Category: 2018

Azerbaijani Press: Azerbaijan and Armenia: possible outcomes of the arms race

Emil Lazarian
Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijani Opposition
Friday
Azerbaijan and Armenia: possible outcomes of the arms race
 
by Turan Analytical Service
 
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an organization dealing with the problems of war and monitoring the growth of world armaments. SIPRI regularly publishes analytical reports on military procurement of weapons, focusing on which determines the growth or decline of tension in the world. Since 1995, information on procurement of AR and RA has been constantly published in these reports.
 
Military budgets
 
As can be seen from the table, from 1995 to 2005, the military expenditures of the two countries were comparable, after which a large-scale gap began in favor of Azerbaijan. Since 2002, the AR has increased the volume of arms imports by 164%, ranking the 38th among more than 100 countries of the world, while in Armenia over the past 10 years, the level of procurement of weapons has declined. In the years 2002-2006 Armenia was 71st, but now it is in 84th place.
 
In 2007-2011, 55% of weapons were imported from the Russian Federation, while in Armenia almost all weapons (96%) were of Russian origin.
 
According to SIPRI (Baku / 14.03.18 / Turan): “Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2016-2017 bought arms worth about $700 million. During this period, Armenia ranked 54th in the world, importing arms worth $ 124 million (100% of arms supplies to Armenia were in the Russian Federation).
 
Azerbaijan at that time took 27th place: purchased in two years armaments for $551 million (mainly from Israel and Russia and a small number from Slovakia and the Czech Republic).
 
The scale of the military budgets of two, in general, small countries – a colossal, capable of plunging them into economic chaos. While this perspective is somewhat removed due to petrodollars coming to the AR and in most cases of gratuitous transfer of weapons to the Russian Federation granted a loan of $ 200 million to the Russian Federation for the purchase of Russian weapons).
 
Probability of military operations
 
However, in this case too, the arms race leads to a permanent escalation of tension and the erosion of stability. Thus, in April 2016 the armed forces of the Azerbaijan broke through the echeloned and strengthened line of defense of the Armenian forces on several sectors of the front. At the same time, the Azerbaijani Army demonstrated for the first time the ability to carry out offensive operations with the combined use of enemy destruction facilities: “drones”, long-range artillery, aviation, tanks and multiple-launch systems.
 
Since military operations (which in fact continue with less intensity) take place on the territory of Azerbaijan, Baku has more prospects in the war of attrition, exhausting the insignificant potential of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. In this regard, the course of the conflict, as well as the ways to solve it, can acquire new options. This is indirectly evidenced by the course of the negotiation process after the military operations of 2016.
 
In any case, in the near future militarization of the region will increase, which can lead to new large-scale clashes.
 
Military potential of Azerbaijan and Armenia
 
In April 2016 (see globalpower.org website), the military power of AR was estimated 1.5 times above Armenia.
 
According to data for 2014 (published on the CIA website), Azerbaijan spent 5.1% of GDP on military needs, Armenia – 4.29%. In both cases, these figures grew all the previous years, but the ratio persisted – Baku armed much more actively than Yerevan.
 
In the distribution of the quota of the USSR, as defined by the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), quotas of 220 tanks, as many armored vehicles, 285 artillery systems, 100 combat aircraft and 50 attack helicopters were established for Azerbaijan and Armenia. There is no precise data on how much the armaments of a country fit into these quotas, but the official data of the parties are falsified.
 
For example, in 2013 (according to official Russian data provided by the United Nations), the Russian Federation supplied 10 tanks and 10 armored personnel carriers to the AP, the AR did not specify a single one.
 
Assessment of the military power of Armenia is even more complicated. In addition to the fact that this country does not tend to advertise its purchases, there are two formally functioning armies in Karabakh – the armed forces of Armenia and the army of the unrecognized region, and it is very difficult to calculate their armaments. The Nagorno Karabakh armaments, which for some reason it cannot declare.
 
As a result of estimating the quantity of military equipment by different sources, they sometimes differ.
 
Combat equipment (approx. Units)
Azerbaijan Armenia
Tanks 314-750 100-166
Armored cars 1100-1500 140-636
Art. The guns with caliber more than 100 mm 240-469 150-240
Percussion helicopters 18-84 ca. 15
 
In Nagorno-Karabakh can be deployed from 170 to more than 370 tanks, from 270 to 320 armored cars, from 290 to 320 artillery systems, about 40 systems of volley fire.
 
The Azerbaijan republic and Armenia, according to various sources, are armed with unmanned aircraft, anti-tank complexes and MANPADS, air defense systems, including S-300 complexes, multiple rocket launchers, tactical ballistic missiles “Tochka U” and others.
 
Soldiers
 
The draft age for the Azerbaijani army ranges from 18 to 35 years. At the same time the service life of conscript soldiers is 18 months or 12 for graduates of universities. You can be employed under the contract from the age of 17.
 
According to the CFE quotas, the maximum strength of the AR Army is set at 70,000. In different years the real number fluctuated up to 95 thousand in 2005-2007, in 2016 it was about 66 thousand. Up to 300 thousand, according to approximate calculations, can be listed in reserve.
 
The number limit for Armenia is set at 60,000. According to various sources, the Armenian army (excluding armed groups in Karabakh) has about 45,000 military personnel, and another 200 thousand are on reserve.
 
According to various estimates, there may be 20-22 thousand people in Karabakh armed formations, and another 20 to 30 thousand – in reserve.

Azerbaijani Press: The Georgian prime minister in Baku – what kind of reaction will there be against Tbilisi’s pro-Armenian position?

Tatoyan Vazgen
Yeni Musavat, Azerbaijan
March 12 2018
The Georgian prime minister in Baku – what kind of reaction will there be against Tbilisi’s pro-Armenian position?

An interesting commentary by a political expert: ‘A tough position should be displayed against him…’
by Cavansir Abbasli
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from Azeri]

On 11 March, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili was to visit Azerbaijan. At his official meetings in Baku, he was expected to discuss regional projects being implemented jointly by Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as prospects for development of bilateral relations.

The Georgian prime minister’s visit to Baku [on 12 March] led to a series of discussions. This is due to the fact that the Georgian government have recently come to terms with Armenians and are ignoring countries like Azerbaijan and Turkey that they considered close to themselves.

The refusal of Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili to pay tribute to the memory of the victims of the 26 February Xocali (Khojaly) genocide at a meeting with a group of ethnic Azerbaijanis in (Georgia’s) Borcali [Marneuli District] on the same day and his subsequent visit to Yerevan, where he laid a wreath at the so-called “Armenian genocide” monument and described Armenia as a “friendly country” have caused serious dissatisfaction.

At the time of these discussions, the 9 March visit of Georgian Defence Minister Levan Izoria followed by the country’s [Georgia’s] prime minister to our country raised some questions. Opinions have been expressed that the Georgian government are aware of their mistake and want to somehow “please” Baku.

Expert view

Political analyst Nazakat Mammadova touched on several important points that led to a rapprochement between Georgia and Armenia: “For example, the trade turnover [between Armenia and Georgia] increased by 24 per cent last year. I think, first of all, Armenia’s signing a partnership agreement with the EU has had a major impact on these issues. Armenia has found certain opportunities, for example, to offer Georgia using the advantages of the free trade zone on the border with Iran. Thus, Georgia can export its products to Iran. New geopolitical realities have emerged recently. This manifests itself in the form of Armenia’s rapprochement with Europe to some extent; Georgia’s softening its hostility against Russia, the lifting of sanctions against Iran, and Turkey’s rapprochement with Russia and distancing from the West. As a result, Armenia and Georgia, which are under the influence of separate geopolitical power centres, have to come closer. Armenia’s signing an agreement with the EU creates conditions for Georgia’s advancement as the most pro-Western Caucasus state.”

According to the political expert, Georgia’s incumbent government is not pursuing a unilateral pro-Western policy: “Joint regional projects involving Azerbaijan and Georgia were the result of this. The incumbent government claims having good-neighbourly relations with all the regional countries of the region as the Shevardnadze government did. However, another important point that affects the situation is that after the pro-western liberal Saakashvili, businessmen were brought to the Georgian leadership.

“The incumbent prime minister of Georgia is a former banker. The new president of Armenia, Armen Sargsyan, is a businessman, who organised the British HSBC Bank’s operations in the Caucasus. Apparently, the representation of businessmen in the political elite of the two countries may have a certain impact on this rapprochement. The Russian factor can also play a role here. The West’s positions in Georgia are already weakening. For example, according to a poll conducted by the National Democratic Institute, 29 per cent of Georgians are against integration in NATO. They are worried that the 2008 Georgian-Russian war could flared up again, and that the West would again leave Georgia alone in the face of Russian threat and that the Georgian Orthodox Church will face a threat from Catholic Europe.”

The political expert said it was important to continue interstate relations with Georgia at the current level: “The refusal of the Georgian president to pay tribute to the memory of the Xocali genocide victims is the result of all these developments. However, if the prime minister’s visit to the fictional ‘genocide’ complex in Yerevan was envisaged by the protocol rules, it would have been known to Georgia, which is currently pursuing a balanced policy, that the move would cause dissatisfaction in Azerbaijan and Turkey. Azerbaijan is pursuing a very strong lobbying policy in Georgia, and this is admitted by Georgian and Armenian politicians, as well as Russians.

“As of now, Azerbaijan’s Georgia policy can be regarded as satisfactory, and Azerbaijan is doing its best to maintain its positions in Georgia. It is exactly a result of this that Armenia cannot enter Georgia. Azerbaijan is both in a dominant position in Georgia’s energy market, and uses this country as a transport and transit corridor. It would be wrong to assume a tough position during the Georgian prime minister’s visit, since the Georgian side can say that they are a sovereign country and as an independent nation, they have the right to maintain relations with any country, including neighbouring Armenia.

“Therefore, Azerbaijan should not pay much attention to the protocol rules like paying tribute to the so-called ‘genocide’ monument by the Georgian president, and should continue pursuing its traditional policy and not give up its position with regard to Georgia as an important partner in the transit and energy market. Armenia’s access to the external world through Georgia should be as restricted as possible.

“If the level of relations is reduced due to the protocol rules, for a visit to the so-called genocide memorial, many presidents visit this complex when in Armenia. Given this, Turkey and Azerbaijan would have to suffer diplomatic tensions with a number of countries around the world. We even know that some of the leaders of the Turkic-speaking Central Asian republics have also done so. Georgia has not officially recognised the Armenian genocide, and paying tribute to the so-called monument represents no threat. This is an ordinary protocol rule.”

Azerbaijani Press: Military aspects of cooperation between Baku and Tbilisi

Adrine Hakobian
Turan news agency, Azerbaijan
March 13 2018
Military aspects of cooperation between Baku and Tbilisi
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from the Russian edition of Turan]
On 9 March 2018, the Azerbaijani and Georgian defence ministers [Zakir Hasanov and Levan Izoria respectively] signed in Baku a plan of military cooperation for 2018. During the meeting, the ministers, Zakir Hasanov and Levan Izoria, discussed cooperation in arms control, prospects for military cooperation and joint drills, and [cooperation] in efficient organisation of defence of major transport and energy projects implemented with the participation of the two countries.

Military cooperation between the two South Caucasus countries, which began in 2007, has been successfully developing on a bilateral basis, within the Nato framework and in the format of tripartite military cooperation between Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.

In 2012, the sides signed in Trabzon (Turkey) a declaration on cooperation in foreign policy, settlement of [Azerbaijan’s breakaway Nagorno-]Karabakh, [and Georgia’s breakaway] Abkhazia and South Ossetia problems, and economic and transport spheres. In May 2015, the defence ministers of the three countries discussed in Ankara security of the railway lines and the energy supply infrastructure. In December 2015, yet another similar meeting was held in Istanbul, which was dedicated to defence security and modernisation of the armed forces. In February 2017, the Georgian and Turkish defence ministers discussed in Brussels the signing of an agreement on tripartite military cooperation.

Diplomatic activities regarding military cooperation between the three countries immediately started being used in the practical field. In 2012, the Georgian Armed Forces participated in the Azerbaijani-Turkish drills for the first time, and in August 2014, the three countries reached an agreement on setting up a new diplomatic format: Tripartite meetings between defence ministers to be held twice a year. Apart from this, the sides decided to hold drills on a regular basis, agreeing to hold them in early summer every year.

Military cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan stem from historic, cultural, and ethnic closeness of the two countries, raising no questions. However, Georgia’s enthusiastic joining of bilateral cooperation is indicative of the fact that the chief conductor of the process is Nato, which is apparently trying to counter the Kremlin’s expansionism by uniting and strengthening a kind of security belt, which comprises former Soviet countries. In other words, in the South Caucasus, we are witnessing the revival of GUAM [regional organisation for Democracy and Economic Development of four post-Soviet states – Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova] possibly in a somewhat different shape.

A similar process is also noticeable on the western borders of the former Soviet Union. At the parliamentary forum held in Chisinau in early March 2018, parliament speakers of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia signed a resolution on joint counteraction to Russian aggression and coordination of activities on a number of related problems, including reintegration of occupied territories, issues of security and economic cooperation, and those of integration in the EU. Representatives of the European Parliament, the US Congress, and MPs form a number of EU countries were invited to participate in the forum. Among those invited were Nato Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow, Eurasian Centre Director John Herbst, Atlantic Council Executive Vice President Damon Wilson, and other experts in security issues. The Azerbaijani delegation did not participate in the forum. However, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Ukraine Azer Xudiyev made a statement on a project of regional agreement of Azerbaijan with Turkey and Ukraine.

Russia and Armenia are concerned

Attempts by Nato and Turkey (that apparently has its own interests in the region, which differ from those of Nato) to gain a foothold in the former Soviet countries cannot fail to arouse Moscow’s and Yerevan’s concern. So far, no objections have been voiced from these capitals. However, Russian and Armenian experts actively comment on the aforementioned agreement and the process of developing military cooperation between Baku, Tbilisi, and Ankara, which shows that the process should not remain unaddressed.

Discussing the given agreement, Russian experts emphasise that “there are minimal chances that it will turn into a full-fledged regional military and political organisation or at least into a monolithic strategic alliance sharing long-term objectives and goals.” The thing is that the sides’ long-term interests differ. Thus, Georgia is heading to Europe, while Turkey is trying to pursue in the region the policy of “neo-Ottomanism”, and Azerbaijan, which has become hostage of the Karabakh problem, is trying to pursue a neutral or even friendly policy regarding Russia.

Apart from this, Russian expert Nikolai Silayev believe that “if the Karabakh conflict unfreezes, Turkey will not go to the length of showing military support for Azerbaijan, [as] this is sure to be followed by Russia’s response and no chances of support from Nato. (http://bit.ly/2pgWnJs)

It is being noted that Turkey significantly outstrips its partners in all spheres and that imbalance of the kind is sure to become a destabilising factor in the future. However, Russian experts agree that it would be wrong to underestimate the tripartite regional alliance supported by Nato, as this cannot fail to undermine Russia’s interests. (In this case, they probably imply military domination over the whole post-Soviet area). “Thus, despite all weaknesses and drawbacks,” pundit Ivan Sidorov said, “military and political alliance between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey is a significant factor in the system of international relations in the South Caucasus, posing quite a few dangers to the stability in the region, which claims rapt attention on the part of regional players, particularly Russia.” http://bit.ly/2FOK8KF

Even more decomposed are comments on the aforementioned bilateral and tripartite military cooperation by experts from Armenia – the country which is the main source of tensions in the South Caucasus. For example, the well-known Internet website Rosbalt published an article headlined “Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are setting up a military triumvirate. Losing allies, [Turkish Presdient Recep Tayyip] Erdogan wants to bring at least the South Caucasus under its umbrella!” http://bit.ly/2pgWnJs

“Military cooperation between Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey undermines Armenia’s security,” [the expert said]. According to him, “being aimed to isolate Armenia, this format represents a suitable platform for Ankara’s expansionist aspirations, pushing forwards its interests in the South Caucasus,” orientalist Ruben Safrastyan emphasised. http://bit.ly/2pgWnJs

“The fact of conducting military exercises of the kind should put us on the guard,” the expert said. “Look at the map and it will become clear that the exercises are directed against Armenia,” [he said].

“With time, tripartite cooperation between Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan will show more clearly that it is directed against Armenia,” expert Roman Karapetyan believes, pointing to the way out of the situation dangerous for Armenia. “On the path of reducing the impact of this cooperation and alternatives, it is necessary to counteract to this cooperation at the regional level in the Russia-Armenia-Iran format,” [he said]. http://bit.ly/2FFzGcb

On the whole, Russian and Armenian experts’ opinion on prospects for the aforementioned military cooperation is as follows: Ankara will choose not to have a quarrel with Moscow over the South Caucasus; but it would be a big mistake to lose sight of the developments to unfold in this direction… [Ellipsis as published].

At the given stage, it is difficult not to agree with the opinion. However, continued importance of the South Caucasus, the West’s and Turkey’s persistent strive to gain a foothold in the region, and all sorts of growing crises in Russia suggest that in a decade, the situation in the region might change dramatically and at that point of time, the aforementioned military cooperation might play a positive role in establishing peace and ensuring development in the region.

Tigran Hayrapetyan: Jurisprudence has abandoned Zhirayr Sefilyan’s case (video)

Badalian Vardan
  • 18:17 | March 16,2018 | Social
  • Armenian:
  • Rus

The accusation against Shushi’s special battalion commander, Jirayr Sefilyan,  his advocate defined as incomprehensible and contradictory to logic. “It’s a pity that the whole Prosecutor’s Office did not find someone who would appreciate that conclusion and would eliminate the accusation. This can mean two things. Either there are no people in the Prosecutor’s Office who notice absurdity, or there are specialists who do not do any job, but only create illusions to work,” said Tigran Hayrapetyan.

Zhirayr Sefilyan, who has been in custody for nearly two years, is accused of organizing mass riots, preparing an illegal group for organizing mass riots, preparing for the occupation of buildings. “Jurisprudence has abandoned this case since March 2015 and and left forever.”

According to the advocate, the indictment should clearly state when the seizure of buildings was planned and why it was not implemented by Sefilyan. “Let’s suppose that Sefilyan was  to capture the Nubarashen military unit on May 30 and until May 29 to take measures to seize buildings. However, on May 29 he changed his intention and refused to seize the building. In this case, there is no criminal offense in Sefilyan’s actions,” added Hayrapetyan.

In the defense speech the advocate stated that Judge Tatevik Grigoryan, violating the procedural order, did not clarify the grounds for accusation. “It is not envisaged by any norm that a judge can fail to fulfill his/her duties and violate the right of a person to defend himself. The laws of criminals that have recently been welcomed by our society and widely disseminated in the highest instances, up to the NA, do not contain such provisions as to blame a person and not to clarify what he or she should protect herself from,” added Tigran Hayrapetyan.

The defender reminded that the evidence examined in the court substantiated Zhirayr Sefilyan’s innocence, so all the articles suggested were to prove the innocence of the Artsakh war hero.

How Zoravar Andranik was confused with Hermine Naghdalyan’s worker (video)

Emil Lazarian
  • 18:38 | March 16,2018 | Social
  • Armenian:
  • Rus

“The authorities and the opposition are like napkins, they are subject to change because of the fact that both of them are dirty,” said Mnatsakan Harutyunyan, founder of “Hrazdan” TV.

The presentation of his book “The Idolaters” took place today at the  Central Library after Avetik Isahakyan. According to the author, the title of the book had given rise to different assumptions. Many are convinced that it is about the authorities, whereas the author’s explanation is different. “This book is not about the authorities, but about all of us. And when I say those idolaters, I mean this to all of us. We are all idolaters.”

Mnatsakan Harutyunyan does not consider himself a writer, though he is creative. Years ago, the incident of authorities’ ignorance of Zoravar Andranik’s birthday has become a motive for writing a story. The story remains unrecognized, and then turned into a book entitled “Idolaters”.

Morover in the video

Wesley So vs. Levon Aronyan. LIVE

Emil Lazarian
  • 19:20 | March 16,2018 | Sports
  • Armenian:
  • Rus

In today’s scheduled 6th round of the tournament held in Berlin Levon Aronyan will play against Wesley So.

Our chess player earned 2.5 points out of five possible and is yet sharing the 4-6th places. The American GM has so far played three draws in the tournament and with Sergey Karjakin shares the 7-8th line. The tournament table is headed by the American Fabiano Caruana, who has 3,5 points in the asset.

The party Wesley So vs. Levon Aronyan, which is important for the parties, will start at 18:00. Chess fans can watch it live on our website.

Statement by Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia at the Ministerial Meeting on Support to Lebanon

Hagop Kamalian
  • 19:24 | March 16,2018 | Official
  • Armenian:

Honorable Secretary General of the United Nations
Honorable Prime Minister of Italy,
Honorable Prime Minister of Lebanon,
Ladies and Gentlemen,Lebanon is the quintessence of the Middle East with its multicultural, multiethnic and multi-religious structure that is the reflection of almost the whole region within the boundaries of one state. It is a challenge, since everything happening in the region can resonate in this country, at the same time it is an asset in terms of benefits born of the diversity.For these very reasons Lebanon may have an impact on the regional situation either exacerbating its wounds, or at the current turbulent times act as an island of peace, representing an example of coexistence for others. All these add to the significance of this state for the regional security and stability and in helping this country to effectively address the challenges. We anticipate that this conference will make a tangible contribution in this regard and will be followed by not less meaningful steps.The importance of the situation in Lebanon for Armenia goes beyond its regional significance. For centuries the Armenian nation has constituted part of the Lebanese and in general the Middle East mosaic. Today this country hosts the largest Armenian community in the region, and continue to be one of the cultural and spiritual centers of our people. Traditionally Armenians have been active in all spheres of the social life in Lebanon, including the politics. Today they are represented both in the Government and in the Parliament. The Armenians shared the whole difficulties that befell on the people of Lebanon and look forward to make their contribution to the safe and secure future of the state. The Republic of Armenia stands by the people of Lebanon in reaching these aspirations.On numerous occasions Armenia has expressed its support to the friendly people of Lebanon. It has been once again reiterated during the February official visit of the President of Lebanon to Armenia, as well as during the Armenian Prime Minister’s official visit to Lebanon three days ago.Ladies and Gentlemen,Starting from November 2014 the Armenian platoon composed of 32 peacekeepers has been serving under the Italian command in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). It is with great sense of responsibility that Armenia has engaged in this mission seeking to contribute to the efficient activities of the UNIFIL aimed at ensuring peace in friendly Lebanon.UNIFIL is not the only peacebuilding operation that Armenia has joined. The United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations stated in this regard that “Armenia’s support is important not only for its contribution but also for the Armenian history and the challenges overcome during it”. Indeed, history teaches us that security is a common endeavor.Ladies and Gentlemen,We are looking forward to more effective cooperation between Armenia and Lebanon in defence and security fields based on the precise proposals that are already on the table, as well as the new ideas.The role of Lebanon in the region is not limited to its strategic importance, but indeed, the traditional ethno-confessional colorfulness and the richness of historical-cultural heritage that it represents. These are universal values that require global protection.Thank You.

Asbarez: ANCA Briefs Artsakh President Bako Sahakian at National Headquarters

Emil Lazarian
  • Armenia

    •  

  • Artsakh

    •  

  • Featured Story

    •  

  • Latest

    •  

  • News

    •  

  • Top Stories

4 hours ago

A scene from the Artsakh policy briefing held in the ANCA’s Aramian Conference Room

Shares ANCA Artsakh Advocacy and Youth Development Priorities with Visiting President and his Delegation

WASHINGTON—Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) President Bako Sahakian was joined by his Foreign Minister Masis Mayilian, Parliamentarians David Ishkhanian and David Melkoumyan, and his Deputy Chief of Staff David Babayan at a policy briefing by national and regional leaders of the Armenian National Committee of America on the full array of pro-Artsakh priorities at the national, state, and locals levels of the U.S. government.

Prior to the policy briefing, President Sahakian visited the Aramian House, the downtown Washington, DC home of the ANCA’s signature youth and career development initiatives: The ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program and the ANCA Leo Sarkisian Summer Internship Program.  The visiting head of state was welcomed by Gateway Program Director Tereza Yerimyan, who shared the programs, features, and successes during a presentation and tour of the 8-bedroom property in the prestigious Dupont Circle neighborhood.

Artsakh President Bako Sahakian and his delegation at the ANCA headquarters

“We were pleased to welcome President Sahakian to the Aramian House, a powerful brick-and-mortar symbol the ANCA’s long-term investment in our youth and enduring commitment to strengthening America’s friendship with the people of Artsakh and Armenia for generations to come,” said Gateway Program Director Tereza Yerimyan. “It was an honor to host this first of many visits by an Artsakh head of State, whose warm words of support for our ANCA leadership development programs hold special meaning for us all.”

The ANCA was honored to receive an Artsakh rug and Artsakh’s “Partez” teas from President Sahakian and his delegation

Among those taking part in the briefing were ANCA Board Member Greg Bedian of Illinois, ANCA-Western U.S. Chair Nora Hovsepian, ANCA Eastern U.S. board member Armen Sahakian and the ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian and his Washington DC team.  Accompanying the Artsakh delegation was the republic’s Representative in the United States, Robert Avetisyan and Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Grigor Hovhannessian.

ANCA Program Director Tereza Yerimyan describes highlights of the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program and Leo Sarkisian Internship Program to President Sahakian and his delegation.

ANCA Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian, who led the national-level advocacy section of the briefing, noted afterward, “We welcome high-level policy briefings as truly unique opportunities to share our work, to exchange ideas, and explore pathways forward toward a durable and democratic resolution of outstanding issues between Artsakh and Azerbaijan. Our Artsakh advocacy program – which covers a broad array of policy priorities – aligns with our core aims of independent status and inviolable security for Artsakh’s citizens and state.”

Among the key issues included in the briefing were:

– Promoting peace/stability, via implementation of Royce-Engel proposals
– Promoting dialogue, via Travel/Communications Act and Artsakh’s return to talks
– Continuing direct aid to Artsakh (de-mining and Baroness Cox Rehabilitation Center)
– Cutting/suspending military aid to Azerbaijan (Section 907 of FREEDOM Support Act)
– Supporting Congressional and other U.S. official and non-official travel to Artsakh
– Expanding state recognition of Artsakh (beyond CA, GA, HI, LA, MA ME, MI, RI)
– Opposing potential Iron Dome sale to Azerbaijan (U.S. third-party/arms export laws)
– Seeking Azerbaijan sanctions due to corruption, crackdowns, and regional aggression
– Opposing Azerbaijan’s WTO membership due to its blockade and aggression

The ANCA-Western U.S. briefing was led by Nora Hovsepian, while the ANCA Eastern U.S. briefing was offered by Armen Sahakian. Each presented detailed reviews of state and local advocacy efforts on Artsakh-related issues.

President Sahakian is on a week-long working visit to Washington, DC, where, in addition to meetings with Congressional leaders, he and his delegation have met with media outlets and think tank experts.

How Azerbaijani Children Are Taught to HATE Armenians

Bedik Zaminian
  • Armenia

    •  

  • Artsakh

    •  

  • Featured Story

    •  

  • Latest

    •  

  • News

    •  

  • Recent Videos

    •  

  • Top Stories

    •  

  • Videos

4 hours ago

“You are not my enemy. I am not your enemy,” say children of Artsakh

Earlier on Friday Asbarez shared a video on its Facebook page from the Artsakh Ombudsman’s Office (Human Rights Defender) in response to a video recently circulated on social media of Azerbaijani pre-school children voicing their hatred toward Armenians as part of Baku’s state policy of armenophobia that is taught in schools across Azerbaijan.

The said Azerbaijani video depicts pre-school children in Azerbaijan who say that Armenians are their enemy.

The Artsakh Ombudsman’s office surveyed children in the same age bracket in Artsakh about who they believe their “enemies.” The responses from children in Artsakh varied from Batman and dragons as being their enemy, while other simply said they do not have enemies.

The Artsakh Ombudsman’s Office also detailed the atrocities—war crimes—committed by Azerbaijanis during the 2016 April War, during which some soldiers were decapitated and elderly residents of Artsakh were brutalized.

At the conclusion of the video, the children in Artsakh expressed their worldview on the topic: “You are not my enemy. I am not your enemy.”





168: Armenia hasn’t received any proposal from Turkey on normalization of relations without any preconditions

Hovik Karapetian
| 10:52 | March 16 2018
Categories
Politics
Region

Armenia hasn’t received any proposal from Turkey on normalization of relations without any preconditions, Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia Shavarsh Kocharyan told the reporters answering the question if there have been any developments in the relations with Turkey following Armenia’s declaration of the Zurich protocols null and void.

“Following the withdrawal of the protocols first the instruction of the President was implemented which was about informing the Turkish side about Armenia’s decision. At the same time I would like to remind that the Armenian side has announced that it’s always ready for negotiations to normalize the relations, but without preconditions. In this regard we have not received any proposal from Turkey”, Kocharyan said.

During his speech at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly on September 20 2017, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan announced that Armenia will declare the two Protocols null and void since they continuously lacked any positive progress towards their implementation, and will enter the spring of 2018 without those, as the experience has demonstrated, futile Protocols.

Serzh Sargsyan declared the Armenian-Turkish protocols null and void during a National Security Council session in the Presidential Palace on March 1 2018.

In 2008, at the initiative of the President of Armenia a new phase of normalization of the Armenian-Turkish relations began, which resulted in the Armenian and Turkish ministers of foreign affairs signing the “Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey” and “Protocol on development of relations between of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Turkey” on October 10, 2009 in Zurich.

However, after the signature, Turkey abruptly changed its position and rejected to implement the agreements on the normalization of the relations within a reasonable timeframe and without any preconditions, linking the ratification of the Protocols in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.