Author: Talar Tumanian

We are in a war for our future – Vazgen Manukyan

Talar Tumanian
Panorama, Armenia
Dec 22 2020

"Before attending this rally, I had been asked by friends to present the program of our government, a program it will implement when it comes to power. I got prepared, outlined the key points on a paper but when I came here, I realized that it was not the most important thing to do now, as the time will come for that," Vazgen Manukyan, the candidate for the PM's post from the Homeland Salvation Front stated on Tuesday during the rally at Republic Square in Yerevan. 

Manukyan stressed that there are no elections currently and it is not the proper time to show whose political program is better. "On the one hand we are facing the destruction of the homeland, on the other – its restoration and future progress," Manukyan said, adding not the governments are building the country, but the people of Armenia, the people who stand in the Square. 

Manukyan called on all citizens in front of computer, TV and mobile screens to take to the streets: "It is no more important whom you like or not. The future of all of us is being decided right now. Join us and together we will decide on the wright and the wrong. Like in a war all layers of the society are mixed for a common cause to save the homeland, we are in a war now, the war for our future."

Manukyan next called on the army leadership and the police to join the people, since they are the real Armenia. 

"We are Armenia!" Manukyan stated. 

Court of Appeals revokes arrest warrant for ex-ambassador to Vatican Mikayel Minasyan

Talar Tumanian

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 14:27, 16 December, 2020

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS.  The Court of Appeals has overturned an arrest warrant issued by a lower court that would allow the State Revenue Committee’s investigators to place the former Armenian Ambassador to the Vatican Mikayel Minasyan in pre-trial detention amid an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering, illicit enrichment and falsification of asset disclosures.

Minasyan, who is the son-in-law of the 3rd President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, denies wrongdoing and claims that the charges are fabricated and politically motivated.  He is declared wanted by Armenian authorities.

Mikayel Minasyan served as Armenian Ambassador to the Holy See from 2013 to 2018. He was concurrently Armenia’s Ambassador to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta from 2014-2018 and to Portugal from 2017 to 2018.

He is one of the most outspoken critics of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his administration.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

The 2020 Azerbaijan-Armenia War: A Milestone in Military Affairs

Talar Tumanian
The Yucatan Times
Dec 16 2020
By Yucatan Times on December 16, 2020

The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War has become a milestone in military warfare affairs.

The recently concluded six-week-long Second Nagorno-Karabakh War fought by Armenia and Azerbaijan was a milestone in military affairs, as it was the first conflict in which unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) won a war from the air.

Azerbaijan’s UAVs obliterated Armenia’s formidable array of ground-based air defenses, after which they systematically decimated Armenia’s ground force matériel, including tanks, artillery pieces, and supply trucks. This onslaught forced Armenia to accept a humiliating ceasefire imposed by Russia.

It is not entirely clear at this time how this feat of arms was achieved, but it appears that the key to the spectacular victory of Azerbaijan’s unmanned air power may have been electronic warfare that blinded Armenian radar, thus facilitating the destruction of its air defense batteries.

The war offered a glimpse of future battlefields on which unmanned weapons and electronic warfare might predominate. Countries such as the United States and Israel should learn the lessons offered by this war and prepare their ground-based air defenses as well as their combat aircraft forces accordingly.

Source: /

https://www.theyucatantimes.com/2020/12/the-2020-azerbaijan-armenia-war-a-milestone-in-military-affairs/

Asbarez: Catholicos Aram I Thanks Pan-Armenian Council for Lebanon Relief Efforts

Talar Tumanian

December 16,  2020



Pan-Armenian Council of Western United States

There is no doubt that 2020 was a year of unprecedented losses and devastation for the Armenian People. While various Armenian communities in the Middle East faced severe security and socio-economic challenges, the Artsakh war and the invaluable loss of human lives and territory it caused, added a dark page to our history. Today, as the whole Armenian reality is in turmoil, one thing which is clear is that as a nation we will collectively make every effort to find ways to reorganize ourselves, lift our spirits, and to strive for a brighter future for Armenia and the Armenian nation.

Letter of gratitude from Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia

The Pan-Armenian Council of Western America hereby concludes its current year of operation, leaving behind its list of efforts and events planned and executed on the consensual basis, including the massive march during the days of the Artsakh war, and a fundraising campaign aimed at alleviating the needs of the Lebanese-Armenian community.

As members of our community are aware, days after the historic explosion in Lebanon and in an effort to assist our brethren in that country, the Pan-Armenian Council of the Western United States initiated a fundraising campaign which culminated in a telethon on August 30, 2020, which raised a total of $1,378,255 dollars. Four months after months after the end of the campaign, the Pan-Armenian Council of the Western United States would like to offer its final accounting. An actual 97.7% of pledges having been collected, and all of telethon expenses having been satisfied (a total of 3.2% of collected funds), we hereby announce that a total of $1,300,000.00 has been transferred in four installments, funds which have already been received by the Lebanese-Armenian Recovery Committee.

Attesting to the receipt of the funds, and with his word of commendation, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I has issued a letter which we submit attached.

Once again, we would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation to all the donors, and to all the volunteers who assisted us in our humanitarian relief campaign.

It is our wish that the coming year and the ones following it will be brighter and more successful for our nation and our homeland than the current one. In this vein, the Council reaffirms its collective commitment to continue its efforts and activities according to its mission statement, and in the name of our national wellbeing.

PAN ARMENIAN COUNCIL OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Armenian Assembly of America
Armenian Bar Association
Armenian Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg of North America
Armenian Democratic Liberal Party, Western District
Armenian General Benevolent Union, Western District
Armenian Evangelical Union of North America
Armenian Missionary Association of America
Armenian National Committee of America, Western Region
Armenian Relief Society of Western USA
Armenian Revolutionary Federation of Western USA
Armenian Society of Los Angeles
Armenian Youth Association of California
Armenian Youth Federation of Western USA
Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of the Western USA
Homenetmen Western USA
Iraqi Armenian Family Association of Los Angeles
Kessab Educational Association
Organization of Istanbul Armenians
Service Employees International Union Local 721 – Armenian Caucus
Southern California Armenian Democrats
Tekeyan Cultural Association
Unified Young Armenians
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America




Armenian FM highlights need for establishment of Artsakh status at meeting with OSCE MG Co- Chairs

Talar Tumanian

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 15:36,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Aivazian received on December 14 OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Stéphane Visconti of France, Andrew Schofer of the United States of America, Charge d'Affaires of the Russian Federation in Armenia Aleksey Sinegubov, and Andrzej Kasprzyk, the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, the foreign ministry told Armenpress.

The meeting focused on the developments following the ceasefire established in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone, as well as on issues relating to the restoration and protection of rights of Artsakh-Armenians. In this context FM Aivazian reaffirmed the principled stance of the Armenian sides that the addressing of the rights and interests of the Artsakh-Armenians should take place first of all within the frames of the peaceful process under the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. As a priority of the Armenian side, he highlighted the establishment of the status of Artsakh based on its people’s right to self-determination, the de-occupation of the territories of Artsakh captured by Azerbaijan, provision of conditions for the safe return of Artsakh-Armenians to their own settlements and the preservation of the religious and cultural heritage.

The minister also drew the attention of the Co-Chairs on the Azerbaijani violation of its own commitments assumed by the November 9 trilateral statement. The Armenian FM said the obvious demonstration of this was the provocative actions by Azerbaijan in the line of contact yesterday which were carried out during the visit of the Co-Chairs to the region.

Commenting on the hate speech and Armenophobia existing in the statements of the Azerbaijani leadership, the Armenian FM said with that they once again prove Azerbaijan’s incapability to constructively engage in the peace process and refuse from the policy of acting from the positions of force or threat of force.

The Armenian FM and the Co-Chairs also discussed the resumption of the peace process within the frames of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Armenian FM briefs OIF Secretary-General on post-war humanitarian situation in Artsakh

Talar Tumanian

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 11:42,

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Aivazian, who is in France on a working visit, met on December 9 with Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of International Organisation of la Francophonie (OIF), the Armenian foreign ministry told Armenpress.

The Armenian FM and the OIF Secretary-General discussed the activity of the organization amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the challenges facing the Francophonie territory due to the pandemic.

Minister Aivazian briefed Mrs. Mushikiwabo on the humanitarian situation caused by the recent war unleashed by Turkish-Azerbaijani alliance against Armenia and Artsakh, as well as the actions for addressing the current crisis. He also informed the OIF chief about the direct engagement of terrorists in the recent war with the sponsorship of Turkey, stating that this is a serious threat not only for the security of Armenia and Artsakh, but also that of the entire region.

By using the chance the Armenian FM thanked the OIF Secretary-General for the principled and clear stance on the recent war launched against Artsakh.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Lt. General Jalal Harutyunyan recovers normally, to be discharged from hospital soon

Talar Tumanian

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 11:39,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 30, ARMENPRESS. Lt. General Jalal Harutyunyan is recovering normally after being wounded in action in late October during the Azerbaijani attacks while serving as Minister of Defense of Artsakh. At the time of being wounded he was in a combat position of the Defense Army.

The Ministry of Defense told ARMENPRESS that the Lt. General will soon be discharged from hospital.

“Jalal Harutyunyan will be discharged from hospital in two or three days and he will continue outpatient treatment” Defense Ministry of Armenia Director for Information and Public Relations Gevorg Altunyan told ARMENPRESS.

Because Harutyunyan was incapacitated from performing his duties as Minister of Defense, he was replaced the day after he suffered the injuries. Harutyunyan received the Hero of Artsakh title afterwards.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

CivilNet: Azerbaijani troops enter Lachin region

Talar Tumanian
CIVILNET.AM

2 December, 2020 00:21

Citing the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, Russian RIA Novosti news agency reports that Azerbaijani troops have entered the Lachin region. The area served as a land connection between Armenia and Karabakh, and includes the main road between the two territories.

Lachin is the last of the three regions to be passed to Azerbaijan per the “end of war” trilateral statement signed on November 9 by Armenia’s prime minister, and Azerbaijan’s and Russia’s presidents. The Aghdam region in Karabakh’s east and Kelbajar region in the northwest were handed over to Azerbaijan on November 20.

According to the agreement, a five kilometer corridor managed by the Russian peacekeepers will remain in Lachin to continue to connect Armenia and Karabakh.

The Russian Ministry of Defense says it ensures the safety of citizens passing through the Lachin corridor, and is carrying out round-the-clock monitoring of the ceasefire regime.

Several villages near the corridor will also remain outside Azerbaijan's control but it remains to be seen whether residents will feel secure enough to continue their lives in the area. 

CivilNet: Baku official says Armenia might “unleash” a new war over uncertainty of the borders

Talar Tumanian
CIVILNET.AM

03:48

The uncertainty of the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan "will give rise to disagreements, as a result of which, the Armenian side may ‘unleash’ a new war in the future,” an Azerbaijani official said Thursday.

Avaz Hasanov, a member of the International Working Group on Azerbaijani Prisoners of War, also noted that the new state border between the two countries is not clearly demarcated and there is a need for a new agreement. 

To avoid this problem, Hasanov suggested paying serious attention to the issue on the Karvachar-Armenia border, specifically to the fact that “the Armenian side did not want to leave that area yesterday.”

On Wednesday, Armenian military units withdrew from the Karvachar region per the provisions of the “end of war” statement signed by Armenian prime minister and the presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia. As a result of this, instead of the former border between Armenia and Artsakh, a new border has been formed between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

On the same day, as the sides were marking their borders, videos were disseminated online showing that Azerbaijani Armed Forces had entered the bordering Sotk Gold Mine in Armenia's southeastern town of Vardenis. The mine is operated by the Russian GeoProMining company.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of Armenia's Armed Forces Tiran Khachatryan later clarified that the border runs through the mine, meaning it will be split between Armenian and Azerbaijani sides.

Head of the local community Hakob Avetyan told reporters Friday that there are no tensions on the border.

“At the moment, nothing concrete has been decided, both sides are waiting. The mine is operating,” Avetyan mentioned.

Armenia’s Defense Ministry said Friday that demarcation discussions have began with the representatives of the Armed Forces of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan.

“Complete and accurate demarcation is extremely necessary to rule out disputes over the ownership of this or that part of the border, or possible further provocations,” reads a statement from the Armenian Defense Ministry. 

Médecins Sans Frontières team, humanitarian aid brought from France to support Armenia

Talar Tumanian

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 12:47,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. French Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne personally attended the ceremonial donation of humanitarian aid to Armenia.

French Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lacote, Aznavour Foundation Director Kristina Aznavour, French Goodwill Ambassador for Armenia Youri Djorkaeff and others attended the ceremony.

This second relief plane from France has brought humanitarian aid envisaged for assisting the Armenians who were affected from the Artsakh-Azerbaijan war. The aid will be distributed among the medical facilities in Armenia.

Lemoyne and Armenian health minister Arsen Torosyan signed a document which states that France has donated a 5-tonn capacity mobile medical station with the ability of treating 500 patients and a COVID-19 batch consisting of 5 generators, 5 extractors, 25000 gloves, 900 protective gear and 10000 FFP2 masks and 2500 hygiene items.

“First of all I’d like to thank Jonathan Lacote, because we’ve been closely cooperating ever since the pandemic began, when health workers were arriving from France to assist our doctors and exchange experience. We highly appreciate any assistance from France, given the many years of friendship between our countries,” Torosyan said.

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) also arrived in Armenia as part of partnership. The organization will provide medical treatment, physical and psychological rehabilitation, equipment and material support.

The French delegation said that humanitarian support from France will be continuous.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan