Author: Vorskanian Yeghisabet

"Withdraw Snipers and Install Equipment": Ambassador Hoagland

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
Lragir, Armenia
Aug 11 2017

Lragir.am
Politics – Friday, , 13:36

It is time for the sides of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh to take steps for building confidence, international mediators announce. The American co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassador Richard Hoagland expressed hope that steps will be taken in this direction in an interview with the Voice of America. He noted that it is hard to achieve total demilitarization though it is very desirable. We must reduce the probability of military clashes, Richard Hoagland said. The ambassador lists the following steps: withdrawal of snipers from border areas and line of contact, increase the number of international observers and install special equipment. He notes that the possibility of incidents is always there when two armed sides are close to each other. The mediators have big expectations from the meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan in New York which may be followed by negotiations between Presidents Sargsyan and Aliyev in fall. As to new proposals by the mediators, Ambassador Hoagland said there is a comprehensive document but there are steps and stages ahead to reach it. He extended hope that during the next high-level meeting the sides will do serious work and declare some steps even if it is impossible to achieve a lasting settlement. According to the ambassador, the cornerstone of the settlement is compromise which will demilitarize the situation and bring peace, prosperity and security for the peoples of the region. The United States continues to work with Russia over this issue, despite the aggravating relations between the two countries, he noted. According to him, nothing absolutely has changed in their work, and politicians may clash but they continue to work hand in hand. The American co-chair of the Minsk Group underlined that even under the most complicated relations between Washington and Moscow there have been spheres where they continued to work together, like in the case of the Karabakh conflict.
 

‘We do not want anyone to be killed, but war requires defense,’ Davit Babayan

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
Aravot, Armenia

Aug 11 2017

Davit Babayan assures that if the Russian Federation sells S-400 missiles to Turkey, the Republic of Armenia will also have the equal weapon

The anxiety and hysteria related to our “Iskanders” in Azerbaijan deepen day by day. The analysts of Baku cherish great hopes relative to S-400 zenith rocket systems which are going to be sold to Turkey by Russia and which, according to them, can have a restraining factor against “Iskander”. “Aravot” conducted an interview with the Press Secretary of the President of the Republic of Artsakh Davit Babayan on this issue.

Asked whether he sees a threat relative to those S-400 zenith rocket systems that Turkey can give to Azerbaijan and create new problems for us, Mr. Babayan answered: “It has not been confirmed that Turkey has received the missiles ultimately yet. They speak such agreement is possible but no certain answer is in place. Generally, that agreement is to be viewed sooner from the perspective of Turkey-Russia-the West relations, especially when a serious pressure by the West, Pentagon is present for Turkey not to take that step. That agreement is very doubtful, it is possible it may never be signed as well. It seems that Turkey blackmails its main ally – the US, the West, which I do not think is acceptable to Washington, such disrespectful attitude. As regards weaponry delivery to Azerbaijan by Turkey, everything can be expected from them, they can deliver everything. If they have a nuclear weapon, a chemical weapon, they will deliver them as well. They deliver militants, weapons, armaments, the Generals and high-ranked officials of the General Staff of Turkey visit Azerbaijan frequently, overall, Azerbaijan itself has been made artificially by Turkish army, the same happens now. The deployment of those rocket systems in Turkey and the possible usage of it against Armenia will mean also usage against Russia. Eventually, Russian military bases are deployed in the Republic of Armenia. It is a very disputable issue. We should still wait for what will happen, something similar to a show is going to happen, without actual results. If suddenly that agreement is signed and Turkey tries to deliver that weapon to Azerbaijan, it should be precisely mentioned in the contract first and foremost that they have no right to deliver it to the third country. And if it is so, I am more than sure the Republic of Armenia will have the equal types of weapons, inasmuch as the balance is to be kept and will be kept. But I think that this is more a show and the caprice of Turkey and its blackmailing policy towards its neighbors.”

We asked how he would explain the anxiety in Azerbaijan relative to our “Iskanders”, whether they do not have the alternative against it bought from Israel, forasmuch as a view was in place constituting that Israeli missile defense system which Baku has bought, can resist “Iskander”. Davit Babayan replied: “They do not have, of course, they do not have an alternative. And you know what the issue is? Throughout these years Aliyev clan, spending so many weapons and armaments, has created an illusion for the society of Azerbaijan as if they are invulnerable. When we analyze the first and the second Artsakh Wars, we will see essential radical differences both in the aspect of weaponry – distance and etc., Azerbaijani side had probably cherished hopes which are an absolute nonsense, they wanted to use their new weapons, but make the war local, that is – solely the territories nearby Artsakh and Azerbaijan’s borders will suffer, as it happened during the first war, but no such thing will happen during the second one. April War has not been a large-scale one, it has been simply a blitzkrieg failure, the adversary has tried to solve the issue through blitzkrieg, locally – not letting a large-scale war happen. But the war will be large-scale and when they see that Baku is also vulnerable indeed, all cities and villages are vulnerable and the ones sitting there and shouting out that all Armenians should be massacred, but the so called officials not sending their children to army service will turn their own population, their own capital into a target, assuredly this will change the situation completely. And the people will give a question – is this the price? And why? Political, moral-psychological, military new fears, new expectations, and challenges the Azerbaijani society has felt. This is very important, for them to know – no local war will happen as happened in the first time. That is – to sit and have barbeques, caviar, I do not know what, bribe this one and simply speak pompously, send people to war and do not see what bombardments are, what death is in Baku? No such thing will happen. Understand, we do not want anyone to be killed, people who want a child to be killed regardless of what nation, they are not humans. But war is a thing requiring a defense in case they attack. This is natural and let no Azerbaijani official think that Baku or other cities are not going to become a target. This is a restraining mechanism.”

According to Davit Babayan, unfortunately, the state obsessed with fascism does not understand normal, reasonable suggestions, it solely has fears.

HRIPSIME JEBEJYAN

“Aravot”


Turkish deputy of Armenian origin criticized Turkish government’s decision to build public toilet in place of Armenian cemetery.

Vorskanian Yeghisabet 
ARMINFO News Agency, Armenia
August 4, 2017 Friday
Turkish deputy of Armenian origin criticized Turkish government's
decision to build public toilet in place of Armenian cemetery.
Yerevan August 4
Tatevik Shagunyan. The deputy of the Turkish parliament from the
Kurdish opposition People's Democratic Party Karo Palyan sharply
criticized the decision of the Turkish government to build a public
toilet in the place of the Armenian cemetery in Van. On the official
website of the People's Democratic Party he wrote: "The 100-year
robbery continues, even the graves of the Turks are not left alone."
He also recalled the permanent looting and destruction of the Armenian
cultural and historical heritage in Turkey. Note that the other day
the Turkish government decided to build a public toilet in the place
of the Armenian cemetery at Lake Van. According to Turkish media,
which refer to local residents, the remains of the buried in the
cemetery as a result of construction work were thrown on the
roadsides.

US sanctions against Russia will ‘hamper’ Armenia’s economy

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
Aravot, Armenia

The US Senate has decided to impose economic sanctions against Russia. How will those affect Armenia, since Russian is one of the main partners of Armenia, and a member of the EAEU? Answering the journalists’ question, politician Stepan Grigoryan said, that formally, the restrictions are not against the EAEU, but if Russia’s economy is going to further regress, as most of the restrictions refer to not providing new technologies to Russia, of course, it will also affect the economy of Armenia.

The politician draws attention to the fact that the EU is against the US sanctions on Russia too, particularly Germany, as the restriction on technology transfer to Russia will directly affect the German economy.

“I’m not a specialist, to tell in detail what impact this will have on the Armenian economy, but we cannot trade freely with Iran, Georgia and the EU, as we are a member of the EAEU, so these products will be taxed”, said the politician.

In response to the question of Aravot.am: the EU agreement is scheduled to be signed in November. The Armenian authorities, like in 2013, promise that the agreement will be signed, it’s clear that Russia will not “sit in idleness”, what developments are expected? Stepan Grigoryan noticed, that, first, the new framework agreement does not hinder the commitments undertaken within the EAEU, then, if Armenia for the second time withdraws from its commitment and does not sign its initial agreement, it will seriously spoil the image of the country.

Nelly GRIGORYAN


AbuDhabi: Abdullah bin Zayed visits Armenian Genocide Memorial, pays respect to victims

Vorskanian Yeghisabet 
Emirates News Agency, UAE
July 19, 2017 Wednesday 3:15 PM EST
Abdullah bin Zayed visits Armenian Genocide Memorial, pays respect to victims
YEREVAN, Armenia, 19th July, 2017 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin
Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation, on Tuesday visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex
as part of his official visit to Armenia. He was accompanied by Armen
Papikyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Hayk Demoyan,
Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, and Dr. Jassim
Mohammed Mubarak Al Qasimi, UAE Ambassador to Armenia.
At the start of his visit, Sheikh Abdullah placed a wreath on the
memorial commemorating the 1.5 million Armenians killed by the
Ottomans during the Armenian Genocide in 1915. The UAE Minister also
observed a minute's silence for the martyrs, and placed flowers under
a 1.5 metre deep "eternal flame", which burns throughout the year in
memory of those who died.
Sheikh Abdullah expressed his appreciation at the privilege of
visiting he monument, stressing the UAE's keenness to promote the
values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among people and spread
those messages throughout the world.
The memorial, which was built in 1967, is located on the hill of
Tsitsernakaberd overlooking Yerevan and receives hundreds of thousands
of visitors every year. Many thousands gather there on April 24th each
year to mark Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.

Yerevan in talks with Moscow on new loan to buy Russian weapons – Armenian finance minister

Vorskanian Yeghisabet 
ITAR-TASS, Russia
July 19, 2017 Wednesday 9:53 PM GMT
Yerevan in talks with Moscow on new loan to buy Russian weapons -
Armenian finance minister
YEREVAN July 19
Armenia is in talks with Russia on a new loan to buy Russian-made
weapons, Armenian Finance Minister Vardan Aramyan said on Wednesday.
YEREVAN, July 19. /TASS/. Armenia is in talks with Russia on a new
loan to buy Russian-made weapons, Armenian Finance Minister Vardan
Aramyan said on Wednesday.
"Discussion of the issue of a new defense-related loan started with
Russia this year and will go along for quite a time," he said, adding
that the two countries had earlier reached a top-level agreement on
buying Russian-made defense-related products at Russia’s domestic
prices. "As a strategic partner, Russia agreed. Negotiations are now
underway," he noted.
According to the Armenian finance minister, his country is having such
talks only with Russia from among other countries of the Collective
Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). "We are also discussing how to
avoid problems linked with the loan repayment," Aramyan said.
In his words, Armenia has not yet completely used the first export
loan of 200 million U.S. dollars meant to buy Russia-made
defense-related products. "We have 30 million U.S. dollars left," he
said.
The two countries signed an agreement on that loan on June 25, 2015.
It came into effect on February 10, 2016.

Vice-Speaker Arpine Hovhannisyan holds meeting with US Ambassador

Vorskanian Yeghisabet 
Armenpress News Agency , Armenia
 Friday
Vice-Speaker Arpine Hovhannisyan holds meeting with US Ambassador
YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS. Vice-Speaker of Armenia’s Parliament Ms.
Arpine Hovhannisyan, who also acts as the leader of the Armenia-USA
friendship group, held a meeting on July 21 with US Ambassador to
Armenia H.E. Richard Mills.
Hovhannisyan attached importance to the continuous efforts of the
United States aimed at strengthening the democratic institutions in
Armenia, effectiveness of the anti-corruption fight, development of
the civil society and implementation of reforms.
The US Ambassador highly valued Hovhannisyan’s personal contribution
and efforts in deepening bilateral relations, and expressed confidence
that the cooperation with the legislative body will be as effective as
it was with the executive.
“The friendship and partnership of our states is long lasting, strong
and versatile. We expect to continue our partnership with the
parliamentary friendship group – with your skilled leadership.
Together we will strengthen parliamentary ties between the USA and
Armenia and will form new opportunities for cooperation”, the US
Ambassador said.

Deputy Chairman: Armenia’s Heritage Party will not topple current authorities

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
News.am, Armenia


Deputy Chairman: Armenia’s Heritage Party will not topple current authorities
21:36, 22.07.2017

YEREVAN. – Heritage Party will not initiate the toppling of the current authorities, Deputy Chairman of the party, Armen Martirosyan, told Armenian News – NEWS.am on Saturday.

The Deputy Chairman said he is waiting only for one thing. “Will the Armenian community want to make changes or not? The society has no wish to organize the toppling of the current authorities,” Martirosyan said, adding that if the Armenian opposition forces decide to initiate such a process, they will join.

Leader of Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian recently stated that they will launch the process of Velvet Revolution in Armenia if acting Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan continues to govern the country in 2018. 

What Should Armenia Do if Cosmonauts Land in Our Country?

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
Aravot, Armenia

Minister of Transport, Communication, and Information Technologies Vahan Martirosyan will present a remarkable draft at today’s Government session, according to which our country is obliged to support at any cost, if, God forbid, astronauts will have to land in Armenia.

Back in 1968 London, Moscow and Washington signed an agreement on the “Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space”, which Armenia will soon join, if at the July 20 sitting of the government we ratify the agreement.

The contract calls for any possible assistance to the astronauts in case of accident, disaster or emergency landing, and ensure the rapid and safe return of cosmonauts, as well as the return of space objects launched to the space.

According to the Minister, this agreement is aimed at promoting international cooperation in the field of peaceful exploration and use of cosmic space.

Lusine BUDAGHYAN

Art: STANDART, the Triennial of Contemporary Art in Armenia is launched

Vorskanian Yeghisabet
MediaMax, Armenia

The Triennial will be held in Armenia from July to December 2017.

STANDART, the Triennial of Contemporary Art, is a periodic exhibition which will develop specific itineraries throughout Armenia based on the particular theme of the given exhibition.

The name of the Triennial is inspired by the avant-garde Armenian magazine Standard, published in 1924. STANDART highlights the rich cultural and historical context of Armenia. Through its itinerant character it involves wider and diverse communities and creates opportunities for dialogue and interactive relationship between artists, writers, curators, scientists, local communities, and visitors.

For the first edition of STANDART, the board of AAC has appointed as Chief Curator Adelina Cuberyan von Furstenberg. Adelina served as curator of the Golden Lion Award-winning National Pavilion of Armenia at the 56th edition of La Biennale di Venezia in 2015.

Inspired by the unfinished novel The Mount Analogue, by the French surrealist writer and poet Rene Daumal (1908 – 1944), STANDART 2017 will take place in various locations across the Mount Ararat region.

As a symbol of a poetic research and temporary experience, The Mount Analogue is a meditation on the pursuit of knowledge – based on the concept that the essence of a creative mind is directly related to who one is and what one experiences.

In the spirit of sustainable development and participation, STANDART, the Triennial of Contemporary Art, aims to build a bridge between the specific venues and the artworks presented and create an interactive dialogue with the participating artists and curators coming from different backgrounds. It also seeks to develop exchanges and collaborations with Armenia’s lively art and cultural scene.

Photo: Triennial of Contemporary Art in Armenia

The result of this art experience-placed within the context of some of the unique historic and cultural sites in the Mount Ararat region-will be a series of art exhibitions, encounters and direct collaborations, site-specific works and performances by the participating artists with artists living in Armenia. A website will also be produced that includes a travelogue with images. Finally, a book with artist contributions and texts by specialists from various fields offering a pluralistic approach to the theme of the Mount Analogue will be published in September.

1ST PART: OPENINGS ON JULY 20-22, 2017

Yerevan

– GASPAR GASPARIAN (1899–1966) Distant Fragments, a retrospective of the modernist Brazilian photographer at AGBU, 2/2 Melik Adamyan St., curated by Ruben Arevshatyan.

-ILYA AND EMILIA KABAKOV (Russia/USA), 20 Ways to get an Apple listening to the Music of Mozart and Concert for a Fly at Hay-Art Cultural Center, 7a M. Mashtots Ave, former municipal Museum of Modern Art. During the opening, a live concert by the students of the Tchaikovsky Special Music School of Yerevan will be performed.

Photo: Triennial of Contemporary Art in Armenia

Gyumri

– Artworks, performances and workshops will be created in collaboration with the art community of Gyumri by AYREEN ANASTAS & RENE GABRI (Palestine/Iran/USA/Armenia), RICCARDO ARENA (Italy), BENJI BOYADGIAN (Finland/Palestine), GIUSEPPE CACCAVALE (France/Italy), MARTA DELL’ANGELO (Italy), THIBAULT DE GIALLULY (France), ALEKSEY MANUKYAN (Armenia), MIKAYEL OHANJANYAN (Armenia/Italy), GOHAR SMOYAN (Armenia) and MARIA TSAGKARI (Greece) among others, at the Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life and at the Sergey Merkurov Museum , 47 Haghtanaki Ave.

– A curatorial collaboration with the artist Vahagn Ghukasyan will be held at the Museum of Aslamazyan Sisters, 242 Abovyan St., where a selection of the works of the two sisters will interface with a selection of works by GOHAR MARTIROSYAN (Armenia), and ROSANA PALAZYAN (Brazil), among others and short movies produced by ART for The World including MURALI NAIR (India), IDRISSA OUEDRAOGO (Burkina Faso), JAFAR PANAHI (Iran), and JIA ZHANG-KE (China).

2ND PART: OPENINGS SEPTEMBER 12-13 -14, 2017

Erebuni (Yerevan)

– FELICE VARINI (Switzerland), site-specific installation at the Central Railway Station, organized by the Embassy of Switzerland in Armenia.

Photo: Photolure

Sevan Lake

– Deja vu STANDARD, video installations by GERARD BYRNE (Ireland), JOSEF DABERNIG (Austria) and IGOR GRUBIC (Croatia) and MARKUS SCHERER (Austria) and architectural projects by LEVON CHERKEZYAN, GEVORG KOCHAR and MIKAEL MAZMANYAN at Writers’ Resort, curated by Ruben Arevshatyan.

FROM JULY TO DECEMBER 2017

Yerevan, Gyumri, Kapan

– ARTLABYEREVAN, AYREEN ANASTAS & RENE GABRI, ARMAN GRIGORYAN, PIRUZA KHALAPYAN, GOHAR SMOYAN, MIKA VATINYAN, grantees of the Armenia Art Foundation’s first Open Call for Artists in the 2017, present their projects between July and December in different sites and cities of Armenia.