2021 September 15

Daily news wrap-up

News - Sep/15/2021: Artsakh army chief recalls March 1st events __ Parliament discusses border road __ Pashinyan's unaired interview on eve of war __ Second Lachin road __ Animal steps on landmine, causes confusion __ Army: CSTO, U.S., reservists __ Gas price __ U.S. increases anti-corruption aid
by ar_david_hh

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Your 14-minute Wednesday recap in 3528 words.

Artsakh Army's new commander Kamo Vardanyan's testimony about the army's involvement in March 1, 2008 events

Kocharyan & Co-defendants were charged with toppling the constitutional order and involving the army against civilians in February of 2008, before the state of emergency was declared on March 1. Kamo Vardanyan was leading Artsakh Army's Mountain Rifle Division at the time.

Vardanyan had earlier testified: under the orders of Artsakh Army commander Movses Hakobyan (general Mosi), I traveled with him to Yerevan to participate in a meeting held in the president's office on February 23.

We left Karabakh for Yerevan at night. In the same vehicle with us, were the deputy army commander Samvel Karapetyan (Oganovski) and the commander of 18th division Kamo Aghajanyan.

The meeting at the presidential began at 11:00. There were members of the military, NSS, MOD Mikael Harutyunyan, Armenia's CoGS Seyran Ohanyan, police officials, the entire command staff, approximately 50 people.

It was led by Robert Kocharyan in the presence of Serj Sargsyan, but the latter never said anything. Kocharyan spoke in a very strict tone. He said the internal situation was unstable. He ordered Yeranosyan Levon to meet Gen. Manvel Grigoryan [late Yerkrapah volunteer chief] to dismiss his members and return to service. [Manvel was "torn" whether to support Kocharyan or not]

Levon had rejected the February 19 election results and organized protests. Kocharyan, citing the rallies in front of the Opera building, said the situation was unacceptable and had to be resolved, so the internal political life could return to normal.

He was dissatisfied with Gen. Manvel Grigoryan who had gathered a few dozen of his allies in the Yerkrapah building. Kocharyan wanted them to disperse.

The meeting lasted only 15-20 minutes. After that, Movses "Mosi" Hakobyan instructed us to remain in Yerevan because they planned to send soldiers from Karabakh to Yerevan. He received the order from MOD [Mikael Harutyunyan] after the memeting at presidential. Mosi went to Stepanakert to prepare the troops.

Around 100 soldiers from [my] 10th division [and 200 from other divisions] were sent to Yerevan on February 23. They were officers and contractors. They remained in Yerevan for 20 months. Those who were pulled from front lines had to be substituted. //

To be continued...

https://armlur.am/1134718/

March 1st trial resumes

Kocharyan & Co were back in court, this time in Appeals. Prosecutors and March 1st victims are appealing the Lower Court's earlier verdict that ended the case after the Constitutional Court found Article 300.1 to be unconstitutional. Prosecutors want Kocharyan & Co to be charged under another article.

The sides presented their case (again).

Co-defendant Seyran Ohanyan's lawyer is going on a vacation and asked the judge to delay the trial. The next session is on Oct. 11.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063191.html https://youtu.be/l9_nX59Agc4 https://youtu.be/vX_HPk9o4SM https://youtu.be/bPq5TxdntTg https://youtu.be/V8-JF-nbqcY https://youtu.be/AKbEUkq7FCA

անասուն steps on a landmine, causes confusion on the border

Mayor of Taghavard, Artsakh: the cattle triggered a landmine last evening. Azeris began firing in the air, probably out of fear. Around 15 shots were fired. In response, our soldiers also fired in the air. //

The mayor denied information circulated on Telegram channels about "intensive shootout".

https://factor.am/416955.html https://www.civilnet.am/news/632822/ադրբեջանցիները-օդ-են-կրակել-մերոնք-էլ-են-օդ-կրակել․-թաղավարդի-գյուղապետը՝-կրակոցների-մասին/

Eurasianet: Prospects of Armenia-Turkey normalization appear closer than ever

>Unlike the last time the two sides explored restoring ties, Azerbaijan doesn’t seem to be trying to play the spoiler. But questions remain about Russia’s involvement in the process.

https://eurasianet.org/prospects-of-armenia-turkey-normalization-appear-closer-than-ever

Turkey news

Turkish MOD said, "We want Armenia to maintain the ceasefire regime and refrain from making mistakes. It's important for Armenia to accept the proposed peace. Unfortunately, there is no answer yet. Our goal is for the parties to live in a peaceful, prosperous, and secure environment."

Turkish and German officials spoke about migration from Afghanistan. Turkey cannot handle another wave of migrants as it did in 2015 from Syria, said Turkey. They also discussed the topic relating to the visa regime between TR-EU.

Council of Europe will consider sanctions against Turkey for its refusal to comply with the ECHR ruling about the need to free Turkish activist-businessman Osman Kavala. The regime claims he took part in the 2016 coup attempt. Kavala has publicly recognized the Armenian Genocide and presented the Armenian culture during events organized by his foundation.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063189.html https://factor.am/417214.html https://factor.am/417312.html

CSTO military bloc held a session in Tajikistan

Security Council chief Grigoryan attended the meeting and raised the topic of Azerbaijan's nonconstructive provocations and refusal to release POWs. The OSCE negotiations must resume to solve the conflict, said Grigoryan, adding that CSTO should form its agenda in a way to defend the interests of its member states.

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan and MOD Karapetyan did not attend the CSTO meeting, citing "malfunction in the jet".

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063183.html https://factor.am/417120.html

army chief Artak Davtyan met the newly appointed U.S. military attaché

Davtyan and Gregory Pipes discussed Armenian army reforms and the Artsakh conflict. They reaffirmed readiness to develop the existing programs and to launch new mutually beneficial projects.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063224.html

latest news about "taxation" on Vorotan-Kapan road on the Azeri side

Two Iranian cargo truck drivers were arrested by Azeri guards today, reportedly for transferring cargo to Artsakh. Azerbaijan had earlier complained about delivery of Iranian fuel to Artsakh "without permission".

U.S. ambassador Tracy said they give great importance to the events on the road. She repeated that the U.S. does not consider the Nagorno Karabakh conflict as being resolved and that Karabakh still needs a "status", despite Azerbaijan's repeated attempts to portray the conflict as being a thing of the past.

Parliament discussed the Vorotan-Kapan road and other topics. The Government sent premier Pashinyan to answer questions.

HD MP Seyran Ohanyan blamed the government for the road issues and criticized the post-war decision to withdraw from these western parts of Artsakh's Qashatagh province, east of Syunik. The government said this area was part of Soviet Azerbaijan according to official maps, therefore they had to withdraw, per November 9 agreement.

HD MP Ohanyan said historians and lawyers can be involved to prove this area was legally Armenian, and that it was illegally given to Soviet Azerbaijan due to pressure during Soviet times.

Premier Pashinyan: Azeri actions on the road are a result of Armenia reminding them that nowhere does it say they are entitled to gain a "corridor" to Nakhijevan.

In December 2020, we took steps to match Armenia's borders with Soviet-era borders, to avoid further military escalation. It was in accordance with the 2010 Armenian law which defined that Syunik's Shurnukh and Vorotan village boundaries correspond with the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. This is how some parts of the road ended up on the other side.

In December 2020, we agreed that Armenian passengers and cargo trucks should be allowed to continue to use the road. I assume that since it did not mention the transfer of foreigners, Azerbaijan decided to install the checkpoints, presumably in response to our statements pointing out that neither of the Nov 9 and Jan 11 statements gives Azerbaijan a "corridor" to Nakhijevan.

In general, Armenia wants every regional communication route to reopen. We are ready to install customs checkpoints on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border so Azerbaijan can transport cargo to Nakhijevan via Armenia. //

Pashinyan's unaired interview

September 25: Armenia's intel/army apparatus is now confident that a war will begin soon. Prior to this date, they had assessed a small likelihood of a big war.

September 26: Pashinyan gives an interview to the H1 outlet and says he could disclose information that could cause internal disturbance in Azerbaijan.

September 27: the war begins.

HD MP Khamoyan: in late September 2020, you announced about an interview to H1, in which you disclosed confidential circumstances. Why wasn't the interview subsequently aired?

Pashinyan: the interview wasn't aired because the war began. The interview is still there. When a commission is formed to investigate the war, they can watch the full unedited interview. It would not be helpful to publish it today. The investigative commission should examine and find the answers to questions. There is nothing to hide.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063180.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063181.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063187.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063194.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063214.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063217.html https://hetq.am/hy/article/135745 https://factor.am/417200.html https://factor.am/417245.html

the second Lachin road to connect Armenia to Artsakh

PU MP Abrahamyan: the Nov 9 statement reads that within the next 3 years, a new Lachin road will be built to secure the connection and that the Russian peacekeepers would be moved there. Is there already an agreement over this? Residents of some Artsakh villages are concerned that the new road will not be close/connected to them.

Pashinyan: there were discussions between Artsakh authorities and Russian peacekeepers. Our experts will join later. A proposal will be formulated and discussed. It requires consent from both sides. The interests of Artsakh villagers will be prioritized.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063227.html

Pashinyan about the AM-AZ border demarcation

HD MP Khachatryan: why wasn't the border demarcation conducted in October 2018 when Armenia was in a more favorable position?

Pashinyan: there were Artsakh conflict negotiations at the time, and if you look at the details, these negotiations would inevitably lead to AM-AZ border demarcation.

Before a demarcation, we must study the formation of the CIS bloc, the formation of legal frameworks during the independence process of Soviet republics. All this requires additional analysis. We will continue with the strategy we proposed earlier.

Border demarcation is necessary. It will be helpful to have a direct dialogue with the public and present them with the opportunities and risks.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063229.html

Armenia and India will form a friendship group

Parliament president Alen Simonyan met the Indian ambassador Kishan Dewal.

QP Simonyan: we value the deepening of our friendly relations. Our Parliament will soon form an Indian-Armenian friendship group, which will play a significant role in expanding interparliamentary cooperation. We appreciate India's stance on issues relating to Armenia.

Ambassador Dewal: we appreciate Armenia's stance on international platforms regarding peace in Kashmir.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063196.html

the mass scale draft of reservists continues

Prosecutors say only 4 people are suspected of attempting to avoid the draft, out of thousands who are being summoned for the 3-month retraining.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063206.html

All Armenia Fund audit finds no financial abuse

Opposition MPs asked Pashinyan for details about how Humnadram's fund resources were spent.

Context: Without evidence, some opposition activists circulated theories before the elections, claiming that the government had stolen money from the charity fund during/after the war. The Fund itself dismissed the rumors. Subsequent audits found no financial machinations.

PU MP Mamijanyan: there were rumors that the funds were used for military purposes.

Pashinyan: we never said the funds were used for military purchases. Himnadram's funds were used for purposes dictated by its rules. What we said is the funds had to be used to address problems that arose during the war. We're talking about healthcare, social programs. We allocated $200 million to address the needs, from which $100 million came from Himnadram.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063222.html

PHOTOS: diasporan experts have retrained teachers in provinces

Teachers and school directors from around the country gathered on Tuesday to mark the end of the yearlong "School Management" program, during which diasporan experts retrained many school officials.

Diaspora Committee chief Sinanyan: the program was organized by diasporan Narine Sirakyan and Onnik Bayramyan, who had joined the public administration system through the government's iGorts program.

Around 1,600 school directors and teachers from 250 schools have received online and in-person training with the latest tutoring standards and skills. Classroom models, teacher evaluation methods, etc. were studied.

This is a vivid example of attracting the professional potential of the diaspora. Through education, we can achieve our national goals by creating a secure, progressive, and knowledge-based country.

The program by the diasporan experts has received such a positive response that the teachers created their own "For You, Armenia" NGO to continue the mission. They plan to use it to create several STEM labs and retrain fellow teachers. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063152.html

gas prices are too damn high

European prices have reached $900 per thousand m^3 for the first time in history. That's +12% in one day, +22% in one week, and 1.5x in two weeks.

One reason could be the cold winter of 2020 which depleted the EU's gas reserves. European gas storages are currently 71% full, compared to 93% this time last year.

Experts also say Gazprom does not want to increase pumping and sales under the context of Nord Stream 2 events.

deputy Premier Mher: I can't predict the gas price for Armenia 2-3 years from now but we hope to maintain the price at the border this year [Armenia is not paying $900]. We don't expect any major changes in the near future. We routinely discuss it with Gazprom. The goal is to maintain the price to prevent a hike because Gazprom insists that the 2013 agreement doesn't make it profitable enough.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063190.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063218.html

Armenia bans import of pork products from several countries over African Swine Fever outbreak

The temporary ban on a wide range of products relating to the pork industry will apply to Romania, Moldova, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria. The ban comes after a warning from an international health organization.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063188.html

Armenia and Iran are extraditing prisoners

Per agreement, Armenia has already deported 6 Iranian nationals convinced in Armenia. It's a two-way "swap".

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063200.html

the free world marks the International Day of Democracy

Parliament president Simonyan: in Armenia, only a few years ago, the concept of democracy was mainly in textbooks. When talking about democratic values, the lack of "political will" was always brought up. The 2018 revolution has returned power to the people. The development of our model of full democracy in our country is already a daily work, with efforts and patience from all of us.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063166.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063195.html

U.S. launches a $9.5 million "Armenia Integrity" program, encouraged by ongoing anti-corruption fight

USAID will help Armenia reduce corruption risks and strengthen existing anti-corruption tools. Within 5 years, there should be fewer opportunities for corruption, and the public should demand improved governance and accountability.

The president of Armenia's Corruption Prevention Commission (CPC) said the country is moving to a new phase, a more practical area in fighting corruption.

U.S. ambassador Tracey: We are encouraged by the government’s efforts to root out corruption using triple-P: Prevention, Promotion, Prosecution. The new program will support the CPC and Ministry of Justice to strengthen integrity in the public sector. //

The goal is to create a culture that rejects corruption as a social norm. USAID will also support civil society organizations, media and youth groups.

Armenian delegation presented some of the recent reforms, such as expanding the list of public officials and families who will publicly declare their assets, lowering the definition of an "expensive" from $16k to $8k, etc.

More: https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063195.html https://youtu.be/QKx2yoI48BU https://factor.am/417025.html https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/220954

update on the currently-suspended president of Supreme Court Ruben Vardazaryan

He was suspended and charged with criminal abuse of power after a "subordinate" judge claimed he was pressured by Vardazaryan to give a particular verdict [during a trial unrelated to politics]. His trial has reached the court and was assigned to a judge to investigate.

In other news, the authorities are investigating the judicial computer network that was supposed to randomly select judges for trials. It was supposed to be random, but the NSS recently discovered an "intentional backdoor" that could allow people outside the court system to pick the judges for trials, revealed the acting Supreme president Jhangiryan recently, adding that they are currently working with U.S. experts on a new system.

https://factor.am/417100.html https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/owmfqr/news_aug22021_new_syunik_road_tunnel_bridge/

Armenian and Russian prosecutors discussed anti-corruption tools to combat cybercrime and illegal cross-border movement

They meet several times every year to discuss how to combat laundering, freeze stolen assets, etc.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063225.html

Yerevan council is weighing the options on what to do with illegal construction on Dvin hotel

Q: there are two illegal floors in buildings that are part of the Dvin complex. What are your plans?

Mayor Marutyan: not only there, but two illegal floors were added on the Dvin hotel itself. The experts will advise on how to proceed. Either the illegal parts will be demolished or the complex will pay a very large sum to legalize the structure [a "loophole"]. //

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/220856 https://youtu.be/368F2uAhJLA

VIDEO: Yerevan is enforcing the ban on the sale of food on sidewalks

The sellers were asked to move to nearby markets.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=177787627801141

company suspends plans to build an aerial tramway in Gyumri

The government had allocated land for Armon company but the latter delayed the project, citing complications with pandemic and war. The city hasn't heard back in a while, so they took the land back. The 25km tramway was supposed to have 14 stops.

The investor was Khachatur Sargsyan from Tanzania. (keep scrolling)

https://factor.am/417338.html

COVID stats

5622 tested. 756 infected. 389 healed. 22 deaths. 10412 active.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063169.html

health inspectors examined grocery stores to enforce the mask rules

Two businesses were issued $200-$600 fines.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063208.html

healthcare expenditures rise

Minister Avanesyan: the government continues to subsidize emergency care, but since hospitals ran out of govt-issued subsidy funds earlier than expected due to the pandemic, some patients with non-emergency needs are being added to the queue before more govt funds are available to hospitals.

Just recently we allocated another ֏550M for oncology services to continue uninterrupted. Another ֏2B for soldiers and their families.

Without counting the pandemic expenses, the healthcare expenditures have reached ֏114.5B. An overall 33% rise of the healthcare budget.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063234.html

large-scale grape buyers agree to pay a "fair price" after government intervention

A group of grape farmers recently closed a road with complaints that some private factories, which purchase grape en masse, are only willing to pay ֏115/kg.

Deputy Premier Suren Papikyan said they have negotiated with six large factories and they decided to pay ֏130 instead. (farmers were hoping 150). Additionally, the government will keep an eye on the accuracy of scales used by the buyers.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063232.html

VIDEO: Yerevan Botanical Garden will be "revived" after a ֏105M donation from Grand Candy owner

The Botanical Garden is an 80ha area with 1,100 unique vegetation species. Founded in 1935, the garden began dying out in the early 1990s due to a lack of water. "It needs help after 30 years of abandonment."

Benefactor Karen Vardanyan has financed the installation of a water network to irrigate a 15ha area. The construction began last year. It will ensure 24/7/365 irrigation.

Garden director Ghukasyan: the garden started to dry after the energy crisis in the 90s when the budget was slashed and the upkeep became impossible. The new water network will reach the Ajaryan St. area that was out of reach until now. //

Another problem they're addressing is revamping the lighting system to save on the electricity bill. Solar panels have been installed on a roof to generate 120,000 kWh/yr (֏5 million).

https://youtu.be/Z6Zc3TeuOvM https://factor.am/416493.html

Kotayk's enlarged Meghradzor municipality is having its roads renovated

One is ready, four are being worked on. It's part of a federal-local co-subsidy program.

https://factor.am/416925.html

Tigranashen steals the crown from George Soros

Pashinyan administration has given the Tigranashen enclave to Azerbaijan approximately four times now, if you believe online rumors. Every few months, there is a new conspiracy theory.

The latest one was circulated last week by editors at Panorama.am who looked at the list of merged municipalities, didn't find Tigranashen, consumed fake news from Azeri sources, and assumed that Nikol has already given it away. "We can assume that Armenian authorities have already made a secret decision to give the village to Azerbaijan," wrote the outlet.

The outlet later published the Infrastructure & Territorial Ministry's response which pointed out where the outlet's error was. There is a difference between "community" and "settlement". The outlet had looked at the list of "communities" and couldn't find Tigranashen because it's a "settlement" that's part of Paruyk Sevak "community".

The conspiracy theories did not stop, however. Some social media users claimed that the Ararat governor's recent resignation had something to do with the "Tigranashen giveaway". The governor dismissed the rumors. He left public office to take a job in the private sector.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U6EqcNP5i0 https://fip.am/16834

over a thousand tech start-ups have received tax benefits

High-Tech Ministry held a meeting to discuss giving tax waivers to 13 more tech startups in the fields of software, data processing, research, and design of electronic systems.

The benefits include 0% profit and 10% income tax, for the duration of 5 years.

Foreign tech companies can also apply for the benefits to launch a business in Armenia. They account for 20% of all applicants (mostly diasporan Armenians).

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063170.html

a team of Armenian journalists wins silver in a friendly soccer tournament

... held in Lithuania, participated by Eastern European countries. Moldova won again. Armenia finished second again. SAD.

Moldovan team played 8 matches and managed to keep its net virgin. David Yegiazaryan was declared the best striker with 12 goals.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063176.html

today in history

1812: the French army captures Kremlin

1918: massacres of ethnic Armenians in Baku

1935: Hitler's Germany adopts swastica as the second official national flag

1954: Armenian-Turkish writer Hrant Dink is born

1997: Google search is born

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1063154.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/poy5br/news_sep152021_artsakh_army_chief_recalls_march/