2022 April 20

Daily news wrap-up

Your daily news digest. Apr/20/2022. || $65m copper investments || Oskanyan vs Levon: Karabakh talks in 1998 || Pashinyan in Russia: Day 2 || Edmon Marukyan about peace negotiations || Exercises & drones || Democracy index || Idiot driver sets legal precedent || Armenian podcast app || and more...
by ar_david_hh

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13 minutes. 3015 words[1]

Levon Ter-Petrosyan ally responds to claims made by Kocharyan's foreign minister about 1998 Karabakh negotiations

Read Vardan Oskanyan's article [here](https://hetq.am/hy/article/143574/). He expresses opposition to a peace agreement with Azerbaijan, and boasts his negotiation record.

[This is](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/235296) a response from a ruling party MP. It accuses Oskanyan of manipulations.

[This is](https://fip.am/19049) a fact-check of claims made by Oskanyan.

[And this is](https://factor.am/501913.html) the response from Levon Ter-Petrosyan's teammate Levon Zurabyan about the processes that unfolded in 1998:

We had an agreement over a phased resolution in 1998 but [Kocharyan-Serj team] derailed the process. Had it gone through, it would have ensured maximal results for the Armenian side. Nagorno Karabakh would be an international legal entity, and Azerbaijan would be prohibited from deploying forces there. Azerbaijan had agreed to this capitulation.

Oskanyan realizes his guilt and responsibility, so he is making justifications now. He wrote several lies:

1) About the 8 January 1998 security council meeting. Oskanyan writes that during the meeting Levon was trying to justify his support for the phased resolution offered by the Minsk Group. Oskanyan then gives the impression that he was against it. As someone who was present in that meeting, I can confirm that's a lie. In reality, those who expressed opposition were Kocharyan, Serj [and Vazgen] Sargsyans, every current member of the Karabakh government, and Hovhannes Igityan from HHsH.

Everyone else, including Vardan Oskanyan, who was the main negotiator, supported the phased resolution. Oskanyan did so multiple times. After all, that's the document negotiated by him [as Deputy Foreign Minister].

2) Oskanyan claims that after rejecting the phased resolution, they were able to secure better terms later, which did not secure Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. He writes that OSCE offered 3 documents (common state, Key West, and Madrid principles) and that all three had reference to Karabakh's status but as outside of Azerbaijan. That's also false.

The Common State envisaged a great level of autonomy for Karabakh, but it would be part of Azerbaijan (the name of the Common State), as it's explained in the following 12 paragraphs.

Levon had earlier rejected the package resolution in 1997 because although it would have given strong privileges and legal rights, Karabakh was being declared as part of Azerbaijan.

3) Exposing the lie about Key West is tricky because, on the surface, Karabakh was going to be part of Armenia. However, Oskanyan is omitting certain "nuances" that nullify that "achievement". First, the OSCE Minsk Group has never made any such official proposal to parties. It had a status of a "non-paper", a document that does not express any official position.

It envisaged a land swap between Armenia and Azerbaijan: Karabakh in exchange for Meghri or Meghri corridor. Azerbaijan rejected it.

The only significant "achievement" of Key West negotiations was the removal of Karabakh from the negotiation process because it was going to be a land swap process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Yerevan forced Stepanakert to irreversibly relinquish its power as negotiating party.

4) Madrid principles developed under the context of Key West processes, in which Karabakh's status as an international legal subject was removed thanks to Kocharyan and Oskanyan.

That status of being a legal entity was formed after the 1991 independence referendum and subsequent military victories. It had forced the international community to acknowledge Nagorno Karabakh as an independent entity. In 1994 in Budapest, Nagorno Karabakh was recognized as an equal party to the conflict. And in 1997, after Levon rejected the package resolution, Minsk Group co-chairs officially proposed the phased resolution, which was no longer about resolving the conflict based on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. It was supported by the UN Security Council and OSCE. Had it been signed, it would take us closer to the international recognition of Nagorno Karabakh.

The Madrid Principles implied that a settlement plan would need to be agreed upon between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It stated that it would need to be done based on territorial integrity and people's right to self-determination and that Armenia and Azerbaijan would need to negotiate the date/conditions of a referendum.

However, Nagorno Karabakh's status as a legal entity is no longer secured. It would need to be formed anew, under uncertain conditions and timeframe. Moreover, the referendum would not guarantee a status outside Azerbaijan for two reasons: it's explicitly stated that the conflict should be resolved based on territorial integrity, and Azerbaijan would have the ability not to allow any referendum that would give independence to Karabakh. //

[source](https://factor.am/501913.html)

interview with LHK party leader Edmon Marukyan

Reporter: Pashinyan said in a parliament speech that the international community is pressuring Armenia to lower the benchmark on Nagorno Karabakh status, to instead focus on people's rights and security. What does this mean, and what exactly does it change in the daily lives of Artsakh residents?

Marukyan: It changes nothing at this time. That statement was a message to the international community and has helped launch an important discussion in Armenia. Pashinyan admitted the mistake of not revealing this publicly in 2018-2019. I watch so many analysts these days twisting his words by claiming "Pashinyan has lowered the benchmark".

Reporter: Pashinyan said the international community is telling us to lower it.

Marukyan: Yes. He said he was told the same before the 2020 war and that it was a mistake not to come forward then. He doesn't want to repeat the same mistake now, so he is telling the public that the international community wants us to lower the benchmark so we can secure consolidation and support, because right now Armenia is alone.

It launched a discussion in Armenia. Pashinyan did not say we are accepting Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. His words are twisted to justify hunger strikes and calls for resignation.

Reporter: People want to know the meaning of what he said. Did the critics misunderstand?

Marukyan: Anyone who claims that Armenia has abandoned Artsakh is saying that because that's what they want to hear from Pashinyan, so they can point fingers. The administration launched an honest conversation with the public about the negotiation process.

In the past, the public was completely clueless about the negotiation process. I was a parliament MP during Serj's HHK rule for 7 years. Not a single MP was aware of the content of the negotiations. The MPs didn't know.

Azerbaijan is saying they will never even discuss Artsakh's independence. That was/is the case. They won't discuss it. Does that mean we should have another war? The government is saying in order to resolve this peacefully, we need the international community's consolidation. To achieve that, the world is telling us to reshape our expectations. The actual content of negotiations will be revealed when negotiations begin.

Reporter: Did Pashinyan's statement mean Armenia has accepted the idea of lowering the benchmark?

Marukyan: The speech means we are opening the process for public discussions, to better understand what we have. You can see there are international discussions, too. For example, the US and EU welcomed the speech. There is no alternative to a peace process. That doesn't mean Armenia is abandoning Artsakh. This was stated explicitly and clearly.

Reporter: Who is the "international community"?

Marukyan: Russia and the West. OSCE countries.

Reporter: What will the "international consolidation and support" look like if Armenia lowers the benchmark?

Marukyan: I explained to my colleagues in Brussels how Azerbaijan blew up the gas pipeline in Artsakh amid freezing -8C temperatures, and how that was part of their efforts to commit ethnic cleansing, and that this was proof that Armenians cannot live under their control. My European colleagues understood this and took quick steps.

But when we tell the same international colleagues it's necessary for them to recognize Artsakh's independence, they don't want to hear us. Nobody wants to place a new chair for a new country in the UN headquarters. There will be no new chair. Moreover, that new chair is presented as "pro-Russian".

But when you present this conflict as an issue of "people's rights" instead of a "new UN chair", they become more open-minded to it. //

[full](https://youtu.be/GqCoZ2V81Vg)

Armenia presented details about Azerbaijan's attack on village Parukh (Nagorno Karabakh), during a meeting with Netherlands ambassador

Vice Speaker Ruben Rubinyan received ambassador Nico Schermers. They discussed the current situation and humanitarian problems in Artsakh caused by Azerbaijani soldiers.

Rubinyan expressed gratitude to the Dutch parliament for the adoption of resolutions condemning the 2020 war.

The process of democratic reforms in Armenia was also touched upon during the talk. Rubinyan said the Armenian authorities will be consistent with the implementation of the reforms.

[source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081101.html)

Armenia improves its democracy score in Freedom House's 2022 report

Since 2004, three authoritarian regimes made democratic strides and joined the ranks of hybrid regimes: Moldova, Kosovo, and now Armenia.

Armenia's score went from 2.96 to 3.04, on the sale of 1-7. It went from a Semi-Consolidated Authoritarian Regime to a Transitional/Hybrid Regime. Specifically, progress was made in the judicial framework, electoral process, local democratic governance, and independence. The Independent Media score went down (the category includes libel laws, financial independence of outlets, etc.).

In 2018 and 2021, "The incumbents were replaced with a new generation of politicians who, despite notable flaws, possess a basic commitment to democracy and the public interest."

Azerbaijan has a score of 1.07. It's lower than Belarus.

[full](https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/NIT_2022_final_digital.pdf) [source](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081055.html)

Russia's Minsk Group Co-chair is busy these days

Igor Khovaev [was recently appointed](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/u3ri7u/daily_news_apr142022_pashinyan_in_parliament/) as Lavrov's special envoy to work on Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, in addition to his other job as an OSCE co-chair.

Russia's Foreign Ministry: Khovaev held meetings in Yerevan. He plans to visit Baku soon. The basis of the dialogue is the 5-point basic principles proposed by Azerbaijan, and Armenia's constructive response.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081117.html

in case you missed Tuesday news digest

30-point agreement was signed between Pashinyan and Putin.

https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/u7f6jf/your_daily_news_digest_from_armenia_tuesday

deputy Premiers of Armenia and Russia discussed the unblocking of communication routes in South Caucasus

Mher Grigoryan and Alexey Overchuk met in Moscow to discuss the implementation of AM-RU-AZ agreements.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081045.html

culture ministers of Armenia and Russia met in Moscow

Dumanyan and Lyubimova discussed efforts to deepen cultural ties. Armenian Culture Days will be held in Russia. Lyubimova suggested marking the opening ceremony on July 10 in Moscow Conservatory. Armenia wiill send Komitas Quartet. Similarly, Russian culture days will be organized in Armenia.

The two spoke about sending Armenian students to Russian universities and joint organization of vocational courses.

They signed a 2022-2025 cooperation agreement.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081060.html

Pashinyan delegation met the leaders of Russian parliament's upper and lower chambers

Pashinyan met Valentina Matvienko and Vyacheslav Volodin (dzadza vanya).

Pashinyan: We had a productive discussion with Putin and adopted a [joint statement](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/u7f6jf/your_daily_news_digest_from_armenia_tuesday/). We agreed on several important issues, including Nagorno Karabakh, unblocking of communication routes, and AM-AZ border demarcation. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081068.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081084.html

Premier Pashinyan met his Russian counterpart Mishustin

The meeting included pretty much every ranking Armenian official who went to Moscow.

Mishustin: Welcome. This is an important meeting. We're also marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 25th anniversary of the Cooperation and Mutual Assistance agreement. During yesterday's talks with Putin, you've reached wide-ranging agreements in almost all areas.

[Mentions the trade and investment volumes.] Amid sanctions, it is important to use national currencies during bilateral trade, develop industrial cooperatives and create new trade opportunities. //

Mishustin: We're paying special attention to the unblocking of communication routes in South Caucasus. Every country will benefit from it. Russia will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Armenia. Our experts are tasked with creating conditions and repairing infrastructure in Nagorno Karabakh so people to return to their homes. //

Pashinyan: We reached an agreement with Putin to turn the inter-governmental council into the main platform where the agreements reached in energy, economy, etc. will be implemented. The ministries of our countries are cooperating quite well. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081078.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081085.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081089.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081094.html

why did Pashinyan visit Russia's Nizhny Novgorod after Moscow?

Pashinyan was greeted in the city by Governor Gleb Nikitin. He visited the "Gaz" vehicle manufacturing factory to learn about their vehicles. The company employs 400,000 people and exports cars to 40 countries.

Pashinyan then visited the local "Kremlin" to pay tribute at the Eternal Flame and to visit the state art museum. There will be a meeting with the Armenian community members.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081102.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081108.html

Russian miner plans to invest $65m to boost copper processing in Armenia

GeoProMining owns and co-owns several mines in Armenia. They own shares in Zangezur and Agarak mines.

This year they plan to invest $65m to modernize Zangezur and increase its annual ore processing from 17.6m tons to 22m tons.

Their Agarak copper plant will see $6m investments this year. New flotation cells will boost production.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/235446

Armenia-China economic relations

Foreign Ministers Mirzoyan and Yi held a phone call to discuss AM-CN cooperation and the 30th anniversary of relations. They spoke about logistics, investments, infrastructure, Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and the need to unblock economic routes in South Caucasus.

An economic cooperation agreement was signed between Armenia's Union of Manufacturers and Businesses, and China's Foreign Trade Center.

They will expand long-term cooperation, organize joint events, and participate in Canton Fair (China import and export fair).

Kind words were exchanged about historic Armenia-China relations and Silk Road.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081095.html

army held "Baghramyan" firing exercises and organized exhibition

The units were trained on how to prepare and conduct offensive operations. MOD Papikyan and CoGS Kamo Kochunts went to observe the process.

They were given a tour to learn more about the surveillance and striker drones, and modernized equipment that are currently being tested in the army.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081109.html

COVID stats

2466 tested. 15 infected. 18 healed. 0 deaths.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081054.html

Armenians organized a march in Jerusalem dedicated to 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

"We march for justice."

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081126.html

idiot complaints about the court verdict after using his sister's vehicle to "drift" at Yerevan intersection

Authorities report: There is a roundabout at the intersection of Bashijaghyan, Beknazarian, and Mazmanian streets (Norashen). The defendant used his sister's vehicle to drift for 2 minutes on the busy intersection. Defendant and [presumably the passenger] were charged with hooliganism. The lower court found the defendant guilty, but the [passenger] was acquitted.

Defendant disagreed that the act could be legally defined as felony hooliganism, and appealed the verdict. The appeals court upheld the verdict. That was escalated to Cassations Court, but it declined the case. //

Law enforcement called the ruling an important precedent and a powerful tool against drifting, which is apparently a significant problem in Yerevan.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081106.html

VIDEO: drama in Opera square

Arthur Vanetsyan and allies are still camping in front of the Opera as a sign of protest against the proposed peace negotiations with Azerbaijan.

An elderly drunken man approached one of the activists and cursed his mother, before receiving a "slap". The activist was detained by police. Ex-BHK MP Naira Zohrabyan happened to witness the incident.

https://youtu.be/szLqkGSd_SY?t=4

Yazidis are celebrating New Year

Pashinyan: Dear representatives of the Yazidi community of Armenia. I warmly congratulate you on the occasion of the New Year - Melek Taûs. I wish the New Year for the Yazidis of our country to be a year of success, happiness and abundance, and that our Yazidi compatriots preserve and develop their national language and cultural traditions.

[full](https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1081051.html)

Australian-Armenian philanthropist Heros Dilanchian awarded with Prime Minister’s Medal for his contributions to the development of the economy and long-term charitable activity

We can all agree he has a nice name. Keep the jokes to yourself.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081091.html

from Soviet ժեկ to 21st-century service center

Yerevan's Kentron (center) district has a new service hall where residents can make various payments, and receive documents and permits.

District leader: The old facility was just inappropriate. We were dealing with a ժեկ from 1960s. Similar programs will be implemented in other districts.

The new center has a proper queue management system. You can register via Earlyone app. It's faster and more civilized. More customer service windows have opened. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1081083.html

Armenian all-in-one platform Podcastle nominated in three categories at 2022 Webby Awards (Internet Oscars)

They are competing against Adobe, Canva, and 14,000 other nominees.

CEO Hambardzumyan: Podcastle allows users to conduct remote interviews without downloading any tools. You can edit podcasts with a free online tool, remove background noise and enhance speech in a few clicks, and more.

It's nominated in the categories Best Creative Production Software, Best Use of AI, and Best User Interface.

Imagine an Armenian actor getting the Oscar. We’d greatly promote our small country. We’ve shared the links to the voting on our Facebook account and our website. It takes 20 seconds.

We saw that people had a problem with becoming podcast hosts. They had to buy expensive microphones, get audio-editing trainings, they had to have a platform for downloading and broadcasting. Podcastle addresses that. The basic version is free.

The company was founded 1.5 years ago and consisted only of 4 members. Today we have 40 workers thanks to the $9m investments. //

Founder Yeritsyan: Together with our colleagues from Krisp software, we launched the BigStory VC Venture Fund to support startups with funds and knowledge. //

https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1081041.html

MAP: share of immigrant population in the country

1) UAE 88%

2) Qatar 77%

3) Kuwait 72%

Kazakhstan 20%

Russia 8%

Armenia 6%

Iran 3%

Azerbaijan 2%

Georgia 2%

Cuba 0.03%

[source](https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/mapped-immigration-by-country-as-a-percentage-of-the-population/?utm_placement=newsletter)

today in history

1922: The Soviet government creates South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within Georgian SSR.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_20

more

The news in русский (by Impossible-Ad-).

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

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

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/u84sq3/your_daily_news_digest_apr202022_65m_copper/