Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Armenia’s minister of environment sacked

Kalantarian Kevo
Panorama, Armenia
May 5 2020

By the decree of Armenian President Armen Sarkissian, Erik Grigoryan has been dismissed as the minister of environment.

The decree was signed  at the suggestion of Prime Minister according to Article 131 of the RA Constitution and respective legislation of the RA Government structure and activity. 

MoU signed between Armenia and World Food Programme

Kalantarian Kevo
Public Radio of Armenia
April 30 2020

On April 30, a Memorandum of Understanding on the Armenia Country Strategic Plan (2019-2024) of the World Food Programme (WFP) was signed between the Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Ms. Jelena Milosevic, the WFP Representative and Country Director in Armenia.

The Memorandum is an important tool for the Government of Armenia and WFP in the capacity building process aimed at ensuring food security in the country by 2030.

Within the five-year Country Strategic Plan (CSP), the WFP will adopt a transformative development approach for Armenia and its population, and through its investments will support the efforts of the Government for cost-effective, sustainable and inclusive programs of Armenia’s development agenda.

Activities under the CSP will support the most vulnerable while also promoting their integration in economic activities aimed at stimulating sustainable growth in Armenia. Specifically, the WFP will support Government’s efforts to create income-generating job opportunities; contribute to quality education; support modern and renewable energy sources; contribute to the green modernisation of agribusinesses; promote climate-sensitive investments; and implement programs on eradication of food insecurity and malnutrition, also supporting Human Capital development, improving the health of the population.

Lynch mob in Armenia: hundreds riot in the provincial city of Gavar

Kalantarian Kevo
JAM News
May 1 2020
 
 
 
 
01.05.2020
 
A double homicide has been committed in the Armenian city of Gavar, 90 km from the capital, provoking almost 500 people to form a lynch mob in protest.
 
The incident took place on April 28, but the motivation behind the bloody occurrence is not yet known.
 
Details on the incident
 
 
The Armenian media write that this is one in a string of recent events involving a showdown between underage Gavarians, which began two months ago. Adults tried to intervene in order to break up the youths, but shooting broke out.
 
A video appeared on social media showing cars come to a stop in the middle of the road before several men get out and start shooting.
 
As a result, two were killed, one of whom was a military police investigator. Four more were taken to the hospital with injuries.
 
Two of the attackers attempted to flee in their car, but crashed and are now also in the hospital.
 
Additional police forces were sent from Yerevan to Gavar. The chief of police himself went to the scene.
 
While representatives of law enforcement agencies worked at the crime scene, a crowd of 500 people burst into the Gavar hospital where the wounded had been taken.
 
After breaking through the police blockade, hundreds of people smashed everything in the medical center and reached the ward where the two shootout participants were held. Media wrote that they were friends and relatives of the dead. The mob then slit the throat of one of the injured men.
 
However, the press service of the investigative committee denied this report, officially declaring that after police intervened, the Gavarian ‘avengers’ “did not commit the crime and dispersed.”
 
More than 50 attack participants have already been detained. The Gavar hospital, despite the attack, remains open and under the surveillance of special police in case there is another riot.
 
Social media commentary
 
People on social media are following the developments and actively commenting. Here are some of the posts published on Facebook:
 
“What a shameful situation! When people have nothing to do, everyone becomes a crime boss. Of these 500 people, 300 certainly do not even have money for bread.”
 
“Fine, the young people don’t understand, they’re hot blooded, but look at what the adults have done. There is no mutual respect, no ability to forgive each other! Everyone feels like they know everything! What blame is there to be put on the police or the government?”
 
“Setting aside the anger of youths, since that’s something we can understand – they’re young. But how could the police allow 500 people to break into the hospital and kill everyone there? If they all live in one village, then you must punish the whole village!”
 
“The police must do their job and be stricter!”
 
“They say we’re in a state of emergency! Where were the policemen who always follow us and check our travel passes?”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yerevan "Antituberculous dispensary" eliminated

Kalantarian Kevo
Arminfo, Armenia

ArmInfo.”Antituberculous dispensary” CJSC  is eliminated. The Council of Elders of Yerevan adopted the corresponding decision at the meeting on April 28. The  elimination commission will be created by the mayor of Yerevan within  15 days after the entry into force of this decision.

With the unification of all the antituberculosis dispensaries of  Yerevan, the urban antituberculosis dispensary was founded in 1987.  The organization reveals, diagnoses and treats the patients with  tuberculosis. There is all necessary equipment for free, qualified,  professional service of the population. The dispensary has an  in-patient department with 48 hospital beds, where 280-300 patients  are treated, 150-200 conscripts are given medical expert examination:  9-10 thousand fluorographic and 4-5 thousand X-ray and layered  investigations are done in the department of X-ray and fluorography. 

In substantiating the decision, it is noted that earlier the Ministry  of Healthcare of the Republic of Armenia, for the implementation of  community-based tuberculosis medical care and services in Yerevan,  allocated 9 outpatient clinics the funds provided for laboratory and  instrumental diagnostic studies and highly specialized consultations.

Considering that early detection, prevention, further treatment and  continuous monitoring of tuberculosis are included in targeted state  health programs and are provided to the population exclusively on a  free basis, the company’s further activities without state-guaranteed  free medical care and services are not practical.

Employment contracts were terminated with medical personnel and some  employees of the administrative and business personnel of the CJSC in  the manner prescribed by the Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia.  Currently, 12 individuals work in the company to coordinate current  work, whose salary in January-February was paid at the expense of  free cash of the company.

Armenian newspaper criticizes authorities while bringing Georgia as a positive example

Kalantarian Kevo
Georgian Journal, Tbilisi
 
 
 
Yerevan is buried in rubbish, Rustaveli Avenue is washed in Tbilisi – says Armenian newspaper Golos Armenii. Author Marina Mkrtchyan compares measures taken by the Armenian and Georgian authorities in the fight against the coronavirus and strictly criticizes PM Nikol Pashinyan’s government. First, she speaks about steps made by the Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia, such as monetary compensation to the Georgian citizens of GEL 150, imposing lockdown in Tbilisi and other three large cities, fines of up to GEL 15 000
and making wearing masks compulsory.
 
“Citizens of Armenia, by contrast, see deputies and ministers on television every day at parliamentary and government meetings without masks. They see without masks the prime minister, speaker, and commandant, who urge them to comply with safety rules” – Marina Mkrtchyan says.
Tbilisi mayor Kakha Kaladze during disinfection works
 
“Amid the coronavirus epidemic, the Yerevan City Hall is not engaged in disinfecting the entrances and elevators of apartment buildings, but in spring fieldwork” – reads the article. “On the central streets of the capital, gardening employees dig out some flower beds and plant flowers. In a state of emergency – this is the most “necessary” work to do. Central streets are buried in trash. The situation is similar in the courtyards and entrances of multi-apartment buildings, where tenants wipe the railing and wash the stairs themselves. The fact that the mayor of Yerevan is obsessed with phobias and is hiding from the coronavirus is already known far beyond the borders of the country.”
 
“Unlike Armenia, where the government cannot influence the rise in prices for essential goods, Georgian PM promised to keep under control prices of 9 items, namely rice, pasta, vegetable oil, flour, sugar, wheat, milk powder, buckwheat and beans” – Marina Mkrtchyan says.
Disinfection works in Tbilisi streets
 
Is there a difference in how Armenians die – because of the coronavirus or hunger? – asks the author and says:
 
“Situation in Armenia resembles a mess and general chaos, while Pashinyan and his gang are busy dealing with personal and political accounts, they do not care about the people! Nikol advises people to squeeze coronavirus with tweezers in a glass of vodka. President Lukashenko, who is called the “last dictator of Europe,” also advises treatment with vodka and a bath. What a striking resemblance in approaches!” – by saying that, the article concludes:
 
“If Gakharia let himself to give such an advice, he would be forced to leave the post the same day!”
Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia
 
Source: golosarmenii.am
 
 
 
 
 

Denied justice cannot be solution to the issue – FM Mnatsakanyan about Armenian Genocide

Kalantarian Kevo

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 17:50,

YEREVAN, APRIL 21, ARMENPRESS. The international recognition of the Armenian Genocide remains one of the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy agenda, ARMENPRESS reports Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said in a press conference on April 21.

”Denied justice cannot be a solution to the issue. 105 years ago the Armenian people were left alone with criminals. It was supposed that the Armenian people should be exterminated, but today they are victorious, because they exist, prosper, are successful and has statehood and Diaspora. But the denied justice remains a wound and a serious challenge and the Armenian people will continue to struggle’’, Mnatsakanyan said.

The Minister noted that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide is also a preventive measure, since unpunished crime can be repeated.

On April 24 the Armenian Genocide Memorial will be closed for all visitors aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country. Other events are planned to take place to pay homage to the memory of the victims of the genocide.

At 21:00 on April 23, church bells will ring and simultaneously the street lights in Yerevan and other major cities will be switched off. “We will ask our citizens also to switch off the lights of their homes and use the mobile phone display light out of their windows to symbolize the united presence near the Eternal Flame. The luminous commemoration moment will have its symbolic response from Tsitsernakaberd, where Kamo Seyranyan and Liana Alexanyan will perform the Ari Im Sokhak song,” Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office Eduard Aghajanyan said at a news conference.

Starting 08:00 on April 24th, citizens in Armenia can send an SMS on the 1915 number, and on 0037433191500 for citizens sending from abroad, with their names to affirm their remote participation in the commemoration. “The names of people sending the messages will be screened on the pillars of the memorial,” he said.

State of emergency has been prolonged until May 14. Strict limitations on people’s movement has been imposed.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

U.S. to provide more funding to Armenia to fight COVID-19

Kalantarian Kevo

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 13:19, 17 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 17, ARMENPRESS. The U.S. Government, through USAID, has committed an additional $600,000 to Armenia to support the country’s response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the USAID Armenia Office told Armenpress.

These funds will build on the $1.1 million in support announced last week that will help:

  • prepare laboratory systems
  • activate case-finding and event-based surveillance
  • support technical experts for response and preparedness
  • bolster risk communication

IMF funds provided to Armenia to be spent for mitigating consequences of coronavirus

Kalantarian Kevo

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 13:05,

YEREVAN, APRIL 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s government will direct the 280 million USD aid provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for mitigating the consequences of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), deputy minister of economy Avag Avanesyan said at a press conference.

“The IMF provides aid to Armenia worth 280 million USD. These funds are available to our government because we have constantly improved the business climate and ensured the protection of investments, as well as carried out reforms. As a result, a trust has been formed in the international community that Armenia will spend these funds for mitigating the consequences of the coronavirus”, Avanesyan said.

He assured that the main purpose of spending these sums is going to be the major strengthening of the healthcare system, as well as mitigation of social and economic shocks. “This is a loan without terms, in other words the government will choose on what to spend these sums”, he said.

On April 10 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team reached a staff level agreement with the Armenian authorities for the completion of the second review of Armenia’s reform program, which is supported by the IMF, the IMF said in a statement. The statement says the authorities have requested an increase in financial support provided by the IMF for Armenia and, pending Executive Board approval, around $280 million will be available immediately after the Board meeting.

According to the latest data, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Armenia has reached 1,111. The total number of recovered patients is 297. The active cases are 797.

Reported by Lilit Demuryan

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




We survived the Armenian Genocide, together we will defeat COVID-19

Kalantarian Kevo
Public Radio of Armenia
April 9 2020


“We survived the 1915, the Armenian Genocide. Together we will defeat COVID 19.” This is the message carried by “Peace of Art” since April 1st, which has been posted on digital displays in various cities of Massachusetts, on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, founding president of Peace of Art, Inc., stays that “if the Armenian nation was able to survive the genocide and was reborn from ashes, together we can also fight and overcome COVID 19, the epidemic that is currently facing mankind, against which all nations and religions are equal.  We must unite to defeat major epidemics, disasters, and prevent genocides, because a crime against one nation is a crime against all humanity.”

In 2003, Peace of Art, Inc., a non-profit educational humanitarian organization, was founded in Boston. This organization uses the universal language of art to raise awareness of the human condition, and to promote peaceful solution to conflicts, and promotes the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide.