Author: Kalantarian Kevo

Calling Pashinyan’s Remarks ‘Unacceptable Attacks,’ Moscow Warns Yerevan

Kalantarian Kevo
by Asbarez Staff

 

 

 

in Armenia, Artsakh, Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories

Russian peacekeeper in Artsakh


An address by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who further accused Russia of faltering in its responsibilities toward Armenia, has angered Moscow, which on Monday said the Armenian leader, with his “unacceptable attacks,” was seeking to ruin Russian-Armenian relations and is looking to the West for support.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Russian foreign ministry rejected Pashinyan’s claims, who in a televised address, accused “outside forces” of attempting to sow dissent in Armenia.

“We are convinced that the Yerevan leadership is making a huge mistake by deliberately trying to destroy the multifaceted and centuries-old ties between Armenia and Russia and making the country a hostage to geopolitical games of the West,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Pashinyan also seemed to blame Russia for Armenians’ exodus from Artsakh following last week’s large scale offensive by Azerbaijan, which left hundreds dead and injured and displaced thousands of Artsakh residents.

Pashinyan also stepped up his attacks, saying that membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization and an alliance with Russia were not enough to ensure Armenia’s national security, adding that Armenia will normalize relations with Azerbaijan through frameworks put forth by the European Union.

The Russian Foreign Ministry hit back at Pashinyan, saying the prime minister was attempting “relieve himself of responsibility for failures in domestic and foreign policy by shifting the blame to Moscow.”

“Russia has always been faithful to its allied obligations, respected Armenian statehood and never confronted the republic with a choice: with us or against us,” it said in a statement. The statement blamed the Azerbaijani offensive on Pashinian’s controversial decision to recognize Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh during October 2022 and May 2023 talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev organized by the European Union. “This fundamentally changed … the position of the Russian peacekeeping contingent [in Karabakh,]” the Russian foreign ministry said.

These sentiments were echoed by Russia’s Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, who visited Yerevan and met with Pashinyan, telling him that the West wanted to use the situation in Ukraine to squeeze Russia out of the South Caucasus region.

“The West wants to use the situation around Ukraine to squeeze Russia out of the South Caucasus, to destroy the Russian-Armenian bond. The United States and the EU obsessively offer their prescriptions for reforming key areas, including intelligence and law enforcement agencies, defense, and the judicial system. This state of affairs is undermining our alliance. Americans always pursue only their own interests, they don’t care about Armenia and Armenians,” Kolokoltsev said, according to the RIA Novosti news agency.

The Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also took note of the remarks, categorically rejecting Pashinyan’s criticism of the Russian peacekeeping forces in Artsakh.

“The Russian peacekeepers have demonstrated real heroism in performing their duties according to their mandate,” Peskov said, adding that Moscow still regards Yerevan as an ally and will continue its “dialogue” with Pashinyan.

Why are 120,000 people about to move from Nagorno-Karabakh?

Kalantarian Kevo
Channel News Asia
Sept 24 2023

MOSCOW: The 120,000 ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh will leave for Armenia as they do not want to live as part of Azerbaijan and fear ethnic cleansing, the leadership of the breakaway region told Reuters on Sunday (Sep 24).

What is going on and what does it mean?

The Armenians of Karabakh, a territory internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but previously beyond Baku’s control, were forced to declare a ceasefire on Sep 20 after a lightning 24-hour military operation by the much larger Azerbaijani military.

“Our people do not want to live as part of Azerbaijan. Ninety-nine point nine per cent prefer to leave our historic lands,” David Babayan, an adviser to Samvel Shahramanyan, the president of the self-styled Republic of Artsakh, told Reuters.

“The fate of our poor people will go down in history as a disgrace and a shame for the Armenian people and for the whole civilised world,” Babayan said.

Azerbaijan says it will guarantee their rights and integrate the region, but the Armenians say they fear repression – and ethnic cleansing. Azerbaijan has denied any such intentions.

As the Soviet Union crumbled, what is known as the First Karabakh War erupted (1988-1994) between Armenians and their Azerbaijan. About 30,000 people were killed and more than a million people displaced.

The Armenian leaders of Karabakh said in a statement that all those made homeless by the most recent Azerbaijani military operation and wanting to leave would be escorted to Armenia by Russian peacekeepers.

If 120,000 people go down the Lachin corridor to Armenia, the small South Caucasian country could face a humanitarian crisis.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Friday that space had been allocated for at least 40,000 people.

“If proper conditions are not created for the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to live in their homes and there are no effective protection mechanisms against ethnic cleansing, the likelihood is rising that the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh will see exile from their homeland as the only way to save their lives and identity,” Pashinyan said on Sunday.

It was not immediately clear where 120,000 people could be housed in Armenia, whose population is just 2.8 million, ahead of winter.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said it had started registering people who were looking for unaccompanied children or who had lost contact with loved ones.

For Azerbaijan, the exit of Armenians from Karabakh is a major victory that brings an apparent close to many years of war and squabbling over the region.

President Ilham Aliyev said his iron fist had consigned the idea of an independent ethnic Armenian Karabakh to history and that the region would be turned into a “paradise” as part of Azerbaijan.

A mass exodus could change the delicate balance of power in the South Caucasus region, a patchwork of ethnicities crisscrossed with oil and gas pipelines, where Russia, the United States, Turkey and Iran are jostling for influence.

Armenia’s Pashinyan has said the crisis showed that his country could not rely on Russia to defend its interests, though Moscow has retorted that Armenia has few friends other than Russia.

Many Armenians blame Pashinyan, who lost a 2020 war to Azerbaijan over Karabakh, for losing Karabakh. Protests this week in the capital Yerevan called for his resignation.

Pashinyan said that unidentified forces were seeking to stoke a coup against him, and has accused Russian media of fighting an information war against him.

Russia has a military base in Armenia and regards itself as the prime security guarantor in the region.

This month, Armenia hosted a joint army exercise with the United States, which has criticised Azerbaijan’s military operation. Turkey, a NATO member, supports Azerbaijan.

Source: Reuters/rc

Asbarez: AIWA-LA Affiliate Pays Tribute to Beloved Founding Members at Luncheon Event

Kalantarian Kevo
by Contributor

 

 

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories

The AIWA-LA Executive Committee with Fox 11 News Anchor Araksya Karapetyan (front center) at the luncheon honoring the extraordinary legacy of LIly Ring Balian, Flora Dunaians, and Savey Tuenkian

LOS ANGELES––The Armenian International Women’s Association Los Angeles Affiliate hosted a memorable luncheon on August 25 to honor and celebrate the lives of three esteemed members who recently passed away. The event, held at the elegant California Club, brought together 200 guests to remember and pay tribute to Lily Ring Balian, Flora Dunaians, and Savey Tufenkian.

Flora Dunaians and Savey Tufenkian, both founding members of the AIWA Los Angeles Affiliate Chapter were instrumental in shaping the organization’s growth and mission. Lily Ring Balian was an early member and past president of the organization. Their dedication to AIWA’s values and their tireless efforts to support Armenian women and communities left a profound impact that continues to inspire.

The event was a reflection of the grace and strength that these remarkable women embodied throughout their lives. Beautiful floral arrangements adorned the venue, setting a lovely and uplifting atmosphere. The See’s Candy favors, a love that all three honorees shared, reflected the sweet memories they created together.

The program included heartfelt speeches and tributes by prominent individuals who knew and admired the honorees. Emmy Award winning Fox 11 news anchor, Araksya Karapetyan, and AIWA-LA past president, Cindy Norian, shared moving stories about the life and legacy of Lily Ring Balian. Talar Bilemjian, Flora Dunaians’ granddaughter, spoke with admiration about her grandmother and the importance of keeping Armenian traditions alive, while AIWA-LA co-founder, Hermine Janoyan eloquently conveyed the profound impact of work with dear friend Flora on so many projects. Savey’s granddaughter, Sarah Cipolla, and AIWA-LA co-founder Elizabeth Agbabian paid a meaningful tribute to Savey whose dedication to AIWA and many other causes will forever be remembered.

Beautiful music was provided by Greg Hosharian on piano and Angela Amirian on violin, who performed interludes featuring songs that were favored by the honorees.

The AIWA Los Angeles Affiliate extends its deepest gratitude to all who attended this special event which served as a testament to the enduring influence and spirit of these three beloved women. Their contributions to AIWA and the Armenian community will forever be cherished and celebrated.

For more information about AIWA and its ongoing initiatives, including details about the upcoming conference on “Local to Global – Uniting for Change” in Armenia, which will be held from October 5 to 7, please visit the AIWA website.

Azerbaijan states conditions for opening Lachin Corridor

Kalantarian Kevo

 12:54,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan has again put forward conditions for opening the Lachin Corridor.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada has said that the International Committee of the Red Cross will be allowed to transport goods along Lachin Corridor if the Aghdam-Stepanakert road opens.

He said that Azerbaijan is ready to create the conditions for the shipments of goods through the Lachin border checkpoint in line with border and customs control in parallel with the use of the Aghdam-Stepanakert road.

He described the transfer of the Russian aid through the Aghdam-Stepanakert road as a ‘positive step and important progress in the direction of opening that road.’

However, a Nagorno-Karabakh representative earlier said the Russian aid was let through under the condition that the Lachin Corridor would be opened.

Sports: Turkey vs Armenia Prediction and Betting Tips | September 8, 2023

Kalantarian Kevo
Sept 6 2023
BySoyoye Jedidiah
Turkey host Armenia at the Yeni Eskisehir Stadyumu on Friday (September 8) in the 2024 European Championship qualifiers.

The hosts have enjoyed a strong start to their qualification campaign as they eye a third consecutive appearance in the finals. Turkey beat 10-man Wales 2-0 in their last game, with Mehmet Nayir and Arda Guler scoring in the second half. Turkey sit atop Group D with nine points from four games.

Armenia, meanwhile, suffered defeat in their first qualification clash but have bounced back from that. They beat Latvia 2-1 last time out, Nair Tiknizyan and substitute Tigran Barseghyan scored either side of a Styopa Mkrtchyan second-half own goal.

The visitors are second in the points table with six points from three games.

  • There have been three meetings between the two teams. Turkey have won all three matchups, including a 2-1 comeback win in their last clash.
  • Armenia are without a clean sheet in three games in the fixture.
  • Both sides have scored seven goals in the qualifiers so far, the most in Group D.
  • Armenia are without a clean sheet in 11 games across competitions since June last year.
  • Turkey are 41st in the FIFA rankings, 59 places above Armenia.

Turkey are on a run of back-to-back wins and have now won five of their last six games across competitions. They have lost just one of their last seven games at home.

Armenia, meanwhile, have also won their last two games after going winless in nine. They have, however, struggled on the road recently and could see defeat.

Prediction: Turkey 2-1 Armenia

Tip 1 – Result: Turkey

Tip 2 – Goals – Over/under 2.5 – Over 2.5 goals (Nine of Armenia’s last 10 games have produced more than 2.5 goals.)

Tip 3 – Both teams to score: Yes (Both teams have scored in six of Turkey’s last eight games.)

https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/turkey-vs-armenia-prediction-betting-tips-september-8-2023






Pro-Russian blogger, Sputnik journalist detained in Armenia

Kalantarian Kevo
UKRINFORM, Ukraine
Sept 8 2023


08.09.2023 08:41

Pro-Russian blogger Mika Badalyan and Sputnik Armenia journalist Ashot Gevorkyan were apprehended in Armenia on suspicion of illegal arms trafficking.

This was reported by the spokesman for the Investigative Committee, Gor Abraamyan, Ukrinform wrote with reference to Radio Svoboda.

The spokesman specified Badalyan and Gevorkyan were detained in the Syunik region on September 6 and 7. In total, seven persons were taken into custody in the case of illegal arms trafficking.

The Russian Embassy in Armenia is yet to clarify the circumstances of the incident and is monitoring the developments, as per reports.

The state-owned Russian media group Rossiya Segodnya, of which Sputnik Armenia is part, also reported that it is monitoring Gevorkyan’s detention and “expects compliance with all procedural norms.”

“Possible provocations aimed at undermining the friendship between the fraternal peoples of Russia and Armenia must be stopped immediately,” the company said in a statement.

Earlier, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia criticized the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh, stating that it is not fulfilling its task, and also stated that Armenia’s dependence on only one country, namely Russia, was a “strategic mistake”. According to the politician, Russia itself is leaving the South Caucasus. He emphasized that none of the Western powers that Russia is talking about are pushing Yerevan to break with Moscow.

As reported earlier, the USA and Armenia will conduct joint military exercises.

https://www.ukrinform.net/amp/rubric-society/3758526-prorussian-blogger-sputnik-journalist-detained-in-armenia.html 

NSS confirms release of three kidnapped Nagorno-Karabakh students from Azeri custody

Kalantarian Kevo

 17:56, 7 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The National Security Service on Thursday confirmed that Azerbaijan has released the three students who were kidnapped by Azerbaijani border guards.

The three men, Alen Sargsyan (born 2001), Levon Grigoryan (born 2003) and Vahe Hovsepyan (born 2003) were transferred by Azerbaijani authorities to Armenian Border Guards on September 7. The transfer took place at Hakari Bridge.

The three students were kidnapped and subsequently jailed on August 28 by Azeri border guards while traveling to Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh to continue their studies. Azeri authorities had announced that the men would be jailed for 10 days for allegedly “dishonoring” the Azeri flag.

The kidnapping was condemned by the Armenian Foreign Ministry as a gross violation by Azerbaijan of the “Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020, legally binding Orders of the UN International Court of Justice and open contempt for the unequivocal and targeted calls of the international community, including voiced by members of the UN Security Council.”

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 01-09-23

Kalantarian Kevo

 17:26, 1 September 2023

YEREVAN, 1 SEPTEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 1 September, USD exchange rate up by 0.12 drams to 385.90 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.95 drams to 418.43 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 4.00 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.12 drams to 489.13 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 57.62 drams to 24098.06 drams. Silver price down by 0.95 drams to 304.41 drams.

Armenian Photographer Seeks Default Judgment Over Attack on Jewish Diners

Kalantarian Kevo
Aug 30 2023
by Contributing Editor

A judge says she will hold a hearing in December regarding the possible finding of default judgments against two men who allegedly were part of a group dressed in black that attacked Jewish men and a non-Jewish photographer outside a Beverly Grove restaurant in 2021.

Photographer Mher Hagopian, an Armenian-American, is suing Samer Jaylusi and Xavier Pabon in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging civil rights violations, assault, battery, conspiracy to commit assault, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Hagopian’s attorneys filed court papers on June 30 seeking default judgments against the defendants for ignoring the civil litigation.

On Monday, Judge Lynne M. Hobbs, having taken notice of the default court papers, set a hearing for Dec. 7.

Representatives for Jaylusi and Pabon could not be immediately reached.

A cell phone video was recorded of the May 18, 2021, attack, which took place about 9:45 p.m. outside Sushi Fumi, a Japanese restaurant on North La Cienega Boulevard. A group of cars with Palestinian flags arrived with about two dozen passengers and megaphones, the suit states.

“The convoy was there simply to seek out Jews,” the suit states. “Indeed, the area of Los Angeles adjacent to Sushi Fumi is widely known to be one of the centers for Jewish life in Los Angeles.”

Hagopian was hired to take photos at the upcoming wedding of his Jewish friend, so the two of them and two Jewish friends of the future groom met for dinner outside at Sushi Fumi to discuss the wedding plans, according to the suit filed in March 2022.

Most of the convoy passengers’ identities were obscured by hooded sweaters or other garb that partially or fully covered their faces, the suit states. They yelled out antisemitic remarks, including “dirty Jew,” “Are you Jewish?,” “Are you Israeli?” and “Be ashamed of yourselves,” the suit states.

“Refusing to be intimidated, Hagopian’s friends responded that they were Jewish,” the suit states.

At least one bottle thrown from the convoy hit Hagopian in the head and one other glass object shattered on the sidewalk near dining patrons, according to the suit.

“All hell broke loose,” the suit states.

Other diners ran inside the restaurant or away from the area, but Hagopian and his friends were quickly targeted because they did not have the chance to escape, the suit states.

“At this point, Hagopian and his friends truly feared for their lives,” the suit states.

The plaintiff grabbed a nearby stanchion that had roped off Sushi Fumi’s outdoor dining area and tried to fend off the attackers and protect his friends, the suit states.

At least four men, including Jaylusi and Pabon, overtook Hagopian, slammed him against a vehicle and began beating him with their fists and arms while also spraying him with an aerosol chemical, the suit states.

“Hagopian’s selfless conduct saved others from suffering severe injury” and led to Jaylusi, Pabon and the others leaving, the suit states.

“In the aftermath of this chaos, Hagopian and his friends, and their fellow diners, were left physically and emotionally beaten,” the suit states.

Hagopian suffered emotional distress, embarrassment, humiliation and injury to his reputation because of the attack, the suit states. The attack was condemned by many faith leaders as well as then-Mayor Eric Garcetti.

https://mynewsla.com/life/2023/08/30/armenian-photographer-seeks-default-judgment-over-attack-on-jewish-diners/

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https://vigourtimes.com/armenian-photographer-pursues-default-judgment-for-assault-on-jewish-diners/

Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan visits Armenian children in Slovenia’s Debeli Rtič health resort and medical center

Kalantarian Kevo

 10:50,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan has visited the Debeli Rtič health resort and medical center during his visit to Slovenia.

Video Player

Accompanied by Samuel Žbogar, the State Secretary for political and multilateral affairs, economic diplomacy and development cooperation at the Slovenian Foreign Ministry, FM Mirzoyan toured the center and became acquainted with its activities and the program envisaged for Armenian children. The Austrian Ambassador to Slovenia and a representative of the Slovenian Red Cross were also present during the tour.

The Debeli Rtič center is accepting 17 children from Armenian border towns from August 26 to September 3 as part of a program implemented with support from Slovenian ITF (Enhancing Human Security), the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Permanent Representation of Austria in the OSCE.

The program is implemented in continuation of the 2022 autumn project when 11 Armenian children underwent medical rehabilitation in the center within the framework of a psychological-social support program for children affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.