Category: 2020

Chess: The Armenian Chess Miracle

Khondkarian Raffi
Chess 24
 
 
The Armenian Chess Miracle
 
Levon Aronian is the undisputed leader of Armenian chess, but he emerged in a nation that was already chess crazy, at least since Tigran Petrosian became the 9th World Chess Champion in 1963. FM Andrey Terekhov looks at how a country of just 3 million people could do what Russia have failed to do since 2002 – win the World Chess Olympiad – not only once, but an incredible three times. This is the third installment of the #HeritageChess campaign, supported by the Lindores Abbey Heritage Society.
 

Armenia is arguably the most chess-playing nation in the world. It might be the only country in the world which has introduced mandatory chess classes into the primary school curriculum, and it’s not just the quantity of players – Armenia is also #6 in the world by the average rating of its Top 10 players.
 
Landlocked Armenia, a country smaller than Belgium, became a giant of the chess world | image: Google
 
How did chess become so popular in a small country with a population of 3 million? What is the secret behind the Armenian chess miracle?
 
A nation with a long history
 
To answer this question, we will first step back in time, to the beginnings of the long and complicated history of the Armenians. The history of the country could be traced back to truly ancient times, which is not that surprising for a country that lies in the shadows of the Biblical mountain Ararat. The present capital of the country, Yerevan, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on the planet, with a foundation date of 782 BC. A thousand years later, in 301 AD, the Kingdom of Armenia became the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity as its official religion. A century later, in 405 AD, the Armenian alphabet was invented.
 
Armenia’s primary challenge has always been its precarious geographical position at the crossroads of civilizations, as it has been surrounded by larger and more powerful neighbors throughout its whole history. Romans, Parthians, Persians, Arabs and Byzantium took turns at fighting over the Armenian land. Surviving was not easy, and many Armenians sought refuge away from home. This was the beginning of the Armenian diaspora, and over the centuries it reached the furthest corners of the world. To my surprise, I’ve seen Armenian churches almost everywhere I’ve been – not only in Russia, or in Germany, but even as far away as Singapore and Australia!
 
The diaspora increased dramatically after the tragic events of 1915, when more than 1.5 million Armenians were murdered or expelled from the Ottoman Empire. Today, more than 7 million Armenians are scattered all over the world, compared to the 3 million that live in Armenia itself.
 
The founding father of Armenian chess
 
Let us return to chess. It is presumed that chess was brought to Armenia by Arabs, perhaps as early as the 9th century. By the 12th-13th centuries chess starts to appear in the Armenian manuscripts, which are carefully preserved in the Matenadaran, the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in Yerevan.
 
We will start tracing the development of Armenian chess from the beginning of the 20th century, shortly after Armenia became a part of the Soviet Union. The key driving force in those days was Genrikh Kasparyan (1910-1995), the founding father of Armenian chess.
 
Genrikh Kasparyan
 
Kasparyan still holds the record for the most victories in the Armenian Championship (10 titles, from 1934 to 1956). He also put Armenia on the Soviet chess map when he won the semi-final of the USSR Championship in 1931, finishing ahead of Botvinnik. Kasparyan would qualify for the USSR Championship on three more occasions (the last time in 1952), which was no small feat in Soviet times. Kasparyan was in the first batch of players awarded the International Master title, when it was introduced by FIDE in 1950.
 
However, Kasparyan’s achievements as a chess composer are even greater. He is the author of several hundred studies, primarily focused on the endgame. In 1972 he became the first person to be awarded with the title Grandmaster of Chess Composition.
 
He published several collections of chess studies, and those are probably among the most underrated chess books out there. Levon Aronian once included Kasparyan’s “The Secrets of the Chess Composer” on a list of his three favorite chess books!
 
Here is one of the most famous of Kasparyan’s studies:
 
Genrikh Kasparyan
Shakhmaty v SSSR, 1939, 1st prize
 
1.Bg5! b3 2.Rd2+ Ka1 3.f7
 
3.Be3? b2+ 4.Rxb2 Rxf6 5.Bd4 Rf1+ 6.Kc2 a3 7.Rb1+ Ka2 8.Rxf1 stalemate!
 
3…Rxg5!
 
3…a3 4.Rd1 Rd6 5.f8Q b2+ 6.Kc2+ Rxd1 7.Qxa3#
 
4.f8Q Rg1+ 5.Rd1 Rg2 6.Qa3+ Ra2 7.Rd2!! Rxa3
 
7…b2+ loses prosaically: 8.Qxb2+ Rxb2 9.Rxb2 a3 10.Rb1+! Ka2 11.Rb8 Ka1 12.Kc2 a2 13.Kb3 Kb1 14.Ka3+ Ka1 15.Rh8 Kb1 16.Rh1+
 
8.Rb2! Black has only one legal move, which leads to immediate mate: 8…Ra2 9.Rb1#
 
Tigran Petrosian
 
The next breakthrough in Armenian chess history was the emergence of Tigran Petrosian (1929-1984). Incidentally, like Kasparyan before him, the future 9th World Champion was not born in Armenia. Both Kasparyan and Petrosian grew up in Tiflis (now Tbilisi) and made their first steps in chess in Georgia.
 
The triumphant greeting of Tigran Petrosian at Yerevan airport
 
Petrosian showed great promise already as a teenager. In 1945 he won the Georgian Men’s Championship. In 1946 he moved to Yerevan, won the Armenian Championship, then won the USSR Junior Championship (with a phenomenal score, 14 out of 15!) and scored a master title by winning a match against Kasparyan (8:6) in what could be considered a symbolic passing of the torch for Armenian chess.
 
A few years later Petrosian moved to Moscow, where he quickly rose from a rank-and-file master to a grandmaster and a World Championship candidate. From 1953 to 1980 Petrosian would not miss a single World Championship cycle, always reaching at least the Candidates stage.
 
Petrosian managed to scale the highest peak of chess on the fourth attempt. In 1962 he won the Curaçao Candidates (no losses in 27 games!) and in 1963 he defeated Mikhail Botvinnik in a World Championship match (+5 -2 =15).
 
A little-known fact is that Petrosian also became the first World Champion in 30+ years to win a World Championship match after ascending to the throne. Indeed, from 1934’s Alekhine-Bogoljubow to 1966’s Petrosian-Spassky the best that the reigning World Champions could muster was drawing the match against the challenger!
 
Petrosian had an innate talent for defense and prophylactic thinking, which made him almost unbeatable. He played in 10 Chess Olympiads from 1958 to 1978, including four times on first board, but lost just one (!) game out of 129. This trait earned him the moniker “Iron Tigran”. Lev Polugaevsky once said:
 
In those years it was easier to win the USSR Championship than to win a single game against Petrosian.
 
The following position is the most famous of all Petrosian’s defensive concepts:
 
Reshevsky – Petrosian
Zürich 1953, Candidates Tournament
 
 
Here Petrosian played 25…Re6!!, a purely positional exchange sacrifice to stop the white pawns and secure the black knight an outpost on d5.
 
Tigran Petrosian died at an early age – he was only 55 years old when he died of stomach cancer – but left an incredible legacy and remains a national hero in Armenia to this day. The usage of the name Tigran, which was already popular, spiked after 1963, and the latest FIDE rating list has about a dozen players with the name Tigran Petrosian, including 1 GM and 2 IMs!
 
In 2018 Armenia issued a banknote of 2,000 Dram with Petrosian’s portrait on it. There is only one other chess player who has previously been honored in a similar way – Paul Keres appeared on Estonia’s 5 kroon bill (unfortunately those are no longer in circulation as Estonia has since joined the Eurozone.)
 
The last Soviet generation
 
Rafael Vaganian
 
Petrosian’s victory in the World Championship match led to a chess boom in Armenia. The numbers enrolling in chess clubs doubled, and eventually other Armenian players became grandmasters, including Rafael Vaganian, Smbat Lputian and Arshak Petrosian.
 
Of this generation, Rafael Vaganian was the most successful. He became a grandmaster at 19 years old by winning a strong tournament in Vrnjačka Banja (Yugoslavia), ahead of Leonid Stein and Ljubomir Ljubojević. It was an impressive achievement, since Vaganian was not even an International Master at the time!
 
Vaganian played in many USSR Championships and finally won the title in 1989. He also reached the Candidates Matches twice (1986 and 1988). Apart from this, Vaganian won dozens of tournaments over his long career, including a Senior World Championship title as recently as 2019.
 
Coincidentally, the last person to win the USSR Chess Championship was another Armenian, Artashes Minasian, who won the final edition of the tournament in 1991.
 
Chess in independent Armenia
 
In December 1991 Armenia officially attained independence, but its starting conditions were tough. Armenia is not rich in natural resources, and being a landlocked country made it vulnerable to an economic blockade by its neighbors (Azerbaijan and Turkey), which has not been lifted to this day. Armenia experienced a sharp downturn in its economy and electricity blackouts became a regular occurrence.
 
Chess was one of the few respites. In 1992 Armenia surprised the world by winning a bronze medal at its first Chess Olympiad, fielding a team that was made up mostly of the players who cut their teeth in the Soviet competitions – Rafael Vaganian, Vladimir Akopian, Smbat Lputian, Artashes Minasian, Arshak Petrosian and Ashot Anastasian.
 
Vladimir Akopian
 
The youngest member of this team was the 1991 World Junior Champion, Vladimir Akopian, who would become a key member of the Armenian team, linking the Soviet generation with the one that emerged after independence. Akopian has some links to Kasparov – he was also born in Baku (Azerbaijan) and studied in the famous Botvinnik/Kasparov school. In 1999 Akopian came tantalizingly close to winning the FIDE Knockout World Championship, losing the final match to Alexander Khalifman.
 
Akopian was the first Armenian player to cross the 2700 rating barrier (in 2003) and he would represent the country in the next 12 Olympiads, including playing three times on first board. Vladimir Akopian led the team to three bronze medals (in 1992, 2002 and 2004), but in 2006 he passed the baton to Levon Aronian, as by that time Aronian was already a Top 10 player.
 
This ushered in an incredible streak of victories for the Armenian team, as it won the Chess Olympiads in 2006, 2008 and then again in 2012. This success simply defies explanation. Of course, Armenia had a strong line-up but the same could be said about many other countries. And yet when it came to Chess Olympiads, there was a certain magic, the proverbial team spirit that helped Armenia to get over the line.
 
The team that won the first-ever gold for Armenia featured a player who would die tragically young. Karen Asrian was in the world top 100 for many years and played on the third board at the 2006 Olympiad. In June 2008 he died from a sudden heart attack whilst driving to a tournament in Yerevan. He was only 28 years old. The tournament that was about to start was postponed and later renamed the Karen Asrian Memorial.
 
Despite this terrible blow, Armenia won the 2008 Chess Olympiad in Dresden, and then another one in 2012. In the last edition they were strengthened by Sergei Movsesian, an Armenian who lived in the Czech Republic and Slovakia for many years but returned to Armenia to represent his home country.
 
An Armenian postage stamp depicting the national team that won the 2008 Chess Olympiad
 
Movsesian is but one of many examples of great chess players in the Armenian diaspora. For example, in the United States there are Samuel Sevian, Varuzhan Akobian and Tatev Abrahamyan; Brazil has Krikor Mekhitarian; in Russia there are Yuri Dokhoyan and David Paravyan; and of course, many Armenians would not hesitate to count Kasparov too!
 
Armenian chess has come a long way from its humble beginnings a century earlier. In 2011 Armenian chess received a further boost when it was made a mandatory subject in primary schools, along with the more established subjects such as math or sport. Who knows, maybe the next Petrosian or the next Aronian is currently discovering chess in the second grade of a school somewhere in Armenia…
 
About the author
 
FM Andrey Terekhov
 
Andrey Terekhov (@ddtru) grew up in Russia, lived in many countries and currently resides in Singapore. His best results at the board are victories at the Munich Open (2008), Nabokov Memorial in Kiev (2012) and shared 2nd place at the Washington Open (2018). He is the author of the Two Knights Defense course on Chessable. For the past few years Andrey has been writing a book about Vasily Smyslov, with publication planned for late 2020.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Armenian side to initiate preventive measures immediately in case Azerbaijani drills contain any threat: deputy DM

Emil Lazarian
Aysor, Armenia

Such scale of military drills without initial planning was impossible to conduct, deputy minister of defense Gabriel Balayan told the reporters today, referring to the drills in Azerbaijan.

“There are international commitments, it is when Azerbaijani Republic as OSCE Minsk Group member and a country that has joined corresponding agreements has commitments which it should implement. But we are already used to such working style of the adversary. These drills have not raised any tension on either borders with Armenia or Republic of Artsakh,” the official said.

Balayan stressed that the Armenian side will undertake preventive measures without any hesitation if they feel that Azerbaijani actions may contain threat for Armenia or Artsakh.

“I think the international community is well aware about it as we have stated about it beforehand. I repeat there is no need to worry, we are familiarized with this working style for already several years and we are ready for it, no changes in the implementation of our military commitments have occurred. Indeed, we have raised our soberness but have not undertaken any emergency measures as such because we are expecting everything from the adversary,” the deputy minister said.

Newspaper: Armenia authorities make final decision on how to resolve Constitutional Court issue

Elizabeth Jabejian
News.am, Armenia

09:27, 20.05.2020
                  

YEREVAN. – Zhoghovurd daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: Discussions continue within the Armenian authorities toward resolving the Constitutional Court issue in the parliament.

And now the government is discussing the option of resolving the crisis in the parliament in some way, and for that purpose, the RA Minister of Justice has already applied to the Venice Commission.

And Zhoghovurd daily has learned details from the [respective] upcoming processes. We were informed that the authorities shall resolve the issue of the Constitutional Court in two stages.

Thus, now first of all, a draft will be brought to the parliament, where a provision will be added—with the option of making an amendment to the law—by which the National Assembly will henceforth have the authority to recall the draft put to a referendum. And after that, the amendment that should have been made through a referendum will be made already in the parliament through voting.

Karabakh army soldier sustains fatal gunshot wound

Hovhannisian John
News.am, Armenia

11:15, 20.05.2020
                  

Greek, Assyrian, Armenian Genocide Memorial Erected in Berlin

Alex Jidarian
AINA – Assyrian International News Agency

Posted 2020-05-19 16:27 GMT

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Ecumenical memorial for the victims of the Turkish genocide of Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians, in Berlin.(AINA) — An ecumenical memorial for the victims of the Turkish genocide of Assyrians, Greeks and Armenians has been erected in Berlin by the The Association for the Promotion of an Ecumenical Memorial to Genocide Victims in the Ottoman Empire (FÖGG).

The Turkish genocide targeted the Christian populations of the Ottoman Empire during World War One and killed 750,000 Assyrians (75%), 1 million Greeks and 1.5 million Armenians.

Related: The Assyrian Genocide

According to the website for the new memorial, this is the first combined memorial for all three groups who were victims of the genocide. The website provides information about the demographic, socio-economic and cultural local and regional specifics of the Armenian, Greek and Assyrian communities in the Ottoman Empire and in the 1914 and 1918 Ottoman-occupied territories in Northwest Iran, including memoirs of those affected and third contemporary witnesses, information on the history of Christian communities in the Ottoman Empire — as well as visual material for Ottoman provinces.

Asbarez: Amid Pandemic, Congress Pivots to Armenian Genocide Justice

David Nargizian

In heeding a call by the ANCA Crescenta Valley chapter, Rep. Adam Schiff placed a candle at his window to mark the Genocide anniversary

WASHINGTON—Amid an unprecedented global pandemic that forced Armenian Genocide commemorations to go virtual this April, a bipartisan group of over 80 Senators and Representatives participated in Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) local, regional and national programs and took to social media, calling for justice for Turkey’s still unpunished crime.

“We want to thank all our U.S. Senate and House friends – and their tech teams – for pivoting quickly with us to online ANCA platforms this April,” said ANCA Communications Director Elizabeth Chouldjian. “In the wake of last year’s Congressional resolutions rejecting Turkey’s denials, this robust level of pro-active participation increases pressure on the Administration to finally end U.S. complicity in Turkey’s obstruction of justice for the Armenian Genocide.”

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Democrat Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who, along with Texas Republican Ted Cruz (R-TX) led the unanimous Senate passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (S.Res.150) last December kicked-off the ANCA Eastern Region’s three-day commemorative program “April 24: A Call for Justice,” with a special video message, stating “acknowledging the truth about the Armenian Genocide is necessary to ensure that it never happens again,” and calling on President Trump to join the Senate in properly commemorating this crime. Other Senate and House members sharing statements for the ANCA Eastern Region commemorative program included Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY), House Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern (D-MA), Senior House Foreign Affairs Committee Member Chris Smith (R-NJ), as well as Representatives Haley Stevens (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA). Illinois Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Jan Schakowsky participated in ANC Illinois online commemorations.

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), who along with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) secured unanimous Senate confirmation of the Armenian Genocide (S.Res.150) participated in coast-to-coast virtual commemorations marking the 105th anniversary of that crime.

In the Western U.S., House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA), who co-authored Armenian Genocide legislation (H.Res.296) overwhelmingly adopted by the House in October 2019, by a vote of 405-11, was among those participating in the Armenian Genocide Committee Online Commemoration. Rep. Schiff was joined by Senator Menendez, as well as California Members of Congress Judy Chu, Gil Cisneros, Harley Rouda, Linda Sanchez, and Brad Sherman. The Armenian Genocide Committee is comprised of a broad coalition of Armenian American religious and community organizations, including the ANCA Western Region. In Northern California, Representatives Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA) participated in online commemoration organized by the local Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee.

Excerpts of Senate and House social media posts, press statements and videos commemorating the Armenian Genocide are provided below in alphabetical order.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ): “Today marks 105 years since 1.5 million Armenians were victims of a genocide. On Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, we honor their memory and renew our duty to continue speaking out against such unconscionable atrocities so that they never happen again.”

Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA): “Today I join Armenians in Pennsylvania and around the world in commemorating the 105th anniversary of the #ArmenianGenocide, a crime against mankind. We must reject this kind of hate.”

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), who along with Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) led the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Armenian Genocide (S.Res.150) in December 2019, joins in the 105th commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX): “Today we solemnly remember the 1.5 million innocent souls lost in the #ArmenianGenocide 105 years ago. I was proud to lead efforts in the Senate to pass a bipartisan resolution to commemorate and acknowledge the fact of this genocide.”

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA): “Today marks the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, and for too long, the truth of this genocide was suppressed. I hope that Americans will remember the victims and commit to preventing atrocities like it from ever happening again.”

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA): “As we mark 105 years since the beginning of the Armenian Genocide, we cannot forget the 1.5 million Armenians killed between 1915 and 1923. It’s on all of us to acknowledge this horrific chapter in history and ensure it never repeats.”

Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA): “Every April, we remember the 1.5 million Armenians who perished during the Armenian Genocide. It is time for the U.S. government to join the Senate, to be on the right side of history, and officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. We must never forget. We must fight against denial & the assertion that now is not the time when it is always the time to tell the truth about the Genocide. I’m honored to continue this fight with my friends in the Armenian community who have worked so hard for the recognition their families deserve.”

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ): “I’m honored to join everyone in New Jersey and around the world in commemorating the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. I’ve been proud to lead the resolution affirming the facts of the Armenian Genocide, and I’m especially proud that last December, after years of work, the resolution in the Senate passed by unanimous consent. This historic milestone would never have been accomplished without the support and commitment of the Armenian American community. This year, the Administration should follow the Senate’s lead in recognizing this tragedy as what it was – a genocide.”

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI): “By recognizing the Armenian Genocide, we are educating the world and we are helping to prevent a further unspeakable outbreak of violence of this kind.  This is a battle not just for Armenians but for all of humanity.”

Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID): “Today, we commemorate the 105th anniversary of the #ArmenianGenocide. We honor the more than 1.5 million victims who lost their lives during this tragic period. #NeverAgain”

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL):  “On the 105th Anniversary of the #ArmenianGenocide, we remember the 1.5 million Armenians who were murdered at the Hands of the Ottoman Empire.”

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY): “Today, we remember the victims of the Armenian Genocide and their descendants.  We. Must. Never. Forget.  That’s why I was proud to champion—with @SenatorMenendez — the long-overdue passage of a resolution to recognize the Armenian Genocide as a matter of U.S. policy.”

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD): “Today we remember the 1.5 million Armenians murdered by the Ottoman Empire. Last year, Congress officially recognized and remembered this crime against humanity by passing the #ArmenianGenocide resolution. The first step in learning from history is to recognize it.”

Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA): “Today marks the 105th anniversary of the Meds Yeghern and the first since Congress officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. We join in solidarity, honoring those systematically expelled and killed and are reinvigorated in our efforts to protect human rights around the world.”

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA): “Reflecting on the Armenian Genocide today, which began 105 years ago. I mourn the deaths of over 1.5 million Armenians, officially recognized for the first time by Congress last year.  Recognizing and grappling with historical truth is deeply important. We must not look away.”

Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-NY): “Today marks the 105th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, and as 1 of 3 members of Congress of Armenian descent, this is an issue close to my heart.  Today we honor the 1.5 million lives lost, work to ensure history remembers them, and stand firmly against genocide everywhere.”

Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA): “Today I join everyone in the Armenian community to recognize the Armenian Genocide and to remind the world that this was a tragedy and atrocity that happened that should never be repeated again.”

Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA): “Today, we commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. As we honor the victims of this tragedy, we are reminded that silence in the face of injustice is complicity. So today, we rededicate ourselves to rejecting bigotry and discrimination in all forms and to speaking out against hatred and violence. #ArmenianGenocide”

Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA): “105 years ago today, Armenian intellectual and cultural leaders were rounded up in what would become the Armenian Genocide. 1.5 million innocent lives were lost and it is up to all of us to remember so that this can never happen again.”

Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI): “Today is the 105th anniversary of the #ArmenianGenocide. I was proud to support H.Res.296, which officially recognized this atrocity when the House passed it last year. Let’s all remember the responsibility we have to stand up for human rights in our time.”

Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-CA): “Today, I join the Armenian American community in commemorating the 105th Anniversary of the #ArmenianGenocide and honoring the victims and survivors of this atrocity.  The United States must stand strong against hatred and intolerance and we must #neverforget.”

Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA): “Today, as we mark the 105th anniversary of the #ArmenianGenocide, we must speak truthfully about this tragedy and condemn anyone who tries to erase it from our collective memory. The White House must join Congress and officially recognize this atrocity.”

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA): “I want to the 105th anniversary, that we normally celebrate on April 24th – the first genocide of the 20th century where over 1.5 million Armenians were killed in over a 3.5 year period by the Ottoman Empire.  We say, never, never again.”

Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA): “Today, on the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we in the Central Valley remember the 1.5 million Armenians who perished during this tragedy. As a country, we must continue to defend human dignity and stop these atrocities from happening again both at home and abroad.”

Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO): “An attack on any ethnic group is an attack on all of us. Today, we remember the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed in the Armenian Genocide. I will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Armenian-American community to ensure history never repeats itself.”

Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL): “Today I stand with the Armenian people – both in Armenia and around the world – who are honoring the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian Genocide was one of the worst atrocities in modern history. One and a half million men, women, and children lost their lives. Unfortunately, many today continue to deny the truth of this terrible crime. It is time to recognize the genocide, honor its victims and survivors, encourage people to learn from it, and keep its memory alive. Today, let us recommit ourselves to preventing such a tragedy from recurring as we honor and remember those who perished.”

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY): “As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I helped lead the effort to secure the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the U.S. Congress.  The U.S. Congress is now on the right side of history and I call on President Trump to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.  Today, I join the resilient Armenian community in the U.S. and around the world in commemorating and condemning one of the darkest chapters in world history.”

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA), whose family survived the Armenian and Assyrian Genocides, joins in the Northern California virtual commemoration of those crimes.

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA): “This year’s 105th Anniversary comes during a devastating time for our world and nation with the COVID-19 Pandemic and yet we as Armenian Americans have for the first time in our nation’s history the opportunity to celebrate the passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution.  On this anniversary, let us honor the memory of those who were lost by remaining vigilant to prevent similar atrocities from taking place today or in the future.”

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA): “During the #ArmenianGenocide, 1.5 million innocent lives were lost. It is important that we take the time to remember those who died and to be aware of history to ensure these tragedies never happen again.”

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE): “In the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee of which I am a Member, we monitor assaults on human dignity, human rights, and religious liberty. Today marks the 105th anniversary of the arrest, deportation and mass murder of Armenians during WWI #ArmenianGenocide | @ANCA_DC”

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI): “This April marks the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.  Last year, Congress voted on legislation that I was very proud to cosponsor that reaffirmed this historic fact.  Unfortunately, like others before him, opposed the legislation which is why it is so important that all of you are gathered virtually to continue to shine a light on the truth of the Armenian story.”

Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA): “Today we remember and mourn the victims of the Armenian genocide as we mark Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. When I served as California’s Insurance Commissioner, I established an Armenian Insurance Settlement Fund Board to oversee the settlement of claims against insurance companies on behalf of heirs and descendants of policyholders who were killed during the Armenian Genocide. Today and every day, we must commit ourselves to the fight against violence and hatred no matter the form.”

Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA): “Before last year Congress hadn’t formally recognized the Armenian Genocide.  2020 is different.  Today, as we mourn the millions killed, we also acknowledge the advocates who worked tirelessly to ensure our government recognized this dark time for what it truly was.”

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ): “Today as we commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we not only mourn the lives lost, but we rededicate ourselves to recognizing & speaking out against genocide around the world & ensuring that our countries stand united in condemning hatred & violence.  The massacre of 1.5 million Armenians, as well as Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites, and other Christians by the Ottoman Empire constituted the 20th Century’s first genocide.  As a Jewish American, the need to recognize genocide is a deeply personal for me. I’m proud to represent the strong Armenian communities in North Jersey and will always fight to make sure that we learn from history.”

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD): “I was proud to bring a resolution to the House Floor in October recognizing the Armenian Genocide, which passed the House with strong bipartisan support. With the Senate also taking action, it marked the first time in history that both chambers of Congress passed resolutions recognizing the Armenian Genocide. America has a special responsibility to ensure that the memory of this genocide is preserved so future generations will not forget what happened and that the horrors of that period will never again be repeated, just as we remember the evils of the Nazis later in the century, who drew lessons from the Armenian Genocide when perpetrating their own.”

Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA): “Today marks 105 years since the #ArmenianGenocide: a day of remembrance and our responsibility to embrace the truth. Last year, Congress passed a resolution to formally recognize the injustice of the #ArmenianGenocide. We can’t rewrite history, but we can build a better future.”

Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX): “The Armenian Genocide was the political destruction and starvation of more than 1.5 million people. Today, on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, we must all remember this dark history, pray for those lost & commit to never again allow a tragedy like this.”

Rep. David Joyce (R-OH): “Today, on the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we remember the 1.5 million innocent lives lost and reaffirm our promise to never let such crimes against humanity happen again.”

Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA): “Even if we can’t provide true justice for the victims of the Armenian genocide, we can recognize their suffering with the language we use. It’s time for this country and the world to call those heinous acts 105 years ago what they were: a genocide of 1.5 million Armenians.”

Rep. Peter King (R-NY): “This year marks 105 years since the Armenian Genocide where 1.5 million were murdered. I am proud to have worked with the other Co-chairs of Armenian Caucus to pass the House resolution condemning and recognizing the Armenian Genocide this past October. The time has come for Turkey’s human rights abuses to be universally condemned and for the first genocide of the 20th century to be universally recognized.”

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL): “Recently, I was proud to join my colleagues in Congress on a resolution to establish that as a matter of U.S. policy, our rejection of any continued Armenian Genocide denial as well as affirming the U.S. Government’s ongoing record of recognition and remembrance of this crime, and to underscore the importance of education about the Armenian Genocide, as well.  It’s so important for everybody to learn history so as not to, in this case, repeat it.”

Rep. James Langevin (D-RI): “Today marks the 105th anniversary of the #ArmenianGenocide in which more than 1.5 million lives were lost. Let us remember the victims and survivors of this atrocity and recommit to ending genocide.”

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA): “Today I stand with Armenians around the world in remembrance of the #ArmenianGenocide and the more than 1.5 million Armenian children, women, and men whose lives were taken. Let us never forget this tragedy and continue to fight hate and injustice the world over.”

Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV): “Today marks 105 years since the #ArmenianGenocide. We must honor the victims of this senseless tragedy, but also remember that the struggle against hate and discrimination continues.”

Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI): “Today we mark the somber 105th anniversary of the #ArmenianGenocide. For the descendants and remaining survivors of the genocide, I was proud to vote for our country to recognize it officially. It’s an important way of ensuring it never happens again.”

Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA): “Today, on the 105th anniversary of the #ArmenianGenocide, we honor the 1.5 million Armenians who perished during this tragedy.  As a country, we must stand against any and all attempts to erase this painful history from our memory.”

Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA): “The U.S. needs to break its silence & recognize the #ArmenianGenocide. Last year we overwhelmingly passed a resolution to recognize the systematic killing of 1.5 million Armenians under the Ottoman Empire in 1915. Today we remember those who perished & pledge #NeverAgain.”

Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL): “105 years later, let us continue to remember those 1.5 million individuals who lost their lives in the Armenian Genocide and renew our resolve to prevent future mass atrocities. #ArmenianGenocide”

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA): “I was proud to vote for the resolution affirming Congressional recognition of the Armenian Genocide, last year. Congress is now on the right of side of history on this issue. And, it is long overdue that the last act of genocide, denial, come to an end by Turkey, as well.”

Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA): “Today we mark the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. I was proud to join my House colleagues last year in two historic votes to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide. It remains our moral duty and obligation, to never forget this crime against humanity. #NeverAgain”

Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY): “Thank you for inviting me to join you in recognizing the 105 anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.  I am sorry that we cannot gather together and hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy as we pay tribute to the legacy of the 1.5 million Armenians who lost their lives from 1915 to 1923.  In remembering this dark period in history, and other horrible events like the Holocaust, we feel the human cost of blind hatred and senseless prejudice.”

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY): “By irrefutably affirming the United States’ official recognition of the Armenian Genocide, we can enlist the full force of the federal government to encourage education of the facts so that future generations will continue to remember it for what it was and make sure it never happens again. “It is time for Turkey to follow suit and finally acknowledge the mass murder of 1.5 million Armenians for what it truly is and officially call it a genocide.”

Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN): “I’m inspired by @ANCA_DC  for leading a nationwide effort to fund 1.5 million meals to help needy Americans during the #COVID19 pandemic. In the face of so much uncertainty, it is encouraging to see communities all over the country coming together to overcome adversity.”

Rep. Donald McEachin (D-VA): “Today, we honor the memories of the 1.5 million Armenians massacred 105 years ago at the hands of the Ottoman Empire and echo the global call for a just acknowledgment of the Medz Yeghern to comfort the descendants of the survivors & begin healing this stain on human history.”

Rep. James McGovern (D-MA): “#Worcester is home to one of the oldest #Armenian communities in the U.S. Today I stand with them & with Armenians around the world in solemn remembrance of the #ArmenianGenocide & the more than 1.5 million Armenian children, women, and men whose lives were taken.”

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY): “This month, we mark the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.  I look to the past with a heavy heart and an unflinching commitment to never forget the atrocities committed during World War I.  May we never forget the painful lessons our collective memory teaches us so future generations do not repeat the past.  As we remember, I pray we all do our part so such atrocities shall never happen again.”

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA): “105 years ago, the Armenian people endured through genocide. Today, their descendants around the world come together to spread awareness to prevent global humanitarian crises. Let’s recommit ourselves to stand for justice and human rights.”

Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA): “Last year, I was proud to help pass the bipartisan resolution, H.Res. 296, Affirming the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide. Together, we will continue to reject denials of the Armenian Genocide, learning from the painful lessons of our past so we may build a more peaceful future.”

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA): “The continuing denial of the Armenian Genocide, particularly by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, is an act of historical vandalism.  Although Congress passed landmark resolutions in 2019 formally recognizing the Armenian Genocide, I continue to urge the Trump administration to call the Armenian Genocide by its proper name. We must call genocide for what it is wherever it occurs.”

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN): “On this somber day, I join Armenians in Minnesota and around the world in mourning the lives lost and honor the extraordinary resilience of the Armenian people. #ArmenianGenocide”

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ): “On its 105th Anniversary, we honor the victims and survivors of the #ArmenianGenocide and acknowledge the resolve of the Armenian people. Recognition of the Genocide is a powerful reminder that we must not turn away when we know crimes against humanity have been perpetrated. I proudly joined my colleagues in Congress to officially recognize the Genocide last fall. In doing this, we were paying tribute to the victims of that horrific chapter of history, honoring the perseverance of those who survived, and embracing the Americans of Armenian descent.”

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): “The facts are undeniable. Yet, generations of Armenians have had to fight tirelessly against those who attempted to rewrite history and deny the truth of the Armenian Genocide. That is why, last year, the U.S. Congress sought to right this grievous wrong by overwhelmingly voting to stand firmly on the side of honesty and etch the truth of the Armenian Genocide forever into the Congressional Record. In doing so, we honored those who were silenced forever and reaffirmed our commitment to never stay silent or allow these crimes to ever happen again.”

Rep. Harley Rouda (D-CA): “It is my honor to record this message for the Armenian National Committee of America on the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.  I am proud to represent a large Armenian American community and I know how important this issue to my constituents.  For too long, the United States has failed to affirm the truth about the slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians.  Last year, the House and Senate passed H.Res.296 which would commemorate the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance by the U.S., with only 11 members of Congress opposing its passage.  There should be no ambiguity – the Armenian Genocide was real and we stand against those who perpetrate or deny such evil.”

Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA): “As we commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and honor the memories of its victims, let us solemnly affirm that we reject denial of this or any genocide, and that we will speak out against bigotry and brutality wherever they appear.”

Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA): “Today, I join in solidarity with the Armenian community to recognize the 105th anniversary of the #ArmenianGenocide. The United States must honor the victims and their families by acknowledging this tragedy. We cannot forget the past.”

Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD): “Last October, I was honored to join my colleagues in finally passing the Armenian Genocide Resolution and finally passing this crime against humanity.  It was an affirmation that while arc of the moral universe is long, it does bend towards justice and that we, as Americans, have a responsibility to protect and defend human rights.”

Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA): “On this somber day, I join Armenians in PA05, in Pennsylvania, and around the world in mourning the 1.5 million lives lost in the #ArmenianGenocide 105 years ago.”

Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL): “It has been important to me to be part of a team of Congressional leaders who have fought to have these events, which took place between 1915 and 1923, recognized by the U.S. government as a genocide. Such recognition at the federal level is long overdue.  In Illinois, we’ve done better than the White House. Our state has recognized the Armenian Genocide. We have established a Holocaust and Genocide Commission and created a public school genocide education curriculum mandate. Our students will learn the historical truth and be better prepared to prevent these types of horrors in the future.”

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA): “More than 100 years ago, the Ottoman Turks murdered 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children.  Each year, we commemorate their memory on April 24. And this year will be the first since the Congress officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. We will never again be silenced.”

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL): “Today we mark #ArmenianGenocide Remembrance Day and honor the 1.5 million victims. I was proud to support a resolution last year recognizing this atrocity for the first time in the U.S. Congress. We must stand against attempts to erase this painful history from our memory.”

Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ): “I am pleased to join my colleagues on the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues to honor the 105th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. We must recognize this event within our shared world history and honor the lives of the Armenians wrongfully massacred.”

Rep. Donna Shalala (D-FL): “Over 100 years ago, my grandparents fled the Ottoman Empire to escape the #ArmenianGenocide. My grandmother would cry when she spoke of her Armenian friends who were slaughtered.  Let us continue to shine light on this dark hour in history so that it never happens again.”

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA): “Today, we mark the 105th anniversary of the #ArmenianGenocide. I have long advocated for the official recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and was pleased to join my colleagues in introducing and passing H.Res. 296, the #ArmenianGenocideResolution last October. […] I would like to thank the ANCA for leading a nation-wide effort to fund 1.5 million meals, through donations to Feeding America, to help Americans in need during the #COVID19 crisis. Your contributions and efforts will always be remembered and appreciated.”

Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ): “Today marks the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. For the past 105 years Armenians have had to fight for recognition of the horrible pain so many families have endured. I stand with the people of Armenia in condemning this dark chapter of history and mourning the nearly 1.5 million lives lost. I am committed to ensuring this intolerance and violence does not occur again, and that this tragedy does not go unnoticed.”

Senior House Foreign Affairs Committee Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) shares a powerful message for the ANCA Eastern Region’s “April 24: A Call for Justice” virtual Armenian Genocide commemoration.

Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA): “Today, we commemorate the 1.5 million men, women, and children killed in the #ArmenianGenocide 105 years ago. We all must stand against discrimination and hatred across the globe. Today, we honor the lives lost – we must #neverforget and we must ensure this never happens again.”

Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ): “It was a privilege to co-manage debate in Congress last year on a strongly worded bi-partisan resolution condemning the Armenian Genocide and to have previously chaired two Congressional hearings – one in the year 2000 and the other in 2015.  The appalling and well-documented facts speak for themselves.  In 1915, there were about 2 million Armenians living in what was then the Ottoman Empire.  They were living in a region that they had inhabited for over 2500 years.  By 1923, however, well over 90% of these Armenians had disappeared – most of them were dead.  Shockingly, the Government of Turkey continues to trivialize, rationalize, and deny the Genocide – a cruel slap in the face of the Armenian people, hindering reconciliation and healing.  We will never forget.”

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA): “Today, the Armenian community in Central Virginia and across the globe commemorates the lives lost in the #ArmenianGenocide. This anniversary is a terrible reminder of atrocities born from blind hate, but it also reminds us how enduring the human spirit can be.”

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA): “April 24, 1915 – the Ottoman Empire began a systematic campaign to murder 1.5 million Armenians, my ancestors included. I was proud to lead the effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a resolution recognizing the #ArmenianGenocide. Never again!”

Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI): “We can never mend the pain & suffering that the Armenian people experienced 105 years ago, but we take today to recognize the #ArmenianGenocide. 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Turkish Ottoman Empire, & millions more were displaced, robbed, and horrendously mistreated.”

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY): “Today is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, commemorating the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, a series of massacres and starvations of Armenians by the Ottomans. Failing to remember or acknowledge such atrocities only paves the way for future atrocities and I stand with the Armenian American community in remembering and honoring the victims of this and all genocides.”

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV): “Today we commemorate the solemn anniversary of 1.5 million lives lost in the #ArmenianGenocide. Last year I voted along with my colleagues in Congress to recognize this massacre and I call on governments around the world to join us and work to prevent future atrocities.”

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI): “I am so honored to represent the incredibly strong Armenian American community in #13thDistrictStrong. Today, my heart is with them as we mark 105 years since the #ArmenianGenocide. We honor the lives lost by speaking truth to power every day and making sure we #neverforget them.”

Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA): “On this somber day, I join Armenians in Massachusetts and around the world in mourning the 1.5 million lives lost in the #ArmenianGenocide 105 years ago. This Congress was the first in our history to formally recognize this atrocity. The White House should do the same.”

Rep. David Trone (D-MD): “On the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we remember the 1.5 million Armenians that perished during this tragedy. We will continue to honor the victims by speaking out against hate whenever we see it.”

Asbarez: Schiff Visits Glendale Youth Center to Assist and Support COVID-19 Relief Program

Nahapetian Zhanna

Rep. Adam Schiff joined volunteers at the Glendale Youth Center on May 19, to help in COVID-19 relief efforts

GLENDALE—The Krikor and Mariam Karamanoukian Glendale Youth Center’s COVID-19 Relief Task Force continued its daily efforts on Tuesday and was joined by Congressman Adam Schiff who volunteered his time to support the community-based relief efforts. Schiff, who represents the 28th Congressional District, has been a longtime advocate for Armenian-Americans.

Since late March, GYC along with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Glendale “Aharonian” Chapter, Armenian Cultural Foundation (ACF) Glendale Chapter, Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale Chapter (ANCA Glendale), Armenian Youth Federation Western United States (AYF-WUS) Glendale “Roupen” Chapter, Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Glendale “Sepan” Chapter, Homenetmen Glendale “Ararat” Chapter, Hamazkayin Glendale Chapter, and St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, have been collaborating to provide assistance to at-risk Glendale residents during the pandemic by creating a community hotline.

Rep. Adam Schiff takes bags to be delivered to community members

The services offered include resources regarding tenant’s rights, filling out unemployment claim forms, assistance with mental health concerns, and information on how to stay safe during a global pandemic. A majority of the center’s work has been concentrated on delivering packaged food donations and sanitation supplies to vulnerable people in Glendale.

Congressman Schiff arrived to help package and deliver non-perishable food items along with the other volunteers that regularly help out at GYC. “We’re proud to say that our efforts have reached over 800 families in the City of Glendale thus far, and we are happy to have Congressman Schiff’s support and participation,” said ARF Glendale Representative Vaché Thomassian.

Rep. Adam Schiff meet with Vaché Thomassian at the Glendale Youth Center on May 19

“The community center has transformed into a relief-providing space where committed volunteers are preparing food and sanitation supplies for the day’s deliveries,” said ANCA Glendale Chairperson Lucy Petrosian. “We have been at the frontlines of addressing the needs of our residents through these relief efforts and plan to continue until we get through this pandemic.

If you or a loved one is in need of assistance, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call (818) 243-3444.

ANCA Glendale advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city’s Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

Asbarez: UK Foreign Office Says Azerbaijan War Games ‘Regrettable’

Emil Lazarian

Azerbaijani tanks

The UK Foreign Office has responded to concerns voiced by the Armenian National Committee of United Kingdom, which in a letter expressed concern over the war games being staged by the Azerbaijani armed forces.

“Any hostilities during this period are deeply regrettable and we hope they stop as soon as possible. The UK has backed the UN Secretary General’s call for an immediate global ceasefire to protect the most vulnerable and enable the international community to focus on tackling the pandemic,” said UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office in response to the ANC-UK.

ANC UK post on Foreign Office response to Azerbaijani war games

On Monday the Armenian National Committee UK wrote to the Foreign Office expressing its concern for Azerbaijan holding large-scale war games from May 18-22, and offensive drills deploying heavy armaments, aviation, armor and troops close to the Armenia and Artsakh borders.

These military exercises escalate the security environment in the region, and are held amid the need to combat the COVID-19 pandemic through joint actions and contrary to the call of the United Nations Secretary-General for global ceasefire.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 05/20/2020

Antonian Lara 
                                        Wednesday, 
Pashinian Concerned About Soaring Coronavirus Cases
Armenia -- Hospital beds placed in the lobby of Yerevan's largest concert hall 
in preparation for a possible surge in coronavirus infections, .
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Wednesday described as “very worrying” the 
continuing rapid spread of coronavirus in Armenia but argued against changing 
his government’s strategy of coping with the epidemic.
Pashinian said the Armenian authorities should only make “some adjustments” to 
their “decentralized” fight against the virus which places a great deal of 
responsibility on ordinary citizens.
The Ministry of Health reported earlier in the day at least 3 more deaths and 
230 new COVID-19 infections, which brought to 5,271 the total number of 
confirmed cases in the country of about 3 million. The official death toll from 
the virus reached 67.
Citing the growing number of cases, Health Minister Arsen Torosian announced on 
Tuesday that the authorities will have to stop in the coming days hospitalizing 
or isolating most people testing positive for COVID-19.
“Our calculations show that if we don’t change anything we will have about 
10,000 cases … by the end of May and that figure could reach 20,000 in 
mid-June,” Pashinian said at a meeting of an interagency commission coordinating 
government measures against the virus.
The authorities, he went on, should therefore “review the quality and scale of 
measures” already taken by them.
“We should first and foremost understand how we are going to make more effective 
the fight against coronavirus which we believe is most effective,” he said. 
“Namely, the decentralized struggle whereby as many forces and citizens as 
possible should be involved in the fight against coronavirus at the level of 
individual responsibility.”
Pashinian has repeatedly urged Armenians to do so by practicing social 
distancing and taking other precautions recommended by the health authorities. 
Some opposition figures and other critics of the Armenian government have 
responded by accusing him of trying to dodge responsibility for the authorities’ 
lax enforcement of stay-at-home orders and failure to contain the epidemic.
As part of a nationwide lockdown imposed in late March, the government seriously 
restricted people’s movements and ordered the closure of most nonessential 
businesses. It began relaxing these restrictions already in mid-April. The daily 
numbers of confirmed COVID-19 infections in the country have steadily increased 
since then.
Critics say that the authorities lifted the lockdown too soon and are now paying 
the consequences. They cite the example of many other countries, notably 
neighboring Georgia, which have kept lockdown restrictions in place for at least 
two months and are now reporting very low infection rates.
Pashinian dismissed such comparisons, claiming that Armenia has at the time 
suffered less financial and economic damage from the virus than some of those 
countries. “We should carry on with our tactics and not underestimate 
socioeconomic problems vis-à-vis health problems,” he said. “On the other hand, 
the aggravation of the health crisis could further deepen economic problems and 
make it harder to solve them.”
A government statement on the meeting chaired by Pashinian said the government 
commission discussed “further actions” in the fight against the virus. But it 
did not report concrete decisions made by the ad hoc body.
Former Judge In Kocharian Case To Stand Trial
Armenia -- District court judge Davit Grigorian leaves the courtroom after 
ordering former President Robert Kocharian's release from prison, May 18, 2019.
A Yerevan district court judge who controversially ordered former President 
Robert Kocharian’s release from prison a year ago will go on trial soon on 
charges strongly denied by him.
The official Armenpress news agency reported on Wednesday that prosecutors have 
formally endorsed the forgery charges brought against the suspended judge, Davit 
Grigorian, by Armenia’s Special Investigative Service (SIS). It said the 
criminal case has already been sent to court.
Grigorian presided over the ongoing trial of Kocharian and three other former 
officials when it got underway in May 2019. A few days later, he not only agreed 
to free the ex-president but also suspended the trial, questioning the legality 
of coup charges brought against him.
The decisions angered political allies and supporters of Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian. Heeding Pashinian’s calls, hundreds of them blocked the entrances to 
court buildings across Armenia. Pashinian demanded a mandatory “vetting” of all 
Armenian judges, saying that many of them remain linked to the country’s 
“corrupt” former leadership.
Armenia -- Supporters of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian block the entrance to a 
district court building in Yerevan, May 20, 2019.
Kocharian was arrested again in June hours after Armenia’s Court of Appeals 
overturned Grigorian’s decisions. Three weeks later, SIS officers searched and 
sealed the judge’s offices and confiscated his computer. Later in July, a state 
body overseeing the Armenian judiciary suspended Grigorian and allowed the SIS 
to prosecute him.
Grigorian denied the ensuing accusations of document forgery carrying up to two 
years in prison. His lawyers described it as government retribution for the 
ex-president’s release. Law-enforcement authorities categorically denied, 
however, any connection between the Kocharian case and Grigorian’s prosecution.
The SIS released details of the indictment last week. It claimed that with the 
help of his secretary Grigorian drew up and signed bogus court protocols to 
cover up his failure to hold in September 2018 two hearings on separate 
petitions submitted by an Armenian citizen and a state agency.
Armenia -- Former President Robert Kocharian attends the first court hearing in 
his trial in Yerevan, May 13, 2019.
In a July 2019 statement, Armenia’s Office of the Prosecutor-General said that 
the unnamed citizen lodged a complaint against the judge and accused him of 
committing forgery in February 2019. It said both the SIS and a prosecutor 
overseeing the law-enforcement body refused to launch a formal inquiry at the 
time.
According to the statement, in May 2019 the same person appealed to 
Prosecutor-General Artur Davtian and presented “more substantiated arguments” in 
support of their allegations. Davtian decided to open a criminal case against 
the judge on June 28, there days after Kocharian was arrested again.
Another district court judge, Anna Danibekian, took over Kocharian’s 
high-profile trial in August. She has since repeatedly refused to release him 
pending the outcome of the trial. The ex-president rejects the coup and 
corruption charges leveled against him as politically motivated.
Kindergartens Reopen In Armenia
        • Robert Zargarian
Armenia -- Children in a kindergarden.
Kindergartens across Armenia reopened on Wednesday following the lifting of 
virtually all coronavirus-related restrictions imposed by the government two 
months ago.
The government last week allowed them to resume their work while deciding to 
keep the country’s schools and universities closed. It said this will help many 
parents of young children return to work.
The government at the same time set specific safety rules for the state-run and 
private kindergartens. Under those rules, the parents must leave children at the 
entrance to pre-school institutions and are not allowed to enter them under any 
circumstances.
Kindergarten staff must not only ensure the parents’ compliance with these 
requirements but also measure children’s temperatures twice a day, minimize 
physical contact with and among them, and disinfect and ventilate their premises 
on a daily basis.
“We have drawn lines for the parents so that they observe social distancing,” 
said Gayane Khudoyan, a nurse at the Kindergarten No. 5 located in the center of 
Yerevan. “The last line is the point of separation of a parent and a child. The 
parent must stand there while I measure the kid’s temperature. If the kid has a 
fever we will immediately send them home.”
Most parents appear to have been unconvinced by these precautions so far. Only 
eight children were brought to Khudoyan’s kindergarten in the morning.
Another kindergarten located in the city’s western Davitashen district reported 
on Wednesday an attendance rate of 10 percent. More than 400 children are 
enrolled in it.
The Armenian authorities began lifting their lockdown restrictions in mid-April 
despite a growing number of coronavirus cases recorded by them.
The Ministry of Health reported on Wednesday morning at least 3 more deaths and 
230 new COVID-19 infections which brought to 5,271 the total number of confirmed 
cases in the country of about 3 million.
The official death toll from the virus thus reached 67. The figure does not 
cover the deaths of 27 other people infected with COVID-19. The ministry claims 
that those deaths were primarily caused by other, pre-existing illnesses.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the 
continuing rapid spread of the virus. He warned that the authorities may have to 
“re-impose the strictest possible restrictions” soon.
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
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