Author: Paul Hambardsumian

TV journalist hounded in France over Nagorno-Karabakh report

Paul Hambardsumian
Reporters Without Borders
Oct 28 2020

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the online attacks that a French TV reporter received from members of the Armenian community in France after just doing her job by covering the current fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region from the Azerbaijani side of the front line.

Liseron Boudoul, a staff reporter for the French TV channel TF1, began receiving hate messages on Facebook and Twitter, including such insults as “genocidal whore,” after TFI broadcast her report on its 8 p.m. news programme on 22 October. She was also subjected to pressure via a WhatsApp text from someone who had managed to get her personal phone number.


TF1 was itself also targeted by systematic harassment on social media and in emails and phone calls.

Two reporters for a leading French daily were also subjected to online threats from members of the Armenian community in France in early October in connection with their articles about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

“We firmly condemn the harassment to which Liseron Boudoul and TF1 have been subjected,” said Pavol Szalai, the Head of RSF’s European Union and Balkans Desk. “It is unacceptable for a journalist and a media outlet to be hounded in this way for covering a conflict, on the grounds that they placed themselves on a certain side of the front line.”

Szalai added: “We also call on Franck Papazian, the co-chair of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations in France, to unequivocally condemn this grave attack on freedom of the press.”

In a Facebook comment, Papazian described Boudoul’s report as “similar to disinformation.” One of the comments that followed said: “It’s possible that with a few beheadings of senior TF1 personnel, they will think better and more clearly.”

The day after Boudoul’s report was broadcast, members of the Armenian community demonstrated spontaneously outside TF1’s headquarters in Paris in protest against what they regarded as the TV channel’s biased coverage.

A few days before Boudoul’s report, TF1 had broadcast two reports from the Armenian side of the front line. To defuse tension, TF1 finally removed Boudoul’s report from its website.

France is ranked 34th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2020 World Press Freedom Index, while Armenia is ranked 61st and Azerbaijan is ranked 168th.


WATCH: Artsakh countermeasures hit Azeri military equipment

Paul Hambardsumian

military equipment

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 11:33,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Army of Artsakh released a video showing the destruction of Azerbaijani military equipment .

The Defense Army said the Azeri military continues to suffer personnel and materiel losses.

It added that the Artsakh troops continue successfully implementing countermeasures.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

[see video]

CivilNet: Karabakh President: Azerbaijan Has No Intention to Resume Negotiations

Paul Hambardsumian
CIVILNET.AM

06:32

On October 26, following the breakdown of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan wrote the following statement.

“Dear compatriots,

In defiance of the efforts exerted by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries aimed at establishing a humanitarian ceasefire in the region, the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan continues ignoring and violating the agreements reached in this respect.

As in the previous two attempts, Azerbaijan has again grossly violated the agreement reached through the mediation of the United States of America and with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries’ participation, which reaffirmed the commitment of the respective parties to implement and abide by the humanitarian ceasefire agreed in Moscow on 10 October and in Paris on 17 October at the initiative of the President of the Russian Federation and President of the French Republic correspondingly.

Especially in the afternoon, Azerbaijan has resumed offensive military operations along the entire frontline using missiles and artillery.

All of this confirms that the Azerbaijani authorities, having the unreserved patronage of Turkey and supported by mercenary terrorists, have no intention to resume peaceful dialogue and send an explicit message that they will continue their military efforts towards final ethnic cleansing of Armenians from Artsakh.

Thus, our task is to struggle so that the Armenians of Artsakh could have an existence in freedom and dignity in their homeland.

The security and rights of our people are not subject to tradeoff, and our determination with this regard is beyond any circumstances and interests.”

Western Prelacy Holds 48th Representatives Assembly

Paul Hambardsumian

October 23,  2020



Western Prelacy’s 48th National Representative Assembly

  • A Letter To President Trump Regarding War In Artsakh
  • Bishop Torkom Donoyan Elected Prelate
  • New Religious And Executive Councils Elected

The 48th National Representatives Assembly of the Western Prelacy convened on October 16 at “Avedissian” Hall in Encino, presided over by Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian. Due to the current pandemic, the Assembly was held in a single day, instead of the usual two days. The activities of the Prelate and the Religious and Executive Councils were evaluated and activities for the forthcoming year were proposed and drafted. The election of the Prelate and Councils also took place.

Members of the Clergy, Central Executive members; Vahe Yacoubian and Gaidzag Zetlian, Religious and Executive Council members, Chairmen of Boards of Trustees and the Chairwoman of the Board of Regents participated in the Representatives Assembly. This year’s Assembly was hosted by St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of Las Vegas.

The Assembly commenced with prayer for Armenia, Artsakh, our soldiers and to those who have lost their lives during the war. The prayer was followed by the singing of the Armenian National Anthem. The Prelate greeted the participants and invited Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian to read the message of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I., in which the Pontiff stressed; “During times of strife and upheaval, our prelacy must continue its mission through revitalized faith and service, especially for our youth and communities.”

The election of the assembly’s executive followed, with Boghos Sassounian elected as Chairman and Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian and Hamo Kasbarian elected as Co-Secretaries. The Prelate then invited the participants to stand for a moment of silence in memory of delegate Haigaz Terterian and Prof. Ara Manash whom we lost in the previous term, and also for the casualties in the recent war in Artsakh.

Expressing their unified outrage toward the war crimes perpetrated by the Turkish and Azerbaijani governments, the representatives decided to direct a demand letter to the President and Congress of the United States of America.

Central Executive member Vahe Yacoubian delivered his remarks to the Assembly, emphasizing on the statement made by the Pontiff, in which we must commit in our future endeavors within the prelacy. He reflected upon the effects of the Corona Virus and the recent war in Artsakh, stressing on the imperativeness of reorganization and wished strength and perseverance to the soldiers in Artsakh.

On behalf of the Executive Council, Chairman Garo Eshgian expressed hope that the 48th Assembly will open new horizons in the Prelacy’s mission and stated that we are living in troubling times due to the Corona Virus and the war in Artsakh, but that should not deter us in our efforts, because we will overcome all challenges through our spirit of oneness. Concluding his remarks, Eshgian expressed his gratitude toward Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, for his years of service and efforts in prospering the Western Prelacy.

On behalf of the host parish, Chairwoman Arpy Hicks greeted her colleagues.

Outgoing chairman of the Prelacy Executive Council Garo Eshgian with newly-elected Western Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan

The Prelate then delivered his message, which he acknowledged the challenges which our Prelacy faces during these difficult times. He wished for the ceasefire to persist and for the war to come to a lasting end, so that the both Independent Republics of Armenia and Artsakh will once again live in peace and for the civilians to return to a normal life. The prelate also thanked all the sponsors and donors whom have aided the Western Prelacy throughout the years. He appreciated the service and dedication of the Chairman and members of the Executive Council, Representative Assembly members, Board of Trustee members, Ladies Guild members, new and old employees of the Western Prelacy and to all those who serve the church. He concluded his remarks by thanking Catholicos Aram I., for his blessings throughout his 6 term tenure as the prelate of the Western Prelacy. The prelate informed the Assembly that he had delivered an official letter to Catholicos Aram I., expressing his desire to step down from his duties and responsibilities as the Prelate of the Western Prelacy. In conclusion, he prayed that God bestows insight, strength and endurance upon the newly elected Prelate, Religious and Executive Councils, so that they may serve for the praise of God, the betterment of the Armenian Church and the prosperity of the people.

The Financial and Auditing Committee reports were then presented, followed by briefings by the Religious Council, Executive Council, and Board of Regents. Following questions on the annual reports and a review of the year’s activities, the Resolution Committee found the endeavors of the Prelate and Executive Council highly commendable.

The next item on the agenda was the election of the Prelate. Before hearing the names of three candidates put forth by Catholicos Aram I., as per tradition, due to a candidate being present at the Assembly, Bishop Torkom Donoyan was escorted out of the hall. Thereafter, the names of the three candidates were read; Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, Bishop Magar Ashkarian, and Bishop Torkom Donoyan. The delegates then voted by secret ballot and by a unanimous vote, Bishop Torkom Donoyan was elected to serve as Prelate of the Western Prelacy. Escorted by the Assembly executive, the newly elected Prelate proceeded back into the hall to a standing ovation.

The clergy formed a procession, and by the singing of “Ourakh Ler” and “Hrashapar,” they guided Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan, into Holy Marty’s Church to perform the “Canonical Prayer.” The newly-elected Prelate, recited the “Canonical Prayer,” received the Prelate’s staff from his predecessor Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and delivered his first message to representatives and clergy members.

Catholicosate Central Executive Council member Vahe Yacoubian

The Prelate stated, “Prayer is fundamental in strengthening the spirit, enlightening the mind, having a healthy body and is a daily presence in my life. That is why, today, I pray with a deeper conviction that God will give me strength, as I am elected the Prelate of the Western Prelacy by His blessing and your votes. I believe and trust the words of the psalmist; “Lord I put my trust in You, do not forsake those who seek You.” (Psalm 9:10.) The Prelate continued, “With sincerity and a deep gratitude, I thank Catholicos Aram I., and to the Representatives Assembly for the trust that you have placed in me.” He concluded his remarks by emphasizing the importance of working in unity, and that all of our future achievements will be fulfilled as we carry the responsibilities together.”

The last item on the agenda was the election of the Religious and Executive Councils. The new Religious Council was elected as follows: Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Very Rev. Fr. Smpad Saboundjian, Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian, Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian, Rev. Fr. Boghos Baltagyan, Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, and Rev. Fr. Movses Shannakian.

The new Executive Council was elected as follows: Vahe Hovaguimian, Meher Der Ohanessian, George Chorbajian, Dr. Kaloust Agopian, Deacon Berj Apkarian, Dzovig Zetlian, Ara Shabanian, Garbis Bezdjian, Jack Hadjinian, Sarkis Tatiguian and Gevik Baghdassarian.

The National Representatives Assembly tivan contacted H.H. Catholicos Aram I., regarding the outcome of the Representatives Assembly and in turn the Pontiff ratified the elections of the Prelate, Religious and Executive Councils.

The ratification of the activities and budget for the coming term followed.

On behalf of the National Representatives Assembly executive, Boghos Sassounian congratulated the newly elected Prelate, Religious and Executive Councils, and invited Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Prelate, to deliver his concluding remarks.

The Prelate once again thanked Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian for his service to the Western Prelacy, and wished him a healthy and long life, emphasizing that he will always remain his spiritual elder brother. He concluded by praising the efforts of the tivan and accomplishments of the outgoing council members, he congratulated the newly elected members of both councils and promised that all future endeavors will be taken in good faith and honesty. He also commended the employees of the Western Prelacy and thanked the Pastor and Board of Trustees of St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of Las Vegas for hosting this year’s Assembly.

Prior to the conclusion of the National Representative Assembly, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian once again congratulated the newly elected Prelate, Religious and Executive Councils. The 48th National Representatives Assembly came to a close with the Prelate’s benediction and singing of Cilicia.

On behalf of the newly elected Prelate, a dinner reception took place following the National Representatives Assembly. In attendance were members of Clergy, Religious and Executive Council members, National Representatives Assembly members, representatives of the A.R.F. Bureu and Central Committee and employees of the Western Prelacy.

The Master of Ceremonies was Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian. Congratulatory remarks were made by; Central Executive Council members Vahe Yacoubian and Gaidzag Zetlian, Ex-Chair of the Executive Council Garo Eshgian and Chair of the Religious Council Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian. Also, heartfelt congratulatory remarks were delivered by A.R.F Central Committee representative Garo Ispedjian and A.R.F. Bureau representative Dr. Viken Yacoubian.

Prelate Bishop Torkom Donoyan delivered his closing remarks and called on everyone to work with one goal in mind, for the praise of God, the betterment of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the people. The evening came to a close with the Prelate’s benediction.

National Hero title recipient Azeri colonel killed in action, Baku confirms

Paul Hambardsumian

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 16:20,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani presidency has officially confirmed the death of Shukyur Hamidov, a Colonel of the Azerbaijani military who was killed in action in the attacks on Artsakh. His death was reported by the Azeri media on October 22, which said that the colonel, who held the title of National Hero of Azerbaijan, was killed in the Kashatagh region. The Azeri President Ilham Aliyev called the colonel's family to convey condolences, his office said in a news release. 

Hamidov was bestowed with the National Hero title for his participation in the attacks on Artsakh in April 2016, when he served as the commander of the 706th brigade of the 2nd Army Corps of the Azeri Armed Forces.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Canada calls on external parties not to intervene in NK conflict

Paul Hambardsumian

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 18:30,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 22, ARMENPRESS. Canada calls on the external parties to refrain from intervening in Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Foreign Minister of Canada François-Philippe Champagne wrote in his Twitter micro blog, emphasizing that he is in regular contact with Armenian FM Zohrab Mnatsakanyan.

Canada continues calling to respect the ceasefire in Nagorno Karabakh and allocates 350 thousand USD for the humanitarian activities of the ICRC.

Champagne also called on the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs to create mechanisms for ceasefire verification.

Hungary launches PR blitz against Biden; Armenian diaspora targets Azerbaijan lobbyists; DLA Piper drops Azerbaijan Railways:

Paul Hambardsumian
Foreign Lobby
Oct 20 2020
[Armenian News note: Parts not related to Armenia or Armenian issues are not included. Please visit the page for the full article.]

The Armenian Assembly of America today announced a campaign to pressure lobbying and public relations firms to “reject blood money” from Azerbaijan, which is fighting Armenia over control of the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. The group’s co-chairs, Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian, said they would be reaching to the firms as well as their other clients to urge them to take their business elsewhere.

“Instead of flacking for the Aliyev regime whose leader [President Ilham Aliyev] has promised to wipe out the Christian Armenians ‘like dogs,’ these firms need to stop taking blood money from Azerbaijan and Turkey if they have any conscience or sense of American patriotism,” they said. The Armenian-American diaspora is estimated at between 500,000 and 1.5 million and is politically powerful on Capitol Hill.

Representing the government of Azerbaijan are BGR Public Affairs, public relations firm Stellar Jay and BGR subcontractor Baker Donelson. Former Rep. Bob Livingston (R-La.) terminated his Livingston Group‘s registration as a foreign agent of Azerbaijan last week, just three months after telling the US Justice Department that he was in the process of negotiating a contract with Baku, Foreign Lobby Report first reported Oct. 15. DLA Piper has also recently ended its work for Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (see new filings section below).

Already over the weekend, the Armenian diaspora bombarded the S-3 Group with more than a thousand emails with an identical message pressuring the Washington public affairs firm to stop representing a new client from Azerbaijan (Foreign Lobby Report was copied on the emails). The firm recently picked up a Baku-based company called Investment Corporation, LLC for $25,000 per month to “create and place earned and digital media to further diplomacy,” we first reported on Oct. 15. The diaspora letter, which you can read in its entirety here, describes S-3’s client as a “thinly veiled front for the Government of Azerbaijan through a proxy shell corporation.”

Other S-3 clients including accounting organization KPMG, French luxury brand LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton and General Motors are copied on the emails. The firm did not respond to a request for comment about whether it has any plans to abandon its Baku client. For more on the battle for influence in Washington between Azerbaijan and the Armenian-American diaspora, read our July 30 deep dive here.

Azerbaijanis target ambulance vehicle transporting injured after ceasefire was declared

Paul Hambardsumian

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 23:20,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Health Minister of Armenia Arsen Torosyan sent a letter to the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus over the Azerbaijani military encroachments against the Republic of Artsakh, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Ministry of Health of Armenia.

Minister Torosyan notes in the letter that the Azerbaijani aggression takes place under the light of global health crisis, which is severely  hampering the national, regional and global Covid19 response efforts and facilitating the spread of the virus. The Health Minister of Armenia notes that even on October 11, when a ceasefire was already declared, Azerbaijan targeted an ambulance transporting the wounded.

‘’Dear Dr. Ghebreyesus,

I am writing to express my grave concern regarding the military attack of Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

Today, when the whole world is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, when the international community is mobilizing its efforts to mitigate socio-economic consequences of the pandemic, and when all the leaders, including the UN Secretary-General, are calling for a global ceasefire, the Azerbaijani armed forces, launched large-scale airborne, missile and land attack along the entire line of contact between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan, targeting civilian settlements, infrastructure, and schools, including in the capital city of Stepanakert resulting in numerous civilian casualties and destruction. The aggression of Azerbaijan is happening in the midst of the global health crisis which is severely hampering the national, regional and global Covid19 response efforts and facilitating the spread of the virus.

The military attack unleashed by Azerbaijan against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh and perpetrated with the direct involvement of Turkey and the Turkish-backed foreign terrorist fighters have led to the most intense and destructive escalation in the region since the 1990s. This genocidal Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance brings more destruction and devastation while the COVID-19 pandemic keeps spreading.

Despite the constant shelling of civilian objects, including humanitarian and environmental ones, our medical personnel perform their duty, fighting for the lives of the wounded, including foreign journalists, severely injured as a result of deliberate attacks of the Azerbaijani armed forces. Unfortunately, several medical workers lost their lives while conducting their duty. Even on October 11, when a ceasefire was already declared, Azerbaijan targeted an ambulance transporting the wounded.

Dear Director-General,

Currently, we are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe in the Republic of Artsakh, when civilians are deprived of essential medical services and are horrified by bombings and rocket strikes. The entire peaceful population, including children and the elderly, is under permanent danger to lose their lives and health.

We urge the World Health Organization which is a leading organization involved in the global coordination for mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic to take appropriate measures to stop the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the military aggression of Azerbaijan and aggravated by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If this massive military aggression by Azerbaijan continues to target the civilian population and infrastructure in the Nagorno-Karabakh, the international public health community’s ability to protect the most vulnerable people from the virus will be severely compromised’’, reads the letter.

On October 9 a ceasefire agreement was reached between the Armenian and Azerbaijani FMs mediated by Russian FM. Aetsakh has voiced about numerous cases of the ceasefire violation by Azerbaijan since the agreement entered into force, including launching missile strikes against cities and settlements of Artsakh.

On October 11 Azerbaijani armed forces made offensive attempts in the north-eastern and southern directions.

5 civilians in Artsakh were killed by Azerbaijani forces after the declaration of the ceasefire and 20 were killed before.

Editing and translating by Tigran Sirekanyan

Renewed Azerbaijan/Armenia conflict a new threat to Russia’s delicate balancing act with key player Turkey

Paul Hambardsumian
RT – Russia Today
Sept 28 2020

By Paul Robinson, a professor at the University of Ottawa. He writes about Russian and Soviet history, military history, and military ethics.

Azerbaijan has never forgotten its 1990s humiliation at the hands of Armenia. Now stronger than its sworn enemy, and emboldened by Turkish support, Baku’s assertiveness is creating a headache for Moscow.

Russian president Vladimir Putin once complained that communist leader Vladimir Lenin had placed a ‘time bomb’ under Russia. He had in mind the introduction of the federal principle after Lenin’s Bolsheviks took power in 1917. Lenin gave national minorities their own republics within the Soviet Union. In so doing, he created a situation which allowed those republics to secede from the Union once communist power collapsed.

Soviet federalism brought other problems. The communists granted autonomy to the larger nationalities in the form of 15 ‘republics.’ Smaller nationalities also got autonomy, but of a different form – so-called ‘autonomous republics’ and ‘autonomous regions.’ When the union fell apart, fully-fledged republics got independence, but the autonomous republics and regions within them did not.

READ MORE: Baku showcases infantry & artillery in action as Azeri-Armenian border fighting sees opening of second 'propaganda front' (VIDEO)

Unsurprisingly, many of the smaller minorities were not too happy with this somewhat arbitrary outcome, and attempted to secede from the seceding republics. The result was several wars, the first of which took place in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region, an Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan, after it attempted to secede from Azerbaijan and join with Armenia. The war ended in an Armenian victory. Not only did the Armenians drive the Azeris out of Nagorno-Karabakh, but they also captured a swath of Azeri territory linking Armenia with the breakaway region.

Nagorno-Karabakh became a de-facto independent state, albeit one recognized by nobody and entirely dependent on Armenian support. Azerbaijan, meanwhile, has never abandoned its claim to its lost province nor to the territories seized by Armenia. The result has been occasional military clashes between Yerevan and Baku over the past 30 years.

This weekend, violence once again flared up on the front lines between the Armenian and Azeri forces. The Armenian government announced that it had repulsed an enemy offensive and issued a video showing the destruction of several items of Azeri military equipment. The Azeri government, in turn, accused Armenia of attacking it, and declared that it had launched its own counter-offensive in which it had ‘liberated’ several villages. Armenia has now mobilized its army. Many fear the outbreak of all-out war.

One explanation for the recent flare-up may be that Azerbaijan feels much stronger than it did when it suffered its defeat at the hands of Armenia 30 years ago. The Azeri economy, benefitting from substantial oil reserves, has outgrown that of its neighbor, as has the Azeri population – there are 10 million Azeris compared with only three million Armenians. Azerbaijan has invested heavily in its military and may feel much more confident about its prospects should matters escalate further.


Another explanation may be the support Azerbaijan is receiving from its primary ally – Turkey. Following this weekend’s clashes, Turkish president Recep Erdogan called on ‘the entire world to stand with Azerbaijan in its battle against invasion.’ Such Turkish support may embolden the Azeri leadership not to back down if things begin to get out of hand.

Russia has officially adopted a position of neutrality in the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, and called on all sides to settle their differences peacefully. This has meant supporting the status quo. Since that status quo favours Armenia, in reality this position has meant supporting Armenia, a posture reinforced by Armenia’s membership of various multilateral initiatives sponsored by Russia, notably the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union.

The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh thus indirectly pits Russia against Turkey. It also undermines a common narrative that claims that Russia seeks to undermine democracy and promote authoritarian forms of government. After all, Russia’s ally Armenia is a democracy whereas Turkey’s ally, Azerbaijan, is not.

Nagorno-Karabakh is not the only location where Russian and Turkish proxies are clashing. In Syria, Russia has been backing the government of Bashar Assad while Turkey has been propping up the anti-Assad rebels in Idlib province. And in Libya, Russia is said to support rebel general Khalifa Haftar, while Turkey recently sent substantial aid to the government forces in Tripoli to help drive Haftar’s troops away from the capital.


Russia has good reasons, therefore, to regard Turkey as a spoiler, undermining Russian influence in the Caucasus, Middle East, and North Africa. But Russia isn’t the only state that Turkey has irritated in recent years. Turkey currently has poor relations with fellow NATO members, and this provides an opportunity which Russia can exploit for its own advantage. Economic opportunities also beckon in Turkey, as seen by the recent Turkish decision to purchase Russian-made S-400 air-defense missiles.

Consequently, whenever Russia and Turkey have clashed in recent years, the Russian government has sought to rapidly calm things down. Unsurprisingly, it is now taking the same approach regarding the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. On the one hand, Russia needs to stand by its Armenian ally. On the other hand, it wishes to avoid an escalation which would bring it into conflict with Turkey. A restoration of the ceasefire and the status-quo ante thus serves it best. Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs therefore issued a statement declaring that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was “intensively conducting talks to induce the parties to immediately cease firing and start negotiations to stabilize the situation.”

For now, this approach may work. In the longer term, though, economic and demographic considerations mean that power in the Southern Caucasus will likely continue to shift in Azerbaijan’s favor. As it does, Russia’s balancing act vis-à-vis Turkey could become increasingly difficult to maintain.



1 candidate nominated for Constitutional Court President, one of CC judges self-nominated

Paul Hambardsumian

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 16:28,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 24, ARMENPRESS. 2 candidates will run for the President of the Constitutional Court during the working session of the Court, Court judge Arevik Petrosyan told reporters.

“There has been one nomination and one self-nomination”, she said, refusing to release their names.

Asked whether there is a candidate from the new judges, she said yes.

The Constitutional Court has convened a working session from September 23 for electing its president and vice president. The election of the CC president and vice president will take place through a voting in a closed format.

On September 15 the Armenian Parliament elected Yervand Khundkaryan, Edgar Shatiryan and Artur Vagharshayn as Constitutional Court judges.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan