Author: Paul Hambardsumian

Aliyev demands Armenia name dates for opening "Zangezur corridor"

Paul Hambardsumian
PanArmenian, Armenia
Dec 7 2021
December 7, 2021 – 10:44 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has demanded that Armenia name the dates for the opening of what he called the "Zangezur Corridor", threatening with "problems" otherwise.

The Azerbaijani side has on multiple occasions spoken about a so-called "corridor" through the southern Armenian province of Syunik that would connect Nakhijevan to the rest of Azerbaijan. The Armenian side, however, has repeatedly denied being involved in negotiations for the provision of a corridor to Azerbaijan, stressing that they have only agreed to unblock transport communications in the region.

"Armenia and the whole world saw that no one could stop us. During the war, there were those who wanted to stop us, and these were quite powerful circles, but they could not stop us," Aliyev said on Monday, December 6.

"I told them to tell us the date when our lands will be liberated and we are ready to stop. I say the same words today. Announce the date when the Zangezur corridor will be opened, and there will be no problems․"

According to him, "it is not too late, they [Armenia] must accept our conditions and put an end to the insincere approach to roads and communications."

  In a spring interview with AzTV, Aliyev had said said: “The creation of the Zangezur corridor fully meets our national, historical and future interests. We are implementing the Zangezur Corridor, whether Armenia wants it or not. If Armenia wants it, then the issue will be resolved easier, if it does not want it, we will decide it by force. Just as before and during the war, I said that they must leave our lands, or we will expel them by force. And so it happened. The same will be the fate of the Zangezur corridor  

A Traditional St. Illuminator’s Thanksgiving at the Cathedral

Paul Hambardsumian
December 6, 2021 Guest Contributor Community News 0

Der Mesrob, Yn. Ojeen Lakissian and their daughter Taleen

NEW YORK, NY—Following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, November 21, parishioners, guests and a spirit of merriment once again filled Pashalian Hall marking the welcome return of St. Illuminator’s traditional Thanksgiving luncheon, for the first time since 2019. 

As in years past, the luncheon was hosted, prepared and served by the Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator’s and was attended this year by nearly 80 people.

Anais Tcholakian, chairlady of the Ladies Guild, welcomed the attendees and thanked the community for its support. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian offered the opening prayer.

A highlight of the luncheon was a short program of Armenian songs, beautifully performed by choirmaster Anahit Zakaryan and accompanied on the piano by Vagharshak Ohanyan. Ohanyan closed the artistic program with a stirring performance of Komitas Vartabed’s Groonk, which he dedicated to Der Mesrob on the 16th anniversary of Der Mesrob’s ordination to the holy order of the priesthood.

Tcholakian also joined in congratulating Der Mesrob on his ordination and expressed particular gratitude for his tireless work at St. Illuminator’s beginning from the days of the Cathedral’s renovation and all the years since.

In his remarks, Armen Morian, chairman of the Board of Trustees, paid tribute to Der Mesrob, Yn. Ojeen, their daughter Taleen and his sister Tamar for their dedicated service to St. Illuminator’s and wished Der Mesrob many more fruitful years of ministry, especially as the hoviv (shepherd) of St. Illuminator’s. Morian also expressed particular appreciation to Zakaryan and Ohanyan for making Armenian song echo again within the hallowed halls of St. Illuminator’s as it so often did in years past, a cultural tradition Armen stressed the importance of reinstituting.

The luncheon program also featured a raffle for prizes ranging from a handwoven rug to jewelry to elegant housewares, all donated by friends of the Cathedral.

In his closing remarks, Der Mesrob thanked the Ladies Guild and everyone who volunteers to serve at St. Illuminator’s and wished all a happy, healthy and blessed Thanksgiving.




Turkish press: Turkey’s STM to exhibit naval platforms, UAVs at Expodefensa 2021

Paul Hambardsumian
 ISTANBUL NOV 28, 2021 – 3:53 PM GMT+3 
EDITED BY AYŞE BETÜL BAL

STM modernized the Turkish Naval Forces' submarines. (Courtesy of STM)

Turkish defense firm STM will showcase its naval platforms and tactical mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems at Expodefensa 2021 being held in Colombia next week.

"Under the leadership of our parent institution, the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), we will be attending Expodefensa 2021 to share our experience in projects in which we are proud to have participated as a trusted solution partner of various world navies, including Pakistan and Ukraine," STM said in a statement.

The firm said it will introduce its tactical mini-UAV product family – which includes Alpagu, Kargu and Togan – to South America, along with its MILGEM (National Ship) Ada-class corvette as well as the I-class frigate, which is Turkey's first national frigate project.

Alpagu is a portable fixed-wing strike UAV while Kargu is a portable rotary-wing variant. Togan is a portable rotary-wing spotter UAV.

Kargu, which has been in the arsenal of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), achieved its first export success this year. While the deliveries of the exported drones continue, negotiations with different countries showing interest in the product are also ongoing. This particular UAV, which has managed to prove itself on different battlefields, performs its duties under human control with the principle of “Man-in-the-loop.”

Alpagu, on the other hand, stands out with its light structure, diving velocity, low radar cross-sectional area and speed as well as its ability to cause pinpoint damage to targets. Alpagu, which can be carried by a single soldier and fired from a launcher, has a low weight of 1.9 kilograms (4.2 pounds).

Having already completed test shots, Alpagu is expected to enter the Turkish army's arsenal in the coming weeks.

The naval platforms designed by STM are also closely followed by South American countries. In addition to the Offshore Patrol Ship (OPV), which is designed to perform surface defense warfare, effective uninterrupted reconnaissance, surveillance and patrol missions in the open sea and on the coast, MILGEM class ships are also turning heads.

The company's CF3500 frigate, which it has designed in the form of a MILGEM boat for the Colombian Navy, will also be on display at the fair.

"The systems that continue to be used successfully in the field by the Turkish Navy are brought overseas as quality, affordable and modern engineering solutions," the company statement said.

Expodefensa 2021, one of the most important defense industry fairs in Latin America and the Caribbean, will be held in Colombia's capital Bogota from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

STM carries out collaborations, technology transfer and business development activities in more than 20 countries from South America to the Far East. Within the scope of design, construction and modernization activities, STM produces unique and flexible engineering solutions for the surface and submarine platforms of the Turkish Navy, which is a NATO member and also one of the most active navies in the world.

STM also undertakes important tasks in the submarine modernization and construction projects of the Turkish Navy. The firm successfully carried out the modernization of two type 209-class submarines of which it was the main contractor and took part as the leading contractor in the modernization of four Preveze class submarines. STM also fulfills important duties within the scope of the New Type Submarine Project for air-independent propulsion-system, namely Reis Class submarines, which will be an important stage in the realization of Turkey's National Submarine Project. Accordingly, Section 50, the head section containing submarine torpedo tubes, which only a limited number of countries in the world can manufacture, was produced for the first time in Turkey by STM, marking a historic success.

STM earlier this year started the construction of corvettes for the Ukrainian Navy within the scope of cooperation that includes technology transfer. The company has already built and delivered Sea Supply Ship, PNS MOAWIN, Turkey's largest tonnage military shipbuilding project, designed for the Pakistan Navy, to Karachi. Continuing its activities as the main contractor in the modernization of Agosta 90B Khalid class submarines, which are also owned by Pakistan, STM has gained the trust of the Pakistan Navy with these successful projects.

CivilNet: Azerbaijan’s punitive attacks and the humanitarian crisis in Armenia’s south

Paul Hambardsumian
CIVILNET.AM

04 Dec, 2021 08:12

Arman Tatoyan, the Human Rights Ombudsman of Armenia, talks to CivilNet’s Emilio Luciano Cricchio about Azerbaijan’s actions and how they impact the daily lives of Armenian villagers in the Syunik region. Mr. Tatoyan furthermore explains what Armenia’s red lines should be in the negotiations with Azerbaijan and what his political aspirations are after his tenure ends. 

Resident of Artsakh captured and killed by Azerbaijani soldiers – MFA

Paul Hambardsumian

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 18:56, 3 December, 2021

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS. On December 3, 2021, Seyran Smbat Sargsyan, born in 1956, a resident of Chartar settlement of the Martuni district of the Republic of Artsakh, was grazing his cattle and as a result of being lost was captured and killed by Azerbaijani military units, ARMENPRESS reports the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh said in a statement.

“Such a terrorist and barbaric act is a manifestation of the state level genocidal and anti-Armenian policy in Azerbaijan, which was carried out at the instructions of the highest authorities of Azerbaijan. One of the evidences of it is the false statement spread by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, which justifies the terrorist act of the Azerbaijani military.

This behavior of official Baku is a gross violation of international law, international humanitarian law, disrespect for all the agreements reached and is aimed at intimidating the people of Artsakh and forcing them to leave their homeland.

Such a policy is also a severe blow to Russia's peacekeeping mission.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh strongly condemns the terrorist policy of Azerbaijan, calls on the international community to give an adequate assessment to the unbridled actions of Azerbaijan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges the people of Artsakh not to give in to provocations. The Foreign Ministry declares once again that Artsakh was, is and will remain Armenian. Nothing can undermine our will and determination to live in our homeland”, reads the statement.

Armenia’s ex-president Serzh Sargsyan faces bribery charges

Paul Hambardsumian
Dec 1 2021
The former leader denies any wrongdoing.
Written byArzu Geybullayeva

Former president of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan was charged with taking a bribe during his time as a president, in what the ex-president's lawyer describe as an an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing political and military crisis between Armenia and Azerbaijan. On November 22, Marina Ohanjanian, a spokesperson for the Anti-Corruption Committee, confirmed the allegation. The ex-president appeared before the committee the same day.

The charges are part of an investigation that started three years ago, into events in March 2008, when police and protesters clashed over disputed presidential election results that took place in February of that year. The ongoing investigation alleges that the government officials — Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan, former presidents Sargsyan and his predecessor Robert Kocharyan — took bribes in a scheme facilitated by businessman Samvel Mayrapetyan.

According to Radio Liberty, the current case brought forward against Sargsyan is linked to the testimony of a businesswoman from Armenia named Silvia Hambardzumyan. In 2018, Hambardzumyan said she bribed state officials, “in order to secure permission to start a business in the mining industry.”

At the time, the testimony resulted in charges against Armenia’s second President Robert Kocharyan; his chief of staff; Armen Gevorgyan, opposition member of the parliament; and businessman Samvel Mayrapetyan. According to OC Media, while Hambardzumyan also said she bribed Sargsyan, the ex-president “has not faced criminal charges in the case until now.”

Sargsyan's lawyer Amram Makinyan dismissed the newly emerged accusations in a statement on November 22. “It’s ridiculous that after [moving] Silva’s testimony [back and forth] for three and a half years only today they ‘decided’ that she’s also bribed Serzh Sargsyan, when two years earlier he was already questioned under the same case as a witness and so far no circumstance has changed or added legally,” he said.

This is Sargsyan’s second set of major criminal charges. The first concerns embezzling some USD 1 million from state coffers. “Sargsyan was charged alongside businessman Barsegh Beglaryan and three former Agriculture Ministry officials, including former Minister Sergo Karapetyan,” reported OC Media. The former president has denied these accusations too.

More recently, the ex-president's name was also mentioned in an investigative report published in September 2021 that revealed president's frequent trips to Germany's Baden-Baden where his “official presidential airplane flew high-ranking officials,” between 2008 and 2017, during the former leader's time in office.

The former president has denied the accusations and has signed an affidavit not to leave the country.

Nikol’s sole demand

Paul Hambardsumian
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 1 2021

Seemingly, Nikol Pashinyan should have innumerable demands due to his unmeasurable anti-Armenian role. But, Nikol has actually one demand.

Having unwittingly studied the parties, speakers, ambitious figures and the opposition, I know everyone's weaknesses. Not all weaknesses, but all of them.

But I cannot find out Nikol’s weakness.

You may ask what about the word "capitulant"? Well, calling him a capitulant does not affect him in any way. In fact, it only gave the opposition an opportunity to unburden their souls by uttering this word.

Do you think he demands power? No, why to demand what he already has thanks to a retinue of police officers and pampered staff generals, who are the source of his strength?

Did you think I'd say external forces? No, there aren't any, because we did it all by ourselves: Armenia’s National Security Service allowed Turkish spies into the capital before the war, the chief of the military’s General Staff failed to draw up a military strategy and carry out coordinated operations, volunteers and other people who were concerned about the army were sent home by the Armenian PR men, saying that “with your excessive care you devalue the power of the Armenian army”.

There are no foreign forces. At most, they might have trained people how to destroy their own country.

You may also ask how Nikol’s strength may stem from pampered generals. It’s quite simple –  due to their tenderness.

Now police officers diligently act like guards, so that no one makes a tart remark or complaints. I'm sure they do it more diligently than they've been ordered to.

Damn it! What is the weakness of Nikol?

Love? No, he has none.

Hatred towards the Turks? It’s less than hatred towards the Armenians, it cannot be counterbalanced.

Homeland? It’s been ceded by himself.

Knowledge? Why would an ignoramus man want to be surrounded by clever ones? Let’s recall the "drip" hectares the governor of Ararat was talking about. Are you laughing? Did you think he would have sacked him after that, saying, "You're ignorant, buddy, you can't rule”?

Family?

Friends?

No way. A man usually doesn't like witnesses to his meanness. Nikol does not like his entourage, but appreciates those who fulfil his only demand – unquestioning obedience.

He does not need people with moral convictions, educated, honest or faithful men, not even those who do not make slip-ups… Only the obedient ones.

How to use Nikol’s only weakness, his demand for obedience, against him?

I don’t know yet. For we have been brought up on the basis of values, and our values are our strength and weakness at the same time… And how to fight against those who have no respect for values?

Anahit Voskanyan



Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 25-11-21

Paul Hambardsumian

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 17:37,

YEREVAN, 25 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 25 November, USD exchange rate up by 2.11 drams to 480.22 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 3.23 drams to 538.95 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.04 drams to 6.44 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.96 drams to 640.33 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 11.76 drams to 27513.84 drams. Silver price down by 3.32 drams to 362.75 drams. Platinum price down by 56.63 drams to 15099.76 drams.

“Extremely tense situation” at Armenian eastern border amid Azerbaijani attack

Paul Hambardsumian

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 15:15, 16 November, 2021

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. The situation at the eastern border of Armenia remains “extremely tense” as of 14:30, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said in a press release.

“Localized battles are taking place during which the adversary is using artillery, armored equipment and various caliber firearms. The Armenian side is carrying out adequate actions. The situation is under the control of the Armenian Armed Forces,” the Ministry of Defense said.

Earlier on November 16, the Ministry of Defense said that Armenian positions in the eastern direction came under Azerbaijani attack. 

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan