2021 August 16

Daily news wrap-up

News - Aug/16/2021: Azerbaijan's failed border attacks leave 2 KIA on ARM side; AZE sustains 4 KIA & multiple WIA __ Aliyev wants peace agreement, claims landmine maps shared by Armenia were inaccurate __ Artsakh is building reservoirs & houses __ India relations: Armenian MFA on Kashmir __ more
by ar_david_hh

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Your 10-minute Saturday to Monday recap in 2684 words.

border clashes in Gegharkunik and Nakhijevan

MOD report: Azeri soldiers opened fire towards Armenian positions in Gegharkunik on Friday night. It was silenced after Armenian forces returned fire. No injuries on the Armenian side.

MOD report: the Azeri forces made an unsuccessful attempt to advance their positions near Gegharkunik's Sev Lich lake at night. The Armenian forces opened fire and forced Azeris to retreat. At least one Azeri soldier was killed.

MOD report: this morning, the Azeri forces launched a provocation near Yeraskh (Nakhijevan) border. An Armenian non-commissioned officer died from sniper fire. The opponent sustained losses after the Armenian side responded with retaliatory actions.

MOD report: this evening, the Azeri forces launched another provocation in Gegharkunik with the use of various caliber weapons. One Armenian soldier was killed. The Armenian side responded with retaliatory action, killing 3 and wounding 1 Azeri soldier.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060735.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060833.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060844.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060916.html

Rep. Frank Pallone urges the U.S. administration not to blame "both sides" anymore

He urged the State Department to "use every tool available to stop Aliyev's aggression".

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060823.html

Ilham Aliyev complains that landmine maps shared by Armenia are only 25% accurate

Aliyev to CNN Turk: Armenia has stopped sharing landmine maps. The ones shared recently are only 25% accurate. Over 150 Azeri soldiers and civilians have died from explosions. We cannot risk people's lives. That's why we are conducting demining operations in the captured territories. //

As a reminder, Armenia has been sharing partial landmine maps in exchange for POWs.

https://factor.am/405262.html

Ilham Aliyev says "mission accomplished, we want peace now"

Aliyev to CNN Turk: we don't want another war with Armenia. We have fulfilled our historic mission. At the same time, we see that Armenia deploys soldiers in the areas of Karabakh that are currently under the temporary control of Russian peacekeepers.

We have raised this issue several times but in vain. That's why our MOD recently released a statement saying if Armenia is preparing for war, then we will prevent it. //

https://factor.am/405296.html

Ilham Aliyev is waiting for Armenia's response on a peace agreement

Aliyev to CNN Turk: Baku has not yet received a response from Yerevan regarding the offer to sign a peace agreement. We want a peace treaty and for Armenia and Azerbaijan to recognize each others' borders, followed by official border demarcation.

If Armenia recognizes Azerbaijan's territorial integrity as it's done by the world, then of course there will be lasting peace in the region. We want that. There are options on the table.

The opening of the Zangezur corridor is also in Armenia's interests because it allows them to establish a railway connection with Iran and Russia. //

https://factor.am/405295.html

Ilham Aliyev is concerned about Russia arming Armenia

Armenian MOD recently visited Russia and agreed on weapons deliveries. The details are undisclosed.

Aliyev to CNN Turk: Russia, as a neighbor of Azerbaijan and a close ally of Armenia, undoubtedly plays a special role in this region. We expect that Russia will not arm Armenia. That worries us. //

https://factor.am/405272.html

Pashinyan appoints deputy Finance Minister as deputy Defense Minister to oversee weapons purchases & expenditures

MOD Karapetyan welcomed Karen Brutyan as a deputy MOD. "He will make every effort towards the rapid and quality organization of the defense procurement process, and the efficient management of finances," said MOD.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060907.html

frontline soldiers in Tegh (Gegharkunik) receive mini-houses so they won't have to sleep in tents

The army received a donation. A couple of "container" style housing units were driven to two "important positions", said Tegh mayor Nerses Shadunts.

Photos: https://factor.am/405250.html

Caucasus Heritage Watch: Azeris removed sculptures from Shushi Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum has a small park with 51 art pieces. Satellite photos show that they were removed between April and June.

https://www.facebook.com/CaucasusHW/posts/153396063595582 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060755.html

Russian peacekeepers provide traffic statistics from Artsakh's Lachin corridor

58,000 vehicles have crossed through the corridor since the ceasefire, carrying 210,000 people. The daily vehicle traffic is ~200. They are searched at the checkpoint.

Meanwhile, the peacekeepers exercise in observation posts equipped with fortification, against possible violations and attacks, said the envoy.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060843.html

Artsakh is building several new districts in Ivanyan with 400 apartments and homes

President Arayik visited Ivanyan (center-east) to learn about the ongoing construction progress, financed by the All Armenia Fund.

The first district will have 15 buildings with 180 apartments. It'll be ready by the end of 2022, and will serve IDPs from the Hadrut region's Mets Tagher settlement.

Another new district, partially funded by Himnadram, will be consisted of single-family homes. It's for the IDPs from Akhtasar (Askeran).

The districts will have a kindergarten, school, playground, and park.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060781.html

Red Cross begins helping Stepanakert to address drinking water shortage

Learn more about the water shortage here. The Red Cross helped the water utility company to install large water tanks in the districts affected by the shortage. The authorities traveled around the city to ensure car wash companies comply with the temporary suspension. The city is trying to conserve as much as possible.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060809.html

Artsakh will build a new $30M reservoir and connect the capital to more water sources

President Arayik met the members of the cabinet and "water taskforce", and instructed them to start and finish the construction of the Patara reservoir ASAP.

The new reservoir will ensure round-the-clock water supply to the capital and address the issues of drinking and irrigation water in 2,500 hectares of agricultural lands.

They plan to install water pipes to connect the Patara river to Stepanakert.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060875.html http://arka.am/en/news/society/new_15_billion_dram_worth_water_reservoir_to_be_built_in_nagorno_karabakh/

Armenia and India celebrate India's Independence Day / MFA Grigoryan about Kashmir / military & trade cooperation

Foreign Minister Armen Grigoryan and the Indian ambassador participated in an event dedicated to the 75th anniversary of independence.

MFA Grigoryan spoke about India's long history and contribution to the world. He praised ARM-IND relations that began thousands of years ago and activated in the 17-19th centuries when Armenians established communities in several large Indian cities.

MFA Grigoryan: Armenia has always supported India in the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. We appreciate the Indian government's targeted statements [aimed at Azerbaijan] regarding the violation of Armenian borders, the 2020 war, and the transfer of terrorists by Azerbaijan and Turkey.

A business forum will be held soon to strengthen our economic ties.

Cooperation between our states is also promising in the fields of military, high-tech, defense, medicine, agriculture, tourism, and education.

Armenia closely follows India's active involvement in the North-South international transport corridor project, and India's interest in developing the Chabahar port to connect it to the trade corridor. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060824.html

a documentary movie about legendary actor Frunzik Mkrtchyan's roles in Indian movies

... was premiered in Yerevan's Moscow Theater. Several Indian officials visited Armenia to join their Armenian colleagues and culture figures to attend the premiere. The movie is titled "Frunzik Mkrtchyan: India remembers me".

Frunzik played the role of Mustafa in the movie "Ali Baba and forty thieves", co-produced by USSR and India. He also had a role in "The Legend of Love".

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060829.html

a statue of Mahatma Gandi was unveiled in Yerevan's Buenos Aires park

Education Ministry: accept the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Yerevan as a tribute to Indian history.

Indian representative: With the installation of this statue, Armenians and Indians who come to Armenia will always remember the principles and ideology of Mahatma Gandhi. This will be the driving force behind our creation of a better world. //

The Indian official laid flowers in the Tsitsernakaberd memorial and visited the Genocide museum.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060869.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060871.html

Armenia offers to establish an Indian educational-cultural center in Armenia

Education Minister also proposed a joint project to film Indian movies in Armenia and to strengthen university ties.

The Indian delegate announced plans to donate 75 books about Indian history and culture to 75 Armenian schools. They spoke about joint book projects and faculty exchange programs.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060910.html

Uruguay to open an embassy in Armenia

MFA Francisco Bustillo visited Armenia, met MFA Armen Grigoryan, and laid flowers in the Tsitsernakaberd genocide memorial.

MFA Grigoryan: Armenia highly appreciates Uruguay's principled positions on the Azeri-Turkish aggression against Artsakh in 2020. Uruguay's legislature condemned Turkey's recruitment of mercenaries, the human rights violations by Azerbaijan, and the bombardment of civilian infrastructure.

The consequences of the war, which was unleashed against the right for self-determination and existence of the people of Artsakh, have not yet been completely overcome. The POWs have not been fully repatriated yet. We continue to rely on the solidarity of our friendly states, including Uruguay. //

The two discussed cooperation in the field of IT, banking, management of water resources, and renewable energy. The visa-free entry regime could help boost tourism, noted Grigoryan.

MFA Bustillo spoke about the Armenian community of Uruguay and their contributions. He noted that both countries value the principles of democracy, rule of law, human rights, peaceful resolution of conflicts, and nature protection.

Uruguay has decided to open an embassy in Yerevan after 30 years of relations.

Pashinyan to Bustillo: I was very happy to learn about Uruguay's decision to open an embassy. We were considering opening one in Uruguay. Your decision will help us expedite the process. Uruguay has a positive image in Armenia. //

Pashinyan and Bustillo discussed the expansion of trade, humanitarian ties, and culture.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060849.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060852.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060853.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060859.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060863.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060915.html

judicial system is undergoing administrative and salary reforms

Supreme Court chief Jhangiryan: the Judicial Department staff will switch from civil service to judicial service. Switching back to the old model will not only allow us to better organize the work but also resolve the issue with salaries. This will include the salaries of prosecutors and investigators.

The Constitutional Court is currently deliberating whether the law about [new] Anti-Corruption Courts is Constitutional or not. The topic of that investigation is the higher judicial salaries.

A new bill will be introduced his Autumn to raise other judges' salaries and bring it on-par with Anti-Corruption Court salaries. //

The judges discussed plans to revamp the working environment in offices, building new facilities, etc.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060763.html https://youtu.be/Z-7iX9BN8gI

Supreme Court will not discipline the judge who presided over Kocharyan's March 1st trial

Davit Grigoryan is a lower court judge who earlier presided over Kocharyan & Co's March 1st trial. After the case was transferred to another judge, he gave an interview to a media outlet and made remarks about the Constitutional Court's [pro-Kochayran] decision that struck down Article 300.1.

The Justice Department found the judge's remarks during the interview unethical and asked the Supreme Court to sanction him. The latter has just ruled that the judge did not violate the ethics code.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060872.html https://youtu.be/AyYwl4m_UXE

the embattled mayor of Sisian (Syunik) has resigned to serve as MP as part of Kocharyan-ARF alliance

Mayor Arthur Sargsyan was recently charged with forging documents, rigging auctions, and embezzling funds meant for the construction of a heating system in a school. The alleged incidents took place in 2016 and involved multiple officials.

Arthur Sargsyan has resigned from the mayor's seat so he can serve as an HD MP.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060870.html https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/olokiv/news_jul162021_bypass_road_in_syunik_1000s_of_new/

collection of fodder and grain continues with low results in Gegharkunik

... after the excess heatwave that damaged the water resources and crops in May-June. The yield is several times smaller than in past years.

To feed the 48k cows, 69k sheep, and 1.6k horses over the winter, the province needs to harvest 110k tons of hay. They have so far collected half of that. The businesses decided to import hay from other provinces of Armenia, and Russia.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060898.html

infrastructure upgrades across Armenia

New water networks will be built in Artsvanist, Tsovagyugh, Shoghakat, Drakhtik, and Jil settlements of Gegharkunik province. It will increase the water delivery volumes, reduce waste, and bring water to hundreds of new households. The old metal pipes will be replaced with metal-plastic.

Lisakunq (Gegharkunik) will have 66 new LED lighting poles installed on three of its roads.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060856.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060858.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060888.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060890.html

honey exports skyrocket 📈

65 tons were exported in H1 2021, compared to 19 tons in the entire 2020. The number of honey producers has increased to 11.

https://factor.am/405118.html

mag. 4.6 earthquake on Armenia-Georgia border

16km northeast of Armenia's bordering Bavra village. It was followed by 70 smaller aftershocks. The Javakhk fault zone is a seismically active area.

https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/earthquakes/quake-info/6368198/quake-felt-Aug-16-2021-Near-Tbilisi-T-bilisi-Georgia.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060906.html

Armenian church celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God

Also known as Grape Blessing, it is one of the five cardinal feasts, and the oldest dedicated to Holy Mother.

The church held a liturgy then distributed the blessed grape seeds to churchgoers.

Storytime: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060796.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060807.html https://stjameswatertown.org/feast-of-the-assumption-sunday-august-15/

VIDEO: Yerevan municipality is still demolishing illegal structures

Bulldozers leveled some buildings in capital's Ajapnyak and Nor Nork districts.

https://youtu.be/Sk5U-J1QvqU?t=2

COVID stats between Saturday and Monday

18,554 tested. 1,017 infected. 618 healed. 24 deaths. 6175 active.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060751.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060797.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060838.html

CDC about the rising cases:

We have a 46% increase. The past 14 days showed growth over the previous 14 days.

Infection's reproductive rate was 1.1 in the past 14 days, and 1.3 in the past 7 days. That means we will have over 2,900 infections within the next 7 days (~415/day).

The Delta strain circulates twice as fast and is currently causing problems around the world, including in Armenia. We are not testing every single patient to see which strain they have. It is not a priority.

Wearing a mask is more effective against the delta strain. The most effective preventative solution right now is vaccination.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060878.html

many workers will be required to present proof of vaccination or a negative test every 14 days

... beginning October 1. More details later.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060912.html

221,000 vaccinatations so far

145k first and 76k second doses. Almost half of it was administered within the past month.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060828.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060912.html

gas leak from a vehicle leads to an explosion on Malatia mall intersection

Five individuals were taken to a hospital in stable-serious condition. The rescuers closed the faulty gas cylinder valve.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060882.html

Basketball: U16 Women's European Challengers

Armenia 60-58 Malta

North Macedonia 92-22 Armenia

Armenia 60-58 Georgia

Albania 61-37 Armenia

https://www.fiba.basketball/europe/challengers/u16women/2021/team/Armenia#%7Ctab=games_and_results

Grappling World Championship

The Armenian youth team has won five bronze medals.

https://factor.am/405351.html

Pashinyan hosted the Olympic team and spoke about development plans

Pashinyan: no gold, but we are satisfied with the performance, considering the overall atmosphere. Let's quickly summarize the results and begin the preparations for the next Olympics.

Although today we have a developed professional sport, the problem is it's not on a mass scale and there is a lack of infrastructure and interest towards it. We are already developing specific programs here, and will start implementing them in the near future. We need the assistance of our professional athletes in this effort.

This was independent Armenia's 7th participation in the Olympics, and the 3rd in terms of medal quality. We need efforts to improve it.

Olympics Committee chief Tsarukyan: the main problem is the lack of quality sports centers and infrastructure. Our Committee can handle the renovation, while the Government can pay for the equipment. We can increase the number of Olympics participants.

Pashinyan: if our goal is to have 24 gold medals by 2050, then we must start working today without falling behind. Let's keep in touch. //

The government and athletes then discussed the ongoing construction of multiple sports centers. Pashinyan instructed to reopen the "sports unit" in the Armed Forces.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060879.html https://youtu.be/mzwHyHB596I

Defense and Education Ministries discuss the promotion of sports

MOD Karapetyan: it's important for us to cooperate in this field. The army's Sports Squad will continue to accept athletes who achieved great results. One of the requirements during the service in the Sports Squad is for participants to improve their skills and achieve success, otherwise, their service contracts will be reviewed.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060901.html

Armenian students win their first-ever Bronze medal in international geography Olympiad

179 students participated from 46 countries. The Armenian team finished third.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1060846.html

end of report

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

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

Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/p5n87h/news_aug162021_azerbaijans_failed_border_attacks/