Category: 2021

Rally of opposition forces kicks off at Baghramyan Street

Karapet Navasardian

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 16:05, 6 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. The rally of the opposition forces – Fatherland Salvation Movement, has kicked off at Baghramyan Street near the National Assembly building. ARMENPRESS reports the rally is entitled “Nation, Army, Victory”.

The participants of the movement have been setting up tents on Baghramyan Avenue for several days now, between the building of the National Assembly and the National Academy of Sciences, some of them are spending the night there. The Movement demands the resignation of the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan.

Photos by Tatev Duryan, Hayk Manukyan


Armenian, Iranian FMs discuss issues of regional security and stability

Boris Nahapetian

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 13:39, 6 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Ayvazian had a telephone conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia.

The Foreign Ministers exchanged views on issues of the bilateral agenda. The sides expressed satisfaction with the dynamics of the development of relations based on centuries-old friendship and mutual readiness to strengthen it further was reaffirmed, including through the activation of political dialogue at various levels.

The interlocutors touched upon regional security and stability issues. The Ministers highlighted the role of coordinated cooperation in addressing new regional challenges.

Senator Bob Menendez calls on Biden to recognize Armenian Genocide and work for release of POWs

Ani Kharatian

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 11:51, 6 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – pressed the Biden Administration to join Congress in properly recognizing the Armenian Genocide and also to work for the release of Armenian hostages illegally held by the Azerbaijani government, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“Whether it’s recognizing the Armenian Genocide or demanding the release of Armenian POWs, Senator Menendez is a principled, powerful, and persistent advocate – effectively advancing both our U.S. interests and our American values,” said ANCA Eastern Region Chair and New Jersey resident Ani Tchaghlasian. “Armenians across New Jersey and around the nation thank Senator Menendez for his leadership on issues of special concern to our community and coalition partners.”

The Garden State’s senior Senator made the remarks during the confirmation process for Wendy Sherman, who has been nominated to serve as Deputy Secretary of State, the agency’s number two position.

With regard to U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide, Sen. Menendez states, “I hope the President will keep his commitment to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The United States Senate, by unanimous consent, passed it. Last year I was proud to sponsor that. The House of Representatives has passed it. It’s time for the President of the United States to do what the rest of the Congress of the United States – as representatives of the American people – which is to recognize the Genocide. Let’s call history for what it is.” Sen. Menendez has already started reaching out to Senate colleagues to join him in sending a joint letter to President Biden urging him to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide in the annual April 24th commemorative statement.

Sen. Menendez went on to call for greater U.S. engagement in the OSCE Minsk Group mediation of the Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) crisis, including active leadership in securing the release of over 200 Armenian prisoners of war and civilian captives illegally held by Azerbaijan some 4 months after the disastrous November 9th ceasefire agreement.

“We will look to help the people of Armenia and help to facilitate the release of POWs that the Azerbaijanis have,” stated Sen. Menendez. “It is in violation of international law what they’re doing. We need to speak out, which the previous administration did not, and we need to work to try to get that region to look forward to what the Minsk process was. There is some suggestion that this is all over. No. it’s not. And we need the POWS released and we have to help Armenia, as it gets all of these refugees back into their country.”





COVID-19: Armenia reports 508 new cases, 191 recoveries in one day

Garo Vardanian

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 11:09, 6 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. 508 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Armenia in the past one day, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 174.257, the ministry of healthcare said today.

191 more patients have recovered in one day. The total number of recoveries has reached 164.654.

4 more patients have died, raising the death toll to 3219..

3016 tests were conducted in the past one day.

The number of active cases is 5560.

The number of people who had been infected with COVID-19 but died from other disease stands at 824.


Armenpress: Armenian PM, U.S. Secretary of State discuss NK issue and Armenian-U.S. cooperation agenda

Edgar Tavakalian

Armenian PM, U.S. Secretary of State discuss NK issue and Armenian-U.S. cooperation agenda

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 00:12, 6 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 6, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. Nikol Pashinyan first congratulated Mr. Blinken on being appointed to such a high state position. Speaking about the bilateral relations, Prime Minister Pashinyan appreciated the U.S. Government’s continued support to Armenia and the role played by the United States within the OSCE Minsk Group, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The parties next referred to the situation established in the region following the war. The need to resume the peace process in the OSCE Minsk Group format was emphasized on both sides. The Armenian Premier called his interlocutor’s attention to the need for Azerbaijan to immediately return the prisoners of war, hostages and people held in captivity. In this context, the U.S. side highlighted the Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ activities and voiced readiness to continue its role in resolving the conflict. The Secretary of State stressed the importance of developing close partnerships with Armenia. He hailed Armenia’s achievements in the field of democracy and assured that the United States will continue to assist Armenia with the ongoing reform process.

Both sides stressed the need for endeavoring towards strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption and advancing the judiciary and police reforms in Armenia. Nikol Pashinyan thanked the U.S. side for appreciation and readiness to provide assistance in the field of reforms.

RFE/RL Armenian Report – 03/06/2021

Ophelia Vardapetian 
                                        Saturday, March 6, 2021
U.S. Expects ‘Rule Of Law’ In Armenia
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and U.S. Secretary of State Antony 
Blinken.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed with Prime Minister Nikol 
Pashinian the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and political developments in Armenia in 
a phone call late on Friday.
“Armenia is an important partner, and we encourage its democratic development,” 
Blinken tweeted after the conversation.
“The Secretary stressed the significance of respect for the rule of law and 
democratic institutions, and he expressed our continuing support for the 
development of democratic processes and institutions in Armenia,” the U.S. State 
Department spokesman, Ned Price, said in separate written comments.
According to Pashinian’s office, Blinken “hailed Armenia’s achievements in the 
field of democracy and assured that the United States will continue to assist 
Armenia in the ongoing reform process.”
“Both sides stressed the need for cooperation towards strengthening the rule of 
law, fighting corruption and advancing judicial and police reforms in Armenia,” 
the office said in a statement.
The official readouts made no explicit mention of the ongoing political crisis 
deepened by the Armenian military’s demands for Pashinian’s resignation. The 
military’s top brass last week accused Pashinian’s government of putting the 
country “on the brink of destruction” after last year’s war in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The State Department warned Armenia’s armed forces to stay out of politics but 
stopped short of calling their demands a coup attempt. “We urge all parties to 
exercise restraint and to avoid any escalatory or violent actions,” Price said 
on February 26.
Armenia - Supporters of the Armenian military's top brass demonstrate outside 
the Defense Ministry in Yerevan, March 6, 2021.
Blinken and Pashinian also discussed the current situation in the Karabakh 
conflict zone.
“We welcome efforts to achieve a lasting political settlement to the 
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict,” Blinken said in this regard.
Pashinian was cited by his office as stressing “the need for Azerbaijan to 
immediately return [Armenian] prisoners of war, hostages and other people held 
in captivity.”
“In this context, the U.S. side emphasized the importance of the the Minsk Group 
Co-Chairs’ activities and expressed readiness to continue its role in resolving 
the conflict,” the office said.
Blinken pledged in January to “reinvigorate U.S. engagement to find a permanent 
settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that protects the security of 
Nagorno-Karabakh and helps to ensure another war does not break out.”
Joe Biden complained about a lack of such engagement during the six-week 
Karabakh war that coincided with the U.S. presidential race.
Reprinted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2021 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Prime Minister chairs Security Council meeting

Hovhannisian John

 12:40, 1 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan chaired a meeting of the Security Council, his office said.

“Issues related to the external and domestic security agenda, challenges and ways of overcoming them were discussed,” the PMO said.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

The President doesn’t represent interests of any political force – Sarkissian’s statement

Alex Jidarian

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 12:36, 1 March, 2021

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. President Armen Sarkissian issued a statement regarding his objections on sacking the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces General Onik Gasparyan as requested by the Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

“The fact that the President of the Republic returned the draft decree with objections is inadmissibly being manipulated and has received an inadequate reaction. On this occasion we are once again stressing that the President of the Republic is executing his functions solely through the powers vested in him by the Constitution, unbiased and is making decisions guided exclusively by pan-national and state interests,” Sarkissian’s Office said in a statement. 

It said that the President does not represent the interests of any political force and any manipulations are inadmissible and unacceptable.

“The most important mission of the President, as Head of State, is to ensure that the Constitution is being maintained and to serve the institute of the President as an arena for negotiations and finding ways for resolving the situation in the country. The President of the Republic has numerously offered and is reaffirming his readiness to bring together political forces around the table of negotiations with the purpose of settling disagreements and finding mutually acceptable solutions. The President returned with objections the draft decree on dismissing from office the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Colonel-General Onik Gasparyan by exercising his powers under clause 2, article 139 of the Constitution.”

The President also cited the Constitutional Court’s decision 1518 dated March 31, 2020, which enshrines that the President has alternative “discretionary” powers in appointing and dismissing the high command of the military.

On February 27, President Armen Sarkissian refused to approve Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s motion on dismissing the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Onik Gasparyan. The President returned the motion with objections. Shortly afterwards, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan again forwarded the same motion to the President. The President has three days to either approve it or apply to the Constitutional Court.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Something’s happening in Armenia. But is it a coup? In fact, coups are rare in post-Soviet countries

Talar Tumanian
Washington Post
March 2 2021
By Adam E. Casey
March 2, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. GMT+2

On Feb. 25, Armenia’s top military leadership called on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign. This threat came in the form of a letter signed by “several dozen” army officers, who cited “attacks” on the armed forces by the government. On Monday, pro-Pashinyan supporters demonstrated in one part of the capital while protesters demanding his resignation rallied at a separate site.

It isn’t clear what the next moves might be — and whether the army will attempt to forcibly remove the civilian government. But military coups are extremely rare in the countries that once made up the Soviet Union, so analysts are keeping a close eye on the situation and the potential effect on regional politics.

Scholars have long noted that the USSR left a number of poor legacies for democracy — but overly interventionist militaries was not one of them. The Soviet Union itself was remarkably invulnerable to coups, and Soviet clients in Eurasia and elsewhere were highly coup resistant.

While Armenia and Azerbaijan fought over Nagorno-Karabakh, their citizens battled on social media

Though less frequent, military coups still happen: last year in Mali, for instance; and last month in Myanmar. One data set tallies 109 coup attempts between 1991 and 2020, not all successful. Just two took place in the former Soviet Union — two failed coups in Azerbaijan in 1995 and 1996.

Of course, post-Soviet security services have hardly remained outside politics, but involvement by the army in ousting a leader is rare. We don’t know whether this coup threat will bring soldiers to the streets or oust Pashinyan’s government. Regardless, this crisis poses a serious challenge to Armenian democracy, civil-military relations and the fragile peace in the region. The powerful military that was once the source of regime strength in Armenia now threatens to bring down the government.

Armenia’s parliament named Nikol Pashinyan prime minister in 2018, when a “Velvet Revolution” swept the regime led by Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan from power. This regime transition was the result of weeks of peaceful protests in the most recent example of a successful “color revolution.”

But Armenians weren’t happy last fall with a peace deal that ceded Armenian-held territory in Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan after the long-standing conflict reignited. Many within the army took issue with the dismissal last week of the deputy chief of the army general staff.

Five ways the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will change the map

There are also reports that the army had refused an order to use force against protesters in December. Large protests on Feb. 20 brought thousands into the streets to call for Pashinyan’s resignation. On Monday, protesters broke into a government building, demanding he resign.

Former Armenian presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharian, along with high-ranking police officers, also called for Pashinyan to resign. While the large internal security service has urged calm, their position in any clash will also prove critical.

On Feb. 25, Pashinyan rallied thousands of his supporters to the streets of Yerevan and tried to fire the leader of the army. However, on Feb. 27, the Armenian president effectively sided with the army and refused to approve the order to dismiss Gen. Staff Chief Gasparyan.

During the Velvet Revolution, Russia notably stood on the sidelines, and Pashinyan gave assurances of his desire for continued close strategic relations with Moscow. So far, Russia has expressed a desire for a peaceful resolution to the current crisis, describing it as an “exclusively internal affair” that should be resolved through constitutional means.

A standard definition of a coup is an “illegal and overt action intended to seize executive authority in the state.” Despite Pashinyan’s claims to the contrary, it’s not clear the scenario in Armenia is a coup attempt, using this definition.

However, many scholars adopt a more expansive definition, which includes actions short of direct attempts to seize executive power. This broader scope would encompass an attempt by the military to unseat the sitting head of state via unconstitutional means. In this case, the explicit call for the removal of the head of government constitutes this act of insubordination and, arguably, a coup attempt.


This leaves Armenia’s situation perhaps a parallel to the scenario in Bolivia, when the army effectively forced President Evo Morales to resign in 2019, but did not directly seize power. Like Bolivia, Armenia is seeing mass protests. This is in fact quite common as a lead-up to coup attempts and regime change.

Most basically, this matters for democracy in Armenia, which has been struggling to establish democratic institutions since declaring its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. Many analysts viewed the Velvet Revolution as a democratic breakthrough against an authoritarian regime.

Of course, this could turn out to be what some analysts call a “good coup,” if it’s a reaction to the government’s plans to use the army against domestic protesters. But “good coups” are also rare, and coups overall tend to increase, rather than decrease, the risk of violent repression.

To scholars, the potential involvement of the regular army in an effort to overthrow a government in the former Soviet Union is a novel development. After all, Armenia’s initial victory in the territorial conflict over the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region strengthened the regime in Yerevan and enabled the construction of a powerful security apparatus. We might be witness to the double-edged nature of a powerful military: When military forces blame civilian leadership for poor battlefield outcomes, a coup attempt is increasingly likely.

The fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh is about local territories and wider rivalries

The wider implications, if the military overthrows the government and creates a more hard line regime, could include a threat to the relatively fragile peace agreement with Azerbaijan. In that scenario, the risk rises of resumed hostilities in a conflict that left thousands of casualties.

Even failed coups can have tremendous consequences for democracy, as the post-coup purges in Turkey demonstrated. If Pashinyan’s regime shakes this threat off, would we see a similar purge of opponents in the armed forces?

As of now, the army remains in the barracks, and it’s unclear whether Pashinyan will successfully maneuver past the coup threat. What is clear is that the challenge Armenia’s mass protests pose have grown more acute. Without a loyal army willing to defend the regime, Pashinyan may find he has few options to resist the growing clamor for his resignation.

Adam E. Casey is a research fellow at the Weiser Center for Emerging Democracies at the University of Michigan.

 

Azerbaijani press: Assessment of cultural heritage of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh must be objective – French MP tells lagazetteaz.fr

Hambik Zargarian
POLITICS2 March 2021 11:22 (UTC+04:00)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 2

Trend:

To provide the world with precise information about the state of the cultural heritage in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh after the Armenian occupation, it is necessary to organize an international UNESCO mission, MP of the French National Assembly, Frederique Dumas, said, Trend reports.

Dumas made the remark in an interview with the French lagazetteaz.fr online newspaper.

“I think this is the most powerful tool to showcase the realities,” the MP noted.

“The organization of the UNESCO mission is very important, because this mission will more objectively show what happened. The main purpose of our visit to Karabakh with a group of French MPs was to show the situation in the territories of Azerbaijan after the occupation,“ said Dumas.

“Azerbaijan is a shining example of multiculturalism, protection of religions and cultures. Synagogues, Armenian churches and mosques in Baku are located nearby,” she stressed.

“Azerbaijan is a multicultural, multi-confessional state that protects the rights of minorities. I believe that Azerbaijan should always be promoted as a secular, multicultural country that protects culture and religion,” the French MP said.

Commenting on the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group, Dumas noted that this authority should play the role assigned to it, that is, maintain neutrality, impartiality and ensure justice.

“The Minsk Group must show the way to peace and create opportunities for the peaceful coexistence of peoples,” the French MP emphasized.

Touching upon the resolution adopted in the French National Assembly during the Second Karabakh War on the necessity of recognizing the “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic”, Dumas noted that very few MPs took part in the voting.

“However, the resolution was adopted. Some circles in France, trusting the Armenian community, which claims “we Armenians are closer to you, we are also Christians”, voted for the resolution to protect them. The French government made a big mistake by not responding in time. After this resolution, mistrust towards France has already aroused in Azerbaijan. Therefore, I believe that the adoption of this resolution is a political mistake,” Dumas added.