Author: Boris Nahapetian

Turkey drew up plans to invade Greece and Armenia – secret documents

Boris Nahapetian
Jerusalem Post
 
 
 
 
It is believed that the plans were prepared as a contingency regarding developments in Syria, to maintain offensive and deterrence capabilities on the Western front while moving troops.
 
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF   JUNE 16, 2020 19:43
 
Turkey developed a plan for a possible invasion of Greece named after an 11th century Turkish military commander, Nordic Monitor reported citing secret documents.
The documents were part of a PowerPoint presentation that was supposedly planned by the Turkish general staff for internal planning review.
 
 
Titled “TSK Çakabey Harekât Planlama Direktifi” (Turkish Armed Forces Çakabey Operation Planning Directive), the presentation was dated June 13, 2014. According to the Nordic Monitor report, this suggests the plan was likely updated and finalized after a review of some earlier draft, and that the plan could still be active.
Also included in the same document were plans to invade Armenia, the operation in this case being titled “TSK Altay Harekât Planlama Direktifi,” which was dated August 15, 2000.
The documents were exchanged by top general staff commanders via a secure internal email system, the news portal reported. They appear to have been accidentally leaked in a court case file in Ankara that prosecutor Serdar Coşkun submitted to the court as part of an investigation into the failed military coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in July 2016.
All of the general staff's emails from the two months preceding the coup were seized by the prosecution.
The general staff had panicked over the possible leaking of the classified documents and urged the court to allow the documents to be screened before being presented. It appears, however, that the prosecutors ignored these concerns, the Nordic Monitor reported.
 
However, while the plans were named in the document, any specific details were omitted, likely being classified and therefore not shared through the network.
It is believed that the plans were prepared as a contingency regarding developments in Syria, in order to maintain offensive and deterrence capabilities on the Western front while moving troops, according to Nordic Monitor.
The inspiration for the operation's name, Çaka Bey, better known as Chaka Bey and Tzachas, was a Seljuk Turk military commander and ruler of an independent state based in modern day Izmir. Chaka Bey was originally a commander in the service of the Byzantine Empire, but rebelled and began seizing power through conquest. At one point, he even declared himself Byzantine emperor.
Chaka Bey is a much revered figure in Turkey, with the Turkish Naval Command listing him as the first Turkish admiral and founder of the first modern Turkish navy; there is even a statue of him in their museum in Istanbul, the Nordic Monitor reported.
The revelations also come in the wake of renewed anti-Greek rhetoric on the part of the Erdoğan regime, which according to the report it has been scaling up since 2013, giving the example of a March 2019 announcement publicly supporting calls to convert the Hagia Sophia from a museum back into a mosque – which they announced as a response to US President Donald Trump's recognition of Israeli sovereignty of the Golan Heights and east Jerusalem.
The decision sparked backlash from Greece, with the building having had a long history as a Greek Orthodox cathedral before being converted into a mosque following Ottoman conquest of the city. It was converted into a museum in 1935.
Greek Foreign Minister George Katrougalos criticized Erdoğan's remarks at the time, saying: "Any questioning of this status is not just an insult to the sentiments of Christians, it is an insult to the international community and international law," according the Middle East Eye.
They also come amid Turkey's attempts to increase its sphere of influence in the region, including its involvement in conflicts in Syria and Libya.
 

Azerbaijani press: Separatists hastily sweeping away their traces in Germany

Boris Nahapetian
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  • NAGORNO KARABAKH CONFLICT

Arzach.de website, created by Armenia on behalf of its puppet regime in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region, has been closed down!

AzerTag informs that a relevant decision was made by the German authorities after taking into account Azerbaijanis’ urgent appeals pointing out the fact that this website was propagating separatism and occupation, as well as was calling for the prevention of the return of civilians to their homes. Through the website launched in the German domain, the Armenian authorities were also trying to attract German tourists to travel to the occupied Azerbaijani territories.

Besides, the Facebook profile of Harutyun Grigoryan, introducing himself as the “ambassador” of the separatist regime to Germany has been deleted. Maybe his profile was deleted by the administration of the social network after the appeals of Azerbaijani users.

It is also reported that the Berlin-based office of the “European Center of Artsakh Studies” has recently been closed.

Armenian human rights defender reacts to Azerbaijani ombudsperson’s distortion of his remarks

Boris Nahapetian
Panorama, Armenia

Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan had reacted to the Azerbaijani ombudsperson’s remarks. A statement issued by Tatoyan on Friday reads:

"The Human Rights Defender of Armenia, when presenting the 2019 Annual Report to the National Assembly of Armenia, stressed that human rights are universal categories and that rights of all persons, including children, women, people with disabilities living in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), should be protected, regardless of the political status of the territory or other political factors, whether it is a conflict or postconflict area. This is a well-known concept driven by a status neutral principle within International Human Rights Standards.

Additionally, in response to the question from a member of the Armenian parliament regarding whether the Human Rights Defender of Armenia anticipates cooperation with his Azerbaijani counterpart on human rights issues, Mr. Arman Tatoyan noted that he has not yet met the new Ombudsperson of the neighboring country, but he is ready to meet his counterpart, for example, within international meetings, should such an opportunity present. Thus, the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia expressed his readiness for the meeting. Moreover, the Defender emphasized that he believes it would be appropriate if the Human Rights Defender or civil society of Artsakh participate in human rights related international discussions or discussions on rights of Armenians living in Artsakh.

Immediately after parliamentary discussions, Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan (Ombudsperson) Sabina Aliyeva made an official statement, accompanied by inaccurate, political comments clearly atypical of a head of a human rights institution, quoting the official positions of her country's political authorities, even considering the issue from the perspective of the OSCE Minsk Group's activities dealing with the political solution of the conflict, also using expressions that generate aggression and hatred. Moreover, the statements of the Azerbaijani Commissioner for Human Rights were accompanied by public insults addressed to the Armenian Human Rights Defender, noting that the Armenian Human Rights Defender "turned legal issues into objects of political manipulation and organized a cheap show by primitive methods."

Besides, the Azerbaijani Ombudsperson put forward a political precondition for meeting with the Armenian Human Rights Defender, stating that “the negotiations with the Human Rights Ombudsman of Armenia will be possible only after the elimination of occupation.”

The Armenian Human Rights Defender has to respond to these political and insulting statements of the Azerbaijani Ombudsperson, to prevent distortion of statements and position, as well as presentation of false information to international partners.

The Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan regrets that his Azerbaijani counterpart makes political statements. Nonetheless, we refrain from commenting on the statements, given that it is not appropriate for a human rights institution to do so. We regret that the Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan sets a political precondition for the cooperation between the two institutions, obviously following the political framework of the Azerbaijani authorities.

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia was hoping that the new Ombudsperson of Azerbaijan could adopt new approaches for cooperation that could be in accordance with international human rights principles and standards; however, by presenting an approach identical to the official political propaganda shows that nothing has changed in this regard.

Political neutrality of ombudspersons and national human rights institutions is one of the basic principles of their apolitical activity. This cooperation is to ensure the effective protection of human rights. Hence, there should be no political preconditions for cooperation between ombudsperson institutions in establishing and guaranteeing an agenda for human rights.

Human rights protection is of the universal nature. Hence, the guarantee and protection of the human rights of people living in Artsakh should not depend on the disaccord related to the political status of Artsakh.

Women, children, persons with disabilities, who live in Artsakh cannot be deprived of legal protection; that would contradict the international legal principles. Participation of the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh and the civil society in international human rights discussions and meetings has an irreplaceable role because political factors should have no impact on human rights."

Armenia imports raw materials for production of Covid-19 tests

Boris Nahapetian
Public Radio of Armenia
May 15 2020

On May 14, the third special flight organized by Commandant’s Office transferred a new batch of medical supplies and equipment from China to Armenia.

The cargo includes protective medical masks, personal protective equipment (PPE), gloves and glasses, medicines and laboratory raw materials for COVID-19 diagnosis tests, devices and means for disinfection,
monitors, air supply devices, artificial respiration and oxygen supply devices.

Most supplies were purchased on funds from the state budget of the Republic of Armenia.

Medical supplies and equipment procured by the United Nations World Food Programme with financial support of the EU and other international donors, as well those donated by China’s state agencies, the Armenian and Chinese benefactors were also transferred to Armenia.

Cypriot-Armenians fund construction of solar station in Vayots Dzor

Boris Nahapetian
Public Radio of Armenia
May 7 2020


Construction of a solar station has started in Vayots Dzor’s Saravan community. The $9 million investment will be completed within the next year, Diaspora High Commissioner’s Office reports.

The project is finded by Cypriot-Armenian businessmen David and Alexander Petrosyan and Ashot Mkrtchyan. Inspired by the changes in Armenia, they decided to make the investment after meeting with High Commissioner Zareh Sinanyan in Cyprus ten months ago.  

 Ashot Mkrtchyan says they have turned their attention to the homeland, and investments in other areas are also possible.

MP Vardges Mahdesyan, representative of the Armenian community in the Cypriot House of Representatives, expressed his confidence that the Republic of Cyrus’ experience in the field of solar energy will greatly contribute to the success of the investment. According to the MP, this initiative will promote the development of Armenia-Cyprus relations, as well as the strengthening of homeland-Diaspora ties and Armenia’s economic progress.

David Petrosyan, a Cypriot-Armenian businessman and co-investor, praised the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner and the role of Zareh Sinanyan in the decision-making process. According to the businessman, this initiative is especially valuable in terms of ensuring Armenia’s energy security.

Armenia reports 82 new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 2,148

Boris Nahapetian
Public Radio of Armenia
May 1 2020


Armenia has reported 82 more cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number to 2,148.

The results of 970 tests have been negative.

According to the data of the National Center for Disease Control, 48 patients have recovered; a total of 977 people have now been discharged from hospital.

Thirty-three deaths have been reported.

The number of active cases is 1,136.

Composer Vladilen Balyan to be bestowed with title of Honorary Citizen of Yerevan

Boris Nahapetian

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 16:41,

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. People’s Artist of Armenia, Composer Vladilen Balyan will be bestowed with the title of Honorary Citizen of Yerevan on his 96th anniversary of birth for the great contribution and productive activity in the field of music art, development of culture in Yerevan.

The respective decision was approved unanimously today at the session of the Yerevan City Council.

 

Reporting by Lilit Demuryan; Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

The White House: Statement by the President on Armenian Remembrance Day

Boris Nahapetian
The White House, Washington, DC
 
 
Statement by the President on Armenian Remembrance Day
 
 LAW & JUSTICE
 
  Issued on:
 
Today, we join the global community in memorializing the lives lost during the Meds Yeghern, one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century.  Beginning in 1915, 1 and a half million Armenians were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths in the final years of the Ottoman Empire.  On this day of remembrance, we pay respect to those who suffered and lost their lives, while also renewing our commitment to fostering a more humane and peaceful world.
 
Every year on April 24, we reflect on the strong and enduring ties between the American and Armenian peoples.  We are proud of the founders of the American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief, a ground-breaking effort established in 1915 that provided crucial humanitarian support to Armenian refugees, and grateful for the thousands of Americans who contributed or volunteered to help Armenians expelled from their homes.
 
On this day, we bear witness to the strength and resiliency of the Armenian people in the face of tragedy.  We are fortunate that so many Armenians have brought their rich culture to our shores and contributed so much to our country, including decorated soldiers, celebrated entertainers, renowned architects, and successful businesspeople.
 
We welcome efforts by the Armenians and Turks to acknowledge and reckon with their painful history.  On this day, we believe it is our obligation to remember those who suffered and perished and reaffirm our commitment to protecting vulnerable religious and ethnic minorities around the world.

Azerbaijani press: Azerbaijan, Armenia agree to continue negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as soon as possible

Boris Nahapetian

Tue 21 Apr 2020 17:53 GMT | 21:53 Local Time

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On , the video-conference between the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia was held with the participation of OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs and the personal representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, News.Az reports.

The consultations between the sides lasted more than one hour and a half.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on the region and recent developments on the ground.

The sides considered the next steps in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process in line with the joint statement adopted in Geneva on 30 January 2020.

It was noted that, because of the extraordinary situation resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak, the implementation of previously agreed humanitarian measures, as well as the Ministerial meetings and the visits of the Co-Chairs to the region have been postponed. Nevertheless, it was underlined that the necessary work to prepare these activities continues.

The importance of observing the ceasefire strictly and refraining from provocative actions in the current environment was emphasized.

The position of Azerbaijan on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict remains unchanged. It is based on the norms and principles of international law, as enshrined in the UN Charter and OSCE Helsinki Final Act and the implementation of the related UN Security Council resolutions.

The sides agreed to remain in contact and continue negotiations as soon as possible.

Azerbaijan is insisting that substantive talks must be intensified as there is no way to move out of the situation which region is facing now. The OSCE Co-Chairs are considering the opportunities to move forward the peace process without military consequences.

Armenian PM hosts President-elect of Artsakh

Boris Nahapetian

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 11:39,

YEREVAN, APRIL 18, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan hosted newly-elected President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

Pashinyan once again congratulated Mr. Harutyunyan on his victory in the presidential election, wishing success in this responsible position. The officials highlighted the active cooperation between Armenia and Artsakh in all areas.

Arayik Harutyunyan introduced the Armenian PM on his upcoming actions and plans.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan