Tuesday,
Armenia, Turkey In Fresh Feud Over Post-WWI Treaty
Barbed wire, pictured against the backdrop of Mount Ararat, marks Armenia's
closed border with Turkey
The diplomatic agencies of Armenia and Turkey have exchanged acrimonious remarks
this week over a century-old treaty viewed differently from Yerevan and Ankara.
A conference was held in Armenia on August 10 to mark the 100th anniversary of
the Treaty of Sevres that was signed between the Allies of World War I, a
coalition led by France, Britain, the United States and others, against the
Central Powers, including the Ottoman Empire.
The 1920 treaty that was never ratified by Turkey, if implemented, would, in
particular, have given Armenia a much vaster territory than it had, including
access to the Black Sea.
In his address to scholars attending the Yerevan conference Armenian Prime
Minister Nikol Pashinian described the treaty signed in a Parisian suburb as “a
historical fact”.
“Just as the Treaty of Versailles established peace in Europe, in the same way,
the Treaty of Sevres was meant to bring peace to the former Western Asian
territories of the Ottoman Empire. It put an end to the war-driven sufferings
and deprivations experienced by the peoples of our region. It heralded the end
of the ‘cursed years’,” Pashinian said.
“The Treaty of Sevres reaffirmed our nation’s indisputable historical
association with the Armenian Highland, wherein the Armenian people had
originated, lived, developed their statehood and culture for millennia,” he
added.
The remarks by Pashinian and other Armenian leaders, including President Armen
Sarkissian, on the occasion elicited a strong reaction from Turkey that
described the Treaty of Sevres as a case that “put forward the disgraceful
blueprints of invasion and destruction.”
“The Honorable Turkish Nation sent the Sevres [Treaty] to the ash heap of
history through its heroic War of Liberation, followed by the Peace Treaty of
Lausanne of 24 July 1923. It is not surprising to see that those who opt for
drawing animosity instead of a lesson from history after the lapse of a century
hope for help from this document,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a
statement published on its official website on Monday.
Reacting to the statement made from Ankara, Armenian Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Anna Naghdalian on August 11 said that “it once again demonstrates
the inability of that country [Turkey] to face its past.”
“While evading to face its past and urging others to ‘take lessons from history
instead of animosity’, Turkey continues its traditional policy of justifying the
Armenian Genocide and threatening the Armenian people with new atrocities,”
Naghdalian said in an official commentary.
“Turkey’s steps towards undermining the peace and security in our region and its
military posturing against Armenia are part of the expansionist policy of the
Turkish Government which is aimed at destabilizing its neighboring regions. Only
the reconsideration of such a policy and the capacity to face the past by Turkey
will pave a way for genuine reconciliation between the peoples in our region,”
the Armenian Foreign Ministry representative underscored.
Armenia and Turkey have no diplomatic relations. Internationally backed efforts
for rapprochement in 2008-2009 eventually led to no normalization and the border
between the two neighboring countries remains closed to date.
Pashinian Criticized For ‘Hasty’ Congratulations To Lukashenka
• Narine Ghalechian
Police block demonstrators during a rally after the Belarusian presidential
election in Minsk on August 9
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has heard criticism in Armenia over his “hasty”
congratulations to Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka on his re-election
in a ballot disputed by his main opposition challenger.
In his official message to Lukashenka on Monday Pashinian expressed his
confidence that “through our joint efforts we will continue to strengthen the
friendship between our peoples, to expand mutually beneficial cooperation
between our countries both bilaterally and within the framework of international
organizations and integration associations.”
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian (R) meeting with Belarus President
Alyaksandr Lukashenka in Yerevan, September 30, 2019
Belarus’s Central Election Commission said preliminary official results from the
August 9 presidential election showed incumbent President Lukashenka winning a
landslide victory with more than 80 percent of the vote, compared to less than
10 percent for his main rival, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
Tsikhanouskaya, who drew tens of thousands of people to her campaign rallies,
refused to recognize the preliminary official results announced on Monday.
The ballot in Belarus was followed by violent clashes between police and
thousands of protesters who say the official results from the election
commission were rigged.
A human rights group in Minsk said that at least one protester was killed in the
clashes, but Belarus’s Interior Ministry denied that.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on August 10 condemned the
violence in Belarus, calling on the Belarusian government to “accurately” count
and publish the poll’s results.
Armenia’s leading human rights activist Artur Sakunts believes that in such
conditions a hasty congratulatory message from a leader like Pashinian who
himself came to power due to mass street protests was unacceptable.
In a Facebook post Sakunts, who heads the Vanadzor office of the Helsinki
Citizens’ Assembly, also drew parallels between the current developments in
Belarus and Armenia’s post-election protests in 2008 in which 10 people were
killed and for which former President Robert Kocharian is currently on trial in
Yerevan.
He wrote: “How can a state whose prime minister congratulates dictator
Lukashenka later prosecute Kocharian for the same? This is a complete
anachronism of values and principles... This is just absurd.”
Human rights activist Artur Sakunts (file photo)
Sakunts stressed that in such conditions the leader of a democratic country
should not send congratulatory messages at least until final official results
are published. “If he wants to show his attitude in any way, he should at least
express his concern over the fact of human rights violations and call for the
resolution of all issues within the framework of the rule of law,” the human
rights activist said.
Opposition Bright Armenia party leader Edmon Marukian also believes that
Pashinian hurried by congratulating Lukashenka. He said that he saw a “conflict
of values” between the track record of Armenia’s current governing force and the
prime minister’s congratulatory message.
“I would wait for the processes of disputing the election results by the
opposition to go through at least internal instances and only then make a
decision on that. In this regard, the prime minister took a hasty step,”
Marukian said. “One protester already died [in Belarus in clashes with police].
More than 3,000 people have been detained. Opposition leaders are in jail, media
leaders and journalists are in jail. And the prime minister is putting it all
aside and hurrying to congratulate [Lukashenka].”
The prime minister’s spokesperson Mane Gevorkian refused to comment on the
criticism, but said that she was aware of that and followed it.
Ruben Rubinian, a member of Pashinian’s My Step alliance who heads the
parliament’s foreign relations committee, has dismissed the criticism, saying
that he sees nothing unacceptable in the Armenian prime minister’s
congratulations to Lukashenka.
“In general, international relations are different from domestic politics.
International partnership, relations between the heads of state have a different
level and have other components,” Rubinian said.
Armenia is a member of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union and Collective
Security Treaty Organization both of which also include Belarus.
Other leaders of the alliances, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and
Kazakhstan’s President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, also sent congratulatory telegrams
to Lukashenka on his re-election.
Belarus’s autocratic leader who turns 66 later this month has occupied the
presidential post since 1994.
Schools In Armenia To Reopen On September 15
• Robert Zargarian
Schools in Armenia that have remained closed due to the coronavirus pandemic
since March will open their doors to students on September 15, according to
Education Minister Arayik Harutiunian.
Harutiunian said on Monday that the issue was discussed by senior government
officials coordinating the coronavirus state of emergency earlier that day.
The minister added that vocational training colleges, music and art schools will
also reopen on September 15.
All establishments must comply with sanitary and hygienic rules set by the
government, Harutiunian stressed.
According to the minister, decisions on universities and a number of other
educational institutions will be made within the next week.
“Authorities overseeing the state of emergency, other our colleagues and the
ministry have jointly developed detailed procedures and guidelines on all
issues, which will be published and shared in the coming days,” Harutiunian said
in a Facebook post.
“Dear teachers, parents and students, in the coming weeks we must work together
to ensure a successful start and a smooth course of the academic year, taking
into account the restrictions caused by the pandemic and excluding media
provocations,” the minister added.
All schools, universities and other general education institutions have remained
closed since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic in March when they
switched to distance learning to ensure the continuity of the educational
process.
The current state of emergency in Armenia is due to end on August 12, but the
government plans to extend it for another month.
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2020 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
Category: 2020
Armenpress: 100 years later, Woodrow Wilson’s legally binding verdict on Armenia-Turkey border remains in force
100 years later, Woodrow Wilson’s legally binding verdict on Armenia-Turkey border remains in force
09:18,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. Two years after the end of WWI, the victorious Allied Powers – including Armenia – imposed the Treaty of Sevres on the Ottoman Empire.
The treaty was signed on August 10, 1920 and abolished the Ottoman Empire and, among other obligations, provided for an independent Armenia with a 160,000 square kilometer territory.
Today, on – the 100th anniversary of the treaty, the Armenian National Academy of Sciences History Institute Director Ashot Melkonyan says the treaty is still in force and is subject to fulfillment.
“On behalf of Armenia, the treaty was signed by the head of delegation of the Republic of Armenia Avetis Aharonyan with a golden pen especially ordered for this occasion,” Melkonyan said.
“It is important that the victorious countries in person of the Allied Powers were recording the Armenian people’s right towards their historic homeland, the homeland where several years earlier the genocide and [forced deportations] had taken place, and the Republic of Armenia, as a members of the Allied Powers, was to become one of the large and powerful states comprising a 160,000 square kilometer territory in the region. Around two dozen countries had signed under this document, and after the colonial system’s collapse tens of new countries had emerged who became participants of the Treaty of Sevres, in turn officially stating the Armenian people’s rights for Western Armenia,” he said.
Melkonyan argues that the opinion claiming that the Treaty of Sevres wasn’t ratified by signatories, including Armenia itself, and thus makes it void – is simply not true.
He said the treaty wasn’t ratified because of the onset of the Turkish-Armenian war in late September of 1920, which resulted in Armenian defeat by the December 3 Treaty of Alexandropol.
“In this sense some historians argue that it doesn’t have legally binding force, but the problem is elsewhere. Articles 88-93 of the Treaty’s Section 6 entirely concern Armenia. According to clause 89, US President Woodrow Wilson had to define the Turkish-Armenian border, which had to include most of parts of the provinces of Trabzon, Erzurum, Bitlis and Van, meaning that Armenia had to have a maritime access. However, it wasn’t realized, because unfortunately the international situation abruptly changed in autumn of 1920, Soviet Russia was able to emerge out of civil war and in a hostile atmosphere with the Allied Powers – its former allies – it was forced to get closer with Turkey – which was struggling against the Treaty of Sevres – and the Soviet-Kemalist rapprochement took place on the basis of this general anti-Entente front,” Melkonyan said.
The rapprochement led to Russia giving consent to Turkey to attack the Republic of Armenia after the Congress of the Peoples of the East in 1920 and to Sovietize Armenia with its Turkish troops, however this also was not the reason for cancelling the Treaty of Sevres”.
“The Treaty of Sevres Article 89 was a legally binding verdict. It had to come into force without ratification. Turkey was obliged to immediately and unconditionally accept this document because a legally binding verdict doesn’t have to be ratified by this or that country. In terms of international law, from the very first day of presentation in November 22, 1920 the Treaty of Sevres remains in force up to this day, and de jure the Armenian-Turkish border isn’t defined by the current Akhuryan-Araks line, but actually the borderline including the major part of the provinces of Trabzon, Erzurum, Bitlis and Van, with Western Armenia’s 90,000 square kilometer territory and 70,000 square kilometer of Eastern Armenia – including the territory of the Republic of Armenia,” Melkonyan said.
Another fact which states the Treaty of Sevres’ active status, according to Melkonyan, is that the Allies of World War I, or the Entente Powers, are using this very same document against the Turkish government for any given interest even during present days.
“It’s no coincidence that from time to time the countries of Entente Powers are bringing this document to agenda in the event of worsening intergovernmental relations with Turkey and are reminding that the present-day de-facto Armenian-Turkish border is in legal terms not valid, while the valid border is the one defined by Woodrow Wilson’s legally binding verdict,” Ashot Melkonyan said.
Another misconception is that the treaty is becoming invalid after 100 years pass since its signing. Melkonyan says none of the signatories have announced that the treaty is null and void, thus it is still active. Moreover, the document doesn’t contain any deadlines or timeframes.
“Thus, 100 years later, it is equally actual”.
Reporting by Norayr Shoghikyan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Armenian government delegation meets with Catholicos Aram I in Lebanon
09:33,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian government delegation which traveled to Beirut on board the relief plane carrying humanitarian aid has taken part at a mass in Antelias served by Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia in the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral.
The delegation includes Armenia’s High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, the administrator of the High Commissioner’s Office Sara Anjaroglyan, Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan’s Office Administrator Varag Siserian, lawmaker and head of the Parliamentary Friendship Group between Armenia and Lebanon Hrachya Hakobyan and the executive director of the Hayastan All Armenian Fund Haykak Arshamyan.
After the mass, the delegation had a meeting with Catholicos Aram I. The catholicos presented the condition of the Lebanese-Armenian community after the Beirut blast. He said that the homes of many representatives of the Armenian community have been damaged and require speedy rebuilding, Sinanyan’s Office said in a news release.
Aram I emphasized the importance of prioritizing the needs of the Armenian community and said that a commission involving all community institutions is working on this matter.
Sinanyan noted that the purpose of the visit isn’t simply to accompany the humanitarian aid but to evaluate the situation on the ground and meet with the Armenian community.
The Catholicos noted in his remarks that parallel to strengthening Armenia it is important to strengthen the Diaspora as well. In this context Sinanyan attached importance to the fundraiser launched by the Hayastan fund.
“At the end of the meeting, both sides reiterates that the fatherland’s doors are always open for the Diaspora”, Sinanyan’s Office said in the news release.
Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Treaty of Sevres remains essential document for fair resolution of Armenian Question – Sarkissian
10:02,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian sat down with the Syrian Al-Azmenah newspaper for an exclusive interview on the Treaty of Sevres, as marks the 100th anniversary of its signing.
The questions and answers below are the official translation of the published article provided by Sarkissian’s Office.
Question: Mr. President, August 10 marks the 100th anniversary of the the Treaty of Sèvres which after WWI was signed at the Paris Peace Conference by the 13 victorious countries of the Entante on one side and the defeated Ottoman Empire on the other side. The Treaty was called to solve the tormented for decades Armenian Issue and end sufferings of the Armenians. Your opinion?
Answer: The Treaty of Sèvres in its essence was a peace treaty and with this regard it really could have solved fundamentally one of the thorniest for our region problems – the Armenian issue.
The Treaty of Sèvres was preceded by the first conference, which took place in February-March 1920 in London where a political decision was adopted that one, unified Armenian state must be created. At the same time, the Republic of Armenia, which was de facto recognized on January 19, 1920 at the Paris Conference, was accepted as its axle and some territories of Western Armenian under the Ottoman rule should had been united with it.
By the Treaty of Sèvres, Turkey was to recognize Armenia as a free and independent state. Turkey and Armenia agreed to leave demarcation of the borders of the two countries in Erzrum, Trabzon, Van, and Bitlis provinces (vilayets) to the decision made by the United States (the arbitral award of President Woodrow Wilson which on November 22 will also mark its 100th anniversary) and accept his decision immediately and all other proposals – to provide Armenia with an access to the see and demilitarization of all Ottoman territories adjacent to the mentioned border line.
Question: But the Treaty of Sèvres remained on paper…
Answer: I would rather say that the Treaty of Sèvres was not fully ratified (which means it remains unperfected and it is true that when it comes to Armenia its decisions were not implemented because the international political situation had changed but, at the same time, it was never denounced either.
The Treaty of Sèvres is a legal, interstate agreement which is de facto still in force because this document became the base for other documents, which derived from it, for determining the status of a number of Middle East countries after WWI or more recently, among them Syria (currently Syria-Lebanon) and Mesopotamia (currently Iraq-Kuwait), Palestine (currently Israel and Palestinian authority), Hejazi (currently Saudi Arabia), Egypt, Sudan, Cyprus, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya.
Along with all this, the Treaty of Sèvres could have promoted the resolution of the Armenian Issue and unification of the Armenian nation on its historical lands.
It could have partly mitigated the losses inflicted on the Armenian people by the Genocide of 1915 and thus create conditions for the regulations of the relations between Armenia and Turkey and establishment of a lasting peace among the peoples of our region.
But in September 1920, the aggression unleashed by the Kemalists against the Republic of Armenia ended in the dissolution of the Armenian independent statehood and sovietization of Armenia.
Thus, the centuries-long struggle of the Armenian people for uniting in one state entity the separated parts of Armenia was unsuccessful.
But the Republic of Armenia and Armenian nation spread all over the world remain the inheritors and masters of our millennia-long history and civilization. No matter what was done or will be done, no matter how the undeniable facts are being denied, no matter how much the material monuments and Armenian traces on the territory of historical Armenia are being destructed, it is impossible to annihilate the memory of the Armenian people.
The Treaty of Sèvres even today remains an essential document for the right of the Armenian people to achieve a fair resolution of the Armenian issue.
Question: There is an opinion that the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923 negated the Treaty of Sèvres.
Answer: It is simply not true and cannot be true. The Treaty of Lausanne does not contain such an annulment; moreover, it does not contain any reference to the Treaty of Sèvres. The Republic of Armenia did not sign the Treaty of Lausanne, thus we are not a party of the Treaty of Lausanne. Thus, it implies no obligation for the Republic of Armenia. In this case, the international Res inter alios acta principle (a thing done between others does not harm or benefit others). The Treaty of Sèvres and the Treaty of Lausanne are two different legal documents.
Question: Let’s get back to our times. The Middle East, which is an immediate neighbor for the countries of the South Caucasus, has become a hot spot once again: armed conflicts, civil wars, fight against terrorism, territorial disputes. Border clashes took place on the Armenian-Azerbaijani line of contact in mid-July which claimed human lives and created extraordinary tension between Yerevan and Baku.
Answer: Yes, these days when the entire world and we are fighting against our common enemy, the coronavirus pandemic, and regardless of the fact that conflicts all over the world have been halted, our neighboring country – Azerbaijan tried to take advantage of the situation and use in the negative sense this “window of opportunity” to unleash aggression on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Fortunately, the Armenian Armed Forces demonstrated their high battle-ready spirit and literally in two or three days were able to contain the encroachments of the opponent and thus saved our region from the blazes of large-scale clashes.
Question: The UN, EU, OSCE, various capitals made statement on these extremely dangerous developments, urging the parties to maintain peace and dialogue. And only Ankara’s tone was bellicose, in full support of Baku’s actions.
Answer: It is true that the international community responded widely to these events. It is especially true with regard to Moscow, Washington, and Paris – the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. But the Tavush events raised some serious concerns.
My first concern relates to a very aggressive rhetoric of our southern neighbor – Turkey. Turkey has been using with regard to Armenia a kind of language which is inappropriate in the international relations. And this is absolutely unjustified and irresponsible. Keep in mind that this is the country which was the scene of a great human tragedy, the country which 105 years ago executed a genocide against our nation. And instead of trying to establish bridges with Armenia by recognizing those black pages of its history, they resort to a language which in fact reveals their intention to carry on with what was done 105 years ago.
The second concern is Azerbaijan’s attempt to create an impression that Armenia poses a threat to the international infrastructure which is going through Azerbaijan. This is total nonsense. These infrastructure has been in place for over 20 years, and Armenia has never had any intention to destroy it. My message is the following: Armenia has never been and will never be a threat for anyone because we are the successors of those who went through the Genocide and survived. We know all too well what suffering means, we know the human values. I am concerned that when the entire world is fighting together against the coronavirus pandemic, some are undertaking inhuman actions.
Another concern is about official statements coming from the government of Azerbaijan or relevant structures on Azerbaijan’s threat to hit the Metsamore nuclear plant. I am a physicist and know very well the real consequences of a strike on a nuclear power plant. Thus, I take these statements as an intention to carry out a terrorist act which in international relations is defined as nuclear terrorism. God forbid it happens one day, we will have a Caucasian Chernobyl. Not only Armenia will be affected but everyone, including Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Middle East…
Regardless of what problems exist between the country and neighbors, playing with fire of nuclear issue is unacceptable.
More than 47000 coronavirus test kits produced and supplied by Armenian scientists so far
10:26,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Institute of Molecular Biology has already produced and supplied more than 47,000 COVID-19 test kits to health authorities and the manufacturing process is proceeding normally, Director Arsen Arakelyan told ARMENPRESS.
“As planned, we are working within the framework of producing 2000 tests a day,” he said. “In case of necessity we can produce even more”.
Arakelyan said all pre-production trials were successful and the tests had an accuracy of 98% at the time of commencing production. No problems associated with the quality were reported so far, he said.
Before the production was launched, the potential export of the test kits was being discussed. Arakelyan says this requires certification and lengthy registration phase, which in turn requires legislative regulation. He reminded that his institute is not a production company.
“Our production of these tests is a one-time activity, aimed at assisting our country in the coronavirus response. As a scientific organization we delivered the result, while the respective companies ought to carry out the continuation. I would really want for Armenian companies to be able to use our experience in the future and advance the work in industrial-scale, because this is outside our circle, we are doing scientific research,” Arakelyan said, adding that he has noticed some interest from businesses, which, however, are still on-standby waiting to see the outcome.
“We hope that in the future the government will utilize the scientific community’s knowledge and opportunities more widely for resolving different issues”.
Speaking about reforms in the scientific sector, Arakelian pointed out increase of funding to be the expectation of the area.
“We will have stronger science and greater possibilities in the event of more funding”, he said, adding that young people are also displaying interest in science careers. “What matters are the conditions and possibilities in order for this interest not to fade away. Young people must be given possibilities for them to be involved in research, trials. You can’t keep young peoples’ attention solely with lectures”.
Reporting by Anna Gziryan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visits troops
10:58,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on August 10 visited a military base of the Armenian Armed Forces to meet with the troops, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a news release.
PM Pashinyan toured the military base, greeted the troops during their breakfast, reviewed the base conditions and the tactical situation.
He also toured the cafeteria which serves the recently introduced, newly developed nutrition-based food system to the troops.
A group of distinguished servicemen were awarded encouragement gifts for their selfless service by the Prime Minister, who wished them peaceful service.
Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Artsakh reports 1 new coronavirus case
11:20,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. 1 new COVID-19 case was diagnosed in Artsakh over the last 24 hours, the country’s health authorities reported.
The total number of confirmed cases in Artsakh is 251, with 227 recoveries so far.
The latest case was confirmed in a resident of the capital city of Stepanakert.
As of August 10, 11:00 local time, Artsakh has 23 active cases of COVID-19.
So far, there haven’t been any COVID-19-related deaths in Artsakh. However, 1 person infected with the virus had died, but the death was caused by another pre-existing illness.
Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Treaty of Sevres is historic fact, our duty is to remember and preserve its meaning – PM Pashinyan
11:51,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. On the 100th anniversary of the signing of Treaty of Sevres, Armenian scholars are holding the “Treaty of Sevres and the Armenian Question” forum at the National Academy of Sciences in Yerevan.
Vice President of the academy Yuri Shukuryan read Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s address to the forum.
Greeting the participants of the conference, the Prime Minister expressed profound gratitude for organizing the important event.
“The Treaty of Sevres has a significant place in the modern history of the Armenian people. It’s no coincidence that it remains subject to scientific studies and research. Therefore, it is highly important for the unbiased studies conducted by our scientists of this one-century old document, the events and developments preceding and succeeding its signing, to be accessible to both our people and the broad international community,” the prime minister wrote in his welcoming remarks.
PM Pashinyan stressed that the Treaty of Sevres is a historical fact and it remains such up to this day.
Speaking about the importance of the treaty, the PM noted that “it was signaling the end of the cursed years. Like the Treaty of Versailles in Europe, the Treaty of Sevres was forming a new system of inter-state relations in the region. [The treaty] was introducing new principles and values, it was establishing not only peace but also justice in [Western Asia].”
Pashinyan says the core of the treaty was the principle of self-determination and equality of nations. The treaty was ending the centuries-old slavery imposed by empires and was giving independence and freedom to peoples of the region.
“Moreover, by providing the right to establish national states in historic territories, it was creating favorable conditions for the coexistence of Muslim and Christian peoples in the region, for peaceful coexistence and preservation of civilizational diversity of the region and their further development. Second, the Treaty of Sevres is the international document that recognized and affirmed Armenia’s independence. The Republic of Armenia was acting as a legally equal party to this treaty. Centuries after losing independence, the Armenian government was for the first time signing an international treaty with great powers. The Republic of Armenia was being recognized in the defined borders of the treaty as a full member to international relations and a legally equal subject to international law’, the PM said.
PM Pashinyan emphasized that through being party to the treaty Armenia’s and the Armenian people’s contribution to the allied victory in WWI and establishment of peace was also being recognized. The treaty was emphasizing and duly appreciating the Armenian people’s role in international relations and the post-war governing of the world.
“Third, Article 89 of the Treaty of Sevres was stating and affirming the Armenian people’s historic and undisputed relation with the Armenian Highlands, where the Armenian people were born, lived and shaped statehood and culture for millennia. And finally, the Treaty of Sevres was signed in the years following the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian people were subjected to the cruelest and inhumane sufferings, with huge losses. Whereas, the Treaty of Sevres was paving the way for overcoming of consequences of the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian Question was receiving a just resolution through the creation of an independent statehood in the historic home of the Armenian people, historic justice was being restored, and favorable conditions were being created for the restoration of the economic and demographic potential of the Armenian people. Although the Treaty of Sevres wasn’t fulfilled, it continues existing as a historic fact, our duty is to remember it, realize and preserve its meaning,” Pashinyan said.
Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
23 new cases, 5 dead from COVID-19 over last 24 hours, Armenian CDC
11:08,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. 23 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded over the last 24 hours in Armenia, bringing the total cumulative number of confirmed cases to 40433.
96 patients recovered, raising the number of recoveries to 32616, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention said.
5 patients died from complications.
The total death toll from COVID-19 in Armenia is 796. This number doesn’t include the deaths of 228 other people infected with the virus, who died from other pre-existing conditions.
Only 340 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.
A total of 176354 tests were done since the outbreak began.
The number of active cases as of 11:00 Yerevan time, August 10 stood at 6793.
Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
Measurement works reveal 30 previously unknown stones at “Armenian Stonehenge” Carahunge
12:55,
YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. The Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory and the National University of Architecture and Construction have jointly completed the measuring works at Carahunge (Zorats Karer) – the prehistoric archaeological site near the town of Sisian in the Syunik Province of Armenia.
The work included scanning of monuments and adjacent areas, aerial photography and scanning, and the measurement and photography, as well as charting and determining the axis of vectors of all the holes in the stones.
As a result of the work, the researchers discovered 30 new stones with holes, in addition to the already known 84, as well as other stones of astrophysical importance which weren’t recorded earlier.
The Byurakan Observatory said in a news release that as soon as the results are summarized they will launch astrophysical calculations based on new, high-precision data.
Carahunge is often internationally referred to as the Armenian Stonehenge. The construction date of the structure is unknown – presumably sometime between the Middle Bronze Age and Iron Age.
Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan