Author: Diana Dabaghian

Artsakh President attends Divine Liturgy at Amaras Monastery

Diana Dabaghian
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 21 2021

President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan attended a Divine Liturgy at Amaras Monsatery celebrated by His grave Archboshop Vrtanes Abrahamyan, Primate of the Artsakh Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Curch.

The President stressed the key role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in public life, assuring that, in cooperation with the Artsakh Diocese, the government will provide funds every Sunday to provide transport communication from the capital to the churches in the regions of the Republic.

Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan Vitaly Balasanyan, Head of the Martuni Region Administration Edik Avanesyan, servicemen of the Defense Army, pilgrims also took part in the liturgy.

CivilNet: Serzh Sargsyan: Armenia Fired Iskander Missiles at Shushi

Diana Dabaghian
CIVILNET.AM

03:10

[PHOTO: Shushi’s Kanach Zham church before and after destruction in November 2020. Courtesy of FIP.am]

By Emil Sanamyan

Armenia used the most advanced missile in its arsenal to strike at the Azerbaijani forces in Shushi at the end of the 44-day war, according to ex-president Serzh Sargsyan. His statement in an interview with ArmNews TV aired on February 16, echoes what many current or former officials have also been charging. As part of the wider criticism of the Armenian government’s conduct of the war, Sargsyan argued that the missiles should have been used earlier and against targets in Azerbaijan.

At the same time, Sargsyan criticized Scud missile strikes that hit residential areas of Ganja and other towns, suggesting that they only made Azerbaijani strikes against Stepanakert more indiscriminate. Scuds are older surface-to-surface missiles that are notoriously inaccurate.

In 2015, Armenia became the first country to acquire the Iskander surface-to-surface missile system from Russia. The missile is intended to accurately strike targets at hundreds of kilometres away.

Video of Armenian forces launching the Iskander missiles first surfaced on November 9, just hours before the cease-fire agreement was announced. In a press conference after the war, retired Gen. Movses Hakobyan confirmed that Iskander missiles were used, but he refused to mention their target. Shortly after, anti-government blogger Artur Danielyan claimed that the missiles were fired at Shushi in the morning of November 7, publishing a video purportedly showing their impact.

Shushi was captured by lightly armed Azerbaijani infantry with Turkish air support on November 5-6, with little Armenian resistance. Subsequently, Armenian forces made several attempts to recapture the fortress town, but failed, suffering heavy casualties.

The effect the purported Iskander strikes on Shushi had is unclear. But images from Shushi published just days after the cease-fire, showed heavy damage to the Kanach Zham church, one of its two historic Armenian churches.

Weeks earlier, while Shushi was still under Armenian control, Azerbaijan fired heavy missiles that destroyed the Shushi House of Culture on October 4, killing dozens of police officers conferencing inside. And on October 8, precision missiles were fired at the Ghazanchetsots cathedral of Shushi, heavily damaging it. No damage to Kanach Zham was visible when Azerbaijani forces first entered the town.

It remains unclear, if the destruction of Kanach Zham was caused by Azerbaijani soldiers or Armenian strikes, but it occurred some time between November 6 and the middle of November.

 

Emil Sanamyan is a South Caucasus specialist based in Washington D.C.. He is the editor of the University of Southern California Focus on Karabakh platform.

This piece was originally published in Focus on Karabakh.

Armenian Church celebrates Tiarndaraj – the Feast of the Lord’s Presentation to the Temple

Diana Dabaghian
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 14 2021

On February 14, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Lord’s Presentation to the Temple. Tiarndaraj, or Candlemas as it is known in the West, symbolizes the presentation of the 40 day-old Christ Child to the Temple in Jerusalem.

In accordance with the Law of Moses, the infant Christ was brought to the Temple by Mary and Joseph and presented to God. A man named Simeon was there, to whom it had been revealed that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord.  Simeon held the infant in his arms, blessed God, and said, “Lord, let your servant now depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your Salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people.  A Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the Glory of Your people, Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)

In the tradition of the Church, Evening Services (Nakhatonak) are conducted on the night preceding the Feast Day.  At the conclusion of the service, the priest lights a candle from the Holy Altar, and distributes the flame to all present. With great care, the faithful take the lit candles home to their families.

The morning of the Feast Day, Divine Liturgy is celebrated in Armenian Churches throughout the world. The hymn offered during the Liturgy commemorating Tiarndaraj glorifies Simeon’s articulation of “a Light to lighten the Gentiles”. The hymn praising Simeon also lauds the Mystery of the Incarnation.

Many additional customs have been inherited from the past, including the blessing of the four corners of the world in the Andastan Service, the blessing of newlywed couples, as well as offering prayers for the crops and fertility of the fields.

Source: Qahana.am

Iranian tech delegation aims to promote products in Armenia

Diana Dabaghian
Public Radio of Armenia
Feb 8 2021

 A delegation comprising representatives of 40 Iranian knowledge-based companies are scheduled to visit Armenia with the aim of promoting their technological products and expand the market in the neighboring country, Tehran Times reports.

Organized by the vice presidency for science and technology, the four-day visit will be held from February 16-19.

On January 27, Vice-President for Science and Technology, Sourena Sattari, met with Armenian Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan in Tehran to discuss ways to expand technological cooperation.

Praising Iran’s scientific and technological achievements, Kerobyan said “We agree with the implementation of a project in the field of creating a joint technology park between Iran and Armenia as soon as possible and the formation of a team to develop bilateral cooperation.”

Sattari, said for his part, that Iran has four million students with high knowledge capacity so that the country relies on them to move toward a knowledge-based economy.

There are currently 6,000 knowledge-based companies operating in Iran, and last year they generated a revenue of about $12 billion, he highlighted.

He emphasized that Iran has the largest startups in the region in the field of information and communication technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, stem cells, etc., and about 50 technology parks have been formed throughout Iran.

Noting that 98 percent of the medicine needed in the country is produced domestically, he said that a large number of Armenian scientists and academics are studying in Iranian universities.

He emphasized the need to expand cooperation in the field of joint technology parks and student exchange.

Re-launch of regular flights with Russia will contribute to tourism development, Armenian PM say

Diana Dabaghian

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 12:13, 4 February, 2021

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. During today’s Cabinet meeting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinhyan touched upon “I Am Travelling Without COVID-19” project and its implementation process, stating that a great flow of people arriving in Armenia has been observed since the launch of the program.

“This is an economic factor because during the past year many of our compatriots who wished to visit Armenia didn’t have that opportunity and now, when the air communication has resumed with Russia, it is expected that our compatriots will arrive in Armenia”, Pashinyan said.

Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan clarified that the travel model which they have agreed over with the Russian and Belarusian partners was a one-month pilot project, but according to yesterday’s decision that one-month has been removed. “Starting from February 15 we will have four flights a week on both directions. Within these three days 3900 people have left Armenia, and 3400 arrived in Armenia”, he said, adding that the number of people who departed with Armenian passports is 1423, and the number of those who arrived in Armenia with Armenian passports is 1263.

As for those citizens who departed for Russia and then returned back due to some problems, the deputy PM said this has no connection with the project app. But he noted that they will assist in solving that problem within their capacities.

PM Pashinyan tasked to conduct a necessary communication with the citizens so that they will be fully aware of the app. According to him, the resumption of regular flights with Russia will contribute to the development of tourism.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

ECHR receives Armenia v. Azerbaijan Inter-State complaint, requests concerning 228 captives

Diana Dabaghian

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 16:45, 4 February, 2021

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 4, ARMENPRESS. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) reported on February 4 that it has received Armenia’s Inter-State complaint against Azerbaijan regarding the latter’s convention violations committed during and after the 2020 Artsakh War.

The court also said that it received numerous requests under Rule 39 concerning captives and POWs lodged by Armenia or by relatives of the captives.

The requests received so far concern 228 Armenians, it said.

Armenia’s complaint concerns Azerbaijan’s violations of the right to life, prohibition of torture and inhuman treatment, the right to liberty, the right to property, the right to personal and family life, the right to education, as well as a number of other Convention rights of the population of Artsakh and Armenia. Among other things, the Government  of Armenia raised the issues pertaining to the protection of the rights of prisoners of war; individual civilian captives; displaced people; deceased and wounded persons and their relatives; persons lost their property; local and international reporters, have been raised in the Application. A large amount of evidence has been submitted along with the Application.

Editing by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian artists submit pledge for changing pre-trial measure against Karabakh ex-MP and freedom fighter

Diana Dabaghian
News.am, Armenia
Feb 5 2021
23:01, 05.02.2021

People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia, opera singer Hasmik Papyan and painter, public figure Zaruhi Muradyan have submitted their personal pledges for changing the arrest pre-trial measure against former deputy of the National Assembly of Armenia, freedom fighter Vahan Badasyan. This is what Badasyan’s attorney Arayik Papikyan wrote on his Facebook page.

On January 29, the Yerevan court of general jurisdiction satisfied the motion of the investigator of the National Security Service of Armenia to choose arrest as a pre-trial measure against Vahan Badasyan.

The attorney will apply to the Court of Appeal to appeal the court’s decision.

On January 28, the National Security Service detained Vahan Badasyan for the statements he made during a conversation with reporters at Yerablur Military Pantheon. Badasyan had declared that Nikol Pashinyan needs to be removed from power and that if he doesn’t leave, he must be physically eliminated. “There are different ways to remove, even physically removing him. This assumes elimination of the enemy, even with weapons. Yes, I am consciously making calls for threats, let the National Security Service detain me,” he said.

Vahan Badasyan is charged with making public calls to seize power, violate territorial integrity or forcefully overthrow the constitutional order.

Where We Are Going Today: Sosi Where We Are Going Today: Sosi

Diana Dabaghian
Arab News, Saudi Arabia
Feb 2 2021

  • A diverse menu features dishes you might find at a traditional Moroccan family dinner, but also special selections of Armenian cuisine

Sosi, an upmarket Middle Eastern restaurant in Jeddah, draws its inspiration from ancient Armenian and Moroccan cultures.
From the chandeliers and sofas to the cutlery and royal blue decoration, the atmosphere is one of opulence.
A diverse menu features dishes you might find at a traditional Moroccan family dinner, but also special selections of Armenian cuisine.
In addition to the well-known Moroccan plum tajine, Sosi also offers a popular Moroccan classic, pastillah, a fried pie filled with cooked chicken seasoned with saffron and almonds. The pie is topped with caster sugar, cinnamon and crushed nuts — a combination of sweet and salty flavors.
Sosi’s range of Armenian appetizers come with with a modern touch, including a large kibbeh split into two and topped with yogurt and sharp cherry extract.
The restaurant can be booked as a whole venue for parties, and will offer a customized menu and theme if required.
Located in U Shape Center, Al-Rawdah district. For more information visit Instagram @sosicuisine.

Artsakh Defense Army denies reports on capturing of 15 Armenian soldiers

Diana Dabaghian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 29 2021

The Artsakh Defense Army denies reports claiming 15 Armenian soldiers were captured.

Referring to materials circulating on the web, the Ministry said “those have no real basis, are completely imaginary, and aim to tarnish the reputation of the structure that performs its task in the difficult post-war conditions.”

“In particular, various Internet users have been spreading information about the capture of 15 Armenian soldiers, about some episodes of the 44-day war, the name of the commander of the N military unit, Colonel Gor Ishkhanyan is also being speculated in connection with changes in military positions,” the Ministry stated.

“Taking into account the sensitivity of the people to any news related to the army, we reaffirm that no serviceman of the army was taken prisoner today or during the previous days. During the war, the military unit under the command of Colonel Ishkhanyan performed the assigned tasks exclusively on the basis of the orders of the superior command. There was a need to implement the provisions of the tripartite declaration. He did not surrender a single position to the enemy during the hostilities, and the withdrawal after the war (also from the areas where there were command posts, fortifications) was due to the need to implement the provisions of the tripartite statement,” the Defense Ministry said.

The Defense Ministry asks to refrain from spreading false information, noting that it does not contribute at all to strengthening the defense capacity of the homeland.

CivilNet: The Call For a Truth Commission to Study the Artsakh War

Diana Dabaghian
CIVILNET.AM

20 January, 2021 18:28

CivilNet’s Eric Hacopian talks to Political Science Professor Nerses Kopalyan on the consequences of the Second Karabakh War, bringing parallels with other international cases.

Dr. Nerses Kopalyan teaches at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is specialized in international relations, geopolitics, political theory, and philosophy of science.