2021 October 7

Daily news wrap-up

Oct/7/2021: Buy Diaspora Bonds to help Armenia? __ Russia & Iran support 3+3 platform __ IR-AZ-TR relations __ Fake news operator sentenced to jail for harming Armenia-Iran relations __ Pashinyan blasts anti-vaxxers; undercover raids in clinics __ Cross country running __ Major mayor busts __ + more
by ar_david_hh

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Your 12-minute Thursday report in 3031 words.

bookmark PART 4: ex-army spokesman and military expert Artsrun Hovhannisyan discusses the war, how army reforms were launched in 2019 with efforts to train attack units with new tactics, air superiority, discussions about UAVs and Su-30 since 2016

In English: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/q2wgb4/part_4_exarmy_spokesman_and_military_expert/

In Russian: https://www.reddit.com/r/ArmDailyReports_RUS_/comments/q33h5k/часть_4_арцрун_оганесян/

https://youtu.be/A6x7gIc5E7Y?t=34

Tags: #Su30 #drones #ArmyReforms

Russia is pursuing Armenia to join the "3+3" regional communication unblocking platform, supported by Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey / Latest updates from Iran-Azerbaijan crisis / Armenian man to be jailed for "damaging Armenia-Iran relations"

Russian MFA spokeswoman: Russia and Iran held a meeting yesterday. Russia pursues a comprehensive policy, including dialogue with all players in the region. We discussed the 3+3 proposal yesterday. Iran supports it. //

Russian MFA Lavrov: I discussed the 3+3 with Iran, about the unblocking of regional economic and transport routes. Iran expressed a positive stance, and so did Azerbaijan and Turkey. We're currently working with our Armenian colleagues. We hope Georgia will see the benefits of this mechanism to achieve rapid growth in the region; they have also suffered from the regional conflict. //

Anonymous Russian diplomat: the 3+3 was initially proposed by Turkey, but Russia recently took over as the active promoter. This is understandable because otherwise, if Turkey was the initiator, Armenia would not have joined. This is why Turkey made the gentlemen's move by handing over the mandate to Russia and Iran.

If 3+3 succeeds, it will hold discussions about the region in general, not just about military and frozen conflicts. This will differ from OSCE because the latter is focused only on the Karabakh conflict.

Back in March, the Georgian Premier said they will not join any platform with Russia. Their rejection discourages Armenia's membership because Armenia could have concerns about a lack of "balance" of members, and the platform being less efficient without one of the players (Georgia). Right now it's more realistic to talk about 3+2 but Georgia could join at any time. //

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the Azeri-Iranian relations

Iranian supreme leader's representative left Baku last month. A few days ago, his office was shut down amid AZ-IR diplomatic tensions, which escalated after Azerbaijan took two Iranian truck drivers hostage and launched provocative army drills with Turkey.

Turkish MFA: no one can spoil the Ankara-Baku relations. Our military exercises are not against [Iran]. No one should be concerned because of the exercises. //

Iranian Minister: Noorduz-Armenia and Caucasus corridor problem has been solved and very soon the transit map of the region will be totally changed. Those who acted notoriously in this respect should know that no road will remain closed for Iran, and the broken bridges behind them will not be mended so easily. // (Referring to Azerbaijan annd Turkey)

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Iran-Turkey relations

Unconfirmed reports say that Turkey has closed its border for Iranian cargo trucks, in response to Iran recently closing its border for Turkey.

Foreign Ministries of Turkey and Iran will meet tomorrow to discuss a few things. [Plot twist: this is all a 4D chess move to promote the 3+3 platform]

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fake Facebook account operator sentenced to 3.5 years in jail

When the U.S. used a drone to kill Iranian general Qassim Soleimani, an Armenian man used a Facebook account named "Diana Harutyunyan" to write an article (he claims satire) about Pashinyan allegedly congratulating Trump for the successful hit.

The fake news was picked up by Iranian media outlets and led to tensions. The account operator was subsequently charged with inciting ethnic divisions and digital crimes. The court has sentenced him to 3.5 years in jail. The Appeals Court upheld the verdict.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064992.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064994.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064996.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1065001.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1065038.html https://factor.am/425771.html https://factor.am/425777.html https://amp.rbc.ru/rbcnews/politics/06/10/2021/615da0ca9a7947e2cd6453c1 https://en.irna.ir/news/84495801/Road-minister-No-road-to-remain-closed-for-Iran https://factor.am/425846.html https://factor.am/425916.html https://armlur.am/1139855/

Tags: #3+3

DigiWeek 2021

High-Tech Ministry and the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises will organize the DigiWeek event together, for the first time. The event is scheduled for Oct 27 to Nov 3.

Tech experts, governments, and investors from around the world will display their products and discuss business partnerships.

High-Tech Ministry: we are responsible for the establishment and development of the startup ecosystem, so co-organizing DigiWeek 2021 is important for us. We must help our firms to become global players and make the Armenian brands recognizable. //

UATE president: our goal is to find a place for Armenia on the world technology platform. Armenian-run or Armenia-based companies have made ֏2 billion investments in the past two years. These companies are worth ֏12 billion today. This is an unprecedented success for the Armenian tech ecosystem. We're glad these firms will participate in the upcoming DigiWeek and Digitec events. //

The Digitec Expo will also be held this year. It'll be the more comprehensive, with over one hundred firms presenting their products in Hamalir.

They will hold a Digi Tech Summit for the first time, participated by leaders of foreign tech firms, officials, scientists, and one and only Moderna co-founder Nubar Afeyan.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064969.html

High-Tech minister met the Russian ambassador to discuss Russian investments

The Minister wants Russian businesses and scientific institutes to invest in the Armenian tech sector, to create joint ventures, open factories with modern standards, etc.

Russian ambassador hopes Armenia will take part in helping to organize and World Expo-2030 if it's held in Moscow. The latter has submitted its bit.

https://factor.am/425738.html

the government will issue "Diaspora" bonds

An expert said these are ordinary bonds that are marketed towards diasporans. They are slightly less profitable; it has a patriotism element in it.

It'll be issued in dollars. Unlike eurobonds, you can buy them in small volumes. While the minimum for eurobond is $200,000, the Diaspora Bonds could be as little as $100. It's still under discussion.

Diaspora committee chief Zareh Sinanyan: the discussions began in 2018. The research phase has begun to find out how viable the project is. It could allow us to strengthen Diaspora-Armenia economic ties and help Armenia financially in emergencies. //

It's official: diaspora bond will be the next james bond. Cash me outside.

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/295951/

Tags: #Diaspora

COVID stats

9598 tested. 1309 infected. 502 healed. 26 deaths. 15722 active.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064973.html

Pashinyan blasts the COVID misinformation peddlers, says not a single unvaccinated person should work at public administration offices

Pashinyan and Ministry: we do observe more vaccinations, but it's not enough. The process must move forward faster. We cannot have unvaccinated employees in public offices. Doctors who issue fake vaccination cards must be punished.

Unfortunately, we also have malicious individuals who intentionally hinder the vaccination efforts in the information field, by misleading our citizens with unfounded scaremongering. These individuals are partly responsible for the deaths.

Many European and Asian countries have reached a 90% rate. So where is the problem, who are these people fighting against? What is the reason why they put effort to slow down the vaccination in Armenia?

Let's take a step back and understand what these peoples' goals are. In the beginning, when people began dying from COVID, they would use the death toll for political purposes to blame it on us. They want the death toll to be as big as possible so they can claim "the government isn't doing anything".

The state has obligations. We must use the levers to protect the population. I don't want to hear any complaints from the Healthcare Ministry anymore about someone hindering their efforts. The state has the legal power and the ability to pass laws to move forward with vaccinations.

Some of our citizens don't want the hospital treatment of COVID to be free. They say why should we pay taxes and treat people who refused vaccines, when we could have used that money on building schools and for other social aid. The number of people who think this way is growing, and their voices will get louder.

Ignore the opposition circles. Do we have to discuss every time what a small group of people said? I don't want you to tell me who is hindering the vaccination efforts anymore. Find a solution. To NSS and police: I don't want to hear about fake vaccinations anymore. Arrest and lock them up. Very strict measures must be taken against doctors who sabotage the efforts by spoiling the vaccine doses.

Our vaccination rates are terrible. Not a single employee of the public administration office should be unvaccinated. The heads of departments and ministries carry responsibility for this.

All my family members have been vaccinated except the little ones. We all took different vaccines so they won't say "there is a specific vaccine that the elites take while giving bad ones to ordinary people". //

The government allocated an additional $4.8 million for Healthcare Ministry to combat COVID. "We would rather spend this on treating other illnesses."

Pashinyan: we're going to unleash an "inspection terror" beginning tomorrow

The Premier called the pandemic situation unacceptable and urged for vaccinations while informing about an upcoming wave of inspections.

sources: authorities will use undercover inspectors to find and fire doctors who urge patients not to get vaccinated or to delay vaccination

... according to sources within Healthcare Ministry. Undercover inspectors will visit clinics to seek info about vaccines. Nurses or doctors who discourage vaccination [for a non-medical reason] will lose their jobs.

sources: hospital treatment for COVID will no longer be free beginning on December 1

... according to sources from the government. It's unclear if these leaks are a scare tactic or an actual planned amendment.

The source revealed that it costs at least ֏700,000 to treat a single patient with a serious condition. The source says the unvaccinated patients will begin to pay on average ֏800,000 for the treatment.

only 176 vaccinated people needed hospital care, out of >14,000 active cases

Vaccines prevent serious symptoms and hospitalizations, reminded Minister Avanesyan.

Moderna will be available at all clinics beginning tomorrow

50,000 doses were donated by Lithuania earlier this week.

YSU university will have a booth to administer Moderna beginning Monday.

14% of Armenians have received at least one shot

https://youtu.be/dvJ8oPXu2a8 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064987.html https://youtu.be/LEmnqd39iAk https://factor.am/425841.html https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/222528 https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/222530 https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/222544 https://factor.am/425874.html https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/222556

It's a tradition now. Premier's Cup will hold the second "grand slam" tournament: cross country running

Pashinyan's office recently organized the amateur cycling tournament on the shores of Lake Sevan to promote a healthy lifestyle. The second tournament will be held on October 30. Amateurs will run. [in cold?]

The Premier Cup will consist of four sport types. Its goal is to get people moving after the COVID-era sedentary lifestyle.

Today the government allocated ֏36m for the prize fund. Foreign citizens are welcome to participate but the monetary prizes are only for Armenian nationals.

https://youtu.be/v5a-bjduZT4 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064998.html

Cassations Court struck down a lower court verdict that had freed a man suspected of plotting the assassination of Premier Pashinyan in November 2020

After the November 10 chaos and riots, several judges freed opposition figures who are suspected of assaulting or plotting assaults against government officials. One of these judges later had a disciplinary hearing against him for the verdict.

Suspect Minasyan, who leads the "Sisian" volunteer militia squad, was accused of plotting to assassinate Pashinyan [partial audiotape was published allegedly discussing "taking him out"]. The police raided his residence and announced the discovery of weapons. Minasyan was charged. The lower courts, however, refused to arrest him before his trial.

Today the Cassations Court found the lower courts' verdicts illegal and ordered a retrial.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064989.html

judge: Manvel Paramazyan's duties as Kajaran mayor will not be suspended pending felony trial

The Kocharyan-ARF member was recently charged with accepting a bribe (2017) and committing election violations (June 2021).

NSS asked the judge to suspend his duties because he could use the powers to "influence people involved in the case". The court disagreed. Paramazyan is still officially a mayor.

https://factor.am/425730.html

anti-corruption: mayor of Nor Yedesia (Aragatsotn) is facing criminal embezzlement charges

NSS report: between 2013-2019, the mayor abused powers to embezzle 11km water pipe worth ֏40 million.

Between 2016-2021, the mayor embezzled ֏4.5 million in fuel subsidies while his work war was broken and could not have been used.

In 2018, under the pretense of obtaining new furniture for the municipality, he withdrew ֏0.5 million and used it for personal needs. //

https://factor.am/425610.html

anti-corruption: mayor of Tsakhkadzor resort town is facing criminal charges

Police report: the mayor committed crimes in 2018-2020. He organized an illegal land auction, with only one bidder, to sell a piece of land for ֏66 million below its market value.

Another similar auction resulted in ֏8.5 million in damages.

On another occasion, the mayor intentionally ignored the illegal use of lands by a local casino company. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1065041.html

municipal elections are approaching: provincial residents will elect mayors & councils on October 17, November 14, and December 5

Pashinyan and ministers: in the end, after the mergers, Armenia will have 79 settlements. Yerevan, Gyumri, and five ethnic minority settlements will not be merged with others.

441 communities will merge into 38 [second and final large-scale merger process since 2016].

The merged settlements will hold elections. For example, Ashtarak, Aparan, Talin, Ararat, Artashat, Masis, Vedi were merged with other communities and will hold elections on December 5.

The elections will be held according to the hamamasnakan system [Parliament style, voting for a party instead of individuals] in settlements with over 4,000 population.

But for example in Arevut and Metsadzor, where the merged population is under 4,000, and the population is ethnic minorities, there will be a metsamasnakan voting system.

In the past, municipal elections were held between several individuals. Only one would win, and the rest would be left out of the governing system. Now, the winners will still win, but the losers will essentially have a chance to join the city council. It's like a local parliament. We have this in Yerevan, Vanadzor, and Gyumri. Now it's expanding. This was our promise.

Voters have an influence over decision-making. Many problems can be resolved when residents of settlements hold conscious elections. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064980.html https://youtu.be/oVAAAC6wGGQ

ARF activists gathered in front of government building

Read yesterday's new for context. ARF called Pashinyan a "traitor land giver", Pashinyan accused ARF of being the real "land givers" for "neglecting and not investing" in the development of some Artsakh regions for decades because they expected those lands to go under Azeri control. The main topic was the development - or lack of thereof - of Shushi.

Today a group of ARF activists gathered in front of the govt building to list the investments in Shushi that were made under the former administration. A few activists were detained for using loudspeaker equipment without authorization.

https://factor.am/425805.html

President Sarkissian's Italy trip continues / Armenology classes will be taught / justice reforms

Today he will meet ministers before signing an education memorandum at the Sapienza University of Rome. With a 700 year history, it's Italy's most powerful university.

A memorandum was signed between the Education Ministries of Armenia and Italy. The university will relaunch Armenology classes in the "Classics and Ancient History" department, after 10 years of suspension due to lack of funding. Diplomatic work was done last year to resume the classes. It will start with just Armenian language classes, before expanding with more courses.

Meanwhile, Justice Ministers of Armenia and Italy signed a cooperation memorandum. The Armenian side presented the reforms in the past few years and thanked Italy for being the donor-state that funded the OSCE's efforts in Armenia. The Italian minister was invited to Armenia. [leave your grazie in the comments section below]

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064965.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1065006.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1065036.html

Human Rights Ombudsman was also in Italy

Tatoyan met the members of the Italian parliament and presented Azerbaijan's mistreatment of Armenian POWs.

Tatoyan then met Pope Francis and thanked him for statements about the need to return POWs and to end the war.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1065024.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1065029.html

Yerevan municipality is expanding cooperation with Europe as part of the proposed €2.6b aid

Mayor Marutyan met EU's Eastern Partnership representatives to discuss various programs.

As we learned earlier, part of the EU's €2.6b aid will be for Yerevan. The city has presented five areas where it can be spent: public transport, energy efficiency, waste management, Smart City, metro.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1065017.html

PHOTO: parking spaces were converted into sidewalks in parts of Yerevan's Koghbatsi Street

It's part of the city's annual campaign to install cool-looking tiles on sidewalks. Amiryan St. is next.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/222546

job fair: dozens of employers are seeking workers

It'll be held tomorrow in front of the Armenian State University of Economics. The Labor Ministry has invited 50 companies and public offices.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/222508

United States donated an x-ray device to Ashtarak hospital

A group of diasporan doctors and the U.S. ambassador visited the hospital to donate the equipment and learn about facility conditions.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/222540

NEVER MIND... gas prices plummet under $1,000 in European markets

It's the lowest price since September 29. It hit $1,900 yesterday.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064984.html

Caucasus Nature Fund donates €315,000 to Nature Ministry to help the national parks

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064986.html

Best of the Year competition: teachers received awards from the Education Ministry

The Minister thanked teachers for their hard work. Hundreds of teaching ideas were presented by them during the competition. The best ones received rewards.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1065013.html

Armenia celebrated the Librarian's Day

An event was held at the National Library of Armenia. The Education Ministry issues awards to librarians.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1065028.html

Armenian Greco-Roman wrestling team is competing in World Championship

The games began today. Malkhas Amoyan will compete for gold against Russia's Kutuzov tomorrow.

The freestyle wrestling was held very recently; 61kg Arsen Harutyunyan won a bronze.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064968.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1065046.html

national soccer team lands in Iceland ahead of tomorrow's 2022 World Cup qualifiers game

Armenia needs a victory to increase the chances of maintaining the second position in the group, which would allow it to proceed to the World Cup.

The game starts at 10:45 pm in Yerevan time, 11:45 am Los Angeles, 8:45 pm Madrid, 9:45 pm Moscow, 2:45 pm New York.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1064957.html

today in history

1571: Battle of Lepanto. The Holy League defeats the Ottoman empire in a naval battle in Greece.

2001: the U.S. invade Afghanistan

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/q3gsyp/oct72021_buy_diaspora_bonds_to_help_armenia/