Interfax - Russia & CIS General Newswire Thursday 4:37 PM MSK Relatives of Sasna Tsrer radicals stop blocking avenue in Yerevan, demand meeting with Pashinyan YEREVAN. May 17 The relatives and supporters of the armed group Sasna Tsrer, which took over the territory of a police regiment in Yerevan in 2016, have decided to stop blocking one of the main streets of Yerevan, Arshakunyats Avenue. "We have made a decision to stop blocking the road, but the court building, the entrances and exits, will be blocked. We intend to meet with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. All issues should be resolved legally. We are now following his call," protester Pavel Yegiazaryan told reporters. On Wednesday, a Yerevan court declined a motion for a change of the restrictions on members of the armed group Sasna Tsrer. The court found the facts used by lawyers to demand the replacement of their arrest with release with travel restrictions to be ungrounded. Earlier on Thursday, the Armenian prime minister called on the people of the republic to stop civil resistance actions and the blocking of roads in Yerevan. He also said he could not release members of Sasna Tsrer from prison by his own decision. In the meantime, Pashinyan said on May 15 all political prisoners in Armenia needed to be released. In the morning of July 17, 2016 a group of armed men calling themselves Sasna Tsrer (Daredevils of Sassoun) seized the territory of a patrol police regiment in Yerevan. They demanded the release of Jirair Sefilian, the coordinator of the Armenian opposition Founding Parliament, who was under arrest on charges of illegal acquisition and storage of weapons. The armed men also demanded the resignation of the president and government and the formation of a government of national confidence. They surrendered in the evening of July 31. Av gc mk
Author: Ophelia Vardapetian
A Alfortville, on plante des arbres symboles des communautés
Le Parisien, France
13 mai 2018
Military solution to Karabakh conflict should be ruled out – Armenia’s PM
TASS, Russia
Armenia thinks it necessary to rule out a military solution for the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, the country’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told reporters at a news conference in the Nagorno-Karabakh capital of Stepanakert.
YEREVAN, May 9. /TASS/. Armenia thinks it necessary to rule out a military solution for the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, the country’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told reporters at a news conference in the Nagorno-Karabakh capital of Stepanakert.
"We need to exclude a chance for a military solution to the conflict, but Azerbaijan is still engaged in military adventure in the line of fire," Pashinyan said.
"We must give a clear answer to one question whether we want a solution to the Karabakh crisis or not," he continued. "We are for a peace solution to the issue."
Armenia’s newly elected Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrived in the unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh earlier on Wednesday.
On April 13, Armenia’s opposition called for widespread protests in that South Caucasus republic. MP Nikol Pashinyan headed the rallies protesting against the election of former President Serzh Sargsyan as prime minister. On April 23, in the wake of protests Sargsyan tendered his resignation. On May 8 the parliament elected Pashinyan as new prime minister by 59 votes to 42. Vagram Bagdasaryan, the head of the ruling Republican Party faction, said ahead of the vote that eleven deputies of the faction would vote for Pashinyan "to preserve stability in the country."
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
The highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh (Mountainous Karabakh) is a mostly Armenian-populated enclave inside the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan. It was the first zone of inter-ethnic tensions and violence to appear on the map of the former USSR.
Even almost a quarter of a century after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Karabakh remains a so-called 'frozen conflict' on the post-Soviet space, as the region is the subject of a dispute between Azerbaijan and the local Armenian population that draws on strong support from fellow-countrymen in neighboring Armenia.
In 1988, hostilities broke out there between the forces reporting to the government in Baku and Armenian residents, which resulted in the region's de facto independence. In 1994, a ceasefire was reached but the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia remain strained ever since then.
Russia, France and the U.S. co-chair the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which attempts to broker an end to hostilities and the conflict. –0-mil/
‘Why should we believe that your orientation towards Russia and EEU has changed?’ – ruling party MP to Pashinyan
ArmenPress, Armenia
May 1 2018
'Why should we believe that your orientation towards Russia and EEU has changed?' – ruling party MP to Pashinyan
YEREVAN, MAY 1, ARMENPRESS. During the ongoing pre-vote hearing, Republican Party (HHK) lawmaker Hayk Babukhanyan asked opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan, who seeks to be elected PM, on the ideas that he will be guided with if elected, on his stance regarding Russia and the EEU.
“We and you have deep ideological disagreements. We are followers of national conservative ideology, you are liberal. When you were saying that not a single Republican candidate should be nominated for Prime Minister, did you in fact mean that the country should solely be guided with liberal ideas and that leading the country with national conservatism ideology shouldn’t be allowed? In addition, once you had said that you don’t know what national system of values means. Let me say that national ideology implies struggle against totalitarian sects, struggle against giving privileges to sexual minorities, against vulgar feminism and other anti-national ideologies. While the European liberal ideology displays tolerance to these issues. Next observation, you are endorsed abroad by such radical pro-Western politicians like Saakashvili, Navalny, while US Assistant Secretaryof State Mitchell expressed unconcealed support to you. I think there are many pro-Western politicians in your circle also, and if we add on this the anti-Russian expressions, your initiative of withdrawing from the EEU in your pre-election program, then why should we know believe that your orientation for Russia, the EEU has changed?” – Babukhanyan asked.
In response, Pashinyan mentioned that in the modern world the delimitations associated with the so called “ism”s are disappearing consistently.
“I will present a neutral example, communism and private property were considered to be incompatible things, but today China, which is one of the developed countries in the world, has combined communism and private property, which means that the era of the “ism”s has long ended.
Now in an era when the most important issue is ensuring the happiness of people, I think it has absolutely nothing to do with any “ism”” Pashinyan said.
Regarding his past statements on withdrawing from the EEU, Pashinyan said that a situational change has happened today.
Pashinyan also emphasized that he finds it to be inadmissible for any politician to be called pro-Western, pro-Russian, pro-American, pro-Iranian or pro-Georgian.
“Politics in Armenia should be done solely by pro-Armenian politicians. And I find the core of Armenia’s national ideology to be the following – the meaning of existence of Armenia, as a state, is the centralization of human spiritual, economic, financial potential in its own territory, and ensuring the security of this potential and normal development. And my greatest goal is to ensure a big repatriation,” he said.
The extraordinary sitting has kicked off in the Armenian parliament where lawmakers are debating the election of a new Prime Minister. 102 MPs are in attendance.
The only nominated candidate for Prime Minister is opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan.
Pashinyan was nominated by the opposition Yelk faction.
Two other factions – Tsarukyan and the ARF – have endorsed the opposition MPs candidacy.
Pashinyan will need at least 53 votes to be elected Prime Minister, which means he will require at least 6 votes from the ruling party.
There are 4 factions in the Armenian parliament. The Republican Party (HHK) faction, the ruling party of Armenia, has 58 seats in the 105-seat unicameral parliament of Armenia – known as the National Assembly. The ARF faction – (Armenian Revolutionary Federation aka Dashnaktsutyun), has 7 seats. The Tsarukyan alliance has 31 seats, and the Yelk faction has 9 seats.
English –translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan
Pashinyan calls Armenia-Russia relations strategic, seeks broader ties with EU
Interfax – Russia & CIS General Newswire
Monday 3:43 PM MSK
Pashinyan calls Armenia-Russia relations strategic, seeks broader ties with EU
YEREVAN. April 30
Moscow and Yerevan have allied relations, Armenian protest movement leader and Elk parliamentary faction head Nikol Pashinyan said.
"Armenian-Russian relations are indeed strategic and allied. This is the reality that we take into consideration," Pashinyan said at a meeting with members of the parliamentary faction of Armenia's ruling Republican Party.
"As far as the CSTO [Collective Security Treaty Organization] is concerned, it would be useful to specify allied relations and relations of partnership within the framework of this organization. Mutual obligations should be documented in order to precisely formulate expectations as well. We will not raise the possibility of quitting the CSTO," he said.
Pashinyan also reiterated the need to further promote Armenia's relations with the European Union.
"We ought to develop relations with the EU, but not to the detriment of relations with other countries. It is wrong to describe our movement as pro-American or pro-Russian. Our movement is pro-Armenian," he said.
Russian weapons sales to Azerbaijan will stay on the agenda of Armenia's new government, Pashinyan said later.
"As you know, we have already met with Russian colleagues. The topic of Russian arms sales to Azerbaijan was discussed as well. We will continue to discuss this issue and keep this increasingly important problem in our spotlight," he said.
Remembering the Victims of the Armenian Genocide
US Official News
Thursday
Remembering the Victims of the Armenian Genocide
Sacramento: Democratic Party of California has issued the following press release:
103 years ago today, one of the worst crimes in human history began – the Armenian Genocide, when the government of the Ottoman Empire arrested and deported just under 300 Armenians from Constantinople. Those arrests were the first bloody acts in a genocide that would ultimately kill as many as 1.5 million people over the next few years.
More than a century later, it's incumbent upon us to commemorate this monstrous crime. We must remember the victims; people's whose lives and potential were mercilessly taken simply because of their heritage. And we must use their memory as a vigil to to never forget how bigoted, hateful and dehumanizing ideas made wholesale slaughter of the Armenian people official policy in the Ottoman Empire.
We know that hatred and bigotry exist in this world, and indeed, thrive in many dark corners. And we know that our obligation is to confront this bigotry and hatred, so that it can never arise again to threaten death and deprivation on innocent people. The world failed to heed the lesson of the Armenian Genocide, and a generation later, a new group of murderous leaders initiated the wholesale slaughter of Jewish people, Romani, homosexuals, eastern Europeans and others in occupied Europe.
That is why it is so vital that we keep alive the memory of the Armenian Genocide. We must never forget the evil that people are capable of, and the indifference that allows that evil to flourish.
103 years after the Armenian Genocide, 70 years after Auschwitz and Dachau were liberated, and 20 years after the horrors of Rwanda, it's clear that we must continue to work for a peaceful and just world for all, free from strife and enmity between different peoples. As Americans, and as Democrats, we must hold the memory of the Armenian Genocide close to our hearts, and honor its victims by working to ensure a future where such unspeakable horrors are banished forever.
Aznavour returns to France, no health concerns
Category
World
Charles Aznavour’s health has improved and the acclaimed singer has arrived in France on April 26 after his concert in St. Petersburg, Russia was cancelled earlier, representatives of the singer told RIA Novosti.
The 93 year old legend, who also serves as Armenia’s Ambassador to Switzerland, was taken to a hospital in St. Petersburg on April 25. He cause wasn’t immediately known but on April 26 Aznavour’s agent said he had suffered a minor muscle spasm.
The concert in St. Petersburg was postponed until 2019.
Aznavour was also due to perform April 28 in the Kremlin Palace, but the appearance was also cancelled.
Differing April 24 (video)
About five hours one cannot reach the Eternal Flame. The hill leading to the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex is unusually populous.
From Republic Square, Nikol Pashinyan, Deputy of the National Assembly, marched in the direction of Tsitsernakaberd. There were not so many people accompanying him as those who waited for him in Tsitsernakaberd. Many citizens, after seeing a crowd of people, never rose to the memorial complex, some, however, decided to wait a few hours, to lay their flower at the Eternal Flame.
Citizens note that this April 24 differs from the previous ones, as the people are experiencing an unspeakable shock, in connection with yesterday’s resignation of Serzh Sargsyan.
Azerbaijani press: Azerbaijan to take measures against Armenia’s provocations: defense ministry
14:27 (UTC+04:00)
Baku, Azerbaijan, April 23
Trend:
Azerbaijan will take the appropriate measures against Armenia’s provocations, the press service of Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry told Trend April 23 commenting on the video footage distributed by the Armenian media about the alleged accumulation of the Azerbaijani army’s manpower and military equipment on the contact line between the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops.
“This video is another provocation,” the ministry said. “The montage video footage was captured from a long distance and from various angles during the redeployment of troops in the course of the Azerbaijani army’s exercises. The military-political regime of Armenia, seriously concerned about the massive unrest in their country, continues to keep the Armenian people in fear by spreading such information.”
Mass rallies broke out in Yerevan and other Armenian cities on April 13 following former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s nomination as prime minister. The opposition accuses him of ineffective governance and worsening the economic situation in the country.
Despite the protests, Armenia’s parliament elected Sargsyan as prime minister on April 17. On April 19, opposition members tried to disrupt the new Cabinet of Ministers’ meeting, blocking entrances to government facilities and marching down Yerevan streets. About 3,000 people took part in a rally in the evening. As many as 123 people were arrested over the day.
The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.
The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
We must shape a new, young Armenia – new president
ArmenPress, Armenia
April 9 2018
We must shape a new, young Armenia – new president
YEREVAN, APRIL 9, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s new President Armen Sarkissian reassures the youth of Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora that he will always support them not only as president but also as a man having certain experience in science and technology.
“We are living in an ever-changing world full of various dangers, threats and challenges. But it is also full of new and attractive opportunities for us. And whether we will be able to use these historic opportunities depends on us. And it depends on us as to what kind of Armenia we want to shape in the 21st century. Armenia, which will be able to withstand the century’s challenges and take a worthy place among advanced nations. This, certainly is an historic opportunity,” Sarkissian said.
The new president called the 21st century a century of scientific leap.
“Compared to this we must shape a new, young Armenia. A dynamic, flexible and creative Armenia. A country which will embody the wisdom and talent of our people, which will be in line with the aspirations of all of us and will become the source of pride and excitement of all. A fatherland for all Armenians of the world. Glory to the Republic of Armenia. Glory to Artsakh. Glory to the Armenian people. God bless us all”, he president said in the end of his remarks.
Armen Sarkissian took the Oath of Office of President of Armenia midday April 9 at a special session of the Armenian Parliament.
Sarkissian was sworn into office by placing his right hand on the original book of the Constitution of Armenia and a 7th century Bible.
“By assuming office of President of Armenia, I swear to be committed to the Constitution of Armenia, to be impartial during fulfillment of my powers, to be guided solely by state and pan-national interests and to contribute my entire strength for the strengthening of national unity. May Gold help me”, Sarkissian said.
The swearing-in was followed by the national anthem of Armenia, and remarks and blessings from Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II.
April 9 marks Armenia’s transitioning to a parliamentary system, and the end of tenure of President Serzh Sargsyan.
In accordance to the Constitution, the government is expected to resign. Cabinet members will serve as acting ministers until a new government is formed.
English –translator/editor: Stepan Kocharyan