Category: 2021

Armenian Bar Association Submits Report on Grey Wolves to UN Special Rapporteur on Racism

Hambik Zargarian
March 5 2021

03/05/2021 United States (International Christian Concern) – This week, members of the Armenian Bar Association sent a report to the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance regarding the Grey Wolves. The submission comes in response to a call for information by Special Rapporteur E. Tendayi Achiume to inform her upcoming report to the UN Human Rights Council on combatting the glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism, and other practices that fuel contemporary forms of racism and related intolerance.

The Grey Wolves are an Islamic Turkish nationalist group whose aim is to restore the Pan-Turkism of the Ottoman Empire to the region. The group became notorious in the 20th century for its religious freedom violations, including a massacre of over 100 Alevis and an attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II. ICC has covered the hatred and violence of the Grey Wolves over the past couple months amid the fighting and aftermath of the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh (Armenian: Artsakh).

The Grey Wolves see Armenian Christians as an obstacle to achieving their goals, and have thus continually committed brutal acts of violence against them, in ways remnant of the Armenian Genocide of the early 20th century. ICC further outlined the human rights violations of the Grey Wolves in Artsakh in its recent report, The Anatomy of Genocide: Karabakh’s Forty-Four Day War.

Lucy Varpetian, Chairwoman of Armenian Bar Association, praised the Special Rapporteur on the subject and felt optimistic about their submission. “In a time when ultra-nationalist policies propel discrimination and violence in many parts of the world, we applaud the Special Rapporteur’s commitment to receiving substantiated reports about the full scope of the threat of neo-Nazism and related practices,” said Vareptian.

Chairwoman Varpetian was featured on a recent ICC podcast, going more in-depth on the recent conflict, the history of Artsakh, and the threats of Pan-Turkic ideology facing the world.

The report concluded with a grim comparison, arguing that the Grey Wolves “should be understood as a dangerous ideology paralleling Nazism in form – in light of indications of state support – and in substance – in light of explicit calls for the eradication of certain ethnic groups.” The report continues, “Azerbaijan’s aggression towards Artsakh and its Armenians is both a recent manifestation of this dangerous ideology, and a warning of a disturbing, growing trend.”

ICC applauds the work of the Armenian Bar Association, and will continue to join them in condemning the actions of the Grey Wolves by engaging policymakers on the dangerous ambitions of the group.



Turkish Press: Does Turkey support Armenia’s Pashinian?

Maral Chavushian
Daily Sabah, Turkey
March 6 2021
 Does Turkey support Armenia’s Pashinian? | Daily Sabah

have listened at length to policymakers and practitioners talk about what happened over the course of 44 days in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Many details of that war, including Armenia’s fortifications, how they were destroyed, why the fighting began in the south as opposed to the north, and why Armenia decided to attack Azerbaijan, will be revealed over the next years through research and witness testimony. That is not my area of expertise. Instead, I would like to talk about the impact of the war on Armenia.

For the record, the outcome was clear all along. Plagued by economic crisis and poverty, Armenia launched an offensive in an attempt to expand the piece of land it occupied in Nagorno-Karabakh.

That attack had adverse effects. Nagorno-Karabakh was the “red apple” of Armenia’s government and society. The loss of occupied territories, coupled with military humiliation and an extraordinary loss of life and equipment, was going to cause a political crisis in Armenia. That turmoil was slightly delayed, but Yerevan eventually felt the aftershock.

Turkish journalists had to learn about the situation in Armenia from the wires, as that country was not safe for them. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian made the political decision to fight, but the Armenian military fought (and lost) the war.

Military and political humiliation in Nagorno-Karabakh pitted Pashinian against President Armen Sarkissian and the military. The prime minister also faced immense pressure from the pro-opposition alliance.

According to media reports, Pashinian’s comments about Armenia’s Russian-made ballistic missiles failing to function against Turkish armed drones sparked the crisis.

Needless to say, that was the observable reason. The heated debate would have turned into political turmoil even if the prime minister had not blamed the president, the military and (perhaps unintentionally) Russia for what happened.

A scapegoat was needed to deal with the humiliation in Nagorno-Karabakh. The identity of that scapegoat will become clear once the dust settles and the power struggle ends. The loser will be held responsible for Armenia’s loss.

When Armenia’s military issued a public statement to urge Pashinian and his government to resign, the premier responded by calling for street protests and removing the country’s top military commander from his post.

Pashinian’s supporters took to the streets, but the president did not approve Pashinian’s decision to sack the chairperson of the joint chiefs. In other words, Sarkissian sided with the military command.

The crisis still rages on as Pashinian’s supporters and critics protest in the streets. The military called for the government’s resignation but could not take additional action, as the prime minister described their move as a “coup attempt.” Indeed, we have (not yet) seen soldiers storming official buildings or arresting politicians.

The potential transfer of power in Armenia is closely monitored by the Armenian people as well as foreign stakeholders. Some countries opted to keep silent, yet those nations and organizations, which did respond, reacted in three different ways.

Some called for calm without making a clear choice between the two sides. The United Nations, NATO, France, Russia and even Iran fall within this category. Their reactions were united in their lack of direct criticism against the Armenian military.

It was noteworthy that the Russians referred to the situation as Armenia’s “internal affairs.” Others adopted a balanced approach but criticized the military based on democratic considerations.

The U.S. refused to describe the situation as a coup attempt, instead, Ned Price, the U.S. State Department’s spokesperson, reminded the military where they belonged in a democratic regime.

The European Union, too, adopted that position.

Thirdly, Turkey was the only country that described what happened as a coup attempt and unequivocally opposed it. Hours after the military’s memorandum, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that Turkey was “opposed to military coups wherever they may happen.”

In other words, Çavuşoğlu described the situation as a military coup and adopted a clear stance.

It is no secret that Turkey and Armenia experience certain problems. It would not be an exaggeration to describe Pashinian as anti-Turkey. So why does Ankara seem to support him? Turkish policymakers say that the country’s response was informed by three factors.

First, Turkey suffered many losses due to military interventions. Its democracy experienced setbacks as a result of past coups and its people paid a heavy price. That’s why Turkey opposes military coups on principle and sides with civilian governments and the people.

Second, there is an attempt underway to create a six-nation mechanism to promote peace and economic development in the Caucasus after the Nagorno-Karabakh war.

That mechanism is intended to include Armenia as well. Pashinian is not a member of Armenia’s dominant political elite and therefore has a stronger connection with the outside world. Turkey is concerned that his successor, who would be endorsed by the military, may pursue a more rigid foreign policy.

Last but not least, policymakers in Ankara seem to believe that a pro-Western leadership in Yerevan is more likely to contribute to regional peace.

Chess: Levon Aronian switches to US as new regime in Armenia cuts support

Edgar Tavakalian
The Guardian, UK
March 5 2021

Leonard Barden on chessChess

Bobby Fischer admirer Rex Sinquefield enlists the world No 5 in team for Moscow 2022

| Chess | The Guardian

Armenia’s world No 5, Levon Aronian, has upped sticks and announced that he will quit his native Yerevan and represent the United States in future. The 38-year-old, who memorably led his national team to Olympiad gold ahead of the Russian and American favourites at Turin 2006, Dresden 2008 and Istanbul 2012, will transfer to the billionaire Rex Sinquefield’s global centre at St Louis, venue of the annual elite Sinquefield Cup which Aronian has already won twice.

Aronian’s neighbours in town will include the world No 2, Fabiano Caruana (ex-Italy), and the world No 15, Leinier Domínguez (ex-Cuba), while his other new teammates will be the world No 7, Wesley So (ex-Philippines), the five-time US champion Hikaru Nakamura, and the rising star Jeffery Xiong, 20.

St Louis’s facilities include its chess club, open every day, and its World Chess Hall of Fame, fronted by a 14-foot tall king, state of the art computer programs, the legendary Garry Kasparov, and strong human trainers to help prepare for major events.

| Chess | The Guardian

The writing has been on the wall for Aronian since 2018, when his friend, chess fan, and at that time national president Serzh Sargsyan, was deposed. Sargsyan had brought the victorious Olympiad teams home on the presidential jet, innovated chess teaching in Armenian schools, and attended Aronian’s wedding to the popular Arianne Caoili, who died in a car crash a year ago in March 2020.

The new regime slashed the chess budget, including support for Aronianhimself such as access to a super computer, and suggested that at 38 his time was past. Ironically, this decision comes just a few months after Aronian defeated Magnus Carlsen and Caruana with the black pieces at Norway’s Stavanger elite tournament.

Criticism has been directed at Sinquefield, 76, for buying up top talent, but international transfers are officially accepted by Fide. For a 2700-rated elite grandmaster like Aronian, the USCF (in practice, Sinquefield) must pay Armenia €50,000.

One question for the future is whether Sinquefield will try to make a compelling offer to Alireza Firouzja, 17. The former Iranian prodigy is widely regarded as heir apparent to Magnus Carlsen for the world crown, and their growing rivalry may well be the major chess story of the next few years. For now, Firouzja is living contentedly in Chartres, France, and is expected to apply for French citizenship.

| Chess | The Guardian

Sinquefied’s chess hero is Bobby Fischer and when he found himself on the same flight as the US legend over the Pacific in the mid-1970s he asked Fischer to “keep on beating those Russians”. Fischer promised, but then withdrew from chess for nearly 20 years. Fischer’s companion was the former Fide president Florencio Campomanes, so it seems likely that they were en route or returning from the abortive Anatoly Karpov-Fischer negotiations for a world title match.

The money was there, but the sticking points were Fischer’s insistence that the series should be for the first to win 10 games, draws not counting, and that the contest should be for the “Professional World Championship”, an unacceptable title for Moscow. It is a pity that the two greats never even took the opportunity to play a few five-minute games together.

Russia v United States contests have often been memorable, starting with the 1945 radio match when the USSR’s crushing 15.5-4.5 margin launched half a century of Soviet supremacy. A year on, over-the-board in Moscow, the US lost but Samuel Reshevsky beat Mikhail Botvinnik on top board.

In New York 1954, watched by 11-year-old Fischer, the US had some good moments in defeat. In 1960, when the US students won gold on Soviet soil, Boris Spassky was blamed and banned from overseas travel.

Fischer’s four Olympiads brought three draws and a loss to Spassky, while his 1962 game sparked Botvinnik’s quip that the American had only spoken three words to him in his life. In 1960 as they were introduced Fischer pointed to himself and said “Fischer”. At Varna 1962 , they sat down to play, bumped heads and Fischer said “Sorry” and at the end of the game he said “Draw”.

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The 21st century Russia v US matches have been less memorable, but the meeting at Moscow 2022, the first Olympiad since lockdown, promises to be significant. The US team, with Aronian likely to be eligible, will be mostly from the world top 10, but Russia’s squad from the top 10-30 will be younger, ambitious and motivated.

Renewed interest in Fischer has been stimulated by John Donaldson’s recent 600-page book Bobby Fischer and His World which delves deeply into little-known areas of his life, and by the availability of videos of Fischer’s 1972 appearances on Carson Tonight and the Bob Hope Show.

Fischer also did a BBC interview (not currently viewable) on the eve of the match – This Little Thing between Me and Spassky. All of them show him good-humoured, articulate, and an evident hit with the audience, which provokes the thought that fans in the 1970s missed out not only on a potential classic Fischer v Karpov match, but also on Fischer as an outgoing television personality, with his 9/11 rant, his antisemitism, and his mental illness all still in the distant future.

3713: 1 Rd2! c6 2 Kf2! Kxf4 3 Ne6 mate.

30-meter-high Armenian flag to be raised in the border village of Shurnukh

Greg Madatian
Public Radio of Armenia
March 5 2021

On March 7, a 30-meter-high Armenian tricolor will be solemnly raised in the border village of Shurnukh, Goris Municipality informs.

Cultural events will be held in the village, the residents of the community will present the traditional dishes.

Shurnukh is just a few meters away from the Azerbaijani posts.

Twelve houses in the village were left on disputed territory as a result of border demarcation.  A new district is being built for those left without shelter.

The highest flag in Armenia was first raised in Kapan.

Sports: Marcos Pizzelli appointed Armenia’s football ambassador in South America

Ani Kharatian
Public Radio of Armenia
March 5 2021

Former Armenia international Marcos Pizzelli will represent the Football Federation of Armenia in South America.

Speaking about his appointment, Marcos Pizzelli expressed gratitude for the confidence placed on him.

“First of all, I am happy to be involved in Armenian Football again. I will do my best to repay everything that Armenia gave to me. My function will be to represent FFA during various events. Apart from that, my idea is to try to be as close as possible to Armenian diaspora here, in South America. Probably, I will try to find players of Armenian origin, who will be able to join the National Team in the nearest future,” the retired midfielder said.

“I am confident, that Football Federation of Armenia will give me field for develop and study. From my side, I will do everything to help Armenian football,” he added.

FFA president Armen Melikbekyan said: “It was a month ago when we announced the appointment of Yura Movsisyan as the FFA ambassador in North America. Now we decided that Marcos Pizzelli – another notable player – will be busy with similar functions in South America.”

“For us, it is very important to be sure, that former Armenian national team players are involved in Armenian football after the retirement,” Melikbekyan said.

“South America is a very important region, because Armenian diaspora is big there and football is very popular. I am sure that Marcos Pizzelli will be the person to to help us find new players and to make them play for Armenia,” he added.

Azerbaijan deliberately undermines implementation of trilateral statements – Armenian MFA

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
March 5 2021

The Article 9 of the November 9 trilateral statement does not mention the establishment of any corridor, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Anna Naghdalyan has stated.

The comments come after the President of Azerbaijan noted that “the new transport corridor will pass through the historical territories of Azerbaijan, Zangezur, connecting the main part of Azerbaijan with its integral part, Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, and Turkey.”

“With such a provocative statement, calling Zangezur an “Azerbaijani historical land” and making reference to an imaginary corridor, the President of Azerbaijan deliberately undermines the implementation of the November 9 and January 11 trilateral statements. Such rhetoric contradicts Azerbaijan’s obligations; it is a blatant challenge to international law, it in no way contributes to the stability of the region and threatens all states in the region,” Naghdalyan stated.

Aliyev also stated that “the conflict has been resolved and the UN Security Council resolutions have been implemented.”

“The statements of the President of Azerbaijan that Azerbaijan has resolved the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict by the use of force once again demonstrates who unleashed the war and who is leading the region through new challenges and further destabilization. As always, Azerbaijan distorts the provisions of the UN Security Council resolutions, while these same resolutions express their support for the Minsk Group peace process, headed by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs,” the Spokesperson said.

“With his statements on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, the President of Azerbaijan contradicts the position of the international community, and first of all, the position of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship and Co-Chair countries, which clearly emphasizes the imperative of comprehensive settlement of the conflict. It is obvious to us that the attempt to suppress the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination through the use of force cannot create grounds for the settlement of the conflict. The realization of the right of the people of Artsakh to self-determination and the elimination of the consequences of the war are the core elements of the peace process,” she stated.

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender offers establishing demilitarized security zone in Syunik

Parkev Tvankchian
Public Radio of Armenia
March 5 2021

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan offers establishing a demilitarized security zone in Syunik province to guarantee the rights of the residents.

Speaking at a press conference today, Tatoyan presented concrete evidence and facts on which this new approach is based.

“The international community has a great deal to do in this regard, because the processes connected with borders in Syunik and Gegharkunik fundamentally contradicts everything that has been created at the international level over the years, undermining the conventions, guidelines and human rights requirements in this area,” the Ombudsman said.

The rationale for this new approach is currently being finalized for submission to relevant international bodies.

Armenia improves ranking in 2021 Index of Economic Freedom

Yeghisabet Arthur
Public Radio of Armenia
March 5 2021

Armenia’s economic freedom score is 71.9, making its economy the 32nd (up from 34th last year) freest in the world, according to the 2021 Index of Economic Freedom published by the Heritage Foundation.

Armenia’s overall score has increased by 1.3 points, primarily because of an improvement in fiscal health. Armenia is ranked 18th among 45 countries in the Europe region, and its overall score is above the regional and world averages.

Other countries in the region are placed as follows: Georgia 12th, Turkey – 76th, Azerbaijan 38th, Iran – 168th.

Armenia’s partners in the Eurasian Economic Union Russia and Kazakhstan are ranked 92nd and 34th respectively, Belarus is 95th, Kyrgyzstan is 78th.

Singapore tops the list, followed by New Zealand and Australia.

Economic freedom in Armenia has hovered between moderately free and mostly free for many years. GDP growth during the reporting period has continued to be strong. To institutionalize higher levels of economic freedom more firmly, the government needs to maintain its focus on improving judicial effectiveness and government integrity. Stronger rule of law would also have a positive impact on investment freedom.

IMPACT OF COVID-19: As of December 1, 2020, 2,193 deaths had been attributed to the pandemic in Armenia, and the economy was forecast to contract by 4.5 percent for the year.

The Vatican hails Russia’s role in Karabakh conflict settlement process

Chalian Meline
Public Radio of Armenia
March 5 2021

The Vatican recognizes the important role of Russia in finding a way out of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, secretary for relations with foreign states of the Vatican Paul Richard Gallagher told TASS on Friday.

Gallagher noted that the Vatican would like to see more progress in resolving “frozen conflicts” in the post-Soviet space.

Paul Richard Gallagher is a member of the official Vatican delegation accompanying Pope Francis on his apostolic trip to Iraq, where the pontiff arrived on Friday.

US ready to continue its role in resolving Karabakh conflict – Armenian PM’s office

Torgomian Varazdat
TASS, Russia
March 5 2021
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan “appreciated the US Government’s continued support to Armenia and the role played by the United States within the OSCE Minsk Group”

YEREVAN, March 6. /TASS/. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that Washington would continue its efforts to help resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Pashinyan’s office said on Friday.

The prime minister’s office said in a statement that the sides touched upon the post-war situation and emphasized the necessity to restore the peace process within the OSCE Minsk Group format.

“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 US side highlighted the Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ activities and voiced readiness to continue its role in resolving the conflict,” the statement says.

Prime Minister Pashinyan “appreciated the US Government’s continued support to Armenia and the role played by the United States within the OSCE Minsk Group.”

Blinken “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,” it says. “Nikol Pashinyan thanked the US side for appreciation and readiness to provide assistance in the field of reforms.”

Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them.

On November 9, 2020 Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. Under the deal, Azerbaijan and Armenia maintained the positions that they had held, some of the districts were handed back to Baku, and Russian peacekeepers were deployed along the contact line and to the Lachin corridor, which links Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

The talks seeking peace for Nagorno-Karabakh have been ongoing within the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), co-chaired by Russia, the United States and France, since 1992.