Category: 2021

Turkish press: Turkey blasts US court’s parole ruling for diplomat’s killer

Badalian Vardan
Merve Aydogan   |11.03.2021

ANKARA

Turkey on Thursday “strongly condemned” a US court’s decision to release on parole an Armenian national who assassinated a Turkish diplomat in Los Angeles in 1982.

The Los Angeles County Superior Court recently ruled in favor of release of Hampig Sassounian. California Governor Gavin Newsom has said he will not appeal against the decision. 

“We strongly condemn this approach that deeply hurts the conscience of the Turkish nation,” a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement said. 

Despite all the attempts made by the US administration, this “grave decision” was given which is “incompatible with the universal principles of law and the understanding of justice.” 

Noting that at least 58 Turkish citizens, including 31 diplomats, were martyred by Armenian terror groups, the ministry said: “At a time when hate crimes are on the rise and international solidarity is needed the most, the release of a brutal murderer with political motives harms the spirit of cooperation in the fight against terrorism.”

“This murder, which the terrorist Sassounian committed in despicable manner and showed no sign of remorse during his 38-year sentence, will never be forgotten as a crime that represents a sick and distorted ideology,” it added. 

“On this occasion, we pay tribute to our fallen diplomat Kemal Arikan and all the martyrs who lost their lives in the attacks of Armenian terrorist organizations,” the ministry said.

Separately, the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan on Twitter paid tribute to assassinated Turkish diplomat Arikan. It said “releasing admitted and unreformed terrorist Sassounian convicted of murdering a diplomat would send a very wrong message and surely harm interests of diplomacy, especially in a state w/one of the world’s largest diplomatic corps.”

Arikan, Turkey’s Consul General in Los Angeles, was martyred on Jan. 28, 1982, by Sassounian and his accomplice Krikor Saliba on behalf of an Armenian terror group. Sassounian was arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

Fugitive terrorist Saliba was claimed to be killed in the Lebanese civil war in 1982.

The vast majority of the attacks on Turkish diplomats and citizens were conducted by ASALA and JCAG terrorist groups.

The assassinations took place in the US, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Lebanon, Greece, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, Portugal, Iran, and the UK.




Asbarez: Roubik Golanian Named Glendale City Manager

Jhanna Virabian



Roubik Golanian

GLENDALE—At its regular meeting on March 9, the Glendale City Council appointed Roubik Golanian as Glendale City Manager, effective immediately.

Having started his career with the City of Glendale in September 2000, Roubik has served in several progressively responsible positions, including Senior Civil Engineer, City Engineer, Deputy Director of Public Works, Director of Public Works, and Assistant City Manager. Prior to his appointment, Roubik has served as Glendale’s Interim City Manager since October 2020

In his capacity as Glendale’s Assistant City Manager, Roubik performed as the City’s Chief Operating Officer, overseeing over 1,500 employees across 15 different departments.  Additionally, he has been responsible for City-wide budget oversight, the Capital Improvement Program, labor and employee relations, and policy management.  Since assuming the City’s Interim City Manager’s role, Mr. Golanian has been instrumental in managing the ever-changing dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic, both within the organization and throughout the community.

Prior to joining the City of Glendale, Roubik served in the private sector as a Senior Project Manager for a consulting firm. He held additional positions in the public sector, having worked for the County of Fresno and the Cities of Ceres and Torrance. Roubik holds a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors in Civil Engineering and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership. Additionally, he is registered in the State of California as a Professional Civil Engineer.

Speaking on behalf of the entire Glendale City Council, Mayor Vrej Agajanian stated, “I say with certainty that my colleagues and I dedicated a great deal of time and attention, in partnership with our community members, in identifying the traits and characteristics the next City Manager leading our Jewel City must possess.  At every step throughout the months-long process, Mr. Golanian exhibited the professionalism, temperament, skill, and forward-thinking attributes which we were searching for.  Coupled with his knowledge of the Glendale organization, professional relationships he’s developed over two decades of committed performance in the City, and 29 years of professional engineering and management experience in both the public and private sectors, he successfully set himself apart as the most qualified individual to lead this organization.”

Glendale, known as the “Jewel City,” is one of the largest cities in Los Angeles County. With a population of over 200,000, Glendale is a thriving cosmopolitan city that is rich in history, culturally diverse, and offers limitless opportunities. It is the home to a vibrant business community, with major companies in healthcare, entertainment, manufacturing, retail, and banking.

Armenian Relief Society Supports Children of Fallen Heroes

Emil Lazarian



ARS has renamed its Orphan’s Sponsorship program as “Children of Fallen Heroes” sponsorship program.

After the devastation and losses caused by the Artsakh War last fall, the Armenian Relief Society has renamed its Orphan’s Sponsorship program as “Children of Fallen Heroes” sponsorship program.

The ARS Orphan’s Sponsorship program is one of the most significant programs of the ARS. Established in 1992, the program aimed at financially assisting both the children orphaned due to the devastating 1988 earthquake and those of fallen soldiers as a result of the first Artsakh war and the continuous clashes in bordering villages. For over 20 years, the ARS program has sponsored more than 7,400 orphans through the generous donations of over 4,900 sponsors. In 2012, the 20th anniversary of this project was celebrated leading it to the next phase. Total allocated funds to orphans surpasses $5,300,000.

With an annual contribution of only $330, sponsors can make an impact by transforming the life of a child whose father gave his life while defending our country. Donors must agree to sponsor children until the age of 18.

Interested individuals may contact their local ARS affiliate or visit the website.

Since the start of the Artsakh war, the ARS, through its several humanitarian and emergency relief programs, has been supporting the displaced residents of Artsakh, the children, the wounded soldiers, the families of fallen heroes, and the Military Disability Rehabilitation Center at the “Heratsi” hospital in Yerevan.

The Armenian Relief Society (ARS) provides international humanitarian aid; supports at risk communities internationally; feeds and provides support to victims of disasters; supports injured soldiers and their families; provides education through ARS Soseh kindergartens in Artsakh; and operates and maintains the ARS Akhuryan Mother & Child and Birthing Center in Akhuryan Armenia. The ARS is a not-for-profit organization that depends on the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of the public at large to perform its mission.

Community Rallies in Support of ACF, Raising Over $300,000

Parkev Tvankchian

Armenian Cultural Foundation

Every year around this time, the Armenian Cultural Foundation hosts a gala banquet to showcase its activities and to thank its supporters for their generous contributions that enable the organization to advance it mission.

This year, however, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the ACF was unable to host its annual gala. That did not stop the organization’s benefactors who rallied behind the organization, which in a span of few short weeks, once again, was able to bring a cross-section of the community together, and raised $322,500 for its activities.

“On behalf of the ACF, I would like to wholeheartedly thank our generous contributors for their continued faith in the organization and its mission,” said Avedik Izmirlian, the chair of the ACF Board of Directors. “We understand that the past year has been a difficult for everyone, but your support signals your unwavering commitment to advancing our national aspirations. We will continue to propel projects that will educate and empower our youth both here in the Western U.S. and in the homeland.”

Earlier this year the ACF announced that in addition to continuing its regular support for educational and cultural project here and in Armenia, its plans to assist those impacted by the devastating Artsakh War.

During this past year, the ACF opened its centers around the Western U.S. to rally the community and provide support to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Centers in Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, La Crescenta and Montebello become relief headquarters from where essential supplies and food were delivered to community members in need.

The devastating explosion in Lebanon last summer, also prompted the ACF to join in the community-wide effort to provide relief to our compatriots affected by the tragedy. In June, the ACF donated to Lebanon’s needy Armenians as COVID relief.

A Heartfelt Thank You

$100,000
Mr. & Mrs. Varant and Hoori Melkonian

$50,000

Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis and Noune Sepetjian

$10,000           
Mr. & Mrs. Levon and Silva Kirakosian
Mr. & Mrs. Hovsep and Elizabeth Boyajian
Mr. & Mrs. Meher and Satig Der Ohanessian

$5,000             
Mr. & Mrs. Gevik and Paola Baghdassarian and Mr. & Mrs. Peter and Ruby Baghdassarian, In memory of Hacop Baghdassarian
Mr. & Mrs. Garo and Sosse Eshgian
Mr. & Mrs. Bedig and Maro Fermanian
Mr. & Mrs. Vahe and Eva Garibian
Mr. & Mrs. Charles and Julia Ghailian
Mr. & Mrs. Berdj and Mary Karapetian
Mr. & Mrs. Raffi and Aline Kradjian
Khatchaturian Foundation

$3,000 
Mr. & Mrs. Raffi and Silva Kendirjian

$2,500 
Mr. & Mrs. John and Pattyl Kasparian
Dr. & Mrs. Sarkis and Tamara Arevian
Mr. & Mrs. Vatche and Natalie Chadarevian
ANONYMOUS
Mr. & Mrs. Angelo and Lori Ghailian
Mr. Carlo Ghailian
Golden State Bank
Dr. & Mrs. Viken and Nora Hovsepian
Mr. Mike Sarian
Mr. Koko Topalian
Mr. & Mrs. Vahe and Shakeh Vartanian

$2,000
Koundakjian Family,    In memory of Varoujan Koundakjian
Mr. & Mrs. Avedik and Ankine Izmirlian
Mr. & Mrs. Vahik and Alice Petrossian, In memory of Hacob and Mina Shirvanian

$1,500
Mr. & Mrs. Hayko and Mariana Aldzikyan
Mr. & Mrs. Vicken and Nono Apelian
Mr. & Mrs. Kevork and Houry Aposhian
Mr. & Mrs. Shant and Tamar Baboujian
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph and Hourig Baghdadlian
Ms. Lena Bedikian
Mr. & Mrs. Vahe and Arda Benlian
Mr. & Mrs. Sako and Rebecca Berberian
Mr. & Mrs. Mardig and Nora Bouldoukian
Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie and Agie Gharibian
Mr. & Mrs. Garo and Talin Ghazarian
Mr. Vicken Gulesserian
Mr. & Mrs. Jack and Lori Hadjinian
Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church
Mr. & Mrs. Vahe and Hasmig Hovaguimian
Mr. & Mrs. Harout and Laura Kamberian
Mr. & Mrs. Ara and Silva Khatchikian
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. Jack and Berjouhi Nakkashian
Mr. & Mrs. Raffi and Souzy Ohanian
Mrs. Hermineh Pakhanians
Mr. & Mrs. Joe and Nvair Samuelian
Mr. & Mrs. Garbis and Lorig Titizian
Mr. & Mrs. Khatchig and Mariam Yeretzian
Mr. & Mrs. George and Araxi Titizian
Mr. & Mrs. Harout and Betty Donoyan
Drs. Khodam and Carmen Rosdomian
Mr. & Mrs. Mark and Margaret Shirin
Mr. Garo Ispendjian
ARAMCO Imports Inc.
St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church
Mr. and Mrs. Ara and Maro Papazian
Mr. Arman Melkonian
Mr. & Mrs. Vahe and Silva Melkonian
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop and Liz Tufenkjian
Mr. Khatchig Titizian
NASA Services Inc.
Mr. Arto Keuleyan
Drs. Christopher and Laurie Chalian
Mr. and Mrs. Sevak and Jurgita Khatchadourian
Mr. & Mrs. Garo and Nirva Kamarian
Mrs. Haygush Keghinian-Kohler

$1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis and Seta Kargodorian
Mr. & Mrs. Ara and Tina Shabanian
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin and Edith Ouzounian

President Refuses to Confirm New Army Chief

Liana Toganian



Lieutenant-General Artak Davtyan in Syunik Province (Defense Ministry photo)

YEREVAN (Azatutyun.am)—President Armen Sarkissian refused on Thursday to appoint a new chief of the Armenian army’s General Staff nominated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

In a short statement announcing the decision, Sarkissian’s office did not specify his “objections” to Pashinyan’s pick for the top military post: Lieutenant-General Artak Davtyan.

Davtyan already headed the General Staff from May 2018 to June 2020. Pashinyan moved to reappoint him on Wednesday after completing the sacking of the previous army commander, Colonel-General Onik Gasparyan, who has demanded, along with 40 other high-ranking officers, the Armenian government’s resignation.

Gasparyan condemned his removal as “unconstitutional” and said he will challenge it in court. The army top brass voiced support for the general.

Pashinyan was quick to dismiss Sarkissian’s objections and insist on Davtian’s appointment.
In a statement issued later on Thursday, Sarkissian’s office said he decided not to file such an appeal, meaning that Davtian will automatically replace Gasparyan later this week despite the president’s second refusal to sign a relevant decree drafted by the prime minister.

Sarkissian pointedly declined to appeal to the court after similarly refusing to sign a decree relieving Gasparyan of his duties. His stance, strongly condemned by the Armenian opposition, paved the way for the general’s sacking.

The Armenian Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that one of Gasparyan’s deputies, Lieutenant-General Stepan Galstyan, will perform the duties of the General Staff chief pending the appointment of a new army commander.

Galstian was among the senior officers who signed the February 25 statement accusing Pashinyan and his cabinet of misrule and demanding their resignation. The premier condemned the statement as a coup attempt. But opposition groups trying to oust him with street protests welcomed it.

The military’s unprecedented statement came the day after the first deputy chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant-General Tiran Khachatryan, was controversially fired in a presidential decree initiated by Pashinyan.

Khachatryan lost his job just hours after a pro-opposition media outlet quoted him as laughing off Pashinyan’s claim that the Armenian army’s most advanced Russian-made missiles seriously malfunctioned during last year’s war in Nagorno-Karabakh. Khachatryan asked Armenia’s Administrative Court last week to invalidate the decree and reinstate him.

Pashinyan’s claim about the Iskander missile systems provoked a storm of criticism from Russian pro-government lawmakers and pundits. Russia’s Defense Ministry said it was “bewildered and surprised” by the remarks.

Pashinyan effectively retracted them on March 1, saying through a spokeswoman that he was misled by other Armenian officials.

Asbarez: Homeland Salvation Movement Clarifies Position on President’s Proposed Meeting

Alex Jidarian



A scene from one of many Homeland Salvation Movement demonstrations

The opposition Homeland Salvation Movement said Thursday that it would participate in a proposed meeting by President Armen Sarkissian if it will discuss its proposed agenda.

In an announced issued by the movement’s leadership council, the group emphasized that “the country is on the verge of a national catastrophe, the security, political, socio-economic crises are deepening, and the reasons and those responsible for it are well known.”

“The Homeland Salvation Movement reaffirms its roadmap for overcoming the crisis: the resignation of the Prime Minister, the formation of an interim government, and early parliamentary elections,” the announcement said.

Expressing its willingness to take part in political consultations, the Homeland Salvation Movement said the meeting “must be held in Armenia’s National Assembly and broadcast live.”

The movement was in response to President Sarkissian invitation on Wednesday to bring together Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the leaders of all factions represented in parliament as well as representatives of the Homeland Salvation Movement.

Pashinyan’s My Step bloc and the opposition Bright Armenian party said their leaders would take part in the meeting. The other parliamentary opposition party, Prosperous Armenia Party, which is also part of the Homeland Salvation Movement has not publicized its position on the meeting. Pashinyan, too, has not signaled whether he would attend the meeting, scheduled to take place at noon local time on Saturday.

Ishkhan Saghatelyan, the coordinator of the Homeland Salvation Movement and the chairman of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Council of Armenia told reporters later on Thursday that he believes that the meeting should be accessible to the people.

He said if the meeting is designed to create photo opportunity where Pashinyan and the opposition are seen sitting around the same table, then “we will not give them the satisfaction.”

Later, in a tent on Baghramyan Avenue, Ishkhan Saghatelian, coordinator of the Homeland Salvation Movement and coordinator of the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia, gave a press conference, during which he published a statement from the Homeland Salvation Movement. He also answered journalists’ questions about the Movement’s positions and assessments.

“But if they really want to find a way out of the situation in the country, then we are ready for that meeting,” said Saghatelyan, adding that “we do not want to be part of a show.”
“It is not clear yet whether Nikol Pashinyan has accepted Armen Sarkissian’s invitation to the meeting. I don’t know whether they have an agreement or not, but we are not interested in that either,” Saghatelyan said, reaffirming that their struggle will continue.

“Nikol Pashinyan talks about the elections when the movement is gaining momentum. When the movement has less of a momentum, he says, well, there is no popular demand, there will be no election. He has often been able to influence the movement with these steps, this time he will not succeed,” explained Saghatelyan.

“The president should welcome our agenda,” said Saghatelyan. “But if Constitutional reforms, electoral laws are to be discussed at that table, then what should we say?”

The ARF leaders said that his party and the movement are interested in finding way out of the impasse, adding the country is increasingly exhausted.

He expressed doubts on whether the other parties invited to the meeting were sincere about finding solutions, or whether they were more interested in “choreographing the scene that suits them.”

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 03/11/2021

Aram Torosian 
                                        Thursday, 
Azerbaijan Frees Lebanese-Armenian Woman
        • Susan Badalian
Maral Najarian.
A Lebanese-Armenian woman was set free on Wednesday four months after being 
detained by Azerbaijani forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The 49-year-old woman, Maral Najarian, was flown from Baku to Beirut via 
Istanbul immediately after her release demanded by the Armenian and Lebanese 
governments.
The Armenian parliament speaker, Ararat Mirzoyan, on Thursday thanked the 
speaker of Russia’s upper house of parliament, Valentina Matvienko, for helping 
to secure Najarian’s release. In a statement, Mirzoyan said Matvienko raised the 
issue with Azerbaijani authorities after appeals from him and female members of 
Armenia’s parliament.
Like hundreds of other Lebanese nationals of Armenian descent, Najarian and her 
sister Ani migrated to Armenia following last August’s devastating explosion at 
Beirut’s port. They decided to relocate to Karabakh just days before the 
September 27 outbreak of the Armenian-Azerbaijani war.
Najarian did travel to Karabakh together with a Lebanese-Armenian friend, Viken 
Euljekian, on November 10 hours after a Russian-brokered ceasefire stopped the 
six-hour war. They were detained in the Karabakh town of Shushi (Shusha) and 
taken to Baku.
Najarian says they did not know that Shushi was captured by the Azerbaijani army 
earlier in November.
Euljekian, who lived in Shushi and worked as a taxi driver before the war, is 
still held in an Azerbaijani prison, facing terrorism charges condemned by the 
Armenian government and human rights groups.
Najarian risked similar accusations, with Azerbaijani media still portraying her 
as an enemy combatant.
“They suspected that I’m a spy because of my knowledge of Turkish,” she told 
RFE/RL’s Armenian Service on Thursday.
“I thought I am going to die there,” she said, speaking from her Beirut home via 
video link. “I wasn’t tortured there … but I suffered psychological damage.”
“We are very grateful to everyone: Armenia, Lebanon and Russia,” said her sister 
remaining in Yerevan.
Najarian also said that she was held in solitary confinement in three different 
Azerbaijani prisons and never saw any other Armenian prisoners.
Several other Armenians were also captured by Azerbaijan troops when they 
travelled to Karabakh from Armenia on November 10.
A senior Karabakh official said in late December that at least 40 Karabakh 
Armenian civilians remain unaccounted for after the war. He expressed hope that 
most of them are still alive.
Azerbaijan is also believed to be holding more than 100 Armenian prisoners of 
war in what the Armenian side considers a gross violation of the ceasefire 
agreement brokered by Moscow.
Ruling Bloc, Opposition Party Agree To Crisis Talks
        • Artak Khulian
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian (R) meets with Bright Armenia Party 
leader Edmon Marukian, March 4, 2021.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s political team and one of the two opposition 
parties represented in the Armenian parliament on Thursday agreed to take part 
in talks proposed by President Armen Sarkissian.
Other, more hardline opposition groups set conditions for negotiating with 
Pashinian with the aim of ending the political crisis in the country.
Sarkissian on Wednesday invited Pashinian and opposition leaders to meet at the 
presidential palace on Saturday and try to find “mutually acceptable ways of 
overcoming the crisis.” He said he expects them to respond to his offer by 
Thursday evening.
“I have informed the president’s staff today that we accept the president’s 
invitation and are going to participate in the meeting initiated by the 
president,” said Lilit Makunts, the parliamentary leader of Pashinian’s My Step 
bloc.
“We accept the invitation and stand ready to take part in any discussion in 
which … ways of getting the country out of the deep crisis could be found,” 
Edmon Marukian, the leader of the opposition Bright Armenia Party (LHK), wrote 
on Facebook.
“The president’s invitation means one thing: to sit down and discuss the 
situation,” said another senior LHK figure, Ani Samsonian. “It’s a very 
constructive initiative.”
Unlike the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), the other parliamentary opposition 
force, the LHK is not part of the Homeland Salvation Movement alliance, which 
has been holding anti-government protests in Yerevan in a bid to force Pashinian 
to resign.
Armenia -- Supporters of the opposition Homeland Salvation Movement demonstrate 
in Yerevan to demand Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian's resignation, February 20, 
2021.
In a statement issued late on Thursday, the leadership of the alliance said the 
talks must be held in the parliament, broadcast live and focus on Pashinian’s 
resignation and formation of an interim government.
Shortly before the opposition statement, Sarkissian’s office said that since 
“not all of the invitees” have responded to his invitation so far it will make a 
statement about “the format of the meeting” later on.
Sarkissian offered to host multi-party talks one day after paving the way for 
the sacking of Onik Gasparian, Armenia’s top army general who has demanded, 
along with 40 other high-ranking officers, Pashinian’s resignation. The 
president pointedly declined to ask the Constitutional Court to rule on the 
legality on Pashinian’s decision to fire Gasparian.
The Homeland Salvation Movement reacted furiously to Sarkissian’s stance, 
accusing him of acting on the embattled prime minister’s orders.
Minister Warns Of Hospital Bed Shortage As COVID-19 Cases Rise
        • Sargis Harutyunyan
Armenia -- Medics look after a COVID-19 patient at the Nork Hospital for 
Infectious Diseases, Yerevan, June 5, 2020.
Health Minister Anahit Avanesian warned on Thursday that Armenian hospitals 
could run out of beds for COVID-19 patients if a renewed increase in coronavirus 
cases in the country continues unabated.
Avanesian issued the warning after health authorities registered the largest 
single-day number of cases in more than two months.
The Armenian Ministry of Health reported in the morning that 748 people have 
tested positive for COVID-19 in the past day, sharply up from an average of 183 
cases a day recorded in February. The daily number of officially confirmed 
infections averaged 407 in the first ten days of March.
“As we predicted last week, we have a major increase in the disease,” Avanesian 
told a weekly cabinet meeting in Yerevan. “Right now there are 6,772 active 
cases and 901 of these people are hospitalized.”
Avanesian said that the nine Armenian hospitals treating COVID-19 patients 
currently have about 100 vacant beds and the authorities are setting up more 
such beds to cope with the growing number of serious cases.
“But I want to warn that the number of beds is not unlimited and everything must 
be done to make sure that the number of patients does not exceed our [hospital] 
capacity and that we again don’t have patients who cannot be hospitalized and 
have to stay at home,” she said.
Armenia -- Health Minister Anahit Avanesian speaks during a cabinet meeting in 
Yerevan, .
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian expressed concern at the worsening 
epidemiological situation in Armenia. He urged citizens to comply with sanitary 
rules set by his government following the onset of the pandemic last year.
Pashinian did not say whether the authorities are planning to resume a strict 
enforcement of those rules, which include mandatory mask-wearing in all public 
areas.
The authorities largely stopped fining people not wearing masks following the 
September 27 outbreak of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. The daily number of new 
COVID-19 cases reported by them grew rapidly as a result. It began steadily 
falling in mid-November.
Few Armenians now wear masks not only on the street but also in shops. Cafes and 
restaurants across the country have remained open since last May.
Health experts believe that recent rallies held in Yerevan by both the Armenian 
opposition and the government have also contributed to the resurgence of 
coronavirus cases.
Armenian President Refuses To Confirm New Army Chief (UPDATED)
        • Nane Sahakian
Armenia -- General Artak Davtian inspects Armenian troops deployed in Tavush 
province.
President Armen Sarkissian refused on Thursday to appoint a new chief of the 
Armenian army’s General Staff nominated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.
In a short statement announcing the decision, Sarkissian’s office did not 
specify his “objections” to Pashinian’s pick for the top military post: 
Lieutenant-General Artak Davtian.
Davtian already headed the General Staff from May 2018 to June 2020. Pashinian 
moved to reappoint him on Wednesday after completing the sacking of the previous 
army commander, Colonel-General Onik Gasparian, who has demanded, along with 40 
other high-ranking officers, the Armenian government’s resignation.
Gasparian condemned his removal as “unconstitutional” and said he will challenge 
it in court. The army top brass voiced support for the general.
Pashinian was quick to dismiss Sarkissian’s objections and insist on Davtian’s 
appointment.
In a statement issued later on Thursday, Sarkissian’s office said he decided not 
to file such an appeal, meaning that Davtian will automatically replace 
Gasparian later this week despite the president's second refusal to sign a 
relevant decree drafted by the prime minister.
Sarkissian pointedly declined to appeal to the court after similarly refusing to 
sign a decree relieving Gasparian of his duties. His stance, strongly condemned 
by the Armenian opposition, paved the way for the general’s sacking.
The Armenian Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that one of Gasparian’s 
deputies, Lieutenant-General Stepan Galstian, will perform the duties of the 
General Staff chief pending the appointment of a new army commander.
Galstian was among the senior officers who signed the February 25 statement 
accusing Pashinian and his cabinet of misrule and demanding their resignation. 
The premier condemned the statement as a coup attempt. But opposition groups 
trying to oust him with street protests welcomed it.
The military’s unprecedented statement came the day after the first deputy chief 
of the General Staff, Lieutenant-General Tiran Khachatrian, was controversially 
fired in a presidential decree initiated by Pashinian.
Khachatrian lost his job just hours after a pro-opposition media outlet quoted 
him as laughing off Pashinian’s claim that the Armenian army’s most advanced 
Russian-made missiles seriously malfunctioned during last year’s war in 
Nagorno-Karabakh. Khachatrian asked Armenia’s Administrative Court last week to 
invalidate the decree and reinstate him.
Pashinian’s claim about the Iskander missile systems provoked a storm of 
criticism from Russian pro-government lawmakers and pundits. Russia’s Defense 
Ministry said it was “bewildered and surprised” by the remarks.
Pashinian effectively retracted them on March 1, saying through a spokeswoman 
that he was misled by other Armenian officials.
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
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