Category: 2019

Azerbaijani Press: What will they talk about, if there is nothing to talk?

Maral Takmazian
Turan Information Agency, Azerbaijani Opposition Press
March 1, 2019 Friday
What will they talk about, if there is nothing to talk?
 
by Kamal Ali
 
 
The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs announced the consent of the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia to hold a new meeting. A day earlier, Armenian Prime Minister N. Pashinyan declared his desire to meet with I. Aliyev in Iran. We will turn to Pashinyan’s Iranian speech later. Now let’s ask ourselves: Pashinyan told the Armenian community of Iran that “the time has come to make dreams come true … we together are one on the way to achieving our dreams, such as economic opportunities of Armenia, the realization of the just demands of the people of Artsakh, the realization of our dreams.” Then, reporting on his intention to meet with I.Aliyev, added that there is no agenda for the future meeting.
 
In a statement dated March 1, the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs Igor Popov, Stefan Visconti and Andrew Chaufer reported that they had met with Pashinyan and Aliyev on February 20-21. “The co-chairs positively assessed the continued absence of victims on the line of contact. They also welcomed the developing discussions in the region about preparing the population for peace,” Turan reported.
 
Now the main point: are there really discussions in the region about preparing people for peace?
 
The only one who spoke about preparations for peace in Azerbaijan is the director of the NGO Society for Humanitarian Research (Baku) Avaz Hasanov, whose initiative was not welcomed by his antagonist, the Karabakh Liberation Committee, together with their many supporters. The attacks on Hasanov in social networks were full of obscene expressions. There were not peace-loving speeches by officials Azerbaijan; on the contrary, representatives of the Foreign Ministry and the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan gave very sharp answer to every reactionary statement of the Armenian side.
 
As for the actions, the Azerbaijani peacefulness towards the enemy was reflected in a significant reduction in attacks from the Azerbaijani side. The withdrawal of the army from the western borders, which are now guarded by our border guards. The termination of work of snipers. Establishment of a communication line between representatives of President I.Aliyev and Prime Minister N.Pashinyan. Because of these measures of the Azerbaijani command, the rare casualties in the manpower of the Armenian army are explained by the low discipline and military skills of military personnel.
 
Now about the so-called “peace loving and preparing the Armenian population for peace.” In February of this year, Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan announced the transition of the Armenian army to the offensive tactics of waging a possible war with Azerbaijan, with the aim of destroying combat positions and infrastructure in the depths of the Azerbaijani defense at a distance of up to 100 km. For this, Armenia buys SU combat aircrafts in Russia, equalizing the capabilities of the air forces of the opposing armies. There were two sensational statements by Tonoyan on the transition of Armenia from defensive to offensive tactics. Official Yerevan makes it clear that hopes for a peaceful settlement, in which the areas around Karabakh will be returned to Azerbaijan, have failed.
 
The information about the intention to purchase 12 Russian Su-30SM fighters became an effective reinforcement of the new intention of Tonoyan.
 
The first four cars will arrive in Armenia at the end of 2019 – the beginning of 2020.
 
Then, after the Azerbaijani satellite photographed and distributed the photographs about facilities under construction in the occupied territories, Director of the National Security Service Arthur Vanetsyan, who visited Karabakh, said that Armenian settlers should live in Jabrail-Fizuli and southern Karabakh regions. “The statements of individuals that the land will be donated, will negotiate on this subject, are refuted by this settlement program. We thereby send a clear message to the Armenian people and the world that no one will surrender land. On the contrary, our compatriots should live in our territories, live and build up,” Vanetsyan quotes” Sputnik Armenia. “According to Armenian media, the purpose of the visit was to discuss the issues of settling the territory along the Araz River (Araks).
 
The article can cite numerous Armenian public figures, deputies and politicians who call on Armenia to take radical action against Azerbaijan. The executor of their will is Pashinyan’s “peace-lover”, who demands the involvement of the unrecognized regime in negotiations on the fate of Karabakh and completely rejects the participation of the Azerbaijani community of Karabakh in the same negotiations. For this, a logical (at first glance!) Conception of the absence of Pashinyan”s legitimate right to represent the Karabakh Armenians who did not elect him was thought up in Yerevan, while Azerbaijani refugees participated in the presidential elections, casting ballots for Ilham Aliyev. Speaking in Iran at a meeting with the Armenian community, Pashinyan stood facing a huge transparency depicting the flag of the illegal Karabakh regime and the inscription “Artsakh is Armenia. That’s all”.
 
Against this bitter reality, the Azerbaijani official propaganda is trumpeting about our economic blockade of Armenia, along with Turkey, the lack of prospects for the development of the enemy, and the underlying readiness of the Armenian people to hand over Karabakh to Azerbaijan. These verses are brought to naught by the fact of economic statistics, according to which in January, when the growth of Azerbaijan”s GDP was “successfully” – three percent, the same indicator in Armenia was six percent.
 
The most realistic assessment of the current situation was given by the British expert on the South Caucasus, the author of the book “Black Garden” Tom de Waal. In a letter to the author of the article, he explained: “The year 2019 in the Karabakh process began in a more positive spirit than it has been for many years. Improvements followed 2018, when only 14 deaths were recorded on the contact line of the armies, which is much better than in many previous years. But we have to be realistic and not trust too high expectations … The peace Karabakh process was almost dead since the meeting at the presidential level in Kazan, in 2011 … (Pashinyan) takes this position in order to “play for a while” … Azerbaijan”s position remains but it has lately softened its attitude on some more minor issues. This was undoubtedly done to give Pashinyan more chances to “weaken him a little” … However, the political positions of both sides remain unchanged. Now it is much more difficult to understand how they can achieve progress on political issues in the near future …”
 
Tom de Waal does not believe that the current generation of politicians will solve the Karabakh problem, since Armenians and Azerbaijanis do not perceive the pain of a neighbor. “Perhaps the next generation will be able to make a step …” – suggests a British analyst.
 
A logical question arises: why did I. Aliyev agree to the fourth meeting with N. Pashinyan, if since the last meeting in Davos (January 2019) Yerevan has much radicalized its attitude to Azerbaijan and negotiations with it, putting the two countries on the verge war?

Azerbaijani Press: Analyst: Azerbaijan broke Pashinyan stereotype on attracting third party to Karabakh talks

Kalashian Nyrie
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
March 2 2019
2 March 2019 17:00 (UTC+04:00)

By  Trend

A positive point regarding the upcoming meeting of the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia is that Azerbaijan managed to break the Pashinyan stereotype about attracting a third party, that is, representatives of the separatist regime, to the negotiation process on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Fikrat Sadikhov, a well-known Azerbaijani political analyst, former diplomat, told Trend.

On March 1, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia accepted the proposal by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to meet under their auspices in the near future.

Sadikhov said that even despite that Pashinyan makes some whimsical statements, like “We agree to negotiations not because we are discussing the Karabakh problem, but so far we are preparing for the negotiation process” and so on, all these words are far from the real picture.

“Pashinyan understands that Armenia and Azerbaijan are the main players, because they are parties to the conflict, and the resolution of the whole complex of issues related to this problem depends on them,” Sadikhov noted. “It is clear that all this time he has been saying that he won’t speak on behalf of the Nagorno-Karabakh, and, in practice, he doesn’t do it. I think Pashinyan realizes that Armenia’s well-being, its way out of isolation and its further existence depend on their concessions and the final settlement the conflict, the liberation of Azerbaijani lands, but apparently so far he isn’t confident enough. He looks back at those who subject him to sharp criticism and periodically demand a report from him on the negotiations with Azerbaijan.”

Sadikhov added that Pashinyan understands the destructiveness of the situation in which Armenia found itself.

“I suppose that the current Armenian leadership should ultimately realize that their future is connected with the final settlement of the conflict and the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories,” he said. “In my opinion, this is the main condition of the negotiation process at this stage when it comes to the Madrid Principles, which imply a phased settlement, which means initially liberation of the occupied territories around Nagorno-Karabakh, and then negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The former diplomat believes that Azerbaijan should exert political, diplomatic and even military pressure on Pashinyan.

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the US) met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan Feb. 20 and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku Feb. 21 to discuss preparations for a meeting of the leaders in the near future, including possible topics for discussion.

Following their visit to the region, the Co-Chairs and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office travelled to Vienna and Bratislava from Feb. 28 to March 1 to brief the Permanent Representatives of the OSCE Minsk Group countries, OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak, according to the statement.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

Azerbaijani press: Pakistani analyst: Azerbaijan can rely on Islamic countries’ support in Karabakh issue

Ara Felekian
2 March 2019 15:40 (UTC+04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, March 2

By Matanat Nasibova – Trend:

Azerbaijan can count on the support of Islamic countries in the issue of settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh, director of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies of Pakistan, chairman of the Pakistan Shanghai Cooperation Organization Friendship Forum(PSCOFF), well-known Pakistani political analyst Muhammad Asif Noor told Trend.

On March 1, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, speaking at the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, called on the OIC countries not to work with Armenia in Nagorno-Karabakh, stating that Azerbaijan, doing everything possible to ensure international peace and security, is still facing Armenian military aggression.

The minister added that despite all these calls, despite all the efforts of Azerbaijan to resolve the conflict by peaceful means, Armenia, in order to solidify the results of its occupation, continues the policy of plundering natural resources and destroying the historical and Islamic heritage in the occupied territories.

Every day, the Armenian armed forces violate the ceasefire regime, killing and injuring Azerbaijani soldiers and civilians, the minister said.

Pakistan was one of the first countries that recognized the independence of Azerbaijan in the 1990s, as well as the first country to adopt a resolution strongly condemning the genocide against the peaceful population of Azerbaijan’s Khojaly town, committed by Armenian band formations, and urging the international community to force Armenia to comply with the UN Security Council resolutions, Muhammad Asif Noor said.

“We strongly support Armenia’s implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions, according to which it must withdraw its military formations from the occupied Azerbaijani territories,” he added.

Political analyst noted that Pakistan will continue to support Azerbaijan’s position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and to advocate its national interests for the restoration of territorial integrity and the inviolability of Azerbaijani borders.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.


Symposium Held Commemorating 100 Year Anniversary of the Asia Minor and Pontian Genocide

Chakhmakhchian Vatche
Hellenic News of America
March 1 2019

 

March 1, 2019
By Catherine Tsounis

What is a Symposium? It is a conference or meeting to discuss a subject with a collection of essays or papers by a number of contributors. In ancient times, it had a more festive meaning. The Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus”, the Federation of Hellenic-American Educators & Cultural Associations of America and the Pan Pontian Federation of the United States and Canada held their First Symposium on Sunday, February 17th, in the Library of St. Demetrios School of the St. Demetrios Cathedral of Astoria. The Symposium celebrated the Three Hierarchs Greek Letters Day, the World Day of Greek Language and commemoration of the 100 Year Anniversary of the Pontian and Asia Minor Genocide. Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” President Demosthenes Triantafillou and Board welcomed over 125 persons. A luncheon preceded the Symposium presented by educators, scholars and community activists of America. Educator Meropi Kyriakou created the informative Symposium booklet.

Greek Letters Day celebrates the Three Hierarchs of the Orthodox Church: St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom. The Three Hierarchs developed Greek literature and education. They lived from about 329-409 A.D. Greek Letters Day celebrates the use and promotion of the Greek language abroad. The Greek genocide, including the Pontic genocide, was the systematic genocide of the Christian Ottoman Greek population carried out in its historic homeland in Anatolia during World War I and its aftermath (1914–1922). It was instigated by the government of the Ottoman Empire and the Turkish national movement against the indigenous Greek population of the Empire and it included massacres, forced deportations involving death marches, summary expulsions, arbitrary execution, and the destruction of Eastern Orthodox cultural, historical, and religious monuments.1

Prominent persons present were the following: Rev. Fr. Economos John C. Paizis, Church of the Panagia Island Park, NY; Father Evgenios Georgantakis, St. Constantine and Helen Cathedral, Brooklyn, NY; Consul General of Cyprus Alexis Phedonos-Vadet: Nikos Andriotis, President of the School Board of the Greek Afternoon School of St. Demetrios School of Astoria; Dr. George Tsioulias, Co-Chairman of the 2019 Greek Parade Committee and member of the Pan Arcadian Association  of  America “Geros Tou Morea” chapter; Athena Phillipou, Director of the Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; Demetris Molohides, President of the Pan-Pontian Federation of America & Canada; Dr. John Nathanas, Internal surgeon/community activist; Educator ‘Principal Frederika Sagianis, Prof. Asher Matathias and others.

Mrs. Stella Kokolis, President of the Federation of Hellenic-American Educators & Cultural Associations of America, sent greetings from Florida. “I am very happy and proud that the last 8 years I was able to help and promote the Greek language in a more productive way,” she said. “I organized seminars around the country and in Cyprus in order to teach the teachers new approaches to teach the language to our children.  Also, I was able to meet educators around the county to talk about their work experience which was different from state to state, hear their problems and their concerns.  I was able to organize a historic pilgrimage In Memory Of John Giannopoulos.  He was the young man who came to this great country in the late years of 1700s. His first thought was to build a school. This school is the only wooden school in the U.S.A. that is still in existence.  Also, I am very pleased that my association of teachers around the country especially the Athena Teachers Association of Florida, are cooperating with me on my successful endeavors.”

The Symposium opened with prayers by Rev. Fr. Economos John C. Paizis and Father Evgenios Georgantakis. “Today, we have the first Symposium in 46 years of Prometheus,” explained President Triantafillou. “The theme of how to include in the Greek Curriculum and books the Genocide of Hellenism of Asian Minor is supported. Educations books never mention The Asia Minor Catastrophe and Pontian genocide. It is our obligation to write to all Departments of Education to include this topic. Plato and Aristotle philosophies’ should be learned by our youth through the curriculum”

Dr. Peter Stavrianidis

The Keynote speaker, Dr. Panos Stavrianidis spoke on “The Hellenic Genocide of Asia Minor.” Professor Stavrianidis described the contribution of the Fathers of Greek Letters, the Three Hierarchs, who came from the Greek Christian Centers of Asia Minor. “The elimination of all Greek communities in Asia Minor and the Pontus (Black Sea coast) from 1915-1923 was the greatest catastrophe after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453,” he explained. “The genocide was instigated by the national movement of Kemal Ataturk, backed by the Germans, who eliminated the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek population through massacres, forced deportations involving death marches, execution and destruction of the Eastern Orthodox cultural, historical and religious monuments.” Demetris Molohides, President of the Pan-Pontian Federation of America & Canada, added “the Greek genocide began in 1913 with Thrace persecution. No one objected. Turkish aggression has continued during the past 100 years. Genocides must be written in History books.  Consul General of Cyprus Alexis Phedonos-Vadet remarked: “that better days are coming to Cyprus.” Dr. John Nathenas displayed and discussed a copy of the “Panagia Sumela” miraculous icon from the Sumela Monastery in the Pontus.

President Triantafillou explained The first section of the Symposium is devoted to the enrichment of curriculum and textbooks and includes the contributions of Alexandros Columbos, “Learning History and Greek Manuscripts and Ancient Manuscript”,  Meropi Kyriakou, “The Making of Cultural Identity through School Holidays”, and Dr. Cleomenis Paraskevas, “Presentation of help books for Plato and Aristotle”.

“We must review primary sources on epigrams, alphabet and language,” said Educator Alexander Columbos in his multimedia presentation. “Propaganda is spread that Christians destroyed Papyrus. Scholars wrote the Greek liturgy over ancient manuscripts for economic purposes. Educators can contact me on the use of multimedia materials. Visit our website http://www.greekteachersprometheus.org/.

Meropi Kyriakou

Educator Meropi Kyriakou showed her integration of cultural identity at the schools of Fairview and Tenafly New Jersey and Rye, New York.  “Their active participation in historical holidays through plays, dances and theatrical participations inspires a love of the country.”  Dr. Kleomenis Paraskevas presented the books “Selections of Plato’s and Aristotle’s Teachings” by Theodore Korbilas, as an excellent resource book for Teachers, students and parents. Both Platonic and Aristotelian ethical and metaphysical thinking formed the foundations of Christian Theology and Governments.” For more information on these books, email Dr. Paraskevas at [email protected].

Part II of the Symposium included: “Organization of the 6-8 grades Spelling Bee” by Dr. George Tsioulias, President of the School Board of the Greek Afternoon School of St. Demetrios; Maria Dini, “The work of students at home through the program of modern technology: Google Classroom”; the contributions of Angelika Aga and Frederika Sabiana on the topic “Contest in the spelling of Greek words for pupils of the 6th, 7th and 8th grade” and Maria Sardi “Ellinomathia and the books of ‘Klik’.

“ The students of St. Demetrios Greek Afternoon School in Astoria will compete June 8th in a Greek Spelling Bee,” Dr. Tsioulias informed all. “The competition will have the participation of the top spellers among the students from the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.  The Arcadians helped to colonize the Evxinos Pontus Black Sea coast. Around 8th to 5th centuries AD. There were 100 gymnasiums wiped out in Asia Minor. We are working to promote St. Demetrios School system.”

Educator Maria Dini believes “computer Gmail is important in Greek education. Students communicate online today with teachers. This technology must be implemented with Greek school online teaching.” Maria Sardi described “Ellinomathia books as leading to international certificates in Greek.” Visit http://www.greek-language.gr/certification/ for information. Educator ‘Principal Frederika Sagianis explained “I have now decided to take this to the next level. To use digital media to promote a program that is very dear to my heart. To become a cheerleader for an annual Greek Language Spelling Bee.” For more information, visit Mrs. Frederika Sagiani-Panagiotakis on Facebook. Prof Asher Matathias enlightened all on the Jewish Holocaust in Thessaloniki.

On May 16, Prometheus will organize the annual student essay contest in memory of Dr.  George Papanicolaou. Five scholarships of $ 250.00 each will be awarded for the best essays. Both Organizations will cosponsor an honorary May Luncheon. Fifty percent of proceeds will be used for the financial support of the Prometheus Pension Fund. Another 50% of revenue will aid the Teachers Seminar program of the Archdiocese in Cyprus. His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will be honored.

During the summer of 2019, in July, Prometheus will be sponsoring its first Educational Journey to Greece for the Graduating 8th and/or 9th Graders of the Greek afternoon and Saturday schools. The Director of the summer educational program will be Prometheus President Demosthenes Triantafillou. The educator has organized successfully 19 consecutive summer programs to Greece and Dodecanese Islands with the Institute of Dodecanesian Studies of America.

Funds from the Barbara Triantafillou Fund was deposited to the treasury of Prometheus for the purpose of opening individual accounts in the Greek Teacher’s Pension Fund. President Triantafillou stated that the decision to establish the Pension Fund has attracted the interest of members, friends and supporters of the Association. He stressed that 2019 will be a decisive year. “This is an innovation of our Association which must be promoted and, most importantly, start pledges to strengthen the fund,” President Triantafillou said. “It is the first in the history of Greek education in America. The Fund was created exclusively for teachers and members of Prometheus. A great desire and a dream of at least three generations of teachers took flesh and bone. We call on all Greek community and Greek education lovers to strengthen the Fund and make 2019 the most historic year for Greek Masters.”

Educator Demosthenes Triantafillou is the founder and first Principal of St. Demetrios Greek American High School, the only Overseas Greek High School outside of Greece with Nikos Andriotis. Dr.Anastasios Kourlamanis, his successor, said “ as part of the Saint Demetrios community history, we should not forget the school system established by the hard-working Greek Americans who wanted a new generation of children to learn the values of their rich heritage and faith. The students of our school system continue to make us proud with their achievements. It is our responsibility to continue the dream that was established in 1956: the St. Demetrios School system must be viewed as the “jewel” od our historic community.”

The Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus” Board and members include: Demosthenes Triantafillou, President, Timoleon Kokkinos, Vice President, Alexandros Colombos, Secretary General & Director of Technology, Dr. John G. Siolas, Treasurer, Meropi Kyriacou, Correspondence Secretary;   Board members include: George Kanellopoulos, Sofia Kostaras, Spiridoula Laizinou and George Melikokis; Alternate members, Cathy Koutsoupaki, Emmanuela Christodoulou, Vaia Tjionas; Advisory Board, Dr. John Antonopoulos; Auditing Committee, Spyros Koutsoupakis and Georgia Papadopoulou.

References:

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_genocide

Links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V2-xYOuVv0&feature=youtu.be


Verelq: There can be no return to the manners of the past. Pashinyan’s March 1 message

Alex Nanijanian
  • 01.03.2019

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RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered a message on the occasion of March 1, in which it is said:


“Dear people, proud citizens of the Republic of Armenia,


Proud citizens of Artsakh Republic,


Proud Armenians of Diaspora,


Exactly 11 years ago today, March 1, 2008, blood was shed in the center of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.


The government of the day used illegal force against peaceful protesters, as a result of which 8 citizens of the Republic of Armenia were killed, and two more people died later from the wounds they received that day.


Five of the victims received gunshot wounds, three people died from the use of the “Cheryomukha-7” special agent, one person from a shrapnel injury, and one person from an injury caused by a blunt instrument.


11 years after those events, it is extremely important to make a political assessment of what happened. And now I consider it necessary to record that the actions of the ruling elite in 2008 were not at all directed against a separate force, group, individual, the main and perhaps the only target of those violence and illegalities was the citizen of the Republic of Armenia. his right, his dignity and freedom.


The victims of March 1 are not only Gor Kloyan, Armen Farmanyan, Tigran Khachatryan, Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, Davit Petrosyan, Zakar Hovhannisyan, Grigor Gevorgyan, Samvel Harutyunyan, Hamlet Tadevosyan, Tigran Abgaryan, but also every citizen of the Republic of Armenia, every protester fighting for his rights, because the murderer, say, for example, when he shot Davit Petrosyan, he did not know that he was specifically Davit Petrosyan. born on April 16, 1974 in Yerevan.


The murderer did not know that he was shooting at Davit Petrosyan, but he definitely knew that he was shooting at a citizen of the Republic of Armenia. Therefore, a shot fired at each of the March 1 victims is a shot fired at each of us.


March 1, 2008, however, was not just a phenomenon that occurred that morning, but a condensed eruption of illegalities, election frauds, political murders, persecutions, and permissiveness that oppressed Armenia and its people for many years.


These unacceptable phenomena were expressed painfully quickly in our lives after the declaration of independence of the Third Republic, when it seemed that democracy had irreversibly won.


And due to bad memories, concerns and fears are often voiced today that after the non-violent, velvet, people’s revolution in 2018 and the victory of democracy, Armenia may also fall into the same cycle that it fell into not long after gaining independence. 


And today, on March 1, 2019, I want to clearly record that there can be no return to past customs and relations. Armenia will not return to the times of corruption, political persecution, political violence, disregard and violation of rights, permissiveness and impudence. 


Also, in order to record our universal loyalty to the values ​​of the non-violent, velvet, people’s revolution that took place in the spring of 2018, as the head of the Republic of Armenia, I apologize on behalf of the state to all the victims of March 1, 2008, to all the victims of all the political murders that took place in Armenia since independence, to all the citizens and political forces subjected to political persecution. 


I also apologize for all the election frauds that took place in Armenia, illegalities organized and coordinated by the ruling elite, corruption, political murders, noting that the page of resolving issues with violence is closed in Armenia, and this is how I perceive the vote of confidence given to us by the citizens.


Our joint mission is to make Armenia a country of law and justice, truth and values, and we will not deviate a single millimeter from that mission.


This does not mean that there are no more cases of illegality, violation of rights, even bribery and violence in today’s Armenia. Unfortunately, such cases still exist. But every citizen should be 100% sure that the government, the prime minister is not the sponsor and coordinator of any illegality, but the opponent and opponent.  


We will inevitably win in the fight against illegalities, violations of rights, abuses, and in uncovering the crimes committed by the ruling elite, because the people and the government are united, and such unity is invincible and merciless.


And to express our unity, our joint commitment to justice, legality, democracy, protection of rights, today at 18:30 I invite all of you to march from Yerevan’s Freedom Square to Myasnikyan’s statue. With this march, we will pay our respects to the victims of all political murders on March 1 and say our decisive no to violence, injustice, illegality, corruption, election fraud, and violation of rights.


And so, long live freedom, long live the Republic of Armenia, long live the Republic of Artsakh, long live we and our children who live and will live in Free and Happy Armenia.


Dear compatriots,


Today is spring. You brought this spring to Armenia.”

Verelq: Azerbaijan is looking for a casus belli to start a war against Artsakh

Chalian Meline
  • 01.03.2019

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Baku has accused the Armenian authorities of trying to defeat the negotiations on the Karabakh conflict. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s statements about the need to involve Artsakh in the negotiation process caused the indignation of the Azerbaijani side.

Yesterday, speaking at the meeting with the Armenian community of Iran, Pashinyan said that he should meet with the president of Azerbaijan. “It will be a meeting without an agenda, but one of its important directions will be the discussion of the format of the negotiations. There is still no agreement on the format, the contacts cannot be considered official negotiations,” said Pashinyan, once again repeating that he is speaking on behalf of Armenia, and the authorities of that republic should conduct negotiations on behalf of Artsakh.

Hikmet Gajiev, head of the foreign policy affairs department of the Azerbaijani president’s office, noted that “the statements of the Armenian leadership about changing the format of the negotiations are nothing more than attempts to lead the negotiation process to a dead end and failure.” The responsibility for this falls entirely on the Armenian side.”
Once again, Azerbaijan makes it clear to Yerevan that it is not going to sit at the negotiating table with Artsakh, it is a red line for them that they are not going to cross. 

Baku is already blaming Yerevan for the future failure of the negotiation process, thereby justifying its possible military aggression against Artsakh.

Azerbaijan will try to present RA as a destructive side to the international community, which wants to change the negotiation format that has been formed for years.

Baku has stated many times that the alternative to negotiations is war and they are ready to take that step. The four days of April 2016 is a clear proof that Azerbaijan is able to carry out offensive operations as well, the army of that country is no longer the army of the 1990s, with military, technical and personnel equipment.

According to Gajiev, after the change of power in Yerevan, the three contacts between the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, as well as the four meetings held between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, are clear examples of the existing format of negotiations.

The Armenian side is trying to return Artsakh to the negotiation process, which is welcome, but Baku does not agree to it. If the Armenian side sets the return of Artsakh and Stepanakert-Baku direct negotiations as a precondition for further negotiations, Azerbaijan may perceive it as a casus belli and start military operations. Especially since the spring conditions allow a large-scale war to be waged on the Karabakh front.


RA and Artsakh should strengthen the economy and strengthen the army, because Baku will never recognize the independence of Artsakh, it is political suicide for Ilham Aliyev. The alternative to negotiations is war and Azerbaijan shows every day that they are going to solve the issue by military means. To what extent the Minsk Group will be able to restrain Baku is a big question mark, because in April 2016 they could not restrain Baku’s four-day military aggression against Artsakh.

Verelq: The samples of new uniforms are discussed in the Ministry of Defense (photo)

Albert Nalbandian
  • 01.03.2019

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Samples of new types of daily and office uniforms for officers and non-commissioned officers were presented to the management staff of the RA Armed Forces General Staff. Then the issue will be discussed with the leadership of the Ministry of Defense.


The Ministry of Defense informs that after a joint and final decision, the staff will be provided with new uniforms in stages.

On March 1, compensation will be provided to the injured and the successors of the victims. “My Step”

Hunanian Jack
  • 01.03.2019

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The “My step” faction of the National Assembly made a statement regarding March 1. The statement was presented by Lilit Makunts, head of the NA “My step” faction.


According to Makunts, it is important to give a political evaluation to the events of March 1, 2008, preceding and following it. It is also necessary to guarantee the unimpeded realization of the right to hold peaceful, unarmed gatherings in Armenia.


The statement says:


“Emphasizing the need to give a political assessment to the events of March 1, 2008, preceding and following it,


underlining the need to guarantee the unhindered realization of the right to hold peaceful, weapon-free assemblies in the Republic of Armenia, valuing the rooting of public solidarity,


strongly condemning the actions of the authorities aimed at repressing the peaceful uprising of citizens caused by mistrust of the 2008 presidential elections, during which, according to official data, ten citizens were killed and hundreds were injured,


considering the widespread political repression following March 1 as unacceptable: arbitrary arrests, verdicts on trumped-up charges, intimidation of citizens by the power structures, unilateral propaganda of cases of unjustified dismissal, restrictions on freedom of speech, press and assembly, the authorities’ way of working:


“My step” faction announces:


1. As a result of proper protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, bringing the culprits to justice as a result of a comprehensive, full and objective investigation of the events of March 1 is a historical imperative, which will serve as a message to all RA authorities, to exclude the repetition of one of the blackest pages in the country’s recent history, to restore justice and solidarity, as well as to strengthen the assembly.


2. To provide fair compensation to those injured as a result of the March events and to the successors of the victims.


3. Protection of the right to life is the primary responsibility of the state.


Accordingly, causing the death of RA citizens Samvel Harutyunyan, Tigran Khachatryan, Davit Petrosyan, Armen Farmanyan, Zakar Hovhannisyan, Hamlet Tadevosyan, Gor Kloyyan, Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, Tigran Abgaryan and Grigor Gevorgyan cannot be justified or remain unpunished.


4. We remember and pay tribute to the victims of March 1st and undertake to make efforts both at the legislative level and in the political culture in general, to make such changes that will create guarantees to exclude future violence and political pressures in social processes, in the direction of citizens exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms freely.”

Seyran Ohanyan’s pension account has been blocked

David Nargizian
  • 01.03.2019

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The embargo placed on the pension account of former RA Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, who is accused of subverting the constitutional order in the “March 1” criminal case, was lifted by the investigator’s decision.


Earlier, during the preliminary investigation, the investigator made a decision to seize Seyran Ohanyan’s property, including financial resources, within the framework of which the pension account was also seized.


Seyran Ohanyan does not accept the accusation against him.