Zhanna Nahapetian – Page 39 – Armenian Directory & News

Armenpress: 150 bodies retrieved from outskirts of Shushi, hundreds still missing – Artsakh president says

November 17, 2020November 17, 2020 Zhanna Nahapetian

150 bodies retrieved from outskirts of Shushi, hundreds still missing – Artsakh president says

09:03,

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. The bodies of around 150 Armenian troops were retrieved from the outskirts of Shushi, President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan said, adding that hundreds of bodies are still on the battlefields.

“Today is another difficult day for me, indeed, although we were able to save a part of our Fatherland and thousands of lives, we’ve had major human and territorial losses, and the 150 bodies of Armenian servicemen – each of them the light of one home and the entire Fatherland – retrieved from the outskirts of Shushi these days once again proves this. Hundreds of bodies are still on the battlefields, keeping their families and the entire nation in uncertainty and pain. During these days, I am providing much time to the families of the victims and those missing, comforting their pain and jointly searching for our fallen brothers,” Harutyunyan said in a statement on social media.

Harutyunyan highlighted the need for quickly increasing the security guarantees of the country and dealing with the post-war restoration of Artsakh and the Armenian people.

“Certainly there are other difficult external and domestic challenges, however I am most concerned with the serious threats disrupting [Armenia’s] domestic stability and solidarity,” he said.

The President called for national and state solidarity and unity and expressed serious concern over the “violence-based and intolerance trends” in Armenia.

President Harutyunyan called on all forces involved in the domestic processes to settle disagreements through civilized dialogue and in accordance the constitution to avoid potential shocks which “could become the gravedigger of the Armenian statehood.” He said he is activating political consultations with all political parties and figures to discuss the post-war restoration, reforms of public administration and other important issues of the pan-Armenian agenda.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

President of Artsakh holds meeting with Russian peacekeeping mission chief

November 16, 2020November 16, 2020 Zhanna Nahapetian

15:56,

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Artsakh Arayik Harutyunyan held a meeting with the Commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno Karabakh Lt. General Rustam Muradov.

Harutyunyan said they discussed “a wide range of issues related to the peacekeeping mission’s deployment, monitoring and humanitarian functions.”

“Both sides underscored the importance of creating favorable conditions for the restoration of civilian infrastructures and normal life of the population in Artsakh and the necessity for taking effective steps in this direction.”

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenpress: Ramgavar Party calls on Armenian public to refrain from anti-constitutional actions

November 13, 2020November 13, 2020 Zhanna Nahapetian

Ramgavar Party calls on Armenian public to refrain from anti-constitutional actions

10:09,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar) is calling on the Armenian public to avoid serious political shocks, refrain from the anti-constitutional actions, as well as decisions being adopted under emotional influence.

In a statement the party noted that the signing of a trilateral agreement by Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan on ceasing the military operations between Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and Azerbaijan, as well as the arbitrary geopolitical developments in the region have created a difficult situation in the public and political life of Armenia and Artsakh.

“In mass protests political assessments are being given to the behavior of the current leadership and demand the resignations of the prime minister and his government. Given this, the Ramgavar Party calls on the public to avoid serious political shocks, refrain from anti-constitutional actions and decisions being adopted under emotional influence. We stress the need to very quickly and soberly analyze the current complex military-political situation in our two Republics and urge to immediately engage the remaining OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries – France and the USA, in the process through diplomatic channels, because we believe that Russia, pursuing some interest, has abused its mediation mission, ignoring and violating the interests of Artsakh-Armenians in our region. With such fighting measures it will be possible to restore what has been lost and keep our heroic people away from defeating complex, with this we can only ensure the further progress and development of our heroic people”, the statement says.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Representatives of 17 opposition parties to make statement at Republic Square

November 13, 2020November 13, 2020 Zhanna Nahapetian

18:47,

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. The participants of the rally organized by 17 parliamentary and extra-parliamentary forces head to the Republic Square from the building of the National Security Service. ARMENPRESS reports the participants of the rally said they will make a statement at the Republic Square. The 17 parties organized a rally also on November 11. They demand the resignation of PM Pashinyan, saying that they will present their option of overcoming the post-war situation.

DEVELOPED 18:55. The participants of the rally had announced that they are heading to the Republic Square, but they are now at the Freedom Square.

The Police demand to stop the rally, citing the martial law in the country.

Pashinyan Signs Agreement to End War, Surrenders Territories Including Shushi

November 10, 2020November 10, 2020 Zhanna Nahapetian

November 9, 2020

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan revealed that he had signed an agreement with the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan that will end the fighting in the Karabakh conflict zone, and will surrender Aghdam, Lachin, Kelbajar and Shushi to Azerbaijan.

The agreement also calls for the deployment of Russian peacekeeping forces in the region for a minimum of five years. The Russian border troops will also allow for the unimpeded transport between Azerbaijan-proper and Nakhichevan through Armenia.

“I have signed an agreement on the termination of the Karabakh war with Russian and Azerbaijani presidents that will begin at 1 a.m. The text of the statement, which has already been publicized is unbelievably painful for me and our people,” Pashinyan said in a Facebook post early Tuesday local time immediately after the end of the military hostilities went into effect.

Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan soon took to Facebook to announce that he had consulted with Pashinyan and had agreed to the decision in the name of salvaging lives.

Below is the text of the agreement.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan,
Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia
and the President of the Russian Federation
We, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan I. G. Aliyev,
Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikolai Pashinyan and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin announced the following:

1. A complete ceasefire and end all hostilities in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are announced from 00:00 hours Moscow time on . The Republic of Azerbaijan
and the Republic of Armenia, hereinafter referred to as the Parties, stop at their positions.

2. The Aghdam region and the territories held by the Armenian Party in the Gazakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan shall be returned to the Azerbaijan Party until November 20, 2020.

3. Along the line of contact in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor, a peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation is deployed in the amount of 1,960 servicemen with small arms, 90 armored personnel carriers, 380 units of automobile and special equipment.

4. A peacekeeping mission of the Russian Federation will be deployed in conjunction with the withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces. The duration of the stay of the peacekeeping mission of the Russian Federation is five years, with an automatic extension subsequent five-year periods, if none of the Parties declares six months before the expiration of the period of intention to terminate the application of this provision.

5. In order to increase the effectiveness of control over the implementation of the agreements by the Parties to the conflict, a peacekeeping center is being deployed to control the ceasefire.
6. The Republic of Armenia will return the Kelbajar region to the Republic of Azerbaijan by November 15, 2020, and the Lachin region by December 1, 2020, leaving behind the Lachin corridor (5 km wide), which will ensure the connection of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia and at the same time not will affect the city of Shushi.

By agreement of the Parties, in the next three years, a plan for the construction of a new traffic route along the Lachin corridor, providing communication between Stepanakert and Armenia, with the subsequent redeployment of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to protect this route will be determined.

The Republic of Azerbaijan will guarantee traffic safety along the Lachin corridor of citizens, vehicles and goods in both directions.

7. Internally displaced persons and refugees are returning to the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent areas under the control of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

8. There is an exchange of prisoners of war and other detained persons and bodies of the dead.

9. All economic and transport links in the region are unblocked. The Republic of Armenia provides transport links between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic in order to organize the unimpeded movement of citizens, vehicles and goods in both directions. Control over transport communication is carried out by the bodies of the Border Guard Service of the FSB of Russia.

By agreement of the Parties, the construction of new transport communications linking the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic with the western regions of Azerbaijan will be provided.

November 2020

The president
The Republic of Azerbaijan

Prime Minister
Republic of Armenia

The president
Russian Federation

Over 100 U.S. Representatives Call for Emergency U.S. Funding for Artsakh Explosive Clearance and De-mining

November 4, 2020November 4, 2020 Zhanna Nahapetian

November 3, 2020

Artsakh de-mining

ANCA welcomes bipartisan leadership of Representatives Bilirakis, Chu, Costa, Cox, Johnson, Katko, Nunes, and Sherman

WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America joined The HALO Trust in welcoming the bipartisan leadership of over 100 U.S. Representatives in calling for emergency humanitarian assistance for Artsakh explosive clearance and de-mining in response to the ongoing Azerbaijani and Turkish attacks.

Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), TJ Cox (D-CA), Bill Johnson (R-OH), John Katko (R-NY), Devin Nunes (R-CA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA) led the Congressional letter http://anca.org/assets/pdf/110320_Artsakh_De-mining.pdf
sent to US Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Administrator John Barsa earlier today.

“The ANCA welcomes the strong, bipartisan support for the life-saving de-mining and humanitarian aid efforts conducted by the HALO Trust in Artsakh,” noted ANCA Government Affairs Director, Tereza Yerimyan. “At a time when civilian lives are at such high risk due to Azerbaijani war crimes, and the ongoing pandemic, the U.S. must do all it can to provide for the safety and security of Artsakh’s population.” Yerimyan worked with ANCA regional and local leaders in a week-long grassroots advocacy effort to rally support for this pro-Artsakh initiative.

“As an international aid organization dedicated to removing the types of lethal explosive hazards now strewn throughout Nagorno Karabakh, we at HALO hope to see strong US funding to respond to this humanitarian crisis unfolding in the south Caucasus. We greatly appreciate the leadership of Representatives Jim Costa, Devin Nunes, T.J. Cox, Gus Bilirakis, Brad Sherman, Bill Johnson, Judy Chu, John Katko, and the many other Members of Congress that signed onto this letter to urge US support,” stated HALO USA Executive Director Chris Whatley.

The Congressional letter notes that the Azerbaijani and Turkish “bombings of cities with large populations including Stepanakert, Shushi, and Martakert have resulted in high levels of explosive contamination including rockets, missiles, artillery projectiles, and cluster munitions. Over 73,000 people either remain in or have been displaced from towns and villages which are now contaminated by explosive remnants of war. This is over half the population of the region prior to September.”

The letter concludes noting, “Given the potential to protect civilian lives and contribute to efforts to stabilize Nagorno Karabakh, we strongly urge USAID to invest in humanitarian de-mining and unexploded ordnance removal activities and to provide additional humanitarian aid to help those in the conflict zone. Please give this request all fair and full consideration within all the applicable laws, rules, and regulations.”

Congressional organizers welcomed the groundswell of support for the initiative from their U.S. House colleagues.

Rep. Brad Sherman explained, “Azerbaijan’s indiscriminate bombing of Nagorno Karabakh has left cities, including Stepanakert, with high levels of explosive contamination, such as rockets, missiles, and cluster munitions. We need a trained and capable team on the ground working to remove the explosive ordnance which pose a danger to the families who remain, and those looking to return. It is important that the U.S. Government moves to support the emergency removal of explosive ordnance in Nagorno Karabakh as soon as possible. Thank you to Representatives Jim Costa, Devin Nunes, T.J. Cox, Gus Bilirakis, Bill Johnson, Judy Chu, and John Katko for joining in this important effort to provide stability to Nagorno Karabakh.”

Rep. TJ Cox, who along with Rep. Sherman, co-authored an amendment earlier this year to continue U.S. aid to Artsakh, explained, “The ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is a humanitarian crisis that needs immediate international attention. In the same breath, it is crucial the US maintain funding for humanitarian de-mining in the region. We should not have to fight tooth and nail for peace and basic human rights. I am proud to join my bipartisan colleagues in highlighting this need to USAID.”

Fellow Central Valley California Representative Devin Nunes was clear in his assessment of the importance of Artsakh de-mining efforts, stating, “HALO’s de-mining actions are crucial for protecting civilians from catastrophic injuries. This vital humanitarian assistance will directly save lives in Nagorno Karabakh.”

Rep. Chu, who visited Artsakh last year, noted, “I’ve seen the amazing work HALO has done to remove mines and UXO to make this land safe to live on again. This work is only more important now as Azerbaijan continues to attack civilian areas in Nagorno Karabakh. The US must continue our support for this life-saving work to clear the lethal debris of Azerbaijan’s hostility.”

Rep. Jim Costa noted, “It’s clear that more needs to be done to protect the people of Artsakh and bring lasting peace to the region. De-mining efforts save lives and this conflict has put thousands at stake. The peace process must resume. I’m hopeful Administrator Barsa will act quickly to fund de-mining and unexploded ordnance removal in Nagorno Karabakh to prevent avoidable casualties during and after the conflict.”

Joining Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Judy Chu, Jim Costa, TJ Cox, Bill Johnson, John Katko, Devin Nunes, and Brad Sherman (D-CA) in cosigning the letter are Representatives: Alma Adams (D-NC), Colin Allred (D-TX), Jim Banks (R-IN), Nanette Barragan (D-CA), Karen Bass (D-CA), Don Beyer (D-VA), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Andre Carson (D-IN), David Cicilline (D-RI), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Katherine Clark (D-MA), Jim Cooper (D-TN), Lou Correa (D-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Danny Davis (D-IL), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Bill Foster (D-IL), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Garamendi (D-CA), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Deb Haaland (D-NM), Josh Harder (D-CA), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), William Keating (D-MA), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Steve King (R-IA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), James Langevin (D-RI), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Susie Lee (D-NV), Andy Levin (D-MI), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James McGovern (D-MA), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Mark Pocan (D-WI), David Price (D-NC), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Harley Rouda (D-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Lori Trahan (D-MA), David Trone (D-MD), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), and John Yarmuth (D-KY).

The full text of the Congressional letter is provided below.

Text of Congressional Letter to USAID Acting Administrator Barsa Urging Life-Saving De-mining Assistance for Artsakh

November 2, 2020

The Honorable John Barsa
Acting Administrator
U.S. Agency for International Development
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20523

Dear Acting Administrator Barsa,

We are writing out of great concern regarding the recent escalation of conflict in Nagorno Karabakh. There is an urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis brought on by the renewed outbreak in fighting and U.S. support for the removal of explosive hazards that threaten large numbers of civilians in Nagorno Karabakh is especially critical.

Bombings of cities with large populations including Stepanakert, Shushi, and Martakert have resulted in high levels of explosive contamination including rockets, missiles, artillery projectiles, and cluster munitions. Over 73,000 people either remain in or have been displaced from towns and villages which are now contaminated by explosive remnants of war. This is over half the population of the region prior to September.

This explosive ordnance poses a danger to people who remain, or are unable to leave, and will continue to present a risk when displaced families return. All unexploded munitions present a risk to civilians if moved or mishandled. Cluster munitions present a particular risk, as they are often present in large quantities due to high failure rates, can be especially sensitive to disturbance, and cluster munitions used in Karabakh with bright red ribbons attached are especially attractive to children.

Given the potential to protect civilian lives and contribute to efforts to stabilize Nagorno Karabakh, we strongly urge USAID to invest in humanitarian de-mining and unexploded ordnance removal activities and to provide additional humanitarian aid to help those in the conflict zone. Please give this request all fair and full consideration within all the applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Sincerely,

Russia deeply concerned over continuous deployment of foreign mercenaries to NK conflict zone

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020 Zhanna Nahapetian

17:31,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Russia is deeply concerned over further massive deployment of foreign mercenaries from the Middle East to the ongoing clashes in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.

“Unfortunately, the situation in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone remains complex. The military situation is maintained. In such situation we continue making efforts for de-escalation of the situation and resumption of the negotiation process both at the national level and in the format of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship. We are deeply concerned over the continuous hostilities, over the further massive deployment of foreign mercenaries from the Middle East to the military clashes. We are confident on the absence of alternative to the peaceful settlement”, Zakharova said.

She added that the international community’s another attempt to reach ceasefire in the NK conflict zone unfortunately, failed.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan

Turkey is not impartial actor in NK conflict – Armenian FM

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020 Zhanna Nahapetian

17:57,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Turkey is not an impartial actor in Nagorno Karabakh conflict, ARMENPRESS reports Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan told Ria Novosti, answering the question if Armenia will agree to Turkey’s participation in Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement negotiations.

‘’Turkey sees this conflict as an opportunity to increase its influence in another, neighboring region of South Caucasus. The policy of trading on the conflict and inflicting great human suffering on the peoples of the region for spreading its power should be resisted, not encouraged’', Mnatsakanyan said.

According to Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, no country, including Turkey itself, cannot say that Turkey acted as an impartial actor in Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

''It was Turkey that denied the October 1 call of the USA, Russia and France to immediately stop military operations before Azerbaijan would express an opinion over that call'', Mnatsakanyan said.

Artsakh downs two more Azerbaijani UAVs

October 27, 2020October 27, 2020 Zhanna Nahapetian

22:59,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Army of Artsakh has destroyed two more Azerbaijani UAVs, ARMENPRESS reports spokesperson of Artsakh's President Vahram Poghosyan wrote on his Facebook page.

''Two hostile unlucky UAVs fell down a while ago due to the skillfulness of our soldiers'', Poghosyan wrote.

Since September 27 the Armenian side has downed at least 222 UAVs.

Armenpress: Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs and OSCE MG Co-chairs to meet in Geneva October 29

October 26, 2020October 26, 2020 Zhanna Nahapetian

Armenian, Azerbaijani FMs and OSCE MG Co-chairs to meet in Geneva October 29

00:27,

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 26, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, and OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America will meet in Geneva on October 29, ARMENPRESS reports reads the joint statement of the Co-chairs.

‘’ The Co-Chairs met in Washington D.C. on October 24 with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, and also participated in a joint meeting with the Foreign Ministers and U.S. Deputy Foreign Minister Stephen Biegun. The Personal Representative of the OSCE’s Chairman in Office, Andrzej Kasprzyk, also participated in the meetings.

The Co-Chairs urged the sides to take immediate steps to implement all aspects of the October 10 Moscow Joint Statement in accordance with their commitments, noting that they had reaffirmed these commitments with Paris on October 18. The Co-Chairs also reminded the sides of the October 1, 2020 joint statement of United States President Donald J. Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as the October 5 joint statement of Secretary of State Secretary of State of the United States of America Michael R. Pompeo, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov, calling on the sides to cease hostilities immediately and to resume substantive negotiations to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

During their intensive discussions, the Co-Chairs and Foreign Ministers discussed implementing an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, possible parameters for monitoring the ceasefire, and initiating discussion of core substantive elements of a comprehensive solution, in accordance with the October 10 Joint Statement. The Co-Chairs and Foreign Ministers agreed to meet again in Geneva on October 29 to discuss, reach agreement on, and begin implementation, in accordance with a timeline to be agreed upon, of all steps necessary to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with the basic principles accepted by the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia''.

Armenia, Azerbaijan agree to a humanitarian ceasefire entering into force on October 26, 08:00. Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed to ceasefire on October 10 and October 17, but the agreements were never observed by the Azerbaijani side, which violated the humanitarian ceasefire immediately after it entered into force.