The Metsamor NPP functions under the control of the IAEA and everything is said with that.

ArmInfo, Armenia

Former NKR Foreign Minister, independent analyst Arman Melikyan in an interview with ArmInfo comments on the behavioral line of official Baku aimed at strengthening anti-Armenian propaganda at  international platforms

 

 

It is pretty long time that Azerbaijan has  appealed and keeps on appealing  to various international structures with requests and even demands to close the Armenian nuclear power plant in Metsamor.  Will this lead to the emergence of raising   another resolution on the type of "Sarsang", for example, in the PACE and what steps should you take in the direction of preventing such a scenario?

 

 

Official Baku will consistently continue its activities, oriented  to inflict maximum political, economic and military damage to Armenia. Metsamor NPP is very convenient to attack  from this point of view. It is quite obvious that, with  the given current military and political situation in the region, Armenia's refusal to use nuclear energy is absolutely impossible. Only in case of establishment of guaranteed long-term peace in the zone of the Azerbaijan-Artsakh conflict and complete eradication of the causes of interethnic hostility, and a serious conversation held can be a way  to start developing alternative energy, with a gradual abandonment of nuclear energy. At the moment there is no progress in this direction and it can not be. Metsamor NPP operates in accordance with all IAEA standards, in close cooperation with this authoritative international profile organization, and at this point it is possible to put an end to this. For Armenia, it is important to continue the operation of the unit, which is being modernized, and to prolong its operation. And then we have to start building a new, modern nuclear power unit, and –  here it is impossible  for the acting Armenian authorities to show inadmissible inertia.

 

 

Various, Azerbaijani experts close to the authorities repeatedly voiced the threat of missile strikes on the Armenian nuclear power plant as a response to the bombing of Azerbaijani territories. Is it possible to exclude such madness completely, if the big war becomes a reality and the regime in Baku faces the threat of losing power?

 

 

To exclude the fact that such an idiotic thought can come to someone in Baku is impossible. In any case, the leakage of radioactive substances into the atmosphere can cause irreparable damage to the environment of the region, to its entire population. It's just that those who today are vigorously discussing this issue should keep in mind that a number of local climatic features indicate that radioactive emissions into the atmosphere are likely to be swept towards Nakhchivan and further along the Araks River channel towards the Caspian Sea. But who knows, maybe Baku authorities for some reason liked spitting  against the wind.

 

 

In Armenia and Artsakh, it is customary to assess Azerbaijani propaganda as a provocative laugh and directed solely at domestic consumption. Meanwhile, serious experts in their assessments, say about its rather noticeable external influence. First of all, on international structures. What kind of assessment will you give to  the "caviar", "clumsy" and real Azerbaijani diplomacy-propaganda?

In my opinion, Baku has achieved certain successes, and a disdainful attitude towards the efforts it makes is a sign of limitation and groundless bravado. You can scornfully call their diplomacy "caviar" or "clumsy", but it sometimes works. But  - a la guerre comme  a la guerre,  and if the means they use work, it is already an indicator of efficiency. As an example, I would like to recall the story of the murder of our officer Gurgen Margaryan in Hungary – for today the killer Safarov is walking loose and is the hero of Azerbaijan, we have lost our officer and quarreled with Hungary, we broke diplomatic relations with this country-member of the EU. The situation can be quickly rectified, if you seriously take the case.

 

At a meeting in Baku, Azerbaijani and Turkish Foreign Ministers Elmar Mammadyarov and Mevlut Cavusoglu noted "Armenia's aggression towards Azerbaijan and the continuation of its occupation" as a serious threat to regional peace and security and assessed the Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation as a stabilizing factor. What at,  according to your estimates, is regional and not only Baku-Ankara cooperation aimed  in reality, what are its prospects?

 

The Turkish-Azerbaijani strategic cooperation, advertised at such a high level in the South Caucasus, is not limited to military, political and economic pressure on Armenia. In fact, one can confidently say that official Ankara and Baku quite cleverly disguise their joint economic and ethno-cultural expansion in the region by the need to counteract the Armenian military threat. Turkey and Azerbaijan together successfully promote their interests in Georgia, and the territory of the latter at the moment is no longer just a transit corridor for these countries, but also a kind of potential military bridgehead. Turkish private business is well established and rooted throughout the Black Sea coast of Georgia, as well as along the main transport corridors leading from the Turkish-Georgian border to the Georgian-Azerbaijani border. At the same time our neighbors and accomplices try to curtail the possibilities of the Armenian-Georgian political, economic, cultural and military cooperation in every possible way. It is noteworthy that simultaneously the Turkish side is increasing the level of trade and economic penetration into Abkhazia. I believe that the Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem sets itself a wide range of tasks and the neutralization or liquidation of the Armenian factor in the South Caucasus can only be a part of much more ambitious plans.

AbuDhabi: UAE Foreign Minister meets with Armenian Prime Minister to examine furthering relations

Emirates News Agency, UAE
July 19, 2017 Wednesday 3:54 PM EST


UAE Foreign Minister meets with Armenian Prime Minister to examine
furthering relations



YEREVAN, Armenia, 19th July, 2017 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin
Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation met with Karen Karapetyan, the Prime Minister of Armenia,
to discuss avenues for enhancing cooperation between the UAE and
Armenia in various fields.

During the meeting on Tuesday, which was held as part of Sheikh
Abdullah's visit to Armenia, the two sides also exchanged views on
Middle East developments and a number of international topics of
common concern.

Sheikh Abdullah reiterated his country's keenness to strengthen
UAE-Armenian cooperation relations in all sectors and take them to a
higher level.

The Prime Minister of Armenia in turn welcomed Sheikh Abdullah's
visit, stressing the importance of enhancing friendly and cooperation
links with the UAE. He also praised the cultural development the UAE
is undergoing and the leading position it holds at the regional and
international levels.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Jassim Mohammed Mubarak Al Qasimi, UAE
Ambassador to Armenia.

Russian-Israeli Blogger Sentenced to Three Years in Azerbaijan

Transitions Online, Czech Rep.



Alexander Lapshin admits only to ‘moral guilt’ for ignoring ban on Karabakh entry and criticizing the Azerbaijani leader.

Travel blogger Alexander Lapshin (pictured) will spend three years in prison for illegally entering Armenian-controlled Nagorno-Karabakh, a court in Baku has ruled.

 

Prosecutors said Lapshin engaged in “propagandizing the separatist regime” in Nagorno-Karabakh as well as entering the territory several times without Azerbaijan’s permission, The Moscow Times reports, citing Vesti.Az.

 

Lapshin, who holds Israeli, Russian, and Ukrainian citizenship, was detained in Belarus in December. He was extradited to Azerbaijan in February later in spite of objections from Israel, a major arms supplier to the government of Azeri leader Ilham Aliev.

 

“I’m guilty before the Azeri people only in moral terms, but by no means in a political aspect,” Vesti.Az cited Lapshin as telling the court on Wednesday.

 

JTA reports that Lapshin, 40, of Haifa, admitted entering Nagorno-Karabakh twice but told the court he was not aware of the Azerbaijani law against visiting the territory, which remains formally part of Azerbaijan 23 years after a ceasefire ended the bitter war with Armenia which ended with the territory and surrounding areas under Armenian control.

 

He apologized to the court for insulting Aliev in his blog. In the offending blog post he criticized Aliev’s statement that Azerbaijan could take Karabakh back by force, saying Aliev’s language “reminds me of the rhetoric of Arab states in relation to Israel: too much pathos and zero results,” according to the Moscow paper, citing Kommersant.

 

Russia would not request Lapshin’s extradition from Azerbaijan, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said yesterday, RIA Novosti reported, according to the Azeri news agency APA.

 

Russian human rights ombudsperson Tatyana Moskalkova, however, said international conventions entitle Russia to demand Lapshin’s extradition in order to stand trial, and that “negotiations are under way,” The Moscow Times cites Interfax as reporting.

 

 

  • Azerbaijani and Armenian forces have been locked in stalemate over Nagorno-Karabakh for years, and exchanges of gunfire occur almost daily. Tensions have been elevated since major clashes in April 2016 killed dozens of soldiers and civilians.

 

  • Azerbaijan has used advanced Israeli short-range Spike missiles against Armenian forces, Jerusalem Online reported in June. Azerbaijan has purchased billions of dollars worth of Israeli arms in the past few years.

 

  • Rights activists and Azeri dissidents say freedom of _expression_ and the independent media are at a low ebb under the Aliev regime. Although few local journalists now dare criticize the government, Aliev was honored as a “Friend of Journalists” by the  Azerbaijani Press Council yesterday to mark the occasion of the opening of a new apartment building for journalists.

 

  • All freedoms, including the freedom of speech, are guaranteed in Azerbaijan, Aliev said at the opening ceremony for the building, APA reports.

Compiled by Ky Krauthamer


State Duma ratifies agreement with Armenia on joint group of forces

Interfax - Russia & CIS General Newswire
July 14, 2017 Friday 1:16 PM MSK


State Duma ratifies agreement with Armenia on joint group of forces

MOSCOW. July 14

The State Duma on Friday ratified the Russian-Armenian agreement on a
joint group of forces submitted by President Vladimir Putin.

The agreement was signed in Moscow on November 30, 2016.

"The joint group of forces will be tasked with providing military
security in the Caucasian collective security zone," the explanatory
note to the instrument of ratification said.

The joint group of forces will comprise commands and troops of Russia
and Armenia to be deployed in the region in the period of a direct
threat of aggression or at a time of war for deterring possible
aggression, it said.

The use of the joint group of forces will be planned in peace time on
the basis of the joint directive of the Russian and Armenian general
staffs, it said.

The document sets the primary objectives of the group, such as
"uncovering, in a timely fashion, preparations for an armed attack
[aggression] on Russia and Armenia within the limits of the region and
its deterrence."

In addition, the group will protect the land border between the two
countries and assist in the protection of airspace.

A decision to deploy and use the joint group of forces will be made
jointly by the supreme commanders-in-chief of the Russian and Armenian
armies, the document said.

The five-year agreement may be automatically extended for further
five-year periods, the document said. "The implementation of this
agreement is fully in the interests of Russia; it will bolster the
security of the two countries and will not require additional
allocations from the federal budget," the explanatory note said.

te ng ar

Sports: Three Armenian freestyle wrestlers included in United World Wrestling rankings

Panorama, Armenia

The United World Wrestling (UWW) has released the updated ranking list for the freestyle wrestlers. As Panorama.am was informed from the official website of the Armenian National Olympic Committee (ANOC), the rankings feature three Armenian freestyle wrestlers, who captured bronze medals at the European Championships.

Volodya Frangulyan (61kg) has climbed up a few spots, taking the 12th position. Grigor Grigoryan has also improved his position, ranking the 10th in the rating list. Levan Berianidze (125 kg) remains in the 6th place.

The Armenian freestyle wrestling team is currently preparing for the World Championships.

Yerevan to host seminar on sports medicine

Panorama, Armenia

Upon the initiative of the Armenian National Olympic Committee (ANOC), a seminar titled “Strengthening the knowledge of sports doctors in preventing doping use” will be held at Olimpavan Sports and Recreation Complex in Yerevan, Armenia on 19 September. The event is organized on the sidelines of the “Olympic Solidarity” program, the ANOC told Panorama.am.

The seminar is intended for sports doctors and those doctors who deal with sportsmen in Armenia. The seminar will also be attended by reporters and administrators of sports structures. A total of 90 people will take part in the event.

The seminar features three parts: use of nutritional supplements in sports, modern processes used in emergencies and treatment of injuries without forbidden substances.

A number of sports doctors, as well as a Georgian professor on sports medicine will deliver speeches during the seminar.

Such a large-scale seminar on sports medicine is held in Armenia for the first time.

Local Restaurant Told To Remove Mannequin From Shop

CBS Detroit
July 3 2017
July 3, 2017 10:45 PM

TAYLOR (WWJ) – In Taylor, city hall is “keeping up with the Kardashians.”

Not Kim, Khloe and Kourtney — in this case, it’s Sandra, Hratch, a mannequin named Claudia. The family owns Kardashian Bakery and Grill on Allen Road, and they are in a battle with the city over a sign ordinance.

According to The News-Herald, city hall has told the Kardashians that the leggy mannequin with blond hair and a red dress is a form of outside signage — and has to go inside.

The mannequin has reportedly been outside the Armenian bakery since it opened in March.

The family says “Claudia’s” absence has led to a drop in business. However, Taylor officials say they’re cracking down on ordinances city-wide.

A post — titled “Businesses should take heed of signage ordinances” — was released last week on the city’s website with tips for local businesses on the signage ordinances.

“The intent of City ordinance surrounding signage is to set up regulations and standards intended to be the minimum amount necessary to achieve public safety, aesthetics and protection of property values,” the post read. “Business signage, under the law, is meant to identify the location – not to advertise or distract. Signage can become a safety issue, blocking the view of the right-of-way, sidewalks and becoming distracting to motorists.”


Police to reveal charges against 12 Turkish agents over brawl in D.C.

New York Daily News
Cops to reveal charges against 12 Turkish agents over D.C. brawl
     
(AP)
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, , 5:30 PM

WASHINGTON — Police are set to announce charges against a dozen Turkish security agents who stormed into a crowd of protesters, beating many of them, when Turkey’s president visited the capital last month, a U.S. official said Wednesday.

Women were arrested for their role in the fracas.

The Metropolitan Police Department said in a brief statement that Sinan Narin arrested in Virginia on an aggravated assault charge. The D.C. police are expected to reveal Thursday that seven men are being charged for felonies, and another five for misdemeanors. The official wasn’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter and spoke only on condition of anonymity ahead of a Thursday news conference that includes Washington’s mayor and police chief.

One of the men, Eyup Yildirim, was arrested in New Jersey on Wednesday for charges of assault with significant bodily injury and aggravated assault.

The action is likely to exacerbate what has become a major irritant in U.S.-Turkish ties. Relations were severely strained even before the May 16 clash happened as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived at the Turkish ambassador’s residence in Washington after a White Housemeeting withPresident Donald Trump.

The NATO allies are still at odds over a U.S. decision to arm Syrian Kurdish rebels fighting the Islamic State group in Syria. Turkey considers the fighters to be an extension the Kurdish insurgency in Turkey known as the PKK, and claims without evidence that protesters who showed up during Erdogan’s visit to Washington last week were themselves associated with the group. U.S. officials have said law-abiding Americans were affected.

Erdogan’s security detail returned with him to Turkey after his visit, so it is unclear if any will face legal repercussions in the United States. However, they could end up being threatened with arrest if they return to the U.S. If any are still in the country, they could be expelled if Turkey refuses to waive diplomatic immunity.

Video of the protest showed security guards and some Erdogan supporters attacking a small group of protesters with their fists and feet. Men in dark suits and others were recorded repeatedly kicking one woman as she lay curled on a sidewalk. Another wrenched a woman’s neck and threw her to the ground. A man with a bullhorn was repeatedly kicked in the face.

After police officers struggled to protect the protesters and ordered the men in suits to retreat, several of the men dodged the officers and ran into the park to continue the attacks. In all, nine people were hurt.

(DAVE CLARK/AFP/Getty Images)

Earlier Wednesday, police said Yildirim made his first appearance before Federal Magistrate James Clarke in Newark, N.J., who ordered him held without bail pending his next court date in Washington.

Public defender David Holman sought home confinement, arguing that Yildirim wasn’t a flight risk and had never been convicted of anything before. Clarke said he was less concerned with him being a possible flight risk and more concerned about the nature of the crime.

Holman told the judge that Yildirim has received death threats because of the case. He said Yildirim is a business owner with three kids and ties to the local community. Prosecutors told the judge Yildirim had been arrested twice in the late 90s on simple assault charges, but the charges were later dismissed.