Category: 2022

Russia accuses Azerbaijan of breaching ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh

Jhanna Virabian
March 28 2022

Azerbaijan says it has taken control of the village of Farrukh.
By bne IntelliNews March 28, 2022

Relations between Russia and Azerbaijan reached a new low after the Russian Ministry of Defence accused Azerbaijan of breaching the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement. Russia said on 27 May that it was deeply concerned about the rise in tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh and called for calm after what it said were breaches of the 2020 ceasefire brokered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia accused Azerbaijan of violation of the agreement by allowing its forces to enter a zone policed by Russian peacekeepers near the village of Farrukh and added that Azerbaijan had by 28 March withdrawn the soldiers. This was rejected by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence. The Azerbaijan statement said they haven’t withdrawn the soldiers and the strategic height had been captured.

The Azerbaijani MoD also accused Russian counterparts of not acting in the spirit of the Declaration on Allied Interaction signed by the presidents of the two countries on February 22, 2022. Azeri side even said that according to Article 18 of the Declaration, Russia should join Azerbaijan in their “efforts to combat and neutralise the threats of international terrorism, extremism, and separatism”.

Governing party authorities, such as MP Javid Osmanov also defended the position that the village was now under the control of Azerbaijan: “Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani army is currently strengthening its position by redeploying. Thus, the village of Farrukh, one of our historical lands, has also come under the control of Azerbaijan. Through successful diplomatic and political means, the village of Farrukh has already come under the full control of Azerbaijan.”

Other co-chairs of Minsk Group – US and France – also released similar statements on the breach of the ceasefire by Azerbaijan, however they were not given a response by the Azerbaijani authorities.

This exchange of diplomatic statements comes after Armenia’s accusation thatAzerbaijan had breached the ceasefire agreement by seizing new territories in Karabakh on 24 March.

Russian ally Armenia fears fresh bloodshed on its border

Emil Lazarian
March 28 2022

  • Mar 28 2022 10:49 Gmt+3
  • Last Updated On: Mar 28 2022 10:54 Gmt+3

Armenia is fearing fresh bloodshed on its border with Azerbaijan after armed clashes restarted between the two regional rivals, Newsweek magazine said.

Azeri forces are attacking Armenian soldiers in Nagorno-Karabakh and this was a “clear violation” of a ceasefire signed between Baku and Yerevan in November 2020, following six weeks of clashes over the disputed region, said Hayk Mamijanyan, a deputy of the Armenian parliament.

Azerbaijan is using the situation in Ukraine as “leverage” to renew its offensive and “to take advantage” of Russia’s war there, Mamijanyan told Newsweek on Saturday.

Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, began a successful military offensive against Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2020. The conflict ended in November with a Russia-brokered ceasefire. Azerbaijan regained control of much of the disputed territory controlled by ethnic Armenians since the 1990s.

“The world, most of the international organisations were silent during the 44-day war, and I do hope that, despite the inefficiency of the Armenian government, international organisations, and the world will pay attention to the crimes Azerbaijan is conducting at the moment,” Mamijanyan said.

“This coincidence with the Ukrainian crisis cannot be accidental,” Kristine Vardanyan, another deputy of the Armenian parliament told Newsweek.

Azerbaijan has denied that clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh have restarted.

“The information spread by Armenian sources, regarding the situation that has allegedly been escalating along the territory of Azerbaijan, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed, does not reflect the reality,” the Azeri Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

No clashes or incidents have occurred, and the situation is “artificially exaggerated by Armenian sources” it said. “There is no reason to worry or panic.”

In a separate statement issued on Saturday, the ministry said that “members of illegal Armenian armed detachments attempted to sabotage the Azerbaijan army units, and as a result of immediate measures, members of illegal Armenian armed detachments were forced to retreat.”

Azerbaijan is committed to the ceasefire agreement and has not violated any of its provisions, the ministry said. “It is Armenia, not Azerbaijan, that violates the provisions,” it said.

Armenia claims Azerbaijan continues invasion of Nagorno Karabakh

Chakhmakhchian Vatche
PRAVDA, Russia
March 28 2022
Incidents

The invasion of the Azerbaijani military into Nagorno Karabakh in the zone of responsibility of Russian peacekeepers continues, spokespeople for Armenia’s Foreign Ministry said.

“We expect that the peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation in Nagorno Karabakh will take concrete measures to stop the invasion of Azerbaijani units in the zone of responsibility of the peacekeepers,” the ministry said in a statement.

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry once again called for an investigation into the actions of the peacekeeping mission.

On March 24, the Azerbaijani military occupied the Armenian village of Parukh (Farukh in Azeri) in Nagorno-Karabakh without a fight.

A skirmish subsequently took place near the village for the neighboring and strategically important Karagluh Hill. According to Armenia, three Armenian soldiers were killed and more than ten were wounded. Five Azeri people were killed in the shootout, Armenian officials said. Baku denied reports of the shootout and casualties.

Russian President Putin phoned Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan twice on March 24 and 25. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu also spoke with his counterparts from Armenia and Azerbaijan, Suren Papikyan and Zakir Hasanov.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Azerbaijani armed forces entered the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh and set up an observation post. Bayraktar TB-2 drones were used to strike the troops of Nagorno-Karabakh near the village of Parukh four times, the ministry said.

The Russian side called on Azerbaijan to pull back its troops.

On March 27, the Azerbaijani military left their positions after negotiations, the Russian military said. However, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan stated that they did not withdraw troops.

OPINION: The Greek Foreign Ministry’s position on Nagorno-Karabakh is not one of friendship

Emil Lazarian

March 28 2022


by GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

The official announcement of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the Azeri attack in Nagorno-Karabakh on March 25, 2022, thus violating the Ceasefire Agreement, while proving their sad attitude towards Armenia which shows cowardice and hypocrisy.

They do not dare utter the name of Azerbaijan as the culprit of this violation, which lets the reader’s imagination choose who they want to hold responsible – the Azeris, the Armenians or the Russians.

It seems as if this announcement was made by force, by people who are afraid of being exposed in the eyes of those responsible, who are none other than the Azeris, who systematically violate this agreement.

Greece as the new Pontius Pilate, tries to keep equal distances, applying the doctrine of neutrality at a time when for Ukraine it took a clear position, without a second thought.

The embarrassing announcement by the Greek Foreign Minister states the following:

“Greece expresses its concern over the latest armed incidents and advance of military units in Nagorno-Karabakh. We call for these acts to cease immediately, units to withdraw to their starting positions & respect the ceasefire agreement of November 9, 2020.”

Let them answer us clearly from the Foreign Minister, who is this unknown actor who is called to return to his original positions?

However, lessons of courage and true friendship were given by the American Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US Congress, Mr. Robert Menendez , who made the following statement:

“Reports that Azerbaijani forces have entered parts of Nagorno Karabakh and launched drone strikes on the region’s self-defense forces are extremely concerning. I call on Azerbaijani forces to withdraw back to their initial positions and immediately cease their unprovoked attacks.”

This is masculine behavior. Everything else is for the cowardly, the unfriendly and the cowardly.

Krikor Tsakitzian is a contributor to Politis Press.

Moscow said on Saturday that Azerbaijan violated a ceasefire agreement by entering the Russian peacekeeping mission’s zone in Nagorno-Karabakk.

Although this is not by far the first time Azerbaijan has violated the ceasefire agreement, it is the first time Russia has publicly blamed the country for violating the 2020 deal.

The Russian defence ministry also accused Azerbaijani troops of using Turkish-made drones against the regions defence forces.

“Violating the provisions of a trilateral statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia from November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan’s armed forces between March 24 and March 25 entered the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh and set up an observation post,” the Russian defence ministry also said in a statement.

“An appeal has been sent to the Azerbaijani side to withdraw its troops.

“The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent is taking measures to resolve the situation.”

For their part, the Russian foreign ministry expressed “extreme concern” over the spiraling tensions in the region.

On Saturday, the Nagorno-Karabakh defence ministry said in a statement that Azerbaijani drones had killed three people and wounded another 15.

“Azerbaijan’s armed forces are continuing to remain in the village of Parukh,” the statement added.

Yerevan called on the international community to prevent attempts aimed at “destabilising the situation in the South Caucasus.”

“We also expect the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh to undertake concrete, visible steps to resolve the situation and prevent new casualties and hostilities,” the Armenian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Yerevan said that the “invasion” of strategically important Parukh “was preceded by constant shelling of Armenian settlements and civilian infrastructure.”

The Armenian foreign ministry said earlier this week that Azerbaijani troops on Thursday moved into the village of Parukh — under control of Russian peacekeepers — in what they said was “a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.”

​Armenia urges Russia to make Azeri troops leave in Karabakh flare-up

Chmshkian Vicken
Reuters
March 28 2022

Armenia urges Russia to make Azeri troops leave in 

Karabakh flare-up

Reuters

A service member of the Russian peacekeeping troops stands next to a tank near the border with Armenia, following the signing of a deal to end the military conflict between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces, in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, November 10, 2020. REUTERS/Francesco Brembati/File Photo

LONDON, March 28 (Reuters) – Armenia said on Monday it expected Russia to take action to make Azerbaijan withdraw troops from an area of Nagorno-Karabakh policed by Russian peacekeepers where tensions are rising in a bitter territorial row.

Azeri troops in 2020 drove ethnic Armenian forces out of swathes of territory they had controlled since the 1990s in and around Nagorno-Karabakh before Russia brokered a ceasefire and deployed peacekeepers.

On Saturday, Moscow said Azerbaijan had breached the agreement by allowing its soldiers into an area of the region near the village of Farrukh, but that Azerbaijan had withdrawn them by Sunday. read more

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry called on Monday for an investigation into the actions of Russia’s peacekeeping force during the incursion and published two Russian Defence Ministry maps that it said showed Azerbaijan’s troops were still present.

“We expect Russian peacekeeping forces in Nagorno-Karabakh to take concrete measures to stop the incursion of Azeri units into the peacekeepers’ area of responsibility and the withdrawal of Azeri armed forces,” it said in a statement.

Azerbaijan said on Sunday that it had not withdrawn its forces and said the area was its sovereign territory.

(This story corrects quote to make clear Azeri armed forces must withdraw)

Reporting by Reuters; editing by Guy Faulconbridge

‘Triarchy’ in Karabakh? Conflicting reports from Armenian, Russian, Azerbaijani state agencies

Emma Nadirian

March 28 2022


  • JAMnews
  • Baku-Yerevan

In the eastern part of Karabakh, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed, a rather strange and unprecedented situation has developed since the end of the second Karabakh war. Three departments have reported troop dispositions at the Dashbashi/Karaglukh height and the nearby village of Farrukh/Parukh, however, all reports are completely inconsistent with each other.

  • Armenia claims Azerbaijani forces captured strategic point in Karabakh
  • “We must investigate actions of Russian peacekeepers”: PM Pashinyan’s appeal to Putin
  • “Anti-Russian front in Caucasus?” – Moscow and Baku exchange accusations amid escalation in Karabakh

On the evening of Sunday, March 27, the Russian Ministry of Defense published another newsletter of the peacekeeping contingent in Karabakh. It stated that the peacekeepers managed to achieve withdrawal of the Azerbaijani armed forces from the village of Furukh (as the village of Farrukh/Parukh is called in the bulletin) through negotiations. It was also noted that the Azerbaijani army and the Armenian armed forces suffered losses – two wounded on each side.

The Russian defense department did not report anything about the situation at the Dashbashi/Karaglukh height.

Almost immediately after the publication of the newsletter of the Russian Defense Ministry, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan issued a response in which it accused Moscow of lying. According to information from Baku, the Azerbaijani troops did not retreat anywhere from the positions occupied on March 24. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan once again called on the Russian Ministry of Defense to be legible in naming villages in the territory under Azerbaijan’s control.

In turn, the Russian Ministry of Defense accused the Armenian Foreign Ministry of providing incorrect information in its statement.

This morning, the information center in Khankendi/Stepanakert provided its own version of events. According to the authorities of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, the village of Farrukh/Paruh is under the control of peacekeepers. As for the Dashbashi/Karaglukh height, one part is controlled by Azerbaijanis and the other by Armenians.

The village of Farrukh/Paruh in the east of Karabakh, where Russian peacekeeping forces are temporarily stationed

A Russian Defense Ministry fact sheet dated March 27 states:

“Two violations of the ceasefire regime were recorded by the armed forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Askeran region. As a result of the skirmish, two people from each side were injured. The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, in cooperation with representatives of the parties to the conflict, stabilized the situation.

Based on the results of the negotiations, the Azerbaijani side carried out the withdrawal of its units from the area of the FURUKH settlement.

“The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan regrets that the points reflected in the statement of the Russian Ministry of Defense dated March 27, 2022 do not correspond to reality”, the press service of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.

“The positions of the Azerbaijani army in the village of Farrukh, which is part of the sovereign territory of our country, and in the mountainous regions adjacent to it, have not changed. Information about the withdrawal of Azerbaijani army units from these positions does not correspond to reality. Our army is in full control of the operational situation.

The statement of the Russian Defense Ministry about the alleged violation of the ceasefire by Azerbaijan is also untrue, and there are no reports of casualties among Azerbaijani servicemen. We would like to remind once again that there is no administrative-territorial unit called “Nagorno-Karabakh” in the territory of Azerbaijan.

The use of the _expression_ “Nagorno-Karabakh” in the statements of the Russian Defense Ministry on March 26 and 27 is a disrespect for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, recognized and accepted by the international community, including the Russian Federation.

I would like to remind the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation that in the first paragraph of the declaration on allied cooperation, signed by the presidents of the two countries on February 22, 2022, it is noted that “the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan define their relations as allied cooperation based on mutual respect for independence, state sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the state borders of the two countries, as well as the principles of non-interference in internal affairs, they are based on the commitment to the principles of peaceful settlement of disputes and non-violence or threat of force.

In addition, according to paragraph 18 of the declaration, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan are joining forces in the fight against the threats of international terrorism, extremism and separatism and their neutralization.

In its statement, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also demonstrates disrespect for the declaration signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Ministry of Defense reiterates that there is no village called “Furukh” in the Khojaly region of Azerbaijan. The name of the mentioned village is Farrukh. We hope that in the following statements the name of the village will be indicated correctly”,2 the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia issued a statement in which, first of all, it expressed satisfaction with the fact that “the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs gave a clear assessment of the recent escalation of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, stating that it is a consequence of the redeployment of Azerbaijani troops”.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry quotes a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry, which says that the Azerbaijani side has withdrawn its units from the settlement of Parukh in Nagorno-Karabakh and states:

“The invasion of Azerbaijani units into Nagorno-Karabakh in the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent continues. We expect that the peacekeeping forces of the Russian Federation in Nagorno-Karabakh will take concrete measures to stop the invasion of Azerbaijani units in the zone of responsibility of the peacekeepers and the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani armed forces. We consider it important that a proper investigation of the actions of the peacekeeping contingent be carried out during the entire period of the invasion of the Azerbaijani units and that answers be given to a number of questions”.

Maps are attached to the text of the application. The area of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, indicated on the map, was taken from the website of the Russian Ministry of Defense. It is also explained that on the map representing the situation of March 24, there are no Azerbaijani bases in the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh.

On the map showing the situation as of the morning of March 28, it is clear that the Azerbaijani positions are in the zone of responsibility of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The information headquarters of the unrecognized NKR issued a message stating that as of 12:00 on March 28, the situation along the entire line of contact is relatively stable, no significant violations of the ceasefire regime have been recorded.

As for the village of Parukh, according to the headquarters, it is under the control of the Russian peacekeeping forces. Moreover, the report says that “thanks to the efforts of the Artsakh Armed Forces, the Armenian side managed to stop the advance of the Azerbaijani forces and maintain control over the main part of Mount Karaglukh”:

“Azerbaijani troops continue to remain in fortified positions only in the part of Karaglukh. Work continues with the command of the Russian peacekeeping forces on the return of the Azerbaijani side to their original positions”.

Member of the Azerbaijani parliament Rasim Musabekov commented on the differences between the reports of the Russian and Azerbaijani defense ministries.

“Two recent incidents have escalated the situation and led to an exchange of harsh statements by the Defense Ministry and the Foreign Ministries of the Russian Federation and Azerbaijan. The Russian military, citing the negative reaction of local Armenians and contrary to their obligations, refused to escort the Azerbaijani convoy to pass through the Aghdara (formerly Mardakert) region in the direction of Kelbajar.

As a result, Baku decided to build a new road along the northern shore of the Sarsang reservoir, which, in turn, caused a nervous reaction among the Armenians.

On top of that, a direct conflict occurred in the area of the village of Farrukh and the mountain of the same name, on which Armenian illegal formations began to build fortifications. All warnings about the inadmissibility of these actions, which were transmitted both through the RMK and through the loudspeakers, were ignored. Moreover, shots were fired at Azerbaijani positions from unfinished fortifications.

Taking into account the fact that Mount Farrukh positionally dominates the city of Aghdam, which is being restored and where civilians should soon return, a decision was made and implemented to neutralize this threat in advance. No matter how “terrible” of statements foreign Armenian lobbyists make, Azerbaijan has the right to ensure security on its territory and will not tolerate arbitrariness of illegal Armenian military formations”.

Musabekov also assessed the likelihood of “punishment” of official Baku by the Kremlin for such “obstinacy”.

It should be noted that some Russian bloggers expressed the opinion that Russia could strike at strategic facilities in Azerbaijan.

“If someone in Moscow has ideas about “punishing” Azerbaijan and the desire to escalate the conflict in order to use it as an excuse to strike at our strategic pipeline infrastructure, then this is a bad idea.

It is known that on a far-fetched pretext – allegedly an accident at remote shipping points – the export of Kazakh oil from Novorossiysk was stopped. If some “hotheads” believe that by creating difficulties for the export of Azerbaijani oil and gas, Western countries can be forced to refuse or soften the embargo on the purchase of Russian energy resources, then they are greatly mistaken.

I believe that Baku, Tbilisi and Ankara will take measures in advance to strengthen the security of the pipeline infrastructure. In the context of a confrontation with NATO over the invasion of Ukraine, it is useful for sober-minded Russian politicians and the military to recall Talleyrand’s wise saying that “good diplomacy should not multiply the number of enemies”. Indeed, in the event of Moscow’s threatening actions, neither Azerbaijan nor Turkey will remain neutral”, the parliamentarian noted.

Political observer Hakob Badalyan believes that the Armenian side hinted to the Russia that the peacekeepers in NK had made a criminal deal. This, according to the expert, in particular, is stated in the report on the telephone conversation that took place on March 26:

“In the report on the Pashinyan-Putin telephone conversation, Yerevan uses strictly diplomatic language, to the extent that the Prime Minister of Armenia informed the President of Russia about the need to investigate the actions of Russian peacekeepers. In other words, it was a hint that the peacekeepers made a criminal deal with Baku. Could they have done it without the Kremlin’s approval? This is, of course, a rhetorical question”.

The head of the Stepanakert Press Club, Gegham Baghdarasaryan, wrote on his Facebook page:

“I think that until the official Stepanakert gives a principled political assessment of the situation, it will not be possible to change this destructive process. A fundamental assessment that calls spade a spade. It’s time to stop qualifying Azerbaijani aggression as an attempt to discredit the peacekeeping mission, it’s ridiculous laugh and destroys the remaining respect for us.

Until there is an honest and principled assessment, the demand of the Artsakh Foreign Ministry will not be fulfilled, namely, “a strict assessment by the international community of the anti-Armenian aggressive policy of Azerbaijan”. This same international community expects from us a strict and comprehensive assessment of the current situation, on the basis of which we must express our position.

Of course, self-organization of the Artsakh society and public actions aimed at this are very important in this regard, but I think that they should be filled with new content. Not only by appeals addressed to the international community, but also by the formation of a new political agenda, a new political thought in Artsakh itself, efforts under pressure from society to modernize and make [state] institutions more efficient.

It seems that this public initiative should in principle be beneficial to the government, which is concerned about the fate of the country. However, the authorities of Artsakh go the other way, trying to restrain this initiative. And the existing political institutions of Artsakh are not able to form a new political agenda. This is a dead end”.

Pasadena’s Armenian-American Community On Edge as Violence Renews in Homeland

Manouk Vasilian
PASADENA NOW
March 28 2022
Published on Monday, March 28, 2022 | 5:32 am
As Russia continues to pound cities in Ukraine with artillery and missile strikes, Pasadena’s Armenian-American community has called on elected officials in Southern California not to overlook renewed violence over recent weeks in Armenia.

Azerbaijani armed forces have reportedly entered territories in disputed areas in eastern Armenia and unleashed drone strikes that have killed three people and wounded 15. 

The Azerbaijani forces also reportedly sabotaged a gas pipeline that serves most of the disputed region, leaving the entire civilian population of about 150,000 ethnic Armenians without heat in the midst of freezing temperatures. 

Former Pasadena Mayor William Paparian noted that much of the attention from the international community is currently focused on the plight of the civilian population in Ukraine, while Azerbaijan’s renewed “invasion” of their Armenian homeland has gone unnoticed. 

“As the former Mayor of Pasadena I’m issuing a call to action to elected public officials not only in Pasadena but throughout Southern California to stand up, be heard, and denounce the Azerbaijani military assault upon the civilian population of Artsakh,” Paparian said. 

Paparian said the action on the gas pipeline in Artsakh was followed by an attack by Azerbaijani forces on the village of Parukh and drone strikes by Azerbaijan on Armenian self-defense forces. The village was captured, and all of its residents have been evacuated.

Alison Ghafari, Chair of the Gaidz Youth Organization based in Pasadena, said the invasion by Azerbaijan into the disputed territories is a “huge concern,” pointing to an Azeri “dictatorship” that she said continues to hold a policy of ethnic cleansing towards Armenians in the region. 

“We are not surprised by this turn of events as it has become standard practice for the Azeri dictatorship,” Ghafari said. “The latest news shows the Azeris have withdrawn from the villages that they forcefully occupied this past week. Yet the Azeris continue to harass peaceful villagers and are currently holding the natural gas pipeline hostage, along with POWs of the recent war, as leverage over Armenia.”

Ghafari said many Armenian-Americans are wary of Russia’s intentions at the moment. 

“As it stands right now, Russia is Azerbaijan’s number one arms source, and a day prior to the Ukraine war, Russia and Azerbaijan signed their ‘Allied Cooperation’ agreement, solidifying their allegiance to one another,” she continued. 

The latest Russia-Azerbaijan agreement was signed in Moscow on Feb. 22 as Russian tanks and infantry forces were preparing to cross into Ukraine.

Wire reports from Moscow said the Russian foreign and defense ministries have called on Azerbaijan to withdraw their troops in the disputed areas on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, and to allow Russian peacekeepers to continue to monitor events in the area, as they have been doing for about two years. 

“The command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent is taking measures to resolve the situation,” the Russian defense ministry said. “An appeal has been sent to the Azerbaijani side to withdraw its troops.” 

Russia’s peacekeepers have been in the area since a tripartite ceasefire agreement was signed in November 2020 by the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Two other related agreements have been signed since then. 


AW: Armenia Tree Project preparing for spring

Emil Lazarian
March 26, 2022 Armenia Tree Project Non-Profit 0

ATP Nursery and CTP staff visit The Heroes Rehabilitation City in the village of Proshyan in Kotayk, Armenia

The Community Tree Planting (CTP) team at Armenia Tree Project (ATP) has been evaluating many sites ahead of the planting season which is scheduled to start in a few weeks. As one of ATP’s most visible programs, CTP distributes fruit and decorative trees each year to urban and rural communities throughout Armenia and works with the local population to nurture those trees. 

Each year, ATP adds approximately 50 to 100 new sites to its CTP program. Some locations approach ATP for trees, but most locations are from an ATP initiative to provide trees to border villages or communities that would benefit from the environmental and economic investment of trees. Since the beginning of this program, ATP has planted trees at 1,400 sites throughout Armenia and Artsakh. These trees are grown in ATP’s nurseries in the villages of Karin, Khachpar, Chiva and Margahovit, which provide 53 varieties of indigenous fruit and decorative trees.

ATP and CTP team evaluate six criteria before trees are distributed for planting to ensure the trees are cared for and positioned for long-term survival: human factor, fencing and security, soil composition, water irrigation, community land and climate zone. The team investigates potential sites in every region of Armenia and Artsakh.

Sites are monitored regularly to ensure the highest rates of survival and to provide technical assistance to families or institutions that receive trees. More than 10 million pounds of fruit have been harvested from ATP’s trees to improve food security in rural villages and public institutions.

This spring, approximately 20,000 to 23,000 trees will be distributed. Among the new sites are the Heroes Rehabilitation City in the village of Proshyan in Kotayk region and the Great Light CEF Camp Center near Lake Sevan, Gegharkunik region.

The Heroes Rehabilitation City is currently under construction. Their mission is to provide psychological and social care, as well as offer therapy for the soldiers’ families. Their objective is to rehabilitate soldiers with disabilities (including PTSD) and help re-integrate them into society and promote their independence. 

ATP’s nursery and CTP teams assessed the area and the various features of the landscape, proposing a list of varieties of trees and shrubs. Since the campus of the Heroes Rehabilitation City is still under construction, planting will be over three seasons. This spring, trees will be distributed in containers, and additional trees will be distributed in the fall and next spring. 

The Great Light CEF camp near Sevan Lake serves youth and teens from every region of Armenia, including Artsakh. They also assist displaced Artsakh children living throughout Armenia. The camp offers eight week-long sessions; each session welcomes 45-50 youth and teens. The camp is underwritten by The Christian Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), allowing all the children to attend without charge. 

Children come from all different churches and organizations are welcome. All social groups regardless of financial situation, including children of fallen soldiers, orphans, refugees and domestic violence survivors participate.

Many other institutions and communities will also receive trees this spring. ATP expects to plant a record-breaking 400,000 trees this spring.

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Armenia Tree Project (ATP) is a non-profit program based in Woburn and Yerevan conducting vitally important environmental projects in Armenia’s cities and villages and seeks support in advancing its reforestation mission. Since 1994, ATP has planted and restored more than 6,000,000 trees, and hundreds of jobs have been created for Armenians in seasonal tree-related programs.


Project SAVE launches series on the power and art of photography

Maghakian Mike
March 28, 2022 Guest Contributor Announcements 0

BOSTON, Mass. — Project SAVE Photograph Archives is excited to announce a presentation by Armenian photographer 4Plus Photography Collective co-founder Nazik Armenakyan whose photographs have appeared in The New York Times, Der Spiegel and Le Monde. Her presentation on Saturday, April 9 is part of Project SAVE’s brand new series “Conversations on Photography.”

“When I was living in Armenia, 4Plus struck me as one of the most innovative and high-quality initiatives there,” said Project SAVE executive director Dr. Arto Vaun. “They’re an all-female group of  photographers whose work is consistently extraordinary and impactful. I’m so pleased to help introduce their photographs and mission to a wider audience.”

“Conversations on Photography,” which was launched last month, is a virtual forum where photographers, artists, archivists and researchers can present and discuss the impact, beauty and relevance of photography. The inaugural speaker was Tatiana Cole, the photograph conservator at the Boston Athenaeum.

Project SAVE is also working on a complete overhaul of its website and photograph database; the team is also preparing for the launch of the Project SAVE Artist Residency. “It’s an exciting time of change and transition for us,” Vaun said. “Project SAVE is  growing both literally in terms of staff and photo collections, but also in terms of vision and scope. I’m looking forward to widening our reach and welcoming new supporters and lovers of photography.”




GenEd welcomes 2022 teacher fellows

Eduard Nalbandian
March 28, 2022 Guest Contributor Nonprofit News 0

GenEd and AGMI partners: Roxanne Makasdjian (GenEd executive director), Seda Aghamianz (GenEd admin), Regina Galustyan (researcher), Harutyun Marutyan (AGMI director), Sara Cohan (GenEd education director), Edita Gzoyan (AGMI Dep. Scientific Director)

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—After a rigorous selection process, a group of highly qualified secondary-level educators from 14 US states has been selected for the inaugural GenEd Teacher Fellowship Program.

GenEd’s education director Sara Cohan led the first meeting of the 2022 GenEd Teacher Fellows. The educators introduced themselves and discussed their inspiration and path to becoming teachers and their interest in teaching about genocide. “I’m so gratified to see the number and caliber of educators who applied for the first GenEd Teacher Fellowship Program,” said Cohan. “These educators are truly committed to genocide education and will make the most out of our institute in Yerevan and our future collaboration.” 

The group will embark on a 10-day intensive professional development program at the Armenian Genocide Museum and Institute (AGMI) in July. GenEd’s working partnership with the Museum has progressed in preparation for the upcoming phase of the fellowship program. AGMI scholars will speak to the GenEd Teacher Fellows on topics of research there, including memorialization of genocide. Teacher Fellows will engage in morning workshops and gain insight into the museum’s operations and invaluable artifacts and historical materials. Upon their return to the US, the GenEd Teacher Fellows will carry out their professional development activities for other teachers. 

Considering each teacher instructs up to 100 new students a year and each GenEd Teacher Fellow will train a group of other educators, the GenEd Teacher Fellowship Program will significantly impact the expansion of genocide education.

Meet the GenEd Teacher Fellows

Justin Bilton is an English teacher at Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School where he has created a Genocide Studies course and facilitated a genocide studies exhibition. He has written articles on genocide studies for The Atlantic and The Hechinger Report. 

Eric Bowers is a teacher at Penn High School located in Mishawaka, Indiana. He holds degrees in social studies education and history. Bowers currently teaches AP European History and AP US History. She’s a Model UN sponsor, a social studies academic coach and an Armenian club advisor.

Amanda Coven is the director of education at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education where she facilitates professional development for educators. She will be attending the GenEd Teacher Fellowship Program as a special guest on behalf of the museum. Coven helped draft Oregon’s genocide education law and works with the State Department of Education on its implementation.

George Dalbo teaches AP World History, World History and a Genocide and Human Rights elective course at Clinton Community High School in Clinton, Wisconsin. He is a Ph.D. candidate in social studies education and human rights at the University of Minnesota and served as the coordinator for his district’s implementation of the Holocaust and Genocide education and Indigenous education laws.

Jessica DePamphilis is an English teacher at Watertown High School in Watertown, Massachusetts. She’s enrolled in a doctorate of education program at Northeastern University.  She has been teaching about the Armenian Genocide through English literature for seven years.

Kevin Dockery teaches AP European History, AP World History and AP US Government and Politics at Fred J. Page High School in Franklin, Tennessee, where he also serves as Social Studies Department chair as well as sponsor of the school’s Model United Nations advisor and Youth in Government advisor.

Kerri Flynn has been teaching about human rights and genocide for 24 years and has created a Human Rights and Genocide course at Washington High School near St. Louis, Missouri. She’s interested in learning about the Armenian Genocide from Armenians.

Rob Hadley is a teacher trainer in Bethel, Alaska. An educator for more than 20 years, he was a 2001 US Holocaust Museum Fellow and has consulted for the USC Shoah Foundation. He served on the Board of the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center and holds a master’s degree in Holocaust and Genocide Studies.

Mary Johnson, Ph.D., began her teaching career as a Peace Corps volunteer teacher in northern Nigeria. From 1983-2020, she was the senior historian for Facing History and Ourselves, facilitating seminars and workshops, writing curricula and conducting research. Currently, she is an affiliate and adjunct professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Stockton University.

Jackie Kemper teaches social studies at the Christian School of York in York, Pennsylvania.  An educator for 26 years, she teaches Honors World History, Holocaust Literature, Honors Modern 20th Century and a World War II/Holocaust elective. She has a master’s degree in Holocaust and Genocide Studies and has created three courses on genocide. She also serves on the Teacher’s Advisory Council for Penn State’s Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education Initiative.

Jeffrey Lewis teaches history and psychology in Stonington, Connecticut, including the course Modern World History: Government, Nationalism, Human Rights & Globalization. A passionate believer in global education, Lewis participated in the Goethe-Institut’s Transatlantic Outreach Program in 2019. He also has coached competitive interscholastic debates.

Manny Lopez is completing his 30th year in public education. He teaches and chairs the Social Studies department at Alisal High in Salinas, California. He has taught all secondary social studies courses and has led curriculum and staff development projects. Lopez has participated in study tours including those hosted by Fulbright-Hays in Morocco and China, and by the National Endowment for the Humanities in South Africa.

Sigrud Olsen teaches at Sprague High School in Salem, Oregon. Since meeting a genocide survivor in 1978, she has been teaching about historical and current genocides and includes novels, poetry, art and witness testimony in her curriculum. She has participated in numerous national and international teaching seminars, including the World Affairs Council seminar on Russia and the former Soviet States.

Amy Perkins is a 20-year veteran social studies teacher currently at Lakeshore High School in Stevensville, Michigan. She frequently travels overseas, increasing her understanding of history through first-hand experiences that she incorporates in her classroom teaching. She recently created an exchange program between her students and peers in Germany.

Kelly Rosati has been teaching history for 22 years at Stone Bridge High School in Loudoun County, Virginia. In 2017, she traveled to Rwanda to study its history, the Rwandan Genocide and the state of Rwanda today. She holds a master’s degree in education as well as a master’s in educational leadership with a concentration on history.

Allison Weller is the social studies chairperson at Copiague Middle School in Copiague, New York. She has been named Female Teacher of the Year multiple times. She has presented at annual conferences of the National Council for Social Studies and serves on the New York State Council for the Social Studies’ Human Rights Committee.