Author: Babken Chilingarian

Konstantin Orbelyan: My dismissal has become a powerful public relations campaign for Armenia

Babken Chilingarian
Arminfo, Armenia
April 4 2019
Asya Balayan

ArmInfo. Already former director of the Yerevan Opera and Ballet Theater Konstantin Orbelyan does not consider the arguments of the Ministry of Culture about the  illegality of his appointment convincing.

"Former Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan appointed me to this  position, it turns out that he appointed me in violation of the law.   Then, why are the claims against me, let the new government sue the  former government, let us say, Amiryan, and how does that has  anything to do with me?," Orbelyan, reiterating that he intends to  appeal the decision of the Ministry of Culture of his dismissal in  court. According to Orbelyan, the arguments of his lawyers will prove  the groundlessness of the charges against Acting Culture Minister  Nazeni Gharibyan.

According to Orbelyan, the new government initially sought his  departure: "But I said that I would not voluntarily go, and they  decided to dismiss me". Commenting on his earlier statement that when  leaving the theater he would take away all the property that the  theater had acquired solely with his assistance, Orbelyan noted: "If  I leave, all this property will be transferred to the Yerevan Music  School named after Konstantin Orbelyan>. He noticed that a lot of  issues in the theater were decided at the expense of sponsorship. For  which he personally applied and received.

<Yes, I spend my money, and the funds of our sponsors to create  performances because the state has no money for it. For example, I  needed a new production of <Carmen> or <The Magic Flute> for touring  in Dubai, but the state did not help us, despite the fact that 1.5  years ago the Ministry of Culture signed an order to allocate 50  thousand dollars to cover air tickets. But after <revolution> we were  told that they don't have this money, "Orbelyan explained.

Commenting on the accumulated debt in the amount of 92 million drams,  he said that he had nothing to do with these debts and <inherited>  them from the previous leadership of the theater. <I started to lead  the theater in February 2017, the audit results covered the  2014-2016. Nazeni Gharibyan herself stated that I have nothing to do  with these debts. However, lately, we have been negotiating with the  Ministry of Culture to pay these debts by holding performances for  schoolchildren, but, unfortunately, negotiations have been  interrupted, and now we pay them back as far as possible, "he  explained.

Speaking about his resignation, he noted that his dismissal had  become a powerful public relations campaign for Armenia, for himself  and for the Opera and Ballet Theater. <The whole world now knows that  there is the Opera Theater in Yerevan and Konstantin Orbelyan. Now  everyone is interested in me, what I do in Armenia, everyone wants to  come, see, even journalists from all over the world want to come>, he  said.

Commenting on the rumors about his connection with the former  authorities, and in particular, former First Lady Rita Sargsyan,  thanks to which, according to exaggerated information, he was  appointed head of the theater, and what caused his resignation,  Orbelian said: "I was appointed because that I am Konstantin  Orbelyan. I was appointed not by friendship, but by service," he  explained. It should be noted that Orbelyan's resignation caused a  wide public response. The Ministry of Culture, however, assured that  it only observes the norms of the law, since one and the same person  cannot occupy several managerial positions at once, meanwhile,  Orbelyan is part-time director and artistic director of the Opera and  Ballet Theater.

Sports: 10 Armenian Greco Roman wrestlers to compete at European C’ship

Babken Chilingarian
Panorama, Armenia

Head coach of Armenia’s Greco Roman wrestling team Levon Julfalakyan has unveiled the lineup for the European Wrestling Championships in Bucharest, Romania, the National Olympic Committee told Panorama.am.

A total of 10 Armenian athletes will vie for medals at the championship. The lineup includes Rudik Mkrtchyan (55 kg), Gevorg Gharibyan (60 kg), Slavik Galstyan (63 kg), Karen Aslanyan (67 kg), Hrant Kalachyan (72 kg), Arsen Julfalakyan (77 kg), Sargis Kocharyan (82kg), Maxim Manukyan (87kg), Artur Shahinyan (97kg) and Davit Ovasapyan (130kg).

The European Wrestling Championships are scheduled for 8-14 April, with the Greco Roman wrestlers to start their performances on 12 April. 

Pashinyan: Statements on involving Artsakh in negotiations not a challenge, but an invitation to dialogue

Babken Chilingarian
Panama, Armenia

The agenda proposed by Armenia to involve Artsakh in the negotiations is not something new both for the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs and Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told a news conference on Tuesday when asked how long Armenia is ready to wait if Azerbaijan disagrees with the country’s stance.

“There is no need to wait at all. It’s just necessary to work consistently in the diplomatic process,” he said.

The PM stressed this is neither a whim nor precondition by the Armenian side. “We will continue discussing the matter with our partners and will try to take them to the field of arguments, since negotiating means listening to each other,” the PM said, stressing Armenia has demonstrated that ability to listen to and try to understand, and expects the same from Azerbaijan.

Pashinyan said he made a statement on returning Artsakh to the negotiating table still in May 2018, when he was a PM candidate.

“These statements are not a challenge, but an invitation to dialogue, which, in fact, hasn’t just started. That dialogue started in Dushanbe, continued in St. Petersburg, Davos, and I don’t know where the next dialogue will take place," he said.

"We do not imagine a regime where one of the sides says, ‘I reject dialogue.’ That will not be a logical approach. Naturally, we, too, will not abandon the dialogue, will put forward our facts during the dialogue and listen carefully to the counter-arguments of our colleagues. I believe the constructive and effective solution or continuation should be within this logic,” the PM added. 

Deputy head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Armenian Parliament on the State Department report: the word "separatist" does not always have a negative connotation

Babken Chilingarian
Arminfo, Armenia
Ani Mshetsyan

ArmInfo. Deputy head of the Foreign  Affairs Committee of the Armenian Parliament Hovhannes Igityan,  commenting on the provisions of the US State Department report on  Karabakh, made notable interpretations, assuring that the word  "separatist" does not always have a negative connotation.

In an interview with ArmInfo correspondent, Igityan, in particular,  tried to explain the vocabulary interpretation of the term  "separatist":

According to him, applying the word "separatist" in relation to the  Karabakh people, the State Department wanted to note that the  Karabakh people had separated from Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, Igityan  recognized that Artsakh and its people should not be called  "separatists", since the republic has elected authorities,  institutions of democracy and state governance. "In this regard,  Artsakh is far ahead of Azerbaijan," Igityan said, shifting the  attention from this chapter of the report to another, which refers to  Armenia.

"The US Department of State is very positive about the events that  occurred in the spring of 2018 in Armenia, considering this to be a  huge breakthrough in the development of democracy in our country.  They are very positive about not only political processes, but also  electoral, as well as economic and legal reforms. The State  Department considers the Armenian government its partner, with whom  it is possible to cooperate further, " Igityan concluded.

Meanwhile, spokesman for Artsakh President David Babayan, in an  interview with ArmInfo correspondent, on the contrary, considered the  language used in the State Department report unacceptable and  stressed the need to intensify the work of Armenia, Artsakh and  Diaspora for the subsequent removal of such language in international  reports.

To note, the US State Department's report on human rights for 2018  states: "The separatists, with the support of Armenia, continued to  control most of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent territories of  Azerbaijan." The report also notes that the final status of Artsakh  remains the subject of discussion within the framework of the  international mediation mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group.  

Sports: Friday Ubong Relishes Transfer To Armenia

Babken Chilingarian
Football Live, Nigeria
March 6 2019
By Kenec Alexander

March 6, 2019

 

Footballlive.ng can report that the youthful attacker was ecstatic, after signing the dotted lines in midweek, as the former home-based Eagles star and silver medalist at the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations believes he can now further his national team ambitions.

Ubong took to social media to celebrate his surge, after signing a three-year-deal with the Armenian top-flight league returnees.

The fast-rising attacker-cum-winger, who left Akwa Starlets to join their more prestigious city mates in 2015 season, said the only thought on his mind now is to help his new club soar higher.

Ubong, who helped The Promise Keepers to win the Federation Cup in 2015 and 2017, added that he hopes to excel personally and collectively with Lori, who gained promotion to participate in this season’s Armenian Premier League after winning the country’s First League last term.

Azerbaijani Press: Analyst: Azerbaijan broke Pashinyan stereotype on attracting third party to Karabakh talks

Babken Chilingarian
AzerNews, Azerbaijan
March 2 2019
2 March 2019 17:00 (UTC+04:00)

By  Trend

A positive point regarding the upcoming meeting of the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia is that Azerbaijan managed to break the Pashinyan stereotype about attracting a third party, that is, representatives of the separatist regime, to the negotiation process on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Fikrat Sadikhov, a well-known Azerbaijani political analyst, former diplomat, told Trend.

On March 1, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia accepted the proposal by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs to meet under their auspices in the near future.

Sadikhov said that even despite that Pashinyan makes some whimsical statements, like “We agree to negotiations not because we are discussing the Karabakh problem, but so far we are preparing for the negotiation process” and so on, all these words are far from the real picture.

“Pashinyan understands that Armenia and Azerbaijan are the main players, because they are parties to the conflict, and the resolution of the whole complex of issues related to this problem depends on them,” Sadikhov noted. “It is clear that all this time he has been saying that he won’t speak on behalf of the Nagorno-Karabakh, and, in practice, he doesn’t do it. I think Pashinyan realizes that Armenia’s well-being, its way out of isolation and its further existence depend on their concessions and the final settlement the conflict, the liberation of Azerbaijani lands, but apparently so far he isn’t confident enough. He looks back at those who subject him to sharp criticism and periodically demand a report from him on the negotiations with Azerbaijan.”

Sadikhov added that Pashinyan understands the destructiveness of the situation in which Armenia found itself.

“I suppose that the current Armenian leadership should ultimately realize that their future is connected with the final settlement of the conflict and the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories,” he said. “In my opinion, this is the main condition of the negotiation process at this stage when it comes to the Madrid Principles, which imply a phased settlement, which means initially liberation of the occupied territories around Nagorno-Karabakh, and then negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The former diplomat believes that Azerbaijan should exert political, diplomatic and even military pressure on Pashinyan.

The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the US) met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan Feb. 20 and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku Feb. 21 to discuss preparations for a meeting of the leaders in the near future, including possible topics for discussion.

Following their visit to the region, the Co-Chairs and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office travelled to Vienna and Bratislava from Feb. 28 to March 1 to brief the Permanent Representatives of the OSCE Minsk Group countries, OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak, according to the statement.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

Asbarez: ARF Western U.S. Central Committee’s Message at ARF Day

Babken Chilingarian
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Melkon Melkonian is a member of the ARF Western U.S. Central Committee

BY MELKON MELKONIAN

On February 24, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western U.S. Central Committee celebrated the 128th anniversary of the party’s establishment. During the event, the ARF Central Committee’s message was delivered by its member Melkon Melkonian. Below is the speech.

We are gathered here to celebrate the 128th anniversary of the founding of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

Why?

Why are any of us here and why does this 128 year old organization matter?

Furthermore, what is the Tashnagtsutyun? Who is the Tashnagtstagan?

Many of us here, have answers to these and other such questions for ourselves and for those who ask. But it seems finding and justifying these answers have proven to be increasingly difficult.

Over the past year, since the last time we gathered here in front of our people to deliver our message, a lot has happened. Many changes have taken place here in our region and our homeland. Changes that asked of our people to stand together to demand a better life for themselves and our nation. Changes that gave birth to a new generation of Armenian activists. Young men and women of conviction, striving to a better future.

However, this type of change is never easy. Revolution is never easy. A peaceful, Velvet Revolution is even harder. But our people accomplished just that. And each and every Armenian can be proud of that. The Tashnagtsutyun is proud of our people.

But during these uncertain times, some people questioned the decisions and position of the ARF; not toward the political or social climate within Armenia, but they questioned the ARF’s intentions toward the homeland. That is where we draw the line.

You may not agree with our politics or methods. You may not agree with our policies or decisions. But let me declare to you, the ARF is and it remains dedicated with all its might to the protection, preservation, and prosperity of our people and Homeland. Believing and tirelessly working towards a free, independent and united Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk.

The Western United States Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, through that creed, sees itself as an organization that leads and protects the interests of our people in our region. But leading does not come through dictating our will on our people. The ARF leads by service. The ARF leads through its work. This organization that was founded 128 years ago, was born through the struggles of its people; was born through the will of its people; and was born to serve the people.

So then, what is the Tashnagtsutyun?

The Tashnagtsutyun was born under of Nationalist, Socialist, Democratic, and Revolutionary principles.

Nationalist, not to favor ourselves over any other nation, but to love our people, to protect the rights of our people, and be proud of our history and heritage.

Socialist, because we believe in Social Justice. We believe in the betterment of the quality of life our people; we believe that the rights of ordinary individuals must be preserved and protected. The safety and security of our nation is tied to the social equality and justice for our people.

Democratic, because we believe in the rule of law through democracy and democratic principles. To ensure that the will and voice of the people are safeguarded from tyranny and autocracy.

And finally Revolutionary; not for the sake of a revolution or opposition; but the belief in change. The belief that we as an organization and a people can strive and struggle to be better, to grow and prosper. And perhaps it is this last principles that ties all the others together. To be revolutionary is to dare to act when others retreat; it is to do what is right even when it is not popular; it is to struggle for the National, Social and Democratic rights of our people and not spare any effort to achieve those goals.

We believe in a safe and prosperous homeland.

We believe in the just resolution for the crime of the Armenian Genocide.

We believe in an independent and secure Artsakh.

We believe in a strong and vibrant Diaspora.

And we believe in protecting and fighting for the rights of our people wherever they may be.

Who is the Tashnagtsagan?

One of our great leaders and thinkers, Hratch Dasnabedian, describes the Tashnagtsagan as a person of conviction. “A person who has not only filled him or herself with an ideal, or the selfless dedication to a social or political goal, but also to proactively and consistently contribute to the realization of those ideals.”

For the Tashnagtsagan it is not enough to proclaim devotion or love for the nation, he must also be willing to work, to go down in the trenches, and shed sweat and if need be blood for our people and homeland.

So for those who ask, what or what the Tashnagtsutyun is: It is that same organization who led the formation of the First Armenian Republic in 1918; it is that same organization that sough and executed justice for the perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide; It is the same organization that organized and preserved our diasporas all over the world, by building schools, churches, and community centers to serve the needs of our people; it is the same organization that stopped at nothing to send aid to our brothers and sisters in Artsakh; it is the same organization that continues to tirelessly work for our people and nation.

As proud as we are of our history as an organization, as humbled as we find ourselves living in the shadow of all those who came before us, we do not simply continue to exist because of our past. We are a Revolutionary organization because we believe in our future. We believe that our best days are not behind us, but are here among us in the eyes of our youth. The strength of our organization, comes from that youth, and the belief that our work and service to that nation is not done.

Today standing before you, I do not want to merely recount our past successes, but I want to tell you—I  must tell you—about our work and accomplishments; because as we celebrate today, we are also here to stand accountable to you, our people, from whom we were born, for who we exist. The success of that work does not belong to an individual, or even a group of individuals, it belongs to the collective strength of the ARF in our region. It belongs to our regional Gomidehyutyuns. It belongs to our youth, the Armenian Youth Federation. It belongs, to the Armenian National Committee. And it belongs to all of our sister organizations and countless volunteers who work tirelessly in service of our people.

Here are just of a few examples of the new initiatives that I would like to recognize tonight in our region and in our homeland:

  • Our ungers in the Orange County Armen Karo Gomidehyutyun, were able to contribute to the creation of a solar powered water heating system for the people of Mardagerd.
  • The San Fernando Valley Rosdom Gomidehyutyun contributed to the development of a Dental Medical Facility for the people of Hadrut.
  • The La Crescenta Zavarian Gomidehyutyun, helped purchase a much needed sanitation truck for the people of Karvajar.
  • The establishment of a new Summer Camp Program by our San Francisco Kristapor Gomideyutyun.
  • The establishment of a youth center in Gyumri through the “We are Gyumri” initiative of the Central Committee.
  • The establishment of the Gars Academy, an educational program geared to teach and create a learning environment to foster analytical thought of issues concerning our nation and people.

These new programs join many others already in existence through our Gomideyutyuns, such as day camps, social service programs, educational seminars or fundraising for our local schools and churches.

Not to mention all the others organized and executed by the AYF or the ANC, such as, The AYF Youth Corps program, founded to build a bridge between our homeland and the youth in our region, the AYF Summer Camp program, serving more than a thousand young Armenians each year, the AYF’s and Shant Student Association’s divest Turkey initiatives, to discourage investment into the republic of Turkey by the higher learning educational institutions in our region, the ANC’s internship program, developed to educate and encourage activism amongst our youth, as well as the many advocacy programs of the ANC and its local chapters.

Forgive me if I left out any other programs or activities that I should have mentioned. Our time to speak is short, and our work is a lot. But to all those volunteers, please accept our praise and gratitude.

This type of work or service to our people does not merely exist by chance. It is engrained into the very principles of our organization as I mentioned. Although much of this work has been around and initiated for some time now, it was further enforced and solidified when on January 24, 2019, the 33rd ARF World Congress declared that the ARF in the homeland and around the globe will dedicate its efforts towards Social Justice for our people through the established of programs and the newly formed ARF Office of Social Welfare.

The Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US, recommits itself to this effort and promises to continue and expand on this mission of service to our people.

Sireli Hayrenagtsiner, the work of building, strengthening and supporting our communities cannot be done by the ARF alone. It will require the dedication and commitment of all of us. We need you. The Nation needs you. Do not wait to be called up. Do not wait to be asked. Rise and lend a hand.

This is especially crucial in our region. The Western United States is the home of the most diverse and dynamic Armenian Diaspora in the world. We have communities old and new with rich histories and traditions, all woven together to create this home away from home. No one person or group represents us, yet we are one. The ARF has long been part of this rich history. And as long as we are here, we will continue to serve and protect these communities.

Thank You.

Friendship with aftertaste: Karabakh ‘awkward’ due to South Ossetia’s desire to ‘drum up hype’

Babken Chilingarian
Ekho Kavkaza, Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe's Russian-language Caucasus service
Feb 25 2019
Friendship with aftertaste

Karabakh 'awkward' due to South Ossetia's desire to 'drum up hype'
by Murat Gukemukhov
[Armenian News note: the below is translated from Russian]
On their arrival from [Georgia's breakaway] South Ossetia to [Azerbaijan's breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh capital of] Stepanakert [Xankandi], the Nagorno-Karabakh delegation denied the statement ascribed to them in Tskhinvali on the readiness of the head of the foreign agency, Masis Mayilyan, to facilitate the recognition of the genocide of the South Ossetian people.

Coverage of Karabakh FM's visit in South Ossetia

The delegation from Artsakh [Nagorno-Karabakh] headed by foreign minister Masis Mayilyan visited South Ossetia last week. The South Ossetian media covered this visit, at least its official part, quite exhaustively.

Among the publications about the visit on South Ossetian news feeds, you can see one with an expressive headline: "Artsakh is ready to provide help in recognising the genocide of the Ossetian people – foreign ministry head". Here is an abridged quotation from this material.

"Answering a question by Res [news agency] correspondent on Artsakh's readiness to assist in the recognition of the South Ossetian genocide, the head of the South Ossetian foreign ministry, Dmitry Medoyev, said at a briefing in Tskhinvali that his republic and Artsakh not only had a complicated history of emergence and development of statehood, but their tragic events also had things in common."

The publication went on, quoting Masis Mayilyan.

"This issue has never been raised, but we are always ready to discuss it and provide assistance in these matters through the Armenian dasporas."

Karabakh's denial

On the delegation's return home, the press service of the Artsakh foreign ministry made a special statement to say that during his working visit to South Ossetia, the head of the foreign agency did not discuss assistance in the recognition of the genocide of the South Ossetian people.

"It should first and foremost be stressed that at numerous bilateral meetings with our counterparts in South Ossetia, the South Ossetian side did not raise the problem of assistance in recognising the genocide of the South Ossetian people. At the same time, it is noteworthy that close and trust-based relations took shape between Artsakh and South Ossetia and there are no issues closed for discussion," the statement by the Artsakh foreign ministry said.

The video materials of the visit of the delegation of Nagorno-Karabakh comprise all issues the sides touched on. They also cover the episode, where Dmitry Medoyev draws historical parallels, speaking about similar fates of the peoples, but not a single word is said about genocide and the readiness of the Armenian counterparts to provide assistance in recognising it, although it would seem that the issue is important and had such a statement been made, it should have come into the spotlight of reports.

Russian political analyst Nikolai Silayev said that of the two publications, the denial by the Artsakh foreign ministry was more trustworthy and here is why:

[Silayev] Of course, Armenia cannot afford any positive gestures regarding South Ossetia simply because its dependence on transit via Georgian territory is critical. On the other hand, the situation is not simple, because Nagorno-Karabakh as well as South Ossetia are regions that broke away from the Soviet republics they used to be part of.

[Gukemukhov] Can it be said that the hosts put the delegation in an awkward spot?

[Silayev] Well, representatives of both Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh find themselves in an awkward situation after such statements. In addition, taking into account the close relations between Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, both find themselves in an awkward situation. On the one hand, this is the Armenian leadership, who are informally responsible for Nagorno-Karabakh before external players. At any rate, Tbilisi will ask questions. On the other hand, the leadership of the Nagorno-Karabakh are also in an awkward situation. It follows that they are forced to make some statements that they deny later. [Silayev ends]

Incidentally, those, who personally know Masis Mayilyan, describe him as an experienced politician and flatly refuse to believe that he could have made such statements.

Similar case in 2015

This story is reminiscent of another one – a report from the website of the South Ossetian parliament on a working meeting between [then South Ossetian] speaker Anatoly Bibilov and Armenian Parliament Chairman Galust Sahakyan on 1 May 2015. Here is a fragment of the publication of that time:

"South Ossetian parliament chairman Anatoly Bibilov is in the republic of Nagorno-Karabakh at the invitation of Armenian National Assembly Chairman Galust Sahakyan. Within the frames of the programme of the visit, a working meeting was held between the heads of law-making agencies of Armenia and South Ossetia, where topical issues of the development of bilateral relations were discussed.

A scandal erupted after the statement. Tbilisi demanded explanations from Yerevan. Armenian Ambassador Yuri Vardanyan was summoned to the Georgian Foreign Ministry, where then Deputy Minister Gigi Gigiadze met him. The Georgian diplomat expressed "extreme concern" over the meeting between Armenian Parliament Chairman Galust Sahakyan and Anatoly Bibilov.

The media reported that on 5 May, "a telephone conversation between the heads of the two governments was held on the initiative of Yerevan over Tbilisi's concerns about the meeting of the chairmen of the Armenian and South Ossetian parliaments. During the telephone conversation, Armenian Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan assured his Georgian counterpart Irakli Gharibashvili of unfailing support for Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty".

Hovik Abrahamyan had to offer excuses, saying that it was an "informal communication of personal nature on a day off". What, in particular, happened at that time? As eyewitnesses said, during his trip to Nagorno-Karabakh, Anatoly Ilyich [Bibilov's patronymic] expressed the desire to familiarise himself with Galust Grigoryevich [Sahakyan's patronymic]. The gust's desire was satisfied and they had a small talk.

Later, South Ossetian comrades failed to resist the desire to drum up hype. As the saying goes, they preferred to lose a friend rather than a jest. Galust Sahakyan was the first to be lost and now it is Masis Mayilyan. Armenian colleagues sadly joke in this connection, saying that it has become dangerous to communicate with South Ossetian comrades.