2021 June 28

Daily news wrap-up

News - Jun/28/2021: (1) Bombshell from Gen. Samvel Babayan: Russian private interests in Armenia; "5th column"; Kocharyan & Vitalik; banned from Russia (2) Military camp training to become mandatory for students (3) High tech & education (4) Borders (5) Fake news: clip about soldiers voting (6) Road
by ar_david_hh

---

This is your 10-minute Monday report in 2449 words.

Gen. Samvel Babayan about private Russian interest groups influencing Armenia on behalf of Robo-Serj, "5th column" promoting Vitalik Balasanyan:

The 2020 war and subsequent events showed how much Russia is interested in the region, and therefore, its people within the Armenian ruling class.

Bidding on specific people and prompting them is a known strategy by superpowers. They often aid those who enjoy the majority support. This, however, was not the case with Russia, because besides special services, private groups are also actively working in this area, pursuing their own interests, which has nothing to do with Russian state interests.

Before the Artsakh presidential elections of March 2020, one of these "5th column" representatives contacted me and asked me to promote [Kocharyan ally] Vitali Balasanyan. The latter is a very submissive and manageable person, which is why he would have been an excellent local servant in the process to separate Artsakh from Armenia. The only issue was his low popularity rating among the public.

At the time, Garnik Isagulyan [who publicly called for Pashinyan's assasination] had approached me with a plea to help Vitali Balasanyan. Isagulyan has been a member of the 5th column for a long time. He also serves the interests of various circles, including those of Kocharyan and Serj.

I flatly refused to take part in that anti-Armenian program despite the promises of personal benefits. Instead, I chose to defend my homeland's interests. After receiving a rejection, Garnik Isagulyan began threatening. I was informed about an upcoming media campaign against me, and that I would be barred from entering Russia.

I knew whom I was dealing with but I did not think they would go beyond the verbal threats. With the use of fake reports sent to Russia, they achieved my entry ban to Russia.

Still, I do not regret my decisions. I repeat: I will only accept a pro-Armenian stance.

Yes, I have always stated that due to our geographical locations we are destined to be allies with Russia, but that cooperation must be on equal terms. I've always been open, and whenever I critiqued Russia, it was because of bad policies towards my homeland. I am ready to talk to Russian officials, but not the 5th column members.

These 5th column circles recently activated during the Parliamentary elections in Armenia. Moreover, nowadays they have split into branches and each one tries to prove they are more pro-Russian than the other while disregarding the Armenian interests.

I advise these sellouts to stop presenting their personal interests as "Russian interests", but I know that that it's a waste of time. Therefore, I ask my compatriots to be careful what they read and hear from this 5th column's media outlets.

We only have one option and it's obvious. We need a strong army. We need it not to go on a war, but to dictate peace on our own terms. Recently Aliyev announced an increase in military budget and personnel. That means he wants to steal a portion of Armenia.

This is why we must hurry. No one will come to save us. We must do it ourselves. This is what Armenia's priority should be. And anyone who has ever worked towards dividing Armenians and weakening the state will have to finally sober up, at least now, when we are facing an existential threat.

https://factor.am/387663.html

Tags: #Vitalik #SamvelBabayan #FifthColumn #5thColumn #Mishik

photos: military training will become mandatory in Armenian high schools / 100 students visit camps

2021 May 18 Context in May 18 news. The government launched a pilot program to send 11th-grade male and female students to military camps to gain hands-on experience for the things they learned during NZP classes in 8-11 grades. It's meant to prepare them for military service, teach them how to control and navigate through difficult situations, etc. The Education Ministry studied the 2020 war experience while drafting the program.

Last week, the first group of 100 students (14 girls) visited a Hanqavan camp for training.

Education Ministry: This program is crucial for all of us. We are all aware of the serious challenges. This program will become mandatory for all schools. The experience and feedback gained during the pilot program will allow us to improve the program. //

This is the first time many high schools will spend an extended period away from their families. "Kids live together, eat together, study together, learn to live in community lifestyle", said Lt.Col. Avetisyan.

10th grader Mary: the war has affected all of us. Even if we don't choose a military career later, in any case, we must try to help our country in any way possible. I've thought a lot about a military career. I think every challenge can be overcome. //

11th grader Hayk: the last war showed us that a programmer is as important as an ordinary soldier. I want to write a program, to invent something, to allow a robot to fight instead of a soldier. //

The day begins at 7:00 am. Personal hygiene, breakfast, reporting to the main square, and finally, attending education exercises about the history of martial arts, military tactics, tactical-physical, military topography, safety, first aid, communication, survival skills, etc.

Canteen chef Elmira: kids like the food. The breakfast consists of bread, cheese, tea, chocolate spread, and yogurt. Lunch is mashed potatoes, green beans, yogurt soup, իքիբիր meat, veggie salad, juice, and fruits. Dessert is bun, gata, fruit roll. Dinner is buckwheat plov, sausage and tomato paste, cheese, bread, tea, and salad.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056762.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056762.html

Armenian MOD denies opening fire at Azeri positions on Tavush borders

MOD: the Azeri MOD circulated another misinformation, claiming that we opened fire on their Tavush positions yesterday. The claim is false. Not one bullet was fired towards Azeri positions.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056724.html

Turkish-Azeri military exercises begin in Baku

600 soldiers and several dozen pieces of equipment will take part. The goal is to improve cooperation during military action. Azeri MOD bragged that they are being trained by a NATO member.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056743.html https://factor.am/387800.html

Master's Degree in Artificial Intelligence / French University of Armenia (UFAR)

UFAR will cooperate with the Toulouse III university in France. The UFAR rector said they're trying to offer things that are needed in Armenia, and that they've been working with the private sector to learn about workforce demand.

The representatives of the two universities and the Armenian government gave a press conference today. The doors will open this September. These will be evening classes to allow working students to combine education with work.

High Tech Ministry: AI is important for Armenia's economy. Today, the education system is not ready to meet the labor demand in this field. We spoke with a few tech companies. They will need 400 AI workers by the end of this year.

Toulouse University rep.: our lecturers will come to teach in Yerevan. Two dozen professors will visit at bachelor and master level. There will be hands-on practice. The best ones will be able to gain practice in France.

Video: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056759.html

anti-drug addiction lectures in high schools

The "Together We Can" NGO, medics, and Yerevan officials organized classes in 12 Yerevan schools to combat drug addiction.

Representative: The public does not want to accept the fact that we have an addiction problem. It begins from an early age with the use of smartphones and the internet. Parents often do not know what their children do on the internet. Kids can get exposed to narcotics materials. There are 1,200 narco-shops on Telegram. We've worked with 9,000 parents. //

The group spoke about narcotics use among high schoolers. They see a threat in increased consumption among certain groups after the war.

https://youtu.be/yBFMIvwhL4Q https://factor.am/387680.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056767.html

Kocharyan and Serj will challenge the election results in Constitutional Court

Correction. In an earlier news post, I said the participants had 5 days from the election date to challenge the results. It should have been 5 days from the date when the electoral commission publishes the final results.

HD and PU alliances said they plan to challenge it within the 5-day deadline.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056787.html https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/293938/

fake news: soldiers being given envelopes with ballots already in them

Media allied with the former regime circulated a video clip, claiming that it shows how several soldiers cast an envelope that someone else gave to them, with the "right ballot" already inside.

Armenian and Russian election observers found that the clip was from the 38/36 station in Aygedzor, Tavush. They got the full tape to investigate.

Election observer: the clip that was circulated is manipulative. Many outlets were sharing it while claiming that the soldiers were throwing away the entire stack of ballots and casting a pre-determined ballot inside an envelope.

This is false. We found the higher quality clip with more context (longer video) and learned that some [inpatient] soldiers, who were in a queue, decided to cast their votes by inserting a ballot in an envelope without waiting to reach the booth, and when they reached the booth, they threw away the remaining unnecessary ballots because they had already inserted one in an envelope.

The violations were regarding voting secrecy. In one location there was a window without curtains behind the booth. They covered it at 9 o'clock. //

https://factor.am/387883.html https://youtu.be/KH-_jXGk2Ew https://fip.am/16272

seven MPs vouch for Izmirlyan hospital director's good behavior if he is freed

Director Charchyan was arrested after an employee shared an audio leak in which the director allegedly heard pressuring workers not to vote for Pashinyan. After the arrest, he was taken to the emergency room with health complaints.

Today a group of MPs asked the prosecutors to free Charchayn before his trial. A group of Charchyan's medical colleagues gathered in front of the detention center with a similar demand.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/217305 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056792.html

Russian peacekeepers accompanied hundreds of churchgoers

... to the Artsakh monasteries of Amaras and Gandzasar located near the borders.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056714.html

Emergency Ministry

... received 43% more reports about fire in 1H21.

They inspected 101 bomb shelters and installed 204 emergency sirens across Armenia.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056773.html

armed robbery at CREDO Finance

A masked man, carrying an object resembling a gun, entered the CREDO office (Andranik 147) at 11 am and told the workers to empty the safe containing ֏2.7 million. The police are looking for him. Several individuals have been questioned.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056783.html https://factor.am/387782.html

journalists hospitalized after a car accident

Hyundai Sonata was traveling in Gegharkunik when it flipped and landed upside-down on a nearby field. The driver is a sports commentator Garamyan on H1 TV. His hospitalized passenger Laura Karapetyan is a host at Radio Marshal.

https://shamshyan.com/hy/article/2021/06/28/1190221/

residents can submit visual evidence of traffic violations

Traffic in Yerevan isn't as bad as in Cairo, but it can get close sometimes, complain many drivers. Last year the Parliament adopted a law to allow residents to submit visual evidence of road violations committed by others.

For example, running a red light, driving on the opposite lane, throwing trash out the window, parking in the wrong area, etc. The law goes into effect in July.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/217273

popular Russian-Georgian singer Soso Pavliashvili and wife visit Armenia to celebrate his birthday

We are flying to our beloved Yerevan, let those who wish us good be given hundredfold goodness, said Soso.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/217314

COVID stats

2962 tested. 54 infected. 87 healed. 3 deaths. 2594 active.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056722.html

75,000 have been vaccinated so far

59K first dose, 16K second dose.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056734.html

Armenia and Belarus to work on six medical-scientific projects

... in the fields of medicine, biology, energy, and COVID medicine. "By combining the efforts of our scientists, we can create high-tech developments faster, as well as new products."

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056814.html

update: Yerevan's brand new buses are in the works

Mayor Marutyan recently signed an order to purchase more buses than what was initially planned. The Chinese firm is "working hard to get the buses we ordered to Yerevan on time," said the mayor.

The delivery of 211 new 8.5-meter buses will begin this Autumn. Additional 100 will arrive in 1H22.

video: https://youtu.be/mT1rv0JF2ro

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056716.html

video: the destruction of illegally built structures continues in Yerevan

https://youtu.be/UJh1Kz65c6U

new irrigation network in Khachaghbyur

The village in Gegharkunik will have a new irrigation network with metal and metal-concrete pipes to reduce water losses and damage to nearby asphalt.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056746.html

road renovation in Tsovak village

The road connecting the village in Gegharkunik to the nearby highway will be renovated as part of a federal subsidy program.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056748.html

Vaghashen's drinking and irrigation water problems will be solved

The village in Gegharkunik will have new water pipes as part of the federal subsidy program. A new 8km pipe will stretch from "Mets Goler" to the settlement.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056750.html

Garni-Lanjazat road is being renovated for the first time since USSR

The 18km ($4 million) road connects Ararat and Kotayk provinces. The main asphalting process is complete. A few more months to strengthen the security and longevity of the road.

The road will reduce traffic in capital Yerevan, while also serving as a bypass road for the North-South highway.

Tourists headed to Garni temple, Khor Virap, Dvin, Azat reservoir will enjoy the new road.

https://youtu.be/RbjKl1WmBBU https://factor.am/387629.html

EU Council agrees to sign a Common Aviation Area agreement with Armenia

The agreement will open up the air transport market, offering new opportunities for both consumers and operators. "Through more efficient connectivity, they will promote trade, tourism, investment, and economic and social development."

Some market restrictions will be lifted.

https://factor.am/387838.html https://en.armradio.am/2021/06/28/european-council-greenlights-signing-of-common-aviation-area-agreement-with-armenia/

medics have a new guide in the Armenian language

The first-ever comprehensive Armenian language book summarizes 50 emergency procedures for pre-hospital medical care. It's about emergency procedures, how to treat the patient in a helicopter, how to tell if the patient should be hospitalized, etc.

The author is Harutyun Mangoyan [nice last nime], the head of the intensive care department in ԵՊԲՀ.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056779.html

Armenian Soccer Federation will implement VAR system

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is a relatively new addition to soccer. Its goal [no pun intended] is to ensure the world does not have another Diego Maradona [pun intended]. The main referee can pause the game and consult with the camera system in disputed situations.

Armenia's soccer body will implement one within 8-10 months. It requires retraining referees in addition to equipment purchases.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056749.html

Japanese students will learn about Armenian duduk

Armenian ambassador to Japan welcomed duduk player Yasutaka Tarumi, who has been promoting Armenian music in Japan. Tarumi said that beginning this year, Armenian duduk will be featured in Japanese music textbooks.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1056718.html

in case you missed late Sunday news

https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/o9dlw7/news_jun272021_weekend_news_recap_about_elections/

Перевод на русский by Impossible-Ad-

https://new.reddit.com/r/ArmDailyReports_RUS_/comments/o9dx1u/новости_из_армении_за_выходные_27_июня_2021

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.

---

Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/o9rxu4/news_jun282021_1_bombshell_from_gen_samvel/