Author: Ani Kharatian

Macron Pledges to Continue Efforts to Promote Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement – Elysee Palace

Ani Kharatian
Sputnik News Service
Friday 11:49 PM UTC
UPDATE – Macron Pledges to Continue Efforts to Promote Nagorno-Karabakh Settlement – Elysee Palace
 
 
(Updates with quotes on EU-Azerbaijan Comprehensive Agreement in paras 6-8)
 
PARIS, July 20 (Sputnik) – French President Emmanuel Macron assured his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev on Friday that Paris would continue efforts to facilitate the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict's settlement, the Elysee Palace said.
 
Earlier in the say, Aliyev arrived in Paris for an official visit.
 
"The two presidents discussed the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. France, which is a co-chair of the [OSCE] Minsk Group, bears a special responsibility for ensuring sustainable peace in the region. The president of the republic stressed that he would continue working on the search for a solution on the basis of talks, which is the only option to put an end to the conflict and meet the interests of all peoples in the region," the statement said.
 
According to the statement, Macron also welcomed the July 11 meeting of the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers, held in Brussels under the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group.
 
"The president of the republic will continue watching the situation, and France, jointly with the Russian and US co-chairs, will support any initiative aimed at progress in the settlement," the statement added.
 
Macron also promised to support the new EU-Azerbaijan Comprehensive Agreement, which is expected to replace the 1996 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Baku and the bloc, the statement added.
 
"The president of the republic reassured President Aliyev of his support for the prospect of the new EU-Azerbaijan agreement, which may be signed in the end of the year," the statement said.
 
Macron also reaffirmed that France was ready to support Azerbaijan in its economic development.
 
Armenian-dominated Nagorno-Karabakh has been locked in a decades-long conflict with Baku since it announced its secession from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic in 1988.
 
In 1991, the region proclaimed independence from Azerbaijan and the creation of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. This move triggered a military conflict, which led to Baku losing control over the region.
 
The OSCE Minsk Group, chaired by Russia, the United States and France, monitors the situation in the region and has been facilitating peace negotiations since its creation in 1992.

Swearing-in ceremony of newly-appointed judges held at Presidential Palace (video)

Ani Kharatian
  • 14:02 | July 18,2018 | Official
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The swearing-in ceremony of judge of first instance 

court of general jurisdiction of Lori province Aram Mkrtchyan, judge of first instance court of general jurisdiction of Gegharkunik province Armida Voskanyan and judge of first instance court of general jurisdiction of Shirak province Ivan Baghmanyan was held at the Armenian Presidential Palace on July 18.

President Sarkissian congratulated the newly-appointed judges and wished them success in their responsible work.

Turn a weapon into jewelry and transform its energy

Ani Kharatian
JAM News
JamNews
Naira Martikian

An Armenian artisan decided to remove the aggression from war remnants

The peaceful message of weapons

“I wanted to remove the aggression from the cartridge cases, I changed their energy. These cases do not kill, they are not clots of aggression, but beauty that adorns women,” says Artak Tadevosyan, an artist from the Armenian city of Gyumri.

His idea, turning weapons into ornaments, has already grown acclaim in some fashion circles. The artist has long sought to do this, and it is thanks to his wife he did.

The way out of a hopeless situation

Artak Tadevosyan lives in Gyumri, Armenia, with his wife Ayarpi Gevorgyan. He went to Russia for work where he was engaged in the design of private houses for several years in a row.

“The family needs a head, and a child a father next to him,” was the thought he returned with. However, the couple could not find a job in Armenia’s second largest city.

When it seemed that there was no way other than to pack up and leave the country, new ideas appeared – creative ones. Ayarpi began to knit dolls while Artak started to make jewelry from copper wires.

“Artak’s jewelry became more interesting and more attractive. He began to complement it with stones. A few lucky breaks inspired us even more, and our work began to sell more,” says Ayarpi.

Artak recalls that once during a walk outside the city after military exercises [Gyumri hosts a Russian military base – JAMnews], he and Ayarni found empty ammunition cartridges on the ground. They brought them home and decided to make jewelry out of them to try and make something unprecedented. Today, these accessories are very popular in Gyumri as they sell under the HayAr brand started by Ayarpi and Artak.

Artak turns cartridges, bullets and remnants of mines into earrings, rings, bracelets and pendants. What’s more, he creates them with tools of his own making and improvised means. He melts, bends and cuts various parts of the discarded military equipment in his basement, which became a workshop.

Ayarpi suggests how to make jewelry more comfortable and what women prefer more, while Artak chooses the patterns, trying not to distort and change their original appearance.

“I use different patterns. I often take them from miniatures, elements of Armenian letters, or Sanskrit symbols. I’m studying every dash at the Matenadaran [the repository of ancient manuscripts in Yerevan – JAMnews] and try to develop my work in different formats. True, I create jewelry, but I try to develop. It is important for me that each work is exclusive, so that the earrings are not alike – by nature, energy,” says the jeweler.

HayAr in France

“These are people who survived the genocide, but they have no violence in them. Weapons turned into an ornament, a work of art by the hands of an Armenian,” says Artak on how his works are most often seen in France.

An exhibition dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War opened several months ago in the exhibition hall of Pole Bijou in the French city of Baccarat. Of the works of 550 artists who applied for participation in the exhibition titled In War, 14 were chosen, including those by Artak Tadevosyan.

“There were very interesting works, and I was very impressed with the work of Sarah Shahag: she made a necklace from the numbers of Palestinian prisoners. There were works made in the trenches of the French and Germans fighting against each other that came down to us from those times. The work of the famous Belgian artist Vurgen Herman was interesting – a pendant made from a cartridge case. When your works are exhibited in such company, it’s already a victory,” says Artak.

He immediately received an invitation to participate in another exhibition, at the Boteka hall Metz, France. The artist is very proud of this, but he dreams of more: to organize exhibitions in countries and regions where there are conflicts, including Karabakh:

“You understand that you are too little of a man to change something in the world, at the same time, at least you can try to do something through your work so that people think for a minute. You cannot have much hope, but you are doing something so that there is no violence, so that more people will hear the call for peace.”

Artak and Ayarpi no longer look for materials in places of military exercises. They are now brought to him by friends and strangers, hunters and policemen. People seem happy to help the artist who creates decorations from weapons, bringing his call for peace to many.

Asbarez: ‘With Our Soldiers’ Delivers Emergency Medical Kits to Artsakh Defense Ministry

Ani Kharatian
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GLENDALE—In early June, members of Armenian Youth Federation Western U.S.’s “With Our Soldiers” Committee traveled to Artsakh with trained professionals of Code 3 Angels and donated 500 emergency medical kits to Artsakh’s Ministry of Defense. The kits, which included emergency bandages and tourniquets, were prepared by members of the committee beforehand in Pasadena.

These members also travelled to the military base in Tonashen and provided a review of First Aid/CPR training to some of the soldiers. The “With Our Soldiers” Committee had taken on this project with Code 3 Angels, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency medical services skills and training to people across the U.S. and in developing nations, as a part of its ongoing work to provide direct aid to Artsakh with the engagement of the Armenian Youth Federation membership.

In addition to preparing over 500 kits, members of the AYF also received the necessary training and became certified in order to assist the trained professionals of Code 3 Angels on their training sessions. This project will serve as just one of the next several steps that the “With Our Soldiers” committee plans to take on as a part of their consistent efforts in supporting our troops in the homeland.

As an update, the “With Our Soldiers” 2.0 campaign recently concluded a few months ago when our members completed dispersing funds to the 7 remaining families of fallen soldiers as a part of 2.0. The campaign provided each of these families with $1000, making the total amount delivered to the families of fallen soldiers of the 2016 Four Day War and the following months over $150,000.

Here is the information about these 7 soldiers:

Vardan Sargsyan (b. 1997) was a tall and extremely strong physically amongst his peers growing up and as a result spend his youth playing sports. Positionally, a defender during soccer, Vardan’s ability to excel in sports would transcend to other spheres of life including his ability to play instruments. Enjoying many wind instruments, among his favorite were the duduk and the zurna which he would often take to as a hobby and pastime. Vardan was killed on June 16, 2017 by Azerbaijani fire.

Vigen Petrosyan (b. 1997) was serving on the frontlines of Talish & Martuni and was at the frontlines during the April 2016 4-day war without the knowledge of his parents. The only person aware of the extent of Vigen’s involvement was his brother Vahe. Vigen was only 20 years old and one month shy of finishing his service when he was killed, alongside 2 of his fellow soldiers as a result of an Azerbaijani missile that hit a tree the soldiers were sitting under and detonated. He was killed on June 16, 2017.

Arayik Matinyan (b. 1998) was a sniper in the Artsakh Armed Forces. He was generally a hard worker and learned to survive off the land he lived on from his father. He was the oldest of three brothers and also had one sister. He was killed along with Vardan Sargsyan and Vigen Petrosyan on June 16, 2017 by Azerbaijan fire.

Vazgen Poghosyan (b. 1997) was serving in the eastern direction of the Line of Contact. He lived with his family in the town of Horbategh in the province of Vayots Dzor. Vazgen was posthumously awarded the “For Service in Battle” medal for bravery shown during his defense of the Artsakh border. He was killed on July 10, 2017 by Azerbaijani fire.

Narek Gasparyan (b. 1998) was a participant of the 2016 April War serving in Talish. According to family members, Gasparyan had one month before he was to be discharged from the Artsakh Armed Forces. Gasparyan’s brother also served last year and was recently discharged. Narek was known for being a very talented dhol player. Gasparyan was killed on June 17, 2017 by Azerbaijani aggression.

Arman Movsisyan (b. 1998) was a very active child growing up and liked to finish things fast and first. He was the only son in the family and had one sister. Arman enjoyed building things on his own and working on various projects. When he passed away, he left behind a bicycle that he was building as well as a garage he was building for his family. Arman was killed by Azerbaijani fire on August 14, 2017.

Artak Bisharyan (b.1991) was posthumously awarded the “For Service in Battle” medal for bravery and courage shown during his defense of his fatherland. Although he had finished his mandatory service he decided to remain and continue to carry out his duties for his nation and his people. Furthermore his brother is a police officer and thus for the Bisharyan family service to the state plays an integral role in their framework. Artak will be remembered as a kind-hearted individual who would always perform tasks and do things so that his friends would not have to and that is exactly how he spent his last few breaths. The Armenian military had a task to be fulfilled near the neutral zone and it was exactly then when the enemy infantry took aim, killing Artak. He was killed on August 27, 2017.

The AYF’s “With Our Soldiers” campaign, originally launched in 2012, provided medical services and assistance to more than 80 veterans of the Artsakh Liberation Movement. To learn more about the WOS campaign or to make a donation today, you can visit withoursoldiers.com.

Founded in 1933 with organizational structures in over 17 regions around the world and a legacy of over eighty years of community involvement, the Armenian Youth Federation is the largest and most influential Armenian-American youth organization in the world, working to advance the social, political, educational, and cultural awareness of Armenian youth.

Sports: Ex-Celtic trialist Dino Skvorc leaves Alashkert as Armenians suffer huge blow just a week before Hoops’ Champions League clash

Ani Kharatian
The Scottish Sun
July 6 2018
MAJOR BLOW

The 28-year-old Croatian stopper was regarded as a driving force in the Armenian side's success last season but he has now joined Hungarian club Honved

By Mark Walker
6th July 2018, 11:00 am

CELTIC’S Champions League opponents Alashkert have suffered a major blow after key defender Dino Skvorc walked out on them to join Hungarian side Honved.

The 28-year-old Croatian stopper was regarded as their driving force and helped the Yerevan club secure the Armenian title last term.

Getty Images – Getty   
Brendan Rodgers on the touchline

But he wanted to leave Alashkert and has been allowed to quit and join Budapest side Honved just a few days before they face the Hoops in their Champions League first qualifying round tie.

Skvorc revealed earlier this week he was once offered a contract by former Celtic boss Neil Lennon in 2010 after spending a successful week’s trial.

However, they deal didn’t go though because his old club, NK Varazdin, wanted almost £1 million and the Parkhead board weren’t prepared to pay that.

He was expected to return to Glasgow to play for Alashkert in the encounters, but has moved to Hungary instead.

An Alashkert statement said: “We have reached an agreement to allow Dino to leave the club.

“We would like to wish him all the best in his future career.”

Skvorc also played in Israel, Romania, Belgium, Slovenia, Moldova and Cyprus before signing for Alashkert.

European Parliament will ratify Armenia-EU Agreement next month – EAFJD chairman

Ani Kharatian
ArmenPress, Armenia
European Parliament will ratify Armenia-EU Agreement next month – EAFJD chairman



YEREVAN, JUNE 27, ARMENPRESS. The trust towards Armenia by the European Union has reached a new level, Gaspar Karapetian – chairman of theEuropean Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD), said in an interview to ARMENPRESS.

-Mr. Karapetian, how the recent political changes in Armenia are perceived by the European and the international community in general? What are the moods among political, public circles?

-The recent events, developments in Armenia were a progress of people’s values. The reactions of Europe and the international community in general were, of course, positive and welcoming. During numerous meetings, closed-door discussions Europe has repeatedly touched upon the developments in Armenia, gave a positive assessment and stated that the democratic, human rights values are respected in Armenia and more developed civil society is being formed. This fact is welcomed as the EU’s trust towards Armenia reached a new level for the implementation of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and the Agreement must be ratified by the European Parliament within the next month. Moreover, recently the European Commission and earlier the foreign affairs committee of the European Parliament have made a quite positive statement on the new situation in Armenia.

-Mr. Karapetian, in the recent period the Artsakh authorities state that movements of the Azerbaijani military equipment are taking place in the frontline. Is there a concern in terms of the escalation of the situation? In your opinion, what is the reason of Azerbaijan’s such activeness at this stage?

-Yes, in the recent period there are many statements on Azerbaijan’s activeness, but it doesn’t mean that accumulations of the military equipment didn’t happen during the past months, which requires a great vigilance. Today Azerbaijan’s activeness is quite often linked with the recent events in Armenia. During that days Azerbaijan perhaps wanted to see the loss of the unity of the Armenian people, who were mainly engaged in domestic problems and would forget about the external threat. But the Armenian people, in particular, the Armenian Army proved the contrary: by feeling the seriousness of the moment, they never yielded their positions. Azerbaijan needs to understand that in such situation when Armenia took one more step towards democracy, the Armenian Army is more willing in its mission.

-Did theEuropean Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy voice issues over Azerbaijan’s activeness in different European circles?

-As the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy, we not only voice about Azerbaijan’s activeness for different occasions, but also provide important information about the ongoing ceasefire violations in the line of contact and the human rights violations in Azerbaijan.

-In your opinion, what steps should the international community, the mediators take to prevent the escalation of the situation?

-The international community, as during the April war, is well informed about the situation, Azerbaijan’s intentions since Azerbaijan itself makes its actions known to the external field. The European circles, of course, support the principles adopted by the OSCE Minsk Group which are also reflected in the Armenia-EU Agreement. The mediator side should take measures to apply investigative mechanisms for the situation in the border.

Today the new leadership of Armenia makes statements on bringing Artsakh to the negotiation field which is welcomed by the EAFJD, being considered as of the key preconditions for the peaceful settlement of the Artsakh conflict. Taking into account this the recent visits of the OSCE Minsk Group to Armenia can put a base for the new quality of negotiations. Moreover, the European Union should officially take steps to send its representatives to Artsakh and get first-hand information.

-What are the upcoming programs of the EAFJD? Is the visit of the European lawmakers to Artsakh expected?

-One of the main program priorities of the EAFJD is to continue raising the Artsakh issue and the protection of the principle of the Artsakh people’s right to free self-determination among the European political circles. With its daily activities the Office contributes to deepening and developing the Armenia-EU ties, as well as provides support to the Armenian delegation these days in Brussels on the sidelines of the session of the EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly.

We will continue to organize the visits of the European lawmakers and MEPs to Artsakh in coming months, by this contributing to the failure of Azerbaijan’s policy to keep Artsakh in isolation.

Interview by Anna Gziryan

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

ANCA’s Hamparian Meets With Artsakh Leaders

Ani Kharatian
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ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian (left) meets with Artsakh President Bako Sahakian on Monday in Stepanakert

STEPANAKERT—The Chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America on Monday met with Artsakh President Bako Sahakian and Artsakh Foreign Minister Masis Mayilian and discussed important issue regarding the republic’s foreign and domestic priorities and relations with the Diaspora.

President Sahakian thanked the ANCA for its continued leadership in advancing issues related to Artsakh’s security and international recognition with American government structures.

Hamparian discussed a broad range of U.S. aid and Artsakh security issues including the recent ANCA inquiry to key Congressional panels about reports of Bell helicopter sales to Azerbaijan; last week’s Senate Appropriations Committee vote to support aid to regional rehabilitation centers, such as the Caroline Cox Center in Stepanakert; continue assistance for Artsakh demining efforts; and effort to implement the Royce-Engel peace proposals, including the placement of gun-fire locators along the line of contact with Azerbaijan.

Each of these is part of the “ANCA 360” approach to pro-Artsakh advocacy, generating U.S. support – in policy, practice, and principle— for the Artsakh Republic’s independence and security, supporting the OSCE Minsk Group platform, challenging Azerbaijani aggression by promoting accountability for attacks along the line of contact, and fostering broader, pro-peace dialogue between the U.S. and Artsakh.

Armenia: monasteri e khachkar all’ombra del Monte Ararat

Ani Kharatian
Gist – Gruppo Italiano Stampa Turistica, Italia
23 giu 2018


By Elena
–

Giu 23, 2018

 

Testo e foto di Graziella Leporati

Un viaggio in Armenia permette di scoprire monasteri ,chiese e khachkar millenari, di toccare con mano l’angoscia del genocidio  degli armeni, di cui il popolo porta ancora le ferite nell’animo, di assaggiare una cucina molto gustosa e sana dove il pane è il re incontrastato, di godere  la bellezza mitica del biblico Monte Ararat (attualmente entro i confini della Turchia) simbolo di antica sacralità per il popolo armeno, di ammirare paesaggi affascinanti in cui la tradizione biblica colloca il Giardino dell’Eden, di brindare con il brandy locale che si produce da secoli. Ecco quindi degli ottimi motivi per visitare questo Paese immerso tra i monti a Sud del Caucaso che ha pagato lo scotto degli scontri tra civiltà diverse, naturale ponte tra l’Occidente e l’Oriente, tappa d’obbligo sulla via della seta. La sua è una storia lunga di millenni, durante i quali ha vissuto momenti di gloria alternati a drammatici periodi tormentati.

Dice un proverbio locale: “Non è facile lasciare l’Armenia, non tornarvi più è ancora più difficile”. Perché? Perché il landscape dell’Armenia, primo stato cristiano nel mondo, è punteggiato da chiese e monasteri medioevali che, costruiti interamente in pietra locale, emergono armoniosamente tra natura e paesaggi incantevoli. Sono tutti bellissimi e nessuno è uguale all’altro. I più suggestivi? Difficile stilare una classifica, ma sicuramente fra i top ten ci sono il monastero di Sevanank (IX sec) che con le due due chiese si affaccia sul Lago Sevan che un poeta  definisce ”un pezzo di cielo caduto sulle montagne’’. Ma non scherza neanche quello di Saghmosavank (XIII secolo) affacciato su un grande canyon, la gola di Kasagh. Breve stop davanti alla fortezza di Amberd con accanto la chiesina del X secolo con la pianta a croce greca. Nella regione di Ararat, dove nei giorni di sole si può immaginare di scorgere la sagoma dell’Arca di Noè  attraccata qui dopo il diluvio universale e adagiata su un fianco della vetta del monte, si visita il monastero di Khor Virap dove si trova la cella sotterranea del Santo Gregorio Illuminatore, imprigionato dal re Tiridate per 13 anni liberatosi poi per consentire l’Armenia al Cristianesimo nel 301. Molto suggestivo anche il monastero di Noravank con le sue due chiese, costruiti in posizione spettacolare sulla cima di un precipizio.

Ma l’Armenia occupa una posizione particolare nella storia dell’arte mondiale per i Khachkar, le croci di pietra originali e irripetibili, che i maestri scalpellini d’un tempo hanno trasformato in un merletto: il cimitero medievale di Noraduz ne contiene circa 800 e ognuna racconta una storia unica. Moltissimi khachkar si possono ammirare anche a Echmiadzin, il luogo più sacro dell’Armenia e sede Patriarcale del Catolikos, la maggiore autorità della Chiesa armena, in pratica il “Vaticano” dell’Armenia.

E proprio qui nella cattedrale costruita nel 303 da San Gregorio l’’Illuminatore, si trova custodita la “lncia sacra” con cui fu ferito Gesù sulla croce, e un frammento dell’Arca di Noè che, alla fine del diluvio, si dice attraccò sul monte Ararat.

Info: www.travelarmenia.am.

Armenia’s revolution miracle

Ani Kharatian 
The Washington Post
June 15, 2018 Friday


Armenia's revolution miracle

by David Ignatius
EDITORIAL COPY; Pg. A19


YEREVAN, Armenia

If you're looking for some good news from a faraway land, here's a
tale of Armenia's "velvet revolution," which just deposed a corrupt,
authoritarian government and installed a team of eager young reformers
to govern a tiny nation perilously bordering Russia.

Maybe it's the start of a counter-trend, in a world where so many
indicators of freedom and good governance have been pointing downward.
But it must be said: Time is not on the revolutionaries' side. The
squeeze on Armenia, from its neighbors and domestic power brokers,
could undo the gains of the bottom-up protest movement that toppled
the long-entrenched, pro-Moscow government of Prime Minister Serzh
Sargsyan.

For now, there's something of a festival atmosphere here, as Armenians
enjoy the aftermath of what the new prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan,
described to me as a "revolution of love and solidarity." Bands play
in the streets, people spontaneously cheer Pashinyan in public, and
the post-Soviet haze seems, for now, to have cleared.

Pashinyan spoke with me for an hour last Friday at his grand office on
Republic Square, in the center of the capital. He looked slightly
uncomfortable in a dark business suit. The popular image of him is of
a guy in a baseball cap who led a march on the capital that grew so
large it paralyzed the government. Barricading the streets were jazz
musicians atop a piano, a chamber quartet and a young boy halting
traffic with a line of toy trucks.

The protests had become so widespread that Sargsyan faced a choice of
using force on fellow citizens or stepping down. In a nation whose
political identity is tied to its tragic history, Sargsyan wisely
chose the latter: On April 23, the day before the annual commemoration
of the 1915 Ottoman genocide that killed more than 1 million
Armenians, Sargsyan resigned.

The miracle of this revolution is that it happened at all. Russia had
long supported Sargsyan and his oligarch cronies. But in May, after
Sargsyan's fall, the Kremlin didn't block Pashinyan's accession to
prime minister. That's partly because Pashinyan declared, as he told
me, that his movement had "no geopolitical agenda."

Russian President Vladimir Putin could still make life very difficult
for the new Armenia. In Yerevan last weekend, I heard reports from
diplomats that if Moscow doesn't receive new pledges of fealty, it
might halt arms sales, on which Armenia depends to counter neighboring
Azerbaijan in the disputed area known as Nagorno Karabakh. Russia's
tolerance for political liberalization may come at a price.

What's next for the velvet revolution? Pashinyan outlined his program,
but it was long on democratic idealism and thin on specifics.

His first priority is to stop the corruption that has been leaching
away the creative and entrepreneurial spirit for which Armenians are
often known. "Unfortunately, Armenia was a very corrupt country in the
last 25 years," Pashinyan told me, with cronies close to the
leadership taking what amounted to a private tax on the economy.
"People were fed up with that situation," he said.

Linked to Pashinyan's anti-graft campaign is a commitment to break up
the monopolies that dominate key sectors of the economy. Armen
Grigoryan, the new national security adviser, worked previously for
Transparency International, an anti-corruption group. He explained in
an interview that the Armenian economy could grow if the new
government could shed more light on its operations and "decrease
interaction between the state and the citizen."

The new government will need to put teeth into this anti-corruption
push by holding some of the bribe-takers accountable. "I'm not going
to give orders to judges," Pashinyan insisted, but he warned: "We will
try to identify and bring to responsibility the most corrupt people."
To combat monopolies, he'll need to capitalize new, smaller companies,
perhaps through a national investment bank.

Breaking free of the gravitational field of the past will take all of
Pashinyan's idealism and energy - and also some raw political power.
He told me that it's "very likely" he'll hold a snap election for a
new parliament by October or November, well before the April deadline.
And the courts are already releasing some prominent political
prisoners.

Armenia is a subject on which I'm hardly neutral, as my father's
family has Armenian roots. During my visit here, I helped host the
Aurora humanitarian awards, created by a group of prominent Armenians
to honor human rights champions from other countries. Armenia has
experienced more than its share of bad news, historically and in the
recent, post-Soviet past. So it was encouraging to see Yerevan as a
city of smiles after its dramatic moment of change.

Moscow wanted to see Karen Karapetyan in place of Serzh Sargsyan, but it had to put up with Nikol Pashinyan

Ani Kharatian
Arminfo, Armenia
June 7 2018
Moscow wanted to see Karen Karapetyan in place of Serzh Sargsyan, but it had to put up with Nikol Pashinyan
Davit Stepanyan's interview with Stepan Safaryan
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from the Russian edition of Arminfo]

In his interview to the ArmInfo [new agency], the director of the Armenian Institute for International and Security Affairs, Stepan Safaryan, is specifying interim results of the velvet revolution, discussing possible scenarios of resolving the domestic political crisis in Armenia, assessing the policy pursued by the new Armenian leadership regarding the settlement in Artsakh [Armenian name for Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh], and sharing his views on the recent domestic political transformations in Artsakh.

RPA support new government to avert 'final destruction' of party

[Stepanyan] What interim results and future trends and aims of the velvet revolution can we specify right now?

[Safaryan] The date of 8 May, when Nikol Pashinyan was appointed prime minister, can be considered as a certain result of the velvet revolution, which resulted, with the consent of the parliamentary majority in the shape of the [former ruling] RPA [Republican Party of Armenia], in the formation of the government and approval of its programme. It is clear that Pashinyan's main aim is to institutionalise the velvet revolution through an early parliamentary election, as it is clear that it is impossible to run the country from the street for a long time.

In this connection, there arises a question: Will we manage to overcome a second dividing line in the shape of parliament's consent to an early election without a major upheaval? This is particularly [important] in conditions, when after 8 May, the RPA has gradually been recovering from the shock, voicing its position and even switching to the opposition mode. In this context, the Republicans' attempts to play for time and wait for the exhaustion of the resource of public trust and a decrease in the level of public assistance to the government has become noticeable. It should also be noted that the Republicans are sure to try their best to preserve a majority in parliament and the parliament proper to win back power as easily as possible.

[Stepanyan] And apart from public trust, what is Pashinyan currently countering this with?

[Safaryan] Nikol Pashinyan's choice of concrete targets in the process of establishing the rule of law, fighting corruption, and so forth is evident. The political effect of the struggle against these targets is also evident. They made it clear to the Republicans that an early election will be organised either without them or in coordination with them. After the attempts of the RPA's oligarchic wing to sabotage the new government's work via the "riot of supermarkets", Pashinyan also made it clear that the RPA would either stop being parliamentary majority or it would agree to cooperate. The last statement by [Parliament] Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov shed light on yet another settlement of yet another situation. He said that the main composition of the Republican Party was going to vote against the government's programme, whose highlight is holding an early election. However, he also announced that the Republicans were ready to try their best to get this programme approved. In other words, the RPA is trying to avert the danger of the dissolution of the parliament, being fully aware at the same time of Pashinyan's ability to deprive them of their faction in the incumbent parliament. In the past, the RPA unfortunately brought into its ranks both criminals and oligarchs, whose criminal liability for specific acts can by no means be considered as political repression. No-one is going to reproach Pashinyan for eliminating crime or putting pressure on oligarchs, aiming to bring them back to the tax field. Correspondingly, refusing to give a formal consent to an early election within a year, the Republicans are informally ready to show support for the activities of Pashinyan's government in exchange for his saying no to the final destruction of their party.

[Stepanyan] Is this going to satisfy Pashinyan?

[Safaryan] I do not think so. The thing is that refusing to show support for the programme of his government, the Republicans renounce an early election. On the other hand, from all appearances, this programme is sure to be eventually approved by parliament. By doing so, this programme will somehow become a legitimate document leading the country to an early election. And here, we see the emergence of an interesting and tricky situation, where the Republicans' further activities are going to depend on further sentiments in our society.

[Stepanyan] The Republicans' logic is clear. What is unclear in this case is Pashinyan's logic. What hinders him from exerting a slightly stronger pressure to finally destroy the RPA and open a path to an early election by doing so?

[Safaryan] In my opinion, [these are] political agreements reached with the RPA. We should be able to realise that after 22 April, the developments flowed precisely into the streambed of political agreements and it is not particularly desirable to put an end to this. After all, on 8 May, an agreement was reached on the renunciation of violence on everyone's part. Correspondingly, if Pashinyan breaks his own promises at a certain time, moves in the direction of the RPA's destruction will imply the emergence of political uncertainty in the field, where he will have no guarantees of success.

Moscow wanted Karapetyan instead of Pashinyan – pundit

[Stepanyan] Can you see any external factors in this field of political uncertainty?

[Safaryan] What I can see so far is a total absence of those opposed to the change of power in Armenia. However, I can also see quite a conspicuous interest in influencing the final outcome of the developments in our country. And in this case, the Russian factor manifests itself most apparently. In Moscow, they do not seem to consider Nikol Pashinyan and his government as the main team so far. Indeed, this by no means implies that they will not regard them as the main team in the future. Everything will depend on the moves and steps Pashinyan proper will take. However, I get the impression that in Moscow, they nevertheless wanted to see a somewhat different scenario to unfold in Armenia after 23 April with the main role played by [former Prime Minister] Karen Karapetyan. In particular, I think that people in Moscow would very much like to see Karen Karapetyan in the post of Serzh Sargsyan, but they have also come to terms with Nikol Pashinyan. This scenario failed to unfold, as Russia's moves against Nikol Pashinyan and those staging rallies in his support would automatically result in an increase of anti-Russian sentiments. Therefore, Moscow tried to stabilise the critical situation as far as possible to be able to understand and determine their further steps. If distrust towards Pashinyan persists and grows, people in Moscow might try to find and reinforce a more trusted player in Armenia.

[Stepanyan] [Do you imply] Karen Karapetyan?

[Safaryan] I do not rule this out. However, any member of the revolutionary team might become such [a player], say [businessman] Gagik Tsarukyan. However, if Russia fails to do so or they find playing out a scenario of the kind inappropriate, Moscow will try to smooth the things they dislike in Pashinyan's policy. There is all the more reason for this against the background of all Armenian players' dependence on the Russian factor, which is currently present to a varying degree. Anyway, I think that so far, no final blueprint of the Russian scenario regarding Armenia has been developed.

Karabakh to be represented at talks with Azerbaijan

[Stepanyan] Judging by Pashinyan's statements on the Artsakh problem, the new Armenian prime minister is trying to pursue a new negotiating line in this direction. How realistic is this and is this not going to turn into yet another and the very corner, which Moscow is trying to cut?

[Safaryan] I consider this line as quite correct. I showed support for statements on the need of Artsakh's participation in the negotiation process, even when they were made by Serzh Sargsyan. In terms of settling the problem, I consider precisely the given approach as correct. It is a different matter how successful Serzh Sargsyan was in this respect and how successful Nikol Pashinyan will be. However, a tripartite negotiating format is quite realistic, as it already existed in 1998, no matter whether Azerbaijan liked this or not. And up to 1998, the voice of [Nagorno-Karabakh capital] Stepanakert [Xankandi] was quite legitimate and weighty at all discussions and talks. This was documented in all fundamental documents of the OSCE MG [Minsk group]. In this light, I assess Nikol Pashinyan's aim to return Artsakh to the negotiating table as quite realistic. And if Serzh Sargsyan lacked domestic legitimacy to achieve this goal, Nikol Pashinyan has this legitimacy. Correspondingly, the new Armenian prime minister is quite able to follow the path until the final victory. Indeed, in conditions of all players' adaptation to the swamp, which has been characteristic of the process for years, and Baku's whims, this path is not going to be easy. However, we should by no means renounce it. In this light, I consider it necessary that Armenia pursue a clear-cut line: Only the meetings held in a tripartite format can be considered as talks. All others [should be considered as] preparatory work for talks or just a conversation.

Developments in Naxcivan

[Stepanyan] Do the [military] advances of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces towards neutral territories in Naxcivan have a political implication? In other words, can this be considered as a demarche in response to the statements by the new Armenian leadership?

[Safaryan] In my opinion, this is part of Azerbaijan's strategy. It was not for the fun of it that in 2016, Baku decided on precisely this version of the local war at the Artsakh-Azerbaijan level. They understood full well that in the case of large-scale war, Naxcivan would automatically and immediately become involved as soon as Armenia became involved. Naxcivan is Azerbaijan's crack in armour both in military or political terms. Naxcivan creates preconditions for the participation or non-participation of other actors in the presumptive war. For example, Turkey's participation in possible battles with the participation of its protectorate, Naxcivan, will immediately result in Russia's interference. In a situation of the kind, Artsakh and its problem will take a back seat, giving way to yet another Russo-Turkish war. Therefore, in my opinion, what is meant here is reinforcement of defence positions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, which are under a 100 per cent control of the Armenian Armed Forces even today. In other words, Baku is trying to tighten its possible control over the Armenian territory, trying to complete propaganda tasks at the same time.

'Waves' of Armenian revolution reaching Karabakh

[Stepanyan] Is the resignation of one part of the Artsakh leadership a continuation of the processes unfolding in Armenia or is the situation in Artsakh unfolding exceptionally within the framework of the domestic agenda?

[Safaryan] In Artsakh, there can be a number of quite specific factors, of course. However, I view the recent developments first and foremost as the waves of the revolution in Armenia. Despite the self-sufficiency of our political systems, the logic of their development is nevertheless strongly interrelated. Therefore, the desire of those living in Artsakh not to stay on the sidelines of their fellow-countrymen's success in Armenia is quite understandable for me and raises no question. People in Artsakh also want to stop the worsening authoritarianism, lawlessness, and all those things that their fellow-countrymen managed to stop in Armenia. In other words, all these things are happening in Artsakh on the basis of objectively existing dissatisfaction with the authorities. Apart from this, I absolutely do not rule out the appearance of beneficiaries from outside to try to use the "Artsakh velvet" to secure concrete transformation of the 1994 status quo. It should not be ruled out that the developments in Artsakh are part of a bigger geopolitical plan. What is meant in both cases is one conflict of interests, contradistinction of renewed Madrid Principles and quite conventional and incomplete [Russian Foreign Minister Sergey] Lavrov's plan, to say the least. In addition to this, there is a third scenario: Doing nothing, maintaining the existing status quo. And all the three scenarios have been clashing with each other over the past decades, continuing to clash even today.