclave, while Acharkut village will occur in a blockade. 

“Another major damage coming from possible delimitation agreement is the change of the frontline in Tavush and Ararat bordering with Nakhijevan, which will be another blow to the Armenian army,” added Elbakyan. In the words of the expert, the agreement seeks a long-term goal of depriving Armenia of any potential to resist as the two major routes connecting Armenia with Iran and Georgia will fall under Azerbaijani control. 

“Azerbaijan pursues long-term and short-term goals, getting prepared for the next war,” said Elbakyan, adding any person who has understanding of the regional priorities can predict a futre war that may also ensure Armenia’s revenge. In his words, Armenia should get prepared for the war as well which is impossible without reconsidering of the Artsakh issue. The latter should be addressed through diplomatic means, revitalizing the institute of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. 

Asbarez: Armenia Asks Russia for Assistance

Kalantarian Kevo



Azerbaijani forces have entered the Sev Lidj (Black Lake) region of Syunik

As the standoff in Syunik continued after Azerbaijani forces breached Armenia’s border and advanced into its sovereign territory, Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Friday officially asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for assistance.

Pashinyan, speaking at an emergency session of parliament, said he invoked the 1997 Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance. A similar appeal by Pashinyan to Putin during last fall’s Artsakh War did not yield the anticipated assistance and instead resulted in the signing of the November 9 agreement, which halted military actions in Karabakh, but forced the surrender of territories in Artsakh and Armenia to Azerbaijan.

On Wednesday, Azerbaijani troops breached Armenia’s border and advance 3.5 kilometers into the Sev Lidj (Black Lake) region of Syunik. The lake, which is a manmade reservoir, is main water supply for the residents of the region. On Thursday, as the standoff intensified, Azerbaijani forces continued their advance in other directions in Syunik, as well as near the city of Vardenis in the Gegharkunik Province.

While there have been no shots fired, the situation has escalated an already tense situation on the Armenian border.

“I have appealed to President Putin for assistance to Armenia including military, after Azerbaijan failed to withdraw an estimated 250 troops from the southern Armenian province of Syunik,” Pashinyan told lawmakers on Friday, adding the representatives of the Russian military base in Gyumri were also involved in ongoing negotiations, which are expected to resume on Saturday.

“Representatives of the 102nd Russian base joined the negotiations with the Azerbaijani side and presented working maps. According to these documents, the territory invaded by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces is in the CSTO zone,” Pashinyan said, referring to the Russia-led security pact, of which Armenia is a member.

Meanwhile Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was in Baku on Tuesday, one day before the Azerbaijani incursion into Armenia spoke to his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhum Bayramov on Thursday.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the two leaders discussed the “escalation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border,” with Lavrov stressing the need for both sides to comply with the provisions of the November 9 agreement.

Lavrov reportedly called for “resolving all such incidents solely through political and diplomatic means,” the Russian foreign ministry statement said.

Armenia’s Defense Ministry on Friday confirmed that further talks for a “peaceful” resolution of the border situation were scheduled for Saturday, adding that the Azerbaijani forces still remain on Armenia’s territory.

“The Armenian side has presented its clear demand to the Azerbaijani military to return to the positions without any preconditions,” the Defense Ministry said in its statement.

Armenian expert: Quick steps needed to avoid new losses amid Azeri aggression

Kalantarian Kevo
Panorama, Armenia

Quick steps are needed to avoid new losses amid Azerbaijan’s encroachment on the sovereign territory of Armenia, according to military expert Tigran Abrahamyan, the head of the analytical center Henaket.

The Armenian Defense Ministry reported that as of Saturday morning the Azerbaijani troops had not fully withdrawn from Armenia’s territory after their incursion into Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces on 12-13 May under the pretext of “border clarification”.

“The Azerbaijani aggression against Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the statements of the Armenian authorities that we must be ready for the worst-case scenario, the situation is explosive, etc., imply that it is necessary to take measures consistent with the current situation,” Abrahamyan wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

He called attention to the fact that a number of settlements in Syunik are in close proximity to the Azerbaijani positions, which creates risks for constant threats in this direction.

“A part of Goris-Vorotan highway is completely under the control of Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijani strongholds are deployed in areas near the villages of Vorotan and David Bek, in many cases 50-100 meters away from the main highway.

“Not to mention the village of Shurnukh, which is literally divided into two parts – Armenian and Azerbaijani,” he said, adding similar problems are observed near the airport of the town of Kapan, as well as on Kapan-Chakaten highway.

“Under the current situation in Ishkhanasar, Kut or Verin Shorzha or in the event of sharp escalation of tensions, serious developments are possible on the parts of the border with Armenia, where Azerbaijan has gained advantages.

“There is a need to take new serious measures in these areas to strengthen the border security and to ensure the protection of our citizens travelling along the highway. We must act promptly, otherwise new losses are inevitable,” Abrahamyan said.