Author: Paul Hambardsumian

Kapan’s students will study in a newly equipped computer lab as part of the "Generation AI" high school project

Paul Hambardsumian

 17:50,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS. It has been a month since the "Generation AI" high school pilot project was launched and is being presented in various regions of Armenia engaged in this initiative. This program is developed by the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST) and implemented in partnership with the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MoESCS) and field organizations. In pursuit of presenting program details and perspectives, the FAST's team visited the south of Armenia, Syunik region, to meet with teaching staff, parents, and students of Kapan High School N2. The Foundation also donated computers to the school to empower students with modern resources, enabling them to delve into the world of artificial intelligence and become proficient in its applications.

“The main goal of the "Generation AI" program is to nurture a generation of competitive AI specialists right from their school years. Recognizing Syunik's pivotal role in Armenia, the decision was made to modernize the school's computer infrastructure. This step is crucial in equipping students with the essential resources required for a superior education. With this, we encourage the involvement of different organizations in the process of supporting the schools and enhancing the schools' labs with new technologies", mentioned Suzanna Shamakhyan, Vice President of Strategic Programming at FAST. She highlighted  the importance of consolidating the efforts of various ecosystem players to achieve systemic change in the country.

An interactive info session was held, during which beneficiaries were introduced about the program's components, benefits, and prospects of artificial intelligence, including its recent advancements and practical applications. The ceremonial opening of the newly outfitted computer lab occurred in participation with the director of Kapan High School N2, Rita Ovchyan, and Suzanna Shamakhyan. On that day, the students also had the opportunity to test their learning skills with one of the program's educational platforms for Python programming.

Sixteen high schools, from six different regions and Yerevan, will execute the “Generation AI” program beginning in September 2023. The program will involve at least 250 high school students and 40 educators in the 2023-2024 school year.

In the framework of the visit, Gevorg Parsyan, the mayor of Kapan, met the representatives of the Foundation, Suzanna Shamakhyan and Anush Ayvazyan. They discussed the details of the "Generation AI" program during which the Foundation team underscored the importance and readiness of combined efforts from various sectors to drive technological advancements and achieve substantial outcomes in the Kapan community.

As the Foundation's regional visits continue, the upcoming events will unfold in other cities, featuring interactions with industry professionals in Gyumri and Vanadzor. The momentum of the "Generation AI" program highlights a collaborative spirit aimed at propelling Armenia's educational and technological landscape forward.

***

FAST was founded in 2017 by aiming to support Armenia's transformation into a science-driven, innovative country by 2041 through scientific discovery and innovation. To reach this milestone, FAST has designed and structured numerous programs and initiatives to become independent parts of the STI ecosystem, ensuring continuous sustainability. FAST has implemented 25 programs impacting more than 10,000 beneficiaries in the last six years.

Azerbaijan torpedoes dialogue with Stepanakert, warns Pashinyan

Paul Hambardsumian

 11:41,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 24, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Azerbaijan is continuously torpedoing dialogue with Stepanakert and attempting to blame Nagorno-Karabakh itself for it.

“Our information shows that Baku, with the use of various methods, is continuously torpedoing dialogue with Stepanakert, and is trying to put the responsibility for this on Nagorno-Karabakh. The stance of the Republic of Armenia remains the same, the issues relating to the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh must be addressed through Baku-Stepanakert dialogue within the framework of an international mechanism,” Pashinyan said.

In this context, the implementation of clause 7 of the 9 November 2020 statement is significant, he added. The clause stipulates the return of refugees and IDPs not only to Nagorno-Karabakh but also adjacent regions.

“This means that Armenians of not only a number of villages of Martakert, Hadrut and Martuni, but also Getashen, Martunashen, Shahumyan and other regions must have the opportunity to safely return to their homes, with dignity.”

U.N. Security Council to convene emergency meeting on Azeri blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh

Paul Hambardsumian

 09:17, 15 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 15, ARMENPRESS. The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting Wednesday in response to a call from Armenia.

Associated Press reported that the U.S. Mission to the U.N. said Monday the emergency open meeting will take place on Wednesday afternoon.

Permanent Representative of Armenia to the U.N., Mher Margaryan, in an August 11 letter addressed to the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the current President of the U.N. Security Council, said that the people of Nagorno-Karabakh are on the verge of a full-fledged humanitarian catastrophe as a result of the Azerbaijani blockade.

First death from starvation reported in blockade-struck Nagorno-Karabakh

Paul Hambardsumian
Aug 15 2023
 15 August 2023

ByAni Avetisyan
An empty supermarket in Stepanakert. Photo: Ani Balayan/CivilNet.

The authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh have reported that a 40-year-old man has starved to death in the eighth month of the region’s blockade by Azerbaijan. 

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the Human Rights Defender’s Office said that K Hovhannisyan had died of ‘chronic malnutrition’ and ‘protein and energy deficiency’. The statement was accompanied by a photo of an emaciated body [warning: link contains graphic imagery] purportedly that of Hovhannisyan.

The Human Rights Defender’s Office laid the blame for Hovhannisyan’s death squarely on Azerbaijan, calling it one of the ‘catastrophic consequences of the ongoing 8-month-long blockade of Artsakh [Nagonro-Karabakh] by Azerbaijan’.

The statement added that the impact of the blockade on the public health sector ‘primarily affects the health situation of the most vulnerable groups of the society — children, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases, people with disabilities, and older persons’. 

Nagorno-Karabakh’s population of around 120,000 people have not been able to leave or enter the region since mid-December, when Azerbaijani government-backed protesters, later replaced by a border checkpoint, blocked the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Supplies to the region have also been intermittently blocked, with the humanitarian aid previously delivered by the Red Cross and Russian peacekeeping forces halted since mid-June, leading to acute shortages of food and medicine. 

The absence of fuel and electricity supplies from Armenia has also led to rolling blackouts and the suspension of public transport, cutting settlements off from each other. 

While residents in rural areas have in part used agricultural lands to meet their needs, supermarkets in the capital Stepanakert have remained bare, with supplies from villages unable to reach the city due to the lack of fuel. 

The suspension of waste collection due to the fuel shortage has also raised concerns of a possible epidemic in Stepanakert, as waste piles up in the summer heat. 

Azerbaijan denies blocking the Lachin Corridor and also insists that supplies could be delivered from Azerbaijani-held Aghdam, a proposal dismissed as untenable by Stepanakert and Yerevan.

A number of Western countries and international organisations have called on Azerbaijan to lift the blockade and restore free passage of people and goods, one of the stipulations of the 2020 ceasefire agreement. 

Following Hovhannisyan’s death on Tuesday, Armenia’s Ambassador-at-large, Edmon Marukyan, called on the international community to ‘take action’ to prevent the ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenian population.

‘We were warning about this on a daily basis for already 8 months’, Marukyan wrote.

The UN Security Council is due to hold an urgent meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation.

 For ease of reading, we choose not to use qualifiers such as ‘de facto’, ‘unrecognised’, or ‘partially recognised’ when discussing institutions or political positions within Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and South Ossetia. This does not imply a position on their status.

https://oc-media.org/first-death-from-starvation-reported-in-blockade-struck-nagorno-karabakh/

UNSC meeting: ‘Crucial that ICJ order is respected to ensure unimpeded movement along Lachin Corridor’ – United Kingdom

Paul Hambardsumian

 00:57,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 17, ARMENPRESS. The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned at the ongoing disruptions to the Lachin corridor, UK Ambassador to the UN James Kariuki said in his statement at the UNSC emergency meeting on the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the Azerbaijani blockade.

“The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned at the ongoing disruptions to the Lachin corridor, which threatens the supply of life-saving medication, health care, and other essential goods and services – resulting in humanitarian consequences for the local population.

“It is therefore crucial that the ICJ order of February 2023 is respected to ensure unimpeded movement along the Lachin corridor in both directions.

“We strongly urge parties to allow the ICRC access along all available routes – including via the Lachin corridor – for the organisation to be able to undertake its vital work. All parties must refrain from the politicisation of humanitarian aid in order to meet the needs of the civilian population.

“We warmly welcome the ongoing, internationally-mediated negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan toward a historic peace agreement, hosted most recently by European Council President Michel last month. We also welcome the efforts of the United States in this regard, with high-level engagement from Secretary Blinken.

“We urge all parties to redouble their efforts in these talks towards a lasting settlement. It is only diplomacy, in the spirit of the UN Charter, that will bring both sides closer to peace,” he said.

Iranian embassy extends condolences to families of minibus-truck collision victims

Paul Hambardsumian

 12:05,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 14, ARMENPRESS. The Iranian Embassy in Armenia has offered condolences to the families of the victims of the deadly minibus-truck collision in Armenia’s Shirak Province.

“We received with deep pain the news of the deaths and injuries of a group of citizens of Armenia. We extend condolences to the families and friends of those killed, wishing them patience, and speedy recovery to those injured,” the Iranian Embassy posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

11 people were killed and nine were injured in a collision between a minibus carrying passengers and a truck in the Shirak Province in the early hours of August 14.

Armenia appeals to UN Security Council on issue of blockade of NK. Experts on expectations

Paul Hambardsumian
Aug 14 2023
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Armenia appeals to UN Security Council

The Armenian government appealed to the UN Security Council with a demand to convene an emergency meeting, connected “with the deterioration of the humanitarian situation due to the forced complete blockade of the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.”

“Under the current circumstances, the Government of Armenia requests the intervention of the UN Security Council as the main body for ensuring global security and preventing mass crimes, including war crimes, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity and genocide,” a letter from Armenia’s permanent representative to the UN says.

This step by official Yerevan was welcomed by the authorities of the unrecognized NKR. Representatives of the civil society of Armenia also made a statement. They called on the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution condemning the blockade and demanding the immediate unblocking of the Lachin corridor.

Although the message of the Armenian Foreign Ministry about the appeal to the UN does not mention the possibility of the adoption of a resolution by the Security Council, Armenian political scientists believe that this is the main goal. Some experts consider this likely, while others do not exclude that a permanent member of the Security Council will use the right of veto and the adoption of the resolution will fail. The permanent members of the Security Council are the USA, France, Great Britain, Russia and China. When the meeting of the Security Council will take place is still unknown.

  • “Respect, not recognize territorial integrity”: a proposal to Pashinyan
  • “Is there an unspoken agreement to leave us alone with Baku?” – President of the unrecognized NKR
  • “The road from the moon to Nagorno-Karabakh is also open” – Pashinyan in an interview with Euronews

This is stated in a letter to the Chairman of the UN Security Council from the Permanent Representative of Armenia Mher Margaryan. He described in detail the situation in NK as a result of the blockade. He stressed that all types of humanitarian supplies have been stopped for a long time, which is why there is an acute shortage of food, medicines and fuel.

“Due to lack of basic food and vitamins, about 2,000 pregnant women, about 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly people and 9,000 people with disabilities are struggling to survive in conditions of malnutrition. People with chronic diseases, including 4,687 people with diabetes and 8,450 people with diseases of the circulatory system, were left virtually without medicines.

As a result of the current situation, there has been an increase in mortality from a number of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and malignant neoplasms. Between January and July, compared with the same period last year, the level of anemia among pregnant women under medical supervision reached about 90%, due to malnutrition and the absence or lack of appropriate medicines. In addition, hot weather conditions and the lack of disinfectants and medicines create the risk of epidemics in the region.”

The representative of Armenia points out that the actions of Azerbaijan are a gross violation of international humanitarian law. In addition, Baku does not comply with the decisions of the International Court of Justice. The letter states that Azerbaijan’s creation of conditions incompatible with life is a “mass crime against the indigenous people of NK”:

“The use of such collective punishment against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh poses an existential threat to them if people remain face to face with the aggressive policies of Azerbaijan.”

Since the middle of June, Azerbaijan has banned the delivery of not only food, but also humanitarian goods from Armenia. How people survive and what do they think about their future?

The Foreign Ministry of the unrecognized NKR welcomed Armenia’s decision to appeal to the UN Security Council:

“This can put an end to the massive gross violations of human rights by Azerbaijan in Artsakh and stop the policy of genocide consistently and systematically pursued by Azerbaijan.”

An appeal was also made to the Security Council to properly respond to the situation and decide on the implementation of “necessary, urgent and effective measures aimed at the immediate, complete and unconditional unblocking of the Lachin corridor.”

“We call and demand from all the main actors not to delay the decision-making and not to wait for more large-scale tragedies, to take practical and effective steps to stop the further course of this genocide. Delay costs human lives and suffering,” President of the unrecognized republic Arayik Harutyunyan said.

Former ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo published his opinion on the situation in the unrecognized NKR under the heading “Armenian Genocide in 2023”

Armenian NGOs appealed to the member states of the UN Security Council with a call “to undertake the obligation to protect the Armenians from the genocide and ethnic cleansing organized by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh.” Representatives of civil society believe that the risks of these crimes are real:

“This is confirmed by international independent criminal law experts, genocide experts and specialized organizations.

In the event of a repetition of this tragedy with the Armenian people in the 21st century, the responsibility will fall on the members of the UN Security Council and the states that actually supported Azerbaijan, which is committing international crimes – genocide and ethnic cleansing.”

NGOs called on the UN Security Council to achieve the immediate unblocking of the Lachin corridor, the unhindered movement of people, vehicles and goods, in accordance with the decision of the UN Hague Court of February 22.

It is expected that urgent measures will be taken to bring an international peacekeeping mission into NK and the Lachin corridor. The UN Secretary General has proposed to send a fact-finding mission to the region, and to appoint his own special representative for the conflict in NK to ensure a long-term presence in the region.

Comments by Armenian experts on the likelihood, effectiveness and possible consequences of the use of force to unblock the only road linking Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia

Political scientist Tigran Grigoryan considers the adoption of a resolution on the Karabakh issue in the UN Security Council likely:

“It seems that none of the permanent members of the UN Security Council should use the right of veto, the majority of the members of the Security Council should vote for the resolution. I assume that the relevant work has been done with Russia.”

He recalled the discussion in the UN Security Council in December 2022, during which “several countries, including Russia”, failed to adopt the statement:

“Now the situation on earth has changed significantly, it has become even more complicated. We are dealing with a serious humanitarian crisis. There is also an interim decision of the International Court of Justice. In addition, it seems that Armenia has worked quite actively with the permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council.”

He thinks that Baku will still ignore the resolution, but if it is adopted, Azerbaijan will comment on it in a way that is desirable for itself. Therefore, according to Grigoryan, Armenia must ensure that the wording of the resolution cannot cause discrepancies. At the same time, he emphasizes that the adoption of the resolution itself can become “an important tool for Armenia and NK”.

Political observer Hakob Badalyan believes that Armenian society has formed a misconception about the UN Security Council as “a holy place where only our appeal is not enough to resolve issues important to us.”

“Can 5 permanent members of the Security Council have a practical influence on the policy of Azerbaijan, if

  • for almost two years in active combat mode they have been busy redistributing the world,
  • Baku’s policy enables each of them to resolve their issues.

They can, of course, if a more important mutual agreement is formed between them, even if it is temporary. And it will allow even if not completely restoring the previous normal mode of life, then at least it will solve the issue of the military and humanitarian security of Artsakh.”

In this case, according to the observer, there is a high probability that some time after the meeting of the UN Security Council there will be “another aggravation of the situation around Artsakh, this time, perhaps in the form of military operations.”

https://jam-news.net/armenia-appeals-to-un-security-council-on-nk-issue/

Anticipation building for AYF Olympics in D.C.

Paul Hambardsumian
August 9, 2023 Guest Contributor AYF Olympics, Diaspora, Youth 0

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The 2023 AYF Olympics Steering Committee and Washington D.C. community have planned an incredible Labor Day weekend full of exciting events and look forward to welcoming everyone in less than four short weeks!

To kick-off this year’s Olympics, Thursday’s events begin with an evening at Nationals Park stadium for a game between the Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins (the AYF block is fully booked!). Tickets include transportation between the Renaissance Hotel and Nationals Park stadium. Following the baseball game, enjoy a night out at The Mayflower Club (ages 18+) at the heart of our capital with our very own DJ Leo Sardarian. Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door and online. 

Grab your golf club, tennis racket and swim cap for Friday’s sporting events. Registration is open to everyone to play in the AYF Olympics Open golf tournament. Active AYF members may now register as an AYF athlete. Following a day of sports, prepare to dance the night away with a performance by the Yerakouyn Band at the Alumni dance and Armen Chamichyan for the AYF dance, followed by DJ Leo Sardarian for the AYF hook-up. 

Enjoy the musical talents of the Norkef Ensemble featuring Daron Pogharian on vocals while eating delicious food and watching the softball tournament at the Saturday picnic. After cheering on your favorite team, get dressed and ready to party with Nersik & Arabo Ispiryan performing as the Saturday night headliners! But the party doesn’t stop there. Enjoy a late-night dance with DJ Chris “Kidbibz” Habibian and DJ Esso at the AYF hook-up. 

Last, but certainly not least, finish off the unforgettable Labor Day weekend with a day of track & field and the opening ceremony. Close out the night at the AYF Olympics Grand Ball with Hooshere, Michael Gostanian and the 2023 All-Star band featuring John Berberian on oud, Mal Barsamian on clarinet, Ara Dinkjian on keyboard and Jim Kzirian on dumbeg. The star-studded performance will be followed by another endless night of dancing with DJ Chris “Kidbibz” Habibian and DJ Esso.

Don’t miss any of the fun and buy an all-inclusive Hye Pass. Buying a Hye Pass saves you over 30 percent on dance tickets and includes admission to the Friday Alumni dance, Friday AYF dance, Saturday night dance and Sunday Grand Ball & night dance. Individual dance tickets are also available online.

Thousands of Armenians from all over the U.S., Canada and Australia are expected to be in attendance, and a record number of hotel rooms have been sold – and still increasing. This year, the D.C. Olympics Steering Committee has added an online Ad Book along with the usual physical copy that is released each year at AYF Olympics. Your ad will be featured within the physical book copy, as well as uploaded to the website for year-round visibility. Be sure to place your ad before the deadline and show your continuous support of the AYF.

For more information, please visit ayfolympics.org. If you need assistance, please contact the Steering Committee at ayfolympics.org/contact.




Armenian official accuses Azerbaijan of crime against humanity after Aliyev’s envoy admits weaponizing hunger in NK

Paul Hambardsumian

 19:01, 8 August 2023

YEREVAN, AUGUST 8, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s Ambassador-at-Large Edmon Marukyan on Tuesday accused Azerbaijan of committing a crime against humanity in Nagorno-Karabakh after an Azeri presidential envoy admitted in an interview that they are in fact weaponizing hunger as a political tool by blockading Lachin Corridor.

“Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Special Assignments Elchin Amirbayov in an interview to the French newspaper Le Monde, frankly confessed that Azerbaijan closed the Lachin Corridor and uses weaponization of hunger as a political tool against people of Nagorno Karabakh. We reinstate our demand that Azerbaijan must stop weaponizing hunger as a political tool against people of Nagorno Karabakh to force them accept their "conditions", which is a crime against humanity. End blockade of Lachin Corridor,” Marukyan posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) – ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations.

On July 26, Armenia sent a humanitarian convoy carrying emergency food and medication for Nagorno-Karabakh, but Azerbaijan blocked the trucks at the entrance of Lachin Corridor.