Category: 2018

Editorial

 

Security environment of Armenia is changing

 

18 MARCH 2018

 

A
number of events in March demonstrate the continuing deepening of the crisis in
international relations directly affecting the security interests of the Republic
of Armenia. First of all, this concerns the sharpening of the military rhetoric
of the US and Russia regarding the development of the military-political
situation in Syria.

There is no
less rigidity in the positions of key regional powers: Turkey, Iran and Saudi
Arabia. The offensive operations of the Syrian Army in the suburbs of
Damascus-Ghuta, as well as the deepening of the position of the Turkish army in
Syrian Afrin, provoked claims and demands of all the players from one another.
It came to the point that the United States and Russia declared their readiness
to use weapons if the situation does not develop at their will. Equally
disturbing are the demands of Iran and Saudi Arabia to Turkey to stop the
operation in Afrin. It can already be asserted that the trilateral format of
cooperation between Russia, Iran and Turkey to resolve the situation in Syria
is under threat of disintegration. With the continuation of this trend, the
balance of power in the region can undergo serious changes. This will directly
affect the regional policy of all powers.

Regarding the
problems affecting the security of Armenia, one can say that there is a
noticeable polarization of the positions of Russia and the Western powers on
the issue of military-political cooperation with the countries of the South
Caucasus. It’s necessary to single out a number of important recent statements
here. The US threatened to sanction those countries that will have significant
deals on the purchase of Russian arms. The chief of the CSTO’s main
headquarters stated that this organization will not help Nagorno-Karabakh in
case of war. These statements were followed by two important events. On March
14, at a briefing in the Armenian parliament, the chairman of the Committee on
International Affairs of the Council of Federation of Russia, K. Kosachev,
stated that “after 2016 Russia has seriously changed its military policy
on the Karabakh conflict. Russia is only fulfilling the contracts concluded
before April 2016.” Two days earlier, on March 12, the Azerbaijani army
launched large-scale military exercises with military firing and a
“counter-offensive” program. Nagorno-Karabakh also began tank
exercises. That is, everyone in the region demonstrated their positions.
However, it was noteworthy that the President of the Republic of Artsakh Bako
Sahakyan visited the US Congress on March 14, where, at the reception given to
him, Sahakyan stated: “The development and deepening of relations with the
United States of America was, is and will be one of the fundamental directions
of our foreign policy.” And no less interesting, Armenian-British
military-political consultations took place in London on March 12-13, following
which the sides signed a plan of cooperation between the two military departments
for 2018, which provides for more than 20 joint events in the educational
centers of Armenia and Great Britain. These events took place against the
backdrop of Britain’s new stringent demands on Russia. It’s a well-known
statement of the British Prime Minister T. May on March 14 on the measures of
“punishment” of Russia on its involvement in the poisoning of S.
Skripal.

As they say:
everything is untwisted and confused definitively. One could expect sharp
reactions from Azerbaijan and the future flirtations of Russia. And so it was.
US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Robert Sekuta was summoned to the Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry, where he received a note of protest sent by the Azerbaijani
Foreign Ministry to the US Department of State. On March 15, the Azerbaijani side
demonstratively didn’t withdraw the OSCE mission to the planned monitoring of
the OSCE on the contact line of the troops. And on March 15, Russian MFA
spokesperson Maria Zakharova said during a briefing on Thursday that there is
no representation of the Artsakh Republic in Moscow. That is, Russia once again
“washed its hands” of Nagorno-Karabakh within a month. Armenia and
Artsakh necessarily have to deepen relations with the West — Russia by its
actions pushes them to it. In principle, Russia benefits from these trends, as
they give it additional opportunities to strengthen its influence on
Azerbaijan. But for the time being these tendencies are unusual for everyone.
The security environment for all countries in the region is becoming blurred –
who and how will behave in the future is not entirely clear. So far, we see
only the general desire to prevent any changes. An example is the joint
statement on supporting the sovereignty and inviolability of the state borders
of four states, made by Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia on March 15.

 

 

 

Analytical

 

 

MARCH 18, 2018 

 

Today for every reasonable person
it is obvious that our state is in deep crisis. ARF representative a few days ago
Armen Rustamyan, speaking at the National Assembly, called the situation in the country a “nightmare”
gave the description. And, indeed, the population of Armenia is in a state of alarm,
in a state of despair, hopelessness, which seems like mental peace
be the interpretation of the terrifying dreams of a lost person. Independence Quarter
century was enough time for the public to avoid such a prospect,
and Armenia would meet the minimum conditions to be called a state. However
instead of all that today, a solid representative of the hundred-year-old party
from the lips we hear a definition with which it is impossible to disagree.

Regardless of the availability of such an estimate, today
many citizens ask questions: who is to blame for the situation in the country?
why did it happen, how to get out of these political and economic crises and?
etc. Certainly, such questions are also asked by those who talk about the nightmare
the deputy, his party friends, the ruling party, RPA, as well as the opposition party
representatives of units, officials of different caliber. State present
and their concern for the future seems to be genuine. But only the first
it is from the look. Reality is completely inconsistent with ours
to the ideas, because of the role and significance of the state, its own in the state
the perception of place and position among those people is completely different. To understand it
so it is enough to follow the thoughts of the deputy who openly expresses himself
is about the public nightmare.

Speaking from the NA podium in defense of RA
presidential candidate Armen Sargsyan (who was elected hours after Rustamyan’s speech
in that important position), the politician representing the ARF considered it necessary
to defend Sargsyan to claim the highest state position in the country
the right to be elected. According to Rustamyan, we are dealing with Armen Sargsyan
specifically with an Armenian man who expressed his desire to strengthen the country, however
instead of supporting it, many cite some legal restrictions
and definitions that do not allow the given person to be elected as the President of the Republic of Armenia
in office. According to the ARF deputy, the RA Constitution, laws,
various types of documents prescribed to fulfill the requirements of the legislation
are of secondary importance compared to the individual of the Armenian nation who fills the country
with the determination to strengthen. According to Rustamyan, “Let’s give the person a chance instead, good
we wish to march, we show reluctance. Now there is one – that person is us
will lead, the Bible says: really pray for your master, because
He decides your fate, no matter how bad he is, but it’s in his hands
to be the “yes” and “no”, “right” and “wrong” of this country
lever. Let’s make it so that that person can do it in a good mood
to come in and get the country out of this difficult psychological situation…”

Illegal persons around us today
the neglect of the activity is done from these same positions. In corruption
the hundreds of soaked officials, influencing the electoral process
the authorities, the nimble persons arranging their lives under the roof of the oligarchy
are the same Armenian people who “their skills and abilities
want to invest” in the welfare of the state and society. Aren’t they?
they have education, knowledge, years of experience and, after all, they are Armenian people. Whether a judge or a police officer, a tax inspector or a senior professional, they work according to
of their abilities and capabilities, want to see empowered
their state, but sometimes allow illegal acts because
that legalese is just a piece of paper, some law that matters
giving, should the environment have to give up these people’s patriotism?
from the service.

According to Rustamyan’s logic, it is obvious that if
In the case of the RA presidential candidate, the Constitution is just a piece of paper
the criminal code also needs a piece of paper for the prosecutor and the police
be considered, it cannot be otherwise. And, therefore, the prosecutor without any conscience
a thief can take a bribe, and a policeman can torture the inept, the smart ones
allowing them to pay for their crimes
not suffer or suffer a punishment totally inadequate to the criminal act. All this
philosophy, in fact, not two fundamentals of the legal state
It is a violation of the principles of rule of law and equality before the law
implies, but in general rejection of the law and the state.

It seems that the author of my lines is not the person who
should explain to Armen Rustamyan that the state has two pillars,
without which there cannot be any kind of state. Without the law and without
any public-political organization of the court loses state
its essence of being a structure. Be it a dictatorship or an oligarchy, a monarchy,
or a republic, all operate under laws that serve their own group interests
and under the court. However, only the Armenian representing the centenary party
in the speech of a politician, one can come across the absurdity according to which the law
it’s just a piece of ordinary paper, compared to which an Armenian with the desire to strengthen the country
the individual has priority.

The Constitution of the people, qualified as a “piece of paper”.
it is the expression of the will raised to the level of law. RA in the Basic Law
defining the separate censors and election procedure for the presidential candidate
the provisions are one of the concrete manifestations of that will, and any Armenian individual, be he
kind, smart, good guy, have beautiful eyes, powerful connections, accumulated billions,
be a superman or ignited by a burning desire to build the state,
all the same, he cannot oppose his individual will to the will of all of us
thus replacing an entire state.

The judgments presented above can
to raise specific questions. That is, if some individual, the law “on a piece of paper”
turning, assumes the position of RA president and thereby makes it null and void
the existence of the state, and the political units vote for it, then how?
is that despite the degree of decline and the current crisis, on the international stage
the activity is carried out by the Republic of Armenia. How do they work?
the newly elected president Armen Sargsyan, the administration of Serzh Sargsyan and the RPA
led by the key players in the political life of the state:
the parties are led by the ARF, the state bodies are the same
along with corrupt judges and prosecutors, etc.

The NA gives a very clear answer to these questions
Deputy Armen Rustamyan in his speech in question: the situation created in the country
describing a nightmare. The faces talking about the decline and crisis of the country today
they have been doing that for a long time, which deepens the same decline, crisis and
turns the state into a nightmare. And they do it with absolute cynicism, destroying
the state from the foundation, turning the law into a “piece of paper”. The country is engulfed in crisis
the irony that has come to all of us is that the MP speaks from the podium
from the scourge raging in the state and the fight against it, of the state
from being, from the fourth republic, from the institution of the president, not to see
giving the fact that he is the author and perpetrator of the nightmare, because of the state
by denying the existence of law in life, he is the one who opens the door to the unfolding of the nightmare
the field, it is he who destroys the state and all the institutions in it.

Today, all the deputies of the National Assembly are many
they know what they are doing. in their opinion, the role of the state and
the significance is only to create a foothold for themselves in that state and
it is an opportunity to escape two pennies in the current stateless relations
the belief in fixing their positions. There is fertile soil for that, rooted in us
the realization that customary settings and traditional household
relationships have priority over the state. What state?
law, what kind of state court, if “that person is going to lead us”, and if?
In this regard, even the Bible says: “indeed pray for your Lord,
because he decides your fate, no matter how bad he is, but his
“yes” and “no”, “right” and “wrong” of this country will be in his hands. the important thing
that our master is an Armenian man, and for that we should already give glory to God.

 

Saro Saroyan

 

Weekly
update

 

 

17 MARCH 2018

 

CNN reports, that “President Donald Trump announced
Tuesday that he has fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and will nominate
CIA Director Mike Pompeo to succeed him, replacing his top diplomat ahead of a
potential high-stakes sitdown between the US President and North Korean leader
Kim Jong Un.”

Tillerson
extended his gratitude to the American people, his State Department staff and
the nation’s extensive network of diplomats in his farewell statement on March
13. CNN further
reports, that “Trump has wanted Pompeo as his secretary of state for months.”
President told reporters that he and Pompeo are “on the same
wavelength” and “the relationship has always been very good and that
is what I need.”

 

He
also tweeted about his
decision: “Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of
State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service!
Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so
chosen. Congratulations to all!”

Gina Haspel, the newly
nominated first-ever female director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA),
is a career intelligence officer with more than 30 years’ experience. She ran a
prison in Thailand, the so-called “black sites”, where suspected
al-Qaeda members were tortured by waterboarding in 2002.

 

On March 4
Russian spy Sergei Skripal and
his daughter were deliberately poisoned by a nerve agent, named Novichok, developed by
Vil Mirzoyanov who called it “a weapon of mass murder.” Mrs May said Russia is “culpable” for
the attack and she expelled 23 Russian
diplomats. As The New York Times reports,
“she vowed to crack down on Russian spies, corrupt elites and ill-gotten wealth
in Britain.”

U.S. Senator
John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the
following statementon the poisoning
of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury,
England:

“As we hope for
the recovery of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, we must recognize the brutal reality:
whether in the shadow of the Kremlin or in a peaceful town in the English
countryside, Putin will not hesitate to engage in state-sponsored assassination
and endanger the lives of innocent bystanders. He must not be allowed to treat
the United Kingdom or any other nation as a venue for political murder. The
precedent set by inaction would be disastrous.

The United
States and all of Britain’s allies must stand firmly alongside the United
Kingdom and be prepared to take resolute and appropriate steps to hold Russian
authorities accountable for this outrageous crime – a crime that demonstrates
so perfectly Putin’s contempt for the sovereignty of a free people.” 

Shortly after
that, a statement followed
from the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom on the attack
in Salisbury: “We, the leaders of France, Germany,
the United States and the United Kingdom, abhor the attack that took place
against Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, United Kingdom, on March 4,
2018. A British police officer who was also exposed in the attack remains
seriously ill, and the lives of many innocent British citizens have been
threatened. We express our sympathies to them all, and our admiration for the
United Kingdom police and emergency services for their courageous response.
This use of a military-grade nerve agent, of a type developed by Russia,
constitutes the first offensive use of a nerve agent in Europe since the Second
World War. It is an assault on the United Kingdom’s sovereignty and any such
use by a state party is a clear violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention
and a breach of international law. It threatens the security of us all. The
United Kingdom thoroughly briefed its allies that it was highly likely that
Russia was responsible for the attack. We share the United Kingdom’s assessment
that there is no plausible alternative explanation, and note that Russia´s
failure to address the legitimate request by the government of the United
Kingdom further underlines Russia’s responsibility. We call on Russia to
address all questions related to the attack in Salisbury. Russia should, in
particular, provide full and complete disclosure of the Novichok program to the
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Our concerns are
also heightened against the background of a pattern of earlier irresponsible
Russian behavior. We call on Russia to live up to its responsibilities as
a member of the U.N. Security Council to uphold international peace and
security.”

 

On March 15 the
U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed new sanctions on Russia. “The
Administration is confronting and countering malign Russian cyber activity,
including their attempted interference in U.S. elections, destructive
cyber-attacks, and intrusions targeting critical infrastructure,” said Treasury
Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.  “These targeted sanctions are a part of a
broader effort to address the ongoing nefarious attacks emanating from
Russia.  Treasury intends to impose additional CAATSA (Countering
America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions, informed by our
intelligence community, to hold Russian government officials and oligarchs
accountable for their destabilizing activities by severing their access to the
U.S. financial system.”

Today’s action
counters Russia’s continuing destabilizing activities, ranging from
interference in the 2016 U.S. election to conducting destructive cyber-attacks,
including the NotPetya attack, a cyber-attack attributed to the Russian
military on February 15, 2018 in statements released by the White House and the
British Government.  This cyber-attack was the most destructive and costly
cyber-attack in history.  The attack resulted in billions of dollars in
damage across Europe, Asia, and the United States, and significantly disrupted
global shipping, trade, and the production of medicines.  Additionally,
several hospitals in the United States were unable to create electronic records
for more than a week.

Since at least
March 2016, Russian government cyber actors have also targeted U.S. government
entities and multiple U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, including the
energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation, and critical
manufacturing sectors.  Indicators of compromise, and technical details on
the tactics, techniques, and procedures, are provided in the recent technical
alert issued by the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of
Investigation.

In addition to
countering Russia’s malign cyber activity, Treasury continues to pressure
Russia for its ongoing efforts to destabilize Ukraine, occupy Crimea, meddle in
elections, as well as for its endemic corruption and human rights
abuses. The recent use of a military-grade nerve agent in an attempt to
murder two UK citizens further demonstrates the reckless and irresponsible
conduct of its government. To date, this Administration has sanctioned more
than 100 individuals and entities under our Ukraine and Russia-related
sanctions authorities, including 21 individuals, nine entities, and 12
subsidiaries that are owned 50 percent or more by previously sanctioned Russian
companies on January 26, 2018.  These sanctions are in addition to other
ongoing efforts by Treasury to address destabilizing activity emanating from
within Russia, including our sanctioning of Russians targeted for activities
related to the North Korea sanctions program, the Global Magnitsky program, and
the Sergei Magnitsky Act.

As a result of
today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated
persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are
generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.”

Sanctions
include the designation of three entities and 13 individuals pursuant to E.O.
(Executive Order) 13694, as amended, which targets malicious cyber actors,
including those involved in interfering with election processes or
institutions. Sanctions also include the designation of two entities and six
individuals pursuant to section 224 of CAATSA, which targets cyber actors
operating on behalf of the Russian government — Federal Security Service (FSB)
and Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU).

 

Prepared by Marina Muradyan

 

Free chair

 

 

MARCH 1:7 2018 

Past
The week was marked by a large-scale event held in Azerbaijan on March 12-17
with exercises. Around 25,000 different military units took part in them
soldiers, 250 units of tanks and armored vehicles, about 1000 of different calibers
rocket artillery installations and 50 army units of other significance
front air force.

“During the exercise, the troops will perform tasks of repelling the enemy’s attacks, firing at him, as well as restoring the defense lines in advantageous positions through a counter-attack, in order to carry out a further large-scale counter-offensive operation,” the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan announced. Combat shootings using new weapon systems were conducted in various shooting ranges. According to the statement of the spokesperson of the RA MFA, “Azerbaijan started military exercises (the most crowded event within the framework of the country’s president’s “re-election” campaign) under the responsibility of the OSCE. with a shameful violation of the obligation, without notifying the OSCE member states about it.”

That
every country conducts military exercises, and this is a surprise
no, everyone knows. But in this case, two are of interest
circumstance. First, military exercises began in Azerbaijan itself
elections and to elect the current president of Armenia to the post of prime minister
in the direction of the active propaganda work carried out by the ruling party of Armenia
on the threshold. Second, a completely new wording of the purpose of military exercises. “restoration of the defensive line in advantageous positions, further extensive
to carry out counter-offensive operations”. Actually, not
Aliyev borrowed the terms “offensive” and “anti-offensive” from Serzh
from Sargsyan, so that in the future it would not be said that Azerbaijan was the first to start the attack.
This means that over time, if Azerbaijan from any power
If he receives a “dabro” to start military operations, he will definitely start
undertake a “counter-offensive action”. The fact that in 2016 “dabron” was given in April
was from Moscow, they also confirm that in 2018 Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan on March 15
the words in the conversation with “Golos Armeni”. “In 2016, Russia had problems,
so he allowed Azerbaijan to strike…” Now, to the exercises
yesterday, the Kremlin officially announced through the lips of a high-ranking military officer,
that in case of war with Azerbaijan CSTO will not intervene in the military conflict.

There is no doubt that such an approach is possible. Thus, according to the US intelligence report, there is a high probability of the resumption of large-scale military operations in Artsakh. And although the West constantly declares through the lips of Andrew Schaefer that “the status quo cannot be maintained in the long term, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict has no military solution”, it is possible that Azerbaijan, under the leadership of its president, receiving external support, will once again try to carry out “martial exploration” by “tearing” another 800 ha from the lands of Artsakh and coming out victorious in the eyes of its people. Especially, Stockholm International Peace Research According to the data of the Institute (SIRRI), Azerbaijan spent 5 times more funds than Armenia for the acquisition of weapons. Besides, Azerbaijanis are supplied with weapons by other countries (including Israel), while 100 percent of arms supply to Armenia comes from Russia. On the face of it, it seems like a perfect option for a blitzkrieg, especially since the Kremlin’s approval appears to have been obtained.

But wrong
would be to approach this question unambiguously. Moscow has already started thinking
about the effectiveness of unilateral policy in the region. In this sense
“Herik” by political scientists Stanislav Tarasov and Stanislav Stremidlovsky is noteworthy.
is the article “Moscow will play by Baku’s rules”, where the authors simply confirm
are the above. In particular, they write: “… The issue of Nagorno Karabakh
Moscow plays by Azerbaijani rules, while Yerevan and Stepanakert have started
have diversified their foreign policy without hoping that
Russia will set its conditions for lifting the blockade. Russian similar
politics is dangerous because it maintains in Karabakh lightning
of war հնարավորության՝ Hope of Azerbaijan:
And that is when Moscow declares that its goal is not to allow Baku
and another armed conflict between Yerevan. But they are just words, so where are they?
affairs”.

Artsakh
the visit of the government delegation to the United States and its level of acceptance
the fact proves that Washington’s position regarding Artsakh is significant
has undergone changes. The above article confirms the Kremlin’s concern,
which is afraid to let go of the initiative to settle the problem and hand it over
to the USA.

This
was it worth it for Aliyev to put himself in danger in this way?
the future. No one knows how this war will end, right? military exercises of Azerbaijan
in response, the self-defense forces of Artsakh parallel to themselves
conduct military exercises. Moreover, only soldiers can suffer
and the peaceful population both in Artsakh and Azerbaijan. Everything
probably, Aliyev wants the world one more time before the elections
show its military power and Azerbaijan’s “territorial
his right to “restore integrity”. It is not beneficial for Armenia either
Resumption of military operations by Azerbaijan. It’s good if you fight
Artsakh will win as a result. It will be a gift to Serzh Sargsyan for the rest of his life. will automatically guarantee his irreplaceability by the ruling party
the endlessly advancing thesis. And if not? If Armenian forces counterattack
in case the attack is again ordered to stop, as happened in 2016
in the April War. To this day, the society does not know who stopped it
order to take. This time, Serzh Sargsyan will not avoid responsibility
(even if at the time of the start of military operations from the borders of Armenia
out) because he is the supreme commander. Not in any case
none of the options for the further development of the situation, and Armenia, can be excluded
must be ready for anything. But we must always remember that the lives of our soldiers
does not directly depend on the quantity and quality of weapons, but on the conduct of Armenia
from a competent and sovereign foreign policy, without relying on outside help
to put

 

Karapet Kalenchyan

 

 

 

MARCH 1:7 2018 

Last Saturday, March 10th, at its inaugural event in Liberty Square
The rally was held by the “For the State of Armenia” front. This initiative
or the movement claims to be the very platform that, as they say,
will fight for a change of power. The front is going to consolidate around it different
parties and individuals. Speeches were made during the rally.
the program of the movement was published, as well as “Freedom for political prisoners”
with chants, a march was started to the Armenia of the United Nations and the Council of Europe
offices, handing over the letter summarizing their demands to those structures. It specifically states: “The government that has political prisoners
should have no place in the civilized world, especially in the European family, where
human rights are protected at the highest level.” The next rally
scheduled for March 16.

…first
let’s face it, Freedom Square was quite crowded, which was unexpected
even for organizers. “For the sake of the State of Armenia” initiative
created a month ago․members mostly Shushi
commander of a separate battalion, mass since June of last year
“Founder
They are supporters of the leader of the parliament, Zhirayr Sefilyan. Movement with the first step
intends to create a temporary government, as well as amnesty in the meantime
release the political prisoners, later approved by the Constituent Assembly
Constitution and hold new elections. At this moment, “For the sake of Armenia
is included among the most famous political forces in the “state” front
“Heritage”. The newly elected chairman of the party, Armen Martirosyan, who
participated in the rally, he emphasized in his speech that the movement, in fact,
is anti-partisan, and all efforts should be combined to prevent RPA
reproduction or Serzh Sargsyan’s prime ministership. Otherwise, according to
Martirosyan, if after April 9 Sargsyan continues to serve as
Prime Minister, then in later years several tens of thousands from Armenia again
people will emigrate. That is exactly what they should not allow. Announcement
It was announced that from April 9, when Serzh Sargsyan’s tenure as the RA President ends
powers and factions of the National Assembly within seven days
present their candidates for the Prime Minister, regular rallies for 7 days
will be held. “Exit” faction of the National Assembly was present at the March 10 rally
leader Nikol Pashinyan, faction deputy Ararat Mirzoyan, a number of others
human rights defenders. Among the latter, Artur Sakunts discussed in his speech
the topic of political prisoners, specifically mentioning Shant Harutyunyan, Zhirayr
The names of Sefilyan, Andrias Ghukasyan. According to the human rights defender, it is unacceptable
Having political prisoners in the 21st century. Indeed, we did not disagree with this point of view
can

 

About three dozen civil society organizations issued a statement demanding the authorities to immediately stop the political persecution of Andrias Ghukasyan, a member of the “New Armenia” opposition movement, and release him. The organizations “express their strong concern and indignation” regarding the ongoing political persecution against Andrias Ghukasyan. “Local and international structures have repeatedly spoken out and recorded that the authorities are “punishing” Andrias Ghukasyan for his political views. But these assessments have been ignored by both by the authorities of Armenia, as well as international organizations cooperating with them,” the statement said.

…Remember that
Andrias Ghukasyan was charged with eight other people in 2016
to organize and participate in mass riots on July 29
for However, currently only Ghukasyan is facing the aforementioned accusation
of criminal prosecution, against which the sanction was applied, despite many
petitions, does not change, and he continues to remain in prison. It is noteworthy that Andrias Ghukasyan’s restraining order was changed in the Court of Appeal
during the examination of the complaint submitted regarding
will Ghukasyan continue his opposition activities, if free?
be released. And having received his unequivocal positive answer, the Appellant decides
decided not to change the preventive measure applied to the opposition figure – arrest.
Civil society organizations mention in their statement
are that on February 23, 2017, the European Court of Human Rights
registered Ghukasyan’s complaint. Moreover, against the Republic of Armenia
the present complaint raised for the first time Article 18 of the Convention
the question of infringement. This article aims to ban against political opposition
abuse of state power, and the European Court interprets it as a means of:
against any “ulterior motives” of government agencies. Human
the European Court of Human Rights to examine Andrias Ghukasyan’s claim
has given priority, which implies that the court should short
ask the Armenian government questions about the violations within the time limits.
Unfortunately, more than 12 months have passed, but by the court to the Armenian government
no questions asked. In this regard, civil NGOs to the European Union
and offer political to the international structures cooperating with Armenia
the prosecutions and, in particular, the criminal prosecution against Ghukasyan
make the demand to stop their relations with the Republic of Armenia
one of the main prerequisites for development. And European Human Rights
they demand from the court to demonstrate consistency, which has a political connotation
to the examination of cases, even more so when for the examination of these cases
priority order is set. Journalists signed the statement
“Asparez” club, “Helsinki Association of Armenia”, “Aware citizens
association”, “Helsinki Civic Assembly Vanadzor office” public
organizations, Yerevan press club and others. It is a pity that our
days when the whole civilized world recognizes fundamental human rights
supremacy, the authorities of Armenia do not change the free will of the citizen
from the society of unpleasant persons by means of catching, conjuring and contrived works
to isolate their vicious practices.

 

On March 12-14, the delegation led by the President of the Republic of Artsakh, Bako Sahakyan, was on a working visit to Washington, the capital of the USA. This was reported by the Artsakh president’s press service. The delegation visited the RA embassy in Washington and the permanent representation of Nagorno-Karabakh, met with diplomatic staffs. Later it became known that Bako Sahakyan also had meetings in the US Congress. According to an official source, the visit of the President of Artsakh to the USA has irritated the authorities of Azerbaijan. Yesterday, the United States ambassador to that country, Robert Secuta, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. where he was given a note of protest regarding Bako Sahakyan’s visit.

It turns out that official Baku, in particular, did not like the fact that Bako Sahakyan was going to hold meetings in the administration building of the US Congress. In the note of protest addressed to the states, the American authorities were called upon to follow “the norms of international rights and not to allow activities aimed at violating the sovereignty of Azerbaijan in its territory.” “With this step, the United States deals a serious blow to the negotiation process and serves to increase tension in the region. Azerbaijan will reciprocate such behavior,” the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan stated in addition to the official message. Bako Sahakyan’s visit Yesterday, John Evans, the former ambassador of the United States to Armenia, published an article in The National Interest magazine, writing that it is time for the international community to accept NKR into the family of nations. “This week,” wrote Evans in the American periodical, “the democratically elected president of Artsakh, Bako Sahakyan, will visit Washington.” He will not be accepted by the American administration partly because the United States is silent on whether Artsakh should eventually be independent from Azerbaijan, which was annexed by Joseph Stalin in 1921.” In the article written by Evans, the need for the recognition of Karabakh runs like a red thread the idea. According to the former ambassador, the right of self-determination of nations has become superior to the principle of territorial integrity. “The people of Artsakh have and should enjoy the same rights as all of us,” the diplomat summed up.

It is noteworthy
that Bako Sahakyan’s visit coincided with the Armenia-US friendship group, Washington
to the visit, which has an important advice, especially for future US-Artsakh contacts
in the context of revitalization, the expectation of American support for the sensitive issue of Artsakh.
The President of the Republic of Artsakh in his speech at the US Congress on March 14
highlighted the meetings organized in the highest US legislative body:
noting that they increase their responsibility, persistent and hardworking
to carry out work, to further deepen bilateral relations
in developing.

 

Gevorg Lalayan commented

 

 

CNNaccording to President
Donald Trump has announced that he has fired Secretary of State Ricks
Tillerson, and the State Department will be headed by CIA Director Mike Pompeo, USA
ahead of a possible meeting between the president and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
In his March 13 farewell statement, Tillerson expressed gratitude
inform the American people, the staff of the State Department, and the national flag
diplomats. By: CNNof, Trump months
continued to want to see Pompeo as secretary of state. “Me and Pompeo
we are on the same channel, and our relations have always been very good,” he said
Trump.

The same
according to the periodical Gina Haspel will become the Central Intelligence Agency
the first female director of the department. He has more than 30 years of experience as an intelligence officer
owns and managed one of the prisons called “black places” in Thailand, where in 2002
suspected al-Qaeda members were being tortured.

 

Russian spy Sergei Skripal and
his daughter was deliberately poisoned Novichoknervous
through gas, whose developer Wil Mirzoyanov called it “mass destruction
weapon”. Theresa May blamed Russia for the incident and from the country banish 23:00
Russian diplomats. As reported The New York Timeshe
promised to “deal with Russian spies, corrupt electorate and theirs
matters of unjustified wealth”.

US Senator John
McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, published
The following regarding the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia the statement.
“We hope that Sergei and Yulia Skripal will recover, but they have to
let’s accept the harsh reality. In the shadow of the Kremlin or in the English countryside
Putin will not shy away from participating under state sponsorship in peaceful cities
killing and endangering the lives of innocent people. He should not be allowed
to treat the United Kingdom or another country as political
place of murder”.

The periodical
also presented quotes from the USA, France, Germany and the United States
Kingdom representatives together from the announcement:
It specifically states: “We are from France, Germany, and the United States
and leaders of the United Kingdom, we consider 2018 to be a scam
against Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, United Kingdom on March 4
the attack carried out by … British police officer, who was also attacked,
remains in dire straits, and to the lives of many innocent British citizens
there is also a danger. Our condolences to all those affected… That
was an attack on the sovereignty of the United Kingdom, and of any state
The use of such gas by the Chemical Weapons Convention and international
is a gross violation of the right. It threatens the safety of us all… We are called
makes Russia do its part as a member of the UN Security Council
obligations for the maintenance of international peace and security”.

 

Prepared by Marina Muradyan