2020 November 30

Daily news and anti-corruption report

Nov/30/2020 news wrap-up: \\ Pashinyan on negotiations during war; meetings with oppo; Sushi topic; Movses Hakobyan's claims \\ Lavrov's Plan \\ AM holds the strip SW of Shushi \\ parents in AZ & AM looking for relatives \\ aid for refugees; 55k return \\ Yerevan \\ vaccines \\ Armenian airlines
by ar_david_hh

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Your 21-minute Thursday-Monday report in 5246 words.

Pashinyan about sharing info during war / General Movses Hakobyan's claims / wife Anna Hakobyan:

There are accusations that the government didn't tell the truth during the war. If you go back and read what we wrote, you'll see that we told the truth. We shared information in a way not to reveal our weaknesses to the enemy and not to spread panic.

Didn't we say that the war had reached Hadrut, or Martuni, or Shushi? Or a need to form Syunik Self-Defense Groups? What did all that mean? How else were we supposed to say it? With screams and begging, with a "run and save yourself" attitude and panic?

We told you the truth about losing positions in Qarvachar (near Murav) in the first days then retaking them. That was true. They remained ours until the end.

We told the truth about the acts of heroism by our soldiers.

We defended Yeghnikner area until the end. Despite the loss of Mataghis in the 6th Defense Zone, we defended the new line of contact until the end. The 3-5 Defense Zones also protected the borders.

The 1st and 2nd Zones stayed there until being told to regroup (retreat) due to necessity. They are all hero soldiers.

Our soldiers in the 9th Defense Zone (presumably south-east) also fought heroically. Unfortunately, it was cracked, which lead to a tragic outcome.

The general [Movses Hakobyan], who contributed to the failure with his interventions is now giving press conferences and claims to "reveal things", while forgetting that under his watch, $42 million was wasted by purchasing useless weapons. There is a felony case in NSS [launched 3 months ago].

This general targets my wife [accusations that she should not have been in the command facility]. He forgets to ask, what was the Prime Minister's wife doing in a city [Stepanakert] where 70% of the population had abandoned, to begin with? Why was Anna Hakobyan there?

She was delivering water and food to civilians in bomb shelters. She was aiding the army by boosting the morale [an initiative to recruit female fighters]. Amid the reports that civilians were living settlements in the rear, the soldiers had to be encouraged to stay strong in front lines. The point was to show that even PM's family members are there for them. Now the general is politicizing her visit.

Some people were summoned back from Stepanakert for inappropriate intervention and spreading panic that led to disaster. These topics will be discussed later.

The information we shared during the war was done under military rules and with the true hope that we could have a breakthrough and achieve victory. Our losses had to be presented in a way not to break the spirit of soldiers fighting elsewhere.

https://youtu.be/KODlwM0_F4k

https://factor.am/315041.html

Armenians hold the area west of Shushi corridor

Azeri army moved from south to north before reaching Shushi. In some areas, Armenians held both sides of this corridor. In the area between Shushi and Hadrut, there are several settlements were Armenians defended their ground.

Artsakh politician Hayk Khanumyan is currently in Khtsaberd (Խծաբերդ) village. Armenians also hold Դիզափայտը, Կատարո վանքը, ու Հին Թաղերը.

Hayk Khanumyan recalls how they defended the region. He says the morale of many soldiers was very low and many were routing, until October 22nd, when a group of volunteers came, confronted Azeris, destroyed their troops, and captured their vehicles. Locals also helped. It gave a morale boost to others.

Video from the defended village: https://youtu.be/ebemG-lBNXQ

Khanumyan's account: https://youtu.be/wFigf2w641U

https://www.civilnet.am/news/2020/11/28/Հայկ-Խանումյան․-Դիզափայտը-Կատարո-վանքը-Խծաբերդն-ու-Հին-Թաղերը-մերն-են/410523

Azeri families are looking for missing soldiers / thousands of fresh graves

Aliyev regime is keeping the death toll secret from the public. Besides the infamous visit to a hospital packed with wounded soldiers and first lady Mehriban's [arguably fake] cry, we haven't seen much "official" information. Azerbaijan is in 168th place out of 180 when it comes to the free flow of information.

Yahya Abdinov's family was told their 21-year-old relative is not on the wounded list. She was given conflicting information claiming the soldier is still serving.

Azatutyun outlet's source says there are likely thousands of deaths in the Azeri army. The source points out the number of new graves dug in Baku and regions.

Due to lack of official info, family members of missing soldiers routinely gather in front of hospitals to check the list of woudned.

https://factor.am/315156.html

Pashinyan discusses pre-2020 Artsakh negotiation process:

The Armenian side agreed in 2011 to give away 7 regions in exchange for a referendum to decide Artsakh's fate, but Azerbaijan rejected it and demanded more.

What more could Azerbaijan demand? Rejection of a referendum for Artsakh, no special status of Lachin corridor that connects it to Armenia. The question of the Shushi population was covered by the 2007 Madrid Principles; Shushi was supposed to have an Armenian and Azeri population with the same proportions as it was in 1988. Azerbaijan rejected it.

Beginning in 2013, Azerbaijan launched military provocations. It reached its peak in 2016 with the April war.

Let's understand what our options were when I took office in 2018:

Give 7 regions to Azerbaijan without a Status of Artsakh, or else there would be war. Obviously, the public would reject it and choose to stand up and fight for the homeland. And there would be war, and it would look as if Armenia started the war.

If I insisted on giving the lands, you'd reject it and call me "traitor", and there would eventually be war again.

If during the Turkish-Azeri military training I agreed to solve the conflict without war, Azeris would demand a specific timeframe for handing over the lands. You would be against it. The war would begin.

As of 2018, the Karabakh issue was in a deadlock. Our only option was to give away lands without Status, without being assured that Azerbaijan wouldn't demand more later. More demands could lead to another war despite our concessions.

We began preparing for war to the best of our ability. It is now clear that our efforts weren't enough. The July clashes proved that we weren't prepared badly [new border camera tech and OSA units to shoot Israeli drones]. It's another question that Azeris brought Turkey and jihadists.

Ending the war quickly diplomatically would mean the same: give away 7 regions. If you think it's treason that we gave away 3 regions to save Stepanakert on November 9th, then wouldn't you call it treason if we gave away 7 regions in the initial phase of the war?

What now? We need to stabilize the situation in order not to make things worse. The top priority is POWs and missing soldiers. Azerbaijan intentionally hinders this work to provoke internal clashes in Armenia, and it is already happening. Our struggle should not be against each other.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201872

Pashinyan reveals details about opposition meeting / October 19th phone call with Putin / didn't want to give away Shushi:

Artsakh president Arayik called me on October 19th and said we need to stop the war, and that the idea is shared by Kocharyan, Serj, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, and other officials.

I called Vladimir Putin to ask for ways to stop the war. He said it can be done with the help of Lavrov's Plan: give 7 regions now, install peacekeepers, delay the topic of Artsakh Status. We agreed that peacekeepers would be placed on 1988 Artsakh borders. We decided to speak again later.

I called back Artsakh president Arayik and informed him about my convo with Putin and the cost of stopping the war. He agreed with it. I then invited our opposition parties for a briefing. Many of them were against the deal and publicly called it a treason "not to allow people to fight".

I made it clear to the opposition that I take all the responsibility for the decision so the opposition will come out clean, and that the only reason I summoned the meeting with them is to inform them so that later they won't say "Nikol plotted something behind people's back".

I called Putin and agreed to [giving 7 regions and delaying the Artsakh Status discussions]. Putin said he'll talk to Aliyev.

The next day, former presidents of Artsakh Bako Sahakyan and Arkadi Ghukasyan, while presumably also speaking on behalf of Kocharyan/Serj/LTP, told me they disagree with giving away the regions without Artsakh's Status. It didn't matter by then because I already decided to [give the adjacent regions and stop the war].

However, Putin called me back the next day. Aliyev wanted to install peacekeepers not on 1988 borders but wherever the troops were as of that moment; by then they already captured Hadrut (south) and Talish (north). Also, Aliyev wanted Azeris to return to Shushi.

I told Putin that even if I agree to give up Hadrut, I won't agree to give away Shushi. Putin was surprised. When I give him my reasoning, he agreed it's logical and said he wasn't fully aware of all nuances. This deal would have repopulated Shushi with 90% Azeri population who would control the Armenia-Stepanakert road.

I'm confident that had I agreed on Shushi, Azerbaijan's next step would be to demand the Karmir Shuka-Shushi road.

At the time, we had lost Jabrayil, Fizuli and Hadrut. Prior to that, multiple ceasefire agreements had failed.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201897

Pashinyan about returning passport to Kocharyan:

On October 20th, ex-presidents of Artsakh Bako and Arkadiy suggested holding a meeting with ex-leaders of Armenian and Artsakh, as a sign of unity. I agreed.

Bako and Arkadiy then called me and said that before the meeting, Kocharyan and Levon want to visit Russia first. I agreed to give them a jet.

Bako and Arkadiy then made another demand; they wanted me to officially authorize Kocharyan & Levon to hold official discussions with Russia on behalf of Armenia.

My response was this: I am in constant contact with Putin. Sometimes six times a day. What is that I cannot discuss with Putin that has to be done with Levon & Kocharyan? I suggested organizing a trip so they can meet Dmitriy Medvedev, who is Russia's deputy security councilman. From there, they could organize a meeting with Putin.

Bako and Arkadiy said that Levon/Kocharyan weren't interested in my offer, and to my surprise, they claimed to had secured a meeting with Russian MFA Lavrov. Then what else do you need from me? If you have a meeting, then go participate in it.

It turns out they needed Kocharyan's passport so he could fly to Russia. I told them to ask the court to give the passport back. The court agreed. However, Levon and Kocharyan never flew to Moscow.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201906

re: French Senate has urged the govt to recognize the Artsakh Republic

Artsakh president Arayik: "the adopted resolution will be the beginning of a new reality."

Azeri Parliament urged Aliyev to petition to expel France from OSCE Minsk Group and to review ties with France.

French MFA said France will continue to try to achieve peaceful resolution through Minksk Group rather than officially recognizing Artsakh.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201672 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201698 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201749 , https://factor.am/314865.html

prosecutors list the monuments vandalized by Azerbaijan:

Azerbaijan violated the United Nations General Assembly XXIX resolution and started a war. They violated the Geneva Convention several times by targeting civilians and infrastructure. They damaged the following monuments:

Shushi's St. Ghazanchetsots church was bombed during the war then defaced with wall writings after entering the city.

A WW2 cemetery was vandalized in Avetaranots village. Several cemeteries and cross-stones across Artsakh.

On November 16th Azeris uploaded a video showing the destruction of the cross on Mekhakavan's St. Zoravor Astvatsatsin church.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201703

salary bonus

There were complaints that the Deputy Minister's office gave away salary bonuses to staff. The office responded saying only 2 out of 19 workers received a bonus, and both were earlier wounded while defending the borders.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201688

government holds a session / aid to Artsakh residents

what now

Pashinyan: as the Prime Minister, I take full responsibility for the situation. But I realize that I am responsible not only for what has happened so far but also for further developments, ensuring external and internal stability and security.

The implementation of the roadmap published by me on November 18 is an absolute priority and necessity. All our efforts should be focused on solving this problem

Right now the priority is to exchange the POWs and find those who are missing. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of this process doesn't depend on us.

you're fired... you're hired

As mentioned earlier, the new Economy Minister will be Vahan Qerobyan, the founder of menu.am. PM's office member Buniatyan is out. Syunik Governor Hunan is out. The Deputy governor of Shirak is out.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201699 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201728 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201959 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201978

aid packages for refugees

There are two aid packages for Artsakh residents. 30,000 have so far applied for the $140 aid. The payments will be sent today. Those who lost their homes will receive an additional $600. This aid is given to every person and not the whole family; multiple family members can receive it.

The next aid package will also be for those who lost their homes. The goal for future aid packages is to help refugees to repatriate ASAP.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201684 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201685

incentive for investor

The government will give land and permit to a construction firm Hayk-88. In return, they'll build a bridge over Komitas Avenue to connect to a newly renovated park, which will have an amphitheater, fountains, drip irrigation network, lighting, etc. The company will invest $10 million in the project.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201689

exchanging POWs and finding the missing

The army has identified 34 more soldiers who died fighting. 600 bodies have been recovered since the ceasefire. The work continues.

Pashinyan spoke with Putin about the humanitarian mission. He then met the families of missing soldiers to brief them on progress.

Human Rights Ombudsmen believe Azerbaijan is intentionally delaying the exchange of POWs and bodies, "just as they had done during the war, to create internal tension in Armenia. We believe they might have collected and hid bodied in areas controlled by them," said the Ombudsman.

Some of the bodies under the Armenian possession have not be identified yet. DNA samples were taken to get a match.

Helsinki Group Armenia NGO says they've received 666 phone calls from family members of missing soldiers beginning October 5th, with a plea to help find their relatives. 52 have been found alive, 43 died, 3 POWs, the status of the rest were unclear.

The Red Cross and Pashinyan held a meeting about POWs and missing soldiers.

The European Court of Human Rights has instructed Azerbaijan to provide evidence of where the Armenian POWs are and their condition.

Demonstrators held a march in Yerevan. They asked Russia, the govt, and international bodies to help find their relatives quickly.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201757 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201760 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201765 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201770 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201776 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201774 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201795 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201795 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201823 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201859 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201937 , https://factor.am/315544.html

protests & opposition

The opposition continues to hold demonstrations and demand Pashinyan's resignation. 33 activists were detained for closing streets. A small group, consisted of ARF and other activists, gathered in front of the Govt building. ARF leader accused the Education Ministry of raising a generation of unpatriotic people and "attacking the Armenian language".

[Context: the government argues that university students, who have already studied the Armenian language for 12 years in schools, need to spend more time studying their uni majors rather than Armenian. They made the Armenian language in universities optional but not prohibited. The opposition wants university students to be required to study the Armenian language in universities. It's up to you to decide which approach will shoot future Bayraktars better.]

https://youtu.be/1bDTmMQ9BtA?t=194

https://factor.am/315881.html , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1036322.html

Parliament holds a session / Martial Law debate

Opposition LHK party wants to lift the Martial Law. Defense Ministry official is present; he'll argue in favor of keeping it for now. LHK asked the govt to explain why Martial Law is necessary.

QP MP: do you believe Azerbaijan has stopped being "aggressive" on the borders. Were the jihadists sent home? Can anyone say there are no dangers to the borders right now?

LHK MP: if it was like that we'd have Martial Law since 1994.

QP MP: if this session was closed-doors, I could provide you detailed information about problems on establishing the borders [since Armenians left Kelbajar, Armenia has a new border stretching from north to south, with Azerbaijan].

LHK MP: lifting Martial Law wouldn't hinder the ability to address those concerns.

QP MP: Last time you [LHK] said you won't participate in Parliament sessions unless it's about discussing PM's resignation. I'm glad you changed your mind and decided to come here and introduce a resolution to help Artsakh refugees [being snarky].

LHK MP: well, we were hoping that PM would be smart and resign.

QP MP: Are you aware that besides the Martial Law there are also pandemic-related restrictions?

LHK MP: I support restrictions if they are substantiated. The need for military Martial Law isn't there anymore.

Defense official: lifting the Martial Law now will cause problems.

The Parliament voted 36-56 to keep the Martial Law for now.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201682 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201690 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201696 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201714 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201730

Sotq gold mine / Davit Bek / rumors & facts / Pashinyan speech

Sotq gold mine was built partly in Armenia and in Kelbajar that went under Azeri control. The mine is the 4th largest taxpayer with 32b Drams in 2020.

Parliament MPs said that 80 Azeris broke the gates in Kelbajar and moved forward, although the MP said the info about them entering the gold mine was not confirmed.

MoD said that since Armenian-controlled Kelbajar didn't have a border between Armenia until now, there are currently works being done to mark the borders. Temporary gates were earlier installed to block traffic before the border demarcation.

Russia mediated the process between AM and AZ so they can take their positions as per 1980s borders. GPS is being used to draw the borders so avoid conflicts later. Armenian soldiers are also present in the questionable area.

QP MPs: there are no Azeri soldiers on Armenian territories near Sotq.

The army: our soldiers are stationed on our territories. We have not yielded any territories that were part of the Republic of Armenia. The mine is physically located both in Armenia and Azerbaijan. [the spokesman listed the areas and hills controlled by Armenians].

Pashinyan speech: // there are political groups [former regime] in Armenia and outside that intentionally spread false information claiming that part of Syunik Province was given to Azerbaijan. These groups intend to create an impression of lawlessness so they can provoke certain moods.

The Sotq mine was built half in Soviet Armenia borders and a half in Soviet Azerbaijan borders. Demarcation is a difficult process, and whether we like it or not, it must take place not only with the participation of Armenian and Russian servicemen but also with Azeris.

The law enforcement bodies are in full control of the situation and will not allow clashes provoked by some forces, which aim to move the [political] war into the territory of Armenia. //

--

There were also rumors that Armenia's Davit Bek settlements lost 300 hectares of land. The mayor clarified that those lands were on the other side of the Soviet-era border, in Qubatlu, thus no settlement area was given to Azerbaijan.

--

The governor of Tavush dismissed rumors that several villages of Tavush province were given to Azerbaijan.

Armenia's Kapan is near the border. Its mini-airport will remain under Armenian control.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201716 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201721 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201729 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201740 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201753 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201778 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201801 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201812 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201802 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201981 , https://youtu.be/mfLyfNfvYMM , https://factor.am/314845.html , https://factor.am/314842.html , https://youtu.be/456FHxF241I , https://factor.am/315041.html , https://fip.am/14038

fake new about soldiers

The Red Cross refuted the claims that 150 Armenian soldiers were taken POWs.

Fact-checker refuted another claim, spread by Azeris and picked up by some Armenian outlets, about >10 soldiers allegedly being taken hostage recently.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201774 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201862

Lavrov's Plan / opposition MP reveals details from Pashinyan meeting

[Before Pashinyan's Facebook post today.] Opposition Ind. MP Armen Babajanyan spoke about the accusations that PM Pashinyan kept the opposition in dark during the war. He denied that, saying that on October 19th the PM summoned a meeting with opposition parties and informed them that he had spoken with Russia about ways to stop the war, and that Russia said the only way to stop it is with "Lavrov's Plan" [give away 7 regions without receiving legal status for Artsakh].

MP Babajanyan: On October 19th we held the second meeting with PM. Hadrut was about to fall within hours. We discussed a possible capitulation. We asked him, "is this a capitulation, Mr. PM?". He didn't disagree.

Pashinyan said he had spoken with Vladimir Putin earlier that day to ask how to stop the war. Putin told him "Lavrov's Plan". After our meeting, around 8 pm, Pashinyan was supposed to call Putin and agree to Lavrov's Plan. Then we learned that Azerbaijan had refused to stop the war. [Azerbaijan kept asking for more as the war went on; Lavrov's Plan with 7 regions was no longer enough, they presumably wanted Shushi].

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201710

Europe vs Turkey

The European Parliament voted 631-3 to adopt a resolution calling for member-states to apply heavy sanctions against Turkey for its aggression in EastMed. Turkey's meddling in the Artsakh conflict was also mentioned on the list of conflicts where Turkey is accused of meddling.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201755

Он улетел, и обещал не вернуться...

UEFA soccer body has concluded the investigation against the Azeri "Qarabag FC" soccer club official Nurlan Ibrahimov who had earlier called for a genocide against Armenians.

He is permanently suspended from official soccer events internationally. The team is slapped with a 100,000 Euro fine.

Armenian prosecutors have also launched a felony case against him.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201731 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201786

delivery of gas & electricity in Stepanakert

... is resumed by 95%. Russian sappers cleared two schools; the classes will resume soon.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201767

Dutch ambassador Nicolas

... and the head of Himnadram's Dutch office paid a visit to soldiers' rehabilitation center. They discussed medical cooperation plans

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201700

this is the proper way

Yerevan will move the traffic lights from a sidewalk and hang them above the traffic on several streets.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201715

300,000 vaccines

Healthcare Minister Torosyan: we no longer have patients in serious condition who cannot find beds... COVID numbers could lower in winter then increase in Spring...

We have prepaid $6 million to purchase 300,000 vaccines for 10% of the population. They'll arrive in mid-Spring. $10 a pop; each patient gets two shots.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201692 , https://factor.am/315212.html

free internet for school

Telecom providers MTS-Armenia, UCOM, and Telecom-Armenia (Beeline) agreed with the Education Ministry to make access to several sites and tools free for verified students. It includes education portals, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201706

water prices will remain the same

The utility regulator, the govt, and Veolia Water have agreed not to raise the water fees for 2021.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201785

infrastructure repairs & subsidized programs

Lernut, Shirak will have a new kindergarten and arts center for 70 kids.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201735

12 residential area streets have been renovated in Armavir as part of the subsidy.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201736

Border village Sers will have street lighting with the help of private donors.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201739

27 subsidized infrastructure repairs were done in Vayots Dzor province this year. Water reservoir, street repairs, lighting, facility repairs.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201744

humanitarian aid

Aznavour Foundation and associates will collect and send 35 tons of aid from France and Switzerland to Armenia. Foundation CEO Kristina Aznavour, the daughter-in-law of Charles, will visit Armenia.

They arrived on Saturday. The PM thanked them for their support.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201686

https://www.aznavourfoundation.org/

https://factor.am/315431.html

Himnadram's Thanksgiving Telethon

... was held in the U.S. on Thursday. It gathered $23m in donations. The funds go towards helping 100,000 people with housing, free basic necessities for a year, and education.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201763

business meetings

Pashinyan met more representatives of the business world to discuss investments. Unicom, Grant Thornton, etc.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201796

unprecedented grape yields

Vayots Dzor province has collected almost twice as much grape as last year. 7,500 tons collected for commercial and 900 tons for personal use.

$0.42/kg for red and $0.38/kg for white grapes. Half of the yield's purchase price was so-subsidized by the government.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201829

INTERPOL 🚨

Armenian prosecutors have responded to Azerbaijan's efforts to launch an international manhunt against General Seyran Ohanyan and others. They informed INTERPOL about Azerbaijan's violation of international protocols, illegal aggression, government-enabled racism, and involvement of jihadist terrorists. They asked INTERPOL to ignore Azerbaijan's requests to add Ohanyan and others to the wanted list, calling it a politicized move.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201851

cost of treating COVID

$30 million spent since March. Healthcare Ministry published a report showing expenditures by category.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201855

explosion in Fizuli

4 Azeri soldiers died from a landmine explosion in the occupied Fizuli region; they were driving a jihad-o-mobil (Toyota pickup). A high-ranking officer was allegedly killed last week in a similar incident.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201867

15 years

... to clear Nagorno Karabakh region from land mines, according to humanitarian agency chief Samvel Mesropyan. Works will be done in cities and rural areas.

Russian peacekeepers helped to remove 100 mines today. 3km Shushi road was cleared. Video: https://youtu.be/ZBqWEkcschI

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201868 , https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1036241.html

departing Labor Minister Zaruhi Batoyan

... published her 85 accomplishments and reforms as Minister:

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201887

Holiday Backpacks for Artsakh kids

Kim Kardashyan has shared an initiative launched by the Universities of Berkley and Los Angeles. It asks donors to pack a backpack with aid for Artsakh kids.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201895

George Soros

... has donated $200,000 to Artsakh refugees since the beginning of the war.

https://factor.am/314966.html

mobile field hospital

... was installed in Stepanakert by Russian peacekeepers to treat wounded soldiers. It can help civilians, too.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201913

soldiers receive awards for acts of heroism

Sgt. Karapetyan destroyed 5 tanks in the south-east. Sgt. Garnik and others shot more tanks and vehicles in the same area.

Sgt. Ghazaryan shot 5 tanks and 1 Kamaz.

Maj. Harutyunyan delivered food to comrades under enemy fire.

Full list: https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201919

trip cancelled

Pashinyan won't visit Moscow on December 4th to participate in the EAEU trade bloc meeting because Russian PM Mishustin has made the conference online-only due to COVID.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1036309.html

singer Ivetta Mukuchyan

... received an award during DIAFA (Distinctive International Arab Festivals Award) and dedicated it to Armenian soldiers. She gave a speech:

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201924

"the military industry

... needs realistic reforms," said Pashinyan during a meeting with Military Industry Committee. "After the adoption of the 2015 law on the "Military-Industrial Complex, this industry is one of the most discussed topics in our country. But, in fact, we can state that the results we have today are not at all satisfactory. Given the new situation, we should summarize what happened in the previous period."

They discussed the involvement of tech experts, military-tech education, cooperation between science-economy-military complex.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201931

poverty rate in Armenia

Poverty was at 23.5% in 2018. In 2019 it was 26.4%. The numbers increased because the methodology was changed last year. The definition of poverty and consumption-related changes were made.

Extremely poor: 1.4% ($47 per person). Moderately poor: 10.2% ($69). Average poverty: 26.4% ($87). In the upper bracket: 43.8% ($105).

Yerevan: 14% poverty.

Poorest province: Aragatsotn with 51%.

https://hetq.am/hy/article/124867

Jalal will be back soon

The wounded ex-Defense Minister of Artsakh will be discharged from the hospital in 3 days. Fake news was circulated by Azeris earlier about killing Jalal Harutyunyan during an attack on a vehicle convoy.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201933

YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD BE REALLY NICE?

If you didn't die while crossing a street. Change my mind. Yerevan municipality has installed lighting in 100 pedestrian crossing locations that were accident-prone.

Additionally, the capital has replaced 674 light poles on 8 streets with LED bulbs to save energy. More to come this year.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201940 , https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201948

what else would be nice?

If you didn't die from an elevator fall in a 14-story building. Yerevan municipality has already swapped 251 legacy elevators with new ones on high-rise buildings. Another 249 elevators have been purchased and shipped to Armenia.

Only 20 elevators were replaced in the past 30 years. In 2018, newly-elect Mayor Marutyan made it his campaign promise to revamp the vertical choo-choos.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201941

how many were charged & arrested after November 10 riots?

50 charged. Cops wanted to arrest 42 of them. The arrest of 20 was rejected by the court, while 18 approved.

2 arrested for allegedly beating Parliament Speaker Mirzoyan. Another one was charged but not arrested.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201942

oil, butter, and sugar prices

... increased by 2-7% due to price increase by foreign sellers and Dram's recent devaluation.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201946

protection of forests

... was discussed between Nature Ministry and a delegation of Czechia. The latter will share its experience.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201960

the use of illegal weapons by Azerbaijan

... was discussed between Armenian prosecutors and an international expert in banned weapons Jean-Luc M. Various war crimes against POWs and population was also discussed.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/201976

55,000 Artsakh refugees have already returned home

23,000 through the Lachin road and 20,000 through Qarvachar road, which is no longer under Armenian control.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1036246.html

Facebook wars: How many "Likes" did Pashinyan's account lose?

It went from 757,000 to 721,000. There is an online flashmob by opposition urging everyone to unsubscribe from him. The PM continues to have over 1 million followers.

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/288209/

Armenian airlines

Fly Armenia Airways has purchased its first Boeing 737-400 jet. Yes, it has the Armenian flag. The airlines will enter the international market soon. They plan to help connect diaspora to Armenia.

https://factor.am/315487.html

foreign airlines

Russian Ural Airlines has also resumed the flights to Gyumri, Armenia.

https://factor.am/315844.html

real estate market transactions by year, for October

2015: 3.3k

2016: 2.9k

2017: 4.4k

2018: 4.4k

2019: 5k

2020: 3.9k

More: https://factor.am/315710.html

James Bond? try green bond

Ameriabank has issued Green Bonds in Euro equivalent to $50 million, which is a "turning point in the local financial market as the first-ever green bond program in Armenia". The main investor and partner was Dutch development bank FMO.

Details: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1036292.html

making preschools more accessible in provinces

The Education Ministry has a goal to ensure that the vast majority of kids attend preschools by the year 2024(?). The problem is not every settlement has a preschool.

They have a new plan to introduce alternative preschools in 270 settlements: there will be < 4.5-hour preschool services without daytime sleep, hosted by local women with qualified housing/education. They will undergo training.

If the settlement is very small, there could be teams that travel around and take care of kids.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1036275.html

chess news

Armenian grandmaster Karen Grigoryan has won the Spanish Barbera del Valles chess tournament.

https://factor.am/315537.html

electricity for Artsakh / new power plant

Stepanakert and nearby villages are powered by a 110Kw power station. The occasional electricity disconnections occur due to the ongoing line repair works. Some villages use temporary generators. The Shushi-Lisagor power lines are being renovated in addition to de-mining operation.

Martuni was fed with power lines coming from Shushi, which is now under Azeri control. As a result, a new 5 MW thermal power plant will be built for Martuni as a substitute. It'll be connected to Artsakh's main grid.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1036296.html

Diaspora Committee met diasporan tech experts

... as part of GovTech cooperation initiative. Several startups graduated from the GovTech Bootcamp and began working on their business plans.

Zareh Sinanyan says the cooperation will last 2 months and will help startups to prepare them for the final pitch.

https://factor.am/315821.html

you can help Artsakh & Armenia

www.1000plus.am (soldiers' medical help)

www.HimnaDram.org (for Artsakh & Armenia)

www.ArmeniaFund.org (U.S. tax-deductible)

archive of older posts

Yesterday: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/k10pnf/nov252020_news_wrapup_50000_refugees_return_home/?

Armeniapedia's archive of daily news threads:

http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/k47rsj/nov302020_news_wrapup_pashinyan_on_negotiations/

Disclaimer: All the accused are innocent until proven guilty by the court of law, even if they may sound as being guilty. Currency in Armenian Drams ֏ unless specified otherwise. Helpful overview of Armenia's media ownership and leanings.