Author: Manouk Vasilian

Armenian Social Council: SDF holds the key to peace in Syria

Manouk Vasilian
Syria – Sept 4 2023

Denouncing external efforts to instigate unrest in the region, the Armenian Social Council expressed their support for the SDF and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

Members of the Armenian Social Council made a statement to the press in front of the council’s headquarters in the Kibaba neighborhood of Heseke.

The statement read by the co-chair of the council, Imad Teteryan, denounced the attempts of foreign powers and their collaborators that seek to incite sedition among the peoples in the region by distorting the Syrian Democratic Forces’ (SDF) Operation Security Reinforcement against ISIS cells and criminal elements in Deir ez-Zor region and by portraying it as a campaign against tribes.

“The SDF is not a Kurdish force as some circles claim, but is made up of Arabs, Kurds, Armenians, Syriacs, Assyrians, Turkmens, Circassians, Christians, Muslims and Yazidis. The SDF protects all components and religions. It has freed the region from the atrocities, persecution and terror of ISIS mercenaries and their supporters. Half of the fighters in SDF ranks are made up of the children of the Arab population and tribes,” said the statement.

The Armenian Social Council pointed out that: “We are against any form of discrimination between religions. We are meant to live together in our land with pride, honor, love and peace. We support the SDF and the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. We stand against the intended instigation.”

The council stressed that the SDF holds the key to peace in Syria and is the people’s hope for freedom and equality.

https://anfenglish.com/rojava-syria/armenian-social-council-sdf-holds-the-key-to-peace-in-syria-69148

Commentary: Armenians are starving at Azerbaijan’s hands. Why isn’t Biden doing more to help?

Manouk Vasilian
The Brunswick News
Sept 1 2023

  • Stephan Pechdimaldji, Los Angeles Times

Last year on World Food Day, President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to a world where “no child has to go to bed hungry, no parent has to worry about how to feed their family, and no one has to face food insecurity.” In that same speech, Biden highlighted how the United States had that year alone committed more than $9 billion in lifesaving humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities around the world.

Sadly, Biden’s pledge is not reaching the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, who have been locked in a conflict over their homeland with Azerbaijan since the fall of the Soviet Union.

In this latest chapter, since last December the government of Azerbaijan, under the leadership of its petro-dictator Ilham Aliyev, has implemented an illegal blockade of the only road linking more than 120,000 Armenians, including 30,000 children, in Nagorno-Karabakh to the outside world. It is one of the world’s most overlooked and underreported humanitarian crises taking place today.

By limiting access to food, medicine, gas, electricity and other critical supplies to be delivered by the Lachin Corridor, Azerbaijan is on its way to making living conditions so unbearable that Armenians are forced to leave the region.

In August, a 40-year-old resident of Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, died of starvation, becoming the region’s first reported victim of chronic malnutrition and protein deficiency. The lack of food has also contributed to the number of early-stage miscarriages, which reportedly have nearly tripled this summer.

Using food as a weapon has become a popular tool for autocrats to disrupt the lives of innocent people while trying to force concessions that benefit their interests. Russia’s Vladimir Putin has effectively held the global food supply hostage by attacking Ukraine’s ports and crippling grain exports via the Black Sea, as together the two countries export 30% of the world’s wheat, 60% of the world’s sunflower oil and 20% of the world’s corn.

Azerbaijan is turning to a similar playbook in trying to force its will on the Armenian people by attempting to break their spirit and resolve through food. Biden has steadfastly held Russia accountable for its egregious behavior, and the State Department has been working with European Union officials to attempt to reopen the Lachin Corridor. But those efforts have so far failed.

The lack of leadership from the White House has led other actors on the world stage to fill that void. In August, Luis Moreno Ocampo, former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, released an explosive report stating that when assessing the Azerbaijani blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, “there is a reasonable basis to believe that a genocide is being committed.” And, the report states, “Without immediate dramatic change, this group of Armenians will be destroyed in a few weeks.”

Having been victims of genocide in the 20th century, Armenians know all too well the horrors of such crimes against humanity and feel their voices and concerns are once again being ignored and sacrificed at the altar of realpolitik.

That type of international gamesmanship was evident at the United Nations last month when the Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the worsening humanitarian situation after Armenia urged the global community to help end the blockade. While France and other countries used the opportunity to highlight the principles of international law and humanitarianism as reasons to lift the blockade, other delegations — such as Great Britain, which has significant oil investments in the country — held back on condemning Azerbaijan.

And despite the evidence on the ground, Azerbaijan’s U.N. representative claimed that Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh were happy and well-fed by sharing printouts of Instagram posts that allegedly showed Armenians getting married and celebrating birthdays.

For Biden, as a president who took office claiming that human rights would be central to his foreign policy, this tragedy threatens to stain his legacy.

So, what can he do? For starters, he can begin by unequivocally calling for an immediate end to the blockade and apply pressure on Azerbaijan through sanctions, as Rep. Adam B. Schiff has called for. He can enforce Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act that bans U.S. aid to the Azerbaijani government — restrictions that he, like presidents before him, has waived each year since becoming president. And he can direct Samantha Power, the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, to allocate more resources and money toward helping Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The U.S. enabling of Azerbaijan’s authoritarianism is now costing lives and giving Azerbaijan cover to do what it wants with impunity. Time is running out for the Armenian people living in Nagorno-Karabakh. If Biden truly believes that no child should go to sleep hungry, then he’ll need to act with far greater urgency to break Azerbaijan’s blockade.

____

ABOUT THE WRITER

Stephan Pechdimaldji is a communications strategist living in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is a first-generation Armenian American and grandson of survivors of the Armenian genocide.

https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/world_news/commentary-armenians-are-starving-at-azerbaijan-s-hands-why-isn-t-biden-doing-more-to/article_87b0880e-1d3f-5e4a-88ee-ddf740a970f9.html


French humanitarian convoy for Nagorno-Karabakh blocked by Azerbaijan

Manouk Vasilian

 18:56,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan has blocked a French humanitarian convoy from delivering essential aid to the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo personally lead the convoy of 10 trucks from Yerevan to the entrance of blockaded Lachin Corridor. The trucks were unable to continue to Nagorno-Karabakh due to the Azeri blockade.

Xavier Bertrand, the President of the Regional Council of the French region of Hauts-de-France, said that their convoy was barred and condemned the move.

President of Nagorno-Karabakh Arayik Harutyunyan said he hoped the convoy would make it through and mitigate the sufferings of the people.

Meanwhile, a group of residents of Nagorno-Karabakh organized a meeting in the central plaza of Stepanakert to express gratitude to the French regions for the initiative.

The new convoy, sent by the City of Paris, the regions of Île-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Hauts-de-France, Occitania and Pays de la Loire, joined the Armenian humanitarian convoy and the previously sent French aid truck stranded at the entrance of Lachin Corridor in Kornidzor because of the Azerbaijani blockade.

Armenia economic activity index grows 10,4% in January-July

Manouk Vasilian

 15:39,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. The economic activity index in Armenia grew 10,4% in January-July 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, according to data released by the Statistical Committee.

Industrial production volume increased 0,5%, construction grew 17,2% and trade turnover grew 23%.

Services grew 14,9%.

The consumer price index grew 3,6%, while the industrial product price index remained the same.

Electricity production dropped 3,5%.

62,6% growth was recorded in foreign trade turnover (exports grew 62,1% while imports grew 63%).

Pashinyan congratulates Modi on Independence Day of India

Manouk Vasilian

 10:12, 15 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day.

“I extend my warmest congratulations to you on Independence Day of the Republic of India. The independence struggle of the people of India waged for centuries attests to the highest value of having a sovereign and democratic state, which is the foundation of the traditionally friendly ties and mutual respect between our two peoples,” PM Pashinyan said in a congratulatory telegram addressed to PM Modi.

“During our last meeting, we assumed commitment to maximally utilize the existing potential between Armenia and India in the most various areas, and now we can proudly note that the Armenian-Indian age-old friendship has entered a new qualitative phase, attested by the intensification of the bilateral agenda and dialogue between our two countries. We attach importance to the increasing role of India, the bearer of democratic values, in global politics and we support India’s efforts in advancing international institutional reforms. I am convinced that through joint efforts the partnership between our countries in bilateral and multilateral formats will further strengthen, and mutual high-level visits between the sides will significantly contribute to this. I reiterate my invitation to visit Armenia at a time of your convenience. Your Excellency, taking this opportunity, I wish you robust health and new successes, and all the best and welfare to the friendly people of India,” Pashinyan added.

Chaarat inks deal to sell Armenia’s Kapan mine

Manouk Vasilian
SHARE CAST
Aug 16 2023
Chaarat Gold announced a binding agreement to sell its 100%-owned Armenian subsidiary Chaarat Kapan on Wednesday, which is responsible for the Kapan mining operation in southern Armenia.

The AIM-traded firm said the deal, worth $55.4m, is between Chaarat and Gold Mining Company – a known entity in the Armenian mining space.

It said the Kapan Mine had been functional since the 1960s, and was known for its polymetallic ore body, producing copper and zinc concentrates as well as by-products including gold and silver.

Chaarat took ownership of the Kapan Mine in 2019, and since then, there had been significant improvements in the mine's operational performance.

It consistently met production guidance for between 50,000 and 65,000 gold equivalent ounces annually under Chaarat's administration.

The mine – Chaarat’s sole operating asset – brought in EBITDA of $22.7m in 2021 and $12.6m in 2022.

However, its financial performance in the first half of 2023 was impacted by a persistently high Armenian dram against the dollar, as well as reduced production.

The company said the sale's consideration consisted of $55.4m, including $5m in cash and the remaining being offset by intra-group payables due to Chaarat Kapan.

No adjustments would be made for debt, working capital, or other obligations.

The board said completion remained contingent on a number of conditions, including approvals from Chaarat shareholders, Ameriabank, the Armenian Competition Protection Commission, and the buyer's shareholders.

Chaarat Gold justified the sale by highlighting its commitment to enhancing the Kapan Mine's value over the years.

Despite geopolitical challenges, including hostilities with neighbouring countries and the indirect effects of the Ukraine conflict, the firm said it managed to uphold its operational performance.

However, the appreciation of the Armenian dram significantly affected its financial performance, with the sale set to allow Chaarat to concentrate on developing assets in Kyrgyzstan, and consider other external merger and acquisition opportunities.

Post-sale, the proceeds would bolster Chaarat's balance sheet, reducing its liabilities by $39m and offering a cash influx of $5m to support its ongoing projects, especially the Tulkubash project.

With the sale, Chaarat would transition from a producer to a developer, as it planned to invest resources in its larger, low-cost development assets while simultaneously seeking funding for the ventures.

Chaarat's said its focus post-sale would be on its gold development assets, which had a combined book value of $82.5m and a potential production capacity of more than 350,000 ounces of gold annually.

“The proposed sale allows Chaarat to focus on its growth pipeline in the gold sector with the aim of developing lower cost and higher value options within its portfolio,” said chief executive officer Mike Fraser.

“It accelerates our strategic objective of developing the Tulkubash project and evaluating opportunities for inorganic growth options.”

At 0908 BST, shares in Chaarat Gold Holdings were up 10.22% at 7.44p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.

Azerbaijani Defense Ministry again falsely accuses Armenia of border shooting in ongoing disinformation campaign

Manouk Vasilian

 19:24,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 16, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani military has again falsely accused Armenia of opening fire on the border, the Armenian defense ministry warned Wednesday evening.

“The statement issued by the MoD [Ministry of Defense] of Azerbaijan that allegedly on August 16, at 5 p.m., units of the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire towards the Azerbaijani combat positions located in the southwestern part of the border, is another disinformation,” the Ministry of Defense of Armenia said in a statement.

xUnited States Congressman Brad Sherman congratulates new Speaker of Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh on election

Manouk Vasilian

 09:57,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. United States Congressman Brad Sherman has congratulated the new Speaker of Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Davit Ishkhanyan on his election.

"I welcome the election of Davit Ishkhanyan as the new Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh," Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Congressional Armenian Caucus said in a statement published by his office.  "I look forward to this transformative phase of leadership and to continuing the work to further strengthen the U.S. bond with Artsakh and the Armenian people."

ARF's Davit Ishkhanyan was Speaker of Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh on August 7.

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1117110.html?fbclid=IwAR3Hyc8ggut1XZLeTTdqspbCz9Nl6HRyNVj6vCOei8VSjnHeCKs6RMggA6o

Armenian serviceman shot dead in unclear circumstances

Manouk Vasilian

 11:10,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, ARMENPRESS. A serviceman of the Armed Forces of Armenia has died after sustaining a gunshot wound in circumstances that are yet to be determined, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said Friday.

Serviceman Zhora Z. Karapetyan sustained the fatal gunshot wound on August 10. Doctors were unable to save his life.

An investigation is underway to reveal the circumstances of the deadly incident.

In a statement, the Armenian Ministry of Defense extended condolences to the family and friends of the victim.

UPDATES:

17:00 – Investigators announced that a preliminary probe has determined the incident to be suicide. Two other servicemen are under arrest on suspicion of abetment to suicide.

Assessments of international human rights organizations should not remain on paper – Nagorno-Karabakh ombudsman

Manouk Vasilian

 18:57, 9 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS. During the 8-month blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, thanks to the efforts of various actors of Artsakh, Armenia and the Diaspora, it was possible to give a clear and purposeful assessment of the deepening humanitarian crisis in Artsakh by influential international human rights and humanitarian organizations and a number of authoritative experts, the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Gegham Stepanyan said in a statement on August 9.

“Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, Global Center for Responsibility to Protect, International Committee of the Red Cross, special rapporteurs of the UN Human Rights Council, Lemkin Institute for the Prevention of Genocide, International Association of Genocide Scholars and a number of other human rights activists expressed their position during this period.

“The statements of all humanitarian and human rights organizations unanimously demand the authorities of Azerbaijan to stop blocking the Lachin corridor, ensure the free and unhindered transportation of people, goods and vehicles along the corridor, and put an end to the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh.

“The Azerbaijani authorities scornfully and brazenly respond to the statements of all the organizations and blatantly show disrespect for everyone as if everyone is lying, only they are right.

“This behavior of Azerbaijan once again demonstrates the simple truth that Azerbaijan has neither commitment, nor desire to fulfill the obligations assumed at the international level, moreover, in front of all structures, it continues to pursue a policy of genocide against the people of Artsakh.

“The assessments of the international human rights organizations should not remain on paper. These addressed statements must become the basis for the positions of various states and international structures on saving the people of Artsakh from starvation, ethnic cleansing and genocide. That is why these structures were created to prevent mass atrocities and violations of human rights.

“The human rights activists have expressed their stance; it is the turn of the political decision-makers in the international arena to prove that they will not allow the criminal authorities of Azerbaijan to question the authority of the international human rights and humanitarian organizations.

“Otherwise, the indifference shown and disregard for authoritative opinion will lead to irreversible human consequences in which international actors will be directly responsible for complicity,” Stepanyan added.