Author: Tatoyan Vazgen

Pashinyan proposes moving Armenian, Azerbaijani forces to initial border positions

Tatoyan Vazgen
TASS, Russia
Armenian Prime Minister offered observers from Russia or the OSCE Minsk Group states to be deployed in the area
Acting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan

© Alexander Astafyev/POOL/TASS

YEREVAN, May 27. /TASS/. Acting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan came up with a proposal on Thursday for the Armenian and Azerbaijani troops to move to their initial positions on the border and that observers from Russia or the OSCE Minsk Group states be deployed in the area.

The acting prime minister outlined a plan for peacefully settling the border situation in a speech that was broadcast on the politician’s Facebook.

“On behalf of the Armenian public, I offer to the Azerbaijani government to agree that the armed forces of both countries withdraw from the border area by several kilometers very quickly and simultaneously. We propose that the armed forces return to their initial positions and international observers from the Russian Federation or [the countries of] the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs be deployed there instead. This relates to the Sotk-Khoznavar section [in the Gegharkunik Province],” he said.

Following this move, the Armenian-Azerbaijani border should be drawn up under the aegis of the international community, Pashinyan said.

“This is the official proposal to Azerbaijan, Russia, and other countries that are co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. If we fail to go along this route, the situation may get out of control,” Pashinyan cautioned.

The situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in the area of the Gegharkunik and Syunik border regions has remained tense since May 12. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported earlier on Thursday that six Armenian servicemen were captured during an attempt by reconnaissance and subversive group to cross into Azeri territory.

Armenia’s Defense Ministry confirmed that the Armenian servicemen had been captured but noted that they had been taken prisoner during the engineering works in the border area of the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia. Pashinyan called the incident an abduction of Armenian servicemen. Yerevan applied to the European Court of Human Rights over the incident.

Ombudsman: Armenian government must publish draft document on border demarcation

Tatoyan Vazgen
Panorama, Armenia
May 20 2021

The government must publish the draft document on the demarcation of Armenia’s borders, which was partially published on the internet on Wednesday and which was confirmed at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Arman Tatoyan said in a statement.

Caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan today confirmed that Armenia is negotiating a new document with Azerbaijan and Russia after the paper was partially published by Armenia’s former Ambassador to the Holy See Mikayel Minasyan. The latter claimed Pashinyan is going to sign the new agreement damaging the interests of Armenia.

“At a minimum, all provisions of the document which give understanding of what it is it all really about must be published,” he said.

“The demarcation with Azerbaijan directly concerns vital rights of all of us, every person living in Armenia, the entire Armenian people – life and existence, national and personal dignity, peace of mind and physical security, being informed of these and many other rights.

“Border demarcation itself is a guarantee of human rights, the wrong implementation of which can lead to new human rights violations and tension.

“The publication of the document is in the interests of the state. By publishing, the state will prevent the outflow of information of such exclusive importance from unofficial sources, and will not allow for an irreversible loss of public trust in state bodies.

“Otherwise, the information vacuum created by the state will again be filled with information from unofficial sources, confusing even honest people, and some officials will again make irresponsible posts, often flooded with insulting words start, accusing people in imaginary “media terror,” reads the ombudsman’s statement. 

Armenia hasn’t discussed and will not discuss corridor issue in unblocking context – Pashinyan

Tatoyan Vazgen

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 12:42, 20 May, 2021

YEREVAN, MAY 20, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has stated once again that Armenia has not discussed, is not discussing and will not discuss an issue of corridor in the context of unblocking of regional communications.

At the Cabinet meeting today, he said the opening of regional communications is one of the priorities of the Armenian government.

“I want to draw the attention of all of us to the fact that since 1992 a policy of blocking, in other words, a policy of blocking the communications has been adopted against Armenia. And given this fact we need to understand that the agenda of opening communications is beneficial to Armenia. On the other hand, as we have stated repeatedly, I don’t think that we need to announce this every day, I say this for all times – we have not discussed, are not discussing and will not discuss a corridor logic issue in the context of communications”, he said.

 

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Tigran Abrahamyan: Armenia’s political leadership has failed to issue instructions to the armed forces to protect the state borders

Tatoyan Vazgen
Panorama, Armenia

The head of “Henaket” analytical center Tigran Abrahamyan commented on Facebook the ongoing crisis in the near-border area of Armenia’s Syunik province. 

“No matter what context, logic and processes govern the situation around Armenia’s state borders in the last ten days, the fact of having unprotected state border and failure to take necessary measures remain in the focus. Despite the fact, that this is related to the outcomes of the 2020 war, we should note that we would not have the latest crisis or it wouldn’t develop in current scenario, if proper border protection and service  were in place,” Abrahamyan wrote, adding:

“It appears the political leadership of the country has failed to issue relevant instructions to the armed forces about protection of the state border which means there are major risks for similar aggression in the future as well.”

Mikayel Minasyan publishes document on demarcation of borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Tatoyan Vazgen
News.am, Armenia
00:33, 20.05.2021

The chief liar has led it to point where Aliyev is forcing him to affirm the agreement over the ultimatums in writing, and we Armenians, by allowing the chief liar to sit in his chair, have deprived ourselves of an election. This is what former Ambassador of Armenia to the Vatican Mikayel Minasyan wrote on his Telegram channel and posted a photo of the statement offering demarcation of the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan which, according to him will be released in the next few days.

“This is the document that I had written about on Facebook.

1. These are the first provisions stated on the first page of the agreed document.

2. There is also an encrypted part (not counting the verbal agreements between Nikol [acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan] and Aliyev [President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev]).

3. Nikol has agreed to everything, but hasn’t signed it yet.

4. He has set forth three preconditions for signing: pullout Azerbaijani troops from Armenia before the elections and return at least a few prisoners of war, and write the statements on the transfer of 6 villages in a way that will be as unclear as possible so that it will be easy for him to get re-elected.

Ara Aivazian [acting Foreign Minister of Armenia] has refused to have anything to do with this document, noting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is against this.

The only way to avoid this is to get rid of Nikol as quickly as possible. This will continue so long as he remains in power,” Minasyan added.

Military movements near Armenian-Azerbaijani border ‘irresponsible and provocative’ – NSC Adviser Jake Sullivan

Tatoyan Vazgen
Public Radio of Armenia
   

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke separately today with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne sad in a statement.

Mr. Sullivan conveyed the commitment of the United States to peace, security, and prosperity in the South Caucasus. He expressed concern over recent tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and emphasized that military movements near un-demarcated borders are irresponsible and provocative.

He welcomed the ongoing communication between the two sides and both leaders’ commitment to resolving this issue peacefully.

In addition, he underscored the need for the two countries to conduct formal discussions to demarcate their international border. Finally, he conveyed the commitment of the United States to achieving regional reconciliation through bilateral engagement and as a Minsk Group Co-Chair.

Armenpress: Armenia’s Security Council Head, CSTO Gen.-Sec discuss CSTO mechanisms for solving border situation

Tatoyan Vazgen

Armenia’s Security Council Head, CSTO Gen.-Sec discuss CSTO mechanisms for solving border situation

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 20:04,

YEREVAN, MAY 17, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan held a phone conversation with Secretary General of the CSTO Stanislav Zas, during which they focused on the border escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Grigoryan presented to Zas the current situation on the border.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan emphasized that the claims and aspirations of the Azerbaijani side have no grounds.

The sides discussed the CSTO mechanisms for solving the situation quickly and comprehensively.
Stanislav Zas assured that he will actively foster the measures aimed at a peaceful solution within limits of his responsibilities.


Azerbaijan-Armenia tensions rise again

Tatoyan Vazgen
Yahoo! News – Source: AAP, Australia
, 2:38 pm

Azerbaijan has launched an extensive military exercise amid mounting tensions with neighbouring Armenia.

Up to 15,000 soldiers as well as 300 tanks and other military vehicles are involved in the exercises which will last several days, the defence ministry announced on Sunday.

The military will also deploy 400 different missile and artillery systems, the ministry said while rejecting as “completely unfounded” accusations made by Armenia over border violations.

Armenia earlier said that Azerbaijani troops had occupied high ground in the southern region of Syunik, which Armenia considers its own territory, calling the move an “absolutely unacceptable interference” on sovereign territories of the country.

Azerbaijan said the troops were to secure the border with its western neighbour in the high mountain area after an “improvement in weather conditions”.

On the weekend, Armenia threatened to react with “measures” if the Azerbaijani troops did not withdraw.

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell called on both sides to hold back and to de-escalate the situation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called on both countries to adhere to the ceasefire agreed in November.

In the most recent fighting in the South Caucasus that lasted from September 27 to November 9, Azerbaijan reclaimed large parts of Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory it had lost in the early 1990s.

More than 6000 people died in the clashes.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/azerbaijan-armenia-tensions-rise-again-113853992.html

Assemblymember Mullin Joins California Armenian Legislative Caucus

Tatoyan Vazgen



California State Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Kevin Mullin

California State Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Kevin Mullin has become the latest lawmaker to join the California Armenian Legislative Caucus, the group said in a statement on Monday.

“The Armenian genocide that killed 1.5 million Armenians over 100 years ago resulted in immeasurable pain and suffering. As a new member of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus, I am one more voice for the global Armenian community as they continue to heal from this brutal atrocity. We must make every effort to make sure that history does not repeat itself and stand up against violence and hatred of any kind.” Mullin, who represents the 22nd Assembly District said.

The California Armenian Legislative Caucus serves as a forum for members from the California Senate and Assembly to identify key issues affecting Armenian Americans and develop and empower the Armenian American community throughout California. The Caucus encourages advocacy and participation in cultural, educational, governmental, and community efforts in California. Through advocacy, the Caucus strives to ensure that California Armenian American’s voices are heard and given a platform.

The California Armenian Legislative Caucus incudes Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins, Senate Majority Leader Bob Herzberg, Senate Minority Leader Scott Wilk, and senators Bob Archuleta, Andreas Borgeas, Brian Dahle, María Elena Durazo, Anthony Portantino, as well as Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes, and assemblymembers Lisa Calderon, Laura Friedman, Jesse Gabriel, Mike Gipson, Chris Holden, Tom Lackey, Adrin Nazarian, Luz Rivas, Blanca Rubio, and Suzette Valladares.

Aivazian informs Lavrov about the incident on Armenian-Azerbaijani border

Tatoyan Vazgen 
Public Radio of Armenia
Armenia’s acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Ara Aivazian had a
telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian
Federation Sergey Lavrov.
Acting Minister Aivazian informed his counterpart about the recent
incident on the state border of Armenia, noting the inadmissibility of
such provocations by Azerbaijan.
Both sides agreed on the full implementation of the agreements reached
on regional security and stability to prevent the escalation of the
situation.
Early on May 12 the Azerbaijani forces tried to redeploy their
positions near Syunik province.