Author: Garo Vardanian

Russia, Turkey Open Monitoring Center for Nagorno-Karabakh

Garo Vardanian
Tasnim News Agency, Iran
Jan 30 2021
  • January, 30, 2021 – 16:04
– Other Media news –

The center, which both countries agreed to set up in November, was officially opened in the Agdam region of Azerbaijan. It will be staffed by up to 60 servicemen each from Turkey and from Russia, the defense ministry said in a statement, Reuters reported.

After six weeks of fighting, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a Russia-brokered ceasefire for the enclave, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but mainly populated by ethnic Armenians.

Turkey said on Friday that one Turkish general and 38 personnel will work at the centre.

The Russian Defense Ministry, quoted by Interfax, said that “monitoring will be carried out through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles as well as the evaluation of data received from other sources”.

Turkey backs Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, and has criticized the co-chairs of the OSCE’s so-called Minsk Group for not resolving the long-running conflict in decades of mediation. The Minsk Group is led by the United States, France and Russia.

Artsakh ex-lawmaker arrested for making “threatening” statement against Prime Minister

Garo Vardanian

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 12:12,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. A former lawmaker from Artsakh has been arrested for what authorities described as “threatening” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Vahan Badasyan, an ex-Member of Parliament of Artsakh and the president of the United Armenia political party, is arrested for a statement he made on January 28 when asked by reporters about potential options of ousting the Premier. “[There are] different [ways], up to physically removing [him], this implies that we should remove the enemy, even with arms”, he had said.  This statement was deemed by authorities as having contained a death threat against Pashinyan, and the ex-MP was taken into custody by National Security Service operatives the same day.

The National Security Service said their investigators have filed a motion to a court requesting to remand Badasyan in pre-trial detention.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

ANCA congratulates Biden, outlines Armenia-related priorities

Garo Vardanian
Public Radio of Armenia
Jan 20 2021
– Public Radio of Armenia

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has congratulated Joe Biden on his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States of America.

“We join with our community, coalition partners, and Congressional allies in encouraging the Administration to engage constructively and cooperatively on U.S. policy priorities impacting Armenia, Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), Eurasia, Eastern Mediterranean, and the Greater Middle East,” ANCA said.

“In light of the past Administration’s passivity and the aggressive intervention of hostile regional powers, the United States must now pivot toward a pro-active approach that protects and promotes the Artsakh Republic’s security; holds Baku and Ankara responsible for their war crimes and ongoing hostility; strengthens the U.S.-Armenia Strategic Partnership, and; locks-in permanent U.S. Executive Branch remembrance of the Armenian Genocide,” ANCA added.

Urgent Biden Administration attention – in its first days in office – is required to restore stability, promote peace, and check Aliyev and Erdogan’s genocidal pan-Turkish plans:

— ASSISTANCE FOR ARTSAKH/ARMENIA: An emergency $250 million humanitarian assistance package to meet humanitarian needs and safely and sustainably return Armenian refugees to their homes in Artsakh, and a new Millennium Challenge compact to support high-tech education in Armenia.

— MILITARY AID/SALES TO AZERBAIJAN/TURKEY: Full enforcement of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act; suspension of all U.S. military and security assistance to Azerbaijan and Turkey, and; the denial of all new arms-export licenses to both Azerbaijan and Turkey.

–– SANCTIONS: Global Magnitsky and other statutory sanctions against the Aliyev and Erdogan regimes for the serious human rights abuses they committed during Azerbaijan’s aggression against Artsakh, including the use of Foreign Terrorist Fighters recruited by Turkey.

— INVESTIGATION INTO U.S. PARTS IN AZERBAIJANI DRONES: A joint State Department, Pentagon, and Department of Justice investigation into U.S. parts discovered in Turkish drones used by Azerbaijan to attack Artsakh.

— RELEASE OF PRISONERS: U.S. leadership in securing Azerbaijan’s release of Armenian civilians and soldiers, many of whom have been tortured, mutilated, and murdered on social media.

— PROTECTION OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES: A high-profile U.S. role in documenting, monitoring, protecting, and preserving Armenian churches and other holy and cultural sites in areas currently under Azerbaijani military control.

— RECOGNITION OF ARTSAKH: U.S. recognition of the Artsakh Republic’s independence as an urgent remedial action required for the very survival of the Christian Armenian population of this ancient Armenian land.

— RESET OF U.S.-ARMENIA RELATIONS: An upgraded strategic partnership focused on concrete economic and military cooperation that supports and sustains the security of both Armenia and Artsakh.

Opposition MP: If we don’t safeguard security of Syunik, whole of Armenia will be endangered

Garo Vardanian
Panorama, Armenia
Jan 21 2021

“Last weekend we paid a visit to Syunik Province. We also visited the villages of Vorotan and Shurnukh, which are facing serious problems,” MP Mikayel Melkumyan from the opposition Prosperous Armenia Party told a briefing at the parliament on Thursday.

According to him, the 12 houses of Shurnukh that fell under the control of Azerbaijan are located on the left side of Goris-Kapan highway. He said some of the people living in those houses have been provided with temporary housing in huts, while others have nowhere to stay.

“We raised the issue of the security of Syunik also at yesterday’s Q&A session with the government. We made it clear that Syunik is in danger. 4.5 km of the road to Shurnukh is controlled by Azerbaijan. In fact, you enter Azerbaijan, then leave and enter it again. While you completely come under fire in Shurnukh,” the lawmaker said.

In his words, border delimitation with the use of GPS has caused serious risks.

Meanwhile, Mikayel Melkumyan said that their visits to Syunik will be continuous. "If we fail to safeguard the security of Syunik, the whole of Armenia will be endangered,” he stated. 

  

Rep. Manoogian Appointed Minority Vice Chair of House Committee on Energy

Garo Vardanian

January 21,  2020



Mari Manoogian

LANSING, Mich.,— Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Jason Wentworth (R-Farwell) on Thursday appointed State Rep. Mari Manoogian (D-Birmingham) to serve as Minority Vice Chair of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Energy for the 101st Legislature. In response, Rep. Manoogian released the following statement:

“It is an honor to be appointed to serve as Minority Vice Chair for the Committee on Energy,” said Rep. Manoogian. “Michigan has an opportunity to lead the nation in delivering clean, renewable, reliable energy to our residents, to chart the course for building infrastructure befitting of the advances in electric vehicle technology, and to ensure fair and safe energy worker conditions. As the daughter of a retired utility worker and Chief of Staff for the Utility Workers Union of America, I know the critical role this industry plays in providing good paying jobs that can support a family and keeping our state’s economy powered. I look forward to working with Chairman Bellino (R-Monroe) and my colleagues on the committee to create an energy future that works for everyday Michiganders.”

Rep. Manoogian was also reappointed to serve on the House Committee on Commerce and Tourism.

Foreign Minister sees need for forming common agenda of Armenian side over NK issue

Garo Vardanian

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 16:52,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Aivazian sees need for formation of a common agenda of the Armenian side over the Nagorno Karabakh issue.

“The conflict has entered into new stage where it is necessary to form a common agenda of the Armenian sides. In this respect the recent visit to Artsakh was very important where we have discussed the necessity of forming a common agenda and coordinating our actions”, the FM said during a Q&A session in the Parliament, in response to the question of the ruling My Step faction MP Tatevik Hayrapetyan.

The minister said the contradictory statements of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev are condemnable which, he added, prove that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is not completely solved.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Artsakh Soldier Injured as Azerbaijan Violates Ceasefire

Garo Vardanian

January 13,  2020



A soldier on the frontline

The Artsakh Armed Forces reported that one of its soldiers was injured when Azerbaijani forces opened fire from Shushi on Artsakh military positions on Wednesday.

The Defense Army said that the 20-year-old soldier, Vartan Kirakosyan was in “serious but stable” condition after undergoing surgery in an Artsakh hospital

The Artsakh Army said that is has launched an investigation into the “blatant violation” of the Russian-brokered November 9 ceasefire agreement.

Azerbaijan did not immediately comment on the reported incident.

The Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh said they have no information on the Azeri ceasefire breach.

“We do not have such information,” Russian peacekeeping contingent representative Nikolay Kruchinin told Armenpress.

Artsakh’s foreign ministry was quick to strongly condemn the ceasefire violation and characterized it “as an effort aimed at destabilizing the situation in the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict zone and disrupting the peacekeeping efforts.”

“This kind of dangerous behavior is unacceptable and is a gross violation of the trilateral statement of the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan of November 9, 2020 on a complete cease-fire and cessation of all military operations in the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict zone. We call on Azerbaijan to strictly follow the commitments taken under the trilateral statement and refrain from provocative actions that could undermine the current truce,” said the foreign ministry.

Armenpress: Biden names Ike Hajinazarian as White House Regional Communications Director

Garo Vardanian

Biden names Ike Hajinazarian as White House Regional Communications Director

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 15:04,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. US President-elect Joe Biden has named Ike Hajinazarian as the White House Regional Communications Director.

Ike Hajinazarian most recently served as the Western Pennsylvania Regional Press Secretary for the Biden campaign after working on the campaign in communications roles during the primary and general elections in New Hampshire, Nevada, Texas, Ohio, and other states, Biden’s office said in a news release.

Prior to joining the campaign, he worked on Capitol Hill, first as Press Assistant to Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana, and later as the Deputy Press Secretary on the House Homeland Security Committee’s Majority Staff. Born in Columbus, Ohio to Lebanese-Armenian immigrant parents, Hajinazarian is a graduate of Indiana University and the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management.

Pashinyan holds consultations with representatives of different political forces

Garo Vardanian

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 14:57,

YEREVAN, JANUARY 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan continues consultations with the representatives of political forces, the PM’s Office told Armenpress.

The PM met today with President of the Republic party Aram Sargsyan and President of the United Working party Gurgen Arsenyan.

During the meeting issues relating to holding snap parliamentary elections in 2021, returning the Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan and the economic development prospects were discussed.

Pashinyan listened to the opinions and approaches of the party representatives.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

11 more bodies found in Artsakh during search operations

Garo Vardanian
Panorama, Armenia
Jan 12 2021
 
 
Bodies of 10 servicemen and a civilian have been found during the search operations in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, in particular in the directions of Sghnakh, Jabrayil and Hadrut, Armenian news agency reports, citing the official of the State Emergency Service of Artsakh Hunan Tadevosyan.
 
“The bodies of the fallen servicemen were found from the sections of the military positions. The dead civilian is an elderly man. His body was found at home. He has been identified. Forensic examination has been set to clarify the circumstances of his death.
 
So far, a total of 1222 bodies of servicemen and civilians have been found during the search operations," the source quoted Tadevosyan as saying.
 
It is noted that the search operations will continue on Tuesday in Hadrut, Fizuli and Jabrayil directions.