Author: Nahapetian Samvel

Verelq: Amulsar’s problem. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is leaving for Jermuk

Nahapetian Samvel
  • 23.08.2019

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RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is leaving for Jermuk. Pashinyan wrote about this on his Facebook page.


“We went to Jermuk”, it is said in the note of the Prime Minister, with whom he also took a photo. According to Photo, RA Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Minister Suren Papikyan is also going to Jermuk with the Prime Minister.


It is likely that Pashinyan is going to Jermuk in connection with the exploitation of the Amulsar mine. The government is in favor of the exploitation of the mine after the examination conducted by the Lebanese “Ellard”, but the environmental activists and most of the locals are against it.

Nikol Pashinyan and Dmitry Medvedev met

Nahapetian Samvel
  • 09.08.2019

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The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, who is on a working visit to Kyrgyzstan, had a meeting with the President of the Government of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Medvedev, today.


The Prime Ministers of Armenia and Russia discussed a wide range of issues related to the Armenian-Russian strategic relations, referred to the current agenda of bilateral cooperation. Nikol Pashinyan and Dmitry Medvedev, in particular, talked about further development of trade and economic ties, increasing the volume of goods turnover, and the implementation of joint projects. Nikol Pashinyan and Dmitry Medvedev stated that there is a dynamic growth in bilateral relations, and it is necessary to continue active work in the direction of strengthening and developing Armenian-Russian alliance ties.


The head of the Russian government welcomed Armenia’s successful presidency in EAEU and noted that there is an upward development in bilateral relations, which is evidenced by the frequency of high-level official meetings and contacts at different levels, both in the heads of state, intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary formats.


The RA Prime Minister positively evaluated the process of strategic cooperation between Armenia and Russia and spoke with satisfaction, in particular, about the progress recorded in the field of tourism. 2019 according to the results of the first 6 months, the number of Russian tourists visiting Armenia increased by 19 percent compared to the same period last year. And this is when the total number of tourists visiting Armenia in 2019 according to the results of the first semester, it increased by 12.8 percent. Prime Minister Pashinyan also noted with satisfaction that the operative mechanism for solving issues arising in Upper Lars is functioning effectively. In the context of the further development of bilateral relations, the head of the RA government emphasized the full use of the EAEU’s full potential.


During the meeting, the Prime Ministers of Armenia and Russia touched on cooperation in the field of gas, nuclear power plant, air transportation, as well as a number of other issues on the agenda of bilateral relations. The parties also exchanged ideas on issues discussed in the Armenian and Russian mass media recently.

In the Courts

Nahapetian Samvel
  • By Any Means

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10 hours ago

Garen Yegparian

BY GAREN YEGPARIAN

This is great stuff! I’m referring to the lawsuit by Barkev and Garo Ghazarian reported just a few days ago. It is a new, incremental, portion of our struggle for justice. They are suing Turkey on what can simply be described as religious freedom grounds.

It seems to me we have to view this suit in the broader context of the legal front in our struggle with Turkey for justice. So a quick review of what has happened on the legal front over the past two decades will probably be helpful.

First, life insurance companies were sued because they had never paid out on the policies bought by Armenians who were subsequently killed in the Genocide. This was enabled by legislation enacted by the State of California. Next, German,and later Turkish, banks were sued to make them disgorge the funds deposited with them by victims of the Genocide which were never disbursed to the heirs of these people. These approaches stalled in the U.S. legal system when the Supreme Court found that they supposedly stepped on the federal government’s toes by intruding into the realm of foreign policy. The idea was that since the U.S. government had not recognized the Genocide, it could not be used as a basis for legal action. This is the “preemption” doctrine at work. Who would have imagined that trying to reclaim monies owed to someone but never paid had to have Genocide recognition to proceed? It’s ridiculous, but… that’s the realm and “logic” of law.

Now, there are direct claims proceeding to regain ownership of land. There is the Bakalian case in which the owners of the property where a U.S. air base is located in İncirlik, Turkey were trying to regain ownership of the land. But, just a couple of days ago, it was dismissed by the courts because the statute of limitations (i.e. time limits) had passed, not on substantive grounds. Wending its way through the Turkish legal system is the suit brought by the Catholicosate of Cilicia to regain the property of its seat in Sis. In this type of case involving real property, especially the church/institutional one, the return of a some churches to the Armenian Patriarchate of Bolis(Constantinople, Istanbul) a few years go might serve as a precedent. A slightly older example, with a negative outcome, I have cited before is that of Victor Bedoian who was screwed out of his property in Van by the Turkish courts after years of trying to operate a hotel there.

The ancient site of Ballum, which is currently located in Turkey, is an ancestral pilgrimage site for the native Armenians of Kessab

But the Ghazarian case looks different. It addresses a fundamental human right, the freedom of conscience, specifically of religious practice. Based on the news release, it seems Turkey interfered and violated this right by preventing Garo from learning about his family’s traditions from his fatheron the native soil where those traditions were established.

Because the lawsuit is not based on property, but rights, universal human rights, it will be interesting to see how the U.S. courts process the case. (Non)Recognition of the Genocide by Washington is immaterial to the basic rights of person. So the silliness imposed by the preemption doctrine cannot come into play. It will be fascinating to watch this case proceed. The next step is to hear how the government of Turkey responds to the lawsuit.

This case is also interesting because it touches on our right to go to our ancestral lands AS ARMENIANS, not as citizens of a third country. It is about our identity not being violated, suppressed, or ignored. It is a very creative and justice-based step.

The case is also probably very sensitive since anything said about it could be twisted and misconstrued by the Government of a Turkey.

Let’s watch and learn. We must proceed organizedly, not haphazardly, with everyone making claims in the courts, since negative outcomes can become precedents used against us.

Artsakh’s FM meets Ryde mayor in Australia

Nahapetian Samvel

Artsakh’s FM meets Ryde mayor in Australia

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15:19, 3 August, 2019

YEREVAN, AUGUST 3, ARMENPRESS. (Press release, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh) On August 2, the delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh Masis Mayilian met with Mayor of the Australian city of Ryde Jerome Laxale.

Masis Mayilyan stressed the importance of the unanimous adoption by the Ryde City Council of the resolution on establishing friendly relations with Stepanakert, the Artsakh capital, on the eve of the Artsakh delegation’s working visit to Australia. According to the Foreign Minister, the adoption of such a resolution is another proof of the principled stance of the Ryde city authorities in supporting the aspiration of the people of Artsakh for free and peaceful development, which has already been expressed on May 22, 2018 resolution adopted on the 30th anniversary of the national-liberation movement of the people of Artsakh.

Touching upon the international relations of the Republic of Artsakh, Masis Mayilian noted that the establishment and development of decentralized cooperation between Artsakh and foreign cities is among the priorities of the authorities of Artsakh, which allows the communities and regions of Artsakh to be involved in international processes, aimed at strengthening the friendly relations between the peoples, exchanging experience in different areas and promoting human rights. The Foreign Minister stressed that the development of decentralized cooperation is also important against the background of Azerbaijan’s continuous efforts to isolate Artsakh and to deprive its citizens of the advantage of international cooperation.

For his part, Mayor of Ryde Jerome Laxale reaffirmed the commitment of the Ryde authorities to the realization of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and support in their quest to build a democratic society.

During the meeting, Masis Mayilian handed the thank-you letter of Stepanakert Mayor Suren Grigoryan to Jerome Laxale, in which the Mayor expressed his gratitude for the adoption of the resolution and invited Jerome Laxale to visit Stepanakert.

Member of Ryde City Council Sargis Yedelian, member of the National Assembly of Artsakh David Ishkhanyan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Artsakh to Australia Kaylar Michaelyan and Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee (Hay Dat) of Australia Hayk Kayserian also participated in the meeting.

The Military Prosecutor’s Office discovered a damage caused to the state of 9.7 billion drams

Nahapetian Samvel
  • 02.08.2019

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  • Armenia:

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According to the studies carried out by the Military Prosecutor’s Office, the amount of damage caused to the state amounted to 9.752 billion drams.


In the first half of 2018, the amount of damage revealed within the framework of prosecutorial functions for the protection of state interests in the armed forces amounted to about 264 million drams, that is, about 37 times less than this year’s results.


In the first half of the current year, 321.4 million drams of damage caused to the state were recovered, in the same period of 2018, the recovery index was 60.8 million drams or 5.2 times less.


Regarding the majority of the unrecovered damages caused to the state, criminal cases have been initiated and a preliminary investigation is being conducted.

Armenpress: PM Nikol Pashinyan to deliver speech at grand opening of 2019 Pan-Armenian Games in Artsakh

Nahapetian Samvel

PM Nikol Pashinyan to deliver speech at grand opening of 2019 Pan-Armenian Games in Artsakh

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11:39, 2 August, 2019

YEREVAN, AUGUST 2, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will deliver a speech at the grand opening of the VII Pan-Armenian Games which will take place at 19:00, August 5 at the central plaza in Stepanakert, the capital city of Artsakh.

“A very important event is scheduled for August 5 in Stepanakert – the opening ceremony of the Pan-Armenian Games will take place. I, certainly will be present and will participate in this ceremony. Numerous representatives of the Diaspora, Artsakh and Armenia will gather in Stepanakert during these days. I think this will be a very good occasion to speak at the Stepanakert Renaissance Square about our national agenda, this exclusive opportunity of Artsakh-Armenia-Diaspora unity and the roadmap of solving the national agenda issues. Issues related to Artsakh, Armenia and the Diaspora will be touched upon, but the number one goal will be the discussion of our pan-national agenda issues.

Dear countrymen, I am pleased to invite you all to Stepanakert’s Renaissance Square at 19:00, August 5. It is with special love that I am inviting also our countrymen from Artsakh,” Pashinyan said during a live broadcast on Facebook from Lake Sevan. 

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Men of Granite, take two

Nahapetian Samvel

by Theo Tate

For over 30 years, Arthur Sarkissian has been a successful Hollywood producer, making 17 motion pictures, including three from the “Rush Hour” series starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.

Now, he’s setting his sights on producing “Men of Granite,” a film about the 1940 Granite City boys basketball team winning a state championship.

“It’s not so much about sports, although I love basketball very much, but it’s about the challenges that anyone faces in any particular field,” Sarkissian said. “It’s a challenge that I  connect with these kids. They had nothing and didn’t give up and I like that.”

The motion picture will be based on the 2007 book written by Dan Manoyan, a former longtime sportswriter from Milwaukee. 

“I’ll be happy when it gets moving,” Manoyan said.

This will be the second attempt for “Men of Granite” to hit the big screen. Production for the movie was originally scheduled to start in 2015 after Milwaukee philanthropist Albert Nicholas — who died in 2016 — invested $1.3 million in the project and Valerie McCaffrey was hired as producer. But lack of funding halted production for four years. 

Two years ago, Manoyan sued the producers for mismanagement of money for the film. A three-day trial ended earlier this summer in Milwaukee and the judge will decide within the next several months who will pay back the money that remained in the production account when the project was shut down. 

“It was a bench case, which means you don’t get a verdict right away,” Manoyan said. “You have to wait about two months.”

Manoyan said he’s happy that the project has started back up with a new producer.

“It’s great to get the Men of Granite project back on track, especially with a proven producer like Arthur Sarkissian,” the author said. “He has a track record of producing quality films and I couldn’t be happier that he is interested in the project. The project is still in the early stages, but with the court case behind us, I’m sure things will start happening rapidly now.”

Sarkissian said there is no specific timetable on when the movie will be made.

“It’s finding the right person to adapt it and finding the right director,” the producer said. “I don’t think it’s a difficult movie to make. I’m hoping that within the next six months, I’m hoping to be able to be in production with it.”

Sarkissian said he contacted Manoyan through Anita Busch, a Granite City native who used to work for an online publication called Deadline Hollywood.

“She brought the story to my attention and she said I should get in touch with him and I did,” Sarkissian said. “The rest is basically talking about what I wanted to know, like what has transpired, who was involved and what happened.”

“Men of Granite” tells the story about the players growing up in the Lincoln Place neighborhood. Most of the players on the team came from Hungarian, Armenian, Yugoslavian and Macedonian backgrounds.

Granite City beat Herrin in the 1940 state championship game and finished 29-5.

“It’s a story that I feel is timeless and I love true stories and what these guys have accomplished,” Sarkissian said. “It’s something I felt very strong about and I want to find a good way to bring it to the screen.”

The Happy Warriors of 1940

Everett Daniels

Dan Eftimoff

George Gages

Andy Hagopian

Ed Hoff

John Markarian

Sam Mouradian

Ebbie Mueller

Evon Parsaghian

Andy Phillip

Coach: Byron Bozarth

Assistant Coach: Leonard Davis

Manager: Harold Brown

basketballGranite Cityheadline

by Theo Tate

Karabakh changes electoral code, invites more women to politics

Nahapetian Samvel
Netgazeti, Georgia
July 24 2019
Karabakh changes electoral code, invites more women to politics

[Armenian News note: the below is translated from Georgian]

24 July 2019: The parliament of [Azerbaijan’s] self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh has adopted a new electoral code, moving fully to the proportional electoral system from 2020. Until now, elections were held under proportional and majoritarian systems. The transition was preceded by lengthy discussions.

Nagorno-Karabakh MPs said that following the transition, Karabakh would become more democratic.

“The fully proportional system has gradually entered our political life. Until 2005, elections were held only under the majoritarian system. Then it moved to a mixed system. Now we are moving to a fully proportional system,” opposition MP of the National Revival faction, Hayk Khanumyan, said.

However, this is not the only important change in the new electoral code.

In order to engage women in politics, a new article was incorporated in the code, envisaging at least a 25-per-cent quota for women in proportional lists.

“We proposed to make this number 25 instead of 20 per cent. It was supported by parliament. I think women should enjoy the same rights in bringing up important issues,” Vardges Baginyan of the Democracy faction said.

Hayk Khanumyan, however, thinks that 25 per cent is not enough for women to enter politics.

“It is very unfortunate that women are not as active as they should be. However, the liberalisation of politics will facilitate it,” the opposition MP said.

As it became known. disabled people were not able to take part in elections in Karabakh, because they could not go to polling stations. The [newly adopted] changes also envisage introducing portable ballot boxes in order to fix this shortcoming.

[Reporting by] Tigranuhi Martirosyan, Yerevan

Anti-Armenian formulations extracted thanks to efforts of Armenian delegation to PACE

Nahapetian Samvel

Anti-Armenian formulations extracted thanks to efforts of Armenian delegation to PACE

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16:57, 6 July, 2019

YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS. OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Political Affairs Committee has adopted a clause proposed by a French delegate, which records that Artsakh issue should be solved exclusively under the format of the Minsk Group Co-chairs based on 3 equivalent principles – non use of force or the threat to use it, territorial integrity and self-determination of nations. The Armenian delegation was able to prevent an anti-Armenian formulation in one of the resolutions, ARMENPRESS reports head of the Armenian Delegation to the OSCE PA Hayk Konjoryan said in a Facebook live broadcast.

He explained that in one of the resolutions there was a formulations saying ”the 7 Azerbaijani regions”. ”And our delegation was able to extract that absurd formulation and it will not be included in the resolution of the OSCE PA’, Konjoryan said.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan




European Council chief Donald Tusk to visit Armenia

Nahapetian Samvel
Panorama, Armenia
July 6 2019

President of the European Council Donald Tusk will visit Armenia on June 10. As the press department at the government reports, Donald Tusk will hold talks with Armenia’s Pm Nikol Pashinyan in capital Yerevan to be followed by a joint press conference. Accompanied by Pm, Tusk will also visit the Europe Square in Yerevan.

European Council chief will hold meeting with Armenian President Armen Sarkissian.