Thursday, August 26, 2021 Armenian Parliament Approves Government’s Five-Year Action Plan August 26, 2021 A session of the Armenian National Assembly, Yerevan, August 11, 2021. After three days of acrimonious debate the Armenian National Assembly on Thursday approved the 2021-2026 action plan submitted by the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. Only ruling Civil Contract faction members took part in the vote that went 70 to 0 in favor of the program. The two opposition factions, Hayastan and Pativ Unem, that harshly criticized Pashinian and his government’s action plan during the debate opted out of the vote. Under the program presented in parliament by the prime minister the Armenian government, in particular, pledges to do its part in ensuring peace and stability in the region, raising the security and providing better economic conditions for citizens of Armenia. According to Pashinian, ensuring the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, a fair solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, and creating a favorable external environment around Armenia will remain priority tasks for his government. Pashinian, in particular, pledged large-scale reforms in the army and active foreign policies to improve Armenia’s external security. As an important security factor, Pashinian singled out Armenia’s strategic alliance with Russia and the country’s membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization. From the point of view of regional stability, he also noted the importance of continuing negotiations within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Minsk Group co-chaired by Russia, the United States and France aimed at determining the final status for Nagorno-Karabakh. The Armenian leader said that opening up regional infrastructures will also be important for his government in the context of creating a stable regional environment in the wake of last year’s war in Nagorno-Karabakh, which Pashinian acknowledged has essentially changed Armenia’s external environment. The Armenian premier stressed, however, that the process should not take place at the expense of the security and vital interests of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Pashinian also said that the government program envisages the deployment of border troops instead of army units at some sections of the frontier and the establishment of a foreign intelligence service in the next five years. In terms of the economy, Pashinian said that as part of the 2021-2026 action plan the minimum monthly salary in Armenia will be raised from the current 68,000 drams ($138) to 85,000 drams ($172). The Armenian government estimates that in 2021-2026 the average annual economic growth rate will be at the level of 7 percent. The plan envisages that it could be up to 9 percent a year “in case of favorable external conditions.” The program envisages that by 2026 the level of poverty in the country will drop below 10 percent, while extreme poverty will be stamped out. Pashinian said that Armenia will also continue to develop its infrastructure, including roads. In presenting the program to the government last week he said the European Union has made a package of 2.6 billion Euros (about $3 billion) available to Armenia in the next four years for that purpose. These projects, Pashinian said, will include the construction of a 60-kilometer-long road connecting the towns of Sisian and Kajaran in Armenia’s southern Syunik province, the construction of reservoirs and other infrastructure and education projects. Pashinian said that 300 schools and 500 kindergartens will be built or renovated in Armenia in the next five years. He said that the government’s goal is also to equip all 1,400 schools across Armenia with engineering and natural science laboratories. Pashinian also mentioned that every third and subsequent child in all families regardless of their social status will receive 50,000 drams (about $100) a month until the age of six. In their speeches, representatives of the opposition continued to criticize Pashinian, claiming that he and his government mishandled last year’s war with Azerbaijan, the fight against the coronavirus and failed to ensure better living standards for people. Opposition critics also claimed that Pashinian’s promise that Armenia will do its part to try to open “an era of peace” in the region is a prelude to “a new capitulation.” Pashinian and members of the ruling party’s faction in parliament rejected the criticism. The debate over the government’s action plan in parliament proceeded in a tense atmosphere, with three brawls breaking out between pro-government and opposition lawmakers. Pashinian Says No Trilateral Document Signed On Disputed Road Section In Syunik August 26, 2021 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian speaks at the National Assembly, August 26, 2021 Armenia does not have a signed trilateral document on the 21-kilometer section of an interstate road in the southern Syunik province disputed with Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said in the National Assembly on Thursday. His statement came amid reports that Azerbaijan closed the section late on August 25, interrupting traffic between two parts of the mountainous region. Armenia’s National Security Service said negotiations with the Azerbaijani side, which were reportedly conducted by Russian border-guards deployed in the area, on the re-opening of the road which also provide interstate connection with Iran continued in the morning. Pashinian reminded that still in his address on December 19, 2020 he spoke about problems related to the Goris-Kapan section and that a political decision had been made for which he was fully responsible. He quoted an excerpt from his December address: “Today, Russian border troops and other forces are fully represented in Syunik. We are talking about the Goris-Vorotan-Shurnukh section, and this is a completely new security situation. Of course, as a result of all this, transport and logistical difficulties may arise, uninterrupted operation of some of our roads may become complicated, but these are solvable problems, we have made efforts in this direction, including through having a trilateral document.” Pashinian reminded about accusations being made by the opposition that his government sought to sign some document “behind the people’s back.” “Did we sign a trilateral document? No, we did not have a trilateral document,” he said. Instead, according to Pashinian, the Defense Ministry announced an arrangement with the Russian military under which, in particular, Russian border-guards would be deployed at the Goris-David Bek section to ensure uninterrupted traffic, while Armenian and Azerbaijani border troops would be deployed on the opposite sides of the line of contact.” “We did not provide information only about the sectors that could pose additional risks to our national security, also to avoid situations similar to one we have today,” Pashinian explained. As for what happened last night on the Shurnukh section of the Goris-Kapan interstate road, Pashinian said: “We are talking about the 21-kilometer section, which was outside the territory of Soviet Armenia according to the maps of the Soviet Union. The Azeris came to those places and closed them, citing an incident in which an Azerbaijani border-guard was allegedly stabbed by people who came from the Armenian side. We officially say that the information about the stabbing does not correspond to the reality. We urge the Azerbaijani side to provide us with evidence of the incident so that we can understand what happened. But this [closing of the road] contradicts what is written in the Defense Ministry’s December 19, 2020 agreement that was reached between Armenia and Russia, by which that arrangement was confirmed. But no trilateral statement that I said was being prepared was eventually signed.” At the same time, Pashinian rejected claims that part of Syunik is now disconnected from the rest of Armenia, noting that anticipating the situation the government has worked actively to provide an alternative route through what he described as a “normal dirt road” between Kapan and Aghvani, which he said is now being asphalted at a fast pace. The State Border Service of Azerbaijan claimed on August 25 that two Armenian soldiers committed a stabbing attack against an Azerbaijani border-guard on the Goris-Kapan section of the road. Armenia’s Defense Ministry on Thursday categorically denied that any such incident happened, describing Baku’s statement as a “sheer lie” and “another piece of Azerbaijani disinformation.” Meanwhile, ethnic Armenian authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh today said that on August 25 a serviceman of Azerbaijan’s armed forces identified as Jamil Babayev was apprehended at an apartment in the Armenian-controlled town of Martakert. Officials in Stepanakert said the detained Azerbaijani soldier is suspected of planning to commit murders. Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said that Babayev, against whom a criminal case had been launched, left the psychiatric department of Ganja’s hospital without permission and presumably crossed into the Karabakh territory controlled by Russian peacekeepers. Azerbaijan Blocks Major Road Connecting Two Parts Of Armenian Region August 26, 2021 The Armenian flag flies over part of the border village of Shurnukh in the southern Syunik province (archive) Azerbaijani soldiers have blocked a road, interrupting traffic between two parts of Armenia’s southern Syunik region, Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) said on Thursday. According to the NSS, the Karmrakar-Shurnukh section of the Goris-Kapan highway was closed at about 11:00 pm on August 25 while the vehicles from that section were evacuated. The news about the closing of the road came shortly after a statement by Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry that claimed that two Armenian soldiers committed a stabbing attack against an Azerbaijani border-guard there. Armenia’s Defense Ministry categorically denied that any such incident happened, describing the statement as a “sheer lie” and “another piece of Azerbaijani disinformation.” The NSS, meanwhile, said that negotiations were underway to restore traffic along the road. A 21-kilometer stretch of the road that links two Armenian towns, Goris and Kapan, and is also part of Armenia’s interstate connection with Iran was built in the Soviet times partly through the territory of Azerbaijan due to the complex terrain in the mountainous region. It created no problems during the Soviet times when borders between Soviet republics were administrative. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union and a 1992-1994 war in Nagorno-Karabakh the territory became fully controlled by ethnic Armenians who declared their independence from Baku in the former autonomous region and expanded into some territories outside Nagorno-Karabakh proper. Azerbaijani forces regained the territory as a result of last fall’s 44-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh. Eventually, an arrangement was made between Armenia and Russia that the 21-kilometer section of the road will continue to be used by Armenians under the control of Russian border-guards before Armenia can build another alternative road for all types of transportation that will connect two parts of the Syunik region. Meanwhile, Armenia’s Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan said that his office was receiving numerous calls from citizens complaining about the restriction of their travel. “The presence of Azerbaijani servicemen on the roads between the communities of the Syunik region is a crime that violates the right of citizens to life, free movement and other vital rights guaranteed at the international level,” Tatoyan said. Official Baku did not immediately react to the situation. Negotiations with the Azerbaijani side on the re-opening of the road, which were reportedly conducted by Russian bodyguards deployed in the area, continued on Thursday morning. Syunik’s deputy governor Narek Babayan told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service (Azatutyun) later on Thursday that the Goris-Vorotan section of the road was also closed. He said that negotiations on reopening both sections of the road were underway. Amnesty For Citizens Accused Of Crimes Related To Military Service Discussed In Armenia August 26, 2021 • Naira Bulghadarian Ethnic Armenian soldiers during last year’s 44-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh. Authorities in Armenia plan to apply amnesty in regard to citizens accused of certain types of crimes and offenses related to last year’s war against Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh. A relevant bill has been proposed by the Investigative Committee. It was published on a joint website of draft legal acts for public debate earlier this week. The Committee said that the purpose of the measure is to show appreciation for the fact that citizens “stood by the armed forces” during the war. “This shows a humanitarian approach to those who committed crimes connected with military service,” it said. No exact official statistics is available yet to show how many people may be amnestied under the bill, but it is believed that it may concern scores or even hundreds. More than 1,600 criminal cases were launched in Armenia in connection with the 44-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh and the bulk of them concerns soldiers and officers who allegedly deserted, refused to perform their military duties or committed other crimes and offenses related to military service. The draft says that amnestied will be citizens who are suspected, charged with or convicted for committing minor offenses or crimes of medium gravity both before September 27, 2020, when the war in Nagorno-Karabakh broke out, and during the period between the cessation of hostilities on November 9, 2020 and the lifting of martial law in Armenia on March 24, 2021. While there is no large-scale public debate about the amnesty draft yet, early assessments by human rights activists appear positive. One of them, Vardan Harutiunian, believes that among other things prisons should be unloaded in Armenia. “It is not always imprisonment and punishment that corrects a person. Sometimes it is a social situation that changes people more,” he said. The last time Armenia declared amnesty was in 2018. That amnesty that followed that year’s “velvet revolution” and was timed to the centennial of the establishment of the short-lived first Armenian republic concerned more than 4,600 people. “Any amnesty, any pardon is reconciliation in a broad sense. But we can speak more substantively on the current initiative when there is a finalized draft or an adopted law,” Harutiunian said. Meanwhile, Norayr Norikian, a lawyer specializing in military cases, voiced concerns that such an act of amnesty may send a wrong message to society and encourage more offenses in the future. “It may give rise to political speculations that amnesty is for those who refused to go to war or carry out orders during the war, those who deserted military posts, because if you look at the nature of offenses and crimes against the order of military service you may get a perception that amnesty can be applied in relation to persons charged under all these articles. It may turn out that people may get the wrong impression that the state may show a similar humanitarian approach towards them if they, for example, evade the army draft as conscripts or reservists or do not comply with orders while in service,” the lawyer said. The amnesty bill was put up for public discussions until September 7. After that, it is supposed to go to the parliament for discussion and adoption. Armenian Media Organizations Protest Obstruction Of Journalists’ Work In Parliament August 26, 2021 • Nane Sahakian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonian acknowledged on August 25 that forcing journalists out of press booths during incidents in the chamber was unacceptable. Media organizations have condemned Armenian authorities for removing journalists from a room reserved for the press in the National Assembly during several brawls that took place among deputies this week. Current regulations say media representatives can only follow sessions from the room overlooking the chamber and enclosed by glass windows. Security guards entered the room and forced journalists to stop recording and leave when brawls broke out between pro-government and opposition lawmakers during sessions on August 24 and 25. Journalists and media organizations believe that such actions violate their rights and constitute obstruction of the work of media, which is a criminal offense under Armenian law. Gevorg Tosunian, a reporter with the Civilnet news website, told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service (Azatutyun) that security guards used force to remove journalists from the room during the latest brawl even though Parliament Speaker Alen Simonian had not announced a break, meaning that the session was still in progress. “They [security guards] gave no reasons for their actions,” Tosunian said. Tosunian said the goal of the National Assembly leadership was probably to prevent the spread of the video recordings of incidents inside the chamber. But he said only by seeing such scenes can the public know what is actually happening in the legislature. “This is our work environment. We are protected by the Law on Mass Media, just as we are protected by the Criminal Code, which clearly states that obstructing a journalist’s activities is already a crime,” he said. Media organizations condemned the incidents, calling for an end to what they described as illegal restrictions and harassment of journalists. Daniel Ioannisian, a representative of the Union of Informed Citizens, said the organization has appealed to the Prosecutor-General’s Office and will seek a criminal case. Videos of the brawls were still disseminated by some former journalists who now serve as deputies, he said. “We have all seen all the details of all these incidents through live videos, videos made by deputies. In fact, the public has seen it, but in the meantime the legal professional activities of journalists have been hindered,” Ioannisian said. Simonian acknowledged during a news briefing on August 25 that journalists should not have been removed from the balconies. “I consider it unacceptable to invite journalists out of the balcony in such situations. I have discussed it with my colleagues. God forbid, if there is another situation like this, I think we should not remove journalists from there in any way, even though it is natural that there is a fear that someone’s photo or video will be aired in a situation where they are being hit or toppled to the ground or something like that,” Simonian said. 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.