Author: Manouk Vasilian

​Vazgen Manukyan: No elections can be held in Armenia unless Pashinyan steps down

Manouk Vasilian
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 28 2020
 
 
Vazgen Manukyan: No elections can be held in Armenia unless Pashinyan steps down
 
Civil disobedience actions will continue in Yerevan on a daily basis until Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan steps down, Vazgen Manukyan, the joint candidate of the opposition forces for interim prime minister, told reporters in the Republic Square on Monday.
 
After holding a rally outside the National Assembly earlier in the day, a group of opposition activists marched to the Republic Square in the city center, with Vazgen Manukyan joining them. The protest in the square did not last long.
 
The opposition leader stated every day that Pashinyan stays in power is “destructive” for Armenia.
 
Reacting to the premier’s call for snap elections, the opposition candidate expressed doubt that Pashinyan really wants to hold elections, adding he “deliberately wants to divide the arena into different groups: those who agree and those who don’t.”
 
“It’s his regular trick to divide the society into the old and the new, the black and the white, the elite and the ordinary people. We have clearly stated that no elections can be held in Armenia under the leadership of Nikol Pashinyan. First of all, he must leave, a government of national accord must be formed to increase the combat readiness of our army and to hold talks for at least one year,” he said, expressing concerns over the handover of more borders to Azerbaijan as a “disgrace”.
 
“Even during the communist era, our and their central committees fought for every inch of land. And now, without negotiations and international law borders are being drawn. Holding elections in a few months means splitting the country again,” Manukyan said.
 
The opposition politician noted during the elections all the parties will start fighting, adding “until we come to our senses, such a thing cannot be done.”
 
“He must step down until the snap elections. I don’t even want to discuss the option that he may stay and hold elections,” he said, adding otherwise the elections will turn into confrontations inside the country.
 
 
 

Russia contributes 2mln Swiss francs to ICRC to address humanitarian needs in Nagorno-Karabakh

Manouk Vasilian
Panorama, Armenia

Dec 25 2020


Russia has made a contribution of two million Swiss francs ($2.25mln) to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to tackle humanitarian issues in Nagorno-Karabakh, TASS reported, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry.

“In accordance with the decision of the government of the Russian Federation, a voluntary contribution worth two million Swiss francs was made to the ICRC to finance the costs related to the measures taken to offset the humanitarian impact of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the field was one of the priorities in “fruitful cooperation of the Russian Federation with the ICRC.”

“Our country is taking extensive efforts to help the civilian population and to restore civilian infrastructure in the region,” the ministry said adding that Moscow is open to cooperation with the ICRC in the future and hopes that the committee’s efficient work will be continued.



United States claims Russian peacekeeping presence in Karabakh risks “destabilizing” situation

Manouk Vasilian

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 10:07,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The United States believes that the presence of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh risks “destabilizing” the situation in the region, according to US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper.

“In such cases Russia’s presence threatens with destabilization,” Cooper said when asked by an Azeri reporter whether or not the US “could counter the Russian influence.”

“This, of course, is a challenge for all parties and states involved,” Cooper added.

Russian peacekeepers are deployed in Nagorno Karabakh as part of the trilateral statement signed between the Armenian, Russian and Azerbaijani leaders that ended the 44-day war in Artsakh. The Russian peacekeepers are providing humanitarian aid and medical assistance to the Armenians of Artsakh, they have cleared landmines and have disposed unexploded ordnances.

The Russian troops are guarding the borders of the Republic of Artsakh, as well as the Lachin corridor. The peacekeeping contingent’s Commander, Lt. General Rustam Muradov is personally supervising the repatriation of the Armenian POWs from Azerbaijan. The Russian peacekeepers are also escorting the refugees back to Artsakh, and are assisting in the search and retrieval of bodies from the battlefield. 

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 12/13/2020

Manouk Vasilian 
                                        Sunday, 
Armenia, Azerbaijan Trade Accusations Over Fresh Karabakh Fighting
NAGORNO-KARABAKH -- Ethnic Armenian militants stand at a checkpoint near village 
of Charektar at a new border with Kalbacar district turned over to Azerbaijan, 
November 25, 2020
Armenia accused Azerbaijan on Sunday of violating a Russian-brokered ceasefire 
agreement following fighting reported in Nagorno-Karabakh’s southwest.
It insisted that Azerbaijani forces launched an assault on Karabakh Armenian 
positions in and around around two remote villages in Karabakh’s southern Hadrut 
district that was mostly occupied by them during the recent war.
According to Armenia’s Defense Ministry, the Azerbaijani army used heavy 
artillery to capture one of those villages and approach the other on Saturday. A 
ministry statement said six Karabakh Armenian soldiers were wounded as a result.
It said that Russian peacekeepers rushed to the area late on Saturday to try to 
stop the hostilities. Their negotiations with local Armenian and Azerbaijani 
commanders are still going on, added the statement issued at around noon.
The Armenian Foreign Ministry said early in the afternoon that Azerbaijani 
troops also took “provocative actions” around two other Hadrut villages 
remaining under Karabakh Armenian control. It alleged a “blatant violation” of 
the ceasefire agreement that stopped the six-week war on November 10.
Azerbaijani denied violating the ceasefire, in a joint statement issued by its 
Defense Ministry and State Security Service. It said that the Azerbaijani army 
stationed in the Hadrut district launched a “counterterrorist operation” after 
one of their soldiers was killed on Tuesday.
The statement claimed that the Russian peacekeepers arrived in the area to try 
to “evacuate” Armenian troops remaining there. It said that the latter refused 
to pull out and attacked Azerbaijani forces.
The Armenian Defense Ministry asserted, however, the peacekeepers’ talks with 
the warring sides are aimed at getting them to “return to their previous 
positions.” It also said Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutiunian discussed the 
situation on the ground with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu during a 
visit to Moscow that began on Saturday.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed truce violations in the Hadrut area but 
did not blame either side for the escalation or say what the Russian 
peacekeepers are trying to do there. The peacekeepers have had no observation 
posts in that area until now.
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2020 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Hundreds protest against Armenian PM

Manouk Vasilian
News Today
Dec 4 2020
Posted on December 4, 2020 by Agency

Yerevan: Hundreds of Armenians blocked streets in the capital Yerevan late on Thursday and called for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan over a ceasefire deal that locked in Azeri territorial gains in Nagorno-Karabakh last month.

Pashinyan has rejected the calls to resign over what his opponents say was his disastrous handling of a six-week conflict between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces over the Nagorno-Karabkh enclave and surrounding areas.

Protesters chanted Nikol is a traitor and police officers detained several people, witnesses told Reuters.

Earlier on Thursday, a coalition of 17 opposition parties named former premier Vazgen Manukyan as a potential caretaker prime minister to replace Pashinyan until snap parliamentary elections are held.

The move has no legal force, but illustrates public anger against Pashinyan who has accepted full responsibility for the outcome of the conflict, but said he is now responsible for ensuring national security and stabilising Armenia.

Former National Security Service Chairman Artur Vanetsyan said Manukyan could serve as a prime minister without a party affiliation and then call snap elections that he himself would not take part in.

The ceasefire signed by leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on Nov. 10 halted military action in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but populated by ethnic Armenians. Some 2,000 Russian peacekeeping troops are now being deployed to the region.

Large areas in Nagorno-Karabakh previously controlled by ethnic Armenians were handed over to Azerbaijan, whose forces had captured territory including areas that Baku lost in an earlier war in the 1990s.

Russian, American and French diplomats to discuss situation over Nagorno Karabakh

Manouk Vasilian

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 19:52,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 17, ARMENPRESS. The Russian, U.S., and French diplomats will discuss the situation over Nagorno Karabakh on November 18 in Moscow, ARMENPRESS reports official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova told Ria Novosti, confirming the information spread by the media.

She added that Ambassador at large Igor Popov will participate in the meeting from the Russian side.

Earlier, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced that a meeting with diplomats on the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict will be held in Moscow on November 18.




Bill Belichick wants US to ‘take action’ in Armenia-Azerbaijan dispute

Manouk Vasilian
NY Post
Nov 18 2020

By Lia Eustachewich

This may be Bill Belichick’s most unexpected play call ever.

The New England Patriots head coach stepped off the gridiron and into the political field Wednesday, as he demanded the US take action in the recent dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The comments came as he was asked about how Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller recently quoted his mantra, “Do your job,” in a letter to Department of Defense employees.

“Well, I really appreciate the kind words from Secretary Miller,” the Pats coach said in a video conference with Patriots reporters, according to CBS Boston. “When you consider the type of leadership that he’s shown throughout his career serving our country, it really means a lot. I’m flattered by the reference that he made.”

The Super Bowl-winning NFL strategist then tried his hand at a little global strategic thinking.

“I’ll just say, while while we’re on the subject, I read his point about combating traditional threats,” he said. “And I couldn’t help but think and hope that we’ve seen from other countries around the world, and I hope that our country will take action against Turkey and Azerbaijan for their unprovoked and deadly attacks on Armenians.

“We’ve seen that when a humanitarian crisis and things like that, like ethnic cleaning, go unpunished, that they just continue to happen. I hope that we can put a stop to that.”

The Boston area is home to some 30,000 to 50,000 Armenians, The Hill reported, citing the Armenian Diaspora Survey.

Belichick made similar comments in support of Armenians earlier this month amid the Nagorno-Karabakh war.

“To Armenians around the world, I just want to give a quick message and let you know that I stand with you during these difficult times,” he said in a video on Instagram. “I have learned that throughout Armenian history, regardless of any adversity or tragedy, the Armenian people have continued to thrive and persevere.”

Enlarge Image Bill BelichickGetty Images

Belichick also wore an Armenian flag pin during a visit to the White House in 2015, Boston.com reported.

Berj Najarian, the Pats’ director of football/head coach administration and Belichick’s right-hand man, is Armenian.

The six-week conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region ended on Nov. 10 with a peace deal brokered between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia.

The disputed area sits within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenians since 1994.

Armenian FM, United Nations chief discuss Karabakh

Manouk Vasilian

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 11:48,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan held a phone conversation with UN Secretary General António Guterres on November 13 to discuss Nagorno Karabakh, the foreign ministry said.

Mnatsakanyan and Guterres discussed the developments that took place after the signing of the armistice.

The Armenian FM underscored “the necessity of holding discussions over all issues related to the NK peace process exclusively within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.”

The UN chief reiterated support to the OSCE MG Co-Chairmanship format.

“Zohrab Mnatsakanyan comprehensively presented the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh that is created as a result of the Turkish-Azerbaijani aggression, and the steps taken by the governments of Artsakh and Armenia in the direction of addressing it,” the foreign ministry said in a news release. The Armenian FM and Guterres also spoke about the involvement of the UN and other relevant bodies in responding to the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh.

Mnatsakanyan emphasized the necessity of preserving and restoring the rights of the displaced Armenians of Artsakh and the UN’s important role in this process as part of the international mandate entrusted in them.

Both sides underscored the need for preserving the Armenian historic-cultural heritage in Artsakh that is endangered as a result of Azeri occupation.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

President of Artsakh holds meeting with Russian peacekeeping mission chief

Manouk Vasilian

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 15:56,

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan held a meeting with the Commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno Karabakh Lt. General Rustam Muradov.

Harutyunyan said they discussed “a wide range of issues related to the peacekeeping mission’s deployment, monitoring and humanitarian functions.”

“Both sides underscored the importance of creating favorable conditions for the restoration of civilian infrastructures and normal life of the population in Artsakh and the necessity for taking effective steps in this direction.”

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan