Author: Greg Madatian

Azerbaijani press: Ambassador: Malaysia welcomes all possible joint projects with Azerbaijan [PHOTO]

Greg Madatian
10:59 (UTC+04:00)
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Trend's exclusive interview with Ambassador of Malaysia to Azerbaijan, Dato’ Yubazlan Yusof.

Many Malaysian companies are looking at the potential of business opportunities in Azerbaijan, Ambassador of Malaysia to Azerbaijan, Dato’ Yubazlan Yusof told Trend.

"We have and continue to encourage Malaysian companies to be involved in the dynamics of Azerbaijan economic spheres," added the ambassador.

The ambassador noted that if the conditions are conducive and there are available opportunities, Malaysia would like to welcome all possible and potential joint projects and collaborations in the future from both sides.

In terms of exciting cooperation, the ambassador noted that Malaysia’s investment in Azerbaijan is currently focused on the oil and gas industry.

"As a global energy and solutions company, PETRONAS portfolio includes conventional and unconventional resources and a diverse range of fuel, lubricant and petrochemical products," he added.

In terms of PETRONAS activities in Azerbaijan, the ambassador added that the company has acquired a 15.5 percent stake in the Shah Deniz II production sharing agreement operated by a consortium of companies, 15.5 percent share in the South Caucasus Pipeline Company (SCPC), 15.5 percent share in the SCPC holding company, and 12.4 percent share in the Azerbaijan Gas Supply Company (AGSC). The total expenditure by PETRONAS in Azerbaijan thus far is estimated at $5 billion.
As a stakeholder, PETRONAS's role is to manage its stakes while working together with the other concessionaires to ensure the success of the project.

Furthermore, the ambassador pointed out PETRONAS’ contribution to Azerbaijan’s Coronavirus Response Fund.

"Malaysian PETRONAS has contributed 10,000 manats ($5,882) to the Coronavirus Response Fund," he said.

"In Azerbaijan, PETRONAS as one of the co-ventures in the Shah Deniz Consortium has continuously supported the Operator to carry out all necessary measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the operations in Shah Deniz to ensure it continues to run safely and efficiently across the value chain," added the ambassador.

The ambassador added, that PETRONAS is working closely with the relevant authorities on the requirements during this COVID-19 pandemic, and will continue to exercise strict compliance with the Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) standards and best practices.

He added that among the non-oil sectors of Azerbaijan, Malaysia is interested in the tourism industry, alternative banking, information technology & multimedia, as well as education.

Furthermore, he noted that the enhancement of connectivity could strengthen trade and economic cooperation through physical, institutions, and people-to-people linkages between the two countries.

In terms of cooperation, the ambassador also added that direct flight between Malaysia and Azerbaijan would be an impetus to establish the transport corridor between regions and expand the bilateral cooperation in many potential areas.
"This would be beneficial for our growing economies as it will provide the linkages bilaterally, regionally, and multilaterally as well as contributing to the development of the surrounding economic zones," he said.

Another sector with the growth potential was tourism. The ambassador highlighted that the tourism sector would encourage people-to-people connectivity through social and cultural exchange and also cultivate the growth of the bilateral trade and economy as it can integrate the growing regional community through the development of crucial infrastructures in regions.

Overall, talking about the countries’ cooperation it was noted that both Malaysia and Azerbaijan are interested in mutual economic cooperation and highly focused to strengthen the existing good relations.

Ambassador also highlighted its support in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
"Malaysia gives its full support to Azerbaijan when it comes to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and has always shown its support and solidarity for Azerbaijan through The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations (UN)."

"Malaysia reaffirms the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of Azerbaijan and the inadmissibility of the use of force by Armenia," added the ambassador.

The ambassador added that Malaysia will continue to support international efforts for the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of all Armenian Armed Forces from all occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

"Malaysia strongly urges the Government of Armenia to fulfill its international obligations, adherence to all UN resolutions and end their occupation of Azerbaijan's territories, as it is the only viable and long-term solution to the root causes of the conflict," noted the ambassador.

In terms of recent Armenian provocation on the border area with Azerbaijan, which resulted in casualties, including among the civilian population of Azerbaijan, the ambassador expressed deepest condolences to the loss of lives.

"Malaysia calls for an immediate end to the fighting and for the parties involved, to take necessary steps to de-escalate the situation outside of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict region," noted the ambassador.

—

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz  

ARS Guidance Center Offers Mental Health Services During COVID-19

Greg Madatian
September 3,  2020


Armenian Relief Society

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Armenian Relief Society of Western USA’s Child, Youth and Family Guidance Center has been offering psychotherapy services to the community.

The team of professionals at the Guidance Center work under the supervision of Dr. Ida Karayan. During these difficult times, you may be experiencing excessive emotions due to fear or uncertainty and it can be helpful to talk to a therapist when dealing with such challenges.

We are here to help you and you can reach us at (818) 546-2744.
ARS Regional Headquarters address:
517 West Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91202

Kavkaz 2020: Why Russia’s Latest Military Drills Are a Golden Opportunity for Pakistan

Greg Madatian 
The Diplomat

Kavkaz 2020: Why Russia’s Latest Military Drills Are a Golden
Opportunity for Pakistan
By Shahid Hussain

Beyond a chance to deepen ties with Russia, Pakistan hopes to build
bridges with Central Asian countries through the Kavkaz 2020
exercises.

In the late 1970s, the Pakistani and Russian militaries faced off
against each other in the mountains of Afghanistan, albeit indirectly.
The conflict between the two started in 1979 when the Soviet army
marched into Kabul in support of the Afghan Communist Party. Pakistan
and America responded swiftly, funding and equipping the mujahideen as
well as providing safe haven for them to regroup in Pakistan’s
mountainous North West Frontier Province. The war rumbled on through
the 1980s and, throughout this period, Islamabad’s support for the
Afghan insurgency was unwavering. After sustained losses, the Soviet
Union withdrew from Afghanistan and in little more than a year, the
USSR itself would collapse.

Three decades later, Pakistan and Russia have met again on the
battlefield — but this time on the same side as part of joint military
exercises. Not only do these exercises mark a significant shift from
the mutual hostility of the 1980s, but they also stand to create a
number of opportunities for Pakistan and the wider erstwhile Soviet
world. The latest installment of exercises including both Russia and
Pakistan comes with the multilateral Kavkaz 2020 military drills.

The exercises will take place close to Russia’s southern city of
Astrakhan. The list of participating countries is impressive,  ranging
from Pakistan and Belarus to Azerbaijan and China. The drills include
war games and joint training, as well as the opportunity for
participants to show off their latest military technology and
hardware. This is not the first time Pakistan has participated in the
drills with Russia and Central Asian countries. For example, last year
Islamabad sent a contingent to the Tsentr 2019 exercise along with
Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and India.

However, this year is different.

India has recently announced it will not be participating in the
exercise. New Delhi was due to send around 200 soldiers, including
infantry, naval, and air force personnel, only to announce on Saturday
that it was withdrawing from the event. The stated reason was
difficulties due to COVID-19, even though officials speaking
anonymously pointed to India’s recent tensions with China as a factor
behind the decision. Furthermore, the prospect of training alongside
the Pakistani army almost certainty tilted the balance against
participation. While we are likely to see Indian officials emphasizing
their close military and strategic relationship with Russia in the
coming days, there is no doubt Moscow will be somewhat frustrated at
India’s sudden decision to pull out of the event.

For the Russian military, the sheer number and range of participants
alone marks a triumph of sorts and sends a defiant message to the West
and particularly the United States. India’s absence threatens this
messaging to a degree. This sudden reversal, alongside Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s close relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump,
provides Pakistan an opportunity to cement its friendship with
President Vladimir Putin and Moscow.

However, aside from improving relations with Russia, the Kavkaz
military drills are an important opportunity for Pakistan to solidify
and develop its relationship with the former Soviet world. Russia’s
ally in the Caucasus, Armenia, will be attending the event. Pakistan
refuses to acknowledge the existence of Armenia in support of
Islamabad’s iron-clad ally Azerbaijan. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are
currently engaged in a long-standing territorial dispute over the
region of Nagorno-Karabakh. While it is unlikely Pakistan will want to
upset Baku, the drills provide an opportunity for Pakistani and
Armenian troops to participate in the drills together, which could be
an important step toward improving relations. Despite the prospect of
Pakistan formally recognizing Armenia being a long way off, the mere
presence of the two armies together is symbolic.

Belarus will also send a contingent to the event — another country in
the former Soviet Union Pakistan has maintained a surprisingly warm
relationship with. President Alexander Lukashenko — who is under
significant pressure from the West over his controversial re-election
— is keen to further ties with as many allies as possible, including
Pakistan. Recently, he sent Independence Day greetings to Islamabad,
stating “Pakistan had succeeded in building an independent state” and
emphasizing the “great prospects” between the two unlikely allies.
Given this background, it is unsurprising Pakistan has refrained from
criticizing Lukashenko. The presence of both militaries in southern
Russia could act as a catalyst for stronger defense ties between
Islamabad and Minsk.

Pakistan can also use the opportunity to reset relations closer to
home. The scenic Wakan corridor separates Pakistan and Tajikistan and
at their closest point, the two countries are a mere 10 miles apart.
Despite historical and cultural ties between the two Asian nations
(both were part of the Arab Umayyad and Persian Empires) and their
joint participation in several infrastructure and energy projects (the
Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Program),
Tajikistan plays host to India’s only air force base outside of its
borders. The Farkhor Air Base lies around 81 miles southeast of
Dushanbe and perilously close to Pakistan’s northern border with
Afghanistan. Indian fighter jets taking off from the base can reach
Pakistani airspace in little more than a few minutes.

Naturally, this has put a significant strain on relations with
Islamabad. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are no major military ties or
significant arms deals between Pakistan and Tajikistan, and if the
former plays its cards right, it could use the drills as an
opportunity to pull Tajikistan away from India’s military grip.

Military drills are often seen as a show of common strength between
allies and a warning to others. However, for Pakistan it would be wise
not to see these drills as a show of strength, but rather as an
important opportunity to further its relationship with the former
Soviet World. India’s recent decision to stay away from Kavkaz 2020
along with the sheer number of former Soviet states participating in
them suggests a golden opportunity Pakistan cannot afford to ignore.

Shahid Hussain will commence his Ph.D. at the University College
London in September, where he will focus on diplomacy and the
relationship between Russia and Britain in the 17th century.

Armenia school children to remain in classrooms during recess as precaution against COVID-19

Greg Madatian

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 16:18, 26 August, 2020

YEREVAN, AUGUST 26, ARMENPRESS. School children in Armenia won’t be allowed to exit the classrooms during recess when schools get re-opened from September 15th.

Deputy Minister of Education Janna Andreasyan says this is done as a safety precaution to reduce the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks.

“We must clearly understand what our motive is for restricting the children’s opportunity on exiting the classrooms during recess. Our motive is to maximally reduce the risk of spread of the virus at schools,” she said.

She said that by standard procedures a school will be shut down for a certain period of time in the event of having 10% or more infection cases. Andreasyan said the coronavirus guideline also encourages children not to exchange items with one another, for example books or pens, and maximally reduce contacts.

400,000 children are expected to return to schools on September 15th after the COVID-19-related shutdown.

Reporting by Lilit Demuryan; Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Japanese PM plans to resign due to health issues

Greg Madatian

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 10:58,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 28, ARMENPRESS. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to resign due to deteriorating health, TASS reports citing the Japanese public television.

It noted that the head of government had already made a decision. Abe is expected to announce it at a special news conference, which will be held at 17:00 local time on Friday.

After the resignation, if it really takes place, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party will have to endorse a candidate for prime minister in parliament. Currently, the party and its allies have a majority in both houses of the national parliament, which will make it possible for them to obtain parliamentary approval without any obstacles from the opposition.

Earlier this month, Shinzo Abe set a record for the longest tenure as head of government in the history of Japan. He has chaired the Cabinet for a total of 2,799 consecutively since the start of his second term as prime minister in December 2012.

UCLA Promise Armenian Institute to host first distinguished lecture series

Greg Madatian
Public Radio of Armenia
Aug 26 2020

<img width="800" height="602" src=”"https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/xTaner-Akcam.jpg.pagespeed.ic.QuQknhEzVo.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/xTaner-Akcam.jpg.pagespeed.ic.QuQknhEzVo.jpg 800w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/xTaner-Akcam-300×226.jpg.pagespeed.ic.lamDhLnLy0.jpg 300w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/xTaner-Akcam-768×578.jpg.pagespeed.ic.B9sOHrkdF2.jpg 768w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/xTaner-Akcam-75×55.jpg.pagespeed.ic.FBm1R15Xkb.jpg 75w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/xTaner-Akcam-80×60.jpg.pagespeed.ic.mP1P8s0Y_k.jpg 80w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"/>

The UCLA Promise Armenian Institute, in collaboration with the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), the Ararat-Eskijian Museum, the UCLA Richard Hovannisian Endowed Chair in Modern Armenian History, and the UCLA Center for Near Eastern Studies, will present the first in its Distinguished Lecture Series, “When Was the Decision Made to Annihilate the Armenians?,” to be delivered by Professor Taner Akçam of Clark University. The webinar will take place on Monday, September 14. Professor A. Dirk Moses of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will serve as the discussant for this lecture.

In this presentation, Professor Akçam will introduce some newly unearthed documents from the Ottoman archives in Istanbul that indicate that the first decision to exterminate Armenians was taken on December 1, 1914, well before most scholars in the field ever suggested. In these documents, the Turkish term for extermination [imha] is openly used by local governors who were directly involved in the decision-making process to exterminate the Armenians. Akçam will also introduce a letter dated March 3, 1915, written by Bahaettin Şakir, the head of Teşkilat-ı Mahsusa (aka the Special Organization) and one of the main architects of the Armenian Genocide.

This letter conveys that the Central Committee of Union and Progress had already decided to exterminate the Armenians, giving the government wide authority to implement this plan. The scholarly world has long ignored or declined to cite this letter due to allegations that it was fake. Drawing on newly available documents, Akçam will show the authenticity of this letter and argue that the question of the decision(s) for the extermination of Armenians and the role of governors should be revisited.

Taner Akçam is the Kaloosdian and Mugar Chair in Modern Armenian History and Genocide in the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Clark University. Akçam is widely recognized as one of the first Turkish scholars to write extensively on the Ottoman-Turkish Genocide of the Armenians in the early twentieth century. His latest book is Killing Orders: Talat Pasha’s Telegrams and the Armenian Genocide (Palgrave 2018). He is the founder of Krikor Guerguerian Online Archive.

A. Dirk Moses is the Frank Porter Graham Distinguished Professor of Global Human Rights History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, arriving in July 2020. Raised in Brisbane, Australia, he was educated at the Universities of Queensland (B.A. 1987), St. Andrews (M.Phil. 1990), Notre Dame (M.A. 1994), and University of California, Berkeley (Ph.D. 2000). His first book, German Intellectuals and the Nazi Past (2007), was awarded the H-Sozu-Kult ‘’Historical Book of the Year’’ prize for contemporary history. Moses has also written extensively about genocide, memory, and global history. Prof. Moses’s latest book, The Problems of Genocide: Permanent Security and the Language of Transgression is in press with Cambridge University Press.

The Promise Armenian Institute (PAI) was established at UCLA in late 2019 as a hub for world-class research and teaching on Armenian Studies and for coordinating Interdisciplinary Research and Public Impact Programs across UCLA, and with the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora.


Armenpress: Armenia follows illegal provocative actions of Turkey and supports Greece and Cyprus

Greg Madatian

Armenia follows illegal provocative actions of Turkey and supports Greece and Cyprus

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 18:17, 15 August, 2020

YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, ARMENPRESS. The Foreign Ministry of Armenia has issued a statement over the recent developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasizing the unconditional support of Armenia and solidarity with Greece and Cyprus.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, the statement runs as follows,

''We closely follow the latest developments and naval mobilization in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean caused by the Turkish illegal and provocative actions. This destabilizing posturing in the Eastern Mediterranean manifests continued aggressive and expansionist policy that Turkey has been pursuing in its neighbouring regions.

We reiterate Armenia’s unequivocal support and solidarity with Greece and Cyprus and call on Turkey to de-escalate the situation, respect the International Law and cease all actions within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Greece and Cyprus''.

Armenian President helps restore fresco at St. Mesrop Mashtots Church

Greg Madatian
Public Radio of Armenia
Aug 22 2020

<img width="1500" height="1029" src=”"https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/xFresco.jpg.pagespeed.ic.rD5LxhJOYj.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/xFresco.jpg.pagespeed.ic.rD5LxhJOYj.jpg 1500w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/xFresco-300×206.jpg.pagespeed.ic.BBxdRzoMeK.jpg 300w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/xFresco-1024×702.jpg.pagespeed.ic.T4VtNQ7vht.jpg 1024w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Fresco-768×527.jpg.pagespeed.ce.zna8sDLbBY.jpg 768w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Fresco-220×150.jpg.pagespeed.ce.Ti9VtoHuWN.jpg 220w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px"/>

President Armen Sarkissian has helped restore the “Glory to Armenian Alphabet and Schooling” fresco at St. Mesrop Mashtots Church in Oshakan.

The President visited the church today accompanied by wife Nouneh Sarkissian.

Last year, the Aragatsotn Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church applied to the President of the Republic with a request to assist in the restoration of the mural. The fresco with three-dimensional composition, considered one of the best works of Armenian monumental art of the twentieth century, was painted by Hovhannes Minasyan and Henrik Mamyan in 1964-1966. It was significantly damaged due to moisture, in some parts the paint layer became dusty, spilled, the dust layer darkened, the colors of the frescoes faded over time.

Arzhanik Hovhannisyan, Head of the Mural Restoration Research Center, who carried out the restoration work, presented the restored work, noting that the “Glory to Armenian Alphabet and Schooling” mural is one of the best examples of Armenian frescoes of the 20th century.

<img src=”"https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/xArmen-Sarkissiam-St.-Mesrop-Mashtots-1024×750.jpg.pagespeed.ic.WEuNDTWd3P.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-118230" srcset="https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/xArmen-Sarkissiam-St.-Mesrop-Mashtots-1024×750.jpg.pagespeed.ic.WEuNDTWd3P.jpg 1024w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Armen-Sarkissiam-St.-Mesrop-Mashtots-300×220.jpg 300w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Armen-Sarkissiam-St.-Mesrop-Mashtots-768×562.jpg 768w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Armen-Sarkissiam-St.-Mesrop-Mashtots.jpg 1475w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/>

The Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, His Grace T. Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan and Fr. Vigen Manukyan, Pastor of St. Mesrop Mashtots Church in Oshakan, thanked President Sargsyan for his commitment to save this gem of art and to complete the work.

The heirs of the authors of the mural, Martin Minasyan and Lusin Mamyan, noted that they followed the work with great enthusiasm. Expressing gratitude to President Armen Sarkissian, the Aragatsotn Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church and specialists, Martin Minasyan said: “The group of devotees led by Arzhanik Hovhannisyan did a wonderful job.”

“Our parents created this work with dedication and love. It is very important for my heirs that it was restored. We are grateful for this great and cherished work. “I think all those for whom Armenian culture, its development and preservation are of great importance will be grateful,” said Henrik Mamyan’s daughter.

<img src=”"https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/St.-Mesrop-Mashtots-1024×683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-118229" srcset="https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/St.-Mesrop-Mashtots-1024×683.jpg 1024w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/St.-Mesrop-Mashtots-300×200.jpg 300w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/St.-Mesrop-Mashtots-768×512.jpg 768w, https://en.armradio.am/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/St.-Mesrop-Mashtots.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/>

Oshakan St. Mesrop Mashtots Church was built in the 19th century on the tomb of Mesrop Mashtots. The “Glory to Armenian Alphabet and Schooling” mural is in line with the traditions of Armenian miniature painting, medieval sculpture and fresco painting. The fresco on the western wall depicts Mesrop Mashtots holding the newly created alphabet. The fresco is divided into two parts by an arched window. The Armenian alphabet is written on the glass.

As part of the restoration work, a lighting system was installed to ensure full visibility of the mural.


Armenian ex-president gives first big press-conference since resignation in 2018

Greg Madatian
JAM News
Aug 20 2020

    JAMnews, Yerevan
 

rgsyan has kept silent for two years. He first broke his silence in April, 2020, when he was invited to a parliament committee session investigating the circumstances of the so-called April War of 2016, a four-day escalation of hostilities at the line of contact between the Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Afterwards the ex-president told journalists that when the state of emergency ended he would organise a press-conference and answer any questions on the April War.

Then the ex-president released a number of videos on the same topic. Even though it seems like everything has been said, he still called a press-conference, despite the fact that the state of emergency has not yet ended.

Thereafter, Sargsyan, true to form of his verbosity and frequent meetings with journalists during his presidency, meet with representatives of all media accredited by parliament. For three hours in a row he answered every question he was asked. However, he never once mentioned another meeting where he might touch on other topics of interest to the journalists.

A summary of the ex-president’s press-conference and answers to the questions that most interest the people of Armenia.

“The war was inevitable”

Serzh Sargsyan started the conference by honouring the memory of all those who had lost their lives during the April War, then he gave the journalists his account of the investigatory committee on the circumstances of the April War.

According to him, the war was inevitable, because Azerbaijan was not ready to compromise.

“There was only one way to avoid war. That would have been a unilateral surrender, which was not even discussed. It is an unthinkable course of action.

“By starting the war, Azerbaijan was pursuing its goal of fundamentally changing the course of the peace talks. They were trying to show that the issue could have a military resolution. The fact that the peace talks were not going in their favour was shown in the best possible way by Ilham Aliyev himself, having admitted in a session of the government of Azerbaijan in October, 2016 that the international community was forcing him to recognise the de facto independence of Nagorno-Karabakh behind closed doors.”

On ’80s weapons

After the April War, Serzh Sargsyan mentioned in an interview with the German media that the Armenian soldiers on the front lines were mainly armed with weapons from the 1980s. 

This fact shocked the Armenian people. Many perceived this as an admission from the government that they were unable to properly arm their troops with modern weaponry and blamed the leaders of the country for embezzling from the military budget.

However, Sargsyan averred that no army in the world had no weapons from the ’80s. 

“Even now it is not just our forces that are armed with weapons from the ’80s, but even those of the richest countries.

“My statement gave rise to speculation from people who had no idea what weapons from the ’80s meant. What I said really meant this: Gentlemen of the OSCE (Germany was, at that time, the chair of the OSCE), even though you have turned a blind eye to the fact that Azerbaijan is armed to the teeth, our soldiers are still able to defend their country”.

“High chance of war”

“The peace process to settle the Karabakh situation had come to a dead end, which increased the chance of war”, stated the ex-president.

Serzh Sargsyan considers the escalation of hostilities in July on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border to be a result of this dead end.

In his opinion, “The Nagorno-Karabakh question can only be decided with international intervention”.

“Not a single leader of Azerbaijan has ever recognized the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh in good faith”.

“We have nothing to apologize  to Baku for”

Recently Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, gave an interview to the BBC. The presenter of the program Hard Talk asked the head of government if he was prepared to apologize for the “war crimes committed by the Armenians during the Nagorno-Karabakh War”. Serzh Sargsyan also answered this question.

“Why should we apologize to Azerbaijan? For the fact that we, following the letter of the law, tried to exercise our right to self-determination, and they sent their gangs against us to try and oppress us with weapons? For the fact that they directed their fire against population centres, firing on peaceful civilians?

“Me and my military compatriots have no issue with asking for forgiveness. But there has to be a reason for it, and we have nothing to be sorry about. We haven’t done anything for which we would need to ask for forgiveness”.

Why wasn’t the Iskander ballistic missile system used?

During the April War the Armenians did not use the Iskander ballistic missile, which they had in their arsenal. Serzh Sargsyan explains:

“It was a large-scale military action, but it was not all-out war. If we had used the Iskander, it would have been, if you permit the _expression_, like using a cannon to kill a fly. The Iskander is an extremely powerful weapon, and its primary purpose is to deter the enemy”.

According to Sargsyan, one of the reason that Azerbaijan did not start a full-scale war in April, 2016 was the presence of the Iskander in Armenia.

“The answer is very simple. The Iskander rocket can reach all the way to Baku or even Ganja.“

Did Armenia intend to recognize Karabakh?

Had the April War continued, Armenia would have recognized the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, stated Serzh Sargsyan.

“The armed forces of Armenia are a guarantee of the safety of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia will use all the means at her disposal to protect the inhabitants of Karabakh. I am certain that if there was a full-scale war, it would be necessary for Armenia to recognize the independence of Karabakh”.

On Russia’s role

In 2016, when the current prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan, was still just a member of the opposition, he stated that the April War had started with Russia’s approval. According to Pashinyan, their goal was to force Yerevan into territorial concessions to Baku and simultaneously to entice Azerbaijan to join the Eurasian Economic Union, led by Russia.

In January of 2020, Pashinyan, the incumbent prime minister, stated that he had discussed all of the problems worrying Armenia with the leadership of Russia and “received answers to all of the pressing questions”.

Sargsyan requested that the journalists ask Pashinyan what sort of discussion he had had with his Russian colleagues, and called the prime minister’s statements ignorant.

“When people spread unverifiable and damaging ideas about our allies, there will be serious consequences. Not necessarily just right away. Russia is one of our strategic allies. Such statements are equivalent to blaming our ally for provoking a war, which is treason. That is unacceptable”.

On giving up Armenian territory

Serzh Sargsyan answered the question of whether he intended to hand over any territory to Azerbaijan during his presidency.

“I never made any agreement with anyone which may have threatened our people. These rumours are simply shameful. It never happened and it never could”.


Armenpress: First Armenian relief plane arrives in Beirut

Greg Madatian

First Armenian relief plane arrives in Beirut

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 14:50, 9 August, 2020

YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS. The first Armenian relief aircraft carrying medicine and medical equipment to Beirut after the major explosion has arrived in the Lebanese capital, Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan tweeted.

“First of the three airlifts of assistance from Armenia to brotherly Lebanon arrived in Beirut”, FM Mnatsakanyan tweeted. “From Armenia’s heart to Beirut”.

Two more flights carrying humanitarian aid will be sent from Armenia to Lebanon next week.

Armenia’s High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, other government officials and Members of Parliament are also visiting the Lebanese capital which is home to a large Armenian community.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan