Author: Hovsep Chakrian

Newspaper: Armenia PM had arrangement with ruling political team’s parliament faction

Hovsep Chakrian
News.am
Armenia – May 7 2022
10:09, 07.05.2022

YEREVAN. – Zhoghovurd newspaper of Armenia writes: The ruling political team, the "Civil Contract" Faction of the National Assembly, had a discussion with [PM] Nikol Pashinyan before the last National Assembly-Government question and answer [session], and decided what they should do if the parliamentary opposition goes to the National Assembly.

According to the Zhoghovurd daily’s information, Pashinyan instructed the CC members not to respond in any way, not to make "remarks" and "comments" to the criticism of the opposition—even insults—coming towards them. (…).

Thus, they had decided not to stir passions and not to further anger the assembled citizens. But as we saw, the [parliament] majority MPs applauded Pashinyan's speech [in the legislature] and chanted "Armenia" without specifying whether they are chanting the name of the [opposition] "Armenia" Faction or of the Republic of Armenia.

As for the MPs of the opposition "Armenia" and "With Honor" Factions, there was obvious ambiguity in their steps and actions. It was clear that either there was no shared decision or not everyone was aware of it. This was obvious from the behavior of the oppositionists looking at each other questioningly and clarifying questions to each other constantly in the [parliament sessions’] hall.

Asbarez: ANCA-Pasadena Chapter Appoints New Board

Hovsep Chakrian
 by Contributor

 

 May 3, 2022

 

in Community, Latest, News, Top Stories
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ANCA – Pasadena Chapter logo

PASADENA—The Armenian National Committee of America – Pasadena Chapter announced the appointment of its new board.

The newly appointed board will be looking forward to fostering the continuation of a fruitful working relationship with the City of Pasadena, its neighboring cities, and their respective city councils, and to build on their long-standing, established, and respectful association.

The ANCA-Pasadena Chapter Board promises to continue with its enduring mission of leading the community in the right direction in the years ahead as it has in the past, and see to it that the Armenian American community preserves its ability to always be in good stead, thriving and unhindered on its path towards progress.

“The ANCA-Pasadena Chapter continues to relentlessly pursue avenues in which to elevate the Armenian American community’s standing while making strides and leading the way as an example of its prominence in the Community, and the time-honored relationship it has always had with the surrounding Cities,” said Vicken Harboyan, the chapter’s treasurer.

The following are the board members who will be serving on the ANCA board and the Armenian American Community in Pasadena: Donig L. Donabedian, Chairperson; Garen Kirakosian, Esq., Secretary; Vicken Harboyan, Treasurer; David George Gevorkyan; Stephanie Khatchikian.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Pasadena Chapter is the oldest, largest, and most influential Armenian American grassroots organization of its kind within the City of Pasadena. Founded in 1979, the Pasadena ANCA advocates for the social, economic, cultural and political rights of the city’s thriving Armenian American community, and promotes increased civic service and participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

AW: Commemorating the Genocide in Meghri

Hovsep Chakrian
May 3, 2022 Alek Elbekian News 0

I was lucky enough to be in Armenia during the month of April and even luckier to be in Meghri, an Armenian town far from the glimmering lights of Northern Avenue and the raving nightlife of Yerevan. Meghri is one of the many cities in the region of Syunik that has hosted battles that shaped the current borders of the Republic of Armenia such as the 1727 Battle of Halidzor as well as the 1919 Battle of Zangezur and others.

Commemorating the Genocide in Meghri, April 2022

As the rest of Armenia was preparing to commemorate the 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) “Arevig” Gomideh in Meghri, with the help of the AYF Netherlands “Karekin Nejdeh” Chapter, organized a commemorative event which included an opening prayer at a local church and a march to a local genocide memorial for a candlelight vigil. It was an odd sight for a town commemorating a genocide as it is currently under the threat of annexation. After the event, we went to “Khachats Doon” where some of the Gomideh members and I spent the night singing “Kini Lits” over glasses of wine. It wasn’t the typical April 24 I had experienced as a Diasporan in Lebanon and the Netherlands.

Candlelight vigil at the Genocide memorial in Meghri.

After the Artsakh War, there has been this chilling feeling that Syunik, which is in the southern region of the Republic of Armenia, was going to be the next piece of territory to be handed over to the enemy. Tactical advances by Azerbaijan and constant artillery fire have solidified the intentions of the Aliyev regime. A few weeks ago, the Iranian government released a video stating that the border of Syunik is a red line that the Republics of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Armenia should refrain from shifting. Since the Iranian government maintains a firmer stance than the current government of Armenia on the matter, I can only see that it is up to us, individually, to make a change. 

Syunik is not just a culmination of mountains and beautiful landscape. The region and its people are an integral part of Armenia. They too have ambitions. They too want security. And they most certainly do not want to live under the constant threat of attacks. They too mourn the losses of the Armenian Genocide. They too remember and demand. 

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Alek Elbekian is a Lebanese Armenian and a graduate student in theoretical physics at Utrecht University, specializing in quantum field theory and condensed matter. He also works at the Yerevan Physics Institute researching cosmic rays and naturally occurring radiation.


Armenia Opposition Demands PM Resign Over Karabakh

Hovsep Chakrian
International Business Times
May 2 2022
By Mariam HARUTYUNYAN

Opposition parties in Armenia on Monday staged protests to demand Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's resign over his policy on the long-contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Arch-foe Caucasus neighbours Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a dispute since the 1990s over the mountainous enclave in Azerbaijan predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians.

Karabakh was at the centre of a six-week war in 2020 that claimed more than 6,500 lives before it ended with a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement.

Opposition parties now accuse Pashinyan of plans to give away all of Karabakh to Azerbaijan after he told lawmakers last month that the "international community calls on Armenia to scale down demands on Karabakh".

Opposition parties in Armenia staged a second day of protests on May 2, 2022 over allegations that the prime minister plans to cede a disputed region to arch-foe Azerbaijan Photo: AFP / Karen MINASYAN

Waving Armenian and Karabakh flags and shouting demands for Pashinyan to step down, some 5,000 protesters marched on Monday evening in central Yerevan.  

"We are launching a popular protest movement to force Pashinyan to resign," parliament vice speaker and opposition leader Ishkhan Saghatelyan told AFP ahead of the rally.

"He is a traitor, he has lied to the people," he said, accusing the 46-year-old leader of wanting to hand over the contested region to Azerbaijan. "He has no popular mandate to do so."

Saghatelyan said "protests will not stop until Pashinyan goes."

On Sunday (May 1, 2022), thousands of protesters gathered in Armenia's capital to protest against concessions to Azerbaijan over the long-disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region Photo: AFP / Karen MINASYAN

One of the demonstrators, 53-year-old dentist Hripsime Mkrtchyan, said: "Nikol must resign. His poor policy has led to territorial and human losses."

"Our people have never been in such a depressed mood. We don't see a light at the end of the tunnel."

'We are launching a popular protest movement to force (Prime Minister) Pashinyan to resign,' parliament vice speaker and opposition leader Ishkhan Saghatelyan told AFP ahead of the rally Photo: AFP / Karen MINASYAN

Earlier in the morning, public transport was disrupted in Yerevan as small groups of protesters attempted to block traffic in the city centre.

Police intervened, briefly detaining dozens of protesters.

The Union of Journalists, a media advocacy group, criticised police tactics as heavy-handed, saying there were several instances of officers punching journalists covering the protests.

On Sunday, several thousand protesters rallied in central Yerevan to demand Pashinyan's resignation.

Under the Moscow-brokered deal, Armenia ceded swathes of territory it had controlled for decades and Russia deployed some 2,000 peacekeepers to oversee the truce.

The pact was seen in Armenia as a national humiliation and sparked weeks of anti-government protests, leading Pashinyan to call snap parliamentary polls which his party, Civil Contract, won last September.

In April, Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met for rare EU-mediated talks in Brussels after which they tasked their foreign ministers to "begin preparatory work for peace talks."

The meeting came after a flare-up in Karabakh on March 25 that saw Azerbaijan capture a strategic village in the area under the Russian peacekeepers' responsibility, killing three separatist troops.

Baku tabled in mid-March its set of framework proposals for the peace agreement that includes both sides' mutual recognition of territorial integrity, meaning Yerevan should agree on Karabakh being part of Azerbaijan.

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan sparked controversy at home when he said — commenting on the Azerbaijani proposal — that for Yerevan "the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not a territorial issue, but a matter of rights" of the local ethnic-Armenian population.

Ethnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The ensuing conflicts claimed around 30,000 lives.

https://www.ibtimes.com/armenia-opposition-demands-pm-resign-over-karabakh-3491850

Weekly columnist Stepan Piligian delivers resounding speech at RI Armenian Genocide commemoration

Hovsep Chakrian
April 27, 2022 Guest Contributor Community News 0

Armenian Martyrs’ Memorial Monument in RI

PROVIDENCE, RI—For the first time in five years, the Rhode Island Armenian community met at North Burial Ground to commemorate the Armenian Genocide and to venerate those victims who are now canonized as Holy Martyrs. The Armenian Martyrs’ Memorial Committee of RI hosted the event with two of its members serving as emcees, Melanie Zeitounian and Steven Zaroogian. The procession commenced with flag bearers, clergy, invited guests and wreath presenters surrounded by able-bodied honor guards as peaceful hymns were sung by choir members of the three local Armenian churches under the capable direction of Alysha Melkoun. 

Procession ahead of the Rhode Island commemoration of the Armenian Genocide (Photo: GVK Images)

Officiating clergy Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian, Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin and Rev. Dr. Ara Heghinian conducted a service for the Holy Martyrs with the faithful assistance of deacons and service participants from Armenian Evangelical Church, Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church and Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church. The service commenced with “The Lord’s Prayer” (“Hayr Mer”) recited by the clergy and all those present; readings from St. Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews and the Holy Gospel according to St. Paul; the Litany of The Saints and concluding with the singing of the “Hayr Mer” by the choir and congregation. In addition, soloist Joanne Mouradjian sang a moving rendition of “Hrashatsan Bagootsmamp” to the Holy Martyrs.

It was 45 years ago when the majestic monument standing 29 feet tall was dedicated in 1977 to the victims of the Armenian Genocide that began on April 24, 1915. Today, 107 years later, this same beautiful monument is dedicated to our saintly brothers and sisters in Christ who were canonized in 2015 on the centennial of the Armenian Genocide. “Let’s always wear our “Forget-Me-Not” flower to honor the memory of those who perished beginning in 1915,” said Zeitounian.

RI keynote speaker Weekly columnist Stepan Piligian (Photo: GVK Images)

The keynote speaker was Weekly columnist Stepan Piligian, a native of Massachusetts who has spent many years as a volunteer teacher of Armenian history and contemporary issues to the young generation and adults at schools, camps and churches on the east coast. Piligian delivered a riveting speech to a captivated audience of several hundred individuals. He talked about martyrdom and the sacrifice made by those who were massacred by the Turkish Ottoman Empire beginning in 1915, and most recently, the canonization of them as saints, where each has transcended from victim to victor. He discussed Armenian Genocide recognition by President Biden and Congress but suggested the work of Armenians is only beginning.  Genocide recognition is something Armenians have been aware of for 107 years, but Piligian clearly stated that an unpunished crime by the Turks does not serve justice. His 25-minute exposé will no doubt be used as an educational tool for Armenians and non-Armenians alike to be better informed and educated. 

Capping off the inspirational words of the guest speaker, attendees were treated to the Armenian school children of both Sts. Sahag and Mesrob and Sts. Vartanantz churches singing “Hyortik” under the able direction of Raffi Rachdouni. Armenians continue to live and in this case through the talented voices of our precious youth!

RI Armenian youth singing “Hyortik” (Photo: GVK Images)

There were several elected officials invited to speak at the commemoration, including the Honorable Dan McKee, the 76th governor of the State of Rhode Island; United States Senator Jack Reed; and Congressman James Langevin. Congressman Langevin who is retiring at the end of this year was presented a plaque in appreciation for his continued support over the years on Armenian issues locally and abroad. State Representative Katherine Kazarian was recognized for sponsoring a resolution bill to recognize the Armenian Genocide in the General Assembly. In addition, there were numerous elected officials in the audience to share this meaningful day with the community: Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, Attorney General Peter Neronha, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner and former Central Falls Mayor Thomas Lazieh. Longtime supporters Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman David Cicilline were unable to attend as they were traveling abroad, but sent their warm regards.

Invited guests and elected officials at the commemoration (Photo: GVK Images)

As the program neared its conclusion, Zaroogian acknowledged a record 10 wreath presenters this year. He closed with heartfelt thanks to all who came together to commemorate the 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.




Armenpress: Armenian PM addresses congratulatory message on Citizen’s Day

Hovsep Chakrian

Armenian PM addresses congratulatory message on Citizen’s Day

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 10:01,

YEREVAN, APRIL 30, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan addressed a message on the occasion of the Citizen’s Day, his Office said.

The message reads:

“Dear citizens of the Republic of Armenia,

I warmly congratulate all of us on the occasion of the Citizen’s Day.

This holiday was enshrined to record the key role of the most important institute of the democratic state – the Citizen, in the development of state.

The non-violent, velvet and people’s Revolution of 2018 is the symbol of establishment of Citizen’s power in Armenia, and this value is irreversible and unshakeable.

The page of falsification of elections and depriving the Citizen of the constitutional right to make decisions is left in the past, and Armenia is perceived all over the world as a country with electoral democracy.

Also because that after the 44-day devastating war of 2020 the Citizen firstly not only did not allow his/her country’s entry into the chaos, but also raised the democratic profile of our country in the difficult post-war period.

Dear people, proud Citizens of the Republic of Armenia,

We have gone through and are going through indescribable, sometimes,  unbearable difficulties. Every day, every hour, at every step an attempt is made to infect us with the infection of doubt and hesitation, an attempt is made to shake our faith to our past and future, and most importantly to our mission.

I call on, ask you all, urge you all – don’t doubt, don’t hesitate, we are not the author of the disasters that have befallen on our country, we have suffered a cruel fate and have a sacred mission – to lead our homeland through inevitable disasters that have befallen on us for many years, and deliver it to a peaceful, prosperous and happy future.

And on this path our knees have not bent and will not bend. Now more than ever I am convinced we are moving on a right path and we will take our ship, that appeared in a stormy ocean, to a peaceful destination.

Long live the Freedom,

Long live the Republic of Armenia,

Long live our children who will live in a free and happy Armenia,

Eternal glory to our martyrs”.

Azerbaijan attempts final round of ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh, MP warns PACE

Hovsep Chakrian

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 13:41,

YEREVAN, APRIL 26, ARMENPRESS. Member of Parliament of Armenia, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of Foreign Relations and member of the Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Eduard Aghajanyan delivered a speech at the PACE spring session.

In his remarks, Aghajanyan said that Azerbaijan exploited the fact that the international community was pre-occupied with the Ukrainian crisis and undertook blatant actions in breach of European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Below is the full speech:

[see video]
“Indeed, the crisis in Ukraine and its humanitarian consequences are of utmost importance for the Council of Europe at this point.

Unfortunately, as one could anticipate, Azerbaijan took advantage of the total preoccupation of international community with the Ukrainian crisis, undertaking blatant actions in breach of European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

More specifically, based on the Government’s request, the European Court of Human Rights indicated interim measures by calling on Azerbaijan to refrain from actions that would contribute to breaches of civilians’ Convention rights and to respect their obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Despite the foregoing, even after the indication of the interim measures by the Court, Azerbaijan has continued to violate its obligations under the Convention.

As such, Since February 2022, Azerbaijani armed forces have continuously terrorized the population of the bordering villages of Artsakh through various criminal acts of physical threat and psychological pressure, through direct, threatening and intimidating statements addressed to the civilian population using loudspeakers. In regularly played statements the population of bordering villages are being told to stop farming and leave their homes, otherwise being threatened by physical reprise of their families.

During the same period, On March 7, the gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh was disrupted, leaving over 150,000 people without heating, with 1.5 meters of snow on the ground and at an unprecedented freezing condition.

With much international pressure, Azerbaijan restored the gas supply on March 19 only to cut it out again after 2 days.

Dear colleagues, all of the abovementioned is a classical example of an act of ethnic cleansing. And while on international platforms, Azerbaijani officials often state that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is over and that Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh can live peacefully in their homes, on the ground Azerbaijan is attempting to force a final round of ethnic cleansing of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, taking advantage of international community’s distraction by the Ukrainian crisis.

Despite this, Armenia remains committed to an agenda of peace in the South Caucasus and sees the final and peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship.”

Important agreements reached with Russia over principles of opening regional connections – Pashinyan

Hovsep Chakrian

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 15:19,

YEREVAN, APRIL 22, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says he drew special attention to issues related to regional stability and security during his meetings in Russia.

Speaking about his recent official visit to Russia, PM Pashinyan thanked his Russian partners for the warm reception.  He said that the visit was productive.

“We reached important agreements in the issue of principles of opening regional connections, recording the identical approaches of the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation. In the given matter we can record the uniformity of approaches of all our international partners in practice. And on this backdrop I’d like to once again reiterate the readiness of the Republic of Armenia to launch as soon as possible the construction of the railway and roads connecting the East with West through the territory of the Republic of Armenia,” the PM said at the Cabinet meeting.

Pashinyan expressed hope that the trilateral task force dealing with this issue and co-chaired by the deputy prime ministers of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan will be able to develop and agree the required documents for launching the process soon.

Russian PM highlights more actively using national currencies in trade with Armenia during current sanctions

Hovsep Chakrian

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 15:12,

MOSCOW, APRIL 20, ARMENPRESS. Russia is interested in developing the cooperation with Armenia, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said during the meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Armenpress correspondent reports from Moscow.

“Welcome to the government headquarters. Your official visit is very important for the further development of our friendly and allied relations that link Armenia and Russia. This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 25th anniversary of the treaty of friendship, cooperation and mutual support with Armenia. As a result of yesterday’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, you have reached large-scale agreements on the strengthening of the bilateral cooperation almost in all directions that exist on the agendas of our countries. The Russian Federation will take all measures for the implementation of the decisions made at a high level”, the Russian PM said.

PM Mishustin said Russia is in the first place among Armenia’s foreign partners and investing countries. He praised the fact that last year the trade turnover between the two countries increased by almost 13%, reaching 2 billion 600 million dollars, and in January and February 2022 it increased by 42% compared to the same period of 2021, comprising 430 million dollars. “Russian investments in Armenia’s economy amount more than 2 billion dollars. We are interested in the development of the bilateral cooperation, the implementation of new projects in areas such as energy, mining industry, transport infrastructure, pharmaceutics, agriculture and digital technologies”, Mishustin said, adding that the inter-governmental commissions of the two countries deal with such initiatives.

PM Mishustin also proposed to accelerate the process of signing a new economic cooperation program between the inter-governmental commission of Armenia and Russia. “Under conditions of illegal sanctions imposed against Russia by non-friendly countries, of course, it is important to more actively use the national currencies in the bilateral trade, develop the industrial cooperation and create new opportunities for trade”, he said.

Armenia improves democracy score in Nations in Transit 2022 report

Hovsep Chakrian
Public Radio of Armenia
, 16:20

 1 minute read

Armenia has improved the democracy score from 2.96 to 3.04 in the Nations in Transit 2022 report published by the Freedom House.

Nations in Transit 2022 evaluates the state of democracy in the region stretching from Central Europe to Central Asia. The 24th edition of this annual study covers events from January 1 through December 31, 2021. In consultation with country report authors, a panel of expert advisers, and a group of regional expert reviewers, Freedom House provides numerical ratings for each country on seven indicators: national democratic governance, electoral process, civil society, independent media, local democratic governance, judicial framework and independence, corruption.

According to the report, “three authoritarian regimes made democratic strides and joined the ranks of hybrid regimes: Moldova, Kosovo, and now Armenia.”

The Freedom House notes that countries that have moved from authoritarian to hybrid forms of governance present a somewhat more promising picture, though they still fall short of democratic standards. “In Armenia, for example, citizens used a protest movement in 2018 and a series of competitive elections, most recently in 2021, to decisively end the Republican Party’s multidecade
reign. The incumbents were replaced with a new generation of politicians who, despite notable flaws, possess a basic commitment to democracy and the public interest.”