Category: 2021

Bright Armenia leader to nominate candidacy for PM’s position

Emil Lazarian
Aysor, Armenia
Jan 21 2021

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during the meeting with Bright Armenia party proposed conduction of snap elections and signing a memorandum with which the party would take a commitment not to nominate the candidacy of party’s leader after PM’s resignation.

This was stated today by Bright Armenia leader Edmon Marukyan.

“I said that our agenda is the formation of transition government, and the candidate for this government is me, and I will nominate but the authorities offered the agenda of organization of snap elections in response to opposition’s demand of resignation of the PM,” Marukyan said, adding that there was no consensus and the issue of memorandum was closed.

The lawmaker said that what they orally state that they are ready for the elections and mention how it should be done does not mean that they will not nominate candidate for PM’s post.

“We have publicly stated that we will nominate [candidate], I have offered a counter memorandum, I have offered to sign a memorandum and till its signing agree that I am being elected supposedly by October 1 and step down on that day and do not nominate my candidacy and with three forces we agree not to nominate any person, and the NA dissolves,” Marukyan said.

He stressed that his proposal too received no consensus.

Armenian research institute bids for participation in NASA’s Artemis human lunar lander program

Mike Maghakian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 21 2021
– Public Radio of Armenia

The Center of Cosmology and Astrophysics of the Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (Yerevan Physics Institute) has sent a white paper to the American Artemis program, the center’s head, Professor Vahagn Gyurzadyan told a press conference at Armenpress press center.

With the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024, using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.

The program collaborates with commercial and international partners to establish sustainable exploration by the end of the decade. It will then use what they learn on and around the Moon to take the next giant leap – sending astronauts to Mars.

– Public Radio of Armenia

“They made a call for proposals, and mostly American and European companies were the ones to respond. We also submitted a project,” Gyurzadyan said, adding that the proposal is currently being considered in Houston.

The Professor said the technologies developed at the Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (Yerevan Physics Institute) are applicable in a number of spheres including space research, medicine, military industry, etc.

Azerbaijani ‘Karabakh cleansing’ stamp condemned in Armenia

Emil Lazarian
JAM News
Jan 21 2021

    JAMnews, Baku-Yerevan

After the ceasefire in Karabakh, a postage stamp dedicated to the military victory of the country came into circulation in Azerbaijan. 

On the stamp, a man in overalls disinfects the territory of Karabakh. In Armenia, observers have called this as a ‘manifestation of fascism.’

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According to the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of Azerbaijan, the postage stamps of this series reflect the two most important events that took place in Azerbaijan in 2020 – the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Karabakh.

“The purpose of the issue of stamps is to perpetuate the names of the heroes of the fight against the pandemic and the second Karabakh war,” the ministry said.

The catalog with a series of stamps “Azerbaijan 2020” depicts a man in overalls. Such overalls are worn in Azerbaijan by persons responsible for the disinfection of premises and streets.

In the picture, the part on the map of Azerbaijan corresponding to Karabakh is being disinfected.

The state company Azermarka, which directly produces and distributes postage stamps in Azerbaijan, declined to comment on the idea reflected in the picture .

“The man on the stamp in medical uniform is ‘disinfecting’ Artsakh Armenians”, commented Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan. 

Tatoyan says the Azerbaijani authorities are deepening the Armenophobia by issuing the stamp and “openly propagandize the extermination of Armenians in Artsakh at the state level.”

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan also says the stamp promotes Armenophobia. The Azerbaijani authorities, according to the Armenian prime minister, “are pursuing a policy of fascism.”

“Such stamps existed only in Nazi Germany. I think that the Armenian parliament and parliamentary diplomacy should also bring this problem to their international partners.”

Armenian Facebook users reacted quite sharply to the situation. Moreover, the criticism came not only against the authorities of Azerbaijan, but also against Armenia.

Here are some comments:

“Armenians will never be able to live in peace with Turks and Azerbaijanis. So it was and so it will be. And today’s policy pursued by the Azerbaijani authorities, once again proves it” .

“Send a letter with this postage stamp to Nikol Pashinyan. Maybe he will at least understand to what abyss he is leading the people.“

“Fascist propaganda of Azerbaijan should become the subject of close attention of all international organizations. We have not worked in this direction for 30 years. We have lost the information war to our neighbors.“

HRW on Armenia in 2020: police violence, the Karabakh war and the coronavirus

Shushan Frangulian
JAM News
Jan 21 2021
    JAMnews, Yerevan

The main events in Armenia in 2020 included the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the second Karabakh war.

The defeat in the war caused an acute political crisis in Armenia, as the opposition has been since demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

In its report on Armenia for 2020, Human Rights Watch examined all these events and human rights issues in the country.

The HRW report said that on September 27, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive which led to an escalation of hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the de facto authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The report stated that the parties violated international humanitarian law, which “resulted in the injury of civilians”:

HRW report also noted that the Armenian military used banned cluster munitions in populated areas, which “led to dozens of civilian casualties”:

“During the conflict, Armenian forces carried out indiscriminate attacks, launched unguided artillery missiles, and fired heavy artillery shells and ballistic missiles at populated areas. Moreover, some of the attacks were carried out in areas with no obvious military targets, which resulted in the death and injury of civilians”.

Armenia confirmed its first coronavirus case on March 1. On March 16, the government declared a state of emergency and extended it five times, only canceling it on September 11.

The following example is given as a violation of human rights:

“In March, parliament passed amendments requiring telecommunications companies to provide the authorities with telephone records of all their subscribers to make it easier to track down people who might have been infected.”

The report said the authorities stopped tracking their data only after the state of emergency was lifted.

During the same period, about 4,000 children were affected by the closure of schools. Research conducted by World Vision Armenia on 3,000 families showed that almost 14 percent of school-age children did not attend online classes. Nearly 80 percent did not have the right equipment or internet connection.

According to the data of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia, which tracked about 30 protests and rallies during the state of emergency, the police response was selective.

The report states that in some cases the police did not intervene, and in others, they stopped gatherings with less than five participants and even single-person protests, “even when the protesters wore masks and observed social distance”.

In April, the government approved a strategy and action plan for police reform of 2020-2022. The plan includes rebuilding the Ministry of the Interior and strengthening parliamentary oversight of the police:

“The reforms also include the creation of a new patrol police and the enhancement of police investigative powers”.

That being said, the report states that investigations into past abuse of authority conducted by law enforcement agencies remain pending:

“Investigations into cases of police violence during the 2016 protests were reopened in 2019, but no charges were filed. In January, authorities indicted a police officer involved in the violent crackdown on protests in 2015 and suspended investigations into further incidents related to the same protests. In July, authorities also suspended police investigations of the summer 2018 protests”.

In all cases, the authorities stated that they were unable to identify the alleged perpetrators.

Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire opens region for Anglo Asian to possibly return to projects

Sonya Jalatian
Mining Weekly
Jan 21 2021

21st January 2021

By: Donna Slater
Creamer Media Staff Writer and Photographer

im-listed Central Asia gold, copper and silver producer Anglo Asian Mining welcomes the agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia which has ended the military conflict over the enclave of Nagorno Karabakh, subsequently opening up the region for the miner to restore its three contract areas in formerly occupied territories and Nagorno Karabakh.

Nagorno Karabakh is a mountainous enclave within the borders of Azerbaijan and is bordered by seven districts of Azerbaijan which were occupied by Armenia in 1994 (the occupied territories).

Anglo Asia’s projects in the region include Soutely, in the Kalbajar district of the formerly occupied territories; Kyzlbulag, in Nagorno Karabakh; and Vejnaly, in the Zangilan district of the formerly occupied territories.

Soutely, which is the location of the Zod gold and silver mine, is the largest in the Caucasus region and reportedly produced about 120 000 oz/y of gold prior to the conflict.

Kyzlbulag is the location of the Kashan deposit hosting a copper and molybdenum mine. Vejnaly has been a host to mining operations, but the current situation is unknown.

The two contract areas in the formerly occupied territories are fully under the control of the government of Azerbaijan, with Russian peacekeepers present at Anglo Asian's Nagorno Karabakh contract area.

Going forward, the company will fully evaluate the potential of the three restored contract areas when permission to access is received from the government of Azerbaijan.

Anglo Asian president and CEO Reza Vaziri says it is a tragedy that this long-standing territorial dispute has resulted in a humanitarian crisis and significant loss of life.

“Anglo Asian Mining very warmly welcomes the recent ceasefire agreement which ended the hostilities. The conflict has resulted in extensive damage across the region which will require substantial investment to repair and rebuild.”

The production sharing agreement in respect of the three restored contract areas will be reset to year zero upon notification of access to the areas.

Meanwhile, Anglo Asian notes that mineral exploitation and mining have been carried out illegally during the Armenian occupation at all three contract areas, but adds that considerable exploration potential still exists both near the existing mines and on known geological trends in the restored contract areas.

The company will evaluate its newly restored contract areas as soon as it is able to access them.

Anglo Asia reports that, as part of the proposed ceasefire agreement, Armenia will grant territory in its Syunik region to Azerbaijan to enable construction of direct road and rail links between the exclave of Nakhchivan and the rest of Azerbaijan. The proposed transport corridor will greatly improve access to Anglo Asian’s Ordubad contract area.

“Anglo Asian Mining will work with the government of Azerbaijan, pursuant to its contractual rights, in the three restored contract areas within the Zangilan and Kalbajar districts, as well as in Nagorno Karabakh,” Vaziri says. 

Edited by: Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Report: The Anatomy of Genocide – Karabakh’s Forty-Four Day War

Aram Torosian
Jan 21 2021

From the Introduction:

“War erupted in the South Caucasus on 27 September 2020 when Azerbaijan and Turkey launched a joint military operation named Operation Iron Fist into the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh (Armenian: Artsakh). A truce was brokered by Russia forty-four days later which ceded significant parts of Karabakh to Azerbaijan.

During those forty-four days, Azeri and Turkish-paid Syrian mercenaries published multiple accounts and footage demonstrating possible war crimes against the local community. Following the truce, Turkey entered a peacekeeping role alongside Russia. Nevertheless, Turkey demonstrates biased support to Azerbaijan, who persists in violating the truce’s terms and the basic principles
of human rights.

The dynamics of this conflict are deeply complex, but have strong religious freedom implications impacting the future of Karabakh’s local community. The strategic planning by Turkey and Azerbaijan show an intent of mass extermination, thereby genocide, of Karabakh’s Armenian residents because of their combined faith and ethnic identity.

These identities are important to the Pan-Turkic ideology driving Azerbaijan and Turkey’s activities in Karabakh. This ideology is hidden behind highly symbolic language. Tactics used to promote this ideology include erasing Christianity from the historical memory of Karabakh, dehumanizing local residents, dismantling their identity, and using a variety of impression management maneuvers to limit the ability of international observers to name this war for what it is: genocide.”


https://www.persecution.org/2021/01/21/report-anatomy-genocide-karabakhs-forty-four-day-war/

Sports: Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates 32nd birthday

Emil Lazarian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 21 2021
Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates 32nd birthday
Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates 32nd birthday – Public Radio of Armenia

Armenia captain Henrikh Mkhiatrayn celebrates the 32nd  birthday today.

The Roma midfielder is is making a case as the best midfielder in Europe. he has scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 18 Serie A games this season.

He previously played for Pyunik Yerevan, Metalurh and Shakhtar Donetsk, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Mkhitaryan has been a member of the Armenian national team since 2007. He is Armenia’s all-time top goalscorer, with 30 goals in 88 caps.

He has been named Armenian Footballer of the Year ten times.

Armenian, Russian Defense Ministers discuss the situation in Artsakh, return of POWs

Kajoyan Gevork
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 21 2021
– Public Radio of Armenia

Armenian and Russian Defense Ministers Vagharshak Harutyunyan and Sergey Shoygu have discussed the current issues of bilateral cooperation in the field of defense, the operative situation in Nagorno Karabakh, the return of prisoners of war and other detainees, as well as a number of issues related to the search for the missing.

The Armenian Minister of Defense thanked his counterpart for the effective activity of the peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno Karabakh, as well as for the significant assistance in the settlement of security issues by deploying Russian border guards in the Syunik region of the Republic of Armenia.

The defense ministers of the two countries also exchanged views on the latest regional military-political developments.

Canada’s DM Sajjan briefed on potential Canadian military training for Armenia

Tatoyan Vazgen
Journal Pioneer, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Jan 21 2021
Premium content
David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen, Postmedia News ([email protected])
Sajjan briefed on potential Canadian military training for Armenia | Canada | News | The Journal Pioneer

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was briefed last year about plans for the Canadian Forces to train Armenian military personnel but his officials say such instruction won’t proceed.

Fighting broke out in September between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. During the six-week conflict, Turkey supported Azerbaijan with military aid, including drones equipped with Canadian surveillance equipment. A ceasefire was brokered by Russia.

Nine months before the conflict, National Defence policy advisors outlined to Sajjan the potential for Canadian military training for Armenia. They asked the minister for a decision on the matter, according to a briefing note prepared for Sajjan.

But Sajjan’s spokesperson Floriane Bonneville said there are no plans to conduct training with Armenia.

More than 5,500 people were killed during the fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Russia has sent around 2,000 military personnel to monitor the peace deal.

Azerbaijan’s military forces had the upper hand during the war with its use of more advanced technology. Among that equipment were Israeli-made drones and the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drone which carried missiles and were used to destroy infantry positions, armoured vehicles, trucks

Armenian forces shot down a Bayraktar drone and displayed the Canadian-made equipment on the aircraft. The equipment was manufactured by L3 Harris Wescam in Burlington, ON.

The Canadian Forces has ongoing training missions in Latvia and Ukraine. It also has around 500 military personnel operating in various Middle East nations as part of efforts to counter the Islamic State of Iraq. That insurgency has been largely defeated, according to military officers, and the Canadian mission is scheduled to end March 31.

In a recent interview with the Canadian Press, Sajjan refused to say whether the mission would be extended. Canada has been involved in Iraq since 2014 and the mission has cost taxpayers more than $1 billion.

(Updated with new comment from Defence Minister Sajjan’s office)

Opposition MP Edmon Marukyan reiterates support for formation of interim government

Arsine Chaltikian
Panorama, Armenia
Jan 21 2021

At a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the opposition Bright Armenia faction was proposed to sign a memorandum of understanding, according to which the party would not nominate a candidate for prime minister after Pashinyan’s possible resignation, Bright Armenia leader Edmon Marukyan told a briefing at the parliament on Thursday.

However, the lawmaker said he rejected the proposal, reiterating the formation of a transitional government and his nomination as interim prime minister as his team’s priority.

No further discussions were held due to the absence of a consensus on the authorities' proposal, the MP added.

“Just because we demand the resignation of the prime minister and snap elections does not mean that we will not nominate our candidate for the post of prime minister. We have made it clear from the very beginning. The parliament has 132 members. The opposition MPs and those who have left My Step bloc make up almost 50 people, they [the ruling bloc] still hold 82 seats. Are they not sure about their faction’s decision, or do they think that there will be people who will vote for me? This is a different question,” he said.

"Either they have to admit that they don’t trust their team, or they have to resign smoothly," he said.

The opposition leader also said that he had proposed Pashinyan a "counter-memorandum", according to which, if the premiere resigns and Edmon Marukyan becomes the head of the caretaker government, he will resign on the day set in the memorandum and the parliament will be dissolved.

The “counter memorandum” proposed by Marukyan was rejected, the MP said.